re they
joined the others.

"Well," said Chester. "Here we are. Now what?"

"I don't know," said Hal. "We might push on through the woods, leaving
the horses here, or we might wait until dark and make another break. We
can probably lose our pursuers some way."

"I should say the latter is the better plan," said Colonel Edwards. "If
Ivan will start first, we can come on an hour later. We can protect his
flight. Because of his great weight his horse cannot keep up with the
rest of us."

Ivan protested. He didn't want to go and leave the others behind. But at
last he agreed.

"Then I can see no reason for waiting until dark," said Chester. "Let
Ivan mount now and make a break for it. We can cover him. They won't get
by us. An hour later we can start."

After some further discussion, this plan was adopted; and grumbling
somewhat, Ivan mounted in the shelter of the trees. When the Cossack was
ready, Hal peered out. A short distance back he could see the pursuers
and his appearance drew a shot. But the men were too far away to aim with
any degree of accuracy and the shot went wild.

"All right, Ivan," the lad said. "Go!"

The big Cossack dug his heels into his horse's ribs and with a shout
dashed out into the road.

There was an answering shout from behind and the thundering of horses'
hoofs told those among the trees that the enemy was on the advance.

"We'll have to stop 'em!" cried Hal. "Aim carefully now."

They waited until the riders were close and then stepped into the open.

"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"

The revolvers of the six friends spoke as one. Two of the approaching
horsemen reeled in their saddles, then toppled to the ground. Two more
dropped their weapons and uttered loud cries. The pursuers beat a
hasty retreat.

"Guess that will give Ivan a chance to get away," said Hal briefly. "Now,
all we have to do is to wait until he has a good start."

But the mountaineers had no mind to remain idle and let the fugitives
make all the plans. Even now they were in deep consultation. There were
many gestures and noddings of heads. And at last the mountaineers seemed
to have hit upon a plan of action.

The men split up into small groups, and leaving their horses, picketed
by the side of the road, plunged in among the trees. Hal, glancing from
his place of concealment at that moment, took account of the activities
of the foe.

"Something up," he whispered to the others. "They probably will attempt
t