There was a race.
As he, leading, went across a little field, he found himself in a region of shells.

They hurtled over his head with long wild screams.
As he listened he imagined them to have rows of cruel teeth that grinned at him.

Once one lit before him and the livid lightning of the explosion effectually barred the way in his chosen direction.

He groveled on the ground and then springing up went careering off through some bushes.
He experienced a thrill of amazement when he came within view of a battery in action.

The men there seemed to be in conventional moods, altogether unaware of the impending annihilation.