were half across the open space, came the
long crack and blaze from end to end of the rampart; smoke seemed
to gush and flash out from one extremity to the other. Sharp cries
of agony and dismay, shouts and curses, filled the air. The English
fell in dozens amid the fallen trees, and those behind rushed
forward over the bodies of their doomed companions.

It was in vain to try to carry the rampart by the bayonet. The
soldiers drew up and fired all along their line; but of what avail
was it to fire upon an enemy they could not see, whilst they
themselves were a target for the grapeshot and musketballs which
swept in a deadly cross fire through their ranks? But they would
not fall back. Headed by the Rangers, who made rapid way over the
rough and encumbered ground, they pressed on, undaunted by the hail
of iron about them, and inflamed to fury by the fall of their
comrades around them.

It was an awful scene. It was branded upon the memory of the
survivors in characters of fire.

Fritz kept in the foremost rank, unable to understand why he was
not shot down. He reached the rampart, and was halfway up, when he
was clutched by the hands of a man in front, who in his death agony
knew not what he did, and the two rolled into the ditch together.

For a moment all was suffocation and horror. Unwounded, but buried
and battered, with his musket torn from his grasp, Fritz struggled
out through the writhing heap of humanity, and saw that the head of
the column had fallen back for a breathing space, though with the
evident intention of re-forming and dashing again to the charge.

The firing from the rampart still continued; but Fritz made a
successful dash back to the lines, and reached them in safety. He
was known by this time as an experienced Ranger, and was taken
aside by Bradstreet, the officer in command of the light infantry
that with the Rangers headed the charge.

The gallant officer was wounded and breathless, and was seated upon
a fallen trunk.

"Neville," he said, "I know that you are fleet of foot and stout of
heart. I would have you return to the camp on the instant, with a
message for the General. Tell him how things are here, and that
this rampart is to the utmost as impregnable as Rogers warned us.
Our men are falling thick and fast, and although full of courage,
cannot do the impossible. Beg him to order the guns to be brought
up, for without them we are helpless against the enemy."

Fritz knew this rig