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

that is, the tearing out of his eyes. on
some trivial pretext, by twosof the subjects
of Gesler, acting in obedience to his or
ders
Yes the once dormant energies of the
master spirit of Switzerland were awaken
ed by this act, aud be swore never to rest
until every Austrian was driven from the
soil, until his country was free and indie
pendent
Rodolph was slightly acquainted with
William Tell; and had always admired
his brave, hardy aud generous spirit OF
his deeds in former times, he had often
heard glowing accounts. That he was the
most skillful boatsman on the lakes. aud
that he had no equal as narksman, with
the bow and arrow, Rodolph well knew.
His physical strength, too, was great ;
1t being recorded that he was able to pull
up the stoutest trees by the roots, and
carry them goodly distance on lis back
| Rodolph was much pleased at the ae-
tivity Tell had recently manifested, in
arousing the hitherto inactive spirits of
his coGatrymen; and lie regretted his i'm
prisoCment at a period when his services
would be SO much required
Other leaders might be found, it was
true, now that the work of liberation was
successfully progressing; though none,
perhaps, who could guide the people on
so well as William Tell Therefore Ro-
dolph sincerely hoped he would gain his
| freedom in time to aid in the struggle
which soon must come.
As Rodolph perceived the important
crisis was fast approaching, he resolved
to once more see Mariana and her faith
er and mother, for a few hours not know
ing where, or in what circumstances he
might be placed after the first blow for
freedom had been struck.
| 1t is almost needless for US to affirm
that he was received with great demonstra-
tions of JOY by all and many were the
inquiries to which he had to give response.
regarding his home, his parents, his coun-
try's hopes, sc. &c Suffice it to say,
when be had tarried two or three hours in
social converse with the family. hours
which appeared to him uncommonly short,
he took bis leave, stating his great neces-
/ sity in being obliged so to do
Scarcely had he reached his home once
more, when unwelcome news was commu-
nicated to him He learned that William
Tell, by order of Gesler, the Governor.
who feared he might escape in the city of
Altorf, had been sent in & small vessel to
strongly guarded prison, situated at the
further extremity of Lake Lucerne
Before the capture of William Tell, he
bad made an agreement with Werner and
Melchtal-two of the patriot leaders
that on a certain day their friends should
| march in three separate divisions, and by
three different routes, to the market-pace
in the central part of the city of Altorf
A fire was to be kindled on one of the
mountains, the blaze of which should be
the signal for them to take up their line
of march from their respective stations
The capture of Tell, it seems. would de.
prive the division of the Canton of Uri
of its most efficient leader
The important day at length arrived.
and at the appointed hour, in the morning
the three divisions, well armed, arrived
without serious molestation, at the mar
ket- place; and to the surprise of all,
among whom was our hero and his father.
ere long time had elapsed, the stalwart
form of William Tell strobe into their
midst
Before proceeding further, let us relate
the manner of his escape We should have
before mentioned, :h.,, the Governor. leav-
ing Sarnem in care Of tie castle and city
of Altorf. had accompanied the guard
along with Tell, in tie vessel Ere they
had proceeded far violent storm, such as
was seldom seen on the lake, came on and
soon the vessel beca ne unmanageable
perhaps, as much on account of the awk-
wardness of those commanding the helm
as because of the fury Of the tempest.
Gesler was well acquainted with the
fact that Tell was an excellent steersman.
and fearing the vessel would sink. and
consign him to a watery grave, he promis-
ed him his freedom if he would guide the
boat in safety to the shore.
Tell, regarding the storm as an inter
position of Divine Providence, to save
him from fate worse than death, (that
is, his incarceration within the walls of a
dark, damp and gloomy dungeon,) took
the helm as soon as be was relieved from
the fetters which had been on him; but
thinking. when he received an assurance
Of perfect safety, the Governor would per-
fdiously break his promise and again put
him in chains, in the confusion which
reigned, he resolved to Girect the course
of the vessel toward the rocky shore of
the Canton of Schwitz He succeeded
admirably in doing so, nor did the Gov
ernor notice that the course of the boat
was changed until the moment 1t ground
ed upon the rocky shore
Before he or his men had time to rocov-
er from the shock oceasioned by the
grounding of the boat, William Tell,
snatched a bow and arrow from one of the
guards, leaped out upon the shore, and
like the wild, and feet chamois of his
land, was soon leaping aud dashine
amongst the rocks which obstructed his
progress.
Gesler Immediately ordered his men in
pursuit but of what avail was such an
order. given to men unaccustomed to
life among the mountains They could
make no progress, as Gesier was soon BILE