“It would be absolutely impossible,” the Pole said, “for you to succeed in making your way in safety.  Every town is full of Russian troops, who are forever scouring the roads.  It would be out of the question for any one except a native to succeed in getting through, and even a Pole would find difficulty, so strictly is every one questioned.  Of course their object is to prevent our bands from increasing, and to capture any of us who may be returning to our homes.  We only manage to assemble by marching constantly in the woods by paths known only to villagers.  You would find it, too, a matter of extreme difficulty to cross the frontier, even should you gain it, as there is a perfect cordon of troops posted along the frontier, to prevent any one from escaping.  Once in Austria, you would be safe, but you could not cross into Prussia, even if you succeeded in passing the Russian troops stationed along that line; for Prussia, who is as harsh a master to the Poles under her rule as is Russia, acts as policeman for the latter, and turns all fugitives back who may cross the frontier.  At present I fear I can give you no assistance; but there is a talk of a union of several of our bands further west, and in that case you might travel with us, and we might pass you on, and see that you had guides.  For the present I can either lodge you in the village where our wounded are now taken, and where it is not likely that the Russians will find you, at any rate for the present; or if you like to join us, I need not say how glad we shall be to receive you as comrades.  England has always been the friend of Poland and more than one of your countrymen has fought in the Polish ranks.  As England is at war at present with Russia, you will be doing as much service by fighting her here as in the Crimea.  Here, too, you will have the satisfaction that you are fighting for an oppressed people struggling for freedom against tremendous odds.”

The lads asked for twelve hours before giving a final answer, and then, having shared the Pole’s rough meal, they chatted with him for a long time upon the progress and chances of the insurrection.  The Polish leader told them that there were a score of bands like his own in the forests; but he admitted that he saw but little hope of final success unless Russia were completely crippled in the war with England and France.

“But,” he said, “we in Poland do not rise only when we consider success possible.  We take up arms when we are goaded to it.  When some act of Russian tyranny more gross and brutal than usual goads us to desperation, we take up arms to kill and to die.  You know not the awful persecution to which we Poles are exposed.  Whole villages are destroyed, and the inhabitants banished to Siberia; our young men are taken and compelled to serve in the Russian army.  Scores are shot down, after a mockery of a trial, on the pretence of discontent with Russian rule.  Women, ay, and ladies, are publicly flogged.  Priests are massacred, our