Part 23 (1/2)

Alexis took his stand in the center of the road,for the boys to take positions, one on each side of the road Then all stood waiting

The hoof beats drew nearer, and then the horses ca round the bend

”Only three! Good!” Hal ht upon Alexis before they realized that their as blocked They quickly drew rein and attempted to check their animals; but it was too late Alexis had two of the horses by the bridles, and pushi+ng theth, succeeded in unseating the riders

Hal and Chester pounced upon the two unhorsed men, and had their weapons before they couldto the two horses, called upon the lads to cover the third rider, who seemed about to make a dash for liberty

Hal was quick to obey

”One move,” he said quietly, as he pointed his newly-acquired revolver squarely at the third man, ”and you are a dead man”

The latter raised his hands above his head While Hal kept him covered, Chester advanced and relieved him of his weapons Then he ordered him to dismount

Alexis now approached with the other two horses, one of which he turned over to Chester Hal took the third horse

”We are sorry to be forced to do this,” said Hal to the men whose horses they had appropriated, ”but necessity knows no law We need these animals worse than you do; therefore, we take them”

”We are thankful,” said one of the men, ”that you have spared our lives”

Quickly the three friends leaped into their saddles, and spurred their horses onward

CHAPTER XVI

ATTACKED

For several hours the friends rode along the narrow mountain pass without incident They stopped once at a little mountain stream to quench their thirst and to allow their horses to drink Then they rode on again

Rounding a sharp turn in the road, they came squarely upon half a dozen riders, all attired in Austrian uniforms Hal realized their peril and acted upon the instant

”Quick!” he shouted to his two friends ”Ride them down!”

The Austrians were no less surprised than the three friends at this unexpected encounter; but they also acted quickly They reined in their horses and drew their swords and revolvers

But before they had tie Cossack were upon thehtly in the lead

Hal fired one shot as he swept down upon the foe, but there was no time for more The nine horse motionless, had the worst of it The momentum of the horses ridden by the two lads and the Cossack carried theh the ene if it could be avoided, and the lads realized it All three put spurs to their horses and dashed down the road, rounding a bend just as the Austrians, having recovered, fired

None was hit

”This is one time where discretion is the better part of valor,” panted Hal to his friends, ere riding close beside him ”We'll run for it”

The Austrians quickly turned their horses and dashed on in pursuit