When he had recovered his health, Poland was rising under Kosciuszko.

He then joined the national guard, in which he was before long promoted to the rank of captain.

On the 5th of November, 1794, he was on duty at Praga, and had not his company been relieved a few hours before the fall of the suburb, he would certainly have met there his death.

Seeing that all was lost he again turned his thoughts homewards, when once more sickness prevented him from executing his intention.
For a time he tried to make a living by teaching French, but ere long accepted an engagement as tutor in the family--then living in the country--of the Staroscina Laczynska, who meeting him by chance had been favourably impressed by his manners and accomplishments.

In passing we may note that among his four pupils (two girls and two boys) was one, Mary, who afterwards became notorious by her connection with Napoleon I., and by the son that sprang from this connection, Count Walewski, the minister of Napoleon III.