A piece of the same shell struck General Vaugirard's car and put it out of action at once.

But the general leaped lightly to the ground, then swung his immense bulk across one of the riderless motor cycles and advanced with the surviving members of his staff.

Imperturbable, he still swept the field with his glasses.

Two aides were now sent to the right with messages, and a third, John himself, was despatched to the left on a similar errand.
It was John's duty to tell a regiment to bear in further to the left and close up a vacant spot in the line.

He wheeled his cycle into a field, and then passed between rows of grapevines.