, naked, and bleeding, who
seemed to have risen from the grave to revenge the sufferings of his
life. His countenance was ghastly pale, his hair lying in matted locks
on his neck; and the long beard, covering the lower part of his face,
and falling almost to his waist, gave him a wild, insane look, which was
heightened by the fearful brightness of his eyes.

With terror and pity they gazed at the poor unfortunate one whom
despair had driven to this extremity; who remained deaf to all their
representations, all their entreaties, still swearing that he would kill
any one who approached him. It was in vain that the officers besought
him in the most tender manner to submit--that the prison chaplain
came and implored him, in the name of God, to give up this useless
resistance. God's name had no effect whatever upon him. What was God to
him--to him on whom no one had pity, neither God nor man; he whom they
treated like a wild beast, and fastened in a cage? It was in vain that
the commandant ordered the guard to storm the fortified door. Trenck
received them with stones, and sent the two foremost ones reeling to the
floor, causing the others to fall back in dismay.

Trenck raised his hand with a shout of exultation, armed with another
stone, and fixing his wild, triumphant glance upon the commandant, he
cried:

"You see it is useless to endeavor to take me while living. Order the
guards to fire! Let me die!"

The commandant lacked the power to do as Trenck requested, however
willing he may have been to grant his request. Instead of continuing
his threats, he withdrew into another chamber, signing to the major to
follow him.

Trench still stood with uplifted arm when the major returned. And now,
as the stern, much-feared commandant had left, no one withheld the
tender sympathy that was almost breaking the hearts of the lookers-on.
Trenck saw it written upon every countenance, and he to whom a look
and word of pity had been so long unknown, felt deeply touched. His
expression became milder, and as the major, whom he had known in the
other prison, commenced to speak to him in gentle, loving tones, and
implored him not to cause his ruin, for all the punishment would fall
upon his head, as, through his negligence, Trenck had been allowed to
retain his knife--as he finished, Trenck's arm fell to his side, and
tears streamed from his eyes.

"No one," said he, gently--"no one shall become unhappy through me, for
misery is a fe