noon
But the two of them made up their minds that everyone must move from the camp without delay , and seek safety . `` Orders were given to strike camp at once , and the men worked all night , packing away outfits and tools , and such machinery as could be moved inside the cave . Then the mouth was closed against winter storms , and they started , on their horses , to ride along Top Notch Trail , on the down trip . `` It was almost noon when they left the mine , and by two o'clock they halted on one of the crests to cook dinner . The horses were hobbled where a patch of Buffalo grass provided good pastureage , and Rattlesnake Mike started a fire to cook the meal . Tom and John got out their tackle to catch a few trout , when a fearful roll of thunder sounded along the crest . '' ` She come down , pooty queeck ! '