about twelve o'clock
The bush was too thick even for the Ashantis . The gun stopped firing and with a rush the regiment went up the narrow path and out into the open clearing beyond . For a short time the Ashantis kept up a fire from the houses , but the 42d soon drove them out , and a single shot from the gun down the wide street which divided the town into two portions , bursting in the midst of a group at the further end , killed eight and drove all further idea of resistance in that direction from their minds . It was now about twelve o'clock ; but although the Ashantis had lost their camp and village , and had suffered terribly , they were not yet finally beaten . They had moved the principal part of the forces which had been engaged upon our left round to the right , were pressing hard upon the column there and the 23d , and were cutting in between the latter and the 42d , when a fortunate accident enabled us to meet this attack more effectively . The left column had cut its path rather too much to the east , and came into the road between the 42d and 23d , forming a connecting link between them ; while the right column , having at last cut away the whole of the brush wood in which the Ashantis had so long wedged themselves between them and the road , were now in direct communication with the 23d . They had been reinforced by a company of the Rifle Brigade .