noon
They picked the best ground , but it was all rough . Nevertheless the three were cheerful , and the Little Giant whistled like a nightingale . `` Ef I remember right , '' he said , `` we 'll soon be descendin ' , droppin ' down fast so to speak , an ' then the weather will grow a heap warmer . The sun 's out now , though , an ' by noon anyway all the sleet will be gone , which will help us a lot . '' They had been walking most of the time , allowing their animals to follow , which both horses and mules did , not only through long training but because they had become used to the companionship of men . The three might have abandoned them , escaping pursuit in the almost inaccessible mazes of the mountains , but no such thought entered their minds . The horses and mules not only carried their supplies , chief among which being the ammunition , but also the tools with which to work the mine , and then , in Will 's mind at least , they and more of them would be needed to bring back to civilization the tons of gold .