nine o'clock
`` He wanted to go out and get those nuggets of gold . '' `` Well , I 'd like some nuggets myself , '' cried Spud . `` But I am not going to the ice fields of Alaska for 'em , '' he added , grimly , and this caused a faint smile to spread on some of the boys ' faces . Songbird had received permission to accompany Sam to Ashton , and at nine o'clock the youths were on the way , in a carriage driven by one of the college drivers . They went directly to the depot , there to await the arrival of the train that was to bring Dick . It was a cold , disagreeable evening , with a promise of rain in the air . The boys were glad enough to go into the station , which was kept open for the coming of the late train .