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tugging frenziedly at their bridles。 Men were running hither and thither。
The detached battle between the four regi… ments lasted for some time。
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There chanced to be no interference； and they settled their dispute by
themselves。 They struck savagely and pow… erfully at each other for a
period of minutes； and then the lighter…hued regiments faltered 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 hush 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 swelled 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 din fitted to the
universe。 It was the whirring and thumping of gigantic machinery；
complica… tions among the smaller stars。 The youth's ears were filled up。
They were incapable of hearing more。
On an incline over which a road wound he saw wild and desperate
rushes of men perpet… ually backward and forward in riotous surges。 These
parts of the opposing armies were two long waves that pitched upon each
other madly at dictated 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 obstruction that it seemed to clear the earth of it and leave
nothing but trampled sod。 And always in their swift and deadly rushes to
and fro the men screamed and yelled like maniacs。
Particular pieces of fence or secure positions behind collections of
trees were wrangled over； as gold thrones or pearl bedsteads。 There were
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The Red Badge of Courage
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 foam in many
directions which color of cloth was winning。
His emaciated regiment bustled 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 bent their heads in aims of intent
hatred behind the projected hammers of their guns。 Their ramrods clanged
loud with fury as their eager arms pounded the cartridges into the rifle
barrels。 The front of the regiment was a smoke… wall penetrated 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 ap…
pearances。 Moving to and fro with strained exertion； jabbering the while；
they were； with their swaying bodies； black faces； and glowing eyes； like
strange and ugly friends jigging heavily in the smoke。
The lieutenant； returning from a tour after a bandage； produced from a
hidden receptacle of his mind new and portentous oaths suited to the
emergency。 Strings of expletives he swung lashlike over the backs of his
men； and it was evident that his previous efforts had in nowise impaired
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
contortions。 Sometimes he prattled； words coming unconsciously from
him in grotesque exclamations。 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 foes。 There had been no
order given； the men； upon recognizing the menace； had immedi… ately let
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The Red Badge of Courage
drive their flock of bullets without wait… ing for word of command。
But the enemy were quick to gain the protec… tion of the wandering
line of fence。 They slid down behind it with remarkable celerity； and
from this position they began briskly to slice up the blue men。
These latter braced their energies for a great struggle。 Often； white
clinched 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 yelped in taunts and gibelike cries； but the regi… ment
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 breath… lessly intent upon keeping the
ground and thrust… ing away the rejoicing body of the enemy。 They
fought swiftly and with a despairing savageness denoted