nine o'clock
The men had had their suppers , and he ordered Mr. Baskirk to make sail . The St. Regis was bark rigged , and could spread a large surface of canvas . He desired to test the qualities of his crew ; and in a short time everything was drawing . Christy `` turned in '' at nine o'clock ; but he was excited , and he had not slept a wink when he was called at the hour he had indicated . Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen , Christy retired to his cabin , and still `` alone in his glory , '' he broke the seal of the official envelope . He was to cruise outside of the blockaders , and report to the flag-officer when opportunity presented . Just then it was believed that Richmond , which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington , could not long hold out if it was captured ; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it .