Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/187

 looked into the records of the law, but not into the heart of the transgressor, paid no regard to the plea of want and dire necessity, and sentenced me to have the mark of a gibbet burnt on my back, and to work three years in the fortifications."

"At the close of that term I recovered my liberty a second time, and here begins a new period of my life."

"I was entirely changed, having entered the fortress as a common transgressor, and left it as a consummate villain. I was not entirely divested of all sentiments of honor when I was confined; however the few remaining sparks of ambition were soon extinguished by ignominy, being confined in one room with twenty-three malefactors, two of whom were murderers, and all the rest famous thieves and vagabonds. I was laughed at, when mentioning the name of God, and urged every day to utter blasphemies against our Holy Redeemer! My