WhenlesenfantsduDonmightpositivelycapturetheEmperorhimselfinthemiddleofhisarmy，itwasevidentthattherewasnothingelsetodobuttoflywithallpossiblehastebythenearestandthefamiliarroad。Napoleon，withhisfortyyearsandhiscorpulence，hadnotallhisoldresourcefulnessandcourage，andhequitetookthehint；andundertheinfluenceofthefrighttheCossackshadgivenhim，heagreedatoncewithMouton，andgave，asthehistorianstellus，theordertoretreatalongtheSmolenskroad。
　　ThefactthatNapoleonagreedwithMouton，andthatthearmydidnotretreatinthatdirection，doesnotprovethathiscommanddecidedthatretreat，butthattheforcesactingonthewholearmyanddrivingitalongtheMozhaiskroadweresimultaneouslyactinguponNapoleontoo。
　　Chapter19
　　WHENAMANfindshimselfinmovement，healwaysinventsagoalofthatmovement。Inordertowalkathousandversts，amanmustbelievethatthereissomegoodbeyondthosethousandversts。Heneedsavisionofapromisedlandtohavethestrengthtogoonmoving。ThepromisedlandfortheFrenchontheirmarchintoRussiawasMoscow；ontheirretreatitwastheirowncountry。Buttheircountrywastoofar；andamanwalkingathousandverstsmustinevitablyputasidehisfinalgoalandsaytohimselfeverydaythatheisgoingtowalkfortyverststoaresting—placewherehecansleep；andbeforethefirsthaltthatresting—placehaseclipsedtheimageofthefinalgoal，andallhishopesanddesiresareconcentratedonit。Allimpulsesmanifestintheindividualarealwaysgreatlyexaggeratedinacrowd。
　　FortheFrench，marchingbackalongtheoldSmolenskroad，thefinalgoal，theirowncountry，wastooremote，andthenearergoalonwhichallhopesanddesires，enormouslyintensifiedbytheinfluenceofthecrowd，wereconcentratedwasSmolensk。
　　ItwasnotbecausethesoldiersknewthattherewereplentifulsuppliesinSmolenskandreinforcements，norbecausetheyweretoldso（onthecontrary，thegeneralsandNapoleonhimselfknewthatthesuppliestherewerescanty），butbecausethiswastheonlythingthatcouldgivethemthestrengthtomoveandtobeartheirpresenthardships，thatthey—thosethatknewbetterandthosethatdidnotalike—deceivedthemselves，andrushedtoSmolenskastoalandofpromise。
　　Whentheygotoutonthehighroad，theFrenchfledtotheirimaginedgoalwithextraordinaryenergyandunheard—ofrapidity。ApartfromthecommonimpulsethatboundthecrowdsofFrenchmentogetherintoonewholeandgavethemacertainmomentum，therewasanothercausethatheldthemtogether，thatcausewastheirimmensenumber。Asinthephysicallawofgravitation，theimmensemassofthemdrewtheseparateatomstoitself。Theymovedintheirmassofhundredsofthousandslikeawholestate。
　　Everymanamongthemlongedforonethingonly—tosurrenderandbetakenprisoner，toescapefromallthehorrorsandmiseriesofhisactualposition。ButononehandthemomentumofthecommonimpulsetowardSmolenskdreweachindividualinthesamedirection。Ontheotherhand，itwasoutofthequestionforacorpstosurrendertoasquadron；andalthoughtheFrenchtookadvantageofeveryconvenientopportunitytostraggleawayfromoneanother，andonthesmallestdecentpretexttobetakenprisoners，thoseopportunitiesdidnotalwaysoccur。Theirverynumber，andtheirrapidmovementinsuchaclosely—packedmass，deprivedthemofsuchpossibilities，andmadeitnotonlydifficultbutimpossiblefortheRussianstostopthatmovementintowhichthewholeenergyofthatgreatmasswasthrown。Nomechanicalsplittingupofthebodycouldacceleratebeyondcertainlimitstheprocessofdissolutionthatwasgoingonwithinit。
　　Asnowballcannotbemeltedinstantaneously。Thereisacertainlimitoftimewithinwhichnoapplicationofheatcanthawthesnow。Onthecontrary，thegreatertheheat，theharderthesnowthatisleft。
　　OftheRussiangeneralsnoonebutKutuzovunderstoodthis。WhentheflightoftheFrencharmytookitsfinaldirectionalongtheSmolenskroad，thenwhatKutuzovhadforeseenonthenightofthe11thofOctoberbegantocometopass。AllthegeneralsandofficersoftheRussianarmywereeagertodistinguishthemselves，tocutofftheenemy’sretreat，toovertake，tocapture，tofallupontheFrench，andallclamouredforaction。
　　Kutuzovaloneusedallhispowers（andthepowersofanycommander—in—chiefarefarfromgreat）toresistthisclamourforattack。
　　Hecouldnottellthemwhatwecansaynow:hecouldnotaskthemwhatwastheobjectoffightingandobstructingtheroadandlosingourmen，andinhumanlypersecutingthepoorwretches，whenone—thirdofthatarmymeltedawayofitselfwithoutabattlebetweenMoscowandVyazma。Butdrawingfromthestoresofhisagedwisdomwhattheycouldunderstand，hetoldthemofthegoldenbridge，andtheylaughedathim，slanderedhim，pushedonanddashedforward，exultingoverthewoundedbeast。
　　NearVyazma，Yermolov，Miloradovitch，Platov，andothers，findingthemselvesintheneighbourhoodoftheFrench，couldnotresistthedesiretocutthemoffandtofallupontwoFrenchcorps。InsendingtoinformKutuzovoftheirproject，theyslippedablanksheetofpaperintotheenvelopeinsteadofthedespatch。
　　AndinspiteofKutuzov’seffortstorestrainthearmy，oursoldiersattackedtheFrenchandtriedtobartheirway。Theinfantryregiments，wearetold，marchedtoattackthemwithmusicandbeatingofdrumsandslewandwereslainbythousands。
　　Butasforcuttingofftheirretreat—nonewerecutoffnorturnedaside。AndtheFrencharmy，broughtintoclosercohesionbydanger，andslowlymeltingasitwent，keptstillonitsfatalwaytoSmolensk。
　　PartFourteen
　　Chapter1
　　THEBATTLEofBorodinowiththeoccupationofMoscowandtheflightoftheFrench，thatfollowedwithoutanymorebattles，isoneofthemostinstructivephenomenainhistory。
　　Allhistoriansareagreedthattheexternalactivityofstatesandpeoplesintheirconflictsfindsexpressioninwars；thatthepoliticalpowerofstatesandpeoplesisincreasedordiminishedastheimmediateresultofsuccessordefeatinwar。
　　Strangearethehistoricalaccountsthattellushowsomekingoremperor，quarrellingwithanotherkingoremperor，leviesanarmy，fightsabattlewiththearmyofhisfoe，gainsavictory，killsthree，five，ortenthousandmen，andconsequentlysubduesastateandawholepeopleconsistingofseveralmillions；andincomprehensibleitseemsthatthedefeatofanyarmy，onehundredthofthewholestrengthofapeople，shouldforcethatpeopletosubmit。Yetallthefactsofhistory（sofarasweknowit）confirmthetruthofthestatement，thatthesuccessesordefeatsofanation’sarmyarethecausesor，atleast，theinvariablesymptomsoftheincreaseordiminutionofthepowerofanation。Anarmygainsavictory，andimmediatelytheclaimsoftheconqueringpeopleareincreasedtothedetrimentoftheconquered。Anarmyisdefeated，andatoncethepeoplelosesitsrightsinproportiontothemagnitudeofthedefeat；andifitsarmyisutterlydefeated，thepeopleiscompletelyconquered。So（accordingtohistory）ithasbeenfromthemostancienttimesuptothepresent。AllNapoleon’searlierwarsserveasillustrationsoftherule。AstheAustrianarmiesweredefeated，Austriawasdeprivedofherrights，andtherightsandpowerofFrancewereincreased。ThevictoriesoftheFrenchatJenaandatAuerstadtdestroyedtheindependentexistenceofPrussia。
　　Butsuddenly，in1812，theFrenchgainedavictorybeforeMoscow。Moscowwastaken，andinconsequenceofthat，withnosubsequentbattles，notRussia，buttheFrencharmyofsixhundredthousand，andthenNapoleonicFranceitselfceasedtoexist。Tostrainthefactstofittherulesofhistory，tomaintainthatthefieldofBorodinowasleftinthehandsoftheRussians，orthataftertheevacuationofMoscow，therewerebattlesthatdestroyedNapoleon’sarmy—isimpossible。
　　AfterthevictoryoftheFrenchatBorodino，therewasnogeneralengagement，norevenaskirmishofanygreatimportance，yettheFrencharmyceasedtoexist。Whatisthemeaningofit？IfithadbeenanexamplefromthehistoryofChina，wecouldhavesaiditwasnotanhistoricalfact（theresourceofhistorianswhenanythingwillnotfitinwiththeirrules）。Ifithadoccurredinaconflictonasmallscale，inwhichonlysmallnumbersofsoldiershadtakenpart，wemighthavelookeduponitasanexception。Butallthistookplacebeforetheeyesofourfathers，forwhomitwasaquestionoflifeanddeathfortheircountry；andthewarwasonalargerscalethananywarsweknowof。
　　Thesequelofthecampaignof1812—fromBorodinotothefinalexpulsionoftheFrench—hasprovedthatvictoriesarenotalwaysacausenorevenaninvariablesignofconquest；ithasprovedthattheforcethatdecidesthefateofpeoplesdoesnotlieinmilitaryleaders，noreveninarmiesandbattles，butinsomethingelse。
　　TheFrenchhistorians，whodescribethepositionoftheFrenchtroopsbeforetheymarchedoutofMoscow，assertthateverythingwasingoodorderintheGrandeArmée，exceptthecavalry，theartillery，andthetransport，andthattherewasnoforageforthehorsesandcattle。Therewasnoremedyforthisdefect，becausethepeasantsofthesurroundingcountryburnedtheirhayratherthanlettheFrenchhaveit。
　　Victorydidnotbringforthitsusualresults，becausethepeasants，KarpandVlas，bynomeanspersonsofheroicfeelings（aftertheFrenchevacuation，theyhurriedwiththeircartstopillageMoscow），andtheimmensemultitudeofotherslikethemburnttheirhayratherthanbringittoMoscow，howeverhighthepricesofferedthem。
　　Letusimaginetwomen，whohavecomeouttofightaduelwithswordsinaccordancewithalltherulesoftheartofswordsmanship。Thefencinghaslastedforsometime。Allatonceoneofthecombatants，feelingthatheiswounded，graspingthatitisnojokingmatter，butaquestionoflifeanddeath，flingsawayhissword，andsnatchingupthefirstcudgelthatcomeshandy，beginstobrandishthat。Butletusimaginethatthecombatant，whohassosensiblymadeuseofthebestandsimplestmeansfortheattainmentofhisobject，shouldbeinspiredbythetraditionsofchivalrytotryanddisguisetherealcauseoftheconflictandshouldpersistindeclaringthathehadbeenvictorintheduelinaccordancewithalltherulesofswordsmanship。Onecanimaginewhatconfusionandobscuritywouldarisefromhisdescriptionoftheduel！
　　Theduellist，whoinsistedontheconflictbeingfoughtinaccordancewiththeprinciplesofthefencer’sart，standsfortheFrench；hisopponent，whoflungawayhisswordandsnatchedupacudgel，didliketheRussians；andtheattempteddescriptionoftheduelinaccordancewiththerulesofswordsmanshiphasbeengivenusbythehistoriansofthewar。
　　FromthetimeoftheburningofSmolenskawarbeganwhichdidnotfollowanyoftheoldtraditionsofwarfare。Theburningoftownsandvillages，theretreataftereverybattle，theblowdealtatBorodinoandfollowedbyretreat，theburningofMoscow，thecaptureofmarauders，theseizingoftransports，—thewholeoftheirregularwarfarewasadeparturefromtherules。
　　Napoleonwasawareofit，andfromthetimewhenhestoodwaitinginMoscowinthecorrectposeofthevictoriousfencer，andinsteadofhisopponent’ssword，sawthebludgeonraisedagainsthim，heneverceasedcomplainingtoKutuzovandtotheEmperorAlexanderthatthewarwasbeingconductedcontrarytoalltherulesofwar。（Asthoughanyrulesexistedfortheslaughterofmen！）
　　InspiteofthecomplaintsoftheFrenchthattheydidnotkeeptotherules，inspiteofthefactthattheRussiansinthehighestpositionsfeltitsomehowshamefultobefightingwithacudgel，andwantedtotakeupthecorrectpositionenquarteorentierce，tomakeaskilfulthrust，enprimeandsoon，thecudgelofthepeople’swarwasraisedinallitsmenacingandmajesticpower；andtroublingitselfaboutnoquestionofanyone’stastesorrules，aboutnofinedistinctions，withstupidsimplicity，withperfectconsistency，itroseandfellandbelabouredtheFrenchtillthewholeinvadingarmyhadbeendrivenout。
　　Andhappythepeoplethatwillnot，astheFrenchdidin1813，salutingaccordingtotherules，gracefullyandcautiouslyoffertheswordhilttothemagnanimousconqueror。Happythepeoplewho，inthemomentoftrial，asksnoquestionshowotherswouldactbytherecognisedrulesinsuchcases，butwitheaseanddirectnesspicksupthefirstcudgelthatcomeshandyanddealsblowswithit，tillresentmentandrevengegivewaytocontemptandpity。
　　Chapter2
　　ONEofthemostconspicuousandadvantageousdeparturesfromtheso—calledrulesofwarfareistheindependentactionofmenactingseparatelyagainstmenhuddledtogetherinamass。Suchindependentactivityisalwaysseeninawarthatassumesanationalcharacter。Inthiskindofwarfare，insteadofforminginacrowdtoattackacrowd，mendisperseinsmallgroups，attacksinglyandatoncefly，whenattackedbysuperiorforces，andthenattackagain，whenanopportunitypresentsitself。SuchwerethemethodsoftheguerillasinSpain；ofthemountaintribesintheCaucasus，andoftheRussiansin1812。
　　Warofthiskindhasbeencalledpartisanwarfareonthesuppositionthatthisnamedefineditsspecialsignificance。Butthiskindofwarfaredoesnotfollowanyrulesofwar，butisindirectcontradictiontoawell—knownruleoftactics，regardedasinfallible。Thatrulelaysitdownthattheattackingpartymustconcentratehisforcesinordertobestrongerthanhisopponentatthemomentofconflict。
　　Partisanwarfare（alwayssuccessful，ashistorytestifies）actsindirectcontradictionofthisrule。
　　Militaryscienceassumesthattherelativestrengthofforcesisidenticalwiththeirnumericalproportions。Militarysciencemaintainsthatthegreaterthenumberofsoldiers，thegreatertheirstrength。Lesgrosbataillonsonttoujoursraison。
　　Tosaythisisasthoughonewereinmechanicstosaythatforceswereequalorunequalsimplybecausethemassesofthemovingbodieswereequalorunequal。
　　Force（thevolumeofmotion）istheproductofthemassintothevelocity。
　　Inwarfaretheforceofarmiesistheproductofthemassmultipliedbysomethingelse，anunknownx。
　　Militaryscience，seeinginhistoryanimmensenumberofexamplesinwhichthemassofanarmydoesnotcorrespondwithitsforce，andinwhichsmallnumbersconquerlargeones，vaguelyrecognisestheexistenceofthisunknownfactor，andtriestofinditsometimesinsomegeometricaldispositionofthetroops，sometimesinthesuperiorityofweapons，andmostofteninthegeniusoftheleaders。Butnoneofthosefactorsyieldresultsthatagreewiththehistoricalfacts。
　　Onehasbuttorenouncethefalseviewthatglorifiestheeffectoftheactivityoftheheroesofhistoryinwarfareinordertodiscoverthisunknownquantity，x。
　　Xisthespiritofthearmy，thegreaterorlessdesiretofightandtofacedangersonthepartofallthemencomposingthearmy，whichisquiteapartfromthequestionwhethertheyarefightingunderleadersofgeniusornot，withcudgelsorwithgunsthatfirethirtytimesaminute。Themenwhohavethegreaterdesiretofightalwaysputthemselves，too，inthemoreadvantageouspositionforfighting。Thespiritofthearmyisthefactorwhichmultipliedbythemassgivestheproductoftheforce。Todefineandexpressthesignificanceofthisunknownfactor，thespiritofthearmy，istheproblemofscience。
　　Thisproblemcanonlybesolvedwhenweceasearbitrarilysubstitutingforthatunknownfactorxtheconditionsunderwhichtheforceismanifested，suchastheplansofthegeneral，thearmingofthemenandsoon，andrecognisethisunknownfactorinitsentiretyasthegreaterorlessdesiretofightandfacedanger。Thenonlybyexpressingknownhistoricalfactsinequationscanonehopefromcomparisonoftherelativevalueofthisunknownfactortoapproachitsdefinition。Tenmen，orbattalionsordivisionsarevictoriousfightingwithfifteenmenorbattalionsordivisions，thatis，theykillortakeprisonerallofthemwhilelosingfouroftheirownside，sothatthelosshasbeenfourononesideandfifteenontheother。Consequently，fourononesidehavebeenequivalenttofifteenontheother，andconsequently4x=15y。Consequentlyx/y=15/4。Thisequationdoesnotgiveusthevalueoftheunknownfactors，butitdoesgiveustheratiobetweentheirvalues。Andfromthereductiontosuchequationsofvarioushistoricalunits（battles，campaigns，periodsofwarfare）aseriesofnumbersareobtained，inwhichtheremustbeandmaybediscoveredhistoricallaws。
　　Thestrategicprinciple，thatarmiesshouldactinmassesontheoffensive，andshouldbreakupintosmallergroupsforretreat，unconsciouslyconfirmsthetruththattheforceofanarmydependsonitsspirit。Toleadmenforwardunderfireneedsmorediscipline（whichcanonlybeattainedbymarchinginmasses）thanisneededforself—defencewhenattacked。Butthisrule，whichleavesoutofsightthespiritofthearmy，iscontinuallyprovingunsound，andisstrikinglyuntrueinpracticeinallnationalwars，whenthereisagreatriseorfallinthespiritofthearmies。
　　TheFrench，ontheirretreatin1812，thoughtheyshould，bythelawsoftactics，havedefendedthemselvesindetachedgroups，huddledtogetherinacrowd，becausethespiritofthemenhadsunksolowthatitwasonlytheirnumberthatkeptthemup。TheRussiansshould，onthecontrary，bythelawsoftactics，haveattackedtheminamass，butinfactattackedinscatteredcompanies，becausethespiritofthemenransohighthatindividualmenkilledtheFrenchwithoutorders，andneedednocompulsiontofacehardshipsanddangers。
　　Chapter3
　　THESO—CALLED“PARTISAN”WARFAREhadbegunwiththeenemy’sentranceintoSmolensk。Beforetheirregularwarfarewasofficiallyrecognisedbyourgovernmentmanythousandsoftheenemy’ssoldiers—straggling，marauding，orforagingparties—hadbeenslainbyCossacksandpeasants，whokilledthesemenasinstinctivelyasdogssetuponastraymaddog。DenisDavydovwasthefirsttofeelwithhisRussianinstinctthevalueofthisterriblecudgelwhichbelabouredtheFrench，andaskednoquestionsabouttheetiquetteofthemilitaryart；andtohimbelongsthecreditofthefirststeptowardstherecognitionofthismethodofwarfare。
　　Thefirstdetachmentofirregulars—Davydov’s—wasformedonthe24thofAugust，andotherssoonfollowed。Inthelatterstagesofthecampaignthesedetachmentsbecamemoreandmorenumerous。
　　TheirregularsdestroyedtheGrandeArméepiecemeal。Theysweptupthefallenleavesthatweredroppingofthemselvesfromthewitheredtree，andsometimestheyshookthetreeitself。ByOctober，whentheFrenchwerefleeingtoSmolensk，therewerehundredsofthesecompanies，differingwidelyfromoneanotherinnumberandincharacter。Someweredetachmentsthatfollowedalltheusualroutineofanarmy，withinfantry，artillery，staff—officers，andalltheconveniencesoflife。SomeconsistedonlyofCossacks，mountedmen。Othersweresmallbandsofmen，onfootandalsomounted。Someconsistedofpeasants，oroflandownersandtheirserfs，andremainedunknown。Therewasadeaconattheheadofsuchaband，whotookseveralhundredprisonersinamonth。Therewasthevillageelder’swife，Vassilisa，whokilledhundredsoftheFrench。
　　ThelatterpartofOctoberwasthetimewhenthisguerillawarfarereacheditsheight。Thatperiodofthiswarfare，inwhichtheirregularswerethemselvesamazedattheirownaudacity，wereeverymomentindreadofbeingsurroundedandcapturedbytheFrench，andneverunsaddling，hardlydismounting，hidinthewoods，inmomentaryexpectationofpursuit，wasalreadyover。Theirregularwarfarehadbynowtakendefiniteshape；ithadbecomecleartoalltheirregularswhattheycould，andwhattheycouldnot，accomplishwiththeFrench。Bynowitwasonlythecommandersofdetachmentsmarchingwithstaff—officersaccordingtotherulesatadistancefromtheFrenchwhoconsideredmuchimpossible。Thesmallbandsofirregularswhohadbeenatworkalongwhile，andwereatclosequarterswiththeFrench，founditpossibletoattemptwhattheleadersoflargercompaniesdidnotdaretothinkofdoing。TheCossacksandthepeasants，whocreptinamongtheFrench，thoughteverythingpossiblenow。
　　Onthe22ndofOctober，Denisov，whowasaleaderofabandofirregulars，waseagerlyengagedinatypicaloperationofthisirregularwarfare。Fromearlymorninghehadbeenwithhismenmovingaboutthewoodsthatborderedthehighroad，watchingabigconvoyofcavalrybaggageandRussianprisonersthathaddroppedbehindtheotherFrenchtroops，andunderstrongescort—ashelearnedfromhisscoutsandfromprisoners—wasmakingitswaytoSmolensk。NotonlyDenisovandDolohov（whowasalsoaleaderofasmallbandactinginthesamedistrict）wereawareofthepresenceofthisconvoy。Somegeneralsincommandofsomelargerdetachments，withstaff—officersalso，knewofthisconvoy，and，asDenisovsaid，theirmouthswerewateringforit。Twoofthesegenerals—oneaPole，theotheraGerman—hadalmostatthesametimesenttoDenisovaninvitationtojointheirrespectivedetachmentsinattackingtheconvoy。
　　“No，friend，Iwasn’tbornyesterday！”saidDenisov，onreadingthesedocuments；andhewrotetotheGermanthatinspiteofhisardentdesiretoserveundersobrilliantandrenownedageneral，hemustdeprivehimselfofthathappinessbecausehewasalreadyunderthecommandofthePolishgeneral。TothePolehewrotethesamething，informinghimthathewasalreadyservingunderthecommandoftheGerman。
　　Havingthusdisposedofthatdifficulty，Denisov，withoutcommunicatingonthesubjecttothehigherauthorities，intendedwithDolohovtoattackandcarryoffthistransportwithhisownsmallforce。Thetransportwas，onthe22ndofOctober，goingfromthevillageofMikulinotothevillageofShamshevo。OntheleftsideoftheroadbetweenMikulinoandShamshevothereweregreatwoods，whichinplacesborderedontheroad，andinplaceswereaverstormorefromtheroad。Denisov，withasmallpartyoffollowers，hadbeenthewholedayridingaboutinthesewoods，sometimesplungingintotheircentre，andsometimescomingoutattheedge，butneverlosingsightofthemovingFrench。Inthemorning，notfarfromMikulino，wherethewoodranclosetotheroad，theCossacksofDenisov’spartyhadpouncedontwoFrenchwaggonloadsofsaddles，stuckinthemud，andhadcarriedthemoffintothewood。Fromthattimerightontoevening，theyhadbeenwatchingthemovementsoftheFrenchwithoutattackingthem。Theywantedtoavoidfrighteningthem，andtoletthemgoquietlyontoShamshevo，andthen，joiningDolohov（whowastocomethateveningtoatrysting—placeinthewood，averstfromShamshevo，toconcertmeasureswiththem），fromtwosidestofallatdawnlikeanavalancheofsnowontheirheads，andtoovercomeandcaptureallofthematablow。
　　SixCossackshadbeenleftbehind，twoverstsfromMikulino，wherethewoodborderedtheroad。TheyweretobringwordatonceassoonasanyfreshcolumnsofFrenchcameintosight。
　　InfrontofShamshevo，DolohovwasinthesamewaytowatchtheroadtoknowatwhatdistancetherewereotherFrenchtroops。Withthetransportthereweresupposedtobefifteenhundredmen。Denisovhadtwohundredmen，andDolohovmighthaveasmanymore。ButsuperiorityinnumberswasnoobstacletoDenisov。Therewasonlyonethingthathestillneededtoknow，andthatwaswhattroopsthesewere；andforthatobjectDenisovneededtotakea“tongue”（thatis，somemanbelongingtothatcolumnoftheenemy）。TheattackonthewaggonsinthemorningwasalldonewithsuchhastethattheykilledalltheFrenchsoldiersinchargeofthewaggons，andcapturedaliveonlyalittledrummer—boy，whohadstraggledawayfromhisownregiment，andcouldtellthemnothingcertainaboutthetroopsformingthecolumn。
　　Tomakeanotherdescentuponthem，Denisovthought，wouldbetoriskalarmingthewholecolumn，andsohesentonaheadtoShamshevoapeasant，TihonShtcherbatov，totryifhecouldcaptureatleastoneoftheFrenchquartermastersfromthevanguard。
　　Chapter4
　　ITwasawarm，rainy，autumnday。Theskyandthehorizonwerealloftheuniformtintofmuddywater。Sometimesamistseemedtobefalling，andsometimestherewasasuddendownpourofheavy，slantingrain。
　　Denisov，inalongcapeandahighfurcap，bothstreamingwithwater，wasridingathin，pinched—looking，thoroughbredhorse。Withhisheadaslant，andhisearsprickedup，likehishorse，hewasfrowningatthedrivingrain，andanxiouslylookingbeforehim。Hisface，whichhadgrownthin，andwascoveredwithathick，short，blackheard，lookedwrathful。
　　BesideDenisov，wearingalsoalongcapeandahighcap，andmountedonasleek，sturdyDonhorse，rodetheesaul，orhetmanoftheCossacks—Denisov’spartnerinhisenterprises。
　　Theesaul，LovaiskytheThird，alsoinacape，andahighcap，wasalongcreature，flatasaboard，withapaleface，flaxenhair，narrow，lighteyes，andanexpressionofcalmself—confidencebothinhisfaceandhisattitude。Thoughitwasimpossibletosaywhatconstitutedthepeculiarityofhorseandrider，atthefirstglanceattheesaulandatDenisov，itwasevidentthatDenisovwasbothwetanduncomfortable；thatDenisovwasamansittingonahorse；whiletheesaulseemedascomfortableandcalmasalways，andseemednotamansittingonahorse，butamanformingonewholewithahorse—asinglebeingenlargedbythestrengthoftwo。
　　Alittleaheadofthemwalkedapeasant—guide，soakedthroughandthroughinhisgreyfullcoatandwhitecap。
　　Alittlebehind，onathin，delicateKirghizponywithaflowingtailandmane，andamouthfleckedwithblood，rodeayoungofficerinablueFrenchmilitarycoat。Besidehimrodeanhussar，withaboyinatatteredFrenchuniformandbluecap，percheduponhishorsebehindhim。Theboyheldontothehussarwithhandsredwithcold，andkeptmovinghisbarefeet，tryingtowarmthem，andliftinghiseyebrows，gazedabouthimwonderingly。ThiswastheFrenchdrummer，whohadbeentakeninthemorning。
　　Alongthenarrow，muddy，cut—upforest—tracktherecamehussarsinknotsofthreeandfouratatime，andthenCossacks；someincapes，someinFrenchcloaks；otherswithhorse—clothspulledovertheirheads。Thehorses，chestnutandbay，alllookedblackfromthesoakingrain。Theirneckslookedstrangelythinwiththeirdrenchedmanes，andsteamroseincloudsfromthem。Clothes，saddles，andbridles，allwerestickyandswollenwiththewet，liketheearthandthefallenleaveswithwhichthetrackwasstrewn。Themensathuddledup，tryingnottomove，soastokeepwarmthewaterthathadalreadyreachedtheirskins，andnottoletanyfreshstreamofcoldraintrickleinanywhereundertheirseat，orattheirkneesornecks。InthemidstofthefileofCossackstwowaggons，drawnbyFrenchhorses，andCossacksaddle—horseshitchedoninfront，rumbledoverstumpsandbranches，andsplashedthroughtherutsfullofwater。
　　Denisov’shorse，inavoidingapuddleinthetrack，knockedhisrider’skneeagainstatree。
　　“Ah，devil！”Denisovcriedangrily；andshowinghisteeth，hestruckhishorsethreetimeswithhiswhip，splashinghimselfandhiscomradeswithmud。Denisovwasoutofhumour，bothfromtherainandhunger（noonehadeatenanythingsincemorning）；and，mostofall，fromhavingnonewsofDolohov，andfromnoFrenchprisonerhavingbeencaughttogivehiminformation。
　　“Weshallneverhavesuchanotherchancetofallonthetransportasto—day。Toattackthemalonewouldberisky，andtoputitofftoanotherday—someoneofthebiggerleaderswillcarrythebootyofffromunderournoses，”thoughtDenisov，continuallylookingahead，andfancyinghesawthemessengerfromDolohovheexpected。
　　Comingoutintoaclearingfromwhichhecouldgetaviewtosomedistanceontheright，Denisovstopped。
　　“There’ssomeonecoming，”hesaid。
　　TheesaullookedinthedirectionDenisovwaspointingto。
　　“Therearetwomencoming—anofficerandaCossack。OnlyIwouldn’tbeprepositivethatisthecolonelhimself，”saidtheesaul，wholovedtousewordsthatwereunfamiliartotheCossacks。Thetwofigures，ridingdownhill，disappearedfromsight，andcameintoviewagainafewminuteslater。Theforemostwasanofficer，dishevelledlooking，andsoakedthrough，withhistrouserstuckedupabovehisknees；hewaslashinghishorseintoawearygallop。BehindhimaCossacktrottedalong，standingupinhisstirrups。Thisofficer，aquiteyoungboy，withabroad，rosyfaceandkeen，merryeyes，gallopeduptoDenisov，andhandedhimasoppingpacket。
　　“Fromthegeneral，”hesaid。“Imustapologiseforitsnotbeingquitedry。…”
　　Denisov，frowning，tookthepacketandbrokeitopen。
　　“Why，theykepttellingusitwassodangerous，”saidtheofficer，turningtotheesaulwhileDenisovwasreadingtheletter。“ButKomarov”—andheindicatedtheCossack—“andIwereprepared。Wehavebothtwopisto…Butwhat’sthis？”heasked，seeingtheFrenchdrummer—boy。“Aprisoner？Youhavehadabattlealready？MayItalktohim？”
　　“Rostov！Petya！”Denisovcriedatthatmoment，runningthroughthepacketthathadbeengivenhim。“Why，howwasityoudidn’tsaywhoyouwere？”andDenisov，turningwithasmile，heldouthishandtotheofficer。ThisofficerwasPetyaRostov。
　　PetyahadbeenallthewaypreparinghimselftobehavewithDenisovasagrown—uppersonandanofficershoulddo，makingnoreferencetotheirpreviousacquaintance。ButassoonasDenisovsmiledathim，Petyabeamedatonce，blushedwithdelight，andforgettingalltheformaldemeanourhehadbeenintendingtopreserve，hebegantellinghimhowhehadriddenbytheFrench，andhowgladhewashehadbeengiventhiscommission，andhowhehadalreadybeeninabattleatVyazma，andhowacertainhussarhaddistinguishedhimselfinit。
　　“Well，Iamgladtoseeyou，”Denisovinterruptedhim，andhisfacelookedanxiousagain。
　　“MihailFeoklititch，”hesaidtotheesaul，“thisisfromtheGermanagain，youknow。He”（Petya）“isinhissuite。”AndDenisovtoldtheesaulthattheletter，whichhadjustbeenbrought，repeatedtheGermangeneral’srequestthattheywouldjoinhiminattackingthetransport。“Ifwedon’tcatchthembyto—morrow，he’llsnatchthemfromunderournoses，”heconcluded。
　　WhileDenisovwastalkingtotheesaul，Petya，disconcertedbyDenisov’scoldtone，andimaginingthatthattonemightbeduetotheconditionofhistrousers，furtivelypulledthemdownunderhiscloak，tryingtodosounobserved，andtomaintainasmartialanairaspossible。
　　“Willyourhonourhaveanyinstructionstogiveme？”hesaidtoDenisov，puttinghishandtothepeakofhiscap，andgoingbacktothecomedyofadjutantandgeneral，whichhehadpreparedhimselftoperform，“orshouldIremainwithyourhonour？”
　　“Instructions？…”saidDenisovabsently。“Well，canyoustaytilltomorrow？”
　　“Oh，please…MayIstaywithyou？”criedPetya。
　　“Well，whatwereyourinstructionsfromyourgeneral—togobackatonce？”askedDenisov。
　　Petyablushed。
　　“Oh，hegavemenoinstructions。IthinkImay？”hesaidinterrogatively。
　　“Allright，then，”saidDenisov。Andturningtohisfollowers，hedirectedapartyofthemtogotothehutinthewood，whichtheyhadfixedonasaresting—place，andtheofficerontheKirghizhorse（thisofficerperformedthedutiesofanadjutant）togoandlookforDolohov，tofindoutwherehewas，andwhetherhewerecomingintheevening。
　　Denisovhimself，withtheesaulandPetya，intendedtoridetotheedgeofthewoodnearShamshevotohavealookatthepositionoftheFrench，wheretheirattacknextdaywastotakeplace。
　　“Come，myman，”hesaidtotheirpeasantguide，“takeustoShamshevo。”
　　Denisov，Petya，andtheesaul，accompaniedbyafewCossacksandthehussarwiththeprisoner，turnedtotheleftandcrossedaravinetowardstheedgeofthewood。
　　Chapter5
　　THERAINwasover，butamistwasfallinganddropsofwaterdrippedfromthebranchesofthetrees。Denisov，theesaul，andPetya，insilence，followedthepeasantinthepointedcap，who，steppinglightlyandnoiselesslyinhisbastshoesoverrootsandwetleaves，ledthemtotheedgeofthewood。
　　Comingoutontheroad，thepeasantpaused，lookedabouthim，andturnedtowardathinscreenoftrees。Hestoodstillatabigoak，stillcoveredwithleaves，andbeckonedmysteriouslytothem。
　　DenisovandPetyarodeuptohim。FromtheplacewherethepeasantwasstandingtheFrenchcouldbeseen。Justbeyondthewoodafieldofspringcornransharplydownhill。Ontheright，acrossasteepravine，couldbeseenalittlevillageandamanor—housewiththeroofsbrokendown。Inthatvillageandinthehouseandalloverthehighgroundinthegarden，bythewellsandthepond，andallalongtheroaduphillfromthebridgetothevillage，notmorethanfivehundredyardsaway，crowdsofmencouldbeseenintheshiftingmist。Theycoulddistinctlyheartheirforeigncriesatthehorsespullingthebaggageuphillandtheircallstooneanother。
　　“Givemetheprisonerhere，”saidDenisov，inalowvoice，nevertakinghiseyesofftheFrench。
　　ACossackgotoffhishorse，liftedtheboydown，andcamewithhimtoDenisov。Denisov，pointingtotheFrench，askedtheboywhattroopstheywere。Theboy，thrustinghischilledhandsintohispocketsandraisinghiseyebrows，lookedindismayatDenisov，andinspiteofhisunmistakabledesiretotellallheknew，hewasconfusedinhisanswers，andmerelyrepeatedDenisov’squestions。Denisov，frowning，turnedawayfromhim，andaddressingtheesaul，toldhimhisownviewsonthematter。
　　Petya，turninghisheadrapidly，lookedfromthedrummertoDenisov，andfromtheesaultotheFrenchinthevillageandontheroad，tryingnottomissanythingofimportance。
　　“WhetherDolohovcomesornot，wemusttakethem。…Eh？”saidDenisov，hiseyessparklingmerrily。
　　“Itisaconvenientspot，”saidtheesaul。
　　“Wewillsendtheinfantrydownbelow，bythemarshes，”Denisovwenton。“Theywillcreepuptothegarden；youdashdownwiththeCossacksfromthere”—Denisovpointedtothewoodbeyondthevillage—“andIfromherewithmyhussars。Andatashot…”
　　“Itwon’tdotogobythehollow；it’sabog，”saidtheesaul。“Thehorseswillsinkin，youmustskirtroundmoretotheleft。…”
　　Whiletheyweretalkinginundertones，therewasthecrackofashotandapuffofwhitesmokeinthehollowbelownearthepond，andthevoicesofhundredsofFrenchmenhalfwayupthehillroseinaringingshout，asthoughinmerrychorus。AtthefirstminutebothDenisovandtheesauldartedback。Theyweresonearthattheyfanciedtheywerethecauseofthatshotandthoseshouts。Buttheyhadnothingtodowiththem。Amaninsomethingredwasrunningthroughthemarshesbelow。TheFrenchwereevidentlyfiringandshoutingathim。
　　“Why，it’sourTihon，”saidtheesaul。
　　“It’she！it’she！”
　　“Therogue，”saidDenisov。
　　“He’llgetaway！”saidtheesaul，screwinguphiseyes。
　　ThemantheycalledTihon，runninguptothelittleriver，splashedintoit，sothatthewaterspurteduproundhim，anddisappearingforaninstant，scrambledoutonallfours，lookingdarkfromthewater，andranon。TheFrench，whohadbeenpursuinghim，stopped。
　　“Well，he’sasmartfellow，”saidtheesaul。
　　“Thebeast，”saidDenisov，withthesameexpressionofvexation。“Andwhathashebeenaboutallthistime？”
　　“Whoishe？”askedPetya。
　　“It’sourscout。Isenthimtocatcha‘tongue’forus。”
　　“Ah，tobesure，”saidPetya，noddingatDenisov’sfirstword，asthoughheknewallaboutit，thoughhedidnotunderstandaword。
　　TihonShtcherbatovwasoneofthemostusefulmenamongDenisov’sfollowers。HewasapeasantofthevillageofPokrovskoe，nearGzhat。DenisovhadcometoPokrovskoeearlyinhisoperationsasaguerillaleader，andsending，ashealwaysdid，forthevillageelder，askedhimwhatheknewabouttheFrench。
　　Thevillageelderhadanswered，asallvillageeldersalwaysdidanswer，thatheknewnothingaboutthem，andhadseennothingofthem。ButwhenDenisovexplainedtohimthathisobjectwastokilltheFrench，andinquiredwhethernoFrenchhadstrayedintohisvillage，thevillageelderrepliedthattherehadbeensomemiroderscertainly，butthattheonlypersonwhotookanyheedofsuchthingswasTishkaShtcherbatov。DenisovorderedTihontobebroughtbeforehim，andpraisinghisactivity，saidinthepresenceoftheelderafewwordsaboutthedevotiontotheTsarandtheFatherlandandthehatredoftheFrenchthatallsonsoftheFatherlandmustcherishintheirhearts。
　　“Wedon’tdoanyharmtotheFrench，”saidTihon，evidentlyscaredatDenisov’swords。“It’sonly，youknow，justabitoffunfortheladsandme。Themirodersnow—wehavekilledadozenorsoofthem，butwehavedonenoharmelse…”
　　Nextday，whenDenisovwasleavingPokrovskoe，havingforgottenallaboutthispeasant，hewastoldthatTihonwaswithhisfollowers，andaskedtobeallowedtoremainwiththem。Denisovbadethemlethimstay。
　　AtfirstTihonundertooktheroughworkofmakingfires，fetchingwater，skinninghorses，andsoon，buthesoonshowedgreatzealandcapacityforguerillawarfare。Hewouldgoafterbootyatnight，andneverfailedtobringbackFrenchclothesandweapons，andwhenhewasbidden，hewouldbringbackprisonerstoo。DenisovtookTihonfromhismenialwork，andbegantoemployhimonexpeditions，andtoreckonhimamongtheCossacks。
　　Tihondidnotlikeriding，andalwayswentonfoot，yetneverlaggedbehindthecavalry。Hisweaponswereamusket，whichhecarriedratherasajoke，apike，andanaxe，whichheusedasskilfullyasawolfdoesitsteeth—catchingfleasinitscoatandcrunchingthickboneswiththemequallyeasily。WithequalprecisionTihonswinginghisaxesplitlogs，or，takingitbythehead，cutthinskewersorcarvedspoons。AmongDenisov’sfollowers，Tihonwasonaspecialfootingofhisown。Whenanythingparticularlydisagreeableorrevoltinghadtobedone—toputone’sshouldertoawaggonstuckinthemud，todragahorseoutofabogbythetail，toflayahorse，tocreepintothemidstoftheFrench，towalkfiftyverstsinaday—everyonelaughed，andlookedtoTihontodoit。
　　“Noharmwillcometohim；thedevil；he’sastalwartbeast，”theyusedtosayofhim。
　　OnedayaFrenchmanhehadcapturedwoundedTihonwithapistol—shotinthefleshypartoftheback。Thiswound，whichTihontreatedonlybyapplicationsofvodka—internalandexternal—wasthesubjectoftheliveliestjokesthroughthewholeparty，andTihonlenthimselfreadilytotheirjests。
　　“Well，oldchap，youwon’tdothatagain！Areyoucrook—backed！”laughedtheCossacks；andTihon，assumingadolefulface，andgrimacingtopretendhewasangry，wouldabusetheFrenchwiththemostcomicaloaths。TheeffectoftheincidentonTihonwasthatherarelyafterwardsbroughtprisonersin。
　　Tihonwasthebravestandmostusefulmanofthelot。Noonediscoveredsomanyopportunitiesofattack，noonecapturedorkilledsomanyFrenchmen。AndconsequentlyhewasthefavouritesubjectofallthegibesoftheCossacksandthehussars，andreadilyfellinwiththeposition。
　　TihonhadbeensentovernightbyDenisovtoShamshevotocapturea“tongue。”ButeitherbecausehewasnotsatisfiedwithoneFrenchprisoner，orbecausehehadbeenasleepallnight，hehadcreptbydayintothebushesintheverymiddleoftheFrench，and，asDenisovhadseenfromthehill，hadbeendiscoveredbythem。
　　Chapter6
　　AFTERTALKINGalittlewhilelongerwiththeesaulaboutthenextday’sattack，whichDenisovseemedtohavefinallydecideduponafterseeinghowneartheFrenchwere，heturnedhishorse’sheadandrodeback。
　　“Now，myboy，wewillgoanddryourselves，”hesaidtoPetya。
　　Ashecameneartheforester’shut，Denisovstopped，lookingintothewoodbeforehim。Amaninashortjacket，bastshoes，andaKazanhat，withagunacrosshisshoulder，andanaxeinhisbelt，wasstridinglightlythroughtheforestwithlonglegsandlongarmsswingingathisside。CatchingsightofDenisov，hehastilyflungsomethingintothebushes，andtakingoffhissoppedhat，thebrimofwhichdroopedlimply，hewalkeduptohiscommandingofficer。
　　ThiswasTihon。Hispock—markedandwrinkledface，withlittleslitsofeyes，beamedwithself—satisfactionandmerriment。Heheldhisheadhigh，andlookedstraightatDenisovasthoughheweresuppressingalaugh。
　　“Well，wherehaveyoubeen？”saidDenisov。
　　“WherehaveIbeen？IhavebeenaftertheFrench，”Tihonansweredboldlyandhastily，inahusky，butmellowbass。
　　“Whydidyoucreepininthedaytime？Ass！Well，whydidn’tyoucatchone？”
　　“CatchoneIdid，”saidTihon。
　　“Whereishe，then？”
　　“Icaughtoneattheveryfirstatdaybreak，”Tihonwenton，settinghisfeetdownwiderapart，intheirflat，turned—upbastshoes；“andItookhimintothewoodtoo。Iseehe’snogood。So，thinksI，bettergoandgetanother，rathermoretheproperarticle。”
　　“Ay，therogue，sothat’showitis，”saidDenisovtotheesaul。“Whydidn’tyoubringthatone？”
　　“Why，whatwastheuseofbringinghimin？”Tihonbrokein，hurriedlyandangrily。“Aworthlessfellow！Don’tIknowwhatsortyouwant？”
　　“Ah，youbrute！…Well？”
　　“Iwenttogetanother，”Tihonwenton。“Icreptupinthiswayinthewood，andIlaydown。”Withasudden，supplemovement，Tihonlaydownonhisstomach，toshowhowhehaddonethis。“Oneturnedup，”hewenton，“Iseizedhimlikethis，”Tihonjumpedupswiftlyandlightly。“‘Comealongtothecolonel，’saysI。Hesetupsuchashouting，andthenIsawfourofthem。Andtheyrushedatmewiththeirsabres。Iwentatthemlikethiswithmyaxe。‘Whatareyouabout？’saysI。‘Christbewithyou，’”criedTihon，wavinghisarmsandsquaringhischestwithamenacingscowl。
　　“Ohyes，wesawfromthehillhowyougavethemtheslip，throughthepools，”saidtheesaul，screwinguphissparklingeyes。
　　Petyahadagreatlongingtolaugh，buthesawthatalltheothersrefrainedfromlaughing。HekeptlookingrapidlyfromTihon’sfacetothefaceoftheesaulandDenisov，notknowingwhattomakeofitall。
　　“Don’tplaythefool，”saidDenisov，coughingangrily。“Whydidn’tyoubringthefirstman？”
　　Tihonbeganscratchinghisbackwithonehandandhisheadwiththeother，andallatoncehiscountenanceexpandedintoabeaming，foolishgrin，showingthelossofatooththathadgivenhimhisname，Shtcherbatov（i。e。lackingatooth）。Denisovsmiled，andPetyawentoffintoamerrypealoflaughter，inwhichTihonhimselfjoined。
　　“Why，hewasnogoodatall，”saidTihon。“Hewassobadlydressed，howcouldIbringhim？Andacoarsefellow，yourhonour。Why，sayshe，‘I’mageneral’sson，’sayshe，‘I’mnotgoing。’”
　　“Ugh，youbrute！”saidDenisov。“Iwantedtoquestionhim…”
　　“Oh，Ididquestionhim，”saidTihon。“Hesaidhedidn’tknowmuch。“Therearealotofourmen，’sayshe，‘buttheyareallpoorcreatures；that’sallyoucansayforthem。Giveagoodshout，’sayshe，‘andyoucantakethemall，’”Tihonconcluded，withamerryanddeterminedlookatDenisov。
　　“Mind，I’llgiveyouagoodhundredlashesthatwillteachyoutoplaythefool，”saidDenisovsternly。
　　“Whybeangry，”saidTihon，“becauseIhaven’tseenyoursortofFrenchmen？Assoonasitgetsdark，I’llcatchwhateverkindyoulike，threeofthemI’llbring。”
　　“Well，comealong，”saidDenisov，andallthewaytotheforester’shuthewassilent，frowningangrily。
　　Tihonwaswalkingbehind，andPetyaheardtheCossackslaughingwithhimandathimaboutapairofbootsthathehadthrownintothebushes。
　　WhenthelaughterrousedbyTihon’swordsandsmilehadpassed，andPetyaunderstoodforamomentthatTihonhadkilledtheman，hehadanuneasyfeeling。Helookedroundattheboyprisoner，andtherewasasuddenpanginhisheart。Butthatuneasinessonlylastedamoment。Hefeltitincumbentonhimtoholdhisheadhigh，andwithaboldandimportantairtoquestiontheesaulaboutthenextday’sexpedition，thathemightnotbeunworthyofthecompanyinwhichhefoundhimself。
　　TheofficerDenisovhadsenttoDolohovmethimonthewaywiththenewsthateverythingwasgoingwellwithDolohov，andthathewascominghimselfimmediately。
　　Denisovatoncebecamemorecheerful，andbeckonedPetyatohim。
　　“Come，tellmeaboutyourself，”hesaid。
　　Chapter7
　　ONLEAVINGMOSCOW，Petyahadpartedfromhisparentstojoinhisregiment，andshortlyafterwardshadbeenappointedanorderlyinattendanceonageneralwhowasincommandofalargedetachment。Fromthetimeofsecuringhiscommission，andevenmoresincejoiningaregimentinactiveservice，andtakingpartinthebattleofVyazma，Petyahadbeeninacontinualstateofhappyexcitementatbeinggrown—up，andofintenseanxietynottomissanyopportunityofrealheroism。Hewashighlydelightedwithallhehadseenandexperiencedinthearmy，but，atthesametime，hewasalwaysfancyingthatwhereverhewasnot，therethemostrealandheroicexploitswereatthatverymomentbeingperformed。Andhewasinconstanthastetobewherehewasnot。
　　Onthe21stofOctober，whenhisgeneralexpressedadesiretosendsomeonetoDenisov’scompany，Petyahadsopiteouslybesoughthimtosendhim，thatthegeneralcouldnotrefuse。But，ashewassendinghimoff，thegeneralrecollectedPetya’sfoolhardybehaviouratthebattleofVyazma，when，insteadofridingbywayoftheroadtotakeamessage，PetyahadgallopedacrossthelinesunderthefireoftheFrench，andhadtherefiredacoupleofpistol—shots。Recallingthatprank，thegeneralexplicitlyforbadePetya’stakingpartinanyenterprisewhateverthatDenisovmightbeplanning。ThiswaswhyPetyahadblushedandbeendisconcertedwhenDenisovaskedhimifhemightstay。Fromthemomenthesetofftillhereachedtheedgeofthewood，Petyahadfullyintendedtodohisdutysteadily，andtoreturnatonce。ButwhenhesawtheFrench，andsawTihon，andlearnedthattheattackwouldcertainlytakeplacethatnight，withtherapidtransitionfromoneviewtoanother，characteristicofyoungpeople，hemadeuphismindthathisgeneral，forwhomhehadtillthatmomenthadthegreatestrespect，wasapoorstick，andonlyaGerman，thatDenisovwasahero，andtheesaulahero，andTihonahero，andthatitwouldbeshamefultoleavethematamomentofdifficulty。
　　ItwasgettingdarkwhenDenisov，withPetyaandtheesaul，reachedtheforester’shut。Inthehalf—darktheycouldseesaddledhorses，Cossacksandhussars，riggingupshantiesintheclearing，andbuildingupaglowingfireinahollownear，wherethesmokewouldnotbeseenbytheFrench。IntheporchofthelittlehuttherewasaCossackwithhissleevestuckedup，cuttingupasheep。Inthehut，threeofficersofDenisov’sbandweresettingupatablemadeupofdoors。Petyatookoffhiswetclothes，gavethemtobedried，andatoncesettoworktohelptheofficersinfixingupadining—table。
　　Intenminutesthetablewasreadyandcoveredwithanapkin。Onthetablewassetvodka，aflaskofrum，whitebread，androastmutton，andsalt。
　　Sittingatthetablewiththeofficers，tearingthefat，savourymuttonwithgreasyfingers，Petyawasinachildishlyenthusiasticconditionoftenderloveforallmenandaconsequentbeliefinthesamefeelingforhimselfinothers。
　　“Sowhatdoyouthink，VassilyFyodorovitch，”hesaidtoDenisov，“itwon’tmattermystayingadaywithyou，willit？”Andwithoutwaitingforananswer，heansweredhimself:“Why，Iwastoldtofindout，andhereIamfindingout…Onlyyoumustletmegointothemiddle…intothereal…Idon’tcareaboutrewards…ButIdowant…”Petyaclenchedhisteethandlookedabouthim，tossinghisheadandwavinghisarm。
　　“Intothereal，realthing…”Denisovsaid，smiling。
　　“Only，please，dogivemeacommandofsomethingaltogether，sothatIreallymightcommand，”Petyawenton。“Why，whatwoulditbetoyou？Ah，youwantaknife？”hesaidtoanofficer，whowastryingtotearoffapieceofmutton。Andhegavehimhispocket—knife。
　　Theofficerpraisedtheknife。
　　“Pleasekeepit。Ihaveseverallikeit…”saidPetya，blushing。“Heavens！Why，Iwasquiteforgetting，”hecriedsuddenly。“Ihavesomecapitalraisins，youknowthesortwithoutstones。Wehaveanewcanteen—keeper，andhedoesgetfirst—ratethings。Iboughttenpoundsofthem。I’mfondofsweetthings。Willyouhavesome？”…andPetyaranouttohisCossackintheporch，andbroughtinsomepanniersinwhichtherewerefivepoundsofraisins。“Pleasetakesome。”
　　“Don’tyouneedacoffee—pot？”hesaidtotheesaul；“Iboughtafamousonefromourcanteen—keeper！Hehasfirst—ratethings。Andhe’sveryhonest。That’sthegreatthing。I’llbesureandsendityou。Orperhapsyourflintsarewornout；thatdoeshappensometimes。Ibroughtsomewithme，Ihavegotthemhere…”hepointedtothepanniers。“Ahundredflints。Iboughtthemverycheap。Youmustpleasetakeasmanyasyouwantorall，indeed…”Andsuddenly，dismayedatthethoughtthathehadlethistonguerunawaywithhim，Petyastoppedshortandblushed。
　　Hebegantryingtothinkwhetherhehadbeenguiltyofanyotherblunders。AndrunningthroughhisrecollectionsofthedaytheimageoftheFrenchdrummer—boyrosebeforehismind。
　　“Weareenjoyingourselves，buthowishefeeling？Whathavetheydonewithhim？Havetheygivenhimsomethingtoeat？Havetheybeennastytohim？”hewondered。
　　Butthinkinghehadsaidtoomuchabouttheflints，hewasafraidtospeaknow。
　　“CouldIaskabouthim？”hewondered。“They’llsay:he’saboyhimself，sohefeelsfortheboy。I’llletthemseeto—morrowwhetherI’maboy！ShallIfeelashamedifIask？”Petyawondered。“Oh，well！Idon’tcare，”andhesaidatonce，blushingandwatchingtheofficers’facesindreadofdetectingamusementinthem:
　　“MightIcallthatboywhowastakenprisoner，andgivehimsomethingtoeat…perhaps…”
　　“Yes，poorlittlefellow，”saidDenisov，whoclearlysawnothingtobeashamedofinthisreminder。“Fetchhiminhere。HisnameisVincentBosse。Fetchhimin。”
　　“I’llcallhim，”saidPetya。
　　“Yes，do。Poorlittlefellow，”repeatedDenisov。
　　PetyawasstandingatthedoorasDenisovsaidthis。HeslippedinbetweentheofficersandwentuptoDenisov。
　　“Letmekissyou，dearoldfellow，”hesaid。“Ah，howjollyitis！howsplendid！”And，kissingDenisov，heranoutintotheyard。
　　“Bosse！Vincent！”Petyacried，standingbythedoor。
　　“Whomdoyouwant，sir？”saidavoiceoutofthedarkness。PetyaansweredthathewantedtheFrenchboy，whohadbeentakenprisonerthatday。
　　“Ah！Vesenny？”saidtheCossack。
　　HisnameVincenthadalreadybeentransformedbytheCossacksintoVesenny，andbythepeasantsandthesoldiersintoVisenya。Inbothnamestherewasasuggestionofthespring—vesna—whichseemedtothemtoharmonisewiththefigureoftheyoungboy。
　　“He’swarminghimselfthereatthefire。Ay，Visenya！Visenya！”voicescalledfromonetoanotherwithlaughterinthedarkness。“Heisasharpboy，”saidanhussarstandingnearPetya。“Wegavehimamealnotlongago。Hewashungry，terribly。”
　　Therewasasoundoffootstepsinthedarkness，andthedrummer—boycamesplashingthroughthemudwithhisbarefeettowardsthedoor。
　　“Ah，that’syou！”saidPetya。“Areyouhungry？Don’tbeafraid，theywon’thurtyou，”headded，shylyandcordiallytouchinghishand。“Comein，comein。”
　　“Thankyou，”answeredthedrummer，inatrembling，almostchildishvoice，andhebeganwipingthemudoffhisfeetonthethreshold。Petyahadagreatdealhelongedtosaytothedrummer—boy，buthedidnotdare。Hestoodbyhimintheporch，movinguneasily。Thenhetookhishandinthedarknessandsqueezedit。“Comein，comein，”herepeated，butinasoftwhisper。
　　“Oh，ifIcouldonlydosomethingforhim！”Petyawassayinginwardly，andopeningthedoorheusheredtheboyinbeforehim。
　　Whenthedrummer—boyhadcomeintothehut，Petyasatdownatsomedistancefromhim，feelingthatitwouldbeloweringhisdignitytotakemuchnoticeofhim。Buthewasfeelingthemoneyinhispocketandwonderingwhetheritwoulddotogivesometothedrummer—boy。
　　Chapter8
　　DENISOVgaveordersforthedrummer—boytobegivensomevodkaandmutton，andtobeputintoaRussiandress，sothatheshouldnotbesentoffwiththeotherprisoners，butshouldstaywithhisband。Petya’sattentionwasdivertedfromtheboybythearrivalofDolohov。HehadheardagreatmanystoriestoldinthearmyofDolohov’sextraordinarygallantryandofhiscrueltytotheFrench。AndthereforefromthemomentDolohoventeredthehutPetyacouldnottakehiseyesoffhim，andflinginguphishead，heassumedamoreandmoreswaggingair，thathemightnotbeunworthyofassociatingevenwithaherolikeDolohov。
　　Dolohov’sappearancestruckPetyaasstrangethroughitssimplicity。
　　DenisovwasdressedinaCossackcoat；hehadlethisbeardgrow，andhadaholyimageofNikolay，thewonder—worker，onhisbreast。Hiswholemannerofspeakingandallhisgesturesweresuggestiveofhispeculiarposition。Dolohov，onthecontrary，thoughinolddayshehadwornaPersiandressinMoscow，lookednowlikethemostcorrectofficeroftheGuards。Hewasclean—shaven；heworethewaddedcoatoftheGuardswithaSt。Georgemedalonaribbon，andaplainforagecap，putonstraightonhishead。Hetookhiswetcloakoffinthecornerand，withoutgreetinganyone，wentstraightuptoDenisovandbeganatonceaskingquestionsaboutthematterinhand。DenisovtoldhimofthedesignsthelargerdetachmenthadupontheFrenchconvoy，ofthemessagePetyahadbrought，andtheanswerhehadgiventobothgenerals。ThenhetoldhimallheknewofthepositionoftheFrench。
　　“That’sso。Butwemustfindoutwhattroopstheyare，andwhataretheirnumbers，”saidDolohov；“wemustgoandhavealookatthem。Wecan’trushintothethingwithoutknowingforcertainhowmanythereareofthem。Iliketodothingsproperly。Come，won’toneofyougentlemenliketocomewithmetopaythemacallintheircamp？Ihaveanextrauniformwithme。”
　　“I，I…I’llcomewithyou！”criedPetya。
　　“There’snottheslightestneedforyoutogo，”saidDenisov，addressingDolohov；“andasforhimIwouldn’tlethimgoonanyaccount。”
　　“That’sgood！”criedPetya；“whyshouldn’tIgo？…”
　　“Why，becausethere’snoreasonto。”
　　“Oh，well，excuseme…because…because…I’mgoing，andthat’sall。Youwilltakeme？”hecried，turningtoDolohov。
　　“Whynot？…”Dolohovanswered，absently，staringintothefaceoftheFrenchdrummer—boy。
　　“Haveyouhadthatyoungsterlong？”heaskedDenisov。
　　“Wecaughthimto—day，butheknowsnothing；Ihavekepthimwithus。”
　　“Oh，andwhatdoyoudowiththerest？”saidDolohov。
　　“WhatdoIdowiththem？Itakeareceiptforthem，andsendthemoff！”criedDenisov，suddenlyflushing。“AndImakeboldtosaythatIhaven’tasingleman’slifeonmyconscience。Isthereanydifficultyinyoursendingthirty，orthreehundredmen，underescort，tothetownratherthanstain—Isaysobluntly—one’shonourasasoldier？”
　　“It’sallverywellforthislittlecounthereatsixteentotalkofsuchrefinements，”Dolohovsaid，withacoldsneer；“butit’shightimeforyoutodropallthat。”
　　“Why，Iamnotsayinganything，IonlysaythatIamcertainlygoingwithyou，”saidPetyashyly。
　　“Butformeandyou，mate，it’shightimetodropsuchdelicacy，”Dolohovwenton，apparentlyderivingpeculiargratificationfromtalkingonasubjectirritatingtoDenisov。“Whyhaveyoukeptthislad，”hesaid，“exceptbecauseyouaresorryforhim？Why，weallknowhowmuchyourreceiptsareworth。Yousendoffahundredmenandthirtyreachthetown。Theydieofhungerorarekilledontheway。Soisn’titjustaswelltomakeshortworkofthem？”
　　Theesaul，screwinguphislight—colouredeyes，noddedhisheadapprovingly。
　　“That’snotmyaffair，noneedtodiscussit。Idon’tcaretohavetheirlivesonmyconscience。Yousaytheydie。Well，letthem。Onlynotthroughmydoing。”
　　Dolohovlaughed。
　　“Whopreventedtheirtakingmetwentytimesover？Butyouknowiftheydocatchme—andyoutoowithyourchivalroussentiments—itwilljustbethesame—thenearestaspen—tree。”Hepaused。“Wemustbegettingtowork，though。SendmyCossackherewiththepack。IhavetwoFrenchuniforms。Well，areyoucomingwithme？”heaskedPetya。
　　“I？Yes，yes，ofcourse，”criedPetya，blushingtillthetearscameintohiseyes，andglancingatDenisov。
　　WhileDolohovhadbeenarguingwithDenisovwhatshouldbedonewithprisoners，Petyahadagainhadthatfeelingofdiscomfortandnervoushurry；butagainhehadnottimetogetaclearideaofwhattheyweretalkingabout。“Ifthat’swhatisthoughtbygrown—upmen，famousleaders，thenitmustbeso，itmustbeallright，”hethought。“Andthegreatthingis，thatDenisovshouldn’tdaretoimaginethatImustobeyhim，thathecanordermeabout。IshallcertainlygowithDolohovintotheFrenchcamp。Hecango，andsocanI！”
　　ToallDenisov’seffortstodissuadehimfromgoing，Petyarepliedthathetoolikeddoingthingsproperlyandnotinhaphazardfashion，andthatheneverthoughtaboutdangertohimself。
　　“For，youmustadmit，ifwedon’tknowexactlyhowmanymentherearethere，itmightcostthelifeofhundreds，anditisonlywetwo，andsoIverymuchwishit，andIshallcertainly，mostcertainlygo，anddon’ttrytopreventme，”hesaid；“itwon’tbeanyuse…”
　　Chapter9
　　PETYAANDDOLOHOV，afterdressingupinFrenchuniformsandshakoes，rodetotheclearingfromwhichDenisovhadlookedattheFrenchcamp，andcomingoutofthewood，descendedintothehollowinthepitchdarkness。Whentheyhadriddendownhill，DolohovbadetheCossacksaccompanyinghimtowaitthere，andsetoffatasmarttrotalongtheroadtowardsthebridge。Petya，faintwithexcitement，trottedalongbesidehim。
　　“Ifwearecaught，Iwon’tbetakenalive。Ihaveapistol，”whisperedPetya。
　　“Don’tspeakRussian，”saidDolohov，inarapidwhisper，andatthatmomenttheyheardinthedarkthechallenge:“Whogoesthere？”andtheclickofagun。
　　ThebloodrushedintoPetya’sface，andheclutchedathispistol。
　　“UhlansoftheSixthRegiment，”saidDolohov，neitherhasteningnorslackeninghishorse’space。
　　Theblackfigureofasentinelstoodonthebridge。
　　“Thepassword？”
　　Dolohovreinedinhishorse，andadvancedatawalkingpace。
　　“Tellme，isColonelGerardhere？”hesaid。
　　“Password？”repeatedthesentinel，makingnoreplyandbarringtheirway。
　　“Whenanofficermakeshisround，sentinelsdon’taskhimforthepassword…”criedDolohov，suddenlylosinghistemperandridingstraightatthesentinel。“Iaskyou，isthecolonelhere？”
　　Andnotwaitingforananswerfromthesentinel，whomovedaside，Dolohovrodeatawalkingpaceuphill。
　　Noticingtheblackoutlineofamancrossingtheroad，Dolohovstoppedtheman，andaskedwherethecolonelandofficerswere。Theman，asoldierwithasackoverhisshoulder，stopped，camecloseuptoDolohov’shorse，strokingitwithhishand，andtoldtheminasimpleandfriendlywaythatthecolonelandtheofficerswerehigherupthehill，ontheright，inthecourtyardofthefarm，ashecalledthelittlemanor—house。
　　Aftergoingfurtheralongtheroad，frombothsidesofwhichtheyheardFrenchtalkroundthecamp—fires，Dolohovturnedintotheyardofthemanor—house。Onreachingthegate，hedismountedandwalkedtowardsabig，blazingfire，roundwhichseveralmenweresitting，engagedinloudconversation。Therewassomethingboilinginacauldronononeside，andasoldierinapeakedcapandbluecoat，kneelinginthebrightglowofthefire，wasstirringitwithhisramrod。
　　“He’satoughcustomer，”saidoneoftheofficers，sittingintheshadowontheoppositesideofthefire。
　　“He’llmakethemrun，therabbits”（aFrenchproverb），saidtheother，withalaugh。
　　Bothpaused，andpeeredintothedarknessatthesoundofthestepsofPetyaandDolohovapproachingwiththeirhorses。
　　“Bonjour，messieurs！”Dolohovcalledloudlyanddistinctly。
　　Therewasastiramongtheofficersintheshadow，andatallofficerwithalongneckcameroundthefireandwentuptoDolohov。
　　“Isthatyou，Clément？”saidhe。“Wherethedevil…”butbecomingawareofhismistake，hedidnotfinish，andwithaslightfrowngreetedDolohovasastranger，andaskedhimwhathecoulddoforhim。Dolohovtoldhimthatheandhiscomradeweretryingtocatchupwiththeirregiment，andasked，addressingthecompanyingeneral，whethertheofficersknewanythingabouttheSixthRegiment。Noonecouldtellthemanythingaboutit；andPetyafanciedtheofficersbegantolookathimandDolohovwithunfriendlyandsuspiciouseyes。
　　Forseveralsecondsnoonespoke。
　　“Ifyou’rereckoningonsomesoup，youhavecometoolate，”saidavoicefrombehindthefire，withasmotheredlaugh。
　　Dolohovansweredthattheyhadhadsupper，andwantedtopushonfurtherthatnight。
　　Hegavetheirhorsestothesoldierwhowasstirringthepot，andsquatteddownonhisheelsbesidetheofficerwiththelongneck。ThelatternevertookhiseyesoffDolohov，andaskedhimagainwhatregimentdidhebelongto。
　　Dolohovappearednottohearthequestion。Makingnoanswer，helightedashortFrenchpipethathetookfromhispocket，andaskedtheofficerswhethertheroadaheadofthemweresafefromCossacks。
　　“Thebrigandsareeverywhere，”answeredanofficerfrombehindthefire。
　　DolohovsaidthattheCossackswereonlyadangerforstragglerslikehimselfandhiscomrade；“hesupposedtheywouldnotdaretoattacklargedetachments，”headdedinquiringly。
　　Noonereplied。
　　“Well，nowhewillcomeaway，”Petyawasthinkingeverymoment，ashestoodbythefirelisteningtothetalk。
　　ButDolohovtookuptheconversationthathaddropped，andproceededtoaskthempoint—blankhowmanymentherewereintheirbattalion，howmanybattalionstheyhad，andhowmanyprisoners。
　　WhenheaskedabouttheRussianprisoners，Dolohovadded:
　　“Nastybusinessdraggingthosecorpsesaboutwithone。Itwouldbebettertoshootthevermin，”andhebrokeintosuchastrange，loudlaugh，thatPetyafanciedtheFrenchmustseethroughtheirdisguiseatonce，andheinvoluntarilysteppedbackfromthefire。
　　Dolohov’swordsandlaughterelicitednoresponse，andaFrenchofficerwhomtheyhadnotseen（helayrolledupinacoat），satupandwhisperedsomethingtohiscompanion。Dolohovstoodupandcalledtothemen，whoheldtheirhorses。
　　“Willtheygiveusthehorsesornot？”Petyawondered，unconsciouslycomingclosertoDolohov。
　　Theydidgivethemthehorses。“Bonsoir，messieurs，”saidDolohov。
　　Petyatriedtosay“Bonsoir，”buthecouldnotutterasound。Theofficerswerewhisperingtogether。Dolohovwasalongwhilemountinghishorse，whowouldnotstandstill；thenherodeoutofthegateatawalkingpace。Petyarodebesidehim，notdaringtolookround，thoughhewaslongingtoseewhethertheFrenchwererunningafterhimornot。
　　Whentheycameoutontotheroad，Dolohovdidnotturnbacktowardstheopencountry，butrodefurtheralongitintothevillage。
　　Atonespothestoodstill，listening。“Doyouhear？”hesaid。PetyarecognisedthesoundofvoicesspeakingRussian，andsawroundthecamp—firethedarkoutlinesofRussianprisoners。Whentheyreachedthebridgeagain，PetyaandDolohovpassedthesentinel，who，withoututteringaword，pacedgloomilyupanddown。TheycameouttothehollowwheretheCossackswerewaitingforthem。
　　“Wellnow，good—bye。TellDenisov，atsunrise，atthefirstshot，”saidDolohov，andhewasgoingon，butPetyaclutchedathisarm。
　　“Oh！”hecried，“youareahero！Oh！howsplendiditis！howjolly！HowIloveyou！”
　　“That’sallright，”answeredDolohov，butPetyadidnotletgoofhim，andinthedarkDolohovmadeoutthathewasbendingovertohimtobekissed。Dolohovkissedhim，laughed，andturninghishorse’shead，vanishedintothedarkness。
　　Chapter10
　　ONREACHINGthehutinthewood，PetyafoundDenisovintheporch。HewaswaitingforPetya’sreturningreatuneasiness，anxiety，andvexationwithhimselfforhavinglethimgo。
　　“ThankGod！”hecried。“Well，thankGod！”herepeated，hearingPetya’secstaticaccount。“And，damnyou，youhavepreventedmysleeping！”headded。“Well，thankGod；now，gotobed。Wecanstillgetanapbeforemorning。”
　　“Yes…no，”saidPetya。“I’mnotsleepyyet。Besides，IknowwhatIam；ifonceIgotosleep，itwillbeallupwithme。Andbesides，it’snotmyhabittosleepbeforeabattle。”
　　Petyasatforalongwhileinthehut，joyfullyrecallingthedetailsofhisadventure，andvividlyimaginingwhatwascomingnextday。Then，noticingthatDenisovhadfallenasleep，hegotupandwentoutofdoors。
　　Itwasstillquitedarkoutside。Therainwasover，butthetreeswerestilldripping。ClosebythehutcouldbeseentheblackoutlinesoftheCossacks’shantiesandthehorsestiedtogether。Behindthehuttherewasadarkblurwheretwowaggonsstoodwiththehorsesnearby，andinthehollowtherewasaredglowfromthedyingfire。TheCossacksandthehussarswerenotallasleep；theremingledwiththesoundofthefallingdropsandthemunchingofthehorses，thesoundoflowvoices，thatseemedtobewhispering。
　　Petyacameoutoftheporch，lookedabouthiminthedarkness，andwentuptothewaggons。Someonewassnoringunderthewaggons，andsaddledhorseswerestandingroundthemmunchingoats。InthedarkPetyarecognisedandapproachedhisownmare，whomhecalledKarabach，thoughshewasinfactofaLittleRussianbreed。
　　“Well，Karabach，to—morrowweshalldogoodservice，”hesaid，sniffinghernostrilsandkissingher。
　　“Why，aren’tyouasleep，sir？”saidaCossack，sittingunderthewaggon。
　　“No；but…Lihatchev—Ibelievethat’syourname，eh？YouknowIhaveonlyjustcomeback。WehavebeencallingontheFrench。”AndPetyagavetheCossackadetailedaccount，notonlyofhisadventure，butalsoofhisreasonsforgoing，andwhyhethoughtitbettertoriskhislifethantodothingsinahaphazardway。
　　“Well，youmustbesleepy；getalittlesleep，”saidtheCossack。
　　“No，Iamusedtoit，”answeredPetya。“Andhowaretheflintsinourpistols—notwornout？Ibroughtsomewithme。Don’tyouwantany？Dotakesome。”
　　TheCossackpoppedoutfromunderthewaggontotakeacloserlookatPetya。
　　“For，yousee，Iliketodoeverythingcarefully，”saidPetya。“Somemen，youknow，leavethingstochance，anddon’thavethingsready，andthentheyregretit。Idon’tlikethat。”
　　“No，tobesure，”saidtheCossack。
　　“Oh，andanotherthing，please，mydearfellow，sharpenmysabreforme；Ihaveblunt…”（butPetyacouldnotbringoutalie）…“ithasneverbeensharpened。Canyoudothat？”
　　“TobesureIcan。”
　　Lihatchevstoodup，andrummagedinthebaggage，andPetyastoodandheardthemartialsoundofsteelandwhetstone。Heclamberedontothewaggon，andsatontheedgeofit。TheCossacksharpenedthesabrebelow。
　　“Aretheotherbravefellowsasleep？”saidPetya。
　　“Someareasleep，andsomeareawake，likeus。”
　　“Andwhatabouttheboy？”
　　“Vesenny？He’slyingyonderinthehay。He’ssleepingwellafterhisfright。Hewassopleased。”
　　ForalongwhileafterthatPetyasatquiet，listeningtothesounds。Therewasasoundoffootstepsinthedarkness，andadarkfigureappeared。
　　“Whatareyousharpening？”askedamancominguptothewaggon。
　　“Asabreforthegentlemanhere。”
　　“That’sagoodthing，”saidtheman，whoseemedtoPetyatobeanhussar。“Wasthecupleftwithyouhere？”
　　“It’syonderbythewheel。”Thehussartookthecup。“Itwillsoonbedaylight，”headded，yawning，ashewalkedoff。
　　Petyamust，onewouldsuppose，haveknownthathewasinawood，withDenisov’sbandofirregulars，averstfromtheroad；thathewassittingonawaggoncapturedfromtheFrench；thattherewerehorsesfastenedtoit；thatunderitwassittingtheCossackLihatchevsharpeninghissabre；thatthebig，blackblurontherightwasthehut，andthered，brightglowbelowontheleftthedyingcamp—fire；thatthemanwhohadcomeforthecupwasanhussarwhowasthirsty。ButPetyaknewnothingofallthat，andrefusedtoknowit。Hewasinafairyland，inwhichnothingwaslikethereality。Thebigpatchofshadowmightbeahutcertainly，butitmightbeacaveleadingdownintotheverydepthsoftheearth。Theredpatchmightbeafire，butitmightbetheeyeofahugemonster。Perhapshereallywassittingnowonawaggon，butverylikelyhewassittingnotonawaggon，butonafearfullyhightower，andifhefelloff，hewouldgoonflyingtotheearthforawholeday，forawholemonth—flyandflyforeverandneverreachit。PerhapsitwassimplytheCossackLihatchevsittingunderthewaggon；butverylikelyitwasthekindest，bravest，mostwonderfulandsplendidmanintheworldwhomnooneknewof。Perhapsitreallywasanhussarwhohadcomeforwaterandgoneintothehollow；butperhapshehadjustvanished，vanishedaltogetherandwasnomore。
　　WhateverPetyahadseennow，itwouldnothavesurprisedhim。Hewasinalandoffairies，whereeverythingwaspossible。
　　Hegazedatthesky。Theskytoowasanenchantedrealmliketheearth。Ithadbeguntoclear，andthecloudswerescuddingoverthetree—tops，asthoughunveilingthestars。Attimesitseemedasthoughtheyweresweptaway，andtherewereglimpsesofclear，blackskybetweenthem。Attimestheseblackpatcheslookedlikestorm—clouds。Attimestheskyseemedtorisehigh，highoverhead，andthenagaintobedroppingdownsothatonecouldreachitwiththehand。