midnight
We made fast to a tree , and sent Hop Tossford ashore to watch at the bend for the approach of the other steamer . As the water was deep enough for the Islander in whatever part of it she went , I thought she would come within a few yards of our position , as that would lead her up stream by the shortest way . Our passengers had spent their time in the usual manner on the voyage , and one day at sea was very like any other day when the weather was fine . We had passed out of the fog before midnight , and the two days on the Gulf had been as pleasant as possible . Some of them landed on the high bank of the river where we had made fast ; but we required them to keep within call . In the pilot-house we had voted that it was not best to say anything about Cornwood 's relations with Nick , and none of the passengers even knew that Nick was on board of the Islander . We simply told them that we had lost the other steamer in the fog , and we were afraid we should miss the Islander in New Orleans if we delayed to look for her in the fog .