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.
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 Liège, 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!”
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!”
“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.”
“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!
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 mêlée 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.