Baron de Trenck
by Clemence RobertGenre: Drama
Setting:
Format of Original Source: Short Story
Recommended Adaptation Length:
Candidate for Adaptation? Not Likely
EXCERPT:
It was just past noon; the sun blazed full upon the scene and every one within the prison stood astounded at the miraculous flight in which Trenck seemed to fairly soar through the air. Those of the soldiers whom Trenck had not overthrown pursued, but with little hope of overtaking him. Their guns were unloaded so that they were unable to shoot after him. Not a soldier dared to risk trying to follow him by the road he had taken, over the ramparts and moats; for, without that passion for liberty which lent wings to the prisoner there was no hope of any of them scaling the walls without killing himself a dozen times over.
They were, therefore, compelled to make use of the regular passages to the outer posterns and these latter being located at a considerable distance from the prisoner’s avenue of escape, he was certain, at the pace he was maintaining, to gain at least a half-hour’s start over his pursuers.
Once beyond the walls of the prison, with the woods close by, it seemed as if Trenck’s escape was assured beyond doubt.
COMMENTS:
Most of the action of this story would be difficult to accomplish on a theater’s stage. A prison break, followed by a second prison break, followed by a battle across the country’s border. Not worth a look.
VIEW SOURCE DOCUMENT
BACK TO LISTINGS