"You are spies, Russian spies.

I thought as much when the news came to me that two peasants had entered a village shop to buy goods, but had been unable to ask for them except by pointing to them, and had given a rouble note and allowed the woman who served them to take her own change.

You are detected, sirs, and may prepare for the death you deserve.

Hang them at once," he said in Polish, to those standing near.

"But first search them thoroughly, and see if they are the bearers of any documents." The lads in vain endeavored to explain, but their voices were drowned in the execrations of the angry peasants, fresh from the excitement of the battle, and in many cases bleeding from bullet and bayonet wounds, for the Polish peasants always rush to close quarters.