about four in the morning
The positions of the land batteries had also been ascertained , and now nothing remained but to return to the squadron with all speed , acquaint the captain with the information obtained , and then sail for La Guayra forthwith , so as to arrive there before the plate fleet could effect its escape from the port . For , once out of sight below the horizon , they could scarcely hope to find it again except after a long and wearisome search . Once more united , the boats began their return journey , pulling hard while the darkness lasted , so as to make a good offing by daybreak , and also to leave themselves less toil after the sun rose . It was about four in the morning when they rounded the promontory that shut in the roadstead , and they could not reckon on more than two hours more of darkness . The men , although fatigued , held well to their work , and the boats moved along at a very good speed . Day broke with the suddenness usual in the tropics , and , the sun rising , disclosed to their view , but a short half-mile in advance of them , the identical vessel that had made such a hurried exit from the roadstead on the previous night . This was excellent , and the English flag was at once hoisted at the staves of the three boats , to show that they were English , and not , as the people aboard the stranger would naturally suppose , Spaniards in pursuit .