Baumgarten’s Rescue

William Tell (P. G. Wodehouse Edition)

This thread follows William Tell’s earlier rescue of Baumgarten and shows how acts of personal courage deepen his conflict with Hermann Gessler.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Friend Is Hunted A Friend Is Hunted from "William Tell". A Friend Is Hunted Pursuit by the authorities Hermann Gessler’s soldiers chase Baumgarten, leaving him in immediate danger.

A Friend Is Hunted from "William Tell". A Friend Is Hunted Pursuit by the authorities Hermann Gessler’s soldiers chase Baumgarten, leaving him in immediate danger.

A Friend Is Hunted Pursuit by the authorities Hermann Gessler’s soldiers chase Baumgarten, leaving him in immediate danger. An impossible crossing Baumgarten’s only chance is to cross the lake during a fierce storm, but the ferryman refuses. Tell’s earlier choice to intervene becomes part of the Governor’s grievance against him.

The Ferryman Refuses The Ferryman Refuses from "William Tell". The Ferryman Refuses Fear outweighs the fare The ferryman says no sensible man would rush into the jaws of death and refuses to take the boat out.

The Ferryman Refuses from "William Tell". The Ferryman Refuses Fear outweighs the fare The ferryman says no sensible man would rush into the jaws of death and refuses to take the boat out.

The Ferryman Refuses Fear outweighs the fare The ferryman says no sensible man would rush into the jaws of death and refuses to take the boat out. Danger closes in The soldiers ride closer as Baumgarten’s escape options disappear. The refusal establishes the risk Tell must accept if his friend is to survive.

Tell Takes the Boat Tell Takes the Boat from "William Tell". Tell Takes the Boat A direct intervention William Tell jumps into the boat and rows through the rough water.

Tell Takes the Boat from "William Tell". Tell Takes the Boat A direct intervention William Tell jumps into the boat and rows through the rough water.

Tell Takes the Boat A direct intervention William Tell jumps into the boat and rows through the rough water. A friend brought to safety The crossing succeeds, and Baumgarten escapes his pursuers. Tell acts without waiting for a committee or a safer moment.

Gessler’s Grudge Deepens Gessler’s Grudge Deepens from "William Tell". Gessler’s Grudge Deepens A personal challenge William Tell’s rescue frustrates Hermann Gessler’s attempt to capture Baumgarten.

Gessler’s Grudge Deepens from "William Tell". Gessler’s Grudge Deepens A personal challenge William Tell’s rescue frustrates Hermann Gessler’s attempt to capture Baumgarten.

Gessler’s Grudge Deepens A personal challenge William Tell’s rescue frustrates Hermann Gessler’s attempt to capture Baumgarten. Conflict accumulates The act adds to Gessler’s resentment, alongside Tell’s earlier insults in Schachenthal. The Governor’s later treatment of Tell grows from a pattern of defiance rather than a single encounter.

A Rescue Recalled A Rescue Recalled from "William Tell". A Rescue Recalled The Governor remembers As the ship nears the rocks, Gessler recalls that William Tell once carried Baumgarten across rough water.

A Rescue Recalled from "William Tell". A Rescue Recalled The Governor remembers As the ship nears the rocks, Gessler recalls that William Tell once carried Baumgarten across rough water.

A Rescue Recalled The Governor remembers As the ship nears the rocks, Gessler recalls that William Tell once carried Baumgarten across rough water. Skill becomes leverage He orders Tell to steer, using the captive’s proven ability to save the ship. The earlier rescue foreshadows Tell’s later escape.

Before the main events in town

During the storm on the lake

Moments before the soldiers can seize Baumgarten

After the rescue, before Tell’s later arrest

During the storm that threatens Gessler’s ship