When they reached the "Goldener Adler," Michael Stumff was surprised and rather pleased to see his old acquaintance. "Why, Sandwirth, this is an unexpected honour," said he. "You are kindly welcome." "Praised be Jesus Christ," said Hofer, reverently using the greeting customary among the Tyrolese; but, perceiving that the other did not respond "for ever and ever, Amen," he after a pause, continued: "Unexpected enough, it may be, Michael Stumff; but an honour I cannot think it. However, I am glad you say I am kindly welcome." "How can you be otherwise," said Stumff, "when you have performed such a glorious work this day, leading the men of Passeyr on to victory?" "Oh no, oh no," said Hofer, "there was no leading in the case. We were all just as equal as so many sheep. God was our shepherd." "The Bavarians were more like sheep, to my thinking," said Stumff, with a jovial laugh. "They _did_ run, to be sure!" "Better for both parties that they should save us the necessity of shooting them," said Hofer. "However, I don't expect we've seen the last of them." "I was just going to ask you, Sandwirth--(let us have supper, Alouise)--Surely you don't think them put down with one day's drubbing?" "Surely, no," said Hofer; "I look to see them again in a day or two, or at furthest, by the end of the week, and then with God's blessing, we'll drub them again." "And shall you all keep together here, in Innsbruck, till then?" "We cannot. This is a busy time with us in the field; we must plough and sow." "But, directly your backs are turned the enemy will come back! Besides, what are you going to do with all your prisoners?" "I'll think of it on my pillow," said Hofer. "Now, supper." For he was true to the saying his wife quoted of him. "One thing at a time will last the longer." And besides, the Wirth of the "Goldener Adler" was not Speckbacher; and he had no mind to tell him all his plans before he had digested them. "Well, and so you've been to the play," said Stumff, slicing away at a ham, and hospitably loading Hofer's plate. "How did you like it?" "Some things I liked; others I liked not." "What did you like?" "The house was beautiful as a dream--but where was the good of it? Directly the play is over all melts away, like a day's frost!" "_All?_ what?" "Why,--the impression." "Oh! well, but we can renew the impression every night; and we do not want it all day." "Truly no," said Hofer. "And I doubt its being good to renew it every night." "Why?" "Too softening and enervating." Stumff laughed a jolly laugh. "Did not you like the music, Sandwirth?" cried Alouise. "Too much," said he, sighing. "It made my heart ready to burst." "The dancing, then?" "Not at all." Alouise smiled. "Oh!" said she, "you are getting too grave and steady, at your time of life; but you would have liked it when you were young." "Perhaps I should--perhaps I should not; but that would not have made it good or bad." "Then, the ladies' dresses, Sandwirth?"