nine
o'clock
Of course , a thing of this sort ought to be done in a formal sort of way ; I could not very well say , ` My dear general , my three friends do n't care to accept your kind offer . Yours very truly . ' '' There was a general laugh , and then they talked over the coming fight , for it was now generally known that the attack was to be made in a couple of days at latest . The next morning General Buller 's column started before daybreak , and were by nine o'clock encamped on the open veldt three miles north of Chieveley ; Barton 's brigade having already marched out to the site of a new camp , some five thousand yards south of Colenso . Although well within reach of their guns , the Boers made no effort to hinder the operation , or to shell the camp after it was formed . It was evidently their policy to conceal their guns until the last moment , and although a very heavy bombardment of their positions was maintained all day by the naval guns , no reply whatever was elicited , though through the glasses it could be seen that much damage was being done to the entrenchments . `` I do n't like this silence , '' Chris said , as he and some of the others were standing watching the hills in front of them .