Shells make a hissing noise as they come through the air.

Directly this warning hiss is heard, down everyone throws himself on the ground.

The shell passes over and falls somewhere near, it sinks about two feet into the hard ground, and then bursts, throwing up great clouds of earth, like a small mine.

The Prussians are unmasking fresh batteries every day, and approaching nearer and nearer to the forts.

Their fire now extends from behind Le Bourget to the Marne, and at some points reaches to within a mile of the ramparts.