"They are doing better now, confound them!" said the young general coolly. "Our men at the wall seem disturbed.
"Come with me," he said to Penhallow and Haskell of the Staff, who had just joined them.
They went down in front of the guns to where behind the low wall lay the two thin lines of the Pennsylvania regiments. He spoke to the Colonel of the 71st, who with other officers was afoot encouraging the men.
"Keep cool, boys," said Gibbon.
The men laughed. "Oh, we're all right, General, but we ain't cool."
Gibbon laughed. "Let us go over the wall and try to see a little better," said Penhallow.
A hundred yards beyond the lines they sat down. The ceaseless rain of shot and shell from both sides went over them, the canopy of smoke being so high above that the interspace between the lines was now more or less visible. Far beyond them our skirmish outposts were still motionless on guard; and yet further farms and houses, some smoking in ruin, lay among the green fields along the Emmitsburg Pike.
"It is pretty safe here," said the Corps Commander, while far above them the shells sang their war notes.
Penhallow looked back. "They've got the range—there goes one of the guns—oh! and another."
"Let's go back," said Gibbon, rising, "we are too safe here."