nine o'clock
Understand , however , that they will give you up , should you fail to depart at the earliest opportunity . ' `` Poor Mrs. Sims went in the next ship ` bound home ; ' but the story got abroad at once , and Worrell never married . Great amusement , of course , was created by the recital , and it became a favorite of the members of the bar on circuit , who , however , generally expressed one regret , viz. , ` that Worrell escaped alive , as the world thereby lost a most remarkable criminal case . ' `` Well , that 's all there is of it ; and as it 's nine o'clock , and we want to be up early , I think I 'll conclude by bidding you all ` good night , and pleasant dreams . ' '' At sunrise the next morning , the sportsmen hurried through their frugal meal , and hastened to their various `` ice-houses ; '' for a great change had taken place in the weather , which , although the rain had ceased and the sky had cleared somewhat , was still mild and spring-like . Even as they lit their cigars at the door , they heard far up the cove the calls of the wild geese , and a scattering volley which told that the Indians had been early at their posts . Above the others arose two heavy reports , which Davies declared could come from no other gun than Peter 's newly-acquired double-barrel .