The rain-was pouring in torrents, the wind was blowing a gale, the stream was rapidly rising, and threatening to overwhelm its shores.
By a tacit and mutual consent, both armies paused for a few moments in full view of each other.

After this brief interval they closed again, breast to breast, in sharp and steady conflict.

The ground, slippery with rain and with blood, which was soon flowing almost as fast as the rain, afforded an unsteady footing to the combatants.

They staggered like drunken men, fell upon their knees, or upon their backs, and still, kneeling or rolling prostrate, maintained the deadly conflict.

For the space of an hour and a half the fierce encounter of human passion outmastered the fury of the elements.