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CHAPTER II。
TRENCK ON HIS WAY TO PRISON。
Before the palace of the Duke of Wurtemberg； in Coslin； stood the light； open carriage in which the duke was accustomed to make excursions； when inclined to carry the reins himself； and enjoy freedom and the pure； fresh air； without etiquette and ceremony。
To…day； however； the carriage was not intended for an ordinary excursion； but to transport a prisoner。 This prisoner was no other than the unhappy Frederick Trenck； whom the cowardly republic of Dantzic； terrified at the menaces of the king； had delivered up to the Prussian police。
The intelligence of his unhappy fate flew like a herald before him。 He was guarded by twelve hussars； and the sad procession was received everywhere throughout the journey with kindly sympathy。 All exerted themselves to give undoubted proofs of pity and consideration。 Even the officers in command； who sat by him in the carriage； and who were changed at every station； treated him as a loved comrade in arms； and not as a state prisoner。
But while all sighed and trembled for him； Trenck alone was gay； his countenance alone was calm and courageous。 Not one moment； during the three days he passed in the palace of the duke； was his youthful and handsome face clouded by a single shadow。 Not one moment did that happy； cheerful manner； by which he won all hearts； desert him。 At the table； he was the brightest and wittiest； his amusing narratives； anecdotes； and droll ideas made not only the duke； but the duchess and her maids； laugh merrily。 In the afternoons； in the saloon of the duchess； he astonished and enraptured the whole court circle by improvising upon any given theme； and by the tasteful and artistic manner in which he sang the national ballads he had learned on his journeys through Italy； Germany； and Russia。 At other times； he conversed with the duke upon philosophy and state policy； and he was amazed at the varied information and wisdom of this young man； who seemed an experienced soldier and an adroit diplomat； a profound statesman； and a learned historian。 By his dazzling talents； he not only interested but enchained his listeners。
The duke felt sadly that it was not possible to retain the prisoner longer in Coslin。 Three days of rest was the utmost that could be granted Trenck； without exciting suspicion。 He sighed； as he told Trenck that his duty required of him to send him further on his dark journey。
Trenck received this announcement with perfect composure； with calm self…possession。 He took leave of the duke and duchess； and thanked them gayly for their gracious reception。
〃I hope that my imprisonment will be of short duration； and then your highness will； I trust； allow me to return to you； and offer the thanks of a free man。〃
〃May we soon meet again！〃 said the duke； and he looked searchingly upon Trenck； as if he wished to read his innermost thoughts。 〃As soon as you are free； come to me。 I will not forsake you； no matter under what circumstances you obtain your freedom。〃
Had Trenck observed the last emphatic words of the duke； and did he understand their meaning？ The duke did not know。 No wink of the eyelid； not the slightest sign； gave evidence that Trenck had noticed their significance。 He bowed smilingly； left the room with a firm step； and entered the carriage。
The duke called back the ordnance officer who was to conduct him to the next station。
〃You have not forgotten my command？〃 said he。
〃No； your highness； I have not forgotten； and obedience is a joyful duty； which I will perform punctually。〃
〃You will repeat this command； in my name； to the officer at the next station； and commission him to have it repeated at every station where my regiments are quartered。 Every one shall give Trenck an opportunity to escape； but silently； no word must be spoken to him on the subject。 It must depend upon him to make use of the most favorable moment。 My intentions toward him must be understood by him without explanations。 He who is so unfortunate as to allow the prisoner to escape； can only be blamed for carelessness in duty。 Upon me alone will rest the responsibility to the King of Prussia。 You shall proceed but five or six miles each day； at this rate of travel it will take four days to reach the last barracks of my soldiers； and almost the entire journey lies through dark； thick woods； and solitary highways。 Now go； and may God be with you！〃
The duke stepped to the window to see Trenck depart； and to give him a last greeting。
〃Well； if he is not at liberty in the next few days； it will surely not be my fault；〃 murmured Duke Ferdinand； 〃and Princess Amelia cannot reproach me。〃
As Trenck drove from the gate； Duke Ferdinand turned thoughtfully away。 He was； against his will； oppressed by sad presentiments。 For Trenck； this journey over the highways in the light； open carriage； was actual enjoyment。 He inhaled joyfully the pure； warm； summer airhis eyes rested with rapture upon the waving corn…fields； and the blooming； fragrant meadows through which they passed。 With gay shouts and songs he seemed to rival the lark as she winged her way into the clouds above him。 He was innocent； careless； and happy as a child。 The world of Nature had been shut out from him in the dark； close carriage which had brought him to Coslin； she greeted him now with glad smiles and gay adorning。 It seemed as if she were decorated for him with her most odorous blossoms and most glorious sunshineas if she sent her softest breeze to kiss his cheek and whisper lovegreetings in his ear。 With upturned； dreamy glance； he followed the graceful movements of the pure； white clouds； and the rapid flight of the birds。 Trenck was so happy in even this appearance of freedom； that he mistook it for liberty。
The carriage rolled slowly over the sandy highways； and now entered a wood。 The sweet odor of the fir…trees drew from Trenck a cry of rapture。 He had felt the heat of the sun to be oppressive； and he now laid his head back under the shadow of the thick trees with a feeling of gladness。
〃It will take us some hours to get through this forest；〃 said the ordnance officer； 〃It is one of the thickest woods in this region； and the terror of the police。 The escaped prisoner who succeeds in concealing himself here； may defy discovery。 It is impossible to pursue him in these dark； tangled woods； and a few hours conduct him to the sea…shore； where there are ever small fishing…boats ready to receive the fugitive and place him safely upon some passing ship。 But excuse me； sir！ the sun has been blazing down so hotly upon my head that I feel thoroughly wearied； and will follow the example of my coachman。 Look！ he is fast asleep； and the horses are moving on of their own good…will。 Good…night； Baron Trenck。〃
He closed his eyes； and in a short time his loud snores and the nodding of his head from side to side gave assurance that he； also； was locked in slumber。
Profound stillness reigned around。 Trenck gave himself wholly to the enjoyment of the moment。 The peaceful stillness of the forest； interrupted only at intervals by the snorting of the horses； the sleepy chatter of the birds among the dark green branches； and the soft rustling and whispering of the trees； filled him with delight。
〃It is clear；〃 he said to himself； 〃that this arrest in Dantzic was only a manoeuvre to terrify me。 I rejected the proposal of the Prussian ambassador in Vienna； to return to Berlin and enter again the Prussian service； so the king wishes to punish and frighten me。 This is a jesta comedy！which the king is carrying on at my expense。 If I were really regarded as a deserter； as a prisoner for the crime of high treason； no officer would dare to guard me so carelessly。 In the beginning； I was harshly treated； in order to alarm and deceive me； and truly those twelve silent hussars； continually surrounding the closed carriage； had rather a melancholy aspect； and I confess I was imposed upon。 But the mask has fallen； and I see behind the smiling； good…humored face of the king。 He loved me truly once； and was as kind as a father。 The old love has awakened and spoken in my favor。 Frederick wishes to have me again in Berlinthat is all； and he knows well that I can be