Part 6 (1/2)

Theof epithets and rushed at the boy But the latter was prepared for hihts and lefts; one blow brought a tiny stream of blood from the man's nose

He drew back

”You will answer for that,” he said quietly, and turning, walked off

Hal shrugged his shoulders, and at that htened a few moments before came back

”Do you knoho that was?” he asked of Hal

”No,” replied the lad, ”and what's more, I don't care”

”Well,” said the salesman, ”the man whom you just struck is Count de Reslau, and he is very influential You haveof Poland,” replied Hal ”No et aithout a return blow”

Alexis,at Hal in astonishment Now he approached and laid a hand on the lad's arhter!” he exclai o,” said Hal, somewhat nettled

”Of course not,” replied Alexis ”Do you think I wanted to get in trouble? Suppose an officer had co?”

”Well,” said Hal, ”suppose he had?”

”If he had, ould have lost our liberty for all tiht?”

”Yes! Discipline in the Russian army is more strict than in any arhter The way you stood up to that man reminds me of the ti to hear any et out of here”

The three left the store, and continued their stroll about the town As they were passing an unfrequented corner, sixout upon them, armed with clubs and knives

Hal and Chester iht off their assailants; but not so Alexis

With a loud shout he rushed upon the six who had attacked the out blindly One ht in the Cossack's great hand, and throisting through the air And at the same time Alexis called to Hal and Chester:

”Now you shall see how Alexis can fight!”

But Hal and Chester had no ht the whole crowd of assailants They sprang to his aid

Alexis drove his right fist, with treht into the face of the second man, and the latter went down to rise no , clinched with one of the assailants, and the tent turound Chester and another of the eneround

Alexis reached one huge hand and grasped another of the foe by the back of the neck, and lifted hi, from his feet The last iant Cossack