about midnight
For a cry suddenly came of `` Hands below ! '' and down we went to patch up with all our might the holes the English shot had made on the water line . And here we worked all night , amongst a swearing , savage gang , who threatened aloud to blow up the ship rather than fight any more , and wished themselves safe back in the drinking-shops of Lisbon . When , about midnight , half-stifled with the heat , we came on deck , the _ Rata _ was running before the wind at the rear of the Armada , heading for the French coast ; and the lanthorns of the English had dropped a league behind . Never saw I a company so changed as were the gallants of Spain by that day 's fight . They still cursed , and laughed , and shouted . But when they shook their fists it was at the lights ahead , and when they dropped , silent and downcast , their faces were turned to the lights astern .