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