heliftedtherosaryhangingathisbelt，and，whileenteringthecitybythegate，hecommencedprayingaPater—nosterinanundertone。
　　Thecitymeanwhilewasalreadyingreatcommotion。Thebellshadbeguntoringtheirsolemnpeals，andalldevoutworshippers，consistingonthisoccasionofthewholepopulationofthecity，wereflockingtothecathedral。Allatoncethedoorsofthecathedralwerethrownopen，andunderagold—embroideredbaldachinbornebyfourpriestsappearedthepiousbishop，carryinginhisupliftedrighthandthecasketcontainingthebonesofSaintCassian。Behindthebishopcamethepriestsbearingwax—lights，andsingingsoul—stirringhymns。Nextfollowedthelonglineofacolyteswithsmokingcensers;andpiousworshippers，carryingtorches，andrepeatingthehymnsintonedbythepriests，closedtheprocession。
　　Thisprocessiongainedstrengthateverystepasitadvanced，andsoonithadbeenjoinedbythewholepopulationofthecityandthehundredsofpiouspilgrimswhohadflockedtoBrixentotakepartintheholyfestival。
　　Haspinger，theCapuchinfriar，waslikewiseintheprocession;hewalkedinthemidstofthebravepeasantswithwhomhehadconversed，singingwithheaderectandinatoneofsolemnearnestnessthehymnswithwhichtheholyrelicswerebeinginvoked。
　　OnlyitseemedtothepeasantswhoheardhispowerfulvoiceasthoughhesomewhatchangedthepassageimploringSaintCassiantogranttheTyrolesepeace，protection，andtranquillity，andprayedfortheveryreverse。Thepassagewasasfollows:"Havemercyuponourweakness，andgrantuspeaceandtranquillity。"ButFatherHaspinger，brandishinghisstaffwiththeimageofSaintFrancis，sanginatoneofferventpiety:"Havemercyuponourvalor，andgrantuswar！"Tothosewholookedathimwonderinglyonaccountofthischangeofthetext，henoddedwithashrewdtwinkleofhiseyes，andmurmured:"CometomorrowtothechurchofLatzfons。Wewillholdacouncilofwarthere！"
　　Theprocessionhadnotyetfinishedone—halfofitsroute，andhadjustreachedthemarket—placewhenahorsemangallopedupthestreetleadingfromthegatetothemarket—place。Itwasprobablyabelatedworshipper，whointendedtotakepartintheprocession。Healightedhurriedlyfromhishorse，andtiedittothebrassknobofastreet—door，andthenwalkedcloseuptotheprocession。However，hedidnotjoinit，butstoodstillandcontemplatedeverypasser—bywithpryingeyes。Nowheseemedtohavefoundhimwhomhesought，forasmileilluminatedhissunburntface，andheadvanceddirectlytowardFatherHaspinger，whowassingingagain:"Havemercyuponourvalor，andgrantuswar！"Butonperceivingtheyoungladwhowasapproachinghim，hepaused，andabrightgleamofjoyoverspreadhisfeatures。
　　"ItisAndreasHofer'sservant，AnthonyWild，"murmuredFatherHaspinger，joyfully，holdingouthishandtothelad。"Say，Tony，doyoucometobringmeamessagefrombrotherAndreas？"
　　"Ido，reverendsir。TheSandwirthsendsmetoyou，andasIdidnotmeetyouatyourconventofSeebennearKlausen，IfollowedyoutoBrixen;formymasterinstructedmetodelivermymessageasquicklyaspossibleintoyourhandsandreturnwithyouranswer。"
　　"Whatmessagedoyoubringme，Tony？"
　　"Thisletter，reverendsir。"
　　Thefriartookitandputitquicklyintohisbelt。"WhereisbrotherAndreas？"heasked。
　　"Inthecavewhichisknownonlytohim，toyou，andtomyself，"
　　whisperedAnthonyWild，intothefriar'sear。"Heawaitsyourreplythere，reverendsir。"
　　"Andyoushallhaveitthisveryday，Tony。Now，however，wewillnotforgetourdivineservice，butworshipGodwithsincerepiety。
　　Taketheplacebehindmeintheprocession;andwhenwereturntothecathedral，followmewhere—everImaygo。"
　　Andthefriarcommencedsingingagain;hishand，however，nolongerheldtherosary，butheputitfirmlyontheletterwhichwasconcealedinhisbelt，andwhosecontentsengrossedhisthoughts:
　　Atlengththeprocessionhadreturnedtotheportalsofthecathedral。FatherHaspingersignedtotheSandwirth'sservant，whowaswalkingbehindhim，andinsteadofaccompanyingtheotherworshippersintothechurch，hewalkedalongtheprocessionuntilhereachedatall，slenderyoungman，withwhomhehadalreadyexchangedmanyaglance。"MartinSchenk，"saidthefriartohim，"willyougohomenow？"
　　"Iwill，andIrequestyou，reverendsir，toaccompanyme，"saidtheyoungman，hastily。"Ibelieveyouwillfindanumberoffriendsatmyhouse。PeterKemnater，theinnkeeperofSchabs，andPeterMayer，theinnkeeperofMahr，willbethere。Iinvitedthem，andhadI
　　knownthatyouwouldbehere，Ishouldhaveinvitedyoutoo。"
　　"YouseethatIcomewithoutbeinginvited，forIthinkthefatherlandhasinvitedusall;andIbelievewewillnotpartakeofanepicureanbreakfastatyourtavernto—day，butconferastotheterriblecalamitiesofourcountry。WearethecooksthatwillprepareaveryspicyandunhealthybreakfastfortheFrenchandBavarians，andIbelieveIamthebearerofsomesaltandpepperfromAndreasHoferforthispurpose。See，MartinSchenck，inmybelthere，bythesideoftherosary，isaletterfromourdearbrotherAndreasHofer。"
　　"Andwhatdoeshewritetoyou？Ihopehedoesnotwantustokeepquietandpermittheenemytore—enterthecountry，asallprudentandcautiouspeopleadviseustodo？"
　　"Hush，hush，Martin！donotinsultourcommander—in—chiefbysuchasupposition。Ihavenotreadtheletteryet，butIbelieveIknowitscontents，andcouldtellyoubeforehandeverywordthatthegoodandfaithfulAndreashaswrittentous。Ah，hereisyourtavern，andletmeaskafavorofyounow。TheladwhoisfollowingusisAndreasHofer'sfaithfulservant，AnthonyWild，whobroughtmetheletterfromhismaster，andwhomustwaitformyanswer。Givehimaplacewherehemayrest，andagoodbreakfast，forhemustsetoutforhomethisveryday。"
　　"Comein，AnthonyWild;youarewelcome，"saidtheyounginnkeeper，shakinghandswithHofer'sservant。
　　"Thankyou，butImustfirstfetchmyhorsewhichItiedtoapolesomewheredownthestreet。Irodeveryfast，andmustfirstattendtotheHorse，afterwardIwillrequestyoutoletmehavesomebreakfast。"
　　AndHofer'sservanthasteneddownthestreet。Theinnkeeperandthefriarenteredthehouseandsteppedintothelargebar—room。Twomencametomeetthemthere。
　　Oneofthem，amanaboutforty—fiveyearsold，dressedinthesimplecostumeoftheTyrolese，andofatall，powerfulform，wasPeterMayer，knownthroughouttheTyrolasoneofthemostardentandfaithfulpatriots，andamanofextraordinaryintrepidity，firmness，andenergy。
　　Theother，ayoungmanofscarcelytwenty—two，slenderyetwellbuilt，andfar—famedforhisfineappearance，boldness，andwealth，wasPeterKemnater，themostfaithfulanddevotedfriendofthefine—lookingandpatrioticyounginnkeeper，MartinSchenk。
　　Thetwomenshookhandswiththenew—comersandbowedtothem，buttheirfacesweregloomy，andnotthefaintestgleamofasmileilluminatedthem。
　　"Haveyoucomehither，FatherJoachimHaspinger，onlytojoininthepeace—prayers？"askedPeterMayerinhislaconicstyle，fixinghisdark，piercingeyesonthefriar'sface。
　　"No，PeterMayer，"saidtheCapuchin，gravely;"IhavecomehitherbecauseIwantedtoseeyouthree，andbecauseIhavetosaymanythingstoyou。ButpreviouslyletmereadwhatourpiousandpatrioticbrotherAndreasHoferhaswrittentome。"
　　"YouhavealetterfromAndreasHofer！"exclaimedMayerandKemnater，joyfully。
　　"Hereitis，"saidthefriar，drawingitfromhisbelt。"Nowgivemeamoment'stimetoreadtheletter，andthenwewillconferuponthematterthatbroughtushere。"
　　Hesteppedtothewindowandunfoldedtheletter。Whilehewasreadingit，thethreemenlookedathimwithraptsuspense，seekingtoreadinhisfeaturestheimpressionproducedbyAndreasHofer'swordsontheheartofthebraveCapuchin。Indeed，thefriar'sfeaturesbrightenedmoreandmore，hisforeheadandfacecolored，andasmileilluminatedhishardfeatures。
　　"Listen，men，"heexclaimedtriumphantly，wavingthepaperasthoughitwereaflag;"listentowhatAndreaswritestome！"Andthefriarreadinaclarionvoice:
　　"DearbrotherRed—beard！BelovedFatherJoachimHaspinger:Youknow，brother，thatallhasbeeninvain;theAustriansareevacuatingthecountry，andtheemperor，orrathernottheemperor，buthisministersandsecretaries，stipulatedinthearmisticeconcludedwithBonaparte，thattheFrenchandBavariansshouldre—entertheTyrolandrecommencetheinfamousoldsystem。ButIthink，eventhoughtheemperorhasabandonedus，GodAlmightywillnotdoso;
　　andeventhoughtheAustriansoldiersarecrossingourfrontiers，ourmountainsandglaciersremaintous;Godplacedthemtheretoprotectourfrontiers，andHegaveusstrongarmsandgoodriflesandkeeneyestodiscerntheenemyandhithim。WearetheinhabitantsoftheTyrol，andtheAustriansoldiersarenot，henceitisincumbentonustoprotectourfrontiers，andpreventtheenemyfrominvadingourterritory。Ifyouareofmyopinion，gatheraboutyouasmanybravesharpshootersasyoucan，callouttheLandsturmwhereitispossible，telltheothercommanderstodothesame，andadvance，ifpossible，atoncetowardtheBrenner，whereI
　　hopeyouwillmeetmeorhearfurthernewsfromme。JosephSpeckbacherdidnotleavethecountryeither;heisenlistingsharpshootersandcallingouttheLandsturminhisdistrict。ItistheLord'swillthattheTyrolbehenceforthprotectedonlybytheTyrolese。Bearthisinmind，andgotowork。——YourfaithfulAndreasHofer，atpresentnotknowingwhereheis。"[Footnote:AndreasHofersignedallhislettersandordersinthisstrangemannerwhilehewasconcealedinhiscave。]
　　"Well，"askedthefriar，exultingly，"doyouthinkthatAndreasHoferisright，andthatweoughtnottoallowtheenemytore—enterthecountry？"
　　"Ithinkheis，"saidPeterKemnater，joyously。"IthinkitwillbegloriousforustoexpeltheFrenchandBavariansoncemorefromourfrontiers。"
　　"Or，iftheyhavealreadycrossedthem，drivethemignominiouslyfromthecountry，"addedPeterMayer。
　　"Ihavepassed，duringthelastfewdays，throughthewholeofPustervalley，"saidMartinSchenk。"EverywhereIfoundthemendeterminedtodie，rifleinhand，onthefieldofbattle，ratherthanstaypeaceablyathomeandbendtheirnecksbeforetheenemy。
　　'Itisamisfortune，'saidthemen，'thattheAustriansareabandoningusatthiscriticaljuncture;butitwouldbeagreatermisfortunestillforustoabandonourselvesandconsenttosurrenderatdiscretion。'"
　　"AndIsayitisnomisfortuneatallthattheAustrianshaveleftus，"criedtheCapuchin，vehemently。"ThecauseofthefatherlandhasnotsufferedmuchbytheretreatoftheAustrians。WhoassistedusatthebattleofMountIsel？Whohelpedustodrivetheenemytwicefromthecountry？NotanAustriandid！Weaccomplishedallthatwasgreatandgloriousintheshortanddecisivestruggle。Letusnotcomplain，then，thatnoonestandsbyusnow，andthatweknowthatnoonewillhelpusbutGodandweourselves。Butwemustnotplungeblindlyandfuriouslyintothestruggle;onthecontrary，wemustconsiderwhetherweareabletodefeattheenemy。TheFrenchandBavariansaresendinglargeforcesonallsidestothepoorTyrol。Icannotconcealfromyouthattheenterprisewhichwearegoingtoundertake，andtowhichAndreasHoferinvitesus，isadangerousone。LetmetellyouthatthatmiserableassassinandruffianLefebre，whomtheycalltheDukeofDantsic，isapproachingfromthenorthwithtwenty—fivethousandmen，andisalreadyclosetoInnspruck。GeneralDeroi，too，iscoming;heintendstomarchthroughthewholeVintschgau，andforcehiswayovertheGerlosMountainstothedistrictofInnspruck。Rusca'swildlegionsarealreadynearLienz;GeneralPeryismovingupfromthesouthwithhisItaliantroops;andtheexasperatedBavarians，underGeneralsWredenandArco，arealreadyatSalzburg。Inshort，morethanfiftythousandmenarecomingupfromallsidestotramplethepoorTyrolunderfoot。Theyareveteransoldiers;theyhavegotartilleryandbetterarmsthanwe，andaresuperiortousinnumbers，equipments，andstrength。Consider，therefore，whetheryouarewillingtoundertaketheheavytasknevertheless;considerthatyouriskyourproperty，yourblood，andyourlives，andthat，ifyoushouldbesounfortunateastofallintotheenemy'shands，hewouldperhapspunishyouascriminalsandrebels。Itistrue，youarereadytoriskyourproperty，yourblood，andyourlives，forthefatherlandandthelibertyoftheTyrol;butthenyouhavealsodutiestoyourfamilies，yourparents，yourbrides;youhaveadutytoyourselves——
　　thatofnotendangeringyourlivesrecklessly。Itistrue，eventhoughtheenemyshouldpunishyouasrebels，youwoulddiethebeautifuldeathofmartyrsforyourfatherland，andthehaloofyourvirtueandloveofcountrywillimmortalizeyournames;butyoumustconsider，also，whetheryourdeathwillbeusefultothecountry，andwhetheryouwillnotshedyourbloodinvain。Askyourhearts，myfriends，whethertheywillbecourageousandstrongenoughtobravecheerfullywhateverreversesandcalamitiesmaybefallus，andwhethertheyreallywillriskdeath，imprisonment，andthescaffold，withoutflinchingandtrembling？ThatiswhatIwishedtosaytoyoubeforeconcertingmeasureswithyouandsendingananswertoAndreasHofer。Consideritall，myfriends，andthenspeak。"
　　"Wearetoaskourheartsiftheywillnotflinchandtremble？"saidPeterMayer，almostcontemptuously。"WhentheenemyreturnedtotheTyrollastMay，heburneddowneighthouseswhichbelongedtome，andforsometimeIdidnotknowbutthatmywifeandchildrenhadperishedintheconflagration。Didyouseemetremble——didyouhearmecomplainatthattime？DidInotstandupcheerfullyinthebattleonMountIsel，withoutweepingormurmuring，andbearinginmindonlythatIwasfightingforliberty，thefatherland，andtheemperor？Itwasnotuntilwehadgainedthevictory，andobtainedourfreedom，thatIwenthometomournandweeponthesmokingruinsofmyhouses。ButIfoundmywifeandmychildrenaliveandwell;afriendhadconcealedthemandtakencareofthem;andafterthankingGodforourvictory，IthankedHimforpreservingmywifeandchildren;andonlynow，whenwewerehappyandfree，didIshedtears。Butsincetheenemyisre—enteringthecountry，andfreshmisfortunesaretobefallus，mytearsaredriedagain;myheartisfullofcourageandconstancy;andIbelievewemustriskall，becauseotherwiseeverythingthatwehavedonehithertowillbeinvain。Ilovemywifedearly;but，ifshecamenowtodissuademefromtakingpartinthestruggle，andifIfeltthatmyheartwasgivingwaytoherpersuasion，Iwouldstrangleherwithmyownhands，lestsheshouldpreventmefromservingthegreatcauseofthefatherland。Itistrue，ourtaskisdifficult，butitisnotimpossible;andthatwhichisnotimpossibleshouldbetriedforthefatherland！Ihavegivenyoumyopinion;itisyourturnnow，myyoungfriends。PeterKemnater，speak！TellFatherRed—beardwhetheryourheartistremblingandflinching，andwhetheryouthinkwehadbetterkeepquiet，becausetheenemyissopowerfulandsuperiortous。"
　　"IhaveanaffiancedbrideofwhomIamveryfond，"saidPeterKemnater，withflushedcheeksandflashingeyes;"agirlwhomIlovebetterthanmyparents，thananythingintheworld，andwhomI
　　intendedtomarryafortnighthence;butIsweartoGodandtheHolyVirginthatmyweddingshallnottakeplaceuntiltheTyrolisfreeagain，andwehaveexpelledtheenemyoncemorefromthecountry。
　　Andifmybrideshouldbeangryatthis，anddemandthatIshouldthinkmoreofherthanofthefatherland，andpreferlivingforheralonetodyingperhapsforthefatherland，Ishouldbreakwithher，andneverlookatheragain，neverspeakanotherwordwithher。I
　　havemanyhousesandlands;buteventhoughIknewthatmyfieldsandmeadowsweretobedevastated，andmyhousesburneddown，likethoseofPeterMayer，Ishouldsay，nevertheless，wewillfightforthefatherland！Wewilldefeattheenemy，eventhoughweshouldallbecomebeggars，andeventhoughIknewthatIshoulddiebeforeseeingmyaffiancedbrideagain，andthatshewouldcursemeinmygrave。ThatiswhatIhavegottosay。Nowyoumayspeak，MartinSchenk;tellthefatherwhetheryourheartisflinchingandtrembling。"
　　"Yes，itis，"criedMartinSchenk，"butonlywhenIthinkthemenoftheTyrolcouldbesocowardlyandmean—spiritedastokeepquietandsubmittotheiroppressors，becausethelatterarepowerfulandsuperiortousinnumbers。IhaveayoungwifewhomImarriedonlyayearago，andwhogavebirthtoalittleboyaweeksince，andI
　　assureyouthatIloveherandherchildwithallmyheart。ButifI
　　knewthattheirdeathwouldbeusefultothefatherland，andwouldcontributetoitssalvation，Iwouldshootthemwithmyownrifle，andshouldnotweeponseeingtheircorpsesatmyfeet;butIshouldrejoiceandexclaim，'Ididitforthesakeofthefatherland;I
　　sacrificedmymostprecioustreasuresforthebelovedTyrol。'Eventhoughtheenemyisverystrongandnumerous，eventhoughtheemperorhasabandonedus，Godstandsbyus。Themountainsstandfirmyet;theyareourfortresses，andwewillfightinthemuntilwearealldead，oruntilwehavedefeatedtheenemy，anddeliveredtheTyrolathirdtime。Nowyouknowmyopinion，FatherJoachimHaspinger。"
　　TheCapuchinmadenoreply。Hestoodwithhandsclaspedinprayerandeyesliftedtoheaven，andtwolargetearsrolleddownhisbronzedcheeksintohisredbeard。
　　"GreatGodinheaven，"hemurmuredinavoicetremulouswithemotion，"IthankTheeforlettingmeseethishour，andhearthesoul—stirringwordsofthesepatrioticmen。WhatcanIsaynow，whathaveItosacrificetothefatherland？Ihavenowife，nochildren，noproperty;IambutapoorCapuchin！Ihavenothingbutmybloodandmylife。ButIwillgiveittothecountry，eventhoughthebishopandtheabbotshouldexcommunicatemeforitandcondemnmysoultoburnineverlastingfire。ItisbetterthatapoorCapuchin'ssoulshouldburninhellthanthatthefatherlandshouldgroanwithpainandwearthebrandofdisgraceandslaveryonitsforehead。Itisbettertobeafaithlesssonofthebishopandabbot，thanafaithlesssonofthefatherland。ItisbettertobeabadChristianthanabadpatriot。Therefore，whatevermayhappen，I
　　shallshareeverythingwithyou，dangerorvictory，triumphordeath。HenceforthIamnolongeraCapuchin，butoldRed—beardJoachimHaspinger，thedefenderofhiscountry;andIswearthatI
　　willnomorelaydownmyheadandreposebeforewehavedeliveredthecountryfromtheenemyandconcludedanhonorablepeace。Ifthatisyoursentimentalso，swearherebeforeGodthatyouwillfighthenceforthforthecountry，devoteyourwholestrengthtoit，andperishratherthangiveupthestruggle，makepeacewiththeenemy，andsubmittotheBavarianyoke。"
　　Andthethreemenliftedtheirhandsandeyestoheaven，andexclaimedwithoneaccord，inaloudandsolemntone:"WeswearbyGodAlmighty，andbyallthatissacredanddeartousonearth，thatwewillfighthenceforthforthecountry，devoteourwholestrengthtoit，andperishratherthangiveupthestruggle，makepeacewiththeenemy，andsubmittotheBavarianyoke！"
　　"Benedictus！benedictus！"criedFatherHaspinger，layinghishandsonthosewhichthethreemenhadjoinedontakingtheoath。"TheLordhasheardandacceptedyouroath;theLordwillblessyou，theHolyVirginwillprotectyou！Amen！"
　　"Andnowletusconcertmeasuresforthestruggle，andconsiderwhatweoughttodo，"saidthefriar，afterapause。"Inthefirstplace，wewillinformAndreasHoferthathiswishesshallbecompliedwith，andthatwewillcallouttheLandsturmandallourforces。Letmewritetohim，therefore，andthenwewillholdacouncilofwar。"
　　Thecouncilofwarlasteduntilmidnight;andwhileallEuropewastrucklingtothe"invincibleEmperorNapoleon，"whileallGermanywaslyinghumblyprostrateathisfeet，andwhilealltheprinceswerebaskinginthesunshineofhisfavor，fourpoormen，neitherlearnednorevenwelleducated，threepeasantsandamonk，wereconcertingmeasurestobiddefianceto"Bonaparte，therobberofcrowns，"andexpelhispowerfularmiesfromtheirmountains！AllGermanywassubjugated，andhadgivenupallfurtherresistancetotheall—powerfulconqueror;onlythesmallTyrolwouldnotsufferherselftobesubjugated;onlythebravesonsoftheGermanmountainswerestillintentonbravingthetyrant，andupholdingtheirlibertyandindependence，despitetheformidableeffortshewasmakingtocrushthem。
　　Alreadyonthefollowingmorningthetocsinsoundedinallthevalleysandonalltheheights，andcalleduponthementofightforthefatherland。AftermidnightthethreebravemenhadleftBrixen;
　　eachhadsetoutinadifferentdirectiontoincitethementoinsurrection，informthemofAndreasHofer'sorder，andimploretheminthenameofthefatherlandtotakeuptheirriflesagainandriskoncemoretheirlivesforthedeliveranceoftheTyrol。
　　FatherHaspingerhadwalkedallnighttoLatzfons，andonthefollowingmorninghepreachedtothepeopleatthechurchofthatplaceanenthusiasticsermon，inwhichhecalleduponthemtomakeonemoreeffortinbehalfoftheirbelovedcountry，andpromisedentireabsolutionforoneyeartoeveryonewhoshouldkilladozenFrenchsoldiers，andabsolutionforfiveyearstoanywhoshouldkilltwiceasmany。[Footnote:Mayer's"Speckbacher，"p。151。]
　　Carriedawaybythesoul—stirringwordsandpromisesoftheCapuchin，fullofardortoservethefatherland，anddesirousofobtainingabsolution，thementookuparms，andevenacompanyofwomenwasformedfortheholyserviceofthefatherland。
　　Atnightonthesamedaythreehundredsharpshootershadralliedaroundthemartialfriar，andwiththemhemarchedtowardUnterau，constantlyreceivingre—enforcementsontheroad;fortheinhabitantseverywhereroseagainasoneman，andwiththeirredoubtedriflesontheirshouldersdescendedeverylateralglenandravine，andjoinedhiscommandtoconquerordieunderhim。
　　Andjoyfulnewsarrivedfromallsides，announcingthattheinhabitantswererisingthroughouttheTyrol。AlreadyPeterMayerandPeterKemnaterhadgatheredaroundthemallthesharpshootersoftheneighboringtownsandvillages，andtheirfourcompaniesnowunitedwiththefriar'stroops。NewsalsocamefromAndreasHofer:
　　hehademergedagainfromthecave，andathiscallallthesharpshootersofthePasseyrvalleyhadralliedaroundhim，andcompanieshadflockedtohimfromallpartsofthecountrytofightagainundertheirbelovedcommander—in—chief。AndreasHoferhadmarchedwiththemacrossthecrestoftheprecipitousJanfen，andhisarmygatheringstrengthlikeamountain—torrentfromeverytributarystreamwhichcrosseditscourse，soonembracedalltheable—bodiedmenofPasseyr，Meran，andAlgund。
　　TheTyrolesebadrisenathirdtimetodefendtheindependenceoftheircountry。
　　CHAPTERXXXI。
　　THEFIRSTBATTLE。
　　WhatthefourmenhadswornattheinnofBrixen，andwhatAndreasHoferhadagreeduponwithhisfriendSpeckbacher，hadsucceeded。
　　ThewholeTyrolhadrisenandwaseagerforthefray。Asmallarmy，commandedbyFatherHaspinger，wasencampednearBrixen，andreceivedhourlyfreshaccessions。PeterKemnaterandPeterMayerwerestilltraversingthecountry，andcallinguponthepeasantstorepairtoFatherRed—beard'scampnearBrixen，andtheirappealswerereadilycompliedwith。ThebravepeasantsofRodeneck，Weitenthal，andSchoneck，ledbytheircourageouspastor，GeorgeSchoneck，cameintocamp;andsodidAnthonyWallnerwiththefourhundredmenwhohadfollowedhimfromthePustervalley。
　　FatherHaspingerreceivedthesebravemenexultingly，andfoldedtheirleader，AnthonyWallner，tenderlytohisheart。
　　"Youhavefoughtagainlikeahero，"heexclaimed，pattinghischeeksaffectionately;"thewholeTyrolisextollingyourexploitsatthemurderousbattleofTaxenbach，andtheyaretellingwonderfulstoriesaboutthesurpassingheroismandbraveryyoudisplayedonthatoccasion。"
　　"Itistrue，wefoughtbravely，"saidAnthonyWallner，sighing;"butitdidnotdomuchgood，fortheenemywastentoone，andwewerefinallyunabletocheckhisadvance。Butwefollowedhim，andwillnowunitewithyou，reverendfather，inordertoexpelhimoncemorefromthecountry。IbelievetherewillbeanotherbattleonMountIsel，fortheenemyisalwaysintentonforcinghiswaytoInnspruck，believingthatthewholeTyrolissubjugatedsosoonasthecapitalhasfallenintohishands。Wemuststrive，therefore，tomeethimthereoncemore;foryouknowtheoldprophecy，sayingthatMountIselwillbealuckyplacefortheTyrolese。"
　　"Idoknowit，"saidthefriar;"andifitpleaseGodwewillverifyit。ThefreedomoftheTyrolisburiedonMountIselnearInnspruck，andwewilldisinterthegoldentreasurethereandcauseittosheditslustreoncemoreonourmountainsandvalleys。Youshallhelpmetodoit，AnthonyWallner，youandyourfamoussharpshootersofWindisch—Matrey。ButpreviouslyIthink，myfriend，weshallhavesomethingtodohere;forourscoutshavereturnedwiththenewsthattheenemyisapproaching。HiscolumnisheadedbySaxonandBavariantroopsundertheFrenchgeneral，Royer;hisforcesarefollowedbythemainarmyunderthecommander—in—chief，MarshalLefebvre，orasheproudlycallhimself，theDukeofDantsic。
　　GeneralRoyerhasgotalreadyasfarasSterzing，andifwedonotinterferetheSaxonswillsoonreachBrixen。"
　　"Butwewillinterfere，"criedAnthonyWallner;"wewillnotallowthemtoadvancetoBrixen，andIwilloccupyimmediatelywithmysharpshootersthemountain—passesontherouteoftheenemy。WewillreceivetheDukeofDantsicwithfireworkswhichwillsaddenhisheart。"
　　"Doso，dearAnthony，"exclaimedHaspinger，joyfully。"ImyselfwillfirstgotoBrixenandteachthemembersofthemunicipalitybettermanners。Theirterrorandanguishhaverenderedthemquiteeloquent，andtheyhavedissuadedmanyhundredpeasants，whowerepassingthroughBrixentojoinmycommand，fromsodoing，andinducedthemtoreturntotheirhomes。Ishallspeakaseriouswordwiththosegentlemen，andteachthemalittlepatriotism。"
　　HaspingernoddedkindlytoAnthonyWallner，andcallingtenofhisbestsharpshooterstohimrepairedtothecityhallofBrixen，wherethemembersofthemunicipalitywereassembled。Hemadethemafuriousspeech，which，however，didnotimpressthegentlemenasforciblyasthethreatswhichheaddedtoit。Hesworethat，ifthemembersofthemunicipalitywouldnothavethetocsinsoundedimmediatelyandsendoutmountedmessengerstocalloutthepeasantsandsendthemtohim，hewouldcauseeveryoneofthemtobehangedorshotinthemorning！Andthisoathwaseffectualenough，fortheterrifiedgentlemenknewfullwellthatFatherHaspingerhadthepowerandthewilltofulfilhisoaths。Hence，thetocsinwassounded，mountedmessengerswereNeatoutinalldirections，andonthefollowingmorningupwardoftwothousandable—bodiedmenarrivedatHaspinger'scamp。[Footnote:"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，"
　　p。110。]
　　"Allright，"saidthefriar;"ifAndreasHoferandSpeckbacherjoinuswiththeirforces，Ibelieveweshallsucceed，andSt。Cassianwillhaveunderstoodourprayers。"
　　WhileAnthonyWallnerandhissharpshootersoccupiedthemountain—
　　gorgesthissideofBrixenontheroadtoMittewald，JosephSpeckbacherandhismenhadpenetratedfarbeyondMittewaldtowardSterzing，andhadlearnedthattheSaxons，underGeneralRoyer，wererestingatSterzingwiththeintentionofadvancinginthemorningthroughthewildvalleyoftheEisachtowardBrixen。
　　"Well，iftheSaxonsarerestingwemustworkinordertoprepareeternalreposeforthem，"saidJosephSpeckbacher，gayly。"Nowcome，mybravelads，wemusttaketheSaxonsbetweentwofires。Theyaremiserablescoundrelsandtraitors。Ah，theydonotshrinkfromservingtherapaciousconquerorBonaparte，andturningtheirarmsagainsttheirGermancountrymen，merelybecausetheFrenchemperorordersthemtodoso，andbecausewerefusetosubmittotheforeignyoke。andaredeterminedtopreserveourGermantongueandourGermanrights！HowdisgracefulitisthatGermansshouldattackGermansatthebiddingoftheforeignoppressor！Therefore，wewillpunishtheSaxonsandBavariansinthenameofGodandtheHolyVirgin。Wewillletthemadvancedownthedefile，andattackthemonlyaftertheyareinit。Theycannotretracetheirsteps，forwearebehindthem;norcantheyadvanceveryfar，forFatherRed—beardwillmeettheminfront。Nowcomeandletusmakefestivepreparations，asitbehoovesthosewhoareexpectingdistinguishedguests。Wewillerectafewtriumphalarchestothem，andshowthemhowavalanchesrolldownourmountains。Ah，wewillbuildupforthemartificialruinswhichwillexcitetheirsincereadmiration！"
　　"Yes，yes，wewill！"shoutedthepeasants，whowenttowork，singingandlaughing。Inthefirstplace，theyerected"triumphalarches"totheenemy;thatistosay，theyobstructedtheroadbyraisinganumberofabatis，besmearedwithpitchthewoodenrailingofthebridgebuiltacrosstheEisachnearthevillageofPleis，loosenedtheplanksofthebridge，andbegantobuild"avalanches。"Theyfelledaconsiderablenumberoftalllarches，tiedropestobothendsofthem，loweredthemhalf—waydowntheprecipitoussideofthemountain，andfastenedtheropesabovetothestrongbranchesoftreesfirmlyrootedinthesoilofthecrest。Thentheythrewhugemassesofrockandheapsofrubbishonthesehangingscaffolds;andafterthe"avalanches"hadthusbeencompleted，theywithdrewcautiouslyandrapidlyintothemountain—gorges。OnlyZoppel，JosephSpeckbacher'sservant，andanoldpeasantremainednearthe"avalanches。"Theystoodonbothsidesoftheropes，hatchetinhand，castingfieryglancesintothedefileonthebankoftheEisach，andbetweenoverhangingwood—cladprecipices。
　　Profoundsilencereignedallaround;onlyfromtimetotimearustlingnoisewasheardintheshrubbery;theflashingbarrelofariflewasthenseen，anditseemedasthoughthefleet—footedchamoisappearedontheheightsabove。ButtheywereTyrolesesharpshooterswhohadclimbeduptothewatch—towersoftheirnaturalfortressestoespytheenemyandonhisappearancetowelcomehimwiththebulletsoftheirrifles。
　　Profoundsilencereignedallaround，andthetwomenwerestillstanding，hatchetinhand，bythesideoftheropesholdingtheartificialavalanches。
　　Allatoncealoud，shrillwhistleresoundedinfrontoftheentrancetothedefile;itwasrepeatedallaroundthegloomygorge。
　　"ThatisthesignalthattheenemyhaspassedtheinnamSackandisenteringthedefileoftheEisach，"murmuredZoppel，examiningoncemoretheedgeofhishatchetwithhishand。Thenhelookeddownattentivelyintothedepth，whereonlyafootpathmeanderedclosealongthebankofthefoamingEisach。
　　Afewsoldierswerenowseenenteringthedefileyonder，wheretheroadprojectedbetweentwojuttingrocksformingthebackgroundofthegorge。
　　TheformofaTyrolesesharpshooterappearedatthesamemomentonthetopoftheprecipitousrock。Hesteppedclosetotheedgeoftherock，allowedthesoldiers，wholookedaroundslowlyanddistrustfully，toadvanceafewsteps，andthenraisedhisrifle。Hefired;oneofthesoldiersfellimmediatelytotheground，andtheTyrolesesharpshooterreloadedhisrifle。Hefiredagain，andlaidanothersoldierprostrate。
　　Thetworeportshadacceleratedthemarchoftheenemy。Thesoldiersenteredthedefilewithahastystep;inordertoadvance，theyhadtoremovethetwosoldierswhowerewrithingintheagonyofdeathandobstructingthenarrowpath，andthrowthemintothewatersoftheEisach，whichreceivedwithawildroarthetwocorpses，thefirstvictimsofthereopeningstruggle。
　　MeanwhiletheTyrolesesharpshooterontheheightabovehadreloadedhisrifleandshotanothersoldier。Onseeingthis，heutteredaloudJodler，madealeapofjoy，andnoddedlaughinglytotheenemy，whocastthreateningglancesonhim。Buthedidnotseethatoneoftheofficersbelowcalledfoursoldierstohim，pointedhishandatthetopoftherock，andgavethemaquickorder。Thefoursoldierssprangatoncefromtheranksanddisappearedintheshrubberycoveringthebaseoftherock。