Elizakissedhishand;thenlefthimandcommunicatedAndreasHofer'sordertothewomen。Theyreceiveditjoyously，andhastenedtothewagontogetthearms。
HalfanhourafterwardastrangeprocessionwasseenmovingalongtheroadleadingtoCastleSteinach。Alongcolumnofsoldiers，withoutarms，withheadsbentdownandgloomyfaces，marchedontheroad。Onbothsidesofthemwalkedthewomen，withheadserect，andproud，triumphantfaces，eachshoulderingamusketorasword。HereandtheremarchedtwoTyrolesesharpshooters，whowerewatchingwiththekeenanddistrustfuleyesofshepherds'dogsthesoldiersmarchingintheirmidst。
CHAPTERXVIII。
CAPTUREOFINNSPRUCK。
GeneralKinkel，governorofInnspruck，hadjustfinishedhisdinner，andrepairedtohiscabinet，whitherhehadsummonedsomeofthesuperiorofficerstogivethemfreshinstructions。To—day，the11thofApril，allsortsofnewshadarrivedfromtheTyrol;andalthoughthisnewsdidnotalarmtheBavariangeneral，hethoughtitneverthelesssomewhatstrangeandunusual。HehadlearnedthatLieutenant—ColonelvonWreden，despiteGeneralKinkel'sexpressorders，hadrashlyevacuatedhispositionatBruneckenanddestroyedthebridgeofLaditch。Besides，vaguerumorshadreachedhimaboutaninsurrectionamongthepeasantsintheneighborhoodofInnspruck;
andevenonthesurroundingmountains，itwassaid，bandsofarmedinsurgentshadbeenseen。
"Wehavetreatedthesemiserablepeasantsbyfartoolenientlyandkindly，"saidGeneralKinkel，withashrug;whenhisofficercommunicatedthisintelligencetohim。"Weshalladoptamorerigorouscourse，makeexamplesofafew，andallwillbequietandsubmissiveagain。Whatdothesepeasantswant？Aretheyalreadysoarrogantastothinkthemselvescapableofcopingwithourbraveregulartroops？"
"TheycountupontheassistanceofAustria，"repliedColonelDittfurt;"andGeneralvonChastelerissaidtohavepromisedthepeasantsthathewillinvadetheTyroloneofthesedays。"
"Itisamiserablelie！"criedthegeneral，withadisdainfulsmile。
"TheAustrianswillnotbesoboldastotaketheoffensive，fortheyknowfullwellthatthegreatEmperorNapoleonwillconsidereveryinvasionofBavarianterritoryanattackuponFranceherself，andthatweourselvesshoulddrivetheimpudentinvadersfromourmountains。"
"Thatistosay，solongasthemountainsarestillours，andnotyetoccupiedbythepeasants，yourexcellency，"saidMajorBeim，whoenteredtheroomatthismoment。
"Whatdoyoumean？"askedthegeneral。
"ImeanthatlargerandlargerbandsofpeasantsareadvancinguponInnspruck，thattheyhavealreadyattackedanddriveninourpickets，andthatthelatterhavejustescapedfromthemintothecity。"
"Thenitistimeforustoresorttoenergeticandseveresteps，"
criedGeneralKinkel，angrily。"ColonelDittfurt，sendimmediatelyadispatchtoLieutenant—ColonelvonWreden，whoisstationedatBrixen。WritetohiminmynamethatIamhighlyindignantathisevacuatinghispositionatBruneckenanddestroyingthebridgeofLaditch。TellhimIorderhimtoactwiththeutmostenergy;everypeasantarrestedwitharmsinhishandsistobeshot;everyvillageparticipatingintheinsurrectionistobeburneddown;andheistoadvancehispatrolsagaintoandbeyondBrunecken。ThesepatrolsaretoascertainifAustriantroopsarereallyfollowingtheinsurgentpeasants。BringthisdispatchtomethatImaysignit，andthenimmediatelysendoffacourierwithittoLieutenant—ColonelvonWreden。"[Footnote:GeneralKinkelsentofthisdispatchadayafterWredenhadbeendefeatedbytheTyrolese，andaftertheAustrianshadinvadedtheTyrol。TheBavarianauthoritiesatInnspruckwereincompleteignoranceofalltheseevents。]
ColonelDittfurtwenttothedeskandcommencedwritingthedispatch。"Miserablepeasants！"hemurmured，onhandingthedispatchtothegeneral;"itisalreadyahumiliationthatwemustdevoteattentiontothemandoccupyourselveswiththem。"
"Yes，youareright，"sighedthegeneral，signingthedispatch;
"thesepeople，whoknowonlyhowtohandletheflail，becomeeverydaymoreimpudentandintolerable;andIamreallygladthatIshallnowatlengthhaveanopportunitytohumiliatethemandreducethemtoobedience。Henceforthwewillnolongersparethem。Noquarter！
Hewhoistakenswordinhand，willbeexecutedonthespot。Wemustnipthisinsurrectioninthebud，andchastisethetraitorswithinexorablerigor。Well，whatisit？"heaskedvehemently，turningtotheorderlywhoenteredtheroomatthismoment。
"Yourexcellency，Ihavetoinformyouthatallourpicketshavebeendrivenintothecity。Thepeasantshaveassembledinlargemassesontheneighboringmountainsandopenedthenceamostmurderousfireuponourpickets。Onlyafewmenofeachpickethavereturned;theothersliedeadoutsidethecity。"
"Mattersseemtobecomeserious，"murmuredGeneralKinkel。"Allourpicketsdrivenin！Thatistosay，then，thepeasantsareintheimmediateneighborhoodofthecity？"
"AlltheenvironsofInnspruckareinfullinsurrection，yourexcellency，andthecitizensofInnspruckseemlikewisestronglyinclinedtojointheinsurrection。Thereareriotousgroupsinthestreets，andonmywayhitherIheardallsortsofmenacingphrases，andmeteverywherewithsullen，defiantfaces。"
"Ah，Iwillsilencethisseditiousrabbleandmaketheirfacesmildandmodest！"criedthegeneral，inathreateningvoice。"Letallthepublicplacesinthecitybeoccupiedbytroops，andfield—piecesbeplacedonthebridgesoftheInn。Letpatrolsmarchthroughthestreetsallnight，andeverycitizenwhoisfoundinthestreetafternineo'clock，orkeepshishouselightedupafterthathour，shallbeshot。Makehaste，gentlemen，andcarrymyordersliterallyintoexecution。Havethepatrolscalluponallcitizenstokeepquietandnotappearinthestreetsafternineo'clock。Sentenceofdeathwillbepasseduponthosewhoviolatethisorder。"
Owingtotheseordersissuedbythegeneral，aprofoundstillnessreignedatnightinthestreetsofInnspruck;noonewastobeseeninthestreets，andonmarchingthroughthemthepatrolsdidnotfindasingleoffenderwhomtheymighthavesubjectedtotheinexorablerigorofmartiallaw。Butnosoonerhadthepatrolsturnedroundacornerthandarkformsemergedhereandtherefrombehindthepillarsofthehouses，thewells，andthecrucifixes，glidedwiththenoiselessagilityofcatsalongthehouses，andknockedhereandthereatthewindow—panes。Thewindowsopenedsoftly，whisperswereheardandtherustlingofpaper，andtheformsglidedontocommencethesameworkingandwhisperingatthenexthouse。
TheBavarianpatrolshadnoinklingofthesedarkravensflittingeverywherebehindthem，asifscentinginthemalreadythepreyofdeath;butthecitizensofInnspruckconsideredthesebirdsofthenight，whoknockedattheirwindows，auspiciousdoves，eventhough，insteadoftheolive—branch，theybroughtonlyasheetofpaperwiththem。Butthissheetofpapercontainedwordsthatthrilledallheartswithjoyandhappiness;itannouncedthattheAustrianshadalreadyinvadedtheTyrol;thatGeneralvonChastelerwasalreadyadvancinguponInnspruck;thattheEmperorFrancissenttheTyrolesethegreetingsofhislove;andthattheArchdukeJohnwaspreventingtheFrenchtroopsinItalyfromsuccoringtheBavariansintheTyrol;nay，thatheandhisarmywoulddeliverandprotecttheTyrol。Someofthebravesharp—shootersofthePasseyrvalleyhadbeenboldenoughtostealintothecityofInnspruckdespitethepresenceoftheBavariantroops，andthepatrolscouldnotpreventthecitizensfromreceivingthejoyfultidingsoftheapproachoftheAustrians，northeTyrolesesharpshootersfromwhisperingtothem:"Bereadyearlytomorrowmorning。Tomorrowweshallattackthecity;assistusthen，hurldownfromtheroofsofyourhousesontheBavariansstones，jars，andwhateveryoumayhaveathand;keepyourdoorsopen，thatwemaygetin，andholdfoodandrefreshmentsinreadiness。Weshallcometo—morrow。InnspruckmustbedeliveredfromtheBavariansto—morrow！"
Themorrowcameatlast。The12thofAprildawneduponthecityofInnspruck。
TheBavarianshadcarriedouttheordersofGeneralKinkel;theyhadoccupiedallthepublicplaces，andplantedbatteriesonthebridgesoftheInn。
ButsoardentwastheenthusiasmoftheTyrolese，thatthesebatteriesdidnotdeterthem。Theyrushedforwardwithloudshouts;
usingtheirspears，halberds，andthebutt—endsoftheirmuskets，theyfellwithresistlessimpetuosityupontheBavarians，drovethemback，shotthegunnersattheguns，andcarriedtheimportantbridgeofMuhlau。
TremendouscheersannouncedthisfirstvictorytotheinhabitantsofInnspruck。TheTyrolesethenrushedforwardoverthebridgeandpenetratedintothestreetsoftheHottingersuburb。Thestreet—
doorsofthehousesopenedtothem;theyenteredthem，ortookpositionbehindthepillars，andfiredfromthewindowsandtheirhiding—places，attheBavarianswhowerestationedontheupperbridgeoftheInn，andwerefiringthenceattheTyrolese。TheBavarianbullets，however，whistledharmlesslythroughthestreets，thealertTyroleseconcealingthemselves，beforeeveryvolley，inthehousesorbehindthewalls。Butnosoonerhadthebulletsdroppedthantheysteppedforward，sang，andlaughed，anddischargedtheirrifles，untiltheexasperatedBavariansfiredatthemagain，whenthesingingTyrolesedisappearedoncemoreintheirhiding—
places。
AllatonceloudcheersandhurrahsresoundedontheconqueredbridgeofMuhlau，andatall，heroicform，surroundedbyadetachmentofarmedTyrolese，appearedonthebridge。
ItwasJosephSpeckbacher，who，aftercapturingHallbyadaringCOUPDEMAIN，hadnowarrivedwithhisbravementoassisttheTyroleseindeliveringInnspruckfromtheBavarians。
TheTyrolesethrongedexultinglyaroundhim，informinghimofthestrugglethathadalreadytakenplace，andtellinghimthattheBavarianshadbeendrivenfromthebridgeandhurledbackintothecity。
"Andnowyoustandstillhere，insteadofadvancing？"askedSpeckbacher，castingfieryglancestowardtheenemy。"Whatareyouwaitingfor，myfriends？Whydoyounotattacktheenemy？"
Withoutwaitingforareply，Speckbachertookoffhishat，swungitintheair，andshoutedinaloud，enthusiasticvoice"LonglivetheEmperorFrancis！DownwiththeBavarians！"
Allrepeatedthisshoutamidtheroosttumultuouscheers。Allcried，"LonglivetheEmperorFrancis！DownwiththeBavarians！"
"Nowforward！forward！Wemusttakethebridge！"shoutedSpeckbacher。"ThosewholovetheTyrolwillfollowme！"
Andherushedforward，likeanangrybear，towardthebridgeoftheInn。
TheTyrolese，carriedawaybytheirenthusiasm，followedhimatthedouble—quicktowardthebridge，wherethemouthsofthecannonwerestaringatthemmenacingly。ButtheTyrolesewerenotafraidofthecannon;deathhadnolongeranyterrorsforthem！theircourageimpartedtothemresistlesspowerandimpetuosity。Theyrusheduptothecannon，slewthegunnerswiththebutt—endsoftheirrifles，orliftedthemupbythehairandburledthemovertherailingofthebridgeintothefoamingwatersoftheInn。Thentheyturnedthecannon，andsomestudentsfromInnspruck，whohadjoinedtheTyrolese，undertooktomanthem。
AdensecolumnofBavariansadvanceduponthem;thepeasantsutteredloudcheers，thecannonthunderedandmoweddownwholeranksofthem。Theygaveway，andtheTyrolese，whosawit，advancedwithtriumphantshoutsintothecityandtookstreetafterstreet。Andwherevertheycame，theymetwithwillingassistanceatthehandsofthecitizens;ineverystreetwhichtheyentered，thewindowsopened，andshotswerefiredfromthemattheBavariantroops;everyhousebecameafortress，everytoweracitadel。Afrightfulsceneensued:theBavariansinsomeplacessurrenderedandbeggedforquarter;inotherstheycontinuedthecombatwithundauntedresolution;andinthemeleeseveralbloodydeedswerecommitted，which，intheircoolermoments，theTyrolesewouldhavebeenthefirsttocondemn。
Allatonceloudcheersburstforthinthestreets，andtheTyroleserepeatedagainandagainthejoyfulnews:"MajorTeimerhasarrived;
hehasseveralcompaniesofthemilitiaunderhiscommand，andwiththesebravemenhehasalreadypenetratedintotheheartofthecity，uptotheprincipalguardhouse！HehasalreadysurroundedtheEngelhaus，GeneralKinkel'sheadquarters，andisnegotiatingacapitulationwiththegeneral。"ThisalmostincredibleintelligenceraisedtheenthusiasmoftheTyrolesetothehighestpitch。Theyrushedforwardwithirresistibleimpetuositytowardthebarracksanddisarmedallthesoldierswhohadremainedthereinordertorelievetheirexhaustedcomrades。Thentheyrushedagainintothestreet，towardtheprincipalguard—house，whereanobstinatestrugglewasgoingon。There，attheheadofhisregiment，stoodColonelDittfurt，firmlydeterminedtodieratherthansurrendertothepeasants。
Butthepeasantscameupinoverwhelmingnumbers，anddetachmentofsharpshooters，headedbyMajorTeimer，hadalreadypenetratedintothegeneral'shouse，andenteredhissitting—room。Fromthehousesallaround，theTyrolesewerefiringatthesoldiers，who，gnashingtheirteethwithrageandgrief，didnotevenenjoythesatisfactionofwreakingvengeanceonthem;fortheirenemieswereconcealedbehindthewallsandpillars，whilethesoldiersweredefenceless，andhadtoallowthemselvestobelaidprostratebytheunerringaimofthesharpshooters。
Angry，scolding，imperiousvoiceswerenowheardatGeneralKinkel'swindow，andastrangesightwaspresentedtotheeyesofthedismayedsoldiers。Teimer'sface，flushedwithangerandexcitement，appearedatthewindow。HewasseenapproachingithastilyandthrustingGeneralKinkel'sheadandshouldersforciblyoutofit。
"Surrender！"threatenedTeimer;"surrender，orIshallhurlyououtofthewindow！"[Footnote:Hormayr's"HistoryofAndreasHofer，"
vol。i。，p。249。]
"ColonelDittfurt，"criedGeneralKinkel，inadolefulvoice，"youseethatfurtherresistanceisuseless。Wemustsurrender！"
"No！"shoutedthecolonel，palewithrage;"no，weshallnotsurrender;no，weshallnotIncurthedisgraceoflayingdownourarmsbeforethisraggedmob。Wecandie，butshallnotsurrender！
Forward，mybravesoldiers，forward！"
AndDittfurtrushedfuriously，followedbyhissoldiers，upontheTyrolesewhowereapproachingatthismoment。
Suddenlyhereeledback。Twobulletshadhithimatthesametime，andthebloodstreamedfromtwowounds。Butthesewounds，insteadofparalyzinghiscourage，inflameditstillmore。Heovercamehispainandweakness，and，brandishinghissword，rushedforward。
Athirdbulletwhistledupandpenetratedhisbreast。Hesankdown;
bloodstreamedfromhismouthandhisnose。
TheTyroleseburstintodeafeningcheers，andapproachedthefallenofficertotakehisswordfromhim。Buthesprangoncemoretohisfeet，hewouldnotfallaliveintothehandsofthepeasants;hefeltthathehadtodie，buthewoulddielikeasoldieronthefieldofHonor，andnotasaprisonerofthepeasants。Lividasacorpse，hisfacecoveredwithgore，hisuniformsaturatedwithblood，Dittfurtreeledforward，anddrovehissoldiers，withwildimprecations，entreaties，andthreatstowardthehospital，whencetheTyrolesepouredtheirmurderousfireintotheranksoftheBavarians。Butscarcelyhadheadvancedafewstepswhenafourthbulletstruckhimandlaidhimprostrate。
Hisregiment，seizedwithdismay，shoutedoutthatitwouldsurrender，and，inproofofthisintention，thesoldierslaiddowntheirarms。
TheBavariancavalry，toavoidthedisgraceofsuchacapitulation，gallopedinwilddisordertowardthegateandtheHofgarten。ButthereSpeckbacherhadtakenpositionwiththepeasants，who，mostlyarmedonlywithpitchforks，hadhurriedtothesceneofthecombatfromtheimmediateenvironsofInnspruck。Butthesepitchforksseemedtothepanic—strickencavalrytobeterrible，murderousweapons;cannonwouldhaveappearedtothemlessdreadfulthantheglitteringpitchforks，withwhichtheshoutingpeasantsrusheduponthem，andwhichstartlednotonlythesoldiersbuttheirhorsesalso。Thesoldiersthoughtthewoundsmadebypitchforksmorehorribleandignominiousthanutterdefeat，andevendeath。
Thunderstruckattheirdesperateposition，hardlyknowingwhatbefellthem，unabletoofferfurtherresistance，theyallowedthemselvestobetornfromtheirhorsesbythepeasants，towhomtheyhandedtheirarmsinsilence。TheTyrolesethenmountedthehorses，andinatriumphantprocession，headedbyJosephSpeckbacher，theyconductedtheirprisonersbacktoInnspruck。
[Footnote:Hormayr's"HistoryofAndreasHofer，"vol。i。，p。250。]
Theretheenemyhadlikewisesurrenderedinthemeantime，andthebarrackswhich，untilyesterday，hadbeenthequartersoftheoppressorsoftheTyrolese，theBavariansoldiers，becamenowtheprisonsofthedefeated。Escortedbythepeasants，thedisarmedanddefencelessBavarianswerehurriedintothebarracks，whosedoorsclosednoisilybehindthem。
Innspruckwasnowfree;notanarmedBavariansoldierremainedinthecity，buttheTyrolese，tothenumberofupwardoffifteenthousand，pouredintothestreets，andthecitizensjoinedthemexultingly，andthankedthecourageouspeasantsfordeliveringthemfromtheforeignyoke。Thecity，whichforthreehourshadbeenawildsceneofterror，havoc，bloodshed，anddeath，resoundednowatthehourofmid—daywithcheersandexultation;nothingwasheardbuthurrahs，songs，andcheersfortheEmperorFrancisandthebelovedTyrol。
Everyminuteaddedtotheuniversaljoy。ThevictoriousTyrolese，mountedonthehorsesofCiteBavariancavalry，andheadedbytheproudandtriumphantSpeckbacherandaruralbandofmusic，appearedwiththeirprisoners。Twobadly—tunedviolins，twoshrillfifes，twoironpot—lids，andseveraljews'—harps，weretheinstrumentsofthisband。Butthemusicianstriedtomakeasmuchnoisewiththemaspossible，andthecitizensconsideredtheirmusicsweeterandfinerthanthesplendidtuneswhichthebandsoftheBavarianregimentshadplayedtothemuptothistime。
Newcheersrenttheairatthismoment。Asquadofpeasantsbroughtthegreatimperialeagle，whichtheyhadtakendownfromthetombofMaximilianintheHighChurchofInnspruck。Theyhaddecorateditwithredribbons，andcarrieditamiddeafeningacclamationsthroughthestreets。OnbeholdingtheeagleofAustria，theexcitedmassessetnoboundstotheirrejoicings;theyflockedincrowdstogazeatit;citizensandpeasantsviedinmanifestingtheirdevotiontothepreciousemblem;theyblesseditandkissedit。Noonewaspermittedtostayalongwhilenearit，fortheimpatienceofhissuccessorcompelledhimtopasson。Butanagedman，withsilveryhair，butwithaformstillvigorousandunbent，wouldnotallowhimselftobepushedoninthismanner。AnhouragohehadfoughtlikealionintheranksoftheTyrolese，andangerandragehadflashedfromhisface;butnow，atthesightoftheAustrianeagle，hewasasmildandgentleasalamb，andonlyloveandblissfulemotionbeamedfromhisface。Heencircledtheeaglewithbothhisarms，kissedthetwoheadsandgildedcrowns，and，strokingthecarvedplumestenderly，exclaimed:"Well，oldeagle，haveyourplumesreallygrownagain？
HaveyoureturnedtotheloyalTyroltostayhereforalltimetocome？Will——"
Loudcheersinterruptedhimatthismoment。AnothercrowdofTyrolesecameupthestreet，precededbyfourpeasants，whowerecarryingtwoportraitsinfinegoldenframes。
Deafeningacclamationsrenttheairassoonasthepeoplebeheldthesetwoportraits。EverybodyrecognizedthemasthoseoftheEmperorFrancisandtheArchdukeJohn。Thepeasantshadfoundthemintheoldimperialpalace。
"John！"shoutedthepeopleinthestreets，andinthehouseswhichtheprocessionpassedonitsmarchthroughthecity。EventheAustrianeagle，whichhadbeengreetedsotenderly，wasforgottenatthesightofthetwoportraits，andallaccompaniedthissolemnprocessionofloveandloyalty。
ThisprocessionmovedthroughthewholecityuntilitfinallyreachedthetriumphalarchwhichMariaTheresahadorderedtobeerectedinhonoroftheweddingofhersonLeopold。TheTyroleseplacedtheportraitsofLeopold'stwosonsonthistriumphalarch，andsurroundedthembycandleskeptconstantlyburning;everyonethenbenthisknee，andexclaimed:"LonglivetheEmperorFrancis！
LongliveourdearArchdukeJohn！"Woeuntohimwhoshouldhavedaredtopasstheseportraitswithouttakingoffhishat！theTyrolesewouldhavecompelledhimtodoit，andtobendhisknee。
"Well，"theyexclaimed，"thereisourFrancis，andthereisourJohn。Look，doesitnotseemasthoughheweresmilingatus，andweregladofbeinghereagainandabletogazeatus？LongliveourdearArchdukeJohn！"
Andtheyagainburstintocheerswhich，iftheArchdukeJohnhadbeenabletohearthem，wouldhavefilledhisheartwithdelightandhiseyeswithtears。
Theserejoicingsaroundtheeagleandtheportraitslastedallday。
Thewholecitypresentedafestivespectacle，andtheoverjoyedTyrolesescarcelythoughtto—dayofeatinganddrinking，muchlessofthedangerswhichmightmenacethem。Theysang，andshouted，andlaughed;andwhennightcametheysankdownexhaustedbytheeffortsofthefight，andstillmorebytheirboundlessrejoicings，tothegroundwheretheywerestanding，inthestreets，inthegardens，inthefields，andfellasleep。
ProfoundsilencereignednowinthestreetsofInnspruck。Itwasdarkeverywhere，brightlightsbeamedonlyfromtheportraitsoftheemperorandtheArchdukeJohn;andthestarsofheavenlookeddownuponthecarelessandhappysleepers，thevictorsofInnspruck。
Theyslept，dreamingofvictoryandhappiness。Woetothemiftheysleeptoolongandawaketoolate，fortheenemydoesnotsleep！Heisawakeandapproaching，whilethevictorsaresleeping。
CHAPTERXIX。
THECAPITULATIONOFWILTAU。
TheTyrolesewerestillasleep，andprofoundstillnessreignedyetinthestreetsofInnspruck，althoughitwasalreadyafterdaybreak，andthefirstraysoftherisingsunshedacrimsonlustreonthesummitsofthemountains。Allatoncethissilencewasbrokenbyastrange，loud，andplaintivenotewhichseemedtoresoundintheair;itwasfollowedbyasecondandthirdnote;and，asifrespondingtothesedistantcalls，thelargebelloftheHighChurchofInnspruckarousedwithitsringingvoicethewearysleeperstorenewedefforts。
Theyraisedthemselvesfromtheground;theylistened，stilldrowsy，tothesestrangenotesintheair。Suddenlytwohorsemengallopedthroughthestreets，andtheirclarionvoicesstrucktheearsoftheTyrolese。
"Up，sleepers！"criedJosephSpeckbacher;"doyounothearthetossing？Rise，rise，takeyourrifles！theFrenchandBavariansareatthegatesofthecity，andwemustmeetthemagain。"
"Rise，Tyrolese！"shoutedMajorTeimer;"theFrenchandBavariansarecoming。WemustpreventthemfrompenetratingintoInnspruck。Wemustbarricadethegates，anderectbarricadesinthestreets。"
TheTyrolesejumpedup，fresh，lively，andreadyforthefray。Theirsleephadstrengthenedthem，andyesterday'svictoryhadsteeledtheircourage。Theenemywasthere，andtheywerereadytodefeathimthesecondtime。
ThebellsofallthechurchesofInnspruckwerenowrung，andthoseoftheneighboringvillagesteeplesrespondedtothem。Theycalledupontheable—bodiedmentotakeuparmsagainsttheenemy，whoseadvancedguardcouldbeseenalreadyonthecrestsyonder。Yes，therewasnomistakeaboutit:thosemenweretheFrenchandBavarians，whoweredescendingtheslopeandapproachinginstrongcolumns。
ATyroleserushedintothecity。"TheFrencharecoming！"heexclaimed，pantingandbreathless。"Ihavehurriedacrossthemountainstobringyouthenews。ItisGeneralBissonwithseveralthousandFrenchtroops，andLieutenant—ColonelWredenwithafewhundredBavarians。WehadahardfightwiththemyesterdayatthebridgeofLaditchandintheMuhlbacherKlause;buttheyweretoostrong，andwerejoinedyesterdaybyanotherFrenchcolumn;
therefore，wewereunabletocapturethem，andhadtoletthemmarchon。Wekilledhundredsoftheirsoldiers;butseveralthousandsofthemescaped，andarecomingnowtoInnspruck。"
"TheywillnotcometoInnspruck，forwearemuchstrongerthantheyare，andwewillnotletthementerthecity，"exclaimedSpeckbacher，courageously。
"No，wewillnot，exceptinthesamemannerinwhichyoubroughtthecavalryintothecityyesterday，thatis，toimprisontheminthebarracks，"saidMajorTeimer。
"Yes，yes，wewilldoso，"shoutedtheTyrolese;"wewilllettheFrenchcometoInnspruck，butonlyasourprisoners。"
"Well，letusbeupanddoingnow，myfriends，"exclaimedSpeckbacher。"Wemustfortifythecityagainsttheenemy。Havinggonethusfaryesterday，wecannotretraceourstepsto—day。Butwedonotwanttoretracethem，dowe"
"No，wedonot！"criedtheTyrolese。
"WehaveraisedtheAustrianeagleagain，"saidMajorTeimer，"andtheportraitsoftheemperorandourdearArchdukeJohnarelookingdownuponusfromthetriumphalarch。Theyshallseethatwearegoodsoldiersandloyalsonsofourcountry。Forward，men，letusbeupanddoing！Barricadethecity，thestreets，andthehouses;makebullets，andputyourarmsready。TheFrencharecomingHurrah！LonglivetheemperorFrancisandtheArchdukeJohn！"
Deafeningcheersrespondedtohim，andthentheTyroleserushedthroughthestreetstobarricadethecityinaccordancewithTeimer'sorders。
Thegateswereimmediatelybarricadedwithcasks，wagons，carts，andeverythingthatcouldbefoundforthatpurpose;andtheapproachestothecitywerefilledwitharmedmen，readytogivetheenemyawarmreception。Thedoorsofthehouseswerelockedandbolted，andfranticwomenwithinthemboiledoilandwaterwhichtheyintendedtopourontheheadsofthesoldiersincasetheyshouldsucceedinforcingtheirwayintothecity;bulletsweremadeandstoneswerecarriedtotheroofs，whencetheyweretobehurledontheenemy。
Meanwhilethetocsinresoundedincessantly，asiftoinvitetheTyrolesetoredoubledeffortsandincreasedvigilance。
Thetocsin，however，hadarousednotonlytheTyrolese，butalsotheBavarianswhowerelockedupinthebarracks;theprisonersunderstoodfullwellwhatthebellswereproclaiming。TotheTyrolesetheysaid:"Theenemy，yourenemy，isapproaching。Hewillattackyou。Beonyourguard！"Totheprisonerstheyproclaimed:
"Yourfriendsareapproaching。Theywilldeliveryou。Bereadyforthem！"AndnowtheBavariansbegantobecomeexcited，theireyesflashedagain，thecloudsdisappearedfromtheirhumiliatedbrows;
andwithloud，scornfulcheersandfistsclinchedmenacingly，theysteppedbeforetheirTyroleseguardsandcried:"Ourfriendsarecoming。Theywilldeliverusandpunishyou，andweshallwreakbloodyvengeanceonyouforthedisgraceyouhaveheapeduponus。
Hurrah，ourfriendsarecoming！Weshallsoonbefreeagain！"
"No，youwillnot，"shoutedaloud，thunderingvoice;andinthemiddleofthelargedormitoryoccupiedbytheBavariansappearedsuddenlythetall，herculeanformofJosephSpeckbacher。Onpassingthebarracks，hehappenedtohearthecheersoftheprisonersandhadenteredinordertolearnwhatwasthematter。"No，"hesaidoncemore，"youwillnot;yonmustnotsupposethatweshallbesostupidastoallowyoutoescape。DonotrejoicethereforeattheapproachoftheFrenchandyourcountrymenforItellyou，andI
swearbytheHolyMotherofGod，iftheFrenchshouldenterthecityvictoriously，ourlaststepbeforeevacuatingitwouldbetokilleveryoneofyou。Doyouhear，Tyroleseguards？Iftheprisonersdonotkeepquiet，iftheymakeanynoise，oreventhreatenyou，shootdowntheringleaders！Butiftheenemypenetratesintothecity，thenshootthemall，anddonotspareasingleoneofthem。
[Footnote:Hormayr's"HistoryofAndreasHofer，"vol。i。，p。258。]
Wewillnotincurthedisgraceofre—enforcingtheenemybyseveralthousandmen。Theguardsatalldoorsheremustbequadrupled，andatthefirstsymptomofmischiefamongtheprisoners，youwillfireatthem。Nowyouknow，Bavarians，whatisgoingtobedone。Beware，therefore！"
AndJosephSpeckbacherleftthehallwithaproudnodofthehead。
ThelisteningBavariansheardhimrepeatinghisrigorousinstructionstothesentinelsoutside;theyheardalsotheacclamationswithwhichtheTyroleserespondedtohim。Theprisoners，therefore，becamesilent;theyforcedbacktheirhopesandwishesintothedepthsoftheirhearts，andonlyprayedinwardlyfortheirapproachingfriends，andcursedinthesamemannertheirenemies，theraggedmobofthepeasants。
Thetocsinwasstillringing，anditssinisternotespenetratedlikewiseintothelargeguard—house，andspoketotheprisonersconfinedthere。Oneoftheseprisonerswasagloomy，broken—downoldman，GeneralKinkel;theotherwasayouth，mortallywoundedandviolentlydelirious。ItwasColonelDittfurt。ThebulletoftheTyrolesehadnotkilledhim;hestilllived，aprisonerofthepeasants，and，amidsthisdeliriumandhisagony，hewasfullyconsciousofhisdisgrace。Thisconsciousnessrenderedhimravingmad;itbroughtwordsofwildimprecationtohiscold，bloodlesslips;hehowledwithrageandpain;hecalleddownthevengeanceofHeavenupon"theraggedmob，"thepeasants，whohaddaredtolayhandsuponhim，theproud，aristocraticcolonel，androbhimnotonlyofhislife，butalsoofhishonor。Allthenightlonghehadravedinthismanner;anditwastrulyhorribletohearthesewords，fullofcontempt，hatred，andfury，inthemouthofadyingman;itwasdreadfultoseethisscarredformonthebloodycouch，writhingintheconvulsionsofdeath，andyetunabletodie，becauseangerandragereviveditagainandagain。Atday—breakMajorTeimerhadenteredtheguard—housewithadetachmentofTyrolese;andwhileherepairedwithsomeofthemtoGeneralKinkel，theotherTyrolesehadenteredColonelDittfurt'sroom，toseethemiracleofamanwhoseheadhadbeenpiercedbyabullethavingvitalityenoughlefttorave，swear，andcurse，fortwenty—fourhours。