The Boy Allies with the Cossacks Part 11

"Try me," he said simply.

"Keep quiet, then, and do as I tell you," said Hal.

He turned again to von Bernstrum.

"I can see," he said, "that the lady would be pleased to know a man like you."

"Ah! you see it?" cried the German. "But Heinrich is so cunning. Now if I had your help----"

"What would you have us do?" asked Hal.

The big German was silent for some minutes before replying.

"If I had your help," he said at length, "I would see that you all regained your liberty. Will you help me?"

"What is it you would have us do?" asked Chester.

"I will not say until you have promised," said von Bernstrum.

"And we will not promise till you have told us," said Hal. "How do we know that you are a man of your word, or that you are a fighter, such as you would have us believe."

"What! Freiderich von Bernstrum not a fighter!" exclaimed the big German in surprise.

"We have only your word for it," said Hal quietly.

Von Bernstrum paced up and down excitedly. He stopped suddenly.

"Let me bring swords!" he exclaimed, "and you shall see whether I can fight!"

He made as if to leave the room.

"Not so fast!" exclaimed Hal. "The clash of steel would bring the whole fortress down on us. But I shall try you out."

"How?" exclaimed the German eagerly.

"Alexis!" called Hal.

The big Cossack approached.

"Here," said Hal to the German, pointing to Alexis, "is a foeman worthy of your steel. You shall try with him."

"Good!" exclaimed von Bernstrum. "With fists?"

"No," replied Hal, who was somewhat doubtful of Alexis' prowess in the fistic art. "How about a wrestling match?"

"Good!" exclaimed von Bernstrum again. "But I a.s.sure you I am his superior." He turned to Alexis. "Get ready, man!"

CHAPTER VIII.

THE ESCAPE.

Alexis made ready.

Hal realized that he was taking a desperate chance to put through the scheme that had entered his mind. Not only was von Bernstrum a bigger man than Alexis, but the latter had lost much blood only 36 hours before. Doubtless also he knew every trick of a wrestler or fighter.

Alexis took off his shoes and threw them into a corner, and divested himself of his coat. Von Bernstrum growled like a dog as he followed the Cossack's example.

Alexis held out his hand. Von Bernstrum gripped it hard and gave a grunt of satisfaction.

"A man's hand," he exclaimed.

Alexis placed his right hand across the German's shoulders and caught him firmly and the boys saw by the expression on his face that he was not certain of the outcome. The German had not boasted in vain. He was indeed a giant.

"If ever men felt the joy of battle, these two do," exclaimed Hal to Chester.

The two men were now gripped in a tight embrace. Von Bernstrum felt Alexis over carefully, but gave him no opening.

"A man's chest," he grunted.

Alexis so far had uttered no word. Now he perceived that his opponent was preparing for the loin throw and prepared himself to meet it. When he had foiled this attack, he held his opponent for a moment at a disadvantage.

Alexis gripped von Bernstrum for a hug. Had the German been a weaker man, his ribs must have cracked; but he had caught deep breath, and the Cossack might as well have tried to crush a tree.

"A good try!" muttered the German.

He now tested Alexis sorely. He tried a cross. .h.i.tch, but failed. At this, a smile broke out on Alexis' face.

Both lads, who had been watching the struggle nervously, now grew confident. It was evident that the Cossack hoped for victory.

At last Alexis saw his chance. In getting the grip he wanted, it was necessary for him to face the danger of putting himself in his opponent's power; but the Cossack ventured to do this, for he realized that by no other means could he throw him. Von Bernstrum saw his opponent's move and took advantage of it, and for a moment Alexis was afraid it was all over with him.

But he still held his ground. Von Bernstrum's grip grew weaker at last, and the boys could hear him panting like a dog. Hal spoke to Chester.

"I believe he realizes that Alexis will master him," he exclaimed in a whisper.

Chester nodded in a.s.sent.

Now Alexis put all the strength of his mighty shoulders, back and loins into a mighty heave, and Freiderich von Bernstrum, giant though he was, went flying across the room, his head striking the floor with a terrible thud.

For a moment the lads were afraid Alexis had killed him; but for a moment only. Calmly Alexis put on his shoes and donned his coat. Then he turned to his young friends and waited. His att.i.tude said as plain as words:

"I have done the fighting. You do the rest."

Quickly Hal stooped over the fallen man and took a bunch of keys from his pocket. Then, straightening up, he approached the door, opened it and peered out. There was no one in sight.