noon
It was now August , and Lin sat on a wet hill making mud-pies for sixty days . But the philosopher 's stone was not in the wash at that placer , nor did Lin gather gold-dust sufficient to cover the nail of his thumb . Then they heard of an excitement at Obo , Nevada , and , hurrying to Obo , they made some more mud-pies . Now and then , eating their fat bacon at noon , Honey would say , `` Lin , wher 're yu ' goin ' ? '' And Lin always replied , `` East . '' This became a signal for drinks . For beauty and promise , Nevada is a name among names .