William Tell -- The National Hero of Switzerland

Gessler, official or "governor" delegated at that time by the Emperor to the area, did not fail to notice that the people were generally unhappy. In order to test the loyalty of the citizens of Uri, he had a pole planted with a hat in Austrian colours in the square of Altdorf. Everyone passing had to bow to the hat in order to show their respect. The hat was guarded by soldiers who made sure that the governor's orders were carried out.

One day, an inhabitant of Bürglen, William Tell, passed the square, accompanied by his son, without saluting the hat. Immediately he was arrested and brought before the governor. "I know", said the governor, "you are an accomplished marksman. As a punishment for your disobedience of my order, you shall shoot an apple put on your son's head."

Tell tried to convince Gessler to carry out a different punishment but with no success. Gessler insisted and even threatened to have Tell and his son killed if he did not follow his orders.

Tell was brought back to the square of Altdorf. Gessler followed with his soldiers and servants. An indignant crowd surrounded them. Tell's son was placed against a tree, an apple on his head; 50 steps were counted. Tell put an arrow on his crossbow, aimed slowly and pulled. The arrow pierced the apple without touching the boy. The crowd applauded the skills of the courageous archer.

Tell, however, had hidden a second arrow under his quiver. Gessler who had watched Tell do so asked: "Why the second arrow?" Tell waited with his answer. The tyrant urged him to answer: "If you tell me the truth your life will be saved!" "It was to pierce your heart, was Tell's grim answer, if my first arrow killed my son."

Gessler, beside himself, ordered to jail the rebel at once. "I do not come back on my promise but you will be jailed until your death in the prison of Küsnacht castle." A boat was launched immediately at Flüelen. Tell was chained in it while Gessler and his soldiers were embarking. Not far from port a tempest broke out. The Föhn (a southernly wind) caused such high waves that the boat almost got lost or thrown onto the nearby rocks. The boat people became very frightened and shouted: "Only Tell can save us!" Gessler ordered to free Tell who then took the rudder in a firm hand and steered the boat to the foot of the Axenberg Mountain, near a rock called the "Tellsplatte."

All of a sudden Tell took a spear from a soldier, jumped from the boat onto the shore, pushing back the boat with his foot, then in a great hurry traversed the county of Schwyz. Gessler managed to survive the bad storm and reached Küsnacht castle that very night. Tell hid behind some bushes along an alley which led to the governor's residence. Soon enough Gessler and his people appeared and Tell killed him with an arrow from his crossbow, freeing the country from an evil tyrant.

Source: Pfadibewegung Schweiz PBS

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