ANNA Hofer was kneeling before the crucifix in the corner of her kitchen, praying as fervently as if she had been privileged to own a purer faith; and, with every bead that ran through her fingers, letting fall a tear far more precious than a pearl of great price. What opportunity had she had of living under a better dispensation? Romanism was the only form of Christianity the Tyrolese were acquainted with; and while, among their invaders, infidelity was rampant, the simplicity and fervour of their piety made them, as far as in them lay, champions of the Christian faith.

Anna, then, knelt before the crucifix, wrestling in prayer, with groans and sighings that could not be uttered. Judge of her revulsion of feeling, when a beloved voice close to her said, "Anna!"

"Oh, my good man, is't thou?" And she cast herself into his arms. "What, then! is the war over, husband?"

"Dearest woman, no! But we have a little breathing space; for a little while our enemies are scattered, and the men of Tyrol too. As soon as they make head again, we shall swarm about them like bees. Meanwhile, we must plough, and we must sow."

"I have sown our field, Anderl. It was ploughed already."

"Dear wife—" and he kissed her. "How hast thou sown it?"

"That which was buckwheat, with barley and rye; and that which was barley and rye, with buckwheat."

"Right. Where's Theresa?"

"Looking after the horse. The children are keeping the cows, goats, and sheep. Here comes Theresa."

Theresa flew up to her father, and embraced him; then overwhelmed him with a thousand questions.

"One at a time will last the longer," said he; and drawing her to his knee, with his wife close beside him, he rehearsed to them in detail what has here been recounted more briefly; interjecting warm praise of Chastelar, Hormayr, and Martin Teimer.

"See here," continued he, pulling forth a paper, "what a beautiful letter our dear Emperor has written us:—

"'My dear and faithful Tyrolese!'—"

—"No! does our Franzel really say so?" interrupted Anna, eagerly leaning over his shoulder, to satisfy herself. "How beautifully expressed! A petty commandant, look you, would hardly be so affable!"—

"'My dear and faithful Tyrolese! Since the sacrifices which the unfortunate year 1805 compelled me to make, when I was obliged to separate from you, my heart has been constantly with you, my honest, affectionate children!'"—

"That's warm from the heart, anyhow!" muttered Anna.

"'As a last proof of my affection, I stipulated for the preservation of your Constitution; and it gave me the greatest pain to see this—this'"—

"Institution," suggested Theresa.

"No, nonsense—'This stipulation disregarded, which I had made for your advantage; but, alas! at that time I was unable to assist you, and could only lament your fate in private.'"—

"Poor dear man! doubtless it cost him many a secret tear," interjected Anna.

"'When a new cause again obliged me to draw my sword, my first thought was to become again your father. An army was put in motion to effect your deliverance; but before it could meet our common enemy, you had by your gallantry struck a decisive blow, and proved to the whole world, as well as myself, what you are ready to do to become again a part of that kingdom under which for centuries past you have lived contented and happy—'"

"Beautiful, beautiful!" ejaculated Anna. "What golden words!"

"There's some more, mother," said Theresa.

"'Your efforts have touched my heart—I know your courage; I am ready to meet all your wishes, and to count you amongst the best and most faithful subjects in the Austrian dominions. It will be my earnest endeavour to prevent our being again separated: millions, who were long your brothers, will be eager to draw their swords in the cause! I trust, therefore, in you; and you may rely on me. So, by God's assistance, Austria and the Tyrol will be again united as they were in former years.

"'Francis.
"'Scharding, April 18, 1809.'"

"Dear, dear, dear, only think of an emperor like him to write in that way to a poor man like thee, Anderl," said Anna.

"Not to me in particular," said Hofer; "to all my weapon-brothers as well."

"At any rate, he could not speak more fair, nor more handsome—dear Franzel! Do let me look close at his letter with my very own eyes. Why, now, the dear Emperor spells Tyrol with two l's, as you do, Anderl, sometimes; but he writes a deal better," nudging him with her elbow.

"As an emperor is likely to do," said Hofer, his good white teeth gleaming right merrily through his black beard. "Why, now, I copied that letter myself, and it's my own handwriting: so a precious one you are to have a cut at me!"

"You? Why, you told me it was the Emperor's!"

"Aye, his words, but not his penmanship. Why, think you there was a man of us all that would not get a copy of it, if he could?"

"Oh well, I thought his hand wondrous like thine, man. Don't you believe you took me in! Why, didn't I find out the two l's?"

"Aye, but you thought them the emperor's!"

"Never mind! the sense is the thing. This letter deserves to be framed and glazed; aye, framed in gold: and since we can't afford that, I'll paste it against the wall."

"Well, that's not a bad notion. Is dinner ready?"

"Yes, father," said Theresa, slipping from his knee, and hastening to spread the table. "You've dined with a many strange people, I suppose, since you went away."

"That have I, girl,—with General Chastelar and Baron Hormayr; but great folks eat so fast and talk so fast, there's no taking one's comfort. They snatch away your plate before 'tis empty, bob a dish under your nose, and whisk it off if you look at it twice before you help yourself."

"A good way of having a dinner for next day," said Anna, laughing.

"Aye, aye; and when I and the men of Passeyr got to Botzen, where Baron Hormayr and all his staff came out to receive us with honour, he uncovering his head and letting his hair blow about in the wind,—I warrant you, General Marschall refused to sit down to table with a humble man like me; just as if a guest wasn't good enough for him that was good enough for Hormayr!"

"Well! to think of that!" cried Anna indignantly. "I hope the Baron told him a piece of his mind."

"No, no; he had too much temper and sense," said Hofer. "He just made a little grimace to me behind his back, and I took no umbrage; only it showed the nature of the man."

"What a good thing Baron Hormayr is not of his sort," said Theresa.

"Oh, the general has his merits, after all," said Hofer, stroking his beard. "He is a good fighting man, but his pride is so great, that not even his own soldiers like him. See, dear women, how evil a thing pride is."

"And what is being done now, Anderl?"

"Much. The regular troops are assisting the Tyrolese to hem in the enemy in the Lower Tyrol. The landsturm from Meran and the Vintsghaw are advancing on the right side of the Etsch; and those of Etsch and Fleims are keeping the passes of Rochetta and Bucco di Vela. Baron Hormayr and Martin Teimer want General Chastelar to attack the enemy in the Lower Tyrol at once; but he's too slow, too slow. By not coming up in time, he let us take Innsbruck without him: and Martin Teimer won all the glory of making Bisson and Wrede lay down their arms."

"Martin Teimer is no favourite of mine," said Anna, pouring out the porridge.

"Ah, he has done good service, nevertheless. General Chastelar finds fault with our training, calls us round-shouldered, and who knows what?—and wants to drill us a little. He won't be able to turn a wild lark into a piping bulfinch, though, it's my opinion. As long as we beat the enemy, what does it signify how we do it? He is doing real good service, however, by giving muskets to those who have no fire-arms, but only spears and such like of their own manufacture. Now, then, where are the children?"

Theresa went to the door to give a jÖdel, which would answer the purpose of a dinner-bell; but, changing her purpose, returned, saying, "Father, here is a young, olive-coloured man, who looks something like a soldier, coming up to the house; in quest, apparently, of you."

Almost at the same instant, the young man stepped in, taking off his cap and saluting Hofer in a foreign accent as Signor Andrea.

"Come sta?" returned Hofer, who rather piqued himself on a smattering of Italian. "Sedete voi. Andiamo pranzare—Fate lo stesso."

"Mille grazie," returned the youth, who, however, preferred his own German to Hofer's Italian. "The Signor Barone has sent me, Giuseppe Eisenstecken, with the desire you will accept me as adjutant."

"What want have I of an adjutant?" inquired the Sandwirth. "What are you to do?"

"Che vi piace," returned Giuseppe, spreading out his hands; "I am quite at your service."

"But, my good lad, I don't want your services; so where's the good?"

Giuseppe raised his eyebrows; then replied, "A little training, the Signor Barone thought, would be desirable for your men, and some small knowledge of tactics for their chief."

"Ah, my dear youth, you mean to flatten our backs, I suppose, and turn out our toes; but when you have lived as long in a mountainous country as I have, you will find it more convenient, clambering about among the crags, to round your shoulders and turn your toes in. Meanwhile, do as we do—nulla ceremonia!—dine first, and talk afterwards. One thing at a time will last the longer."

The young adjutant looked at first as if he hardly knew how to take this; but at the same instant, three rosy children ran in and flew into their father's arms. While Hofer was embracing and kissing them, Giuseppe looked on with some sympathy; then, drawing a stool towards the table, he prepared to accept the Sandwirth's invitation.

"So Baron Hormayr sent you to me?" said Hofer presently. "Well, I wonder he said nothing about you when I saw him."

"He has written," said Giuseppe, taking a note out of his cap.

"Why didn't you tell me that before?" said Hofer. "Were you keeping it for dessert?"

"You said one thing at a time would last the longer."

Hofer smiled, as he opened the note. "Well," said he, when he had read it; "it seems I had hardly need to come home. Here am I wanted again at head-quarters, to receive orders for immediate action. We must put off our drilling, my good friend, till another time. Why is this recall?"

"Since you left, we have received news of the Archduke John's having won a brilliant victory at Sacile."

"Aha! Our beloved Hannes! Heaven be praised, I am ready to return immediately to the camp."

"Immediately?" said his wife, a little startled.

"Not till I have dined and had an hour's sleep."

"One thing at a time will last the longer, Signor Andrea."

"Just so, Signor Giuseppe. But come, tell me about our Hannes' victory."

"He defeated Eugene Beauharnois on the 15th, and compelled him to retire to Caldiero. That is all I know."

"Hum! Not even how many men were slain?"

"No. The news had but just arrived."

"Humph!"

"You seem to have a good many targets."

"Ah, those are my coats of arms," said the Sandwirth, supping his porridge.

"They seem to have been hit in the bull's eye pretty often."

"Pretty often."

"By you?"

"By me."

"At how many paces?"

"Three hundred."

"You must be a pretty good marksman."

"Goodish; there are plenty as good or better in the Tyrol. Did you hear that verse one of our men made the other day? General Marschall had observed that we only beat the enemy by chance. On which, our youngster observed—

For where's the good of tactics, you know, master Giuseppe, if they that have them are beat by the unlearned?"

Giuseppe seemed engrossed in the merits of his dinner. "I should like to see you fire at a mark, Signor Andrea," said he at length.

"Pooh, pooh! we have other things in hand, brother. The way is long and steep. Are we going to be sent into the south, think you?"

"To Trent, I conclude, but I only conjecture."

Hofer asked a few more questions, but he was not a great talker at meal-times, though he ate with great moderation. As soon as dinner was ended, he took his hour's sleep, woke up fresh and strong, and told his new adjutant he was ready for the journey.

At every house or village they passed, he found messengers to despatch to the men in the fields and call them back from their husbandry to resume their rifles. These came running along after him, some swinging their coats on as they ran, others tightening their belts, others with their weapons not slung but in their hands; all cheerfully obeying the summons without murmuring at being disappointed of their rest.

On Hofer's arrival at the camp, General Chastelar instantly appointed him to the command of the right wing, consisting of the men of Passeyr and of Etschthal. Almost at the same moment, expresses arrived to announce the disorderly retreat of the French and Bavarians on the news of the Archduke's victory, and of their destroying the bridges of Lavis and Lorenzen.

"What are we to do, Hofer, without these bridges?" said the General.

"I must think," said Hofer.

He thought so long, that Hormayr impatiently whispered to Chastelar, "He is falling asleep—what a dunderhead he is!"

But the good man was thinking to the purpose; and, knowing the ground and the men who were on it, he sat down and wrote two or three short notes, and gave them to the General, saying:

"If you will send them, these will do."

"Had you not better go yourself?" put in Baron Hormayr.

"Why?" said the Sandwirth. "I cannot be in two places at once. If I were at Lavis, I could not be at Lorenzen. These will do."

"Perhaps they will," muttered the General to the Baron, who shrugged his shoulders. "See the notes sent off."

"He knows when he's in good quarters, I believe," said Hormayr aside, as he passed the notes to his inferior officer.

But others, of less note than a Roman centurion, may have moral force enough to be able to say to one man go, and he goeth; to another come, and he cometh; to another, do this, and he doeth it.

Chastelar showed a vague sense of this when he replied in an equally low tone to Hormayr, "It matters little—his name will be enough."

How was it that that name came to be enough? The name of another poor, honest man would not have done as well.

On the following day, the 22d of April, the enemy evacuated Trent without firing a shot; and Hormayr took possession of the town the same evening.

The ancient city of Trent! Few need to be reminded of the famous Council of purple cardinals, princely bishops, mitred abbots, sandalled monks, and learned doctors, assembled there by Charles the Fifth, and prolonging their sitting for eighteen long years.

"What a market," exclaims a writer, warming with his subject, "the city must then have had!—what cooks!—what convoys of sleek mules laden with luxuries!—and how, in their distant and regretted residences, all the old housekeepers of those perplexed and provoked absentees must have busied themselves in the preparation of savouries, and potted meats, dried fruits, and delicate conserves, and in the regular and never-failing despatch of supplies from the well-stored cellars."

Trent is now said to be as dissolute a little capital as any in Europe. The simplicity of ancient manners, if it ever did exist there, is no longer to be found. Even the characteristic honesty of the Tyrolese has disappeared, and extortion and cheatery are of common occurrence.

This was not the locality Hofer would willingly choose for his landsturm. Fortunately, they were not long exposed to its influence. On the 24th, General Chastelar advanced towards Trent, while Hofer took possession of the ground between Trent and Roveredo. On the same day, Chastelar, after his fatiguing march, was drawn into action by Baraguay d'Hilliers, who, with a superior force, was victorious, but reaped no advantage from it. He had already abandoned Trent, and he now, immediately after the battle, forsook Roveredo, and quitted the country entirely.

Chastelar had scarcely taken up his quarters in Roveredo, when he heard of the Austrians' reverses in Germany and Italy. The north of the Tyrol was now left deserted, at the mercy of the enemy; and he resolved immediately to return to it; invited thereto by a note written by the Archduke John in pencil on his knee, from the battle-field.

"Do not let our misfortunes make you uneasy. We have done our duty, and will defend the Tyrol to the last drop of our blood.

"John.
"30th April."

Thus ended this eventful month.