“No,” came back the reply; “did you?”
“No,” said Hal, “they must have given us the slip.”
The horsemen came closer and Hal and Chester kept their faces averted as much as possible, for they knew that a close scrutiny would betray their identity.
“Well,” shouted Hal, “we will look a little farther on. You search the woods. Perhaps your eyes may be better than ours.”
“All right,” was the reply, and the boys rode on slowly so as to give their mounts a rest. Some moments later there was a great commotion behind, and turning in their saddles, the lads saw the Austrians coming rapidly after them. They had come upon the little party who had seen the lads leaving the woods.
With a cry to Chester, Hal put spurs to his horse and soon both were literally flying over the ground, the Austrians in full chase.
But the horses that the boys now bestrode were much fresher than had been their first mounts; still, Hal saw that several of the Austrians were gaining.
Now one of the enemy drew well ahead of his companions, a bit behind came a second, while a third, who was some distance ahead of the remainder, closely followed the second. These three, at their respective distances, slowly drew closer to the lads.
Suddenly, without a word to Hal, Chester checked his horse abruptly, and his revolver flashed in his hand. Before the first Austrian could check his mount, he had come within range of the lad’s weapon, which spoke sharply. The Austrian tumbled sidewise from his horse.
Chester turned and spurred on after Hal.