Boy Allies with the Cossacks; Or, A Wild Dash over the Carpathians

by Clair W. Hayes

  CHAPTER XVI.

  ATTACKED.

  For several hours the friends rode along the narrow mountain passwithout incident. They stopped once at a little mountain stream toquench their thirst and to allow their horses to drink. Then they rodeon again.

  Rounding a sharp turn in the road, they came squarely upon half a dozenriders, all attired in Austrian uniforms. Hal realized their peril andacted upon the instant.

  "Quick!" he shouted to his two friends. "Ride them down!"

  The Austrians were no less surprised than the three friends at thisunexpected encounter; but they also acted quickly. They reined in theirhorses and drew their swords and revolvers.

  But before they had time to bring their revolvers to bear, the two ladsand the huge Cossack were upon them, Hal slightly in the lead.

  Hal fired one shot as he swept down upon the foe, but there was no timefor more. The nine horsemen met with a shock, but the Austrians, beingmotionless, had the worst of it. The momentum of the horses ridden bythe two lads and the Cossack carried them through.

  "Ride!" shouted Hal, as they burst through the enemy.

  It was no time for fighting if it could be avoided, and the ladsrealized it. All three put spurs to their horses and dashed down theroad, rounding a bend just as the Austrians, having recovered, fired.None was hit.

  "This is one time where discretion is the better part of valor," pantedHal to his friends, who were riding close beside him. "We'll run forit."

  The Austrians quickly turned their horses and dashed on in pursuit.

  Hal, glancing back, saw that the enemy was not gaining, and reportedthis to his friends. Thus encouraged, they urged their mounts evenfaster, and before long had drawn out of sight of the pursuers. But atthe very moment they seemed to be safe, Chester's horse stumbled andfell, hurling the lad headlong.

  Quickly the others drew up and rushed to his assistance. The lad was notbadly hurt, and was soon able to stand. Then, from the rear, came thesounds of their pursuers.

  "We can't stand here," cried Hal. "Quick, Chester! Into this clump oftrees."

  Chester did as told and Alexis followed him. Hal, however, seizing thetwo horses that were standing led them in between the trees. Then hesprang to the side of the fallen animal. Grasping him by the head, hesucceeded in getting him to his feet and under cover just before theAustrians came into sight. A minute later the Austrians swept by.

  Hal breathed a sigh of relief.

  "Pretty close," he said quietly. "Now let's get out of here by the otherside."

  Leading the two horses they started on. Five minutes later there loomedup through the trees what appeared to be a barn. They advanced towardit. Not a soul was about, but they proceeded cautiously for they did notwish to walk into a trap.

  Hal tried the door to the barn. It was locked. Alexis soon remediedthis, however. One quick twitch of his wrist and the lock came off. Halwent in, and started back with a cry of surprise.

  "What's the matter?" demanded Chester.

  "Matter?" repeated Hal. "Look!"

  He stepped back and Chester peered over his shoulder.

  "Automobiles!" he said in astonishment

  It was true. Inside the shed were four large touring cars.

  "What on earth can they be doing here, I wonder," said Chester.

  "I haven't the faintest idea," replied Hal, "but if we can find anypetrol I should say it is a lucky find for us."

  He made a rapid inspection of the shed, and stopped at the far end witha low whistle.

  "What is it now?" demanded Chester.

  "Petrol," replied Hal. "Gallons and gallons of it. Now what do yousuppose it is here for?"

  "That doesn't concern us," said Chester dryly. "We'll fill up the tankof one of these cars and get away."

  Quickly this was done, and the car was run out the door. Chester climbedinto the rear seat and motioned for Alexis to follow him. Alexishesitated.

  "I've never been in one of those things," he said slowly. "Now, a horseis all right. I know all about a horse. But I don't know anything aboutthese things."

  "Never mind that," said Chester. "Get in here quick. Those Austrians arelikely to be back any minute and we must hurry."

  Alexis climbed in, plainly not without trepidation, and sank back in oneof the comfortable seats. Hal already had taken his place at the wheel,and slowly the large machine moved forward.

  "I wonder," said Hal to Chester, "whether we can go down these passessafely."

  "Where a machine has gone once, another may go," said Chester calmly."Besides, if you'll notice, there is a well-defined track ahead of you,and unless I am much mistaken, it goes not toward the road but away fromit."

  "By Jove!" replied Hal. "You are right. Now I wonder how that happens."

  Gradually the car gathered speed, until it was traveling along at a goodgait. Hal did not wish to go too fast, for he was not familiar with theroads, and besides, the steep grade also precluded this.

  Night fell. Hal stopped the car long enough to light the searchlights.

  "They may betray our presence," he said, "but if I don't light them weare likely to go into a ditch."

  The car crept along slowly during the night hours, and morning foundthem still in the mountains. With the coming of dawn, however, Hal puton more speed, and by noon they were once more on the plains of Galicia.Then Hal "let her out."

  Suddenly the machine flashed by a body of troops. Hal swerved to oneside of the road just in time to avoid running into them. Chester caughta glimpse of their uniforms.

  "Russians!" he called to Hal.

  "Are you sure?" the latter called back.

  "Sure," replied Chester.

  Hal reduced the speed of the car.

  "In that event I'll slow down," he said.

  The car went along now at a more moderate pace; but once again on a roadclear of troops, the speed was increased. They made several stops alongthe route, and it was late the following afternoon when they recognizedthe familiar minarets of Lodz. Half an hour later the lads were admittedto the presence of the Grand Duke, Alexis remaining outside in theautomobile.

  Hal made his report to the Grand Duke clearly and concisely.

  "I feared as much," said the Russian commander-in-chief, when the ladhad finished. "You have done well, however. You will rejoin yourregiment as soon as convenient."

  At this moment Count de Reslau appeared in the Grand Duke's tent. He didnot at first notice the presence of the two lads, and bowed to theRussian commander.

  "Your Excellency----" he began.

  At that moment his eyes rested on Hal and Chester and a look of surpriseand consternation passed over his face.

  "You here?" he cried.

  Hal and Chester bowed.

  "Yes, sir," said the latter quietly.

  The Grand Duke turned to the count with a smile.

  "And they have successfully performed their mission," he said. "But itis even as I have feared. Brunnoi will support Austria. And what isworse, my plans are being learned by at least one of his agents and sentto the Austrian general staff."

  "Impossible!" exclaimed the count, who had now regained his composure.He turned to the two lads. "Certainly," he said, "when I saw you last Idid not expect that you would ever return here. It was a hazardousmission the Duke sent you on. Are you sure your information isauthentic?"

  "Perfectly," replied Hal calmly. "Brunnoi himself was our informer."

  "In that case," said the count with a shrug of his shoulders, "you mustbe right."

  He turned, and with a few brief words to the Grand Duke, left the tent.The lads talked for some moments with the Russian commander-in-chief,and then left the tent, informing him that they would join theirregiment the following day. Outside, they climbed again into theautomobile and Hal drove the car to the house where they had leftMarquis.

  The dog was overjoyed at seeing his friends again. His tail waggedfiercely and he barked with gladness, insisting upon kissing all three,in spite of their prot
ests.

  "Down, Marquis!" cried Hal with a laugh. "Do you want to eat us up. Nowwhat do you say, sir, will you be glad to rejoin your regimentto-morrow?"

  "Yes! Yes!" barked Marquis.

  "Good!" said Chester. "But we will leave you here while we get somethingto eat. Then we will come back and get you."

  The three left the house, and made their way to the nearest restaurant,where they ordered a sumptuous meal. It had been long days since theyhad tasted food in plenty, and they ate hungrily. It was almost darkwhen they left the restaurant and started after Marquis.

  As they passed down a side street, five men armed with long knivessprang out upon them. The three friends were caught off their guard bythe suddenness of the attack, and in spite of the fact that they drewtheir swords, for they were again in uniform, their assailants pressedthem sorely. A sword thrust pierced Hal in the arm, and his weapon fellto the ground. He drew his revolver with his left hand, however, andfired point-blank at his adversary. His aim was true, and there was oneenemy less.

  At the same moment Chester ran his opponent through, and Alexis broughtanother to the ground. The other two turned and fled.

  "I wonder what that was for?" said Chester, brushing himself off.

  "I can't imagine why we should have been attacked," declared Hal.

  He broke off; for at that moment he espied a figure standing in a nearbydoorway; eyeing them evilly. Hal caught Chester by the arm, and pointedto the figure.

  "There is the answer," he said quietly.

  Chester gazed in the direction indicated. Then, with a sudden cry, bothboys dashed toward the doorway.

  For the man they saw, with a sneer curving his lips, wore a long,flowing, white beard and a military uniform.

  He was Brunnoi, chief of the Hungarian bandits!