about midnight
Sir Henry , consenting to his proposal , allowed him three boats , and promised to run in that very night , should the weather prove favourable , that he might carry out his object . The boatswain had no difficulty in obtaining all the volunteers he required for his enterprise , and the rest of the day was spent in making the necessary preparations . Towards evening the brig once more stood back in the direction of Point-a-Pitre . She reached the mouth of the harbour about midnight , when True Blue and his bold followers shoved off . He had an eight-oared cutter , carrying sixteen men in all ; the remainder were in two boats -- one under command of the gunner , the other of Tom Marline . Tim Fid was with True Blue . The night was pitch dark , but a light in the harbour showed them in what direction to steer .