Chapter XVI: Attacked

For several hours the friends rode along the narrow mountain pass without incident. They stopped once at a little mountain stream to quench their thirst and to allow their horses to drink. Then they rode on again.

Rounding a sharp turn in the road, they came squarely upon half a dozen riders, all attired in Austrian uniforms. Hal realized their peril and acted upon the instant.

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

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

But before they had time to bring their revolvers to bear, the two lads and 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 time for more. The nine horsemen met with a shock, but the Austrians, being motionless, had the worst of it. The momentum of the horses ridden by the 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 lads realized it. All three put spurs to their horses and dashed down the road, 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," panted Hal to his friends, who were riding close beside him. "We'll run for it."

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

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

Quickly the others drew up and rushed to his assistance. The lad was not badly hurt, and was soon able to stand. Then, from the rear, came the sounds of their pursuers.

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

Chester did as told and Alexis followed him. Hal, however, seizing the two horses that were standing led them in between the trees. Then he sprang to the side of the fallen animal. Grasping him by the head, he succeeded in getting him to his feet and under cover just before the Austrians 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 other side."

Leading the two horses they started on. Five minutes later there loomed up through the trees what appeared to be a barn. They advanced toward it. Not a soul was about, but they proceeded cautiously for they did not wish to walk into a trap.

Hal tried the door to the barn. It was locked. Alexis soon remedied this, however. One quick twitch of his wrist and the lock came off. Hal went 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 any petrol I should say it is a lucky find for us."

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

"What is it now?" demanded Chester.

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

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

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

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

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

Alexis climbed in, plainly not without trepidation, and sank back in one of 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 passes safely."

"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 from it."

"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 good gait. Hal did not wish to go too fast, for he was not familiar with the roads, 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 we are likely to go into a ditch."

The car crept along slowly during the night hours, and morning found them still in the mountains. With the coming of dawn, however, Hal put on 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 one side of the road just in time to avoid running into them. Chester caught a 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 road clear of troops, the speed was increased. They made several stops along the route, and it was late the following afternoon when they recognized the familiar minarets of Lodz. Half an hour later the lads were admitted to the presence of the Grand Duke, Alexis remaining outside in the automobile.

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

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

At this moment Count de Reslau appeared in the Grand Duke's tent. He did not at first notice the presence of the two lads, and bowed to the Russian commander.

"Your Excellency----" he began.

At that moment his eyes rested on Hal and Chester and a look of surprise and 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 it is even as I have feared. Brunnoi will support Austria. And what is worse, my plans are being learned by at least one of his agents and sent to 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 I did not expect that you would ever return here. It was a hazardous mission the Duke sent you on. Are you sure your information is authentic?"

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

"In that case," said the count with a shrug of his shoulders, "you must be 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 their regiment the following day. Outside, they climbed again into the automobile and Hal drove the car to the house where they had left Marquis.

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

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

"Yes! Yes!" barked Marquis.

"Good!" said Chester. "But we will leave you here while we get something to 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 they had tasted food in plenty, and they ate hungrily. It was almost dark when they left the restaurant and started after Marquis.

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

At the same moment Chester ran his opponent through, and Alexis brought another 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 nearby doorway; eyeing them evilly. Hal caught Chester by the arm, and pointed to the figure.

"There is the answer," he said quietly.

Chester gazed in the direction indicated. Then, with a sudden cry, both boys 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!