The regiment
swung from a long straight line into companies, the door rolled open,
and without a sound, except the monotonous pound of the regular tread,
the regiment passed into the street. At the corner they turned sharply,
and marched up a side street, so narrow that the ranks had to break
their lines to get within the curbs. So without sound of drum or music
they passed through street after street. A regiment is thrilling when it
parades to music: it is more so when it marches in silence.
Presently it passed into a long tunnel, where the footfall echoed in a
startling way. But as it neared the other end, a more startling sound
could be heard. It was a low murmur, as of many voices, and of voices
that were not pleasant. Peter's wisdom in availing himself of the
protection and secrecy of the tunnel as an approach became obvious.
A moment later, as the regiment debouched from the tunnel's mouth, the
scene broke upon them. A vast crowd filled Fourth Avenue and
Forty-second Street.
Pages:
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704