BK2CH11
　　CHAPTERXI
　　Nextdayhewokelate。Recallinghisrecentimpressions，thefirstthoughtthatcameintohismindwasthattodayhehadtobepresentedtotheEmperorFrancis；herememberedtheMinisterofWar，thepoliteAustrianadjutant，Bilibin，andlastnight’sconversation。Havingdressedforhisattendanceatcourtinfullparadeuniform，whichhehadnotwornforalongtime，hewentintoBilibin’sstudyfresh，animated，andhandsome，withhishandbandaged。
　　Inthestudywerefourgentlemenofthediplomaticcorps。WithPrinceHippolyteKuragin，whowasasecretarytotheembassy，Bolkonskiwasalreadyacquainted。Bilibinintroducedhimtotheothers。
　　ThegentlemenassembledatBilibin’swereyoung，wealthy，gaysocietymen，whohere，asinVienna，formedaspecialsetwhichBilibin，theirleader，calledlesnotres。*Thisset，consistingalmostexclusivelyofdiplomats，evidentlyhaditsowninterestswhichhadnothingtodowithwarorpoliticsbutrelatedtohighsociety，tocertainwomen，andtotheofficialsideoftheservice。ThesegentlemenreceivedPrinceAndrewasoneofthemselves，anhonortheydidnotextendtomany。Frompolitenessandtostartconversation，theyaskedhimafewquestionsaboutthearmyandthebattle，andthenthetalkwentoffintomerryjestsandgossip。
　　*Ours。
　　"Butthebestofitwas，"saidone，tellingofthemisfortuneofafellowdiplomat，"thattheChancellortoldhimflatlythathisappointmenttoLondonwasapromotionandthathewassotoregardit。
　　Canyoufancythefigurehecut？……"
　　"Buttheworstofit，gentlemen—IamgivingKuraginawaytoyou—isthatthatmansuffers，andthisDonJuan，wickedfellow，istakingadvantageofit！"
　　PrinceHippolytewaslollinginaloungechairwithhislegsoveritsarm。Hebegantolaugh。
　　"Tellmeaboutthat！"hesaid。
　　"Oh，youDonJuan！Youserpent！"criedseveralvoices。
　　"You，Bolkonski，don’tknow，"saidBilibinturningtoPrinceAndrew，"thatalltheatrocitiesoftheFrencharmyInearlysaidoftheRussianarmyarenothingcomparedtowhatthismanhasbeendoingamongthewomen！"
　　"Lafemmeestlacompagnedel’homme，"*announcedPrinceHippolyte，andbeganlookingthroughalorgnetteathiselevatedlegs。
　　*"Womanisman’scompanion。"
　　Bilibinandtherestof"ours"burstoutlaughinginHippolyte’sface，andPrinceAndrewsawthatHippolyte，ofwhom—hehadtoadmit—hehadalmostbeenjealousonhiswife’saccount，wasthebuttofthisset。
　　"Oh，Imustgiveyouatreat，"BilibinwhisperedtoBolkonski。
　　"Kuraginisexquisitewhenhediscussespolitics—youshouldseehisgravity！"
　　HesatdownbesideHippolyteandwrinklinghisforeheadbegantalkingtohimaboutpolitics。PrinceAndrewandtheothersgatheredroundthesetwo。
　　"TheBerlincabinetcannotexpressafeelingofalliance，"beganHippolytegazingroundwithimportanceattheothers，"withoutexpressing……asinitslastnote……youunderstand……Besides，unlessHisMajestytheEmperorderogatesfromtheprincipleofouralliance……
　　"Wait，Ihavenotfinished……"hesaidtoPrinceAndrew，seizinghimbythearm，"Ibelievethatinterventionwillbestrongerthannonintervention。And……"hepaused。"FinallyonecannotimputethenonreceiptofourdispatchofNovember18。Thatishowitwillend。"
　　AndhereleasedBolkonski’sarmtoindicatethathehadnowquitefinished。
　　"Demosthenes，Iknowtheebythepebblethousecretestinthygoldenmouth！"saidBilibin，andthemopofhaironhisheadmovedwithsatisfaction。
　　Everybodylaughed，andHippolytelouderthananyone。Hewasevidentlydistressed，andbreathedpainfully，butcouldnotrestrainthewildlaughterthatconvulsedhisusuallyimpassivefeatures。
　　"Wellnow，gentlemen，"saidBilibin，"BolkonskiismyguestinthishouseandinBrunnitself。IwanttoentertainhimasfarasI
　　can，withallthepleasuresoflifehere。IfwewereinViennaitwouldbeeasy，buthere，inthiswretchedMoravianhole，itismoredifficult，andIbegyoualltohelpme。Brunn’sattractionsmustbeshownhim。Youcanundertakethetheater，Isociety，andyou，Hippolyte，ofcoursethewomen。"
　　"WemustlethimseeAmelie，she’sexquisite！"saidoneof"ours，"
　　kissinghisfingertips。
　　"Ingeneralwemustturnthisbloodthirstysoldiertomorehumaneinterests，"saidBilibin。
　　"Ishallscarcelybeabletoavailmyselfofyourhospitality，gentlemen，itisalreadytimeformetogo，"repliedPrinceAndrewlookingathiswatch。
　　"Whereto？"
　　"TotheEmperor。"
　　"Oh！Oh！Oh！"Well，aurevoir，Bolkonski！Aurevoir，Prince！Comebackearlytodinner，"criedseveralvoices。"We’lltakeyouinhand。"
　　"WhenspeakingtotheEmperor，tryasfarasyoucantopraisethewaythatprovisionsaresuppliedandtheroutesindicated，"saidBilibin，accompanyinghimtothehall。
　　"Ishouldliketospeakwellofthem，butasfarasIthefacts，I
　　can’t，"repliedBolkonski，smiling。
　　"Well，talkasmuchasyoucan，anyway。Hehasapassionforgivingaudiences，buthedoesnotliketalkinghimselfandcan’tdoit，asyouwillsee。"
　　BK2CH12
　　CHAPTERXII
　　AttheleveePrinceAndrewstoodamongtheAustrianofficersashehadbeentoldto，andtheEmperorFrancismerelylookedfixedlyintohisfaceandjustnoddedtohimwithtohimwithhislonghead。Butafteritwasover，theadjutanthehadseenthepreviousdayceremoniouslyinformedBolkonskithattheEmperordesiredtogivehimanaudience。TheEmperorFrancisreceivedhimstandinginthemiddleoftheroom。BeforetheconversationbeganPrinceAndrewwasstruckbythefactthattheEmperorseemedconfusedandblushedasifnotknowingwhattosay。
　　"Tellme，whendidthebattlebegin？"heaskedhurriedly。
　　PrinceAndrewreplied。Thenfollowedotherquestionsjustassimple：
　　"WasKutuzovwell？WhenhadheleftKrems？"andsoon。TheEmperorspokeasifhissoleaimweretoputagivennumberofquestions—
　　theanswerstothesequestions，aswasonlytooevident，didnotinteresthim。
　　"Atwhato’clockdidthebattlebegin？"askedtheEmperor。
　　"IcannotinformYourMajestyatwhato’clockthebattlebeganatthefront，butatDurrenstein，whereIwas，ourattackbeganafterfiveintheafternoon，"repliedBolkonskigrowingmoreanimatedandexpectingthathewouldhaveachancetogiveareliableaccount，whichhehadreadyinhismind，ofallheknewandhadseen。ButtheEmperorsmiledandinterruptedhim。
　　"Howmanymiles？"
　　"Fromwheretowhere，YourMajesty？"
　　"FromDurrensteintoKrems。"
　　"Threeandahalfmiles，YourMajesty。"
　　"TheFrenchhaveabandonedtheleftbank？"
　　"Accordingtothescoutsthelastofthemcrossedonraftsduringthenight。"
　　"IstheresufficientforageinKrems？"
　　"Foragehasnotbeensuppliedtotheextent……"
　　TheEmperorinterruptedhim。
　　"Atwhato’clockwasGeneralSchmidtkilled？"
　　"Atseveno’clock，Ibelieve。"
　　"Atseveno’clock？It’sverysad，verysad！"
　　TheEmperorthankedPrinceAndrewandbowed。PrinceAndrewwithdrewandwasimmediatelysurroundedbycourtiersonallsides。
　　Everywherehesawfriendlylooksandheardfriendlywords。Yesterday’sadjutantreproachedhimfornothavingstayedatthepalace，andofferedhimhisownhouse。TheMinisterofWarcameupandcongratulatedhimontheMariaTheresaOrderofthethirdgrade，whichtheEmperorwasconferringonhim。TheEmpress’chamberlaininvitedhimtoseeHerMajesty。Thearchduchessalsowishedtoseehim。Hedidnotknowwhomtoanswer，andforafewsecondscollectedhisthoughts。
　　ThentheRussianambassadortookhimbytheshoulder，ledhimtothewindow，andbegantotalktohim。
　　ContrarytoBilibin’sforecastthenewshehadbroughtwasjoyfullyreceived。Athanksgivingservicewasarranged，KutuzovwasawardedtheGrandCrossofMariaTheresa，andthewholearmyreceivedrewards。Bolkonskiwasinvitedeverywhere，andhadtospendthewholemorningcallingontheprincipalAustriandignitaries。
　　Betweenfourandfiveintheafternoon，havingmadeallhiscalls，hewasreturningtoBilibin’shousethinkingoutalettertohisfatheraboutthebattleandhisvisittoBrunn。Atthedoorhefoundavehiclehalffullofluggage。Franz，Bilibin’sman，wasdraggingaportmanteauwithsomedifficultyoutofthefrontdoor。
　　BeforereturningtoBilibin’sPrinceAndrewhadgonetobookshoptoprovidehimselfwithsomebooksforthecampaign，andhadspentsometimeintheshop。
　　"Whatisit？"heasked。
　　"Oh，yourexcellency！"saidFranz，withdifficultyrollingtheportmanteauintothevehicle，"wearetomoveonstillfarther。Thescoundrelisagainatourheels！"
　　"Eh？What？"askedPrinceAndrew。
　　Bilibincameouttomeethim。Hisusuallycalmfaceshowedexcitement。
　　"Therenow！Confessthatthisisdelightful，"saidhe。"ThisaffairoftheThaborBridge，atVienna……Theyhavecrossedwithoutstrikingablow！"
　　PrinceAndrewcouldnotunderstand。
　　"Butwheredoyoucomefromnottoknowwhateverycoachmaninthetownknows？"
　　"Icomefromthearchduchess’。Iheardnothingthere。"
　　"Andyoudidn’tseethateverybodyispackingup？"
　　"Ididnot……Whatisitallabout？"inquiredPrinceAndrewimpatiently。
　　"What’sitallabout？Why，theFrenchhavecrossedthebridgethatAuerspergwasdefending，andthebridgewasnotblownup：soMuratisnowrushingalongtheroadtoBrunnandwillbehereinadayortwo。"
　　"What？Here？Butwhydidtheynotblowupthebridge，ifitwasmined？"
　　"ThatiswhatIaskyou。Noone，notevenBonaparte，knowswhy。"
　　Bolkonskishruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Butifthebridgeiscrosseditmeansthatthearmytooislost？Itwillbecutoff，"saidhe。
　　"That’sjustit，"answeredBilibin。"Listen！TheFrenchenteredViennaasItoldyou。Verywell。Nextday，whichwasyesterday，thosegentlemen，messieurslesmarechaux，*Murat，Lannes，andBelliard，mountandridetobridge。ObservethatallthreeareGascons。
　　’Gentlemen，’saysoneofthem，’youknowtheThaborBridgeisminedanddoublyminedandthattherearemenacingfortificationsatitsheadandanarmyoffifteenthousandmenhasbeenorderedtoblowupthebridgeandnotletuscross？ButitwillpleaseoursovereigntheEmperorNapoleonifwetakethisbridge，soletusthreegoandtakeit！’’Yes，let’s！’saytheothers。Andofftheygoandtakethebridge，crossit，andnowwiththeirwholearmyareonthissideoftheDanube，marchingonus，you，andyourlinesofcommunication。"
　　*Themarshalls。
　　"Stopjesting，"saidPrinceAndrewsadlyandseriously。Thisnewsgrievedhimandyethewaspleased。
　　AssoonashelearnedthattheRussianarmywasinsuchahopelesssituationitoccurredtohimthatitwashewhowasdestinedtoleaditoutofthisposition；thatherewastheToulonthatwouldlifthimfromtheranksofobscureofficersandofferhimthefirststeptofame！ListeningtoBilibinhewasalreadyimagininghowonreachingthearmyhewouldgiveanopinionatthewarcouncilwhichwouldbetheonlyonethatcouldsavethearmy，andhowhealonewouldbeentrustedwiththeexecutingoftheplan。
　　"Stopthisjesting，"hesaid"Iamnotjesting，"Bilibinwenton。"Nothingistruerorsadder。
　　Thesegentlemenrideontothebridgealoneandwavewhitehandkerchiefs；theyassuretheofficerondutythatthey，themarshals，areontheirwaytonegotiatewithPrinceAuersperg。Heletsthementerthetete—de—pont。*Theyspinhimathousandgasconades，sayingthatthewarisover，thattheEmperorFrancisisarrangingameetingwithBonaparte，thattheydesiretoseePrinceAuersperg，andsoon。TheofficersendsforAuersperg；thesegentlemenembracetheofficers，crackjokes，sitonthecannon，andmeanwhileaFrenchbattaliongetstothebridgeunobserved，flingsthebagsofincendiarymaterialintothewater，andapproachesthetete—de—pont。Atlengthappearsthelieutenantgeneral，ourdearPrinceAuerspergvonMauternhimself。’Dearestfoe！FloweroftheAustrianarmy，herooftheTurkishwarsHostilitiesareended，wecanshakeoneanother’shand……TheEmperorNapoleonburnswithimpatiencetomakePrinceAuersperg’sacquaintance。’Inaword，thosegentlemen，Gasconsindeed，sobewilderedhimwithfinewords，andheissoflatteredbyhisrapidlyestablishedintimacywiththeFrenchmarshals，andsodazzledbythesightofMurat’smantleandostrichplumes，qu’iln’yvoitquedufeu，etoublieceluiqu’ildevaitfairefairesurl’ennemi！"*[2]Inspiteoftheanimationofhisspeech，Bilibindidnotforgettopauseafterthismottogivetimeforitsdueappreciation。"TheFrenchbattalionrushestothebridgehead，spikestheguns，andthebridgeistaken！Butwhatisbestofall，"hewenton，hisexcitementsubsidingunderthedelightfulinterestofhisownstory，"isthatthesergeantinchargeofthecannonwhichwastogivethesignaltofiretheminesandblowupthebridge，thissergeant，seeingthattheFrenchtroopswererunningontothebridge，wasabouttofire，butLannesstayedhishand。Thesergeant，whowasevidentlywiserthanhisgeneral，goesuptoAuerspergandsays：’Prince，youarebeingdeceived，herearetheFrench！’Murat，seeingthatallislostifthesergeantisallowedtospeak，turnstoAuerspergwithfeignedastonishmentheisatrueGasconandsays：
　　’Idon’trecognizetheworld—famousAustriandiscipline，ifyouallowasubordinatetoaddressyoulikethat！’Itwasastrokeofgenius。PrinceAuerspergfeelshisdignityatstakeandordersthesergeanttobearrested。Come，youmustownthatthisaffairoftheThaborBridgeisdelightful！Itisnotexactlystupidity，norrascality……"
　　*Bridgehead。
　　*[2]Thattheirfiregetsintohiseyesandheforgetsthatheoughttobefiringattheenemy。
　　"Itmaybetreachery，"saidPrinceAndrew，vividlyimaginingthegrayovercoats，wounds，thesmokeofgunpowder，thesoundsoffiring，andtheglorythatawaitedhim。
　　"Notthateither。Thatputsthecourtintoobadalight，"repliedBilibin。"It’snottreacherynorrascalitynorstupidity：itisjustasatUlm……itis……"—heseemedtobetryingtofindtherightexpression。"C’est……c’estduMack。Noussommesmackes[Itis……itisabitofMack。WeareMacked]，"heconcluded，feelingthathehadproducedagoodepigram，afreshonethatwouldberepeated。Hishithertopuckeredbrowbecamesmoothasasignofpleasure，andwithaslightsmilehebegantoexaminehisnails。
　　"Whereareyouoffto？"hesaidsuddenlytoPrinceAndrewwhohadrisenandwasgoingtowardhisroom。
　　"Iamgoingaway。"
　　"Whereto？"
　　"Tothearmy。"
　　"Butyoumeanttostayanothertwodays？"
　　"ButnowIamoffatonce。"
　　AndPrinceAndrewaftergivingdirectionsabouthisdeparturewenttohisroom。
　　"Doyouknow，moncher，"saidBilibinfollowinghim，"Ihavebeenthinkingaboutyou。Whyareyougoing？"
　　Andinproofoftheconclusivenessofhisopinionallthewrinklesvanishedfromhisface。
　　PrinceAndrewlookedinquiringlyathimandgavenoreply。
　　"Whyareyougoing？Iknowyouthinkityourdutytogallopbacktothearmynowthatitisindanger。Iunderstandthat。Moncher，itisheroism！"
　　"Notatall，"saidPrinceAndrew。
　　"Butasyouareaphilosopher，beaconsistentone，lookattheothersideofthequestionandyouwillseethatyourduty，onthecontrary，istotakecareofyourself。Leaveittothosewhoarenolongerfitforanythingelse……Youhavenotbeenorderedtoreturnandhavenotbeendismissedfromhere；therefore，youcanstayandgowithuswhereverourilllucktakesus。TheysaywearegoingtoOlmutz，andOlmutzisaverydecenttown。YouandIwilltravelcomfortablyinmycaleche。"
　　"Dostopjoking，Bilibin，"criedBolkonski。
　　"Iamspeakingsincerelyasafriend！Consider！Whereandwhyareyougoing，whenyoumightremainhere？Youarefacedbyoneoftwothings，"andtheskinoverhislefttemplepuckered，"eitheryouwillnotreachyourregimentbeforepeaceisconcluded，oryouwillsharedefeatanddisgracewithKutuzov’swholearmy。"
　　AndBilibinunwrinkledhistemple，feelingthatthedilemmawasinsoluble。
　　"Icannotargueaboutit，"repliedPrinceAndrewcoldly，buthethought："Iamgoingtosavethearmy。"
　　"Mydearfellow，youareahero！"saidBilibin。
　　BK2CH13
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　Thatsamenight，havingtakenleaveoftheMinisterofWar，Bolkonskisetofftorejointhearmy，notknowingwherehewouldfinditandfearingtobecapturedbytheFrenchonthewaytoKrems。
　　InBrunneverybodyattachedtothecourtwaspackingup，andtheheavybaggagewasalreadybeingdispatchedtoOlmutz。NearHetzelsdorfPrinceAndrewstruckthehighroadalongwhichtheRussianarmywasmovingwithgreathasteandinthegreatestdisorder。Theroadwassoobstructedwithcartsthatitwasimpossibletogetbyinacarriage。PrinceAndrewtookahorseandaCossackfromaCossackcommander，andhungryandweary，makinghiswaypastthebaggagewagons，rodeinsearchofthecommanderinchiefandofhisownluggage。Verysinisterreportsofthepositionofthearmyreachedhimashewentalong，andtheappearanceofthetroopsintheirdisorderlyflightconfirmedtheserumors。
　　"Cettearmeerussequel’ordel’Angleterreatransporteedesextremitesdel’univers，nousallonsluifaireeprouverlememesort—lesortdel’armeed’Ulm。"*HerememberedthesewordsinBonaparte’saddresstohisarmyatthebeginningofthecampaign，andtheyawokeinhimastonishmentatthegeniusofhishero，afeelingofwoundedpride，andahopeofglory。"Andshouldtherebenothingleftbuttodie？"hethought。"Well，ifneedbe，Ishalldoitnoworsethanothers。"
　　*"ThatRussianarmywhichhasbeenbroughtfromtheendsoftheearthbyEnglishgold，weshallcausetosharethesamefate—thefateofthearmyatUlm。"
　　Helookedwithdisdainattheendlessconfusedmassofdetachments，carts，guns，artillery，andagainbaggagewagonsandvehiclesofallkindsovertakingoneanotherandblockingthemuddyroad，threeandsometimesfourabreast。Fromallsides，behindandbefore，asfarasearcouldreach，thereweretherattleofwheels，thecreakingofcartsandguncarriages，thetrampofhorses，thecrackofwhips，shouts，theurgingofhorses，andtheswearingofsoldiers，orderlies，andofficers。Allalongthesidesoftheroadfallenhorsesweretobeseen，someflayed，somenot，andbroken—downcartsbesidewhichsolitarysoldierssatwaitingforsomething，andagainsoldiersstragglingfromtheircompanies，crowdsofwhomsetofftotheneighboringvillages，orreturnedfromthemdraggingsheep，fowls，hay，andbulgingsacks。Ateachascentordescentoftheroadthecrowdswereyetdenserandthedinofshoutingmoreincessant。Soldiersflounderingknee—deepinmudpushedthegunsandwagonsthemselves。Whipscracked，hoofsslipped，tracesbroke，andlungswerestrainedwithshouting。Theofficersdirectingthemarchrodebackwardandforwardbetweenthecarts。Theirvoiceswerebutfeeblyheardamidtheuproarandonesawbytheirfacesthattheydespairedofthepossibilityofcheckingthisdisorder。
　　"HereisourdearOrthodoxRussianarmy，"thoughtBolkonski，recallingBilibin’swords。
　　Wishingtofindoutwherethecommanderinchiefwas，herodeuptoaconvoy。Directlyoppositetohimcameastrangeone—horsevehicle，evidentlyriggedupbysoldiersoutofanyavailablematerialsandlookinglikesomethingbetweenacart，acabriolet，andacaleche。Asoldierwasdriving，andawomanenvelopedinshawlssatbehindtheapronundertheleatherhoodofthevehicle。
　　PrinceAndrewrodeupandwasjustputtinghisquestiontoasoldierwhenhisattentionwasdivertedbythedesperateshrieksofthewomaninthevehicle。Anofficerinchargeoftransportwasbeatingthesoldierwhowasdrivingthewoman’svehiclefortryingtogetaheadofothers，andthestrokesofhiswhipfellontheapronoftheequipage。Thewomanscreamedpiercingly。SeeingPrinceAndrewsheleanedoutfrombehindtheapronand，wavingherthinarmsfromunderthewoolenshawl，cried：
　　"Mr。Aide—de—camp！Mr。Aide—de—camp！……Forheaven’ssake……Protectme！Whatwillbecomeofus？IamthewifeofthedoctoroftheSeventhChasseurs……Theywon’tletuspass，weareleftbehindandhavelostourpeople……"
　　"I’llflattenyouintoapancake！"shoutedtheangryofficertothesoldier。"Turnbackwithyourslut！"
　　"Mr。Aide—de—camp！Helpme！……Whatdoesitallmean？"screamedthedoctor’swife。
　　"Kindlyletthiscartpass。Don’tyouseeit’sawoman？"saidPrinceAndrewridinguptotheofficer。
　　Theofficerglancedathim，andwithoutreplyingturnedagaintothesoldier。"I’llteachyoutopushon！……Back！"
　　"Letthempass，Itellyou！"repeatedPrinceAndrew，compressinghislips。
　　"Andwhoareyou？"criedtheofficer，turningonhimwithtipsyrage，"whoareyou？Areyouincommandhere？Eh？Iamcommanderhere，notyou！GobackorI’llflattenyouintoapancake，"repeatedhe。Thisexpressionevidentlypleasedhim。
　　"Thatwasanicesnubforthelittleaide—de—camp，"cameavoicefrombehind。
　　PrinceAndrewsawthattheofficerwasinthatstateofsenseless，tipsyragewhenamandoesnotknowwhatheissaying。Hesawthathischampionshipofthedoctor’swifeinherqueertrapmightexposehimtowhathedreadedmorethananythingintheworld—toridicule；buthisinstincturgedhimon。BeforetheofficerfinishedhissentencePrinceAndrew，hisfacedistortedwithfury，rodeuptohimandraisedhisridingwhip。
　　"Kind……lylet—them—pass！"
　　Theofficerflourishedhisarmandhastilyrodeaway。
　　"It’sallthefaultofthesefellowsonthestaffthatthere’sthisdisorder，"hemuttered。"Doasyoulike。"
　　PrinceAndrewwithoutliftinghiseyesrodehastilyawayfromthedoctor’swife，whowascallinghimherdeliverer，andrecallingwithasenseofdisgusttheminutestdetailsofthishumiliatingscenehegallopedontothevillagewherehewastoldthatthecommanderinchiefwas。
　　Onreachingthevillagehedismountedandwenttothenearesthouse，intendingtorestifbutforamoment，eatsomething，andtrytosortoutthestingingandtormentingthoughtsthatconfusedhismind。"Thisisamobofscoundrelsandnotanarmy，"hewasthinkingashewentuptothewindowofthefirsthouse，whenafamiliarvoicecalledhimbyname。
　　Heturnedround。Nesvitski’shandsomefacelookedoutofthelittlewindow。Nesvitski，movinghismoistlipsashechewedsomething，andflourishinghisarm，calledhimtoenter。
　　"Bolkonski！Bolkonski！……Don’tyouhear？Eh？Comequick……"heshouted。
　　Enteringthehouse，PrinceAndrewsawNesvitskiandanotheradjutanthavingsomethingtoeat。Theyhastilyturnedroundtohimaskingifhehadanynews。Ontheirfamiliarfaceshereadagitationandalarm。
　　ThiswasparticularlynoticeableonNesvitski’susuallylaughingcountenance。
　　"Whereisthecommanderinchief？"askedBolkonski。
　　"Here，inthathouse，"answeredtheadjutant。
　　"Well，isittruethatit’speaceandcapitulation？"askedNesvitski。
　　"Iwasgoingtoaskyou。IknownothingexceptthatitwasallI
　　coulddotogethere。"
　　"Andwe，mydearboy！It’sterrible！IwaswrongtolaughatMack，we’regettingitstillworse，"saidNesvitski。"Butsitdownandhavesomethingtoeat。"
　　"Youwon’tbeabletofindeitheryourbaggageoranythingelsenow，Prince。AndGodonlyknowswhereyourmanPeteris，"saidtheotheradjutant。
　　"Whereareheadquarters？"
　　"WearetospendthenightinZnaim。"
　　"Well，IhavegotallIneedintopacksfortwohorses，"saidNesvitski。"They’vemadeupsplendidpacksforme—fittocrosstheBohemianmountainswith。It’sabadlookout，oldfellow！Butwhat’sthematterwithyou？Youmustbeilltoshiverlikethat，"headded，noticingthatPrinceAndrewwincedasatanelectricshock。
　　"It’snothing，"repliedPrinceAndrew。
　　Hehadjustrememberedhisrecentencounterwiththedoctor’swifeandtheconvoyofficer。
　　"Whatisthecommanderinchiefdoinghere？"heasked。
　　"Ican’tmakeoutatall，"saidNesvitski。
　　"Well，allIcanmakeoutisthateverythingisabominable，abominable，quiteabominable！"saidPrinceAndrew，andhewentofftothehousewherethecommanderinchiefwas。
　　PassingbyKutuzov’scarriageandtheexhaustedsaddlehorsesofhissuite，withtheirCossackswhoweretalkingloudlytogether，PrinceAndrewenteredthepassage。Kutuzovhimself，hewastold，wasinthehousewithPrinceBagrationandWeyrother。WeyrotherwastheAustriangeneralwhohadsucceededSchmidt。InthepassagelittleKozlovskiwassquattingonhisheelsinfrontofaclerk。Theclerk，withcuffsturnedup，washastilywritingatatubturnedbottomupwards。Kozlovski’sfacelookedworn—hetoohadevidentlynotsleptallnight。HeglancedatPrinceAndrewanddidnotevennodtohim。
　　"Secondline……haveyouwrittenit？"hecontinueddictatingtotheclerk。"TheKievGrenadiers，Podolian……"
　　"Onecan’twritesofast，yourhonor，"saidtheclerk，glancingangrilyanddisrespectfullyatKozlovski。
　　ThroughthedoorcamethesoundsofKutuzov’svoice，excitedanddissatisfied，interruptedbyanother，anunfamiliarvoice。Fromthesoundofthesevoices，theinattentivewayKozlovskilookedathim，thedisrespectfulmanneroftheexhaustedclerk，thefactthattheclerkandKozlovskiweresquattingonthefloorbyatubsoneartothecommanderinchief，andfromthenoisylaughteroftheCossacksholdingthehorsesnearthewindow，PrinceAndrewfeltthatsomethingimportantanddisastrouswasabouttohappen。
　　HeturnedtoKozlovskiwithurgentquestions。
　　"Immediately，Prince，"saidKozlovski。"DispositionsforBagration。"
　　"Whataboutcapitulation？"
　　"Nothingofthesort。Ordersareissuedforabattle。"
　　PrinceAndrewmovedtowardthedoorfromwhencevoiceswereheard。
　　Justashewasgoingtoopenitthesoundsceased，thedooropened，andKutuzovwithhiseaglenoseandpuffyfaceappearedinthedoorway。PrinceAndrewstoodrightinfrontofKutuzovbuttheexpressionofthecommanderinchief’sonesoundeyeshowedhimtobesopreoccupiedwiththoughtsandanxietiesastobeobliviousofhispresence。Helookedstraightathisadjutant’sfacewithoutrecognizinghim。
　　"Well，haveyoufinished？"saidhetoKozlovski。
　　"Onemoment，yourexcellency。"
　　Bagration，agauntmiddle—agedmanofmediumheightwithafirm，impassivefaceofOrientaltype，cameoutafterthecommanderinchief。
　　"Ihavethehonortopresentmyself，"repeatedPrinceAndrewratherloudly，handingKutuzovanenvelope。
　　Ah，fromVienna？Verygood。Later，later！"
　　KutuzovwentoutintotheporchwithBagration。
　　"Well，good—by，Prince，"saidhetoBagration。"Myblessing，andmayChristbewithyouinyourgreatendeavor！"
　　Hisfacesuddenlysoftenedandtearscameintohiseyes。WithhislefthandhedrewBagrationtowardhim，andwithhisright，onwhichheworearing，hemadethesignofthecrossoverhimwithagestureevidentlyhabitual，offeringhispuffycheek，butBagrationkissedhimontheneckinstead。
　　"Christbewithyou！"Kutuzovrepeatedandwenttowardhiscarriage。
　　"Getinwithme，"saidhetoBolkonski。
　　"Yourexcellency，Ishouldliketobeofusehere。AllowmetoremainwithPrinceBagration’sdetachment。"
　　"Getin，"saidKutuzov，andnoticingthatBolkonskistilldelayed，headded："Ineedgoodofficersmyself，needthemmyself！"
　　Theygotintothecarriageanddroveforafewminutesinsilence。
　　"Thereisstillmuch，muchbeforeus，"hesaid，asifwithanoldman’spenetrationheunderstoodallthatwaspassinginBolkonski’smind。"IfatenthpartofhisdetachmentreturnsIshallthankGod，"
　　headdedasifspeakingtohimself。
　　PrinceAndrewglancedatKutuzov’sfaceonlyafootdistantfromhimandinvoluntarilynoticedthecarefullywashedseamsofthescarnearhistemple，whereanIsmailbullethadpiercedhisskull，andtheemptyeyesocket。"Yes，hehasarighttospeaksocalmlyofthosemen’sdeath，"thoughtBolkonski。
　　"ThatiswhyIbegtobesenttothatdetachment，"hesaid。
　　Kutuzovdidnotreply。Heseemedtohaveforgottenwhathehadbeensaying，andsatplungedinthought。Fiveminuteslater，gentlyswayingonthesoftspringsofthecarriage，heturnedtoPrinceAndrew。Therewasnotatraceofagitationonhisface。WithdelicateironyhequestionedPrinceAndrewaboutthedetailsofhisinterviewwiththeEmperor，abouttheremarkshehadheardatcourtconcerningtheKremsaffair，andaboutsomeladiestheybothknew。
　　BK2CH14
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　OnNovember1Kutuzovhadreceived，throughaspy，newsthatthearmyhecommandedwasinanalmosthopelessposition。ThespyreportedthattheFrench，aftercrossingthebridgeatVienna，wereadvancinginimmenseforceuponKutuzov’slineofcommunicationwiththetroopsthatwerearrivingfromRussia。IfKutuzovdecidedtoremainatKrems，Napoleon’sarmyofonehundredandfiftythousandmenwouldcuthimoffcompletelyandsurroundhisexhaustedarmyoffortythousand，andhewouldfindhimselfinthepositionofMackatUlm。IfKutuzovdecidedtoabandontheroadconnectinghimwiththetroopsarrivingfromRussia，hewouldhavetomarchwithnoroadintounknownpartsoftheBohemianmountains，defendinghimselfagainstsuperiorforcesoftheenemyandabandoningallhopeofajunctionwithBuxhowden。IfKutuzovdecidedtoretreatalongtheroadfromKremstoOlmutz，tounitewiththetroopsarrivingfromRussia，heriskedbeingforestalledonthatroadbytheFrenchwhohadcrossedtheViennabridge，andencumberedbyhisbaggageandtransport，havingtoacceptbattleonthemarchagainstanenemythreetimesasstrong，whowouldhemhiminfromtwosides。
　　Kutuzovchosethislattercourse。
　　TheFrench，thespyreported，havingcrossedtheViennabridge，wereadvancingbyforcedmarchestowardZnaim，whichlaysixty—sixmilesoffonthelineofKutuzov’sretreat。IfhereachedZnaimbeforetheFrench，therewouldbegreathopeofsavingthearmy；tolettheFrenchforestallhimatZnaimmeanttheexposureofhiswholearmytoadisgracesuchasthatofUlm，ortoutterdestruction。ButtoforestalltheFrenchwithhiswholearmywasimpossible。TheroadfortheFrenchfromViennatoZnaimwasshorterandbetterthantheroadfortheRussiansfromKremstoZnaim。
　　Thenighthereceivedthenews，KutuzovsentBagration’svanguard，fourthousandstrong，totherightacrossthehillsfromtheKrems—ZnaimtotheVienna—Znaimroad。Bagrationwastomakethismarchwithoutresting，andtohaltfacingViennawithZnaimtohisrear，andifhesucceededinforestallingtheFrenchhewastodelaythemaslongaspossible。KutuzovhimselfwithallhistransporttooktheroadtoZnaim。
　　Marchingthirtymilesthatstormynightacrossroadlesshills，withhishungry，ill—shodsoldiers，andlosingathirdofhismenasstragglersbytheway，BagrationcameoutontheVienna—ZnaimroadatHollabrunnafewhoursaheadoftheFrenchwhowereapproachingHollabrunnfromVienna。KutuzovwithhistransporthadstilltomarchforsomedaysbeforehecouldreachZnaim。HenceBagrationwithhisfourthousandhungry，exhaustedmenwouldhavetodetainfordaysthewholeenemyarmythatcameuponhimatHollabrunn，whichwasclearlyimpossible。Butafreakoffatemadetheimpossiblepossible。ThesuccessofthetrickthathadplacedtheViennabridgeinthehandsoftheFrenchwithoutafightledMurattotrytodeceiveKutuzovinasimilarway。MeetingBagration’sweakdetachmentontheZnaimroadhesupposedittobeKutuzov’swholearmy。TobeabletocrushitabsolutelyheawaitedthearrivaloftherestofthetroopswhowereontheirwayfromVienna，andwiththisobjectofferedathreedays’truceonconditionthatbotharmiesshouldremaininpositionwithoutmoving。Muratdeclaredthatnegotiationsforpeacewerealreadyproceeding，andthathethereforeofferedthistrucetoavoidunnecessarybloodshed。CountNostitz，theAustriangeneraloccupyingtheadvancedposts，believedMurat’semissaryandretired，leavingBagration’sdivisionexposed。
　　AnotheremissaryrodetotheRussianlinetoannouncethepeacenegotiationsandtooffertheRussianarmythethreedays’truce。
　　BagrationrepliedthathewasnotauthorizedeithertoacceptorrefuseatruceandsenthisadjutanttoKutuzovtoreporttheofferhehadreceived。
　　AtrucewasKutuzov’ssolechanceofgainingtime，givingBagration’sexhaustedtroopssomerest，andlettingthetransportandheavyconvoyswhosemovementswereconcealedfromtheFrench
　　advanceifbutonestagenearerZnaim。Theofferofatrucegavetheonly，andaquiteunexpected，chanceofsavingthearmy。OnreceivingthenewsheimmediatelydispatchedAdjutantGeneralWintzingerode，whowasinattendanceonhim，totheenemycamp。
　　Wintzingerodewasnotmerelytoagreetothetrucebutalsotooffertermsofcapitulation，andmeanwhileKutuzovsenthisadjutantsbacktohastentotheutmostthemovementsofthebaggagetrainsoftheentirearmyalongtheKrems—Znaimroad。Bagration’sexhaustedandhungrydetachment，whichalonecoveredthismovementofthetransportandofthewholearmy，hadtoremainstationaryinfaceofanenemyeighttimesasstrongasitself。
　　Kutuzov’sexpectationsthattheproposalsofcapitulationwhichwereinnowaybindingmightgivetimeforpartofthetransporttopass，andalsothatMurat’smistakewouldverysoonbediscovered，provedcorrect。AssoonasBonapartewhowasatSchonbrunn，sixteenmilesfromHollabrunnreceivedMurat’sdispatchwiththeproposalofatruceandacapitulation，hedetectedaruseandwrotethefollowinglettertoMurat：
　　Schonbrunn，25thBrumaire，1805，ateighto’clockinthemorningToPRINCEMURAT，Icannotfindwordstoexpresstoyoumydispleasure。Youcommandonlymyadvanceguard，andhavenorighttoarrangeanarmisticewithoutmyorder。Youarecausingmetolosethefruitsofacampaign。
　　Breakthearmisticeimmediatelyandmarchontheenemy。Informhimthatthegeneralwhosignedthatcapitulationhadnorighttodoso，andthatnoonebuttheEmperorofRussiahasthatright。
　　If，however，theEmperorofRussiaratifiesthatconvention，I
　　willratifyit；butitisonlyatrick。Marchon，destroytheRussianarmy……Youareinapositiontoseizeitsbaggageandartillery。
　　TheRussianEmperor’saide—de—campisanimpostor。Officersarenothingwhentheyhavenopowers；thisonehadnone……TheAustriansletthemselvesbetrickedatthecrossingoftheViennabridge，youarelettingyourselfbetrickedbyanaide—de—campoftheEmperor。
　　NAPOLEON
　　Bonaparte’sadjutantrodefullgallopwiththismenacinglettertoMurat。Bonapartehimself，nottrustingtohisgenerals，movedwithalltheGuardstothefieldofbattle，afraidoflettingareadyvictimescape，andBagration’sfourthousandmenmerrilylightedcampfires，driedandwarmedthemselves，cookedtheirporridgeforthefirsttimeforthreedays，andnotoneofthemkneworimaginedwhatwasinstoreforhim。
　　BK2CH15
　　CHAPTERXV
　　Betweenthreeandfouro’clockintheafternoonPrinceAndrew，whohadpersistedinhisrequesttoKutuzov，arrivedatGrunthandreportedhimselftoBagration。Bonaparte’sadjutanthadnotyetreachedMurat’sdetachmentandthebattlehadnotyetbegun。InBagration’sdetachmentnooneknewanythingofthegeneralpositionofaffairs。Theytalkedofpeacebutdidnotbelieveinitspossibility；otherstalkedofabattlebutalsodisbelievedinthenearnessofanengagement。Bagration，knowingBolkonskitobeafavoriteandtrustedadjutant，receivedhimwithdistinctionandspecialmarksoffavor，explainingtohimthattherewouldprobablybeanengagementthatdayorthenext，andgivinghimfulllibertytoremainwithhimduringthebattleortojointherearguardandhaveaneyeontheorderofretreat，"whichisalsoveryimportant。"
　　"However，therewillhardlybeanengagementtoday，"saidBagrationasiftoreassurePrinceAndrew。
　　"Ifheisoneoftheordinarylittlestaffdandiessenttoearnamedalhecangethisrewardjustaswellintherearguard，butifhewishestostaywithme，lethim……he’llbeofusehereifhe’sabraveofficer，"thoughtBagration。PrinceAndrew，withoutreplying，askedtheprince’spermissiontorideroundthepositiontoseethedispositionoftheforces，soastoknowhisbearingsshouldhebesenttoexecuteanorder。Theofficeronduty，ahandsome，elegantlydressedmanwithadiamondringonhisforefinger，whowasfondofspeakingFrenchthoughhespokeitbadly，offeredtoconductPrinceAndrew。
　　Onallsidestheysawrain—soakedofficerswithdejectedfaceswhoseemedtobeseekingsomething，andsoldiersdraggingdoors，benches，andfencingfromthevillage。
　　"Therenow，Prince！Wecan’tstopthosefellows，"saidthestaffofficerpointingtothesoldiers。"Theofficersdon’tkeeptheminhand。Andthere，"hepointedtoasutler’stent，"theycrowdinandsit。ThismorningIturnedthemalloutandnowlook，it’sfullagain。
　　Imustgothere，Prince，andscarethemabit。Itwon’ttakeamoment。"
　　"Yes，let’sgoinandIwillgetmyselfarollandsomecheese，"
　　saidPrinceAndrewwhohadnotyethadtimetoeatanything。
　　"Whydidn’tyoumentionit，Prince？Iwouldhaveofferedyousomething。"
　　Theydismountedandenteredthetent。Severalofficers，withflushedandwearyfaces，weresittingatthetableeatinganddrinking。
　　"Nowwhatdoesthismean，gentlemen？"saidthestaffofficer，inthereproachfultoneofamanwhohasrepeatedthesamethingmorethanonce。"Youknowitwon’tdotoleaveyourpostslikethis。Theprincegaveordersthatnooneshouldleavehispost。Nowyou，Captain，"andheturnedtoathin，dirtylittleartilleryofficerwhowithouthisbootshehadgiventhemtothecanteenkeepertodry，inonlyhisstockings，rosewhentheyentered，smilingnotaltogethercomfortably。
　　"Well，aren’tyouashamedofyourself，CaptainTushin？"hecontinued。"Onewouldthinkthatasanartilleryofficeryouwouldsetagoodexample，yethereyouarewithoutyourboots！Thealarmwillbesoundedandyou’llbeinaprettypositionwithoutyourboots！"Thestaffofficersmiled。"Kindlyreturntoyourposts，gentlemen，allofyou，all！"headdedinatoneofcommand。
　　PrinceAndrewsmiledinvoluntarilyashelookedattheartilleryofficerTushin，whosilentandsmiling，shiftingfromonestockingedfoottotheother，glancedinquiringlywithhislarge，intelligent，kindlyeyesfromPrinceAndrewtothestaffofficer。
　　"Thesoldierssayitfeelseasierwithoutboots，"saidCaptainTushinsmilingshylyinhisuncomfortableposition，evidentlywishingtoadoptajoculartone。Butbeforehehadfinishedhefeltthathisjestwasunacceptableandhadnotcomeoff。Hegrewconfused。
　　"Kindlyreturntoyourposts，"saidthestaffofficertryingtopreservehisgravity。
　　PrinceAndrewglancedagainattheartilleryofficer’ssmallfigure。
　　Therewassomethingpeculiaraboutit，quiteunsoldierly，rathercomic，butextremelyattractive。
　　ThestaffofficerandPrinceAndrewmountedtheirhorsesandrodeon。
　　Havingriddenbeyondthevillage，continuallymeetingandovertakingsoldiersandofficersofvariousregiments，theysawontheirleftsomeentrenchmentsbeingthrownup，thefreshlydugclayofwhichshowedupred。Severalbattalionsofsoldiers，intheirshirtsleevesdespitethecoldwind，swarmedintheseearthworkslikeahostofwhiteants；spadefulsofredclaywerecontinuallybeingthrownupfrombehindthebankbyunseenhands。PrinceAndrewandtheofficerrodeup，lookedattheentrenchment，andwentonagain。Justbehindittheycameuponsomedozensofsoldiers，continuallyreplacedbyothers，whoranfromtheentrenchment。Theyhadtoholdtheirnosesandputtheirhorsestoatrottoescapefromthepoisonedatmosphereoftheselatrines。
　　"Voilal’agrementdescamps，monsieurlePrince，"*saidthestaffofficer。
　　*"Thisisapleasureonegetsincamp，Prince。"
　　Theyrodeuptheoppositehill。FromtheretheFrenchcouldalreadybeseen。PrinceAndrewstoppedandbeganexaminingtheposition。
　　"That’sourbattery，"saidthestaffofficerindicatingthehighestpoint。"It’sinchargeofthequeerfellowwesawwithouthisboots。Youcanseeeverythingfromthere；let’sgothere，Prince。"
　　"Thankyouverymuch，Iwillgoonalone，"saidPrinceAndrew，wishingtoridhimselfofthisstaffofficer’scompany，"pleasedon’ttroubleyourselffurther。"
　　ThestaffofficerremainedbehindandPrinceAndrewrodeonalone。
　　Thefartherforwardandnearertheenemyhewent，themoreorderlyandcheerfulwerethetroops。ThegreatestdisorderanddepressionhadbeeninthebaggagetrainhehadpassedthatmorningontheZnaimroadsevenmilesawayfromtheFrench。AtGrunthalsosomeapprehensionandalarmcouldbefelt，butthenearerPrinceAndrewcametotheFrenchlinesthemoreconfidentwastheappearanceofourtroops。Thesoldiersintheirgreatcoatswererangedinlines，thesergeantsmajorandcompanyofficerswerecountingthemen，pokingthelastmanineachsectionintheribsandtellinghimtoholdhishandup。Soldiersscatteredoverthewholeplaceweredragginglogsandbrushwoodandwerebuildingshelterswithmerrychatterandlaughter；aroundthefiressatothers，dressedandundressed，dryingtheirshirtsandlegbandsormendingbootsorovercoatsandcrowdingroundtheboilersandporridgecookers。Inonecompanydinnerwasready，andthesoldiersweregazingeagerlyatthesteamingboiler，waitingtillthesample，whichaquartermastersergeantwascarryinginawoodenbowltoanofficerwhosatonalogbeforehisshelter，hadbeentasted。
　　Anothercompany，aluckyonefornotallthecompanieshadvodka，crowdedroundapock—marked，broad—shoulderedsergeantmajorwho，tiltingakeg，filledoneafteranotherthecanteenlidsheldouttohim。Thesoldiersliftedthecanteenlidstotheirlipswithreverentialfaces，emptiedthem，rollingthevodkaintheirmouths，andwalkedawayfromthesergeantmajorwithbrightenedexpressions，lickingtheirlipsandwipingthemonthesleevesoftheirgreatcoats。
　　Alltheirfaceswereassereneasifallthiswerehappeningathomeawaitingpeacefulencampment，andnotwithinsightoftheenemybeforeanactioninwhichatleasthalfofthemwouldbeleftonthefield。
　　AfterpassingachasseurregimentandinthelinesoftheKievgrenadiers—finefellowsbusywithsimilarpeacefulaffairs—neartheshelteroftheregimentalcommander，higherthananddifferentfromtheothers，PrinceAndrewcameoutinfrontofaplatoonofgrenadiersbeforewhomlayanakedman。Twosoldiersheldhimwhiletwootherswereflourishingtheirswitchesandstrikinghimregularlyonhisbareback。Themanshriekedunnaturally。Astoutmajorwaspacingupanddowntheline，andregardlessofthescreamskeptrepeating：
　　"It’sashameforasoldiertosteal；asoldiermustbehonest，honorable，andbrave，butifherobshisfellowsthereisnohonorinhim，he’sascoundrel。Goon！Goon！"
　　Sotheswishingsoundofthestrokes，andthedesperatebutunnaturalscreams，continued。
　　"Goon，goon！"saidthemajor。
　　Ayoungofficerwithabewilderedandpainedexpressiononhisfacesteppedawayfromthemanandlookedroundinquiringlyattheadjutantasherodeby。
　　PrinceAndrew，havingreachedthefrontline，rodealongit。Ourfrontlineandthatoftheenemywerefarapartontherightandleftflanks，butinthecenterwherethemenwithaflagoftrucehadpassedthatmorning，thelinesweresoneartogetherthatthemencouldseeoneanother’sfacesandspeaktooneanother。Besidesthesoldierswhoformedthepicketlineoneitherside，thereweremanycuriousonlookerswho，jestingandlaughing，staredattheirstrangeforeignenemies。
　　Sinceearlymorning—despiteaninjunctionnottoapproachthepicketline—theofficershadbeenunabletokeepsight—seersaway。
　　Thesoldiersformingthepicketline，likeshowmenexhibitingacuriosity，nolongerlookedattheFrenchbutpaidattentiontothesight—seersandgrewwearywaitingtoberelieved。PrinceAndrewhaltedtohavealookattheFrench。
　　"Look！Lookthere！"onesoldierwassayingtoanother，pointingtoaRussianmusketeerwhohadgoneuptothepicketlinewithanofficerandwasrapidlyandexcitedlytalkingtoaFrenchgrenadier。"Harktohimjabbering！Fine，isn’tit？It’salltheFrenchycandotokeepupwithhim。Therenow，Sidorov！"
　　"Waitabitandlisten。It’sfine！"answeredSidorov，whowasconsideredanadeptatFrench。
　　ThesoldiertowhomthelaughersreferredwasDolokhov。PrinceAndrewrecognizedhimandstoppedtolistentowhathewassaying。
　　Dolokhovhadcomefromtheleftflankwheretheirregimentwasstationed，withhiscaptain。
　　"Nowthen，goon，goon！"incitedtheofficer，bendingforwardandtryingnottoloseawordofthespeechwhichwasincomprehensibletohim。"More，please：more！What’shesaying？"
　　Dolokhovdidnotanswerthecaptain；hehadbeendrawnintoahotdisputewiththeFrenchgrenadier。Theywerenaturallytalkingaboutthecampaign。TheFrenchman，confusingtheAustrianswiththeRussians，wastryingtoprovethattheRussianshadsurrenderedandhadfledallthewayfromUlm，whileDolokhovmaintainedthattheRussianshadnotsurrenderedbuthadbeatentheFrench。
　　"Wehaveorderstodriveyouoffhere，andweshalldriveyouoff，"saidDolokhov。
　　"OnlytakecareyouandyourCossacksarenotallcaptured！"saidtheFrenchgrenadier。
　　TheFrenchonlookersandlistenerslaughed。
　　"We’llmakeyoudanceaswedidunderSuvorov……，"*saidDolokhov。
　　*"Onvousferadanser。"
　　"Qu’est—cequ’ilchante？"*askedaFrenchman。
　　*"What’shesingingabout？"
　　"It’sancienthistory，"saidanother，guessingthatitreferredtoaformerwar。"TheEmperorwillteachyourSuvaraashehastaughttheothers……"
　　"Bonaparte……"beganDolokhov，buttheFrenchmaninterruptedhim。
　　"NotBonaparte。HeistheEmperor！Sacrenom……！"criedheangrily。
　　"ThedevilskinyourEmperor。"
　　AndDolokhovsworeathimincoarsesoldier’sRussianandshoulderinghismusketwalkedaway。
　　"Letusgo，IvanLukich，"hesaidtothecaptain。
　　"Ah，that’sthewaytotalkFrench，"saidthepicketsoldiers。"Now，Sidorov，youhaveatry！"
　　Sidorov，turningtotheFrench，winked，andbegantojabbermeaninglesssoundsveryfast："Kari，mala，tafa，safi，muter，Kaska，"hesaid，tryingtogiveanexpressiveintonationtohisvoice。
　　"Ho！ho！ho！Ha！ha！ha！ha！Ouh！ouh！"camepealsofsuchhealthyandgood—humoredlaughterfromthesoldiersthatitinfectedtheFrenchinvoluntarily，somuchsothattheonlythinglefttodoseemedtobetounloadthemuskets，muskets，explodetheammunition，andallreturnhomeasquicklyaspossible。
　　Butthegunsremainedloaded，theloopholesinblockhousesandentrenchmentslookedoutjustasmenacingly，andtheunlimberedcannonconfrontedoneanotherasbefore。
　　BK2CH16
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　Havingriddenroundthewholelinefromrightflanktoleft，PrinceAndrewmadehiswayuptothebatteryfromwhichthestaffofficerhadtoldhimthewholefieldcouldbeseen。Herehedismounted，andstoppedbesidethefarthestofthefourunlimberedcannon。Beforethegunsanartillerysentrywaspacingupanddown；hestoodatattentionwhentheofficerarrived，butatasignresumedhismeasured，monotonouspacing。Behindthegunsweretheirlimbersandstillfartherbackpicketropesandartillerymen’sbonfires。Totheleft，notfarfromthefarthestcannon，wasasmall，newlyconstructedwattleshedfromwhichcamethesoundofofficers’voicesineagerconversation。
　　ItwastruethataviewovernearlythewholeRussianpositionandthegreaterpartoftheenemy’sopenedoutfromthisbattery。Justfacingit，onthecrestoftheoppositehill，thevillageofSchonGraberncouldbeseen，andinthreeplacestoleftandrighttheFrenchtroopsamidthesmokeoftheircampfires，thegreaterpartofwhomwereevidentlyinthevillageitselfandbehindthehill。Totheleftfromthatvillage，amidthesmoke，wassomethingresemblingabattery，butitwasimpossibletoseeitclearlywiththenakedeye。
　　OurrightflankwaspostedonarathersteepinclinewhichdominatedtheFrenchposition。Ourinfantrywerestationedthere，andatthefarthestpointthedragoons。Inthecenter，whereTushin’sbatterystoodandfromwhichPrinceAndrewwassurveyingtheposition，wastheeasiestandmostdirectdescentandascenttothebrookseparatingusfromSchonGrabern。Ontheleftourtroopswereclosetoacopse，inwhichsmokedthebonfiresofourinfantrywhowerefellingwood。
　　TheFrenchlinewaswiderthanours，anditwasplainthattheycouldeasilyoutflankusonbothsides。Behindourpositionwasasteepanddeepdip，makingitdifficultforartilleryandcavalrytoretire。PrinceAndrewtookouthisnotebookand，leaningonthecannon，sketchedaplanoftheposition。Hemadesomenotesontwopoints，intendingtomentionthemtoBagration。Hisideawas，first，toconcentratealltheartilleryinthecenter，andsecondly，towithdrawthecavalrytotheothersideofthedip。PrinceAndrew，beingalwaysnearthecommanderinchief，closelyfollowingthemassmovementsandgeneralorders，andconstantlystudyinghistoricalaccountsofbattles，involuntarilypicturedtohimselfthecourseofeventsintheforthcomingactioninbroadoutline。Heimaginedonlyimportantpossibilities："Iftheenemyattackstherightflank，"hesaidtohimself，"theKievgrenadiersandthePodolskchasseursmustholdtheirpositiontillreservesfromthecentercomeup。Inthatcasethedragoonscouldsuccessfullymakeaflankcounterattack。Iftheyattackourcenterwe，havingthecenterbatteryonthishighground，shallwithdrawtheleftflankunderitscover，andretreattothedipbyechelons。"Sohereasoned……Allthetimehehadbeenbesidethegun，hehadheardthevoicesoftheofficersdistinctly，butasoftenhappenshadnotunderstoodawordofwhattheyweresaying。Suddenly，however，hewasstruckbyavoicecomingfromtheshed，anditstonewassosincerethathecouldnotbutlisten。
　　"No，friend，"saidapleasantand，asitseemedtoPrinceAndrew，afamiliarvoice，"whatIsayisthatifitwerepossibletoknowwhatisbeyonddeath，noneofuswouldbeafraidofit。That’sso，friend。"
　　Another，ayoungervoice，interruptedhim："Afraidornot，youcan’tescapeitanyhow。"
　　"Allthesame，oneisafraid！Oh，youcleverpeople，"saidathirdmanlyvoiceinterruptingthemboth。"Ofcourseyouartillerymenareverywise，becauseyoucantakeeverythingalongwithyou—vodkaandsnacks。"
　　Andtheownerofthemanlyvoice，evidentlyaninfantryofficer，laughed。
　　"Yes，oneisafraid，"continuedthefirstspeaker，heofthefamiliarvoice。"Oneisafraidoftheunknown，that’swhatitis。
　　Whateverwemaysayaboutthesoulgoingtothesky……weknowthereisnoskybutonlyanatmosphere。"
　　Themanlyvoiceagaininterruptedtheartilleryofficer。
　　"Well，standussomeofyourherbvodka，Tushin，"itsaid。
　　"Why，"thoughtPrinceAndrew，"that’sthecaptainwhostoodupinthesutler’shutwithouthisboots。"Herecognizedtheagreeable，philosophizingvoicewithpleasure。
　　"Someherbvodka？Certainly！"saidTushin。"Butstill，toconceiveafuturelife……"
　　Hedidnotfinish。Justthentherewasawhistleintheair；
　　nearerandnearer，fasterandlouder，louderandfaster，acannonball，asifithadnotfinishedsayingwhatwasnecessary，thuddedintothegroundneartheshedwithsuperhumanforce，throwingupamassofearth。Thegroundseemedtogroanattheterribleimpact。
　　AndimmediatelyTushin，withashortpipeinthecornerofhismouthandhiskind，intelligentfaceratherpale，rushedoutoftheshedfollowedbytheownerofthemanlyvoice，adashinginfantryofficerwhohurriedofftohiscompany，buttoninguphiscoatasheran。
　　BK2CH17
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　MountinghishorseagainPrinceAndrewlingeredwiththebattery，lookingatthepufffromthegunthathadsenttheball。Hiseyesranrapidlyoverthewidespace，butheonlysawthatthehithertomotionlessmassesoftheFrenchnowswayedandthattherereallywasabatterytotheirleft。Thesmokeaboveithadnotyetdispersed。TwomountedFrenchmen，probablyadjutants，weregallopingupthehill。A
　　smallbutdistinctlyvisibleenemycolumnwasmovingdownthehill，probablytostrengthenthefrontline。Thesmokeofthefirstshothadnotyetdispersedbeforeanotherpuffappeared，followedbyareport。Thebattlehadbegun！PrinceAndrewturnedhishorseandgallopedbacktoGrunthtofindPrinceBagration。Heheardthecannonadebehindhimgrowinglouderandmorefrequent。Evidentlyourgunshadbeguntoreply。Fromthebottomoftheslope，wheretheparleyshadtakenplace，camethereportofmusketry。
　　LemarroishadjustarrivedatagallopwithBonaparte’ssternletter，andMurat，humiliatedandanxioustoexpiatehisfault，hadatoncemovedhisforcestoattackthecenterandoutflankboththeRussianwings，hopingbeforeeveningandbeforethearrivaloftheEmperortocrushthecontemptibledetachmentthatstoodbeforehim。
　　"Ithasbegun。Hereitis！"thoughtPrinceAndrew，feelingthebloodrushtohisheart。"ButwhereandhowwillmyToulonpresentitself？"
　　Passingbetweenthecompaniesthathadbeeneatingporridgeanddrinkingvodkaaquarterofanhourbefore，hesaweverywherethesamerapidmovementofsoldiersformingranksandgettingtheirmusketsready，andonalltheirfacesherecognizedthesameeagernessthatfilledhisheart。"Ithasbegun！Hereitis，dreadfulbutenjoyable！"waswhatthefaceofeachsoldierandeachofficerseemedtosay。
　　Beforehehadreachedtheembankmentsthatwerebeingthrownup，hesaw，inthelightofthedullautumnevening，mountedmencomingtowardhim。Theforemost，wearingaCossackcloakandlambskincapandridingawhitehorse，wasPrinceBagration。PrinceAndrewstopped，waitingforhimtocomeup；PrinceBagrationreinedinhishorseandrecognizingPrinceAndrewnoddedtohim。HestilllookedaheadwhilePrinceAndrewtoldhimwhathehadseen。
　　Thefeeling，"Ithasbegun！Hereitis！"wasseenevenonPrinceBagration’shardbrownfacewithitshalf—closed，dull，sleepyeyes。
　　PrinceAndrewgazedwithanxiouscuriosityatthatimpassivefaceandwishedhecouldtellwhat，ifanything，thismanwasthinkingandfeelingatthatmoment。"Isthereanythingatallbehindthatimpassiveface？"PrinceAndrewaskedhimselfashelooked。PrinceBagrationbenthisheadinsignofagreementwithwhatPrinceAndrewtoldhim，andsaid，"Verygood！"inatonethatseemedtoimplythateverythingthattookplaceandwasreportedtohimwasexactlywhathehadforeseen。PrinceAndrew，outofbreathwithhisrapidride，spokequickly。PrinceBagration，utteringhiswordswithanOrientalaccent，spokeparticularlyslowly，asiftoimpressthefactthattherewasnoneedtohurry。However，heputhishorsetoatrotinthedirectionofTushin’sbattery。PrinceAndrewfollowedwiththesuite。BehindPrinceBagrationrodeanofficerofthesuite，theprince’spersonaladjutant，Zherkov，anorderlyofficer，thestaffofficeronduty，ridingafinebobtailedhorse，andacivilian—anaccountantwhohadaskedpermissiontobepresentatthebattleoutofcuriosity。Theaccountant，astout，full—facedman，lookedaroundhimwithanaivesmileofsatisfactionandpresentedastrangeappearanceamongthehussars，Cossacks，andadjutants，inhiscamletcoat，ashejoltedonhishorsewithaconvoyofficer’ssaddle。
　　"Hewantstoseeabattle，"saidZherkovtoBolkonski，pointingtotheaccountant，"buthefeelsapaininthepitofhisstomachalready。"
　　"Oh，leaveoff！"saidtheaccountantwithabeamingbutrathercunningsmile，asifflatteredatbeingmadethesubjectofZherkov’sjoke，andpurposelytryingtoappearstupiderthanhereallywas。
　　"Itisverystrange，monMonsieurPrince，"saidthestaffofficer。
　　HerememberedthatinFrenchthereissomepeculiarwayofaddressingaprince，butcouldnotgetitquiteright。
　　BythistimetheywereallapproachingTushin’sbattery，andaballstruckthegroundinfrontofthem。
　　"What’sthatthathasfallen？"askedtheaccountantwithanaivesmile。
　　"AFrenchpancake，"answeredZherkov。
　　"Sothat’swhattheyhitwith？"askedtheaccountant。"Howawful！"
　　Heseemedtoswellwithsatisfaction。Hehadhardlyfinishedspeakingwhentheyagainheardanunexpectedlyviolentwhistlingwhichsuddenlyendedwithathudintosomethingsoft……f—f—flop！andaCossack，ridingalittletotheirrightandbehindtheaccountant，crashedtoearthwithhishorse。Zherkovandthestaffofficerbentovertheirsaddlesandturnedtheirhorsesaway。Theaccountantstopped，facingtheCossack，andexaminedhimwithattentivecuriosity。TheCossackwasdead，butthehorsestillstruggled。
　　PrinceBagrationscreweduphiseyes，lookedround，and，seeingthecauseoftheconfusion，turnedawaywithindifference，asiftosay，"Isitworthwhilenoticingtrifles？"Hereinedinhishorsewiththecaseofaskillfulriderand，slightlybendingover，disengagedhissaberwhichhadcaughtinhiscloak。Itwasanold—fashionedsaberofakindnolongeringeneraluse。PrinceAndrewrememberedthestoryofSuvorovgivinghissabertoBagrationinItaly，andtherecollectionwasparticularlypleasantatthatmoment。TheyhadreachedthebatteryatwhichPrinceAndrewhadbeenwhenheexaminedthebattlefield。
　　"Whosecompany？"askedPrinceBagrationofanartillerymanstandingbytheammunitionwagon。
　　Heasked，"Whosecompany？"buthereallymeant，"Areyoufrightenedhere？"andtheartillerymanunderstoodhim。
　　"CaptainTushin’s，yourexcellency！"shoutedthered—haired，freckledgunnerinamerryvoice，standingtoattention。
　　"Yes，yes，"mutteredBagrationasifconsideringsomething，andherodepastthelimberstothefarthestcannon。
　　Asheapproached，aringingshotissuedfromitdeafeninghimandhissuite，andinthesmokethatsuddenlysurroundedtheguntheycouldseethegunnerswhohadseizeditstrainingtorollitquicklybacktoitsformerposition。Ahuge，broad—shoulderedgunner，NumberOne，holdingamop，hislegsfarapart，sprangtothewheel；whileNumberTwowithatremblinghandplacedachargeinthecannon’smouth。Theshort，round—shoulderedCaptainTushin，stumblingoverthetailoftheguncarriage，movedforwardand，notnoticingthegeneral，lookedoutshadinghiseyeswithhissmallhand。
　　"Liftittwolinesmoreanditwillbejustright，"criedheinafeeblevoicetowhichhetriedtoimpartadashingnote，illsuitedtohisweakfigure。"NumberTwo！"hesqueaked。"Fire，Medvedev！"
　　Bagrationcalledtohim，andTushin，raisingthreefingerstohiscapwithabashfulandawkwardgesturenotatalllikeamilitarysalutebutlikeapriest’sbenediction，approachedthegeneral。ThoughTushin’sgunshadbeenintendedtocannonadethevalley，hewasfiringincendiaryballsatthevillageofSchonGrabernvisiblejustopposite，infrontofwhichlargemassesofFrenchwereadvancing。
　　NoonehadgivenTushinorderswhereandatwhattofire，butafterconsultinghissergeantmajor，Zakharchenko，forwhomhehadgreatrespect，hehaddecidedthatitwouldbeagoodthingtosetfiretothevillage。"Verygood！"saidBagrationinreplytotheofficer’sreport，andbegandeliberatelytoexaminethewholebattlefieldextendedbeforehim。TheFrenchhadadvancednearestonourright。BelowtheheightonwhichtheKievregimentwasstationed，inthehollowwheretherivuletflowed，thesoul—stirringrollingandcracklingofmusketrywasheard，andmuchfarthertotherightbeyondthedragoons，theofficerofthesuitepointedouttoBagrationaFrenchcolumnthatwasoutflankingus。Totheleftthehorizonboundedbytheadjacentwood。PrinceBagrationorderedtwobattalionsfromthecentertobesenttoreinforcetherightflank。
　　Theofficerofthesuiteventuredtoremarktotheprincethatifthesebattalionswentaway，thegunswouldremainwithoutsupport。
　　PrinceBagrationturnedtotheofficerandwithhisdulleyeslookedathiminsilence。ItseemedtoPrinceAndrewthattheofficer’sremarkwasjustandthatreallynoanswercouldbemadetoit。ButatthatmomentanadjutantgallopedupwithamessagefromthecommanderoftheregimentinthehollowandnewsthatimmensemassesoftheFrenchwerecomingdownuponthemandthathisregimentwasindisorderandwasretreatingupontheKievgrenadiers。PrinceBagrationbowedhisheadinsignofassentandapproval。HerodeoffatawalktotherightandsentanadjutanttothedragoonswithorderstoattacktheFrench。Butthisadjutantreturnedhalfanhourlaterwiththenewsthatthecommanderofthedragoonshadalreadyretreatedbeyondthedipintheground，asaheavyfirehadbeenopenedonhimandhewaslosingmenuselessly，andsohadhastenedtothrowsomesharpshootersintothewood。
　　"Verygood！"saidBagration。
　　Ashewasleavingthebattery，firingwasheardontheleftalso，andasitwastoofartotheleftflankforhimtohavetimetogotherehimself，PrinceBagrationsentZherkovtotellthegeneralincommandtheonewhohadparadedhisregimentbeforeKutuzovatBraunauthathemustretreatasquicklyaspossiblebehindthehollowintherear，astherightflankwouldprobablynotbeabletowithstandtheenemy’sattackverylong。AboutTushinandthebattalionthathadbeeninsupportofhisbatteryallwasforgotten。PrinceAndrewlistenedattentivelytoBagration’scolloquieswiththecommandingofficersandtheordershegavethemand，tohissurprise，foundthatnoorderswerereallygiven，butthatPrinceBagrationtriedtomakeitappearthateverythingdonebynecessity，byaccident，orbythewillofsubordinatecommanderswasdone，ifnotbyhisdirectcommand，atleastinaccordwithhisintentions。
　　PrinceAndrewnoticed，however，thatthoughwhathappenedwasduetochanceandwasindependentofthecommander’swill，owingtothetactBagrationshowed，hispresencewasveryvaluable。Officerswhoapproachedhimwithdisturbedcountenancesbecamecalm；soldiersandofficersgreetedhimgaily，grewmorecheerfulinhispresence，andwereevidentlyanxioustodisplaytheircouragebeforehim。
　　BK2CH18
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　PrinceBagration，havingreachedthehighestpointofourrightflank，beganridingdownhilltowheretherollofmusketrywasheardbutwhereonaccountofthesmokenothingcouldbeseen。Thenearertheygottothehollowthelesstheycouldseebutthemoretheyfeltthenearnessoftheactualbattlefield。Theybegantomeetwoundedmen。Onewithableedingheadandnocapwasbeingdraggedalongbytwosoldierswhosupportedhimunderthearms。Therewasagurgleinhisthroatandhewasspittingblood。Abullethadevidentlyhithiminthethroatormouth。Anotherwaswalkingsturdilybyhimselfbutwithouthismusket，groaningaloudandswinginghisarmwhichhadjustbeenhurt，whilebloodfromitwasstreamingoverhisgreatcoatasfromabottle。Hehadthatmomentbeenwoundedandhisfaceshowedfearratherthansuffering。Crossingaroadtheydescendedasteepinclineandsawseveralmenlyingontheground；theyalsometacrowdofsoldierssomeofwhomwereunwounded。Thesoldierswereascendingthehillbreathingheavily，anddespitethegeneral’spresenceweretalkingloudlyandgesticulating。Infrontofthemrowsofgraycloakswerealreadyvisiblethroughthesmoke，andanofficercatchingsightofBagrationrushedshoutingafterthecrowdofretreatingsoldiers，orderingthemback。Bagrationrodeuptotheranksalongwhichshotscracklednowhereandnowthere，drowningthesoundofvoicesandtheshoutsofcommand。Thewholeairreekedwithsmoke。Theexcitedfacesofthesoldierswereblackenedwithit。Somewereusingtheirramrods，othersputtingpowderonthetouchpansortakingchargesfromtheirpouches，whileotherswerefiring，thoughwhotheywerefiringatcouldnotbeseenforthesmokewhichtherewasnowindtocarryaway。Apleasanthummingandwhistlingofbulletswereoftenheard。"Whatisthis？"thoughtPrinceAndrewapproachingthecrowdofsoldiers。"Itcan’tbeanattack，fortheyarenotmoving；itcan’tbeasquare—fortheyarenotdrawnupforthat。"
　　Thecommanderoftheregiment，athin，feeble—lookingoldmanwithapleasantsmile—hiseyelidsdroopingmorethanhalfoverhisoldeyes，givinghimamildexpression，rodeuptoBagrationandwelcomedhimasahostwelcomesanhonoredguest。HereportedthathisregimenthadbeenattackedbyFrenchcavalryandthat，thoughtheattackhadbeenrepulsed，hehadlostmorethanhalfhismen。Hesaidtheattackhadbeenrepulsed，employingthismilitarytermtodescribewhathadoccurredtohisregiment，butinrealityhedidnothimselfknowwhathadhappenedduringthathalf—hourtothetroopsentrustedtohim，andcouldnotsaywithcertaintywhethertheattackhadbeenrepulsedorhisregimenthadbeenbrokenup。Allheknewwasthatatthecommencementoftheactionballsandshellsbeganflyingalloverhisregimentandhittingmenandthatafterwardssomeonehadshouted"Cavalry！"andourmenhadbegunfiring。Theywerestillfiring，notatthecavalrywhichhaddisappeared，butatFrenchinfantrywhohadcomeintothehollowandwerefiringatourmen。