midnight
Gangs of men , as usual , worked in the breach ; but , as it was deemed advisable that there should be no outward show of activity that would lead the Turks to suspect that their design had been discovered , neither reinforcements of men nor munitions were sent along the mole ; everything being taken out by boats , which , rowing closely along under the wall , were hidden from the view of the Turks . Barrels of Greek fire and pitch , cauldrons for heating the latter , a store of firewood , great balls of cotton steeped in oil and turpentine , sheaves of darts , spikes on short staves , that were , after darkness fell , to be thrust in among the fallen masonry to form a chevaux-de-frise -- these , and all other matters that the ingenuity of the defenders could suggest , were landed at the water gate of the fort , while the garrison was strengthened by the addition of a large number of knights . Stores of ammunition were collected in readiness at all the batteries that commanded the mouth of the outer port , and by sunset D'Aubusson felt that everything that was possible had been done to meet the impending storm . At midnight the Turkish preparations were complete . The attack by the bridge was to be assisted by a large number of boats and other craft , and many armed galleys were also brought up to destroy or tow away the defenders ' fire ships . Paleologus himself was down by the shore directing the preparations . Some of his best troops were placed upon the floating bridge , and , when all was ready , the order was given to pull upon the rope .