John meanwhile scanned every hill and valley wood and field with his powerful glasses, and he was unable to see any diminution in the fury of the struggle.

The cannon thundered, with all their might, along a line of scores of miles; rapid firers sent a deadly hail upon the opposing lines; rifles flashed by the hundred thousand, and here and there masses of troops closed with the bayonet.
Seen from a height the battle was stripped of some of its horrors, but all its magnitude remained to awe those who looked down upon it.

From the high, cold air John could not see pain and wounds, only the swaying back and forth of the battle lines.

All the time he searched attentively for men who did not wear the red and blue of France, and at last he said: "I've failed to find any sign of the British army." "They're farther to the left," replied Lannes.

"I caught a glimpse of their khaki lines this morning.