Through the aisles of the wood could be seen the floating smoke from their rifles.

Sometimes it went up in little balls, white and compact.
During this halt many men in the regiment began erecting tiny hills in front of them.

They used stones, sticks, earth, and anything they thought might turn a bullet.

Some built comparatively large ones, while others seemed content with little ones.
This procedure caused a discussion among the men.

Some wished to fight like duelists, believing it to be correct to stand erect and be, from their feet to their foreheads, a mark.