ten o'clock at night
The information was received with infinite satisfaction on board , because , in the first place , it seemed certain that there was some dashing work to be done ; and , in the second , it was believed that , in whatever the Captain engaged , he succeeded . The necessary preparations were rapidly carried out . An eighteen-pounder carronade was mounted in the frigate launch , and her crew were also armed with muskets ; three other boats were armed with smaller guns on swivels , and muskets ; and one with muskets only -- a wherry , pulling two oars . Everything was ready by ten o'clock at night , when Sir Sydney Smith pushed off from the frigate , taking the lead of the other boats in his wherry . In perfect silence they pulled away , till through the darkness they perceived the lugger ahead of them . The crews now lay on their oars , while their Captain , in a clear , distinct voice , issued his definite orders . `` Understand , my lads , we must not alarm the enemy sooner than we can help .