ten o'clock at night
`` You 'll not wish to be idle , I know . Give your vessel a refit , and I shall have work for you before long , '' said he with , I thought , a significant look . I accordingly ran into harbour , hove the tender down , and in three days was ready for sea , when I received orders to accompany his Majesty 's ships Flora , Lark and Lady Parker tender to the assistance of the Syren frigate , which with a transport had run on shore at Point Judith , the people being made prisoners by the rebels . At ten o'clock at night we , with the two frigates , dropped anchor about two miles off shore , having the wrecked ships just inside of us . We were not long allowed to remain in quietness before we were discovered by the enemy , who commenced a hot fire on us from three eighteen-pounders . As it was important not to allow the enemy to increase their force , four of our boats were instantly manned ready to proceed to the attack . The first lieutenant of the Chatham was sent in command of them , and each officer was furnished with a supply of combustibles , with directions to heave them on board the ships , so as to blow them up without delay .