THE SOUND OF A SHELL.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 857, 5 September 1871, Page 3

THE SOUND OF A SHELL.

v The Versailles Correspondent of the " Daily News," after describing the beauty of the country between Meudon and Point du Jour, says:—" Suddenly, as your glance is fastened upon the arches of the aqueduct across the Seine, there issues from a small dark object, almost hidden behind the middle arch, a flash of fire. A white cloud spurts out through the arch, and sails like a phantom swan over the water. Another flash follows immediately after from the grey bastion on the shore, and your ear is intent to catch the first sound of the detonation. At last, after several seconds, it comes, and closely upon it the sound of the shell as it rushes towards you with terrific speed. You see nothing, but a feeling of terror seizes you. With each moment the sound becomes more intense. At first in resembles a low whistle, but as it approaches it becomes a howl, a yell, a savage shriek, such as the Angel of Death might have uttered when he passed over the Assyrian hosts. With all your self-command you cannot prevent a shudder. You step involuntarily between the windows, and look down into the battery close by. You see the men pressing against the fascine Works of the earthen camp, and holding on to each other in their momentary terror. Some cover their ears to estape from the sound, others listen to it with their lips firmly pressed. On come the shells, mingling their shrieks, and moving the very air before them. They may strike you; they may fly into the room, and bring down the whole house about your ears—but you think of nothing—your whole existence seems to hang on the sound that is still increasing in vehemence. Shsht! It passes over your head with a rush. The trees move as with a mighty wind ; a dull thud fifty yards behing ; an explosion—and the danger for the moment has passedi The men in the battery close by jump up, as if electrified, and laugh. Each goes on with what he was doing—one lighting his pipe, another mending his breeches, a third reading the newspaper. The officer in command cries out " piecenumerodeuce" The windows rattle, the earth and foundations tremble, the battery is for a moment enveloped in a cloud of smoke, and away goes the ansper to the Point du Jour."