midday
Little did I guess at the time what service that noble horse would render in our sorest need . It is curious to look back and realize upon what trivial and apparently coincidental circumstances great events frequently turn as easily and naturally as a door on its hinges . Well , we took the horse , and a beauty he was , it was a perfect pleasure to see him move , and Curtis having sent back his greetings and thanks , we proceeded on our journey . By midday we overtook the rear-guard of the great army of which Sir Henry then formally took over the command . It was a heavy responsibility , and it oppressed him very much , but the Queen 's injunctions on the point were such as did not admit of being trifled with . He was beginning to find out that greatness has its responsibilities as well as its glories . Then we marched on without meeting with any opposition , almost indeed without seeing anybody , for the populations of the towns and villages along our route had for the most part fled , fearing lest they should be caught between the two rival armies and ground to powder like grain between the upper and the nether stones .