about noon
was a place on which I had never yet , to my knowledge , set my foot . `` In my own defence , I made all the excuses I could think of ; and , from excuses , I went on to all kinds of deceit : for tyranny and injustice always produce cunning and falsehood . `` One day , having shut all the doors on my side of the mine , I left three open on my companion 's side . The men , I thought , would not go to work on that side of the mine for a day or two : but in this I was mistaken ; and about noon I was alarmed by the report of a man having been killed in one of the galleries for want of fresh air . `` The door-keepers were summoned before the overseer ; or , as you call him , the viewer . I was the youngest , and the blame was all laid upon me . The man , who had only swooned , recovered ; but I was thrashed and thrashed for the neglect of another person , till the viewer was tired .