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public places in the city be occupied by troops； and field…pieces be
placed on the bridges of the Inn。 Let patrols march through the
streets all night； and every citizen who is found in the street
after nine o'clock； or keeps his house lighted up after that hour；
shall be shot。 Make haste； gentlemen； and carry my orders literally
into execution。 Have the patrols call upon all citizens to keep
quiet and not appear in the streets after nine o'clock。 Sentence of
death will be passed upon those who violate this order。〃
Owing to these orders issued by the general； a profound stillness
reigned at night in the streets of Innspruck； no one was to be seen
in the streets； and on marching through them the patrols did not
find a single offender whom they might have subjected to the
inexorable rigor of martial law。 But no sooner had the patrols
turned round a corner than dark forms emerged here and there from
behind the pillars of the houses； the wells； and the crucifixes；
glided with the noiseless agility of cats along the houses； and
knocked here and there at the window…panes。 The windows opened
softly； whispers were heard and the rustling of paper； and the forms
glided on to commence the same working and whispering at the next
house。
The Bavarian patrols had no inkling of these dark ravens flitting
everywhere behind them； as if scenting in them already the prey of
death； but the citizens of Innspruck considered these birds of the
night； who knocked at their windows； auspicious doves； even though；
instead of the olive…branch； they brought only a sheet of paper with
them。 But this sheet of paper contained words that thrilled all
hearts with joy and happiness； it announced that the Austrians had
already invaded the Tyrol； that General von Chasteler was already
advancing upon Innspruck； that the Emperor Francis sent the Tyrolese
the greetings of his love； and that the Archduke John was preventing
the French troops in Italy from succoring the Bavarians in the
Tyrol； nay； that he and his army would deliver and protect the
Tyrol。 Some of the brave sharp…shooters of the Passeyr valley had
been bold enough to steal into the city of Innspruck despite the
presence of the Bavarian troops； and the patrols could not prevent
the citizens from receiving the joyful tidings of the approach of
the Austrians； nor the Tyrolese sharpshooters from whispering to
them： 〃Be ready early tomorrow morning。 Tomorrow we shall attack the
city； assist us then； hurl down from the roofs of your houses on the
Bavarians stones； jars； and whatever you may have at hand； keep your
doors open； that we may get in； and hold food and refreshments in
readiness。 We shall come to…morrow。 Innspruck must be delivered from
the Bavarians to…morrow！〃
The morrow came at last。 The 12th of April dawned upon the city of
Innspruck。
The Bavarians had carried out the orders of General Kinkel； they had
occupied all the public places； and planted batteries on the bridges
of the Inn。
But so ardent was the enthusiasm of the Tyrolese； that these
batteries did not deter them。 They rushed forward with loud shouts；
using their spears； halberds； and the butt…ends of their muskets；
they fell with resistless impetuosity upon the Bavarians； drove them
back； shot the gunners at the guns； and carried the important bridge
of Muhlau。
Tremendous cheers announced this first victory to the inhabitants of
Innspruck。 The Tyrolese then rushed forward over the bridge and
penetrated into the streets of the Hottinger suburb。 The street…
doors of the houses opened to them； they entered them； or took
position behind the pillars； and fired from the windows and their
hiding…places； at the Bavarians who were stationed on the upper
bridge of the Inn； and were firing thence at the Tyrolese。 The
Bavarian bullets； however； whistled harmlessly through the streets；
the alert Tyrolese concealing themselves； before every volley； in
the houses or behind the walls。 But no sooner had the bullets
dropped than they stepped forward； sang； and laughed； and discharged
their rifles； until the exasperated Bavarians fired at them again；
when the singing Tyrolese disappeared once more in their hiding…
places。
All at once loud cheers and hurrahs resounded on the conquered
bridge of Muhlau； and a tall； heroic form； surrounded by a
detachment of armed Tyrolese； appeared on the bridge。
It was Joseph Speckbacher； who； after capturing Hall by a daring
COUP DE MAIN； had now arrived with his brave men to assist the
Tyrolese in delivering Innspruck from the Bavarians。
The Tyrolese thronged exultingly around him； informing him of the
struggle that had already taken place； and telling him that the
Bavarians had been driven from the bridge and hurled back into the
city。
〃And now you stand still here； instead of advancing？〃 asked
Speckbacher； casting fiery glances toward the enemy。 〃What are you
waiting for； my friends？ Why do you not attack the enemy？〃
Without waiting for a reply； Speckbacher took off his hat； swung it
in the air； and shouted in a loud； enthusiastic voice 〃Long live the
Emperor Francis！ Down with the Bavarians！〃
All repeated this shout amid the roost tumultuous cheers。 All cried；
〃Long live the Emperor Francis！ Down with the Bavarians！〃
〃Now forward！ forward！ We must take the bridge！〃 shouted
Speckbacher。 〃Those who love the Tyrol will follow me！〃
And he rushed forward； like an angry bear； toward the bridge of the
Inn。
The Tyrolese； carried away by their enthusiasm； followed him at the
double…quick toward the bridge； where the mouths of the cannon were
staring at them menacingly。 But the Tyrolese were not afraid of the
cannon； death had no longer any terrors for them！ their courage
imparted to them resistless power and impetuosity。 They rushed up to
the cannon； slew the gunners with the butt…ends of their rifles； or
lifted them up by the hair and burled them over the railing of the
bridge into the foaming waters of the Inn。 Then they turned the
cannon； and some students from Innspruck； who had joined the
Tyrolese； undertook to man them。
A dense column of Bavarians advanced upon them； the peasants uttered
loud cheers； the cannon thundered and mowed down whole ranks of
them。 They gave way； and the Tyrolese； who saw it； advanced with
triumphant shouts into the city and took street after street。 And
wherever they came； they met with willing assistance at the hands of
the citizens； in every street which they entered； the windows
opened； and shots were fired from them at the Bavarian troops； every
house became a fortress； every tower a citadel。 A frightful scene
ensued： the Bavarians in some places surrendered and begged for
quarter； in others they continued the combat with undaunted
resolution； and in the melee several bloody deeds were committed；
which； in their cooler moments； the Tyrolese would have been the
first to condemn。
All at once loud cheers burst forth in the streets； and the Tyrolese
repeated again and again the joyful news： 〃Major Teimer has arrived；
he has several companies of the militia under his command； and with
these brave men he has already penetrated into the heart of the
city；