"If I can serve you, command me: I
will do it without asking any return." So saying, I took fifty ducats
from between the panels, and gave them to the lieutenant. At first he
refused, but at length accepted them with fear. He left me, promised to
return, pretended to shut the door, and kept his word. He now said debt
obliged him to desert; that this had long been his determination, and
that, desirous to assist me at the same time if he could find the means,
I had only to show how this might be effected.

We continued two hours in conference: a plan was formed, approved, and a
certainty of success demonstrated; especially when I told him I had two
horses waiting. We vowed eternal friendship; I gave him fifty ducats,
and his debts, not amounting to more than two hundred rix-dollars, which
he never could have discharged out of his pay.

He was to prepare four keys to resemble those of my dungeon; the latter
were to be exchanged on the day of flight, being kept in the guard-room
while the major was with General Walrabe. He was to give the grenadiers
on guard leave of absence, or send them into the town on various
pretences. The sentinels he was to call from their duty, and those
placed over me were to be sent into my dungeon to take away my bed; while
encumbered with this, I was to spring out and lock them in, after which
we were to mount our horses, which were kept ready, and ride to Gummern.
Every thing was to be prepared within a week, when he was to mount guard.
We had scarcely formed our project before the sentinels called the major
was coming; he accordingly barred the door, and the major passed to
General Walrabe.

No man was happier than myself; my hopes of escape were triple; the
mediation at Berlin, the mine I had made, and my friend the lieutenant.

When most my mind ought to have been clear, I seemed to have lost my
understanding. I came to a resolution which will appear extravagant and
pitiable. I was stupid enough, mad enough, to form the design of casting
myself on the magnanimity of the Great Frederic! Should this fail, I
still thought my lieutenant a saviour.

Having heated my imagination with this scheme, I waited the visitation
with anxiety. The major entered, I bespoke him thus:

"I know, sir, the great Prince Ferdinand is again in Magdeburg. Inform
him that he may examine my prison, double the sentinels, and give me his
commands, stating what hour will please him I should make my appear