ant. He recollected that
besides these, there might be more of their companions, without, ready to
fall upon him; he, therefore, privately drew his pistols, held them under
the table while he cocked them, presented each hand to the body of a
Harum-Bashaw, fired them both at the same instant, overset the table on
the guests, and escaped from the house. As he went he had time to seize
on one of their muskets, which was standing at the door. One of the
Croats was left weltering in his blood; the other disengaged himself from
the table, and ran after Trenck, who suffered him to approach, killed him
within his own gun, struck off his head and brought it home in triumph.
By this action the banditti were deprived of their two most valorous
chiefs.

War broke out about this time, in 1740, when all the Hungarians took up
arms in defence of their beloved queen. Trenck offered to raise a free
corps of pandours, and requested an amnesty for the banditti who should
join his troops. His request was granted, he published the amnesty, and
began to raise recruits; he therefore enrolled his own vassals, formed a
corps of 500 men, went in search of the robbers, drove them into a strait
between the Save and Sarsaws, where they capitulated, and 300 of them
enrolled themselves with his pandours. Most of these men were six feet
in height, determined, and experienced soldiers. To indulge them on
certain occasions in their thirst of pillage were means which he
successfully employed to lead them where he pleased, and to render them
victorious. By means like these Trenck became at once the terror of the
enemies of Austria, and rendered signal services to his Empress.

In 1741, while he was exercising his regiment, a company fired upon
Trenck, and killed his horse, and his servant that stood by his side. He
ran to the company, counted one, two, three, and beheaded the fourth. He
was continuing this, when a Harum-Bashaw left the ranks, drew his sword,
and called aloud, "It is I who fired upon thee, defend thyself." The
soldiers stood motionless spectators. Trenck attacked him and hewed him
down. He was proceeding to continue the execution of the fourth man, but
the whole regiment presented their arms. The revolt became general, and
Trenck, still holding his drawn sabre, ran amidst them, hacking about him
on all sides. The excess of his rage was terrific; the soldiers all
called "Hold!" each fell on their knees, and promised obedience