Part 32 (1/2)

”Some water!” he commanded.

Under the threatening muzzle of the revolver, the woman brought it, and at a command from Hal, bathed Chester's face. Then, still at Hal's command, she lifted the lad and placed him in a chair. Hal took his seat near the window, for he knew that it was only a question of time until some of the Russian troops pa.s.sed in one way or the other. His revolver still covered the two women, who sat without uttering a word.

Gradually the color returned to Chester's face, and at last he opened his eyes and looked about. He took in the situation at a glance, and smiled faintly.

”Well, I see we won,” he said.

”We did,” replied Hal grimly. ”How do you feel?”

”Better. I shall be all right now.”

”Do you think you are equal to holding this revolver while I go out and reconnoiter?”

”Sure!” replied Chester. ”Give it to me.”

Hal put the revolver in his friend's hand.

”Don't hesitate to fire if one of them makes a false move,” he said.

”They would kill you in a moment if they had the chance.”

”I'll use it if necessary; have no fear about that,” replied Chester.

Hal arose and left the room and the house. He gazed up and down the road. There was no sign of troops, nor, by listening intently, could he hear hoof beats. He made his way to where he had left his horse, and tied it alongside the horse that had brought Chester to the house. Then he returned to Chester and his prisoners.

”There is no telling how long we may have to wait for our men to return,” he said to his friend. ”Do you suppose that if I lifted you up on your horse you could ride?”

”I am sure of it,” replied Chester.

”That is the best plan,” said Hal. ”Come, then, we will try it.”

He went to Chester's side, and still holding the revolver in his right hand, threw his left arm around his friend's neck. Chester put an arm about Hal's shoulder, and thus supported, made his way from the room without much pain.

Hal made a stirrup of his hand, and Chester, putting his foot into it, was soon astride his horse, though he winced somewhat with the pain the exertion gave him. Then Hal sprang into his own saddle, and the two turned their horses' heads in the direction of the main body of Cossacks.

Along the narrow mountain trail they rode slowly for perhaps an hour without the sight of either friend or foe. Then, rounding a sharp turning in the pa.s.s, at the top of a steep section of the road, Hal reined in suddenly with a muttered imprecation. Chester followed his friend's example.

Perhaps half a mile away came a body of hors.e.m.e.n, perhaps twenty of them. The sun, s.h.i.+ning upon their uniforms, showed them to be Austrians.

Quickly Hal leaped from his horse, and putting forth his utmost strength, rolled several great stones into place across the road, absolutely barring the pa.s.s. Then, after Chester had been helped to the ground, the two lads dropped behind this barrier.

The pa.s.s at this point was hardly wide enough for four men to walk abreast. On each side walls of rock rose straight up for perhaps twenty feet. Hal looked at his two revolvers and the one he had taken from the women in the house.

”Lucky we have plenty of ammunition,” he said calmly.

He tested all weapons carefully and loaded them. Then he pa.s.sed one to Chester.

”I am keeping two,” he explained, ”because, being wounded, you probably won't be able to move about as quickly as I will. I don't know how long we shall be able to hold these fellows off; but if they don't rush us, we may be able to hold out till help arrives.”

”If they were Germans I wouldn't feel quite so easy,” said Chester; ”but I don't believe there is much likelihood of Austrians rus.h.i.+ng us.”

”Right you are,” said Hal cheerfully. ”They'll probably dismount, hide behind their horses and try to pick us off.”