While the boys were listening to this interesting story, the steamer
was carrying them slowly up the beautiful lake toward the very places
where it all happened.
At last they came to a narrow part of the lake where the mountains rose
steep and high on both sides.
"Look, boys!" said their father. "Do you see the little chapel just
ahead of us, on the left? It is called Tell's Chapel, because it is
built on the flat rock on to which Tell sprang from Gessler's boat that
stormy day. On the walls inside of the chapel an artist has painted
four large pictures showing the whole story of William Tell."
"Oh, father, please let us go ashore here," said Jack. "I want to look
at those pictures."
[Illustration: "_Do you see the little chapel just ahead of us?_"]
"And I want to climb up into the dark woods behind the chapel," said
Joe.
"All right," said their father. "How would you like to walk the rest
of the way to the end of the lake? It is only two or three miles. I am
sure you never have walked over so beautiful a road as this one."
"Oh, do let us walk!" shouted Joe. "It will be lots more fun than
sitting still here on the steamer."
So they went ashore right near the little chapel. First, they looked
at the pictures that told the story of Tell and Gessler, on the walls
inside of the chapel. Then they followed a steep, narrow path that led
up the mountain side through the dark woods. This path soon brought
them to a pretty garden restaurant.
Of course they were all very thirsty, so they sat around a small table
under the great trees and drank raspberry lemonade, which was served
to them in very tall glasses. Raspberry lemonade, as it is made in
Switzerland, is much nicer than plain lemonade, at least so the Overall
Boys thought.
A few minutes later they began their tramp over one of the most
beautiful roads in the world. It is called the Axenstrasse, because it
is built along the side of the steep mountain called the Axenberg.
A part of the way the mountain is so steep the road could not be built
on the outside of it, so a tunnel has been cut right through the rocky
side. Here and there the outer wall of rock has been cut away, making
great arches through which people can look out over the beautiful lake
to the high mountains beyond.
[Illustration: _The great arches from which people can see the high
mountains beyond_]
The famous St. Gotthard railroad is also built along this mountain
side. In some places the trains glide along the steep mountain almost
straight above the deep lake, and in other places they pass through
long, dark tunnels.
The carriage road over which the Overall Boys were tramping was as
smooth and level as a floor. Many automobiles flew past the happy
walking party, but the boys did not envy the people who were riding in
them. They could see and enjoy everything, while those who had to ride
missed a great deal.
They passed through two or three small villages, where the narrow
balconies on the pretty chalets were all covered with beautiful
climbing roses.
In the center of a fountain, in one of the small flower gardens, the
boys saw the figure of a queer little dwarf with a large, red umbrella
over his head.
"Oh, Jack, see that little man standing in the fountain!" cried Joe.
"He looks like the good dwarfs we read about in fairy tales. See what a
small body he has, and what a large head!"
"And do look at his long beard and his high, pointed cap!" said Jack.
"How proud he is of his big, red umbrella! He stands in the center of
the fountain with the water falling all around, but not a drop falls on
him."
"Isn't he a jolly old fellow! I suppose he brings good luck to the
people who own that garden," said Joe. "In fairy tales the mountain
dwarfs always bring good luck, if they are treated kindly."
[Illustration: _The queer little dwarf under his large, red umbrella_]
"Well, this old fellow looks as if he were enjoying his lovely garden
home," said Jack.
At last the trampers came to a small town where there was a high coach
drawn by four horses waiting to carry people two miles up the valley,
to the village of Altdorf.
Travelers usually go to Altdorf by train now, but the Overall Boys
chose to ride on top of the high coach.
[Illustration: _The Overall Boys chose to ride on top of the high
coach_]
It was a beautiful drive, and everybody was happy and hungry when the
coach drew up to a small hotel in the famous little village.
Supper was served in the hotel garden, then the boys went to bed to
dream of William Tell and his brave son, Walter, who had once walked
the streets of this very village.
Quite early next morning, two eager little boys were standing in the
old marketplace They were looking at the tall bronze monument of
William Tell and his little son.
"Think of it!" said Joe. "William Tell stood on this very spot when he
shot the apple from Walter's head."
"Yes," said Jack. "And Walter stood away back there, where the fountain
now is."
"My! I know I should have trembled, if I had been in Walter's place,"
said Joe.
"I am sure Walter did not tremble. See how brave and happy he looks, as
he stands up there with his father's hand on his shoulder. He was proud
to help save his father's life. He was even willing to die to save him.
Why, I should be willing to do as much for my father, if he were in
trouble," said Jack.
"So should I!" cried Joe. "No one shall ever hurt father or mother, if
I can help it!"
"Well, that sounds good," said their father, who came up behind the
boys just in time to hear what they were talking about. "I shall not be
afraid to serve my country, so long as I have boys as brave as Walter
Tell."
[Illustration: _They were looking at the monument of William Tell_]
"Oh, father, did this all really happen, or is it just a story?" asked
Jack.
"Well," said their father, "a few wise men are telling us that it is
only a legend, but many of the Swiss people believe that it is every
bit true. They are proud to have had such heroes as William Tell and
his little boy."
"Of course they are," said Joe. "I am going to believe that it is
true. Why, William Tell did almost as much for his country as George
Washington did for ours. I think that he ought to be called the
'Father of his Country,' the same as Washington is."
"So do I," said their father. "But let me tell you something now. I
have a surprise for you. The people of the village are going to play
the story of William Tell to-day in their little open-air theater on
the edge of the woods.
"The king's hat will be there on a pole in the center of the busy
marketplace, and all the people will bow low to it--all except William
Tell and his little son, who will march proudly by it. Then, of course,
Tell will have to shoot the apple from his little boy's head, and
he will be taken across the stormy lake in Gessler's boat, and then
he will spring out upon the rocky shore, and escape into the woods.
Gessler and his men will climb up the mountain path toward the castle;
the poor woman will beg Gessler to release her husband from prison--and
all the rest of the story will be played. Would you like to see it?"
"Oh, of course we should!" exclaimed the boys. "We should rather see
it than anything else we can think of."
And when they had seen it, they wanted to see it all right over again.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: OVER AND THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS.]
[Illustration]