Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/169

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CHAPTER IV.

COMPANIONS IN CAPTIVITY.

New Polish prisoners are brought.—Niemcewicz recognizes Mostowski in his neighbour prisoner.—They find means to establish a communication with each other.—Particulars about other prisoners.—Bonneau, the French Consul at Warsaw.—Niemcewicz’s communication with him.—A French prisoner becomes insane.—The Polish banker Kapostas.—The shoemaker, Colonel Kilinski.—Three Russian prisoners.—Historical account of the building called Secret Prison.

My expectation of seeing new guests arrive was soon realized. On the 13th of January, 1795, about twelve o’clock at night, I heard the screaming noise produced by the wheels of a carriage passing over ground covered with frozen snow. The door of the prison was unbolted, and I heard people entering it. I sat upon my bed, and lent an attentive ear to what was going on. The door of the next