He picked up the heavy chair and swung it once about his head. Then he took up a position at the side of the tent, just out of view from the entrance.
Chester walked boldly from the tent.
"Get back in there," came a harsh command in Austrian.
Chester paid no heed and continued to gaze straight ahead into the rapidly descending darkness.
"Get back in there," came the command, and still Chester made no move.
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. Colonel Anderson was over the unconscious form in a moment, ready to choke an outcry should his blow not have been true. But there was no need for this. His aim had been true, and the man was unconscious before he fell.
"All right," whispered the colonel hoarsely. "Rip off your clothes while
I get him out of this uniform."
Chester flung off his clothes hurriedly, and stepped quickly into the uniform Colonel Anderson gave him. Then he deprived the man of his gun and revolvers.