William Tell
(A Swiss Tale)

PART 2 (LAST ONE)

"My father," cried Walter, "have no fear for me. Well I know the sureness of thine aim. I fear no arrow from thy hand. But, sirs, I pray ye, bind me not to the tree. I shall stand quite still while I await my father's aim. Is not this the best day of my life--when I show my belief in him?"

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At these brave words from the boy, the nobles begged Gesler to consider some other means of punishment, but he would not listen. He said the archer must send his arrow to prove his skill.

The child took his place beneath the linden tree. His face said that he was not afraid. Tell was placed eighty paces distant, amid the murmurs of the crowd.

Tell lifted one arrow and set it ready for use. Then he lifted another and hid it in his bosom.

He made ready and took aim. The arrow sped through the air. Its flight had almost been heard, so great was the silence. The people scarcely breathed.

Now the silence was broken by the fall of the apple. A great shout came from the nobles near Gesler. They forgot the governor and thought only of the archer and his little son.

Gesler was dark and silent, for as William Tell bent his head in thanksgiving, the governor saw the second arrow fall from his bosom.

"See," said he to Tell, "the arrow which hath fallen from thy bosom to the ground. Thinkest thou that I marked not the second arrow? Full well I marked the deed. Now tell me why thou hast two arrows?"

William Tell would not at first answer this question. When the governor demanded a reply, his anger became too much for him.

"My lord," said he, "had the first shaft taken my son's life, the second had surely found a resting place in thine own heart."

At these words, Gesler turned pale with wrath and dread, for he feared this brave man. He was sorry that he had promised Tell his life. Nor dared he break that promise, since it had been given in the hearing of all.

"Wretch," cried he, "it is true that thy life is promised thee, but know that it shall be spent where neither the sun's light nor the moon's shall reach thee!"

He ordered that the archer should be seized and bound but in the confusion of the crowd, Tell took his son in his arms and escaped to his mountain home.