about eleven o'clock
Cutlasses were sharpened and pistols cleaned . Not less was the excitement in the midshipmen 's berth , where it was known that Simmonds was to go in the gig ; but no one knew who was to accompany the launch . However , Jack turned out to be the lucky one , Mr. Pascoe being probably glad to please the first lieutenant by selecting his relation , although that officer would not himself have shown favoritism on his behalf . It was about eleven o'clock when the `` Falcon '' approached her former position , or rather to a point a mile seaward of it as nearly as the master could bring her , for the night was extremely dark and the land scarcely visible . Not a light was shown , not a voice raised on board , and the only sound heard was the gentle splash of the paddles as they revolved at their slowest rate of speed . The falls had been greased , the rowlocks muffled , and the crew took their places in perfect silence . `` You understand , Mr. Hethcote , '' were Captain Stuart 's last words , `` that you are not to attempt a landing if there is the slightest opposition . ''