Year: 1879

lltul lulublit, AhtllY ~ NgllllNilNhl bhSh VI
iron, ogival-headed, and containing as many
bullets as it will conveniently hold comforta-
bly, set in bed of rosin. At the bottom
thereof is n small charge of powder, ignited
by tme-fuse bored to burn any required
time. On this delightful machine exploding,
out fly the bullets, and, by the mexorable
laws of dynamics, partaking Of the original
motion Of the shell, cover the ground before
them forhundreds of yards with n fen deHter,
as of whole regiment firing volleys.


Such an implement of destruction is very
well to talk about but when its violence is
directed against oneself, there is less pleasure
in the contemplation. Clearly had slept so
longithat the ordinary afternoon practice had
begun, and from two guns, evidently, or the
one shot could not have followed the other 30
rapidly. Only few seconds had for these
thoughts ere l saw red flash leap out from
the flag battery on shore. Instantly
| dived ms deep rs | could, and heard, dead
ened by the water above me, the sharp re-
port of the shell. As / rose to the surface
again | saw white splinters on the woodwork
of the target that showed how true the aim
had been. Scarcely had time to take breath
when the red flash leaped again, and again l
dived. They were good gun attachments
none better anywhere and the guns were
light ones lG-pounders. Often had | com





gun up again almost before the recoil had
ceased, and ramming home shot and cart
ridge ere it had reached its former position
again. Now no doubt my comrades were hard
at work, wondering, perhaps, what had be
come of me.


Eight separate times had 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 l stood up on the frame
work and tried to signal to the shore, l must
stand at least one shot, and that was almost
certain death


Even in that desperate moment an absurd
idea came into my head. as such things will
come sometimes / had read somewhere of
an ingenious recipe for finding n safe place
on ship-board in action by putting ones head
out at a hole where shot had come in. rely
ing on the improbaLility Of another entering
at the same orifce There was one corner of
the framework splintered by several bullets {;
to it | crept and held on despairingly.


Another flash from the battery. This time
/ could see the shell coming like 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 a mighty pillar of water,
and ricochettiug away far over my head.
Was the fuze blind l asked myself. No
there was another flash and another rush
through the air, and sullen plunge in the sea
beyond the target. The shrnpnel practice
was over and they were firing plugged shell.


Now or never was my time. / climbed on
to the woodwork, sprang to my feet, and
waved my hands From the shore | must
have looked very like picture Of Andromeda
chained to her rock. l was too late, how
ever, to escape a SHOT Once more the red
flash spouted forth and heard the ominous
rush coming nearer and nearer, till with a
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 cOucussion seemed TO
| tear my feet from under me, and | fell, strik-
| ing my head against the framework. | had
| just sense enough left TO prevent myself roll
| ing into the sea. My last glance at the shore
showed the flag hoisted half mast high; and
| then must have tainted away, for | remem-
| Der no more till found myself lying in my
| bed, with the surgeon-major applying strong
| ammonia to my nostrils with mal Sellous ef.
| feet. | have little more to tell. Watching
the effect Of the shot from the battery, they
had seen me standing there, just too late tc
| stop the gun being fired had ceased the
practice and got the boat without delay
though with veiy faint hope of finding me
| alive. or course the story was made n stand
| ing joke against me ever after, and | must
own that deserved it. Nevertheless l hav,
at least the satisfaction Of considering that
when We 90 forth to fight the Russians or tn,
| Germans, or whatever other nation may clcc
| to try with us game of war Oh large scale
| / am never likely To be much nearer


'Thc straight aud dreadful rsss Of death


than was that day on the sands Of Shoe
! buryuess. LOadOH !SOcj6ty.