WERNI.
Who are pursuing you? First tell us that.
BAUM. (to the fisherman).
Quick, quick, man, quick! they're close upon my heels!
It is the Viceroy's men are after me;
If they should overtake me, I am lost.
RUODI.
Why are the troopers in pursuit of you?
BAUM.
First make me safe and then I'll tell you all.
WERNI.
There's blood upon your garments-how is this?
BAUM.
The Imperial Seneschal, who dwelt at Rossberg-
KUONI.
How! What! The Wolfshot?[*] Is it he pursues you?
[*] In German, Wolfenschiessen-a young man of noble family, and a
native of Unterwalden, who attached himself to the House of
Austria, and was appointed Burvogt, or Seneschal, of the Castle of
Rossberg. He was killed by Baumgarten in the manner, and for the
cause, mentioned in the text.
BAUM.
He'll ne'er hurt man again; I've settled him.
ALL (starting back).
Now, God forgive you, what is this you've done!
BAUM.
What every free man in my place had done.
Mine own good household right I have enforced
'Gainst him that would have wrong'd my wife-my honour.
KUONI.
How? Wronged you in your honour, did he so?
BAUM.
That he did not fulfil his foul desire,
Is due to God, and to my trusty axe.
WERNI.
And you have cleft his skull then with your axe?
KUONI.
O, tell us all! You've time enough, and more,
While he is getting out the boat there from the beach.
BAUM.
When I was in the forest felling timber,
My wife came running out in mortal fear.
'The Seneschal,' she said, 'was in my house,
Had ordered her to get a bath prepared,
And thereupon had ta'en unseemly freedoms,
From which she rid herself, and flew to me.'
Arm'd as I was, I sought him, and my axe
Has given his bath a bloody benison.
WERNI.
And you did well; no man can blame the deed.
KUONI.
The tyrant! Now he has his just reward! We men of
Unterwald have owed it long.
BAUM.
The deed got wind, and now they're in pursuit.
Heavens! whilst we speak, the time is flying fast.
[It begins to thunder.]
KUONI.
Quick, ferryman, and set the good man over.
RUODI.
Impossible! a storm is close at hand,
Wait till it pass! You must.
BAUM.
Almighty heavens!
I cannot wait; the least delay is death.
KUONI (to the fisherman).
Push out-God with you!
We should help our neighbours;
The like misfortune may betide us all.
[Thunder and the roaring of the wind.]
RUODI.
The South-wind's up![*] See how the lake is rising!
I cannot steer against both wind and wave.
