ten
o'clock in the evening
Visions of gold glittered before our mind 's eye . We were about to recover the plunder of ages ; for it must be confessed that this Aniana was no better than a haven for pirates . One of us was cruelly undeceived in one respect . As yet , we had met with no manner of resistance whatever : it was ten o'clock in the evening , the full moon giving us a very excellent imitation of daylight , when all the commanders who had dined with our yellow skipper came on deck , in the highest possible glee , delightedly rubbing their hands , and calculating each his share of the prize-money . All this hilarity was increased , every now and then , by some boats coming on board , and reporting to us , as commodore , another privateer , or some fugitive merchantman , taken , and then immediately shoving off in chase of others . `` Well , gentlemen , '' said the skipper , `` I 'll tell you what we 'll do . We 'll send the marines on shore to-morrow , and take possession of the town .