midnight
At last , when but a few layers of turf remained over the roof of the hold , the elder brother told the men unloading that it was getting too dark , and he himself was too tired and worn out to attend to things any longer . He therefore gave the man some money and told them to go to the nearest public house to drink his health , and to return the first thing in the morning to finish unloading . The younger of the two brothers had already left the boat . He made his way through the town , and started at full speed to carry the news to Prince Maurice that the barge had arrived safely in the town , and the attempt would be made at midnight ; also of the fact they had learned from those on the wharf , that the governor had heard a rumour that a force had landed somewhere on the coast , and had gone off again to Gertruydenberg in all haste , believing that some design was on foot against that town . His son Paolo was again in command of the garrison . A little before midnight Captain Heraugiere told his comrades that the hour had arrived , and that only by the most desperate bravery could they hope to succeed , while death was the certain consequence of failure . The band were divided into two companies .