If they were playing somewhere in the rear no one heard.

The fire of the cannon and rifles was a steady roll, louder than thunder and more awful.
The Northern troops hesitated at last in face of such a resolute stand and such accurate firing.

Then they retreated a little and a shout of triumph came from the Southern lines, but the respite was only for a moment.

The men in blue came on again, walking over their dead and past their wounded.
"If they keep pressing in, and it looks as if they would, they will crush us," murmured Colonel Talbot, but he did not let the Invincibles hear him say it.

He encouraged them with voice and example, and they bent forward somewhat to meet the second charge of the Northern army, which was now coming.