nine o'clock
`` These opened fire , and the Dervishes replied heavily . They had earthworks , but the boats kept on , pluckily , till they got to a narrow point in the stream ; when a couple of guns , which had hitherto been hidden , opened upon them at close range ; while a strong force of Dervish infantry poured in such a hot fire that the boats had to fall back . `` After our field guns had peppered the enemy for a bit , the gunboats tried again , but the fire was too hot for them , and the leading boat had to retire . `` Things did not look very bright , till nine o'clock ; when we found that , at one point , the river was fordable to a small island , opposite the enemy 's lines . Four batteries , and the Maxims , at once moved over , with two companies of Soudanese , and opened fire . The distance across was but six hundred yards , and the fire was tremendous -- shell , shrapnel , and rockets -- while the Soudanese fired volleys , and the Maxims maintained a shower of bullets . `` It seemed that nothing could stand against it , but the Dervishes stuck to their guns with great pluck .