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 down a continuous barrage between the army and its supply of ammunition.

"Looks to me as though we were prisoners," said the captain to his lieutenant.

"Yes," said the general, who happened to be standing near. "We shall all be prisoners unless we can get word back to headquarters, and they send up a relief column. We can't hold out another day. We must be relieved at once."

The captain looked at him sharply. He had not imagined that he had spoken so truly. But the general's face was very grave. "Is it so bad as that?" the captain asked.

"Yes," replied the general. "It is much worse than you can imagine. Why, in the woods yonder are men who are going delirious for want of water and food