about eleven AM
Being thoroughly acquainted with the position and strength of the batteries of the city , Lord Exmouth had arranged the plan of attack , and assigned to each ship and boat its particular station some days before arriving . The addition of the Dutch fleet modified but did not materially alter that plan . Each individual , therefore , from Lord Exmouth to the smallest powder-monkey , was as well primed for action as were the guns of the fleet when the flag of truce returned . It had been met outside the mole about eleven AM by the captain of the port , and an answer was promised in two hours . But these pirates had never been celebrated for keeping their word . One o'clock passed , but no answer was forthcoming . Patient and long-suffering as usual -- and as he always is -- the British Lion delayed a full hour .