"Andyousayyourfathersentyoutome？"
　　"Yes，hedid，AndreasHofer。Iranalldayyesterday;andthismorningIrosewiththesunandcontinuedmytripinordertoreachyouassoonaspossible，anddelivermyfather'smessagetoyou。"
　　"Youmustbetired，poorlittlegirl！"saidHofer，compassionately。
　　"Sitdownontherockyonder。There！Andnowspeak！"
　　"Inthefirstplace，AnthonyWallnersendsgreeting，andinformsyouthathehaskepthiswordfaithfully。ThewholePustervalleyhasalreadyrisenininsurrection;allthemenfollowedhim，andwerereadyandeagertofightfortheTyrolandthedearEmperorFrancis。
　　WehavefoughtalreadyabloodybattleatthebridgeofSt。
　　Lawrence，andanotheratthebridgeofLaditch。ManysoldiersoftheenemywerekilledinthegapofBrixen，andmanyFrenchandBavariansfellatthebridgeofLaditch;butwealsolostagreatmanymenthere。Ourmenfoughtbravely，butthereweretoomanyoftheBavariansandFrench，andsotheyfinallysucceededinbreakingthroughourranksandcontinuedtheirmarchtowardSterzing。Hence，myfathersentmetoyouinthegreatesthastetoinformyouofwhathasoccurred，andtellyoutobeonyourguard。ThereareseveralthousandBavariansandFrenchonthemarchtoSterzing。Itistrue，ourmenhaveoccupiedtheMuhlbachpass;buttheenemyistoostrong，ourmenwillnotbeabletoannihilatehimentirely。"
　　"Thenhewillcomehither，"exclaimedAndreasHofer。
　　"Yes，andweshallhaveafightatlength，"saidAnthonySieberer，joyously。"Iamgladthatourmenwillatlengthbefacetofacewiththeenemyandseebloodshed。"
　　"AndtheAustriansarenotcomingyet，"sighedAndreasHofer。
　　"Yes！theyare！"exclaimedEliza。"AnthonyWallnerinstructedmetotellyouthattoo。SeveralhundredAustriansjoinedusalreadyatthebridgeofLaditch。Itwastheiradvancedguard，andtheysaidthatalltheotherswouldfollowthemsoon。"
　　"ItisGeneralHillerwiththetroopsmovingupfromSalzburg，"saidHofer。"ButwhereareChastelerandHormayr，whoweretojoinusfromCarinthia？Ithinktheyaretarryingtoolong。"
　　"ButtheBavariansdonottarry，"saidEliza，"andtheyaresavageandcruelmen。IdidnotenterthetownofSterzing，butthepeopleontheroadtoldmehowtheBavarianskilled，burned，andplunderedthereyesterday;andthosewhotoldmecriedwithrageandgrief。
　　Thewholetownisininsurrection;allhavearmedfortheEmperorFrancis，andwilldieratherthanlongerobeytheBavariansandFrench。MajorvonBaerenklau，thecommanderoftheBavariansinSterzing，finallygotfrightened;andonbeinginformedthatAndreasHofermovingagainsthimononesidewiththemenofthePasseyrvalley，andthatAnthonyWallnerwiththemenofthePustervalley，ontheotherside，hadoccupiedthebridgeofLaditch，hedeemeditprudenttoevacuateSterzingandawaitourmenintheopenplain。I
　　sawhistroopsmarchingthroughthevalleywhileIwaswalkingontheheights;andIthinkitwillnotbelonguntilwecanseethembelowintheplain。"
　　"See，theretheyarealready！"exclaimedAnthonySieberer，who，whileElizawasspeaking，hadspiedwithhiskeeneyesfarintotheplaincalledtheSterzingerMoos。
　　Infact，alarge，motleymasswastobeseenmovingupinthedistanceyonder;yes，theywereBavariansoldiers，andtheyweredrawingnearerandnearer。
　　"Hurrah！theBavariansarecoming，thestrugglebegins，"exclaimedAnthonySieberer，joyously;andtheTyroleseencampedbelowechoedhisshoutwithloudexultation:"TheBavariansarecoming！Thestrugglebegins！"
　　"Thestrugglebegins，"saidHofer，"andGodgrant，inHismercy，thatnottoomuchbloodmaybeshed，andthatwemaybevictorious！
　　Come，deargirl，Iwilltakeyouundermyprotection，foryoucannotimmediatelysetoutforhome，butmuststayherewithme。Ishallseetoitthatnoharmbefallsyou，and，whilewearefighting，wewilltrytofindacaveornookintherockswherewemayconcealyou。"
　　"Idonotwanttoconcealmyself，AndreasHofer，"saidEliza，proudly。"Thepriestsandwomenhavelikewisetoperformtheirpartsinwar—times:theymustcarrythewoundedoutoftherangeoftheenemy'sbulletsanddresstheirwounds;theymustpraywiththedying，andnursethosewhoselivesarespared。"
　　"YouareabravedaughteroftheTyrol;Iliketolistentoyoursoul—stirringwords，"exclaimedAndreasHofer。"Nowcome，wewillspeakwithourmen。"
　　HegraspedEliza'shand，beckonedtohisadjutantSieberer，anddescendedwiththemthepathtowardtheTyrolese。
　　Theywerenolongerreposing，butallhadrisenandwerelookingwithraptattentioninthedirectionoftheenemy。OnbeholdingHofer，theyburstintoloudcheers，andaskedhimenthusiasticallytoleadthemagainsttheenemy。
　　"Letusascertainfirstwhereheisgoing，andwhathisintentionsare，"saidHofer，thoughtfully。"Perhapshedoesnotknowthatwearehere，andintendstocontinuehismarch。Inthatcasewewilllethimpassus，followhim，andattackhimonlyafterhehasenteredtheMuhlbachpass。"
　　"No，hedoesnotintendtocontinuehismarch，"exclaimedSieberer。
　　"Look，hetakespositionintheplainandformsinsquaresashehaslearnedtodofromBonaparte。Oh，brethren，letusattackhimnow。
　　Neverfear。Iknowsuchsquares，for，in1805，Ioftenattackedthemwithourmen，andwebrokethem。Forward，then，myfriends，forward！
　　NowletusfightforGodandouremperor！"
　　"ForGodandouremperor！"shoutedtheTyrolese;andallseizedtheirarmsandpreparedforthestruggle。
　　"Holdon！"criedHofer，inapowerfulvoice。"Asyouhaveelectedmecommander，youmustbeobedienttomeandcomplywithmyorders。"
　　"Wewill，wewill！"shoutedtheTyrolese。"Justtellus，commander，whatwearetodo，andweshallobey。"
　　"Youshallnotdescendintotheplain，norattacktheenemyonallsides。Foryousee，thesquaresarereadytoshootinalldirections，andifyouattackthemonallsidesintheopenplain，youwillbeexposedtotheirmostdestructivefire;moreover，astheyarebyfarbetterarmedthanwe，andhavecannon，manyofourmenwouldbeuselesslysacrificedinsuchanattack。"
　　"Whatthecommandersaysistrue，"growledtheTyrolese。"Itisbyfarbetterforustoattacktheenemyfromacoveredposition，andhaveourrearprotectedbythemountains。"
　　"AndIwillshowyounowsuchacoveredpositionfromwhichyouaretoattacktheenemy，"saidAndreasHofer，withimpressivecalmness。
　　"Lookthere，totheleft。Doyouseetheravineleadingintothemountainsyonder？Well，wewillnowascendthemountain—pathrapidly，descendintotheravine，andthencerushupontheenemy。"
　　"Yes，yes，thatisright！Wewilldoso。AndreasHoferisagoodcaptain！"saidtheTyrolesetoeachother。
　　Hoferwavedhishandimperativelytowardthem。"Nowkeepveryquiet，"hesaid，"thatwemaynotattracttheattentionoftheenemyprematurely，andtherebycausehimtooccupytheravinebeforewehavereachedit。Forward，then，quicklythroughtheforest，andthendescendnoiselesslyintothevalley。Butbeforesettingout，wewillpraytworosaries。Ifwelongforsuccessinbattle，wemustinvokeGod'sassistance。"
　　Hetookhisrosaryandprayed;andtheTyrolesebenttheirheadsdevoutly，andprayedliketheircommander。Thentheyglidedquicklyandnoiselesslythroughthethickforest，headedbyAndreasHofer，wholedElizaWallnerwithtendersolicitudebythehand。Atlengththeyreachedthegorge，andAndreasHoferwasjustaboutenteringitwiththeothers，whenAnthonySieberer，JacobEisenstocken，andafewotherprominentTyrolese，steppedtohimandkepthimbackwithtenderviolence。
　　"Ageneraldoesnotaccompanyhissoldiersintothethickestofthefight，"saidEisenstocken。"Thatisnothisprovince。Hehastodirectthebattlewithhishead，butnottofightitoutwithhisarm。"
　　"ButbearinmindthatBonapartedoesnotleavehissoldierseveninbattle，"saidAndreasHofer，tryingtopushthemasideandadvance。
　　"No，dearestcommander，"exclaimedAnthonySieberer，"youmustnotgodownwiththemen。Thinkofit，whatwouldbecomeofusandourcauseifanaccidentbefellourcommanderandabulletshatteredhisbelovedhead！Ourfriendsandsharpshooterswouldfeelasthoughthatbullethadshatteredalltheirbeads;theywouldbediscouragedandgiveupourcauseaslost。No，no，AndreasHofer，youoweittoyourfatherland，youremperor，andyourTyrolese，nottoexposeyourselftotoogreatdangers;foryourlifeisnecessarytous，andyouarethestandardwhichtheTyrolesearefollowing。Ifourstandardsinkstotheground，ourTyrolesewillbepanic—strickenandrunaway。Consequentlyyoumustnotgointobattle，eitherto—
　　dayoratanytimehereafter。""Youareright，Iseeit，"saidHofer，mournfully。"Theywouldbethunderstruckifabulletshouldhittheircommander;henceIsubmit，andshallstayhere。Youwillstaywithme，LizzieWallner，andEnnemoser，mysecretary，shalldosotoo。Nowgo，allofyou，andGodgrantthatwemayallmeetagain。Ishallstayatthisveryspot，andhewhowantstoseememustcomehither。IcansurveyfromherethewholeplainoftheSterzingerMoos。Now，mydearfriendsandbrethren，"heshoutedinaloud，ringingvoice，"forGod，thefatherland，andyouremperor！"
　　"ForGod，thefatherland，andouremperor！"shoutedtheTyrolese，rushingdownthemountain—pathintotheravinewhencetheyweretoattacktheenemy。
　　ButtheBavarianshadbeenontheirguard，andtheircommander，ColonelBaerenklau，diviningthetacticsoftheTyrolese，hadorderedhistwogunstobepointedagainsttheravine。
　　Nowthefirstshotsthunderedfromtheirmouths，andvolleysofmusketryweredischargedfromallthesquaresatthesametime，attheadvancingcolumnoftheTyrolese。TheTyrolese，notpreparedforsosuddenandviolentanattack，dismayedatthehavocproducedintheirranksbytheballsandbulletsoftheBavarians，gavewayandranoverthecorpsesoftheirbrethrenbacktotheravine。Buttherestoodthecrowdofwomenwhohadaccompaniedthecolumn，whohadhastenedupfromSterzing，andthewholeneighborhood，andhadadvancedwiththeTyroleseoutoftheravinealmostclosetothesquaresoftheenemy。Theyreceivedthefugitiveswithinvectivesandangryglances;theystrovetokindletheircourage;theywentandbeggedthemwithclaspedhandsandtearfuleyesnottodesertthecauseofthefatherland，becomediscouragedinsodisgracefulamannerintheveryfirstbattle，andtherebymakethemselvesthelaughing—stockofthehatefulBavariansandFrench。
　　Andthemenlistenedtothesevoices;theydrankcouragefromthewinewhichthewomenhandedtothem，andrushedforwardasecondtime。TheirriflescrashedandmoweddownthefrontranksoftheBavarians，butbehindthecorpsesstoodtherearranks，andtheirvolleysrespondedtotheTyrolese，andthecannonthunderedacrosstheplainreekingwithgoreandpowder。
　　TheTyrolesegavewayasecondtime，forthemurderousfireoftheBavariansfilledthemwithstuporanddismay"Inthismannerweshallnevergainavictory，andourmenwillbeuselesslyslaughtered，"saidAndreasHofer，whowaswatchingthestrugglewithbreathlesssuspense。"Butwemustnotincurthedisgraceoflosingthefirstbattle，forthatwoulddiscourageourmenforalltimetocome。Come，Ennemoser，rundowntothemandtellthemtotryathirdtime。Iftheydonot，AndreasHoferwillrushailaloneupontheenemyandwaitforabullettoshatterhishead。"
　　YoungEnnemoser，thesecretary，speddowntheravine;Hoferpressedhiscrucifixtohislipsandprayed;ElizaWallneradvancedclosetotheedgeoftheprecipice，andpeereddownintotheplain。Hereyesfilledwithtearswhensheperceivedthemanycorpsespileduponbothsidesoftheravine，butthesquaresoftheenemylikewisehadbeenconsiderablythinned，anddeathhadmadefearfulhavocintheirranks。
　　"AndreasHofer，"shecried，exultingly，"yourmessagewassuccessful。Ourmenarerushingforward。Doyounotheartheircheers？"
　　"Ido，andmaythegoodGodgrantthemsuccess！"sighedAndreasHofersteppingcloseuptoEliza。
　　TheysawtheTyroleseemergingagainatthedouble—quickfromtheravine，andrushingupontheenemy，whoreceivedthemwithvolleysofmusketryandartillery—fire。But，alas！theysawtheTyrolesegivewayagainandretreat，thoughmoreslowlythanbefore，totheravine。
　　"Thiswillneverdo，"criedHofer，despairingly。"Ourmenareslaughteredinthisway，andcannotreachtheenemy，whosecannonaremowingthemdownlikescythes。OGod，showtheawaytohelpourmen！"
　　Hiseyesglanceddespairinglyovertheplain，asifsearchingforrelief。Allatonceabrightflashofjoylituphisfeatures。
　　"Ihavefoundaway！IthankThee，myGod！"heexclaimed，aloud。
　　"See，Lizzie，lookthere！Whatdoyouseeintheplainyonderbehindtheravine？"
　　"Iseetherefourlargewagonstilledwithhay，"saidLizzie;"yes，fourwagonsfilledwithhay，nothingelse。"
　　"Andthesewagonsfilledwithhaywillsaveus。Theymustbedriventowardtheravinedirectlytowardtheenemy;oursharpshooterswillconcealthemselvesbehindthem，andwillsafelyadvance;andwhencloseenoughtotheenemy，theywilldischargetheirrifles，andfirstpickoffthegunners，inordertosilencethegunswhichhavemadesuchhavocamongourmen。Come，Lizzie，wewillgodowntoSiebererandtheothercaptains，andgivethemmyorders。Ihopetherewillbefourladsintrepidenoughtodrivethehay—wagonstowardtheenemy。"
　　"Therewillbe！"exclaimedEliza，enthusiastically。
　　"Itisonlynecessaryforonetoriskhislife，anddrivethefirstwagon。Theotherwagonswillbecoveredbythefirst。Butthedriverofthefirstwagonwilldoubtlessbekilled，andIshallberesponsibleforhisdeath。"
　　"Hewilldieforthefatherland，"exclaimedEliza。"Go，AndreasHofer，descendandtellourmenwhatistobedone，foritishightuneforthehay—wagonstocomeupandcoverourmen。"
　　"Come，letusgo，Lizzie;givemeyourhand。"
　　"No，leadtheway;Iwillfollowyouimmediately。"
　　CHAPTERXVII。
　　THEHAY—WAGONS。
　　AndreasHoferhadalreadydescendedhalfthemountain—pathwitharapidstep，andhedidnotoncelookbehindhim，forhewassurethatWallner'sdaughterwasfollowinghim，andhekepthiseyessteadfastlyfixedonhisfriendsandbrethren。
　　ButElizadidnotfollowhim。Shelookedafterhimuntilthedenseshrubberybelowconcealedherfromhiseyes;thenshekneltdown，and，liftingbothherhandstoheaven，exclaimed，inaloud，beseechingvoice:"HolyVirgin，protectme！Grant。successtomyenterpriseforthebelovedfatherland！"
　　Shethenjumpedup，and，quickasachamois，scarcelywithherfeet，shehastenedtowardthepointwherethehay—wagonswerestanding。
　　Meanwhile，AndreasHoferhaddescendedintotheravinewhenceconstantlynewcrowdsofTyrolesewererushingforward，althoughtheyweredrivenbackagainandagainbythemurderousfireoftheenemy。OnbeholdingHofer'serectandimposingform，andhisfinehead，withthesplendidlongbeard，theTyroleseburstintoloudcheers，andhispresenceseemedtoinspirethemwithfreshcourage。
　　Theyadvancedwiththemostintrepidimpetuosity。AndreasHofercalledthebravecaptainsofhissharpshooterstohisside，andcommunicatedtothembrieflythestratagemhehaddevised。
　　"Thatisasplendidandveryshrewdidea，"saidAnthonySieberer。
　　"Thehay—wagonisyourTrojanhorsewithwhich，likeUlysses，youwillconqueryourTroy，"exclaimedthelearnedEnnemoser，Hofer'syoungsecretary。
　　"IdonotknowwhereTroyissituated，"saidAndreasHofer，quietly，"butIknowwheretheSterzingerMooslies，andwhatshouldbedonethere。Fortherest，therearenohorsesbeforethehay—wagons，butoxen，anditisall—importantthatthegunnersshouldnotimmediatelyhitthedriverofthefirstwagon。"
　　"Buthislasthourhassurelycome，andhemayrelyongoingtoparadiseto—day！"exclaimedEnnemoser。"Butlook！whatthrongisyonderintheravine，andwhatcausesthewomentoshoutsovociferously？Theirshoutssoundliketriumphantcheers。Andtheladsnowjoinintheacclamationstoo，andallarerushingforwardsoimpetuously。"
　　Indeed，thewholemassofmenandwomenassembledintherearoftheravinerushedforwardwithloudshouts，likeasingleimmensewave，surgingwithextraordinaryimpetuosityuptoAndreasHoferandthecaptainsstandingbyhisside。
　　Allatoncethiswaveparted，andinthemidstofallthiseager，shoutingthrong，whichtookpositiononbothsidesoftheravine，appearedtwoofthosebroad—horned，brown—redoxen，ofabeauty，majesty，andstrengthsuchascanbefoundonlyintheTyrolandinSwitzerland。Behindthesetwooxencamethewagonfilledupwithhay。
　　Butwhodrovethehay—wagon？Wasitreallythelovelyyounggirlhangingonthebackoftheox——thebeautifulcreaturewhosefacewasradiantwithenthusiasm，whosecheerswereglowinglikethemorningsun，andwhoseeyesflashedlikestars？
　　Yes，itwasshe——itwasElizaWallner，who，withsublimecourage，hadmountedthebackoftheox，andwhonowwasdrivingforwardwithloudshoutsandlashesofthewhipthetwoanimals，frightenedbythecrowdandtheshotscrashingincessantly。
　　"ElizaWallner！"criedAndreasHofer，withanairofdismay，astheheavily—ladenwagonrolledmorerapidlyforward。
　　Sheturnedherheadtowardhim，andawondroussmileilluminatedherface。"Sendgreetingstomydearfather！"sheexclaimed。"Sendgreetingstohiminmyname，ifIshoulddie。"
　　"Icannotallowhertodoit——itiscertaindeath！"criedAndreasHofer，anxiously。"Letmegoandliftherfromtheox。"
　　"No，no，Andreas，"saidAnthonySieberer。"Letherproceed。Theintrepidityofthisyounggirlwillfirethecourageofthelads;
　　and，fortherest，ifliveshavetobesacrificed，thelifeofagirlisnotworthanymorethanthatofalad。WeareallinGod'shand。"
　　"MayGodandHisheavenlyhostprotecther！"saidAndreasHofer，layinghishandontheimageofSt。George，whichadornedhisbreast。
　　"Now，boys，"shoutedAnthonySieberer，"donotallowthegirltomakeyoublush。Quick，marchbehindthehay—wagon，andwhenyouarecloseenoughtotheenemy，stepforwardandshootdownthegunners。"
　　Tenyoungladshastenedforward，amidloudcheers，andtookpositioninpairsbehindthewagon，whichadvancedheavilyandslowly，likeanenormousavalanche。
　　Therewasabreathlesssilence。Alleyesfollowedthewagon，allheartsthrobbedandaddressedtoheavenprayersinbehalfofthecourageousgirlwhowasdrivingit。
　　Suddenlyacryofhorrorburstfromalllips。Acannon—ballhadstruckthehay—wagon，whichwasshakingviolentlyfromthetremendousshock。
　　Butnowaringingcheerwasheardinfrontofthewagon。BythischeerElizaWallnerannouncedtotheTyrolesethattheballhadnothither，andthatshewasuninjured。
　　Thecannonboomedagain，andEliza'sringingvoiceannouncedoncemorethattheballshadpenetratedharmlesslyintothecloselycompressedhay。
　　MeanwhilethewagonrolledoutfartherandfartherintotheplainoftheSterzingerMoos。Eventheoxenseemedtobeinfectedwiththeheroismoftheirfairdriver，andtrottedmorerapidlytowardtheenemy，whoseballswhistledroundthemwithouthittingthem。
　　SuddenlyElizastoppedtheircourageoustrot，and，turningbackherhead，sheshouted:"Forwardnow，boys！DonotbeafraidoftheBavariandumplings。Theydonothitus，andwedonotswallowthemashotastheBavarianssendthemtous！"
　　TheyoungsharpshootersconcealedbehindthewagonrepliedtoEliza，amidmerrylaughter:"No，wearenotafraidoftheBavariandumplings，butwearegoingtopickoffthecooksthatsendthemtous。"
　　Andwiththeirriflesliftedtotheircheeks，fivesharpshootersrushedforwardoneithersideoftheirgreenbulwark。BeforetheBavarianshadtimetoaimatthetendaringsharpshooters，thelatterraisedtheirriflesandfired，andthegunnersfelldeadbythesidesoftheirguns。
　　TheBavariansutteredloudshoutsoffury，andaimedatthesharpshooters;buttheTyrolesehadalreadydisappearedagain，whistlingandcheering，behindthewagon，whichwasstilladvancingtowardtheenemy。
　　Theotherhay—wagonsnowrolledlikewisefromtheravine。Thefirstofthemwasdrivenbyanotheryounggirl。ImitatingtheheroicexamplesetbyElizaWallner，AnnaGamper，daughterofatailorofSterzing，hadcourageouslymountedthebackofanox，anddroveforwardthewagon，filledwithanenormousquantityofhay。Twentyyoungsharpshooters，encouragedbythesuccessoftheircomrades，followedthissecondwagon。Behindthemcamethethirdandfourthwagons，followedbytwentyorthirtymoresharpshooters，whowerewellprotectedbythebroadbulwarkwhichthewagonsformedinfrontofthem。
　　Thegunnershadfallen;hencethecannonnolongerthunderedorcarrieddestructionanddeathintotheranksoftheTyrolese;onlythemusketryoftheBavarianswasstillrattling，buttheyonlyhitthehay，andnotthebravegirlsdrivingthe，oxen，northesharpshooters，who，concealedbehindthehay，rushedfromtheircovertwhenevertheenemyhadfiredavolley，raisedtheirriflestriumphantly，andstruckdownaBavarianateveryshot。
　　Allfourhay—wagonshadnowdrivenupcloseenough，andtheTyrolese，whowerenearlyonehundredstrong，burstwithcheersfrombehindthem，andrushingforwardinloosearray，butwithdesperateresolution，usingthebutt—endsoftheirrifles，fellwithsavageimpetuosityupontheBavarians，whowerethunderstruckatthisunexpectedandsuddenattack。
　　Loudcheersalsoresoundedfromtheravine。ThewholeforceoftheTyroleseadvancedatthedouble—quicktoassisttheirbrethreninannihilatingtheenemy。
　　Aviolentstruggle，afiercehand—to—handfightnowensued。
　　TheBavarians，overwhelmedbytheterribleonsetofthepeasants，gaveway;thesquaresdissolved;andthesoldiers，asifparalyzedwithterror，hadneithercouragenorstrengthlefttoavoidthefuriousbutt—endblowsofthepeasants。
　　VainlydidColonelvonBaerenklaustrivetoreformhislines;vainlydidthosewhohadralliedroundhimathiscommand，makeadesperateefforttoforcetheirwaythroughtheranksoftheinfuriatedTyrolese。Thefiercebraveryofthelatterovercameallresistance，andrenderedtheirescapeimpossible。
　　"Surrender！"thunderedAndreasHofertotheBavarians。
　　"Laydownyourarms，andsurrenderatdiscretion！"
　　AcryofrageburstfromthepalelipsofColonelvonBaerenklau，andhewouldhaverushedupontheimpudentpeasantswhodaredtofastensuchadisgraceuponhim。Buthisownmenkepthimback。
　　"Wedonotwanttobeslaughtered，"theycried，perfectlybesidethemselveswithterror;"wewillsurrender，wewilllaydownourarms！"
　　Adeathlypalloroverspreadthecheeksoftheunfortunateofficer。
　　"Doso，then，"hecried。"Surrenderyourselvesandmetoutterdishonor！Iamnolongerabletorestrainyoufromit。"
　　Andwithasighresemblingthegroanofadyingman，ColonelvonBaerenklaufaintedaway，exhaustedbytheterribleexertionandthelossofbloodwhichwasrushingfromagunshotwoundonhisneck。
　　"Wesurrender！Wearereadytolaydownourarms！"shoutedtheBavarianstotheTyrolese，whowerestillthinningtheirranksbythedeadlyfireoftheirriflesandtheirterriblebutt—endblows。
　　"Verywell，laydownyourarms，"criedAndrewsHofer，inapowerfulvoice。"Stop，Tyrolese！Iftheysurrender，nobodyshallhurtahairoftheirheads，forthentheyarenolongerourenemies，butourbrethren。——Laydownyourarms，Bavarians！"
　　TheTyrolese，obedienttotheordersoftheircommander，stoppedthefuriousslaughter，andgazedwithgloomyeyesattheirhatedenemies。
　　Therewasamomentofbreathlesssilence，andthentheBavarianofficerswereheardtocommandintremulousvoices，"Laydownyourarms！"
　　Andtheirmenobeyedreadily。Threehundredandeightysoldiers，andnineofficers，laiddowntheirarmshereontheplainoftheSterzingerMoos，andsurrenderedatdiscretiontotheTyrolese。
　　[Footnote:"GalleryofHeroes:AndrewsHofer，"p。3l。]
　　Onseeingthis，theTyroleseburstintoloudcheers，andAndreasHoferliftedhisbeamingeyestoheaven。"IthankThee，LordGod，"
　　hesaid;"withThyassistancewehaveachievedavictory。Itisthefirstlove—offeringwhichwepresenttofatherlandandourEmperorFrancis。"
　　"LonglivetheTyrolandourEmperorFrancis！"shoutedtheTyrolese，enthusiastically。
　　TheBavariansstoodsilent，withdowncasteyesandpalefaces，whiletheactiveTyroleseladshastilycollectedthearmstheybadlaiddownandplacedthemononeofthewagons，fromwhichtheyhadquicklyremovedthehay。
　　"Whatistobedonewithourprisoners，theBavarians？"saidAnthonySieberertoAndreasHofer。"Wecannottakethemwithus。"
　　"No，wecannot，norwilltheenemygiveustimefordoingso，"
　　repliedHofer。"AnthonyWallnerhasinformedmethatastrongcorpsofBavariansandFrenchisapproachinginthedirectionoftheMuhlbacherKlause。Theymustnotmeetushereontheplain，forafightundersuchcircumstanceswouldmanifestlybetoourdisadvantage。Theywouldbeagreatdealstrongerherethanwe。Butinthemountainsweareabletoovercomethem。TheyarethefortresseswhichthegoodGodbuiltforourcountry;andwhentheenemypasses，weshallattackanddefeathim。"
　　"Andshallwetaketheprisonerswithusintothemountains，commander？"
　　"No，wewillnot，forwecannotguardthemwellupthere，andtheywouldescape。Wewillnottaketheprisonerswithus，butconveythemtotheBaronessvonSternbergatCastleSteinach。Sheisardentlydevotedtoourcause，andlovestheTyrolandtheemperor。
　　Shewilltakecareoftheprisoners，andtheywillbeunabletoescapefromthelargetower，theWolfsthurm，onthecrestyonder，whichyoucanseefromhere。"
　　"ButwhoistoconveytheprisonerstoCastleSteinach？Arewealltomarchthitheranddeliverthembeforeadvancingfarther？"
　　"No，no，AnthonySieberer;wehavenottimeforthat。Wemustburythecorpsesherequickly，andremoveeverytraceofthecontest，inorderthattheFrench，onarrivinghere，maynotdiscoverwhathasoccured，andthatwearecloseby。OnlythirtyofourmenshallescorttheprisonerstoCastleSteinach。"
　　"Onlythirty，commander？Willthatbesufficientforthreehundredandeightyprisoners？Iftheyshouldattackourmenontheroad，theywouldbeatthem，fortheywouldbetwelvetoone。"
　　"Thatistrue，"saidAndreasHoferinconfusion;"whatarewetodotogetastrongerescortfortheprisoners？"
　　Hestrokedhisbeardnervously，aswashiswontinmomentsofgreatexcitement，andheglanceduneasily，nowhere，nowthere。Allatonceasmileilluminatedhisface。
　　"Ihavegotit，"hesaidmerrily。"Lookthere，Sieberer，lookthere。
　　Whatdoyouseethere？"
　　"Thewomenwhohaveaccompaniedus，andwhoarekissingElizaWallnerandAnnaGamperfortheirheroicconduct。"
　　"ThewomenshallhelpourthirtysharpshooterstoescorttheprisonerstoCastleSteinach。Ourwomenhavebraveheartsandstrongarms，andtheyknowhowtousetherifleforthefatherlandandtheemperor。Letthem，then，takesomeofthearmswhichwehaveconquered，and，jointlywiththirtyofourmen，escorttheprisonerstothegoodBaronessvonSternberg。Oh，LizzieWallner，LizzieWallner！"
　　"HereIam，commander，"criedEliza，hasteningtoAndreasHoferwithflushedcheeksandbeamingeyes。
　　Hepattedhercheekssmilingly。"Youareabrave，noblegirl，"hesaid，"andnoneofuswilleverforgetwhatyouhavedoneto—day;
　　andthewholeTyrolshalllearnwhatasplendidandintrepidgirlyouare。ButIwishtoconferaspecialrewardonyou，Lizzie;I
　　wishtoappointyoucaptainofacompany，andyourcompanyistoconsistofallthosewomen。"
　　"Andwhatdoesthecommander—in—chiefordermetodowithmycompanyofwomen？"askedElizaWallner。
　　"CaptainLizzie，youaretoescortwithyourcompanyandthirtyTyrolesesharpshootersthethreehundredandeightyBavarianstoCastleSteinach。Yourarmsyouwilltakefromthewagonyonder，whichCaptainLizziedrovesoheroicallytowardtheenemy。WillyouundertaketoescorttheprisonerssafelytoSteinach？"
　　"Iwill，commander。ButafterthatIshouldliketoreturntomyfather。Hemustbeuneasyaboutmebythistime，acidhewouldlikealsotoknowhowtheTyrolesehavesucceededonthisside。Oh！hewillbeexceedinglygladwhenIbringhimgreetingsfromhisbelovedAndreasHofer。"
　　"Go，then，mydearchild，"saidAndreasHofer，noddingtohertenderly，andlayinghishandonherbeautifulhead。
　　"Go，withGod'sblessing，andgreetyourfatherinmyname。TellhimthatGodandtheHolyVirginarewithusandhaveblessedourcause;
　　thereforewewillneverdespond，butalwaysfightbravelyandcheerfullyforourlibertyandourdearemperor。Go，Lizzie;escorttheprisonerstoSteinach，andthenreturntoyourfather。"