Schroeder, full of terror, came running to the citadel, and said to Schell, “Save thyself, friend; all is discovered, and thou wilt instantly be put under arrest.”
Schell might easily have provided for his own safety, by flying singly, Schroeder having prepared horses, on one of which he himself offered to accompany him into Bohemia. How did this worthy man, in a moment so dangerous, act toward his friend?
Running suddenly into my prison, he drew a corporal’s sabre from under his coat, and said, “Friend, we are betrayed; follow me, only do not suffer me to fall alive into the hands of my enemies.”
I would have spoken: but interrupting me, and taking me by the hand, he added, “Follow me; we have not a moment to lose.” I therefore slipped on my coat and boots, without having time to take the little money I had left; and, as we went out of the prison, Schell said to the sentinel, “I am taking the prisoner into the officer’s apartment; stand where you are.”
Into this room we really went, but passed out at the other door. The design of Schell was to go under the arsenal, which was not far off, to gain the covered way, leap the palisadoes, and afterwards escape after the best manner we might.
We had scarcely gone a hundred paces before we met the adjutant and Major Quaadt.
Schell started back, sprang upon the rampart, and leaped from the wall, which was there not very high. I followed, and alighted unhurt, except having grazed my shoulder. My poor friend was not so fortunate; having put out his ankle. He immediately drew his sword, presented it to me, and begged me to despatch him, and fly. He was a small, weak man: but, far from complying with his request, I took him in my arms, threw him over the palisadoes, afterwards got him on my back, and began to run, without very well knowing which way I went.
CHAPTER VI.
It may not be unnecessary to remark those fortunate circumstances that favoured our enterprise.
The sun had just set as we took to flight; the hoar frost fell. No one would run the risk that we had done, by making so dangerous a leap. We heard a terrible noise behind us. Everybody knew us; but before they could go round the citadel, and through the town, in order to pursue us, we had got a full half league.