about three o'clock in the afternoon
The bait sank slowly toward the bottom , when , suddenly , there was a tremendous jerk , and the line whizzed through the water with a force that bent the tough , elastic pole like a `` reed shaken with the wind . '' Frank was a skillful fisherman , and , after a few moments ' maneuvering , a trout weighing between three and four pounds lay floundering on the bank . Archie soon came up , having been a little more successful , as two good-sized fish were struggling in his basket . They walked slowly down the brook , stopping now and then to try some favorite spot , and , about three o'clock in the afternoon , they reached the place where the brook emptied into Glen 's Creek , and were about two miles from home . They had been remarkably successful ; their baskets were filled , and they had several `` sockdologers '' strung on a branch , which they carried in their hands . After dropping their hooks for a few moments among the perch , at the mouth of the brook , they unjointed their poles , and started toward home , well satisfied with their day 's work . The next day , as Frank and Archie were on their way to the village , on foot -- the wind being contrary , they could not sail -- they met George and Harry , who had started to pay them a visit .