I recall crossing the bare parade, and noting the company that formed the little garrison drawn up in the shadow of the south stockade.

At any other time I should have paused in interest, for military evolutions always attracted my attention; but then I had no sense other than that of mental and physical exhaustion from the hours of toil and lack of rest.

Owing to my absence the night before, no quarters had been assigned me; but finding the barracks of the troops unoccupied, and yielding to imperative need, I flung myself, without undressing, upon a vacant bunk, and lay there tossing with the burden of intense fatigue.
And then how the thoughts I sought to banish thronged upon me! No effort of my will could shut them out.

I went over again and again the quarrel with De Croix, the incidents of the night, the solemn words of Mrs.Helm.

Little by little, each detail clear and absolute, there unrolled before my mind's view the picture of our situation.