red cap on the top of it was
firmly planted in the ground.

As soon as the pole was set up a herald stepped out, blew his trumpet
and cried, "Se ye this cap here set up? It is his Majesty's will and
commandment that ye do all bow the knee and bend the head as ye do
pass it by."

This was a new insult to a free people. Stauffacher went to the house
of Walter Fuerst, where he met Arnold of Melchthal, who had suffered
much from Landenberg. Calling upon God and his saints, these three men
swore a solemn oath to protect each other and promised to meet in a
little meadow called the Ruetli, the Wednesday before Martinmas.

Three weeks passed, and in the darkness and quiet the men stole to the
place of meeting with other friends of freedom whom they had brought.
Near Walter Fuerst stood a young man straight and tall with clear and
honest eyes. "William Tell," said Arnold, "and the best shot in all
Switzerland. I have seen him shoot an apple from a tree a hundred
paces off."

Then they swore never to betray each other, to be true to the Emperor,
but to drive the Austrian governor, his friends, his servants, and his
soldiers out of the land.

II

WILLIAM TELL AND HIS GREAT SHOT

William Tell did not live in Altorf, but in another village some
way off, called Buerglen. His wife, who was called Hedwig, was Walter
Fuerst's daughter. Tell and Hedwig had two sons, William and Walter.
Walter, the younger, was about six years old.

William Tell loved his wife and his children very much, and they all
lived happily together in a pretty little cottage at Buerglen.

"Hedwig," said Tell one morning, some days after the meeting mentioned
above, "I am going into Altorf to see your father."

Hedwig looked troubled. "Do be careful, William," she said. "Must you
really go? You know the governor is there just now, and he hates you."

"Oh, I am quite safe," said Tell; "I have done nothing for which he
could punish me. But I will keep out of his way," and he lifted his
crossbow and prepared to go.

"Do not take your bow," said Hedwig, still feeling uneasy. "Leave it
here."

"Why, Hedwig, how you trouble yourself for nothing," said Tell,
smiling at her. "Why should I leave my bow behind? I feel lost without
it."

"O father, where are you going?" said Walter, running into the room at
this minute.

"I am going to Altorf to see grandfather. Would you like to come?"

"Oh, may I? May I, mother?"

"Yes, dear, if you like," s