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happiness and prosperity？ But there is a Providence and there are
angels； and it was revealed to me that if we resolved to avenge our
wrongs； God and St。 George； our patron saint； would help us。 Up；
then； against the Bavarians！ Tear the villains with your teeth while
they stand； but when they kneel down and pray； give them quarter。 Up
against the Bavarians！ 'Tis time！〃
〃Up against the Bavarians！ 'tis time！〃 shouted all the brave men；
enthusiastically； and the mountain echoes answered： 〃Up against the
Bavarians！ 'tis time！〃
And the blood…red waters of the Passeyr carried down into the valley
the message： 〃Up against the Bavarians！ 'tis time！〃
CHAPTER X。
ANTHONY WALLNER OF WINDISCH…MATREY。
An unusual commotion reigned in the market…place of Windisch…Matrey
on the afternoon of the 9th of April。 The men and youths of
Windisch…Matrey and its environs were assembled there in dense
groups； and thronged in constantly…increasing masses round the house
of the innkeeper Anthony Aichberger； called Wallner。 The women； too；
had left their houses and huts； and hastened to the market…place。
Their faces were as threatening as those of the men； their eyes shot
fire； and their whole bearing betokened unusual excitement。
Everywhere loud and vehement words were uttered； clinched fists were
raised menacingly； and glances of secret understanding were
exchanged。
The liveliest scene； however； took place in the large barroom of the
inn。 The foremost men of the whole district； strong； well…built
forms； with defiant faces and courageous bearing； had assembled
there around Anthony Wallner…Aichberger。 They spoke but little； but
sat on the benches against the walls of the room； and stared into
their glasses； which Eliza； Wallner's eldest daughter； filled again
and again with beer。 Even the young girl； who was usually so gay and
spirited； seemed to…day sad and dejected。 Formerly her merry
laughter and clear； ringing voice were heard everywhere； to…day she
was moody and taciturn。 Formerly her checks glowed like purple
roses； a charming arch expression played around her beautiful small
mouth； and the fire and spirit of youth beamed from her large black
eyes； to…day； only a faint crimson tinged Eliza's cheeks； her lips
were firmly compressed； and her eyes were dim and lustreless。 From
time to time； while waiting on the guests； she cast an anxious；
searching glance through the windows over the market…place； and
seemed to listen to the hum of voices； which often became as
deafening as the wild roar of the storm； and shook the window…panes。
Anthony Wallner； her father； was likewise grave and anxious； and in
walking to the groups of guests seated on the benches here and
there； he glanced uneasily toward the windows。
〃It may be that they will not come； after all； Tony； and that the
Viennese have fooled you；〃 whispered old Thurnwalden from Meran to
him。
〃I cannot comprehend it；〃 sighed Anthony Wallner。 〃The insurrection
was to break out on the 9th of April； and the Austrian troops were
to cross the frontier on that day； and this was the reason why we
have hitherto resisted the conscription and refused to pay the new
taxes。 But the 9th of April has come now； and we have received no
message from Hofer or the Austrians。〃
〃And to…day the time which the Bavarians have given us is up；〃
growled George Hinnthal； 〃if our young lads do not report
voluntarily to the enrolling officers by this evening； they will be
arrested to…morrow。〃
〃They shall not be arrested；〃 exclaimed one of the Tyrolese；
striking the table with his powerful fist。
〃No； they shall not be arrested；〃 echoed all； in loud； defiant
tones。
〃But you will not be able to prevent them；〃 said old Thurnwalden；
when all were silent again and had drunk a long draught from their
glasses as if to confirm their words。 〃You know there is a whole
company of soldiers at Castle Weissenstein； and Ulrich von
Hohenberg； the castellan's nephew； is their captain。 He is a
Bavarian； body and soul； and； if we resist the authorities； he will
lead his men with muskets and field…pieces against us。〃
〃Why； you have become greatly discouraged； Caspar Thurnwalden；〃 said
Anthony Wallner； sneeringly； 〃and one would almost think you had
turned a friend of the Bavarians。 We have got as good muskets as the
Bavarians； and if they shoot we shall shoot back。 And as for the
field…pieces； why； we have got wheels and may roll down cannon from
Castle Weissenstein to Windisch…Matrey。 But come； my dear friends； I
see the Bavarian tax…collectors walking across the market…place
yonder。 They look very grim and stern； as if they meant to devour us
all。 Let us go out and see what is going on。〃
The men rose as if obeying a military order； and followed Anthony
Wallner from the room to the market…place。 Eliza Wallner was for a
moment alone in the room； and now that she had no longer to fear the
eyes of the guests； she sank quite exhausted on a chair and buried
her face in her trembling hands。
〃What am I to do？〃 she murmured in a low voice。 〃Oh； God in heaven；
would I could die this very hour！〃
〃Why do you weep； Lizzie？〃 asked a gentle voice by her side； and； on
looking up； Eliza beheld the grave； sympathetic face of her mother；
who had just entered the room without being heard by her。 Eliza
sprang up and embraced her mother with passionate tenderness。
〃Dearest mamma；〃 she whispered； 〃I am afraid。〃
〃Afraid of what？〃 asked her mother； in a low voice。 〃Are you afraid
the Austrians may not come； and the Bavarians may then imprison your
dear father； because they have found out that he has instigated the
people to disobey their behests？〃
〃No；〃 said Eliza； blushing with shame； 〃no； that is not what I am
afraid of。 They will not dare to arrest my dear father； for they
know full well that the people of the whole district are greatly
attached to him； and that the men of the whole Puster valley would
rise to deliver Anthony Wallner。 It is something else； dearest
mother； come with me into the chamber； there I will tell you all。〃
She drew her mother hastily into the chamber adjoining the bar…room
and closed the door after her。
〃Mother；〃 she said； tremblingly and breathlessly； 〃listen to me now。
I am sure the Austrians are coming； and if the men outside hear of
it； they will kill all the Bavarians。〃
〃Let them do it；〃 said her mother composedly； 〃the mean； sneaking
Bavarians have certainly deserved to be killed after the infamous
treatment we have endured at their hands。〃
〃But； mother； there are also good men among them；〃 exclaimed Eliza。
〃You know very well I am a loyal Tyrolese girl； and love my emperor
dearly； for you have taught me from my earliest youth that it was
incumbent on me to do so。 But； mother； there are also good men among
the Bavarians。 There is； for instance； Ulrich von Hohenberg up at
Castle Weissenstein。 You know his cousin has always treated me as a
sister； we have grown up together； and I was allowed to participate
in her lessons and learn what she learned。 We were always together；
and even now I have snot ceased going to Castle Weissenstein；
although it is garrisoned by a detachment of Bavari