But two of them had not been quick enough, and while they left their horses at practically the same time as did the others, they did not rise again to their feet.
“Four!” said Chester calmly.
“About ten, if Alexis were doing the counting,” said Hal grimly. “But I would give a whole lot if he were here right now.”
The Austrians forced their horses to lie down, and took up their positions behind them. Then they blazed away wildly at the barrier ahead. They could see nothing at which to shoot, however, and their bullets did no damage.
“I wonder if the Austrians know this old hat trick?” said Chester.
Picking up a little stick, he put his cap upon it and raised it slowly over the barrier. A hail of bullets flew about it. Chester took deliberate aim at one of the Austrians who exposed himself, and Hal at another. Again their revolvers cracked once each, and two Austrians bit the dust.
“We’ll be on even terms soon, if we keep this up,” said Hal gleefully.
Chester tried the cap trick again; but this time it did not work. The Austrians had learned a lesson.
For perhaps five minutes there was silence; then Hal, glancing quickly over the barrier, saw one of the enemy jump to his feet and dash straight toward the barrier. In his anxiety to pick the man off, Hal fired too quickly, and missed.
The man dashed on and flung himself to the ground right up against the barrier. Here, for the moment, he was safe, for the lads could not get at him without leaning over the barrier and thus exposing themselves to the fire of the others.