The Grand Duke advanced rapidly toward the entrance to his tent. The two lads and the giant Cossack made as if to depart; but the Grand Duke, with a movement of his hand, signified for them to stay and so they remained.
The sound of cheering drew nearer. The Grand Duke left the tent, and through the door the lads could see him standing with bared head. Came the sound of galloping hoofs, and a cavalry troop drew up at the Grand Duke’s tent. The latter stepped forward, and giving his hand to a brilliantly uniformed man, assisted him to dismount. Then, bowing low, he escorted his visitor into his tent.
As they appeared in the small enclosure Alexis fell upon his knee, and bowed till his head all but touched the ground.
Nicholas, the Czar of all the Russias, turned toward the three with a question on his lips. But the Grand Duke spoke first:
“These, sire, are three of your majesty’s bravest soldiers, who have only now returned from a successful raid into the heart of the Carpathians.”
The Czar glanced at the two lads.
“But these,” he said, pointing his finger at Hal and Chester, “are not Russians.”
“No, sire,” replied the Grand Duke. “They are American lads; but they have rendered invaluable services to our cause,” and while the lads stood listening, he gave the Czar a brief account of some of their experiences.
The Czar advanced and placed a hand upon the shoulder of each.
“I am glad,” he said in perfect English, “to know you; and I envy my cousin George the services of such gallant youths.”