Just then they saw a large body of Cossacks galloping up towards the fire, some of whom by their gestures had, it seemed, at that moment caught sight of them. "We must put on all our steam, or these fellows will be at our heels," said Jack; and again they set forward. One glance he cast over his shoulder showed him the Cossacks making for the ford; he could not help feeling very doubtful whether he and his party could keep ahead of them. The bank of the first river they had crossed was again reached, and plunging in, partly by swimming, and partly by wading, they boldly pushed across, thus avoiding the loss of time by going round by the ford. Scarcely, however, had they got over, when through the gloom of night they distinguished the Cossacks galloping towards them. They did not stop long to shake themselves, but dashed on, still hoping to keep ahead, as the Cossacks would have to go some distance up the stream to cross the ford. "I only wish the fellows would try to swim," said Dick; "their horses would stick in the mud and rushes we've had a hard job to get through. Keep up, Jerry, keep up," he continued, observing that his companion was flagging; "we've a clear road before us, and we mustn't let our legs play us false." Thus encouraged, Jerry made fresh efforts to keep alongside his companions. Jack felt his own legs moving somewhat heavily, and could not help acknowledging to himself that there was every probability of their being overtaken; once across the stream, the Cossacks on their fleet steeds would soon be up to them. The thought of being speared in the back by a savage horseman, and left to die like dogs, was too terrible. "No; if we are overtaken, we must fight for it, and die like men, with our faces to the foe," said Jack aloud. "Ay, ay, sir, that we will!" exclaimed Dick; "maybe, however, they'll miss us; and if we can get anywhere near the boat, Mr Rogers and our fellows will help us by peppering them." At length Jack was compelled to stop for a moment to draw breath; he took the opportunity of casting a look behind him, to ascertain in what direction the Cossacks were coming, but he could nowhere see them. "I hope that you are right, Needham," he whispered; "and now, on we go, and we may get up to the boat before we are discovered." Scarcely had he spoken, than a shout was heard, and the figures of the horsemen, with their long lances, were perceived against the sky. "On! on!" cried Jack; "they see us; no matter, we are still well ahead of them." Dick, seizing Jerry's arm, again sprang forward; on came the Cossacks clattering in their rear; the boat was still at too great a distance to enable them to make themselves heard by Tom. The ground was hard and level, and, straining every nerve, they ran faster than they had ever before done in their lives. No mercy could be expected from the Cossacks, should they be overtaken.