A lad whose face had borne an expression of exalted courage, the majesty of he who dares give his life, was, at an instant, smitten abject.

He blanched like one who has come to the edge of a cliff at midnight and is suddenly made aware.
There was a revelation.

He, too, threw down his gun and fled.

There was no shame in his face.

He ran like a rabbit.
Others began to scamper away through the smoke.