Andreas Hofer: An Historical NovelMühlbach, L. (Luise)
History
Andreas Hofer: An Historical Novel
Mühlbach, L. (Luise)
Hofer, Andreas, 1767-1810 -- Fiction; Tyrol (Austria) -- History -- Uprising of 1809 -- Fiction
These rejoicings around the eagle and the portraits lasted all day.
The whole city presented a festive spectacle, and the overjoyed
Tyrolese scarcely thought to-day of eating and drinking, much less
of the dangers which might menace them. They sang, and shouted, and
laughed; and when night came they sank down exhausted by the efforts
of the fight, and still more by their boundless rejoicings, to the
ground where they were standing, in the streets, in the gardens, in
the fields, and fell asleep.
Profound silence reigned now in the streets of Innspruck. It was
dark everywhere, bright lights beamed only from the portraits of the
emperor and the Archduke John; and the stars of heaven looked down
upon the careless and happy sleepers, the victors of Innspruck.
They slept, dreaming of victory and happiness. Woe to them if they
sleep too long and awake too late, for the enemy does not sleep! He
is awake and approaching, while the victors are sleeping.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE CAPITULATION OF WILTAU.
The Tyrolese were still asleep, and profound stillness reigned yet
in the streets of Innspruck, although it was already after daybreak,
and the first rays of the rising sun shed a crimson lustre on the
summits of the mountains. All at once this silence was broken by a
strange, loud, and plaintive note which seemed to resound in the
air; it was followed by a second and third note; and, as if
responding to these distant calls, the large bell of the High Church
of Innspruck aroused with its ringing voice the weary sleepers to
renewed efforts.
They raised themselves from the ground; they listened, still drowsy,
to these strange notes in the air. Suddenly two horsemen galloped
through the streets, and their clarion voices struck the ears of the
Tyrolese.
"Up, sleepers!" cried Joseph Speckbacher; "do you not hear the
tossing? Rise, rise, take your rifles! the French and Bavarians are
at the gates of the city, and we must meet them again."
"Rise, Tyrolese!" shouted Major Teimer; "the French and Bavarians
are coming. We must prevent them from penetrating into Innspruck. We
must barricade the gates, and erect barricades in the streets."
The Tyrolese jumped up, fresh, lively, and ready for the fray. Their
sleep had strengthened them, and yesterday's victory had steeled
their courage. The enemy was there, and they were ready to defeat
him the second time.
The bells of all the churches of Innspruck were now rung, and those
of the neighboring village steeples responded to them. They called
upon the able-bodied men to take up arms against the enemy, whose
advanced guard could be seen already on the crests yonder. Yes,
there was no mistake about it: those men were the French and
Bavarians, who were descending the slope and approaching in strong
columns.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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