Subscription Price, $2.50 per year * inner,” will gn Clarke Fi i | by Matthew White, Jr., y JUDSON,” EXCLAIMED CLIF PEREMPTORILY. tch; U: SNS ing seria Waif of the Sea,’’ by Ens NOVEMBER 6, 1897 = SS wo @ See co = = —_ °o > <= ZZ oe OUSE OF YOURS (OR A fascinat entitled commenced in the next number. (From “SHED THAT BL nh D50 Hlluminant, 2 degree observer (batch avg.) Density — 0.04 0.09 CAVALRY DRILL, UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. Cavalry drill is a part of the course in each of the three last years at the West Point Military Academy. ‘The yearlings or third classmen always hail the day when they begin cavalry drill. Itis the nature of most lads to love to ride a horse, and when the time at last arrives for the West Point cadet to commence his practice, he is very happy indeed. His first lesson is a dis- appointment, however. He imagines, when the word is passed for the class to march to the riding school, that he will be permitted to mount and gallop away. Far from it. The platoon is marched into the Hall where a long line of horses, unsaddled, is found assembled. ‘The animals are held by cavalry soldiers while the cadets are instructed in mounting and dismounting, using only folded blanket. The first lesson is devoted entirely to instructions, and it is not until the following day that the eager yearling is permitted to ride, and then only for a oa minutes at a walk... As the days pass the speed Sa increased, until at last the happy yearling finds himself galloping across the Plain in regular cavalry formation. The West Point cadet, in his last year at the academy, is a daring rider, and the feats of horsemanship performed by the corps would put to shame the average cow-boy. ->ARMY AND NAVY. | A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR OUR BOYS. Issued weekly. By subscription, $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-Class Matier at the New York Post Office STREET & SMITH, 238 William Street, New York.- Copyrighted 1897. Editor, - - - ARTHUR SEWALL. November 6, i897. Mole t Nous ie. : Price, Five Cents. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER: A Waif of the Se ee story), Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S’N. Mark Mallory’s Defiance (Complete story), Lieut. Frederick Garrison, U. S. A. . To the Rescue (Illustrated Short Story) George P. Hoyt In Forbidden Wepail (Serial), William Murray Graydon Dean Dunham (Serial) Horatio Alger, Jr. ‘Tom Fenwick’s Fortune (Serial), Frank H. Converse The Passage of the Surf (Sketch) Harold Bindloss Rules and Regulations of the United States Military Academy : (Part III.) Rules and Regulations of the United States Naval Academy . : : (Part Ill.) A Dip in the Dead Sea - Result of Prize. Contest ee Editorial-Chat, aa ea ; : ; ; ; Department Athletic Sports, : ; : : ; : : : é Department Items of Interest all the World Over 5 : : : : ‘ Department Correspondence Column, Be : : : : ; : Department Stamps Column, —. ; : ee ; : : : Department. Amateur Journalism : ee cos Department Our Joke Department PRIZE CONTEST. POCKET MONEY FOR CHRISTMAS! YHE publishers of the ARmMy aND Navy are desirous of obtaining the opinions of their readers on the military and naval cadet stories now running, and for that purpose offer the following prizes for the best letters on the subject. TWENTY- FIVE DOLLARS divided into FIVE PRIZES of FIVE DOLLARS EACH will be given for the five most sensible opinions as to which is the best written, and most in- - teresting story of the ten to be published in Nos. 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 of the Army and Navy. Letters should not exceed two hundred words in length. The contest will close December ist, 1897. Address all letters to ‘‘Criticism Conrest,’? ARMY and Navy, Street & Smirx, 238 William Street, New York, st | (Pee , i yt PA Wait of the Sea. Being the Advedtuves of Naval Cadet - Faraday and Chums on Board an Aban- doned Torpedo Boat. a» By Ensign Clarke Bitch, U. S&S. N. CHAPTER I. IN WHICH CLIF AND HIS CHUMS ARE INTRODUCED. A strange scene would have met the eyes of any spectator chancing to be in the vicinity of a certain spot some three hundred miles due westward from Lisbon, Portugal, on the fifteenth of June, 189—. The theatre of the scene was a broad. expanse of ocean glowing under the wari rays of a sun set in a cloudless sky. The whole stretch of sea was untenant- ed save by two. objects. One of these was apeculiarly shaped hull, evidently -eonstructed of steel or iron, and guiltless of deck or deck-house. Both bow and stern were sharp, and the sides sloped up .from the edge of the waater until they met at aflat surface about five feet in breadth which extended fore-and-aft. Upon this surface were the remains of several broken and twisted awning stanchions, a short length of railing, and a fiagment of grating. A short distance aft of midships rose two oval-shaped pipes or funnels of iron, _ They were battered and weather-stained, and the upper caps were missing. Forward a half-dozen feet from the ram-shaped bow was a round cone of steel with blunt top, and peculiar slit-like “openings running in a circle near the top. _It wasin shape and appearance a tor- pedo boat, this waif of the sea, but what would such a craft be doing ott there in this condition, with battered and rusty - upper works and no sign - smoke or steam or life: That very question was being agitated among a party of five boys who were ea- gerly peo the torpedo boat from a man-of-war’s sailing launch tossing idly a short distance away. The presence of the boys then implied another question. How did they get here in a small boat hundreds of miles from land? There were five of them, as has been stated. They were all clad in the white duck working clothes worn by United States naval cadets, and their bedrageled and generally buffited appearance - indicated that they had. recently passed through some trying experience. They had. Their story is, briefly, as follows: ~ The night previous to the opening of this tale, had seen the United States Na- val Academy practice ship~ Monongahela standing along under full sail, voyaging from Annapolis to Lisbon, Portugal. She was on the annual practice cruise - with the first, third and fourth class ca- — dets on board. Alt two: in te morning, Captain: Brooks, her commander, had given orders. calling the crew to general quarters. When this drill was. over he gave the comimand to abandon ship for the pur- pose of practicing the crew in that very necessary drill. The boats were manned by a au of the crew and sent off into the night with a ‘Instructions to proceed under oars until recalled by signal. ‘Shortly after te Route Iefr the prac- tice-ship, a sudden squall sprang ape Ine ae to the ee signal, as sailing: : « ARMY AND NAVY launch collided with another boat and capsized. After several mishaps five of the crew of cadets succeeded in regaining the laun¢h—which had righted—and were thus enabled to remain afloat: An object was sighted at daybreak, tossing at the mercy of the waves. It was at first supposed to be a capsized vessel, _but on nearing it the cadets found to their ‘unbounded surprise that it was an aban- doned torpedo boat. To Clif Faraday, who, by virtue of his tact and intelligence in organizing the “new plebe class in the annual struggle against hazing, had been unanimously ac- knowledged the leader, this remarkable discovery was welcome jedeed, ; He saw at once that the craft must be seaworthy else it would not have survived the gale. sailing launch, and a transfer to its com- paratively roomy interior would certaiuly -be appreciated. Then again, there might be “water on board, and the. lack necessary articles was a subject anxiety to the vouthful leader. “Stand by to grasp that ring-bolt, Joy, ne called out from his position at the steering oar. The cadet he addressed, a tall, lanky lad with a preternaturally. solemn face, - leaned out from the bow of the launch in readiness to obey the order. The other occupants busied themselves food and of those of much in lowering the sail afd in assisting Joy_ to bring the boat alongside’ the strange _ derelict. One of them was worthy of more than passing notice. He was a Japanese youth, and his bright intelligent face indicated that he was not unworthy of the honor his emperor had did him in sending him to the great American naval school to be educated. His: name, Motohiko Asaki, had been speedily “boiled down’ a) plain ‘“Trol- - ley by the fun-loving cadets, and Trol- Sy he remained. Of the two remaining one named Jud- ‘son Priecue, a stockily built fellow with a - dissipated expression upon his face, was _ a.petsonal enemy ois Faraday : oe the _ other, a very-small and delicate boy, with a sefinement pay SU PAEU was Chis It was far better than the open: all hands scrambled up the sloping side ¥ “apprehensively. 963 protege. His name was Gote, and, as a matter of course, the ve ‘Sanny” had been prefixed to it. As the launch slipped alongside the tor- pedo boat, Joy cleverly caught the ring- bolt and thrust the end of the painter through it. The sail was lowered, then of the craft. : The iron surface was rusty and tar- nished by wind and weather, but a bright — spot of paint here and there gave evi- dence that the derelict could not have been long abandoned, The deck sounded hollow under the footsteps of the boys,.and the waterlapped against the cylindrical hull with a strange weird sound not altogether pleasant. The little door leading into the forward conning tower was tightly closed, as was also that giving entrance to the after tower. At intervals along the hatches all hermetically sealed. his companions were puzzled. ‘‘T don’t understand this,*? murmured the former. ‘‘If the crew was compelled to leave, why did they close all Le doors and hatches???’ ‘“There’s some mystery about it,” said Joy, shaking his head doubtfully. ‘‘Mavbe .crew all «dead below,” gested Trolley. ‘‘Ow-w! Let’s go back to the launch !?? eried Nanny, eyeing the conning tower ‘*] dont wait to be where there are lots of dead men.’? “‘Nonsense!- it wouldn’t make any difference if the craft was loaded witl them,’ replied Chic .“'We can -theaw them everboard, can’t we ? Now that the Monongahela has apparently abandoned us to our fate’’—he glanced at the distant horizon—‘‘we’ve got to make the best of things. We must find something to eat——’”? Trolley rubbed his stomach yea arningly. ‘*And some water——”’ Judson wet “his parched lips with his tongue. deck were Clif and sug- “And also a better and more seaworthy — craft than the launch...’ the - launch, : ae ‘“But we can sail marked Joy. . eis hat? s true enough, and we may do > 964 it after all, but es we must see about : ce waves under bow. on; give ine a hand with this door. — food and water.’ Clif advanced to the forward conning tower and tried the door. efforts. He examined the edge carefully, and ran his finger along the crack. “‘T don’t believe it is locked inside,”’ he concluded. ‘‘Perhaps it has been slammed violently and jammed. ll just——”’ He sprang back in alarm. A hollow moaning cry came from forward. It ended abruptly in a gurgle like that of a nan in his last moments. Little Nanny gave a gasp and moved toward the sailing launch, which was still fastened alongside. ‘“Wh-wh-what was that?”’ tered. *«Somebody is down there,’’ exclaimed Joy; ‘‘and he needs help.”’ he Cha “We go see,’’ said Trolley, quietly. ‘*We break open door.”’ ‘‘We'll make a few inquiries first,’’ said Clif. Stamping upon bawled lustily: ‘*Below there! decks!’ The quintette waited expectantly, but the stillness remained unbroken. Clif re- the steel deck, he Ahoy the ‘’tween _peated the hail, and Joy pounded the deck _ with the oar from the launch, but with the same result. ‘*T guess we imagined it,’’ said Nanny, evidently relieved. ‘‘It wasn’t—wow!”’ He ended with acry of dismay. The moan again sounded forward, ending, as before, with the unearthly guregle. Trolley darted past the conning tower and, throwing himself flat upon the slop- ing deck, leaned out over the bow. He had hardly taken his position when the torpedo boat pitched sullenly into the trough of the sea, and the uncanny noise aS repeated. The Japanese youth returned alt with . a gtin upon his face. ‘We plenty fools,’’ he said. moan no coine from tnan it caused by and sea slap into it. Hurray!”’ “That’s a jolly sell on us,’’ laughed Clif. - ‘We are a lot of old women, get- ting seared at the slightest noise. It resisted ies . pleased at the prospect. Mat The cutwater is bent, Cane -Z ARMY AND NAVY se can’t wait on deck all day. I want to see — ) | if there are any stores on board. Boe. a are you hungry ?”’ The little cadet hastened to answer in the affirmative. oe “Then Dll get vou to crawl down one 3 of those broken funnels if we can’t get in this way,’’ Joy. hela,’? complained Nanny, not at. all. to go down the funnel.”’ Greene. ‘We may give you a chance to prove — that you are Full: erown,’’ said Clif, cold- — ly. ‘You are not too large for the HUE: nel.?? Gain tot iia eco Judson, walking aft. A combined onslaught was made on the conning tower door. At first it resisted the efforts of the four boys, but finally, — after Trolley had pounded the edges with the oar handle, it yielded slightly. SS ‘‘A]] together now,’’ said Clif, bracing” _ his feet against the curved side of the conning tower. ‘‘One! two—tree, pull!” The four cadets tugeed sharply on the rope that had been passed through the — handle, there was a complaining of stained hinges, then the door flew back with a crash. And out through the opening tumbled the body of a man, half-clothed and ghast-_ ly in death! ~ cect paren ements CHAPTER 1: : JUDSON GREENE’S TREACHERY. For one moment the five cadets stared in horror at the body, then with cord they broke for. the launch. did so the torpedo boat lurched abruptly to one side, tossed. by a-wave, and the : dead man slid gently after. them. . As it rolled over on reaching the curve it was brought up against Judson’s legs. — With a shriek of horror the lad Sprate : into the sea. The splash was almost re fol- lowed by a second. The dead nan had rolled after him. ae Chf quickly regained his. senses. “Throw us a rope!’ he cried, ae ay, a over aS went ina neat div continued Chil, winking at 2 ‘‘Oo! I wish we-were on the Mononga- | = “I don’t want = “You are a big baby,” sneered Judson ing the water frem his blouse. = . io want to any more. a Nanny. i es : = nounced that youth, are any more dead men ag them a decent sea burial.’ ie a: = eWell, ee, leading the way to the open door of - = a dead man. - vestigating.”’ ARMY AND-NAVY ee placed him within reach of Jadson “as he bobbed into sight. —-Thé-two were speedily hauled on board. Judson cowered on deck, com- eS unstrung. Clif was still pale, but he had recovered his usual composure. — “Whew! excuse me,’ he said, wring- _ want any more scares like that. My teetli are chattering yet. Can you see any—any- . thing of it, Trolley } eo ‘The Japanese youth turned back from where he had been gazing into the sea. His swarthy face was a shade lighter, and ___ he shook as if from cold. “And I no ‘*T no see him, Clif,’’ he replied. By Jim! think ‘him in there.”’ - "It has gone down,’’ reported Joy, ‘gtimly. . “Maybe there are more inside,’’ wailed ‘*Let’s go back to the launch. _ Id rather starve than stay on this spooky a oid thing:”? Clif Jaughed in his old merry way. ‘We are children, every. one of us,’? he said, lightly. OPancy being afraid of Come; we’ll resume our in- ‘*You don’t g- deck,’ chattered Saason, I—I ‘have had enough.’? He moved toward the launch “T know when as he ey spoke. ‘“Where are you going ?’’ asked Clif. “Into the boat.” “If you do, I'll cut the painter and let you slide,’’ continued Faraday. ‘‘Whata coward you are!’ Judson grumbled something, but he re- . ined on board the torpedo boat. He knew that Clif would keep his word. “We'll tackle it again, fellows,’’ an- cheerily. “Tf there below we will “Nanny,” he added, ‘“stppose you in- spect the after part while we” ‘Not on your life,’’ hastily interrupted _ the little lad. “‘I oo Rei you do:”” come ahead, then,’’ laughed the conning tower. _ He paused before leaving the fe and ast a glance around the Benzo, ay don’t © y-get me to leave th-this a ee 805 was nothing in sight. With a sigh he stepped over the threshold. i . The interior of the conning tower was fitted up with the usual objects foundin | such places. ‘There was a steam steering — wheel, a set of electric calls, anda number of loose articles scattered — about the deck. os At one side was an iron ladder leading forward into the officers’ quarters. was empty. broken chairs, clothing and a riff-raff of - articles. der and wreck. ‘‘T believe I understand matters now,’? said Clif, slowly. “For goodness’ claimed Nanny. “*Y think something must have hap- pened on board this boat to frighten the sake, tell us?’ ex- “crew, and they abandoned it in a des- — perate hurry.”’ *‘But that dead man??? said Joy. ‘(He was caught in the conning tower by the slamming of the door, and was left behind.’’ fe ‘‘But what kill him?’ spoke up Trol- ley. ‘‘This boat no been long abandoned, and he no die by starvation.’’ Clif laughed. a “You stump me, Trolley,” fessed. “‘I guess we are no nearer the solution than before. We’ll have to search further for clews.’’ ‘‘And grub,’’ put in Nanny. ‘*Ves, and grub.”’ Clif led the way into the officers’ mess- room, which was at the foot of the iron ladder: Picking up a coat, he examined it critically. “We haven’t thought about the na- tionality of. this craft’? he said. “Iga not believe it is an American or Zee s torpedo boat.”’ ‘‘T guess you are right,’’ called out joe holding up a bundle of _ periodicals. ‘These are certainly not English.” : ~ Clif took them from his hand and glanced at the first. Sits a French newspaper,” nounced. ‘‘And the others Prench. ” ‘‘Here’s a book on navigation in te same language,’’ spoke up Nanay, from one corner of oe epee 2 comps Look- o ; ing down this Clif saw that the apartment The deck was littered with — zo Everywhere were 2 signs of disor-— 7 he-con- — bey 966 ais settle it; cried -daclley, tr- -umphantly waving a tri-color flag he had found French torpedo—— in an open drawer. “This is os) Bang ! The boys started and exchanged glances of consternation. ‘The sharp clang of an iron door closing violently came from aft. Nanny made a leap for the short flight of steps leading to the deck and_ disap- peared before Clif could stop him. - his arms. ‘“‘What in the deuce——’’ began Joy. Before he could finish the sentence a loud. cry came from above and Nanny re- appeared in the opening. He was greatly excited. ‘*Come on deck!’ he gasped, swinging ‘‘Quick! there’saship insight, and Judson has stolen the Jaunch to go to at? CHAPTER Uti. THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE. The three cadets dashed through the conning tower, and on reaching the upper deck saw instantly that Nanny had spok- en the truth. Just barely visible above the r1m of the sea off the port beam were the upper top- sails of a ship. And standing away toward it was the sailing launch with Judson in the stern. ‘*Oh, the miserable villain!” cried Chif, shaking his fist after the recreant lad. ‘Hil come back you—-—’’’ Trolley ended with a string of Japanese exple- tives. , oe The launch was not too far distant for Judson to hear, but he paid no heed. “Tf I have gun I make him come back,”’ said ‘Trolley, ‘savagely. ‘‘Some day I beat him head off!’ Clif remained silent. Leaning against the conning tower he watched the launch skim over the dancing waves. But there was an expression upon his handsome face that boded il] for the traitor. In the excitement of the moment the mysterious slamming of the door below had been forgotten but it soon recurred te: Clif. ‘We've got to find aut what’s aft,’’ he said, after a pause. ‘‘Nanny, you remain on deck and keep watch while Troiley, Joy and I go below.’’ oe vou. _ think it’s, the old Mononga- —_ ARMY AND NAVY hela?’? ea the lanky plebe, staring at the distant sail. = ‘‘Hard to say. It maybe. 1 wish we could make some kind of a sional.” “Why not start a smoke ?’? suggested Nanny, brightly. *‘Wecan makea fire on this iron deck and—-—”” “Well do it in the furnaces,” hastily interrupted Clif. “‘It’s a goed idea.” He ran along the sloping top of the torpedo boat and was soon tugging away at the door of the after conning tower. - He knew from previous study on the sub- ject that crafts of that class have the crew’s quartersin the stern. ee The hull is too narrow for passage from one end to the other, and all com- munications must necessarily be made by way of the upper deck. The mysterious noise had comefrom this part of the craft, Clif reasoned, so if there were any one on ~ board they would be found in the after apartments. The combined efforts of the (hae boys finally sprung the door open. As it yielded they hastily jumped aside. Their experi- ence with one dead man was sufficient. ‘I guess the supply has run’ short,” said Clif, grimly, as he peered into the cee cular room. | ‘“Eiverything looks ship-shape down there,’? remarked Joy, pointing to where a glimpse of the lower interior could be secu. “Come on,’ He made one step over the threshold, then he stopped with a gasp. From some spot below came a weird, shrill voice. “ia geeouts! au secents!™ it saic, -qcariaium. » Au secours! 2, Joy hastily sprang back. paled and his hands trembled as pointed behind him. ‘“There’s a man below there,’?’ he cried. “Did you hear that?”’ “ad Wreard tm,’ replied. Cir, “It’s a Frenchman, sure enough. calling for help.”? he eagerly. He 1S. Leaping past his. companions, he disap- peared down the. ladder leading tothe ~ lower deck. Joy and Trolley tumbled after him. ee They found themselves in a much larger apartment than that forward. |] was not furnished so comfortably, con- taining only a few benches, a ee table and a half- dozen hammocks. ae 2 ae His face had oo torpedo Doat. ARMY AND NAVY _A pile of broken crockery occupied one corner, and swinging from hooks were several paris, and strings of tin cups. Forward of -the larger apartment was another also containing hanmmocks, In this latter room were several cliests, one __ being marked with a name in black let- ters. It was evidently the name of the It ran: “Le Destructeur, and after it was the word “Havre, = ‘That settles the nationality,’’ Cit. ~ He peered about the apartments, but nowhere could he see a man or anything resembling aman. The voice had surely ‘come from this part of the ship. ‘‘Hello! hello!’ called out Joy, stamp- ing his foot. ‘‘Qui, oui, monseeér, avec vous in here aynwhere ?”’ ~ Clif was. compelled to smile at the lanky cadet’s attenrpt at French. He had stud - - jed it at home himself sufficiently to read and understand, but he could not speak it correctly. “This is certainly eae ” he said, poking behind the chests. ‘Where in the _deuce is the fellow?’ ;. “Maybe he in fire-room,”’ suggested Trolley. “That’s so. Let me see, the only way to get in there is by way of the hatch on deck. We'll try it.”’ After another thorough search the three boys started to ascend the ladder. Just as. Clif. who was last, reached the conning tower, a shrill queer voice broke out behind him: ‘* C’est.epatant qu’en Angleterre. Y’ait des Anglais. ’’ said atl It was a snatch of a recent popular Parisian air ! The cadets stood as if turned to stone. _/The voice came from almost directly un-' der their feet. And the And the tone! ’ words! : : Clif felt his hair tingle, and a cold shiver ran down his back. ny, to say the least. Trolley, ordinarily jolly, had an ex- pression much like that of a man who had met a ghost in adark wood. And Joy was no wit better. -_ ~ ‘Guess the d-d- darned thing’s too much for me,”’ he said, shakily. ‘‘Sup- It was uncan- 967 suppose we go on deck So th- think it over??? . **Not much, ”’ Cae Clif, but iets no great emphasis. ‘“’There’s a man down there somewhere, either sick or et ee and its our duty to find him, ‘“Where in thunder -is he? searched the confounded place from deck — te cetlins.”” ‘“He not in fire-room,’’ said Tralee *“‘No. That voice——’? “De Peau! de eau! de Peau!” The words. floated up the ,opening as plainly as words can be spoken: But this time they Tiga’ to come from the after end of the crew’s quarters. . Chf sprang down the ladder at great risk to his neck. When the others followed they fond him tumbling the hammocks about. Trolley and Joy assisted him, but the three had only their labor for their pains.. ‘Not a sign of the mysterious stranger could they find. ‘Vou fellows can do as you please,’’ suddenly announced Joy, ‘‘but thiseg)isd is going on deck. Excuse me; I do want any French shadesin mine. Theold — tank is—oh, lud!”’ He broke for the ladder and scrambled from sight. From almost over his head had come a groan. : This time Clif was thoroughly startled. The place, the circumstances ‘and the voice was too much for him, and he hastened after Joy, with Trolley a close third. On reaching the deck they found the lanky cadet leaning against the conning tower and lookirig rather foolish. He evaded their gaze and pointed astern. The action of the waves had brought the distant sail in that direction. Clif gave an exclamation of keen dis = appointment. ““She’s passing !’’ he satd. ‘She’s much further away. we want to attract her attention.”’ He paused only to. see that the sailing launch was still in view, then he began to tug away at the iron hatch leading to the after fire-room. It required considerable — effort to open it, but the iron hatch yield- | ed at last, revealing a perpendicular lad- — = der leading into a dark space below. Clif’s anxiety to: start a signal caused — him to forget his. previous fears. With a We've We must do something if | ee him. Se. ~ and ashes. _ of oily waste. aud see if you can find a match. ‘come on, - down the ladder. It was the after of the two ae rooms oe : “he dropped ~ with which Le Destructeur was provided. ‘The sinall furnace—small in comparison with the general run of men-of-war fur- _ naces—occupied- the greater part of the compartinent. The fire-box door swtng open, clang- ing back and forth with each roll of the hull. Seattered about were heaps of coal Over in one corner was a pile Clif thrust it into Seizing an armful, the fire-box, then he began to search his pockets. He looked up with a laugh as Trolley and Joy descended the ladder. “If you want tosee a first-class chump, - just look at me,’’ he said. ““What’s up?’’ asked Joy. ““Been looking for matches in a pocket that’s soaked with salt water. We must have something to light this fire with. Joy, run down aft and see if you can find a match.”’. se axclise inc,” hastily objected the “-Cadet.. ‘Send Trolley,” ““Not much,’’ exclaimed that youth: ‘‘T no like French ghosts”’ then Pil-po myself, . replied Cid, moving toward the ladder. “I say,’’? interrupted Joy, stopping ‘Why not send Nanny? The kid didn’t hear the voice. Perhaps he’ll solve the mystery.’ Clif chuckled. **We'll try it,’? he decided, and forth- with began to shout for the youngster. Presently Nanny’s head and shoulders darkened the opening. ‘What’s the matter??? he asked. _ Where is the ship now ?”’ ‘fAlmost disappeared. Can just see a ~ smudge.”” _** And the launch ?”’ _ ‘Judson is still sailing in that direc- tion.” “I say, Nanny,’’ said Clif, sweetly, ‘‘just drop down into the crew’s quarters I want to start a smoke. Hurry, that’s a good fellow. We haven’t any time to lose.”? Nanny vanished. ‘The boys exchanged grins, and awaited results. li he survives the shock hell be an invalid for a week,’’ chuckled Joy. | Cle. regretfully. Clif, decisively. _ ARMY AND NAVY a a am rather sorry. I sent him, ” said: ‘Site's sucha tiinid lit- tle chap that it may——""— i * . A shrill yell interrupted him, then came a distant rattling and banging, ie another wild shriek. —_— CHAPTER iN: : THE MYSTERY 1S SOLVED. . The three middies raced to the upper deck just in time to- see Nanny, white- faced and trembling, emerge from the- after conning tower. . a ‘Murder! Help! help!’ he wailed. ‘'Oh, Clif, some one is down there t heard a voice singing. Oh, let's go away.’’ “What is the matter?’ demanded 6 striving hard to conceal a laugh. ‘‘What in thunder did you see ?”’ ‘‘N-nothing, but I heard a cracked kind of a voice,’’ whimpered the little lad, alinost in tears. ‘‘It—it seemed to cometrom the roof. Oh, the darned old tub is haunted, --Let’s leave. 2 3 _‘“Never mind, youngster,’’ said Clif, kindly. ‘‘We heard the voice, too. - There’s some mystery about it, butitisn’t ghosts. That’s silly. Did you get the .- matches???’ : Nanny shook his head vigorously. — Trolley went forward and presently re- — turned with a box he found in the cap- — tain’s cabin. Five minutes later a dense smoke was pouring from the after funnel. ‘‘Tam afraid it is too late,’’ remarked — Clif, watching the distant speck on the horizon. ‘‘’That craft is bound: south, and- we are way to the eastward of her.’ ‘“There is one thing we forgot when we were down aft,’’ suddenly observed Joy, placing one hand in the region ot his fifth button. ‘‘We clean forgot the grub.” That true,” agreed Trolley. — ‘*Twon’t go down there if I starve,”’ came from Nanny, his face paling. ‘‘We will haveto dc something,’’ said and tanks below. _pappose we go down SS make Say noise,’’ suggested Trolley. clubs and—wait a bit.”’ = He hurried ee and presently: te: ‘“There must be food on _ board, and water, too. I saw several boxes I don’t likethe shades of departed Frenchmen, but a I] do a | great = _ deal to keep from starving.” “We take 2 = again. ARMY AND NAVY ee from the ofc quarters with _ one hand clutching a pistol and the other A 10n0, wicked-looking sword. Flourish- ge tie latter, ie chied <)> Py cut- the: neck “ol any ohost new. Come! we march downright away:”’ ‘He! he!’ langbed- Nanny. ‘Trolley, you have a different class of ghosts in Japan than those in other countries, I _ guess. Swords and guns are no good.”’ ‘We try anyway,’’ placidly replied the Japanese youth. ‘‘Who come with me?’’ ‘CAll of us,’’ promptly announced Clif. ‘Who go fitst?’’ was Trolley’s next question. “4 You, torted Joy. pons ?”? Seeing no loop-hole, the Jap gingerly approached the door of the conning tower. Clif, who was close behind, suddenly ut- tered a deep groan. Trolley dropped the sword and made a wild leap backward. A series of weird Japanese expletives came from his lips, then his jaw dropped when he caught sight of Clif’s laughing face. “On. you: fool me,- 6H?’ he: said, slowly. ‘‘Well, I go down and fool _ ghost.’’ With that he vanished through the open door of the conning tower. ‘We can’t let him have all the fun,’’ _ declared Clif. ‘‘Come on.”’ -_ When the three—Nanny accompanied confound your thick head!”’ re- “‘Haven’t you got the wea- — them—reached the lower deck they. found Trolley seated upon a chest, calmly sur- veying the field. He held the revolver in one hand, and the sword at a parry in the S OUIEY, ‘*No hear anything yet,’’ he said, grin- ning. “I guess——”’ - Fose! Jose!” ‘“Gosh! there it is again,’’ ejaculated eManny. . mers 90. 2back,. 1 don’t ‘‘Jose! tengo hombre! Dame un gal- = deta.” The words ended in a wail that sent cold chills through the cadets. For a.mo- ment it was in the minds of all to beat a- hasty retreat, but Clif set his teeth, and said jee: “T won't be frightened away from fer pane one is noes us a scurvy isle grimly. ay 969 4 “4 was Span- trick. “Phat wasn’t French If any chump——”’ “*Ach du lieber!’’ : Clif sat down upon a pile of . haemo and held up both hands in disgust. And German, too!’ he exclaimed: ‘‘Now what on earth does Where is the fellow anyway ?”’ Joy was hungrily overhauling a locker which seemed filled withinviting looking _ cans and jars. ‘‘Don’t-ask any foolish questions,’’ he — said. ‘‘Here’s potted meats and jains and > ship biscuit. Nanny, you half-sized idiot, get some water out of that breaker, and ce be durned quick about it.”’ It was well on toward noon, and the boys were beginning to feel the gnawing — of their naturally healthy appetites. ‘They were also growing accustomed to the mys- terious voice, so without more adothey — joined Joy in his onslaught on the con- — tents of the locker. They were not disturbed while they at- tended to the pleasant business before them, so they made out fairly well. ‘For this make us truly thankful,” said Joy, with a satisfied sigh as he pol- ished off the last moral before him. ‘Tl say,’’ spoke up Nanny, ‘‘we’re bet- ter off than that cad, Judson Greene, even if we have a polygot ghost in our midst.’” ‘*Judson is bound to return,’’ said Clif, ‘“When he does we'll havea reckoning. ”’ Trolley lazily threw himself back upon a bench and observed: ‘What we do now, fellows? We rocan stay out here. Maybe ship no come.”’ “What do you propose, your high- ness??? asked Joy, with fine sarcasm. ‘Shall we walk or take a cake of soap — -and wash ourselves ashore ?”’ “It’s a pity we can’t carry Le Destruc- ee teur into some port,’’ said Clif, musingly. ‘She: seems to be seaworthy, and I guess. the coal supply is all right.”? = Trolley sat up and brought his hands — together with an emphatic gesture. ‘We do it; we do tH,” he-crted, ex= = citedly. ‘‘I know how to run marine en- gine. I learn alittle in Japan. Hurray! you be captain, and I be engineer. Shs Clif stared at him foe A moment, , then his face oe it mean? 5 = ARMY AND NAVY “By George, Trolley, that’s the very ticket,’’ he exclaimed. ““If you can run an engine, we’ll take the old tank into the nearest port. There are charts and in- struments in the captain’s cabin. And there are four of us—five if that chump comes back—and we ought to do it.”? Clif began to pace up and down the narrow room. ‘That he was greatly taken with the idea was plainly evident. Sud- denly while he chanced to be near the extreme after end, the mysterious voice wailed: “Ach, -du lieber! agua Reto? With a bound Clif reached the spot whence the sound seemed to come. He grasped the knob of a small ttap-door in the wooden lining of the hull, and gave a quick wrench. . Something fluttered out and fell to the floor with a flapping of wings. It was a parrot! Carramba ! poe et -CHAPTER Y. CONCLUSION. “Ha! ha! ha!” Ho? hol This is-stieh ! ““Ha!l ha! if I d-don’t stop laughing Til die!” gasped Clif. ‘Fancy. being— ha! ha!—fooled by a pet parrot.”’ The four boys were rolling upon the floor in an ecstasy, of mirth. the corner, the parrot. The poor bird was thin and its feathers hung down in a bedrageled manner> It looked as if it had undergone asiege with a cage full of monkeys. pHel- hel” it suddenly cackled. *‘Povre Juanite! Tengo sed. Ach du lie- ber! Sacre!’ eyeino them solemnly, was D> a Clif moistened several: sea biscuit in’ water and fed the starved bird. Then the boys enjoyed another fit of laughing and - went on deck. And over in some severe gale,’’ he reasoned. Their relief was manifest. The diseov- ery of the parrot, which had evidently been shut in by accident, explained a great deal, and it drove aes all uncanny suspicions. After a brief consultation it was de- cided that Clif should act as captain and steersman, Trolley as engineer, and Joy and Nanny as firemen. “Tf Judson turns up,’’ said Clif, glanc- ing at the distant speck which represented the launch, ‘‘we’ll make him shovel coal — all night.”’ = Trolley hurried below into the after en- gine-room to overhaul the machinery — while the three others prepared to start fires. Blouses were stripped off and the trio fell to work with a will. The oily waste lighted before had died out, but another fire was soon ignited, and within a half hour the furnace was roaring. Presently Trolley, greasy and black, joined them. ‘There was a satisfied smile on his face. ‘“‘T find everything ship- Shane, > he said. ‘The engine in fine condition.’ He glanced at the steam gauge and added: ‘‘Hurray! we soon be ready to start. You better look up charts and things, CE? Faraday though the advice good, so he hurried to the conning tower. He found _ the compass in its usual place;and stowed away ina little locker were two sextants’ and a chronometer. The latter had stopped, however, and it was useless tohim. A log-book written in French, bore-as the last date the tenth of Judie. - was a degree of oo near the coast The observation for that noon of France. ‘The boat has been driven to sea by “1 aat’s plain enough. But why did the crew leave -her so abruptly, and what killed that man in 1 the conning tower | ie. * aloud. gio ; ARMY AND NAVY- These thoughts occupied his mind as he rummaged about the little apartment. He was in search of a chart. Finding none, he descended to the room used asthe officers’ mess. Forward of this was the captain’s cabin, and directly aft the state- room occupied by the other officer who on vessels of the Le Destructeur class. does duty both on deck and in the engine- room. _ Noticing a heap of debris in the centre consisting of clothing, bedding and riff- tafi of every. description, Clif raked. it aside. To his surprise, he saw undeniable _ traces of fire. The-flooring was eaten away or charred, and a hole gaped beneath his feet. Upon part of a wooden hatch was stamped a word which sent a flood of light through the lad. It was: : ‘‘Magasin.’? magazine!’ Clif exclaimed, ‘It is where they kept the torpedo charges. And it has been on fire! Gorry! _no wonder they fled.” It was plain enough now. The boat. had caught fire while at sea. An attempt had been made to extinguish the flames, but without success. The dread belief that the flames would (The reach the powder and gun-cotton had sent the crew away in a patiic. And the dead man? ‘*There is only one explanation,’’ niut- tered Clif. ‘‘He was caught in the con- -ning tower by the jamming of the door, and the fright killed him. Gorry! no~ wonder. Waiting for a ton of gun cotton to explode under one’s feet is enough to kill anybody.”’ _ That the fire didnot reach the explo- sives was evident. The rolling and pitch- ing of the boat had probably tossed a lot ‘of dunnage upon the flames and extin- guished them. — Clif hastened forward to acquaint his companions with the discovery. He found cs the steam whistling ey om the ex- haust pi pes. gine, and the other two were still feeding the furnace. Clif’s explanations were received with wonder. Nanny anxiously inquired if the fire was teally out and, on being assured that it was, he returned to his task of | shoveling. later the Japanese youth announced with a triumphant blast — | Twenty minutes of the whistle that all was in readiness ~ a for a start. Clif had succeeded in finding a book of charts. After careful figuring, he decided on a cause. It was more or less guesswork, but he believed that he could at least take Le Destructeur into the path of vessels bound to the Mediterranean. ‘Pakine his place at the wleel, tie young captain signaled the engine-room. Trolley responded gallantly, and the tor- pedo boat’s screw began to revolve. An enthusistic cheer came from the fire-room force which had hastened to the upper deck to see the start. Clif found the steering rather difficult at first, but he soon learned the wheeland _ brought the bow around toward the speck on the distant horizon which represented the launch. ‘We can’t leave Tidcot out here even if he is a double-dyed-in-the- wool traitor,’’? he announced. When the launch was brought within plain view it was seen that Greene had tacked, and it was evident he wished to — regain the torpedo boat. It did not take long to bring him alae. side. He glanced sheepishly at the occu- pants of the deck when he finally cay : aboard. SS The engines had been stopped and the © four cadets were prepared to meet him. _ Clif had his blouse off and his sleeves rolled up. Stepping forward, he said, peremptorily : . : aed ae blouse of yours, Greene. a 1 Trolley was trying the ere ARMY AND “What for?” dened Judson, in evi- = © dent alarm. “You've got to whip me or take the worst hiding you ever received» Off with it. I’ll sail in in about five seconds.’’ oat “SOT with it,22- : Judson sullenly obeyed, the defensive. and stood on Clif proceeded to business at once, and the two were soon dealing blows right and left. The other cadets looked on awith grins of delight. Clif had not only might but right on his side, and in a very short period Jud- son was crying enough. ‘Then Trolley whacked him several times, and Joy added his share. To wind up the punish- ment, little Nanny adiministered a few well-directed kicks! **Now, sir,’’ said Clif, sternly, ‘‘just thank your lucky stars’ that we didn’t leave you to the sharks. Go get something to eat.”’ The engine was kept going night, then as the boys were the fires were banked and ranged. At daybreak little Nanny, who had the last tour of duty, espied a sail off the star- board bow. He aroused the others, and steam was started at once. In time it became appar- ent to the excited boys that there was something familiar about: the outlines of the ship. “Hurray! hurray! it is the old ee gahela!.’? shouted ‘T'rolley at last. ‘‘She come to look for us. Hurray!’ “7 don’t think it is anything to cheer about,’’ sighed Joy, cede t below and until mid- tired out, watches ar- gloomily. NAVY we all right seca. fe ah} now we'll be plebes again, when Ste ve “becn captains, and engineers, and—and coal — heavers. I think it’s a durned shame.”? The rest rather agreed with him, but they were glad to see the practice ship, nevertheless. When it became known on board the Tes Monongahela who the occupants of the torpedo boat were the wildest excitement ensued. A boat was lowered and the ee (not forgetting - the parrot) were ee back in triumph. Clif and his companions were the heroes” of the hour, and they were received with special distinction on the quarter-deck. — They were delighted to learn that the” other boats had been picked up and no a lives lost in the catastrophe. ee The torpedo boat was manned by a. picked crew from the Monongahela and) | convoyed by that vessel to the mouth of oo the Tagus River.- The French Government was advised ee es at once and word presently came that Le Destructeur’s former crew had been long since rescued. By the time the Monongahela was ready es : capital of Portugal, a French gunboat was : oe on oe to tow the torpedo boat back te Havre. * mand. [THE END. | In the next number (22) of Army and Navy will be published ‘‘Cadets Ashore; or, Clif Faraday’s Adventure in Lisbon,’? by Ensign Clarke Fitch, U S. N. And so ended en Faraday’s first ome oe Mark Mallory’s Detiance; FIGHTING A HUNDRED FOES, Rrederick Garrison, U.S. A. Bs Lieut. CHAPTER 1. MARK RECEIVES A COMMITTEE. ‘“‘Oh, say, Mark, I wish you’d fight that durnation ole cadet! An’ ef you do, jest won’t we whoop her up! Gee whiz! > The speaker was a tall, slenderly built lad wearing the fatigue uniform of a fourth class cadet, or plebe, at West Point. His quiet gray eyes were glisten- ing as he spoke, and his face was alive _ with excitement. -- Lhe plebe was Mr. Jeremiah Powers. es The cadet he was addressing was also a : _-Pilebe, a sturdily-built, handsome lad with _-eutly brown hair—Mark Mallory of Col- Ff orado. The two were resting from the morn- _ ing’s drill, and were lounging about a shady nook in the corner of the seige battery enclosure. Grouped about them, and equally interested in the important discussion were five other plebes, plebes _ who will have much to do with our pres- ent story. __ They were the members of the Seven Devils, a secret society of which Mark was the leading spirit—head devil—and - ‘“Texas’’ his most honored and sistant. The Seven Devils were a unique _ society, the cause of much excitement about that staid and solemn army post, and of much worry and discomfort to the - older cadets. Cliques and societies are not tolerated at West Point, and the plebes knew it, which. “accounted for their very. great secrecy. Its members were the most B. J. = (B. J. stands for ‘‘be _ fore June,’?’? which is the way the cadets— _ designate a plebe who is inclined to act plebes in the place. able as- as if he were an old cadet before he really is one, that is, to get ‘‘gay’’).. These plebes were by this time the dread of the yearlings. The third classmen, by in-= herent right the hazers of the plebes. They had repeatedly refused to be hazed; had ‘“‘sassed’’? and outwitted, and wal- loped, and bothered their opponents from sunrise till sunset, and long afterward. The B. J. tricks they had tried would take _ volumes to tell of. It had all begun with the attempts of the yearlings to haze the new cadets, certain of the new cadets, Mark Mallory, in particular, had not proposed to stand that, and had resisted for all they were . a worth. Texas, with his lasso-throwing, cowboy arm, had licked four of them in one morning. Mark had defeated the picked champion of the class in an ex- citing battle. And the upshot of the whole matter was that the seven, driven to desperation, had gotten together and sworn allegiance and secrecy and re- sistance. They had succeeded beyond their wild est dreams. From mere resistance they had come to like B. J.’nes so much that they had actually dared to haze the yearl- ings. And from that time on they knew no greater delight on earth than thinking . up clever schemes with which to 1 their enemies wretched. They hadsbtok up the yearlings’ entertainments, their hazing excursions, and even one of their exhibition drills. they had done something if possible stil] more extraordinary and bizarre, thing which had set the cadets fairly — wild, and which had the remark of the And the other night. ae “SOllte: = ond excitable Texan at the beginning of this ae chapter. _ One of the seven was Master Chauncey Van Renssalaer Mount-Bonsall of New York and Fifth avenue. He was a merry and pleasant enough chap, and he had once thrashed several of the old cadets . soundly. But he had a weakness for - pedigrees, and aristocracy, and high col- lars, and a London accent. The yearlings, playing upon his vanity as to his social rank, had sent him a hop invitation as a joke. Now for a plebe to go toa hop was something West Point had never dared to dream of. Fora low vile ‘‘beast’’ even to talk about a hop was preposterous pre- sumption. T’herefore, Mark resolved that Chauncey and soine others of the Seven Devils should go at once. Alan Dewey, a handsome merry-hearted ‘youth with a passion for telling stories and for his favorite exclamation ‘‘B’gee!”’ had volunteered to join Mark and Chaun- cey. Dewey was a favorite with all the gitls anyway and could dance to ‘‘beat the band.’’ And sure enough those three bold rascals did go. And they danced too. They had arranged all that beforehand. Grace Fuller had attended toit. Grace Fuller was the belle of West Point, a beautiful and charming girl whom Mark had rescued from drowning by an act of heroism she had never forgotten. She was mischievous and full of fun herself and was by this time an intimate friend of Mark’s. He had told her of the Seven Devils. The title was speedily changed to ‘‘Seven Devils and one Angel.’’ And Grace Fuller declared a member by her ewn demand. That was why she had worked so hard to get the girls to join in the plot; that was why the plebes had found plenty to dance with them, while the yearlings had no one; and that was why the cadets were wild with anger to- ward Grace, and all their “‘best girls,” and the plebes, and in fact, everythin in general. - One of the “‘hop mavagers,”’ a. first ~ elasstnan and an officer, Cadet-Lieutenant Wright, had ventured in behalf of his class to request Mark to leave the floor. Mark, who was in the midst of a dance at the moment, had been. justly indignant. He: had informed: the otler: that. an. ARMY AND NAVY apology would be demanded; and that as a cadet, having an invitation, he proposed to stay and dance: Whereupon the hop managers had stopped the music and “busted up their durnation ole hop’’ and gone home in arage. That was the end of the matter, except that there was a fight on between Cadet | Mallory and Lieutenant Wright. It was to that fight that Texas was alluding. “Aw ef you lick hint,” he repeated, “‘durnation, won’t we woop her up!’ There will certainly be a fight,’’ re- sponded Mark, after a moment’s thought. ‘“That is, unless Wright apologizes, which he will not do of course. I do not like to fight; Pda great deal rather get along without it, for it is a brutal sort of an amusement at best.”’ ‘*Rats!? srowled Texas. ‘‘But it’s necessary all the same,’’ con- tinued the other. ‘‘I do not see how I can keep my dignity otherwise. The notion that a plebe is a creature without any feelings who may be slammed about at will is altogether too prevalent to suit my . taste; and I propose to have the cadets understand once and for all that they may haze me all they want to if they can, but that-when they insult me they are going to get hurt.’ “Bully, b’gsee!). chimed with a chuckle of delight. *“Do you think’ you can. do him?” in- quired one. tt don’t: know, Lvs of AO E es an, a ‘‘MR. MALLORY,’’ SAID THE CADET, ‘‘WE HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAY A FEW WORDS TO YOU FROM THE FIRST CLASS’’ (page 976). ““Suppose,’’ the plebe inquired at last, **suppose, sir, | were to force a fight with Bir Wiiehte oo | : “If you do,’’ said the other, ‘‘the class will take it upon itself to prevent that fight, using brute force if necessary, and punishing you severely for your imperti- mence. And moreover you will be re- quired to defend your right to resist their authority, to defend it against every Member of the-class.”” That voung. man sprang to his feet, — with an excited ‘‘B’ gee!’ oe ‘“Dewey,’? said Mark, in slow and measured tones, arid never once taking his “eyes off dhe’ three stern cadets, ‘‘Dewey, you will return for me, please, to Mr. Wright’s tent. Tell Mr. Wright for me—that I demand an apology by this eveninge—or else that he name a time and place. And tell him finally that if he re- fuses—I shall consider myself unfortu- ARMY AND NAVY nately obliged—to knock him down the first time I see him.’ “Bully, b’gee! 1) “Duration ! Sy : The six plebes had leaped to their feet sas one tan, with a wild hurrah! Ye gods, could anything have been better .than that? Those three cadets had fairly quailed before Mark’s bold and sudden, yet calm defiance. iT think, sentiemen,’’ said ‘he, ‘that my purposes are clear to you now. And I bid you good-morning.’’ Half a minute later Mark was buried in the wild embraces and congratulations of his hilarious friends; Texas was dancing a Spanish fandango about the enclosure, and Dewey, red and excited, was on his way to canip as fast as his delighted legs could carry him. * 1 Bigee he kept chuckling, ‘Bee, we'll wipe the spots off of ’em, b’gee. Whoop!’ (The more excited Dewey got the more B’gees he was accustomed to “pet it). He was back again at the Seige Battery ten minutes later, this time even more excited, more red, more breathless than ever, Hp eel te wasped. “Tl covat. _—he’ll—b’gee, he’l]l fight!” ‘‘Whoop!’’ roared ‘Texas. ‘fVes,’? continued Dewey, ‘‘and b’gee, you can bet there’re be fun! You see, he wants to fight. He’s no coward, I could Hell see that, and he’s mad as thunder because . » the class won't let him. And b’geée, | chucked in a few hints about his being afraid, which made him madder still, so that when I fired out that last part about knocking him down if he didn’t, b’gee, _he was wild: Oh, say! He hopped about that tent like—like Texas is doing now— and b’gee he wanted to aye it out right away. ” ‘*‘Durnation ! Whoop!” roared Texas, “Let's goup now! Vil help! Let’s—-—’”’ vom eu him, and keep iim quict,’’ laughed Mark, shoving Texas into a corner. ‘‘Now go on.”’ We couldn’t fight at Fort Clinton, b’gee,’’? continued Dewey still gasping for breath, ‘‘because the cadets would have learned. And so finally b’gee, he said we’d get a boat and cross the Hud- son. How’s that?” A * ¢ “him: ‘When???’ cried Mark. ‘“To-morrow morning first b’ gee!’ < Texas had escaped by this time and was dancing about once more. And the rest of the seven were about ready to join This was the greatest bit of excite- ment of all. The most B. J. thing they had ever done, defying the whole first class and going out of cadet limits besides! There never were seven lads more full of fun than these devils; and never had they seen a chance for quite so much fun as in this daring venture. The seven adjourned for dinner soon after that. As they ‘‘fell in?’ onthe Company street it was evident to Mark that the story of his hold defiance, his desperate stroke, was all about the place even then. It was known to the> first class, and to his yearling enemies, and even to the plebes, who stared at him in awe and wondered whence on earth he had gotten the ‘‘nerve’’ to dare to do what he. had. For Mark Mallory stood pledged by his defiance to fight the whole corps of cadets. He bore his notoriety easily; he re- turned the stares of his enemies with cool and merry indifference, and as he cleaned ~ his musket and turned out for drill, or made the dust about the camp fly while on ‘police duty,’’? there was nothing about him to lead any one to suspect thas he was, of all West Point’s plebes and even cadets, the most conspicuous, the most talked of. The story spread so far that it reached the ears of a certain very dear friend of his. An orderly handed him a note late that afternoon; he knew the handwriting well by this ‘time and he opened the letter and read it hastily: thing, ‘‘Dear Mr. Mallory—Please come over to the hotel as soon as you can. Ihave some important news for the seven, and for you particularly. Your friend, oo Grace Fuller.’ Mark went, wondering what could be ‘‘up,’? and he found that it was about that same all- “important affair that Grace wanted to see him. ‘‘T hear you are going to fight,’’ she began as soon as she saw SS there was = ARMY AND NAVY a worried look on her face which ‘made Mark smile involuntarily. ‘It?s nothing very desperate,’’ he an- swered. ‘‘So you needn’t be alarmed. You see it’s necessary for me to fight once in a while else you and I couldn’t play ‘all our beautiful B. J. tricks.” Ml Suess you'd better go then,’ she feuoned. But Eb dom t like it 4 bit. You’ll come home all bruised up and covered with court-plaster, and’ I shan’t have anything to do with you until you get handsome again.”’ ‘“Phanks for that last: word ‘again, responded he with a laugh. Then he added, more seriously. ‘‘How did you find all this out? I thought none of the cadets were going to speak to you since the hop ?”’ ‘‘Pooh!?? said Grace. ‘You didn’t sup- pose they meant that, did you. Half of them are beginning to capitulate already. I knew they wouldn’t hold out.”’ “1 knew it too,” thought Mark. to himself; he was watching the girl’s beau- tiful face, with its expression of action and life. Tt seems then that all my rivals are _ back again,’’ he said, aloud. ‘‘None of them are your rivals,’’ an- sweted the girl; and then she added, quickly: ‘‘But that wasn’t what 1 sent for you to tell you. J have heen finding out some more secrets. I think if I keep on practicing on the cadets I'll be quite Maia a diplomatist and confidence man by and by.?% ‘What have you found out now?”’ ‘‘Simply that the whole first class pro- poses to keep you from fighing.”’ ‘*T knew that before,’’ said Mark. , “Ves,” answered .Gtace.. ‘But you didn’t know that they knew you and Wright were going to cross the river to settle it.”? ‘Do. they Mark. ‘(They do; and moreover they intend to keep watch on you, and if you leave -eamp to-night you’ll have the whole class to follow you.”’ - Mark looked interested at that. “(I can see,’’ he said, ‘‘that I am going to have no small amount of fun out of this business. I wish you could manage too?’ cried know that, 4 979 to use a little of your diplomacy in help- _ ing me escape.’ ‘And 1 oe added Grace, gazing at ‘him with the same anxious look he had noticed before, ‘‘I wish I could help you do the fighting too, I hate to think of your being hurt.’’ “It hurts me to have you look so un- . happy,’’? said Mark, seriously. “‘I can stand the other. As a fighter I don’t think you would make much of a success. This is a case’ of ‘Angels for council: devils for war.’ ”’ .‘*Go ahead,’’ sighed Grace, cif you haveto go to "hospital Ill come over and nurse you.”’ Mark took his departure soon after that; he set out for camp, revolving in his mind all sorts of impracticable schemes for outwitting the first classmen that night. His thoughts were interrupted by hearing his name. He looked up; a cadet was “addressing him. ‘Mr. Mallory,’’ he said, ‘‘Good-after- noon. My nameis Harden. Mr. Wright has asked me to be his second.’’ Mark bowed. ‘Also to say that if you will be outside of your tent, dressed, at two to-morrow morning he will have a boat ready to take us to a quiet place.’’ Mark bowed again. ‘‘Bring.one second with you,’’ the cadet continued. ‘‘Mr. Wright will have but one. And keep this very secret; tell .no one, for the cadets will surely stop us “if: they learn, Mr. Wright has great doubts of our success anyway.”’ “T shall do my best,’? answered Mark. ‘*T aim as anxious to succeed as en” Aad I’m much obliged to you for your trouble.’ Mark turned away and entered his tent. » ‘“There’ll be fun to-night,’’ he mut- tered; ‘‘plenty of fun to-night.”? There was. CEA PEI uit: AN ESCAPE, A FIGHT, AND SOME OTHER pais 3 ‘Are you ready in there? S-sh!? ‘Yes, Vib be outin aimoment.””. 7% - “Two o? clock and all’s we-ell!?? The first speaker was Harden, the classman, the second was Mark, a third the sentry, calling the hou 980 The moonlight, clear and white, shone down on the slistening, snowy tents; the camp was almost as bright as day. Two figures who stood crouching in the com- pany street were plainly visible, dressed in old contraband ‘‘cit’s clothing’? for dis- guise. And presently two more appeared, similarly clad, Mark and his old friend, the learned and pugilistic Parson. The four said not a word, but stole silently down the street to the park that bounded the camp on the east, the river side, the beat of Sentry No. 4. . One of them gave a low whistle, a signal to the sentry to face about so that he might not **see any one cross his beat.’? ‘The four sped across the line and were lost a mo- ment later in the shadow of the woods. ‘The sound of their whistle had an echo, thought they did not knowit. It came from another tent and was the sig- nal for a strange scene, one that probably that camp had never before witnessed. In an instant, it seemed, the white ground was alive with dark figures and black hutrying shadows. One third of the whole cadet corps, all the first class, in fact, were about to engage in the perilous task of dodging camp! ‘There was-no delay, whole crowd fell in under one leader, stole down the street, signaled the sentry ; and then came a dash and a tramp of feet that almost shook the ground. ‘The class no hesitation; the was gone. Gone to stop that fight or die! Oue hates to tax a reader’s credulity. To say that that sleepy moonlit camp was once more a witness of the same unusual scene not half a minute later seems be- yond the possibility of belief. Yet so it was. There was no signal this time; they simply met, five of them, all plebes, two from an A company and three froma B company tent justin the rear. They too fell in under a leader, a leader who punc- tuated his orders with a whispered ‘‘ Dur- nation!’ And they too crossed the sentry post and vanished in the woods. There was some one to trail the trailers! We shall skip forward to those in ad- vance. The four would-be duellists had © idea of their detection. They thought _ their early start had done the work. climbed down the bank of the river, he Riding Hall, and came out on aN ARMY AND NAVY- the railroad track below, ae at the mouth of the tunnel. ‘““‘The boat is down near Fightand Falls,’’? said Harden, briefly; and then there was silence again. Wright had not said one word since the start. They set out down the track. They stole by the little station, with its single | light and its half-sleeping telegraph oper- ator. And then—hark! What was that?. Tramp, tramp! The four turned in amazement. Great heavens, they were followed! Clearly visible in the moon- light, their white trousers glittering, the company was marching steadily behind them. They were in line and had a cap- tain. At concealment there was no at- tempt; they seemed to say, every one of them. ‘‘Well, here we are. Now what are you going to do about it??? And the four stared at each other in amazement. ‘‘Shall we resort to flight??? inquired the learned Parson. ‘“Threy’re toomany; they’d catch us,’ said Harden, emphatically. ‘‘I don’t know just what to do. Irather think. we're outwitted. I—what’s that?’ ‘*Ding! dong! Woow-oo!”’ *fA train’? exclaimed Mark. ‘‘That’ll scatter ’em. But itll do us no good.’’ A moment later there was a glare of light in the tunnel, light that shone upon the figures on the track; and then the heavy train shot out and came rushing down upon them. ‘The cadets scattered of . course; and in the temporary confusion Mark saw a golden chance. It was a slow train; he could see. A freight! Anda moment later as the engine rushed past. them, he shouted to the other three; “Catch it! Catch it as it passes |” It was all done so quickly they had scarcely time to think. They saw the last car whirl past the cadets; they saw the - company reforming to march. And a mo- ' ment later all four of them leaped toward the train and flung themselves aboard the last platform of the way car. It was going faster than they had. thought ; the sudden jerk they got nearly tore their arms from their sockets, and the Parson’s loose joints cracked omin- ously. But they hung on, all of them, with a grip like death. And they had the ‘intense satisfaction of hearing a yell of. rage from the cadets in the rear, and of ARMY AND NAVY 981 seeing, as they clambered up and looked behind them, the whole crowd break into -arun and set out in furious though vain pursuit. ‘That settles it,’’ said Mark, joyfully. ‘(We're safe! Now then.”’ But his words were just a trifle prema- ture. The cadets were fast being left be- hind, running though they were; but there was a new danger hitherto un- thought of. the caboose. The door was flung open; a rough figure strode out. _ Hey, there, git off o’ that! What the divil are yez doin’ there?’ The four stared at each other in con- . sternation. Here was a rub! They looked for all the world like tramps, to be kicked off unceremoniously into the hands of the enemy again. But before the man could move Harden thrust his hand into his pocket. ‘* Here,’ he said. up. The man gazed at them dubiously. They might be burglars, robbers—but then it was good money, and nobody the wiser. That was none of his business any how. He muttered an apology and slammed the door again, while the four sighed with relief. ““T wonder what pext,) said Mark. There was nothing more; the long train rumbled on down the river bank and the party waited in silence until Harden gave the signal. Then they made more or less ungraceful and uncomfort- able leaps from the platform, sprang down. the bank unto the rushes, anda moment or so later were on their way across the river in a row boat. “Which means,’’ whispered the Parson to Mark, ‘‘that we’ll have our fight after ali? Mark had thought of that. He was already calculating the chances. Wright had a great powerful frame, with massive bull shoulders and a. face that showed no end of grit. That much Mark could see. He knew too that the man was a gymnast of three years’ practice under a master as skilled as Uncle Sam could find; that every muscle had been worked and trained, that he was lithe and quick and active, skilled with foil and bavonet and broad-sword, a perfect horseman. and the ‘Take that, and shut The car they. were on was. - Harden manage it. captain of West Point’s crack eleven be-. sides. Mark thought of all this; and then he clinched his own broad hands and gritted his teeth and waited. There was not a word said on the trip; © all were too solemn and anxious. Harden rowed—working silently and swiftly. The waves lapped against the boat, and the ripples spread out in along silvery moonlit trail behind them, And then the boat sped in under the shadow of the trees on the eastern bank, and a moment. later grated on the pebbly beach. ‘Harden sprang ashore and drew up the boat. The rest landed and he went on into the woods. ‘The three followed him ~ a short ways, and then at a little clearing he stopped. ‘Flere’? said-he, ‘is the spot:4 ; Mark halted and gazed about him. He saw a small turf-covered inclosure sur- rounded by the deep black shadows of a wall of trees. The moon strayed down through the centre furnishing the only light. It was not three o’clock yet, and the sun was far below the horizon. Mark whipped off his coat. “Tam ready,’ said he, no: tinier? Wright and his second were just as prompt and business-like. The lieutenant stripped his brawny frame to the waist and bound his suspenders about him to hold his trousers. Mark was ready then, too. ‘*It is your choice,’? said he to the other. ‘‘How shall we fight ?”’ ‘*By rounds,’’ he answered simply. was a man of few words. ‘‘My second has a watch,’ headded. ‘{Mr. ‘Stanard may look on if he cares to, though we shall each have to rely upon the other’s honor mostly. We have no referee.”’ “Tam willie,’ said Mark. ‘' et Mr And let us be quick. Will you shake hands ?”’ They shook. And then the pronounced the word. “Gor’ And they went, hammer and tongs. ‘(Tet us lose He ‘referee’ A man who chanced to be strolling — along the river bank in the moonlight at three o’clock that July morning would have met with a startling scene. Just. picture it to yourself, aquiet glade inthe deep shadows of the trees, and in the. 982 centre of it two white half-naked figures battling to the death, landing blows that shook the air. And all in silence and mystery. ‘The two seconds, kneeling in the shadows watching anxiously, fever- ishly, were hidden from view. Wright had one advantage over Mark. He had seen him fight, and he knew his method. He knew that in skill and agility Mark was his equal; it was agility that had beaten Billy Williams, the yearlings’ choice. And so Wright..relying on his strength and training pitched right in, for he and his second had agreed that @ *‘slugging match?’ was the best way to beat Mallory. Mark was. willing to have it so; time was short, and they might be interrupted any moment. The sooner that unpleasant episode were over the better. And he answeted the officer’s forward spring by another no less sudden and fierce. A fight such as that one could not last very long, for human bodies cannot stand many blows as crushing as human arms. ean deal. The two had leaped in each bent on forcing the other back; and for a mo- ment they swayed, as in a deadlock, landing blow after blow with thuds that woke the stillness of the forest depths. The two seconds sprang forward, staring anxiously. They could bodied follow the flying white arms, they could not see the effects of the ctashes they heard; but they realized that any one of them might end it all, that their man might vo down at any moment. The end came, however, sooner than either had thought. Harden, glancing feverishly at the watch, had counted off the first minute, was counting for the end of the second. He had opened his mouth to call time, whem he heard the Parson give a gasp. He looked up just in time to see one of the white figures (they had been bounding all about the inclosure and he knew not which it was) tottering backward from one mighty blow upon the head. A moment later the figure was lying gasping upon the oround, and Harden sprang forward to see who it was. But he had hardly moved before he heard a shout, and glancing about him, saw a sight that made him start in alarm. ‘The black woods were fairly alive with flitting | ARMY AND NAVY white figures. And the figures with one accord were rushing wildly down upon — the Bru. ‘Rill en] “Soak em Vie was the ory. ‘‘Where’s that plebe? Hooray !’” It was the baffled first class. pees eee CHAP IHR Ty. THE SEVEN DEVILS TO THE RESCUE. Be it said \ in the first-place, for the reader’s comfort and relief, that the figure who lay upon the ground stunned and gasping was not that of Mark Mallory. Harden saw that as he turned again, and he groaned. ‘The Parson saw it, too, and uttered a geological and classical ex- clamation of satisfaction, completely for- getful of his peril at the present moment. | And as for Mark, he had known it long — ago; he had meant that it should be just: So. The first classmen as they poured in upon the scene, furious and out of breath, took in the situation in one glance. They saw their friend and classmate, the mighty Wright, stretched helpless on the turf, and they knew that Mark Mallory, the hated plebe, had defied them-success- fully, had outwitted them, and stood now in all his impudence, his purposes com- pletely achieved. And their rage-rose to bounds beyond the possibility of descrip- tion. But they had him now! Though tri-— umphant, he was in their power, alone with no soul to help him in all that lonely forest! And like so many wild animals | they leaped upon him. : You have tead~of the fry of a mob? And you know what a mob may do? It is far more than any single one of them, any half dozen of them, would ever dream of — doing. This mob had everything to urge them on, nothing to restrain them. Had not this plebe tormented their very, eyes out? Had they not sworn to punish him within an inch of his life if he dared to fight with their lieutenant? And was not the lieutenant lying there now, half dead, calling upon them for vengeance? One and all they sprang upon him. The leader seized him roughly by the shoulder, flung him backward; the next moment Mark's arm shot out and the man went down like a log. That made the ARMY AND NAVY eo _ crowd still more furious; a dozen of them reached the bold plebe at once, and then there was the wildest kind of a time. -Mark could not tell very clearly what happened;.he was vaguely conscious of shouts and imprecations ; of flying arms and closely pressing bodies; of blows and _kicks that blinded him, stifled him. He himself was striking out right and left, and he felt that he was landing, too. He saw another figure beside him doing like- wise, and knew that the gallant-old Par- son was at his side. And after that his _ head began:to swim; lights danced before his eyes, and his strength began to fail him. He went down, and that was all he knew. There was no restraining those wild cadets, though fully half among them ‘were manly enough to try. The brute passions of the rest were let loose and there was no stopping them. ‘They still pressed about the two struggling plebes, a crowd roaring for vengeance and satisfac- tion. And they meant “that nothing should prevent their having it, either. Something did, none the less. And it was something startling and unexpected. The leader will remember that we left the Seven Devils, or what was left of them, hot upon the trail. The Seven Devils were upon the trail still. They had followed the crowd down the railroad track. The crowd had hired a schooner the day before, having learned that Mallory and Wright were going to at- tempt to cross the next morning; they had followed in that, and the five under the leadership of Texas had broken the lock on a row-boat they found and pur- sued the cadets across. They had landed afew minutes later; they had heard the shouts of the crowd; and now, wild and reckless with rage at what they saw, they were rushing from the woods to the rescue. To the rescue? It bid fair to be a weak attempt, for there were just five to attempt it, and of the others there may have been fifty, maybe a hundred. No one could count them; they were a mob, a wild- eyed, furious mob. But of the unevenness of the conflict the gallant five never once thought... They knew that their leader was in peril, and that it was their business to rescue him. And that was all. Foremost among them was the wild -eonfusion—stalled ! 983 Texan and he wasa sight to put a hun- dred in a panic; a sight to rival Hercules and his club. ‘T'exas had snatched an oar from the boat, and as he ran he was brandishing that. His hair was ruffled, his face was red, his eyes staring and wild. From his mouth caine a series of yells and whoops that made the forest echo. And amoment later he struck a crowd of cadets. How that mighty oar didcuttheair! If Ded een a brcndewond it coule Guu swept a clearer furrow. And behind it came the other four, all armed: with clubs, making aV formation that was simply irresistable. So long as the cadets were unarmed the fight was very one-sided, indeed, and the five might have rescued.Mark in no time. But quick asa wink one of the, cadets = stooped and seized a stick; his examiple was followed instantly, andin half a min- ute the gallant rescuers were confronted with a score of clubs and. assailed by a shower of stones that beat them back in io No, not quite! ‘There was one coal left, a resource that Texas alone. had. Texas had received a cut across the face that made him simply crazy. He dropped the oar, slung his hands around to his hip pockets, and a moment later with two huge six-shooters opened fire point-blank at the crowd. Powers had done that once before since oe he had come to West Point. He had gone off on a wild Texas spree, charged out upon the squadron during artillery drill and started to hold up the place. The matter had beeh smoothed over finally, but ever since it Texas had been feared.” by the cadets as an even more desperate character than Mark. It happened that those revolvers held only ‘‘blanks.’’ Mark had insisted upon that beforehand, for he knew his friend’s sudden temper. But that made no differ- ence to the cadets. When they saw those weapons flash in the pale moonlight, saw them in the hands of that wild- haired, wild-eyed figure, heard the deafening re- _ . ports and saw the powder flash blindingly in their faces, they turned as one man and. fled in terror to the cover of the | woods. f 0e4 And they left their victims lying on : _ the ground! Texas was not so mad but that he had _ some cunning left. He saw his chance, and shouted to his companions. The four seized the half-unconscious, sorely-bat- tered pair in their arms, and whirling suddenly, made a dash for the shore. Texas himself scorned to run. He gazed about him defiantly, balancing his te- volvers in his hands; and when he saw that the alarmed cadets did not contem- plate a sally, he backed slowly through the woods and rejoined the other plebes. The cadets had not the nerve to face those revolvers again, at least not at once. They did a moment later when they dis- covered to their horror what the plebes were going to do. It wasa horrible revenge. Instead of go- ing to their own row-boat, the crowd de- liberateiy marched out upon a little dock where the schooner lay. They put their charges into that, and then while the big Texan coolly faced abott with his guns, the others seized the two row-boats and Nh eas, proceeded to tie them on be- mind. They .were gong to leave the whole class stranded! A yelvot fury, of horror, of fright went up from the crowd! Leave then! ~impossble! It lacked then two hours of reveille. And for them to be absent meant - disgrace, court-martial, dismissal! Wild [with alarm the crowd made a.dash for the schooner, leaping into the water, running for the dock, shouting and yelling. And ten Texas calmly raised his revolvers, and stood thus, firm and ee in the clear Oe -, Before that figure they quailed an in- stant; that instant was enough. The big vessel swung off from the dock, the night breeze filling hersails. And Texas turned like an antelope and made a leap for the boat. The crowd saw him land on the stern; they saw the white glistening track bub- ble up as the vessel glided away; then in blank horror they turned and gazed at each other—lost ! Texas meanwhile, soon as he saw the | ARMY AND NAVY > boat clear, had but one thought in his . devoted mind. He made a dash for Mark and staring in horror and anguish at his. white and bloody face, fell to flinging water upon him. And he gasped with re- lief when he saw Mark open his eyes. Mark’s body was still stripped, and Texas, even Texas, shuddered as he saw the bruises upen it. There was one that made the victim cry out as his friend touched it. And Texas started back in alarm. ‘*Good lord:”’ he cried, broken.”’ Mark smiled feebly ; and a the same instant a chorus of cries rose from the bespairing cadets on the shore. ‘““Tell Mallory we’ll leave him alone if he’ll come back,’’ was one of them. ‘““Bgee!’? cried Dewey, ‘‘did you hear that? “What do you say ?”’ And Mark raised himself with a sttug- gle. ‘*No, no!’’ he gasped. to fight them.” ‘““PFight them! How can you fight with a broken shoulder??? . ‘‘I—I won’t tell them its broken!’’ panted. Mark. ‘‘An? durnation!”’ roared Texas, wild- ly. ‘Ef you don’t lick ’em I will! Whoop! An’ as fo’ them cowards on the shore, let Jem Set red an” bust!) “‘Bully, b’gee!’? echoed Dewey. And the battered old Parson chimed in with a feeble and gasping ‘‘Yea, by Zeus!’ while the schooner sailed on in disdainful triumph. ‘The first class, as it seemed, did not get fired. hey! ran all. the way to Gar- ~ rison’s, the town opposite the Point, and — there begged a boat secretly to cross. But Cee shoulder’s ‘*Don’t! I mean the news when it spread next morning made them the laughing stock of all crea- tion. And Mark Mallory, in hospital, was | the hero of the whole cadet corps. [THE END. | The next novelette by Lieutenant Fred- erick Garrison will be entitled, ‘‘Mark Mallory’s Decision; or, Facing a New — Danger.’” . Army and Navy No. 22. TO THE RESCUE. BY GEORGE P. HOYT. THE HUSSARS GALLOPED INTO THE CLEARING (page 987). SH! what do I hear? Marcel, there is somebody coming!?’?’ And Lebeuf, the game-keeper, crouched among the brush- wood and listened, like an old fox. His mustache was frozen quite stiff witb the cold; but he did notmind that in the least. He and Marcel, the blacksmith, had some- thing more serious on hand, else they had never stayed out there all that day, watching the road as if their lives depended on it. ‘‘How many?’’ said Marcel, in a whisper. ‘One, I believe.’’ ‘¢On horseback?’” ‘‘No; walking with the step of a young man.”’ ‘‘Then it is not our party,’’ growled the blacksmith, breathing on the fingers which grasped his rifle. There was a short silence. ‘There he is,?’? said Lebeuf suddenly. shall see.’’ A spare figure came rapidly cut of the wood, eyes glancing sharply to right -and left, hands muffled un- der the skirts of his blue tunic, a kepi, with a band of red cloth round it, on his head, and a cigarette set in one corner of his mouth. To Mareel’s astonishment, the gamekeeper laughed aloud, and the stranger stood still, with his gun thrown forward. ‘*Tt is Monsieur Charles,’’ said Lebeuf, getting up ‘*Now we 986. “from his knees. ‘‘We shall surprise him with our news;’’ and stepping out of his concealment, he raised a hand in salute, crying: ‘‘Welcome, Monsieur Charles, do-us the honor to come into the bushes.’? The young man sprang lightly over the frozen ditch and scrambled up the bank. ‘You are in time, monsieur,’’ said the gamie-keeper, his eyes twinkling with a stern merriment, which in- creased the look of ee on the neweomer’s face. “‘In time for what, Lebeuf? What is happening?’ ‘“First oblige me, monsieur, by sitting down on this trunk; you are tall enough to be visible at some ‘dis- tance. So; that is better,’’ said the gamle-keeper, ‘We are the advance-guard of an ambuscade, the pur- pose of which more nearly concerns Monsieur Ch harles than Monsieur Charles can possibly know.?? : ‘*Speak to the point, my good friend,’’ exclaimed the . young fellow. ‘‘What’s going on? I have hurried six leagues since daybreak to see my father, and must be back to-morrow at the latest.’ “You will see Monsieur the Count, your father, in ‘a short time,’’ said Lebeuf, meaningly; ‘‘but you will see him in the hands of the Prussians !”’ - The stranger sprang up; but Lebeuf checked him, «¢For-his sake, Monsieur Charles, retain your senses. These dogs have done a thing they will regret before ‘sundown. They have taken the count, Pere Alphonse, our good cure, Simon the Maire, and Lagrange the miller, as hostages for the good behavior of the dis- trict: they are marehing them off into their ‘Father- land’ until the war isover. But Il anda few of the brave men of the village see things in a different light. As I told monsieur, Marcel and I are the advance- guard of an ambuscade—it is not asking monsieur too much to join us?’’ Monsieur Charles ground his white reached out a hand to his two companions. ‘*And my father?’’ be demanded. ‘‘How take it, Jiebeuf?”’ ‘tLike the old lion that he is, monsieu1; he roared !’’ said the game-keeper! ‘‘It took five of them to hold him; and, as it was, their captain has no longer any teeth in his front jaw !”’ “(You mean——’’ ‘“‘That the count knocked them all down his throat!?’ said the game-keeper, smiling. ‘‘Marcel, I hear some- thing again on the road.’’ - They lay low behind the screen of dark bushes, and this time there was. an unmistakable clatter of horses in the clear frosty air. ‘“‘We shall fire, of course??? Charles. ‘No; hurriedly ; “‘the escort is of hussars. They will not ride up into these trees, but pass along close to us. As the prisoners go by, a wood-pigeon will seem to coo in the tree-top three times. I am the pigeon and the prisoners will understand, for they have been warned already. Mon- sieur recollects the turn in the road behind us? Well, there seven chassepots will open on the rascals; and from the stone cavalry on the other side three more; we run up and take them in the rear, and the thing is done!’ * Lagrange’s mill, where they buried him the day after; and that is two miles off. a The Prussian officer strove like a brave man to re- ~ pair the disaster; but the volley in his rear disheart- ened the troopers. The extent of the ambuscade could not be determined, aud he gave the order to retire. You see, cavalry in a wood are at a disadvantage. Then from the trees, from the banks, from the con- cealed hollows behind the bend in the causeway, a mob of peasants in sabots and blouses cane pouring out into the road, chattering like magpies and laugh- ing hysterically as they surrounded the rescued hos- tages. aj ‘(My friends,’’ said the count, taking off his hat, ‘‘we thank you. The national honoris safe in the hands of Frenchmen. Return:to your homes, quietly and unobserved. We are retiring toa place of shelter until this little affair has blown over, after which we shall emerge, radiant and beaming, to proclaim the glorious—yes, yes, Lebeuf; do not interrupt me—to proclaim,.Isay—Lebeuf, I beg you to be silent!—to proclaim that—that—Thunder of Napoleon! The ras- cals are back again!’’ and the count’s eloquence came to a full stop. . Lebeuf, the wary, had stolen quietly toa mound which commanded the road, had seen that the hussars: were returning at speed with a_ large reinforcemént, and would be on them in a few minutes. ‘‘To your homes, lads,’’ he cried; ‘‘Marcel and I will look to monsieur and the others. Quick, this way; we are safe among the trees in the dusk if they do not see us first!?? ; A moment later the foremost Prussians swung round the bend in the road, to find only the dark heaps of their own dead scattered on the frozen ground, with the old stone cross stretching its arms above them, and beyond the cross the orange strip fading out of the sky. ‘¢You have found your father in a strange plight, Charles,’’ said the count. ‘‘But tell me how on earth you came to be here—your corps surely cannot spare you at a time like this?’’ ‘‘Nay, the poor lads have marched holes in their feet,’’ laughed the lieutenant, ‘‘and Durolle is giving ‘them a day’s rest, so I got leave to visit you; but I must return to-morrow and meet them at the cross- roads beyond Verlay.’’ ‘‘] wish Durolle had been here to-day,’’ sighed the count. ‘‘I remember him when he was chef d’escadron of Chasseurs;’’ and the old fellow began to hum the famous Algerian song, ‘‘La casquette du Pere -Bugeaud,’’ until Lebeuf respectfully suggested that _ any noise might be attended by serious results. _ The party sat very close together in a little log hut, a mile or so from the scene of the conflict. It stood in a forest clearing, and, unless one knew the cart-track used in summer by the wood-cutters, there was smal] chance of finding it. Still, as the game-keeper mut- tered to Marcel, ‘‘You never know what may hap- _pen,’? so he stood with one ear to a chink in the rough wall, and listened through the whole of the long win- ter night. ~ The cure was sleeping soundly, a withotauding that _ his seat was a cask of rifle cartridges; father and son sat hand-in-hand, talking over the campaign in which Charles had played a good part for several months; but by degrees their heads nodded, and they joined _ the mare and the miller, and even Marcel, who slept like a top on the floor. -touchisg the walls with his coat; 987 There was not a sound outside; the grey dawn broke reluctantly, as though the sun were loath to leave his bed, and still the old gamekeeper listened. There was just light enough outside for him to dis- tinguish the line of the clearing, with the darker gap where the wondcutter’s track began, and he was smil- ing inwardly as he thought of the nights he had spent in the log hut, watching for wolves, w hen a faint sound, which an ordinary ear ‘would have missed made him bend his lean neck closer to the crevice and stay his breathing. Something brushed against the rough planks, and he knew there was trouble brewing |! ‘Great powers !?? he said to himself, ‘‘The cure has’ begun to snore!’’ i ‘«Marcel ! Marcel! good, youare awake; there ig somebody outside, a man has walked round the hut, rouse everyone in turn, but no noise!’’ A moment later he turned from the crevice again. ‘(Marcel, what do you think? Herve the sacristan is here with the Prussian officer, standing a yard away; all the village knows he is at outs with Pere Alphonse, but who could have believed this.’’ Marcel’s strong jaws worked in the dark like the gnawing of rats, and he told the others. Again Lebeuf turned. ‘‘Flerve is running into the wood and the officer is going to the clearing; I can see his troop waiting there. It is growing lighter—quick, unbar the door carefully and open it a few inches. They will see noth- ing,-but they shall hear and feel.”’ Marcel drew back the bolt, and the gamekeeper fired |i. Baffled once more, the hussars galloped into the’ clearing. A ringing volley emptied more than one saddle, and the stout door was closed again! | Round and round the Jog hut they circled, met by a puff of smoke and a tongue of red flame from the loopholes with which it was pierced. Sometimes a dar- ing one would back his horse against the door and spur it until its iron heels thundered on the planks; but Lebeuf killed two or three on the threshold and made a barricade that way. For hours the game went on, until at length there came a lull, and Monsieur Charles, who was looking out, gave a cry of dismay. “What is it; my dear son,’’ said the count, closing the breech of his rifle. ‘*All is over. They are dismounting twenty men for the attack!’ ‘*We shall die as we have lived,’’ said the old soldier, stoutly. ‘‘Cure, you may now pray; for myself, | can end it better in the fresh air;’? and he flung the door wide open and stalked out gun in hand, the others fol- lowing. ‘‘My friends, let -us sing our swan’s song; no Frenchman could have a grander dirge,’’ and he rolled out the first couplet of the Marseillaise in a voice that carried it far into the waking woods. ‘To their absolute stupefaction, the refrain was sud- denly taken up by a hundred voices among the trees! There was a rush of kepis and blue tunies, a wither- ing hail of chassepot bullets, and Colonel Durolle was embracing his old comrade for the first time for twenty years! Which proves that hostages are difficult to get, and when obtained require a deal of mts Pape Oe he By William Murray Graydon Author of “A Legacy of Peril,” ete., etc, (“IN FORBIDDEN NEPAUL” was commenced in No. 15. Back numbers can be obtained from all newsdealers.) f CHAPTER XX. THE DEMON OF THE PURPLE LAKE. OLDING their dripping paddles in air, Hawks- moor and Nigel listened breathlessly for a few seconds. Then, in the pale light, they looked at each other with alarmed faces. For Bhagwan Das was right, and the enemy were hot on the trail. Splash! splash! splash!—the sound of many paddles dipping and rising in time floated distinctly over the water. ‘*Yes, it’s a boat,’? Hawksmoor muttered, glanced behind him, ‘‘and it’s approaching rapidly in our wake, though I can’t make if out just yet. By Jove, I didn’t expect the scoundrels to overhaul us so soon! It’s a bad business, Davenant, I’m afraid.’? ‘‘lf you say so, it must be bad,’’ Nigel assented, grimly, beginning to paddle at a sign from his com- \. panion. ‘*But surely we have not been seen yet.’’ (No; but they may have heard us. At all events, _ the dawn will betray us in a very few moments.’’ ““Can’t we get to shore and hide before then?’? Nigel asked. ~‘*It’s doubtful,’’ Hawksmoor ‘“‘What are the chances, Bhagwan Das?’’ The Hindoo glanced at the expanding glow of light on the eastern horizon. ‘‘We are in the middle of the lake,’’ he declared, ‘‘and the dawn is breaking now, sahibs. There is no shelter that we can reach while the darkness lasts.’ ’ ‘ “1711 make it worth your while to let me go.”’ ‘*How??? asked Rawson, briefly. : ‘*That boy’s uncle was robbed ueara_ year since of Ican tell him the name of the thief.’?’ ‘‘Was it-Squire Bates?’’ asked Dean, eagerly. “Till my safety is assured I can tell nothing.’’ ‘‘Can you enable me to recover the money?”’ : ‘*I can. I will be willing to make a statement, and swear to it before a magistrate.”’ : ieee Squire Bates the head of a gang of rob pers? ‘Tam not prepared to say. I will do what I -agreed.”’ - Rawson and Dean conferred together briefly, and decided to release Kirby on the terms proposed. But - if was necessary to wait till morning, and they didn’t dare to release him. They tied the villain hand and foot, and kept him in this condition till daylight. Then they took him before a magistrate, his statement Was written out and sworn to, and they released him. ~ “fT wouldn’t have done this,’’ said Kirby, ‘‘if Bates had treated me right; but he has been working against me, and I have sworn to get even.’’ ' Dean did not trouble himself about Kirby’s mo- tives, but he was overjoyed to think that through his means the mystery at Waterford had been solved at last, and his uncle would recover his property. “‘Now I shall go home happy,’’ he said to Rawson, Sob OT r shall carry happiness to my good uncle and aunt. CHAPTER XXXVII. = ADIN DUNHAM’S TROUBLE, _ Arriving in New York, Dean was tempted to buy a handsome suit of clothes, being fully able to spare the money. But on second thought he contented himself ‘with purchasing a cheap, ready-made suit at one of ~~ the large clothing stores on the Bowery. He wanted _ to surprise his uncle and aunt. Besides, he wished to see what kind of a reception his old friends would give him if he appeared in shabby attire and apparent peverty. He could let them know the truth later on. The evening before his arrival in Waterford Adin Dunham had another call from Squire Bates. _'*Have you got my interest ready, neighbor Dun- ham???’ he inquired. ‘No, squire; I can give you a part of it, as I told you the other day.’’ ‘That will not answer,’’ said Bates in an uncom- “promising tone. ‘‘I need the money at once. Some of “my recent investments have paid me poorly, and though I would like to be considerate I cannot favor ou. ‘*T will try to borrow the money. Perhaps Dean _¢an fet me have twenty dollars.’’ ‘*Dean !’’ repeated Squire Bates with a sneer. ‘‘Do you think | can wait till you hear from him??? ' **T have heard.from him,’’ answered the carpenter. _ ‘*You have heard from your nephew! Where is he?”? Squire Bates asked in surprise. - **Here is his letter. 1t came to hand this morning.”’ _ Squire Bates took the proffered letter and read as ~ follows: z New York, July 15. ' Dear Uncle and Aunt:—I have got so far on my way home from the West. [ will remain here a day or two. _ Perhaps I can hear of a place, as I suppose there is _ nothing for me to do in Waterford. I think [ shall be with you on Saturday. Your affectionate nephew, Dean Dunham. - “He doesn’t appear to have made his fortune,’’ said the squire, harfding back the letter to the carpenter. **He doesn’t say whether he has prospered or not.’? ‘‘If he had he wouldn't be looking for a boy’s posi- tion in New York.’? ; eee It’s some- _ thing that he has been able to get home to his - friends.’’ ae = — ‘Wait till you’ve seen him,’’ said the squire, sig- ~ ificantly, **ffe will probably return home in rags.’ enter warmly. ‘‘Even if he comes home without 993 a penny, he won’t lack for a welcome, will he, Sarah?’? ; “tT should think not, Adin,’’ said his wife in mild indignaticn. : : ; oe ‘““That is_all very pretty and sentimental,’’ said the squire. ‘‘Perhaps you have a fatted calf to kil: for the , returning prodigal.’’ - ees ‘(Dean never was a prodigal,’’ answered Adin Dun- ham. ‘‘If your friend had treated him well he might have had some money to return with. It wasn’t a very creditable thing to throw the poor boy upon _ his own resources so far away from honie.’’ ‘We spoke on that subject yesterday, and I distinct- ly told you that Mr. Kirby had a very good reason to discharge Dean. You didn’t agree with me. I suppose it is natural to stand up for your own. However, f will give you three days to make up the interest. That will carry us to Monday. But I shall also require you ~ to pay the mortgage, or else accept my offer for the place. I will give you another week to do that.’’ Squire Bates went out of the room, leaving Adin and Sarah Dunham in some trouble of mind. There seemed to be no help for it.. They must be dispossessed of what had been their home for many years. CHAPTER XXXVIILI. THE CLOUDS ROLL BY. Just. before leaving Denver, Dean, in passing through Lawrence street, came upon a boy, miserably elad, who held in his hand a few daily papers which he was trying to sell. There was something in the boy’s face that looked familiar. ‘‘Guy Gladstone!*’ he exclaimed in great surprise. ‘‘Dean Dunham !’’ replied Guy, looking both pleased and ashamed. : ‘*How came you here? Indians on the prairies.’ - Guy blushed scarlet. a ‘“Don’t say a word about it!’? he replied. ‘‘I wasa fool and I have suffered for my folly.’’ ‘“¢Tell me about it.’’ ‘‘T got out of money and have nearly starved. I have done anything I could to make a little money. I have blacked boots, set up pins in a bowling alley, and now I am selling papers.’’ ‘*Why don’t you go home?’’ ‘*] would if I had the money.’ ; ‘*Then you shall have the money. I start East to- morrow, and I will take you along with me.’’ ‘*Then you have prospered?’’ asked the wondering Guy. ae but not all the time. I have seen hard times, too. Mr. Kirby discharged me, and I lived some time by giving concerts on the harmonica.’? ‘Really and truly !’?. ‘*Yes,’’? answered Dean, laughing. ‘*I don’t wonder you are surprised. But here, give away your papers to that newsboy across the street and come to my hotel.’’ ‘‘But I haven’t any money.’? ‘‘T have enough for both.’’ Dean had the pleasure of restoring Guy to his fain- ily, who received him kindly. It is safe to say that he will never again go West in quest of Indians. oe A little before noon on Saturday Dean reached Waterford, and walked home. On the way he met Brandon Bates. ‘¢Halloa, so you’re. back!’’ said Brandon, eyeing him curiously. cCN es: come.’’ ‘“‘T didn’t mean to give you a warm welcome,’’ said Brandon, ungraciously. ‘‘T beg your pardon; I made a mistake.”’ ‘*T suppose you came home without a cent.”’ ‘*You’re mistaken. I’ve got over a dollar in pocket.” ‘*What’s a dollar?’’ sneered Brandon. ‘*It isn’t much, to be sure.’’ : ‘* You won’t hear very good news at your uncle’s.’’ ‘*Why? Is he sick—or my aunt?’’ asked Dean, un- easily. = ‘‘No, but he can’t pay I thought you were hunting Brandon... Thank you for your warm wel- my the mortgage, and my father’s going to take possession of the place.’’ pee : ) **Oh, is that all?’’ said Dean, relieved. ‘Even if he does he will be welcome,’’ rejoined the = ,‘‘I should think it was enough.”’ ‘‘Oh, perhaps your father will think better of it, as Nae ae : ARMY AND NAVY Tam at home now and can kelp Waele Adin pay it x off . 2? “What ean you do?’’ asked Br andon, mockingly. ‘“That’s the great question. However, I’m ina hurry to get home, and must leave you. You are kind to be so much interested in ine, Brandon.’’ ‘“t]’m not interested in vou at all,’? returned ‘Bran- ~ don, tartly. : Dean laughed and passed on. “Phat boy’s as impudent as ever,’’ soliloquized Brandon. ‘Hell feel differently on Monday. oe In the joy of seeing Dean again his unele and aunt fost sight for a time of their troubles, but after a while Adin Dunham said gravely, ‘‘It’s well you came home as you did, , Dean, for the old home.is about to pass from me. ‘* How is that, Uncle Adin?” ‘Squire Bates is going to foreclose the mortgage. He offers to buy the place and give me eight hundred dollars over and above what I owe him.’’ “Of course you declined?”’ “‘Tt will do no good. I must yield to necessity.’’ ‘‘Squire Bates shall never have the place,’’ said Dean, resolutely ‘(Who will prevent it?”? = tcl wall.” ‘“¢But, Dean, firmly resolved.? “So am [.”? OR aE —— 2? “Uncle Adin, ask me no questions, but rest easy in the thought that you won’t lose your home. Leave the matter in my hands. That is all you need to do.’’ ‘*Sarah, what does the boy mean?’’ ‘‘Hie means something, Adin. We may as well leave it in his hands as he asks.’ “Very well, I don’t know as he can do any harm— er good.”’ ‘¢That remains to be seen, uncle.’’ Dean went to church on Sunday, and received a warm welcome from nearly all the congregation, for he was popular with those of all ages. He wore a smil- ing, untroubled look which puzzled Squire Bates and Brandon. x ““Does he know that I am going to foreclose the mortgage?’’ asked the squire of Brandon. “*Yes, for I told him.”’ “It seems str ange that he should be so cheerful. ”’ ‘(He won’t be—to- morrow, ‘¢No, I apprebend not.’’ _ When Squire Bates called at the carpenter’s modest home Dean opened the door, and invited him into the sitting-room, where’the two found themselves alone. ‘*T want to see your uncle,’’ said the squire. “¢Tf it’s about the mortgage, I will attend to that matter.’’ (“VY ou—a.boy?’?’ ‘¢Yes, feel competent to settle the matter.’ ‘There is only one* way of settling it, by —paying the money.’’ “T propose to pay it as soon as——”’ ‘‘Well, as soon as what?’’ ‘CAs soon as you restore to my uncle, with interest, the thousand dollars you stole from him nearly a year since.”’ ‘‘What do you mean by this insolence?’’? demanded Squire Bates, springing to his feet and glaring at Dean. ‘‘] mean,’’ answered Dean, slowly, ‘‘that I have the sworn testimony of Peter Kirby, given me at Denver, implicating you in that robbery. ”* ‘Show it to me,’’ said the squire, turning livid. ‘““Fiere is a copy. The original is in the hands of a New York lawyer.’’ Squire Bates took the paper in his trembling fingers, and read it deliberately. what power have veal The squire is ‘«This is a lie!” he exclaimed, hoarsely. 2 “The matter can come before the courts if you wish it. My uncle recognized you at the time of the rob- bery, but no one would believe his testimony. YFor- tunately, it will be substantiated now,’’ - “But this is the most utter absurdity. Does anybody believe that a man of my reputation would be impli-. cated in a highway robbery??? ‘“*They will find it equally hard to believe that you are the captain of a band of rebbers with headquait- ers in Colorado. I have been in the cave where your booty is concealed, and know what I am talking about.’’ : After fifteen minutes more the squire capitulated, only making it a condition that Dean would keep secret the serious discoveries which he had made. “*T will do so, unless I am summoned to testify in court,’’ said Dean. ‘