Henry and the other soldiers are exultant about their first triumph in battle. Indeed, Henry is in "an ecstasy of self-satisfaction." He is proud of his efforts and of his comrades' efforts. But, suddenly, a shout is heard, "Here they come again!" The regiment is surprised, and Henry's previous fears return to plague him. He imagines that this enemy isn't an enemy of men but of machines. As he begins to reload his rifle for the inevitable battle, he no longer sees an enemy of men, but a group of monsters consumed with the goal of devouring him. As his imagination continues to run wild, he notes that one or two of his comrades have dropped their guns and fled.
As the "red and green monster" comes closer, Henry throws down his gun and runs "like a rabbit." As he flees from the front line, he notes that the batteries continue to fire. He overhears the conversation of a general and his initial irritation with the deployment of his troops, which is followed by a show of exuberance as he hears that the line has held. The general eagerly exhorts his commanders to go after the enemy "to go in — everlastingly — like blazes — anything." As the chapter ends, the general is so happy that he does "a little carnival of joy on horseback."
