Page:William Tell Told Again.djvu/133

Rh the apple with your first shot your life shall pay forfeit.”

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