पृष्ठ 413 / 3800

On the high ground where the enemy was, the smoke of a cannon

rose, and a ball flew whistling over the heads of the hussar

squadron. The officers who had been standing together rode off to

their places. The hussars began carefully aligning their horses.

Silence fell on the whole squadron. All were looking at the enemy

in front and at the squadron commander, awaiting the word of

command. A second and a third cannon ball flew past. Evidently

they were firing at the hussars, but the balls with rapid

rhythmic whistle flew over the heads of the horsemen and fell

somewhere beyond them. The hussars did not look round, but at the

sound of each shot, as at the word of command, the whole squadron

with its rows of faces so alike yet so different, holding its

breath while the ball flew past, rose in the stirrups and sank

back again. The soldiers without turning their heads glanced at

one another, curious to see their comrades' impression.