ng Hal and Chester with him. Stephan also was up in an
instant.

"Quick!" cried Alexis, and at a rapid run, he urged the lads to another
secluded spot.

There, as the Germans appeared in the spot where they had stood a few
moments before, Stephan, the only one of the four armed with a rifle,
fired three more quick shots at the foe. One tumbled forward on his
face, and a second dropped his rifle.

And now unexpected aid came to the four friends. From the rear of the
Germans came several rifle shots in quick succession, and two more of
the enemy bit the dust. As they turned to face this new attack, Stephan
stepped forward and opened on them again. Caught thus between two fires,
the Germans fought well, firing blindly at their unseen foes on both
sides.

But such a struggle could have but one ending. The Cossacks, screened
from the fire of the enemy who lay between them, were practically safe
from the German fire, at the same time having the Germans at their
mercy. No quarter was asked, nor none was given. Soon a heap of fallen
bodies marked the spot where the Germans had made their last stand.

From the other side of the Germans, two Cossacks now stepped forth, and
approached. Stephan advanced to meet them. Alexis made his way to the
fallen foe, and gathered up the rifles. Returning, he passed one to each
lad, with the remark:

"Here; these beat revolvers for this kind of warfare."

After a short conference with the two newcomers, Stephan motioned for
his friends to follow, and the party, now increased to six, moved on.
For perhaps half an hour they marched through the woods, and at the end
of that time stopped once more before the entrance to a second cave.

"Before we enter," said Stephan, "I will tell you that these men have
just informed me that inside a consultation of war is being held. There
are perhaps 60 men there, who have gathered here for that purpose. I
have vouched for you, and you will therefore be admitted to the
consultation without question."

The others signified that they understood, and Stephan led the way into
the cave. Inside, the lads looked quickly around. This cave, they saw,
was much greater than the first they had entered. Also it showed signs
of human handiwork. Large pillars ran up through the center of it, and
beyond the far entrance the lads could see one, then two more
compartments.

Sitting about on the floor of the first compartment were more than half
a hundred men, talking