Pagina 538 di 3800

While he was speaking, the curtain of smoke that had concealed

the hollow, driven by a rising wind, began to move from right to

left as if drawn by an invisible hand, and the hill opposite,

with the French moving about on it, opened out before them. All

eyes fastened involuntarily on this French column advancing

against them and winding down over the uneven ground. One could

already see the soldiers' shaggy caps, distinguish the officers

from the men, and see the standard flapping against its staff.

"They march splendidly," remarked someone in Bagration's suite.

The head of the column had already descended into the hollow. The

clash would take place on this side of it...