The Adventurous Simplicissimus · Chapter
How the Master-General of Ordnance Granted the Huntsman His Life and Held Out Hopes to Him of Great Things explained
The Huntsman, facing execution for breaking discipline, devises a clever ruse to deceive the enemy into surrendering a fortified town by faking heavy artillery with timber baulks and a barrel-muffled musket.
What happens
The Huntsman, facing execution for breaking discipline, devises a clever ruse to deceive the enemy into surrendering a fortified town by faking heavy artillery with timber baulks and a barrel-muffled musket. His plan succeeds, and Count von der Wahl pardons him, orders his release, and promises him the next vacant ensigncy.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
The Huntsman's entire plan relies on deceiving the enemy into believing fake artillery is real, using timber baulks and a barrel to mimic cannon fire.
Folly and Wisdom
The Huntsman's seemingly foolish trick (recalled by the colonel) contrasts with his shrewd, successful deception, showing wisdom in folly.
Characters to notice
- The Huntsman of Soest
Devises a trick to fake heavy artillery, secures the town's surrender, and earns his pardon and a promised promotion.
- Count von der Wahl
The Master-General of Ordnance who initially condemns the Huntsman but is persuaded to allow his plan, then grants him life and a future ensigncy.
- Simplicissimus
Narrates the chapter as the Huntsman, recounting his own clever trick and the events leading to his pardon.
Key passages
“Now as our General of Ordnance was wont to keep strict discipline, I looked to lose my head: yet had I hopes to escape, because I had at so early an age ever carried myself well against the enemy, and gained great name and fame for courage.”
Because the General enforced strict rules, I expected to be executed, but I hoped to be spared since I had already earned a reputation for bravery against the enemy at a young age.
The Huntsman reflects on his precarious situation and his slim chance of pardon due to his past valor.
“I answered, 'Since the town cannot resist heavy artillery, my humble opinion is that the enemy would soon come to terms if he did but really believe we had such pieces.'”
I replied that if the enemy truly thought we had heavy cannons, they would quickly surrender because their town couldn't withstand such firepower.
The Huntsman proposes the core of his deception: making the enemy believe in nonexistent artillery.
“The double muskets I charged twice over and had them discharged through the said cask, of which the bottom had been knocked out, as if it was three trial shots being fired. Which sounded so thunderously that any man had sworn they were great serpents or demi-culverins.”
I loaded two muskets with double charges and fired them through a barrel with its bottom removed, making three booming shots that sounded exactly like large cannons.
Description of the acoustic trick that convinced the enemy the fake artillery was real.