The men around them were not uncivil.

Australian miners never are so.

But they were inquisitive, familiar, and with their half-drunken good-humour, almost repulsive.

It was about noon when our friends reached Henniker's, and they were told that there would be dinner at one.

There was always 'grub' at one, and 'grub' at seven, and 'grub' at eight in the morning.