"We Poles have been learning to conceal our feelings for generations.

Trust me to write a letter which my brother will understand at once, but which will seem the most innocent thing in the world to any Russian official who may read it." In a few minutes the letter was finished, and the three left the place together, the sergeant telling his comrades that he would return shortly for them.

He then accompanied the midshipmen, and did their shopping for them, and, bidding him a hearty adieu, they were soon on their way out of Odessa, Jack swinging along upon his crutches at a fair pace.

Once fairly away from the town, he took his foot from the strap, shouldered his crutches and again they trudged along upon their journey.
They found their walking powers improve day by day as they went on, and were soon able to make thirty-five miles a day without inconvenience.

Travelling in this way, without any interruption or incident save an occasional demand for a view of their passport by some Russian official, they journeyed across the south of Russia, and ten days after leaving Odessa they entered Poland.
Here they foresaw that their difficulties would be far greater than before, and that their characters as Polish soldiers on their way home could no longer be sustained.