nearly three o'clock
`` There were lots of things I 'd never eat at home , '' he said as he passed his plate for a second helping of pork , `` but here I like everything . '' `` As I were sayin ' before , hunger 's a rare sauce for vittles , '' remarked Skipper Zeb . A light breeze sprang up while they were eating , and when they made their departure from Swile Island Skipper Zeb hoisted a leg-o ' - mutton sail , and then sat and smoked his pipe and told stories of experiences and adventures on the trail , while Toby took the rudder . It was nearly three o'clock when Skipper Zeb pointed out a little log hut near the mouth of a small river , and announced : `` There 's Black River and there 's Black River tilt where we bides to-night . '' A few minutes later the prow of the boat grounded upon a gravelly beach , and while Skipper Zeb unloaded the cargo the boys carried it to the tilt , laying it upon spruce boughs broken by Toby to protect it from the snow . The tilt was built of logs , with a roof thatched with bark . The door was not more than four feet in height , and when Skipper Zeb opened it the three were compelled to stoop low to enter .