three o'clock
Dick was not given to panic , still less fear , but , for all that , the minute which ensued was one of the most terrible in his life . At certain times of the tide , the current between the Sprit Rock and the long Fiddle-Sandbank rushed like a mill-race . The boys knew this ; they had been reminded of it at starting . But the morning had passed so quickly that , until Dick had taken his header , and they saw him swept astern , it had never occurred to one of them that it could possibly be three o'clock . Freckleton was the first to see the danger , and almost as soon as Dick appeared above water , he flung off his coat and boots , and saying to Cresswell , `` Come quick with the boat , '' plunged into the water . He was soon at Dick 's side ; not to support him , for the boy was able to do that for himself , but to encourage him to keep cool , and not waste his strength in endeavouring to stem the tide . And Dick had sense enough to take the advice , and tread water quietly till the boat should come .