me. As often as I am on guard, I will seek opportunity to speak to
you. In the whole Star-Fort, there are but two sentinels: the one
at the entrance, and the other at the guard-house. Do not despair;
God will succour you; trust to me." The good man's kindness and
discourse revived my hopes: I saw the possibility of an escape. A
secret joy diffused itself through my soul. I immediately tore my
shirt, bound up my wounds, and waited the approach of day; and the
sun soon after shone through the window, to me, with unaccustomed
brightness.

Let the reader judge how far it was chance, or the effect of Divine
providence, that in this dreadful hour my heart again received hope.
Who was it sent the honest Gelfhardt, at such a moment, to my
prison? For, had it not been for him, I had certainly, when I awoke
from my slumbers, cut more effectually through my arteries.

Till noon I had time to consider what might further be done: yet
what could be done, what expected, but that I should now be much
more cruelly treated, and even more insupportably ironed than
before--finding, as they must, the doors cut through and my fetters
shaken off?

After mature consideration, I therefore made the following
resolution, which succeeded happily, and even beyond my hopes.
Before I proceed, however, I will speak a few words concerning my
situation at this moment. It is impossible to describe how much I
was exhausted. The prison swam with blood; and certainly but little
was left in my body. With painful wounds, swelled and torn hands, I
there stood shirtless, felt an inclination to sleep almost
irresistible, and scarcely had strength to keep my legs, yet was I