第15章
GraduallythewholeroombecamecrowdedwithTyrolese，whoyesterdayhadbeenthemortalfoesofthecolonel，butwhogazedto—daywithprofoundcompassionandconciliatedheartsatthepoor，mutilatedbeingthatdisdainedevenonthebrinkofthegravetoconsiderapeasantasentitledtoequalrightsandasabrotherofthenobleman。
ColonelDittfurtlayonhiscouchwithhiseyesdistendedtotheirutmost，andstaredattheTyroleseassembledroundhim。Forsomeminutesthecursesandinvectiveshaddiedawayonhislips，andheseemedtolistenattentivelytothesinisternotesofthealarm—
bellswhichwerecallingincessantlyupontheTyrolesetoprepareforthestruggle。
"Isthatmydeath—knell？"heaskedwearily。"HaveI，then，diedalready，andisitdeaththatislyingsoheavilyonmybreast？"
"No，sir，youstilllive，"saidoneoftheTyrolese，inalow，gentlevoice。"Youstilllive;thebellsyouhearareringingthetocsin;theyarousedusbecausetheFrenchandBavariansareadvancinguponthecity。"
"TheBavariansarecoming！Ourmenarecoming！"criedDittfurtexultingly，andbeliftedhisheadasiftorisefromhiscouch。Buttheironhandofdeathhadalreadytouchedhimandkepthimenthralled。Hisheadsankheavilybackuponthepillow，andhiseyesbecamemorelustrelessandfixed。
"Theyvanquishedme，"hesaid，afterapause;"IknowIamaprisonerofthepeasants，anditistheywhokeepmechainedtothiscouchandpreventmefromgoingouttoparticipateinthecontest。
Oh，oh，howitgrievesme！Aprisonerofthepeasants！Buttheyfoughtlikemen，andtheirleadermustbeanableandbraveofficer。
Whowastheleaderofthepeasants？"
"Noone，sir，"saidtheTyrolese，onwhomthedyingofficerfixedhiseyes。"Wehadnoleader;wefoughtequallyforGod，theemperor，andournativecountry。"
"No，no，"saidDittfurt，"thatisfalse;Iknowbetter，forIsawtheleaderofthepeasantspassmeoften。Hewasmountedonawhitehorse;hisfacewasasradiantasheaven，hiseyestwinkledlikestars，andinhishandheheldaswordflashinglikeasunbeam。I
sawtheleaderofthepeasants，healwaysrodeattheirhead，heledthemintobattle，I——"
Hepaused，theexpressionofhiseyesbecamemorefixed，theshadesofdeathdescendeddeeperanddeeperonhisforehead，whichwascoveredwithcoldperspiration。
TheTyrolesemindedhimnolonger。Theylookedateachotherwithexultantandenthusiasticglances。"Hesawaleaderatourhead？"
theyaskedeachother。"Aleadermountedonawhitehorse，andholdinginhishandaswordflashinglikeasunbeam？ItmusthavebeenSt。James，thepatronofthecityofInnspruck。Hewasourleaderyesterday。Yes，yes，thatisit！St。Jamescombatedatourhead，unknowntous;butheshowedhimselftotheenemyanddefeatedhim。Didyounothear，brethren，whatthepiousprieststoldusoftheSpaniardswhohavelikewiserisentofightagainstBonaparte，theenemyofthePopeandallgoodChristians？St。JamesplacedhimselfinSpainlikewiseattheheadofthepiouspeasants;heledthemagainstBonaparteandtheFrench，andmadethemvictoriousovertheenemy，whowasbentuponstealingtheircountryandtheirliberties。AndsinceSt。JamesgotthroughwiththeSpaniardsinSpain，liehascometotheTyroltolendushisassistance。St。
James，ourpatronsaint，isourleader！Heassistsusandcombatsatourhead！"
AndtheTyrolese，regardlessofthecolonel，whoatthismomentwaswrithinginthelastconvulsionsofdeath，rushedoutoftheroomtocommunicatethemiracletotheirbrethrenoutside。Thenewsspreadlikewildfirefromhousetohouse，fromstreettostreet;allshoutedjoyously:"St。James，ourpatronsaint，isourleader。Heassistsusandcombatsatourhead！"[Footnote:"Galleryofheroes:
AndreasHofer，"p。41。]
AndthisbeliefenhancedtheenthusiasmoftheTyrolese，andwiththemostintrepidcouragetheylookedupontheenemy，whohadbythistimecomecloseuptothecity，andwasforminginlineofbattleontheplainadjoiningthevillageofWiltau。FromthehousesintheneighborhoodofthetriumphalarchtheTyrolesewereabletosurveythewholepositionoftheenemy;theycoulddiscerneventhevariousuniformsoftheFrenchandBavariansoldiers。Upyonder，ontheroofofahouse，stoodSpeckbacherandTeimer，andwiththeireyes，whichwereaskeenandflashingasthoseoftheeagle，theygazedsearchinglyuponthepositionoftheenemyandthatoftheirownforces。ThelinefromthevillageofWiltaudowntotheriverSillwasoccupiedbytheFrenchtroopsunderGeneralBisson;ontherightsideofWiltautotheInnstoodLieutenant—ColonelWredenwiththeBavarians，hisfrontturnedtowardthecity。
"Nowwemustsurroundthemasinamouse—trap，andleavethemnooutletforescape，"saidMajorTeimer，withashrewdwink。"Isnotthatyouropiniontoo，Speckbacher？"
"Certainlyitis，"repliedSpeckbacher。"MountIselyonder，intherearoftheBavarians，mustbeoccupiedbyseveralthousandsofourbestsharpshooters，andacloudofourpeasantsmustconstantlyharasstheirrearanddrivethemtowardInnspruck。Herewewillreceivetheminfinestyle，andchasethemuntiltheyarealldeadorlaydowntheirarms。Theonlyimportantthingforusistocutofftheirretreatandkeepthembetweentwofires。"
"Youareright，Speckbacher;youareaskilfulsoldier，andarebetterabletobeageneralthanmanyanofficer——forinstance，GeneralKinkel。Kinkelisanoldwoman;heweptandsworeinonebreathwhenIwaswithhimjustnow;hesaysallthetimethathewillcommitsuicide，andyetheisnotcourageousenoughtodoit，butpreferredtocomplywithmydemands。"
"Andwhatwereyourdemands，Teimer？"
"IdemandedthatheshouldgivemeanopenlettertoGeneralBisson，urginghimtosendsomeconfidentialpersonintothetownwhomightreportthestateofaffairs，andconvincehimoftheimmensesuperiorityandenthusiasmoftheTyrolese，andoftheimpossibilityofdefeatingusorforcinghiswaythroughourranks。"
"AnddidoldGeneralKinkelgiveyousuchaletter？"
"Hedid，andIwillsenditoutnowtotheFrenchcamp。Wemustmakeallnecessarydispositions，thatwhenthegeneralsendsaconfidentialenvoyintothetownhemaybecomefullyalivetothefactthatitisimpossibleforhimtodefeatus。Aboveallthings，wemustsendseveralthousandsharp—shooterstoMountIselandtheadjoiningheights，inordertocutofftheenemy"sretreat。"
TheletterwhichMajorTeimerhadextortedfromGeneralKinkelhadreallytheeffectwhichhehadexpectedfromit。GeneralBissonsenttoInnspruckoneofhisstaff—officers，accompaniedbyLieutenant—
ColonelvonWreden，thecommanderoftheBavarians。Afewotherofficersfollowedthesetwo，andrepairedwiththemtoMajorTeimer，whoreceivedthemattheprincipalguard—houseinthepresenceofthemostprominentTyrolese。
MeanwhileGeneralBissonawaitedwithpainfulimpatiencethereturnofthetwoambassadorswhomhehadsentintothetown;and，hiseyesconstantlyfixedonInnspruck，hewalkeduneasilyupanddown。Butalreadyupwardofanhourhadelapsed，andtheambassadorshadnotyetmadetheirappearance。Hehadgoodreasontobeuneasyandanxious，forthesituationoftheFrenchandBavarianswasnowalmostdesperate。HehadfoundoutatthebridgeoftheEisach，ontheplainoftheSterzingerMoos，andattheMuhlbacherKlause，thattheFrenchhadtodealwithanenemywhowasterriblyinearnest;
thatthewholeTyrolwasininsurrection;thatChasteler，withabodyofarmedpeasants，aswellasafewregulartroops，wasdescendingtheBrenner，andalreadymenacinghisrear;whiletherocksandthicketsinhisfrontandflankswerebristlingwiththepeasantsoftheInnthal，who——ingreatstrength——obstructedhisadvance。
"Weshalldiehere，forwearehemmedinonallsides，"saidGeneralBisson，gloomily，tohimself。"Thereisnohopeleft，andintheendwemaybeobligedtosubmittothedisgraceofsurrenderingtothemobofpeasants。Butwhatonearthpreventstheofficersfromreturningtome？"
AndBissonturnedhissearchingeyesagaintowardInnspruck。Nowheperceivedtwomenapproachingatarun。
Herecognizedthem;theywerethecompanionsofhisstaff—officerandLieutenant—ColonelVonWreden，andtheirpale，dismayedfacestoldhimthattheywerebearersofbadtidings。
"WherearethetwogentlemenwhomIsenttoInnspruck？"heasked，advancingrapidlytowardthem。
"TheyweretakenintocustodyatInnspruck，"falteredoutoneofthem。
"MajorTeimersaidhehadtakenuponhimselfnoobligationinregardtotheseofficers，andwouldretainthemashostages，"pantedtheother。"Hethencausedustobeconductedthroughthewholecity，thatwemightsatisfyourselvesofthetremendousstrengthoftheTyroleseandtheirformidablepreparations。Oh，yourexcellency，thepeasantsaremuchsuperiortousinstrength，forthereareatleasttwentythousandable—bodiedmenintheirranks;theyarewellarmed，andthemostcelebratedmarksmenandthemostdaringleadersoftheTyrolareamongthem。"
"Bah！itwouldmakenodifference，eventhoughtheyweretentoone！"criedGeneralBisson;"fortenpeasantscannothaveasmuchcourageasonesoldierofthegrandarmyofmygloriousemperor。Wewillprovetothemthatwearenotafraidofthem。Wewillattackthem。AdetachmentofTyroleseyonderhasventuredtoleavethecity。Fireatthem！Shootthemdownuntilnotoneofthemisleft！"
Theshotscrashed，theartilleryboomed，butnotaTyrolesehadfallen;theyhadthrownthemselvesontheground，sothatthebulletsandballshadwhistledharmlesslyovertheirheads。Butnowtheyjumpedupandrespondedtotheshotsoftheenemy;andnotoneoftheirbulletsmisseditsaim，butallcarrieddeathintotheranksoftheFrench。AtthesametimethesharpshooterspostedonMountIsel，intherearoftheFrenchandBavarians，commencedfiring，andmoweddownwholeranksofthesoldiers。
GeneralBissonturnedindismaytowardthisnewenemy，coveredbythethicket，which，risingalmosttothesummitofMountIsel，madetheTyroleseinvisible，andprotectedthemfromthemissilesofthesoldiers。
"Wearebetweentwofires，"hemurmuredtohimself，indismay。"Wearecaught，asitwere，inanet，andwillbeannihilatedtothelastman。"
Andthisconvictionseizedallthesoldiers，aswasplainlytobeseenfromtheirpalefacesandterror—strickenlooks。
TherewasasuddenlullinthefireoftheTyrolese，whichhadalreadystruckdownseveralhundredFrenchsoldiers，andfromthetriumphalarchofInnspruckissuedseveralmen，wavingwhitehandkerchiefs，andadvancingdirectlytowardtheFrench。ItwasMajorTeimer，accompaniedbysomeofficersandcitizensofInnspruck。HesentoneofthemtoGeneralBissontoinvitehimtoaninterviewtobeheldonthepublicsquareofthevillageofWiltau。
GeneralBissonacceptedtheinvitation，andrepairedwithhisstaffandsomeBavarianofficerstothedesignatedplace。
MajorTeimerandhiscompanionswerealreadythere。Teimerreceivedthegeneralandhisdistinguishedcompanionswithaproud，condescendingnod。
"General，"hesaid，withoutwaitingfortheeminentofficertoaddresshim，"Ihavecomeheretoaskyoutosurrender，andorderyoursoldierstolaydowntheirarms。"
GeneralBissonlookedwithasmileofamazementatthepeasantwhodaredtoaddresstohimsounheard—ofademandwithsomuchcalmnessandcomposure。
"Mydearsir，"hesaid，"Iamconvincedthatyouarenotinearnest，butknowfullwellthatwenevercanorwillcomplywithsuchademand。Moreover，oursituationdoesnotbyanymeanscompelustoallowconditionstobedictatedtous。Nevertheless，Iamreadytomakesomeconcessionstoyou。Hence，IwillpledgeyoumywordofhonorthatIwillneitherattackyou，norinjurethecityofInnspruckintheleast。ButinreturnIdemandthatyouallowustopasswithoutmolestationthroughInnspruck，thatwemaymarchtoAugsburginobediencetotheordersofmyemperor。"
"Andyoubelievewecanbesostupidastograntthisdemand，general？"askedTeimer，shrugginghisshoulders。"Idonotwanttobebeatendown，butsticktomyfirstdemand。Eitheryouorderyourtroopstolaydowntheirarms，oryouwillallbeputtothesword。"
"No，sohelpmeGod！neverwillIacceptsoarrogantademand，"
criedthegeneral，indignantly;"neverwillIincurthedisgraceofsigningsoignominiousacapitulation。"
"Then，general，youwillappearthisverydaybeforethethroneofGodtoaccountforthelivesofthethousandswhomyoudevotetoanunnecessarydeath。Forallofyouwillandmustdie;thereisnoescapeforyou。Youknowitfullwell，general，forotherwiseyou，theproudgeneralofMonsieurBonaparte，andcommanderofseveralthousandsplendidFrenchsoldiers，wouldnothavecometonegotiateherewiththeleaderofthepeasants，whoknowsnothingoftacticsandstrategy。Youknowthatthereareenemiesbothinyourfrontandrear。OurmenoccupyMountIsel，andthewholecountrybackofMountIselisininsurrection。Youcannotretraceyoursteps，norcanyouadvance，foryouwillnevergettoInnspruck，andthereisnootherroadtoAugsburg。Wehavebarricadedthecity，andhavenearlytwentythousandmeninandaroundInnspruck。"
"ButIpledgedyoumywordthatIwouldnotattackyou，nortakeanyhostilestepswhatever。AllIwantistomarchpeaceablythroughthecity;and，inordertoconvinceyouofmypacificintentions，I
promisetocontinuemymarchwithflintsunscrewedfromourmuskets，andwithoutammunition。"
"Idonotacceptyourpromises，theyarenotsufficient，"saidTeimer，coldly。
"Well，then，"criedGeneralBisson，inatremulousvoice，"hearmylastwords。Iwillmarchonwithmytroopswithoutarms;ourarmsandammunitionmaybesentafterusonwagons。"
"Ifthatisyourlastword，general，ournegotiationsareatanend，"repliedTeimer，withperfectsang—froid。"Youhaverejectedmywell—meaningsolicitudeforyoursafety;nothingremainsformenowbuttosurrenderyouandyourtroopstothetendermerciesofourinfuriatedpeople。Farewell，general。"
HeturnedhisbackonhimandadvancedseveralstepstowardInnspruck。Atthesametimehewavedhisarmthreetimes。
Immediately，ashadbeenagreedupon，theTyroleseonMountIsel，andinfrontofInnspruck，commencedfiring，andtheirclosedischarges，admirablydirected，thinnedtheranksoftheFrenchgrenadiers，whiletheshoutswithwhichthemountainsresoundedonallsidesweresotremendousthattheywerecompletelypanic—struck。
GeneralBissonsawit，andadeadlypalloroverspreadhisface。
Teimerstoodstillandgazedsneeringlyatthedisheartenedandterrifiedsoldiers，andthenglancedattheirgeneral。
Bissoncaughtthisglance。"Sir，"hecried，andhiscryresembledalmostanoutburstofdespair，"prayreturntome。"
"Letusnegotiate！"
Teimerdidnotapproachhim，heonlystoodstill。"Cometome，ifyouhaveanythingtosaytome，"heshouted;"come，and——"
Therattleofmusketry，andthefuriousshoutsoftheTyrolese，nowpouringdownfromallthemountains，andadvancingupontheFrench，drownedhisvoice。
TorenderhiswordsintelligibletoTeimer，andtohearhisreplies，GeneralBissonwasobligedtoapproachhim，andhesteppeduptohimwithhisstaff—officersingreaterhasteperhapsthanwascompatiblewithhisdignity。
"Whatelsedoyoudemand？"heasked，inatremulousvoice。
"WhatIdemandedattheoutset，"saidTeimer，firmly。"IwantyourtroopstolaydowntheirarmsandsurrendertotheTyrolese。Ihavealreadydrawnupacapitulation;itisonlynecessaryforyouandyourofficerstosignit。Thecapitulationisbriefandtothepoint，general。Itconsistsonlyoffourparagraphs。ButjustlistentotheshoutsandcheersofmydearTyrolese，andseewhatexcellentmarksmentheyare！"
Indeed，thebulletsoftheTyrolesewhistledagainatthismomentthroughtheranksoftheenemy，andeverybullethititsman。LoudshoutsofdespairburstfromtheranksoftheFrenchandBavarians，whowereinthewildestconfusion，anddidnotevendaretoflee，becausetheyknewfullwellthattheywerehemmedinonallsides。
GeneralBissonperceivedthedespairofhistroops，andagroanescapedfromhisbreast。"Readthecapitulationtome，sir，"hesaid，dryingthecoldperspirationonhisforehead。
Teimerdrewapaperfromhisbosomandunfoldedit。Hethencommencedreading，inaloud，ringingvoice，whichdrownedeventherattleofmusketry"InthenameofhismajestytheEmperorFrancisI。ofAustria，acapitulationisenteredintoatthismomentwiththeFrenchandBavariantroopswhichadvancedto—dayfromSteinachtoWiltau;thefollowingtermswereaccepted:"
"FIRST。TheFrenchandBavariansoldierslaydowntheirarmsonthespotnowoccupiedbythem。"
"SECONDLY。Themembersofthewholeeighthcorpsareprisonersofwar;andwillbedeliveredassuchtotheAustriantroopsatSchwatz，whithertheywillbeconveyedimmediately。"
"THIRDLY。TheTyrolesepatriotsinthecustodyofthesetroopswillbereleasedonthespot。"
"FOURTHLY。Thefieldandstaff—officersoftheFrenchandBavariantroopswillretaintheirbaggage，horses，andside—arms，andtheirpropertywillberespected。"
"Yousee，sir，itisimpossibleformetosignthis，"criedGeneralBisson。"Youcannotexpectmetosubscribemyowndisgrace。"
"Ifyourefusetosubscribethecapitulation，yousigntherebynotonlyyourowndeath—warrant，butthatofallyoursoldiers，"saidTeimercalmly。"See，general，hereisfortunatelyatable，forthisistheplacewherethepeopleofWiltauassembleonSundays，anddanceanddrink。Fateplacedthistablehereforusthatwemightuseitforsigningthecapitulation。Thereisthecapitulation;I
havealreadyaffixedtoitmynameandtitleascommissioneroftheEmperorFrancis。Ihavealsobroughtpenandinkwithme，thatyoumighthavenotroubleinsigningthedocument。Subscribeit，therefore，general，andletyourstaff—officersdosotoo。Sparethelivesofyourpoorsoldiersforyouseeeveryminute"sdelaycostsyouadditionallosses。"
"Icannotsignit，Icannot！"criedBisson，despairingly。Heburstintotears，andinhisboundlessgriefhestruckhisforeheadwithhisfistandtoreouthisthingrayhairwithhistremblinghands。
[Footnote:Hormayr"s"AndreasHofer，"vol。1，p。257。]"Icannotsignit，"hewailedloudly。
"Signit，"criedhisofficers，throngingroundthetable。
"Youmustrefusenolonger，forthelivesofalloursoldiersareatstake。"
"Butmyhonorandgoodnamearelikewiseatstake，"groanedBisson，"andifIsignthecapitulation，Ishalllosebothforever。"
"Butyouwilltherebypreservetotheemperorthelivesofupwardofthreethousandofhissoldiers，"exclaimedtheofficers，urgently。
"Neverwilltheemperorbelievethatthisdisastermightnothavebeenaverted，"wailedGeneralBisson。"EvenwereImerelyunfortunate，hewouldimputeittomeasacrime。HewillforgivemenomorethanVilleneuveandDupont。Hisangerisinexorable，anditwillcrushme。"
"Thenletitcrushyou，general，"saidTeimer，calmly。"ItisbetterthatyoushouldbecrushedthanthatseveralthousandmenshouldnowbecrushedbytheTyrolese。"
"Sign，sign！"criedtheFrenchofficers，steppingcloseuptothetable，takingupthepen，andpresentingittothegeneral。
"ThenyouarealldeterminedtosignthecapitulationafterIhavedoneso？"askedGeneralBisson，stillhesitating。
"Weare，"criedtheofficers。
"Wearereadytodoso，"saidMajorArmance，"andinproofhereofI
affixmynametothecapitulationbeforeyouhavesignedit，general。"
Hesubscribedthepaperwithaquickbutsteadyhand。
Anotherstaff—officersteppedup，tookthepen，andalsowrotehisname，"Varin。"
"Now，general，"hesaid，presentingthepentoBisson。
Thegeneraltookthepen，castalastdespairingglancetowardheavenandthentowardhissoldiers，bentoverthepapertosignit。
Thependroppedfromhishand，andhehadtoleanagainstthetableinordernottosinktotheground。MajorTeimerdrewawhitehandkerchieffromhispocketandwaveditintheair。TheTyroleseceasedfiringimmediately，anddeafeningcheersburstforthonallsides。
"Yousee，general，youhavesavedthelivesofyoursoldiers，"saidTeimer。
Bissononlysighed，andturnedtohisofficers。"Now，gentlemen，"hefalteredout，"giveorderstothetroopstolaydowntheirarmsonthespotnowoccupiedbythem。"
Theofficershastenedaway，andGeneralBissonstartedtoleavelikewise，whenTeimerquicklylaidhishandonhisarmanddetainedhim。
"General，"hesaid，"prayissuestillanotherorder。"
"Whatorder，sir？"
"Youhaveofcoursebroughtyourcarriagewithyou;orderyourcoachmantodriveupwithit，andpermitmeandthesegentlemenheretoenteritwithyou，andridetoInnspruck。"
"Thatistosay，Iamyourprisoner，andyouwishtomakeyourtriumphalentranceintothecitywithme？"
"Thatisaboutmyintention。Ishouldliketoreturntothecityseatedbyyourside;andasthegoodinhabitantsofInnspruckareveryanxioustoseeaFrenchgeneral，oneofBonaparte"sgenerals，whodoesnotcomewithhistroopstodevastatethecity，torobandplunder，Irequestyoutoletusmakeourentranceinanopen，uncoveredcarriage。"
"Wewilldoso，"saidBisson，castingasombreglanceonTeimer"sshrewdface。"Youaremercilessto—day，sir。Whatisyourname？"
"MynameisMartinTeimer;IholdtherankofmajorintheAustrianarmy，andArchdukeJohnhasappointedmecommissionerfortheTyrol。"
"Ah，oneofthetwocommissionerswhosignedthe`openorder，"withwhichthecountrywasinstigatedtoriseininsurrection？"
"Yes，general。"
"AndAndreasHofertheBarbone，istheothercommissioner，ishenot？Iwillrememberitincaseweshouldmeetagain。"
"Youwillthentakeyourrevenge;thatisquitenatural。Butto—dayWEtakeourrevengeforthelongoppressionsandinsultswhichwehaveenduredatthehandsoftheFrench。Come，general，letusridetoInnspruck。"
Anhourafterwardalongandbrilliantprocessionmovedthroughthetriumphalarch。ItwasheadedbythebandofthecapturedBavarianregiment，whichhadtoplaytoglorifyitsowndisgraceto—day;nextcameanopencarriageinwhichMartinTeimersatwitharadiantface，andbyhissideGeneralBisson，pale，andhanginghishead。Inanothercarriagefollowedthestaff—officers，escortedbythemunicipalauthoritiesandclergyofInnspruck，andafterwardappearedthewholeenormousforceoftheTyroleseconductingthedisarmedprisonersintheirmidst。[Footnote:Hormayr"s"LifeofAndreasHofer，"vol。i。，p。259。]
AllInnspruckhadputonitsholidayattire;atallthewindowsweretobeseengayly—dressedladiesandrejoicinggirls，holdingintheirhandswreaths，whichtheythrewdownonthevictors。Thebellsofallthechurcheswereringing，notthetocsin，butpealsofjoyandthanksgiving。
Forthetaskwasaccomplished，theTyrolwasfree！Inthreedaysaftertheinsurrectionbrokeout，theTyrolese，bymeanssolelyoftheirownvalorandpatriotism，aidedbythenaturalstrengthofthecountry，hadentirelydeliveredtheprovincefromtheenemy。ThecapitulationofWiltaucrownedtheworkofdeliverance，totheeverlastinggloryofthebraveMartinTeimer，andtothedisgraceofGeneralBissonandtheFrenchandBavarians。[Footnote:MajorTeimerwasrewardedforthiscapitulationofWiltauwiththetitleofBaronvonWiltau，andwiththeorderofMariaTheresa。TheEmperorofAustria，besides，presentedhimwithvaluableestatesinStyria。]
ThereweregreatrejoicingsinInnspruckallthedaylong;gladfacesweretobemetwitheverywhere，andallshoutedenthusiastically:"WehavebecomeAustriansagain！WearesubjectsoftheEmperorofAustriaagain！LonglivethefreeTyrol！LonglivetheEmperorFrancis！"
Thestreetspresentedaverylivelyappearance;allthepaintersofthecitywereoccupiedinremovingthehatefulBavariancolors，blueandwhite，fromthesignsandhouses，andputtingonthemtheAustrian，blackandgold;andtheTyrolesemarksmenheldaregulartarget—shootingattheBavarianlion，which，tothegreatdisgustoftheTyrolese，hadbeenraisedfouryearsagoovertheentranceoftheimperialpalace。Prizeswereawardedforeverypiecewhichwasshotfromit，andtheprincipalrewardwasgrantedtohimwhopiercedthecrownofthelion。
Yes，thenorthernTyrolwasfree;buttheSouth，theItalianTyrol，wasgroaningyetundertheyokeofFrenchoppression，andAndreasHoferintendedtomarchthitherwithhisforces，ashehadconcertedatViennawiththeArchdukeJohnandHormayr，inordertobringtotheItalianTyrolesethelibertywhichtheGermanTyrolesehadalreadyconquered。
HenceAndreasHofer，thoughhisheartyearnedforit，hadrefrainedfrommakinghissolemnentranceintoInnspruck，andhadgoneonthe17thofApriltoMeran，wherehewastoreviewtheLandsturmofthattownanditsenvirons，thebravemenwhoweretoaccompanyhimonhisexpeditiontotheItalianTyrol。
TheTyroleseweredrawnupinfourlines;attheirheadwastobeseenHormayr，surroundedbythepriestsandcivilofficerswhohadbeenexiledbytheBavarians，andwhowerereturningnowwithhimandtheAustrianarmy。
AcloudofdustarosefromtheneighboringgorgesofthePasseyrvalley，andajoyousmurmurranthroughtheranksoftheTyrolese。
Deafeningcheersrenttheairthen，forAndreasHofergallopeduponafinecharger，followedbythemenofthePasseyrvalley。Hisfaceglowed，hiseyesbeamedwithdelight，andhiswholebearingbreathedunboundedsatisfactionandhappiness。
HeshookhandswithHormayr，laughingmerrily。"Wehavekept，"heexclaimed，"thepromiseswemadeatVienna，havewenot？AndourdearArchdukeJohn，Isuppose，willbecontentwithus？"
"HesendsthebestgreetingsofhislovetohisdearAndreasHofer，"
saidHormayr，"andthankshimforallhehasdonehere。"
"Hethanksme？"askedHofer，insurprise。"Wehavedoneonlywhatourheartslongedfor，andfulfilledourownwishes。WewishedtobecomeAustriansagain，forAustriansmeansGermans;wewantednolongertobeBavarians，forBavariansmeantFrench;hence，wewereanxioustoridourmountainsofthedisgraceandmakeourcountryagainfreeandaprovinceofGermany。Wehavesucceededindoingso，forthegoodGodblessedoureffortsandhelpedusinoursoredistress。Nowweareoncemorethefaithfulchildrenofourdearemperor，andthedearArchdukeJohnwillcometousandstaywithusasgovernoroftheTyrol。"
"Hecertainlywill，andIknowthathelongstoliveagaininthemidstofhisfaithfulTyrolese。Butforthisreason，Andy，wemusthelphimthathemaysooncometous，andaidhimindeliveringtheSouthernTyrol。Ihavegreatnewsforyou，Andy，fromtheArchdukeJohn。Iwishedtocommunicateittoyoufirstofall。Noonewastohearofitprevioustoyou。"
"Ihopeitisgoodnews，BaronvonHormayr，"saidAndreasHofer，anxiously。"Thedeararchduke，Itrust，hasnotmetwithadisaster？
Tellmequick，formyheartthrobsasthoughoneofmydearchildrenwereinimminentperil。"
"Youyourselfareachild，Andy。DoyousupposeIshouldlooksocheerfulifourdeararchdukehadmetwithadisaster？Andeventhoughsuchwerethecase，wouldIthenbesostupidastoinformyouofitnow，atthisjoyfulhour，whenitisall—importantthatweshouldbeinhighspirits？No，Andy，Ibringsplendidnews。TheArchdukeJohnachievedyesterdaygloriousvictoryatSacileovertheViceroyofItaly，EugeneBeauharnais;itwasagreattriumph，forhetookeightthousandprisoners，andcapturedagreatmanyguns。ButamidstthistriumphhethoughtofhisdearTyrolese，anddispatchedfromthebattle—fieldacourierwhowastobringtomethenewsandhisordertotellhisdearTyrolesethathedefeatedtheFrenchyesterday。"
AndreasHofer，overjoyedandwithhiscountenancefullofsunshineandhappiness，gallopeddownthelonglineofhissharpshooters。
"Hurrah！mydearfriendsandbrethren，"heshouted，"theArchdukeJohnsendshisgreetingstoyou。andinformsyouthathedefeatedtheFrenchyesterdayatSacileandtookeightthousandprisonersandagreatmanyguns。Hurrah！longlivetheArchdukeJohn，thefuturegovernoroftheTyrol！"
AndtheTyroleserepeated，withdeafeningcheers:"Hurrah！longlivetheArchdukeJohn，thefuturegovernoroftheTyrol！"
"AndIhavetobringyoustillanothergreetingfromtheArchdukeJohn，"shoutedBaronvonHormayr。"Butyoushallnothearithereintheplain，butupattheancientcastleofTyrol。Itistrue，theBavariansandthemiserableFrenchhavedestroyedthefinecastle，buttheruinsoftheancientseatofourprincesremaintous。Wewillnowascendtothoseruins，andupthereyoushallhearthemessagewhichtheArchdukeJohnsendstoyou。"
ThewholeforceoftheTyrolesethereuponmovedupthemountain—pathleadingtothecastleofTyrol，headedbyAndreasHoferandBaronvonHormayr。
Onreachingthecrestofthehill，Hoferstoppedandalightedfromhishorse。Hekneltdownamidsttheruinsofthecastlewithasolemn，deeply—movedface，andholdingthecrucifixonhisbreastbetweenhishands，andliftinghiseyestoheaven，heexclaimedwithferventdevotion:"Thanks，LordGod，thanksfortheaidthatthouhalthithertovouchsafedtous！ThanksfordeliveringthecountryandpermittingustobeAustriansagain！OGod，grantnowstabilitytoourwork——andpreserveitfromfallingtoruin！IfThouartcontentwithme，letmefurtherserveandbeusefultomynativecountry！IambutaweakinstrumentinThyhand，myGod，butThouhastusedit，andIprayTheenottocastitasidenow，butimparttoitstrengthanddurability，thatitmaylastuntiltheenemyhasbeendrivenfromthecountry，andthewholeTyrolisfreeagainforevermore！Ikissthedearsoilwhereourprinceswalkedinformertimes，andwheretheysworetotheirTyrolesethattheyshouldbefreemen，andthattheirfreeconstitutionshouldbesacredforalltimetocome！"
Hebentdown，kissedthemoss—grownstones，andencircledthemtenderlywithhisarmsasthoughtheywereanaltarbeforewhichhewasutteringdevoutvowsandprayers。TheTyrolese，whohadgraduallyreachedthesummit，hadsilentlykneltdownbehindAndreasHofer，andwereprayinglikehim。
Onesentimentanimatedthemallandilluminatedtheirfaceswiththeradiantlustreofjoy:theTyrolwasdeliveredfromtheforeignyoke，andthey，thesonsofthecountry，hadaloneliberatedtheirbelovedfatherland。