Thesharpshooterwasreloadinghisrifle，whentheshrubberybehindhimrustled，and，onturninghastily，besawoneofthesoldiersrushingtowardhim。Acryofrageburstfromthelipsofthesharpshooter。Hethenraisedhisrifleandfired。Thesoldierfell，butatthesamemomentoneofhiscomradeshastenedfromthethickettowardthetopoftherock。Anothercryburstfromthesharpshooter'slips，butthistimeitsoundedlikeadeath—cry。Hesawthathewaslost，foralreadytheuniformsoftheothertwosoldierswereglitteringamongthetrees，andthesecondsoldierwasonlyafewstepsfromtheedgeoftherockwherethesharpshooterwasstanding。TheTyrolesecastalastdespairingglancearoundhim，asiftotakeleaveofheavenandearth，andofthemountainsandValleysofhisbelovedTyrol。Thenhethrewdownhisrifleandseizedthesoldierfuriously。Hisarmsencircledthebodyofhisenemylikeironclasps，andheforcedhimwithirresistibleimpetuositytowardtheedgeoftherock。
　　"InGod'sname，then，"heshoutedinaloudvoiceechoedbytherocksallaround。"InGod'sname，then！"
　　Withalastefforthethrewhimselfwiththesoldierintothedepth，andbothdisappearedinthewatersoftheEisach。
　　Speckbacher'sservantthefaithfulZoppel，hadseenandunderstoodeverything;andwhenthetwosankintothefoamingtorrent，hewipedatearfromhiseyes。
　　"HediedlikeabravesonoftheTyrol，"hemurmured，"andtheHolyVirginwillassuredlybidhimkindlywelcome。Butwe，Hisel，willavengehisdeathontheaccursedenemybelow。"
　　"Yes，wewill，"criedthepeasantgrimly;andheraisedhishatchetwithafuriousgesture。
　　"Itisnotyettime，"saidZoppelthoughtfully。"Justwaituntilalargerbodyoftroopshasenteredthedefile。See，Hisel，howsplendidtheylookintheirgorgeousuniform，andhowproudlytheyaremarchingon！"
　　TheSaxonsdidmarchonproudly，butnotwithdrumsbeating。Theyadvancedinsilence，filledwithmisgivingsbytheprofoundstillnesswhichsurroundedthemallatonce，listeningattentivelytoeverysound，andexamininganxiouslythetopofeveryprojectingrock。
　　Theheadoftheserriedcolumnhadarrivednowdirectlyunderthehanging"avalanche"inthemiddleofthegloomydefile。Thesilencewassuddenlybrokenbyaloudangryvoice，whichseemedtoresoundintheairlikethecroakingofthedeath—angel。
　　Thisvoiceasked，"Zoppel，shallIcuttheropenow？"
　　"Notyet！notyet！"repliedanothervoice;andtheprecipitousrocksallaroundechoed"Notyet！notyet！"
　　TheSaxonsgaveastartandlookedup。Whencecamethesevoices？
　　Whatmeantthathugeblackmasssuspendedontheprecipitoussideofthemountainrightovertheirheads？
　　Thustheyaskedeachothershudderinglyandstoodstill，fixingtheireyesontheblackmassofrockandrubbish，whichfilledtheirheartswithwonderanddismay。
　　"Letusretraceoursteps！Letusnotpenetratefartherintothedefile，"murmuredthesoldierswithtremblinglips，butinsolowatonethattheofficersmarchingbytheirsidescouldnothearthem。
　　Buttheofficers，too，werefilledwithstrangemisgivings;theyorderedthesoldierstohalt，andhastenedbacktoGeneralRoyertoreporttohimthemysteriouswordswhichtheyhadheard，andtoaskhimwhethertheyweretohaltorretracetheirsteps。
　　"Advanceatthedouble—quick！"commandedthegeneral，sternly。
　　"Advanceatthedouble—quick！"theyrepeatedtotheirsoldiersalongthewholeline;thelatter，inobediencetothisorder，hurriedonundertheblackmasswhichstillhungthreateninglyovertheirheads。
　　Allatonceapowerfulvoiceaboveshoutedout:"Now，Hisel，inthenameoftheHolyTrinity，cuttheropes！"Thereupontheyheardthestrokesoftwohatchets。
　　Thesoldiers，whowererushingforwardinserriedranks，lookedupagain，andindescribablehorrorseizedthem。Theblackmassofrockandrubbishwhichhadhithertohungoverthem，commencedmovingandrollingdownwithaterriblecrash。Acloudofdustroseandfilledthegloomydefileaswiththesmokeofpowder。Atthesametimeaheavyfireburstforthonallsides，andfromamidtheleafyscreenthedeadlybulletsofthesharpshootersbroughtdeathwitheverydischargeintothealliedranks。Adeath—likesilencethenensuedforamoment，foroutofthedepthsrosethewailsandlamentationsofthehundredsofsoldierswhohadbeencrushedandmutilatedbythe"avalanche。"TheTyrolese，filledwithcuriosityandcompassion，lookeddownintothedefile。Thesmokeanddusthaddisappeared，andtheycoulddistinctlysurveythesceneofhorror，devastation，anddeath，inthegorge。
　　Happythosewhomthefalling"avalanche"hadhurledfromthenarrowfootpathintothefoamingtorrent！Itistrue，deathhadbeeninstoreforthemthere，butithadquicklyputanendtotheirsufferings。Butwhatwastheagonyofthosewholayburiedunderthefragmentsoftherocks，theirlimbsfearfullymutilated！Whatwerethesufferingsofthehundredsofsoldierslyingontheroad，onthisnarrow，gorypath，uponwhichthe"avalanche"hadthundereddown！
　　Itwasahorriblesight;eventheTyrolesetrembledonbeholdingthisrubbish，thesefragments，whencelargenumbersofbloodycorpsesprotruded，andamidstwhichtorn，mutilatedlimbsweremoving，whilehereandtheresoldiers，coveredalloverwithdust，andbleedingfromfearfulwounds，triedpainfullytoraisethemselvesfromtheground。
　　ThoseoftheSaxonswhohadnotbeenstruckbytheterribleavalanche，fellbackshuddering。WhentheTyrolesesawthis，theircompassionatthecruelfateofthedeadgaveway，andwithdeafeningshoutstheyburstforthfromtheirconcealment，and，minglingwiththeenemy，afrightfulslaughtertookplace。
　　TheSaxonsrallied，however;courageousdisciplinepresidedoverunskilledvalor，andthecolumnadvancedslowlyandpainfullyinthedirectionofthebridge，throughamurderousfire，andsurmountingtheruinswhichobstructedtheroadandcoveredthebodiesoftheircomrades。
　　Allatonceexultantshoutsandcheersresoundedattheentranceofthedefile，andtheclarion—notesofmartialmusicjoinedinthesestirringacclamations。Freshtroops，re—enforcementsoftheSaxons，werecomingupfromtherear。TheBavarianshadarrivedwiththeirartillery，whichtheyhadplacedinaveryfavorableposition;theyhadalreadytakenthetwofarm—housesattheentranceofthegorgewheretheTyrolesehadtakenposition，andwerenowrushingintothedefile。TheTyrolese，dismayedatthisimpetuousadvance，retreatedintothemountains。
　　FortwodaysthestrugglewascontinuedinthesegorgesnearMittewald。FortwodaysSaxonsandTyroleseopposedeachotherinthisfratricidalcontest，inwhichGermansfoughtagainstGermansinobediencetothebehestsofthetyrantwhohadsubjugatedallGermany，andtowhomonlytheundauntedTyrolstillofferedastubbornresistance。
　　Thevictorywaslongundecided。OncetheforcesoftheDukeofDantsicsucceededatoneextremityofthedefileindrivingbackthesharpshootersunderJoachimHaspinger，theCapuchin，andclearingapassagefortheSaxonsstrugglinginthegorge。ButtheCapuchinhadretreatedonlytobringupfreshforces，dispatchmessengerstoSpeckbacher，PeterMayer，AndreasHofer，andAnthonyWallner，soundthetocsin，andconcentratemorearmedpeasants。AndSpeckbachercameupwithhisbravesharpshootersintherearoftheSaxons:
　　AnthonyWallnerandhismenmadetheirappearancelike—wise;PeterMayerbroughtupfreshforces;andAndreasHofersentwordthathewouldbeonhandspeedily。ButtheSaxonswerelikewisere—enforced，bothbytheFrench，whomovedupfromBrixen，andtheBavarians，whoapproachedfromSterzing。
　　Thecontestwascontinuedwithunabatedviolence，andbothsidesstruggledobstinatelyforthevictory。ButtheTyrolesefoughtfortheirrights，theirliberty，theirGermancountry;theSaxonsandBavariansfoughtfortyranny，fortheforeignoppressor，andthesubjugationoftheircountrymen。GodgrantedvictorytotheTyrolese，andinthedefileofMittewaldupwardofathousandSaxonshadtoatonebytheirdeathforhavingfoughtatthebiddingoftheFrenchconqueroronGermansoilagainsttheirGermancountrymen。
　　TheTyrolesefoughtfortheirrights，theirliberty，theirGermancountry;andtheDukeofDantsic，theproudmarshalofFrance，wasdefeatedbythedespisedpeasants;hehadtofleefromtheirwrath，andarrivedwithouthiscloakandhat，tremblinganddeathlypale，onhisfoaminghorseatSterzing，whichhehadleftafewhourspreviouslywiththefirmconvictionthathewouldinflictacrushingdefeatuponthe"haughtypeasant—rabble。"Nowthis"haughtypeasant—
　　rabble"haddefeatedhim。
　　GodiswiththosewhofightfortherightsandlibertyofGermany。
　　GodiswiththosewhoriseboldlyagainstFrenchtyrannyandFrencharrogance！
　　CHAPTERXXXII。
　　THEFIFTEENTHOFAUGUSTATINNSPRUCK。
　　GodiswiththosewhofightfortherightsandlibertyofGermany。
　　HehadgrantedanothervictorytotheTyrolese。
　　Animatedbytheirbrilliantsuccesses，thepatriotsnolongerstoodonthedefensive，but，flockingfromallquarterstothestandardofHofer，assembledingreatmultitudesonMountIsel，thesceneoftheirformertriumphs，anddestinedtobeimmortalizedbyastillmoreextraordinaryvictory。Lefebvrehadcollectedhiswholeforce，consistingoftwenty—sixthousandmen，ofwhomtwothousandwerehorse，withfortypiecesofcannon，onthelittleplainwhichliesbetweenInnspruckandthefootofthemountainsonthesouthernsideoftheInn。Theywerefarfrombeinganimated，however，bytheirwontedspirit;therepeateddefeatstheyhadexperiencedhadinspiredthemwiththatmysteriousdreadofthemountaineerswithwhichregulartroopsaresooftenseized，when，contrarytoexpectation，theyhavebeenworstedbyundisciplinedbodiesofmen;
　　andasecretfeelingoftheinjusticeoftheircause，andtheheroismwithwhichtheyhadbeenresisted，paralyzedmanyanarmwhichhadnevertrembledbeforearegulararmy。
　　TheTyroleseconsistedofeighteenthousandmen，threehundredofwhomwereAustriansoldierswhohadrefusedtofollowtheirofficers，andremainedtosharethefateoftheinhabitants。Theyweretolerablysuppliedwithammunition，buthadlittleprovisions，inconsequenceofwhichseveralhundredpeasantshadalreadygonebacktotheirhomes。
　　JosephSpeckbachercommandedtherightwing，whoselineextendedfromtheheightsofPassbergtothebridgesofHallandVolders;
　　Hoferwaswiththecentre，andhadhisheadquartersattheinnofSpade，ontheSchoenberg;Haspingerdirectedtheleft，andadvancedbyMutters。
　　Atfourinthemorning，thebraveCapuchinrousedHoferfromsleep，and，havingfirstunitedwithhiminferventprayer，hurriedouttocommunicatehisorderstotheoutposts。
　　Thebattlecommencedatsix，andcontinuedwithoutintermissiontillmidnight，theBavariansconstantlyendeavoringtodrivetheTyrolesefromtheirpositiononMountIsel，andthey，intheirturn，toforcetheenemybackintothetownofInnspruck。
　　Foralongtimethecontestwasundecided，thesuperiordisciplineandadmirableartilleryoftheenemyprevailingovertheimpetuousbutdisorderlyassaultsanddeadlyaimofthemountaineers;buttowardnightfallthebridgeoftheSillwascarriedafteradesperatestruggle，andtheirleftflankbeingthusturned，theFrenchandBavariansgavewayonallsides，andwerepursuedwithgreatslaughterintothecity。Theylostsixthousandmen，ofwhomseventeenhundredwoundedfellintothehandsoftheTyrolese，whileonthesideofthelatternotmorethanninehundredhadfallen。
　　LefebvrehadtoretreathastilytowardSalzburg，wherehiswholearmywascollectedonthe20th。
　　ThisgreatvictorywasimmediatelyfollowedbytheliberationofthewholeTyrol;andwhen，onthemorningofthe15thofAugust，thesunroseoverInnspruck，AndreasHoferandhisvictorioushoststoodonMountIsel，gazingwithprofoundemotiononthereeking，gorybattle—field，onwhich，twodaysago，warhadragedwithallitshorrors，andonthecityofInnspruck，whosesmokingandburninghousesbetokenedthelastoutburstoftherageofthefugitiveFrenchmarshal。[Footnote:"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，"p。
　　126。]
　　"Seehowmuchbloodithascost，andhowmanywrongshadtobecommitted，thatwemightobtainourrights！"sighedAndreasHofer，pointingtothebattle—field。"Myheartoverflowswithpityonseeingthesehorrors，andIimploreyoualltobemercifulwiththewoundedandtotreattheprisonersleniently。AmongtheseprisonersareaboutonethousandBavariansandSaxons。See，theyarestandingdownyonderindensegroups，andourmensurroundthem，mockingandabusingthem。Godowntothem，dearSecretaryDoeninger;tellthemtobemercifulandcompassionate，andtobearalwaysinmindthattheprisonersarenolongertheirenemies，buttheirGermanbrethren;thattheyareSaxonsandBavarians，speakoneandthesamelanguagewithus，andareourcountrymen。Repeatthistoourmen，Doeninger，andsaytotheminmyname，'Donotinjuretheprisoners;
　　theyareSaxonsandBavarians，andgoodandbravemen！'"[Footnote:
　　AndreasHofer'sownwords。——Ibid。，p。125。]
　　"Theyarenotexactlygoodmen，"saidSpeckbacher，whowasstandingontherightsideofAndreasHofer;"no，theyarenotexactlygoodmen，Andy;otherwisetheywouldnothavefoughtagainstus，whoareassuredlygoodmenandhavedonenothingbutdefendourdearcountry。"
　　Insteadofreplyingtohim，AndreasHoferturnedsmilinglytotheCapuchin，whowasstandingonhisleftside。"BrotherJoachim，"hesaidgently，"yououghttoexhortourJosephherealittle，thathemaycomplywiththeRedeemer'spreceptandforgivehisenemies。Heisaverygood，butverystubbornfellow;abraveandexcellentsoldier，butitwoulddohimnoharmifhewereabetterChristian。"
　　"IfwehadbeengoodChristianslatterlyweshouldneverhavedefeatedtheenemy，"growledtheCapuchin，shakinghishead。"IfweweregoodChristians，weshouldhavetoloveourenemies，dogoodtothemthathateus，andprayforthosewhodespitefullyuseusandpersecuteus。Solongaswearesoldiers，Andy，wecannotbegoodChristians;andIthankGodforitthatwefoughtlikedownrightbraveheathens。Butaftertheenemyhasbeenexpelledfromthecountry，andpeaceprevailsagaineverywhere，andIhavereturnedtomytediousconventatSeeben，IwillbecomeagainapiousCapuchin，andexhortourdearbraveJosephSpeckbachertobecomeasgoodaChristianasourAndreasHofer。"
　　"No，no，brotherJoachim，wewillnotwaituntilthentoshowtotheworldthatwearegoodChristians，"exclaimedAndreas。"GodstoodbyusinthebattleofMountIselandmadeusvictoriousoverourenemies。LetusthankHim，therefore，forHissurpassinggoodnessandmercy;letusprayHimtoblessourvictoryandgrantagloriousresurrectiontothosewhohadtosacrificetheirlivesforit。"
　　Hedrewhislargerosaryfromhisbosom，and，liftinghiseyesdevoutlytoheaven，sankdownonhisknees。
　　"Yes，letusprayGodtoblessourvictory，"saidFatherHaspinger，bendinghiskneeslikeAndreasHofer;andJosephSpeckbacherfollowedhisexample。
　　AndthepiousTyrolese，seeingtheirleaderskneelingontheheightabove，werefilledwithdevoutemotion;theykneltlikewise;theircheersandJodlers，theirshoutsandlaughterdiedaway;onlyprayerswereheardfromtheirlips，and，asanaccompanimenttothem，themelodiouspealsofthebells，withwhichthepeopleofInnspruckwerecelebratingthedepartureoftheFrenchmarshals，andtheapproachofthedefendersofthecountry。
　　Atthismomentthesunburstforthfromtheclouds，andshedaradiantlustreonthiswholesublimescene——thethreekneelingheroesontheheightabove，andallaroundtheTyrolese，cladintheirpicturesquenationalcostume，kneelingandthankingGod，withtearsintheireyes，forthevictoryHehadvouchsafedtothem。
　　TheBavarianandSaxonprisoners，carriedawaybythisspectacle，kneltdownliketheTyrolese，andprayedtoGod，liketheirenemies—
　　—notthankingHim，asthelatterdid，forthevictory，butforhavingmadethemprisoners，ofgoodandpiousvictors。[Footnote:
　　Mayer's"JosephSpeckbacher，"p。196。]
　　Allatoncethispiousscenewasinterruptedbyloudcheers，shouts，andJodlers，andalong，imposingprocessionofsinging，jubilantmenascendedthemountain。Thenew—comerswerethestudentsofInnspruck，whocametocongratulateAndreasHoferonhisbrilliantvictory，andaccompanyhimonhistriumphalentryintothecity。
　　Manypersonsfollowedthem，andallshoutedexultingly，"WhereisAndreasHofer，thesaviorofthecountry？WhereisAndreasHofer，theliberator？"
　　Thebandheadingtheprocessionofthestudents，struckuparingingflourishonbeholdingAndrews，whohadrisenfromhiskneesattheirapproach。Butheraisedhisarmimperatively;thebandceasedplayingimmediately，andthecheersdiedawayonthelipsofthestudents，whobowedrespectfullytothetall，imposingformoftheBarbone。
　　"Hush，hush，"saidAndreas，gravely;"pray！Nocheers，nomusic！
　　NeitherInoranyofusdidit;allthegloryisduetoHimabove！"
　　[Footnote:AndreasHofer'sownwords，Ibid。，p。197。]
　　"ButyouhelpedthegoodGodalittle，"saidthespeakerofthestudents，"andthereforeyoumustsubmittoacceptthethanksofthewholeTyrol，andtobeingcalledthesaviorandliberatorofthecountry。WecometoyouasmessengersofthecapitaloftheTyrol，andareinstructedtorequestyoutotarrynolonger，butmakeyourtriumphalentryintothecity。"
　　"Yes，Iwillcome，"exclaimedAndreas，joyfully;"whatIimploredoftheLordasthehighestboonhasbeenrealizednow:weshallmakeourtriumphalentryintothecity，wherethemeanenemybehavedsoshamefully。ReturntoInnspruck，myfriends，andsaytotheinhabitantsthatweshallbeinthecityinthecourseofanhour——
　　oldRed—beard，Speckbacher，andI——andthatweshallbegladtomeetallourexcellentfriendsthereagain。"
　　AndanhourafterwardAndreasHoferandhisfriendsmadetheirentryintoInnspruck。Hesatinagorgeouscarriage，drawnbyfoursplendidwhitehorses，whichhehimselfhadtakenfromaFrenchcolonelduringhisflightacrosstheBrenner。BythesideoftheSandwirthsatJoachimHaspinger，theCapuchin，andbesidethecarriagerodeJosephSpeckbacher，witharadiantface，andhisdark，fieryeyesbeamingwithtriumphantjoy，hewasmountedontheproudmagnificently—caparisonedchargerthathadbornethehaughtyDukeofDantsictwodaysago。
　　Thecarriagewasprecededbyacrowdofrejoicingpeasants，andabandoffifersandfiddlers;carpetsandbannershungfromallthewindowsandbalconies;ladiesinbeautifulattiregreetedtheconqueringherowithwavinghandkerchiefs;andthepeopleinthestreets，theladiesonthebalconies，andtheboysontheroofsandinthetrees，shoutedenthusiastically，"LongliveAndreasHofer！
　　Longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！"Andthebellspealed，thecannonpostedonthemarket—placethundered，andthefifersandfiddlersmadeasmuchnoiseaspossible。
　　"Listen，brotherHaspinger，"saidAndreasHofer，turningtotheCapuchin，whilethecarriagewasmovingonslowly，"Ishouldreallydisliketoenterthecityalwaysamidsuchfussandnoise;andI
　　believeitisheavyworkforprincesalwaystolookwellpleasedandcheerfulwhentheyaresomuchmolestedbytheenthusiasmofthepeople。Ilookedforwardwithagreatdealofjoytothedaywhenweshouldmakeourentryintothecity，andIthoughtitwouldbemuchmorebeautiful;butnowIamgreatlytiredofthewholething;I
　　shouldbegladiftheywouldceasefiddling，andclearapassageforthecarriagetomoveonmorerapidly。Iamhungry，andIwouldI
　　werealreadyatthetavernofmydearfriendNiederkircher。"
　　"Well，youmustlearntoputonapleasantfacewhenthepeoplecheeryou，"saidHaspinger，laughing。"Youhavenowbecomeaprincetoo，andIthinkyourpeoplewillloveyoudearly。"
　　"Whatnonsenseisthat，brother？"askedHofer，angrily。
　　"Itisnononsenseatall，Andy;onthecontrary，itisquitetrue。
　　Justlistentotheiracclamations。"
　　"LongliveAndreasHofer！"shoutedthecrowd，whichwasdancingandsingingaroundthecarriage。"Longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！"
　　"Theycallmecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，"saidAndreas，musingly。"Tellme，Joachim，isitnecessaryformetoassumethattitle？"
　　"Yes，itis。Theremustbeaheadofthestate，amantowhomthepeoplemaylookupasitsstar，andtowhomitmayapplyasitscomfort，support，andjudge。Andasthepeoplehaveconfidenceinyouandloveyou，youmustbethemantoholdthewholetogether，lestitshouldfallasunder。Youshallbethehead，andweotherswillbeyourhandsandthoughts，andwillworkandfight，andthinkforyouandtheTyrol。Wemusthavealeader，acommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，andyouaretheman，Andy。"
　　"Ifyousayso，itmustbeso，"saidAndreas，noddinghisheadgently。"Well，then，Ishallbecommander—in—chiefoftheTyroluntilorderandpeacearerestored，anduntiltheenemyhasbeenexpelledfromthecountryforevermore。Butsee，wehavearrivedinfrontofNiederkircher'stavern，andthereisNiederkircherhimselfwithhisdearroundface。Godblessyou，Niederkircher，whydoyoulookatmesosolemnly，andwhyhaveyoudressedupsonicely？Why，youwearyourholidayclothes，andyetIthinkthisisneitherSundaynoraholiday。"
　　"Itisagreatholiday，"exclaimedNiederkircher，"thecommander—in—
　　chiefoftheTyrol，thegreatAndreasHofer，ismakinghistriumphalentryintothecity。ThatiswhyIhaveputonmySundayclothesandlooksosolemn;foritwouldnotbebecomingformetoembracethedistinguishedcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，asIshouldliketodounderothercircumstances。"
　　"Youareafool，oldfellow！"saidAndreas，encirclinghisfriend'sneckwithhisarm;"ifIamcommander—in—chiefbeforetheworld，I
　　am，beforemyfriends，alwaysAndreasHofer，theSandwirthandhumblepeasant。Letusgointothehouse，mydearfriend;andyouJoachim，comewithus。There！TakemetothesmallbackroomwhichI
　　alwaysoccupyduringmystayinthecity。"
　　"Godforbid！"exclaimedtheinnkeeper;"younevermustoccupythebackroomagain;thatwouldnotbebecomingforthecommander—in—
　　chiefoftheTyrol。Youmusttakemybestroomwiththebalconyopeningonthestreet;besides，allisthereinreadinessforyourreception。"
　　"MustItakeit，Joachim？"saidAndreastotheCapuchin，almostanxiously。
　　"Yes，Andy，youmust，"repliedthefriar。"Youmustdohonortoyournewdignity，andtousall。"
　　"ItisapitythatImustdoso，"sighedAndreas。"IwassogladthatIshouldsoonbeintheoldbackroom，whereitissocozyandquiet，andwhereyoudonothearanythingofthenoiseandshoutingoutside。But，ifitcannotbehelped，letusgotothebestroom;
　　butpray，ifitispossible，giveussomethingtoeatthere。Somesounddumplingsandaglassofnativewine，friendNiederkircher。"
　　"No，no，AndreasHofer，thatwillnotdotoday，"repliedtheinnkeeper;"Ihavehadallmyservantsatworkinthekitcheneversincesunrise，andyouwillhaveadinnersuitableforthecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol。"
　　"Ishouldhavepreferreddumplingsandnativewineinthesmallbackroom，"saidAndreasHofer，dolefully，whileheascendedwiththeinnkeeperandtheCapuchintothebestroomonthefirstfloor。
　　Thiswasaveryfineroomindeed，andeventhoughitwasnotascozyasthebackroomforwhichHoferbadlonged，itwasatalleventsveryagreeabletohimtobeoncemoreunderahospitableroof，andenjoyalittlerestandtranquillity。Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodatablehandsomelyfestoonedwithflowers，andcoveredwithbottlesofwine，cake，andallsortsoffruit。
　　"Now，mydistinguishedfriends，makeyourselvesascomfortableaspossible，"saidNiederkircher，cheerfully;"liedownawhileonthesilkendivanandrepose。MeanwhileIwillgotothekitchenandorderdinnertobeservedtothecommander—in—chiefandhistwogenerals，HaspingerandSpeckbacher。"
　　"Ishallcomplywithyourrequest，"growledtheCapuchin，"andmakemyselfascomfortableaspossible。"
　　Heburledhisheavy，dustyleathernshoesquicklyfromhisfeetintoacorneroftheroom;hethenlaydownonthecarpetinfrontofthedivan，andstretchinghislimbs，exclaimed，"Forsooth，Ihavenotbeenableforalongwhiletomakemyselfascomfortableasto—day！"
　　"Butyou，commander—in—chief，"saidNiederkircher，beseechingly，"I
　　hope，willnotdisdainmydivan？Resttherealittle，Andy，untilthewaitersbringyouyourdinner。"
　　"Godforbid！Imustfirstattendtomyhorses，"exclaimedAndreas。
　　"Isuppose，Niederkircher，yousawmyfoursplendidwhitehorses？
　　Theyarehonestwar—spoils;Iwillkeepthemforeverandneversellthem，althoughIcouldgetaroundsumforthem，fortheyarefineanimals;onlythefirsthorseontheright—handside，Ibelieve，isalittleweakinthechest，andoughtnottobeoverworked。Beforegoingtodinnerandmakingmyselfcomfortable，Imustgoandfeedthehorsesandseeiftheyarecomfortable。Youknow，Niederkircher，Ihavealwaysfedmyhorsesmyself，andwilldosoto—dayalso。"
　　Andhehastenedtowardthedoor;butNiederkircherranafterhimandkepthimback。
　　"ForGod'ssake。Hofer，"hecriedindismay，"whatareyougoingtodo？Why，youarenotahorse—tradernortheSandwirthto—day，butcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol。"
　　"Itistrue，Iforgotit，"sighedAndreas。"Go，then，dearfriend，getusourdinner，andhavealargebundleofhayputintothemangerofthehorses。——But，greatGod！whatdreadfulnoiseisthatinthestreet？Why，thosemenareshoutingsoloudlythatthewallsareshakingandthewindowsrattling！Whatdotheywant？Whydotheyalwaysrepeatmyname？Lookout，Niederkircher，andseewhatisthematter。"
　　Niederkircherhastenedtothewindowanddrewthecurtainasideinordertolookoutintothestreet。Adensecrowdwasassembledinfrontofthetavern;itwasincessantlycheeringandshouting:
　　"AndreasHofer！Comeout！Longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，theliberator！Wewanttoseehim，wemustthankhimfordeliveringusfromtheenemy。AndreasHofer！AndreasHofer！"
　　"Youcannotgetaroundit，Andy;youmuststepoutonthebalcony，"
　　saidNiederkircher，steppingbackfromthewindow。"Thepeopleareperfectlybesidethemselveswithloveandenthusiasm，andwillnotkeepquietuntilyoucomeoutandmakeaspeechtothem。Do，myfriend，stepoutonthebalcony！"
　　"MustIdoit？"askedAndreas，dolefully，turningtotheCapuchin，whowasstretchinghimselfcomfortablyonthecarpet。
　　"Youmust，brother，"saidHaspinger，gravely。"Thepeoplewishtoseetheirbelovedleader，anditwouldbeungratefulnottoaccepttheirlove。"
　　AndreasHofersighed，butheyieldedandapproachedthebalcony，thedoorsofwhichwerethrownopenbytheinnkeeper。
　　Nosoonerhadthethousandsassembledinfrontofthehousebeheldthetallformoftheirfavoriteleader，thanthunderingcheersrenttheair;allwavedtheirhatsandshouted，"LongliveAndreasHofer！
　　Longlivethecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！"
　　Andnowafeelingofprofoundemotionovercamethetender，gratefulheartofAndreasHofer;joyandecstasyfilledhissoulinthefaceofsomuchloveandenthusiasm，andtearsofthemostunalloyedblissglistenedinhiseyes，whichgreetedthejubilantpeoplewithtender，lovingglances。Hewasanxioustothankthesekindpeopleandgiveutterancetohislove;andhelifteduphisarm，askingthemtobequietthathemightaddressthem。
　　Thecheersandacclamationsceasedimmediately，andHoferspokeamidstthebreathlesssilenceofthecrowdinaloud，ringingvoice:
　　"Godblessyou，dearpeopleofInnspruck！Asyouwantedmetobecomeyourcommander—in—chief，Iamnowinyourmidst。ButtherearemanyotherTyrolesewhoarenotinhabitantsofInnspruck。AllwhowishtobemycomradesmustfightasbraveandhonestTyroleseforGod，theemperor，andourfatherland。Thosewhoareunwillingtodosomustgobacktotheirhomes。Thosewhowishtobecomemycomradesmustneverdesertme。Ishallnotdesertyoueither，assureasmynameisAndreasHofer！Youhaveseenmenow，andheardwhatIhadtosaytoyou;thereforegood—by！"[Footnote:Hofer'sownwords。——See"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，"p。126。]
　　WhenHoferhadconcludedhisspeech，thunderingcheersrentagaintheair;theycontinuedevenafterhehadleftthebalcony，closedthedoorafterhim，andsteppedbackintotheroom。
　　"Thatwasaveryfinespeech，Andy，"saidNiederkircher，shakinghandswithhim，andgazingtenderlyintohisflushedface。"Itwasevidentthatyourwordswerenotlearnedbyrote，butcamefromyourheart，andhencetheycouldnotbutmakeaprofoundimpression。Butnow，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，dinnerisready。Thesoupisalreadyonthetable，andImyselfshallhavethehonorofwaitingonyou。"
　　"ButSpeckbacherisnotyethere，"saidAndreasHofer，"andwecannotdinewithouthim。Wefoughtandworkedtogether;nowwewillalsorestandattendtoourcomfortstogether。Doyounotthinksotoo，brotherRed—beard？"
　　ButtheCapuchinmadenoreply，orratherherespondedonlybyaloudandlongsnore。
　　"BytheHolyVirgin！Haspingerhasfallenasleepontheflooryonder，"exclaimedAndreas，smiling。
　　"Letuswakenhim，then，"saidNiederkircher，turningtothesleeper。