"Of a surety, no," said Hofer, quietly. "The lad is a good lad. We shall see what stuff he is made of this summer; and, if he quits himself well, he shall have Theresa at the end of it. You and I were little more than two-and-twenty when we took our brides to church; and Theresa is already nearly as old as her mother was. But we have other matters in hand just now. I see one or two together whom I want to speak to, only Franz is within earshot of them. Do you draw him off." Speckbacher immediately went up to him, and asked whether he could let him have some brandy; and Hofer joined a couple of elderly men, who were just sitting down side by side on a bench under a tree. "There hasn't been such a match as this a good while," one was saying; "but, dear me, what matches we used to have when I was a lad! I'm not more than fifteen or twenty years older than that marksman who is taking aim now, but I don't believe he'll hit the white. Crack! Well, they're making a piece of work about it--I suppose he's hit the bull's eye." "Here comes one that can do more than that," said the other. "Anderl! you have not shot, to-day." "Boys' play," said Hofer with indifference. "But you could show them what a man can do." "Brag, neighbours? No good of brag. Besides, these lads shoot well, many of them. There was some good shooting before you came." "People always say that of everything," said the other. "I've no spirit for these things now." "Ah, things will befall shortly, that will put you in spirits." "What mean you, Sandwirth? Is anything going to happen?" Hofer nodded. The two men put their heads close to his, and looked eager. "We shall rise, soon." "_Rise?_ What, the Tyrol?" Another nod. "Under whom?" "Nobody in particular. All of us under God." They lifted up their hands and eyes. "But is it certain? How do you know?" "Of some one that knows. Quite certain." "_Himmel!_--Did you get us together to-day to tell us this?" "Yes." "'Tis time!" cried one of the men in an impassioned under-tone. "Why should we be turned over from one master to another like a flock of sheep? How did the King of Bavaria guarantee our ancient rights and usages? With a piece of sheepskin. None of his promises have been kept: our representative States have been suppressed, our public funds seized, our Church property confiscated; and, as though this were not enough, taxes have been imposed upon us. The Emperor is afraid of France; but are _we_?" "Not one of us, as we shall presently show them," said Hofer. "Buonaparte is already in the field against our Emperor, but we shall be quickly down upon him. Communications have been opened with the Archduke John, who is immediately going to effect a powerful diversion. Troops are about to march to our assistance." "Why, neighbour, if you were to speak this out, every Tyrolese would rise directly!"