Pagina 436 de 3800

The dark starry night was followed by a bright cheerful morning.

The snow was thawing in the sunshine, the horses galloped

quickly, and on both sides of the road were forests of different

kinds, fields, and villages.

At one of the post stations he overtook a convoy of Russian

wounded. The Russian officer in charge of the transport lolled

back in the front cart, shouting and scolding a soldier with

coarse abuse. In each of the long German carts six or more pale,

dirty, bandaged men were being jolted over the stony road. Some

of them were talking (he heard Russian words), others were eating

bread; the more severely wounded looked silently, with the

languid interest of sick children, at the envoy hurrying past

them.

Prince Andrew told his driver to stop, and asked a soldier in

what action they had been wounded. "Day before yesterday, on the

Danube," answered the soldier. Prince Andrew took out his purse

and gave the soldier three gold pieces.