But they were unarmed: they were utterly bewildered by the recent disaster; and the general could find among them no remains either of martial discipline or of martial spirit.

His situation was one which must have severely tried the firmest nerves.

Night had set in: he was in a desert: he had no guide: a victorious enemy was, in all human probability, on his track; and he had to provide for the safety of a crowd of men who had lost both head and heart.

He had just suffered a defeat of all defeats the most painful and humiliating.

His domestic feelings had been not less severely wounded than his professional feelings.