he enemy, was giving a good account of
himself; but Chester, weak from the loss of blood, was unable to hold
his own. A blow from the butt of one of the Austrian's revolvers and he
went to the ground.

At that moment, from their rear, came the sound of rapidly galloping
hoofs. Around the bend some distance away dashed a troop of Cossacks,
Alexis himself at their head. The giant Cossack took in the situation
with one comprehensive glance and put spurs to his horse. The two
Austrians who had attacked Chester saw the advancing Cossacks, and,
turning, took to their heels.

The two with whom Hal struggled, however, were too busily occupied to
notice the approach of reenforcements and sorely, each trying to bring
his revolver to bear.

Alexis now jumped from his horse and dashed forward toward the three. He
stretched forth two mighty hands and plucked the Austrians off the lad.
Raising each high in the air, he stretched wide his arms, and then
brought them together with great force. There was a crunch as the heads
of the two met with terrific force. Then they hung limp in the giant's
hands. He hurled them from him with a disdainful gesture, and, snatching
his revolver from its holster, dropped to his knee and fired two shots
in quick succession at the two remaining enemy, who were fleeing down
the road.

His aim was true, and as the last of the Austrians bit the dust, Alexis
turned to where Chester lay and picked him up gently in his arms. From
his canteen he poured water over the lad's face and soon came signs of
returning consciousness. Then he laid him gently on the ground and
turned to Hal.

He gazed first at the lad, then at the dead bodies of the enemy and then
back to Hal.

"Hm-m-m," he said gruffly. "Quite a fight. But where would you have been
if Alexis had not arrived so opportunely?"

"Dead, I guess," replied Hal quietly. "We owe you our lives, but there
is no need to tell you that we are grateful."

"Not a bit," said Alexis. "Thanks from one brave man to another are
never necessary; but did you see how easily I disposed of those four
Austrians?"

"It was very pretty," replied Hal.

"Wasn't it?" cried the giant gleefully. "Still, it was a trifle. I
remember the time that I----"

Hal walked over to Chester's side and bent down and so did not hear the
story of Alexis' might. The giant looked sorrowfully after him for a
moment, muttered to himself and then he walked after him.

Chester now sat up and