five o’clock
This is a day destined to be famous and terrible in history ; but the dawn is cloudless and quiet . Away beyond the slope of the valley , across the grey flow of the river and half-way upon the northern slope , the pacing sentries , or such of them as are sharp-sighted , can perceive what looks like a wrinkle in the hill . It is some three or maybe four miles from the long line of sleepers , and it indicates the outlines of that great Redoubt around which the memories of Englishmen will cling for centuries to come . Near five o'clock , and a soft warm morning wind blowing under a stainless sky . Gallopers from headquarters pass here and there with a quiet word , ` Wake your men , and make no noise . ' There is no sound of any bugle call at that _ reveille _ , and the men silently arise , sit up and shake themselves , and mostly make their toilet by a simple process of eye-rubbing and the assumption of their headgear . Then the camp fires are lit here and there where a clump of officers gathers together over their morning tea and coffee .