"Arise, and follow me," said Father Joachim briefly.
Hofer, in some surprise, rose, hastily dressed, girt on his sword, and mutely obeyed. The Capuchin went out into the open air, looked up a moment at the stars, and then strode forward without speaking a word. After a time, they found themselves in a little country churchyard, with garlands, crosses, and little vessels of holy water over many a rustic grave. The Capuchin walked on towards a large crucifix; and then pausing and addressing his companion, said in a low voice, "Let us pray; but not too loudly, for we are close to the Austrian lines."
The next moment they were murmuring—
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Then Father Joachim poured out his soul in prayer and supplication—in Latin? Oh no!—There are emergencies when the stanchest Roman Catholic must, if he pray at all, make his petitions in the words that come first. Father Joachim's were strong and simple.
The action commenced at six o'clock the next morning, August the 12th.
The plan of attack very much resembled that of the 29th of May.
"The good old plan,
That they should take who have the power,
And they should keep who can;"
—in other words, that the Bavarians should take Berg Isel if they could dislodge the Tyrolese, and that the Tyrolese should not only keep their own, but drive their enemies completely off the field and make themselves masters of the bridges and approaches to Innsbruck.