noon
Large quantities of fish and fowl had been provided -- some by smoking , and others by drying -- which , together with the fresh and dried fruits and vegetables they had secured , they calculated would last them five or six days . There were no animals of any kind , consequently they had not such facilities for preparation of dried meats as before ; and being without any salt , it was both inconvenient and difficult for them to preserve their provisions . Loading their horses with what they had prepared , and with a supply of water and grass , they set out on foot , for it would be impossible for the beasts to carry them and the baggage , and they would be obliged to travel on foot for two days at least , until the provisions were consumed sufficiently to relieve the beasts of part of the weight . It was now mid-summer : they knew that by the intense heat that poured its scorching rays upon them so that they were obliged to halt before noon , and entrench themselves behind a mass of rock they found , to protect themselves from its burning rays . When the greatest heat of the day was over , they again set out , and after an hour 's travel , came in sight of a dense forest , which they reached long before the sun had set . They now laughed heartily at the idea of their sojourn on the oasis so long , preparing with so much pains and anxiety for so short a journey . Whithersoever they went they found the forest increasing in fertility , and they knew by the extent of it this time , they had reached the main land , and had really crossed an immense desert .