observed, less courted, less sought, and my adventures and mishaps
had been fewer. Thus the merits of the man often become his
miseries; and thus the bear, having learned to dance, must live and
die in chains.

This ardour, this vanity, or, if you please, this emulation, has,
however, taught me to vanquish a thousand difficulties, under which
others of cooler passions and more temperate desires would have
sunk. May my example remain a warning; and thus may my sufferings
become somewhat profitable to the world, cruel as they have been to
myself! Cruel they were, and cruel they must continue; for the
wounds I have received are not, will not, cannot be healed.

Feb. 23.--From Schmiegel to Rakonitz, and from thence to Karger
Holland, four miles and a half. Here we sold, to prevent dying of
hunger, a shirt and Schell's waistcoat for eighteen grosch, or nine
schostacks. I had shot a pullet the day before, which necessity
obliged us to eat raw. I also killed a crow, which I devoured
alone, Schell refusing to taste. Youth and hard travelling created
a voracious appetite, and our eighteen grosch were soon expended.

Feb. 24.--We came through Benzen to Lettel, four miles. Here we
halted a day, to learn the road to Hammer, in Brandenburg, where my
sister lived. I happened luckily to meet with the wife of a
Prussian soldier who lived at Lettel, and belonged to Kolschen,
where she was born a vassal of my sister's husband. I told her who
I was, and she became our guide.

Feb. 26.--To Kurschen and Falkenwalde.