Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-08-30
CHI p TER VT.

DaTllIeS.
CHAPTER VI
CRASHING the standard of Uri in one
hand, and his heavy broadsword in the
other, William Tell shouted to his men
to follow him to the attack upon the cas-
tie
With enthusiastic spirits did sthe white
haired man, the beardcss boy" ard in
deed the men of all ages, follow their lead
er to assert their claims to liberty. Ro-
dolph and his father, we'll armed for the
coming conflict, followed in the detach-
ment under the immediate command of
Tell
At length the little army of patriots
arrived before the castle, and after few
preparations they commenced the attack
The resistance of the beseged was stub
born. They fought with the fury of de-
mons Throwing down huge stones and
boiling oil upon the Swiss, while from the
archers,
Forth whistling came tie grey goose wing
Like the wild hai stones pelt and ring
Adown Decembers BLAST
they made so great havoc that the forces
of Tell were at first obliged to retreat
But they only retired for time to ar
range a plan which might be more sue
cessful, and moreover save great sacri-
fee of life.
Sending one half Of his men by cir
cuitous route to gain the rear of the cas-
tie and there make determined attack.
Tell made feint of once more engaging
them in front The plan was successful
The soldiers of Sarnem being so much
occupied by the man@uvres of Tell, were
unprepared for the demonstrations of the
enemy in the rear Therefore feeble re
sistance was offered
Into the castle the Swiss soon obtained
iHgress and then in earnest commenced
the contest. Busy as the Austrans now
became with this enemy within, they could
not so we'll keep off Tell and his detach-
ment without. The consequences were
that the men of Uri and their leader soon
succeeded in effecting an entrance. Then
if the resistance was stubborn, the attack
was by no means feeble.
Uniinching foot 'gainst foot was set,
Unceasing blow by blow met
until the greater number Of the Austrians
had fallen before the prowess Of the pa
triot Swiss and then the remainder gave
way and fed Bat vain was their at,
tempt to leave the castle. The vigilance
of the patriots shut out every avenue of
escape.
The triumph of William Tell was com
plete. The Austrians were all killed.
wounded, or captured The tyrant Sar-
1aSD ~ lo Il,
soon after their entrance
BY this timely victory Of Tell, Helvo
tia became free of the tyrauts that had
so long kept her in bondage but her lib
erty was not yet permanently brought
about
The Emperor of Austria, on obtaining
information of the success of the Swiss
patriots, and of the death Of his repre-
sentative and his minister, sent forward
large bodies of troops to endeayor to
again bring them back to the allegiance of
Austria But his efforts did not sue
ceed. The people of Helvetia had be-
come aroused-they fought with that
lion-like courage for which their country
had been so often famed Several bloody
battles were gained by the patriots over
vastly superior numbers and the con
ficts at Morcarten and Murat will never
be forgotten by the Swiss nation At
Morgarten. sixteen hundred Swiss de-
fsated twenty thousand Austrians.
William Tell figured pre-cmiuently in
this battle His heavy broad sword in the
thickest of the contest, where Death was
staring him in the face on either side, did
great execution and like lightning, be-
fore and on each side of bin, did it fly;
at every stroke telling foeman that with
life would never rise again. And ever
and anon. loudly, ay above the din of
strife. did he exhort his men to resist.
In this hard fought and terrible conflict
were engaged Rodolph, bis father, and
William Alison, the limner. The latter
Joined the ranks Of his countrynen just
subsequently to the storming of the cas-
tie of Altorf
All behaved in manner worthy Of the
greatest credit; aud it fell to the lot of
Rodolph to slay in single combat one Of
the greatest leaders Of tue enemy, an Aus
trian General of brigade
A short time after this celebrated ac
ton the Austrian Emperor came to terms,
and soon the freedom of Helvetia was es
tablishcd permanently
Let us Row look forward one month
The thinner and his wife were seated in
the front room of the cottage already
spoken of Rodolph and Mariana were
sitting near them, pleasantly eonversing
in low tones
It was evening; all around was joy,
contentment, happiness the happiness of