He had succeeded in getting a fine "bead" just as the cartridge failed.
"Blast the English ammunition!" he exclaimed.

"It's no good." The other men at the gun nodded approval.

Their experience bore out the corporal's assertion.

They also knew that the cordite cartridges were not adapted to American guns, and should not have been used.

But they were marines and they were accustomed to obey orders without comment.
Captain Brownson had noticed the incident and he sent word to delay opening the breechblock until all danger of explosion had passed.