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The two generals and the adjutant took hold of the field glass,

trying to snatch it from one another. The expression on all their

faces suddenly changed to one of horror. The French were supposed

to be a mile and a half away, but had suddenly and unexpectedly

appeared just in front of us.

"It's the enemy?... No!... Yes, see it is!... for certain.... But

how is that?" said different voices.

With the naked eye Prince Andrew saw below them to the right, not

more than five hundred paces from where Kutuzov was standing, a

dense French column coming up to meet the Apsherons.

"Here it is! The decisive moment has arrived. My turn has come,"

thought Prince Andrew, and striking his horse he rode up to

Kutuzov.