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