twelve o'clock at night
The saloons and cabins soon had the appearance of a hospital . By this time the boat had landed , and the Columbia , the other boat , had come alongside to render assistance to the disabled steamer . The killed and scalded -LRB- nineteen in number -RRB- were put on shore , and the Patriot , taken in tow by the Columbia , was soon again on its way . It was now twelve o'clock at night , and instead of the passengers being asleep the majority were ambling in the saloons . Thousands of dollars change hands during a passage from Louisville or St. Louis to New Orleans on a Mississippi steamer , and many men , and even ladies , are completely ruined . `` Go call my boy , steward , '' said Mr. Smith , as he took his cards one by one from the table . In a few moments a fine looking , bright-eyed mulatto boy , apparently about fifteen years of age , was standing by his master 's side at the table .