It appeared to Trenck that their
flashing eyes were pleading to him for liberty and action.

"Poor beasts," said he, stepping forward, and patting and caressing
them--"poor beasts, you also pine for liberty, and hope for my
assistance; but I cannot, I dare not aid you. Like you, I also am a
prisoner, and like you also, a prisoner to my will. If you would use
your strength, one movement of your powerful muscles would tear your
bonds asunder, and your feet would bear you swiftly like wings through
the air. If I would use the present opportunity, which beckons and
smiles upon me, it would be only necessary to spring upon your back and
dash off into God's fair and lovely world. We would reach our goal, we
would be free, but we would both be lost; we would be recaptured, and
would bitterly repent our short dream of self-acquired freedom. It is
better for us both that we remain as we are; bound, not with chains laid
upon our bodies, but by wisdom and discretion."

So saying, he smoothed tenderly the glossy throat of the gallant steed,
whose joyful neigh filled his heart with an inexplicable melancholy.

"I must leave you," murmured he, shudderingly; "your lusty neighing
intoxicates my senses, and reminds me of green fields and fragrant
meadows; of the broad highways, and the glad feeling of liberty which
one enjoys when flying through the world on the back of a gallant steed.
No! No! I dare no longer look upon you; all my wisdom and discretion
might melt away, and I might be allured to seek for myself that freedom
which I must receive alone at the hands of the king, in Berlin."

With hasty steps Trenck left the stable and returned to the house, where
he stretched himself upon the sofa, and gave himself up to dreamland. It
was twilight when Halber returned from his long ride.

"All is quiet and peaceful," said he, as he entered the house. "The bird
has flown, this time; he found the opportunity favorable."

With a contented smile, he entered his room, but his expression changed
suddenly, and his trembling lips muttered a soldier's curse. There lay
Trenck in peaceful slumber; his handsome, youthful face was bright and
free from care, and those must be sweet dreams which floated around him,
for he smiled in his sleep.

"Poor fellow!" said Von Halber, shaking his head; "he must be mad, or
struck with blindness, and cannot see the yawning abyss at his feet."
He awakened Trenck, and asked him how he had amused himself, durin