Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/36

8 then mounted his horse. We set out by the bridge of Praga; at the distance of three miles from it, we left our horses, and took others from the peasants. As we rode always at a gallop, we were obliged to change them very often; the marches and counter-marches of our army, and still more, the ravages of the Cossacks, had quite desolated our country; the horses were, therefore, the most wretched possible,–the saddles without girths, and often a single cord put into the mouth of the poor animal, served both for bit and bridle. We did not, however, break our necks, Providence having spared us for something better. At four o’clock, P. M., we met General Sierakowski’s first scout, and at five we alighted at his head-quarters.

General Poninski having left his corps at the distance of six miles, arrived also; there was held a kind of little council of war, and I was much surprised that Poninski did not receive orders to join General Sierakowski’s division immediately. I spent the night in Brigadier Kopec’s covered chariot.