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The fog had grown so dense that though it was growing light they

could not see ten paces ahead. Bushes looked like gigantic trees

and level ground like cliffs and slopes. Anywhere, on any side,

one might encounter an enemy invisible ten paces off. But the

columns advanced for a long time, always in the same fog,

descending and ascending hills, avoiding gardens and enclosures,

going over new and unknown ground, and nowhere encountering the

enemy. On the contrary, the soldiers became aware that in front,

behind, and on all sides, other Russian columns were moving in

the same direction. Every soldier felt glad to know that to the

unknown place where he was going, many more of our men were going

too.

"There now, the Kurskies have also gone past," was being said in

the ranks.

"It's wonderful what a lot of our troops have gathered, lads!

Last night I looked at the campfires and there was no end of

them. A regular Moscow!"