noon
The darkness of the night and the wilderness of the surrounding mountains made absolutely useless any attempt to follow up their enemies ; and , after an hour spent in discussing plans , Mr. and Mrs. Dickson returned to their house , and our friends hurried into their bunks , to get the rest needed to fit them for a busy morrow . The next morning all our friends were up an hour before sunrise ; for the Never-Give-Up California Mining Company had much to do that morning , if they started on the hunt for the Cave of Gold that day , as they hoped to do . The horses had to be brought from the little valley five miles away , where they had been turned out to pasture , needed supplies of food and clothing and tools had to be procured at the stores of Hangtown , and everything had to be made ready for the rough journey through the wilderness of mountains and forests to the northeast . But nine men and one woman can accomplish much in a few hours ; and by noon everything was in readiness for the start , and the horses stood saddled and bridled and packed , ready for the journey , before the door of the log house , while our friends gathered around the rough table inside for their last meal in the house that had sheltered them for so long . `` Seems almost like leaving home , '' declared Mr. Conroyal , as his eyes glanced slowly around the familiar room . `` It shore does , '' agreed Ham . `` We 've had some mighty good times in the old house ; an ' I hopes th ' fellers who move in when we 're out , will be sort of gentle tew things .