midnight
We had drinkers , songsters , debaters , gamblers , jokers , and a few inclined to be quarrelsome , all of which added to the variety of the occasion . I wandered around from one group to another , thoroughly enjoying myself , both out on deck and in the cabins . It might be added that there were no sleepers ! Along toward midnight , as I was leaning on the rail forward watching the effect of the moon on the water and the shower of sparks from the twin stacks against the sky , I was suddenly startled by the cry of `` man overboard , '' and a rush toward the stern . I followed as quickly as I was able . The paddle wheels had been instantly reversed , and a half dozen sailors were busily lowering a boat . A crowd of men , alarmed by the trembling of the vessel as her way was checked , poured out from the cabins .