2 
On the 8th July, 1890 (says the writer) at the request of the inventor, I tried 
these bags on the river Sooprasl near Baylostok with excellent results. 
Accompanied by my orderly I went to the river, and having packed our uni¬ 
forms, arms, etc., in the bags and slung them round our necks, we jumped our 
horses into the water, holding on by their manes and crossed the river backwards 
and forwards several times. The bags towed behind us and did not hamper our 
horses in the river in the least. After this we tied the ropes to bushes on the 
bank and let the bags remain in the water for more than half-an-hour without 
any of the contents getting damp. 
A pack animal carrying 80 to 100 bags might easily accompany each squadron 
in dragoon and cossack regiments on service. 
In case of detachments of less strength than a squadron, the bags might be 
slung to the rear arch of the saddles. It would not do, however, to carry the 
bags on the saddles permanently, as they add to the already heavy equipment, 
and besides the rubbing would quickly wear out the bags—for this reason I sug¬ 
gest pack animals. 
This invention certainly deserves attention, especially when we consider that, 
though swimming rivers is now part of the programme of our summer drills, 
many officers and men fail to become good swimmers owing to their being quar¬ 
tered at a distance from water. Moreover, even at manoeuvres, there have been 
cases of drowning when the swimming practice is being carried out. 
In peace-time, as a rule, drowning men can be rescued, but in war-time there 
is no time for this, and though our cavalry are trained to make light of all risks 
on service, in the moment of the charge every sabre counts. 
One of our most distinguished cavalry leaders says of this invention :— 
“ In the days of armed peace in which we now live, so valuable an invention 
must be made known as quickly as possible. I am personally convinced that 
this invention is of very great importance in independent cavalry operations, in 
raids in the theatre of war, and particularly in | partisan * warfare. 
If we make use of it, neither the Wisla, the Narva, nor the Bug will stop us.” 
July, 1892. 
