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Before him, on the right, Rostov saw the front lines of his

hussars and still farther ahead a dark line which he could not

see distinctly but took to be the enemy. Shots could be heard,

but some way off.

"Faster!" came the word of command, and Rostov felt Rook's flanks

drooping as he broke into a gallop.

Rostov anticipated his horse's movements and became more and more

elated. He had noticed a solitary tree ahead of him. This tree

had been in the middle of the line that had seemed so

terrible-and now he had crossed that line and not only was there

nothing terrible, but everything was becoming more and more happy

and animated. "Oh, how I will slash at him!" thought Rostov,

gripping the hilt of his saber.