Tip oP WEEKLY “An ideal publication for the ‘American Youth Issued weekly By Subscription, $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Crass Matier at the N. Y. Post Office by Street & SMITH No. 253. Price, Five Cents. RANK FTERRIWELS ABILITY or LIZ, THE GIRL WRECKER “A BY BURT L . STANDISH ABE’S ARMS WENT UP, FRANK CLOSED ABOUT HIS NECK AND THE RUFFIAN’S HEELS FLEW IN THE AIR FOR THE THIRD TIME. aed A : . — ~ ‘that light we _minded. Rs * sae a TID TOP WEEKLY AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE AMERICAN YOUTH Issued yee Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by StRE=ZT & SMITH, 233 William St. Eintered CONS to Act of Congress,in the year 1901 in the Ofice of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. No. 253. NEW YORK, February 16, 1901. Price Five Cents, FRANK MERRIWELL’S SKILL: OR, LIZ, THE GIRL WRECKER. By BURT L. STANDISH. f e CHAPTER: I. A WARNING THAT CAME TOO LATE, “Ah-a!” exclaimed Jack Ready. view is one to please the eye and quicken the - pulsations of the heart. Yea, verily; ” so. Frank laughed as he pulled at the oars, - sending the boat still further up the winding river, on either shore of which was the deep semi-tropical forest of Southern Florida. “But we’ve not discovered the cause ‘of saw last night,” Merriwell re- “You thought there must be a set- tlement in this vicinity.” “Yonder ever. SAY ysay; Sits correctly But | fancy the we have not the light which seemed to beckon us from afar.” located position of “Yet you were the one who persisted declaring there must be a settlement some- where on this river. That’s what brought us up here to investigate.” : “Iam but mortal, and I suppose it is barely possible for me to make a mistake, al- though [ must, modestly and truthfully con- fess that it is something I seldom do.” “Your modesty is refreshing, Jack,” ob- served Merry. “Thanks. J can’t help Se modest ; it is 2 TIP TOP WEEKLY. as natural as breathing for me. See those bright-winged birds, Frank. I regret that we did not bring along a gun, for I would then turti my mind to slaughter, and shoot © one of the little dears for the sake of science.” “And I have not even brought a revolver,” said Frank. “I did not imjagine we should come’so far when we left the yacht.” “Nor did I, but this sweet scene, this wind- ing river, this panorama of tropical loveli- ness has lured us on and on. Even yonder alligator on that muddy bank seems to fit into the picture most appropriately, but I’d like to soak a few bullets into his hide just to amuse my sport-loving nature.” The alligator pointed out by Jack slipped down from the bank and disappeared into the water. “Back up!” exclaimed Ready. “Shoo! If that creature interferes with the progress of this boat I shall be offended. Out of polite- ness he should keep away and let us alone.” “T hardly think he’ll trouble us. It’s likely we irightened him, and he decided to hide himself.” “Perchance we had better turn about, my boy. You know our time is limited, and we must get back to the yacht. Our vacation draweth to a close, and Old Eli calleth us to return. In fact, we’ll have to sprint for the frigid North if we hope to get back to Yale in time.” “That’s right,” agreed Frank. “We head for home to-day. We'll run back to St. Augustine, where I’ll turn the yacht over to father, and then we'll all take a fast train for Hello!” The exclamation followed a call that came Jersey City clearly over the placid bosom of the river. “Oh, strangers!” It was the voice of a woman! She stood on the bank, motioning for them to ap- proach. . “By the great horn spoon!” gasped Ready, vA ‘ staring at her. “A nymph of the forest! Be- hold her!” “A girl!” exclaimed Frank, in surprise. “She seems to be alone.” On the bank stood a striking figure—a girl in a short skirt, with a waist of some red stuff. On her head was a man’s wide- brimmed hat. She was leaning on a rifle, beckoning for them to approach, “You-uns come erlong over yere,” she called. “I wants teh see yeh. Got som’pn teh tell yeh, an’ it’s right ‘portant fer ye teh know it.” “Verily, she is a picture for an artist!’ muttered Ready, still staring in astonish- ment. “Get onto that pose, Merriwell, old side-partner! It is grace personified.” “The huntress of the forest!” muttered Frank, “I wonder what she wants.” “You can search me!” gurgled Jack, “Tyet’s glide over, and perchance she will’ unbosom herself to us.”’ Without hesitation Frank pulled toward the point where the girl was standing on the bank. She calmly awaited their approach, As they came nearer, Jack could see fat, in a wild, uncouth way, the girl was really handsome. She had dark hair and eyes, and there was natural grace and repose in her posture. > ~ Yeh -amt strangers ?™she asked, showing her white skeert uv me, be’ yeh, teeth in something fike a disdainful smile. “Hardly scared,” declared Merry, as the boat touched the bank. “But we were sur- prised to see you. were any human beings in this vicinity.’ “Are yeh right sure uv that?” she asked, sharply. She seemed to doubt Frank’s truthfulness in that assertion. “Fair maid,” said Jack, bowing with un- covered head, “my friend here is a second George Washington; he doesn’t know how to tell a lie.” Didn’t suppose there’ ees TIP TOP WEEKLY. The girl’s lips seemed to curl a bit as she regarded Ready, causing him to subside with ludicrous suddenness. Frank sprang out, the painter of the boat in his hand, and Jack followed. In a mo- nent Merry had made the boat secure, and then he turned and lifted his hat to the girl. “Don’t uncover, stranger,” she said. “Veh'll git bugs in yeh hair.” “Bugs!” muttered Jack: “I have known people with bats in their belfries, but bugs —refuses me !” “What wuz you-uns doin’ snoopin’ round yere?” asked the strange girl, grimly. “Why, we took a fancy to explore this part of the river,” Frank explained. “At first we thought there might be a village somewhere near, but we had about given up the idea. Everything seemed lonely and de- serted.”’ “What made yeh s’pect there wuz a vil- lage?” she questioned. “A light we saw last night.” A slight frown came to her face. “Where wuz th’ light, stranger?” “We didn’t exactly make out, but it seemed somewhere on the point near the mouth of the river.” “An’ yeh come up yere lookin’-fer it?” she said, with something like'a sneer. “It’s a right long distance from th’ p’int.” “We found no.village there.” “?*TLow not. Ain’t none.” “Do you live near?” “T reckon it don’t make much difference teh you-uns where I live.” She seemed to resent the question, and Frank quietly explained that he had meant to give no offense. “It was a surprise to see you,” he said; “so I fancied you must live near.” “VYou-uns is gwan teh find it better not teh fancy too much. It don’t ’mount teh nawthin’ where I live. But I ‘low it’s right lucky for you-uns I saw yeh.” ‘we don’t know There was something ominous in her words and manner. “Lucky?” repeated Frank, inquiringly. “Yep,” she nodaed. “If you-uns know what’s good fer yeh, you'll git inter that boat and git back teh your vessel jest about as quick as yéh kin.” “Why should we do that?” “*Cause it’s th’ best thing fer yeh ter do. It’s po’erful dangerous fer yeh to be prowlin’ round heah.”’ “Why is it dangerous?” “Now, don’ yeh ax no questions, but jest yeh do as I tell yeh. Git erway, an’ keep erway. You-uns is right nice lookin’ youngkers, an’ I wouldn’t like teh see yeh hurted.” “That's good of you, I’m sure,” said Frank, not a little puzzled. ““But-we can't conceive what there is to hurt us. You see, “Yeh don’ want teh know more’n ye kin help knowin’. Mebbe there is bad men nigh that might do you-uns harm. I ain't - gwan teh talk too much, but I’m jest gwan teh try to keep yeh from gittin’ inter a po’erful bad scrape.” “IT seem to trémble!’’ muttered Ready. - lie down!” “Lie down, my quaking heart ‘“Tt’s kind of you, I am sure,” said Frank; “but we would be far better prepared to meet danger if we knew its nature.” “T tell yeh I ain’t gwan teh talk too much,” impatiently repeated the girl. There was a crashing step near at hand, and a hoarse voice growled: “Veh’ve talked too much a’ready, Liz!” Then four men, armed with rifles and guns, came stalkingy out into view. CHAPTER II. FRANK’S PERIL. Rough-looking fellows they were, and they scowled blackly at Frank and Jack, holding their weapons as if ready for use. . & TIP TOP WEEKLY, The one who had spoken was tall, bony, muscular, with hard, square jaws and an ag- gressive manner. Plainly he was the leader of the party... His trousers were thrust into the tops of his boots. There was a cartridge belt around his waist, supporting a long knife in a leather sheath. His; wide- brimmed hat was turned and fastened up from his face. The others were men who seemed to have no flesh to spare on their bodies, and there was a sallow look about them that told of habitual life in the vicinity of great marshes. Jack Ready whistled softly, but that was his only expression of surprise. Frank looked at the men with fearless in- terest. The girl, however, seemed agitated and alarmed. “What you-uns a-doin’ here?’ she ex- claimed. round.” “I s’pose not,” returned the tall ellow, with sarcasm mildly apparent in his manner. “Yeh wouldn’t bin a-talkin’ so much if yeh hed, Liz.” She resented this instantly. “T ‘low mah tongue is mah own, Abe,” she flung back. “I ain’t said northin’ I’m ‘shamed of.” “Be yeh sure uv that, Liz? Why should yeh be a-talkin’ teh strangers like this. An’ yeh said yeh hed talked too much.” “What be th’ strangers a-doin’ round heah?” muttered one of Abe’s companions,’ suspiciously. “TI judge they-uns is spies.” “Keep still, Bill,” “Tl take care av them. commanded Abe, in a growl. Jest -you- uns watch out that they don’t take a noshun teh run erway.” “We-uns’ll look out fer that,” growled all three of the ruffianly-appearing fellows in chorus, fingering their guns. > “Refuse me,” murmured Jack. “T hardly “T didn’t ‘low yeh wuz nowhere think there is any danger that we'll run. Couldn’t run very far in this merry old jungle if we tried it.” Then Abe turned to Frank, harshly de- manding; “What you-uns a-doin’ here?” “My friend,” said Merry, calmly, “if you T were reasonably polite in your manner, [4 not have the least hesitation in answering your question; but, as it is, I have to in- form you that it is none of your business.” “Even so,” nodded Jack; “but it is well to remember that a soft answer may keep us out of a hard scrape.” The tall fellow scowled more fiercely than ever. “You-uns air spies!” he declared. “They-uns air spies!” agreed the other. three, one of whom was an oldish man with a dirty-white beard, which was stained with tobacco jttice. “T wonder what we are spying on?” mut- tered Ready, with a bewildered air. “Ask me!” “You-uns have no _ business comin’ snoopin’ ’round yere,” Abe went on. ‘“You’ knowed when yeh came that yeh hed no business doin’ it.” “Isn't it possible,” said Merry, still with that perfect calmness, “that you are somc- what mistaken about us? We are pleasure- seekers, and we were not aware that this part of the country lay under restrictions.” “Don’t try teh lie teh me!”’ the tall fellow retorted. “You-uns is spies, an’ ye’re in a po’erful bad fix, ‘cause we knows yeh. Ye’re cotched.” If possible, his manner grew more grim and forbidding, and Ready felt cold chills creeping along his spinal column. The for- est was dark and thick-all about them, and the spot seemed ominous of something travic and awful. “Wonder what they mean to do?” Jack Ls a Bas i TIP TOP WEEKLY. §5 speculated. “I wouldst I were far away! And we have not even a little popgun with which to make a bluff at defending ourselves! Oh, Laura, how sad! ish!” In truth, the four men looked fierce and I’m afraid I see my fin- murderous enough for any desperate deed, and it was not strange that Ready felt alarm. “If we are spies,” said Frank, “what and whom are we spying on?” “Look out, Abe!” exclaimed the one who had been called Bill. yeh to say somep’n yeh hadn’t better say.” “He’s a-tryin’ teh git “He don’t cotch me with none uy. his tricks,” declared Abe, grimly. “But. it wouldn’t make no p’ticler diffrunce if I wuz teh say it, fer he’d never take th’ report back ter them that’s waitin’ fer it.” “Oh, Laura!’ murmured Ready, aloud. “T fear this is no merry jest!” “Your language is threatening, as well as , your manner,” said Frank, still with perfect calmness. “Why should you threaten us? We have done nothing to injure you.” “Not yet,” said the leader; “but yeh might if we-uns wuz fools enough teh let yeh go.” “How could we? We know nothing about you or your business.” | “But yeh came here teh find out about ”? us. “Again you are mistaken, my friend.” ae know,” insisted Abe. “I seen yeh boat, What for did yeh leave that an’ come up here?” “Well, to tell you the plain truth, we thought there might be a village somewhere on this river?’ “What made yeh think that?” “Last night we saw a light on the shore.” Abe did not move, but the others of the party glanced toward one another signifi- cantly.and looked knowing. “What did you-uns think that light wuz?” Abe asked. “Well, we didn’t know,” Merry confessed, “At first we took it for some sort of a sig- nal.” Yeh did Pe Ob “An’ so yeh come here teh find out what it meant?” “Not exactly that, though our curiositv was aroused. We took a fancy to visit the settlement, if there was one in the vicinity.” “Yeh perty slick,” sneered Abe; “but yeh can’t fool nobody. _Ye’re Gover’ment spies, an’ yeh come nosin ’round th’ wrong place. It might ’a’ bin all right if Liz had let yeh erlong, fer then ye might not a-fougd north- in’. If yeh didn’t find northin’, how wuz yeh ter report northin’? But Liz she’s got you-uns in a bad scrape by her foolishness.” The girl had been keeping still, but now she started forward, her face flushing with resentment and anger. “Yeh ain’t got no business teh talk like that, Abe!’’ she cried. “I ain’t done northin’ but tell them they’d better turn roun’ an’ keep erway from yere.” “Hit’s Ye’ve “That's. ernough,” asserted Abe. ernough ter raise s’picions in um. made a mess uv it, Liz, an’ they-uns will hev teh take th’ consequences.” “What yeh think ‘yo’ ’s gwan teh do, Abe?” cried the girl, not without traces of alarm. “Don’t yeh worry "bout that, Liz. Jest yo’ go ‘long off, an’ we'll ’tend teh they-uns. They won’t never make no repo’t teh th’ Gover-ment.” : “T know what yeh mean by that,” she ex- claimed. “Yeh mean yo’ ’s gwan teh kill they-uns!” Abe was silent. “Don’t yeh be a fool, Abe!” urged the girl, with excitement that warned Frank and Jack of their peril at the hands of these rough men. ‘“Yo’ don’t want no murder jf x } g TIP TOP WEEKLY. : charge ag’in yeh, man! They ain’t found from its teeth and to feel the fearful shock ut nawthin’. Yo’ can warn they-tins an’ let of the bullet. . um go.” But, at that instant, quick as a flash, the “Yeh don’ know how much they-uns have girl Liz sprang before Merry, protecting foun’ out, Liz; an’ ’twon't do teh let um go. him with her own body, as she cried: Jest yo’ go way an’ let we-uns ‘tend teh um. “Shoot ef yeh want to, Abe, but yo’ ‘ll Go on, Liz!” hev teh shoot me first!” But she refused to be driven away. The butt of the rifle fell from the shoulder “No!” she exclaimed, her dark eyes flash- of the tall man, and he fairly staggered a ing. “I’s not gwan teh leave yeh to murder step, a look of horror coming to his face, they-uns, Abe!” _ which grew pale. The chief ruffian scowled more blackly “Great Lawd, Liz!” he gasped: “I done i than ever. come nigh killin’ yeh then! I wuz jes’ goin’ | “What yo’ got such an intrust in they-uns teh .tetch th’ trigger when yeh jumped be- for?” he arshly asked. “TI b’lieve ye’re gone fore me that way. If I'd a-killed yeh=—”” . on th’ handsome feller. By snakes! I know He choked and seemed unable to utter | ye are now!” the horrible thought that agitated him. “Bah!” she flung back. “’Tain’t so! “The man loves her!” decided Frank, in- | He-un wouldn’t care nawthin’ nohow fer a stantly. . gal like me, an’ I ain’t fool enough teh git Jack Ready was breathing heavily. | gone on him.” “That’s what I call mighty close!” he ob- 3ut the fierce and passionate jealousy of served. “This kind of business is shatter- { Aibe’s unreasoning nature had been aroused. ing my iron nerve. Really I do not ap- | and he suddenly lifted his rifle, pointing it prove of such actions. No, indeed!” straight at Frank, as he snarled: “What did yeh do that for, Liz?” de- ) “ll po’erful soon fix him so yeh won't manded Abe, in exasperation. “If I’d a- . have no use fer him! I’s gwan teh shoot killed yeh | him right vere afore yeh eyes!” “Yo’ ’d shore bin teh blame. Did yeh . think I was gwan teh keep still an’ see yeh CHAPTER III. commit murder in cold blood?” 1 © IN THE HANDS OF RUFFIANS. “Tt wuz ‘cause yeh love him!” panted the | ruffan, his agitation giving place to anger —~ frank saw instantly that there was no pos- i ; ‘once more. sible way for him to save himself if Abe | “G’way ! Don’ yeh be that fooli > way, Abe! on’ yeh be that foolish. really meant to shoot. For once he was seo t ; Never saw they-uns afore a half hour gone. utterly and totally helpless, although his Never saw they-uns:¢ ? 1 aes hands and feet were free. “ Do yeh take me fer a fool, Abe?” © 6irp . . ‘ ‘ sre. is sech a thing as love a S Frank was a fellow little given to stage There. is 5 t first ae sight, they say.” poses and the dramatic, but, not wishing to ae ee & . / : ‘i - Soy ’ p26 | stand as if paralyzed with fear, he calmly But you know, Abe, I ain’t th’ kind to | folded his arms, his eyes fastened on those git cotched that way. Now, don’ yeh be a - oe | ig of the murderous ruffian. fool, boy! | Bonk ; ° ~ oh aT a ; - : Piteeree ; ' Even as he crossed his arms on his breast, She walked straight up to him, putting looking into the muzzle of that deadly rifle, her hand on his arm and looking into his he expected to see smoke and flame spit face. be E A ae P } 4 ie I eles TIP TOP WEEKLY. Both Frank and Jack felt that she was pleading for their lives, even though she did not express herself in words of that import. The color came back into the face of the big Floridian as he gazed at her, and he made a move as if to grasp her in his arms, but she held him off with a quick motion. “veh don’ “Not yere, Abe!’ she laughed; wan’ teh be so po’erful keerless.” lis face was flushed now, and there was a strange light in his eyes. He said somie- thing in a low tone, but she shook her head, retorting: “T can’t tell yeh that, Abe—not now. What yeh gwine teh do with th’ strangers?” He frowned, glaring at Frank and Jack from beneath his thick eyebrows. “T judge I’ll hev teh let the Old Man set- tle that,” he said. “They're all right,” asserted the girl. “Why don’t yeh let um go?” his head grimly, They mought be He shook “That'd never do, Liz. spies.” “Nonsense, Abe! They’re jest two young chaps off a pleasure boat, an’ that’s all.” “That’s what they-uns tol’ yeh, but yeh can’t b’lieve um. It won't do teh be fooled, an’ I’m gwan teh take um teh th’ Old Man.” “Yeh urged. hard.” Again he frowned -suspiciously, seeming got a right teh settle it, Abe,” she “Th’ Old Man’s gwan teh be mighty to think that she took too much interest in the stranger _ “That ain’t nawthin’ teh us,” he growled. “Liz is playing her cards for all she’s said Jack Ready; “but I winning hand. worth, Frank,” don’t believe she holds a We're in the soup up to our necks.” Frank was afraid of that, although he did not have much to say. In vain he had “J t ought to think of some method of escape. In vain he had censured himself for leaving the yacht and coming to that place with- out taking any kind of a weapon with which to defend himself. That the woulc i dn > men were murderous rascals who 1ot stop at any criminal act Merry was now Satisfied. | Abe put the girl aside, advancing a step toward Frank and Jack, still holding his rifle ready for instant use. “You-uns* will hev teh submit ’thout a fuss,” he declared. “If yeh make trouble, we'll shoot yeh, an’ that’s all there is teh that.” “To what must we submit?” boun’ Merry asked “Yeh han’s will be behind. yeh backs, an’ ye'll be taken with us teh one , who'll say what’s teh be done with yeh.” “Why should we submit to such an out- rage?” Frank demanded. “We have done +t? iit nothing that gives you a right to treat us that manner.” “Yeh’ll submit jest because yeh can’t help it.” “Ah-ha!’ murmured Ready. “I fancied that was the reason. The-soup is getting deeper. I’m afraid we'll have to swim for “But you have no right to treat us in his eyes such a manner!” exclaimed Merry, flashing. “We are free, law-abiding Ameri- cans, and we have done nothing wrong.” “Bah!” exclaimed Abe, “what do we care fer that? Ef yeh’re spies, th’ Old Man's gwansteh settle with ye. We-uns ain’t gwan veh teh stan’ fer no plarver ner foolin’, If make us trouble, we'll right soon settle yeh case. Put up yeh han’s, both of yeh!” He flung his rifle to his shoulder once more, and Jack Ready’s hands were elevated at once. The other ruffians lifted their rifles and covered the two young men. This time Liz did not interfere, and Frank saw that there was nothing for him to do 8 TIP TOP WEEKLY. but submit, which he did as gracefully as Then searched through the pockets of both Frank possible. Abe came forward and and Jack, finding some letters, which he appropriated and thrust into a pocket of his shirt. “They may be all right,” he said, ‘an’ they may cook you-uns’ pelts. Can’t take th’ trouble teh read um yere.” “Laws, Abe!” laughed the girl, “yeh can’t read writin’ nohow.” “Oh, my! what a give-away!’’ gasped Ready. Abe frowned blacker than ever, but made no retort. He was surprised on discover- ing no sign of a weapon on either Frank or Jack, and he again carefully went through their clothes. “A trick!” he muttered; “I. ’low th’ Old Man’ll see through that.” Then he gave a sharp order, and the hands of the helpless captives were quickly and firmly bound behind their backs. “Yo’ Bill,” he said, “take that boat an’ put hit where there won't nobody see it. Sam, put somep’n over these chaps’ eyes an’ make sure they can’t neither one uv um see.” “Wow!” gasped Ready. “I feel. as_ if they’re going to shoot us after we're blind- folded! the privilege of repeating a prayer about a If that’s the sad truth, I shall ask rod long.”’ “Yeh ain’t gwan teh be shot—not now, anyhow,” assured the leader. “Don’t yeh be ‘feared uv that.”’ | “er Thanks, most noble dook!’ chirped Jack, with evident relief. “I breathe again. For a moment [ did entertain grave fears. Ha! ha! Catch the pun? Grave fears! Jolly good thing, eh?” : The captives were soon blindfolded, Liz assisting in this work, during which she whispered to both of them: “Keep up yeh courage. Mebbe I'll be able teh git yeh out uv this scrape. Th’ Old Man’ll listen teh me sometimes.” This assurance geve Jack a feeling of re- lief, but still he realized that the girl’s power was. limited. The young adventurers were in a> decid- edly dangerous and unpleasant position, to say the least; but they took it with such | coolness that Abe was surprised. “They don’t seem very skeert,” he was y y heard to observe. “T don’t anything teh be Then the voice of Liz returned: spose they've done skeerd uv.” When all arrangements had been made, the boys were marched away through the woods. Crate sui Ly A STRANGE OLD MAN, [In the smoke-stained, dirty room of an old hut, the bandages were removed from the eyes of the captives, and they found themselves in the presence of Abe, the big rufhan, and an-old, withered, bent, feeble- looking: man, who was smoking 4 very rank and very black clay pipe. A fire was smol- dering in an open fireplace of stone, and the old man sat before this. His clothes were rough and filthy, his white hair and beard had a dirty tinge, and his hands were not quite steady, but his eyes were bright and sharp and piercing. “They-uns are the ones we cotched spyin’ round,” said Abe, motioning toward the pris- oners. The old man continued to smoke, sitting back in a big rough chair, while he sur- veyed Frank and Jack. He did not speak, but they felt that he was trying to look them through and read the secrets of their hearts. His steady penetrating stare gave Ready a feeling of great nervousness, but 7 Sass ae gee oa ee ge bass on Sas ee TIP TOP Merriwell did not seem disturbed in the least. “Here air some letters an’ papers I took from they-uns,” said Abe, as he took the things from his pocket. “They wuz not armed.” The man with the pipe made a fluttering motion with his unsteady hand, indicating that the letters should be placed on a rough table at his elbow; but he did not take his eyes from the face of Frank Merriwell, which seemed to interest him greatly. “That’s ‘bout all I hev teh tell yeh,” said Abe. “TI ‘lowed th’ best thing was teh bring um here an’ let you settle what yeh’d do with um.” The aged man nodded his head, follow- ing which he pointed toward -the door. Abe understood, for he bowed respeci- fully and left the room at once, closing the door behind him. For some moments after the departure of the big ruffian, the strange old man con- tinued to stare at the captives. At last, he slowly and carefully placed his pipe on the table, straightened a trifle in the chair, and spoke. . His voice was sharp and rasping, and it seemed to give both Frarik and Jack a strange electric shock. “Young men,” he said, with great distinct- ness, “you are in a very bad scrape. - It is most unfortunate for you that you should be brought here in this manner.” ? a “I assure you,” smiled Merriwell, with perfect coolnéss, “that we had not the slight- est desire to be brought here in this manner. We came against our will.” “Yea, verily,’ agreed Ready. “T have no doubt of that,” came from the man’s lips. ‘‘But you have only yourselves - to blame for what happened.” “T fail to'see it in that light, sir,” returned Frank, without hesitation. “We are here through no fault of our own.” WEEKLY. 9 The man frowned. “Bacon has well said,’ he observed, “that ‘discretion in speech is more than eloquence.’ You should not forget it, young man.” “And Bacon also said,” retorted Frank, without a moment’s hesitation, “that ‘no pleasure is comparable to the standing on the vantage ground of truth.’” The eyes of the old man seemed to kindle and a strange interest appeared in his face. Somehow that quick retort frcm the lips of the straight, handsome, beardless youth ap- peared to impart new life and vigor to his entire body. “That is all very weil,” he admitted, nod- ding slowly; “but Coleridge utters a warning you'should not forget: “Truth is a good dog; but beware of barking too close at the heels of an error lest you get your. brains kicked out.’”’ “T see,” said Frank, quietly, “that I may waste my breath if [ say more. It is Ben Jonson. who tells us that ‘the dignity of truth is lost with much protesting.’ ” The look on the face of that withered. dirty old man was one of ‘unspeakable pleasure. ma “Good!” he exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. “I congratulate you, young man, for you have your wits about you, and you are a scholar. I see it in your face; I hear it in your speech. And ‘speech is as a pump, by which we raise and pour out the water from the great lake of thought, whither it flows back again.’ What is your name?” “Frank Merriwell.” “Your occupation?’ “T am a student at Yale.” “Only a student! But you have a ready wit. At Yale? Ah, it is years gone since poss untold value to its possessor.” Ah! a silent tongue is a treasure of “What have we struck?” whispered Jack Ready. “You can knock me down with a feather!” Ai LO Pie Tor The old man frowned on Ready. “Be silent!’ he commanded, annoyed. “Shakespeare said, ‘It is meat and drink to ime to see a clown;’ but my taste in that re- spect is vastly different. Nothing to,me is ore tiresome than a clown.” ‘Refuse me!” gasped Jack. “This is when get it where Nellie wore the beads! I’m et gone up =~ Frank was astonished, for the strange old man was far different from any one he had expected to meet there in the midst of those ruffans of the coast. It was plain enough ' that the man had read not a little, and his manner and speech seemed to proclaim him something entirely different from his asso- ciates. In a quiet way, the old man questioned them, and Frank answered everything promptly and squarely. He explained how they had happened to be rowing up the river, and how the girl had ealled them-to the shore. He was watched closely all the while, but the man seemed satisfied when he had finished, for he turned, picked up a crooked cane, thymped sharply on the floor, and said: “Very well, young man; I do not need 9 cross-question you.” The door opened and Abe appeared. “Release them,’ commanded the owner of the crooked cane. The young ruffian seemed disappointed, but he obeyed at once, and, in a few mo- ments, both Frank and Jack were at liberty so far as cords were concerned. “Go,” directed the old man, and Abe re- tired, closing the door. The cane was set aside, and the old man took up his pipe once more, saying as he did so: “It is long since I have been permitted to converse with a human being of intelli- gence and education. I find it easy to meas- ure any man by the words his lips speak. Ae » é. Rais a Sat sty alan, stat eae ath WEEKLY. As Jonson says, ‘It is when you come close to a man in conversation that you discover what his real abilities are. Draw up those chairs and make yourselves comfortable.” He began refilling his exhausted pipe from a plug of very black tobacco, which he whittled off with a wicked-looking knife. Frank and Jack sat down. “It is unfortunate that my men felt called upon to trouble you at all,” said the strange man, crumbling the tobacco in his quivering palm. “It has placed you in an awkward position, given you much discomfort and caused you unnecessary fatigue; but these few moments have been moments of genu- ine satisfaction and pleasure to me. I know of no manner in which I can square the ac- count with you.” “Don’t let that trouble you,” said Frank “If we return without delay to the yacht, J shall regard the whole affair as nothing more than a pleasant adventure.” 9 “Thank you,” nodded the old man, tap- ping down the tobacco into the bowl of the black pipe with his very dirty and trembling forefinger. ‘But I have yet to satisfy my own conscience. Besides, | must exact from you both a promise.” He took a sliver of hard-pine and thrust it into the coals, where, after a moment, it burst into a flame, with which he lighted his pipe. “T assure you,” he said, as he puffed away, “that I have not always been what you see me now. I have seen better“ days, but they are so far away that they seem like a half- forgotten dream. Ah, I’m not sure but everything is a dream. 1 sometimes -fancy I am sleeping and dreaming, but that some time I shall awaken to find myself a youth again, happy, innocent, care-free. But ‘as dreams are the fancies of those that sleep, so fancies are the dreams of those that wake.’ It is seldom our dreams come true.” oa 1 ementtatt e aa TIP TOP “T had a dream last night that came true,” put in Ready, with comical serious- ness. “J dreamed that I was awake, and when I woke up in the morning the dream came true.’” Frank could not repress a smile, for Jack’s manner was intensely quaint and com- ical. The old man seemed; not to hear the words. . He was sitting quite still, starinz down at a bright coal amid the ashes, watching whiie it glowed, sank, died out and turned to-dull gray, like a human life come to an end. At length he started and turned toward Frank. “T shall have you blindfolded as before and conducted far from here,” he said. “You will be taken back to your boat, and you may return to your yacht. But you must never seek to come here again, and you must tell of nothing you have seen. Do you _ promise that?” “That’s easy,” muttered Ready. “We have no choice but to make the ’ promise,” smiled Frank. “It is not hard to make, and I fancy it will not be hard to keep, for there is nothing to draw us here again.” At this moment the door was thrust sud- denly open, and Liz, the girl of the woods, came in like a leaping fawn, immediately closing the’ door behind her. Her face was flushed, and she. showed agitation and ex- citement. “T’ve come yere teh tell yeh,” she panted. “The men are right mad because they think they-uns is gwan teh be let go.” She mo- tioned toward Frank and Jack. a The old man straightened up on his chair. “What business is it to the men?” he cried, in that harsh, rasping voice. “I am master here!” “They ain’t gwan teh let yo’ know "bout it,’ Liz went on, hurriedly, “They-uns is ewan teh keep it from yeh.” WHEKLY. 11 “Deceiving me, the dogs!” snarled the old man. “What do they think of doing?” “They-uns is gwan teh purtend they don’ keer,’ explained Liz; “but they’re gwan-teh wait till they git these-uns out in th’ woods, an’ there they’ll murder both uv ’em.” “Another jolly prospect in view!” mur- mured Ready. ‘It strikes me that we're still pretty deep in the soup.” CHAPTER:-¥V. WHAT FRANK MUST DO. It is not strange that Jack was alarmed, but Frank quickly said: “Give us a pistol each, and we'll take care~ of ourselves.” “Again’ that gang?’ exclaimed — Liz. “Why, you-uns is nawthin’ but boys! Any one of um could eat yeh.” “You may think so,” said Merry; “but we're willing to chance it. In an even fight, I'll meet them, one by one.” The girl laughed scornfully, for this seemed like boasting to her. The idea that this smooth-faced stripling regarded him- self as the equal of the big, brawny Abe’ was very ludicrous. But the old man was looking steadily at Frank, and now, with a great effort, rose from his chair and hobbled over to Merry. “You are a college athlete,” he said, as if making the assertion. “Let me feel of your muscles.” Frank stood up, and the man carefully ran his hand over Merry’s magnificent form, now- and then pressing the trembling fin- gers to the hard muscles. The look on his face was one of increasing satisfaction, and he nodded, muttering something to him- self. “You have done well with yourself,” he said. “I think you might take care of your- self very well.” “But Abe’s a perfec’ devil!” panted the e ; . TIP TOP Ae) 4 ; i. girl. “An’ he’s strong—he’s po’erful strong! Ele’d jest break yeh in two!” “If he does,” put in Ready, “he may have my loose change. My misguided young lady, don’t deceive yourself in regard to little frank.. He can make Abe'look-. like thirty cents,” “It is well to be prepared,” said the old — man; “but I will see to this business. I am master here!: Remain here until I re- turn, and do not leave this room if you value your lives.” After giving Frank and Jack this warn- ing, he took down an old hat from a peg in the wall, put it on his head: and turned toward the door. The girl caught hold of Frank and whis- pered in his ear: “T’s gwan teh save yeh, if I kin... They mean teh kill you-uns fer sure, but I'll do my best fer yeh.” Then she was gone after the old man, the door slamming behind her. Frank and Jack stood still, looking at each other. “Well,” said Ready, with a flirt of his hand, “we’re up against it, my boy. It’s a cold day for us. What do you think about it, anyhow?” “T believe we'll pull out somehow, _but we've got to keep our wits with us.” “Say, that old duck takes the bun! What do you make of his nobs, Frank? He never grew in this wilderness. He’s a hot-house flower, though somewhat tarnished.” “Pie's a strange man, and I cannot quite fathom him.” “But what sort of jolly old scrape have we tumbled into? Who are these gentle des- peradoes?”’ “I believe I know.” “Tell me.” “Wreckers!” Frank spoke the word in a cautious whis- per, and Jack uttered a soft whistle. * WEEKLY, “You've guessed it!” Ready exclaimed, with satisfied assurance. “That explains the light we saw on shore.” OY, OSion: “And wreckers are pretty tough custom- ers, asa fule,* “They seldom hesitate at any crime.” “Oh, I wish I was home with mamma! I feel cold chizels creeping along my spinal column.” Frank advanced to the one dingy window that admitted light to the room. “Come here!” he exclaimed. Jack sprang to his side. The old man was walking away from the cabin along a path that led to a beach. The beach lay about a secluded cove, the mouth of which could not be seen. Near. the beach were three more huts, standing amid some trees; At a short distance from these huts several men had gathered in a group, and directly toward the group the old man with the crooked cane was hobbling. “Looks like a pretty weak old fellow to stand much show of helping us,” observed Jack. “But,” said Merry, “I have a fancy that he is their commander. Let’s watch and see what happens. The men see him approach- ing, and they are waiting for him.” From the window they plainly saw it all. The old man came up to the group and spoke to them, his manner indicating that he was giving orders. Then, of a sudden, Liz appeared and pointed straight at one of the men. This man glared at her, and said some words to the old fellow. Then the watching youths saw something that astonished them greatly. Up went the ojd man’s crooked cane, and, with one blow, he stretched the speaker on the ground at his feet. 3 “We're needed there, Merry!” shouted Jack. ‘They'll jump the old cove now!” na a Sa # SEN Cea, ‘ ; aR Paes TIP TOP WEEKLY. 13 But Frank, cooler headed, grasped him by the arm. “See that!.. He-is He is the master of those “Wait,” he ordered. in-no danger. men.”’ The old man stood before the remaining ruffans, who might have leaped upon him and beaten him down instantly, and not one of them lifted a hand against him. He talked to them sternly, making few gestures, but his whole manner being one of com- mand. “Say!” chirped Ready, “I’m beginning to admire that old cock. He’s quite a lad.” “It is another example of brains ruling “They , mere brute strength,” said Frank. know him and fear him for his brains.’ “I’m feeling better, thank you!” chuckled Jack. “If the old boy can run things that Didn’t have much confidence in him before. He’s way, he may help us,to pull out. a wonder. Quotes Bacon, Shakespeare, Emerson, any old thing, and he’s got enough dirt on him to make a garden-patch, Did you ever bump up against anything just like that before, Merry?” “T must confess that I never have,” smiled Frank. “He 1s an enigma.” “That girl is smashed.” “What?” “Dead gone on you.” “Quit it, Jack. She Re “Oh, I know what I’m talking about, my boy: Abe isn’t such 4 big chump in think- ing she’s in love with you. They can’t help getting that way when they see jyou.” He gave Merry a playful little peck on the breast, and danced off a step or two. “Oh, you sly dog!” he exclaimed. “If she Well, she might be jealous a teeny-weeny bit.” only knew about Elsie! “The old man is coming back,” said Frank. Slowly the strange man hobbled toward are Big Abe’s equal. the hut, leaning on his crooked cane, The man he had struck had risen and entered one of the cabins. Without hurrying, with every evidence of feebleness, the old man approached the cabin and entered, finding the captives awaiting him. “They are fools,” he said, with a motion of one hand toward the distant band of men. “One of them even attempted to dis- pute with me and tell me that I had not tested you. I have read you with my eyes and sounded you with my tongue, There are your letters and papers, young man,” “Don’t you wish to look them over?” asked Frank. “It might serve to satisfy you still further.” “When a man is fully satisfied he can be satisfied no further. Take them.” So Merry put the letters into his pocket. “Now,” said the old man, “I have made them give me a promise. It is that they will set you safely at liberty if you prove you It depends on you, young man, and you must show your skill.” CHAPTER VI. ABE MEETS HIS MATCH, Together with the old man, Frank: and Jack walked down the path to the beach, where the rough-looking men were waiting for them, lounging about in eareless atti-. tudes, smoking, whittling, chewing tobacco and seeming quite at ease. _ Abe was thére, and he watched the ap- proach of Merriwell with evident impa- tience. As Frank came near, Abe called: “Come on, you-un; I’s gwan teh show yeh up right soon when I puts mah paws on yeh.” “Oh, what a surprise that gent is going to get!” chuckled Ready. “Why, this is a reg- ular farce-comedy.” “Peel off yeh coat, young feller!” roared 14 aa Bee Abe, with his eyes on Frank. “Fust thing I’s gwan teh break yeh plumb in two.” “What is it—a wrestling match?” inquired Merry, with a pleasant smile. “Haw, haw!” laughed the rough men lounging about. “It won’t be much uv a match,” com- mented one of them. “Abe will wipe up th’ earth with yeh in two shakes uv a mule’s hind foot.” “How are we to wrestle?’ Frank asked. “Any old way we kin git hold uv each other,” answered the impatient giant. “Catch-as-you-can ?” “Veah, that’s it. In the doors of two of the cabins slat- Strip off lively.” ternly-appearing women stood, drawn out They had There were by the prospect. of excitement. their sleeves rolled up. two colored men in the party. In front of the more distant cabin a wench was smoking, while several colored children played in the dirt near by. One of the men dragged himself to his feet and slapped Jack Ready roughly on the shoulder, growling: “Mebbe ye’re a strong man, too, Pur- hap’ yeh’d like teh take hold uv me?” “Refuse me!” cried Ready, with a shake of his head. ways found it hard work to raise a dollar.” “Never was very strong. Al- “Haw! haw!” laughed the fellow, seem- ing to appreciate Ready’s rather stale joke. “Then mebbe ye’re a fighter?” “No, not. [; but I know a fellow that can put this whole gang to sleep.” “What?” cried several of the men. “Who is he?” ‘‘He’s a preacher,” declared Jack, gravely. “Why, I saw him put Corbett to sleep one Sunday.” | They stared a moment, and then, as the joke forced its way through their torpid brains, they grunted and laughed. \ WEEKLY. “Oh, dear! oh, dear!” sighed Jack. “How funny I am! ‘I’m afraid you do not appre- ciate my delicate and refined humor.” “There seems to be a right big difference atween you an’ him,” said one of the men, motioning toward Frank, who was coolly preparing to meet Big Abe. “You “There is,” agreed Ready, at once. see I’m well-to-do, while he is hard to do, That’s the difference.” “Bah!” slapped Jack on the shoulder. Jest growled the fellow who had handle he-un myself. feel uv muscle,” “My goodness!” gasped Ready, as he gen- tly touched the fellow’s biceps. ‘Now tell me what yeh think uv me,” demanded the man. “I can’t,” confessed Jack. “I’ve never used profane language, and I’m not going to begin now.” “Haw! haw!” laughed the lounging ruf- Haw! fians. “That’s rough on yeh, Sam! haw!” Sam did not seem to appreciate the joke, and Ready feared the fellow would resent it by some violent action, so he quickly chat- w tered:! é 4 “T could that “This scems to be a rather damp climate | down this way. Everything rusts so quickly, den’t you know. Now can any of you tell me what is raised mostly in damp climates?” “Huah! No. What is it?” | “Umbrellas,” assured the joker. Thén he pretended to lean against an imaginary tree \ and nearly fell down. “T can’t help it,” he declared, solemnly. “Born that way, and no doctor’s ever been - able to cure me. They’re going to clench. Now, keep your eyes open.” Frank and Big Abe were facing each other, ready for the struggle. “Come on!” invited the ruffian, as they crouched and began to circle about, both ss as Se Mh Nibai mere AE | | : A | | i ] ) | TIP watching for an opening. “Jest grab right hold uv me.” Barely had the words left his lips when Merry made a sudden spring, quick as a leaping panther, caught Abe about the waist, flung his feet into the air and dropped him ‘fairly on the back of his neck, pinning him to the ground, It was done with such astonishing swift- ness and suddenness that the other ruffians scracely understood what was happening till it was all over and Merry Had leaped to his feet, calm and unwinded, backing off a few steps to wait for Abe to get up. Then the crowd shouted. “Good Lawd!” cried one. “Did you-uns see that? He throwed Abe that time!’ The men were astounded beyond measure, but Jack Ready simply smiled and chirped: “Tt’s dead easy. I knew just what would happen. gents.” With a roar of rage, Abe leaped up and came at Frank, who dodged quickly to avoid the rush. “He never done it fair!” snarled the big fellow, furiously. “He done cotched me when | wuzn’t ready!” “That’s part of the game,” smiled Frank. “Look out! just as I did before.” I might have had you again “Try it!” snarled the angry fellow. Barely had he given the invitation when Frank was upon him. This time Abe tried to meet him, and there was a brief, fierce struggle as they grappled. “Abe Sam, in confidence. will down he-un now!” shouted But at that instant Merry obtained the lock he sought, and again the ruffian’s heels flew into the air, and he landed on his back. Frank recovered quickly, again stepping back to wait for his fallen adversary to rise, his hands resting on his hips. He can keep that up all day,, See te ee TOP WEEKLY. 15 Liz her cheeks glowed and flushed, while she regarded was looking on, and Merry with increasing wonder and admira- tion. She stepped to the side of Ready, say- ing in a low tone: ‘“He-un is quick. I was skeered lest Abe had it all his own way.” “Get over it,’’ said Jack; “I told you how it would be.” “But he-un don’t look like he could han- dle Abe.” “Looks are mighty deceiving, sometimes, Miss Luz. champion.” Frank Merriwell is an all-round “But he wants teh look out fer Abe. Abe’s gwan teh be mighty mad now, an’ he’ll do ’most anything.” “He'd better Frank. not try any tricks with It won't be good for his general health if he does.” He was astounded by what had taken place, and Abe rose more slowly than at first. he glared at the young Yale athlete with in- creased respect, though not with diminished anger. “Durn yeh!” he panted. it?” “How do yeh do “It proved to be very easy,” was the cool retort. “It was jest th’ way yeh got holt uv me.” “You selected your own way of wrestling, Abe,” reminded the Old Man, who was standing near, leaning on his crooked cane. ‘“Mebbe I did,” the big ruffian growled; “but who evah s’posed he-un wuz that quick?’ 99 If I could git hold uv him “Try it,” invited Frank. I'll give you a chance this time. Don’t wait for me to close in, but pick your own chance.” “An’ J’ll break yeh neck!” Abe vowed, vengefully, as he crouched and began to cir- cle about Merry. “Perhaps so,” laughed the Yale lad; “but I could let you come in and get your hold Ray Sw oe aE RSE RE. 16 TIP TOP WEEKLY. and then break yuur neck before -you could throw me.” “Try it!” urged the ruffian, his eyes gleam- ing. “I'd jest like teh have yeh!” “But I don’t want to kill you.” “Mebbe I'll kill yeh if I git th’ right hold,” declared Abe. Then he fancied he saw his chance, Merry a having seemed to give an opening in the he most careless manner. Leaping quickly, clenched. “Abe’s got him!’’ roared the now thor- oughly excited ruffians. “Abe’s got him!” gasped Liz, in the ut- most dismay. “Don’t let that worry you,” advised Jack Ready, with perfect coolness. “Keep your eyes open and see who goes to grass,” In truth, Abe had the better hold, and for some moments a fearful struggle ensued—- a struggle that set the watching men ‘wild with excitement. Jown him, Abe!’ roared Abe’s friends, dancing about. will!” panted Liz, unconsciously “Look! “He clutching Jack’s arm. tin’ off his wind! He’ll kill him now shore!” Abe’s shet- She was shaking with agitation and alarm, seeming on the point of.springing to Frank’s assistance; but Jack grasped her and hel her back, seeking:to reassure her. Once Abe bent Frank backward, forcing him to one knee. It seemed that the big ‘ruffian could crush Merry to the ground, but his mightiest effort did not prove succegsful. Somehow the young Yale athlete recovered and rose to his feet, lifting his adversary from the ground in doing so. Then, with a sudden twisting turn, Abe’s hold was broken. Frank got a breath. Closing about the ruffian’s neck, he gave it a twist that made it crack. up. Under those arms Frank slipped, and the ruffian’s heels flew into the air for the third time. Chet Down to the sand with a terrible thud came Big Abe, and the shock of the third fall was something terrible to sustain. Abe lay still. \ Abe’s arms went CHAPTER VII, 2 Oe DOE Bees PN tS-He With a cry of joy, Liz sprang out, canght Merry round the neck—and kissed him/ Wild, impulsive, untutored, she could not restrain her intense delight at the success of the beardless youth. Having risen to his elbow, Abe saw it all, and a fearful look of anger distorted his face. He rose to his feet, his whole frame quiver- ing with the intensity of his emotions. His language will not be recorded here, for his anger could not be restrained. “Stop!” demanded Frank, turning on him. “Have you forgotten this lady? How dare you use such language before her?’ Abe made a furious retort. “What do I care for her?” he snarled. “She’s nawthin’ but a 6 , “Silence!” cried Merry, stepping toward “You cannot insult her in the big ruffian. ny presence.” But Abe would not be sileneed. His in- sulting words were cut short by a blow of Frank’s fist. “Now Abe will kill him!” exclaimed the watching men, with satisfaction. Snarling forth his fury, the ruffian leaped at Merry. } Liz was filled with alarm, but Jack Ready drew her back. “Just keep away and let them have it out,” said Jack, smiling. “You will see Mr. Abe polished off in handsome style.” “Abe is an awful fighter!” panted the. girl, “T saw him kill a man with one blow uv his fist.”’ “He won't kill worry about that.” The ruffian rushed at Merry, striking a terrible blow, which was avoided by a quick dodge and a clever side step. Merry turned instantly, but the fellow followed him up, having wheeled also, and the fight was fast and furious. _ Watching for the opportunity, Frank found a chance to strike the fellow a heavy blow directly over the heart. That blow stopped Abe’s rushing. for an instant, and Merriwell came in with an upper cut that nearly lifted the ruffian off his feet. Frank Merriwell; don't SREY Sy he Sh aR eas PEAR cared oes ww ‘Wee aa Sy aR eda NS TIP TOP WEEKLY. 17 “Looker that!’ roared the man. see him hit Abe?” “You'll see lots more of the same thing,” “He'll make Abe’s face look life a Hamburger steak in “Did yeh murmured Jack, languidly. less than two minutes.” But those blows simply served to cool the big ruffan down and make him more cau- tious. “Vil fix-yeh!” he growled, Merry. “Yeh onery Yankee sap! I'll kill yeh right yere!” — “I hope not,” was Merry’s cool retort. “You haven’t begun to kill me yet. Better hurry up.” ‘Don’t yeh be in such a great hurry. Yeh / gwan teh git it!” “You gotter do it, Abe!” cried one of the watchers. The ruffian followed Merry about, but Frank was like a cat on his feet, avoiding the rushes of his furious foe. Then, having dodged, he would whirl and strike, some of his blows being hard enough to bring an ordinary man to the earth. It quickly became plain to Frank that Abe could stand a great amount of hammering, ordinary blows not seeming to effect the fel- ~jow in the least. 2 Having made this discovery, Merry looked for a vulnerable spot, found it and assailed it persistently, with a right-hand feinf and a left-hand swing, he strtuck the fellow repeatedly on the neck and jaw. Before long Abe began to slow up and show that he was Then, when it was plain the ruffian was try- ing to’rest and get his wind, Frank har- Getting under Abe’s guard receiving punishment. assed him persistently, giving him no op- portunity to do as he desired. Abe could stand a great deal of. punish- ment, but Merry’s persistent pushing an- gered and annoyed him. and bruised, and he began to show signs of wear and tear, while his nimble-footed and persistent antagonist seented as fresh as at the beginning of the encounter. His face was cut “He-un is a wonder!” breathed Liz, star- ing at Frank. “I never thought it wuz in him! Why, he don’t seem nawthin’ but a boy. glaring at “I told you all about it,” said Ready. “J could have told Mr. Big Abe better if he had asked my advice.” ¢ “Abe is gwan teh be po’erful furious.” “Don’t let that worry you, my dear young lady. Frank Merriwell will give Abie a set- tler pretty soon.” “Ah! Look!” Exasperated beyond measure, the ruffian tried to close with Merry, thinking to catch him unawares; but Frank slipped aside with the quick step of a panther, and smote the fellow a blow behind the ear that brought him to his knees and then down upon his face. For a moment it seemed that Abe was knocked out by that blow, but his head was hard, and he soon recovered, struggling to his feet. “Til git yeh yit!’ he snarled. ain’t over.” “This fight The strange old man leaned on his crook- ed cane and watched in silence this terrific contest, his face betraying neither surprise, satisfaction nor discontent. “He’s whippin’ Abe shore’s yeh bawn!’ muttered Qqne of the watching men. “D’ye think I’d let he-un whip me? He’s jest full uv tricks, an’ that’s all. Il git him purty quick.” “You lie, Bill!” shouted the big ruffian. I Then, having recovered his breath, he again advanced on Merry, who retreated and worked to the right. | “Why don’t yeh stan’ still?” Abe snarled, “Yeh run erway all th’ time.” “Not all the time,” was the smiling re- tort. “I didn’t run away—then!” As the final word leit Frank’s lips, he met Abe’s rush, stood like a rock, parried several heavy blows and shot his left to the ruffian’s ribs. For a moment the big ruffian staggered. > oD “Frank might have followed up the advan- tage, but did not seem to care to do so. “That wuz a terrible one!” whispered Liz in Jack’s ear. “‘Never saw Abe turn white like that afore, an’ his eyes got kinder green an’ glassy.” “He’s going to get worse than that in a minute,” prophesied Ready. “Frank’s look- eee renee 13 | TIP TOP WEEKLY. ing tor the right opening to finish the whole business at one grand swipe.” “He'll never finish Abe that way.” “Won't he? Wait and see.” The ruffian had recovered, and, once more losing his head, he resumed the effort to force the fighting. Something. seemed to tell him that this remarkable youth was play- ing with him and waiting for the time when he was quite worn out with the struggle. But not a single effective blow could Abe deliver. When he tried to grapple, Merry easily avoided him. Abe knew Liz was looking on, and the thought that she was witnessing his discom- fiture filled his heart wish shame and rage. In his wild, passionate way, the man loved her, but she had held him in check, giving him encouragement one day, but treating him coldly the next. This had filled Abe’s heart with hopes and fears, with joy and anger, till he scarcely knew what to expect; but over and over he had vowéd to himself that Liz should be his, if not willingly, then he would take her by force. Now he thought how he had found her with this smooth-faced lad, warping him of danger, how she had protected him with her own body, how anxious she had seemed for his safety, and how she had flung her arms about his neck and kissed him. before them all. . For such a kiss: Abe would have given his best blood. The thought of it made him furious. He heard a roaring sound within his head, and saw a crimson light before his eyes. ‘ “V’ll_ kill th’ onery whipper-snapper!” he vowed. “I'll kill him shore! Where is he? I] smash him!” 7 His intense rage made him blind, but a blow from Frank’s fist brought back his sight. Then, for some moments, the fight was more furious than ever. Abe seemed to re- cover all his lost strength, and he did his best to beat the college youth down. “The gentleman holds out well,” calmly observed Jack Ready. “I thought he was about done up some time ago, but now he seems to be going it as hard as»ever.” “He’s a devil!” whispered Liz. “He'd like teh kill t’other un. in his eyes.” But Abe could not continue the furious pace forever. Again he began to let up, panting heavily. Frank pressed him steadily, his lips closed, his nostrils dilated and his eyes flashing. “Give him the rubby-dum, Merry!” called Jack. “What's the use of fooling away your valuable time like this!’ ; Then, with a sudden movement that caused Abe to lift his guard, Merry swung his left hard and sure to the ruffian’s. solar plexus. Abe dropped. As he went down, a sec-. ond blow caught him on the jaw, and he lay stiff and silent on the sand. CHAPTER VIII. FRANK’S SKILL WITH A REVOLVER. The rough men stood looking on.in silent amazement. Even then it did not seem possible to them that the beardless youth had whipped Big Abe in a fair fight. Strangest of all, they noted that the vic- tor was not winded and blown. True, his bosom, rose and fell more swiftly with his -deep breathing, but it was plain that he could have continued the battle without great fa- tigue and exhaustion. In their eyes it was a miracle. Of all present Jack Ready was the only one who seemed not at all astounded. “Abe has received his medicine,’ Ready murmured. “He would have it, so he can’t kick.” The eyes of Liz were fastened on Frank, and a strange, wild light of admiration glowed in their depths. Her cheeks were flushed and her bosom heaving. In all her life this strange girl had never before seen a man like this handsome, clean-cut, fearless youth. She had never even dreamed of such a man. . . The men were silent. They found Merri- well looking at them in a manner that seemed a challenge, but not one of them all, thought of accepting the silent invitation. A short time before the weakest of them would have fancied himself more than a match for the stranger; but now it was different. I kin see murder/ is oe haya is ae lem sce ste * ee tii das scoala Sahat a Tar? Or Then Merry picked up his coat and put it on with no show of haste or nervousness His coolness and self-possession was some- thing the ruffians could admire. The Old Man hobbled forward. “Come,” he said, “we will return to my house. I think Abe has had enough, and ‘enough is as good as a feast. [ have some- thing more to say to you.” As they were turning away, there came a sudden cry of warning. Frank whirled like a flash, seeing Liz spring on Abe, who had risen to one elbow, and thrust his outstretched hand aside. There was a flash and the report of a re- volver, but the bullet flew wide of Merry, for whom it had been intended. Again the girl had saved Merry’s life. How the weapon had reached the ruffian’s hand no one seemed to know, but Liz had seen him lift himself and take aim fairly at the back of his conqueror. The cry of warning broke from her lips, but it would not have saved Merry had she not acted quickly. She grasped the wrist of the murderous fellow and a moment later the revolver had been wrenched from his fingers. “You onery p’izen snake!’ she cried, step- ping away beyond his reach, and lifting the revolver. “I’m gwan teh fix yeh fer that!” Then she lifted the revolver, with it point- ed straight at Abe. “Shoot!” he hoarsely exclaimed. “Yeh’d better do it, fer ’li shore kill him if yeh don’t !” But Frank was at the side of the girl in a twinkling, his hand on her arm, 1, and his voice sounding in her ear, “Don’t!” he said, Sa. ' “He did not realize what he was doing.” “That’s er lie!” snarled Abe, glaring at Merry. “I meant teh kill yeh, an’ se, gwan teh do it yit if. she don’t kill me right now an’ yere!”’ “Yo’ heah what he says?” panted Laz; “Give me that. revolver,” commanded Frank, and he firmly took it from her re- luctant fingers. “Ha! hal’ laughed Abe, sneeringly. “What good will a pistol do he-un? He through the exact center. WEEKLY, 19 couldn’t hit nawthin’ with it. I'd as leaf he’d shoot.at me as not.” A. bright-winged bird flitted past. In- stantly Merry threw up his hand and fired. The bird fell beside Abe, its head severed from its body. “There's yeh answer!’ lycc Ee fight.” “Accident,” muttered the ruffian, staring at the dead bird. Some of the men had been playing cards, and the greasy pack was lying on the ground, Jack Ready picked them up and selected the ace of spades. “My gentle chump,” he chirped, “just to show you how much of a fool you are, he will shoot the spot out of this card, which I will hold in my fingers.” Under ordinary circumstances Merry dic not believe in any such risky and foolhardy thing as this, and no one knew it better than Ready himself. » This being the case, Merry immediately said: ’ cried Liz, exultant- ckon he kin shoot as well as he “There is no need of such proof. I have given proof enough already.” Abe caught at this instantly. “T tol’ yeh it wuz an accident!” he tri- umphantly cried. “He don’t dare shoot at th’ card fer fear he’ll shoot tother-un. I knowed he wuz a coward and a bluffer!” Frank saw that he must stand the test, for ~ the men began to murmur that he was afraid. Ready held up the card. “Knock the spot out of it, Merry, old boy,” he laughed. stelines Up went the hand-that held the revolver. Barely did it seem to reach a level when its muzzle spit smoke and again the report rany out. “Here is your old card!” came trimphantly from Jack, and he displayed it so that all could see how the bullet had torn a hole “Just stop them’ from “Now mebbe ye'll say it wuz an aecident!” cried Liz, joyously. “I ruther reckon he’s showed yeh what he kin do.” Abe was silenced, and the other ruffians stared at Merriwell in wondering amaze- ment. “Why such things come natural to him,” N