Uncle John urged his horse to greater effort and the animal responded nobly.  For a moment he kept pace with Hal’s swifter mount.

Hal dropped the reins to his horse’s neck, and drew his second revolver.  Then he slackened the pace of his horse even more.

“Go ahead!” he cried as Uncle John flashed by.  “I’ll hold ’em back a minute or two.”

The pursuers gained upon him.  Hal stopped his horse.

A moment later the Austrians became visible in the now semi-darkness—­for dawn was breaking.  Hal raised both weapons and fired three times in rapid succession.

His effort was rewarded by several cries of pain from the pursuers, and the others checked their horses abruptly.  Again Hal fired twice; and then, turning his horse quickly, rode swiftly after Uncle John.

The Austrians hesitated a moment before again taking up the chase, and this brief moment was the time the fugitives needed.

As they galloped along, Hal still somewhat in the rear, it grew light and less than a half a mile ahead the riders made out the first Italian outpost.  They headed toward it with loud cries, the Austrians now again in pursuit.

Their cries were heard in the Italian lines, and quicker than it takes to tell it, Hal’s heart was made glad by the sight of a mounted squadron of Italian troops dashing toward them.

He slowed his horse down to a walk, and turning in the saddle, took a parting shot at the Austrians, who now had turned to flee.  One threw up his arms, and dropped to the ground, and the horse went on riderless.

The Italian horsemen pulled up when they reached Hal’s side, and the lad explained the situation in a few words.

“If you are quick,” he told the officer, “you may take them unaware and rescue my two companions.”

The officer wasted no time in words; a quick command to his men, and the troop went on in pursuit of the foe.

Hal turned to Uncle John.

“There is nothing we can do for them,” he said.  “We shall go to General Ferrari and make our report.”

He led the way, more slowly now.

The Italian commander received them immediately and Hal gave him the information they had gained in as few words as possible.  After receiving the thanks of the general, the boy, followed by Uncle John, again made his way to the front; and at the extreme outpost, saw the Italians who had pursued the Austrians returning—­empty-handed.

The officer greeted him with a gesture of sorrow.

“It was no use,” he said.  “They had started when we reached there.  We pursued them as far as advisable, and fell back only when a strong force of the enemy came out to meet us.”

Hal thanked him and with Uncle John returned to his quarters, seeking to think of some way by which he could be of service to his chum and to Colonel Anderson.

Meanwhile, what of the other two?