Year: 1879

of the original motion of the shell. cover
the ground before them for hundreds of
yards with a feu d'enfer, as Of a whole
regiment firing volleys.


Such an implement of obstruction is
very we'll to talk about; but when its
violence is directed against ones self,
there is less pleasure in the contempla.
ton. Clearly had slept so long that |
the ordinary afternoon practice had be-
gun, and from two guns evidently, or
the one shot could not have followed the |
other so rapidly. Only few seconds
had Tor these thoughts ere saw red |
flash leap out from the fag-crowned
battery on shore. Instantly dived deep
as could. and heard, deadened by
the water above me, the sharp report of
the shell. AS l rose to the surface again,
saw white splinters on the woodwork of
the target that showed how true the aim
had been. Scarcely had 1 time to take
breath when the red flash lesped again,
and again I dived. They were good gun
| observation-disclosures better anywhere; and
the guns were light ones-sixteen
Founders. Often had competed myself
in a race with time, running the gun up
again almost before the recoil had ceased,
and ramming home shot and cartridge
ere it had reached its former position
again. Now no doubt my comrades were
hard at word, wondering, perhaps, what
had become of me.


Eight separate times had I dived, and
my strength was failing fast. Even now
there was ringing noise IN my head
which almost stupefed me, and was
growing more painful every instant. If
I stood up on the framework and tried
to signal to the shore, I must stand at
least one shot. and that was almost GER
tain death.


Even in that desperate moment an abb
surd idea come into my head, as such
things will come sometimes. I had read
some OF an ingenious recipe for finding
safe place on shipboard in action by put
ting ones head out at a hole where shot
had come in, relying on the improbable
ity of another entering at the same orifce.


There was one corner of the framework
splintered by several bullets; to it'll crept
and held on despairingly.


Another flash from the battery. This
time I could see the shell coming like a
black speck in the sky. Anxiously
watched for the burst to come; but this
time it came not, and the shell plunged


into the sea fifty yards short, throwing
up mighty pillar OF water, and ricochet-
ing away far over my head. Was the
fuse blind? I asked myself. No; there


was another flash and another rush
through the air,anda sullen plunge in the
sea beyond the target. The shrapnei
practice was over, and they were firing
) plugged shell.


Now or never was my time. 1 Iclimbed


on to the woodwork, sprang 70 my feet


and waved my hands. From the shore


1 must have looked very like picture


of Andromeda chained to her rock. /


was too late, however, to escape shot


Once more the red flash spouted forth,
and l heard the omlnous rush coming
nearer and nearer till with roar as of


an express train it rushed past my head,


carrying away with it the left hand top


corner Of the target, and hurting it far


into the sea beyond. The conclusion
seemed to tear my feet from under me,
+ and l fell, striking my head against the


framework. I had just sense enough


left to prevent myself rolling into the
sea. My last glance at the shore showed
the flag ho;sted half mast high; and
then must have tainted away, for re-


member no more till found myself ly-
; ing in my bed, with the surgeon major
applying strong amonia to my nostrils
with marvellous effect. I have little
more to tell. Watching the effect of the
shot from the battery, they had seen me
standing there, just too late, to
stop the gun being FREQ, had ceased the
practice, and got boat out without de.


lay. though with very faint hope OF


finding me alive. Ofcourse the story was
f made standing joke against me for evel
/ after, and l must own that deserved it


Nevertheless, have a: least the satisfac.
ton OF considering that when we 60 forth
again to fight the Russians or the Ger
mans, or whatever other nation may cleo
to try as with game of war on large
scale, am never likely to be much near


er.


. The straight and dreadful pass Of death


than was that day on the sands Of
, Shoeburyness.-London Society.