four o'clock in the morning
For another four or five miles , Lisle kept along but , to his mortification , he was obliged at last to take to the stretcher . The four Sikhs who carried it made light of his weight . Once or twice , on the way , some dropping shots were fired at the party ; but these were speedily silenced by a volley or two from the rifles . It was four o'clock in the morning when they re-entered camp . The fires were already lighted and , as the party entered , the troops received them with loud cheering ; which called all the white officers out from their shelters . `` You have done well , my fine fellows , '' the colonel said to the Sikhs . `` Now , get some food at once , and then lie down for three or four hours ' sleep .