extreme right, had mined and blown up the farm buildings of
Legrange aux Bois, close to Peltre. These farm buildings had hitherto
served as a cover to the French troops when they made their foraging
sorties, but they could not be held by the Germans, for they were
situated within the line of fire of Fort Quelin; so, as may be imagined,
their destruction was hailed with a ringing cheer by the besiegers. The
artillerymen in the fort, however, apparently anticipating an attack in
force of which this explosion was but the prelude, were on the alert at
once; and, soon after sunrise, they began to pour in a heavy rain of
fire on the German works, which the conflagration of the buildings and
removal of intervening obstacles now clearly disclosed. Whole
broadsides of projectiles from the great guns flew into the valley of
the Moselle as far as Ars, sweeping away the entrenchments as if they
were mere packs of cards; and, presently, an onward movement of French
battalions of infantry, supported by field artillery and cavalry, showed
that, this time at least, something more was intended by Marshal Bazaine
than a mere feint.

Trumpet called to trumpet in the German ranks, and speedily the whole of
the second army under Prince Frederick Charles mustered its forces in
line of battle, the men gathering in imposing masses towards the
threatened point at Ars. Here the 61st and 21st infantry regiments,
which were on outpost duty, were the first: to commence hostilities,
rushing to meet the French who were advancing from Metz. Aided by the
batteries erected by the side of the Bois de Vaux, the Germans, after a
sharp conflict, succeeded in repulsing the enemy, who had ultimately to
retire again under the guns of Fort Quelin, although they made a
vigorous resistance while the engagement lasted--only falling back on
suffering severe loss from the shower of shrapnel to which they were
subjected, besides losing many prisoners. During all the time of this
attack and repulse, Fort Saint Julien, on the other side of the
fortress, was shelling the Landwehr reserve, causing many casualties
amongst the Hanoverian legion; and, but that the men here were quite
prepared for their foe, the combat might have extended to their lines.

As it was, the expected fight, for which the Tenth Corps was ready and
waiting, was only delayed for a few hours; when, if Fritz and his
comrades had complained of the cold of the weather, they found the work
cut ou