The Boy Allies in Great Peril; Or, With the Italian Army in the Alps

felt the sharp pain in his leg, where a bullet had grazed the skin. He saw Chester

r. As he did so he felt a pair of arms thrown about him from

rength. Time had sapped his prowess, however, and he knew that he was n

himself. Bethinking himself of the days of his youth, when he had been considered something of a boxer, Uncle

an's face, before the latter stepped back and sought to bring his revolver to bear. But Uncle John had no mind to be shot d

s wrestling ability. He threw his arms about him, and the t

it also and knew that if he would be successful, it must be immediately. He put a foot in back of the Austrian and

ly in the Austrian's face. The latter gave a cry of

need it,

e. The Austrian's arms relaxed their grip. He quivered a bit

modestly. "I wish the boys could have been

ack and three men stepped inside. They saw Uncle John and the unconscious

g breath and waded in

lf. But, realizing that they were getting the worst of this kind of fighting, one of the men gave a command to close in. In vain Uncle John strove to ke

ceased to struggle, and lay power

got me," he sa

ew a revolver and covered him. The other two went to the assistance of Robard, who w

said. "Well, I'll see that y

et me alone," said Uncle Joh

w furiously angry. "I've got you n

a heavy blow with

fiery temper. It was said of him that when his tem

's hand, uttered a cry of rage, and leaped forward. His move was so unexpected that the man with the revolver did not fire, and w

t with his feet whenever occasion presented itself. One, two, three heavy blows he landed upon Robard's face, and the Aus

a groan. The other brought a fist heavily to Uncle John's nose, bringing blood, but before he could rep

the man's finger could press the trigger, Uncle John had seized him about the middle. Raising him high in the

eld. His anger had departed and he was again a cool

y, I might have killed somebody. After all these years I should have it

llen on the floor, took one last look at his f

ting upon the steps in front of a large ston

ight," he told himself. "Guess I w

and Chester would probably never have seen active service with the Italian army. For the figure that ca

Uncle John, as he walked along toward the hotel. "I'll tell them what

glanced a

house. Guess Hal and Chester have returned to the hotel by this time. What shall I tell the women folks?

vator. It descended, and as he would have entered, h

he latter, "whe

demanded Mrs.

-they'll be here in a

le

ded the two anxious mot

omposure with an effort. "I'll explain. Hal and Ches

atter with you, John?" aske

he matter

clothes are dirty and there is blo

d Uncle John in great confus

Chester with you?"

. I mean-" stutt

awford. "You were in trouble, and Hal and

, I don't know where the

y would be here

e explained what

e without being hur

, ma

hey be now?" dema

ave stopped for a talk with the gener

ne with relief. "But why didn't you tell

t you?" demande

ohn slowly, "we didn

d for such foolishness,

w better now. If you had seen the licking I handed th

childhood if you ever let me hear of anyt

red of this conversation.

ee if I can find t

o," said

ut of mischief yourself,

ok his head as

ed to those boys? They've probably gone back to look for me. Guess I ha

, which still rested s

" he muttered, as he quickened his