He wanted it settled forthwith.

He could not long bear such a load, he said.

Sometimes his anger at the commanders reached an acute stage, and he grumbled about the camp like a veteran.
One morning, however, he found himself in the ranks of his prepared regiment.

The men were whispering speculations and recounting the old rumors.

In the gloom before the break of the day their uniforms glowed a deep purple hue.