on the other hand the King
knew nothing of the fact which excused Trenck's impatience--namely, the
belief carefully instilled in him by all around him that he was doomed
to perpetual confinement.

It is impossible to describe in detail all the plans made by Trenck to
regain his freedom, first because they were endless, and secondly
because several were nipped in the bud. Still the unfortunate man felt
that as long as his money was not taken from him his case was not
hopeless, for the officers in command were generally poor and in debt,
and were always sent to garrison work as a punishment. After one wild
effort to liberate _all_ the prisoners in the fortress, which was
naturally discovered and frustrated, Trenck made friends with an officer
named Schell, lately arrived at Glatz, who promised not only his aid but
his company in the new enterprise. As more money would be needed than
Trenck had in his possession, he contrived to apply to his rich
relations outside the prison, and by some means--what we are not
told--they managed to convey a large sum to him. Suspicion, however, got
about that Trenck was on too familiar a footing with the officers, and
orders were given that his door should always be kept locked. This
occasioned further delay, as false keys had secretly to be made, before
anything else could be done.

Their flight was unexpectedly hastened by Schell accidentally learning
that he was in danger of arrest. One night they crept unobserved through
the arsenal and over the inner palisade, but on reaching the rampart
they came face to face with two of the officers, and again a leap into
the fosse was the only way of escape. Luckily the wall at this point was
not high, and Trenck arrived at the bottom without injury; but Schell
was not so happy, and hurt his foot so badly that he called on his
friend to kill him, and to make the best of his way alone. Trenck,
however, declined to abandon him, and having dragged him over the outer
palisade, took him on his back, and made for the frontier. Before they
had gone five hundred yards they heard the boom of the alarm guns from
the fortress, while clearer still were the sounds of pursuit. As they
knew that they would naturally be sought on the side towards Bohemia,
they changed their course and pushed on to the river Neiss, at this
season partly covered with ice. Trenck swam over slowly with this friend
on his back, and found a boat on the other side. By means of this boa