You，Mr。Intendant，arethemantodoit。YouhaveoftenassuredusthatyouwereabraveandpatrioticsonoftheTyrol;provenowthatyoutoldusthetruth。InsteadofleavingtheTyrolatthishourofitsgreatestperil，andsurrenderingittotheenemy，placeyourselfatitshead，protectitagainsttheenemy，andpreserveittotheemperor。[Footnote:\"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，\"p。103。]
BecomeDukeofTyrol，takechargeofthegovernmentanddefenceofthecountry。Asprovisionalduke，calluponthefaithfulpeopletotakeuparms，andtheywillriseasonemananddefenditsfrontiersagainsteveryenemy。RuleovertheTyrolintheemperor\'splace，untilhehimselfisableagaintodosoandfoldusagaintohisheart。\"
\"Whatyousayisnonsense，Andy，\"exclaimedHormayr，shrugginghisshoulders。\"YouwantmetobecomeprovisionalDukeofTyrol？Why，thewholeworldwouldlaughatme，andtheemperorwouldpunishmeasarebel！\"
\"Well，then，\"criedAndreasHofer，inapowerfulvoice，\"ifyouwillnotdoit，Iwill！Ishalltakechargeofthegovernmentandcallmyself\'AndreasHofer，SandwirthofPasseyrandDukeofTyrol，\'aslongasitpleasesGod！\"[Footnote:AndreasHofer\'sownwords。——SeeHormayr\'s\"AndreasHofer，\"vol。ii。，p。361。]
\"No，youwillnot，Andy，\"saidHormayr，gravely;\"youwillbesensible，onthecontrary，andnot，fromworldlypride，endangeryourcountry，yourfriends，andyourself。Bearinmind，Andy，thatyouwouldberesponsibleforthebloodthatwouldbeshed，ifyoushouldincitethepeopletorebellion，andthatyouwouldbethemurdererofallthosewhoshouldfallinthestruggleprovokedbyyousorecklesslyandinopenoppositiontotheordersofyouremperor。Bowyourhead，Andy，andsubmitaswealldo。IntrustyourandourcausetoGod;asitisgoodandjust，Hewillnotforsakeit，butrenderitvictoriouswhenitistime。\"
\"Ibelieveyou，\"sighedAndreas;\"buthowcanIkeepquietwhen，asyouhaveoftentoldme，IamGod\'sinstrumentanddestinedbyHimtodeliverthedearTyrolfromtheenemy？Andwhatwouldmybravelieutenantssayiftheircommander—in—chief，AndreasHofer，weretoleavethecountryinitssoredistress，afterhehadtakenanoathtodefenditwhilehelived？Wouldtheynotpointtheirfingersatme，andcallmeatraitor，aJudasIscariotwhosoldhiscountryforthesakeofhisownsafety？\"
\"Youaremistaken，Andy。Youthinkyourfriends，thecaptainsandothercommanders，withwhomyoufoughtforthedeliveranceoftheTyrol，woulddespiseyouifyoufollowedtheAustriansnowandsavedyourlife？Nowlistentome，myfriend。Yourbestfriends，thebraveTyrolesecaptains，inwhomyoureposethegreatestconfidence，willleavetheTyrolthisverydayoftheirownaccordandaccompanyourAustriantroopstoCarinthia。\"
\"Thatisfalse，thatisimpossible！\"criedAndreas，vehemently。
\"Speckbacherwillneverdoso。\"
\"Yes，hewill，Andy。Isawhimthismorning。Hereresistedandfoughtaslongashecould;butsincethearmisticecompelshimtolaydownthesword，andsince，moreover，theFrenchandBavariansareenteringthecountryoncemore，hefeelsthatitisbetterforhimtosavehislifethanbecaughtandhungherebythevindictiveenemy。Hence，SpeckbacheracceptedtheofferoftheAustrianofficers，andwillaccompanythem。\"
\"JosephSpeckbacherwillleavetheTyrol？\"murmuredAndreasHofer，mournfully。
\"Andheisnottheonlyone，Andreas:Aschbacher，Puechler，Sieberer，andmanyotherbravecaptainsoftheTyrolese，willlikewiseleavewiththeAustrians。Allhaveaskedmetoimploreyoutofollowtheirexample，andfleefromtheperilsmenacingyouall。
Oh，believethem，believeme，Andreas！Ifyoustayhere，theBavarianswillnotrestuntiltheyhavetakenyouprisoner——untiltheirhatedenemy，theformidableBarbone，hasfallenintotheirhands。DearAndy，thinkofyourwifeathome，thefaithfulAnnaGertrude，whopraysforyoumorningandevening，andbeseechestheAlmightytosparethelifeofherdearhusband;thinkofyourdearchildren，whoseonlyprotectorandsupporteryouare;donotmakeyourdearwifeawidow，noryoursweetchildrenorphans！AndreasHofer，youcannotnowbeusefultothefatherland;saveyourself，then，foryourwifeandchildren！\"
\"Mygoodwife，mydearchildren！\"sighedAndreas，profoundlymoved;
\"itistrue，theylovemedearly，andwouldbeverylonelyonearthiftheirfathershouldbetakenfromthem！\"
\"Preservetheirfathertothem，then，andpreserveyourselfalsotothefatherland！FollowtheexampleofyourbravefriendsSpeckbacher，Aschbacher，Sieberer，andalltheothers;accompanyus，leavetheTyrolforawhile，andwhenthetimehascome，returnwiththemandfightoncemoreforthedeliveranceofthecountry。\"
\"Speckbacherwillleave，andsowillalltheothers，\"murmuredAndreastohimself。\"TheTyrolwillfallagainintotheenemy\'shands，andallhasbeeninvain！\"
Hehunghisheadandheavedadeepsigh。
\"Come，Andreas，besensible;thinkofyourselfandyourfamily，\"
saidHormayr，beseechingly。\"Ihavecomehitherforthesolepurposeoftakingyouwithme;letmenothavetravelledinvainfromBrixentoLienz。Come，Andreas，come！Mycarriageisinreadinessatthedoor;letusridetogethertoMatrey。Speckbacher，theotherfriends，andtheAustriansarewaitingforusthere;weshallcrosstheTyrolesefrontierwiththemthisveryday，andyouandallyourfriendswillbesafe。Therefore，donothesitateanylonger，butcome！\"
\"Icannotmakeupmymindsosuddenly，\"saidHofer，disengaginghimselfgentlyfromthehandofHormayr，whowastryingtodrawhimupfromhischair。\"Itisagrave，momentousstepwhichyouaskmetotake，andbeforeIcandosoImustconsultGodandpraytohimfervently。Therefore，prayleavemealonealittlewhile，thatImayspeaktothegoodGodandconsulthimandmyconscience。\"
\"Verywell，Andy，Igiveyouaquarterofanhourtomakeupyourmind，\"exclaimedHormayr，approachingthedoor。
\"Aquarterofanhourisnotenough，\"saidAndreas，shakinghishead。\"Itislateatnight，andnightisthetimeforreposeandprayer。Therefore，stayhere，Mr。Intendant;sleepafewhours，andto—morrowmorning，atsunrise，cometomychamberandawakenme。I
willtellyouthenwhatGodinheavenhastoldmetodo。\"
\"Youpledgemeyourword，Andreas，thatyouwillnotleaveduringthepresentnight？\"
\"Ido。Ishallstayhere。Andnowgood—night。Myheartisprofoundlymoved，andIlongforrepose。Thisismychamber;IbeggedAnthonySteegertoletmehaveit;hehasfineroomsforaristocraticguestsup—stairs，andhewillgiveyouoneofthem。Nowgood—night，sir！\"
Hebowedkindlytothebaron，shookhandswithhim，andconductedhimtothedoor。
CHAPTERXXIX。
HOFERANDSPECBBACHER。
ScarcelyhadthesunrisennextmorningwhenBaronvonHormayraroseandquicklypreparedeverythingfortheirdeparture。Afterseeingthathiscarriagewasatthestreetdoor，hedescendedthestaircaseinordertogotoAndreasHofer。
AnthonySteegerfollowedhimwithagloomyface，andwatchedhiseverymovementattentively。\"IfhetriestotakeAndywithhim，\"hesaidtohimself，\"Iwillstranglehim。Itistrue，hehastoldmealreadythatHoferwillaccompanyhim，butIdonotbelieveit，andheshallnotcoaxhimaway。ThistimeIshallbepresent，andseewhatheisafter。\"
TheystoodnowinfrontofHofer\'sdoor，andHormayrputhishandontheknobtoopenit，butitwaslockedontheinside。
\"AndreasHofer，AndreasHofer！\"heshoutedoutalmostimperatively。
\"Thetimeisup;cometome，AndreasHofer！\"
Thedooropened，andthetall，powerfulformoftheSandwirthappearedinit。
\"HereIam，\"hesaid，smilingcalmly，\"andyouseeIamreadytosetout。\"
\"Youwillaccompanymethen，Andy？\"askedHormayr，joyfully。
\"Youwillleaveus？\"criedAnthonySteeger，indignantly。
\"Iwaswaitingforyou，sir，\"saidAndreas，quietly;\"andifyouhadnotcomeofyourownaccord，Tony，Ishouldhavecalledyou，foryoushallhearwhatIhavegottosaytotheintendant。Comein，then，bothofyou，andletusspeakalastwordwitheachother。AnthonySteeger，BaronvonHormayr，ourcountryman，camehithertopersuademetoaccompanyhimandleavetheTyrol。Ourfriendswilldothesamething，fortheBavariansandFrencharealreadyenteringthecountry。Speckbacher，Sieberer，andothers，willsavetheirlivesforthisreason，andgowiththeAustrians;andtheintendantthinksIoughttodothesame，forthesakeofmywifeandchildren。
However，IwishedfirsttoconsultthegoodGod。Ididsoallnightlong。Iprayedandreflectedagreatdeal，anditseemedtomeasthoughtheLordspoketomeandenlightenedmysoultofindthetruepath。Listenthen，Mr。IntendantoftheTyrol，andyou，too，friendAnthonySteeger，towhatIhaveresolvedtodowithGod\'sassistance。ItookanoathtoservethefatherlandaslongasI
lived;asanhonestman，Imustkeepmyword，andstayintheTyrol。\"
AnthonySteegerutteredaloudcryofjoy，butHormayr\'sfacegrewverysombre。\"Youdonotsee，then，thatyouarerushinguponyourowndestruction？\"heasked。\"Youareintentonrenderingyourwifeandchildrenunhappy？Youarebentonincurringthemostimminentperil？\"
\"Iwillincuritcourageously，\"saidHofer，kindly。\"IknowverywellthatwhatIamabouttodoisnotprudent，butitisright。
WhenthetemptertookJesusupintoanexceedinghighmountain，showedhimallthekingdomsoftheworldandtheirglory，andsaid，`AllthesethingswillIgiveThee，ifthouwiltfalldownandworshipme，\'theSaviourdidnotaccepttheoffer，butremainedtruetoHimself，andsealedHisteachingswithhisdeath。IwillfollowtheSaviour\'sexample，andnever，whileIlive，proverecreanttothelovewhichIvowedtothedearTyrol;neverwillIleaveit，butIwillstandbyitandserveittothelast。Depart，then，BaronvonHormayr;Icannotaccompanyyou，forthecountrykeepsmehere，andneverwillIabandonitwhatevermayhappen！\"[Footnote:\"GalleryofHeroes:AndreasHofer，\"vol。iii。，p。104。]\"Isthatyourlastword，Andreas？\"askedHormayr，gloomily。
\"Itis，\"saidHofer，gently。\"Butpray，sir，donotbeangrywithmeforit。WereImoreprudentandsagacious，Ishouldcertainlyfollowyouradvice;butIamonlyaplainpeasant，andcannotbutobeythepromptingsofmyheart。LettheAustriansleavetheTyrol。AndreasHofercannotaccompanythem，norcanhelookonquietlywhiletheenemyisre—enteringthecountry。Manybravemen，manyexcellentsharpshooterswillremainintheTyrol，andIshallcalluponthemtorallyroundme。Wehavetwicedeliveredthecountryfromtheenemywithoutanyoutsideassistance，andweshall，perhaps，succeedathirdtime。\"
\"Butifyoushouldfail，\"criedHormayr，\"iftheseducedTyroleseshouldcurseyou，ifthetearsandlamentationsofyourfamilyshouldaccuseyou，ifyouruinyourselfandyourcountry，thenrememberthishour，andthewarningIgaveyouinordertosaveyou！\"
\"Iwill，Mr。Intendant，\"saidAndreas，calmly。\"Everyonemustdohisdutyafterhisownfashion。YouthinkyouaredoingyoursbyleavingtheTyrol;IthinkIdominebystayinginthecountry。Godwilldecidewhichdidright。Andnow，Godblessyou，sir！GreetSpeckbacherandalltheothers;andwhenyouseetheArchdukeJohn，tellhimthatmyhearthasnotlostfaithinhim，andthatIknowfullwellhewouldneverhavegivenupthepoorTyrolifhecouldhavehelpedit。Andnow，sir，donotlookatmesoindignantly;
shakehandswithme，andletuspartinpeace。\"
Heheldouthishand，butHormayr，overcomebyhisemotion，spreadouthisarmsandthrewthemaroundHofer\'sneckwithanairofimpassionedtenderness。
\"Farewell，Andy，farewell，\"hesaid，inalowvoice。\"Icannotapproveofwhatyouaredoing，butImustloveandadmireyouforallthat。Farewell，farewell！\"
Hedisengagedhimselfquickly，hastenedoutoftheroom，andwalkedhurriedlythroughthehall。Afewminutesafterwardhiscarriagerolledawaywiththunderingnoise。
\"Heisgone！\"criedAnthonySteeger，joyously;\"thetempterhasleftus，andyouhaveremainedfirm，Andy;youdidnotallowyourselftobeseducedbyhisblandishments。TheTyrolwillrewardyouandloveyouforitforevermore！\"
\"Ifyouspeakthetruth，itiswell;ifyoudonot，itiswelltoo，\"
saidAndreas，calmly。\"Iremainbecauseitismyduty，andbecauseI
feelthattheTyrolneedsme。Anthony，theenemyisre—enteringthecountry;wemustdrivehimoutathirdtime;thatismyopinion。\"
\"Itismine，too，\"repliedAnthonySteeger，exultingly。\"Aftersucceedingtwiceinsodoing，weshallexpelhimathirdtimealso。\"
\"Itistrue，itisabadandmournfulthingthatSpeckbacherisgoingtodesertus，\"saidAndreas，musingly;\"butAnthonyWallnerandtheCapuchinwillsurelystandbyus，andPeterMayerwillnotleaveuseither。Besides，youarehere，andsoamI，andwefivemenwillraiseourvoicesandcalluponthepeopletoriseandexpeltheenemyoncemore。Ibelievethebravemenwilllistentoourvoices，andnotoneofthemwillstayathome;allwillcometous，bringtheirrifleswiththem，andfighttheFrenchandBavarians。\"
\"Ithinksotoo，Andy。WhenthebraveTyrolesebearyourvoice，theywillcometoaman，andwewillachieveanotherInnsprucktriumph，andgainanothervictoryonMountIsel。\"
\"GodgrantitinHismercy;\"exclaimedAndreas，touchingthecrucifixonhisbreast。\"ButImustsetoutnow，myfriend。Solongasweareunabletocopewiththeenemy，wemustavoidmeetinghim，concealourforces，andprepareactivelyforthestruggle。Hence，I
shallnottellyouwhereIamgoing，andnooneshalllearnofmywhereaboutsuntilthetimehascomeformetoappearoncemoreattheheadofastrongandbravearmy。Doyourdutyhere，Tony，andenlistcourageoussharpshootersforthefatherland。Informallthepatriotssecretlyofmyplan，andtellthemthatwemustnotheedthearmisticeconcludedbyAustria，butmustfightonforourlibertyandouremperor。Havemyhorsebroughttothedoor，myfriend;thesunisalreadyoverthemountains，anditistimeformetostart。\"
AnthonySteegerhastenedaway;hesaddledhisfriend\'shorsewithhisownhandsandbroughthimtothedoor。Andreasvaultedwiththeagilityofayouthintothesaddle，andshookhandswithhisfriend。
\"Farewell，AnthonySteeger，\"hesaid;\"youshallhearfrommesoon。\"
Hethenspurredhishorseandgallopedalongthehigh—wayleadingthroughthePustervalley。Hishorseknewthewayverywell;itwasunnecessaryforAndreasHofertoguidehim;hecouldlethimtrotalongquietly，andabsorbhimselfinhisplansandthoughts。Hewasanimatedonlybyoneidea，thathisbelovedcountrywasindanger，andthatitneededhim。
\"IdonotknowifIshallbeabletosaveit，\"hemurmuredtohimself，\"butIdoknowthatImustnotrunaway。Ishallhideaslongasitisnecessary，andpreparemyselfbyprayeranddevotion。
Forward，myhorse，forward！\"
Andherodeonthroughthevalleyandacrosstheheights。Profoundsilencereignedeverywhere。Itwasyetearlyinthemorning，theroadwasquitedeserted，andAndreascouldbrooduninterruptedlyoverhisthoughtsandconceivehisplans。Allatoncehismusingswereinterruptedbytherollofawagonapproachingontheroad。Itwasalargewagonwithracks，drawnbyfourhorses，andmanymensatinit。AndreasHoferwasasyetunabletoseewhotheywere，buttheredandwhitecoloursoftheirgold—and—silver—embroideredcoatsshowedhimthattheyweresoldiers。Whenthewagoncamecloseruptohim，herecognizedthem;theywereAustrianofficersandsoldiers。
Butwhowashethatoccupiedoneofthefrontseatsamongthem？Whowasthattall，slendermaninthedressoftheTyrolese，hisheadcoveredwithapointedgreenhat？Thewagoncamenearerandnearer。
AndreasHoferhaltedhishorseandlookedsteadfastlyattheTyroleseseatedinthemidstoftheAustrianofficers。\"Goodheavens，\"hemurmured，givingastart，\"IbelieveitisJosephSpeckbacher！Yes，yes，itis。\"
Nowthewagonwasclosebyhisside，anditwasreallyhe，itwasJosephSpeckbacher;anditwasplainlytobeseenthathehadlikewiserecognizedAndreasHofer，forheutteredacry，andadeepblushsuffusedhischeeks。ButtheAustrianofficershadalsorecognizedthebraveSandwirth，theuniversallybelovedBarbone，andtheyshoutedtothecoachmantodrivequickerandwhiphishorsesintoafullgallop。Thecoachmandidso，andthecarriagespedawayatafuriousrate。AndreasHoferhaltedattheroadside;histearfuleyesgazeduponhisfriend，andwhenSpeckbacherwaswhirledpasthim，Andreasexclaimedinaloud，mournfulvoice，\"Speckbacher，areyoutoogoingtodesertthecountry？Theyaredrivingyoutoyourowndisgrace，Joe！\"[Footnote:AndreasHofer\'sownwords。——SeeMayr\'s\"JosephSpeckbacher，\"p。143。]
Thewagonpassedhimnoisily，andJosephSpeckbacher\'shorse，whichwastiedbehind，gallopedrapidlyafterit。AndreasHoferlookedafterhisfrienduntilacloudofdustenvelopedthedisappearingwagon，andheheardonlythesoundofthewheelsatadistance。Hethenheavedadeepsigh，wipedatearfromhiseye，androdeon。Buthisheartwasheavyandmelancholy，andhisthoughtsreturnedagainandagainduringhisrideonthelonelyroadtoJosephSpeckbacher，whohadturnedhisbackontheTyrolandwasabouttoleaveitinthehourofitssorestdistress。Suddenlyhethoughtheheardhisownnameutteredbehind;thecallwasrepeatedlouderandmoreurgently。
AndreasHoferhaltedhishorseandturned。Acloudofdustcameuptheroadlikeawhirlwind;nowitopened，andtheheadandneckofahorseandtheslenderridermountedonhimcameinview。Thecloudveilshisfaceasyet，buthecomesnearerandnearer;hishorseisnowbyAndreasHofer\'sside，theriderstretchesouthisarmstowardhimandexclaimsexultingly:\"Andy，hereIam！Iheardwhatyousaid，andjumpedfromthewagon，untiedmyhorse，vaultedintothesaddle，andspedafteryou，myAndy。IhadtoovertakeyouandtellyouthatIdonotwanttobedisgraced;thatIwillnotleavetheTyrolunlessyoudotoo。\"
\"Ineverwill，Joe，unlessIshoulddie，\"saidAndreasHofer，solemnly。\"ButGodbepraisedthatIhavegotyouback，forapieceofmyheartwouldhaveleftthecountrywithyou。Butyouareback，andIamsogladofit！AndImustgiveyouakissinthenameofGod，thecountry，andtheEmperorFrancis。Welcomehome，goodandfaithfulsonofthefatherland！\"
HeencircledSpeckbacher\'sneckwithhisarmsandimprintedakissonhisforehead。Theyremainedlockedinalongembrace，keepingtheirhorsessidebyside，andgazingateachotherwithproud，smilingjoy。
\"Andnowtellme，Andy，whatareyougoingtodo？\"askedSpeckbacher，afteralongpause。\"IhopeyouwillnotlookonquietlyandpeaceablywhiletheBavariansandFrencharere—enteringthecountry？Icouldnotbearit，andthiswastheveryreasonwhyI
didnotwanttostayinthecountry;fortheAustrianofficerstoldme，ifIwishedtoremainintheTyrol，Ishouldhavetokeepveryquietandallowtheenemytotakepossessionoftheprovince，inaccordancewiththestipulationsofthearmistice。Andyousee，Andy，myheartrevoltedatthat;thereforeIwishedtogetawayandremainabroaduntilthearmisticehadexpired，whenwewouldbeoncemoreallowedtofightbravelyforourcountryandouremperor。\"
\"Nooneshallpreventusfromdoingsonow，\"saidAndreas，calmly。
\"Whatdowecareforthearmistice？Theemperorconcludedit;wedidnot，andIbelievetheemperorwillnotblameusfordisregardingitandcontinuingthewaraswecommencedit。\"
\"Youareright，wewilldoso，\"exclaimedSpeckbacher，joyfully。
\"AndnowIwillcommunicatetoyousomeimportantnewswhichtheAustrianofficersreceivedonlythismorning。AnthonyWallner，ofWindisch—Matreyisalsoofyouropinion;herefuseslikewisetoacknowledgethearmisticeandmakepeacewiththeenemy。WhentheBavarians，fourdaysago，intendedtocrossthefrontiernearWindisch—Matrey，AnthonyWallnerandJohnPanzlwenttomeetthemwithfourhundredsharpshooterswhomtheyhadgatheredingreathaste。TheytookpositionatthebridgeofTaxenbachandtriedtopreventtheBavariansfromcrossingit。TheBavarianswereseventhousandstrong，andWallnerhadonlyfourhundredmen;butourfriends，nevertheless，defendedthebridgeforsevenhours，killedandwoundedoverthreehundredBavarians，andretreatedintothemountainsonlybecausetheoddsweretoogreat。\"[Footnote:
Peternader，\"DieTyrolerLandesvertheidigungimJahre1809，\"vol。
ii。，p。84。]
\"IknowAnthonyWallner，andwasconvincedthathewouldnotsubmitquietly，\"saidAndreas，joyfully。\"Andwewillfollowhisexample，Joseph。ThegoodGodhasimposedonusthetaskofdefendingtheTyrol，andwewillfulfilitfaithfully。\"
\"Yes，wewill，andwewillbeginthisveryhour。Wemustfindout，aboveallthings，ifallofourcountrymenareofouropinion，andiftheyarecourageousenoughtocontinuethestruggle，evenaftertheAustrianshaveleftus。\"
\"WhatgooddidtheAustriansdouswhiletheywerehere？\"askedAndreas，indignantly。\"Letmetellyou，Joe，onthewholeIamgladthattheAustriansareevacuatingtheprovince。Itisbetterforustofightalone，andtrustonlyourownstrength。Regulartroopsandinsurgentsneverfightwelltogetherintheend，fortherearealwaysjealousiesbetweenthem;theymutuallychargeeachotherwiththeblunderscommittedduringthecampaign，andgrudgeeachotherthegloryobtainedinthebattles。Hence，itisbetterforustobealoneandhavenootheralliesthanthegoodGod，theHolyVirgin，andherblessedSon。\"[Footnote:AndrewHofer\'sownwords。——SeeMayr\'s\"JosephSpeckbacher，\"p。145。22]
\"Youareright，alwaysright，Andy，\"saidSpeckbacher。\"Wewillgocourageouslytowork，then;andyoushallsee，myAndy，thatSpeckbacherisstillwhathealwayswas，andthathewillhenceforthneverthinkofleavingthecountry，butwillstandfaithfullybyitandfightuntiltheenemyhasbeenexpelledoncemore，andwearefreeagain。IwillridenowthroughthewholePustervalley，andthenfromBruneckenthroughtheDuxvalleytomyhome，theRinn;andIwillstirupthepeopleeverywhere，andcalluponthementofollowmeandfightoncemoreforlibertyandthefatherland。\"
\"Doso，Joe，andIwillfollowyourexample。IwillreturntothePasseyrvalley;youshallallhearfrommebeforelong，andthenmyvoiceshallresoundthroughouttheTyrol。Godwillmakeitstrongenoughtopenetratetoeveryear，andfilleveryheartwithenthusiasticdevotiontothecountryandtheemperor。Farewell，then，Joseph！TheTyrolandIhaverecoveredyou，andmyheartthanksGodferventlyforit。Farewell，youshallhearfrommebeforelong！\"
HenoddedoncemorekindlytoJosephSpeckbacherandgallopeddownthevalley，whileSpeckbachertrottedupthemountain—path。
AndreasHoferrodealldaylongthroughthecountry。Hesawthepeopleeverywhereincommotionanduproar;theygreetedhimwithjubilantcheers，andthemensworeeverywherethattheywouldnotallowtheenemytore—enterthecountrywithoutresistance;thattheydidnotbelieveinthepacificassurancesoftheproclamationswithwhichtheBavarianshadfloodedthecountry;thattheyweresatisfied，onthecontrary，thattheenemywouldrevengehimselfascruellyashehaddoneafterhisreturninMay;andthattheywere，therefore，firmlyresolvedtofightandexpeltheenemyoncemore。
\"Getyourriflesandammunition，then，andprepareforthestruggle，\"saidAndreasHofereverywheretothemenwhoweresofullofardor。\"Youshallhearfrommesoon，andlearnwhatGodwantsustodo。\"
AndreasHoferdidnotrestevenatnight。Thegreattaskwhichwasimposeduponhimurgedhimonincessantly。HethereforeprofitedbytheclearmoonlighttorideacrosstheJanfen，andatdaybreakhishorseneighedjoyouslyandstoppedatthebankofthefoamingPasseyr，atnogreatdistancefromthewhitehouseoftheSandwirth，thehomewhichcontainedhisgreatesttreasuresonearth，hiswifeandchildren。
ButAndreasHoferdidnotintendtoreturntothemnow;hedidnotwanttohavehisheartsoftenedbythesightofhiswife，whowouldcertainlyweepandlamentonlearningofhisresolvetorenewthewaragainsttheBavariansandFrench。Andforthesamereasonhewishedtoavoidmeetinghischildren，whosedearfacesmightremindhimthathewasabouttoendangerthelifeoftheirfather，andthattheirbrighteyesmightsoonfillwithtearsofbittergrief。HewouldspeakonlytoGod，andsolitudewastobehissoleadviser。
AndreasHofergreetedhishouseanditsbelovedinmateswithalong，tearfullook;hethendriedhiseyesandalighted。Thehorseneighedjoyouslyandspedmerrilydownthehilltowardhisstable。ButAndreasHofertookaby—pathandascendedthemountainthroughtheforestandshrubberytotheKellerlahn，acaveknownonlytohimandsomeofhisintimatefriends，wherehisfaithfulservanthadpreparedhimacouch，andkeptalwaysinreadinessforhim，inasecretcupboardfixedintherock，wineandfood，someprayer—books，andwritingmaterials。
InthiscaveAndreasHoferintendedtopassafewdaysinprayerandsolitude。
CHAPTERXXX。
THECAPUCHIN\'SOATH。
AgreatfestivalwastobecelebratedatBrixentoday。Itwasthe2ndofAugust，thedayofSt。Cassian，andnotonlywerethebonesofthissaint，whichreposedinthecathedraladornedwithtwosplendidtowerstobeexhibitedastheywereeveryyeartothedevoutpilgrims，butthepiousbishophadresolvedthatthesesacredrelicsshouldbecarriedinsolemnprocessionthroughthewholecity，thatallmighthaveanopportunitytoseethesaint\'sremainsandimploretheassistanceofGodinthesoredistresswhichbadbefallentheTyrolagain。Therefore，sinceearlythismorningthepeasantryhadbeenflockingfromallsidestowardthegatesofBrixen。Womenandchildren，youngandoldmen，camefromallpartsofthecountrytotakepartinthesolemnprocessionandthedevoutprayersforthewelfareofthecountry。
AmongthosewhowerewanderingalongtheroadtoBrixen，wasamonkofstrikinglyboldandmartialappearance。Histall，broad—
shoulderedformwasremarkableforitsmilitarybearing;hislong，well—keptredwhiskersandmustachedidnotcorrespondtothetonsureonhishead，whichwascoveredwiththinreddishringlets;
andinstrikingcontrastwithitwerelikewisethebroadredscaronhishealthysunburntcountenance，andthebright，defiantglanceofhiseyes，whichindicatedboldnessandintrepidityratherthanpietyandhumility。Hehadtuckeduphisbrownrobe，andthusexhibitedhisstoutlegs，whichseemedtomockthesoftsandalsencasinghisbroad，powerfulfeet。Inhishandheheldalongbrownstaff，terminatingatitsupperendinacarvedimageofSt。Francis;andtheCapuchindidnotcarrythisstaffinordertoleanuponit，buthebrandisheditintheairlikeasword，orheldituptriumphantlyasthoughitwereavictoriousbanner。
ButhoweverstrangeandunusualtheCapuchin\'sappearancemightbe，noonelaughedathim，buthewasgreetedeverywherewithdemonstrationsofloveandreverence;andwhenhepassedsomeslowwandererswithhisrapidstep，theylookedafterhimwithjoyfulsurprise，andsaidtoeachother，\"LookatoldRed—beard，lookatbraveFatherHaspinger！Hehasfoughtoftenenoughforthefatherland。NowheisgoingtoprayfortheTyrol。\"
\"Pray，andfightagain，ifneedbe，\"saidthefriar，turningtothespeakers。
\"Youthink，then，reverendfather，thattherewillbewaragain？\"
askedmanyvoices;anddensegroupssurroundedthefriar，andaskedhimanxiouslyifheadvisedthemtoallowtheenemytore—enterthecountry;ifitwouldnotbebettertodrivehimbackforcibly，orifbethoughtitwouldbepreferableforthemtokeepquietandsubmittosternnecessity？
\"Ithinkthereisatimeforeverything——forkeepingquietaswellasforfighting，forprayingaswellasforpolitics，\"saidFatherHaspinger，shrugginghisshoulders。\"Ifyouwishtoprayandconfessyoursins，cometome。Iamreadytoteachyouhowtopray，andexhortyouwithtrueearnestness。Butifyouwanttofightandexpeltheenemyfromthecountry，whydoyounotapplytoyourcommanders，andconsult，aboveall，thebraveandpiousAndreasHofer？\"
\"Wecannotfindhimanywhere，\"shoutedseveralvoices。\"Heisnotathome，andevenhiswifedoesnotknowwherehehasconcealedhimself。\"
\"Doyou，impiouswretches，thinkthatthemostpiousmaninthewholeTyrol，AndreasHofer，hasconcealedhimselfbecauseheisafraidoftheBavarianswhoarere—enteringthecountry？\"askedthefriar，inathunderingvoice。
\"No，yourreverence，wedonot。WeknowwellthatAndreasHoferwillnotactlikeAshbacher，Sieberer，Teimer，Eisenstecken，andSpeckbacher，andabandonusinoursoredistress。\"
\"Hewhodoesnotextricatehimselffromhissoredistresswillnotbesavedbyothers，\"criedthefriar，indignantly。
\"Doyounotknowtheeleventhcommandmentyouwhite—liveredcowards，whothinkyouarelostwhenthereisnoleadertoputhimselfatyourhead？Doyounotknowtheeleventhcommandment，sayingthathewhotrustsinGodandfightswellwilloverpowerhisenemies？Butyouwillneveroverpoweryourenemies;youdonottrustinGod，andhenceyoucannotfightwell。\"
\"Butwewillfightwell，yourreverence，\"repliedthemen，withbold，defiantglances;\"onlyourleadersdonotstandbyus。Everyonecannotfightaloneandatrandom，buttheremustbesomeoneattheleadtoleadthewholemovement。SinceAndreasHofercannotbefound，prayputyourselfatourhead，yourreverence，andbecomeourleader！\"
\"Thatrequestisnotsostupid，\"saidtheCapuchin，smiling，andstrokinghisredbeard。\"YouknowverywellthatoldRed—bearddoesnotstayathomewhenaneffortistobemadetosavethefatherland，andperhapsImaysoonbeabletoacceptyourofferandcalluponyoutodefendtheTyrol。\"
\"Doso，docalluponus，\"shoutedthemenenthusiastically。\"WewillnotpermittheFrenchandBavarianstomurderourpeopleandburnourhousesastheydidlastMay;wewillfightratheruntilwehavedriventhemfromthecountryorperishedtoaman！\"
\"Thesearebraveandpioussentiments，\"saidFatherHaspinger，hiseyesflashingforjoy;\"andwewillspeakfurtheraboutthem。ComeuptothechurchofLatzfonsto—morrow，andhearmepreach;andafterthesermonwewillconferastothestateofthecountry。Butnowkeepquiet，foryouseeweareatthegateofBrixen;turnyoursouls，therefore，toGod，andpraySt。Cassiantohavemercyuponyou，andintercedeforyouwithGodandtheRedeemer。\"
AndFatherHaspinger\'sfacebecamesuddenlyverygraveanddevout;
