During the early part of the month of September, Major Doo, aide to the governor of the prison of Glatz, entered the prisoner’s apartment for a domiciliary visit, accompanied by an adjutant and the officer of the guard.
It was noon. The excessive heat of the dying summer had grown almost unsupportable in the tower chamber7 where Baron de Trenck was confined. Half empty flagons were scattered8 among the books which littered his table, but the repeated draughts9 in which the prisoner had sought refreshment10 had only served to add to his ever-increasing exasperation11.
The major ransacked12 every nook and corner of the prisoner’s chamber and the interior of such pieces of furniture as might afford a possible hiding-place. Remarking the annoyance13 which this investigation14 caused the baron, Doo said arrogantly15:
“The general has issued his orders, and it is a matter of little consequence to him whether or not they displease16 you. Your attempts to escape have greatly incensed17 him against you.”
“And I,” retorted Trenck, with like hauteur18, “am equally indifferent to your general’s displeasure. I shall continue to dispose of my time as may best please me.”
“Good!” replied the major, “but in your own interests you would be wiser to philosophize with your books, and seek the key to the sciences, rather than that of the fortress.”
“You may perhaps repent20 later that you did not heed21 it. Your attempts to escape have angered even the king, and it is impossible to say just how far his severity toward you may go.”
“But, great heavens! when I am deprived of my liberty without cause, have I not the right to endeavor to regain22 it?”
“They do not see the matter in that light in Berlin. As a matter of fact this spirit of revolt against your sovereign only serves to greatly aggravate23 your crime.”
“My crime!” Trenck exclaimed, trembling with anger.
His glance fell upon the major’s sword and the thought came to him to tear it from his side and pierce his throat with it. But in the same instant it occurred to him that he might rather profit by the situation. Pale and trembling as he was, he retained sufficient self-control to modify the expression of his countenance24 and the tone of his voice, though his glance remained fixed25 upon the sword.
“Major,” he said, “no one can be called a criminal until he has been so adjudged by the courts. Happily a man’s honor does not depend upon the inconsequent, malicious26 opinion of others. On the contrary blame should attach to him who condemns27 the accused without a hearing. No constituted power, whether that of king or judge, has yet convicted me of any culpable28 action. Apart from the courtesy which should be observed between officers of the same rank, you, out of simple justice, should refrain front such an accusation29.”
“Every one knows,” retorted Boo, “that you entered into relations with the enemy.”
“I? Great God!”
“Do you not consider the Pandours, then, as such?”
“I visited their chief solely30 as a relative. A glass of wine shared with him in his tent can hardly be construed31 into a dangerous alliance!”
“But you hoped to inherit great riches from this relative. That hope might well impel32 you to cross the frontier of Bohemia for all time.”
“Why, what egregious33 folly34! What more could I hope for than that which I already possessed35 in Berlin? Was I a poor adventurer seeking his fortune by his sword? Rich in my own right; enjoying to the full the king’s favor; attached to the court by all that satisfied pride could demand, as well as by ties of the tenderest sentiments. What more was there for me to covet36 or to seek elsewhere?”
The major turned his head aside with an air of indifference37.
“One single fact suffices to discount everything you have said, Baron,” he replied dryly. “You have twice attempted to escape from the fortress. An innocent man awaits his trial with confidence, knowing that it cannot be other than favorable. The culprit alone flees.”
Trenck, though quivering with blind rage, continued to maintain his former attitude, his features composed, his eyes fixed upon the major’s sword.
“Sir,” he said, “in three weeks, on the twenty-fifth of September, I shall have been a prisoner for one year. You in your position may not have found the time long, but to me it has dragged interminably. And it has been still harder for me to bear because I have not been able to count the days or hours which still separate me from justice and liberty. If I knew the limit set to my captivity—no matter what it may be—I could surely find resignation and patience to await it.”
“It is most unfortunate, then,” said the major, “that no one could give you that information.”
“Say rather, would not,” replied Trenck. “Surely, something of the matter must be known here. You, for instance, major, might tell me frankly38 what you think to be the case.”
“Ah!” said Doo, assuming the self-satisfied manner of a jailer; “it would not be proper for me to answer that.”
“You would save me from despair and revolt,” replied Trenck warmly. “For I give you my word of honor that from the moment I know when my captivity is to terminate—no matter when that may be, or what my subsequent fate—I will make no further attempts to evade39 it by flight.”
“And you want me to tell you——”
Doo smiled maliciously41 as he answered:
The heat of the day, the wine he had drunk, overwhelming anger and his fiery43 blood, all mounted to Trenck’s head. Incapable44 of further self-restraint, he flung himself upon the major, tore the coveted45 sword from his side, dashed out of the chamber, flung the two sentinels at the door down the stairs, took their entire length himself at a single bound and sprang into the midst of the assembled guards.
Trenck fell upon them with his sword, showering blows right and left. The blade flashed snakelike in his powerful grasp, the soldiers falling back before the fierce onslaught. Having disabled four of the men, the prisoner succeeded in forcing his way past the remainder and raced for the first rampart.
There he mounted the rampart and, never stopping to gauge47 its height, sprang down into the moat, landing upon his feet in the bottom of the dry ditch. Faster still, he flew to the second rampart and scaled it as he had done the first, clambering up by means of projecting stones and interstices.
It was just past noon; the sun blazed full upon the scene and every one within the prison stood astounded48 at the miraculous49 flight in which Trenck seemed to fairly soar through the air. Those of the soldiers whom Trenck had not overthrown50 pursued, but with little hope of overtaking him. Their guns were unloaded so that they were unable to shoot after him. Not a soldier dared to risk trying to follow him by the road he had taken, over the ramparts and moats; for, without that passion for liberty which lent wings to the prisoner there was no hope of any of them scaling the walls without killing51 himself a dozen times over.
They were, therefore, compelled to make use of the regular passages to the outer posterns and these latter being located at a considerable distance from the prisoner’s avenue of escape, he was certain, at the pace he was maintaining, to gain at least a half-hour’s start over his pursuers.
Once beyond the walls of the prison, with the woods close by, it seemed as if Trenck’s escape was assured beyond doubt.
He had now come to a narrow passageway leading to the last of the inner posterns which pierced the walls. Here he found a sentinel on guard and the soldier sprang up to confront him. But a soldier to overcome was not an obstacle to stop the desperate flight of the baron. He struck the man heavily in the face with his sword, stunning52 him and sending him rolling in the dust.
Once through the postern there now remained only a single palisade or stockade—a great fence constructed of iron bars and iron trellis-work, which constituted the outermost53 barrier between the fleeing prisoner and liberty. Once over that iron palisade he had only to dash into the woods and disappear.
But it was ordained54 that Trenck was not to overcome this last obstacle, simple as it appeared. At a fatal moment, his foot was caught between two bars of the palisade and he was unable to free himself.
While he was engaged in superhuman but futile55 efforts to release his foot, the sentinel of the passage, who had picked himself up, ran through the postern toward the palisade, followed by another soldier from the garrison56. Together they fell upon Trenck, overwhelming him with blows with the butts57 of their muskets58 and secured him.
Major Doo informed Trenck, after this abortive60 attempt to escape, that he had been condemned61 to one year’s imprisonment only. That year was within three weeks of expiring when the infamous62 major, who was an Italian, goaded63 the unfortunate young man into open defiance64 of his sovereign’s mandate65. His pardon was at once annulled66 and his confinement67 now became most rigorous.
Another plot, headed by three officers and several soldiers of the guard, who were friendly to Trenck, was discovered at the last moment—in time for the conspirators68 themselves to escape to Bohemia, but under circumstances which prevented Baron de Trenck from accompanying them.
This also served to increase the hardships of the prisoner’s lot, and he now found himself deprived of the former companionship of his friends and surrounded by strangers, the one familiar face remaining being that of Lieutenant69 Bach, a Danish officer, a braggart70 swordsman and ruffler, who had always been hostile to him.
But, despite his isolation71, the energy and strength of Trenck’s character were only augmented72 by his misfortunes, and he never ceased to plot for his deliverance. Weeks passed without any fruitful event occurring in the life of the prisoner, yet help was to come to him from a source from which he could never have expected it. But before that fortuitous result was destined to take place—in fact, as preliminary to its achievement—he was destined to be an actor in the most remarkable73 scene that ever has been recorded in the annals of prison life, and in one of the strangest duels74 of modern times.
One day Trenck had cast himself fully75 clothed upon his bed, in order to obtain a change of position in his cramped76 place of confinement. Lieutenant Bach was on duty as his guard.
The young baron had retained in prison the proud and haughty77 demeanor78 which had formerly79 brought upon him so much censure80 at court. Lieutenant Bach’s countenance also bore the imprint81 of incarnate82 pride.
The two exchanged from time to time glances of insolence83; for the rest, they remained silently smoking, side by side.
Trenck was the first to break the silence, for prisoners grasp every opportunity for conversation, and at any price.
“It appears to me your hand is wounded, lieutenant,” Trenck said. “Have you found another opportunity to cross swords?”
“Lieutenant Schell, it seemed to me, looked somewhat obliquely84 at me,” replied the Dane. “Therefore, I indulged him in a pass or two directed against his right arm.”
“Such a delicate youth, and so mild-mannered! Are you not ashamed?”
“What could I do? There was no one else at hand.”
“Nevertheless he seems to have wounded you?”
“Yes, accidentally though, without knowing what he did.”
“The fact, then, of having been expelled from two regiments85 for your highhanded acts, and finally transferred to the garrison of the fortress of Glatz as punishment, has not cured you of your fire-eating propensities86?”
“When a man has the reputation of being the best swordsman in Prussia he values that title somewhat more than your military rank, which any clumsy fool can obtain.”
“You, the best swordsman!” exclaimed Trenck, concluding his remark with an ironical87 puff88 of smoke.
“I flatter myself that such is the case,” retorted Bach, emitting in turn a great cloud of tobacco-smoke.
“If I were free,” said Trenck, “I might, perhaps, prove to you in short order that such is not the case.”
“Do you claim to be my master at that art?”
“I flatter myself that such is the case.”
“That we shall soon see,” cried Bach, flushing with rage.
“Ah, yes, you make your claim out of sheer boastfulness, because you think we cannot put it to the test!”
“Truly, lieutenant, set me at liberty and I swear to you that on the other side of the frontier we will put our skill to the test as freely as you like!”
“In this room?”
“I shall be glad to know how you propose to do so?”
“Ah, you talk of Bohemia because that country is far away. As for me, I prefer this one, because it affords an immediate93 opportunity to put the matter to the test.”
“I should ask nothing better if it were not impossible.”
“Impossible! You shall see if it be.”
Bach sprang up. An old door, supported by a couple of benches, had been placed in the chamber for a table. He hammered at the worm-eaten wood and knocked off a strip which he split in half. One of these substitutes for rapiers he gave to Trenck, retaining the other himself, and both placed themselves on guard.
After the first few passes, Trenck sent his adversary’s make-shift sword flying through space, and with his own he met the lieutenant full in the chest.
“Touché!” he cried.
He went out hastily. Trenck watched him in utter amazement95 and he was even more astounded when, an instant later, he saw Bach return with a couple of swords, which he drew out from beneath his uniform.
“Now,” he said to Trenck, “it is for you to show what you can do with good steel!”
“You risk,” returned the baron, smiling calmly, “you risk, over and above the danger of being wounded, losing that absolute superiority in matters of the sword of which you are so proud.”
“Defend yourself, braggart!” shouted Bach. “Show your skill instead of talking about it.”
He flung himself furiously upon Trenck. The latter, seeming only to trifle lightly with his weapon at first, parried his thrusts, and then pressed the attack in turn, wounding Bach severely96 in the arm.
The lieutenant’s weapon clattered97 upon the floor. For an instant he paused, immovable, overcome by amazement; then an irresistible98 admiration—a supreme99 tenderness, invaded his soul. He flung himself, weeping, in Trenck’s arms, exclaiming:
“You are my master!”
Then, drawing away from the prisoner, he contemplated100 him with the same enthusiasm, but more reflectively, and observed:
“Yes, baron, you far exceed me in the use of the sword; you are the greatest duelist of the day, and a man of your caliber101 must not remain longer in prison.”
The baron was somewhat taken by surprise at this, but, with his usual presence of mind, he immediately set himself to derive102 such profit as he might from his guardian’s extravagant103 access of affection.
“Yes, my dear Bach,” he replied, “yes, I should be free for the reason you mention, and by every right, but where is the man who will assist me to escape from these walls?”
“Here, baron!” said the lieutenant. “You shall regain your freedom as surely as my name is Bach.”
“Wait,” resumed Bach reflectively. “You cannot leave the citadel105 without the assistance of an officer. I should compromise you at every step. You have just seen what a hot-tempered scatterbrain I am. But I have in mind one who admires you profoundly. You shall know who he is tonight, and together we will set you at liberty.”
Bach did, in fact, redeem106 his promise. He introduced Lieutenant Schell, who was to be Trenck’s companion during their arduous107 flight into Bohemia, into the prisoner’s cell, and himself obtained leave of absence for the purpose of securing funds for his fellow conspirators. The plot was discovered before his return and Schell, warned of this by one of the governor’s adjutants, hastened the day of their flight.
In scaling the first rampart, Schell fell and sprained108 his ankle so severely that he could not use it. But Trenck was equal to all emergencies. He would not abandon his companion. He placed him across his shoulders, and, thus burdened, climbed the outer barriers and wandered all night in the bitter cold, fleeing through the snow to escape his pursuers. In the morning, by a clever ruse109, he secured two horses and, thus mounted, he and his companion succeeded in reaching Bohemia.
Trenck directed his course toward Brandenburg where his sister dwelt, near the Prussian and Bohemian frontiers, in the Castle of Waldau, for he counted upon her assistance to enable him to settle in a foreign land where he would be safe.
The two friends, reduced shortly to the direst poverty, parted with their horses and all but the most necessary wearing apparel. Even now, though in Bohemia, they were not free from pursuit. Impelled110 one night, through hunger and cold, to throw themselves upon the bounty111 of an inn-keeper, they found in him a loyal and true friend. The worthy host revealed to them the true identity of four supposed traveling merchants, who had that day accosted112 them on the road and followed them to the inn. These men were, in fact, emissaries from the fortress of Glatz who had attempted to bribe113 him to betray the fugitives114 into their hands, for they were sworn to capture Trenck and his companion and return them dead or alive to the enraged115 governor of the fortress.
In the morning the four Prussians, the carriage, the driver, and the horses set forth116 and soon disappeared in the distance.
Two hours later the fugitives, fortified117 by a good breakfast, took their departure from the Ezenstochow inn, leaving behind them a man whom they, at least, esteemed118 as the greatest honor to mankind.
The travelers hastened toward Dankow. They chose the most direct route and tramped along in the open without a thought of the infamous spies who might already be on their track.
The next day they set out for Parsemachi, in Bohemia.
They started early, and a day in the open, together with a night’s sleep, had almost obliterated120 the memory of their adventure at the inn.
The cold was intense. The day was gray with heavy clouds that no longer promised rain, but which shrouded121 the country with a pall122 of gloom. The wind swirled123 and howled, and though the two friends struggled to keep their few thin garments drawn124 closely about them, they still searched the horizon hopefully, thinking of the journey’s end and the peaceful existence which awaited them. To their right, the aspect of the countryside had altered somewhat. Great wooded stretches spread away into the distance, while to the left all was yet free and open.
They had gone about half a mile past the first clump125 of trees when they noticed, through the swaying branches by the roadside, a motionless object around which several men busied themselves. With every step they gained a clearer impression of the nature of this obstacle until, at last, an expression of half-mockery, half-anger overspread their features.
“Now God forgive me!” exclaimed Schell finally, “but that is the infernal brown traveling carriage from the inn!”
“May the devil take me!” rejoined Trenck, “if I delay or flee a step from those miserable126 rascals127.”
As soon as they were within speaking distance, one of the Prussians, a big man in a furred cap, believing them to be wholly unsuspicious, called to them:
“My dear sirs, in heaven’s name come help us! Our carriage has been overturned and it is impossible to get it out of this rut.”
The friends had reached an angle of the road where a few withered129 tree branches alone separated them from the others. They perceived the brown body of the carriage, half open like a huge rat-trap, and beside it the forbidding faces of their would-be captors. Trenck launched these words through the intervening screen of branches:
“Go to the devil, miserable scoundrels that you are, and may you remain there!”
Then, swift as an arrow, he sped toward the open fields to the left of the highroad, feigning130 flight. The carriage, which had been overturned solely for the purpose of misleading them, was soon righted and the driver lashed46 his horses forward in pursuit of the fugitives, the four Prussians accompanying him with drawn pistols.
When they were almost within reaching distance of their prey131 they raised their pistols and shouted:
“Surrender, rascals, or you are dead men!”
This was what Trenck desired. He wheeled about and discharged his pistol, sending a bullet through the first Prussian’s breast, stretching him dead upon the spot.
At the same moment Schell fired, but his assailants returned the shot and wounded him.
Trenck again discharged his pistol twice in succession. Then, as one of the Prussians, who was apparently132 still uninjured, took to flight across the plain he sped furiously after him. The pursuit continued some two or three hundred paces. The Prussian, as if impelled by some irresistible force, whirled around and Trenck caught sight of his blanched133 countenance and blood-stained linen134. One of the shots had struck him!
Instantly Trenck put an end to the half-finished task with a sword thrust. But the time wasted on the Prussian had cost him dear. Returning hastily to the field of action, he perceived Schell struggling in the grasp of the two remaining Prussians. Wounded as he was, he had been unable to cope single-handed with them, and was rapidly being borne toward the carriage.
“Courage, Schell!” Trenck shouted. “I am coming!”
At the sound of his friend’s voice Schell felt himself saved. By a supreme effort he succeeded in releasing himself from his captors.
Frantic135 with rage and disappointment, the Prussians again advanced to the attack upon the two wretched fugitives, but Trenck’s blood was up. He made a furious onslaught upon them with his sword, driving them back step by step to their carriage, into which they finally tumbled, shouting to the driver in frantic haste to whip up his horses.
As the carriage dashed away the friends drew long breaths of relief and wiped away the blood and powder stains from their heated brows. Careless of their sufferings, these iron-hearted men merely congratulated each other upon their victory.
“Ah, it’s well ended, Schell,” exclaimed Trenck, “and I rejoice that we have had this opportunity to chastise136 the miserable traitors137. But you are wounded, my poor Schell!”
“It is nothing,” the lieutenant replied carelessly; “merely a wound in the throat, and, I think, another in the head.”
This was the last attempt for a considerable time to regain possession of Trenck’s person. But the two friends suffered greatly from hardships and were made to feel more than once the cruelty of Prussian oppression. Even Trenck’s sister, instigated138 thereto by her husband, who feared to incur139 the displeasure of Frederick the Great, refused the poor fugitives shelter, money, or as much as a crust of bread, and this after Trenck had jeopardized140 his liberty by returning to Prussian soil in order to meet her.
It was at this period, when starvation stared the exiles in the face, that Trenck met the Russian General Liewen, a relative of Trenck’s mother, who offered the baron a captaincy in the Tobolsk Dragoons, and furnished him with the money necessary for his equipment. Trenck and Schell were now compelled to part, the latter journeying to Italy to rejoin relatives there, the baron to go to Russia, where he was to attain141 the highest eminence142 of grandeur143.
Baron de Trenck, on his journey to Russia, passed through Danzig, which was at that time neutral territory, bordering upon the confines of Prussia. Here he delayed for a time in the hope of meeting with his cousin the Pandour. During the interim144 he formed an intimacy145 with a young Prussian officer named Henry, whom he assisted lavishly146 with money. Almost daily they indulged in excursions in the environs, the Prussian acting147 as guide.
One morning, while at his toilet, Trenck’s servant, Karl, who was devoted148 to him body and soul, observed:
“Lieutenant Henry will enjoy himself thoroughly149 on your excursion to-morrow.”
“Why do you say that, Karl?” asked the baron.
“Because he has planned to take your honor to Langführ at ten o’clock.”
“At ten or eleven—the hour is not of importance.”
“No! You must be there on the stroke of ten by the village clock. Langführ is on the Prussian border and under Prussian rule.”
“Prussia!” exclaimed Trenck, shaking his head, which Karl had not finished powdering. “Are you quite sure?”
“Perfectly. Eight Prussians—non-commissioned officers and soldiers—will be in the courtyard of the charming little inn that Lieutenant Henry described so well. As soon as your honor crosses the threshold they will fall upon you and bear you off to a carriage which will be in waiting.”
“Oh, for that matter,” continued the valet, “they will have neither muskets nor pistols. They will be armed with swords only. That will leave them free to fall bodily upon your honor and to prevent you using your weapon.”
“Is that all, Karl?”
“No. There will be two soldiers detailed151 especially for my benefit, so that I can’t get away to give the alarm.”
“Well, is that all!”
“No. The carriage is to convey your honor to Lavenburg, in Pomerania, and you must cross a portion of the province of Danzig to get there. Besides the under officers at the inn who will travel with your honor, two others will accompany the carriage on horseback to prevent any outcry while you are on neutral ground.”
“Famously planned!”
“M. Reimer, the Prussian resident here, outlined the plot, and appointed Lieutenant Henry to carry it out.”
“That’s all—this time—and it’s enough!”
“Yes, but I regret that it should end thus, for your account has greatly interested me.”
“Your honor may take it that all I have said is absolutely correct.”
“But when did you obtain this information?”
“Oh, just now!”
“And from whom?”
“Franz, Lieutenant Henry’s valet, when we were watching the horses beneath the big pines, while your honors waited in that roadside pavilion for the shower to pass over.”
“Is his information reliable?”
“Of course! As no one suspected him, the whole matter was discussed freely before him.”
“And he betrayed the secret?”
“Yes, because he greatly admires your honor and wasn’t willing to see you treated so.”
“Karl, give him ten ducats from my purse and tell him I will take him in my own service, for he has afforded me great pleasure. The outing to-morrow will be a hundred times more amusing than I had hoped—indeed more amusing than any I have ever undertaken in my life.”
“Your honor will go to Langführ, then!”
“Certainly, Karl. We will go together, and you shall see if I misled you when I promised you a delightful153 morning.”
As soon as Baron de Trenck had completed his toilet, he visited M. Scherer, the Russian resident, spent a few moments in private with him and then returned to his apartments for dinner.
Lieutenant Henry arrived soon afterward. Trenck found delight in the course of dissimulation154 to which he stood committed. He overwhelmed his guest with courteous155 attentions, pressing upon him the finest wines and his favorite fruits, meanwhile beaming upon him with an affection that overspread his whole countenance, and expatiating156 freely upon the delights of the morrow’s ride.
Henry accepted his attentions with his accustomed dreamy manner.
The next morning, at half past nine, when the lieutenant arrived, he found Trenck awaiting him.
The two officers rode off, followed by their servants, and took the road to Langführ. Trenck’s audacity157 was terrifying. Even Karl, who was well aware of his master’s great ability and cleverness, was nevertheless uneasy, and Franz, who was less familiar with the baron’s character, was in a state of the greatest alarm.
The country, beautiful with its verdant158 grasslands159, its budding bushes and flowers, its rich fields of wheat, dotted with spring blossoms, revealed itself to their delighted eyes. In the distance glistened160 the tavern161 of Langführ, with its broad red and blue stripes and its tempting162 signboard that displayed a well-appointed festive163 table.
The low door in the wall that enclosed the tavern courtyard was still closed. Inside, to the right of that door, was a little terrace, and against the wall was an arbor164 formed of running vines and ivy165.
Lieutenant Henry, pausing near a clump of trees some two hundred paces from the tavern, said:
“Baron, our horses will be in the way in that little courtyard. I think it would be well to leave them here in the care of our servants until our return.”
Trenck assented166 readily. He sprang from his horse and tossed his bridle167 to his valet and Henry did the same.
The path leading to the tavern was enchanting168, with its carpet of flowers and moss169, and the two young men advanced arm in arm in the most affectionate manner. Karl and Franz watched them, overwhelmed with anxiety.
The door in the wall had been partly opened as they approached and the young men saw, within the arbor on the terrace, the resident, Herr Reimer—his three-cornered hat on his powdered wig170, his arms crossed on the top of the adjacent wall, as he awaited their coming.
As soon as the officers were within ear-shot, he called out:
“Come on, Baron de Trenck, breakfast is ready.”
The two officers were almost at the threshold. Trenck slackened his pace somewhat; then he felt Henry grip his arm more closely and forcibly drag him toward the doorway171.
Trenck energetically freed his arm, upon observing this movement that spoke172 so eloquently173 of betrayal, and twice struck the lieutenant, with such violence that Henry was thrown to the ground.
Reimer, the resident, realizing that Trenck knew of the plot, saw that the time had come to resort to armed intervention174.
“Soldiers, in the name of Prussia, I command you to arrest Baron de Trenck!” he shouted to the men who were posted in the courtyard.
“Soldiers, in the name of Russia!” Trenck shouted, brandishing175 his sword, “kill these brigands176 who are violating the rights of the country.”
At these words, six Russian dragoons emerged suddenly from a field of wheat and, running up, fell upon the Prussians who had rushed from the courtyard at the resident’s command.
This unexpected attack took the Prussians by surprise. They defended themselves only half-heartedly and finally they fled in disorder177, throwing away their weapons, and followed by the shots of the Russians.
Lieutenant Henry and four soldiers remained in the custody178 of the victors. Trenck dashed into the arbor to seize Resident Reimer, but the only evidence of that personage was his wig, which remained caught in the foliage179 at an opening in the rear of the arbor through which the resident had made his escape. Trenck then returned to the prisoners.
As a fitting punishment for the Prussian soldiers, he commanded his dragoons to give each of them fifty blows, to turn their uniforms wrongside out, to decorate their helmets with straw cockades, and to drive them thus attired180 across the frontier.
While his men proceeded to execute his orders, Trenck drew his sword and turned to Lieutenant Henry.
“And now, for our affair, lieutenant!” he exclaimed.
The unfortunate Henry, under the disgrace of his position, lost his presence of mind. Hardly knowing what he did, he drew his sword, but dropped it almost immediately, begging for mercy.
Trenck endeavored to force him to fight, without avail, then, disgusted with the lieutenant’s cowardice181, he caught up a stick and belabored182 him heartily183, crying:
“Rogue, go tell your fellows how Trenck deals with traitors!”
The people of the inn, attracted by the noise of the conflict, had gathered around the spot, and, as the baron administered the punishment, they added to the shame of the disgraced lieutenant by applauding the baron heartily.
The punishment over and the sentence of the Prussians having been carried out, Trenck returned to the city with his six dragoons and the two servants.
In this affair, as throughout his entire career, Trenck was simply faithful to the rule which he had adopted to guide him through life:
“Always face danger rather than avoid it.”
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1
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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detention
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| n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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8
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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9
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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10
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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11
exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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12
ransacked
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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13
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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14
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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15
arrogantly
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| adv.傲慢地 | |
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16
displease
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| vt.使不高兴，惹怒；n.不悦，不满，生气 | |
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17
incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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18
hauteur
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| n.傲慢 | |
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19
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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20
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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21
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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22
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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23
aggravate
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| vt.加重(剧)，使恶化；激怒，使恼火 | |
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24
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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25
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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26
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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27
condemns
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| v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的第三人称单数 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地 | |
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28
culpable
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| adj.有罪的，该受谴责的 | |
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29
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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30
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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31
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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32
impel
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| v.推动；激励，迫使 | |
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33
egregious
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| adj.非常的，过分的 | |
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34
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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35
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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36
covet
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| vt.垂涎；贪图(尤指属于他人的东西) | |
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37
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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38
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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39
evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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40
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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41
maliciously
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| adv.有敌意地 | |
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42
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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43
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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44
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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45
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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46
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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47
gauge
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| v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器 | |
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48
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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49
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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50
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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51
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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52
stunning
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| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
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53
outermost
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| adj.最外面的，远离中心的 | |
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54
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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55
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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56
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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57
butts
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| 笑柄( butt的名词复数 )； （武器或工具的）粗大的一端； 屁股； 烟蒂 | |
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58
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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59
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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60
abortive
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| adj.不成功的，发育不全的 | |
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61
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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62
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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63
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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64
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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65
mandate
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| n.托管地；命令，指示 | |
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66
annulled
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| v.宣告无效( annul的过去式和过去分词 )；取消；使消失；抹去 | |
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67
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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68
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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69
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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70
braggart
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| n.吹牛者；adj.吹牛的，自夸的 | |
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71
isolation
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| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
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72
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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73
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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74
duels
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| n.两男子的决斗( duel的名词复数 )；竞争，斗争 | |
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75
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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76
cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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77
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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78
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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79
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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80
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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81
imprint
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|
| n.印痕，痕迹；深刻的印象；vt.压印，牢记 | |
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82
incarnate
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| adj.化身的，人体化的，肉色的 | |
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83
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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84
obliquely
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| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
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85
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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86
propensities
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| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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87
ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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88
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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89
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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90
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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91
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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92
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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93
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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94
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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95
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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96
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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97
clattered
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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98
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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99
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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100
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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101
caliber
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| n.能力；水准 | |
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102
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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103
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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104
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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105
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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106
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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107
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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108
sprained
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| v.&n. 扭伤 | |
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109
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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110
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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111
bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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112
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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113
bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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114
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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115
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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116
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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117
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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118
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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119
hindrance
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| n.妨碍，障碍 | |
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120
obliterated
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| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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121
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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122
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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123
swirled
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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125
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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126
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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127
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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128
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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129
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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130
feigning
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| 假装，伪装( feign的现在分词 )； 捏造（借口、理由等） | |
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131
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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132
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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133
blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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134
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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135
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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136
chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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137
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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138
instigated
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| v.使（某事物）开始或发生，鼓动( instigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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139
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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140
jeopardized
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| 危及，损害( jeopardize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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141
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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142
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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143
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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144
interim
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| adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间 | |
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145
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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146
lavishly
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| adv.慷慨地，大方地 | |
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147
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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148
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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149
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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150
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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151
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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152
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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153
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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154
dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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155
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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156
expatiating
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的现在分词 ) | |
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157
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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158
verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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159
grasslands
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| n.草原，牧场( grassland的名词复数 ) | |
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160
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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161
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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162
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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163
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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164
arbor
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| n.凉亭；树木 | |
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165
ivy
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| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
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166
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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167
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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168
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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169
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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170
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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171
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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172
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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173
eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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174
intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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175
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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176
brigands
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| n.土匪，强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) | |
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177
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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178
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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179
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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180
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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181
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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182
belabored
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| v.毒打一顿( belabor的过去式和过去分词 )；责骂；就…作过度的说明；向…唠叨 | |
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183
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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