CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
ALMOST TRAPPED.
The sight of a burly, black-bearded Russian of forbidding aspect,half-maddened moreover by drink, rushing at one's hiding-place, iscalculated to inspire the bravest with trepidation, and in the case ofPhil and Tony it can be recorded, without fear of their incurring theepithet of coward, that both were more than a little alarmed for theirsafety. But they were in a cage--in an extremely tight corner withoutdoubt--and, rendered desperate by the knowledge, and that recapturemeant, if not death, certainly ill-treatment, they determined to make alight for it.
"Silence him at all costs," Phil whispered rapidly. "Let him pull thedoor open, and then drag him in. I leave it to you to silence him,Tony."
"Ay, I'll do that, never fear," was the hurried answer in a tone whichshowed that though a handkerchief as a gag had possibly occurred to thegallant Tony as a method, yet he knew of other and surer means.
A second later the handle was wrenched open, and the door flew back witha bang, while the Cossack almost fell into the carriage.
There was a swish and a sounding crash, and he flopped into the haylimply, stunned by a heavy blow from Tony's club, which, had it not beenfor the thick astrakhan hat the Russian wore, would have settled hisfate there and then.
His helpless body was instantly dragged into the corner and a hurriedconsultation held.
"We've got to fix up that other chap," said Tony grimly. "Now his pal'sgone the fat's in the fire."
"No doubt about it, Tony," agreed Phil. "We must silence both. Let usget out and wait near the door for the other fellow. We can leave thisman for the present, for that crack you gave him will keep him quiet fora time."
Tony chuckled.
"And he was the chap as was going to tie us up and whop us!" he said,with huge enjoyment. "He was going to give us a taste of the rope! Heshall have some himself soon, but for the present the dose of stick willsuit him."
Shaking his club at the unconscious man, he followed Phil out of thecarriage and closed the door. Both crawled beneath the cart till closeto the niches down which the Russian must climb, and waited eagerly forhis appearance. But there was not a sound above, and nothing but thecertainty that he had ascended to the loft to convince them that he wasthere still.
"What has happened to him?" asked Phil. "Do you think he heard thenoise below, and has escaped through the trap-door?"
"Not he," Tony answered with assurance. "He's up there, p'r'aps hiding,but most like dead asleep. Listen. Perhaps we'll hear him."
There was a minute's silence, when both heard heavy snoring from theloft, and looked at one another, uncertain how to proceed.
"We're in a fix," said Phil shortly. "We dare not move out of this tillnightfall, for the surrounding country is open; and we cannot leave thisfellow asleep up there. He may pull himself together at any moment andsearch for his friend. Also if we climb up to him we are likely torouse him, and he will give the alarm before he can be silenced."
"Yes, it's a real fix, Phil; but we've got to get out of it," mutteredTony, scratching his head in bewilderment. "Why not sing out to him inhis own lingo and tell him to come down?" he suddenly suggested. "Thenas he gets close to the ground we can nobble him."
"Of course; just the thing;" and Phil, who had heard Petroff address hisfriend as "Nicholas", called to him in a low voice.
At first there was no response; but presently the man above moved, andthey heard him grumble something, and evidently turn over to sleepagain.
"Nicholas, here are the English. Remember our reward," cried Phil in aharsh tone.
"Ah, what?" they heard the man say. Then there were sounds as if he hadrisen to his feet and fallen again. But he was evidently fully aroused,and soon his legs appeared through the opening above searching for thefirst of the niches. He found it, and commenced to descend, while Philand Tony crept a little closer and prepared to dart out from beneath theshelter of the cart and overpower him. Suddenly there was an oath asone foot slipped from its hold, then a sharp cry of fear, and beforeeither Phil or Tony could utter an exclamation, the unhappy Cossack,overpowered by drink, had lost his hold and fallen like a sack to theground, where he lay huddled in a heap, while a crimson stream ran fromhis ears and nose.
Phil crept to his side and found that he was dead.
"We are saved our trouble," he said sorrowfully. "The poor fellow hassmashed his skull. What's to be done, Tony?"
His friend looked blankly round and shook his head.
"Blest if I know, Phil! Here we are with two Russian coves, one of themdead, and here we've got to stick for a matter of four hours and more.It beats me. The farmer chap saw them both come in here, and it won'ttake long for him to search. It's a regular fixer."
"And the worst of it is too, Tony, that if we are found with this deadman we shall be accused of having killed him. I have it. We'll hoisthim to the loft again, and place the other fellow alongside him. Thenwe'll take up our quarters there. If we are discovered we can make agood fight for it, and if the farmer comes in search he may think hisunwelcome visitors have left the shed to investigate some other spot andwill return to his house."
Tony looked at his friend as if to say, "Well, you're a good 'un," and,without venturing on a remark, stepped to the wall and returned with thetraces which had already served as a rope. One of these was buckledround the dead man, and the other trace attached. Then both climbedinto the loft and hoisted their burden after them. Another trip and thestill unconscious figure of their enemy Petroff was dragged up besidethem. The harness was returned to its peg, and with a hasty glanceround to make sure that there was nothing about the shed to show that astruggle had taken place within it, Phil and Tony climbed into thehay-loft and sat down to regain their breath and rest after theirexertions.
Two hours passed almost in silence, when Phil suddenly slapped his kneeand gave a sharp exclamation of delight.
"We'll reach our friends yet, old man," he said enthusiastically. "I'vethought the whole thing over and have decided what to do. At first Iimagined that our best way would be to relieve these gentlemen of theirclothing in exchange for ours. But it would not do. If we werecaptured it would mean a file of muskets at six in the morning, for weshould certainly be condemned as spies."
Tony grunted hoarsely, showing that he had a decided dislike to thisarrangement.
"But though we do not take their clothes, we will make free with theirswords and ponies," continued Phil, "and so soon as it is dark we willget away from this. By riding at night, and making allowances for thewide detours we shall be compelled to undertake, we should reach ourfriends in three days at most. We have still a large piece of meatleft, and with that and the bread that remains, and an occasional drinkof water, we must be satisfied. Now we'll secure this fellow. Slipdown and get some of that harness, like a brick, will you, Tony?"
That evening, soon after dusk had fallen, two stealthy figures creptfrom the shed, and stole towards the outhouse in which the Cossackponies were kept. The door was only latched, and, waiting merely toslip on the bridles and tighten the girths, the two adventurousEnglishmen vaulted into the saddle and rode out into the night. Theywere not gone many minutes when the farmer, wondering at the prolongedabsence of the Cossacks, and having seen them turn their ponies into theshed, came to see if the animals were still there, and, finding themgone, returned in anything but a pleasant mood to his house.
"Those two brutes are gone, wife," he said testily. "They have not eventhanked us for our hospitality, nor paid for the vodka which they drank.May it kill them then is all that I wish!"
Had he but known it, his unkind thought had already been partiallyaccomplished, for in his hay-loft one of the Cossacks lay dead, a victimindeed to the fiery spirit, while the second, destined for many days tobe sick in his house, and demand careful nursing and feeding at hisexpense, reclined, unconscious, in a heap of straw, bound hand and foot,but left ungagged, a circumstance of which he took adva
ntage early inthe morning by screaming for help at the top of his voice.
Once more returning to the post-road, Phil and Tony rode along itquietly, only the jangle of their Cossack swords breaking the silence.Three hours later a line of watch-fires in the distance told them thatthey were approaching the Russian field-army, and warned them to findsome safe hiding-place.
"They are seven or eight miles away at least," said Tony, "and we arelucky to have spotted them so soon."
"Yes, Tony, we are," Phil remarked thoughtfully. "We are still morelucky, for this side they will have only a few pickets and outposts, andwe must be far outside their circle. Also they will not be expectinganything. I fancy our best course will be to ride to our left, keepingthe lights at the same distance as now. Then we will choose some sortof a shelter, on high ground if possible, so that to-morrow we can seewhat direction to take. Once past those troops, Tony, and safelythrough the scouts who are certain to be watching our fellows, we shallbe back in the British camp."
"Safe in the British camp. Yes," echoed Tony, "and I hopes stowing awaythe first decent feed for many a long day now. Coffee and bread's allright, but my strength is just going for the want of meat."
More than two hours later, and just before the dawn broke, they rodetheir ponies into a big vineyard situated on the slope of a hill whichseemed to command the camp.
Daylight discovered a splendid panorama spread out before them, for theyhad been unconsciously but steadily ascending all night, and now were atsuch an elevation that they could see, beyond the Chersonese heights,Sebastopol in the far-off distance, merged in a haze of sea and land,and only distinguishable by the whiteness of its masonry; while directlybeneath them, as it seemed, lay the Russian camp, seething with horsesand troops, which were very soon to try the fortunes of war with theiradversaries.
To the right of the Chersonese heights another line of rugged hillsstretched as far as the river Tchernaya, which could be seen windinghere and there, and flashing back the sun. Along these heights ran theWoronzoff road, branching off before it reached the river, and, runningparallel and at some distance from it, deflected by other heights, knownas the Kamara. To the right of these was a deep valley, theever-memorable "Valley of the Shadow of Death", opposite which, bystraining their eyes and shading them with their hands, the broad foldsof the grand flag of England could be distinguished flaunting in thebreeze, even at that distance, so clear was the atmosphere.
Phil pointed it out to Tony.
"That's the place for us," he said shortly, "and we must manage to getinto that valley. After that all will be plain sailing. But it's a bigjob. I fancy I can make out earthworks along that road you see upon theheights, and, if I am not mistaken, there is a large camp to the right,resting by a collection of houses close to the river."
Tony followed the direction of Phil's finger, and gazed long andearnestly.
"It's a camp, Phil," he agreed, "and I suppose it ain't likely to lieBritish. Tothers is earthworks, I think, and manned with guns, or I'm awrong 'un. Look! you can see one against the sky-line. If they are ourbatteries, all the better. But in any case I am for steering clear ofthem, and cutting into the valley."
"Yes, I think so too, Tony; and now, how to get there. We are well tothe left of the Russian camp below us. By keeping still more so, weought to reach that big clump of houses and vineyards you see over therebefore the morning, and next time the night falls I hope we shall beable to answer an English challenge."
Had they but known it, Phil and Tony were to meet with more than oneadventure before the well-known "Halt! Who goes there?" struck upontheir ears, for this was the 23rd of October, and on the 25th that smallcamp down by the river Tchernaya was to be swollen by the emptying ofthe one directly below them, and the Russians were to try conclusionswith the Allies.
It was destined to be a brilliant spectacle, and brimful of gallantdeeds--one more striking than all the rest, and to find a lasting placein the history of our race, a deed of dare-devilry and sheer disregardof life and limb which Phil and Tony were never to forget, and thehonour of their having taken part in it will ever be cherished by theirdescendants.
Having made a thorough survey of the scene below them, Phil and hisfriend removed the saddles and bridles from their ponies, and replacedthe latter with a halter attached to the saddle. Then, finding a streamnear at hand, Tony watered them and led them back to the vineyard, wherehe secured them in a part completely obscured from view. Meanwhile Philcrept out to a shed at the end of the vines, and returned with a largearmful of hay. That done they ate some of their bread and meat, and,flinging themselves down in the shadow of the vines, were soon fastasleep.
The sun was low down in the heavens and fast sinking when Phil awoke,and, rubbing his eyes, kicked Tony playfully.
"Up you get, old chap," he cried cheerfully. "We'll have a meal, andthen make for that clump of trees. Let us have one more good look at itbefore the night falls. See! by striking a little to the left we shallget into that narrow valley, and by keeping to it shall be goingdirectly for our goal."
Tony sprang to his feet, and, thrusting his stout stick through hisbelt, joined Phil in an open spot, from which, unseen, they could lookdown towards Sebastopol.
A curious figure he was too--more like a scarecrow than a Britishsoldier. A short stubbly beard covered his chin, while a flaming redhandkerchief was tied round his head in place of his bearskin, lost longago now at the Alma. His red tunic was tattered and stained with mud,and his trousers hung in rags round his boots.
As for Phil, he was in no better plight; but still, strange to say, helooked spruce and neat beside his rough companion, the short fair downupon his cheeks scarcely showing, and contrasting most favourably withTony's spiky beard.
"Right again, young 'un!" agreed the latter, evidently in the highestspirits. "We'll lie up over there to-night, and then make a dash forit. That sleep has just put new life into me, and now I'm ready foranything; and I tell yer, Phil, it's got to be five to one afore I givesin to the Russians. Let's have a look at this here toothpick;" and hedragged his sword, a heavy cavalry sabre, from its sheath. "Sharp as arazor," he remarked, with a grim smile, feeling the edge. "All thebetter. It's got plenty of weight too, and once I wants to use it,blest if I don't make it cut clean through the head of one of ourCossack friends."
He swished the sword round in the air, narrowly missing Phil in hiseagerness. Then, thrusting it back into the sheath, he stalked acrossto the ponies and commenced to saddle up.
That night they reached the vineyard close against the heights bearingthe Woronzoff road, and in it they passed the following day, devouringan abundance of grapes, which were perfectly ripe, and served to keepoff the pangs of hunger, now that their bread and meat had disappeared.
When darkness fell again they were fully prepared for the last dash. Anek between two stunted hills forming the ridge of heights had beenchosen, and through this they were to ride into the valley, and fromthere into the British camp. Crowning the heights they could discernthree batteries, but no flag flew above them, though the fact that theguns, which were now clearly distinguishable, were turned towards theopposite Kamara heights, in occupation by the Russians, pointedconclusively to the fact that they were manned by the Allies.
"They are our batteries undoubtedly," said Phil when discussing thequestion with his friend, "but for all that, I propose we slip betweenthem, and make for our own camp. They may be occupied by the French orTurks, and as we could not answer their challenge, and our speech is aslikely to be taken for Russian as for English, we should run a greatchance of being shot or bayoneted before they discovered which side webelonged to. No, decidedly, I am for slipping through."
Tony expressed his approval, and indeed it was the wisest course totake, for as it turned out the batteries were manned by Turks, who, onthe following day, were to defend them valiantly, and the majority ofwhom were to lose their lives in doing so.
At last the moment f
or setting forth arrived, and the state ofexcitement into which Phil and Tony had worked themselves may beimagined. This was the last struggle for freedom, the trump card uponwhich their fortunes depended. If they failed to pass unnoticed throughthe ground intervening between themselves and the batteries no doubt ahoard of Cossack scouts would be quickly on their track, like vultureson their prey, for the waning light had shown numbers of these shaggyhorsemen dotting the plain below. Still, the risk was no greater thanthat which they had already run, and, buoyed with the hope of liberty onthe morrow, and, as Tony did not forget to mention again, a substantialmeal for the first time for many a long day, they vaulted into theirsaddles and commenced to ride from the vineyard.
"Hark! What is that?" asked Phil suddenly, in a subdued tone of alarm."I am certain I heard something over there;" and he pointed towards theKamara heights.
Both listened intently, and distinctly heard the rumble of distantwheels, and a dull, heavy sound as though of a large force of menapproaching.
"Back for our lives!" cried Phil excitedly. "It must be the Russiantroops coming this way. We must watch them, Tony."
"Ay, it's the enemy right enough," muttered Tony angrily. "Phil, themchaps is always coming up against us and spoiling our fun. First theystopped us from carrying that colour back, and then blest if a Cossackcove didn't try for to keep us when we was bolting from the camp. Hepaid for that, he did, and I expect he'll be more careful in the future.Then them drunken swabs turned us out of what was house and home, ifyer can call an old rickety carriage such. Law! what a jolly time wegive them too! And now they are after us again, the brutes!" and with agrunt of disgust Tony dragged the club from his belt, silentlydetermining to fight the whole Russian army, if need be, and to help hiscomrade back to liberty.
"Hush! Can't you keep quiet?" whispered Phil sharply. "Follow methrough the vineyard. The road runs close beside the farther end, andwe must hide there and watch."
Somewhat abashed, Tony followed, and soon both were crouching within, afew yards of the road. A few minutes later a front guard of Cossackspassed like so many silent ghosts. Then field-guns andammunition-wagons rumbled by, followed by battalions of infantry, and byregiments of Cossack horse. It was an impressive sight, especially whenthe Russian horsemen filed by, for in front of each regiment rode thecommander, superbly mounted, and chanting a song, while behind him cameother horsemen, clashing cymbals, to the accompaniment of which thewhole regiment took up the refrain, and sang with voices far moremelodious than could be expected from rough soldiers.
"There is some big movement on," whispered Phil, "and I fear ourdifficulties in getting through will be vastly increased. Still, I amfor trying to-night. To-morrow we might be hunted out of this. What doyou say to our joining the stragglers, who are certain to follow themain body? The night is too dark for them to recognise us except whenclose at hand."
"Seems to me a likely way out of the fix," agreed Tony, after a moment'sconsideration. "There won't be many of them, and if one happens to spotus, why--it'll be his own fault, Phil. Yes, we'll follow, and bykeeping reasonably near we shall see where these fellows bivouac, andhave a better chance of slipping through."
Accordingly they waited till the army had got a quarter of a mile away,and then fell in behind. Occasionally stragglers passed them, and oncea squadron of horsemen galloped by; but, taking the two solitary figuresfor scouts, they swept on without a word. An hour later they werebeyond the Russian camp and ascending the nek. No one seemed to beabout, and they were not challenged. Once over the summit they turnedabruptly to the left, and rode down into the valley, keeping close tothe heights. But here again another difficulty faced them. Watch-firestwinkled in every direction, some undoubtedly being Russian, and,fearful of falling into the enemy's hands, or what would perhaps beequally bad, stumbling against a French or Turkish outpost, and beingshot before an explanation could be given, they once more selected avineyard and bivouacked there till the day broke, hoping to be able thento make a dash for the British camp.