thout explanations.
He who is so unfortunate as to allow the prisoner to escape, can only
be blamed for carelessness in duty. Upon me alone will rest the
responsibility to the King of Prussia. You shall proceed but five or six
miles each day; at this rate of travel it will take four days to reach
the last barracks of my soldiers, and almost the entire journey lies
through dark, thick woods, and solitary highways. Now go, and may God be
with you!"

The duke stepped to the window to see Trenck depart, and to give him a
last greeting.

"Well, if he is not at liberty in the next few days, it will surely
not be my fault," murmured Duke Ferdinand, "and Princess Amelia cannot
reproach me."

As Trenck drove from the gate, Duke Ferdinand turned thoughtfully away.
He was, against his will, oppressed by sad presentiments. For Trenck,
this journey over the highways in the light, open carriage, was actual
enjoyment. He inhaled joyfully the pure, warm, summer air--his eyes
rested with rapture upon the waving corn-fields, and the blooming,
fragrant meadows through which they passed. With gay shouts and songs
he seemed to rival the lark as she winged her way into the clouds above
him. He was innocent, careless, and happy as a child. The world of
Nature had been shut out from him in the dark, close carriage which
had brought him to Coslin; she greeted him now with glad smiles and
gay adorning. It seemed as if she were decorated for him with her most
odorous blossoms and most glorious sunshine--as if she sent her softest
breeze to kiss his cheek and whisper love--greetings in his ear. With
upturned, dreamy glance, he followed the graceful movements of the pure,
white clouds, and the rapid flight of the birds. Trenck was so happy in
even this appearance of freedom, that he mistook it for liberty.

The carriage rolled slowly over the sandy highways, and now entered a
wood. The sweet odor of the fir-trees drew from Trenck a cry of rapture.
He had felt the heat of the sun to be oppressive, and he now laid
his head back under the shadow of the thick trees with a feeling of
gladness.

"It will take us some hours to get through this forest," said the
ordnance officer, "It is one of the thickest woods in this region,
and the terror of the police. The escaped prisoner who succeeds in
concealing himself here, may defy discovery. It is impossible to pursue
him in these dark, tangled woods, and a few hours conduct him to the
sea-shore, where