Pagina 344 di 3800

"Well, that's all right," continued the regimental commander. "A

cup of vodka for the men from me," he added so that the soldiers

could hear. "I thank you all! God be praised!" and he rode past

that company and overtook the next one.

"Well, he's really a good fellow, one can serve under him," said

Timokhin to the subaltern beside him.

"In a word, a hearty one..." said the subaltern, laughing (the

regimental commander was nicknamed King of Hearts).

The cheerful mood of their officers after the inspection infected

the soldiers. The company marched on gaily. The soldiers' voices

could be heard on every side.

"And they said Kutuzov was blind of one eye?"

"And so he is! Quite blind!"

"No, friend, he is sharper-eyed than you are. Boots and leg

bands... he noticed everything..."

"When he looked at my feet, friend... well, thinks I..."

"And that other one with him, the Austrian, looked as if he were

smeared with chalk-as white as flour! I suppose they polish him

up as they do the guns."