, "and see him cared
for."

"But you, Herr Lieutenant,--what's to become of you?"

"I 'll not leave my poor wounded comrades."

"There 's not a living man amongst them," cried the hussar. "Come along
with us, Herr Lieutenant; we may want your help too."

The firing ceased at this moment; and to the wild shouts and din of
conflict there succeeded a dead silence.

"Keep quiet--keep quiet--stand close beneath the rock," whispered Frank;
"here comes the boat." And, with slow and measured stroke, the skiff
neared the shore, about twenty paces from where they stood.

"Pull in boldly," cried a gruff voice, in Italian; "there's nothing to
fear now: neither man nor horse could survive that fire."

"Would that the great struggle could be accomplished so easily!" said a
softer tone, which Frank almost fancied he had heard before.

Lanterns were now seen moving in the space between the barricades; and
crowds pressed down to examine and pillage the dead.

"Have you found the officer's body?" asked he of the soft voice.

"I suspect the party was under a sergeant's command," said another.

"No, no," rejoined the other; "Giuseppe was positive that he saw an
officer."

"See that he has not escaped, then," said the other, eagerly. "The tale
of this night's adventure might be told in two ways at Milan."

"The cadet is dying, sir; his head has fallen back," whispered the
hussar to Frank.

"The lake, Dalton, the lake!" muttered the dying man, as he threw his
arms around Frank's neck. Frank caught him while he was falling, but,
overborne by the weight, reeled back against the rock.

"How many are in the boat?" whispered Frank.

"I see but one man, sir," said the hussar.

"Now for it, then," said Frank; "place him between us on a carbine, and
make for the boat."

With the energy of a newly inspired hope, the men obeyed in an instant;
and, carrying their wounded comrade, moved stealthily along beneath the
shadow of the rock. It was only as they emerged from this, and gained
the little gravelly beach, that their figures could be seen.

"Be quiet now, men, and leave that fellow to me," said Frank, as he
cocked his pistol. The clank of the sabres, however, seemed warning
enough for the crafty Italian, who jumped at once into the lake. With a
rush, the Hungarians sprang into the skiff, while Frank, seizing it by
the prow, pushed boldly out. The plunge and the splash had, meanwhile,
attracted notice, and several hurried down