noon
He was accorded an unimpeachable authority because he had read The Wandering Jew and one or two other books . They called him `` Doctor '' ; and since he was conceited about his knowledge , he employed very few words . They took turns , carrying the stretcher in relays of four over the bare stony mesa and up the steep passes . At high noon , when the reflection of the sun on the calcareous soil burned their shoulders and made the landscape dimly waver before their eyes , the monotonous , rhythmical moan of the wounded rose in unison with the ceaseless cry of the locusts . They stopped to rest at every small hut they found hidden between the steep , jagged rocks . `` Thank God , a kind soul and tortillas full of beans and chili are never lacking , '' Anastasio Montanez said with a triumphant belch . The mountaineers would shake calloused hands with the travelers , saying : `` God 's blessing on you !