WAR PICTURES IX TIME OF PEACE. 



47 



attacking forces poured in volley after volley in heavy crashes, 

 until the dense clouds of smoke curled up among the distant 

 trees and almost hid the landscape from view. It was a grand 

 siorht, and in the excitement of the moment one forgot that the 

 stirring spectacle was but an imitation of the terrible realities 

 of \v3.r. 



It was now nearly noon, and as the opposing lines ap- 

 proached one another, the old general turned towards his aides, 

 and in another moment half a dozen of them were flying down 

 the hill at the top of their horses' speed, and disappeared in the 

 smoke in the fields below. Simultaneously a hundred bugles 

 sounded the order to cease firing, and the din subsided as if 

 by magic. 



There was a short pause. Slowly the smoke lifted and 

 cleared away, the music of a dozen bands mingled in melodious 

 confusion, the soldiers gave cheer after cheer as the columns 

 of friend and foe moved off the field, and the " Grand Manoeu- 

 vres " were over. 



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