Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 3.djvu/68

46 the same; most people would have been equally struck with such prophetic words. Conscript as I was, I did not think I could confide my feelings to anybody. I thought I ought always to appear cool and brave.

About half an hour after, the fire of the Russians slackened considerably: then we sallied out of our cover to storm the fort.

Our regiment was composed of three bat- talions. The second was ordered to outflank the fort from the side of the gorge; the other two were to make the assault. I was in the third battalion.

Coming out from behind the buttress which had protected us, we were greeted by several rounds of fire, which did but httle harm in our ranks. The whistling of the balls startled me: I kept looking round, thus bringing upon myself joking remarks from my more seasoned com- rades.

" Upon the whole," I said, " a battle is not so very dreadful." We advanced at the double, preceded by our sharpshooters ; suddenly the Russians gave three cheers, three distinct hurrahs, then they stopped firing and became silent. " I do not like that silence," said my cap- tain; " it bodes no good to us."