For the moment the fierce advance of the Allies was
checked. Tired men sank to the ground in the ranks, there to remain until
the battle should be resumed.
But over all still was heard the roar of the great guns. The artillery
continued in action, as it had ever since the two great armies had come
into contact with each other. Shells dropped and burst among the troops
on both sides of the river, blowing men to atoms; but still the main
portions of the armies rested on their arms, awaiting the word to move
forward again.
The fire of the German artillery was hourly creating great havoc in the
allied army; but in spite of their great guns, the greatest ever known,
their execution had been no more terrible than that done by the smaller
guns of the Allies; for the fire of the British gunners was far superior
to that of the Germans. Few shells were wasted, while, up to this time,
the comparatively poor marksmanship of the German gunners was the cause
of much comment and surprise.
So now, when Hal and Chester once more returned to their own posts, they
found the two great armies lined up on either bank of the Marne; or
rather some distance from it, only the outposts of either army
occasionally riding right up to the river's edge, while the great shells
continued to burst on both sides of the river.
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