noon
But in the present case harmony seemed to be completely reestablished , and it would have taken a keener observer than Muirhead to have understood his own position and the general opinion . It was felt that the stranger had bluffed for all he was worth , and that Garotte had come out `` at the little end of the horn . '' A day or two later Charley Muirhead , walking about the camp , came upon Dave Crocker 's claim , and offered to buy half of it and work as a partner , but the other would not sell ; `` the claim was worth nothin ' ; not good enough for two , anyhow ; '' and there the matter would have ended , had not the young man proposed to work for a spell just to keep his hand in . By noon Crocker was won ; nobody could resist Charley 's hard work and laughing high spirits . Shortly afterwards the older man proposed to knock off ; a day 's work , he reckoned , had been done , and evidently considering it impossible to accept a stranger 's labour without acknowledgment , he pressed Charley to come up to his shanty and eat The simple meal was soon despatched , and Crocker , feeling the obvious deficiencies of his larder , produced a bottle of Bourbon , and the two began to drink . Glass succeeded glass , and at length Crocker 's reserve seemed to thaw ; his manner became almost easy , and he spoke half frankly . `` I guess you 're strong , '' he remarked .