noon
`` We 'll try to keep alive and well , Randy , '' returned Mr. Portney , seriously . `` Remember , from now on comes the tug-of-war , as the old saying goes . '' But work was not over , as Randy had surmised . To be sure , when the storm ceased at noon it was found the snow was nearly three feet deep on the level . But a day 's labor sufficed to beat down a path to the bank in the gulch , and once again the fires were started and the work of getting the dirt to the sluice boxes resumed . The clearing of the storm had left it stinging cold , and all were glad enough to hustle lively in order to keep warm . They worked with their overcoats on and with their feet encased in several pairs of woollen socks , and even then spent much time around the fire , `` thawing out , '' to use Randy 's words .