noon
It was now early morning , and after breakfast they were formed in marching order . Tom took but little notice of the country through which they marched , except that they were on a straight road , which was paved in the middle . As the day advanced the sun grew hot and scorching , but the men marched on uncomplainingly ; there was little merriment , but much thought . Presently noon came , and again they stopped for food , after which there was another march . By this time Tom realised that he was indeed in the zone of war . He saw what looked to him miles of motor waggons filled with food and munitions , numbers of ambulance waggons marked with the Red Cross . More than one body of horse soldiers passed him , and again he saw numbers of men bivouacked near him ; but everywhere there were soldiers , soldiers .