The Larks Nest 



fog to the right of them, and they saw the great 

 high road covered with a long column of 

 horsemen, whose arms and trappings flashed 

 with the sudden light. They were moving 

 southward at a trot as quick as cavalry can 

 keep up when riding in a body together ; and 

 behind them at a short interval came cannon 

 and waggons rumbling slowly along, the drivers' 

 whips cracking constantly as if there were great 

 need of hurry. Then came a column of infantry 

 marching at a quickstep without music, all intent 

 on business, none falling out of the ranks ; 

 they wore coats of bright scarlet, which set off 

 young and sturdy frames. And then, just as 

 an officer, with dripping plume and cloak 

 hanging loosely about him, turned his horse 

 into the wet fields and galloped heavily past the 

 infantry in the road, the mist closed over them 

 again, and the Larks could see nothing more. 



But along the line of the road, to north as 

 well as south, they could hear the rumbling of 

 wheels and the heavy tramp of men marching, 

 deadened as all these sounds were by the mud 

 of the road and by the dense air. Nay, far 



B 2 



