Why are the troopers in pursuit of you? BAUM. First make me safe and then I'll tell you all. WERNI. There's blood upon your garments--how is, this? BAUM. The Imperial Seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg-- KUONI. How! What! The Wolfshot?[39] Is it he pursues you? BAUM. He'll ne'er hurt man again; I've settled him. ALL (_starting back_). Now, God forgive you, what is this you've done! BAUM. What every free man in my place had done. Mine own good household right I have enforced 'Gainst him that would have wrong'd my wife--my honor. KUONI. How! Wronged you in your honor, did he so? BAUM. That he did not fulfil his foul desire, Is due to God and to my trusty axe. WERNI. And you have cleft his skull then, with your axe? KUONI. O, tell us all! You've time enough, and more, While he is getting out the boat there from the beach. BAUM. When I was in the forest felling timber, My wife came running out in mortal fear. "The Seneschal," she said, "was in my house, Had order'd her to get a bath prepared, And thereupon had ta'en unseemly freedoms, From which she rid herself, and flew to me." Arm'd as I was, I sought him, and my axe Has given his bath a bloody benison. WERNI. And you did well; no man can blame the deed. KUONi. The tyrant! Now he has his just reward! We men of Unterwald have owed it long. BAUM. The deed got wind, and now they're in pursuit. Heavens! whilst we speak, the time is flying fast. [_It begins to thunder_.] KUONI. Quick, ferryman, and set the good man over. RUODI. Impossible! a storm is close at hand, Wait till it pass! You must. BAUM. Almighty heavens! I cannot wait; the least delay is death. KUONI (_to the fisherman_). Push out--God with you! We should help our neighbors; The like misfortune may betide us all. [_Thunder and the roaring of the wind_.] RUODI. The south wind's up![40] See how the lake is rising! I cannot steer against both wind and wave. BAUM. (_clasping him by the knees_). God so help you as now you pity me! WERNI. His life's at stake. Have pity on him, man! KUONI. He is a father: has a wife and children. [_Repeated peals of thunder_.] RUODI. What! and have I not, then, a life to lose, A wife and child at home as well as he? See how the breakers foam, and toss, and whirl, And the lake eddies up from all its depths! Right gladly would I save the worthy man, But 'tis impossible, as you must see. BAUM. (_still kneeling_). Then must I fall into the tyrant's hands, And with the shore of safety close in sight! Yonder it lies! My eyes can see it clear, My very voice can echo to its shores. There is the boat to carry me across, Yet must I lie here helpless and forlorn. KUONI. Look! who comes here? RUODI. 'Tis Tell, ay, Tell, of Bürglen.[41] [_Enter_ TELL _with a crossbow_.] TELL. What man is he that here implores for aid? KUONI.