midnight
Remember , sir , to join us by the first ship that comes out ; and , if none is sent , to come down with the morning breeze in the boat . '' Roller gave the customary `` Aye , aye , sir '' ; the boat shoved off ; as soon as from under the lee of the ship the lugs were set , and half an hour later the night had swallowed up her form . Cuffe remained an hour longer , walking the deck with his first-lieutenant ; and then , satisfied that the night would prove propitious , he went below , leaving orders to keep the ship lying-to until morning . As for Roller , he pulled alongside of the Foudroyant just as the bells of the fleet were striking eight , or midnight . Nelson was still up , writing in his cabin . The despatch was delivered , and then the secretary of the admiral and a clerk or two were called from their berths , for nothing lagged that this active-minded man had in charge . Orders were written , copied , signed , and sent to different ships by two o'clock , that the morning breeze might not be lost ; and not till then did the employés think of rest .