six o'clock in the morning
It was true that it was believed that a large amount of treasure was collected at the kings ' tombs , and the prize money would not have been unwelcome , still the men felt that their powers were rapidly becoming exhausted . The hope of a fight with the foe and of the capture of Coomassie had kept them up upon the march , but now that this had been done the usual collapse after great exertion followed . Every hour added to the number of fever stricken men who would have to be carried down to the coast , and each man , as he saw his comrades fall out from the ranks , felt that his own turn might come next . At six o'clock in the morning the advanced guard of the baggage began to move out of the town . The main body was off by seven . The 42d remained as rearguard to cover the Engineers and burning party . Frank stayed behind to see the destruction of the town .