Wallnerlaiddownhisrifleandhastenedtothedoor。"MayGodprotectmeiftheydeceiveme，butIbelieveitisLizzie。"
Hethrewopenthedoor;thelittleTyroleseladrushedin，embracedhimtenderly，kissedhimwithhiscoldlips，andwhispered，"Myfather！thankGod，Iamwithyou！"
"ItisLizzie！"criedWallner，inaringingvoice。"Shehascometomethroughnightandstorm！Itismydaughter，mydear，deardaughter！Oh，joyofmyheart，howwereyouabletogetuphereinthisterriblenight？Nomanwouldhavedaredtoattemptit。"
"ButIdaredit，father，forIamyourchild，andloveyou。"
"Youloveme，andIthankGod！"heexclaimed，foldinghertenderlyandanxiouslytohisheart;"IthankGodforsavingyou，and——"
Hefalteredandburstintotears，whichhedidnottrytoconceal。
Heweptaloudandbitterly，andElizaweptwithhim，andneitherofthemknewwhethertheyweptforjoyorgrief。
Elizawasthefirsttoovercomeheremotion。"Father，"shesaid，raisingherheadquickly，"theenemyisonyourtrack，andearlyto—
morrowmorningtheFrencharegoingtooccupythemountaininordertoarrestyou。ThatisthereasonwhyIhavecomeuptoyou，foryoumustfleethisveryhour。"
"Flee？"hecried，mournfully。"HowcanI？ThefirstBavarianorFrenchgendarmeonthefrontier，whomeetsmeandasksmeformypassport，willarrestme。Ihavenopassport。"
"Hereisapassport，"saidEliza，joyfully，handinghimthepaper，"Siebermeiersendsittoyou。"
"Thefaithfulfriend！Yes，thatishelpinneed。NowIwilltrywithGod'saidtoescape。You，Lizzie，willreturntomother，andbringherathousandgreetingsfromme;andassoonasIamacrossthefrontier，youshallhearfromme。"
"Imustgowithyou，father，"saidEliza，smiling。"ThepassportisvalidforSiebermeier，thecarpet—dealer，andhisson。Nowyousee，dearfather，Iamyourson，andshallfleewithyou。"
"No，"criedherfather，indismay;"no，youshallneverdoso，Lizzie。ImustjourneythroughthewildestandmostsecludedAlps，andyouwoulddieintheattempttofollowme，Lizzie。"
"AndeventhoughIknewthatIshoulddie，father，Ishouldgowithyou，"saidLizzie，joyfully。"Youcannotfleewithoutme，andIdonotlovemylifeverydearlyifitcannotbeusefultoyou，dearfather。Therefore，saynomoreaboutit，anddonotrejectmyofferanylonger;forifyoudo，itwillbeinvain，becauseIshallfollowyouforallthat，andnoroadistooprecipitousformewhenIseeyoubeforethe。Therefore，come，dearfather;donothesitateanylonger，butcomewithyourlittleboy。Youcannotfleewithoutme;therefore，letustryitcourageouslytogether。"
"Well，Iwilldoso，mybravelittleboy;IbelieveImustcomplywithyourwish，"exclaimedWallner，foldinghertenderlytohisheart。"Youshallaccompanyme，youshallsaveyourfather'slife。
Oh，itwouldbegloriousifGodshouldgrantmethesatisfactionofbeingindebtedformylifetomydeardaughterLizzie！"
"Come，now，father，come;everyminute'sdelayincreasesthedanger。"
"Iamready，Lizzie。Letmeonlyseeifmyrifleisingoodorderandputonmypowder—pouch。"
"Youcannottakeyourriflewithyou，noryourpowder—poucheither。
YouarenolongerthebravecommanderofthesharpshootersofWindisch—Matrey，butSiebermeier，thecarpet—dealer，averypeaceableman，whodoesnottakehisrifleandpowder—pouchwithhimonhistravels。"
"Youareright，Lizzie。Butitishardindeedtofleewithoutarms，andtobedefencelessevenincaseofanattackbytheenemy。AndI
donotwanttoletmyriflefallintothehandsoftheFrenchwhentheycomeuphere。Iknowaholeintherockcloseby;Iwilltakeitthereandconcealittillmyreturn。Come，now，Lizzie，andletusattempt，withGod'said，toescapefromtheenemy。"
Hewrappedhimselfinhiscloak，tooktherifle，andbothleftthehut。
Daywasnowdawning:somerosystreaksappearedalreadyintheeasternhorizon，andthesummitsoftheglacierswerefaintlyilluminated。Elizasawit，butshedidnotrejoicethistimeatthemajesticbeautyofthesunrise;itmadeheronlyuneasyandsad，andwhileherfatherconcealedhisriflecarefullyintheholeintherock，Elizaglancedaroundanxiously，murmuringtoherself:"Theyintendtostartatdaybreak。Itisnowafterdaybreak;thesunhasrisen，andtheyhavedoubtlesssetoutalreadytoarresthim。"
"Nowcome，"saidherfather，returningtoher;"wehavealongjourneybeforeusto—day，forwemustpasstheAlpsbyhunters'
pathsuptotheIsel—Tauerkamm。Weshallpassthenightattheinnthere:inthemorningweshallcontinuethejourney，and，ifitpleaseGod，weshallreachtheAustrianfrontierwithinthreehours。"
Andtheydescendedthemountain，handinhandandwithfirmsteps，andenteredtheforest。
Nothingwastobeheardallaround;notasoundbrokethepeacefulstillnessofawakingnature;onlythewindhowledandwhistled，andcausedthebranchesofthetreestocreak。Thesunhadrisenhigherandhigher，andshedalreadyitsgoldenraysthroughtheforest。
"Iwouldwehadpassedthroughthethicketandreachedtheheightsagain，"saidAnthonyWallner，inalowvoice。"Wewereobligedtodescendinordertopassroundtheprecipiceandthesteepslope;weshallafterwardsascendthemountainagainandremainontheheights。ButifthesoldiersfromWindisch—Matreymeetushere，wearelost，fortheyknowmeandwillnotpayanyattentiontomypassport。"
"Godwillnotpermitthemtomeetus，"sighedLizzie，acceleratinghersteps。Theykeptsilentalongwhile，andnotasoundwastobeheardaroundthem。Allatoncebothgaveastart，fortheyhadheardthenoiseofheavyfootstepsandtheclangofarms。Theyhadjustpassedthroughtheclearingintheforestandwerenowagainclosetothethicket，bythesideofwhichtherewasasmallchapelwithalargecrucifix。Theyturnedandlookedback。
"Theenemy！theenemy！"criedAnthonyWallner，pointingtothesoldierswhowerejuststeppingfromtheothersideoftheforest。
"Lizzie，wearelost！Ah，andIhavenotevengotmyrifle！Imustallowmyselftobeseizedwithoutresistance！"
"No，wearenotyetlost，father;lookatthechapel。Maybetheyleavenotyetseenus。Letusenterthechapelquickly。Thereisroomenoughforustwounderthealtar。"
Withoutgivingherfathertimetoreply，Elizahastenedintothechapelanddisappearedbehindthealtar。InasecondWallnerwaswithher，and，clingingclosetoeachotherandwithstifledbreath，theyawaitedthearrivaloftheenemy。
Nowtheyheardfootstepsapproachingrapidlyandvoicesshoutingoutaloud。Theycamenearerandnearer，andwerenowclosetothechapel。ItwasaBavarianpatrol，andthetwo，therefore，couldunderstandeverywordtheyspoke，andeverywordfrozetheirhearts。
TheBavarianshadseenthemtheywereconvincedthattheymustbecloseby;theyexhortedeachothertolookdiligentlyforthefugitives，andalludedtotherewardwhichawaitedthemincasetheyshouldarrestAnthonyWallner。
Bothlayunderthealtarwithheartsthrobbingimpetuously，andalmostsenselessfromfearandanguish;Elizamurmuringaprayerwithquiveringlips;AnthonyWallnerclinchinghisfists，andfirmlyresolvedtosellhislifedearlyanddefendhimselfandhischildtothelastdropofblood。
Theenemieswerenowclosetothem;theyenteredthechapelandadvancedtothealtar。Eliza，paleandalmostfaintingfromterror，leanedherheadonherfather'sshoulder。
TheBavariansstrucknowwiththebutt—endsoftheirmusketsagainsttheclosedfront—sideofthealtar;itgaveadull，hardsound，forthefugitivesfilledthecavity。
"Thereisnooneinthere，forthealtarisnothollow，"saidoneofthesoldiers。Thefootstepsthereuponmovedawayfromthealtar，andsoonallwassilentinthechapel。WallnerandLizzieheardonlyfootstepsandvoicesoutside，theymovedawayfartherandfarther，andafterafewsecondsnotasoundbrokethesilence。
Thefugitiveslaystillbehindthealtar，motionless，listening，withheartsthrobbingimpetuously。Couldtheydaretoleavetheirplaceofconcealment？Wasitnot，perhaps，amerestratagemoftheenemytokeepsilent？Hadthesoldierssurroundedthechapel，andweretheywaitingmerelyforthemtocomeout？Theywaitedandlistenedforhours，buttheircoweringpositionbenumbedtheirblood;itstiffenedtheirlimbsandmadetheirheadsache。"Father，Icannolongerstandit，"murmuredEliza;"Iwilldieratherthanstayhereanylonger。"
"Come，Lizzie，"saidWallner，raisinghimselfupandjumpingoverthealtar，"come！I，too，thinkitisbetterforustodiethanhidethuslikethieves。"
Theyjoinedhandsandleftthechapel，lookinganxiouslyinalldirections。Buteverythingremainedsilent，andnotaBavariansoldiermadehisappearance。
"Theyaregone，indeedtheyaregone，"saidWallner，triumphantly。
"Nowwemustmakehaste，mygirl;weshallascendtheheight;thefootpathleadsuphereintherearofthechapel;withintwohoursweshallreachthesummit，and，ifourfeetdonotslip，ifwedonotfallintothedepth，ifnoavalancheoverwhelmsus，andifthestormdoesnotfreezeus，IthinkweshallreachtheIsel—Tauerkammto—night，andsleepattheinnthere。MaytheHolyVirginprotectus！"
AndtheHolyVirgindidseemtoguardtheintrepidwanderers——toenablethemtocrossabyssesonfrailbridges;topreventthemfromsinkingintoinvisiblecleftsandpitscoveredwithsnow;tomakethemsafelyescapetheavalanchesfallingdownhereandthere，andprotectthemfromfreezingtodeath。
TowarddusktheyreachedatlengththeinnontheIsel—Tauerkamm，utterlyexhaustedbyfatigue，hunger，andfrost，andenteredthebar—roomontheground—floor。Nobodywastherebutthelandlord，agloomy，morose—lookingman，whoeyedthenew—comerswithevidentdistrust。
Whenthetwowanderers，scarcelyabletoutteraword，seatedthemselvesonthebenchatthenarrowtable，theland—lordsteppeduptothem。
"Iamnotallowedtoharboranyonewithoutseeinghispassport，"hesaid。"ThereareallsortsoffugitivevagabondsprowlingaroundheretohidefromtheBavarians，whoaresearchingthewholedistrictto—day。Givemeyourpassport，therefore。"
Wallnerhandedhimthepaperinsilence。Thelandlordreaditattentively，andseemedtocomparethetwowiththedescriptioninthepassport。"H'm！"hesaid，"thecarpet—dealerandhisson——thatcorrespondstowhatthepassportsays;butwhereisthebundleofcarpets？"
AnthonyWallnergaveaslightstart;herecoveredhispresenceofmindimmediately，however，andsaidcalmly，"Thecarpetsareallsoldalready;weareonourreturntoWindisch—
Matrey。"
"See，seehowluckyyouhavebeen，"saidthelandlord，laughing;
"thepassportsaysyoustartedonlyyesterdaymorning，andto—dayyouhavealreadysoldallyourcarpets。Well，inthatcase，youarecertainlyjustifiedinreturningtoyourhome。Yourpassportisingoodorder，andtheBavarians，therefore，willnotmolestyou。"
"Asmypassportisingoodorder，Isupposeyouwillgiveusbeds，and，aboveallthings，somethingtoeatanddrink。"
"Youshallhaveeverything，thatistosay，everythingthatIcangiveyou。Iamallalonehere，andhavenothingbutapieceofham，bread，andcheese，andaglassofwine。Asforbeds，Ihavenotgotany;youmustsleeponthebenchhere。"
"Well，wewilldoso;butgiveussomethingtoeatnow，"saidWallner，"andaddalittlefueltothefire，thatwemaywarmourselves。"
Thelandlordaddedsomebrushwoodandafewbilletstothefire，fetchedtheprovisions，andlookedonwhilethewandererswerepartakingofthefoodwitheagerappetite。Allatoncehesteppedquicklyuptothem，seatedhimselfonthebenchoppositethem，anddrewapaperfromhispocket。"Iwillreadsomethingtoyounow，"hesaid。"TherewereBavariansoldiershereto—day;theygavemeanewdecree，andorderedmetoobeyitunderpainofdeath。Listentome。"
Andheread，inaloud，scornfulvoice"Knowallmenbythesepresents，thatanyinhabitantoftheGermanorItalianTyrol，whodarestoharborAnthonyWallner，calledAichberger，latecommanderofthesharp—shootersofWindisch—Matrey，orhistwosons，shalllosehiswholepropertybyconfiscation，andhishouseshallbeburneddown。"[Footnote:Loritza，p。130。]
"Didyouhearit？"askedthelandlord，afterreadingtheproclamation。
"Idid，"saidWallner，withperfectcomposure，"butitdoesnotconcernus。"
"Yes，itdoes。IbelieveyouareAnthonyWallner，andtheladthereisoneofyoursons。"
AnthonyWallnerlaughed。"Forsooth，"hesaid，"ifIwereWallnerI
shouldnotbesostupidastoshowmyself。IbelieveheishidingsomewhereinthemountainsnearWindisch—Matrey。ButIthinkI
resemblehimalittle，foryouarenotthefirstmanwhohastakenmeforAnthonyWallner。AndthattheladthereisnotoneofAnthonyWallner'ssons，Iwillswearonthecrucifix，ifyouwantmetodoso。"
"Well，well，itisallright，Ibelieveyou，"growledthelandlord。
"Nowliedownandsleep;thereisapillowforeachofyou，andnowgood—night;Iwillgotomychamberandsleeptoo。"
Henoddedtothemmorosely，andlefttheroom。
"Lizzie，doyouthinkwecantrusthim？"askedWallner，inalowvoice。
Elizamadenoreply;sheonlybeckonedtoherfather，slippedontiptoeacrosstheroomtothe。door，andappliedhereartoit。
Therewasapause。Thentheyheardthefrontdoorjar。
"Father，"whisperedEliza，hasteningtoWallner，"hehasleftthehousetofetchthesoldiers。Iheardhimwalkthroughthehalltothefrontdoorandopenit。Hehasleft，andlockedusup。"
"Lockedusup？"criedWallner，andhastenedtothedoor。Heshookitwiththestrengthofagiant，butthelockdidnotyield;theboltsdidnotgiveway。
"Itisinvain，invain！"criedWallner，stampingthefloorfuriously;"thedoordoesnotyield;wearecaughtinthetrap，forthereisnootheroutlet。"
"Yes，father，thereis;thereisthewindow，"saidEliza。"Come，wemustjumpoutofthewindow。"
"Butdidyounotsee，Lizzie，thatthehousestandsonaslope，andthatastaircaseleadsoutsidetothefrontdoor？Ifwejumpoutofthewindow，weshallfallatleasttwentyfeet。"
"Butthereisagreatdealofsnowontheground，andweshallfallsoftly。Iwilljumpoutfirst，father，andyoumustfollowmeimmediately。"
AndElizadisappearedoutofthewindow。Wallnerwaitedafewsecondsandthenfollowedher。Theyreachedthegroundsafely;thedeepsnowpreventedtheleapfrombeingdangerous;theysprangquicklytotheirfeet，andhastenedonasfastastheirwearylimbswouldcarrythem。
Itwasacold，darknight。Themoon，whichshonesobrightlyduringthepreviousnight，wascoveredwithheavyclouds;thestormsweptcloudsofsnowbeforeit，andwhistledandhowledacrosstheextensivesnow—fields。Butthewandererscontinuedtheirjourneywithundauntedhearts。
Allatoncesomethingstirredbehindthem;theysawtorchesgleamingup，andBavariansoldiersaccompanyingthebearersofthetorches。
Thesoldiers，headedbythelandlordwhohadfetchedthem，rushedforwardwithwildshoutsandimprecations。ButWallnerandElizalikewiserushedforwardlikeroeshunteddown。Theypantedheavily，thepiercingstormalmostfrozetheirfaces，theirfeetbled，buttheycontinuedtheirflightatarapidrate。Nevertheless，thedistanceseparatingthemfromtheirpursuersbecameshorterandshorter。TheBavarians，providedwithtorches，couldseetheroadandthefootstepsofthefugitivesinthesnow，whilethelatterhadtorunblindlyintothenight，unabletoseewhithertheirfeetwerecarryingthem，andexhaustedbythelongjourneyoftheprecedingday。
Thedistancebetweenpursuersandpursuedrapidlydiminished;
scarcelytwentyyardsnowlaybetweenthem，andthesoldiersextendedtheirhandsalreadytoseizethem。Atthismomentofextremeperilthestormcameuphowlingwithredoubledfuryanddrovewholecloudsofsnowbeforeit，extinguishedthetorchesoftheBavarians，andshroudedeverythinginutterdarkness。Thejoyfulcriesofthepursuedandtheimprecationsoftheirpursuerswereheardatthesametime。
WallnerandEliza，whoseeyeswerealreadyaccustomedtothedarkness，advancedatarapidrate，thesoldiersfollowedthem，butblindedbythedarkness，unabletoseetheroad，andcallingeachotherinordertoremaintogether。Thesecallsandshoutsaddedtotheadvantagesofthefugitives，fortheyindicatedtothemthedirectionwhichtheyhadtotakeinordertoavoidtheenemy。
Finally，theshoutsbecameweakerandweaker，anddiedawayentirely。
Thefugitivescontinuedtheirflightmoreleisurely;buttheycouldnotrestandstandstillinthedark，coldnight，forthestormwouldhavefrozenthem，thecoldwouldhavekilledthem。Theydidnotspeak，butadvancedbreathlesslyandhandinhand。Allatoncetheybeheldalighttwinklinginthedistancelikeastar。Therewasahouse，then，andmenalso。Theywalkedonbriskly，andthelightcamenearerandnearer。Nowtheysawalreadythehousethroughwhosewindowsitgleamed。Inafewminutestheywereclosetothehouse，infrontofwhichtheybeheldatallpost。
"GreatGod！"criedAnthonyWallner;"Ibelievethatisaboundary—
post，andwearenowonAustriansoil。"
Heknockedhastilyatthedoor;itopened，andthetwowanderersenteredthesmall，warm，andcozyroom，wheretheywerereceivedbyamaninuniform，whosatatthetableeatinghissupper。
AnthonyWallnerwentcloseuptohimandpointedtohisuniform。
"YouweartheAustrianuniform"heasked。
"Ido，sir，"saidtheman，smilingly。
"AndwearehereonAustriansoil？"
"Yes，sir。Theboundary—postisinfrontofthishouse。ThisisanAustriancustom—house。"
AnthonyWallnerthrewhisarmaroundEliza'sneckandkneltdown。Heburstintotears，andexclaimedinaloud，joyousvoice，"LordGodinheaven，IthankThee！"
Elizasaidnothing，buthertearsspokeforher，andsodidthesmilewithwhichshelookeduptoheavenandthenatherfather。
Thecustom—houseofficerhadrisenandstoodprofoundlymovedbythesideofthetwo。
"Whoareyou，myfriend？"heasked;"andwhydoyouweepandthankGod？"
"WhoamI？"askedWallner，risinganddrawingElizaupwithhim。"I
amAnthonyWallner，andthisismydaughterLizzie，whohassavedmefromtheBavarians。ThegoodGod——"
Hesaidnomore，butleanedtotteringlyonEliza'sshoulder，andsanksenselesstotheground。
Elizathrewherselfuponhim，utteringloudcriesofanguish。"Heisdead，"shecried，despairingly;"heisdead！"
"No，heisnotdead，"saidtheofficer;"theexcitementandfatiguehaveproducedaswoon。Hewillsoonberestoredtoconsciousnessandgetoverit。CarefulnursingshallnotbewantingtoAnthonyWallnerinmyhouse。"
Hehadprophesiedcorrectly。AnthonyWallnerawokeagain，andseemedtorecoverrapidlyunderthekindnursingofhishostandhisdaughter。
Theyremainedtwodaysatthecustom—houseonthefrontier。ThenewsofAnthonyWallner'sarrivalspreadlikewildfirethroughthewholeneighborhood，andthelandedproprietorsofthedistricthastenedtothecustom—housetoseetheheroicTyrolesechiefandhisintrepiddaughter，andofferedtheirservicestobothofthem。
Itwasnolongernecessaryforthemtojourneyonfoot。Wherevertheycame，thecarriagesofthewealthyandaristocraticinhabitantswereinreadinessforthem，andtheyweregreetedeverywherewithjubilantacclamations。TheirjourneytoViennawasanincessanttriumphalprocession，acontinuedchainofdemonstrationsofenthusiasmandmanifestationsoflove。
AnthonyWallner，however，remainedsilent，gloomy，anddowncast，amidallthesetriumphs;andonarousinghimselfsometimesfromhissombrebroodings，andseeingthepainfulexpressionwithwhichEliza'seyesrestedonhim，hetriedtosmile，butthesmilediedawayonhistremblinglips。
"IbelieveIshallbetakenverysick，"hesaid，faintly。"Myheadachesdreadfully，andallmylimbsaretrembling。IwastoolongintheAlpinehut，andthenumerouspreviousfatigues。Theexcitement，grief，cold，andhunger，andlast，thelongjourneyonfoot，havebeentoomuchforme。Ah，Lizzie，Lizzie，Ishallbetakensick。
GreatGod！itwouldbedreadfulifIshoulddienowandleaveyouallaloneinthisforeigncountry！No，no，Idonotwanttobetakensick，Ihavenotimeforit。Oh，listentome;myGod！Idonotwanttobetakensick，forLizziemustnotbeleftanorphanhere。No，no，no！"
Andheliftedhisclinchedfisttoheaven，screamed，andwept，andutteredsenselessandincoherentwords。
"Iamafraidhehasgotthenervousfever，"saidBaronEngenberg，whowasconveyingWallnerandElizainhiscarriagefromthelaststationtoVienna。"Itwillbenecessaryforustotakehimatoncetoahospital。"
"CanIstaywithhimthereandnursehim？"askedEliza，repressinghertears。
"Ofcourseyoucan。"
"Thenletustakehimtoahospital，"shesaid，calmly。"Hewilldie，butIshallbetheretoclosehiseyes。"
AnditwasElizathatclosedherfather'seyes。TheviolentnervousfeverwhichhadseizedAnthonyWallnerwastoomuchforhisexhaustedbody。HediedfivedaysafterhisarrivalatVienna，onthe15thofFebruary，1810，atthecityhospital。
Manypersonsattendedhisfuneral;manypersonscametoseeElizaWallner，theyoungheroineoftheTyrol。ButElizawouldnotseeanybody。Sheremainedintheroomwhichhadbeenassignedtoheratthehospital，andshespokeandprayedonlywiththepriestwhohadadministeredthelastunctiontoherfather。
OnthedayafterthefuneraltheEmperorFrancissentoneofhischamberlainstoEliza，toinducehertoremaininVienna。Hewouldprovideforherbountifully，andrewardherforwhatherfatherhaddone。ThechamberlainwasalsoinstructedtoconductElizatotheemperor，thathemightthankandconsoleherpersonally。
Elizashookherhead，gravely。"Theemperorneednotthankme，"shesaid，"forIdidnomoreforhimthanhedidfortheTyrol。Heisunabletoconsoleme;Godalonecandothat，andHewillalsoprovideforme。Icannotseetheemperor，formyheartistoodeeplyafflicted。Butifyouwillgivememoneyenough，sir，toreturnquicklytomydearTyrolandmybelovedmother，Ishallacceptitandbegratefultoyou。Imustreturntomymotherandweepwithher;andmydearhome，mydearmountainswillconsoleme。"
"Youcansetoutassoonasyouplease，"saidthechamberlain。"Theemperorhasintercededinyourbehalfandobtainedthissafeguardforyouincaseyouwishedtoreturntoyournativecountry。Noonewillmolestyou，andyouandyourfamilycanlivequietlyatyourhome。"
"Iftheemperorhaddoneasmuchformyfatherashedoesforme，myfatherwouldnothavedied，"saidEliza，gravely，acceptingthepaper。"Nowhehasnolongerneedofanemperor。HeiswithGod，andIwouldIwerewithhimabove！ButImustnotleavemymother。I
mustconsoleherandstaywithheraslongasitpleasesGod。"
[Footnote:ElizaWallnerreturnedtoWindisch—Matrey，andlivedthereinquietretirement。Shenevermarried。AfterthedeathofhermothersheyieldedtoJoachimHaspinger'sentreatiesandwenttoliveathishouse。TheCapuchinwasordainedandappointedpastorofJotelsee，andafterwardofTraunfeld。Elizalivedwithhimashisadopteddaughter，andwasstillwithhimatthetimeofhisdeath，whichtookplacein1856，atSalzburg。——SeeSehallhammer's"JoachimHaspinger，"p。184。]
CHAPTERXLIV。
ANDREASHOFER'SDEATH。
Thecourt—martialatMantuahadpassedsentenceofdeathuponAndreasHoferforfightingagainsttheFrenchafterthelastproclamationofEugeneBeauharnaisofferingageneralamnesty。Butthecourt—martialhadnotadoptedthisdecisionunanimously;severalmembershadvotedforlongconfinement，andtwohadhadthecouragetovoteforhisentiredeliverance。Byasingularrevolutionoffortune，thesameGeneralBisson，whohadbeentakenprisoneratInnspruckattheoutbreakoftheinsurrection，andwithwhomMajorTeimerhadmadehistriumphalentryintoInnspruck，wasnowgovernorofMantua，andpresidentofthecourt—martialwhichtriedthecommander—in—chiefoftheTyrolese。Thegeneral，inconsiderationofhiscaptivityamongtheTyrolese，wishedtoactmildlyandimpartially，andsentatelegraphicdispatchtotheviceroyatMilantoinquirewhatwastobedonewithAndreasHofer，inasmuchasthesentenceofthecourt—martialhadnotbeenpassedunanimously。Ananswerwasreturnedverysoon。ItcontainedthecategoricalorderthatAndreasHofershouldbeshotwithintwenty—fourhours。
Commissionersofthemilitaryauthorities，therefore，enteredAndreasHofer'scellonthe21stofFebruary，andinformedhimthathewouldsufferdeathwithintwohours。
Helistenedtothemstanding，andwithunshakenfirmness。"Ishalldie，then，atleastasasoldier，andnotasacriminal，"hesaid，noddinghisheadgently。"Iamnotafraidofbullets，norofthegoodGodeither;Hewasalwayskindtome，anditisevennowkindinHimtorelievemefrommysufferingshere。Iamreadytoappearbeforethejudgment—seatofGod。"
"Ifyouhaveanyspecialwishestoprefer，communicatethemtousnow;andifitispossible，theyshallbegranted，"saidoneoftheofficers，profoundlymoved。
"TherearesomewisheswhichIshouldliketoprefer，"repliedHofer，musingly。"Inthefirstplace，IwishtoseeoncemoremydearCajetanDoeninger，whowasseparatedfrommeandconfinedinanothercell;andthenIwishtodictatealetterandmylastwill，andwouldrequestthatbothbesenttomydearbrother—in—law。"
"Thesewishesshallbecompliedwith;IpromiseittoyouinthenameofGeneralBisson。Doyoudesiretopreferanyadditionalrequests？"
"Iwishfurtherthatapriestbesenttome，thathemayreceivemyconfession，andgrantmeabsolution;andfinally，Ishouldliketoseeoncemoremydearcountrymen，whoareimprisonedinthecasemateshere，andtakeleaveoftheminafewwords。"
"Aconfessorwillbesenttoyou，butyourlastrequestcannotbecompliedwith，"wasthereply。"Anexcitingandperhapsdisorderlyscenewouldensue，andsuchthingsmustbeavoided。"
"Well，then，"saidAndreas，sighing，"sendmemydearsecretary，andafterwardthepriest。"
Afewminutesaftertheofficershadwithdrawn，thedooropened，andCajetanDoeningercamein。Heburstintotears，rushedtowardAndreasHofer，andfoldinghimtohisheart，exclaimedmournfully:
"Isittrue，then，thattheyintendtokillyou？Isittruethattheyaregoingtoassassinatethenoblestandbestmanlikeacriminal？"
"Hush，hush，Cajetan，"saidAndreas，gently，pressingDoeningertenderlytohisheart;"donotscold，butsubmitasIdo。Idiegladly，foritisbetterthatIshouldsacrificemyselfformynativecountrythanthatothersshoulddieformysake，orforthefatherland。"[Footnote:Hofer'sownwords——See"GalleryofHeroes:
AndreasHofer，"p。195。]
"Oh，wouldthatIcoulddieforyou！"sobbedDoeninger;"mylifeisworthlesswithoutyou。Isitpossiblethatyoumustsuffernowsoignominiousapunishmentforallyournobledeedsandaspirations？"
"Godaloneknowswhatisgood，"saidAndreas，mildly，"andIhavedoubtlesscommittedmanyerrors，forwhichIhavetosuffernow。
But，Cajetan，willyoufulfilmylastrequest？"
"Nameit，andIwillcomplywithit。"
"Thenweepnomore，mydearfriend，foryourtearsgivemepain。Be，asformerly，manfulandfirm。"
"Iwill，"saidDoeninger;andhedriedhistearsandforcedhimselftobecalmandcomposed。
"Andnow，Cajetan，bemysecretaryforthelasttime，"saidAndreas，gently。"Iwilldictatetoyoualettertomybrother—in—lawPohler，atNeustadt。Thejailerhasalreadylaidpaper，pen，andinkonthetable。Sitdown，therefore，andwrite。"
Cajetanwenttothetableandseatedhimself。"Iamready，commander—in—chief，"hesaid;"dictatetomenow。"
Andreaswalkedupanddownseveraltimesmusingly;hethenstoodstillnearthetable;awondrousexpressionofserenecalmnessandpeacebeamedfromhisface，andhedictatedinaclear，quietvoicewhichdidnotoncetremblewithemotion。
"Dearestbrother—in—law:ItwasGod'swillthatIshouldexchangehereatMantuamyearthlylifeforabetterone。But——Godbepraisedforhisdivinemercy！——itseemstomeaslittlepainfulasifIweretobeledoutforanotherpurpose。GodinHismercywilldoubtlessbewithmetothelastmoment，whenIshallascendtothateternaldwelling—placewheremysoulwillrejoiceforevermorewithallthechosenspirit！andwhereIshallprayforall，andparticularlyforthosetowhomIowemyintercession;aboveall，foryou，too，andyourdearwife，onaccountofthebookwhichyoupresentedtome。
andofotherkindacts。Letallmydearfriendsandacquaintancesprayformetoo，andhelpmetorisefromthedevouringflames，whenIhavetoexpiatemysinsinpurgatory。Mybelovedwife，AnnaGertrude，istohavemassesreadformeatSt。Martin'sZumrosenfarbnenBlut。Sheshallhaveprayersreadinbothoftheparish—churches，andtreatmyfriendsatthelowerinntosoupandmeat，andgiveeveryonehalfabottleofwine。ThemoneyIhadaboutmewillbedistributedamongthepoorofthiscity;fortherest，settlewithmydebtorsandcreditorsashonestlyasyoucan;
lestIshouldhavetoatoneforitalso。Farewell，allofyou，forthisworld，untilweshallmeetinheavenandpraiseGodforevermore。Dearestbrother—in—law，repairtothePasseyrvalley，andinformthelandlordofthelowerinnofmyinstructions。Hewillmakeallnecessarydispositions。LetalltheinhabitantsofPasseyr，andallmyacquaintancesremembermeintheirprayers。Dearestbrother—in—law，tellmywife，AnnaGertrude，nottogrieveforme。I
shallpraytoGodforherandforall。Adieu，beautifulworld！Dyingseemstomesoeasythattherearenoteventearsinmyeyes。"
"Writtenatnineo'clock;attenIshallascendtoGodwiththeaidofallthesaints。"
"Your——。"
"Mantua，February20，1810。"
[Footnote:"Galleryofheroes:AndreasHofer，"p。197。]
"IwillwritethesignatureasIalwaysdid，"saidAndreasHofer;
and，takingupthepenquickly，hewrote:
"YourAndreasHofer，fromSandinPasseyr，whomyoulovedinthislife。IwillsetoutonmylastjourneyintheLord'sname。"
[Footnote:"GalleryofHeroes。"]
"Ithankyou，Cajetan，forrenderingmethislastservice，"saidAndreas，kindly。"Andnow，mydearfriend，letustakeleaveofeachother。Theconfessorwillbeheresoon，andthenImustnolongerspeaktoanyonebutGod。"
Cajetancametohimwithatotteringstep，andleanedhisheadsilentlyonHofer'sshoulder。Hedidnotspeak，hewantedtobefirm，buthewasunabletorestrainthesobsandsighswhichissuedfromhisbreast。
"MydearCajetan，whydoyouweep？"askedHofer，pressingDoeninger'sheadgentlytohisheart。"DidyouweepwhenIwentintobattle，wheretheenemy'sbulletsmighthavehitmeatanysecond？
Youdidnotweepthen。Think，therefore，thatIamgoingintobattleto—daytoo，andthatitisbetterformetobehitbythebulletsthansufferanylongerinthismanner。"
Atthismomentthedooropened，andthepriest，GiovanniGiacomoManifesti，dressedinfullvestments，camein。TheguardswhofollowedhimledawayDoeninger，whoobeyedtheminsilence，asifstunnedbyhisterriblegrief。[Footnote:CajetanDoeningerwastakenimmediatelyafterHofer'sexecution，fromhisprison，andsenttotheIslandofCorsica，asaprivateinaregimentoflightinfantry。Hesucceeded，sometimeafterward，inescapingfromthence，andreturningtohisnativecountry。]
AndreasHoferremainedalonewithhisconfessor。
Ateleveno'clockthedoorsoftheprisonwerethrownopen，andAndreasHoferwasledouttoexecution。Hisfacewasserene，andinhishandsheheldthesmallcrucifixwhichhehadalwayswornonhisbreast。Hisconfessor，Manifesti，walkedbyhisside，andabattalionofgrenadiersfollowedhim。
AndreasHoferwalkedalongtherampartsofthefortresswithafirmstep。AshepassedbythebarracksofthePortaMolina，wheretheTyroleseprisonerswereconfined，theyfellontheirkneesandweptaloud。AndreasturnedquicklytoManifestithe，priest。"Yourreverence，"hesaid，"youwilldistributeamongmypoorcountrymenthefivehundredflorins，mylastproperty，whichIgavetoyou，willyounot？"
"Iwill，myson。"
"Andtakemygreetingstoall，"saidAndreasHofer，inagrave，loudvoice，"andtellthemnottobedisheartened，nortothinkthatallislost，andthatwehavefoughtandbledinvain。BettertimeswilldawnuponmybelovedTyrol，andonedayitwillbeagainafreeGermancountry。Tellthemtohopeandbelieveinthisprediction。"
Onthebroadbastion，alittledistancefromthePortaCeresa，thegrenadiersformedasquare，openintherear。AndreasHoferenteredthisopenspacewiththepriest，bowedkindlytoallsides，andprayedaloudwiththepriest。
"Now，farewell，dearreverendfather，"hethensaid，"andacceptthiscrucifixasasouvenirfromme。Ihavewornitonmybreastfortwentyyearspast，anditwillremindyouofAndreasHofer。InformmywifethatIsuffereddeathjoyously，andthatIknowweshallmeetagainabove。Youpromisedmetodoso，andyouwillredeemyourpromise，reverendfather，willyounot？"
"CertainlyIwill，mybeloved，piousson，"saidManifesti;andwithtearsinhiseyesheembracedandblessedAndreasHoferforthelasttime。[Footnote:Manifestiredeemedhispromise。HesenttotheTyrolthefollowingletterregardingHofer'sdeath:
MANTOVA，li21，Febrajo，1810。"IeripocoprimodelmezzogiornoestatofueillatoilSignoreAndreasHofer，giacommandantedelTirolo。Dallacommissionemilitare，chel'hasententiato，fuinvitatoadassisterio，esebbenefossiconvalescenteperunamaladiapocchigiornoavantisofferta，hovolonteriassentol'impegno，econsommamiaconsolazioneededificationehoammiratounuomo，cheeandatoallamorted'uneroeChristianoal'hasostenutodimartireintrepido。Eglicontuttasegretezzamihaconsegnataunacartadisommaimportanzaperl'orfonasuafamigliaincaricandomidirigerlaaV。Sig。RioM。——Sonoconperfettastima，"DiV。S。RioM。"
"Divotissimo，"
"GIOV。BATT。（AROIPRETE）MANIFESTI"
"MANTUA，Feb。21，1810。——Yesterday，afewminutesbeforetwelve，Mr。
AndreasHofer，latecommanderoftheTyrol，wasshothere。Themilitarycommissionwhichtriedhimrequestedmetoattendhim，andalthoughIhadrecoveredbutafewdayssincefromsickness，I
gladlycompliedwiththerequest，andadmired，tomyconsolationandedification，amanwhowenttodeathasaChristianhero，andsuffereditasanintrepidmartyr。Underthesealofprofoundsilenceheintrustedtomeapaperofthehighestimportancetohisfamily，"&c。——SeeHormayr's"Lebensbilder，"vol。i。p。224。]
Thepriestthereuponleftthesquare，whiletwelvemenandacorporalstoodforthwithloadedmuskets。ThecorporalofferedHoferawhitehandkerchieftobandagehiseyes。
"No，"saidHofer。"Ihaveoftenalreadyfaceddeath;itisadearfriendofmine，andIwanttoseeit，therefore，whenitcomestome。"
"Kneeldown，then，"saidthecorporal。
"Ishallnot，"repliedHofer，gravelyandalmostimperiously。"IamusedtostanduprightbeforemyCreator，andinthatpostureIwilldeliverupmyspirittoHim。Butpray，"headdedinamildervoice，"aimwell。Come，corporal，Iwillgiveyouyetasouvenir;itismywholeremainingproperty。LookatthisZwanziger;IhaditcoinedwhenIwascommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol;anditremindsmenowofmybelovedcountry，anditseemstomeasthoughitssnow—cladmountainswerelookingdownonmeandgreetingme。There，keepitasaremembrancer，andaimwell！"
Thecorporalsteppedbackandcommandedinavoicetremulouswithemotion，"Fire！"
"Fire！"shoutedHofer。"LonglivetheTyrol！"
Sixshotsrangout，butAndreasHoferwasnotdead;hehadsunkonlyononekneeandleanedonhisrighthand。
Sixshotscrashedagain。Theystruckhimtotheground，butdidnotyetkillhim。Heraisedhisbleedingheadoncemore。
Thecorporal，filledwithpity，steppednowcloseuptohim，puthismuskettoHofer'sforehead，andfired。
Thisthirteenthshotdispatchedhimatlength！
ThegrenadiersraisedthecorpseandcarrieditonablackbiertoSt。Michael'schurch，whereitlayinstateduringtherequiem，thatthepeoplemightconvincethemselvesofthedeathofthebelovedandfearedcommander—in—chiefoftheTyrol，LeGeneralSanvird，AndreasHofer，theBarbone，andofthefinalsubjugationoftheTyrol。
[Footnote:Hofer'sremainswereburiedinManifesti'sgarden。A
simpleslabonhisgraveborethefollowinginscription:"QuigiacelaapogliadelfuAndreaHofer，dettoilGeneraleBarbone，commandantssupremodellemiliciedelTirolo，fucillatoinquestaforterezzanelgiorno20Febrajo1810，sepoltoinquestoluogo。"
（"HereresttheremainsofthelateAndreasHofer，calledGeneralBarbone，commander—in—chiefoftheTyrolesemilitia，shotinthisfortressonthe20thofFebruary，1810，andburiedinthisplace。"）
FourteenyearsafterwardHofer'sremainsweredisinterredbythreeAustrianofficers，whohadobtainedManifesti'sconsent，andconveyedtoBotzen。TheEmperorFrancisgaveorderstotransferthemtoInnspruck，wheretheywereburiedinthechurchoftheFranciscansbythesideofthemonumentoftheArchdukeFerdinandandhisbelovedPhilippinaWelser。——SeeHormayr's"AndreasHofer，"
vol。ii。，p。539。]
Thisoccurredonthe20thofFebruary，1810;andonthesamedayonwhichAndreasHoferwasshotatMantua，becausehehadlovedhiscountryandhisEmperorFrancistoofaithfully，almostattheveryhourofhisdeath，theboomingofartillerywastobeheardontherampartsofVienna。
ItproclaimedtotheViennesethejoyfulnewsthattheArchduchessMariaLouisa，theemperor'sdaughter，wastheaffiancedbrideoftheEmperorNapoleon！