Pagina 886 di 3800

He listened and heard the sound of approaching horses, and voices

speaking French. He opened his eyes. Above him again was the same

lofty sky with clouds that had risen and were floating still

higher, and between them gleamed blue infinity. He did not turn

his head and did not see those who, judging by the sound of hoofs

and voices, had ridden up and stopped near him.

It was Napoleon accompanied by two aides-de-camp. Bonaparte

riding over the battlefield had given final orders to strengthen

the batteries firing at the Augesd Dam and was looking at the

killed and wounded left on the field.

"Fine men!" remarked Napoleon, looking at a dead Russian

grenadier, who, with his face buried in the ground and a

blackened nape, lay on his stomach with an already stiffened arm

flung wide.

"The ammunition for the guns in position is exhausted, Your

Majesty," said an adjutant who had come from the batteries that

were firing at Augesd.