Stadionunfoldedtheletterandread:
　　"ColonelSteigenteschwillreturnfromhismissionwithoutaccomplishinganything。PrussiaandAustriaarerivalsinGermany，andwillneverjoinhandsinacommonundertaking。AustriacanneverforgivePrussiafortakingSilesiafromher，andPrussiawillalwayssecretlysuspectthatAustriaisintentuponweakeningherrisingpowerandhumblingherambition。Hence，Prussiawillhesitateandtemporizeevenatthisjuncture，althoughitisall—importantnowforGermanytotakeaboldstandagainsthercommonenemy，rapaciousandinsatiableFrance;shewillhesitatebecauseshesecretlywishesthatAustriashouldbehumiliated;andshewillnotbearinmindthattheweakeningofAustriaisfraughtwithdangerforPrussia，nay，thewholeofGermany。"
　　"Now。gentlemen，"saidtheemperor，whenCountStadionwasthrough，"youseethatmyopinionwasright，andthatIwellknewwhatIhadtoexpectfromPrussia。WemustnowcarryonthestruggleagainstFrancesingle—handed;but，afterdealingheranotherblow，forwhichtheKingofPrussialongs，weshalltakegoodcarenottoinvitePrussiatoourvictoriousrepast。ItwouldbejustinuseventocompelhertogiveusthesweetmorselofSilesiaforourdessert。
　　Well，weshallseewhattimewillbringabout。OurfirstblowagainstFrancewassuccessful。——Archduke，goandhelpustosucceedindealingheranother;and，afterdefeatingFrancesingle—handed，weshallalsobemastersofGermany。"
　　CHAPTERXXVII。
　　THEBATTLEOFWAGRAM。
　　"Atlength！"exclaimedtheArchdukeJohn，joyously，holdinguptheletterwhichacourierofthegeneralissimohadjustbroughthimfromtheheadquartersofWagram。"Atlengthadecisiveblowistobestruck。——CountNugent，GeneralFrimont，comeinhere！Acourierfromthegeneralissimo！"
　　Sosaying，thearchdukehadopenedthedoorofhiscabinet，andcalledthegentlemenwhowereintheanteroom。
　　"Acourierfromthegeneralissimo，"herepeatedoncemore，whenthetwogeneralscamein。
　　"Yourhighness'swishisfulfillednow，isitnot？"askedNugent。
　　"Thegeneralissimoacceptstheassistancewhichyouofferedtohim。
　　HepermitsyoutoleavethispositionwithyourtroopsandthoseoftheArchdukePalatineandre—enforcehisownarmy？"
　　"No，hedoesnotreplytomyoffer。ItseemsthegeneralissimothinksthathedoesnotneedustobeattheFrench。Buthewritestomethatheisabouttoadvancewithhiswholearmy，andthatadecisivebattlemaybelookedfor。HesaystheenemyisstillontheislandofLobau，busilyengagedinerectingaTETE—DE—PONT，andbuildingabridgeacrosstheDanube。"
　　"Andourtroopsdonottrytopreventthisbyallmeans！"criedGeneralFrimont，vehemently。"Theyallowtheenemytobuildbridges？
　　Theylookonquietlywhiletheenemyispreparingtoleavetheisland，anddonotpreventhimfromsodoing？"
　　"Myfriend，"saidthearchduke，gently，"letusneverforgetthatitdoesnotbehooveustocriticisetheactionsofthegeneralissimo，andthatoursoledutyistoobey。DoasIdo;letusbesilentandsubmit。Butletusrejoicethatsomethingwillbedoneatlength。
　　Justbearinmindhowlongthisinactivityandsuspensehavelastedalready。ThebattleofAspernwasfoughtonthe22dofMay，to—dayisthe3dofJuly;andinthemeantimenothinghasbeendone。TheenemyremainedquietlyontheislandofLobau，nursinghiswounded，reorganizinghistroops，erectingTETES—DE—PONT，andbuildingbridges;andthegeneralissimostoodwithhiswholearmyonthebankoftheDanube，andtookgreatpainstowatchinidlenessthebusyenemy。LetusthankGod，therefore，thatatlasttheenemyistiredofthissituation，thatheatlengthtakestheinitiativeagain，andbringsaboutadecision。Thegeneralissimoinformsmethattheenemy'sartillerydislodgedouroutpostsyesterday，andthatsomeFrenchinfantrycrossedovertotheMuhlau。Thegeneralissimo，asI
　　toldyoubefore，advancedwithhistroops，andhopesforadecisivebattlewithinafewdays。"
　　"Andyetthegeneralissimodoesnotaccepttheassistancewhichyourimperialhighnessofferedtohim？"askedCountNugent，shakinghishead。
　　"No，hedoesnot。Thegeneralissimoordersme，onthecontrary，tostayhereatPresburgandoperateinsuchamanneragainstthecorpsstationedhere，thatitmaynotbeabletojoinNapoleon'smainarmy。Well，then，gentlemen，letuscomplywiththisorder，andperformatleastourhumblepartofthegeneralissimo'sgrandplan。
　　Letushelphimtogainavictory，forthevictorywillbeusefultothefatherland。Wewill，therefore，formapontoon—bridgeto—day，andmakeasortiefromtheTETE—DE—PONT。You，GeneralFrimont，willorderupthebatteriesfromComorn。You，GeneralNugent，willinformtheArchdukePalatineofthegeneralissimo'sorders。WritehimalsothatitispositivethattheenemyismovingallhistroopstoVienna，andthatallhiscolumnsarealreadyonthemarchthither。
　　Tellhimthatitisall—importantforustodetainhim，andthatI，therefore，haveresolvedtomakeasortiefromtheTETE—DE—PONT，andrequesttheArchdukePalatinetoco—operatewithmeontherightbankoftheDanube。Letusgotowork，gentlemen，towork！Wehavenotimetolose。Theorderistokeeptheenemyherebyallmeans;
　　letusstrivetodoit！"
　　Andtheywenttoworkwithjoyouszealanduntiringenergy;allnecessarydispositionsweremadeforformingapontoon—bridge，andpreventingtheenemyfromjoiningNapoleon'smainarmy。TheArchdukeJohnsuperintendedeverythinginperson;hewaspresentwhereverdifficultiesweretobesurmounted，orobstaclestoberemoved。Inhisardentzeal，hedidnothesitatetotakepartinthetoilsofhismen，andthesoldierscheeredenthusiasticallyonseeinghimworksohardinthemidstoftheirranks。
　　Earlyinthemorningofthe5thofJulythebridgewascompleted，theTETE—DE—PONTwasfullyarmed，andeverythingwasinreadinessforthesortie。TheArchduke，whohadnotsleptallthenightlong，wasjustreturningfromaninspectionofthepreparations，whenacouriergallopeduptohiminthemiddleofthebridge。Onbeholdingthearchduke，hejumpedfromhishorse，andhandedhim，pantingandintremblinghaste，aletterfromthegeneralissimo。
　　"Youhaveriddenveryrapidly？Youwereinstructedthentomakegreathaste？"askedJohn。
　　"IrodehitherfromWagramintenhours，yourimperialhighness，"
　　saidthecourier，breathlessly;"Iwasinstructedtorideasrapidlyaspossible。"
　　"Youhavedoneyourdutyfaithfully。Goandrest。"
　　Henoddedkindlytothecourier，andrepairedtohishead—quarterstoreadtheletterhehadjustreceivedfromhisbrother。
　　Thisletterrevokedallorderswhichhadbeensenttohimuptothistime。ThearchdukehadvainlyofferedhiscooperationandthatoftheArchdukePalatinefourdaysago。Atthattimenotevenareplyhadbeenmadetohisoffer;now，atthelastmoment，thegeneralissimocalledimpetuouslyuponhisbrothertohastentohisassistance。HedemandedthattheArchdukeJohnshouldsetoutatonce，leaveonlytroopsenoughtoholdtheTET—DE—PONT，andhastenupwiththeremainderofhisforcestothesceneofaction。
　　Whenthearchdukerealthisorder，abittersmileplayedroundhislips。"See，"hesaid，mournfully，toGeneralFrimont，"nowIamneededallatonce，anditseemsasifthebattlecannotbegainedwithoutus。Itisall—importantforustoarriveintimeatthepointtowhichwearecalledsolate，perhapstoolate。Ah，whatisthat？Whatdoyoubringtome，Nugent？"
　　"Anothercourierfromthegeneralissimohasarrived;hebroughtthisletter。"
　　"Yousee，muchdeferenceispaidtousallofasudden;wearetreatedashighlyimportantassistants，"sighedthearchduke。Hethenunfoldedthepaperquicklyandreadit。
　　"Thegeneralissimo，"hesaid，"informsmenowthathehaschangedhisplan，andwillnotgivebattleonthebankoftheDanube，buttakepositionintherearofWagram。HeinstructsmetomakeaforcedmarchtoMarchegg，advance，afterrestingthereforthreehours，toSiebenbrunn，andtakepositionthere。Verywell，gentlemen，letuscarrythegeneralissimo'sordersintoeffect。Atoneo'clockto—night，allmustbeinreadinessforsettingout。Weneedthetimebetweennowandthentoconcentratetheextendedlinesofourtroops。Ifwearereadyatallearlierhour，weshallsetoutatonce。Makehaste;Letthatbethepasswordto—night！"
　　Thankstothispassword，allthetroopshadbeenconcentratedbymidnight，andthemarchwasjustabouttobeginwhenanothercourierarrivedfromthegeneralissimo，andinformedthearchdukethattheenemywasadvancing，andthatitwasnowthegeneralissimo'sintentiontoattackhimandforcehimtogivebattle。TheArchdukeJohnwasorderedtomarchasrapidlyaspossibletoSiebenbrunn，whitherastrongcorpsoftheenemyhadsetout。
　　TheArchdukeJohnnowadvancedwithhistenthousandmenwiththeutmostrapiditytowardMarchegg。Thetroopswereexhaustedbythetoilsandfatiguesofthelastdays;theyhadnoteatenanythingfortwenty—fourhours;butthearchdukeandhisgeneralsandstaff—
　　officersalwaysknewhowtostirthemupandinducethemtocontinuetheirmarchwithunflaggingenergy。ThustheyatlengthreachedMarchegg，wheretheyweretorestforthreehours。
　　ButnosoonerhadtheyarrivedtherethanCountReuss，thegeneralissimo'saide—de—camp，gallopeduponachargercoveredalloverwithfoam。ThecounthadriddeninsevenhoursfromWagramtoMarcheggforitwasall—importantthatthearchdukeshouldacceleratehismarch。Thebattlewasragingalreadywithgreatfury。
　　Thegeneralissimowasinurgentneedofthearchduke'sassistance。
　　Hence，thelatterwasnottorestwithhistroopsatMarchegg，butcontinuehismarchandadvancewiththeutmostspeedbySiebenbrunntoLoibersdorf。AtSiebenbrunnhewouldfindField—MarshalRosenberg;heshouldthen，jointlywithhim，attacktheenemy。
　　"Letussetout，then，forLoibersdorf，"saidJohn，sighing;"wewilldoallwecan，andthusavoidbeingchargedwithtardiness。Up，up，mybraves！Thefatherlandcallsus;wemustobeyit！"
　　Butthesoldiersobeyedthisorderonlywithlowmurmurs，andmanyremainedatMarchegg，exhaustedtodeath。
　　Thetroopscontinuedtheirmarchwithrestlessspeed，andmuteresignation。Thearchduke'sfacewaspale，hisflashingeyeswereconstantlypryingintothedistance，hisbreastwaspanting，hisheartwasfilledwithindescribableanxiety，andheexhortedhistroopsincessantlytoacceleratetheirsteps。Nowtheyheardthedullroarofartilleryatadistance;andthefarthertheyadvanced，thelouderandmoreterrificresoundedthecannon。Thebattle，therefore，wasgoingon，andtheutmostrapiditywasnecessaryontheirpart。Forward，therefore，forward！Atfiveo'clockintheafternoontheyatlastreachedSiebenbrunn。ButwherewasField—
　　MarshalRosenberg？Whatdiditmeanthattheroarofartilleryhadalmostentirelydiedaway？Andwhatdreadfulsignssurroundedthehorizononallsides？Tremendouscloudsofsmoke，burningvillageseverywhere，andaddedtothemnowthestillnessofdeath，whichwasevenmorehorribleaftertheboomingofartillerywhichhadshakentheearthuptothistime。WherewasField—MarshalRosenberg？
　　Anofficergallopedupatfullspeed。ItwasamessengerfromField—
　　MarshalRosenberg，whoinformedthearchdukethathehadbeenrepulsed，thatallwasover，andthatthedaywasirretrievablylost。
　　"IhavebeenorderedtomarchtoLoibersdorf，"saidthearchduke，resolutely;"Imustcomplywithmyinstructions。"
　　AndhecontinuedhismarchtowardLoibersdorf。PatrolsweresentoutandapproachedWagram。Thefieldswerecoveredwiththedeadandwounded，andthelatterstatedamidmoansandlamentationsthatadreadfulbattlehadbeenfought，andthattheAustrianshadbeendefeated。
　　Thearchdukelistenedtothesereportswithapalefaceandquiveringlips。Buthewasstillinhopesthathewouldreceiveamessagefromthegeneralissimo;hence，heremainedatLoibersdorfandwaitedfornewsfromhisbrother。Nightcame;profoundstillnessreignedallaround，brokenonlynowandthenbydullreportsofcannonandmusketryfiredatadistance，andtherewasnonewsyetfromthegeneralissimo！
　　OneofthepatrolsnowbroughtinaFrenchofficerwhohadgotseparatedfromhismen，andwhomtheAustrianshadtakenprisoner。
　　Thearchdukesentforhim，andaskedhimforinformationregardingtheimportanteventsoftheday。
　　Theofficergavehimtherequiredinformationwithsparklingeyesandinajubilantvoice。Agreatbattlehadbeenfoughtduringtheprevioustwodays。TheFrencharmyhadlefttheIslandofLobauonfourbridges，whichNapoleonhadcausedtobebuiltinasinglenightbytwohundredcarpenters，andhadgivenbattletotheArchdukeCharlesatWagram。Afuriouscombathadragedonthe5thand6thofJuly。Botharmieshadfoughtwithequalboldness，bravery，andexasperation;butfinallytheArchdukeCharleshadbeencompelledtoevacuatethefieldofbattleandretreat。TheEmperorNapoleonhadremainedinpossessionofthefield;hehadgainedthebattleofWagram。
　　Largedropsofsweatstoodonthearchduke'sforeheadwhilehewaslisteningtothisreport;hiseyesfilledwithtearsofindignationandanger;hislipsquivered，andheliftedhiseyesreproachfullytoheaven。ThenheturnedslowlytoGeneralFrimont，whowashaltingbyhisside，andbehindwhomweretobeseenthegloomy，mournfulfacesoftheotherofficers。
　　"Thegeneralissimohaslostabattle，"hesaid，withasigh。"Thisisatwofoldcalamityforus。Youknowthatwecouldnotcomesooner。WearrivedevenatanearlierhourthanIhadpromised。Youwillseethatthewholeblameforthelossofthebattlewillbelaidatourdoor，andweshallbechargedwithunduetardiness。Thispretendedtardinesswillbewelcometomanyaone。Ascapegoatisneeded，andIshallhavetobethisscapegoat！"[Footnote:Thearchduke'sownwords。——SeeHormayr'sworkon"TheCampaignof1809，"
　　p。286。]
　　TheArchdukeJohnwasnotmistaken;hehadpredictedhisfate。Hewasreallytobethescapegoatforthelossofthebattle。IntheproclamationwhichtheArchdukeCharlesissuedtohisarmyafewdaysafterwardatZnaym，andinwhichheinformeditthathehadconcludedanarmisticewiththeEmperorNapoleon，hedeploredthat，owingtothetoolatearrivaloftheArchdukeJohn，thebattlehadnotbeenwon，despitetheadmirablebraverywhichthetroopshaddisplayedatWagram，andthatthegeneralissimohadbeencompelledtherebytoretreat。
　　TheArchdukeJohndidnotdefendhimself。Heliftedhistearfuleyestoheavenandsighed:"Anotherbattlelost，andthisbattledecidesthefateofAustria！NowPrussiawillnotallyherselfwithus，forwedidnotstrikethesecondblowwhichthekingdemanded，andshewilllookonquietlywhileAustriaisbeinghumiliated！OGod，God，protectAustria！ProtectGermany！saveusfromutterruin！"
　　CHAPTERXXVIII
　　THEARMISTICEOFZNAYM
　　TheguestsofAnthonySteeger，theinnkeeperofLienz，hadbeengreatlyexcitedto—day;theyhadtalked，debated，lamented，andswornagreatdeal。InaccordancewiththerequestofAndreasHofer，themostinfluentialleadersoftheTyrolesehadmetthereanddrawnup，asHoferproposed，apetitiontotheEmperorFrancis，whowasnowinHungaryatoneofthepalacesbelongingtothePrinceofLichtenstein。ThedisastroustidingsofthebattleofWagramhadbeenfollowedafewdaysafterwardbynewsfullyasdisheartening。
　　TheArchdukeCharleshadconcludedanarmisticewiththeEmperorNapoleonatZnaym，onthe12thofJuly，1809。Bythisarmisticehostilitiesweretobesuspendedtillthe20thofAugust;butinthemeantimetheAustriansweretoevacuatetheTyrol，Styria，andCarinthiaentirely，andrestoretotheBavariansandFrenchthefortifiedcitieswhichtheyhadoccupied。
　　ThesecalamitoustermsofthearmisticehadinducedAndreasHofertosummonsomeofhisfriendstoLienz，anddrawupwiththemapetitiontotheemperor，inwhichtheyimploredhimwithtouchinghumilitytohavemercyuponthemintheirdistress，andnottoforsakehisfaithfulTyrol。TheystatedthattheyhadbeentoldthattheAustriantroops，inaccordancewiththestipulationsofthearmistice，weretoevacuatetheTyrol，butthisdidnotconferupontheFrenchandBavarianstherightofoccupyingtheTyrol。Theybesoughttheemperortopreventthis，andnottopermittheenemytooccupythecountry。
　　SuchwerethecontentsofthepetitionwhichAndreasHoferandtheotherleadersoftheTyrolesehadsignedto—dayattheinnofAnthonySteeger，atLienz，andwhichJacobSiebererwastoconveyasthelastcryofthedespairingTyroltotheheadquartersoftheemperoratTotis，whileEisensteckenwastodeliveracopyofthepetitiontoGeneralBuol，commander—in—chiefoftheAustriantroops。
　　Nighthadnowcome;thefriendsandcomradeshadlongsinceleftAnthonySteeger'shouse，andAndreasHoferaloneremainedwithhimtotalkwithhisfaithfulfriendaboutthedisastrouschangeintheiraffairs，andthegloomyprospectsofthefuture。
　　"Icannotbelievethatallisastheysay，"saidAndreasHofer，withasigh。"TheemperorpromisedussolemnlynevertogiveuporforsakeagainhisfaithfulTyrol，anditwouldbehigh—treasontosupposethattheemperorwillnothonestlyredeemhispledges。No，no;Itellyou，Anthony，theemperorandourdearArchdukeJohncertainlydonotintendtoabandonus;onlytheAustriangeneralsareopposedtothecontinuanceofthewar，andlongtogetawayfromourmountains，becausetheyareafraidofBonaparte，andthinkhewouldpunishthemiftheyshouldstayhereanylongerandrefusetodelivertheprovincetohistendermercies。"
　　"IamlikewiselothtobelievethattheEmperorFranciswouldforsakeus，"saidAnthonySteeger，noddinghisheadapprovingly。
　　"Fortheemperorlovesus，andwillnotallowustofallintothehandsoftheinfidelBonaparte，whohasjustcommittedanotheroutragebyarrestingtheHolyFatherinRomeanddragginghimawayfromhiscapital。"
　　"Well，theHolyFatherexcommunicatedhimforthisoutrage，"criedAndreasHofer，withflashingeyes;"hecalleddownthewrathofGodandmanontheheadoftheAnti—christ，andrendereditincumbentoneverypiousChristiantowagewaragainstthecriminalwholaidhisruthlesshandsevenupontheholyChurch，andtrampledunderfoothimwhomtheAlmightyhasanointed。AnthonySteeger，letmetellyou，IwillnotallowtheFrenchtoreturntoourcountry，andneverwillIpermittheAustrianstoevacuatetheTyrol。"
　　"Andhowwillyoupreventthemfromsodoing？"askedAnthonySteeger，shrugginghisshoulders。
　　"Isaidto—dayhowIandallofusaregoingtopreventit。WeshallnotsuffertheAustrianstodepart;weshallkeepthemherebyprayers，stratagems，orforce。Ihavegiveninstructionstoallthecommanderstodoso;Ihavegiventhemwrittenorderswhichtheyaretocommunicatetoourotherfriends，andinwhichIcommandthemnottopermitthedepartureoftheAustrians。IbelieveIamcommander—
　　in—chiefasyet，andtheywillobeymybidding。"
　　"Iftheycandoit，Andy，theycertainlywill;butwhatiftheycannot？WhatiftheAustrianscannotbekeptherebyprayersorstratagem？"
　　"Inthatcasewemustresorttoforce，"criedHoferimpetuously。"Wemustcompelthemtostayhere;thewholeTyrolmustriseasonemanandwithitsstrongarmskeeptheAustriansinthecountry。Yes，yes，Anthony，wemustdoit;itwillbebestforusall。ItmustlookasthoughwedetaintheAustriansbyforce，andthiswillbemostagreeabletotheEmperorFrancis;forwhatfaultofhisisitthattheTyrolesepreventhimfromcarryingoutwhathepromisedtoBonaparteinthearmistice？Itisnothisfault，then，iftheAustriansstayhere，andifwepreventthemfromleavingourmountains。Wemustdetainthem，wemust。AndIwillwriteimmediatelytooldRed—beard，FatherHaspinger，JosephSpeckbacher，andAnthonyWallner。Iwillsummonthemtoaconferencewithme，andwewillconcertmeasuresforarenewedrisingoftheTyrol。Givemepenandink，Tony;IwillwriteinthefirstplacetooldRed—beard，andyourJoeshalltaketheletterthisverynighttohisconvent。"
　　AnthonySteegerhastenedtobringhimwhathewanted，andwhileHoferscrawledtheletter，hisfriendstoodbehindhim，andfollowedwithattentiveeyeseverywordwhichAndreasfinishedwithconsiderabledifficulty。
　　Bothweresomuchabsorbedintheletterthattheydidnotperceivethatthedooropenedbehindthem，andthatBaronvonHormayr，inadustytravelling—dress，enteredtheroom。Foramomenthestoodstillatthedoorandcastasearchingglanceonthetwomen;hethenadvancedquicklytowardAndreasHofer，and，layinghishandonhisshoulder，hesaid:"Well，Andy，whatareyouwritingthere？"
　　Andreaslookedup，buttheunexpectedarrivalofthebarondidnotseemtoexcitehissurprise。"IamwritingtooldRed—beard，"hesaid;"Iamwritingtohimthatheistocometomeimmediately。AndafterfinishingthelettertooldRed—beard，IwillwritethesamethingtoSpeckbacherandAnthonyWallner，Mr。IntendantoftheTyrol。"
　　"Donotapplythattitletomeanylonger，Andy，"saidHormayr，withaslightfrown。"IamnolongerintendantoftheTyrol，foryouknowthatwemustleavetheTyrolandrestoreittotheFrenchandBavarians。"
　　"Iforonedonotknowit，Mr。IntendantoftheTyrol，"criedAndreas，withanangryglance。"IknowonlythattheArchdukeJohnappointedyoumilitaryintendantoftheTyrol，andthatyoutookasolemnoathtoaidusinbecomingoncemore，andremaining，Austrians。"
　　"Ithink，Andy，Ihavehonestlyredeemedmypledges，"saidHormayr。
　　"Iassistedyoueverywheretothebestofmypower，wasalwaysinyourmidst，encouraging，organizing，fighting，andmediating;andI
　　thinkyouwilladmitthatIhadlikewisemylittleshareinthedeliveranceoftheTyrol，andprovedmyselfoneofitsgoodandfaithfulsons。"
　　"Well，yes，itistrue，"murmuredHofer;"youdidagreatdealofgood，and，aboveallthings，yougainedovertooursidetheAustriangenerals，whowouldnothaveanythingtodowithuspeasants，andrefusedtomakecommoncausewithus;foryoupossessaveryeloquenttongue，andwhatcanbeaccomplishedbymeansofthetongueyoudoaccomplish。Butnow，sir，thetonguewillnolongersuffice，andwemustfightalsowiththesword。"
　　"Godforbid，Andy！"exclaimedHormayr;"youknowthattheemperorhasconcludedanarmisticewithBonaparte，andwhileitlastswearenotallowedtofightwiththesword。"
　　"Theemperorhasconcludedanarmistice？Well，then，lettherebeanarmistice。Butyouwillnotconfineyourselftoanarmistice——youintendtoevacuatetheTyrol。Thatseemstomenofairarmistice，andthereforeIshallsummonoldRed—beard，andmyotherfaithfulfriends，andconcertwiththemmeasurestopreventyoufromconcludingsuchanunfairarmistice，andforsakingus。"
　　"AndAndyisrightindoingso！"exclaimedAnthonySteeger。"WemustnotpermittheAustrianstoleavetheprovince，andwearefirmlyresolvedthatwewillnot。"
　　"Youarefools，bothofyou，"saidHormayr，shrugginghisshoulders。
　　"TheEmperorFrancisagreedpositivelythattheAustriantroopsshouldevacuatetheTyrolduringthearmistice;hence，thetroopsmustleave，lesttheemperorshouldbreakhisword。"
　　"Butiftheydo，theemperorbreaksthewordhepledgedtous，"
　　criedAnthonySteeger，vehemently。
　　"AnthonySteeger，"saidHormayr，sternly，"IhavecomehithertohaveaninterviewwithAndreasHofer，towhomIwishtocommunicatesomethingofgreatimportance。Therefore，besokindastowithdraw，andleavemealonewithhim。"
　　"IbelieveAndydoesnotwanttokeepanythingsecretfromme，andImight，therefore，justaswellstayhere。Say，Andy，isitnotso？"
　　"Itis。Speak，Mr。Intendant;Tonymayhearitall。"
　　"No，Andy，IshallnotspeakunlessIamalonewithyou;andwhatI
　　havetosaytoyouishighlyimportanttotheTyrol。Butnoonebutyourselfmusthearit。"
　　"Ifthatisthecase，gooutandleavemealonewiththeintendant，"
　　saidHofer，shakinghandswithhisfriend。
　　AnthonySteegercastanangryglanceonHormayr，andlefttheroom。
　　"Iknowverywellwhyhewantedtogetridofme，"hegrowled，assoonashewasoutinthehall。"HeintendstopersuadeAndreasHofertoleavewiththeAustriansandabandontheTyrol。HethinkswhenheisalonewithHofer，hewillyieldsoonerbecauseheisaweakandgood—heartedman，whowouldliketocomplywitheveryone'swishes。HethinksifIwerepresentIshouldtellAndythetruth，andnotpermithimtodesertourcause，andsetabadexampletotheothers。Well，Iwillkeepasharplookout，andiftheintendantreallytriestotakehimawaywithhim，Iwillendeavortodetainhimforcibly。"
　　WhenthedoorhadclosedafterAnthonySteeger，HormayrnoddedkindlytoAndreasHoferandshookhandswithhim。
　　"Nowwearealone，Andy，"hesaid，"andwillspeakconfidentiallyawordwhichnooneistohearsaveustwo。"
　　"ButyoushouldalwaysbearinmindthatGodAlmightyispresent，andlistenstous，"saidHofer，liftinghiseyesdevoutlytoheaven。
　　"WeshallspeaknothingthatcanoffendthegoodGod！"exclaimedHormayr，laughing。"Weshallspeakofyou，Andy，andtheTyrol。I
　　wishtoprayyou，Andy，inthenameoftheArchdukeJohn，whosentmetoyou，andwhosenthiskindestgreetingswithme，nottocloseyourearsagainstgoodandwell—meantadvice。"
　　"Whatdidthearchdukesay？Whatdoeshewantofme？"askedAndreas，quickly。
　　"HewishesAndreasHofer，likehimself，tosubmittotheemperor'sordersquietlyandpatiently;hewishesAndreasHofertoyieldtosternnecessity，andnolongersowtheseedsofhatredanddiscord，butobeythewillofhismasterwithChristianhumilityandresignation。HewishesAndreasHofertosetagoodexampletoalltheTyrolese，andundertakenothinginoppositiontothestipulationsofthearmistice;andtheArchdukeJohnfinallywisheshisbelovedAndreasHofertosecurehislifeandlibertybyleavingtheTyrolwiththeAustriantroops，andremainingforsometimeundertheprotectionoftheimperialarmy。"
　　"Never，neverwillIdothat！"criedAndreas，vehemently;"neverwillIleavemybelovedcountry！Isworetothepriest，andinmyownheart，that，whileIlived，IwouldbefaithfultomyGod，myemperor，andmycountry，andthatIwouldspillthelastdropofbloodforourliberty，ourconstitution，andouremperor;andneverwillIbreakmyoath，neverwillIdesertmyflaglikeafaithlesssoldier！"
　　"But，Andy，youarenottodesertit，butonlyconveyittoaplaceofsafetyforashorttime。Listentome，Andy，andletmetellyouallaboutit。Youthinkallmaybechangedyet，andyoumaypreventtheAustriansfromleavingyourmountains。Butunfortunatelyitisalreadytoolate。AlreadytheAustriangeneral—in—chief，BaronvonBuol，hasconcentratedhisscatteredforces，andmarchedthemto—
　　nightfromBrixentoSchabs。Thereyoucandonothingagainsthim;
　　hisartilleryandammunitionaresafethere，andyoucannothinderhimfrommarchingwithhistroopsthisverydayintoCarinthia。"
　　"ButwecanpreventGeneralSchmidtfromsurrenderingthefortressofSachsenburgtoGeneralRusca，"criedAndreas，triumphantly。
　　"DoyouthinkCommanderJosephTurk，inUpperCarinthia，surprisedandoccupiedthefortressofSachsenburgimmediately，becauseyouwrotetohimtodosoprevioustoRusca'sarrival？Youlookatmesowonderingly，youbigchild？See，hereisyourlettertoJosephTurk！
　　Ourmeninterceptedit;hence，JosephTurkdidnotoccupythefortress，andGeneralRuscahasarrivedtherealready。"
　　"Itismyletter，indeed，"sighedAndreasHofer，staringatthepaperwhichHormayrhadhandedtohim。"TheydidnotallowittoreachJosephTurk;theynolongerrespectwhatIsayanddo。"
　　"Theycannot，Andy，foryourandtheirsuperior，theemperor，hasorderedthesoldierstoevacuatetheTyrol。Itwassurelymostrepugnanttotheemperortodoso，andIknowthattheArchdukeJohnshedtearsofgriefandrageonbeingobligedtoinstructGeneralBuoltoevacuatetheTyrol。Buthesubmittedtosternnecessity，andyouwilldosotoo，Andy。"
　　"WhatamItodo，then？Whatdoyouwantofme？"askedAndreas，withtearsinhiseyes。
　　"TheArchdukeJohnwantsyoutopreserveyourselfforbettertimes，Andy。Heimploresyoutorepairtoaplaceofsafety，notonlyforthesakeofyourwifeandchildren，butalsoforthatofyourfatherland。Believeme，Andreas，agloomytimeisdawningupontheTyrol。Theenemyisapproachingonallsides，andtheFrenchandBavarianshavealreadycrossedthefrontiersoftheTyrolinordertooccupyitagain。"
　　"Andallourbloodhasbeenshedinvain！"criedHofer，burstingintotears。"AllthefaithfulTyrolesewhohavefalleninbattlegaveuptheirlivesfornothing。Wefoughtbravely;thegoodGodhelpedusinbattle;butmendesertedus，andeventheemperor，forwhomwefought，willnotredeemthepledgeshegaveus，norhelpusinoursoredistress。"
　　"TheemperorwillneverabandonhisfaithfulTyrolese，"saidHormayr;"onlyyoumustbepatient。Hecannotdoanythingnow;hecannotendangerhiswholeempiretoservethesmallprovinceoftheTyrol。Forthetimebeing，furtherresistanceisoutofthequestion，buttheemperorprofitsbythearmisticetoconcentrateanewarmy;andwhenhostilitiesareresumed，hewillfirstthinkoftheTyrol，anddeliveritfromtheenemy。"
　　"ButuntilthentheTyrolitselfoughttomaintainitsliberty！"
　　exclaimedAndreasHofer，withflashingeyes。"ListentowhatIwishtosaytoyou，Mr。Intendant，andwhatGodHimselfpromptsmetotellyou。IseefullwellthattheemperorhimselfisunabletospeakfortheTyrol，andcannotorderhistroopstoremaininthecountry;Iseefullwellthattheemperor，sorelypressedasheisbyBonaparte，cannotdoanythingforus。Butuntilheisreadyagain，someoneoughttobecourageousenoughtotakehisplaceand，astheemperor'slieutenant，defendtheTyrolagainsttheenemy。