Off a short way he saw two regiments8 fighting a little separate battle with two other regiments. It was in a cleared space, wearing a set-apart look. They were blazing as if upon a wager9, giving and taking tremendous blows. The firings were incredibly fierce and rapid. These intent regiments apparently10 were oblivious11 of all larger purposes of war, and were slugging each other as if at a matched game.
In another direction he saw a magnificent brigade going with the evident intention of driving the enemy from a wood. They passed in out of sight and presently there was a most awe-inspiring racket in the wood. The noise was unspeakable. Having stirred this prodigious12 uproar13, and, apparently, finding it too prodigious, the brigade, after a little time, came marching airily out again with its fine formation in nowise disturbed. There were no traces of speed in its movements. The brigade was jaunty15 and seemed to point a proud thumb at the yelling wood.
On a slope to the left there was a long row of guns, gruff and maddened, denouncing the enemy, who, down through the woods, were forming for another attack in the pitiless monotony of conflicts. The round red discharges from the guns made a crimson16 flare17 and a high, thick smoke. Occasional glimpses could be caught of groups of the toiling18 artillerymen. In the rear of this row of guns stood a house, calm and white, amid bursting shells. A congregation of horses, tied to a long railing, were tugging19 frenziedly at their bridles20. Men were running hither and thither21.
The detached battle between the four regiments lasted for some time. There chanced to be no interference, and they settled their dispute by themselves. They struck savagely22 and powerfully at each other for a period of minutes, and then the lighter-hued regiments faltered23 and drew back, leaving the dark-blue lines shouting. The youth could see the two flags shaking with laughter amid the smoke remnants.
Presently there was a stillness, pregnant with meaning. The blue lines shifted and changed a trifle and stared expectantly at the silent woods and fields before them. The hush24 was solemn and churchlike, save for a distant battery that, evidently unable to remain quiet, sent a faint rolling thunder over the ground. It irritated, like the noises of unimpressed boys. The men imagined that it would prevent their perched ears from hearing the first words of the new battle.
Of a sudden the guns on the slope roared out a message of warning. A spluttering sound had begun in the woods. It swelled25 with amazing speed to a profound clamor that involved the earth in noises. The splitting crashes swept along the lines until an interminable roar was developed. To those in the midst of it it became a din14 fitted to the universe. It was the whirring and thumping26 of gigantic machinery27, complications among the smaller stars. The youth's ears were filled cups. They were incapable28 of hearing more.
On an incline over which a road wound he saw wild and desperate rushes of men perpetually backward and forward in riotous29 surges. These parts of the opposing armies were two long waves that pitched upon each other madly at dictated30 points. To and fro they swelled. Sometimes, one side by its yells and cheers would proclaim decisive blows, but a moment later the other side would be all yells and cheers. Once the youth saw a spray of light forms go in houndlike leaps toward the waving blue lines. There was much howling, and presently it went away with a vast mouthful of prisoners. Again, he saw a blue wave dash with such thunderous force against a gray obstruction31 that it seemed to clear the earth of it and leave nothing but trampled32 sod. And always in their swift and deadly rushes to and fro the men screamed and yelled like maniacs33.
Particular pieces of fence or secure positions behind collections of trees were wrangled34 over, as gold thrones or pearl bedsteads. There were desperate lunges at these chosen spots seemingly every instant, and most of them were bandied like light toys between the contending forces. The youth could not tell from the battle flags flying like crimson foam35 in many directions which color of cloth was winning.
His emaciated36 regiment7 bustled37 forth with undiminished fierceness when its time came. When assaulted again by bullets, the men burst out in a barbaric cry of rage and pain. They bent38 their heads in aims of intent hatred39 behind the projected hammers of their guns. Their ramrods clanged loud with fury as their eager arms pounded the cartridges40 into the rifle barrels. The front of the regiment was a smoke-wall penetrated41 by the flashing points of yellow and red.
Wallowing in the fight, they were in an astonishingly short time resmudged. They surpassed in stain and dirt all their previous appearances. Moving to and fro with strained exertion42, jabbering43 all the while, they were, with their swaying bodies, black faces, and glowing eyes, like strange and ugly fiends jigging44 heavily in the smoke.
The lieutenant45, returning from a tour after a bandage, produced from a hidden receptacle of his mind new and portentous46 oaths suited to the emergency. Strings47 of expletives he swung lashlike over the backs of his men, and it was evident that his previous efforts had in nowise impaired48 his resources.
The youth, still the bearer of the colors, did not feel his idleness. He was deeply absorbed as a spectator. The crash and swing of the great drama made him lean forward, intent-eyed, his face working in small contortions49. Sometimes he prattled50, words coming unconsciously from him in grotesque51 exclamations52. He did not know that he breathed; that the flag hung silently over him, so absorbed was he.
A formidable line of the enemy came within dangerous range. They could be seen plainly--tall, gaunt men with excited faces running with long strides toward a wandering fence.
At sight of this danger the men suddenly ceased their cursing monotone. There was an instant of strained silence before they threw up their rifles and fired a plumping volley at the foes53. There had been no order given; the men, upon recognizing the menace, had immediately let drive their flock of bullets without waiting for word of command.
But the enemy were quick to gain the protection of the wandering line of fence. They slid down behind it with remarkable54 celerity, and from this position they began briskly to slice up the blue men.
These latter braced55 their energies for a great struggle. Often, white clinched56 teeth shone from the dusky faces. Many heads surged to and fro, floating upon a pale sea of smoke. Those behind the fence frequently shouted and yelped57 in taunts58 and gibelike cries, but the regiment maintained a stressed silence. Perhaps, at this new assault the men recalled the fact that they had been named mud diggers, and it made their situation thrice bitter. They were breathlessly intent upon keeping the ground and thrusting away the rejoicing body of the enemy. They fought swiftly and with a despairing savageness59 denoted in their expressions.
The youth had resolved not to budge60 whatever should happen. Some arrows of scorn that had buried themselves in his heart had generated strange and unspeakable hatred. It was clear to him that his final and absolute revenge was to be achieved by his dead body lying, torn and gluttering, upon the field. This was to be a poignant61 retaliation62 upon the officer who had said "mule63 drivers," and later "mud diggers," for in all the wild graspings of his mind for a unit responsible for his sufferings and commotions64 he always seized upon the man who had dubbed65 him wrongly. And it was his idea, vaguely66 formulated67, that his corpse68 would be for those eyes a great and salt reproach.
The regiment bled extravagantly69. Grunting70 bundles of blue began to drop. The orderly sergeant71 of the youth's company was shot through the cheeks. Its supports being injured, his jaw72 hung afar down, disclosing in the wide cavern73 of his mouth a pulsing mass of blood and teeth. And with it all he made attempts to cry out. In his endeavor there was a dreadful earnestness, as if he conceived that one great shriek74 would make him well.
The youth saw him presently go rearward. His strength seemed in nowise impaired. He ran swiftly, casting wild glances for succor75.
Others fell down about the feet of their companions. Some of the wounded crawled out and away, but many lay still, their bodies twisted into impossible shapes.
The youth looked once for his friend. He saw a vehement76 young man, powder-smeared and frowzled, whom he knew to be him. The lieutenant, also, was unscathed in his position at the rear. He had continued to curse, but it was now with the air of a man who was using his last box of oaths.
For the fire of the regiment had begun to wane77 and drip. The robust78 voice, that had come strangely from the thin ranks, was growing rapidly weak.
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1
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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7
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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16
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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17
flare
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| v.闪耀，闪烁；n.潮红；突发 | |
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18
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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21
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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23
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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24
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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25
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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26
thumping
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| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
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27
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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28
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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29
riotous
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| adj.骚乱的；狂欢的 | |
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30
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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31
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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32
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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33
maniacs
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| n.疯子（maniac的复数形式） | |
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34
wrangled
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| v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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36
emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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37
bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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38
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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40
cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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41
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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42
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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43
jabbering
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| v.急切而含混不清地说( jabber的现在分词 )；急促兴奋地说话；结结巴巴 | |
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44
jigging
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| n.跳汰选，簸选v.（使）上下急动( jig的现在分词 ) | |
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45
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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46
portentous
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| adj.不祥的，可怕的，装腔作势的 | |
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strings
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| n.弦 | |
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48
impaired
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| adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
contortions
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| n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 ) | |
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50
prattled
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| v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话( prattle的过去式和过去分词 )；发出连续而无意义的声音；闲扯；东拉西扯 | |
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51
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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52
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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53
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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54
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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55
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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56
clinched
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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57
yelped
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| v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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59
savageness
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| 天然，野蛮 | |
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60
budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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62
retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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63
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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64
commotions
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| n.混乱，喧闹，骚动( commotion的名词复数 ) | |
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65
dubbed
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| v.给…起绰号( dub的过去式和过去分词 )；把…称为；配音；复制 | |
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66
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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67
formulated
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| v.构想出( formulate的过去式和过去分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
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68
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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extravagantly
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| adv.挥霍无度地 | |
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grunting
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| 咕哝的，呼噜的 | |
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71
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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72
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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73
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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74
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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75
succor
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| n.援助，帮助；v.给予帮助 | |
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76
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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77
wane
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| n.衰微，亏缺，变弱；v.变小，亏缺，呈下弦 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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