Page:A Gentleman From France (1924).djvu/179

 into the depression. They had noted that it was a cart carrying ammunition to a much-harassed portion of the army, so determined to cut it off if possible.

Shrapnel fell like hailstones in among the trees. Leaves and twigs came down in showers, and often a large limb was lopped off. But the worst execution came when a great shell landed fairly in the gulch sending treetops and turf and dust and stones in every direction. It fell so near that the two men were knocked down by the concussion. But the captain was soon on his feet, quieting the dogs.

He seemed to know that Pierre was the dominant spirit of the team, so he told him not to get scared and they would soon be out of danger.

Pierre listened very carefully, for he wanted to do just what the man wanted