The suspense was painful, in the extreme.

To balance probabilities, where life and liberty hang on the result, requires steady nerves.

I panted for action, and was glad when the day, at the close of which we were to start, dawned upon us.
Sleeping, the night before, was{222} out of the question.

I probably felt more deeply than any of my companions, because I was the instigator of the movement.

The responsibility of the whole enterprise rested on my shoulders.