Chapter
12
The Shadow on the LandIT WAS STILL DRIZZLING in the morning, with brown drifting clouds and a damp chilly wind. It was a queer thing for me as I opened my eyes to think that I should be in a battle that day, though none of us ever thought it would be such a one as it proved to be. We were up and ready, however, with the first light, and as we threw open the doors of our barn we heard the most lovely music that I had ever listened to playing somewhere in the distance. We all stood in clusters hearkening to it, it was so sweet and innocent and sad-like. But our sergeant laughed when he saw how it pleased us all.
"Them are the French bands," said he; "and if you come out here you'll see what some of you may not live to see again."
Out we went, the beautiful music still sounding
