"I can get through anything, if your excellency will give the order." The general smiled approvingly.

It was evident that young man's first lesson had been a good one; his emphasis, he was glad to see, had not been misapplied.
When Martin rejoined Sullivan's column, which had been halted at the cross-roads, the men who had witnessed his departure were eagerly waiting his return.

As he repeated the general's reply, they began slipping the bayonets over the muzzles of their guns without orders.
So eager were they to advance, that Sullivan had difficulty in restraining them until the signal was given.

Such was their temper and spirit that, in the excitement of the moment, they recked little of the freezing cold and the hardships of their terrible march.

The retreating army was at last on the offensive, they were about to attack now, and no attack is so dangerous as that delivered by men from whom the compelling necessity of retreat has been suddenly removed.
It was about eight o'clock in the morning when they came in sight of the town.