Jack felt a benumbing shock, and dropped his gun, the stock of which had been shivered in his grasp. At the same instant Ellis dropped his gun also, and threw out his hands wildly, exclaiming,—
"I am shot!"
And both fell to the ground together.
"That's what ye call two birds with one stun!" said Tucket, a flash of ferocity kindling his face as he saw his comrades fall. "Pay 'em for that, boys! Pay 'em for that!"
And hearing the order to charge the thicket, he went forward with a yell, taking strides that would have done credit to a moose in his own native woods of Maine.
Ellis had by this time got upon his feet again. But Jack lay still, his neck bathed in blood.
JACK WINCH'S CATASTROPHE.
Several companies were by this time engaged driving in the rebel skirmishers, and three or four men had been disabled.
It was impracticable to take the stretchers, or litters for the wounded, into such a wilderness of bogs and thickets; and accordingly the most forward and courageous of the carriers leaped into the swamps without them.