"Your honor, there he is!" cried one of the hussars behind him.

And before Rostov had time to make out what the black thing was that had suddenly appeared in the fog, there was a flash, followed by a report, and a bullet whizzing high up in the mist with a plaintive sound passed out of hearing.

Another musket missed fire but flashed in the pan.

Rostov turned his horse and galloped back.