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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Allies with the Cossacks, by Clair W. Hayes
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Allies with the Cossacks
+       Or, A Wild Dash over the Carpathians
+
+Author: Clair W. Hayes
+
+Release Date: January 13, 2010 [EBook #30951]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE COSSACKS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank, D Alexander and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE COSSACKS
+
+OR
+
+A WILD DASH OVER THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS
+
+By CLAIR W. HAYES
+
+AUTHOR OF
+
+  "The Boy Allies at Liege"
+  "The Boy Allies On the Firing Line"
+  "The Boy Allies In the Trenches"
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+
+NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1915
+
+By A. L. Burt Company
+
+The Boy Allies with the Cossacks
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: ALEXIS--FROM HIS CANTEEN POURED WATER OVER THE LAD'S
+FACE. _Page 203._ _The Boy Allies With the Cossacks_.]
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY ALLIES WITH THE COSSACKS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+FLYING.
+
+
+"What's that below, Hal?"
+
+The speaker was Chester Crawford, an American lad of some 16 years.
+
+Hal Paine allowed his eyes to turn from the steering wheel and glanced
+over the side of the flying aeroplane.
+
+"I don't see anything," he replied, after a careful scrutiny below.
+
+"Neither do I, now," said Chester, straining his eyes.
+
+At this moment the third occupant of the machine made his presence
+known.
+
+"Woof! Woof!" he exclaimed.
+
+The third speaker was Marquis, a dog.
+
+"Woof! Woof!" he barked again.
+
+Hal, with a quick move, slackened the speed of the aeroplane, and let it
+glide gently closer to the earth.
+
+"Must be something wrong," he confided to Chester, "or Marquis wouldn't
+be barking like that."
+
+Both lads peered into the darkness that engulfed them on all sides. As
+far as the eye could penetrate there was nothing but blackness, solid,
+intense.
+
+"Let's go a little lower, Hal," whispered Chester.
+
+Under Hal's firm hand the aeroplane came down gently, until at last it
+was soaring close to the treetops. And now, suddenly, both lads made out
+the cause of Marquis's uneasiness.
+
+Beneath them were thousands upon thousands of armed men. To the north,
+to the south, and to the east and west the dense mass of humanity
+stretched out. Hal and Chester, flying close to the earth, at last could
+make out moving forms below them.
+
+Suddenly it became light. Not broad daylight, but the darkness gave way
+enough for the lads to distinguish what lay below them. The dawn of
+another day was breaking.
+
+At the same instant that the lads made out the huge mass of humanity
+upon the ground their presence in the air was discovered. There came the
+sound of a single shot and the whiz of a bullet, as it sped close to
+Hal's ear.
+
+With a quick movement the lad sent the plane soaring high in the air
+once more. So sudden was the movement that Chester, caught unprepared,
+lost his balance, and saved himself from tumbling to the ground only by
+clutching the side of the machine. Marquis also had a narrow escape from
+being thrown out. He let out a loud yelp of fear, as he was thrown
+violently against Chester. The lad threw out a hand and grabbed him by
+the scruff of the neck, just as it seemed he would plunge to certain
+destruction.
+
+"Say!" he called to Hal, when he finally regained his breath and his
+head. "What's the matter with you? You almost dumped us both out."
+
+"Did I?" replied Hal briefly. "Well, as long as you didn't fall it's all
+right. We had to come up suddenly, or the chances were we would have
+gone down suddenly. But it's my fault. I should have given you warning.
+Are you hurt?"
+
+"No," replied Chester.
+
+"I'll be careful next time," said Hal. "You'll have to forgive me this
+once."
+
+"Say no more about it," answered Chester. "But what was the cause of
+this sudden rise?"
+
+"Cause!" repeated Hal in astonishment. "You don't mean to tell me you
+don't know the cause? Didn't you hear that shot?"
+
+"Yes, I heard it. But how do you know whether it was fired by friend or
+foe?"
+
+"I can't see as that would make any difference if it happened to hit us.
+However, I'm morally certain they were Germans."
+
+"Well, maybe they were. What are we going to do now?"
+
+"We'll stay up here until we are absolutely certain we have passed over
+the German lines. Then we'll come down."
+
+The machine was high in the air now, and, peering intently over the
+side, as he did, Chester was unable to make out anything below in the
+early morning light.
+
+But in the rear, soaring high in the air, although neither lad realized
+it, a new danger threatened. When the presence of the boys' plane had
+been discovered, a German craft had immediately risen, and was now in
+pursuit.
+
+Glancing over his shoulder, Chester was the first to discover that they
+were followed. At the same moment that he perceived the pursuing machine
+there came a shot from the enemy.
+
+There was no need for Chester to cry out to Hal. The sound of the shot
+told the latter of their danger, and he immediately threw the speed
+lever over as far as it would go.
+
+The machine bounded forward.
+
+But the pursuer also came on faster than before; and, while it was
+apparent that he was not lessening the distance between the two craft,
+he nevertheless was still in range, and his rifle continued to crack.
+However, neither the machine nor its three occupants were struck.
+
+Chester took a snap shot at the other craft with his revolver, but the
+bullet fell short. While the enemy could pepper them at will with his
+rifle, a bullet from the lad's revolver could not reach him.
+
+Hal heard the sound of Chester's revolver, and called out:
+
+"Did you hit him?"
+
+"No!" Chester shouted back, "he's too far behind. But he'll get us in a
+minute if we don't do something." To himself he added: "If I only had a
+rifle!"
+
+"You be ready with your revolver," Hal called to his friend, "and I'll
+soon fix that. It's our only chance."
+
+Abruptly he slackened the speed of the machine, and swiftly the enemy
+came on. So suddenly had Hal acted that the man at the wheel of the
+pursuing machine could not act promptly enough, and was within range of
+Chester's revolver before he could slow down.
+
+As the first machine righted after its abrupt halt, Chester took
+deliberate aim and fired, even at the moment that a bullet passed close
+to his head.
+
+There was a yell from the pursuing machine. A man leaped suddenly to his
+feet, shaking the frail craft violently as he did so, waved his arms
+once, twice, and toppled into space.
+
+"I got one of 'em," Chester shouted to Hal, and his lips shut grimly.
+
+"Good for you!" Hal shouted back.
+
+Even Marquis realized that it was time to be pleased, and he sent up a
+sharp bark of joy. His canine intelligence told him that something that
+threatened had been overcome.
+
+But the man at the wheel of the German aeroplane, now that he was alone,
+was not minded to give up the chase. The machine darted at the boys'
+craft suddenly, and, but for the fact that Hal at that very moment
+happened to glance over his shoulder, the sharp-pointed prow of the
+German craft would have cut them down.
+
+With a sudden twist of the wheel, however, Hal sent the machine out of
+the path of the German, and, as the enemy sped by, Chester took a snap
+shot with his revolver.
+
+Evidently he missed, for the German checked his plane and returned to
+the attack.
+
+"So," said Hal to himself, "two can play at that game."
+
+Once more he avoided the German rush; and then, wheeling his own craft
+at the moment the German sped by, he dashed in pursuit. The enemy, doing
+the work of two men, did not perceive this change in tactics by his
+foes, and, even as he slowed down to turn and make another attack, the
+point of the lad's machine plowed into him.
+
+There was a ripping, tearing sound; the German plane wavered and started
+to fall as the craft in which the boys were flying dashed by. But, by a
+superhuman effort, the German succeeded in righting his craft.
+
+Then, holding the wheel steady with one hand, he calmly produced a
+revolver and took deliberate aim at Hal.
+
+There was a sharp crack, followed immediately by another, but Hal was
+unharmed.
+
+Realizing the German's purpose, Chester's weapon had spoken a second
+before that of the enemy. The lad had not had time to take careful aim,
+but the bullet sped true, striking the German squarely in the forehead,
+even at the moment his finger pressed the trigger of his own revolver.
+
+Chester saw the man throw up his hands and fall backward. The German
+plane, now without a hand to keep it steady, rocked crazily for several
+moments, then turned turtle and went tumbling over and over toward the
+ground.
+
+"Did you get him, Chester?" asked Hal, who had not turned his head, and
+therefore had not perceived his own danger.
+
+"Yes, I got him," replied Chester simply.
+
+"Good!" returned Hal. "And the machine?"
+
+"Gone!"
+
+The lads now paused to take stock of their own damage, if any. There was
+none. Not a German bullet had so much as struck the machine.
+
+"They are not very good marksmen, are they?" said Hal, with a slight
+grin.
+
+"Doesn't look that way," returned Chester. "However, maybe those fellows
+are not the best specimens."
+
+"Maybe not," replied Hal.
+
+"What next?" asked Chester, after a slight pause.
+
+"Guess we might as well go on," replied Hal. "There may be some more of
+those German machines flying after us, so I guess it behooves us to get
+away from here as soon as possible."
+
+"I guess you are right," Chester acquiesced.
+
+Once more the aeroplane straightened itself out on its course and,
+flying high--absolutely hidden from the ground by a dense mass of black
+clouds that seemed to spring up as if by magic--sped on.
+
+Hal, with firm hands on the wheel, kept his gaze directly ahead. Chester
+settled himself comfortably in his seat again, and Marquis, after
+sniffing about for several moments, finally composed himself to sleep.
+
+In spite of the fact that he was flying far above ground, the dog had
+not shown a sign of nervousness or fright. Evidently he had no fear.
+Possibly through his head flashed the thought that if these young boys
+who were caring for him had saved him once, it was no more than they
+would do again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+BEYOND THE ENEMY.
+
+
+Hal Paine and Chester Crawford, two young American lads, had already
+seen much active service in the great European war of 1914, the greatest
+war of all history.
+
+With Hal's mother they had been in the capital of Germany when the
+conflagration broke out. In making their way from Berlin they had been
+separated from Mrs. Paine and, thrown upon their resources, it became
+necessary for them to make their way out of Germany alone, or else to
+stay in Berlin for an indefinite time. The boys elected to leave.
+
+With Major Raoul Derevaux, a French Officer, then a captain, and Captain
+Harry Anderson, an Englishman, they had finally succeeded in making
+their way into the Belgian lines. They had witnessed the heroic defense
+of the Belgians at Liege, and had themselves taken part in the battle.
+Having accomplished several missions successfully, they had come to be
+looked upon with the greatest respect by the Belgian commander.
+
+At Louvain Hal was wounded, and Chester had him conveyed to Brussels.
+Here the lads again fell in with Captain Anderson, and, through the good
+offices of the latter, eventually found themselves attached to the
+British forces on the continent. They had gained favor in the eyes of
+Sir John French, the British Field Marshal in command of the British
+troops, and had successfully accomplished several difficult missions.
+
+Taken prisoners by the Germans, they had been saved from death at the
+hands of a firing squad by the Emperor of Germany himself, and had
+finally been taken back to Berlin.
+
+In the streets of the German capital, one day, a message had been put
+into their hands by an English prisoner, who declared that its delivery
+to the Grand Duke Nicholas, commander of the hosts of the Czar of
+Russia, was a matter of much moment.
+
+Displaying great resourcefulness and bravery, the lads had succeeded in
+escaping from Berlin in an aeroplane, as narrated in "The Boy Allies on
+the Firing Line," the same in which, at the opening of this story, we
+find them flying swiftly eastward.
+
+Crack revolver shots, and having skill in the use of the sword and with
+their fists, the boys had fought themselves out of many ticklish
+situations. And now, free again, they were making all speed to deliver
+the message from the combined leaders of two countries to Grand Duke
+Nicholas, a message that would mean closer cooperation between the
+Russians in the east and the British and French forces in the west.
+
+The Russian campaign so far could hardly be called a success. True, the
+first German advance into Poland, with Warsaw as its object, had been
+checked, and the invader had been driven back; but the mighty legions of
+the Czar of all the Russias could not be mobilized with the swiftness of
+the Kaiser's troops; and, when mobilized, could not be transported to
+the front with the same dispatch.
+
+Reenforced after their first defeat in Poland, the Germans had begun a
+new drive into the heart of Poland. Day after day they drew nearer and
+nearer to the little capital, Warsaw--the Russians retreating before
+them.
+
+But now, within two days' march of Warsaw, the Russians held steadily,
+and, try as he might, the German commander could not break through this
+line of steel. Grand Duke Nicholas, commander-in-chief of the Russian
+armies--who at first had been with the southern army opposing the
+Austrians and advancing upon Cracow, in Galicia--had hurried north, to
+take personal command in Poland.
+
+His presence had instilled new vigor into the Russian troops, and, after
+several days of defensive action, the Russian troops had at last resumed
+the offensive.
+
+It was toward this mighty army that the aeroplane that had borne the
+boys through the heart of the enemy was now flying swiftly.
+
+"Seems to me," said Hal, "that by this time we must have passed the
+German lines. I guess we might as well go down a bit and have a look
+around."
+
+Accordingly the machine glided nearer the earth. The day was dark and
+foggy, and at first the lads could discern nothing below but a great
+blur.
+
+They drew closer.
+
+At that moment there came a shot from below. Hal instinctively threw
+over the lever in an effort to take the craft out of harm's way.
+
+But the machine did not respond to his touch.
+
+"Great Scott!" he cried. "That one bullet must have put us out of
+commission. We'll have to go down, or be shot to pieces up here."
+
+Gently the little craft glided toward the earth; and now the boys could
+make out the objects below.
+
+On all sides, stretching out as far as the eye could see, was a mighty
+mass of moving men.
+
+"Germans?" asked Chester anxiously.
+
+"We'll soon see," replied Hal briefly.
+
+It was apparent now that those below, realizing that the aircraft was
+falling, would not fire at it again. With upturned eyes thousands of men
+watched the flight of the little plane, as it soared down among them.
+
+Hal looked closely at the men, as the machine drew near the ground, and
+then exclaimed:
+
+"No, they are not Germans; Russians, that's what they are."
+
+Chester raised a feeble cheer.
+
+"Hurrah!" he shouted.
+
+Marquis, aroused by the sound of the lad's voices, arose and stretched.
+Even he seemed pleased.
+
+And now the aeroplane bumped the ground, and the lads stepped out to see
+a long line of rifle barrels confronting them.
+
+The lads threw up their hands instantly, but Marquis's back bristled and
+he growled threateningly.
+
+"Keep quiet!" Chester commanded, and the dog grew still. An officer
+approached the lads.
+
+"What do you here?" he demanded, in some language the lads could not
+understand.
+
+The lads shook their heads, and the officer tried again, this time in
+German.
+
+"What do you here?" he demanded.
+
+As briefly as possible, Hal, acting as spokesman, explained. The
+officer's incredulous gaze grew more so as the lad went on with his
+story. When the lad had finished, he said simply:
+
+"I don't believe you!"
+
+Hal was angry in a second. He took a step toward the officer.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" he demanded.
+
+The officer stood his ground.
+
+"Just what I say," he replied. "I don't believe you. The tale you tell
+is impossible."
+
+Chester stepped into the breach. He took Hal by the arm.
+
+"Of course such a tale is hard to believe," he said. "But, nevertheless,
+it is true. We carry an important message for the Grand Duke."
+
+"Well," said the officer, "I don't think you will see him. He is too
+busy to give up his time to listen to such a tale as yours."
+
+But at this moment a second officer, apparently the other's superior,
+approached. To him, upon request, Hal repeated his story. This officer
+also looked incredulous, but the result was different.
+
+"You tell a very strange story," he said, "but it is not for me to pass
+upon its veracity. You shall be given an audience with the Grand Duke;
+but, mark me well, if it is found that you have been lying--that you
+have nothing of importance, it will go hard with you."
+
+"We have no fear of that, sir," said Chester briefly.
+
+"All right, then. Follow me."
+
+The lads did as ordered, Marquis trailing along after them. Through
+thousands of rapidly-moving men the lads followed the officer, and at
+last, after more than an hour's walk, came to a stop, upon command, in
+front of a large, bewhiskered man, of imposing military stature.
+
+"This," said the officer who had conducted them, "is Grand Duke
+Nicholas."
+
+The officer looked down on them.
+
+"What is it?" he demanded gruffly.
+
+The officer repeated the story the boys had told him. The Grand Duke
+grew greatly interested as the story progressed, and, when the message
+was mentioned, he interrupted.
+
+"Enough," he said. "I have been expecting such a message." He turned to
+the two lads. "Do you bear it?" he asked.
+
+Hal bowed in assent.
+
+"Then give it to me!" he cried eagerly.
+
+Chester reached in his pocket, and a moment more the Grand Duke eagerly
+clutched the paper the lad handed him--a paper they had gone through so
+much to deliver.
+
+The Grand Duke read the message through twice, sitting on his horse
+without a move, his face a perfect blank. Then he thrust it into his
+pocket and turned once more to the two lads.
+
+"You have done well," he said. "Captain, you will see that they are
+brought to my quarters to-night at eight o'clock. I desire to question
+them. In the meantime, see that they are fed and clothed properly, for
+it is very cold."
+
+The officer saluted, and the Grand Duke rode away, closely followed by
+the members of his staff. At a sign from the officer in whose charge
+they had been left, the lads followed him.
+
+Toward the rear of the army they continued their way, coming at last
+upon a row of tents. Into one of these the officer led the way, the lads
+and the dog following him.
+
+Here the officer quickly set out food, and the boys fell to with a will,
+for it was a long time since a morsel had passed their lips. Then,
+having satisfied their appetites, they informed the officer that they
+would like to rest.
+
+The officer nodded, and showed them into another tent, where two bunks
+had been prepared. With a word of thanks, the boys climbed in, and the
+officer left them alone.
+
+"Well," said Chester, "we have accomplished our mission successfully.
+What are we going to do now?"
+
+"I have been thinking," Hal replied, "of how life on this side of the
+war arena would go."
+
+"You mean stay here and not return to France?" asked Chester.
+
+"Exactly. I have read that the Russian Cossacks are terrible fighters. I
+would like to see some of them in action."
+
+"And so would I," declared Chester.
+
+"All right," said Hal. "Then, if you are agreeable, when we see the
+Grand Duke to-night, I shall ask him if he cannot arrange to assign us
+to duties with the Russian army."
+
+In another moment the two lads, tired out, were fast asleep, with
+Marquis on guard.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+UNDER THE BEAR.
+
+
+"So, Your Excellency," Hal concluded, "you may see that we have had
+considerable active service."
+
+The Russian Grand Duke Nicholas did not reply for some moments. It was
+plain that he was greatly impressed, as he had been greatly interested
+in the boys' adventures since they had taken service with the Allies
+just before the defense of Liege.
+
+"Yes," he said at length, "you certainly have seen considerable service;
+and, in bringing me this paper safely"--the Grand Duke tapped his breast
+pocket--"you have rendered an invaluable service to our cause. I am
+indeed glad to know you. Now, if there is anything I can do to show my
+appreciation, you may consider it done."
+
+Remembering their conversation of a few hours before, Hal started to
+speak, then hesitated. Realizing that the lad had something he felt a
+delicacy of saying, the Grand Duke said:
+
+"Come, out with it. What can I do for you?"
+
+"Well, Your Excellency," said Hal, "my friend and I would like to see
+service with the Russian army."
+
+"What!" exclaimed the Grand Duke.
+
+"Yes," Chester broke into the conversation. "We have talked it over, and
+we have decided that we would like to see service in the Eastern theater
+of war."
+
+"Hm-m-m," said the Duke, stroking his mustache, "and have you picked out
+the branch of the service to which you would like to be attached?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Hal; "we have."
+
+"And that is?" questioned the Grand Duke.
+
+"The cavalry, Your Excellency--the Cossacks."
+
+The Grand Duke jumped to his feet in surprise.
+
+"Well, well!" he exclaimed. "You have certainly picked out the most
+difficult thing you could have asked me. Still, I have no doubt it can
+be arranged."
+
+"If it will inconvenience you, your Excellency----" Chester began.
+
+"Tut! Tut!" the Grand Duke interrupted him, with a wave of his hand. "It
+shall be done. Consider the matter settled. Do you know anything of the
+Cossacks?"
+
+"Why, yes, Your Excellency," replied Hal. "We have read considerable
+about them."
+
+"Still," said the Grand Duke, "I'll warrant you do not know overly much
+about them. I'll tell you a little, if you like."
+
+"We would be glad to hear Your Excellency," said Chester.
+
+"The Cossacks," said the Grand Duke, "from whom the Russian cavalry is
+mainly drawn, form a community within the Russian Empire enjoying
+special rights and privileges in return for military service. Each
+Cossack village holds its land as a commune, and the village assembly
+fixes local taxation and elects the local judges. It has been estimated
+that the Cossacks will place 400,000 armed men in the field in this war.
+
+"Both in historical writings and in fiction the Cossacks are often
+represented as little better than savages. But this is a mistake, for
+the level of education among the Cossacks is higher than in the rest of
+Russia.
+
+"Now, the Cossacks have always been fighters--none better in the world.
+They have won renown wherever they have fought by their daring and
+bravery. But the Cossacks, to a certain degree, are clannish--they do
+not take kindly to those not of their kind. Which is the reason, as I
+said, you had made it hard for me when you asked to be assigned to a
+Cossack regiment. By the way, can you ride?"
+
+"Yes, Your Excellency," replied Hal. "We are both used to the saddle,
+having ridden much in America."
+
+"Well," said the Grand Duke, "I will see that it is arranged. Report to
+me here in the morning."
+
+The lads saluted and took their departure, returning to the spot where
+they had sought rest only a few short hours before.
+
+It was about seven o'clock the following morning when they again stood
+in the presence of the Grand Duke. With him was an officer in a dark
+uniform, that gave evidence of having seen hard service, but gaily
+bedecked nevertheless. He was a large man, fully six feet in height, and
+built proportionately. The Grand Duke motioned the boys to approach.
+
+"This," he said, indicating the officer who stood beside him, "is your
+future commander, General Ivan Jorvitch. I have informed him of your
+request, and my command that it be granted."
+
+The lads saluted the general, and he acknowledged the salute stiffly.
+
+"I am not at all sure as to how they will be received by the men, sir,"
+he said to the Grand Duke.
+
+"You will see that they are well treated," replied the Grand Duke. "My
+commands are not to be treated lightly. These lads will be attached to
+your staff with the rank of lieutenants. They are not to serve in the
+ranks."
+
+"Yes, your excellency," said the general, saluting.
+
+"You will find, general," continued the Grand Duke, "that you may depend
+upon them to the limit. I fancy I am a good judge of character. They
+have already done me an invaluable service. They may do more."
+
+The Grand Duke then proceeded to relate some of the lads' exploits and
+informed the general of the message they had brought.
+
+General Jorvitch thawed immediately upon hearing this, and extended a
+hand to each lad in turn.
+
+"I shall be glad to have you with me," he told them sincerely. "I
+feared, at first, that the Grand Duke was trying an experiment."
+
+In spite of the general's first gruffness the lads had taken a liking to
+him. Straight and erect, with a flashing eye, he was the beau ideal of a
+soldier. Still, there was a slight twinkle in the corner of those same
+eyes, which proclaimed him a man, though stern, of a kindly disposition.
+
+The lads thanked the general, and their interview with the Grand Duke
+concluded, followed their new commander back to his quarters.
+
+"I have been ordered to advance," the general informed them as they made
+their way along, "and as soon as I have introduced you to your fellow
+officers and procured you uniforms and horses, we shall proceed."
+
+An hour later, in true Russian garb and astride two fiery chargers, the
+lads made their way forward with the rest of the troop. In all there
+were probably 10,000 Cossacks in this advance.
+
+With one of the Cossack officers, a young lieutenant, huge in stature
+and pleasant of face, the lads at once struck up a friendship. He stood
+at least six feet six and seemed a Goliath in strength. He it was who
+picked their horses for them, and obtained their uniforms. Some of the
+other officers, while not openly hostile, still were disdainful of the
+two boys, and plainly not well pleased with their company.
+
+"Have you any idea where we are bound?" asked Hal in German of their new
+friend, who introduced himself with a swagger as "Lieutenant Alexis
+Vergoff."
+
+"Lodz; and when we get there we'll make the Germans hard to find," was
+the answer, made in a loud, boasting tone.
+
+Hal and Chester glanced at each other and smiled quizzically. The same
+thought was in the mind of each: "He talks too boastfully to be much of
+a fighter."
+
+Alexis noticed the interchange of glances, and the quizzical smiles. He
+realized their meaning in an instant.
+
+"You think I won't fight, eh?" he said loudly. "Alexis Vergoff not
+fight? Ho! Ho!"
+
+He threw back his head and laughed loudly. The boys were not impressed.
+
+"Worse and more of it," thought Hal to himself.
+
+Chester was of the same opinion, but he did not say so aloud.
+
+"Why," continued Alexis, "I've fought more battles than you will ever
+hear of. I have killed twenty men."
+
+"Twenty is a good many," said Hal softly.
+
+"True! True!" shouted Alexis, "but I'll kill twenty more in the next
+battle, just to show you. You shall see what sort of a man Alexis
+Vergoff is!"
+
+"I am afraid we shall see too soon," muttered Chester to himself.
+
+"Why," went on Alexis, "it was only a month ago, before being ordered to
+the front, that I slew five men single-handed!"
+
+"Great Scott!" muttered Hal. "I wish I had not started him. He'll never
+let up now."
+
+"It was at my mother's home," continued Alexis. "I reached home
+unexpectedly. Five men had surrounded her and threatened to kill her
+unless she gave them money she kept in the house. One had drawn a knife
+just as I entered the room. No one saw me enter, and I was upon them
+before they knew it.
+
+"I picked up the man with the knife as though he had been a child, and
+threw him bodily upon the other four. He had no time to strike at me
+with his knife or even drop it. The other four went down in a heap. The
+knife of the first man was buried in one of his companions, and so there
+were only three who could stagger to their feet. I picked up a lamp that
+stood on the table. This I hurled at another. It struck him squarely on
+the head, and rebounded against the head of another. Both men went down
+with cracked skulls. The fifth man turned to flee, but picking up a
+knife, I hurled it after him. It stuck in his back, and he ran half a
+mile before he fell down dead. The next man jumped for me----"
+
+"Hold on!" said Hal, laughing. "You said there were only five, and you
+have already killed them."
+
+"True!" muttered Alexis, though in no wise taken aback. "It was in
+another fight where I killed six men. I always get them mixed up. In
+that fight----"
+
+"Save that for another time," said Hal, restraining his laughter with
+difficulty.
+
+"Don't you want to hear it?" demanded Alexis in surprise. "I always like
+to hear a story of a good fight."
+
+"I believe you would rather tell one," replied Hal.
+
+Alexis looked very much crestfallen.
+
+"Do you think I made that up?" he asked in consternation. "Why, I can
+tell you of other fights I have had that----"
+
+"I don't doubt it at all," said Hal. "I am willing to admit that you can
+draw the long bow to the Queen's taste."
+
+"Draw the long bow?" repeated Alexis, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
+
+"It wouldn't do for me to tell you," replied Hal chuckling to himself.
+"Ask someone else."
+
+Alexis turned to Chester.
+
+"Do you know what he means? Will you tell me?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, I know what he means," replied Chester, laughing, "and I believe
+he is right. However, it wouldn't do for me to tell you either. You must
+ask someone else."
+
+Alexis turned to the man on his right, and repeated his question. The
+man acknowledged he knew no more what the expression meant than Alexis
+himself.
+
+Alexis accosted several other officers, but with no better luck. He
+turned to Hal aggrieved.
+
+"You should not have said that unless you tell me what you mean," he
+said.
+
+"Ask Colonel Bluekoff, perhaps he may tell you," said Hal.
+
+Alexis approached the Colonel.
+
+"What is it, sir?" asked the latter.
+
+"Colonel," said Alexis, saluting, "can you tell me what drawing the long
+bow means?"
+
+The colonel looked at him in amazement. Then he said sternly:
+
+"Get back to your place, sir. This is no time for joking."
+
+Alexis returned to his place.
+
+"Did he tell you?" asked Hal.
+
+"No," replied Alexis, "but I'll find out, if I have to put off killing
+one of my enemies to ask him about it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+LODZ.
+
+
+There came a sudden command from Colonel Bluekoff, and the regiment to
+which Hal and Chester were attached galloped forward. The advance guard
+could be seen falling back, firing as they retreated upon the main body
+of cavalry. They had encountered a force of the enemy.
+
+With Colonel Bluekoff leading, his sword whirling about his head, the
+troop dashed forward at a charge. As they went by, the retreating
+advance guard reformed and also dashed forward with them. From ahead
+came several puffs of smoke and the cracking of rifles, and here and
+there a man fell to the ground. But the rest dashed on.
+
+The Cossacks did not fire a shot and soon the enemy had disappeared in
+the distance.
+
+"A reconnoitering force that must have gotten around Lodz in some way,"
+Colonel Bluekoff told his officers.
+
+The regiment now fell back upon the main body.
+
+"That's two more," said Alexis complacently to Hal and Chester.
+
+"Two more what?" demanded Hal.
+
+"Two more of the enemy I have killed," said Alexis without a suspicion
+of a smile. "Didn't you see them go down when I fired?"
+
+"I didn't know we fired a shot," said Chester, with a laugh.
+
+"Sh-h-h," whispered Alexis, "do you want to get me into trouble?"
+
+"Trouble," said Chester. "What do you mean?"
+
+"Don't you know I'd get into trouble if the colonel knew I had fired
+without orders, even though I killed two of the enemy."
+
+"Great Scott!" muttered Hal to himself. "He is the limit."
+
+Alexis showed his revolver to Hal and Chester.
+
+"Little invention of my own," he said. "Now I'll leave it to you, you
+didn't hear me when I fired, did you?"
+
+"No," said Chester emphatically, "I did not."
+
+"I knew it," exclaimed Alexis triumphantly. "You see," he explained,
+patting the revolver, "that's how I was able to kill two of the enemy
+without you hearing the sound of my revolver. Little invention of my
+own. No noise, no smoke."
+
+Hal stretched out a hand.
+
+"Let me have a look at that wonderful weapon," he said.
+
+Alexis drew back, and returned the revolver quickly to its place.
+
+"No," he said seriously. "I wouldn't trust it out of my own hand. If
+it's not handled just right, it might get out of commission, and I don't
+believe I could make another like it."
+
+Hal whistled softly to himself.
+
+"He's the best I ever heard," he said to himself, "and I've heard a
+whole lot of 'em at one time or another."
+
+Alexis rode ahead as complacently as before, whistling softly to
+himself, pausing once just long enough to turn to Hal and ask:
+
+"Have you decided yet to tell me what you mean by drawing the long bow?"
+
+"While you have a gun like that in your possession, I wouldn't tell you
+for the world," replied Hal.
+
+Now the column, at a command from General Jorvitch, increased its pace.
+In the distance could be made out the buildings of a large town.
+
+"Lodz," said Alexis briefly, pointing ahead.
+
+Hal and Chester acknowledged they understood. The troop continued
+onward.
+
+Lodz, an important railroad center, was one of the most important towns
+in Poland, and the Grand Duke had decided that it must be held at all
+hazards. There was already a large body of troops stationed there, but
+the Grand Duke had not considered them sufficient to hold off the
+ever-increasing horde of the Kaiser. Even now large masses of infantry
+were being thrown forward to reenforce the troops already there.
+
+Acclaimed on all hands, the Cossacks rode rapidly through the town and
+went into camp at the side facing the Germans. Outposts were thrown out
+and the Cossacks sat down to a day of waiting.
+
+Having secured permission, Hal, Chester and Alexis walked back toward
+the town. For several hours they strolled about, looking in the windows,
+and purchasing several small articles.
+
+The people of Lodz were serene in their belief that there was no danger
+of a German invasion, in spite of the nearness of the foe. Shops and
+stores, theaters and all buildings were gaily decorated, and thousands
+promenaded the streets. The city was in festival attire.
+
+"Looks like they were preparing for a celebration," Hal remarked to
+Chester.
+
+"I should say it does," the latter returned. "But it wouldn't take the
+Germans long to wreck the town, if they once got here. You remember
+Louvain?"
+
+"Well, they won't get here," Alexis broke in. "One Cossack is always
+good for ten Germans. Why, I remember----"
+
+"Tell us later," Hal interrupted. "We want to look about a little now."
+
+The three entered a store, where, Alexis' eye having been caught by a
+red necktie, the Cossack purchased it. The necktie in his pocket, he
+leaned over the counter and asked the salesman:
+
+"Say, what does drawing the long bow mean?"
+
+Hal and Chester burst into a loud guffaw, and the salesman, drawing
+back, suddenly turned and disappeared.
+
+A man in civilian garb, who stood nearby, also broke into a loud guffaw.
+Alexis turned on him angrily.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" he demanded.
+
+"Why, I'm laughing at you," replied the man calmly. "What about it?"
+
+Plainly Alexis was astonished at this reply. He drew back.
+
+"Oh, I guess it's all right," he said pleasantly. "I wasn't sure, that's
+all."
+
+"And who are these children you have with you?" demanded the man.
+
+Hal answered this question himself.
+
+"None of your business," he said shortly.
+
+"Is that so?" said the man, stepping forward. "What if I should make it
+some of my business?"
+
+Hal smiled.
+
+"I don't think you will," he said quietly.
+
+The man, large, though somewhat stout, with a red, evil-looking face,
+stepped quickly forward, and tapped Hal lightly on the cheek with his
+hand.
+
+"Let that teach you not to talk back to your elders," he said.
+
+"And let that teach you not to interfere in other people's business,"
+said Hal, also taking a step forward, and tapping his opponent lightly
+on the cheek.
+
+The man grew very angry, and his face turned a dull red. He raised his
+cane, and struck sharply at Hal. But Hal was not there, and a moment
+later the man received a sharp jolt on the jaw as Hal's fist went home.
+
+The man let out a string of epithets and rushed at the boy. But the
+latter was prepared for him, and drove him back with straight rights and
+lefts; one blow brought a tiny stream of blood from the man's nose.
+
+He drew back.
+
+"You will answer for that," he said quietly, and turning, walked off.
+
+Hal shrugged his shoulders, and at that moment the salesman whom Alexis
+had frightened a few moments before came back.
+
+"Do you know who that was?" he asked of Hal.
+
+"No," replied the lad, "and what's more, I don't care."
+
+"Well," said the salesman, "the man whom you just struck is Count de
+Reslau, and he is very influential. You have made a bad enemy."
+
+"I don't care if he is the King of Poland," replied Hal. "No man can hit
+me and get away without a return blow."
+
+Alexis, meanwhile, had been gazing at Hal in astonishment. Now he
+approached and laid a hand on the lad's arm.
+
+"A real fighter!" he exclaimed. "A man after my own heart!"
+
+"I didn't see you doing much fighting just a moment ago," said Hal,
+somewhat nettled.
+
+"Of course not," replied Alexis. "Do you think I wanted to get in
+trouble? Suppose an officer had come along?"
+
+"Well," said Hal, "suppose he had?"
+
+"If he had, we would have lost our liberty for all time to come."
+
+"And is that why you didn't fight?"
+
+"Yes! Discipline in the Russian army is more strict than in any army in
+the world; but you are certainly a fighter. The way you stood up to that
+man reminds me of the time I----"
+
+"Come on," broke in Chester, not wanting to hear any more bluster, "and
+let's get out of here."
+
+The three left the store, and continued their stroll about the town. As
+they were passing an unfrequented corner, six men suddenly sprang out
+upon them, armed with clubs and knives.
+
+Hal and Chester immediately backed up against a wall, and turned to
+fight off their assailants; but not so Alexis.
+
+With a loud shout he rushed upon the six who had attacked them. Right
+and left flew his huge fists, striking out blindly. One man toppled to
+the ground. A stabbing wrist was caught in the Cossack's great hand, and
+thrown twisting through the air. And at the same time Alexis called to
+Hal and Chester:
+
+"Now you shall see how Alexis can fight!"
+
+But Hal and Chester had no mind to let Alexis fight the whole crowd of
+assailants. They sprang to his aid.
+
+Alexis drove his right fist, with tremendous power behind it, right into
+the face of the second man, and the latter went down to rise no more for
+some time to come.
+
+Hal, with a sudden spring, clinched with one of the assailants, and the
+two went tumbling to the ground. Chester and another of the enemy were
+also rolling on the ground.
+
+Alexis reached one huge hand and grasped another of the foe by the back
+of the neck, and lifted him, kicking and struggling, from his feet. The
+last man turned to flee, but he had reckoned without the giant Cossack.
+
+Still holding one man by the scruff of the neck, the Cossack took a step
+forward and, with his free hand, grasped the last man by the back of the
+neck also. Then, holding one in either hand, he walked calmly to where
+Hal and his opponent were engaged.
+
+Hal was uppermost, and Alexis, seizing a chance when the lad's head was
+out of the way, dashed the man he held in his left hand, headfirst,
+against the head of the enemy on the ground. There was a crunch, and
+both men lay still.
+
+Then, with his other victim in his left hand, Alexis walked over to
+where Chester and his opponent were rolling about, and performed a
+similar operation. Then he lent each lad a hand in getting to his feet,
+after which he turned and surveyed the field of battle.
+
+"Six!" he said briefly. "That's enough for one day. Come on! Let's get
+away from here before some officer comes along and sees us."
+
+Both boys looked at the giant Cossack with amazement written large upon
+their faces. From the first time that he had boasted to them, they had
+put him down as anything but a fighter, in spite of his huge size. But
+the quickness with which he had disposed of six men showed them that
+they had been wrong.
+
+As they walked along, it was plain to the lads that something was
+troubling Alexis; and at last Hal was moved to ask:
+
+"What's the matter, Alexis?"
+
+The huge Cossack looked at the lad for a moment, and then said:
+
+"There is no use my telling you, but I will. I want to know what you
+meant by 'drawing the long bow.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ALEXIS IN BATTLE.
+
+
+Both lads laughed heartily.
+
+"You'll learn before many days," said Hal, "and I am not as sure as I
+was about it."
+
+"Nor I," agreed Chester.
+
+The three made their way back to their posts, where Alexis immediately
+insisted on donning his new red necktie. Marquis, who had been left
+behind while the three friends made a tour of the city, greeted them
+with joyful barks. He had made friends with the big Cossack, and the
+latter had taken quite a fancy to the dog.
+
+Hardly had the three retired to their positions, when an air of
+excitement throughout the troops became apparent. There was bustle and
+some slight confusion and shouted commands. A moment later and a body of
+5,000 Cossacks, armed and spurred, stood beside their horses, ready to
+mount and ride at the command.
+
+"Where do you suppose we are going?" asked Hal of Chester.
+
+"Haven't any idea," was the reply, "but it looks as though there was a
+little fighting to be done."
+
+"That's what!" exclaimed Alexis, who stood beside the two lads. "Now you
+shall see how we handle the Germans."
+
+"Mount!" came the command.
+
+As one man, the troop sprang to the saddle.
+
+"Forward!" came the next order, and the Cossacks started forward at a
+gallop.
+
+Good riders themselves, Hal and Chester could not but envy the riding
+prowess of their companions. Accounted among the best riders in the
+world, the Cossacks who now dashed forward hurled themselves toward the
+enemy with reckless abandon. Their lances held high in one hand, each
+brandished a large revolver in his other. The bridles lay across the
+horses' necks, the riders guiding their mounts by the pressure of their
+knees.
+
+And so they swept forward, dashing swiftly over the few miles of open
+ground toward the spot where the Germans were known to be entrenched.
+
+The enemy greeted them with a hail of bullets, but they faltered not.
+Men fell and horses dropped, but there was no hesitation among those
+left.
+
+Now a bugle sounded, and they dashed on with greater ferocity than
+before.
+
+Squadrons of German cavalry issued forth to meet them. They crashed with
+a terrible shock. The impact was terrific, and horses and riders on both
+sides reeled back.
+
+But the Cossacks were the first to recover, and they spurred their
+horses into the thick of the enemy. The sweep of their lances and the
+fire from their automatics were deadly. There was no pause in the
+Russian attack.
+
+Cutting and slashing, the squadron to which Hal, Chester and Alexis were
+attached was soon in the midst of the foe. Not unused to such
+encounters, the lads nevertheless found themselves hard put to keep
+their seats and ward off the blows of their foes.
+
+But with each moment they gained confidence, and finally were fighting
+with the best of them. Hal caught a descending lance on his upraised
+sword, and raising his revolver took a snap shot at his opponent. The
+latter threw his arms high, and toppled from his horse. Chester, by a
+quick move, escaped a revolver shot aimed at him by a German officer,
+and the lad's own weapon spoke sharply. His aim was true, and the German
+dropped.
+
+Now the Germans began to give ground. It was impossible to stand in the
+face of the terrible Cossack charge. The Russians pressed the retreating
+foe closely.
+
+But now new forces of Germans dashed forward to drive back the Cossacks,
+or at least to protect the retreat of their companions.
+
+The Cossacks dashed into these fresh troops with the same abandon they
+had first charged. But this time the result was different. Tired by the
+furious work, they were thrown back by the German reenforcements, and in
+spite of heroic efforts, were forced to retire slowly.
+
+Flushed with this success, the Germans pressed on. The fighting was man
+to man, horse to horse, and hand to hand. Not for once had Alexis left
+the side of the two lads and none of the three had so far been injured,
+although men dropped on all sides of them.
+
+Suddenly there came a command from Colonel Bluekoff.
+
+"Charge!" he cried.
+
+Immediately the squadron to which the lads were attached hurled itself
+forward once more, right into the thickest of the fray, in the face of
+overwhelming numbers. They dashed forward with the fury of madmen,
+shouting and yelling as they charged.
+
+For a moment the Germans gave back, so terrible was the charge of this
+mere handful of Cossacks, but for a moment only; then they came on
+again. From all sides they bore down on the squadron, now completely cut
+off from the main body of troops, seeking to annihilate them.
+
+There was no order to surrender from the German commander, nor would one
+have been heeded for the matter of that. At a quick command, the
+Cossacks formed a little square, back to back, and awaited the attack of
+the enemy.
+
+It came upon the instant. Upon the Russian horsemen the Germans hurled
+themselves bravely, cutting and shooting as they came on. The Cossacks
+gave blow for blow, and in spite of the fierce charge, maintained their
+unbroken front, though men fell here and there. Unable to pierce this
+line of steel, the Germans drew off.
+
+Given this little breathing space, Hal and Chester, standing side by
+side, took in the scene about them. Of the little troop of Cossacks
+there remained now possibly a hundred men. Their support, the lads could
+see, desperately engaged elsewhere, would be unable to come to their
+assistance. It was up to them to fight it out alone.
+
+Colonel Bluekoff was down, having been pierced a few moments before by a
+German bullet. Among these few men there were, besides Alexis, but two
+minor officers unharmed. At that moment Alexis himself took command.
+
+His sword raised aloft, he turned flashing eyes upon his men.
+
+"Will we surrender?" he shouted, and answered his own question: "No!"
+
+A wild cheer from his men was the reply. The huge Cossack turned to the
+two lads.
+
+"We will fight till the last," he said calmly. "Are you with us?"
+
+"We are," said Hal simply.
+
+"You bet!" Chester agreed.
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Alexis.
+
+He turned once more toward the enemy, who, it was evident, were
+preparing for another attack upon the little band. The latter stood
+quietly, awaiting the charge; and in a moment it came.
+
+Urging their horses on at a gallop, the Germans came rapidly forward.
+There was the clash of steel on steel as the enemy hurled themselves
+upon three sides of the little square simultaneously. Russians and
+Germans dropped together, fighting till the last.
+
+But the odds against them were too great. Dense masses of the Germans
+swooped down upon them, engulfing them, overpowering them. Hal, engaged
+with a big German officer, had just succeeded in parrying a thrust of
+the other's sword, when someone from behind struck him a heavy blow over
+the head. The lad fell from his horse without a sound.
+
+Chester, seeing his friend fall, fought his way toward Hal. He was just
+about to leap from his horse by his chum's side, when a tall German
+trooper brought the flat of his sword down on the lad's head. Chester
+also went hurtling to the ground.
+
+And now Alexis, with a few remaining men, was left to fight the enemy
+alone. His sword whirling around his head in great sweeps, and an empty
+revolver clutched tightly in his left hand; his teeth bared in a snarl
+and his eyes flashing angrily, this great Cossack stood off his foes.
+
+Four men sprang upon him at once. Putting spurs to his horse, the giant
+dashed in between them. Two he cut down with lightning-like slashes of
+his sword, and a third he disposed of by hurling his empty revolver
+squarely into his face. The sword of the fourth pierced him through the
+left arm, but before the German could regain his balance after this
+thrust, Alexis' sweeping sword had laid him low also.
+
+The giant Cossack was now the last of his troop in condition to fight.
+Suddenly his horse staggered, and went to its knees. With a quick move,
+Alexis freed himself and leaped from the saddle just as the animal,
+dying from a pistol wound in its head, toppled to the ground.
+
+Alexis leaped up lightly and turned again to face his foes.
+
+A German officer urged his horse forward, seeking to ride him down. As
+the horse approached, Alexis fell on one knee, and the horse, pierced by
+his sword, fell to the ground. The officer leaped from the animal's
+back, but before he could bring his revolver to bear upon Alexis, the
+latter had pierced him through with a thrust of his sword.
+
+A dozen of the enemy sprang upon him. With his sword sweeping around his
+head, seeming to make a circle of fire, the great Cossack held them at
+bay. One ventured to spring at him, and without even stopping the whirl
+of his weapon, Alexis dropped him at his feet.
+
+More Germans sprang to the attack--ten, twenty, thirty of them.
+Hopelessly outnumbered, and believing that the end was near, Alexis gave
+up his defensive tactics and leaped into the very midst of his foes. For
+a moment they gave way before him, then closed in again like a pack of
+hungry wolves. Here and there the giant's sword darted out and men
+dropped beneath its thrust.
+
+Cutting and thrusting with his dripping sword, and striking out with his
+naked fist, Alexis fought on. A sword pierced him through the shoulder,
+but the man who had aimed the thrust paid the penalty with his life. Two
+men closed in, and as the Cossack struck out at the one on his left with
+his fist, the second German seized his sword arm.
+
+With a roar like that of an angry bull, Alexis gave a mighty wrench, and
+the sword came free. At the same moment he felt a sting in his right
+arm. A bullet had struck him. The giant scarcely felt his wounds,
+although he was bleeding now in a dozen places. Before him, the ground
+was full of dark swaying faces. His sword found another human sheath,
+and being unable to withdraw it quickly enough to meet another of his
+foes, he left it there and turned upon his enemies with his bare hands.
+
+He snatched a revolver from the ground, and not taking time to aim,
+dashed it into the face of the nearest man, and then dashed forward,
+hitting out with his naked fists.
+
+Vaguely he noticed the sameness of the faces about him. A short wiry man
+sprang at him, and with a broken sword, stabbed him in the left
+shoulder. Alexis caught him by the throat with his right hand, and the
+man gave a choking screech as he lifted him clear off the ground.
+
+As he did so, someone behind him struck him a heavy blow on the head
+with the butt of a revolver. With a last furious effort he turned upon
+his foes, and dashed the man he held by the throat full into their
+faces; fell forward upon the body and, with a great sob, he shuddered
+and lay still.
+
+And there, on the battlefield on the plains of Poland, lay the bodies of
+the two American lads and, a short distance away, that of Alexis, the
+giant Cossack, their friend.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+MARQUIS.
+
+
+The Russian cavalry, outnumbered by the Germans, had continued to give
+ground and the Germans were still in pursuit. But now, from the distance
+arose a cloud of dust, and a moment later, in a headlong dash to save
+their companions, came a second body of Cossack cavalry, 5,000 strong,
+to give battle to the Germans.
+
+Down they came upon the unprepared Germans, with yells and shouts, their
+horses running free. At the same time that part of the first Cossack
+body which still remained reformed and sprang forward.
+
+The Germans turned and fled.
+
+Then from the trenches came forth columns of infantry, supported by
+field batteries, and in a moment these had opened upon the advancing
+Russian horsemen; but in spite of this hail of death, the Cossacks did
+not falter nor pause. Straight up to the mouth of the field guns they
+rode--sabering the gunners right and left--and in a few moments these
+had been silenced.
+
+Then the Cossacks turned their attention to the infantry, which, firing
+with machine-like precision and accuracy, dealt havoc to the ranks of
+the Russian horsemen and mowed them down.
+
+Several squadrons of Cossacks dismounted and approached the foe on foot,
+and soon the fighting became hand to hand. The standard-bearer suddenly
+threw up his hands and fell over backward, the colors fluttering to the
+ground.
+
+A German officer, thinking to capture the flag, jumped forward, and
+leaning down laid his hand upon it; but at that moment a hairy, snarling
+body sprang forward, straight at the German's throat. The latter
+released his hold on the flag and jumped to his feet to ward off the
+attack of this strange enemy, which he could not at first make out.
+
+But this new enemy was not to be shaken off. His teeth found their mark,
+and with a cry, the German tumbled to earth.
+
+The newcomer was Marquis.
+
+Separated from Hal and Chester, Marquis, though a battle dog, had become
+uneasy at their absence and set out to find them. He had advanced with
+the second troop of Cossacks, and seeing the dead upon the field, had
+been trying to pick out the bodies of the two lads.
+
+But when the Russian standard-bearer, almost beside him, had been shot
+down and the German had leaped for the colors, Marquis had turned from
+the search of his friends to dispose of his lifelong enemy.
+
+As Marquis' foe went to the ground, a second German sprang forward and,
+aiming a kick at the dog, also stooped and started to raise the colors.
+Marquis, disregarding the kick, seized upon the flag with his teeth at
+the same moment.
+
+Then came a tug of war. Snarling, and with bristling back, Marquis
+pulled at the standard. Crying out hoarse epithets, the German pulled
+also; but neither made any headway.
+
+Realizing that the dog was a match for him, the German uttered a fierce
+imprecation, dropped his hold on the flag, stepped back and aimed his
+revolver.
+
+But the dog was ready for him. He had released his hold upon the flag
+almost as soon as had the German, and his canine reasoning told him the
+German's object. Before the German could pull the trigger, Marquis was
+ready for him, and hurled his body straight at the German's throat.
+
+He had gauged the distance accurately enough, and beneath the shock the
+officer was hurled to the ground. He attempted to fight off his
+four-footed assailant, but he was no match for the angry dog.
+
+This adversary disposed of, Marquis calmly returned to the flag, picked
+it up in his mouth, carried it to the commander of the squadron and put
+it in his hand. The commander took the time to pat Marquis on the head,
+and utter some words of praise.
+
+But Marquis had no time to listen to these. He had other work to do, and
+had disappeared almost before the Cossack ceased speaking.
+
+Hither and thither over the field of battle Marquis made his way,
+sniffing the bodies of the dead, and licking the faces of the wounded.
+For an hour he wandered about, and at last his search was rewarded.
+
+From near him came a feeble moan. Marquis pricked up his ears. Surely he
+recognized that voice. The moan came again. Marquis hesitated no longer.
+He had recognized the voice of Hal. Quickly he sprang to where the lad
+lay and poked his cold muzzle into the boy's face.
+
+Hal turned feebly on his side and put out a hand before he realized what
+had touched him. Then he succeeded in raising himself on one arm and
+threw the other around Marquis' neck.
+
+"Marquis!" he almost sobbed. "Where is Chester?"
+
+Apparently the dog understood his question, for he jumped away and began
+nosing other bodies nearby. And at last he came upon Chester. The latter
+also was returning to consciousness. With some difficulty Hal staggered
+to his feet and made his way to his friend's side. He turned to Marquis.
+
+"Get some water!" he commanded, and paused to see if the dog understood.
+
+Marquis bounded away, and returned a few moments later with a
+well-filled canteen, in his mouth. Hastily Hal removed the stopper and
+poured some of the water down Chester's throat. Then he took a drink
+himself.
+
+Thus refreshed, Chester sat up and looked around. Hal did the same. It
+was indeed a terrible sight that met their eyes. As far as they could
+see, bodies of dead and wounded men lay scattered about. Hal shuddered.
+
+"Terrible!" he exclaimed. Then: "I wonder where Alexis is?" He turned to
+Marquis. "Find Alexis," he commanded.
+
+Marquis understood and trotted away. Chester and Hal now arose and
+walked slowly after him. At last Marquis, some distance away, set up a
+loud bark. Hal and Chester approached as rapidly as their exhausted
+condition would permit.
+
+Marquis was standing directly over the body of the giant Cossack,
+surrounded by a circle of the enemies whom Alexis had slain in combat.
+
+The giant stirred slightly as the boys approached. Quickly Hal bent over
+him and, raising his head upon his knee, placed the canteen to his lips.
+
+This brought a sigh from Alexis' lips, and soon he sat up and looked
+around.
+
+"Well," said he, waving his arm toward the circle of his fallen foes,
+"you can see what a Cossack does when he fights."
+
+"I see," said Hal briefly. "But come, if you are able to walk. We had
+better get away from this spot. The battle is not over."
+
+Alexis objected.
+
+"What, a Cossack run!" he demanded.
+
+"But if we stay here we shall probably be killed," replied Chester.
+"See," pointing, "even now the Cossacks are retreating in the face of
+superior numbers. We must go."
+
+"I don't----" began Alexis, but Hal interrupted him.
+
+"Come on," he said, taking him by the arm. "Let's move away from here."
+
+Grumbling and protesting, the giant allowed himself to be led toward the
+head of the Cossack line, now some distance back. Bullets and shells
+were still whistling overhead, for the three were between the opposing
+forces. None dropped near them, however, and they continued on their
+way.
+
+Suddenly, from the German line, came the clear call of a bugle.
+
+"Quick!" shouted Hal, hurrying forward. "The Germans are going to
+charge. We mustn't be caught in between."
+
+But it was too late. Even as the lad spoke, the German cavalry came
+forward with a rush.
+
+Hal realized in an instant that they would not have time to rejoin the
+main body of Cossacks, for should the latter advance to meet the charge,
+they would not do so rapidly enough to come up to them before the
+Germans. Should the Cossacks retreat, the three could not possibly hope
+to come up with them.
+
+Fortunately the three were at the extreme east of the battle line; so
+now, turning quickly, Hal led the way out of danger. When far enough
+away so that there was little likelihood of being struck by stray
+bullets, they halted to witness the progress of the battle.
+
+The Cossacks advanced to meet the charge of the German cavalry, and
+threw it back upon its infantry support, which once more issued from the
+trenches. German field guns were unlimbered and hurled their shells
+screeching at the Russians. The latter were forced to retreat.
+
+The Germans pushed this advantage closely.
+
+"If we only had infantry or artillery here," groaned Alexis, "there
+would be a different story to tell."
+
+"I'm sure of that," replied Hal; "but to advance in the face of such
+overwhelming numbers would be foolish."
+
+"True," said Alexis, "but I never like to see a Cossack run from his
+foes, no matter what their number."
+
+It was plain now that the Russian commander realized the futility of
+further fighting with his vastly superior foe. The Cossacks gave way
+more rapidly and finally turned and began their retreat upon Lodz.
+
+"And here we are right in the middle of the Germans," said Chester.
+"What are we going to do?"
+
+"We'll have to try to get back to our lines," said Hal, "and the sooner
+we start the better."
+
+"Good," said Chester. "Let's start at once."
+
+Alexis had so far recovered now as to announce that he was feeling
+"perfectly fit," and making a slight detour, the three friends, closely
+followed by Marquis, set out.
+
+They had progressed possibly half a mile, when Marquis suddenly began to
+growl.
+
+"What do you suppose is the matter with him?" demanded Chester.
+
+"I don't know," replied Hal. "Evidently he scents some kind of danger."
+He turned to the dog. "What is it, Marquis?" he demanded.
+
+Marquis' only answer was a series of deep growls.
+
+"Germans?" asked Hal.
+
+Marquis uttered a short bark.
+
+"That's what's the matter," said Hal, quietly.
+
+At that moment there came riding down a nearby road a troop of German
+cavalry.
+
+"Quick! down on the ground!" cried Hal. "Perhaps they won't see us!"
+
+He suited the action to the word, and Chester and Alexis followed his
+example.
+
+But it was too late. The Germans had espied them and now came toward
+them at a gallop. Alexis rose to his feet and stretched.
+
+"Another fight," he said. "Good!"
+
+"Fight nothing!" exclaimed Hal. "It's impossible. They have us. That's
+all there is about it. We shall have to submit."
+
+The Germans came to a sudden halt a few feet away, and rifles were
+brought to bear upon the three friends.
+
+"You are our prisoners!" called the German commander.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+GERMANY'S NAPOLEON.
+
+
+Hal raised his hands in token of surrender.
+
+"There is no help for it," he said to his two friends in an undertone.
+
+The German commander motioned the three to approach. They did so.
+
+"You will each climb up behind one of my men," ordered the German
+leader.
+
+Hal and Chester did as ordered, but when Alexis approached one of the
+German horsemen the latter eyed him dubiously.
+
+"Man!" he exclaimed. "You can't ride with me. You would break this horse
+in two."
+
+The officer turned to the soldier.
+
+"Give your horse to the prisoner," he commanded, "and you climb up
+behind the man nearest you."
+
+The soldier did as commanded, and a moment later Alexis also was in the
+saddle. Then the little troop got under way again, headed for the German
+lines.
+
+There was no conversation as the little troop rode along, and at length
+they were well inside the German trenches. Here, after some delay, the
+three prisoners were conducted before General von Hindenburg, the Teuton
+commander in the East, a man of kindly face and courteous bearing, the
+man whose successes, brief though they were, earned him the name of "The
+German Napoleon."
+
+"How comes it," asked General von Hindenburg of Hal, "that you two
+American lads are fighting with the Russians? How comes it that two lads
+born and reared in a civilized country have espoused the cause of the
+barbarians?"
+
+"In the first place," answered Hal boldly, "I do not consider the
+Russians barbarians. In the next place, we joined the Allies when the
+Germans ravaged Belgium."
+
+"Ravaged!" exclaimed the German commander with some heat.
+
+"Exactly," said Hal. "We joined the Belgian army before Liege, and we
+hold commissions in the Belgian army. We were also attached for a time
+to the British forces under Sir John French. We bore communications from
+Sir John French to Grand Duke Nicholas, that is how we happen to be
+here."
+
+"And how did you carry these dispatches, may I ask?" inquired General
+von Hindenburg.
+
+"By airship," replied Hal briefly.
+
+"What!" cried the general. "You flew over Germany in an airship?"
+
+"Well, only part of it," replied Hal with a grin; and seeing no harm, he
+told the German commander of their adventures after being captured and
+taken to Berlin.
+
+"You are brave lads," said the general calmly, when Hal had finished. "I
+would that Germany had more like you. But I fear your fighting days are
+over."
+
+"What will you do with us, General?" asked Chester, who up to this time
+had remained silent, Hal usually acting as spokesman when there was
+explaining to be done.
+
+"You will be sent to Posen," replied the general, "where you will be
+detained until after the war."
+
+"But that may be for years, General," protested Hal, trying to draw the
+general out.
+
+In this he was successful.
+
+"You are mistaken," replied General von Hindenburg calmly. "The war will
+be over within the next six months. Germany will have conquered."
+
+Hal did not reply, for he had no mind to antagonize the general; but he
+had his own ideas as to the ultimate outcome of the war.
+
+The general now summoned one of his staff, and turned the lads over to
+the latter with this injunction:
+
+"Have them sent to Posen. Instruct Commander Friech that they must be
+well guarded, but treated with kindness."
+
+He bowed gravely to both lads, who saluted and followed the other
+officer from the German commander's quarters.
+
+"You will remain in my quarters until to-night," said the officer to the
+three friends, "and you probably will start on your journey about
+midnight. There is a detachment leaving about that time."
+
+He conducted the three and the dog to his tent, where their wounds were
+dressed and a guard was stationed over them. Then they were left to
+themselves.
+
+Alexis, who up to this time had not spoken, at last opened his mouth.
+
+"What's this all about?" he demanded. "I can't understand this
+outlandish gibberish. What's it all about, anyhow?"
+
+The conversation between the lads and the German officers had been in
+English.
+
+Chester broke into a laugh.
+
+"Outlandish gibberish!" he exclaimed. "Why, Alexis, if you only knew how
+your native tongue sounds, you wouldn't call anything gibberish. It's
+fortunate you speak German."
+
+"Well, perhaps so," Alexis agreed. "But what's it all about?"
+
+"Simply," said Hal, "that we are to be taken to Posen, where we will be
+held prisoners till after the war."
+
+Alexis uttered a loud Russian imprecation.
+
+"I was in hope," he said, "that when I went into East Prussia it would
+be as part of an army too big for the Germans ever to drive out."
+
+"It can't be helped now," said Chester briefly.
+
+"It would have been helped if you had let me fight when I wanted to,"
+said the big Cossack regretfully.
+
+All day long the three were kept close inside the tent. Not once were
+they permitted to step into the open. Night fell, and food was placed
+before them. They were almost famished, so they ate heartily, sharing
+their meal with Marquis. It was well along toward midnight when the
+German officer once more entered the tent and informed them it was time
+for them to leave.
+
+They followed the officer into the open air, where a large body of men
+were ready to move. Quickly they were led to horses, and were soon in
+the saddle. Then, closely guarded, they were led away at a swift trot.
+
+The German camp was some miles from the nearest railroad station, and it
+took several hours to cover this distance. At last, however, they were
+conducted aboard a train, where, under heavy guard, they continued their
+journey.
+
+It was well along toward the next evening when the train, after many
+stops, finally pulled into Posen. With a number of other prisoners, the
+three friends and Marquis, who had been allowed to accompany them, were
+taken from the train and turned over to another squad of troops. In the
+center of these they were led to a large and massive castle at one end
+of the town. Here they were thrust into a dark though well-appointed
+room, which, their guard informed them, was to be their prison.
+
+"So this is where we are to spend the next few years, eh?" said Chester.
+
+"The outlook is not very bright," replied Hal, "but we shall have to
+make the best of a bad situation."
+
+The three began a careful survey of their prison. There were two large
+windows in the room, looking out into a little court. Through these a
+dim light streamed. The windows were heavily barred. Hal and Chester
+tested the bars. Alexis, however, after one look, sat down in deep
+disgust. If his wounds bothered him any, he did not seem to mind them.
+
+"No chance of escape here," said Hal, after shaking one of the heavy
+iron bars.
+
+"I should say not," agreed Chester, after making a test.
+
+They turned from the windows just as a key grated in the lock of the
+heavy door, and a man of huge stature, topping the giant frame of Alexis
+by more than an inch, entered the room.
+
+"Good evening," he said politely enough. "I have come to see if you
+require anything. We have been instructed to treat you kindly."
+
+"A little liberty is about all," said Hal, with a rueful smile.
+
+"I am sorry," replied the newcomer, also smiling slightly, "but that is
+the one thing I cannot grant you. I suppose you wonder who I am?"
+
+The boys nodded.
+
+"I," said the newcomer, striking himself a hard blow on the chest, "am
+Freiderich von Bernstrum, brother of Heinrich von Bernstrum, commander
+of this fortress, and I am kept cooped up here while there is fighting
+to be done--me, Freiderich von Bernstrum, a real fighter!"
+
+"Hm-m-m," muttered Hal to himself as he glanced keenly at Alexis. "Two
+of a kind."
+
+Alexis moved restlessly as the big German made this boast. It was plain
+to both lads that, while he might like to brag himself, he did not
+relish hearing another do so.
+
+"Yes," continued von Bernstrum, "I would go to the front. But my
+brother, he would stay here. You see," and the talkative German leaned
+closer to the lads, "he has a fair captive in the tower above, and he
+seeks to marry her."
+
+"And who is she?" demanded Hal.
+
+"I will mention no names," replied the German. "Enough that she is a
+Russian countess."
+
+Alexis jumped to his feet and advanced upon the big German.
+
+"You have dared to lay a hand upon a Russian lady?" he demanded.
+
+The German eyed him amusedly.
+
+"And what of it?" he demanded. "However, you need have no fear. She
+prefers me, and I shall take her away from him."
+
+Alexis raised a threatening hand, but Hal stayed him.
+
+"Quiet," he whispered. "Some good may come of this if you obey me."
+
+Alexis subsided.
+
+Hal approached Chester and whispered.
+
+"Keep von Bernstrum in conversation while I have a word with Alexis."
+
+Chester did as Hal ordered, and the latter whispered to the big Cossack:
+
+"Do you think you can whip this man?" pointing to von Bernstrum.
+
+Alexis' fingers twitched.
+
+"Remember you are wounded, Alexis."
+
+"Try me," he said simply.
+
+"Keep quiet, then, and do as I tell you," said Hal.
+
+He turned again to von Bernstrum.
+
+"I can see," he said, "that the lady would be pleased to know a man like
+you."
+
+"Ah! you see it?" cried the German. "But Heinrich is so cunning. Now if
+I had your help----"
+
+"What would you have us do?" asked Hal.
+
+The big German was silent for some minutes before replying.
+
+"If I had your help," he said at length, "I would see that you all
+regained your liberty. Will you help me?"
+
+"What is it you would have us do?" asked Chester.
+
+"I will not say until you have promised," said von Bernstrum.
+
+"And we will not promise till you have told us," said Hal. "How do we
+know that you are a man of your word, or that you are a fighter, such as
+you would have us believe."
+
+"What! Freiderich von Bernstrum not a fighter!" exclaimed the big German
+in surprise.
+
+"We have only your word for it," said Hal quietly.
+
+Von Bernstrum paced up and down excitedly. He stopped suddenly.
+
+"Let me bring swords!" he exclaimed, "and you shall see whether I can
+fight!"
+
+He made as if to leave the room.
+
+"Not so fast!" exclaimed Hal. "The clash of steel would bring the whole
+fortress down on us. But I shall try you out."
+
+"How?" exclaimed the German eagerly.
+
+"Alexis!" called Hal.
+
+The big Cossack approached.
+
+"Here," said Hal to the German, pointing to Alexis, "is a foeman worthy
+of your steel. You shall try with him."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed von Bernstrum. "With fists?"
+
+"No," replied Hal, who was somewhat doubtful of Alexis' prowess in the
+fistic art. "How about a wrestling match?"
+
+"Good!" exclaimed von Bernstrum again. "But I assure you I am his
+superior." He turned to Alexis. "Get ready, man!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE ESCAPE.
+
+
+Alexis made ready.
+
+Hal realized that he was taking a desperate chance to put through the
+scheme that had entered his mind. Not only was von Bernstrum a bigger
+man than Alexis, but the latter had lost much blood only 36 hours
+before. Doubtless also he knew every trick of a wrestler or fighter.
+
+Alexis took off his shoes and threw them into a corner, and divested
+himself of his coat. Von Bernstrum growled like a dog as he followed the
+Cossack's example.
+
+Alexis held out his hand. Von Bernstrum gripped it hard and gave a grunt
+of satisfaction.
+
+"A man's hand," he exclaimed.
+
+Alexis placed his right hand across the German's shoulders and caught
+him firmly and the boys saw by the expression on his face that he was
+not certain of the outcome. The German had not boasted in vain. He was
+indeed a giant.
+
+"If ever men felt the joy of battle, these two do," exclaimed Hal to
+Chester.
+
+The two men were now gripped in a tight embrace. Von Bernstrum felt
+Alexis over carefully, but gave him no opening.
+
+"A man's chest," he grunted.
+
+Alexis so far had uttered no word. Now he perceived that his opponent
+was preparing for the loin throw and prepared himself to meet it. When
+he had foiled this attack, he held his opponent for a moment at a
+disadvantage.
+
+Alexis gripped von Bernstrum for a hug. Had the German been a weaker
+man, his ribs must have cracked; but he had caught deep breath, and the
+Cossack might as well have tried to crush a tree.
+
+"A good try!" muttered the German.
+
+He now tested Alexis sorely. He tried a cross hitch, but failed. At
+this, a smile broke out on Alexis' face.
+
+Both lads, who had been watching the struggle nervously, now grew
+confident. It was evident that the Cossack hoped for victory.
+
+At last Alexis saw his chance. In getting the grip he wanted, it was
+necessary for him to face the danger of putting himself in his
+opponent's power; but the Cossack ventured to do this, for he realized
+that by no other means could he throw him. Von Bernstrum saw his
+opponent's move and took advantage of it, and for a moment Alexis was
+afraid it was all over with him.
+
+But he still held his ground. Von Bernstrum's grip grew weaker at last,
+and the boys could hear him panting like a dog. Hal spoke to Chester.
+
+"I believe he realizes that Alexis will master him," he exclaimed in a
+whisper.
+
+Chester nodded in assent.
+
+Now Alexis put all the strength of his mighty shoulders, back and loins
+into a mighty heave, and Freiderich von Bernstrum, giant though he was,
+went flying across the room, his head striking the floor with a terrible
+thud.
+
+For a moment the lads were afraid Alexis had killed him; but for a
+moment only. Calmly Alexis put on his shoes and donned his coat. Then he
+turned to his young friends and waited. His attitude said as plain as
+words:
+
+"I have done the fighting. You do the rest."
+
+Quickly Hal stooped over the fallen man and took a bunch of keys from
+his pocket. Then, straightening up, he approached the door, opened it
+and peered out. There was no one in sight.
+
+Hal turned to Alexis.
+
+"Change clothes with him," he whispered, motioning to the fallen German.
+
+Hastily Alexis obeyed. In spite of the fact that von Bernstrum was
+almost two inches taller than Alexis, the height of the latter was so
+great that Hal believed the difference would not be noticed.
+
+The lad now relieved von Bernstrum of his revolvers. Alexis had donned
+his adversary's sword with his uniform. Then once more Hal approached
+the door and peered out. Then he spoke to Alexis.
+
+"We will go with you as though we were your prisoners," he explained.
+"If anyone accosts us, we may have to fight. However, I believe you look
+enough like von Bernstrum to avoid detection. Pull the hat well over
+your face, and if anyone asks where you are going, reply that you are
+taking the prisoners to the commandant. Do you understand?"
+
+Alexis signified that he did, and quietly the three, still followed by
+Marquis, left the room. Along the same passageways they had traversed
+Hal guided Alexis by a touch of the hand, for the lad's sense of
+direction was much better than that of the giant Cossack.
+
+At last they came into the open and started toward the gate. So far they
+had not been accosted. At the gate a soldier approached Alexis and
+saluted.
+
+"Are you going out, sir?" he demanded.
+
+"Yes," replied the Cossack, mimicking von Bernstrum's voice as best he
+could. "These prisoners have given me their parole, and I am taking them
+out for a breath of air. Get me two more horses."
+
+The soldier saluted and turned away. Hal addressed Alexis.
+
+"You are doing beautifully," he exclaimed. "I didn't know you were such
+a strategist."
+
+"Why," exclaimed Alexis, "next to being a fighter I am a strategist. I
+remember one time----"
+
+"Save it for some other time," said Hal.
+
+"If you don't believe----" began the big Cossack, somewhat crestfallen.
+
+"Never mind now," broke in Chester. "We have other things to do."
+
+Alexis subsided, grumbling. A few moments later the soldier reappeared
+leading three horses. Alexis took all three bridles, and bade the
+soldier begone, which order the latter obeyed in a hurry.
+
+Quickly the three friends leaped into the saddle, and started off at a
+rapid trot, riding eastward. Out of sight of the town, they bore off
+slightly to the North, for, as Hal said, they did not wish to run right
+into the German army advancing on Lodz.
+
+They had proceeded perhaps a mile out of sight of the castle, when Hal
+suddenly checked his mount, and raised a warning hand. All stopped to
+listen. From the direction in which they had just come, came the
+frenzied tolling of a great bell, followed by a few faint shots.
+
+"They have learned of our escape," said Hal quietly. "That, I imagine,
+is a warning to the countryside to be on the lookout for us."
+
+All three put spurs to their horses, and set off again at a gallop. For
+two hours they kept up this swift pace, and then Alexis drew rein.
+
+"Unless I want this horse to drop under me," he said, "we shall have to
+slow down. There is no horse living that can carry me at that gait very
+long."
+
+The boys did not doubt this, and they continued their journey at a more
+leisurely pace. Finally, rounding a turn in the road, they came upon a
+little stream, perhaps a hundred yards wide. There was no bridge.
+
+"Guess we shall have to make our horses swim it," said Chester.
+
+Accordingly all plunged into the stream, Marquis swimming behind, and
+soon reached the opposite shore. Here they drew up in a clump of bushes
+and sat down to dry off a bit.
+
+"Do you suppose they know which way we came?" asked Hal of Chester.
+
+"I don't know. However, I suppose they will search in all directions,
+and they are bound to come upon us sooner or later if we linger around
+here."
+
+"You are right. I guess we had better move."
+
+Soon the little party was in the saddle again, and making off at a rapid
+trot. Hal, for some unaccountable reason turning suddenly in his saddle,
+uttered an ejaculation.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester.
+
+"Look!" said Hal, pointing back toward the little stream.
+
+Alexis and Chester followed the direction of Hal's finger. Just plunging
+into the stream were half a dozen horsemen, and it was plain from that
+distance that they were German soldiers, and that they had made out the
+forms of the fugitives.
+
+The three friends put spurs to their horses and, with Marquis loping
+along behind, soon lost themselves in a little woods. Here they urged
+their tired horses on, and at last came to a small open space. This they
+crossed before Alexis' horse gave out and went to the ground in a heap.
+
+"I am afraid it's all off," exclaimed Hal. "How far do you suppose we
+are from the German border, Alexis?"
+
+"Not far," answered the Cossack. "Besides, some of our troops have been
+operating in these parts. They were only small detachments, and most of
+them have been driven off; but even now there may be some of them near."
+
+Alexis urged the two lads to ride on and leave him, but this they
+refused to do. Therefore they dismounted and, turning their horses
+loose, they continued their journey on foot.
+
+As they walked along a man suddenly popped out from among the trees,
+brought his revolver to bear upon the trio, and in a loud tone cried:
+
+"Halt!"
+
+Alexis gave one quick glance at the man's uniform, uttered a cry of
+pleasure and spoke a few quick words in his native tongue. The lads were
+surprised to see the man drop his rifle, throw his arms about Alexis and
+embrace him.
+
+For some moments after quitting this embrace the two talked in Russian,
+the lads being able to pick up only a few words. Then Alexis turned to
+the two lads.
+
+"My brother," he said simply. "He belongs to a detachment of Cossacks
+who raided in these parts two weeks ago. The detachment was surrounded
+by Germans, he tells me, and practically annihilated. About 150 men
+escaped to the woods, where they have been conducting a guerilla
+warfare, picking off the Germans one at a time, wherever they happen to
+find one alone, or in pairs, or small parties. These Cossacks are
+scattered all through the woods, and to get them together would be
+almost impossible."
+
+"Then how are they able to tell friend from foe?"
+
+"You see that large green leaf my brother wears in his hat?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That is their emblem."
+
+Alexis' brother approached and spoke in German.
+
+"Come," he said. "I shall show you something."
+
+He led the way into the woods, and approached a large tree, where he
+pointed to a placard tacked on it. The placard read:
+
+"All Russians at large in these woods are ordered to assemble at this
+spot the 10th of this month without arms and surrender, under penalty of
+death."
+
+"That was posted two weeks ago," said Alexis' brother, "and this is the
+20th. Read our answer below it."
+
+The answer read:
+
+"Come and take us!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+GUERILLA WARFARE.
+
+
+"Do you mean?" asked Hal, "that 150 men, at large in these woods, have
+defied the whole German army?"
+
+"There are less than a hundred now," replied the brother of Alexis,
+whose name the lads learned was Stephan. "We have been conducting this
+guerilla warfare for more than two weeks now, and we have done
+inestimable harm to the Germans. We have evaded large bodies of troops
+sent out to kill or capture us. Of course, some of our men have been
+picked off, but we are not going to run yet."
+
+"But how do you live?" demanded Chester.
+
+"We have been living on roots and herbs," was the reply, "and such other
+food as we have been able to take from the enemy."
+
+"And where do you sleep?"
+
+"This forest," said Stephan, "makes an ideal hiding place. It is filled
+with large caves, the presence of which seems to be unknown to the foe.
+Many of the caves are large enough for twenty men, although it is seldom
+that there are more than five or six men in one at a time."
+
+From the rear came the sound of galloping horses. Stephan sprang to
+instant action.
+
+"Come with me," he cried, and led the way into the very thick of the
+forest.
+
+Hal, Chester, Alexis and Marquis followed him and soon were safe from
+discovery in a large cave, the mouth of which was screened from view by
+a dense mass of shrubbery.
+
+Outside, after a few minutes, the lads could hear the sounds of moving
+horses and the exclamations of their riders. The horsemen halted near
+the entrance to the cave and held a consultation.
+
+"They have probably fallen in with some of these guerillas," said one
+voice. "If so, we shall have hard work to find them."
+
+Close upon his words came a scream from outside, and straining their
+ears, the party inside made out the sound of a distant pistol shot.
+
+"One more gone," said Stephan briefly.
+
+There came a volley from outside the cave, as the Germans fired at their
+unseen assailant.
+
+"Not much chance of their hitting anybody," said Stephan calmly.
+
+From outside the cave came the sound of rapidly retreating hoofbeats.
+The Germans were moving away. Alexis, having thus quickly learned the
+way of the guerillas, cautiously poked his head from the cave, reached
+back and picked up his brother's rifle, and fired after the retreating
+foe.
+
+"Another one," he said grimly, returning the weapon to Stephan.
+
+"Just how long do you suppose you can keep this work up?" Chester asked
+of Stephan.
+
+"Not much longer, I am afraid," was the reply. "I figure it is only a
+question of days now until the Germans send out a force strong enough to
+search the woods thoroughly. In that event, we shall try to make our way
+back over the border to safety."
+
+From a corner of the cave Stephan now produced a small quantity of food,
+which he set out. All fell to and it was soon disposed of. Then they
+ventured from the cave and, walking slowly, made their way northward.
+
+"It's just a case of keep moving," Stephan explained. "Of course, it
+might be possible for us to join forces, but then we should greatly
+lessen our effectiveness."
+
+Alexis, who was in front, stopped suddenly and threw up a warning hand.
+Immediately the other three halted in their tracks. Peering in the
+direction in which Alexis pointed, they made out the forms of half a
+dozen German soldiers standing near a tree. Directly, however, the
+latter made off, and the little party approached the tree.
+
+"Another placard, eh?" muttered Stephan, as he drew near.
+
+The other three also approached and read:
+
+"The time for surrender has been extended till to-morrow at noon!"
+
+Angrily, Stephan snatched the placard from the tree. Turning, he saw
+several other trees also bearing placards. These he also tore down.
+
+"Surrender, eh!" he cried. "Never!"
+
+Suddenly he clapped his hand to his side and staggered back. At the same
+instant, from directly ahead, came the sharp crack of a rifle. But
+Stephan did not fall. Recovering himself, he dashed straight in the
+direction of the shot at top speed. There came the second crack of a
+rifle, but still the Cossack did not pause.
+
+Now Hal, and Chester, dashing after him with Alexis at their side, saw
+Stephan pause momentarily, raise his rifle and fire quickly twice. Then
+he dropped to the ground. But it was not from injury, as the others
+feared, for at that moment there came a volley and bullets whistled
+overhead. Quickly Hal, Chester and Alexis also flung themselves to the
+earth.
+
+Stephan, lying upon his stomach, was pumping lead steadily straight
+before him. Hal, Chester and Alexis drew their revolvers and joined in
+the fray. Through the trees they could now make out the number of their
+assailants. There were an even dozen of them, all lying in a little
+clearing, their rifles trained upon the spot where the four friends lay.
+
+Under the deadly aim of Stephan's rifle, two men dropped to the ground.
+The others returned the Cossack's fire, but the latter was well
+protected by foliage, and escaped injury. Another German jumped to his
+feet, spun round on his heel, and fell to the ground.
+
+Then, at a word from one of the Germans, the remaining nine jumped
+suddenly to their feet and dashed toward their enemies on a dead run,
+their rifles spitting fire as they came on. Exposed to the fire of the
+foe as they were, they realized that their only chance of life lay in
+rushing their opponents.
+
+Alexis was the first to see the danger in this attack. He jumped to his
+feet, dragging Hal and Chester with him. Stephan also was up in an
+instant.
+
+"Quick!" cried Alexis, and at a rapid run, he urged the lads to another
+secluded spot.
+
+There, as the Germans appeared in the spot where they had stood a few
+moments before, Stephan, the only one of the four armed with a rifle,
+fired three more quick shots at the foe. One tumbled forward on his
+face, and a second dropped his rifle.
+
+And now unexpected aid came to the four friends. From the rear of the
+Germans came several rifle shots in quick succession, and two more of
+the enemy bit the dust. As they turned to face this new attack, Stephan
+stepped forward and opened on them again. Caught thus between two fires,
+the Germans fought well, firing blindly at their unseen foes on both
+sides.
+
+But such a struggle could have but one ending. The Cossacks, screened
+from the fire of the enemy who lay between them, were practically safe
+from the German fire, at the same time having the Germans at their
+mercy. No quarter was asked, nor none was given. Soon a heap of fallen
+bodies marked the spot where the Germans had made their last stand.
+
+From the other side of the Germans, two Cossacks now stepped forth, and
+approached. Stephan advanced to meet them. Alexis made his way to the
+fallen foe, and gathered up the rifles. Returning, he passed one to each
+lad, with the remark:
+
+"Here; these beat revolvers for this kind of warfare."
+
+After a short conference with the two newcomers, Stephan motioned for
+his friends to follow, and the party, now increased to six, moved on.
+For perhaps half an hour they marched through the woods, and at the end
+of that time stopped once more before the entrance to a second cave.
+
+"Before we enter," said Stephan, "I will tell you that these men have
+just informed me that inside a consultation of war is being held. There
+are perhaps 60 men there, who have gathered here for that purpose. I
+have vouched for you, and you will therefore be admitted to the
+consultation without question."
+
+The others signified that they understood, and Stephan led the way into
+the cave. Inside, the lads looked quickly around. This cave, they saw,
+was much greater than the first they had entered. Also it showed signs
+of human handiwork. Large pillars ran up through the center of it, and
+beyond the far entrance the lads could see one, then two more
+compartments.
+
+Sitting about on the floor of the first compartment were more than half
+a hundred men, talking in low tones. They looked up in surprise at the
+sight of Hal and Chester, but Alexis they greeted with a nod. The latter
+stepped forward and greeted them in their native tongue. The lads could
+not make out all he said, but the looks of suspicion on the faces of
+some vanished immediately, and they moved a bit to let the newcomers
+join the circle.
+
+Plainly it was the opinion of most of the men that the guerilla warfare
+had been carried far enough. Some were in favor of making a last
+desperate raid upon the enemy before attempting to get back across the
+Russian border, while others were in favor of attempting to get back
+immediately.
+
+For an hour the discussion waged and then it was rudely interrupted. The
+man left to guard the entrance to the cavern rushed in.
+
+"Germans approaching in great force!" he cried.
+
+Immediately all were on their feet, and one man rushed to the narrow
+entrance. He started through but fell back, a bullet in his head. A
+second, rifle in hand, also advanced, but Hal, springing quickly to his
+feet, stopped him.
+
+"Wait!" he cried. "They can pick us off one at a time as we go out. Some
+other plan will have to be found."
+
+Stephan and Alexis took their stand by the lad's side, and faced the men
+who would have rushed to certain death.
+
+"The lad is right," said Stephan. "Out the other end of the cave, men,
+and scatter!"
+
+Rapidly this order was obeyed, and soon none were left in the first
+compartment but Hal, Chester, Alexis, Stephan and Marquis.
+
+Now Hal also dashed after the others. But the lad was not bent upon
+flight, leaving his friends to face the enemy alone. Quickly he hurried
+through the three compartments of the cavern, casting a keen eye here
+and there. Clear to the far entrance he went, and then turned back. As
+he made his way along, he stumbled over something and fell heavily. He
+was up in a moment, however, and glanced curiously at the object over
+which he had tripped. Then a smile lighted up his face. He made his way
+back to his friends.
+
+"How many do you suppose there are out there?" asked Alexis.
+
+"We have no means of telling," replied Chester. "However, there are
+probably no less than two or three hundred."
+
+"If we stand here and fire as they attempt to enter, we may have some
+success," said Stephan.
+
+"Yes," said Alexis, "but the detonations may occasion the falling in of
+the cavern. At the first shot from outside a piece of falling rock
+grazed my shoulder."
+
+"We must do something quickly," said Hal. "We cannot leave without
+striking at least one blow at them."
+
+"Assuredly not," agreed Alexis. "I have a plan."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE MIGHT OF ALEXIS.
+
+
+"What is it?" demanded all eagerly.
+
+"We will retreat to the second compartment," said the giant, "and I will
+place myself behind the pillar, which I can see from here." He stooped
+and picked up a long heavy iron bar from the ground. "I will have this
+for my weapon, and invisible in the darkness, if they come in a rush, I
+can let my bar fall upon their skulls thirty times a minute."
+
+"Good!" cried Hal, "and at the same time I have another plan. The rest
+of us shall retreat to the third compartment, leaving Alexis, for the
+moment, to deal with the foe alone. But Alexis, when I say retreat, you
+must leave your post and come to the third compartment. Is it agreed?"
+
+"Agreed!" cried the giant.
+
+"All right, then. To your post!"
+
+Quickly the four retreated to the second compartment, where Alexis took
+up his post behind the large pillar, concealed from view by the
+narrowness of the entrance between the compartments themselves. The
+others retreated to the third compartment.
+
+For a long time, it seemed to Alexis, he waited in silence. Then the
+head of a man appeared through the entrance to his compartment and came
+toward him. There were more heads behind him.
+
+"Strike, Alexis!" came Hal's voice from the next compartment.
+
+The giant obeyed. The iron bar rose and fell full upon the head of the
+first man, who dropped without a cry. Ten times in almost as many
+seconds the huge iron bar rose and fell again and not once did it fail
+to find its mark.
+
+The German soldiers could see nothing; they heard sighs and groans; they
+stumbled over dead bodies, but as they did not realize the cause of all
+this, they still came forward. So far there had not been a sound to tell
+those behind what was transpiring in front.
+
+But now an officer, bearing a torch, approached. On arriving at the
+entrance to the compartment where Alexis had exterminated all that had
+come, he drew back in terror; but his retreat was blocked by those
+pressing on from behind. The officer saw the heap of dead, but as yet he
+had not discerned the cause.
+
+Suddenly a gigantic hand issued from nowhere and clutched him by the
+throat. A second later the captain fell close to the now extinguished
+torch, adding another body to the heap of dead. All this was effected as
+mysteriously as if by magic. Another officer, unable to account for the
+pile of dead, cried to the men behind him:
+
+"Fire!"
+
+A volley rang out, and for a moment the cavern was lighted as if by day.
+But none was hit. From behind him Alexis now heard the sound of Hal's
+voice.
+
+"Come back quickly!" whispered the lad.
+
+The giant obeyed instantly, and glided softly through the door to the
+third compartment. Hal took him by the arm and led him to the side of
+the room, where he showed him the object over which he had stumbled when
+in the compartment a few moments before. It was a barrel of powder.
+
+"Alexis," said Hal, "you will take this barrel, the fuse of which I am
+going to light, and hurl it at our enemy. Can you do it?"
+
+Alexis stooped over the barrel, weighing fully seventy pounds. He lifted
+it easily with one hand.
+
+"Light it," he said briefly.
+
+"Throw it right in among them," explained Hal.
+
+"Light it," repeated Alexis.
+
+Hal did so, and the giant, picking up the barrel, advanced to the door
+of the compartment. Beyond he could hear the confused shouts of many
+men, as they in vain sought to explain the death of their companions.
+
+Alexis blew on the fuse, that it might burn quicker.
+
+And now, by the light of the sparkling fuse, the enemy made out his
+form. They saw the barrel he held in his hand; they understood what was
+going to happen.
+
+A cry of terror arose. Some attempted to fly; officers cried out to
+Alexis that they would spare him if he would extinguish the fuse. Others
+commanded their men to fire; but the latter were too terrified to do so.
+
+Now the arm of the giant swung round. There passed through the air the
+train of fire, like a falling star. The barrel fell into the midst of
+the terrified German soldiers. Immediately Alexis dashed for the far end
+of the cavern, just outside which his friends now stood.
+
+Then, from inside the second compartment came the terrible thunder of
+the explosion, blowing the cavern to pieces, hurling men to death by the
+force of its shock, falling stones crushing out the life of many more.
+
+Alexis dashed for the open air, where his friends stood awaiting him, a
+happy smile on his face at the success of his exploit. Three more paces
+and he would be free of the cavern--two more. And right at the exit, a
+heavy piece of rock, sent hurling in the air by the explosion, fell upon
+him--striking him upon the shoulder--bearing him to the
+ground--pinioning him beneath it.
+
+And at the same instant the walls of the cavern began to give. Chester,
+realizing what was happening, sprang into the mouth of the cave, closely
+followed by Hal and Stephan. Now, under the massive rock, Alexis
+stirred. In spite of the great weight upon him, he turned slowly under
+it, until it rested squarely upon his back. Then stretching his hands
+out before him, he rose to his knees balancing the rock upon his back.
+Then he straightened up, and the rock tumbled from him with a terrible
+crash. He turned, and with his friends, dashed from the cave.
+
+They had not escaped a second too soon.
+
+There was a terrible rending sound, the crunching of rock against rock,
+and slowly the walls of the cavern gave; then fell inward with a fearful
+crash.
+
+Some distance from the cavern the four stopped running. Hal wiped the
+moisture from his brow.
+
+"A close call and no mistake," he said weakly.
+
+Chester grasped Alexis by the hand.
+
+"I thought you were done for," he exclaimed.
+
+Alexis grinned.
+
+"Can't kill me that way," he said. "What's a little rock like that? It
+was play for me to lift it."
+
+"Maybe so," replied Chester, "but even now, I can scarcely believe what
+I saw."
+
+"Why," said Alexis, "I could have lifted that rock with one hand. It was
+child's play. Now I can still remember one great feat I accomplished. It
+was in St. Petersburg--Petrograd now, by the grace of God and the Czar.
+There is a little stream runs through the city. Over this there is a
+bridge. I was passing along one day, when I saw that the bridge, having
+been weakened in the middle, was about to fall. Well, there was no one
+on it, so that would have been all right. But, dashing down the street
+was an ambulance. The woman in it was very ill. It was absolutely
+necessary that she be taken across the bridge at once. At the bridge the
+driver was held up. The guard would not allow the ambulance to cross. It
+was too dangerous. But delay meant death for the lady. I leaped into a
+small boat and was quickly under the middle of the bridge. The bridge
+was low, and by standing I could just touch it. I put my two hands under
+the bridge and braced it while the ambulance crossed. I was sorely
+tested, but I held out. I account that one of my greatest feats."
+
+"And so you should," said Hal dryly.
+
+"But," demanded Stephan, who was greatly interested in his brother's
+wonderful narrative, "how is it, that with all that weight resting upon
+you, and you standing in a boat, the boat didn't sink? I can't
+understand how, with that weight upon it, it remained afloat."
+
+"Why," said Alexis with perfect gravity, "I forgot to mention that the
+stream was very shallow--in fact it could be waded. The boat was forced
+down by the great weight until it rested on the bottom. In that way, it
+was perfectly simple."
+
+"I see," exclaimed Stephan. "A wonderful feat, truly!"
+
+"Was the bridge made out of rubber?" asked Chester, laughing to himself.
+
+"Rubber?" repeated Alexis. "No; it was a wooden bridge."
+
+"Then," said Chester, "how do you account for the fact that it stretched
+so when the boat went to the bottom of the stream?"
+
+"I didn't say it stretched," said Alexis.
+
+"I know you didn't say so," grinned Chester; "but it must have stretched
+unless it broke in two."
+
+Alexis looked aggrieved.
+
+"If you don't believe me----" he began.
+
+"I wouldn't dispute you for the world," said Chester. "I just wondered."
+
+Alexis would have replied, but at that instant his hat was lifted from
+his head, and all four became aware of the distant sound of a shot.
+Quickly all dropped to the ground, but they were not quick enough to go
+unscathed. A bullet struck Stephan in the arm, and he dropped it to his
+side with a cry.
+
+Instantly Alexis was all anxiety. He jumped to his brother's side.
+
+"Are you much hurt, Stephan?" he asked tenderly, taking the injured arm
+in his hand.
+
+"Just a scratch," replied Stephan. "I'll be all right."
+
+Nevertheless Alexis would not rest until he had bound up the wound with
+his handkerchief. In the meantime, from their positions on the ground,
+the others had been popping away at the enemy. Several rounds of shots
+were exchanged but none of the four friends was hit again. The enemy was
+so far away that the lads could not tell whether or not their fire was
+effective.
+
+Bullets began to drop closely about them, in their exposed position.
+Also they fell oftener now, indicating that the force opposed to them
+was numerically superior.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal, as his hat seemed to leap suddenly from
+his head. "We'll have to get away from here. This is too close for
+comfort."
+
+"You bet," said Chester. "Now when I say the word we'll all jump to our
+feet and make a dash for those trees in the distance."
+
+At the word, the four sprang to their feet, and not even waiting to take
+a parting shot at the enemy, dashed away as fast as their feet would
+carry them. Hal took the lead, and behind him came Stephan, then Alexis
+and then Chester.
+
+When Hal reached the trees, uninjured, he turned to speak to Chester.
+What was his amazement and dismay to find that Chester was not there. At
+that moment Alexis and Stephan dashed into the shelter. Hal glanced back
+over the distance they had come.
+
+There lay Chester, in the open field. He had been struck down by a
+German bullet, and even now the enemy, with a triumphant cry, was
+charging down upon him. With a cry, Hal leaped forward, but the iron
+hand of Alexis stayed him.
+
+"You stay here," said the giant. "I'll get him!"
+
+Discarding his rifle, he dashed forward in the very face of the
+onrushing foe. Chester's life hung in the balance!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+TWO TO THE RESCUE.
+
+
+As friend and foe alike bore down on him, Hal saw Chester raise himself.
+He got to his knees, struggled to his feet, staggered, and then fell
+back again.
+
+The Germans rushing toward the lad numbered twenty--Hal counted them.
+They were approaching the prostrate form of the lad as rapidly as they
+could, afoot. But Alexis was nearer, and it was evident that he would
+reach the lad first.
+
+The giant Cossack covered the intervening space with long bounds, going
+at a speed of which Hal had not deemed him capable.
+
+And now, as he came close to Chester, a second form bounded after him.
+There was a flash of a hairy body as Marquis leaped forward and set out
+after Alexis. He came up with the latter before he reached Chester, and
+they came to the lad's body together.
+
+In the meantime, Hal and Stephan kept up a steady fire with their
+rifles, pouring a hail of bullets in the direction of the advancing
+Germans. One man fell, but the others dashed on.
+
+At this point Hal made a startling discovery. The magazine of his weapon
+was empty and he had not another cartridge. At the same moment Stephan
+fired his last remaining shot. Hal sprang forward and seized the weapon
+Alexis had thrown down when he dashed to Chester's aid. It was empty.
+The lad uttered a cry of dismay, and turned his eyes. The two still had
+their revolvers, but the distance was too great for a pistol bullet.
+
+Alexis, having reached Chester's side, knelt and raised the lad's head
+to his knee. Hurriedly he drew his canteen and poured a little water
+down his throat. Chester looked up into the Cossack's face and smiled
+feebly. Alexis tried to place him upon his feet, but the lad was too
+weak to stand.
+
+A fierce growl from Marquis, who had been standing guard over the two,
+with bared fangs and bristling back, called Alexis to more serious work.
+The Germans, apparently fearing nothing at the hands of one man, a
+wounded boy and a dog, had come within fifty feet without firing a shot
+at the trio. Now, as they approached closer, the leader of the band
+called out: "You are my prisoners!"
+
+Without waiting to reply, Alexis leaped toward them. His sword flashed
+from his scabbard and whirled aloft even as he jumped. He was among the
+enemy before they realized what had happened.
+
+The suddenness of the giant's spring stood him in good stead. Before a
+rifle or a revolver could be brought to bear on the huge form, Alexis
+had come to such close quarters with his foes as to prevent the use of
+firearms. The German leader did draw his revolver, but the melee was so
+fierce and men were tangled up so that he was unable to fire for fear of
+hitting one of his own men.
+
+To the right, to the left, and straight ahead darted the fiery sword of
+the giant Cossack. The Germans gave back before the very savageness of
+this attack, but Alexis kept close in among them, for while he was
+fighting mad, he was still cool enough to realize that his hope of life
+lay in his keeping in the center of the enemy.
+
+Before the thrust of the angry sword three men fell. The blades of the
+others who encircled him hissed above his head, flashed by his side, but
+his single weapon so far had formed a perfect barrier. Not a thrust or a
+slash had passed it. Ten swords clashed against the giant's blade at
+once. With a quick move, he swept them all aside, and with a quick
+thrust disposed of another of the enemy.
+
+With a rapid spring forward he avoided the weapons that would have been
+buried in his back by his foes in the rear, and sweeping his sword
+around his head with such rapidity that he seemed a circle of fire, for
+a moment he cleared a space around him.
+
+But in that instant the German officer brought his revolver to bear and
+fired.
+
+Alexis had perceived this move out of the tail of his eye and, leaping
+straight forward into the midst of the foe once more, escaped the
+bullet.
+
+Whirling his sword about his head, the Cossack spun on his heel. The
+guard of the German soldiers was not strong enough to ward off this
+terrible blow. Two swords went spinning in the air, and Alexis' weapon,
+sweeping through one of the enemy, also cut down another. But again the
+Cossack had left an opening for the officer's pistol, and the latter was
+not slow to take advantage of it.
+
+Slowly he raised his weapon and took careful aim. He had determined not
+to miss this time. His finger tightened on the trigger, and----
+
+Aid came from an unexpected source.
+
+Marquis, who, up to this instant, had remained alert over Chester, had
+not taken a hand in the battle. His eyes fastened at this moment on the
+German officer, his canine intelligence told him as clearly as words
+that his giant friend stood at death's door. With one fierce growl, he
+sprang from Chester's side, and leaped upon the German officer from
+behind, even as the latter pressed the trigger. The officer's aim had
+been deflected, and the bullet passed over Alexis' head.
+
+The German turned upon this new assailant with an imprecation. His hand
+went to his holster in an attempt to draw his second revolver. But
+Marquis was prepared for this move. His teeth met in the officer's hand
+and the latter yelled with pain.
+
+Marquis released his hold and sprang straight at his enemy's throat. The
+latter was thrown from his feet by the force of this attack, and in
+falling his head came in contact with the sharp barrel of his revolver,
+knocking him unconscious.
+
+Marquis, now having entered the battle, had no thought of leaving Alexis
+to fight it out alone. Once in the fight, he was there to stay. He
+sprang forward and leaped upon a German soldier who at that moment would
+have plunged his sword into Alexis' defenseless back. The man gave a
+choking cry as the teeth of the dog found lodgment in the back of his
+neck and he was borne to the ground.
+
+And still the giant Cossack, with herculean strength and unbelievable
+prowess, was fighting his assailants. A sword had pierced him through
+the left hand, another had scratched his cheek and a third had struck
+him in the right shoulder. But still, unmindful of these wounds, he
+fought on with the same determination and courage as before.
+
+Marquis, having dragged the man off his back, Alexis plunged into the
+midst of his enemies anew. Two more were pierced through and through by
+the quick and mighty thrusts of the powerful arm. Another dropped with a
+bleeding head, as Alexis caught him squarely with a quick back-handed
+blow just in time to avoid the point of the other's weapon.
+
+Now there were but eight Germans left, and these leaped quickly
+backward, thinking to put enough distance between them to allow them to
+draw the revolvers. But Alexis gave them no time for this. Springing
+after them as they turned to flee, he cut two more down with mighty
+strokes. Then the others scattered. The Cossack sprang after one and
+disposed of him before he could draw his pistol, but the others now had
+had time to get their guns.
+
+A bullet struck Alexis in the right shoulder, but he did not even
+stagger. He rushed quickly upon one of his enemies, who stood with a
+revolver pointed squarely at him, his finger on the trigger. There was a
+sharp report, followed instantly by another and the German fell to the
+ground with a bullet in his head. Alexis sprang out of the cloud of
+smoke unharmed.
+
+This time the Cossack had been saved from death by the hand of Chester.
+The lad having recovered sufficiently to take in the scene about him,
+had staggered to his feet, thinking to go to the aid of his companion.
+But he was so weak he could not stand. Then, seeing the revolver dropped
+by the German officer, he had crawled toward it. At last he reached it,
+and he had just time to aim and fire before the man who had drawn a bead
+on Alexis could pull the trigger.
+
+There remained but four Germans on their feet, and these, having
+witnessed the mighty prowess of the giant Cossack, turned to flee. But
+Alexis was after them in a flash. His blood was up, and though bleeding
+in a dozen different places, he had no mind to quit the battle until the
+last of his enemies had been laid low.
+
+But the fleeing Germans, unfortunately for them, had turned their faces
+in the wrong direction. Hal and Stephan, who had been struck spellbound
+by the terrible fighting of their friend and brother, saw the four men
+coming toward them, weapons in hand, with Alexis in hot pursuit. Quickly
+they aimed and fired. At this distance a miss was impossible. Two
+Germans staggered in their stride, reeled, and dropped over backward.
+
+The others halted, appalled by the forgotten presence of this new enemy.
+The stop was unfortunate for them. Alexis bore down on them like an
+avenger, and close on his heels came Marquis. The Germans hesitated,
+then started to run. It was too late.
+
+Alexis' mighty sword cut down one before he had taken a dozen steps. The
+other, bewildered, and not knowing which way to turn, threw down his
+weapons and raised his hands in token of surrender.
+
+Alexis, however, did not perceive this move. The light of battle still
+flashed in his eyes, and he could see nothing but glittering swords and
+shining revolver muzzles. His upraised sword would have split the head
+of the German, had not Hal, stepping forward quickly, caught the blow
+upon his own weapon.
+
+"Alexis!" he cried sharply.
+
+The giant paused and looked around as one in a dream. Then he slowly
+raised his sword, gazed at the lad blankly for a few seconds, spun twice
+around and fell forward on his face. He had swooned.
+
+Stephan leaped forward, and from his canteen poured water over the face
+of his brother. Knowing that the giant was in good hands, Hal dashed
+forward to where Chester still lay, having fallen back after firing the
+one shot. The prisoner, now unguarded, took to his heels and was soon
+out of range.
+
+"Are you badly hurt, Chester?" asked Hal, anxiously, bending over his
+friend.
+
+"I feel pretty weak," was Chester's reply. "But I don't believe I am
+seriously hurt. A bullet must have grazed my temple, and the force of
+the shock put me out. But say! Isn't Alexis a terrible fighter?"
+
+"I should say he is," answered Hal. "I don't believe anyone ever saw
+such fighting before. Certainly not since the days of Hereward."
+
+Hal assisted Chester to his feet and, supporting him by an encircling
+arm, led the way to where even now Alexis, having received first aid
+treatment at the hands of his brother, was sitting up and gazing about
+somewhat vacantly.
+
+Chester spoke to the big Cossack.
+
+"I owe my life to you," he said simply. "I shall never forget it."
+
+"That's all right," replied Alexis. "I remember now. It was quite a
+fight, wasn't it? But I remember once when I was attacked by----"
+
+His voice died away, and he sank to the ground again.
+
+His friends bent over him anxiously, and Hal placed a hand over his
+heart. It was beating regularly while his deep and regular breathing
+proclaimed his condition.
+
+"He is sleeping," said Hal quietly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+ON THE VISTULA.
+
+
+"How far are we from the Vistula now, Alexis?" asked Chester, as the
+little party rode rapidly forward.
+
+"Not more than seven or eight versts, I am sure," was the reply.
+
+"Is it likely the Germans have advanced that far in this section?"
+
+"There is no telling; we shall have to be careful."
+
+All day long the four friends had been hurrying toward the Russian
+lines. Alexis, after his terrible struggle with overwhelming odds, when
+he had dashed forward to save Chester, had slept for hours without
+moving-all night, practically. When he awoke, shortly before dawn, he
+announced that he was in condition to move on.
+
+Chester's wound also had benefited by the rest and now bothered him
+little. While Alexis and Chester slept, Hal and Stephan had succeeded in
+capturing four horses; and so, long before sunrise, the little party
+continued their flight, Marquis, as usual, trailing along behind.
+
+For another hour now the four rode on, and then a welcome sight
+confronted them. Hal was the first to perceive water ahead, and called
+the attention of the others to it.
+
+"The Vistula," said Alexis briefly.
+
+There was not the sign of either friend or foe. For some unaccountable
+reason neither bank of the stream was guarded. Hal supplied an
+explanation.
+
+"The Germans have probably been pushed back further to the South," he
+suggested, "thereby doing away with the necessity of a patrol here."
+
+They drew nearer the river. At this point the stream was very deep, and
+there was no bridge; but as the four drew up on the bank, Chester made
+out a cloud of smoke coming up the stream.
+
+"A steamer!" he exclaimed.
+
+The lad was right. The smoke drew nearer, and at last the friends were
+able to discern the outline of a small river vessel steaming toward
+them. They jumped from their horses, and advanced to the very edge of
+the water, where they awaited the approaching boat.
+
+"She may be a German," said Hal.
+
+"It is hardly likely," said Alexis.
+
+"But I understood the Germans had fitted out several river steamers,"
+said Hal.
+
+"True," replied Alexis; "I had forgotten. We shall have to be careful."
+
+But now the vessel was close enough for those on shore to make out her
+flag. The emblem flying aloft was that of the Czar. Hal drew off his
+coat and waved it about his head.
+
+"If they will stop and pick us up," he explained, "it may save us a
+tedious ride."
+
+A sharp blast of the whistle signified that Hal's signal had been seen.
+The steamer came to a stop in midstream, a launch put off toward the
+shore, and soon grounded at the spot where the four friends stood.
+
+Quickly they leaped into the little craft and were soon aboard the
+steamer, where they were greeted by the commander of the vessel. Hal
+explained their situation as briefly as possible.
+
+"Well," said the commander, "I can't promise to put you ashore
+immediately, for I am bound further up the river in pursuit of a German
+steamer that has been bombarding several upstream towns. When I have
+disposed of the enemy, however, I shall be glad to land you down the
+stream, for I shall return immediately I have sunk the foe."
+
+With this the fugitives had to be content. They were assigned quarters
+on the steamer, and after washing the dirt and grime from their hands
+and faces, they returned on deck, where they made themselves comfortable
+as the steamer continued on her way. They passed several little towns
+without stopping.
+
+Suddenly those on deck were brought to their feet by the booming of a
+single heavy gun. All strained their ears to listen. The first report
+was followed by the sound of others. The commander of the vessel sprang
+to action.
+
+"Full speed ahead!" he cried.
+
+The steamer leaped forward faster than before. The crew prepared for
+action. The guns were made ready and the crews stood to their posts. The
+commander, from his position, motioned the four friends toward him.
+
+"We have run the enemy down," he informed them. "Can I count upon your
+services if they are needed?"
+
+"You may," replied Hal and Chester briefly.
+
+Alexis and Stephan nodded their heads in assent.
+
+"Good!" said the commander. "You will stay here near me, then. I shall
+not hesitate to call upon you."
+
+Rounding a slight bend in the river, the Russian steamer came in full
+sight of the enemy. So silently had she approached, that the Germans,
+engaged in hurling shells upon a little village, did not perceive their
+presence until a shell from the Russian plowed up the water under the
+prow of their boat.
+
+As soon as the Germans became aware of the presence of another enemy
+they turned to meet it. Their forward guns were quickly trained upon the
+Russian steamer and burst into action. The first salvo was harmless, for
+the range had not been gauged accurately.
+
+The Russians were more fortunate with their second fire. A shell burst
+squarely upon the deck of the German with a loud explosion. There was a
+shower of steel and wood, followed by a cry of triumph from the crew of
+the Russian vessel. A second shell carried away the enemy's single
+smokestack and a third burst in the muzzle of one of the foe's forward
+guns, blowing it to atoms.
+
+At full speed the Russian advanced, and when within two hundred yards
+swung her broadside to the enemy and poured in a rain of shells. The
+Germans fought back gamely, but with the first success of the Russians
+they seemed to have lost their heads and fired wildly. Their aim was
+poor, and the Russians suffered little.
+
+Having delivered his broadside, the Russian brought his forward guns to
+bear and with these he raked the deck of the enemy--fore and aft--with
+shot and shell.
+
+All this time the vessels had been drawing closer together. Now the
+German commander, apparently realizing that he was fighting a losing
+battle, steamed full speed for the Russian ship. By a hasty maneuver the
+Russian commander avoided being run down, but a second later the vessels
+crashed broadside to broadside.
+
+The German vessel stood somewhat higher in the water than did the
+Russian craft, and before any aboard the latter realized what was
+happening, the foe swarmed down the side onto the Russian vessel. So
+sudden and unexpected was their onslaught, that for the moment the
+Russians on deck gave way before them; and had it not been for the
+presence of mind of Hal and Chester, it is likely the German rush would
+have been successful.
+
+The two lads sprang forward into the very faces of the enemy, their
+automatics spitting fire as they leaped. Alexis and Stephan came close
+behind them. The very fury of their attack caused the Germans to halt
+momentarily, and this gave the Russian sailors time to rally and spring
+to their aid.
+
+Their automatics having been emptied, the lads leaped into the thick of
+their foe, striking out with their naked fists. Hal twisted a sword from
+the hand of a German officer, and laid about him lustily. Chester,
+stooping, came to his feet with a sword in his hand, and joined his
+friend in the press. Alexis also possessed himself of a weapon and
+rushed forward.
+
+By this time the Russian sailors had met the foe and the conflict became
+general. Slowly the Germans gave way, retreating to the side of the
+ship. Then, suddenly, they turned and leaped for their own vessel, which
+still lay close, under the guiding hand of the German commander. The
+Russians plunged after them, following them to the deck of the German
+ship.
+
+Brought to bay, the Germans turned in a last desperate stand. Releasing
+the helm, the German commander himself sprang into the midst of the
+struggle. His sword flashed aloft, and two Russian sailors hit the deck,
+pierced through and through. He was a big man, this German commander,
+and a powerful one. As he pressed fiercely forward, for a moment the
+first line of Russians gave way; but at that moment he ran against a
+solid obstruction in the form of Alexis.
+
+They fell to, hand to hand, and on all sides of them the others gave
+way. Thrusting and parrying, the two skipped forward and back, each
+losing ground and then recovering it. Alexis, by a quick sidestep,
+avoided a fierce thrust, and stepped forward to put an end to the
+encounter. In his haste he slipped, and slid to the deck.
+
+With a fierce, guttural cry of satisfaction, the German stepped forward,
+raised his sword and would have plunged it into his opponent's breast;
+but Alexis was too quick for him. With his bare hand he seized the naked
+blade aimed at him and clung to it. In vain did the German try to draw
+his sword through the Cossack's hand. Alexis' mighty grip held it
+easily.
+
+Now, putting forth greater exertion, by the aid of the weapon to which
+he clung, Alexis dragged himself to his feet. In vain did the German
+commander wrench at the sword. He could not free it. He at length gave
+up the idea, dropped the sword and leaped back.
+
+As Alexis, now firm upon his feet once more, took a step forward, the
+German commander turned and ran toward a rack of rifles. Alexis did not
+take time to reverse the weapon he still held by the point. Raising it
+high above his head, he carefully gauged the distance, and let fly. The
+sword went hurtling through the air, turning once in its flight. Alexis'
+aim was true, and the point of the weapon pierced the German commander
+squarely between the shoulder blades. He threw up his hands and fell
+forward on his face.
+
+Alexis turned and surveyed the battle.
+
+The Germans had been pressed back by the Russians, led by Hal and
+Chester, until now they were fighting desperately on the stern of the
+vessel. Alexis dashed forward to take part in this fray; but the
+Germans, having witnessed the death of their commander, had lost heart.
+Perceiving the giant form rushing down upon them, they threw down their
+arms as one man. Some turned quickly and leaped overboard into the river
+and struck out for the shore, while others stood quietly waiting to be
+bound by their captors. The battle was over.
+
+Immediately the commander of the Russian steamer ordered his men and the
+prisoners back aboard his own ship. Then he turned to Hal and Chester.
+
+"As you have taken such a prominent part in this victory," he said, "I
+will allow you to finish the work by blowing up the enemy. You will
+attach a fuse to the magazine and then hurry back here, that we may
+reach safety before the explosion."
+
+The two lads saluted, and made their way to the magazine of the German
+vessel. Here they quickly attached a fuse, and lighted it. Then they
+hurried aboard the Russian steamer, which immediately got under way. One
+hundred yards, two hundred yards, three hundred, they steamed from the
+doomed vessel; then there came the sound of a muffled explosion, the
+German craft burst into a sheet of flame, broke into two pieces, and
+settled slowly beneath the waters of the Vistula.
+
+"A good job done," said the Russian commander briefly.
+
+He turned once more to the two lads. "I want to say," he added, "that it
+has never been my fortune to meet two braver lads. You are English, I
+take it?"
+
+"Americans," replied Hal briefly.
+
+"So? Still, I might have known it. I have known several Americans, and
+they were always cool and brave. Where do you wish to go now?"
+
+"Well," said Hal, "we would like to get back to Lodz. I suppose our
+regiment is still stationed there."
+
+"I will see that you get there with all possible dispatch," the
+commander promised. "I will land you where it will be most convenient
+for you."
+
+The lads thanked him, and walked across the deck, where they rejoined
+Alexis and Stephan.
+
+"You would make a pretty good sailor, Alexis," Chester told him.
+
+The Cossack drew himself up and strutted proudly for several moments.
+
+"Of course I would," he said. "It is nothing new to me."
+
+"Nothing new!" exclaimed Hal in some surprise.
+
+"No," replied Alexis.
+
+"You mean you have been a sailor?" demanded Chester.
+
+"Certainly. Of course the commander of this vessel did a fair piece of
+work a few moments ago; but I could tell him a few things. Why, when I
+commanded a ship in the battle of----"
+
+"Enough! Enough!" cried Hal, throwing up his hands in protest.
+
+"Do you doubt my word?" demanded Alexis fiercely.
+
+"Not at all," Hal hastened to assure him. "But, Alexis; have you learned
+yet what 'drawing the long bow' means?"
+
+"No," replied the giant, "are you going to tell me at last?"
+
+"I had about decided to," said Hal slowly; "but after this, never!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+INTO THE CARPATHIANS.
+
+
+"So," said the Grand Duke Nicholas, "you find that there are adventures
+to be found in the eastern as well as the western theater of war, eh?"
+
+"Yes, Your Excellency," replied Hal.
+
+"And tell me," continued the Grand Duke, "what do you think of the
+Cossacks as fighters?"
+
+"From what we have seen," replied Chester, "I should say that there are
+none better."
+
+"Good!" was the emphatic rejoinder. "There are none better!" and he
+regarded the lads silently for some moments.
+
+Hal, Chester, Alexis, Stephan and Marquis, after the battle on the
+Vistula, had returned to Lodz without difficulty. The commander of the
+Russian river steamer had made it as easy for them as possible. In Lodz
+they learned that their regiment had been ordered to the front, and had
+been on their way to join it, when the Grand Duke, inspecting his
+troops, had come upon them. He immediately had the two lads taken to his
+quarters, for he was greatly interested in them. Alexis, Stephan and
+Marquis waited without.
+
+At last the Grand Duke spoke. "I have a mission for you, if you are
+willing to undertake it," he said.
+
+"Yes, Your Excellency," replied Chester.
+
+"Very good! As you may know, my primary aim, from the beginning of the
+war, was an invasion of Hungary--the capture first of Budapest and next
+of Vienna. This necessitates the capture of Cracow, in Galicia, and the
+forcing of a passage through the Carpathian mountains--a tremendous feat
+at this time of year. The investment of Cracow is certain. Even now my
+troops are within a few miles of that stronghold, and I had word this
+morning that part of it is in flames. Do you follow me?"
+
+"Perfectly, Your Excellency," replied both lads.
+
+"Very well! Now, in some unaccountable manner, my plans have always been
+anticipated by the Austrians. How or by whom I do not know; but I
+believe it has been by some of Brunnoi's bandits, who have a stronghold
+in the Carpathians, but mingle freely with our soldiers. Do you know who
+Brunnoi is?"
+
+"No, sir," from both the lads.
+
+"Well, Brunnoi is a veritable bandit chief--a man of great cunning and
+influence, besides being a born gentleman. A Hungarian, and therefore a
+Slav, he should naturally support the Russian cause. He has a strong
+following and his men would make first-rate soldiers. We are seeking his
+support, and so are the Austrians. However, if it is through his spies
+that my plans are being given to the Austrians I would like to know it.
+Do I make myself clear?"
+
+"You mean," said Hal, "that you would have us find out just where he
+stands?"
+
+"Exactly! He has sent me word that he will espouse our cause, but I fear
+he may be double-dealing. Naturally, therefore, you will keep your
+identities secret. That is all."
+
+The lads saluted, and turned to depart, but before they could leave the
+tent a man in civilian garb entered the tent. The Grand Duke greeted him
+warmly and then called to the lads.
+
+"I wish to introduce you to Count de Reslau," he said. "He, if any man,
+can give you information that may be of aid to you."
+
+The two lads acknowledged the introduction, and as he recognized the
+newcomer, Hal started back. The latter smiled.
+
+"I see you remember me," he said pleasantly. "I must apologize for my
+previous rudeness. I did not then know you were friends of the Grand
+Duke."
+
+Both lads bowed. Count de Reslau was the man who had laughed at Alexis
+in a store in Lodz some time before--the man whom the lads believed to
+be responsible for their being set upon in the street. The count
+explained the matter to the Grand Duke.
+
+"Well," said the latter, "I am sure these lads bear no malice." To the
+boys he added: "The count is one of my best friends. Being a Hungarian
+he has not taken up arms against Hungary, although he is in sympathy
+with us. I am sure he can aid you."
+
+He then gave the count an idea of the mission the lads were about to
+undertake, and the count promised to help them in every way possible.
+
+"Your Excellency," said Hal, as they prepared to take leave of the Grand
+Duke, "have we your permission to take Alexis with us?"
+
+"And who is Alexis?" demanded the Grand Duke.
+
+Chester explained.
+
+"Take him by all means," was the Grand Duke's reply; "and return to me
+at the earliest possible moment."
+
+The lads saluted and left the tent. Alexis joined them on the outside
+and the boys told him of the work ahead of them.
+
+"But how about me?" Stephan demanded. "Am I not to go too?"
+
+"No; I am sorry," replied Hal. "The Grand Duke said nothing about you.
+Besides, three are better than four."
+
+Stephan was greatly disappointed, and showed it plainly. However, he was
+not a man to complain. He wished them good luck, shook hands all around
+and set off to rejoin his own regiment.
+
+Suddenly Hal bethought himself of Marquis.
+
+"We can't take him," he said. "He would be in the way. What shall we do
+with him?"
+
+Alexis bethought himself of a friend in the city who, he was sure, would
+be glad to look out for the dog while they were away. Accordingly
+Marquis was taken to this home, where the woman of the house readily
+agreed to take care of him; but when they came to leave, Marquis wanted
+to go, too.
+
+"No," said Hal, and he talked to the dog quietly for several minutes,
+explaining to him the necessity of his remaining behind.
+
+There could be no doubt that the dog understood, for a sorrowful look
+came over his face. His tail wagged in understanding of his orders, but
+there was a hurt look in his eyes. However, he did not protest, and when
+his three friends finally walked away, he stood looking after them
+regretfully, although making no attempt to follow.
+
+"The first thing," said Hal, "is to procure three good horses."
+
+"Yes," agreed Alexis, "and another to carry food."
+
+"No," answered Hal. "We cannot be bothered with that. We shall have to
+live off the country."
+
+Alexis made no objection, though it was plain to both lads that the
+Cossack would have rather made due preparations to care for the inner
+man. Three strong, wiry Cossack horses having been placed at their
+command, the three leaped into the saddles and set off through the
+streets of Lodz at a slow trot.
+
+Darkness was falling when they came to the outskirts of the city, and
+turned their heads toward the southwest. As far as Cracow the roads were
+held by Russian troops in force, and the three travelers experienced no
+difficulties. They did not go close to the beleaguered city, but bore
+off a bit to the north, just skirting the great Russian army before the
+Galician stronghold.
+
+Three days and nights they traveled without incident. Their food they
+purchased at little towns through which they passed, or at farmhouses;
+and they slept wherever they happened to be when night overtook them.
+But now that they were drawing close to the Carpathians, Hal decided
+that the order of things must be reversed.
+
+"In the future we shall travel at night," he said. "We'll do our
+sleeping in the daytime."
+
+This plan was approved by both Chester and Alexis, so that the morning
+of the fourth day found them approaching the long line of mountains.
+
+The Carpathian mountains encircle Hungary on three sides, separating it
+from Germany on the northwest, from Galicia on the northeast and from
+Turkey on the southeast. At the southern extremity of the range, a
+branch proceeds in a southerly direction across the Danube to the center
+of European Turkey, connecting the Carpathian mountains with the great
+eastern branch of the Alps.
+
+It can readily be seen, therefore, that the Carpathians are much like
+the Alps--made up of rugged peaks between which are narrow passes. These
+passes furnish the only means of getting across the mountains.
+
+In their search for Brunnoi, the boys and Alexis were now approaching
+that part of the mountains which separates Hungary from Galicia, and
+through which there are but three passes; so that their traveling had to
+be done slowly and with great care.
+
+"Now, if you will permit me, I shall take the lead," said Alexis. "I
+have been in these parts before. Besides I have been told of certain
+landmarks in these foothills which indicate where Brunnoi holds
+forth--not definitely enough to lead us straight to him; but I have a
+general idea of the direction."
+
+No objection being offered, Alexis swung into the lead and the horses
+plunged up a narrow pass into the midst of the wild hills, probably the
+wildest and most desolate spot in all Europe. Great trees and massive
+rocks overhung the little pass, making progress extremely difficult. At
+the top of the first steep incline, the riders allowed their horses to
+stop and rest. Then they fared on again.
+
+It was nearing daylight when they came upon a small hut, shrouded by
+trees, through which a dim light twinkled.
+
+"We'll wait here until daylight," said Hal, "and when the occupants of
+the hut come out we will accost them."
+
+They waited. Daylight came, and with its coming, a man came from the
+hut. Hal approached him, and addressed him in German. The man looked at
+him shrewdly, and then answered in the same tongue.
+
+"Yes," he said, "we can spare you something to eat; also your friends.
+May I ask what you are doing in the mountains?"
+
+"We are trying to make our way to Budapest," replied Hal. "We were
+captured by the Russians, and escaped. We are not familiar with the
+ground, however, and have met with difficulties."
+
+"Well," said the man of the hut, "I can set you right. Come."
+
+Over the meal they talked of the war. Finally Chester said:
+
+"Is there any truth in the report that Brunnoi will go over to the
+Russians?"
+
+"None!" cried the man, striking the table a hard blow with his fist. "I
+know, because I am one of his men."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Hal, in well simulated surprise, though he had
+surmised as much.
+
+"Yes," said the man quietly. "Brigands, they have called us. But they
+will find that when the Russians attempt to cross the Carpathians, as
+they surely will, we bandits will give as good an account of ourselves
+as will the trained troops. We love our country just as well as do those
+who live in Budapest. But tell me, you are not Hungarians nor Austrians,
+nor even Germans?"
+
+"No," said Hal, thankful that they had been wise enough to discard their
+uniforms before setting out upon their mission. "We are Americans."
+
+"Ah!" said the man. "I have heard much of them. And you have been
+fighting with the German army?"
+
+"Yes," said Chester truthfully.
+
+"But this man," said their host, turning to Alexis. "Is he an American
+also?"
+
+"Yes," replied Hal, and signified for Alexis not to speak, for fear that
+his accent might betray him.
+
+Their host was evidently satisfied. The meal finished, the man walked
+with them to the door, and pointed out the direction they were to take.
+Then he pointed also to the southwest.
+
+"In that direction," he said, "lies the home of Brunnoi. No, there is no
+truth that he will espouse the Russian cause. Even now he is able to do
+much harm to their cause. He is with Austria to the last drop of blood
+in him."
+
+The three took their departure, going in the direction the man had
+pointed out. But once out of sight, Hal changed the course, and they
+bore off to the southwest for several hours, looking for a place to
+secrete themselves for the day.
+
+"We shall have to be very careful," said Chester.
+
+The truth of this statement was proved a moment later. From behind came
+the sharp crack of a rifle. Chester's hat leaped from his head.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+THE BANDIT CHIEF.
+
+
+Hal, Chester and Alexis threw themselves to the ground with a single
+movement. A second bullet sped harmlessly overhead.
+
+"We didn't come here to fight," Hal whispered to his friends, "so here
+goes."
+
+He drew a handkerchief from his pocket, and waved it aloft. This was
+answered by a command in German, from some distance away.
+
+"Stand up; put your hands above your heads and advance."
+
+The three friends did as commanded. Three swarthy-faced men, with
+leveled revolvers, advanced to meet them. Quickly they searched their
+prisoners, relieved them of their weapons, and bound their hands
+securely.
+
+"Forward march," commanded one, poking the muzzle of his weapon into the
+small of Chester's back.
+
+There was no help for it. The three friends obeyed.
+
+"Where are you taking us?" demanded Hal of one of their captors.
+
+"To Brunnoi!" came the brief response.
+
+"Great Scott!" said Hal to Chester, in English. "We certainly couldn't
+have got there quicker any other way. You don't suppose he has learned
+of our mission."
+
+"I don't see how that is possible," replied Chester.
+
+"Nor I; I suppose the thing to do is to try and convince him we are
+German soldiers, or else come straight out and tell him who we really
+are and why we are here."
+
+"The latter way might be best," said Chester, thoughtfully. "For Brunnoi
+after all may not be such a staunch Austrian supporter as our late host
+would have us believe."
+
+"True," said Hal. "I hadn't thought of that."
+
+After an hour's ride they came to a little clearing in the forest that
+covered this point of the mountain. Here they were ordered to dismount,
+and for half a mile proceeded on foot. As they advanced still further
+the lads made out the mouth of a huge cavern. Into this dark hole their
+captors pushed them. Down the mouth of the cavern they walked, and then
+suddenly came to a sharp turn. Ten more paces and they bumped into a
+solid wall. One of their captors stepped forward and passed his hand
+over the surface of the smooth rock, and it gave way before him, turning
+on well-oiled hinges.
+
+"Great Scott!" muttered Chester. "I have read of these things, but I
+never expected to see one."
+
+The rock fell into place behind them, and the boys saw that they stood
+in a well-lighted compartment, in which stood a table and chairs. Their
+guards led them further along, to where they perceived a closed door. On
+this one of their captors knocked sharply.
+
+"Come in," came a deep voice from beyond the door.
+
+One of the guards opened the heavy wooden door, and stood back,
+signifying for the prisoners to enter.
+
+The three friends did so. The room was brilliantly lighted. At a large
+mahogany desk sat a man in a military uniform, though of what country or
+what his rank the boys could not tell, for they had never seen a similar
+uniform and the man wore no shoulder straps. The chairs in the room were
+beautifully upholstered, and pictures were hung about the walls. All
+this the lads saw at a single glance.
+
+The man at the desk rose and approached them. He bowed slightly, and,
+after ordering their hands released, indicated three nearby chairs.
+
+"Be seated, if you please," he said politely, at the same time motioning
+the guards to withdraw.
+
+Hal, Chester and Alexis did as requested. There was now no question of
+the man's identity in the mind of any. He wore a long white beard and
+had a pleasant, kindly face.
+
+Hal rose to his feet.
+
+"Are you Brunnoi?" he asked.
+
+Brunnoi bowed.
+
+"At your service," he replied. "Now, what can I do for Lieutenants Payne
+and Crawford, and their Cossack friend?"
+
+The lads started to their feet upon hearing their own names thus upon
+the lips of a man they did not believe could possibly know them.
+
+"Come, come, gentlemen," said Brunnoi, smiling at their surprise. "You
+see, many things are known to me. For instance, now, I could even tell
+you the object of your expedition to these mountains. Is it necessary?"
+
+Hal threw wide his arms with a gesture of dismay.
+
+"I guess it is not necessary," he said quietly.
+
+"Good!" cried Brunnoi, for the first time evincing real interest in the
+lad. "You are a man after my own heart. You have nothing to gain by
+subterfuge."
+
+"Well," said Hal slowly. "You know who we are and the object of our
+mission. What is your answer? Are you Austrian or Russian? Are you a
+Slav or not?"
+
+Brunnoi jumped to his feet.
+
+"Yes," he replied, "I am a Slav; but I am not one of your down-trodden
+Russian Slavs. I am a Hungarian, and a Hungarian--a true
+Hungarian--to-day is an Austrian!"
+
+"Then," said Hal calmly, "our mission is accomplished. We know where you
+stand. May I ask you a question?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"Is it true that you have been able to furnish the Austrian general
+staff with the Grand Duke Nicholas' plans?"
+
+Brunnoi was silent for some moments, but at length he replied:
+
+"I don't mind answering that question, for you will never repeat my
+answer to the Grand Duke. Yes, I have furnished the Austrian general
+staff with important information."
+
+"Well," said Chester, breaking into the conversation, "what are you
+going to do with us?"
+
+"Why," said Brunnoi, "for the present you shall be kept here as my
+guests--prisoners, if you prefer. After that--well, it all depends.
+Should the Russians come, it may be necessary to dispose of you.
+Therefore, you should be wise and pray for Austrian success."
+
+"Surely you do not mean that you would murder us?" asked Hal.
+
+"I call it by no such name," replied Brunnoi calmly. "Putting away an
+enemy is not murder."
+
+"Very well," said Chester calmly. "I suppose there is no use talking
+about it."
+
+"Not the slightest. Come! Follow me, and I shall show you where you will
+make your home."
+
+The bandit chief arose from his chair and led the way into another
+compartment. Hal, Chester and Alexis followed him. This room was also
+fitted up comfortably, though not as pretentiously as the bandit's
+office. There were several beds in the room.
+
+"You may make yourselves comfortable here," said Brunnoi. "The door will
+be always locked, but that need not interfere with your comfort."
+
+He bowed and left the room, and the three prisoners heard the key turn
+in the lock behind him.
+
+"It looks to me as though we are in a bad way this time, all right,"
+said Chester, when they were left alone.
+
+"A bad way is no name for it," replied Hal; "but tell me, Chester, did
+you notice anything familiar about Brunnoi?"
+
+Chester clapped his hands together.
+
+"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "Now that you mention it, it seems to me I have
+seen him some place before. But I can't place him."
+
+"Nor I; but I am positive this is not the first time we have met. It is
+his voice that puzzles me."
+
+In vain the boys racked their brains. Alexis was called into
+consultation. He also had been impressed by Brunnoi's likeness to some
+one he had seen before; but he was unable to throw any light upon the
+resemblance.
+
+"Well," said Chester at length, "I can't place him and that's all there
+is about it. Nevertheless, I am absolutely certain I have met him some
+place before to-day."
+
+The door to their prison was now opened and food was placed upon the
+table in the center of the room. All three were nearly famished, and
+they fell to with a will.
+
+"Fattening us up for the slaughter," said Chester with a laugh.
+"However, I guess they won't kill us to-day."
+
+Slowly the hours passed. There was not a single window or opening in the
+room, and the prisoners could not tell whether it was day or night
+outside. But now Hal, glancing at his watch, uttered an exclamation of
+surprise.
+
+"Almost midnight," he said. "Guess we might as well turn in."
+
+Hal and Chester tumbled into the beds, but Alexis continued to sit in
+his chair, brooding.
+
+"Come on, Alexis, get to bed," Hal called. "What on earth's the matter,
+anyhow?"
+
+Alexis did not reply, and Hal repeated his question.
+
+"I was just thinking," said the giant, "what a fool I was to let these
+fellows take my gun away from me without even a struggle. With a good
+gun apiece, we might be able to get away from here."
+
+"Cheer up," said Hal. "We are not going to be killed. While there is
+life there is hope. We'll get out of this ticklish situation somehow.
+Just be patient."
+
+"Patient!" echoed Alexis; "how can a man be patient cooped up in a place
+like this?"
+
+"Well, it can't be helped now," said Chester. "Come on to bed."
+
+But Alexis was in no mood to turn in. For perhaps another half-hour he
+sat brooding; then he arose and made a tour of the room. He put his hand
+on the doorknob and tried it. It was securely locked, and the Cossack
+had no doubt that it was also bolted on the far side. He rattled the
+knob angrily, but there was no answer from the outside.
+
+Alexis continued his tour of inspection. He eyed the table
+speculatively. It was made of oak and while not of great bulk was very
+heavy--as much as two ordinary men could lift. Alexis picked it up and
+tested its weight. Then he growled something to himself.
+
+He also tested the chairs and even the bed on which he was to sleep, all
+the time growling to himself like a dog. Then, his tour of the room
+completed, he sat down in his chair again. Hal and Chester had been
+watching him from beneath lowered lids.
+
+Hal raised himself up.
+
+"Find anything?" he asked.
+
+Alexis vouchsafed no reply.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Chester, sitting up. "Are you going to mope around
+all night? Come to bed and get a little rest, that you may be fit to
+meet any emergency should it arise."
+
+"A good idea," growled Alexis to himself, and extinguishing the light,
+threw himself upon his bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+GETTING AWAY.
+
+
+All were up long before a guard appeared with breakfast. This they ate
+leisurely and then sat down to talk their predicament over calmly.
+
+"There must be some way of getting out of here," said Chester.
+
+"Yes," agreed Hal; "and if we are fond of life, I believe we had better
+get away soon. But what can we do?"
+
+"You leave this to me," growled Alexis. "I have it all figured out and
+when the time comes, we will go."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Chester. "You have found a way out?"
+
+"Yes," replied the giant briefly.
+
+"Then----" began Chester, but he was interrupted by the sound of a key
+turning in the lock of the door.
+
+A moment later the smiling face of Brunnoi appeared in the doorway. He
+entered the room and closed the door behind him.
+
+"I have come to tell you," he said, "that I am going away for possibly a
+week. You shall be kept here until I return. By that time I will have
+decided just what to do with you. I am taking most of my men with me,
+but I have no fear of your getting out of this room."
+
+"We are grateful for your thoughtfulness in letting us know you are
+going away," said Hal sarcastically. "I am sure we shall miss you."
+
+"I am glad of that," replied Brunnoi. "Your meals will be brought to you
+at regular intervals. Till I return then."
+
+He waved his hand airily and stepped quickly through the door, closing
+and locking it behind him. Immediately he had left the room Alexis
+jumped to his feet. Hal and Chester watched him in surprise.
+
+The giant Cossack walked over to the bed in which he had slept and
+quickly stripped it of its coverings. Then, when nothing but the bare
+frame remained he stepped inside of it. Doubling up his huge fist, he
+drove it into the footboard with tremendous force. There was a
+splintering crash and it fell in twain. Wrapping his hardly-used
+knuckles in a cloth he picked up from the floor, he repeated the
+operation on the headboard--and the bed lay in four pieces on the floor.
+
+Seizing the first portion by one of the heavy legs, he tore at it with
+his naked fingers, like a dog at a bone; and soon, exerting his
+tremendous strength, he had stripped it clean. The second of the smaller
+legs he treated in the same manner, and likewise one of the larger legs
+at the head. Then, with these three clubs in his hands, he approached
+the two boys.
+
+"Here is a weapon apiece for you," he said, extending one of the smaller
+legs to the lads.
+
+Hal and Chester each took the proffered weapons. They were ungainly and
+heavy, but the lads realized that they were indeed formidable weapons.
+Alexis stood looking at them with the big leg resting lightly on his
+right shoulder. It was a massive piece of wood, this third leg, a
+terrible weapon in the hands of a giant like Alexis.
+
+"Now," said Chester, "we have these weapons, but how are we going to get
+out of here?"
+
+"Don't let that worry you," replied the giant. "As soon as we are
+certain the bandit king is well on his way, we'll get out."
+
+An hour they waited--two hours, before Alexis rose slowly to his feet,
+indicating that the time for action had come. Slowly he approached the
+door and pressed his great weight against it. It did not budge.
+
+"Surely you are not expecting to get out that way?" said Hal.
+
+Alexis did not deign to reply. Instead he walked over to the table in
+the center of the room, and with a single movement swept the dishes on
+to the floor. Then, lifting the heavy table, he raised it above his
+head, and advanced upon the door.
+
+Once, twice, thrice the stout oak table crashed against the solid door.
+It gave slightly. The giant struck the door a fourth tremendous blow,
+and the table burst into a hundred pieces.
+
+"There," said Chester, "I didn't think it would give."
+
+"I was afraid so, too," said Hal.
+
+Alexis said nothing. Instead he approached the door, and pressed against
+it--testing it. Then he turned, and without exertion, wheeled a second
+massive bed into position before the door. This he braced with the third
+bed, so that by straining his hardest, he could not budge them.
+
+"What are you going to do now?" demanded Hal.
+
+"You'll see," replied the giant briefly.
+
+He stepped between the door and the first bed, close to it. Here,
+bracing himself against the bed, he laid his great hands against the
+door and pushed. There was a slight cracking noise. Under this terrible
+force, the door was straining. And still the giant kept up the pressure.
+
+The muscles in the back of his neck stood out like bands of iron. The
+sinews in his bare arms quivered and seemed about to leap from beneath
+his skin; and still Alexis struggled with the unyielding door. There
+came again the sound of cracking; and the giant released the pressure.
+Even from where they stood, the lads could see the door sway inward into
+place, thus showing the pressure that had been put against it.
+
+The two lads were lost in admiration of the great strength of Alexis.
+
+"It doesn't seem possible," said Hal, half to himself.
+
+"It isn't possible," declared Chester.
+
+But Alexis did not heed these remarks. Hurling the beds away with fierce
+kicks, he cleared a space in front of the door. Then he drew back.
+
+"Look!" exclaimed Chester in an awed voice.
+
+Even as he spoke, Alexis drew himself together for a spring. Ten quick
+steps he took, and then hurled his giant frame against the heavy door.
+There was a thud as he smashed against it, followed by a great crash of
+splintering wood, and Alexis, door and all went down in a tangled heap.
+
+Quickly the giant extricated himself and darted back into the room,
+where he picked up his massive club. Whirling it wildly about his head
+he shouted to the lads:
+
+"Come on!"
+
+Without a moment's delay, surprised as they were, the lads lifted their
+own weapons, and dashed after the Cossack. Straight out the door of the
+bandit chief's private room the three ran into the corridor beyond.
+Sprawling figures sitting idly about gave evidence that the chief had
+not taken all of his men with him. At the abrupt entrance of Alexis
+these jumped to their feet, drawing knives and swords.
+
+Alexis was upon them in a trice, Hal and Chester close behind him.
+Rapidly the huge club of the giant rose and fell, once, twice,
+thrice--even to five times, and with each crushing blow a man went down
+with a crushed skull. The others drew back.
+
+The two lads now ranged themselves on either side of Alexis, and
+together they charged the foe. There was no escape for the bandits, now
+backed into a corner; but they fought back with a desperation born of
+despair. Three minutes later there was not a man standing on his feet.
+
+Alexis rested the end of his club upon the ground, and leaning on it,
+wiped the perspiration from his brow. Then, after a brief rest, he led
+the way to the entrance to the cavern, barred by the great rock.
+
+"Here," said Chester, "I am afraid, is where we stop. We do not know how
+to open it."
+
+Alexis pushed the lads aside and examined the rock. Then, without a
+word, he dropped his club and put his shoulder to the boulder that
+barred the exit. The first attempt made no impression. Taking a deep
+breath, the giant tried again. Putting every ounce of his herculean
+strength into this final effort, he exerted himself to the utmost.
+
+Slowly the huge rock began to move. Slowly it began to swing outward.
+Then, more rapidly, until, as the catch was released, it swung away back
+on its hinges. Alexis, unable to recover his balance, fell forward on
+his face. He was up in a moment, however, and the three darted from the
+cavern.
+
+For half a mile they sprinted, seeking to put as great a distance as
+possible between themselves and the cavern before pausing for breath.
+Then, suddenly, Alexis toppled over on the ground.
+
+Hal dropped to his knees and gently raised the giant's head.
+
+"Quick, Chester! Some water!" he cried.
+
+Chester darted away, and soon returned with water in his cap. This Hal
+sprinkled over the giant's face. His efforts were rewarded at length.
+The color slowly returned, and Alexis heaved a deep sigh. Consciousness
+was returning.
+
+"Poor fellow," said Hal softly. "He has worn himself out."
+
+"Yes," said Chester, "and had we not brought him along, we would still
+be prisoners in the cavern, with our death only a question of days or
+hours."
+
+"True," said Hal. "And such strength," he added, "I never saw before."
+
+"Nor do I ever expect to see again," said Chester.
+
+Now Alexis stirred and groaned. Then he sat up.
+
+"What has happened?" he demanded.
+
+"Through your prowess and bravery," Hal made answer, "we have escaped."
+
+Alexis jumped to his feet and patted himself on the chest.
+
+"It is true," he said, "I am a brave man; and I am a strong man, am I
+not?"
+
+"There can be no question about either," replied Hal.
+
+"Still," continued the giant, "all things considered, that was not such
+a remarkable feat. Now I remember once----"
+
+Chester interrupted.
+
+"Come," he said, taking Alexis by the arm, "we must get away from here.
+The story can wait."
+
+Alexis subsided without further words, and the three continued on their
+way.
+
+"The thing to do now," said Hal, "is to get back to Lodz as quickly as
+we can. With luck, we should make it in four days."
+
+"Yes," agreed Chester, "we have learned what we set out to learn. There
+is no use delaying."
+
+The attention of all three was at that moment attracted by the sound of
+galloping horses, nearby. The hoof beats were coming toward them. Alexis
+sprang to action.
+
+"We must have horses," he said in a hoarse whisper. "Otherwise we will
+be weeks getting back. We will take these."
+
+"How?" demanded both lads in a single voice.
+
+"Follow me," commanded the giant.
+
+Breaking into a quick run he hurried along the road to where it curved
+sharply. Here they could not be seen by the approaching riders until
+they actually met.
+
+Alexis took his stand in the center of the road, motioning for the boys
+to take positions, one on each side of the road. Then all stood waiting.
+
+The hoof beats drew nearer, and then the horses came trotting round the
+bend.
+
+"Only three! Good!" Hal muttered to himself unconsciously.
+
+The riders were right upon Alexis before they realized that their way
+was blocked. They quickly drew rein and attempted to check their
+animals; but it was too late. Alexis had two of the horses by the
+bridles, and pushing them back on their haunches by main strength,
+succeeded in unseating the riders.
+
+Hal and Chester pounced upon the two unhorsed men, and had their weapons
+before they could make a move to defend themselves. Alexis, still
+holding to the two horses, called upon the lads to cover the third
+rider, who seemed about to make a dash for liberty.
+
+Hal was quick to obey.
+
+"One move," he said quietly, as he pointed his newly-acquired revolver
+squarely at the third man, "and you are a dead man."
+
+The latter raised his hands above his head. While Hal kept him covered,
+Chester advanced and relieved him of his weapons. Then he ordered him to
+dismount.
+
+Alexis now approached with the other two horses, one of which he turned
+over to Chester. Hal took the third horse.
+
+"We are sorry to be forced to do this," said Hal to the men whose horses
+they had appropriated, "but necessity knows no law. We need these
+animals worse than you do; therefore, we take them."
+
+"We are thankful," said one of the men, "that you have spared our
+lives."
+
+Quickly the three friends leaped into their saddles, and spurred their
+horses onward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+ATTACKED.
+
+
+For several hours the friends rode along the narrow mountain pass
+without incident. They stopped once at a little mountain stream to
+quench their thirst and to allow their horses to drink. Then they rode
+on again.
+
+Rounding a sharp turn in the road, they came squarely upon half a dozen
+riders, all attired in Austrian uniforms. Hal realized their peril and
+acted upon the instant.
+
+"Quick!" he shouted to his two friends. "Ride them down!"
+
+The Austrians were no less surprised than the three friends at this
+unexpected encounter; but they also acted quickly. They reined in their
+horses and drew their swords and revolvers.
+
+But before they had time to bring their revolvers to bear, the two lads
+and the huge Cossack were upon them, Hal slightly in the lead.
+
+Hal fired one shot as he swept down upon the foe, but there was no time
+for more. The nine horsemen met with a shock, but the Austrians, being
+motionless, had the worst of it. The momentum of the horses ridden by
+the two lads and the Cossack carried them through.
+
+"Ride!" shouted Hal, as they burst through the enemy.
+
+It was no time for fighting if it could be avoided, and the lads
+realized it. All three put spurs to their horses and dashed down the
+road, rounding a bend just as the Austrians, having recovered, fired.
+None was hit.
+
+"This is one time where discretion is the better part of valor," panted
+Hal to his friends, who were riding close beside him. "We'll run for
+it."
+
+The Austrians quickly turned their horses and dashed on in pursuit.
+
+Hal, glancing back, saw that the enemy was not gaining, and reported
+this to his friends. Thus encouraged, they urged their mounts even
+faster, and before long had drawn out of sight of the pursuers. But at
+the very moment they seemed to be safe, Chester's horse stumbled and
+fell, hurling the lad headlong.
+
+Quickly the others drew up and rushed to his assistance. The lad was not
+badly hurt, and was soon able to stand. Then, from the rear, came the
+sounds of their pursuers.
+
+"We can't stand here," cried Hal. "Quick, Chester! Into this clump of
+trees."
+
+Chester did as told and Alexis followed him. Hal, however, seizing the
+two horses that were standing led them in between the trees. Then he
+sprang to the side of the fallen animal. Grasping him by the head, he
+succeeded in getting him to his feet and under cover just before the
+Austrians came into sight. A minute later the Austrians swept by.
+
+Hal breathed a sigh of relief.
+
+"Pretty close," he said quietly. "Now let's get out of here by the other
+side."
+
+Leading the two horses they started on. Five minutes later there loomed
+up through the trees what appeared to be a barn. They advanced toward
+it. Not a soul was about, but they proceeded cautiously for they did not
+wish to walk into a trap.
+
+Hal tried the door to the barn. It was locked. Alexis soon remedied
+this, however. One quick twitch of his wrist and the lock came off. Hal
+went in, and started back with a cry of surprise.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester.
+
+"Matter?" repeated Hal. "Look!"
+
+He stepped back and Chester peered over his shoulder.
+
+"Automobiles!" he said in astonishment
+
+It was true. Inside the shed were four large touring cars.
+
+"What on earth can they be doing here, I wonder," said Chester.
+
+"I haven't the faintest idea," replied Hal, "but if we can find any
+petrol I should say it is a lucky find for us."
+
+He made a rapid inspection of the shed, and stopped at the far end with
+a low whistle.
+
+"What is it now?" demanded Chester.
+
+"Petrol," replied Hal. "Gallons and gallons of it. Now what do you
+suppose it is here for?"
+
+"That doesn't concern us," said Chester dryly. "We'll fill up the tank
+of one of these cars and get away."
+
+Quickly this was done, and the car was run out the door. Chester climbed
+into the rear seat and motioned for Alexis to follow him. Alexis
+hesitated.
+
+"I've never been in one of those things," he said slowly. "Now, a horse
+is all right. I know all about a horse. But I don't know anything about
+these things."
+
+"Never mind that," said Chester. "Get in here quick. Those Austrians are
+likely to be back any minute and we must hurry."
+
+Alexis climbed in, plainly not without trepidation, and sank back in one
+of the comfortable seats. Hal already had taken his place at the wheel,
+and slowly the large machine moved forward.
+
+"I wonder," said Hal to Chester, "whether we can go down these passes
+safely."
+
+"Where a machine has gone once, another may go," said Chester calmly.
+"Besides, if you'll notice, there is a well-defined track ahead of you,
+and unless I am much mistaken, it goes not toward the road but away from
+it."
+
+"By Jove!" replied Hal. "You are right. Now I wonder how that happens."
+
+Gradually the car gathered speed, until it was traveling along at a good
+gait. Hal did not wish to go too fast, for he was not familiar with the
+roads, and besides, the steep grade also precluded this.
+
+Night fell. Hal stopped the car long enough to light the searchlights.
+
+"They may betray our presence," he said, "but if I don't light them we
+are likely to go into a ditch."
+
+The car crept along slowly during the night hours, and morning found
+them still in the mountains. With the coming of dawn, however, Hal put
+on more speed, and by noon they were once more on the plains of Galicia.
+Then Hal "let her out."
+
+Suddenly the machine flashed by a body of troops. Hal swerved to one
+side of the road just in time to avoid running into them. Chester caught
+a glimpse of their uniforms.
+
+"Russians!" he called to Hal.
+
+"Are you sure?" the latter called back.
+
+"Sure," replied Chester.
+
+Hal reduced the speed of the car.
+
+"In that event I'll slow down," he said.
+
+The car went along now at a more moderate pace; but once again on a road
+clear of troops, the speed was increased. They made several stops along
+the route, and it was late the following afternoon when they recognized
+the familiar minarets of Lodz. Half an hour later the lads were admitted
+to the presence of the Grand Duke, Alexis remaining outside in the
+automobile.
+
+Hal made his report to the Grand Duke clearly and concisely.
+
+"I feared as much," said the Russian commander-in-chief, when the lad
+had finished. "You have done well, however. You will rejoin your
+regiment as soon as convenient."
+
+At this moment Count de Reslau appeared in the Grand Duke's tent. He did
+not at first notice the presence of the two lads, and bowed to the
+Russian commander.
+
+"Your Excellency----" he began.
+
+At that moment his eyes rested on Hal and Chester and a look of surprise
+and consternation passed over his face.
+
+"You here?" he cried.
+
+Hal and Chester bowed.
+
+"Yes, sir," said the latter quietly.
+
+The Grand Duke turned to the count with a smile.
+
+"And they have successfully performed their mission," he said. "But it
+is even as I have feared. Brunnoi will support Austria. And what is
+worse, my plans are being learned by at least one of his agents and sent
+to the Austrian general staff."
+
+"Impossible!" exclaimed the count, who had now regained his composure.
+He turned to the two lads. "Certainly," he said, "when I saw you last I
+did not expect that you would ever return here. It was a hazardous
+mission the Duke sent you on. Are you sure your information is
+authentic?"
+
+"Perfectly," replied Hal calmly. "Brunnoi himself was our informer."
+
+"In that case," said the count with a shrug of his shoulders, "you must
+be right."
+
+He turned, and with a few brief words to the Grand Duke, left the tent.
+The lads talked for some moments with the Russian commander-in-chief,
+and then left the tent, informing him that they would join their
+regiment the following day. Outside, they climbed again into the
+automobile and Hal drove the car to the house where they had left
+Marquis.
+
+The dog was overjoyed at seeing his friends again. His tail wagged
+fiercely and he barked with gladness, insisting upon kissing all three,
+in spite of their protests.
+
+"Down, Marquis!" cried Hal with a laugh. "Do you want to eat us up. Now
+what do you say, sir, will you be glad to rejoin your regiment
+to-morrow?"
+
+"Yes! Yes!" barked Marquis.
+
+"Good!" said Chester. "But we will leave you here while we get something
+to eat. Then we will come back and get you."
+
+The three left the house, and made their way to the nearest restaurant,
+where they ordered a sumptuous meal. It had been long days since they
+had tasted food in plenty, and they ate hungrily. It was almost dark
+when they left the restaurant and started after Marquis.
+
+As they passed down a side street, five men armed with long knives
+sprang out upon them. The three friends were caught off their guard by
+the suddenness of the attack, and in spite of the fact that they drew
+their swords, for they were again in uniform, their assailants pressed
+them sorely. A sword thrust pierced Hal in the arm, and his weapon fell
+to the ground. He drew his revolver with his left hand, however, and
+fired point-blank at his adversary. His aim was true, and there was one
+enemy less.
+
+At the same moment Chester ran his opponent through, and Alexis brought
+another to the ground. The other two turned and fled.
+
+"I wonder what that was for?" said Chester, brushing himself off.
+
+"I can't imagine why we should have been attacked," declared Hal.
+
+He broke off; for at that moment he espied a figure standing in a nearby
+doorway; eyeing them evilly. Hal caught Chester by the arm, and pointed
+to the figure.
+
+"There is the answer," he said quietly.
+
+Chester gazed in the direction indicated. Then, with a sudden cry, both
+boys dashed toward the doorway.
+
+For the man they saw, with a sneer curving his lips, wore a long,
+flowing, white beard and a military uniform.
+
+He was Brunnoi, chief of the Hungarian bandits!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+A STRANGE DISCOVERY.
+
+
+Seeing that he was discovered, Brunnoi darted from the doorway and tried
+to escape. But he was not quick enough. The lads were upon him in an
+instant, and beneath their weight the bandit chief was hurled to the
+ground. He struggled fiercely, clawing and scratching like a cat; but
+Hal and Chester were too much for him.
+
+Brunnoi finally ceased his struggles and lay quietly in the lads' hands.
+Hal took him by the collar and jerked him to his feet; then, each lad
+taking an arm, they led their prisoner straight to the Grand Duke's
+quarters. They were admitted instantly, and pushing their captive before
+them, they approached the Russian commander-in-chief.
+
+"Whom have you there?" demanded the Grand Duke, looking at the prisoner.
+
+"Brunnoi, sir," replied Hal calmly.
+
+"What!" cried the Grand Duke, springing to his feet. "Is this the bandit
+chief?"
+
+"It is, sir," replied Chester.
+
+"I am Brunnoi," said the bandit calmly. "You have me. What will you do
+with me?"
+
+"You shall be shot in the morning!" cried the Grand Duke angrily.
+
+Brunnoi smiled.
+
+"I fear you are mistaken," he said quietly.
+
+The Grand Duke grew very angry.
+
+"You shall be shot at eight o'clock," he said very quietly. "You have
+already caused me much trouble. I can't afford to let you escape."
+
+He summoned a guard of an officer and ten men, and turned the bandit
+chief over to them, with orders that he be shot in the morning at eight
+o'clock.
+
+As Brunnoi was led by the three lads, he smiled at them.
+
+"I will see you later," he said calmly.
+
+The Grand Duke thanked the lads for their important capture, and then,
+with Alexis, they made their way to the house where Marquis was waiting
+for them. They were given connecting rooms and were soon in bed.
+
+Tired out they slept heavily. Therefore, while they had expected to
+arise before eight o'clock, nine found them still sleeping. They were
+awakened at last, however, by the sounds of a commotion in the adjoining
+room.
+
+The two lads sat up in bed and listened intently. Heavy footsteps
+tramped toward their door and it was thrown open with a quick jerk.
+
+Hal and Chester uttered exclamations of surprise. Confronting them, in
+the doorway, was the smiling face of Brunnoi, who was to have been put
+to death an hour before. In his hand he held two revolvers, covering the
+lads.
+
+"You see I have kept my word," he said. "I was not shot."
+
+"How did you escape?" demanded Hal, asking the only question he could
+think of at that moment.
+
+"Never mind that," replied the bandit. "Get your clothes on quickly, and
+come with me."
+
+Under the muzzles of the two revolvers, the lads dressed hurriedly. The
+presence of Alexis in the adjoining room--the giant lying completely
+covered up by bed clothes--passed unnoticed. But Alexis, beneath his
+covering, heard what was going on and understood.
+
+"Go out ahead of me," ordered Brunnoi.
+
+He dropped his two revolvers into side pockets, but kept his fingers on
+the trigger of each.
+
+"One false move and I'll drop you," he said quietly. "Now, march!"
+
+Slowly the lads left the room, and Brunnoi followed them; but hardly had
+they disappeared through the door, when Alexis bounded out of bed and
+silently followed.
+
+At the outside door, Brunnoi stepped back to allow his captives to pass
+out first. For an instant he was off his guard. It was Alexis'
+opportunity and he leaped suddenly forward.
+
+Brunnoi heard the sound of the giant's footsteps. He turned quickly, and
+drew his revolvers, but the Cossack's leap was too quick. With a single
+movement he sent both of the weapons from the bandit's hands, and
+reached out to seize him.
+
+Brunnoi was as slippery as an eel. He eluded Alexis' grasp and darted
+through the door. Now without weapons, he took to his heels.
+
+Hal perceived the flying apparition, and reached out a hand to detain
+him. He clutched the flowing white beard of the bandit chief--and the
+beard came away in his hand. Brunnoi fled down the steps and made good
+his escape, Hal being too surprised to move.
+
+Chester and Alexis were equally as astonished.
+
+"Well, what do you think of that?" demanded Chester, in great surprise.
+"A false beard! But I wonder how he escaped from the firing squad."
+
+"It's too deep for me," Hal admitted. "But we had better report this to
+the Grand Duke."
+
+Together they made their way to the quarters of the commander-in-chief.
+The latter listened to their story with interest.
+
+"I have just learned of Brunnoi's escape from the firing squad," he said
+when they had finished their account of their experience with the bandit
+chief. "Count de Reslau, being a Hungarian himself, was greatly
+interested in this Brunnoi. He asked me for a pass to see him, I granted
+this request. The guards saw the count leave the tent after a few
+moments' conversation. But when they went in to lead Brunnoi forth to
+execution, he was gone, and another man was there in his stead. He had
+exchanged places with Brunnoi."
+
+"Have you perfect confidence in Count de Reslau, Your Excellency?" asked
+Hal.
+
+"Absolute confidence," replied the Grand Duke. "Why?"
+
+"No particular reason," replied the lad.
+
+At this moment Count de Reslau himself entered the tent.
+
+"I hear Brunnoi has escaped," was his first remark to the Grand Duke.
+
+"Unfortunately, that is true," replied the Russian commander.
+
+"Strange," said the count. "When I talked to him a couple of hours ago
+he seemed resigned to his fate."
+
+"But," said the Grand Duke, "he paid these lads a visit soon after his
+escape. Following a struggle, he again got away."
+
+The count glanced at the lads incredulously.
+
+"Has it ever occurred to Your Excellency," he said quietly, "that these
+two lads may know more about Brunnoi than they care to admit?"
+
+"What!" exclaimed the Grand Duke.
+
+Hal took a quick step forward.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" he asked calmly.
+
+"You know what I mean," replied the count with a sneer.
+
+He turned again to the Grand Duke. "Has it never occurred to you, Your
+Excellency, that these boys may be associated with the bandit--that they
+may have been leading you on."
+
+"But, but," stammered the Grand Duke, "their mission to the Carpathians.
+Their struggle to get away and their flight. What of those?"
+
+"Mere fiction, I should say," said the count with a shrug of his
+shoulders.
+
+Hal stepped directly in front of the count.
+
+"That is a lie," he said quietly.
+
+The count raised a hand as if to strike him, then thought better of it
+and turned away without a word. Plainly the count's words had made an
+impression upon the Grand Duke. He looked at the two lads closely.
+
+"What have you to say to that charge?" he demanded.
+
+"Nothing," replied Chester, "except that it is too absurd to be given
+credence."
+
+"Absurd," sneered the count. "You brought the bandit here in the first
+place, realizing that it would give you standing with the Grand Duke,
+and knowing all the time that the way had been paved for his escape. If
+you had no hand in his escape, how did you know he had gotten away
+before coming here?"
+
+"He came after us," said Hal, "and would have led us away had it not
+been for Alexis."
+
+"Absurd," said the count again and turned to the Grand Duke. "You see,"
+he said, "how foolish that is. You should have concocted a better
+story," he added to Hal.
+
+Now the Count de Reslau was one of the Grand Duke's closest friends,
+and, as the Duke had said, he had implicit confidence in him. It was
+only natural, therefore, that he should be impressed with his reasoning.
+
+He advanced upon the two lads, and pointed an accusing finger at each.
+
+"The count is right!" he exclaimed in a loud voice. "I can see it all!
+You are traitors! I would have sworn by your honor in spite of the short
+time I have known you. You have rendered me, I still believe, valuable
+service; but you have caused me to play into the hands of the enemy in
+other matters."
+
+"Your Excellency," said Chester, stepping forward. "Count de Reslau
+possibly means well, but he is badly mistaken. His reasoning is at
+fault. We are innocent of this charge."
+
+"You deny it?" fairly shouted the Duke.
+
+"Of course they deny it," said the count. "It is hardly probable they
+would admit being traitors and spies."
+
+"I understand perfectly," declared Nicholas as he stepped to the door of
+his tent.
+
+"Orderly," he called, "summon the corporal and ten men."
+
+He stepped back into the tent and turned upon the two lads angrily.
+
+"You shall see how we treat traitors in Russia," he said.
+
+An officer and ten men now strode into the tent. The Grand Duke waved
+his hands toward the two lads.
+
+"Take them out and shoot them immediately."
+
+The officer advanced toward the lads.
+
+"Your Excellency!" exclaimed Hal, stepping forward.
+
+"Enough!" cried the Grand Duke. "I will be trifled with no longer.
+Officer, do your duty!"
+
+The guards surrounded the boys, and they were marched from the tent.
+
+Count de Reslau smiled to himself as they were led away, and turned to
+the Grand Duke.
+
+"Let us go out and watch the proceedings," he said.
+
+"Very well," agreed the Grand Duke, and they hurried after the firing
+squad and the prisoners.
+
+The lads stood facing their would-be executioners when the Grand Duke
+and Count de Reslau appeared. At that moment, Hal felt something in his
+pocket that gave him a sudden thrill.
+
+"I am going to take one last chance," he said to Chester. To the Duke he
+called: "Your Excellency, may I make a last request?"
+
+The Grand Duke nodded an assent.
+
+"I would say once more, Your Excellency," said Hal, "that we are
+innocent. But," he paused, "I can produce Brunnoi himself!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE MYSTERY CLEARED.
+
+
+Chester stared in astonishment at his friend. Had he gone mad and taken
+this means of staying their execution?
+
+The Grand Duke staggered back a step, and Count de Reslau smiled
+incredulously.
+
+"Have I your permission to do so, Your Excellency?" asked Hal.
+
+The Grand Duke waved his hand.
+
+"You shall have three minutes to produce him," he said angrily.
+
+"Good!" said Hal. "It will require even less."
+
+His right hand was in his pocket. Suddenly it flashed forth, and with it
+something white. Straight toward Count de Reslau the lad sprang, and
+before the latter could leap out of the way Hal grasped him firmly by
+the back of the neck with his left hand, and with his right clapped a
+long, flowing white beard to his face. Then with a twist, he whirled him
+so that he faced the Grand Duke.
+
+"Behold Brunnoi, chief of the bandits!" he cried.
+
+The Grand Duke staggered back again, and put one hand to his eyes.
+
+"Impossible!" he exclaimed.
+
+But he was forced to believe what his eyes saw. Count de Reslau and
+Brunnoi, the bandit chief, were one and the same man. There could be no
+doubt of that.
+
+In vain did the bandit struggle to free himself from Hal's firm grasp.
+The lad clung to him tightly in spite of all his efforts. Then,
+realizing that the Grand Duke must be convinced, he dropped the beard to
+the ground and stepped back while half a dozen rifles covered the count.
+
+The Grand Duke, with a wave of his arm, instructed the officer in
+command of the firing squad to release the two lads. Then he ordered him
+to conduct the bandit chief to his quarters, and motioned the lads to
+follow. Inside the tent the Grand Duke turned upon his false friend.
+
+"De Reslau," he said, addressing the prisoner, "we have been friends,
+and for that reason I am offering you a chance to make a satisfactory
+explanation--if you can."
+
+"I have nothing to say," replied the prisoner.
+
+"Will you tell me how you have conducted your operations?"
+
+The bandit did not reply and Hal stepped forward.
+
+"Your Excellency," he said, "I believe I can rehearse it from beginning
+to end. The count probably will correct me if I am wrong."
+
+The Grand Duke ordered him to proceed.
+
+"Well," said Hal, "the count knew of our mission. We went horseback, but
+the count, being prepared for these rapid journeys, proceeded by
+automobile."
+
+The bandit chief glanced at the lad in surprise.
+
+"How did you know that?" he demanded.
+
+"We stumbled upon your automobile garage in the mountains," said Hal
+quietly. "Of course, when we returned, the count was waiting for us. Why
+he left us behind alive when he came back here, I don't know, but I now
+remember how greatly surprised the count was to see us back safely.
+Immediately he planned to get us out of the way. Hence the attack the
+other night, in which we were fortunate enough to capture him."
+
+"But the escape?" demanded the Grand Duke. "How did he escape?"
+
+"Very simple," replied Hal. "The man to whom you gave the pass to see
+the prisoner was of course not Count de Reslau, but a man made up to
+resemble him. Am I right, count?"
+
+"Yes," replied the bandit. "I have kept him near me for that very
+purpose. He had his orders that in the event I was ever arrested, he
+would make up to resemble me."
+
+"Exactly," continued Hal. "Once alone with the prisoner the rest was
+easy. He removed his disguise, and Brunnoi removed his. Brunnoi came out
+as Count de Reslau, and the other man stayed. Naturally, the first thing
+the count thought of when he was free was to dispose of Chester and
+myself. Hence his call this morning. As he escaped from Alexis I
+succeeded in pulling off his beard. That's all there is to it."
+
+"And now," demanded the bandit chief, "what are you going to do with
+me?"
+
+"There is but one thing I can do with you," replied the Grand Duke. "The
+fate of Count de Reslau shall be the same as that already pronounced for
+Brunnoi, the bandit. You shall be shot within the hour. Personal
+friendship shall not keep me from doing my duty. Officer, see that my
+command is carried out."
+
+The guard closed in about Count de Reslau and he was led away. Then the
+Grand Duke Nicholas, commander-in-chief of the Russian armies, sank into
+a chair, and buried his face in his arms on the table. Quietly the lads
+left the tent.
+
+"By Jove!" exclaimed Chester, as they walked along, "you spotted de
+Reslau just in time. Another moment and it would have been too late.
+Tell me, how did you happen to hit it?"
+
+"Ever since I pulled Brunnoi's beard off this morning," replied Hal,
+"another face has kept flashing into my mind. I could not make it out
+clearly until just as we stood before the firing squad. Then I saw it as
+plain as day."
+
+"It's lucky for us that you did," said Chester with enthusiasm. "But
+here comes Alexis. He'll be glad to know that Brunnoi has been disposed
+of."
+
+And he was.
+
+"But you make much over a small matter," he said.
+
+"Small matter!" exclaimed Chester. "I should say that proving Brunnoi
+and Count de Reslau were one and the same person was quite a big
+matter."
+
+"If you had asked me," returned Alexis calmly, "I could have told you
+that several days ago."
+
+"You could?" cried both lads in a single voice.
+
+"Of course. I knew it right along. You see, my eyes are unusually keen.
+I remember once how this keen sight proved of great advantage. We were
+on a raid. The officer in command, using his glasses, could not quite
+make out objects moving some miles away. He called upon me. My eyes,
+being far more powerful than the glass, showed me plainly what was going
+on, and we were thus kept from falling into a trap. Then I remember
+another case----"
+
+"One is enough," said Hal dryly. "If you knew Brunnoi and Count de
+Reslau were the same person, why didn't you say so?"
+
+"Why," said Alexis in no wise disconcerted, "I didn't see that it made
+any difference."
+
+"Then your sight is not so good after all," said Chester. "But what are
+we going to do now, Hal?"
+
+"Well," said Hal, "I guess we might as well go get Marquis and return to
+our regiment. Our work here is done."
+
+The dog was indeed glad to accompany his three friends forth once more,
+and so, procuring three fiery chargers, the trio set out to rejoin their
+regiment at the front--some miles to the west of the city of Lodz.
+
+Most of the officers of the regiment to which the three were attached
+had been killed in the previous battle, and so when they finally reached
+it, Alexis found that instead of being a lieutenant he had become a
+captain.
+
+"You see," he told the boys confidentially, "a brave man always comes
+into his own. You will see how these fellows fight with me at their
+head. They will be a whole lot different, I can tell you."
+
+The Russians had intrenched themselves along the entire front, as had
+the Germans only a short distance away. During the days in which the
+lads had been in the midst of the Carpathians, there had been only
+skirmishing between the opposing forces. Long range artillery duels
+raged incessantly; but there had been little work for the cavalry and
+infantry.
+
+There had of course been several charges and counter charges, but the
+advantage rested with neither side. The Russian troops, in spite of the
+cold weather, made themselves comfortable in the trenches, wrapped to
+the chin in their heavy sheepskin garments. Used to severe winter
+weather, the Russian troops did not fare as badly as did the Germans,
+who suffered severely.
+
+The lads' regiment was stationed near the center of the long line of
+battle. Preparations for a movement of some sort were being made on all
+sides. Troops were being hurried here and there, and officers dashed
+hither and yon. Occasionally the men burst into song; while from the
+German trenches came the chanting of the "Watch on the Rhine." The men
+of both armies were making the best of the situation, and seemed
+reasonably happy.
+
+From his pocket one of the Russian officers now produced a pack of
+cards. Alexis, invited to take a hand, consented, but Hal and Chester
+refused.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded the officer. "Are you too good to play
+cards?"
+
+"Not a bit," smiled Hal. "We simply don't care to play, that's all. We
+do play occasionally, for pastime, but we don't gamble."
+
+"Don't gamble!" exclaimed the officer. "How can you play cards if you
+don't gamble. Come on now, we need two more players."
+
+"No," said Hal, decidedly. "We shall have to ask you to excuse us."
+
+Even Alexis glanced at the lads in astonishment. Plainly this was beyond
+his comprehension, as gambling among the Cossacks is an ordinary
+pastime. But the other officer was not satisfied. He arose and came
+directly up to Hal.
+
+"You must play with us," he said.
+
+"I am sorry," replied Hal, "but we do not care to play."
+
+"Afraid, eh?" said the Russian.
+
+"No," replied Hal, "we are not afraid. We simply don't care to play."
+
+"You are cowards," said the Russian, and jostled Hal with his shoulder.
+
+Hal stood his ground and refused to be pushed aside. The Russian reached
+out a thumb and finger and pulled Hal's nose. Then he staggered back,
+for Hal had sent his fist crashing against his chest.
+
+Quickly the Russian officer drew his sword and sprang upon the lad, who
+also drew his weapon and stood on guard. But now Alexis leaped to his
+feet, and his own sword struck up the weapons of the others.
+
+"Enough of this," he said sternly. "Put up your swords."
+
+"I have no desire to fight," replied Hal calmly.
+
+"I know you haven't," sneered the Russian. "You are afraid. But I demand
+satisfaction for that blow."
+
+"Well," said Alexis, "if you must fight, let it be with fists."
+
+"Any way suits me," said the Russian.
+
+"If he insists on a fight, I am willing to give it to him," said Hal,
+and quickly threw off his coat.
+
+The Russian also discarded his heavy coat, and the two squared off. It
+was perfectly plain to Hal that the Russian, although considerably
+larger than himself, was no boxer, and he had little doubt of the
+outcome, for the lad was proficient in the use of his fists.
+
+The Russian came forward with a rush. Hal sidestepped neatly, and the
+huge fist passed by harmlessly. Hal sent a quick sharp blow to the
+Russian's cheek, staggering him a bit. The latter turned and again
+rushed at the lad.
+
+Quite a crowd had now collected around the combatants and watched the
+contest eagerly. As the Russian rushed at him this time, Hal struck up
+the blow with his left forearm, and stepping in close planted his right
+over his opponent's heart. The Russian staggered back, and at the same
+time Hal sent a series of left and right jabs to his opponent's face.
+
+But the Russian, recovering, bored in again, striking out wildly at the
+lad. The latter gave a clever exhibition of footwork, and not a single
+blow landed. At the same time he continued to tap the Russian lightly on
+either side of the face.
+
+Suddenly the Russian lowered his hands and stepped back.
+
+"I quit," he said, smiling foolishly. "There is no use trying to hit a
+man when he runs away all the time. Now with swords or pistols----"
+
+"There will be no swords or pistols used while I am here to prevent it,"
+exclaimed Alexis.
+
+At that very instant the clear call of a bugle sounded in the Russian
+trenches. Quickly all personal animosities were forgotten, and the men
+sprang to their posts.
+
+It was the signal for an advance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE ATTACK.
+
+
+The reconnoitering cavalry of the advancing forces gave way to groups of
+infantry, scattered in loose formation, feeling their way toward the
+German trenches. The points and small flanking parties of the advance
+guards, in front of each column of advance, crept along with straining
+eyes in search of the enemy's line of observation.
+
+A few hundred yards to the rearward the supports advanced alertly, ready
+to scatter into a thin line of skirmishers at the first shot and rush
+ahead to where the points halted. In the rear of them the infantry
+columns, with one rumble of artillery close to the front, moved and
+halted, as the thin line to the front paused for a moment to scan ahead,
+then pushed on again.
+
+Out of the stillness of the dew-dripping woods in front, the shot came.
+There was no reply for a moment, then two or three closer reports rang
+loud in reply; then there came another pause, and as the hurrying
+supports deployed and flung themselves behind the nearest cover, in
+momentary scanning before pushing ahead to investigate decisively, there
+came a short, ragged volley from out ahead.
+
+The reports were flat and dull, as a rule, but a few cracked viciously
+as though fired close at hand. These last followed the vacuum of
+low-flying bullets and had a spat and twang of their own.
+
+For weeks these two armies had been facing each other; for a week
+assault had wrestled with counter assault and the armies had striven
+time after time to snatch an advantage from a massing of columns, or a
+seeming check.
+
+For miles to right and left, every road, every footpath, every few yards
+of broken ground was trodden by the feet of short columns, prepared to
+charge into lines at the needed moment, when the fire of the enemy
+became a menace. The trenches were abandoned in the rear, yet should the
+columns in the rear, which by the heads formed a long, long line of
+supports, be hurled back in repulse after an unsuccessful attack, the
+trenches would be greeted as comfortable old friends and reoccupied.
+
+The leading columns deployed into thin lines, with short intervals
+between the men, as the shrapnel broke. From out the blur of the
+mingling of landscape and sky there came, simultaneously, a whir, a
+crash, and the quick dash of shrapnel balls over the ground, and of the
+brief flash which marked the shrapnel's burst there remained only a
+dimly-seen lingering cloud of dirty smoke and some silent, writhing
+forms on the ground.
+
+Then came crash after crash, as the hostile artillery opened in
+strength. The silence of the morning fled into a hideous din as the
+infantry broke into a dog trot and pushed ahead.
+
+There came a clank of trace chains and the pounding of hoofs mingling
+with hoarse commands as the artillery of the Russians wheeled out of
+column to position in battery, the ring of hastily-opened breechblocks,
+the hollow thump of the blocks closing and the shrill notes of a silvery
+whistle. Then the earth began to tremble.
+
+Thunderbolt after thunderbolt seemed to be discharging close in the
+rear, until the very trees shook and men swayed under the compression of
+air in the vicinity. Over the heads of the silent infantry, shrapnel
+shrieked in reply, one after another, as the batteries opened with
+salvos from flank to flank.
+
+Through the gaps between the belching batteries poured the infantry, the
+columns dashing forward until, beneath the trajectory of the guns, it
+was safe to spread out in the always thin line of the infantry advance.
+The leading lines pushed on till they disappeared in the yet dim light,
+and at a short distance behind them came others, until it seemed that
+the end would never come, and that a hurrying city was passing.
+
+Ahead, the leading infantry line, absorbing the scattered men of the
+first light contact line, halted at command under the mounting rifle
+fire of the enemy, halted and flung itself prone, while ready hands
+reached backward for intrenching tools, and the line scraped, clawed,
+scooped and burrowed into the fresh earth in shallow pits, and went
+about its business of returning the German fire.
+
+Then a second thin line ran up and merged with the first. Again shovel
+and small mattock came into play and the volume of fire redoubled. Above
+the cracking of the rifles the only sounds to be heard were the sharp
+whistles of the officers. They shrilled in a variety of notes and
+combinations, yet with an understood speech of their own, for in parts
+of the line the fire slackened and two or three men left their shelter
+and crept forward a few paces; or, crouching down low, dashed ahead
+until the whistles spoke again.
+
+Intrenching tool again; then fire. That was the order of the advance.
+More men crept or rushed to the new position to dig themselves into the
+ground and open fire, until the entire line had advanced a few yards
+under the hostile shots and a new line occupied the shelter trenches
+recently abandoned.
+
+Here and there lay quiet forms across the path of advance. The hardy
+bodies in the well-fitting uniforms seemed pitilessly small and their
+clothing hung in baggy folds. Their comrades passed them by with hardly
+a glance. The litter sections were far to the rear, for their time was
+not yet. Duty called for assault, not for succor.
+
+The thunder of the contending batteries continued. Over the hastily
+carved trenches the hostile shrapnel scorched their way, singing along
+with a note of wild rage, searching the crevasses and folds of the
+ground and scoring the earth.
+
+But the Russian infantry still advanced.
+
+Quietly filling the gaps that had grown in the firing line since the
+attack commenced, the supporting lines came to the front. Each accession
+of reenforcements seemed to give an added impetus to the forward
+movement, for upon the arrival of each fresh contingent the line surged
+ahead like breakers on a coast, and, like the incoming tide, each surge
+left its mark higher upon the strand.
+
+With a calmness which bespoke experience, despite the light of battle
+which blazed in their eyes, the new men brought and distributed fresh
+bandoliers of ammunition to those who had gone before, then took their
+places alongside to aid in its expenditure. The lines were not straight.
+They zigzagged a trifle. There was no time for chalk-mark adjustment or
+inspection, and the moment a panting body struck the ground after a
+forward rush, the earth began to fly on the spot beneath the chop of the
+trench-digging tools, and the hot rifles to speak.
+
+Men growled, muttered and shouted. Under the fighting fog that beset
+each one in its own way, there came snatches of song, humming and
+whistling. There were those, too, who fought silently, as though deeply
+wrapped in thought, and there was bickering when a hasty comrade crowded
+too close for free operation of the flying breechbolts; yet the faces
+were ever turned to the front, except when they turned to the sky or the
+earth, and nerveless hands fell sprawling with half-emptied rifles.
+
+Where officers, binoculars in hand, bent hastily to the line, men
+detached themselves at intervals, and clawing at their belts, seized the
+wire cutters pendant there and crawled forward. Now and then one of the
+creeping ones would spring into the air and topple over, but the rest,
+apparently paying no heed, continued on their way toward where the
+Germans had erected wire entanglements to hold the stormers under the
+blast of the enemy's fire.
+
+Ahead, the trenches of the Germans crackled and spat with fury, and even
+under the ceaseless rain of shrapnel from above the assaulting lines the
+enemy kept his place. The firing line had thickened until it was a solid
+mass, one man deep, and in the rear line after line had sprung to its
+feet and was closing up in support to the crucial assault. At the
+trenches of the defenders, batteries, with horses falling and being cut
+away in an instant, dashed to the line, unlimbered and poured in their
+scattering salutations of zero shrapnel to the men in front.
+
+Came a clank and rattle of bayonets snapped onto the muzzles of the
+assaulting line; then, with a last frenzied emptying of magazines, the
+lines sprang to foot, and with hoarse voices screeching at top note, the
+slender line charged forward.
+
+The trenches were lined with the defenders in an instant. The rifle fire
+redoubled in intensity and the artillery, which had come up to stem the
+tide, or assault when the supporting batteries of the attack were
+compelled to hold their fire for fear of obliterating their own
+attacking lines, barked at four-second intervals, opening great gaps in
+the racing line at every discharge.
+
+In rear of the supporting lines of the assault, which were closing up at
+a dead run, galloped the batteries which were to make a rallying point
+in case the assault failed, or occupy the trenches, should the defenders
+be driven out, and the cannoneers clutched the side rails as the pieces
+swayed and rocked across the rough ground and clustered bodies which
+strewed the field.
+
+At the crest of the parapet the lines, attack and defense met with a
+ring of steel. Bayonets flashed, darted, parried and struck. Rifle butts
+whirled above bare heads and the stocks crashed down through bone and
+flesh. From both sides came a rain of hand grenades, bombs which
+exploded upon touch. From the rear of the trenches there came running
+formed troops, to assist in the repulse of the Russians, and as the
+supporting lines of the attack threw themselves into the fray, the
+whirling, struggling, fighting lines on the trenches' top thickened and
+swayed.
+
+The line sagged, bulged, trembled, and broke in huge gaps. Into the
+splaying breaches there rushed fresh troops from front and rear, and the
+lines thickened and swayed again. Men discarded their arms to lock in
+one another's embrace, fighting to the last.
+
+The din was deafening, yet above it there rang out the detonation and
+shock of a great explosion, where a delayed mine belched upward under
+the pressure of the hastening troops coming up with the attacking
+reserve. Earth, stones, wire entanglements, arms and men shot upward in
+a dense geyser of death, and came down in the midst of the fierce
+fighting.
+
+Then the line broke again, and the shattered reserves of the attack,
+summoning the last resources, poured into the breach with bayonet and
+magazine.
+
+The defense gave way.
+
+Crumpled under the last despairing hurling of last reserves, the
+entrenched line shuddered along its length, then the line lost its
+cohesion, stood irresolute for a moment, then fled precipitately to the
+rear.
+
+The whistles of the Russian officers blew again and again. Officers had
+fallen until corporals and sergeants commanded platoons and companies;
+yet they, too, had their whistles and knew their duties; and out of the
+scramble of the attack, regardless of company, regiment or brigade, the
+Russians fell into rough line, knelt, and opened fire upon the routed
+enemy, while the supporting batteries dashed to the trenches, unlimbered
+and belched fire and iron into the fleeing mass.
+
+The standards of the Russians, which had changed hands a dozen times,
+during the course of the assault, were planted on the works; the troops
+themselves, exhausted and spent by the might and fury of their efforts,
+threw themselves into tired heaps as other brigades came up to hold the
+position.
+
+The trenches were won!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE DEATH OF A FRIEND.
+
+
+Hal, Chester and Alexis had been in the midst of the fray, where the
+fighting was the thickest. Not in the first line of attack, they had
+advanced with the first reserves. And beside them, snapping, biting and
+snarling, strode Marquis.
+
+Now the herculean prowess of the giant Cossack stood them all in good
+stead. More than once Hal or Chester would have gone down, or been
+trampled under foot by the troops behind, had not the quick eye of
+Alexis signaled out their danger and his powerful arm come to their aid.
+Guarding himself perfectly from the sword and bayonet thrusts of the
+enemy, after the fighting became hand to hand, the Cossack fought like a
+madman, as did others of his race, hurling himself upon his foes with
+almost superhuman ferocity.
+
+For the first time the two lads had the experience of digging trenches
+as they advanced upon the enemy, and in spite of the fact that they were
+officers, they did not shirk the work. Just before reaching the parapet,
+the first line of reserves--to which the friends were attached--joined
+the original first line and sprang into the trenches together.
+
+There they fought with desperation. Not a word was exchanged between
+them, although they fought side by side. There was no time for
+conversation. The press was too thick, and death too near.
+
+But now that the Germans had turned to flee, the Russians sent up a wild
+cry of triumph. Hal, Chester and Alexis rested upon their weapons,
+watching the troops pour a hail of lead into the flying foe. Marquis
+advanced several paces ahead of the farthest Russian troops, stood up on
+his hind legs and let out a bark of joy. Bullets flew around him, and
+Chester, realizing the dog's danger, whistled sharply. Marquis turned
+and wagged his tail at his friend, and opened his mouth in one more
+joyful bark.
+
+It was at that moment that a German bullet struck him. Without a sound
+the noble animal crumpled up and fell to the ground. The ball had
+pierced his throat. But life was not extinct. Marquis struggled to his
+feet, and dragged himself toward Hal and Chester, who, having seen him
+fall, dashed toward him.
+
+Gently Chester lifted Marquis' heavy weight up in his arms, holding him
+so that the blood would not flow so rapidly from the gaping wound in his
+throat. Marquis looked up into the lad's face, and uttered a low,
+painful bark. His tail wagged.
+
+Quickly the lads hurried back to Alexis and as quickly sought out a
+surgeon. Chester laid Marquis gently on the ground, and the surgeon bent
+over him. After a brief examination he arose and shook his head.
+
+"No hope," he said quietly. "The bullet pierced his jugular vein."
+
+"Isn't there something you can do?" pleaded Chester, tears streaming
+down his face.
+
+The surgeon shook his head sadly.
+
+"Nothing," he said, and hurried away.
+
+Chester picked Marquis up again, and followed by Hal and Alexis, made
+his way toward the rear, where the troops were more scattered, and where
+there was none to bother them. Hal drew off his coat, and Chester laid
+the dog on it.
+
+Marquis did not whimper. He, as well as his three friends, seemed to
+know that death was not far off, and he was prepared to meet the end
+bravely, as a soldier-dog should. He turned slightly and licked
+Chester's hand that lay upon his head. Chester patted him gently, but he
+was beyond words.
+
+Alexis extended a huge hand and softly stroked the dog's soft body.
+
+"Poor fellow!" he said to himself.
+
+Marquis' keen ears caught these words, and he turned feebly toward the
+giant Cossack, and strained slightly toward him. At the same time he
+slowly raised a paw. Chester saw the movement.
+
+"He wants to shake hands with you, Alexis," he said brokenly.
+
+The giant drew nearer, and gravely took Marquis' right paw in his great
+hand. Once, twice, three times he shook it gently, then laid it upon the
+ground and turned away. Marquis moved restlessly, and uttered a short
+bark. He was trying to see Hal, who was kneeling behind him.
+
+Hal arose and came around. To him also Marquis extended his paw, and Hal
+grasped it and pressed it. Then, shifting his position slightly, the dog
+also extended the paw to Chester. He seemed to know well that the end
+was swiftly approaching, and he wished to shake hands with all his
+friends before he passed away.
+
+Now the three gathered about the head of their dying friend. Alexis
+clenched his great fists and spoke to Marquis.
+
+"I shall see that you are avenged," he said fiercely. "Twenty German
+lives will not pay for this day's work, but I'll do the best I can. Do
+you understand, Marquis?"
+
+Marquis' tail beat a weak tattoo upon the ground, and he barked feebly.
+He understood.
+
+"I'll do it!" said Alexis. "You may rest assured of that."
+
+Now the end was fast approaching. Marquis' breath came in quick gasps.
+Suddenly he staggered to his feet, stood upright a second, turned his
+face toward the distant enemy, and gave utterance to one sharp bark--a
+bark of defiance. Then he sank to the ground.
+
+His three friends dropped to their knees and bent over him. He looked up
+into their faces and it seemed to all that he smiled at them. His tail
+struck the ground feebly, once, twice. He shook once with a silent
+convulsion. Then his body straightened out and stiffened. He lay still.
+
+Marquis was dead.
+
+His three friends rose slowly to their feet, and lifted their caps from
+their heads.
+
+"Good old Marquis!" said Hal. "But he died as a soldier should!"
+
+"Yes," said Chester, "and with almost his last breath he breathed
+defiance to the Germans, whom he hated."
+
+"There wasn't a better or braver soldier in the Russian army," said
+Alexis. "We must bury him with honors."
+
+"We shall!" cried Chester.
+
+"I am somewhat handy with a knife," said Alexis. "I shall carve him a
+little monument."
+
+"And he shall be laid to rest with full military honors," said Chester.
+
+And so it was done.
+
+All that day Alexis worked upon the little monument. When it was finally
+completed, all was in readiness for the burial. The dog had made friends
+in the regiment. Not a man but had become attached to him; and so it was
+no small funeral cortege that escorted the body of the dog-hero to his
+last resting place.
+
+From the quartermaster Chester had secured a large French flag.
+
+"He shall be buried beneath his own flag," he said, and spreading the
+tricolor upon the ground, he laid the stiffened body of Marquis upon it.
+
+Gently he wrapped it about the dog, and then, while practically the
+whole regiment stood at attention around the little grave, he placed the
+body in the ground and stepped back. A volley was fired over the grave,
+and the lads shoveled in the earth.
+
+Now Alexis approached, and, making a small hole at the head of the
+grave, set up the little monument. And when he had finished, the
+soldiers crowded around to read the epitaph that the giant Cossack had
+inscribed in the hard wood. It was this:
+
+"Marquis--killed on the field of honor!"
+
+It was upon the following day that the welcome news came that there was
+to be further action. Practically every Cossack regiment at the front in
+Poland was ordered back to Lodz, their places being taken by other
+Russian cavalry and infantry.
+
+Again in Lodz the lads learned what this new movement meant. Grand Duke
+Nicholas, the investment of Galicia having been successful, had decided
+upon an immediate invasion of Hungary. The Cossacks had been called to
+lead the dash over the Carpathians into the heart of the enemy's
+territory.
+
+Hal and Chester had an audience of the Grand Duke. The latter summoned
+them to his quarters to offer an apology for his hasty action in
+ordering them shot some days before. Also he talked a little of the
+proposed invasion.
+
+"Sixty thousand Cossack cavalry will be the advance guard," he informed
+them. "Behind these will come the infantry in great force. I plan to
+have a million men in Hungary within two months. If we are successful in
+forcing a passage of the mountains, and I am sure we shall be, Budapest
+will be at our mercy, with Vienna as the next goal.
+
+"In the meantime the Poland campaign will be pressed, that the Germans
+may be unable to go to the aid of the Austrians in the south. The thing
+that I fear now is that Turkey may be drawn into the war on the side of
+the German emperor. The Kaiser has brought great pressure to bear upon
+them, and I fear that they cannot long be kept neutral."
+
+"What effect would that have upon the invasion of Hungary?" questioned
+Chester.
+
+"It would unquestionably delay it for days, possibly weeks. While we are
+prepared for the Turks, nevertheless it would probably necessitate the
+sending of reenforcements toward the border, and naturally I should have
+to draw upon the forces I am now sending into Hungary."
+
+"I see," replied Chester. "But the Turk, as a fighting man, doesn't
+amount to much, as I understand it."
+
+"In the recent Balkan war they did not show much fighting prowess, it is
+true," said the Grand Duke, "but officered by Germans, and under German
+discipline, there may be a different story to tell."
+
+"But there is no danger of their affecting the ultimate outcome of the
+war?" asked Hal.
+
+"None," was the confident reply. "What it will mean, however, is that
+Turkey, as a nation, will be wiped off the map of Europe, and, possibly,
+of Asia also."
+
+"The sooner the better," was Hal's comment.
+
+The Grand Duke smiled.
+
+"It may take time," he said, "but it will be done just so surely as
+Turkey casts in her fortunes with Germany."
+
+After some further talk the lads left the Grand Duke's tent, and
+rejoined their regiment. Everything was now practically ready for the
+advance to the southward, and the troops were eagerly awaiting the word
+that was to send them into the Carpathians, to strike a decisive blow at
+the Austrians.
+
+And the word was given early the following morning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+RAIDING.
+
+
+At a fierce gallop the troop of Cossacks bore down upon the little
+mountain town--firing at a detachment of Austrian soldiers who ventured
+forth to give them battle--without checking their speed. This band of
+Cossacks, reconnoitering well ahead of the main advance guard, was
+probably 1,000 strong; the Austrians opposing them much less. With the
+rapidly advancing Russians were Hal, Chester and Alexis.
+
+The advance of the Czar's troops to the Carpathians had been without
+incident. Whenever troops of the enemy had opposed them they had been
+put to flight without difficulty. The cavalry, dashing rapidly ahead,
+had outdistanced their cavalry and artillery support, and the entire
+force of mounted men--60,000 of them--were in the midst of the wild
+mountains.
+
+Harassed from front and, now that they had advanced well into the
+mountains, also from the sides and rear, the Cossacks nevertheless
+pushed on. From behind rocks and trees, isolated bands of Austrians
+fired upon them, doing great execution, disappearing in the hills when
+the Cossacks turned upon them.
+
+The reconnoitering force to which the lads were attached dashed down
+upon the little mountain town, the sun gleaming on their lances and
+revolver barrels. In vain did the Austrian officers urge their men to
+stand firm. After one volley at the approaching horsemen, they broke and
+fled, scattering in all directions. The very name, Cossack, spread
+terror.
+
+Right into the middle of the little village dashed the troop. Now from
+every window came a hail of lead, and the Cossacks, apparently trapped,
+turned this way and that, not knowing which way to go. Struck by a rifle
+bullet, the officer in command threw up his hands and toppled from his
+horse. Quickly Alexis sprang to the head of the men, Hal and Chester
+beside him.
+
+"Dismount!" cried Alexis.
+
+The cavalrymen threw themselves from their horses, and at a second
+command, rushed directly upon the houses. With heavy kicks they smashed
+in the doors and rushed upon the occupants within. They soon put an end
+to these snipers.
+
+But now, around one side of the town appeared a troop of Austrian horse.
+
+Hal raised a cry of warning, and quickly the Cossacks turned and leaped
+upon their own horses; but the Austrian cavalry had no mind to give
+battle to their foes, and after pouring in a volley, turned and fled
+down the narrow mountain pass.
+
+"After them!" cried Alexis.
+
+He put spurs to his horse and dashed ahead, his men following closely.
+
+The Austrians had not gone far when their leader called a halt and
+consulted with his subordinate officer. They were, the leader knew, not
+far from a point where he could expect reenforcements.
+
+A plan was quickly formed. The Austrians divided into two parts. The
+foremost blocked the road--down which the Cossacks were rapidly
+approaching--near a turn, so as to remain unseen by the approaching
+enemy until almost the moment of contact. The second force stayed some
+rods behind the first, forming in two lines, one along each side of the
+road. Some were armed with lances and sabers, but many also carried
+rifles.
+
+As for the Cossacks, all carried lances and revolvers.
+
+The Russians went forward at a gallop. Alexis was expecting to overtake
+the enemy, but he was hardly prepared for the suddenness of the
+encounter.
+
+Ere he could give an order, there came one loud, flaming, whistling
+discharge from that living barrier drawn up across the road. Alexis'
+horse reared, as did others of the troop. Some of the men came to a
+quick stop, others were borne forward by the impetus of their former
+speed, but reined in for orders. No man fell, though one groaned and two
+hurled epithets at the foe.
+
+Alexis, now that he had his horse under control, drew his sword with his
+right hand, his pistol with his left, which also held the rein, and
+ordered his men to charge, to fire at the moment of contact, then to
+cut, slash and club.
+
+The first line of Austrians, as soon as they had fired, retreated
+between the two lines of supports, stopping at some further distance to
+reform. The second line, being thus cleared of the first, poured a hail
+of bullets into the Cossacks as the latter were caught between them.
+
+Many fell, but the others turned on the second barrier with furious
+force, some, however, rushing upon the reforming first line.
+
+They were the best riders in the world, and many a one of them held his
+lance aloft in one hand, his revolver raised in the other, the rein
+loose on his horse's neck.
+
+The Austrians and Alexis' foremost men fired at the same moment. The
+Austrians had not time to turn and flee, for the Cossacks, unchecked by
+this second greeting of fire, came on at headlong speed.
+
+"At 'em, boys!" cried Hal excitedly, firing his revolver at a tall
+Austrian officer, who fell sidewise from his horse.
+
+An Austrian officer struck with a sword at Chester's left arm, but only
+knocked the pistol from his hand. The lad found himself threatened on
+the right by a trooper, and slashed at him with his sword. The blow went
+home, but the sword's end became entangled with the victim's breast
+knot. A second trooper brought his rifle butt down heavily upon the
+sword, and it snapped off.
+
+Chester felt a keen smart in his left leg. It came from a second sword
+blow aimed by the Austrian officer, who might have followed it with a
+third, but that he was now attacked elsewhere. Chester had no sooner
+clapped his hand to his wounded leg than he was stunned by a blow from
+the rifle butt of the trooper who had previously struck the sword. He
+fell forward on his horse's neck, which he grasped madly with both arms.
+
+Still holding the broken sword in his right hand, Chester now lapsed
+from a sense of the tumult, the plunging and shrieking horses, the whir
+and clash of swords, the thuds of rifle blows, into half consciousness,
+while the unguided horse turned suddenly and made off in the direction
+from which he had come.
+
+Meanwhile the Cossacks had been pushing the Austrians back. Hal and
+Alexis, fighting side by side, were so far unharmed. Right into the
+midst of the enemy they plunged, and for several minutes could see
+nothing but flying swords and lances. Then, at a signal, the Austrians
+turned and fled.
+
+Hal turned to speak to Chester, but the latter was not there. In alarm,
+he called Alexis' attention to the fact that Chester was missing.
+Quickly Alexis ordered a halt and looked around. Bodies strewed the
+road, and leaping from their horses, the two investigated. Chester was
+not there.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal. "What can have happened to him?"
+
+Alexis questioned his men. One remembered that a great black charger had
+dashed through the troop in the midst of the battle and had fled to the
+rear. He remembered that a form was upon the animal's back.
+
+"It must have been Chester," said Hal to Alexis. "Do you go on in
+pursuit of the Austrians, and I will go back and see if I can find him."
+
+"Good," said Alexis. "The horse probably will run back to the main
+column. You should not have much trouble finding him."
+
+With a word of command Alexis ordered the troop ahead, and Hal started
+back on the trail of his chum.
+
+When Chester was again aware of things he was still clasping the horse's
+neck and was being borne along he knew not whither. His head ached and
+his left leg pained him greatly. He was dizzy and too weak to raise
+himself from his position. He could not hear any sound of fighting. He
+tried to sit up and look around, but this added to his pain, so he fell
+forward on the neck of his horse again.
+
+Suddenly the horse stopped.
+
+Once more Chester tried to sit up. This time he was successful, and in
+spite of the pain glanced about him. The horse had halted near a little
+house, set back some fifty feet from the road, and even as he looked up
+a woman came from the doorway. She started in astonishment at the sight
+of the horse and its wounded rider, and hastened back into the house.
+She reappeared in a moment, however, accompanied by a second woman, the
+latter armed with a huge revolver.
+
+The two now approached the lad and lifted him from the horse. They
+supported him as he dragged himself into the house, and dropped weakly
+into a chair. Then the women stepped back and pointed the revolver at
+him.
+
+"You shall remain here," she said, "until I can turn you over to the
+Austrians."
+
+Chester was somewhat surprised. By the assistance given him by the
+women, he had thought that, after resting up, he would be allowed to
+rejoin his friends; but the set expression on the woman's face told the
+lad that she meant what she said.
+
+The second woman approached with water and bandages and soon bound up
+his wounds. Then the lad was escorted to another room, which looked out
+upon the road. The woman mounted guard over him with her revolver.
+
+"Some of our troops will be here before long," she told him. "Until then
+I shall guard you."
+
+All this time Chester retained his hold on the broken sword. Suddenly,
+down the road, came the sound of a galloping horse. Chester glanced
+through the window and in a moment he had made out the figure of Hal.
+Quickly he stepped to the window, and before his captor could prevent
+him, shattered the window pane with his broken sword.
+
+"Hal!" he cried at the top of his voice. "Hal! Here I am, wounded and a
+prisoner!"
+
+The woman hurled herself upon the lad and bore him back out of sight. In
+his weakened condition he was no match for her. She thrust him back into
+the chair. He turned his eyes to the window. Hal had passed on.
+
+"Great Scott!" ejaculated Chester. "He didn't hear me!"
+
+But Hal had heard. He recognized the sound of his friend's voice, and
+realized that he was in trouble of some kind. Likewise he surmised what
+the trouble was, for he knew that they were in the heart of a hostile
+country. Therefore, he did not check the speed of his horse at once, but
+rode some distance further before drawing rein. Then he dismounted and
+tied his horse to a sapling.
+
+Springing in among the trees, he advanced cautiously toward the house.
+Both women, secure in the belief that he had passed on, turned to taunt
+Chester. The latter shut his lips grimly and refused to make a reply.
+
+Suddenly, from the next room, came a tremendous clattering of pots and
+pans.
+
+Both women jumped to their feet.
+
+"There is someone out there!" cried one of the women excitedly.
+
+With her revolver pointed straight before her she moved softly toward
+the door. At the same moment Chester realized Hal's ruse and cried:
+
+"Look out, Hal!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+AT BAY IN THE PASS.
+
+
+When Hal, after creeping into the house through a window, had
+inadvertently bumped into several pots and pans, knocking them to the
+floor with a clatter, he drew his revolver and stood stockstill. He
+heard Chester's cry of warning, and, realizing that an enemy was
+approaching, he drew a bead upon the doorway.
+
+An arm with a pistol appeared through the opening; there was a flash of
+fire and a bullet sped past him. He fired quickly in return, and the
+weapon of his unseen enemy dropped to the floor with a crash, followed
+by a shrill scream of pain.
+
+"Great Scott, a woman!" cried Hal and leaped forward.
+
+But the woman was more frightened than hurt. Realizing that she was
+uninjured, as Hal came toward her, she leaped forward and threw her arms
+about him, pinioning the lad's hand that held his revolver to his side.
+At the same moment she cried out to her companion:
+
+"Quick! Pick up the revolver and shoot him while I hold him!"
+
+Hal realized that he was in grave danger and struggled fiercely to free
+his hands. But his adversary was a very powerful woman, and having
+gained a secure hold, Hal was unable to free himself.
+
+The woman who had been left to guard Chester, at the command of the
+other, ran to her aid. Chester, holding to the back of the chair, drew
+himself to his feet and staggered after her, still clinging to his
+broken sword.
+
+As the woman stooped to pick up the revolver dropped by the other when
+Hal's bullet had struck her hand, Chester, in spite of the pain of his
+wounds, leaped forward. As she arose to her feet and would have fired
+point-blank at Hal, he knocked the weapon from her hand with a sharp
+blow of his broken sword.
+
+Then coming quickly to Hal's side he took the lad's revolver from him,
+and, stepping back, aimed it at the head of the woman with whom his
+friend was struggling.
+
+"Release him instantly," he ordered, "or I shall fire!"
+
+The woman glanced at him over her shoulder, and smiled tauntingly.
+
+"You wouldn't shoot a woman," she sneered.
+
+"I wouldn't like to," replied Chester, "but if you have not released him
+and if both of you do not line up against that wall with your hands in
+the air by the time I count three, I will shoot, just as surely as I
+stand here. One, two----"
+
+The woman glanced at him. Her eyes must have told her that the lad meant
+what he said, for, releasing Hal, she stepped quickly back and raised
+her hands in the air. The second woman followed her example. Chester
+stepped to Hal's side, and extended the revolver to him.
+
+"Take this quick!" he commanded.
+
+Hal did so, and without another word, Chester suddenly crumpled up in a
+heap on the floor. He had fainted.
+
+Still covering the women with his revolver, Hal knelt by his friend's
+side. Then he turned to the woman.
+
+"Some water!" he commanded.
+
+Under the threatening muzzle of the revolver, the woman brought it, and
+at a command from Hal, bathed Chester's face. Then, still at Hal's
+command, she lifted the lad and placed him in a chair. Hal took his seat
+near the window, for he knew that it was only a question of time until
+some of the Russian troops passed in one way or the other. His revolver
+still covered the two women, who sat without uttering a word.
+
+Gradually the color returned to Chester's face, and at last he opened
+his eyes and looked about. He took in the situation at a glance, and
+smiled faintly.
+
+"Well, I see we won," he said.
+
+"We did," replied Hal grimly. "How do you feel?"
+
+"Better. I shall be all right now."
+
+"Do you think you are equal to holding this revolver while I go out and
+reconnoiter?"
+
+"Sure!" replied Chester. "Give it to me."
+
+Hal put the revolver in his friend's hand.
+
+"Don't hesitate to fire if one of them makes a false move," he said.
+"They would kill you in a moment if they had the chance."
+
+"I'll use it if necessary; have no fear about that," replied Chester.
+
+Hal arose and left the room and the house. He gazed up and down the
+road. There was no sign of troops, nor, by listening intently, could he
+hear hoof beats. He made his way to where he had left his horse, and
+tied it alongside the horse that had brought Chester to the house. Then
+he returned to Chester and his prisoners.
+
+"There is no telling how long we may have to wait for our men to
+return," he said to his friend. "Do you suppose that if I lifted you up
+on your horse you could ride?"
+
+"I am sure of it," replied Chester.
+
+"That is the best plan," said Hal. "Come, then, we will try it."
+
+He went to Chester's side, and still holding the revolver in his right
+hand, threw his left arm around his friend's neck. Chester put an arm
+about Hal's shoulder, and thus supported, made his way from the room
+without much pain.
+
+Hal made a stirrup of his hand, and Chester, putting his foot into it,
+was soon astride his horse, though he winced somewhat with the pain the
+exertion gave him. Then Hal sprang into his own saddle, and the two
+turned their horses' heads in the direction of the main body of
+Cossacks.
+
+Along the narrow mountain trail they rode slowly for perhaps an hour
+without the sight of either friend or foe. Then, rounding a sharp
+turning in the pass, at the top of a steep section of the road, Hal
+reined in suddenly with a muttered imprecation. Chester followed his
+friend's example.
+
+Perhaps half a mile away came a body of horsemen, perhaps twenty of
+them. The sun, shining upon their uniforms, showed them to be Austrians.
+Quickly Hal leaped from his horse, and putting forth his utmost
+strength, rolled several great stones into place across the road,
+absolutely barring the pass. Then, after Chester had been helped to the
+ground, the two lads dropped behind this barrier.
+
+The pass at this point was hardly wide enough for four men to walk
+abreast. On each side walls of rock rose straight up for perhaps twenty
+feet. Hal looked at his two revolvers and the one he had taken from the
+women in the house.
+
+"Lucky we have plenty of ammunition," he said calmly.
+
+He tested all weapons carefully and loaded them. Then he passed one to
+Chester.
+
+"I am keeping two," he explained, "because, being wounded, you probably
+won't be able to move about as quickly as I will. I don't know how long
+we shall be able to hold these fellows off; but if they don't rush us,
+we may be able to hold out till help arrives."
+
+"If they were Germans I wouldn't feel quite so easy," said Chester; "but
+I don't believe there is much likelihood of Austrians rushing us."
+
+"Right you are," said Hal cheerfully. "They'll probably dismount, hide
+behind their horses and try to pick us off."
+
+As yet the Austrians were unaware of the presence of enemies in the pass
+above them. They came on slowly, laughing and talking. Then one,
+chancing to raise his head, saw the barrier in the pass. He called the
+attention of the others to it. No sign of an enemy was visible, but the
+Austrians approached very carefully.
+
+The two lads waited until the Austrians were so close that a miss was
+impossible, then, taking deliberate aim, each fired once. Two of the
+enemy fell to the roadside.
+
+There came a cry of dismay from the Austrians, and they reined in their
+horses and sprang to the ground.
+
+But two of them had not been quick enough, and while they left their
+horses at practically the same time as did the others, they did not rise
+again to their feet.
+
+"Four!" said Chester calmly.
+
+"About ten, if Alexis were doing the counting," said Hal grimly. "But I
+would give a whole lot if he were here right now."
+
+The Austrians forced their horses to lie down, and took up their
+positions behind them. Then they blazed away wildly at the barrier
+ahead. They could see nothing at which to shoot, however, and their
+bullets did no damage.
+
+"I wonder if the Austrians know this old hat trick?" said Chester.
+
+Picking up a little stick, he put his cap upon it and raised it slowly
+over the barrier. A hail of bullets flew about it. Chester took
+deliberate aim at one of the Austrians who exposed himself, and Hal at
+another. Again their revolvers cracked once each, and two Austrians bit
+the dust.
+
+"We'll be on even terms soon, if we keep this up," said Hal gleefully.
+
+Chester tried the cap trick again; but this time it did not work. The
+Austrians had learned a lesson.
+
+For perhaps five minutes there was silence; then Hal, glancing quickly
+over the barrier, saw one of the enemy jump to his feet and dash
+straight toward the barrier. In his anxiety to pick the man off, Hal
+fired too quickly, and missed.
+
+The man dashed on and flung himself to the ground right up against the
+barrier. Here, for the moment, he was safe, for the lads could not get
+at him without leaning over the barrier and thus exposing themselves to
+the fire of the others.
+
+A second Austrian leaped to his feet and dashed forward. This time,
+however, Hal did not hurry, and picked the man off with ease. Hardly had
+his weapon spoken, when a shot from below went whizzing by his head. Hal
+tumbled back to safety rapidly.
+
+"Great Scott!" he exclaimed. "We'll have to get that fellow away from
+there. He almost got me that time."
+
+"Yes; but how?" demanded Chester.
+
+Hal considered the situation for some moments in silence. Then he passed
+one of his two revolvers to Chester.
+
+"You blaze away as rapidly as you can at the Austrians with those two
+guns," he said. "Never mind whether you see anything to shoot at or not.
+Just shoot when I give the word. That'll keep those fellows under cover.
+I'll attend to this one."
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked Chester.
+
+"I'm going over after him!" said Hal grimly.
+
+"But he is liable to kill you!" exclaimed Chester in alarm.
+
+"If I don't get him," said Hal quietly, "he is sure to kill us both
+before long. Here goes!"
+
+At the moment that he sprang to the top of the barrier, Chester opened
+upon the Austrians with both weapons. The man on the opposite side of
+the barrier was taken by surprise by Hal's sudden action. Hal toppled
+over upon him without warning. With a startled cry the Austrian raised
+his weapon to fire, but Hal was too quick for him.
+
+His revolver, less than a foot from the man's head, spoke sharply. Hal
+waited long enough to see that the work had been well done, then rose to
+his feet, placed his hand upon the barrier, and, amid a hail of bullets
+from the other Austrians, vaulted back to safety.
+
+"I got him!" he told Chester quietly, as he turned and emptied his own
+revolver at the enemy, who seemed on the point of rushing forward.
+
+Quickly Chester reloaded his own revolvers, and it was well that he did
+so, for the enemy seemed to be manifesting a desire to come forward to
+the attack, apparently believing that the lads were out of ammunition.
+
+The lads had now accounted for eight of the enemy, but they were not so
+foolish as to believe that the Austrians would remain in their present
+position and be picked off one at a time.
+
+"They'll make a rush soon!" declared Chester.
+
+"Well," replied Hal, "when they do we'll be ready for 'em. We can shoot
+straighter than they can while they are on the run. We should be able to
+pick off two more each before they get here."
+
+"We'll have a try at it," said Chester simply.
+
+It was plainly evident that the Austrians were preparing for a move of
+some kind. Suddenly, at a given signal, all twelve of the foe still
+alive, sprang to their feet and made a concerted rush toward the
+barrier.
+
+"Here they come!" cried Hal. "Steady now!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+IN THE NICK OF TIME.
+
+
+Hal, at the right of the barrier, confined his attention to that side of
+the road, leaving Chester to deal with the enemy rushing forward on the
+left. Three times the weapon of each lad spoke, and at each shot an
+Austrian fell to the ground. Firing coolly and deliberately at such
+close quarters, a miss was absolutely impossible.
+
+But the lads did not have time to fire again. The enemy was at the
+barrier; but, instead of hurling themselves over it, as both lads had
+expected they would, they dropped to the ground on the opposite side of
+the big rocks, and there they remained.
+
+It was indeed a peculiar situation--the enemies less than six feet
+apart, separated only by a few rocks. Still the Austrians, in spite of
+their losses, outnumbered the lads three to one.
+
+Now the rocks of the barrier began to move inward toward the lads.
+
+"Great Scott!" cried Chester. "They are trying to push these rocks over
+on us. If they tumble this barrier over, we can't hope to account for
+all six of them."
+
+The lads braced themselves against the rocks; but the strength of the
+two was not as great as the strength of the six. Such a contest could
+have but one ending. The boys realized this as well as did their foes.
+
+"Well," said Hal calmly, "it looks as though they had us. All ready for
+a last stand, Chester?"
+
+"All ready," replied Chester calmly.
+
+"When I say jump," instructed Hal, "leap backward!"
+
+Chester nodded in understanding of this plan.
+
+"Now!" cried Hal. "Jump!"
+
+Both lads leaped quickly backward, and as they did so, the
+barrier--freed of their supporting shoulders--tumbled inward, while the
+six Austrians sprawled on the ground. For a moment the lads had the
+advantage and they made the best of it.
+
+Hal's revolver spoke and one Austrian straightened out in the act of
+rising. Chester accounted for another, and then both lads sprang in
+close upon the foe, thus precluding the use of the foe's firearms.
+
+Hal, grappling with two of the enemy, was giving a good account of
+himself; but Chester, weak from the loss of blood, was unable to hold
+his own. A blow from the butt of one of the Austrian's revolvers and he
+went to the ground.
+
+At that moment, from their rear, came the sound of rapidly galloping
+hoofs. Around the bend some distance away dashed a troop of Cossacks,
+Alexis himself at their head. The giant Cossack took in the situation
+with one comprehensive glance and put spurs to his horse. The two
+Austrians who had attacked Chester saw the advancing Cossacks, and,
+turning, took to their heels.
+
+The two with whom Hal struggled, however, were too busily occupied to
+notice the approach of reenforcements and sorely, each trying to bring
+his revolver to bear.
+
+Alexis now jumped from his horse and dashed forward toward the three. He
+stretched forth two mighty hands and plucked the Austrians off the lad.
+Raising each high in the air, he stretched wide his arms, and then
+brought them together with great force. There was a crunch as the heads
+of the two met with terrific force. Then they hung limp in the giant's
+hands. He hurled them from him with a disdainful gesture, and, snatching
+his revolver from its holster, dropped to his knee and fired two shots
+in quick succession at the two remaining enemy, who were fleeing down
+the road.
+
+His aim was true, and as the last of the Austrians bit the dust, Alexis
+turned to where Chester lay and picked him up gently in his arms. From
+his canteen he poured water over the lad's face and soon came signs of
+returning consciousness. Then he laid him gently on the ground and
+turned to Hal.
+
+He gazed first at the lad, then at the dead bodies of the enemy and then
+back to Hal.
+
+"Hm-m-m," he said gruffly. "Quite a fight. But where would you have been
+if Alexis had not arrived so opportunely?"
+
+"Dead, I guess," replied Hal quietly. "We owe you our lives, but there
+is no need to tell you that we are grateful."
+
+"Not a bit," said Alexis. "Thanks from one brave man to another are
+never necessary; but did you see how easily I disposed of those four
+Austrians?"
+
+"It was very pretty," replied Hal.
+
+"Wasn't it?" cried the giant gleefully. "Still, it was a trifle. I
+remember the time that I----"
+
+Hal walked over to Chester's side and bent down and so did not hear the
+story of Alexis' might. The giant looked sorrowfully after him for a
+moment, muttered to himself and then he walked after him.
+
+Chester now sat up and looked about. His eyes rested on the dead bodies.
+
+"Looks like Alexis had been here," he muttered, for he had not yet seen
+the giant.
+
+Alexis heard him and his face glowed with pleasure.
+
+"He is here," he said, stepping forward.
+
+Chester's face lighted up.
+
+"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "It is good to see you. We have wished several
+times in the last hour that you were with us. We needed you badly.
+However, you arrived just in time."
+
+Alexis blushed like a schoolboy, for he was not used to hearing others
+praise his prowess.
+
+"Yes, I did arrive in the nick of time," he said awkwardly. "But come,
+we must get away from here."
+
+"Have you learned the strength of the enemy in the mountains?" asked Hal
+a few minutes later, as they rode along down the pass.
+
+"I learned enough to make sure that, without infantry and artillery
+support, the cavalry will probably be annihilated," replied Alexis
+briefly. "By a dash, we might be able to reach the plains of Hungary,
+but without support we should end our days there. I shall counsel
+retreat."
+
+"But I thought you would never counsel retreat?" said Hal, smiling.
+
+"For myself, never!" replied the giant. "But there are more lives than
+mine depending upon this. Therefore I say retreat."
+
+Alexis was as good as his word. Upon their return to the main column,
+Alexis was called into consultation with the commanding officer. He
+recounted what he had learned, and urged that the retreat be begun at
+once.
+
+"There are half a million men in these hills," he informed his
+commander, "and they are trying to draw us on. We will be allowed to go
+so far, and then they will close in on us. One hundred or two hundred
+thousand, I don't mind. We could whip them with ease; but half a million
+are too many for sixty thousand. If we had not outdistanced our infantry
+and artillery, we might do it, but without them, no."
+
+"Still," said the commanding officer, "I have set my heart on striking
+one more blow at the enemy. Would you counsel against it?"
+
+"I am always in favor of striking one more blow at the enemy," replied
+Alexis. "I suppose I should counsel against it, but I will not."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed his commander. "One decisive blow to the enemy in the
+hills, and then we shall fall back into Galicia. Now, where are the
+Austrians massed?"
+
+"It will be extremely hazardous," said Alexis slowly, "but I guess it
+can be done. Fifteen miles straight along this mountain pass you come to
+a small plateau. I advanced that far myself. Encamped there are in the
+neighborhood of one hundred thousand of the enemy. By a quick and silent
+dash and a night attack, we may be able to deal them a crushing blow;
+but even so, we must fall back immediately. Even then we shall be
+greatly harassed by the foe."
+
+"Well," said the commander, "we shall make the attack, come what may
+afterward."
+
+Alexis saluted his commander and returned to where he had left the two
+lads, where he repeated his interview. Then he turned to Chester.
+
+"It is too bad," he said, "that you will be unable to take part in the
+battle."
+
+"But I shall take part in it," exclaimed the lad. "You don't think I am
+going to sit idle while there is fighting going on, do you?"
+
+"I am afraid you cannot help yourself," replied Hal. "You will go with
+the advance, of course; but you will be kept well in the rear."
+
+In vain did Chester protest. His commanding officer overruled all of his
+complaints, and at last the lad was forced to make his way to the rear
+of the Russian army. All that day the army rested, and it was not until
+the following afternoon that the signal was given for the advance, for
+the Russian commander had so timed his movement that he would come upon
+the enemy after nightfall.
+
+It was indeed an imposing sight, these 60,000 men, able to march
+scarcely six abreast through the narrow mountain pass, moving hurriedly
+through the midst of the wild Carpathians. For miles they stretched out,
+but they advanced rapidly, and long before night the advance guard was
+within sight of the Austrian position.
+
+This was made known to the Russian commander by his scouts; and still
+out of sight, the Cossacks halted.
+
+The pass was considerably wider here, and the men spread out somewhat.
+Outposts were thrown out to guard against a counter surprise attack, and
+the men allowed to lie down and rest.
+
+The battle formation was preserved, however, and the men fell to sleep
+upon their arms, each and every one ready to spring up and dash forward
+at a moment's notice.
+
+And still the Austrians were unaware of their approach.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+THE SURPRISE.
+
+
+Stealthily the vanguard of the Cossacks crept forward afoot. They had
+dismounted that they might approach the enemy with less danger of being
+heard. Naked blades were held firmly in their hands; revolvers and hand
+grenades were ready. The night attack of the Cossacks was under way.
+
+Not a shot had been fired. Silently they stole on toward the sleeping
+Austrian camp. Feeling perfectly secure in the mountain fastness and
+believing their position practically impregnable, the Austrians failed
+to keep vigilant watch.
+
+Now the first line of Cossacks, at a whispered word of command, fell to
+the ground on their faces. A sentry walked directly toward them, but in
+the blackness of the night he did not make out the silent forms.
+
+As he turned his back on them, one shadowy form rose quickly to his feet
+and moved swiftly forward. There was the sound of a brief struggle, a
+cry stifled in his throat and the Cossacks moved forward again.
+
+A second and then a third time this operation was repeated. Three
+Austrian sentinels lay dead upon the ground; still the camp slept on,
+unsuspecting.
+
+More swiftly now, other troops issued from the mountain pass and spread
+out in a great semi-circle over the plateau. For two hours this movement
+continued in the darkness. The first line of Cossacks stood ready to
+fire at the first sign of discovery, but, undiscovered, waited for the
+rest of the force to get in position.
+
+A dog in the Austrian camp barked. Others took up the cry. A sentry,
+aware of some strange sensation, fired his rifle in the air. At the
+moment the last of the Cossacks issued from the mountain pass. These
+last troops were mounted and stood with bared lances awaiting the word
+to charge.
+
+The huge Austrian camp stirred along its length, but at that instant the
+Cossacks sprang to action. Came quick commands from the officers, and
+the first line moved upon the Austrian camp at a dead run. A hail of
+revolver bullets sped through the canvas of the tents, striking down
+those who were yet asleep and reaping a toll of death among those who
+were dashing to arms. Then the Cossacks charged with cold steel.
+
+In little parties, without the semblance of formation or discipline, the
+Austrians dashed from their tents to beat back this sudden attack. There
+was no time for them to fall into position. The Cossacks were upon them.
+Right into the heart of the enemy's camp rushed the fearless horde in a
+terrible charge, cutting, slashing, hewing their way through.
+
+The Austrians, caught unprepared, gave ground. The Cossacks followed up
+their first advantage closely, pressing the enemy so that they had no
+time to get into battle formation. A squad of Cossacks sprang toward a
+battery of field pieces, quickly wheeled it into position, and opened
+fire on the fleeing Austrians. The execution was fearful. Men went down
+in heaps, and those that survived fled faster than before.
+
+The surprise was complete. A terrible confusion reigned among the enemy.
+The Russians pursued them relentlessly. Here and there men threw down
+their arms and surrendered by the hundreds.
+
+Other mountain batteries now had been seized by the Cossacks and turned
+upon the foe. For a mile the Cossacks pursued the beaten enemy; then
+drew off as suddenly as they had come. Prisoners were abandoned. Quickly
+the big guns were put out of commission, and the advance guard--now the
+rearguard--fell back slowly, protecting the retreat of those in front.
+
+In almost less time than it takes to tell it, the Cossacks were again in
+the saddle and dashing back down the mountain pass.
+
+The Austrians, for a moment, were unable to form in solid ranks. But, at
+length, under the command of their officers, they formed and gave chase.
+But the Cossacks had too great a start. The losses of the Austrians had
+been terrible, those of the Cossacks comparatively slight. In spite of
+the fact that they had been in the midst of the fighting, Hal and Alexis
+had escaped without injury.
+
+Now the Austrian cavalry, having had time to form, scattered on each
+side of the pass and rode after the Cossacks. They came up with the rear
+guard, and from the sides poured in bullets, until they were forced to
+draw rein because of the treacherous nature of the ground on either
+hand. It was here that the Cossacks sustained their heaviest losses.
+
+But the raid had been a success; there could be no doubt about that.
+
+The Russian commander was elated as, in the midst of his men, he ordered
+the retreat; but as the retreat continued, it became more hazardous.
+Even as Alexis had predicted, the mountains swarmed with the enemy, who
+rained bullets upon the Russian columns from every hand.
+
+In spite of this, however, by noon of the following day the Cossacks had
+reached the spot from which they had started the day before; and here a
+halt was called. Videttes were placed and the troops settled down for a
+brief rest. While they made a good mark for the guerillas, they
+nevertheless were in too great force to permit of an attack in force.
+
+Night fell, and once more the troops sprang to the saddle and continued
+their retreat. Morning found the vanguard well out of the mountains on
+the plains of Galicia, and soon the last of the rear guard had issued
+from the pass. Then the mighty columns spread out. There was no pursuit,
+and the commander ordered the retreat conducted more slowly.
+
+Two days later the columns of raiding Cossacks rode in among the Russian
+troop besieging the Galician city of Cracow. Here the commander decided
+to remain until he should receive instructions from the Grand Duke. He
+dispatched Chester, who had now recovered sufficiently from his wounds
+as to be feeling perfectly fit, Hal and Alexis to carry word of the
+expedition to the Grand Duke. So the three friends again set out upon a
+journey.
+
+They traveled without haste and without incident and at length found
+themselves once more in Lodz. Here all three reported to the Russian
+commander-in-chief. After receiving his congratulations, and while they
+yet stood in his presence, there came a terrible roar from outside the
+tent.
+
+The Grand Duke listened intently. Thousands upon thousands of voices
+rose on the air. They were cheering. Thousands upon thousands of voices
+took up the cry:
+
+"God save the Czar!"
+
+The Grand Duke advanced rapidly toward the entrance to his tent. The two
+lads and the giant Cossack made as if to depart; but the Grand Duke,
+with a movement of his hand, signified for them to stay and so they
+remained.
+
+The sound of cheering drew nearer. The Grand Duke left the tent, and
+through the door the lads could see him standing with bared head. Came
+the sound of galloping hoofs, and a cavalry troop drew up at the Grand
+Duke's tent. The latter stepped forward, and giving his hand to a
+brilliantly uniformed man, assisted him to dismount. Then, bowing low,
+he escorted his visitor into his tent.
+
+As they appeared in the small enclosure Alexis fell upon his knee, and
+bowed till his head all but touched the ground.
+
+Nicholas, the Czar of all the Russias, turned toward the three with a
+question on his lips. But the Grand Duke spoke first:
+
+"These, sire, are three of your majesty's bravest soldiers, who have
+only now returned from a successful raid into the heart of the
+Carpathians."
+
+The Czar glanced at the two lads.
+
+"But these," he said, pointing his finger at Hal and Chester, "are not
+Russians."
+
+"No, sire," replied the Grand Duke. "They are American lads; but they
+have rendered invaluable services to our cause," and while the lads
+stood listening, he gave the Czar a brief account of some of their
+experiences.
+
+The Czar advanced and placed a hand upon the shoulder of each.
+
+"I am glad," he said in perfect English, "to know you; and I envy my
+cousin George the services of such gallant youths."
+
+Both lads bowed in acknowledgment of this compliment, and the Czar
+turned to Alexis, who was still kneeling.
+
+"And this man," he said, "surely he is one of my Cossacks?"
+
+"Yes, your majesty," replied the Grand Duke. "There is not a braver in
+the whole army," and he related some of Alexis' feats, as told him days
+before by Hal and Chester.
+
+The Czar stretched forth a hand to Alexis, and the latter kissed it.
+
+"You shall be remembered," said the Russian monarch.
+
+Alexis' face glowed with pleasure. He was so taken by surprise that he
+was unable to speak.
+
+The Grand Duke now signified that the three might leave the tent, and
+they accordingly bowed themselves out. Outside Alexis could restrain
+himself no longer.
+
+"I told you I was a brave man!" he cried; "but I am even braver than I
+thought. I have been addressed by the Czar!"
+
+An officer entered the Grand Duke's tent, and departed a moment later in
+great haste. A second later and the shrill call of a bugle carried
+through the town. It was the order for inspection. The Czar was about to
+review his troops.
+
+An hour later Czar Nicholas stood before his army, or such a part of it
+as could be crowded in the plain before the Grand Duke's tent. Far out
+it stretched on all sides. In a short address, in which he praised his
+troops for their gallantry in action, the Czar predicted that success
+would eventually crown the Russian arms. Then he turned to an officer of
+the Grand Duke's staff and gave a command.
+
+Immediately the latter approached Hal, Chester and Alexis, who, being
+apart from their regiments, stood a little to one side watching the
+ceremonies.
+
+"Follow me!" he commanded.
+
+Without a word the three obeyed. Straight to the Czar the officer led
+the way, the two lads and the Cossack wondering what it was all about.
+In front of the Russian monarch the officer withdrew, leaving them alone
+before the Czar.
+
+The Russian ruler stepped between the three, with a smile on his face
+drew something from his pocket, approached each in turn and pinned
+something on his breast.
+
+Alexis, Hal and Chester let their eyes drop to these objects, and all
+three cried out in surprise.
+
+For the Czar of Russia, there in the presence of the army of Poland,
+before the Grand Duke and other Russian nobles and dignitaries, with the
+eyes of the entire assemblage focused upon them, had pinned upon the
+breasts of the two American lads and the giant Cossack the Cross of the
+Order of St. George!
+
+It was their reward for bravery, and a great cheer went up from the
+assembled hosts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+A NEW MISSION.
+
+
+The two lads were again having an audience of the Grand Duke. The
+latter, after ordering them to bear word to the commander of the Cossack
+force that had invaded the Carpathians to remain before Cracow until
+further notice, had also proposed a new mission to the lads.
+
+"I would like to learn," he said, "whether there is any truth in the
+report that, in the event we capture Cracow, the population of Galicia
+will come to our support and throw off the Austrian yoke. Of course I
+have heard these rumors from apparently reliable sources, but I would
+prefer to know the truth from someone I can trust implicitly."
+
+"We shall be glad to undertake that mission, Your Excellency," said Hal.
+"I believe that by using a little strategy we can gain entrance to the
+city. It would probably be easier for us than for one of your own men,
+because we are Americans and may be able to use that to advantage."
+
+"I had thought of that," replied the Grand Duke. "In fact, it is for
+that reason that I selected you. I will give you a message to your
+commander, relieving you from active duty. My advice is that you do not
+take Alexis on this mission. He would probably hinder you."
+
+The boys saluted, and taking the paper the Grand Duke extended to them,
+departed. On their way back toward Cracow they informed Alexis of their
+mission and of the fact that he was not to accompany them. The Cossack
+was disappointed and astonished.
+
+"Not take me!" he exclaimed in surprise. "Why, I am good for fifty men!
+You know that!"
+
+"But this is not a case of strength and fighting," Hal explained. "This
+is a case where strategy will count more than a hundred men."
+
+"Well," demanded Alexis, "am I not a strategist? Did you not tell me so
+with your own lips? As a strategist there is none better than I. Why, I
+can tell you how I----"
+
+"But, Alexis," Hal interrupted, "one look at you would tell an Austrian
+your nationality. You cannot expect to fool them as we did the peasant
+of the hills. I am sorry, but there is no help for it."
+
+Alexis was greatly crestfallen, but he admitted the truth of the boys'
+reasoning.
+
+"It is true that anyone would know I am a Cossack," he replied, "but if
+it came to a fight----"
+
+"If it comes to a fight," said Chester, "we shall miss you greatly; but
+we shall have to try and get along without you this time."
+
+Back with their regiment they gave the message releasing them from
+active duty to their commander; then, changing their uniforms for
+civilian garb and bidding Alexis good-by, they set out in the direction
+of the Galician stronghold, making a wide detour so as to approach from
+the north, rather than from the direction of the Russian troops in the
+East.
+
+They went horseback, and they rode slowly, for they did not wish to
+attract undue attention to themselves by too great speed. The route they
+traversed made it a good two-days' journey, and long before coming to
+the city proper they encountered bands of Austrian troops. To these,
+however, they paid little heed and they were not molested.
+
+"Evidently they don't care who goes in," remarked Chester.
+
+"Looks that way," replied Hal; "but I'll bet they pay strict attention
+to anyone who tries to get out. That's where our hardest work probably
+will come in."
+
+"I guess you are right," said Chester.
+
+Nevertheless they were halted by an Austrian patrol when close to the
+city. To him, however, they explained that they were American tourists,
+caught in Galicia at the outbreak of the war, and that they had
+penetrated beyond the Austrian lines without being aware of it.
+
+"We want to get back to safety," Hal told him.
+
+The Austrian officer smiled and let them pass without further words.
+Inside the Galician city the lads prowled about leisurely. The extreme
+eastern end of the city was a mass of ruins. The shells hurled by the
+big Russian guns had done great damage; but the flames had been
+extinguished before they had reached the heart of the city, and as the
+Russians had later fallen back a considerable distance the city now was
+perfectly quiet.
+
+Night came on, and the lads sought shelter in the home of a Galician
+peasant. The house was small but comfortable, and the old man who lived
+in it admitted them without question. They repeated to him the story
+told the Austrian officer, adding that the place in which they had been
+staying had been destroyed by a Russian shell.
+
+"And your sympathies," inquired the old man, "are with the Austrians?"
+
+"Of course," replied Hal quietly, "Russian barbarism must be wiped out."
+
+"Good!" replied the old man. "I suppose you know there is considerable
+sentiment in favor of the Russians, however?"
+
+"I have heard something to that effect; but I could scarcely credit it,"
+replied Hal guardedly.
+
+"Well," said the old man, "it is true. A plot was discovered not two
+days ago to give the city into the hands of the Russians. The
+conspirators were arrested right here in my house. They were friends of
+mine. I was known to be loyal, and my false friends took advantage of
+that fact to do their plotting here. Now my house is watched closely,
+although they have hesitated to arrest me."
+
+The old man made the two comfortable for the night and left them. Before
+preparing for bed the lads talked over what the old man had told them.
+As they were getting ready to retire, they heard voices from an
+adjoining room.
+
+Through a little hole in the wall they could see a stream of light. Hal
+put his eye to the hole. In the room beyond he made out the figures of
+two Austrian officers. Then the lad motioned to Chester to remain
+silent, and laid his ear to the hole.
+
+"You are sure of this other plot?" came a voice.
+
+"Perfectly; but we will nip it in the bud. There is no question but the
+people would welcome a Russian investment of the city. Galicia is
+practically in sympathy with the Russians. We have been hard put to it
+to keep them from rising and turning the city over to the Czar's
+troops."
+
+"Well, I am sure we are equal to any occasion," said the first speaker.
+
+Hal turned away from the wall and repeated the conversation to Chester.
+
+"I guess that's all we need to know," he added.
+
+"I should say it is," was the reply. "Now the question is, how are we to
+get back to our own lines?"
+
+"I have a plan that may work," said Hal. "It came to me a moment ago."
+
+"And that is?" prompted Chester.
+
+"Well," said Hal quietly, "we will exchange clothes with those two
+officers in the next room."
+
+"Good!" cried Chester.
+
+"Let's start then."
+
+"Hadn't we better wait until they are asleep?"
+
+"No; I believe I have a better plan. Come with me."
+
+Quietly the two lads slipped from the room and down the little hall.
+Then they turned and made their way back again, coming only as far as
+the door to the Austrians' room. Hal opened it and walked in. At sight
+of the two Austrian officers he drew back in well-simulated surprise.
+
+"I beg your pardon," he exclaimed. "I am in the wrong room."
+
+"Oh, that's all right," laughed one of the Austrians. "Are you the
+Americans who are stopping here?"
+
+"Yes," replied Hal.
+
+"Well," said the Austrian. "It's early yet; come in and have a chat with
+us. You can perhaps tell us some things about America that we would like
+to know."
+
+Hal accepted the invitation, mentally congratulating himself upon their
+good fortune. After a lengthy conversation, Hal rose to go.
+
+"It's getting late," he said. "Come, Chester, we may as well turn in."
+
+Chester also rose. In going to the door it was necessary for Hal to pass
+behind one of the Austrians. As he did so, he quickly threw out a hand
+and clutched the man by the throat. At the same moment Chester sprang
+upon the second unsuspecting officer, and the cry that the latter would
+have let out was stifled in his throat by the pressure of the lad's
+fingers.
+
+Hal now produced a revolver, and Chester did likewise. They covered the
+two officers.
+
+"One outcry and you are dead men," said Hal calmly.
+
+While Chester kept them covered, Hal bound and gagged them. Then the two
+lads stripped them of their uniforms, which they donned themselves.
+Feeling perfectly secure in these, the lads saw that the prisoners were
+well tied and unable to cry out, and then left the room, shutting the
+door behind them.
+
+In the hall they encountered their host, but the latter, recognizing the
+Austrian uniform, did not even speak to them. The lads left the house
+quietly, and turned their faces toward the north, intending to go back
+by the way they had come.
+
+Several times they were spoken to by Austrian officers as they walked
+along the streets, but to these salutations they made no reply, trusting
+that their apparent rudeness would cast no suspicion upon them. And it
+did not.
+
+At length they came to the farthest Austrian outpost, and here, for the
+first time they were challenged. Hal stepped a little ahead of Chester
+and spoke.
+
+"We are inspecting the lines," he said calmly.
+
+"You cannot pass here," came the reply. "My orders are to shoot anyone
+who attempts to get by. The general himself couldn't pass. You will have
+to go back."
+
+"Oh, all right, if that's the way you feel about it," said Hal, turning
+his back upon the sentry.
+
+The sentry, believing that the lads would go away, lowered his rifle,
+and in that moment Hal turned quickly again and sprang upon him. A quick
+blow knocked the sentry from his feet, and the lads dashed forward. In
+the distance Hal made out the form of several horses, and the lads ran
+toward them.
+
+"Quick, Chester!" cried Hal.
+
+But the Austrian sentry had not been knocked unconscious. He was only
+stunned. He staggered to his feet, brought his rifle to his shoulder and
+fired. He was too unsteady to aim carefully, however, and the lads were
+unhurt.
+
+But the sound of the shot aroused the Austrian camp. Men came rushing
+forward.
+
+The boys leaped to the backs of two horses and spurred on.
+
+"It's a race for life, Hal!" shouted Chester, as the horses dashed
+ahead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+A DASH FOR LIFE.
+
+
+One glance over his shoulder convinced Hal that at least half a dozen of
+the enemy had mounted and were spurring forward in pursuit. He passed
+the word to Chester, and bending low in their saddles, the lads urged
+their horses to greater efforts.
+
+From ahead suddenly came a body of horsemen. Before they realized it,
+the lads were dashing by these at a distance of less than a hundred
+yards. Here the Austrian uniforms stood them in good stead. The officer
+hesitated to give a command to his men to fire on what were apparently
+Austrian officers, and before he was made aware of the situation by
+shouts from behind, the lads had placed considerable distance between
+themselves and these new enemies.
+
+Now the latter also turned and gave chase.
+
+After some minutes the lads realized that they were easily maintaining
+their lead and breathed easier.
+
+"We'll get away yet if our horses don't give out!" shouted Chester.
+
+"All right!" Hal shouted back. "Keep up the pace!"
+
+In their haste in seizing upon two horses, the lads had not had time to
+look the animals over and it soon developed that they had made a bad
+choice. The animals which the boys bestrode had returned only an hour
+before from a long and tedious journey, and consequently were almost
+exhausted. Under the spur they put forth their best efforts, but finally
+they began to tire, and despite the urging of the lads, faltered in
+their stride.
+
+Hal was the first to notice this.
+
+"I am afraid it is all up!" he shouted to Chester.
+
+Right in the face of his oncoming enemies he drew rein. Chester followed
+his example, and then both lads quickly dismounted.
+
+At this spot there was a small clump of trees. Slapping their horses
+across the flanks with their hats, the lads plunged in among the foliage
+while the tired horses made off slowly.
+
+"Up into these trees quick," shouted Chester. "It has saved us before;
+it may again!"
+
+Quickly the lads clambered up among the branches, where they lay
+perfectly still. The sound of the approaching Austrians grew nearer, and
+at last half a dozen of the enemy pulled up their mounts almost under
+the lads' hiding place.
+
+"Which way did they go?" asked a voice.
+
+"They have probably made off through the woods," said a second. "We'll
+have to search for them."
+
+The tree in which the lads were hiding was the largest nearby. Up in its
+dense foliage the boys were absolutely hidden from the ground below. One
+of the Austrians glanced up into the tree.
+
+"They may be hiding up here," he said to his companions.
+
+"Hardly likely," replied a second.
+
+"Well, I'll send up a couple of shots and see," said the first speaker.
+
+His rifle spoke sharply twice. Hal felt a slight stinging sensation in
+his left arm. One of the bullets, as it passed, brushed his skin. The
+other sang close to Chester's head. But in spite of this, and in spite
+of the fact that another shot from below might end one of their lives,
+neither boy so much as shifted his position.
+
+After firing the shot into the tree the Austrian became still,
+listening, as did his companions. There was no sound.
+
+"They can't be up there," said a voice. "If they were, and even had not
+been hit, they couldn't remain still."
+
+"You are right," said another voice. "We shall have to look for them
+elsewhere. Scatter out, men, and we'll search the woods."
+
+The Austrians moved from beneath the tree. Waiting until he was sure
+that they had gone, Chester whispered to Hal:
+
+"What shall we do now?"
+
+"If possible," replied Hal, "we shall slip down and try to pick out a
+couple of fresh horses. Then we can make another dash for it."
+
+"All right," agreed Chester, "but we had better wait here until we can
+get down the tree unseen."
+
+Hal nodded in assent, and for perhaps half an hour the lads waited
+silently. In the distance they could hear the enemy beating up the
+bushes for some trace of them, but these sounds gradually grew farther
+away; then died down altogether.
+
+Cautiously Hal peered down from his hiding place. There was no sign of
+an enemy. The lad dropped quickly to the ground, and Chester followed
+suit a moment later. Then they dashed silently toward the road.
+
+Upon entering the woods in pursuit of the fugitives, the Austrians had
+abandoned their horses and were searching afoot. Approaching the edge of
+the forest, the lads saw six horses tied to trees. They ran rapidly
+toward them. As they did so a single Austrian, who had been left to
+guard the animals, stepped suddenly forward, raised his rifle and cried:
+"Halt!"
+
+There was no time for either lad to draw his revolver. Chester's hand
+went to his pocket, even as he ran, but he did not wait to extract the
+weapon. With his hand still in his pocket, he pointed the muzzle of his
+revolver at the Austrian and pressed the trigger. The bullet sped true
+through the cloth, and the Austrian dropped his rifle and toppled over
+to the ground.
+
+"Good work, Chester!" shouted Hal, not pausing in his stride toward the
+horses.
+
+He had all six horses untied in a jiffy, and passing the bridle of one
+to his chum, leaped lightly into the saddle. Chester did likewise. The
+other horses stood still.
+
+"No use leaving them here for the enemy to pursue us with," decided
+Chester.
+
+He rode his own horse among the others, and with several quick blows of
+his cap, started them on ahead of them.
+
+At that moment, the Austrians who had been scouring the woods for the
+fugitives, attracted by the sound of the shot, came into sight and
+dashed toward the lads, their revolvers spitting fire as they ran.
+
+"Come on!" cried Hal to Chester.
+
+It was no time to hesitate, nor to fight back while there was a chance
+of getting away. Putting spurs to their horses both lads were soon out
+of range.
+
+"Now," said Chester, "we shall have to keep a sharp lookout for other
+Austrians in front; for it is certain all of our pursuers didn't enter
+the woods after us."
+
+"Right you are," replied Hal.
+
+They rode forward at a quick trot, and soon were out of sight of the
+enemy behind. For perhaps fifteen minutes they continued on their way
+without interruption, and then a band of horsemen bore down on them.
+
+"Austrians," said Chester briefly. "What shall we do?"
+
+"Go straight ahead," replied Hal quickly. "Perhaps they will not
+recognize us. We still have our Austrian uniforms. It may be they will
+take us for some of the searching party."
+
+They drew nearer the approaching horsemen. The latter reined in their
+mounts.
+
+"Did you find them?" Hal called out.
+
+"No," came back the reply; "did you?"
+
+"No," said Hal, "they must have given us the slip."
+
+The horsemen came closer and Hal and Chester kept their faces averted as
+much as possible, for they knew that a close scrutiny would betray their
+identity.
+
+"Well," shouted Hal, "we will look a little farther on. You search the
+woods. Perhaps your eyes may be better than ours."
+
+"All right," was the reply, and the boys rode on slowly so as to give
+their mounts a rest. Some moments later there was a great commotion
+behind, and turning in their saddles, the lads saw the Austrians coming
+rapidly after them. They had come upon the little party who had seen the
+lads leaving the woods.
+
+With a cry to Chester, Hal put spurs to his horse and soon both were
+literally flying over the ground, the Austrians in full chase.
+
+But the horses that the boys now bestrode were much fresher than had
+been their first mounts; still, Hal saw that several of the Austrians
+were gaining.
+
+Now one of the enemy drew well ahead of his companions, a bit behind
+came a second, while a third, who was some distance ahead of the
+remainder, closely followed the second. These three, at their respective
+distances, slowly drew closer to the lads.
+
+Suddenly, without a word to Hal, Chester checked his horse abruptly, and
+his revolver flashed in his hand. Before the first Austrian could check
+his mount, he had come within range of the lad's weapon, which spoke
+sharply. The Austrian tumbled sidewise from his horse.
+
+Chester turned and spurred on after Hal.
+
+Now the second Austrian drew close upon the lad. Once more the latter
+abruptly checked his horse and turned to face the Austrian. The latter,
+perceiving the boy's maneuver, also drew rein. But he was not quick
+enough, and a second bullet from Chester's revolver laid him low. Once
+more the lad turned his horse's head forward and dashed on.
+
+The third Austrian, unmindful of the fate that had overtaken his two
+companions, still dashed after the lads. He gained steadily, and was now
+a considerable distance ahead of the main body of the enemy. A third
+time Chester turned suddenly on the foe and a third time his revolver
+spoke. He missed, and the Austrian opened with his own revolver. But his
+aim was no better.
+
+Chester, sitting quietly on his horse, then took careful and deliberate
+aim and at his next shot, the Austrian fell to the ground. Then he
+turned and rode on after Hal, who had slowed down to wait for him.
+
+Once more the lads put spurs to their horses and dashed on--each forward
+stride of their animals taking them much nearer the Russian lines and
+safety--until at last they made out in the distance the outposts of the
+Russian camp.
+
+Hal raised a cry of triumph, but at the same moment his horse stepped
+into a hole and went to his knees, hurling Hal over his head.
+
+Chester reined in alongside his friend and leaped to the ground. The
+Austrians, perceiving the lad's misfortune, bore down on them with a
+wild cry of joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+SAFE.
+
+
+In spite of his tumble, Hal was uninjured and sprang quickly to his
+feet. Chester turned to the prostrate horse, and attempted to get it to
+its feet. The horse moaned with pain, and Chester gave up the attempt,
+for he realized in an instant that the animal had broken its leg in the
+fall.
+
+With revolvers in hands, both lads turned to face their foes.
+
+"We won't give up without a fight!" declared Hal grimly.
+
+"No, we won't give up without a fight!" Chester agreed.
+
+Standing behind the horse that was still on its feet the two lads
+pointed their weapons at the foe, who bore down upon them at top speed.
+There were at least a score of them, and the boys realized that the
+encounter could have but one end. Still they were determined to fight it
+out.
+
+But now, from the rear, came a fierce yell. Turning their eyes
+momentarily in that direction, the lads beheld a welcome sight. Mounted
+on their superb chargers and galloping forward as swiftly as the wind,
+came a full squadron of Russian Cossacks; and as they came on, with
+loose-hanging reins, waving their weapons in the air, the fierce Cossack
+yell split the air time after time.
+
+The Austrians hesitated; then, not mindful to retreat and allow their
+victims, whom they had followed so far, to escape scot-free they
+advanced on the lads again. Chester calmly picked off the first man on
+the right, and Hal disposed of the first man on the left. Realizing that
+assistance was on the way, the boys fought coolly and with
+determination, keeping the rearing and plunging horse always between
+them and their foes.
+
+But this protection was soon removed. An Austrian bullet struck the
+horse in the head and he fell to the ground. Quickly the lads dropped
+behind the prostrate body and continued to pop away at their enemies.
+Two more went down, and still the lads were uninjured. The Cossacks were
+still some distance away, although approaching with the swiftness of the
+wind. The Austrians, seeking to end the encounter, spread out, fan-wise,
+and drew in upon the lads from three sides. The lads shifted their
+positions so as still to face all their foes. Then the Austrians came
+forward on a charge.
+
+But they had delayed too long, for now the onrushing Cossacks had come
+within range, and a powerful voice rang out:
+
+"Faster!"
+
+In response to this command, the gallant chargers of the Cossacks leaped
+forward. A volley rang out, and bullets whistling over the heads of Hal
+and Chester found lodgment in Austrian breasts and heads. The enemy
+turned and fled.
+
+With a quick word of command to his men the Cossack captain, now close
+to the kneeling lads, pulled in his horse with a sudden movement and
+sprang to the ground. The rest of the troop continued its mad dash after
+the Austrians, who were fleeing as fast as their tired horses could
+carry them.
+
+There was but one possible result of such a chase. Noble animals, though
+the Austrian horses were, they were no match, at their best, for the
+Cossack chargers. And there was no mercy in the hearts of the Cossacks
+for their enemies. The Austrians did not cry for quarter, and no quarter
+was given. Ten minutes later the Cossacks, their ranks thinned by four,
+returned to where their leader had dismounted beside the lads.
+
+As the Cossack commander flung himself to the ground by their side, both
+lads gave a cry of glad surprise.
+
+"Alexis!" they exclaimed in a single voice.
+
+"The same!" replied their Cossack friend. "Don't tell me any more about
+your strategy. Where would you have been, if I hadn't arrived just now,
+eh?"
+
+"Well," said Chester slowly, "we wouldn't be here."
+
+"You would have been dead, that's where you would have been," said
+Alexis calmly. "As it was, I almost arrived too late. Perhaps next time
+you will not leave me behind."
+
+"We won't try to thank you," said Hal. "But how did you happen to arrive
+so opportunely?"
+
+"Why," replied Alexis, "looking across the plain I saw two horsemen
+pursued by many others. I knew you would return from that direction, and
+I surmised who it was. But here is one case where my keen eyesight
+almost worked to your disadvantage. I made out your Austrian uniforms,
+even as I would have ordered my men forward, and hesitated. It wasn't
+any of my business if two Austrians were killed. Then I remembered your
+talk of strategy, and guessed that maybe the uniforms were part of it.
+But, you may take my word for it, you almost used too much strategy."
+
+Alexis now ordered one of his men to secure two of the riderless horses,
+and, mounting, the lads rode back toward the Russian lines with the
+Cossack troop. Here they wasted no time, but started at once on their
+return journey to Lodz, Alexis, having obtained permission from his
+superior officer, going with them.
+
+Grand Duke Nicholas was well pleased with the lads' report and
+complimented them highly upon their bravery and resourcefulness. Then he
+added, somewhat sorrowfully, the lads thought:
+
+"I shall indeed be sorry to lose you."
+
+"To lose us!" exclaimed Chester, in surprise. "Why, Your Excellency, we
+have no intention of being killed."
+
+"I didn't mean that," replied the Grand Duke, with a slight smile, "but
+I have other work of importance for you. In fact, I may say of greater
+importance than any which you have yet accomplished."
+
+"And we shall be glad to undertake it, no matter what it is," said Hal.
+"I am sure we can carry it through successfully."
+
+"So am I," replied the Grand Duke dryly. "After some of the things you
+have done, I would not say there is anything you cannot do."
+
+"But this new mission?" questioned Hal.
+
+"The new mission," replied the Grand Duke, "will carry you back into
+France."
+
+"What!" exclaimed both lads in surprise.
+
+"Exactly," said the Grand Duke. "That is why I said I would be sorry to
+lose you, for I know that, once back with the British troops, you will
+not return again to Russia."
+
+"Well, Your Excellency," said Chester, "we have seen service with the
+Cossacks, and we like it immensely, but----"
+
+"But," interrupted the Grand Duke, "you would much prefer to be fighting
+with the English, your own people, or a kindred people, at least. Is
+that it?"
+
+Both lads bowed in assent.
+
+"It is, Your Excellency," replied Hal.
+
+"Well," said the Grand Duke, "so be it."
+
+He drew from his pocket a document, which he placed in Hal's hands.
+
+"This," he said, "you will place in the hands of either Sir John French,
+the British commander, or General Joffre, the French commander-in-chief.
+I could, of course, send the message by wireless to London, but it would
+be intercepted by the Germans, and, while it naturally would be sent in
+code, I am not at all sure that the Germans could not decipher it."
+
+"When shall we start, Your Excellency?" asked Chester.
+
+"Whenever it is convenient," was the reply. "And the manner of your
+going I leave entirely to you. I will not hamper you with instructions."
+
+"Your Excellency," said Hal, struck with a sudden thought.
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"I should like to make a request."
+
+"Consider it granted," said the Grand Duke.
+
+"Well, then," said Hal, "I should like to ask permission to take Alexis
+with us."
+
+The Grand Duke was plainly surprised.
+
+"He may be of great aid to us in getting through," Hal explained. "His
+strength is prodigious, and more than once, as I have told you, has
+stood us in good stead."
+
+"Well," said the Grand Duke thoughtfully, "I will not order him to
+accompany you, for he would be out of his element on the other side;
+but, if he is willing to go, he has my permission."
+
+After some further talk the boys took a friendly farewell of the
+commander-in-chief of the Russian armies and left the tent. They hunted
+up Alexis immediately.
+
+"Well, Alexis," said Hal, "to-morrow we start back for France!"
+
+The giant Cossack was on his feet in a moment.
+
+"You mean you are going away for good?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," replied Chester.
+
+Alexis, although not an emotional man, was stirred deeply. The boys
+realized it in an instant; but he was not the man to give way to his
+feelings, and he said simply:
+
+"I am sorry. I wish that you would remain here."
+
+Then Hal broached his plan.
+
+"Alexis," he said, "how would you like to come with us?"
+
+The giant looked at him in surprise.
+
+"Go with you?" he exclaimed. "To France?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"But what would I do in France?" he questioned.
+
+"Fight!" replied Chester briefly.
+
+"True!" muttered Alexis.
+
+"The Grand Duke has given his permission, if you desire to go," said
+Hal, "and we would indeed be glad to have you. We have grown very fond
+of you."
+
+"And I of you," replied Alexis.
+
+"In France," said Chester, "there are no such men as you. You would be a
+veritable Hercules, a man among men. Brave men there are there in
+plenty, but none such as you."
+
+His vanity thus appealed to, Alexis saw the matter in a different light.
+He slapped one great fist down upon the table in a mighty blow.
+
+"I'll go!" he shouted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+ON NEUTRAL SOIL.
+
+
+"Surely you are not afraid, Alexis?" exclaimed Chester.
+
+"Afraid!" shouted Alexis. "Of course I am not afraid. But"--he eyed the
+large aeroplane dubiously--"but a man was not made to fly about in the
+air like a bird, particularly a man of my weight. Besides, I do not like
+great height. If I stand upon a precipice, I am immediately struck with
+the notion that I must jump off. If I jumped from an aeroplane I might
+upset it."
+
+Both Hal and Chester laughed.
+
+"I was that way myself once," said Chester, "so I know just how you
+feel. Many a man, otherwise very brave, has that same horror of height.
+However, you will soon get used to it."
+
+"Maybe so," said Alexis dubiously. "However, if one man can fly, why, so
+can I. I am willing to take a chance."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Hal. "Now to get started."
+
+Leaving Lodz, the three had made their way north, keeping as close to
+the German border as was safe, until they had reached Riga, on the Gulf
+of Riga, which extends in from the Baltic Sea. Here they had at first
+thought of going part of the distance by boat, but, because of the
+likelihood of the approach of German warships in the Baltic, had given
+up this plan and decided upon an aeroplane.
+
+"We came to Russia in an airship," Hal had said. "We might as well go
+back in one. Besides, it is quicker."
+
+And so it was agreed.
+
+Ten miles south of Riga, surrounded by Russian airmen, they climbed into
+the craft which the Russian commander in the little city had provided
+for them. The plane was large and roomy, having a seating capacity of
+five.
+
+Hal took his place at the steering wheel and Chester climbed aboard.
+
+Still eyeing the flying craft suspiciously, Alexis followed Chester,
+and, sitting down suddenly, took hold of the seat with both hands and
+hung on for dear life, although the craft was still upon the ground.
+Then he lowered his head and shut his eyes.
+
+Hal gave the word, and willing hands started the machine along the
+ground. Gradually it gained momentum until it was skimming over the
+ground at a rapid gait. Then Hal threw over the elevating lever, and the
+machine shot into the air amid the cheers of the Russians below.
+
+Alexis was conscious of a sinking sensation in the region of his
+stomach, and he ducked his head even lower as the car rose higher in the
+air.
+
+"Look up, Alexis!" shouted Chester, reaching over and laying a hand on
+the Cossack's arm.
+
+Now that the machine had reached a good height, Hal held it steady, and
+it darted ahead on a straightaway course. The plane shook with the
+vibrations of the engine, but otherwise there was scarcely a noticeable
+motion.
+
+Now that the machine was more steady, Alexis, in response to Chester's
+command, slowly opened his eyes and looked about. Seeing nothing, he
+closed them again immediately, and again ducked his head. Once more
+Chester yelled at him to look about, and at last Alexis raised his head
+and glanced into the distance.
+
+"This is a terrible place for a man to be," he muttered with a shudder.
+"If man were meant to fly he would have been given wings. It is tempting
+the wrath of the elements to be here."
+
+As he looked about him, however, and became conscious of the steadiness
+of the craft, his composure returned, and soon he was making inquiries
+regarding the construction of the craft, its speed and the height to
+which it could ascend. He glanced over the side of the machine, and then
+looked quickly upward again. The one glance below had made him ill.
+
+He smiled faintly. "I can't look down yet," he said ruefully. "I suppose
+I'll get used to it in time; but now I had better keep my eyes inside."
+
+"How fast are we going, Hal?" asked Chester.
+
+"Sixty-five miles an hour," was Hal's reply.
+
+Alexis was astonished.
+
+"Sixty-five miles!" he ejaculated. "Why, it seems as if we were standing
+still."
+
+"If we were close enough to the earth you would soon notice the
+difference," said Chester.
+
+For another hour they continued on their way without incident, and then
+Chester discovered the dim outline of a second aircraft trailing them at
+a distance. It was not gaining, but even when Hal put on more speed, at
+a word from Chester, he was unable to shake it off.
+
+"Evidently a German," said Chester. "I suppose he wants to see where we
+are going."
+
+For another hour the plane pursued them. Then Chester perceived that
+there were two instead of one, and that both were creeping up on them.
+
+With a cry to Hal, Chester picked two rifles from the bottom of the car.
+
+"We'll have to fight them off!" he cried.
+
+Alexis stirred uneasily in his seat.
+
+"I was afraid of it," he muttered. "Now, what will happen to me when I
+go hurtling through space to the ground below?"
+
+He shuddered.
+
+Hal, in response to a command from Chester, slowed down suddenly. Taking
+careful aim at one of the pursuers, Chester emptied the magazine of his
+first rifle. There came from behind the sounds of screams, followed by
+an explosion.
+
+"What was that?" cried Alexis in alarm.
+
+"I got one of them!" replied Chester calmly. "The plane has gone to
+earth."
+
+The second pursuing plane reduced its speed, but still clung on the
+trail of its would-be prey.
+
+"We'll have to dispose of it some way, Hal," shouted Chester. "Turn
+quickly and run toward it, and I'll see if I can't send it to the
+ground."
+
+He held his rifle ready as he spoke. Reducing the speed of the craft a
+trifle, Hal brought its head about in a wide circle; then darted
+suddenly toward the enemy.
+
+But the latter was not caught unprepared, and a rifle bullet whistled
+close to Alexis' ear.
+
+The giant Cossack clapped a hand to his head and for the first time
+looked toward the enemy. Then, reaching to the bottom of the machine, he
+raised up with a weapon, and, aiming at the hull of the enemy in the
+distance, poured the entire contents of the magazine into it. At the
+same moment a well-directed shot from Chester's rifle struck the pilot.
+He sprang to his feet, spun around crazily, and plunged from the car. A
+moment later and the aeroplane blew up with a loud bang.
+
+Alexis, who had seen the pilot go overboard, let out a cry of dismay. He
+could not help but think of the terrible fall to the ground.
+
+"Good work, Alexis!" cried Chester. "I told you you would get used to it
+before long."
+
+"I am not used to it," replied the giant, "but when a bullet whistles
+past my ear I get mad. I just naturally have to fight back."
+
+Nevertheless he made a brave effort to appear unconcerned, and he took a
+look over the side. At that moment Hal allowed the car to glide slowly
+nearer the earth. For a moment Alexis was unaware of this sinking
+sensation; but suddenly treetops came into view, and the Cossack let out
+a cry of alarm:
+
+"We're sinking!" he exclaimed.
+
+Hal laughed.
+
+"Just coming down to get a look about," he replied. "Now, if you will
+look over at the earth a few moments, you will soon overcome your
+uneasiness."
+
+Alexis, taking a long breath, did so; and he continued to peer over the
+side, even after Hal, touching the elevating lever, sent the plane high
+in the air again.
+
+Darkness fell and still the 'plane sped on. Then, so suddenly that they
+seemed to spring up from nowhere, the swiftly moving aeroplane was
+surrounded on all sides--as it seemed to the voyagers--by a score of
+hostile aircraft, while shots rang out from several sides.
+
+Hal acted promptly, as had always been his wont. He allowed the 'plane
+to drop a good quarter of a mile with a sudden lurch, and then righting
+it, darted forward again. For a moment they had shaken off the foe, but
+the latter was not long in finding them. Searchlights flashed in the
+sky, seeking out the prey.
+
+By a series of clever maneuvers, Hal succeeded in evading the hostile
+craft during the long hours of the night, turning first this way and
+then that, rising and falling. But with the first gray of dawn, it
+became plain to both boys that escape was practically impossible.
+Looking down Hal saw water below him, and at the same moment the hostile
+air fleet ten 'planes strong, swooped down on them.
+
+Chester's rifle cracked, as did that of Alexis. Bullets flew about all
+three occupants of the machine, and then the craft, struck in a vital
+spot, staggered. The 'plane began to sink slowly. In vain did Hal try to
+check the descent. The machine, still heading slightly toward the north,
+glided toward the water below.
+
+Suddenly Hal made out something below besides water. It was land. The
+lad breathed easier, for it was plain, that at the rate at which the
+craft was sinking, it could clear the water by a good quarter of a mile,
+beyond which the lad could see a sandy coast.
+
+"It must be the coast of Sweden or Denmark," he said to himself, "in
+which event we are safe, for it is neutral ground."
+
+The Germans, realizing that their foe was sinking, did not waste another
+shot on it, but swarmed after. Now the craft was close to the water.
+Gently it skimmed over it, across a short stretch of sand, and then
+settled slowly to the ground.
+
+Hal and Chester glanced about. There was no one in sight on the sandy
+beach and the Germans were coming right after them.
+
+"Even though this be Sweden," said Hal, "unless Swedish troops come to
+our aid, the Germans are likely to violate the neutrality of the country
+and take us anyhow."
+
+"Not without a fight," declared Alexis. "Let me get my feet on the
+ground again, and I will show you such a fight as you never saw. On the
+ground I can fight."
+
+Now the 'plane was but a few scant yards from the earth. It grounded
+with a shock.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+THE DEATH OF A TITAN.
+
+
+Quickly the three leaped out. In spite of the Germans hovering overhead,
+Hal examined the 'plane.
+
+"Great Scott!" he exclaimed, after a quick, though careful, inspection.
+"I can fix this thing in five minutes."
+
+Now the German machines came to the ground a short distance away. From
+each craft leaped three men, who dashed toward the three friends.
+
+Alexis turned to Hal and Chester.
+
+"Do you," he said calmly, "fix up the airship. I will meet these
+fellows!"
+
+Before either lad could reply, he had hurled himself upon the foe.
+
+For some reason, probably because they did not wish to attract the
+attention of the Swedish authorities by the sounds of a struggle, the
+Germans, at first, drew no firearms. Perceiving but one form rushing
+toward them, they advanced to meet him confidently. Plainly they
+considered it the wild dash of a madman.
+
+Hal and Chester turned their attention to the aeroplane, and while
+Alexis fought against overwhelming numbers, they overhauled it
+carefully.
+
+Right into the midst of his foes rushed the giant. Such a superb attack
+was never seen before--such a mad wild dash as he took the enemy by
+surprise and hurled them back--all of them--back against the airships
+that stood on the sands.
+
+As the huge Cossack rushed forward, his sword flashed above his head.
+His revolver he gripped tightly by the barrel. A fighting fire darted
+from his eye, and his thin lips were bared in a slight smile.
+
+If ever a man felt the joy of battle it was he. He heeded not the number
+of his adversaries nor the steel that flashed forth against him.
+Slashing, cutting, parrying, thrusting, he hurled himself in upon them.
+They were carried back by the very fierceness of his attack. They gave
+way before him, parting to retreat around one of the aircraft. With one
+swift sweep of his foot, Alexis tore a ragged hole in the bottom of the
+first craft; and at the same instant two men fell beneath his slashing
+blows.
+
+They could not stand before him--their very numbers were against them as
+the giant pressed ever forward. Now a man dropped to the ground and
+seized the giant by the left leg, thinking to drag him down. Alexis
+drove his right boot into the man's face, and at the same moment, by a
+quick back-handed sweep of his sword, cut down a man who would have
+sprung upon his back.
+
+His revolver rose and fell, once, twice, three times, and beneath these
+crushing blows more Germans went down. But Alexis did not escape
+unscathed. A sword thrust had pierced his chest, not deeply, but the
+blood streamed forth. There was a gaping wound in his cheek; his
+clothing was pierced in a dozen places.
+
+But in spite of this he pressed on. He thought only of advance, never of
+retreat; and as he hurled his gigantic body, time after time, upon the
+overwhelming number of his foes, they gave back in consternation and
+astonishment.
+
+Ten men lay dead upon the ground, their skulls battered by fierce blows
+of the revolver, or pierced through and through by the great sword.
+
+And now Hal and Chester, the aeroplane once more ready for flight,
+dashed forward to the rescue with loud cries.
+
+They ranged themselves alongside the fighting Cossack. He greeted them
+with a half-smile; he had no time for more. Three men threw themselves
+upon him. One he hurled from him with a stroke of his mighty leg,
+another felt the weight of his revolver butt and the third fell back
+with a sword wound in his chest.
+
+Unmindful of his own danger, the giant turned to the aid of Chester,
+who, at that moment was at the mercy of an enemy's sword. A mighty
+stroke of the massive arm and the German lay dead on the ground.
+
+The Germans, having had the worst of this encounter with a single foe,
+stood back and drew their revolvers. Quickly Alexis reversed his own
+weapon and fired. There was one enemy less. A bullet struck him in the
+chest. He staggered, but recovered, and again fired at his foes.
+
+The revolvers of the two lads were also spitting fire. A bullet grazed
+Hal's head and he toppled over. He was up in a moment, however, fighting
+more fiercely than before. Chester felt a stinging sensation in his
+right arm. Quickly he transferred his weapon to his left hand, and it
+continued to send out its deadly missiles.
+
+But this unequal contest could not last. It must be ended.
+
+Alexis, wounded in a score of places, his giant body hacked and hewn,
+hurled himself forward in one last desperate attack. Germans quailed
+before the very fury of his face; they tumbled here and there beneath
+his sword, or sweeping blows of his now empty revolver. A bullet struck
+the giant in the throat. He dropped his revolver and clapped his hand to
+the wound. Another struck him in the shoulder. He sprang forward, struck
+down another of the enemy, then staggered back.
+
+And at that moment there came the sound of tramping footsteps on the
+sand. Turning quickly Hal and Chester perceived approaching rapidly a
+body of Swedish troops. The Germans saw them at the same instant. They
+were still a mile away across the sands, but the Germans had no mind to
+be caught and interned. Quickly they leaped for their aircraft, all
+except those who remained upon the sands, their faces turned upward or
+buried therein.
+
+Hal and Chester each seized Alexis by an arm and dragged him back toward
+their own aeroplane, now righted and waiting only the touch that would
+send it into the air. The giant Cossack staggered along, but it was
+plain to both lads that he was about to collapse.
+
+"Come, come, Alexis!" cried Hal, trying to urge him on. "Only a few more
+steps and we will be all right."
+
+To the very side of the craft they carried him; but here, shaking
+himself free of their detaining hands, he suddenly fell, face forward,
+upon the ground. Quickly the two lads bent over him, and succeeded in
+turning him on his back.
+
+His voice came in faint gasps. The boys bent near to catch what he was
+saying.
+
+"Leave me here! You go on!" came his voice. "I am done for! Save
+yourselves!"
+
+The lads waited to hear no more. Chester took him by the feet and Hal by
+the head, and with great effort succeeded in placing him within the
+aeroplane, stretching him out, as well as they could across two of the
+seats. Then Chester sprang in and Hal jumped to the wheel.
+
+Along the beach the craft skimmed lightly, then arose from the ground.
+At the same instant a volley rang out from the approaching Swedish
+troops and the officer in command called out to surrender. The German
+airships, for some unaccountable reason, had not waited to resume the
+fight upon ascending into the air, but had made off.
+
+Hal headed the aeroplane due westward, making for the coast of England.
+Alexis had lapsed into unconsciousness upon being placed in the machine,
+but now he stirred feebly and spoke.
+
+"A real fight, wasn't it?" he gasped. "I told you I could do it if I
+were on the ground. How many was it I killed? Twenty--thirty--forty----"
+
+He broke off and burst into a fit of coughing. Chester bent over him
+anxiously.
+
+"You'll be all right in a day or two, old man," he said gently.
+
+Alexis smiled feebly.
+
+"Don't try to fool me," he said. "I am a man. I know when death is near
+and I am not afraid to face it."
+
+Both lads realized that their giant Cossack friend was near his end, but
+there was nothing they could do for him. Chester bound up the wounds as
+well as he could, stopping the flow of blood, but that was all.
+
+As the aeroplane flew over the sea toward the coast of England, the
+dying man continued to talk. Now he sat up in the craft and gazed down
+over the side.
+
+"I had always thought," he said slowly, "that I should end my days in my
+own land. As it is I shall not end them in any land at all; but in the
+air. It is strange."
+
+Hal slowed the aeroplane down until it was barely moving and turned to
+Alexis.
+
+"You are wrong," he said. "You are not going to die. In a few hours we
+shall be in England, where you shall have the best of medical
+attention."
+
+"It is too late," replied the Cossack calmly. "I shall not live an
+hour."
+
+His breath came with difficulty.
+
+"There is one thing I should like to know," he said.
+
+"What is it, Alexis?" asked Hal.
+
+"Will you tell me what you meant by 'drawing the long bow'?"
+
+Hal was silent for some moments, and then replied gravely.
+
+"When a man boasts of things he has never done, in America it is called
+'drawing the long bow.' I was mistaken in your case. It would be
+impossible for you to 'draw the long bow.' You have done too much."
+
+"That is true," agreed Chester.
+
+Suddenly the giant frame fell back. Hal turned as best he could while
+Chester leaned over him anxiously. Alexis extended a hand to each of
+them, which they grasped.
+
+"This," he said, pressing their hands in a still strong grip, "is the
+end. I wish that I could have lived to see the outcome of this war."
+
+"There can be but one outcome," replied Chester softly. "You may rest
+assured of that."
+
+"True," said the giant, "but I would like to have seen my old home
+again."
+
+The lads were silent. Finally Hal spoke.
+
+"To think," he said, "that we are responsible for your fate; but for us
+you would have remained with the army and have lived to the end of the
+war. We are to blame."
+
+"Sh-h-h," whispered the dying giant. The hand which held Chester's freed
+itself and groped in his pocket. "But for you lads," he continued, "I
+should never have won this."
+
+He pulled from his pocket the Cross of St. George, pinned to his breast
+by the Russian emperor, and gazed at it lovingly.
+
+"It is well worth the sacrifice," he said.
+
+Still holding the medal his hand again sought Chester's and pressed it.
+His other hand still gripped Hal's.
+
+"Good-by, boys," he said firmly. "Let the Grand Duke know."
+
+The pressure upon their hands relaxed. The giant frame of Alexis
+Vergoff, brave man and fighter extraordinary, stiffened and lay still.
+He was dead.
+
+And as the aeroplane swept over the sea to the distant coast of England
+Hal and Chester mourned the loss of a true and stanch friend.
+
+Arrived in England the lads saw the body of Alexis laid to rest with
+fitting honors, and continued their mission to the continent, where Hal
+put the document entrusted to his care by the Russian Grand Duke
+Nicholas into the hands of Field Marshal Sir John French,
+commander-in-chief of the British forces on the continent.
+
+And so we shall take leave of them for a short time. Their subsequent
+adventures will be found in a succeeding volume, entitled: "The Boy
+Allies in the Trenches; or Midst Shot and Shell Along the Aisne."
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Boy Allies with the Cossacks, by Clair W. Hayes
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