8 More Tales of the Birds 



tried to kindle a fire in the drizzle, and by the 

 fitful light groups of men could be seen, stand- 

 ing, crouching, eating, each with his musket in 

 his hand, as if he might have to use it at any 

 moment. Officers walked quickly round giving 

 directions, and now and then half-a-dozen horse- 

 men, one on a bay horse always a little in 

 advance, might be seen moving about and sur- 

 veying the scene. Then more men passed by, 

 and ever more, along the slope ; more horses, 

 guns, and waggons moved along the track. A 

 deep slow murmur seemed to rise in the air, half 

 stifled by the pouring rain, and broken now and 

 then by some loud oath near at hand, as a 

 stalwart soldier slipped and fell on the soppy 

 ground. Then, as lights began to flash out on 

 the opposite rise to the southward, a noise of 

 satisfaction seemed to run along the ground 

 not a cheer, nor yet a laugh, but something 

 inarticulate that did duty for both with wet and 

 weary men. In time all became quiet, but for 

 the occasional voice of a sentinel ; and now and 

 then a cloaked form would rise from the ground 

 and try to make a smouldering fire burn up. 



