about four o'clock
The Susquehanna was six miles distant as the crow flies , but almost thrice six by the snaky curvatures of the channel down which they were making their way . Midway on the breast of the dam was lodged a section of the red bridge , and it recalled vividly to the boys the circumstances under which they had last seen it . They found an easy portage for the canoes , and were off again without delay . While the sunny afternoon slowly lengthened they paddled on through a now familiar country , passing Sporting Hill -- a famous place for bass -- about four o'clock , and reaching Oyster 's Dam -- endeared by many boyish memories -- just an hour later . Another portage , and then away at full speed between wooded banks and green islands , to the nail works dam , where the air rang to the clatter of big hammers and pitchy black smoke was vomited skyward from huge stacks . A brief dash through foaming shallows and rapids , with the hamlet of Fairview on one side and the wooded bluffs of Bunker Hill on the other , a swift glide into the shadows of the old Red Bridge -- and then the Jolly Rovers were on the broad bosom of the Susquehanna . They shouted and laughed and waved their caps in the air for very joy .