midnight
The corsairs are bound to be very strongly manned , and ten knights , even aided by such assistance as they may get from the Christians , might find themselves altogether over matched against a crowd of desperate men . '' As soon as it was dusk the anchors were drawn up , and the fleet got under way . They proceeded but slowly , for the wind was light , and the fishing boats moved heavily through the water . There was , however , no occasion for speed , for Gervaise did not wish to commence the attack until past midnight . The guns had all been loaded before starting , and a pile of ammunition was placed near each . Presently the wind nearly died out , and the galley and prizes then took the coasters and fishing craft in tow . It was nearly one o'clock when they got within half a mile of the inlet .