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CHAPTER XVI

Kutuzov accompanied by his adjutants rode at a walking pace

behind the carabineers.

When he had gone less than half a mile in the rear of the column

he stopped at a solitary, deserted house that had probably once

been an inn, where two roads parted. Both of them led downhill

and troops were marching along both.

The fog had begun to clear and enemy troops were already dimly

visible about a mile and a half off on the opposite heights. Down

below, on the left, the firing became more distinct. Kutuzov had

stopped and was speaking to an Austrian general. Prince Andrew,

who was a little behind looking at them, turned to an adjutant to

ask him for a field glass.

"Look, look!" said this adjutant, looking not at the troops in

the distance, but down the hill before him. "It's the French!"