Look! Doe had something in his hand. He hurled it. A distant thud and a small report merged at once into a great explosion, which reverberated about the Bluff. Doe laughed shrilly. He fell. But it could only have been the shock which knocked him over, for he was on his feet again, and staggering home.
"Gawd!" screamed the sergeant-major. "He's bombed the gun and exploded the shell-dump. Finish whizz-bang!" And he bellowed with triumphant laughter.
"I knew he would," cried I. "I knew he would. This way, Doe!"
He was going blindly to his right.
"Message from C.O. to retire at once, sir."
"This way, Doe!" I roared at him, laughing, for I thought he was well and unhurt.
But no. He pitched, rolled over, and lay still.
I gasped. What was I to do? Ordered to retire, I wanted to jump out and fetch him in. In those few seconds of indecision, I saw a figure crash forward, pick up Doe's body, and run back.
"The padre! The padre!" exclaimed the sergeant-major.
"No? Was it?"