come to an end."

The operation did not take long; the unfortunate skipper and his crew
were landed, to make their way home as best they could; when the vessel,
being set on fire, drifted on to the bank, where she quickly burnt to
the water's edge. Jack then pulled on, and in a short time the boats
reached the landing-place near the colonel's house, which Green pointed
out. Having, as far as they could from the water, examined the ground
before them, they came to the conclusion that no enemy was in the
neighbourhood. Green, who felt that some blame might have been attached
to him for deserting his commanding officer, volunteered to proceed by
himself to the house to ascertain how matters stood. He assured Jack
that he could trust Herr Groben, who would give him warning should the
enemy be near. Jack agreed to this, and Green set off.

In a short time he was seen returning to the boat, accompanied by the
old German tutor, who, as he approached, appeared to be much agitated.

"Bad news, sir," said Green, as he came up to Jack; "the Cossacks have
got hold of Higson and your brother."

"It was dere fault, it was dere fault," broke in the old tutor; "dey
would go out walking vid de young ladies when I warned dem not to go,
and a troop of Cossacks came galloping up to dem, and carry dem both
off. It almost break de young ladies' heart, and dey have not done
crying yet."

"Then they must be still in the neighbourhood!" exclaimed Jack, "and we
may be in time to overtake them."

"Oh no, captain," answered Herr Groben; "I fear not, for dey mount upon
two horses and gallop away."

"At all events, if you can supply us with a guide to show us the way
they have taken, we will pursue them," said Jack.

"Perhaps one of my pupil vill go, for dere moder, Matame Paskievich, is
very unhappy at the thoughts the officers were made prisoner, as she
consider that they were under her protection; and as dey come as
friends, dey should be allowed to go away as friends."

As there was no time to be lost, Jack, ordering Green to remain, with a
couple of men in each boat, set off, accompanied by Archie and Herr
Groben, who promised to find him a trustworthy guide, though he showed
no inclination to go himself. The name of Paskiewich had struck Jack,
and, on making inquiries from the old tutor, he found that the owner of
the house was the commandant of the fort.

"I think, sir," observed Archie, who was walking by his side, "if that