GHROAD TO LIBERTY.

When they had placed half a mile or more between themselves and the
Russian outposts, Phil caught Tony by the sleeve and came to a halt.

"We'll have a breather and a consultation now, old chap," he said with a
cheery note in his voice. "We're safely through so far, but there's a
lot to be done before we reach our comrades. It was bad luck our
hitting up against that fellow, for when the outposts are relieved at
midnight he will be found, and our flight discovered. So we may take it
that we have barely an hour's start."

"It were bad luck," agreed Tony, "but I don't see as though it weren't
worser for him. We hit up against the beggar, but I can tell yer the
knock he give us wasn't nothing to the smasher I got in on his face. It
fairly knocked the senses out of him, and will teach him to mind his own
business in future."

"Now, what's to be done, Tony?" asked Phil. "We have an hour's start,
and barely that. I am for making across to the road, and trotting along
it at our best pace. They are sure to send horsemen back by that way,
and we shall be able to hear them if we keep our ears open. Then we
will slip across the grass and hide up in some vineyard, where I expect
we shall do well to stay until the search is over."

"Look here, Phil, you're bossing this show," said Tony with some
emphasis. "I haven't a doubt but what yer proposes is the best, so
let's get off at once."

Having settled the point they promptly swung to the right, and soon were
on the post-road. Then, taking to their heels, they ran steadily along
it. Every ten minutes they halted for a few moments to listen, but,
hearing nothing, set out again. In this way they had covered some five
or six miles before shouts and galloping hoofs striking hard upon the
road behind them caught their ears. Instantly they turned on to the
grass, and, climbing a wall, ran through a large cultivated field and
hid themselves in a patch of corn beyond. It was well that they did so,
for when opposite the wall the pursuing Cossacks halted, while two of
their number dismounted, and, vaulting over it, searched in its shadow
for them.

Finding nothing they returned to their companions, and soon the beat of
hoofs again resounded along the post-road. Phil and Tony were
congratulating themselves on their safety thus far, when the latter, who
had pushed his head up through the ears of corn, strained his eyes
towards the road, and clutching Ph