The officer saluted, and the Grand Duke rode away, closely followed by the members of his staff. At a sign from the officer in whose charge they had been left, the lads followed him.
Toward the rear of the army they continued their way, coming at last upon a row of tents. Into one of these the officer led the way, the lads and the dog following him.
Here the officer quickly set out food, and the boys fell to with a will, for it was a long time since a morsel had passed their lips. Then, having satisfied their appetites, they informed the officer that they would like to rest.
The officer nodded, and showed them into another tent, where two bunks had been prepared. With a word of thanks, the boys climbed in, and the officer left them alone.
“Well,” said Chester, “we have accomplished our mission successfully. What are we going to do now?”
“I have been thinking,” Hal replied, “of how life on this side of the war arena would go.”
“You mean stay here and not return to France?” asked Chester.
“Exactly. I have read that the Russian Cossacks are terrible fighters. I would like to see some of them in action.”
“And so would I,” declared Chester.
“All right,” said Hal. “Then, if you are agreeable, when we see the Grand Duke to-night, I shall ask him if he cannot arrange to assign us to duties with the Russian army.”