True, it caused them to make a detour, and so wasted their time; but then it afforded them a glimpse of the sun's orb, and enabled them to pursue their journey in the right course.
During the mid-day hours they were deprived of even this guidance: for the meridian sun gives no clue to the points of the compass.

They did not much feel the disadvantage; as at noon-tide the hot tropical atmosphere had become almost insupportable, and the heat, added to their fatigue from incessant toiling through thicket and swamp, made it necessary for them to take several hours of rest.
They resumed their journey in the evening, as the sun, declining toward the western horizon, pointed out to them the way they were to go.

They aimed to reach the sheet of water seen by them from the brow of the mountain.

They wished to strike it at its southern end, as this was right in the direction westward.

It appeared to lie about midway between the two mountain-ranges; and, in such a case, would be a proper halting-place on their journey across the plain.