about one in the afternoon
The broad river rolled at our right , and beyond it the hills , crowned with verdure , looked down upon us . I do not doubt that from those heights the eyes of the enemy 's spies were peering , and the sight of our gallant and seemingly invincible army must have startled and disheartened them . And as I looked along the ordered ranks , the barrels gleaming at a single angle , four thousand feet moving to the drum tap , I realized more deeply than ever that without training and discipline an army could not exist . When we reached the second ford , about one in the afternoon , we found that the bank was not yet made passable for the wagons and artillery , so we drew up along the shingle until this could be done . Pickets were posted on the heights , and half the force kept under arms , in case of a surprise . Spiltdorph and I sauntered together to the water 's edge , and watched the pioneers busy at their work . I saw that my companion was preoccupied , and after a time he ceased to regard the men , but sat looking afar off and pitching pebbles into the stream .