about eleven o'clock
Most of them had been there before , but with a difference . When one 's ears must be constantly open for the baying of dogs , with the necessity ever present of being ready for instant flight , there is little chance to appreciate the beauties of nature . Now , instead of having to creep along through trees and undergrowth , they could boldly follow the shore-line , investigate every little cove or promontory , discuss possible camping-sites , and even make definite plans with the assurance that these could be actually carried out in the spring . At about eleven o'clock they reached the old swimming-place near the head of the lake and halted by general consent . Hitherto , they had considered the spot solely from the point of view of aquatic sport ; now they realized that a more ideal spot for a camp could scarcely be imagined . A small , rocky point thrust its flat nose out into the lake . One side was sliced off as with a knife , and here the depth varied from six to eight feet ; on the other it shelved more gradually .