visit.

The labour, towards the conclusion, became so intolerable as to incite
despondency. I frequently sat contemplating the heaps of sand, during a
momentary respite from work; and thinking it impossible I could have
strength or time again to replace all things as they were, resolved
patiently to wait the consequence, and leave everything in its present
disorder. Yes! I can assure the reader that, to effect concealment, I
have scarcely had time in twenty-four hours to sit down and eat a morsel
of bread. Recollecting, however, the efforts, and all the progress I had
made, hope would again revive, and exhausted strength return: again would
I begin my labours, that I might preserve my secret and my expectations:
yet has it frequently happened that my visitors have entered a few
minutes after I had reinstated everything in its place.

When my work was within six or seven feet of being accomplished, a new
misfortune happened that at once frustrated all further attempts. I
worked, as I have said, under the foundation of the rampart near where
the sentinels stood. I could disencumber myself of my fetters, except my
neck collar and its pendent chain. This, as I worked, though it was
fastened, got loose, and the clanking was heard by one of the sentinels
about fifteen feet from my dungeon. The officer was called, they laid
their ears to the ground, and heard me as I went backward and forward to
bring my earth bags. This was reported the next day; and the major, who
was my best friend, with the town-major, and a smith and mason, entered
my prison. I was terrified. The lieutenant by a sign gave me to
understand I was discovered. An examination was begun, but the officers
would not see, and the smith and mason found all, as they thought, safe.
Had they examined my bed, they would have seen the ticking and sheets
were gone.

The town-major, who was a dull man, was persuaded the thing was
impossible, and said to the sentinel, "Blockhead! you have heard some
mole underground, and not Trenck. How, indeed, could it be, that lee
should work underground, at such a distance from his dungeon?" Here the
scrutiny ended.

There was now no time for delay. Had they altered their hour of coming,
they must have found me at work: but this, during ten years, never
happened: for the governor and town-major were stupid men, and the
others, poor fellows, wishing me all success, were willingly blind. In a
few days I could have brok