nine o'clock in the morning, April 19th
He pronounced a few words which Dick Sand could not understand , and the soldiers , obliged to release their prey , went away . It was , then , very evident , for one thing , that there had been a formal order not to allow the young novice to communicate with his companions ; and for another , that his life should not be taken . Who could have given such orders , if not Harris or Negoro ? At that moment -- it was nine o'clock in the morning , April 19th -- the harsh sounds from a `` condou 's '' horn -LRB- a kind of ruminating animal among the African deer -RRB- burst forth , and the drum was heard . The halt was going to end . All , chiefs , porters , soldiers , slaves , were immediately on foot . Laden with their packs , several groups of captives were formed under the leadership of an overseer , who unfurled a banner of bright colors .