Pierre heard the French consulting whether to shoot them separately or two at a time. "In couples," replied the officer in command in a calm voice. There was a stir in the ranks of the soldiers and it was evident that they were all hurryingnot as men hurry to do something they understand, but as people hurry to finish a necessary but unpleasant and incomprehensible task.

Another hussar also rushed toward the horse, but Bondarenko had already thrown the reins of the snaffle bridle over the horse`s head. It was evident that the cadet was liberal with his tips and that it paid to serve him. Rostov patted the horse`s neck and then his flank, and lingered for a moment.