About midday
A force of cavalry crossed the brook , indeed , and rode slowly along our front , evidently taking stock of our position and numbers . With this we did not attempt to interfere , as our decision was to stand strictly on the defensive , and not to waste a single man . The men breakfasted and stood to their arms , and the hours wore on . About midday , when the men were eating their dinner , for we thought they would fight better on full stomachs , a shout of ` _ Sorais , Sorais _ ' arose like thunder from the enemy 's extreme right , and taking the glass , I was able to clearly distinguish the ` Lady of the Night ' herself , surrounded by a glittering staff , and riding slowly down the lines of her battalions . And as she went , that mighty , thundering shout rolled along before her like the rolling of ten thousand chariots , or the roaring of the ocean when the gale turns suddenly and carries the noise of it to the listener 's ears , till the earth shook , and the air was full of the majesty of sound . Guessing that this was a prelude to the beginning of the battle , we remained still and made ready . We had not long to wait .