“I have been ordered to advance,” the general informed them as they made their way along, “and as soon as I have introduced you to your fellow officers and procured you uniforms and horses, we shall proceed.”
An hour later, in true Russian garb and astride two fiery chargers, the lads made their way forward with the rest of the troop. In all there were probably 10,000 Cossacks in this advance.
With one of the Cossack officers, a young lieutenant, huge in stature and pleasant of face, the lads at once struck up a friendship. He stood at least six feet six and seemed a Goliath in strength. He it was who picked their horses for them, and obtained their uniforms. Some of the other officers, while not openly hostile, still were disdainful of the two boys, and plainly not well pleased with their company.
“Have you any idea where we are bound?” asked Hal in German of their new friend, who introduced himself with a swagger as “Lieutenant Alexis Vergoff.”
“Lodz; and when we get there we’ll make the Germans hard to find,” was the answer, made in a loud, boasting tone.
Hal and Chester glanced at each other and smiled quizzically. The same thought was in the mind of each: “He talks too boastfully to be much of a fighter.”
Alexis noticed the interchange of glances, and the quizzical smiles. He realized their meaning in an instant.
“You think I won’t fight, eh?” he said loudly. “Alexis Vergoff not fight? Ho! Ho!”
He threw back his head and laughed loudly. The boys were not impressed.
“Worse and more of it,” thought Hal to himself.