two o'clock in the morning
The star shells were fired by the mountain battery , and their reflection enabled the infantry to pour deadly volleys into the midst of the enemy , who were but a few yards distant . The tribesmen , however , completely surrounded the camp , their riflemen keeping up a heavy fire , and their swordsmen making repeated rushes . The tents had all been struck , and the troops lay flat on the ground while the enemy 's bullets swept the camp . This was kept up till two o'clock in the morning , the fire never slackening for a minute ; and the monotony of the struggle was only broken by an occasional mad , fanatical rush of the Ghazis . The entrenchments were so well made that only thirty-two casualties occurred , but a hundred and fifteen horses and transport animals were killed . The effect of this decisive repulse , of an attack which the enemy thought would certainly be successful , was shown by the complete dispersal of the enemy . Their losses had been terrible .