midday
The British and French soldiers went down alike to the rivulet that separated the two armies , and exchanged jokes as they drank and filled their canteens . Albuquerque , being altogether dissatisfied with Cuesta 's arrangements , moved across the plain with his own cavalry and took his post behind the British and German horse ; so that no less than 6000 cavalry were now ready to pour down upon any French force attempting to turn the British position by the valley . The day was intensely hot and the soldiers , after eating their scanty rations , for the most part stretched themselves down to sleep ; for the night had been a broken one , owing to the fact that the Spaniards , whenever they heard , or thought they heard , anyone moving in their front , poured in a tremendous fire that roused the whole camp ; and was so wild and ill directed that several British officers and men , on their left , were killed by it . Soon after midday the drums were heard to beat along the whole length of the French line , and the troops were seen to be falling in . Then the British were also called to arms , and the soldiers cheerfully took their places in the ranks ; glad that the matter was to be brought to an issue at once , as they thought that a victory would , at least , put an end to the state of starvation in which they had for some time been kept . The French had , by this time , learned how impossible it was to surmount the obstacles in front of that portion of the allies ' line occupied by the Spaniards . They therefore neglected these altogether , and Sebastiani advanced against the British division in the plains ; while Victor , as before , prepared to assail the British left , supported this time by a great mass of cavalry .