at the
head of a regiment of infantry that bears his name. Trenck did not live
long with his lady. She was pregnant, and he took her to hunt with him
in a marsh: she returned ill, and died without leaving him an heir.

Having no opportunity to indulge his warlike inclination, because of the
general peace, he conceived the project of extirpating the Sclavonian
banditti.

Trenck, to execute this enterprise, employed his own pandours. The
contest now commenced and activity and courage were necessary to ensure
success in such a war. Trenck seemed born for this murderous trade. Day
and night he chased them like wild beasts, killing now one, then another,
and without distinction, treating them with the utmost barbarity.

Two incidents will sufficiently paint the character of this unaccountable
man. He had impaled alive the father of a Harum-Bashaw. One evening he
was going on patrol, along the banks of a brook, which separated two
provinces. On the opposite shore was the son of this impaled father,
with his Croats. It was moonlight, and the latter called aloud--"I heard
thy voice, Trenck! Thou hast impaled my father! If thou hast a heart in
thy body, come hither over the bridge, I will send away my followers;
leave thy firearms, come only with thy sabre, and we will then see who
shall remain the victor." The agreement was made--and the Harum-Bashaw
sent away his Croats, and laid down his musket. Trenck passed the wooden
bridge, both drew their sabres; but Trenck treacherously killed his
adversary with a pistol, that he had concealed, after which he severed
his head from his body, took it with him, and stuck it upon a pole.

One day, when hunting, he heard music in a lone house which belonged to
one of his vassals. He was thirsty, entered, and found the guests seated
at table. He sat down and ate within them, not knowing this was a
rendezvous for the banditti. As he was seated opposite the door, he saw
two Harum-Bashaws enter. His musket stood in a corner; he was struck
with terror, but one of them addressed him thus:--"Neither thee, nor thy
vassals, Trenck, have we ever injured, yet thou dost pursue us with
cruelty. Eat thy fill. When thou hast satisfied thy hunger, we will
then, sabre in thy hand, see who has most justice on his side, and
whether thou art as courageous as men speak thee."

Hereupon they sat down and began to eat and drink and make merry. The
situation of Trenck could not be very pleas