ch debouching from the wood. Ralph was
riding, with the rest of the staff, behind the general.

"That is Terminiers," Colonel Tempe said, pointing to a house or
two at a distance, on the plain.

As he spoke, a puff of smoke came from the houses.

"There is the first shell," was the general exclamation.

In another instant the missile burst near some infantry, at two
hundred yards to the right.

"Take orders to that battery, there, to take position on that
little eminence to the left there, Captain Barclay. Tell them to
keep the guns a little back among the trees, and to open sharply
upon Terminiers."

It was just twelve o'clock now and, in five minutes, there was a
roar of cannon along the whole length of both lines. For half an
hour the combat continued a mere artillery duel. The shells fell in
all directions; cutting the dry branches from the trees, tearing up
the ground, and leaving deep black gashes in the white snow;
crashing through a wall or, occasionally, exploding among the
troops.

"Their fire is slackening a little," General Chanzy said. "It is
time to be pushing forward.

"Lieutenant Porcet, take my orders to the colonel of that regiment
of Mobiles to advance at once, covered by skirmishers.

"Captain Barclay, order that Line regiment to support.

"Captain Maillot, order the artillery to concentrate their fire
upon the village, and to advance by batteries."

The orders were carried out, and the Mobiles advanced to within
five hundred yards of the village. The musketry fire was now
tremendous, and the Mobiles wavered. The Germans were entrenched in
the gardens and walled enclosures of the village. Every wall, every
house was loopholed; and rough barricades had been erected, to fill
up the breaks in the walls.

General Chanzy was sitting on horseback, a short distance in the
rear of the fighting. Mounted officers rode up and left again,
every moment, with news of the battle going on near the other
villages.

"Ride up and order the Mobiles to lie down, Captain Barclay; then
tell the colonel of the Line to bring his troops up in line with
them. Let them lie down, also.

"Tempe, have the two reserve batteries of artillery brought up, at
full speed, to silence that battery in the wood to the left of the
village. Its fire crosses the ground we have to pass over."

Ten minutes more of continuous cannonading, and then it was
apparent that the Prussian fire was weakening.

"Now, Barclay, tell th