The Red Cross Girls with the Russian Army

's Oppo

s the firing continued

s grew accustomed to the noises, unless one explo

eir work inside the hospital wing of the fo

wounded were constantly being brought in, until not only the cots but m

tinue its resistance. A few of the outer defenses had already fallen. The Russian soldiers in the trenches behind the first line of barricades had sought safety insi

hornton, who chanced to be gazing out of a small window wh

be done, but on the way to her room had stopped for a single bre

ese trucks being driven as swiftly as possible outside the Grovno gate an

hold out against the enemy for an unlimited time. Therefore it might be wiser to draw them further into Russia and away from their own supplies. General Alexis could join Grand Duke Nicholas beyond the Styr River and there

taken to places of safety. Later on General Alexis would probably give orders for a more general retr

hanged her uniform for a fresher one and returned to her work. Not a word of her idea did she breathe to any one. She had no foundation

rnton began dimly to appreciate the possible conditions. More and more of the munitions of war

, with their nurses and surgeons, were to be moved at nightfa

of soldiers were alrea

xis was merely drawing off the men whom he did not actually need for defense. Grovno could be protected by a comparatively small number of soldiers without the enemy appreciating any depreciation i

rom Grovno. They were also told that they were not to follow the army. As soon as they reached a railroad, the woun

f the French retreat. It was so evident that General Alexis was providing for the safety of the wounded before the danger time.

wo nurses and a physician, gathered quietly in the stone courtyard enclosed by the wings of the fortress. They were then placed in low

d in France. The motor cars and ambulances owned by the Russian army were few in number and inadequ

r cape and the small close-fitting bonnet. But Barbara had also put on nearly everything else she possessed. They would be traveling all night under extremely uncomfortable conditions and throug

hing to make her more comfortable, except that Mildred had insisted upon lending her her sweater. But both gir

er discomfort and see others suffering far worse things. But a retreat through this strange country, with its odd inhab

r voice could be heard above the uproar of the cannonading. Yet in the pauses

the ambulance carts rolled out of the fortress yard. Now and then there was a faint groan from a wounded man that could not

up they discovered a colonel in the Russian army, on the personal staff of General Alexis. No one of the three girls knew the officer's name; his

surprising, but in all probability he wished to i

rs were also making preparations to be on the march. Instead he stood

reover, the big Russian officer was an impressive figure. It was more interesting to watch him until they were summ

an colonel directed his glance toward her. He stared at her for a mo

nurse," he announced in low tones, although Bar

l and man moved a few feet away, where

inarily curious. At least they strained their ears as much as possible in order to try and catch a stray word spoken either by Mildred o

se he can be saying to Mill

ld be a pure waste of energy, since Mildre

at something unusual had occurred. Ordinarily Mildred was calm and self possessed. Now

e else. It would be dangerous for me and for us all if you betray this confidence. The officer who talked with me just then is Colonel Feodorovitch. He is very near General Alexis and tells me that General Alexis has been wounded. The wound is not considered serious and he refuses to give up his command or to leave the fort until the fina

d in unison, with no attempt to conc

ick think of my deserting you at such a time? Besides, don't you remember that General Alexis himself wanted us safe in Petrograd bef

ll ever having thought or spoken to me, at a time when the Russian army, perhaps the whole Russian nation, is dependent on his failure or success. If I can do even the least thing to help him at such a crisis, why, how could I refuse? Please try and se

ad clutched M

e. I am almost your sist

unclasped the yo

tay, Bab, but we have no choice. Remember, we are under

ed returned ins

ce they moved forward and were assisted inside the wagon, which soon after passed out

ing. The last of the regiments at Grovno would see that the bridge

to co