my freedom, preserved my health. Who would suppose that a man
fettered as I was could find means of exercising himself? By
swinging my arms, acting with the upper part of my body, and leaping
upwards, I frequently put myself in a strong perspiration. After
thus wearying myself I slept soundly, and often thought how many
generals, obliged to support the inclemencies of weather, and all
the dangers of the field--how many of those who had plunged me into
this den of misery, would have been most glad could they, like me,
have slept with a quiet conscience. Often did I reflect how much
happier I was than those tortured on the bed of sickness by gout,
stone, and other terrible diseases. How much happier was I in
innocence than the malefactor doomed to suffer the pangs of death,
the ignominy of men, and the horrors of internal guilt!



CHAPTER II.



In the following part of my history it will appear I often had much
money concealed under the ground and in the walls of my den, yet
would I have given a hundred ducats for a morsel of bread, it could
not have been procured. Money was to me useless. In this I
resembled the miser, who hoards, yet hives in wretchedness, having
no joy in gentle acts of benevolence. As proudly might I delight
myself with my hidden treasure as such misers; nay, more, for I was
secure from robbers.

Had fastidious pomp been my pleasure, I might have imagined myself