A second Austrian leaped to his feet and dashed forward. This time, however, Hal did not hurry, and picked the man off with ease. Hardly had his weapon spoken, when a shot from below went whizzing by his head. Hal tumbled back to safety rapidly.
“Great Scott!” he exclaimed. “We’ll have to get that fellow away from there. He almost got me that time.”
“Yes; but how?” demanded Chester.
Hal considered the situation for some moments in silence. Then he passed one of his two revolvers to Chester.
“You blaze away as rapidly as you can at the Austrians with those two guns,” he said. “Never mind whether you see anything to shoot at or not. Just shoot when I give the word. That’ll keep those fellows under cover. I’ll attend to this one.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Chester.
“I’m going over after him!” said Hal grimly.
“But he is liable to kill you!” exclaimed Chester in alarm.
“If I don’t get him,” said Hal quietly, “he is sure to kill us both before long. Here goes!”
At the moment that he sprang to the top of the barrier, Chester opened upon the Austrians with both weapons. The man on the opposite side of the barrier was taken by surprise by Hal’s sudden action. Hal toppled over upon him without warning. With a startled cry the Austrian raised his weapon to fire, but Hal was too quick for him.