ten o'clock
The presence of officers looking cool and confident among them always does good . If the enemy try to board us you shall fight by my side . '' The two fastest sailing French vessels were so close when night fell that it was hopeless to try to evade them either by changing the ship 's course or by lowering the sails . At ten o'clock they were less than a mile astern , one on either quarter . The ship had long since been ready for action , and the men were now called to the guns ; but the enemy did not open fire , but could , by the night glasses , be seen somewhat to shorten sail so as to keep about the same distance behind the Resolution . `` Cowardly dogs , '' the young captain said , `` they do not mean to fight until the whole of their consorts come up . However , we ought not to grumble , as every hour takes us so much nearer port . ''