第11章
"Andnowletussettlethataffairwiththesoldiersyonder，"saidAnthonyWallner，goingtothewindows，infrontofwhichthesharpshooterswerestilldrawnupinline。
"Soldiersintherooms，"heshoutedinapowerfulvoice，"surrender！
Thefightisatanend;yourcaptainisourprisoner。Surrender，oryouarelost;wewillsetfiretothehouse，andshootdownwhosoeverjumpsoutofthewindows。ifyouwishtosaveyourlives，surrender。"
Oneofthesergeantsappearedatthewindow。
"Wearelockedupandsurrounded，"hesaid;"wehavenoammunition，andourcaptainisaprisoner。Therefore，wewillsurrenderifyouwillallowustoevacuatethecastle。"
"Yes，butwithoutarms，"saidAnthonyWallner，imperatively。"Youwillallcomeinsquadsoffourtothewindowsandhandoutyourcarbinesandside—arms。Thereareyetahundredofyouintherooms。
Assoonaswehavegotahundredcarbinesandahundredsabresweshallopentheportalandletyouout。YoumayreturnthentoBavaria，andtellyourgovernmentthatnoSouthernBavarians，buttrueTyrolese，liveinthePusterthal，theVintschgau，andthePasseyrthal。"
"Weacceptyourterms，"repliedthesergeant;"come，therefore，andreceiveourarms。"
TheTyrolesesteppeduptothewindows，ateachofwhichsquadsoffoursoldiersmadetheirappearance，andsilentlyandsullenlyhandedouttheirarms，whichtheTyrolesetookandstackedinthemiddleofthecourt—yard。
"NowIwillgoandseewheremyElzahasconcealedherself，"
murmuredElizatoherself;andsheglidedhastilythroughtheranksoftheTyroleseintothecastle。
Noonewastobeseeninthelargehall，and，unnoticedbyanybody，Elizaascendedthestaircase，hasteneddownthecorridor，andenteredthedining—room。
Theinstinctofherhearthadguidedherrightly;yonder，inthemostremotecorneroftheroom，satElza，groaningaloudinbitterwoe，herhandsclaspedonherknees，herheadbentonherbreast，andnotperceivinginheragonythatElizacamein，thatshehastenedrapidly，yetnoiselesslyandontiptoethroughtheroom，andstoodstillnowcloseinfrontofher。
"Whydoyouweep，dearestElza？"askedEliza，kneelingdownbeforeherfriend。
Elzagaveastart，andquicklyraisedherface，overwhichwererollingriversofscaldingtears。"Idonotweepatall，Eliza，"shesaid，inalowvoice。
"Eliza？"sheasked，wonderingly。"YoucallmeEliza？ThenIamnolongeryourdarling，yourLizzie？YoudidnotassistmewhenIhadtosaveyourcousinUlrichbelowinthecourt—yard？Youutteredaloudcrywhenhelaymoredeadthanaliveinmylap，andyoudidnotcometohelphimandme？AndnowyoucallmeEliza？"
"WhatshouldIhavedonethere？"askedElza，inabitter，mournfultone。"Hereposedwellonyourbreast;hedidnotneedme。Iamonlyhiscousin，butyou，youarehisaffiancedbride。"
"Butformerly，Isuppose，Elza，hewastobeyouraffiancedbridegroom？"askedEliza，inalow，tremulousvoice。"Oh，Ialwaysthoughtso;Iknewitallthetime，althoughyounevertoldmeso。I
alwaysthoughtElzaandUlrichwouldbeagoodmatch;theyaresuitedtoeachother，andwillloveeachotherandbehappy。Elza，Ulrichwastobeyourbridegroom，washenot？"
"Whatistheuseoftalkingaboutitnow？"askedElza，vehemently。
"HeisYOURbridegroom，hehassworneternalfidelitytoyou，andI
shallnotdisputehimwithyou。Marryhimandbehappy。"
"AndwouldyourLizziebehappyifherElzawerenotcontentwithher？"askedEliza，tenderly。"Tellmeonlythis:yourfatherandhisparentsthoughtyouwereagoodmatch——didtheynot？"
"Yes，theydid，"whisperedElza，burstingagainintotears。
"Myfathertoldmeyesterdaythatitwashiswish，aswellasthatofUlrich"sparents。"
"AndUlrichtoldyou，too，thathelovedyouandwouldmarryyou？
Tellmethetruth，Elza。NevermindwhatIsaidinthecourtyardaboutUlrichbeingmybridegroom。RememberonlythatIamyourLizzie，wholovesyoubetterthanshecantellyou，butwhowillproveittoyouifthegoodGodwillpermithertodoso。Tellmetherefore，mydarling，Ulrichsaidtoyouhelovedyouandwishedtomarryyou？"
"No，hedidnotsayso，Lizzie，but——butIthoughtso，Ibelieve，andhethoughtso，too;and，OGod！IbelieveIlovehim。Itseemedtomeasthoughadaggerpiercedmyheartwhenyousaidthathewasyourbridegroom。Icouldnothearit，andhastenedintothehouseinordernottoseeandhearanythingfurther。Imeanttoseatmyselfquietlyinthedining—roomhereandsubmittoallthatmighthappen;
andyetIwasdrawnirresistiblytowardthebalcony，andorbrushingoutIsawyouholdinghiminyourlapandpressinghisdearpaleheadtoyourbosom。Ifeltasthoughtheheavenswerefallingdownonme;Ihadtocryoutaloudinmyanguishanddespair。Ihurriedbackintotheroom，fellonmyknees，andprayedthatdeathmightdelivermefrommypains。OGod，God！itdidnot;Imustcarryonlife"sdrearyburdenandcannotdie！"
Sheburiedherfaceinherhandsandsobbedaloud。
WhileElzawasspeaking，Elizahadturnedpalerandpaler;aslighttremorpassedthroughherwholeframe，andshecompressedherlipsfirmly，asiftorestrainthecryoppressingherbosom。
NowshelaidherhandgentlyonElza"shead。"Youlovehim，Elza，"
shesaidmildly。"Iunderstandyourheart，dearestElza，youlovehim。AndnowdryyourtearsandlistentowhatIhavetosaytoyou。
Butfirstyoumustlookatme，Elza，andyoumustshowmeyourdearface;otherwiseIwon"ttellyouthegoodnewsIhavegotforyou。"
Elzadroppedherhandsfromherface，andlooked，smilingamidhertears，intoEliza"scountenance，whichseemednowagainentirelycalmandserene。
"Nowlisten，Elza，"shewhispered，hurriedly;"Ulrichisnotmybridegroom，andhenevertoldmethathelovedme。"
Elzautteredacryofjoy，andasunbeamseemedtoilluminateherface。
"Imerelysaidsoinordertosavehim，"addedLizzie;"thatwasthereasonwhyIutteredthatimpudentlie，whichGodAlmighty，Ihope，willforgiveme。IsawthatmyfatherwasjustabouttohillhimandmyhearttoldmeIoughttosavehimatallhazards。Ihastenedtomyfather，andthewordsescapedmylips，Imyselfdonotknowhow。
IsaidIlovedhim，hewouldmarryme，andwasmyaffiancedbride—
groom;andthissavedhim，forhewasintentondyingratherthanfallalive，ashesaid，intothehandsofthepeasant—rabble。Thatwasthereasonwhyhewassobold，abusedtheTyrolesesoviolently，andwouldnotceaseresistingthem。Therefore，Ihadtosavehimnotonlyfrommyfather，butfromhisownrage;andIdidit。"
"Butdoyounotlovehim？"askedElzasmiling。
"DoyounotknowthatJosephThurmwalderhasbeencourtingmeforayearpast？Myfatherwillbegladtohavememarryhim;forheisthesonofrichparentsandthemostskillfulandhandsomehunterinthewholePustervalley。"
"Butyouhaveoftentoldmethatyoudidnotlovehim？"
"HaveyounotoftentoldmelikewisethatyoudidnotloveUlrich，Elza？Wegirlsarequeerbeings，andneversaywhomwelove！"
"ButUlrich！Helovesyou！Yes，yes，Iknowhelovesyou。Ihavesuspecteditalongtime，andalwaysteasedhimwithhisattachmenttoyou。"
"Andhealwaysdeniedit，didhenot？"
"Yes，hedid，andyet——"
"Andhedenieditto—daytoo，whentheliewouldhavesavedhimatonce。Hewoulddieratherthanbeapeasant—girl"sbridegroom！Yousee，therefore，thathedoesnotloveme，Elza。Butmyliesavedhislife，andnoonemustfindoutthatUlrichisnotmybridegroom。Forifmyfatherandhisfriendsshoulddiscoverit，theywouldkillhim，becauseheinsultedthemtoodeeplytobeforgiven。Hemustremainmybridegroomuntiltranquillityisre—establishedinthecountry。"
"Yes，myLizzie，mydarling！"exclaimedElza，encirclingEliza"sneckwithherarms;"yes，lethimremainyourbridegroom，mysagacious，braveTyrolesegirl。Ialwayssaidandknewthatyouwouldbeaheroineifyoushouldhavetomeetagreatdanger，andto—dayyouWEREaheroine。"
"NotyetElza，butIshallbeone。IamgoingtoprovetomyfatherandallhisfriendsthatIamatruedaughteroftheTyrol，eventhoughtheBavariancaptainismybridegroom。Andnow，farewell，dearestElza;Imustgodownagaintomyfather。Butlisten，Ihavetotellyousomethingelseyet。Ishallleaveourvillagewithmyfatherto—day。WeshallmarchwithourfriendstoAndreasHofer，fortheTyrolesemustconcentratetheirwholeforcesinordertobestrongenoughwhentheyhavetomeettheenemy。Hence，itwasresolvedattheveryoutset，that，sosoonasitwastimeforthepeopletoriseagainsttheBavarians，Speckbacherandhisfriends，andmyfatherwiththepeasantsofthePustervalley，shouldjointhemenofthePasseyrvalleyunderHofer"scommand。Iknowthatfatherwillsetoutto—day，andIshallaccompanyhim，Elza。Iamnotafraidofdeathandtheenemy;Iknowthatourcauseisjust，andthatthegoodGodwillbeonourside。"
"But，nevertheless，manynobleheartswillbepiercedforthisjustcause，andyours，dearestLizzie，maybeamongthem，"exclaimedElza，tenderlyfoldingherfriendtoherheart。"Oh，stayhere，mydarling，letthemenfightitoutalone;stayhere！"
"No，Elza，Imustgowiththem。Myhonorrequiresit，andforbidsmetostayatourhousewithUlrichvonHohenberg，forwhosesakemyfathercalledmepubliclyto—dayarecreantdaughteroftheTyrol，andthreatenedtodisownmeforever。ImustprovetoalltheworldthatIamaloyaldaughteroftheTyrol;andIfeel，Elza，thatitwilldomegoodtocontributemymitetothedeliveranceofthefatherland。IamnotgentleandpatientenoughtositquietlyathomeandwaituntildearLibertylooksintomydoorandsaystome，"Godblessyou，Lizzie！Iamherenow。andyoualsomayprofitbythehappinesswhichwillbecausedbymyarrival。"No，Elza，Imustgowithmyfather，ImusthelphimtofindthisdearLibertyonthemountainsandinthevalleys，andmustsaytoher，"Godblessthee，Liberty！Iamherenow，andthoumaystprofitbymystrength，andI
willhelptheethatthoumaystruleagainoverthemountainsandvalleysofourdearTyrol。""
"Oh，Lizzie，youareagenuineheroine！"exclaimedElza;"IblushtothinkthatIshallnotaccompanyyouandfightbyyoursideforLiberty。"
"Youcannot，"saidLizzie，gravely。"Youhaveanagedfatherwhowillstayathome，andwhomyoumusttakecareof，andthepoorandsickcountuponyou，fortheyknowthatElzawillalwaysbetheirgoodangel。Stayathomeandprayforme。Butnevergodowntomyfather"shouse，donotinquireforUlrich，anddonottrytohavehimbroughttothecastlehere。HeisunderSchroepfel"ssurveillance，andSchroepfelwouldshoothimifheshouldsuspectthatallisnotasitshouldbe。ButifGodshoulddecreemydeath，Elza，Ulrichwouldbefreeatonce，andmyfatherwouldnotinjurehim，inasmuchashewashisLizzie"saffiancedbridegroom。Hewouldsethimfree。Ulrichwouldthencometoyou，and，Elza，youwilltellhimnottothinkthatLizzieWallnerwasabadgirl，andthatshewasintentonlyongettinganaristocratichusband。Youwilltellhimthatmysoleobjectwastosavehislife，andthatIneverthoughtofmarryinghim。YouwilltellhimalsothatIforgavehimtheinjurywhichhedidmeto—day，andthatIshallpraytoGodAlmightyforhim。AndwhenyoustandbeforeGod"saltar，andthepriestjoinsyourhands，thinkofme，anddonotforgetthatIlovedyou，dearestElza，betterthananyonceelseonearth。Andnow，farewell，Elza;Ishallnotkissyouagain，foritmakesmyheartheavy。"
"Lizzie，Lizzie！"shoutedapowerfulvoiceoutsideatthismoment;
"Lizzie，whereareyou？"Tistimetosetout！"
"HereIam，dearfather！"exclaimedLizzie，steppingquicklyoutonthebalcony。"Ishallcomedowntoyounow。IwasonlytakingleaveofElza。NowIamreadytosetoutandfightforthedearTyrolandthedearEmperorFrancis！"
"Hurrah，wewilldoso！"criedtheTyrolese。"WewillfightforthedearTyrolandthedearEmperorFrancis！Hurrah！WewillexpeltheBavarians！Hurrah！theAustriansarecoming！Hurrah！theTyrolwillbefreeagain！"
CHAPTERXIV。
THEBRIDGEOFST。LAWRENCE。
AnthonyWallnerandhismenmarchedalldayandallnightthroughthePustervalley，alongtheroadtotheMuhlbachpass。HisdaughterEliza，andyoungJohnPanzl，hisfriendandsympathizer，walkedbyhisside;andbehindhimmarchedthebraveTyrolese，whoseforcegainedstrengthateverystepasitadvanced，andwho，amidstthemostenthusiasticacclamations，appointedAnthonyWallnercommander—
in—chiefofthemenofthePusterValley，andJohnPanzlhislieutenantandassistant。
"Iaccepttheposition，myfriends，"saidWallner，takingoffhishatandkindlygreetingthemen;"yes，Iaccepttheposition，andwillbeyourcommander，andwillalwaysleadyoufaithfullyandhonestlyagainsttheenemy。Butwillyoualwaysfollowme？Willyounotbeafraidoftheenemy"sfire，andtaketoyourheelsbeforehisartillery？"
"No，wewillnot，"shoutedthebravemen;"wewillstandbyyoufaithfully，andfightwithyouforthefatherlandandtheemperor！"
"Thatisright，men，"criedJohnPanzl，makingaleapwhichdrewloudexclamationsofadmirationfromtheTyrolese。"Itellyouitisrightinyoutothinkso，andthereforeIwilllikewisejoyfullyacceptthehonorwhichyouhaveofferedtome;Iwillbeyoursecondcommander，willalwaysobeytheordersofourbravecommander—in—
chief，andassisthimandyouindrivingtheenemyfromourcountry，forthegloryofGodandouremperor。Ah，mydearTyrolese，IwouldwecouldcatchtheFrenchandtheBoafoksatlength，takethembytheneck，andhurlthemoutofthecountry。Itellyou，afterwehavedoneit，IshalldancesomerrilywithElizaWallner，mydearcousin，thatthesnowyheadsoftheGross—GlocknerandVenedigerwillbecomewarmandmeltwithdelight。Lizzie，wetwo，themostcelebrateddancersofthewholePustervalley，willperformadanceinhonorofourvictory，willwenot？"
"Wewill，CousinPanzl，"saidEliza，smiling。"Butbeforedancing，wemustmarchonandneverrunback。"
"No，neverrunback，"shoutedthemerryandcourageousTyrolese。
"Forward，then，forward！"commandedAnthonyWallner，andthewholeforcesetoutagainandmarchedrapidlyacrossthemountainsandthroughthevalleys;itwasreceivedeverywherewithdeafeningcheers，andgainedateverystepfreshaccessionsofmen，whorushedenthusiasticallyoutoftheirbuts，armedwiththeirrifles，orotherweapons，eventhoughtheyhadonlywoodenclubs，andbravelyjoinedthedefendersofthecountry。
Alreadytheyapproachedtheirdestination;intheexpansivevalleybelow，yonder，laythetownofBrunecken，surmountedbyCastleBruneckandotherancientanddecayingfeudalcastles;andbehindit，onthewaydowntowardBrixen，inthenarrowergorge，borderedonbothsidesbyprecipitousmountains，throughwhichtheRienzhurlsitsfoamingwaters，theybeheldalreadythesmalltownofSt。
Lawrence。AfterreachingSt。Lawrencetheyhadonlyanhour"smarchtotheMuhlbachpass，which，inaccordancewithAndreasHofer"sorders，thebravemenofthePustervalleyweretooccupyanddefendagainsttheenemymovingupfromBotzen。
Butallatonce，rightinthemidstofthemarch，AnthonyWallnerstoodstill，and，turningtoPanzl，whowaswalkingbythesideofthecolumn，gavehimasigntohalt。Thewholecolumnstoppedandlistened。
Yes，therewasnodoubtaboutit，thatwastherattleofmusketryatadistance！Andnowtheyheardalsotheloudboomingofartillery，andtheringingofthetocsinatBruneckenandSt。Lawrence。
"Nowforward，Tyrolese，forward！"shoutedAnthonyWallner。"Atthedouble—quickdowntoBrunecken！"
"Forward！"shoutedthemen;andtheirexclamationswereechoedjoyouslybythewomenwhohadcourageouslyaccompaniedtheirhusbands，andwhowereready，likethem，tofightfortheircountryandtheiremperor。
TheymarchedwithgreatspeeddowntheBrunecken。Thewholetownwasintheutmostcommotion。Youngandoldmen，women，children——allwerehurryingtowardthegateleadingtoSt。Lawrence。
"Whatisthematter？"shoutedAnthonyWallner，graspingthearmofanoldman，who，armedwithapitchfork，wasspeedingalongatafuriousrate。
"Whatisthematter？"echoedtheoldman，endeavoringtodisengagehisarmfromWallner"spowerfulgrasp。"Thematteris，thattheinsurrectionhasbrokenoutatlength。TheBavariansarebentondestroyingthebridgeofSt。Lawrence，inordertopreventtheAustriansfromcrossingit。Thewholemilitarydetachmentleftourplacesometimeagoforthebridge，andsappersandminers，whoaretoblowitup，havearrivedthismorningfromBrixen。Butwewillnotallowthemtodoit。Theymustshootusallbeforewepermitthemtodestroythebridge。"
"No，wewillnot！"criedAnthonyWallner。"Forward，menofthePustervalley，forwardtothebridgeofSt。Lawrence！"
Theycontinuedtheirmarchthroughthevalleyatthedouble—quick。
Theyheardtherattleofmusketryandtheboomingofartillerymoreandmoredistinctly，andnow，atabendinthevalley，themostwonderfulandstrikingspectaclepresenteditselftotheireyes。
Yonderatadistancelaythewell—knownbridge，composedofasinglearch，betweentremendousrocks;byitssidestoodtwobattalionsofBavarianinfantryinserriedranks，andonaknoll，closetothebankoftheriverRienz，hadbeenplantedthreecannonpointedmenacinglybothagainstthebridgeandthepeoplewhoweremovinguptoitindenseranddensermasses。CaptainsandotherofficersweregallopingupanddowninfrontoftheBavarians，andencouragingtheirmentoattacktheseinsurgentswhowerecomingupbehind，infront，andonbothsidesofthem。ThecourageoussonsoftheTyrolrusheddownfromalltheheights，thetocsinofBruneckenandSt。
Lawrencehadnotcalledtheminvain。Theycamedownthemountainsandupthevalley;theycame，menandwomen，oldmenandchildren;
andallwerearmed:hewhodidnotpossessagunhadaflail，apitchfork，oraclub。Likeabroad，motleyriver，thecrowdwassurgingupfromallsides，andattheheadandinthemidstofthewar—likegroupsweretobeseenpriestsinholyvestments，holdingaloftthecrucifix，blessingthedefendersofthecountrywithfervent，piouswords，andutteringscathingimprecationsagainsttheenemy。
Andamidstthiscommotionthunderedthefield—pieces，whoseballscrashedagainandagainagainstthebridge;thebellsweretolledinthechurch—steeples，andthemusketryoftheBavariansrattledincessantly。Butfewoftheirbulletshittheiraim。TheTyroleseweretooremotefromthem，andonlyoccasionallyaloudscreamindicatedthatahalf—spentbullethadfounditswayintothebreastofaTyrolese。
MorefatalandunerringwerethebulletsoftheTyrolesesharpshooters，whobadconcealedthemselvesontheheightsonbothsidesofthevalley，andfiredfromtheirhiding—placesattheBavarians，nevermissingtheiraimandpickingoffasoldierbyeveryshottheydischarged。
AnthonyWallnercomprehendedthewholesituationataglance。
"Boys！"heshouted，inaringingvoice，"wemusttakethecannon。WemustnotpermittheenemytodestroythebridgewhichtheAustriansaretocross。LetusattacktheBavarians！Wemusttakethecannon！"
"Yes！"shoutedthemen，"wemusttakethecannon！"
Andtheshoutsreachedanothertroopofarmedpeasants，whorepeateditwithtumultuousenthusiasm，andsoonthemenontheheightsandinthevalleycried，"Wemusttakethecannon！"
AnthonyWallnergavethesignaltohissharpshooters，andmovedwiththemintoasmallforestextendingupthemountainnearthecannon。
Thecourageousmendisappearedsooninthethicket，and，asifinaccordancewithageneralagreement，theotherTyroleselikewiseenteredtheforest。Below，inthevalley，kneltthewomenandchildren，andbeforethemstoodthepriestswiththeircrucifixes，protectingthemtherewith，asitwere，fromtheenemywhowaspostedontheothersideofthevalley，andwhoserankswerethinnedmoreandmorebythebulletsoftheTyrolese。
Allatonce，ontheheightabovethecannon，wheretherewasaclearing，andwheretherocksweremoss—grownandbare，theTyrolesewereseenrushingindensemassesfromtheforest。TheywereheadedbyAnthonyWallnerandJohnPanzl。Eachofthemjumpedonaprojectionoftherocksandraisedhisrifle。Theyfired，andtwogunnersfellmortallywoundednearthecannon。
TheTyrolesegreetedthisexploitoftheirleaderswithloudcheers;
butupfromtheBavariansresoundedthecommandsoftheofficers;awholevolleycrashed，thebulletswhistledroundtheearsofWallnerandPanzl，butnonehitthem;andhenthesmokeclearedaway，JohnPanzlwasseentomakeatriumphantleapintheair，whichheaccompaniedwithashoutofvictory，whileAnthonyWallnercalmlyraisedhisrifleagain。Hefired，andthegunneratthethirdfield—
piecefelldead。
"Now，boys，atthem;wemusttakethecannon！"shoutedWallner，jumpingforward，andtheTyrolesefollowedhimdowntheslopewithfuriousshouts。
"Forward，forward！"shoutedtheLieutenant—ColonelinthevalleytohisBavarians;"forward！thecannonmustnotfallintothehandsofthepeasants;wemustdefendthemtothelastman。Therefore，forwardatthedouble—quick！"
AndtheBavariansrushedforwarduptheslope。
ButtheTyrolesehadalreadysucceededinshootingorknockingdownallthegunners，andtakenpossessionofthecannon。WhileAnthonyWallner，attheheadofafuriousdetachmentofhismen，hastenedtomeettheapproachingBavarians，andhurleddeathanddestructionintotheirranks，JohnPanzlremainedwiththeotherstodefendtheguns。
Afurioushand—to—handfightnowarose;theBavarianswererepulsedagainandagainbytheTyrolese，andthesharp—shooters，postedbehindthetreesandrocks，assistedtheirfightingbrethrenwiththeirrifles，which，aimedsteadily，nevermissedtheirman。ButtheBavarians。whoweredrawnupfartherdowninthevalley，likewiseendeavoredtoassisttheirstrugglingcomrades:butthebulletswhichtheyfiredupthehillfrequentlystruckintotheranksoftheircountrymen，andnotintothoseoftheTyrolese。Often，ontheotherhand，thesebulletsdidnotmisstheiraim，butcarriedwoundsanddeathintothemidstoftheinsurgents。Wheneverthisoccurredayoungwomanwasseentorushamidstthedeadliestshowerofbulletsintotheranksofthefightingmen，liftupthefallenbrave，andcarryhiminherstrongarmsoutofthethickestofthefighttothequietspotontheedgeoftheforest，whichaprotrudingrockprotectedfromthebulletsoftheenemy。
ThisyoungwomanwasElizaWallner。Behindtherockshehadestablishedasortoffieldhospital;afewwomenandgirlshadassembledaroundherthere，andtakenuponthemselvesthesacredcareforthewounded，whiletwopriestshadjoinedthemtoadministerextremeunctiontothedying。ButElizaWallnerhadreservedthemostdifficultanddangerouspartofthisworkofloveforherself。Shealonewascourageousenoughtoplungeintothethickestofthefighttoremovethefallenbrethren;shealonewasstrongenoughtocarrythemtothequietasylum，anditwasonlythejoyousenthusiasminspiredbytheconsciousnessofdoinggoodthatimpartedthisstrengthtoher。Hereyeswereradiant，hercheekswereflushed，andthefaceoftheyounggirl，formerlysorosyandserene，exhibitednowthetransparentpaleness，andgrave，proudcalmnesswhichonlygreatresolvesandsublimemomentsimparttothehumancountenance。
Andthewomenfollowedherexamplewithjoyouszeal;theywashedthewoundsofthebraveTyrolesewithwaterfetchedfromtheneighboringspring，toretheirhandkerchiefsanddressestomakethenecessarybandagesofthem，andclosed，withtearsofdevoutcompassion，theeyesofthosewhogaveuptheghostamidtheblessingsofthepriests。
FromthesepiousworksofcharitythewomenweresuddenlyarousedbytheloudcheersoftheTyrolese。Elizasprangforthfrombehindtherocktoseewhatwasthematter。Renewedandstillloudercheersresounded，forthevictorywasgained。AnthonyWallnerandhismenhadattainedtheirobject。Theyhadsucceededinhurlingthethreefield—piecesfromtheheightintotheRienz，whichwasrollingalongfarbelowinitsrockybed。Theearthwasshakingyetfromtheterrificcrash，andechowasresoundingstillwiththethunderingnoisewithwhichthefield—pieceshadfallenintotheRienz，whosewatershadhurledtheirfoamingsprayintotheair，andwererollingnowwithanangryroaroverthesunkencannon。
Thisexploit，whichexcitedthetransportsoftheTyrolese，exertedacontraryeffectupontheBavarians。Theyhadlosttheirartillery，andwithitthemeansofblowingupthebridge;andnowtheystoodbeforetheenemyuncoveredandalmostdefenceless。InobediencetoaloudcommandutteredbyAnthonyWallner，theTyrolesereturnedquicklyintotheforest，and，hiddenbehindtreesandrocks，hitaBavarianwitheverybullet，whiletheBavariansvainlyfiredatthewell—concealedenemy。
ThecommanderoftheBavarians，Lieutenant—ColonelWreden，perceivingthedangeranduselessnessofacontinuanceofthestruggle，orderedhistroopstoretreat;andnosoonerhadtheBavariansreceivedthislonged—fororder，thantheyfellbackatthedouble—quickfromthebridgeandtooktheroadtoSterzing。
ThisretreatoftheenemywasgreetedbytherenewedcheerswhichElizaWallnerhadheard;and，bothlaughingandweepingforjoy，shehastenedtofoldherfathertoherheart，andthankGodthatnobullethadhithim。
Wallnerembracedhertenderly，andimprintedakissonherforehead。
"Youhavebehavedverybravely，Lizzie，"hesaid;"Isawhowyoucarriedourpoorbrethrenoutofthethickestofthefight。Myheartwasproudofyou，andIshouldnothaveweptto—dayeventhoughyouhadfalleninthesacredserviceofthefatherland。ButIthankGodthatnothinghashappenedtoyou，andIbeseechyou，dearestLizzie，donotaccompanyusanyfarther。Inowbelieveagaininyou，andI
knowthatyouareatruedaughteroftheTyrol，althoughyouunfortunatelyloveaBavarian。Thereforegohome;foritisnowoman"sworkthatisinstoreforus;wehaveahardstrugglebeforeus，andagreatdealofbloodwillbeshedbeforewehavedriventhemeanBavariansandtheaccursedFrenchfromourbelovedcountry。"
"No，father，Ishallstaywithyou，"exclaimedEliza，witheagerdetermination。"Iamnotabletositathomeandspinandpraywhenmyfatherisfightingforthecountry。Mothercanattendalonetoourhouseholdaffairs，andSchroepfelwillassisther;butyoucannotattendalonetothehardworkhere，andIwillhelpyou，dearestfather。Iwillbethedoctorandsurgeonofyourmenuntilyouhavefoundabetterandmoreskilfulphysician。Youmustnotrejectme，dearestfather，foryouwouldcommitwrongagainstthepoorwoundedwhohavenootherassistancethanwhattheyreceiveatmyhandsandatthoseofthewomenwhomIbegandpersuadetohelpme。"
"Youareright，Lizzie;itwouldbewronginmetosendyouhomeandnotpermityoutoassistandnursethewounded，"saidherfather，gravely。"MayGodandtheHolyVirginhelpandprotectyou！IdevoteyoutothefatherlandtowhichIdevotemyself。"
Hekissedheroncemore，andthenturnedtotheTyrolese，who，encampedingroupsontheedgeoftheforest，andreposingfromthestruggle，werepartakingofthebreadandmeatwhichtheyhadbroughtalongintheirhaversacks。
"Brethren，"exclaimedAnthonyWallner，inapowerfulvoice，"nowletusbeupanddoing！Wemustcutofftheenemy"sretreattoSterzing。
WemustalsooccupytheMuhlbachpass，asAndreasHoferorderedustodointheArchdukeJohn"sname。Theenemyhassetoutthither，andifhegetsbeforeusthroughthegapofBrixenandreachesthebridgeofLaditch，weshallbeunabletopreventhimfrompassingthroughtheMuhlbachpassandmarchingtoSterzing。Hence，wearenotatlibertytoreposenow，butmustadvancerapidly。Onedetachmentofourmen，commandedbymyLieutenantPanzl，willpushonquicklyonthemountain—roadtotheMuhlbachpass。Therestofuswillfollowyou，butwemustpreviouslydetaintheenemyatthegapofBrixen;andwhilewearedoingduty，anotherdetachmentofourmenwillgofartherdowntothebridgeofLaditchanddestroyitinordertopreventtheenemyfromcrossingtheEisach。Forward，myfriends！ForwardtothegapofBrixen！Wemustrolldowntrees，detachlargefragmentsfromtherocks，andhurlthemdownontheenemy;wemustfireatthemfromtheheightswithdeadlycertainty，andeverybulletmusthititsman。Forward！forward！TothebridgeofLaditch！"
"Yes，yes！"exclaimedtheTyrolese，withenthusiasticcourage。
"ForwardtothebridgeofLaditch！"
CHAPTERXV。
THEBRIDGEOFLADITCH。
NighthadatlengthbroughtsomereposetotheexhaustedBavarians。
AtnogreatdistancefromthegapofBrixentheyhadhaltedlateintheevening，andencampedonthebaregroundinthevalleybelow。