Denísov waits to hear from Dólokhov concerning their plan to attack the French convoy the next day. A young officer, who turns out to be Pétya Rostóv, rides up with a letter for Denísov.
Denísov waits to hear from Dólokhov concerning their plan to attack the French convoy the next day. A young officer, who turns out to be Pétya Rostóv, rides up with a letter for Denísov.
Book 14, Chapter 4
Denísov waits to hear from Dólokhov concerning their plan to attack the French convoy the next day. A young officer, who turns out to be Pétya Rostóv, rides up with a letter for Denísov.
Summary:
Denísov and some of his hussars are riding through a heavy rain. They are cold, wet and hungry. Denísov is also frustrated because he has not yet heard from Dólokhov concerning their plan to attack and seize the large French baggage convoy the next day. A young Russian officer, who Denísov does not recognize at first, rides up with a letter. This turns out to be Pétya Rostóv, and he and Denísov exchange friendly greetings. The letter is from the German general who has been hoping that Denísov will fight under him, but Denísov wishes to remain independent. Denísov hopes to meet with Dólokhov that evening. He is anxious that he and Dólokhov finalize their plans and capture the French convoy before the German general can beat them to it and capture the convoy himself.
quote from the chapter:
The officer, a very young lad with a broad rosy face and keen merry eyes, galloped up to Denísov and handed him a sodden envelope.
From the general, said the officer. Please excuse its not being quite dry.
Denísov, frowning, took the envelope and opened it.
There, they kept telling us: ‘It’s dangerous, it’s dangerous,’ said the officer, addressing the esaul while Denísov was reading the dispatch. But Komaróv and I-he pointed to the Cossack-were prepared. We have each of us two pistols…. But what’s this? he asked, noticing the French drummer boy. A prisoner? You’ve already been in action? May I speak to him?
Wostóv! Pétya! exclaimed Denísov, having run through the dispatch. Why didn’t you say who you were? and turning with a smile he held out his hand to the lad.
The officer was Pétya Rostóv.
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