It was a hard scramble, for the track was narrow and very slippery, and had to be felt with the feet rather than seen with the eyes.

I was terribly tired, for I had had a long walk and the excitement of the day and talking to such numbers of men had been very fatiguing.

To add to my difficulties, our batteries lay between me and the road and were now in full action.

My old dread of being killed by our own guns seemed to be justified on the present occasion.

Gun flashes came every few seconds with a blinding effect, and I thought I should never get behind those confounded batteries.