第589页 / 共3800页

"You might have taken some from the covering troops."

Tushin did not say that there were no covering troops, though

that was perfectly true. He was afraid of getting some other

officer into trouble, and silently fixed his eyes on Bagration as

a schoolboy who has blundered looks at an examiner.

The silence lasted some time. Prince Bagration, apparently not

wishing to be severe, found nothing to say; the others did not

venture to intervene. Prince Andrew looked at Tushin from under

his brows and his fingers twitched nervously.

"Your excellency!" Prince Andrew broke the silence with his

abrupt voice, "you were pleased to send me to Captain Tushin's

battery. I went there and found two thirds of the men and horses

knocked out, two guns smashed, and no supports at all."

Prince Bagration and Tushin looked with equal intentness at

Bolkonski, who spoke with suppressed agitation.