\"Andnowletussettlethataffairwiththesoldiersyonder，\"saidAnthonyWallner，goingtothewindows，infrontofwhichthesharpshooterswerestilldrawnupinline。
\"Soldiersintherooms，\"heshoutedinapowerfulvoice，\"surrender！
Thefightisatanend;yourcaptainisourprisoner。Surrender，oryouarelost;wewillsetfiretothehouse，andshootdownwhosoeverjumpsoutofthewindows。ifyouwishtosaveyourlives，surrender。\"
Oneofthesergeantsappearedatthewindow。
\"Wearelockedupandsurrounded，\"hesaid;\"wehavenoammunition，andourcaptainisaprisoner。Therefore，wewillsurrenderifyouwillallowustoevacuatethecastle。\"
\"Yes，butwithoutarms，\"saidAnthonyWallner，imperatively。\"Youwillallcomeinsquadsoffourtothewindowsandhandoutyourcarbinesandside—arms。Thereareyetahundredofyouintherooms。
Assoonaswehavegotahundredcarbinesandahundredsabresweshallopentheportalandletyouout。YoumayreturnthentoBavaria，andtellyourgovernmentthatnoSouthernBavarians，buttrueTyrolese，liveinthePusterthal，theVintschgau，andthePasseyrthal。\"
\"Weacceptyourterms，\"repliedthesergeant;\"come，therefore，andreceiveourarms。\"
TheTyrolesesteppeduptothewindows，ateachofwhichsquadsoffoursoldiersmadetheirappearance，andsilentlyandsullenlyhandedouttheirarms，whichtheTyrolesetookandstackedinthemiddleofthecourt—yard。
\"NowIwillgoandseewheremyElzahasconcealedherself，\"
murmuredElizatoherself;andsheglidedhastilythroughtheranksoftheTyroleseintothecastle。
Noonewastobeseeninthelargehall，and，unnoticedbyanybody，Elizaascendedthestaircase，hasteneddownthecorridor，andenteredthedining—room。
Theinstinctofherhearthadguidedherrightly;yonder，inthemostremotecorneroftheroom，satElza，groaningaloudinbitterwoe，herhandsclaspedonherknees，herheadbentonherbreast，andnotperceivinginheragonythatElizacamein，thatshehastenedrapidly，yetnoiselesslyandontiptoethroughtheroom，andstoodstillnowcloseinfrontofher。
\"Whydoyouweep，dearestElza？\"askedEliza，kneelingdownbeforeherfriend。
Elzagaveastart，andquicklyraisedherface，overwhichwererollingriversofscaldingtears。\"Idonotweepatall，Eliza，\"shesaid，inalowvoice。
\"Eliza？\"sheasked，wonderingly。\"YoucallmeEliza？ThenIamnolongeryourdarling，yourLizzie？YoudidnotassistmewhenIhadtosaveyourcousinUlrichbelowinthecourt—yard？Youutteredaloudcrywhenhelaymoredeadthanaliveinmylap，andyoudidnotcometohelphimandme？AndnowyoucallmeEliza？\"
\"WhatshouldIhavedonethere？\"askedElza，inabitter，mournfultone。\"Hereposedwellonyourbreast;hedidnotneedme。Iamonlyhiscousin，butyou，youarehisaffiancedbride。\"
\"Butformerly，Isuppose，Elza，hewastobeyouraffiancedbridegroom？\"askedEliza，inalow，tremulousvoice。\"Oh，Ialwaysthoughtso;Iknewitallthetime，althoughyounevertoldmeso。I
alwaysthoughtElzaandUlrichwouldbeagoodmatch;theyaresuitedtoeachother，andwillloveeachotherandbehappy。Elza，Ulrichwastobeyourbridegroom，washenot？\"
\"Whatistheuseoftalkingaboutitnow？\"askedElza，vehemently。
\"HeisYOURbridegroom，hehassworneternalfidelitytoyou，andI
shallnotdisputehimwithyou。Marryhimandbehappy。\"
\"AndwouldyourLizziebehappyifherElzawerenotcontentwithher？\"askedEliza，tenderly。\"Tellmeonlythis:yourfatherandhisparentsthoughtyouwereagoodmatch——didtheynot？\"
\"Yes，theydid，\"whisperedElza，burstingagainintotears。
\"Myfathertoldmeyesterdaythatitwashiswish，aswellasthatofUlrich\'sparents。\"
\"AndUlrichtoldyou，too，thathelovedyouandwouldmarryyou？
Tellmethetruth，Elza。NevermindwhatIsaidinthecourtyardaboutUlrichbeingmybridegroom。RememberonlythatIamyourLizzie，wholovesyoubetterthanshecantellyou，butwhowillproveittoyouifthegoodGodwillpermithertodoso。Tellmetherefore，mydarling，Ulrichsaidtoyouhelovedyouandwishedtomarryyou？\"
\"No，hedidnotsayso，Lizzie，but——butIthoughtso，Ibelieve，andhethoughtso，too;and，OGod！IbelieveIlovehim。Itseemedtomeasthoughadaggerpiercedmyheartwhenyousaidthathewasyourbridegroom。Icouldnothearit，andhastenedintothehouseinordernottoseeandhearanythingfurther。Imeanttoseatmyselfquietlyinthedining—roomhereandsubmittoallthatmighthappen;
andyetIwasdrawnirresistiblytowardthebalcony，andorbrushingoutIsawyouholdinghiminyourlapandpressinghisdearpaleheadtoyourbosom。Ifeltasthoughtheheavenswerefallingdownonme;Ihadtocryoutaloudinmyanguishanddespair。Ihurriedbackintotheroom，fellonmyknees，andprayedthatdeathmightdelivermefrommypains。OGod，God！itdidnot;Imustcarryonlife\'sdrearyburdenandcannotdie！\"
Sheburiedherfaceinherhandsandsobbedaloud。
WhileElzawasspeaking，Elizahadturnedpalerandpaler;aslighttremorpassedthroughherwholeframe，andshecompressedherlipsfirmly，asiftorestrainthecryoppressingherbosom。
NowshelaidherhandgentlyonElza\'shead。\"Youlovehim，Elza，\"
shesaidmildly。\"Iunderstandyourheart，dearestElza，youlovehim。AndnowdryyourtearsandlistentowhatIhavetosaytoyou。
Butfirstyoumustlookatme，Elza，andyoumustshowmeyourdearface;otherwiseIwon\'ttellyouthegoodnewsIhavegotforyou。\"
Elzadroppedherhandsfromherface，andlooked，smilingamidhertears，intoEliza\'scountenance，whichseemednowagainentirelycalmandserene。
\"Nowlisten，Elza，\"shewhispered，hurriedly;\"Ulrichisnotmybridegroom，andhenevertoldmethathelovedme。\"
Elzautteredacryofjoy，andasunbeamseemedtoilluminateherface。
\"Imerelysaidsoinordertosavehim，\"addedLizzie;\"thatwasthereasonwhyIutteredthatimpudentlie，whichGodAlmighty，Ihope，willforgiveme。IsawthatmyfatherwasjustabouttohillhimandmyhearttoldmeIoughttosavehimatallhazards。Ihastenedtomyfather，andthewordsescapedmylips，Imyselfdonotknowhow。
IsaidIlovedhim，hewouldmarryme，andwasmyaffiancedbride—
groom;andthissavedhim，forhewasintentondyingratherthanfallalive，ashesaid，intothehandsofthepeasant—rabble。Thatwasthereasonwhyhewassobold，abusedtheTyrolesesoviolently，andwouldnotceaseresistingthem。Therefore，Ihadtosavehimnotonlyfrommyfather，butfromhisownrage;andIdidit。\"
\"Butdoyounotlovehim？\"askedElzasmiling。
\"DoyounotknowthatJosephThurmwalderhasbeencourtingmeforayearpast？Myfatherwillbegladtohavememarryhim;forheisthesonofrichparentsandthemostskillfulandhandsomehunterinthewholePustervalley。\"
\"Butyouhaveoftentoldmethatyoudidnotlovehim？\"
\"HaveyounotoftentoldmelikewisethatyoudidnotloveUlrich，Elza？Wegirlsarequeerbeings，andneversaywhomwelove！\"
\"ButUlrich！Helovesyou！Yes，yes，Iknowhelovesyou。Ihavesuspecteditalongtime，andalwaysteasedhimwithhisattachmenttoyou。\"
\"Andhealwaysdeniedit，didhenot？\"
\"Yes，hedid，andyet——\"
\"Andhedenieditto—daytoo，whentheliewouldhavesavedhimatonce。Hewoulddieratherthanbeapeasant—girl\'sbridegroom！Yousee，therefore，thathedoesnotloveme，Elza。Butmyliesavedhislife，andnoonemustfindoutthatUlrichisnotmybridegroom。Forifmyfatherandhisfriendsshoulddiscoverit，theywouldkillhim，becauseheinsultedthemtoodeeplytobeforgiven。Hemustremainmybridegroomuntiltranquillityisre—establishedinthecountry。\"
\"Yes，myLizzie，mydarling！\"exclaimedElza，encirclingEliza\'sneckwithherarms;\"yes，lethimremainyourbridegroom，mysagacious，braveTyrolesegirl。Ialwayssaidandknewthatyouwouldbeaheroineifyoushouldhavetomeetagreatdanger，andto—dayyouWEREaheroine。\"
\"NotyetElza，butIshallbeone。IamgoingtoprovetomyfatherandallhisfriendsthatIamatruedaughteroftheTyrol，eventhoughtheBavariancaptainismybridegroom。Andnow，farewell，dearestElza;Imustgodownagaintomyfather。Butlisten，Ihavetotellyousomethingelseyet。Ishallleaveourvillagewithmyfatherto—day。WeshallmarchwithourfriendstoAndreasHofer，fortheTyrolesemustconcentratetheirwholeforcesinordertobestrongenoughwhentheyhavetomeettheenemy。Hence，itwasresolvedattheveryoutset，that，sosoonasitwastimeforthepeopletoriseagainsttheBavarians，Speckbacherandhisfriends，andmyfatherwiththepeasantsofthePustervalley，shouldjointhemenofthePasseyrvalleyunderHofer\'scommand。Iknowthatfatherwillsetoutto—day，andIshallaccompanyhim，Elza。Iamnotafraidofdeathandtheenemy;Iknowthatourcauseisjust，andthatthegoodGodwillbeonourside。\"
\"But，nevertheless，manynobleheartswillbepiercedforthisjustcause，andyours，dearestLizzie，maybeamongthem，\"exclaimedElza，tenderlyfoldingherfriendtoherheart。\"Oh，stayhere，mydarling，letthemenfightitoutalone;stayhere！\"
\"No，Elza，Imustgowiththem。Myhonorrequiresit，andforbidsmetostayatourhousewithUlrichvonHohenberg，forwhosesakemyfathercalledmepubliclyto—dayarecreantdaughteroftheTyrol，andthreatenedtodisownmeforever。ImustprovetoalltheworldthatIamaloyaldaughteroftheTyrol;andIfeel，Elza，thatitwilldomegoodtocontributemymitetothedeliveranceofthefatherland。IamnotgentleandpatientenoughtositquietlyathomeandwaituntildearLibertylooksintomydoorandsaystome，\'Godblessyou，Lizzie！Iamherenow。andyoualsomayprofitbythehappinesswhichwillbecausedbymyarrival。\'No，Elza，Imustgowithmyfather，ImusthelphimtofindthisdearLibertyonthemountainsandinthevalleys，andmustsaytoher，\'Godblessthee，Liberty！Iamherenow，andthoumaystprofitbymystrength，andI
willhelptheethatthoumaystruleagainoverthemountainsandvalleysofourdearTyrol。\'\"
\"Oh，Lizzie，youareagenuineheroine！\"exclaimedElza;\"IblushtothinkthatIshallnotaccompanyyouandfightbyyoursideforLiberty。\"
\"Youcannot，\"saidLizzie，gravely。\"Youhaveanagedfatherwhowillstayathome，andwhomyoumusttakecareof，andthepoorandsickcountuponyou，fortheyknowthatElzawillalwaysbetheirgoodangel。Stayathomeandprayforme。Butnevergodowntomyfather\'shouse，donotinquireforUlrich，anddonottrytohavehimbroughttothecastlehere。HeisunderSchroepfel\'ssurveillance，andSchroepfelwouldshoothimifheshouldsuspectthatallisnotasitshouldbe。ButifGodshoulddecreemydeath，Elza，Ulrichwouldbefreeatonce，andmyfatherwouldnotinjurehim，inasmuchashewashisLizzie\'saffiancedbridegroom。Hewouldsethimfree。Ulrichwouldthencometoyou，and，Elza，youwilltellhimnottothinkthatLizzieWallnerwasabadgirl，andthatshewasintentonlyongettinganaristocratichusband。Youwilltellhimthatmysoleobjectwastosavehislife，andthatIneverthoughtofmarryinghim。YouwilltellhimalsothatIforgavehimtheinjurywhichhedidmeto—day，andthatIshallpraytoGodAlmightyforhim。AndwhenyoustandbeforeGod\'saltar，andthepriestjoinsyourhands，thinkofme，anddonotforgetthatIlovedyou，dearestElza，betterthananyonceelseonearth。Andnow，farewell，Elza;Ishallnotkissyouagain，foritmakesmyheartheavy。\"
\"Lizzie，Lizzie！\"shoutedapowerfulvoiceoutsideatthismoment;
\"Lizzie，whereareyou？\'Tistimetosetout！\"
\"HereIam，dearfather！\"exclaimedLizzie，steppingquicklyoutonthebalcony。\"Ishallcomedowntoyounow。IwasonlytakingleaveofElza。NowIamreadytosetoutandfightforthedearTyrolandthedearEmperorFrancis！\"
\"Hurrah，wewilldoso！\"criedtheTyrolese。\"WewillfightforthedearTyrolandthedearEmperorFrancis！Hurrah！WewillexpeltheBavarians！Hurrah！theAustriansarecoming！Hurrah！theTyrolwillbefreeagain！\"
CHAPTERXIV。
THEBRIDGEOFST。LAWRENCE。
AnthonyWallnerandhismenmarchedalldayandallnightthroughthePustervalley，alongtheroadtotheMuhlbachpass。HisdaughterEliza，andyoungJohnPanzl，hisfriendandsympathizer，walkedbyhisside;andbehindhimmarchedthebraveTyrolese，whoseforcegainedstrengthateverystepasitadvanced，andwho，amidstthemostenthusiasticacclamations，appointedAnthonyWallnercommander—
in—chiefofthemenofthePusterValley，andJohnPanzlhislieutenantandassistant。
\"Iaccepttheposition，myfriends，\"saidWallner，takingoffhishatandkindlygreetingthemen;\"yes，Iaccepttheposition，andwillbeyourcommander，andwillalwaysleadyoufaithfullyandhonestlyagainsttheenemy。Butwillyoualwaysfollowme？Willyounotbeafraidoftheenemy\'sfire，andtaketoyourheelsbeforehisartillery？\"
\"No，wewillnot，\"shoutedthebravemen;\"wewillstandbyyoufaithfully，andfightwithyouforthefatherlandandtheemperor！\"
\"Thatisright，men，\"criedJohnPanzl，makingaleapwhichdrewloudexclamationsofadmirationfromtheTyrolese。\"Itellyouitisrightinyoutothinkso，andthereforeIwilllikewisejoyfullyacceptthehonorwhichyouhaveofferedtome;Iwillbeyoursecondcommander，willalwaysobeytheordersofourbravecommander—in—
chief，andassisthimandyouindrivingtheenemyfromourcountry，forthegloryofGodandouremperor。Ah，mydearTyrolese，IwouldwecouldcatchtheFrenchandtheBoafoksatlength，takethembytheneck，andhurlthemoutofthecountry。Itellyou，afterwehavedoneit，IshalldancesomerrilywithElizaWallner，mydearcousin，thatthesnowyheadsoftheGross—GlocknerandVenedigerwillbecomewarmandmeltwithdelight。Lizzie，wetwo，themostcelebrateddancersofthewholePustervalley，willperformadanceinhonorofourvictory，willwenot？\"
\"Wewill，CousinPanzl，\"saidEliza，smiling。\"Butbeforedancing，wemustmarchonandneverrunback。\"
\"No，neverrunback，\"shoutedthemerryandcourageousTyrolese。
\"Forward，then，forward！\"commandedAnthonyWallner，andthewholeforcesetoutagainandmarchedrapidlyacrossthemountainsandthroughthevalleys;itwasreceivedeverywherewithdeafeningcheers，andgainedateverystepfreshaccessionsofmen，whorushedenthusiasticallyoutoftheirbuts，armedwiththeirrifles，orotherweapons，eventhoughtheyhadonlywoodenclubs，andbravelyjoinedthedefendersofthecountry。
Alreadytheyapproachedtheirdestination;intheexpansivevalleybelow，yonder，laythetownofBrunecken，surmountedbyCastleBruneckandotherancientanddecayingfeudalcastles;andbehindit，onthewaydowntowardBrixen，inthenarrowergorge，borderedonbothsidesbyprecipitousmountains，throughwhichtheRienzhurlsitsfoamingwaters，theybeheldalreadythesmalltownofSt。
Lawrence。AfterreachingSt。Lawrencetheyhadonlyanhour\'smarchtotheMuhlbachpass，which，inaccordancewithAndreasHofer\'sorders，thebravemenofthePustervalleyweretooccupyanddefendagainsttheenemymovingupfromBotzen。
Butallatonce，rightinthemidstofthemarch，AnthonyWallnerstoodstill，and，turningtoPanzl，whowaswalkingbythesideofthecolumn，gavehimasigntohalt。Thewholecolumnstoppedandlistened。
Yes，therewasnodoubtaboutit，thatwastherattleofmusketryatadistance！Andnowtheyheardalsotheloudboomingofartillery，andtheringingofthetocsinatBruneckenandSt。Lawrence。
\"Nowforward，Tyrolese，forward！\"shoutedAnthonyWallner。\"Atthedouble—quickdowntoBrunecken！\"
\"Forward！\"shoutedthemen;andtheirexclamationswereechoedjoyouslybythewomenwhohadcourageouslyaccompaniedtheirhusbands，andwhowereready，likethem，tofightfortheircountryandtheiremperor。
TheymarchedwithgreatspeeddowntheBrunecken。Thewholetownwasintheutmostcommotion。Youngandoldmen，women，children——allwerehurryingtowardthegateleadingtoSt。Lawrence。
\"Whatisthematter？\"shoutedAnthonyWallner，graspingthearmofanoldman，who，armedwithapitchfork，wasspeedingalongatafuriousrate。
\"Whatisthematter？\"echoedtheoldman，endeavoringtodisengagehisarmfromWallner\'spowerfulgrasp。\"Thematteris，thattheinsurrectionhasbrokenoutatlength。TheBavariansarebentondestroyingthebridgeofSt。Lawrence，inordertopreventtheAustriansfromcrossingit。Thewholemilitarydetachmentleftourplacesometimeagoforthebridge，andsappersandminers，whoaretoblowitup，havearrivedthismorningfromBrixen。Butwewillnotallowthemtodoit。Theymustshootusallbeforewepermitthemtodestroythebridge。\"
\"No，wewillnot！\"criedAnthonyWallner。\"Forward，menofthePustervalley，forwardtothebridgeofSt。Lawrence！\"
Theycontinuedtheirmarchthroughthevalleyatthedouble—quick。
Theyheardtherattleofmusketryandtheboomingofartillerymoreandmoredistinctly，andnow，atabendinthevalley，themostwonderfulandstrikingspectaclepresenteditselftotheireyes。
Yonderatadistancelaythewell—knownbridge，composedofasinglearch，betweentremendousrocks;byitssidestoodtwobattalionsofBavarianinfantryinserriedranks，andonaknoll，closetothebankoftheriverRienz，hadbeenplantedthreecannonpointedmenacinglybothagainstthebridgeandthepeoplewhoweremovinguptoitindenseranddensermasses。CaptainsandotherofficersweregallopingupanddowninfrontoftheBavarians，andencouragingtheirmentoattacktheseinsurgentswhowerecomingupbehind，infront，andonbothsidesofthem。ThecourageoussonsoftheTyrolrusheddownfromalltheheights，thetocsinofBruneckenandSt。
Lawrencehadnotcalledtheminvain。Theycamedownthemountainsandupthevalley;theycame，menandwomen，oldmenandchildren;
andallwerearmed:hewhodidnotpossessagunhadaflail，apitchfork，oraclub。Likeabroad，motleyriver，thecrowdwassurgingupfromallsides，andattheheadandinthemidstofthewar—likegroupsweretobeseenpriestsinholyvestments，holdingaloftthecrucifix，blessingthedefendersofthecountrywithfervent，piouswords，andutteringscathingimprecationsagainsttheenemy。
Andamidstthiscommotionthunderedthefield—pieces，whoseballscrashedagainandagainagainstthebridge;thebellsweretolledinthechurch—steeples，andthemusketryoftheBavariansrattledincessantly。Butfewoftheirbulletshittheiraim。TheTyroleseweretooremotefromthem，andonlyoccasionallyaloudscreamindicatedthatahalf—spentbullethadfounditswayintothebreastofaTyrolese。
MorefatalandunerringwerethebulletsoftheTyrolesesharpshooters，whobadconcealedthemselvesontheheightsonbothsidesofthevalley，andfiredfromtheirhiding—placesattheBavarians，nevermissingtheiraimandpickingoffasoldierbyeveryshottheydischarged。
AnthonyWallnercomprehendedthewholesituationataglance。
\"Boys！\"heshouted，inaringingvoice，\"wemusttakethecannon。WemustnotpermittheenemytodestroythebridgewhichtheAustriansaretocross。LetusattacktheBavarians！Wemusttakethecannon！\"
\"Yes！\"shoutedthemen，\"wemusttakethecannon！\"
Andtheshoutsreachedanothertroopofarmedpeasants，whorepeateditwithtumultuousenthusiasm，andsoonthemenontheheightsandinthevalleycried，\"Wemusttakethecannon！\"
AnthonyWallnergavethesignaltohissharpshooters，andmovedwiththemintoasmallforestextendingupthemountainnearthecannon。
Thecourageousmendisappearedsooninthethicket，and，asifinaccordancewithageneralagreement，theotherTyroleselikewiseenteredtheforest。Below，inthevalley，kneltthewomenandchildren，andbeforethemstoodthepriestswiththeircrucifixes，protectingthemtherewith，asitwere，fromtheenemywhowaspostedontheothersideofthevalley，andwhoserankswerethinnedmoreandmorebythebulletsoftheTyrolese。
Allatonce，ontheheightabovethecannon，wheretherewasaclearing，andwheretherocksweremoss—grownandbare，theTyrolesewereseenrushingindensemassesfromtheforest。TheywereheadedbyAnthonyWallnerandJohnPanzl。Eachofthemjumpedonaprojectionoftherocksandraisedhisrifle。Theyfired，andtwogunnersfellmortallywoundednearthecannon。
TheTyrolesegreetedthisexploitoftheirleaderswithloudcheers;
butupfromtheBavariansresoundedthecommandsoftheofficers;awholevolleycrashed，thebulletswhistledroundtheearsofWallnerandPanzl，butnonehitthem;andhenthesmokeclearedaway，JohnPanzlwasseentomakeatriumphantleapintheair，whichheaccompaniedwithashoutofvictory，whileAnthonyWallnercalmlyraisedhisrifleagain。Hefired，andthegunneratthethirdfield—
piecefelldead。
\"Now，boys，atthem;wemusttakethecannon！\"shoutedWallner，jumpingforward，andtheTyrolesefollowedhimdowntheslopewithfuriousshouts。
\"Forward，forward！\"shoutedtheLieutenant—ColonelinthevalleytohisBavarians;\"forward！thecannonmustnotfallintothehandsofthepeasants;wemustdefendthemtothelastman。Therefore，forwardatthedouble—quick！\"
AndtheBavariansrushedforwarduptheslope。
ButtheTyrolesehadalreadysucceededinshootingorknockingdownallthegunners，andtakenpossessionofthecannon。WhileAnthonyWallner，attheheadofafuriousdetachmentofhismen，hastenedtomeettheapproachingBavarians，andhurleddeathanddestructionintotheirranks，JohnPanzlremainedwiththeotherstodefendtheguns。
Afurioushand—to—handfightnowarose;theBavarianswererepulsedagainandagainbytheTyrolese，andthesharp—shooters，postedbehindthetreesandrocks，assistedtheirfightingbrethrenwiththeirrifles，which，aimedsteadily，nevermissedtheirman。ButtheBavarians。whoweredrawnupfartherdowninthevalley，likewiseendeavoredtoassisttheirstrugglingcomrades:butthebulletswhichtheyfiredupthehillfrequentlystruckintotheranksoftheircountrymen，andnotintothoseoftheTyrolese。Often，ontheotherhand，thesebulletsdidnotmisstheiraim，butcarriedwoundsanddeathintothemidstoftheinsurgents。Wheneverthisoccurredayoungwomanwasseentorushamidstthedeadliestshowerofbulletsintotheranksofthefightingmen，liftupthefallenbrave，andcarryhiminherstrongarmsoutofthethickestofthefighttothequietspotontheedgeoftheforest，whichaprotrudingrockprotectedfromthebulletsoftheenemy。
ThisyoungwomanwasElizaWallner。Behindtherockshehadestablishedasortoffieldhospital;afewwomenandgirlshadassembledaroundherthere，andtakenuponthemselvesthesacredcareforthewounded，whiletwopriestshadjoinedthemtoadministerextremeunctiontothedying。ButElizaWallnerhadreservedthemostdifficultanddangerouspartofthisworkofloveforherself。Shealonewascourageousenoughtoplungeintothethickestofthefighttoremovethefallenbrethren;shealonewasstrongenoughtocarrythemtothequietasylum，anditwasonlythejoyousenthusiasminspiredbytheconsciousnessofdoinggoodthatimpartedthisstrengthtoher。Hereyeswereradiant，hercheekswereflushed，andthefaceoftheyounggirl，formerlysorosyandserene，exhibitednowthetransparentpaleness，andgrave，proudcalmnesswhichonlygreatresolvesandsublimemomentsimparttothehumancountenance。
Andthewomenfollowedherexamplewithjoyouszeal;theywashedthewoundsofthebraveTyrolesewithwaterfetchedfromtheneighboringspring，toretheirhandkerchiefsanddressestomakethenecessarybandagesofthem，andclosed，withtearsofdevoutcompassion，theeyesofthosewhogaveuptheghostamidtheblessingsofthepriests。
FromthesepiousworksofcharitythewomenweresuddenlyarousedbytheloudcheersoftheTyrolese。Elizasprangforthfrombehindtherocktoseewhatwasthematter。Renewedandstillloudercheersresounded，forthevictorywasgained。AnthonyWallnerandhismenhadattainedtheirobject。Theyhadsucceededinhurlingthethreefield—piecesfromtheheightintotheRienz，whichwasrollingalongfarbelowinitsrockybed。Theearthwasshakingyetfromtheterrificcrash，andechowasresoundingstillwiththethunderingnoisewithwhichthefield—pieceshadfallenintotheRienz，whosewatershadhurledtheirfoamingsprayintotheair，andwererollingnowwithanangryroaroverthesunkencannon。
Thisexploit，whichexcitedthetransportsoftheTyrolese，exertedacontraryeffectupontheBavarians。Theyhadlosttheirartillery，andwithitthemeansofblowingupthebridge;andnowtheystoodbeforetheenemyuncoveredandalmostdefenceless。InobediencetoaloudcommandutteredbyAnthonyWallner，theTyrolesereturnedquicklyintotheforest，and，hiddenbehindtreesandrocks，hitaBavarianwitheverybullet，whiletheBavariansvainlyfiredatthewell—concealedenemy。
ThecommanderoftheBavarians，Lieutenant—ColonelWreden，perceivingthedangeranduselessnessofacontinuanceofthestruggle，orderedhistroopstoretreat;andnosoonerhadtheBavariansreceivedthislonged—fororder，thantheyfellbackatthedouble—quickfromthebridgeandtooktheroadtoSterzing。
ThisretreatoftheenemywasgreetedbytherenewedcheerswhichElizaWallnerhadheard;and，bothlaughingandweepingforjoy，shehastenedtofoldherfathertoherheart，andthankGodthatnobullethadhithim。
Wallnerembracedhertenderly，andimprintedakissonherforehead。
\"Youhavebehavedverybravely，Lizzie，\"hesaid;\"Isawhowyoucarriedourpoorbrethrenoutofthethickestofthefight。Myheartwasproudofyou，andIshouldnothaveweptto—dayeventhoughyouhadfalleninthesacredserviceofthefatherland。ButIthankGodthatnothinghashappenedtoyou，andIbeseechyou，dearestLizzie，donotaccompanyusanyfarther。Inowbelieveagaininyou，andI
knowthatyouareatruedaughteroftheTyrol，althoughyouunfortunatelyloveaBavarian。Thereforegohome;foritisnowoman\'sworkthatisinstoreforus;wehaveahardstrugglebeforeus，andagreatdealofbloodwillbeshedbeforewehavedriventhemeanBavariansandtheaccursedFrenchfromourbelovedcountry。\"
\"No，father，Ishallstaywithyou，\"exclaimedEliza，witheagerdetermination。\"Iamnotabletositathomeandspinandpraywhenmyfatherisfightingforthecountry。Mothercanattendalonetoourhouseholdaffairs，andSchroepfelwillassisther;butyoucannotattendalonetothehardworkhere，andIwillhelpyou，dearestfather。Iwillbethedoctorandsurgeonofyourmenuntilyouhavefoundabetterandmoreskilfulphysician。Youmustnotrejectme，dearestfather，foryouwouldcommitwrongagainstthepoorwoundedwhohavenootherassistancethanwhattheyreceiveatmyhandsandatthoseofthewomenwhomIbegandpersuadetohelpme。\"
\"Youareright，Lizzie;itwouldbewronginmetosendyouhomeandnotpermityoutoassistandnursethewounded，\"saidherfather，gravely。\"MayGodandtheHolyVirginhelpandprotectyou！IdevoteyoutothefatherlandtowhichIdevotemyself。\"
Hekissedheroncemore，andthenturnedtotheTyrolese，who，encampedingroupsontheedgeoftheforest，andreposingfromthestruggle，werepartakingofthebreadandmeatwhichtheyhadbroughtalongintheirhaversacks。
\"Brethren，\"exclaimedAnthonyWallner，inapowerfulvoice，\"nowletusbeupanddoing！Wemustcutofftheenemy\'sretreattoSterzing。
WemustalsooccupytheMuhlbachpass，asAndreasHoferorderedustodointheArchdukeJohn\'sname。Theenemyhassetoutthither，andifhegetsbeforeusthroughthegapofBrixenandreachesthebridgeofLaditch，weshallbeunabletopreventhimfrompassingthroughtheMuhlbachpassandmarchingtoSterzing。Hence，wearenotatlibertytoreposenow，butmustadvancerapidly。Onedetachmentofourmen，commandedbymyLieutenantPanzl，willpushonquicklyonthemountain—roadtotheMuhlbachpass。Therestofuswillfollowyou，butwemustpreviouslydetaintheenemyatthegapofBrixen;andwhilewearedoingduty，anotherdetachmentofourmenwillgofartherdowntothebridgeofLaditchanddestroyitinordertopreventtheenemyfromcrossingtheEisach。Forward，myfriends！ForwardtothegapofBrixen！Wemustrolldowntrees，detachlargefragmentsfromtherocks，andhurlthemdownontheenemy;wemustfireatthemfromtheheightswithdeadlycertainty，andeverybulletmusthititsman。Forward！forward！TothebridgeofLaditch！\"
\"Yes，yes！\"exclaimedtheTyrolese，withenthusiasticcourage。
\"ForwardtothebridgeofLaditch！\"
CHAPTERXV。
THEBRIDGEOFLADITCH。
NighthadatlengthbroughtsomereposetotheexhaustedBavarians。
AtnogreatdistancefromthegapofBrixentheyhadhaltedlateintheevening，andencampedonthebaregroundinthevalleybelow。