noon
The ascending path pierced them ; and often the Hebrews , as they entered , feared that the lofty cliffs in the distance would compel them to return . Then murmurs and lamentations arose , but the mode of egress soon appeared and led to another rock-valley . On departing from the harbor at the Red Sea they had often found thorny gum acacias and an aromatic desert plant , which the animals relished ; but the farther they entered the rocky wilderness , the more scorching and arid the sand became , and at last the eye sought in vain for herbs and trees . At Elim fresh springs and shade-giving palms were found , and at the Red Sea there were well-filled cisterns ; but here at the camp in the wilderness of Sin nothing had been discovered to quench the thirst , and at noon it seemed as though an army of spiteful demons had banished every inch of shade cast by the cliffs ; for every part of the valleys and ravines blazed and glowed , and nowhere was there the slightest protection from the scorching sun . The last water brought with them had been distributed among the human beings and animals , and when the procession started in the morning not a drop could be found to quench their increasing thirst . Then the old doubting rancor and rebelliousness took possession of the multitude . Curses directed against Moses and the elders , who had led them from the comfort of well-watered Egypt to this misery , never ceased ; but when they climbed the pass of the `` Swordpoint '' their parched throats had become too dry for oaths and invectives .