Noon
Forward ! '' They cantered on , drawing rein now and then to breathe their horses , to find that the desert land with its quivering layer of air grew more clearly marked on one side , the country more beautiful and park-like , diversified by hill and dale , on the other , and away in front the mighty peak looking as distant as ever , but with its features more plainly defined . Twice over they came to a halt , the first time being at the edge of a narrow lake which resembled a piece cut off from a tolerably wide river , whose ends had been filled up by the growth of reeds . Noon was long past , but the air was so fresh and invigorating and their level track so easy to follow , that the doctor decided upon pushing on again for another couple of hours , before making a final halt for refreshment , and then turning back . This final stoppage was beneath a clump of fairly grown trees whose boughs formed a goodly shade from the westering sun , and all revelled in the beauty of the view forward as they partook of their scanty meal . `` Glorious ! '' said the doctor at last .