ey stole on toward the sleeping
Austrian camp. Feeling perfectly secure in the mountain fastness and
believing their position practically impregnable, the Austrians failed
to keep vigilant watch.

Now the first line of Cossacks, at a whispered word of command, fell to
the ground on their faces. A sentry walked directly toward them, but in
the blackness of the night he did not make out the silent forms.

As he turned his back on them, one shadowy form rose quickly to his feet
and moved swiftly forward. There was the sound of a brief struggle, a
cry stifled in his throat and the Cossacks moved forward again.

A second and then a third time this operation was repeated. Three
Austrian sentinels lay dead upon the ground; still the camp slept on,
unsuspecting.

More swiftly now, other troops issued from the mountain pass and spread
out in a great semi-circle over the plateau. For two hours this movement
continued in the darkness. The first line of Cossacks stood ready to
fire at the first sign of discovery, but, undiscovered, waited for the
rest of the force to get in position.

A dog in the Austrian camp barked. Others took up the cry. A sentry,
aware of some strange sensation, fired his rifle in the air. At the
moment the last of the Cossacks issued from the mountain pass. These
last troops were mounted and stood with bared lances awaiting the word
to charge.

The huge Austrian camp stirred along its length, but at that instant the
Cossacks sprang to action. Came quick commands from the officers, and
the first line moved upon the Austrian camp at a dead run. A hail of
revolver bullets sped through the canvas of the tents, striking down
those who were yet asleep and reaping a toll of death among those who
were dashing to arms. Then the Cossacks charged with cold steel.

In little parties, without the semblance of formation or discipline, the
Austrians dashed from their tents to beat back this sudden attack. There
was no time for them to fall into position. The Cossacks were upon them.
Right into the heart of the enemy's camp rushed the fearless horde in a
terrible charge, cutting, slashing, hewing their way through.

The Austrians, caught unprepared, gave ground. The Cossacks followed up
their first advantage closely, pressing the enemy so that they had no
time to get into battle formation. A squad of Cossacks sprang toward a
battery of field pieces, quickly wheeled it into position, and opened
fire on the fleeing A