midnight
`` Well , sir , '' replied Douglas , `` I am afraid that I shall require all to - night and all day to-morrow to prepare ; but I have very little doubt that I shall be able to make the attempt to-morrow night . '' `` Very well , then , '' said the admiral , rising ; `` I will not detain you any longer , Senor Douglas ; for , as you have hinted , you will have a good many preparations to make , and the sooner you are able to carry out your scheme the better . '' Jim wished the admiral good-night , and retired to his own cabin to snatch , if he could , a few hours ' sleep , which might very possibly prove to be the last he would ever take on earth . He left orders with the sentry that he was to be called at midnight ; and accordingly at that hour he turned out , washed and dressed , and then made his way to the magazine , between which and his own cabin , with one or two intervals for meals , he was busily engaged until four o'clock in the afternoon of the next day ; hearing all the time the thunder of the heavy guns rolling and reverberating over his head ; for during the last few days the _ Blanco Encalada _ had herself taken part in the bombardment . As soon as he had finished his mysterious preparations in the magazine , he went on deck and spoke a few words to the admiral . The latter listened , nodded once or twice , and then gave a certain order to the yeoman of the signals . A few minutes later a stream of brilliant - coloured flags soared aloft into the now fast-gathering gloom ; and it would have taken a very sharp eye on shore to discern that the signal was briefly answered by a man on board the _ Janequeo _ , who waved a small yellow flag .