about six o'clock
Had the roads diverged , instead of reuniting , much inconvenience might have been caused by the delay in collecting the separated portions of the force . At last the foot of the Khotal was reached , where the track left the ravine and turned up the spur . The two guides -- natives of the country , who had led the head of the column to this point -- refused to go any further and , as the column was now at the point where the fighting might begin , they were allowed to depart . It was about six o'clock when the Ghoorkas began to climb the spur . The morning had broken ; but it was still dark , and the path was almost invisible in the shadow of the trees . The Ghoorkas -- their rifles loaded now -- made their way quietly up the hill . Presently the challenge of the sentry was heard , followed by two shots .