Part 38 (2/2)
In response to this coers of the Cossacks leaped forward A volley rang out, and bullets whistling over the heads of Hal and Chester found lodgment in Austrian breasts and heads The enemy turned and fled
With a quick word of com lads, pulled in his horse with a sudden round The rest of the troop continued itsas fast as their tired horses could carry them
There was but one possible result of such a chase noble anih the Austrian horses were, they were no ers And there was no mercy in the hearts of the Cossacks for their enemies The Austrians did not cry for quarter, and no quarter was given Ten minutes later the Cossacks, their ranks thinned by four, returned to where their leader had dis hilad surprise
”Alexis!” they exclaile voice
”The same!” replied their Cossack friend ”Don't tell y Where would you have been, if I hadn't arrived just now, eh?”
”Well,” said Chester slowly, ”ouldn't be here”
”You would have been dead, that's where you would have been,” said Alexis calmly ”As it was, I almost arrived too late Perhaps next time you will not leave me behind”
”We won't try to thank you,” said Hal ”But how did you happen to arrive so opportunely?”
”Why,” replied Alexis, ”looking across the plain I sao horsemen pursued by many others I knew you would return from that direction, and I surht ale I made out your Austrian uniforms, even as I would have ordered my men forward, and hesitated It wasn't any of my business if two Austrians were killed Then I reuessed that maybe the uniforms were part of it
But, you y”
Alexis now ordered one of his , the lads rode back toward the Russian lines with the Cossack troop Here they wasted no time, but started at once on their return journey to Lodz, Alexis, having obtained per with them
Grand Duke Nicholas ell pleased with the lads' report and cohly upon their bravery and resourcefulness Then he added, soht:
”I shall indeed be sorry to lose you”
”To lose us!” exclaimed Chester, in surprise ”Why, Your Excellency, we have no intention of being killed”
”I didn't ht smile, ”but I have other work of ireater importance than any which you have yet accolad to undertake it, no matter what it is,” said Hal
”I ah successfully”
”So as you have done, I would not say there is anything you cannot do”
”But this new mission?” questioned Hal
”The new mission,” replied the Grand Duke, ”will carry you back into France”
”What!” exclaimed both lads in surprise
”Exactly,” said the Grand Duke ”That is why I said I would be sorry to lose you, for I know that, once back with the British troops, you will not return again to Russia”
”Well, Your Excellency,” said Chester, ”we have seen service with the Cossacks, and we like it immensely, but----”