"The Men of Grutli."

There are people in Switzerland who still believe that William Tell is not dead, though it is more than five hundred years since he was seen upon the earth. They suppose that he lies asleep in a cavern near the Lake of Lucerne, with two other men, who assisted him in the rebellion against the German emperor, when the Republic of Switzerland was established. These three slumberers are called "The Men of Grutli." The people fancy that if Switzerland is ever again enslaved, they will start from their sleep, and come forth with their ancient garb and weapons to arouse the people to fight again for freedom.

Since the time of William Tell, who died 1355, Switzerland has been a free country, except during the French Revolution, when it was conquered; but it soon regained its independence.

Over against the credulous souls who hold that Tell still lives, is a set of skeptics who maintain that he never shot either the apple or Gessler--indeed, that he never existed at all, save in legend and myth.