When a man is master of only one art he likes to keep up his reputation in that art.

Moved quite out of myself at my failure, I did a rash thing.

Rapidly covering the general as he ran, I let drive with the second barrel.

Instantly the poor man threw up his arms, and fell forward on to his face.

This time I had made no mistake; and--I say it as a proof of how little we think of others when our own safety, pride, or reputation is in question--I was brute enough to feel delighted at the sight.
The regiments who had seen the feat cheered wildly at this exhibition of the white man's magic, which they took as an omen of success, while the force the general had belonged to--which, indeed, as we ascertained afterwards, he had commanded--fell back in confusion.