three o'clock
But with the morning even Riddell could hardly harbour any thoughts outside the event of the day . Morning school that Wednesday was a farce all over Willoughby . Even the doctor seemed absent-minded , while one or two of the junior masters gave up the attempt in despair . The race was fixed for three o'clock , when the tide would be running up at its fastest , and long before that hour every advantageous point of view on the banks was secured by eager spectators . These were by no means all Willoughby boys , for the school boat-race was always more or less of an event in Shellport itself , whose inhabitants flocked in large numbers to the scene of the contest . Carnages lined the banks on either side for a considerable distance , and as usual the doctor 's party assembled in great force on Willow Point . The towing-path was jealously kept clear for the schoolboys , who trooped down in force the moment after lunch , and took possession of their places along the course .