Among some stolid trees it began to falter and hesitate.

The men, staring intently, began to wait for some of the distant walls of smoke to move and disclose to them the scene.

Since much of their strength and their breath had vanished, they returned to caution.

They were become men again.
The youth had a vague belief that he had run miles, and he thought, in a way, that he was now in some new and unknown land.
The moment the regiment ceased its advance the protesting splutter of musketry became a steadied roar.

Long and accurate fringes of smoke spread out.