ld not place sentinels over the prison the following night, and I
should then really have left my place of concealment, and, most probably
have safely arrived in Saxony. My destiny, however, robbed me of all
hope at the very moment when I supposed the greatest of my difficulties
were conquered.

Everything seemed to happen as I could wish. The whole garrison came,
and visited the casemates, and all stood astonished at the miracle they
beheld. In this state things remained till four o'clock in the
afternoon. At length, an ensign of the militia came, a boy of about
fifteen or sixteen years of age, who had more wit than any or all of
them. He approached the hole, examined the aperture next the fosse,
thought it appeared small, tried to enter it himself, found he could not,
therefore concluded it was impossible a man of my size could have passed
through, and accordingly called for a light.

This was an accident I had not foreseen. Half stifled in my hole, I had
opened the canal under the planking. No sooner had the youth procured a
light, than he perceived my shirt, examined nearer, felt about, and laid
hold of me by the arm. The fox was caught, and the laugh was universal.
My confusion may easily be imagined. They all came round me, paid me
their compliments, and finding nothing better was to be done, I laughed
in company with them, and, thus laughing was led back with an aching
heart to be sorrowfully enchained in my dungeon.

I continued my journey, and arrived, on the fourth of April, at
Konigsberg, where my brother expected my arrival. We embraced as
brothers must, after the absence of two-and-forty years. Of all the
brothers and sisters I had left in this city, he only remained. He lived
a retired and peaceable life on his own estates. He had no children
living. I continued a fortnight within him and his wife.

Here, for the first time, I learned what had happened to my relations,
during their absence. The wrath of the Great Frederic extended itself to
all my family. My second brother was an ensign in the regiment of
cuirassiers at Kiow, in 1746, when I first incurred disgrace from the
King. Six years he served, fought at three battles, but, because his
name was Trenck, never was promoted. Weary of expectation he quitted the
army, married, and lived on his estates at Meicken, where he died about
three years ago, and left two sons, who are an honour to the family of
the Trencks.

Fame spoke him a