about two o'clock
Under cover of this heavy fire , swarms of the enemy 's irregulars advanced towards our position . When within 600 or 700 yards of the 66th , the British opened with their Martini rifles ; and the shower of lead , at such an unexpected distance , checked the advance of the enemy . For some time the artillery duel continued ; but the enemy 's guns were then moved on to the hills , on either side of the British position , and a terrible crossfire was opened from both flanks . At about two o'clock , the smooth-bore guns began to get short of ammunition . Only sixty rounds had been captured with them and , there being no reserve of ammunition fitting them , they ceased fire . The position now became most serious . From the ravines on either side the Ghazis swarmed up , in vast numbers .