five o'clock in the evening before
These divisions were so little understood , in fact , by either , that they caused frequent disputes . A party from one tribe in hunting would , incautiously , venture too far , and if the other party happened to be near , and in sufficient force , would attack on the plea that the territory had been invaded . This was a matter which the present campaign would settle , because the Professor saw the necessity of accurately prescribing the limits held by each tribe . It was five o'clock in the evening before reports came in that the main body of the enemy was in sight . John went forward with Uraso and Muro , fully a mile beyond the main force , and on the way selected a good camping spot , leaving several there to order the main body to encamp when they arrived . With the scouts now returning , and which were picked up , a fairly adequate idea was obtained as to the number , which was variously estimated at two hundred and fifty , which did not take into consideration the warriors from the other villages , because they now had knowledge of at least one party from the south , on the way to reinforce the Illyas . John gave strict orders that no one should fire a gun during the night , and that a double line of guards should be maintained .