He told them how they had attacked in vain all day long.

He counted the number of their repulses and then exaggerated them.

He reminded them it was yet a long time until dark, and asked them why they hesitated, why they did not come forward and meet the death that was ready for them.
Dick gazed at him in astonishment.

He heard many of his words through the roar of the guns, and he saw his ensanguined face, through which his eyes burned like two red-hot coals.

Was this the quiet and kindly Sergeant Whitley whom he had known so long?
No, it was a raging tiger.
Still waters run deep, and, enveloped, at last, with the fury of battle the sergeant welcomed wounds, death or anything else it might bring.
He shouted and fired his rifle again.