282 ADVENTURES OF CHAMOIS HUNTERS 



thus forming a bridge of her back. The young ones, in- 

 stantly seeing the design of their affectionate parent, 

 sprang upon her back, and thus reached the point of safety. 

 Joseph made a last step and leaped into the niche ; but 

 all three animals were off with the speed of the wind, and 

 the shots he fired, merely struck the rocks, and died away 

 in harmless echoes. The devotion and cunning of the brute 

 mother had triumphed over the hunter's skill. 



This narrative excited our wonder ; and our interest in 

 the beautiful and intelligent chamois increased ten-fold. 

 But the Tyroleans never assemble for story-telling with- 

 out in some way introducing their celebrated hero the Tell 

 of the Tyrol Andrew Hofer. Mr. Barrill had read much 

 about this great patriot, and was deeply interested in 

 every thing relating to his life ; and the hunters displayed 

 a singular eagerness to communicate whatever they knew 

 of him. From them we learned, that Hofer was a man 

 gifted with a commanding presence, a brave and indomi- 

 table heart stirring eloquence, and winning manners. 

 His attachment to the superstitions of the Catholic Church,, 

 and, occasionally, to the bottle, only rendered him the dearer 

 to a people who were all superstitious, and generally fond 

 of wine. Karl Spiegle, whose father had served under 

 the famous patriot, related that Hofer at times led the 

 peasants to victory, with a rosary and crucifix on his 

 breast^ a sabre in one hand, and a bottle of wine in the 



