Thesharpshooterwasreloadinghisrifle，whentheshrubberybehindhimrustled，and，onturninghastily，besawoneofthesoldiersrushingtowardhim。Acryofrageburstfromthelipsofthesharpshooter。Hethenraisedhisrifleandfired。Thesoldierfell，butatthesamemomentoneofhiscomradeshastenedfromthethickettowardthetopoftherock。Anothercryburstfromthesharpshooter\'slips，butthistimeitsoundedlikeadeath—cry。Hesawthathewaslost，foralreadytheuniformsoftheothertwosoldierswereglitteringamongthetrees，andthesecondsoldierwasonlyafewstepsfromtheedgeoftherockwherethesharpshooterwasstanding。TheTyrolesecastalastdespairingglancearoundhim，asiftotakeleaveofheavenandearth，andofthemountainsandValleysofhisbelovedTyrol。Thenhethrewdownhisrifleandseizedthesoldierfuriously。Hisarmsencircledthebodyofhisenemylikeironclasps，andheforcedhimwithirresistibleimpetuositytowardtheedgeoftherock。
\"InGod\'sname，then，\"heshoutedinaloudvoiceechoedbytherocksallaround。\"InGod\'sname，then！\"
Withalastefforthethrewhimselfwiththesoldierintothedepth，andbothdisappearedinthewatersoftheEisach。
Speckbacher\'sservantthefaithfulZoppel，hadseenandunderstoodeverything;andwhenthetwosankintothefoamingtorrent，hewipedatearfromhiseyes。
\"HediedlikeabravesonoftheTyrol，\"hemurmured，\"andtheHolyVirginwillassuredlybidhimkindlywelcome。Butwe，Hisel，willavengehisdeathontheaccursedenemybelow。\"
\"Yes，wewill，\"criedthepeasantgrimly;andheraisedhishatchetwithafuriousgesture。
\"Itisnotyettime，\"saidZoppelthoughtfully。\"Justwaituntilalargerbodyoftroopshasenteredthedefile。See，Hisel，howsplendidtheylookintheirgorgeousuniform，andhowproudlytheyaremarchingon！\"
TheSaxonsdidmarchonproudly，butnotwithdrumsbeating。Theyadvancedinsilence，filledwithmisgivingsbytheprofoundstillnesswhichsurroundedthemallatonce，listeningattentivelytoeverysound，andexamininganxiouslythetopofeveryprojectingrock。
Theheadoftheserriedcolumnhadarrivednowdirectlyunderthehanging\"avalanche\"inthemiddleofthegloomydefile。Thesilencewassuddenlybrokenbyaloudangryvoice，whichseemedtoresoundintheairlikethecroakingofthedeath—angel。
Thisvoiceasked，\"Zoppel，shallIcuttheropenow？\"
\"Notyet！notyet！\"repliedanothervoice;andtheprecipitousrocksallaroundechoed\"Notyet！notyet！\"
TheSaxonsgaveastartandlookedup。Whencecamethesevoices？
Whatmeantthathugeblackmasssuspendedontheprecipitoussideofthemountainrightovertheirheads？
Thustheyaskedeachothershudderinglyandstoodstill，fixingtheireyesontheblackmassofrockandrubbish，whichfilledtheirheartswithwonderanddismay。
\"Letusretraceoursteps！Letusnotpenetratefartherintothedefile，\"murmuredthesoldierswithtremblinglips，butinsolowatonethattheofficersmarchingbytheirsidescouldnothearthem。
Buttheofficers，too，werefilledwithstrangemisgivings;theyorderedthesoldierstohalt，andhastenedbacktoGeneralRoyertoreporttohimthemysteriouswordswhichtheyhadheard，andtoaskhimwhethertheyweretohaltorretracetheirsteps。
\"Advanceatthedouble—quick！\"commandedthegeneral，sternly。
\"Advanceatthedouble—quick！\"theyrepeatedtotheirsoldiersalongthewholeline;thelatter，inobediencetothisorder，hurriedonundertheblackmasswhichstillhungthreateninglyovertheirheads。
Allatonceapowerfulvoiceaboveshoutedout:\"Now，Hisel，inthenameoftheHolyTrinity，cuttheropes！\"Thereupontheyheardthestrokesoftwohatchets。
Thesoldiers，whowererushingforwardinserriedranks，lookedupagain，andindescribablehorrorseizedthem。Theblackmassofrockandrubbishwhichhadhithertohungoverthem，commencedmovingandrollingdownwithaterriblecrash。Acloudofdustroseandfilledthegloomydefileaswiththesmokeofpowder。Atthesametimeaheavyfireburstforthonallsides，andfromamidtheleafyscreenthedeadlybulletsofthesharpshootersbroughtdeathwitheverydischargeintothealliedranks。Adeath—likesilencethenensuedforamoment，foroutofthedepthsrosethewailsandlamentationsofthehundredsofsoldierswhohadbeencrushedandmutilatedbythe\"avalanche。\"TheTyrolese，filledwithcuriosityandcompassion，lookeddownintothedefile。Thesmokeanddusthaddisappeared，andtheycoulddistinctlysurveythesceneofhorror，devastation，anddeath，inthegorge。
Happythosewhomthefalling\"avalanche\"hadhurledfromthenarrowfootpathintothefoamingtorrent！Itistrue，deathhadbeeninstoreforthemthere，butithadquicklyputanendtotheirsufferings。Butwhatwastheagonyofthosewholayburiedunderthefragmentsoftherocks，theirlimbsfearfullymutilated！Whatwerethesufferingsofthehundredsofsoldierslyingontheroad，onthisnarrow，gorypath，uponwhichthe\"avalanche\"hadthundereddown！
Itwasahorriblesight;eventheTyrolesetrembledonbeholdingthisrubbish，thesefragments，whencelargenumbersofbloodycorpsesprotruded，andamidstwhichtorn，mutilatedlimbsweremoving，whilehereandtheresoldiers，coveredalloverwithdust，andbleedingfromfearfulwounds，triedpainfullytoraisethemselvesfromtheground。
ThoseoftheSaxonswhohadnotbeenstruckbytheterribleavalanche，fellbackshuddering。WhentheTyrolesesawthis，theircompassionatthecruelfateofthedeadgaveway，andwithdeafeningshoutstheyburstforthfromtheirconcealment，and，minglingwiththeenemy，afrightfulslaughtertookplace。
TheSaxonsrallied，however;courageousdisciplinepresidedoverunskilledvalor，andthecolumnadvancedslowlyandpainfullyinthedirectionofthebridge，throughamurderousfire，andsurmountingtheruinswhichobstructedtheroadandcoveredthebodiesoftheircomrades。
Allatonceexultantshoutsandcheersresoundedattheentranceofthedefile，andtheclarion—notesofmartialmusicjoinedinthesestirringacclamations。Freshtroops，re—enforcementsoftheSaxons，werecomingupfromtherear。TheBavarianshadarrivedwiththeirartillery，whichtheyhadplacedinaveryfavorableposition;theyhadalreadytakenthetwofarm—housesattheentranceofthegorgewheretheTyrolesehadtakenposition，andwerenowrushingintothedefile。TheTyrolese，dismayedatthisimpetuousadvance，retreatedintothemountains。
FortwodaysthestrugglewascontinuedinthesegorgesnearMittewald。FortwodaysSaxonsandTyroleseopposedeachotherinthisfratricidalcontest，inwhichGermansfoughtagainstGermansinobediencetothebehestsofthetyrantwhohadsubjugatedallGermany，andtowhomonlytheundauntedTyrolstillofferedastubbornresistance。
Thevictorywaslongundecided。OncetheforcesoftheDukeofDantsicsucceededatoneextremityofthedefileindrivingbackthesharpshootersunderJoachimHaspinger，theCapuchin，andclearingapassagefortheSaxonsstrugglinginthegorge。ButtheCapuchinhadretreatedonlytobringupfreshforces，dispatchmessengerstoSpeckbacher，PeterMayer，AndreasHofer，andAnthonyWallner，soundthetocsin，andconcentratemorearmedpeasants。AndSpeckbachercameupwithhisbravesharpshootersintherearoftheSaxons:
AnthonyWallnerandhismenmadetheirappearancelike—wise;PeterMayerbroughtupfreshforces;andAndreasHofersentwordthathewouldbeonhandspeedily。ButtheSaxonswerelikewisere—enforced，bothbytheFrench，whomovedupfromBrixen，andtheBavarians，whoapproachedfromSterzing。
Thecontestwascontinuedwithunabatedviolence，andbothsidesstruggledobstinatelyforthevictory。ButtheTyrolesefoughtfortheirrights，theirliberty，theirGermancountry;theSaxonsandBavariansfoughtfortyranny，fortheforeignoppressor，andthesubjugationoftheircountrymen。GodgrantedvictorytotheTyrolese，andinthedefileofMittewaldupwardofathousandSaxonshadtoatonebytheirdeathforhavingfoughtatthebiddingoftheFrenchconqueroronGermansoilagainsttheirGermancountrymen。
TheTyrolesefoughtfortheirrights，theirliberty，theirGermancountry;andtheDukeofDantsic，theproudmarshalofFrance，wasdefeatedbythedespisedpeasants;hehadtofleefromtheirwrath，andarrivedwithouthiscloakandhat，tremblinganddeathlypale，onhisfoaminghorseatSterzing，whichhehadleftafewhourspreviouslywiththefirmconvictionthathewouldinflictacrushingdefeatuponthe\"haughtypeasant—rabble。\"Nowthis\"haughtypeasant—
rabble\"haddefeatedhim。
GodiswiththosewhofightfortherightsandlibertyofGermany。
GodiswiththosewhoriseboldlyagainstFrenchtyrannyandFrencharrogance！
CHAPTERXXXII。
THEFIFTEENTHOFAUGUSTATINNSPRUCK。
GodiswiththosewhofightfortherightsandlibertyofGermany。
HehadgrantedanothervictorytotheTyrolese。
Animatedbytheirbrilliantsuccesses，thepatriotsnolongerstoodonthedefensive，but，flockingfromallquarterstothestandardofHofer，assembledingreatmultitudesonMountIsel，thesceneoftheirformertriumphs，anddestinedtobeimmortalizedbyastillmoreextraordinaryvictory。Lefebvrehadcollectedhiswholeforce，consistingoftwenty—sixthousandmen，ofwhomtwothousandwerehorse，withfortypiecesofcannon，onthelittleplainwhichliesbetweenInnspruckandthefootofthemountainsonthesouthernsideoftheInn。Theywerefarfrombeinganimated，however，bytheirwontedspirit;therepeateddefeatstheyhadexperiencedhadinspiredthemwiththatmysteriousdreadofthemountaineerswithwhichregulartroopsaresooftenseized，when，contrarytoexpectation，theyhavebeenworstedbyundisciplinedbodiesofmen;
andasecretfeelingoftheinjusticeoftheircause，andtheheroismwithwhichtheyhadbeenresisted，paralyzedmanyanarmwhichhadnevertrembledbeforearegulararmy。
TheTyroleseconsistedofeighteenthousandmen，threehundredofwhomwereAustriansoldierswhohadrefusedtofollowtheirofficers，andremainedtosharethefateoftheinhabitants。Theyweretolerablysuppliedwithammunition，buthadlittleprovisions，inconsequenceofwhichseveralhundredpeasantshadalreadygonebacktotheirhomes。
JosephSpeckbachercommandedtherightwing，whoselineextendedfromtheheightsofPassbergtothebridgesofHallandVolders;
Hoferwaswiththecentre，andhadhisheadquartersattheinnofSpade，ontheSchoenberg;Haspingerdirectedtheleft，andadvancedbyMutters。
Atfourinthemorning，thebraveCapuchinrousedHoferfromsleep，and，havingfirstunitedwithhiminferventprayer，hurriedouttocommunicatehisorderstotheoutposts。
Thebattlecommencedatsix，andcontinuedwithoutintermissiontillmidnight，theBavariansconstantlyendeavoringtodrivetheTyrolesefromtheirpositiononMountIsel，andthey，intheirturn，toforcetheenemybackintothetownofInnspruck。
Foralongtimethecontestwasundecided，thesuperiordisciplineandadmirableartilleryoftheenemyprevailingovertheimpetuousbutdisorderlyassaultsanddeadlyaimofthemountaineers;buttowardnightfallthebridgeoftheSillwascarriedafteradesperatestruggle，andtheirleftflankbeingthusturned，theFrenchandBavariansgavewayonallsides，andwerepursuedwithgreatslaughterintothecity。Theylostsixthousandmen，ofwhomseventeenhundredwoundedfellintothehandsoftheTyrolese，whileonthesideofthelatternotmorethanninehundredhadfallen。
LefebvrehadtoretreathastilytowardSalzburg，wherehiswholearmywascollectedonthe20th。
ThisgreatvictorywasimmediatelyfollowedbytheliberationofthewholeTyrol;andwhen，onthemorningofthe15thofAugust，thesunroseoverInnspruck，AndreasHoferandhisvictorioushoststoodonMountIsel，gazingwithprofoundemotiononthereeking，gorybattle—field，onwhich，twodaysago，warhadragedwithallitshorrors，andonthecityofInnspruck，whosesmokingandburninghousesbetokenedthelastoutburstoftherageofthefugitiveFrenchmarshal。[Footnote:\"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，\"p。
126。]
\"Seehowmuchbloodithascost，andhowmanywrongshadtobecommitted，thatwemightobtainourrights！\"sighedAndreasHofer，pointingtothebattle—field。\"Myheartoverflowswithpityonseeingthesehorrors，andIimploreyoualltobemercifulwiththewoundedandtotreattheprisonersleniently。AmongtheseprisonersareaboutonethousandBavariansandSaxons。See，theyarestandingdownyonderindensegroups，andourmensurroundthem，mockingandabusingthem。Godowntothem，dearSecretaryDoeninger;tellthemtobemercifulandcompassionate，andtobearalwaysinmindthattheprisonersarenolongertheirenemies，buttheirGermanbrethren;thattheyareSaxonsandBavarians，speakoneandthesamelanguagewithus，andareourcountrymen。Repeatthistoourmen，Doeninger，andsaytotheminmyname，\'Donotinjuretheprisoners;
theyareSaxonsandBavarians，andgoodandbravemen！\'\"[Footnote:
AndreasHofer\'sownwords。——Ibid。，p。125。]
\"Theyarenotexactlygoodmen，\"saidSpeckbacher，whowasstandingontherightsideofAndreasHofer;\"no，theyarenotexactlygoodmen，Andy;otherwisetheywouldnothavefoughtagainstus，whoareassuredlygoodmenandhavedonenothingbutdefendourdearcountry。\"
Insteadofreplyingtohim，AndreasHoferturnedsmilinglytotheCapuchin，whowasstandingonhisleftside。\"BrotherJoachim，\"hesaidgently，\"yououghttoexhortourJosephherealittle，thathemaycomplywiththeRedeemer\'spreceptandforgivehisenemies。Heisaverygood，butverystubbornfellow;abraveandexcellentsoldier，butitwoulddohimnoharmifhewereabetterChristian。\"
\"IfwehadbeengoodChristianslatterlyweshouldneverhavedefeatedtheenemy，\"growledtheCapuchin，shakinghishead。\"IfweweregoodChristians，weshouldhavetoloveourenemies，dogoodtothemthathateus，andprayforthosewhodespitefullyuseusandpersecuteus。Solongaswearesoldiers，Andy，wecannotbegoodChristians;andIthankGodforitthatwefoughtlikedownrightbraveheathens。Butaftertheenemyhasbeenexpelledfromthecountry，andpeaceprevailsagaineverywhere，andIhavereturnedtomytediousconventatSeeben，IwillbecomeagainapiousCapuchin，andexhortourdearbraveJosephSpeckbachertobecomeasgoodaChristianasourAndreasHofer。\"
\"No，no，brotherJoachim，wewillnotwaituntilthentoshowtotheworldthatwearegoodChristians，\"exclaimedAndreas。\"GodstoodbyusinthebattleofMountIselandmadeusvictoriousoverourenemies。LetusthankHim，therefore，forHissurpassinggoodnessandmercy;letusprayHimtoblessourvictoryandgrantagloriousresurrectiontothosewhohadtosacrificetheirlivesforit。\"
Hedrewhislargerosaryfromhisbosom，and，liftinghiseyesdevoutlytoheaven，sankdownonhisknees。
\"Yes，letusprayGodtoblessourvictory，\"saidFatherHaspinger，bendinghiskneeslikeAndreasHofer;andJosephSpeckbacherfollowedhisexample。
AndthepiousTyrolese，seeingtheirleaderskneelingontheheightabove，werefilledwithdevoutemotion;theykneltlikewise;theircheersandJodlers，theirshoutsandlaughterdiedaway;onlyprayerswereheardfromtheirlips，and，asanaccompanimenttothem，themelodiouspealsofthebells，withwhichthepeopleofInnspruckwerecelebratingthedepartureoftheFrenchmarshals，andtheapproachofthedefendersofthecountry。
Atthismomentthesunburstforthfromtheclouds，andshedaradiantlustreonthiswholesublimescene——thethreekneelingheroesontheheightabove，andallaroundtheTyrolese，cladintheirpicturesquenationalcostume，kneelingandthankingGod，withtearsintheireyes，forthevictoryHehadvouchsafedtothem。
TheBavarianandSaxonprisoners，carriedawaybythisspectacle，kneltdownliketheTyrolese，andprayedtoGod，liketheirenemies—
—notthankingHim，asthelatterdid，forthevictory，butforhavingmadethemprisoners，ofgoodandpiousvictors。[Footnote:
Mayer\'s\"JosephSpeckbacher，\"p。196。]
Allatoncethispiousscenewasinterruptedbyloudcheers，shouts，andJodlers，andalong，imposingprocessionofsinging，jubilantmenascendedthemountain。Thenew—comerswerethestudentsofInnspruck，whocametocongratulateAndreasHoferonhisbrilliantvictory，andaccompanyhimonhistriumphalentryintothecity。
Manypersonsfollowedthem，andallshoutedexultingly，\"WhereisAndreasHofer，thesaviorofthecountry？WhereisAndreasHofer，theliberator？\"
Thebandheadingtheprocessionofthestudents，struckuparingingflourishonbeholdingAndrews，whohadrisenfromhiskneesattheirapproach。Butheraisedhisarmimperatively;thebandceasedplayingimmediately，andthecheersdiedawayonthelipsofthestudents，whobowedrespectfullytothetall，imposingformoftheBarbone。
\"Hush，hush，\"saidAndreas，gravely;\"pray！Nocheers，nomusic！
NeitherInoranyofusdidit;allthegloryisduetoHimabove！\"
[Footnote:AndreasHofer\'sownwords，Ibid。，p。197。]
\"ButyouhelpedthegoodGodalittle，\"saidthespeakerofthestudents，\"andthereforeyoumustsubmittoacceptthethanksofthewholeTyrol，andtobeingcalledthesaviorandliberatorofthecountry。WecometoyouasmessengersofthecapitaloftheTyrol，andareinstructedtorequestyoutotarrynolonger，butmakeyourtriumphalentryintothecity。\"
\"Yes，Iwillcome，\"exclaimedAndreas，joyfully;\"whatIimploredoftheLordasthehighestboonhasbeenrealizednow:weshallmakeourtriumphalentryintothecity，wherethemeanenemybehavedsoshamefully。ReturntoInnspruck，myfriends，andsaytotheinhabitantsthatweshallbeinthecityinthecourseofanhour——
oldRed—beard，Speckbacher，andI——andthatweshallbegladtomeetallourexcellentfriendsthereagain。\"
AndanhourafterwardAndreasHoferandhisfriendsmadetheirentryintoInnspruck。Hesatinagorgeouscarriage，drawnbyfoursplendidwhitehorses，whichhehimselfhadtakenfromaFrenchcolonelduringhisflightacrosstheBrenner。BythesideoftheSandwirthsatJoachimHaspinger，theCapuchin，andbesidethecarriagerodeJosephSpeckbacher，witharadiantface，andhisdark，fieryeyesbeamingwithtriumphantjoy，hewasmountedontheproudmagnificently—caparisonedchargerthathadbornethehaughtyDukeofDantsictwodaysago。
Thecarriagewasprecededbyacrowdofrejoicingpeasants，andabandoffifersandfiddlers;carpetsandbannershungfromallthewindowsandbalconies;ladiesinbeautifulattiregreetedtheconqueringherowithwavinghandkerchiefs;andthepeopleinthestreets，theladiesonthebalconies，andtheboysontheroofsandinthetrees，shoutedenthusiastically，\"LongliveAndreasHofer！
Longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！\"Andthebellspealed，thecannonpostedonthemarket—placethundered，andthefifersandfiddlersmadeasmuchnoiseaspossible。
\"Listen，brotherHaspinger，\"saidAndreasHofer，turningtotheCapuchin，whilethecarriagewasmovingonslowly，\"Ishouldreallydisliketoenterthecityalwaysamidsuchfussandnoise;andI
believeitisheavyworkforprincesalwaystolookwellpleasedandcheerfulwhentheyaresomuchmolestedbytheenthusiasmofthepeople。Ilookedforwardwithagreatdealofjoytothedaywhenweshouldmakeourentryintothecity，andIthoughtitwouldbemuchmorebeautiful;butnowIamgreatlytiredofthewholething;I
shouldbegladiftheywouldceasefiddling，andclearapassageforthecarriagetomoveonmorerapidly。Iamhungry，andIwouldI
werealreadyatthetavernofmydearfriendNiederkircher。\"
\"Well，youmustlearntoputonapleasantfacewhenthepeoplecheeryou，\"saidHaspinger，laughing。\"Youhavenowbecomeaprincetoo，andIthinkyourpeoplewillloveyoudearly。\"
\"Whatnonsenseisthat，brother？\"askedHofer，angrily。
\"Itisnononsenseatall，Andy;onthecontrary，itisquitetrue。
Justlistentotheiracclamations。\"
\"LongliveAndreasHofer！\"shoutedthecrowd，whichwasdancingandsingingaroundthecarriage。\"Longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！\"
\"Theycallmecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，\"saidAndreas，musingly。\"Tellme，Joachim，isitnecessaryformetoassumethattitle？\"
\"Yes，itis。Theremustbeaheadofthestate，amantowhomthepeoplemaylookupasitsstar，andtowhomitmayapplyasitscomfort，support，andjudge。Andasthepeoplehaveconfidenceinyouandloveyou，youmustbethemantoholdthewholetogether，lestitshouldfallasunder。Youshallbethehead，andweotherswillbeyourhandsandthoughts，andwillworkandfight，andthinkforyouandtheTyrol。Wemusthavealeader，acommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，andyouaretheman，Andy。\"
\"Ifyousayso，itmustbeso，\"saidAndreas，noddinghisheadgently。\"Well，then，Ishallbecommander—in—chiefoftheTyroluntilorderandpeacearerestored，anduntiltheenemyhasbeenexpelledfromthecountryforevermore。Butsee，wehavearrivedinfrontofNiederkircher\'stavern，andthereisNiederkircherhimselfwithhisdearroundface。Godblessyou，Niederkircher，whydoyoulookatmesosolemnly，andwhyhaveyoudressedupsonicely？Why，youwearyourholidayclothes，andyetIthinkthisisneitherSundaynoraholiday。\"
\"Itisagreatholiday，\"exclaimedNiederkircher，\"thecommander—in—
chiefoftheTyrol，thegreatAndreasHofer，ismakinghistriumphalentryintothecity。ThatiswhyIhaveputonmySundayclothesandlooksosolemn;foritwouldnotbebecomingformetoembracethedistinguishedcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，asIshouldliketodounderothercircumstances。\"
\"Youareafool，oldfellow！\"saidAndreas，encirclinghisfriend\'sneckwithhisarm;\"ifIamcommander—in—chiefbeforetheworld，I
am，beforemyfriends，alwaysAndreasHofer，theSandwirthandhumblepeasant。Letusgointothehouse，mydearfriend;andyouJoachim，comewithus。There！TakemetothesmallbackroomwhichI
alwaysoccupyduringmystayinthecity。\"
\"Godforbid！\"exclaimedtheinnkeeper;\"younevermustoccupythebackroomagain;thatwouldnotbebecomingforthecommander—in—
chiefoftheTyrol。Youmusttakemybestroomwiththebalconyopeningonthestreet;besides，allisthereinreadinessforyourreception。\"
\"MustItakeit，Joachim？\"saidAndreastotheCapuchin，almostanxiously。
\"Yes，Andy，youmust，\"repliedthefriar。\"Youmustdohonortoyournewdignity，andtousall。\"
\"ItisapitythatImustdoso，\"sighedAndreas。\"IwassogladthatIshouldsoonbeintheoldbackroom，whereitissocozyandquiet，andwhereyoudonothearanythingofthenoiseandshoutingoutside。But，ifitcannotbehelped，letusgotothebestroom;
butpray，ifitispossible，giveussomethingtoeatthere。Somesounddumplingsandaglassofnativewine，friendNiederkircher。\"
\"No，no，AndreasHofer，thatwillnotdotoday，\"repliedtheinnkeeper;\"Ihavehadallmyservantsatworkinthekitcheneversincesunrise，andyouwillhaveadinnersuitableforthecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol。\"
\"Ishouldhavepreferreddumplingsandnativewineinthesmallbackroom，\"saidAndreasHofer，dolefully，whileheascendedwiththeinnkeeperandtheCapuchintothebestroomonthefirstfloor。
Thiswasaveryfineroomindeed，andeventhoughitwasnotascozyasthebackroomforwhichHoferbadlonged，itwasatalleventsveryagreeabletohimtobeoncemoreunderahospitableroof，andenjoyalittlerestandtranquillity。Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodatablehandsomelyfestoonedwithflowers，andcoveredwithbottlesofwine，cake，andallsortsoffruit。
\"Now，mydistinguishedfriends，makeyourselvesascomfortableaspossible，\"saidNiederkircher，cheerfully;\"liedownawhileonthesilkendivanandrepose。MeanwhileIwillgotothekitchenandorderdinnertobeservedtothecommander—in—chiefandhistwogenerals，HaspingerandSpeckbacher。\"
\"Ishallcomplywithyourrequest，\"growledtheCapuchin，\"andmakemyselfascomfortableaspossible。\"
Heburledhisheavy，dustyleathernshoesquicklyfromhisfeetintoacorneroftheroom;hethenlaydownonthecarpetinfrontofthedivan，andstretchinghislimbs，exclaimed，\"Forsooth，Ihavenotbeenableforalongwhiletomakemyselfascomfortableasto—day！\"
\"Butyou，commander—in—chief，\"saidNiederkircher，beseechingly，\"I
hope，willnotdisdainmydivan？Resttherealittle，Andy，untilthewaitersbringyouyourdinner。\"
\"Godforbid！Imustfirstattendtomyhorses，\"exclaimedAndreas。
\"Isuppose，Niederkircher，yousawmyfoursplendidwhitehorses？
Theyarehonestwar—spoils;Iwillkeepthemforeverandneversellthem，althoughIcouldgetaroundsumforthem，fortheyarefineanimals;onlythefirsthorseontheright—handside，Ibelieve，isalittleweakinthechest，andoughtnottobeoverworked。Beforegoingtodinnerandmakingmyselfcomfortable，Imustgoandfeedthehorsesandseeiftheyarecomfortable。Youknow，Niederkircher，Ihavealwaysfedmyhorsesmyself，andwilldosoto—dayalso。\"
Andhehastenedtowardthedoor;butNiederkircherranafterhimandkepthimback。
\"ForGod\'ssake。Hofer，\"hecriedindismay，\"whatareyougoingtodo？Why，youarenotahorse—tradernortheSandwirthto—day，butcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol。\"
\"Itistrue，Iforgotit，\"sighedAndreas。\"Go，then，dearfriend，getusourdinner，andhavealargebundleofhayputintothemangerofthehorses。——But，greatGod！whatdreadfulnoiseisthatinthestreet？Why，thosemenareshoutingsoloudlythatthewallsareshakingandthewindowsrattling！Whatdotheywant？Whydotheyalwaysrepeatmyname？Lookout，Niederkircher，andseewhatisthematter。\"
Niederkircherhastenedtothewindowanddrewthecurtainasideinordertolookoutintothestreet。Adensecrowdwasassembledinfrontofthetavern;itwasincessantlycheeringandshouting:
\"AndreasHofer！Comeout！Longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，theliberator！Wewanttoseehim，wemustthankhimfordeliveringusfromtheenemy。AndreasHofer！AndreasHofer！\"
\"Youcannotgetaroundit，Andy;youmuststepoutonthebalcony，\"
saidNiederkircher，steppingbackfromthewindow。\"Thepeopleareperfectlybesidethemselveswithloveandenthusiasm，andwillnotkeepquietuntilyoucomeoutandmakeaspeechtothem。Do，myfriend，stepoutonthebalcony！\"
\"MustIdoit？\"askedAndreas，dolefully，turningtotheCapuchin，whowasstretchinghimselfcomfortablyonthecarpet。
\"Youmust，brother，\"saidHaspinger，gravely。\"Thepeoplewishtoseetheirbelovedleader，anditwouldbeungratefulnottoaccepttheirlove。\"
AndreasHofersighed，butheyieldedandapproachedthebalcony，thedoorsofwhichwerethrownopenbytheinnkeeper。
Nosoonerhadthethousandsassembledinfrontofthehousebeheldthetallformoftheirfavoriteleader，thanthunderingcheersrenttheair;allwavedtheirhatsandshouted，\"LongliveAndreasHofer！
Longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！\"
Andnowafeelingofprofoundemotionovercamethetender，gratefulheartofAndreasHofer;joyandecstasyfilledhissoulinthefaceofsomuchloveandenthusiasm，andtearsofthemostunalloyedblissglistenedinhiseyes，whichgreetedthejubilantpeoplewithtender，lovingglances。Hewasanxioustothankthesekindpeopleandgiveutterancetohislove;andhelifteduphisarm，askingthemtobequietthathemightaddressthem。
Thecheersandacclamationsceasedimmediately，andHoferspokeamidstthebreathlesssilenceofthecrowdinaloud，ringingvoice:
\"Godblessyou，dearpeopleofInnspruck！Asyouwantedmetobecomeyourcommander—in—chief，Iamnowinyourmidst。ButtherearemanyotherTyrolesewhoarenotinhabitantsofInnspruck。AllwhowishtobemycomradesmustfightasbraveandhonestTyroleseforGod，theemperor，andourfatherland。Thosewhoareunwillingtodosomustgobacktotheirhomes。Thosewhowishtobecomemycomradesmustneverdesertme。Ishallnotdesertyoueither，assureasmynameisAndreasHofer！Youhaveseenmenow，andheardwhatIhadtosaytoyou;thereforegood—by！\"[Footnote:Hofer\'sownwords。——See\"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，\"p。126。]
WhenHoferhadconcludedhisspeech，thunderingcheersrentagaintheair;theycontinuedevenafterhehadleftthebalcony，closedthedoorafterhim，andsteppedbackintotheroom。
\"Thatwasaveryfinespeech，Andy，\"saidNiederkircher，shakinghandswithhim，andgazingtenderlyintohisflushedface。\"Itwasevidentthatyourwordswerenotlearnedbyrote，butcamefromyourheart，andhencetheycouldnotbutmakeaprofoundimpression。Butnow，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，dinnerisready。Thesoupisalreadyonthetable，andImyselfshallhavethehonorofwaitingonyou。\"
\"ButSpeckbacherisnotyethere，\"saidAndreasHofer，\"andwecannotdinewithouthim。Wefoughtandworkedtogether;nowwewillalsorestandattendtoourcomfortstogether。Doyounotthinksotoo，brotherRed—beard？\"
ButtheCapuchinmadenoreply，orratherherespondedonlybyaloudandlongsnore。
\"BytheHolyVirgin！Haspingerhasfallenasleepontheflooryonder，\"exclaimedAndreas，smiling。
\"Letuswakenhim，then，\"saidNiederkircher，turningtothesleeper。