ten
o'clock
Indeed Duncan had purposely planned the excursion to give them an opportunity of becoming friends once more , by being thrown together . He knew well that they both earnestly wished it , although , with the natural shyness of boys , they hardly knew how to set about effecting it . Montagu hung back lest he should seem to be patronising a fallen enemy , and Eric lest he should have sinned too deeply to be forgiven . The next morning dawned gloriously , and it was agreed that they should meet at Starhaven , the point where they were to get the boat , at ten o'clock . As they had supposed , Dr. Rowlands gave a ready consent to the row , on condition of their being accompanied by the experienced sailor whom the boys called Jim . The precaution was by no means unnecessary , for the various currents which ran round the island were violent at certain stages of the tide , and extremely dangerous for any who were not aware of their general course . Feeling that the day would pass off very unpleasantly if any feeling of restraint remained between him and Montagu , Eric , by a strong effort , determined to `` make up with him '' before starting , and went into his study for that purpose after breakfast .