two o'clock
It was a determined and angry company -- a punitive expedition as well as one of relief . They reached the site of the skirmish of the previous expedition shortly after noon , for they were now traveling a known trail and no time was lost in exploring . From there on the elephant-track led straight to Mbonga 's village . It was but two o'clock when the head of the column halted upon the edge of the clearing . Lieutenant Charpentier , who was in command , immediately sent a portion of his force through the jungle to the opposite side of the village . Another detachment was dispatched to a point before the village gate , while he remained with the balance upon the south side of the clearing . It was arranged that the party which was to take its position to the north , and which would be the last to gain its station should commence the assault , and that their opening volley should be the signal for a concerted rush from all sides in an attempt to carry the village by storm at the first charge .