some time," was the reply. "Right now we'll have to tie Nicolas
up and finish our sleep."

But when Nicolas had been safely secured, Ivan declared that he would not
go to sleep until he had proven to Chester just how easy it would be to
handle him.

"Well, all right, then," said Chester, "I'll show you. But remember,
don't you crack me too hard if you do happen to land."

Chester placed himself quickly in an attitude of defense, left arm
extended slightly, right arm well back. Crouching slightly and treading
on his toes, he stepped lightly around Ivan, who, with arms wide, waited
for him to come in.

Chester feinted quickly with his left and brought his right forward as he
stepped in close. The right fist bumped the giant's chin gently, for
Chester had not struck hard. A moment later his left landed almost in the
same spot, a trifle harder, and he escaped Ivan's rush and wild swing by
side-stepping nimbly.

There was a puzzled expression on Ivan's face as he followed the lad
about the cavern, Chester dancing nimbly first to this side and then
that. Once the lad let the giant come close, and when he swung, Chester
jerked his head aside sharply and the blow passed over his shoulder.

Quickly then Chester stepped forward and with his open left palm smacked
Ivan smartly across the left cheek. He performed a similar operation with
his right; then stepped back and dropped his hands.

"Well?" he said, eying Ivan inquiringly.

"Well, you did it," said Ivan, greatly crestfallen. "How, I don't know.
Will you teach me?"

"Some time," said Chester. "Now, let's finish that sleep."

CHAPTER XII.

A CHASE.

"We ought to be pretty close to the place we left our horses,"
said Chester.

"I was just thinking that, myself," agreed Colonel Anderson. "Must be
around here some place."

"We shall be there within the hour," said Nikol, to whom the situation
had been explained. He had declared he could lead them straight to the
place they had left the animals.

"So you see, Mr. Stubbs, we are not coming back in such a hurry after
all," said Hal.

"We're not there yet," mumbled Stubbs. "An hour is an hour. We've been
altogether too lucky, if you ask me. It's about time something happened."

"Croaking again, eh?" said Chester. "I never saw a fellow like you
before. You see trouble in everything."

"So I do--when I'm with you," declared Stubbs. "It's been my experience
that wherever you and Hal happen to be, there al