half past three
Chapter 14 : Omdurman . The night passed quietly , except that shots were occasionally fired by Dervishes who crept up within range ; and that , once , a mounted man , who had apparently lost his way , rode fearlessly into camp ; and then , finding himself close to the troops , turned his horse and galloped off again . No shot followed him , as the orders were strict that the camp was not to be alarmed , unless in the case of a serious attack . At half past three the bugle sounded , and the troops were soon astir . The animals were watered and fed , and the men had a breakfast of cocoa or tea , with biscuits and tinned meat . At half past four Colonel Broadwood , commanding the Egyptian cavalry , sent out a squadron to the hills on the west , and another to Surgham Hill . The latter arrived at their destination at two minutes past five , when daylight had just broken .