ustrians. The execution was fearful. Men went down
in heaps, and those that survived fled faster than before.

The surprise was complete. A terrible confusion reigned among the enemy.
The Russians pursued them relentlessly. Here and there men threw down
their arms and surrendered by the hundreds.

Other mountain batteries now had been seized by the Cossacks and turned
upon the foe. For a mile the Cossacks pursued the beaten enemy; then
drew off as suddenly as they had come. Prisoners were abandoned. Quickly
the big guns were put out of commission, and the advance guard--now the
rearguard--fell back slowly, protecting the retreat of those in front.

In almost less time than it takes to tell it, the Cossacks were again in
the saddle and dashing back down the mountain pass.

The Austrians, for a moment, were unable to form in solid ranks. But, at
length, under the command of their officers, they formed and gave chase.
But the Cossacks had too great a start. The losses of the Austrians had
been terrible, those of the Cossacks comparatively slight. In spite of
the fact that they had been in the midst of the fighting, Hal and Alexis
had escaped without injury.

Now the Austrian cavalry, having had time to form, scattered on each
side of the pass and rode after the Cossacks. They came up with the rear
guard, and from the sides poured in bullets, until they were forced to
draw rein because of the treacherous nature of the ground on either
hand. It was here that the Cossacks sustained their heaviest losses.

But the raid had been a success; there could be no doubt about that.

The Russian commander was elated as, in the midst of his men, he ordered
the retreat; but as the retreat continued, it became more hazardous.
Even as Alexis had predicted, the mountains swarmed with the enemy, who
rained bullets upon the Russian columns from every hand.

In spite of this, however, by noon of the following day the Cossacks had
reached the spot from which they had started the day before; and here a
halt was called. Videttes were placed and the troops settled down for a
brief rest. While they made a good mark for the guerillas, they
nevertheless were in too great force to permit of an attack in force.

Night fell, and once more the troops sprang to the saddle and continued
their retreat. Morning found the vanguard well out of the mountains on
the plains of Galicia, and soon the last of the rear guard had issued
from the pass. Then the