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for war； first aroused Napoleon's anger； brought about
demonstrations and armaments on our part； and finally obliged me to
resolve on war； although I know full well that this resolution will
inevitably involve Austria in great disaster。 Let me likewise speak
a farewell word to you； brother。 We shall succumb again； although my
wise and learned brothers are at the head of the army。 I consulted
the most experienced and sagacious men。 I myself paid a visit to
Count Cobenzl； who is lying at the point of death； and asked his
opinion。 He hates Napoleon as ardently as any one； and yet he is in
favor of peace。 I consulted the Prince de Ligne and Minister Thugut；
one is an ambitious captain； the other a vindictive diplomatist； who
would like to overthrow Napoleon； and yet both were for peace with
France； and I will tell you the reason why： because they know that
among all my captains and generals there is not one determined and
able enough to cope with Napoleon and his marshals： because they
knew that even my brother Charles； the generalissimo； is vacillating
and irresolute； and because they do not know what an eminent captain
the Archduke John would be； if he only had a chance to show his
military talents。 If； despite all this； I resolved on war； it was
because circumstances； and not my convictions； obliged me to do it
circumstances which were mostly brought about by you and your
friends。〃
〃Your majesty；〃 said John； in a grave and dignified manner； 〃permit
me to say a few words in reply to what you have just said。 You
allude to my military talents； which you say I have not had a chance
to show。 Well； give me such a chance； deliver me from the
surveillance tying my hands； let me pursue my path as your general
freely and without restrictions； and I pledge you my word that I
will reconquer the Tyrol and your Italian provinces。〃
〃See； see； what a nice plan！〃 exclaimed the emperor； laughing。 〃You
wish to be another generalissimo； and independent of any other
commander's will？〃
〃No； your majesty； I wish to obtain only equal rights and authority
to deliberate and decide jointly with my brother Charles。〃
〃It is very bold in you； sir； thus to oppose your generalissimo；〃
said the emperor； sternly。 〃To…day you will no longer obey the
generalissimoto…morrow you will perhaps refuse to obey the
emperor。 Not another word about it！ Go and do your duty。 The
Archduke Charles is generalissimo； and you will submit to his orders
and instructions。 Farewell； brother； may God and the Holy Virgin
bless you and your army！〃
〃Farewell； your majesty；〃 said the archduke； bowing ceremoniously to
the emperor。 He then turned hastily and left the room。
The emperor looked after him with an angry air。 〃I believe the two
archdukes will thwart each other on all occasions；〃 he said； in a
low voice。 〃There will not only be war with France； but also war
between the factions in Austria； and the consequence will be； that
my brothers will gain but very few laurels。〃
The Archduke John returned slowly to his rooms。 After entering his
cabinet； he sank on the divan； as if crushed and heart…broken。 He
sat a long time in silence； his head bent on his breast； and
uttering from time to time heart…rending groans。 After a long pause；
he slowly lifted his tearful eyes to heaven。
〃Thou knowest； my God；〃 he said； in a low voice； 〃that my intentions
are good and pure； and that I desire nothing but to serve my country
and deliver it from the disgrace which it has had to submit to for
so many years past。 Thou knowest that I wish nothing for myself； but
all for the fatherland。 Help me； my God； help our poor； unfortunate
Austria！ Let us not succumb and perish！ Grant victory to our arms！ O
Austria； O Germany； why can I not purchase liberty and independence
for you with my blood？ But。 I can at least I shall welcome this if
my dying eyes can behold liberty dawning upon Germany！〃
CHAPTER IX。
'TIS TIME
It was late in the afternoon of the 8th of April。 The setting sun
was shedding his last red rays on the distant mountain…crests of the
Janfen and the Timbler Toch； whose blood…red summits contrasted
wonderfully with the deep azure of the clear sky。 On the lower
slopes of the mountains twilight had set in； the pines； the daring
chamois of the vegetable kingdom； which had climbed up to the
highest parts of the mountains； cast the gray veil of dusk over
these lower slopes。 Below； in the Passeyr valley； however； night
already prevailed； for the mountains looming up on both sides of the
valley filled it with darkness even before sundown； and only the
wild； roaring Passeyr； which rushes from the mountain through the
valley； glistened like a silver belt in the gloom。 The church…bells
of the villages of St。 Leonard and St。 Martin； lying on both sides
of the valley； tolled a solemn curfew； awakening here and there a
low； sleepy echo； and from time to time was heard from a mountain…
peak a loud； joyous Jodler； by which a Tyrolese hunter； perhaps；
announced his speedy return to his family in the valley。 The gloom
in the narrow Passeyrthal became deeper and deeper； and； like bright
glow…worms； the lights in the houses of St。 Leonard and St。 Martin
glistened now in the darkness。
Lights appeared not only in the valley below； but also here and
there on the mountain…slopes； and especially in the solitary house
on the knoll situated half…way between the two villages； was seen
the bright glare of many candles； and the persons passing on the
road in the valley looked up and whispered to each other： 〃Andreas
Hofer is at home； and； it seems； has a great many guests at his
house； for all the windows of his handsome inn are illuminated。〃
The solitary house on the knoll； then； belonged to Andreas Hofer。 It
was the Gasthaus zum Sand； far famed throughout the Tyrol。 And the
passers…by were not mistaken。 Andreas Hofer was at home； and had a
great many guests at his house。 On the benches of the large bar…room
sat his guests； handsome Tyrolese； with flashing eyes and animated
faces； which were all turned toward the Sandwirth； ＇Footnote： The
name usually given to Hofer〃Sandwirth； landlord of the inn Zum
Sand。〃＇ who was sitting on the small table yonder； and conversing in
a low tone with his friends Eisenstecken and Sieberer。 All the
guests seemed excited and anxious； no one opened his mouth to utter
merry jests； none of the gay songs so popular among the Tyrolese
resounded； and the guests did not even venture to address playful
remarks to Hofer's pretty daughters； who were gliding noiselessly
through the room to fill the empty beer…glasses。
〃It seems；〃 murmured Anthony Sieberer； 〃that the Austrian government
has again postponed the matter； and we shall vainly look far the
arrival of the message。 This new delay puts an end to the whole
movement。〃
〃I do not think so；〃 said Hofer； gravely； and loud enough to be
heard by all。 〃Do not despond； my dear friends！ The Austrian
government will assuredly keep its word； for the dear brave Archduke
John promised me in the emperor's name that Austria would succor the
Tyrolese； and send troops into our country； if we would be in
readiness on the 9th of