The slaves who worked on shore were brought on board.

The galleys' beaks were tested, the guns examined, oars and rigging carefully overhauled.
A fresh supply of ammunition was drawn from the citadel and the fighting crew of each vessel increased by fifty men, with a few Swiss artillerymen from the batteries of Bourgogne, Auguenois and Santerre.
In all this M.de la Pailletine lent the readiest aid.

He had postponed his animosity to the day when they should return to harbour; and to the casual eye he and the Englishman were excellent friends.
By the night of August 22nd all was ready.
At nine o'clock next morning the six galleys started in solemn procession past the forts and out into the open sea, which was smooth as glass.

A light but steady breeze breathed across the sky from the Northeast.

They could have hoped for nothing better.