about ten o'clock in the
evening
Paquíta and Demetria suffered agonies , so that I was obliged to keep with them a good deal . I very imprudently told them not to be alarmed , that it was nothing -- _ only sea-sickness _ -- and I verily believe they both hated me with all their hearts for a little while in consequence . Fortunately I had anticipated these harrowing scenes , and had provided a bottle of champagne for the occasion ; and after I had consumed two or three glassfuls to encourage them , showing how easy this kind of medicine is to take , I prevailed on them to drink the remainder . At length , about ten o'clock in the evening , they began to suspect that their malady was not going to prove fatal , and , seeing them so much better , I went up to get some fresh air . There at the stern still sat the stoical old gaucho , looking extremely miserable . `` Good evening , old comrade , '' said I ; `` will you smoke a cigar ? '' `` Young master , you seem to have a good heart , '' he returned , shaking his head at the proffered cigar , `` do , for God 's sake , get me a little rum .