Cantons for a long time with great severity. He suspected that the
people were about to break into rebellion, and with a view to learn who
were the most discontented, he had placed the ducal cap of Austria on
this pole, publicly proclaiming that every one passing near, or within
sight of it, should bow before it, in proof of his homage to the duke.

Tell was much surprised at this new and strange attempt to humble the
people, and, leaning on his cross-bow, gazed scornfully on them and the
soldiers. Berenger, captain of the guard, at length observed this man,
who alone amidst the cringing crowd carried his head erect. He ordered
him to be seized and disarmed by the soldiers, and then conducted him to
Gessler, who put some questions to him, which he answered so haughtily
that Gessler was both surprised and angry. Suddenly, he was struck by
the likeness between him and the boy Walter Tell, whom he had seized and
put in prison the previous day for uttering some seditious words; he
immediately asked his name, which he no sooner heard than he knew him to
be the archer so famous, as the best marksman in the Canton.

Gessler at once resolved to punish both father and son at the same time,
by a method which was perhaps the most refined act of torture which man
ever imagined. As soon, then, as the youth was brought out, the governor
turned to Tell, and said: "I have often heard of thy great skill as an
archer, and I now intend to put it to the proof. Thy son shall be placed
at a distance of a hundred yards, with an apple on his head. If thou
strikest the apple with thy arrow, I will pardon you both; but if thou
refusest this trial, thy son shall die before thine eyes."

Tell implored Gessler to spare him so cruel a trial, in which he might
perhaps kill his beloved boy with his own hand. The governor would not
alter his purpose; so Tell at last agreed to shoot at the apple, as the
only chance of saving his son's life. Walter stood with his back to a
linden tree. Gessler, some distance behind, watched every motion. His
cross-bow and one arrow were handed to Tell; he tried the point, broke
the weapon, and demanded his quiver. It was brought to him and emptied
at his feet. He stooped down, and taking a long time to choose an arrow,
he managed to hide a second in his girdle.

After being in doubt a long time, his whole soul beaming in his face,
his love for his son rendering him almost powerless, he at length roused
himself--drew t