The rifles volleyed.

It was a pandemonium of sound in an orgy of gloom.
Darkness, lurid flame, blood, wounds, death, horror! Yet, in the midst of all this hubbub, I could not help admiring the cool military calm and self-control of our Major.

His voice rose clear above the confused tumult.

"Steady, boys, steady! Don't fire at random.

Pick each your likeliest man, and aim at him deliberately.