Part 18 (1/2)
”Well,” said Hal, ”ould like to get back to Lodz I suppose our regiet there with all possible dispatch,” the commander promised ”I will land you where it will be most convenient for you”
The lads thanked him, and walked across the deck, where they rejoined Alexis and Stephan
”You would ood sailor, Alexis,” Chester told him
The Cossack drew himself up and strutted proudly for severalnew tonew!” exclaimed Hal in some surprise
”No,” replied Alexis
”You mean you have been a sailor?” demanded Chester
”Certainly Of course the commander of this vessel did a fair piece of work a few s Why, when I coh!” cried Hal, throwing up his hands in protest
”Do you doubt my word?” demanded Alexis fiercely
”Not at all,” Hal hastened to assure hi bow'to tell me at last?”
”I had about decided to,” said Hal slowly; ”but after this, never!”
CHAPTER XIII
INTO THE CARPATHIANS
”So,” said the Grand Duke Nicholas, ”you find that there are adventures to be found in the eastern as well as the western theater of war, eh?”
”Yes, Your Excellency,” replied Hal
”And tell me,” continued the Grand Duke, ”what do you think of the Cossacks as fighters?”
”From e have seen,” replied Chester, ”I should say that there are none better”
”Good!” was the earded the lads silently for some moments
Hal, Chester, Alexis, Stephan and Marquis, after the battle on the Vistula, had returned to Lodz without difficulty The commander of the Russian river steamer had made it as easy for theiment had been ordered to the front, and had been on their way to join it, when the Grand Duke, inspecting his troops, had come upon them He imreatly interested in them Alexis, Stephan and Marquis waited without
At last the Grand Duke spoke ”I have ato undertake it,” he said
”Yes, Your Excellency,” replied Chester
”Very good! As youof the as an invasion of Hungary--the capture first of Budapest and next of Vienna This necessitates the capture of Cracow, in Galicia, and the forcing of a passage through the Carpathian mountains--a tremendous feat at this time of year The investment of Cracow is certain Even now hold, and I had word thisthat part of it is in flames Do you follow me?”