The Boy Allies with the Cossacks; Or, A Wild Dash over the Carpathians

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 reënforcements 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“Surely you are not afraid, Alexis?” exclaimed Chester.

“Afraid!” shouted Alexis. “Of course I am not afraid. But”–he eyed the large aëroplane 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 aëroplane 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 aëroplane.

“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 aëroplane 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 aëroplane 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.