nine o'clock
It was ridiculous enough , six strong men prowling for the life of one poor little insect . We did not find him , however , though we succeeded in silencing him . But no sooner were we back in our bunks than he began it again , and such was the turmoil of our nerves that day found us sitting wan about a fire , hugging our knees . We were so genuinely emptied , not so much by the cricket as by the two years of fermentation , that not one of us stirred toward breakfast , in fact not one of us moved from the listless attitude in which day found him , until after nine o'clock . Then we pulled ourselves together and cooked coffee and salt horse . As a significant fact , the Nigger left the dishes unwashed , and no one cared . Handy Solomon finally shook himself and arose .