When we finally learned to open our column and proceed at big intervals, we found we could keep on this surface that undulated like rubber ice and swayed the bushes up and down.

In places the earth buckled up and broke.
Suddenly, three shots sounded.

They were hardly more than the report of a Flobert rifle; but they were genuine shots, because the officer and two soldiers fell to the ground.

The other soldiers grabbed their rifles and, with fear, looked about for the enemy.

Four more were soon unseated and suddenly I noticed our rearguard brute raise his rifle and aim right at me.