"Sitdown，then，myboy，andwrite。Youwillfindpenandinkinthedrawerofyondertable。Takethem，andIwilldictatetoyou。"
Andamidsttherespectfulsilenceofthemen，walkingupanddownslowly，andstrokinghislongbeardwithhisrighthand，AndreasHofercommenceddictatinghis"openorder，"whichwasasfollows:
"Earlyinthemorningofthe9thofAprilGeneralHillerwillmarchfromSalzburgtotheLowerInnvalley，andGeneralyonChastelerfromCarinthiatothePustervalley。Onthe11thor12thofApriltheformerwillarriveatInnsbruck，andthelatteratBrixen。TheArchdukeJohnordersthattheMuhlbachpassbeoccupiedbypeasantsfromthePustervalley，andtheKunterswegbymountedmen。TheyaretoallowallforcesoftheenemymarchingfromBotzentoBrixentopass，andwillcutoffallcommunicationsonlysosoonastheydiscoverthattheBavarianciviliansandsoldiersaretryingtoescapefromBrixentoBotzen。Notamanmustbeallowedtopassthen。"
WhileAndreasHoferwasdictatinghis"openorder"withafirmandthoughtfulair，thepeasantsstooddumfoundedwithadmiration，staringathimwithafeelingofawe，anddelightedwithhissagacityandunderstanding。ThatHofercastfromtimetotimeasearchingglanceatHormayr'sletterdidnotdisturbtheadmirationtheyfeltfortheirchosenleader，andtheyweresilentandstaredathimlongafterhewasthrough。
"So，"saidAndreaswhenthewritingwasfinished，"nowMartinTeimerandIwillaffixournamestothisopenorder;Ennemoserwillthencopyithalfadozentimes，andsixofyouwillcarrythecopiestotheotherleaderswhoarealreadywaitingforthem，andwhowillgivethesignaltotheirfriendsinthelowervalley。You，GeorgeLanthaler，willcarrytheordertoJosephSpeckbacheratKufstein;
you，JosephGufler，willtakeittothefarmerattheSchildhof;
you，GeorgeSteinhauferle，willgotoAnthonyWallner，theAichbergeratWindisch—Matrey。Quick，quick，myfriends，wehavenotimetolose;youmustwalknightandday;youcannotrestontheroad，forwemuststriketheblowwithlightningspeed，anditmustbedoneatthesametimealloverthecountry。"
"AndIwilllikewisesetoutagaintospreadthenewsthroughoutthecountry，"saidMartinTeimer。"FortwoweekspastIhavebeeninallpartsoftheTyrol，andhaveworkedeverywhereforourcause，andknownowthatwemaycountuponallourcountrymen。Theyarewaitingforthesignal，andwemustgiveittothem。Here，takethispackage;itcontainsalargenumberofthoselittlepaperballsuponwhicharewrittenthewords''Tistime！'Eachofyoucantakeahandfulofthemandgivethemtoyourwivesandchildren，thattheymaycarrythemtotheneighborsanddistributethemeverywhere。
SpeckbacherandWallner，too，havepackagesofsuchpaperballs，andsosoonasourfaithfulmessengersbringthemour`openorder，'theywilllikewisesendaroundtheirwivesandchildrenthroughtheneighborhood;andeverywherethecrywillbe，''Tistime！'WemustexpeltheBavarians！Iwillgonow，forImustconcentratemymeninordertopreventtheBavariansfromcrossingthebridgeofLaditch。
Farewell，then，andGodgrantthatwemayallmeetagainbeforelongasfreeandhappymenatourgoodcityofInnspruck！"
"Wemustgotoo，"exclaimedtheTyrolesewhenMartinTeimerhadleftthehouseasquicklyashehadenteredit。"Wemustgointothemountainsandinformourfriendsthatitistime。"
"Butgothroughthekitchen，mydearmessengers，"saidAndreasHofer;"thereisabagofflourforeachofyou;takeitonyourback，andonpassingduringyourmarcharivuletoramountaintorrent，throwsomeoftheflourintoit;andwhereveryoufinddrybrushwoodontheroad，pileitupandkindleit，thatthebale—firesmayproclaimtothecountry，''Tistime！"
Halfanhourafterwardthelargebar—roomwasdeserted，andprofoundsilencereignedintheinnZumSand。TheservantsandchildrenoftheSandwirthhadgonetobed;onlyhehimselfandhisfaithfulwife，AnnaGertrude，wereyetup。Bothhadretiredintothesmallsitting—roomadjoiningthebarroom。AndreasHoferwaswalkingupanddowntheresilentlyandthoughtfully，hishandsfoldedonhisback;
Gertrudesatintheleather—coveredarm—chairatthestove，andlookedatherhusband。Everythingwasstillaroundthem;onlytheslow，regulartickingoftheclockbroketheprofoundsilence，andoutsidewastobeheardthewildroaringofthePasseyr，whichhurleditsfuriousfoamingwatersnotfarfromtheinnoverpebblesandfragmentsofrocks。
Finally，afteralongpause，Andreasstoodstillinfrontofhiswife，andgazedatherwithalong，searching，andtenderlook。
Gertrude，asifliftedupbythisglance，rose，encircledhisneckquicklywithherarms，andlookedwithanexpressionofterrorandanxietyintohisface。
"Andy，"sheexclaimed，mournfully，"myown，dearestAndy，Iamafraidharmwillbefallyou！"
"ThatiswhatIexpect，"hesaid，sighing，"andIamsorryforyou，mydearestwife。IwasjustspeakingwithGodandmyconscience，andaskingthemsoferventlyifitwasnotwronginmenottothinkaboveallthingsofmydearwifeandmybelovedchildren，andifI
oughtnottoliveanddieonlyforthem。ForItellyou，andIknow，whatIamgoingtodoisdangerous，andmayeasilycostmylife。I
donotblindmyeyestoit;Imaylosemylifeineitheroftwoways。Abulletmaystrikemeinbattle;or，ifmylifeshouldbesparedinthestruggle，andifweshouldbedefeated，theBavarianswouldtreatmeasatraitor;andthenabulletwouldstrikemealso，fortheywouldshootme。"
"Oh，JesusMaria！myAndy，"criedGertrude，takingHofer'sheadinherhands，asiftoprotectitfromthemurderousbullets。
"Idonotsaythatthiswilloccur;Isayonlythatitmayoccur，"
saidAndreas，withagentlesmile。"IwishtotellyouonlythatI
amfullyalivetothedangersthreateningmewhenIstepto—morrowmorningoutofmystreet—door，andenteruponthedutiesofthepositionwhichtheyhaveconferredonme;forIamtocommandthepeasantsofthePasseyrvalleyanddirecttheinsurrectioninallthispartofthecountry。Therefore，IaskedGodandmyconsciencewhetherornotIdidrightintakinguponmyselfsoresponsibleatask，andplungingmyfamily，perhaps，intogriefanddistress。Butdoyouknowwhatbothofthemrepliedtome？Theysaid:'Itisyourdutytoloveyourwifeandyourchildren;butyoumustalsoloveyouremperorandyourcountry;andwhenthelattercallyouandsay，"Come，weneedyourarmandassistance，"youmust，asanhonestman，obeythecall，gotothem，andleaveyourfamily;fortolovethefatherlandiseveryman'shighesthonor，andtobeloyalanddevotedtotheemperoristhefirstdutyofeveryTyrolese。'Godandmyconsciencespoketomethusinmybreast，andnowIaskyoutoo，dearwife——IaskyoubeforeGodandyourconscience——wouldyoulikeyourhusbandnottoobeytheemperor'scall，butstayathome，whilehisbravebrethrenandfriendsaretakingthefieldtodefendthecountryandexpeltheBavarians？"
"No，indeed，Andy，Iwouldnot，"criedGertrude，indismay;"I
shouldneverdareagaintoliftmyeyesbeforeanybody;IshouldnotevenventuretopraytotheHolyVirginandtoGod，for，asbothgaveuptheirdivineSon，soanhonestwomanmustgiveupherhusbandforthesakeofthefatherland。"
Andreaslaidhishandonhiswife'sheadasiftoblessher。"Itisasyousay，Gertrude，"hesaid，solemnly。"Forthesakeofthefatherlandandtheemperoryoumustgiveupyourhusbandandyourchildrentheirfather;andwearenotallowedtoshutourearsinordernottohearthatthedearTyrolandthegoodEmperorFrancishavecalledme。Ihaveheardthecall，andmustobeyit。Ishalldosojoyouslyandreadily，andyetmyheartgrieves，andthereisinmybreastheresomethingtellingmethatourhappinessisatanend，thatoursunhasset，and——Gertrude，Iamnotashamedofit——I
weep！"
Heleanedhisheadagainsthiswife'sshoulder，and，foldinghertohisheart，sobbedaloud。Butthislastedonlyashorttime;thenberaisedhimselfagain，anddrewhishandquicklyacrosshiseyes。
"There，"hesaid，"itisallovernow。IweptasagoodChristianissurelyallowedtodowhenhetakesleaveofhiswifeandhischildren，andgivesthemupforthesakeofhiscountry。DidnotAbrahamweeptoo，andbegGodformercy，whenhewastosacrificehissontotheAlmighty？Butheneverthelesswasreadytomakethesacrifice。And，likeAbraham，Ihaveweptandlamentednow，butI
shallmakethesacrifice。HereIam，myGod，"headded，liftinghiseyesandhandstoHeaven;"hereIam，forThouhastcalledme。Dowithmeasthoudeemestbest。IamnothingbutThyfaithfulservant;
butifThouwishesttousemeforThygreatpurposes，doso！IofferTheemyarms，mybody，andmylife！Takethem！"
"Butthou，HolyVirgin，"murmuredGertrude，"andthouSaintGeorge，ourpatronsaint，stretchoutyourarmsoverhimgraciouslyandprotectmyAndy。Bearinmindthatheismymostprecioustreasureonearth！Preservemydearhusbandtome，andtomychildrenthefatherwhomtheylovesoardently！"
"Amen！"exclaimedAndreas。"Andnow，dearestwife，comeandgivemeakiss，apartingkiss！"
"Youdonotintendtosetoutthisverynight？"askedGertrude，anxiously。
"No，Gertrude，butstillitisapartingkiss。ForhenceforthImustbecomeanotherman——ahardman，whowillnolongerthinkofhisfamily，butonlyofthefatherlandandtheemperor。Iweptafewminutesagoasagoodfatherandhusband，butnowImustbecomeashardasagoodsoldieroughttobe。UntiltheBavarianshavebeenexpelledfromthecountry，Ishallnolongerthinkofyouandthechildren，butshallbeonlyabraveandintrepidsoldierofmylordandemperor，andthecommanderofthePasseyrmilitia。Kissme，therefore，alasttime，AnnaGertrude！There！Givemeanotherkiss！
Whoknowsbutitmaybethelasttimeyouwilleverkissme，dearGertrude？Andhereisstillanotherkissforourgirls。Nowitisenough。Gotobednow，Gertrude，andprayforme。"
"Youwillnotgotobed，Andy？"askedGertrude，anxiously。
"No，Iwillnot，AnnaGertrude。IhavebusinesstoattendtointheyardwithJoe，ourlaborer。Wewillkillthebrindledcow。"
"What？Thisverynight？"
"Thisverynight。Weneedthebloodandmeat。WeshallpourthebloodintothePasseyr，andyouwillseetomorrowthatweneedthemeat，forIbelieveweshallhaveagreatmanyguestsinthemorning。"
AndreasHofer'sprophecywasfulfilled。AlreadyearlyinthemorningagreatmanymenassembledinfrontoftheinnZumSand。TheywerethesharpshootersofthePasseyrvalley，whowereflockingfromallpartsofthedistricttoHofer'shousetoreporttothebelovedcommanderofPasseyr。Theycamedownfromthemountainsandupfromthevalleys。Theyworetheirholidaydresses，andtheiryellowSundayhatsweredecoratedwithbouquetsofrosemaryandhandsomeribbons。Theyweremerryandinthebestofspirits，asiftheyweregoingtothedance;onlyinsteadoftheirrosy—cheekedgirls，theyheldtheirtrustyriflesintheirarms。Nevertheless，theysmackedtheirlips，utteredloudexclamationsofjoy，andshoutedasmerrilyaslarks——"'Tistime！TheBavariansmustleavethecountry！Longlivetheemperor！LonglivetheArchdukeJohn！"
Andechoseemedtoanswer，"TheBavariansmustleavethecountry！"
Butitwasnotechothathadrepeatedthesewords。Theyproceededfromthethroatsofmerrymen，andagayprocessiondescendednowfromthemountain—path。ItconsistedofthesharpshootersandpeasantsofMeranandAlgund，whoweremarchingupinthebeautifulcostumesoftheAdigevalley。Oh，howtheireyesflashed，andtheriflesintheirarmsalso。AndwithwhatjubilantJodlersthemenofPasseyrreceivedtheirdearfriendsfromAlgundandMeran。
Allatonceeverysoundwashushed，forinthedooroftheinnappearedAndreasHofer，lookinglikeakinginhishandsomeholidayattire;hisgood—natured，honestfacegleamedwithjoy，andhisglancewasmildandclear，andyetsofirmandcommanding。Hiswholebearingbreathedcalmdignity，anditseemedtothemenofPasseyrasthoughthemorningsunwhichilluminatedhisfacesurroundedhisheadwithagoldenhalo。Theystoodasidewithtimidreverenceandawe。HoferadvancedintothemiddleofthecirclewhichthemenofPasseyr，Meran，andAlgundformedaroundhim。Hethenlookedaroundandgreetedthemenonallsideswithasmile，apleasantnod，andawaveofhishand。
"Myfriends，"heexclaimedinaloudvoice，"thedayhascomewhenwemustexpeltheBavariansfromthecountryandrestoretheTyroltotheAustrians。'Tistime！TheBavarianshaveamplydeservedsuchtreatmentatourhands，fortheyhavesorelyoppressedus。Whenyouhadfinishedawoodenimage，couldyoucarryittoViennaandsellit？No，youcouldnot！Isthatfreedom？YouareTyrolese;atleastyourfatherscalledthemselvesso;nowyouaretocallyourselvesBavarians。And，moreover，ourancientcastleofTyrolinthePasseyrvalleywasnotspared！Areyousatisfiedwiththis？Ifyouharvestthreebladesofcorn，thegovernmentclaimstwoofthem;isthathappinessandprosperity？ButthereisaProvidenceandthereareangels;anditwasrevealedtomethatifweresolvedtoavengeourwrongs，GodandSt。George，ourpatronsaint，wouldhelpus。Up，then，againsttheBavarians！Tearthevillainswithyourteethwhiletheystand;butwhentheykneeldownandpray，givethemquarter。UpagainsttheBavarians！'Tistime！"
"UpagainsttheBavarians！'tistime！"shoutedallthebravemen，enthusiastically;andthemountainechoesanswered:"UpagainsttheBavarians！'tistime！"
Andtheblood—redwatersofthePasseyrcarrieddownintothevalleythemessage:"UpagainsttheBavarians！'tistime！"
CHAPTERX。
ANTHONYWALLNEROFWINDISCH—MATREY。
Anunusualcommotionreignedinthemarket—placeofWindisch—Matreyontheafternoonofthe9thofApril。ThemenandyouthsofWindisch—Matreyanditsenvironswereassembledthereindensegroups，andthrongedinconstantly—increasingmassesroundthehouseoftheinnkeeperAnthonyAichberger，calledWallner。Thewomen，too，hadlefttheirhousesandhuts，andhastenedtothemarket—place。
Theirfaceswereasthreateningasthoseofthemen;theireyesshotfire，andtheirwholebearingbetokenedunusualexcitement。
Everywhereloudandvehementwordswereuttered，clinchedfistswereraisedmenacingly，andglancesofsecretunderstandingwereexchanged。
Theliveliestscene，however，tookplaceinthelargebarroomoftheinn。Theforemostmenofthewholedistrict，strong，well—builtforms，withdefiantfacesandcourageousbearing，hadassembledtherearoundAnthonyWallner—Aichberger。Theyspokebutlittle，butsatonthebenchesagainstthewallsoftheroom，andstaredintotheirglasses，whichEliza，Wallner'seldestdaughter，filledagainandagainwithbeer。Eventheyounggirl，whowasusuallysogayandspirited，seemedto—daysadanddejected。Formerlyhermerrylaughterandclear，ringingvoicewereheardeverywhere;to—dayshewasmoodyandtaciturn。Formerlyherchecksglowedlikepurpleroses，acharmingarchexpressionplayedaroundherbeautifulsmallmouth，andthefireandspiritofyouthbeamedfromherlargeblackeyes;to—day，onlyafaintcrimsontingedEliza'scheeks，herlipswerefirmlycompressed，andhereyesweredimandlustreless。Fromtimetotime，whilewaitingontheguests，shecastananxious，searchingglancethroughthewindowsoverthemarket—place，andseemedtolistentothehumofvoices，whichoftenbecameasdeafeningasthewildroarofthestorm，andshookthewindow—panes。
AnthonyWallner，herfather，waslikewisegraveandanxious，andinwalkingtothegroupsofguestsseatedonthebencheshereandthere，heglanceduneasilytowardthewindows。
"Itmaybethattheywillnotcome，afterall，Tony，andthattheViennesehavefooledyou，"whisperedoldThurnwaldenfromMerantohim。
"Icannotcomprehendit，"sighedAnthonyWallner。"Theinsurrectionwastobreakoutonthe9thofApril，andtheAustriantroopsweretocrossthefrontieronthatday;andthiswasthereasonwhywehavehithertoresistedtheconscriptionandrefusedtopaythenewtaxes。Butthe9thofAprilhascomenow，andwehavereceivednomessagefromHoferortheAustrians。"
"Andto—daythetimewhichtheBavarianshavegivenusisup，"
growledGeorgeHinnthal;"ifouryoungladsdonotreportvoluntarilytotheenrollingofficersbythisevening，theywillbearrestedto—morrow。"
"Theyshallnotbearrested，"exclaimedoneoftheTyrolese，strikingthetablewithhispowerfulfist。
"No，theyshallnotbearrested，"echoedall，inloud，defianttones。
"Butyouwillnotbeabletopreventthem，"saidoldThurnwalden，whenallweresilentagainandhaddrunkalongdraughtfromtheirglassesasiftoconfirmtheirwords。"YouknowthereisawholecompanyofsoldiersatCastleWeissenstein，andUlrichvonHohenberg，thecastellan'snephew，istheircaptain。HeisaBavarian，bodyandsoul，and，ifweresisttheauthorities，hewillleadhismenwithmusketsandfield—piecesagainstus。"
"Why，youhavebecomegreatlydiscouraged，CasparThurnwalden，"saidAnthonyWallner，sneeringly，"andonewouldalmostthinkyouhadturnedafriendoftheBavarians。WehavegotasgoodmusketsastheBavarians，andiftheyshootweshallshootback。Andasforthefield—pieces，why，wehavegotwheelsandmayrolldowncannonfromCastleWeissensteintoWindisch—Matrey。Butcome，mydearfriends，I
seetheBavariantax—collectorswalkingacrossthemarket—placeyonder。Theylookverygrimandstern，asiftheymeanttodevourusall。Letusgooutandseewhatisgoingon。"
Themenroseasifobeyingamilitaryorder，andfollowedAnthonyWallnerfromtheroomtothemarket—place。ElizaWallnerwasforamomentaloneintheroom;andnowthatshehadnolongertofeartheeyesoftheguests，shesankquiteexhaustedonachairandburiedherfaceinhertremblinghands。
"WhatamItodo？"shemurmuredinalowvoice。"Oh，Godinheaven，wouldIcoulddiethisveryhour！"
"Whydoyouweep，Lizzie？"askedagentlevoicebyherside，and，onlookingup，Elizabeheldthegrave，sympatheticfaceofhermother，whohadjustenteredtheroomwithoutbeingheardbyher。Elizasprangupandembracedhermotherwithpassionatetenderness。
"Dearestmamma，"shewhispered，"Iamafraid。"
"Afraidofwhat？"askedhermother，inalowvoice。"AreyouafraidtheAustriansmaynotcome，andtheBavariansmaythenimprisonyourdearfather，becausetheyhavefoundoutthathehasinstigatedthepeopletodisobeytheirbehests？"
"No，"saidEliza，blushingwithshame，"no，thatisnotwhatIamafraidof。Theywillnotdaretoarrestmydearfather，fortheyknowfullwellthatthepeopleofthewholedistrictaregreatlyattachedtohim，andthatthemenofthewholePustervalleywouldrisetodeliverAnthonyWallner。Itissomethingelse，dearestmother;comewithmeintothechamber;thereIwilltellyouall。"
Shedrewhermotherhastilyintothechamberadjoiningthebar—roomandclosedthedoorafterher。
"Mother，"shesaid，tremblinglyandbreathlessly，"listentomenow。
IamsuretheAustriansarecoming，andifthemenoutsidehearofit，theywillkillalltheBavarians。"
"Letthemdoit，"saidhermothercomposedly;"themean，sneakingBavarianshavecertainlydeservedtobekilledaftertheinfamoustreatmentwehaveenduredattheirhands。"
"But，mother，therearealsogoodmenamongthem，"exclaimedEliza。
"YouknowverywellIamaloyalTyrolesegirl，andlovemyemperordearly，foryouhavetaughtmefrommyearliestyouththatitwasincumbentonmetodoso。But，mother，therearealsogoodmenamongtheBavarians。Thereis，forinstance，UlrichvonHohenbergupatCastleWeissenstein。Youknowhiscousinhasalwaystreatedmeasasister;wehavegrownuptogether，andIwasallowedtoparticipateinherlessonsandlearnwhatshelearned。Wewerealwaystogether，andevennowIhavesnotceasedgoingtoCastleWeissenstein，althoughitisgarrisonedbyadetachmentofBavariansoldiers。
Fatherhimselfwishedmetogototheyoungladyasheretofore，forhesaiditwouldlooksuspiciousifIshouldstayawayallofasudden。ThereforeIwenttoseemydearfriendElizavonHohenbergeveryday，andIalwaysmettherehercousin，thecaptainoftheBavariansoldiers。Heisaverykind—heartedandmerrygentleman，mother，anditisnofaultofhisthatheisaBavarian。Hisfather，ourcastellan'sbrother，haslivedforthirtyyearspastdownatMunich，andhissonenteredtheBavarianservicelongbeforeheknewthatwepeopleofWindisch—MatreydesiretobecomeAustriansubjectsagain。Nowhisgeneralsenthimhitherwithhissoldiersforthepurposeofhelpingtheofficerstocollectthetaxesandenrollthenamesofouryoungmen。Ishetoblameforthenecessityheisunderofobeyingtheordersofhisgeneral？"
"No，heisnot，"saidhermother，gravely。
"ButwhentheAustrianscomenow，andmyfatherandtheothermenrise，andexpelandkilltheBavarians，theywillkillUlrichvonHohenbergtoo，althoughitisnothisfaultthatheisaBavarian。
Oh，dearestmamma，heissuchagood，kind—heartedyoungman！heismydearEliza'scousinandourcastellan'snephew，andyouknowhowwellElizaandherfatherhavetreatedme，andthattheytakecareofme，wheneverIamatthecastle，asthoughIwerethecastellan'sownchild。Dearestmamma，shallwepermitourmentokillthenephewofourexcellentcastellan？"
"No，wewillnot，Lizzie，"saidhermother，resolutely。"Quick，runupthefootpathleadingtothecastle。TelltheyoungofficerthattheTyrolesearegoingtodeliverthemselvesfromtheBavarianyoke，andthathehadbettereffecthisescapewhilethereistime。"
"Mother，hewillnotdoit，forheisabraveyoungman！"sighedEliza;"andthen——Icannotbetrayfather'ssecrettohim。IftheAustriansdidnotcomeafterall，andIhadtoldUlrichvonHohenbergwhatfatherandtheotherTyroleseintendtodo，wouldI
notbeatraitress，andwouldnotfathercurseme？"
"True，true，thatwillnotdo，"saidhermothermusingly;"yourfatherwouldneverforgiveyou。ButIknowwhatyoumustdo。JustrunuptothecastleandactasthoughyouwishedonlytopayavisittoyourfriendEliza;nooneknowsasyetwhatisgoingtooccur。Noneofyourfriendshavedisclosedthesecret;andthecastellantoo，thoughIthinkheisagoodAustrianatheart，doesnotyetknowanythingaboutit。Yourfathertoldmesothisverymorning。Youwillremainatthecastle，andsosoonasyouhearthereportofarifleonthemarket—placehere，youwillknowthattheinsurrectionisbreakingout。Thereisfather'srifle;whenitistime，Iwillstepoutofthebackgatewithitandshoot。Youwillhearthereport，andtelltheyoungofficerthattheTyrolesearegoingtorise，andthathehadbetterconcealhimselfuntilthefirstrageoftheinsurgentshasblownover。"
"Yes，Iwilldoso，"exclaimedEliza;"Iwillrunuptothecastlenow。Good—by，dearestmamma。"
Sheimprintedakissonthehandofhermother，andthenspedawayasgracefullyasayoungroe。
"Sheisaverygoodgirl，"saidhermother，lookingafterhersmilingly，"andhasasoftandcompassionateheart。Shewishestosavethecastellan'snephewmerelybecauseshepitiestheyoungmanwhoisexposedtosuchimminentdanger。Itisverykindofher！It——
But，HolyVirgin！whatisthematteroutside？Istheoutbreaktocommencealready？IbelieveitismyTonywhoistalkingoutsideinsoloudavoice。Imustgoandhearwhatisthematter。"
Shehastenedthroughthebar—roomtothestreet—dooropeninguponthemarketplace。
Yes，itwasAnthonyWallner—Aichbergerwhowasgesticulatingsoviolentlyyonder。RoundhimstoodthemenofWindisch—Matrey，lookingwithgloomyfacesatthethreeBavarianrevenueofficerswhowerestandinginfrontofWallner。
"Irepeat，sir，"exclaimedAnthonyWallneratthismomentwithanairofmockgravity，"thatweareallveryloyalandobedientsubjects，andthatitiswronginyou。Mr。Tax—collector，tocallusstubborn，seditiousfellows。Ifweweresuch，wouldwenot，beingsonumeroushere，punishyouandyourtwoofficersforspeakingofussocontemptuouslyanddisrespectfully？"
"Youknowfullwellthat，atawaveofmyhand，thecompanyofsoldierswillrushdownfromCastleWeissensteinandshootyouallastraitorsandrebels，"saidthetax—collectorhaughtily。
"Well，Mr。Tax—collector，"exclaimedWallner，smilingly，"asfortheshooting，wearelikewisewellversedinthat。Wearefirst—ratemarksmen，weTyrolese！"
"What！"criedthetax—collector，furiously，"doyouspeakagainofTyrolese？DidInotforbidyoutocallyourselvesso？YouarenoTyrolese，butinhabitantsofSouth—Bavaria，doyouhear？HismajestytheKingofBavariadoesnotwantanyTyroleseassubjects，butonlySouthernBavarians，asIhavetoldyoutwicealready。"[Footnote:
See"GalleryofHeroes;LifeofAndreasHofer，"p。15。]
"Verywell;ifhismajestydoesnotwantanyTyroleseassubjects，youneednottellussomorethanonce，"exclaimedAnthonyWallner。
"HeprefersSouthernBavarians，doeshe？Bearthatinmind，Tyrolese;theKingofBavariawantsonlySouthernBavarians。"
"Wewillbearthatinmind，"shoutedtheTyrolese;andloud，scornfullaughterrolledlikethreateningthunderacrossthemarket—
place。
"Youlaugh，"exclaimedthetax—collector，endeavoringtostiflehisrage;"Iamgladyouaresomerry。To—morrow，perhaps，youwilllaughnolonger;forItellyou，ifyoudonotpayto—daythefineimposedonyou，Ishallhaveitforciblycollectedbythesoldiersatdaybreakto—morrowmorning。"
"Wemustreallypaythefine，then？"askedAnthonyWallner，withfeignedtimidity。"Youwillnotrelent，then，Mr。Tax—collector？Wereallymustpaytheheavyfine，becausewehadalittlefuntheotherday？Foryoumustsayyourself，sir，wereallydidnowrong。"
"Youdidnowrong？Youwereinopeninsurrection。Onthebirthdayofyourgraciousmastertheking，insteadofhangingoutBavarianflags，asyouhadbeenordered，youhungoutAustrianflagseverywhere。"
"No，Mr。Tax—collector，youdidnotseeright;wehungoutnonebutBavarianflags。"
"Thatisfalse！Imyselfwalkedthroughthewholeplace，andsaweverythingwithmyowneyes。YourflagsdidnotcontaintheBavariancolors，blueandwhite，butblackandyellow，theAustriancolors。"
"Possiblytheymayhavelookedso，"exclaimedAnthonyWallner，"butthatwasnotourfault。TheflagswereouroldBavarianflags:buttheywerealreadysomewhatold，thebluewasfadedandlookedlikeyellow，andthewhitehadbecomequitedirtyandlookedlikeblack。"
"Thunderandlightning！Wallnerisright，"exclaimedtheTyrolese，burstingintoloudlaughter。"TheflagswereouroldBavarianflags，buttheywerefadedanddirty。"
Theyounglads，whohadhithertostoodingroupsaroundtheouteredgeofthemarket—place，nowmingledwiththecrowdtolistentothespeakers;andayoungTyrolese，withhisrifleonhisarm，andhispointedhatoverhisdarkcurlyhair，approachedwithsuchimpetuouscuriositythathesuddenlystoodclosetothetax—
collector。However，hetooknonoticeoftheofficer，butlookedwitheagerattentionatWallner，andlistenedtohiswords。
Butthegrimeyesofoneofthetwobailiffsnoticedwithdismaythatthisimpudentfellowdaredtoplacehimselfclosebythesideofthetax—collectorwithouttakingoffhishat。
Strikingwithhisfistontheyoungfellow'shat，hedroveitdeepoverhisforehead。
"Villain！"heshouted，inathreateningvoice，"doyounotseethetax—collector？"
Theyoungfellowdrewthehatwithanairofembarrassmentfromhisforehead，andcrimsoningwithrage，butinsilence，steppedbackintothecircleofthemurmuringmen。
"Thatisjustwhatyoudeserve，Joe，"saidAnthonyWallner。"WhydidasmartTyroleseboylikeyoucomenearusSouthernBavarianswhenweweretalkingaboutpublicparlour？"
Atthismomentaladelbowedhimselfhastilythroughthecrowd。Hisdresswasdusty，hisfacewasflushedandheatedanditseemedasthoughhehadtravelledmanymilesonfoot。Tothosewhostoodinhiswayhesaidinabreathless，pantingvoice:"Pleasestandaside。