Part 33 (1/2)

His revolver, less than a foot froh to see that the work had been well done, then rose to his feet, placed his hand upon the barrier, and, amid a hail of bullets froot him!” he told Chester quietly, as he turned and emptied his own revolver at the ene forward

Quickly Chester reloaded his own revolvers, and it ell that he did so, for the ene a desire to co that the lads were out of aht of the enemy, but they were not so foolish as to believe that the Austrians would remain in their present position and be picked off one at a time

”They'll make a rush soon!” declared Chester

”Well,” replied Hal, ”when they do we'll be ready for 'ehter than they can while they are on the run We should be able to pick off two et here”

”We'll have a try at it,” said Chester simply

It was plainly evident that the Austrians were preparing for a nal, all twelve of the foe still alive, sprang to their feet and made a concerted rush toward the barrier

”Here they come!” cried Hal ”Steady now!”

CHAPTER XXIII

IN THE NICK OF TIME

Hal, at the right of the barrier, confined his attention to that side of the road, leaving Chester to deal with the ene forward on the left Three times the weapon of each lad spoke, and at each shot an Austrian fell to the ground Firing coolly and deliberately at such close quarters, a miss was absolutely iain The ene themselves over it, as both lads had expected they would, they dropped to the ground on the opposite side of the big rocks, and there they remained

It was indeed a peculiar situation--the enemies less than six feet apart, separated only by a few rocks Still the Austrians, in spite of their losses, outnumbered the lads three to one

Now the rocks of the barrier began to move inward toward the lads

”Great Scott!” cried Chester ”They are trying to push these rocks over on us If they tumble this barrier over, we can't hope to account for all six of theainst the rocks; but the strength of the tas not as great as the strength of the six Such a contest could have but one ending The boys realized this as well as did their foes

”Well,” said Hal calh they had us All ready for a last stand, Chester?”

”All ready,” replied Chester calmly

”When I say jump,” instructed Hal, ”leap backward!”

Chester nodded in understanding of this plan

”Now!” cried Hal ”Jump!”

Both lads leaped quickly backward, and as they did so, the barrier--freed of their supporting shoulders--turound For a e and they made the best of it

Hal's revolver spoke and one Austrian straightened out in the act of rising Chester accounted for another, and then both lads sprang in close upon the foe, thus precluding the use of the foe's firearood account of himself; but Chester, weak from the loss of blood, was unable to hold his own A blow from the butt of one of the Austrian's revolvers and he went to the ground

At thathoofs Around the bend some distance away dashed a troop of Cossacks, Alexis hiiant Cossack took in the situation with one colance and put spurs to his horse The two Austrians who had attacked Chester saw the advancing Cossacks, and, turning, took to their heels