or this. Springing
after them as they turned to flee, he cut two more down with mighty
strokes. Then the others scattered. The Cossack sprang after one and
disposed of him before he could draw his pistol, but the others now had
had time to get their guns.

A bullet struck Alexis in the right shoulder, but he did not even
stagger. He rushed quickly upon one of his enemies, who stood with a
revolver pointed squarely at him, his finger on the trigger. There was a
sharp report, followed instantly by another and the German fell to the
ground with a bullet in his head. Alexis sprang out of the cloud of
smoke unharmed.

This time the Cossack had been saved from death by the hand of Chester.
The lad having recovered sufficiently to take in the scene about him,
had staggered to his feet, thinking to go to the aid of his companion.
But he was so weak he could not stand. Then, seeing the revolver dropped
by the German officer, he had crawled toward it. At last he reached it,
and he had just time to aim and fire before the man who had drawn a bead
on Alexis could pull the trigger.

There remained but four Germans on their feet, and these, having
witnessed the mighty prowess of the giant Cossack, turned to flee. But
Alexis was after them in a flash. His blood was up, and though bleeding
in a dozen different places, he had no mind to quit the battle until the
last of his enemies had been laid low.

But the fleeing Germans, unfortunately for them, had turned their faces
in the wrong direction. Hal and Stephan, who had been struck spellbound
by the terrible fighting of their friend and brother, saw the four men
coming toward them, weapons in hand, with Alexis in hot pursuit. Quickly
they aimed and fired. At this distance a miss was impossible. Two
Germans staggered in their stride, reeled, and dropped over backward.

The others halted, appalled by the forgotten presence of this new enemy.
The stop was unfortunate for them. Alexis bore down on them like an
avenger, and close on his heels came Marquis. The Germans hesitated,
then started to run. It was too late.

Alexis' mighty sword cut down one before he had taken a dozen steps. The
other, bewildered, and not knowing which way to turn, threw down his
weapons and raised his hands in token of surrender.

Alexis, however, did not perceive this move. The light of battle still
flashed in his eyes, and he could see nothing but glittering swords and
shining revolver muzzles. His uprai