midnight
These he gave out to some of the slaves , and on the night arranged they were to cut the links of their iron manacles and pass the tools on to the others . This would , of course , leave the iron rings round our wrists and ankles , but we should be free to move and fight ; and after we had won the ship we could get the rings off at our leisure . The saws were given out one by one , the greatest care being taken that they were not discovered , and immediately after dark on the eventful night we began to cut our fetters , the galley being then under sail and the oars laid in . By midnight we were ready , and waiting for the signal . It came as a shrill whistle from Leirya 's lips . At the sound we all swarmed up on deck ; and , as most of the officers and seamen were asleep below , we quickly overcame the watch . We gave no quarter , knowing that none would be given to us , and we took no prisoners .