nine o’clock
said the nervous soldier , and his hand shook on the bridle . His companion smiled at the recollection of former fights passed through together . It is well , in love and war , to beware of him who says he is afraid . Shortly after nine o'clock the silence of that deserted plain was broken by a distant murmur , which presently shaped itself into the beat of horses ' feet . To this was added soon the rumble of wheels . The elder soldier put a whole cigarette into his mouth and chewed it . The younger man made no movement now .