four o'clock
The horses had already had an extra feed , and the Kaffirs were warned of the hour at which they were going to start . The pack-horses were able to keep up with the rest , for their loads were by no means heavy -- in fact , they carried less weight than the others . The two hundred pounds of biscuits given to the hussars made no difference in their baggage , for this had been bought at Dundee , as the lads decided to keep their stores as far as possible intact for a time when they might for some days be away scouting in a district where no provisions could be obtained . At four o'clock the sentries roused the others , and having taken a cup of coffee and some cold meat and bread , and led the horses down to the stream while the Kaffirs were loading up the packets and bundles , they mounted at five o'clock and set off at a trot , Jack and Japhet , a name suggested by Field , who was the wag of the party , were allowed to ride on two of the horses that carried the lightest burdens . All the lads were provided with compasses , but these were not necessary , as both the natives were well acquainted with the country , which was wild and mountainous . When they reached Wessels station , nine miles from Elandslaagte , they heard the sound of guns . At this proof that there was still a force there , they turned off from the road , and riding west , struck the point where the main road to Meran crossed the Sundays River , and then , still keeping a mile west of the line of railway , found themselves abreast of the station .