The cannonade raged and it was "bad" outside—The 150 timed-shell and the big 210 percussion shell followed each other rapidly, searching out the more nervy ones——
The sergeant left the Tunnel first, briskly ascending the incline, believing he was followed by his men. He turns and perceives they are not there—yet!
"Nom de Dieu! what are you doing, you laggards! Are you coming to-day or to-morrow!"
They came out, the poilus, but with head and back bent as if under a shower of rain. They hurried, without precipitation, because of the steep climb. Now that they have left the Tunnel, they are all right——
They creep along worm-like and the file of men, like beads on a rosary, extends from the entrance to the Tunnel to the waiting sergeant.
Suddenly an explosion, flurry, smoke—right in their midst, les pauvres!
For some instants they all disappear in the cloud—but there is "horizon blue," crumpled bodies and a spinning helmet——
Finally the cloud clears away; there are still some men around him and the sergeant shouts again:
"Nom de Dieu! you laggards! Are you coming to-day or to-morrow!"