"Avoid the peppering? Of course, I have only to change our position again. But, as we should be located again at once. . . . There, my lad, go back to your place."
Paul insisted:
"It might be a question, sir, not of changing our position, but of changing the enemy's fire."
"Really!" said the colonel, a little sarcastically, but nevertheless impressed by Paul's coolness. "And do you know a way of doing it?"
"Yes, sir."
"What do you mean?"
"Give me twenty minutes, sir, and by that time the shells will be falling in another direction."
The colonel could not help smiling:
"Capital! You'll make them drop where you please, I suppose?"
"Yes, sir."