MARQUIS.
The Russian cavalry, outnumbered by the Germans, had continued to give
ground and the Germans were still in pursuit. But now, from the distance
arose a cloud of dust, and a moment later, in a headlong dash to save
their companions, came a second body of Cossack cavalry, 5,000 strong,
to give battle to the Germans.
Down they came upon the unprepared Germans, with yells and shouts, their
horses running free. At the same time that part of the first Cossack
body which still remained reformed and sprang forward.
The Germans turned and fled.
Then from the trenches came forth columns of infantry, supported by
field batteries, and in a moment these had opened upon the advancing
Russian horsemen; but in spite of this hail of death, the Cossacks did
not falter nor pause. Straight up to the mouth of the field guns they
rode--sabering the gunners right and left--and in a few moments these
had been silenced.
Then the Cossacks turned their attention to the infantry, which, firing
with machine-like precision and accuracy, dealt havoc to the ranks of
the Russian horsemen and mowed them down.
Several squadrons of Cossacks dismounted and approached the foe on foot,
and soon the fighting became hand to hand. The standard-bearer suddenly
threw up his hands and fell over backward, the colors fluttering to the
ground.
A German officer, thinking to capture the flag, jumped forward, and
leaning down laid his hand upon it; but at that moment a hairy, snarling
body sprang forward, straight at the German's throat. The latter
released his hold on the flag and jumped to his feet to ward off the
attack of this strange enemy, which he could not at first make out.
But this new enemy was not to be shaken off. His teeth found their mark,
and with a cry, the German tumbled to earth.
The newcomer was Marquis.
Separated from Hal and Chester, Marquis, though a battle dog, had become
uneasy at their absence and set out to find them. He had advanced with
the second troop of Cossacks, and seeing the dead upon the field, had
been trying to pick out the bodies of the two lads.
But when the Russian standard-bearer, almost beside him, had been shot
down and the German had leaped for the colors, Marquis had turned from
the search of his friends to dispose of his lifelong enemy.
As Marquis' foe went to the ground, a second German sprang forward and,
aiming a kick at the dog, also stooped and started to raise the colors.
Marquis, disregarding the kick, seized upon the flag with his teeth at
the same moment.
Then came a tug of war. Snarling, and with bristling back, Marquis
pulled at the standard. Crying out hoarse epithets, the German pulled
also; but neither made any headway.
Realizing that the dog was a match for him, the German uttered a fierce
imprecation, dropped his hold on the flag, stepped back and aimed his
revolver.
But the dog was ready for him. He had released his hold upon the flag
almost as soon as had the German, and his canine reasoning told him the
German's object. Before the German could pull the trigger, Marquis was
ready for him, and hurled his body straight at the German's throat.
He had gauged the distance accurately enough, and beneath the shock the
officer was hurled to the ground. He attempted to fight off his
four-footed assailant, but he was no match for the angry dog.
This adversary disposed of, Marquis calmly returned to the flag, picked
it up in his mouth, carried it to the commander of the squadron and put
it in his hand. The commander took the time to pat Marquis on the head,
and utter some words of praise.
But Marquis had no time to listen to these. He had other work to do, and
had disappeared almost before the Cossack ceased speaking.
Hither and thither over the field of battle Marquis made his way,
sniffing the bodies of the dead, and licking the faces of the wounded.
For an hour he wandered about, and at last his search was rewarded.
From near him came a feeble moan. Marquis pricked up his ears. Surely he
recognized that voice. The moan came again. Marquis hesitated no longer.
He had recognized the voice of Hal. Quickly he sprang to where the lad
lay and poked his cold muzzle into the boy's face.
Hal turned feebly on his side and put out a hand before he realized what
had touched him. Then he succeeded in raising himself on one arm and
threw the other around Marquis' neck.
"Marquis!" he almost sobbed. "Where is Chester?"
Apparently the dog understood his question, for he jumped away and began
nosing other bodies nearby. And at last he came upon Chester. The latter
also was returning to consciousness. With some difficulty Hal staggered
to his feet and made his way to his friend's side. He turned to Marquis.
"Get some water!" he commanded, and paused to see if the dog understood.
Marquis bounded away, and returned a few moments later with a
well-filled canteen, in his mouth. Hastily Hal removed the stopper and
poured some of the water down Chester's throat. Then he took a drink
himself.
Thus refreshed, Chester sat up and looked around. Hal did the same. It
was indeed a terrible sight that met their eyes. As far as they could
see, bodies of dead and wounded men lay scattered about. Hal shuddered.
"Terrible!" he exclaimed. Then: "I wonder where Alexis is?" He turned to
Marquis. "Find Alexis," he commanded.
Marquis understood and trotted away. Chester and Hal now arose and
walked slowly after him. At last Marquis, some distance away, set up a
loud bark. Hal and Chester approached as rapidly as their exhausted
condition would permit.
Marquis was standing directly over the body of the giant Cossack,
surrounded by a circle of the enemies whom Alexis had slain in combat.
The giant stirred slightly as the boys approached. Quickly Hal bent over
him and, raising his head upon his knee, placed the canteen to his lips.
This brought a sigh from Alexis' lips, and soon he sat up and looked
around.
"Well," said he, waving his arm toward the circle of his fallen foes,
"you can see what a Cossack does when he fights."
"I see," said Hal briefly. "But come, if you are able to walk. We had
better get away from this spot. The battle is not over."
Alexis objected.
"What, a Cossack run!" he demanded.
"But if we stay here we shall probably be killed," replied Chester.
"See," pointing, "even now the Cossacks are retreating in the face of
superior numbers. We must go."
"I don't----" began Alexis, but Hal interrupted him.
"Come on," he said, taking him by the arm. "Let's move away from here."
Grumbling and protesting, the giant allowed himself to be led toward the
head of the Cossack line, now some distance back. Bullets and shells
were still whistling overhead, for the three were between the opposing
forces. None dropped near them, however, and they continued on their
way.
Suddenly, from the German line, came the clear call of a bugle.
"Quick!" shouted Hal, hurrying forward. "The Germans are going to
charge. We mustn't be caught in between."
But it was too late. Even as the lad spoke, the German cavalry came
forward with a rush.
Hal realized in an instant that they would not have time to rejoin the
main body of Cossacks, for should the latter advance to meet the charge,
they would not do so rapidly enough to come up to them before the
Germans. Should the Cossacks retreat, the three could not possibly hope
to come up with them.
Fortunately the three were at the extreme east of the battle line; so
now, turning quickly, Hal led the way out of danger. When far enough
away so that there was little likelihood of being struck by stray
bullets, they halted to witness the progress of the battle.
The Cossacks advanced to meet the charge of the German cavalry, and
threw it back upon its infantry support, which once more issued from the
trenches. German field guns were unlimbered and hurled their shells
screeching at the Russians. The latter were forced to retreat.
The Germans pushed this advantage closely.
"If we only had infantry or artillery here," groaned Alexis, "there
would be a different story to tell."
"I'm sure of that," replied Hal; "but to advance in the face of such
overwhelming numbers would be foolish."
"True," said Alexis, "but I never like to see a Cossack run from his
foes, no matter what their number."
It was plain now that the Russian commander realized the futility of
further fighting with his vastly superior foe. The Cossacks gave way
more rapidly and finally turned and began their retreat upon Lodz.
"And here we are right in the middle of the Germans," said Chester.
"What are we going to do?"
"We'll have to try to get back to our lines," said Hal, "and the sooner
we start the better."
"Good," said Chester. "Let's start at once."
Alexis had so far recovered now as to announce that he was feeling
"perfectly fit," and making a slight detour, the three friends, closely
followed by Marquis, set out.
They had progressed possibly half a mile, when Marquis suddenly began to
growl.
"What do you suppose is the matter with him?" demanded Chester.
"I don't know," replied Hal. "Evidently he scents some kind of danger."
He turned to the dog. "What is it, Marquis?" he demanded.
Marquis' only answer was a series of deep growls.
"Germans?" asked Hal.
Marquis uttered a short bark.
"That's what's the matter," said Hal, quietly.
At that moment there came riding down a nearby road a troop of German
cavalry.
"Quick! down on the ground!" cried Hal. "Perhaps they won't see us!"
He suited the action to the word, and Chester and Alexis followed his
example.
But it was too late. The Germans had espied them and now came toward
them at a gallop. Alexis rose to his feet and stretched.
"Another fight," he said. "Good!"
"Fight nothing!" exclaimed Hal. "It's impossible. They have us. That's
all there is about it. We shall have to submit."
The Germans came to a sudden halt a few feet away, and rifles were
brought to bear upon the three friends.
"You are our prisoners!" called the German commander.