five o'clock
They had been extremely unwilling to go , and it was only when the general offered them the alternative of going willingly and receiving good pay for their work , or being lashed to their camels and forced to go without any pay whatever , that they elected the first . The Hussars scouted in front of the column , riding far ahead and scouring the country in search of lurking foes . Two hours after starting there was a halt , fires were lighted from the dry grass and mimosa bushes , and tea was made and served out . By this time it was five o'clock , and the sun had set . In an hour or two the moon , which was nearly full , rose , and afforded ample light for the journey . For a time the silence of the desert was broken by the laughter and talk of the men , but as the time went on the sounds were hushed as sleepiness fell upon them . Short halts were of frequent occurrence , as the baggage animals in the rear lagged behind , or their loads slipped , and had to be readjusted .