: Trp [oP WEEKLY “An ideal publieation forthe American Youth Issued weekly By Subscription, $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Crass Matier at the N. Y. Post Office by Str tKT & SMITH No. 251. _ Price, Five Cents. MENS ea Ree yo AES , Pa “4 of ia r ‘i ad /INa, a} te LP bel CRACK! CRACK! TWO PISTOL SHOTS RANG OUT, AND ELSIE HEARD THE VOICE OF BART HODGE CRYING, ‘““TAKE THAT, YOU PRIZE BEAUTY.’’ or Re ay wre fey sin ied Be se Se #25 ae x ip Nand ce a rs F ie ee 7 6 eta ins a a Me TID TOP WEEKLY AN IDEAL PUBLICATION FOR THE inn YOUTH Issued Ey t Subscription $2.50 pex year. Entered as Second C lass Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by StREET & Smirn, 238 ——_ Y. Entered According t) Act of Congress, in the year Gi in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. No, 251. NEW. YORK, February 2, 1901, Price Five Cents, Frank Merriwell’s Party; OR, THE CRUISE OF THE PETREBE, By BURT L. STANDISH. CHAPTER I. THE HEART OF BART HODGE. The steam yacht Petrel was plowing mer- rily along, headed south on Cumberland Sound. On the starboard quarter was the low-lying, unattractive Georgia coast, while 3 to port stretched Cumberland Island, ex- a _ tending downward to St. Mary’s entrance, aot northeastern Florida. - The sun was shining brightly, and the oeercs sound, almost unruffled by the - wind, had ae gray- -blue tone of a ‘delicate 3 Picture-ike were the : - good to live and be here! y flat islands, on which grew the umbrella pal- mettos. White sails of vessels, hanging limp - and undisturbed by a breeze, could be seen p here and there. At a distance, beyond an island, lazily rose a column of black smoke, telling that a steamer was passing there. Over all bent the azure sky of the “Sunny South.” “It’s perfect!” breathed. Elsie Bellwood, enraptured, as she reclined on an easy chair beneath the sun-defying awning. eng it is sy “That's true,” sai Bart Hodge, Sake TIP TOP WEEKLY. was sitting beside her, “it ts good to be here “Elsie?” —with you near.” Still she did not seem to hear, but lay An additional shade of pink came to back, dreamily gazing on the pleasant scene. E\lsie’s cheeks, but she pretended that she did “Elsie, I must speak to you,” he declared, / not hear him, or did not catch his meaning. earnestly. “See that line of smoke over the island,” “See those white sails,” she murmured. she said. “It’s the one blot against the sky.” “If we were nearer,’ he said, “we could Bart glanced toward the reclining chair on see that the white of the sails is discolored, which lay Mrs. Parker, the-lady with whom without doubt, by stains and patches of yel- ] Elsie was traveling, observing with satisfac- low and brown. It is so with everything.” tion that her eyes were closed and she ‘That is true,” she admitted. “None of seemed to be sleeping. our pleasures are pure and unalloyed. But From the companionway came a burst of why think of that now?” laughter that proceeded from the cabin. “Everything makes me think of it now. Frank Merriwell and his father were below Elsie, if you could but know the suspense, with the owner of the yacht, Cyril Harlow, the anxiety, the torment in my heart.” the nephew of Mrs. Parker. There was a She knew what. was coming, and she man at the wheel in the pilot-house, while seemed to nerve herself for the ordeal. The the captain stood near him. dreamy look of pleasure had faded from- “This is my chance!” thought Hodge. ‘her face, giving place to an expression of ? : > oD > “I’m going to learn my fate here and now! anxiety and regret. ae [ can’t stand the suspense longer!” ‘Don’t!’ she entreated, with sudden fear. ; He drew a bit nearer to Elsie, on whose ‘‘We are happy now. Why ruin it all?” charming face was a rapt expression of en- “You may be happy,” he muttered, bit- joyment. Never had she seemed sweeter terly; “but Iam not. Never in my life have and more attractive to Hodge than at that [ suffered more than during the past few. i moment. He noted the soft tint of health in days. I must put an end to it somehow; I her oval cheek, the matchless symmetry of must know what is to be.” her white neck, the witching dimple in her She glanced’ at him, but turned quickly CG - a ; 4 ; 4 . a perfect chin, the red of her sweet mouth, the away, for the passion in his face and eyes ee blue of her eyes, the golden tint of her fluffy affrighted her. She saw in the sweeping a ¢ 5 / I 5 i hair—one, all, everything. strength of his aroused emotions a frightful ae ‘“She’s an angel!” he told himself, his , danger, and for the moment she was ap- > heart fluttering madly in his passionate palled. bosom. “I know it! I know her disposition, “Elsie,” he said, “I have held myself in, : ’ . } e e re : + es and it is as near perfect as it can be. If I check a long, long time. I have not even K: ay win ‘her, I'll be a lucky dog! I am not permitted myself to know the real truth, worthy of her, but I’ll try to be—if.I get © You know why I didit. Frank Merriwell is her !’’ ' my friend, You must give me credit for that. The fear that he would not get her made J hope you will.” him sick at heart at times. It came upon “But new——” ° him now, but he flung it off, resolving that “The restraint has been broken, You he would never abandon hope till he knew know how it happened, and you know I was beyond a doubt that his chances were fruit- not to blame. We were together on that less. burning steamer and I tried to save you.” A “Oh, I know, Bart—I know! kind and good and brave of you!” It was so “Nothing of the sort! It was not kind- ness or goodness. It was my lieart—my love Noth- ing—nothing in this world could have kept for you! I could not help doing it. me from you then!” His breathing sounded harsh and irreg- ular at her side, and again she shivered a lit- tle. Never had she encountered passion like this, and no wonder it alarmed as well as fascinated her. It was something to know a handsome, daring youth loved her in such a way. It was something to know that she had awakened this feeling in his heart. “Before I knew it,’ Hodge went on, “I had muffled my head to protect myself and was dashing blindly through the smoke and fire. I reached you, but my strength had given out and I was choked by the smoke. At that moment it is barely possible I might have been able to carry you to safety, but in the short time it took for me to get my strength back the chance was lost.. We were hemmed in, and death stared, us in the face.”’ " “Ob, it was horrible!” she panted, the horror of the memory taking hold of her again. “Forgive me!” he begged—“forgive me for causing you suffering by speaking of it. Heaven knows I would not intentionally cause you one moment of unnecessary pain. I love you too much for that, Elsie! You believe it, don’t you?” “Oh, yes; but why——” “Because I must. I must know I am. ex- onerated in your eyes from treachery to the one friend—the one true frend I’ve ever had, All those years I had forced myself to believe I cared nothing Why? except my own mother. for you. Because Frank was my friend; because I thought he cared; because I would not betray him. I know I am not the best féllow in the world, but whatever TIP TOP WEEKLY. there is bad in me, I hope my action in this matter will offset it somewhat.” “Bart, you were brave and true and noble. It makes me think more of you to know this.” “But I am not holding up my virtues for inspection. We were caught there by the fire, which forced us into that little state- room, where, with the door closed and the port open, we could breathe and talk for a few moments. Only a few moments. The fire was roaring outside, and the port was so small that neither could escape by it. I felt that we were doomed. You were on my arm, and the touch of you thus, so close to me, unlocked my lips and made me betray myself. Only a little while before, while coming south on the steamer, you had told me that all was ended between you and Frank—that he was nothing to you. In, as I believed, those last tew moments of life, when I held you in my arms, I told you my love. ‘There seemed no harm—no wrong to any one.” She remembered it all, though it seemed like a terrible dream. She remembered how he had poured ‘his passionate tale of love into her ears, how it had given’ her a peculiar thrill of pleasure, even in the face of death. He had kissed her, and she had not resist- ed. Something told her that, by some mystic tie, she had bound herself to him in that sur- render. “Then,” Bart went on, “Frank came and smashed down the partition, helping us both to escape by the passage that led to life. I felt and I feared that, in that moment and by that act, he might be robbing me of you. Perhaps I was wicked enough for a single instant to regret his coming and to wish he had left us to perish together with my arms about you! I am going to confess every- thing, even if it turns you from me. I want you to know just how bad I am.” . ¥ + TIP TOP She made a gesture of protest, but could command no words at that moment. “Tf it had been any one else,’” he con- But [ had just betrayed him, and tinued—‘‘if another hand had saved us! it was fated so. he dragged us back to life!” “You are too hard on yourself,” she whis- pered. “Do you think so?” he almost panted, his heart leaping with rising hope. “Then you know, you understand, and you do not think me a coward? Elsie, you do not?’ “Oh, no, no! You are brave—as brave as Frank Merriwell!” “No, for he is brave in everything. No one can be like him.” He was sincere in this declaration, for, no matter what faults were his, Bart Hodge be- lieved in Frank implicitly and regarded him -as the height of human perfection. ¢ Another burst of laughter came from the cabin. Something amusing was taking place down there. Did not Frank know Bart and Elsie were together? Did he not realize the peril of leaving them thus? or was he will- ing to give them this opportunity that the test might come between himself and Hodge? The wind, a soft breeze from the — land, came and ruffled the bosom. of the blue “sound, ‘ “But now,” Bart went on, “my lips have «been unsealed and I have discovered the depths of my heart, kept hidden so long. - Other girls I have met, but somehow not one Often I have fancied myself a woman-hater; but of them found a way into my heart. now I know it was because I would not let myself love you and I could not really and truly love any one else.” 3 “Are you sure?” “Sure? How can you ask? Don’t you know, Elsie? Don’t you know how I long WEEKLY. a to call you sweetheart? Do you doubt me now ?” He was hurt by the thought. “No, no!” she quickly exclaimed; “I do not doubt!” “When we were saved by Frank, I found myself confronted by a fearful problem. What could I do? I did not dare look him in the eyes.” “Nor I!” she breathed. “And I was to blame! What was to be done? It is a wonder you did not hate me, Elsie! Perhaps you did, but did not let me know! Perhaps you do now !” He was shaking at the thought. “What can you think of me? Hate you after that! How could I?” He was relieved. “No, no!” she again exclaimed. “I do not understand girls,” he confessed. “I’ve never tried to understand them, for I thought I did not like-them. I thought of a hundred things to do, but there seemed but one thing. I must go away—lI must never see you again!”’ She started and uttered a little gasp, but spoke no word. “That seemed the only way out of the di- lemma, and I thought I resolved to do it. Now I know I never made such resolve in my heart, though my lips whispered it. I thought all the time that I would not go saway till I knew the worst.” © = Harlow was strumming a banjo and sing- ing a song about sweethearts and moonlight and roses. “Perhaps,” said Bart, “it would have been. better if I had gohe away at once. What do you think, Elsie?” A He waited with breathless anxiety for her answer. ‘ “Perhaps” she murmured. — ¥ Then, aftera _ “pause: “But Lam glad you did not!” 4 _know everything. A island. Tres, CHAPTER II. ELSIE S ANSWER. A thrill of hope shot through his heart. “You are glad!” he exclaimed. . a es, He wondered just what It is better this way.” she meant, and he was resolved to eM “How better?” he asked. “I am torment- ed by doubts and fears.” “And would you not have been had you run away?” “Perhaps, but Es “It is better. have thought you cowardly. Had you run away, I should ” “Then it is better, no matter what may come. You know how I followed you to Jacksonville. I could not keep away. There, while calling on you, I met Harlow, who owns this: yacht. He took a fancy to me, though most fellows dislike me at first sight, and invited me to come -along for this cruise.” “Which was very nice of him.” “Yes; but the cruise took us straight to Merriwell, who, with his father, was stop- ping on Cumberland. Island. know what happened there, but I doubt if you You 3 “Oh, I know enough!” she cheek paling. exclaimed, her “I wonder that I am_-alive! Such a horrible experience!” “It was terrible. The wretch Powers is food for the sharks now, and that hoodoo ring went with him, for which I am sincerely thankful.” “That ring—oh, it gave me bad luck!” “That ring nearly drove me mad.” Sie “Ves,” “How 2” “I did not know Merriwell was on that You went ashore to the hotel in the ‘first boat, while I waited for Harlow, who ‘was making sure everything ‘Was in a TOP WEEKLY. before leaving the yacht. When we came ashore and went up to the hotel, I found you there with Frank.” “Why, sut I saw you together. , you did not appear until——’ I had entered the hotel, and I walked straight to a win- You Merriwell dow that opened upon the veranda. were sitting there, with Frank holding- your hand. When I saw that, I was turned to stone.” “I know; he had been telling me aan he came to obtain that remarkable ring “IT knew nothing of that. I saw him hold- ing your hand, and I saw him slip a ring upon your finger, I believed it was an en- gagement ring and that I had been robbed of you in the short time you were on shore ahead of me. I waited to see no more, but rushed out into the woods. I wanted to get away, for then, for the first time in all my life, I really and truly longed to kill Frank Merriwell!” “Oh, That terrible ring!” Bart! And it was all a mistaket “Harlow saw me and followed me. In my senseless anger, | thought of challenging Frank to a duel: You know what happened when we came back to the hotel.” “Yes knocked him off the veranda.” ro CSS Powers was there, and Frank had but for once Merry was careless. His back was toward the fellow, who pulled a revolver when he got up.” f Elsie shuddered. “Yes, yes,” she said. “He would: have shot Peale in the back. You sprang on him and knocked him down. life!” ‘““T jumped on the nodded Hodge. You saved Frank's miserable whelp,” “Had I waited, he would. have put Merriwell out of my way. forever, I thought of that as I saw him yank out that revolver.” 2 - “But you did not pause.” 4 “No; my only true friend was in peril; and I went in at the cur. I think I came to my senses then.” She gave him a look from her blue eyes, and he saw his reward in their depths. “T had a talk knows I told “After that,” said Hodge, He I told him the truth. with Frank, knows now—he everything. him I should do my best to win you.” “And he?” breathed Elsie, tremulously. “Was he willing?” “He told me it was to be a square fight between us, “Hardly that,” confessed Bart. and we shook hands. Now, Elsie, you know all. He has not given up, but what are we to do? Both-of us cannot have you. I'll never abandon the effort till | know you are his or until I am dead!” 9 “Bart, I am sorry “Stop!” he panted, a sudden great fear striking at him. “Don’t begin that way, for it seems that you are certainly going to re- Think, Elsie! be Merriwell’s equal—I know I am not! I ject me! I do not profess to know I have my bad traits, and I know you are far too good for me. But even Frank Merriwell cannot love you more than I do! No, by heaven! he cannot love you as 9 much!” How could she answer this passionate youth, whose face flushed and paled with hope and fear, whose voice was husky and trembling, whose very life and hope seemed, to depend on her answer? She knew Bart’s weak points, and she knew how hard Frank had worked to hold him up and lead him in the right direction. This might be the crisis of his life. Easily turned cither way, might not her refusal send him quiekly and surely to destruction? No wonder Elsie hesitated in fearful ap- prehension of the ultimate result! “Bart,” she said, summoning all her self- control, “you know I am your friend.” TiP: TOP WEEKLY. “IT know! I know!” he muttered. “But you must be more—or nothing !” eo “Isn't that selfish? Why won't you let me remain simply your friend ?” “Because it is impossible!” oil “Why?” “T love you, and you are a woman! Were you a man, we might talk of friendship. To remain simply my friend, I must get away where I can never, never look on your face; and then you will be to me—nothing, noth- ing but the sweetest and most painful mem- ory of my life!” The problem became more difficult. How could she solve it? “Bart, you are very dear to me—as dear as Frank himself.” “That is saying a good deal; but still it does not satisfy me. Elsie, forget what I have been. I swear to you I will be-all you All my life I’ll devote to the one object of making you can ask if you will marry me! happy. I will sacrifice anything, everything if I must. I will make you proud of me, and I’ll try never, never to bring you a pain or a sorrow. Elsie, it must come'true!” She was silent, and he saw her bosom heaving. ‘“T must win now or never!” he thought. “Failure at this moment means defeat for- ever !” He persisted, and it almost seethed that she was about to yield. 4 * “Though my love be far away, Yet I'll seek her night and day; Oh, we'll happy be, If she’s true to me, And her love I’ll ne’er betray.” Merriwell was singing in the cabin, and Bart saw Elsie’s cheek grow whiter. “T’ve lost!’ he inwardly groaned. “Bart,” she said, “my mind is made up, 3 > : and nothing can change it. I shall never marry any one!” te as Plats en fas 9 HAT geet a8 Sere Crete SS rene er call me names, sah.” — TIP TOP CHAPTER III. Bo RL, Ge GOP ARTY 1 EAS, lay in a comfortable observed Jack Ready, as he back position on the hand- some little sloop-rigged sailboat, “is what I call life on the ocean wave to just about the right limit. I enjoy this, but were it carried any further, I might be led into mutiny.” “Haw!” grunted Browning, who was like- wise working hard to be lazy and comforta- ble. of mutiny, why are mutineers always put in “This isn’t even a taste. But speaking irons ?” “Oh, to take the starch out of them, I pre- sume,” chirped Ready. “Ask another!” ‘Dick Starbright laughed, Inza joining in. Buck Badger and his wife, the pretty Win- nie, were too busy over their own affairs to take notice of the chatter of the others. | “Say, cap,” spoke Ready, addressing the leathery-faced old fellow at the helm, “what is there outside this body of water?” “Moah water, sah,’ was the reply, which caused Browning to give a grunt of laughter. “Thanks pleasantly. awiully, cap,’ returned Jack, “But I fear you fail to tumble to If so, perchance I had better What body of my meaning. make the meaning plain. water la¥s to the north?” “Ter th’ noath, sah?” “Yes, cap.” “Wal, sah, it’s called Islan’ Soun’, sah. Purty rough crossin’ it sometimes when fhe wind’s to the east’ard.” “And north of Island Sound is—what?” “Cumberlan’ Soun’, sah, and Cumberlan’ Islan’.”’ “Thanks again, my erudite friend.” “What's that?’ asked the old sailor, sus- piciously. “Don’ yeh git funny with me, young man. I’m engaged teh give yo’ young people a sail, but I ain’t no object yo’ can poke fun at nohow, nor will I let WEEKLY. yeh | ~~ ond Jonah.” owe 4 “I fancy you are just a trifle touchy, éap,” smiled the unruffled Jack. “It’s a way you Southern people have. Now I know a chap from Virginia—a fellow by the name of Dia- mond—and it was the easiest thing ‘in the world to get him r’iled over nothing so he’d be ready to shed a barrel of gore if he could only find the barrel. He was awfully tender about his honor and all that. He had a way of throwing back his head, putting out his chest and looking dignified. He caught me mimicking him one day, and what do you suppose he did?” “Mebbe he challenged yeh to a duel, sah.” Told me to Ha! “Nope; nothing of the sort. stop making a fool of myself. ha! Ha! ha!” The ald sailor did not laugh, and Brown- Pretty good, wasn’t it? ing lazily observed : “Ready, your jokes always remind me of a ball.” “Say you so?’ that?” purred Jack. “Why 1s “Because they never have any point to them,” yawned Bruce: “Now, by me halidom, whatever that is,” cried Ready, “I am offended! You may either give me an apology or a—cigar. I feel a trifle like burning the weed, so I think | prefer the cigar.” “No cigars here,” said Bruce. “Brought my pipe along, and that will do for me.” “Perhaps Inza might object to smoking,” put in Starbright. “Oh, not in the least—here in the open air,” the dark-eyed girl quickly assured. “Don’t mind me.” Ready rose and made a profound bow, but just then the boat gave a heave and he dropped down to keep from going over the rail. : : . “Steady, cap—steady!” he cried. “I hear you have sharks and things around here. — Don't toss me over, or I might become a sec- 8 TIP TOP “That's right,” said Bruce; “only there isn’t a fish swimming that can hold you down three days. Your cast-iron cheek would give a shark indigestion in less than fifteen minutes.” “Isn’t it strange,” said Starbright, ‘that we've been unable to get trace of Merriwell? I thought we were going to find him in Fer- nandina, but I’m sure he’s not there.” “He must have gone on to some place further South. By the time we find him,” grumbled Bruce, “it will be when we’ve got to pull up sticks and jump back to the frigid North.” “It’s too bad,” murmured Inza; “but we are having a splendid time.” “T reckon,” said Badger, joining in, “that he has had some trouble in finding that father of his. The old man may be all right s¢ in his upper deck, but “Methinks he hath bats in his belfry,’”’ put in Ready. ‘Still, he’s a pretty fine old boy. There is something of the dead game sport in him.” “IT don’t think he uses Frank just right,” asserted Browning. . _ “Why not?” exclaimed several. “Well, he’s got more money than he can ~ use if he burned it in an open grate, yet he never gives Merry anything. If I had an old 99 man like that——’ 3? “He’d have -one fearfully long leg, grinned Ready. “Of course I do not know Merriwell as well as the rest of you,” said Starbright; “but it strikes me that he does not wish to receive money from his father. He does not need it, for he has enough of his own to pull him througfi college.” 3 “That’s all right enough,” agreed Brown- ing; “but think how he’s had tohustle for it. _And he made it by nerve and brains. That fellow is a wonder.” — , “Ves. verily,” nodded Jack. tthond thihle WEEKLY. what he did for old Yale this fall! Never has Yale made such a record. She swept everything before her, and all because of Merriwell. to do with our victories on the gridiron, but Even so! Of course I had much [ am too modest to mention it. Somebody please pat me on the cheek and give me a little taffy.” “You'll do your own patting, if nobody else will,’ laughed Starbright, who was sit- ting beside Inza. The big freshman and the dark-eyed girl both seemed very happy. The sudden departure of Frank Merriwell from the home of Starbright, where he was spending a portion of the holidays, had seemed to rob the occasion of its life and enjoyment.- Before that there had been ‘something doing” every day and almost every hour in the day, but the party lost in- terest in billiards, bowling, skating, sleigh- Merry had riding, ice-boating—everything. been the life of the gathering. Then, struck by a happy thought, Jack Ready proposed that, as*Merriwell had left them, they should hunt up Merriwell. The only one to object was Browning. Winnie and Buck agreed at once, but hunt- ing implied a task for Bruce, and he hated anything like work- Where was Frank? : we That was a question not easily answered, and it is not likely they would have been able 40 trace him but for the fact that, thinking some of them might wish to hear from him, he had wired Browning from Savannah, say- ing he was there, all right, and contemplated moving south to Fernandina, Florida, the following day. Frank had changed his plans after that, sending his father to the quiet hotel on Cum- berland Island, while he went for a hunt in the Georgia forest. % ; ne es ‘Thus it came about that the merry little cee a Pree ee ee on boar d the TIP TOP party .which hurried South failed to find Merry at Fernandina. Not knowing where to look for him, they resolved to stop there a while and enjoy themselves as much as possible. Starbright and Badger had engaged this comfortable boat for a sail on Amelia River, but had gone much further than at first in- tended, the day seeming perfect and. every- thing luring them to enjoy themselves. The captain’s mate was a quiet, smooth- faced, smooth-spoken man of uncertain years. He had a rather keen, crafty cast of countenance, and his language and manner proclaimed that he was not one of the or- dinary “poor whites.” Although he sat for- ward the most of the time when not em- ployed in handling the lines or performing some puttering cast, had any one noticed it might have been seen that he seemed strangely interested in the talk of Frank Merriwell and his father. The name of the “skipper” was Hoke Jones. The mate gave his name as Jeb Cutler. little of Cutler, save that the fellow had appeared in Fernandina a few Jones knew days before and had lingered about the steamboat wharf a great deal, seeming in- terested in such passengers as arrived, ap- parently looking for somebody. He had made the acquaintance of Jones and offered his services on the day Starbright engaged the sailboat, saying he would be glad to go along for nothing. He professed to know something about sailing a boat, so the cap- tain willingly took him along. Badger had expressed his dislike of Cut- ler’s appearance, saying he had a face “like s9 an onery coyote,” but there could be no particular objection to the fellow, as no one boat, save the captain, was compelled to have anything to do with him. “Yender comes a right - smart lookin’ WEEKLY. 9 yacht,” observed the skipper, nodding to- S ward the north beyond the shoals and the narrow entrance between the dangerous ledges. ““She’s ‘That’s right,” agreed Starbright. I'd like to own one like her.” did!” could a clipper. “Wouldn’t it be splet exclaimed ‘This little 7 7 board. Inza. party have a fine time on I know it would do father good, and he’d enjoy that kind of sailing, though he doesn’t like a sailboat.” D> i a © . ks en had been left in Fernandina, where he was stopping with the others at the Florida House. } “Isn’t it dangerous passing through the narrows there, captain?” asked Browning, as he saw the yacht approaching the place in the reef of ledges where the tide set through in a strong current. “Wal, that knows his business, ruther, ‘less ye hev a good pilot ur a man ” nodded the skipper. “Lots o’ right good vessels hev bin smashed on them rocks. Sometimes they git on an’ it takes two ur three tugs to pull ‘em bin t 1 before. off. Guess that feller’s through { remember seein’ that yacht in Fernandina a week ur two ago.” Of a sudden the old sailor turned his at- tention from the approaching yacht to a small black cloud that was heaving up in the northeast. He eyed it closely a moment, and then observed: i “I "low we'd better put about an’ back. squall.” “What?” “Your must magnify, cap. You’re not looking for make ‘Pears teh me there’s gwan teh-be a squawked Ready. eyes any wind out of that little rag of a cloud, are you?” ome “T’ve seen smaller clouds’n that kick up Sometimes it don’t take long fer ’em to do that down heah.”” a right good blow, young feller, “We won't get wind enough out of that to 10 TY fill a pocket handkerchief,” prophesied Jack. “I'd like a little wind, for my part.” “All you have to do is open your mouth,”’ tumbled Browning. “Phere is more wind than talk escapes from that hole in your face; a hercely declared “If I were not a mild, gentle, peace- You’re a knocker!” Ready. loving youth, I’d drop on you some time and flatten you out. You'd cover a lot of territory flattened out, Browning.” “You're a flat without being flattened,” grunted Bruce, a twinkle in his eyes. “Hold me, somebody!” entreated Ready. “Hold me quick, or | may do him lasting injury.” “Truly,” said Winnie, “that cloud is grow- ing larger awfully fast. I never saw a cloud grow that way.” “That’s ‘Some of those little things have a way of whatever,” nodded Badger. kicking up a tornado out in Kansas. I’m not onto their ctirves in this yere part of the country, but I think we’d better take the captain’s advice.”’ “Come s) “Timid children,” scoffed Ready. on, little cloud, and give us a breeze to—— “Look out fo’ yeh haids!” sung out the skipper, as he put the boat about and the boom came over. Jack had risen to make his speech, and he did not duck in time to entirely escape, so the boom struck him and pitched him into Browning’s stomach, bringing a loud grunt from the big fellow. 4 ‘CHAPTER IV. THE TORNADO. “Refuse me!’ . Ready scrambled up, bowing apologetical- ly to Bruce. . “ll refuse you!” wheezed Browning, fiercely. “I believe you did that on pur- pose! Look out, or you may awaken the ) “But Starbright,” you worried about him: “aren’t: Inza laughed. TIP TOP [ know he'll come out all right.” “She can’t really and truly care much for him,” thought the girl with the golden hair. “Frank was wrong—Inza is not in love with Dick Starbright.” Somehow, this discovery was an unpleas- ant one. “But Winnie,” breathed Elsie—“I must know about her! Oh, I’m afraid she has been drowned !” “Right side up, but soaked to the bone,” cried a voice in the cabin. “That’s what- ever !” “There’s Badger!” said Inza, with satis- faction. “He’d hardly be in that mood if anything had happened to’ Winnie.”’ A moment later Winnie had been admitted to the little state-room, and it was necessary for Elsie to get into one of the berths in order for the trio to occupy the cramped quarters in anything like comfort. Winnie was pale and exhausted, but her husband had cheered her, so she greeted her friends with smiles. “Of all the surprising and wonderful - things in the world, this is the most wonder- ful,” ‘she drowned !”’ declared. “And nobody was “No one in that party born to be drowned,” laughed Inza, who was trying to dry her hair. “Something told me everybody would get out all right.” ac “We thought you were gone,” said Win- nie. ‘Buck shouted in my ear that you had disappeared, and Starbright went under the boat searching for you,” , “Did he? The dear, good, big boy! Did he fancy I was playing hide and seek with him just then?” “And Buck was so strong,” declared Win- nie, proudly. ‘Why, he handled me as if I were a baby, and he wouldn’t let me et hold of him at all.” 2 2 WEEKLY. “That’s where he showed a level head,” said Inza. “Ten to one youd pulled him under.” ‘Oh, he’s the best and noblest husband in the world!” “Glad you didn’t say fellow,” laughed the dark-eyed one. “That would have forced me to take exceptions. I think there are others, don’t you, Elsie?” “Perhaps I do,” smiled Elsie; “but I think Ht is right for Winnie to think just as she does.” Occasionally she told them where to find the clothing they needed, and the chatting progressed as they went on with the work of changing their garments. “T think “Frank left “As for me,” said Inza, teasingly, Fisie has something to explain. us in New York only a short time ago, and now we find him down here, the owner of a steam yacht, and with Elsie on board.” Iisie’s face paled at first, and then flushed c:7mson. - “That blush betrays you!” declared Inza, pitilessly, and, as it almost seemed, with a trace of spite. “Why, I don’t see anything very strange about it,” said Elsie, in a low tone. “Frank did not own this yacht when I came on board. It was owned by Mr. Harlow then, and Mrs. Parker is his aunt.” : ‘But ii was rather remarkable that you and Frank should be here together. He started from Starbright’s home to go to New York to laok for his father, who was reported to be missing.” Elsie hastened to explain how Frank had, with the aid of Selton Dirk, the detective, pursued to Savannah the villains who had drugged Charles Merriwell and led him away. She made plain the course of events that brought her and Frank tagastiee on board the Petrel. . | ae —Inza laughed. te placa Le Ee “It’s retnarkable how things happen that way to those who want them to happen so,” she said, with a spice of sarcasm in her words and manner. “You can’t fool me, Elsie.” “T’m sure I do not wish to fool any one,” asserted Elsie, her annoyance growing, in spite of herself. To tell the simple truth, something lke jealousy had attacked Inza on discovering that Elsie was on board the Petrel with Frank. that she would care a snap if she were to re- Had any one told her a week before ceive cards announcing the wedding of Frank and Elsie she would have laughed at the idea. But now her heart was stirred with the old feeling thai always seized upon it when she fancied Elsie was obtaining a strong hold on Merry’s affections. It is possible Elsie understgod this, for she was wondering once more if Inza really and truly cared for Starbright. “Tt can’t be!” she told herself. “Frank was deceived, and Inza cares for him the same as ever.” Whatever her other faults were, Elsie was not a flirt in a malicious way, and she could not repress the.feeling of resentment against Inza and her coquettish inclinations. Inza knew nothing of what had happened between Hodge and Elsie, and she was not enlightened in the slightest degree. Once there had been a time when these two girls told each other the secrets of their hearts, but time and events had changed all ‘this. Feeling provoked, because Inza persisted in her apparent conviction that Frank and Elsie had not met by chance, the latter was seized by a willingness to permit the dark- eyed girl to continue in her misapprehension. “Why don’t you wear the ring, Elsie?” - Inza suddenly laughed. “What ring?” asked Elsie, startled and thinking of the mysterious ring that had been placed on her hand by Merriwell on a WEHREKLY. 19 Cumberland Island—the ring that had caused her so much trouble. “Oh, you innocent minx!” Inza cried. “As if you do not know what I mean!” It was vain for Elsie to protest, and so she did not try. And in Inza’s heart grew the belief that Elsie and Frank were engaged, or about to become so. When t side the stateroom, the Petrel was well in the girls were able to appear out- toward Fernandina. CHAPTER VIII. THE ESCAPE OF THE RASCAL, As the yacht lay up to the steamer wharf, which she was able to do then, there was a sudden outcry forward, and Charles Merri- well was seen struggling with a man. The fellow seemed making an effort to break away, while Mr. Merriwell held fast to him, calling for assistance. Frank sprang forward to aid his father. At that moment the man, who was none other than the mate of the unfortunate sail- boat, struck Mr. Merriwell a staggering blow and broke away. Then Frank saw his face plainly. “Sidney Fox!” he exclaimed, in astonish- ment. . The fellow was one of the four men who had ‘plotted the drugging and capture of Charles Merriwell in order to get hold of a portion of his fortune.* During the excitement at the time the steamer burned off the Georgia coast all of the plotters had disappeared, and Frank of- ten wondered if they had perished in the fire or had escaped, making haste to get away when they found their game was played out. Now he knew that at least one had es- caped. *See Tip Top Weekly, No. 249, “Frank Merri- aoa Search. ¢. : : . “Tl make a _ the escape. on him, but he look rudder eee when he came skihootin’ along, so I jes’ let him _ skihoot. E which happened to be open. + ae 20 TIP Sidney Fox was one of the coolest and craftiest of the ‘gang,’ and Frank longed to get his hands on the wretch. Fox saw Merry bounding forward, and instantly he leaped over the rail of the yacht, alighting on the wharf, whereupon he imme- diately took to his heels. Frank followed swiftly, determined to run the fellow down. A train had backed in along the railroad track which runs close by the wharf. Now, however, it was in motion, pulling out to- ward Yulee. The rascal ran toward the main street of the town, which leads straight down to the railroad crossing near the wharf. As the train pulled out and the last car it, caught hold of the iron hand-rail and swung rolled by, the fellow made a dash at himself aboard. 2 Merriwell was some distance away, and the train was gaining speed. of him!” “That’s clever thought Frank. try to catch on also.” But he could not reach the train in time, and he saw the last car go whirling down the track, hanging on and smiling his satisfaction. with the triumphant scoundrel “He got away from yeh dat time, sah,” observed a colored man who had witnessed “?Spect I might put mah hands Yah! yah! yah!” Frank turned toward the railroad station, He found the station agent serenely smoking a cigar. “What is the first stop that train makes t re - asked Merry. — “Yulee,” answered the agent. “Telegraph office there: Ras sae ae ees sir.” i “Sheriff, constable, or - somebody with ‘au TOP WEHREKLY. thority to make an arrest somewhere around Yulee?” | “Well, I think so.” “I want to send a message. freight I’d rested.” Man on that like to have stopped and ar- When Frank returned to the Peirel he in- that sage, giving a description of the fugitive and formed his friend he had sent a mes- asking for his arrest. Ready and Harlow had followed Merri- well, but of course neither were able to ren- der assistance. “Well that chap with the narrow-gauge countenance well!” chirped Jack. “I thought looked like a person with a warped con- science and an inclination to do unjust deeds. Oh, contrast to which my uprightness and virtue but this world is full of wickedness, in is like the driven snow. You should be proud to have such a truly good little boy as I am for a~bosom friend, Merriwell.” Charles Merriwell was unharmed, although the blow- received from the ruffian had been rather severe. “T recognized him the moment I saw him,” he declared. “He came to see me at the ho- tel in New York in company with that ras- cally lawyer of yours, Frank.” “Y’d much rather eet hold of that lawyer 9 than this fellow,” asserted Merry ; “for I be- lieve the lawyer was the instigator of the- plot. But something tells me he did not es-’ cape from the burning steamer. He was fat and ¢lumsy, and it is likely he perished. This man Fox is as active as a cat.” “Tt’s strange you did not recognize him, | Merriwell,” said Bruce. 3 “T do not think T saw him, and it is prob- able that he kept out of my sight.” “He was trying to slip off the boat when T detected him,” said Mr. Merriwell. “Welf. how am T going to get up to ie ae confounded hotel | to pay DE Or clothes?” growled Browning, who still had the steamer rug wrapped about him. “T’ll attend to that,” “Don’t let it trouble you. The Frank. accommoda- assured tions on board the Petrel may not be spa- cious, but we can take care of you all, and I'll have everything trucked down here in short order.” “Thanks,” grunted Bruce, resuming his “Now all I need is a pipe and some tobacco to be per- seat on a. comfortable chair. fectly happy. Luck is coming my way by exptess.”’ “That’s mured Ready the proper way to express it,’ mur- “Don’t hit me! It slipped! I never make a pun—unless | happen to make 39 Frank was not at all worried by the ap- pearance of one of the gang who had tried to carry a most daring plot into execution against his father, for he did not believe an- other effort of the sort would be made, and he hoped that Fox would be captured and detained when the freight arrived at Yulee. Frank’s hope, however, was vain, for later he received word from Yulee that no such person was on the train when it arrived there. “The rascal may have seen me walking - toward the station and suspected my pur- pose,” -was thoroughly scared, and I do not believe said Merry. “Anyhow, I believe he we'll see anything of ons again while we are here.” But he was to see Mr. Sidney F®x again. CHAPTER IX. | ON AMELIA BEACH. Fernandina is a rather pleasant place, sit- “nated on the western side of Amelia Island, in extreme northeastern Florida. Amelia River, which | divides pe ae a spe : Ww i EKLY. 21 point that the railroad was put across with- out great trouble or extreme expense. The climate of this place is mild through- situated thus, where it gets the cool winds from the broad out the winter, and, being Atlantic, it is said to be one of the most comfortable and healthy summer towns in the State The Amelia Fernandina is of the , flat sand beach is so great attraction of Beach, on the ocean side island. This smooth hard that a bicycle may be ridden over it almost without leaving a mark in some places, and with such easé and pleasure that it is the favorite resort of wheelmen there- abouts and the delight of all visitors. Unfortunately our friends missed a sport indulged in at another season of the year by turtles come onto this beach in large numbers to people of Fernandina. luge sea deposit their eggs in the sand, and “turtle parties” visit the beach at night, where they get upon the backs of the turtles, sometimes several persons on a single turtle, and com- pel the monsters to carry them about, direct- ing their course by a stick, with which the turtle is tapped on one side or the other of. the head. However, although this sport could not be © indulged in, Frank resolved to visit the fa- mous beach. and he invited others of the party to accompany him. Browning was too tired, Ready was too busy, and Hodge decided that he did not care to go, nor could he be induced to ac- company the.others. Elsie supposed ‘until they were ready to start that Bart was com~ ing along. A three-seater, with a span of hones and a negro driver, took them along the shell ‘road to the beach. Buck and Winnie occupied the rear seat. es Frank helped Inza onto the middle seat. “But you are no longer his enemy?” said Inza. “T allow not. What’s the use? We've buried the hatchet and called off the dogs of war. Still, we kinder rub each other some- how when we're a lot together.” The country between Fernandina and the “beach did not prove to be very interesting, but they chatted and pretended to be very happy, as if none of them could detect a cloud on life’s horizon. Inza seemed particularly gay and light- hearted. She chatted, laughed and sang. “She thinks she is taking Frank away from me!” thought Elsie, somewhat bitterly. 7 “That makes her ree But = is de- Starbright. Bs atone oa. te get os ; i - ae rit i WEEKLY “She’s the glad to be with Merriwell again,” was that tormented Star- bright. but I was mistaken. conviction “I thought she really cared for me, She is a flirt! But I cannot wonder that she should think more of Merry. Why shouldn’t she?” Frank was not quite happy, although he pretended to be. He was convinced that things were not going right, and his heart was filled with a vague uneasiness, which, however, did not appear in his words or manner. They sang some of the college songs as the carriage rolled along, the girls joining in, and they talked of the great Yale-Harvard football game, which Merry had won by his remarkable high jump over the Harvard man who had flung himself at Frank for a flying tackle. They then spoke of other things, coming at last to the remarkable manner in which had been brought together in Florida. Its short!” said Badger. they a blamed shame vacation is so “You fellows have got to go back, and I'd like to spend two months down this way. Won’t be no fun whatever — after you go.” “Wait,” will be no more Yale for me. smiled Frank. “Next year there I have a yacht now, and this is not the last time a party of friends will have a chance to enjoy a cruise on her—at least,*I hope not.” “Are you glad to find yourself so near through college?” asked Inza. | Glad No!” A shadow came to Frank’s face. “I reckon not!” muttered Badger. “No man is glad to get dut of old Yale.” “It is there I have made the dearest asso- ot is there [ have found many of my dearest friends. ciations of my life,’ Frank explained. With commencement comes the time of parting. I dread that.” “That's