seven o'clock
Paul had often been there with his father , and was familiar with the locality . He knew just where to moor his boat to have good luck in fishing ; and was acquainted with all the channels , currents , and bars in the bay . He was not only a skilful seaman , but a good pilot , and felt as much at home on the bay as in the streets of Bayville . It would be low tide in the bay at seven o'clock , and Paul made his calculations accordingly . The best time to fish was on the `` young flood , '' or soon after the tide had turned to come in ; and , if the wind should happen to be light or contrary , it would take him a long time to run down to Rock Island , as the place was called ; therefore he must go down with the tide . To accomplish his purpose it was necessary that he should start by five o'clock in the morning , which was an hour before his usual breakfast time . He did not sleep very well that night , for the great idea to which we have alluded was creating an immense commotion in his mind .