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。