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re on the bayonets of my enemies。

The next day I observed; as the four doors were opened; that they were only of wood; therefore questioned whether I might not even cut off the locks with the knife that I had so fortunately concealed: and should this and every other means fail; then would be the time to die。  I likewise determined to make an attempt to free myself of my chains。  I happily forced my right hand through the handcuff; though the blood trickled from my nails。  My attempts on the left were long ineffectual; but by rubbing with a brick; which I got from my seat; on the rivet that had been negligently closed; I effected this also。

The chain was fastened to the run round my body by a hook; one end of which was not inserted in the rim; therefore; by setting my foot against the wall; I had strength enough so far to bend this hook back; and open it; as to force out the link of the chain。  The remaining difficulty was the chain that attached my foot to the wall:  the links of this I took; doubled; twisted; and wrenched; till at length; nature having bestowed on me great strength; I made a desperate effort; sprang forcibly up; and two links at once flew off。

Fortunate; indeed; did I think myself:  I hastened to the door; groped in the dark to find the clinkings of the nails by which the lock was fastened; and discovered no very large piece of wood need be cut。  Immediately I went to work with my knife; and cut through the oak door to find its thickness; which proved to be only one inch; therefore it was possible to open all the four doors in four… and…twenty hours。

Again hope revived in my heart。  To prevent detection I hastened to put on my chains; but; O God! what difficulties had I to surmount! After much groping about; I at length found the link that had flown off; this I hid:  it being my good fortune hitherto to escape examination; as the possibility of ridding myself of such chains was in nowise suspected。  The separated iron links I tied together with my hair ribbon; but when I again endeavoured to force my hand into the ring; it was so swelled that every effort was fruitless。  The whole might was employed upon the rivet; but all labour was in vain。

Noon was the hour of visitation; and necessity and danger again obliged me to attempt forcing my hand in; which at length; after excruciating torture; I effected。  My visitors came; and everything had the appearance of order。  I found it; however; impossible to force out my right hand while it continued swelled。

I therefore remained quiet till the day fixed; and on the determined fourth of July; immediately as my visitors had closed the doors upon me; I disencumbered myself of my irons; took my knife; and began my Herculean labour on the door。  The first of the double doors that opened inwards was conquered in less than an hour; the other was a very different task。  The lock was soon cut round; but it opened outwards; there was therefore no other means left but to cut the whole door away above the bar。

Incessant and incredible labour made this possible; though it was the more difficult as everything was to be done by feeling; I being totally in the dark; the sweat dropped; or rather flowed; from my body; my fingers were clotted in my own blood; and my lacerated hands were one continued wound。

Daylight appeared:  I clambered over the door that was half cut away; and got up to the window in the space or cell that was between the double doors; as before described。  Here I saw my dungeon was in the ditch of the first rampart:  before me I beheld the road from the rampart; the guard but fifty paces distant; and the high palisades that were in the ditch; and must be scaled before I could reach the rampart。  Hope grew stronger; my efforts were redoubled。 The first of the next double doors was attacked; which likewise opened inward; and was soon conquered。  The sun set before I had ended this; and the fourth was to be cut away as the second had been。  My strength failed; both my hands were raw; I rested awhile; began again; and had made a cut of a foot long; when my knife snapped; and the broken blade dropped to the ground!

God of Omnipotence! what was I at this moment?  Was there; God of Mercies! was there ever creature of Thine more justified than I in despair?  The moon shone very clear; I cast a wild and distracted look up to heaven; fell on my knees; and in the agony of my soul sought comfort:  but no comfort could be found; nor religion nor philosophy had any to give。  I cursed not Providence; I feared not annihilation; I dared not Almighty vengeance; God the Creator was the disposer of my fate; and if He heaped afflictions upon me He had not given me strength to support; His justice would not therefore punish me。  To Him; the Judge of the quick and dead; I committed my soul; seized the broken knife; gashed through the veins of my left arm and foot; sat myself tranquilly down; and saw the blood flow。 Nature; overpowered fainted; and I know not how long I remained; slumbering; in this state。  Suddenly I heard my own name; awoke; and again heard the words; 〃Baron Trenck!〃  My answer was; 〃Who calls?〃 And who indeed was itwho but my honest grenadier Gelfhardtmy former faithful friend in the citadel!  The good; the kind fellow had got upon the rampart; that he might comfort me。

〃How do you do?〃 said Gelfhardt。  〃Weltering in my blood;〃 answered I; 〃to…morrow you will find me dead。〃〃Why should you die?〃 replied he。  〃It is much easier for you to escape here than from the citadel!  Here is no sentinel; and I shall soon find means to provide you with tools; if you can only break out; leave the rest to me。  As often as I am on guard; I will seek opportunity to speak to you。  In the whole Star…Fort; there are but two sentinels:  the one at the entrance; and the other at the guard…house。  Do not despair; God will succour you; trust to me。〃  The good man's kindness and discourse revived my hopes:  I saw the possibility of an escape。  A secret joy diffused itself through my soul。  I immediately tore my shirt; bound up my wounds; and waited the approach of day; and the sun soon after shone through the window; to me; with unaccustomed brightness。

Let the reader judge how far it was chance; or the effect of Divine providence; that in this dreadful hour my heart again received hope。 Who was it sent the honest Gelfhardt; at such a moment; to my prison?  For; had it not been for him; I had certainly; when I awoke from my slumbers; cut more effectually through my arteries。

Till noon I had time to consider what might further be done:  yet what could be done; what expected; but that I should now be much more cruelly treated; and even more insupportably ironed than beforefinding; as they must; the doors cut through and my fetters shaken off?

After mature consideration; I therefore made the following resolution; which succeeded happily; and even beyond my hopes。 Before I proceed; however; I will speak a few words concerning my situation at this moment。  It is impossible to describe how much I was exhausted。  The prison swam with blood; and certainly but little was left in my body。  With painful wounds; swelled and torn hands; I there stood shirtless; felt an inclination to sleep almost irresistible; and scarcely had strength to keep my legs; yet was I obliged to rouse myself; that I might execute my plan。

With the bar that separated my hands; I loosened the bricks of my seat; which; being newly laid; was easily done; and heaped them up in the middle of my prison。  The inner door was quite open; and with my chains I so barricaded the upper half of the second as to prevent any one climbing over it。  When noon came and the first of the doors was unlocked; all were astonished to find the second open。  There I stood; besmeared with blood; the picture of horror; with a brick in one hand; and in the other my broken knife; crying; as they approached; 〃Keep off; Mr。 Major; keep off!  Tell the governor I will live no longer in chains; and that here I stand; if so he pleases; to be shot; for so only will I be conquered。  Here no man shall enterI will destroy all that approach; here are my weapons; lucre will I die in despite of tyranny。〃  The major was terrified; wanted resolution; and made his report to the governor。  I meantime sat down on my bricks; to wait what might happen:  my secret intent; however; was not so desperate as it appeared。  I sought only to obtain a favourable capitulation。

The governor; General Borck; presently came; attended by the town… major and some officers; and entered the outward cell; but sprang back the moment he beheld a figure like me; standing with a brick and uplifted arm。  I repeated what I had told the major; and he immediately ordered six grenadiers to force the door。  The front cell was scarcely six feet broad; so that no more than two at a time could attack my intrenchment; and when they saw my threatening bricks ready to descend; they leaped terrified back。  A short pause ensued; and the old town…major; with the chaplain; advanced towards the door to soothe me:  the conversation continued some time:  whose reasons were most satisfactory; and whose cause was the most just; I leave to the reader。  The governor grew angry; and ordered a 

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