one o'clock
Hours passed away ; the English munched their corn , smoked their pipes , and watched the enemy scattered over the plain . The weather was very hot , and the men of both sides went down to a little stream which divided their positions , drank , and filled their water-bottles in perfect amity . Some of the officers , who spoke French conversed with the French officers , exchanged cigars for brandy , and joked and laughed as if they had been the best of friends . At one o'clock the French drums were heard to beat , and the men were soon formed in order . Tom and Peter stood with a group of officers on the brow of the hill . Nothing could be finer than the sight . Far away the view stretched over the country , thickly wooded , and with château and farm-houses scatted here and there .