A calm, peaceful silence reigned.
Dard was sentinel in the battery.
An officer going his rounds found the said sentinel flat instead of vertical.

He stirred him with his scabbard, and up jumped Dard.
"It's all right, sergeant.

O Lord! it's the colonel.

I wasn't asleep, colonel." "I have not accused you.

But you will explain what you were doing." "Colonel," said Dard, all in a flutter, "I was taking a squint at them, because I saw something.