Stephan leaped forward, and from his canteen poured water over the face of his brother. Knowing that the giant was in good hands, Hal dashed forward to where Chester still lay, having fallen back after firing the one shot. The prisoner, now unguarded, took to his heels and was soon out of range.
“Are you badly hurt, Chester?” asked Hal, anxiously, bending over his friend.
“I feel pretty weak,” was Chester’s reply. “But I don’t believe I am seriously hurt. A bullet must have grazed my temple, and the force of the shock put me out. But say! Isn’t Alexis a terrible fighter?”
“I should say he is,” answered Hal. “I don’t believe anyone ever saw such fighting before. Certainly not since the days of Hereward.”
Hal assisted Chester to his feet and, supporting him by an encircling arm, led the way to where even now Alexis, having received first aid treatment at the hands of his brother, was sitting up and gazing about somewhat vacantly.
Chester spoke to the big Cossack.
“I owe my life to you,” he said simply. “I shall never forget it.”
“That’s all right,” replied Alexis. “I remember now. It was quite a fight, wasn’t it? But I remember once when I was attacked by—”
His voice died away, and he sank to the ground again.
His friends bent over him anxiously, and Hal placed a hand over his heart. It was beating regularly while his deep and regular breathing proclaimed his condition.