midnight
So we started away across the great Atlantic Ocean . `` As I have told you , Jose Leirya was chained next to me ; but he never once spoke to me until after we had left the Western Isles . A few days after that , however , he one evening disclosed to me his plan for seizing the galley , and I then knew what the understanding had been between himself and a large number of the prisoners who came aboard the galley with him . On a certain night -- which would fall about eight days later -- at midnight , on a given signal , all were to rise and overpower the soldiers and sailors of the ship , seize her for ourselves , and use her for our own purposes . You will ask , how were we to get rid of our manacles ? Well , it was thus arranged , sirs . Jose Leirya had brought on board , cunningly concealed in his clothing , a number of small saws , of exceeding fine temper and sharpness .