explosion after explosion, but always closing and thickening after
each discharge, was all that had met their eyes.  Nevertheless,
into this ominous cloud solid moving masses of men in gray or blue
had that morning melted away, or emerged from it only as scattered
fragments that crept, crawled, ran, or clung together in groups, to
be followed, and overtaken in the rolling vapor. 

But for the last half hour the desolated track had stretched empty
and deserted.  While there was no cessation of the rattling,
crackling, and detonations on the fateful slope beyond, it had
still been silent.  Once or twice it had been crossed by timid,
hurrying wings, and frightened and hesitating little feet, or later
by skulkers and stragglers from the main column who were tempted to
enter it from the hedges and bushes where they had been creeping
and hiding.  Suddenly a prolonged yell from the hidden slope
beyond--the nearest sound that had yet been heard from that ominous
distance--sent them to cover again.  It was followed by the furious
galloping of horses in the lane, and a handsome, red-capped
officer, accompanied by an orderly, dashed down the track, wheeled,
leaped the hedge, rode out on the slope and halted.  In another