CHAPTER XXVII.
A SACRIFICE.
"Hold on there a minute," said Chester. "We are forgetting one thing."
"What's that?" demanded Colonel Anderson.
"Why," returned Chester, "that at least one of us must get back to
General Ferrari and give him the information we were sent after."
"But how can we?"
"Well, not by jumping out there and fighting and getting killed, all of us. I've a plan."
"You'll have to hurry," said Hal. "It's getting too hot in here."
"Listen then," said Chester, speaking rapidly. "I'll climb up to this window and drop out. They won't shoot at me at first, because they naturally will think I am about to surrender. When I get to the bottom, I'll wait for either you or Colonel Anderson, as you may decide. When one of you reach my side, we'll both run. The Austrians will give chase. When I yell, the two who remain here will make a break out the door, try to find a couple of horses and head for the Italian lines. Come, now, let's get busy."
Without awaiting a reply, he crossed to the window.