three in the morning
`` We have need of more slaves to carry out the works at Rhodes . Now , let us to supper , gentlemen , and then to sleep . In six hours we will be off again , for if some more of these villains have escaped and carried the news to Hassan Ali , our swords may be sorely needed by Ricord and Santoval tomorrow . '' At three in the morning all on board the galley were astir . A ration of bread and meat was served out to the slaves , and the boat was soon afterwards under way . The rowers of the English knight 's boat had been warmly commended by the commander and placed in charge of the overseer , with instructions that they were to be treated as free men . As soon as the galley slaves set to work , however , they seated themselves on the benches and double banked some of the oars , anxious to please the knights .