about midnight
There was one especially , on one of the Isles d'Hyères , which the _ Tartar _ was particularly ordered to silence , as more than any other it was the resort of coasters . The _ Tartar _ sailed in near enough to it to exchange shots , and so got some idea of the work they had to undertake ; then , having learned all she could , she stood out to sea again . All preparations were made during the day for a landing ; arms were distributed , and the men told off to the boats . After nightfall she again sailed in , and arrived off the forts about midnight . The boats had already been lowered , and the men took their places in them while the _ Tartar _ was still moving through the water , and , dividing into three parties , made respectively for the three principal batteries . Dimchurch was not in the boat in which Will had a place , as he rowed stroke of the first gig and Will was in the launch . Tom was also in another boat , but was in the same division .