t line troops, doing terrible execution. Men were mowed
down in great numbers.

A few moments later the Bulgarians also found the range and the havoc was
frightful on each side.

"They can't stand that very long," said Hal. "One side or the other will
have to make a move."

The lad was right; and as it transpired the first move was to be made by
the Serbians.

So suddenly that it appeared the work of magic, a great body of horsemen,
stretching out for perhaps half a mile, issued from the Serbian line in a
charge. On they came, their sabers flashing in the early morning sun,
straight for the distant Bulgarian line.

Chester gave an exclamation of dismay.

"They'll pass within a short distance of us," he ejaculated. "Then the
Bulgarians will turn their big guns on us." He turned to Helen. "You
would better go downstairs, Miss Ellison," he said quietly.

"But I want to see the battle," the girl protested.

"Chester is right," Hal agreed. "This is no place for you. Bullets are
likely to be flying about here before long now."

"But the rest of you are not coming down?"

"That's different," said Chester.

"I don't see how. A bullet is no more liable to hit me than it is
to hit you."

"Well, of course if you insist, I won't push you down," said Hal,
somewhat nettled.

Helen Ellison tossed her head.

"Of course if you are going to be mean about it, I'll go down and sit
with Mr. Stubbs," she said.

Without another word she disappeared below.

Hal looked at Chester and smiled.

"Women and girls," he said, "are very peculiar. As soon as you agree with
them they change their minds."

"Well, she's down, anyhow," said Chester. "That's some relief."

"And here come the Serbians," said Hal.

A handsome body of men, these Serbian cavalrymen, as they charged
straight across the open field into the very jaws of death. Men fell on
all sides, but those who were left did not pause. The command had gone
forth that the Bulgarian guns must be silenced and the Serbians went
about the work as coolly as though they had been on dress parade.

But it appeared a few moments later that the battle was not to be between
horsemen and artillery, but rather between cavalry and cavalry.

From the Bulgarian lines now issued a large body of horsemen; and they
came toward the Serbians at a swift gallop, their officers riding in
front with swords flashing and urging their men on with words of
encouragement.

The Serbian cavalry, a