ey sent shell after shell, which hung low over the
German ranks, and then burst in a whirlwind of steel fragments and
splinters. Death was showered upon the gray masses, but they never
flinched, coming on steadily, with the deep German cheer, swelling now
and then into thunder.

The battle was so near that the Strangers could no longer hear one
another, although they shouted. Their company luckily had suffered
little, but now the bullets began to search their ranks, and brave young
Americans and brave young Englishmen gave up their lives under an alien
flag.

John was conscious of neither elation nor despair. The excitement was
too great. His heart hammered heavily against its walls, and the red
mist before him deepened until it became a blazing glare. Then the rush
of hoofs came again. The Uhlans had reformed and made a second charge.
The riflemen beat it off, and, still protecting the guns, joined the
main French force.

But it was evident there that the French must retreat again. The
powerful artillery of the Germans had cut their defenses to pieces. The
earth was torn by the great shells as if mining machinery had been at
work, and the ground was covered with dead and wounded. Valor against
numbers and long preparation was unavailing.

"If we don't go we're lost," shouted Carstairs.

"And if we go today we can come back and fight another day!" said
Wharton.

The French leader gathered together his army, beaten for a second time,
and slowly retired across the hills. The French character here showed
itself entirely different from what popular belief had made it. John saw
no signs of panic. The battered brigades closed up and withdrew, turning
a steady and resolute face to the enemy. Their deadly artillery
continually swept the front of the advancing Germans, and at intervals
their riflemen sent back withering volleys.

John's excitement did not abate. Again he loaded and fired his rifle,
until its barrel grew hot in his hand. The tumult was fierce and
deafening beyond all description. He shouted to his comrades and his
comrades shouted to him, but none could hear the sound of a human voice.
The roar of the explosions was mingled without ceasing with the whining
and shrieking of shrapnel and bullets.

Yet the retreating army defeated every attempt to close with it. The
rifles and cannon mowed down the flankers to both right and left, and
their powerful guns drove the pursuing center to a respectful distance.