Section 175. THE BATTLE OF KASSASSIN. III.
Reading edition
Soon[1] darkness came down rapidly upon us. The rattle and roar of[2] combat on[3] our left never ceased, and it was evident that the two thousand Infantry[4] at Kassassin were hard pressed. Presently[5] the moonlight streamed palely over the grey sand, but the clouds of dust obscured[6] the advancing horsemen, who sometimes trotted, sometimes[7] walked.
By about seven o’clock we had got in the rear of the firing[8], and[9] wheeled in that direction, advancing[10] very slowly to[11] allow the Artillery to[12] come up. We could see the flashes of[13] the enemy’s artillery gleam on the horizon like the flicker of incessant summer lightning[14].
We slowly drew[15] nearer to the scene of conflict. It was almost dark[16], but, unfortunately, we showed up[17] a black mass against the bright moonlit sky and ground[18], and[19] the sudden rush of shell through the air, followed[20] by an explosion far in our rear, showed that the enemy had at last discovered us. They[21] were about fifteen hundred yards[22] away, and[23] we saw nine flashes, one after another, at short intervals, spurt out, no[24] longer like sheet lightning, but in angry jets of flame. Almost simultaneously the sky above us seemed to[24] be torn in pieces as by (= through) a mighty hurricane. Shells screamed[25] and burst[26], and shrapnel bullets[27] tore up the sand on either side of us.
The brigade now moved[28] to the right to[29] disconcert their aim, and the next salvo of shell missed us. We moved quickly forward, and the gunners again saw us, and the shells burst over and around. Yet, strangely[30], but few were hit, though it seemed as if the storm[31] would mow men and horses down by squadrons[32].