EERLY

ideal publicat i te American Youth

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tssued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at New York Post Office by SYREET & SMITH, 228 William St., N. Y.

ee & eo ‘ a a eee

__ No. 303. ; a Price, Five Cents. :

 

= Ssh Baht

 

 

 

 

 

DICK INSTANTLY PARRIED THE BLOW AIMED AT HIM AND SWUNG CRUSHINGLY ON THE JAW OF THE INSOLENT AND QUARRELSOME
YOUNG FISHERMAN,

 
 

TIP TOP WINTER SPORTS CONTEST.

Another Great Opportunity.

 

There is a good old adage among athletes that says the muscle that does
not have something to do all the time grows thin and weak. Tip Tor pins its
faith to that adage, and, when it has trained its athletes up to a high state of
physical development, Tir Top does not intend to let them go back. It is: one
thing to make an athlete. It is another to keep him there. Tip Top does both.

Here are the latest inducements to keep Tip Top athletes at work and
improving.

FIRST. | THIRD.

 

 

 

 

TIP TOP BASKET BALL LEAGUE.

For the Basket Ball
for the season Tip Top offers the following prizes:
1. A Pennant to the Championship
Team.

2. A Complete Basket Ball Suit to Each
Player of Winning Team, this to. con-
sist of: |

A Basket Ball.
A Sleeveless Jersey (any color).
A Pair of Running Trunks, |

A Pair of -Ribbed Stockings (any
color).

| A Pair. of High Cut Canvas Shoes.
* Send in. your scotes" as soon as/ possible.
_ will publish them /all:

eo ee.
SECOND.

TIP. TOP ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE.

For the Ice Hockey Team having the best average
for the season Tip Top offers the following prizes for
each player of winning. team.

A Spalding’s Shaker Sweater (any
color).

A Pair of Hockey Skates (Canadian
pattern).

A Spalding’s Hockey Stick.

A Skating Cap (any color).

Team having the best average |

Tip Top.+

 

TIP TOP RELAY ICE TEAM CONTEST.

To the Team of Four boys who skate in the fastest
time over Four Miles on Ice, each member of the team
to skate one mile of the distance. Tir Top offers the
following prizes to each member of. winning team: |

A Pair.of Spalding’s Racing Skates.
A Shaker Sweater (any color).
A Skating Cap (any, color).

eae,
FOURTH. :

TIP TOP CHAMPIONSHIP ONE- MILE ICE RACE.

Tip Top offers three prizes for the three best records.

established on skates -over a one-mile ice course. The.
skater making the best time to receive the First Prize,
which comprises :
A Pair of Spalding’: ~ Racing Sk dbus
A Shaker Sweater (any color). | ;
A Skating Cap (any color).
The skater making ‘second best time to receive the
Second Prize, which comprises:
A Pair of Spalding’s Racing Skates.
A Shaker Sweater (any color).
The skater making third best time to receive the
Third Prize, which comprises:
A Pair of Spalding’s Racing Skates.
A Pair of All Worsted Gloves.

 

COUPONS FOR ALL EVENTS WILL BE FOUND ON PAGE 32.

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

j
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Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1902, tn the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D.C.

No. 303. NEW YORK,

 

February 1, 1902.

 

Price Five Cents,

 

i ee ®

OR,

By BURT L. STANDISH.

 

CHAPTER I.
THE END OF A STORMY LIFE.

“The man is dead!” said the doctor.
Cale Burk seemed to be sleeping. He lay there on
the bed with his eyes closed in a peaceful manner,
his tempestuous life ended at last.
would know “Old Peg-Leg,” the hermit, no more.
The old wreck in which he had lived would be span:
doned.
Dick Merriwell looked at the bearded face that
lay on the pillow in the old farmhouse, and to him it
almost seemed that the dead man must feel relief
now that he was beyond the reach of his mortal

enemy, Captain Jubal, who had hunted him down

in such a remorseless manner.

Cale Burk had lived in fear and wretchedness, fully

Hidden Cove

_ believing that some day Jubal. would’ find him and

claim his life or the treasure for which they had.

struggled years before on that desert island off the
torrid coast of Honduras.

Burk had conquered Jubal then and left him with
others marooned on that island—tleft him, ‘as he be-
lieved, to die.

But fate favored Jubal, the man of the single eye
and scarred face, and he had been taken off the island
by a passing vesssel. Then he had sworn to spend
the rest df his life in hunting Burk down, and recoy-

ering the pirates’ treasure with which the latter had

sailed from the island.

Old Burk somehow found out Jubal had escaped,
and then his life became one long nightmare. He
sought to hide from his enemy, and for three years
he lived, on ae old wreck in Hidden Cove, a few
miles from Fardale.

    
       
  
 
  
    
   
    
     
     
         
      
   
 
 

   

3 TIP TOP

He armed himself and was prepared to fight to the
death when Captain Jubal came. He feared to trust

any one, and he permitted no one to visit him on the

wreck. Provisions were brought him by a fisher-
man, who left them on a certain rock at a distance

from the old wreck, receiving as payment for his

trouble payment in gold, old coins of Spain, taken
from the treasure box.

Old Burk had feared that the giving out of ‘such
money might afouse suspicions and cause the belief
likely
This, together with his

that he possessed treasure, which . was
to bring robbers upon him.
apprehension concerning Captain Jubal, caused him
to seek a secure hiding-place for the treasure.

After a time he fancied he had found what he
sought. It was a cavern that could be entered only
at low water, the narrow mouth being hidden several
feet beneath the surface of the sea at high tide.

It was necessary to enter the cave on all fours, but it
quickly grew larger, once the explorer got inside, and
it gradually extended upward till a portion of it was
above high-water mark.

Within this cave, in a niche in the ¢amp rocks, the
hermit concealed his treasure. There he fancied it

would be safe from molestation.

At last,
Captain Jubal appeared, and there was an encounter
between them, in which the hermit was seriously
wounded, but escaped and succeeded in avoiding his
foe for the time being.

- At this point Dick Merriwell and Brad Buckhart,
who were remaining’in Fardale during the regular
holiday vacation, happened to. come upon the old
wreck in Hidden Cove and find Burk wounded, weak,

the thing he most dreaded happened.

nearly frozen and half-starved in the cabin.

The boys did what they could for him.

village with provisions.

Before they left, the old man gave Dick an oilskin
*j _ packet, in which were full directions how to find the
Ay cave and the Ma CER: treasure. ;

 

 

They
built a fire, made him coffee, and left hima in a fairly
comfortable condition, agreeing to return from the

 

WEEKLY.

   

He did this because he believed Jubal might dis-
cover him at any time and destroy him, and he did
not wish the treasure to fall into the hands of the
man he hated. Dick had befriended him, and, if he
Gied, he wished the boy to obtain the treasure.

On the
drowning a
When he leaped into si water, the boy flung off his
Afterward, at the village, he discovered the

way back to Fardale Dick had rescued from
man who proved to be Jubal himselt.
coat.
oilskin packet was gone from his pocket. The final
conclusion was that it must have fallen out when he
flung off his coat.

But a long search failed to recover the packet,
and the hermit, when told of this, grew frantic with
fear that it had béen found by Jubal or one of his
men.

His fears seemed warranted when, at low tide that
night, the sailors in company with Captain Jubal
rowed to the vicinity of the cave and landed there.

But the two boys and the old hermit had reached
the spot in advance, and a battle took place at the
mouth of the cave, into which Dick, Brad and Cale
Burk were

Then the enemy tried to smoke them out or suffo-

> finally driven.
cate them. They might have succeeded had not
Dick found another’way out of the cave. Believing
they had succeeded and that the trio were overcome
with smoke, Jubal and his men finally put out the fire

and entered the cave.

Cale Burk had not left the cave at all, and a hand-

to hand struggle between him and Jubal ensued.
The old man was no match for the scar-faced ruf-
fian, and he would have been slain but for the daring
of Dick and Brad, who finally drove the surprised rut-
fians from the cave. |
The boys waited for the sailors to attempt some
other move, but they waited in vain. At last, the in-
flowing tide closed the first mouth to the cave, and

forced the boys to drag Cale Burk out by the eit 3
‘discovered by Dick.
In leaving, the old man sought to take ii treasure oe ot

    
 

a aE a gE hag Al ln a tite

   
  

   
   
    
  
  
  
 
 

aT pea

~

  

 
a

SF ae tet cs eaten ate

¥

i TN nm or

 

  
   
 

 

 

  

 

TIP TOP

Then came a maddening discovery for him.

The treasure was gone!

It seemed certain that Jubal and his men had not
carried it off, but it was gone.

On getting out of the cave, the boys succeeded
with much difficulty in carrying the old man to a
house about a mile away, where a doctor was sum-
moned, as it was found Burk had been wounded again
in the encounter at the mouth of the cave.

But the doctor was unable to save the hermit’s life.
. Weakened by loss of blood, and prostrated by the
shock of discovering his precious treasure had mys-
teriously vanished, Cale Burk sank rapidly, and
finally died. :

His last words were spoken in praise of Dick
Merriwell’s bravery and in regret that he had been
unable to turn the treasure over to the boy.

And now the end had come. |

Dick felt a touch on the shoulder and turned to see ~

Buckhart, his faithful Texan friend, standing near.

“Let's go out and get some air, Dick,” said Brad,
~ 7 6c“ , ¥ ’
inalowtone. ‘I reckon you need it. You're look-
ing right pale, old fellow.”

“Wait a minute,” said Dick. “Doctor, if you will
do me a2 favor you shall be well paid.”

“What do you wish me to do?” asked the physi-
cian.

“T wish you to get some one to arrange for the fu-
neral of Mr. Burk.

There must be prayer, at least.

I wish him to have Christian
burial. Have an
undertaker attend to the body and provide a good

coffin.” \

’

coughed the doctor.

?
uu

“We'll talk
I think the coroner will have to sit

“Hem! hem
about. that later.
on this case. It seems absolutely necessary, the man
having died from bullet wounds.

be thoroughly investigated.”

This affair must

“Nothing that should be done must be neglected,”

said Dick. ‘‘My bother, Frank Merriwell, who lives

in Fardale, will see that all expenses are paid.”

“Are you Frank Merriwell’s brother?” exclaimed

the doctor, looking at the handsome lad with new in-

   

terest. . “Why, T’ve heard much about you of late,
but this happens to be the first time I have seen you
to know you.”

Indeed, there were few people in the vicinity of
Fardale who had not heard much about Dick Merri-
well, who in a short time had become the wonder of
the military academy situated near the village.

“I can take you in my sleigh to the village, if you

“There will

)

wish to go that way,” said the doctor.
be room enough for your friend, too.”
“Thank you, doctor,” said Dick. “We shail be
happy to accépt your invitation, for I confess that I
am tired, and I believe Brad must be, also.”
“You bet your boots!” nodded Buckhart. “I have
taken part in the regular roundup on our ranch more
than once, but I'll admit that this racket has played
I didn’t know I

was so dog tired till I stopped to think # over.”

me out worse than any roundup.

They left the room, and the doctor talked a few
moments in-a low tone with the farmer who lived in
the house. His horse was standing blanketed in a
shed near by, and soon they were in the doctor's |

sleigh, with their faces turned toward Fardale.

CHAPTER II.

NIGHT AND: MORNING.

“Talk about a wild old night!” said Buckhart.

s

“This has beenit! You hear me peep!”
“Tt has’ been all of that,” agreed Dick.
“Tell me the particulars, boys,” urged the doctor,

and they did so as the horse took them swiftly over

the road to the tune of jingling sleighbells.

-The astonished physician interrupted them many |
times with questions, and it was plain that he found it
hard to believe’their remarkable and thrilling tale.

“Tt’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard of!”
he declared. . “Why, I’ve been told there was a queer
character—an old hermit—living in«the wreck in>
Hidden Cove; but who evér supposed he was the pos-
sessor of pirates’ treasure? Goodness, ‘boys! this

would make a fine story for a sengational news-

yp?
paper! Be

  
  

 

4 TIP TOP

“If I ever went home and.told the truth about this
business,” said Brad, “the people out in Texas would
allow I’d learned to lie right fast here at school.”

“I have heard in Fardale about the queer Spanish
said the

“Folks were wondering where he got it.
oD

money brought to town by that fisherman,”
doctor.
This explains the mystery. But pirates, hidden treas-
sure, bullets and bloodshed—all this right here in our
peaceful neighborhood! It’s amazing!”
But all

least, and he finally came to believe beyond a doubt

his questions did not tangle the boys in the

that their story was truthful,
“But what do you suppose became of the treas-
|
ure?” he asked.

9

“That’s something we'd like to know,” said Dick.

“You heard Cale Burk say he wished to give it to

me?

Of course, if we had obtained it, I should have
divided equally with Brad.”

“T opine not,” said Buckhart, at once.

“Why not?”

“Because he gave it to you, and I would not have
touched a ted of it.”

“Well, we'll raise no argument about that, for it
is quite needless. Lhe treasure is gone, and neither
of us can benefit by it.”

“Do you allow Cap’n Jubal got it?” asked Brad.

“Certainly not.
have fought us to get into the cave.”

Had he obtained it, he would not

“But he didn’t fight to get back into the cave after
we drove him out.” — !

“Because he realized that we could shoot him and
his men as they attempted to creep in by the open-
ing. ‘They were certain we had been overcome by

the smoke when they ventured in there. It was

the greatest surprise of their lives to find us alive.”

“Well, I reckon they found us alive and kicking.
But they didn’t get a chance to take the treasure

| while they were in there.” se aces

At no time were they near where Cale Burk had
hidden it.”

| “Maybe they had been there before that and had

- carried it et ye itive gal he

ne the eave. where the treasure had been hidden, ‘

WEEKLY.

NE

“Maybe

“No. They would not have fought as they did, as
I said before.

 

Besides that, they could not have en-
tered the cave previously. The tide would have pre-
vented that.”

“You mean after they found the packet you lost,
telling where the treasure was hidden?”

Cee ‘

s
“Well, that’s so. But, if they didn’t get that treas-
ure, who did?”

“Don’t ask me! You ee quite as well as I do.”
“Tt's mighty strange.

?

“The whole thing is very strange, boys,” said the

doctor.

When they arrived in Fardale, Dick went straight
to his brother, to whom he told the story of their
marvelous adventures.
eyes flashing.

“Look here, you young rascal!” he exclaimed to
Dick; “you'll be getting yourself killed pretty soon,
I\did think I had a faculty of
picking up more trouble and excitement than any

if you keep this up!

fellow alive, but you take the palm, and I’ll have to
retire. At your age, I refrained from frolicking with
pirates and gentry of that class, but you seem looking
for trouble all the time.
neral expenses of Mr. Cale Burk, but I do object to
paying your funeral expenses, and I fear I may have

to, 1f you don’t steady down,”

“Why, I’m not to blame!” laughed Dick. “How

can I help it when things will happen?”
“Tm afraid we'll have to keep you locked up at the
academy. Even then there would be something do-

ing. Mr. Burk shail be buried with honors.

of trouble.” PP sox

Frank did not doubt a single point of the oii few: ma me
he knew Dick would not tell him a falsehood. Of =

y

course, he was greatly interested, and. resolved to

'

Frank whistled softly, his

I don’t mind paying the fu-

And
now I advise you and Buckhart to bottle up. some
sleep. You'll be likely to need it for the next peek gid

     

     
 
   
   
 
    
   
   
    
  
 
  
    
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  

 

 

 

    
      
 

TIP TOP

The boys were put to bed, and they slept soundly
for some hours.
Dick

“Hands off, Cap’n Jubal!’ muttered the Texan,
mumblingly. “T’ll fight you fair and square
Hey? what is it? Who You, Dick? What are
ad you doitlg, confound you?”

Buckhart was still sleeping when

shook him to-rouse him.

 

 

+ “Waking you up,” said Dick. “Why, you sleep
‘ like a log!”
“Oh, Lord!” said Brad, rubbing his eyes. “I was
| just having a right smart scrimmage with Cap’n
i Jubal.. What time is it?”
a “Pretty near noon.”
+ “Get out!”
“That's right.”
“Well, shoot me! You're not dressed? Didn't

ea we put in the sleeps? I should remark!”
“I woke you because I have been thinking of some-
thing that makes me want to be moving. I woke up

oy half-an-hour ago, and an idea got into my head. It

 

has been bothering me while I took a shower and

Lata $e rub. Woke yowup to tell you about it.”

r a “Let me have it.: Fire away.”

L “Cale Burk may have made a mistake last night
| >. ta the cave.”

Fe Ae “Made a mistake?”

eon ae \ How?”

Bo ai: “When he went to look for that treasure. He may

have looked in the wrong place.”
The Texan came out of bed with a leap that took

Ss him to the middle of the floor.’

 

_. “Whoop!” he shouted.
think of that before?
I do, I swear!” ;

“Say, pard, why didn’t we
Great hornspoon! I believe
you've struck it!
“It’s possible.”
a “Possible! It’s probable!
It’ s almost certain!”

You hear me shout!

“y do not feel quite that way,” said Dick, sitting on
: ‘the edge of the bed; “but there is a chance that, i

the excitement of the time, wounded as he was, a
ol man made a mistake i in ue ony iobggtine ae had

  

  
    

 

storm had burst upon them.”

      
   
    
   
 
   
  
    
  
  
  
     
 
    
 
    
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
           
     
     
       
    
  
    

WEEKLY. 5

was similar to the one he had used, and that deceived
him.”

 

“In which case

“In which case the treasure may be in that cave
now.”

“May be?’

eyes.”

“Why, it must be!”

“Hardly that.”

“Why not?”

“Cap'n Jubal may have entered the cave again
since we left it, secured the treasure and carried it
off. It’s

getting his hands on the gold.

not likely he gave up thus easily all hope of
He remained out-
side the cave with his men, thinking that rising tide
would surely drive us out, when they would be able
to kill us, for it’s certain he knew nothing of the
other way out of the cave. When the water closed
the mouth of the cave, he decided that we would be
drowned or must suffocate. He may have remained
If so,
If the

treasure remained there, the directions he found in

right there waiting for the tide to fall again.
he has made his way into the cave ere this.

the oilskin packet have enabled him to find it.”

Buckhart sat down heavily on a chair. Sick

A
1a
,

“That's so,” he said, in a crestfallen manner.

“We're done up, Dick. We have been too slow,
and that old devil has beaten us.”
nodded Dick; “but still it is not

How do we know just what happened? ae

“Tt seems likely,”

 

certain.
seems rather strange to me that Jubal gave up as he
did. Cale Burk regarded him as a fighter.
afraid of Jubal.

with the others.”

the was.
Yet we drove Jubal from the cave

“Well, you must allow that we gave them a right
smart shock when we opened upon them with our ©
They reckoned we had passed in our chips, _
and it jarred them a little when we began to whoop ee
her up and pump lead in their direction. We were _
above them, and they may have thought a thunder- :

guns.

Bs aes & Poses spinal y we 1 eed tot . s sound
 

6 TIP TOP
Of

to lure us out;

them after they were driven from the cave.
course, that may have been a trick
but I think it possible that something else had hap-
pened.”
“What do you mean by something else, pard ?”

In that
s likely they carried him off to their vessel!”
hit it!”

9)

“Perhaps Jubal was seriously wounded.
case, it’
shouted Brad,

“Whoop! I reckon you've

jumping up again. “If so——
“It’s possible they have not yet entered the cave.
Perhaps Jubal is the one who has the directions for
finding the treasure. It may be that he dare not
tru®t his men, fearing they would Betray him, as did
Cale Burk.”
Buckhart began to slat himself into his clothes, do-
ing everything on the jump.
“Get. into gear, pard!

“Come on!” he cried.

Wake up, old man! We've got to get going right
lively !”

“You mean——” |
“The cave! We must be there when the tide goes
out next time,”

said Dick,

“May as well take

“Tt will be hours before that happens,”
~as he calmly resumed his toilet.
it easy, Brad. ‘here’s time for you to take a shower,
if you wish.” :

“Cut the shower out'this morning, Dick. You had
Well, let that do for both of us.
get near that there cave, or I'll explode.”

“What's
again until the tide falls.

one? I’ve got to

If he was in there at last
low tide, it’s pretty certain he has accomplished his
purpose, and we are left.” :

“Say, Dick, it’s awful to think that!”
Brad, jumping into his trousers.

groaned

reckoned there was another way of getting into and

out of the cave. )

found it! Oh, upares
“Tt’s just as bad.’

“But he may be hunting ior the other place now.

, Say, Dick, you can bet your sweet life Brad Buckhart,

the raging terror of the Rio Pecos, is going to get up

If that’s so——”

}
:

   

 

the use, as long as Jubal cannot enter it

t
“But perhaps he

Perhaps he hunted for that—and_

WEEKLY. *

on his hind legs and prance over to that there cave
Along with him he will take two guns,
He'll

squat right down on that there hole where he got out

right lively.

a toadsticker and other implements of war.

of the cave, and, so help me shade of Davy Crockett!

he’ll stay there, warning off all trespassers: If that
treasure is there, we're the boys who are going to
lift it.”

The Texan was earnest enough, and it occurred to

Dick that there was a possibility that the cave might

be entered by the opening through which they had

_ escaped.

And the only danger would not be from Captain
Jubal.
stances would bring out all sorts of stories, and the

The death of the hermit under such circum-

entire country might get treasure mad, in which case
scores of searthers would be looking everywhere for
buried treasure. Should some of these invade the
cave, they might find the treasure by chance.

Something of Buckhart’s feverish excitement com-
municated itself to Dick, whose fingers shook a little
as he hastened to finsh his toilet. b

“WwW

But-when they went to look for Frank they were

ell take Frank with us,” he said.

told that Merry was away attending to the arrange-

ments for the funeral of Cale Burk.

They did not stop for a regular breakfast. A hasty
bite and sip of coffee served them.

To the nearest livery stable they went, where Dick
procured a turnout. They had armed themselves
each with a revolver, and soon, Dick driving, they

went flying out of Fardale.

\

 

CHAPTER. ITT.

A BLOW ON’ THE JAW.

The day had promised well, but as it advanced the ©

sun disappeared in a grayish bank of clouds, and the

wind shifted until it came raw from the open sea.
Then a few fleecy flakes appeared in the air, and soon —

\

they grew thicker and thicker, driving before the

wind. A stort m was setting in.

Dick pe apg to find Frank at ‘the house 4

     

 

ito

 

 
   
   
   

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 
 

look, which was returned insolently.

may git some of that taken out of ye.

TIP TOP

where the old hermit died the night before, or to
meet him on.the journey, but in this he was disap-
pointed.

He did find,

and fishermen were gathered there,

however, that at least twenty farmers
industriously
rolling their tongues over the-sensational gossip.

finding
sleighs standing about, and the owner of the place

The boys drove into the yard, several
espied them from the stable door, in which he was
holding forth to the eager ones about. him.

“Them’s the

“There they be!” he exclaimed.

boys! Them’s the ones that brought him here!”
Immediately there was a rush, and the sleigh in

which the boys sat was surrounded by eagerly-star-

ing rustics. ,

On his

and his general ap-

One came out slower than the others.

9

head he wore a “sou’wester,

pearance indicated that he was a fisherman. He was
not over twenty years of age, and looked like a hardy,
weather-beaten chap.

Dick asked for Frank, and was informed that he
had been there and returned to the village.

Then the young fisherman came up. He was
chewing tobacco and had his hands in his pockets.

“Are you two ther kids wot brought the crazy old
man here ter die?” he asked.

Dick flushed instantly, displeased by the man’s
words and manner. He gave the fellow a piercing

“We are not.kids,” he said, quietly. “And, for the

other matter, I don’t know that it’s any of your busi-

ness.”
Perhaps a different answer would have been better

under the citcumstances, but, truly, there was great

provocation in.the manner of the young fisherman.
The fellow stared at Dick.
“Wot?” ‘he cried. “Uppish, Well,

The curriner

be ye! you

sets this arternoon, an’ you'll have to make it plain

i jest what you was doin’ with Old Crazy an’ how he’
came to-be shot ter death.
drowned, us uster g Rey. the stu over to the village for

My cousin Bill, wot is.

   

WEEKLY. o

Old Crazy, an’ he said the old man had money hid

somewhere. Now, it looks to me as if you kids was
round his place to rob him, an’ I ain’t certain but ye
done it.”

ris-

“Well, confound your picture!’ roared Brad,

ing up at once. “‘Chaw me up, if I don’t feel like
lighting into you with all fours and giving you thun-
der !”

“You?” returned the young fisherman, contempt-
uously. “Why, I'd break you in two with one hand!”
“Dinged if you would!’ shouted the ‘Texan.
“You're older than I am, but I'll eat my hat if I can’t
wallop you in style!”

“Git right out and try it!” invited the fisherman.

“T’ll agree to take care of ye both. Somebody hold
their hoss and watch me lick ’em.”

At this point the farmer in whose yard they were
interfered.

“Hold on, right where you are, Lib Dixon!” he

exclaimed. “Do you know there’s a dead man

a-layin’ in my house? I won’t have no fightin’ here!
You oughter be ‘shamed to try to pick a fight with
two boys!”

I dunno ’bout that,” returned Dixon, sourly.

“My
cousin, he toted truck fer that old hermit an’ never
got northin’ to show for it, while ev’rybody says it’s
likely these boys got the old man’s money.”

. Whoever says that, lies!’ declared Dick, grimly.
“But we have a right to the old man’s money, if he
had any.”

‘How do you make that out?”
“He gave it to me.” 7
“Bosh! Who believes that?” /
“T can prove it by the doctor who attended him and
who heard him tell me the money should have been
mine. I did not get it, though.” . |
“Why not?”
“Because it was stolen by somebody. Because the
old man was robbed.” |
“That's a purty slick story,” said Lib Dixog, ae
a derisive grin; “but it’s almighty thin. If he was

robbed, T futher oa is me know who done it.’

 

 

ae

   
 

8 TIP TOP

Dick leaped from the sleigh in a twinkling and
stood confronting Dixon.

“If you mean to accuse us, you lie, sir!’ he said,
hotly. “And if you do not like that, why

With a roar, Lib Dixon struck at Dick.

Now, for some months Dick Merriwell had been
practicing the art of self-defense, and a good por-
tion of the time his instructor had been Frank Merri-
well. Frank had found his young brother quick as
a flash of light, strong far beyond his years and looks,
light on his feet and able to hit a blow that would
have done eredit to almost any man. This being the
case, Dick instantly parried the blow aimed at him,
and he swung crashingly on the jaw of the insolent
and quarr elsome young fisherman, str etching him on

the snow.

 

CHAPTER IV.

A HOLE INTHE GROUND.
“Whoop!” cried Brad Buckhart, laughing with sat-
isfaction. ‘Wasn't that a jolt for Libbeas! I opine

he’ll admit that the kid who hit him is the real thing.
Did he make some talk about walloping us both?
Did he? Well, I wonder what he thinks about it
now!’

But the fallen fellow seemed too dazed to thik.
He sat up, holding a hand to his jaw. |

Then the farmer caught hold of Dick, begging him
to get into the sleigh and drive away.

What for?” asked the boy.
that big blowhard.
he’ll have to swallow his words.” .

But the farmer appealed to Dick in a different man-
ner, speaking of the dead man in the house, and beg-
ging him to go away.

“Ail right,” said the boy; “but I shall see Mr, Lib
Dixon again. He — take back his lying accusa-
tion.”

_ Then he stepped into the sleigh, and the boys
drove outof the yard.

“Well, Now. what do you think be that?” ex-
claimed Buckhart. “That galoot was looking for
trouble, and he found it. He did, you know! You
cracked him a daisy, Dick, old side partner! Think

of the onery varmint accusing us of stealing old Peg-

Leg’s treasure! Wouldn’t that, give you cramps AY

The snow was beginning to fall more thickly.

Dick did not turn in the direction of Fardale.

 

“Pm not afraid of
He has called us thieves, and.

“I’m sorry I had to hit the fellow,” he said; ‘but
I couldn’t stand to have him talk to us that way.”

“Well, I should remark not!” burst from Brad.
“Tf you :hadn’t climbed him, you bet your boots I
would!. Where are you heading now, pard?”

“To the nearest house. Was going to leave this
team where we just stopped and go over to the cave,
but events did not make it convenient to do so.”

“We've managed to stir up quite a rustling among
the dry bones, Dick. I allow the coroner pill be
looking for us to testify this afternoon.’

“Well, let him notify us. We have Reictred no
notification,’

“I supose they thought they'd: be able to find us
any time.’ How (fae is it to the next house?”
“Can’t be fat

It proved to be about a quarter of a mile, and the
sie was left there, being turned over to a boy of
thirteen, who said his father. was away, but agreed to
look after the horse and sleigh readily enough when
Dick put fifty cents into his-hand.

“When will you be back ior it?” he inquired.

“Can't tell just when,” said Dick. “But we may
return in an hour or two.

“And we may not,’ muttered Buckhart, as they
left the yard, passed round the barn and set off for the
distant shore.

The snow was not deep, and they did not find it dif-
ficult striking across the fields.

The boy left the horse standing in the barn floor,
and ran out to the corner of the barn, where he stood
watching them until they were lost in the ever thick-
ening fall of snow.

“That’s Dick Merriwell,” he. said.
the minute I set my eyes on him, ‘cause I saw him
play football and ice-hockey. He’s a jolly good one,
too. I'd like to be as smart as he is, I would.”

“T knew. him

The sound of sleigh bells caused the boy to look :

round. A man was turning into the yard, and be-
side him sat Lib Dixon. \ .
“Hey, bub!” called Dixon, when he spied the boy;
“did them fellers stop here?”
“What fellers?” asked the boy, at once taking a
dislike to Lib. “I ain’t seen nobody.’
+ “ow long have you been out here?”
“Oh, two-three minutes.”
“An’ a ain’t seen two young chaps go by in a

 

sleigh?”
“Nope.” Faia
; es ;
; , 9 a,
1 1 ae oe ia
¥ C j a
a fi Fabs hea awe iss is

6 gop Sk teat

he ila Relies

ee

aR RES

 

 
Sal

pi thateoaiical

 

 

TIP. TOP

“You ain’t seen northin’ of them?”

“Nope.”

At this moment the barn door swung slowly open,
and the horse and sleigh were seen inside.

“You lyin” young scamp!’ cried the young fisher-
man, jumping out. ‘‘There’s their hoss an’ sleigh
now!”

“Well, it didn’t go by, did it?” flung bac
“You asked if I'saw it go by.”

“T asked if you’d seen anything of them young-
sters. Where are they, in the house?”

“Nope.”

Dixon started for the boy.’

“Look here!’ he snarled; “‘you tell me
they've gone, and tell me now, or I’ll shake you out
ef your skin!”

“Why, I dunno where they’ve gone—honest I
don’t!” declared the boy. “All I know is that they
went round the barn here and set off that way.” He
pointed in the direction the two boys had taken.

Lib Dixon saw the tracks, and knew the lad was
ere the truth.

“All right,” he nodded.
know.”

Then he went back to the sleigh and hurriedly
said something to the man who had driven him there.
Directly the man turned about in the yard and
drove off.

The boy watched Dixon curiously.

“What be you goin’ to do?” he asked.

“Never you mind what-1’m goin’ to do,’ answered
Lib, as he tenderly touched his jaw with one hand.
“I know what I’m goin’ ter do.”’

“Well, you better not bother Dick Merriwell,’ said
the lad, wagging his head. “’Cause if ye do you'll
wish ye hadn't.” ._

“Oh, is that so! Why,‘he’s northin’ but a kid.”

“Yes, but my cousin Tom says he’s smarter than
chain-lightujn’, and there ain’t many men wot can git

k the boy.

where

“That’s what I wanted to

3 the best of him.”

“Your cousin Tom may think so, for all I care.”

Without further words, Dixon started round the
corner of the barn, following the tracks of Dick and
Brad, who could no ia be seen through the driv-
ing snow.

The boy watched him as he plodded away after
the two unsuspecting boys.

“I wish they kngw he was\follerin’ them,” mut-
tered Bene ‘boy by the-barn, “I don’t like his looks,
fee ae eas }

 

WEHEEELY. g

and somethin’ makes me think he’s goin’ to do some-
thin’ he hadn’t oughter do.”

He stood there until the dark form of Dixon: had
been enveloped by the gray vail of flying snow.

Dixon was revengeful.

“Hit an’ knocked down by a kid!” he muttered, as
he plodded along in the tracks left by Dick and Brad.
“But I'll make him sorry he done it! -VIl fix hint?’

When he was sure he could no longer be seen
from the house or the road, he reached beneath his
short, thick coat and felt the handle of a knife that
rested in a sheath attached to his leather belt.

“I may need that,’ he said. “If they both set on
me together, I may be forced to use it in self-de-
fence.”

Ther he grinned viciously, took a plug of tobacco.
from his pocket and twisted off a chew with his yel-
low teeth,

After a while he could hear the murmur of the sea
along the rocky shore. At this point he said:

“They're headin’ straight for the cave; but the
tide’s up, an’ they can’t git inter it if they want to.
It’ll be after dark before any one can git inter the
cave.”

He was destined to encounter a surprise, Ahead
he finally saw the sea, looking dull and heavy through
the ialling snow. Then he came to the top of a high
cliff above the spot where the mouth of the treasure
cave was exposed at low water.

Suddenly he started back,
surprise escaping from his lips. :

Ahead of him, beside a large round stone, was a
hole in the ground large enough to readily admit the
body of a man. ’

The tracks of the two boys he had followed, !
straight to this hole, but did not go beyond it.

Allkabout on the snow were scattered the ends of
burned matches.

The boys were not to be seen. ;

“Great codfish!’ muttered, Dixon. ‘What's this
Must be almost right over the cave. Can it
V'll bet anything

low sxe of

mean.
be a way of gittin’ inter the cave?

itis! Then them boys are in there now!”
CHAPTER V.
ENTERING THE CAVE.
‘Entirely unaware, that they were followed, Dick |

and Brad had made their way straight to the spot

 
   
  
  
  
  
    
  
 
 
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
    
  
     
  
   
  
 
    
  
   
 
 
  
      
       
   

  

LO

where they had forced their way out of the treasure
cave when trapped there the night before, and nearly
suffocated by the smoke of the fire built at the regular
entrance. They found the place without difficulty.

“Here it is!” exclaimed Dick, as he paused: and
stood gazing down at the opening beside the large
round stone.

Then came the thought of the agony he had en-
dured while trying to. force his way out of that place.
He remembered how, he had felt the damp ground
all round him, and longed to push and tear at it in an
aimless fashion. The horror of those moments came
back to him now, and he shrugged his shoulders, a
slight shiver running over him.

“Tl bet a horse I know what you're thinking
about!” exclaimed Brad. “‘Wasn’t it terrible! Dick,
I wonder my hair did not turn gray. last night!”

Dick laughed.

“It was rather fierce,’ he admitted.
like to go through that often.”

“What if-we had not found this opening?”
Brad.

“What if the ground had not been a mere shell

. herve, so I. could tear it away?” said Dick. “When I
thrust my hand out through into the snow, the open-
ing was not six inches in circumfrence. If I had not
been able to make it larger, we must have been over-
come by the smoke. It is really remarkable that we
were not anyhow.”

“Then we had a right jolly time getting Old Peg-
Leg out,” said Brad. “It was a case of push and
pull, for he was pretty nearly helpless.”

“Where did you leave the lantern?” asked Dick.

- “On a little shelf of rock down there.” . i

“Burning ?”

Cea |

“Then all the oil must have been burned out of it.
af Oe bad.
like to go down in there.”

Brad started to back into into the hole at ohice.
“What are you going to do?” asked Dick.
“Going after that lantern.” |
What for?’ *
_ “Oh, just because I want to. Wait a minute.”
The Texan lowered himself into the opening,

“T wouldn't

said

\

above, and peered down into the darkness.
el Beely soon a muffled voice called from the hole:

 

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

If we had it now, with plenty of- oil, Yd’

trouble; but I fancy it’s

‘inal lly disappearing from view, while Dick crouched |

Pretty soon Brad eame scrainbling back, and Dick
helped him out.

The Texan brought the lantern.

“Let’s take it,” said Dick. —

He shook the lantern near his ear, and heard some-
thing slop inside.

Rei gro a >

 

“Why, there’s oil in it!” he exclaimed.
“Then why did it go out?”
“Don’t know ;-but I'll bet anything there’s oil in it.” ‘|

. “Will you bet the treasure that may be waiting for
you down below?” asked Buckhart.
“Yes, Pll bet that.”
Brad took the lanern and shook it, listening for i
any sound it gave forth.
“Well, Il won’t take you,” he said.
kind of liquid inside, for she sloshes.”’

 

‘There is some

Dick struck a match and tried to light the lantern.
After repeated efforts, it was found the wick would
not burn. :

“Now, what do you make of that?” asked Brad,
perplexed. ‘There is oil—or something—in the old
thing.”

“The only explanation seems to be that the wick
is short. I think that must be the trouble. It does st
not touch the oil.” 3 a.

“Great head, pard! That’s it, I'll bet my scalp- |
lock! But I don’t see but we’re just as bad off as if
the old concern didn’t have a drop of oil in her.”

“T think not,” said Dick, as he put the lantern
down and brought from his pocket a metal drinking
cup, such as is carried by hunters and bicyclists. “I
believe we can fix that i tight if you have plenty. of
matches. cs

“Oh, I have-any antount of them; but hang me if’
I see how you are going to lengthen the wick.”

“Tm note’

“Then what are you going to do:

“Tl raise the oil to the wick.”’

“You will?” pee

“Sure thing, Brad,” smiled Dick, as he filled the _ ia
cup with snow. “If it was convenient to get down — ,
to the shore from this cliff it would save us some
simpler to melt the snow.
I will hold the cup, Brad, while you light matches
and hold them beneath it so that the flame will heat
the bottom of the cup. In thas way we I soon have
some water.” 7 yaa)
“All right) ” said Brad “but hope te die a L see

<<? — =

>)

 

  
 

|
|
|

 

 

TIP TOP

what good water is going to do us. We can’t burn
water in the old lantern.”

“No; but with enough water we can get the oil up
to the wick. All we have to do is to pour the water
in with the oil.”

Buckhart still looked doubtful.

“You may know what you're doing,”
it seems to me that you're: daffy.
the oil so it won’t burn at all.”
“Hardly,” laughed Dick. “You ought to know
that water and oil will not mix, and that oil will
always float on water. Such being the case, when
we pour the water in with the oil, it will go to the
bottom and the oil will rise round the short wick.
Then, I think, we'll be able to light the lantern.”

“Dick, you're all right!’ exclaimed Brad, heartily.
“I'd never thought of unything like that. You've
got a great head, pard! You have, I know!”

They followed Dick’s plan, melting the snow with
burning matches, and finally pouring the water into
the lantern. When they had poured in considerable,
Dick suggested trying to light the lantern.

At first the wick burned feebly, the flame threaten-
ing to go out, but it grew stronger, and Brad uttered
an exclamation of satisfaction.

“Tt works, by the great horn spoon!” he exploded.
“We can see with that all right, Dick. Are you for
going down below?”

“Tam,” nodded Dick, as he thought of the treasure
that might still be concealed in the cave.

The same thought was in the minds of both lads,
and the desire to begin searching for the treasure
immediately made them ready to face almost any-

he said; “but

thing.

“Pass the lantern down to me, Brad,” said Dick,
as he backed into the opening. When he was almost
out of sight, he stopped, and, kneeling on the edge
of the hole, with his hand against the huge round
bowlder beside it, Brad handed the lantern down.

/Then the Texan followed Merriwell.

CHAPTER VI.
HE CAVERN OF DEATH.

Eager as they were to search for th@ treasure, the

boys felt a chill creep over them as they descended

into that damp, dismal cavern, where but a few hours

before a sanguinary battle had taken place, and at
They

  

least one human being had met his death.

The water’ll spoit

  

   

WEEKLY. At

thought how Old Peg-Leg, hidden behind a rock,
had risen before Captain Jubal and fired at him, only
to see Jubal drop in time to avoid the bullet, which
lodged in the breast of the man behind him.

And Dick did not forget that Cale Burk had said
just before dying that a curse seemed to rest on the
coveted treasure—a curse that reached every one
who had anything to do with the pirate gold.

But there is a strange fascination about searching
for treasure of that sort, and when the fever seizes
a person it takes hold of him with amazing violence,
making him ready to suffer almost any hardship, or
face any peril in the prospect of finding the coveted
wealth.

This fever was upon the two boys, and they low-
ered themselves into the cave, burning with the desire
to hunt everywhere for the old Spanish coins
brought to that place from the torrid island lying
near the coast of Honduras.

The passage quickly grew larger, and they were
able to let themselves down over the rocks, aided by
the light from the lantern.

It was warmer in there than outside, but the air
seemed heavy and oppressive.

“A fellow wouldn't live long shut up in a place like
this,” said Brad.

His voice sounded so strange that it startled him.
Somehow it was smothered, yet surprisingly loud.

“No,” said Dick, “he’d not live long, even if given
sufficient air to breathe, food to eat and water to
drink. The horrors would get hold of him down
here and kull him,”

“The tide has turned, hasn’t it?” asked Brad.

“I don’t know,” admitted Dick. “TI don’t know
just what time it is now, but low tide will come an
hour later than yesterday.”’

“That will bring it some time after dark.”

ee

“Well, we cannot remain here until then. The
coroner sits this afternoon, you know.”

“And we have not been properly notified to be
present.”

“Still

“T think it is well for us to be there. We do not
wish any false impressions to be given out concern-
ing the affair of last night. If we did not ap-
pear . ,

“T’ll allow some fools might think we had a hand
in ane Old Peg-Leg.”

 

 

      
   
     
     
   
  
  
    
    
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
     
  
   
  
 
 
   
       
   
   
   
         
   
  

12

“Probably, although the doctor could beauty that
our relations with the old man were friendly

“But all sorts of lies might be concocted about us.
Mr. Lib Dixon had started in arousing suspicion.” |

“Tt was not that I was thinking about. It struck
me that we would be called on to tell everything
wé knew about this cave, with the result that a hun-
dred men would be seeking here for the treasure at
the earliest possible moment. We must do our pent
te find that treasure before we have to tell about it.’

“Sure as shooting,’ agreed Brad, letting himself
down over the slippery rocks.

The lantern threw black shadows on the walls of
the cave—shadows which seemed like hobgoblins
dancing round them. The rocks were slimy and
treacherous, and the smell of the sea filled their nos~
u trils. ,
| Pretty soon Dick stopped.

“Here is the ledge from which I fired when I
knocked the knife from Cap’n Jubal’s hand,” he said.

Brad was at his elbow now.

“That’s right,’ agreed the Texan;
where I stood when I blazed away at the rest of the
gang, who were creeping in by the mouth of the
cave,’

“Wecan't go much further. Bee”
| Young Merriwell held the lantern out at arm’s
length, and its poor light fell on the water, that had
flowed in by the regular opening and half-filled the
cave. |

“Where was it that Cale Burk
ure?’ questioned Buckhart.

looked for his treas-

Dick moved along the shelf and let himself down
‘still lower to some rocks at the very edge of the
water.

“Here’s the place,” he said, holding the lantern so
its light fell on an opening in the poles
the stone that hid the opening.”

- Buckhart thrust his hand into the place and felt
about.

A ats good,” he finally said, in a tone of disappoint-
uh ment. “The place is empty for sure.’

“Did you think it wasn’t?”

“Well, l thought perhaps the old man had made a
mistake in his hurry. Ill allow I wasn’t thinking
ae treasure then half as much as I was about

   

tele, Soe sy eR

“and here is.

‘Here is’

TIP TOP WHEKLY.

“Now,” he said, “the only explanation of the
failure to find the treasure here is that it had been
removed, or Cale Burk failed to locate the exact spot
where he concealed it. We must look around for
another hiding-place.”

They began the ‘search together, carefully looking
for another hole in the rocks, where the gold might
lave been secreted.

It was slow work, as the light of the lantern was
not at all satisfactory for the purpose, but they made
the search thorough as far as they went.

While it did not seem likely that Old Peg-Leg had
climbed higher over those slippery rocks to hide his
gold, the boys were agreed that it appeared most
probable that he had sought to conceal it above high
water mark.

For nearly an hour they searched, the result being
nothing but disappointment.

Of a suddén, Buckhart uttered an exclamation and
clutched the shoulder of his friend.

“Look there!” he whispered, pointing with one
hand toward the surface of the water.

Dick looked, but saw nothing at first. Then, shift-
ing somewhat, the lantern light showed him a humari
iace, contorted, ghastly, with wide-open, staring eyes
that seemed to look up at him with a glassy stare—
the face of a dead man! It was there close by the
edge of the water, in which it floated.

‘““That’s a pleasant sight!” muttered Brad.

Of course the boys were startled, but Dick re-
gained his nerve in.a moment, saying:

“It’s the sailor of Cap’n Jubal’s party, who was
shot by Cale Burk. He was behind Jubal when Burk
fired. Jubal dropped to the ground, and escaped
being hit, but that poor fellow got the bullet. It
finished him.” | G

“Thunder!” muttered the Texan. “I allow the
thing did give me a jump. I don’t like to look at it.
Seems to,me it’s getting mighty close in here, pard.
What do you say if we go out and swallow a few
mouthsful of fresh air?” |

“I don’t see that we can do anything more here
now,” said Dick. “The treasure must be gone.”

“Anyhow we can’t find it.
hunt when the tide goes out.”

They started up the rocks,. Buckhart in advanice.

We can make another

When the drew near the gpening above, from. ss
which the daylight shone a short distance into the
“narrow passage, Brad suddenly paused. |

@..

 

|
i
a

Sach

“v-

nl le ttt OL AA

 
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

it’s Cap’n Jubal.

  

 

 
 

“Did you hear anything, Dick?” he sane
“Hear anything? I don’t think I
“Vhere rs

“T heard it then!
near the opening.”

“What if it’s Cap’n Jubal?”

“Then we're in a bad trap; but it’s not at all likely
Go on, Brad. Let’s get out just
as quickly as possible.”

They started forward, forcing their way along the
passage, which became narrower and narrower.

Suddenly at the narrow opening a human head ap-
peared. The owner of the head must have known
they were approaching, for he cried:

 

 

It seems that some one must be

“T've got you kids trapped! I’m goin’ ter keep
ye trapped, too! One of ye struck me, but Lib
Dixon always gits square fer anything like that.
Want ter come out, do ye? W ell, I’ve fixed it so ye,
won't git out this way, an’ I’ll be reddy fer ye at the
other place when the tide goes out.”

Then there was a grating sound, followed by the
rattle of dirt and pebbles that came showering down
about them; and a thud. At the same moment the
light of day was shut off ahead of them.

“What's happened, Brad?” asked Dick, who had
been unable to see well on account of Buckhart’s
body filling nearly the entire passage.

The exh did not answer at once, but he finally
said:

“That onery varmint you thumped, pard, has

trailed us here, and I reckon he’s done us a bad turn.

I'll find out in a minute.”
He made his way to the point where the upper

mouth of the cave had been, but he found it closed.

In vain he felt about for an opening. Within three
minutes he was certain that they could never get out
that way.

Behind him Dick’s muffled voice called again to

know what was the matter.

He began to retreat, forcing Dick to do likewise.
When the passage was large enough he turned

about and faced his companion, the light of the

smoky lantern showing that their faces were very
pales. 9

“Old man,’
right tight box, and that’s no joke.

’ said Deviant’ chokingly, “we’re in a
We'te shut in

here by that onery, measly, pesky galoot you
thumped on the jaw. ‘I couldn’t see, for my bpdy
- shut off the ae es the anaes but I think the —

  

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

 

  

13

 

skunk has managed to roll that big round bowlder
over the opening, in which case.we couldn’t get out
this way in a week of Sundays. You can get past me
here, so you take the lantern and creep up and see.”
Dick proceeded to do this, and it took very fei
minutes for him to learn that Buckhart was right.
They faced each other again.
“This is somewhat more than we bargained for,

Brad,” said Dick, coolly.
“Well, I should say so!” muttered ‘the Texan,
gloomily. ‘What are we going to do?”

“We'll have to make the best of it. We'll have to
wait until the tide goes out, and then escap« by the
other opening.”

“The pesky galoot says hie’ ll be there when we try
to do that.”

“Let him. We have a revolver each, and we can
make it warm for him.”

“Maybe the air will get ie in here, and we'll suf-
focate before the tide falls.

“In that case,” said Dick, “when we find the air
is getting too bad to breathe, we'll have to strip off
and attempt to dive down and swim out through the
mouth of the cave under the water.”

“Oh, thunder!” gasped Brad, in dismay. “Then
we'd freeze to death before we could get to the near-
est house. Say, pard, this is the champion scrape of
my life. It is, 1 swear! And you—weli, i cyme
you'll not appear at that there inquest this after-
noon. Hardly! While they are holding that we'll
be enjoying ourselves here.”

He was startled when Dick began to laugh. It
seemed so strange, but the boy with the dark eyes
laughed heartily, the sound making the cave echo.

“Say, don’t do that!” gurgled the Texan. “It
makes my hair stand, for it seems like you're going
mad. What’s the joke?”

“If you could see your face you would not have
to ask,” asserted Dick. “It’s more than a yard long.
Oh, but you are a sad-looking object, Brad!”

“Well, take a good look at me now,” advised the
Westerner, “for you'll not see me five minutes from
now.” .

“Won't see you? Why not?”

“Because the thundering old lantern is going out,
and we'll be here in darkness thick enough to cut in
chunks with a knife five minutes from now.” '
In truth the lantern was going out, as Dick saw

 
         
   
      
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
 
   
   
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
 
 
   
    
  
  
  
       
     
     
     
       
     
         
   

wo

  

the wick to glow redly andi send forth smoke.

14.

 

TIP TOP

nstantly.
die down,

Dick stopped laughing now, and the boys sat there,
staring helplessly at the perishing flame.

“We must get down as far as we can while it
lasts,’ Dick suddenly breathed, picking up the lan-
tern and carrying it carefully. “We want to be
ready to go out of the cave just as soon as the tide
falls.”

He carried the lantern gingerly, as every move-
ment threatened to give the flickering flame excuse
to go out.

Gingerly the boys descended to the very edge of
the water, where the lantern was placed on a flat
rock.

The first thing noted was that the failing light
showed them the ghastly face and dark figure of tlre
dead man in the water. iN

The flame was beginning to splutter and

Then, with that unpleasant object near at hand,
they sat down on the damp rocks to wait.

The flame of the lantern sunk lower and lower,
while the heavy, terrible darkness closed in about
them like a monster seeking to crush its intended
victims.

It seemed an effort to speak now, and the awful
silence of the place was oppressive. .

The circle of light grew smaller about the lantern.
The face of the dead man in the water faded till the
open, staring eyes could no longer be seen, then
slowly it vanished. Inch by inch the blackness crept
upon the lantern, and the boys near it.

Their thoughts were far from pleasant.

A bit of a flame burned at the end of the charred
wick, and they kept their eyes on that.
of their hearts sounded like the strokes of hammers.

The tiny flame flickered with a dying gasp, being
scarcely sufficient to illumine the smoke-stained
globe of the lantern.

Then, at last, it went out, leaving a charred bit of
Even
this soon faded from view, and they were plunged in
utter darkness there in the cavern of death.

CHAPTER. Vil Ue
WHEN THE TIDE FELL. ot -

It is useless to try to describe the wretchedness of

those long hours in the ‘darkness of that uncanny

cave. Patiently the two boys: waited for the tide to

  

WEEKLY.

The beating ©

  

go out, so that they might escape. Sometimes it
seemed that the air became heavy and foul, but this
was more imagination than anything else, and they
knew fresh dir must creep into the cavern from some
point.

They kept close together

and waited. When they

had entered the place it seemed that the cave was

warm. The blowing wind, raw from the sea, and the
beating snow hadj been shut off, and the change
seemed agreeable. But after long hours the cold
and damp had crept into their bodies, chilling them
to the bone, and adding to their utter wretchedness.

They could not help thinking of the dead man in
the water so near at hand. Sometimes they fancied
they saw his eyes staring at them through the
Stygian blackness.

There were other thoughts, scarcely less agree-
able, and occasionally they spoke to each other in
subdued tones. Once Buckhart whispered, huskily:

“Do you believe in, ghosts, Dick?”

It must be confessed that young Merriwell was a
trifle startled, but he promptly answered:

“No, I do not.” ’
“Um!” said Brad.
“Do you?” questioned Dick. /

“Well, I don’t take much stock in them,” averred
the Texan. “But, if there are such things—mind, I
say, if there are—then this oe ought to be
haunted.”

To this Dick agreed, and Brad went on:

“In all the stories I ever read about pit ate treasure
there were ghosts.”

“But those were stories,” oni Dick.
story; it’s altogether too real.’

“It seems like a nightmare more than saghhine
real,’ declared Backtnast: “Tf there were ghosts
they’d be here for sure. Think of the people that
may, have been murdered gathering that treasure.
They should haunt it.”

“They are not ail.”

“This is no

“No; there's Old Peg-Leg—surely his spook

would hover round the treasure, if sHERE were
spooks.”

“To say nothing of the man he shot when he fired
at Cap’n Jubal—the one in the water here.”

“Woo!” breathed Brad, getting a bit nearer Dick.
“Don’t speak about him!’

“Tet’s talk about something more ak I

don’t believe we’ll see any spooks.” e

 

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cneeeenaiion
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he'll feel satisfied over keeping us in here.

They did not.
“The inquest must be over by this time,” said
Brad.
“Tf it has been held.
hold it.”
“Why not?”
“Because we were not on hand to testify.”
“Perhaps they are hunting for us.”
“That's likely.” :
“T hope they are,” said the Unbranded Maverick,
who was very mild and tame now.

But I don’t think they would

_“T’m counting something on that,” admitted Dick.
“Frank will search for this cave, thinking we may
have come here. Of course, he doesn’t know just
where it is, but I gave him an idea.”

“Tt would be mighty handy to have him on hand
when the tide went out. We wouldn’t be bothered
by Mr. Lib Dixon.” :

“But I propose to bother him!” asserted Dick, his
suppressed voice betraying anger. ‘No fellow can
play this kind of a game on me without paying
for it!” .

“That's the talk! I'd like to soak him myself. He
said he’d be ready for us at the other place when the
tide went out. What did he mean by that?”

“He meant to frighten us, I fancy.”

“You don’t suppose there is any way for him to
close up the other Rowe to the cave?”

_“T hardly think so.’

“He'd do it if he could.”

“Well, I don’t know but he’s that bad, though I
hardly think he wanted to kill us. I have a fancy
It’s a
mean revenge.”

“Mean as dirt.”

They talked of other things while they waited.

ee he time dragged so slowly that weeks instead of

hours seemed to pass.
But they found the tide was going out, and they
kept track of its fall as well as they could by feeling

along the edge of the rocks against which it tind
risen, . |

Finally some fresh, cool air came in, and they
knew the water was beginning to leave the mouth of
the cave open.

Even then the time passed with wearisome slow-

| “ness. , Brad was for wading out, but Dick held him
id ae soying t sere was no: need of getting their feet

TIP TOP

ment.

 

WEEKLY.

15

Finally they could pass out by the opening from
the cave, being forced to get down on all fours be-
fore they emerged into the open air.

Outside the black mouth of the cave they stood
up and drew in deep breaths of free air.

The storm had passed, but still there was no moon.
The sky, however,
burnished stars.
along the shore.

“Tt was.a bluff,” said Dick, as he looked around
and'saw nothing of Lib Dixon. “The fellow tried to ©
frighten us by saying he’d be here. Ina few minutes
the water will recede enough so we can walk round
that point of the cliff, and find a way along the shore.”

“Rampaging buffalers!’’ said Brad, assuming his
swagger again. “I'll allow, partner, that we’ve had
a high old time, but I’m not looking for it every day.
I'd rather stack up against grizzlies and redskins than
be shut in a hole like that.”

As the water receded before their feet, they walled
out to the point of the projecting bluff, and passed
round it.

And they walked straight into the hands of sev-
eral men, who seemed to be waiting for them there.

vas sprinkled with millions of
The sea had ceased its moaning

CHAPTER VIIL.

DICK’S NERVE,

It was a complete surprise.

Before he was prepared for anything of the sort,
Dick felt himself clutched by a strong pair of hans,
while a voice growled:

“Hold on, youngster! We want you!”

Other men grasped Buckhart, advising him not to
make trouble:

“Whatever is this?” cried the Texan.

“Hands off!” burst from Dick, as he attempted to
draw the revolver he carried.

“Now, don’t be a fool, youngster!” hoatacly said
one of the men, while another caught his wrist. “If
you try that kind of a game we'll have to tiny you
on the head.”

“Who are you?’ demanded the boy.
have you to molest us?”

“What right? Ho! ho!
the right.”

“Cap’ n Jubal?” ered the boy, in startled amaze-

“What right
Well, Cap'n iuhat sais

“That’s me,” said one of the men. aa :

y i ri e

 
   

 

 

voice. “It will do you no good.”

16 TIP TOP WHEKLY.

“Great thunder!” palpitated Buckhart. “Why, we
thought you-———”’

“Had gone, eh?” said the man who announced
himself as Captain Jubal. “Well, you see your mis-
take. [am here—very much here.”

Dick was staring at the face of the man, dimly
shown by the starlight. He saw the huge black mus-
tache and the scar that ran down one cheek, and
then he muttered:

“Tt is Cap’n Jubal?’

A short distance away a boat lay on the wet, sandy
shore, that the’ falling tide had uncovered. In-
stinctively, Dick turned his eyes toward the starlit
bosom of the sea.

The leader of the treasure hunters seemed to
divine the reason for this, and he said:

“You can't see my vessel, because she is beyond
the point yonder.”

“Why are you still here?”

“Do you think I’m fool enough to go away with-
out the treasure? Hardly, boy! It belongs to me,
and J will have it. They tell me Cale Burk is dead.”

“That’s true.”

“Well, I’m sorry! Td enjoyed meeting him so-
cially once more. One of you youngsters kept me
from finishing him last night, and then

“And then you took to your heels,” said Dick, in
derision. :-‘“We drove you out of the cave, and you
didn't come back.”

‘Boy, you did cause me to get out, and [ didn’t

 

come back because these doggone cowards wouldn't

come with me. 1 thought you'd have to come out

before the tide closed the opening, and we waited for

you.”
“That was where you fooled yourself,” said Dick,
with a laugh.

‘Just so,” nodded Jubal, easily. “I put a guard on

the cave, and when the tide fell again we went in

there, but the treasure was gone, and we found the
hole by which you had taken tit, out of the place.
Now, boy, that treasure belongs to me, and I’m go-
ing to have it. You must give it up, if you value
your life.” |
‘Dick laughed once more in the face of the man.
‘You have come to the wrong chap,” he said. “I

_ know..no more about that treasure, captain, than

you do.”
. *“Don’t'lie to me!’ cried the man, in a+terrible

that way.”

3

“T am not lying.

“You must be. You helped Cale Burk get the
treasure out of the cave.”

“We did nothing of the sort.”

“Then what became of it?”

“We do not know. It was gone when Burk un-
covered the hole in which he had leit it.”

“A fine lie!’ sneered the man with the scarred face.

“You can tell me that now,” said Dick, hotly) “be-
cause your men are holding my hands. If I were
free

“What?” ;

“T beg you to set me free in order that I may show
you,” urged Dick.

 

“Why, you’re a mere boy! I have killed men
twice your size.”

‘Were they sleeping ?”

“You insolent brat! No man dares talk to Cap’n
Jubal like that! Dve a mind to slit your windpipe
open!”

With a sudden move he flashed out a long knife,
and héld its keen edge close to the boy’s throat.

“Go ahead,” said the lad, calmly. ‘Then you can
boast that once you killed a boy—while his hands
were held!”

It was a nervy defiance, and Brad trembled for
Dick’s safety; but the nerve of it was what pleased
Jubal, who cried:

“Blow me stiff, but you've got grit, youngster!”

The confession of this man that he had not secured
the treasure and was still searching for it, caused
both lads to feel not a little mystified, for, up to then,
they had thought it possible that the coveted. gold
nad been taken away by Jubal.

“T don’t know why you fought for Cale Burk,” said
the chief of the treasure-seekers, “but I suppose it
was because he promised you a share of the treas-
ure.” a

“Then you suppose wrong.

“But you got it, just the same.” ;

“Not a dollar of it.”

“See here, bov,” said the man, impatiently, “you
may as well know now the folly of this lie. I have
hunted Cale Burk for years, swearing to find him
and wrest the treasure from him. Do you think I
am a iman to give up now? = Do you think I'll permit

any one else to deprive me of that treasure? It’s

 

He did not buy. us

}

 

 
    

TEP TOP

mine—rightfully mine! I'll have it if it is necessary
to wade through blood to get it!”

“All right,” said Dick; “‘go ahead and take it. But
you are barking up the wrong tree when you try to
get it from me. I know no more about it than
you do.”

“You know it was removed from that cave?”

“No; I\know nothing of it. I tell you the truth
and nothing but the truth, when I say Cale Burk
failed — find it where he said he had hidden it in the
cave.”

’* nut in Brad; but he was sternly

&

“T’ll swear to that,
ordered to be silent.
. Captain Jubal did not believe Dick.

f “You saved my life yesterday, boy,” he said. “I
haven’t forgotten that.”

 

j
“T wish I might,” said Dick. “It is plain that I
made a great mistake.”
hate to hurt you,” the man went on, ignoring

the words of the lad; “but I’ll force you to tell where
. the treasure is if I have to wring it from your lips
with the tortures of the pit!
word.”

“Vou can’t wring from me what I do not know,
t even if you do torture me.”
. “T shall take you on board my vessel,” said Jubal.
p “There I'll be able to make you tell. Come, men.”

He turned toward the boat.

At this moment the sound of voices came from
above, and ‘then, a little later, several dark figures
appeared on the edge of the cliff.

re

 

Lae F

“The cave must be somewhere in this vicinity,”

Bi said one of the party‘on the cliff.
te A cry broke from the lips of Dick Merriwell, for
Ry he had recognized his brother Frank!

“Help, Frank!’ he shouted.

“Shut up!” hissed one of the men, as Dick and
. Brad were hustled toward the boat.

y With a sudden movement, Dick broke free. An
instant later he struck one of the men, sending him
staggering. The other turned on him, but the boy
kicked him in the pit of the stomach, doubling
him up.

 

 

/

 

Then the starry heavens seemed to fall on Dick’ s
head with an awful crash, and he pee forward,
struck ‘senselessy: 1) 0/4

WEEKLY.

Cap’n Jubal keeps his

  
   
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
   
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
      
    

CHAPTER. IX.

LIB DIXON'S CONFESSION.

When consciousness returned to Dick Merriweil
he was a captive in the cabin of the Sea Wolf, Cap-
tain Jubal’s vessel.

Of course he did not know where he was at once,
and the pain in his head prevented him from caring
for a time. But he saw others in the cabin and
heard a would-be cheerful voice exclaim:

“Hoofay, pard! Glad to see you open your look-
ers—lI am, I swear! You kept them closed so long
I was beginning to get worried about you.”

It was Buckhart.

Dick looked round. A few feet away Brad was
sitting on the floor, with his back against a locker,
his hands behind him.

Then, when young Merriwell tried to stir, he found
to his surprise that his hands were tied, and he could
not even sit up. A rope passed round his body, and
it was tied fast to a ring in the floor. _

Opposite Buckhart sat another person, in a similar
position.

It was Lib Dixon!

The Texan saw the expression of Wonder on the
face of his friend, and hastened to say:

“T reckon we’re mighty lucky to be ane, pard.
But we're trussed up tight and can’t wiggle.”

Dick’s
he asked:

“Where are

“On Cap’n Jubal’s vessel, old man.”

At this moment the motion of the vessel indicated
that it was under sail.

“I—I did my best,” said young Merriwell.
something happened—I don’t know what.”

wits had not fully returned to him, and so

es FaCre,
wet

“But

“You soaked one of the galoots a dandy,” nodded
Brad. “And the way you kicked another one in the
bread-basket gave me great satisfaction. Then I
saw another one bump you on your coco with some
kind of a jigger. I tried to get into the game, but
it was no go. They had us dead to rights. You
were dumped into the boat. I reckoned I’d just as
lief be with you, and a little rather, and sol let them
put me in without much more trouble. The old —
boat was pushed off just in time, for Frank came a
tearing down to the beach; but old Jubal was off so
far ae there was no way to stop him, and here
we are.”

    
  

   

  

  

18 TIP TOP

“What is he doing here?” asked Merry,
toward Dixon.

“Qh, he got into the soup by lingering around the
cave after he did that smart trick in rolling that
bowlder-over the hole. I opine he's the varmint I
heard them talking about as they were pulling off to
the vessel. Said they'd just drop him over, and let
him swim after getting out to sea.”

Dixon squirmed uneasily, his face betraying that
1€ was greatly disturbed.

In truth Brad had not heard the sailors say any-
thing of the sort, but he wished to make the young
fisherman..as. uncomfortable. as possible, having
quickly discovered that Dixon was.in great distress
of mind over his predicament.

Dick eyed the captured fisherman closely, begin-
‘ning to wonder at his actions from the first. Why
had the man shown such animosity toward them, en-
deavoring to make it seem that they knew something
of the whereabouts of the lost treasure? Had he
truly believed that they knew what had become of
the gold?

A strange suspicion began to dawn in Dick’s brain,
and he was startled by it. Swiftly the suspicion de-
veloped, until it was almost a conviction.

“Your game didn’t work, did it?” he said, looking
straight at the fellow. \

“What game?” muttered Dixon, thickly, his eyes
sane before the piercing gaze of the boy.

“The game to throw suspicion on us—to make
peop! e beheve we were the ones who had carried oft
the: treasure.’

' Dixon started to speak, but Dick went on swiftly:
“Then you thought it would be a fine thing to get
us out of the way. At the same time you could se-
cure revenge for the blow I struck you when you
accused us of robbing Cale Burk. But you are in a
worse fix than we are, for Cap’n Jubal is a man who’ll
not hesitate a second in cutting your throat: or in
making you walk the plank. When I tell him that

it was you who found the treasure in the cave, and ,

_ removed it to another hiding-place, he’ll apply to
_ you the most fiendish tortures until you reveal where
‘ou have hidden the gold. Then, having secured
what he wants from you, he'll dump you overboard
just the same. You are doomed!”

- The fellow had grown pale through his coat of

looking

se

men ene ae ‘was satisfied now that he ss: :

WEEKLY.

Buckhart was amazed, for he
connecting Dixon with the disappearance of the
treasure, and the words of young Merriwell came as
the greatest sort of surprise to him.

But the Texan was shrewd enough to see that
Dick had hit the nail on the head, and he felt like
uttering a whoop.

“Great blizzards!” he mentally cried. “What do
you think of that for a long head? I’d never tumbled
to that in the world, but Dick just seemed to look
right through the fellow, and read him like an open
book. Oh, say! no wonder Dick’s a corker! It’s
just things like this that makes him get dhead of
other chaps.”

For a moment after Dick ceased speaking, Dixon
seemed too agitated to say anything, but, of a sud-
den, he wilted.

“For heayen’s sake, don’t tell him I know where
ther treasure is!’ he begged. “I thought he was
goin’ ter kill me just ‘cause I was near the cave.
He'll kill me sure if he finds out I took the treasure
away |” |

It was with difficulty that Buckhart refrained from
uttering a yell of satisfaction.

“Dick, you’re a trump!” he ejaculated, in keenest
admiration.

There was a flash of satisfaction in the eyes of
young Merriwell, but he held himself well in hand.

“Why shouldn’t I tell?” he said, coolly. “You ac-
cused me of robbing Cale Burk, and all the while

you were the robbetio°Why should I hold anything
back?

If I tell, Cag?n Jubal will reward me by
letting me go free. I saved him from drowning not
many hours ago, and he will be grateful to me if I
aid. him in recovering this treasure, which he claims
as his own. On the other hand, you have no claim
on the man, and it will infuriate him to know you
touched the treasure. There is no reason why I
should protect you.”

Already thoroughly cowed, Dixon became abject.

“Please don’t tell him!” he begged. “T’ll do any-
thing for ye if you won’t tell!”

“What can you do?”

“T’ll divide the treasure with ye,”

Dick laughed. | ma

“That's kind!’ he said, sarcastically. 4¥ou’ II
divide what does not belong to you, for not a coin
of that treasure is yours, and you know it.”

(

had not thought of

 

Aa\
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ia
PR eR

 

 

 

 

     
   
    
  

 

     

TIP TOP

“What do you wish me to do?” whined the fellow.
“Tl give ye two-thirds of it.”

“And it is rightfully,.mine—mine as much as it is
anybody’s. I have proof that Cale Burk gave it to
me. You propose to divide with me what really be-
eck to me!”

“Then you shall have it all—all!’ panted the
young fisherman. “I wish I’d never touched it!’

“It might have been better for you. Do you
know what Cale Burk said happened to all who
touched that treasure? He said a curse fell on them.
The curse is on you.” x

Dixon writhed.

 

“IT was a fool!” he confessed. “But my cousin
told about ther money he received from ther hermit
of Hidden Cove. That made me think the old man
must have money somewhere. I spent a hull month
watchin’ the wreck in the cove an’ dogging the her-
mit before he led me to the cave. One night I fol-
lowed him there. I saw him go in when ther tide
vas low. Then I felt sure I had found ther place
where his treasure was hid. Ther next day I went
in there an’ searched. I didn’t find where it was
concealed for a hull week, but I found it at last, an’ I
took it away. I got it buried all safe, an’ you shall
have every bit of it if you don’t tell that man—and
we ever git free.”

Thé mystery of the disappearance of the treasure
was explained.

“You see what your meddling has brought us all

’ said Dick,

“Tt’s a blamed tight old/scrape,” said Buckhart.
“But we can get out of it by ‘telling ae n Jubal the
truth, Dick.”

The young fisherman continued to plead, febkine
all sorts of promises; but Dick told him he could
not be trusted, and the fellow was in a cold perspira-
tion when the door opened to admit Captain Jubal
himself. |

 

CHAPTER X.

"HE SLIP OF A KNIFE.

The light from the cabin lamp fell on the face of

Captain Jubal, giving it a fierce look. The livid sear

stood out in a ridge on his cheek, and his eyeless
socket was repulsively red.

“So you’ve come round, have you?” he exclaimed,

as he saw Dick looking up at him. dete glad of

that, for I have no time to waste on you.” .

WEEELY.

   

  

19

He closed the door behind him, and again turned
to the lad.

“The end of my patience has come,’’he said. “I

have been balked and baffled long enough. Do you
know where you are?”
“On your vessel, called the Sea Wolf,’ answered

the boy, in a cool manner.

‘“That’s right,” nodded the scarred captain.
anchor is up, and we’re putting out to sea.”

“It’s very kind of you, captain, to take us for a
sea voyage,’ said young Merriwell. “Of course the
way you did it was rather unusual and unconven-
tional, but conventionality is tiresome, you know.”

The man frowned and looked at the boy in per-
plexed surprise.

“The

“What are you talking about?” he growled.

“About the pleasant surprise to which you are
treating us—this ee sea voyage.’

“That’s.not all I’ll treat you to, cata ou come
to time in a hurry, and tell me where you ‘have taken
the treasure Cale Burk stole from me. I'll treat you
to some medicine like the cat-o’-nine-tails, which will
cause your blood to move lively in your body.”

m

“I think, sir,” said Dick, “that the seasyoyage is
quite all the medicine. require. Of course I know
you are deeply grateful to me for risking my life to
save you from drowning, but I am unwilling to let
you put yours oo to so much trouble to FED EY me for
that little act.’

Brad Buckhart.came near snickering. Never be-
fore had he seen Dick in such a mood, and the non-
chalant impertinence of the boy was a revelation to
the Westerner. This was a Side of the Jad’s char-
acter that had not been betrayed to Brad before, but
it caused the Unbranded Maverick to glow with ad-
miration for Dick.

Lib Dixon, on the other hand, was shaking with
fear, eepoctete Dick to expose him immediately.

“You're a cool duck,” said Jubal, sitting on the
locker, where he could look Dick fairly in the face.
“But you can’t bluff me. . 1 own that I don’t want to
hurt you, though I usually don’t care a hang who or, ©
what I hurt. But you did pull me out of the water, _
and I’ll let you go if aoe own up at once where you >
have taken the treasure.’

Dick glanced round, seeing that Dixon was atthe

ing him in fear and trembling.

“Cap’n Jubal,” he said, “you’re talking straight to
me, so I’ll do the same with you. I don’t know just

   
       
      
     
   
   
     
    

 
 

     

20 Tif DOr

where that treasure is. If I did, I wouldn’t tell you.
Now, we're right down to plain business.”

Jubal grinned in a ghastly way.

“You don’t know just where it is?”

“No

‘That's the same as saying you know pretty near
where it is.”

“Ts it?”

“Of course it is. Now, ali I want you to tell is
what you know, but you've got to tell that, or, by
Neptune! I'll order you taken out, tied to the mast
and lashed till your hide is cut open!”

“You are very violent, aren’t you, cap’n? You
would have made a medium sort of pirate in the good
old pirate days.”

The ghastly grin left the face of the man to give
place to a black frown.

“You seem to have an idea that I am fooling with
you, boy,” he said. “If that is the case, I’ll soon
drive the idea out of your head.”

“Don’t he hasty, cap’n,” urged Dick, as the man
rose. “Moderate your movements. If you are
hasty, you may do something you will afterwards re-
greti’’

A violent exclamation burst from the man’s lips.

“We'll see if you can’t be brought to sing a different
tune ina few minutes,’ he said, striding to the door
and flinging it open. “Higgins,” he called up the
companionway—‘‘Higgins, come here, sir.’

“Ay, ay, sir,’ was the answer from above, iand
down the companionway came a man, who stepped
into the cabin. He was at least six feet tall, broad-

shouldered, thick-necked, and brutal in appearance.
Captain Jubal pointed at Dick.
“That’s the boy,” he said. “Take him out on
deck, strip him to the waist, bind him to the main-
_. mast, and make ready to give him the cat.”

“Very well, sir,” said Higgins, with a grin of satis-
faction. “What’ll we do with the aria sir?”

“They are of no consequence,” was the answer.
‘We may aes them over the rail when we get well

out to sea.”

Then the captain of se Sea Wolf turned, and left
the cabin.
“I’m sorry for you, Higgins,” said chaise
“Hey?” said Higgins. “Sorry fer me?”
~ “T am, indeed,” sighed young Merriwell.
A “Why, what ails yer? What ye sorry fer me for?” ;
“Tt know it eee your, gentle soul to eer out

WHEKLY.

 

such a brutal order. I know you will writhe in agony
as you apply the lash to my bare and bleeding back.
I know that every blow will be felt by you as keenly
as by me.”

The devil you do!’ exploded Higgins. ‘Wal,
you know a hanged sight more than I do.”
"admitted Dick. “It’s noth-

ing surprising. How your heart will quiver in sym-
pathy for me! How you will flinch when you have
to wield the cruel lash! Too bad, Higgins! Id
spare you this pain if I could.” |

“Oh, would ye? Weil, it’s plain you think this is

a joke. You'll soon git over that.
_joke about it, an’ I’ll bet you'll be hollerin’ an’ beggin’
fer me ter quit before I’ve hit ye the second welt.”

“Perhaps that is true,

“Tam opposed to gambling, Higgins,” said Dick;
“but Pll bet you whatever small change I happen to
have about me that you’re wrong. More than that,

I'll bet that I don’t. beg you to quit at all. Do you
wish to make a small wager?”
The brawny sailor stared at the lad.
“Say, you’re a good un!” he exclaimed. “But it’s

plain you don’t know just what’s comin’ ter you.”

Then he knelt down and started to untie the knot
that held the boy fast to the ring in the floor.

“It’s a howling shame, pard!” exclaimed Buckhart,
who was in great distress over the prospect of what
was to befall his friend. “Old Cap’n Jubal ought to
be hanged to his own yard arm!”

“T’ll tell him you said so,” grinned Higgins, “and
I think he’ll permit me to give you some of the same
medicine I’m goin’ ter give this chap.”

“I'd like to have you out in the Rio Pecos country
a short time!” exclaimed Brad. “I'd give you some-
thing!”

Higgins was fussing < at the knotted rope.
he uttered an exclamation of anger.

“What thundering land-lubber tied them knots!”
he exclaimed. “He oughter have the cat-o’-nine
himself!” :

From his belt he. “tabi a knife, with which he
slashed at the ropes.

The keen blade severed them, but slipped and also
cut the rope that had held the boy’s hands.

Quick as a flash, Dick Merriwell rolled over and
over, giving a strain at those ropes.

In a moment he jerked one hand out, and te; was
on his feet when the astonished sailor straightened
up to face oe tote in 2 hand.

Finally

There ain’t no™

ten eS

 

|

a

=~

Chere ta ne

el

ae
aie

.

 

 
 

  

“Here, here, you slippery young rat!” roared the
man, who was not at all alarmed, although astonished
by Dick’s quickness and readiness to act. “Don’t
try any foolish business! You can't git erway.
We're out at sea.”

But even as Dick rolled over and over he had felt
something in his pocket. :
revolver with which he had

 

This something was the

armed himself before
; leaving Fardale.

| It may seem strange that he had not been relieved
[ of the revolver, but the explanation lies in the man-
. ner of his capture, and the fact that he was brought
off in an insensible condition and bound securely be-

fore recovering consciousness. When set apon by

an opportunity to try to draw a weapon, therefore
the attention of the ga‘g had not been called to the
fact that both were armed. Even if they were armed,
when they were bound in such a helpless manner,
there seemed no chance that the weapons would do
them any good, and there was plenty of time to
search their clothes later on. That search had not

 

 

3

Bo * yéttaken place. ~ e

Ne : y Yo Dick’s right wrist clung a dangling piece of the
} _* rope, but with that hand he reached for his revolver.
be Higgins started for hith with the knife.

Out came the revolver, which was leveled straight
at the head of the big sailor, while young Merriweil
grimly exclaimed:

“Stand where you are, OF,
you!”

by Heaven, I'll drili

 

- CHAPTER XL

PACING+«RUFFIANS. mAs

  

There was no bandying of words now. There was

no persiflage in the boy’s manner. There was noth-

ing but grim, deadly determination. The time for

- bantering had passed, and the time for action had
come. }

} | “Oh, great horn spoon!”
_ ttigging at the rope that held him fast. “Oh, suffer-

ing badgers! Why aren’t my paws free? Oh, Ma-

-riah! how I would enjoy mingling in this!”

Higgins uttered an oath. /

“Put down that pistol, kid,” he grated. “What do

_ you think ye can do with it?”

“Tecan blow the top of your head off,”

 

gasped Brad Buckhart,

    
  
   
  
   

returned

  

        

i Tn do so ar if aan de: thot nae e knife! ry

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

Jubal and his men neither Dick nor Brad had found.

_ Dick, “and I swear to you on my word of honor that |

 

21

Never in all his life had young Merriwell been more
in deadly His black eyes were gleaming, and
the look on his boyish face was enough to make that
huge sailor pause.

Only an instant.

Then Higgins started to leap forward.
lift a foot and trip the
who went down with a crash.

earnest.

srad Buckhart was able to
man,
Buckhart saved his life, for, believing himself
driven to it, Dick had kept his promise to fire, and the
revolver spoke.

But the boy knew he had missed, and he looked for
Higgins to rise.

Instead of that, the man rolled over with a groan,
and the staring trio saw that, in some manner, he had
fallen upon his own knife, which had been buried in
his side

“He's done for!” exclaimed Buckhart, huskily.

Dick knew that When he saw the man pull the knife
forth aud drop it from his nerveless fingers.

3ut there was not a second to be lost, for the shot
would alarm the others on the vessel, and they would
come flocking to the cabin. Although not relishing
touching the knife, Dick did not hesitate to catch it
up and use it to set Buckhart free. ;

‘here was a rush of feet on the deck, hoarsé“voices
calling, heavy steps on the companionway, and then
the door opened to let Captain Jubal in, with others
behind him, their fierce faces being seen over his
shoulder.

And Captain Jubal found himself face to face with
a black- eyed boy who had a revolver leveled straight
at his heart.

“Stop right there!” cried Dick clearly.

In his other hand was a bloody knife, while Higgins
lay dying on the cabin floor.

No wonder Jubal and his men were dazed by the
sight.

How had this 1 boy, who was securely bound a few
minutes before, succeeded in getting free and killing
Higgins, the biggest and strongest man of the crew?

The question flashed yas) the mind of Jubal.

Seeming to read the thoughts of the captain, Dick
said : 7 .

“You see what has happened to him,”
motion toward Higgins. “He was warned. Steady,
cap'n! I've got the drop on you, and, by the Lord
Harry! Pll send you to join your tool Higgins if you
make a mainte to draw a weapon! ° i

:
with a
  

22

There was something thrilling and magnificent in
the manner of this dauntless lad. At the same time,
that wild crew were awed by what they beheld.

Up at Dick’s side rose Brad Buckhart.

“Whoop!” he roared, also producing a revolver.
“T opine I'll take a hand in this game! I’ve got a
gun, and I can shoot it some, you bet your boots!
Shall we open fire on the varmints, pard? Just say
the word and see me strew ’em around on the stairs.”’
_ The ruffians behind Jubal began to retreat, actually
awed by the defiant boys.

But Jubal’s voice sounded harshly:

“Hold, men! Stay where you are!
these boys in a trap, for all of their pistols.
can't escape from the vessel.”

“Tf that’s right; we can provide a whole lot of fu-
nerals,” said the Texan.

“You fools!” sneered Jubal. pes ou have simply
made it worse for yourselves! I might have let you
go after you revealed where the treasure is 3 satiden.
but now you must die! Your lives must pay for the
life of Higgins!”

“Ay!” roared the men behind him.

“Tf so,” said Dick, coolly and steadily,
Cap’n Jubal, will end before we go under!”

“Vou bet!” nodded Buckhart.

“My gun points straight at your heart,’
Dick.

“And mine straight at eee brainpan,” put in-Brad.

“Tf I crook my finger,’ Dick added, “you go down
with a bullet clean through you. Don’t think I’d
miss you at this distance. I learned to shoot in the
West, and Old Joe Crowfoot, an Indian with the eye
of a hawk and a hand of iron, was my instructor. I
wouldn’t miss you, Jubal. Td kill you dead with the
first bullet.”’

Dick felt that it was necessary to impress these
mén, were such a thing possible, and this was his
manner of doing so.

“That's on the level,” said Buckhart, “and I reckon
I can get two or three of you right after Dick, so we'll
pretty near wipe you out, if yeu provoke us to try
the trick.” ma

“What do you think you can do if we back out and

We've got

“vour life,

’ answered

leave you here?” asked Jubal, sneeringly. “You'll
still be trapped.” eA |
“The others may back out,” said Dick; “but you

We want you with us, cap’n.”
agreed Brad. “We yearn for your fas-

. 7,
will remain.
“Correct,”

TiP TOP WEEKLY.

They’

 

 

aA

cinating society. That’s right, isn’t
it?’

“Well, what can you do then?’
“You're still on board my vessel.”

“We'll think about that later. We will talk it over
with you, and I believe we can induce you to instruct
your men to take us into the port of Fardale and land
us there. Now, cap’n, kindly order your men to re-
tire, while you remain.”

Jubal hesitated, enraged at the thought of being
compelled by these boys to do anything of the sort.
He longed to duck and leap at Dick, thinking it pos-
sible to take the lad off his guard.

Hey, pard ?

asked the man.

“You ean’t do it,” assured young Merriwell, as if
reading the thoughts in the man’s mind. “If you
try ee; Pll shoot the moment you make the first
move.’ :

The master of the Sei Wolf muttered something
under his breath. He knew that submission to the
lads would*weaken him in the estimation of his men,
yet he felt certain there was not one chance in twenty
of escaping death if he made an attack. He was on
the verge Of obeying Dick, when one of the men be-
hind him, who had drawn a pistol without being Ob>.
served, fired over the captain’s shoulder.

If the bullet was intended for Dick, certain it is
that the aim of the man was bad, for it flew high and
cut down the lantern that had illumined the cabin.
The lantern crashed to the floor, and Captain Jubal
seized the occasion to make a Spring for Merriwell.

In the darkness Dick had leaped aside, believing he
might save himself in'that way:

Into the cabin poured the men, and a fearful strug-
gle\in the darkness began, the ruffians being unable

to distinguish friends from foes. Pa
came a

But it did not last long, for, of a sudden,
great shock that threw them in a writhing, cursing
heap, ‘while through the vessel ran ia crunching,
grinding, creaking groan.

All knew what it meant.

The Sea Wolf had struck one of the many dans

gerous hidden ledges that lay along that coast!

“

_ CHAPTER XII

THE LAST OF THE SEA WOLF.,
The shock told plainly that the vessel had struck
heavily enough to break a hole in her, and they knew

what that meant. Indeed, she had plunged full ne

 

 

 

 

   
   
    

 

t]
3

be

hi

in

    
go:

   

 

Dewar

TIP TOP

E fair upon the treacherous ledge, which stopped her
progress at once, and there she lay, with a great hole
in her hull, through which the water poured in a tor-

‘rent,

Out of the
thought of overcoming. ithe boys who had defied

 

cabin rushed the sailors, abandoning all

; them. Uttering language I will not repeat, they
; yelled for the man who had been.at the helm. This

“man,” however, was a mere boy who had been left
_ _ in charge of the wheel by the regular helmsman when
| the crew was drawn to the cabin by the shot, and he
crouched under the gutiwale, shivering and in terror
over what he had done. 4
: Captain Jubal was among the sailors, and he gave
orders to get the boats ready for lowering. The
sailors sprang to this task at once.

When the ruffians rushéd out of the cabin,
called: i

“Brad, where are you?”

sy “Tere,” was the answer. “™
i ehart f. "x Pry dk
Pe “T reckon not, though I did get mixed up some in
that there scrimmage. , How are you?”
i, “All whole.”
re “T opine the old coop ran into something ?”
“By the shock I should say she struck a rock.”

Dick

 

‘| “Well, I wonder how bad she’s dented, pard.”

& “Bad enough,” said the voice of Lib Dixon. ‘For
| the Lord’s sake, set me free! I’m. almost dead!
| Them fellers stepped on me, jumped on me, kicked
me an’ everything else. This, -boat’ll go down in-
i. side of ten minutes, ‘or I’m no judge. She struck
hard enough ter take her whole bottom out.”
’ said Dick, “I think perhaps she struck just
in time to save us from being made into.mincemeat !”
- Buckhart struck a match, by the light of which
Dick found the knife of Higgins, who lay dead on the
‘floor. With the bloodstained blade the boy set
Dixon free.
“The old coop’s going, down fast,”
 “Trallow I can feel her settling.” .
“We must git out!” panted Dixon.
‘% ‘ap owned!” |
Bt kop eae companionway they hastened, and the spec-
_tacle that they beheld was fearsome. In the east the
“moon was risiig, and by its light they saw the Sea
Wolf was heeled far over to port. Some of the
sailors had lowered one boat, and were rowing away.
Th other bsg was me lowered. he

said the Texan.

 

“We'll be

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

       
  

selves,”

WEHEKLY. 23
Captain Jubal had not yet left the vessel: Now he

turned toward the cabin and saw the three figures at
the head of the companionway.

“Come on, with the black
“The vessel will go down in a minute.
you off in this boat with me.”

boy eyes!” he cried.

But [ll take

returned Dick. “I know
You're willing to take me off, so
that you can make good your threat to force me to
tell where the treasure is. But I cannot make you
believe the truth, which is that I have no knowledge
of the whereabouts of the treasure, so I decline to go
with you and be tortured. Goon. We stay here!”

‘No you won’t, cap’n,”
what you want.

Then Lib Dixon sprang past Dick and rushed to-

ward the sailors, wildly crying:

“I know where the treasure
I'll tell you where to find it!”

The vessel gave a lurch and settled still further.

Immediately, Captain Jubal started to swing into
the beat.
me git in!
rushing up.

With a savage exclamation, Jubal struck the fellow
to the deck. Plainly, he did not believe the fisher-
man, but thought the fellow was lying in order to get
them to take lim off in the boat.

Jubal swung over into the boat,

is!

Eek Let me git in!” screamed Dixon,

which started to
pull away.

Getting up, Dixon shrieked for them to wait, again
protesting that he knew where the treasure was. As

they paid no heed to him, he flung himself headlong

over the rail of the vessel into the sea.

One of the men in the boat lifted an oar and struck
Dixon on the head with the blade.

Immediately the fisherman sank from view.

“There goes the treasure, pard!” exclaimed Buck-
hart, in great regret. “Somehow, I don’t feel so
blamed bad about Mr. Dixon as I do about the treas-
ure. It's a howling shame to lose that.”

“It’s possible we'll not get away from here our-
said Dick.
well remain where it is.”’

“Dick,” said the Texan, soberly, “I reckon Cale
Burk was right* when he said there was a curse on

that treasure and it fell on everybody who had any :

thing to do with it.’

_ The boys looked about for life-preservers, which 3
they soon found and fastened about their bodies. :
or that time, however, Dick called Breas atten-

Take me off!

   

e

“Therefore, the treasure. may as
24.

tion to the fact that the vessel did not seem to be
sinking any deeper in the water. Pitched over on
her port side, she lay there with the waves beating
upon her.

“What do you make of it ?”

“She’s fast on the ledge,”’ said Dick, “and she may
not go down for a long time. Perhaps she'll stay
here for ‘hours, or till the tide takes her off.”

“That being the case, there is no need to rush.”

But now they discovered,something that surprised
them not a little. The last boat to leave the vessel
had ‘stopped at’some distance to watch her, evidently
expecting she would go down in a few minutes.
Finding she did not do so, the boat turned about and
was coming back.
_“Here’s trouble, Dick !’’

“Keep low,” was Dick’s advice;
really mean to return aboard.”

asked Buckhart.

exclaimed Buckhart.
“‘let’s see if they

It was not long before they discovered that such
was the intention of Jubal and the men in the boat.
Then Dick hailed them.
“We'll have to
We're

“On board the boat!” he cried.
“warn you that it is dangerous to come nearer.
armed, and we shall open fire on you.”

“Don’t. be a fool,

youngster!” shouted: Captain

Jubal. “You saved me from drowning, and I
don’t want to > leave you there to drown. We will
take you off.

“Thanks!” flung back young Merriwell. “I know

just about how interested you are in me, and again I
warn you to keep off. You dislike to give up that
treasure, but you lost it when one of your men
struck Lib Dixon with an oar. . Dixon was the one
who found the treasure in the cave and removed it.
He followed Cale Burk there one night, and discov-
ered it in that way. | have no more idea where that
treasure is now, Cap’n Jubal, than you have yourself,
and that is the truth.”

Following this there was a muttering among the
men in the boat, which was kept head to the waves.
Gradually the wind and tide took it further and
further away.
then the boys saw the sailors fall ta, rowing again.
This time they were once more DunRS away from the

doomed Sea Wolf.

yn ney re going, Dick,” said Buckhart.
| “Let them go,”
boy. beg

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

At least thirty minutes passed, and

came from the lips of the other |

   

They watched the boat until it faded.into the white

“mist Of moonlight that lay on the face of the sea.

sl ale ale st st ake
* 2k * oc ** * K K

Never again was Captain Jubal and his men
seen in the vicinity of Fardale, and Dick often won-
dered what became of them after they rowed away
into the misty moonlight that tragic night.

Dick and Brad got together floatable
things to buoy them comfortably, and, on finding that
the tide and waves were lifting the vessel so that she
was in danger of sliding from the ledge at.any mo-
melt, they set out from her side. They were not
more than thirty rods away when the Sea Wolf, sud-
denly and without further warning, slid stern fore-
most into the sea and peacefully sunk from view.

enough

Inthe morning the boys were picked up by a steam:

launch, which Frank had chartered as soon as pos-
sible to go in search of them. They had wrapped
themselves with oilskin garments found en the vessel,
and, although benumbéd by the cold and scarcely
able to speak, they
properly cared for.
- The story they had to tell ddded another diriathe
chapter to that brought out at the inquest over
the body of Cale Burk. Of course, the boys were
believed, although their yarn was so remarkable that
it seemed almost beyond the bounds of possibility.
. “Say, pard!’ exclaimed Buckhart, as he came into
Dick’s room at the academy on the following day,
“the next time I-stay.at Fardale to spend a quiet va-
cation I won't stay at’Fardale at all! You hear me
chirp! Ive been chawed up by grizzly bears, shot

full of holes by Injuns and chopped into ribbons by _

Greasers, but blow me if I ever before was yanked
baldheadded silly by pirates!’ That’s the limit! It
is, |swear! Vacations around here are too much for
my delicate constitution. When the next one comes
I’m going out into the Rio Pecos country, where
people are civilized!” eee:

Dick laughed heartily.

“We have had’a lively time,”’ he admitted ; “ink
somehow I fancy I’ve enjoyed it,

“Confound your skin! you'd enjoy dodging blue
lightning in a thunder shower if it was trying to hit
you every crack !’’ roared Brad.

THE END.

Reet £

. The next number (304) will contain “Dick Merrie

well’s Peril; or, Left to Die in the Flames.”

rapidly recovered on being

 

 

  
 
  

OS ee ee +e eS eee ey

 
   
   

 

 

 

OF oh

bi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

po engineers —_—-

NEW YORK, February 1, rgo2.

 

 

 

Terms to Tip Top Weekly Mail Subscribers.
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| APPLAUSE.

- I began reading Tip Top about a year ago, and hawe read
iy most all the back numbers. I think it is the best book pub-
bs lished. I think G. W. McNeill is rattled, has wheels in his head

 

 

 

 

}  ° or something of the kind. Wishing success to Street & Smith,
c B. L. and Tip Top Weekly, I remain, yours,

. Constant REApER.
4 Burlington, Vt. , Bk ACP.

1 Thank you.

ye

i
ee Not seeing any letters in the Applause column from our city
we thought we would try and write a few words of praise for
the Tip Top. There is no other weekly published that comes
within gtinshot of it, in our estimation. We enjoy reading it
a very much, as the characters all seem so real. Next to Frank,
. we like Bart Hodge the best. He is the best and truest friend
that Frank has got, and when we read some of the letters that
say he should be taken out of the flock, just because he has a few
faults, it makes us mad. We are glad Wtsie is going to marry
Bart, as she is just the girl for him., Dick is all right. He is

going to make a second Frank Merriwell; and we wish him suc-
cess. We hope Hal Darrell will get over his hatred for Dick

and become one of his friends.
of such an interesting weekly, we will close, hoping to see this
| in the Applause Column. i. -Paut F. Prince.
‘VE. >4 Portland,’ Me. i Harry L. Jury.
- DICK MERRIWELL will not disappoint Tip Top readers, in
‘their ambition for him to equal if not surpass Frank. ;

4

 

4‘

I have been a constant reader of your fine list of. publications,
among them, the Tip Top, which I am certain has no equal. As
. J have never written betore, I will try and. say a few things in

‘regard to the question,. Whether Bart Hodge should be a mem-
ber of the Flock, or not. “Now, I have never really liked Bart
yery much, and I think the Flock could get along very well
without him. If Mr. R. C. Murray and Cecil Andrews would
like two reasons, I can give satisfactory ones to them, I think.

irst, do they remember Fim Hooker, and also the time the money
hs stolen by a fellow dressed in Hooker's clothes? Did Bart not
then say it was Jim and no one else, just becduse Hooker used to
be a bad lad? Second, was not Bart ready at any time to call his
best friend! his enemy? How many times did he say things to
- Frank, his best friend, which he should never have even said to
-his worst enemy? Now, I think. that the three boys from
- Nevada, Mo., who gaid: “that every one who said that Bart
should be out of th Block were fools” are wrong. Neither are
they gentlemen, for they must remember that there are girl

  

  

  

WEEKLY.

Wishing success to the author .

most likely the latter.

es

25

critics, as well as boys, and no gentleman should call any lady a
fool. Do you think they should? What those three boys (or gen-
tlemen?) need is a roasting for insulting the ladies. They should
read Miss Gladys Wellington’s letter in Tip Top No. 296, and
then go and lay down for a while. I will close, wishing. good luck
to all the Flock, especially Dick, atid also to yourself.

Kart G. LIVINGSTONE.

Bellows Falls, Vt.

Bart’s friends will never allow this letter to pass unnoticed.
I anxiously await results; and think I see the smoke of battle
ahead. Weil, fight fair and never give up. My best wishes for
old Bart, whom I personally think is O. K. and a yard wide..

 

In No. 297 I. see that a reader who is afraid to sign his name
makes another cowardly attack upon Frank Merriwell’s truest
and best friend, Bart Hodge. Whis reader, who signs himself
R. J. H., gives no reasons for his criticism, simply saying
that he should be ostracised from Merry’s Flock; ‘and he‘ also’
says that he does not think that Mérry’s friends should defend
him (Bart). This shows how capable our friend from North
Carolina is to take a hand in an argument. If Bart’s friends have
no right to defend him, have his enemies the.right to traduce
him? If this fellow who signs himself R. J. H. has any reasons.
for wanting dear old Bart put out of the Flock, why didn’t he
state them, and giye Bart’s many loyal friends a chance to de-
fend hin, and prove him to be Frank’s true, loyal friend? As
a proof of Bart’s love and devotion to Frank, let’ him read No.
214.--Who was it, among all of Frank's friends, who had the
courage, to dash into the burning hotel, to rescue Merry from
an awful death? Who fought his way through flame and smoke
to the spot where Frank lay unconscious? Who was it that
in the midst of deadly peril on the third floor of a_ burning
hotel, with the. walls swaying and floors trembling, thought of
preserving Frank’s face and hands from the flames through
which he would have to fight his way, with his unconscious
friend? Who exclaimed in his heart: “Frank, my dearest. friend,
if I can’t carry you out, we'll die together’? Who but. noble
Bart? Who but Bart is ever ready to risk his own dife in de-
fense of Frank? Bart Hodge is Frank Merriwell’s truest and
best friend, and no cowardly enemy can prove him anything
else. Friends of Bart, rally to his support: and crush his few
cowardly defamers! I remain, ever a firm friend of Bart Hodge,

D. B. Barn.
Bellevue, Ky.

Such loyalty is surely commendable, and, as facts are facts,
Bart’s so-called enemies will necessarily see things in their proper
light, and realize his good qualities and friendship for Frank.,

 

I.have never written to tell you how much I like the Tip Top.
First comes Frank. and closelyafterward come Dick, Bart and
Dick’s chum, the Texan. I think that Hal will become one of
Dick’s friends. I think Dick ran a great risk in stopping the
runaway automobile. Three cheers’for Frank and Dick Merri-
well! Hoping to sec this in the Tip Top soon.

dn Eh, OF TI
Philadelphia, Pa. ;

Good! Glad you like DICK MERRIWELL so much. He’s a
fine fellow. Just the sort you'd expect Frank’s brother-to be.

I have read a great many of the Tip Tops, and I delight in
the Applause Column. I am very indignant over Mr. G. W.
MeNeill’s letter: but I concluded he must be lunatic or a fool—

The gentlemanly C. C. B., of Syracuse, has made me hopping
mad, as they say. He must be crazy, in his unprovoked attac
on Bart Hodge. Dear Bart! What has he done, to deserve
all this criticism, all this scorn? Is it because he has declared «
his love for Elsie? Where are all of Bart’s loyal friends? Why
do they not come out in his defense? A great many have; but *
there are more friends yet, who have not taken up his de-—

fense. I am entirely satisfied over the Elsie-Inza question. I feel

like shaking, or, to put it better, punching, both G. Ws McN.-
eC CB 4 think Dick is a true, manly boy, and is trying _

4
'

yey
{

    
   
 
  
  
    
 
   
   
   
   
 
    
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
    
  
   
   
  
    
  
  
      
         
            
    
       
   
        
       
       
    

 

  
 

    
   
  
     
    
   
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
   
    
  
  
   
  
   
   
    
   
    
  
  
 

   
     
         
   
         
     
      
      
  
   
         
   
      

   

  
  

 
 

 
  

     
 
    
 

 
 

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oe

36 TIP TOP WEEKLY.

to bé like his wonderful brother, Frank.
and Dick are friends.

I think that Constant Reader, Hal Filbert and many others are
a little hot-headed> I agree with John Leute, Jr., in his defense
of dear old Bart. Wishing a long life to Street & Smith, Burt
L. Standish, Frank and Dick Merriwell, and all. of Bart's
friends, I remain. We..G. W.

Brooklyn, N. Y.

Good words and. true. You see the truth and know how
to tell it. DICK MERRIWELL is the genuine article, and a
thorough-going, manly boy.

I hope Hal Darrell

 

I have written you once before, but if you will give this one
a place in your paper I would be glad for you to do so. I have
just finished reading book No. 295. ‘I’ was glad when I read in
hook 294 that Jabez Lynch was expelled, for I was afraid that
he would do Dick some bodily harm. Now, if he would make
Hal Darrell his friend, I think that would be all of his enemies.
I am glad that Frank and Inza and Bart and Elsie are engaged,
and hope Dick and Doris will be good friends. {I think that it
is a foolish notion in the parents to plan to have Doris and Hal
marry when they come. of age, without their having any say
so; at all. Hal craid Zona ought to. become friends, and let Dick
have Doris. Well, I will close for this time with three for
Burt L. and Street & Smith. Epwarpd SPILLAN.
Roanoke, Va.

Without exception, you’ve. got some éf the most sensible ideas
about the way things ought to go—never read better ones! You
appear to be willing to swear by DICK MERRIWELL. Well,
just keep right on in that course, and you'll make no mistake.

 

For many years it has been my privilege to have been a
constant, reader of your worthy magazine; therefore, I thought
that it was high time that some one from this city, the second

in importance in Florida, should be writing to you and telling ,
-you of the great favor in which your paper is held in, Pensacola
-and West Florida.

When I say that I believe yours to be the
best publication of its kind printed anywhere in the United
States or -in the world, I say so with the fullness of my heart.
I say it because I[ believe that it is so, and also because that I
hink it is my duty to say so. In the late numbers of the
eekly you gave the results of various football games played
by Tip Top readers all over the country, and I was very much
interested in the-results. Hoping that the life of Tip ‘Top will
be a long and eventful one, I remain, an ardent admirer of Tip
‘Top. A. T. Porter WHALEY.
Pensacola, Fla.

Come right along, Florida. mae us your kind’ words Sf praise.

» They will be more appreciated than: if you sent up several orange

groves. So come righit along | ~By the way, what do you think
of DICK MERRIWELL?

_ t

‘I have been reading Tip Top a long time, and think it is ahi
tight. I have also been, reading the letters the readers send to.

‘you. I have not taken part in the scrap, but, seeing Frank J.
Mercer getting down on Bart,Hodge makes me mad. I wish
Mr. Mercer would come here.

back and sit down.” If he did nof, we would try to make him.

“If we could not, I think Mr. A. M.. Hamilton will help us. We

fellows would give him a hot time here. A. 'S.
Lewiston, Me.

I would not advise Mr. Mercer to. visit Maine cit your.

“wrath had cooled down, as I fear no more letters from. him
on ean in our Sule, if he should. i:

datttdiieptatis un
y

"Not seeing any letters in your Applause ‘Galina of late from

“as, we, the eee request our president. to let you hear

eee writte
have read

 

 

 

We would put him on the bum. |
He would have a swelled head, and think he had better “go ’way .

friends.

chase formed a. ig top Frank Merriwell Club, and have
‘the Bp Top, from its beginning to date, wel

and have not one point in the Merry Flock to criticise. Dick is
all right, but he is getting to be more popular than Frank was
when he was at Fardale. Don’t let Dick get to be greater
than our dear old. Frankl. Let us hear more of Frank and his
Flock. Where are Barney, Hans, Gallup, Bink and Danny? Let
us hear of out old friends. We admire Dick and his chums,
but I'rank we must have to keép our blood in circulation.
Frank is our model and our héro. Let Dick be next, but let
Hal Darrell take Bart's part for Dick. Hal is a splendid fellow,
taking him in his true light. Doris is a fine girl, and IJ hate
to see Hal lose her, but if she thinks more of Dick, he is the one
to have her. The Etsie and Inza question was solved all right;
that is, it satisfied the majority of our members. We took a vote
on the Elsie-Inza question, to see who was the best girl fort
Frank, and we found’ that Mr. Standish knows what is best
for his readers. The vote was. as follows: Elsie. 8; Inza, 11.
We have twenty-five members, and six voted for neither Elsie or
Inza. Wishing Street & Smith, Burt L. Standish, Dick and
Frank all kinds of good luck, we are, yours,
Trp Top Frank MErrIweti Crue.

H. JAcKson, > President.

_ A. Baker, Vice-President.

S BAKER, Secretary and Treasurer.

JerKson, Library Superintendent.
iY Srrauz, Athletic Instructor.

Threé cheers for your club; and may its prosperity be un-
paralleled. Many thanks for your kind wishes.

 

In reading over the Applausé Column I see that another
gentleman has shown his true colors. It seems natural that he
and that other idiot are in the same town, for birds of a feather,
ete. Talk about your manhood and honor!
tacks such a character as Bart Hodge has not got as much of
it as a.rag doll baby. It is that kind that are a disgrace to the
Stars and Stripes, and are daily ending their days in asylums
and penitentiaries. I'll guarantee they are all cigarette fiends
or are addicted to some other bad habit, which has robbed them
of the, little brains they had-—if it is possible for such things to
have brains. No doubt, Bart Hodge was once a little wild. How-
ever, let bygones be forgotten.. And, before ‘any one else make
themselves ridiculous, let them think of the Bart Hodge of to-
day. If those who have spoken ill of Bart have one grain of self-

respect left, they will apologize to the one who is their superior

in every. respect.

“May his joys be as deep as the ocean,
And his sorrows as light as its foam,”

Is the sincere wish, ok, 1 2 friend. Pav. O'Connor.
Harrisburg, Pa. rath A Hodgeite forev rex.

~ You're just right. ‘Bart Hodge is eae

 

I am again going to Uitte and tell you at I thivite ‘of she
Tip Top Weekly... It is the best book of its kind that ever was
published, and I dé not miss a single number. was glad to sec
that Dick went to Fardale, and io not think he is too young

to. inake a fine fellow ; “put I hope Mr. Standish will not drop

Frank altogether. I ‘obtained. all the back numbers from a
friend that T got, acquainted with through the Tip Top, and am
very much interested in reading them. I join in with the rest
of my fellow readers in givin this “Constant Reader,’ as he
calls himself, a gaod calling down.
that dear old Bart should be dropped. Batt has his faults, the
same as everybody else, but he has been a very true frie i &
Frank. I think “ “Constant Reader” had better go ;
back and sit down. I hope to soon again hear from Frank’ Wr
1 am cake interested in Rattleton, Br
Hodge, ee and Diamond. Hurrah for the Physical |
eee it is the best thihg going, and has ares Pei
090
Wishing success to Burt L, Standish and Sess
main, i
Tacoma, Wash. Bawa

  

Any one who at-

He must be crazy to say ;

ta
¥

 

 

 

 

 
   
  
 

 

 

 

Equipments for Hockey.

For many reasons the quality and species of the skate is a
most important consideration to a hockey player.

The hockey skate should be just high enough to prevent the
late or the sole of the boot from touching the ice when turn-
ing or cutting corners, because a low skate is not so straining
on the ankle as a high one. ¥.

 

The blade should be long enough
and sufficiently flat on the ice to admit of. great speed, but
should not project at the toe or heel so much as to trip the

skater on any occasion, and should be curved slightly in front

and behind~in order to allow of quick turning. Although it
should be so pointed as to enable a player to begin a rush by
running on the toes, these should not have a distinct, projecting
point, but should be so shaped that they will admit of this
statt, because a sharp projection is often the cause of a nasty
fall and also of a dangerous cut to the wearer of the skates or
to one of his opponents. Oa eae

A good hockey skate should be a combination of great
strength and lightness of weight. It should be strong because
the thousand twistings and turnings of a player strain every inch
of the blade, each plate and every rivet; it should, be light
because the lightness of the skate adds to the swiftness of the
skater, and becatise a heavy skate is tiring. To again refer to
the length of the skate, the blade should project about an inch
in front of the toe of the boot and an inch or a little more
behind the heel, and the width of the bottom of the blade should
retain the same thickness from toe to heel, or rather on that
part of blade that touches the ice when a skater maintains a
standing postion. The two ends back and front should taper
slightly in width, becoming thinner toward the points. ;

A player's clothes should be light enough to be of no per-
ceptible weight, and warm enough.to insure him against catch-
ing cold. A moderately heavy sweater, pants padded at the
hips and knees and heavy stockings with a suit of light under-
wear are the necessary articles of clothing for a hockey player.

Hats are not needed, if the hair is allowed to grow moderately
long; in fact, they are an unneceqsary extra.

Gloves, thin enough to permit the player to retain a firm,
sure grasp of his stick, are used to prevent the hands from
being cut on the rough ice after a fall. It is advisable to wear
shin guards and any other appliances that afford. protection.
Unless a player's ankles are weak, or his boots too large, straps

should not be used, because they are of no other value than to

strengthen the ankles, which, with practice and well-fitting
boots, do not, or should not, need support. |

The hockey stick is the requisite next in importance, but as
it will be treated in another chapter no further mention of it
will be made here. ' 4

 

‘ Points of a Good Player.

Coolness, in hockey parlance, is the power and practice of
taking time to think out a move. A player must be cool-headed

to a degree that verges on slowness, because, so fast a game is
hockey, that an expert player, an experienced team, should take
advantage of every opportunity that the changing plays present,

and this to do, even in theaquickest rushes, the swiftest com-—
_ binations, the fiercest “mix-ups,” it is necessary that one should
remain as cool as the proverbial cucumber.

Miles, guard.

As a hockey axiom, it might be said that “it is better to
think more and rush less, than to rush mofe.and think less.”

The cool, ‘collected, calculating player is worth more to a
team than two or three of the class whose main object seems
to be the possession: of the puck for a “big” rush down the ice.

If any man among your opponents is to be feared, let it be the
one who thinks out each move, who makes no useless plays,
who shoots for the goals only when there is an opefiing, because
“such men are dangerous.” “Many a game is lost, many a
chance is missed by the man who will not, cannot take time
enough to think out a play.

Another requisite is confidence, both in your assistants and
in yourself. Just as that regiment whose soldiers rely upon

_one another is a better one than another in which the members

have no confidence in their comrades, so, in a hockey team it
is absolutely necessary that each player should be able to de-
pend upon his confreres.

A team should feel that it can defeat any sewen that opposes
it, and each individual man of a team ought to believe that, if
necessary, he can pass any one of his adversaries. A team
that goes on the ice thinking that defeat is probable is already
beaten; a player who fears that he cannot elude certain of his
opponents is a factor of ‘success.

 

Basket Ball.

Basket ball is more popular this year than ever before, and
the Winter Sports Contest is receiving entries thick and fast.
Some very interesting games have been played this week.
Keep your eye open and try to pick the league winner.

Ashland High School (Ashland, Pa.) ys. Ashland Reserves.

Ashland High School—Wallauer, forward; Granger, forward;
Landefield, center; Dence, guard; Garner, guard. :

Ashland. Reserves—Benethum, forward; Steward, forward;

Betz, center; Reed, guard; Vaughn, guard.

Winner—Ashland High Scheol. inal Score—z2o-11.. Man-
ager—Meiswenkle.
Adelphi Academy Midgets (Brooklyn, N. Y.) vs. Clarendon

Midgets,

Adelphi Academy Midgets—E. A. Leslie, forward; F. Me-
Cormick, forward; F. M. De Selding, center; C. W. Dingee,
guard; E. A. Keiser, guard. |

Clarendon Midgets—S. A. Forshay, forward; R. T.. Jones,
forward; E. S. Quin, center; A. C. Worthington, guard, B. F.

Winner—Adelphi Academy Midgets. Final Score—39-6.
Manager—C. W. Dingee. '

Keystone (Philadelphia, Pa.) vs. Levant Juniors.

Keystone—Carlins, forward; Atkinson, forward; Troy, (capt), :

center; Fortmann, guard; A. Schafer, guard.
- Levant Juniors—Mullins, forward; Riley, forward; Rupp,
center; Haag, guard; Cliff, guard. — be

Winner—Keystone A. C. Final Score—4o-0.
Carlins. ~ Bry Ae ass

A Manager— ty. ah

4

    
    
  
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
   
 
   
 
 
  
      
       
     
   
     
         
         
       
       
         
    

 

 

\

    
 
 

*
28 TIP TOP

Orioles (Baltimore, Md.) vs. Boltons.

Orioles—H. Merriman, forward; W. Scott, forward;
quar, center; Perry Bascom, guard; B. Brown, guard.

Boltons—W. Andrews, forward; W. Bower, forward; T.
Rand, center; R. Livington, guard; M. Dunham, guard.

Winner—Orioles. Final Score—15-4. Manager—J. Farquar.

C. 1. Juniors (Washington, B.C.) vs. C. L Intermediates.

John Drury, forward;
Archer Smith,

J. Far-

C. I. Juniors—John Croghan, forward;
Frank Howell, center; Jeremiah Quinn, guard;
guard.

C. I. Intermediates—James Kramer, forward; Ernest Lear,
forward; Frank Moriarty, center; Thomas Bones, guard; Albert
Rickenbacker, guard.

Winner-—C. I. Juniors.
Drury.

Mohawk A. C. (Westminster, Md.) vs. Liberty A. C.

Mohawk A. C.—Dewitt S. Shunk, forward; Claton E. Butler,
forward; Walter C. Shunk, center; George R. Wentz, guard;
Harroll C. Graham, guard.

Liberty A. C.—James R. Rodgers, forward; Wilber L. Smith,
forward; John B. Smelser, center; Harry P. Beckwith, guard;
Joe Smith, guard,

Winner—Mohawk A. CC. Final
George R. Wentz, Westminster.

Riverview (Janesville, Wis. ) ys. Beaver A. C.

Riverview—James Roberts, forward; Raymond Tift, forward;
Doane Wright, center; Robert Clarke, guard; Stanley Brink,
guard.

Beaver A. C.—Willie Thomson,
ward; James Williams, center;
Holmes, guard:

Winner—-Riverview.

Final Score—8-o. Manager—John

Score—46-0. Manager—

forward; Arthur Stevens, for-
James Jones, guard; Willie

Final Score—22-20. Manager—McGhee.

——

Ice Hockey.

The ice hockey teams are also on the jump, making the ice
fairly ring with their fast work. Look out, look out! Here
they come hard enough to shoot the puck ten miles into space.
Here are the games of the week:

Annex Juniors (Providence, R. 1.) vs, Anuex Stars.

Annex Juniors—Fred Gordon, goal; Wm. Cushing, point;
John McGinn, cover point; Vincent McGinn, forward; George
McDowell, forward; Jim Kelley, (capt.), forward; Wallace
Sunderland, forward.

Annex Stars—Wi. Singleton, goal; Wm. Gordon, (megr.),
point; Joe Gordon, cover point; Frank Roper, forward; Joe
Charnly, forward; Wm. Clough, forward; Fred Groves, (capt.),
_ forward.

Winner—Annex Juniors.
A. Cushing.

Marbleheads (Marblehead, Mass.) vs. Bluebirds,

Marbleheads—Harvey Lane, goal; Harvey Chapman, point;
Samuel’ H. Davis, cover point; ‘Horace Ballard, forward; Frank
Stearns, forward; Chester Roundy, forward; Irving Bridgeo,
forward.

Final Sears -0. Matis en:

_ Bluebirds—H. Smith, goal; E. Englis, point; I, Bartlett, cover
“eae M. Dunleavey, forward; J. James,. forward; E. Johnson,

tward; A. Swift, forward. -
~ Winner—Marbleheads.
. Davis.

‘Montford A. C. (Baltimore, Md.) vs. Fayette AC,

_. Montford A. C.—Hohman, goal; C Hofmeister, point; May,
rg cover point; Deaver, forward; H. Hofmeister, forward; Leonard,
nh PET: Campbell forward,

_. Faye A. ae owney,
point; Gregor, forward;

Pacer aeiors A. ee

F inal Scdrendc:

goal; Meyers, point; Mills, cover
fohnson, forward; Hill, forward; Hor-

Final § Seore-188: eee

Manage catia

WEEKLY.
Montford A. C. vs. Emerald A. C.

C.—C. Hofmeister, goal;
cover point; Deaver, forward; Leonard,
meister, forward; Campbell, forward.
Emerald A. C.—Williams, goal; J. Green, point; Shuls, cover
point; F, Green, forward; Smidt, forward; Burke, forward;
Miller, forward.
Winner—Montford A. C. Final Score—2-0. Manager—Henry

Hofmeister.
Moutford A. C. vs. Fayette A. C.

A. C.—Hohman, goal; C. Hofmeister, point;
Deaver, forward; H. Hofmeister, forward;
Gi ampbell, forward,

C.—Hill, goal; Downey,
forward; Roberts,

’

Montford A. Hohman, point; May,

forward; H. Hof-

May,
Leon-

Montford
cover point:
ard, forward;

Fayette A.
point; Horner,
Mills, forward.

Winner—Montford A. C. Final Score—1io-o.
Hofmeister.

point; Meyers, cover
forward, Gregor, forward;

Manager—H.

geen nliraaiyaiinegnetphontguttiinetiptasimmsiltite

Ice Relay Contest.

Only one ice relay team has entered the contest. Come on,
boys. Don’t be slow, and here’s just the chance you need
to show how fast you can go. This is the work of one fast
team.

Name of Team—Riverview A. C., Janesville, Wis.

Members of Team-Roberts, Wright, Tift and MeGhee.

Time for Four Miles—15 minutes 30 seconds... Manager—
James Noonan.

Keystones (Philadelphia, Pa.) vs. Rutledge High School.

Troy, (capt.),
Schafer,

point; Ryall,
Haines, for-

Keystones—Carlins, goal; Atkinson, point;
cover point; Fortmann, forward; Bady, forward; %,
forward: Wallace, forward.

Rutledge Higlr Schoo!—Shaw, goal; Darragh,
cover point; Duncan, forward; Evans, forward;
ward; Cadwallader, forward,

Winner—Keystones. Final Score—5-o. Manager—Carlins.

One Mile Ice Chadiianshie.

Come on! Come on! Now you're off! Right into the
stretch you go, and how’s this for fast time:
Name of Contestant—Edward Fitzgerald, Boston, Mags.
Time for one mile straightaway, 3 1-2 minutes.
Everybody put on, skates and let go at full steam ahead.

ere one, come all! The face is on!

Tip Top All-Star Scholastic Football Team.

The following recommendations for positions on the Tip
Top All Star Scholastic teany were received during the week:

FOR JAMES ROBERTS. {Ne

I believe that James Roberts, who “plays left half on ‘the

Riverview A. football team, of Janesville, Wis., is entitled
to a place on the All Star téam for the following reasons:

He is a fine runner, a good line buck, a fine punter and drop-

kicker, and an excellent man on defense, Yours: eye
M ANAGER R. ¢

FOR WM. A. CUSHING.
I believe that Wm. A. Cushing, who plays left ao on the

+ BRIN; K.

Annex Junior Football Team of rovidence, i is entitled to a uae
on the All-Star Team for the following reasons:

He is the best halfback on the Annex Juniors’ eleven. © He has
played for two years on our team. He helped us’ win the cham- _
pionship of Providence. | Mawnacer Frep eR. eed:

FOR WILLIAM NEIL... i
I believe that William Neil, who plays right guard on the M.

_ A. A. Football Team of Massabesic, is entitled to a place, on the

AML ad Era for the following reasons:
Bein wonderfully swift runner, endurance, strength, and
“beh an’ valbround abet. ‘Respetfily yours, 2. i
a em, Jou 1 Foury

 
urements good?

 

do not

 

 

 

    
 
  

Professor Fourmen’s advice, through this department, to young athletes has proven so beneficial that Street &
Smith have engaged the good aud learned professor to continue the department so long as there are young men
and boys in this country who are anxious to develop themselves, or ambitious to become athletes. So our young
athletes may coutinue to seek Professor Fourmen’s advice, which we aud they know to be of the best, through this
department, ‘‘If there is anything you want to know about yourself write Professor Fourmen.”’

 

 

Pror, FouRMEN:

Being a devoted reader of your Tip Top Weekly, I write to
ask you afew questions, lam rg I-2 years old, 5 feet 4 inches
in height, but my weight is only 105 pounds. 1. Will bicycle
riding and bag punching decrease weight? 2. Are my meas-
Tre Top ADMIRER.

1. Not necessarily. 2. You should weigh at least 15 pounds
more.

 

Pror. FouRMEN: BS

I have read the Tip Top Weekly off and on for the last four
years, but since Frank had found his brother, Dick Merriwell,
it is more interesting to me than ever. Dick is nearer my age,
and I am proud of him, I like Frank and all his friends—Bart
Hodge especially. I have never trained with dumbbells, etc,
so I give you my natural meastirements. I wish to bein the
next contest: How can I strengthen the muscles of the fingers,
wrist and forearm? I want the Frank Merriwell grip.

The spring grip dumbbells will help you wonderfully, If
you cannot procure those, try the exercise of opening and
closing the hands, at the same time bending the wrists.

 

Pror. FouRMEN: a
Would you kindly tell me through the Tip Top what I must

do to straighten round shoulders and also what is the best
_exereise for the arins, chest and back. I have been an ardent

reader of Tip Top for over a year. [think you have done more
for young America than any man has done or ever will do. I
would tike to know what you think of my measurements:
Weight, 125 pounds; height, 5 feet 9 inches, and age, 15 years.
With best wishes to Frank, Dick, Mr, Standish and yourself,

: G, A. Conran,

1, You must try to stand erect, Keep this constantly in

mind, as I know of nothing better than that to straighten
- gound shoulders. Try chest weights and use dumbbells, A

punching bag, too, will help to develop you wonderfully. You
- should weigh ro pounds more, ._

 

,
t

 
   
 
    

  

ing: a I take plenty of exercise
in in weigh ne ae 2. I
» eit be Ey weight uctuates

a

 

cises, the former being fertietely: Reng hetie to any one with

     

 
  
   
 
     
   
   
  
   
   
 
 
   
  
 
      
       
       
         
         
     
   
     
    
   

greatly, some days showing gain and others show loss. I have
been training about 7 months, with 11-2 pound dumbbells.
What is the average number of times one should repeat the
various movements? I repeat 45 times, Is that sufficient? g.
What is another way of developing neck, other than with neck
weights? ME.

1. Fluctuating weight does not mean anything in respect to
health and development. 2. Too much exercise is worse than
none at all. A repetition of ro to each movement is quite is.
sufficient. 3. By clasping hands behind your head and. push- aoe
ing the head backward, at thesame time holding back with the ie
arms. Aninerease of one-half to an inch always results ina
very short time.

Pror. FouRMEN:

1. lam a boy 15 years old. Am 5 feet 7inchestall and weigh
125 pounds. How are these measurements for a boy my age?
2. Ican chin myself 20 times, can run 100 yards in 11 seconds cone
flat and a quarter mile in 53 3-5 seconds. Ate these recordsall
right? I do not wish to brag about my records. J would simply -
like to know what kind of a standard my athleticattempts
have reached. 3, What weight dumbbells would youadyise? =
Are 2 1-2 pounds too heavy or too light? Is skating as Pow: Sti
an exercise for the legs as riding a bicycle? I wish you would
write an article on skating and put it in Tip Top, for] am
crazy about it, and know only a few figures that look well on
fhe ice. Martin Hrux,

1. Your measurements are good. 2. Your attainments are —
above the average. Don’ttry tooverdo. 3. Light dumbbells? —
(about 2 pounds) used carefully are universally advised. 4.
Skating is one of the best of exercises. It doesn’t over-tax the

heart like spurting on a bicycle.

Prov. FouRMEN: es
I have read the Tip Top Weekly from No. 200 to'the present _
number. My weight is 72 pounds, and I am 12 yearsold. |
Should I not weigh about go pounds? Is bicycle riding good
for weak legs? Are boxing and punching the bag good exer- ©
cises? FRANK CLARK.
Yes, you should weigh nearly roo pounds—at least 95.
Bicycle riding, boxing and punching the bag are all fine exer-

 
    
   

 
30

Pror. FouRMEN: ae”

Will you please answer my questions through the Tip Top?
Judging from my measurements given below, how much more
could I weigh and still be well built? How can I develop my
neck, arms and legs? Where are your articles on baseball,
fogtball, etc., published? I am 16 years old and weigh 124
20unds with my clothes on. These are my measurements:

eight, 5 feet 5 3-4 inches; neck, 13 3-4 inches; chest, 33;
expanded, 36; waist, 27; shoulders, 37 1-2; biceps, right, 9 1-4;
left, 9; biceps, contracted—right, 11; left, 10 3-4; forearm,
right, 9 3-4; left, 9 1-2; wrist, right,6 1-4; left,6; thigh, right,
19; left, 19; calf, right, 13; left, 12 3-4; ankle, right, 8; left,
73-4. Hoping to see my quesions answered soon, I am,

FRANK CONLAN.

1. You could weigh 5 pounds more and not be too stout for
your height and age, but not mach more than that. 2. Read
niy article on ‘‘General Training for Young Athletes.” g. The
articles mentioned are all published in Tip Top Physical Cul-
ture Department.

Pror. FourRMEN:

Would you please answer the following questions in the next
Tip Top? 1. ts breakfast at 6:90 a. m., followed by a short
walk, too early? 2. What would strengthen my chest agd shoul-
ders? 3. Is skating a good exercise for my legs?

“Kyp MERRILL,”
1. No. Walk on your hands a little while each day, and use

a punching bag, also a Whiteley exerciser. 3. Yes. .

Pror. FourRMEN: he

I wotlld be greatly obliged gf you will answer through th
‘Tip Top Weekly the following questions: 1. How long to
exercise on the punching bag? 2. On the dumbells? 3. Do
you recommend the ‘‘Whitely” exerciser as an all-round
trainer, éspecially for chest and muscle building? Thanking
you in advance for your kindness, I remain,

Yours respectfully,
JEROME T. CANNING.

1. Twenty to thirty minutes daily. 2. About the same time

twice a day.’ 3. Yes.

Pror. FOURMEN:

Iam aconstant reader of the Tip Top, and I would like to
have you please answer a few questtons: I am 14 yearsg
months old, 5 feet 8 1-2 inches tall, weight, 137 pownds, . Is
that not good size for me? Chest is 34 inches; expanded, 37
inches; waig{, 29 inches; thighs, 20 inches, 21 1-2 inches; calf
is 14 inches¢yt4 1-2 inches; forearm, 11 1:2 inches, 12 inches ;
arm, 1 1-2 inches, 12inehes. Is this good for a boy of my age?
I use dumbbells night and morning before eating. I have
started in punching the bag for about 20 or 25 minutes at first.
Is this all right? I-put the 16-pound shot about 29 1-2 feet Jast

fall. I ran theroo yard dash in about 11 3-fseconds without |

training for it. I ama good baseball player and football
player. I think these are good exercises for the muscles, ®
bar oe ft Cuas. Rosen’ts.
Your proportions are fine. Your regime is a very good rigid
one, and ina short time you will be amazed at your athletic
_ progress. ;

Pror. FourMEN:

Iam a constant reader of the Tip Top Weekly, and have
- been for nearly two years... I am 17 ygarg old and weigh 128
‘pounds, am’s feet 7 inches tail. Are m pesore ger
’ , . + ie

You should weigh 5 to ro pounds more.
>

- Pror. FourmMeEn: ae
As you are so kind as to answer questions I will take the
_jiberty to ask afew: 1. Lam x5 yeasyp and 6 months old and

am 5 feet 6inches tall. How much above the average is this?

TIP TOP WEEKLY.

2, I weigh only 112 pounds. How does this compare with my
height and age? 3. How can I increase my weight. 4. What
exercise will develop large legs? Tom.

rand2. Your height and weight are about right. g There
is no way to increase your weight. 4. Raising on the toes will
enlarge the calves of your legs greatly.

ProF. FouRMEN:

How ate my proportions? 1. Iam 15 1-2 yearsold and weigh
119 pounds, am 5 feet 6 inches tall and am g2 inches around
the waist, 2. Is handball a good exercise or not? Yours,

IN cots dae

1. You could easily weigh 5 pounds more. 2. Yes.

Pror. FouRMEN:

Please answer the following questions in the Tip Top. They
would be of great benefit to me. I have a weak heart and
would like to know if there is any exercise that will help it.
Also is there anything I should or should not eat, drink or do.

Dick.

A weak heart is often the result of too violent exercise. Go
through the exercises described in my article, ‘Training for
Young Athletes’ very slowly and stop before you become
tired.

Pror. FouRMEN: \

I would like to ask you a few questions through the Tip Top
Physical Culture Department. 1. Is alcohol good to rub on
the muscles after exercise? 2. Is skuting a good exercise for
the legs? 3. Iam 15 years old, weigh 115 pounds and am 5 feet
5 inches in height. How are my proportions? Wishing you a
happy New Year. : W. M.

x. Yes, 2. Yes. 3. Your measurements are very good in-
deed. ‘

Pror. FouRMEN:

I would like to enter in the contest of the one-mile ice skate
race and would like to know the best way to train for it.
Wishing the Tip Top success and a happy New Year to you.

; ea ex aap

My article on “Training for Young Athletics’ describes
fully everything you ought to know to become competent in
every branch of sport. Runningis especially good for skating.

Pror. FouRMEN: . ' . '

Iam 24 years old,weigh 116 pounds with my clothes on, and

am. 5 feet 5 inches high. I am very round-shouldered and

outs liké to straighten my shoulders. 1. Could you tell me
how to do 80? By so doing you would do me a great favor.
‘ A Constant READER.

‘Keeping your shoulders up and back and taking long deep
breaths will help to straighten and strengthen your shoulders,

Pror. FouRMEN: igs
Please tell me what is the best exercise forme. I have
ordered one punching bag, one pair Indian clubs and one pair
of dumbbells, and a Whitely exerciser, and I ride a bicycle
every day, and’some days riding tweive miles-on a stretch. I
wish you would tell me how many pounds the Indian clubs
and dumbbells should weigh. Perer C, ScHNACK. |
If you conscientiously use all the athletic apparatus you now
have on hand you will in time become a great athlete. Keep
up the bicyele riding. It is finé exercise. The dumbbells
should not weigh more than two pounds each, and the Indian ¥
clubs about the same. yner ce : :

 

 
 

 

 

Wot Gold Filled Watches

     
    
    
     
 
 

rE | Not Gold Plated Watches
t BUT ABSOLUTELY
; Solid Gold Watches

 

f FULL PARTICULARS IN NUMBER 20,
BOYS OF AMERICA.

ees

‘COMING! IN No. 20, BOYS OF AMERICA,

OUT JANUARY 30th NEXT,

A ie Up-to-Date Story

 

 

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The Famous Yale Athiete,

  
  

‘Entitled jin ®

. The All- Star Athletic Club;
The Boys Who Couldn t Be Downed

NO_ BOY CAN AFFORD TQ MISS THIS FASCINATING STORY,

The windertak record of the All-Star Athletic Club, their bitter
rivals, their battles on the ice, in the gymnasium, on the snow, in
_ the rink, the plots of their enemies, etc., etc., are just a few of the
features of this remarlable story, throbbing with enthusiasm and
_ excitement. Don’t miss No. 20, BOYS OF as containing the |
oo opening tnstellmnenst of this arent GEES: e Ce

    
   
  

 

   
      
     
      
   
   

   
         
   
   
    
     
    
       

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Tip Top Football Galler

 

    

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Seinen RI a Rtas a A pea in ti Co

 

 

 

Hezlep H. Clark Odell Clark

E REPRODUCE this week the pictures of two speedy and able football
players, ODELL CLARK, of St. Louis, Mo., and Heziter H. Ciark, of the
Shortridge High School, of Indianapolis, Ind. As all Tip Top readers know, it
has been the aim of our weekly to encourage team play in the utmost; for we,
as all experts do, recognize that team play is the keynote of success in football.
If, for instance, you find a team upon which there are one or two stars who can
play the game full speed ahead, but whose support from the rest of the team is
ragged and poor, ten to one that team will be beaten by one upon which there
is not a single star, but in. which every player works like a part of a well
co-ordinated machine. But much as we encourage team work, we must not
neglect our stars. A star who can work in perfect harmony with his firmament
is the greatest acquisition any team can make. Stars, however, are apt to feel
that they can win a game by their unaided efforts. This is a grave mistake,
and has sent the hopes of many a young player tumbling. But here are two stars who are
not so dangerously ambitious. Throughout the season they have recognized the prime
necessity of “team play.” Their star qualities have shown out to greater advantage for
this very reason, and we must congratulate them upon their success. As right-half-back
for the Shortbridge High School Team, HEzLEP CLARK has distinguished himself as a hard-
hitting line man, particularly good on the defensive, and with a fine speed for end work.
OpELL CLARK is a brilliant runner, and his dodging has been greatly admired by his fellows.

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE Everybody will want to see the latest pictures of the Varsity Teams of
1901. Tip Top Football Gallery will soon reproduce photographs of the
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and West Point Teams.

  
 

 
SE Le RE a OL
z

 

MOST FAMOUS

ARE PUBLISHED IN

L LIBRARY

Price, 10 Cents. All Newsdealers

 

 

These books are full size. Bound in handsome illuminated covers. The authors of
the stories published in the Medal Library hold first place in the hearts of the youth of our
land. Among the many writers found in this library may be mentioned the names of

OLIVER OPTIC, G. A. HENTY GEO. MANVILLE FENN FRANK H. CONVERSE
HORATIO ALGER, JR. JAMES OTIS ARTHUR SEWALL W. H. G. KINGSTON
LIEUT. LOUNSBERRY EDWARD S. ELLIS GORDON STABLES CAPT. MAYNE REID
GILBERT PATTEN WM. MURRAY GRAYDON CUTHBERT BEDE JULES VERNE
LEON LEWIS CAPT. MARRYAT MATTHEW WHITE, JR. BROOKS McCORMICK

 

STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 238 WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK

 

[FromCanaiBoy |

 

 

The Boy Slaves! je Adventures geqj Pf Young Yagers

sy HORATIO ALGER, JR

Wed CAPT. MAYNE REID Ae

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to President] | = sxcapr.mayne rei