His breath came at first in gasps, but presently he felt better and sat up.
It was now full night, thrice blessed to them all, with the heat and dust gone and no enemy near.

The young recruits had recovered their courage.

The terrible scenes of the battle were hid from their eyes, and the cannon no longer menaced on the horizon.

The sweet, soothing wind blew gently over the hills among which they lay, and the leaves rustled peacefully.
Fires were lighted, wagons with supplies arrived, and the men began to cook food, while the surgeons moved here and there, binding up the wounds of the hurt.

The pleasant odors of coffee and frying meat arose.
Sergeant Whitley stood up and by the moonlight and the fires scanned the country about them with discerning eye.