himself as yet, endeavored to diagnose his symptoms; he could not be
afraid, for he was not conscious that he was in danger; he only felt a
slight sensation of discomfort in the epigastric region, and his head
seemed strangely light and empty; ideas and images came and went
independent of his will. His recollection of the brave show made by
the troops of the 2d division made him hopeful, almost to buoyancy;
victory appeared certain to him if only they might be allowed to go at
the enemy with the bayonet.

"Listen!" he murmured, "how the flies buzz; the place is full of
them." Thrice he had heard something that sounded like the humming of
a swarm of bees.

"That was not a fly," Jean said, with a laugh. "It was a bullet."

Again and again the hum of those invisible wings made itself heard.
The men craned their necks and looked about them with eager interest;
their curiosity was uncontrollable--would not allow them to remain
quiet.

"See here," Loubet said mysteriously to Lapoulle, with a view to raise
a laugh at the expense of his simple-minded comrade, "when you see a
bullet coming toward you you must raise your forefinger before your
nose--like that; it divides the air, and the bullet will go by to the
right or left."

"But I can't see them," said Lapoulle.

A loud guffaw burst from those near.