“If you don’t believe—” began the big Cossack, somewhat crestfallen.
“Never mind now,” broke in Chester. “We have other things to do.”
Alexis subsided, grumbling. A few moments later the soldier reappeared leading three horses. Alexis took all three bridles, and bade the soldier begone, which order the latter obeyed in a hurry.
Quickly the three friends leaped into the saddle, and started off at a rapid trot, riding eastward. Out of sight of the town, they bore off slightly to the North, for, as Hal said, they did not wish to run right into the German army advancing on Lodz.
They had proceeded perhaps a mile out of sight of the castle, when Hal suddenly checked his mount, and raised a warning hand. All stopped to listen. From the direction in which they had just come, came the frenzied tolling of a great bell, followed by a few faint shots.
“They have learned of our escape,” said Hal quietly. “That, I imagine, is a warning to the countryside to be on the lookout for us.”
All three put spurs to their horses, and set off again at a gallop. For two hours they kept up this swift pace, and then Alexis drew rein.
“Unless I want this horse to drop under me,” he said, “we shall have to slow down. There is no horse living that can carry me at that gait very long.”
The boys did not doubt this, and they continued their journey at a more leisurely pace. Finally, rounding a turn in the road, they came upon a little stream, perhaps a hundred yards wide. There was no bridge.
“Guess we shall have to make our horses swim it,” said Chester.