Ll weekly. By Subscription, $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Crass Matier at Price, Five Cent No. 225. AQ we A FRANK IN THE HAMMER-THR( “1 - € - * ae : ic a OG sa ‘A — ol > oa % aA - - 7S el aeciatih teeny at eet or nanad na ntane ¥ memantine mame TID TOP WEEKLY AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH Issued We eon Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 238 William , N.Y. Entered According to Act of Congress,in the year 1900 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. Cc. No. 225. NEW YORK, August 4, 1900, Price Five Cents. Frank Merriwell’s Throw: OR, YALE ATHLETES AT NIAGARA. By BURT L. STANDISH. CHAPTER I. BINK OPENS THE BALL. Bink Stubbs opened the ball at Niagara. ' He did not'use a latchkey nor a jimmy —he opened it with his little cigarette. Merriwell’s Athletic Team had come on from the Adirondacks to Niagara shortly after defeating the ‘‘University’’ or Wa- beek Nine in the finest game of baseball ever seen in the Great North Woods, and were quartered at a well-known hotel in the Falls city. They were there to see the wonders of Niagara and to meet the Niagara Rapids, a local athletic organization of great re- nown, in a field sports battle which prom- ised to be an extremely interesting affair; but Bink Stubbs and his cigarette started the excitement long before the time set for the big contest. ‘‘Behold how great a he matter a little fire kindleth!’’ The fire on the end of Bink’s cigarette was but a glowing speck of red, yet it was mighty in its capacity for sensational destructive- ness. The touch of that’ glowing speck of red raised Ned at that hotel. TIP This is the way Bink opened the ball: He was strolling and quarreling with Danny along a wide piazza in the cool of the evening, where a lot of pyrotechnic 8) material had been collected for a big fire- works display that night, and as he stop- ped to shake his fist threateningly under Danny’s nose, he took the lighted cigar- ette from his mouth, that the words might As’ he talked, he thrust his left hand holding the cigar- flow with greater fluency. ette behind him and tinconsciously touch- ed off a fiery pinwheel. There was a sputtering hiss as the pin- wheel flicked its fiery tail around, sending out a shower of flame and sparks. ‘‘Gee-whiskers!’’ Danny screeched, leading back and almost falling over the railing. Bink Stubbs flirted round as quickly as the pinwheel. Another pinwheel was hissing and hop- ping and revolving. “Gee! they are whiskers!’’ he gasped. ‘* Better whisk ’em out of there!” Danny exclaimed, as if he contemplated a flying leap over the railing to the ground below. “Vou did that! That was all your fault. You must have touched it off with your cigarette!’’ “Shut up!’’? Bink squawked, as he made a dive for the pinwheels. ‘‘You are to blame. Your hot words would set any thing on fire.’’ But Bink’s efforts to corral the fire-spit- ting pinwheels were not a glowing suc- cess. His hand closed on one, but he dropped it with a howl as it sent a spout of flame up his sleeve. ‘‘Get a pair of tongs!’’ shrieked Danny, climbing up on the railing, TOP WEEKLY, ‘“‘T’l] hammer you like a pair of tongs!’ Bink howled back, trying to get hold of the other wheel. ‘‘Why don’t you help me, you lunatic ?’’ Thereupon Danny dropped off the rail- ing and rushed to Bink’s assistance. The pinwheels were spreading the fire everywhere, and other ominous hissings began to be heard. A bunch of firecrack- ers began to pop and crackle like mimic musketry. ‘If you can’t hold them with your Red hands, use your teeth!’ squealed Danny, who thought he foresaw a lot of fun in this premature pyrotechnic display. ‘‘See me!?? Whizz-z-z—smack ! A Roman candle shot its burning ball almost into Danny’s mouth, and he tum- bled backward with a yell. ‘Yes, Isee you!’ Bink snarled, danc- ing about as the pinwheels burned his fin- gers. ‘‘Hold ’em in your teeth!”’ Then, in his desperation, Bink gave the : j fierworks a kick that sent sparks and com-~ bustibles flying in every direction. ‘Help me clear these things eut of here or the hotel will be burned up!’ Danny scratched at his mouth, then rolled over on his back to stare Iugubrious- Other Roman candles began to hurl red and green balls. A ly at the display. rocket hissed like a meteor out into the street, showering Danny with a smother of sparks, ‘‘Turn in the fire alarm!’’ he screeched, “Ow! That, burnt my eyes out!’ Bang! or A cannon cracker exploded under Bink’s nose with a report louder than a musket. — Another rocket tried to bore a hole ee mAY Ca TrrY through the piazza railing, and finding it could not do this jumped back and began to tear round the piazza like a crazy snake. Danny leaped screechingly to his feet. ““Help get ’em out of here!’ Bink roared. He clasped an armful of rockets to his bosom with the intention of hurling them over the railing, but dropped them when one hissed upward to the piazza roof and came down with an eccentric curve. Suddenly the din became deafening. Rockets, Roman candles, pinwheels, fire crackers big and little, began to fizz and hiss and whizz and explode. A candle ball bored Bink in the ear. Another plug- ged Danny’s hat like a ball from the rifle of a sharpshooter, while the rockets that could not get into the street raced and raved and tore round the piazza in a way -that was simply maddening. “Turn on the fire alarm!’’ Danny squealed, throwing himself on the floor to escape what seemed a fiery rain of death. Bink, who had been doing his best to stop the trouble which he had begun with his cigarette, reeled backward. “Tf IT hada hose I’d turn it on you!’ he shouted. ‘‘Better turn it on the fireworks. ”’ Bink raced along the piazza yelling “Pire |’? at the top of his voice. Herbert Hammerswell came bounding round the corner, and a rocket shot past his ear with a fiendish shriek that brought him up with a jerk. Delancy Livingston also appeared, but z a fire of candle balls seemed to mow him down. ‘Then the proprietor, after turning on i ten iam TOP WEEKLY. 3 the fire alarm, came upon the scene with a bound. He became wildly excited when his eyes fell on the whizzing, whirring, snap- ping display. He thought the hotel was doomed, and opened his mouth to shout some order, when a cannon cracker ex- ploded with startling report under his heels, and he jumped into the air as if he had been fired from a gun. . * A policeman, hearing the calls and hearing what he thought was shooting, climbed to the piazza and rushed toward his club and But he halted in uncertainty when he discovered the proprietor, swinging nervously fingering his revolver. the cause of the trouble. In another minute the piazza was full of people who shouted indistinguishable orders and. who raced and tore round like the inmates of a mad house. Bink crawled out from under their feet, as they ducked and ran toward the near- est doorway. Danny scrambled up and followed him. The policeman got a shot from a rocket in the belt that took away his courage, and he followed Danny. ‘‘Can’t do anything!’’ they heard him pant. ‘‘Where is the fire department.’’ The fire department soon came upon the scene with galloping horses. Delancy and Hammerswell were shin- ning down the piazza posts as the hose began to work. _‘*Wow!? Hammerswell screeched, as the water spouted and pailfuls seemed to fal] on his back. “‘Gracious!’’ exploded Delancy, forget- ting his drawl. ‘‘This is an outrage!’ as the stream struck him and fairly knocked 4 him from the railing to the ground, where he lay dazedly in the muddy pool that began to collect. ‘‘Aw! gracious! I’m going to sue somebody for this!”’ Merriwell, who had hurried forward to be-of assistance if he could, but who had also been forced to retreat and leap over the railing to the ground, heard him and heartily laughed. ; Delancy got up crestfallen, with the water streaming from his fire-blackened face. ‘*Aw!’ he said, as he heard that laugh. ‘*You’re a scoundrel, don’t you know—a precious scoundrel!’ ‘And you’re a chump!” said Frank. “Do you think I turned that water on you? Or set those things on fire? Perhaps you did that last ?”’ Delancy tried to recover his dignity and hunted for his eyeglass, but it was mis- placed. But he gave Frank a stony look that was intensely amusing. ‘‘Vou’re a jewel, Delancy! that your sister don’t cut your acquaint- What are you doing here, any- I wonder ance. way???’ ‘Aw! I have a right to be in any hotel where I pay my money, don’t you know! What are you doing here? You’re the in- truder, don’t you know! We were here first !”? The piazza was a Babel of noises, for the fireworks were still exploding and hissing, and the guests, having retreated to places of safety, were wildly talking, gesticulating and advising. No one knew how the fire had started. “Do you think the hotel will burn up?”’ Bink gasped. “Tt seems to be doing that now, for re TIP TOP WEHEKLY. most of the rockets are trying to go up- ward. But it may burn down! We'll wait and see!’’ ‘‘Danny, you’re a fool !”’ I know I’m a fool But I didn’t expect you to be able to see it.’? ‘“Thanks, awfully. for talking to you. “Tl have to pay for this,’’ Bink groaned. ‘*T think you’d better have another cig- arette!’’ Danny urged. able to finish the one that started the fire ?”’ “I'll finish you!’’? Bink howled, lung- ing at Danny. As he lunged, a rocket ‘‘lifted’’ him with a sidelong stroke, that tore his cloth- ing and tumbled him down. “Oh, Pll finish you!’ he gasped, get- ting up'and shaking his fist at Danny. ‘Wait till I catch you, and I’ll finish you!’ But the fire was soon out—it had con- fined itself to the fireworks which were soon too soaked to do any further damage. ‘‘A premature display!’’ groaned the proprietor. ‘‘I wanted to have that a little later. But I’m glad the hotel didn’t catch from them. I wonder how the thing hap- pened. ”’ Bink sought out the proprietor shortly afterward and stumblingly told how ‘‘the thing happened,’? and offered pay. ‘You're one of Merriwell’s crowd ?”’ Eyes. ‘Well, the pay is nothing, for one of Merriwell’s friends. But I want to advise you a bit, young fellow. ' Cigarettes are. not good for fireworks—or boys!’ **He called me a boy!’ Bink moaned to - Danny, stretching himself to ‘his gia height. ‘‘Or were you. TIP ‘You little runt, what else are you? I’m the only man in Merriwell’s crowd, and the proprietor saw it. He hasn’t said a word to me!”’ CHAPTER II. THE ‘‘ONE-LEGGED BLONDIN.”? Delancy, soaked in sweet oil and cam- phor ice, lay back on the bed in his room, while Hammerswell, similarly soaked, and moaning, sat cramped up on a chair and talked. ‘‘If one of the confounded rockets had only shot a hole through Merriwell!’’ ‘That. villain always seems to get off without any trou- ble. 7” ‘(How does it come that his crowd is in Hamnmerswell grumbled. the saine hotel with us?’’ Delancy petu- lantly queried. ‘‘Aw! that’s going to make it deucedly uncomfortable for us, don’t you know!?? Hammerswell bent forward. ‘‘T didn’t say anything to you about it, for I thought you might make a kick, but I overheard Merriwell saying his crowd was coming to this hotel, before we left I wanted to be the Adirondacks. near them. So we came on first, and stopped here!’’ ““T don’t want to be near them, don’t you know!’’ Delancy grumbled. ‘‘I’d like to put the seas between us. They are a horrid crowd !”’ ‘tT shall be glad to put the seas between us by and by, but not until I have been revenged on Frank Merriwell.”’ “What can you do? You'll get yourself into a lot of trouble. You came close to it before. I don’t want to stay here!’’ ‘“‘But no harm can come to us!’’ TOP WEEKLY. 5¥ **“Harm pointing to his burned face. already!’’ sighed Delancey, ‘*And what can you do to Merriwell?’’ Haimmerswell leaned further forward and lowered his voice. ‘*l’ve found a man to do the work,”’ “What work?’ fishing out his eyeglass and staring at his friend. ‘“To do up Merriwell!’? in a whisper. “fAw!? oY 6s, with him since coming here. I fell in As you say, That’s straight goods. it’s risky trying to do these things our- selves; and why should we, when we have plenty of money to hire other men to do it? Money will do anything.’’ ‘“‘Aw! you’re right. I wish it would take this pain out of my face!’’ He rolled uneasily and groaned. ‘*T came across the fellow in a saloon. He had been drinking, and I overheard him mumbling something to himself that assured me he was just the man I wanted. I called him into a room and had a talk with him. He was eager for money— would do anything for money! I told him about Merriwell, and he has agreed to do 2ELe Delancy sat upon the bed, momentarily forgetful of his burns. He put up his eye- glass again and stared at the speaker. ‘“‘Why don't you ask me what he is to do?”? “Aw! ‘‘T told him that I didn’t care what he did, if he only did something to forever I was coming to that?’? ruin Frank Merriwell’s pitching arm.’’ ‘*What did he say ?”’ : ‘*He said he’d throw him into the whirl- pool for me.’’ Delancy gasped. ‘“Vou—you didn’t hire him to do that ?”’ ‘*P’m not a fool!’’? snapped Herbert. “Aw! I didn’t know, you know!’’ ‘“‘T told him that wasn’t what I wanted —that I didn’t care to go as far as that; though you know there have been times when I have been desperate enough to do even that!’’ Delancy looked admiringly at the cow- ard, though he was himself much more courageous than Hammerswell. He might fight, if put to it; but Herbert would run if he found any chance whatever for the exercise of his legs. ‘‘He seemed bent on throwing Merry into the whirlpool, even when I told him that wasn’t what I wanted. And even after I had arranged with him to do up Merriwell’s arm he came back to the other proposition.’’ ‘‘What’s his plan?’’? drawled Delancy, dropping back on the bed. ‘“He says he has some sort of a bomb— that’s what I him understood to say— which will do the work. I don’t know how he is going to do it. But if he does not perform his part of the contract, he isn’t to get any boodle. He clearly under- stands that, even if he was half-drunk at the time.’’ ‘You didn’t put that contract into writing ?”’ ‘‘Pm not a fool!’ ‘‘Aw! I didn’t know, you know!”’ ‘Of course I didn’t put it into writ- ing.”’ A man came shouting along the street beneath the hotel window. ‘The One-Legged Blondin on the high rope! Come out everybody! Most wonder- ful feat ever witnessed !”’ TIP TOP WEEKLY. Delancy Livingston sat up again. ‘“l’m a horrid sight, don’t you know! But I’d like to see that fellow. I heard them talking about him in the hotel this afternoon. They say it’s a performance worth witnessing.’ | ‘‘And I’d like to get out of this room ?”’ ‘‘When is your fellow—your drunken man—to do this?’’ ‘*He is to try it before the field sports come off!” ‘“‘Aw! what is his name?’’ “Rodney Skaggs.’”’ ‘TAw! queer name!’’ getting up and beginning to wipe away the oily prepara- tion from his smarting. face. When they got out of the hotel they found a crowd pressing down toward the river. The thunder of the falls filled their ears, sounding at some distance away like the lashing of heavy surf. A tight-rope had been stretched across the street between some tall buildings. ‘“Thought it was to be over the falls!?? aman grumbled. ‘‘The original Blondin walked across Niagara on a tight-rope. This fellow is a fakir.”’ «(¢p 3ut they say he has only one leg,”’ was the answer. ‘‘How-in time can a one- legged man walk a tight-rope? Shouldn’t think he could do that, if the rope was laid on the ground!’ The answer soon came in the appear- ance of the ‘‘One-Legged Blondin’’ him- self. He was a heavy-faced, brutal-looking man, wearing circus tights. Yet one leg was off at the knee, and the place of the lost member was taken by a wooden leg, with which he stumped along as the crowd opened for him. Herbert Hammerswell fell back with a gasp of surprise as his eyes fell on this man. ‘‘Aw! what’s the matter?’’ questioned Delancy, turning upon his friend. ae Ss Him)’ ‘Aw!’ ‘You don’t understand? It’s the man I was telling you about. He was one-legged. I didn’t think to mention that. But it’s the same fellow.’’ He stared at the man as if fascinated. ‘“What in thunder does this mean, any- way ?”’ ‘*Aw! If that’s the same fellow, you’re in 1" the soup! Must be mistaken! ”” **No! but how—— The ‘‘One-Legged Blondin’’ was begin- ning to climb up a rope, hand over hand, in a skillful manner, dangling and swinging his wooden leg. Herbert turned about. “Say,” he whispered, in an anxious voice, ‘‘I want to go back and think over this. That fellow isn’t the sort of a chap I thought!’’ “ | ‘‘Looks like he might do anything!’’ De- lancy whispered, after a study of the rope- walker’s brutal face. ‘‘He’d sell himself for a drink. But I thought a man couldn’t do that kind of work and drink. Aw! this puz- zies me, don’t you know!’’ He put up his eyeglass for a stare, while Hammierswell, though he had_said he was going, did not stir from his tracks, but watched the man in blank wonder. ‘‘Skages!’’ another man was whispering - to himself at the same time, and that other man was Gregory Carker, whose eyes were _~ glued on the tight-rope walker as if held _ there by a strange fascination, ‘‘ What is the -~ meaning of this? I never knew that the fel- a was a rope walker! I can’t understand 1" But that’ s Skaggs, sure enough! eae though the thing was not noticed TIP TOP WEEKLY. : 7 by his friends, all of whom were looking up at the ‘‘One-Legged Blondin,’’ most as much disturbed ard agitated as seemed al- Herbert Hammeérswell. ‘‘T shall look into this,’’ was his thought. *‘I wonder where the fellow is stopping? I’ll follow him when the show is over and find out.’’ CHAPTER III. SOMEWHAT MYSTERIOUS. The performance given by the ‘‘One- Legged Blondin’’ was really very creditable, and would not have disgraced a tight-rope walker who possessed two good legs and was a stranger to drink. He walked back and forth from building to building several times, turned summersaults, landing clever- ly on the rope on his one foot, and did other feats usually perforined by rope walk- ers. ‘‘How du-dud-dud-does he do it!’’ Joe Gamp gasped, ‘“There is a hollow groove in the bottom said Merriweli. ‘‘If you'll look close, you’ll see it when he »? of the wooden leg lifts the peg leg. He sets that ee on the rope each time!’’ ‘‘Gug-gug-goshfry! So he dud-does! Enough to mum-make my head swim to look at him.. I cuc-couldn’t handle that wooden leg on the lul-level ground.”’ ‘*Your head swims because it’s light!’’ SES Bink. ‘Yours will fuf-feel a gug-gug- good deal lighter if I thump you one!’’ . ‘‘Why is he like high prices?’’ asked Danny, ready with his inevitable conun- drum. ‘*Because he is away above the heads of the poor men!’’ said Carker. ‘‘Don’t fling disagreeable conundrums at us, Danny!” : ‘“Because he’s bound tga come down!’’ 8 TIP TOP ‘‘High prices don’t always come down!”’ Carker corrected. ‘‘Well, he’s coming down,’’ Bink as- serted. : The rope walker had swung down from his rope, and now caught hold of the rope that led to it from below, and slid deftly to the ground. The performance finished, he passed the hat, and after a little speech in which he thanked everybody and stated that he would repeat his performance the following even- ing, he disappeared, and some men took down the rope. ‘“Where is Carker?’’ Frank asked, look- ing around. ‘Why, he was right here just this min- ute!’’ Bruce answered. ‘‘Got mixed in with the crowd, I suppose.’’ Carker was trying to trail Skaggs home. He followed him for a short distance, saw him beckon to Hammerswell, and saw the two move away together toward a door- way. ‘‘Now, what does that mean? My friend Skaggs is growing more mysterious every minute. How does he happen to be acquaint- . ed with that scoundrel, Hammerswell ?’’ In a little while Skaggs and Hammerswell reappeared, Skaggs in an ordinary suit, in which he stumped along, smoking a pipe and jingling in his pocket the coin he had collected; while Hammerswell, who walked at his side, seemed the personification of un- easiness, casting anxious glances round and noting the appearance of every man who came near. With his wonder constantly increasing, Carker kept well to the rear, out of sight, and patiently pursued this oddly-assorted couple. . ; Again Skaggs went into a doorway with Hammerswell. Carker stood in the street and waited, a WEEKLY. but they did not reappear. Growing impa- tient, Carker went up tothe doorway. It opened into a corridor, which opened again into a yard, beyond which was a fence. ‘‘Fooled!’’ he said. “‘Why should Skaggs want to keep out of my way in that manner? It’s plain he saw me following and has done this to throw me off the trail.” Skaggs, still accompanied by Hammers- well, was rapidly stumping away in the darkness beyond the fence. ‘I don’t like this!’’ Herbert was grum- bling. “‘VYou like it as well asI do. That feller was follering us!’’ ‘TJ mean I don’t like to be walking along this way with you. Somebody is sure te notice it.’’ ‘‘Ain’t I good company ?’’ Skaggs fiercely demanded. ‘‘What’s the matter with you?” ‘*T may be arrested ?”’ ‘*Well, if I do your dirty work, I’m likely to be!’ ‘¢And if I’m seen with you, when you’re pulled, the officers will come for me!”’ Skaggs laughed hoarsely. ‘‘Don't calculate to git pulled! Not for doing your work!’’ The tone was peculiar. ‘‘What do you mean by that?’’ ‘‘Here’s a shanty. Come in and I'll tell you!’’ There was a threat in the words which made Herbert shiver. He began to wish he had never held any communications with this mysterious stranger; whom he had taken for a drunken loafer and dyed-in-the-wool villain. The memory of Skaggs on the tight-rope troubled him, Skaggs pushed open a door, which in the darkness Hammerswell had failed to see. ““Gome in!’ he gruffly invited. Herbert hung back. | ‘‘T—I——”’ he faltered. ait SiR apie Fk) - aaa SO ee i ahh an atest ota a bpdnde kta Se, at SRS Sr) aw } Lie FOP “That's hoarsely. two eyes!’’ again laughing “*With two eyes you ought to be able to follow me, even if the place is as dark as a well. Come on!”’ The imperative command could not be felt drawn for- disobeyed. Hammerswell ward, though he tried to hang back. When stopped and the rope walker scratched a The door had been closed behind them, and Hammerswell looked about as they had gone a few feet they match. Skaggs lighted a candle. It was a queer place, littered with wicker work and unfin- ished moccasins. ‘‘The Injun stays here!'’ said Skaggs, with a grunt, as he dropped to a log of wood that served for a stool and motioned Hammerswell to another. ‘Who? ‘“Don’t know anything about Swiftwing, Swiftwing?’’ whoever he is. Strong Arm, the Oneida. He’s around the city all Part- Hain’t seen him? the time, sellin’ beads and moccasins. ~ ner of mine.’’ Then his heavy, brutal face grew dark, and he began to take off the wooden leg, while Hammerswell stupidly stared at him, now and then giving the interior of the strange, sShanty-like place a questioning look, He seemed to have dropped out of the Falls city and to have brought up with a jerk in some smoky Indian lodge. And now, as Skaggs began to remove that wooden leg, a sense of horror chased up and down his spinal column. ‘‘For heaven’s sake, what are you doing that for?’’ ‘*Don’t think you cut any figure in those celestial regions!” snapped Skaggs. ‘‘I’ve got something here I want you to set your » eyeson. I’ve been thinking, since you and I had our little talk. but I remember it, and I remember you!’’ I was purty drunk, : Again Hammerswell looked round the WEEKLY. 9 room, stared at the leg and shuddered. He began to wonder if the rope walker had locked the door through which they had entered. His mind was so bewildered he could not remember. The leg came off without muth trouble, and Skaggs turned the large, cup-like end toward Hammerswell. In this end was a hole, which seemed to be plugged up with a piece of glass. The rope walker pulled out this glass. It seemed to be filled with some dark sub- stance, and was in shape and size a little larger than an egg, with the upper end flat- tened. . ‘“Dynamite!’’ said the rope walker, giv- ing it a loving pat. Hammerswell turned white with fear. “D-don’t!”’ ‘‘The stuff may explode!’’ he stammered. “’That’s what I got it for—to explode! That’s what the stuff is made for!’’ peer 8 ‘“T'wo more eyes, and still you can’t see anything !’’ He seemed totake delight in Herbert’s torture, playing with him as a cat does with a mouse. And there was such a queer, vil- lainous look on the brutal! face, that Ham- merswell had all he could do to keep from springing up and rushing blindly to the door in an endeavor to force his way out of the place. ‘*What do you keep the stuff for—in your leg ?’’ Skaggs gave it another toss, which brought a gurgle of fear from the shaking youth. ‘Well, you see, I’m liable to fall from that rope at any time. You seen how high it was? If I should come down from that rope onto the stones that are alwaysin a pave- ment, I’d be broken all to pieces. I lost one leg that way once, and I know what it is. LO SP POY Ought to have stopped the tight: rope busi- ness when I fell that time, but I didn’t. But I’ll never git another broken leg!’’ He stopped and glared at Herbert. ‘‘Why don’t ye ask me why ?’’ ‘*Wh-wh-why ?’”’ ‘‘Because when I come down, this dyna- mite will blow me into ribbons!”’ ‘‘B-b-but the people ?”’ Skaggs gave the glass another toss, and swore roundly. ‘‘What do I care for the people? They’re no better than I am! Now, I’ve got a word for you, young feller!’’ “*Y-yes! What is it ?’’ ‘‘T was drunk when you came to me. To- night I’m sober. Likely to-morrow I’ll be drunk again, and if you should come to me I might promise you the same thing. But to-night I’m sober!’’ He began to replace the wooden leg, hav- ing first pushed the glass down into place. ‘“Y-y-yes!’’ Hammerswell stammered, his face growing whiter and every nerve a-trem- ble. ‘““If you ever come near me again, whether I’m drunk or sober——”’ ‘“Y-y-y yes!”’ He arose and stumped toward the shaking youth. “‘T’ll kill you! Now, git! ‘‘Git!’ he repeated, as Hammerswell leaped up with acry of fear: ‘‘Git!’’ The terrified young rascal fled to the door and tore it open, with Skaggs stumping after him; and as he tumbled out into the darkness, the wooden leg was lifted and sent . him sprawling. ‘‘And there was dynamite in ‘it!’’ he gasped, as he sprang up and dashed away. CHAPTER IV. RATTLETON GITS A FRIGHT. ‘‘Scate Gott!’’ Harry Rattleton whispered the exclama- WEEKLY. tion, as he peered through a tiny, dingy window, intoa tiny, dingy room, and saw Greg Carker holding a little girl on his knees and flashing before her eyes a bright five-dollar gold piece. The child had been crying and Carker was trying to quiet her. ‘‘TIf Skaggs lays his hands on you again, I?ll make him suffer for it! Take this five dollars and buy the biggest and handsomest doll you can find. You can have great times with it, can’t you? No, I won’t let Skaggs hit you again!’’ ‘*Whee-giz!’’ Rattleton gasped. ‘‘This is the queerest thing I ever struck !”’ He had come in sight of Carker while out walking with Frank Merriwell, and had hurried after him, leaving Frank to come on more leisurely. Then he had. lost sight of Carker, and while looking about had been drawn through an alley by the scream of a child. Now he saw this. A door opened into the dingy room and Skaggs entered. He was drinking again, and a bottle bulged one of his pockets. A scowl came to his brutal face as he saw the child in Carker’s lap. A sudden sense that this might be called spying and that he had no right to be there, even though what he beheld was so inex- plicable and mysterious, caused Harry Rat- tleton to draw back from the window and turn to leave; but the scream of the child and a warning cry from Carker drew him back. ‘‘Greg may need help!’’ was his thought. “Pm not a fighter—I’d rather run than fight; but if he needs help, I’ll try to help him! Dunder what he’s wooing in there—I mean I wonder what he’s doing in there? That’s the fellow who walked the tight-rope! I’d know that face anywhere.’” , Rodney Skaggs had caught up a stool and seemed about to brain Greg with it. The child was behind the youth, and he put back eT in neeieeacee nen ee TIP TOP WEEKLY. 11 ea Nie hg hima. a ——_ not with a rope walker. a hand and touched her, as if to assure her he would protect her. **Makes me feel like jumping through the Rattleton his sympathies with Greg and the child. ““Sit down!’’ window!’’ nervously chattered, Carker commanded. ‘‘Sit down, you fool! If you try any tricks on me I’ll have you arrested, and if I hear of you striking this child again, I’ll have her taken away from you by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.’’ **J’ll smash your head in!’’ Skaggs hissed ; but Carker’s words seemed to cow him, and instead of hurling the stool at Carker’s head he sat down on it. Carker drew the child to him, and put an arm protectingly round her. She was ragged and ill cared-for, but her face was bright and winning. If she was Skagg’s child, she got her handsome face from the mother, for Skageg’s visage was of a low type. ‘*How does it come that you’re in this rope-walking Business?’’ Carker asked. ‘*Was alwayst in it!’’ ‘*Not when I knew you.”’ ‘*Jist dropped out of it for a little while, ’cause I could git bigger pay—out o’ you!”’ said the brutal fellow, with a sneer. ‘‘ When I couldn’t work you any longer, I went to rope-walkin’ ag’in. I knowed you’d sym- pathize with an honest workin’ man, but See ?”’ ‘‘T see that I’ve been a big fool. I fol- lowed you here to have a talk with you.”’ ‘‘Oh, I won’t give ye away !’’ sneered Skaggs, with a leer which showed that the liquor was beginning to take effect. The bored look deepened on Carker’s face. ‘This is eavesdropping! I must get out of here!’’ Rattleton was again thinking. ‘‘I thought Greg might need help!”’ s ‘Oh, we were a fine couple of partners in ‘the good old days, an’ don’t ye forget it!’’ said Skaggs, beginning to take off his wood- en leg. ‘‘I done the work, and you furnished the money! I’d like to hook onto another partner like you!”’ ‘“You’re a miserable scoundrel!’’ said Carker, with the utmost composure. The wooden leg came off and Skaggs flourished it. ‘*Do you know what’s in that?’’ he asked, significantly. ‘‘See that?’’ and he held up ce he egg-shaped glass. ‘‘D’ye know what’s ‘‘It looks as if it might contain as much brains as your head!’’ ‘“That’s dynamite!’’ Harry was drawing back from the win- dow, but those words froze him. The rope walker glanced toward the win- dow and saw the starimg eyes and white face. He had seemed on the point of hurling the -glass at Carker; but now Harry saw him thrust it again into the cavity in the leg, and swinging the leg as if it were a club, hop across the room. Rattleton beat a quick retreat toward the street; but, as he turmed the corner of the house, he stumbled and pitched downward in the darkness. He stilled the cry that rose for utterance, as he felt himself falling into a cellar-like opening. , A door flew open and the rope walker hopped into the circle of light that shot out into the gloom. ‘‘Where did that spy go?’’ he growled; ~ and Harry almost held his breath. Carker did not come out of the house, and Rattieton could hear him talking to the child as if to reassure and quiet her. ‘*T believe he’s hid in this cellar,’’ the rope walker muttered, as he swayed on one “If he: is, and I can lay hands on him, I’ll smash him!’’ foot and swung the wooden leg. Rattleton began to tremble. Though him- self invisible, he could look up and see the a 12 TIP threatening form and the terrible swinging leg. What if Skaggs should see him and hurl that dynamite leg at him? ‘“He’s would strike with that thing as quick as wink. ) drunk,’’ he thought, ‘‘and he I’d give a million dollars if I was out of here! This is what a fellow gets for prying into other pegple’s business! Why did I stay there?’’ Skaggs hopped back into the house for a light. Harry rose up to make a dash for safety, but the rape walker returned so quickly that he was not given time. was horribly, and Skaggs now swearing o<¢ 7 o seeing that he contemplated a search of the cellar, Rattleton softly rétreated and dropped down behind a box. All his courage was driven away by the thought of what that leg contained. Skaggs hopped down into the cellar and peered about. He put the oil lamp on a box and began a search, still swinging the leg and swearing in a way to turn Rattleton’s blood cold. Finally he came to the box and poked behind it in the gloom with the point of the leg. \ Though Rattleton tried to re- main firm, his flesh crawled and shrank from the prodding as from the fangs of a snake. Suddenly the rope walker leaned lurching- ly over the box and began a search with The cold Rattleton, and he was his hands. sweat started out on almost on the point of uttering a shriek and- making a flying leap for the door, even though in imagina- tion he saw the leg whizzing after him and felt the bomb rending him to pteces. Skaggs took hold of his coat. He gave it a jerk, and seenied abont to hop over the box. The scared youth felt that he could stand it no longer, and he thought he heard the swish of the leg as it hissed through the-air to brain him. ‘*Jist an. old rag!’’ Skaggs muttered. ‘*Ves, I recollect. Throwed in here yester- TOP WEEKLY. He Wonder day. I thought ’twas the feller’s coat! must have skipped down the alley. what he was peekin’ through the winder fer? If he comes snooping round ag’in, Ill knife him !”’ The hand was withdrawn and: Rattleton sank down almost in a swoon. He was so weak from the reaction that he felt he could hopping toward to look not rise, and heard Skaggs the door without venturing in that direction. Then Skaggs climbed out of the cellar. ‘‘Whee-giz! that was awful!’’ Harry weak- ly whispered, as he crept from behind the box. ‘‘I believe my hair has turned white. }>? I guess I’d better dust out of this CHAPTER V. MERRIWELL’S MYSTERIOUS INFLUENCE, As Harry Rattleton was creeping cautious- ly out of the cellar, footsteps caused him to draw back, and a young woman passed him with springy steps. The door of the house was still open, and Harry saw her plainly in the light. She wasa remarkably handsome girl, and not badly dressed. Skaggs was swearing and fuming, and seemed to be again threatening Carker. Then a blow was heard, and the child screamed in pain. As that scream sounded, the young wom- an sprang through the doorway. ‘Strike Dot again, Rod Skaggs, and I’ll have you arrested, if you are my father!” Harry heard her say. Then he heard Carker’s voice, and more swearing from Skaggs. ‘«There’s going to be an awful row here!”’ ‘‘I wish Merry were here. Wonder where he went to? Perhaps I can help Greg, if he needs help! Of had I better hurry for Merry ?’’ he thought. He sprang out of the cellar, reasonably certain he would not be heard. Then there . Ee | s ‘3 TIP TOP WEEKLY. 13 was another blow and another scream and sounds indicating that Greg Carker and the girl were fighting the drunken rope walker. “‘Scrate Gott! I must help in this!’’ In spite of his fear of the contents of .the wooden leg, Rattleton turned toward the door and would have entered the room, for he was faithful to the last where he fancied duty called. But as he turned he heard foot- steps, and looking round, beheld Merriwell. “Cad you’ve glum—glad you’ve come!’’ he cried. ‘‘Greg’s in there, in an awful fight, I guess!’’ Merriwell did not stop for explanations. The cries of the child and the sounds of a struggle in which it seemed that some one needed assistance drew him like a magnet. He went through the doorway on the bound; and as he entered the light he saw Greg Carker standing in front of the rope walker with the child behind him for protection, and Skaggs courageously faced by the girl. ‘‘Out of my way!’’ Skaggs yelled to the girl. ‘‘T won’t! And if you dare to lay a finger on Dot again I’ll finish you!’’ The rope walker gave a howl of rage and sprang toward the girl with a hop, like some great baboon. His hands were outstretched to take the girl by the throat, but Merriwell caught him by the shoulder and hurled him violently against the wall. The drunken ruffian gathered himself as if to hop toward Merry, and picking up the wooden leg swung it round his head. ‘*PHt dynamite the whole of ye!’’ he yelled. ‘‘I’ll blow ye into ribbons!’ **Stand back, there!’’ Frank commanded. The rope walker’s hand dropped and he stared. Then he gathered himself again and the hand holding the leg went up. **7’ll smash ye!’’ he screamed. i ‘“You will do nothing of the kind. Put down that leg!’’ Frank looked him squarely in the eyes. The ruffian shivered. ‘‘Who are you?’’ he demanded, as the hand again came down. ‘““That doesn’t matter. Now take that chair !’’ The tones were even and steady, for all that the words were so imperative. **T’ll do nothing of the kind!’’ the villain howled, struggling as if to break from some strange spell. ‘*Sit down on that chair!’’ ‘Why ?”’ ‘Because I say so.’’ Carker and the girl and the child, as well as Rattleton, were staring as if they could not believe their eyes. **Sit down on that chair!’’ Merry again quietly commanded. ‘“You say so—you! Who are you?”’ ‘“Sit down on that chair!” ‘“And if I don’t ?”’ ‘But you will! Sit down, I say!’ The rope walker dropped into the chair. “Now give me that thing!’’ Skaggs drew back his hand as if to put the leg behind him. 7 ‘*Give me that leg!’’ Frank had never taken his eyes from the ruffian’s face. The rope walker had a feel- ing that those eyes were searching his very soul. Some mysterious power impelled him to do what he was told. He fought against the feeling. He tried to put the leg behind him and stoutly refuse to surrender it. He wondered vaguely why he did not strike this young man over the head with it. ‘“Give me that wooden leg!’’ The rope walker reached it out to him. ‘*Now, sit there a while!’’ ‘Skaggs stared at him, but sat in the chair as if he were tied there, while Frank turned SE pe 14 hte aoe to Carker, who began to move toward the the child. Rattleton followed door, and the child door with Carker toward the seemed hysterically anxious to get away. The girl looked at Merriwell with an ap- parent fascination almost as great as that with which Skaggs seemed to regard him. ““Let’s get out of this, Merry!’’ Harry chattered. ‘‘He was trying to kill the child, I guess!’’ And Merriwell, giving the girl a ques- tioning glance, also went out of the house without even deigning to give the cowed rope walker another glance. But the ruffian did not stir. ‘“How did you do that?’’ Carker gasped. ‘‘Some people might call it hypnotism,’’ answered Merry, quietly. ‘‘What’s the meaning of all this?’’ Carker flushed. “IT can’t explain just now. But I’m going to put this child in some place where that villain can’t beat and abuse her. _He would kill her in his rage, as soon as he gets out from under that influence. I never saw any- thing like it. He wastrying to kill us all when you came in, and he cowed under your words as if he were a child.’’ CHAPTER VI. SKAGGS TURNS AGAINST MERRIWELL. Herbert Hammerswell had a visitor the next forenoon, and the visitor was Rodney Skaggs. Herbert drew back in fright when he be- held the rope walker entering his room, and heard the thump of the wooden leg on the carpeted floor. ‘*Wh-what do you want now?’’ he asked, almost perceptibly trembling. Skaggs tried to smile, but the effort de- generated into an evil, sinister grin. He was duly sober, though the effects of his re- ‘ WEEKLY. cent potations and violent outburst of tem- per were visible. Hammerswell pushed back his chair as if he would put as much space as possible between himself and that leg and again shivered. ‘‘T came to talk that thing over!’’ said Skages, dropping into a seat without invi- ’ tation. ‘“‘I’m ready for the job.” ‘*You’re drunk again!’’ ‘‘Sober as a judge. ’Pon honor!’’ >? ‘I don’t want to talk to you! ‘*You’re thinkin’ of what I said last night?’ He got up, stumped tothe door and looked into the hall; then closed the door, came back and sat down again. ‘‘T’ve come here for business. If you’re willing to put up the stuff I’ll do Merriwell for you’? This was said with such malignant hate that Hammerswell was almost convinced that the rope walker was in earnest. Still he was afraid. ‘‘ What haschanged you so?’’ he cautious- ly asked, casting fearful glances at the leg. “He has!’’ ** Merriwell ?”’ «CBs took my little girl away from me, just be- He came to my place last night, cause I wanted to correct her as any lovin’ parent does sometimes, and now some society or other is holdin? her and threatenin’ my arrest. I’m ready to go in with you to git even.’’ ‘‘Why don’t you goon yourself, then?’ os ’Cause I wanf your help, and’’—with brutal frankness—‘‘ ’cause I want. your money. ‘I'wo heads are better than one, and four legs are better than three—unless you count in the dynamite leg.’’ F Hammerswell shuddered. “‘Why don’t you take that awful stuff out of it??’ aes ~ A a BH 4 poh ee TIP TOP “I may need it, that’s why. If I git my- self in a hole in doin’ up this friend of yours for instance, I’d blow up myself and the officers before I’d be taken. Understand? The stuff in that leg is my best friend. It can protect me when nothin’ else can—by ” takin’ me off the planet. ‘¢What do you think you can do?’’ ‘*]’d like to pitch the scoundrel into the Whirlpool.”’ Hammerswell had grown cautiaus. a? That’s too risky,’’ he said, ‘‘though I wouldn’t care what you did if there was no risk. But what I’m more anxious for is to have something done that will forever ruin Merriwell as an athlete and ball player. I don’t care what itis. If you could tear his arm off with that bomb, or maim him in some way by an explosion and make the ex- plosion seem an accident, that would be just the stuff!’’ His eyes shone with an evil light. He be- gan to feel that he could use this tool after all, and the thought made him forget the indignities of the previous evening. He was glad that Delancy was not there to hear the words of the rope walker, for Delancy had begun to be squeamish in what Herbert ‘ thought a ‘‘cowardly’’ way, and to protest that since Merriwell had rescued his sister from the abductors in the Adirondacks he really ought not to try to do him harm. But Hammerswell was never troubled with scru- ples. If Merriwell should chance to save his life he would strike at him the next-minute, with no more heart or conscience than a rattlesnake. And he would be meaner in de- livering his blow than a rattlesnake, for the rattler always sounds its warning. ‘*You don’t want me to throw him into the Whirlpool, then?’’ the asked, in a dissatisfied tone. rope walker ‘‘He’ll be down there to see it before the goes away. They all go!” WEEKLY. Free Rema amare acca Reet 15 ‘“‘TIf you want to throw him in on your own responsibility, I oughtn’t care, I sup- pose. That wouldn’t be my affair, you know!’ Skag2zs knowingly winked. ‘‘And I could have my little wad, jist the same as if I had gone according to instruc- tions.’’ ‘‘Tf you stand by me you’ll never regret it!’’ Hammerswell significantly promised. ‘*But really, it seems to me it would be a greater revenge to maim the scamp in some way. It’s the glory of his life to take part in It would kill him, if anything should happen to make that im- athletics and sports. possible. That would be a revenge worth while!”’ Skaggs looked admiringly at the young villain, though he inwardly scorned him in a certain way because he did not personally seek to accomplish his own revenges. ‘*All right’’ he promised, rising to go. ‘‘Sanie sum mentioned before. I'll do your work for you. I've got something to make me do it now, myself; but I want your money—to help me out, if I should get into a hole. I’ll do your work, young feéller. Don’t you never weep. ’’ CHAPTER VII. TALKING IT OVER. That evening Bruce Browning came into Frank’s room at the hotel where a number of his friends were gathered. He was dressed like Strong Arm, the big Oneida spoken of by Skaggs, who sold bead work and trinkets to visitors at the falls. ‘‘Kh? What’s up now?’’ Merry asked. “The living, breathing image of an organ- grinder’s monkey !’’ chirped Stubbs, quoting from Kipling’s ‘‘Barrack Room Ballads,’’ which he had been reading that day. ‘* Masked said Bruce. ball on the Canadian side,’’ ‘‘}’ve an invitation, and: I’m 177 going ee er, ag ear ects eg he See ee Pe we io ope po aoe Stare ze eee oe nt A ie Apmisneadhi. OPN i SE PLL LON LE TAIL EEO rp taneca ety SP it ys 0 anne 16 EL Or ‘‘Who gug-gave you the invi-vitation?’’ asked Gamp. ‘‘I’d lul-like one, mum-mum- myself !”’ ‘*So long!’’ said Bruce. ‘‘I can’t stay with you. Just dropped in to tell you, so that if you found me missing you wouldn’t go to searching the river for my remains.’’ ‘“The very picture Arm!’’ laughed Merriwell. ‘‘Even to the hue of his of Strong face! I wonder where he got that rig?’ ‘And that paint?’’ queried Bink. ‘“‘I’d like some of it.’ ‘“What for?’ -- ‘“To paint the town red—after we do up 1»? the Niagara Rapids ‘*T know what girl he is going to take,’’ said Danny, looking wise. ‘‘It’s Nell Skaggs.”’ ““What?’’ ‘Well, you’d ought to have seen her this afternoon! She was simply stunning. Hand- somest girl I’ve seen in a month. It wasn’t her dress, but simply her looks. And Brown- ing is stuck on her. I could see that when ?) we were at the house this morning. Merriwell and others had gone that morn- ing to the home of Rodney Skaggs, though they did not find him in. But they had found Nell Skaggs there. She was uncommonly attractive in appearance, and talked intelli- gently, and more than one had noticed that Browning seemed ‘‘struck.’’ ‘Well, if Bruce has taken a fancy to her, it won’t last. He’s a pretty sensible fellow.’’ ‘No fellow is sensible when it comes toa love affair!’’ Danny.wisely chirped. “Thinking of your experience with Stella Stanley ?’’ Bink queried. ‘*Her face and general appearance show that Nell Skaggs is a good girl,’’ Merry commented. ‘‘She is kind-hearted, too; but she is the daughter of a villain, and sucha girl is not for Browning. He knows it, but I suppose he wants to have some fun,”’ W EEKLY, Frank laughed and put up his hand to push back his hair, and the wrist was seen to be bandaged and soaked-in liniment. That brought talk of the last ball game in the Adirondacks, and of the contests with the Niagara Rapids to be held the next day. Metriwell’s wrist was rapidly improving, but he was in no condition to pitch baseball. However, the condition of his wrist would not interfere with his running, nor with most of the contests in the big field-sports battle. ‘fT wish you’d tell us about Carker!’’ ‘“Do that thing looks awfully black and mysterious? I don’t like it.” There were others who felt the same, and grumbled Hodge. you know, that Carker owed an explanation to these friends, which he had refused to give. He was out in town now, possibly again confer- ring with the rope walker. ”) ‘‘T wish I knew,’’ said Frank. ‘*Don’t you know anything ?’’ “Not a thing!’’ ‘“Why don’t you ask him?’’ ‘“‘I gave him an opportunity to explain, but he pretended not to see it. I couldn’t We must admit that he did the She is in good ask him. right thing by the child. hands for the present, and Skaggs can’t beat her, at least. Greg is to put her permanently into the hands of some benovolent institu- tion, I understand.’’ ‘‘And she is a sister of Nell?’’ asked Rat- tleton. ‘This whole thing mixes me worse than the said Ready. ‘‘When my intelligent instructors attempt higher mathematics,’’ to lead me gently along the flowery fields of figures, the paths nearly always get tangled. © This problem is as bad as the elusive ‘x,’ and I’ve thought it over until I can feel my head swelling.’’ ‘Your head is always in that condition,’’ Danny amiably chirped. Re geternpemerene ge YS ty ee nth e we th MOE Ne LR PN ae IS OR oe RE ne ae aa TIP TOP WEEKLY. zs ‘*Well, we don’t want ;anybody on this Athletic Team who isn’t willing to make an effort to explain so strange a thing as that!’’ Bart positively declared. ‘‘I was taking a liking to Carker, but this looks queer.”’ ‘‘ Where is Swiftwing?’’ asked Danny. “I saw him with Strong Arm awhile ago,’’ said Rattleton. ‘“‘And he’s going to race that other In- dian—not Strong Arm, but the smaller one, to-morrow ?’’ asked Bink. “‘Ves,’’ Frank answered, ‘‘I understand Ni- He is a wonderful runner, that the Oneida has been added to the agara Rapids. I’ve heard; and they say that, as we have ten men, they want ten.’’ ‘‘Just an excuse to put that fellow on!’’ said Hodge. ‘*T think so myself,’’ Frank admitted. ‘¢But we couldn’t object.”’ ‘‘But Carker!’’ said Gamp, coming. back ‘“Tf that fuf-fel- low don’t explain sus-sus-some things pretty to the mysterious subject. sus-soon, I'll go cuc-cuc-crazy!’’ ‘““There is one thing!’’ Bart declared, looking earnestly at Merriwell. ‘“‘I saw Hammerswell talking with Skaggs right on that piazza to-day. Carker says he saw them together last night. Both are villains, and when two villains come together some dirt is sure to be played. I never knew it to fail. I have a feeling that something is being planned*against you, Frank!’’ ‘*T’d give a good deal to know what it is, then ?’’ said Rattleton. ‘‘[’m sure it’s something!’’ Hodge per- sisted. ‘‘And I want Merry to look out. I shall try to keep my eyes open every minute until after those contests.’’ ‘“fyes open all the time? If. you don’t sleep, you’ll not be able to run as fast asa tortoise to-morrow!’’ declared Bink, feeling that he had said something humorous. ‘“That’s one thing I should have cau- ée¢ He ought to be back early and get his regular tioned Bruce about,’’ said Frank. sleep, to do his best work. We must all get to bed early. I have promised myself that we will handsomely defeat the Rapids to- morrow.’’ “Of course we will!’’ Danny declared, thumping his chest. ‘We're all right, if nothing happens to Merry,’’ Hodge admitted, with a feeling of uneasiness. ‘‘Somehow, I feel that some- thing is going to happen.’’ ee always happen. course,’’ squeaked Bink. ‘‘ Things This would be a funny world if things should stop happening!’’ ‘“Well, it won’t be funny when it does sure of happen!’’ Bart grumbled. ‘‘I am that.’’ ‘“Brace up!’’ Frank commanded. ‘‘ You’ll not be ready for your part to-morrow, if you let yourself get blue. We are all right, and I’m sure I do not worry about Hammers- We must think only of doing up the Rapids. well nor this mysterious rope walker. Now, I’m going to bed, and you fellows must clear out!’’ CHAPTER VIII. FRANK’S DEADLY PERIL. ‘“The camera fiends ought to be here!’’ said Frank, the next day, as he stood with Browning and Hodge and looked out on the plunging green waters of the great Horse- They were on the’ rocks close up to the falls, with shoe Falis, from the Canada _ shore. a precipitous descent below.. The roar of the great falls was thunderous, and the rising mist of spray curled a ribbon of rain- bow over the rocks and waters near by. Browning stood with his arms folded placidly across his broad chest. “Yet really, it is not so sublime as I had expect- ‘*Tt’s wonderful!’’- he admitted. ef orem sca ar inant ata iin can srcendici Atlan EE DS reticle nant ? ‘‘Safe! safe!’’ cried Bart, and there was a choking sob in his voice. ‘Ves, safe!’ said Browning, and he put a trembling hand across his moist eyes! ‘Could that have been Skaggs who went into the river?’’ Hodge asked a moment later. ‘‘Impossible!’’ Bruce answered. ‘‘The fellow had two good legs!’ CHAPTER IX. TRACK ATHLETICS. The mystery concerning the man who had gone to his death in the Niagara was still unsolved when the hour approached for the the Yale Athletic Team and the Niagara Rapids. contests between The authorities had been notified of the occurrence, and Merriwell and others had visited Skaggs’ temporary home in the Falls city. The visit had only deepened the mystery. Skaggs was not there,’ neither was Nell, nor could they be found. If Skages-had gone into the river, what had become of Nell? Hodge was anxious, as the Yale team came upon the field. He saw that Frank had not recovered from the effects. of that awful fall, and Browning was complaining of a - weak shoulder resulting from the wrenching and strain of his herculean exertions. ba i ee tl ee Fa Na i a eS aed oS oe “Can’t the thing be put over until to- “* Neither We're morrow, Merry?’’ Bart asked. you nor Browning are in condition. going to be beaten.’’ **I don’t think we will be beaten, and I It would be taken as a We Rapids for all of their name and boasting. sha’n’t ask for time. confession of weakness. san beat the We can beat them this afternoon, and we’re going to do it!’’ An immense crowd had gathered on the field, drawn there to a considerable extent by the fame of Merriwell and by the fact that the local team was immensely popular and supposed to be almost invincible. Sev- eral Yale men who chanced to be visiting the Falls came out with Merriwell’s crowd, and were wildly enthusiastic for the Yale champions. ‘*It wouldn't do to disappoint this crowd,’’ said Frank. ‘‘ Where are Carker and Rattle- ton?’ “They didn’t hotel,’’ said Bink. start with us from the This seemed strange; but it seemed even stranger when the hour for the beginning of the contests came and the two were still away. ‘“Oh, we’re just as good!’’ declared Bink, cocking his cap on the back of his head and trying to look fiercely significant. ‘‘ Danny and I are their substitutes, and we can fill their shoes, you bet!’’ “It’s no use to go into the thing, if Rat- tles and Carker don’t get here!?? Hodge fumed. ‘‘I don’t understand it.’’ ‘* Neither do I,’’ Frank admitted. we’ll have to go on without them.’’ ‘*But The sprinting races were to come first, beginning with the hundred yards dash. The contestants had been running and leaping and working off some of their sur- plus enthusiasm in warming up, and came up tothe mark in excellent condition for TOP cA ty Aho WEEKLY. 2] the dash. competing with the Danny and Bink™were in this, little fellows of the Rapids team; and they lost! ‘‘Oh, we’ll do better, when we’re running ““We don’t especially care to cover ourselves with for somebody else, ’’ Danny chirped. glory; but when it comes to maintaining the honor of friends, you’l] find us there.’’ ‘*You’ll be there—away bub-bub-behind, as you was “Shut up!’ groaned Gamp. this tut-time!’’ The small boys were not giving much at- tention to the little jokers, to the annoyance of both Bink and Danny. ‘“We’ll have to start an athletic team of our own!’’ said Bink, somewhat enviously. “*We’ll call bination !’’ it the Stubbs-Griswold com- at the head ?’’ said Danny. ‘‘ Well, I don’t think!’’ “I guess not! Put your name ‘‘Shut up!’’? commanded Gamp. ‘‘If you dud-don’t both shut up, P11 throw you into the ruh-river!”’ As the river was some distance away, this the things that Danny and Bink often boasted seemed as much of a feat as some of of doing. ““Why don’t Carker and Rattles get here?’’ grumbled Hodge. ‘‘Something must have happened to them,’’ said Merriwell. that. good cause.’’ “‘I begin to think They wouldn’t remain away without ‘*Are you going to send some one to look them up?’’ And I It’s said they weren’t at the hotel when we left.”’ ‘Not yet. really don’t know where to send. Perhaps they’ll come. Danny and Bink were entered in the next race, which was a 220-yards dash, as the substitutes of Carker and Rattleton; and in spite of their boasting, they were defeated in this. } ‘‘We’re in the soup!’’ squealed Bink. 22 ie POP ‘*Tf we couldn’t win, there isn’t any use in any of the rest of you trying!’’ Jack Ready came up chirping, to race against Fred Beverly in the 440-yards dash. ‘*Seund for the brass band!’’. said Ready. ‘*What fuf-for?’’ demanded Gamp. ‘‘Why, when I pull away from our friend Beverly and stretch my legs for home, I want to hear the delightful!strains of ‘See What’s the use of running if there are to be no bay the Conquering Hero Comes!’ leaves and laurel and all that at the end of the track? Send tor the band.’’ Ready was really a fine runner, and Mer- riwell was putting a good deal of faith in his performance. The starter stepped into position behind them with ready pistol; the crowd yelled. This was followed by the starter’s pistol shot; and away they went. Ready came down the cinder path with legs flying, but Beverly was the speedier runner, and he beat Ready out by at least ten feet. ‘*Now if vou had the bub-bub-band!’’ Dead March!’’ cliirped Ready. ‘‘I was defeated simply be- ‘‘VYd have it play the cause I was beaten.’’ ‘*By gum! I guess that’s right!’’ Then the lank New Hampshire youth mut- tered under his breath: ‘“And it lul-looks tarnation like we’re going to bub-be beat all out this afternoon !”’ ‘*Why don’t Carker and Rattles come?’’ Hodge groaned. | the hurdles. We’ll be defeated sure!’’ But if Merriwell was uneasy he did not show it. ‘‘T’d give something handsome myself to know where they are,’’ he replied to Hodge. ‘‘Go out there and send that cabman to the hotel to see if they’ve got in yet.’’ Bart darted away to obey the order. This was making an effort at least, and he was so ‘‘Carker is a good man at WEEKLY. anxious and uneasy that it did him good to give the cabman hurry orders. ‘‘Wearen’t beaten ~yet!’’ Frank said to Hodge, as the latter returned. ‘‘I’d like to know what has happened to Rattleton and Carker, but we’re uot defeated yet. Don't get into a stew!”’ CHAPTER X. STILL ABSENT. The local team was feeling jubilant. Why, They had won from the Merriwells everything so far, this Yale team was dead easy! and it looked as if they would make a clean sweep. They began to talk loud, while their friends were roaring for them, and the few Yale men and other adherents of the Yale But Frank re- insisted to his boys were feeling gloomy. tained his serenity, and friends that nothing alarming had yet oc- curred. “Tf Rattleton and Carker get here, we’re all right!’ ‘‘And if they don’t get here?’ queried Bruce, whose shoulder was weak and pain- ful. ‘*We’ll try to do the fellows up, anyway. I think we can!’’ Alas! things up and offer to bet unlimited sums, Rattleton was not there to whoop whether he had them or not, that the Yale team would win simply because Merriwell said so, and Merriwell always knew. Truly, what had become of the faithful fellow and their new and recently mysterious friend, Greg Carker? Swiftwing was saying nothing. No one could tell. Whether he was uneasy or not could not be deter- He was again He had re- turned to the team, with his good name mined by his appearance. Sphinx-like in his demeanor. clear, and the other members who had sus- pected him had tried to show that they ap- preciated the fact that he was all right, and aes t= > iil ey Pel Fie ARE ti aie Fb ere TIP was to remain with them as an honored member; all of which he had taken in a mysteriously Indian way that: made it diff- cult to say just what his real feelings were. As for Lucy Livingston, he had not men- tioned her name since leaving the Adiron- dacks, Joe Gamp came up to compete with Aller- ton Stoddard, who was thought to be the fastest and best runner in the Niagara Rap- ids, though perhaps not the equal of Red Arrow, the Oneida, who had been added to the team to offset Swiftwing and make ten men. Red Arrow was said to be as fleet as the wind. *“You can play the ‘Dead March’ for Gamp when he starts out, and ‘See the Conquer- ing Hero Comes!’ as he nears the line,’’ said Hodge, who felt better when Gamp’s time came, for he knew that Gamp was a runner. ‘‘It takes the fellow half the stretch to get his long legs in good working order.’’ Gamp ‘was ‘‘haw-hawing,’’ while the crowd yelled and guyed. ‘‘Why, you never saw me run?’’ he bel- lowed. ‘‘I’m the dud-dud-dish-washer that ran away with the spoon!’’ ‘‘And you’re the cow that jumped over the moon !’’ some one shouted back. Gamp turned slowly round and stared in the direction of the speaker. ‘“‘Nun-nun-no! But I’m the little dog that’l] lul-laugh when I see you fuf-fellows dud-done up,as you’re goin’ to be! Come on with your fuf-flyers. I’m ruh-ruh-ready ” . “No, that’s my name!’’ Jack chirped as Gamp’s tongue stuck and buzzed over the word. , ‘Tm ruh-ready for ’em,’’ said Gamp. ‘Bring ’em on!”’ Stoddard looked the born runner, every inch of him. He was spare, but not a weakling, for his muscle movement showed TOP WEPRKLY. that what there was of him was/ muscle and not inert tissue, and his step was light and elastic. ‘“‘Gamp won’t have a show against Aller- ton,’’ was the word that went round. ‘‘ The Merriwells are bound to lose again!’’ Hodge heard it, and set his teeth, while a dark look caine to his face. Merriwell heard it, and seemed not to hear. Gamp and Stoddard were in position for the 880-yard run. For an instant they Then the pistol cracked and they were away like a flash. The sympathizers and friends of the local strained like hounds in the leash. team began to howl, for it was seen that right at the start Allerton was ahead. He kept ahead and seemed to gain. He was in- deed a fine runner, and he came along in an easy, confident way. Suddenly a shout came from the grim lips of Bart Hodge. Gamp had spurted and was drawing up alongside of his opponent. ‘«That’s Gamp!’’ Hodge cried, while his “You are all right, old man, and I knew you face brightened and his eyes flashed. were !’’ The fellow is waking up!’? a bystander exclaimed, rous- ‘‘See them long legs fly! ing to the fact that the awkward racer was actually gaining on the fleet Stoddard. ‘*Go it!’’ yelled Danny. ‘‘Break your back, you snail!’’ howled Bink. om ‘‘He’s passing him!’’ screeched Ready, for once forgetting his bantering air. ‘‘Come along, you dear old lout! Come along!’ And Gamp came along. His feet moved faster and faster. He forged by Stoddard. Then he’ began to leave him behind. And he crossed the line a handsome winner. A great roar went up from the Yale men and their friends, who had not before been 2+ ae oe given a chance to exert themselves in this line, and this roar was joined in by the mob of boys who had gathered and were nearly all Merriwell enthusiasts. Merriwell looked round and saw the chag- rined face of Herbert Hammerswell. ‘‘So you’re here, are you?’’ Frank mut- tered, grimly. ‘‘I was beginning to think that it might have been you who went into Niagara in an attempt to push mein. But it’s said that the devil takes care of his own!’’ The more he thought about it, the more Merriwell was inclined to believe that a murderous attempt had been made against his life. He might have thought the man Rodney Skaggs, but Bruce and Bart agreed that the man who fell into the river had two legs. ‘‘Oh, the Merriwell crowd* can’t win!’’ Herbert began to declare to all who would listen to his talk. ‘‘I know the fellers, and they are simply bluffers.’’ ‘‘But how about their victories up in the Adirondacks ?’’ a man inquired. ‘“‘And what about Merriwell?’’ a boy howled. ‘‘Go soak yer head! You've got {>» bugs ‘‘Merriwell is nothing but a braggart! Just a bag of wind!’’ ‘‘Tf I was-a little bigger Pd belt ye in ther jaw fer that!’’ another boy threatened. ‘*You’re just a big stiff. Go off somewhere and die!’’ Hammerswell glowered at the boys ina threatening manner, and Delancy Living- ston put up his eyeglass as if he desired to inspect some new kind of insect that threat- ened to sting him. ‘‘Aw!. Just a lot of poor boys! Children of working people, no doubt! I wouldn’t pay any attention to them, Hammy, dear, don’t you know!”’ , : : ‘‘Hammy, dear, don-cher-know!’’ howled: WEEKLY. c¢ the boys. zit onto the curves of the dudes! Hammy, dear, don-cher-know that you’rea fool ?’’ ‘*Do yer turn up yer trousers w’en it rains in Lunnon?’’ another boy cuttingly asked. ‘“Ther Prince 0’ Wales is inquirin’ fer you be cable!’’ ‘‘Wants to put ‘im in the Zoo!’’ Hammerswell and Delancy beat a retreat, but the boys followed and continued to guy them until the announcement of the next race was made. One thing was noticeable. Hammerswell did not venture to utter his sneers in the presence of Bart Hodge or any of Merri- well’s men. Hodge would fight at a word, and Hammerswell knew it and feared him. Hodge was not giving any attention to Hammerswell and Delancy. He was think- ing of Rattleton and Carker, and groaning becat'se they were away. ‘(What has become of Rattles and Cark- er?’’ he asked for the hundreth time. The cab- man had come back with the report that And no one could answer him. they had not returned to the hotel. CHAPTER XI. A STUNNING CHARGE. ‘‘One-mile run. John Swiftwing against Red Arrow!”’ This was the next announcement, and it was greeted with cheers. Swiftwing was as splendid a specimen of physical Indian de- velopment as was ever seen. He was simply a red Apollo, with the eye and ear of a deer, and the feet of a Mercury. Red Arrow, the civilized Oneida who was to run against him, was somewhat taller and more slender and gave every evidence of wonderful abil- ity as arunner. It was claimed for him that he was the best mile runner in the State of New York. He looked confident as he stepped. into a a: i ] & fa a il J Ber 5 - a“ ; se ie a vit {iat Webco aa OFT, position for the start. And the chances did seem in his favor; for, while Swiftwing was the more magnificently developed, an un- biased judge would have selected Red Ar- row as the better runner. ‘““Gamp has turned the tide in our favor,’’ said Bruce. ‘‘I feel that Swiftwing will beat him.’’ “*Tf I could recollect the name of the deity that used to preside over the runners in the haleyon days of the god-like Greeks,’’ Ready was chirping, ‘‘I would send him a But my memory gets treacherous as I grow toward prayer for Swiftwing’s success. the age of the sere and yellow. Anyway, Swiftwing, we want you to bring in the laurel!’’ ‘‘Bub-bub bub-beat him, John!’’ Gamp. yelled ‘“We’re betting our little pile on you!”’ Danny and Bink were squealing. ‘*Swiftwing will give a good account of >? himself !’’ said Merriwell. Bang! The pistol cracked, and the runners leaped away, while the crowd began to cheer. Both were running easily and apparently not very rapidly. A hundred men were hold- ing watches on them, in addition to the offi- cial timekeepers. The track was nearly cir- cular and half a mile long. At the quar- ter, Swiftwing sprang into the lead, which’ he continued to hold until the half mile had been passed, going by the yelling crowd with an easy swing that seemed to indicate no exertion, with Red Arrow coming along But the watches told a different story. That peculiar behind him in the same way. ~ Indian lope was wonderfully deceptive. The runners were getting’ over the ground in fast time. Red Arrow spurted in the beginning of the second half, and passed Swiftwing. Then the ctowd woke up ard began to howl. s arate soln gre an ny, Me NN een greg - mero apa WEEKLY. 25 Swiftwing was seen struggling to get into 1 his old position, but Red Arrow, having the inner side, held it. And thus they turned the third quarter and came down on the homestretch. Both were running faster than at first. «¢ xet a move on you!’’ Danny screeched. Merriwell funneled his hands and called: ‘“Swiftwing!”’ The word seemed to have an arousing effect. The Pueblo’s speed instantly in- He passed the Oneida, who was going like the creased. He pulled up inch by inch. wind, and continued to gain. The boys were now whooping and howl- ing. No one seemed to be silent except the men who were studying the watches. ‘‘Cuc-cuc-come home!’’ screamed Gamp, flapping his arms up and down like the wings of a rooster, ‘‘Cuc-cuc-come home! That’s the stuff! bub-beat you. He cuc-cuc-can’t bub-bub- Cuce-uc-cuc-come home!’’ He danced up and down in his excite- > ment; then his ‘‘haw-haw’’ rent the air. For Swiftwing was ‘‘coming home,”’’ and He had looked finer when he stood on that high & he was coming like the wind. not bluff in the Adirondacks nor when he made With back and chest. pushed out; with his arms his magnificent dive. head thrown drawn up and his feet moving like piston rods and seemingly as tireless, he came down the homestretch in such a magnificent burst of speed that the whole crowd rose up and greeted him with cheers. Three races had been lost and two won— won handsomely. ‘Oh, we’re all right!’’ Bink chattered. ‘‘T'm feeling better, thank you!’’ said Bruce, taking out his pipe for a smoke. ‘‘But why doesn’t Carker and Rattles come?’’ queried Hodge. ‘‘Carker is in the hurdles and he ought to be here! And so is Rattleton 2 26 TLe believed he would surely win this time. But Merriwell did not knock down a hurdle, while Red Arrow bowled over two; and Mer- riwell won out in twenty-six and one-fifth seconds, amid a furore of wild cheering. Then there were other events as interest- ing, if not so exciting: Broad jumping and high jumping, pole vaulting and other things. ‘‘A tie! a tie!’’ was yelled as these ended. ‘*A tie, and only three more events.’’ Then Frank put his team ahead by win- ning the discus throw. But Hodge looked troubled. The two events to come were putting the shot and throwing the hammer, in both of which Bruce Browning was to contest against Hor- ace Bridgman, the giant of the Niagara Rapids. *‘T shouldn’t beafraid if Bruce’s shoulder were all right! But I can see that it’s been hurting him all the afternoon, though he has kept pretty still about it. Fe a nt WEEKLY. ‘* How is the shoulder, Bruce?’’ he asked, approaching Browning, as the latter was getting in readiness in the dressing tent. ‘Bad!’ confessed the Yale giant. ‘‘I never had it feel so weak.’ But I’ll do my best !’’ There could be no doubt of that. Bruce always did his best, when his best seemed necessary. Bink and Danny looked fearful when Bridgman came out of the dressing tents for the shot-putting event. He seemed so much bigger and stronger than when dressed in ordinary clothing. He possessed immense strength, and they did not wonder that the Rapids were pinning their faith to him and declaring that he could not be beaten in the two final contests, in which he was to meet Bruce. If Frank Merriwell was made uneasy by the appearance of the giant Bridgman and the cheers of his friends, or by the knowl- edge that Bruce’s shoulder was out of condi- tion, there was nothing in his face to reveal it. ‘‘Now we'll see Bruce do him up!’’ cried Bink, prancing round as if he were the hero of the occasion, while he puffed furiously at a cigarette. ‘“He’ll never beat Bridgman!’’ a Rapids 1»? man declared. ‘‘You haven't a man that can beat Bridgman. We have got yow fellows, now !”’ ‘“Not Merry ?’’ squealed Bink. ‘‘Do you mean to say that Merry can’t beat him ?’’ The speaker gave Merriwell a scornful glance. Frank did not look to be a great shot-putter and hammer-thrower. ‘Yes. Anybody you’ve got. Bridgman is simply immense!’’ 3 There was silence and almost breathless interest as Bridgman took the shot and pre- pared to throw. Jt was hurled through the air with mighty force. ‘Thirty-nine feet, five inches!’’ said the measurers. ' _““Wee-e-e!’’ Danny squealed. ‘‘ We've got you!’’ : He began to feel safe, for Bruce’s shot-put- ting record was over forty-one feet, and his hammer-throwing record was away up. Then Browning hurled the shot through Re ny 3 4 if a be - ee” TIP the air. Instantly it was seen that he had lost. The announcement of the distance, ‘‘thir- ty-five feet, six inches,’’ was drowned in the cheers of the confident Niagaras. And in the following trials he was easily defeat- ed, to the dismay of his friends. The hamimer-throw was to come next and last. Bruce went over to Merriwell. *‘I can’t do it, Merry!’’ he said. ‘‘If they will let you, I want you to take my place.’’ But to this there was an instant protest. ‘“There was to be no substitutes in this!’’ shouted the captain of the Niagaras. ‘*Then you will win by a forfeit,’’ said Frank. ‘‘Bruce’s shoulder is wrenched and he can’t throw!’’ ‘*Oh, I'll try!’ Bruce grunted, as he listened to the clamor of the opposition. Then an officer, who had been standing on the edge of the crowd, pushed forward, laid his hand on Bruce’s shoulder, and said: ‘‘T arrest you for the murder of Rodney 409 Skaggs CHAPTER XII. FRANK MERRIWELL’S THROW. This was followed by a whirlwind of ex- citement. Browning arrested for murder! What did it mean? Skaggs was the wooden-legged rope walker who called himself the ‘‘One- Legged Blondin!’’ How had he been killed? What grudge had Browning against him? These and a hundred other questions, spoken and unspoken, filled the minds and mouths of the seething, curiosity-consumed crowd. ‘This is some of Hammerswell’s work!’’ cried Hodge, looking furiously round. Hammerswell heard him and hastily left the crowd with Delancy making a bee line for his hotel and room. ‘‘What’s the meaning of that?’’ he asked Delancy, as they hurried on. ‘‘ Browning has killed Skaggs?’ ‘‘Aw! that’s too much for me, don’t you know! I thought Skaggs was to do up Mer- riwell!’’ ‘‘So he was! I don’t understand it.’’ TOP WEEKLY. 27 There were others who did not understand it. Bruce Browning did not understand it, for one; nor did Frank Merriwell. ‘*This is a ridiculous charge!’’ Frank as- serted to the officer. ‘‘Not so ridiculous as you think, young man! Skaggs’ body has been found in the river, and Browning was seen quarreling with him last evening! Any way, I’ve my orders and my warrant for the arrest. If you don’t want trouble, ,ou’ll let him come along peaceably with me.’’ He had a feeling that Merriwell’s crowd would try to prevent Bruce’s detention, and glared round threateningly as he said this. ‘There is some big mistake here!’’ Mer- ‘‘But of course we do not He will go with you. But he was just getting ready to throw riwell declared. intend to resist an officer. It is the next and last event. If you will let him do that!”’ ‘‘Not on your life!’’ cried the officer, gripping Bruce's collar. ‘‘He goes with me the hammer, instanter. This is a murder charge, young man! You know what that means?’’ Then what a how! of indignant protest went up from the Niagara Rapids and their friends! “This is just a trick, Merriwell!’’ said the captain. ‘‘You have foreseen all along that you would be defeated, and you have planned this to break into the games, so that the contests could not be concluded, and——’’ ‘‘Stop!’’ Frank commanded. ‘‘If you re- peat that, I shall have to tell you that you‘ lie?" The Niagara captain grew white, but he saw that Merriwell meant it. ‘“What does it mean, then?’’ ‘*You know as much as I. Browning has been arrested for the murder of the rope walker. We know nothing about it, and of course it’s a foolish charge; but I want you distinctly to understand that there is no col- lusion in this matter.”’ ‘*Well, what about the hammer throw?’* ‘Just as you like! Call it off and take the game, if you want to.. I suppose you are entitled to do that, if you press the point. There was no understanding that a substitute might be used; they were used 28 TIP in the other events without your protest. But let it go!’ ‘‘Who will throw the hammer against Bridgman ?’’ **T will!’’ “*Are you really a hammer-thrower ?’’ ‘‘Not my particular line, but I’ve thrown the hammer. We'll try it, if you’re willing!’’ ‘Oh, that’s all Swengle!’’ the Rapids began to call. touch Bridgman. It’s the easiest way to settle it. Let him try. He knows that neither he nor Browning can come near Bridgman. It will shut his mouth tolet him try, that’s all!’’ Hodge could hardly restrain himself from a 1 right, ‘"He can’t leaping at the throats of these men, while the the Athletic Team were equally indignant. , Browning was wondering vaguely how other members of Skaggs came to his death, and how it came to be charged to him. Quarreling with Skaggs? What did it mean? ‘Who saw me quarreling with the rope walker?’’ he asked of the officer, who had stopped to listen to the talk, not knowing but that his services would be required to separate participants in a fight. ‘*You were disguised like Strong Arm, the Indian bead seller. You went across to the Canadian side in that disguise, and you were afterward seen quarreling with Skaggs. To-day his body is found in the river.’’ Again Bruce was bewildered and silent. Could the man have been Rodney Skaggs, who went into Niagara and knocked Frank almost in? No, that man had two legs! ‘‘Let Merriwell throw!’’ the Rapids were roaring. ‘‘Let him ‘try it. Bridgman will just play with him. Hurrah for Bridgman! Hurrah for the Niagara Rapids!’’ ‘All tight," said Swengle, the captain, speaking to Frank. ‘‘If you want to act as Browning’s substitute, you may, without further objections from us.’’ ‘‘And the winner of this throw wins for his team in these contests ?’’ ‘‘Certainly! The teams are now tied.”’ Hodge gave a yell of triumph. ‘The offi- cer, seeing that there was to be no fight, began to push through the crowd with Browning. TOP WEEKLY. Merriwell hurried to Bruce’s side. ‘“Hodge and Ready will go with you, and I’ll be along just as soon as IJ have made the throw. You’re all right, old man. It’s a ridiculous charge. ry ‘‘Tust win that hammer throw for me!’’ said Bruce, with utmost ‘