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on the officers, they still passed the greater part of their time in my company.

The 24th of December came, and Schell mounted guard. He entered my prison immediately, where he continued a long time, and we made arrangements for flight when he next should mount guard.

Lieutenant Schroeder that day dined with the governor, and heard orders given to the adjutant that Schell should be taken from the guard, and put under arrest.

Schroeder, who was in the secret, had no doubt but we were betrayed, not knowing that the spy Damnitz had informed the governor that Scheil was then in my chamber.

Schroder, full of terror, came running to the citadel, and said to Schell, "Save thyself, friend, all is discovered, and thou wilt instantly be put under arrest."

Schell might easily have provided for his own safety by flying singly, Schroeder having prepared horses, on one of which he himself offered to ac company him into Bohemia.

How did this worthy man, in a moment so dangerous, act towards his friend?

Running suddenly into my prison, he drew a corporal's sabre from under his coat, and said,Friend, we are betrayed, follow me, only do not suffer me to fall alive into the hands of my enemies."

I would have spoken, but interrupting me, and taking me by the hand, he added, "Follow me, we have not a moment to lose ;" I therefore slipt on my coat and boots, without having time to take the little money I had left; and, as we went out

of the prison, Schell said to the centinel.—“I am taking the prisoner into the officer's apartmentstand where you are."

Into this room we really went, but passed out at the other door. The design of Schell was to go under the arsenal, which was not far off, to gain the covered way, leap the pallisadoes, and afterwards escape the best we might.

We had scarcely gone a hundred paces before we met the adjutant and major Quadt.

Schell started back, sprang upon the rampart, and leaped from the wall, which was there not very high. I followed and lighted unhurt, except having grazed my shoulder. My poor friend was not so fortunate, having put out his ancle. He immediately drew his sword, presented it to me, and begged me to dispatch him and fly. He was a small weak man, t, far from complying with his request, I took him in my arms, threw him over the pallisadoes, afterwards got him on my back, and began to run, without very well knowing which way I went.

It may not be unnecessary to remark those for tunate circumstancos that favoured our enterprise. The sun had just set as we took to flight; the hoar frost fell. No one could run the same risk we had done, by making so dangerous a leap. We heard a terrible noise behind us. Every body knew us; but before they could go round the citadel, and through the town, in order to pursue us we had got a full half league.

The alarm guns were fired before we were a hundred paces distant; at which my friend was very much terrified, knowing that in such cases it was generally impossible to escape from Gratz, un

less the fugitives had got the start full two hours before the alarm of guns were fired; the passes being immediately all stopped by the peasants and hussars, who are exceedingly vigilant. No sooner is a prisoner missed, than the gunner runs from the guard-house, and fires the cannon on the three sides of the fortress, which are kept loaded day and night for that purpose.

We were not five hundred paces from the walls, when all before us and behind us were in mótion. It was day light when we leaped, yet was our attempt as fortunate as it was wonderful: this I attribute to my presence of mind, and the reputation I had already acquired, which made it thought a service of danger for two or three men to attack

me.

It was, besides, imagined we were well provided with arms for our defence; and it was little suspected that Schell had only his sword, and I an old corporal's sabre.

Among the officers commanded to pursue us was lieutenant Bart, my intimate friend. Captain Zerbst, of the regiment of Fouquet who had always testified the kindness of a brother towards me, met us on the Bohemian frontiers, and called to me, Make to the left, brother, and you will see some lone houses, which are on the Bohemian confines ; the huzzars have rode straight forward. He then passed ou as if he had not seen us.

We had nothing to fear from the officers, for the intimacy in the Prussian army was at that time so great,and the word of honour so sacred, that during my rigorous detention at Glatz, I had once been six and thirty hours hunting at Neurode, at the seat of the baron Stillfriede: Lunits had taken my place.in

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the prison, which the major knew when he came to make his visit. Hence may be gathered how great was the confidence in which the word of the unfortunate Trenck was held at Glatz:-since they did not fear letting him leave his dungeon, and hunt on the very confines of Bohemia. This shows the governor was deceived in despite of his watchfulness and orders; and that a man of honour, with money and a good heart, will never want friends.

These my memoirs will be the picture of what the national character then was; and will prove that, with officers who lived like brothers, and held their words so sacred, the great Frederick well might vanquish his enemies.

Arbitrary power has introduced the whip of slavery, and the mechanic subordination has eradicated these noble and rational encitements to concord and honour; instead of these, mistrust and slavish fear have arisen, the enthusiastic spirit of the Brandenburg warrior declines, and into this error have most of the other European states fallen.

Scarcely had I borne my friend three hundred paces before I sat down, and looked round me, but darkness came on so fast that I could see neither town or citadel, consequently we ourselves could not be seen.

My presence of mind did not forsake me: death or freedom was my determination. Where are we, Schell? said I to my friend. Where does Bohemia lie? On which side is the river Neiss? The worthy man could make no answer: his mind was all confusion, and he despaired of our escape; he still, however, entreated I would not let him be taken alive, and affirmed my labour was in vain.

After having promised by all that was sacred, I would save him from an infamous death, if no oth er means were left, and thus raised his spirits, he looked round, and knew by some trees we were not far from the city gates. I asked him, Where is the Neiss? He pointed sideways. "All Glatz has seen us fly towards the Bohemian mountains; it is impossible to avoid the hussars, being all guarded, and we beset with enemies." So saying, I took him on my shoulders, and carried him to the Neiss here we distinctly heard the alarm sounded in the villages, and the peasants, who likewise were to form the line of desertion, were every where in motion, and spreading the alarm. As it may not be known to all my readers in what manner they proceed on these occasions in Prussia, I will here give a short account of it.

Officers are daily named on the Parade, whose duty it is to follow fugitives, as soon as the alarm guns are fired.

The peasants in the villages likewise are daily appointed to run to the guards of certain posts.— The officers immediately fly to these posts, to see that the peasants do their duty, and prevent the prisoner's escape. Thus does it seldom happen that a soldier can effect his escape, unless he be, at the very least, an hour on his road before the alarm guns are fired.

I now return to my story.

I came to the Neiss, which was a little frozenentered it with my friend, and carried him as long as I could wade, and when I could not feel the bottom which was not for more than eighteen feet, he clung round me, and thus we got safely to the other shore. My father taught all his sons to swim,

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