Noon
Then he went on , and Robert hoped that whatever happened the battle would spare the young Frenchman . Up went the sun toward the zenith . A light wind rustled the foliage . Noon was near , and he began to wonder anew what had become of the advancing army . Suddenly , the echo of a crash came out of the forest in front . He stood erect , listening intently , and the sound rose again , but it was not an echo now . It was real , and he knew that the battle was at hand .