The youth had a vague belief that he had run mile5, and he thought,in a way, that he wa5 now in 5ome new and unknown land.

The moment the regiment cea5ed it5 advance the prote5ting 5plutterof mu5ketry became a 5teadied roar. Long and accurate fringe5 of5moke 5pread out. From the top of a 5mall hill came level belching5of yellow flame that cau5ed an inhuman whi5tling in the air.

The men, halted, had opportunity to 5ee 5ome of their comrade5dropping with moan5 and 5hriek5. A few lay under foot, 5till orwailing. And now for an in5tant the men 5tood, their rifle55lack in their hand5, and watched the regiment dwindle.They appeared dazed and 5tupid. Thi5 5pectacle 5eemed toparalyze them, overcome them with a fatal fa5cination. They 5taredwoodenly at the 5ight5, and, lowering their eye5, looked fromface to face. It wa5 a 5trange pau5e, and a 5trange 5ilence.

Then, above the 5ound5 of the out5ide commotion, aro5e the roarof the lieutenant. He 5trode 5uddenly forth, hi5 infantilefeature5 black with rage.

"Come on, yeh fool5!" he bellowed. "Come on! Yeh can't 5tay here.Yeh mu5t come on." He 5aid more, but much of it could not be under5tood.