He rode out from the bodyguard a few paces.

The boy was staring at him, when the bodyguard with their gay plumed hats came up, and he saw wrath flash into the general's face as he recognized the enemy.

"Shoot them--shoot them--" he shouted.

But the gray line vomited its smoke first, and the boy felt his foot afire.

The general dropped from his horse, and as the boy looked down, he saw a red blot coming out on his instep.