Tell came along, Walter by his side, and his cross-bow over his shoulder. He knew nothing about the hat having been placed on the pole, and he was surprised to see such a large crowd gathered in the . He bowed to the crowd in his polite way, and the crowd gave three cheers and one more, and he bowed again.  
"Hullo!" said Walter suddenly; "look at that hat up there, father. On the pole."
 
"What is the hat to us?" said Tell; and he began to walk across the meadow with an air of great dignity, and Walter walked by his side, trying to look just like him.
 
"Here! hi!" shouted the soldiers. "Stop! You haven't bowed down to the cap."
 
Tell looked scornful, but said nothing. Walter looked still more scornful.
 
"Ho, there!" shouted Friesshardt, in front of him. "I bid you stand in the Emperor's name."
 
"My good fellow," said Tell, "please do not bother me. I am in a hurry. I really have nothing for you."
 
"My orders is," said Friesshardt, "to stand in this 'ere meadow and to see as how all them what passes through it does to that there hat. Them's Governor's orders, them is. So now."
 
"My good fellow," said Tell, "let me pass. I shall get cross, I know I shall."
 
Shouts of encouragement from the crowd, who were waiting patiently for the trouble to begin.
 
"Go it, Tell!" they cried. "Don't stand talking to him. Hit him a kick!"
 
Friesshardt became angrier every minute.
 
"My orders is," he said again, "to arrest them as don't bow down to the hat, and for two pins, young feller, I'll arrest you. So which is it to be? Either you bow down to that there hat or you come along of me."
 
Tell pushed him aside, and walked on with his chin in the air. Walter went with him, with his chin in the air.
 
!
 
A howl of went up from the crowd as they saw Friesshardt raise his pike and bring it down with all his force on Tell's head. The sound of the blow went ............