About six o'clock
During the afternoon a heavy mist swept over the gulf and the speed of the _ Mascotte _ had to be slackened . Two men were placed on watch besides the pilot , but they could see little . `` This is going to delay us still more , '' said Tom , and he was right . About six o'clock they came near crashing into another steamboat , and after that the forward movement was almost checked entirely . All on board felt it would be a night of more or less peril , and consequently the trouble over the meals was forgotten . The captain paced the deck nervously , and the pilot and other watchers strained their eyes to pierce the gloom . `` I must say , I do n't feel much like turning in , '' remarked Sam .