directly in the centre. The shell was extracted, and another inserted,
but when the second captain pressed the electric firing lanyard, there
was no report. The shell had missed fire.

"Long Tommy" reached forward to open the breech, but was stopped by a
sharp order from the divisional officer.

"Don't open that breech till I give the word," he said.

The electrical connections were examined and the contacts scraped
bright.

"Stand by," said "Hay" finally; "let's try her again."

The great gun moved slowly on its pivot while "Hay" worked the elevating
gear. The orders came sharp and clear through the roar of the cannon and
the shriek of the shells.

As we watched our young gun captain, we saw his set face grow even more
determined, and we knew that he had got his sight to suit him and that
he was about to fire the gun.

With a gesture of disgust he threw down the firing lanyard.

"It's no go," he said, "that cartridge will have to come out."

We looked at one another; it was a serious moment. The bombardment was
now at its height, and the thunderous roaring of the guns was increasing
with every passing second. Above and around us the vicious reports of
the "Yankee's" five-inch rapid-firers seemed like one continuous volley.