nine o'clock
I further told her that I found myself at that moment possessed of a tidy little sum in prize-money , and that , inspired by my love for her , I had resolved to fight my way to the top of the ladder with the utmost possible expedition , with a great deal more of the same sort , which would no doubt appear the most arrant nonsense to _ you _ , dear reader , so I will not inflict it upon you . These two important tasks completed , I felt very much more easy in my mind , and was able to sit down to my dinner , which was shortly afterwards served , with a tolerable appetite . Whilst I was engaged in discussing the meal Courtenay came in . He informed me that he had accepted an invitation for himself and me to spend a week with Mr Thomson -LRB- the admiral 's , and also our own , agent -RRB- at his country house , some fifteen miles off in the heart of the Blue Mountain range ; and that , as he had been unable to find me in time for us to go out there that evening , our host had promised to send in a couple of saddle-horses and a negro guide for our accommodation next morning , and that we should find them awaiting us at Mr Thomson 's store at nine o'clock . This was good news , for though I had pulled myself pretty well together after the shock occasioned by the perusal of my father 's letters , I felt that a little change and amusement would be most acceptable under the circumstances . On the following morning , punctual to the moment , we presented ourselves at the rendezvous ; where we found , as had been promised , a couple of excellent saddle-horses awaiting us in charge of a grinning , happy - looking negro groom , who was mounted on a stout mule . Our guide , who informed us that his name was Pompey , promptly took charge of our valises , which he slung one on each side of his own saddle ; we then mounted , and without loss of time got under weigh for our destination .