could receive no news respecting her, nor yet of Nowistchy. I had seized every opportunity from the bustle
of war, and written several times, but received no answer ; at last one ray of hope beamed, and yet disappointment was still greater, for by frequent marches and
removals from place to place, we had to pass her native
village. I sought her home. Imagine me, buoyed up
with all the hopes of once again seeing my wife-my
all. With sensations which tongue cannot express, I
found the house uninhabited, and on inquiry learned
that the mother was dead, and the daughter gone, no
one could tell where.
To proceed our struggle was near drawing to a close, and one bold attempt must be made ; it was done, but ah ! how fruitlessly. I had been ordered to command the advance guard, and having met a company of Russians, determined to give them battle, though evidently far inferior in point of numbers. We advanced, and oh, God ! what can equal my feelings- my surpriseto see my old companion, my former friend, now my present foe. I stood amazed -confused ; I attempted to mention his name. No ; my tongue refused its utterance, and I know not how long I might have remained, had not a discharge from the enemy caused me to recover my self-possession.
We fought, but were at last overcome, and I and my brave associates were made prisoners. I had even at this time one ray of hope-perhaps I might hear from him of my Annette ; but no ; when I was taken, to my exceeding astonishment, by his express orders, I was cast into prison, to be sent to Russia as a captive. It was over, and Poland lost that independence, however small. And I was compelled to join as a private in the Russian ranks, to my great surprise, under the command of my former friend, now my deadliest foe. The first opportunity that occurred, I intended speaking to him (fully relying on our former friendship) of my Annette ; but, alas ! the last ray of hope was banished from me. I soon found out my mistake ; I was accused with insolence to my superior officer, and was sentenced to three month's close confinement. This conduct almost drove me mad ; what could have induced him to act so ? This change in my situation I could not endure. Ingratitude from one whom I loved as a brother, and anxiety for my wife, determined me to commit some deed which might terminate my miserable existence. Chance soon favored me ; being on duty as sentinel, I had been deeply engrossed with such schemes, and I was startled by hearing the voice of Captain N — y, and not observing him, I did not give that salute which is customaryfor a superior officer to receive ; I was ordered to appear before a court-martial for insolence and neglect of duty ; and being once tried for the same offence previously, I now was sentenced to seven year's transportation. I now gave up all hopes of my Annette.
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The Overseer of convicts was a mild, good man- one that we do not commonly find in that capacity- and to him I told my misfortunes. After three year's sufferance, by his testimony of good conduct, my sentence was mitigated, and I was ordered to return to my former situation in the ranks. I was already worn down with anxiety, fatigue and hardships, until I could no longer endure the labor, and a fever followed. After a long illness, and through the kind attention of the matron, I became convalescent. I was allowed the privilege of walking in the gardens (which are very large) attached to the infirmary. Frequently, at my entrance into these gardens, I observed a female closely wrapped up, whose features I could never discern, and who always seemed to avoid me. Curiosity made me inquire who she was ; when I was informed that she was the wife of Captain NI could have spoken to her ; but no-one more breach of duty and I should be lost to all chance of ever seeing her whom I could not banish from my mind. I made inquiries of the matron, to whom I had formerly told my misfortunes. She said the lady was Captain Nowistchy's wife, that he was very unkind to her, and was very careful that she should not go out without him , and appeared always to keep her confined. A thought crossed my mind- was this my Annette ? but no ; I endeavored to suppress it, but could not ; night and day I had her image before mine eyes, yet I could not banish the thought. " For while there's life there's hope ;" yet how could I expect ever to see her to whom I had so often written, and never received an answer ? One day, whilst deeply absorbed in thought, I cxtended my usual limits, and did not observe what was passing about until I came in contact with my captain's wife, when- Oh, God ! who can paint my feelings, who can describe my sensations, when I now recognized my Annette-my long lost wife ; she as soon knew me and fainted in my arms. I called for assistance , and was immediately answered by my Captain, who had me instantly confined, when, after a few days, I was to be again tried by a court-martial, for insulting his wife. I could not, during my trial, get liberty to explain ; and was accordingly sentenced to perpetual banishment. Before my departure for Siberia, I obtained materials for writing, and soon made a full statement of facts and had them conveyed to the Colonel of the Regiment, who, after, perusing it, came to my condemned cell, and questioned me very strictly. He was a man of honor, and soon caused inquiries to be made into the affair, and submitted them to the Emperor, who, having discovered the truth, transferred the sentence on my old school-fellow ; who, before his going into exile, declared that it was through him I suffered all these misfortunes ; that after he and I first separated, he sent for Annette, to whom he made it appear I was killed in an engagement ,
