noon
boom ! boom ! Through the mist the guns of the city were pouring shot and shell out into Ali Wad Hei 's camp , and Ali Wad Hei laughed contemptuously . Surely now the Inglesi was altogether mad , and to-day , this day after prayers at noon , he should be shot like a mad dog , for yesterday 's defeat had turned some of his own adherent sheikhs into angry critics . He would not wait for starvation to compel the infidel to surrender . He would win freedom to deal in human flesh and blood , and make slave-markets where he willed , and win glory for the Lord Mahomet , by putting this place to the sword ; and , when it was over , he would have the Inglesi 's head carried on a pole through the city for the faithful to mock at , a target for the filth of the streets . So , by the will of Allah , it should be done !