The young adjutant looked at first as if he hardly knew how to take this; but at the same instant, three rosy children ran in and flew into their father's arms. While Hofer was embracing and kissing them, Giuseppe looked on with some sympathy; then, drawing a stool towards the table, he prepared to accept the Sandwirth's invitation. "So Baron Hormayr sent you to me?" said Hofer presently. "Well, I wonder he said nothing about you when I saw him." "He has written," said Giuseppe, taking a note out of his cap. "Why didn't you tell me that before?" said Hofer. "Were you keeping it for dessert?" "You said one thing at a time would last the longer." Hofer smiled, as he opened the note. "Well," said he, when he had read it; "it seems I had hardly need to come home. Here am I wanted again at head-quarters, to receive orders for immediate action. We must put off our drilling, my good friend, till another time. Why is this recall?" "Since you left, we have received news of the Archduke John's having won a brilliant victory at Sacile." "Aha! Our beloved _Hannes_! Heaven be praised, I am ready to return immediately to the camp." "Immediately?" said his wife, a little startled. "Not till I have dined and had an hour's sleep." "One thing at a time will last the longer, Signor Andrea." "Just so, Signor Giuseppe. But come, tell me about our Hannes' victory." "He defeated Eugene Beauharnois on the 15th, and compelled him to retire to Caldiero. That is all I know." "Hum! Not even how many men were slain?" "No. The news had but just arrived." "Humph!" "You seem to have a good many targets." "Ah, those are my coats of arms," said the Sandwirth, supping his porridge. "They seem to have been hit in the bull's eye pretty often." "Pretty often." "By you?" "By me." "At how many paces?" "Three hundred." "You must be a pretty good marksman." "Goodish; there are plenty as good or better in the Tyrol. Did you hear that verse one of our men made the other day? General Marschall had observed that we only beat the enemy by chance. On which, our youngster observed-- "''Tis but by chance,' doth Marschall say, 'The Tyrolese have won the day.' What then? I'd rather win by chance Than, with much skill, be beat by France! For where's the good of tactics, you know, master Giuseppe, if they that have them are beat by the unlearned?" Giuseppe seemed engrossed in the merits of his dinner. "I should like to see you fire at a mark, Signor Andrea," said he at length. "Pooh, pooh! we have other things in hand, brother. The way is long and steep. Are we going to be sent into the south, think you?" "To Trent, I conclude, but I only conjecture." Hofer asked a few more questions, but he was not a great talker at meal-times, though he ate with great moderation. As soon as dinner was ended, he took his hour's sleep, woke up fresh and strong, and told his new adjutant he was ready for the journey.