File:The true story book (1893) (14566228457).jpg

Identifier: truestorybook00lang3 (find matches)
Title: The true story book
Year: 1893 (1890s)
Authors: Lang, Andrew, 1844-1912
Subjects: History Adventure and adventurers
Publisher: London New York : Longmans, Green

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ter for the darkest reflections—since he saw himself in aplace where, if the unreal seemed so true, reality might one daybecome a dream. In other words, he feared approaching madness. But at last came daybreak, and by-and-by the gaoler returned,asking the prisoner if he had had time to find out what he wouldlike to eat. Casanova was allowed to send for all he needed fromhis own apartments in Venice, but writing-implements, any metalinstruments whatever, even knife and fork, and the books he men-tioned, were struck from his list, The inquisitors sent him bookswhich they themselves thought suitable, and which drove him, hesaid, to the verge of madness. C 18 CASANOVAS ESCAPE He was not ill-treated—having a daily allowance given him tobuy what food he liked, which was more than he could spend.But the loss of liberty soon became insupportable. For months hebelieved that his deliverance was close at hand ; but when Novem-ber came, and he saw no prospect of release, he began to form pro-
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jects of escape. And soon the idea of freeing himself, however wildand impossible it seemed, took complete possession of him. By-and-by he was allowed half an hours dailj- promenade inthe corridor (galetas) outside his cell—a dingy, rat-infested place,into which old rubbish was apt to drift. One day Casanova noticeda piece of black marble on the floor—polished, an inch thick and CASANOVAS ESCAPE 19 six inches long. He picked it up stealthily, and without anydefinite intention, managed to hide it away in his cell. Another morning his eyes fell upon a long iron bolt, lying onthe floor with other old odds and ends, and that also, concealed inhis dress, he bore into his cell. When left alone, he examined itcarefully, and realised that if pointed, it would make an excellentspontoon. He took the black marble, and after grinding one endof the bolt against it for a long while, he saw that he had reallysucceeded in wearing the iron down. For fifteen days he worked,till he could hardly stir

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