,
with which the people of Warsaw greeted badger skin bags and bark clogs.
Now there wasn't applause, or smiles, but shouts, thundering hurrah! and
blessings, mixed with loud crying. Because the people, surprised by their
own instincts, could seize the noble and beautiful side of the image. At
the sight of these priests, of these farmers who had left monastic cells
and their forests, in order to beat the enemies of the homeland, people
understood the whole horror of danger, and also comprehended with complete
trust that it was the only means of defense.

I was overcome by a sudden temptation to steal immediately behind the
scythe or double-barrelled gun and to join the row with the peasants in
order to share with them the triumphant entry to the capital. But how to
do it? how to fit myself in with the bold and taunting movements of
Mazowian scythe-bearers, or the grim expressions and wild shooters from
the Nieman? How to match them in the height and breadth of their backs?
amongst these giants I would look like a rabbit among wolves. So what will
I do with myself? Should I be a Krakus, or a grenadier! This uncertainty
cost me dearly.

A colonel of my acquaintance met me in passing, and patting me on the
shoulder, said: "I am in command of a guerrilla unit; some of my people
have already left for the field, I myself am setting off today from
Warsaw, I need gunners; perhaps you know where I can find them?"

"I know about one," I said, assuming a military posture; "you need a
gunner, here you have him!"

"Agreed!" the colonel said, "put on a uniform and be at my place this
evening at ten o'clock exactly, do you understand?"

Soldiers were being recruited in this manner during the uprising. That day
at eleven at night I marched in uniform by the cannons. During the march
we trained ourselves in the use of weapons, and I added so much urgency,
that after three days I was appointed sergeant and a cannon was placed
under my orders. The envious claimed that I had owed my rank to the
colonel's peculiar considerations.

After all, I myself was surprised, confused and almost ashamed at such a
sudden promotion. My head spun and only after a few hours of astonishment
did I start to feel the influence of my new dignity. Involuntarily I
adopted a martial and more serious face; having gravely stretched my right
hand, I laid it on my property, on the muzzle of the cannon. This large
piece of bronze, I thought to myself, will be a