The tall soldier was swearing in a loud voice.

From his lips came a black procession of curious oaths.

Of a sudden another broke out in a querulous way like a man who has mislaid his hat.

"Well, why don't they support us?
Why don't they send supports?
Do they think--" The youth in his battle sleep heard this as one who dozes hears.
There was a singular absence of heroic poses.

The men bending and surging in their haste and rage were in every impossible attitude.