\"No，bwother，Ihavegwownmustachesmyself，\"saidDenisovonreadingthesedocuments，andhewrotetotheGermanthat，despitehisheartfeltdesiretoserveundersovaliantandrenownedageneral，hehadtoforgothatpleasurebecausehewasalreadyunderthecommandofthePolishgeneral。TothePolishgeneralherepliedtothesameeffect，informinghimthathewasalreadyunderthecommandoftheGerman。
Havingarrangedmattersthus，DenisovandDolokhovintended，withoutreportingmatterstothehighercommand，toattackandseizethatconvoywiththeirownsmallforces。OnOctober22itwasmovingfromthevillageofMikulinotothatofShamshevo。TotheleftoftheroadbetweenMikulinoandShamshevotherewerelargeforests，extendinginsomeplacesuptotheroaditselfthoughinothersamileormorebackfromit。ThroughtheseforestsDenisovandhispartyrodeallday，sometimeskeepingwellbackinthemandsometimescomingtotheveryedge，butneverlosingsightofthemovingFrench。Thatmorning，CossacksofDenisov’spartyhadseizedandcarriedoffintotheforesttwowagonsloadedwithcavalrysaddles，whichhadstuckinthemudnotfarfromMikulinowheretheforestranclosetotheroad。Sincethen，anduntilevening，thepartyhadthemovementsoftheFrenchwithoutattacking。ItwasnecessarytolettheFrenchreachShamshevoquietlywithoutalarmingthemandthen，afterjoiningDolokhovwhowastocomethateveningtoaconsultationatawatchman’shutintheforestlessthanamilefromShamshevo，tosurprisetheFrenchatdawn，fallinglikeanavalancheontheirheadsfromtwosides，androutandcapturethemallatoneblow。
Intheirrear，morethanamilefromMikulinowheretheforestcamerightuptotheroad，sixCossackswerepostedtoreportifanyfreshcolumnsofFrenchshouldshowthemselves。
BeyondShamshevo，Dolokhovwastoobservetheroadinthesameway，tofindoutatwhatdistancetherewereotherFrenchtroops。Theyreckonedthattheconvoyhadfifteenhundredmen。Denisovhadtwohundred，andDolokhovmighthaveasmanymore，butthedisparityofnumbersdidnotdeterDenisov。Allthathenowwantedtoknowwaswhattroopsthesewereandtolearnthathehadtocapturea\"tongue\"—thatis，amanfromtheenemycolumn。Thatmorning’sattackonthewagonshadbeenmadesohastilythattheFrenchmenwiththewagonshadallbeenkilled；onlyalittledrummerboyhadbeentakenalive，andashewasastragglerhecouldtellthemnothingdefiniteaboutthetroopsinthatcolumn。
Denisovconsidereditdangeroustomakeasecondattackforfearofputtingthewholecolumnonthealert，sohesentTikhonShcherbaty，apeasantofhisparty，toShamshevototryandseizeatleastoneoftheFrenchquartermasterswhohadbeensentoninadvance。
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CHAPTERIV
Itwasawarmrainyautumnday。Theskyandthehorizonwereboththecolorofmuddywater。Attimesasortofmistdescended，andthensuddenlyheavyslantingraincamedown。
Denisovinafeltcloakandasheepskincapfromwhichtherainrandownwasridingathinthoroughbredhorsewithsunkensides。
Likehishorse，whichturneditsheadandlaiditsearsback，heshrankfromthedrivingrainandgazedanxiouslybeforehim。Histhinfacewithitsshort，thickblackbeardlookedangry。
BesideDenisovrodeanesaul，*Denisov’sfellowworker，alsoinfeltcloakandsheepskincap，andridingalargesleekDonhorse。
*AcaptainofCossacks。
EsaulLovayskitheThirdwasatallmanasstraightasanarrow，pale—faced，fair—haired，withnarrowlighteyesandwithcalmself—satisfactioninhisfaceandbearing。Thoughitwasimpossibletosayinwhatthepeculiarityofthehorseandriderlay，yetatfirstglanceattheesaulandDenisovonesawthatthelatterwaswetanduncomfortableandwasamanmountedonahorse，whilelookingattheesaulonesawthathewasascomfortableandasmuchateaseasalwaysandthathewasnotamanwhohadmountedahorse，butamanwhowasonewithhishorse，abeingconsequentlypossessedoftwofoldstrength。
Alittleaheadofthemwalkedapeasantguide，wettotheskinandwearingagraypeasantcoatandawhiteknittedcap。
Alittlebehind，onapoor，small，leanKirghizmountwithanenormoustailandmaneandableedingmouth，rodeayoungofficerinablueFrenchovercoat。
Besidehimrodeanhussar，withaboyinatatteredFrenchuniformandbluecapbehindhimonthecrupperofhishorse。Theboyheldontothehussarwithcold，redhands，andraisinghiseyebrowsgazedabouthimwithsurprise。ThiswastheFrenchdrummerboycapturedthatmorning。
Behindthemalongthenarrow，sodden，cutupforestroadcamehussarsinthreesandfours，andthenCossacks：someinfeltcloaks，someinFrenchgreatcoats，andsomewithhorseclothsovertheirheads。Thehorses，beingdrenchedbytherain，alllookedblackwhetherchestnutorbay。Theirnecks，withtheirwet，close—clingingmanes，lookedstrangelythin。Steamrosefromthem。Clothes，saddles，reins，wereallwet，slippery，andsodden，likethegroundandthefallenleavesthatstrewedtheroad。Themensathuddleduptryingnottostir，soastowarmthewaterthathadtrickledtotheirbodiesandnotadmitthefreshcoldwaterthatwasleakinginundertheirseats，theirknees，andatthebackoftheirnecks。InthemidstoftheoutspreadlineofCossackstwowagons，drawnbyFrenchhorsesandbysaddledCossackhorsesthathadbeenhitchedoninfront，rumbledoverthetreestumpsandbranchesandsplashedthroughthewaterthatlayintheruts。
Denisov’shorseswervedasidetoavoidapoolinthetrackandbumpedhisrider’skneeagainstatree。
\"Oh，thedevil！\"exclaimedDenisovangrily，andshowinghisteethhestruckhishorsethreetimeswithhiswhip，splashinghimselfandhiscomradeswithmud。
Denisovwasoutofsortsbothbecauseoftherainandalsofromhungernoneofthemhadeatenanythingsincemorning，andyetmorebecausehestillhadnonewsfromDolokhovandthemansenttocapturea\"tongue\"hadnotreturned。
\"There’llhardlybeanothersuchchancetofallonatransportastoday。It’stooriskytoattackthembyoneself，andifweputitofftillanotherdayoneofthebigguerrilladetachmentswillsnatchthepreyfromunderournoses，\"thoughtDenisov，continuallypeeringforward，hopingtoseeamessengerfromDolokhov。
Oncomingtoapathintheforestalongwhichhecouldseefartotheright，Denisovstopped。
\"There’ssomeonecoming，\"saidhe。
TheesaullookedinthedirectionDenisovindicated。
\"Therearetwo，anofficerandaCossack。Butitisnotpresupposablethatitisthelieutenantcolonelhimself，\"saidtheesaul，whowasfondofusingwordstheCossacksdidnotknow。
Theapproachingridershavingdescendedadeclinewerenolongervisible，buttheyreappearedafewminuteslater。Infront，atawearygallopandusinghisleatherwhip，rodeanofficer，disheveledanddrenched，whosetrousershadworkeduptoabovehisknees。Behindhim，standinginthestirrups，trottedaCossack。Theofficer，averyyoungladwithabroadrosyfaceandkeenmerryeyes，gallopeduptoDenisovandhandedhimasoddenenvelope。
\"Fromthegeneral，\"saidtheofficer。\"Pleaseexcuseitsnotbeingquitedry。\"
Denisov，frowning，tooktheenvelopeandopenedit。
\"There，theykepttellingus：’It’sdangerous，it’sdangerous，’\"
saidtheofficer，addressingtheesaulwhileDenisovwasreadingthedispatch。\"ButKomarovandI\"—hepointedtotheCossack—\"wereprepared。Wehaveeachofustwopistols……Butwhat’sthis？\"heasked，noticingtheFrenchdrummerboy。\"Aprisoner？You’vealreadybeeninaction？MayIspeaktohim？\"
\"Wostov！Petya！\"exclaimedDenisov，havingrunthroughthedispatch。
\"Whydidn’tyousaywhoyouwere？\"andturningwithasmileheheldouthishandtothelad。
TheofficerwasPetyaRostov。
AllthewayPetyahadbeenpreparinghimselftobehavewithDenisovasbefittedagrownupmanandanofficer—withouthintingattheirpreviousacquaintance。ButassoonasDenisovsmiledathimPetyabrightenedup，blushedwithpleasure，forgottheofficialmannerhehadbeenrehearsing，andbegantellinghimhowhehadalreadybeeninabattlenearVyazmaandhowacertainhussarhaddistinguishedhimselfthere。
\"Well，Iamgladtoseeyou，\"Denisovinterruptedhim，andhisfaceagainassumeditsanxiousexpression。
\"MichaelFeoklitych，\"saidhetotheesaul，\"thisisagainfwomthatGerman，youknow。He\"—heindicatedPetya—\"isservingunderhim。\"
AndDenisovtoldtheesaulthatthedispatchjustdeliveredwasarepetitionoftheGermangeneral’sdemandthatheshouldjoinforceswithhimforanattackonthetransport。
\"Ifwedon’ttakeittomowwow，he’llsnatchitfwomunderournoses，\"headded。
WhileDenisovwastalkingtotheesaul，Petya—abashedbyDenisov’scoldtoneandsupposingthatitwasduetotheconditionofhistrousers—furtivelytriedtopullthemdownunderhisgreatcoatsothatnooneshouldnoticeit，whilemaintainingasmartialanairaspossible。
\"Willtherebeanyorders，yourhonor？\"heaskedDenisov，holdinghishandatthesaluteandresumingthegameofadjutantandgeneralforwhichhehadpreparedhimself，\"orshallIremainwithyourhonor？\"
\"Orders？\"Denisovrepeatedthoughtfully。\"Butcanyoustaytilltomowwow？\"
\"Oh，please……MayIstaywithyou？\"criedPetya。
\"But，justwhatdidthegenewaltellyou？Toweturnatonce？\"
askedDenisov。
Petyablushed。
\"Hegavemenoinstructions。IthinkIcould？\"hereturned，inquiringly。
\"Well，allwight，\"saidDenisov。
Andturningtohismenhedirectedapartytogoontothehaltingplacearrangednearthewatchman’shutintheforest，andtoldtheofficerontheKirghizhorsewhoperformedthedutiesofanadjutant
togoandfindoutwhereDolokhovwasandwhetherhewouldcomethatevening。DenisovhimselfintendedgoingwiththeesaulandPetyatotheedgeoftheforestwhereitreachedouttoShamshevo，tohavealookatthepartoftheFrenchbivouactheyweretoattacknextday。
\"Well，oldfellow，\"saidhetothepeasantguide，\"leadustoShamshevo。\"
Denisov，Petya，andtheesaul，accompaniedbysomeCossacksandthehussarwhohadtheprisoner，rodetotheleftacrossaravinetotheedgeoftheforest。
BK14CH5
CHAPTERV
Therainhadstopped，andonlythemistwasfallinganddropsfromthetrees。Denisov，theesaul，andPetyarodesilently，followingthepeasantintheknittedcapwho，steppinglightlywithoutturnedtoesandmovingnoiselesslyinhisbastshoesovertherootsandwetleaves，silentlyledthemtotheedgeoftheforest。
Heascendedanincline，stopped，lookedabouthim，andadvancedtowherethescreenoftreeswaslessdense。Onreachingalargeoaktreethathadnotyetsheditsleaves，hestoppedandbeckonedmysteriouslytothemwithhishand。
DenisovandPetyarodeuptohim。FromthespotwherethepeasantwasstandingtheycouldseetheFrench。Immediatelybeyondtheforest，onadownwardslope，layafieldofspringrye。Totheright，beyondasteepravine，wasasmallvillageandalandowner’shousewithabrokenroof。Inthevillage，inthehouse，inthegarden，bythewell，bythepond，overalltherisingground，andallalongtheroaduphillfromthebridgeleadingtothevillage，notmorethanfivehundredyardsaway，crowdsofmencouldbeseenthroughtheshimmeringmist。
Theirun—Russianshoutingattheirhorseswhichwerestraininguphillwiththecarts，andtheircallstooneanother，couldbeclearlyheard。
\"Bwingtheprisonerhere，\"saidDenisovinalowvoice，nottakinghiseyesofftheFrench。
ACossackdismounted，liftedtheboydown，andtookhimtoDenisov。PointingtotheFrenchtroops，Denisovaskedhimwhattheseandthoseofthemwere。Theboy，thrustinghiscoldhandsintohispocketsandliftinghiseyebrows，lookedatDenisovinaffright，butinspiteofanevidentdesiretosayallheknewgaveconfusedanswers，merelyassentingtoeverythingDenisovaskedhim。Denisovturnedawayfromhimfrowningandaddressedtheesaul，conveyinghisownconjecturestohim。
Petya，rapidlyturninghishead，lookednowatthedrummerboy，nowatDenisov，nowattheesaul，andnowattheFrenchinthevillageandalongtheroad，tryingnottomissanythingofimportance。
\"WhetherDolokhovcomesornot，wemustseizeit，eh？\"saidDenisovwithamerrysparkleinhiseyes。
\"Itisaverysuitablespot，\"saidtheesaul。
\"We’llsendtheinfantwydownbytheswamps，\"Denisovcontinued。
\"They’llcweepuptothegarden；you’llwideupfwomtherewiththeCossacks\"—hepointedtoaspotintheforestbeyondthevillage—\"andIwithmyhussarsfwomhere。Andatthesignalshot……\"
\"Thehollowisimpassable—there’saswampthere，\"saidtheesaul。
\"Thehorseswouldsink。Wemustrideroundmoretotheleft……\"
Whiletheyweretalkinginundertonesthecrackofashotsoundedfromthelowgroundbythepond，apuffofwhitesmokeappeared，thenanother，andthesoundofhundredsofseeminglymerryFrenchvoicesshoutingtogethercameupfromtheslope。ForamomentDenisovandtheesauldrewback。Theyweresonearthattheythoughttheywerethecauseofthefiringandshouting。Butthefiringandshoutingdidnotrelatetothem。Downbelow，amanwearingsomethingredwasrunningthroughthemarsh。TheFrenchwereevidentlyfiringandshoutingathim。
\"Why，that’sourTikhon，\"saidtheesaul。
\"Soitis！Itis！\"
\"Thewascal！\"saidDenisov。
\"He’llgetaway！\"saidtheesaul，screwinguphiseyes。
ThemanwhomtheycalledTikhon，havingruntothestream，plungedinsothatthewatersplashedintheair，and，havingdisappearedforaninstant，scrambledoutonallfours，allblackwiththewet，andranon。TheFrenchwhohadbeenpursuinghimstopped。
\"Smart，that！\"saidtheesaul。
\"Whatabeast！\"saidDenisovwithhisformerlookofvexation。\"Whathashebeendoingallthistime？\"
\"Whoishe？\"askedPetya。
\"He’sourplastun。Isenthimtocapturea’tongue。’\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidPetya，noddingatthefirstwordsDenisovutteredasifheunderstooditall，thoughhereallydidnotunderstandanythingofit。
TikhonShcherbatywasoneofthemostindispensablemenintheirband。HewasapeasantfromPokrovsk，neartheriverGzhat。WhenDenisovhadcometoPokrovskatthebeginningofhisoperationsandhadasusualsummonedthevillageelderandaskedhimwhatheknewabouttheFrench，theelder，asthoughshieldinghimself，hadreplied，asallvillageeldersdid，thathehadneitherseennorheardanythingofthem。ButwhenDenisovexplainedthathispurposewastokilltheFrench，andaskedifnoFrenchhadstrayedthatway，theelderrepliedthatsome\"more—orderers\"hadreallybeenattheirvillage，butthatTikhonShcherbatywastheonlymanwhodealtwithsuchmatters。
DenisovhadTikhoncalledand，havingpraisedhimforhisactivity，saidafewwordsintheelder’spresenceaboutloyaltytotheTsarandthecountryandthehatredoftheFrenchthatallsonsofthefatherlandshouldcherish。
\"Wedon’tdotheFrenchanyharm，\"saidTikhon，evidentlyfrightenedbyDenisov’swords。\"Weonlyfooledaboutwiththeladsforfun，youknow！Wekilledascoreorsoof’more—orderers，’butwedidnoharmelse……\"
NextdaywhenDenisovhadleftPokrovsk，havingquiteforgottenaboutthispeasant，itwasreportedtohimthatTikhonhadattachedhimselftotheirpartyandaskedtobeallowedtoremainwithit。
Denisovgaveorderstolethimdoso。
Tikhon，whoatfirstdidroughwork，layingcampfires，fetchingwater，flayingdeadhorses，andsoon，soonshowedagreatlikingandaptitudeforpartisanwarfare。AtnighthewouldgooutforbootyandalwaysbroughtbackFrenchclothingandweapons，andwhentoldtowouldbringinFrenchcaptivesalso。DenisovthenrelievedhimfromdrudgeryandbegantakinghimwithhimwhenhewentoutonexpeditionsandhadhimenrolledamongtheCossacks。
Tikhondidnotlikeriding，andalwayswentonfoot，neverlaggingbehindthecavalry。Hewasarmedwithamusketoonwhichhecarriedratherasajoke，apikeandanax，whichlatterheusedasawolfusesitsteeth，withequalcasepickingfleasoutofitsfurorcrunchingthickbones。Tikhonwithequalaccuracywouldsplitlogswithblowsatarm’slength，orholdingtheheadoftheaxwouldcutthinlittlepegsorcarvespoons。InDenisov’spartyheheldapeculiarandexceptionalposition。Whenanythingparticularlydifficultornastyhadtobedone—topushacartoutofthemudwithone’sshoulders，pullahorseoutofaswampbyitstail，skinit，slinkinamongtheFrench，orwalkmorethanthirtymilesinaday—everybodypointedlaughinglyatTikhon。
\"Itwon’thurtthatdevil—he’sasstrongasahorse！\"theysaidofhim。
OnceaFrenchmanTikhonwastryingtocapturefiredapistolathimandshothiminthefleshypartoftheback。ThatwoundwhichTikhontreatedonlywithinternalandexternalapplicationsofvodkawasthesubjectoftheliveliestjokesbythewholedetachment—
jokesinwhichTikhonreadilyjoined。
\"Hallo，mate！Neveragain？Gaveyouatwist？\"theCossackswouldbanterhim。AndTikhon，purposelywrithingandmakingfaces，pretendedtobeangryandsworeattheFrenchwiththefunniestcurses。TheonlyeffectofthisincidentonTikhonwasthatafterbeingwoundedheseldombroughtinprisoners。
Hewasthebravestandmostusefulmanintheparty。Noonefoundmoreopportunitiesforattacking，noonecapturedorkilledmoreFrenchmen，andconsequentlyhewasmadethebuffoonofalltheCossacksandhussarsandwillinglyacceptedthatrole。NowhehadbeensentbyDenisovovernighttoShamshevotocapturea\"tongue。\"ButwhetherbecausehehadnotbeencontenttotakeonlyoneFrenchmanorbecausehehadsleptthroughthenight，hehadcreptbydayintosomebushesrightamongtheFrenchand，asDenisovhadwitnessedfromabove，hadbeendetectedbythem。
BK14CH6
CHAPTERVI
Aftertalkingforsometimewiththeesaulaboutnextday’sattack，whichnow，seeinghowneartheyweretotheFrench，heseemedtohavedefinitelydecidedon，Denisovturnedhishorseandrodeback。
\"Now，mylad，we’llgoandgetdwy，\"hesaidtoPetya。
AstheyapproachedthewatchhouseDenisovstopped，peeringintotheforest。Amongthetreesamanwithlonglegsandlong，swingingarms，wearingashortjacket，bastshoes，andaKazanhat，wasapproachingwithlong，lightsteps。Hehadamusketoonoverhisshoulderandanaxstuckinhisgirdle。WhenheespiedDenisovhehastilythrewsomethingintothebushes，removedhissoddenhatbyitsfloppybrim，andapproachedhiscommander。ItwasTikhon。Hiswrinkledandpockmarkedfaceandnarrowlittleeyesbeamedwithself—satisfiedmerriment。HeliftedhisheadhighandgazedatDenisovasifrepressingalaugh。
\"Well，wheredidyoudisappearto？\"inquiredDenisov。
\"WheredidIdisappearto？IwenttogetFrenchmen，\"answeredTikhonboldlyandhurriedly，inahuskybutmelodiousbassvoice。
\"Whydidyoupushyourselfintherebydaylight？Youass！Well，whyhaven’tyoutakenone？\"
\"Oh，Itookoneallright，\"saidTikhon。
\"Whereishe？\"
\"Yousee，Itookhimfirstthingatdawn，\"Tikhoncontinued，spreadingouthisflatfeetwithoutturnedtoesintheirbastshoes。
\"Itookhimintotheforest。ThenIseehe’snogoodandthinkI’llgoandfetchalikelierone。\"
\"Yousee？……Whatawogue—it’sjustasIthought，\"saidDenisovtotheesaul。\"Whydidn’tyoubwingthatone？\"
\"Whatwasthegoodofbringinghim？\"Tikhoninterruptedhastilyandangrily—\"thatonewouldn’thavedoneforyou。AsifIdon’tknowwhatsortyouwant！\"
\"Whatabwuteyouare！……Well？\"
\"Iwentforanotherone，\"Tikhoncontinued，\"andIcreptlikethisthroughthewoodandlaydown。\"Hesuddenlylaydownonhisstomachwithasupplemovementtoshowhowhehaddoneit。\"OneturnedupandIgrabbedhim，likethis。\"Hejumpedupquicklyandlightly。
\"’Comealongtothecolonel，’Isaid。Hestartsyelling，andsuddenlytherewerefourofthem。Theyrushedatmewiththeirlittleswords。SoIwentforthemwithmyax，thisway：’Whatareyouupto？’saysI。’Christbewithyou！’\"shoutedTikhon，wavinghisarmswithanangryscowlandthrowingouthischest。
\"Yes，wesawfromthehillhowyoutooktoyourheelsthroughthepuddles！\"saidtheesaul，screwinguphisglitteringeyes。
Petyabadlywantedtolaugh，butnoticedthattheyallrefrainedfromlaughing。HeturnedhiseyesrapidlyfromTikhon’sfacetotheesaul’sandDenisov’s，unabletomakeoutwhatitallmeant。
\"Don’tplaythefool！\"saidDenisov，coughingangrily。\"Whydidn’tyoubwingthefirstone？\"
Tikhonscratchedhisbackwithonehandandhisheadwiththeother，thensuddenlyhiswholefaceexpandedintoabeaming，foolishgrin，disclosingagapwherehehadlostatooththatwaswhyhewascalledShcherbaty—thegap—toothed。Denisovsmiled，andPetyaburstintoapealofmerrylaughterinwhichTikhonhimselfjoined。
\"Oh，buthewasaregulargood—for—nothing，\"saidTikhon。\"Theclothesonhim—poorstuff！HowcouldIbringhim？Andsorude，yourhonor！Why，hesays：’I’mageneral’ssonmyself，Iwon’tgo！’hesays。\"
\"Youareabwute！\"saidDenisov。\"Iwantedtoquestion……\"
\"ButIquestionedhim，\"saidTikhon。\"Hesaidhedidn’tknowmuch。
’Therearealotofus，’hesays，’butallpoorstuff—onlysoldiersinname，’hesays。’Shoutloudatthem，’hesays，’andyou’lltakethemall，’\"Tikhonconcluded，lookingcheerfullyandresolutelyintoDenisov’seyes。
\"I’llgiveyouahundwedsharplashes—that’llteachyoutoplaythefool！\"saidDenisovseverely。
\"Butwhyareyouangry？\"remonstratedTikhon，\"justasifI’dneverseenyourFrenchmen！OnlywaittillitgetsdarkandI’llfetchyouanyofthemyouwant—threeifyoulike。\"
\"Well，let’sgo，\"saidDenisov，androdeallthewaytothewatchhouseinsilenceandfrowningangrily。
TikhonfollowedbehindandPetyaheardtheCossackslaughingwithhimandathim，aboutsomepairofbootshehadthrownintothebushes。
WhenthefitoflaughterthathadseizedhimatTikhon’swordsandsmilehadpassedandPetyarealizedforamomentthatthisTikhonhadkilledaman，hefeltuneasy。Helookedroundatthecaptivedrummerboyandfeltapanginhisheart。Butthisuneasinesslastedonlyamoment。Hefeltitnecessarytoholdhisheadhigher，tobracehimself，andtoquestiontheesaulwithanairofimportanceabouttomorrow’sundertaking，thathemightnotbeunworthyofthecompanyinwhichhefoundhimself。
TheofficerwhohadbeensenttoinquiremetDenisovonthewaywiththenewsthatDolokhovwassooncomingandthatallwaswellwithhim。
Denisovatoncecheeredupand，callingPetyatohim，said：\"Well，tellmeaboutyourself。\"
BK14CH7
CHAPTERVII
Petya，havinglefthispeopleaftertheirdeparturefromMoscow，joinedhisregimentandwassoontakenasorderlybyageneralcommandingalargeguerrilladetachment。Fromthetimehereceivedhiscommission，andespeciallysincehehadjoinedtheactivearmyandtakenpartinthebattleofVyazma，Petyahadbeeninaconstantstateofblissfulexcitementatbeinggrown—upandinaperpetualecstatichurrynottomissanychancetodosomethingreallyheroic。Hewashighlydelightedwithwhathesawandexperiencedinthearmy，butatthesametimeitalwaysseemedtohimthatthereallyheroicexploitswerebeingperformedjustwherehedidnothappentobe。
Andhewasalwaysinahurrytogetwherehewasnot。
Whenonthetwenty—firstofOctoberhisgeneralexpressedawishtosendsomebodytoDenisov’sdetachment，Petyabeggedsopiteouslytobesentthatthegeneralcouldnotrefuse。ButwhendispatchinghimherecalledPetya’smadactionatthebattleofVyazma，whereinsteadofridingbytheroadtotheplacetowhichhehadbeensent，hehadgallopedtotheadvancedlineunderthefireoftheFrenchandhadtheretwicefiredhispistol。SonowthegeneralexplicitlyforbadehistakingpartinanyactionwhateverofDenisov’s。ThatwaswhyPetyahadblushedandgrownconfusedwhenDenisovaskedhimwhetherhecouldstay。BeforetheyhadriddentotheoutskirtsoftheforestPetyahadconsideredhemustcarryouthisinstructionsstrictlyandreturnatonce。ButwhenhesawtheFrenchandsawTikhonandlearnedthattherewouldcertainlybeanattackthatnight，hedecided，withtherapiditywithwhichyoungpeoplechangetheirviews，thatthegeneral，whomhehadgreatlyrespectedtillthen，wasarubbishyGerman，thatDenisovwasahero，theesaulahero，andTikhonaherotoo，andthatitwouldbeshamefulforhimtoleavethematamomentofdifficulty。
ItwasalreadygrowingduskwhenDenisov，Petya，andtheesaulrodeuptothewatchhouse。Inthetwilightsaddledhorsescouldbeseen，andCossacksandhussarswhohadriggeduproughsheltersinthegladeandwerekindlingglowingfiresinahollowoftheforestwheretheFrenchcouldnotseethesmoke。InthepassageofthesmallwatchhouseaCossackwithsleevesrolledupwaschoppingsomemutton。IntheroomthreeofficersofDenisov’sbandwereconvertingadoorintoatabletop。Petyatookoffhiswetclothes，gavethemtobedried，andatoncebeganhelpingtheofficerstofixupthedinnertable。
Intenminutesthetablewasreadyandanapkinspreadonit。Onthetablewerevodka，aflaskofrum，whitebread，roastmutton，andsalt。
Sittingattablewiththeofficersandtearingthefatsavorymuttonwithhishands，downwhichthegreasetrickled，Petyawasinanecstaticchildishstateofloveforallmen，andconsequentlyofconfidencethatotherslovedhiminthesameway。
\"Sothenwhatdoyouthink，VasiliDmitrich？\"saidhetoDenisov。
\"It’sallrightmystayingadaywithyou？\"Andnotwaitingforareplyheansweredhisownquestion：\"YouseeIwastoldtofindout—
well，Iamfindingout……Onlydoletmeintothevery……intothechief……Idon’twantareward……ButIwant……\"
Petyaclenchedhisteethandlookedaround，throwingbackhisheadandflourishinghisarms。
\"Intothevewychief……\"Denisovrepeatedwithasmile。
\"Only，pleaseletmecommandsomething，sothatImayreallycommand……\"Petyawenton。\"Whatwoulditbetoyou？……Oh，youwantaknife？\"hesaid，turningtoanofficerwhowishedtocuthimselfapieceofmutton。
Andhehandedhimhisclaspknife。Theofficeradmiredit。
\"Pleasekeepit。Ihaveseverallikeit，\"saidPetya，blushing。
\"Heavens！Iwasquiteforgetting！\"hesuddenlycried。\"Ihavesomeraisins，fineones；youknow，seedlessones。Wehaveanewsutlerandhehassuchcapitalthings。Iboughttenpounds。Iamusedtosomethingsweet。Wouldyoulikesome？……\"andPetyaranoutintothepassagetohisCossackandbroughtbacksomebagswhichcontainedaboutfivepoundsofraisins。\"Havesome，gentlemen，havesome！\"
\"Youwantacoffeepot，don’tyou？\"heaskedtheesaul。\"Iboughtacapitalonefromoursutler！Hehassplendidthings。Andhe’sveryhonest，that’sthechiefthing。I’llbesuretosendittoyou。Orperhapsyourflintsaregivingout，orarewornout—thathappenssometimes，youknow。Ihavebroughtsomewithme，heretheyare\"—
andheshowedabag—\"ahundredflints。Iboughtthemverycheap。
Pleasetakeasmanyasyouwant，orallifyoulike……\"
Thensuddenly，dismayedlesthehadsaidtoomuch，Petyastoppedandblushed。
Hetriedtorememberwhetherhehadnotdoneanythingelsethatwasfoolish。AndrunningovertheeventsofthedayherememberedtheFrenchdrummerboy。\"It’scapitalforushere，butwhatofhim？
Wherehavetheyputhim？Havetheyfedhim？Haven’ttheyhurthisfeelings？\"hethought。Buthavingcaughthimselfsayingtoomuchabouttheflints，hewasnowafraidtospeakout。
\"Imightask，\"hethought，\"butthey’llsay：’He’saboyhimselfandsohepitiestheboy。’I’llshowthemtomorrowwhetherI’maboy。WillitseemoddifIask？\"Petyathought。\"Well，nevermind！\"andimmediately，blushingandlookinganxiouslyattheofficerstoseeiftheyappearedironical，hesaid：
\"MayIcallinthatboywhowastakenprisonerandgivehimsomethingtoeat？……Perhaps……\"
\"Yes，he’sapoorlittlefellow，\"saidDenisov，whoevidentlysawnothingshamefulinthisreminder。\"Callhimin。HisnameisVincentBosse。Havehimfetched。\"
\"I’llcallhim，\"saidPetya。
\"Yes，yes，callhim。Apoorlittlefellow，\"Denisovrepeated。
PetyawasstandingatthedoorwhenDenisovsaidthis。Heslippedinbetweentheofficers，cameclosetoDenisov，andsaid：
\"Letmekissyou，dearoldfellow！Oh，howfine，howsplendid！\"
AndhavingkissedDenisovheranoutofthehut。
\"Bosse！Vincent！\"Petyacried，stoppingoutsidethedoor。
\"Whodoyouwant，sir？\"askedavoiceinthedarkness。
PetyarepliedthathewantedtheFrenchladwhohadbeencapturedthatday。
\"Ah，Vesenny？\"saidaCossack。
Vincent，theboy’sname，hadalreadybeenchangedbytheCossacksintoVesennyvernalandintoVesenyabythepeasantsandsoldiers。
Inboththeseadaptationsthereferencetospringvesnamatchedtheimpressionmadebytheyounglad。
\"Heiswarminghimselftherebythebonfire。Ho，Vesenya！
Vesenya！—Vesenny！\"laughingvoiceswereheardcallingtooneanotherinthedarkness。
\"He’sasmartlad，\"saidanhussarstandingnearPetya。\"Wegavehimsomethingtoeatawhileago。Hewasawfullyhungry！\"
Thesoundofbarefeetsplashingthroughthemudwasheardinthedarkness，andthedrummerboycametothedoor。
\"Ah，c’estvous！\"saidPetya。\"Voulez—vousmanger？N’ayezpaspeur，onnevousferapasdemal，\"*headdedshylyandaffectionately，touchingtheboy’shand。\"Entrez，entrez。\"*[2]
*\"Ah，it’syou！Doyouwantsomethingtoeat？Don’tbeafraid，theywon’thurtyou。\"
*[2]\"Comein，comein。\"
\"Merci，monsieur，\"*saidthedrummerboyinatremblingalmostchildishvoice，andhebeganscrapinghisdirtyfeetonthethreshold。
*\"Thankyou，sir。\"
ThereweremanythingsPetyawantedtosaytothedrummerboy，butdidnotdareto。Hestoodirresolutelybesidehiminthepassage。Theninthedarknesshetooktheboy’shandandpressedit。
\"Comein，comein！\"herepeatedinagentlewhisper。\"Oh，whatcanI
doforhim？\"hethought，andopeningthedoorhelettheboypassinfirst。
Whentheboyhadenteredthehut，Petyasatdownatadistancefromhim，consideringitbeneathhisdignitytopayattentiontohim。Buthefingeredthemoneyinhispocketandwonderedwhetheritwouldseemridiculoustogivesometothedrummerboy。
BK14CH8
CHAPTERVIII
ThearrivalofDolokhovdivertedPetya’sattentionfromthedrummerboy，towhomDenisovhadhadsomemuttonandvodkagiven，andwhomhehadhaddressedinaRussiancoatsothathemightbekeptwiththeirbandandnotsentawaywiththeotherprisoners。PetyahadheardinthearmymanystoriesofDolokhov’sextraordinarybraveryandofhiscrueltytotheFrench，sofromthemomentheenteredthehutPetyadidnottakehiseyesfromhim，butbracedhimselfupmoreandmoreandheldhisheadhigh，thathemightnotbeunworthyevenofsuchcompany。
Dolokhov’sappearanceamazedPetyabyitssimplicity。
DenisovworeaCossackcoat，hadabeard，hadaniconofNicholastheWonder—Workeronhisbreast，andhiswayofspeakingandeverythinghedidindicatedhisunusualposition。ButDolokhov，whoinMoscowhadwornaPersiancostume，hadnowtheappearanceofamostcorrectofficeroftheGuards。Hewasclean—shavenandworeaGuardsman’spaddedcoatwithanOrderofSt。Georgeathisbuttonholeandaplainforagecapsetstraightonhishead。Hetookoffhiswetfeltcloakinacorneroftheroom，andwithoutgreetinganyonewentuptoDenisovandbeganquestioninghimaboutthematterinhand。Denisovtoldhimofthedesignsthelargedetachmentshadonthetransport，ofthemessagePetyahadbrought，andhisownrepliestobothgenerals。ThenhetoldhimallheknewoftheFrenchdetachment。
\"That’sso。Butwemustknowwhattroopstheyareandtheirnumbers，\"saidDolokhov。\"Itwillbenecessarytogothere。Wecan’tstarttheaffairwithoutknowingforcertainhowmanythereare。I
liketoworkaccurately。Herenow—wouldn’toneofthesegentlemenliketorideovertotheFrenchcampwithme？Ihavebroughtaspareuniform。\"
\"I，I……I’llgowithyou！\"criedPetya。
\"There’snoneedforyoutogoatall，\"saidDenisov，addressingDolokhov，\"andasforhim，Iwon’tlethimgoonanyaccount。\"
\"Ilikethat！\"exclaimedPetya。\"Whyshouldn’tIgo？\"
\"Becauseit’suseless。\"
\"Well，youmustexcuseme，because……because……Ishallgo，andthat’sall。You’lltakeme，won’tyou？\"hesaid，turningtoDolokhov。
\"Whynot？\"Dolokhovansweredabsently，scrutinizingthefaceoftheFrenchdrummerboy。\"Haveyouhadthatyoungsterwithyoulong？\"
heaskedDenisov。
\"Hewastakentodaybutheknowsnothing。I’mkeepinghimwithme。\"
\"Yes，andwheredoyouputtheothers？\"inquiredDolokhov。
\"Where？Isendthemawayandtakeaweceiptforthem，\"shoutedDenisov，suddenlyflushing。\"AndIsayboldlythatIhavenotasingleman’slifeonmyconscience。Woulditbedifficultforyoutosendthirtyorthweehundwedmentotownunderescort，insteadofstaining—
Ispeakbluntly—stainingthehonorofasoldier？\"
\"Thatkindofamiabletalkwouldbesuitablefromthisyoungcountofsixteen，\"saidDolokhovwithcoldirony，\"butit’stimeforyoutodropit。\"
\"Why，I’venotsaidanything！IonlysaythatI’llcertainlygowithyou，\"saidPetyashyly。
\"Butforyouandme，oldfellow，it’stimetodroptheseamenities，\"
continuedDolokhov，asifhefoundparticularpleasureinspeakingofthissubjectwhichirritatedDenisov。\"Now，whyhaveyoukeptthislad？\"hewenton，swayinghishead。\"Becauseyouaresorryforhim！Don’tweknowthose’receipts’ofyours？Yousendahundredmenaway，andthirtygetthere。Theresteitherstarveorgetkilled。Soisn’titallthesamenottosendthem？\"
Theesaul，screwinguphislight—coloredeyes，noddedapprovingly。
\"That’snotthepoint。I’mnotgoingtodiscussthematter。Idonotwishtotakeitonmyconscience。Yousaythey’lldie。Allwight。Onlynotbymyfault！\"
Dolokhovbeganlaughing。
\"Whohastoldthemnottocapturemethesetwentytimesover？Butiftheydidcatchmethey’dstringmeuptoanaspentree，andwithallyourchivalryjustthesame。\"Hepaused。\"However，wemustgettowork。TelltheCossacktofetchmykit。IhavetwoFrenchuniformsinit。Well，areyoucomingwithme？\"heaskedPetya。
\"I？Yes，yes，certainly！\"criedPetya，blushingalmosttotearsandglancingatDenisov。
WhileDolokhovhadbeendisputingwithDenisovwhatshouldbedonewithprisoners，Petyahadoncemorefeltawkwardandrestless；butagainhehadnotimetograspfullywhattheyweretalkingabout。
\"Ifgrown—up，distinguishedmenthinkso，itmustbenecessaryandright，\"thoughthe。\"ButaboveallDenisovmustnotdaretoimaginethatI’llobeyhimandthathecanordermeabout。IwillcertainlygototheFrenchcampwithDolokhov。Ifhecan，socanI！\"
AndtoallDenisov’spersuasions，Petyarepliedthathetoowasaccustomedtodoeverythingaccuratelyandnotjustanyhow，andthatheneverconsideredpersonaldanger。
\"Foryou’lladmitthatifwedon’tknowforsurehowmanyofthemthereare……hundredsoflivesmaydependonit，whilethereareonlytwoofus。Besides，Iwanttogoverymuchandcertainlywillgo，sodon’thinderme，\"saidhe。\"Itwillonlymakethingsworse……\"
BK14CH9
CHAPTERIX
HavingputonFrenchgreatcoatsandshakos，PetyaandDolokhovrodetotheclearingfromwhichDenisovhadreconnoiteredtheFrenchcamp，andemergingfromtheforestinpitchdarknesstheydescendedintothehollow。Onreachingthebottom，DolokhovtoldtheCossacksaccompanyinghimtoawaithimthereandrodeonataquicktrotalongtheroadtothebridge。Petya，hisheartinhismouthwithexcitement，rodebyhisside。
\"Ifwe’recaught，Iwon’tbetakenalive！Ihaveapistol，\"
whisperedhe。
\"Don’ttalkRussian，\"saidDolokhovinahurriedwhisper，andatthatverymomenttheyheardthroughthedarknessthechallenge：\"Quivive？\"*andtheclickofamusket。
*\"Whogoesthere？\"
ThebloodrushedtoPetya’sfaceandhegraspedhispistol。
\"Lanciersdu6—me，\"*repliedDolokhov，neitherhasteningnorslackeninghishorse’space。
*\"Lancersofthe6thRegiment。\"
Theblackfigureofasentinelstoodonthebridge。
\"Motd’ordre。\"*
*\"Password。\"
Dolokhovreinedinhishorseandadvancedatawalk。
\"Ditesdonc，lecolonelGerardestici？\"*heasked。
*\"Tellme，isColonelGerardhere？\"
\"Motd’ordre，\"repeatedthesentinel，barringthewayandnotreplying。
\"Quandunofficierfaitsaronde，lessentinellesnedemandentpaslemotd’ordre……\"criedDolokhovsuddenlyflaringupandridingstraightatthesentinel。\"Jevousdemandesilecolonelestici。\"*
*\"Whenanofficerismakinghisround，sentinelsdon’taskhimforthepassword……Iamaskingyouifthecolonelishere。\"
Andwithoutwaitingforananswerfromthesentinel，whohadsteppedaside，Dolokhovrodeuptheinclineatawalk。
Noticingtheblackoutlineofamancrossingtheroad，Dolokhovstoppedhimandinquiredwherethecommanderandofficerswere。Theman，asoldierwithasackoverhisshoulder，stopped，camecloseuptoDolokhov’shorse，toucheditwithhishand，andexplainedsimplyandinafriendlywaythatthecommanderandtheofficerswerehigherupthehilltotherightinthecourtyardofthefarm，ashecalledthelandowner’shouse。
Havingriddenuptheroad，onbothsidesofwhichFrenchtalkcouldbeheardaroundthecampfires，Dolokhovturnedintothecourtyardofthelandowner’shouse。Havingriddenin，hedismountedandapproachedabigblazingcampfire，aroundwhichsatseveralmentalkingnoisily。Somethingwasboilinginasmallcauldronattheedgeofthefireandasoldierinapeakedcapandblueovercoat，litupbythefire，waskneelingbesideitstirringitscontentswitharamrod。
\"Oh，he’sahardnuttocrack，\"saidoneoftheofficerswhowassittingintheshadowattheothersideofthefire。
\"He’llmakethemgetamoveon，thosefellows！\"saidanother，laughing。
Bothfellsilent，peeringoutthroughthedarknessatthesoundofDolokhov’sandPetya’sstepsastheyadvancedtothefireleadingtheirhorses。
\"Bonjour，messieurs！\"*saidDolokhovloudlyandclearly。
*\"Goodday，gentlemen。\"
Therewasastiramongtheofficersintheshadowbeyondthefire，andonetall，long—neckedofficer，walkingroundthefire，cameuptoDolokhov。
\"Isthatyou，Clement？\"heasked。\"Wherethedevil……？But，noticinghismistake，hebrokeoffshortand，withafrown，greetedDolokhovasastranger，askingwhathecoulddoforhim。
Dolokhovsaidthatheandhiscompanionweretryingtoovertaketheirregiment，andaddressingthecompanyingeneralaskedwhethertheyknewanythingofthe6thRegiment。Noneofthemknewanything，andPetyathoughttheofficerswerebeginningtolookathimandDolokhovwithhostilityandsuspicion。Forsomesecondsallweresilent。
\"Ifyouwerecountingontheeveningsoup，youhavecometoolate，\"saidavoicefrombehindthefirewitharepressedlaugh。
Dolokhovrepliedthattheywerenothungryandmustpushonfartherthatnight。
Hehandedthehorsesovertothesoldierwhowasstirringthepotandsquatteddownonhisheelsbythefirebesidetheofficerwiththelongneck。ThatofficerdidnottakehiseyesfromDolokhovandagainaskedtowhatregimenthebelonged。Dolokhov，asifhehadnotheardthequestion，didnotreply，butlightingashortFrenchpipewhichhetookfromhispocketbeganaskingtheofficerinhowfartheroadbeforethemwassafefromCossacks。
\"Thosebrigandsareeverywhere，\"repliedanofficerfrombehindthefire。
DolokhovremarkedthattheCossackswereadangeronlytostragglerssuchashiscompanionandhimself，\"butprobablytheywouldnotdaretoattacklargedetachments？\"headdedinquiringly。Noonereplied。
\"Well，nowhe’llcomeaway，\"Petyathoughteverymomentashestoodbythecampfirelisteningtothetalk。
ButDolokhovrestartedtheconversationwhichhaddroppedandbeganputtingdirectquestionsastohowmanymentherewereinthebattalion，howmanybattalions，andhowmanyprisoners。AskingabouttheRussianprisonerswiththatdetachment，Dolokhovsaid：
\"Ahorridbusinessdraggingthesecorpsesaboutwithone！Itwouldbebettertoshootsuchrabble，\"andburstintoloudlaughter，sostrangethatPetyathoughttheFrenchwouldimmediatelydetecttheirdisguise，andinvoluntarilytookastepbackfromthecampfire。
NoonerepliedawordtoDolokhov’slaughter，andaFrenchofficerwhomtheycouldnotseehelaywrappedinagreatcoatroseandwhisperedsomethingtoacompanion。Dolokhovgotupandcalledtothesoldierwhowasholdingtheirhorses。
\"Willtheybringourhorsesornot？\"thoughtPetya，instinctivelydrawingnearertoDolokhov。
Thehorseswerebrought。
\"Goodevening，gentlemen，\"saidDolokhov。
Petyawishedtosay\"Goodnight\"butcouldnotutteraword。Theofficerswerewhisperingtogether。Dolokhovwasalongtimemountinghishorsewhichwouldnotstandstill，thenherodeoutoftheyardatafootpace。Petyarodebesidehim，longingtolookroundtoseewhetherornotheFrenchwererunningafterthem，butnotdaringto。
ComingoutontotheroadDolokhovdidnotridebackacrosstheopencountry，butthroughthevillage。Atonespothestoppedandlistened。\"Doyouhear？\"heasked。PetyarecognizedthesoundofRussianvoicesandsawthedarkfiguresofRussianprisonersroundtheircampfires。WhentheyhaddescendedtothebridgePetyaandDolokhovrodepastthesentinel，whowithoutsayingawordpacedmoroselyupanddownit，thentheydescendedintothehollowwheretheCossacksawaitedthem。
\"Wellnow，good—by。TellDenisov，’atthefirstshotatdaybreak，’\"saidDolokhovandwasabouttorideaway，butPetyaseizedholdofhim。
\"Really！\"hecried，\"youaresuchahero！Oh，howfine，howsplendid！HowIloveyou！\"
\"Allright，allright！\"saidDolokhov。ButPetyadidnotletgoofhimandDolokhovsawthroughthegloomthatPetyawasbendingtowardhimandwantedtokisshim。Dolokhovkissedhim，laughed，turnedhishorse，andvanishedintothedarkness。
BK14CH10
CHAPTERX
Havingreturnedtothewatchman’shut，PetyafoundDenisovinthepassage。HewasawaitingPetya’sreturninastateofagitation，anxiety，andself—reproachforhavinglethimgo。
\"ThankGod！\"heexclaimed。\"Yes，thankGod！\"herepeated，listeningtoPetya’srapturousaccount。\"But，deviltakeyou，I
haven’tsleptbecauseofyou！Well，thankGod。Nowliedown。Wecanstillgetanapbeforemorning。\"
\"But……no，\"saidPetya，\"Idon’twanttosleepyet。BesidesI
knowmyself，ifIfallasleepit’sfinished。AndthenIamusedtonotsleepingbeforeabattle。\"
Hesatawhileinthehutjoyfullyrecallingthedetailsofhisexpeditionandvividlypicturingtohimselfwhatwouldhappennextday。
Then，noticingthatDenisovwasasleep，heroseandwentoutofdoors。
Itwasstillquitedarkoutside。Therainwasover，butdropswerestillfallingfromthetrees。Nearthewatchman’shuttheblackshapesoftheCossacks’shantiesandofhorsestetheredtogethercouldbeseen。Behindthehutthedarkshapesofthetwowagonswiththeirhorsesbesidethemwerediscernible，andinthehollowthedyingcampfiregleamedred。NotalltheCossacksandhussarswereasleep；
hereandthere，amidthesoundsoffallingdropsandthemunchingofthehorsesnearby，couldbeheardlowvoiceswhichseemedtobewhispering。
Petyacameout，peeredintothedarkness，andwentuptothewagons。
Someonewassnoringunderthem，andaroundthemstoodsaddledhorsesmunchingtheiroats。InthedarkPetyarecognizedhisownhorse，whichhecalled\"Karabakh\"thoughitwasofUkranianbreed，andwentuptoit。
\"Well，Karabakh！We’lldosomeservicetomorrow，\"saidhe，sniffingitsnostrilsandkissingit。
\"Whyaren’tyouasleep，sir？\"saidaCossackwhowassittingunderawagon。
\"No，ah……Likhachev—isn’tthatyourname？DoyouknowIhaveonlyjustcomeback！We’vebeenintotheFrenchcamp。\"
AndPetyagavetheCossackadetailedaccountnotonlyofhisridebutalsoofhisobject，andwhyheconsidereditbettertoriskhislifethantoact\"justanyhow。\"
\"Well，youshouldgetsomesleepnow，\"saidtheCossack。
\"No，Iamusedtothis，\"saidPetya。\"Isay，aren’ttheflintsinyourpistolswornout？Ibroughtsomewithme。Don’tyouwantany？Youcanhavesome。\"
TheCossackbentforwardfromunderthewagontogetacloserlookatPetya。
\"BecauseIamaccustomedtodoingeverythingaccurately，\"saidPetya。\"Somefellowsdothingsjustanyhow，withoutpreparation，andthenthey’resorryforitafterwards。Idon’tlikethat。\"
\"Justso，\"saidtheCossack。
\"Ohyes，anotherthing！Please，mydearfellow，willyousharpenmysaberforme？It’sgotbl……\"Petyafearedtotellalie，andthesaberneverhadbeensharpened。\"Canyoudoit？\"
\"OfcourseIcan。\"
Likhachevgotup，rummagedinhispack，andsoonPetyaheardthewarlikesoundofsteelonwhetstone。Heclimbedontothewagonandsatonitsedge。TheCossackwassharpeningthesaberunderthewagon。
\"Isay！Aretheladsasleep？\"askedPetya。
\"Someare，andsomearen’t—likeus。\"
\"Well，andthatboy？\"
\"Vesenny？Oh，he’sthrownhimselfdownthereinthepassage。Fastasleepafterhisfright。Hewasthatglad！\"
AfterthatPetyaremainedsilentforalongtime，listeningtothesounds。Heheardfootstepsinthedarknessandablackfigureappeared。
\"Whatareyousharpening？\"askedamancominguptothewagon。
\"Why，thisgentleman’ssaber。\"
\"That’sright，\"saidtheman，whomPetyatooktobeanhussar。
\"Wasthecuplefthere？\"
\"There，bythewheel！\"
Thehussartookthecup。
\"Itmustbedaylightsoon，\"saidhe，yawning，andwentaway。
PetyaoughttohaveknownthathewasinaforestwithDenisov’sguerrillaband，lessthanamilefromtheroad，sittingonawagoncapturedfromtheFrenchbesidewhichhorsesweretethered，thatunderitLikhachevwassittingsharpeningasaberforhim，thatthebigdarkblotchtotherightwasthewatchman’shut，andtheredblotchbelowtotheleftwasthedyingembersofacampfire，thatthemanwhohadcomeforthecupwasanhussarwhowantedadrink；butheneitherknewnorwaitedtoknowanythingofallthis。Hewasinafairykingdomwherenothingresembledreality。Thebigdarkblotchmightreallybethewatchman’shutoritmightbeacavernleadingtotheverydepthsoftheearth。Perhapstheredspotwasafire，oritmightbetheeyeofanenormousmonster。Perhapshewasreallysittingonawagon，butitmightverywellbethathewasnotsittingonawagonbutonaterriblyhightowerfromwhich，ifhefell，hewouldhavetofallforawholedayorawholemonth，orgoonfallingandneverreachthebottom。PerhapsitwasjusttheCossack，Likhachev，whowassittingunderthewagon，butitmightbethekindest，bravest，mostwonderful，mostsplendidmanintheworld，whomnooneknewof。
Itmightreallyhavebeenthatthehussarcameforwaterandwentbackintothehollow，butperhapshehadsimplyvanished—disappearedaltogetheranddissolvedintonothingness。
NothingPetyacouldhaveseennowwouldhavesurprisedhim。Hewasinafairykingdomwhereeverythingwaspossible。
Helookedupatthesky。Andtheskywasafairyrealmliketheearth。Itwasclearing，andoverthetopsofthetreescloudswereswiftlysailingasifunveilingthestars。Sometimesitlookedasifthecloudswerepassing，andaclearblackskyappeared。Sometimesitseemedasiftheblackspaceswereclouds。Sometimestheskyseemedtoberisinghigh，highoverhead，andthenitseemedtosinksolowthatonecouldtouchitwithone’shand。
Petya’seyesbegantocloseandheswayedalittle。
Thetreesweredripping。Quiettalkingwasheard。Thehorsesneighedandjostledoneanother。Someonesnored。
\"Ozheg—zheg，Ozheg—zheg……\"hissedthesaberagainstthewhetstone，andsuddenlyPetyaheardanharmoniousorchestraplayingsomeunknown，sweetlysolemnhymn。PetyawasasmusicalasNatashaandmoresothanNicholas，buthadneverlearnedmusicorthoughtaboutit，andsothemelodythatunexpectedlycametohismindseemedtohimparticularlyfreshandattractive。Themusicbecamemoreandmoreaudible。Themelodygrewandpassedfromoneinstrumenttoanother。
Andwhatwasplayedwasafugue—thoughPetyahadnottheleastconceptionofwhatafugueis。Eachinstrument—nowresemblingaviolinandnowahorn，butbetterandclearerthanviolinorhorn—
playeditsownpart，andbeforeithadfinishedthemelodymergedwithanotherinstrumentthatbeganalmostthesameair，andthenwithathirdandafourth；andtheyallblendedintooneandagainbecameseparateandagainblended，nowintosolemnchurchmusic，nowintosomethingdazzlinglybrilliantandtriumphant。
\"Oh—why，thatwasinadream！\"Petyasaidtohimself，ashelurchedforward。\"It’sinmyears。Butperhapsit’smusicofmyown。Well，goon，mymusic！Now！……\"
Heclosedhiseyes，and，fromallsidesasiffromadistance，soundsfluttered，grewintoharmonies，separated，blended，andagainallmingledintothesamesweetandsolemnhymn。\"Oh，thisisdelightful！AsmuchasIlikeandasIlike！\"saidPetyatohimself。
Hetriedtoconductthatenormousorchestra。
\"Nowsoftly，softlydieaway！\"andthesoundsobeyedhim。\"Nowfuller，morejoyful。Stillmoreandmorejoyful！\"Andfromanunknowndepthroseincreasinglytriumphantsounds。\"Nowvoicesjoinin！\"orderedPetya。Andatfirstfromafarheheardmen’svoicesandthenwomen’s。Thevoicesgrewinharmonioustriumphantstrength，andPetyalistenedtotheirsurpassingbeautyinaweandjoy。
Withasolemntriumphalmarchtheremingledasong，thedripfromthetrees，andthehissingofthesaber，\"Ozheg—zheg—zheg……\"andagainthehorsesjostledoneanotherandneighed，notdisturbingthechoirbutjoininginit。
Petyadidnotknowhowlongthislasted：heenjoyedhimselfallthetime，wonderedathisenjoymentandregrettedthattherewasnoonetoshareit。HewasawakenedbyLikhachev’skindlyvoice。
\"It’sready，yourhonor；youcansplitaFrenchmaninhalfwithit！\"
Petyawokeup。
\"It’sgettinglight，it’sreallygettinglight！\"heexclaimed。
Thehorsesthathadpreviouslybeeninvisiblecouldnowbeseentotheirverytails，andawaterylightshoweditselfthroughthebarebranches。Petyashookhimself，jumpedup，tookarublefromhispocketandgaveittoLikhachev；thenheflourishedthesaber，testedit，andsheathedit。TheCossackswereuntyingtheirhorsesandtighteningtheirsaddlegirths。
\"Andhere’sthecommander，\"saidLikhachev。
Denisovcameoutofthewatchman’shutand，havingcalledPetya，gaveorderstogetready。
BK14CH11
CHAPTERXI
Themenrapidlypickedouttheirhorsesinthesemidarkness，tightenedtheirsaddlegirths，andformedcompanies。Denisovstoodbythewatchman’shutgivingfinalorders。Theinfantryofthedetachmentpassedalongtheroadandquicklydisappearedamidthetreesinthemistofearlydawn，hundredsoffeetsplashingthroughthemud。Theesaulgavesomeorderstohismen。Petyaheldhishorsebythebridle，impatientlyawaitingtheordertomount。Hisface，havingbeenbathedincoldwater，wasallaglow，andhiseyeswereparticularlybrilliant。Coldshiversrandownhisspineandhiswholebodypulsedrhythmically。
\"Well，isev’wythingweady？\"askedDenisov。\"Bwingthehorses。\"
Thehorseswerebrought。DenisovwasangrywiththeCossackbecausethesaddlegirthsweretooslack，reprovedhim，andmounted。
Petyaputhisfootinthestirrup。Hishorsebyhabitmadeasiftoniphisleg，butPetyaleapedquicklyintothesaddleunconsciousofhisownweightand，turningtolookatthehussarsstartinginthedarknessbehindhim，rodeuptoDenisov。
\"VasiliDmitrich，entrustmewithsomecommission！Please……forGod’ssake……！\"saidhe。
DenisovseemedtohaveforgottenPetya’sveryexistence。Heturnedtoglanceathim。
\"Iaskonethingofyou，\"hesaidsternly，\"toobeymeandnotshoveyourselfforwardanywhere。\"
HedidnotsayanotherwordtoPetyabutrodeinsilencealltheway。Whentheyhadcometotheedgeoftheforestitwasnoticeablygrowinglightoverthefield。DenisovtalkedinwhisperswiththeesaulandtheCossacksrodepastPetyaandDenisov。Whentheyhadallriddenby，Denisovtouchedhishorseandrodedownthehill。
Slippingontotheirhaunchesandsliding，thehorsesdescendedwiththeirridersintotheravine。PetyarodebesideDenisov，thepulsationofhisbodyconstantlyincreasing。Itwasgettinglighterandlighter，butthemiststillhiddistantobjects。Havingreachedthevalley，DenisovlookedbackandnoddedtoaCossackbesidehim。
\"Thesignal！\"saidhe。
TheCossackraisedhisarmandashotrangout。Inaninstantthetrampofhorsesgallopingforwardwasheard，shoutscamefromvarioussides，andthenmoreshots。
Atthefirstsoundoftramplinghoofsandshouting，Petyalashedhishorseandlooseninghisreingallopedforward，notheedingDenisovwhoshoutedathim。ItseemedtoPetyathatatthemomenttheshotwasfireditsuddenlybecameasbrightasnoon。Hegallopedtothebridge。
Cossacksweregallopingalongtheroadinfrontofhim。OnthebridgehecollidedwithaCossackwhohadfallenbehind，buthegallopedon。Infrontofhimsoldiers，probablyFrenchmen，wererunningfromrighttoleftacrosstheroad。Oneofthemfellinthemudunderhishorse’sfeet。
Cossackswerecrowdingaboutahut，busywithsomething。Fromthemidstofthatcrowdterriblescreamsarose。Petyagallopedup，andthefirstthinghesawwasthepalefaceandtremblingjawofaFrenchman，clutchingthehandleofalancethathadbeenaimedathim。
\"Hurrah！……Lads！……ours！\"shoutedPetya，andgivingreintohisexcitedhorsehegallopedforwardalongthevillagestreet。
Hecouldhearshootingaheadofhim。Cossacks，hussars，andraggedRussianprisoners，whohadcomerunningfrombothsidesoftheroad，wereshoutingsomethingloudlyandincoherently。Agallant—lookingFrenchman，inablueovercoat，capless，andwithafrowningredface，hadbeendefendinghimselfagainstthehussars。WhenPetyagallopeduptheFrenchmanhadalreadyfallen。\"Toolateagain！\"
flashedthroughPetya’smindandhegallopedontotheplacefromwhichtherapidfiringcouldbeheard。Theshotscamefromtheyardofthelandowner’shousehehadvisitedthenightbeforewithDolokhov。
TheFrenchweremakingastandtherebehindawattlefenceinagardenthicklyovergrownwithbushesandwerefiringattheCossackswhocrowdedatthegateway。Throughthesmoke，asheapproachedthegate，PetyasawDolokhov，whosefacewasofapale—greenishtint，shoutingtohismen。\"Goround！Waitfortheinfantry！\"heexclaimedasPetyarodeuptohim。
\"Wait？……Hurrah—ah—ah！\"shoutedPetya，andwithoutpausingamomentgallopedtotheplacewhencecamethesoundsoffiringandwherethesmokewasthickest。
Avolleywasheard，andsomebulletswhistledpast，whileothersplashedagainstsomething。TheCossacksandDolokhovgallopedafterPetyaintothegatewayofthecourtyard。InthedensewaveringsmokesomeoftheFrenchthrewdowntheirarmsandranoutofthebushestomeettheCossacks，whileothersrandownthehilltowardthepond。Petyawasgallopingalongthecourtyard，butinsteadofholdingthereinshewavedbothhisarmsaboutrapidlyandstrangely，slippingfartherandfarthertoonesideinhissaddle。Hishorse，havinggallopeduptoacampfirethatwassmolderinginthemorninglight，stoppedsuddenly，andPetyafellheavilyontothewetground。TheCossackssawthathisarmsandlegsjerkedrapidlythoughhisheadwasquitemotionless。Abullethadpiercedhisskull。
AfterspeakingtotheseniorFrenchofficer，whocameoutofthehousewithawhitehandkerchieftiedtohisswordandannouncedthattheysurrendered，DolokhovdismountedandwentuptoPetya，wholaymotionlesswithoutstretchedarms。
\"Donefor！\"hesaidwithafrown，andwenttothegatetomeetDenisovwhowasridingtowardhim。
\"Killed？\"criedDenisov，recognizingfromadistancetheunmistakablylifelessattitude—veryfamiliartohim—inwhichPetya’sbodywaslying。
\"Donefor！\"repeatedDolokhovasiftheutteranceofthesewordsaffordedhimpleasure，andhewentquicklyuptotheprisoners，whoweresurroundedbyCossackswhohadhurriedup。\"Wewon’ttakethem！\"hecalledouttoDenisov。
Denisovdidnotreply；herodeuptoPetya，dismounted，andwithtremblinghandsturnedtowardhimselfthebloodstained，mud—bespatteredfacewhichhadalreadygonewhite。
\"Iamusedtosomethingsweet。Raisins，fineones……takethemall！\"
herecalledPetya’swords。AndtheCossackslookedroundinsurpriseatthesound，liketheyelpofadog，withwhichDenisovturnedaway，walkedtothewattlefence，andseizedholdofit。
AmongtheRussianprisonersrescuedbyDenisovandDolokhovwasPierreBezukhov。
BK14CH12
CHAPTERXII
DuringthewholeoftheirmarchfromMoscownofreshordershadbeenissuedbytheFrenchauthoritiesconcerningthepartyofprisonersamongwhomwasPierre。Onthetwenty—secondofOctoberthatpartywasnolongerwiththesametroopsandbaggagetrainswithwhichithadleftMoscow。HalfthewagonsladenwithhardtackthathadtraveledthefirststageswiththemhadbeencapturedbyCossacks，theotherhalfhadgoneonahead。Notoneofthosedismountedcavalrymenwhohadmarchedinfrontoftheprisonerswasleft；theyhadalldisappeared。TheartillerytheprisonershadseeninfrontofthemduringthefirstdayswasnowreplacedbyMarshalJunot’senormousbaggagetrain，convoyedbyWestphalians。Behindtheprisonerscameacavalrybaggagetrain。
FromVyazmaonwardstheFrencharmy，whichhadtillthenmovedinthreecolumns，wentonasasinglegroup。ThesymptomsofdisorderthatPierrehadnoticedattheirfirsthaltingplaceafterleavingMoscowhadnowreachedtheutmostlimit。
Theroadalongwhichtheymovedwasborderedonbothsidesbydeadhorses；raggedmenwhohadfallenbehindfromvariousregimentscontinuallychangedabout，nowjoiningthemovingcolumn，nowagainlaggingbehindit。
Severaltimesduringthemarchfalsealarmshadbeengivenandthesoldiersoftheescorthadraisedtheirmuskets，fired，andrunheadlong，crushingoneanother，buthadafterwardsreassembledandabusedeachotherfortheircauselesspanic。
Thesethreegroupstravelingtogether—thecavalrystores，theconvoyofprisoners，andJunot’sbaggagetrain—stillconstitutedaseparateandunitedwhole，thougheachofthegroupswasrapidlymeltingaway。
Oftheartillerybaggagetrainwhichhadconsistedofahundredandtwentywagons，notmorethansixtynowremained；theresthadbeencapturedorleftbehind。SomeofJunot’swagonsalsohadbeencapturedorabandoned。ThreewagonshadbeenraidedandrobbedbystragglersfromDavout’scorps。FromthetalkoftheGermansPierrelearnedthatalargerguardhadbeenallottedtothatbaggagetrainthantotheprisoners，andthatoneoftheircomrades，aGermansoldier，hadbeenshotbythemarshal’sownorderbecauseasilverspoonbelongingtothemarshalhadbeenfoundinhispossession。
Thegroupofprisonershadmeltedawaymostofall。OfthethreehundredandthirtymenwhohadsetoutfromMoscowfewerthanahundrednowremained。TheprisonersweremoreburdensometotheescortthaneventhecavalrysaddlesorJunot’sbaggage。TheyunderstoodthatthesaddlesandJunot’sspoonmightbeofsomeuse，butthatcoldandhungrysoldiersshouldhavetostandandguardequallycoldandhungryRussianswhofrozeandlaggedbehindontheroadinwhichcasetheorderwastoshootthemwasnotmerelyincomprehensiblebutrevolting。Andtheescort，asifafraid，inthegrievousconditiontheythemselveswerein，ofgivingwaytothepitytheyfeltfortheprisonersandsorenderingtheirownplightstillworse，treatedthemwithparticularmorosenessandseverity。
AtDorogobuzhwhilethesoldiersoftheconvoy，afterlockingtheprisonersinastable，hadgoneofftopillagetheirownstores，severalofthesoldierprisonerstunneledunderthewallandranaway，butwererecapturedbytheFrenchandshot。
Thearrangementadoptedwhentheystarted，thattheofficerprisonersshouldbekeptseparatefromtherest，hadlongsincebeenabandoned。Allwhocouldwalkwenttogether，andafterthethirdstagePierrehadrejoinedKarataevandthegray—bluebandy—leggeddogthathadchosenKarataevforitsmaster。
OnthethirddayafterleavingMoscowKarataevagainfellillwiththefeverhehadsufferedfrominthehospitalinMoscow，andashegrewgraduallyweakerPierrekeptawayfromhim。Pierredidnotknowwhy，butsinceKarataevhadbeguntogrowweakerithadcosthimanefforttogonearhim。WhenhedidsoandheardthesubduedmoaningwithwhichKarataevgenerallylaydownatthehaltingplaces，andwhenhesmelledtheodoremanatingfromhimwhichwasnowstrongerthanbefore，Pierremovedfartherawayanddidnotthinkabouthim。
WhileimprisonedintheshedPierrehadlearnednotwithhisintellectbutwithhiswholebeing，bylifeitself，thatmaniscreatedforhappiness，thathappinessiswithinhim，inthesatisfactionofsimplehumanneeds，andthatallunhappinessarisesnotfromprivationbutfromsuperfluity。Andnowduringtheselastthreeweeksofthemarchhehadlearnedstillanothernew，consolatorytruth—thatnothinginthisworldisterrible。Hehadlearnedthatasthereisnoconditioninwhichmancanbehappyandentirelyfree，sothereisnoconditioninwhichheneedbeunhappyandlackfreedom。Helearnedthatsufferingandfreedomhavetheirlimitsandthatthoselimitsareveryneartogether；thatthepersoninabedofroseswithonecrumpledpetalsufferedaskeenlyashenow，sleepingonthebaredampearthwithonesidegrowingchilledwhiletheotherwaswarming；andthatwhenhehadputontightdancingshoeshehadsufferedjustashedidnowwhenhewalkedwithbarefeetthatwerecoveredwithsores—hisfootgearhavinglongsincefallentopieces。Hediscoveredthatwhenhehadmarriedhiswife—ofhisownfreewillasithadseemedtohim—hehadbeennomorefreethannowwhentheylockedhimupatnightinastable。Ofallthathehimselfsubsequentlytermedhissufferings，butwhichatthetimehescarcelyfelt，theworstwasthestateofhisbare，raw，andscab—coveredfeet。Thehorsefleshwasappetizingandnourishing，thesaltpeterflavorofthegunpowdertheyusedinsteadofsaltwasevenpleasant；therewasnogreatcold，itwasalwayswarmwalkinginthedaytime，andatnighttherewerethecampfires；thelicethatdevouredhimwarmedhisbody。Theonethingthatwasatfirsthardtobearwashisfeet。