Part 35 (1/2)
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 n.o.bles and dignitaries, with the eyes of the entire a.s.semblage focused upon them, had pinned upon the b.r.e.a.s.t.s 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 a.s.sembled hosts.