fallen.

Scarcely had I borne my friend three hundred paces before I set him
down, and I looked round me, but darkness came on so fast that I
could see neither town nor citadel; consequently, we ourselves could
not be seen.

My presence of mind did not forsake me: death or freedom was my
determination. "Where are we, Schell?" said I to my friend. "Where
does Bohemia lie? on which side is the river Neiss?" The worthy man
could make no answer: his mind was all confusion, and he despaired
of our escape: he still, however, entreated I would not let him be
taken alive, and affirmed my labour was all in vain.

After having promised, by all that was sacred, I would save him from
an infamous death, if no other means were left, and thus raised his
spirits, he looked round, and knew, by some trees, we were not far
from the city gates. I asked him, "Where is the Neiss?" He pointed
sideways--"All Glatz has seen us fly towards the Bohemian mountains;
it is impossible we should avoid the hussars, the passes being all
guarded, and we beset with enemies." So saying, I took him on my
shoulders, and carried him to the Neiss; here we distinctly heard
the alarm sounded in the villages, and the peasants, who likewise
were to form the line of desertion, were everywhere in motion, and
spreading the alarm. As it may not be known to all my readers in
what manner they proceed on these occasions in Prussia, I will here
give a short account of it.

Officers are daily named on the parade whose duty it is to follow
fugitives as soon as the alarm-guns are fired.