Clair W. Hayes

“ It was more frightful to the spectator than it was to the struggling men themselves, who, in the heat of battle, took no thought of the dead and the dying and pressed forward bent only upon protecting themselves while they sought the lives of their foes.
For an hour the fierce hand-to-hand struggle raged, with advantage apparently first to one side and then to the other. In other sections of the field, at least where Hal and Chester could see, operations had ceased for the moment, each commander evidently loath to hurl forward additional troops until the cavalry action had been decided. ”

“ Chester stood still.
"I've a notion to kill you right here," cried the Austrian furiously.
"What do you mean by hitting me?"
"What do you mean by hitting me?" demanded Chester.
"You young American upstart!" shouted the enraged Austrian. "I'll—"
"I wouldn't if I were you," said Chester calmly, as Robard raised a heavy fist. "You may be able to fight with a gun or a knife, but don't come at me with your fists or I'll spank you."
If Chester's object had been to enrage the Austrian he had succeeded. Robard cast discretion to the winds, and, lowering his revolver, struck at the lad. ”

“ CHAPTER VI. ON THE TRAIL. The stars were shining when Hal and Chester, accompanied by Uncle John, made their way from the hotel toward the Austrian legation. Uncle John was chuckling to himself as he walked between his two younger companions.
"What is so funny, Uncle John?" asked Chester.
"I was just thinking what your mothers would say if they knew where we were going," was the reply; "particularly if they knew where I was going. I guess they think I am too old for this foolishness, but I tell you, a man likes to be young again." ”

“ Stubbs' only reply was another moan.
"Well, Chester," said Hal, "here we are again, flying over an enemy's country. May we be as fortunate as we have been before."
"Which we shall be," was Chester's quiet response. "We have had our share of bad luck in the last few days. Fortune must smile on us at last."
And Chester proved himself a true prophet; for, before another sun had risen and set, the huge air craft had carried its four occupants safely across the Austrian empire and beyond the Montenegrin border. ”

“ Passing along the street were thousands and thousands of soldiers, mounted and afoot, fully equipped for the field. They passed by in a steady stream. For an hour Hal and Uncle John watched the imposing sight and still the long line wended its way along. Hal's heart beat faster as his eyes rested upon this imposing array of fighting strength. ”

“ I am leaving here myself in the morning. I am going to Italy. I've dug up all the stuff I can get around here and now I'm going to have a look at the Italian army in action. If you wish, you can come along."
"Of course I'll come," said Chester. "That is, if they will let me."
"Oh, they'll let you, all right," replied Stubbs. "Say, I guess you don't know who I am! I'll tell you: I'm the war correspondent of the New York Gazette, and these fellows over here are glad to show me what favors they can. It doesn't do them any harm, and it might do them some good. See?" ”

“ There was the sound of a scraping chair and heavy footsteps moving in the room beyond.
"Another move and I shall fire," came Robard's voice.
"Man, you don't know what you are doing," came the surprised voice of the ambassador.
"Don't?" said Robard, with a sneer in his voice. "I'll show you."
Again there came to the listeners' ears the sounds of heavy footsteps, followed by the noise of a struggle.
"Great Scott! They are fighting!" exclaimed Hal. "What can we do? He might kill the Ambassador."
"There is nothing we can do, old man," replied Chester quietly. "We'll have to let them fight it out." ”

“ Quickly Chester levelled his automatic and pressed the trigger. Ten shots struck squarely in the little knot of the enemy, and several men fell.
A cry of anger rose on the night air, as Chester leaped down within the little cabin.
"Think I got some more of 'em that time," he said with a grin. "They'll find out we can take the initiative ourselves once in a while."
"Let them alone, unless they bother us," ordered Colonel Anderson. "The longer they keep quiet and do nothing, the better for us. Time is the one factor that will work to our advantage." ”

“ Again the orderly saluted and motioned the prisoners to precede him from the general's quarters.
With heads erect and shoulders squared, Chester and Colonel Anderson marched out ahead of him. Each realized the futility of a break for liberty and each was determined to live his last moments and die the death of a soldier.
Outside a squad of soldiers surrounded them and they were led to a large tent, which was to be their last prison. Inside they found comfortable chairs, a table and several books.
"They seem to take pains to make it pleasant for a man about to die," remarked Colonel Anderson. ”

“ The Austrian soldier came up to the lad, and taking him by the shoulders, thrust him within the tent. Chester threw out an arm and succeeded in drawing the man in after him. Then he released his own hold, and with an effort shook off the grip of his captor. At the same moment he jumped lightly aside and called in a hoarse whisper:
"Now!"
There was a rush of air as the heavy chair descended, followed by a dull thud, and a second impact as the soldier fell to the ground with a crushed skull. ”

“ A moment later, in the moonlight that streamed through the window, the four inside saw the face of the first of their pursuers; but in the darkness within, the occupants of the shack were not visible.
"I can see no one," said the Austrian.
"Get down and have a look," said the other.
The man in the window drew himself up to the sill and then turned and dropped down inside; and even as he struck the floor Colonel Anderson dealt him a terrific blow over the head with the butt of a revolver. ”

“ The other could not be revived, and at a command from Robard, he was carried to another room.
"Well, I've got you this time," said Robard to Hal and Chester, "and this time I'll guarantee you don't get away."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that," said Hal with a smile. "We are pretty hard to hold on to."
"I'll hold on to you, never fear," was the response. "I'd like to get my hands on the other."
"Then he has gotten away?" queried Chester.
"Oh, yes, he got away all right," said Robard with a frown. "He's as strong as an ox, and a real fighter." ”

“ Meanwhile, the three friends followed the Austrian officer back to their quarters, where he left them.
"By Jove! that was a pretty close shave," remarked Hal, after the officer had taken his leave.
"Rather," replied Chester dryly. "You would think a man of Uncle John's age would have more sense. I'll tell him about it good and strong when I see him again."
"But great Scott! wasn't he mad," said Hal with a laugh. "Did you see how he glared at us? Wonder what he thinks of us, anyhow?"
"Maybe he thinks he has made a mistake," put in the colonel.
"No, he doesn't," declared Chester. ”

“ We could defend ourselves there indefinitely in the face of overwhelming numbers."
"But," interrupted Hal, "it is not necessary to capture Gorizia to take Trieste?"
"No," said the Austrian with a smile, "but it is necessary to take Gorizia to hold Trieste. The mountains that overhang the city are fortified with our great guns, which could rain shells upon the city without danger of a successful reply. The Italians know this, which is the reason they have not struck at Trieste before. The same goes for Trent, the other point coveted by the enemy." ”

“ Came a word of command from Colonel Anderson—the boys recognized his voice—and more troops moved forward. As far as the eye could see dense masses of men were marching rapidly toward the front. It became apparent that this was to be no mere skirmish—no mere feeling-out process. It was to be a battle, and as both lads realized, it might well last for days.
"We may as well go forward a bit," said Hal.
Accordingly the three started out. Half an hour later they were suddenly surrounded by a body of infantry, and, in some unaccountable manner, were separated from Uncle John. ”

“ The lads whipped out their automatics simultaneously, and, back to back, confronted the crowd. Hal spoke.
"We are not spies," he shouted, "but we are not going to be killed without a fight. We are British army officers. Stand back!"
Before the threatening muzzles of the two automatics the crowd hesitated. Then, from directly ahead of Chester, a shot rang out. The lad heard something whiz past his head, and from beyond came a cry of pain. ”

“ The chief went straight to the ticket office, where he engaged the agent in conversation.
"No Rome for us now," declared Hal. "Come on."
He led the way out of the station and directly stood in the train shed. The boy heard a cry of "All aboard" and saw that a train was about to pull out.
"Don't know where it is going, but we'll get it!" he cried, and Uncle John followed him in his mad dash. By a hard run they succeeded in climbing into an unoccupied compartment even as the guard would have closed the door.
"Where do you suppose we are bound?" asked Uncle John, as he sat down, panting. ”

“ They turned and took to their heels; and as they hastened away, Hal caught the sound of a voice coming from their midst:
"Hal! Chester!" it came. "Help!"
"By George! it's Uncle John!" exclaimed Chester, and urged his horse forward faster than before.
"Uncle John—and a prisoner," ejaculated Hal, and also spurred forward.
But a heavy hand was laid on the bridle of each.
"Here! what's the matter with you fellows?" demanded Colonel Anderson's gruff voice. "Want to get yourselves killed?"
"But we've got to get Uncle John out of this mess," declared Chester. ”

“ Anderson. "It is not like him to keep quiet when some one is in danger."
"That's what worries me," confessed Chester. "There is no use of his being killed, too."
"Oh, well," said the colonel, "whatever happens is beyond our power to remedy. Let's talk about something pleasant."
And so they did, whiling away the rapidly flying hours with stories and reminiscences; and the shadows deepened as darkness approached. ”