"Is there an ambulance over there?"
"Have you had a bullet in the stomach?"
"No, here ... between the legs. It burns, it burns frightfully!"
"Listen," said Millon, "make for our limbers—over there on the left, behind the trees. They've nothing to do, and will perhaps be able to help you."
"Thanks! I'll go to them."
"But take care between the trees in the meadow. The shells are falling thick there!"
The unfortunate soldier moved off slowly, writhing with pain.
The Captain was standing at the foot of the first poplar of one of the two lines, intent upon making observations. Men ready to transmit orders by word of mouth lay at regular intervals on the exposed ground between the battery and the observation-post.
The 77 mm. shells were now bursting directly overhead. We took cover. Every few seconds the enemy's shrapnels sowed the position with bullets, the lead twanging on the steel armour of the ammunition wagon. Nobody moved, and no one was wounded.
Then I saw Hutin, who, sitting on the layer's seat, was sheltering behind the gun-shield, suddenly jump to his feet: