Every round would, therefore, be required for this work.

This seemed to preclude the idea of taking the other two stockades.
The choice therefore remained of making the assault upon these, and then returning through Pekki; or of leaving them and going back by the main road, the route laid down in their instructions.

Neither of these plans was satisfactory, for each left half the programme undone.
It was suggested that a night attack might be attempted.

In that case, not a shot must be fired, and the attack must be made by the bayonet alone.

The moon rose early, and it was almost high at eight o'clock.
Of course, it was extremely risky to venture upon such a plan, with superstitious black troops.