Thegreenturfwastheirbed，astonetheirpillow;nevertheless，theyhadbeenabletoenjoyafewhoursofpeacefulslumber，fortheywerefamiliarwiththehabitsoftheTyrolese;theyknewthattheyneverundertookanything，notevenahunting—excursion，inthedeadofnight，andthattheyhadnothingtofearfromthemuntilsunrise。
Butnowthefirststreaksofdawnilluminatedthesky;itwastime，therefore，tocontinuethemarch。Lieutenant—ColonelvonWredenrosefromthecouchwhichthesoldiershadpreparedforhimofmossandbranches，andreviewed，accompaniedbyhisofficers，hissmallforce，whichbegansullenlyandsilentlytoforminline。AclouddarkenedWreden\'sfacewhen，marchingthroughtheranks，hecountedthenumberofhissoldiers。HehadarrivedyesterdayatthebridgeofSt。Lawrencewithnearlyfourhundredmen;scarcelyone—halfofthemwereleftnow;theotherhalflayslainatthebridgeofSt。
Lawrence，or，exhaustedbythelossofbloodandbythepainsofgapingwounds，hadsunkdownontheroadandbeenunabletocontinuethemarch。
\"Andthesepoormenwilllikewisebekilledto—dayunlessspeedysuccorcomes，\"murmuredtheLieutenant—Coloneltohimself;\"wearealllostifthemiserablerabbleofpeasantsreachthegapofBrixenbeforeus。Wearealllost，forweshallbeentirelycutofffromourfriendsandsurroundedbyourenemies，whoareabletoavailthemselvesoftheirmountainfastnessesandhiding—places，whilewemustmarchthroughthevalleyandacrosstheopenplain。Butallthesecomplaintsareuseless。Wemustdoourduty！Thesoldier\'slifebelongstohisoathandhisking;andifhefallsintheservice，hehasdonehisduty。\"
Andwithstrongdeterminationandboldcouragethelieutenant—
colonelthrewbackhishead，andfixedhiseyesteadfastlyonhissoldiers。
\"Forward，\"heshouted，\"forward，boys！Forwardagainstthesemiserablepeasants，whohaveviolatedthefaiththeyplightedtoourking。Forward！forward！\"
Thecolumn，headedbyLieutenant—ColonelvonWreden，commencedmoving。Hiseyesglancedanxiouslyovertheplainnowopeningbeforethem。Suddenlytheyarerivetedonapointyonderonthemountain—
roadleadingsouthwardtoItaly。Whatisthat？Doesitnotflashtherelikeamassofbayonets？Doesitnotlookasthoughabrilliantserpent，glitteringinblue，red，andgold，weremovingalongtheroad？Itdrawsnearerandnearer，andtheLieutenant—
Colonelisabletodistinguishitsparts。Yes，thesepartsaresoldiers;thisserpentconsistsofregimentsmarchingalonginserriedranks。
Lieutenant—ColonelvonWredenutteredacryofjoyandgallopedforward。Alreadyhediscerneddistinctlytheuniformsofthestaff—
officersridingatthebeadofthecolumn。Theywerefriends;theywereFrenchsoldiersheadedbyGeneralBisson。
Wredengallopedforwardtosalutethegeneralandcommunicatetohiminbrief，wingedwordshisowndisasterandhisapprehensionsregardingtheimmediatefuture。
\"Well，youhavenothingtofearnow，\"saidGeneralBisson，withapleasantandproudsmile。\"Itwasnoaccident，butadecreeofFate，thatcausedustomeethere。IwasorderedbymyemperortomarchwithacolumnoffourthousandmenfromMantuatoRatisbon，andIamnowontheroadtothelatterplace。Hence，ourrouteleadsusthroughthegapofBrixen，andasamatterofcourseyouwilljoinuswithyourtroops。Ihopeourunitedforceswillsucceedinroutingthesemiserablepeasants！\"
\"Yes，ifwecouldmeetthemintheopenplain，\"sighedLieutenant—
ColonelvonWreden。\"Butintheirmountainsandgorgesourthousandswillvainlystruggleagainsttheirhundreds。Thebulwarksoftheirmountainsprotectthem。\"
\"Weshalldrivethemfromthesebulwarks。\"saidGeneralBisson，haughtily。\"ButIbelievetherabblewillnotevenwaitforthis，buttaketotheirheelsassoonastheyseetheheadofmycolumn。
Therefore，joinmyregiments，lieutenant—colonel，andletusmarchfearlesslythroughthegapofBrixen。\"
Halfanhourafterwardtheyhadreachedthedarkandawe—inspiringgapofBrixen;andtheunitedBavarianandFrenchtroopsmarchedwithameasuredstepalongthenarrowroad，onbothsidesofwhichrosesteepgrayrocks，coveredhereandtherewithsmallpineforests，andthenagainexhibitingtheirnaked，moss—grownwalls，crownedabovewiththeirsnowysummitsglisteninglikeburnishedsilverinthemorningsun。
ThecolumnunderGeneralBissonpenetrateddeeperanddeeperintothegorge。Enormousrocksnowclosedtheroadintheirfrontandrear。Aprofound，awfulstillnesssurroundedthem;onlyhereandtheretheyheardtherustlingofacascadefallingdownfromthemountainswithsilveryspray，andflowingfinallyasamurmuringrivuletthroughthevalley;nowandthentheyheardalsothehoarsecroakingofsomebirdofpreysoaringintheair，otherwise，allwasstill。
GeneralBisson，whowasridinginthemiddleofhiscolumn，turnedsmilinglytoLieutenant—ColonelWreden\"DidInottellyou，mydearLieutenant—Colonel，\"hesaid，\"thatthesemiserablepeasantswouldtaketotheirheelssosoonasourcolumncameinsight？Theywere，perhaps，abletocopewithyourfewhundredmen，butmyfourthousandmen——\"
Theloudcrashofarifleinterruptedhissentence;asecond，third，andfourthreportfollowedinrapidsuccession。Theheightsseemedallatoncetobristlewithenemies。Likeanenormousman—of—war，lyingatfirstcalmandpeaceful，andthenopeningherport—holes，thesegrayrocksseemedsuddenlytoopenalltheirport—holesandpouroutdeathanddestruction。
Fromtherockinfrontyonder，fromthesteepmountainsonbothsides，fromtheprecipitoushilljuttingoutintheirrearandclosingthegloomygorge，rifleshotsrattleddownwithunerringaim;everybullethititsman，everybulletstruckdownasoldierintheranksoftheBavariansandFrench;thenwereheardthetriumphantcheersoftheTyrolese，who，foramoment，steppedforthfromtheirsafehiding—places，dancedontherocks，jeeredattheenemywithloud，scornfulwords，anddisappearedagainsoquickly，thatthebulletswhichthesoldiersfiredatthemglancedharmlesslyfromtheflanksoftherocks。
ButtheTyrolesefoughtnotwiththeirriflesaloneagainsttheenemymarchingthroughthedeepandawfulgorge。Naturehadpreparedothermeansofdefenceforthem;ithadgiventhemtreesandrocks。
Theyhurledthetrees，whichthestormshadfelledyearsago，andwhichfragmentsofrockhadheldonthebrinkoftheprecipice，intothedepthofthegorge;theydetachedlargefragmentsfromtherocks，androlledthemdownonthesoldiers，manyofwhomwerecrushedbytheseterriblemissiles。Andwhenthesetreesandrocksfellintothedepth，andspreaddeathandconfusionintheranksofthesoldiers，theTyroleseprofitedbythismomenttoaimandstrikedownadditionalvictimsbytheirrifle—bullets。
Andtherewasnoescapeforthesepoorsoldiers，who，exposedtothefuryoftheirenemies，didnotevenenjoytheconsolationofwreakingvengeanceuponthem。Insilentdespair，andsheddingtearsofrage，theFrenchandBavarianscontinuedtheirmarch;thecorpsesoftheirbrethren，whichtherear—guardmetonthehorribleroad，couldnotdetainthem;theybadtopassoverthem，andabstainevenfromcomingtotheassistanceoftheirdyingfriends;crushedundertheirfeet，thelatterhadtogiveuptheghost。
Atlengththegorgewidensbeforethem;therocksinfrontrecedeonbothsides，andabright，expansiveplainopenstotheirview。Thesoldiersgreetthisprospectwithloudcheersofdelight，whichtheirofficersdarenotrepressinthenameofdiscipline;for，onemergingfromanopengrave，asoldierfeelslikeahumanbeing，andthanksGodforthepreservationofhislife。Hundredshadfallen，butseveralthousandswereleft，andtheirardentrage，theirfieryrevengefulnesslongedforthestruggleinwhichtheymightavengetheirfallencomrades。AndFateseemedintentonfulfillingtheirwishes。Yonder，attheextremityoftheplainthroughwhichthesoldierswerenowmarching;yonder，onthebankoftheEisach，wasseenamotleycrowdascendingtheslopesofthemountainsonbothsidesoftheriver。
\"Yes，therearetheTyrolese，thereareourenemies，\"criedtheBavariansandFrench，withgrimsatisfaction;andtheymarchedatthedouble—quicktowardthebankoftheriver。
\"Thepeasants，Ibelieve，intendtopreventusfromcrossingtheriver，\"saidGeneralBisson，withacontemptuousshrug。\"TheyhavetakenpositioninfrontofthebridgeofLaditch，andsocloselythatIcanseenothingofit，\"repliedLieutenant—ColonelvonWreden。Suddenlyheutteredacryofsurprise，andlookedsteadfastlytowardtheextremityofthevalley，wheretherocksjuttedoutagainintoit，andwherethefuriousEisachmakesasuddenbendfromonesideofthevalleytotheother。Formerlytherehadrisenhere，betweentremendousrocks，themajesticarchofthebridgeofLaditch。Formanycenturiespastthiswonderfularchhadspannedtheabyss;itwasamonumentdatingfromtheeraoftheancientRomans，andCaesarhimself，perhaps，hadcrossedthisbridgeonhismarchagainstthefreenationsoftheNorth。Butnowthisarchhaddisappeared，orratheritscentralparthadbeenremoved，andbetweenitstwoextremitiesyawnedaterribleabyss，throughwhichtheEisachrushedwiththunderingnoise。
\"TheTyrolesehavedestroyedthebridge！\"exclaimedVonWreden，indismay。
\"Ah，thebrigands！\"saidBisson，contemptuously。\"Itwill，therefore，benecessaryforustoconstructatemporarybridgeinordertogetovertotheotherside。\"
Yes，theTyrolesehaddestroyedthebridgeofLaditch;andwhileasmalldivisionoftheirmenhadquicklymovedontooccupytheMuhlbachpass，theothers，underthecommandofAnthonyWallner，hadtakenpositionontheoppositebankoftheEisach，inordertopreventtheenemyfromcrossingtheriver。AllthemenfromtheneighboringvillageofLaditchhadjoinedtheforcesofAnthonyWallner，andonthemountainsstoodthesharpshootersfromthevillagesfarandnear，calledoutbythetocsin，andreadytodisputeeveryinchofthebelovedsoilwiththeenemy。
ThecolumnsoftheBavariansandFrenchapproached，andshotswereexchangedonbothsides。\"Forward！\"shoutedAnthonyWallner，andheadvancedwithhisbravementothePustervalley，closetothebridgeuponwhichtheenemywasmovingup。
Thebulletswhistledaroundhim，buthepaidnoattentiontothem;
hesawonlytheenemy，andnotthedangersmenacinghim。ButtheotherTyrolesesawthemonlytoowell。Upinthemountainstheywerebraveandresolute;butintheplain，wheretheywereonequalgroundwiththeenemytheyfeltillateaseandanxious。Moreover，theoddsoftheenemyweretrulyformidable，notonlyinnumbersbutalsoinarms。OnlyapartoftheTyrolesewereprovidedwithriflesandmuskets;morethanhalfofthemwerearmedonlywithflails，pitchforks，andclubs。Thesoldiershadnotonlytheirmuskets，butalsofield—pieces，whoseballsthunderednowacrosstheplainandcarrieddeathintotheranksoftheTyrolese。
Terroranddismayseizedthesharpshooters;theyturnedandbegantofleeintothemountains。Butanunexpectedobstacleobstructedtheirpath。Anumberofintrepidwomen，whohadflockedtothescenefromtheneighboringvillages，metthematthismoment。Theyreceivedthefugitiveswiththreateninginvectives;theydrovethembackwithupliftedarms，withflamingeyes，withimprecations，andscornfullaughter，downtheslope，regardlessofthebulletswhistlingaroundthem，andoftheenemymovingupcloserandclosertothem。Thefugitivesareobligedtoturnandplungeoncemoreintothestruggle，whichbecomesmoreandmorefurious。Yonder，closetothefragmentsofthebridge，standtheTyrolese;here，nearthefragmentsonthissideoftheriver，arethesoldiersandtheFrenchengineersadvancingtoconstructatemporarybridgeacrossthechasm，andtherebyuniteagainthedisruptedendsoftheancientRomanstructure。
ThefireoftheTyrolesebecomesweaker;loudlamentationsburstfromtheirranks。Theyareexhaustedandweary，owingtotheheavyexertionsoftheday;hungerandthirsttormentthem，andtheirstrengthisgone。
\"Giveussomethingtoeat！Giveussomethingtodrink！\"theyshouttothewomenoccupyingthemountain—pathintheirrearuptothesolitaryhouse，theinnZurEisach，whichhasalreadybeenhitbymanyaballfromtheenemy\'sguns。
\"Courage，brethren，courage！\"shoutedElizaWallner。\"Iwillbringyourefreshments。\"
And，likeagazelle，shehastensupthehillside，skippingfromrocktorockuntilshereachesthebatteredhouse。Thebulletswhistlearoundher，butshelaughsatthem，anddoesnoteventurntovouchsafeaglanceatthedanger。Sheleapsoncourageously;nowshereachesthehouse，shedisappearsthroughthedoor，andnosoonerhassheenteredthanacannonballstrikesthewallrightabovethedoor。Afteraverybriefspaceoftime，ElizaWallnerreappearsinthedoor。Onherheadshecarriesakeg，whichshesupportswithbothherupliftedarms。Withasereneglance，withrosycheeksandsmilinglips，acharmingpictureofgrace，loveliness，andcourageousinnocence，shedescendsthemountain—pathagain，andeventhebulletsoftheenemyrespecther;theywhistlepastheronbothsides，butdonothither。Elizahastensdowntheslope，andnowshereachesthebridge，andarriveswherearepostedtheTyrolese，whoreceivethecourageousgirlwithdeafeningcheers。
Allatonceshefeelsajerkinthekegonherhead，andimmediatelyafteritscontentspourinaclearcoldstreamdownonherfaceandneck。Abullethadstruckthekegandpassedclearthroughit。Elizaburstsintomerrylaughter，liftsthekegwithherplump，beautifularmsfromherhead，andstopsthetwoholeswithbothherhands，sothatthewinecannolongerrunout。
\"Nowcome，boys，\"sheshouts，inaloud，merryvoice;\"comeanddrink，elsethewinewillrunout。Theenemyhastappedthekeg;hewishedtosaveusthetrouble。Comeanddrink。\"
\"Standback，Lizzie，\"shoutsPanzltoher;\"stepbehindtherockyonder，thatthebulletsmaynothityou。\"
\"Ishallnotdoit，\"saidEliza，withaflushedface;\"Ishallnotconcealmyself。IamatruedaughteroftheTyrol，andGodwillprotectmehereaswellasthere。——Come，boys，anddrink。Bringyourglasses，orratherapplyyourmouthtothekeganddrink。\"
TwoyoungTyrolesesharpshootershastenedtoher。Elizaheldupthekeg;thetwoyoungmenkneltbeforeherandappliedtheirmouthstotheholesmadebythebullet，andsuckedoutthewine，lookingwithenamouredglancesuptotheheroicgirlwholookeddownonthemsmilingly。
\"Nowyouhavedrunkenough，goandfightagainforthefatherland，\"
shesaid，andsignedtotwoothersharpshooterstorefreshthemselvesfromthekeg。Thetwoyoungmenhastenedbacktotheircomrades，notknowingwhetheritwasthewineorthesightofthelovelyTyrolesegirlthatfilledthemwithrenewedcourageandenthusiasm。
ThetwootherTyrolesehaddrunklikewise。SuddenlyanotherbulletwhistlesalonganddartspastclosetoEliza\'scheeks，causinghertoreelforamoment。Acryofdismayburstfromthelipsofthosewhosawit;butElizaalreadysmiledagain，andsheexclaimed，inamerryvoice:\"Makehaste，boys！elseanotherbulletwillcomeandpiercethekegagain，whenthewinewillrunintothegrass。
Therefore，makehaste！\"
TwootherTyrolesehasteneduptodrink;thentwomore，andsoon，untilthekegwasempty。
\"Nowyouhaverefreshedyourselves，\"criedEliza，\"andyoumustbravelyreturntothestruggle。\"
AndtheTyrolesetookpositionontheriver—bank，withredoubledcourageandenthusiasm，topreventtheFrenchfromfinishingthetemporarybridge。
ButthefireoftheenemythinnedtheranksoftheTyrolesefearfully;theirshotsbecamefewandfarbetween，andgraduallyaregularpanicseizedthem。Theybegantogiveway;eventhescornfulcriesofthewomen，whotriedtoobstructtheirpath，werepowerlesstokeepthemback。Theypushedthewomenaside，andrushedresistlesslyupthemountain—path。
Atthismomentloudcheersburstfromthelipsoftheenemy。TheTyrolesestarted。Theylookedback，andsawtotheirdismaythattheengineershadsucceededinfinishingthetemporarybridgeacrosstheEisach，andthatnothingpreventedtheenemynowfrompassingovertotheirsideoftheriver。
\"Surrender！Laydownyourarms！\"shoutedLieutenant—ColonelvonWreden，ontheotherbank。
TheTyroleseweresilent，andgazedwithmutedismayuponthebridge。Allatoncetheyheardavoiceresoundingonthehillsabovethemasitwerefromtheclouds。Thisvoiceshouted。\"Theimperialistsarecoming！TheAustrians，oursaviours，arecoming！\"
Andatthesametimeadetachmentoflight—horseappearedontheheightsofSchaps。Theygallopeddowntheslope，andwerefollowedbyseveralcompaniesofchasseursandinfantry，whorusheddownatthedouble—quick。
Loud，exultingcheersburstfromthelipsoftheTyrolese，andfoundthunderingechoesinthemountainsandgorges。
TheFrenchandBavariansstarted，forthissuddenapparitiontookthemcompletelybysurprise;theyhadnotevensuspectedthattheAustrianshadalreadyinvadedtheTyrol。Theyhesitated，anddidnotventuretocrosstheriver。
ThishesitationoftheenemyandthearrivaloftheAustriansfilledtheTyrolesewithtransports。Somethrewdowntheirriflestoembraceeachotherandswingtheirhatsmerrily，whileothersweredancingwiththeirriflesasthoughtheyweretheirsweethearts;andothersagainsangandwarbledringingTyroleseJodlers。Finally，someofthem，filledwithprofoundemotionandferventgratitude，sankdownontheirkneestothankGodforthiswonderfulrescueandthelong—wished—forsightofthedearAustrianuniforms。
TheFrenchandBavarians，inthemeantime，thunderstruckatthesuddenarrivaloftheAustrians，whosenumberstheywereasyetunabletoascertain，hadmadearetrogrademovementintheirfirstterror。Butthisdidnotlastlong。\"Ifwedonotwanttoperishheretothelastman，wemusttrytoforceapassage，\"saidGeneralBisson。\"Forward，therefore，forward！\"
Thetroopsmoved，andbegantomarchacrossthebridge。
ButnowtheAustrianshadcomecloseuptothem。TheTyrolesereceivedthemwithdeafeningshoutsof\"LonglivetheEmperorFrancis！LongliveAustria！\"
Thentheyturnedoncemorewithfervententhusiasmtowardtheenemy。
\"DownwiththebaseBavarians！Forward！forward！Downwiththem！\"
theyshoutedonallsides;andtheTyroleserushedwithfuriousimpetuosityupontheenemy。Theirscythesandflailsmoweddownwholeranks，andmanysoldiersweresoonlaidprostratebytheunerringaimofthemountainsharpshooters。Mountainsofcorpseswerepiledup，riversofbloodfloweddownintothewatersoftheEisach，andthecrimson—coloredwavescarrieddownthroughtheTyroltheintelligencethatthestruggleforthefatherlandhadcommenced。
Nevertheless，theforcesoftheenemyweretoonumerousfortheTyroleseandthesmalladvancedguardoftheAustrianstoannihilatethementirely。TheBavariansandFrenchforcedapassagethroughtheranksoftheirenthusiasticenemieswiththecourageandwrathofdespair;hundredsofthemremaineddeadonthebloodyfield，butnearlytwothousandascendedtheEisachtowardSterzing。
AnthonyWallnerbeckonedtohisdaughter，andsteppedwithherbehindajuttingrock。\"First，Lizzie，myheroicgirl，givemeakiss，\"hesaid，encirclingherwithoneofhisarms，andpressingherfondlytohisbroadbreast。\"Youhavebeenyourfather\'sjoyandprideto—day，andIsawthatthedearlittleangelswereprotectingyou，andthatthebulletsforthisreasonwhistledharmlesslyaroundyou。Hence，youarenowtorenderanimportantservicetothefatherland。ImustsendamessengertoAndreasHofer，butIneedthemenforfightinghere;and，moreover，theenemymighteasilycatchmymessenger。ButhewillallowaTyrolesegirllikeyoutopassthroughhislines，andwillnotsuspectanythingwrongabouther。
NowwillyoutakemymessagetoAndreasHofer？\"
\"Iwill，father。\"
\"Run，then，mydaughter，runalongthemountain—paths;youcanclimbandleaplikeachamois，andwilleasilygetthestartoftheenemy，whoismarchingonthelongroadsinthevalley。HastentowardSterzing。Ifallhaspassedoffasagreedupon，youwillfindAndreasHoferthere。TellhimnowinmynamethattheAustriansarecomingupfromSalzburgandthatIhavedonemydutyandredeemedmypledge。TellhimfurtherthatthewholePustervalleyisininsurrection，andthatwearebravelyatwork，anddrivingtheBavariansandFrenchfromthecountry。Buttellhimalsotobeonhisguard，forwehavenotbeenabletoannihilatetheenemyentirely，andtheywillsoonmaketheirappearanceatSterzing。Lethimbereadytoreceivetheenemythereastheydeserveit。\"
\"Isthatall，dearestfather？\"
\"Yes，Lizzie，itis。TellAndywhathashappenedhere，anddonotforgettotellhimhowyoubroughtdownthekegofwinethattheboysmightdrinkcouragefromit。\"
\"No，father，Ishallnottellhimthat。ItwouldlookasthoughI
thoughtIhaddonesomethinggreat，andwishedtobepraisedforit。
Butnow，farewell，dearestfather。IwillhastentoAndreasHofer。\"
\"Farewell，dearestLizzie。TheangelsandtheHolyVirginwillprotectyou。Ihavenofearsforyoursafety。\"
\"NorIeither，dearestfather。Thegoodspiritsofthemountainwillaccompanyme。Farewell！\"
Shekissedherhandstohim，andboundedupthemountain—pathwiththespeedandgracefulnessofagazelle。
CHAPTERXVI。
ONTHESTERZINGERMOOS。
WhiletheseeventsweregoingonbelowBrixen，AndreasHoferhadmarchedwiththemenofthePasseyrvalleyacrosstheJanfen。Theinhabitantseverywherehadreceivedhimwithloudexultation;theyhadriseneverywhere，readytofollowhim，tofightunderhimforthedeliveranceofthefatherland，andtostaketheirfortunesandtheirlivesfortheemperorandthebelovedTyrol。Hofer\'scolumnaccordinglygainedstrengthateverystepasitadvanced。Hehadsetoutwithafewhundredmenonthe9thofApril;andnow，onthemorningofthe11thofApril，alreadyseveralthousandmenhadralliedaroundhim，andwiththemhehadreachedtheheightsofSterzing。AndreasHoferhaltedhismenhere，wherehehadasplendidviewofthewholeplain，andorderedhisTyrolesetoencampandreposeaftertheirlongandexhaustingmarch。Hehimselfdidnotcareforrepose，forhisheartwasheavyandfullofanxiety;andhisglance，usuallysoserene，wascloudedandsombre。
Whiletheotherswererestingandpartakinggaylyofthewineandfoodwhichthewomenandgirlsoftheneighboringvillageshadbroughttothemwithjoyousreadiness，AndreasHoferascendedapeakfromwhichhehadafullviewofthemountain—chainsallaroundandtheextensiveplainathisfeet。Hisfriendandadjutant，AnthonySieberer，hadfollowedhimnoiselessly;andonperceivinghim，AndreasHofersmiledandnoddedpleasantlytohim。
\"See，brother，\"hesaid，pointingwithasighdowntothevalley，\"howcalmandpeacefuleverythinglooks！ThereliesSterzing，socozyandsweet，inthesunshine;thefruit—treesareblossominginitsgardens;thedaisies，primroses，andhawthornshaveopenedtheirlittleeyes，andarelookinguptoheaveninsilentjoy。AndnowI
amtodisturbthisgloriouspeaceandtranquillity，tearitlikeaworthlesspieceofpaper，andhurlitlikeUriah\'sletter，intothefacesofthepeople。Ah，Sieberer，warisacruelthing;andwhenI
takeeverythingintoconsideration，Icannothelpthinkingthatmencommitaheavysinbytakingthefieldinordertoslay，shoot，andstab，asthoughtheywerewildbeastsbentondevouringoneanother，andnotmenwhomGodcreatedafterHisownlikeness;andIaskmyself，inthehumilityofmyheart，whetherornotIhavearighttoinstigatemydearfriendsandcountrymentofollowmeandattackmenwhoareourbrethrenafterall。\"
\"Ifyoureallyaskyourselfsuchquestions，andhavelostyourcourage，thenwearealllost，\"saidSieberer，gloomily。\"ItisAndreasHoferinwhomthemenofthePasseyrvalleybelieve，andwhomtheyarefollowingintothebloodystruggle。IfHoferhesitates，allwillsoondespond;anditwouldbebetterforustoretraceourstepsatonce，andallowBonaparteandtheFrenchtotrampleusagaininthedust，insteadofliftingourheadslikefreemen，andfightingforourrights。\"
\"Wehavegonetoofar，wecannolongerretraceoursteps，\"saidAndreasHofer，shakinghisheadgently，andliftinghiseyestoheaven。Afterapauseheaddedinaloud，strongvoice:\"Andeventhoughitwereotherwise，eventhroughwestillretraceoursteps，I
shouldnotconsenttoit。IshallneverrepentofhavingraisedmyvoiceinbehalfoftheTyrolandtheemperor;norhaveIlostmycourage，asyouseemtothink，brotherSieberer。Iknowfullwellthatweoweittoourgoodemperorandthefatherlandtodefendittothelastbreath，andIdonottrembleformyself。Ihavededicatedmylifetothedearfatherland;Ihavetakenleaveofmywifeandmychildren，andbelongnowonlytotheTyrolandtheemperor。Ifmybloodweresufficienttodeliverourcountry，I
shouldjoyouslyandwithagratefulprayerthrowmyselfdownfromthispeakandshattermybones;anddying，IshouldthankGodforvouchsafingsuchanhonortome，andallowingmetopurchasethelibertyofthecountrywithmyblood。ButIambutapoorandhumbleservantandsoldieroftheLord，andmybloodwillnotbesufficient;butmanywillhavetospilltheirsanddie，thattherestmaybefreeandbelongagaintoourdearemperor。Andthisisthereasonwhy，oncontemplatingthebravemenandcourageousladswhohavefollowedmycall，Ifeelpity，andaskmyselfagainandagain，HadIarighttocallthemawayfromtheirhomes，theirwivesandchildren，andleadthem，perhaps，intothejawsofdeath？WillnottheLordcursemeforpreachinginsurrectionandwarinsteadofsubmissivenessandhumility？\"
\"Well，youareapiousman，Andy，\"saidSieberer，withareproachfulglance，\"andyetyouhaveforgottenwhatourRedeemersaidtothePharisees。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean，Anthony？Tellme，ifitwillcomfortme。\"
\"Hesaid，`RenderuntoCaesarthethingswhichareCaesar\'s，anduntoGodthethingsthatareGod\'s。\'Now，IthinkthatourTyrolistheemperor\'s，andthattheBavariansandFrenchhavenothingtodowithit，buthavemerelystolenitfromtheemperor。Therefore，weactonlyinaccordancewiththepreceptsofourLordJesusChrist，ifwestakeourlivesandfortunestorestoretotheemperorthatwhichistheemperor\'s。AndIthink，too，thatthechurchesandconventsarethehousesoftheLordandbelongtoHimalone。Now，theBavarianshavestolenthehousesoftheLordintheTyrol，andhaveignominiouslydrivenoutHisservants。HenceweactagaininaccordancewiththepreceptsofourLordJesusChrist，ifwestakeourlivesandfortunestorestoretoGodthatwhichisGod\'s;andif，indoingso，weshouldallloseourlives，weshoulddieintheholyserviceofGodandtheemperor！\"
\"Youareright，brotherSieberer，\"exclaimedHofer，joyfully，\"andI
thankyouforcomfortingandstrengtheningmyheart。Yes，weareintheserviceofGod，ouremperor，andthebelovedTyrol。\"
\"AndGodandtheemperorhaveimposedonAndreasHoferthedutyofactingatthesametimeasprophetoftheLordandascaptainoftheemperor。Go，then，Andreas，anddoyourduty！\"saidSieberer，solemnly。
\"Ishalldomydutybravelyandfaithfullytothelast！\"exclaimedHofer，enthusiastically。Thenheraisedthesmallcrucifixfromhisbreast，kisseditdevoutly，andprayedinalowvoice。
AsarcasticsmileoverspreadAnthonySieberer\'sface，butitdisappearedquicklywhenhehappenedtoturnhiseyestotheneighboringmountains。Helookedkeenlyandsearchinglytowardthemountain—pathleadingtoMittewald。Hesawthereasmallblackspeckwhichwasadvancingwithgreatrapidity。Wasitabird？No，thespeckhadalreadybecomelarger;hesawitwasahumanbeing——awomanspeedingalongthemountain—path。Nowshewassoclosetothemthathecoulddistinguishherface;itwasthatofayounggirl;hercheeksflushed，hereyesradiant;boldandintrepidasachamois，shehastenedforward;herlong，blacktresseswerewavingroundherhead，andherbosomheavedviolentlyunderthefoldsofherwhitecorset。
Now，shestoodstillforamoment，andseemedtolisten;thenshebentfarovertheprecipice，onthebrinkofwhichshewasstanding，andbelowwhichtheTyrolesewereencamped。Nosoonerhadsheperceivedthemthansheutteredaloudcryofexultation，andboundingforward，sheexclaimedjoyously:\"TherearethemenofthePasseyrvalley！NowIshallfindtheirleader，AndreasHofer，too！——
AndreasHoferwhereareyou，AndreasHofer？\"
\"HereIam！\"shoutedAndreasHofer，startingupfromhisferventprayer，andadvancingafewsteps。
Theyounggirlgaveastartondiscoveringthetwomen，whohadhithertobeenconcealedfromherbyalargerock;butshelookedatthemsearchingly，anddidnotseemtobefrightenedoranxious。
\"AreyoureallyAndreasHofer\"sheasked，breathlessly。
\"AskhimifIam，\"saidHofer，smilingandpointingtoSieberer。
\"Thatisunnecessary，\"sherepliedcalmly;\"IseethatyouareAndreasHofer。Youlookpreciselyasmyfatherdescribedyoutome。
Thereisthelongbeard，thecrucifix，thesaint\'simageonyourbreast;andtherearethekindeyes，andthewholedearface。Godblessyou，AndreasHofer！Ibringyoumanycordialgreetingsfrommyfather，AnthonyWallner—Aichberger。\"
\"Godblessyou，maiden，\"exclaimedAndreasHofer，holdingoutbothhishandstoher。Elizatookthem，bentoverHofer\'srighthand，andimprintedaglowingkissonit。
\"Girl，whatareyoudoing？\"askedHofer，blushingwithconfusion。
\"IkissthedearhandwhichtheLordhaschosentodelivertheTyrol，\"shesaid;\"thedearhandwhichholdstherosarysopiouslyandtheswordsobravely;thehandintowhichmyfatherlaidhishand，asifonanaltar，whenhesworetoGodthathewouldassistindeliveringtheTyrolfromtheenemyandrestoringittotheemperor。\"\"Lookatthisgirl，Sieberer;howwellsheknowshowtoflatterme，\"exclaimedAndreas，smilinglypattingherflushedcheek。