First they passed along the whole line of outposts, answering the challenges by the words, "Officer of the prince's staff on duty." They found the sentries fairly vigilant, for with so powerful an enemy within striking distance every soldier felt that the occasion was one for unusual watchfulness.

At each post Hector questioned the sentinels closely as to whether they had heard any sounds indicating the movement of troops in the interval between the two armies, and in only one case was there an affirmative answer.
"I heard a sound such as might be made by the clash of armour against a tree or by an armed man falling.

I have listened attentively since, but have heard nothing more." "From which direction did the noise seem to come ?" "From across there, sir.

It seemed to me to come from that copse in the hollow." "That is just what I thought might be likely, Paolo," Hector said as he walked on.

"That hollow ground between the armies, with its wood and low brushwood, is just the place where an ambush might be posted with advantage.