est, came from the forty-two centimeter, and
whenever the shell struck true it tore everything about it to pieces, no
matter how strong.

The thunder of the guns was so steady and so near one note that the
Strangers could talk almost in an ordinary tone.

"It's our guns on the right that are in the most danger," said John.

"Correct," said Wharton. "The Uhlans are trying to cut them off, because
those guns are doing great damage. Take the glasses again, and you can
see their shells tearing through the German lines."

"I don't know that I want to see."

"Oh, look! This is war, and you'll have to get used to it!"

Then John looked and he saw that the German lines were not unbroken, as
they had seemed to the naked eye. The shrapnel were tearing through
them, making great holes, but the massive German columns never faltered
for an instant. The gaps in their ranks were filled up, and they came on
at an even pace, resolved to capture or destroy the French force. And
they carried with them the memories of Gravelotte, Sedan and Metz. They
would do as well as the men of old von Moltke had done.

John felt a thrill of admiration. The great military monarchy had built
its machine well. It seemed at the moment resistless. It was made of
steel rather than human flesh and blood, and it would roll over
everything. Nothing had yet stopped that mighty concave curve of gray,
although more and more French cannon were coming into action, and from
right to left, and from left to right, they showered it with unceasing
death.

But the German artillery, far more numerous and powerful than the
French, were supporting their infantry. Shells were poured fast upon the
hasty earthworks. Hundreds and hundreds of the defenders fell. The roar
was now so stupendous that John could scarcely hear, and the air, before
golden in the sunshine, turned a livid fiery hue.

All the Strangers were now formed in one of the trenches, and then
wisely knelt low. John heard the shrieking, whining noise incessantly
over his head, and it made his blood run cold. Instinctively he pressed
hard against the side of his trench, but his curiosity was so keen that
from time to time he raised his head above the edge to see how the
battle fared directly in front. The gray Germans were much nearer,
marching with the solid tread that seemed able to carry them across the
world, while their gigantic artillery on the flanks and in the intervals
flamed and roared without ce