There were no bayonets, but that was a detail.

At the word the gunners were off, and there in the darkness in front of the storming party loomed the enormous gun, gigantic in that uncertain light.

Out with the huge breech-block! Wrap the long lean muzzle round with a collar of gun-cotton! Keep the guard upon the run until the work is done! Hunter stood by with a night light in his hand until the charge was in position, and then, with a crash which brought both armies from their tents, the huge tube reared up on its mountings and toppled backwards into the pit.

A howitzer lurked beside it, and this also was blown into ruin.

The attendant Maxim was dragged back by the exultant captors, who reached the town amid shoutings and laughter with the first break of day.