Sheherselfweptinpityatourfate，andIcouldonlygivehertwoducatsforthedangershehadrun；butIbadeherhopemoreinfuture；andIafterwardssentforhertoVienna，in1751，whereI
tookgreatcareofher。Shewasaboutfiftyyearsofage，anddiedmyservantinHungary，someweeksbeforemyunfortunatejourneytoDantzic，whereIfellintomyenemies’hands，andremainedtenyearsaprisoneratMagdeburg。
Wehadscarcelyreachedthewood，before，intheanguishofmyheart，IexclaimedtoSchell，"Doesnotsuchasister，myfriend，deserveIshouldfireherhouseoverherhead？"Thewisdomofmoderation，andcalmforbearance，wasinSchellavirtueofthehighestorder；hewasmycontinualmentor；myguide，whenevermycholerictemperamentwasdisposedtoviolence。Ithereforehonourhisashes；hedeservedabetterfate。
"Friend，"saidhe，onthisoccasion，"reflectthatyoursistermaybeinnocent，maybewithheldbyherhusband；besides，shouldtheKingdiscoverwehadenteredherdoors，andshehadnotdeliveredusagainintohispower，shemightbecomeasmiserableaswewere。Bemorenobleminded，andthinkthatevenshouldyoursisterbewrong，thetimemaycomewhenherchildrenmaystandinneedofyourassistance，andyoumayhavetheindescribablepleasureofreturninggoodforevil。"
Inevershallforgetthisexcellentadvice，whichinrealitywasaprophecy。Myrichbrother—in—lawdied，and，duringtheRussianwar，hislandsandhouseswerelaiddesolateandinruins；and，nineteenyearsafterwards，whenreleasedfrommyimprisonmentatMagdeburg，I
hadanopportunityofservingthechildrenofmysister。Sucharetheturnsoffate；andthusdoimprobabilitiesbecomefacts。
Mysisterjustifiedherconduct；Schellhadconjecturedthetruth；
fortenyearsafterIwasthusexpelledherhouse，sheshowed，duringmyimprisonment，shewasreallyasister。ShewasshamefullybetrayedbyWeingarten，secretarytotheAustrianambassadoratBerlin；lostapartofherproperty，andatlengthherlifefellaninnocentsacrificetoherbrother。
Thisevent，whichisinterwovenwithmytragicalhistory，willberelatedhereafter：myheartbleeds，myverysoulshudders，whenI
recollectthisdreadfulscene。
Ihavenotthemeansfullytorecompenseherchildren；andWeingarten，thejustobjectofvengeance，islongsinceinthegrave；fordidheexist，theearthshouldnothidehimfrommysword。
Ishallnowcontinuemyjournal：deceivedintheaidIexpected，I
wasobligedtochangemyplan，andgotomymother，wholivedinPrussia，ninemilesbeyondKonigsberg。
Feb。28。——Wecontinued，tired，anxious，anddistressed，atLettel。
March1。——WewentthreemilestoPleese，andonthe2nd，amileandahalffarthertoMeseritz。
March3。——ThroughWersebaumtoBirnbaum，threemiles。
March4。——ThroughZircke，Wruneck，Obestchow，toStubnitz，sevenmiles，inoneday，threeofwhichwehadthegoodfortunetoride。
March5。——ThreemilestoRogosen，wherewearrivedwithoutsomuchasahellertopayourlodgings。TheJewinnkeeperdroveusoutofhishouse；wewereobligedtowanderallnight，andatbreakofdayfoundwehadstrayedtwomilesoutoftheroad。
Weenteredapeasant’scottage，whereanoldwomanwasdrawingbreadhotoutoftheoven。Wehadnomoneytooffer，andIfelt，atthismoment，thepossibilityevenofcommittingmurder，foramorselofbread，tosatisfytheintolerablecravingsofhunger。Shuddering，withtormentinexpressible，atthethought，Ihastenedoutofthedoor，andwewalkedontwomilesmoretoWongrofze。
HereIsoldmymusketforaducat，whichhadprocuredusmanyameal：suchwastheextremityofourdistress。Wethensatiatedourappetites，afterhavingbeenfortyhourswithoutfoodorsleep，andhavingtravelledtenmilesinsleetandsnow。
March6。——Werested，andcame，onthe7th，throughGenin，toavillageintheforest，fourmiles。
Herewefellinwithagangofgipsies（orratherbanditti）
amountingtofourhundredmen，whodraggedmetotheircamp。TheyweremostlyFrenchandPrussiandeserters，andthinkingmetheirequal，wouldforcemetobecomeoneoftheirhand。But，venturingtotellmystorytotheirleader，hepresentedmewithacrown，gaveusasmallprovisionofbreadandmeat，andsufferedustodepartinpeace，afterhavingbeenfourandtwentyhoursintheircompany。
March9。——WeproceededtoLapuschin，threemilesandahalf；andthe10thtoThorn，fourmiles。
Anewincidentherehappened，whichshowedIwasdestined，byfortune，toavarietyofadventures，andcontinuallytostrugglewithnewdifficulties。
TherewasafairheldatThornonthedayofourarrival。
Suspicionsmightwellarise，amongthecrowd，onseeingastrongtallyoungman，wretchedlyclothed，withalargesabrebyhisside，andapairofpistolsinhisgirdle，accompaniedbyanotheraspoorlyapparelledashimself，withhishandandneckboundup，andarmedlikewisewithpistols，sothataltogetherhemoreresembledaspectrethanaman。
Wewenttoaninn，butwererefusedentertainment：IthenaskedfortheJesuits’college，whereIinquiredforthefatherrector。TheysupposedatfirstIwasathief，cometoseekanasylum。Afterlongwaitingandmuchentreatyhisjesuiticalhighnessatlengthmadehisappearance，andreceivedmeastheGrandMogulwouldhisslave。Mycasecertainlywaspitiable：Irelatedalltheeventsofmylife，andthepurportofmyjourney；conjuredhimtosaveSchell，whowasunabletoproceedfurther，andwhosewoundsgrewdailyworse；andprayedhimtoentertainhimattheconventtillIshouldhavebeentomymother，haveobtainedmoney，andreturnedtoThorn，whenI
wouldcertainlyrepayhimwhateverexpensehemighthavebeenat，withthanksandgratitude。
NevershallIforgetthehaughtyinsolenceofthispriest。Scarcelywouldhelistentomyhumblerequest；thou’dandinterruptedmecontinually，totellme，"Bebrief，Ihavemorepressingaffairsthanthine。"Infine，Iwasturnedawaywithoutobtainingtheleastaid；andhereIwasfirsttaughtjesuiticalpride；GodhelpthepoorandhonestmanwhoshallneedtheassistanceofJesuits！They，likeallothermonks，aresearedtoeverysentimentofhumanpity，andcommiseratethedistressedbytauntsandirony。
FourtimesinmylifeIhavesoughtassistanceandadvicefromconvents，andamconvinceditisthedutyofeveryhonestmantoaidinerasingthemfromthefaceoftheearth。
Theysuccourrascalsandmurderers，thattheirpowermaybeidolisedbytheignorant，andostentatiouslyexertitselftoimpedethecourseoflawandjustice；butinvaindothepoorandneedyvirtuousapplytothemforhelp。
Thereaderwillpardonmynativehatredofhypocrisyandfalsehood，especiallywhenhehearsIhavetothanktheJesuitsforthelossofallmygreatHungarianestates。FatherKampmuller，thebosomfriendoftheCountGrashalkowitz，wasconfessortothecourtofVienna，andtherewasnopossiblekindofpersecutionIdidnotsufferfrompriestcraft。Farfrombeingusefulmembersofsociety，theytakeadvantageoftheprejudicesofsuperstition，existforthemselvesalone，andsacrificeeverydutytothesupportoftheirownhierarchy，andfoundapower，onerrorandignorance，whichisdestructiveofallmoralvirtue。
Letusproceed。Mournfulandangry，Ileftthecollege，andwenttomylodging—house，whereIfoundaPrussianrecruiting—officerwaitingforme，whousedallhisartstoengagemetoenlist；
offeringmefivehundreddollars，andtomakemeacorporal，ifI
couldwrite。IpretendedIwasaLivonian，whohaddesertedfromtheAustrians，toreturnhome，andclaimaninheritanceleftmebymyfather。Aftermuchpersuasion，heatlengthtoldmeinconfidence，itwasverywellknowninthetownthatIwasarobber；
thatIshouldsoonbetakenbeforeamagistrate，butthatifIwouldenlisthewouldensuremysafety。
Thislanguagewasnewtome；mypassionroseinstantaneously；I
rememberedmynamewasTrenck，Istruckhim，anddrewmysword；but，insteadofdefendinghimself，hesprangoutofthechamber，chargingthehostnottoletmequitthehouse。IknewthetownofThornhadagreedwiththeKingofPrussia，secretly，todeliverupdeserters，andbegantofeartheconsequences。Lookingthroughthewindow，I
presentlysawtwounderPrussianofficersenterthehouse。SchellandIinstantlyflewtoourarms，andmetthePrussiansatthechamberdoor。"Makeway，"criedI，presentingmypistols。ThePrussiansoldiersdrewtheirswords，butretiredwithfear。Goingoutofthehouse，IsawaPrussianlieutenant，inthestreet，withthetown—guard。TheseIoverawed，likewise，bythesamemeans，andnoonedurstopposeme，thougheveryonecried，"Stopthief！"I
camesafely，however，totheJesuits’convent；butpoorSchellwastaken，anddraggedtoprisonlikeamalefactor。
Halfmadatnotbeingabletorescuehim，IimaginedhemustsoonbedelivereduptothePrussians。Myreceptionwasmuchbetterattheconventthanithadbeenbefore，fortheynolongerdoubtedbutI
wasreallyathief，whosoughtanasylum。Iaddressedmyselftooneofthefathers，whoappearedtobeagoodkindofaman，relatingbrieflywhathadhappened，andentreatedhewouldendeavourtodiscoverwhytheysoughttomolestus。
Hewentout，andreturninginanhourafter，toldme，"Nobodyknowsyou：aconsiderabletheftwasyesterdaycommittedatthefair：allsuspiciouspersonsareseized；youenteredthetownaccoutredlikebanditti。ThemanwhereyouputupisemployedasaPrussianenlister，andhasannouncedyouassuspiciouspeople。ThePrussianlieutenantthereforelaidcomplaintagainstyou，anditwasthoughtnecessarytosecureyourpersons。"
Myjoy，athearingthis，wasgreat。OurMoravianpassport，andthejournalofourroute，whichIhadinmypocket，werefullproofsofourinnocence。Irequestedtheywouldsendandinquireatthetownwherewelaythenightbefore。IsoonconvincedtheJesuitIspoketruth；hewent，andpresentlyreturnedwithoneofthesyndics，towhomIgaveamorefullaccountofmyself。ThesyndicexaminedSchell，andfoundhisstoryandmineagreed；besideswhich，ourpapersthattheyhadseized，declaredwhowewere。Ipassedthenightintheconventwithoutclosingmyeyes，revolvinginmymindalltherigoursofmyfate。IwasstillmoredisturbedforSchell，whoknewnotwhereIwas，butremainedfirmlypersuadedweshouldbeconductedtoBerlin；and，ifso，determinedtoputaperiodtohislife。
MydoubtswereallendedatteninthemorningwhenmygoodJesuitarrived，andwasfollowedbymyfriendSchell。Thejudges，hesaid，hadfoundusinnocent，anddeclaredusfreetogowherewepleased；
adding，however，thatheadvisedustobeuponourguard，webeingwatchedbythePrussianenlisters；thatthelieutenanthadhoped，byhavinguscommittedasthieves，toobligemetoenter，andthathewouldaccountforallthathadhappened。
IgaveSchellamostaffectionatewelcome，whohadbeenveryill—
usedwhenledtoprison，becauseheendeavouredtodefendhimselfwithhislefthand，andfollowme。Thepeoplehadthrownmudathim，andcalledhimarascalthatwouldsoonbehanged。Schellwaslittleabletotravelfarther。Thefather—rectorsentusaducat，butdidnotseeus；andthechiefmagistrategaveeachofusacrown，bywayofindemnificationforfalseimprisonment。Thussentaway，wereturnedtoourlodging，tookourbundles，andimmediatelypreparedtoleaveThorn。
Aswewent，Ireflectedthat，ontheroadtoElbing，wemustpassthroughseveralPrussianvillages，andinquiredforashopwherewemightpurchaseamap。Weweredirectedtoanoldwomanwhosatatthedooracrosstheway，andweretoldshehadagoodassortment，forthathersonwasascholar。Iaddressedmyselftoher，andmyquestionpleasedher，Ihavingaddedwewereunfortunatetravellers，whowishedtofind，bythemap，theroadtoRussia。Sheshowedusintoachamber，laidanatlasonthetable，andplacedherselfoppositeme，whileIexaminedthemap，andendeavouredtohideabitofaraggedrufflethathadmadeitsappearance。Aftersteadfastlylookingatme，sheatlengthexclaimed，withasadandmournfultone——"GoodGod！whoknowswhatisnowbecomeofmypoorson！Icansee，sir，youtooareofagoodfamily。Mysonwouldgoandseekhisfortune，andfortheseeightyearshaveIhadnotidingsofhim。
HemustnowbeintheAustriancavalry。"Iaskedinwhatregiment。
"TheregimentofHohenhem；youarehisverypicture。""Ishenotofmyheight？""Yes，nearly。""Hashenotlighthair？""Yes，likeyours，sir。""Whatishisname？""HisnameisWilliam。""No，mydearmother，"criedI，"Williamisnotdead；hewasmybestfriendwhenIwaswiththeregiment。"Herethepoorwomancouldnotcontainherjoy。Shethrewherselfroundmyneck，calledmehergoodangelwhobroughtherhappytidings：askedmeathousandquestionswhichIeasilycontrivedtomakeheranswerherself，andthus，forcedbyimperiousnecessity，bereftofallothermeans，didIactthedeceiver。
ThestoryImadewasnearlyasfollows：——ItoldherIwasasoldierintheregimentofHohenhem，thatIhadafurloughtogoandseemyfather，andthatIshouldreturninamonth，wouldthentakeherletters，andundertakethat，ifshewishedit，hersonshouldpurchasehisdischarge，andoncemorecomeandlivewithhismother。
IaddedthatIshouldbeforeverandinfinitelyobligedtoher，ifshewouldsuffermycomrade，meantime，toliveatherhouse，hebeingwoundedbythePrussianrecruiters，andunabletopursuehisjourney；thatIwouldsendhimmoneytocometome，orwouldmyselfcomebackandfetchhim，thankfullypayingeveryexpense。Shejoyfullyconsented，toldmehersecondhusband，father—in—lawtoherdearWilliam，haddrivenhimfromhome，thathemightgivewhatsubstancetheyhadtotheyoungerson；andthattheeldesthadgonetoMagdeburg。ShedeterminedSchellshouldliveatthehouseofafriend，thatherhusbandmightknownothingofthematter；and，notsatisfiedwiththiskindness，shemademeeatwithher，gavemeanewshirt，stockings，sufficientprovisionsforthreedays，andsixLunenburgflorins。IleftThorn，andmyfaithfulSchell，thesamenight，withtheconsolationthathewaswelltakencareof；andhavingpartedfromhimwithregret，wentonthe13thtwomilesfurthertoBurglow。
Icannotdescribewhatmysensationswere，orthedespondenceofmymind，whenIthussawmyselfwanderingalone，andleaving，forsaking，asitwere，thedearestoffriends。Thesemaycertainlybenumberedamongthebitterestmomentsofmylife。OftenwasI
readytoreturn，anddraghimalongwithme，thoughatlastreasonconqueredsensibility。Idrewneartheendofmyjourney，andwasimpelledforwardbyhope。
March14。——IwenttoSchwetz，andMarch15。——ToNeuburgandMowe。InthesetwodaysItravelledthirteenmiles。IlayatMowe，onsomestraw，amonganumberofcarters，and，whenIawoke，perceivedtheyhadtakenmypistols，andwhatlittlemoneyIhadleft，eventomylastpenny。Thegentlemen，however，wereallgone。
WhatcouldIdo？Theinnkeeperperhapswasprivytothetheft。MyreckoningamountedtoeighteenPolishgrosch。ThesurlylandlordpretendedtobelieveIhadnomoneywhenIenteredhishouse，andI
wasobligedtogivehimtheonlyspareshirtIhad，withasilkhandkerchief，whichthegoodwomanofThornhadmademeapresentof，andtodepartwithoutasingleholler。
March16。——IsetoffforMarienburg，butitwasimpossibleIshouldreachthisplace，andnotfallintothehandsofthePrussians，ifI
didnotcrosstheVistula，and，unfortunately，Ihadnomoneytopaytheferry，whichwouldcosttwoPolishschellings。
Fullofanxiety，notknowinghowtoact，Isawtwofishermeninaboat，wenttothem，drewmysabre，andobligedthemtolandmeontheotherside；whenthere，Itooktheoarsfromthesetimidpeople，jumpedoutoftheboat，pusheditofftheshore，andleftittodrivewiththestream。
Towhatdangersdoesnotpovertyexposeman！ThesetwoPolishschellingswerenotworthmorethanhalfakreutzer，orsomehalfpenny，yetwasIdrivenbynecessitytocommitviolenceontwopoormen，who，hadtheybeenasdesperateintheirdefenceasIwasobligedtobeinmyattack，bloodmusthavebeenspilledandliveslost；henceitisevidentthatthedegreesofguiltoughttobestrictlyandminutelyinquiredinto，andthedegreeofpunishmentproportioned。HadIhewnthemdownwithmysabre，Ishouldsurelyhavebeenamurderer；butIshouldlikewisesurelyhavebeenoneofthemostinnocentofmurderers。Thusweseethevalueofmoneyisnottobeestimatedbyanyspecificsum，smallorgreat，butaccordingtoitsnecessityanduse。HowlittledidIimaginewhenatBerlin，andmoneywastreatedbymewithluxuriousneglect，Imaysay，withcontempt，Ishouldbedriventothehardnecessity，forasumsoapparentlydespicable，ofcommittingaviolencewhichmighthavehadconsequencessodreadful，andhaveledtothecommissionofanactsoatrocious！
IfoundSaxonandPrussianrecruitersatMarion—burgh，withwhom，havingnomoney，Iate，drank，listenedtotheirproposals，gavethemhopesforthemorrow，anddepartedbydaybreak。
March17。——ToElbing，fourmiles。
HereImetwithmyformerworthytutor，Brodowsky，whowasbecomeacaptainandauditorinthePolishregimentofGolz。HemetmejustasIenteredthetown。Ifollowedtriumphantlytohisquarters；andhereatlengthendedthepainful，long，andadventurousjourneyI
hadbeenobligedtoperform。
Thisgoodandkindgentleman，afterprovidingmewithimmediatenecessaries，wrotesoaffectionatelytomymother，thatshecametoElbinginaweek，andgavemeeveryaidofwhichIstoodinneed。
ThepleasureIhadinmeetingoncemorethistendermother，whosequalitiesofheartandmindwereequallyexcellent，wasinexpressible。ShefoundacertainmodeofconveyingalettertomydearmistressatBerlin，whoashorttimeaftersentmeabillofexchangeforfourhundredducatsuponDantzic。Tothismymotheraddedathousandrix—dollars，andadiamondcrossworthnearlyhalfasmuch，remainedafortnightwithme，andpersisted，inspiteofallremonstrance，inadvisingmetogotoVienna。MydeterminationhadbeenfixedforPetersburg；allmyfearsandapprehensionsbeingawakenedatthethoughtofVienna，andwhichindeedafterwardsbecamethesourceofallmycruelsufferingsandsorrows。Shewouldnotyieldinopinion，andpromisedherfutureassistanceonlyincaseofmyobedience；itwasmydutynottocontinueobstinate。
Heresheleftme，andIhaveneverseenhersince。Shediedin1751，andIhaveeverheldhermemoryinveneration。Itwasahappinessforthisaffectionatemotherthatshedidnothivetobeawitnessofmyafflictionsintheyear1754。
Anadventure，resemblingthatofJosephinEgypt，happenedtomeinElbing。ThewifeoftheworthyBrodowsky，awomanofinfinitepersonalattraction，grewpartialtome；butIdurstnotactungratefullybymybenefactor。Nevertoseememorewastoopainfultoher，andsheevenproposedtofollowme，secretly，toVienna。I
feltthedangerofmysituation，anddoubtedwhetherPotiphar’swifeofferedtemptationssostrongasMadameBrodowsky。IownedIhadanaffectionforthislady，butmypassionswereoverawed。Shepreferredmetoherhusband，whowasinyears，andveryordinaryinperson。HadIyieldedtotheslightestdegreeofguilt，thatofthepresentenjoyment，afewdaysofpleasuremusthavebeenfollowedbyyearsofbitterrepentance。
Havingoncemoreassumedmypropernameandcharacter，andmadepresentsofacknowledgmenttotheworthytutorofmyyouth，IbecameeagertoreturntoThorn。
HowgreatwasmyjoyatagainmeetingmyhonestSchell！Thekindoldwomanhadtreatedhimlikeamother。Shewassurprised，andhalfterrified，atseeingmeenterinanofficer’suniform，andaccompaniedbytwoservants。Igratefullyandrapturouslykissedherhand，repaid，withthankfulness，everyexpense（forSchellhadbeennurturedwithtrulymaternalkindness），toldherwhoIwas，acknowledgedthedeceitIhadputuponherconcerningherson，butfaithfullypromisedtogiveatrue，andnotfictitiousaccountofhim，immediatelyonmyarrivalatVienna。Schellwasreadyinthreedays，andweleftThorn，cametoWarsaw，andpassedthence，throughCrakow，toVienna。
IinquiredforCaptainCapi，atBilitz，whohadbeforegivenmesokindareception，andrefusedmesatisfaction；buthewasgone，andIdidnotmeetwithhimtillsomeyearsafter，whenthecunningItalianmademethemosthumbleapologiesforhisconduct。Sogoestheworld。
MyjourneyfromDantzictoViennawouldnotfurnishmewithaninterestingpage，thoughmytravelsonfootthitherwouldhaveaffordedthriceasmuchasIhavewritten，hadInotbeenfearfuloftriflingwiththereader’spatience。
Inpovertyonemisfortunefollowsanother。Thefoot—passengerseestheworld，becomesacquaintedwithit，converseswithmenofeveryclass。Thelordluxuriouslylollsandslumbersinhiscarriage，whilehisservantspayinnkeepersandpostillions，andpassesrapidlyoverakingdom，inwhichheseessomedozenhouses，calledinns；andthishecallstravelling。Imetwithmoreadventuresinthismyjourneyof169miles，thanafterwardsinalmostasmanythousand，whentravellingatease，inacarriage。
Here，then，endsmyjournal，inwhich，fromthehardshipsthereinrelated，andnumerousothersomitted，IseemakindofsecondRobinsonCrusoe，andtohavebeenprepared，byagradualincreaseandrepetitionofsufferings，toenduretheloadofafflictionwhichIwasafterwardsdestinedtobear。
ArrivedatViennainthemonthofApril，1747。
Andnowanotheractofthetragedyisgoingtobegin。