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.