a smith, and
mason entered; strict search was begun; flooring, walls, chains, and my
own person were all scrutinised, but in vain. They asked what was the
noise they had heard; I mentioned the mouse, whistled, and it came and
jumped upon my shoulder. Orders were given I should be deprived of its
society; I entreated they would spare its life. The officer on guard
gave me his word he would present it to a lady, who would treat it with
tenderness.

He took it away and turned it loose in the guardroom, but it was tame to
me alone, and sought a hiding place. It had fled to my prison door, and,
at the hour of visitation, ran into my dungeon, testifying its joy by
leaping between my legs. It is worthy of remark that it had been taken
away blindfold, that is to say, wrapped in a handkerchief. The guard-
room was a hundred paces from the dungeon.

All were desirous of obtaining this mouse, but the major carried it off
for his lady; she put it into a cage, where it pined, and in a few days
died.

The loss of this companion made me quite melancholy, yet, on the last
examination, I perceived it had so eaten the bread by which I had
concealed the crevices I had made in cutting the floor, that the
examiners must be blind not to discover them. I was convinced my
faithful little friend had fallen a necessary victim to its master's
safety. This accident determined me not to wait the three months.

I have related that horses were to be kept ready, on the first and
fifteenth, and I only suffered the first of August to pass, because I
would not injure Major Pfuhl, who had treated me with more compassion
than his comrades, and whose day of visitation it was. On the fifteenth
I determined to fly. This resolution formed, I waited in expectation of
the day, when a new and remarkable succession of accidents happened.

An alarm of fire had obliged the major to repair to the town; he
committed the keys to the lieutenant. The latter, coming to visit me,
asked--"Dear Trenck, have you never, during seven years that you have
been under the guard of the militia, found a man like Schell?" "Alas!
sir," answered I, "such friends are rare; the will of many has been good;
each knew I could make his fortune, but none had courage enough for so
desperate an attempt! Money I have distributed freely, but have received
little help."

"How do you obtain money in this dungeon?" "From a correspondent at
Vienna, by whom I am still supplied."