"Besides the change is too sudden.

It hasn't been a minute since you were pouring abuse upon our safe and happy little trench." "It's time for the Germans to begin," said John, looking at his watch.
"We'd better lie close for the next hour." They heard the shrieking of more shells and soon the whole earth rocked with the fire of the great guns.

The hostile trenches were only a few hundred yards in front of them, but the German batteries all masked, or placed in pits, were much further away.

The French cannon were stationed in like fashion behind their own trenches.
John and his comrades, for the allotted hour, hugged the side of the trench nearest to the Germans.

The shells from the heavy guns came at regular intervals.