said Chester, "we shall miss you greatly; but
we shall have to try and get along without you this time."

Back with their regiment they gave the message releasing them from
active duty to their commander; then, changing their uniforms for
civilian garb and bidding Alexis good-by, they set out in the direction
of the Galician stronghold, making a wide detour so as to approach from
the north, rather than from the direction of the Russian troops in the
East.

They went horseback, and they rode slowly, for they did not wish to
attract undue attention to themselves by too great speed. The route they
traversed made it a good two-days' journey, and long before coming to
the city proper they encountered bands of Austrian troops. To these,
however, they paid little heed and they were not molested.

"Evidently they don't care who goes in," remarked Chester.

"Looks that way," replied Hal; "but I'll bet they pay strict attention
to anyone who tries to get out. That's where our hardest work probably
will come in."

"I guess you are right," said Chester.

Nevertheless they were halted by an Austrian patrol when close to the
city. To him, however, they explained that they were American tourists,
caught in Galicia at the outbreak of the war, and that they had
penetrated beyond the Austrian lines without being aware of it.

"We want to get back to safety," Hal told him.

The Austrian officer smiled and let them pass without further words.
Inside the Galician city the lads prowled about leisurely. The extreme
eastern end of the city was a mass of ruins. The shells hurled by the
big Russian guns had done great damage; but the flames had been
extinguished before they had reached the heart of the city, and as the
Russians had later fallen back a considerable distance the city now was
perfectly quiet.

Night came on, and the lads sought shelter in the home of a Galician
peasant. The house was small but comfortable, and the old man who lived
in it admitted them without question. They repeated to him the story
told the Austrian officer, adding that the place in which they had been
staying had been destroyed by a Russian shell.

"And your sympathies," inquired the old man, "are with the Austrians?"

"Of course," replied Hal quietly, "Russian barbarism must be wiped out."

"Good!" replied the old man. "I suppose you know there is considerable
sentiment in favor of the Russians, however?"

"I have heard something to that effect;