Part 19 (2/2)
”None!” cried thethe table a hard bloith his fist ”I know, because I am one of his men”
”What!” exclaih he had surands, they have called us But they will find that when the Russians attempt to cross the Carpathians, as they surely will, we bandits will give as good an account of ourselves as will the trained troops We love our country just as well as do those who live in Budapest But tell arians nor Austrians, nor even Germans?”
”No,” said Hal, thankful that they had been wise enough to discard their unifor out upon their mission ”We are Americans”
”Ah!” said thewith the German army?”
”Yes,” said Chester truthfully
”But thisto Alexis ”Is he an Anified for Alexis not to speak, for fear that his accent ht betray him
Their host was evidently satisfied The meal finished, the man walked with them to the door, and pointed out the direction they were to take
Then he pointed also to the southwest
”In that direction,” he said, ”lies the home of Brunnoi No, there is no truth that he will espouse the Russian cause Even now he is able to do much harm to their cause He is with Austria to the last drop of blood in hi in the direction the ed the course, and they bore off to the southwest for several hours, looking for a place to secrete themselves for the day
”We shall have to be very careful,” said Chester
The truth of this statement was proved a moment later From behind came the sharp crack of a rifle Chester's hat leaped from his head
CHAPTER XIV
THE BANDIT CHIEF
Hal, Chester and Alexis threw thele movement A second bullet sped harht,” Hal whispered to his friends, ”so here goes”
He drew a handkerchief from his pocket, and waved it aloft This was answered by a command in German, from some distance away
”Stand up; put your hands above your heads and advance”
The three friends did as commanded Three swarthy-faced men, with leveled revolvers, advanced to meet them Quickly they searched their prisoners, relieved them of their weapons, and bound their hands securely
”Forwardthe muzzle of his weapon into the small of Chester's back