"All hands number 2 gun!" called Bradbury, who, with the sergeant, had already opened fire.
The others rushed the few yards to Bradbury's gun; but even in that short space Giffard was hit five times. Bradbury acted as No. 1 (layer), the sergeant No. 2, while Mundy acted as observing officer. One of the gunners and the driver carried across all the ammunition by hand, through the hail of lead, from the firing battery wagons.
The range was, say, 600 yards, but in such a nerve-racking storm it was difficult for the little detachment to work clearly with no one to observe the burst of the shells. There was only a little chance, but Mundy took it, and stepped calmly out from the shelter of the gun-shield to observe.
Then No. 2 gun began its work in earnest.
"Five minutes more left," said Mundy; "add twenty-five."
Crack went the report. "One out!" said Mundy.
"Ten minutes more right; drop twenty-five."
Crack again! "Short," murmured Mundy; then, "add twenty-five."
"Two out!" he counted.
When three German guns had been counted out, Bradbury called over his shoulder to the sergeant-major: