nine o'clock
The Boers had no thought whatever that any of the wounded would try to escape . Two were posted at the leading waggon , which contained stores and medical comforts that might , if unguarded , be looted by the native drivers . The rest either slept wrapped up in their blankets , or in any empty houses that might be near . At nine o'clock the boys told the others in the waggon that they were going to escape . They had before informed them of their intention to do so , somewhere along the road , and had taken down the names and regiments of all of them , with a note as to their condition , and the addresses of their friends . These they had promised to give to the commanding officers if they got safely back . They had filled their pockets with bread , all those in the waggon having contributed a portion of their ration that evening .