He succeeded in coaxing a small blaze out of a little pile of twigs.
Dead tired, the boys rolled into their blankets and slept like logs. But they had a rude awakening, particularly in the case of Billy.
As he lay snoring, a flash more vivid than lightning dragged him out of dreamland, and his hands flew to his eyes to protect them from the blinding glare. A searchlight was playing full on his face. He heard the clatter of horses' hoofs, and before he could see what was happening, a hand was on his shoulder and a revolver was pressed against his breast.
Henri, startled into sitting posture, looked dazedly upon the proceedings.
A Russian cavalryman, dismounted, was behind the revolver, and the searchlight was directed from a wagon.
A stalwart figure in gold and brown, an officer in the service of the Czar, moved briskly into the circle of light to inspect the prisoners.
Stroking his tawny mustache, he concluded brief comment with a short laugh. Translated, what he said was:
"You have caught a pair of lambs, Peter."
The soldier addressed as Peter hastily restored the revolver to his belt.