"They are marching very quickly, for the noise is increasing.
Are they Russians or Tartars ?" Michael again listened.

"Yes," said he, "they are at a sharp trot.

My horse cannot outstrip them.

If they are Russians I will join them; if Tartars I must avoid them.

But how?
Where can I hide in this steppe ?" He gave a look around, and, through the darkness, discovered a confused mass at a hundred paces before him on the left of the road.