They halted about an hour later, but only for fifteen or twenty minutes.
They had now come into much rougher country, steep, with high hills and populated thinly.

Westward, the mountains seemed very near in the clear moonlight.

No explanation was given to the Invincibles, but the officers rode among the groups and made a careful inspection of arms and equipment.

Then the word to march once more was given.
They did not stop, except for short rests, until about three o'clock in the morning, when they came to the crest of a high ridge, covered with dense forest, but without undergrowth.

Then the officers dismounted, and the word was passed to the men that they would remain there until dawn, but before they lay down on the ground Colonel Talbot told them what was expected of them, which was much.
"A strong Northern force is encamped on the slope beyond," he said.
"It is in a position from which the left flank of our main army can be threatened.