midday
`` Well , I 'm off . I 've got to get back to Sulphide to-night , so I 'll dig out at once . '' So saying , he picked up his long-handled shovel , and using it upside-down as a walking-staff , away he went , striding over the snow at a great pace ; while Socrates , seeing him depart , very appropriately called after him , `` Good-bye , John . '' As it was now after midday , we concluded to eat our lunch before going any further , so , sitting down on the rocks , we produced the bread and cold bacon we had brought with us and prepared to refresh ourselves . Observing this , Socrates , who had flown up into a tree when Long John threatened him with the hatchet , now flipped down again and took up his station beside us , having plainly no apprehension that we would do him any harm , and doubtless thinking that if there was any food going he might come in for a share . I was just about to offer him a scrap of bacon , when the bird suddenly gave a croak and flew off up the mountain . Naturally , we both looked up to ascertain the reason for this sudden departure , when we were startled to see a tall , bearded man with a long staff in his hands , skimming down the snow-covered slope of the mountain towards us .