"Oh, nothing--I only said you sold horses; and sometimes brandy." "You might have let that alone, youngster," muttered Franz, looking a little annoyed; while the others laughed. "What said you of me, my little man?" inquired Father Joachim, without pausing from his writing. "What _could_ I say, father, but that you were Father Joachim, of the Capuchin convent at Brixen, and that we all loved your reverence dearly?" said Johann. "You told him my name, then," muttered Father Joachim. "Did you say anything of Rudolf, Johann?" said Theresa softly, with a little pull at her brother's hair. "I said he was a goodish sort of a fellow," said Johann doggedly; "and that I believed he came here to look after _you_." "I'll pay you for it!" whispered she indignantly; and giving him a little push, she hastily went out; Rudolf furtively looking after her. "My little lad," said the Capuchin gently, "you must learn more discretion, or you will be a child all your life. Well, Hofer, I think these will be enough?" "Enough and to spare," said the Sandwirth; "with God's blessing." "Children, let us ask it." Every knee was bent in prayer, while Father Joachim fervently invoked the aid of the God of battles. This concluded the conference. Solemnized, and with burning hearts, they retired to rest; while the Bavarian traveller carried the very little he knew to the best market for it. A lovely April morning succeeded this eventful night. Scarcely had the sun begun to gild the mountain-tops, when Theresa stood beside the river with her milk-pail on her head, inquiring of Rudolf, who was fishing in the shade, how many trout he had caught for Father Joachim's breakfast. Carrying a pail or pitcher on the head gives the neck an erect, noble carriage--reining it up, as it were: and Theresa, in her short, scanty grass-green petticoat, and black bodice laced with scarlet, might have stood for the Princess Nausicaa, as her laughing black eyes looked down on the young fisherman from beneath their long lashes. "There's a wary fellow under that yellow stone," answered Rudolf; "I caught a gleam, just now, of his bright back-fin." "I don't believe you did--I dare say it was only the water that sparkled. I would undertake to milk all the cows in the Passeyrthal, before you caught fish enough for dinner." "Try me," said he, leaning back on his elbow to look up full at her. "Though I have but a four-acre farm, it's in full cultivation, quite productive enough for you and me, with a good wooden cottage on it, too. I'll catch you a fish for dinner every day." "What nonsense, Rudolf, you do talk!" "No nonsense at all. I'm quite in earnest; but you do love to cut up a poor fellow." "No, I don't," said Theresa, looking down, though she could not bend her head. "Shall you come to the shooting-match on Sunday?" "To be sure I shall. The match will be only a feint." "Do you like the prospect of war?" "Certainly--Don't you?"