about six o'clock
As they advanced on their way , the villages became less frequent , the farm houses were more scattering , and the country grew more wild . Sometimes the road extended for miles through thickly-wooded forests . Occasionally they would come in sight of a river , and , perhaps , would hear the clatter and whizzing of a saw-mill , or get a glimpse of a raft of logs floating lazily down the stream . It was about six o'clock when the stage stopped at the post-office of a small settlement , and the driver told Oscar he was going to leave him there . His seat had grown tiresome , during the last few hours , and he was by no means sorry to leave it . `` Well , Jerry , here I am again , '' said Mr. Preston , addressing a boy who stood by . `` How are all the folks at home ? ''