有声英语少儿童话故事 顽童故事 斯莱特山的雪堡 第6章

GeneralMat Ames, a veteran commander, was no less wide-awake in the disposition of hisarmy. Five companies, each numbering but six men, in order not to present toobig a target to our sharpshooters, were to charge the fort from differentpoints, their advance being covered by a heavy fire from the gunners posted in therear. Each scaler was provided with only two rounds of ammunition, which werenot to be used until he had mounted the breastwork and could deliver his shotson our heads.

The drawingbelow represents the interior of the fort just previous to the assault. Nothingon earth could represent the state of things after the first volley.

The enemy wasposted thus:–

a. The five attacking columns | b. Artillery | c. General Ames’sheadquarters

The thrillingmoment had now arrived. If I had been going into a real engagement I could nothave been more deeply impressed by the importance of the occasion.