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When most my mind ought to have been clear; I seemed to have lost my understanding。  I came to a resolution which will appear extravagant and pitiable。  I was stupid enough; mad enough; to form the design of casting myself on the magnanimity of the Great Frederic!  Should this fail; I still thought my lieutenant a saviour。

Having heated my imagination with this scheme; I waited the visitation with anxiety。  The major entered; I bespoke him thus:

〃I know; sir; the great Prince Ferdinand is again in Magdeburg。 Inform him that he may examine my prison; double the sentinels; and give me his commands; stating what hour will please him I should make my appearance on the glacis of Klosterbergen。  If I prove myself capable of this; I then hope for the protection of Prince Ferdinand:  and that he will relate my proceeding to the King; who may he convinced of my innocence。〃

The major was astonished; the proposal he held to be ridiculous; and the performance impossible。  I persisted; he returned with the sub… governor; Reichmann; the town…major; Riding; and the major of inspection。  The answer they delivered was; that the Prince promised me his protection; the King's favour; and a release from my chains; should I prove my assertion。  I required they would appoint a time; they ridiculed the thing as impossible; and said that it would be sufficient could I prove the practicability of such a scheme; but should I refuse; they would break up the flooring; and place sentinels in my dungeon; adding; the governor would not admit of any breaking out。

After promises of good faith; I disencumbered myself of my chains; raised my flooring; gave them my implements; and two keys; my friends had procured me; to the doors of the subterranean gallery。 This gallery I desired them to sound with their sword hilts; at the place through which I was to break; which might be done in a few minutes。  I described the road I was to take through the gallery; informed them that two of the doors had not been shut for six months; and to the others they had the keys; adding; I had horses waiting at the glacis; that would be now ready; the stables for which were unknown to them。  They went; examined; returned; put questions; which I answered with precision。  They left me with seeming friendship; came back; told me the Prince was astonished at what he had heard; that he wished me all happiness; and then took me unfettered; to the guard…house。  The major came in the evening; treated us with a supper; assured me everything would happen to my wishes; and that Prince Ferdinand had written to Berlin。

The guard was reinforced next day。  The whole guard loaded with ball before my eyes; the drawbridges were raised in open day; and precautions were taken as if I intended to make attempts as desperate as those I had made at Glatz。

I now saw workmen employed on my dungeon; and carts bringing quarry… stones。  The officers on guard behaved with kindness; kept a good table; at which I ate; but two sentinels; and an under…officer; never quitted the guard…room。  Conversation was cautious; and this continued five or six days; at length; it was the lieutenant's turn to mount guard; he appeared to be as friendly as formerly; but conference was difficult; he found an opportunity to express his astonishment at my ill…timed discovery; told me the Prince knew nothing of the affair; and that the report through the garrison was; I had been surprised in making a new attempt。

My dungeon was completed in a week。  The town…major re…conducted me to it。  My foot was chained to the wall with links twice as strong as formerly; the remainder of my irons were never after added。

The dungeon was paved with flag…stones。  That part of my money only was saved which I had concealed in the panels of the door; and the chimney of my stove; some thirty louis…d'ors; hidden about my clothes; were taken from me。

While the smith was riveting my chains; I addressed the sub… governor。  〃Is this the fulfilment of the pledge of the Prince? Think not you deceive me; I am acquainted with the false reports that have been spread; the truth will soon come to light; and the unworthy be put to shame。  Nay; I forewarn you that Trenck shall not be much longer in your power; for were you to build your dungeon of steel; it would be insufficient to contain me。〃

They smiled at me。  Reichmann told me I might soon obtain my freedom in a proper manner。  My firm reliance on my friend; the lieutenant; gave me a degree of confidence that amazed them all。

It is necessary to explain this affair。  When I obtained my liberty; I visited Prince Ferdinand。  He informed me the majors had not made a true report。  Their story was; they had caught me at work; and; had it not been for their diligence; I should have made my escape。 Prince Ferdinand heard the truth; and informed the King; who only waited an opportunity to restore me to liberty。

Once more I was immured。  I waited in hope for the day when my deliverer was to mount guard。  What again was my despair when I saw another lieutenant!  I buoyed myself up with the hope that accident was the occasion of this; but I remained three weeks; and saw him no more。  I heard at length that he had left the corps of grenadiers; and was no longer to mount guard at the Star Fort。  He has my forgiveness; and I applaud myself for never having said anything by which he might be injured。  He might have repented his promise; he might have trusted another friend with the enterprise; and have been himself betrayed; but; be it as it may; his absence cut off all hope。

I now repented my folly and vanity; I had brought my misfortunes on myself。  I had myself rendered my dungeon impenetrable。  Death would have followed but for the dependence I placed in the court of Vienna。

The officers remarked the loss of my fortitude and thoughtfulness; the verses I wrote were desponding。  The only comfort they could give was〃Patience; dear Trenck; your condition cannot be worse; the King may not live for ever。〃  Were I sick; they told me I might hope my sufferings would soon have an end。  If I recovered they pitied me; and lamented their continuance。  What man of my rank and expectations ever endured what I did; ever was treated as I have been treated!



CHAPTER VI。



Peace had been concluded nine months。  I was forgotten。  At last; when I supposed all hope lost; the 25th of December; and the day of freedom; came。  At the hour of parade; Count Schlieben; lieutenant of the guards; brought orders for my release!

The sub…governor supposed me weaker in intellect than I was; and would not too suddenly tell me these tidings。  He knew not the presence of mind; the fortitude; which the dangers I had seen had made habitual。

My doors for the LAST TIME resounded!  Several people entered; their countenances were cheerful; and the sub…governor at their head at length said; 〃This time; my dear Trenck; I am the messenger of good news。  Prince Ferdinand has prevailed on the King to let your irons be taken off。〃  Accordingly; to work went the smith。  〃You shall also;〃 continued he; 〃have a better apartment。〃  〃I am free; then;〃 said I。  〃Speak! fear not!  I can moderate my transports。〃

〃Then you are free!〃 was the reply。

The sub…governor first embraced me; and afterwards his attendants。

He asked me what clothes I would wish。  I answered; the uniform of my regiment。  The tailor took my measure。  Reichmann told him it must be made by the morning。  The man excused himself because it was Christmas Eve。  〃So; then; this gentleman must remain in his dungeon because it is holiday with you。〃  The tailor promised to be ready。

I was taken to the guard…room; congratulations were universal; and the town…major administered the oath customary to all state prisoners。

1st。  That I should avenge myself on no man。

2nd。  That I should neither enter the Prussian nor Saxon states。

3rd。  That I should never relate by speech or in writing what had happened to me。

4th。  And that; so long as the King lived; I should neither serve in a civil nor military capacity。

Count Schlieben delivered me a letter from the imperial minister; General Reidt; to the following purport:… That he rejoiced at having found an opportunity of obtaining my liberty from the King; and that I must obey the requisitions of Count Schlieben; whose orders were to accompany me to Prague。

〃Yes; dear Trenck;〃 said Schlieben; 〃I am to conduct you through Dresden to Prague; with orders not to suffer you to speak to any one on the road。  I have received three hundred ducats; to defray the expenses of travelling。  As all things cannot be prepared today; the; sub…governor has determined we shall depart to…morrow night。〃

I acquiesced; and Count Schlieben remained with me; the others returned to town; and I dined with the major and officers on guard; with General Walrabe in his prison。

Once at liberty; I walked about the fortifications; to collect the money I had concealed in my dungeon。  To every man on guard I gave a ducat; to the sentinels; each three; and ten ducats to be divided among the relief…guard。  I sent the officer on guard a present from Prague; and the remainder of my money I bestowed on the widow of the worthy Gelfhardt。  H

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