nine o'clock
But whatever you try , _ do n't forget the bitters _ -- fruit of the cucumber tree in raw whiskey . '' `` Do n't forget the bitters . '' These words kept repeating themselves in Chester 's mind long after he had gone to bed in the small room assigned to him by the host of the Travellers ' Rest . He slept wretchedly , rose late the next morning , breakfasted , and after ordering his horse to be saddled at nine o'clock , walked to the wharf where lay the mail-boat ready to start down the Ohio . Among the few taking passage on the vessel was Captain Danvers , who had been ordered to report for service in St. Louis , and was on his way thither . Arlington observed the fine-looking young officer with the petulant dislike of foiled envy . So spiteful was his mood that he wished a pretext for saying or doing something offensive to his handsome rival .