his drama of "William Tell," adopts the latter version of the story.

According to the drama, Tell is represented as being bound to the pole.
In a short time he is surrounded by friends and neighbors. Among them
are his father-in-law, Walter Furst, Werner Stauffacher, and Arnold of
Melchthal. They advance to rescue the prisoner. The guards cry in a
loud voice: "Revolt! Rebellion! Treason! Sedition! Help! Protect the
agents of the law!"

Gessler and his party hear the cries, and rush to the support of the
guards. Gessler cries in a loud authoritative voice: "Wherefore is this
assembly of people? Who called for help? What does all this mean? I
demand to know the cause of this!"

Then, addressing himself particularly to one of the guards and pointing
to Tell, he says: "Stand forward! Who art thou, and why dost thou hold
that man a prisoner?"

"Most mighty lord," replies the guard, "I am one of your soldiers
placed here as a sentinel over that hat. I seized this man in the act
of disobedience, for refusing to salute it. I was about to carry him to
prison in compliance with your orders, and the populace were preparing
to rescue him by force."

After questioning Tell, whose answers are not satisfactory, the bailiff
pronounces sentence upon him. The sentence is that he shall shoot at an
apple placed on the head of his little son, Walter, and if he fails to
hit the mark he shall die.

"My lord," cries the agonized parent; "what horrible command is this
you lay upon me? What! aim at a mark placed on the head of my dear
child? No, no, it is impossible that such a thought could enter your
imagination. In the name of the God of mercy, you cannot seriously
impose that trial on a father."

"Thou shalt aim at an apple placed on the head of thy son. I will and I
command it," repeats the tyrant.

"I! William Tell! aim with my own crossbow at the head of my own
offspring! I would rather die a thousand deaths."

"Thou shall shoot, or assuredly thou diest with thy son!"

"Become the murderer of my child! My lord, you have no son--you cannot
have the feelings of a father's heart!"

Gessler's friends interfere in behalf of the unhappy father, and plead
for mercy. But all appeal is in vain. The tyrant is determined on
carrying out his sentence.

The father and son are placed at a distance of eighty paces apart. An
apple is placed on the boy's head, and the father is commanded to hit
the mark. He hesitates and trembles.

"Why