immediately I have sunk the foe."

With this the fugitives had to be content. They were assigned quarters
on the steamer, and after washing the dirt and grime from their hands
and faces, they returned on deck, where they made themselves comfortable
as the steamer continued on her way. They passed several little towns
without stopping.

Suddenly those on deck were brought to their feet by the booming of a
single heavy gun. All strained their ears to listen. The first report
was followed by the sound of others. The commander of the vessel sprang
to action.

"Full speed ahead!" he cried.

The steamer leaped forward faster than before. The crew prepared for
action. The guns were made ready and the crews stood to their posts. The
commander, from his position, motioned the four friends toward him.

"We have run the enemy down," he informed them. "Can I count upon your
services if they are needed?"

"You may," replied Hal and Chester briefly.

Alexis and Stephan nodded their heads in assent.

"Good!" said the commander. "You will stay here near me, then. I shall
not hesitate to call upon you."

Rounding a slight bend in the river, the Russian steamer came in full
sight of the enemy. So silently had she approached, that the Germans,
engaged in hurling shells upon a little village, did not perceive their
presence until a shell from the Russian plowed up the water under the
prow of their boat.

As soon as the Germans became aware of the presence of another enemy
they turned to meet it. Their forward guns were quickly trained upon the
Russian steamer and burst into action. The first salvo was harmless, for
the range had not been gauged accurately.

The Russians were more fortunate with their second fire. A shell burst
squarely upon the deck of the German with a loud explosion. There was a
shower of steel and wood, followed by a cry of triumph from the crew of
the Russian vessel. A second shell carried away the enemy's single
smokestack and a third burst in the muzzle of one of the foe's forward
guns, blowing it to atoms.

At full speed the Russian advanced, and when within two hundred yards
swung her broadside to the enemy and poured in a rain of shells. The
Germans fought back gamely, but with the first success of the Russians
they seemed to have lost their heads and fired wildly. Their aim was
poor, and the Russians suffered little.

Having delivered his broadside, the Russian brought his forward guns to
bear a