h
the turning movement against the right of the French line was found to
be impracticable shortly after it was undertaken and had to be given up,
the operations of the German host being subsequently confined to an
attack in front on the formidable position of Gravelotte--which, with
its ridge of hills lined with fortifications and strengthened with rows
of rifle-pits that covered the slopes in every direction, overtopping
each other like seats in a circus, seemed proof against attack.

Marching in the darkness, he knew not whither, by the side of comrades
in solid phalanx, Fritz found himself, when morning broke, at the rear
of some other battalions that were concealed from the enemy behind a
mass of brushwood and scattered forest trees. These grew on an elevated
plateau from which a very good view could be obtained of the field of
battle, the rising sun lighting up the whole landscape and displaying
the beautiful details of the country around, so soon, alas! to be marred
by the terrible havoc of battle, bringing fire and ruin and bloodshed in
its train.

On the left, stretched out like a silver thread amidst the green sheen
of the foliage the road leading to Verdun and Paris beyond, lined along
its extent with rows of tall poplars planted with mathematical
regularity; while a series of pretty villages, each with its own church
steeple and surrounded by charming villa residences, only a few hundred
yards apart apparently, broke the monotonous regularity of the highway--
Mars la Tour, Florigny, Vionville, Rezonville, Malmaison, and last,
though by no means least, Gravelotte, which was in the immediate
foreground. On the right were thickly wooded hills; and, far away in
the distance, glittered the peaks and pinnacles of Metz, the whole
forming a lovely panorama, spread out below in the smiling valley of
Lorraine.

As Fritz was looking on this scene with mingled feelings, a splendid
regiment of uhlans dashed up behind the infantry; and, when they reached
the brow of the hill, they broke into a wild hurrah, which almost seemed
to thrill their horses, which neighed in chorus. This provoked a
responsive echo from the marching battalions on foot; and then, the
cavalry galloped forwards. At the same time, distant cannonading could
be heard in the neighbourhood of Vionville, and shells were seen
bursting in the air around the French positions at Point du Jour, with
the smaller puffs of smoke from rifles in action between