off the blows of their foes.

But with each moment they gained confidence, and finally were fighting
with the best of them. Hal caught a descending lance on his upraised
sword, and raising his revolver took a snap shot at his opponent. The
latter threw his arms high, and toppled from his horse. Chester, by a
quick move, escaped a revolver shot aimed at him by a German officer,
and the lad's own weapon spoke sharply. His aim was true, and the German
dropped.

Now the Germans began to give ground. It was impossible to stand in the
face of the terrible Cossack charge. The Russians pressed the retreating
foe closely.

But now new forces of Germans dashed forward to drive back the Cossacks,
or at least to protect the retreat of their companions.

The Cossacks dashed into these fresh troops with the same abandon they
had first charged. But this time the result was different. Tired by the
furious work, they were thrown back by the German reenforcements, and in
spite of heroic efforts, were forced to retire slowly.

Flushed with this success, the Germans pressed on. The fighting was man
to man, horse to horse, and hand to hand. Not for once had Alexis left
the side of the two lads and none of the three had so far been injured,
although men dropped on all sides of them.

Suddenly there came a command from Colonel Bluekoff.

"Charge!" he cried.

Immediately the squadron to which the lads were attached hurled itself
forward once more, right into the thickest of the fray, in the face of
overwhelming numbers. They dashed forward with the fury of madmen,
shouting and yelling as they charged.

For a moment the Germans gave back, so terrible was the charge of this
mere handful of Cossacks, but for a moment only; then they came on
again. From all sides they bore down on the squadron, now completely cut
off from the main body of troops, seeking to annihilate them.

There was no order to surrender from the German commander, nor would one
have been heeded for the matter of that. At a quick command, the
Cossacks formed a little square, back to back, and awaited the attack of
the enemy.

It came upon the instant. Upon the Russian horsemen the Germans hurled
themselves bravely, cutting and shooting as they came on. The Cossacks
gave blow for blow, and in spite of the fierce charge, maintained their
unbroken front, though men fell here and there. Unable to pierce this
line of steel, the Germans drew off.

Given this little breat