第15章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Andreas Hofer",免费读到尾

  GraduallythewholeroombecamecrowdedwithTyrolese,whoyesterdayhadbeenthemortalfoesofthecolonel,butwhogazedto—daywithprofoundcompassionandconciliatedheartsatthepoor,mutilatedbeingthatdisdainedevenonthebrinkofthegravetoconsiderapeasantasentitledtoequalrightsandasabrotherofthenobleman。

  ColonelDittfurtlayonhiscouchwithhiseyesdistendedtotheirutmost,andstaredattheTyroleseassembledroundhim。Forsomeminutesthecursesandinvectiveshaddiedawayonhislips,andheseemedtolistenattentivelytothesinisternotesofthealarm—

  bellswhichwerecallingincessantlyupontheTyrolesetoprepareforthestruggle。

  \"Isthatmydeath—knell?\"heaskedwearily。\"HaveI,then,diedalready,andisitdeaththatislyingsoheavilyonmybreast?\"

  \"No,sir,youstilllive,\"saidoneoftheTyrolese,inalow,gentlevoice。\"Youstilllive;thebellsyouhearareringingthetocsin;theyarousedusbecausetheFrenchandBavariansareadvancinguponthecity。\"

  \"TheBavariansarecoming!Ourmenarecoming!\"criedDittfurtexultingly,andbeliftedhisheadasiftorisefromhiscouch。Buttheironhandofdeathhadalreadytouchedhimandkepthimenthralled。Hisheadsankheavilybackuponthepillow,andhiseyesbecamemorelustrelessandfixed。

  \"Theyvanquishedme,\"hesaid,afterapause;\"IknowIamaprisonerofthepeasants,anditistheywhokeepmechainedtothiscouchandpreventmefromgoingouttoparticipateinthecontest。

  Oh,oh,howitgrievesme!Aprisonerofthepeasants!Buttheyfoughtlikemen,andtheirleadermustbeanableandbraveofficer。

  Whowastheleaderofthepeasants?\"

  \"Noone,sir,\"saidtheTyrolese,onwhomthedyingofficerfixedhiseyes。\"Wehadnoleader;wefoughtequallyforGod,theemperor,andournativecountry。\"

  \"No,no,\"saidDittfurt,\"thatisfalse;Iknowbetter,forIsawtheleaderofthepeasantspassmeoften。Hewasmountedonawhitehorse;hisfacewasasradiantasheaven,hiseyestwinkledlikestars,andinhishandheheldaswordflashinglikeasunbeam。I

  sawtheleaderofthepeasants,healwaysrodeattheirhead,heledthemintobattle,I——\"

  Hepaused,theexpressionofhiseyesbecamemorefixed,theshadesofdeathdescendeddeeperanddeeperonhisforehead,whichwascoveredwithcoldperspiration。

  TheTyrolesemindedhimnolonger。Theylookedateachotherwithexultantandenthusiasticglances。\"Hesawaleaderatourhead?\"

  theyaskedeachother。\"Aleadermountedonawhitehorse,andholdinginhishandaswordflashinglikeasunbeam?ItmusthavebeenSt。James,thepatronofthecityofInnspruck。Hewasourleaderyesterday。Yes,yes,thatisit!St。Jamescombatedatourhead,unknowntous;butheshowedhimselftotheenemyanddefeatedhim。Didyounothear,brethren,whatthepiousprieststoldusoftheSpaniardswhohavelikewiserisentofightagainstBonaparte,theenemyofthePopeandallgoodChristians?St。JamesplacedhimselfinSpainlikewiseattheheadofthepiouspeasants;heledthemagainstBonaparteandtheFrench,andmadethemvictoriousovertheenemy,whowasbentuponstealingtheircountryandtheirliberties。AndsinceSt。JamesgotthroughwiththeSpaniardsinSpain,liehascometotheTyroltolendushisassistance。St。

  James,ourpatronsaint,isourleader!Heassistsusandcombatsatourhead!\"

  AndtheTyrolese,regardlessofthecolonel,whoatthismomentwaswrithinginthelastconvulsionsofdeath,rushedoutoftheroomtocommunicatethemiracletotheirbrethrenoutside。Thenewsspreadlikewildfirefromhousetohouse,fromstreettostreet;allshoutedjoyously:\"St。James,ourpatronsaint,isourleader。Heassistsusandcombatsatourhead!\"[Footnote:\"Galleryofheroes:

  AndreasHofer,\"p。41。]

  AndthisbeliefenhancedtheenthusiasmoftheTyrolese,andwiththemostintrepidcouragetheylookedupontheenemy,whohadbythistimecomecloseuptothecity,andwasforminginlineofbattleontheplainadjoiningthevillageofWiltau。FromthehousesintheneighborhoodofthetriumphalarchtheTyrolesewereabletosurveythewholepositionoftheenemy;theycoulddiscerneventhevariousuniformsoftheFrenchandBavariansoldiers。Upyonder,ontheroofofahouse,stoodSpeckbacherandTeimer,andwiththeireyes,whichwereaskeenandflashingasthoseoftheeagle,theygazedsearchinglyuponthepositionoftheenemyandthatoftheirownforces。ThelinefromthevillageofWiltaudowntotheriverSillwasoccupiedbytheFrenchtroopsunderGeneralBisson;ontherightsideofWiltautotheInnstoodLieutenant—ColonelWredenwiththeBavarians,hisfrontturnedtowardthecity。

  \"Nowwemustsurroundthemasinamouse—trap,andleavethemnooutletforescape,\"saidMajorTeimer,withashrewdwink。\"Isnotthatyouropiniontoo,Speckbacher?\"

  \"Certainlyitis,\"repliedSpeckbacher。\"MountIselyonder,intherearoftheBavarians,mustbeoccupiedbyseveralthousandsofourbestsharpshooters,andacloudofourpeasantsmustconstantlyharasstheirrearanddrivethemtowardInnspruck。Herewewillreceivetheminfinestyle,andchasethemuntiltheyarealldeadorlaydowntheirarms。Theonlyimportantthingforusistocutofftheirretreatandkeepthembetweentwofires。\"

  \"Youareright,Speckbacher;youareaskilfulsoldier,andarebetterabletobeageneralthanmanyanofficer——forinstance,GeneralKinkel。Kinkelisanoldwoman;heweptandsworeinonebreathwhenIwaswithhimjustnow;hesaysallthetimethathewillcommitsuicide,andyetheisnotcourageousenoughtodoit,butpreferredtocomplywithmydemands。\"

  \"Andwhatwereyourdemands,Teimer?\"

  \"IdemandedthatheshouldgivemeanopenlettertoGeneralBisson,urginghimtosendsomeconfidentialpersonintothetownwhomightreportthestateofaffairs,andconvincehimoftheimmensesuperiorityandenthusiasmoftheTyrolese,andoftheimpossibilityofdefeatingusorforcinghiswaythroughourranks。\"

  \"AnddidoldGeneralKinkelgiveyousuchaletter?\"

  \"Hedid,andIwillsenditoutnowtotheFrenchcamp。Wemustmakeallnecessarydispositions,thatwhenthegeneralsendsaconfidentialenvoyintothetownhemaybecomefullyalivetothefactthatitisimpossibleforhimtodefeatus。Aboveallthings,wemustsendseveralthousandsharp—shooterstoMountIselandtheadjoiningheights,inordertocutofftheenemy\'sretreat。\"

  TheletterwhichMajorTeimerhadextortedfromGeneralKinkelhadreallytheeffectwhichhehadexpectedfromit。GeneralBissonsenttoInnspruckoneofhisstaff—officers,accompaniedbyLieutenant—

  ColonelvonWreden,thecommanderoftheBavarians。Afewotherofficersfollowedthesetwo,andrepairedwiththemtoMajorTeimer,whoreceivedthemattheprincipalguard—houseinthepresenceofthemostprominentTyrolese。

  MeanwhileGeneralBissonawaitedwithpainfulimpatiencethereturnofthetwoambassadorswhomhehadsentintothetown;and,hiseyesconstantlyfixedonInnspruck,hewalkeduneasilyupanddown。Butalreadyupwardofanhourhadelapsed,andtheambassadorshadnotyetmadetheirappearance。Hehadgoodreasontobeuneasyandanxious,forthesituationoftheFrenchandBavarianswasnowalmostdesperate。HehadfoundoutatthebridgeoftheEisach,ontheplainoftheSterzingerMoos,andattheMuhlbacherKlause,thattheFrenchhadtodealwithanenemywhowasterriblyinearnest;

  thatthewholeTyrolwasininsurrection;thatChasteler,withabodyofarmedpeasants,aswellasafewregulartroops,wasdescendingtheBrenner,andalreadymenacinghisrear;whiletherocksandthicketsinhisfrontandflankswerebristlingwiththepeasantsoftheInnthal,who——ingreatstrength——obstructedhisadvance。

  \"Weshalldiehere,forwearehemmedinonallsides,\"saidGeneralBisson,gloomily,tohimself。\"Thereisnohopeleft,andintheendwemaybeobligedtosubmittothedisgraceofsurrenderingtothemobofpeasants。Butwhatonearthpreventstheofficersfromreturningtome?\"

  AndBissonturnedhissearchingeyesagaintowardInnspruck。Nowheperceivedtwomenapproachingatarun。

  Herecognizedthem;theywerethecompanionsofhisstaff—officerandLieutenant—ColonelVonWreden,andtheirpale,dismayedfacestoldhimthattheywerebearersofbadtidings。

  \"WherearethetwogentlemenwhomIsenttoInnspruck?\"heasked,advancingrapidlytowardthem。

  \"TheyweretakenintocustodyatInnspruck,\"falteredoutoneofthem。

  \"MajorTeimersaidhehadtakenuponhimselfnoobligationinregardtotheseofficers,andwouldretainthemashostages,\"pantedtheother。\"Hethencausedustobeconductedthroughthewholecity,thatwemightsatisfyourselvesofthetremendousstrengthoftheTyroleseandtheirformidablepreparations。Oh,yourexcellency,thepeasantsaremuchsuperiortousinstrength,forthereareatleasttwentythousandable—bodiedmenintheirranks;theyarewellarmed,andthemostcelebratedmarksmenandthemostdaringleadersoftheTyrolareamongthem。\"

  \"Bah!itwouldmakenodifference,eventhoughtheyweretentoone!\"criedGeneralBisson;\"fortenpeasantscannothaveasmuchcourageasonesoldierofthegrandarmyofmygloriousemperor。Wewillprovetothemthatwearenotafraidofthem。Wewillattackthem。AdetachmentofTyroleseyonderhasventuredtoleavethecity。Fireatthem!Shootthemdownuntilnotoneofthemisleft!\"

  Theshotscrashed,theartilleryboomed,butnotaTyrolesehadfallen;theyhadthrownthemselvesontheground,sothatthebulletsandballshadwhistledharmlesslyovertheirheads。Butnowtheyjumpedupandrespondedtotheshotsoftheenemy;andnotoneoftheirbulletsmisseditsaim,butallcarrieddeathintotheranksoftheFrench。AtthesametimethesharpshooterspostedonMountIsel,intherearoftheFrenchandBavarians,commencedfiring,andmoweddownwholeranksofthesoldiers。

  GeneralBissonturnedindismaytowardthisnewenemy,coveredbythethicket,which,risingalmosttothesummitofMountIsel,madetheTyroleseinvisible,andprotectedthemfromthemissilesofthesoldiers。

  \"Wearebetweentwofires,\"hemurmuredtohimself,indismay。\"Wearecaught,asitwere,inanet,andwillbeannihilatedtothelastman。\"

  Andthisconvictionseizedallthesoldiers,aswasplainlytobeseenfromtheirpalefacesandterror—strickenlooks。

  TherewasasuddenlullinthefireoftheTyrolese,whichhadalreadystruckdownseveralhundredFrenchsoldiers,andfromthetriumphalarchofInnspruckissuedseveralmen,wavingwhitehandkerchiefs,andadvancingdirectlytowardtheFrench。ItwasMajorTeimer,accompaniedbysomeofficersandcitizensofInnspruck。HesentoneofthemtoGeneralBissontoinvitehimtoaninterviewtobeheldonthepublicsquareofthevillageofWiltau。

  GeneralBissonacceptedtheinvitation,andrepairedwithhisstaffandsomeBavarianofficerstothedesignatedplace。

  MajorTeimerandhiscompanionswerealreadythere。Teimerreceivedthegeneralandhisdistinguishedcompanionswithaproud,condescendingnod。

  \"General,\"hesaid,withoutwaitingfortheeminentofficertoaddresshim,\"Ihavecomeheretoaskyoutosurrender,andorderyoursoldierstolaydowntheirarms。\"

  GeneralBissonlookedwithasmileofamazementatthepeasantwhodaredtoaddresstohimsounheard—ofademandwithsomuchcalmnessandcomposure。

  \"Mydearsir,\"hesaid,\"Iamconvincedthatyouarenotinearnest,butknowfullwellthatwenevercanorwillcomplywithsuchademand。Moreover,oursituationdoesnotbyanymeanscompelustoallowconditionstobedictatedtous。Nevertheless,Iamreadytomakesomeconcessionstoyou。Hence,IwillpledgeyoumywordofhonorthatIwillneitherattackyou,norinjurethecityofInnspruckintheleast。ButinreturnIdemandthatyouallowustopasswithoutmolestationthroughInnspruck,thatwemaymarchtoAugsburginobediencetotheordersofmyemperor。\"

  \"Andyoubelievewecanbesostupidastograntthisdemand,general?\"askedTeimer,shrugginghisshoulders。\"Idonotwanttobebeatendown,butsticktomyfirstdemand。Eitheryouorderyourtroopstolaydowntheirarms,oryouwillallbeputtothesword。\"

  \"No,sohelpmeGod!neverwillIacceptsoarrogantademand,\"

  criedthegeneral,indignantly;\"neverwillIincurthedisgraceofsigningsoignominiousacapitulation。\"

  \"Then,general,youwillappearthisverydaybeforethethroneofGodtoaccountforthelivesofthethousandswhomyoudevotetoanunnecessarydeath。Forallofyouwillandmustdie;thereisnoescapeforyou。Youknowitfullwell,general,forotherwiseyou,theproudgeneralofMonsieurBonaparte,andcommanderofseveralthousandsplendidFrenchsoldiers,wouldnothavecometonegotiateherewiththeleaderofthepeasants,whoknowsnothingoftacticsandstrategy。Youknowthatthereareenemiesbothinyourfrontandrear。OurmenoccupyMountIsel,andthewholecountrybackofMountIselisininsurrection。Youcannotretraceyoursteps,norcanyouadvance,foryouwillnevergettoInnspruck,andthereisnootherroadtoAugsburg。Wehavebarricadedthecity,andhavenearlytwentythousandmeninandaroundInnspruck。\"

  \"ButIpledgedyoumywordthatIwouldnotattackyou,nortakeanyhostilestepswhatever。AllIwantistomarchpeaceablythroughthecity;and,inordertoconvinceyouofmypacificintentions,I

  promisetocontinuemymarchwithflintsunscrewedfromourmuskets,andwithoutammunition。\"

  \"Idonotacceptyourpromises,theyarenotsufficient,\"saidTeimer,coldly。

  \"Well,then,\"criedGeneralBisson,inatremulousvoice,\"hearmylastwords。Iwillmarchonwithmytroopswithoutarms;ourarmsandammunitionmaybesentafterusonwagons。\"

  \"Ifthatisyourlastword,general,ournegotiationsareatanend,\"repliedTeimer,withperfectsang—froid。\"Youhaverejectedmywell—meaningsolicitudeforyoursafety;nothingremainsformenowbuttosurrenderyouandyourtroopstothetendermerciesofourinfuriatedpeople。Farewell,general。\"

  HeturnedhisbackonhimandadvancedseveralstepstowardInnspruck。Atthesametimehewavedhisarmthreetimes。

  Immediately,ashadbeenagreedupon,theTyroleseonMountIsel,andinfrontofInnspruck,commencedfiring,andtheirclosedischarges,admirablydirected,thinnedtheranksoftheFrenchgrenadiers,whiletheshoutswithwhichthemountainsresoundedonallsidesweresotremendousthattheywerecompletelypanic—struck。

  GeneralBissonsawit,andadeadlypalloroverspreadhisface。

  Teimerstoodstillandgazedsneeringlyatthedisheartenedandterrifiedsoldiers,andthenglancedattheirgeneral。

  Bissoncaughtthisglance。\"Sir,\"hecried,andhiscryresembledalmostanoutburstofdespair,\"prayreturntome。\"

  \"Letusnegotiate!\"

  Teimerdidnotapproachhim,heonlystoodstill。\"Cometome,ifyouhaveanythingtosaytome,\"heshouted;\"come,and——\"

  Therattleofmusketry,andthefuriousshoutsoftheTyrolese,nowpouringdownfromallthemountains,andadvancingupontheFrench,drownedhisvoice。

  TorenderhiswordsintelligibletoTeimer,andtohearhisreplies,GeneralBissonwasobligedtoapproachhim,andhesteppeduptohimwithhisstaff—officersingreaterhasteperhapsthanwascompatiblewithhisdignity。

  \"Whatelsedoyoudemand?\"heasked,inatremulousvoice。

  \"WhatIdemandedattheoutset,\"saidTeimer,firmly。\"IwantyourtroopstolaydowntheirarmsandsurrendertotheTyrolese。Ihavealreadydrawnupacapitulation;itisonlynecessaryforyouandyourofficerstosignit。Thecapitulationisbriefandtothepoint,general。Itconsistsonlyoffourparagraphs。ButjustlistentotheshoutsandcheersofmydearTyrolese,andseewhatexcellentmarksmentheyare!\"

  Indeed,thebulletsoftheTyrolesewhistledagainatthismomentthroughtheranksoftheenemy,andeverybullethititsman。LoudshoutsofdespairburstfromtheranksoftheFrenchandBavarians,whowereinthewildestconfusion,anddidnotevendaretoflee,becausetheyknewfullwellthattheywerehemmedinonallsides。

  GeneralBissonperceivedthedespairofhistroops,andagroanescapedfromhisbreast。\"Readthecapitulationtome,sir,\"hesaid,dryingthecoldperspirationonhisforehead。

  Teimerdrewapaperfromhisbosomandunfoldedit。Hethencommencedreading,inaloud,ringingvoice,whichdrownedeventherattleofmusketry\"InthenameofhismajestytheEmperorFrancisI。ofAustria,acapitulationisenteredintoatthismomentwiththeFrenchandBavariantroopswhichadvancedto—dayfromSteinachtoWiltau;thefollowingtermswereaccepted:\"

  \"FIRST。TheFrenchandBavariansoldierslaydowntheirarmsonthespotnowoccupiedbythem。\"

  \"SECONDLY。Themembersofthewholeeighthcorpsareprisonersofwar;andwillbedeliveredassuchtotheAustriantroopsatSchwatz,whithertheywillbeconveyedimmediately。\"

  \"THIRDLY。TheTyrolesepatriotsinthecustodyofthesetroopswillbereleasedonthespot。\"

  \"FOURTHLY。Thefieldandstaff—officersoftheFrenchandBavariantroopswillretaintheirbaggage,horses,andside—arms,andtheirpropertywillberespected。\"

  \"Yousee,sir,itisimpossibleformetosignthis,\"criedGeneralBisson。\"Youcannotexpectmetosubscribemyowndisgrace。\"

  \"Ifyourefusetosubscribethecapitulation,yousigntherebynotonlyyourowndeath—warrant,butthatofallyoursoldiers,\"saidTeimercalmly。\"See,general,hereisfortunatelyatable,forthisistheplacewherethepeopleofWiltauassembleonSundays,anddanceanddrink。Fateplacedthistablehereforusthatwemightuseitforsigningthecapitulation。Thereisthecapitulation;I

  havealreadyaffixedtoitmynameandtitleascommissioneroftheEmperorFrancis。Ihavealsobroughtpenandinkwithme,thatyoumighthavenotroubleinsigningthedocument。Subscribeit,therefore,general,andletyourstaff—officersdosotoo。Sparethelivesofyourpoorsoldiersforyouseeeveryminute\'sdelaycostsyouadditionallosses。\"

  \"Icannotsignit,Icannot!\"criedBisson,despairingly。Heburstintotears,andinhisboundlessgriefhestruckhisforeheadwithhisfistandtoreouthisthingrayhairwithhistremblinghands。

  [Footnote:Hormayr\'s\"AndreasHofer,\"vol。1,p。257。]\"Icannotsignit,\"hewailedloudly。

  \"Signit,\"criedhisofficers,throngingroundthetable。

  \"Youmustrefusenolonger,forthelivesofalloursoldiersareatstake。\"

  \"Butmyhonorandgoodnamearelikewiseatstake,\"groanedBisson,\"andifIsignthecapitulation,Ishalllosebothforever。\"

  \"Butyouwilltherebypreservetotheemperorthelivesofupwardofthreethousandofhissoldiers,\"exclaimedtheofficers,urgently。

  \"Neverwilltheemperorbelievethatthisdisastermightnothavebeenaverted,\"wailedGeneralBisson。\"EvenwereImerelyunfortunate,hewouldimputeittomeasacrime。HewillforgivemenomorethanVilleneuveandDupont。Hisangerisinexorable,anditwillcrushme。\"

  \"Thenletitcrushyou,general,\"saidTeimer,calmly。\"ItisbetterthatyoushouldbecrushedthanthatseveralthousandmenshouldnowbecrushedbytheTyrolese。\"

  \"Sign,sign!\"criedtheFrenchofficers,steppingcloseuptothetable,takingupthepen,andpresentingittothegeneral。

  \"ThenyouarealldeterminedtosignthecapitulationafterIhavedoneso?\"askedGeneralBisson,stillhesitating。

  \"Weare,\"criedtheofficers。

  \"Wearereadytodoso,\"saidMajorArmance,\"andinproofhereofI

  affixmynametothecapitulationbeforeyouhavesignedit,general。\"

  Hesubscribedthepaperwithaquickbutsteadyhand。

  Anotherstaff—officersteppedup,tookthepen,andalsowrotehisname,\"Varin。\"

  \"Now,general,\"hesaid,presentingthepentoBisson。

  Thegeneraltookthepen,castalastdespairingglancetowardheavenandthentowardhissoldiers,bentoverthepapertosignit。

  Thependroppedfromhishand,andhehadtoleanagainstthetableinordernottosinktotheground。MajorTeimerdrewawhitehandkerchieffromhispocketandwaveditintheair。TheTyroleseceasedfiringimmediately,anddeafeningcheersburstforthonallsides。

  \"Yousee,general,youhavesavedthelivesofyoursoldiers,\"saidTeimer。

  Bissononlysighed,andturnedtohisofficers。\"Now,gentlemen,\"hefalteredout,\"giveorderstothetroopstolaydowntheirarmsonthespotnowoccupiedbythem。\"

  Theofficershastenedaway,andGeneralBissonstartedtoleavelikewise,whenTeimerquicklylaidhishandonhisarmanddetainedhim。

  \"General,\"hesaid,\"prayissuestillanotherorder。\"

  \"Whatorder,sir?\"

  \"Youhaveofcoursebroughtyourcarriagewithyou;orderyourcoachmantodriveupwithit,andpermitmeandthesegentlemenheretoenteritwithyou,andridetoInnspruck。\"

  \"Thatistosay,Iamyourprisoner,andyouwishtomakeyourtriumphalentranceintothecitywithme?\"

  \"Thatisaboutmyintention。Ishouldliketoreturntothecityseatedbyyourside;andasthegoodinhabitantsofInnspruckareveryanxioustoseeaFrenchgeneral,oneofBonaparte\'sgenerals,whodoesnotcomewithhistroopstodevastatethecity,torobandplunder,Irequestyoutoletusmakeourentranceinanopen,uncoveredcarriage。\"

  \"Wewilldoso,\"saidBisson,castingasombreglanceonTeimer\'sshrewdface。\"Youaremercilessto—day,sir。Whatisyourname?\"

  \"MynameisMartinTeimer;IholdtherankofmajorintheAustrianarmy,andArchdukeJohnhasappointedmecommissionerfortheTyrol。\"

  \"Ah,oneofthetwocommissionerswhosignedthe`openorder,\'withwhichthecountrywasinstigatedtoriseininsurrection?\"

  \"Yes,general。\"

  \"AndAndreasHofertheBarbone,istheothercommissioner,ishenot?Iwillrememberitincaseweshouldmeetagain。\"

  \"Youwillthentakeyourrevenge;thatisquitenatural。Butto—dayWEtakeourrevengeforthelongoppressionsandinsultswhichwehaveenduredatthehandsoftheFrench。Come,general,letusridetoInnspruck。\"

  Anhourafterwardalongandbrilliantprocessionmovedthroughthetriumphalarch。ItwasheadedbythebandofthecapturedBavarianregiment,whichhadtoplaytoglorifyitsowndisgraceto—day;nextcameanopencarriageinwhichMartinTeimersatwitharadiantface,andbyhissideGeneralBisson,pale,andhanginghishead。Inanothercarriagefollowedthestaff—officers,escortedbythemunicipalauthoritiesandclergyofInnspruck,andafterwardappearedthewholeenormousforceoftheTyroleseconductingthedisarmedprisonersintheirmidst。[Footnote:Hormayr\'s\"LifeofAndreasHofer,\"vol。i。,p。259。]

  AllInnspruckhadputonitsholidayattire;atallthewindowsweretobeseengayly—dressedladiesandrejoicinggirls,holdingintheirhandswreaths,whichtheythrewdownonthevictors。Thebellsofallthechurcheswereringing,notthetocsin,butpealsofjoyandthanksgiving。

  Forthetaskwasaccomplished,theTyrolwasfree!Inthreedaysaftertheinsurrectionbrokeout,theTyrolese,bymeanssolelyoftheirownvalorandpatriotism,aidedbythenaturalstrengthofthecountry,hadentirelydeliveredtheprovincefromtheenemy。ThecapitulationofWiltaucrownedtheworkofdeliverance,totheeverlastinggloryofthebraveMartinTeimer,andtothedisgraceofGeneralBissonandtheFrenchandBavarians。[Footnote:MajorTeimerwasrewardedforthiscapitulationofWiltauwiththetitleofBaronvonWiltau,andwiththeorderofMariaTheresa。TheEmperorofAustria,besides,presentedhimwithvaluableestatesinStyria。]

  ThereweregreatrejoicingsinInnspruckallthedaylong;gladfacesweretobemetwitheverywhere,andallshoutedenthusiastically:\"WehavebecomeAustriansagain!WearesubjectsoftheEmperorofAustriaagain!LonglivethefreeTyrol!LonglivetheEmperorFrancis!\"

  Thestreetspresentedaverylivelyappearance;allthepaintersofthecitywereoccupiedinremovingthehatefulBavariancolors,blueandwhite,fromthesignsandhouses,andputtingonthemtheAustrian,blackandgold;andtheTyrolesemarksmenheldaregulartarget—shootingattheBavarianlion,which,tothegreatdisgustoftheTyrolese,hadbeenraisedfouryearsagoovertheentranceoftheimperialpalace。Prizeswereawardedforeverypiecewhichwasshotfromit,andtheprincipalrewardwasgrantedtohimwhopiercedthecrownofthelion。

  Yes,thenorthernTyrolwasfree;buttheSouth,theItalianTyrol,wasgroaningyetundertheyokeofFrenchoppression,andAndreasHoferintendedtomarchthitherwithhisforces,ashehadconcertedatViennawiththeArchdukeJohnandHormayr,inordertobringtotheItalianTyrolesethelibertywhichtheGermanTyrolesehadalreadyconquered。

  HenceAndreasHofer,thoughhisheartyearnedforit,hadrefrainedfrommakinghissolemnentranceintoInnspruck,andhadgoneonthe17thofApriltoMeran,wherehewastoreviewtheLandsturmofthattownanditsenvirons,thebravemenwhoweretoaccompanyhimonhisexpeditiontotheItalianTyrol。

  TheTyroleseweredrawnupinfourlines;attheirheadwastobeseenHormayr,surroundedbythepriestsandcivilofficerswhohadbeenexiledbytheBavarians,andwhowerereturningnowwithhimandtheAustrianarmy。

  AcloudofdustarosefromtheneighboringgorgesofthePasseyrvalley,andajoyousmurmurranthroughtheranksoftheTyrolese。

  Deafeningcheersrenttheairthen,forAndreasHofergallopeduponafinecharger,followedbythemenofthePasseyrvalley。Hisfaceglowed,hiseyesbeamedwithdelight,andhiswholebearingbreathedunboundedsatisfactionandhappiness。

  HeshookhandswithHormayr,laughingmerrily。\"Wehavekept,\"heexclaimed,\"thepromiseswemadeatVienna,havewenot?AndourdearArchdukeJohn,Isuppose,willbecontentwithus?\"

  \"HesendsthebestgreetingsofhislovetohisdearAndreasHofer,\"

  saidHormayr,\"andthankshimforallhehasdonehere。\"

  \"Hethanksme?\"askedHofer,insurprise。\"Wehavedoneonlywhatourheartslongedfor,andfulfilledourownwishes。WewishedtobecomeAustriansagain,forAustriansmeansGermans;wewantednolongertobeBavarians,forBavariansmeantFrench;hence,wewereanxioustoridourmountainsofthedisgraceandmakeourcountryagainfreeandaprovinceofGermany。Wehavesucceededindoingso,forthegoodGodblessedoureffortsandhelpedusinoursoredistress。Nowweareoncemorethefaithfulchildrenofourdearemperor,andthedearArchdukeJohnwillcometousandstaywithusasgovernoroftheTyrol。\"

  \"Hecertainlywill,andIknowthathelongstoliveagaininthemidstofhisfaithfulTyrolese。Butforthisreason,Andy,wemusthelphimthathemaysooncometous,andaidhimindeliveringtheSouthernTyrol。Ihavegreatnewsforyou,Andy,fromtheArchdukeJohn。Iwishedtocommunicateittoyoufirstofall。Noonewastohearofitprevioustoyou。\"

  \"Ihopeitisgoodnews,BaronvonHormayr,\"saidAndreasHofer,anxiously。\"Thedeararchduke,Itrust,hasnotmetwithadisaster?

  Tellmequick,formyheartthrobsasthoughoneofmydearchildrenwereinimminentperil。\"

  \"Youyourselfareachild,Andy。DoyousupposeIshouldlooksocheerfulifourdeararchdukehadmetwithadisaster?Andeventhoughsuchwerethecase,wouldIthenbesostupidastoinformyouofitnow,atthisjoyfulhour,whenitisall—importantthatweshouldbeinhighspirits?No,Andy,Ibringsplendidnews。TheArchdukeJohnachievedyesterdaygloriousvictoryatSacileovertheViceroyofItaly,EugeneBeauharnais;itwasagreattriumph,forhetookeightthousandprisoners,andcapturedagreatmanyguns。ButamidstthistriumphhethoughtofhisdearTyrolese,anddispatchedfromthebattle—fieldacourierwhowastobringtomethenewsandhisordertotellhisdearTyrolesethathedefeatedtheFrenchyesterday。\"

  AndreasHofer,overjoyedandwithhiscountenancefullofsunshineandhappiness,gallopeddownthelonglineofhissharpshooters。

  \"Hurrah!mydearfriendsandbrethren,\"heshouted,\"theArchdukeJohnsendshisgreetingstoyou。andinformsyouthathedefeatedtheFrenchyesterdayatSacileandtookeightthousandprisonersandagreatmanyguns。Hurrah!longlivetheArchdukeJohn,thefuturegovernoroftheTyrol!\"

  AndtheTyroleserepeated,withdeafeningcheers:\"Hurrah!longlivetheArchdukeJohn,thefuturegovernoroftheTyrol!\"

  \"AndIhavetobringyoustillanothergreetingfromtheArchdukeJohn,\"shoutedBaronvonHormayr。\"Butyoushallnothearithereintheplain,butupattheancientcastleofTyrol。Itistrue,theBavariansandthemiserableFrenchhavedestroyedthefinecastle,buttheruinsoftheancientseatofourprincesremaintous。Wewillnowascendtothoseruins,andupthereyoushallhearthemessagewhichtheArchdukeJohnsendstoyou。\"

  ThewholeforceoftheTyrolesethereuponmovedupthemountain—pathleadingtothecastleofTyrol,headedbyAndreasHoferandBaronvonHormayr。

  Onreachingthecrestofthehill,Hoferstoppedandalightedfromhishorse。Hekneltdownamidsttheruinsofthecastlewithasolemn,deeply—movedface,andholdingthecrucifixonhisbreastbetweenhishands,andliftinghiseyestoheaven,heexclaimedwithferventdevotion:\"Thanks,LordGod,thanksfortheaidthatthouhalthithertovouchsafedtous!ThanksfordeliveringthecountryandpermittingustobeAustriansagain!OGod,grantnowstabilitytoourwork——andpreserveitfromfallingtoruin!IfThouartcontentwithme,letmefurtherserveandbeusefultomynativecountry!IambutaweakinstrumentinThyhand,myGod,butThouhastusedit,andIprayTheenottocastitasidenow,butimparttoitstrengthanddurability,thatitmaylastuntiltheenemyhasbeendrivenfromthecountry,andthewholeTyrolisfreeagainforevermore!Ikissthedearsoilwhereourprinceswalkedinformertimes,andwheretheysworetotheirTyrolesethattheyshouldbefreemen,andthattheirfreeconstitutionshouldbesacredforalltimetocome!\"

  Hebentdown,kissedthemoss—grownstones,andencircledthemtenderlywithhisarmsasthoughtheywereanaltarbeforewhichhewasutteringdevoutvowsandprayers。TheTyrolese,whohadgraduallyreachedthesummit,hadsilentlykneltdownbehindAndreasHofer,andwereprayinglikehim。

  Onesentimentanimatedthemallandilluminatedtheirfaceswiththeradiantlustreofjoy:theTyrolwasdeliveredfromtheforeignyoke,andthey,thesonsofthecountry,hadaloneliberatedtheirbelovedfatherland。

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