Had he smashed to earth a hundred yards further north, he would have been shattered against high walls and roofs.
Still giddy, but sensing no pain from his injured left arm, Gabriel made way toward the scene of conflict.

He knew nothing of how the tide of battle was going; nothing of his position; nothing as to what men he would first meet, his comrades or the enemy.
But for these considerations he had no thought.

His only idea, fixed and grim, was "The fight!" Dazed though he still was, he nerved himself for action.
And so, pressing onward through the livid glare, through the night shattered by stupendous detonations, he drew his revolver and broke into a run.
Strange evidences of the battle now became evident.

He saw an unexploded grenade lying beside a wounded man who grasped at him and moaned with pain.

Over a wrecked motor-car, greasy smoke was rising, as it burned.
Louder shouting drew him down a path to the left.