Stadionunfoldedtheletterandread:
\"ColonelSteigenteschwillreturnfromhismissionwithoutaccomplishinganything。PrussiaandAustriaarerivalsinGermany，andwillneverjoinhandsinacommonundertaking。AustriacanneverforgivePrussiafortakingSilesiafromher，andPrussiawillalwayssecretlysuspectthatAustriaisintentuponweakeningherrisingpowerandhumblingherambition。Hence，Prussiawillhesitateandtemporizeevenatthisjuncture，althoughitisall—importantnowforGermanytotakeaboldstandagainsthercommonenemy，rapaciousandinsatiableFrance;shewillhesitatebecauseshesecretlywishesthatAustriashouldbehumiliated;andshewillnotbearinmindthattheweakeningofAustriaisfraughtwithdangerforPrussia，nay，thewholeofGermany。\"
\"Now。gentlemen，\"saidtheemperor，whenCountStadionwasthrough，\"youseethatmyopinionwasright，andthatIwellknewwhatIhadtoexpectfromPrussia。WemustnowcarryonthestruggleagainstFrancesingle—handed;but，afterdealingheranotherblow，forwhichtheKingofPrussialongs，weshalltakegoodcarenottoinvitePrussiatoourvictoriousrepast。ItwouldbejustinuseventocompelhertogiveusthesweetmorselofSilesiaforourdessert。
Well，weshallseewhattimewillbringabout。OurfirstblowagainstFrancewassuccessful。——Archduke，goandhelpustosucceedindealingheranother;and，afterdefeatingFrancesingle—handed，weshallalsobemastersofGermany。\"
CHAPTERXXVII。
THEBATTLEOFWAGRAM。
\"Atlength！\"exclaimedtheArchdukeJohn，joyously，holdinguptheletterwhichacourierofthegeneralissimohadjustbroughthimfromtheheadquartersofWagram。\"Atlengthadecisiveblowistobestruck。——CountNugent，GeneralFrimont，comeinhere！Acourierfromthegeneralissimo！\"
Sosaying，thearchdukehadopenedthedoorofhiscabinet，andcalledthegentlemenwhowereintheanteroom。
\"Acourierfromthegeneralissimo，\"herepeatedoncemore，whenthetwogeneralscamein。
\"Yourhighness\'swishisfulfillednow，isitnot？\"askedNugent。
\"Thegeneralissimoacceptstheassistancewhichyouofferedtohim。
HepermitsyoutoleavethispositionwithyourtroopsandthoseoftheArchdukePalatineandre—enforcehisownarmy？\"
\"No，hedoesnotreplytomyoffer。ItseemsthegeneralissimothinksthathedoesnotneedustobeattheFrench。Buthewritestomethatheisabouttoadvancewithhiswholearmy，andthatadecisivebattlemaybelookedfor。HesaystheenemyisstillontheislandofLobau，busilyengagedinerectingaTETE—DE—PONT，andbuildingabridgeacrosstheDanube。\"
\"Andourtroopsdonottrytopreventthisbyallmeans！\"criedGeneralFrimont，vehemently。\"Theyallowtheenemytobuildbridges？
Theylookonquietlywhiletheenemyispreparingtoleavetheisland，anddonotpreventhimfromsodoing？\"
\"Myfriend，\"saidthearchduke，gently，\"letusneverforgetthatitdoesnotbehooveustocriticisetheactionsofthegeneralissimo，andthatoursoledutyistoobey。DoasIdo;letusbesilentandsubmit。Butletusrejoicethatsomethingwillbedoneatlength。
Justbearinmindhowlongthisinactivityandsuspensehavelastedalready。ThebattleofAspernwasfoughtonthe22dofMay，to—dayisthe3dofJuly;andinthemeantimenothinghasbeendone。TheenemyremainedquietlyontheislandofLobau，nursinghiswounded，reorganizinghistroops，erectingTETES—DE—PONT，andbuildingbridges;andthegeneralissimostoodwithhiswholearmyonthebankoftheDanube，andtookgreatpainstowatchinidlenessthebusyenemy。LetusthankGod，therefore，thatatlasttheenemyistiredofthissituation，thatheatlengthtakestheinitiativeagain，andbringsaboutadecision。Thegeneralissimoinformsmethattheenemy\'sartillerydislodgedouroutpostsyesterday，andthatsomeFrenchinfantrycrossedovertotheMuhlau。Thegeneralissimo，asI
toldyoubefore，advancedwithhistroops，andhopesforadecisivebattlewithinafewdays。\"
\"Andyetthegeneralissimodoesnotaccepttheassistancewhichyourimperialhighnessofferedtohim？\"askedCountNugent，shakinghishead。
\"No，hedoesnot。Thegeneralissimoordersme，onthecontrary，tostayhereatPresburgandoperateinsuchamanneragainstthecorpsstationedhere，thatitmaynotbeabletojoinNapoleon\'smainarmy。Well，then，gentlemen，letuscomplywiththisorder，andperformatleastourhumblepartofthegeneralissimo\'sgrandplan。
Letushelphimtogainavictory，forthevictorywillbeusefultothefatherland。Wewill，therefore，formapontoon—bridgeto—day，andmakeasortiefromtheTETE—DE—PONT。You，GeneralFrimont，willorderupthebatteriesfromComorn。You，GeneralNugent，willinformtheArchdukePalatineofthegeneralissimo\'sorders。WritehimalsothatitispositivethattheenemyismovingallhistroopstoVienna，andthatallhiscolumnsarealreadyonthemarchthither。
Tellhimthatitisall—importantforustodetainhim，andthatI，therefore，haveresolvedtomakeasortiefromtheTETE—DE—PONT，andrequesttheArchdukePalatinetoco—operatewithmeontherightbankoftheDanube。Letusgotowork，gentlemen，towork！Wehavenotimetolose。Theorderistokeeptheenemyherebyallmeans;
letusstrivetodoit！\"
Andtheywenttoworkwithjoyouszealanduntiringenergy;allnecessarydispositionsweremadeforformingapontoon—bridge，andpreventingtheenemyfromjoiningNapoleon\'smainarmy。TheArchdukeJohnsuperintendedeverythinginperson;hewaspresentwhereverdifficultiesweretobesurmounted，orobstaclestoberemoved。Inhisardentzeal，hedidnothesitatetotakepartinthetoilsofhismen，andthesoldierscheeredenthusiasticallyonseeinghimworksohardinthemidstoftheirranks。
Earlyinthemorningofthe5thofJulythebridgewascompleted，theTETE—DE—PONTwasfullyarmed，andeverythingwasinreadinessforthesortie。TheArchduke，whohadnotsleptallthenightlong，wasjustreturningfromaninspectionofthepreparations，whenacouriergallopeduptohiminthemiddleofthebridge。Onbeholdingthearchduke，hejumpedfromhishorse，andhandedhim，pantingandintremblinghaste，aletterfromthegeneralissimo。
\"Youhaveriddenveryrapidly？Youwereinstructedthentomakegreathaste？\"askedJohn。
\"IrodehitherfromWagramintenhours，yourimperialhighness，\"
saidthecourier，breathlessly;\"Iwasinstructedtorideasrapidlyaspossible。\"
\"Youhavedoneyourdutyfaithfully。Goandrest。\"
Henoddedkindlytothecourier，andrepairedtohishead—quarterstoreadtheletterhehadjustreceivedfromhisbrother。
Thisletterrevokedallorderswhichhadbeensenttohimuptothistime。ThearchdukehadvainlyofferedhiscooperationandthatoftheArchdukePalatinefourdaysago。Atthattimenotevenareplyhadbeenmadetohisoffer;now，atthelastmoment，thegeneralissimocalledimpetuouslyuponhisbrothertohastentohisassistance。HedemandedthattheArchdukeJohnshouldsetoutatonce，leaveonlytroopsenoughtoholdtheTET—DE—PONT，andhastenupwiththeremainderofhisforcestothesceneofaction。
Whenthearchdukerealthisorder，abittersmileplayedroundhislips。\"See，\"hesaid，mournfully，toGeneralFrimont，\"nowIamneededallatonce，anditseemsasifthebattlecannotbegainedwithoutus。Itisall—importantforustoarriveintimeatthepointtowhichwearecalledsolate，perhapstoolate。Ah，whatisthat？Whatdoyoubringtome，Nugent？\"
\"Anothercourierfromthegeneralissimohasarrived;hebroughtthisletter。\"
\"Yousee，muchdeferenceispaidtousallofasudden;wearetreatedashighlyimportantassistants，\"sighedthearchduke。Hethenunfoldedthepaperquicklyandreadit。
\"Thegeneralissimo，\"hesaid，\"informsmenowthathehaschangedhisplan，andwillnotgivebattleonthebankoftheDanube，buttakepositionintherearofWagram。HeinstructsmetomakeaforcedmarchtoMarchegg，advance，afterrestingthereforthreehours，toSiebenbrunn，andtakepositionthere。Verywell，gentlemen，letuscarrythegeneralissimo\'sordersintoeffect。Atoneo\'clockto—night，allmustbeinreadinessforsettingout。Weneedthetimebetweennowandthentoconcentratetheextendedlinesofourtroops。Ifwearereadyatallearlierhour，weshallsetoutatonce。Makehaste;Letthatbethepasswordto—night！\"
Thankstothispassword，allthetroopshadbeenconcentratedbymidnight，andthemarchwasjustabouttobeginwhenanothercourierarrivedfromthegeneralissimo，andinformedthearchdukethattheenemywasadvancing，andthatitwasnowthegeneralissimo\'sintentiontoattackhimandforcehimtogivebattle。TheArchdukeJohnwasorderedtomarchasrapidlyaspossibletoSiebenbrunn，whitherastrongcorpsoftheenemyhadsetout。
TheArchdukeJohnnowadvancedwithhistenthousandmenwiththeutmostrapiditytowardMarchegg。Thetroopswereexhaustedbythetoilsandfatiguesofthelastdays;theyhadnoteatenanythingfortwenty—fourhours;butthearchdukeandhisgeneralsandstaff—
officersalwaysknewhowtostirthemupandinducethemtocontinuetheirmarchwithunflaggingenergy。ThustheyatlengthreachedMarchegg，wheretheyweretorestforthreehours。
ButnosoonerhadtheyarrivedtherethanCountReuss，thegeneralissimo\'saide—de—camp，gallopeduponachargercoveredalloverwithfoam。ThecounthadriddeninsevenhoursfromWagramtoMarcheggforitwasall—importantthatthearchdukeshouldacceleratehismarch。Thebattlewasragingalreadywithgreatfury。
Thegeneralissimowasinurgentneedofthearchduke\'sassistance。
Hence，thelatterwasnottorestwithhistroopsatMarchegg，butcontinuehismarchandadvancewiththeutmostspeedbySiebenbrunntoLoibersdorf。AtSiebenbrunnhewouldfindField—MarshalRosenberg;heshouldthen，jointlywithhim，attacktheenemy。
\"Letussetout，then，forLoibersdorf，\"saidJohn，sighing;\"wewilldoallwecan，andthusavoidbeingchargedwithtardiness。Up，up，mybraves！Thefatherlandcallsus;wemustobeyit！\"
Butthesoldiersobeyedthisorderonlywithlowmurmurs，andmanyremainedatMarchegg，exhaustedtodeath。
Thetroopscontinuedtheirmarchwithrestlessspeed，andmuteresignation。Thearchduke\'sfacewaspale，hisflashingeyeswereconstantlypryingintothedistance，hisbreastwaspanting，hisheartwasfilledwithindescribableanxiety，andheexhortedhistroopsincessantlytoacceleratetheirsteps。Nowtheyheardthedullroarofartilleryatadistance;andthefarthertheyadvanced，thelouderandmoreterrificresoundedthecannon。Thebattle，therefore，wasgoingon，andtheutmostrapiditywasnecessaryontheirpart。Forward，therefore，forward！Atfiveo\'clockintheafternoontheyatlastreachedSiebenbrunn。ButwherewasField—
MarshalRosenberg？Whatdiditmeanthattheroarofartilleryhadalmostentirelydiedaway？Andwhatdreadfulsignssurroundedthehorizononallsides？Tremendouscloudsofsmoke，burningvillageseverywhere，andaddedtothemnowthestillnessofdeath，whichwasevenmorehorribleaftertheboomingofartillerywhichhadshakentheearthuptothistime。WherewasField—MarshalRosenberg？
Anofficergallopedupatfullspeed。ItwasamessengerfromField—
MarshalRosenberg，whoinformedthearchdukethathehadbeenrepulsed，thatallwasover，andthatthedaywasirretrievablylost。
\"IhavebeenorderedtomarchtoLoibersdorf，\"saidthearchduke，resolutely;\"Imustcomplywithmyinstructions。\"
AndhecontinuedhismarchtowardLoibersdorf。PatrolsweresentoutandapproachedWagram。Thefieldswerecoveredwiththedeadandwounded，andthelatterstatedamidmoansandlamentationsthatadreadfulbattlehadbeenfought，andthattheAustrianshadbeendefeated。
Thearchdukelistenedtothesereportswithapalefaceandquiveringlips。Buthewasstillinhopesthathewouldreceiveamessagefromthegeneralissimo;hence，heremainedatLoibersdorfandwaitedfornewsfromhisbrother。Nightcame;profoundstillnessreignedallaround，brokenonlynowandthenbydullreportsofcannonandmusketryfiredatadistance，andtherewasnonewsyetfromthegeneralissimo！
OneofthepatrolsnowbroughtinaFrenchofficerwhohadgotseparatedfromhismen，andwhomtheAustrianshadtakenprisoner。
Thearchdukesentforhim，andaskedhimforinformationregardingtheimportanteventsoftheday。
Theofficergavehimtherequiredinformationwithsparklingeyesandinajubilantvoice。Agreatbattlehadbeenfoughtduringtheprevioustwodays。TheFrencharmyhadlefttheIslandofLobauonfourbridges，whichNapoleonhadcausedtobebuiltinasinglenightbytwohundredcarpenters，andhadgivenbattletotheArchdukeCharlesatWagram。Afuriouscombathadragedonthe5thand6thofJuly。Botharmieshadfoughtwithequalboldness，bravery，andexasperation;butfinallytheArchdukeCharleshadbeencompelledtoevacuatethefieldofbattleandretreat。TheEmperorNapoleonhadremainedinpossessionofthefield;hehadgainedthebattleofWagram。
Largedropsofsweatstoodonthearchduke\'sforeheadwhilehewaslisteningtothisreport;hiseyesfilledwithtearsofindignationandanger;hislipsquivered，andheliftedhiseyesreproachfullytoheaven。ThenheturnedslowlytoGeneralFrimont，whowashaltingbyhisside，andbehindwhomweretobeseenthegloomy，mournfulfacesoftheotherofficers。
\"Thegeneralissimohaslostabattle，\"hesaid，withasigh。\"Thisisatwofoldcalamityforus。Youknowthatwecouldnotcomesooner。WearrivedevenatanearlierhourthanIhadpromised。Youwillseethatthewholeblameforthelossofthebattlewillbelaidatourdoor，andweshallbechargedwithunduetardiness。Thispretendedtardinesswillbewelcometomanyaone。Ascapegoatisneeded，andIshallhavetobethisscapegoat！\"[Footnote:Thearchduke\'sownwords。——SeeHormayr\'sworkon\"TheCampaignof1809，\"
p。286。]
TheArchdukeJohnwasnotmistaken;hehadpredictedhisfate。Hewasreallytobethescapegoatforthelossofthebattle。IntheproclamationwhichtheArchdukeCharlesissuedtohisarmyafewdaysafterwardatZnaym，andinwhichheinformeditthathehadconcludedanarmisticewiththeEmperorNapoleon，hedeploredthat，owingtothetoolatearrivaloftheArchdukeJohn，thebattlehadnotbeenwon，despitetheadmirablebraverywhichthetroopshaddisplayedatWagram，andthatthegeneralissimohadbeencompelledtherebytoretreat。
TheArchdukeJohndidnotdefendhimself。Heliftedhistearfuleyestoheavenandsighed:\"Anotherbattlelost，andthisbattledecidesthefateofAustria！NowPrussiawillnotallyherselfwithus，forwedidnotstrikethesecondblowwhichthekingdemanded，andshewilllookonquietlywhileAustriaisbeinghumiliated！OGod，God，protectAustria！ProtectGermany！saveusfromutterruin！\"
CHAPTERXXVIII
THEARMISTICEOFZNAYM
TheguestsofAnthonySteeger，theinnkeeperofLienz，hadbeengreatlyexcitedto—day;theyhadtalked，debated，lamented，andswornagreatdeal。InaccordancewiththerequestofAndreasHofer，themostinfluentialleadersoftheTyrolesehadmetthereanddrawnup，asHoferproposed，apetitiontotheEmperorFrancis，whowasnowinHungaryatoneofthepalacesbelongingtothePrinceofLichtenstein。ThedisastroustidingsofthebattleofWagramhadbeenfollowedafewdaysafterwardbynewsfullyasdisheartening。
TheArchdukeCharleshadconcludedanarmisticewiththeEmperorNapoleonatZnaym，onthe12thofJuly，1809。Bythisarmisticehostilitiesweretobesuspendedtillthe20thofAugust;butinthemeantimetheAustriansweretoevacuatetheTyrol，Styria，andCarinthiaentirely，andrestoretotheBavariansandFrenchthefortifiedcitieswhichtheyhadoccupied。
ThesecalamitoustermsofthearmisticehadinducedAndreasHofertosummonsomeofhisfriendstoLienz，anddrawupwiththemapetitiontotheemperor，inwhichtheyimploredhimwithtouchinghumilitytohavemercyuponthemintheirdistress，andnottoforsakehisfaithfulTyrol。TheystatedthattheyhadbeentoldthattheAustriantroops，inaccordancewiththestipulationsofthearmistice，weretoevacuatetheTyrol，butthisdidnotconferupontheFrenchandBavarianstherightofoccupyingtheTyrol。Theybesoughttheemperortopreventthis，andnottopermittheenemytooccupythecountry。
SuchwerethecontentsofthepetitionwhichAndreasHoferandtheotherleadersoftheTyrolesehadsignedto—dayattheinnofAnthonySteeger，atLienz，andwhichJacobSiebererwastoconveyasthelastcryofthedespairingTyroltotheheadquartersoftheemperoratTotis，whileEisensteckenwastodeliveracopyofthepetitiontoGeneralBuol，commander—in—chiefoftheAustriantroops。
Nighthadnowcome;thefriendsandcomradeshadlongsinceleftAnthonySteeger\'shouse，andAndreasHoferaloneremainedwithhimtotalkwithhisfaithfulfriendaboutthedisastrouschangeintheiraffairs，andthegloomyprospectsofthefuture。
\"Icannotbelievethatallisastheysay，\"saidAndreasHofer，withasigh。\"TheemperorpromisedussolemnlynevertogiveuporforsakeagainhisfaithfulTyrol，anditwouldbehigh—treasontosupposethattheemperorwillnothonestlyredeemhispledges。No，no;Itellyou，Anthony，theemperorandourdearArchdukeJohncertainlydonotintendtoabandonus;onlytheAustriangeneralsareopposedtothecontinuanceofthewar，andlongtogetawayfromourmountains，becausetheyareafraidofBonaparte，andthinkhewouldpunishthemiftheyshouldstayhereanylongerandrefusetodelivertheprovincetohistendermercies。\"
\"IamlikewiselothtobelievethattheEmperorFranciswouldforsakeus，\"saidAnthonySteeger，noddinghisheadapprovingly。
\"Fortheemperorlovesus，andwillnotallowustofallintothehandsoftheinfidelBonaparte，whohasjustcommittedanotheroutragebyarrestingtheHolyFatherinRomeanddragginghimawayfromhiscapital。\"
\"Well，theHolyFatherexcommunicatedhimforthisoutrage，\"criedAndreasHofer，withflashingeyes;\"hecalleddownthewrathofGodandmanontheheadoftheAnti—christ，andrendereditincumbentoneverypiousChristiantowagewaragainstthecriminalwholaidhisruthlesshandsevenupontheholyChurch，andtrampledunderfoothimwhomtheAlmightyhasanointed。AnthonySteeger，letmetellyou，IwillnotallowtheFrenchtoreturntoourcountry，andneverwillIpermittheAustrianstoevacuatetheTyrol。\"
\"Andhowwillyoupreventthemfromsodoing？\"askedAnthonySteeger，shrugginghisshoulders。
\"Isaidto—dayhowIandallofusaregoingtopreventit。WeshallnotsuffertheAustrianstodepart;weshallkeepthemherebyprayers，stratagems，orforce。Ihavegiveninstructionstoallthecommanderstodoso;Ihavegiventhemwrittenorderswhichtheyaretocommunicatetoourotherfriends，andinwhichIcommandthemnottopermitthedepartureoftheAustrians。IbelieveIamcommander—
in—chiefasyet，andtheywillobeymybidding。\"
\"Iftheycandoit，Andy，theycertainlywill;butwhatiftheycannot？WhatiftheAustrianscannotbekeptherebyprayersorstratagem？\"
\"Inthatcasewemustresorttoforce，\"criedHoferimpetuously。\"Wemustcompelthemtostayhere;thewholeTyrolmustriseasonemanandwithitsstrongarmskeeptheAustriansinthecountry。Yes，yes，Anthony，wemustdoit;itwillbebestforusall。ItmustlookasthoughwedetaintheAustriansbyforce，andthiswillbemostagreeabletotheEmperorFrancis;forwhatfaultofhisisitthattheTyrolesepreventhimfromcarryingoutwhathepromisedtoBonaparteinthearmistice？Itisnothisfault，then，iftheAustriansstayhere，andifwepreventthemfromleavingourmountains。Wemustdetainthem，wemust。AndIwillwriteimmediatelytooldRed—beard，FatherHaspinger，JosephSpeckbacher，andAnthonyWallner。Iwillsummonthemtoaconferencewithme，andwewillconcertmeasuresforarenewedrisingoftheTyrol。Givemepenandink，Tony;IwillwriteinthefirstplacetooldRed—beard，andyourJoeshalltaketheletterthisverynighttohisconvent。\"
AnthonySteegerhastenedtobringhimwhathewanted，andwhileHoferscrawledtheletter，hisfriendstoodbehindhim，andfollowedwithattentiveeyeseverywordwhichAndreasfinishedwithconsiderabledifficulty。
Bothweresomuchabsorbedintheletterthattheydidnotperceivethatthedooropenedbehindthem，andthatBaronvonHormayr，inadustytravelling—dress，enteredtheroom。Foramomenthestoodstillatthedoorandcastasearchingglanceonthetwomen;hethenadvancedquicklytowardAndreasHofer，and，layinghishandonhisshoulder，hesaid:\"Well，Andy，whatareyouwritingthere？\"
Andreaslookedup，buttheunexpectedarrivalofthebarondidnotseemtoexcitehissurprise。\"IamwritingtooldRed—beard，\"hesaid;\"Iamwritingtohimthatheistocometomeimmediately。AndafterfinishingthelettertooldRed—beard，IwillwritethesamethingtoSpeckbacherandAnthonyWallner，Mr。IntendantoftheTyrol。\"
\"Donotapplythattitletomeanylonger，Andy，\"saidHormayr，withaslightfrown。\"IamnolongerintendantoftheTyrol，foryouknowthatwemustleavetheTyrolandrestoreittotheFrenchandBavarians。\"
\"Iforonedonotknowit，Mr。IntendantoftheTyrol，\"criedAndreas，withanangryglance。\"IknowonlythattheArchdukeJohnappointedyoumilitaryintendantoftheTyrol，andthatyoutookasolemnoathtoaidusinbecomingoncemore，andremaining，Austrians。\"
\"Ithink，Andy，Ihavehonestlyredeemedmypledges，\"saidHormayr。
\"Iassistedyoueverywheretothebestofmypower，wasalwaysinyourmidst，encouraging，organizing，fighting，andmediating;andI
thinkyouwilladmitthatIhadlikewisemylittleshareinthedeliveranceoftheTyrol，andprovedmyselfoneofitsgoodandfaithfulsons。\"
\"Well，yes，itistrue，\"murmuredHofer;\"youdidagreatdealofgood，and，aboveallthings，yougainedovertooursidetheAustriangenerals，whowouldnothaveanythingtodowithuspeasants，andrefusedtomakecommoncausewithus;foryoupossessaveryeloquenttongue，andwhatcanbeaccomplishedbymeansofthetongueyoudoaccomplish。Butnow，sir，thetonguewillnolongersuffice，andwemustfightalsowiththesword。\"
\"Godforbid，Andy！\"exclaimedHormayr;\"youknowthattheemperorhasconcludedanarmisticewithBonaparte，andwhileitlastswearenotallowedtofightwiththesword。\"
\"Theemperorhasconcludedanarmistice？Well，then，lettherebeanarmistice。Butyouwillnotconfineyourselftoanarmistice——youintendtoevacuatetheTyrol。Thatseemstomenofairarmistice，andthereforeIshallsummonoldRed—beard，andmyotherfaithfulfriends，andconcertwiththemmeasurestopreventyoufromconcludingsuchanunfairarmistice，andforsakingus。\"
\"AndAndyisrightindoingso！\"exclaimedAnthonySteeger。\"WemustnotpermittheAustrianstoleavetheprovince，andwearefirmlyresolvedthatwewillnot。\"
\"Youarefools，bothofyou，\"saidHormayr，shrugginghisshoulders。
\"TheEmperorFrancisagreedpositivelythattheAustriantroopsshouldevacuatetheTyrolduringthearmistice;hence，thetroopsmustleave，lesttheemperorshouldbreakhisword。\"
\"Butiftheydo，theemperorbreaksthewordhepledgedtous，\"
criedAnthonySteeger，vehemently。
\"AnthonySteeger，\"saidHormayr，sternly，\"IhavecomehithertohaveaninterviewwithAndreasHofer，towhomIwishtocommunicatesomethingofgreatimportance。Therefore，besokindastowithdraw，andleavemealonewithhim。\"
\"IbelieveAndydoesnotwanttokeepanythingsecretfromme，andImight，therefore，justaswellstayhere。Say，Andy，isitnotso？\"
\"Itis。Speak，Mr。Intendant;Tonymayhearitall。\"
\"No，Andy，IshallnotspeakunlessIamalonewithyou;andwhatI
havetosaytoyouishighlyimportanttotheTyrol。Butnoonebutyourselfmusthearit。\"
\"Ifthatisthecase，gooutandleavemealonewiththeintendant，\"
saidHofer，shakinghandswithhisfriend。
AnthonySteegercastanangryglanceonHormayr，andlefttheroom。
\"Iknowverywellwhyhewantedtogetridofme，\"hegrowled，assoonashewasoutinthehall。\"HeintendstopersuadeAndreasHofertoleavewiththeAustriansandabandontheTyrol。HethinkswhenheisalonewithHofer，hewillyieldsoonerbecauseheisaweakandgood—heartedman，whowouldliketocomplywitheveryone\'swishes。HethinksifIwerepresentIshouldtellAndythetruth，andnotpermithimtodesertourcause，andsetabadexampletotheothers。Well，Iwillkeepasharplookout，andiftheintendantreallytriestotakehimawaywithhim，Iwillendeavortodetainhimforcibly。\"
WhenthedoorhadclosedafterAnthonySteeger，HormayrnoddedkindlytoAndreasHoferandshookhandswithhim。
\"Nowwearealone，Andy，\"hesaid，\"andwillspeakconfidentiallyawordwhichnooneistohearsaveustwo。\"
\"ButyoushouldalwaysbearinmindthatGodAlmightyispresent，andlistenstous，\"saidHofer，liftinghiseyesdevoutlytoheaven。
\"WeshallspeaknothingthatcanoffendthegoodGod！\"exclaimedHormayr，laughing。\"Weshallspeakofyou，Andy，andtheTyrol。I
wishtoprayyou，Andy，inthenameoftheArchdukeJohn，whosentmetoyou，andwhosenthiskindestgreetingswithme，nottocloseyourearsagainstgoodandwell—meantadvice。\"
\"Whatdidthearchdukesay？Whatdoeshewantofme？\"askedAndreas，quickly。
\"HewishesAndreasHofer，likehimself，tosubmittotheemperor\'sordersquietlyandpatiently;hewishesAndreasHofertoyieldtosternnecessity，andnolongersowtheseedsofhatredanddiscord，butobeythewillofhismasterwithChristianhumilityandresignation。HewishesAndreasHofertosetagoodexampletoalltheTyrolese，andundertakenothinginoppositiontothestipulationsofthearmistice;andtheArchdukeJohnfinallywisheshisbelovedAndreasHofertosecurehislifeandlibertybyleavingtheTyrolwiththeAustriantroops，andremainingforsometimeundertheprotectionoftheimperialarmy。\"
\"Never，neverwillIdothat！\"criedAndreas，vehemently;\"neverwillIleavemybelovedcountry！Isworetothepriest，andinmyownheart，that，whileIlived，IwouldbefaithfultomyGod，myemperor，andmycountry，andthatIwouldspillthelastdropofbloodforourliberty，ourconstitution，andouremperor;andneverwillIbreakmyoath，neverwillIdesertmyflaglikeafaithlesssoldier！\"
\"But，Andy，youarenottodesertit，butonlyconveyittoaplaceofsafetyforashorttime。Listentome，Andy，andletmetellyouallaboutit。Youthinkallmaybechangedyet，andyoumaypreventtheAustriansfromleavingyourmountains。Butunfortunatelyitisalreadytoolate。AlreadytheAustriangeneral—in—chief，BaronvonBuol，hasconcentratedhisscatteredforces，andmarchedthemto—
nightfromBrixentoSchabs。Thereyoucandonothingagainsthim;
hisartilleryandammunitionaresafethere，andyoucannothinderhimfrommarchingwithhistroopsthisverydayintoCarinthia。\"
\"ButwecanpreventGeneralSchmidtfromsurrenderingthefortressofSachsenburgtoGeneralRusca，\"criedAndreas，triumphantly。
\"DoyouthinkCommanderJosephTurk，inUpperCarinthia，surprisedandoccupiedthefortressofSachsenburgimmediately，becauseyouwrotetohimtodosoprevioustoRusca\'sarrival？Youlookatmesowonderingly，youbigchild？See，hereisyourlettertoJosephTurk！
Ourmeninterceptedit;hence，JosephTurkdidnotoccupythefortress，andGeneralRuscahasarrivedtherealready。\"
\"Itismyletter，indeed，\"sighedAndreasHofer，staringatthepaperwhichHormayrhadhandedtohim。\"TheydidnotallowittoreachJosephTurk;theynolongerrespectwhatIsayanddo。\"
\"Theycannot，Andy，foryourandtheirsuperior，theemperor，hasorderedthesoldierstoevacuatetheTyrol。Itwassurelymostrepugnanttotheemperortodoso，andIknowthattheArchdukeJohnshedtearsofgriefandrageonbeingobligedtoinstructGeneralBuoltoevacuatetheTyrol。Buthesubmittedtosternnecessity，andyouwilldosotoo，Andy。\"
\"WhatamItodo，then？Whatdoyouwantofme？\"askedAndreas，withtearsinhiseyes。
\"TheArchdukeJohnwantsyoutopreserveyourselfforbettertimes，Andy。Heimploresyoutorepairtoaplaceofsafety，notonlyforthesakeofyourwifeandchildren，butalsoforthatofyourfatherland。Believeme，Andreas，agloomytimeisdawningupontheTyrol。Theenemyisapproachingonallsides，andtheFrenchandBavarianshavealreadycrossedthefrontiersoftheTyrolinordertooccupyitagain。\"
\"Andallourbloodhasbeenshedinvain！\"criedHofer，burstingintotears。\"AllthefaithfulTyrolesewhohavefalleninbattlegaveuptheirlivesfornothing。Wefoughtbravely;thegoodGodhelpedusinbattle;butmendesertedus，andeventheemperor，forwhomwefought，willnotredeemthepledgeshegaveus，norhelpusinoursoredistress。\"
\"TheemperorwillneverabandonhisfaithfulTyrolese，\"saidHormayr;\"onlyyoumustbepatient。Hecannotdoanythingnow;hecannotendangerhiswholeempiretoservethesmallprovinceoftheTyrol。Forthetimebeing，furtherresistanceisoutofthequestion，buttheemperorprofitsbythearmisticetoconcentrateanewarmy;andwhenhostilitiesareresumed，hewillfirstthinkoftheTyrol，anddeliveritfromtheenemy。\"
\"ButuntilthentheTyrolitselfoughttomaintainitsliberty！\"
exclaimedAndreasHofer，withflashingeyes。\"ListentowhatIwishtosaytoyou，Mr。Intendant，andwhatGodHimselfpromptsmetotellyou。IseefullwellthattheemperorhimselfisunabletospeakfortheTyrol，andcannotorderhistroopstoremaininthecountry;Iseefullwellthattheemperor，sorelypressedasheisbyBonaparte，cannotdoanythingforus。Butuntilheisreadyagain，someoneoughttobecourageousenoughtotakehisplaceand，astheemperor\'slieutenant，defendtheTyrolagainsttheenemy。