They clung desperately to the further edges of the plateau, firing from behind the rocks.
There had been a race for the nearest gun between an officer of the Manchesters and a drummer sergeant of the Gordons.

The officer won, and sprang in triumph on to the piece.

Men of all regiments swarmed round yelling and cheering, when upon their astonished ears there sounded the 'Cease fire' and then the 'Retire.' It was incredible, and yet it pealed out again, unmistakable in its urgency.

With the instinct of discipline the men were slowly falling back.

And then the truth of it came upon the minds of some of them.