eight o'clock
When hammocks were piped that night , not more than a dozen men answered the call , and when bedtime came , the sailors stretched themselves out on deck , ready to take their posts at a moment 's warning . The guns were all carefully loaded , the hot-water hose got ready for use , and the anchor fixed so that it could be slipped in an instant . Outside , the appearance of the vessel was not changed , the only thing noticeable being the quantity of smoke that came out of her chimneys . At eight o'clock Frank inspected the boat , and after seeing that every man was in his place , he lay down on the sofa in the cabin , without removing his clothes , and fell asleep . When he awoke , he arose and went on deck , just as the ship 's bell was striking midnight . It was very dark , and the only sound that broke the stillness was the splashing of the wheels of a steamer as she went on her way up the river . For an hour he remained on deck , listening , but without hearing any thing suspicious until just as he was about to return to the cabin .