two o'clock
When the provost-marshal himself , with his assistants and Vinton and Stuyvesant , returned at three and found Zenobia the vortex of a storm of questioners , the centre of a circle of rapid-writing scribes , these latter could have sworn -- did swear , some of them -- that , far from expediting matters in order that a full report might be sent by the Esmeralda , the officials showed a provoking and exasperating disposition to prolong and delay them . And even at this time and at this distance , with all his regard , personal and professional , for the official referred to , the present chronicler is unable entirely to refute the allegation . Out in the street a score of carriages and as many _ quilez _ and _ carromattas _ stood waiting by the curb , and gallant Captain Taylor , of the Esmeralda , could have added gold by the hundred to his well-earned store would he but have promised to hold his ship until the court -- not the tide -- served . But an aide of the commanding general had driven to the ship towards two o'clock and said something to that able seaman , -- no power of the press could tell what , -- and all importunity as to delaying his departure there was but one reply , -- `` Five sharp , and not a second later ! '' It was after three -- yes , long after -- that witnesses of consequence came up for examination . Dr. Brick had got the floor and was pleading _ post-mortem _ at once . In this climate and under such conditions decomposition would be so rapid , said he , that `` by tomorrow his own mother could n't recognize him . ''