“It is impossible,” said Boris. “You would be shot down before you had gone a dozen yards.”
“That’s where you are wrong,” said Jack. “To General Surgoff, I am too valuable to be killed offhand. He would keep me alive until he is tired of seeing me suffer. After that, perhaps, he would order me shot; but until then no. If I can get anything like a start, perhaps I can reach one of the sleighs that always stand nearby. Then I can make a dash for liberty.”
“By the Czar!” exclaimed Boris; “and perhaps after all you can reach the sleigh safely. I have a mind to go with you.”
“You are the more likely to be shot down,” said Jack. “The general, I fear, would have no scruples in ordering your death.”
“Nevertheless,” said Boris grimly, “with your permission I shall try it. Besides, if we do get away, two would be more handy than one.”
“True,” said Jack. “Now if we only had weapons.”
“There may be a rifle or two left in the sleigh,” said Boris hopefully.
“There may be,” said Jack, “but we can’t bank on that. There may not be.”
“Then we shall have to go without weapons,” said Boris finally.
Jack was deep in thought.