about seven o'clock
Near the south station , in the deepest water , there was a rude pier of logs built out , for the convenience of landing the parties . This loose structure suggested to me the means of reaching the main shore ; and , without waiting for breakfast , I `` piped '' away my boatmen , and proceeded to build a raft . Placing three large logs in the water , we lashed them together , and covered them with short pieces of board , from the ruins of an old cook-house on the island . The job was finished when breakfast was ready , about seven o'clock , including a mast and sail , the latter made of the curtain of a tent . The preparations I had been making had a wonderful effect in warming up the spirits of the boys , considerably depressed by the prospective calamities which were supposed to lie in the wake of the loss of our boats ; and at least three quarters of them applied to me for permission to join my expedition to the main shore . I determined , however , to take but four with me , among whom were Bob Hale and Tom Rush . As soon as we had eaten a hearty breakfast , we embarked , and hoisted the sail on our clumsy craft .