midday
They were in calmer mind on the following morning , which was fortunately fine , and set out to systematically examine the extent of the gold-bearing stone they had stumbled across . It was all on the side of the hill which was farthest from the swamp , and it seemed as though the whole side of the hill was composed of it . `` What 's to be done now ? '' Palmer Billy asked , when they met at the midday meal . `` We 'll get as much of the gold as we can in a couple of days , and then send Murray back with two horses for stores enough to last another two months . By that time we 'll know how much the reef is good for , and maybe have enough on hand to carry off and bank . '' `` Ah , that 's the talk , '' Palmer Billy said admiringly .