Copyright, 1885, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N.Y., as second class matter. Oct. 22, 1899. f mM. J. IVERS & CO. Publjehers, . No. 49. ee (James Sullivan, Proprievor.) Price 5 Cents. Vol. lV. are ee 379 Vearl Street, New York. $2.50 a Year. SS ii 4 | i _—_—_ Copyright, 1885, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N.Y., as second classmatter. Oct. 22, 1899, 2 ; M. J. IVERS & CO,, Publishers, a No. 42 Published. (James Sullivan: Proprietor) Price 5 Cents. Vo] |Vf tt. Every Week. 379 Pearl Street, New York. $2.50 a Year. sees WALT FERGUSON'S CRUISE, A Tate of the Antarctic Sea, BY Cc. DUNNING CLARK. “pRMAK YOUR BACKS, MY SONS!” ROARED THE MATE. ‘' YOU, FHRGUSON, YOU! WAY DON’? You PULL?” JACK MAXWELL SAW THAT IT WAS A LARGE BARQU#, AND THAT THY SIRE WAS WORKING Aa, sorarpeenny ene seeps : Walt Ferguson's Cruise. SED repens atstestenict aergttee Walt Ferguson's Cruise. A Vale of the Antarctic Sea, — BY ©. D. CLARK, AUTHOR or ‘ CRUISE OF THE FLYAWAY,” ‘‘ THE RED RIVER ROVERS,” ‘PAUL DE Lacy,” “PLYAWAY AFLOAT,” EIC., ETO. ‘ CHAPTER 1. , A VILLAINOUS COMPACT—THE SAILOR’S PERIL . —THE YAOHTSMAN TO THE RESCUE, In a low room of a sailor’s haunt in the pur- | lieus of a whaling city two men cat in close dis- cussion. One was a sailor—you could be sure ; of that at a glance—and the other a gentleman, 4 { as far as fino clothing and the appearance of culture were concerned. Yet there was some- thing in the lowering glance which he shot from under his may arched eyebrows which i was far from pleasant. He was a man some- Pee: what past vbo middle age, who had evidently ita . taken life eisily, and proposed to do the same, pk if possible, Juring the remainder of his years. q is comp anion, the sailor, was a person whose face was not altogether bad, and yet who looked 4 like one who might be tempted to do an evil os deed, if by that he could adyance his own in- | “terests. He had a look of cuyning in his face now, and was in a mood to drive a hard bar- gain with the man before him. “No more drink for me, Mr. Stanford,” he said, pushing away the bottle. “It won’t dofor a man in liquor to try to drive a trade, Vm E Yankee enough to know that,” ae “] thought you liked it.” , “Ay, ay, Mr. Stanford, drink has been my | eurse—no one knows that better than you; and Ta ~ who led me to it? But with age comes reason, and I can see that the man who drinks is apt to ‘ye himsel? away in the end. After we come - termas Tl drink as long and as hard as you Bie 2. e fhe gentleman looked at him for a moment with a scowling brow, but at last broke into a laugh. " : . Hi i “Let it go at that, Jack,” he said, “TI, for Bae _ one, am glad that you are coming to your senses, Boe for you. know well that you would have been in command of a ship long ago but for that one failing. Now, to business; Lam going to send a boy to sea with you, this cruise—a has been everything evil, and I want you to break his spi cara which.” see : Seg Be, Go on; you mean something else besides | ie. at. ; 3 ie - “Perhaps Ido, Can’t you see a point with- ~ out itis put inshape to suit you?” — “Yes, I might understand, but I want you to - state it in'so oe words, | much grieved if the boy never came back?” der as th bent closer... . 5-- "t'Look here, Jack,” he said; “on the ‘when youcome back and say that this C _ his way to the ship which lay in the harbor. | the dingey for a moment, y who | or break his neck, 1 don’t much | passed over her. — Would you ba very | li The gentleman looked quickly over his shoul- | | A coe if any one was watching, and | oun eth, whom Thate. fs Ina ntace from which he cannt return, I will pay you five thousand dol. lars, and give you the command of the Flying Cloud. What do you say?” : : “Itis a bargain! Vllsee toit that he nover comes bock.” ‘ : = _Taey filled their glasses and drank a bumper to the success of their vile scheme; then tbe gen- tleman wrapped his cloak about him and hur. ried from the place. Be SOR. ‘© A bad lot, a bad lot!” mutterrd the sailor, as he filled his glass again. ‘Curse the oll skinflint! He has been my bane all through life, and I suppose I must do his dirty work to the end of the chapter.” - epee stat ‘He sat there for an hour, drinking glass ofter glass of the fiery liquor, until his brain was all in a whirl, when he rose and staggered from the place, with a.dim idea that be must mike Ho worked his sinuous way along the streets until the cool air of tho sea began to blow in his face, and he came out upon the wharf in full view of the shipping. A small dingey lay thers; he entered her with difficulty and got out his oars, pushing away from the wharf and al- — most upsetting the boat in the attempt to re- cover his oar. a oh “Jack, Jack!” he cried, ina tone of supreme ~ contempt. ‘Here you are, drunk and disor- | derly; allers drunk when you get a duv’s tih- . erty ashore. You ought to be keelhdled, my lad; that’s what's the matter. Whoopee! Get out of my way!” pect it was Urigue moonlight, and he was crossing: the bows of a swift sailing yacht, which wus — standing out of thg harbor for a moonlightrun, going free, with a merry pan > board, most of whom were thinking of anything except the — sailor in the dingey. Only one person, a grave- / ful, handsome boy who had just taised the peak — and teken a turn to make fast, got his eyé ou “pull hard, you lub- t, “Ho, there!” he cried; ber—pull port, hard!” Aes } “ Qubber yourself, you young skip!” roared the sailor, resting on his oars directly uader the bows of the yacht and leaning forward to shake bis fist at the erect figure on the quar : forward.” — . F eis “Starboard your helm, Dick!” shouted the ea “ Hard, , hard!” ; og t he order was proimptly obeyed, and ba young fellow who gave the order leaped to tha eak halyards designing to dip the peak. 5 he drunken sailor had resumed his oars, az pulled two hard s‘mokes, and the sharp prow of boat, cuttiog beard a the swift yacht struck the small her down in an instant, and they rible grating sound under the 4 “Throw her up into the wind, the young commander, as he bounde rail, “‘and you, Ned, stand by to» “Toining ffe-tands “abo quickly eluded his | ble hae AGF ‘Wo you don’t!” he cried. ‘*On your back, quick! I'll save you.” The sailor, drunk as he was, seemed to under- stand that he must obey; he flung himself on his back just as a coil of rope, thrown by a prac- ticed hand, fell across the arm of the brave boy. who caught it with his disengaged hand an sung out to the men on the yacht to haul away. They obeyed promptly, and the two, the boy _ clinging to the hair of the sailor, were quickly dragged to the side of the yacht. One of the an, bending forward, caught the sailor y the shoulder, when the boy who had saved him released his hold and clambered over the rail, Then they laid hold of Jack Maxwell and dragged him aboard. “All right, lads,” said the boy. ‘‘How do you feel, old man?” The sailor rose slowly, shook himself like a _ “You kid-glove sailors don’t make no bones of running a man down, do ye?” “They pick up the chips, howsomever, old boy,” replied the man at the helm. ‘‘ Dry -P you; ef it hadn’t bin fur the boy, whar wou d _ yebe? In Davy Jones's locker, I reckon.” “ That’s you, eh, Dick Frisbee? Mighty crank you be, since you took to pond-sailing. Didn’t yer cussid craft cut me in two, say?’ “A man that was fool enough to stop and shake his fist under the bows of a swift-sailin’ _ clipper orter be cut in two. But stow that, - mate; you ain’t got the drink out of you, or you’d know the boy saved your life.” Jack Maxwell growled something in reply which was hardly audible; ment a whale-boat, pulling tour oars, came up rapidly, R Hail that boat!” he growled. “It’s my old » man.” — _ But it was not nece: . The men in the boat had seen the accident and its result, and Jack well was —— over the rail into his own boat, looking hard at the young fellow who had saved him, for it dawn upon his mind in a misty kind of way that he some- thing to be thankful for. But the — filled away on her course and the whale-boat pulled _ for the ship, Jack hardly hearing the gentle anathemas piled his head by the captain. He went below at once, and did not come on _ deck until the day was breaking; then the ca) _. tain was on deck, getting the ship ready to _. for Jack was too valuable as a mate to quarre with while yet in harbor. He was enough now. ——— to pao with a at Captain ere’s a coming 0! us, Or aptain; “Pye got to be “Yes,” grow! © Cay ; ve ‘oO _ wet nuss to a young lubber who is going to sea _ forfun. Vl ‘Fun him before the cruise is over. — whip there!” - a dione nekeh diel abo the side, in which sat _ two passengers—Mr. Stanford oan or not far i: rom nineteen years of age, ining the eee hi. iaughion Vege and ran up the pine vith the agility an o He was fol- ed more slowly \ who ad- "APRs ay tepbew WE Pereuon, Cap “tain Stone,” he “T leave him in’ your nae water-dog emerging from a bath, and growled: but at this mo- |. | ander his breath. — a if if it hadn’t been— But Tl see to that when ee Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. 2a care, but I trust in my old friend Jack Maxwell to make a sailor of him.” The boy, a handsome young fellow, full of life and spirit, looked quickly at the mate, and broke into a short laugh, while a Jook of horror came into the face of the mate. For, in the lad he had promised to destroy he recognized the youthful commander of the yacht who had saved his life twelve hours before! ER Il. THE COMPACT RATIFIED—INDECISION OF MAX- WELL—OUTWARD BOUND. Ir is hard to fully analyze the character of a man like Jack Maxwell. Before he had been so utterly debased by drink, he was a good sailor and a true man. But, ashe felt that he had reached what was for him the highest round in the ladder of life, unless some unfore- seen event should raise him, he considered that he was at war with all the world, and would do anything to elevate himself in the social scale. To gain the command of a ship he was ready even to commit a crime. But, thus early in the game, he found himself at a stand. One glance at the open, manly face of Walter pega had been enough to convince him that Mr. Stanford had lied to him, for this could not be the bad and thankless youth who had been pictured to him by his uncle, and he cast a savage glance at the old villain, as he stood by the side of the lad he had devoted to destruction, a fat smile upon his face, casting a fatherly look upon the boy as he introduced him to the captain. , ; “Now let’s start fair,” declared Captain Stone, as he glanced at the boy, and, in common with most men, was ple at the manly expression of his face. “‘ You want to go on a cruise in the Sea Lion, and that’s all right as far as it goes. But, if you expect to feed on plum duff and lobscouse all through the cruise, - you'll get awfully fooled, my son. “T expect to be treated just as the rest of the hands are,” replied Walt. “That’s fair; you can bet on that, of course. Now, another thing I want to say right here. There’s only one captain aboard the Sea Lion, and that’s me, and only one first mate, and that’s Jack Maxwell. You mustn’t expect to . orders to us, for like as not we won’t obey em. . Walter laughed lightly. “T am a yachtsman, ca in, and’ at least I have learned as much as this: a man must obey _ orders on board, no matter what the orders = be. ‘You won’t have any trouble with me. in that way.” : ‘ All right,” growled the captain, who was a rough old sailor, but one who anaes a hand, who was ready to do his duty, i I say! Wasn’t it you who picked up Jack Maxwell q few minutes ago?” , “T helped pe up aman who was cut down by my yach that was Mr.’ Maxwell. He insisted on stopping with his dingey right under our bows.” \ “Yes, the lubber,” growled the < e ese wouldn’t have done get him in blue water. * bat ik Sea f a Waxt Ferguson's Crnise. Mr. Stanford, who had.been listening to the | “Yel do, roman” he said, quietty, conversation without speaking, now joined in. “Tt am really glad that you bave Leen of service to my friend Jack. my dear boy,” he ‘said. start. off with the good will of your officers. Jack, i w: nt to say a word to you.” The two withdrew to a part of the deck which wa: vacant for the time, and the mer- chant loo! ed at the mate with a strange smile. “What effect is. this little circumstance to have on ov bargain, Jack?” he whispered. “ Blowel if I know, Mr. Stanford. It’s bard lines, ain’ it? After making such a bargain as that, to ht ve the boy step in and save my life! I don’t knw exartl, what tosay or do.” ‘But I want to know,” insisted Mr.Sran- ford. ‘Come, Plt make it more of an object to you. ~Ve’ll say seven thousand dollars in- stead of five, and perhaps that will tempt vou. Think whit you lose if you refuse the offer, Jack. Th») command of as fine a ship as floats, and the ce ‘tainty of money enough to keep you in ease wl en you are tired of cruising. Don’t throw awsy su a chance as this, old fellow, for you wi!l never have such another.” “There”; my hand,” said Maxwell, in a loud voice. ‘ill lo after the boy.” : Stanfor, gave him a significant look, as he shook haris, and the: bargain was made, In the mean time, the ee ad given Walt into the charge of one 6 went into ihe fo’ksel, where a bunk was assigned tothe Loy. He looked curiously at the piace & which was to be bis home through the long -eruise, and at once began to stow away his luggage, urder the direction of the old sailor, _who gave lis name as Zip Marlin. “ An’ see bere, youngster,” he said, ‘TI was a-watchin’, an’ I see you when you yanked the mate out 07 the water, an’ yer done it like a lit- tle man. 1 like you, an’ ll stand by you. It won’t do no hurt if I put you up to a trick or two. Now you agree that you are mighty ‘green as yet?” Bie f _. Tam ready to learn, Mr, Marlin,” answered the boy. y : : “ Wha-a-a-at?” z Walter stared in astonishment, for he did not know what he had said or done which was ‘out of the way. = ee “Don’t ‘mister’ me; that shows how jolly n you ar’, don’t it? My name is Zip Mar- HN5 always say Zip to me, an’ Pl answer, ‘Zip it is) if I don’t, blow me.” oie i “All right, Zip. Do the rest of the crew _ object to having bandies to theirnames?? © They do, indeedy. I don’t reckon there’s a ‘man abourd this ship, but what would fight on that ground, You can mister the Oid Man an’ the Dickies all you like, but it won't work in “the fo'ks*l, Now, you'd better craw! out of them store-clothes work in.” - Walt o penéd his sea-chest and took out a ser- _ -wiceable suit of blue, wide-bottomed pants and — blue Jersey, and a small, tight-fitting sea-cap, which he quickly pat on, and Zip looked at him ingly, as he stood there, flushed ‘in his neat sailor garo “T) will be a splendid thivg for yo. to, : * Naw let’s go on dec ; 3 ‘ie | ‘Tbe two hurried up, and found Mr. Stanford | preparing to leave the ship. He came up and bade Walt farewell with an assumption of — kindness which made Jack Maxwell grato his — teeth, knowing what was in tke Leart of the old‘scoundrel, Be om “Good-by, my boy,” he said. “Bs alert in our duties, obey your officers, and go to Jack Maxwell when you want to learn anything re garding your duties. He has promised to take eare of you.” ; iit eee , ‘‘Oh, how I’d like to have you a hundred leagues at sea, to drop you overboard with a sixtv-pound shot at your heels, you blamed old shark,” muttered Jack, who was looking on, | “My God, to think that I’ve promised to make way with a boy. like that for such a greasy vil-. aoe , Lil breathe easier when he’s out of th hip. 5 ; yf Stanford, after Shaking hands with Captain Stone and wishing him a good yoyage, wen down the side into his boat and pushed off, Walter waving a good-by to him, as he left th side. The boy did not for a moment dream that his uncle had any reo against him, and was very toankful that he had consented to | low him to make the voyage... == But the word of command now rung throug’ the ship, capstan bars were fitted, and the grew the crew, and the-two | and ship—a iz z raised the ‘‘stamp and go” which accompanies. | the work of gettiog up the anchor, It was a ' good crew, men who knew their duties, and in a marvelously short time the anchor was at , the bows, catted and fished, the ship clothed in white sails, and as they filled, the Sea Liou steamed away from the harbor, outwar bound. | : . Tif : - CHAPTER IT. LEARNING THE ROPES—MAKING AN ENTEM’ PORTUGAL PETES LESSON—THE WHITE SQUALL! 3 oe Tre Sea Lion was out of sight of land a good sailing breeze, bearing away rap thesouth, for her destination was the Anta: Ocean, where, oe the ice-fields o strange southern land, she was to take cargo of'seal-skins andoil, alter Ferguson stood near the port: ‘looking out over the bounding sea. handsome boy, with dark curli: figure and manly air. He was for it had been his deli an’ get intg suthin’ you kin he knew that the bones But seven thousand dollars! Thi img ettanse sted vn ; Walt erguson’s Cruise. "Tsay, my boy,” he said, suddenly, ‘ what made you go to sea?” “ Bécause I love it,” replied Walter. “I was ‘born for a sailor, I believe, and with you to teach me I think I can learn,” ~ “You'd be safer on land,” growled Jack, “Why the deuce—but it ain’t no use talking. Why do you come as a common sailor?” SB eceper I can learn my duty better there than idling about the deck.” eee But you ain’t going into the fo’ksel, are _ " «Yes, Tam! Why, you have no idea what a : jolly lot they are. never saw @ crew in my ife that I liked better than the men of the Sea - Lion except that black Portuguese. I don’t like him, I have not been put in any watch yet, end I'd like to know where I am to be placed.” ““*You can come into my watch if you like,” vled Maxwell, who had hard work to steel Bis heart against the boy. ‘‘Did I ever know _ a man who looked like you? There is some- thing in your face that makes me think ofa man I loved once, when I was younger thanI am now.” : : , “My father was a sailor,” replied Walter, “end you may have known him, He was cap- tain of a whaler—the Sea Scud.” ss -* And bis name—” : _. “Richard Ferguson.” _. Jack Maxwell staggered back as if he had re- ceived a mortal blow, and leaving the boy staring in surprise, he dived down the compan- _jonway, and did not appear again. _ Walter stood a moment nase after him in gurprise, and was about to step down into the *ksel, when he heard a splash, and his feet were covered by a flood of dirty water. Look- ing up ene he saw the dark-browed Portu- guese, whom he had said he did not like, stand- ing in the way, holding in his hand an empty water-bucket and grinning from ear to ear, _ “Get out of de way, you fresh-water sailor!” he said.‘ How you like dat?” “See here, my man,” said. Walter, stepping .'o the fellow, “‘ did you do that on purpose?” “What you say if I did?” ey ov you whether you did it on purpose not?” | : “Hi, you two!” cried the second mate. “I ook ae aD sae on a a Have you _ got anything to do, young feller Mt en rehihe to aoe sir,” replied Walter, put I don’t know what to do.” “Take that prayer-book and the quarter-deck, then.” _ : ; Prayer-book? Walter locked about him in ee doubt whether such an article was part of 16 outfit of a sealer. — The mate laughed and ed forward. re ey ‘see that you are fresh, young ’un,” he said. That ‘small holystone we call a prayer-book, at large one a Bib'e. All you've got to do - take the small stone and go Cown on your bones and scrub away on the deck until sitaswhiteasmilk.” ss you, sir1 I don’t mean todo any- , but that fellow mens me with hen I was not looking. I only Fa my aly sea hee eee gO fe get to work on head, Mr. Bunker,” he said to the second mate, Walter obeyed and was soon burily at work with the holystone, while the mats: walked up to the Portuguese. “Me sarve out dat greenhorn,” said the Por- tuguese, grinning. ye “Did you?” returned the mate. ‘‘Then shin up to the mizzen topmast-head and stay there till I call you down.” The fellow obeyed growling out curses on the head of the boy, whom he considered the cause of his disgrace, and was soon perched at the top- mast-head, promising ‘himself sweet revenge when he was allowed to come down. Walter worked away on the quarter-deck with hearty good will, while the captain paced the deck not far away and looked at him witha critical eye. By this time the first mate was again on deck and the captain stepped over to speak to him. ; aoe “He ain’t afraid of work, that chp,” he said. a ‘There’s the making of a manin lim, What ed do you BANS gos “Ho’s all right; why wouldn’t he? Do you know who his father was?” “ No.” t ; . ‘* Captain Dick Ferguson, of the Sea Scud— the fellow who went out with his boat on a stormy night to take you an’ me oif the wreck : of the Petrel, The man who divided the last of eee his provisions with us when we was frozen up ah in Northumberland Sound. Blast him! why couldn’t he have another father?” tts The good was fighting with the evil in the— ge heart of Jack Maxweil. It made him wild to fe ore think that he had promised to make away with the boy who had saved his life. Maay times he cursed the hour when he had proviisea 40 de- stroy the brave boy, for, in spite o! himself he could not bus admire in him the virtues he seemed to have inherited from his ‘ather. He remembered the many times Captaia Dick Fer- uson bad laid him under obligati ms, and his ieart stood still in his bosom as he tl ought what he must do,” Then his eyes were j:fted to .ne mast-head, and met the malevolent .aze of Por- tuguese Pete, glaring down upon hin. Sr, * That’s my man,” he thought, ‘ If Icannot do it myself, at least he will do it for me, — ; “‘T want that man you have sent to the mast- ‘but at the same time I don’t want to interfere with you. Call bim down, if you piease.” Mr. Buoker hailed thetop, “Hi, there, you timbertoes!. Lay downfrom — aloft; lively!” ‘ ase : Portugee Pete knew better than to hesitate, and catching a backstay, he sl d quickly to the deck, where he was met by the first mate. ‘ Geta lantern,” he said, “I want you togo — into the hold with me,” | Ree The man gave him a sidelong glance, but — made no reply. He was a sulky dog, and it - there was murder in aay man’s loo! it was in the one which he gave Walter, who was stil on — the quarter-deck, But he broughta lanterp and — uickly followed the mate into the hold, He threaded his way among the water-casks until he reached the narrow space in the bow, which was furthest from observatic the used and sat down on a cask. deck with a resounding 6 Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. thing to say. to en that I don’t want every one tohear. How do you like that young greenhorn on deck?” “Me hate him,” replied Pete, with a savage scowl. . “That's what J thought, my man,” said the mate, ‘‘ Now, I want to tell you something, If anything were to happen to that boy nobody would feel very bad about it.” “How much you give?” cried the man. “You no do dis for fun; how much den you give?” " ‘ “Twenty dollars,” “ All right,” said Pete, with a savage Iaugh. “Dat boy dead an’ buried, you be sure of dat.” “ Look here, though; I don’t want to show in this at all, and if you dare to give me away, I'l] make this ship so hot for you that you will want to jump over the side.” “Me keep a close mouth, only you let me work,” replied Pete. “All right. Now you. may draw a can of gpirits and bring it_on deck as an excuse for coming down here. Will you know enough to keep your trap shut?” A joe hissing sound broke from the lips of the Portuguese, so full of savage malice, that the mate started away from him in horror. “JT wouldn’t like to have you down on me, Pete,” be said, as he turned to go on deck, “1d be apt to look over my shoulder pretty often on a dark night.” He went on deck alone and was soon followed by the Portuguese, carrying a can of spirits, which he gave to the mate. Walter had been relieved from duty on the quarter-deck, and had ‘one into the forecastle, where he was arrang- ing tis chest and talking with the weather- beaten old sailor, who answered to the name of Zip Marlin, and who had taken such violent fancy to the lad. Of the sea—salty—was old | Zip; a man who boasted that he was born at sea, and out of the fifty years which he had seen, hardly ten had been spent upon the Jand. Rude of speech, tough as oak, with hair like oakum and skin like mahogany, he was the beau ideal of the foremast hand. 7 “}ve a notion you’ve hard times afore you, yow ker,” be said, ‘‘Do you savvy that Portu- geo Pete? I don’t like the cut of his jib, an’ he’s down on you powerful.” _ : “Tm not afraid of him, Zip.” ~ “JT make you ’fraid of me ’fore I get done. wid you!” snarled Pete, as he jumped down the ladder. “What for you split on me to the mate?” . “The second Dicky knows his biz, Pete,” said _ Zip, ‘You let the boy alone or I'll sarve you - out no allowance,” ‘ “Don’t interfere, Zip,” cried Walter, rising suddenly. ‘I didn’t say anything out of the | way to the mate, but if this fellow thinks he is going torun on me, then he has waked up| the wrong passenger.” Pete sprung forward and gr the boy by the shoulders, with the intention of hurling him to the deck, but Zip Marlin also made a leap forward, only to see the heels of the Pi eso fn the air, and the next moment he struck the | By a dextrous ‘sailor was streaming with blood. At Jast they sleight which only the practiced Sib end a Bae. Walter had thrown him over his hip and sen him crashing down. Pete picked himself up, dazed and stunned, while a wild cheer broke from the lips of Zip Marlin. ; ‘“¢ Whoopee! How did you liko that, you skunk of misery?” hecried. ‘ Pitching into a a hey? Now you’ve lt Ses gruel!” ete rose, shaking his from side to side to satisfy himself that hisneck was “all there,” and then made a-wild rush at Walter. But the. boy slipped aside like an eel, and the man . — went crashing into the bulkhead. g : Recovering himself, he again rushed at the active lad, when Walter changed his tactics, and ae to bit out from the shoulders, raining in his blows so rapidly that to avoid or return them was simply impossible, and the face of the grappled again, swayed to and fro for a mo- ment, and again the Portuguese went down and lay there moaning. : ree lie 5 “He's got enough,” said Zip. “Say, Pete, you holler enough, don’t ye?” ; ‘“Yes,” growled Pete, ‘but me got good - menor) me not forget.” he He p cked himself up, wiped the blood from his face, and went on deck. But in the savage look which he gave the boy all the sailors knew that Walter had made an enemy who would, neither forget nor forgive. They all shook hands witb the victor, for he had proved him- self able to take care of Number One, and that is a sine qua non in the forecastile, sNews “Only let me tell you, youngster,” said Zip — Marlin, ‘look out fur him in the dark, or ges may git a knife in your back, He’s a reacherous cur.” ek Before he could say another word the face of the mate appeared above them, we _ “ All hands on deck! Tumble up, tumble up, yesleepers!” Ca Goria There was arush for the ladder, and among © the first to reach the deck was Walter Fergu- son. He found the deck in confusion, but the confusion of yg le and every man sprung to his station. ere was pressing’ need, for roaring down upon them came the white squall, - which, if it caught them napping, would sen them to the bottom in the twinkling of an eye, CHAPTER AV] 32 eo es IN THE, TOPS—AN AWFUL DEED--THE FO'RSEL ‘ MEN'S VENGEANCER, => “Lay aloft there, you topmen !” roared Jack’s resounding voice. ‘Strip her, strip her, boys: double-reet everything, and the smartest man takes the weather earig." gre Away they went with a wild cheer, every man eager to take the place of honor, and one of the first to spring into the rigging was Walt Ferguson. Hoe went up the ins three at a time, not knowing who was behind him, end began to lay out on the main-yard. ES “Tsay, Jack,” cried Captain Stone, “ either that hoy is a sailor born or he’s been ona school- ship. Blast aa if he ain’t taken the wea- ther earing from Portugee Pete!? The mate said not a word. His eyes wer fixed with a wild look upon the figure of thela and the dark-browed Portuguese who followed pa: ear of the Portuguese. - you, quic Walt Ferguson's Cruise. 2 qd him so close. Each man had his knife in his | teeth, ready for use, as he worked his way | along the foot-ropes, Not a glance did they | cast leeward as they tugged at the reef-points | and made the sail. secure, and among them all | none did better work than Walt and Portugee | Pete, All at once they heard a snap aloft, and | acry of horror rose from the deck as they saw the boy lose his footing and fall from the yard! | _ Even the mate, who had egged on the Portu- | _guese to do this deed, joined in the wild cry of | agony. Had Walt fallen into the sea? No; as be fell he caught at the foot-rope and | clutched it with the energy of cespair, and there be swung, ten feet below the yard, when ' the gale struck her, and all the atteution of the crew was turned to saving the ship. At the _ first rush of the tempest she reeled like some | giant struck down by a mighty hand, but the , men at the wheel put the helm over and she rose slowly from the foam and went on her course like a frightened bare, rigging in tatters and the masts bending like whips. Then again all eyes were turned aloft, and there swung Walter Ferguson, still clinging to the swaying rope. At times, as he came swinging in, his feet almost touched the ratlins, but there was an ominous grating sound as the ,foot-rope chafed against the yard, and they knew too well that it could not long stand the awful strain upon it. Then a black vail fell upon the ship, and they could see no more. ees _ As Portugee Pete reached the deck he gave the mate a single look,-and the devilish glee—in his face told its own story. He had kept faith only too well! “Come around me, mates,” yelled Zip Mar- lin, in the darkness; ‘‘that black-hearted dog - murdered the boy; I saw him cut the foot-rope. Death to him, say I!” -“ Get out of the way!” hissed the mate in the cs “Into the hold with _ The man glided away like a snake and was ‘seen no more. The men rushed here and there in search of him, but they could not find bim, “mise bi look where they would. But the voice of the captain, ringing out like a trumpet, recalled them to their duty. | “Save your ship first!” he cried, ‘and I pro- | 3¢ fre on the word of a man who does not at if Portugee Pete cut the rope, he shall | he death of a dog.” ‘The men knew the captain well, and that he _ would keep his word not one of them for a mo- | ment doubted. They went sullenly back to their duty, and for an hour the ship reeled on | before the blast, and only able seamanship | ie her. But in the end they triumphed, and good ship, somewhat the worse for wear, - went rushing on over the trackless sea, Then the sable curtain lifted, and when they raised — ir eyes to the spot where the brave lad had ng suspended, he was no lovger there, and | sey uessed that he had found a grave in the | dark waters boiling under the stern, now miles | miles away. ees tee Eso Call all bands!” cried the captain. ‘Leave, at the wheel.” _ Aa : came aft in e body, led by Zip Mat- | Shaves 4 when lin. Captain Stone knew his men bit too well, and that no better crew ever mar ned a sbip. But, in their present mood, they wee not to be trifled with; a single false step woul lead toa mee The captain raised his bind for si- ence, ‘ “Let Zip Marlin tell his story,” he said. *‘He is not the man to give away the life of a ships mate, even if he hated him.” “Taxes pardon of the deck, an’ make beuld to speak my piece,” said Zip. “I was en tho maintopmast ee and the boy and Pete was on . the mizzen. I- tuk a notion to the boy, an’, to’ tell the truth an’ no lie, I was watchin’ to see it he come off safe. I sce’d him down ‘o his work like an old salt, tyin’ bis p’ints faster than any mantin the ship, when I see that skvak of mis- ery stoop down an’ cut the foot-rope under the boy’s feet, That I say an’ swear <0, that Vil . stand to ef I was dyiu’.” ‘ “The boy was murdered then,” cr cd the cap- tain. ‘‘IT leave him te you to find, and when you find him—” . He did not say more, but’ they understood him. When Pete was found they inight work their will with him, and the captaiz wouid not interfere. ‘Port watch on’ deck!” said Cap ain Stone. “Starboard watch below!” | “That's all right, mates,” the old salt said; “the old man leaves it all to us, an’ he’s right. It won't do fur him to know anything about if, an’ what we do we must do of cu: own will. All you in the port watch take care uf the ship; — leave us to take care of him.” : “We want to see the fun,” grovled one of the port watch. ‘“That’s fair, boys; we won’t go back on you. When we find him we'll keep him fur you to look at. He shall swing from the same yard whar he killed the boy, mind you!” “Te’s in’ the hold, mates,” whispered Zip Marlin, “an’ we've got torout him out. Sem Slocum, you an’ me orter be enouzh to fetch him out of thatthere.” — , ~ “1 reckon we just kin,” replicd Sam, a gi pene Down: Hast man, who did not lock as if 16 would willingly harm a fly. ‘‘Come on, Zi 2? r : The two loosened their knives in their belts and stepped toward the main batch. Just. as théy were about to descend the first mate came a ; p- ; “Where are you two going?’ he demanded, **Go into the fo’ksel.” | Mebbe you didn’t understand what the Old Man sed, Mr, Mate?” said Zip, quietly. “He sed we c’u’d do as we liked about thet skunk.” “Well, you know me, don’t you? When I” order a hand to do a thing, he’d_ beiter ’tend to it, right lively. I said I wanted the starboard watch in the fo’ksel, and you’d better go there.” _ Captaiu Stone, who had started to go below, heard what the mate said, ; Sy, Aaa “Belay that, Mr. Maxwell!” he commanded, ~ “T want you in the cabin half. a mintite” _ z For a moment the mate hesitated ard seemed — more than half inclined to disobey, but the ring in the een eee meant business, and he 0 , slowly, Scarcely was his back turned angrily. ry: 8. ae ' Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. - fnto the hold. A Hghted lantern swung from & transom, and Zip took it down, ; “Now look sharp, Sam,’ he enjoined. ‘‘The skunk knows we are a’ter him, an’ he'll fight like a dog, He’s got-bull-dog blood in him, re- member, bet your life.” oo ge genet nee ore * uick,” answered Sam. fight outen him right here he goes, up for- “Hold up the light. rard.”: / The two men darted through the avenue be- ‘tween the casks, Sam leading, but closely fol- lowed by Zip Marlin. They could see a dark Bo form flitting along before them in the gloom, ; but he could not go far. At last, driven into a eee corner near the place where he had held his in- terview with the mate, he turned at bay. ; “What you want?” be hissed, his knife flash- ing in the light of the lantern. : “ We want you,” replied Slocum, sternly. “You keep back, or me put a knife in you,” _ screamed the Portuguese, : : he think I keer p’izen critter, or Pll knock you so ful you'll do fur a skimmer, Here I come.” “ The bold fellow dashed in, and the knife flashed in the air. It fell, but the wrist cf the desperate man fell into the broad palm of the Yankee, the knife was wrenched from his grasp and he was buried shrieking to the deck, where he was quickly secured by means of stout pieces of sonnit, which Zip produced from his capa- cious pockets, ey oe Es ae oF 8 him!” said Zip. ‘We don’t want him ur his knife? pce ihe you of holes to yell.” i ‘ , in a moment more he lay supine under their hands, ud was quickly dragged away and hid- den beneath some boxes. Then the two went on - deck, where they wére met by the mate. _.“ Did you find him?” he cried, eagerly. - “T reckon the blamed fool has jumped over- board,” said the old sailor. “ him.” ey ‘ ree eatots “Better for bim if he is gone!” said the mate, with asigh of relief. He had feared that the death, and he hoped that the fellow had indeed plunged into the sea, The word was passed - down into the forecastle and warned the watch below.. The men turned in at the usual hour, but not to sleep. _ dark forms stole out from the forecastle and de- scended the main hatch. Soon the helpless form _ the hold. Not a word was sponee pa & man as- - cended the mizzen and attached a block and tackle fo the yard, and the end was lowered to the deck, while a dozen strong hands were ready to walk away with the tackle when the word CP OROU dD OL IV Cla Eh cre etc hire kaa ina Unable to cry out, the Portuguese stood glar- ing at his executioners, Could he have begecd for mercy, in his abject terror, he would bave revealed all that the mate bad told him. don’t you? If you know any prayers in heathen tongue, think em over as quick } for in @ minute up you go.” tor, yor “Let me get a grip on him, and Vl take the | you doing?” ‘Hold up the light!’ shouted Slocum. ‘Does’ face with his hands. /merry laugh. ‘I’m as goo ‘e can’t find } z |?un, did you play it on us? I’ve a good mind to Portuguese might give him away under fear of. among the men to keep quiet, and Zip went | When all was still on deck, | of Portugee Pete was hoisted from the depth of | hung on like grim death. Then I went down em: him. —_—| the watch’ever since, 7 ‘ Now, see here, you deg!” hissed Zip Marlin. | run?” : at You know what we are going to hang you | — “They thought you was a ghost, | boy. Hi, Neddy! Jum Wie fat Diokoy.” Tin gl If a look could have killed, the speaker would | have cropyrd before the baleful glance which — shot from the eyes of the Portuguese. Se ee “You murdered that boy because he licked you in a fair stand-up fight. No truesailor does that; when he’s licked he givesin. But Yous sneakin’ dog that you ar’, crawled after im like a snake until you had taken hislife, Ready there at. the tackle; when I give the ~ went: away you go. Are you ready?” VY, ay. “Walk away—” : “Belay!” cried a ringing voice. “What are ak The men holding the rope, with wild yellsof terror, dropped the line and ran for their lives. The Portuguese dropped upon the ee. gibber- ing like an idiot, and even stout Zip Marlin re- coiled. For there, ee ae by the aN ee: of the moun, stood the boy for whose murder they were about to hang Portuguese Pete! : CHAPTER V. — te SAVED IN TIME—“ ALL HANDS TO WITNESS PUN- i - ISHMENT.” 5 pole ae THE boy sprung forward quickly and tore the ~ cord from the neck of the prisoner, Then here: moved the gag. and catching up a bucket, dash- — ed water in hisface. But, asthe man recovered and saw the face of the boy bending over him, he again screamed in terror, and covered his or “What were you doing with him, Zip?’ de- manded the boy. ‘Surely you would not have | hung him?’ seed ee Siar _ “To be sartinly we would! Didn’t he murder you, boy?” eee Fee ates ‘ 'You’ll find me as lively a corpse as you ever saw in all your life, Zip,” Reet Walt, witha — é as a dozen dead a not the least idea of dying just at pres- ent. “ Fs “‘T thought you was a spook. See here, youn; lick you.” aos es Be hig ‘“‘ What for? because I came to life?” ; “Because you didn’t come up like a mar say you wa’n’t dead.” dts alee “Well, I wanted to seo how many frien had aborrd the Sea Lion, and I am satisfic Tye got two enemies and a heap of friends, And, boys, while I live, Pl never forget hor zn stood up for me, I know this much— rst mate is plotting against me, and but fo: him the Portuguese would never have attempte my life.” Sit os "How did you getaway?” “You remember that the ship heeled when the gale struck her, Thatset me toswin; ing, and I saw my chance, The second time beeled over I let go and lit in the mizzen | all right. It was a desperate chance, but | only one I had, and when I struck the riggin back-stay and hid in the galley, and I’ve been « Why did those fell at I wasn’t goin’ to run from the ghost of n down Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. : ag ‘He's turnin’ out now,” said the man. ; : “Go an’ meet him, Walt,” whispered Zin. We'll seo ef he’s got a guilty conscience.” Walt stepped forward softly and stood in the sbadow of the bulkheads as the mate stepped on deck, bolding a lighted lantern in his hand. gto r: Walt glided out quietly and met him, face to face. s - The glare of the lantern fell full upon the | countenance of the lad, and its lurid light gave it, under the circumstances, an unearthly ap- yearance. The mate reeled back, the lantern ‘ell from his hand, and, as the sailors had done, he fled in terror from the eed a apts. - “That settles it!” roared Zip. ‘Let me get et him; let me chaw his ear off!” - “Oh, cool down, old fellow. You ought to ‘know what chance a man before the mast has with the first Dickey,” said Sam Slocum, ‘“ He’s _ fad a scare he won’t forget in one while, and _ that’s enough for me. Let’s go below and turn ’ “JT don’t think I'd better climb him, arter all,” replied Zip. ‘*‘ But, jest for a minnit I felt ekal to it.” : ; __-'They went into the forecastle, where the men, __ ho by this time understood that if was nota _jhost which they had seen, clustered about the ; rE and in various ways showed their delight en isescape. The Portuguese was left lying upon _ the deck where he bad fallen upon the appear- _ ance of the boy. Loud and repeated cheers - rung through the forecastle as the story was told, and the noise brought the second mate to. the scuttle. But he was an oldsailor, and knew - better than to come down. “Tsay, below there! What do you mean by kicking upsucharow? Fate _._ “Ob;‘come down and see!” squeaked a voice below. “Do come: we'd love to see you!” — : But the second Dickey didn’t accept the invi- _ tation. The fo’ksel is the sailor’s castle, and no officer, be he ever so cranky upon deck, dares _to set foot in it, especially at night; and the mate turned away, promising to “ work up their old iron” when they came on deck. De- risive cheers followed him as he walked away, and yet he was a man well liked by the fore- _ mast hands, who only took this way of assert- bi ing their privileges in their own domain. _For two hours they sat there, hatching up va- rious plans for avenging themselves upon the first mate, whom they now detested, and it re- quired all Walt Ferguson’s eloquence to keep them from open mutiny against him, : “Bunt I gives him fair warnin’ thet we won’t stand no more tricks,” said Zip. ‘‘ We'll let this go by, but if so be he thinks he kin chaw yer up an’ we aot say a word, he fools himself, blarst eyes!” - sete : ‘ ‘ And so say we all!’ chimed the starboard vatch in chorus. 33 So much of their watch below had been spent that it was useless to turn in now, and at the first stroke of the bell they started up and went. on deck, Walter among them. ‘The second te met him and shook his hand warmly, __ lad to see you all right, my lad,” he said. ‘ough man can be anything to you, ld ave you count me among your you, Mr. Bunker,” answered Walter. iends.” | “You must excuse the boys the noise they made; they were so glad to see me that the couldn’t keep in, What have you done wit! the Portuguese?” ; ‘‘Pve put him below in double irons,” replisd | the mate, ‘‘and in the morning, with the cap- ’ | g, D tain’s consent, J’ll give him a dose of the c..t.” “Not on my account, if you please! The fel- low has been punished enough, I think.” “Not yet. Ah, here is Mr. Maxwell. You ae ee Ferguson came out all right, after “ve a notion to cat-haul the young morkey for giving me such a fright,” said the mate, with a sidelong look. ‘‘Go forward, you, and perch yourself on the bowsprit! Keep a sharp louk- out, and take care you don’t: fall off.” | Walter touched his tarpaulin, and stepped ligbtly away. : “You must not make too much of the fellow, Mr. Bunker,” said Jack. ‘lt won’t co at all. He'll get so stiff that there will be no living with him.” _- *-“T Inow my duty, sir,” replied the second of: ficer. ‘Don’t be afraid that I'll spoil him, but he is a splendid young fellow, and will make a sailor, He'll need the nine lives of a cat if he comes out all right on board the Sea Lion.” Jack looked angrily after the retreating form of the speaker, and seemed half-inclined to start _after him and demand an explanation, but, up- on second thought, turned away, and began to “plant” the quarter-deck, keeping his routine duty as a sailor sbould. Zip Marlin wes st the wheel, Sam Slocum in the fore-top, and Walter _ forward. It was one of those beautiful nights , only to be seen at sea, and the boy forgotevery- | — thing else in looking at the glorious sight. The | sea hala phosphorescent glow upon it under the — teu of the moon and stars. The ship rose and — fell gracefully upon the long swell, the white sails bellied out by the briss sailing breeze. The tranquil beauty of the night was enough to make any man delight in being at ses, and to — Walter, a sailor by instinct, to whom the :cene had not become monotonous, it was simply wonderful. It seemed to him that he had not - been upon the bowsprit balf an hour when the bell which anncunced the end of his watch struck sharply, and he heard the voice of the — mate at the fo’ksel: ; ‘ at ‘‘ All the starboard watch, ahoy! Wake, ye — sleepers; rouse and bitt!” * ae The men came scrambling up from below, and Walter went down to his bunk, This time there was no talking, for the men were sleepy, and each tumbled into his bunk without a word. Then the motion of the ship soon lulled them asleep, and all was silent in the fo’ksel. Four hours’ sleep found them on deck again, -and then came breakfust, not much like the Inxurious fare to which the boy bad been ac- | customed. But the sea had given him an ap- petite, and he ate the ‘‘salt-horse,” and drank the muddy coffee, asifit had been nectar. Then _all hands were called, and they found Portugzes Pete seized up to a grating, his shirt. strip é from bis back, ready for punishment, and cs ; Walt Ferguson’s Cruise, going to witness what I never thought to see aboard a ship of mine—the punishment of a man who has been guilty of a crime which on land would send him to State’s prison. must be some way to protect ourselves—you as well as the officers of this ship. and this man shall receive fifty blows from the colt, and re- main on the brig on bread and water, and in double irons, until we pass Rio. Have you any- thing to say, Pete Dingo?” . The man shook his head and set his teeth. “Now, Mr. Bunker,” ordered the captain, -" Jay it on well!” The arm of the second mate rose, the colt hissed through the air, and the knotted rope feil upon the broad back of the prisoner. At first ho ouly shrugged his shoulders and grated his teeth but, as the punishment proceeded, and livid welts rose upon his back, he began to cry for mercy, in a piteous manner. “You first mate!” he shrieked. ‘ You stand avd see dem cut mo to pieces! Who set me on dat boy, I say? Who set mo on?” ‘**T don’t think fifty will be encugh for him,” on Jack, quietly, ‘‘1’ll work up his iron for m.’ : The sailor understood the threat. Better bear his punishment as well as he was able than a the hatred of this man, who,-when at sea, nad his very life in his hands. At the thirtieth blow Walter, who could not endure the: sight, started forth impulsively, : ; ‘*Oh, captain!” he cried, “I am satisfied, a Let the poor fellow go with that.” et “Stand back!” replied the captain, sternly. Go on with the punishment!” aS : wy BR at the boy by the collar and dragged 4 him back, , “Do you want to get colted yourself that you ove your spoon into the captain’s dish? You ? E i c. the last blow was struck the prisoner, his back streaming with blood, fainted from pain, and Walter began to realize that the life of a man before the mast was not all a bed of BORGES = ** Avast!” cried the captain, raising his hand. My lads, you have seen how I deal with such men on board the Sea Lion, While you do your duty I will see that you are comfortable and happy. When me! To your duty! : : “ He ee istes was taken from the grating, bis shirt thrown over his aching shoulders, and he was taken below; and even those who had been ready to a him the night before felt for him now. And Walter moved away, fully deter. -mined to do nothing to rouse the wrath of th: - autocrat of the sea, the captain of the § * Yon. : Necsitics te CHAPTER VI. res PORTUGEE PETH’S THREATS—A SINGULAR ACC) - DENT—-ZIP MARLIN'S SUSPICIONS. JACK ELL was pleased; when he came think it over, that-matters had taken j the turn they bad. The punishment of ? tug e Pete had made that e wa for vengeance, fee a few oye ‘spent in the bold would not add to bis good coling. He cc.ded to allow him to remain there, to brood a Fees 2 There | you dowt—well—you kuow {| that Walt was standing ack-heerted villain I Tope was heard over his wrongs and work himself to the highest pitch of frenzy, when be wculd bo in excellent condition for any deed, however wicked. In the mean time, something might turn up which would take the work out of Sear hands, and the guilt would not be on his head. oe The man was half-frantic. He had been worked up to such a state of mind, that his life was a burden to him, and ho knew weil that the realization of his design would bring bim no happiness. The sight of the boy was torture to him, and he cursed the hour when he had escaped from his perilous station on the yard. If it could have been ended then, when he was — hot for the work, Maxwell would not have minded it so much; but the boy had escaped and was back to baunt-him. More than tha he was suspected and Walt no longer truste ; him. There was Zip Marlin,too, who was far from believing in him, and he knew that the old sailor was very quick-witted, and having onee suspected him, anything which might hap- pen to the boy would Be laid to his charge. On. the second day after the punishment of Portugee Pete, Walt was sent below to help break out a cask of pork, and while there he went forward and looked in at the prisoner, who sat coiled up in the three-cornered prison, heavily ironed, and glaring at him with the — eyes of a fiend. ? be Ee “ Aha, you young dog,” he hissed, “‘ what for En come here? If me no be hung, me live to ill you, mind dat.” d : “Why, Pote,” exclaimed the boy, “how is it that you hate meso? We had a square stand- up tussle, and I got the best of you, Lat you ought not tocarry itsofar.” po oS eae “Who got me tied up to de grating and — flogged?” hissed Pete. é eget ‘Well, if vou come to that, who saved you when the-sailors were hanging you? If I hadn’t come out gust as I did, they'd have © finished you, sure. sre a oi occas Sib “Ad your tanlt; all your fault, dat was!” — Pepe insisted. ‘‘Mo ’member it; ma no for- got. . gk athe “By George, Pete,” cried the boy, now be: ginning to got angry, ‘if I was to serve you~ right, ’d give you another pounding. If any man deserves it, you do.” Renee “You go away,” screamed the prisoner. “Murder, murder! Dis cussed boy want to diive mo mad.” — : ‘ erat. Walt saw that he could gain nothing by ing with the ruffian, so he went back to 1 work and assisted the sailors in getting out the. ork, while from the “brig ” Pete hurled horri- ble curses at him, accompanied by awful threats as to what ha would do if he were seb free. A tackle had been rigged to hoist out the cask, and Jack Maxwell was superintending the work above, holding his hand on the to steady it. There was a liarly t gleam in his eyes, as he loans A a, tly hatch, with Zip Marlin at his side. “He lower, after glancing burriedly abou ‘The men who were peer on the fall their backs to him, when the sound of d and the heavy cask - Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. nn a il into the hold with a crash, and a cry of agony ot came up from below. “Curse the tackle!” cried Jack, with a very pale face, os into the hold. ‘I’m afraid some one is hurt down there.” He caught the end of the tackle and called to the men to lower away, and the next moment landed in the hold, and saw the men bending over a prostrate form, and came forward eagerly. Who ig hurt?” he demanded, in a quick tone. ’ “ Jim Burril is bruised a little,” replied Walt Ferguson, out of the semi-darkness of the hold. ig “Tt might have been worse if Zip had not aie caught mo in time and jerked me from under | age. the falling cask.” ae “Ten thousand curses on the luck—I mean on _- the tackle parting, of course. I’m not sorry two such smart sailors as you and Zip have escaped.” “Tn course,” answered Zip, with a grim stuile. ‘ We all knows as how you'd be mighty sorry to have anything happen to us two.” tees ere in silence, and then turned to look at the injured man. He had been hurled violently against the bulkheads, and upon close examina- tion they found that his leg, while not actually broken, was pend strained, and it would te some days beforé he would ‘be able to do duty. A whip was rigged and he was hoisted on deck. where the second mate, who knew something of surgery, looked at his burts and ai plied a cool- ing lotion, and then sent him to the forecastle, where he was attended to by one of the men.. Zip, who assisted in rigging a new tackle, looked curiously at the one which had parted, even while the eyes of the first mate were on him, and he gave utterance to a queer kind of | snort, “What's the matter with you?” demanded the mate, angrily. : : Nothin’, as { knows on,” was the cheerful reply. “Tm all right.” ; : “Then do your work without grunting, or Tu ae something to grunt for,” exclaimed | Mater , in a savage tone. | Ay. ays Bit. didn’t go to say anything out of the way, I’m sure. I was only thinkin that this tackle must have rubbed ag’in’ suthin’ eee to cut it that way.” ‘ ‘You are a liar, Zip Marlin,” cried the mate. - * Blame me if_we ain’t got the worst lot of sea’ _ Jawyers aboard this Sea Lion I ever saw in my | life. Cut? What the devil would cut it, I'd like to. know?” ; : ©. -“T dunno, now I look at it close, as it is cut,” | : lied Zip, who feared he might go too far, | “Ts mighty lucky it ain’t no worse, for I had | - tohetch on to Walt Ferguson and throw him | - about twenty feet in order to save him.” | “Now you talk sense. Let us get through blowing and hoist out the pork, or you'll be mighty short on your grub to-day.” i _ Maxwell picked up the broken tackle and car- | cried it away. Zip gave vent to another snort of d -and went away with Walt. : “Don’t say anything t it, Walt,” he vised, when they were ses seated in tho fore-top. ’ he mate glared at the speaker for a moment |, ‘laid hig hand upon the wheel. In a short time the cask was on deck, and — ad-! says. — - ] on the look-out, half an hour later. ‘I dort want to suspicion any man ’ithout cause, but by the holy smoke, that rope was cut half through or I’m a liar, What has the mate got ag’in’ yout? : “Nothing, that I know of. He hasno right to, for I saved his life the day we sailed, and he promised my uncle he’d look after me.” “T guess he means to keep his word and look arter you mighty close. Yer uncle is the old feller that come on board the Sea Lion with you that day?” : ‘ “Yes,” answered Walt. : “D’ye like = uncle?” “‘T don’t like to answer that, Zip. He has always treated me well enough, as far as that ‘oes, and I haven’t got any right tosay I don’t : ike bim.” “T don’t owe the old cuss anything, and I don’t mind sayin’ J don't goa centon him my- self. Now see here; have you got money com- 4 ing to you?” ; “Yes.” “Mauch of it?” “About one hundred thousand dollars, think,” replied the boy. | ; ‘* Who dees it go to ef you should be so unfor- t’nit.as to go to Davy Jones?” ; ““T believe my uncle gets it in thatcase. But you don’t think—” “You keep still. I knows this much, that er uncle and Jack Maxwell was as thick as wo thieves when we was in port, an’ they had two or three confabs. I know suthin’ is weigh- in’ on the mate’s mind, an’ it sets me a-thinkin’. 4 Thar’s bin two or three attempts to sarve you nay out sence you come aboard, aa’ if so be the fust ickey don’t know the reason, I'm no better i? thanagreenhorn, All I kin say is, keep your | weather-eye open, but don’t let the mate know —> you suspect him.” - ‘In the foretop!” shouted Jack Maxwell from ; ow. i : ‘ e can “ Ay, ay, sir!” responded Zip, quickly. gate : “Lay down from aloft, you, Zip Marlin. I 4 want you.” “You see he don’t like to leave us together, my lad,” whispered Zip. ‘*Now, don’t you smell sharks? Ay, dy; 1’m a-comin’, sir,” Zip slid to the deck, and was sent to ths wheel, probably to prevent him from talkin with the boy any lorger, as no ore is allow pee to speak to the helmsman aboard ship. Jack Maxwell gave him a strange look as ha but the face of the old sailor was calm as & summer morning as he stepped forward and Walt remained in the foretop for some time, and when he cama down found the mate planking the quarter-— ee evidently waiting for a chance to speak to m. , a : _“ What did Zip Marlin say to you about that tackle which parted to-day, when Burril was — hurt?’ he demanded. : = Sad eae ‘‘ Well,” replied Walt, slowly, “he said that at one time be thought the rope was cut.” f sf oo do y.u think he has changed bis opin- OE aS cal a ts | ; eo. Oh, you can’t make much out of what Zip He is a go.d deal of a blo ID ia ae ee ne oe blower, ¥% know.” s t PS Walt Fergason’s Cruise. - “That's my opinion, I don’t believe, myself, that it was cut at all. But come here and look at it, and tell me what you think, because I am going to get to the bottom of this thing.” Walt followed the mate to where he had thrown the rope down in a heap of other re- eye cordage. The boy took it up and exam- ed it, and certainly, as it appeared now, it did not look’as if it had been cut, ; “That looks like a break, to be sure,” Walt _ admitted, “I don’t know what old Zip was thinking of when he said what he did. Hemust have been mistaken.” * That's my opinion, too,” declared the mate, Té annoyed me some, because I was nearest to the rope myself, and there wasns much chance to suspect me as anybody else. I promised _ your uncle to keep an eye on you, ard I'd very much dislike to have anything happen to you while you were under my care.” J _ Walt threw down the rope, and they walked away together, the boy appearing to be per- fectly satisfied that all was right, and the mate, with a peculiar smile on his face, went back to the quarter-deck, whila Walt entered the fore- -eastle, and threw himself on his bunk for a little rest. There was a gale during the night, and Walt Ferguson was one of the first in the top. It was a pitch dark night, and when everything had been made snug, the boy slid down a stay and gained the sail. His feet had _ hardly touched if when he received a violent ‘push whica threw his feet from the rail, but luckily he kept his clutch on the stay, and shinned rapidly up two or three feet, just in time to catch sight of a dark figure sneaking aft under cover of the bulwarks, He leaped quick- Gee y to the deck and ran aft, when he was met by _ the first mate, who was coming from the oppo- site direction, Srp his orders to the men - ploft. Ho flashed the light of a lantern which he carried in the face of the boy, — : _. “Oh, that’s you, Ferguson? ‘It’s as dark as a nest of black cats. Go to the t’gallant fo’ksel, and keep a bright look-out, or we shall be onto - something.” — ‘ _ Walt obeyed without a word, but he suspect- ‘ed that the mate could tell who pushed him from the sail. t : : aan CHAPTER VIL , THe “RAT”—A BURNING SHIP—A DEVOTED AC a a, SOR te Pes Days and weeks passed by, and in the rou- _ tine of the ship work the boy was rapidly be- Re penile adept. There was nothing he did _ sot take to readily which had oe to do with ship duty. He was born for a sailor, and ADRES, a word of commendation was passed upon — him by ‘the seamen, among whom he was a ee ‘favorite. Indeed, the same might have been said of all the officers, if we except the first mate and even he, seeing that he was sus- pected, did not dare to show his colors too openly. They ran down the South American idly, for the Sea Lion was a swift-sail- nila : cp ie their ions rapidly astern, _ Tt was the midmght watch, and He had just received an ord Walt was on der to go in- a age es ren emerging from the water, “Dat better,” he ot mate, as ho'took a key from his pocke' ‘me something to eat.” to the foretop asa look-out, when the captain hurried up from below. * ‘‘Keep a sharp look-out, Mr. Bunker,” he said; “‘I don’t like the way the barometer is working to-night. Send a good man aloft, es- pecially forward. Are you going into the fore- top, Ferguson?” $Y: ay, sir!” replied the lad, touching his at. ; “You'll do. Keep your weather-eye peeled, my boy, for there is no telling what may hap- pen between this and morning.” ; : gi boy ran up the ratlins and took his place nm the oretop, whére he was soon joined b: Old Zip. se pores oe “Thar’s suthin’ wrong, Walt,” he declared; “that there first mate has just gone sneakin’ down into the hold, and I'll bet forty dollars to a cent he’s gone to see that skunk Pete. Thar is suthin’ atween ’2m; what it is I don’t pretend to say; but it means mischief when them two heads git together, blame my cats efit don’t!” ‘Why don’t you find out what they are up ~ to, then?” gee “Wolly the first Dickey below in the dark? Oh, no, thankee; I don’t hanker arter sich, Why, he’d bu’st me in the phiz fura cent, be — would, by Davy Jones. He's got it laid up ag’in’ « me now, an’ one of these days I’m goin’ to get it bad, or I’m a lubber at guessin’.”. rte “Then sk ji a flea in the captain’s ear, so that he’4 understand something was going op, How the ship rol's in this long swell!” fat ee “ Any one would think she was water-logged to see her work,” averred Zip, as he bent ove — the rim of the top. ‘There comes Jack Max well, now.” ae ; es. The mate came out of the hold quickly and closed the scuttle of the main hatch in a fur- tive way, asif ashamed of what be had done. Then he began to plank the deck, casting uneasy Jances from side to side, while the eyes of those inthe top were-bent upon him, What had he been doing in the hold? It was as they had suspected; he had gone down to in- terview the villain loaded down with irons be- low. He had succeeded in convincing him that if he had seemed to take sides with his enemies, it was to blind them more effectually. - Poa “Our time will come, Pete,” he protested. . “You won't, be kept here always, and surely in a long cruise there will come chances enough et — to take vengeance on that young ound.” ohio jp Ce “Take off de irons,” hissed Pete; ‘you can do dat much.” fre ae “You won’t engage in any deviltry if Ido will you?” gy Maal Ee, Sa ilo a “No; Iwill wait” Malet eat ‘And we will be good friends; you won split.on me?” é : a pie ee can better dan dat. You'd have my life “You may be sure of that, my man,” said the the locked the irons upon the pane and feet of man, He arose and shook himself like a 7 fee Walt Ferguson's Cruise. ‘43 _ fhe mate produced bread and meat, which _ the hungry man devoured with famished carcr- ness, uis eyes glaring like those of a wild beast at hismeal. Then he drew himself ap with a low laugh. : “Dat make me strong, You got a bottle somewhere, ain’t you? Ab; me thought so.” The mate produced a bottle, and the fellow jrauk long and deep, and then hugged the bot- tle to his breast. ‘ “Now go!” he said. ‘‘ We friends; you good man, and me like you. Me stand by you, and death to the young deg who would have had me hung.” : The villain had already forgotten that the boy had really saved him from the rope by his opportune appearance upon the scene. he mate had scarcely gone on deck when he cant rose, and began to creep aft among the barrels. _ Soon he reappeared dragging after him a long auger, which he had secured in some way. _ “He try to fool Pete, eh?’ he hissed. ‘He my friend? No—got nofriend in dis ship. We all drown togedder—dat’s a revenge!” ~ He inserted the auger in the inner coating of the ship and began to work with deadly earnest- ness, his face fairly aflame with devilish glee. He did not seem to care in the least that he must involve himself in the destruction cf the ship. He only thought that the boy, whom he now hated in the most deadly manner, must die with him. - : : _“ Sink, drown, devils that you are!” he hissed, ashe worked with the auger. ‘‘Captain, crew, all, all, all! This my work, mine! they will know it as the ae goes down!” The splinters fell under the keen edges of the anyet as it twisted its way into the wood. “How the rats gnaw. lam arat, a Portuguese rat! Ha, ha, ha!” 2 For over an hour he worked desperately, pick- - ing out the pieces from under the edge of the auger, until he bad worked outa hole nearly six inches across, and Jaid bare the copper sheath- _ ingof the sbip, Nothing now remained but to _ @rive out the copper and the water could come pouring in, He searched about until he found _ astout piece of oak, part of a broken keel, and -- a heavy commander or mallet, which had been used in tamping down the ballast. As he in- - serted the oo stick in the hole made by the auger he heard voices on deck, and the Y oop ane, of many feet. Tho watch was being chan) 1 “Go on!” he muttered, Keep your last _ watch, for you will never keep another; me know dat!” blow, and bent forward to note the effect. One more,” he said, ‘‘and the water comes in. Then drown, you dogs, drown /” 7“ : - He raised the commander bigh in the air, when there came a whistling sound, and a thousand stars seemed to dance before bis eyes. ‘Then the reflected light turned black, and he sunk down utterly unconscious, Senbosels he was lying on the deck, the irons again on his feet, and half a dozen of the crew ee ore to re Shia: eqeiae which he had done, and among them was | aft and sbake out the skyscrapers—everytbing a He raised the Sohutatiel ant struck a heavy ‘bows as she dashed on,. The men crowded to- | stranger, and they conld see that the-fire was _ still forward, and had not passed the When he came The Portugese uttered a wild soreom of rage. | for he knew that he had failed in his’schemd ot vengeance, 5 ‘*T don’t know why I shouldn’t take you ont and string you up to the main yard,” said the captain, who was among those in the hold. “You certainly deserve it. How did you get your irons off?” : The man was sullenly silent. He might die, but he would die with his teeth shut. . “You black dog, do you want another taste of the cat?” : No reply. e ‘ Tt’s no use to waste words on him,” said Zip. a “The only thing he understands is the cat; be All at once a sullen growl was heard, fol. lowed by a shout, and a scrambling sound arose just ahead, ; : pe: “Hide, boys, hide!” cried.Ned Travers. ‘ By the gods, there is a bear ahead.” at They darted up the side of the gorge and con- cealed themselves, while a Babel of hideous noises was heard just in front. isp CHAPTER XIL ee A STRANGE FORTRESS—THREE WHITE BEARS —— A GALLANT BATTLE—WALT TO THI RESCUE. — Tr was only the first start which bad driven Ned Travers to take flight, for he was a bold — villain, and generally ready to take his chances — in any kind of a struggle. The party were hardly safe upon the ridge before he broke into ashortlaugh ‘ oie ees “T own up I was scared, mates,” he declared. ‘We are not in shape for fighting bears, and I ran before I gave myself time to think. - Come They hurried on over the crest of the hill, the — confusion of sounds below growing louder as they proceeded, and looked down into the jain beyond. They had hardly done so. wher ed broke into a low chuckle of delight. “That's all right,” be exclaimed. ‘ needn’t trouble ourselves to chase them any © further, for those fellows will attend to them, Z 6 devd,”” j : j - The two friends were indeed in a tight place. They stood upon a square rock, perhaps ten feet above the level of the plain, and below them, crouched three huge white bears, evidently tent upon making a meal on them, The 3 of the rock were almost perpendicular, too steep on all sides save one for the bears ed by a great effort, and by one at a time. While they gazed one of the bears made axe at this place, but when nearly up he received terrible thrust from a long seal lance, whi: sent him back growlir ound from whicb the b! Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. a ee ae 21 “Tho bears can’t got at them, Ned,” growled 2 Black Dave. +, ** What’s the difference? 5 down, and zooner or later the and then good-by to them. think we ma safely go back and report. that everything is lovely. Anyhow, I don’t reckon I want any- Co them, as long as the bears are on eck. 5 The villains stood there in silence, watchin their unfortunate shipmates upon that isolat rock, facing their huge and relentless enemies. The explorers hed come suddenly upon them, ‘shortly after emerging from the pass, and had only time to take refuge on the rock, when the white monsters arrived at the base, their eyes leaming with hunger and rage. The two were tter armed than Travers had supposed, for in passing out of the camp they had met a party coming in, and Walt had borrowed a lance from one of them, to help him over the difficult - road which they must traverse. es always - earried one; and thus armed, they had been able to foil the repeated rushes of the bears, and to drive them back, and all these bad re- ceived bad wounds. After the retreat of the bear, Zip happened to look up the slope and saw Black Dave, who had incautiously exposed aimself, and at once his voice rung out like the blast of a trumpet. : “Sbipmate aboy! "Ware land sharks; pirates ‘ere aboard of us. _ The villains had not intended to show them- They can’t get will get tired, help for it now, and Black Dave responded to the hail. } ‘ © ffullo, below there. What's the row?” eT reckon you’ve got eyes,” replied Zip, angrily. ‘‘ Don’t come down here, unless you’ve got guns.” 4 “Think I’m a blamed fool, maybe?” re- sponded Black Dave. ‘No, we ain’t got any guns. Now what do you want?” — “Hurry back to the ship and bring help. I ckon we can keep them off for two or three hours, if we have any luck at all. Just say/ to Pay Stone where we are, and he’ll send us elp. SN aN onded Dave, as he drew back. “Just as like as not Pll burry right back, What do you say, mates? It’s like enough to take us several hours to get back.” _ ‘That was Black Dave,” averred Walt. ‘Do you know, Zip, I don’t believe that fellow will et aid for us, if he can help it.” ~ “Td rather it was some one else,” growled Zip. “I gota glimpse of Rube Rodgers, too - and that thief ain’t got any love for me sence t give bim sech.a toweling the other day, blame his hide.” " “Stand up comes again. ' The largest of the bears, rendered furious by pain of his wound, now came dashing up e rocks, bis claws rattling on the hard sur- ice, and his white tee*> gleaming as he came Walt, with fiushed cheeks and eyes glow- ing with the ardor of battle, placed his knee on the odes. of the a> phe which surrounded 01 an at the place where he supposed elves to the besieged men, but there was no to it, Zip,” cried Walt. “Bere. struck witb all his_ the jugular vein to lie. At the same timé, Zip delivered a plunging blow from above, strik- ing the bear in the back of the neck, the broad blade of the lance sinking deep into the verte. bre, and with a hoarse growl, the animal rolled slowly down the rocks aud lay dying at the base. “ Good-enough,” cried Zip. ‘‘That big cuss oe us any more; you can just. bet on that. ; “Tt those fellows only hurry, we may get out of this,” responded the boy, cheerfully, as he sat down on the edge of the rock and watched the other two bears. ‘‘ Ob, just look at them; did you ever see anything half so savage?” /“Pm only afraid they’ll wait till night, when we can’t see what they are doing,” declared Zip, uneasily. ‘If there was only ore left, we'd go down and take our chances with th: m.” Nothing more was done for the next hour. ‘‘What do you say if westir them up and make them come on, so that we can fix another of them?” asked Walt. “JT wish they would come on. I’d rather fightit out square than roost here until we get tired out, How are you going to bring them on? Walt took up astone weighing about'a pound and threw it atthe nearest bear. He was a d thrower, and it struck the enimal just above the eye, making a cut from which the blood flowed freely, and instantly t!e huge ani- mal darted up the slope, with a how] of rage. He was met as before by repeated thrusts of tne sharp lances, and after a brave but ineffectual struggle, fell back, bleeding from a dozen wounds, j “TY judge that fellow has got the strength of Samson if he kin stand the-loss of so much blood,” declared Zip. ‘‘Oh, only let me once git out of this, and prove to me that Black Dava didn’t hurry back and warn the capt’in, ard V’ll eine bim ike a hurricane; bet your little life WOU ec i : » The bear which had made the last sitack seemed to be nearly done for. He lay upon the rocks with the blood pouring from. his man -wounds, making repeated efforts to get on h feet and renew the attack. Tho third monster approached him and seemed to pity him, growl- ing savagely as he saw the immovable figures of the two yet perched upon the rocks. His small head wagged from side to side in an ugh: manner, and he seemed -to be working himself _ up to afury. ae ; : ry “He'll be at usin a minnit now,” averred a2 “*T know the trim ov the dirty thieves. ell, if he beats us, it won’t make so much dit- It is_a queer sort of faith which the sailor land, where the trees and grass are green, and where he dances merrily with dark-eyed houris, or drinks ambrosial grog beneath the : cover. Such was Zip Marlin’s idea of the here- after,a place adapted to the wants of ‘sailors and to such a place he hoped to gor Walk é smiled at his queer a con Je he watched the motions ae aes ference to me, for it ain't long before I goto — - Fiddler’s Green.” Cae has,a dream of a future life in an unknown Bz Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. eid “Brace up, Zip,” he shouted, cheerily. ‘He's % coming up, booming!” The bear, having lashed himself to a fury, came up at a rattling pace, roaring with rage, and was met as before by the sharp points and driven back. He only receded for a second, and then made another rush, and both lances were again buried in his oat when be made a con- vulsive leap which broke their hold, and plunged down the rocks, carrying Zip’s lance with him, and breaking Walt’s off close to tho blade, leaving only the shaft in his hands, Both uttered cries of dismay, for they felt that they were lost. The bear was now rolling madly on the rocks below, the long lance still in his body. All at once he seized if with both paws, dragged it from the wound and threw it down, and then seized the stump of the other lance, which was buried in his side, in his powerful jaws, and pulled that out. “here’s only one chance,” whispered Zip. ‘* When he comes up, drop from the rock on the north side and run for cover, Tll be with i ene ; ee ‘‘Come on then,” shouted Walt. ‘ He is after i us now.” — : . They sprung from the rocks together, and . Walt at once darted away, carrying the broken ' shaft of the lance, the only weapon he now had _excepta clasp knife, But ho had not run twen- ty paces when he heard a savage roar, and looked over his shoulder, expecting to see the _ bear close upon him, but to his surprise neither the animal-or the old sailor were in sight. The boy might have saved liimsolf by flight but he did not think of that for a moment, and turning on his heel, ran at his best speed back ss the rock, grasping the club in both ands, : \ ii oa: CHAPTER XIi. ZIP’S HEROISM—VICTORIOUS AT LAST—A TARDY ; . MESSENGER, ; . Wey had. not Zip Marlin followed his young companion in his flight? : overtake them before they reached a place of safety, and he had determined to secure his _ lance, so as to be able to do battle, if necessary, Therefore, when Walt dropped from the recks _ onone side, Zip sprung down on the other, and i ran with all his speed to the place. where the lance lay. He had scarcely siezed it when he heard the furious roar of the bear at his back, and whirling quickly, he poised the stout wea- pon, and as the creature rose on his hind feet to seize him, drove the broad blade deep into his _ body, between the forelegs. But, when he at- eempes to extricate it, he found it so tightly 4 wedged between the bones that he could not _. draw it out, and the only thing he could do was to erpep the handle with all his fores and keep the ‘animal at the length of the shaft, hoping that the brute would fall under tho terribls wound, But there is a wonderful reserve of yt titel forco in the Lody of this gigantic animal, - and he continued to make furious efforts to je hose powers were fast fail- _ The eld sailor knew well that the bear would. breath growing short. ‘Yl go to Fiddler's Green, but I’ve saved the boy. I'll have to let go; I can’t hold him back any longer.” As he was about to release bis hold of the | lance and make attempt at flight, he heard a | quick step, and Walt Ferguson, without a cap, his hair flying in the wind, came dashing up, and the old hero clung to the lance with re- newed strength. brasting his club with both — hands, Walt darted behind the bear and struck him with all the force of his muscular young arms, just where the vertebrae join the head. Not even the giant strength of the bear was suffi- cient to stand up under that fearful blow. With a choking gurgle in his throat, he pawed the air wildly, and fell with a force which — drew the lance from the wound, and Zip bur- riedly plunged it under the shoulder of the fal- len beast, piercing the mighty heart, and the old sailor stood grasping the Jance, with a swing in his head, for he was nearly used up. Wait threw his arm about his friend, and held him wp. ice > “Steady on your pins, old man,” he said, ‘What, did you think Walt Ferguson was the one to go back on a friend? It seems I came — just in time.” bie “ Thankee,” replied Zip. ‘’Scuse me ef I set — down a-minnit; I’m nigh about peteredout.” “Sit down on that stone, then, I want to take a look at this second bear, for I’m not so sure he’s gone to Sin 2 ta He drew the Jance from the body of ‘the slain brute and cautiously approached the bear, — which was lying quiet but with eyes still open, and a lingering look of fierceness in them. f Walt approached he made an effort to arise, and indeed had half gained his feet, when Walt — charged on him with the lance leveled, driving the keen point through the body of the anima from side to side. It was all that was needed, © and the huge beast rolled over, dead. re “That settles it,” cried Walt, as he drew out the reeking biades. .‘‘Now Zip, if you are rested, we'd better be traveling.’ , Se Zip rose and led the way, for he had com- pletely recovered his strength, but to the sur- — prise of the boy he did not turn toward the pass, but hurried over the ridge at the place where they had seen Black Dave. f “No talking now, but act as iz scout, with red Injuus all aroun whispered the old sailor. ‘“Tve got an ideo that them skunks didn’t go back and warn the captain. If they didn’t, Lord tove the’r hearts alive, how I will mount Black Dave.” They advanced cautiously buf s vs soon the murmur of voices could be heard front, and peeping through the low scrub, th saw Black Dave and Rodgers seated on a roc! laughing and joking, and apparently enjoyin; themselves to the fullest extent, ough that two of their sSeraiels as they were engaged in a hand-to-hand stru; ; a family of white bears, did not seem to tr ; themintheleash ii eee ‘Ned will take it easy,” Rube was “but I don’t care how much he hurries n kon the thing ear, this OB was 0 you, Wa ‘Walt Fergusen’s Cruise. 23 ; Cra feast and gone. What do you sayif we go _)- ‘back and look?” asked Dave. __ “Just as you say,” replied Rube. ‘‘I’d like to be sure they are used up, and I’d be satisfied.” Walt and Zip buried themselves in the bushes softly, they ran down the side of the slope and hurried toward the harbor. It was a good hour’s run, and as they came near the camp they saw Ned Travers loitering on ahead. Just as he reached the top of the ridge he began to run at full speed, shouting at the top of his voice, and loud cries of dismay were beard from the sailors on the other side of the ridge, ~ “Let's see how this turns out,” whispered Yip. “Hide in this gully, Walt, and watch. _ That skunk of misery did warn the rest, but he took his time about it.” _ He had scarcely spoken when fifteen or twenty sailors, armed with muskets, came hurrying over the ridge, headed by Captain Floyd, with Ned ‘Travers running by his side. The scoundrel had walked slowly all the way from the scene of battle, and then dashed in among the sailors, nting for breath, with the news that Zip and Walt were attacked by white bears five miles up the coast, and were probably killed. A party was hastily armed and started to help them, but just as they passed the gully, Zip stepped out and hailed them. es Whither bound, shipmates? You needn’t take the trouble to go, if itis on our account.” Ned Travers uttered a wild cry as he saw the two, whom he believed by this time a ee to the bears, and Jack Maxwell darted a look of wild rage at the informer, whom he believed _ to have lied to him. “Thank God you are safe, men,” exclaimed Barry Floyd, dstie shook hands first with one end then the other. ‘Ned Travers came in _ with a horrible story about your being attacked by three white bears.” *“That was true enough, but I don’t reckon Walt and me vally three white bears very high. Ob, yes, they pitched into us, and we wiped ’em out. Not much in that, I judge. But I say, Ned Travers, how long does it take you to - come six miles, when there is need of haste?” _ “What do you mean?’ faltered Ned, who knew what was coming. g “T mean that you, and Black Dave, and Rube Rodgers were up there’ when the fight com- - menced, and you started then to go for help, and we fought two hours by the watch, and then : a almost as soon as you did, Ain’t lame, ye?” quick as I could,” replied Ned, I came as angrily. — . “Then you move mighty slow, that’s cll I ken say, It didn’t loo three sailor men to dig out. the wa: and leave two mates fighting for their lives.” “We didn’t baer ere ” asserted Ned. __ No more did we. Waal, you come in, any- how, and that saved Black Dave from a most »wdashus lickin’. I had itin for him, the hot- aaa but we won’t say any more now, Though why them two skunks stayed back : Fire: ing ead know,” | ¢ you did, Z 2. x? : oN until the two men passed, and then, rising pooty, anyhow, for Ned slunk away, and Zip passed close to Jack Mexwell, favoring him with a knowing wink. | The mate knew well that they suspected he was | not.over-pleased to see them come back safe, -but there was nothing to say, and they went back to the tent, where they were warmly re- ceived by Mrs. Floyd and Minnie, who had heard of their danger, and were in great fear for their safety. About two hours later, a ca of the sailors, who had gone out to secure the skins of the slain animals, came back, and with them Rube Rodgers and Black Dave, who were being scorched unmercifully for not helping the ex- plorers. Had the sailors known that they had gone out ar ed for the purpee of murder- ing them, they would not have been so much surprised. The three scoundrels got together and talked the matter over, and were half-mad when the realized that if they had stayed on the ground, they might bave done their work after the bat- tle with the bears was finished. But there was ~ no help for it now, and for the time being their prey had escaped. oe : “But never mind,” hissed Ned Travers. . aa have that boy yet, or ’ll know the reason why. . CHAPTER XIV. MAXWELL REPRIMANDED — THE MUTINEERS’ PLOT—A DEADLY BLOW. PortuGEEr Pure was let into the secret of the failure of their plans, when he jeered his com- poe not a little, and said that when be went ‘or Walt again there would be no failure. But as they were more than suspected just now, it was thought advisable to wait for a few days, when they were assured that they would be able to complete their work. , There was evil brewing among the crew of- the Ellen Floyd. They were a bad lot, and were more or Jess under the influence of the. three evil companions, Travers, Dave and Rodgers. It was fortunate for Captain Floyd, after all, that the ship was destroyed, as there was at the time an organized plot to kill the offi- cers and seize the ship, and what the fate of _ Minnie and her mother would have been, in the power or this lawless gang, it is impossible to say. 2 OF peta : For two weeks every one was busy, and the slaughter among the seals was siniply awful. Never, in all his experience as a seal-hunter, had Captain, Stone had such royal sport. Tha dry shed and every bare rock along tbat portion of the coast were brought into requisition fcr | the work of curing the skins, a business which a much attention and considerable skiil. While the men were busy, and the eyes of the captain on them continually, there was no op- portunity to carry. out the plans which Max- well and the rest were making against the life © ae of Walt Herguipn, : Maxwell himself could hardly account for the feeling which he had for the boy. There were times when he hated himself, because he | was working against the son of Captain Dick Fe: for he pene but feel that he had of coming with you, is more than | fr a vale Diet aloes betara ide mine aeons C) ‘ always before his m sum of money promised hin Bg , 84 Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. villainous merchant, and pictured to nimselr all the pleasure he would have as commander of the Flying Cloud, and when that thought came he was again eager to see the end come, and would have done anything to destroy the life of the boy he hated. Another change bad come over Maxwell, and one which no captain, under whom he sailed, could complain of before. He was very fon of liquor, but had always refused to use it when upon duty, giving himself 3 to a debauch the moment he entered port. But lately, to the surprise of every one, Jack began to show signs of being in liquor, while on duty, and the first to notice it was Captain Stone, who came upon him one day as he had caught up.a belay- ing pin, and seemed about to make an assault upon Walt Ferguson, who stood, with folded arms, looking him steadily in the face, without the slightest sign of fear. “Now look here, Jack Maxwell,” cried the captain, snatching the pin from the hands of the mate; ‘‘ what does this mean?” “He’s got too much jaw®for one, and not enough for two,” growled Jack. ‘‘I don’t want no sea lawyers around me,” “What did he say?’ “Tt don’t make no difference. It’s the first time you ever interfered between me and the men, Captain Stone.” : “ And I wouldn’t do it now, if you was Jack Maxwell. Be off with you, Walt, I want to talk to my mate alone.” As soon as Walt was out of sight the captain turned to Jack. “Now seo here, old fellow,” he declared, “you know I never say anything to you when you are in port, and you can pa one up to the very chin, and come aboard drunk every night, if you want to; but this is the first cruise Lever saw you drunk when on duty.” Maxwell stood with his head bowed down, and a savage look in his eyes. “Perhaps you’d like to send me to the fore- castle?” he hissed, ‘t There’s Harry Floyd, now, + he could take my place.” Ores ‘‘There’s stranger things than that happened, Jack,” replied the captain. ‘You attend to your duty, and don’t abuse the hands when they are all right and doing their work. I tell you, once for all, I won’t have that, and the sooner you understand it the better for you. And what’s more, you must let spirits alone.” “All right!” roared Jack, “So help me vohn Rodgers, I won’t raise a hand against a man if I see bim trying to stir up a mutiny. T'll de my work, and as long as I do, I don’t see that it makes any difference to you how much i drink.” ; “But it does. You know I never would allow | my officers to drink when on duty, and when you signed articles with me that was put io— that you were not to drink from port to port.” * Ain’t we in port?” demanded Jack, with a drunken laugh. ‘‘Oh, pshaw! Cap, you hadn’t ought to go back on me like that.’ “T won’t trouble youif you leave that Ray alone, but if I catch you abusing bim again, I'll send you to the forecastle, sworn to,” Jack was sober enough now, for the threat That’s as good as mnadsened him so that ft took all the liquor out of him, “Very well, Cap,” he said. “ll do my duty until we get back, and that settles it, never was threatened in that way by my skipper be- fore, and I’ll remember it. Mind, I don’t lay it to you. I know who to thank for it.” He turned away and busied himself with di- recting the operations of a portion of the crew, who were engaged in the work of killing seals, a mile down the beach, They said among them- selves that the mate acted that day like a man who killed for the delight of doing murderous work, His eyes gleamed as he rushed among the innocent creatures, dashing them to the earth with repeated blows of the club which he carried and with which the work of destruction was done, so as not to injure the valuable skins, He shouted like a maniac, and laid about him with wonderful zeal, setting an example to the men which they strove in vain to emulate, His wild cries startled them, and they looked at one anoter in a questioning way, most of them supposing him to be drunk, ut be was not, only be had been driven half mad by the re- poe of the captain, and was trying to work imself up to such a pitch that he could join ihe men of the Ellen Floyd in their piratical plans, “We've almost got him,” whispered Ned Travers, as he stood near Portuguese Pete. ‘* Let him get one more such toweling as that from the captain, and he’s our man. ‘ass the word among the boys to-night that we must have a meeting and talk it over.” After the work of the day was done the crew loitered about the beach, smoking and talking, and quite a number sauntered over the first ridge, and turning to the right, entered a dark glen, where they found others of the crew await- ing them. Most of the party were from the Ellen Floyd, not all bad men, but easily led. “ Pete,” cried Ned Travers, who appeared to be the spokesman, ‘‘ you go and stand guard at the entrance. If you ses any one you don’t think is one of us, give us a whistle, If Jack Maxwell comes, let him pass.” The fellow hurried away and the rest grouped about Ned Travers, who, seated on a rock spoke in low guarded tones, “T want to be sure of my ground before I start in,” he declared. ‘t You kuow we had made up our minds to take the Ellen Floyd and lead a short and merry life upon the broa sea. That was broken up when the ship was burned, but our good luck put another chance before us when we got aboard the Sea Lion. | Now I want to know if you are all with us in | ee Every man who is, hold up his and, Every man present lifted his right band. “T answer for Portugee Pete,” continued the ‘spokesman. ‘‘ He’s true to the core of his heart. and would give his lifé for a chance at Walt Ferguson. Now then, to business. Wo are all agreed that these two captains have got to go, and as many of the crew as won’t stand by us. Now the question is, what shall be done with them?” : | ‘IT reckon Davy Jones will keep them as safe | @8 any one else,” declared Black Dave, with his Walt Ferguson's Cruise. ate sreering laugh. ‘‘ Anyway, ¥ want it under- |}. stood that Captain Floyd, Walt Ferguson and Cage Old Zip must passin their chips, If you say | —s- mo, it means a fight with me.” ees “T don’t seo the use of bloodshed,” averred one SSS of themen. ‘‘’Spose we was to take them and Pe leave them bere. Like enough it would be ‘- years afore they’d be taken off—” “And maybe they’d be saved in a week’s time,” sneered Dave. “We needn't mind, if they are. By that time we'd be far enough away, and it would go easier with us, if so be we happened to be nab- bed, if we’hadn’t done any murder.” “T tell you it won’t work, mates. Wemay as well die for a sheep as a Jamb, as Jong as we intend to turn pirate. And I, for one, believe as old Captain Kidd did, that dead men tell no tales. No, better make up our minds to make clean work—the cleaner the better—except the - wimmen.” “None of that, Black Dave,” cried the man __ who opposed him, starting to his feet. ‘I don’t - eare so much what you do to the men; that’s all fair in war, but I won’t have a band laid on Mrs. Floyd and her pretty girl.” “You won’t!” screamed Black Dave. ‘‘And what if I tell you T'll have it my way?” =. ‘No quarrels, now, mates,” pleaded Ned - Travers. ‘That won't do, you know. “T tell you that manis a traitor, that Jim Townley,” roared Dave. ‘‘He’s gotit in his ‘head this minnit how he’ll blow the gaff to Cap- tain Stone, But curse him, I'll settle him!” He made a sudden bound, his knife flashed in the light of the fading day, and Jim Townley - fell dead at his feet. The party stood stupefied so sudden and furious had been the assault of the treacherous murderer, and glared at one an- other in dismay. __ “That’s the way I do for all traitors,” hissed. _ Black Dave. ‘‘ Now, who is the nextone to say - what shall and shall not be done?” “Pm next, if you say so,” replied Ned Travers. ‘‘See here, Dave, you are too fast with your knife, acd | tell you I won’t have it. _ Suppose some of the officers should happen along _ now, what could we say?” ; __ “Put the officer where he is if ne would not join us,” replied Black Dave. ‘I tell you the _ sooner this comes to a head the better.” : ~ At this mcment a low of horror was heard, and, turning quickly, they saw Maxwell _ looking at the dead man with terror in his face. ; CHAPTER XV. THE CAPTAIN'S DANGER—WALT AND ZIP ON _ DECK—THE MATE’S SIGNAL, __ AL saw that it was a time to act quickly, and in an instant the mate was surrounded by a dozen: eeT er with knives in their bands, isting upon: coe which certainly boded no good tohim. It was a time to try the stuff of which a man is made, and the mate did not . He stood with a smile upon his face, a Jangbing light in his eyes, and bis arms fold oO breast, while in each hand he held a cocked revolver, bis fingers on the triggers. Vl tell you what it is, boys,” he averred, /the gorge, and come into camp b; | “Dat boy hab debble Inck all he own.” tering up this way just now. ‘Toss it into that gully and cover tt with stones.” 5 “Thar,” cried Black Dave; ‘I knowed he was a game bird. Throw him in, boys.” The body of Jim Townley was thrown into the gully and hastily covered with stones, while Portuguese Pete, from the mouth of the gorge, watched the motions of the two captains, who were coming on at a leisurely pace, taking in the topography of the strange country in which they found themselves. Dark looks, were exchanged by the mutineers, and the question passed from one to another whether or not it would not be as well toend the matter bere, They probably would not bave as good a chance to get the officers separated from the crew of the Sea Lion. “ Wait a moment, boys,” said Jack Maxwell, in a low voice. ‘“ You maybe beard how the captain insulted me to-day because Ll went to give that young lubber, Walt Ferguson, a colt- ing. If it hadn’t been for that, I swear to you I'd have died in my tracks before any barm should come to Captain Stone. As it is, I wash my bands of the whole matter. You'd better not tell me anything just now, and let me leave you.” k i *T understand,” averred Ned Travers, with agrim smile. ‘‘ Pass on your way, Jack; we will do this work.” In the mean time the two captains came strolling on in a careless way, never dreaming that in the cover of the gorge a dozen men lay in wait for them, determined to take their lives. The death of Jim Townley had so awed those who were against bloodshed that they saw that nothing was to be gained by sparing any one, and, crouching in the cover, the waited, paniag: that the captains would take it into their heads to pass through. They stopped for a few moments just opposite the gully, and then walked on directly toward it, when Travers passed the order to the men to be ready, end strike hard. The two doomed men were hardly a dozen paces from the gorge, when they beard the sound of barrying feet, and five of the men of the Sea Lion, led by Old Zip and Walt Ferguson, came up and joined them. _ Each carried a revolver belted to his waist, and three had muskets. ‘ | “Beg your pardon,” explained Walt, salutin; “but Mis, Fle : “4 s. Floyd and Miss Minnie were anxious _ because you were out here alone, and asked me. to make up an armed party and come with you. Since Zip and I were tackled by the bears, they think it the safest way.” ee ; : Ned Travers was a man quick to decide, and he saw that they had lost their cppor anes and there was no use in crying for spilled mill : There was a bare possibility that they might be~ == able to overcome this strongly armed pore, oe a but the chances were decidedly against it,and = casting a gees glance at the pit to see that the body of Jim Townley was well covered, be ordered a part of the men to scale the sides of - another course, while he, with Black Dave and Portugee * sie aor eee: out oe ~~ gorge i = the captain an party, who greeted them — kindly and passed on. : i Walt Ferguson’s Cruise. growled Pete, as they proceeded on their way What put it in hees head to come out wid muskets? Sometime I get so mad I kill heey right in front de re tenes ‘Keep cool, old boy,” advised Ned Travers. res . Ts hard lines, but fae have asbow yet. I i heard tho captain talking with those two, and ti f he promised them they should have a chance to explore the island before we sailed. That will i be your chance if you only watch it. But you : are a fool to take any chances until we are . ready to spring the mine.” ; it It needed only a quick glance, passing from Peo « Ned Travers to Jack Maxwell to tell him that they had been balked, and it was hard to say whether he was sorry or pleased. He had sailed i) z with Captain Stone for many years, and had i always found him a true friend, and it went ni against him to give bim into the clutches of a bY brutal lot of mutinous sailors. Although they We 8 had not told him their plans, he knew well they ae meant to take the ship and murder all on board i who would not join them. All he was asked to flo was to keep quiet, and let the thing go on. Three weeks passed, and they had taken so tmany seals that every available part of the ship was packed with skins, and the captain ue snnounced that only a few days more would be by : aent here before they sailed. Maxwell wasina 4 rage, for he had determined, if he could dispose : of the boy who was so much in his. way, to betray the designs of the mutineers and save tl e lives of the rest, The men were given liberty to do as they pleased during these last days, and Maxweil meters to get a chance to speak to Portugee ‘ete. ‘That boy is hot to explore the country, and _ I heard him ask the captain for permission to goons trip again. If you are the man I think you are, you won’t miss this chance.” “Dat all right; me get Rube an’ Dave, an’ we 0 ahead lay for dem; you see,” replied ‘ete. ‘ Ten minutes later the three went out of the camp together, going along the shore of the sea, and Maxwell watched Zip and Walt, for he was satisfied that the boy would not be con- tented to leave this strange land until he had explored it thoroughly. He saw them go down to the tent and stand for a moment talking x with Minnie, and then speak to Captain Stone, ~ be old captain expostulated with them, and -- warned.them that they might be again attacked by bears. : / “Zip has got his harpoon this time, and I’ll take a lance, captain,” said Walt. ‘I don’t think, however, there 1s % bear anywhere around. Besides, we have killed so many seals and given the white fellows so much to ea that I don’t think they will care to come out o} their haunts. 1 really wnt to explore this lubber,” cried CHAPTER XVI rag eae THE EXPLORERS—BLOODHOUNDS ON THE TRAOH _ —THE BITER BIT. * Tue two set out together upon their explor- ing trip, bent upon finding out the mysteries of the strange land in which they found them- selves. As they proceeded the way became more difficult, and later they were climbing through rocky passes, great ice cliffs and lichen- covered crags. They saw that they were outof the range of the ship, but were sturdily bent upon finding out what they could of the coun- try. Up they went until at, last, reaching the crest of the hill, they saw before them a vast level plain, apparently boundless, although a dim gray line in the far distance showed where the next mountain range lay. - te ve “Tt is a continent!” cried the boy, enthusias- tically. “Jt is more than an island, 1 tell ‘ou “That ain’t nothing,” declared Zip, dogmati- cally. ‘‘Don’t I tell you an island is an amount better than any of your blamed conti- nents?” ‘ 3 ‘You don't care much for science, Zip.” “Science be blowed! I don’t see no sense, I don’t, in cruisin’ ’round this yer heathen coun- try, but, if you are bound to see it, I’m bound to foller arter an’ see what kind of cussedness : you kinget into. Did youseo the look the mate give ou when you left the ship?” 5 7 “Then Idid. He gave you a look that meant business. If he gets a lick at you he’s jest goin’ to a it, D’ye happen to know what DPve got” No? ae ** Little playthings; jest look at’em!” He thrust hisband into his bosom and drew out two heavy navy revolvers, and the boy. saw ata ne nce that they were loaded. begs ee hat did you bring them for?’ demanded - ie boy. ; “Tf you don’t find out before you get back, — then I’m a lunk-headed thief and a pirate. — And to begin, jest take a look on the back track.” : 7 The boy turned and looked back, and saw that four men were upon their trail, men who — mooyed rapidly, bending forward like blood- hounds on a scent. Even at that distance the boy could see that the foremost among them — was Portugee Pete, and that his companions were the marked men of the Ellen Floyd. — “1 don’t understand,” said the boy; “ what _ do they want; why do | follow uae? 1s es es “They want your life!” hissed the old sailor. “Tt ain’t so much mine, but at the same time they’ll put me under the snow, too, ef they kin. — Thar is Ned Trsvers, Black Dave. and Rube Rodgers, three as infernal, scoundrels as ever _ lived on the face of the earth. I tell you we've — got to look out for ourselves, Take one of these — nd.’ “Ohb,' zo ahead, you youn / Captain Sione s you know I can’t refuse you anvthing. ; Seis: * Tb eee aid the mate, looking i" ithe a moment, went up to the fore top, | out a handkerchief and fluttered it. Was | it meant for a signal caer ibe iat woky | how to use it?” shooters and keep it out of sight. Do you know — ness I do!” averred the boy, with a For sale by ali newsdeajerst or ae post-paid, eee oe on receipt = THE Jeadwood Dick e Library a eee LATEST AND BEST. HANDSOME TRI-COLORED COVERS, 82 Pages. Issued Every Wednesday. Price 5 Cents. Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest} €xtracts from the New York Evening Sun, TWO REMARKABLE HEROES, {n only one sense of the word can it be regarded asa novei statement when the faes is here recorded that litera- ture has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps move than one reader will have to think a moment over this pemark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit atrikes home, But it is mest essenWally a half dime novel statement that will be news to many when it is added that litera- ture, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam was a mere child down to the present day, wowld show but few heroes that in the eyes of boyhood would be sven judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest heroes known to American literature, or, to promptly re- veal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr. * * * The modern heroes of fiction for young America, who are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and of whom the Deadwood Dicks are much the most important * * * it Is but natural that their * * * should bear away the palm of popularity, and suchas * * * be left far behind in the race. It can be easily believed, therefore, that the two Dicks are so firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature for boys and young men, that thelr position is assured * * * and that they stand to-day head and shoulders above all rivals in the eyes of the public for which they have lived, and for which one of them has died. American boyhood, and that is a tremendous factor in the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., a good beal bet+ ter than it knows its catechism, and millions of young minds absorb the thrilling incidents of his career in his everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending solving of bmpenetrable mysteries. Millions of boys follow his stealthy footsteps as he tracks his vicious victims to their undoing, and then, when the victims are thoroughly undone, the millions walt hungrily for the next volume, which on every Wednesday appears with the certainty of the Wednesday itself, and a new set oe ellen thrills go theilllag away from Maine to Call- ornia, There are the volumes each so crowded with thrills and heart-tugs that it were madness to hope te do justice to them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be- tween them, To abandon the idea of giving a few extracts causes In finite pain, but if once a start were made in that oe tion, it would be cruel to The Mvening Sum’s readers ‘stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one single adventure, Suffice it to say that the stories are clean ané well written, DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. 1 Deadwood Dicx, the Prince of the Road 8 Tat Louble Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance 3 Ti, Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol §& Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 6 Death-Face, the Detective 7 The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza 8 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand 9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian i 10 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger 3 11 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to eat 12 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar 18 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 14 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter ¥% Deadwood Dick on Deck: or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 7 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Guleh 18 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand # Photograph Phil: or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 90 Watch-Eve, the Shadow #1 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross # Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief % Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke ; for Liberty & Deadwood Dick as Detective 5 Gilt-Kdge Dick %8 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker; or, The Secret Twelve 8 Chip, the Girl Sport 98 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune # Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks i sir ae Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s ule #1 Blonde Bill; or. Deadwood Dick’s Home Base ® Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent \ 3% Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Beb’s Boss Job 84 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 35 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 36 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective 37 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of the Sierras 38 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 39 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure 40 Deadwood Diek’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road 41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues 44 Detective Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator's Game 45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme 46 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado 47 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam‘s Claim 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective 50 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female Detect. ives 51 rie he Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough aneh 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 53 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Quees 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Spom 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Bor : Fortune 59 Deadwood Dieck’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport 60 Dumb Dick's Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Diek’s Mission 62 Spotter Fritz: or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy. 63 ate Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miuers of Sassa- ras City 64 anes Chorlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cs" ings ) M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers (James Sullivan, Proprietor), - 379 Pearl Street. NEW YORK.