In another instant a cloud of dust came whirling down the lane after him.

Out of it strained the heavy shoulders and tightened chain-traces of six frantic horses dragging the swaying gun that in this tempest of motion alone seemed passive and helpless with an awful foreknowledge of its power.

As in obedience to a signal from the officer they crashed through the hedge after him, a sudden jolt threw an artilleryman from the limber before the wheel.

A driver glanced back on the tense chain and hesitated.

"Go on!" yelled the prostrate man, and the wheel went over him.