Page:Surprising adventures and sufferings of Frederick Baron Trenck.pdf/20

20 May, set off for that city, where l fell a second time into the hands of the Prussians.

The people of Vienna concerned in my cousin’s effects, by several base schemes and false insinuations, endeavoured to get me again into the hands of the Prussians, that they might quietly enjoy that fortune which was justly my due.

My brothers and sister came to me at Dantzick, in May. We passed a fortnight together, and shared my mother’s fortune.

‘The Baron’s pleasures were short lived; the Magistracy of Dantzick, intimidated or bribed by the King of Prussia, whose revenge was still unsatisfied, when he was on the very eve of departing from their city, arrested and surrendered him into the hands of that despot: and with a strong escort, he was conducted to the Garrison of Madgeburgh in Prussia.’

The King ordered a new dungeon to be built on purpose for me, and prescribed the form of the chains I was to wear. When I was led to it, good Heaven! what did I perceive; but two locksmiths, with their hammers and anvil, and the whole floor covered with chains of about 68 pounds weight. They went immediately to work; my feet were fastened to a ring sunk in the wall, at about three feet from the ground, so that I could only take two or three steps on each side. They then girt my naked body with a broad iron girdle, from which descended a chain, fastened at the other extremity to a bar of iron two feet long. At each end of this bar was a handcuff that confined my hands; and a collar was added in 1756. As soon as the work was completed, every body retired in silence; and I