CHAPTERI。
Blessedshadeofabelovedsister！Thesacrificeofmyadverseanddreadfulfate！TheecouldIneveravenge！TheecouldthebloodofWeingartenneverappease！Noasylum，howeversacred，shouldhavesecuredhim，hadhenotsoughtthatlastofasylumsforhumanwickednessandhumanwoes——thegrave！TotheedoIdedicatethesefewpages，atributeofthankfulness；and，iffuturerewardsthereare，maythebrightestoftheserewardsbethine。Forus，andnotforours，mayrewardsbeexpectedfrommonarchswho，inapathy，havebeheldourmortalsufferings。Rest，noblesoul，murderedthoughthouwertbytheenemiesofthybrother。Againmybloodboils，againmytearsrolldownmycheeks，whenIrememberthee，thysufferingsinmycause，andthyuntimelyend！Iknewitnot；I
soughttothankthee；Ifoundtheeinthegrave；Iwouldhavemaderetributiontothychildren，butunjust，iron—heartedprinceshaddeprivedmeofthepower。Canthevirtuousheartconceiveafflictionmorecruel？MyownillsIwouldhaveenduredwithmagnanimity；butthinearewrongsIhaveneitherthepowertoforgetnorheal。
Enoughofthis。—
TheworthyEmperor，FrancisI。，shedtearswhenIafterwardshadthehonourofrelatingtohiminpersonmypastmiseries；Ibeheldthemflow，andgratitudethrewmeathisfeet。Hisemotionwassogreatthathetorehimselfaway。Ileftthepalacewithalltheenthusiasmofsoulwhichsuchascenemustinspire。
Heprobablywouldhavedonemorethanpitiedme，buthisdeathsoonfollowed。IrelatethisincidenttoconvinceposteritythatFrancisI。possessedaheartworthyanemperor，worthyaman。IntheknowledgeIhavehadofmonarchshestandsalone。FredericandTheresabothdiedwithoutdoingmejustice；Iamnowtooold，tooproud，havetoomuchapathy，toexpectitfromtheirsuccessors。
PetitionIwillnot，knowingmyrights；andjusticefromcourtsoflaw，howeverevidentmyclaims，wereinthesecourtsvainindeedtoexpect。LawyersandadvocatesIknowbuttoowell，andanarmytosupportmyrightsIhavenot。
Whatheartthatcanfeelbutwillpardonmethesedigressions！Attheexactandsimplerecitaloffactslikethese，thewholemanmustberoused，andthephilosopherhimselfshudder。
Oncemore：—Iheardnothingofwhathadhappenedforsomedays；atlength，however，itwasthehonestGelfhardt’sturntomountguard；
buttheportsbeingdoubled，andtwoadditionalgrenadiersplacedbeforemydoor，explanationwasexceedinglydifficult。He，however，inspiteofprecaution，foundmeanstoinformmeofwhathadhappenedtohistwounfortunatecomrades。
TheKingcametoareviewatMagdeburg，whenhevisitedStar—Fort，andcommandedanewcelltobeimmediatelymade，prescribinghimselfthekindofironsbywhichIwastobesecured。ThehonestGelfhardtheardtheofficersaythiscellwasmeantforme，andgavemenoticeofit，butassuredmeitcouldnotbereadyinlessthanamonth。Ithereforedetermined，assoonaspossible，tocompletemybreachinthewall，andescapewithouttheaidofanyone。Thethingwaspossible；forIhadtwistedthehairofmymattressintoarope，whichImeanttotietoacannon，anddescendtherampart，afterwhichImightendeavourtoswimacrosstheElbe，gaintheSaxonfrontiers，andthussafelyescape。
Onthe26thofMayIhaddeterminedtobreakintothenextcasemate；
butwhenIcametoworkatthebricks，IfoundthemsohardandstronglycementedthatIwasobligedtodeferthelabourtillthefollowingday。Ileftoff，wearyandspent，atdaybreak，andshouldanyoneentermydungeon，theymustinfalliblydiscoverthebreach。
Howdreadfulisthedestinybywhich，throughlife，Ihavebeenpersecuted，andwhichhascontinuallyplungedmeheadlongintocalamity，whenIimaginedhappinesswasathand！
The27thofMaywasacrueldayinthehistoryofmylife。MycellintheStar—ForthadbeenfinishedsoonerthanGelfhardthadsupposed；andatnight，whenIwaspreparingtofly，Iheardacarriagestopbeforemyprison。OGod！whatwasmyterror，whatwerethehorrorsofthismomentofdespair！Thelocksandboltsresounded，thedoorsflewopen，andthelastofmypoorremainingresourceswastoconcealmyknife。Thetown—major，themajoroftheday，andacaptainentered；Isawthembythelightoftheirtwolanterns。Theonlywordstheyspokewere，"Dressyourself，"whichwasimmediatelydone。IstillworetheuniformoftheregimentofCordova。Ironsweregivenme，whichIwasobligedmyselftofastenonmywristsandankles；thetown—majortiedabandageovermyeyes，and，takingmeunderthearm，theythusconductedmetothecarriage。ItwasnecessarytopassthroughthecitytoarriveattheStar—Fort；allwassilent，exceptthenoiseoftheescort；butwhenweenteredMagdeburgIheardthepeoplerunning，whowerecrowdingtogethertoobtainasightofme。TheircuriositywasraisedbythereportthatIwasgoingtobebeheaded。ThatIwasexecutedonthisoccasionintheStar—Fort，afterhavingbeenconductedblindfoldthroughthecity，hassincebeenbothaffirmedandwritten；andtheofficershadthenorderstopropagatethiserrorthattheworldmightremaininutterignoranceconcerningme。
I，indeed，knewotherwise，thoughIaffectednottohavethisknowledge；and，asIwasnotgagged，IbehavedasifIexpecteddeath，reproachedmyconductorsinlanguagethatevenmadethemshudder，andpaintedtheirKinginhistruecolours，asonewho，unheard，hadcondemnedaninnocentsubjectbyadespoticexertionofpower。
Myfortitudewasadmired，atthemomentwhenitwassupposedI
thoughtmyselfleadingtoexecution。Noonereplied，buttheirsighsintimatedtheircompassion；certainitis，fewPrussianswillinglyexecutesuchcommands。Thecarriageatlengthstopped，andIwasbroughtintomynewcell。Thebandagewastakenfrommyeyes。Thedungeonwaslightedbyafewtorches。Godofheaven！
whatweremyfeelingswhenIbeheldthewholefloorcoveredwithchains，afire—pan，andtwogrimmenstandingwiththeirsmiths’
hammers！
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Toworkwenttheseenginesofdespotism！Enormouschainswerefixedtomyankleatoneend，andattheothertoaringwhichwasincorporatedinthewall。Thisringwasthreefeetfromtheground，andonlyallowedmetomoveabouttwoorthreefeettotherightandleft。Theynextrivetedanotherhugeironring，ofahand’sbreadth，roundmynakedbody，towhichhungachain，fixedintoanironbarasthickasaman’sarm。Thisbarwastwofeetinlength，andateachendofitwasahandcuff。Theironcollarroundmyneckwasnotaddedtilltheyear1756。
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Nosoulbademegoodnight。Allretiredindreadfulsilence；andI
heardthehorriblegratingoffourdoors，thatweresuccessivelylockedandbolteduponme！
Thusdoesmanactbyhisfellow，knowinghimtobeinnocent，havingreceivedthecommandsofanothermansotoact。
OGod！Thoualoneknowesthowmyheart，voidasitwasofguilt，beatatthismoment。TheresatI，destitute，alone，inthickdarkness，uponthebareearth，withaweightoffettersinsupportabletonature，thankingTheethatthesecruelmenhadnotdiscoveredmyknife，bywhichmymiseriesmightyetfindanend。
Deathisalastcertainrefugethatcanindeedbiddefiancetotherageoftyranny。WhatshallIsay？HowshallImakethereaderfeelasIthenfelt？Howdescribemydespondency，andyetaccountforthatlatentimpulsethatwithheldmyhandonthisfatal，thismiserablenight？
ThismiseryIforesawwasnotofshortduration；IhadheardofthewarsthatwerelatelybrokenoutbetweenAustriaandPrussia。
Patientlytowaittheirtermination，amidsufferingsandwretchednesssuchasmine，appearedimpossible，andfreedomeventhenwasdoubtful。SadexperiencehadIhadofVienna，andwellI
knewthatthosewhohaddespoiledmeofmypropertymostanxiouslywouldendeavourtopreventmyreturn。Suchweremymeditations！
suchmynightthoughts！Dayatlengthreturned；butwherewasitssplendour？Fled！Ibehelditnot；yetwasitsglimmeringobscuritysufficienttoshowmewhatwasmydungeon。
Inbreadthitwasabouteightfeet；inlength，ten。Nearmeoncemorestoodanight—table；inacornerwasaseat，fourbricksbroad，onwhichImightsit，andreclineagainstthewall。OppositetheringtowhichIwasfastened，thelightwasadmittedthroughasemi—
circularaperture，onefoothigh，andtwoindiameter。Thisapertureascendedtothecentreofthewall，whichwassixfeetthick，andatthiscentralpartwasacloseirongrating，fromwhich，outward，theaperturedescended，anditstwoextremitieswereagainsecuredbystrongironbars。Mydungeonwasbuiltintheditchofthefortification，andtheaperturebywhichthelightenteredwassocoveredbythewalloftherampartthat，insteadoffindingimmediatepassage，thelightonlygainedadmissionbyreflection。This，consideringthesmallnessoftheaperture，andtheimpedimentsofgratingandironbars，mustneedsmaketheobscuritygreat；yetmyeyes，intime，becamesoaccustomedtothisglimmeringthatIcouldseeamouserun。Inwinter，however，whenthesundidnotshineintotheditch，itwaseternalnightwithme。
Betweenthebarsandthegratingwasaglasswindow，mostcuriouslyformed，withasmallcentralcasement，whichmightbeopenedtoadmittheair。Mynight—tablewasdailyremoved，andbesidemestoodajugofwater。ThenameofTRENCKwasbuiltinthewall，inredbrick，andundermyfeetwasatombstonewiththenameofTRENCK
alsocutonit，andcarvedwithadeath’shead。Thedoorstomydungeonweredouble，ofoak，twoinchesthick；withoutthesewasanopenspaceorfrontcell，inwhichwasawindow，andthisspacewaslikewiseshutinbydoubledoors。Theditch，inwhichthisdreadfuldenwasbuilt，wasenclosedonbothsidesbypalisades，twelvefeethigh，thekeyofthedoorofwhichwasentrustedtotheofficeroftheguard，itbeingtheKing’sintentiontopreventallpossibilityofspeechorcommunicationwiththesentinels。TheonlymotionI
hadthepowertomakewasthatofjumpingupward，orswingingmyarmstoprocuremyselfwarmth。Whenmoreaccustomedtothesefetters，Ibecamecapableofmovingfromsidetoside，aboutfourfeet；butthispainedmyshin—bones。
Thecellhadbeenfinishedwithlimeandplasterbutelevendays，andeverybodysupposeditwouldbeimpossibleIshouldexistinthesedampsaboveafortnight。Iremainedsixmonths，continuallyimmersedinverycoldwater，thattrickleduponmefromthethickarchesunderwhichIwas；andIcansafelyaffirmthat，forthefirstthreemonths，Iwasneverdry；yetdidIcontinueinhealth。
Iwasvisiteddaily，atnoon，afterrelievingguard，andthedoorswerethenobligedtobeleftopenforsomeminutes，otherwisethedampnessoftheairputouttheircandles。
Thiswasmysituation，andhereIsat，destituteoffriends，helplesslywretched，preyedonbyallthetortureofthoughtthatcontinuallysuggestedthemostgloomy，themosthorrid，themostdreadfulofimages。Myheartwasnotyetwhollyturnedtostone；myfortitudewassunkentodespondency；mydungeonwastheverycaveofdespair；yetwasmyarmrestrained，andthisexcessofmiseryendured。
Howthenmayhopebewhollyeradicatedfromtheheartofman？Myfortitude，aftersometime，begantorevive；IglowedwiththedesireofconvincingtheworldIwascapableofsufferingwhatmanhadneversufferedbefore；perhapsofatlastemergingfromthisloadofwretchednesstriumphantovermyenemies。Solongandardentlydidmyfancydwellonthispicture，thatmymindatlengthacquiredaheroismwhichSocrateshimselfcertainlyneverpossessed。
Agehadbenumbedhissenseofpleasure，andhedrankthepoisonousdraughtwithcoolindifference；butIwasyoung，inuredtohighhopes，yetnowbeholdingdeliveranceimpossible，oratanimmense，adreadfuldistance。Such，too，weretheothersufferingsofsoulandbody，Icouldnothopetheymightbesupportedandlive。
Aboutnoonmydenwasopened。Sorrowandcompassionwerepaintedonthecountenancesofmykeepers。Noonespoke；noonebademegoodmorrow。Dreadfulindeedwastheirarrival；for，unaccustomedtothemonstrousboltsandbars，theywerekeptresoundingforafullhalf—
hourbeforesuchsoul—chilling，suchhope—murderingimpedimentswereremoved。Itwasthevoiceoftyrannythatthundered。
Mynight—tablewastakenout，acamp—bed，mattress，andblanketswerebroughtme；ajugofwatersetdown，andbesideitanammunitionloafofsixpounds’weight。"Thatyoumaynomorecomplainofhunger，"saidthetown—major，"youshallhaveasmuchbreadasyoucaneat。"Thedoorwasshut，andIagainlefttomythoughts。
Whatastrangethingisthatcalledhappiness！HowshallIexpressmyextremejoywhen，afterelevenmonthsofintolerablehunger，I
wasagainindulgedwithafullfeastofcoarseammunitionbread？
Thefondloverneverrushedmoreeagerlytotheariasofhisexpectingbride，thefamishedtigermoreravenouslyonhisprey，thanIuponthisloaf。Iate，rested；surveyedthepreciousmorsel；
ateagain；andabsolutelyshedtearsofpleasure。Breakingbitafterbit，Ihadbyeveningdevouredallmyloaf。
Oh，Nature！whatdelighthastthoucombinedwiththegratificationofthywants！Rememberthis，yewhogorge，yewhorackinventiontoexciteappetite，andyetwhichyoucannotprocure！RememberhowsimplearethemeansthatwillgiveacrustofmouldybreadaflavourmoreexquisitethanallthespicesoftheEast，oralltheprofusionoflandorsea！Rememberthis，growhungry，andindulgeyoursensuality。
Alas！myenjoymentwasofshortduration。Isoonfoundthatexcessisfollowedbypainandrepentance。Myfastinghadweakeneddigestion，andrendereditinactive。Mybodyswelled，mywater—jugwasemptied；cramps，colics，andatlengthinordinatethirstrackedmeallthenight。Ibegantopourcursesonthosewhoseemedtorefineontorture，and，afterstarvingmesolong，toinvitemetogluttony。CouldInothavereclinedonmybed，Ishouldindeedhavebeendriven，thisnight，todesperation；yeteventhiswasbutapartialrelief；for，notyetaccustomedtomyenormousfetters，I
couldnotextendmyselfinthesamemannerIwasafterwardstaughttodobyhabit。Idraggedthem，however，sotogetherastoenablemetositdownonthebaremattress。This，ofallmynightsofsuffering，standsforemost。Whentheyopenedmydungeonnextdaytheyfoundmeinatrulypitiablesituation，wonderedatmyappetite，broughtmeanotherloaf；Irefusedtoacceptit，believingInevermoreshouldhaveoccasionforbread；they，however，leftmeone，gavemewater，shruggeduptheirshoulders，wishedmefarewell，as，accordingtoallappearance，theyneverexpectedtofindmealive，andshutallthedoors，withoutaskingwhetherIwishedorneededfurtherassistance。
ThreedayshadpassedbeforeIcouldagaineatamorselofbread；
andmymind，braveinhealth，nowinasickbodybecamepusillanimous，sothatIdeterminedondeath。Theirons，everywhereroundmybody，andtheirweight，wereinsupportable；norcouldI
imagineitwaspossibleIshouldhabituatemyselftothem，orendurethemlongenoughtoexpectdeliverance。Peacewasaverydistantprospect。TheKinghadcommandedthatsuchaprisonshouldbebuiltasshouldexcludeallnecessityofasentinel，inorderthatImightnotconversewithandseducethemfromwhatiscalledtheirduty：
and，inthefirstdaysofdespair，deliveranceappearedimpossible；
andthefetters，thewar，thepainIfelt，theplace，thelengthoftime，eachcircumstanceseemedequallyimpossibletosupport。A
thousandreasonsconvincedmeitwasnecessarytoendmysufferings。
Ishallnotenterintotheologicaldisputes：letthosewhoblamemeimaginethemselvesinmysituation；orratherletthemfirstactuallyenduremymiseries，andthenletthemreason。Ihadoftenbraveddeathinprosperity，andatthismomentitseemedablessing。
Fullofthesemeditations，everyminute’spatienceappearedabsurdity，andresolutionmeannessofsoul；yetIwishedmymindshouldbesatisfiedthatreason，andnotrashness，hadinducedtheact。Ithereforedetermined，thatImightexaminethequestioncoolly，towaitaweeklonger，anddieonthefourthofJuly。InthemeantimeIrevolvedinmymindwhatpossiblemeanstherewereofescape，notfearing，nakedandchained，torushandexpireonthebayonetsofmyenemies。
ThenextdayIobserved，asthefourdoorswereopened，thattheywereonlyofwood，thereforequestionedwhetherImightnotevencutoffthelockswiththeknifethatIhadsofortunatelyconcealed：
andshouldthisandeveryothermeansfail，thenwouldbethetimetodie。Ilikewisedeterminedtomakeanattempttofreemyselfofmychains。Ihappilyforcedmyrighthandthroughthehandcuff，thoughthebloodtrickledfrommynails。Myattemptsontheleftwerelongineffectual；butbyrubbingwithabrick，whichIgotfrommyseat，ontherivetthathadbeennegligentlyclosed，Ieffectedthisalso。
Thechainwasfastenedtotherunroundmybodybyahook，oneendofwhichwasnotinsertedintherim；therefore，bysettingmyfootagainstthewall，Ihadstrengthenoughsofartobendthishookback，andopenit，astoforceoutthelinkofthechain。Theremainingdifficultywasthechainthatattachedmyfoottothewall：thelinksofthisItook，doubled，twisted，andwrenched，tillatlength，naturehavingbestowedonmegreatstrength，Imadeadesperateeffort，sprangforciblyup，andtwolinksatonceflewoff。
Fortunate，indeed，didIthinkmyself：Ihastenedtothedoor，gropedinthedarktofindtheclinkingsofthenailsbywhichthelockwasfastened，anddiscoverednoverylargepieceofwoodneedbecut。ImmediatelyIwenttoworkwithmyknife，andcutthroughtheoakdoortofinditsthickness，whichprovedtobeonlyoneinch，thereforeitwaspossibletoopenallthefourdoorsinfour—
and—twentyhours。
Againhoperevivedinmyheart。TopreventdetectionIhastenedtoputonmychains；but，OGod！whatdifficultieshadItosurmount！
Aftermuchgropingabout，Iatlengthfoundthelinkthathadflownoff；thisIhid：itbeingmygoodfortunehithertotoescapeexamination，asthepossibilityofriddingmyselfofsuchchainswasinnowisesuspected。TheseparatedironlinksItiedtogetherwithmyhairribbon；butwhenIagainendeavouredtoforcemyhandintothering，itwassoswelledthateveryeffortwasfruitless。Thewholemightwasemployedupontherivet，butalllabourwasinvain。
Noonwasthehourofvisitation，andnecessityanddangeragainobligedmetoattemptforcingmyhandin，whichatlength，afterexcruciatingtorture，Ieffected。Myvisitorscame，andeverythinghadtheappearanceoforder。Ifoundit，however，impossibletoforceoutmyrighthandwhileitcontinuedswelled。
Ithereforeremainedquiettillthedayfixed，andonthedeterminedfourthofJuly，immediatelyasmyvisitorshadclosedthedoorsuponme，Idisencumberedmyselfofmyirons，tookmyknife，andbeganmyHerculeanlabouronthedoor。Thefirstofthedoubledoorsthatopenedinwardswasconqueredinlessthananhour；theotherwasaverydifferenttask。Thelockwassooncutround，butitopenedoutwards；therewasthereforenoothermeansleftbuttocutthewholedoorawayabovethebar。
Incessantandincrediblelabourmadethispossible，thoughitwasthemoredifficultaseverythingwastobedonebyfeeling，Ibeingtotallyinthedark；thesweatdropped，orratherflowed，frommybody；myfingerswereclottedinmyownblood，andmylaceratedhandswereonecontinuedwound。
Daylightappeared：Iclamberedoverthedoorthatwashalfcutaway，andgotuptothewindowinthespaceorcellthatwasbetweenthedoubledoors，asbeforedescribed。HereIsawmydungeonwasintheditchofthefirstrampart：beforemeIbeheldtheroadfromtherampart，theguardbutfiftypacesdistant，andthehighpalisadesthatwereintheditch，andmustbescaledbeforeIcouldreachtherampart。Hopegrewstronger；myeffortswereredoubled。
Thefirstofthenextdoubledoorswasattacked，whichlikewiseopenedinward，andwassoonconquered。ThesunsetbeforeIhadendedthis，andthefourthwastobecutawayasthesecondhadbeen。Mystrengthfailed；bothmyhandswereraw；Irestedawhile，beganagain，andhadmadeacutofafootlong，whenmyknifesnapped，andthebrokenbladedroppedtotheground！
GodofOmnipotence！whatwasIatthismoment？Wasthere，GodofMercies！wasthereevercreatureofThinemorejustifiedthanIindespair？Themoonshoneveryclear；Icastawildanddistractedlookuptoheaven，fellonmyknees，andintheagonyofmysoulsoughtcomfort：butnocomfortcouldbefound；norreligionnorphilosophyhadanytogive。IcursednotProvidence，Ifearednotannihilation，IdarednotAlmightyvengeance；GodtheCreatorwasthedisposerofmyfate；andifHeheapedafflictionsuponmeHehadnotgivenmestrengthtosupport，Hisjusticewouldnotthereforepunishme。ToHim，theJudgeofthequickanddead，Icommittedmysoul，seizedthebrokenknife，gashedthroughtheveinsofmyleftarmandfoot，satmyselftranquillydown，andsawthebloodflow。
Nature，overpoweredfainted，andIknownothowlongIremained，slumbering，inthisstate。SuddenlyIheardmyownname，awoke，andagainheardthewords，"BaronTrenck！"Myanswerwas，"Whocalls？"
Andwhoindeedwasit——whobutmyhonestgrenadierGelfhardt——myformerfaithfulfriendinthecitadel！Thegood，thekindfellowhadgotupontherampart，thathemightcomfortme。
"Howdoyoudo？"saidGelfhardt。"Welteringinmyblood，"answeredI；"to—morrowyouwillfindmedead。"——"Whyshouldyoudie？"repliedhe。"Itismucheasierforyoutoescapeherethanfromthecitadel！Hereisnosentinel，andIshallsoonfindmeanstoprovideyouwithtools；ifyoucanonlybreakout，leavetheresttome。AsoftenasIamonguard，Iwillseekopportunitytospeaktoyou。InthewholeStar—Fort，therearebuttwosentinels：theoneattheentrance，andtheotherattheguard—house。Donotdespair；
Godwillsuccouryou；trusttome。"Thegoodman’skindnessanddiscourserevivedmyhopes：Isawthepossibilityofanescape。A
secretjoydiffuseditselfthroughmysoul。Iimmediatelytoremyshirt，boundupmywounds，andwaitedtheapproachofday；andthesunsoonaftershonethroughthewindow，tome，withunaccustomedbrightness。
Letthereaderjudgehowfaritwaschance，ortheeffectofDivineprovidence，thatinthisdreadfulhourmyheartagainreceivedhope。
WhowasitsentthehonestGelfhardt，atsuchamoment，tomyprison？For，haditnotbeenforhim，Ihadcertainly，whenIawokefrommyslumbers，cutmoreeffectuallythroughmyarteries。
TillnoonIhadtimetoconsiderwhatmightfurtherbedone：yetwhatcouldbedone，whatexpected，butthatIshouldnowbemuchmorecruellytreated，andevenmoreinsupportablyironedthanbefore——finding，astheymust，thedoorscutthroughandmyfettersshakenoff？
Aftermatureconsideration，Ithereforemadethefollowingresolution，whichsucceededhappily，andevenbeyondmyhopes。
BeforeIproceed，however，Iwillspeakafewwordsconcerningmysituationatthismoment。ItisimpossibletodescribehowmuchI
wasexhausted。Theprisonswamwithblood；andcertainlybutlittlewasleftinmybody。Withpainfulwounds，swelledandtornhands，I
therestoodshirtless，feltaninclinationtosleepalmostirresistible，andscarcelyhadstrengthtokeepmylegs，yetwasI
obligedtorousemyself，thatImightexecutemyplan。
Withthebarthatseparatedmyhands，Iloosenedthebricksofmyseat，which，beingnewlylaid，waseasilydone，andheapedthemupinthemiddleofmyprison。Theinnerdoorwasquiteopen，andwithmychainsIsobarricadedtheupperhalfofthesecondastopreventanyoneclimbingoverit。Whennooncameandthefirstofthedoorswasunlocked，allwereastonishedtofindthesecondopen。ThereI
stood，besmearedwithblood，thepictureofhorror，withabrickinonehand，andintheothermybrokenknife，crying，astheyapproached，"Keepoff，Mr。Major，keepoff！TellthegovernorI
willlivenolongerinchains，andthathereIstand，ifsohepleases，tobeshot；forsoonlywillIbeconquered。Herenomanshallenter——Iwilldestroyallthatapproach；herearemyweapons；
lucrewillIdieindespiteoftyranny。"Themajorwasterrified，wantedresolution，andmadehisreporttothegovernor。Imeantimesatdownonmybricks，towaitwhatmighthappen：mysecretintent，however，wasnotsodesperateasitappeared。Isoughtonlytoobtainafavourablecapitulation。
Thegovernor，GeneralBorck，presentlycame，attendedbythetown—
majorandsomeofficers，andenteredtheoutwardcell，butsprangbackthemomenthebeheldafigurelikeme，standingwithabrickandupliftedarm。IrepeatedwhatIhadtoldthemajor，andheimmediatelyorderedsixgrenadierstoforcethedoor。Thefrontcellwasscarcelysixfeetbroad，sothatnomorethantwoatatimecouldattackmyintrenchment，andwhentheysawmythreateningbricksreadytodescend，theyleapedterrifiedback。Ashortpauseensued，andtheoldtown—major，withthechaplain，advancedtowardsthedoortosootheme：theconversationcontinuedsometime：whosereasonsweremostsatisfactory，andwhosecausewasthemostjust，I
leavetothereader。Thegovernorgrewangry，andorderedafreshattack。Thefirstgrenadierwasknockeddown，andtherestranbacktoavoidmymissiles。
Thetown—majoragainbeganaparley。"ForGod’ssake，mydearTrenck，"saidhe，"inwhathaveIinjuredyou，thatyouendeavourtoeffectmyruin？Imustanswerforyourhaving，throughmynegligence，concealedaknife。Bepersuaded，Ientreatyou。Beappeased。Youarenotwithouthope，norwithoutfriends。"Myanswerwas——"Butwillyounotloadmewithheavierironsthanbefore？"
Hewentout，spokewiththegovernor，andgavemehiswordofhonourthattheaffairshouldbenofurthernoticed，andthateverythingshouldbeexactlyreinstatedasformerly。
Hereendedthecapitulation，andmywretchedcitadelwastaken。TheconditionIwasinwasviewedwithpity；mywoundswereexamined，asurgeonsenttodressthem，anothershirtwasgivenme，andthebricks，clottedwithblood，removed。I，meantime，layhalfdeadonmymattress；mythirstwasexcessive。Thesurgeonorderedmesomewine。Twosentinelswerestationedinthefrontcell，andIwasthusleftfourdaysinpeace，unironed。Brothalsowasgivenmedaily，andhowdeliciousthiswastotaste，howmuchitrevivedandstrengthenedme，iswhollyimpossibletodescribe。TwodaysIlayinaslumberingkindoftrance，forcedbyunquenchablethirsttodrinkwheneverIawoke。Myfeetandhandswereswelled；thepainsinmybackandlimbswereexcessive。
Onthefifthdaythedoorswereready；theinnerwasentirelyplatedwithiron，andIwasfetteredasbefore：perhapstheyfoundfurthercrueltyunnecessary。Theprincipalchain，however，whichfastenedmetothewall，likethatIhadbeforebroken，wasthickerthanthefirst。Exceptthis，thecapitulationwasstrictlykept。Theydeeplyregrettedthat，withouttheKing’sexpresscommands，theycouldnotlightenmyafflictions，wishedmefortitudeandpatience，andbarredupmydoors。
ItisnecessaryIshouldheredescribemydress。Myhandsbeingfixedandkeptasunderbyanironbar，andmyfeetchainedtothewall，Icouldneitherputonshirtnorstockingsintheusualmode；
theshirtwasthereforetied，andchangedonceafortnight；thecoarseammunitionstockingswerebuttonedonthesides；abluegarment，ofsoldier’scloth，waslikewisetiedroundme，andIhadapairofslippersformyfeet。Theshirtwasofthearmylinen；andwhenIcontemplatedmyselfinthisdressofamalefactor，chainedthustothewallinsuchadungeon，vainlyimploringmercyorjustice，myconsciencevoidofreproach，myheartofguilt——whenI
reflectedonmyformersplendourinBerlinandMoscow，andcompareditwiththissad，thisdreadfulreverseofdestiny，Iwassunkingrief，orrousedtoindignation，thatmighthavehurriedthegreatestheroorphilosophertomadnessordespair。Ifeltwhatcanonlybeimaginedbyhimwhohassufferedlikeme，afterhavinglikemeflourished，ifsuchcanbefound。