about midnight
As soon as it was dark , they once more beat up towards the bay . Every preparation was made for the intended cutting-out expedition . There were six boats , all of which were placed under the command of the first lieutenant of the frigate , and Sir Henry Elmore went as second in command , with True Blue as his coxswain . The ships hove to , and the boats shoved off about midnight . In two of them the marines of the frigate , with their officer , were embarked , to act on shore if necessary . The plan was , that they were together to board each vessel in succession , beginning at the largest . With muffled oars and in dead silence away they pulled .