on the high ground were scores of men who lay on their bellies , the undergrowth pulled over them , waiting for the sign to attack : a hundred or more men waiting to spring the ambush ; a hundred men who held their breath as , suddenly , general braddock held up his hand , an officer on his other side barked an order , the drums stopped and the regiment came to a halt , horses whinnying and sneezing , pawing at the snowy , frozen ground , the column gradually descending into silence .