noon
I never sleep but for visions ; and , as to my attendants , their occupations are too many to close the only eye they each have . '' The poor peasants , who were not over-pleased with their party , remained open-mouthed with surprise . Carathis alighted , as well as her negresses , and severally stripping off their outer garments , they all ran in their drawers , to cull from those spots where the sun shone fiercest the venomous plants that grew on the marsh ; this provision was made for the family of the Emir , and whoever might retard the expedition to Istakar . The wood-men were overcome with fear when they beheld these three horrible phantoms run , and , not much relishing the company of Alboufaki , stood aghast at the command of Carathis to set forward , notwithstanding it was noon , and the heat fierce enough to calcine even rocks . In spite , however , of every remonstrance , they were forced implicitly to submit . Alboufaki , who delighted in solitude , constantly snorted whenever he perceived himself near a habitation ; and Carathis , who was apt to spoil him with indulgence , as constantly turned him aside , so that the peasants were precluded from procuring subsistence ; for the milch goats and ewes , which Providence had sent towards the district they traversed , to refresh travellers with their milk , all fled at the sight of the hideous animal and his strange riders . As to Carathis , she needed no common aliment , for her invention had previously furnished her with an opiate to stay her stomach , some of which she imparted to her mutes .