themselves, before the awakened echoes had died away
in the woods above, a second shell, as mighty as the first, sailed over
their heads and exploded as titanically as it had done. This was the
first occasion on which the British Armies had been brought face to
face with the German super-heavy artillery. Naturally the result was a
little disconcerting.

Tons of death-dealing metal and explosive were being hurled through the
air as if Atlas were hurling stars about. There was something elemental,
and superhuman about such colossal force. One felt like a pygmy in a
Battle of the Gods.

They were profoundly ignorant of anything that was happening. Everything
was normal, except the roar of guns. There was not even a sign of the
cavalry being driven in. The only thing to do was to keep on until an
order came, or something definite happened.

The road had turned into a village called Moussy, and was now running
parallel to the river, along the side of the slope. An order was passed
along to "keep down under cover of the right bank," so they advanced,
half crouching, about half a mile.

Then, with a suddenness that amazed him, the Subaltern saw the Platoon
in front begin to scramble hastily over the bank, and run off directly
up the hill. No order was given, he could see no explanation for such a
move. He hesitated for a second, wondering whether it would not be
better to find out what was happening before he moved his Platoon. But
battles are sometimes lost by just such pauses, so he waved his arm,
signalling to deploy and extend to the right. A second or so later his
men were in line with the other Platoon, advancing over a green field
towards a bank. Their rifles were loaded, bayonets fixed, bodies bent
forward--ready for anything.

They did not have long to wait.

Another "Jack Johnson" landed in front of them. They could see the earth
as it flew upwards the other side of the hedge. Was it a chance shot, or
would the Germans land a direct "hit" next time? That was the question
that worried the Subaltern as he advanced to the hedge. He was also
puzzled as to what was really happening, or what he was expected to do.
Not another Officer was in sight.

In a few seconds the bank was reached. Here he made a temporary halt for
the men to recover their breath. Men cannot be expected to shoot well if
they cannot breathe.

Half a minute passed, and he began to consider the advisability of
sending out several scouts to reco