Robert was shaken by a kind of shiver, and a thrill of tremendous anticipation shot through him.

He too knew instinctively that they were upon the threshold of some mighty event.

Whatever happened, he could say, if he lived, that he was there, and, if he fell, he would at least die a glorious death.

His was the thrill of youth, and it was wholly true.
It was two hours past midnight and the ebb tide set in.

The good wind was still blowing down the river.