About ten o'clock
I really do not think that I was half so much overcome when I first came out of the hole myself . And now for the city , to keep my appointment with the gentlemen at the Coffee-House . I had hired a pony to carry me to Canton , and had fastened it to a tree near by ; and very soon I was galloping off like lightning . About ten o'clock , I reached the hotel ; and , after stopping for a glass of water at the office to clear my throat , I entered the room where I knew my patrons would be assembled , and threw my bundle down upon the table . Every man there started to his feet ; but such was their surprise at my appearance , -- for not a soul amongst them ever dreamed that I would keep my appointment , -- that for one or two minutes , as before , not a word was spoken . While they all stood around staring at me as if I had just dropped from the clouds , I proceeded very leisurely to untie the strings of the package ; when , with a simultaneous movement , my eager customers rushed towards the table , reaching out their hands frantically for the papers . `` Gentlemen , '' said I , in a clear , collected voice , `` before proceeding to distribute the mail , allow me to offer a few brief remarks . ''