quick tug at the trigger.

The result was a dull click but no explosion.

The corporal stepped back from his place in vexation. He had succeeded
in getting a fine "bead" just as the cartridge failed.

"Blast the English ammunition!" he exclaimed. "It's no good."

The other men at the gun nodded approval. Their experience bore out the
corporal's assertion. They also knew that the cordite cartridges were
not adapted to American guns, and should not have been used. But they
were marines and they were accustomed to obey orders without comment.

Captain Brownson had noticed the incident and he sent word to delay
opening the breechblock until all danger of explosion had passed. After
waiting some time, Corporal Murray proceeded to extract the shell. He
took his place at the breech, while No. 2 unlocked the plug and swung it
open.

"Now we'll see what is the matter," he began. "I guess it is another
case of--"

He never finished the sentence. With a frightful roar the defective
cartridge exploded, sending fragments of shell and parts of the
breech-block into the corporal's face and chest. He was hurled with
terrific force to the deck, where he lay motionless, mortally wounded.

Numbers 2 and 3 of the unfortunate gun's crew did not escape, the former
being struck down with the hand lever, which penetrated his arm. The