It was the fateful moment before the battle, and men acted strangely.

Some walked nervously up and down, others dropped on their knees and prayed, a few lighted their pipes, many sat on the ground and looked vacantly into space, while some of the younger burghers joked and laughed.
At the drift stood the generals, scanning the hills and undulations with their glasses.

Small fires appeared in the east near the tall white stack.
"They are preparing their breakfast," some one suggested.

"I see a few tents," another one reported excitedly.

All eyes were turned in the direction indicated.