noon
It was daylight when we reached the tent at the top of the pass . * * * * * `` Abdul Hafiz , '' said Ram Lal , as we sat round the fire we had made , preparing food , `` if it is thy pleasure I will conduct thy friend to a place of safety and set his feet in the paths that lead to pleasant places . For thou art weary and wilt take thy rest until noon , but I am not weary and the limbs of the Afghan are as iron . '' He spoke in Persian , so that Shere Ali could understand what he said . The latter looked uneasy at first , but soon perceived that his best chance of safety lay in immediately leaving the neighbourhood , which was unpleasantly near Simla on the one side and the frontiers of Baithopoor on the other . `` I thank thee , Ram Lal , '' replied Isaacs , `` and I gladly accept thy offer .