Part 3 (1/2)
”And so would I,” declared Chester.
”All right,” said Hal. ”Then, if you are agreeable, when we see the Grand Duke to-night, I shall ask him if he cannot arrange to a.s.sign us to duties with the Russian army.”
In another moment the two lads, tired out, were fast asleep, with Marquis on guard.
CHAPTER III.
UNDER THE BEAR.
”So, Your Excellency,” Hal concluded, ”you may see that we have had considerable active service.”
The Russian Grand Duke Nicholas did not reply for some moments. It was plain that he was greatly impressed, as he had been greatly interested in the boys' adventures since they had taken service with the Allies just before the defense of Liege.
”Yes,” he said at length, ”you certainly have seen considerable service; and, in bringing me this paper safely”--the Grand Duke tapped his breast pocket--”you have rendered an invaluable service to our cause. I am indeed glad to know you. Now, if there is anything I can do to show my appreciation, you may consider it done.”
Remembering their conversation of a few hours before, Hal started to speak, then hesitated. Realizing that the lad had something he felt a delicacy of saying, the Grand Duke said:
”Come, out with it. What can I do for you?”
”Well, Your Excellency,” said Hal, ”my friend and I would like to see service with the Russian army.”
”What!” exclaimed the Grand Duke.
”Yes,” Chester broke into the conversation. ”We have talked it over, and we have decided that we would like to see service in the Eastern theater of war.”
”Hm-m-m,” said the Duke, stroking his mustache, ”and have you picked out the branch of the service to which you would like to be attached?”
”Yes, sir,” said Hal; ”we have.”
”And that is?” questioned the Grand Duke.
”The cavalry, Your Excellency--the Cossacks.”
The Grand Duke jumped to his feet in surprise.
”Well, well!” he exclaimed. ”You have certainly picked out the most difficult thing you could have asked me. Still, I have no doubt it can be arranged.”
”If it will inconvenience you, your Excellency----” Chester began.
”Tut! Tut!” the Grand Duke interrupted him, with a wave of his hand. ”It shall be done. Consider the matter settled. Do you know anything of the Cossacks?”
”Why, yes, Your Excellency,” replied Hal. ”We have read considerable about them.”
”Still,” said the Grand Duke, ”I'll warrant you do not know overly much about them. I'll tell you a little, if you like.”
”We would be glad to hear Your Excellency,” said Chester.
”The Cossacks,” said the Grand Duke, ”from whom the Russian cavalry is mainly drawn, form a community within the Russian Empire enjoying special rights and privileges in return for military service. Each Cossack village holds its land as a commune, and the village a.s.sembly fixes local taxation and elects the local judges. It has been estimated that the Cossacks will place 400,000 armed men in the field in this war.