noon
`` I will be no party to such a proceeding , '' he observed . `` Oh , of course not , of course not , my friend , '' said Captain Gregory , walking aside . It being finally decided to allow the other French vessels to escape , the _ Foxhound 's _ yards were squared away , and a course shaped for Plymouth , with the two prizes in company . Soon after noon the wind fell , and the ships made but little progress . The British crew had but a short time to sleep or rest , it being necessary to keep a number of men under arms to watch the prisoners . The Frenchmen were placed on the lower deck , where they sat down by themselves ; but the Americans mixed more freely with the English . As evening approached , however , they also drew off and congregated together .