twelve o’clock
`` They had better not strike me , '' Dimchurch said ; `` the man that did it would never live to strike another . '' `` That might be , '' Will said , `` but it would be a small satisfaction to you if you were to be flogged to death afterwards . '' `` No , I suppose not , sir ; but flesh and blood ca n't stand such a thing as being struck by one of these yellow hounds . '' At twelve o'clock the gang returned , and the men drank eagerly from a fountain in the courtyard of the prison . `` Take as little as you can , '' Will said ; `` if you drink much it will do you harm . You can drink often if you like , provided that you only take a sip at a time . '' `` It is easy to say , Mr. Gilmore , but it is not so easy to do .