A terrible murmur filled the night--the more terrible because, while the few words spoken near me were idle and jocular, it ran down the jostling crowd into endless darkness, gathering menace as it went.
But the sergeant, gripping my shoulder, ordered me gruffly to keep close beside him, and promised to find me my place.

The jostling grew regular, almost methodical, and by and by an officer came down the road carrying a lantern, and spoke with Henderson for a moment.

At a word from him the men began to number off.

Far up the road, other lanterns were moving and voices calling.

Then after a long pause, on the reason of which the company speculated in whispers, the troops ahead began to move and the order came down to us--"Order arms--Fix bayonets--Shoulder arms!"-- a pause--"By the right, quick march!" An hour later, still in darkness, we halted beside the Agueda while company after company marched down into the water.