You，Mr。Intendant，arethemantodoit。YouhaveoftenassuredusthatyouwereabraveandpatrioticsonoftheTyrol;provenowthatyoutoldusthetruth。InsteadofleavingtheTyrolatthishourofitsgreatestperil，andsurrenderingittotheenemy，placeyourselfatitshead，protectitagainsttheenemy，andpreserveittotheemperor。[Footnote:"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，"p。103。]
　　BecomeDukeofTyrol，takechargeofthegovernmentanddefenceofthecountry。Asprovisionalduke，calluponthefaithfulpeopletotakeuparms，andtheywillriseasonemananddefenditsfrontiersagainsteveryenemy。RuleovertheTyrolintheemperor'splace，untilhehimselfisableagaintodosoandfoldusagaintohisheart。"
　　"Whatyousayisnonsense，Andy，"exclaimedHormayr，shrugginghisshoulders。"YouwantmetobecomeprovisionalDukeofTyrol？Why，thewholeworldwouldlaughatme，andtheemperorwouldpunishmeasarebel！"
　　"Well，then，"criedAndreasHofer，inapowerfulvoice，"ifyouwillnotdoit，Iwill！Ishalltakechargeofthegovernmentandcallmyself'AndreasHofer，SandwirthofPasseyrandDukeofTyrol，'aslongasitpleasesGod！"[Footnote:AndreasHofer'sownwords。——SeeHormayr's"AndreasHofer，"vol。ii。，p。361。]
　　"No，youwillnot，Andy，"saidHormayr，gravely;"youwillbesensible，onthecontrary，andnot，fromworldlypride，endangeryourcountry，yourfriends，andyourself。Bearinmind，Andy，thatyouwouldberesponsibleforthebloodthatwouldbeshed，ifyoushouldincitethepeopletorebellion，andthatyouwouldbethemurdererofallthosewhoshouldfallinthestruggleprovokedbyyousorecklesslyandinopenoppositiontotheordersofyouremperor。Bowyourhead，Andy，andsubmitaswealldo。IntrustyourandourcausetoGod;asitisgoodandjust，Hewillnotforsakeit，butrenderitvictoriouswhenitistime。"
　　"Ibelieveyou，"sighedAndreas;"buthowcanIkeepquietwhen，asyouhaveoftentoldme，IamGod'sinstrumentanddestinedbyHimtodeliverthedearTyrolfromtheenemy？Andwhatwouldmybravelieutenantssayiftheircommander—in—chief，AndreasHofer，weretoleavethecountryinitssoredistress，afterhehadtakenanoathtodefenditwhilehelived？Wouldtheynotpointtheirfingersatme，andcallmeatraitor，aJudasIscariotwhosoldhiscountryforthesakeofhisownsafety？"
　　"Youaremistaken，Andy。Youthinkyourfriends，thecaptainsandothercommanders，withwhomyoufoughtforthedeliveranceoftheTyrol，woulddespiseyouifyoufollowedtheAustriansnowandsavedyourlife？Nowlistentome，myfriend。Yourbestfriends，thebraveTyrolesecaptains，inwhomyoureposethegreatestconfidence，willleavetheTyrolthisverydayoftheirownaccordandaccompanyourAustriantroopstoCarinthia。"
　　"Thatisfalse，thatisimpossible！"criedAndreas，vehemently。
　　"Speckbacherwillneverdoso。"
　　"Yes，hewill，Andy。Isawhimthismorning。Hereresistedandfoughtaslongashecould;butsincethearmisticecompelshimtolaydownthesword，andsince，moreover，theFrenchandBavariansareenteringthecountryoncemore，hefeelsthatitisbetterforhimtosavehislifethanbecaughtandhungherebythevindictiveenemy。Hence，SpeckbacheracceptedtheofferoftheAustrianofficers，andwillaccompanythem。"
　　"JosephSpeckbacherwillleavetheTyrol？"murmuredAndreasHofer，mournfully。
　　"Andheisnottheonlyone，Andreas:Aschbacher，Puechler，Sieberer，andmanyotherbravecaptainsoftheTyrolese，willlikewiseleavewiththeAustrians。Allhaveaskedmetoimploreyoutofollowtheirexample，andfleefromtheperilsmenacingyouall。
　　Oh，believethem，believeme，Andreas！Ifyoustayhere，theBavarianswillnotrestuntiltheyhavetakenyouprisoner——untiltheirhatedenemy，theformidableBarbone，hasfallenintotheirhands。DearAndy，thinkofyourwifeathome，thefaithfulAnnaGertrude，whopraysforyoumorningandevening，andbeseechestheAlmightytosparethelifeofherdearhusband;thinkofyourdearchildren，whoseonlyprotectorandsupporteryouare;donotmakeyourdearwifeawidow，noryoursweetchildrenorphans！AndreasHofer，youcannotnowbeusefultothefatherland;saveyourself，then，foryourwifeandchildren！"
　　"Mygoodwife，mydearchildren！"sighedAndreas，profoundlymoved;
　　"itistrue，theylovemedearly，andwouldbeverylonelyonearthiftheirfathershouldbetakenfromthem！"
　　"Preservetheirfathertothem，then，andpreserveyourselfalsotothefatherland！FollowtheexampleofyourbravefriendsSpeckbacher，Aschbacher，Sieberer，andalltheothers;accompanyus，leavetheTyrolforawhile，andwhenthetimehascome，returnwiththemandfightoncemoreforthedeliveranceofthecountry。"
　　"Speckbacherwillleave，andsowillalltheothers，"murmuredAndreastohimself。"TheTyrolwillfallagainintotheenemy'shands，andallhasbeeninvain！"
　　Hehunghisheadandheavedadeepsigh。
　　"Come，Andreas，besensible;thinkofyourselfandyourfamily，"
　　saidHormayr，beseechingly。"Ihavecomehitherforthesolepurposeoftakingyouwithme;letmenothavetravelledinvainfromBrixentoLienz。Come，Andreas，come！Mycarriageisinreadinessatthedoor;letusridetogethertoMatrey。Speckbacher，theotherfriends，andtheAustriansarewaitingforusthere;weshallcrosstheTyrolesefrontierwiththemthisveryday，andyouandallyourfriendswillbesafe。Therefore，donothesitateanylonger，butcome！"
　　"Icannotmakeupmymindsosuddenly，"saidHofer，disengaginghimselfgentlyfromthehandofHormayr，whowastryingtodrawhimupfromhischair。"Itisagrave，momentousstepwhichyouaskmetotake，andbeforeIcandosoImustconsultGodandpraytohimfervently。Therefore，prayleavemealonealittlewhile，thatImayspeaktothegoodGodandconsulthimandmyconscience。"
　　"Verywell，Andy，Igiveyouaquarterofanhourtomakeupyourmind，"exclaimedHormayr，approachingthedoor。
　　"Aquarterofanhourisnotenough，"saidAndreas，shakinghishead。"Itislateatnight，andnightisthetimeforreposeandprayer。Therefore，stayhere，Mr。Intendant;sleepafewhours，andto—morrowmorning，atsunrise，cometomychamberandawakenme。I
　　willtellyouthenwhatGodinheavenhastoldmetodo。"
　　"Youpledgemeyourword，Andreas，thatyouwillnotleaveduringthepresentnight？"
　　"Ido。Ishallstayhere。Andnowgood—night。Myheartisprofoundlymoved，andIlongforrepose。Thisismychamber;IbeggedAnthonySteegertoletmehaveit;hehasfineroomsforaristocraticguestsup—stairs，andhewillgiveyouoneofthem。Nowgood—night，sir！"
　　Hebowedkindlytothebaron，shookhandswithhim，andconductedhimtothedoor。
　　CHAPTERXXIX。
　　HOFERANDSPECBBACHER。
　　ScarcelyhadthesunrisennextmorningwhenBaronvonHormayraroseandquicklypreparedeverythingfortheirdeparture。Afterseeingthathiscarriagewasatthestreetdoor，hedescendedthestaircaseinordertogotoAndreasHofer。
　　AnthonySteegerfollowedhimwithagloomyface，andwatchedhiseverymovementattentively。"IfhetriestotakeAndywithhim，"hesaidtohimself，"Iwillstranglehim。Itistrue，hehastoldmealreadythatHoferwillaccompanyhim，butIdonotbelieveit，andheshallnotcoaxhimaway。ThistimeIshallbepresent，andseewhatheisafter。"
　　TheystoodnowinfrontofHofer'sdoor，andHormayrputhishandontheknobtoopenit，butitwaslockedontheinside。
　　"AndreasHofer，AndreasHofer！"heshoutedoutalmostimperatively。
　　"Thetimeisup;cometome，AndreasHofer！"
　　Thedooropened，andthetall，powerfulformoftheSandwirthappearedinit。
　　"HereIam，"hesaid，smilingcalmly，"andyouseeIamreadytosetout。"
　　"Youwillaccompanymethen，Andy？"askedHormayr，joyfully。
　　"Youwillleaveus？"criedAnthonySteeger，indignantly。
　　"Iwaswaitingforyou，sir，"saidAndreas，quietly;"andifyouhadnotcomeofyourownaccord，Tony，Ishouldhavecalledyou，foryoushallhearwhatIhavegottosaytotheintendant。Comein，then，bothofyou，andletusspeakalastwordwitheachother。AnthonySteeger，BaronvonHormayr，ourcountryman，camehithertopersuademetoaccompanyhimandleavetheTyrol。Ourfriendswilldothesamething，fortheBavariansandFrencharealreadyenteringthecountry。Speckbacher，Sieberer，andothers，willsavetheirlivesforthisreason，andgowiththeAustrians;andtheintendantthinksIoughttodothesame，forthesakeofmywifeandchildren。
　　However，IwishedfirsttoconsultthegoodGod。Ididsoallnightlong。Iprayedandreflectedagreatdeal，anditseemedtomeasthoughtheLordspoketomeandenlightenedmysoultofindthetruepath。Listenthen，Mr。IntendantoftheTyrol，andyou，too，friendAnthonySteeger，towhatIhaveresolvedtodowithGod'sassistance。ItookanoathtoservethefatherlandaslongasI
　　lived;asanhonestman，Imustkeepmyword，andstayintheTyrol。"
　　AnthonySteegerutteredaloudcryofjoy，butHormayr'sfacegrewverysombre。"Youdonotsee，then，thatyouarerushinguponyourowndestruction？"heasked。"Youareintentonrenderingyourwifeandchildrenunhappy？Youarebentonincurringthemostimminentperil？"
　　"Iwillincuritcourageously，"saidHofer，kindly。"IknowverywellthatwhatIamabouttodoisnotprudent，butitisright。
　　WhenthetemptertookJesusupintoanexceedinghighmountain，showedhimallthekingdomsoftheworldandtheirglory，andsaid，`AllthesethingswillIgiveThee，ifthouwiltfalldownandworshipme，'theSaviourdidnotaccepttheoffer，butremainedtruetoHimself，andsealedHisteachingswithhisdeath。IwillfollowtheSaviour'sexample，andnever，whileIlive，proverecreanttothelovewhichIvowedtothedearTyrol;neverwillIleaveit，butIwillstandbyitandserveittothelast。Depart，then，BaronvonHormayr;Icannotaccompanyyou，forthecountrykeepsmehere，andneverwillIabandonitwhatevermayhappen！"[Footnote:"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，"vol。iii。，p。104。]"Isthatyourlastword，Andreas？"askedHormayr，gloomily。
　　"Itis，"saidHofer，gently。"Butpray，sir，donotbeangrywithmeforit。WereImoreprudentandsagacious，Ishouldcertainlyfollowyouradvice;butIamonlyaplainpeasant，andcannotbutobeythepromptingsofmyheart。LettheAustriansleavetheTyrol。AndreasHofercannotaccompanythem，norcanhelookonquietlywhiletheenemyisre—enteringthecountry。Manybravemen，manyexcellentsharpshooterswillremainintheTyrol，andIshallcalluponthemtorallyroundme。Wehavetwicedeliveredthecountryfromtheenemywithoutanyoutsideassistance，andweshall，perhaps，succeedathirdtime。"
　　"Butifyoushouldfail，"criedHormayr，"iftheseducedTyroleseshouldcurseyou，ifthetearsandlamentationsofyourfamilyshouldaccuseyou，ifyouruinyourselfandyourcountry，thenrememberthishour，andthewarningIgaveyouinordertosaveyou！"
　　"Iwill，Mr。Intendant，"saidAndreas，calmly。"Everyonemustdohisdutyafterhisownfashion。YouthinkyouaredoingyoursbyleavingtheTyrol;IthinkIdominebystayinginthecountry。Godwilldecidewhichdidright。Andnow，Godblessyou，sir！GreetSpeckbacherandalltheothers;andwhenyouseetheArchdukeJohn，tellhimthatmyhearthasnotlostfaithinhim，andthatIknowfullwellhewouldneverhavegivenupthepoorTyrolifhecouldhavehelpedit。Andnow，sir，donotlookatmesoindignantly;
　　shakehandswithme，andletuspartinpeace。"
　　Heheldouthishand，butHormayr，overcomebyhisemotion，spreadouthisarmsandthrewthemaroundHofer'sneckwithanairofimpassionedtenderness。
　　"Farewell，Andy，farewell，"hesaid，inalowvoice。"Icannotapproveofwhatyouaredoing，butImustloveandadmireyouforallthat。Farewell，farewell！"
　　Hedisengagedhimselfquickly，hastenedoutoftheroom，andwalkedhurriedlythroughthehall。Afewminutesafterwardhiscarriagerolledawaywiththunderingnoise。
　　"Heisgone！"criedAnthonySteeger，joyously;"thetempterhasleftus，andyouhaveremainedfirm，Andy;youdidnotallowyourselftobeseducedbyhisblandishments。TheTyrolwillrewardyouandloveyouforitforevermore！"
　　"Ifyouspeakthetruth，itiswell;ifyoudonot，itiswelltoo，"
　　saidAndreas，calmly。"Iremainbecauseitismyduty，andbecauseI
　　feelthattheTyrolneedsme。Anthony，theenemyisre—enteringthecountry;wemustdrivehimoutathirdtime;thatismyopinion。"
　　"Itismine，too，"repliedAnthonySteeger，exultingly。"Aftersucceedingtwiceinsodoing，weshallexpelhimathirdtimealso。"
　　"Itistrue，itisabadandmournfulthingthatSpeckbacherisgoingtodesertus，"saidAndreas，musingly;"butAnthonyWallnerandtheCapuchinwillsurelystandbyus，andPeterMayerwillnotleaveuseither。Besides，youarehere，andsoamI，andwefivemenwillraiseourvoicesandcalluponthepeopletoriseandexpeltheenemyoncemore。Ibelievethebravemenwilllistentoourvoices，andnotoneofthemwillstayathome;allwillcometous，bringtheirrifleswiththem，andfighttheFrenchandBavarians。"
　　"Ithinksotoo，Andy。WhenthebraveTyrolesebearyourvoice，theywillcometoaman，andwewillachieveanotherInnsprucktriumph，andgainanothervictoryonMountIsel。"
　　"GodgrantitinHismercy;"exclaimedAndreas，touchingthecrucifixonhisbreast。"ButImustsetoutnow，myfriend。Solongasweareunabletocopewiththeenemy，wemustavoidmeetinghim，concealourforces，andprepareactivelyforthestruggle。Hence，I
　　shallnottellyouwhereIamgoing，andnooneshalllearnofmywhereaboutsuntilthetimehascomeformetoappearoncemoreattheheadofastrongandbravearmy。Doyourdutyhere，Tony，andenlistcourageoussharpshootersforthefatherland。Informallthepatriotssecretlyofmyplan，andtellthemthatwemustnotheedthearmisticeconcludedbyAustria，butmustfightonforourlibertyandouremperor。Havemyhorsebroughttothedoor，myfriend;thesunisalreadyoverthemountains，anditistimeformetostart。"
　　AnthonySteegerhastenedaway;hesaddledhisfriend'shorsewithhisownhandsandbroughthimtothedoor。Andreasvaultedwiththeagilityofayouthintothesaddle，andshookhandswithhisfriend。
　　"Farewell，AnthonySteeger，"hesaid;"youshallhearfrommesoon。"
　　Hethenspurredhishorseandgallopedalongthehigh—wayleadingthroughthePustervalley。Hishorseknewthewayverywell;itwasunnecessaryforAndreasHofertoguidehim;hecouldlethimtrotalongquietly，andabsorbhimselfinhisplansandthoughts。Hewasanimatedonlybyoneidea，thathisbelovedcountrywasindanger，andthatitneededhim。
　　"IdonotknowifIshallbeabletosaveit，"hemurmuredtohimself，"butIdoknowthatImustnotrunaway。Ishallhideaslongasitisnecessary，andpreparemyselfbyprayeranddevotion。
　　Forward，myhorse，forward！"
　　Andherodeonthroughthevalleyandacrosstheheights。Profoundsilencereignedeverywhere。Itwasyetearlyinthemorning，theroadwasquitedeserted，andAndreascouldbrooduninterruptedlyoverhisthoughtsandconceivehisplans。Allatoncehismusingswereinterruptedbytherollofawagonapproachingontheroad。Itwasalargewagonwithracks，drawnbyfourhorses，andmanymensatinit。AndreasHoferwasasyetunabletoseewhotheywere，buttheredandwhitecoloursoftheirgold—and—silver—embroideredcoatsshowedhimthattheyweresoldiers。Whenthewagoncamecloseruptohim，herecognizedthem;theywereAustrianofficersandsoldiers。
　　Butwhowashethatoccupiedoneofthefrontseatsamongthem？Whowasthattall，slendermaninthedressoftheTyrolese，hisheadcoveredwithapointedgreenhat？Thewagoncamenearerandnearer。
　　AndreasHoferhaltedhishorseandlookedsteadfastlyattheTyroleseseatedinthemidstoftheAustrianofficers。"Goodheavens，"hemurmured，givingastart，"IbelieveitisJosephSpeckbacher！Yes，yes，itis。"
　　Nowthewagonwasclosebyhisside，anditwasreallyhe，itwasJosephSpeckbacher;anditwasplainlytobeseenthathehadlikewiserecognizedAndreasHofer，forheutteredacry，andadeepblushsuffusedhischeeks。ButtheAustrianofficershadalsorecognizedthebraveSandwirth，theuniversallybelovedBarbone，andtheyshoutedtothecoachmantodrivequickerandwhiphishorsesintoafullgallop。Thecoachmandidso，andthecarriagespedawayatafuriousrate。AndreasHoferhaltedattheroadside;histearfuleyesgazeduponhisfriend，andwhenSpeckbacherwaswhirledpasthim，Andreasexclaimedinaloud，mournfulvoice，"Speckbacher，areyoutoogoingtodesertthecountry？Theyaredrivingyoutoyourowndisgrace，Joe！"[Footnote:AndreasHofer'sownwords。——SeeMayr's"JosephSpeckbacher，"p。143。]
　　Thewagonpassedhimnoisily，andJosephSpeckbacher'shorse，whichwastiedbehind，gallopedrapidlyafterit。AndreasHoferlookedafterhisfrienduntilacloudofdustenvelopedthedisappearingwagon，andheheardonlythesoundofthewheelsatadistance。Hethenheavedadeepsigh，wipedatearfromhiseye，androdeon。Buthisheartwasheavyandmelancholy，andhisthoughtsreturnedagainandagainduringhisrideonthelonelyroadtoJosephSpeckbacher，whohadturnedhisbackontheTyrolandwasabouttoleaveitinthehourofitssorestdistress。Suddenlyhethoughtheheardhisownnameutteredbehind;thecallwasrepeatedlouderandmoreurgently。
　　AndreasHoferhaltedhishorseandturned。Acloudofdustcameuptheroadlikeawhirlwind;nowitopened，andtheheadandneckofahorseandtheslenderridermountedonhimcameinview。Thecloudveilshisfaceasyet，buthecomesnearerandnearer;hishorseisnowbyAndreasHofer'sside，theriderstretchesouthisarmstowardhimandexclaimsexultingly:"Andy，hereIam！Iheardwhatyousaid，andjumpedfromthewagon，untiedmyhorse，vaultedintothesaddle，andspedafteryou，myAndy。IhadtoovertakeyouandtellyouthatIdonotwanttobedisgraced;thatIwillnotleavetheTyrolunlessyoudotoo。"
　　"Ineverwill，Joe，unlessIshoulddie，"saidAndreasHofer，solemnly。"ButGodbepraisedthatIhavegotyouback，forapieceofmyheartwouldhaveleftthecountrywithyou。Butyouareback，andIamsogladofit！AndImustgiveyouakissinthenameofGod，thecountry，andtheEmperorFrancis。Welcomehome，goodandfaithfulsonofthefatherland！"
　　HeencircledSpeckbacher'sneckwithhisarmsandimprintedakissonhisforehead。Theyremainedlockedinalongembrace，keepingtheirhorsessidebyside，andgazingateachotherwithproud，smilingjoy。
　　"Andnowtellme，Andy，whatareyougoingtodo？"askedSpeckbacher，afteralongpause。"IhopeyouwillnotlookonquietlyandpeaceablywhiletheBavariansandFrencharere—enteringthecountry？Icouldnotbearit，andthiswastheveryreasonwhyI
　　didnotwanttostayinthecountry;fortheAustrianofficerstoldme，ifIwishedtoremainintheTyrol，Ishouldhavetokeepveryquietandallowtheenemytotakepossessionoftheprovince，inaccordancewiththestipulationsofthearmistice。Andyousee，Andy，myheartrevoltedatthat;thereforeIwishedtogetawayandremainabroaduntilthearmisticehadexpired，whenwewouldbeoncemoreallowedtofightbravelyforourcountryandouremperor。"
　　"Nooneshallpreventusfromdoingsonow，"saidAndreas，calmly。
　　"Whatdowecareforthearmistice？Theemperorconcludedit;wedidnot，andIbelievetheemperorwillnotblameusfordisregardingitandcontinuingthewaraswecommencedit。"
　　"Youareright，wewilldoso，"exclaimedSpeckbacher，joyfully。
　　"AndnowIwillcommunicatetoyousomeimportantnewswhichtheAustrianofficersreceivedonlythismorning。AnthonyWallner，ofWindisch—Matreyisalsoofyouropinion;herefuseslikewisetoacknowledgethearmisticeandmakepeacewiththeenemy。WhentheBavarians，fourdaysago，intendedtocrossthefrontiernearWindisch—Matrey，AnthonyWallnerandJohnPanzlwenttomeetthemwithfourhundredsharpshooterswhomtheyhadgatheredingreathaste。TheytookpositionatthebridgeofTaxenbachandtriedtopreventtheBavariansfromcrossingit。TheBavarianswereseventhousandstrong，andWallnerhadonlyfourhundredmen;butourfriends，nevertheless，defendedthebridgeforsevenhours，killedandwoundedoverthreehundredBavarians，andretreatedintothemountainsonlybecausetheoddsweretoogreat。"[Footnote:
　　Peternader，"DieTyrolerLandesvertheidigungimJahre1809，"vol。
　　ii。，p。84。]
　　"IknowAnthonyWallner，andwasconvincedthathewouldnotsubmitquietly，"saidAndreas，joyfully。"Andwewillfollowhisexample，Joseph。ThegoodGodhasimposedonusthetaskofdefendingtheTyrol，andwewillfulfilitfaithfully。"
　　"Yes，wewill，andwewillbeginthisveryhour。Wemustfindout，aboveallthings，ifallofourcountrymenareofouropinion，andiftheyarecourageousenoughtocontinuethestruggle，evenaftertheAustrianshaveleftus。"
　　"WhatgooddidtheAustriansdouswhiletheywerehere？"askedAndreas，indignantly。"Letmetellyou，Joe，onthewholeIamgladthattheAustriansareevacuatingtheprovince。Itisbetterforustofightalone，andtrustonlyourownstrength。Regulartroopsandinsurgentsneverfightwelltogetherintheend，fortherearealwaysjealousiesbetweenthem;theymutuallychargeeachotherwiththeblunderscommittedduringthecampaign，andgrudgeeachotherthegloryobtainedinthebattles。Hence，itisbetterforustobealoneandhavenootheralliesthanthegoodGod，theHolyVirgin，andherblessedSon。"[Footnote:AndrewHofer'sownwords。——SeeMayr's"JosephSpeckbacher，"p。145。22]
　　"Youareright，alwaysright，Andy，"saidSpeckbacher。"Wewillgocourageouslytowork，then;andyoushallsee，myAndy，thatSpeckbacherisstillwhathealwayswas，andthathewillhenceforthneverthinkofleavingthecountry，butwillstandfaithfullybyitandfightuntiltheenemyhasbeenexpelledoncemore，andwearefreeagain。IwillridenowthroughthewholePustervalley，andthenfromBruneckenthroughtheDuxvalleytomyhome，theRinn;andIwillstirupthepeopleeverywhere，andcalluponthementofollowmeandfightoncemoreforlibertyandthefatherland。"
　　"Doso，Joe，andIwillfollowyourexample。IwillreturntothePasseyrvalley;youshallallhearfrommebeforelong，andthenmyvoiceshallresoundthroughouttheTyrol。Godwillmakeitstrongenoughtopenetratetoeveryear，andfilleveryheartwithenthusiasticdevotiontothecountryandtheemperor。Farewell，then，Joseph！TheTyrolandIhaverecoveredyou，andmyheartthanksGodferventlyforit。Farewell，youshallhearfrommebeforelong！"
　　HenoddedoncemorekindlytoJosephSpeckbacherandgallopeddownthevalley，whileSpeckbachertrottedupthemountain—path。
　　AndreasHoferrodealldaylongthroughthecountry。Hesawthepeopleeverywhereincommotionanduproar;theygreetedhimwithjubilantcheers，andthemensworeeverywherethattheywouldnotallowtheenemytore—enterthecountrywithoutresistance;thattheydidnotbelieveinthepacificassurancesoftheproclamationswithwhichtheBavarianshadfloodedthecountry;thattheyweresatisfied，onthecontrary，thattheenemywouldrevengehimselfascruellyashehaddoneafterhisreturninMay;andthattheywere，therefore，firmlyresolvedtofightandexpeltheenemyoncemore。
　　"Getyourriflesandammunition，then，andprepareforthestruggle，"saidAndreasHofereverywheretothemenwhoweresofullofardor。"Youshallhearfrommesoon，andlearnwhatGodwantsustodo。"
　　AndreasHoferdidnotrestevenatnight。Thegreattaskwhichwasimposeduponhimurgedhimonincessantly。HethereforeprofitedbytheclearmoonlighttorideacrosstheJanfen，andatdaybreakhishorseneighedjoyouslyandstoppedatthebankofthefoamingPasseyr，atnogreatdistancefromthewhitehouseoftheSandwirth，thehomewhichcontainedhisgreatesttreasuresonearth，hiswifeandchildren。
　　ButAndreasHoferdidnotintendtoreturntothemnow;hedidnotwanttohavehisheartsoftenedbythesightofhiswife，whowouldcertainlyweepandlamentonlearningofhisresolvetorenewthewaragainsttheBavariansandFrench。Andforthesamereasonhewishedtoavoidmeetinghischildren，whosedearfacesmightremindhimthathewasabouttoendangerthelifeoftheirfather，andthattheirbrighteyesmightsoonfillwithtearsofbittergrief。HewouldspeakonlytoGod，andsolitudewastobehissoleadviser。
　　AndreasHofergreetedhishouseanditsbelovedinmateswithalong，tearfullook;hethendriedhiseyesandalighted。Thehorseneighedjoyouslyandspedmerrilydownthehilltowardhisstable。ButAndreasHofertookaby—pathandascendedthemountainthroughtheforestandshrubberytotheKellerlahn，acaveknownonlytohimandsomeofhisintimatefriends，wherehisfaithfulservanthadpreparedhimacouch，andkeptalwaysinreadinessforhim，inasecretcupboardfixedintherock，wineandfood，someprayer—books，andwritingmaterials。
　　InthiscaveAndreasHoferintendedtopassafewdaysinprayerandsolitude。
　　CHAPTERXXX。
　　THECAPUCHIN'SOATH。
　　AgreatfestivalwastobecelebratedatBrixentoday。Itwasthe2ndofAugust，thedayofSt。Cassian，andnotonlywerethebonesofthissaint，whichreposedinthecathedraladornedwithtwosplendidtowerstobeexhibitedastheywereeveryyeartothedevoutpilgrims，butthepiousbishophadresolvedthatthesesacredrelicsshouldbecarriedinsolemnprocessionthroughthewholecity，thatallmighthaveanopportunitytoseethesaint'sremainsandimploretheassistanceofGodinthesoredistresswhichbadbefallentheTyrolagain。Therefore，sinceearlythismorningthepeasantryhadbeenflockingfromallsidestowardthegatesofBrixen。Womenandchildren，youngandoldmen，camefromallpartsofthecountrytotakepartinthesolemnprocessionandthedevoutprayersforthewelfareofthecountry。
　　AmongthosewhowerewanderingalongtheroadtoBrixen，wasamonkofstrikinglyboldandmartialappearance。Histall，broad—
　　shoulderedformwasremarkableforitsmilitarybearing;hislong，well—keptredwhiskersandmustachedidnotcorrespondtothetonsureonhishead，whichwascoveredwiththinreddishringlets;
　　andinstrikingcontrastwithitwerelikewisethebroadredscaronhishealthysunburntcountenance，andthebright，defiantglanceofhiseyes，whichindicatedboldnessandintrepidityratherthanpietyandhumility。Hehadtuckeduphisbrownrobe，andthusexhibitedhisstoutlegs，whichseemedtomockthesoftsandalsencasinghisbroad，powerfulfeet。Inhishandheheldalongbrownstaff，terminatingatitsupperendinacarvedimageofSt。Francis;andtheCapuchindidnotcarrythisstaffinordertoleanuponit，buthebrandisheditintheairlikeasword，orheldituptriumphantlyasthoughitwereavictoriousbanner。
　　ButhoweverstrangeandunusualtheCapuchin'sappearancemightbe，noonelaughedathim，buthewasgreetedeverywherewithdemonstrationsofloveandreverence;andwhenhepassedsomeslowwandererswithhisrapidstep，theylookedafterhimwithjoyfulsurprise，andsaidtoeachother，"LookatoldRed—beard，lookatbraveFatherHaspinger！Hehasfoughtoftenenoughforthefatherland。NowheisgoingtoprayfortheTyrol。"
　　"Pray，andfightagain，ifneedbe，"saidthefriar，turningtothespeakers。
　　"Youthink，then，reverendfather，thattherewillbewaragain？"
　　askedmanyvoices;anddensegroupssurroundedthefriar，andaskedhimanxiouslyifheadvisedthemtoallowtheenemytore—enterthecountry;ifitwouldnotbebettertodrivehimbackforcibly，orifbethoughtitwouldbepreferableforthemtokeepquietandsubmittosternnecessity？
　　"Ithinkthereisatimeforeverything——forkeepingquietaswellasforfighting，forprayingaswellasforpolitics，"saidFatherHaspinger，shrugginghisshoulders。"Ifyouwishtoprayandconfessyoursins，cometome。Iamreadytoteachyouhowtopray，andexhortyouwithtrueearnestness。Butifyouwanttofightandexpeltheenemyfromthecountry，whydoyounotapplytoyourcommanders，andconsult，aboveall，thebraveandpiousAndreasHofer？"
　　"Wecannotfindhimanywhere，"shoutedseveralvoices。"Heisnotathome，andevenhiswifedoesnotknowwherehehasconcealedhimself。"
　　"Doyou，impiouswretches，thinkthatthemostpiousmaninthewholeTyrol，AndreasHofer，hasconcealedhimselfbecauseheisafraidoftheBavarianswhoarere—enteringthecountry？"askedthefriar，inathunderingvoice。
　　"No，yourreverence，wedonot。WeknowwellthatAndreasHoferwillnotactlikeAshbacher，Sieberer，Teimer，Eisenstecken，andSpeckbacher，andabandonusinoursoredistress。"
　　"Hewhodoesnotextricatehimselffromhissoredistresswillnotbesavedbyothers，"criedthefriar，indignantly。
　　"Doyounotknowtheeleventhcommandmentyouwhite—liveredcowards，whothinkyouarelostwhenthereisnoleadertoputhimselfatyourhead？Doyounotknowtheeleventhcommandment，sayingthathewhotrustsinGodandfightswellwilloverpowerhisenemies？Butyouwillneveroverpoweryourenemies;youdonottrustinGod，andhenceyoucannotfightwell。"
　　"Butwewillfightwell，yourreverence，"repliedthemen，withbold，defiantglances;"onlyourleadersdonotstandbyus。Everyonecannotfightaloneandatrandom，buttheremustbesomeoneattheleadtoleadthewholemovement。SinceAndreasHofercannotbefound，prayputyourselfatourhead，yourreverence，andbecomeourleader！"
　　"Thatrequestisnotsostupid，"saidtheCapuchin，smiling，andstrokinghisredbeard。"YouknowverywellthatoldRed—bearddoesnotstayathomewhenaneffortistobemadetosavethefatherland，andperhapsImaysoonbeabletoacceptyourofferandcalluponyoutodefendtheTyrol。"
　　"Doso，docalluponus，"shoutedthemenenthusiastically。"WewillnotpermittheFrenchandBavarianstomurderourpeopleandburnourhousesastheydidlastMay;wewillfightratheruntilwehavedriventhemfromthecountryorperishedtoaman！"
　　"Thesearebraveandpioussentiments，"saidFatherHaspinger，hiseyesflashingforjoy;"andwewillspeakfurtheraboutthem。ComeuptothechurchofLatzfonsto—morrow，andhearmepreach;andafterthesermonwewillconferastothestateofthecountry。Butnowkeepquiet，foryouseeweareatthegateofBrixen;turnyoursouls，therefore，toGod，andpraySt。Cassiantohavemercyuponyou，andintercedeforyouwithGodandtheRedeemer。"
　　AndFatherHaspinger'sfacebecamesuddenlyverygraveanddevout;