They passed large sugar refineries, built by the
Castalians, and churches and convents. They passed rice-fields, some
covered with water and others more or less dry, which sturdy peasants
were busy harrowing with buffaloes. On the road they saw many
two-wheeled carts drawn by single buffaloes, the man standing in the
cart as he drove. At last they came to a halt on rising ground at the
edge of a piece of woodland, and Colonel Burton, the adjutant-general,
rode up beside the general's carriage and dismounted, and the two began
to study the map again. After a long discussion the procession moved on
again and finally stopped at the crest of a ridge, where the general
alighted and soon selected a place for his tent. An hour had passed
before the tents and baggage arrived, but notwithstanding the delay the
tents were pitched and supper ready by sundown, and Sam found himself
actually in the field on the eve of a battle. The eve, however, was
somewhat prolonged. Several days passed, and Sam was kept pretty busy
in riding to the various brigade and regimental headquarters and
finding out how things were progressing: what was the state of the
trenches, and what news there was from the enemy. Scouting parties were
sent out, but their reports were kept secret, and Sam was left in the
dark. There was a native village about half a mile to the rear, and the
inhabitants were all friendly.
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