Part 34 (1/2)
”That is the token as I received it,” said Ellerey
As the brigand had held up the token Grigosie had leant forward to see it, the color et the better of his prudence, and he cried out:
”Long live our country! Doith all who dishonor her! The golden cross gleaood sun; it is a benediction on this day, a proions, Vasilici, and on to Sturatzberg where the hornets are nesting ready for destruction”
The brigand glanced at the boy conteht to crow for you?”
”The boy speaks well enough,” said Ellerey ”There is the token, where is your answer?”
”Here, and here,” was the quick answer, as he hurled the cross high into the air behind him, and at the same time blew a shrill whistle
”That is Vasilici's answer to liars, and this his swift punishment”
The man's movements were so lithe and quick, so utterly unexpected, that he had sprung upon Ellerey before the words had fully left his lips The long blade of his knife caught the sunlight, even as the golden cross had caught it a o, and Ellerey's upraised arm alone protected his breast from the doard thrust But the swift stroke did not come A revolver shot awoke the echoes of the hills, and with a howl the great brigand leapt backward, his knife falling harround, and his arosie ”To me, Captain!” It was at once evident that Vasilici had not ventured to the intervieithout support The hills in front of the doard to the very ground the little band occupied Men were in the ravine behind the up to cut off retreat that way
Cries and shouting were on every side, so that the soldiers had been deceived by their Captain
In the sudden confusion Ellerey gave quick coround where Grigosie stood; but his orders were either not heard or came too late for obedience Before the soldiers could coands were between theosie ”The hill behind us is clear” The boy fired twice in quick succession at men who had raised their rifles ready to fire at the past them, the aim was faulty in the excitement
”Shoot them both!” was the shout
”Shoot theosie
They scraether, the unevenness of the hillside protecting the bullets
”I osie ”We can keep to this kind path for a little way, and with luck cross the open presently toward the horses”
They ran on, crouching lest their heads should be seen and osie refilled the empty chambers of his revolver as he went, and Ellerey put up his sword and took his revolver instead Behind the had ceased, but they could not doubt that they were being swiftly followed; and spread over the open which they must needs cross, a hundred men probably barred their way
”Unless they were already there e passed, they will hardly have tiosie's answer to this fear
”Probably they were there, lad,” said Ellerey ”We've about an equal chance with the hare that is being coursed”
”He gets away soher and higher as they went Once they caught sight ofin the path below the the hillside to reach the summit before them, but no shout told theosie, unless it is absolutely necessary,” said Ellerey
”It would betray our whereabouts, and we shall want all our cartridges to stop them across the open”
The boy nodded and ran on
”The top at last!” he exclaiht yonder is our ht of the horses How far behind have we left thee under which they had co into view
”Quick, Grigosie; it's speed now,” said Ellerey