six o'clock in the evening
Their plan , however , was soon discovered and , in order to checkmate it , a gun was placed in the path , crammed with case shot , the infantry were got ready to fire in volleys , and a Maxim ranged for rapid fire . Presently the enemy were seen , hurrying along to occupy the next ambush ; and the big gun poured its contents into their midst , while the troops fired well-directed volleys at them and , when they fled in confusion down the path , the Maxim swept numbers of them away . The attacks immediately ceased , and the column proceeded on its way ; rejoicing that , for once , they had beaten the Ashantis at their own game . They arrived at the fort at six o'clock in the evening ; and found that , although the garrison had been harassed by sniping , no serious attack had been made upon them . It was known that there were still four stockades occupied by the Ashantis ; and it was decided that two columns , each three hundred strong , should sally out the next morning , and each carry two of the fortifications . The companies under Lisle and Hallett formed part of the force under Major Melliss , which was to destroy the stockade on the Bantama road ; while the other , under Major Cobbe , was to attack that near the Kimtampo road . After this had been done , arrangements were to be made for the attack on the other two stockades .