26^ HOnJE POLONIC.B. 



took place between two regiments of cavalry of the contending 

 parties, of which, in consequence of the clouds of sand and dust 

 raised by their evolutions, we had a very imperfect view. 



About three English miles down the river on which Buliraow 

 stands, is a small straggling village, then occupied by the 2nd and 

 3rd Polish Lancers, forming part of the right wing of the army. 

 Here 1 determined to proceed, with the view of obtaining better 

 accommodations, and of joining a compatriot. Ensign Kirkpatrick, 

 of the 2nd lancers, with whom I had become acquainted at Warsaw. 

 The road from Bulimow was lined the whole way by military 

 posts, and regiments bivouacked in lines. I was rather surprised 

 as our waggon moved, in transitu, that we were never challenged 

 by the sentinels, it not occurring to me at the time that my 

 uniform, as surgeon, was a sufficient passport, and that my com- 

 panion enjoyed the same protection, whilst he remained at my side, 

 and passed as my servant. 



On arriving at the village, I bargained with a peasant for the 

 use of his hovel, in which 1 had beds made of clean straw, the 

 comforts of which I enjoyed, alas, only in anticipation. Having 

 lixed upon the fattest goose that could be found in the village, 

 which was soon trussed and placed before the fire, I sent my 

 companion to ascertain the exact situation of the 2nd lancers, and 

 if he found Kirkpatrick, to request his assistance in eating the 

 goose. Feeling uneasy at his long absence, I rose from the straw 

 on which I had been reclining, and sallied forth. Seeing nothing 

 of him, I requested the first officer I met with to direct me to the 

 2nd lancers. He oflFered to conduct me thither, and I soon discover- 

 ed that he was acquainted with Kirkpatrick, and served in the same 

 regiment. We had not proceeded far when we observed a private 

 of the lancers, mounted, and followed by a person on foot, dressed 

 in plain clothes, crossing our path. The officer suddenly paused 

 and exclaimed, " Viola, un espion" and pointing to something like 

 cross timbers, erected upon a neighbouring hill, told me that no 

 doubt a spy was going to be executed. As we approached nearer 

 to the prisoner, the officer heaping imprecations on the head of the 

 supposed rascally delinquent, what were my emotions upon dis- 

 covering in the supposed spy, my companion, Thompson, who 

 upon perceiving me, ran towards us, seizing me by the waist, and 

 commenced talking incoherently, a mixture of English, German, 

 and Polish. I had sufficient presence of mind to explain to the 

 officer that he was my domestic, and that I had sent him in quest 

 of the English Ensign in his regiment. Upon this representation 

 he consented to re-conduct his prisoner to the officer who had 

 arrested him. When in his presence 1 endeavoured to assume a 

 haughty air, and asked him how he had presumed to arrest the 

 servant of an English surgeon, and was expressing myself warmly 

 upon the insult he had offered me, when he very coolly asked me 

 how h)ng he had been in my service. My tongue clove to the roof 

 of my mouth as I answered, " since yesterday j" but, said I, he is 

 an Englishman, and do you suppose an Englishman could act the 



