text:  In the houses the shutters of which were carefully closed to exclude the importunate sunbeams in the barns and stables under the shadow cast by balconies or projecting eaves and along the banks of the stream which traverses the valley and is noted in the surrounding country for the crystal clearness and extreme coldness of its waters the soldiers were lying their uniforms unbuttoned the stiff leathern stock thrown aside enjoying the mid-day slumber which the temperature and their recent fatigue rendered doubly acceptable