Part 22 (1/2)

”I was afraid so, too,” said Hal

Alexis said nothing Instead he approached the door, and pressed against it--testing it Then he turned, and without exertion, wheeled a second massive bed into position before the door This he braced with the third bed, so that by straining his hardest, he could not budge the to do now?” deiant briefly

He stepped between the door and the first bed, close to it Here, bracing hiainst the door and pushed There was a slight cracking noise Under this terrible force, the door was straining And still the giant kept up the pressure

The muscles in the back of his neck stood out like bands of iron The sinews in his bare arms quivered and seemed about to leap froled with the unyielding door There caiant released the pressure

Even from where they stood, the lads could see the door sway inward into place, thus showing the pressure that had been put against it

The two lads were lost in adth of Alexis

”It doesn't seem possible,” said Hal, half to himself

”It isn't possible,” declared Chester

But Alexis did not heed these re the beds aith fierce kicks, he cleared a space in front of the door Then he drew back

”Look!” exclaimed Chester in an awed voice

Even as he spoke, Alexis drew hi Ten quick steps he took, and then hurled his giant fraainst the heavy door

There was a thud as he s wood, and Alexis, door and all went down in a tangled heap

Quickly the giant extricated himself and darted back into the roo it wildly about his head he shouted to the lads:

”Come on!”

Without a moment's delay, surprised as they were, the lads lifted their oeapons, and dashed after the Cossack Straight out the door of the bandit chief's private rooures sitting idly about gave evidence that the chief had not taken all of his men with him At the abrupt entrance of Alexis these ju knives and swords

Alexis was upon them in a trice, Hal and Chester close behind hiiant rose and fell, once, twice, thrice--even to five ti blow a man went doith a crushed skull The others drew back

The two lads now ranged theed the foe There was no escape for the bandits, now backed into a corner; but they fought back with a desperation born of despair Threeon his feet

Alexis rested the end of his club upon the ground, and leaning on it, wiped the perspiration from his brow Then, after a brief rest, he led the way to the entrance to the cavern, barred by the great rock

”Here,” said Chester, ”I am afraid, is where we stop We do not kno to open it”

Alexis pushed the lads aside and examined the rock Then, without a word, he dropped his club and put his shoulder to the boulder that barred the exit The first atteiant tried again Putting every ounce of his herculean strength into this final effort, he exerted hian tooutward

Then,away back on its hinges Alexis, unable to recover his balance, fell forward on his face He was up in a moment, however, and the three darted fro to put as great a distance as possible between the for breath

Then, suddenly, Alexis toppled over on the ground