seven o'clock
`` Half-past six . I wanted to start by six . '' `` We 're to start at eight o'clock , '' answered Snap , and hurried into his clothing with all possible speed . By seven o'clock all of the boys had had a good breakfast and then they bid their folks good-by and hurried down to the river . It was a glorious morning , as clear as crystal after the rain , and with just the faintest breeze blowing . The stores had been packed away on Saturday in a boathouse nearby , and it was an easy matter to transfer them to the rowboat . The craft was rather crowded with goods and boys , but the lads made the best of it .