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Tushin turned round in dismay. It was the staff officer who had

turned him out of the booth at Grunth. He was shouting in a

gasping voice:

"Are you mad? You have twice been ordered to retreat, and you..."

"Why are they down on me?" thought Tushin, looking in alarm at

his superior.

"I... don't..." he muttered, holding up two fingers to his cap.

"I..."

But the staff officer did not finish what he wanted to say. A

cannon ball, flying close to him, caused him to duck and bend

over his horse. He paused, and just as he was about to say

something more, another ball stopped him. He turned his horse and

galloped off.

"Retire! All to retire!" he shouted from a distance.

The soldiers laughed. A moment later, an adjutant arrived with

the same order.