popped up their heads to listen. At the same instant a noise in front
drew our attention to that quarter; and we now saw that a party of horse
artillerymen were descending the road with a light eight-pounder gun,
which they were proceeding to place in position on a small knoll of
ground about eighty yards from the coppice I have mentioned.

"How I could pick off that fellow on the gray horse," whispered a
soldier beside me to his comrade.

"And bring the whole fire on us afterwards," said the other.

"What can we be waiting for?" said the corporal, impatiently. "They are
making that place as strong as a fortress; and there, see if that is not
a reinforcement!"

While he spoke, the heavy tramp of men marching announced the approach
of fresh troops; and by the bustle and noise within the farmhouse it was
clear the preparations for its defence were making with all the activity
the exigency demanded.

It was past seven o'clock; but as the day broke more out, the heavy
fog increased, and soon grew so dense as to shut out from our view
the Prussian picket and the guns upon the road. Meanwhile the firing
continued at a distance, but, as it seemed, fainter than before.

"Ha! there it comes now," said the corporal, as a shrill whistle was
heard to our left. "Look to your pieces, men! steady." There was a
pause; every ear was bent to listen, every breath drawn short, when
again he spoke. "That 's it. _En avant_, lads! _en avant!_"

With the word he sprang forward, but still crouching, he went as if the
thick mist were not enough to conceal him. The men followed their leader
with cautious steps, their carbines in hand and bayonets fixed. For some
minutes we ascended the hill, gradually nearing the road, along which a
low bank offered a slight protection against fire.

The corporal halted here for a second or two, when another whistle, so
faint as to be scarcely audible, was borne on the air. With a motion of
his hand forwards he gave the order to advance, and led the way along
the roadside.

As we followed in single file, I found myself next the corporal, whose
every motion I watched with an intensity of interest I cannot convey. At
last he stopped and wheeled round; then, kneeling down, he levelled his
piece upon the low bank,--a movement quickly followed by all the rest
who in silence obeyed his signal.

Directly in front of us now, and as it seemed not above a dozen yards
distant, the yellow glare of the artillery f