two o'clock in the morning
Between this cabin and the forward saloon the main deck was raised about three feet , so as to cover the engine and boilers . On each side of this higher deck were more `` hütte , '' which were the best rooms on board . The hurricane-deck , over the after cabin , was the favorite resort of the passengers . It was two o'clock in the morning , and the independent excursionists were tired and sleepy . They had taken first-class tickets , and two of them had been assigned to each `` hütte . '' As soon as they went on board , therefore , they retired , and most of them slept , in spite of the fleas and other vermin that revelled in their banquet of blood . None but very tired boys could have slumbered under such unfavorable circumstances , and it is a great pity that a steamer otherwise so neat and comfortable should be given up to the dominion of these sleep-destroying insects .