Our officer reappeared and in a low, but firm voice, ordered;
"About-Turn!"
We turned about. In the gray light of dawn, a few yards in front of me, I could make out a brick wall. Against this wall was a dark form with a white square pinned on its breast. We were supposed to aim at this square. To the right of the form I noticed a white spot on the wall. This would be my target.
"Ready! Aim! Fire!"
The dark form sank into a huddled heap. My bullet sped on its way, and hit the whitish spot on the wall; I could see the splinters fly. Someone else had received the rifle containing the blank cartridge, but my mind was at ease, there was no blood of a Tommy on my hands.
"Order-Arms! About-Turn! Pile-Arms! Stand-Clear."
The stacks were re-formed.
"Quick-March! Right-Wheel'" and we left the scene of execution behind us.
It was now daylight. After marching about five minutes, we were dismissed with the following instructions from the officer in command:
"Return, alone, to your respective companies, and remember, no talking about this affair, or else it will go hard with the guilty ones."