"While they were on the water a terrible storm came up. It seemed as if they would all be drowned. The boatmen begged Gessler to take the ropes from their prisoner, so that he might help them bring the boat ashore.
As he sprang, he gave the boat a strong push with his foot, back into the rough water again
"So Gessler commanded that Tell be untied and that he guide them to safety.
"Tell had been on this lake in storms many times before, and he knew where the few safe landing places were. He knew there was a large flat rock, close under the steep shore, on to which one could easily spring from a boat, so he skillfully steered in its direction.
"When a great wave swung the tossing boat quite close to the flat rock, Tell seized his crossbow and sprang out. As he sprang, he gave the boat a strong push with his foot, back into the rough water again.
"Brave Tell was free. He climbed quickly through the woods and up the steep mountain side. At last he came to the path Gessler would have to take in returning to his castle, if he were not drowned on the stormy lake.
"Here Tell waited and thought. He was waiting to see if Gessler would come, and he was thinking about the brave people who were being so cruelly treated by their Austrian Governor. He was willing, if necessary, to give his life to bring freedom to his country.
"At last Gessler and his men came hurrying up the path toward the castle. They had escaped the storm.