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Trenck still lived。 He lived because he had a fixed desire； a grand aim in viewhe thirsted for freedom； and believed it attainable。 Trenck could not die； for without was liberty； the sun； life； and honor。 He would not die； for to be willing to die； he must first have lived。 His life had been so shorta few fleeting years of youth； of careless enjoymenta joyous dream of love and ambition！ This had been his fate。 Then came long； weary years of imprisonment… …a something which he knew not； but it was not lifehad crept to him in his prison； and with a cruel hand marked years upon his brow… …years through which he had not lived； but suffered。 And still he remained young in spite of gray hairs and wrinkles。 He glowed with hope and defiance； his sluggish blood was warmed from time to time with new hopes； new expectations。 His imagination painted wonderful pictures of future happiness。 This hope always remained smiling and vigorous； notwithstanding his many disappointmentshis many useless attempts to escape； Trenck still hoped for freedom。 As often as the subterranean passages which he dug were discovered； he recommenced his work； and dug new ones； when the sentinels whom he had won by gold and flattery were detected and punished； he found means to obtain other friends。
Truly； friends did not fail； the buried but still living prisoner had friends who never forgot him； bold； loving friends； risking their lives for him。 The mighty power of his great misfortunes won him friends。 The soldiers who guarded him were seized with shuddering horror and pity at the sight of this sunken form； reminding them of the picture of the skeleton and the hour…glass which hung in the village church。 Trenck knew how to profit by this。 The officers； who came every day to inspect his prison； were charmed and amazed by the freshness of his spirit； his bright conversation； and gay remarks。 These interviews were the only interruption to the dulness of their garrison life。 They came to him to be cheered。 Not being willing to sit with him in the dark； they brought their lights with them； they opened the door of his cell that they might not be obliged to remain with him in the damp； putrid air。 They wondered at his firmness and courage； they sympathized with his youth and loneliness； and this sympathy made for him； earnest； useful friends； who revelled in the thought that Trenck's renewed attempts at escape would at last be crowned with happy results； that he would obtain his freedom。
He was on the eve of a great day。 To…morrow he would live again； to… morrow he would be free； this time it was no chimera； no dreamhe must succeed。
〃Yes； my plan cannot fail；〃 murmured Trenck； as he sat upon his stone seat and gazed at the iron door； which had just closed behind the Commandant Bruckhausen。 〃My cruel jailer has discovered nothing； carefully as he searched my cell； this time I have dug no mines； broken no walls； this time I shall pass through that door； my comrades will greet me joyfully； and the poor prisoner shall be the mighty commander of the fortress。 Only one night more； one single night of patience； and life； and love； and the world shall again belong to me。 Oh； I feel as if I would go mad with joy。 I have had strength to endure misfortunes； but perhaps the rapture of freedom may be fatal。 My God！ my God！ if I should lose my senses！ if the light of the sun should scorch my brain！ if the hum of the busy world should crush my spirit！〃
He lifted his hands in terror to his brow； he felt as if wrapped in flames； as if fire were rising from his brain； the chains rattled around him with unearthly sounds。 〃The slightest error； the least forgetfulness would endanger my plan。 I will be quietI will repeat once more all that we have agreed upon。 But first away with these slavish chains； to…morrow I shall be a free man； I will commence my role to…day。〃
He removed the handcuffs； and with his free right hand loosened the girdle from his waist； at the point where the blacksmith； who fastened it upon him； told him it might be opened by a pressure light as a feather。 Now he was free； he stretched with delight his thin； meagre form； and let his arms swing in the air as if to prove their muscle。
This was a sweet； a wonderful prelude to freedom； many weeks and months he had worked upon these chains to prepare for the moment of freedom。 Now these chains had fallen。 He was already a free man； he cared not for these dark； damp walls。 He did not see them； he was already without； where the sun was shining； the birds were singing； where the blue arch of heaven looked down upon the blooming earth。 What did he care for the death…like stillness which surrounded him？ he heard the noise in the streets； he saw men running here and there in busy haste； he listened to their bright conversation； their merry laughter； he mixed among them with lively greeting； and shared their joys and cares。
Suddenly he again pressed his brow fearfully； and cried； 〃I shall go mad！ A thousand dancing pictures and happy faces are swarming around me； I shall go mad！ But no； I will control myself； I will be calm。〃 He raised his head with his accustomed bold defiance。 〃I will look freedom in the face； my eyelids shall not quiver and my heart shall beat calmly。 I will be quiet and thoughtful。 I will think it all over once more。 Listen to me； oh friend！ you； who have heard all my sighs and my despair； you； who know my misery； listen to me； oh gloomy cell。 You have always been faithful； you have never wished to forsake or leave me； and when I struggled to escape； you called me always back。 But this is our last day together； you shall hear my confession； I will tell you all my plans； by what means I shall escape from you； my true friend； my dark； dreary cell。 Know first that this garrison is composed of nine hundred men； who are much dissatisfied。 It will not be difficult to win them； particularly if they are well bribed。 Besides this； there are two majors and two lieutenants conspiring with me； they will tell their soldiers what to do。 The guard at the star…port； is composed of but fifteen men； and if they do not obey me willingly； we will know how to compel obedience。 At the end of the star…port lies the city gate。 At this only twelve men and one officer are stationed； these we shall easily overpower。 On the other side； close to the gate； the Austrian Captain von Kimsky is awaiting me with the remainder of the prisoners of war。 All the officers； who have pledged themselves to assist my undertaking； are concealed in a safe house rented for this purpose。 At my first call they will rush forward and fall upon the guard； we will overpower them and enter the city。 There other friends await us； one of them； under some pretext； holds in his quarters arms for his company； and at my call he will join me with his armed band。 Oh my God！ my God！ I see every thing so plainly and clearly before me。 I see myself rushing joyfully through the streets； dashing into the casemates； which contain nine thousand prisoners。 I call to them： 'Up； comrades； up； I am Frederick von Trenck； your captain and your leader； arm yourselves and follow me。' I hear them greet me joyfully and cry； 'Long live Trenck！' They take their arms and we