midnight
Needless to say , I had long ago issued orders to extinguish all unnecessary lights , and for those that were indispensable to be closely masked . There was therefore nothing to betray to the sight our whereabouts ; and as to sound , every sheave and tackle that was in the least likely to be used had been so thoroughly greased that it worked in absolute silence , while the men , although shod for our tramp across the narrow point at the southern extremity of the island , had lashed thick wads of oakum to the soles of their shoes , and consequently moved about the decks as silently as ghosts . Moreover , the boats had all been so thoroughly prepared , hours beforehand , for the expedition , that there remained nothing whatever to be done but to lower them into the water , unhook the tackles , and shove off . When we let go our anchor it still wanted a good hour to midnight ; nevertheless , so anxious was I lest the threatening storm should break , and the lightning betray our movements , that I determined to man the boats forthwith , and beach them if necessary , believing that thus we should run less risk of detection . All these precautions , it must be understood , were adopted not so much from any apprehension of ultimate failure , for I had determined to have the galleon , but because I wanted to save my men . I now summoned Saunders down into the cabin , and read over to him the instructions that I had carefully prepared for his guidance during the earlier part of the day , explained them to him fully , and then handed him the paper . The men who were to accompany me on the expedition were next mustered in the ` tween-decks and sent to supper , after which their weapons were carefully inspected , and a liberal quantity of ammunition served out to them ; and then , when I had satisfied myself that all was right , I made them a little speech , explaining what I purposed doing , and how I wanted it done ; when , having enjoined them to observe the most absolute silence , the light was extinguished , all hands groped their way on deck , the boats were lowered and manned , and we shoved off , each boat attached by her painter to the one ahead , so that we might not part company in the profound darkness .