\"Theemperor，itseems，wasunabletodoanythingfortheTyrol，\"
saidWorndleinalowvoice。\"HehadtoconsentthattheTyrolshouldberestoredtotheFrenchandBavarians。\"
\"Butthatisimpossible！\"criedAndreas，despairingly。\"Hepledgedushisword，hissacredword，thathewouldneverconsenttoapeacethatwoulddetachtheTyrolfromAustria。Howcanyounowinsultthedearemperorbysayingthathehasbrokenhisword？\"
\"Hehasnotbrokenhisword，buthewasunabletokeepit。Look，commander—in—chief，Ibringyouanotherletter，towhich，asyousee，isaffixedalargeimperialseal，thesealoftheViceroyofItaly，whowrotethelettertoyouandalltheTyrolese。\"
\"Readit，\"exclaimedAndreas，mournfully;\"Icannot，myeyesarefilledwithtears。Readittome，sir。\"
Worndlereadasfollows:
\"TothepeopleoftheTyrol:HismajestytheEmperoroftheFrench，KingofItaly，ProtectoroftheConfederationoftheRhine，myaugustfatherandsovereign，andhismajesty，theEmperorofAustria，havemadepeace。Peace，therefore，reignseverywherearoundyou。Youaretheonlypeoplewhichdoesnotenjoyitsblessings。
Seducedbyforeigninstigations，youtookuparmsagainstyourgovernmentandoverthrewit。Themelancholyconsequencesofyourseditiouscoursehaveovertakenyou。Terrorreignsnowinyourtowns，idlenessandmiseryinyourfields，anddiscordanddisorderaretobefoundinallpartsofthecountry。Hismajestytheemperorandking，profoundlymovedbyyourwretchedcondition，andtheproofsofrepentancewhichsomeofyouhavemanifestedtohim，hasconsentedinthetreatytoforgiveyourerrors。Ibringyoupeaceandforgiveness，butIwarnyouofthefact，thatyouwillbeforgivenonlyifyoureturnofyourownaccordtolawandorder，laydownyourarms，andoffernolongeranyresistancewhatever。Ascommander—in—chiefofthearmiessurroundingyou，Ishallacceptyoursubmissionorcompelyoutosurrender。Commissionerswillprecedethearmies;theyhavebeeninstructedtolistentowhatevercomplaintsandgrievancesyoumaywishtoprefer。But，donotforgetthatthesecommissionersareauthorizedtolistentoyouonlyafteryouhavelaiddownyourarms。Tyrolese！Ipromisethatyoushallobtainjusticeifyourcomplaintsandgrievancesarewell—grounded。
HeadquartersatVillach，October25，1809。\"
\"EUGENENAPOLEON。\"[Footnote:Hormayr\'s\"AndreasHofer，\"vol。1。，p。
490。]
BaronvonWorndlehadlongsinceceasedtoread，andstillAndreasHoferstoodmotionless，hishandsfoldedonhisbreast，hisheadthrownback，andhiseyesturnedtowardheaven。Allgazedinrespectfulsilenceuponthattall，imposingformwhichseemedfrozenbygrief，andatthatpale，mournfulface，andthosepiouseyes，whichseemedtoimploreconsolationandsalvationfromheaven。
AtlastDoeningerventuredtoputhishandsoftlyonHofer\'sarm。
\"Awake，dearcommander—in—chief，\"hesaidinalowvoice，\"awakefromyourgrief。Thesegentlemenherearewaitingforananswer。
Tellthemwhatyouthink——\"\"WhatIthink？\"criedHofer，givingastartanddroppinghiseyesslowly。\"WhatIthink？Ithinkthatwearepoor，unhappymen，whohavevainlyriskedourpropertyandourblood，ourlibertyandourlives。Tellme，then，myfriends，isitpossiblethattheEmperorFrancis，whomwealllovedsodearly，andwhopledgedushiswordsosolemnlyandoften，hasabandonedusafterall？Cajetan，doyoubelieveit？\"
\"Itisinblackandwhitehere，\"saidDoeninger，inhishabituallaconicstyle，pointingtotheproclamationoftheArchdukeJohn。
\"Itisthearchduke\'shandwriting;Iamfamiliarwithit。Youneednolongerquestionitsauthenticity。Peacehasbeenconcluded。\"
\"Peacehasbeenconcluded，theemperorhasabandonedhisTyrol，theTyrolislost！\"criedAndreas，inaloudoutburstofgrief;andhislong—restrainedtearsstreamedfromhiseyes。Andreaswasnotashamedofthem。Hethrewhimselfonachair，buriedhisfaceinhishands，andweptaloud。
\"TheTyrolislost，\"hesobbed;\"allmydearcountrymenareinprofounddistress，and，moreover，intheutmostdanger;ourbeloved，beautifulcountrywillhavetoshedriversofblood，andnothingwillbeheardbutwailsandlamentations。Fortheemperorhasabandonedus，theenemywillre—enterthecountry，killandburn，andwreakaterriblerevengeuponourpeople！LordGod，\"heexclaimedallatonce，\"canInotdoanything，then，formydearcountry？Tellme，myfriends，canInotdoanythingtoavertthisgreatcalamityandsavethelivesofmydearcountrymen？\"
\"Yes，Andreas，\"saidBaronvonWorndle，\"youcandoagreatdealfortheTyrolandyourcountrymen。Youcanpreventbloodshed，softenthevindictivenessoftheenemy，andinducehimtosparethevanquishedandwreaknorevengeonthedisarmed。WriteaproclamationtotheTyrolese，admonishthemtokeepquiet，andorderthemtolaydowntheirarms。Returnyourselftoyourhome，yourinn，andyouwillhavedoneonthismournfuldaymorefortheTyrolthanyouhavebeenabletodoforituptothistime;foryouwilltherebysavetheTyrolfromuntolddisasters，whichwillsurelybefallthecountryifyouresumehostilitiesagainstenemieswhoareahundredtimessuperiortous。Itisimpossibleforustowithstandthemsuccessfully。Theircolumns，wellprovidedwithartillery，aremovinguponallsides，andthewholeTyrol，astheViceroyofItalywrites，issurrounded。Wehavenocourseleftbutsubmission。OrdertheTyrolese，therefore，tosubmit，setagoodexampletothemyourself，andtheTyrolissaved，andnomorebloodwillbeshed。\"
\"Nomorebloodwillbeshed！\"repeatedAndreasHofer，joyously。
\"Well，then，Iseethatyouareright，andthatwehavenocourseleftbutsubmission。Itistrue，theemperorhasabandonedus，butthegoodGodwillstillstandbyus;andonseeingthatwearehumbleandsubmissive，Hewillhavemercyuponus。Sitdown，Cajetan;Iwilldictatealettertoyou。TowhommustIwriteonbehalfofmybelovedcountry？\"
\"WritetoGeneralDrouet，\"saidDoeninger。\"ItwashewhowrotetoyouyesterdayfromInnspruck，informingyouoftheconclusionofpeace，andpromisingthat，ifyouandalltheTyrolesewouldsubmit，noharmshouldbefallanyone。Yourefusedtoanswerhisletterbecauseyoudidnotbelievehim。\"
\"Ididnotbelievehim，\"saidAndreas，gently，\"forIstillbelievedinmyemperor。ButIseenowthatGeneralDrouetwasright;Iwill，therefore，writetohim，andrecommendmycountryandthegoodandbraveTyrolesetohismercy。Takeupthepen，Cajetan，andwrite。\"
AndAndreasHoferdictatedinalow，tremulousvoice，ofteninterruptedbysighswhichissuedfromhisbreastlikethegroansofadyingman，alettertoGeneralDrouet，inwhichhepromisedintouchingwordsthattheTyrolesewouldlaydowntheirarms，andsaidtheywouldtrust，forpardonandoblivionofthepast，tothemagnanimityofNapoleon，whosefootstepswereguidedbyasuperiorpower，whichitwasnolongerpermittedthemtoresist。
\"There，\"hesaid，afterconvincinghimselfthatDoeningerhadwrittenexactlywhatbehaddictated，\"nowgivemethepen，Cajetan。
Iwillsignitmyself。\"
Hebentoverthetable，andwrotequicklywhathehadsooftenwrittenunderhisdecrees，\"AndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol。\"
Butthenhegaveastart，andcontemplatedhissignaturelongandmusingly。Heavingaprofoundsigh，andcastingamournfulglancetowardheaven，hetookupthepenasecondtime，andaddedtheword\"late，\"slowlyandwithatremblinghand，tohistitle\"commander—
in—chiefoftheTyrol。\"[Footnote:\"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，\"p。173。]
\"Nowcome，Cajetan，\"heexclaimed，throwingdownthepen，asifitwasaviperwhichhadwoundedhim，\"come，Cajetan。Iwillgotomysharpshootersandexhortthemtodisband，andafterwardIwillreturnwithyoutomyinninthePasseyrvalley，inordertosetagoodexampletoall，andshowthemhowtosubmitquietlyandpatiently。\"
AndAndreasHoferactedaccordingly。Heorderedhismentodisband，andaftertheyhadobeyedhisorderinsullensilence，hehimself，accompaniedonlybyhisfaithfulCajetanDoeninger，wentbacktohishome。
Butneitherthejoyouswelcome，withwhichhiswife，faithfulAnnaGertrude，receivedhim，northejubilantshoutsofhischildren，couldarouseAndreasHoferfromhismournfulbrooding，orbringasmiletohislips。Hedidnotrejoiceathisreturntohisdearones;hepaidnoattentiontohisbusiness，hedidnotgotothestablesandbarnsasheusedtodo;buthesathanginghishead，hishandsfoldedonhisknees，staringatthefloor，andsighingfromtimetotime，\"Mypoorcountry！Howcouldtheemperorabandonus？\"
OnlywhenCajetanDoeningerwasnotwithhim，AndreasHoferbecameuneasy;heglancedaroundanxiouslyandcalledforhissecretary;
whenthelatterhastenedtohim，heheldouthishandandsaidinalow，tremulousvoice，\"Cajetan，donotleaveme。IalwaysthinkI
mayhavesomethingtowriteyet，anditseemstomeasthoughwhatI
dictatedtoyouatSteinach，declaringmyreadinesstosubmit，werenotthelastofmyofficialpapers。Somethingelsemustcomeyet，——
yes，somethingelse。Iknowit，forthisstateofaffairscannotlast。Therefore，Cajetan，staywithmethatyoumaybereadyandabletowritewhenthehourhascome。\"
Cajetanstayedwithhim;bothsattogetherinsilence，andabsorbedintheirgloomyreflections，andthedayspassedslowlyandmournfully。
Itwasontheafternoonofthefifthday，andAndreasHofersatinsilence，asusual，inthegloomyroom。Everythingwasstillwithout。Allatoncethisprofoundsilencewasbrokenbyahumofmanyvoicesandloudnoise。
Hoferlookedupandlistened。\"Thatsoundsasifwewerestillatwar，andasifmysharpshootersweremarchingup，\"hesaid。
\"AndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！\"shoutedloudvoicesunderthewindows。
Hoferjumpedup。\"Whocallsme？\"heshouted，inapowerfulvoice。
Atthismomentthedoorwasthrownopenviolently，andfourmountaineers，armedwiththeirrifles，camein。Hofersawthroughtheopendoorthattheyardinfrontofthehousewasthrongedwithpeasants，andalllookedwithflashingeyesthroughthedooratHofer;andtheyshoutednow，\"AndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，comewithus，come！\"
AndreasHoferseemedallatonceanimatedbynewlife;hiseyesshotfire，hisformwasdrawnuptoitsfullheight，andhisheadroseagainproudlybetweenhispowerfulshoulders。
\"Whatdoyouwantofme，mydearcountrymen？\"heasked，goingtomeetthem。
Oneofthefoursharpshooterswhohadenteredtheroomnowcameforward，andplacedhimselfwithadefiantfaceinfrontofHofer。
\"Wewantyou，\"hesaid。\"ThreethousandFrenchsoldiersaremarchingacrosstheJanfen。ThereisgreatexcitementinthePustervalley，andsomefightinghastakenplace。AnthonyWallnerhasdriventheBavarianslongsinceacrossthefrontier，andSpeckbacherandtheCapuchinhavemarchedtotheMuhlbachPassinordertoattackRusca。
Andwhyarewetokeepquiet，then？WhyarewetoallowtheFrenchtoenterthePasseyrvalley？\"
\"Wewillnotallowthemtodoit！\"shoutedthepeasantsoutside。
\"No，wewillnotallowtheFrenchtoenterthePasseyrvalley。\"
\"Youhearit，commander—in—chief，\"saidthefirstspeaker。\"Weareallreadyanddetermined。NowsaywhatwearetodowiththeFrench。
Willyoudoanythingornot？\"
\"Yes，willyoudoanythingornot？\"repeatedthepeasants，penetratingwithfuriousgesturesintotheroom。
\"Ifyoudonotwanttodoanything，\"criedthepeasant，raisinghisriflemenacingly，\"myrifleisloadedforyouaswellasforanyFrenchman。Youcommencedtheinsurrection，nowputitthrough。\"
[Footnote:Loritza，\"BilderandErinnerungenausTyrol\'sFreiheitskampfenvon1809，\"p。14。]
\"Butyouknow，countrymen，thatIcannot！\"criedHofer。\"TheemperorhasmadepeacewithBonaparteandabandonedus。Whatcoursehaveweleftbutthatofsubmission？Wemustyield，ortheTyrolwillberuinedentirely。\"
\"Butwedonotwanttosubmit，\"shoutedthepeasants，furiously。
\"Andthewholecountryisofouropinion;nooneiswillingtosubmit。Wewilldieratherthansubmit。\"
\"Issueanotherproclamationcallingouttheable—bodiedmen！\"saidthefirstspeaker。
\"Yes，issueanotherproclamation，commander—in—chief，\"shoutedthecrowd。\"Wewillfight，wemustfight！\"
\"Andyoushallandmustbeourleader！\"exclaimedthepeasant，layinghisheavyhandonHofer\'sshoulder。\"Wewillcompelyoutogowithusorkillyouasatraitor。Issueanotherproclamation。Wemenarestillthesameasbefore，andsoisourcause;nowyoumustlikewisebethesameAndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！\"
\"Yes，\"exclaimedAndreas，witharadiantface，drawingadeepbreath，asifrelievedfromanoppressiveburden，\"yes，Iwillbethesameasbefore。Thisstateofaffairscannotcontinue。Wemustfight;wehadbetterdiethanleadsuchalife。Go，Doeninger，go;
writeaproclamation！\"
\"Hurrah！Longliveourcommander—in—chief，\"shoutedthepeasants，triumphantly;\"longliveourdearfaithfulAndreasHofer！\"
\"Ithankyou，mydearcountrymen，\"saidAndreas;\"Iamyourleadernow，andwewillfightagain。Butdonotholdmeresponsiblefortheeventsofthefuture。Youmustneverforgetthatyoucompelledmetoresumewar。Iintendedtosubmithumblyandpatiently，butyouwouldnotallowmetodoso，anddraggedmeforciblyfrommyretirement。
Thebloodystrugglewillcommenceagain——Godgrantusprotection，andfurthervictories！Wearenotgoingtofightfrommotivesofprideandarrogance，butonlyforthesakeofourcountry——becausewewanttoremainGermans，anddonotwanttobecomeFrenchsubjects，andbecausewewanttokeepourGod，ourliberty，andourconstitution。Amen！\"
CHAPTERXLI。
BETRAYALANDSEIZUREOFHOFER。
Warwasnowresumedatallpoints;buttheforcesbroughtfromallsidesagainsttheTyrolweresoimmensethatnohoperemainedtotheinhabitantsbutbydeedsofglorytothrowalastradiancearoundtheirfall。TheTyrolesefoughtwithdesperatevalor，buttheirheroismwasunavailing。Thesuperiorforcesoftheenemywereeverywherevictorious。TheartilleryoftheBavariansandFrenchthinnedtheranksofthemountaineersfromdaytoday;wholeranksoftheTyrolesebeingmoweddownbytheballsoftheenemy。Theyfledpanic—struckintothemountains。Thevictoriousinvaderspenetratedfartherandfartherintotheinteriorofthecountry;
burningtownsandvillagesmarkedtheroutewhichtheyfollowed，andwailsandlamentationsrenttheairwherevertheymadetheirappearance。
BeforethemiddleofDecemberallresistancehadbeenoverpowered。
Theenemystalkedinamercilessmanneroverthegory，reeking，groaningTyrol，andpursuedrelentlesslyallwhohaddaredtoriseagainsthim。Hehadpromisedoblivionandforgivenessinreturnforpeacefulsubmission;butastheTyrolesehadnotsubmitted，butcontinuedthestruggle，theenemynowthreatenedtorevengehimselfandpunishthevanquished。
Afuriouschasenowcommenced。Everyonewhohadbeenseizedwitharmsinhandwasshot;everyonewhoconcealedoneofthepursuedpatriotsinhishousewasexecuted，andhishousewasburneddown。
TheleadersoftheTyrolesehadfledintothemountains，buttheFrenchgeneralspromisedlargerewardsfortheheadsofthemostinfluentialpatriots;andthesoldierstraversedthecountry，impelledbythirstforrevengeandgain，spyingeverywherefortheoutlawedmountaineers，andascendingeventothesnow—cladsummitsofthemountainsinordertoobtainthelargerewards。Asyet，however，theyhadnotsucceededinseizingoneofthepursuedchiefs。TheFrenchgeneralshadvainlypromisedarewardoftenthousandflorinsfortheapprehensionofAndreasHofer，andrewardsoffivethousandflorinsfortheseizureofJosephSpechbacher，AnthonyWallner，andJoachimHaspinger。Theyhaddisappeared，andthepatrolsandsoldiers，whowerehuntingforthem，hadnotyetbeenabletodiscoverthehiding—placeofanyofthefourgreatchiefsoftheinsurrection。Themountains，thosenaturalfortressesoftheTyrol，protectedtheoutlawedcommanders;andintheAlpinehuts，amidstthechamoisandvultures，whichalonesawandknewtheirhiding—places，therewerenotraitors。
Retiringtohisnativevalley，AndreasHoferlongeludedthesearchofthevictors。HisplaceofconcealmentwasasolitaryAlpinehut，fourleaguesdistantfromhishome，ingeneralinaccessiblefromthesnowwhichsurroundedit。LovehadaccompaniedAndreastothisinhospitablespot。HiswifeandhissonJohnwerewithhim，andsowasCajetanDoeninger，hisfaithfulsecretary。LovehadaccompaniedhimtotheAlpinehutofhisfriendPfandler;lovewatchedoverhiminthevalleybelow。ManypeasantstherewerewellawareofHofer\'splaceofconcealment，butnoonebetrayedhim，noonewastemptedbytherewardoftenthousandflorinswhichBaraguayd\'Hilliers，theFrenchgeneral，offeredforHofer\'sapprehension。TheyoftensawPfandler\'sservants，loadedwithallsortsofprovisions，wendingtheirwayslowlyandpainfullyupthesnow—cladAlp;buttheyavertedtheirheads，asthoughtheydidnotwanttoseeanything，andprayedGodinalowtonetoprotectthemessengerswhoconveyedfoodtoHoferandhisdearones。Thepeasantsinthevalleyforborecarefullytospeakamongeachotherofwhattheyknew;onlytheytreatedPfandlerwithreverentialtenderness，shookhandswithhimquietly，andwhispered，\"Godblessyouandhim！\"Attimes，onaclearwinterday，whenthinsmokecurledupsuddenlyfromtheAlp，thepeasantsinthevalleylookedupsighinglyandwhisperedcompassionately，\"Theyhavebuiltafireintheirhut。Thecoldissosevere。Godblessthem！\"Butwheneveronewhomtheydidnottruststeppeduptothem，wonderingatthesmoke，andsayingthatsomebodywasconcealedupthere，andhadbuiltafireinordernottofreezetodeath，theotherslaughedathim，andsaidtherewasnosmokeatall，butonlysnowblownupbythestorm。
Oneday，however，astrangerarrivedinthevalley，andaskedwhisperinglyforAndreasHofer，towhom，hesaid，hewouldbringassistanceandsafety。Atfirstnoonerepliedtohim;butheshowedthemapaper，bearingthenameandsealoftheArchdukeJohn，andcontainingthefollowingwords，writtenbytheprincehimself:\"HelpmymessengertofindAndreasHofer，andbringhimassistanceandsafety。\"
Onreadingthis，thepeasantsdistrustedhimnolonger。TheyglancedfurtivelyuptotheSchneeberg，pointedtothetwowanderers，loadedwithbaskets，whoweretoilingupthemountainthroughthesnow，andwhisperedalmostinaudibly，\"Followthem！\"
Themessengerdidso。Heclimbedafterthetwoservants，andascendedwiththemtheinhospitable，dreary，anddesertedheights。
AtlengthhearrivedinfrontoftheAlpinehut;heknockedatthedoor，andaskedadmittanceinthenameofGodandtheArchdukeJohn。
Thedooropenedimmediately，andonthethresholdappearedHofer\'stall，beardedform，aserectandvigorousasithadbeeninthedaysofhissplendor，andhismild，honesteyegreetedthenew—comer。
\"HewhocomesinthenameofGodandtheArchdukeJohnwillnotdeceiveme，\"saidAndreas，kindly。\"Comein，therefore;foryoumusthavegoodintentionstowardme，inasmuchastheseverecolddidnotdeteryoufromcominguptome。\"
\"IndeedIhavegoodintentionstowardyou，\"saidthemessenger。\"Doyounotknowme，then，Andy？IamAnthonySteeger，theArchdukeJohn\'sgunsmith。\"
\"Oh，yes，nowIknowyou！\"exclaimedAndreas，joyfully。\"IsawyouinViennaatthetimeweweretheretodeviseplansforthedeliveranceoftheTyrol。Well，comein，AnthonySteeger;comeintomywife，myson，andmysecretary。\"
HeconductedAnthonySteegerintotheroom，wherethethreegreetedhim，andmaderoomforhiminfrontofthehearth，onwhichlargebilletsofwoodwereburning。AnthonySteegerlookedaroundinthiswretchedroom，whichcontainednothingbutafewricketywoodenchairs，andarough—hewnpinetable，andthewallsandwindowsofwhichwereprotectedfromthecoldbythickliningsofhayandstraw。
\"Yes，youmaywelllookaroundinmypalace，\"saidAndreas，smilingly;\"itisnotverygorgeoushere，butthegoodGodiswithus，andHewillhelpustogetalong。\"
\"AndtheArchdukeJohnwillhelpyoualso，\"saidAnthonySteeger。
\"Listentome，Andreas。Thearchdukesendsmetoyou。Hesendsyouhisgreetings，andentreatsyoutocomewithyourfamilytohimandstaywithhimallyourlifelong，or，ifyoushouldnotliketodothat，atleastuntilyoucanliveagainsafelyintheTyrol。Thearchdukehasalreadyfittedupahouseforyouinavillagewhichbelongstohim;youshalllivetherewithyourwholefamilyasthebelovedandhonoredguestsofthearchduke。Heimploresyoutoaccepthisinvitation。Ihavewithmeeverythingthatisnecessaryforyourflight，Andy。Thearchdukehasgivenmemoney，apassportforyouandyourfamily，andsafeguardsissuedbytheFrenchgenerals。Iamfamiliarwiththeroadsandby—pathsinthisvicinity，andwillconveyyousafelythroughthemountains。Thearchdukehasthoughtofeverythingandprovidedforeverything。\"
\"ItisverykindinthedearArchdukeJohnnottohaveforgottenme，\"saidAndreas，deeplymoved;\"itishonestandfaithfulthatheshouldliketotakecareofmeandrewardmylove。Anditisverykindinyou，too，AnthonySteeger，tohaveactedinthisspiritofself—denial。Youhavecomefromagreatdistancetosaveus，andarenotafraidofventuringwithusuponthismostdangerousflight。\"
\"Andyouacceptmyoffer，Andy，andconsenttoaccompanyme，doyounot？\"
\"Andwhatofthem？\"askedAndreas，castingatenderglanceonhiswifeandhisson。\"Therouteacrosstheglaciersisimpassableforawomanandachild。\"
\"Firstsaveyourself，myAndy，\"exclaimedAnnaGertrude;\"saveyourselfforusandthecountry。Afteryouaregoneandhavearrivedataplaceofsafety，theenemywillhardlytroubleusanymore，andIwillfollowyouthenwiththechildren。\"
\"Youneednotbeanxious，sofarasyourwifeandchildrenareconcerned，\"saidDoeninger。\"Iwillnotleavethem，butbringthemtoyou。\"
\"Praydonothesitate，Andy，\"saidAnthonySteeger，urgently。\"Thearchdukeimploresyounottogrievehimbyrejectinghisoffer，buttorelievehisconsciencefromtheheavydebtwhichhehashithertobeenunabletodischargetotheTyrol。Youshallescapeforhissakeandforthegoodofthefatherland，andsaveyourlifeforbettertimes，whichwillsurelydawnupontheTyrol。Doit，Andreas。Letusgotoworkimmediately。See，Ihavewithmeallthatyouneed，andweartwosuitsofclothes;oneisdestinedforyou，andyouwillputiton。Andhereistherazor，withwhichweshallshaveoffyourbeard;andwhenitisgone，andyouhaveputonthenewclothes，noonewillscenttheBarboneinthemanwithaforeigndressandasmoothchin。Come，now，Andy，anddonothesitate。\"
\"Iamtomakequiteanothermanofmyself，\"saidAndreas，shakinghishead，\"merelytosavemymiserablelife？IamtodenymydearPasseyr？Iamtoshaveoffmybeard，whichIhavewornsolonginanhonorablemanner，andbywhicheveryoneknowsmethroughouttheTyrol？No，AnthonySteeger，Iwillneverdothat！\"
\"Ifyoudonot，Andreas，youarelost，\"saidAnthonySteeger。\"IamafraidtheFrencharealreadyonyourtrack。Apeasantsaidhehadseenyouupheretheotherday。\"
\"Yes，itwasRaffel。Hecameupheretolookforhiscow，andmetmehere。ButIgavehimmoneynottobetraymysecret，andhepromisedmesolemnlythatbewouldnot。\"
\"Hemusthaveviolatedhispledgealready，Andy;forhetoldDonay，thepriest，aboutit，andthelatterboastedpubliclyyesterdaythathewasawareofAndreasHofer\'splaceofconcealment。\"
\"Itistrue，Donayisabadandmeanman，\"saidAndreasHofer，musingly;\"butIdonotbelievehewillbesomeanastobetrayme，whomhealwayscalledhisbestcommander—in—chiefanddearestfriend。\"
\"Heismeanenoughtodoit，\"murmuredDoeninger。\"Themagnitudeofthepricesetonyourheadwillinducehimtobetrayhisbenefactor。\"
\"Andy，\"criedAnnaGertrude，burstingintotears，andclingingtoherhusband，\"saveyourself！Ifyoulovemeandthechildren，saveyourself;cutoffyourbeard，putonthenewsuitofclothes，andescapefromyourbloodthirstyenemies。Saveyourself，forthesakeofyourwifeandyourpoorchildren！\"
\"Icannot，\"saidAndreas，mournfully，embracinghiswifetenderly;
\"no，sohelpmeGod，Icannotleavemydear，unhappycountry。IknowfullwellthatIshallnotavertanycalamitiesfromtheTyrolbystayinghere，butIwillatleastshareitsmisfortunes。Iwasunabletosavemynativecountry;Iwillthereforesufferwithit。A
goodcaptaindoesnotdeserthisshipwreckedvessel，butdieswithit;andthusIwillnotdesertmycountryeither，butdiewithit。I
willdoallIcantosavemyself，butIwillnotleavetheTyrol;I
willnotcutoffmybeardnorputonotherclothes。Iwillnotmaskanddisguisemyself，butwillremaininadversitywhatIwasinthedaysofprosperity，AndreasHofer，theBarbone。Statethattothedeararchduke，AnthonySteeger，andtellhimalsothatIamverygratefultohimforwishingtosavemeinhisway，andthatIhopehewillnotbeangrywithmeforbeingunabletoaccepthiskindoffer，orforwishingtoliveanddiewithmycountry。Ifhewishestodoanythingforme，lethimgototheEmperorFrancis，andtellhimIamwellawarethathehimselfwouldneverhaveforgottenus，butthathisbadministersdiditall，andbetrayedthepoorTyrolsoperfidiously。LethimbeseechtheemperortointercedevigorouslyinbehalfoftheTyrolandofmyself，butnottoseparatemefromtheTyrol。\"[Footnote:\"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，\"p。188。]
\"Andreas，\"criedhiswife，despairingly，\"youarelost——Ifeelithereinmyheart——youarelost，ifyoudonotfleewithSteegerthisverynight。\"
\"AndIfeelithereinmyheartthatImuststayhere，eventhoughI
shouldbelost，\"saidAndreas，firmly。\"Well，youmustweepnomore，AnnaGertrude;andyou，AnthonySteeger，acceptmycordialthanksforyourkindandgenerousintentions。\"
\"Thenyouhavemadeupyourmind，Andy，nottogowithme？\"
\"Ihave，Anthony。Butifyouwilldomeagreatfavor，takemywifeandmyboywithyou，fortheenemythreatensthemaswellasme。
Takethemwithyou，Anthony，conveythemacrossthemountains，andconductthemtotheArchdukeJohn。\"
\"Itisimpossible，\"saidAnthonySteeger，mournfully，\"theroadsaresofullofsnowthattheyareutterlyimpassableforwomenandchildren。\"
\"Andyouwouldadvisemetoleavethemhere？\"askedAndreas，Hofer，reproachfully。\"Iamtoleaveheremymostprecioustreasuresmerelytosavemymiserablelife？No，myfriend，IshallstayherewithmywifeandchildandDoeningerthere。Butyoumustgonowandsaveyourself;for，iftheenemyshouldreallycome，itwouldbebadforyoutobefoundhere。\"
\"Iwillgo，Andy，nottosavemyself，however，buttoconveyyourmessagespeedilytothearchduke，thathemaysaveyouinanotherwaybytheemperor\'sintercession。InthevalleyIshalltelleveryonethatyouarenolongerinthisAlpinehut，buthavealreadysucceededinescapingtoVienna，sothatitwillbeunnecessaryfortheenemytopursueyouanylonger。\"
\"Doso，AnthonySteeger;andiftheybelieveyou，Ishallbegladofit。Butgonow;Iamanxiousonyouraccount，andthinksomethingmighthappentoyouhere。Go，mydearfriend。\"
HedrewSteegertothedoor，and，notpermittinghimtotakealongleaveoftheothers，conductedhimoutofthehut，andthenembracedhimtenderly。\"NowlistentowhatIwishtotellyou，\"hewhispered，inalowvoice。\"Imuststayheretosavemywifeandmyboy。Thetwocannotfleenow，asyouyourselfadmittedtome。IfIshouldescapenow，andleavethemhere，theenemywouldspyouttheirplaceofconcealmentandrevengehimselfuponthem;hewouldtortureandkilltheminhisrageatnothavingcapturedme。ButifIstay，andtheFrenchshouldfindme，Ibelievetheywouldreleasemywifeandmysonanddonoharmtothem;forthentheywouldhavegotme，andtheyareentirelyinnocent。Go，then，mydearfriend;tellthearchdukeallIhavesaidtoyou，andgreethimathousandtimesfromhisfaithfulAndy。Nowfarewell，andgowithGod\'sblessing！\"
HenoddedoncemorekindlytoAnthonySteeger。andreturnedquicklyintotheAlpinehut。Hefoundhiswifeintears;littleJohn，herson，waskneelingbeforeher，withhisheadagainsthismother\'sknees，andweepingalso。Doeningerstoodatthehearthandstaredintothefire。
AndreasHoferwenttohimandlaidhishandgentlyonhisshoulder。
\"Cajetan，\"heasked，mildly，\"didIdoright？\"
\"Yes，commander—in—chief，youdid，\"saidDoeninger，solemnly。
\"Iwanttotellyousomethingmore，Cajetan，\"addedAndreas。\"WhatSteegersaidaboutRafelandDonaymaybetrue;theFrenchmayhavediscoveredmyplaceofconcealment，andmaycomeuphere。Hence，dearCajetan，youmustleavemeandescape，lesttheyshouldseizeyou，too。\"
\"Agoodservantleaveshismasternomorethanacaptaindesertshisshipwreckedvessel，\"saidDoeninger，firmly。\"Yourefusetoleaveyournativecountryinitsadversitybecauseyouloveit。Irefuse，likewise，toleaveyouinthedaysofyouradversity，becauseIloveyou。Ishallstayhere。\"
AndreasHoferencircledDoeningerwithhisarmsandfoldedhimtenderlytohisheart。\"Staywithme，then，myCajetan，\"hesaid，affectionately。\"Godknowsmyheartwouldhavegrievedhadyouconsentedtoleaveme。Andnow，AnnaGertrude，donotweepanylonger。Makehaste，dearwife，packupallyourthings，andletusgoearlytobed。Forearlyinthemorningwewillleavethishut。I
knowanotherAlpinehutatnogreatdistancefromhere;Ibelievewewillbeabletogetthither，andwewilltakewithusasmanythingsaswecancarry。Makehaste，therefore，dearAnnaGertrude！\"
AnnaGertrudedriedhertears，and，flushedwithnewhope，packeduptheirthingsinfoursmallbundles，sothateachmightcarryoneaccordingtohisstrength。
Nightcameatlast——thelastnightwhichtheyweretopassatthishut。Atthebreakofdaytheyweretosetoutfortheirnewplaceofconcealment。