seven o'clock
But now all this was to come to a stop . The hands would be thrown out of employment , and the town would become stagnant until it was captured by the Boers , or until an army arrived of sufficient strength to clear Natal of its invaders . That evening many who possessed vehicles started by road for Ladysmith , feeling that in another twenty-four hours it might be too late . At seven o'clock , as had been arranged when they arrived , all the members of the band met at the bivouac for supper . There was a general feeling of excitement among them . They had known that hostilities must soon begin , but to find that the line had already been cut , and that the enemy were closing in in all directions , came almost as a surprise . This , however , in no way prevented them from enjoying their meal .