Il y avait déjà longtemps que Fabrice n’apercevait plus la terre volant en miettes noires sous l’action des boulets ; on arriva derrière un régiment de cuirassiers, il entendit distinctement les biscaïens frapper sur les cuirasses et il vit tomber plusieurs hommes.
It was already some time since Fabrizio had noticed the earth flying off in black crumbs on being struck by shot; they came in rear of a regiment of cuirassiers, he could hear distinctly the rattle of the grapeshot against their breastplates, and saw several men fall.