A few, acting on the instinct of self-preservation, fled almost unconsciously.

Among the greater part, however, the fighting Prussian instinct prevailed, impelling the soldiers forward and never back, and so with renewed shouts they pressed on.

But only for a few minutes.

The colors flew upward again, raised by hands wearied to death, only to fall again at once.

Three times--four times the flag emerged, sinking again and again, and each flutter meant a new sacrifice, and each fall the death of a hero.