and there was no possible kind of persecution I did not suffer from
priestcraft. Far from being useful members of society, they take
advantage of the prejudices of superstition, exist for themselves
alone, and sacrifice every duty to the support of their own
hierarchy, and found a power, on error and ignorance, which is
destructive of all moral virtue.

Let us proceed. Mournful and angry, I left the college, and went to
my lodging-house, where I found a Prussian recruiting-officer
waiting for me, who used all his arts to engage me to enlist;
offering me five hundred dollars, and to make me a corporal, if I
could write. I pretended I was a Livonian, who had deserted from
the Austrians, to return home, and claim an inheritance left me by
my father. After much persuasion, he at length told me in
confidence, it was very well known in the town that I was a robber;
that I should soon be taken before a magistrate, but that if I would
enlist he would ensure my safety.

This language was new to me; my passion rose instantaneously; I
remembered my name was Trenck, I struck him, and drew my sword; but,
instead of defending himself, he sprang out of the chamber, charging
the host not to let me quit the house. I knew the town of Thorn had
agreed with the King of Prussia, secretly, to deliver up deserters,
and began to fear the consequences. Looking through the window, I
presently saw two under Prussian officers enter the house. Schell
and I instantly flew to our arms, and met the Prussians at the
chamber door. "Make way," cried I, presenting my pistols. The
Prussian soldiers drew their swords, but retired with fear. Going
out of the house, I saw a Prussian lieutenant, in the street, with
the town-guard. These I overawed, likewise, by the same means, and