midnight
`` Have we met with any accident ? '' asked others when that halt was longer protracted ; and `` Are we _ never _ going to get on ? '' asked all parties together , when the delay lengthened to more than half an hour and there appeared to be no signs of starting . Finally , when more than the half hour had elapsed , a brake-man satisfied the eager inquiries of the passengers by the information that a coal-schooner had attempted to pass through the draw-bridge half a mile above Peekskill , when the tide was too far spent -- that she had managed to get aground in the draw-bridge , immediately across the track -- and that , consequently , no train could possibly pass until the tide rose again and released the unfortunate boat , well along towards midnight ! Here was a pleasant predicament , especially for those who , like our travellers , had connections to make at Albany for the North and West ; and yet , to their credit be it said , that particular couple bore the delay with wonderful equanimity ! It is just possible that both remembered that they would be together a few hours longer on account of the accident , and that they were prepared to endure even a longer forced companionship ! At last the train moved on , but slowly , through the village of Peekskill , and reached the little creek , under the very edge of the Highlands , where the accident had occurred .