then there was the sword drill , and the five-mile run , and if he had any time left he might actually manage to get the horses tacked up for training before the sun was too high ; then of course at midday there was his session with the general , so that , already physically tired , he was struggling against somnolence for the whole lesson , feeling his eyelids growing heavier all the while he was listening to the general talking about the right formation of the greek hoplites , or watching him move the knucklebones about his table to show the disposition of a cavalry battle .