. After
this he addressed them in language suitable to their character, and from
that time they became invincible soldiers whenever they were headed by
himself. Let the situation of Trenck be considered; he was the chief of
a band of robbers who supposed they were authorised to take whatever they
pleased in an enemy's country, a banditti that had so often defied the
gallows, and had never known military subordination. Let such men be led
to the field and opposed to regular troops. That they are never actuated
by honour is evident: their leader is obliged to excite their avidity by
the hope of plunder to engage them in action; for if they perceive no
personal advantage, the interest of the sovereign is insufficient to make
them act.

Trenck had need of a particular species of officers. They must be
daring, yet cautious. They are partisans, and must be capable of
supporting fatigue, desirous of daily seeking the enemy, and hazarding
their lives. As he was himself never absent at the time of action, he
soon became acquainted with those whom he called old women, and sent them
from his regiment. These officers then repaired to Vienna, vented their
complaints, and were heard. His avarice prevented him from making any
division of his booty with those gentlemen who constituted the military
courts, thus neglecting what was customary at Vienna: and in this
originated the prosecution to which he fell a victim. Scarcely had he
entered Austria with his troops before he found an opportunity of reaping
laurels. The French army was defeated at Lintz. Trenck pursued them,
treated his prisoners with barbarity; and, never granting quarter in
battle, the very appearance of his pandours inspired terror.

Trenck was a great warrior, and knew how to profit by the slightest
advantage. From this time he became renowned, gained the confidence of
Prince Charles, and the esteem of the Field-marshal Count Kevenhuller,
who discovered the worth of the man. No partisan had ever before
obtained so much power as Trenck; he everywhere pursued the enemy as far
as Bavaria, carrying fire and sword wherever he went. As it was known
Trenck gave no quarter, the Bavarians and the French flew at the sight of
a red mantle. Pillage and murder attended the pandours wherever they
went, and their colonel bought up all the booty they acquired. Chamb, in
particular, was a scene of a dreadful massacre. The city was set on fire
and the people perished