He clapped the lieutenant on the shoulder, and every one was astonished that Walderjoergli still talked so well, and knew everything that was going on. It was considered a great honor to be spoken to by him. Titus said very cleverly what an honor it was that Walderjoergli had come to the celebration, and begged that he would ascend the platform and speak a few pithy words to the assembly. The judge's wife added that it would be a precious memory to old and young, to children and children's children, if they could say that they had heard the last Master of Justice speak. Walderjoergli looked at Titus and the judge's wife with a penetrating, almost contemptuous glance; for he was not vain, nor did he wish to be considered wise, and play the part of a prophet; so he shook his great head, and stuck his thumbs into the arm-holes of his long red vest, but straightened himself to his full height, and his eyes sparkled, when the district forester, who knew exactly how to deal with Joergli, added that it would be well if the clergy were not allowed to entirely monopolize everything, even the soldier's associations, and to dedicate the flag; it would be particularly appropriate that a man like Joergli should drive the nail that fastened the flag to the staff: the Emperor Joseph would certainly have approved of that. When the Emperor Joseph was mentioned it seemed as if a new life were awakened in Joergli. Around Emperor Joseph, who was venerated like a holy martyr, were gathered recollections of Joergli's father, which he almost considered events in his own life. He clenched his hands, and raising his arms, said, "Very well; so let it be." He was led to the platform, and boundless were the acclamations of joy when he appeared, supported on the right hand by Titus, and on the left by the lieutenant. There fell such a silence that the people noticed the whirring of the wings of a pair of doves which flew over the speaker's stand. Pointing to them, Joergli cried: "There they fly! One says not to the other, 'We will turn this way or that.' Their flight agrees by nature. So it is. Agreeing by nature--" He paused, and seemed unable to proceed. The figure had evidently led him off from what he meant to say. He looked around perplexed, and seemed not to be able to speak another word--yes, even to have forgotten that he stood upon the platform. His two companions above, and the audience below, stood in painful embarrassment. It was wrong to have brought an old man of a hundred on the stand. Just then the district forester, who stood near, said audibly, "Emperor Joseph." Joergli opened his mouth wide and nodded. Yes, now he had his guiding-star again. Almost inaudibly, and in a very confused manner, he spoke of the Emperor Joseph and of the new emperor. Only this much was plain--that he considered the present emperor as the direct successor and continuer of the Emperor Joseph's struggles against the Pope.