Part 35 (2/2)
CHAPTER XXV.
A NEW MISSION.
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.
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