eleven at night
I did not think a guide necessary , but a boy took me up by a track near Gadmen , and left me to my Siegfried map some way up the great ridge of rocks that overlooks the Engstlen Alp . I a little overestimated my mountaineering , and it came about that I was benighted while I was still high above the Joch Pass on my descent . Some of this was steep and needed caution . I had to come down slowly with my folding lantern , in which a reluctant candle went out at regular intervals , and I did not reach the little inn at Engstlen Alp until long after eleven at night . By that time I was very tired and hungry . They told me I was lucky to get a room , only one stood vacant ; I should certainly not have enjoyed sleeping on a billiard table after my day 's work , and I ate a hearty supper , smoked for a time , meditated emptily , and went wearily to bed . But I could not sleep .