But they carried two of their cannon with them, and when they reached the wood opened a heavy fire upon the pursuing Southern troops, which made the youngsters shiver and reel back.
"They, too, have some regular officers," said Colonel Talbot to Lieutenant-Colonel St.Hilaire.

"It's a safe wager that several of our old comrades of Mexico are there." Thus did West Pointers speak with respect of their fellow West Pointers.
Exulting in their capture of the fort and still driven by rage, the Invincibles attempted to rush the enemy, but they were met by such a deadly fire that many fell, and their officers drew them back to the shelter of the captured earthworks, where they were joined by their own light guns that had been hurried down the slope.

Another volley was fired at them, when they went over the earthen walls, and Harry, as he threw himself upon the ground, heard the ferocious whine of the bullets over his head, a sound to which he would grow used through years terribly long.
Harry rose to his feet and began to feel of himself to see if he were wounded.

So great had been the tension and so rapid their movements that he had not been conscious of any physical feeling.
"All right, Harry ?" asked a voice by his side.
He saw Langdon with a broad red stripe down his cheek.

The stripe was of such even width that it seemed to have been painted there, and Harry stared at it in a sort of fascination.
"I know I'm not beautiful, Harry," said Langdon, "neither am I killed or mortally wounded.