About twelve o'clock
`` What do you think , Mesty ? '' said Jack ; `` do you think we shall take her ? '' `` It is take her you mane ; sure enough we 'll take her : stop a bit -- wait till um all fast asleep . '' About twelve o'clock there came on a mizzling heavy rain , which was very favourable for our hero 's operations . But as it promised soon to clear up , by Mesty 's advice they did not delay any longer . They crept softly into the boat , and with two oars to steer her , dropped under the bows of the vessel , climbed up the fore chains , and found the deck empty . `` Take care not fire pistol , '' said Mesty to the men , as they came up , putting his finger to their lips to impress them with the necessity of silence , for Mesty had been an African warrior , and knew the advantage of surprise .