midnight
He had made his preparations in expectation of an attack , but he did not open his fire , although heavy shot would certainly have told with effect . Indisposed to the uncertainty of a night-action , he declined bringing it on , and the lights disappeared from his ports an hour later ; at that time the English ships , by carrying sail harder than was usual in so stiff a breeze , found themselves out of gun-shot , on the weather-bow of their enemies . Then , and not till then , did Sir Gervaise reduce his canvass , having , by means of his glasses , first ascertained that the French had again hauled up their courses , and were moving along at a very easy rate of sailing . It was now near midnight , and Sir Gervaise prepared to go below . Previously to quitting the deck , however , he gave very explicit orders to Greenly , who transmitted them to the first lieutenant , that officer or the captain intending to be on the look-out through the night ; the movements of the whole squadron being so dependent on those of the flag ship . The vice-admiral then retired , and went coolly to bed . He was not a man to lose his rest , because an enemy was just out of gun-shot .