ten o'clock
Paul did not whistle till he got out of the woods , and announced his success to John by slapping a monster perch upon the bottom of the boat . If that was a type of his success he was satisfied . Before he had time to follow out the reflections suggested by the event , John hauled in the mate to the big fish , and another had taken hold of his own hook . By ten o'clock there were six dozen perch in the basket , besides three handsome tautog and half a dozen sea flounders . The young fisherman was satisfied , hauled up killock , and made sail for home . His heart was as light as the upper air , and he was confident of the success of his grand scheme . `` Now , John you must steer , while I skin the perch , '' said Paul , as he resigned the helm to his brother .