nine o'clock
After this , no more was said about looking for Bulstrode ; though we let our noble commander understand , that we should tax his hospitality no longer than to see him fairly in the field , after driving away the party that it was expected the enemy would send to oppose our landing . Susquesus no sooner learned our decision , than he took his departure , quietly paddling away towards the eastern shore ; no one attempting to intercept a canoe that was seen to quit the batteau that was known to carry the commander of the advanced brigade . The wind freshened , as the day advanced , and most of the boats having something or other in the shape of a sail , our progress now became quite rapid . By nine o'clock we were fairly in the Lower Lake , and there was every prospect of our reaching our point of destination by mid-day . I confess , the business we were on , the novelty of my situation , and the certainty that we should meet in Montcalm an experienced as well as a most gallant foe , conspired to render me thoughtful , though I trust not timid , during the few hours we were in the batteau . Perfectly inactive , it is not surprising that so young a soldier should feel sobered by the solemn reflections that are apt to get possession of the mind , at the probable approach of death -- if not to myself , at least to many of those who were around me . Nor was there anything boastful or inflated in the manner or conversation of our distinguished leader , who had seen much warm service in Germany , in the wars of his reputed grandfather and uncle , young as he was .