noon
`` Then our fortins is made a ` ready -- all but -- '' `` Not quite ; you forget the price of our outfit , '' said Frank . `` No doubt , I did , '' answered the seaman , a little subdued . `` And the price o ' grub , '' added Douglas ; `` not to mention clothing , which we shall want very soon , I fear , for the tear and wear of this kind of work is considerable . Why , I found to-day , when I took a stroll at noon , that they charge five pounds sterling for a flannel shirt , and four pounds for a pair of boots , and everything else is in proportion ; so , you see , our thirty-six pounds wo n't do much for us at that rate . However , I admit that we have reason to be satisfied with the day 's work . '' `` You certainly have , '' said their friend the miner ; `` for it is very seldom that beginners do so much . And now I would give you one piece of advice before I go , which is , that you appoint one of your number to cook for the rest .