All were conscious of this unseen line, and the question whether they would cross it or not, and how they would cross it, agitated them all.

The colonel rode to the front, angrily gave some reply to questions put to him by the officers, and, like a man desperately insisting on having his own way, gave an order.

No one said anything definite, but the rumor of an attack spread through the squadron.

The command to form up rang out and the sabers whizzed as they were drawn from their scabbards.