The grenadier, who had thrust into his belt a heavy knife, picked up from some murdered woodsman on the journey, had drawn it, seized it by the blade, and, with a skill born of olden peasant days, had hurled it at the Russian.

The blade struck the man fairly in the face, and the sharp weapon plunged into the man to the hilt.

He threw up his hands, his gun dropped, he crashed down into the ravine stone dead.

The next second the two Frenchmen had seized the two Russians.

The latter were taken at a disadvantage.