THEY reached the city, in which terror had caused a deep silence; no sound was heard by the old man, the fond wife, and the unhappy child, as they proceeded to knock at the door of one of their friends. Meanwhile the flame which Edmea's hands had kindled rose rapidly, till it reached the straw by which the cottage was thatched. The roof caught fire, and the sparkling straw increased the brightness of the flame, which, throwing a vast light all around, might be seen far and near. Verner saw it, in Schwitz -the impatient Melctal, whom Gemmi had not yet reached, leaped with joy at

the sight-and Furst, in the mountains. of Urseren, doubted not that Tell, at the head of the brave inhabitants of Altorf, was expecting him to obey his signal.

These three chiefs armed themselves almost at the same instant; left their dwellings to seek out their faithful followers, and rouse them in the name of Liberty! Their friends, awakening from sleep, seized their arms, assembled in silence, and formed into battalions. From three different quarters, at the same hour, these three chieftains began their march to Altorf, followed by troops who made up for want of numbers by their courage and resolution to die or deliver their country.

All pressed forward with impatience. They dreaded lest the snows, the torrents, the untracked roads, should retard their march, and occasion them to arrive too

late at the fort at that gloomy fortress which they have resolved to attack and to conquer, along with the tyrant.

But Gesler, whose fears never slumbered, alarmed at the signs of revolt which he had witnessed in the multitude, fearing to lose his prisoner, and trembling for his own safety, had already taken measures of which one alone was sufficient to disappoint his brave enemies. Towards the close of that very day, considering that the fort, crowded with soldiers, had not provisions enough for a long siege; fearing, not that so strong a citadel should be taken, but that its communication with the rest of the army might be cut off, he called Sarnem to him to give him this new order.

My friend," he said to him, "I shall leave this place, where thou shalt com

mand in my absence, and my brave

soldiers shall obey thy voice alone. I am going to seek fresh reinforcements, to awe a vile people and punish their insolent murmurs. I shall bring a force that will soon overwhelm a slavish race. Cause a great boat to be in readiness for me, into which thou shalt put the rash William as soon as the shades of night descend. Let him be loaded with irons, and guarded by fifty chosen soldiers; I myself will conduct him to the strong tower of Kusnach, at the other end of the Lake of Lucerne. There he shall remain, more secure than he could be on this spot, till, returning with fresh troops to Altorf, I can teach its inhabitants, by his lingering torments, what they would gain by daring to insult their Governor."

Sarnem, proud of being chosen to command instead of Gesler, hastened to obey his orders. The boat was soon

ready; fifty chosen archers were quickly led by Sarnem himself to the gate of Tell's dungeon.

The hero, scarcely able to move under the heavy weight of his irons, was placed under the guard of these bowmen; who led him, as soon as night had spread her veil over the earth, in silence towards the shore. Gesler, who had arrived there alone and in disguise, awaited them with impatience. He caused the captive to be thrown to the bottom of the boat, and placing the archers round him, he seated himself at the prow; then lavishing wine and money on the soldiers, they stole away unperceived from the shore.

A

The boat flew across the waves; the air was pure, the water calm, and the stars shone brightly in the heavens. slight gale arose from the south, that aided the efforts of the rowers, and tem