eard with more implicit reverence, nor more
strictly obeyed. From the spot the Vorsteher issued commands for
these instructions to be followed. Hans' revelations were, to the
superstitious imaginations of the peasants, of divine inspiration:
and many already stoutly affirmed that the lame soldier was St.
Martin himself, their patron saint, at whose shrine a crowd of devout
worshippers were soon after seen kneeling.

The village doctor soon pronounced the case above his skill, but did not
abandon hope. Hans only smiled faintly, and whispered,--

"Be it so! The proverb is always right,--

'Gott hat sein plan Fuer Jedenmann.'

"What do you see there, Herr Vorsteher?" cried he, as the old man stared
with astonished eyes from the little window that commanded the valley.
"What is it you see?"

"The Dorf in the Kaunser-Thal seems all in commotion," answered the
Vorsteher. "The people are packing every thing in their waggons, and
preparing to fly."

"I know that," said Hans, quietly; "I saw it already."

"Thou hast seen it already?" muttered the old man, in trembling awe.

"Yes, I saw it all. Look sharply along the river side, and tell me if
a child is not holding two mules, who are striving to get down into the
stream to drink."

"God be around and about us!" murmured the Vorsteher; "his power is
great!" He crossed himself three times, and the whole company followed
the pious motion; and a low, murmuring prayer, was heard to fill the
chamber.

"There is a waggon with eight bullocks, too, but they cannot stir the
load," continued Hans, as, with closed eyes, he spoke with the faint
accents of one half-sleeping.

"Who are these coming along the valley, Hans?" asked the Vorsteher;
"they seem like our own Jagers, as well as my eyes can make out."

"He is asleep!" whispered his mother, with a cautious gesture to enforce
silence.

It was true. Wearied, and faint, and dying, he had fallen into slumber.

While poor Hans slept, the tidings of which he was the singular
messenger had received certain confirmation. The village scouts had
already exchanged shots with the Bavarian troops upon the mountains,
and driven them back. The guard at the Pontlatzer Bruecke was seen to
withdraw up the valley towards Landeck, escorting three field-pieces
which had only arrived the preceding day. Every moment accounts came of
garrisons withdrawn from distant outpost stations, and troops falling
back to concentrate in the open coun