four o'clock
Rick said the name aloud . `` Swamp Creek ! '' Calvert 's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick , Steve , and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats . The boys had spent the night -- or most of it -- aboard the houseboat , until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock . Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse , and after coffee , bacon , and eggs , they started on their mission . `` Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity , '' Steve said as they climbed into the runabout . He took the pilot 's seat , while Rick and Scotty prepared to cast off .