midday
While the Houssas were pulling down and packing up the tent Ostik prepared two bowls of chocolate with biscuit soaked in it . By the time that this was eaten the carriers had taken up their loads , and two minutes later the whole party started almost at a trot . Ugly Tom soon explained the cause of the haste . The army of Dahomey was , the evening before , but eight miles from Abeokuta , and was expected to appear before the town by midday , although , of course , it might be later , for the movements of savage troops are uncertain in the extreme , depending entirely upon the whims of their leader . So anxious were the bearers to get back to the town in time , that they frequently went at a trot . They were the better able to keep up the speed as a larger number than were required had been sent . Many of the cases , too , were light , consequently the men were able to shift the heavy burdens from time to time .