Noon
and there is _ none upon earth _ that I desire beside Thee . '' Just as our travellers approached the nearest and largest cluster of huts and tents , a sudden change came over the scene . The hour of noon had arrived , and , as if with one consent , the miners threw down their tools , and swarmed , like the skirmishers of an invading host , up from the stream towards the huts -- a few of the more jovial among them singing at the full pitch of their lungs , but most of them too wearied to care for aught save food and repose . Noon is the universal dinner-hour throughout the gold-mines , an hour which might be adopted with profit in every way , we venture to suggest , by those who dig for gold in commercial and legal ledgers and cash-books in more civilised lands . When the new-comers reached a moderately-sized log-cabin , which was the chief hotel of the colony , they found it in all the bustle of preparation for an immediate and simple , though substantial , meal . `` Can we have dinner ! '' inquired Ned , entering this house of entertainment , while his companions were unsaddling and picketing their horses and mules .