He wondered how long they were to be kept waiting.
As he looked all about him and pondered upon the mystic gloom, he began to believe that at any moment the ominous distance might be aflare, and the rolling crashes of an engagement come to his ears.

Staring once at the red eyes across the river, he conceived them to be growing larger, as the orbs of a row of dragons advancing.

He turned toward the colonel and saw him lift his gigantic arm and calmly stroke his mustache.
At last he heard from along the road at the foot of the hill the clatter of a horse's galloping hoofs.

It must be the coming of orders.
He bent forward, scarce breathing.

The exciting clickety-click, as it grew louder and louder, seemed to be beating upon his soul.