It seemed strange that German troops should be in retreat so soon, but in a moment he understood.

He did not see soldiers moving along the road, but a company of civilians, with carts that were drawn by men and women.

At first the sight puzzled him, but then he understood, and he called to Boris to look.
"They're clearing out the villages toward the border," he said.
Boris only glanced through the glass.
"Yes.

They were doing it the day after the war began, too," he said.
"It's better for them, of course.

If civilians are about where there is fighting, they are in danger from both sides.