"--Which they are not with regard to looking after stock. That's a man's business. As you said, it's just as useful and honourable as the others--" "I said useful, though not honourable,--" "No, you didn't _say_ it, you know--I knew what you meant. And it isn't every one that understands stock, or would be for taking the trouble of it." "No, indeed! You're quite right there." "So that, as I _do_ understand it, and don't mind the trouble of it,--why, to oblige _you_, I'll undertake it." "Thank you heartily, Franz! You will indeed oblige me very much!" "Come, that's cordial!" said Franz, as Hofer held out his hand to him. "I'm quite glad I've decided as I have." "So am I. I hoped you would get round to it, but did not know how to propose it." "Oh, I'll do it; and do it well. Bless you! you mightn't have had a head of cattle left!" "And then where should we be?" "There's no knowing," said Franz, with a sapient shake of the head. "Well, good night." The voices at the door had been perfectly silent during this dialogue; and Hofer had once or twice heard a stifled laugh. Franz, however, pre-occupied, and quite self-satisfied with what he considered a masterly piece of tactics, walked off. "What a deal of trouble that young fellow has saved me, to be sure!" muttered Hofer. Then, raising his voice, "Now, then, dear children, come in and sing the vesper hymn." [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER IV. WOLFSTHRUN. Perched on a certain height not far from Sterzing, stands a certain old castle, one of the many that crest the Tyrolese mountains, and which, on investigation, too often disappoint the traveller by proving either desolate ruins, or garrisoned to overflowing by Austrian soldiers. But the castle in question was both habitable and inhabited; a good and even luxurious breakfast was spread in the lofty hall, which combined the adjuncts of modern civilization with the romantic architecture of feudal times; and a fine-looking military man, perhaps turned fifty, sat reading despatches, while his daughter, a young lady of eighteen, poured out coffee for him and a young cavalry officer, who was already attacking the potted game. "This seems an admirable proclamation of the Archduke's," said the Baron, at length throwing aside his papers and beginning his breakfast. "You will soon have plenty to do, Gerhardi." "I hope we may," said Colonel Gerhardi. "Our just and numerous complaints will lie before the tribunal of the world. The Archduke calls it a holy war, and so do I. So great a power as Napoleon Buonaparte's cannot be opposed alone, and therefore all the nations ought to make common cause against him."