By Hannah Skipper
The horse slid to a stop in front of a little house on the outskirts of the village and its rider baled off, already barking at the six-year-old who was collecting chicken eggs in the front yard.
“You, boy!” he pointed, his face severe, “Governor Gessler demands you appear in his presence immediately!”
The basket fell to the grass, yokes and shells spilling into the soil, as the child trotted mechanically forward. Knowing disobedience to be life-threatening, his face was pale, but he dared not ask questions or even look into the alarmed faces of his older siblings, preferring instead to hide his trembling hands. No doubt, if their father hadn’t gone into the village this morning, something would’ve been done against this outrage, but the children had been left to do the chores today and what could they do to stop it?
Tossed astride the enormous beast, the boy concentrated on holding on as the man rode like a fury back the way he’d come. When they reached the village square, he stared mutely at the agitated crowd. Uneasy goosebumps prickled his arms at the fierce and sorrowing looks that were cast his way. Many he recognized as the good Swiss patriots who were his father’s faithful friends. Glancing up, he noted the Governor’s hated hat still perched atop the pole and remembered the discontent in his home when word came that all of Uri must kneel whenever they passed by it.
When his eyes returned to the street, the crowd had parted enough for him to see his father, who was the greatest of all men in the boy’s eyes, standing beside Governor Gessler. The sight of his father, who’d taught all his children about right, truth, and justice, standing next to the man whose actions were a daily reminder of everything that was opposite, was astonishing.
With a slight gesture of hand, the good man summoned his son to his side, bidding him to stand fast and not fear as the Governor placed a small apple on his head. The boy quickly understood what was happening as his father took two arrows from the quiver on his back and marked off the required paces.
Patiently obedient, he did as he’d been told and no doubts arose in his mind. He’d heard tales of his father’s exploits with the bow since before he could understand the words and as he’d grown he’d witnessed many more. All that was firmly rooted in his mind so it was impossible for him to think his father would miss his mark today.
He didn’t even notice the crowd holding its collective breath as he alone retained unerring faith when his father placed the arrow on the string and drew the bow taut, letting the death-dealing shaft fly. Next moment, juice splashed against the outside of the tailor’s shop as the point drove into the wood and the crowd let out a mighty cheer of gladness. Even Gessler’s mouth opened in an amazed yell.
“By faith, William Tell, that’s a wonderful shot! Men haven’t exaggerated your reputation!”
Running to his father’s arms immediately after the terrible deed had passed, the boy heard the Governor’s question wrapped in a manly embrace, “But if you’re such an excellent shot, why did you take two arrows? Did you really doubt your skill?”
“It’s only a custom marksmen observe…” The man put him off with a cautious frown.
“No, no, that’s not it. I can see it in your eyes.” Gessler urged, shaking his head. “Come on, man, speak without fear. Your life is safe, but I’m not satisfied with that answer.”
“The second arrow, then…” his father’s tone was suddenly colder and darker than the boy had ever heard from him. “…if you’ll have the truth, was for you. If I’d stuck my son, I swear, I would not have missed again.”
As the boy watched, his little arms still tight around his father’s neck, Gessler’s face seemed to transform from that of a man to that of the mountain monster who he sometimes imagined on the darkest nights.
“I promised you your life, Tell…” Gessler’s soft, measured tone held a wrath that filled the child with cold dread, “and I’ll keep my word. But you’ve revealed too much and, I swear, you’ll pay for your loose tongue.”
At his signal, guardsmen swamped the man and his child, flinging the boy aside and binding his father hand and foot. A blindfolding hood swooshed over Tell’s head as Gessler’s voice rose to be heard above the angered crowd.
“I know I’m hated here. I know that well. But, by heaven, I won’t yield to bloodthirsty men who not only want my authority for themselves, but also my life!” He turned piercing eyes on his struggling prey. “Your sentence, therefore, William Tell is to finish your days in the dungeon of Küsnacht, where you’ll never see the sun, or moon, or stars again!”
The boy’s shout was drowned out by the louder roar of his father and the crowd but the Governor’s men quickly brought their weapons to bear and the sudden peril paused many brave hearts that day.
Quickly, the strong arms of his father’s most steadfast friend encircled the emboldened child, sensing that his love would make him reckless. From those steady arms the boy was forced to watch as his good father was dragged away.
“He’ll come back to you, boy.” The loyal family friend whispered fierce words of encouragement as hot tears spilled down the boy’s face. “Stand tall and be brave. If I know your father, he won’t rest until he’s returned safely to his family, in this land he loves best.”
Gently setting the boy on the cobblestones once the danger had passed, the good friend held that young hand with an iron grip as they walked home together. Then the loyal comrade stayed with the children to tell them everything that happened and help them in their grief. He also prayed with them and assured them of his faithful protection until their father could return.
But, at long last, this loyal man had to return to his own home. The children found comfort in the routine of their evening work. The oldest brother and sister took charge of the home and the youngest boy was careful to do everything they asked but his mind’s eye kept returning to the sights and sounds he’d witnessed that day. One thought continually plagued him.
The rider who’d come that morning said the Governor summoned him. So, he reasoned with childish innocence, it was likely he had done something, however unwitting, to offend the authority. And now, because of this wrong he’d done, his beloved father was imprisoned in that fearsome fortress in the middle of Lake Lucerne!
At last, the chores were done and he laid down in his bed, listening to a storm that had begun to rage outside. It matched the internal churning in his heart as he thought of the whitecaps hitting the island which was now his father’s home. He knew his father could come through whatever inclement weather nature brought upon him if given the chance but, for the first time in his young life, he began to doubt the beloved man in one thing.
He knew how much William Tell loved his children and he understood how closely their lives were bound together. So, he wondered, would his father survive a life locked away from the ones he loved most? These thoughts kept the boy awake for many hours; then he tossed and turned in restless sleep.
In the wee hours of the morning, he heard the front door open. He was the only one awake now, since his siblings didn’t have quite the same visions to plague their rest, and in alarm he almost cried out. But curiosity and hope got the best of him, and he slipped out of bed to cross the floor. Then, peering out into the room, he saw the beloved silhouette standing just inside the door.
His cry of gladness woke the house, and all the children flocked around to hear their father’s tale. The hated Governor was dead by his unerring arrow and buried in a rocky mountain pass. Soon, his assurance led them to hope, all of Switzerland would be free.
Cover Photo by Pexels Free Photos