and the Russians pouring from the upper windows.  After a hasty consultation with the other leaders, it was agreed that as the victory had been complete so far, two out of the three barracks carried and burnt, 1500 Russians killed, and a battery of artillery taken, it would be a pity to risk a final repulse by an attack upon a building which, now that the garrison were prepared for resistance, could only be carried with a great loss of life.

The horns were accordingly sounded, and the assailants drawn off, and the column marched through the town, now illuminated by the flames of the two burning barracks.  It was but half an hour since the attack had begun, but the appearance of the town had changed as if by magic.  Every house was lit up, every window open, crowds of people thronged the streets, while the windows were filled with women and children.  All were delirious with delight, and cheered, shouted, and waved their handkerchiefs as the patriot band marched along.  Not a few of the younger men, bidding a hasty adieu to their friends, joined the ranks of their countrymen, and, seizing one of the captured muskets, prepared to take a part in the strife which had been so well begun.

Upon gaining the forest a halt was ordered.  Great fires were lit, and the companies mustered, when it was found that some eighty of those present had received wounds, and that forty had fallen.  All the wounded unable to walk had been carried off, as to leave them where they fell would be to expose them to certain death when found by the Russians.  A plentiful supply of spirits had been found in the stores, and several barrels brought off.  An ample allowance was now served out, and after an hour’s carouse in honor of the victory the band, fatigued by their exertions, went off to sleep.

In the morning the guns—­now amounting to two complete batteries—­were taken some miles farther into the forest.  The greater part of the band insisted upon returning to their homes for a few days, and their leader, finding himself powerless to resist the determination gave them leave to do so.  All agreed to return at the end of ten days.  Some 400 men remained, and from these the count requested the midshipmen to choose a sufficient number to constitute two batteries, each eighty strong, and to drill them as far as possible in the interval.  He himself started to visit his estates, which lay about eighty miles from their present position.  Here he hoped to raise a further contingent of men, and all who went home were bidden to bring back fresh recruits, and to spread everywhere the news of the victory.

Six days elapsed, and the band in the forest had already been increased by many hundreds of new-comers, whom the news of the successes which had been gained had induced to take up arms, and the time of the various leaders was fully occupied in giving some notion of drill and of the use of the musket to the new levies.

On the evening of the sixth day a peasant arrived with intelligence which spread dismay in the encampment.  Count Stanislas had been captured by the Russians, having been surprised by a body of Russian cavalry, who, doubtless by means of a spy, had obtained news of his return home.  He had been conveyed to Lublin, where he would doubtless be at once tried and executed.