THE FIFTH COLUMN

deeds/ In fact, the men and women he was
addressing were ready to face certain death at a
word of command.

Naturally, training was not confined to book
learning and lectures, even in the case of the
women. Theoretical instruction was usually
followed by drill and rifle practice. At an advanced
stage in the training the male and female detach-
ments went away for joint field exercises lasting
several days, which included long route marches
with periods of rest on hard ground and first aid
for the 'wounded*. The commissariat was, of
course, in the hands of the women.

In Austria these exercises were carried on by
the Polish detachments openly, as the Austrian
Government anticipated useful help from them in
case of war, and not only permitted their activities
but gave them all possible assistance. In Warsaw,
on the other hand, the preparations of the Polish
revolutionaries were carried on in the strictest
secrecy and they had to content themselves with
theoretical instruction; even notes and documents
could not be made freely. Nevertheless, the Polish
amazons were able to perform many vital tasks.
For example, one girl student was instructed,
on her return to her home in Plock, to spy out
the local garrison's commissariat, including plans
of buildings, quantity of stores and even character
sketches of the leading officers, and she accom-
plished all this with the greatest efficiency. In
course of time the courses of instruction were
extended to include the preparation of articles

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