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。