The mist was clearing, and the curve was hard-outlined against the limpid blue of the morning sky.

On this, some two and a half miles or three miles off, a little group of black dots had appeared.

The clear edge of the skyline had become serrated with moving figures.

They clustered into a knot, then opened again, and then-- There had been no smoke, but there came a long crescendo hoot, rising into a shrill wail.

The shell hummed over the soldiers like a great bee, and sloshed into soft earth behind them.