four o'clock
`` There are a number of logs lying around that we cut for firewood , and I saw some wild grapevines back of the spring which will do very well for ropes . We could take off the most of our clothing , so it would n't matter if we got wet . '' The proposal to build a raft was approved by all , and they set to work without delay . It had been after four o'clock when they got back to the cabin and it was dark by the time the raft was ready for use . It was a clumsy affair , made of rough logs , spliced together with grapevine shoots , and it was barely large enough to carry the four boys . They took off their coats and shoes and socks , and rolled their trousers up to the knees . `` Talk about a life on the ocean wave ! ''