"Yes, three apiece," said Colonel Talbot.
"Four now," said Sherburne.
"Five now," said Dalton.
"Six now," said St. Clair.
"Seven now," said Harry.
"Eight now," said Happy Tom.
"And seven has been passed," said Colonel Talbot. "It will surely be twelve."
All were silent now, counting under their breath, and they felt a certain extraordinary solemnity as they counted. Harry knew that both armies, far up and down the river, were counting those shots, as the little group in the Moncrieffe house were counting them. Certainly there would be no hostilities on that day.
"Nine," they said under their breath.
"Ten!"