The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-29

sky, the eternal snows of the still
 higher peaks.
 1 Out of the vast shadows there came,
 moving like shadows themselves, the
 men whom the three leaders had call-
 ed to the RuetH. One by one they en-
 tered the open place and whispered the pass words, Friends of the land." The
 bravest and best of the four cantons were these: Struth von Winkelried. Rosselmann, the dauntless pastor or
 Uri; the giant man known far and wide as the Steer of Urif walther
 Fuerst, stauhacher and Meichthai. As the counsel was declared open, one of the men of SchwyLz pointed out
 to the lake. The moon was rising, and
 great moonbow stood over the smooth l waters. "A wondrous signt" said Klaus von der Flue. Not many men 1 live who have seen sight like that" I Melchthal made the first report He
 had erept over glaciers and hidden fin
 chasms to escape the prefect's men.
 with rage against the Austrians. and everywhere men shook him by the hand and wept with him for the wick edness that had been done to his fa- ther. with their hard hands they
 tore old rustry weapons from their
 walls" said he. and swore To follow .Walther Fuerst and Werner Stauffa- cher wherever they might command. In every valley. on every mountain peak the hearts of the people are with
 us and they await the word.
 "Disguised as a pilgrim, entered even the burg of Sarnen. Judge now, oh, my friends. whether I love my land or not. saw the castellan--I saw my enemy and I did not kill him"
 You have done we'll" said Stauffa- cher. Let us now follow the ancient laws of our nation. Erect the swords of authority that we may act with right as the representatives of our people,"
 Two swords were brought and plant ed upright in the ground. Thirty men formed a close ring around them. They took hands and Stauffacher said:
 Tt is no new league that we found beneath this sky We never bowed our knees to princes. All that we ever granted to the Emperor was arm ed help. We followed the imperial banner and fought its battles. We accompanied him in arms and helped to put the crown of the Roman Elm pire on his head. At home we ruled ourselves. permitting the Emperor to judge only in cases of life and death, and then only through a nobleman. whom we called in and who judged for us under the open sky. We stand for land, for wives, for children with our swordsi"
 The old pastor now raised his voice: Before you seize the sword. reflect! You can make peace with Austria by one word. Acknowledge her supreme uthority''--
 That. Is the counsel of a traitor" cried the rugged Wlnkelrted
 Who speaks of surrender to Aus tria.' exclaimed Melchthal. shall be outlaw and no man shall give him shell ter. Let that be our first law" Yes, yes" answered the rest. Sol- | emnly the ring parted, each man raised | his right hand and said: we will 1t. Let it be law!"
 Now you are truly free!" said the | pastor. with shining eyes.
 sworn brothers" said one of Unter- walden; should we not bring our he not respect our ancient treaties and | liberty, Perhaps he knows not of the of the prefect.'
 T have been at the imperial court" answered Konrad of the Hum. T was sent to get our letter of rights. that every Emperor before him always indorsed anew and without question. But they told me that he had no time. and that perhaps in some future day he might consider our case. As I walked sadly through the palace saw the Lords of Wart and TegerfeId stand 'uS Dg Lio 1sHlpGIOA SnSpHeWs the OukG Johann of Schwabia. GO home and help yourselvesH they cried to me. Do not. await justice from this Elm peror. who robs his own nephew and will not give him his own fathers do- main.'"
 "You have fieardw cried Hans Auf Der Mauer. Wait not for justice from the Emperor! Help yourselves!"
 Walther Fuerst stepped into the ring and said:
 we will drive out the projects, break their burgs and free the land. But let us do it without bloOdshed, if we may. We will keep that which is ours. but not reach after new pos- sessions. What is the Emperor's now shall remain his. All the lands shall continue to pay allegiance where it is due. Who can give counsel how we shall seize the mighty burgs of Ross- berg and SarnenT'
 q have a friend in Rossberg who will admit me-" said Malchthal. "once in, know where I can lower a ladder and admit our people"
 "on the next feast day" said Win kelreid, i've must take gifts to Sar- nen. Ten or a dozen of us can enter with our slaves. Concealed under our garments we will carry spear heads which can be adjusted quickly. As soon as wc secure the gates we will hide in a nearby wood. will find the | way clear if human strength can hold It."
 "Then that is settled" said staufHa- | cher. ''rhs next feast day shau hrinE