Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/121

ters, ran as follows: To the Commander of the Escort conducting the Rebel Kosciuszko and others. Thus they denominated citizens of a free and independent nation, who had taken up arms only to escape usurpation, oppression, and themost atrocious tyranny. In spite, however, of our bad health, and the severity of the winter, the Major, wishing to get rid of his burthen, and enjoy the pleasures of the capital, hastened our progress. He called us at four o'clock, and, after a cup of coffee, packed us up in the carriage. I shall never forget those nightly journeys; the road was lighted only by the whiteness of the snow, upon which the aurora borealis reflected sometimes a blood-red colour. We passed through extensive forests; darkness and mournful silence enveloped nature—our guards slept—we alone remained awake, plunged in melancholy thoughts, overpowered with grief, sorrow and anxiety. Now and then the noise of pine-branches, broken by the weight of the snow, and falling down, awoke the Major, who, to calm his fright and lull him