There was a slight rending sound.

Then it began to swing forward, slow and straight, in the manner of a falling tree.

A swift muscular contortion made the left shoulder strike the ground first.
The body seemed to bounce a little way from the earth.

"God!" said the tattered soldier.
The youth had watched, spellbound, this ceremony at the place of meeting.

His face had been twisted into an expression of every agony he had imagined for his friend.
He now sprang to his feet and, going closer, gazed upon the pastelike face.