noon
` Not a drop till the month is over , ' said Caldigate turning himself round in his blanket . Then there were whisperings between the other two men , of which he could only hear the hum . On the next morning at six Caldigate and Dick Shand were at the hole together . It was Caldigate 's turn to work till noon , whereas Dick went off at nine , and Mick would come on from nine till three . At nine Mick did not make his appearance , and Dick declared his purpose of looking after him . Caldigate also threw down his tools , as he could not work alone , and went in search . The upshot of it was , that he did not see either of his companions again till he found them both very drunk at a drinking-shop about two miles away from their claim , just before dusk !