Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/404

 3T4 THE FIRST day's MARCH. CHAP, In eacli of the close-massed columns which XXIV « L ■were formed by our four complete divisions there were more than 5000 foot soldiers. The colours were flying ; the bands at first were playing ; and once more the time had come round when in all this armed pride there was nothing of false ma- jesty ; for already videttes could be seen on tho hillocks, and (except at the spots where our horse- men were marching) there was nothing but air and sunshine, and at intervals the dark form of a single rifleman, to divide our columns from the enemy. But more warlike than trumpet and drum was the grave quiet which followed the ceasing of the bands. The pain of weariness had begun: Few spoke — all toiled. "Waves break upon the shore ; and though they are many, still "'■■'""" distance will gather their numberless cadences into one. So, also, it was with one ceaseless hissing sound that a wilderness of tall crisping herbage bent under the tramp of the coming thousands. As each mighty column marched on, one hardly remembered at first the weary frames, the aching limbs which composed it ; for — instinct v/ith its own proper soul and purpose, absorbing the volitions of thousands of men, and bearing no likeness to the mere sum of the human beings out of whom it was made — the column itself was tho living thing — the .slow, monstrous unit of strength which walks the modern earth where empire is brought into question. But a little while and then the sickness which had clung to the army began to make it seen that the columns