e down on them with a
wild cry of joy.

CHAPTER XXVII.

SAFE.

In spite of his tumble, Hal was uninjured and sprang quickly to his
feet. Chester turned to the prostrate horse, and attempted to get it to
its feet. The horse moaned with pain, and Chester gave up the attempt,
for he realized in an instant that the animal had broken its leg in the
fall.

With revolvers in hands, both lads turned to face their foes.

"We won't give up without a fight!" declared Hal grimly.

"No, we won't give up without a fight!" Chester agreed.

Standing behind the horse that was still on its feet the two lads
pointed their weapons at the foe, who bore down upon them at top speed.
There were at least a score of them, and the boys realized that the
encounter could have but one end. Still they were determined to fight it
out.

But now, from the rear, came a fierce yell. Turning their eyes
momentarily in that direction, the lads beheld a welcome sight. Mounted
on their superb chargers and galloping forward as swiftly as the wind,
came a full squadron of Russian Cossacks; and as they came on, with
loose-hanging reins, waving their weapons in the air, the fierce Cossack
yell split the air time after time.

The Austrians hesitated; then, not mindful to retreat and allow their
victims, whom they had followed so far, to escape scot-free they
advanced on the lads again. Chester calmly picked off the first man on
the right, and Hal disposed of the first man on the left. Realizing that
assistance was on the way, the boys fought coolly and with
determination, keeping the rearing and plunging horse always between
them and their foes.

But this protection was soon removed. An Austrian bullet struck the
horse in the head and he fell to the ground. Quickly the lads dropped
behind the prostrate body and continued to pop away at their enemies.
Two more went down, and still the lads were uninjured. The Cossacks were
still some distance away, although approaching with the swiftness of the
wind. The Austrians, seeking to end the encounter, spread out, fan-wise,
and drew in upon the lads from three sides. The lads shifted their
positions so as still to face all their foes. Then the Austrians came
forward on a charge.

But they had delayed too long, for now the onrushing Cossacks had come
within range, and a powerful voice rang out:

"Faster!"

In response to this command, the gallant chargers of the Cossacks leaped
forward. A volley ra