“I’ll have you up if I have to pull you out by the heels myself,” was the reply.

The three friends turned in in the officer’s own tent and soon were fast asleep, their desperate mission of the morrow weighing not at all upon their minds.  They were too seasoned veterans for that.

Half an hour before daybreak they were aroused.  All were perfectly wide awake in a moment and donned their civilian clothes.  Then they left the tent and joined the Italian officer, where he awaited their coming and explained to the officer of a squadron of cavalry what was expected of him.

The latter nodded his understanding of the order and repeated it to his men.

It was cool in the early morning air, close to the mountains as they were, and the boys shivered a bit.  Both were anxious for the time for action.

A faint tinge of gray streaked the eastern sky; and gradually it grew brighter.

“Well, guess we may as well be on our way,” said the colonel.  “Have you got our horses?”

The animals were led up at a command from the Italian officer.  The three swung themselves to the saddles.

“Ready?” queried the colonel, gazing carefully around.

“All ready,” came the reply.

“Good!  Here we go then,” and the colonel set off at a gallop, his revolver in his hand.  Hal and Chester spurred after him.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Within the enemy’s lines.

Revolvers clasped tightly in both hands, the reins hanging loose on their horses’ necks, while they guided the animals by the pressure of the knees, the friends dashed forward toward the Austrian lines, probably three miles ahead.

When they had gone some two hundred yards, there came behind them, with loud shouts, a squadron of Italian cavalry, firing as they urged their mounts on.

A hundred yards farther on the three saw signs of excitement in the Austrian ranks, now visible in the distance.  A moment and a troop sallied forth to protect the flight of the apparent fugitives, and to drive back the Italians.

Hal, thinking to help the illusion along, pulled his horse up sharply, and as the animal staggered and lost his stride, the lad tumbled off.  He was up in a moment, however, and raising his revolver, emptied it at the Italian horsemen bearing down on him.  He was careful to aim high, however.

Chester and Colonel Anderson checked their mounts and the former leaped to the ground and helped Hal back to his saddle.  Then, with a last volley in the direction of the Italians, they urged their horses on again.

Meanwhile they could hear the whine of the Italian bullets above their head, some so close that Chester feared for a moment the Italian cavalrymen had misunderstood their orders.  But none touched them.

Straight toward the onrushing Austrians they spurred their horses; and the Austrians parted to let them through.  At this juncture the Italians gave up the chase and retired; and the Austrians did not pursue them.