The Russian officer in charge of the transport lolled back in the front cart, shouting and scolding a soldier with coarse abuse.

In each of the long German carts six or more pale, dirty, bandaged men were being jolted over the stony road.

Some of them were talking (he heard Russian words), others were eating bread; the more severely wounded looked silently, with the languid interest of sick children, at the envoy hurrying past them.

Prince Andrew told his driver to stop, and asked a soldier in what action they had been wounded.