p the Great
Prize and die a poor devil. But it's good to feel so jolly for once!"

He took Vogt by the shoulders and looked into his face with happy eyes.

Suddenly, a gruff voice called out from beyond the horses: "You fellows
have far too good a time of it! I don't know what you're always
grinning about!"

Bombardier Sickel was looking round at them with a surly expression,
and he shook his head contemptuously. He, being a driver, did not think
much of the gunners. What an easy life fellows like them had! While
he--what had he not got to see to? He went up to his team and looked
anxiously at Turk, the horse he was to ride. With drooping head the
gelding stood there limp and spiritless. He had refused his food that
morning. What could one do mounted on a sick wheeler? Sickel had told
the gun-leader about this; but it was too late to replace the horse,
as the baggage-waggon was already under weigh. Poor Turk must do for
to-day somehow.

The advance-guard began to move, a battalion of infantry in front, then
the battery, and behind it the two other battalions of the regiment.
They made their way upwards from the bottom of the valley along a
moderately steep road, on each side of which was very hilly ground.

They had proceeded for about an hour or more when at last the
cavalry-scouts bringing further orders were seen returning; coming not
from in front but from the left, down a hill covered with undergrowth.
They seemed in a great hurry, and their horses were covered with foam.
The fore-most portion of the advance-guard at once, therefore, wheeled
round, and leaving the road took the nearest way up the hill: a steep
zig-zag, and a stiff piece of work. The gun-teams strained every muscle
and took short, quick steps, trying to overcome the weight of the guns.
Sergeant-major Heppner, who was riding behind the last gun, growled
out: "I tell you, it's downright mountain artillery, this!" and he
trotted a few steps on in front to find out how the Turk was getting
on. The light bay was panting with exhaustion and dripping with sweat.
Heppner scratched his head: little more could be expected of the poor
beast that day. But worse was to come.

The battery had scarcely accomplished the climb up the hill when the
order came to form line. A gentle slope of even ground had still to be
covered, and the battery was to get into position as quickly as
possible behind the crest of the hill. The words of command rang out in
quick su