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Updated: May 9, 2025
It would not have been well to flee from my house." "To-morrow he will fly," thought the good-natured soldier, "when once more alone to-morrow, and the opportunity shall not be wanting." Von Halber left his house early in the morning to conduct his prisoner to Berlin. No one accompanied them; no one but the coachman, who sat upon the box and never looked behind him.
Their path led through a thick wood. Von Halber entertained the prisoner as the lieutenant had done who conducted Trenck the day he left Coslin. He called his attention to the denseness of the forest, and spoke of the many fugitives who had concealed themselves there till pursuit was abandoned. He then invited Trenck to get down and walk with him, near the carriage.
He is a prisoner, and in death's extremity. Will the duke take pity on him, and convey this news to her whom he knows to be Trenck's friend? Tell her Trenck is a prisoner, and hopes only in her! Will you swear to me to do this?" "I swear it," said Von Halber, deeply moved. The carriage stopped. Von Halber sprang down and greeted the officer who was to take charge of Trenck.
As Trenck accepted the invitation, and strolled along by his side in careless indifference, Von Halber suddenly observed that the ground was covered with mushrooms. "Let us gather a few," said he; "the young wife of one of my friends understands how to make a glorious dish of them, and if I take her a large collection, she will consider it a kind attention.
"I shall not make their duties difficult," said Trenck, gayly. "You see I am a good-natured prisoner; no Argus eyes are necessary, as I have no intention to flee." The officer gazed into his calm, smiling face with amazement, and then stepped out with the officer Von Halber, into whose house they had now entered, to make known his doubts and apprehensions.
But what means this great crowd before the stately house which is decorated with the Prussian arms? What means this troop of soldiers who with stern, frowning brows, surround the dark coach with the closed windows? "We are in Boslin," said Von Halber, pointing toward the group of soldiers. "That is the post-house, and, as you see, we are expected."
Turn back, oh, turn back! just to the entrance of the wood only to the entrance of the street!" "You see that is impossible," said Von Halber, sadly. "We are recognized; if we turn back now, they will welcome us with bullets." "It were far better for me to die," murmured Trenck, "than to enter that dark prison that open grave!" "Alas! you would not fly you would not understand me.
These are your chains! that is your grave, already prepared for the living, glowing heart! Fly! then, fly! You are yet free to choose. The clouds which swayed on over the heavens, traced in purple and gold the warning words, Fly! fly! or you look upon us for the last time! Upon the anxious face of Von Halber was also to be seen, Fly now, it is high time! I see the end of the wood!
Halber threw them with a sort of despair into the carriage, and then, without saying one word, he mounted and nodded to Trenck to follow him. "And now let us be off," said he, shortly. "Coachman, drive on!" He leaned back in the carriage, and with frowning brow he gazed up into the heavens.
He awakened Trenck, and asked him how he had amused himself, during the long hours of solitude. "I looked through all your house, and then entered the stables and gladdened my heart by the sight of your beautiful horses." "Thunder and lightning! You have then seen my horses," cried Halber, thoroughly provoked. "Did no wish arise in your heart to mount one and seek your liberty?"
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