\"Andyousayyourfathersentyoutome？\"
\"Yes，hedid，AndreasHofer。Iranalldayyesterday;andthismorningIrosewiththesunandcontinuedmytripinordertoreachyouassoonaspossible，anddelivermyfather\'smessagetoyou。\"
\"Youmustbetired，poorlittlegirl！\"saidHofer，compassionately。
\"Sitdownontherockyonder。There！Andnowspeak！\"
\"Inthefirstplace，AnthonyWallnersendsgreeting，andinformsyouthathehaskepthiswordfaithfully。ThewholePustervalleyhasalreadyrisenininsurrection;allthemenfollowedhim，andwerereadyandeagertofightfortheTyrolandthedearEmperorFrancis。
WehavefoughtalreadyabloodybattleatthebridgeofSt。
Lawrence，andanotheratthebridgeofLaditch。ManysoldiersoftheenemywerekilledinthegapofBrixen，andmanyFrenchandBavariansfellatthebridgeofLaditch;butwealsolostagreatmanymenthere。Ourmenfoughtbravely，butthereweretoomanyoftheBavariansandFrench，andsotheyfinallysucceededinbreakingthroughourranksandcontinuedtheirmarchtowardSterzing。Hence，myfathersentmetoyouinthegreatesthastetoinformyouofwhathasoccurred，andtellyoutobeonyourguard。ThereareseveralthousandBavariansandFrenchonthemarchtoSterzing。Itistrue，ourmenhaveoccupiedtheMuhlbachpass;buttheenemyistoostrong，ourmenwillnotbeabletoannihilatehimentirely。\"
\"Thenhewillcomehither，\"exclaimedAndreasHofer。
\"Yes，andweshallhaveafightatlength，\"saidAnthonySieberer，joyously。\"Iamgladthatourmenwillatlengthbefacetofacewiththeenemyandseebloodshed。\"
\"AndtheAustriansarenotcomingyet，\"sighedAndreasHofer。
\"Yes！theyare！\"exclaimedEliza。\"AnthonyWallnerinstructedmetotellyouthattoo。SeveralhundredAustriansjoinedusalreadyatthebridgeofLaditch。Itwastheiradvancedguard，andtheysaidthatalltheotherswouldfollowthemsoon。\"
\"ItisGeneralHillerwiththetroopsmovingupfromSalzburg，\"saidHofer。\"ButwhereareChastelerandHormayr，whoweretojoinusfromCarinthia？Ithinktheyaretarryingtoolong。\"
\"ButtheBavariansdonottarry，\"saidEliza，\"andtheyaresavageandcruelmen。IdidnotenterthetownofSterzing，butthepeopleontheroadtoldmehowtheBavarianskilled，burned，andplunderedthereyesterday;andthosewhotoldmecriedwithrageandgrief。
Thewholetownisininsurrection;allhavearmedfortheEmperorFrancis，andwilldieratherthanlongerobeytheBavariansandFrench。MajorvonBaerenklau，thecommanderoftheBavariansinSterzing，finallygotfrightened;andonbeinginformedthatAndreasHofermovingagainsthimononesidewiththemenofthePasseyrvalley，andthatAnthonyWallnerwiththemenofthePustervalley，ontheotherside，hadoccupiedthebridgeofLaditch，hedeemeditprudenttoevacuateSterzingandawaitourmenintheopenplain。I
sawhistroopsmarchingthroughthevalleywhileIwaswalkingontheheights;andIthinkitwillnotbelonguntilwecanseethembelowintheplain。\"
\"See，theretheyarealready！\"exclaimedAnthonySieberer，who，whileElizawasspeaking，hadspiedwithhiskeeneyesfarintotheplaincalledtheSterzingerMoos。
Infact，alarge，motleymasswastobeseenmovingupinthedistanceyonder;yes，theywereBavariansoldiers，andtheyweredrawingnearerandnearer。
\"Hurrah！theBavariansarecoming，thestrugglebegins，\"exclaimedAnthonySieberer，joyously;andtheTyroleseencampedbelowechoedhisshoutwithloudexultation:\"TheBavariansarecoming！Thestrugglebegins！\"
\"Thestrugglebegins，\"saidHofer，\"andGodgrant，inHismercy，thatnottoomuchbloodmaybeshed，andthatwemaybevictorious！
Come，deargirl，Iwilltakeyouundermyprotection，foryoucannotimmediatelysetoutforhome，butmuststayherewithme。Ishallseetoitthatnoharmbefallsyou，and，whilewearefighting，wewilltrytofindacaveornookintherockswherewemayconcealyou。\"
\"Idonotwanttoconcealmyself，AndreasHofer，\"saidEliza，proudly。\"Thepriestsandwomenhavelikewisetoperformtheirpartsinwar—times:theymustcarrythewoundedoutoftherangeoftheenemy\'sbulletsanddresstheirwounds;theymustpraywiththedying，andnursethosewhoselivesarespared。\"
\"YouareabravedaughteroftheTyrol;Iliketolistentoyoursoul—stirringwords，\"exclaimedAndreasHofer。\"Nowcome，wewillspeakwithourmen。\"
HegraspedEliza\'shand，beckonedtohisadjutantSieberer，anddescendedwiththemthepathtowardtheTyrolese。
Theywerenolongerreposing，butallhadrisenandwerelookingwithraptattentioninthedirectionoftheenemy。OnbeholdingHofer，theyburstintoloudcheers，andaskedhimenthusiasticallytoleadthemagainsttheenemy。
\"Letusascertainfirstwhereheisgoing，andwhathisintentionsare，\"saidHofer，thoughtfully。\"Perhapshedoesnotknowthatwearehere，andintendstocontinuehismarch。Inthatcasewewilllethimpassus，followhim，andattackhimonlyafterhehasenteredtheMuhlbachpass。\"
\"No，hedoesnotintendtocontinuehismarch，\"exclaimedSieberer。
\"Look，hetakespositionintheplainandformsinsquaresashehaslearnedtodofromBonaparte。Oh，brethren，letusattackhimnow。
Neverfear。Iknowsuchsquares，for，in1805，Ioftenattackedthemwithourmen，andwebrokethem。Forward，then，myfriends，forward！
NowletusfightforGodandouremperor！\"
\"ForGodandouremperor！\"shoutedtheTyrolese;andallseizedtheirarmsandpreparedforthestruggle。
\"Holdon！\"criedHofer，inapowerfulvoice。\"Asyouhaveelectedmecommander，youmustbeobedienttomeandcomplywithmyorders。\"
\"Wewill，wewill！\"shoutedtheTyrolese。\"Justtellus，commander，whatwearetodo，andweshallobey。\"
\"Youshallnotdescendintotheplain，norattacktheenemyonallsides。Foryousee，thesquaresarereadytoshootinalldirections，andifyouattackthemonallsidesintheopenplain，youwillbeexposedtotheirmostdestructivefire;moreover，astheyarebyfarbetterarmedthanwe，andhavecannon，manyofourmenwouldbeuselesslysacrificedinsuchanattack。\"
\"Whatthecommandersaysistrue，\"growledtheTyrolese。\"Itisbyfarbetterforustoattacktheenemyfromacoveredposition，andhaveourrearprotectedbythemountains。\"
\"AndIwillshowyounowsuchacoveredpositionfromwhichyouaretoattacktheenemy，\"saidAndreasHofer，withimpressivecalmness。
\"Lookthere，totheleft。Doyouseetheravineleadingintothemountainsyonder？Well，wewillnowascendthemountain—pathrapidly，descendintotheravine，andthencerushupontheenemy。\"
\"Yes，yes，thatisright！Wewilldoso。AndreasHoferisagoodcaptain！\"saidtheTyrolesetoeachother。
Hoferwavedhishandimperativelytowardthem。\"Nowkeepveryquiet，\"hesaid，\"thatwemaynotattracttheattentionoftheenemyprematurely，andtherebycausehimtooccupytheravinebeforewehavereachedit。Forward，then，quicklythroughtheforest，andthendescendnoiselesslyintothevalley。Butbeforesettingout，wewillpraytworosaries。Ifwelongforsuccessinbattle，wemustinvokeGod\'sassistance。\"
Hetookhisrosaryandprayed;andtheTyrolesebenttheirheadsdevoutly，andprayedliketheircommander。Thentheyglidedquicklyandnoiselesslythroughthethickforest，headedbyAndreasHofer，wholedElizaWallnerwithtendersolicitudebythehand。Atlengththeyreachedthegorge，andAndreasHoferwasjustaboutenteringitwiththeothers，whenAnthonySieberer，JacobEisenstocken，andafewotherprominentTyrolese，steppedtohimandkepthimbackwithtenderviolence。
\"Ageneraldoesnotaccompanyhissoldiersintothethickestofthefight，\"saidEisenstocken。\"Thatisnothisprovince。Hehastodirectthebattlewithhishead，butnottofightitoutwithhisarm。\"
\"ButbearinmindthatBonapartedoesnotleavehissoldierseveninbattle，\"saidAndreasHofer，tryingtopushthemasideandadvance。
\"No，dearestcommander，\"exclaimedAnthonySieberer，\"youmustnotgodownwiththemen。Thinkofit，whatwouldbecomeofusandourcauseifanaccidentbefellourcommanderandabulletshatteredhisbelovedhead！Ourfriendsandsharpshooterswouldfeelasthoughthatbullethadshatteredalltheirbeads;theywouldbediscouragedandgiveupourcauseaslost。No，no，AndreasHofer，youoweittoyourfatherland，youremperor，andyourTyrolese，nottoexposeyourselftotoogreatdangers;foryourlifeisnecessarytous，andyouarethestandardwhichtheTyrolesearefollowing。Ifourstandardsinkstotheground，ourTyrolesewillbepanic—strickenandrunaway。Consequentlyyoumustnotgointobattle，eitherto—
dayoratanytimehereafter。\"\"Youareright，Iseeit，\"saidHofer，mournfully。\"Theywouldbethunderstruckifabulletshouldhittheircommander;henceIsubmit，andshallstayhere。Youwillstaywithme，LizzieWallner，andEnnemoser，mysecretary，shalldosotoo。Nowgo，allofyou，andGodgrantthatwemayallmeetagain。Ishallstayatthisveryspot，andhewhowantstoseememustcomehither。IcansurveyfromherethewholeplainoftheSterzingerMoos。Now，mydearfriendsandbrethren，\"heshoutedinaloud，ringingvoice，\"forGod，thefatherland，andyouremperor！\"
\"ForGod，thefatherland，andouremperor！\"shoutedtheTyrolese，rushingdownthemountain—pathintotheravinewhencetheyweretoattacktheenemy。
ButtheBavarianshadbeenontheirguard，andtheircommander，ColonelBaerenklau，diviningthetacticsoftheTyrolese，hadorderedhistwogunstobepointedagainsttheravine。
Nowthefirstshotsthunderedfromtheirmouths，andvolleysofmusketryweredischargedfromallthesquaresatthesametime，attheadvancingcolumnoftheTyrolese。TheTyrolese，notpreparedforsosuddenandviolentanattack，dismayedatthehavocproducedintheirranksbytheballsandbulletsoftheBavarians，gavewayandranoverthecorpsesoftheirbrethrenbacktotheravine。Buttherestoodthecrowdofwomenwhohadaccompaniedthecolumn，whohadhastenedupfromSterzing，andthewholeneighborhood，andhadadvancedwiththeTyroleseoutoftheravinealmostclosetothesquaresoftheenemy。Theyreceivedthefugitiveswithinvectivesandangryglances;theystrovetokindletheircourage;theywentandbeggedthemwithclaspedhandsandtearfuleyesnottodesertthecauseofthefatherland，becomediscouragedinsodisgracefulamannerintheveryfirstbattle，andtherebymakethemselvesthelaughing—stockofthehatefulBavariansandFrench。
Andthemenlistenedtothesevoices;theydrankcouragefromthewinewhichthewomenhandedtothem，andrushedforwardasecondtime。TheirriflescrashedandmoweddownthefrontranksoftheBavarians，butbehindthecorpsesstoodtherearranks，andtheirvolleysrespondedtotheTyrolese，andthecannonthunderedacrosstheplainreekingwithgoreandpowder。
TheTyrolesegavewayasecondtime，forthemurderousfireoftheBavariansfilledthemwithstuporanddismay\"Inthismannerweshallnevergainavictory，andourmenwillbeuselesslyslaughtered，\"saidAndreasHofer，whowaswatchingthestrugglewithbreathlesssuspense。\"Butwemustnotincurthedisgraceoflosingthefirstbattle，forthatwoulddiscourageourmenforalltimetocome。Come，Ennemoser，rundowntothemandtellthemtotryathirdtime。Iftheydonot，AndreasHoferwillrushailaloneupontheenemyandwaitforabullettoshatterhishead。\"
YoungEnnemoser，thesecretary，speddowntheravine;Hoferpressedhiscrucifixtohislipsandprayed;ElizaWallneradvancedclosetotheedgeoftheprecipice，andpeereddownintotheplain。Hereyesfilledwithtearswhensheperceivedthemanycorpsespileduponbothsidesoftheravine，butthesquaresoftheenemylikewisehadbeenconsiderablythinned，anddeathhadmadefearfulhavocintheirranks。
\"AndreasHofer，\"shecried，exultingly，\"yourmessagewassuccessful。Ourmenarerushingforward。Doyounotheartheircheers？\"
\"Ido，andmaythegoodGodgrantthemsuccess！\"sighedAndreasHofersteppingcloseuptoEliza。
TheysawtheTyroleseemergingagainatthedouble—quickfromtheravine，andrushingupontheenemy，whoreceivedthemwithvolleysofmusketryandartillery—fire。But，alas！theysawtheTyrolesegivewayagainandretreat，thoughmoreslowlythanbefore，totheravine。
\"Thiswillneverdo，\"criedHofer，despairingly。\"Ourmenareslaughteredinthisway，andcannotreachtheenemy，whosecannonaremowingthemdownlikescythes。OGod，showtheawaytohelpourmen！\"
Hiseyesglanceddespairinglyovertheplain，asifsearchingforrelief。Allatonceabrightflashofjoylituphisfeatures。
\"Ihavefoundaway！IthankThee，myGod！\"heexclaimed，aloud。
\"See，Lizzie，lookthere！Whatdoyouseeintheplainyonderbehindtheravine？\"
\"Iseetherefourlargewagonstilledwithhay，\"saidLizzie;\"yes，fourwagonsfilledwithhay，nothingelse。\"
\"Andthesewagonsfilledwithhaywillsaveus。Theymustbedriventowardtheravinedirectlytowardtheenemy;oursharpshooterswillconcealthemselvesbehindthem，andwillsafelyadvance;andwhencloseenoughtotheenemy，theywilldischargetheirrifles，andfirstpickoffthegunners，inordertosilencethegunswhichhavemadesuchhavocamongourmen。Come，Lizzie，wewillgodowntoSiebererandtheothercaptains，andgivethemmyorders。Ihopetherewillbefourladsintrepidenoughtodrivethehay—wagonstowardtheenemy。\"
\"Therewillbe！\"exclaimedEliza，enthusiastically。
\"Itisonlynecessaryforonetoriskhislife，anddrivethefirstwagon。Theotherwagonswillbecoveredbythefirst。Butthedriverofthefirstwagonwilldoubtlessbekilled，andIshallberesponsibleforhisdeath。\"
\"Hewilldieforthefatherland，\"exclaimedEliza。\"Go，AndreasHofer，descendandtellourmenwhatistobedone，foritishightuneforthehay—wagonstocomeupandcoverourmen。\"
\"Come，letusgo，Lizzie;givemeyourhand。\"
\"No，leadtheway;Iwillfollowyouimmediately。\"
CHAPTERXVII。
THEHAY—WAGONS。
AndreasHoferhadalreadydescendedhalfthemountain—pathwitharapidstep，andhedidnotoncelookbehindhim，forhewassurethatWallner\'sdaughterwasfollowinghim，andhekepthiseyessteadfastlyfixedonhisfriendsandbrethren。
ButElizadidnotfollowhim。Shelookedafterhimuntilthedenseshrubberybelowconcealedherfromhiseyes;thenshekneltdown，and，liftingbothherhandstoheaven，exclaimed，inaloud，beseechingvoice:\"HolyVirgin，protectme！Grant。successtomyenterpriseforthebelovedfatherland！\"
Shethenjumpedup，and，quickasachamois，scarcelywithherfeet，shehastenedtowardthepointwherethehay—wagonswerestanding。
Meanwhile，AndreasHoferhaddescendedintotheravinewhenceconstantlynewcrowdsofTyrolesewererushingforward，althoughtheyweredrivenbackagainandagainbythemurderousfireoftheenemy。OnbeholdingHofer\'serectandimposingform，andhisfinehead，withthesplendidlongbeard，theTyroleseburstintoloudcheers，andhispresenceseemedtoinspirethemwithfreshcourage。
Theyadvancedwiththemostintrepidimpetuosity。AndreasHofercalledthebravecaptainsofhissharpshooterstohisside，andcommunicatedtothembrieflythestratagemhehaddevised。
\"Thatisasplendidandveryshrewdidea，\"saidAnthonySieberer。
\"Thehay—wagonisyourTrojanhorsewithwhich，likeUlysses，youwillconqueryourTroy，\"exclaimedthelearnedEnnemoser，Hofer\'syoungsecretary。
\"IdonotknowwhereTroyissituated，\"saidAndreasHofer，quietly，\"butIknowwheretheSterzingerMooslies，andwhatshouldbedonethere。Fortherest，therearenohorsesbeforethehay—wagons，butoxen，anditisall—importantthatthegunnersshouldnotimmediatelyhitthedriverofthefirstwagon。\"
\"Buthislasthourhassurelycome，andhemayrelyongoingtoparadiseto—day！\"exclaimedEnnemoser。\"Butlook！whatthrongisyonderintheravine，andwhatcausesthewomentoshoutsovociferously？Theirshoutssoundliketriumphantcheers。Andtheladsnowjoinintheacclamationstoo，andallarerushingforwardsoimpetuously。\"
Indeed，thewholemassofmenandwomenassembledintherearoftheravinerushedforwardwithloudshouts，likeasingleimmensewave，surgingwithextraordinaryimpetuosityuptoAndreasHoferandthecaptainsstandingbyhisside。
Allatoncethiswaveparted，andinthemidstofallthiseager，shoutingthrong，whichtookpositiononbothsidesoftheravine，appearedtwoofthosebroad—horned，brown—redoxen，ofabeauty，majesty，andstrengthsuchascanbefoundonlyintheTyrolandinSwitzerland。Behindthesetwooxencamethewagonfilledupwithhay。
Butwhodrovethehay—wagon？Wasitreallythelovelyyounggirlhangingonthebackoftheox——thebeautifulcreaturewhosefacewasradiantwithenthusiasm，whosecheerswereglowinglikethemorningsun，andwhoseeyesflashedlikestars？
Yes，itwasshe——itwasElizaWallner，who，withsublimecourage，hadmountedthebackoftheox，andwhonowwasdrivingforwardwithloudshoutsandlashesofthewhipthetwoanimals，frightenedbythecrowdandtheshotscrashingincessantly。
\"ElizaWallner！\"criedAndreasHofer，withanairofdismay，astheheavily—ladenwagonrolledmorerapidlyforward。
Sheturnedherheadtowardhim，andawondroussmileilluminatedherface。\"Sendgreetingstomydearfather！\"sheexclaimed。\"Sendgreetingstohiminmyname，ifIshoulddie。\"
\"Icannotallowhertodoit——itiscertaindeath！\"criedAndreasHofer，anxiously。\"Letmegoandliftherfromtheox。\"
\"No，no，Andreas，\"saidAnthonySieberer。\"Letherproceed。Theintrepidityofthisyounggirlwillfirethecourageofthelads;
and，fortherest，ifliveshavetobesacrificed，thelifeofagirlisnotworthanymorethanthatofalad。WeareallinGod\'shand。\"
\"MayGodandHisheavenlyhostprotecther！\"saidAndreasHofer，layinghishandontheimageofSt。George，whichadornedhisbreast。
\"Now，boys，\"shoutedAnthonySieberer，\"donotallowthegirltomakeyoublush。Quick，marchbehindthehay—wagon，andwhenyouarecloseenoughtotheenemy，stepforwardandshootdownthegunners。\"
Tenyoungladshastenedforward，amidloudcheers，andtookpositioninpairsbehindthewagon，whichadvancedheavilyandslowly，likeanenormousavalanche。
Therewasabreathlesssilence。Alleyesfollowedthewagon，allheartsthrobbedandaddressedtoheavenprayersinbehalfofthecourageousgirlwhowasdrivingit。
Suddenlyacryofhorrorburstfromalllips。Acannon—ballhadstruckthehay—wagon，whichwasshakingviolentlyfromthetremendousshock。
Butnowaringingcheerwasheardinfrontofthewagon。BythischeerElizaWallnerannouncedtotheTyrolesethattheballhadnothither，andthatshewasuninjured。
Thecannonboomedagain，andEliza\'sringingvoiceannouncedoncemorethattheballshadpenetratedharmlesslyintothecloselycompressedhay。
MeanwhilethewagonrolledoutfartherandfartherintotheplainoftheSterzingerMoos。Eventheoxenseemedtobeinfectedwiththeheroismoftheirfairdriver，andtrottedmorerapidlytowardtheenemy，whoseballswhistledroundthemwithouthittingthem。
SuddenlyElizastoppedtheircourageoustrot，and，turningbackherhead，sheshouted:\"Forwardnow，boys！DonotbeafraidoftheBavariandumplings。Theydonothitus，andwedonotswallowthemashotastheBavarianssendthemtous！\"
TheyoungsharpshootersconcealedbehindthewagonrepliedtoEliza，amidmerrylaughter:\"No，wearenotafraidoftheBavariandumplings，butwearegoingtopickoffthecooksthatsendthemtous。\"
Andwiththeirriflesliftedtotheircheeks，fivesharpshootersrushedforwardoneithersideoftheirgreenbulwark。BeforetheBavarianshadtimetoaimatthetendaringsharpshooters，thelatterraisedtheirriflesandfired，andthegunnersfelldeadbythesidesoftheirguns。
TheBavariansutteredloudshoutsoffury，andaimedatthesharpshooters;buttheTyrolesehadalreadydisappearedagain，whistlingandcheering，behindthewagon，whichwasstilladvancingtowardtheenemy。
Theotherhay—wagonsnowrolledlikewisefromtheravine。Thefirstofthemwasdrivenbyanotheryounggirl。ImitatingtheheroicexamplesetbyElizaWallner，AnnaGamper，daughterofatailorofSterzing，hadcourageouslymountedthebackofanox，anddroveforwardthewagon，filledwithanenormousquantityofhay。Twentyyoungsharpshooters，encouragedbythesuccessoftheircomrades，followedthissecondwagon。Behindthemcamethethirdandfourthwagons，followedbytwentyorthirtymoresharpshooters，whowerewellprotectedbythebroadbulwarkwhichthewagonsformedinfrontofthem。
Thegunnershadfallen;hencethecannonnolongerthunderedorcarrieddestructionanddeathintotheranksoftheTyrolese;onlythemusketryoftheBavarianswasstillrattling，buttheyonlyhitthehay，andnotthebravegirlsdrivingthe，oxen，northesharpshooters，who，concealedbehindthehay，rushedfromtheircovertwhenevertheenemyhadfiredavolley，raisedtheirriflestriumphantly，andstruckdownaBavarianateveryshot。
Allfourhay—wagonshadnowdrivenupcloseenough，andtheTyrolese，whowerenearlyonehundredstrong，burstwithcheersfrombehindthem，andrushingforwardinloosearray，butwithdesperateresolution，usingthebutt—endsoftheirrifles，fellwithsavageimpetuosityupontheBavarians，whowerethunderstruckatthisunexpectedandsuddenattack。
Loudcheersalsoresoundedfromtheravine。ThewholeforceoftheTyroleseadvancedatthedouble—quicktoassisttheirbrethreninannihilatingtheenemy。
Aviolentstruggle，afiercehand—to—handfightnowensued。
TheBavarians，overwhelmedbytheterribleonsetofthepeasants，gaveway;thesquaresdissolved;andthesoldiers，asifparalyzedwithterror，hadneithercouragenorstrengthlefttoavoidthefuriousbutt—endblowsofthepeasants。
VainlydidColonelvonBaerenklaustrivetoreformhislines;vainlydidthosewhohadralliedroundhimathiscommand，makeadesperateefforttoforcetheirwaythroughtheranksoftheinfuriatedTyrolese。Thefiercebraveryofthelatterovercameallresistance，andrenderedtheirescapeimpossible。
\"Surrender！\"thunderedAndreasHofertotheBavarians。
\"Laydownyourarms，andsurrenderatdiscretion！\"
AcryofrageburstfromthepalelipsofColonelvonBaerenklau，andhewouldhaverushedupontheimpudentpeasantswhodaredtofastensuchadisgraceuponhim。Buthisownmenkepthimback。
\"Wedonotwanttobeslaughtered，\"theycried，perfectlybesidethemselveswithterror;\"wewillsurrender，wewilllaydownourarms！\"
Adeathlypalloroverspreadthecheeksoftheunfortunateofficer。
\"Doso，then，\"hecried。\"Surrenderyourselvesandmetoutterdishonor！Iamnolongerabletorestrainyoufromit。\"
Andwithasighresemblingthegroanofadyingman，ColonelvonBaerenklaufaintedaway，exhaustedbytheterribleexertionandthelossofbloodwhichwasrushingfromagunshotwoundonhisneck。
\"Wesurrender！Wearereadytolaydownourarms！\"shoutedtheBavarianstotheTyrolese，whowerestillthinningtheirranksbythedeadlyfireoftheirriflesandtheirterriblebutt—endblows。
\"Verywell，laydownyourarms，\"criedAndrewsHofer，inapowerfulvoice。\"Stop，Tyrolese！Iftheysurrender，nobodyshallhurtahairoftheirheads，forthentheyarenolongerourenemies，butourbrethren。——Laydownyourarms，Bavarians！\"
TheTyrolese，obedienttotheordersoftheircommander，stoppedthefuriousslaughter，andgazedwithgloomyeyesattheirhatedenemies。
Therewasamomentofbreathlesssilence，andthentheBavarianofficerswereheardtocommandintremulousvoices，\"Laydownyourarms！\"
Andtheirmenobeyedreadily。Threehundredandeightysoldiers，andnineofficers，laiddowntheirarmshereontheplainoftheSterzingerMoos，andsurrenderedatdiscretiontotheTyrolese。
[Footnote:\"GalleryofHeroes:AndrewsHofer，\"p。3l。]
Onseeingthis，theTyroleseburstintoloudcheers，andAndreasHoferliftedhisbeamingeyestoheaven。\"IthankThee，LordGod，\"
hesaid;\"withThyassistancewehaveachievedavictory。Itisthefirstlove—offeringwhichwepresenttofatherlandandourEmperorFrancis。\"
\"LonglivetheTyrolandourEmperorFrancis！\"shoutedtheTyrolese，enthusiastically。
TheBavariansstoodsilent，withdowncasteyesandpalefaces，whiletheactiveTyroleseladshastilycollectedthearmstheybadlaiddownandplacedthemononeofthewagons，fromwhichtheyhadquicklyremovedthehay。
\"Whatistobedonewithourprisoners，theBavarians？\"saidAnthonySieberertoAndreasHofer。\"Wecannottakethemwithus。\"
\"No，wecannot，norwilltheenemygiveustimefordoingso，\"
repliedHofer。\"AnthonyWallnerhasinformedmethatastrongcorpsofBavariansandFrenchisapproachinginthedirectionoftheMuhlbacherKlause。Theymustnotmeetushereontheplain，forafightundersuchcircumstanceswouldmanifestlybetoourdisadvantage。Theywouldbeagreatdealstrongerherethanwe。Butinthemountainsweareabletoovercomethem。TheyarethefortresseswhichthegoodGodbuiltforourcountry;andwhentheenemypasses，weshallattackanddefeathim。\"
\"Andshallwetaketheprisonerswithusintothemountains，commander？\"
\"No，wewillnot，forwecannotguardthemwellupthere，andtheywouldescape。Wewillnottaketheprisonerswithus，butconveythemtotheBaronessvonSternbergatCastleSteinach。Sheisardentlydevotedtoourcause，andlovestheTyrolandtheemperor。
Shewilltakecareoftheprisoners，andtheywillbeunabletoescapefromthelargetower，theWolfsthurm，onthecrestyonder，whichyoucanseefromhere。\"
\"ButwhoistoconveytheprisonerstoCastleSteinach？Arewealltomarchthitheranddeliverthembeforeadvancingfarther？\"
\"No，no，AnthonySieberer;wehavenottimeforthat。Wemustburythecorpsesherequickly，andremoveeverytraceofthecontest，inorderthattheFrench，onarrivinghere，maynotdiscoverwhathasoccured，andthatwearecloseby。OnlythirtyofourmenshallescorttheprisonerstoCastleSteinach。\"
\"Onlythirty，commander？Willthatbesufficientforthreehundredandeightyprisoners？Iftheyshouldattackourmenontheroad，theywouldbeatthem，fortheywouldbetwelvetoone。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"saidAndreasHoferinconfusion;\"whatarewetodotogetastrongerescortfortheprisoners？\"
Hestrokedhisbeardnervously，aswashiswontinmomentsofgreatexcitement，andheglanceduneasily，nowhere，nowthere。Allatonceasmileilluminatedhisface。
\"Ihavegotit，\"hesaidmerrily。\"Lookthere，Sieberer，lookthere。
Whatdoyouseethere？\"
\"Thewomenwhohaveaccompaniedus，andwhoarekissingElizaWallnerandAnnaGamperfortheirheroicconduct。\"
\"ThewomenshallhelpourthirtysharpshooterstoescorttheprisonerstoCastleSteinach。Ourwomenhavebraveheartsandstrongarms，andtheyknowhowtousetherifleforthefatherlandandtheemperor。Letthem，then，takesomeofthearmswhichwehaveconquered，and，jointlywiththirtyofourmen，escorttheprisonerstothegoodBaronessvonSternberg。Oh，LizzieWallner，LizzieWallner！\"
\"HereIam，commander，\"criedEliza，hasteningtoAndreasHoferwithflushedcheeksandbeamingeyes。
Hepattedhercheekssmilingly。\"Youareabrave，noblegirl，\"hesaid，\"andnoneofuswilleverforgetwhatyouhavedoneto—day;
andthewholeTyrolshalllearnwhatasplendidandintrepidgirlyouare。ButIwishtoconferaspecialrewardonyou，Lizzie;I
wishtoappointyoucaptainofacompany，andyourcompanyistoconsistofallthosewomen。\"
\"Andwhatdoesthecommander—in—chiefordermetodowithmycompanyofwomen？\"askedElizaWallner。
\"CaptainLizzie，youaretoescortwithyourcompanyandthirtyTyrolesesharpshootersthethreehundredandeightyBavarianstoCastleSteinach。Yourarmsyouwilltakefromthewagonyonder，whichCaptainLizziedrovesoheroicallytowardtheenemy。WillyouundertaketoescorttheprisonerssafelytoSteinach？\"
\"Iwill，commander。ButafterthatIshouldliketoreturntomyfather。Hemustbeuneasyaboutmebythistime，acidhewouldlikealsotoknowhowtheTyrolesehavesucceededonthisside。Oh！hewillbeexceedinglygladwhenIbringhimgreetingsfromhisbelovedAndreasHofer。\"
\"Go，then，mydearchild，\"saidAndreasHofer，noddingtohertenderly，andlayinghishandonherbeautifulhead。
\"Go，withGod\'sblessing，andgreetyourfatherinmyname。TellhimthatGodandtheHolyVirginarewithusandhaveblessedourcause;
thereforewewillneverdespond，butalwaysfightbravelyandcheerfullyforourlibertyandourdearemperor。Go，Lizzie;escorttheprisonerstoSteinach，andthenreturntoyourfather。\"