midnight
In the meantime Smith , in another part of the camp , gave selections on a tin whistle , sang a song or two , contributed , in his turn , to the sailor yarns , and ensured his popularity for several nights at least . After several draughts of something that was poured out of a demijohn into a pint-pot , his tongue became loosened , and he expressed an opinion that geology was all bosh , and said if he had half his employer 's money he 'd be dashed if he would go rooting round in the mud like a blessed old ant-eater ; he also irreverently referred to his learned boss as `` Old Rocks '' over there . He had a pretty easy billet of it though , he said , taking it all round , when the weather was fine ; he got a couple of notes a week and all expenses paid , and the money was sure ; he was only required to look after the luggage and arrange for accommodation , grub out a chunk of rock now and then , and -LRB- what perhaps was the most irksome of his duties -RRB- he had to appear interested in old rocks and clay . Towards midnight Steelman and Smith retired to the unoccupied whare which had been shown them , Smith carrying a bundle of bags , blankets , and rugs , which had been placed at their disposal by their good-natured hosts . Smith lit a candle and proceeded to make the beds . Steelman sat down , removed his specs and scientific expression , placed the glasses carefully on a ledge close at hand , took a book from his bag , and commenced to read . The volume was a cheap copy of Jules Verne 's _ Journey to the Centre of the Earth _ .