The next instant, the châlet-door was opened from within; and there stood the mild Hofer, in his red waistcoat and green jacket, with the medal round his neck; his dark eye calmly looking around. His was the first voice that broke the thrilling silence. "Speaks any one among you German?" The commandant, Captain Renouard, here stepped forward, accompanied by a gendarme, and said, hurriedly-- "Are you Andreas Hofer?" "I am." The clear voice rang through the air. Turning to his wife, Johann, and Rudolf, he said,--"These have offended in nothing; let them not be bound." Then, addressing those whom he loved so deeply, he said-- "Pray, and be steadfast. Suffer with patience: so will your sins be forgiven." Their bonds were not unloosed, and Hofer was heavily chained hand and foot. Captain Renouard entered the châlet for a moment, looked around, shrugged his shoulders, saw the noted rifle standing in the corner, and brought it out. "This is a clumsy piece, after all," said he, handing it to the gendarme, after surveying it somewhat curiously. "Take care! it's loaded!" dodging it in some alarm, as the gendarme handled it carelessly. It would have been singular if he had been shot by Hofer's rifle, after all--the rifle that Hofer would not fire in his own defence. The word of command was given; the troops closed around the prisoners, and began to descend the mountain. Hofer trod as firmly as when the master of Innsbruck. Anna's face was smeared with tears; but she was too proud to sob, and chide Johann for crying. Rudolf's heart beat wildly. He looked on every side for Franz; but Franz, having brought the party to the verge of the hollow, had prudently decamped with Father Donay, to enjoy such peace of mind as his conscience would permit. On approaching a village, the French band struck up a lively strain of music, which nearly drove Anna out of her senses; and with loud huzzas, they proclaimed to the people who came rushing from their cottages, that they had captured the famous "General _Sanvird_; le fameux _Birbone_." They were answered with tears, maledictions, and lamentations. Though not permitted to approach the prisoners, the villagers kept up with them, crying aloud in voices that the musicians could not drown-- "Never mind, Sandwirth! They'll bring vengeance on their own heads, Sandwirth! Keep a good heart! They won't dare to touch you! We'll never, never forget you!" And this in every town and village through which they passed. On reaching Meran, they were joined by the weeping Theresa. She had been seized and bound at _am Sand_, and the house plundered. The two little girls had escaped and taken refuge with Rudolf's mother.