eight o'clock
The party remained sitting , with the patience of their race , until the sheik should give orders for them to mount . Edgar got up several times , and walked backwards and forwards . He was less accustomed to waiting , and was burning for action . Just at eight o'clock there came suddenly to their ears an outburst of firing , the boom of cannon , and the sound of a crackling roll of musketry . `` The French have lost no time in beginning , '' he said . The young Arab nodded . A flush of excitement glowed through the olive skin , his hand tightly grasped his spear , and his eyes were fixed on the distant city .