250 

 HOR^ POLONIC^. 



NO IT. 



The hospitals were soon completely crowded by the wounded frona 

 the battle of Ostralenka, and, in consequence, our time was fully 

 occupied in performing such operations upon the unfortunate 

 surviving .victims as their wounds had rendered necessary, and 

 ■which had been delayed in consequence of the retreat and concen- 

 tration of the Polish army round Warsaw. 



The cholera, which had in some degree subsided, again resumed 

 its ravages more virulently than before, reappearing with increased 

 mahgnity the day after the arrival of the army. It was now 

 evident a crisis was approaching — additional barricades were form- 

 ed in every street, new mines and batteries constructed on every 

 side of the town, accompanied with measures to insure a general 

 rising in arms of the whole population. 



The seat of war was now transferred to the western bank of the 

 Vistula, but no authentic reports of the operations on either side 

 could be obtained. In hopes of gaining some information, we 

 sauntered to a hotel in the suburbs, the landlord of which was an 

 Englishman, named Marks. We there met with a Scotch cotton 

 manufacturer who stated that his house, which was situated forty 

 miles from Warsaw, had two days previous been the head-quarters 

 of the Polish commander in chief, and as he was on the point of 

 leaving the town to rejoin his wife and, family, I made no hesitation 

 in offering to accompany him. This offer was as unhesitatingly 

 accepted on his partj and, haying assumed my full surgeon's 

 uniform, and obtained leave of absence from the physician-in-chief 

 of my hospital, I bade adieu to such of my companions as chance 

 threw in my way. After waiting some time at the place of 

 rendezvous, my Scotch friend at length appleared, in the ordinary 

 travelling chariot of the country, a long narrow willow basket, 

 hung about three feet from the ground, containing straw instead of 

 seats, drawn by two active little horses. We proceeded at as 

 quick a pace as the sandy nature of the roads would allow, and 

 arrived at our destination as night closed in. I learnt that the 

 Russians had retraced their steps to Biilimow, and the Poles 

 having in consequence made a movement in advance, the head- 

 quarters of Skreynecki were removed to the house of an English- 

 man named Bromfield, residing as agent upon the estate of 

 General Lubienski. Having taken some refreshment with my host 

 and his wife, a very pretty Scotchwoman, and been introduced 

 to the cave which they had prepared as a place of retreat in case of 

 need for their household penates, I determined to obey the irresis- 

 tible impulse of curiosity, and push forward to witness, if possible, 

 the battle which was shortly expected fo take place, my host's 

 wife asserting she had heard artillery at some distance two or 



