This page has been validated.
WILLIAM TELL
29

‘We might do much,’ I said, ‘if we held fast together. Union is strength,’ I said.

“‘The strong,’ said Tell, ‘is strongest when he stands alone.’

“‘Then our country must not count on thee,’ I said, ‘when in despair she stands on self-defence?’

“‘Oh, well,’ he said, ‘hardly that, perhaps. I don’t want to desert you. What I mean to say is, I'm no use as a plotter or a counsellor and that sort of thing. Where I come out strong is in deeds. So don’t invite me to your meetings and make me speak, and that sort of thing; but if you want a man to do anything—why, that's where I shall come in, you see. Just write if you want me—a postcard will do—and you will not find William Tell hanging back. No, sir.’ And with those words he showed us out.”

“Well,” said Jost Weiler, “I call that