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WILLIAM TELL
79
slaying the tyrant, only I have an idea that the tyrant would slay us. You see my point?"
“Why were we so slow!" groaned Arnold. “We should have risen before, and then this would never have happened. Who was it that advised us to delay?”
“We-e-ll," said Stauffacher (who had himself advised delay), “I can't quite remember at the moment, but I dare say you could find out by looking up the minutes of our last meeting. I know the motion was carried by a majority of two votes. See! Gessler grows impatient."
Gessler, who had been fidgeting on his horse for some time, now spoke again, urging Tell to hurry.
“Begin!” he cried—“begin!”
“Immediately,” replied Tell, fitting the arrow to the string.
Gessler began to mock him once more.
