noon
Away , -- trusting that the last hasty promise of the merchant to test their earnest story , and yield to the importunate desires which they had so long cherished , might not be unfulfilled . Away , -- out into the desert again ; into that broad , barren wilderness of sand , stretching wearily on as far as eye could reach , and beyond the utmost limit of human steps , where the wild beasts almost fear to tread . Away , -- under the glare of the tropic sun , whose torrid beams fall from heavens that glow like hot walls of brass , and beat down through an atmosphere whose faint undulations in the breath of the desert wind ebb and flow over the parched travellers , like waves of a fiery sea ; under a sun that seems to grow ever larger and brighter as the tired eyes , sick with beholding its yellow splendor overflowing all the world , yet turn toward it their fascinated gaze , and faint into burning dryness at its sight . Away , -- from the coolness of city walls , and the dark shadows of narrow , high-built streets , where the sunlight comes only at the height of noon , where men hide within doors as the hot hours draw nigh , and rest in silent chambers , or drowse away the time with _ tchibouque _ or _ narghileh _ , whose softened odor of the rich Eastern tobacco floats up through perfumed waters and tubes of aromatic woods to leisurely lips , and curls in dim wreaths before restful eyelids half dropping to repose . Away , -- from the association of men in street , lane , bazaar , and market-place . No very profitable or happy association for the poor captives , one might think ; and yet not so . For in every group of bystanders , or bevy of passers , they perchance might see him who should prove their angel of deliverance , -- a kindly merchant , a new speculator , or even , by some event of gracious fortune , a countryman or a friend .