THE STANDARD-BEARER 83

Dizzy, distracted, he rushed upon the
Prussian officer, wrenched away the
beloved flag, and, seizing the staff
with both hands, tried to lift it once
more, high up, firm and _ straight,
shouting ‘To the fla—’. . . but his
voice broke in his throat, he felt the
pole tremble and slipin his hands. In
this thick air, this deadly air, which
lies so heavily on surrendered towns,
no thing of pride could live . . . and
old Hornus fell to the ground senseless,