Chapter 10
Consciousness returned to Pierre slowly. Many a time his eyes
opened, and he saw nothing, but when he did see and hear it was by
vague glimpses.
He heard the crunch of the snow underfoot; he heard the panting
and snorting of the horses; he felt the swing and jolt of the
saddle beneath him; he saw the grim faces of the long-riders, and
he said: "The law has taken me."
Thereafter he let his will lapse, and surrendered to the sleepy
numbness which assailed his brain in waves. He was riding without
support by this time, but it was an automatic effort. There was no
more real life in him than in a dummy figure. It was not the effect
of the blow. It was rather the long exposure and the overexertion
of mind and body during the evening and night. He had simply
collapsed ben
