Dólokhov, accompanied by Pétya manage to enter the French camp, obtain information, and leave without incident. Pétya is quite frightened the entire time. This experience leaves Pétya even more in awe of Dólokhov’s bravery.
Dólokhov, accompanied by Pétya manage to enter the French camp, obtain information, and leave without incident. Pétya is quite frightened the entire time. This experience leaves Pétya even more in awe of Dólokhov’s bravery.
Book 14, Chapter 9
Dólokhov, accompanied by Pétya manage to enter the French camp, obtain information, and leave without incident. Pétya is quite frightened the entire time. This experience leaves Pétya even more in awe of Dólokhov’s bravery.
Summary:
Dólokhov and Pétya, wearing French uniforms, approach the French sentry. When asked for the password, Dólokhov feigns anger and they are allowed to enter the camp. They find a group of French officers seated around a campfire and join the group, pretending to be stragglers in search of their unit. The French around the campfire appear suspicious, but no one challenges Dólokhov. Dólokhov asks them some questions about the French force, and they leave after a few minutes. Then Dólokhov and Pétya ride slowly through the village, noticing where the French are holding their Russian prisoners. Pétya is quite frightened throughout the entire time, and does not speak at all while in the presence of the French. After they leave the village and are about to separate, Pétya expresses profound admiration for Dólokhov’s courage, telling him you are such a hero! Oh, how fine, how splendid! How I love you! As they part, Dólokhov tells Pétya to let Denísov know the attack will be in the morning at first light.
quote from the chapter:
Well, now he’ll come away, Pétya thought every moment as he stood by the campfire listening to the talk.
But Dólokhov restarted the conversation which had dropped and began putting direct questions as to how many men there were in the battalion, how many battalions, and how many prisoners. Asking about the Russian prisoners with that detachment, Dólokhov said:
A horrid business dragging these corpses about with one! It would be better to shoot such rabble, and burst into loud laughter, so strange that Pétya thought the French would immediately detect their disguise, and involuntarily took a step back from the campfire.
No one replied a word to Dólokhov’s laughter, and a French officer whom they could not see (he lay wrapped in a greatcoat) rose and whispered something to a companion. Dólokhov got up and called to the soldier who was holding their horses.
Click here to read full text of this chapter.
Please help improve this shared document by posting your suggested corrections, clarifications, and changes below. Thank you!