CHAPTERI。

IwasbornatKonigsberginPrussia，February16，1726，ofoneofthemostancientfamiliesofthecountry。Myfather，whowaslordofGreatScharlach，Schakulack，andMeichen，andmajor—generalofcavalry，diedin1740，afterreceivingeighteenwoundsinthePrussianservice。MymotherwasdaughterofthepresidentofthehighcourtatKonigsberg。Aftermyfather’sdeathshemarriedCountLostange，lieutenant—colonelintheKiowregimentofcuirassiers，withwhomshewentandresidedatBreslau。Ihadtwobrothersandasister；myyoungestbrotherwastakenbymymotherintoSilesia；theotherwasacornetinthislast—namedregimentofKiow；andmysisterwasmarriedtotheonlysonoftheagedGeneralValdow。

MyancestorsarefamousintheChroniclesoftheNorth，amongtheancientTeutonicknights，whoconqueredCourland，Prussia，andLivonia。

BytemperamentIwascholeric，andaddictedtopleasureanddissipation；mytutorsfoundthislastdefectmostdifficulttoovercome；happily，theywereaidedbyaloveofknowledgeinherentinme，anemulativespirit，andathirstforfame，whichdispositionitwasmyfather’scaretocherish。Atoogreatconsciousnessofinnateworthgavemeatoogreatdegreeofpride，buttheendeavoursofmyinstructortoinspirehumilitywerenotalllost；andhabitualreading，well—timedpraise，andthepleasuresflowingfromscience，madethelaboursofstudyatlengthmyrecreation。

Mymemorybecameremarkable；IamwellreadintheScriptures，theclassics，andancienthistory；wasacquaintedwithgeography；coulddraw；learntfencing，riding，andothernecessaryexercises。

MyreligionwasLutheran；butmoralitywastaughtmebymyfather，andbytheworthymantowhosecarehecommittedtheformingofmyheart，whosememoryIshalleverholdinveneration。Whileaboy，I

wasenterprisinginallthetricksofboys，andexercisedmywitincraftyexcuses；thewarmthofmypassionsgaveasatiric，bitingcasttomywritings，whenceithasbeenimagined，bythosewhoknewbutlittleofme，Iwasadangerousman；though，Iamconscious，thiswasafalsejudgment。

Asoldierhimself，myfatherwouldhaveallhissonsthesame；thus，whenwequarrelled，weterminatedourdisputeswithwoodensabres，and，brandishingthese，contestedbyblowsforvictory，whileourfathersatlaughing，pleasedatourvalourandaddress。Thispractice，andthepraiseshebestowed，encouragedadispositionwhichoughttohavebeencounteracted。

Accustomedtoobtaintheprize，andbetheheroofscholasticcontentions，Iacquiredthebadhabitofdisputation，andofimaginingmyselfasagewhenlittlemorethanaboy。Ibecamestubborninargument。；hastytocorrectothers，insteadofpatientlyattentive：and，bypresumption，continuallyliabletoinciteenmity。Gentletomyinferiors，butimpatientofcontradiction，andproudofresistingpower，Imayhencedate，theoriginofallmyevils。

Howmightaman，imbuedwiththeheroicprinciplesofliberty，hopeforadvancementandhappiness，underthedespoticandironGovernmentofFrederic？Iwastaughtneithertoknownortoavoid，buttodespisethewhipofslavery。HadIlearnthypocrisy，craft，andmeanness，Ihadlongsincebecomefield—marshal，hadbeeninpossessionofmyHungarianestates，andhadnotpassedthebestyearsofmylifeinthedungeonsofMagdeburg。Iwasaddictedtonovice：Ilabouredinthecauseofscience，honour，andvirtue；keptnoviciouscompany；wasneverinthewholeofmylifeintoxicated；

wasnogamester，noconsumeroftimeinidlenessnorbrutalpleasures；butdevotedmanyhundredlaboriousnightstostudiesthatmightmakemeusefultomycountry；yetwasIpunishedwithaseveritytoocruelevenforthemostworthless，ormostvillanous。

Imean，inmynarrative，tomakecandourandveracitymyguides，andnottoconcealmyfailings；Iwishmyworkmayremainamorallessontotheworld。YetitisaninnatesatisfactionthatIamconsciousofneverhavingactedwithdishonour，eventothelastactofthisdistressfultragedy。

Ishallsaylittleofthefirstyearsofmylife，exceptthatmyfathertookespecialcareofmyeducation，andsentme，attheageofthirteen，totheUniversityofKonigsberg，where，underthetuitionofKowalewsky，myprogresswasrapid。Therewerefourteenothernoblemeninthesamehouse，andunderthesamemaster。

Intheyearfollowing，1740，IquarrelledwithoneyoungWallenrodt，afellow—student，muchstrongerthanmyself，andwho，despisingmyweakness，thoughtpropertogivemeablow。Idemandedsatisfaction。Hecamenottotheappointedplace，buttreatedmydemandwithcontempt；andI，forgettingallfurtherrespect，procuredasecond，andattackedhiminopenday。Wefought，andI

hadthefortunetowoundhimtwice；thefirsttimeinthearm，thesecondinthehand。

Thisaffairincitedinquiry：—DoctorKowalewsky，ourtutor，laidcomplaintsbeforetheUniversity，andIwascondemnedtothreehours’confinement；butmygrandfatherandguardian，PresidentDerschau，wassopleasedwithmycourage，thathetookmefromthishouseandplacedmeunderProfessorChristiani。

HereIfirstbegantoenjoyfullliberty，andfromthisworthymanI

learntallIknowofexperimentalphilosophyandscience。Helovedmeashisownson，andcontinuedinstructingmetillmidnight。

Underhisauspices，in1742，Imaintained，withgreatsuccess，twopublictheses，althoughIwasthenbutsixteen；aneffortandanhonourtillthenunknown。

Threedaysaftermylastpublicexordium，acontemptiblefellowsoughtaquarrelwithme，andobligedmetodrawinmyowndefence，whom，onthisoccasion，Iwoundedinthegroin。

Thissuccessinflatedmyvalour，andfromthattimeIbegantoassumetheairandappearanceofaHector。

ScarcelyhadafortnightelapsedbeforeIhadanotherwithalieutenantofthegarrison，whomIhadinsulted，whoreceivedtwowoundsinthecontest。

Ioughttoremark，thatatthistime，theUniversityofKonigsbergwasstillhighlyprivileged。Tosendachallengewasheldhonourable；andthiswasnotonlypermitted，butwouldhavebeendifficulttoprevent，consideringthegreatnumberofproud，hot—

headed，andturbulentnobilityfromLivonia，Courland，Sweden，Denmark，andPoland，whocamethithertostudy，andofwhomthereweremorethanfivehundred。ThisbroughttheUniversityintodisrepute，andendeavourshavebeenmadetoremedytheabuse。Menhaveacquiredagreaterextentoftrueknowledge，andhavebeguntoperceivethataUniversityoughttobeaplaceofinstruction，andnotafieldofbattle；andthatbloodcannotbehonourablyshed，exceptindefenceoflifeorcountry。

InNovember，1742，theKingsenthisadjutant—general，BaronLottum，whowasrelatedtomymother，toKonigsberg，withwhomIdinedatmygrandfather’s。Heconversedmuchwithme，and，afterputtingvariousquestions，purposely，todiscoverwhatmytalentsandinclinationswere，hedemanded，asifinjoke，whetherIhadanyinclinationtogowithhimtoBerlin，andservemycountry，asmyancestorshadeverdone：addingthat，inthearmy，IshouldfindmuchbetteropportunitiesofsendingchallengesthanattheUniversity。Inflamedwiththedesireofdistinguishingmyself，I

listenedwithrapturetotheproposition，andinafewdayswedepartedforPotzdam。

Onthemorrowaftermyarrival，IwaspresentedtotheKing，asindeedIhadbeforebeenintheyear1740，withthecharacterofbeing，then，oneofthemosthopefulyouthsoftheUniversity。Myreceptionwasmostflattering；thejustnessofmyrepliestothequestionsheasked，myheight，figure，andconfidence，pleasedhim；

andIsoonobtainedpermissiontoenterasacadetinhisbodyguards，withapromiseofquickpreferment。

Thebodyguardsformed，atthistime，amodelandschoolforthePrussiancavalry；theyconsistedofonesinglesquadronofmenselectedfromthewholearmy，andtheiruniformwasthemostsplendidinallEurope。Twothousandrix—dollarswerenecessarytoequipanofficer：thecuirasswaswhollyplatedwithsilver；andthehorse，furniture，andaccoutrementsalonecostfourhundredrix—

dollars。

Thissquadrononlycontainedsixofficersandahundredandforty—

fourmen；buttherewerealwaysfiftyorsixtysupernumeraries，andasmanyhorses，fortheKingincorporatedallthemosthandsomemenhefoundintheguards。Theofficerswerethebesttaughtofanythearmycontained；theKinghimselfwastheirtutor，andheafterwardssentthemtoinstructthecavalryinthemanoeuvrestheyhadlearnt。Theirrisewasrapidiftheybehavedwell；buttheywerebrokenfortheleastfault，andpunishedbybeingsenttogarrisonregiments。Itwaslikewisenecessarytheyshouldbetolerablyrich，aswellaspossesssuchtalentsasmightbesuccessfullyemployed，bothatcourtandinthearmy。

Therearenosoldiersintheworldwhoundergosomuchasthisbodyguard；andduringthetimeIwasintheserviceofFrederic，Ioftenhadnoteighthours’sleepineightdays。Exercisebeganatfourinthemorning，andexperimentsweremadeofallthealterationstheKingmeanttointroduceinhiscavalry。Ditchesofthree，four，five，sixfeet，andstillwider，wereleaped，tillthatsomeonebrokehisneck；hedges，inlikemanner，werefreed，andthehorsesrancareers，meetingeachotherfullspeedinakindoflistsofmorethanhalfaleagueinlength。Wehadoften，intheseourexercises，severalmenandhorseskilledorwounded。

Ithappenedmorefrequentlythanotherwisethatthesameexperimentswererepeatedafterdinnerwithfreshhorses；anditwasnotuncommon，atPotzdam，tohearthealarmsoundedtwiceinanight。

ThehorsesstoodintheKing’sstables；andwhoeverhadnotdressed，armedhimself，saddledhishorse，mounted，andappearedbeforethepalaceineightminutes，wasputunderarrestforfourteendays。

Scarcelyweretheeyesclosedbeforethetrumpetagainsounded，toaccustomyouthtovigilance。Ilost，inoneyear，threehorses，whichhadeitherbrokentheirlegs，inleapingditches，ordiedoffatigue。

Icannotgiveastrongerpictureofthisservicethanbysayingthatthebodyguardlostmoremenandhorsesinoneyear’speacethantheydid，duringthefollowingyear，intwobattles。

Wehad，atthistime，threestations；ourservice，inthewinter，wasatBerlin，whereweattendedtheopera，andallpublicfestivals：inthespringwewereexercisedatCharlottenberg；andatPotzdam，orwherevertheKingwent，duringthesummer。ThesixofficersoftheguarddinedwiththeKing，and，ongaladays，withtheQueen。ItmaybepresumedtherewasnotatthattimeonearthabetterschooltoformanofficerandamanoftheworldthanwasthecourtofBerlin。

IhadscarcelybeensixweeksacadetbeforetheKingtookmeaside，oneday，aftertheparade，andhavingexaminedmenearhalfanhour，onvarioussubjects，commandedmetocomeandspeaktohimonthemorrow。

Hisintentionwastofindwhethertheaccountsthathadbeengivenhimofmymemoryhadnotbeenexaggerated；andthathemightbeconvinced，hefirstgavemethenamesoffiftysoldierstolearnbyrote，whichIdidinfiveminutes。Henextrepeatedthesubjectsoftwoletters，whichIimmediatelycomposedinFrenchandLatin；theoneIwrote，theotherIdictated。Heafterwardsorderedmetotrace，withpromptitude，alandscapefromnature，whichIexecutedwithequalsuccess；andhethengavemeacornet’scommissioninhisbodyguards。

Eachmarkofbountyfromthemonarchincreasedanardouralreadygreat，inspiredmewithgratitude，andthefirstofmywisheswastodevotemywholelifetotheserviceofmyKingandcountry。HespoketomeasaSovereignshouldspeak，likeafather，likeonewhoknewwellhowtoestimatethegiftsbestowedonmebynature；andperceiving，orratherfeeling，howmuchhemightexpectfromme，becameatoncemyinstructorandmyfriend。

ThusdidIremainacadetonlysixweeks，andfewPrussianscanvaunt，underthereignofFrederic，ofequalgoodfortune。

TheKingnotonlypresentedmewithacommission，butequippedmesplendidlyfortheservice。ThusdidIsuddenlyfindmyselfacourtier，andanofficerinthefinest，bravest，andbestdisciplinedcorpsinEurope。Mygoodfortuneseemedunlimited，when，inthemonthofAugust，1743，theKingselectedmetogoandinstructtheSilesiancavalryinthenewmanoeuvres：anhonourneverbeforegrantedtoayouthofeighteen。

IhavealreadysaidweweregarrisonedatBerlinduringwinter，wheretheofficers’tablewasatcourt：and，asmyreputationhadprecededme，nopersonwhatevercouldbebetterreceivedthere，orlivemorepleasantly。

Fredericcommandedmetovisittheliterati，whomhehadinvitedtohiscourt：Maupertuis，Jordan，LaMettrie，andPollnitz，wereallmyacquaintance。Mydayswereemployedinthedutiesofanofficer，andmynightsinacquiringknowledge。Pollnitzwasmyguide，andthefriendofmyheart。Myhappinesswaswellworthyofbeingenvied。In1743，Iwasfivefeeteleveninchesinheight，andNaturehadendowedmewitheveryrequisitetoplease。Ilived，asI

vainlyimagined，withoutincitingenmityormalice，andmymindwaswhollyoccupiedbythedesireofearningwell—foundedfame。

Ihadhithertoremainedignorantoflove，andhadbeenterrifiedfromillicitcommercebybeholdingthedreadfulobjectsofthehospitalatPotzdam。Duringthewinterof1743，thenuptialsofhisMajesty’ssisterwerecelebrated，whowasmarriedtotheKingofSweden，wheresheisatpresentQueenDowager，motherofthereigningGustavus。I，asofficerofmycorps，hadthehonourtomountguardandescortherasfarasStettin。Herefirstdidmyheartfeelapassionofwhich，inthecourseofmyhistory，Ishallhavefrequentoccasiontospeak。TheobjectofmylovewasonewhomIcanonlyrememberatpresentwithreverence；and，asIwritenotromance，butfacts，Ishallherebrieflysay，oursweremutuallythefirst—fruitsofaffection，andthattothishourIregretnomisfortune，nomisery，withwhich，fromastocksonoble，mydestinywasovershadowed。

Amidthetumultinseparabletooccasionslikethese，onwhichitwasmydutytomaintainorder，athiefhadtheaddresstostealmywatch，andcutawaypartofthegoldfringewhichhungfromthewaistcoatofmyuniform，andafterwardstoescapeunperceived。Thisaccidentbroughtonmetherailleryofmycomrades；andtheladyalludedtothencetookoccasiontoconsoleme，bysayingitshouldbehercarethatIshouldbenoloser。HerwordswereaccompaniedbyalookIcouldnotmisunderstand，andafewdaysafterIthoughtmyselfthehappiestofmortals。Thename，however，ofthishigh—

bornladyisasecret，whichmustdescendwithmetothegrave；and，thoughmysilenceconcerningthisincidentheavesavoidinmylife，andindeedthrowsobscurityoverapartofit，whichmightelsebeclear，Iwouldmuchratherincurthisreproachthanbecomeungratefultowardsmybestfriendandbenefactress。Toherconversation，toherprudence，tothepowerbywhichshefixedmyaffectionswhollyonherself，amIindebtedfortheimprovementandpolishingofmybodilyandmentalqualities。Sheneverdespised，betrayed，orabandonedme，eveninthedeepestofmydistress；andmychildrenalone，onmydeath—bed，shallbetaughtthenameofhertowhomtheyowethepreservationoftheirfather，andconsequentlytheirownexistence。

IlivedatthistimeperfectlyhappyatBerlin，andhighlyesteemed。

TheKingtookeveryopportunitytotestifyhisapprobation；mymistresssuppliedmewithmoremoneythanIcouldexpend；andIwaspresentlythebestequipped，andmadethegreatestfigure，ofanyofficerinthewholecorps。ThestyleinwhichIlivedwasremarked，forIhadonlyreceivedfrommyfather’sheritagetheestateofGreatScharlach；therentofwhichwaseighthundreddollarsayear，whichwasfarfromsufficienttosupplymythenexpenses。Myamour，inthemeantime，remainedasecretfrommybestandmostintimatefriends。TwicewasmyabsencefromPotzdamandCharlottenbergdiscovered，andIwasputunderarrest；buttheKingseemedsatisfiedwiththeexcuseImade，underthepretextofhavingbeenhunting，andsmiledashegrantedmypardon。

NeverdidthedaysofyouthglideawaywithmoreapparentsuccessandpleasurethanduringthesemyfirstyearsatBerlin。Thisgoodfortunewas，alas，ofshortduration。ManyaretheincidentsI

mightrelate，butwhichIshallomit。Myotheradventuresaresufficientlynumerous，withoutminglingsuchasmayanywayseemforeigntothesubject。Inthisgloomyhistoryofmylife，IwishtopaintmyselfsuchasIam；and，bytherecitalofmysufferings，affordamemorableexampletotheworld，andinteresttheheartofsensibility。Iwouldalsoshowhowmyfataldestinyhasdeprivedmychildrenofanimmensefortune；and，thoughIwantahundredthousandmentoenforceandensuremyrights，Iwillleavedemonstrationtomyheirsthattheyareincontestable。

CHAPTERII。

InthebeginningofSeptember，1744，waragainbrokeoutbetweentheHousesofAustriaandPrussia。WemarchedwithallspeedtowardsPrague，traversingSaxonywithoutopposition。IwillnotrelateinthisplacewhatthegreatFredericsaidtous，withevidentemotion，whensurroundedbyallhisofficers，onthemorningofourdeparturefromPotzdam。

Shouldanyonebedesirousofwritingthelivesofhimandhisopponent，MariaTheresa，withoutflatteryandwithoutfear，lethimapplytome，andIwillrelateanecdotesmostsurprisingonthissubject，unknowntoallbutmyself，andwhichnevermustappearundermyownname。

Allmonarchsgoingtowarhavereasonontheirside；andthechurchesofbothpartiesresoundwithprayers，andappealstoDivineJustice，forthesuccessoftheirarms。Frederic，onthisoccasion，hadrecoursetothemwithregret，ofwhichIwasawitness。

IfIamnotmistaken，theKing’sarmycamebeforePragueonthe14thofSeptember，andthatofGeneralSchwerin，whichhadpassedthroughSilesia，arrivedthenextdayontheothersideoftheMoldau。Inthispositionwewereobligedtowaitsomedaysforpontoons，withoutwhichwecouldnotestablishacommunicationbetweenthetwoarmies。

TheheightcalledZischka，whichoverlooksthecity，beingguardedonlybyafewCroats，wasinstantlyseized，withoutopposition，bysomegrenadiers，andthebatteries，erectedatthefootofthatmountain，beingreadyonthefifthday，playedwithsuchsuccessontheoldtownwithbombsandred—hotballsthatitwassetonfire。

TheKingmadeeveryefforttotakethecitybeforePrinceCharlescouldbringhisarmyfromtheRhinetoitsrelief。

GeneralHarshthoughtpropertocapitulate，afterasiegeoftwelvedays，duringwhichnotmorethanfivehundredmenofthegarrison，attheutmost，werekilledandwounded，thougheighteenthousandmenweremadeprisoners。

Thusfarwehadmetwithnoimpediment。TheImperialarmy，however，underthecommandofPrinceCharlesofLorraine，havingquittedthebanksoftheRhine，wasadvancingtosaveBohemia。

Duringthiscampaignwesawtheenemyonlyatadistance；buttheAustrianlighttroopsbeingthriceasnumerousasours，preventedusfromallforaging。Winterwasapproaching，dearthandhungermadeFredericdeterminetoretreat，withouttheleasthopefromthecountriesinourrear，whichwehadentirelylaidwasteaswehadadvanced。Theseverityoftheseason，inthemonthofNovember，renderedthesoldiersexcessivelyimpatientoftheirhardships；and，accustomedtoconquer，thePrussianswereashamedofandrepinedatretreat：theenemy’slighttroopsfacilitateddesertion，andwelost，inafewweeks，abovethirtythousandmen。Thepandoursofmykinsman，theAustrianTrenck，wereincessantlyatourheels，gaveusfrequentalarms，didusgreatinjury，and，bytheiralertness，wenevercouldmakeanyimpressionuponthemwithourcannon。TrenckatlengthpassedtheElbe，andwentandburntanddestroyedourmagazinesatPardubitz：itwasthereforeresolvedwhollytoevacuateBohemia。

TheKinghopedtohavebroughtPrinceCharlestothebattlebetweenBenneschanandKannupitz，butinvain：theSaxons，duringthenight，hadenteredabatteryofthree—and—twentycannononamoundwhichseparatedtwoponds：thiswasthepreciseroadbywhichtheKingmeanttomaketheattack。

ThuswereweobligedtoabandonBohemia。Thedearth，bothformanandhorse，begantogrowextreme。Theweatherwasbad；theroadsandrutsweredeep；marcheswerecontinual，andalarmsandattacksfromtheenemy’slighttroopsbecameincessant。Thediscontentalltheseinspiredwasuniversal，andthisoccasionedthegreatlossofthearmy。

Undersuchcircumstances，hadPrinceCharlescontinuedtoharassus，bypersuadingusintoSilesia，hadhemadeawintercampaign，insteadofremainingindolentlyateaseinBohemia，wecertainlyshouldnothavevanquishedhim，theyearfollowing，atStrigau；butheonlyfollowedatadistance，asfarastheBohemianfrontiers。

ThisgaveFrederictimetorecover，andthemoreeffectuallybecausetheAustrianshadtheimprudencetopermitthereturnofdeserters。

ThiswasarepetitionofwhathadhappenedtoCharlesXII。whenhesufferedhisRussianprisonerstoreturnhome，whoafterwardssoeffectuallypunishedhiscontemptofthematthebattleofPultawa。

Praguewasobligedtobeabandoned，withconsiderableloss；andTrenckseizedonTabor，Budweis，andFrauenberg，wherehetookprisonerstheregimentsofWalrabeKreutz。

Noonewouldhavebeenbetterabletogiveafaithfulhistoryofthiscampaignthanmyself，hadIroominthisplace，andhadIatthattimebeenmoreattentivetothingsofmoment；sinceInotonlyperformedtheofficeofadjutanttotheKing，whenhewenttoreconnoitre，orchooseaplaceofencampment，butitwas，moreover，mydutytoprovideforagefortheheadquarters。TheKinghavingonlypermittedmetotakesixvolunteersfromthebodyguard，toexecutethislatterduty，Iwasobligedtoaddtothemhorsechasseurs，andhussars，withwhomIwascontinuallyinmotion。I

waspeculiarlyfortunateontwooccasions，byhappeningtocomeaftertheenemywhentheyhadleftloadedwaggonsandforagebundles。

Iseldompassedthenightinmytentduringthiscampaign，andmyindefatigableactivityobtainedthefavourandentireconfidenceofFrederic。NothingsomuchcontributedtoinspiremewithemulationasthepublicpraisesIreceived，andmyenthusiasmwishedtoperformwonders。Thecampaign，however，butillsuppliedmewithopportunitiestodisplaymyyouthfulardour。

Atlengthnoonedurstleavethecamp，notwithstandingtheextremityofthedearth，becauseoftheinnumerablecloudsofpandoursandhussarsthathoveredeverywherearound。

NosoonerwerewearrivedinSilesia，thantheKing’sbodyguardweresenttoBerlin，theretoremaininwinterquarters。

IshouldnotherehavementionedtheBohemianwar，butthat，whilewritingtimehistoryofmylife，Ioughtnottoomitaccidentsbywhichmyfuturedestinywasinfluenced。

Oneday，whileatBennaschen，Iwascommandedout，withadetachmentofthirtyhussarsandtwentychasseurs，onaforagingparty。Ihadpostedmyhussarsinaconvent，andgonemyself，withthechasseurs，toamansion—house，toseizethecartsnecessaryfortheconveyanceofthehayandstrawfromaneighbouringfarm。AnAustrianlieutenantofhussars，concealedwiththirty—sixhorsemeninawood，havingremarkedtheweaknessofmyescort，takingadvantageofthemomentwhenmypeoplewereallemployedinloadingthecarts，firstseizedoursentinel，andthenfellsuddenlyuponthem，andtookthemallprisonersintheveryfarm—yard。AtthismomentIwasseatedatmyease，besidetheladyofthemansion—house，andwasaspectatorofthewholetransactionthroughthewindow。

Iwasashamedofandindespairatmynegligence。Thekindladywishedtohidemewhenthefiringwasheardinthefarm—yard。Bygoodfortune，thehussars，whomIhadstationedintheconvent，hadlearntfromapeasantthattherewasanAustriandetachmentinthewood：theyhadseenusatadistanceenterthefarmyard，hastilymarchedtoouraid，andwehadnotbeentakenmorethantwominutesbeforetheyarrived。IcannotexpressthepleasurewithwhichIputmyselfattheirhead。Someoftheenemy’spartyescapedthroughabackdoor，butwemadetwo—and—twentyprisoners，withalieutenantoftheregimentofKalnockichen。Theyhadtwomenkilled，andonewounded；andtwoalsoofmychasseurswerehewndownbythesabre，inthehay—loft，wheretheywereatwork。

Wecontinuedourforagewithmorecautionafterthisaccident：thehorseswehadtakenserved，inpart，todrawthecarts；and，afterraisingacontributionofonehundredandfiftyducatsontheconvent，whichIdistributedamongthesoldierstoengagethemtosilence，wereturnedtothearmy，fromwhichweweredistantabouttwoleagues。

Weheardfiringaswemarched，andtheforagersonallsideswereskirmishingwiththeenemy。Alieutenantandfortyhorsejoinedme；

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读