five o'clock
The bank of the lake was thronged , people stood there with glasses , in spite of the steady rain , scanning the eastern horizon in the hope of discovering the smoke of approaching propellers . Others had friends on board the _ America _ besides the family at the old stone house . But Hugh was well known and well liked , and his was the only young life among those still missing from Westerton ; the others were middled-aged or old , and with that universal sympathy which the death of a bright vigorous youth always awakens , the whole town mourned for Hugh , and stories of his generous , manly nature , flew from mouth to mouth , until even strangers felt that they knew him . At five o'clock a tug returned bringing a man and wife exhausted with twelve hours in the water lashed to floating spars ; but they soon revived , and the good news flew through the city , and friends told it to the family in the old stone house , clustered together around Bessie , who had not changed her attitude or tasted food since morning . `` If they were saved , why not Hugh ? '' they said hopefully . `` Hugh is dead ! ''