Our feet wet with dew, we once again became motionless and awaited the enemy.
About midday we received orders to move to the edge of the plateau, and take up position behind a clump of trees, in order to command the Tailly valley and the hills on the south of Stenay. And, continually, successive regiments of infantry emerged from the forest and passed us, falling back.
"Dashed if I can fathom it!" said Hutin.
"Nor can I!"
It was very hot, and we were thirsty, but our water-bottles were empty.
We continued to wait until dusk, but the enemy did not appear.
Night had fallen when we were sent to encamp on the other side of the woods.
The moon was rising clear of the tree-tops. The regular clatter of hoofs and the monotonous roll of the vehicles blended together into a sort of weary cradle-song, and made us sleepy after a time. In order to suffer uncomplainingly all the hardships and miseries of war, we would have asked no more than one hour of affection, of sympathetic tenderness, in safety, at evening-time, after the long day spent in watching or fighting.
The road was level, and we were hardly shaken at all; no one spoke, and most of us slept or dozed.