midnight
When the steering-gear gave out , we could n't do anything more . I 'm the only one of twelve men and a passenger that was saved . '' Harvey Barth commenced his story anew , when the astonishment of John Carter had abated a little , and gave all the particulars of the voyage and the wreck and all the details of his personal history since he kept school in `` York State . '' It was midnight when he had finished , and the details were discussed for an hour afterwards . Mrs. Carter had brought on more hot tea , with pie and cheese , and other eatables , which the steward had consumed in large quantities , for one of the features of his malady was a ravenous appetite . John Carter , who had been detained at the village by the violence of the storm , was as hospitable as any one could be , and Harvey slept that night in the best bed in the house . After breakfast the next morning he brought out the oil-cloth which contained his diary .