"When I do, I hope the first mouthful of it will choke me," returned the Sandwirth, vehemently cutting up the loaf in huge slices. "Cincinnatus, returned to his plough," observed Father Donay ironically. "I don't know aught of Saint Senatus," remarked Anna, after a moment's thought; "is he in our calendar, father?" "No, my good woman,--no, daughter, no--A good Roman--" "That's to say a good Catholic, I suppose," said Anna: but the priest did not answer her--his mouth was full of soup. Hofer could not get on with his bread and cheese. He sank sorrowfully back in his chair, and covered his eyes with his hand. "Take courage, son," said Father Donay; "consider what a noble sacrifice thou art about to make--" "What sacrifice?" cried Anna hastily. "The sacrifice of his will, daughter; the hardest sacrifice man or woman can make." "Something more than that," groaned Hofer. "What's that?" cried Anna sharply. "Your will was always a good one--why should you give it up?" "For the good of all--Hist, dear; these are not women's affairs--" "No, no, better change the subject," said Father Donay.--"Tell me the meaning of those targets on the wall." "Boys' playthings, of old, father," said Hofer sadly. "Dangerous ones, too." During Father Donay's short stay at _am Sand_, he never ceased urging on his host the imperative duty, as a Christian patriot, of sacrificing his own views, interests, and safety to the safety of his countrymen; and even to place himself in the hands of General Drouet. Regulus could not have been more willing than Hofer was to devote himself for the common cause; and, with his judgment obscured by Jesuitical casuistry, he drew up a proclamation to his countrymen, advising them to lay down their arms, and consider their cause as lost. The proclamation was received with despair by Speckbacher; with disgust by a Tyrolese named Kolb. He, meeting the Sandwirth near Sterzing, whither he had accompanied Father Donay, and where the unfortunate proclamation had been penned, hotly remonstrated with him, and declared his conviction that the document which contained the intelligence of the peace was a forgery. Hofer was confounded, and hastened home to re-digest his thoughts; while Kolb proceeded industriously to spread the impression of the forgery among the other chiefs. Speckbacher and Rudolf were at _am Sand_, impatiently awaiting him.