seven o'clock
Meanwhile the chain-gang emerged from the boma gate , going full-pelt , fastened neck to neck , the chain taut and each man carrying a water-jar . The minute they had crossed the square Schubert commenced with company drill , and for two hours after that , with but one interval of less than five minutes for rest , he kept them pounding the gravel in evolution after evolution -- manual exercise at the double -- skirmishing exercise -- setting up drill -- goose-step , and all the mechanical , merciless precision drill with which the Germans make machines of men . His debauch did not seem in the least to have affected him , unless to make his temper more violently critical . By seven o'clock the sun was beating down on him and dazzling his eyes from over the boma wall . The dust rose off the square . The words of command came bellowing in swift succession from a throat that ought to have been hard put to it to whisper . If anything , he grew more active and exacting as the askaris wearied , and by the time the two hours were up they were ready to a man to drop .