The insurrection at present going on was intended rather as a proof to Europe that Poland yet lived, ground down though she was under the heel of Russian tyranny, than as a movement from which success could be reasonably hoped for.
The lads were now able to look round at the wild group which filled the clearing.

The greater portion were peasants, although the dress and bearing of several proclaimed that they belonged to a superior class.

Some of the peasants were armed with guns, but these were quite in the minority, the greater portion carrying scythe blades fastened to long handles.

These, although clumsy to look at, were terrible weapons in a close onslaught, and the Russian soldiers could seldom be kept firm by their officers when, in spite of their fire, the Polish peasantry rushed among them.

The Poles were in high spirits.