“Forward!” he cried.

Again they set off at a gallop.

Ten minutes later Hal again noticed that Ivan was lagging behind.  He drew his horse down until Ivan came up with him.  A moment later Colonel Edwards also dropped back on even terms with them.

“Go ahead.  Don’t wait for me,” shouted Ivan.

Hal shook his head slightly, as did Colonel Edwards.

“I tell you, it’s no use,” said Ivan.  “This horse can’t carry me much farther.  Ride on!”

The others paid no heed.

Suddenly Ivan drew rein, pulling his horse back on his haunches, and leaped lightly to the ground.  Then, before the others realized his intention, he drew his revolvers and faced the pursuers.

Quickly Hal and Colonel Edwards checked their horses, wheeled about and hurried back to him.

“You are fools!” said Ivan hoarsely.  “There is no need for all of us to die.  I could have held them off until the rest of you were safe.  It is not too late yet.  Ride on!”

For answer Hal leaped lightly to the ground and Colonel Edwards followed suit.  The latter produced two revolvers and Hal one, for his other still lay beside the body of Nicolas.

“Into the woods here, quick!” Hal commanded.

The others obeyed him; and they moved from their perilous positions not a moment too soon, for the pursuers had found the range and revolver bullets whistled about them as they darted for shelter.

Ahead, Chester now discovered that the others had stopped.  He checked his own horse, and calling to Colonel Anderson and Nikol, wheeled about and dashed down the road, the others following.

Chester allowed the reins to fall loose on his horse’s neck and in each hand glistened a revolver.  Colonel Anderson and Nikol were also prepared.

Some distance beyond where Hal, Colonel Edwards and Ivan had dismounted, the pursuers had drawn rein; and now Chester, Colonel Anderson and Nikol charged right at them.

In spite of their numbers, the pursuers, after one hasty volley, turned and fled as the three charged down upon them.  The three fired once each at the foe and one man dropped.  Then they checked their horses, dismounted and made their way into the woods, where they joined the others.

“Well,” said Chester.  “Here we are.  Now what?”

“I don’t know,” said Hal.  “We might push on through the woods, leaving the horses here, or we might wait until dark and make another break.  We can probably lose our pursuers some way.”

“I should say the latter is the better plan,” said Colonel Edwards.  “If Ivan will start first, we can come on an hour later.  We can protect his flight.  Because of his great weight his horse cannot keep up with the rest of us.”

Ivan protested.  He didn’t want to go and leave the others behind.  But at last he agreed.

“Then I can see no reason for waiting until dark,” said Chester.  “Let Ivan mount now and make a break for it.  We can cover him.  They won’t get by us.  An hour later we can start.”