Part 30 (1/2)
”Seemed to ht they encamped between two spurs of the lower hills Two hours before sunset they had begun to ascend fro the hills they would be looked for as soon as the object of their round which could easily be defended against odds, Ellerey placed sentinels to prevent any surprise The caht was cold Ellerey lay in a half-reclining position, his feet stretched toward the blaze; and at so in a circle playing cards, Grigosie and Anton standing beside the on
”There, boy, what did I tell you?” he heard Stefan say as he turned to Grigosie ”A woain plays me false, and it's the queen of hearts, too”
The boy laughed Evidently he and Stefan had becoether It was a ruffer tones of the soldiers
Presently the boy left Anton's side and threw himself down by the fire near Ellerey
”Are you tired, Grigosie?”
”A little Lately I have not been used to so many hours in the saddle
What point do we make for to-morrow?”
”The Drekner pass Do you know it?”
”I was quite a youngster when I last crossed it,” was the answer
”There used to be a castle there, perched on the hill-side like an eagle's eyrie”
”So many years cannot have passed since then that the castle should have crumbled away,” said Ellerey, with a smile ”I expect it is still there”
”You do not know the pass, then?”
”No”
Grigosie lapsed into silence, and then after a while he said suddenly: ”Some day I hope to be an honored soldier like you are, Captain”
”Wish better things for yourself, Grigosie”
”Are you not honored, then?”
”Enough to be given a dangerous post”
”And to receive good reward if you succeed The Queen will load you with gifts--and, perhaps, greater happiness still, soin to think of such things over early,” Ellerey answered
”You'll have your troubles soon enough that way, no doubt”
”Already, Captain”
”So soon?”