Salisky and Marovitch had no honor as a rescue party when they later arrived in the enclosure, completing a hurried search for their pilots, who had failed to report for the evening distribution of rations.
But the scouts could have exacted the credit of being a surprise, or, rather, surprised party when they plumped upon the seated group of Cossacks dividing the contents of their knapsacks with two youthful recruits occupying the center space at the feast.
“By my sainted ancestors,” exclaimed Salisky, “look at the lion tamers!”
He was careful, however, to say it in other than the native tongue.
“Been looking for us?” asked Billy in the most innocent way imaginable.
“No, we are just trotting about for our health,” ironically replied Marovitch.
“Better come along, however,” advised Salisky, suppressing an inclination to laugh, owing to the presence of the seriously gazing tribesmen.
“All ready,” cheerfully announced Billy, after Henri and himself had made a handshaking round of the circle.
Marching away with the scouts, it had been made up between the chums that the details of their adventure were strictly private business.
While particularly anxious to get Stanislaws’ belt to Fritz that very night, Henri concluded that the early morning would do, especially in view of the fact that Salisky had made no mention of any move immediately contemplated.