"we will go to them."

She smiled.

"'And your people shall be my people ... '" she murmured softly.

* * * * *

Galenski, Colonel of Russian cavalry, sat on his horse on a slight
eminence beside the road which descended from Dukla Pass into the valley
beyond, watching through a pair of field glasses the ramparts of an
ancient castle perched upon a crag.

Beside him his regiment streamed down the hill at a hand gallop, its
gray coats flapping, as it spread out fanwise in the meadow below, its
lances lightly poised in pursuit of the fleeing Austrians. As a company
captain passed he called out a name, and the officer, with a word to his
lieutenant, galloped up and saluted.

"Is not that Schloss Szolnok, Captain Kotchukoff?"

"Yes, sir. You remember--the affair of Baron Neudeck."

"Of course. I have been watching it, as we came down the road. Fighting
has been going on there for an hour or more."

"Fighting?"

"Yes. I don't understand. The Austrians were attacking it. I am certain
for I clearly made out the kepi of the infantry."

"That is strange."

"Is it possible that some of our advance posts could have occupied it?"

"I should say that that was impossible."

"We must investigate. Detach your company from the command and bring
your men up the road yonder. I will join you."

Captain Kotchukoff saluted, wheeled his horse and galloped at full speed
down the road into the meadow, while Colonel Galenski trotted slowly
down the hill until he found a ford in the stream, and then slowly rode
up the hill beyond.

"It is very strange," he muttered.

As he reached the road above, the company of Captain Kotchukoff came
riding up, but he gave the command to walk their horses, and slowly,
Colonel and Captain riding in front, they approached the end of the long
causeway which led to the castle. That he had not been mistaken in his
observations was clearly to be seen, for several men lay either dead or
severely wounded in the middle of the walled road. As they neared the
drawbridge three more prostrate figures were seen, one of them hanging
almost on the lip of the abyss.

The drawbridge was raised and beyond the gate another form lay beyond
the threshold. But as yet he saw no sign of life. Colonel Galenski
reined in his horse sharply, raised his hand, and behind him his captain
shouted the loud order to halt.

At the sound a man suddenly appeared in the gate, and beside him a ve