about eight
o'clock in the morning
`` This place wo n't shelter us very well if a heavy rain comes on , '' said Ned . `` The chances are that it wo n't rain before afternoon or night , so we had better make the most of what time we have by choosing a better spot . '' The value of Ned 's advice had been tested on many previous occasions , so preparations to start were hastily commenced . This was about eight o'clock in the morning , after breakfast had been eaten and the dishes cleared away . Randy was the first one up that morning , and much to the mystification of his companions he had been working since daybreak in a thicket of young timber not far behind the camp . Just as the tent was being rolled up he made his appearance with a lurking smile on his face , and under his arm a bundle that resembled a red flannel seine wrapped tightly on its sticks . `` Hullo , Randy , what have you there ? ''