one o'clock in the morning
He saw them in great numbers sitting round their fires or stretched upon the ground , and returned to camp with the news that whatever might be the case later on , certainly no attack was meditated at present . The greater part of the troops were thereupon allowed to lie down and get what sleep they could . The cavalry felt much anxiety respecting those they had left behind them ; but the moon was sufficiently bright to permit signals to be flashed to them from the camp , and they learnt to their satisfaction that all was quiet . Soon after one o'clock in the morning the stillness round the zareba was suddenly broken . A roar of musketry burst from the bushes all round , and it was evident that the enemy were assembled there in great force . The troops were ordered to lie down ; and fortunately here , as at El-Teb , the Arab fire was far too high , and the storm of bullets swept for the most part overhead . Many of the camels , mules , and horses were , however , hit , but only one man was killed and an officer and two men wounded .