Bullets were flying high over him, and the shrapnel of the enemy's guns exploded far behind him.

There seemed to be no great danger, and he fired again.

"I missed that time," he remarked to a burgher who lay behind another rock several yards distant.

His neighbour then fired at the same soldier, and both cried simultaneously: "He is hit!" The enemy again disappeared in the little ravine, and the burghers ceased firing.

Shells continued to tear through the air, but none exploded in the vicinity of the men, and they took advantage of the lull in the battle to light their pipes.