In that case his body is not likely to be found until the spring." "I cannot help thinking that a fellow who could plan and carry out that escape would hardly be likely to lose his life in a snowdrift.
You see, it was not a sudden idea.

On no other evening would he have found the gate open after sunset, nor would he have been certain to have found the major absent from his quarters.

He must have been waiting patiently for his opportunity and, as soon as he heard that another battalion was coming into the garrison, he must have resolved to act.

More than that, he must have calculated that instead of arriving at four o'clock, as they were timed to do, they would be detained and not get in until after dark.
"They are clear-headed fellows, these Scotchmen; whether they are in our army or Frederick's.

What makes the affair more wonderful is that this was quite a young fellow, and probably understood no German; but I think that he would have acted more wisely, had he waited until the spring." "I don't know," the other said.