about
three o'clock
The pile of fish on the ice , rapidly freezing , once they were exposed to the air , increased until at noon they had all they could think of carrying home . `` The rest of the day we 'll take things easy , and lay in a stock for Abe here , '' suggested Tom ; for the guide had told them he meant to cure as many of the fish as he could secure , since later on in the winter they would be much more difficult to catch , and it would be a long time until April came with its break-up of the ice . The boys certainly enjoyed every minute of their stay at the lake . Jack was wise enough to know that they had better start for camp about three o'clock . It might not be quite so easy going back , as they would be tired , and the wind was against them . They had skated for over half an hour , with their heavy packs on their backs , when again Tom called to his comrade to listen . `` And believe me it was n't a fox that time , Jack ! ''