A force of cavalry crossed the brook, indeed, and rode slowly along our front, evidently taking stock of our position and numbers.

With this we did not attempt to interfere, as our decision was to stand strictly on the defensive, and not to waste a single man.
The men breakfasted and stood to their arms, and the hours wore on.

About midday, when the men were eating their dinner, for we thought they would fight better on full stomachs, a shout of '_Sorais, Sorais_' arose like thunder from the enemy's extreme right, and taking the glass, I was able to clearly distinguish the 'Lady of the Night' herself, surrounded by a glittering staff, and riding slowly down the lines of her battalions.

And as she went, that mighty, thundering shout rolled along before her like the rolling of ten thousand chariots, or the roaring of the ocean when the gale turns suddenly and carries the noise of it to the listener's ears, till the earth shook, and the air was full of the majesty of sound.
Guessing that this was a prelude to the beginning of the battle, we remained still and made ready.
We had not long to wait.

Suddenly, like flame from a cannon's mouth, out shot two great tongue-like forces of cavalry, and came charging down the slope towards the little stream, slowly at first, but gathering speed as they came.