Theywenttobedatanearlyhour。AndreasHoferhadsentthetwoservantsdowntoBrandach，wheretheyweretogetsomearticlesnecessaryforthetriponthemorrow。Hoferandhiswifesleptintheroombelow。CajetanDoeningerandlittleJohnHoferlayinthesmallhay—loft，towhichaladderledupfromtheroom。
　　ButDoeningerdidnotsleep。HethoughtallthewhileofRaffel，whohadcomeuptherethreedaysagoandseenAndreas;hethoughtofDonay，thepriest，towhomRaffelhadbetrayedHofer'splaceofconcealment。HeknewthatDonay，who，uptothedaysofadversity，hadalwaysprofessedtobeHofer'sfriendandanextremepartisanoftheinsurrection，hadsuddenly，sincetheenemyhadreoccupiedtheTyrol，changedhiscolors，becomeapreacherofpeaceandsubmission，andanardentadherentoftheFrench，withwhoseofficersheheldagreatdealofintercourse。HeknewDonay'savariciousandtreacherouscharacter，and，therefore，hetrembledforAndreasHofer'ssafety。Helayuneasyandfullofanxietyonhiscouch，listeningallthewhileforsuspicioussounds。Butnothingwasheardbutthestormhowlingandwhistlingaboutthehut，andtheregularrespirationsofthetwosleepersintheroombelow。
　　Hourpassedafterhour;allremainedsilent，andDoeningerfeltsomewhatrelieved，fordaywouldsoondawn，whenthehourofflightwouldbeathand。Doeningerdroppedhisheadslowlyonthehaytosleepanhourandinvigoratehimselfforto—morrow'strip。However，nosoonerhadhedonesothanhegaveastart，lifteduphisheadagain，andlistened。Hehadheardasoundoutside。Thesound，asitwere，ofmanyapproachingfootstepswhichcreakedonthefrozensnow。
　　Doeningercreptcautiouslytothesmallholeintheroofandlookedout。Themoonshedherpalelightonthewhitesnowfieldaroundthehut，andDoeningercouldseeandrecognizeeverything。Hesawadetachmentofsoldierscomingupyonder。Hesawthemhaltatashortdistancefromthehut。Hethensawtwoformsapproachingthehut。
　　Nowtheystoodstillinfrontofit。Themoonshonebrightlyintothefaceofoneofthem;Doeningerrecognizedhimatonce;itwasRaffel，thebetrayer。TheotherwasaFrenchofficer。Thelatterstoodstillatadistanceofsomestepsfromthehut，butRaffelwentcloseuptothedoor，appliedhiseartoitandlistened。
　　"Theyarehere，"hethensaidtotheofficerinalowvoice。Theofficerimmediatelylifteduphisarmandshouted"Forward！"Thesoldiersadvancedandsurroundedthehut。Allwaslost！
　　Doeningerawakenedthesleepingboy。"John，"hesaidinalowvoice，"letusgodowntofather。TheFrenchhavecome。"
　　Theboyutteredaloudcry。"TheFrenchhavecome！"heexclaimed，despairingly;"theywanttoarrestmyfather！"
　　"Come，"saidDoeninger，imperatively;andhetooktheboyinhisarms，andhastenedwithhimdowntheladderintotheroombelow。
　　"Awake，"hesaid，bendingoverAndreasHofer;"theenemyhascome。"
　　AndreasstartedupandstaredincredulouslyatDoeninger;buthiswiferose，utteringlowlamentations，anddressedherselfhurriedly。
　　"Letusflee，"shemurmured;"quick，quick，letusescapebythebackdoor。"
　　"Thehutissurrounded，"saidDoeninger，assistingHoferindressing。"Wecannolongerflee。"
　　"Isthattrue？"askedAndreas，calmly。
　　"Itis，commander—in—chief。"
　　"Well，then，asitpleasesGod，"saidHofer，crossinghimself;and，traversingtheroomquickly，heopenedthefrontdoor。
　　Thesoldiersstoodfourfilesdeep，shoulderingtheirmuskets。
　　Andreasadvancedfearlesslycloseuptotheenemy。
　　"Isthereoneofyou，gentlemen，whospeaksGerman？"heasked，withentirecalmness。
　　"Ido，"saidtheofficer，steppingrapidlyforward。
　　Andreasgreetedhimwithaproudnodofthehead。"Well，then，"hesaid，"IamAndreasHofer，latecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrolese。
　　Iaskforquarterandgoodtreatment。"
　　"Icannotpromiseanythingtoarebel，"repliedtheofficer，contemptuously。
　　"Butyouhavecometoseizeme，andnonebutme，"continuedAndreas，inagentlevoice。"Well，then，hereIam;dowithmeasyouplease。
　　ButIaskyoutohavemercyuponmywifeandmyson，andthisyoungman，fortheyareentirelyinnocent。"[Footnote:AndreasHofer'sownwords。See"GalleryofHeroes。"]
　　Theofficermadenoreply。Hesignedtohissoldiers，andorderedthemtobindAndreasHoferandtheothersinsuchamannerastorenderitutterlyimpossibleforthemtoescape。
　　Thesoldiersrushedfuriouslyuponthedefenselesscaptives，tiedtheirhandsontheirbacks，andwoundtheropesroundtheirnecks，sothattheycoulddragthemforwardlikeoxen。AndafterbindingAndreasHofer，sothattheywerenolongerafraidofhisstrongarms，theysurroundedhimwithscornfullaughter，torehandfulsofhairfromhisbeard，andsaidtheywouldkeepthem"assouvenirsofGeneralBarbone。"Bloodstreamedfromhislaceratedface，butthecoldfrozeitandtransformedthegorybeardintoabloodredicicle，whichprickedthenumerouswoundsinhischineverymoment，andinflictedintensepain。
　　Andreasdidnotcomplain;helookedonlyathiswife，hisson，andhisfriend，who，boundlikehimself，scantilydressedandbarefootedlikehimself，weredraggeddownthemountain，whichwascoveredwithsnowandice，intotheplainbelow。Hishands，intowhichtheropewascuttingallthewhile，wereverysore;hisbarefeetswelledfromwalkingonthesnowandweretornbytheicicles。StillAndreasdidnotcomplain;butonhearingthelowwailsofhisson，onseeingthateveryfootstepofhiswife，whowasdraggedalongbeforehim，leftabloodyspotinthesnow，heburstintoloudsobs，andtwotearsrolledslowlydownhischeeksintohisbeard，wheretheyfrozeintheblood。
　　ThedreadfulmarchwascontinuedtoMeran。Frenchgenerals，staff—
　　officers，andsoldiersawaitedthetotteringprisonersatthegate。
　　Thesoldiersgreetedthecaptured"banditchiefBarbone"withloudcheersandscornfullaughter;andAndreasHoferandtheothersenteredthecity，precededbyabandwhichplayedaringingmarch。
　　TheFrenchwereoverjoyed，butthecitizensstoodinfrontoftheirhouses，and，regardlessofthepresenceoftheircruelenemies，greetedAndreasHoferwithtearsandloudlamentations。
　　ThejourneywascontinuedonthefollowingdaytoBotzen;onlytheprisoners，whosebleedingandlaceratedfeetrefusedtocarrythemanylonger，hadbeenlaidonacommonfarm—wagon，andsomeclothinghadbeenthrownoverthem。
　　AtBotzenAndreasHoferreceivedcheeringnews。AnobleGermanlady，thewifeofBarondeGiovanelli，haddaredtoimploretheFrenchGeneralBaraguayd'HillierstohavemercyonHofer'sunfortunateandinnocentfamily;tosavethem，shehadkneltdownbeforethegeneralandbesoughthimwithheart—rendinglamentations。Baraguayd'Hilliershadbeenunabletowithstandhersupplications，andconsentedtoreleasethoseforwhomshepleaded。
　　"Theviceroy'sorders，"hesaid，"areonlytotheeffectthattheSandwirthHoferbeconveyedtoMantua。Iyieldtoyourprayers，therefore，madame;hiscompanionsshallbereleased，andshallnotbemolestedagain。Hiswifemayreturnwithhersontoherhome，andcarryontheinnasheretofore;butshemustbecautiousandnotexposeherselftonewdangersbyimprudentwords。Theyoungmanmaygowhereverhepleases。"
　　ThiswasthecheeringintelligencewhichAndreasHoferreceivedonthethirddayofhiscaptivityinthejailwhereheandhisdearoneslayonwetstraw。
　　"See，Cajetan，"heexclaimed，joyfully，"itturnsoutjustasI
　　said。Myseizurereleasesmywifeandmychild，andrelievesthemfromalldangers。"
　　"ButIwillnotleaveyou，"criedAnnaGertrude，embracinghimtenderly;"Iwillstayanddiewithyou。"
　　"Andisoursonyondertodietoo？"askedAndreas，pointingtohisboy。"Andourthreelittlegirls，aretheytobecomeentirelyhelpless，andhaveneitherfathernormothertoprotectthem？AnnaGertrude，youmustbefatherandmothertothem;youmustnotleavethemandourboy。Youmustpreservetheirsmallinheritancetothem，bringthemupinthefearoftheLord，andteachthem，also，tolovetheirpoorfatherandhonorhismemory。"
　　"Husband，dearhusband，Icannotleaveyou，Icannot！"sobbedthepoorwoman。"Donotthrustmefromyourheart，donotleavemebehind，allaloneandwithoutconsolation。"
　　Andreasliftedhisarmandpointeduptoheaven。"ThereisourConsoler，"hesaid;"Hewillhelpyou。ConfideinHim，AnnaGertrude。Gotoyourchildren，befatherandmothertothem，andlovetheminmyandyourname。"
　　Atthismomentthedooroftheprisonopened，andthejailer，followedbysoldiers，camein。
　　"AndreasHofer，"saidthejailer，imperatively，"come！ThewagonwhichistoconveyyoutoMantuaisinreadiness。Asforyouothers，begone;youhavenolongeranybusinesshere。Come，AndreasHofer，come！"
　　"Letmefirstblessmywifeandmyson，myfriend，"saidHofer，and，layinghishandsontheheadsofhiswifeandchild，heblessedtheminaloudvoice，andcommendedthemtotheprotectionoftheLord。
　　Doeningerkneltbehindhim，andAndreasHoferlaidhishandonhisheadalso，blessedhim，andthankedhimforhisloveandfidelity。
　　"Comenow，come！"criedthesoldiers;andtheyseizedhimwithrudeviolenceanddraggedhimforward。
　　AnnaGertrudeburstintoloudlamentationsinhergriefanddespair，andclungtoHoferintheanguishofherlove。
　　"Donotlamentanylonger，"saidAndreas，mildly;"bringyourgriefasanofferingtothecrucifiedRedeemer，andshownowthatyouareHofer'swife。Farewell，love！Kissourchildren！Forwardnow！"
　　Andheledthewaywitharapidstep。AnnaGertrude，paleasacorpse，tremblingandtottering，seizedherson'shandandrushedafterherhusband。CajetanDoeningerfollowedthemresolutelyandwithadefiantexpressionofcountenance。
　　Atthestreet—doorstoodthefarm—wagon，coveredwithstraw，whichwastoconveyAndreasHofertoMantua。Tensoldierswithloadedmusketsstooduponit，andacrowdofsoldierssurroundedit。
　　AndreasHoferwalkedcalmlyandwithheaderectthroughtheirrankstothewagon。Hiswifehadkneltdown;sheweptandsobbedbitterly，andembracedconvulsivelyherson，whogazedindismayathisfather。
　　AndreasHoferhadnowascendedthewagon。Thesoldierssteppedback，andthedriverwhippedupthehorses。
　　Suddenly，CajetanDoeningerelbowedhiswaytothewagon，andsignedtothedrivertostop。
　　"IshallaccompanyHofer，"hesaid，graspingtheside—railingofthewagoninordertomountit。
　　"No，no，"criedthejailer，hasteningtohim。"Youaremistaken，youarefree。"
　　Doeninger，stillclingingtotherailingofthewagon，turnedtohim。"Whatsaidthegeneral'sorder？"heasked。
　　"Itsaid，'theyoungmanisfree，andcangowhereverhepleases。'"
　　"Well，then，"saidDoeninger，mountingthewagon，quickly，"theyoungmanwillaccompanyAndreasHofertoMantua。Forward，driver，forward！"
　　Thedriverwhippedupthehorses，andthewagonstartedforMantua。
　　[Footnote:Donay，thepriestwhobetrayedAndreasHofer，accordingtothegeneralbeliefoftheTyrolese，wassoonafterwardsappointedimperialchaplainatthechapelofLoretto，byaspecialdecreeoftheEmperorNapoleon，andreceived，besides，largedonationsinlandsandmoney。——SeeHormayr's"AndreasHofer，"vol。ii。，p。507。——
　　ThepeasantFrancisJosephRaffel，whohadbetrayedHofer'splaceofconcealmenttoDonay，wasafterwardcalledJudasIscariotthroughouttheTyrol。Everyoneturnedhisbackuponhimwiththeutmosthorror，andthemenofthePasseyrvalleytoldhimtheywouldshoothimifhedidnothanghimselfwithinaweek。RaffelfledingreatdismaytoBavaria，wherethegovernmentgavehimasmallofficeintherevenuedepartment——See"GalleryofHeroes;AndreasHofer，"p。
　　191。]
　　CHAPTERXLII。
　　THEWARNING。
　　TheFrenchhuntedthroughouttheTyrolfortheunfortunatemenwhohadhithertobeentheheroesofthefatherland，butwho，sincetheircausehadsuccumbed，werecalledrebelsandtraitors。Thesoldierswhowereinsearchofthisnoblegame，forwhichlargerewardswereofferedtothem，hadalreadysucceededinarrestingoneoftheheroesoftheTyrol:PeterMayerhadfallenintotheirhands，and，havingbeentriedbyamilitarycommissionatBotzen，wasshot。Buttheyhadbeenunableasyettodiscoverthehiding—placesoftheotherinsurgentleaders，despitethelargepriceswhichthegovernmenthadsetupontheirheads。JosephSpeckbacher，forwhomthesoldierswerehuntingmosteagerly，haddisappeared。TheFrenchandBavariansransackedeveryhousewheretheysuspectedhemightbeconcealed;theyinflictedtheheaviestfinesandmostcrueltorturesonthefriendsofthefugitivechief，becausetheywouldnotbetraytheplacewheretheirbelovedcommanderwasconcealed;butallwasinvain。JosephSpeckbacherhaddisappeared，andsohadFatherHaspingerandAnthonyWallner。[Footnote:Speckbacherhadfledtothehighermountains，where，ononeofthesummitsoftheEisgletscher，inacaverndiscoveredbyhiminformertimeswhenpursuingthechamois，helayforseveralweeksinthedepthofwinter，supportedbysaltprovisions，eatenraw，lestthesmokeofafireshouldbetrayhisplaceofconcealmenttohispursuers。
　　Happeningoneday，inthebeginningofMarch，towalktotheentranceforafewminutestoenjoytheascendingsun，anavalanche，descendingfromthesummitofthemountainabove，swepthimalongwithit，downtothedistanceofhalfamileontheslopebeneath，anddislocatedhiship—boneinthefall。Unablenowtostand，surroundedonlybyiceandsnow，trackedoneverysidebyruthlesspursuers，hissituationwas，toallappearance，desperate;buteventhentheunconquerableenergyofhismindandtheincorruptiblefidelityofhisfriendssavedhimfromdestruction。Summoningupallhiscourage，hecontrivedtodraghimselfalongthesnowforseveralleagues，duringthenight，tothevillageofVolderberg，where，toavoiddiscovery，hecreptintothestable。Hisfaithfulfriendgavehimakindreception，andcarriedhimonhisbacktoRinn，wherehiswifeandchildrenwere，andwhereZoppel，hisdevoteddomestic，concealedhiminaholeinthecowhouse，beneathwherethecattlestood，thoughbeyondthereachoftheirfeet，wherehewascoveredupwithcow—dungandfodder，andremainedfortwomonths，tillhislegwassetandhewasabletowalk。ThetownwasfullofBavariantroops;butthisextraordinaryplaceofconcealmentwasneverdiscovered，evenwhentheBavariandragoons，aswasfrequentlythecase，wereinthestablelookingaftertheirhorses。ZoppeldidnoteveninformSpeckbacher'swifeofherHusband'sreturn，lestheremotionsorvisitstotheplacemightbetrayhisplaceofconcealment。Atlength，inthebeginningofMay，theBavariansoldiershavingleftthehouse，Speckbacherwasliftedfromhislivinggraveandrestoredtohiswifeandchildren。Assoonashewasabletowalk，hesetout，and，journeyingchieflyinthenight，throughthewildestandmostsecludedAlps，byDuxandthesourcesoftheSalza，hepassedtheStyrianAlps，wherehecrossedthefrontierandreachedViennainsafety。Therehewassoonafterjoinedbyhisfamilyandliberallyprovidedfor。
　　HaspingersucceededinescapingintoSwitzerland，whencehetravelledbycross—pathsthroughFriuliandCarinthiatoVienna，wherehereceivedprotectionfromtheemperor。]
　　GeneralBroussierwasespeciallyexasperatedatthelastnamed，thevaliantcommanderofWindisch—Matrey，andhehadpromisedarewardofonethousandducatstohimwhowouldarrest"thatdangerousdemagogueandbandit—chief，AnthonyAichberger—Wallner，"anddeliverhimtotheFrenchauthorities。ButWallnerandhistwosons，who，althoughhardlyabovetheageofboyhood，hadseemedtotheFrenchauthoritiessodangerousthattheyhadsetpricesupontheirheads，werenottobefoundanywhere。Schroepfel，Wallner'sfaithfulservant，hadtakentheboysintothemountains，wherehestayedwiththem;afternightfallhewentdowntoMatreytofetchprovisionsforthelonelyfugitives。
　　AnthonyWallner'sfinehousewassilentanddesertednow。OnlyhiswifeandhisdaughterElizalivedinit，andtheypassedtheirdaysindrearylonelinessandincessantfearandanguish。ElizaWallnerwasalone，allaloneandjoyless。ShehadnotseenherbelovedElzasincethedaywhenshewasmarried。SheherselfhadstartedthesamenightwithHaspingerforherfather'sheadquarters。ElzahadremainedwithheryounghusbandinInnspruck，whereherfatherdiedonthefollowingday;andaftertheoldBaronhadbeenburied，ElzahadaccompaniedherhusbandtoMunich。Fromthenceshewrotefromtimetotimelettersoverflowingwithferventtendernesstoherbelovedfriend，andtheselettersweretheonlysunbeamswhichilluminatedEliza'scheerlesslife;theseletterstoldherofherfriend'shappiness，ofherattachmenttoheryounghusband，whotreatedherwiththeutmostkindnessandtenderness。
　　Elizahadreceivedthisafternoonanotherletterfromherfriend;
　　withamelancholysmileshereadElza'sdescriptionofherdomestichappiness，andhereyeshadunconsciouslyfilledwithtearswhichrolledslowlydownherpalecheeks。Shedriedthemquickly，buthermother，whosatoppositehernearthelampandseemedtobebusilysewing，hadalreadyseenthem。
　　"Whydoyouweep，Lizzie？"sheasked。"HaveyougotbadnewsfromElza？"
　　Elizashookherheadwithamournfulsmile。"No，dearmother，"shesaid;"thankGod，myElzaishappyandwell，andthatismyonlyjoy。"
　　"Andyetyouweep，Eliza？"
　　"DidIweep，then？"sheasked。"ItwasprobablyatearofjoyatmyElza'shappiness。"
　　"No，Lizzie，itwasnotearofjoy，"criedhermother，mournfully。
　　"Iseeyouoftenintears，whenyouthinkthatIdonotnoticeit。
　　Youaregrieving，Lizzie，donotdenyit;youaregrieving。YousacrificedyourloveandhappinesstoElza，andshedoesnotevenknowit;shedoesnotthankyou，andyouwillpineaway。Iseeverywellhowsadyouare;andyoubecomepalerandmoreemaciatedfromdaytoday。Yes，yes，youwilldieofgrief，foryoustillloveUlrichvonHohenberg。"
　　"No，"criedEliza，vehemently，blushingdeeply，"Idonotlovehim。
　　Ihaveburiedmyloveinmyheart，anditreposesthereasinashrine。ItistrueIthinkofitveryoften，Ipraytoit，butI
　　havenounholythoughtsandfeelnosinfuldesires。IamgladthatmyElzaissohappy;yes，IamgladofitandthankGodforit。ButhowcanIbemerryandlaugh，mother，solongasmydear，dearfatherhasnotreturnedtous？Hemusthidelikeacriminal;theyarechasinghimlikeawildbeast;heisalwaysindanger，andwemustconstantlytrembleforhissafety。AndIcannotdoanythingforhim，Icannotsharehisdangers，IcannotbewithhiminthedreadfulsolitudeontheAlpabove。Imustlookoninidleness，andcannotbeusefultoanyone，neithertomyfather，nortomybrothers，nortoyou，dearmother。Icannothelpmyfatherandbrothers，andcannotcomfortyou，mother;forImyselfamindespair，andwould——whatwasthat，mother？Didnotsomeoneknockatthewindow—shutter？"
　　"Hush，hush！"whisperedhermother;"letuslisten。"
　　Theylistenedwithbatedbreath。Elizahadnotbeenmistaken;someoneknockedasecondtimeatthewindow—shutter，andthevoiceofamanwhispered，"Mrs。Wallner，areyouintheroom？Openthedoortome！"
　　"Itmustbeagoodfriendofours，forthedogsdonotbark，"saidEliza;"wewilllethimcomein。"
　　Shetookthelampandwentoutcourageouslytodrawtheboltfromthestreet—doorandopenit。
　　Yes，shehadnotbeenmistaken，itwasreallyagoodfriendoftheirs;themanwhoenteredthehousewasoneofthefewfriendswhohadnotdeniedAnthonyWallner，andwhohadnotturnedtheirbacksuponhisfamilysinceitwasoutlawedandindistress。
　　"Youbringusbadnews，PeterSiebermeier？"askedEliza，anxiously，gazingintothemountaineer'spaleanddismayedface。
　　"UnfortunatelyIdo，"sighedSiebermeier，steppinghastilyintothesitting—roomandshakinghandswithEliza'smother。"Mrs。Wallner，"
　　hesaid，inbreathlesshurry，"yourhusbandisinthegreatestdanger，andonlyspeedyflightcansavehim。"
　　Mrs。Wallnerutteredapiercingcry，sankbackintoherchair，wrungherhands，andweptaloud。Elizadidnotweep;shewascalmandcourageous。"Tellme，Siebermeier，whatcanwedoforfather？Whatdangerthreatenshim？"
　　"Abadman。Ibelieve，theclerkofthecourt，hasinformedtheFrenchthatAnthonyWallnerisstillononeoftheheightsinthisneighborhood。GeneralBroussierintendstohavehimarrested。A
　　wholebattalionofsoldierswillmarchto—morrowmorningtothemountainofOber—Peischlagandoccupyit。"
　　"GreatGod！myhusbandislost，then！"criedEliza'smother，despairing;"nothingcansavehimnow。"
　　"Hush，mother，hush！"saidEliza，almostimperatively;"wemustnotweepnow，wemustthinkonlyofsavinghim。Tellme，friendSiebermeier，istherenowayofsavinghim？"
　　"Thereisone，"saidSiebermeier，"buthowshallwegetuptohim？A
　　friendofmine，whoisacquaintedwiththemembersofthecourt，informedmequitestealthilythat，ifAichbergercouldbesavedyet，itshouldbedonethisverynight。NowlistentotheplanIhavedevised。Iintendedtosetoutto—morrowmorningtopeddlecarpetsandblankets，formoneyisveryscarceinthesehardtimes。I
　　procured，therefore，apassportformyselfandmyboy，whoistocarrymybundle。Hereisthepassport——andlook！thedescriptioncorrespondsnearlytoWallner'sappearance。Heisofmystatureandage，hashairandwhiskerslikemine，andmightbepassedoffformyself。Iamquitewillingtolethimhavemypassport，andconcealmyselfmeanwhileathomeandfeignsickness。Thepassportwouldenablehimtoescapesafely;ofcoursehewouldhavetojourneythroughtheAlps，foreveryoneknowshimintheplain。However，thepassportcannotdohimanygood，forthereisnoonetotakeituptohim。Iwoulddoso，butthewoundwhichIreceivedinourlastskirmishwiththeBavarians，inmysidehere，preventsmefromascendingthemountain—paths;and，eventhoughIcouldgouptohim，itwouldbeuseless，forwetwocouldnottraveltogether，thepassportbeingissuedtotwopersons，Siebermeier，thecarpet—
　　dealer，andtheboycarryinghisbundle。Theboyisnotdescribedinthepassport;therefore，Ithought，ifoneofyoursonswereintheneighborhood，hemightgouptohisfather，warnhimofhisdanger，andaccompanyhimonhistripthroughthemountains。"
　　"Butneitheroftheboysishere，"saidMrs。Wallner，despairingly;
　　"SchroepfeltookthemtotheAlpinebutnearUpperLindeau，andiswiththem。Wetwoareallalone，andthereis，therefore，nowayofsavingmydearhusband。"
　　"Yes，mother，thereis，"criedEliza，flushedwithexcitement。"I
　　willgouptofather。Iwillwarnhimofhisdanger，carryhimthepassport，andfleewithhim。"
　　"You！"criedhermother，indismay。"Itisimpossible！Youcannotascendtheroad，whichisalmostimpassableevenformen。Howshouldagirl，then，beabletogetoverit，particularlyinthenight，andinsoheavyasnow—storm？"
　　"Youwillbeunabletoreachyourfather，Lizzie，"saidSiebermeier;
　　"theroadisprecipitousandverylong;youwillsinkintothesnow;
　　yourshoeswillstickinit，andthestormwillcatchyourdress。"
　　"NoroadistooprecipitousformeifIcansavemyfather，"
　　exclaimedEliza，enthusiastically。"Imustreachhim，andGodwillenablemetodoso。Waithereamoment，Iwillbebackimmediately。
　　Iwillpreparemyselfforthetrip，andthengivemethepassport。"
　　"Shewillloseherlifeintheattempt，"saidMrs。Wallner，mournfully，aftershehadhastenedoutoftheroom。"Alas！alas！I
　　shalllosemyhusband，mysons，andmydaughtertoo！Andallhasbeeninvain，fortheTyrolisruined，andwehavetosufferthesedreadfulmisfortuneswithouthavingaccomplishedanything！"
　　"Andtheenemyactswithmercilesscrueltyinthecountry，"saidSiebermeier，furiously;"hesetswholevillagesonfireifhethinksthatoneofthefugitivesisconcealedhere;heimposesonthepeopleheavywar—taxes，whichweareunabletopay;andifwesaywehavenomoney，hetakesourcattleandotherpropertyfromus。Wailsandlamentationsaretobeheardthroughoutthevalley;thatisallwehavegainedbyourbloodystruggle！"
　　Atthismomentthedooropened，andElizacamein，nothoweverinherowndress，butinthecostumeofaTyrolesepeasant—lad。
　　"Heavens！shehasputonherbrotherWilliam'sSundayclothes，"
　　criedhermother，withamournfulsmile;"andtheysitaswellonherasiftheyhadbeenmadeforher。"
　　"Now，Siebermeier，"saidEliza，holdingoutherhandtohim，"givemethepassport。Themoonisrisingnow，andImustgo，"
　　"Butlisten，mydaughter，howthewindhowls！"criedhermother，indeepanguish。"Itbeatsagainstthewindowsasiftowarnusnottogoout。Oh，Lizzie，mylastjoy，donotleaveme！Ihavenooneleftbutyou;staywithme，myLizzie，donotleaveyourpoormother！Youwilldieintheattempt，Lizzie！Stayhere;havemercyuponme，andstayhere！"
　　"Imustgotofather，"repliedEliza。disengagingherselfgentlyfromhermother'sarms。"Givemethepassport，friendSiebermeier。"
　　"Youareabravegirl，"saidSiebermeier，profoundlymoved;"thegoodGodandtheHolyVirginwillprotectyou。There，takethepassport;youareworthytocarryittoyourfather。"
　　"AndIshallcarryittohimordieontheroad，"criedEliza，enthusiastically，wavingthepaper。"Now，dearmother，donotweep，butgivemeyourblessing！"
　　Shekneltdownbeforehermother，whohadlaidherhandonherhead。
　　"Lord，myGod，"sheexclaimed，solemnly，"protecthergraciouslyinherpiousefforttosaveherfather。Takeyourmother'sblessing，myLizzie，andthinkthatherheartandloveaccompanyyou。"
　　Shebentoverher，andimprintedalongkissonherdaughter'sforehead。
　　"Imustgonow，itishightime，"saidEliza，makingaviolentefforttorestrainhertears。"Farewell，friendSiebermeier;Godandthesaintswillrewardyoufortheserviceyouhaverenderedus。"
　　"MybestrewardwillbetolearnthatWallnerissafe，"saidSiebermeier，shakinghandswithher。
　　"Now，alastkiss，dearestmother，"saidEliza。Sheencircledhermothersneckwithbothherarms，andkissedhertenderly。"Prayformeandloveme。"Shewhispered;"andifIshouldnotcomeback，ifI
　　shouldlosemylife，mother，writeittoElzaandtoHIM，andwritethatIdiedwithloveandfidelityinmyheart。Farewell！"
　　Shedisengagedherselfquicklyandhastenedoutoftheroom，regardlessofthedespairingcriesofhermother，andnotevenlookingbacktoher。Itwashightimeforhertosetout。
　　Shewasinthestreetnow。Thesnowrushedfuriouslyintoherface;
　　thebowlingstormdashedmadlyagainsthercheeksuntiltheybecameverysore，butthemoonwasintheheavensandlightedherpath。ItwasthesamepathwhichshehadascendedwithUlrichwhensavinghim。Shewasalonenow，buthercourageandhertrustinGodwerewithher;strengthenedandrefreshedbyherloveforherfather，sheascendedthesteepmountainpath。Attimesthepiercingwindrenderedherbreathlessandseizedherwithsuchviolencethatshehadtoclingtoaprojectingrockinordernottofallfromthebarrowpathintotheabyssyawningatherfeet。Attimesavalanchesrolledclosetoherwiththunderingnoiseintothedepthandenvelopedherinacloudofsnow;butthemoonshedhersilverlightonherpath，andElizalookedupcourageously。
　　Forgetfulofherowndanger，sheprayedinherheartonly，"GodgrantthatImaysavemyfather！Letmenotdiebeforereachinghim！"
　　CHAPTERXLIII。
　　THEFLIGHT。
　　AnthonyWallnersatinhislonelyAlpinehutontheheightnearthevillageofOber—Peischlag，andlistenedtothestorm，whichhowledsoloudlyto—nightthatthebutshookandhewasunabletosleeponhiscouchofstraw。Hehadlightedhislamp，andsatmusinglyatthepinetable，leaninghisheadonhishand，andbroodingmournfullyoverhisdrearyfuture。Howlongwouldhehavetoremainhereinhisopengrave？Howlonewouldhebechasedyet，likeawildbeast，frommountaintomountain？Howlongwouldhebeobligedyettoleadanidleandunprofitablelifeinthisfrozensolitude，exposedtothefuryoftheelements，andinconstantdreadoflosingthismiserablelife？Thesewerethequestionsthatheaskedhimself;intenserageseizedhisheart，tearsofbittergrieffilledhiseyes——nothowever，athisownmisfortunes，butatthemiseriesofhisfatherland。
　　"WhatamIsufferingfor？WhatdidIfightandriskmylifefor？
　　Whatdidweallshedourbloodfor？Whatdidourbrethrendieforonthefieldofbattle？Thefatherlandwasnotsaved，theFrenchdefeatedus，andouremperorabandonedus。Wewerebravedefendersofourcountry，andnowtheycalluscriminals;weintendedtosavethefatherland，andnowtheycallusrebelsandtraitors！Theemperorgivesusawaylikeapieceofmerchandise，regardlessofhissacredpledges，andtheFrencharechasingusasthoughwewerethievesandmurderers！AndThousufferestit，Godinheaven？Thou——
　　Hark！didnotthatsoundlikeashot？Isitthewindthatisknockingsoloudlyatmydoor？"
　　Hesprangtohisfeet，tookuphisrifle，cockedit，andaimedatthedoor。
　　Therewasanotherknockingatthedoor;no，itwasassuredlynotthestormthatwasrappingandhammeringatitsoregularly。No，no，itwastheenemy！Hehadspiedhimout，hehaddiscoveredhistrack，hehadcometoseizehim！
　　"Iwillsellmylifedearly，"murmuredAnthonyWallner，grimly。"I
　　willshootdownthefirstmanwhoopensthedoor;thenIwillforceapassagethroughtherankswiththebutt—endofmyrifle，and——"
　　"Father，"criedavoiceoutside，"father，openthedoor！"
　　"GreatGod！"murmuredWallner，"didnotthatsoundlikemyLizziecallingme？Butthatisimpossible;itcannotbeshe;shecannothaveascendedthemountain—path;thestormwouldhavekilledher，and——"
　　"Father，dearfather，prayopenthedoor，"shoutedthevoiceagain，andsomebodyshookthedoor。