midnight
The natives , contrary to expectation , performed their tasks without let or hindrance from the enemy , although the men engaged in the work offered a tempting target . With the fall of darkness the mental attention of the garrison became acute . At every slight or unaccountable sound the men strained eyes and ears and grasped their rifles to meet an imaginary rush . Just before midnight a shot rang out , the flash of the rifle being clearly discernible at a point immediately fronting the scene of the most formidable attack on the previous night . `` They 're coming , boys ! '' exclaimed the patrol-commander . `` Ten rounds rapid when I give the word , then independent firing .