nine in the evening
On the following day a messenger arrived , from General Ellis , asking Sir Bindon Blood to meet him ten miles away . That afternoon a reconnaissance was made , as news had been received that large reinforcements had been received by Hadda Mullah . The enemy showed themselves in great force , but kept out of range of the guns though , during the return march , they followed the troops and , when darkness set in , were but two miles from camp . At nine in the evening the enemy , who had crept silently up , attempted to rush the camp on three sides . The troops were well prepared , and maintained a steady fire ; although the enemy 's swordsmen hurled themselves against our entrenchments in great numbers . The star shells were fired by the mountain battery , and their reflection enabled the infantry to pour deadly volleys into the midst of the enemy , who were but a few yards distant . The tribesmen , however , completely surrounded the camp , their riflemen keeping up a heavy fire , and their swordsmen making repeated rushes .