Words of fire, words vital with life had gone forth, predicting their triumph, and as they rode among the troops carrying orders they communicated their burning zeal to the men who were already eager for closer battle.
The storm of missiles from the cannon was increasing rapidly.

John now distinctly saw the huge German masses, not advancing but standing firm to receive the French attack, their front a vast line of belching guns.
He knew that they would soon be within the area of rifle fire and he knew with equal truth that it would take the valor of immense numbers, wielded by the supreme skill of leaders to drive back the Germans.
The guns, some drawn by horses and others by motors, were moving forward with them.

When the horses were swept away by a shell, men seized the guns and dragged them.

Then they stopped again, took new positions and renewed the rain of death on the German army.
They began to hear a whistle and hiss that they knew.

It was that of the bullets, and along the vast front they were coming in millions.