o move on.

Chester's wound also had benefited by the rest and now bothered him
little. While Alexis and Chester slept, Hal and Stephan had succeeded in
capturing four horses; and so, long before sunrise, the little party
continued their flight, Marquis, as usual, trailing along behind.

For another hour now the four rode on, and then a welcome sight
confronted them. Hal was the first to perceive water ahead, and called
the attention of the others to it.

"The Vistula," said Alexis briefly.

There was not the sign of either friend or foe. For some unaccountable
reason neither bank of the stream was guarded. Hal supplied an
explanation.

"The Germans have probably been pushed back further to the South," he
suggested, "thereby doing away with the necessity of a patrol here."

They drew nearer the river. At this point the stream was very deep, and
there was no bridge; but as the four drew up on the bank, Chester made
out a cloud of smoke coming up the stream.

"A steamer!" he exclaimed.

The lad was right. The smoke drew nearer, and at last the friends were
able to discern the outline of a small river vessel steaming toward
them. They jumped from their horses, and advanced to the very edge of
the water, where they awaited the approaching boat.

"She may be a German," said Hal.

"It is hardly likely," said Alexis.

"But I understood the Germans had fitted out several river steamers,"
said Hal.

"True," replied Alexis; "I had forgotten. We shall have to be careful."

But now the vessel was close enough for those on shore to make out her
flag. The emblem flying aloft was that of the Czar. Hal drew off his
coat and waved it about his head.

"If they will stop and pick us up," he explained, "it may save us a
tedious ride."

A sharp blast of the whistle signified that Hal's signal had been seen.
The steamer came to a stop in midstream, a launch put off toward the
shore, and soon grounded at the spot where the four friends stood.

Quickly they leaped into the little craft and were soon aboard the
steamer, where they were greeted by the commander of the vessel. Hal
explained their situation as briefly as possible.

"Well," said the commander, "I can't promise to put you ashore
immediately, for I am bound further up the river in pursuit of a German
steamer that has been bombarding several upstream towns. When I have
disposed of the enemy, however, I shall be glad to land you down the
stream, for I shall return