noon
But he supposed that beyond the first cataract , where the people were wilder and less susceptible to the influences of Englishmen and the Egyptian Government , he would find more adherents of the prophet , who in a case of emergency would give them succor , and would furnish food and camels . But it was , as the Bedouins reckoned , about five days ' journey to Assuan over a road which became more and more desolate , and every stop visibly diminished their supplies for man and beast . Fortunately they could urge the camels and drive with the greatest speed , for the heat did not exhaust their strength . During daytime , at the noon hour , the sun , indeed , scorched strongly but the air was continually invigorating and the nights so cool that Stas , with the consent of Idris , changed his seat to Nell 's camel , desiring to watch over her and protect her from catching cold . But his fears were vain , as Dinah , whose eyes , or rather , eye , improved considerably , watched with great solicitude over her little lady . The boy was even surprised that the little one 's health thus far did not suffer any impairment and that she bore the journey , with everdecreasing stops , as well as himself . Grief , fear , and the tears which she shed from longing for her papa evidently did not harm her much .