Now and then a stray shell chanced among us, but our casualties were very few.

I wondered greatly at the waste of ammunition.

My ears ached with the din, but there seemed more noise wrought than destruction.

We had begun to grow restless when an officer came galloping at last to Colonel Kirby's side and gave him directions with much pointing and waving of the arm.
Then Colonel Kirby summoned all our officers, and they rode back to tell us what the plan was.

The din was so great by this time that they were obliged to explain anew to each four men in turn.