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Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/112

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84
ITINERARY OF THE PRISONERS.

this very moment they have not already complained of you?” These representations produced the desired effect; and from this time Titow generally confined himself to insults and oaths, using his whip but very seldom, and with more discretion. Udom brought me letters from Boryslawski and Marshal Potocki, which, after being opened and read by the committee of our guards, were delivered to me. Boryslawski sent me the list of the few things which Udom was kind enough to take for me. I received a small portmanteau with some linen, and my casket of antiques, but instead of two hundred ducats, Udom gave me only one hundred and twenty. “I spent the remainder,” said he, “for some clothes to the Major and myself—we will repay you by and by.” When we were passing through Witebsk, we saw a band of young men, who, on our approach, took off their caps and exhibited a strange appearance, having one half of their heads shaved, and the other covered with hair. These were conscripts on their way