Part 15 (2/2)

”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. .h.i.t 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 onrus.h.i.+ng foe. Chester's life hung in the balance!

CHAPTER XI.

TWO TO THE RESCUE.

As friend and foe alike bore down on him, Hal saw Chester raise himself.

He got to his knees, struggled to his feet, staggered, and then fell back again.

The Germans rus.h.i.+ng 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 s.p.a.ce 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.

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