noon
And when at last I was faint with heat and thirst , my companion lifted me up like a child on to his back and set off again at his great , easy stride . It was useless to protest . I merely buried my hands in his yellow hair to keep my balance in such a camel-like motion . A little after noon we stayed to rest by a shallow brook , beneath a cluster of trees scented , though not in blossom , like an English hawthorn . There we ate our meal , or rather I ate and my companion watched , running out ever and again for a wider survey , and returning to me like a faithful dog , to shout snatches of his inconceivable language at me . Sometimes I seemed to catch his meaning , bidding me take courage , have no fear , he would protect me . And once he shaded his eyes and pointed afar with extreme perturbation , whining or murmuring while he stared .