midday
In fact , before the regiment was half a mile away their friends were back from the hills seeing to their dead and wounded , and gathering up their arms , greatly to the annoyance of the rear-guard lads , who one and all were troubled with longings for some of the keen tulwars to take back to England as trophies of their fight . But the stern order `` Forward ! '' rang in the lads ' ears , and the expectation of being attacked at any time by one or other of the bodies of the enemy hovering on the hill-slopes on either side , or of a fresh dash being made upon the rear in the hope of cutting off the baggage , kept every one on the alert . `` Yes , '' said Colonel Graves , as the morning glided by without incident and midday approached , with the men beginning to show traces of their hot , rapid march . `` Pass the word on , for we can not halt yet . It will cheer the lads , and have a good effect upon the enemy . '' The next minute , just as many of the lads were straining their eyes forward in search of the place likely to be chosen for their midday halt , and making frequent use of their water-bottles , there were the preliminary taps on the big bass , a few vigorous rolls on the kettledrums , and the fifes began to shrill out their sharp notes in a merry air , which brightened every face at once .