For hours we marched; the moon was sinking; the path, already dark, grew darker; the animals, overloaded even for a good road, were tired out, and the men were disheartened, thirsty, and disgusted.

Everything was tired out.

I had been working like a slave to assist and to cheer the men; I was also fatigued.

We had marched from 4.30 P.M--it was now 1 A.M.; we had thus been eight hours and a half struggling along the path.

The moon had sunk, and the complete darkness rendered a further advance impossible; therefore, on arrival at a large plateau of rock, I ordered the animals to be unloaded and both man and beast to rest.
Every one lay down supperless to sleep.