“Now, if you will permit me, I shall take the lead,” said Alexis. “I have been in these parts before. Besides I have been told of certain landmarks in these foothills which indicate where Brunnoi holds forth–not definitely enough to lead us straight to him; but I have a general idea of the direction.”
No objection being offered, Alexis swung into the lead and the horses plunged up a narrow pass into the midst of the wild hills, probably the wildest and most desolate spot in all Europe. Great trees and massive rocks overhung the little pass, making progress extremely difficult. At the top of the first steep incline, the riders allowed their horses to stop and rest. Then they fared on again.
It was nearing daylight when they came upon a small hut, shrouded by trees, through which a dim light twinkled.
“We’ll wait here until daylight,” said Hal, “and when the occupants of the hut come out we will accost them.”
They waited. Daylight came, and with its coming, a man came from the hut. Hal approached him, and addressed him in German. The man looked at him shrewdly, and then answered in the same tongue.
“Yes,” he said, “we can spare you something to eat; also your friends. May I ask what you are doing in the mountains?”
“We are trying to make our way to Budapest,” replied Hal. “We were captured by the Russians, and escaped. We are not familiar with the ground, however, and have met with difficulties.”
“Well,” said the man of the hut, “I can set you right. Come.”
Over the meal they talked of the war. Finally Chester said:
“Is there any truth in the report that Brunnoi will go over to the Russians?”