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Updated: May 19, 2025
I'd rather be alongside Ivan there," he muttered to himself, "but it wouldn't do to let this little fellow think I'm afraid. You're taking a long chance, Anthony, but I guess you had better do it. All right," he said to Nikol, and ranged himself at the dwarf's side.
At Stubbs' first outcry, Nicolas, with a muttered imprecation, had dashed for the exit. He fell upon his knees and was about to crawl outside when Nikol, more wide awake than the others, flung himself forward and clasped his long arms about the Montenegrin's neck. Nicolas drew back in the cave and pulled himself to his feet in spite of the dwarf's frantic efforts to hold him down.
"Suppose you tell us how, securely tied as we are, we are going to get out of here?" Stubbs addressed Nikol. "Very simple," said Nikol. "First I want to say this. I am no strategist. I can unloosen us all, if some one else will show us the way out." "You do your part, Nikol, and I'll try and do mine," said Hal quietly. The dwarf eyed him approvingly.
For a moment they hesitated, then turned and charged the new arrivals. "Keep going!" shouted Hal. "And don't miss!" The enemy fired first, but all the shots went wild. Suddenly Nikol checked his horse, took deliberate aim and fired. A rider fell to the ground. The range was still great, but Nikol's aim was true. A second man dropped at his second bullet.
Still Nikol hung back, and it took considerable coaxing before he consented to go; and then it took Stubbs to clinch matters. "Look here, now," he said, eyeing Nikol sternly, "I took you for a brave man. You're not afraid of a king, are you?" Nikol shook his head negatively. "Well, if you don't come along I'll think you are," declared Stubbs. "Look at me now.
Silently the others grasped Nikol's hand, one after another, and at the last came Stubbs. To the latter's hand the dwarf clung tenaciously. "You, sir, are a brave man," said Nikol. "I am glad I was able to save you. You may be of some use in the world."
"First tell me what you are doing here?" was the command. Hal explained as rapidly as possible and then repeated his request that they be allowed to go back toward the border a few moments. At last the officer gave his permission. Chester, Hal, Colonel Anderson, Ivan and Nikol, each grinning, moved back toward the border. Stubbs hung back, and seeing this, Hal called: "Come along, Mr. Stubbs.
"You will please excuse me," he said humbly. "I did not mean to offend. For myself I am proud that I am a dwarf and I was glad that it was one of my own kind who conquered me." Stubbs, greatly flattered, threw out his chest and turned to Hal. "You see," he exclaimed, "if you have any doubts as to how I overcame this man, he will tell you himself. Won't you, Nik Nikol?" Nikol bowed.
Hal had disappeared beneath the rock and Edwards dropped to his knees and crawled after him. "Well," said Stubbs to himself, "I don't like this, but I guess I might as well go along." Motioning Nikol to follow him, he, too, dropped to all fours and crawled slowly beneath the big rock. Beyond the rock, a brisk fire made dimly visible what appeared to be a large cavern.
"Come, Ivan, let's get away from here." "Well," said Ivan hesitatingly, "maybe you are right." Turning he caught sight of Nikol. "Why, there is my old friend Nikol," he shouted. "Nikol, you will join me in a bottle of wine?" "I shall be pleased," said Nikol, with a smile. "Good. Come with me." He turned and made as though to move away, when suddenly his eyes lighted upon Stubbs. "Ho!
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