"Which I'm afraid as how it's a little bruised, your Excellency," he
said, "having hit me on the helmet."

   "Thank you. I do not require it for eating purposes," said Gessler.
"Now, Tell, I have here an apple—a simple apple, not over-ripe. I
should like to test that feat of yours. So take your bow—I see you
have it in your hand—and get ready to shoot. I am going to put this
apple on your son's head. He will be placed a hundred yards away from
you, and if you do not hit the apple with your first shot your life
shall pay forfeit."

   [Illustration: PLATE X]

   And he regarded Tell with a look of malicious triumph.

   "Your Excellency, it cannot be!" cried Tell; "the thing is too
monstrous. Perhaps your Excellency is pleased to jest. You cannot bid a
father shoot an apple from off his son's head! Consider, your
Excellency!"

   "You shall shoot the apple from off the head of this boy," said Gessler
sternly. "I do not jest. That is my will."

   "Sooner would I die," said Tell.

   "If you do not shoot you die with the boy. Come, come, Tell, why so
cautious? They always told me that you loved perilous enterprises, and
yet when I give you one you complain. I could understand anybody else
shrinking from the feat. But you! Hitting apples at a hundred yards is
child's play to you. And what does it matter where the apple is—whether
it is on a tree or on a boy's head? It is an apple just the same.
Proceed, Tell."

   The crowd, seeing a discussion going on, had left the edge of the
meadow and clustered round to listen. A groan of dismay went up at the
Governor's words.

   "Down on your knees, boy," whispered Rudolph der Harras to Walter—"down
on your knees, and beg his Excellency for your life."

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