heliftedtherosaryhangingathisbelt，and，whileenteringthecitybythegate，hecommencedprayingaPater—nosterinanundertone。
Thecitymeanwhilewasalreadyingreatcommotion。Thebellshadbeguntoringtheirsolemnpeals，andalldevoutworshippers，consistingonthisoccasionofthewholepopulationofthecity，wereflockingtothecathedral。Allatoncethedoorsofthecathedralwerethrownopen，andunderagold—embroideredbaldachinbornebyfourpriestsappearedthepiousbishop，carryinginhisupliftedrighthandthecasketcontainingthebonesofSaintCassian。Behindthebishopcamethepriestsbearingwax—lights，andsingingsoul—stirringhymns。Nextfollowedthelonglineofacolyteswithsmokingcensers;andpiousworshippers，carryingtorches，andrepeatingthehymnsintonedbythepriests，closedtheprocession。
Thisprocessiongainedstrengthateverystepasitadvanced，andsoonithadbeenjoinedbythewholepopulationofthecityandthehundredsofpiouspilgrimswhohadflockedtoBrixentotakepartintheholyfestival。
Haspinger，theCapuchinfriar，waslikewiseintheprocession;hewalkedinthemidstofthebravepeasantswithwhomhehadconversed，singingwithheaderectandinatoneofsolemnearnestnessthehymnswithwhichtheholyrelicswerebeinginvoked。
OnlyitseemedtothepeasantswhoheardhispowerfulvoiceasthoughhesomewhatchangedthepassageimploringSaintCassiantogranttheTyrolesepeace，protection，andtranquillity，andprayedfortheveryreverse。Thepassagewasasfollows:\"Havemercyuponourweakness，andgrantuspeaceandtranquillity。\"ButFatherHaspinger，brandishinghisstaffwiththeimageofSaintFrancis，sanginatoneofferventpiety:\"Havemercyuponourvalor，andgrantuswar！\"Tothosewholookedathimwonderinglyonaccountofthischangeofthetext，henoddedwithashrewdtwinkleofhiseyes，andmurmured:\"CometomorrowtothechurchofLatzfons。Wewillholdacouncilofwarthere！\"
Theprocessionhadnotyetfinishedone—halfofitsroute，andhadjustreachedthemarket—placewhenahorsemangallopedupthestreetleadingfromthegatetothemarket—place。Itwasprobablyabelatedworshipper，whointendedtotakepartintheprocession。Healightedhurriedlyfromhishorse，andtiedittothebrassknobofastreet—door，andthenwalkedcloseuptotheprocession。However，hedidnotjoinit，butstoodstillandcontemplatedeverypasser—bywithpryingeyes。Nowheseemedtohavefoundhimwhomhesought，forasmileilluminatedhissunburntface，andheadvanceddirectlytowardFatherHaspinger，whowassingingagain:\"Havemercyuponourvalor，andgrantuswar！\"Butonperceivingtheyoungladwhowasapproachinghim，hepaused，andabrightgleamofjoyoverspreadhisfeatures。
\"ItisAndreasHofer\'sservant，AnthonyWild，\"murmuredFatherHaspinger，joyfully，holdingouthishandtothelad。\"Say，Tony，doyoucometobringmeamessagefrombrotherAndreas？\"
\"Ido，reverendsir。TheSandwirthsendsmetoyou，andasIdidnotmeetyouatyourconventofSeebennearKlausen，IfollowedyoutoBrixen;formymasterinstructedmetodelivermymessageasquicklyaspossibleintoyourhandsandreturnwithyouranswer。\"
\"Whatmessagedoyoubringme，Tony？\"
\"Thisletter，reverendsir。\"
Thefriartookitandputitquicklyintohisbelt。\"WhereisbrotherAndreas？\"heasked。
\"Inthecavewhichisknownonlytohim，toyou，andtomyself，\"
whisperedAnthonyWild，intothefriar\'sear。\"Heawaitsyourreplythere，reverendsir。\"
\"Andyoushallhaveitthisveryday，Tony。Now，however，wewillnotforgetourdivineservice，butworshipGodwithsincerepiety。
Taketheplacebehindmeintheprocession;andwhenwereturntothecathedral，followmewhere—everImaygo。\"
Andthefriarcommencedsingingagain;hishand，however，nolongerheldtherosary，butheputitfirmlyontheletterwhichwasconcealedinhisbelt，andwhosecontentsengrossedhisthoughts:
Atlengththeprocessionhadreturnedtotheportalsofthecathedral。FatherHaspingersignedtotheSandwirth\'sservant，whowaswalkingbehindhim，andinsteadofaccompanyingtheotherworshippersintothechurch，hewalkedalongtheprocessionuntilhereachedatall，slenderyoungman，withwhomhehadalreadyexchangedmanyaglance。\"MartinSchenk，\"saidthefriartohim，\"willyougohomenow？\"
\"Iwill，andIrequestyou，reverendsir，toaccompanyme，\"saidtheyoungman，hastily。\"Ibelieveyouwillfindanumberoffriendsatmyhouse。PeterKemnater，theinnkeeperofSchabs，andPeterMayer，theinnkeeperofMahr，willbethere。Iinvitedthem，andhadI
knownthatyouwouldbehere，Ishouldhaveinvitedyoutoo。\"
\"YouseethatIcomewithoutbeinginvited，forIthinkthefatherlandhasinvitedusall;andIbelievewewillnotpartakeofanepicureanbreakfastatyourtavernto—day，butconferastotheterriblecalamitiesofourcountry。WearethecooksthatwillprepareaveryspicyandunhealthybreakfastfortheFrenchandBavarians，andIbelieveIamthebearerofsomesaltandpepperfromAndreasHoferforthispurpose。See，MartinSchenck，inmybelthere，bythesideoftherosary，isaletterfromourdearbrotherAndreasHofer。\"
\"Andwhatdoeshewritetoyou？Ihopehedoesnotwantustokeepquietandpermittheenemytore—enterthecountry，asallprudentandcautiouspeopleadviseustodo？\"
\"Hush，hush，Martin！donotinsultourcommander—in—chiefbysuchasupposition。Ihavenotreadtheletteryet，butIbelieveIknowitscontents，andcouldtellyoubeforehandeverywordthatthegoodandfaithfulAndreashaswrittentous。Ah，hereisyourtavern，andletmeaskafavorofyounow。TheladwhoisfollowingusisAndreasHofer\'sfaithfulservant，AnthonyWild，whobroughtmetheletterfromhismaster，andwhomustwaitformyanswer。Givehimaplacewherehemayrest，andagoodbreakfast，forhemustsetoutforhomethisveryday。\"
\"Comein，AnthonyWild;youarewelcome，\"saidtheyounginnkeeper，shakinghandswithHofer\'sservant。
\"Thankyou，butImustfirstfetchmyhorsewhichItiedtoapolesomewheredownthestreet。Irodeveryfast，andmustfirstattendtotheHorse，afterwardIwillrequestyoutoletmehavesomebreakfast。\"
AndHofer\'sservanthasteneddownthestreet。Theinnkeeperandthefriarenteredthehouseandsteppedintothelargebar—room。Twomencametomeetthemthere。
Oneofthem，amanaboutforty—fiveyearsold，dressedinthesimplecostumeoftheTyrolese，andofatall，powerfulform，wasPeterMayer，knownthroughouttheTyrolasoneofthemostardentandfaithfulpatriots，andamanofextraordinaryintrepidity，firmness，andenergy。
Theother，ayoungmanofscarcelytwenty—two，slenderyetwellbuilt，andfar—famedforhisfineappearance，boldness，andwealth，wasPeterKemnater，themostfaithfulanddevotedfriendofthefine—lookingandpatrioticyounginnkeeper，MartinSchenk。
Thetwomenshookhandswiththenew—comersandbowedtothem，buttheirfacesweregloomy，andnotthefaintestgleamofasmileilluminatedthem。
\"Haveyoucomehither，FatherJoachimHaspinger，onlytojoininthepeace—prayers？\"askedPeterMayerinhislaconicstyle，fixinghisdark，piercingeyesonthefriar\'sface。
\"No，PeterMayer，\"saidtheCapuchin，gravely;\"IhavecomehitherbecauseIwantedtoseeyouthree，andbecauseIhavetosaymanythingstoyou。ButpreviouslyletmereadwhatourpiousandpatrioticbrotherAndreasHoferhaswrittentome。\"
\"YouhavealetterfromAndreasHofer！\"exclaimedMayerandKemnater，joyfully。
\"Hereitis，\"saidthefriar，drawingitfromhisbelt。\"Nowgivemeamoment\'stimetoreadtheletter，andthenwewillconferuponthematterthatbroughtushere。\"
Hesteppedtothewindowandunfoldedtheletter。Whilehewasreadingit，thethreemenlookedathimwithraptsuspense，seekingtoreadinhisfeaturestheimpressionproducedbyAndreasHofer\'swordsontheheartofthebraveCapuchin。Indeed，thefriar\'sfeaturesbrightenedmoreandmore，hisforeheadandfacecolored，andasmileilluminatedhishardfeatures。
\"Listen，men，\"heexclaimedtriumphantly，wavingthepaperasthoughitwereaflag;\"listentowhatAndreaswritestome！\"Andthefriarreadinaclarionvoice:
\"DearbrotherRed—beard！BelovedFatherJoachimHaspinger:Youknow，brother，thatallhasbeeninvain;theAustriansareevacuatingthecountry，andtheemperor，orrathernottheemperor，buthisministersandsecretaries，stipulatedinthearmisticeconcludedwithBonaparte，thattheFrenchandBavariansshouldre—entertheTyrolandrecommencetheinfamousoldsystem。ButIthink，eventhoughtheemperorhasabandonedus，GodAlmightywillnotdoso;
andeventhoughtheAustriansoldiersarecrossingourfrontiers，ourmountainsandglaciersremaintous;Godplacedthemtheretoprotectourfrontiers，andHegaveusstrongarmsandgoodriflesandkeeneyestodiscerntheenemyandhithim。WearetheinhabitantsoftheTyrol，andtheAustriansoldiersarenot，henceitisincumbentonustoprotectourfrontiers，andpreventtheenemyfrominvadingourterritory。Ifyouareofmyopinion，gatheraboutyouasmanybravesharpshootersasyoucan，callouttheLandsturmwhereitispossible，telltheothercommanderstodothesame，andadvance，ifpossible，atoncetowardtheBrenner，whereI
hopeyouwillmeetmeorhearfurthernewsfromme。JosephSpeckbacherdidnotleavethecountryeither;heisenlistingsharpshootersandcallingouttheLandsturminhisdistrict。ItistheLord\'swillthattheTyrolbehenceforthprotectedonlybytheTyrolese。Bearthisinmind，andgotowork。——YourfaithfulAndreasHofer，atpresentnotknowingwhereheis。\"[Footnote:AndreasHofersignedallhislettersandordersinthisstrangemannerwhilehewasconcealedinhiscave。]
\"Well，\"askedthefriar，exultingly，\"doyouthinkthatAndreasHoferisright，andthatweoughtnottoallowtheenemytore—enterthecountry？\"
\"Ithinkheis，\"saidPeterKemnater，joyously。\"IthinkitwillbegloriousforustoexpeltheFrenchandBavariansoncemorefromourfrontiers。\"
\"Or，iftheyhavealreadycrossedthem，drivethemignominiouslyfromthecountry，\"addedPeterMayer。
\"Ihavepassed，duringthelastfewdays，throughthewholeofPustervalley，\"saidMartinSchenk。\"EverywhereIfoundthemendeterminedtodie，rifleinhand，onthefieldofbattle，ratherthanstaypeaceablyathomeandbendtheirnecksbeforetheenemy。
\'Itisamisfortune，\'saidthemen，\'thattheAustriansareabandoningusatthiscriticaljuncture;butitwouldbeagreatermisfortunestillforustoabandonourselvesandconsenttosurrenderatdiscretion。\'\"
\"AndIsayitisnomisfortuneatallthattheAustrianshaveleftus，\"criedtheCapuchin，vehemently。\"ThecauseofthefatherlandhasnotsufferedmuchbytheretreatoftheAustrians。WhoassistedusatthebattleofMountIsel？Whohelpedustodrivetheenemytwicefromthecountry？NotanAustriandid！Weaccomplishedallthatwasgreatandgloriousintheshortanddecisivestruggle。Letusnotcomplain，then，thatnoonestandsbyusnow，andthatweknowthatnoonewillhelpusbutGodandweourselves。Butwemustnotplungeblindlyandfuriouslyintothestruggle;onthecontrary，wemustconsiderwhetherweareabletodefeattheenemy。TheFrenchandBavariansaresendinglargeforcesonallsidestothepoorTyrol。Icannotconcealfromyouthattheenterprisewhichwearegoingtoundertake，andtowhichAndreasHoferinvitesus，isadangerousone。LetmetellyouthatthatmiserableassassinandruffianLefebre，whomtheycalltheDukeofDantsic，isapproachingfromthenorthwithtwenty—fivethousandmen，andisalreadyclosetoInnspruck。GeneralDeroi，too，iscoming;heintendstomarchthroughthewholeVintschgau，andforcehiswayovertheGerlosMountainstothedistrictofInnspruck。Rusca\'swildlegionsarealreadynearLienz;GeneralPeryismovingupfromthesouthwithhisItaliantroops;andtheexasperatedBavarians，underGeneralsWredenandArco，arealreadyatSalzburg。Inshort，morethanfiftythousandmenarecomingupfromallsidestotramplethepoorTyrolunderfoot。Theyareveteransoldiers;theyhavegotartilleryandbetterarmsthanwe，andaresuperiortousinnumbers，equipments，andstrength。Consider，therefore，whetheryouarewillingtoundertaketheheavytasknevertheless;considerthatyouriskyourproperty，yourblood，andyourlives，andthat，ifyoushouldbesounfortunateastofallintotheenemy\'shands，hewouldperhapspunishyouascriminalsandrebels。Itistrue，youarereadytoriskyourproperty，yourblood，andyourlives，forthefatherlandandthelibertyoftheTyrol;butthenyouhavealsodutiestoyourfamilies，yourparents，yourbrides;youhaveadutytoyourselves——
thatofnotendangeringyourlivesrecklessly。Itistrue，eventhoughtheenemyshouldpunishyouasrebels，youwoulddiethebeautifuldeathofmartyrsforyourfatherland，andthehaloofyourvirtueandloveofcountrywillimmortalizeyournames;butyoumustconsider，also，whetheryourdeathwillbeusefultothecountry，andwhetheryouwillnotshedyourbloodinvain。Askyourhearts，myfriends，whethertheywillbecourageousandstrongenoughtobravecheerfullywhateverreversesandcalamitiesmaybefallus，andwhethertheyreallywillriskdeath，imprisonment，andthescaffold，withoutflinchingandtrembling？ThatiswhatIwishedtosaytoyoubeforeconcertingmeasureswithyouandsendingananswertoAndreasHofer。Consideritall，myfriends，andthenspeak。\"
\"Wearetoaskourheartsiftheywillnotflinchandtremble？\"saidPeterMayer，almostcontemptuously。\"WhentheenemyreturnedtotheTyrollastMay，heburneddowneighthouseswhichbelongedtome，andforsometimeIdidnotknowbutthatmywifeandchildrenhadperishedintheconflagration。Didyouseemetremble——didyouhearmecomplainatthattime？DidInotstandupcheerfullyinthebattleonMountIsel，withoutweepingormurmuring，andbearinginmindonlythatIwasfightingforliberty，thefatherland，andtheemperor？Itwasnotuntilwehadgainedthevictory，andobtainedourfreedom，thatIwenthometomournandweeponthesmokingruinsofmyhouses。ButIfoundmywifeandmychildrenaliveandwell;afriendhadconcealedthemandtakencareofthem;andafterthankingGodforourvictory，IthankedHimforpreservingmywifeandchildren;andonlynow，whenwewerehappyandfree，didIshedtears。Butsincetheenemyisre—enteringthecountry，andfreshmisfortunesaretobefallus，mytearsaredriedagain;myheartisfullofcourageandconstancy;andIbelievewemustriskall，becauseotherwiseeverythingthatwehavedonehithertowillbeinvain。Ilovemywifedearly;but，ifshecamenowtodissuademefromtakingpartinthestruggle，andifIfeltthatmyheartwasgivingwaytoherpersuasion，Iwouldstrangleherwithmyownhands，lestsheshouldpreventmefromservingthegreatcauseofthefatherland。Itistrue，ourtaskisdifficult，butitisnotimpossible;andthatwhichisnotimpossibleshouldbetriedforthefatherland！Ihavegivenyoumyopinion;itisyourturnnow，myyoungfriends。PeterKemnater，speak！TellFatherRed—beardwhetheryourheartistremblingandflinching，andwhetheryouthinkwehadbetterkeepquiet，becausetheenemyissopowerfulandsuperiortous。\"
\"IhaveanaffiancedbrideofwhomIamveryfond，\"saidPeterKemnater，withflushedcheeksandflashingeyes;\"agirlwhomIlovebetterthanmyparents，thananythingintheworld，andwhomI
intendedtomarryafortnighthence;butIsweartoGodandtheHolyVirginthatmyweddingshallnottakeplaceuntiltheTyrolisfreeagain，andwehaveexpelledtheenemyoncemorefromthecountry。
Andifmybrideshouldbeangryatthis，anddemandthatIshouldthinkmoreofherthanofthefatherland，andpreferlivingforheralonetodyingperhapsforthefatherland，Ishouldbreakwithher，andneverlookatheragain，neverspeakanotherwordwithher。I
havemanyhousesandlands;buteventhoughIknewthatmyfieldsandmeadowsweretobedevastated，andmyhousesburneddown，likethoseofPeterMayer，Ishouldsay，nevertheless，wewillfightforthefatherland！Wewilldefeattheenemy，eventhoughweshouldallbecomebeggars，andeventhoughIknewthatIshoulddiebeforeseeingmyaffiancedbrideagain，andthatshewouldcursemeinmygrave。ThatiswhatIhavegottosay。Nowyoumayspeak，MartinSchenk;tellthefatherwhetheryourheartisflinchingandtrembling。\"
\"Yes，itis，\"criedMartinSchenk，\"butonlywhenIthinkthemenoftheTyrolcouldbesocowardlyandmean—spiritedastokeepquietandsubmittotheiroppressors，becausethelatterarepowerfulandsuperiortousinnumbers。IhaveayoungwifewhomImarriedonlyayearago，andwhogavebirthtoalittleboyaweeksince，andI
assureyouthatIloveherandherchildwithallmyheart。ButifI
knewthattheirdeathwouldbeusefultothefatherland，andwouldcontributetoitssalvation，Iwouldshootthemwithmyownrifle，andshouldnotweeponseeingtheircorpsesatmyfeet;butIshouldrejoiceandexclaim，\'Ididitforthesakeofthefatherland;I
sacrificedmymostprecioustreasuresforthebelovedTyrol。\'Eventhoughtheenemyisverystrongandnumerous，eventhoughtheemperorhasabandonedus，Godstandsbyus。Themountainsstandfirmyet;theyareourfortresses，andwewillfightinthemuntilwearealldead，oruntilwehavedefeatedtheenemy，anddeliveredtheTyrolathirdtime。Nowyouknowmyopinion，FatherJoachimHaspinger。\"
TheCapuchinmadenoreply。Hestoodwithhandsclaspedinprayerandeyesliftedtoheaven，andtwolargetearsrolleddownhisbronzedcheeksintohisredbeard。
\"GreatGodinheaven，\"hemurmuredinavoicetremulouswithemotion，\"IthankTheeforlettingmeseethishour，andhearthesoul—stirringwordsofthesepatrioticmen。WhatcanIsaynow，whathaveItosacrificetothefatherland？Ihavenowife，nochildren，noproperty;IambutapoorCapuchin！Ihavenothingbutmybloodandmylife。ButIwillgiveittothecountry，eventhoughthebishopandtheabbotshouldexcommunicatemeforitandcondemnmysoultoburnineverlastingfire。ItisbetterthatapoorCapuchin\'ssoulshouldburninhellthanthatthefatherlandshouldgroanwithpainandwearthebrandofdisgraceandslaveryonitsforehead。Itisbettertobeafaithlesssonofthebishopandabbot，thanafaithlesssonofthefatherland。ItisbettertobeabadChristianthanabadpatriot。Therefore，whatevermayhappen，I
shallshareeverythingwithyou，dangerorvictory，triumphordeath。HenceforthIamnolongeraCapuchin，butoldRed—beardJoachimHaspinger，thedefenderofhiscountry;andIswearthatI
willnomorelaydownmyheadandreposebeforewehavedeliveredthecountryfromtheenemyandconcludedanhonorablepeace。Ifthatisyoursentimentalso，swearherebeforeGodthatyouwillfighthenceforthforthecountry，devoteyourwholestrengthtoit，andperishratherthangiveupthestruggle，makepeacewiththeenemy，andsubmittotheBavarianyoke。\"
Andthethreemenliftedtheirhandsandeyestoheaven，andexclaimedwithoneaccord，inaloudandsolemntone:\"WeswearbyGodAlmighty，andbyallthatissacredanddeartousonearth，thatwewillfighthenceforthforthecountry，devoteourwholestrengthtoit，andperishratherthangiveupthestruggle，makepeacewiththeenemy，andsubmittotheBavarianyoke！\"
\"Benedictus！benedictus！\"criedFatherHaspinger，layinghishandsonthosewhichthethreemenhadjoinedontakingtheoath。\"TheLordhasheardandacceptedyouroath;theLordwillblessyou，theHolyVirginwillprotectyou！Amen！\"
\"Andnowletusconcertmeasuresforthestruggle，andconsiderwhatweoughttodo，\"saidthefriar，afterapause。\"Inthefirstplace，wewillinformAndreasHoferthathiswishesshallbecompliedwith，andthatwewillcallouttheLandsturmandallourforces。Letmewritetohim，therefore，andthenwewillholdacouncilofwar。\"
Thecouncilofwarlasteduntilmidnight;andwhileallEuropewastrucklingtothe\"invincibleEmperorNapoleon，\"whileallGermanywaslyinghumblyprostrateathisfeet，andwhilealltheprinceswerebaskinginthesunshineofhisfavor，fourpoormen，neitherlearnednorevenwelleducated，threepeasantsandamonk，wereconcertingmeasurestobiddefianceto\"Bonaparte，therobberofcrowns，\"andexpelhispowerfularmiesfromtheirmountains！AllGermanywassubjugated，andhadgivenupallfurtherresistancetotheall—powerfulconqueror;onlythesmallTyrolwouldnotsufferherselftobesubjugated;onlythebravesonsoftheGermanmountainswerestillintentonbravingthetyrant，andupholdingtheirlibertyandindependence，despitetheformidableeffortshewasmakingtocrushthem。
Alreadyonthefollowingmorningthetocsinsoundedinallthevalleysandonalltheheights，andcalleduponthementofightforthefatherland。AftermidnightthethreebravemenhadleftBrixen;
eachhadsetoutinadifferentdirectiontoincitethementoinsurrection，informthemofAndreasHofer\'sorder，andimploretheminthenameofthefatherlandtotakeuptheirriflesagainandriskoncemoretheirlivesforthedeliveranceoftheTyrol。
FatherHaspingerhadwalkedallnighttoLatzfons，andonthefollowingmorninghepreachedtothepeopleatthechurchofthatplaceanenthusiasticsermon，inwhichhecalleduponthemtomakeonemoreeffortinbehalfoftheirbelovedcountry，andpromisedentireabsolutionforoneyeartoeveryonewhoshouldkilladozenFrenchsoldiers，andabsolutionforfiveyearstoanywhoshouldkilltwiceasmany。[Footnote:Mayer\'s\"Speckbacher，\"p。151。]
Carriedawaybythesoul—stirringwordsandpromisesoftheCapuchin，fullofardortoservethefatherland，anddesirousofobtainingabsolution，thementookuparms，andevenacompanyofwomenwasformedfortheholyserviceofthefatherland。
Atnightonthesamedaythreehundredsharpshootershadralliedaroundthemartialfriar，andwiththemhemarchedtowardUnterau，constantlyreceivingre—enforcementsontheroad;fortheinhabitantseverywhereroseagainasoneman，andwiththeirredoubtedriflesontheirshouldersdescendedeverylateralglenandravine，andjoinedhiscommandtoconquerordieunderhim。
Andjoyfulnewsarrivedfromallsides，announcingthattheinhabitantswererisingthroughouttheTyrol。AlreadyPeterMayerandPeterKemnaterhadgatheredaroundthemallthesharpshootersoftheneighboringtownsandvillages，andtheirfourcompaniesnowunitedwiththefriar\'stroops。NewsalsocamefromAndreasHofer:
hehademergedagainfromthecave，andathiscallallthesharpshootersofthePasseyrvalleyhadralliedaroundhim，andcompanieshadflockedtohimfromallpartsofthecountrytofightagainundertheirbelovedcommander—in—chief。AndreasHoferhadmarchedwiththemacrossthecrestoftheprecipitousJanfen，andhisarmygatheringstrengthlikeamountain—torrentfromeverytributarystreamwhichcrosseditscourse，soonembracedalltheable—bodiedmenofPasseyr，Meran，andAlgund。
TheTyrolesebadrisenathirdtimetodefendtheindependenceoftheircountry。
CHAPTERXXXI。
THEFIRSTBATTLE。
WhatthefourmenhadswornattheinnofBrixen，andwhatAndreasHoferhadagreeduponwithhisfriendSpeckbacher，hadsucceeded。
ThewholeTyrolhadrisenandwaseagerforthefray。Asmallarmy，commandedbyFatherHaspinger，wasencampednearBrixen，andreceivedhourlyfreshaccessions。PeterKemnaterandPeterMayerwerestilltraversingthecountry，andcallinguponthepeasantstorepairtoFatherRed—beard\'scampnearBrixen，andtheirappealswerereadilycompliedwith。ThebravepeasantsofRodeneck，Weitenthal，andSchoneck，ledbytheircourageouspastor，GeorgeSchoneck，cameintocamp;andsodidAnthonyWallnerwiththefourhundredmenwhohadfollowedhimfromthePustervalley。
FatherHaspingerreceivedthesebravemenexultingly，andfoldedtheirleader，AnthonyWallner，tenderlytohisheart。
\"Youhavefoughtagainlikeahero，\"heexclaimed，pattinghischeeksaffectionately;\"thewholeTyrolisextollingyourexploitsatthemurderousbattleofTaxenbach，andtheyaretellingwonderfulstoriesaboutthesurpassingheroismandbraveryyoudisplayedonthatoccasion。\"
\"Itistrue，wefoughtbravely，\"saidAnthonyWallner，sighing;\"butitdidnotdomuchgood，fortheenemywastentoone，andwewerefinallyunabletocheckhisadvance。Butwefollowedhim，andwillnowunitewithyou，reverendfather，inordertoexpelhimoncemorefromthecountry。IbelievetherewillbeanotherbattleonMountIsel，fortheenemyisalwaysintentonforcinghiswaytoInnspruck，believingthatthewholeTyrolissubjugatedsosoonasthecapitalhasfallenintohishands。Wemuststrive，therefore，tomeethimthereoncemore;foryouknowtheoldprophecy，sayingthatMountIselwillbealuckyplacefortheTyrolese。\"
\"Idoknowit，\"saidthefriar;\"andifitpleaseGodwewillverifyit。ThefreedomoftheTyrolisburiedonMountIselnearInnspruck，andwewilldisinterthegoldentreasurethereandcauseittosheditslustreoncemoreonourmountainsandvalleys。Youshallhelpmetodoit，AnthonyWallner，youandyourfamoussharpshootersofWindisch—Matrey。ButpreviouslyIthink，myfriend，weshallhavesomethingtodohere;forourscoutshavereturnedwiththenewsthattheenemyisapproaching。HiscolumnisheadedbySaxonandBavariantroopsundertheFrenchgeneral，Royer;hisforcesarefollowedbythemainarmyunderthecommander—in—chief，MarshalLefebvre，orasheproudlycallhimself，theDukeofDantsic。
GeneralRoyerhasgotalreadyasfarasSterzing，andifwedonotinterferetheSaxonswillsoonreachBrixen。\"
\"Butwewillinterfere，\"criedAnthonyWallner;\"wewillnotallowthemtoadvancetoBrixen，andIwilloccupyimmediatelywithmysharpshootersthemountain—passesontherouteoftheenemy。WewillreceivetheDukeofDantsicwithfireworkswhichwillsaddenhisheart。\"
\"Doso，dearAnthony，\"exclaimedHaspinger，joyfully。\"ImyselfwillfirstgotoBrixenandteachthemembersofthemunicipalitybettermanners。Theirterrorandanguishhaverenderedthemquiteeloquent，andtheyhavedissuadedmanyhundredpeasants，whowerepassingthroughBrixentojoinmycommand，fromsodoing，andinducedthemtoreturntotheirhomes。Ishallspeakaseriouswordwiththosegentlemen，andteachthemalittlepatriotism。\"
HaspingernoddedkindlytoAnthonyWallner，andcallingtenofhisbestsharpshooterstohimrepairedtothecityhallofBrixen，wherethemembersofthemunicipalitywereassembled。Hemadethemafuriousspeech，which，however，didnotimpressthegentlemenasforciblyasthethreatswhichheaddedtoit。Hesworethat，ifthemembersofthemunicipalitywouldnothavethetocsinsoundedimmediatelyandsendoutmountedmessengerstocalloutthepeasantsandsendthemtohim，hewouldcauseeveryoneofthemtobehangedorshotinthemorning！Andthisoathwaseffectualenough，fortheterrifiedgentlemenknewfullwellthatFatherHaspingerhadthepowerandthewilltofulfilhisoaths。Hence，thetocsinwassounded，mountedmessengerswereNeatoutinalldirections，andonthefollowingmorningupwardoftwothousandable—bodiedmenarrivedatHaspinger\'scamp。[Footnote:\"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，\"
p。110。]
\"Allright，\"saidthefriar;\"ifAndreasHoferandSpeckbacherjoinuswiththeirforces，Ibelieveweshallsucceed，andSt。Cassianwillhaveunderstoodourprayers。\"
WhileAnthonyWallnerandhissharpshootersoccupiedthemountain—
gorgesthissideofBrixenontheroadtoMittewald，JosephSpeckbacherandhismenhadpenetratedfarbeyondMittewaldtowardSterzing，andhadlearnedthattheSaxons，underGeneralRoyer，wererestingatSterzingwiththeintentionofadvancinginthemorningthroughthewildvalleyoftheEisachtowardBrixen。
\"Well，iftheSaxonsarerestingwemustworkinordertoprepareeternalreposeforthem，\"saidJosephSpeckbacher，gayly。\"Nowcome，mybravelads，wemusttaketheSaxonsbetweentwofires。Theyaremiserablescoundrelsandtraitors。Ah，theydonotshrinkfromservingtherapaciousconquerorBonaparte，andturningtheirarmsagainsttheirGermancountrymen，merelybecausetheFrenchemperorordersthemtodoso，andbecausewerefusetosubmittotheforeignyoke。andaredeterminedtopreserveourGermantongueandourGermanrights！HowdisgracefulitisthatGermansshouldattackGermansatthebiddingoftheforeignoppressor！Therefore，wewillpunishtheSaxonsandBavariansinthenameofGodandtheHolyVirgin。Wewillletthemadvancedownthedefile，andattackthemonlyaftertheyareinit。Theycannotretracetheirsteps，forwearebehindthem;norcantheyadvanceveryfar，forFatherRed—beardwillmeettheminfront。Nowcomeandletusmakefestivepreparations，asitbehoovesthosewhoareexpectingdistinguishedguests。Wewillerectafewtriumphalarchestothem，andshowthemhowavalanchesrolldownourmountains。Ah，wewillbuildupforthemartificialruinswhichwillexcitetheirsincereadmiration！\"
\"Yes，yes，wewill！\"shoutedthepeasants，whowenttowork，singingandlaughing。Inthefirstplace，theyerected\"triumphalarches\"totheenemy;thatistosay，theyobstructedtheroadbyraisinganumberofabatis，besmearedwithpitchthewoodenrailingofthebridgebuiltacrosstheEisachnearthevillageofPleis，loosenedtheplanksofthebridge，andbegantobuild\"avalanches。\"Theyfelledaconsiderablenumberoftalllarches，tiedropestobothendsofthem，loweredthemhalf—waydowntheprecipitoussideofthemountain，andfastenedtheropesabovetothestrongbranchesoftreesfirmlyrootedinthesoilofthecrest。Thentheythrewhugemassesofrockandheapsofrubbishonthesehangingscaffolds;andafterthe\"avalanches\"hadthusbeencompleted，theywithdrewcautiouslyandrapidlyintothemountain—gorges。OnlyZoppel，JosephSpeckbacher\'sservant，andanoldpeasantremainednearthe\"avalanches。\"Theystoodonbothsidesoftheropes，hatchetinhand，castingfieryglancesintothedefileonthebankoftheEisach，andbetweenoverhangingwood—cladprecipices。
Profoundsilencereignedallaround;onlyfromtimetotimearustlingnoisewasheardintheshrubbery;theflashingbarrelofariflewasthenseen，anditseemedasthoughthefleet—footedchamoisappearedontheheightsabove。ButtheywereTyrolesesharpshooterswhohadclimbeduptothewatch—towersoftheirnaturalfortressestoespytheenemyandonhisappearancetowelcomehimwiththebulletsoftheirrifles。
Profoundsilencereignedallaround，andthetwomenwerestillstanding，hatchetinhand，bythesideoftheropesholdingtheartificialavalanches。
Allatoncealoud，shrillwhistleresoundedinfrontoftheentrancetothedefile;itwasrepeatedallaroundthegloomygorge。
\"ThatisthesignalthattheenemyhaspassedtheinnamSackandisenteringthedefileoftheEisach，\"murmuredZoppel，examiningoncemoretheedgeofhishatchetwithhishand。Thenhelookeddownattentivelyintothedepth，whereonlyafootpathmeanderedclosealongthebankofthefoamingEisach。
Afewsoldierswerenowseenenteringthedefileyonder，wheretheroadprojectedbetweentwojuttingrocksformingthebackgroundofthegorge。
TheformofaTyrolesesharpshooterappearedatthesamemomentonthetopoftheprecipitousrock。Hesteppedclosetotheedgeoftherock，allowedthesoldiers，wholookedaroundslowlyanddistrustfully，toadvanceafewsteps，andthenraisedhisrifle。Hefired;oneofthesoldiersfellimmediatelytotheground，andtheTyrolesesharpshooterreloadedhisrifle。Hefiredagain，andlaidanothersoldierprostrate。
Thetworeportshadacceleratedthemarchoftheenemy。Thesoldiersenteredthedefilewithahastystep;inordertoadvance，theyhadtoremovethetwosoldierswhowerewrithingintheagonyofdeathandobstructingthenarrowpath，andthrowthemintothewatersoftheEisach，whichreceivedwithawildroarthetwocorpses，thefirstvictimsofthereopeningstruggle。
MeanwhiletheTyrolesesharpshooterontheheightabovehadreloadedhisrifleandshotanothersoldier。Onseeingthis，heutteredaloudJodler，madealeapofjoy，andnoddedlaughinglytotheenemy，whocastthreateningglancesonhim。Buthedidnotseethatoneoftheofficersbelowcalledfoursoldierstohim，pointedhishandatthetopoftherock，andgavethemaquickorder。Thefoursoldierssprangatoncefromtheranksanddisappearedintheshrubberycoveringthebaseoftherock。