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to start。〃
Anthony Steeger hastened away； he saddled his friend's horse with
his own hands and brought him to the door。 Andreas vaulted with the
agility of a youth into the saddle； and shook hands with his friend。
〃Farewell； Anthony Steeger；〃 he said； 〃you shall hear from me soon。〃
He then spurred his horse and galloped along the high…way leading
through the Puster valley。 His horse knew the way very well； it was
unnecessary for Andreas Hofer to guide him； he could let him trot
along quietly； and absorb himself in his plans and thoughts。 He was
animated only by one idea； that his beloved country was in danger；
and that it needed him。
〃I do not know if I shall be able to save it；〃 he murmured to
himself； 〃but I do know that I must not run away。 I shall hide as
long as it is necessary； and prepare myself by prayer and devotion。
Forward； my horse； forward！〃
And he rode on through the valley and across the heights。 Profound
silence reigned everywhere。 It was yet early in the morning； the
road was quite deserted； and Andreas could brood uninterruptedly
over his thoughts and conceive his plans。 All at once his musings
were interrupted by the roll of a wagon approaching on the road。 It
was a large wagon with racks； drawn by four horses； and many men sat
in it。 Andreas Hofer was as yet unable to see who they were； but the
red and white colours of their gold…and…silver…embroidered coats
showed him that they were soldiers。 When the wagon came closer up to
him； he recognized them； they were Austrian officers and soldiers。
But who was he that occupied one of the front seats among them？ Who
was that tall； slender man in the dress of the Tyrolese； his head
covered with a pointed green hat？ The wagon came nearer and nearer。
Andreas Hofer halted his horse and looked steadfastly at the
Tyrolese seated in the midst of the Austrian officers。 〃Good
heavens；〃 he murmured； giving a start； 〃I believe it is Joseph
Speckbacher！ Yes； yes； it is。〃
Now the wagon was close by his side； and it was really he； it was
Joseph Speckbacher； and it was plainly to be seen that he had
likewise recognized Andreas Hofer； for he uttered a cry； and a deep
blush suffused his cheeks。 But the Austrian officers had also
recognized the brave Sandwirth； the universally beloved Barbone； and
they shouted to the coachman to drive quicker and whip his horses
into a full gallop。 The coachman did so； and the carriage sped away
at a furious rate。 Andreas Hofer halted at the roadside； his tearful
eyes gazed upon his friend； and when Speckbacher was whirled past
him； Andreas exclaimed in a loud； mournful voice； 〃Speckbacher； are
you too going to desert the country？ They are driving you to your
own disgrace； Joe！〃 ＇Footnote： Andreas Hofer's own words。See
Mayr's 〃Joseph Speckbacher；〃 p。 143。＇
The wagon passed him noisily； and Joseph Speckbacher's horse； which
was tied behind； galloped rapidly after it。 Andreas Hofer looked
after his friend until a cloud of dust enveloped the disappearing
wagon； and he heard only the sound of the wheels at a distance。 He
then heaved a deep sigh； wiped a tear from his eye； and rode on。 But
his heart was heavy and melancholy； and his thoughts returned again
and again during his ride on the lonely road to Joseph Speckbacher；
who had turned his back on the Tyrol and was about to leave it in
the hour of its sorest distress。 Suddenly he thought he heard his
own name uttered behind； the call was repeated louder and more
urgently。
Andreas Hofer halted his horse and turned。 A cloud of dust came up
the road like a whirlwind； now it opened； and the head and neck of a
horse and the slender rider mounted on him came in view。 The cloud
veils his face as yet； but he comes nearer and nearer； his horse is
now by Andreas Hofer's side； the rider stretches out his arms toward
him and exclaims exultingly： 〃Andy； here I am！ I heard what you
said； and jumped from the wagon； untied my horse； vaulted into the
saddle； and sped after you； my Andy。 I had to overtake you and tell
you that I do not want to be disgraced； that I will not leave the
Tyrol unless you do too。〃
〃I never will； Joe； unless I should die；〃 said Andreas Hofer；
solemnly。 〃But God be praised that I have got you back； for a piece
of my heart would have left the country with you。 But you are back；
and I am so glad of it！ And I must give you a kiss in the name of
God； the country； and the Emperor Francis。 Welcome home； good and
faithful son of the fatherland！〃
He encircled Speckbacher's neck with his arms and imprinted a kiss
on his forehead。 They remained locked in a long embrace； keeping
their horses side by side； and gazing at each other with proud；
smiling joy。
〃And now tell me； Andy； what are you going to do？〃 asked
Speckbacher； after a long pause。 〃I hope you will not look on
quietly and peaceably while the Bavarians and French are re…entering
the country？ I could not bear it； and this was the very reason why I
did not want to stay in the country； for the Austrian officers told
me； if I wished to remain in the Tyrol； I should have to keep very
quiet and allow the enemy to take possession of the province； in
accordance with the stipulations of the armistice。 And you see；
Andy； my heart revolted at that； therefore I wished to get away and
remain abroad until the armistice had expired； when we would be once
more allowed to fight bravely for our country and our emperor。〃
〃No one shall prevent us from doing so now；〃 said Andreas； calmly。
〃What do we care for the armistice？ The emperor concluded it； we did
not； and I believe the emperor will not blame us for disregarding it
and continuing the war as we commenced it。〃
〃You are right； we will do so；〃 exclaimed Speckbacher； joyfully。
〃And now I will communicate to you some important news which the
Austrian officers received only this morning。 Anthony Wallner； of
Windisch…Matrey is also of your opinion； he refuses likewise to
acknowledge the armistice and make peace with the enemy。 When the
Bavarians； four days ago； intended to cross the frontier near
Windisch…Matrey； Anthony Wallner and John Panzl went to meet them
with four hundred sharpshooters whom they had gathered in great
haste。 They took position at the bridge of Taxenbach and tried to
prevent the Bavarians from crossing it。 The Bavarians were seven
thousand strong； and Wallner had only four hundred men； but our
friends； nevertheless； defended the bridge for seven hours； killed
and wounded over three hundred Bavarians； and retreated into the
mountains only because the odds were too great。〃 ＇Footnote：
Peternader； 〃Die Tyroler Landesvertheidigung im Jahre 1809；〃 vol。
ii。； p。 84。＇
〃I know Anthony Wallner； and was convinced that he would not submit
quietly；〃 said Andreas； joyfully。 〃And we will follow his example；
Joseph。 The good God has imposed on us the task of defending the
Tyrol； and we will fulfil it faithfully。〃
〃Yes； we will； and we will begin this very hour。 We must find out；
above all things； if all of our countrymen are of our opinion； and
if they are courageous enough to continue the struggle； even after
the Austrians have left us。〃
〃What good did the Austrians d