midnight
At midnight they reached Nowshera , the first stage of their journey , and were up again at daybreak . It was the hottest season of the year ; the sun beat mercilessly down upon them ; and the burning march to Attock , the next stage , taxed their endurance to the uttermost . But not a man fell out , and after resting until two o'clock next morning they were on foot again , springing up with cheerful alacrity at the sound of the bugle . A dust-storm swept upon them as they started ; they plodded steadily through it , marched for thirty-two miles with only the briefest halts , rested during the day at Boran , and were off again soon after midnight on the next stage of thirty-two miles to Jani-ki-sang . Another night march brought them to Rawal Pindi . There they heard how the mutiny was spreading -- a terrible tale of rapine , incendiarism and massacre ; and -- a little light amid the darkness -- how native princes in various parts were showing a noble loyalty , and placing their swords at the service of the British . There , too , Sir John Lawrence reviewed the corps , gave the men unstinted praise for their patience and endurance under fatigue , and did all he could for their comfort .