the life and adventures of baron trenck-2-第17章
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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。 He was no more； and she had entrusted the thousand florins to a young soldier； who； spending them too freely； was suspected； betrayed her； and she passed two years in prison。 Gelfhardt never received any punishment； he was in the field。 Had he left any children； I should have provided for them。 To the widow of the man who hung himself before my prison door； in the year 1756； I gave thirty ducats； lent me by Schlieben。
The night was riotous； the guard made merry； and I passed most of it in their company。 I was visited by all the generals of the garrison on Christmas morning； for I was not allowed to enter the town。 I dressed； viewed myself in the glass； and found pleasure； but the tumult of my passions； the congratulations I received； and the vivacity round me； prevented my remembering incidents minutely。
Yet how wonderful an alteration in the countenances of those by whom I had been guarded！ I was treated with friendship； attention； and flattery。 And why？ Because these fetters had dropped off which I had never justly borne。
Evening came； and with it Coun
