Sayfa 534 / 3800

The soldiers were ascending the hill breathing heavily, and

despite the general's presence were talking loudly and

gesticulating. In front of them rows of gray cloaks were already

visible through the smoke, and an officer catching sight of

Bagration rushed shouting after the crowd of retreating soldiers,

ordering them back. Bagration rode up to the ranks along which

shots crackled now here and now there, drowning the sound of

voices and the shouts of command. The whole air reeked with

smoke. The excited faces of the soldiers were blackened with it.

Some were using their ramrods, others putting powder on the

touchpans or taking charges from their pouches, while others were

firing, though who they were firing at could not be seen for the

smoke which there was no wind to carry away. A pleasant humming

and whistling of bullets were often heard. "What is this?"

thought Prince Andrew approaching the crowd of soldiers.