to prevent any one climbing
over it. When noon came and the first of the doors was unlocked, all
were astonished to find the second open. There I stood, besmeared with
blood, the picture of horror, with a brick in one hand, and in the other
my broken knife, crying, as they approached, "Keep off, Mr. Major, keep
off! Tell the governor I will live no longer in chains, and that here I
stand, if so he pleases, to be shot; for so only will I be conquered.
Here no man shall enter--I will destroy all that approach; here are my
weapons; lucre will I die in despite of tyranny." The major was
terrified, wanted resolution, and made his report to the governor. I
meantime sat down on my bricks, to wait what might happen: my secret
intent, however, was not so desperate as it appeared. I sought only to
obtain a favourable capitulation.

The governor, General Borck, presently came, attended by the town-major
and some officers, and entered the outward cell, but sprang back the
moment he beheld a figure like me, standing with a brick and uplifted
arm. I repeated what I had told the major, and he immediately ordered
six grenadiers to force the door. The front cell was scarcely six feet
broad, so that no more than two at a time could attack my intrenchment,
and when they saw my threatening bricks ready to descend, they leaped
terrified back. A short pause ensued, and the old town-major, with the
chaplain, advanced towards the door to soothe me: the conversation
continued some time: whose reasons were most satisfactory, and whose
cause was the most just, I leave to the reader. The governor grew angry,
and ordered a fresh attack. The first grenadier was knocked down, and
the rest ran back to avoid my missiles.

The town-major again began a parley. "For God's sake, my dear Trenck,"
said he, "in what have I injured you, that you endeavour to effect my
ruin? I must answer for your having, through my negligence, concealed a
knife. Be persuaded, I entreat you. Be appeased. You are not without
hope, nor without friends." My answer was--"But will you not load me
with heavier irons than before?"

He went out, spoke with the governor, and gave me his word of honour that
the affair should be no further noticed, and that everything should be
exactly reinstated as formerly.

Here ended the capitulation, and my wretched citadel was taken. The
condition I was in was viewed with pity; my wounds were examined, a
surgeon sent to dress