"Theemperor，itseems，wasunabletodoanythingfortheTyrol，"
saidWorndleinalowvoice。"HehadtoconsentthattheTyrolshouldberestoredtotheFrenchandBavarians。"
"Butthatisimpossible！"criedAndreas，despairingly。"Hepledgedushisword，hissacredword，thathewouldneverconsenttoapeacethatwoulddetachtheTyrolfromAustria。Howcanyounowinsultthedearemperorbysayingthathehasbrokenhisword？"
"Hehasnotbrokenhisword，buthewasunabletokeepit。Look，commander—in—chief，Ibringyouanotherletter，towhich，asyousee，isaffixedalargeimperialseal，thesealoftheViceroyofItaly，whowrotethelettertoyouandalltheTyrolese。"
"Readit，"exclaimedAndreas，mournfully;"Icannot，myeyesarefilledwithtears。Readittome，sir。"
Worndlereadasfollows:
"TothepeopleoftheTyrol:HismajestytheEmperoroftheFrench，KingofItaly，ProtectoroftheConfederationoftheRhine，myaugustfatherandsovereign，andhismajesty，theEmperorofAustria，havemadepeace。Peace，therefore，reignseverywherearoundyou。Youaretheonlypeoplewhichdoesnotenjoyitsblessings。
Seducedbyforeigninstigations，youtookuparmsagainstyourgovernmentandoverthrewit。Themelancholyconsequencesofyourseditiouscoursehaveovertakenyou。Terrorreignsnowinyourtowns，idlenessandmiseryinyourfields，anddiscordanddisorderaretobefoundinallpartsofthecountry。Hismajestytheemperorandking，profoundlymovedbyyourwretchedcondition，andtheproofsofrepentancewhichsomeofyouhavemanifestedtohim，hasconsentedinthetreatytoforgiveyourerrors。Ibringyoupeaceandforgiveness，butIwarnyouofthefact，thatyouwillbeforgivenonlyifyoureturnofyourownaccordtolawandorder，laydownyourarms，andoffernolongeranyresistancewhatever。Ascommander—in—chiefofthearmiessurroundingyou，Ishallacceptyoursubmissionorcompelyoutosurrender。Commissionerswillprecedethearmies;theyhavebeeninstructedtolistentowhatevercomplaintsandgrievancesyoumaywishtoprefer。But，donotforgetthatthesecommissionersareauthorizedtolistentoyouonlyafteryouhavelaiddownyourarms。Tyrolese！Ipromisethatyoushallobtainjusticeifyourcomplaintsandgrievancesarewell—grounded。
HeadquartersatVillach，October25，1809。"
"EUGENENAPOLEON。"[Footnote:Hormayr's"AndreasHofer，"vol。1。，p。
490。]
BaronvonWorndlehadlongsinceceasedtoread，andstillAndreasHoferstoodmotionless，hishandsfoldedonhisbreast，hisheadthrownback，andhiseyesturnedtowardheaven。Allgazedinrespectfulsilenceuponthattall，imposingformwhichseemedfrozenbygrief，andatthatpale，mournfulface，andthosepiouseyes，whichseemedtoimploreconsolationandsalvationfromheaven。
AtlastDoeningerventuredtoputhishandsoftlyonHofer'sarm。
"Awake，dearcommander—in—chief，"hesaidinalowvoice，"awakefromyourgrief。Thesegentlemenherearewaitingforananswer。
Tellthemwhatyouthink——""WhatIthink？"criedHofer，givingastartanddroppinghiseyesslowly。"WhatIthink？Ithinkthatwearepoor，unhappymen，whohavevainlyriskedourpropertyandourblood，ourlibertyandourlives。Tellme，then，myfriends，isitpossiblethattheEmperorFrancis，whomwealllovedsodearly，andwhopledgedushiswordsosolemnlyandoften，hasabandonedusafterall？Cajetan，doyoubelieveit？"
"Itisinblackandwhitehere，"saidDoeninger，inhishabituallaconicstyle，pointingtotheproclamationoftheArchdukeJohn。
"Itisthearchduke'shandwriting;Iamfamiliarwithit。Youneednolongerquestionitsauthenticity。Peacehasbeenconcluded。"
"Peacehasbeenconcluded，theemperorhasabandonedhisTyrol，theTyrolislost！"criedAndreas，inaloudoutburstofgrief;andhislong—restrainedtearsstreamedfromhiseyes。Andreaswasnotashamedofthem。Hethrewhimselfonachair，buriedhisfaceinhishands，andweptaloud。
"TheTyrolislost，"hesobbed;"allmydearcountrymenareinprofounddistress，and，moreover，intheutmostdanger;ourbeloved，beautifulcountrywillhavetoshedriversofblood，andnothingwillbeheardbutwailsandlamentations。Fortheemperorhasabandonedus，theenemywillre—enterthecountry，killandburn，andwreakaterriblerevengeuponourpeople！LordGod，"heexclaimedallatonce，"canInotdoanything，then，formydearcountry？Tellme，myfriends，canInotdoanythingtoavertthisgreatcalamityandsavethelivesofmydearcountrymen？"
"Yes，Andreas，"saidBaronvonWorndle，"youcandoagreatdealfortheTyrolandyourcountrymen。Youcanpreventbloodshed，softenthevindictivenessoftheenemy，andinducehimtosparethevanquishedandwreaknorevengeonthedisarmed。WriteaproclamationtotheTyrolese，admonishthemtokeepquiet，andorderthemtolaydowntheirarms。Returnyourselftoyourhome，yourinn，andyouwillhavedoneonthismournfuldaymorefortheTyrolthanyouhavebeenabletodoforituptothistime;foryouwilltherebysavetheTyrolfromuntolddisasters，whichwillsurelybefallthecountryifyouresumehostilitiesagainstenemieswhoareahundredtimessuperiortous。Itisimpossibleforustowithstandthemsuccessfully。Theircolumns，wellprovidedwithartillery，aremovinguponallsides，andthewholeTyrol，astheViceroyofItalywrites，issurrounded。Wehavenocourseleftbutsubmission。OrdertheTyrolese，therefore，tosubmit，setagoodexampletothemyourself，andtheTyrolissaved，andnomorebloodwillbeshed。"
"Nomorebloodwillbeshed！"repeatedAndreasHofer，joyously。
"Well，then，Iseethatyouareright，andthatwehavenocourseleftbutsubmission。Itistrue，theemperorhasabandonedus，butthegoodGodwillstillstandbyus;andonseeingthatwearehumbleandsubmissive，Hewillhavemercyuponus。Sitdown，Cajetan;Iwilldictatealettertoyou。TowhommustIwriteonbehalfofmybelovedcountry？"
"WritetoGeneralDrouet，"saidDoeninger。"ItwashewhowrotetoyouyesterdayfromInnspruck，informingyouoftheconclusionofpeace，andpromisingthat，ifyouandalltheTyrolesewouldsubmit，noharmshouldbefallanyone。Yourefusedtoanswerhisletterbecauseyoudidnotbelievehim。"
"Ididnotbelievehim，"saidAndreas，gently，"forIstillbelievedinmyemperor。ButIseenowthatGeneralDrouetwasright;Iwill，therefore，writetohim，andrecommendmycountryandthegoodandbraveTyrolesetohismercy。Takeupthepen，Cajetan，andwrite。"
AndAndreasHoferdictatedinalow，tremulousvoice，ofteninterruptedbysighswhichissuedfromhisbreastlikethegroansofadyingman，alettertoGeneralDrouet，inwhichhepromisedintouchingwordsthattheTyrolesewouldlaydowntheirarms，andsaidtheywouldtrust，forpardonandoblivionofthepast，tothemagnanimityofNapoleon，whosefootstepswereguidedbyasuperiorpower，whichitwasnolongerpermittedthemtoresist。
"There，"hesaid，afterconvincinghimselfthatDoeningerhadwrittenexactlywhatbehaddictated，"nowgivemethepen，Cajetan。
Iwillsignitmyself。"
Hebentoverthetable，andwrotequicklywhathehadsooftenwrittenunderhisdecrees，"AndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol。"
Butthenhegaveastart，andcontemplatedhissignaturelongandmusingly。Heavingaprofoundsigh，andcastingamournfulglancetowardheaven，hetookupthepenasecondtime，andaddedtheword"late，"slowlyandwithatremblinghand，tohistitle"commander—
in—chiefoftheTyrol。"[Footnote:"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，"p。173。]
"Nowcome，Cajetan，"heexclaimed，throwingdownthepen，asifitwasaviperwhichhadwoundedhim，"come，Cajetan。Iwillgotomysharpshootersandexhortthemtodisband，andafterwardIwillreturnwithyoutomyinninthePasseyrvalley，inordertosetagoodexampletoall，andshowthemhowtosubmitquietlyandpatiently。"
AndAndreasHoferactedaccordingly。Heorderedhismentodisband，andaftertheyhadobeyedhisorderinsullensilence，hehimself，accompaniedonlybyhisfaithfulCajetanDoeninger，wentbacktohishome。
Butneitherthejoyouswelcome，withwhichhiswife，faithfulAnnaGertrude，receivedhim，northejubilantshoutsofhischildren，couldarouseAndreasHoferfromhismournfulbrooding，orbringasmiletohislips。Hedidnotrejoiceathisreturntohisdearones;hepaidnoattentiontohisbusiness，hedidnotgotothestablesandbarnsasheusedtodo;buthesathanginghishead，hishandsfoldedonhisknees，staringatthefloor，andsighingfromtimetotime，"Mypoorcountry！Howcouldtheemperorabandonus？"
OnlywhenCajetanDoeningerwasnotwithhim，AndreasHoferbecameuneasy;heglancedaroundanxiouslyandcalledforhissecretary;
whenthelatterhastenedtohim，heheldouthishandandsaidinalow，tremulousvoice，"Cajetan，donotleaveme。IalwaysthinkI
mayhavesomethingtowriteyet，anditseemstomeasthoughwhatI
dictatedtoyouatSteinach，declaringmyreadinesstosubmit，werenotthelastofmyofficialpapers。Somethingelsemustcomeyet，——
yes，somethingelse。Iknowit，forthisstateofaffairscannotlast。Therefore，Cajetan，staywithmethatyoumaybereadyandabletowritewhenthehourhascome。"
Cajetanstayedwithhim;bothsattogetherinsilence，andabsorbedintheirgloomyreflections，andthedayspassedslowlyandmournfully。
Itwasontheafternoonofthefifthday，andAndreasHofersatinsilence，asusual，inthegloomyroom。Everythingwasstillwithout。Allatoncethisprofoundsilencewasbrokenbyahumofmanyvoicesandloudnoise。
Hoferlookedupandlistened。"Thatsoundsasifwewerestillatwar，andasifmysharpshootersweremarchingup，"hesaid。
"AndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！"shoutedloudvoicesunderthewindows。
Hoferjumpedup。"Whocallsme？"heshouted，inapowerfulvoice。
Atthismomentthedoorwasthrownopenviolently，andfourmountaineers，armedwiththeirrifles，camein。Hofersawthroughtheopendoorthattheyardinfrontofthehousewasthrongedwithpeasants，andalllookedwithflashingeyesthroughthedooratHofer;andtheyshoutednow，"AndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，comewithus，come！"
AndreasHoferseemedallatonceanimatedbynewlife;hiseyesshotfire，hisformwasdrawnuptoitsfullheight，andhisheadroseagainproudlybetweenhispowerfulshoulders。
"Whatdoyouwantofme，mydearcountrymen？"heasked，goingtomeetthem。
Oneofthefoursharpshooterswhohadenteredtheroomnowcameforward，andplacedhimselfwithadefiantfaceinfrontofHofer。
"Wewantyou，"hesaid。"ThreethousandFrenchsoldiersaremarchingacrosstheJanfen。ThereisgreatexcitementinthePustervalley，andsomefightinghastakenplace。AnthonyWallnerhasdriventheBavarianslongsinceacrossthefrontier，andSpeckbacherandtheCapuchinhavemarchedtotheMuhlbachPassinordertoattackRusca。
Andwhyarewetokeepquiet，then？WhyarewetoallowtheFrenchtoenterthePasseyrvalley？"
"Wewillnotallowthemtodoit！"shoutedthepeasantsoutside。
"No，wewillnotallowtheFrenchtoenterthePasseyrvalley。"
"Youhearit，commander—in—chief，"saidthefirstspeaker。"Weareallreadyanddetermined。NowsaywhatwearetodowiththeFrench。
Willyoudoanythingornot？"
"Yes，willyoudoanythingornot？"repeatedthepeasants，penetratingwithfuriousgesturesintotheroom。
"Ifyoudonotwanttodoanything，"criedthepeasant，raisinghisriflemenacingly，"myrifleisloadedforyouaswellasforanyFrenchman。Youcommencedtheinsurrection，nowputitthrough。"
[Footnote:Loritza，"BilderandErinnerungenausTyrol'sFreiheitskampfenvon1809，"p。14。]
"Butyouknow，countrymen，thatIcannot！"criedHofer。"TheemperorhasmadepeacewithBonaparteandabandonedus。Whatcoursehaveweleftbutthatofsubmission？Wemustyield，ortheTyrolwillberuinedentirely。"
"Butwedonotwanttosubmit，"shoutedthepeasants，furiously。
"Andthewholecountryisofouropinion;nooneiswillingtosubmit。Wewilldieratherthansubmit。"
"Issueanotherproclamationcallingouttheable—bodiedmen！"saidthefirstspeaker。
"Yes，issueanotherproclamation，commander—in—chief，"shoutedthecrowd。"Wewillfight，wemustfight！"
"Andyoushallandmustbeourleader！"exclaimedthepeasant，layinghisheavyhandonHofer'sshoulder。"Wewillcompelyoutogowithusorkillyouasatraitor。Issueanotherproclamation。Wemenarestillthesameasbefore，andsoisourcause;nowyoumustlikewisebethesameAndreasHofer，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrol！"
"Yes，"exclaimedAndreas，witharadiantface，drawingadeepbreath，asifrelievedfromanoppressiveburden，"yes，Iwillbethesameasbefore。Thisstateofaffairscannotcontinue。Wemustfight;wehadbetterdiethanleadsuchalife。Go，Doeninger，go;
writeaproclamation！"
"Hurrah！Longliveourcommander—in—chief，"shoutedthepeasants，triumphantly;"longliveourdearfaithfulAndreasHofer！"
"Ithankyou，mydearcountrymen，"saidAndreas;"Iamyourleadernow，andwewillfightagain。Butdonotholdmeresponsiblefortheeventsofthefuture。Youmustneverforgetthatyoucompelledmetoresumewar。Iintendedtosubmithumblyandpatiently，butyouwouldnotallowmetodoso，anddraggedmeforciblyfrommyretirement。
Thebloodystrugglewillcommenceagain——Godgrantusprotection，andfurthervictories！Wearenotgoingtofightfrommotivesofprideandarrogance，butonlyforthesakeofourcountry——becausewewanttoremainGermans，anddonotwanttobecomeFrenchsubjects，andbecausewewanttokeepourGod，ourliberty，andourconstitution。Amen！"
CHAPTERXLI。
BETRAYALANDSEIZUREOFHOFER。
Warwasnowresumedatallpoints;buttheforcesbroughtfromallsidesagainsttheTyrolweresoimmensethatnohoperemainedtotheinhabitantsbutbydeedsofglorytothrowalastradiancearoundtheirfall。TheTyrolesefoughtwithdesperatevalor，buttheirheroismwasunavailing。Thesuperiorforcesoftheenemywereeverywherevictorious。TheartilleryoftheBavariansandFrenchthinnedtheranksofthemountaineersfromdaytoday;wholeranksoftheTyrolesebeingmoweddownbytheballsoftheenemy。Theyfledpanic—struckintothemountains。Thevictoriousinvaderspenetratedfartherandfartherintotheinteriorofthecountry;
burningtownsandvillagesmarkedtheroutewhichtheyfollowed，andwailsandlamentationsrenttheairwherevertheymadetheirappearance。
BeforethemiddleofDecemberallresistancehadbeenoverpowered。
Theenemystalkedinamercilessmanneroverthegory，reeking，groaningTyrol，andpursuedrelentlesslyallwhohaddaredtoriseagainsthim。Hehadpromisedoblivionandforgivenessinreturnforpeacefulsubmission;butastheTyrolesehadnotsubmitted，butcontinuedthestruggle，theenemynowthreatenedtorevengehimselfandpunishthevanquished。
Afuriouschasenowcommenced。Everyonewhohadbeenseizedwitharmsinhandwasshot;everyonewhoconcealedoneofthepursuedpatriotsinhishousewasexecuted，andhishousewasburneddown。
TheleadersoftheTyrolesehadfledintothemountains，buttheFrenchgeneralspromisedlargerewardsfortheheadsofthemostinfluentialpatriots;andthesoldierstraversedthecountry，impelledbythirstforrevengeandgain，spyingeverywherefortheoutlawedmountaineers，andascendingeventothesnow—cladsummitsofthemountainsinordertoobtainthelargerewards。Asyet，however，theyhadnotsucceededinseizingoneofthepursuedchiefs。TheFrenchgeneralshadvainlypromisedarewardoftenthousandflorinsfortheapprehensionofAndreasHofer，andrewardsoffivethousandflorinsfortheseizureofJosephSpechbacher，AnthonyWallner，andJoachimHaspinger。Theyhaddisappeared，andthepatrolsandsoldiers，whowerehuntingforthem，hadnotyetbeenabletodiscoverthehiding—placeofanyofthefourgreatchiefsoftheinsurrection。Themountains，thosenaturalfortressesoftheTyrol，protectedtheoutlawedcommanders;andintheAlpinehuts，amidstthechamoisandvultures，whichalonesawandknewtheirhiding—places，therewerenotraitors。
Retiringtohisnativevalley，AndreasHoferlongeludedthesearchofthevictors。HisplaceofconcealmentwasasolitaryAlpinehut，fourleaguesdistantfromhishome，ingeneralinaccessiblefromthesnowwhichsurroundedit。LovehadaccompaniedAndreastothisinhospitablespot。HiswifeandhissonJohnwerewithhim，andsowasCajetanDoeninger，hisfaithfulsecretary。LovehadaccompaniedhimtotheAlpinehutofhisfriendPfandler;lovewatchedoverhiminthevalleybelow。ManypeasantstherewerewellawareofHofer'splaceofconcealment，butnoonebetrayedhim，noonewastemptedbytherewardoftenthousandflorinswhichBaraguayd'Hilliers，theFrenchgeneral，offeredforHofer'sapprehension。TheyoftensawPfandler'sservants，loadedwithallsortsofprovisions，wendingtheirwayslowlyandpainfullyupthesnow—cladAlp;buttheyavertedtheirheads，asthoughtheydidnotwanttoseeanything，andprayedGodinalowtonetoprotectthemessengerswhoconveyedfoodtoHoferandhisdearones。Thepeasantsinthevalleyforborecarefullytospeakamongeachotherofwhattheyknew;onlytheytreatedPfandlerwithreverentialtenderness，shookhandswithhimquietly，andwhispered，"Godblessyouandhim！"Attimes，onaclearwinterday，whenthinsmokecurledupsuddenlyfromtheAlp，thepeasantsinthevalleylookedupsighinglyandwhisperedcompassionately，"Theyhavebuiltafireintheirhut。Thecoldissosevere。Godblessthem！"Butwheneveronewhomtheydidnottruststeppeduptothem，wonderingatthesmoke，andsayingthatsomebodywasconcealedupthere，andhadbuiltafireinordernottofreezetodeath，theotherslaughedathim，andsaidtherewasnosmokeatall，butonlysnowblownupbythestorm。
Oneday，however，astrangerarrivedinthevalley，andaskedwhisperinglyforAndreasHofer，towhom，hesaid，hewouldbringassistanceandsafety。Atfirstnoonerepliedtohim;butheshowedthemapaper，bearingthenameandsealoftheArchdukeJohn，andcontainingthefollowingwords，writtenbytheprincehimself:"HelpmymessengertofindAndreasHofer，andbringhimassistanceandsafety。"
Onreadingthis，thepeasantsdistrustedhimnolonger。TheyglancedfurtivelyuptotheSchneeberg，pointedtothetwowanderers，loadedwithbaskets，whoweretoilingupthemountainthroughthesnow，andwhisperedalmostinaudibly，"Followthem！"
Themessengerdidso。Heclimbedafterthetwoservants，andascendedwiththemtheinhospitable，dreary，anddesertedheights。
AtlengthhearrivedinfrontoftheAlpinehut;heknockedatthedoor，andaskedadmittanceinthenameofGodandtheArchdukeJohn。
Thedooropenedimmediately，andonthethresholdappearedHofer'stall，beardedform，aserectandvigorousasithadbeeninthedaysofhissplendor，andhismild，honesteyegreetedthenew—comer。
"HewhocomesinthenameofGodandtheArchdukeJohnwillnotdeceiveme，"saidAndreas，kindly。"Comein，therefore;foryoumusthavegoodintentionstowardme，inasmuchastheseverecolddidnotdeteryoufromcominguptome。"
"IndeedIhavegoodintentionstowardyou，"saidthemessenger。"Doyounotknowme，then，Andy？IamAnthonySteeger，theArchdukeJohn'sgunsmith。"
"Oh，yes，nowIknowyou！"exclaimedAndreas，joyfully。"IsawyouinViennaatthetimeweweretheretodeviseplansforthedeliveranceoftheTyrol。Well，comein，AnthonySteeger;comeintomywife，myson，andmysecretary。"
HeconductedAnthonySteegerintotheroom，wherethethreegreetedhim，andmaderoomforhiminfrontofthehearth，onwhichlargebilletsofwoodwereburning。AnthonySteegerlookedaroundinthiswretchedroom，whichcontainednothingbutafewricketywoodenchairs，andarough—hewnpinetable，andthewallsandwindowsofwhichwereprotectedfromthecoldbythickliningsofhayandstraw。
"Yes，youmaywelllookaroundinmypalace，"saidAndreas，smilingly;"itisnotverygorgeoushere，butthegoodGodiswithus，andHewillhelpustogetalong。"
"AndtheArchdukeJohnwillhelpyoualso，"saidAnthonySteeger。
"Listentome，Andreas。Thearchdukesendsmetoyou。Hesendsyouhisgreetings，andentreatsyoutocomewithyourfamilytohimandstaywithhimallyourlifelong，or，ifyoushouldnotliketodothat，atleastuntilyoucanliveagainsafelyintheTyrol。Thearchdukehasalreadyfittedupahouseforyouinavillagewhichbelongstohim;youshalllivetherewithyourwholefamilyasthebelovedandhonoredguestsofthearchduke。Heimploresyoutoaccepthisinvitation。Ihavewithmeeverythingthatisnecessaryforyourflight，Andy。Thearchdukehasgivenmemoney，apassportforyouandyourfamily，andsafeguardsissuedbytheFrenchgenerals。Iamfamiliarwiththeroadsandby—pathsinthisvicinity，andwillconveyyousafelythroughthemountains。Thearchdukehasthoughtofeverythingandprovidedforeverything。"
"ItisverykindinthedearArchdukeJohnnottohaveforgottenme，"saidAndreas，deeplymoved;"itishonestandfaithfulthatheshouldliketotakecareofmeandrewardmylove。Anditisverykindinyou，too，AnthonySteeger，tohaveactedinthisspiritofself—denial。Youhavecomefromagreatdistancetosaveus，andarenotafraidofventuringwithusuponthismostdangerousflight。"
"Andyouacceptmyoffer，Andy，andconsenttoaccompanyme，doyounot？"
"Andwhatofthem？"askedAndreas，castingatenderglanceonhiswifeandhisson。"Therouteacrosstheglaciersisimpassableforawomanandachild。"
"Firstsaveyourself，myAndy，"exclaimedAnnaGertrude;"saveyourselfforusandthecountry。Afteryouaregoneandhavearrivedataplaceofsafety，theenemywillhardlytroubleusanymore，andIwillfollowyouthenwiththechildren。"
"Youneednotbeanxious，sofarasyourwifeandchildrenareconcerned，"saidDoeninger。"Iwillnotleavethem，butbringthemtoyou。"
"Praydonothesitate，Andy，"saidAnthonySteeger，urgently。"Thearchdukeimploresyounottogrievehimbyrejectinghisoffer，buttorelievehisconsciencefromtheheavydebtwhichhehashithertobeenunabletodischargetotheTyrol。Youshallescapeforhissakeandforthegoodofthefatherland，andsaveyourlifeforbettertimes，whichwillsurelydawnupontheTyrol。Doit，Andreas。Letusgotoworkimmediately。See，Ihavewithmeallthatyouneed，andweartwosuitsofclothes;oneisdestinedforyou，andyouwillputiton。Andhereistherazor，withwhichweshallshaveoffyourbeard;andwhenitisgone，andyouhaveputonthenewclothes，noonewillscenttheBarboneinthemanwithaforeigndressandasmoothchin。Come，now，Andy，anddonothesitate。"
"Iamtomakequiteanothermanofmyself，"saidAndreas，shakinghishead，"merelytosavemymiserablelife？IamtodenymydearPasseyr？Iamtoshaveoffmybeard，whichIhavewornsolonginanhonorablemanner，andbywhicheveryoneknowsmethroughouttheTyrol？No，AnthonySteeger，Iwillneverdothat！"
"Ifyoudonot，Andreas，youarelost，"saidAnthonySteeger。"IamafraidtheFrencharealreadyonyourtrack。Apeasantsaidhehadseenyouupheretheotherday。"
"Yes，itwasRaffel。Hecameupheretolookforhiscow，andmetmehere。ButIgavehimmoneynottobetraymysecret，andhepromisedmesolemnlythatbewouldnot。"
"Hemusthaveviolatedhispledgealready，Andy;forhetoldDonay，thepriest，aboutit，andthelatterboastedpubliclyyesterdaythathewasawareofAndreasHofer'splaceofconcealment。"
"Itistrue，Donayisabadandmeanman，"saidAndreasHofer，musingly;"butIdonotbelievehewillbesomeanastobetrayme，whomhealwayscalledhisbestcommander—in—chiefanddearestfriend。"
"Heismeanenoughtodoit，"murmuredDoeninger。"Themagnitudeofthepricesetonyourheadwillinducehimtobetrayhisbenefactor。"
"Andy，"criedAnnaGertrude，burstingintotears，andclingingtoherhusband，"saveyourself！Ifyoulovemeandthechildren，saveyourself;cutoffyourbeard，putonthenewsuitofclothes，andescapefromyourbloodthirstyenemies。Saveyourself，forthesakeofyourwifeandyourpoorchildren！"
"Icannot，"saidAndreas，mournfully，embracinghiswifetenderly;
"no，sohelpmeGod，Icannotleavemydear，unhappycountry。IknowfullwellthatIshallnotavertanycalamitiesfromtheTyrolbystayinghere，butIwillatleastshareitsmisfortunes。Iwasunabletosavemynativecountry;Iwillthereforesufferwithit。A
goodcaptaindoesnotdeserthisshipwreckedvessel，butdieswithit;andthusIwillnotdesertmycountryeither，butdiewithit。I
willdoallIcantosavemyself，butIwillnotleavetheTyrol;I
willnotcutoffmybeardnorputonotherclothes。Iwillnotmaskanddisguisemyself，butwillremaininadversitywhatIwasinthedaysofprosperity，AndreasHofer，theBarbone。Statethattothedeararchduke，AnthonySteeger，andtellhimalsothatIamverygratefultohimforwishingtosavemeinhisway，andthatIhopehewillnotbeangrywithmeforbeingunabletoaccepthiskindoffer，orforwishingtoliveanddiewithmycountry。Ifhewishestodoanythingforme，lethimgototheEmperorFrancis，andtellhimIamwellawarethathehimselfwouldneverhaveforgottenus，butthathisbadministersdiditall，andbetrayedthepoorTyrolsoperfidiously。LethimbeseechtheemperortointercedevigorouslyinbehalfoftheTyrolandofmyself，butnottoseparatemefromtheTyrol。"[Footnote:"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，"p。188。]
"Andreas，"criedhiswife，despairingly，"youarelost——Ifeelithereinmyheart——youarelost，ifyoudonotfleewithSteegerthisverynight。"
"AndIfeelithereinmyheartthatImuststayhere，eventhoughI
shouldbelost，"saidAndreas，firmly。"Well，youmustweepnomore，AnnaGertrude;andyou，AnthonySteeger，acceptmycordialthanksforyourkindandgenerousintentions。"
"Thenyouhavemadeupyourmind，Andy，nottogowithme？"
"Ihave，Anthony。Butifyouwilldomeagreatfavor，takemywifeandmyboywithyou，fortheenemythreatensthemaswellasme。
Takethemwithyou，Anthony，conveythemacrossthemountains，andconductthemtotheArchdukeJohn。"
"Itisimpossible，"saidAnthonySteeger，mournfully，"theroadsaresofullofsnowthattheyareutterlyimpassableforwomenandchildren。"
"Andyouwouldadvisemetoleavethemhere？"askedAndreas，Hofer，reproachfully。"Iamtoleaveheremymostprecioustreasuresmerelytosavemymiserablelife？No，myfriend，IshallstayherewithmywifeandchildandDoeningerthere。Butyoumustgonowandsaveyourself;for，iftheenemyshouldreallycome，itwouldbebadforyoutobefoundhere。"
"Iwillgo，Andy，nottosavemyself，however，buttoconveyyourmessagespeedilytothearchduke，thathemaysaveyouinanotherwaybytheemperor'sintercession。InthevalleyIshalltelleveryonethatyouarenolongerinthisAlpinehut，buthavealreadysucceededinescapingtoVienna，sothatitwillbeunnecessaryfortheenemytopursueyouanylonger。"
"Doso，AnthonySteeger;andiftheybelieveyou，Ishallbegladofit。Butgonow;Iamanxiousonyouraccount，andthinksomethingmighthappentoyouhere。Go，mydearfriend。"
HedrewSteegertothedoor，and，notpermittinghimtotakealongleaveoftheothers，conductedhimoutofthehut，andthenembracedhimtenderly。"NowlistentowhatIwishtotellyou，"hewhispered，inalowvoice。"Imuststayheretosavemywifeandmyboy。Thetwocannotfleenow，asyouyourselfadmittedtome。IfIshouldescapenow，andleavethemhere，theenemywouldspyouttheirplaceofconcealmentandrevengehimselfuponthem;hewouldtortureandkilltheminhisrageatnothavingcapturedme。ButifIstay，andtheFrenchshouldfindme，Ibelievetheywouldreleasemywifeandmysonanddonoharmtothem;forthentheywouldhavegotme，andtheyareentirelyinnocent。Go，then，mydearfriend;tellthearchdukeallIhavesaidtoyou，andgreethimathousandtimesfromhisfaithfulAndy。Nowfarewell，andgowithGod'sblessing！"
HenoddedoncemorekindlytoAnthonySteeger。andreturnedquicklyintotheAlpinehut。Hefoundhiswifeintears;littleJohn，herson，waskneelingbeforeher，withhisheadagainsthismother'sknees，andweepingalso。Doeningerstoodatthehearthandstaredintothefire。
AndreasHoferwenttohimandlaidhishandgentlyonhisshoulder。
"Cajetan，"heasked，mildly，"didIdoright？"
"Yes，commander—in—chief，youdid，"saidDoeninger，solemnly。
"Iwanttotellyousomethingmore，Cajetan，"addedAndreas。"WhatSteegersaidaboutRafelandDonaymaybetrue;theFrenchmayhavediscoveredmyplaceofconcealment，andmaycomeuphere。Hence，dearCajetan，youmustleavemeandescape，lesttheyshouldseizeyou，too。"
"Agoodservantleaveshismasternomorethanacaptaindesertshisshipwreckedvessel，"saidDoeninger，firmly。"Yourefusetoleaveyournativecountryinitsadversitybecauseyouloveit。Irefuse，likewise，toleaveyouinthedaysofyouradversity，becauseIloveyou。Ishallstayhere。"
AndreasHoferencircledDoeningerwithhisarmsandfoldedhimtenderlytohisheart。"Staywithme，then，myCajetan，"hesaid，affectionately。"Godknowsmyheartwouldhavegrievedhadyouconsentedtoleaveme。Andnow，AnnaGertrude，donotweepanylonger。Makehaste，dearwife，packupallyourthings，andletusgoearlytobed。Forearlyinthemorningwewillleavethishut。I
knowanotherAlpinehutatnogreatdistancefromhere;Ibelievewewillbeabletogetthither，andwewilltakewithusasmanythingsaswecancarry。Makehaste，therefore，dearAnnaGertrude！"
AnnaGertrudedriedhertears，and，flushedwithnewhope，packeduptheirthingsinfoursmallbundles，sothateachmightcarryoneaccordingtohisstrength。
Nightcameatlast——thelastnightwhichtheyweretopassatthishut。Atthebreakofdaytheyweretosetoutfortheirnewplaceofconcealment。