Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-01-21

Urseren, doubted not that Tell. at the head of
the brave inhabitants of Altorff, was expect
ing him TO obey his signal.
These three chiefs armed themselves almost
at the same instant, left their dwellings TO seek
ont their faithful followers, and rouse them in
the name of lihertyl The friends awakened
from sleep, seized their arms, assembled in 81
lence. and formed into battaloDs. From three
different quarters, at the same hour, these
three chieft&ins began their march to Aitorh,
followed by troops who made up Tor want OF
numbers by their courage and resolution to
die or deliver their country.
ssAll pressed forward with impatience.-
They dreaded lest the SHOWS, the torrents, the
untracked roads, should retard their march,
and occasion them to arrive tGo late at the fort
at that gloomy fortress which they have re-
solved to attack and to conquer, along with
the tyrant.
ssBut Gesler, whose fears never siumbered,
alarmed at the signs OF the 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 a
lone was sufficient to disappoint his brave enc
mics. He resolved to remove Tell to the tow
er of KuZnach, at the other end of the lake of
Lucerne, from which place he would bring re-
Inducements to crush the revolt. A boat was
hastily got ready forty chosen archers embark
ed in her, and Tell loaded with chains was cast
into the bottom of the boat. At midnight they
Saileu ITOln AItOfH, uUhUDHH tO lHc
tants, and took their way across the lake. As
Tell lay in the bottom of the boat looking up
towards heaven, he Suddenly to his great as
tonishment, perceived on the side towards AL
torif, red and streaming light. His heart
bounded at the sight, but he had confiied the
secret to no one. Meanwhile his captors were
greatly wondering as to the cause of the light.
| The boat passed on through the first lake and
narrow straight which led them to the deep
waters of the dangerous lake of Underwalden.
Here furious storm arose winch threatened
them with destruction. The north wind send
ing storms before it stirred up the waves into
mountains, and carried them roaring to the
side of the vessel, where they broke, and by
redoublinC their attacks, forced il to yield To
their violence. FOrsaking Its path IN spite OF
the efforts of the rowers, 1t flew Sideways TO-
wards the coast, while the west wind bringing
clouds, hoar frost, and snow, covered the sky
| as with funeral veil, spread darkness over
the waters, and striking the faces and hands
of the rowers with icy darts forced them to
row more feebly. and, Ohliging them TO hold
down their eyes concealed from them the sight
of their danger. The boat was soon filed with
ice and abundance of SNOW and this cruel
wind opposing its progress, comha:tcd the
north wind which attacked it towards the side,
and forcing it rapidly 10 turn on its keel, kept
| it suspended on the foaming waves; then a
bandoning il for time, threatened to hurl 1t
| to the bottom of the lake
'Thc pale and terrified soldiers, not doubt
ing that death near. fell on their knees to
implore the aid Of that GOD whom they had 50
long forsaken. The base GeseI, more cow
ardly than tho rest, went from one boatman to
another, promising them all his treasures il
they would give him hopes of saving his life
Suleu aud notioniess, they answered him on
Is by their silence. Tears, the diSgracefnl
tears of weakness and cowardice, bathed for
the first time the eyss of the fierce Gesier-
Certain that his end drew near, neither his
riches nor his power, his tOrtures, nor his as
sassns, could secure him from watery grave.
He wept, he wished for life, and lost his thirst
for blood.
Tell, tranquil where he was first laid. and
far less disturbed by the cries of the soldiers,
the noise of the waves, or the roaring of the
unclaimed Boreas, than he had on perceiring
the light towards Altorlf-Tell awaited death,
considering only the advantage which his
country might obtain by the death of the ty-
rant. But now the boatm5n, aware of Tells
great reputation in the management Of boat,
besought Gessler to free him that he might
conduct them safely to the shore. The trcm-
bling tyrant yielded, and the soldiers hasten
ed to set Tell ut liberty; his irons fell oif-he
rose, and, without speaking word, seized the
rudder. Guiding the boat with his hand aS a
child bends at his will the wand that he plays
with, he opposed its PROV to both winds, and
thus dividing their force, he kept it equally
balanced. just then profting by moments
calm, lie rushed like lighting from the prov TO
the stern, kept the boat in the direction which
alone could save it, made the boafmen take
their oars once more, AID, directing their la
bors, advanced in spite of the winds and waves
into the strait through which he wished to re-
turn The darkness prevented GesIcr from
perceiving that he was going back to the place
from whence he began his voyage.
sEWilliam continued his course; night was
nearly over, but they were once more in the
lake of Uri. He saw the expiring flame of the
signal given on the mountain of Altortf. This
light was his guiding star; lie had long known
the lake, and avoided its dangerous rocks. tho
he approached the shore which bordered on
the Canton of SchwtZ. He thought OF Yer
ner and was certain that he must already he
on his march, and that the snow which cover
ed the roads would oblige him to keep close
to the lakeside. With this feeble hope, he
steered the boat along, and, to increase the
terror of Geser and his soldiers, seemed TO be
ignorant where the tempest had csrried them.
.sAt last the east began TO grow red, and the
storm to abate at the approach of dawn. The
daylight discovered to Tell the rocks near to
Atorif, before the dreaded tyrant had time to
recognize them. William steered towards
them with greater velocity. Gesler, whose
cruelty returned as the danger grew less watch
ed Tell with gloomy frowns. He wished, bat
had not yet courage to chain him again. His
soldiers and sailors soon perceived where they
were. md informed the Governor, who, ap-
proachng Tell with anger, demanded In tor
ribie voice, why he had rowed tho boat back
to AltorFl'
''Wifliam without replying, pushed the boat
against rock very near 10 the shore, and,
selzlng hastily the bow and arrow which one
Of the guards held in his hand, darted like
lightning from the boat to the rock over which
he bounded like the wild chamois and eaped
from it to another rock which was nearer to
fhe Shnrn This ha eli ,had fr,,