Part 38 (1/2)

”All right,” was the reply, and the boys rode on slowly so as to give their reat co in their saddles, the lads saw the Austrians co rapidly after them They had co the woods

With a cry to Chester, Hal put spurs to his horse and soon both were literally flying over the ground, the Austrians in full chase

But the horses that the boys now bestrode were much fresher than had been their first aining

Now one of the enemy dreell ahead of his companions, a bit behind came a second, while a third, as some distance ahead of the remainder, closely followed the second These three, at their respective distances, slowly drew closer to the lads

Suddenly, without a word to Hal, Chester checked his horse abruptly, and his revolver flashed in his hand Before the first Austrian could check his e of the lad's weapon, which spoke sharply The Austrian tumbled sidewise from his horse

Chester turned and spurred on after Hal

Now the second Austrian drew close upon the lad Once more the latter abruptly checked his horse and turned to face the Austrian The latter, perceiving the boy's h, and a second bullet from Chester's revolver laid him low Once more the lad turned his horse's head forward and dashed on

The third Austrian, unmindful of the fate that had overtaken his two coained steadily, and was now a considerable distance ahead of the main body of the enemy A third time Chester turned suddenly on the foe and a third time his revolver spoke He missed, and the Austrian opened with his own revolver But his ai quietly on his horse, then took careful and deliberate airound Then he turned and rode on after Hal, who had slowed down to wait for him

Once more the lads put spurs to their horses and dashed on--each forward stride of their ani them much nearer the Russian lines and safety--until at last they made out in the distance the outposts of the Russian camp

Hal raised a cry of triumph, but at the same moment his horse stepped into a hole and went to his knees, hurling Hal over his head

Chester reined in alongside his friend and leaped to the ground The Austrians, perceiving the lad's misfortune, bore down on them with a wild cry of joy

CHAPTER XXVII

SAFE

In spite of his tu quickly to his feet Chester turned to the prostrate horse, and atteet it to its feet The horse ave up the attempt, for he realized in an instant that the ani in the fall

With revolvers in hands, both lads turned to face their foes

”We won't give up without a fight!” declared Hal grireed

Standing behind the horse that was still on its feet the two lads pointed their weapons at the foe, who bore down upon them at top speed

There were at least a score of them, and the boys realized that the encounter could have but one end Still they were deterht it out

But now, fro their eyes ht Mounted on their superb chargers and galloping forward as swiftly as the wind, came a full squadron of Russian Cossacks; and as they ca their weapons in the air, the fierce Cossack yell split the air time after time

The Austrians hesitated; then, not mindful to retreat and allow their victims, whom they had followed so far, to escape scot-free they advanced on the lads again Chester calht, and Hal disposed of the firstthat assistance was on the way, the boys fought coolly and with deter horse always between them and their foes

But this protection was soon removed An Austrian bullet struck the horse in the head and he fell to the ground Quickly the lads dropped behind the prostrate body and continued to pop away at their enemies

Two more went down, and still the lads were uninjured The Cossacks were still so with the swiftness of the wind The Austrians, seeking to end the encounter, spread out, fan-wise, and drew in upon the lads from three sides The lads shi+fted their positions so as still to face all their foes Then the Austrians ca, for now the onrushi+ng Cossacks had co out:

”Faster!”