John followed, that he might report the result.

They were now facing toward the east and the whole horizon there was a blaze of fire.

The shells were coming thicker and thicker, and the air was filled with the screaming of the shrapnel.
The commander of the battery, a short, powerful Frenchman, was as cool as ice, and John drew coolness from him.

One can get used to almost anything, and his nervous tremors were passing.

Despite the terrible fire of the German artillery the French army was still advancing.