" It has begun! Here it is, dreadful but enjoyable!" was what the face of each soldier and each officer seemed to say.

Before he had reached the embankments that were being thrown up, he saw, in the light of the dull autumn evening, mounted men coming toward him.

The foremost, wearing a Cossack cloak and lambskin cap and riding a white horse, was Prince Bagration.

Prince Andrew stopped, waiting for him to come up; Prince Bagration reined in his horse and recognizing Prince Andrew nodded to him.

He still looked ahead while Prince Andrew told him what he had seen.