sed sword would have split the head
of the German, had not Hal, stepping forward quickly, caught the blow
upon his own weapon.

"Alexis!" he cried sharply.

The giant paused and looked around as one in a dream. Then he slowly
raised his sword, gazed at the lad blankly for a few seconds, spun twice
around and fell forward on his face. He had swooned.

Stephan leaped forward, and from his canteen poured water over the face
of his brother. Knowing that the giant was in good hands, Hal dashed
forward to where Chester still lay, having fallen back after firing the
one shot. The prisoner, now unguarded, took to his heels and was soon
out of range.

"Are you badly hurt, Chester?" asked Hal, anxiously, bending over his
friend.

"I feel pretty weak," was Chester's reply. "But I don't believe I am
seriously hurt. A bullet must have grazed my temple, and the force of
the shock put me out. But say! Isn't Alexis a terrible fighter?"

"I should say he is," answered Hal. "I don't believe anyone ever saw
such fighting before. Certainly not since the days of Hereward."

Hal assisted Chester to his feet and, supporting him by an encircling
arm, led the way to where even now Alexis, having received first aid
treatment at the hands of his brother, was sitting up and gazing about
somewhat vacantly.

Chester spoke to the big Cossack.

"I owe my life to you," he said simply. "I shall never forget it."

"That's all right," replied Alexis. "I remember now. It was quite a
fight, wasn't it? But I remember once when I was attacked by----"

His voice died away, and he sank to the ground again.

His friends bent over him anxiously, and Hal placed a hand over his
heart. It was beating regularly while his deep and regular breathing
proclaimed his condition.

"He is sleeping," said Hal quietly.

CHAPTER XII.

ON THE VISTULA.

"How far are we from the Vistula now, Alexis?" asked Chester, as the
little party rode rapidly forward.

"Not more than seven or eight versts, I am sure," was the reply.

"Is it likely the Germans have advanced that far in this section?"

"There is no telling; we shall have to be careful."

All day long the four friends had been hurrying toward the Russian
lines. Alexis, after his terrible struggle with overwhelming odds, when
he had dashed forward to save Chester, had slept for hours without
moving-all night, practically. When he awoke, shortly before dawn, he
announced that he was in condition t