His face grew lined and haggard.

All the spirit, the indomitable courage of a moment ago had fled before the revelation that, try as they might, they could never conquer in this terribly unequal fight.

Then he threw out his hand and began to speak, half to her and half to the unseen armies of his fellows.
"Our armies are exhausted.

Dwindling day by day.

We are drawing from the cradle and the grave.