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;