noon
You are richer than I , and need not quarrel with an old friend for the sake of working from the earth a few scales of gold . Let me remain here in peace ; for the present , without being elbowed by strangers . '' `` We are agreed , '' I replied , pressing the stockman 's hand : and as we did so , a vision of his services rose before us , and amply rewarded us for the slight sacrifice which we had made . `` Now , '' cried the stockman , `` we are friends again ; and to prove that I am such , before noon I will place in your hands the bag of gold which we came so near losing night before last '' `` Ah , now we are convinced that you have our interest at heart , '' Fred said , joyfully . `` Let us but touch the treasure and you shall share with us . '' `` I want no share -- I 've been repaid , ay , more than repaid , in obtaining my freedom through your instrumentality , and if I can make some return I shall be happy . '' We no longer stopped to discuss the question of working upon his claim , and in less than ten minutes after our return to the hut , we had saddled our horses , and leaving Smith to follow with his oxen , for the purpose of bringing home his half-consumed cart , we started once more towards the still smoking woods .