two o'clock
The general , therefore , determined to desist from the attempt to force his way direct to the top of the Peiwar-Khotal ; and to march to his left and so , by menacing the Afghan line of retreat , to hasten the movement towards the rear which had evidently begun . The men were , therefore , brought back to the plateau to the east of the ravine . Here they were halted for a time , and the contents of their haversacks furnished them with a meal . At two o'clock they again drew up on the Spingawi plateau . The 2nd Punjaub Infantry being left on the hill , to oppose the Afghans , should they again advance in that direction ; the rest of the column entered the defile leading into the Hurriab valley , far in the rear of the Peiwar-Khotal . As soon as the enemy -- who were still opposing the 2nd Punjaub Infantry -- saw the head of the column enter the defile , they were seized with a panic lest their retreat should be cut off ; and began to retreat with the greatest haste , as they had to make their way across two mountain ridges , before they could pass the spot towards which our troops were moving . The advance of the column , however , was necessarily slow ; as the woods and side valleys had to be carefully examined , lest a flank attack should be made upon them .