a w Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter atthe N. Y. Post Office by STRERT & SMITH. NEW YORK, January 3, 1808. Price Five Cents. * tt \ fh it : Ty, ‘ iti PLUCK, AND FORCE OF A TRUE AMERICAN, PHIL FOUGHT DESPERATE ODDS AS LONG AS BREATH LASTED. SPECIAL NOTICE—A list of the Prize Winners in the “Christmas Money : : Poet Red, White and Blue, will be found on page a2. - Adventure Weekly. Issued Wee kty—By Subscription $2.50 ner year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Ofice. STREET & SMITH, 238 William St., Ne Ye Entered Aceording to Act of Congress, in the Year 1898, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, DO. No. 2 NEW YORK, January 1, 1898. Price Five Cents. THE HEART OF KWANG-SE Phil’s Raid into the Enemy’ S Stronghold, By DOUGLAS WELLS. cmon pene First Part. CEA TE Ti. 1. THE SCOUTING SQUAD. ‘Three strikes and out—all out!’ an nounced Phil Stirling. ‘*Nine chunky, stolid-looking China- men plodded in leisurely from the field; nine outgoing batsmen took their places with some reluctance. “They are learning fast,’’ smiled a scholarly-looking Chinaman who stood at Phil’s side. ‘*VYou think so?’’ questioned the youth. ‘‘Ves, because they didn’t have to wait for me to explain your order,’’ replied Wun Ching, the interpreter. ‘They seem to know what ‘all out’ means,’’? rejoined Phil, ‘‘but as yet my pupils don’t reflect a heap of credit upon me asa teacher of the great Aimerican - game of baseball.” "And small wonder,’’ observed his cousin, Ralph Stirling. ‘‘Up to seven days ago, not one of them ever saw a bat Or pall. ““They’re doing first rate i: green- horns,’? observed lanky, good-natured Claymore Bruce. ‘“Huh! Dey’re peaches, dat’s what dey are,’’ grinned Jupiter Napoleon Jones, who, having been a sort of caretaker of Phil when the latter was a baby, had never been content to let his young mas- ter long-out of his sight. | “exactly,” “nodded Job Jinks, the youngest and wisest of them all. ‘‘Ph- Phil, these Chinamen of yours are regular dam——”’ ‘Job!’ cried our hero, warningly. ‘“They’re regular dam—dam——”’ {Job Jinks!’ shouted Ralph, ‘‘how dare you talk so?’ ‘“W-w-w-wait until I f-f-finish, c-can’t you?’ stammered Job, whose tongue al- ways went back upon him when he be- came excited. ‘‘As I started to say, these Chinamen are regular Damson plums when it comes to playing ball.”’ And poor Job flushed a bright scarlet at the uproarious laughter with which the boys received his completed remark. The scene just described took place on a level plain. Scattered about, mostly within view of the recent speakers, were thousands of mat huts, the only shelters of several regiments of imperial Chinese troops. 2 ADVENTURE WEEKLY. Readers of ‘‘On Foreign Service’’ know how our young American friends came to be in China in the midst of this— martial scene. Finding no more chance for fighting and adventure in their own country, they had come to China-in the pay. of the Chinese Board of War. Having recovered the priceless Kao-low . pearls from the Tai-ping rebels, as told in the previous narrative, they were now on waiting orders. “Play ball!’ shouted Phil, an order which needed Ching’s tapcbinon to set the yellow players in motion. ‘“Here comes his excellency,’’ suddenly cried Wun Ching. ~ Accompanied by some two score man- darins and other Chinese officers, General Ki-yo,. commander. of these imperial forces, rode up to where our young friends stood before halting. For some minutes Ki-yo watched the— to him—strange game. . ‘‘His excellency inquires,’’? remarked Ching, ‘‘why his young warriors are be- ing put through these puzzling exer- cises.”’ “Pell him that it is¢ an idea of my own,’ answered’Phil. ‘‘In my country the ability to play ball is proof of the pos- session of strength, agility and courage, Tell him that I tried several hundred of his likeliest-looking young soldiers, and have decided upon the best twenty play- -ers among them as the best qualified members of the scouting squad which he asked me to organize.’ - ‘*But what,’’ demanded his excellency, through the interpreter, “‘has this bar- barous game to do with the duties of soldiers??? ‘*Baseball,’’? responded Phil, ‘‘is one of things that makes Americans truly great. It takes strength, endurance and agility to play the game. It requires good nerve and quick judgment. To face andcatch a hotly-driven ‘dead’ ball takes a high or- der of courage. have tried this game on, them will stand up to and catch, without wincing, a swift, hot liner.’? = ‘Do you mean to say,’’ queried Ki-yo, in some amazement, ‘‘that an expert player of your queer American game has all the qualities that are needed in a brave, cool soldier ??’ ; “Ldo mean just that,*)) tepited Pail: warmly ‘Give mea thousand first-class baseball players, and I will show you the raw inaterial for the best fighting 1 regi- ment the world ever saw!’ There could be no doubt that the speaker was thoroughly in earnest, but Ki-yo, still inquisitive, asked: ‘What do the other Americans say?” _ Without a moment’s hesitation, Ralph, Bruce, Job and Jupe indorsed sae word our hero had uttered. a Aa your excellency,”’ suggested Phil, ‘would rather see these young men of yours go through the military drills T have taught them ?”’ Ki-yo nodded emphatically. Stopping the game and dismissing the players with a few orders through Ching, Phil saluted the Chinese general, and, accom- panied by his comrades, hurried to the spacious markee which the Americans in- habited. Tree. minutes later- Phil came out again, armed with heavy sabre and revol- ver. Ralph and Jupe were similarly pro- vided, the latter carrying alsoa Somewhat battered bugle. Returning to the field, they found the twenty young Chinese mes as light cavalry, each armed with pistol, rifle os Chinese sword. Attendants held horses which Phil, Ralph and Jupe speedily mounted, and on which they rode to the bee of the squad. At the first signal note i Jupe? Ss bugle the twenty Chinese horsemen fell in two platoons. Out of all the Chinese I~ ‘only twenty of | Every Seanad was given on the bugle. Ignorant as the Chinese were of . English, and ignorant as their instructors were of the Celestial tongue, not a hitch followed in the maneuvres. - With pardonable pride Phil put his neatly finished recruits through all the tactics he had taught them. They rode at walk, trot, gallop and charge, rode sitting in the saddle, rode kneeling, and made a spirited charge staaiding erect in their saddles. _ . General Ki-yo watched with lively in- terest. His almond-shaped eyes twinkled as he witnessed an exhibition of all the passes, feints, thrustsand parries of the American style of sabre fightirtg. Like a born showman, Phil reserved the best feature of all for the end of the programme. — Ata long drawn out note from Jupe’s bugle, the horsemen” divided into two platoons-which faced each other at an interval of an eighth of a mile. “Forward |? sounded the bugle. Pro- gressing a few yards at this slow gait, the horses were next urged into a trot. From this they passed toa ‘gallop. _ Next a flourish of the trumpet sent the horses forward at a wild ‘charge, their riders cheering at the tops of their voices. Sabres flashed as the two opposing platoons neared each other. It was a ‘mimic battle, but strangly realistic. 7 Ki-yo emitted a grunt of dismay when _he saw the opposing platoons so close to each other that it was apparently impos- sible to rein up the charging horses be- fore the riders collided with dire confusion and damage. When the opposite lines of moving steel were no more than ten feet apart, horses ‘and riders suddenly veered, the ranks opening and allowing one platoon to pass through the other. This splendid spectacle wrung en-. Pic shouts from the spectators. _ Another long drawn out note from the ADVENTURE. WEEKLY. 3 bugle brought the riders together in line of battle. Wheeling about and swinging their sabres with dash and vim, Phil’s squad charged straight at Ki-yo. ‘That startled general might have dodged had there been time. As it was, the line of horses’ heads halted with splendid. precision within eight feet of the startled mandarin. Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta-ra-ta-ra!_ _ pealed~ the bugle. The sun, shining on steel, madea - glorious flash of light as every blade flew _to the position of ‘‘present sabre!’ It was over. Wheeling his recruits to the right by twos, Phil led them a hun- dred yards away and dismissed them. Riding back, he again fp saluted and inquired: ~ , ‘“What. does your alles think of the soldierly skill of my ballplayers ?”’ ‘‘Tam astonished,’’ responded Ki-yo, simply. ‘‘It was a marvelous sight. How soon will you be ready to lead these young men of mine into the field ?”’ ‘In a quarter of an hour, if you com- mand it,’’? was the answer. ‘*Follow me to my markee. I have much to say to you.”’ As soon as they were seated with Ching at the general’s headquarters, Ki-yo be- gan by saying: ‘*T have received a long communication from the Board of War at Pekin.- Iam told that more soldiers are on their way tome. The emperor reminds me that there are still nmran camps of Tai-ping rebels in this great province of Kwang-se. — I am ordered. to get my army in motion as speedily as possible, and not to end my campaign until I have driven the last rebel out of Kwang-se.’’ } “Tt will bea long campaign,’? said - Phil, thoughtfully. ‘‘I hear that the Tai- pings are very numerous, and I know that they are brave fighters.’’ “But the emperor’s orders must be strictly obeyed.”’ ‘Of course,” assented our hero. Lo ADVENTURE WEEKLY. ‘‘Vet there is one great trouble,’’ went -on General Ki-yo. ‘‘I have little knowl- edge of the location of the Tai-ping camps, -and still less idea of their-resources. Though I say it with sorrow, I have few young men in my army who are capable of getting that information for me.”’ “And you want to send outa ecOUnS party ?”’ ‘Yes, I have decided to send you Americans to get this information for me. You may take with you the young men whom you have drilled so superbly. You will start to-morrow morning at day- break.’?’ General Ki-yo added many other direc- tions and suggestions, of all of which our hero made careful note. ‘““T am also instructed to say,’’ went on Ki-yo, ‘‘that the emperor is sending you and your brave friends presents of money for your great services in restoring to him his sacred Kao-low pearls. ‘To-night, by order of the Board of War, there will be a great celebration’in camp. There will be fireworks, parades, theatricals, and music. Wun Ching will tell you all about these great sights, which you will surely want. to: Seer” Dismissed by the general, Phil hurried back to his markee to tell the news to the others. Outside the door he met Ralph, who drew him aside to whisper, gravely: “lim McCarthy has got hold of some abominable kind of Chinese liquor. I be- lieve they call the stuff sam shiu. He was at least a quarter under its influence when I came into the tent. I saw what was wrong, and didn’t lose a second in pour- ing the stuff onto the ground.’ “Whew? muttered - Phil. mote or less vivid idea of what Tim is like on those rare occasions when he takes a drop too much. when we’ve orders to be in saddle at day- break to-morrow. ”’ Calling Bruce and Job, the four boys Sea. It’s too bad, just now, strolled off to talk over the mission that must be begun to-morrow. ‘Tf Tim finds any more Tiquor, ” oe gested Ralph, sorrowfully, ‘ to leave him behind. would break his heart.’’ “Say, we'll have grin, ‘‘there won’t be any need to sigh for Tim. Ive hit a great scheme that I predict will work his reformation.’’ ‘*And fun?’’ demanded Bruce, quick to _ scent mischief. Run??? echoed Phil. pens to him. Oh, Pll be rich! yp? CHAPTER. FH: TIM)S WEIRD- NIGHT. Night had fallen camp—a night made more hideous than otherwise by the incessant screech, on every hand, of Chinese ‘‘ ments. Thousands of paper lanterns, af fantas- tic shapes and displaying all the lurid : colors possible cast a garish glow over the camp. —- From fifty a fereay spots at once sounded the rapid discharges of fire- crackers which were being set off with a liberality that would have made American youngsters wild with--delight. From most of the markees of those i i authority came the sounds of feasting and reveling. Even the common soldiers, to- night, were enjoying better food than usual. Thelde the Amevican! aarti ce light was furnished only by a single paper lantern — that hung from the ridge-pole near Ae door. Only one occupant was here He, on ring uneasily on a sleeping mat in the : corner, finally became wide awake. “Bad cess to thim haythen blaggards thot won’t let a dacent lad shlape for — Poor Tim! That | fellows,’ whispered pb iis : face quickiy brightening into a broad | “Whole barrels of it. Just watch Tim, and see what hap- | over the Chinese . ‘musical’? instru- a ee 7a kc kh JNA ~ Oi’d feel like a gintleman. _ complainingly, naze wine. their noise!’ growled Tim ‘McCarthy. “Och! Blasht thim laundhry fiddlers thot sherape off ee thot sounds like a bad drame!”’ Apparently satisfied that he could not sleep, - Tim rose to a sitting posture. It was not long before he became aware of another great source of discomfort. _ ©Wirra! But it’s me throat thot’ s dhry. Only wan ot two sups av whishky, and Now, thot was not bad liquor Oi had this mornin’— the stuff they called Sam’s slippers. Or was it Sam’s shoes? Och! Oi can disre- - mimber more Chinaze lingo in five min- utes than Oi c’u’d l’arn ina wake. But it was good stuff—Oi wish Oi had a drop av it now. Phwat for did Mister Ralph sphill it all on the ground? Did he think an ould mon like meself couldn’t be thrusted wid a bit av throat medicine?’’ Talking only made ‘Tim’s parched throat the more husky, but he couldn’t: - stop talking just then. ‘‘An’ this afternoon,’’ he went on, wid a bottle av what he said waz Chi- ‘It’s terrible stuff to get a mon Hank, Prin, says he, “Let me thry it, -sOtr,’ Sez ah ‘an’ Oui} ey give yez me opinion.” — ; “ Only wan sup of it; Tim,’ sez he, ‘an’ thin we'll lock it up.’ An’ vid thot, he pours me out about a tayspoonful, an’ sure ’twas the coolingest stuff ever wint down me thorax. — * ‘One inore taste, Biches Pai Oi. ‘Oi can’t shpake a good word on nue bit av a sample.’ Tim,’ sez he. ‘It’s the strongest stuff in the world, and two or three good drinks of it would make ye dhrunk for a wake.’ Ane wid thot, ’’ groaned Tim, disgust- 2 edly, “he tuk the bottle an’ focked it up in his chist. Och! what wouldn’t Oi give fora good ‘glass av thot wine now, to make me throat fale like it was aloive.”’ Of asudden Tim McCarthy’s eyes began & ADVENTURE WEEKLY. little drama. ““Misther Phil cooms in ~ Even ‘Not another drop, 5 to bulge. Ona low stool, away over in the farthest corner of the markee, stood an object that fascinated him. *Sure,’’ he -ejaculated, in a tone of joyous discovery, ‘‘thot’s the very bottle - Misther Phil had—the bottle thot hild what he called the shtrongest woine in the world. Oi wonder did the byes dhrink © eigallup?? . Springing to his feet, Tim raced as if running to a fire. ‘“‘Wirra! The saints are good to the thirsty Oirish,’’ he chuckled, holding up the stone bottle. ‘‘Sure it’s as full as whin Oi gave it back to Masther Phil this — afternoon. ‘Tim, ye gossoon, ye’ve small nade to be thirsty !’’ Gur! gur! gur! sounded the fluid as Tim poured a good quantity of it down his accommodating throat. =e Five mischievous, mirth-laden pair of eyes took in every shifting scene of this Outside, with their optics applied to small but convenient holes, stood Phil, Ralph, Bruce, Job and Jub. Wun Ching, who was in _ their’ company, unbent enough to take an oc- casional peep. The liquid which our hero had called ‘*the strongest wine on earth’? did not contain a drop of alcohol. On the con- trary, it was a_ thoroughly harmless though pleasant-tasting fluid of which the Chinese doctors in the camp use asa cooling beverage in cases of fever. But Tim, who was ignorant of these facts, and who knew only that the con- tents of the bottle quenched his consum- ing thirst, took a second and drink. ‘‘Sure, it’s illigant,’’ he mused aloud, thereby innocently sending the eavesdrop- pers into convulsions of laughter. ‘‘It’s lonyer illigant, but it sames as moild as tea. How any mon c’u’d get dhrunk on thot goes beyond me wisdom.’’ Placing the bottle just as he had 64 : ] ADVENTURE WEEKLY. found it, Tim strolled over and sat down on a stool near his own sleeping mat. — Hardly had he seated himself, when Ralph stepped briskly into the tent. ‘‘Good-evening, Tim,’’ cried’the Mary- land boy. ‘‘I was wondering where you were. But, oh, gracious!’ And Ralph gazed with well-simulated horror at the Irishman’s innocent-looking face. ‘Tim! Tim, what’s the matter with your——’?’ But Ralph could say no more, appar- ently, he broke off with a sudden gulp. ~“What’s the matter wid me? de- manded McCarthy. ‘‘What makes ye shtare so at me, Misther Ralph ?”’ “Vou look so strange,’? murmured the Maryland boy, going toward his stanch but perplexed ally. ‘‘Are you ill, Fim?’? ‘‘Niver betther in me -loife, protested the Irishman ‘‘barrin’ a bit av hunger and a liberal thirst.’’ ‘‘Vour eyes have such a queer look in - them,’’? went on ra showing a trou- bled face. ‘They hov, hov they ?”’ ‘And your. face? . tered I hardly know you.”’ In the absence of a mirror, Tim began to pass his horny hands over his counte- nance. : oe Wien Ralph, that you’re not Tim McCarthy at all? you talk,’’, pursued crafty “You're not-tazing, song 2) od the bewildered Irishman. Catching his old. friend’s arm, Ralph solemnly demanded: ~ ‘Vim, do you “think © could joke at stich a time as this?’?’ ‘But what. do Oi look like, sorr, thot ye eye me so Sthrangely ?”’ “Tike nothing human, my good old friend. Oh, how I wish we had a real ~ American doctor here. It makes me shud- der to think of trusting you to these igno- rant Chinese medicine mixers.’” ‘scared wonderment. Why, that’s so al- ““Pm almost tempted to think — At this moment, Phil strolled leisurely into the es ‘‘Phil, come here, Ralph. ‘Look at Tim. what to make of him.’’ quick,”? desired I don’t know An alarmed look came into our mis- .« -chievous hero’ s face as he scrutinized the Trisliman. ; “Tyo ye think Oi look very sthrange, sorr ?”’ ““T never saw you look i bie = ~ fore,’? cried Phil, and he spoke the truth, for the Irishman’s face was a study of with your speech, man? seems tied up in a dozen knotse"’ Glancing around him, Phil espied the ‘““wine’’ bottle. Hurrying over to ius picked it up and investigated. | “Tim «MeCarthy,”) die ctied, holding up the bottle accusingly, ‘ been drinking.’’ ‘Vist a sip 6. enough to oe me thir-r-rst..”’ ‘Why, you’ve drunk at least a half a bottleful, and this wine is so infernally strong that no man who wants to keep sober can touch more than a few drops at atime. Why, 1 can. see you growing drinker as I look at you. Oh, Tim, i 2 And Phil’s voice shook, not in anger, but in grief. Tears came to his eyes, thanks to the potency of a Chinese onion which he touched to his lids while he - turned away for an instant. “‘Oi’m not dhrunk,’’ protested Tim. ‘‘Oi can talk as straight ‘as anybody. Make a chalk line on the flure, an’ Oi’ll walk it widout wance. gettin’ me toes off vt) His face prereria cey grave, Phil | i quickly drew a line across the floor. eyed it, then truthfully protested : Sure, crooked as a Sassanach’s oath.”? . No, no, tun, Ralph assured him, a “"What’s the matter © Your tongue sternly, ‘you’ve - the wine, sorr— jist - _Misther Phil, thot line’s as _ ' ——— SS I ae, its as straight as if drawn with a culver.” many. curves and deviations were too -much for him, sober as he really was. ‘“‘Wait a minute,’’ ordered Phil, darted out of the markee, only to return with Ching. “Ching, tim has drunk a4 Tot of this wine,’’ explained our hero. ‘* You warned me that it was infernally strong. He’s had half a bottle of it. What will be the enect ie eee 1 be: drunk to the point of uncon- sciousness for at least a week,’’ replied Ching, with all his usual grawity. “Ts there no way to help him??? “A cold bath, at the right moment, “may do 4. > SOi mr ot drink,” - i eeed Tim, loudly and angrily, “an*’O1 can lick any -Sassanach thot says Oi am.”? ‘‘Hush, Tim,’’ interposed Ralph, lay- > ing his hand on the excited man’s arm. — (Put yourselves in our. hands, and . we'll do all we can to pull you out of this terrible state.’ Job Jinks and Claymore Bruce came in. They were so positive that Tim’s justifi- able faith in his own soberness received another hard blow. “*Maybe- Oi am dhrunk,’’ half admitted the Irishman, in the face of all this evi- dence. ‘‘Byes, do me a tremindous favor —don’t let thot naygur, Jupe, eas a word about ie”? : But even this request could not be granted, for at that instant the negro en- ) tered the tent, and pay SO ee all at a glance. Ching hurried out, and soon returned with a palanquin—a sort of small cab which was catried by poles on the shoul- ders of coolies instead of rolling on wheels. Aided by Phil and Ralph, who con- - tended that the Irishman made a poor job of walking alone, Tim anpeees at the «door of the markee. d, crue poe ADVENTURE WEEKLY. Tim tried to walk the line, Sal its and ~ 7 He was helped into ~the palanquin, sinking with a bewildered groan upon the cushions. The curtains were closely drawn and the procession started. it halted at the edge “of: 4 intle lake which was to be the centre of an impor- tant part of the evening’s celebration. Here, at the very edge of the water, was a tent which had been erected for It was the fourth side the especial use of the Americans. closed on three. sids, opening upon the water. ; Half way into the tent the palanquin was borne, in order that McCarthy, in alighting, might not see the neighboring tents intended for the use of Chinese man- darins.. . In a broad chair well supplied with cushions his faithful friends seated the Irishman, who had been so-~completely imposed upon that he was now ready to admit that he did feel ‘‘a thrifle queer.”’ | For the next hour Ching dosed him with ‘tea, declaring that he would soon be ready for the-.cold plunge into: the water. All the while the boys hovered over the ‘‘sufferer.’? Even Jupe displayed the attentive tenderness of an old ‘‘mammy.”? ‘‘How do you feel now, Tim ?’’ finally inquired Phil, who had learned that it was nearly time for the ball to open. *‘Oi’m (hic) some betther (hic), sorr, Oi- think (hic),’’ declared McCarthy, with a half maudlin look of gratitude. ‘That was too much for Phil! Choking, he hurried from the tent, and Ralph, upon joining him, found our hero nearly strangling with suppressed laughter. "On, déar!-oh, dear!) gasped: Phil, dabbing at the tears that trickled down his face. ‘‘Ralph, if I had stayed in there a minute longer I’d have exploded.”’ "as ‘(lve never believed in faith cure be- fore,’’? chuckled the Maryland boy. ‘‘I’ve ‘got to, now, when I see that imagination will even make a sober man drunk.”’’ At a little distance from them a long 8 | ADVENTURE BWEEKLY. black object rolled over the ground. It was Jupiter Napoleon Jones, who was nearly strangling himself in his efforts to suppress the guffaws that siiook him. ‘“Marse Phil, honey,’’ ¢huckled the negro, approaching them as soon as he could trust himself to speak, ‘‘dat’s de bes’ racket I eber saw played.’’ ‘“‘Tt’?s nothing to whiat’s coming,” de- clared our hero. ‘‘But won’t Arrish be awful mad w’en his intellec’ confiscates de situation ?”? ‘‘He never needs to know,’’ retorted Phil. ‘‘See that you don’t tell him.’ ‘Deed I won’t.”” : “Look there,’? cried Phil, suddenly, pointing to a raft out on the water where vague figures were moving about with - ‘“The fun’s going ~ an ait of preparation. to begin in real earnest now. Come on; we can’t miss this. Besides, Tim will need. all his friends by him!’ Tim was wide awake, but feeling worse than ever when they returned. ‘Poor Tim looks just like a man I once saw who had delirium tremens,” said our hero, in a pretended aside to Ralph, but Tim: heard and compre- hended. ‘There was a glare of light outside, then something strange passed over the water before the tent. With a yell of terror, Tim sprang to his feet. His eyes threatening to pop out of his head, he pointed with a trembling finger at the object on the water. It was truly a triumph of Chinese fire- works—a dragon of green and gold, with glowing eyes.and an open mouth that belched forth fires of many colors. More than forty feet in length, this strange object glided over the water like a thing of life. ‘‘Byes, byes!’? shrieked’ Tim, trem- bling all over, “‘fwat in the name av Hiven is that awful t’ing ??’ “What thing??? Pau, demanded innocent “Why, thot ting eyes! Fwat is it??? ‘‘T see nothing,”? ee Phil, you, fellows’ a ‘*Nothing but the water of the lake, and the trees on the other side, ? declared Ralph. ‘‘What did you ink you saw, Tae ee queried Bruce, with an air of interest. But at that instant, fading in its bril- liancy, the dragon sank below the water, and ‘Jim, who more than doubted his own eye, said not a word. In less than a minute another frightful apparition followed. ‘This time it was a gorgeous water serpent, wriggling in a fashion that caused the Irishman to shake as if ague had seized him... : right before our “Do “Sure,’? he demanded, huskily, xe byes must be afther seeing thot?’ : ‘““There’s nothing to see,’ replied Phil, reassuringly. tion, Tim. You’ve got a touch of fever.” Through the air passed a swift flight of luminous bats. Then came pyrotechnic birds, of immense size and like nothing on earth. This was. followed by more monsters of the deep. ‘But Tim said down not a word. Sinking fascinated into terrified silence. Then Ching went outside the tent and set off some small pieces that wriggled inside. “elt amurder!? oe the Irishman, springing to his feet and dancing about. “Byes, kape thim off av me} Kape thim off!” : But the climax was capped when Ching again went outside, coming back with two real lizards crawling down his clothes. oe The Chinaman went so near. to. the sufferer that the lizards dropped on to the latter’s knees. ‘(The saints defind oy hated Tim, the instant he felt the clammy age. ‘‘Av I get out av this, as sure as Oi’ma — “Tt?s only your imagina- into the chair, he gazed like one- — i a t ing \ was done at sea. wasn’t another ship in sight, you could Here on land it’s different. through the hills, nor can we: see into ADVENTURE WEEKLY. ee _. Christian, Oi’ll touch no more av the haythen liquors.’ - By this time Tim was dangerously near a fit. As soon as the fireworks were over the young jokers stripped their victim of all but his trousers. Sousing him into the water at the edge of the lake, they rolled him into a blan- ket, lifted him into the palanquin, and speedily got him into bed in the markee, No more of ‘‘sam ee ae other ar- dent liquor, for Tim! Before the boys turned in that Sia Phil showed them a paper which read: “Recognizin that rovidence has oa spared me from a horrible death, I sol- emnly pledge myself to drink no alcoholic liquors for six months. aS (Signed), «°F. MeCarthy.”’ = CHAPTER IH. THE ‘‘v’’? FORMATION. ‘We're earning our money easily,’’ drawled Bruce, with a sigh of. content- ment. oon t be too sure of that, retorted Phil Stirling, with a shake of the head. “But we were told that the country hhereabouts was swarming with Tai-ping rebels. Vou just said we had traveled twenty miles since daylight, and so far we haven’t caught sign of a foe.”’ “And so you think, Bruce, that this is to be a peaceful raid ?”’ “Tt looks that way.”’ “Vou say so because most of your fight- There, when there be sure there were no enemies near. We can’t see the depths of the forests. Vet within a mile there may be hundreds of enemies who ate watching us, and waiting for the moment when we shall run into the trap they have set for us. When riding through the enemy’s country it is a mis- take to take it for granted that the next minute won’t witness a fight.”’ Our friends had been in the saddle since sun-up. It was now early in the afternoon. One hundred and fifty yards in advance of the rest rode Jupe, followed by four Chinese soldiers. ; Phil and his comrades, followed by Ching and the rest of our hero’s special squad of Chinese, made up the main body. At the extreme rear of the line was a light twelve-pounder field-piece, drawn by two horses. ‘I'o Bruce, in time of ac- tion, fell the post of artillery officer, ce few better could be found. “Tupe is signaling,’ cried Ralph. ‘‘He has halted.’ Just at the crest of the hill up which they were toiling the negro had abruptly stopped the advance guard. ‘He motions us to halt,’’ observed Phil, giving the order by raising his sabre and holding it aloft. ‘‘He is coming tls way. We shall soon know what is wrong.’’ Back at an easy canter came Jupe, fol- ‘lowed by his four men. ‘‘Dar’s some trouble ahead,’’ reported the negro, saluting. ‘‘A gang ob Tai- pings I reckon dey are.’’ ‘How many ?”’ : **T reckon about fifty. 0 “Did theysee your. ‘*T reckon dey did, Marse Phil. Dey’se sent six men ahead “(How far away is thé main body ?”’ ‘About half a mile, I reckon.”? ‘‘Ride ahead as fast as you can. We'll overtake you. Halt at the top of the mil? Jupe’s advance guard clattered away, followed by Phil’s command at a trot. In a. few minutes the entire scouting party halted at the crest of the hill. Seeing so many foes, the six. Tai-pings, who were now within a quarter of a mile of them, turned and rode back. 10 aS ADVENTURE WEEKLY. ‘Shall we engage them ?”’ asked Ralph. “Of course,” declared Phil, “it they'll stand long enough for us to reach them, and I rather think they will. The Tai- pings we have seen up to date were all made of fighting stuff.’’ _ ‘Give -me this opportunity,’’ peeved Bruce. ‘‘You want to try your cannon?’ smiled Phil. ‘‘Of course; and the range will be per- fect. I can show you one of the prettiest shots——’’ But Phil shook his head, explaining: “Weve none too much ammunition with us, Bruce. We must save what we have for occasions where we have to use it? “But you're going to attack them?” queried Ralph. ‘Beyond a doubt. If we didn’t, those fellows would attack us. When a fight is bound to come, ae always best to be the aggressive party.’ | Adjusting his field glasses, our hero employed a focus that brought his foes at close visual range. ‘“They’re a solid-looking lows,’? he muttered. ‘‘Well mounted and fairly armed. se waiting to see what we mean to do.’ “And what do you mean to do?” de- manded Ralph. ‘‘Thrash ’em!’? was the laconic re- sponse. Yet Phil, instead of giving the forward order, contin aes to look through his glass and deliberate. : ‘*Well?’? demanded Bruce, impatiently. “TI don’t care about fighting in this toad, it we ean help it; 7 went on the young leader. ‘‘It’s altogether too nar- row and rough. ‘Those chaps would have us ata disadvantage. - ‘‘What are you going to do, then’? came from Ralph. ‘‘Ride over so as to strike that level - field to the right. That will lead the Tai- lot of fel. pings to feel that we are trying to escape them.’ “Huh !? snorted impetuous Ralph. ‘We'll get our fight just the same,”’ * smiled Phil, quietly, ‘‘and we’ll havea ground better suited to us.’ ‘It’s all the same, if we foight,’’ came from Tim, almost the first words he had uttered that day. Phil now made an anxious scrutiny of _ the faces and bearing of his Chinese re- cruits. They were-an untried quantity. Perfect in drill, their young leader had yet to see how they would behave in ac- tual fight against more than twice their number. He spoke a few words, exhorting them to be steadfast. Ching translated, and the recruits nodded composedly. “T think they’ll fight,’’ ruminated the boy. ‘lf they do, this brush will be our victory.’ In another moment he gave the com: * mand to go forward. Almost immediately — he obliqued his commard to the right, leading them at such an angle from the road as to make it appear that he was anxious to get by the enemy without fighting them. Thinking they had guessed his ae a= the T'ai-pings rode off to intercept him. “Trot !?? commanded Phil, and Jupe’s bugle echoed the order. ‘Gallop!’ ~ Once more the bugle souaded: Now the little command was moving, still on the oblique, at a lively pace down the slope. eo : Phil'watched the enemy with a calcu- lating eye. If he could meet them on the level field; as he planned, all would = well. ‘CWhat’s the scheme??? queried Ralph. ‘(My new maneuvre,’’ came from Phil; ‘‘the ‘V’ formation.” - This was, indeed, a new maneuvre, having originated in the young leader’s — “ ADVENTURE WEEKLY, 2 11 active mind ony ola hours before. Briefly described, it consisted of form- ing the command into two _ platoons, joined in the form of a broad ‘‘V,”’ and presenting the apex to the enemy’s rank in charging. ‘They were at the edge of the field now, whereupon our hero changed from the oblique to forward. _ Halting, the Tai-pings awaited, almost at the opposite edge of the field. “‘Rorward! Sabres only! yelled Phil. At the first notes of the bugle, Phil’s yellow squad understood what was com- Charge Le yeti ; Waving their sabres, ranks as firm as if on mere parade, they raced across the field. Yelling hoarsely, the Tai-pings charged forward to meet them. Should the two coluimns come squarely together under the headway under which both sides were moving, the disaster from * collision alone would be considerable. Not until he found himself within fifty yards of the foremost foes did our hero change his tactics. Rising in his stirrups, Phil shouted : ‘*V formation, to the right and left, march! Charge!’ Only six short notes from Jupe’s bugle were needed to carry the order. Phil in the centre, Ralph on his right, Jupe on his left, each a half a pace behind the leader and a full pace from the centre, -and both in turn followed by others at the same intervals, the little command formed a mounted wedge perfect in align- ment. oa forward swept this living ‘“‘V..’? Crash! Phil struck between two Tai-pings i in the front rank. ‘Both raised their swords to cut him down, but before their blades could de- --scend, the two rebels were unceremoni- keeping their ously datiped out of their saddles by Ralph and Jupe, who rode against them. Tim, on Ralph’s right, and Bruce, on Jupe’s left, were next to reach the foe. Then came Job on the far right anda Chinaman on the far left. By this time our hero had reached the third line of the Tai-pings. No sooner did one of the rebels aim a blow at one of. Phil’s raiders than he was unseated by the next rider in that start- ling ‘‘V’? formation. Nothing could resist such a charge. Wholly new in military tactics, it re- duced the Tai-pings to wild disorder. Clean through the rebels’ ranks rode Phil’s command, unhorsing many of the foe, and cutting down others. Tlirough the conflict rode the little squad, receiving scarcely a scratch. A hundred yards beyond the spot where the ‘Tai-pings had made a moment’s stand, Phil gave the order to halt. Wheeling about, our hero watched the dismayed and cowed foe with a grim smile. They were fleeing in all directions, those who could, without a thought of. discipline. ‘Shall we pursue them ?’’ cried Ralph. “It wouldn’t be worth while,’’ chuckled the young leader. ‘‘Those fellows are too demoralized to form again.’? a CHARTER iV. AT THe BRINE. Phil Stirling was right. To. have pursued. the fleeine foe it would have been necessary to scatter his own command jin twenty different direc- tions, a move that was not to be thought of in the enemy’s country. Our hero was greatly delighted with the success of his brand new ‘‘V’’ formation. It was from this historic bit of tactics, originated in China by an American trooper, that American football players gained the idea of the ‘‘flying wedge’ Code ‘ ADVENTURE WEEKLY. maneuvre which afterward became such a power on hotly contested football fields. Obeying a few notes from Jupe’s bugle, the little command fell in. Phil, in few but well-chosen words, praised his Chinese recruits, and thanked them for their valor and ae obedi- ence. ‘*Stick as closely and as nietige sy to duty every time,’’ he wound up, ‘‘and ~ you will prove invincible against a foe many times as numerous.”’ Marching them off by twos, and not failing to send Jupe and the advance guard again to the fore, the young leader resumed the march. Well upin the hills, a half an hour later, our hero halted the command for dinner. While two of the recruits set about to cook the meal, others tethered the horses where they could browse. Four sentinels were stationed at the~ four corners of the camp. From the ele- vated point on which the halt had been made a good view of the surrounding country could be had. | : Job, who was no mean surveyor, began to sketch a rough map of the country through which they had so far passed. ‘Do you see that cliff over there?” asked Phil, pointing to a steep precipice, of which they had a profile view, some three-quarters of a mile distant. ‘‘Of course,’’ nodded Job. “Its so steep,’ went on Phi. “that 1t might be well described as perpendicular. What would you call the height of that precipice?” Job took a squinting view, then an- swered: ‘It’s about eight hundred feet high.’ ‘(And the approaches on the other side could be easily guarded. Ching, if the Board of War wants an interior Gibraltar, it should build a fort there. Work it into the map, Job, and we’ll include the scheme in our report to Ki-yo.”’ As our hero gazed across the interven- follow. ing country, a eying object caught his eye. Instantly holding his ae to his eyes, he brought the object within close view, crying out: ‘Tt’s-a horse, with. a rider: mee hori- zontally on its back.”’ ‘‘A Tai-ping scout taking a look at us,’’ suggested Bruce. “No, by Jupiter! = retorted Phil, ex- citedly. ups In a trice all the other glasses in the patty were unslung and piouehs into play. “Blazes! uttered Phil. ‘I can see— yes, I can see ropes. The rider is bound to the horse, which ds ees like mad !”’ ‘It’s some rascal suffering a punish. ment,’’ explained Ching. aoe ‘‘What do you mean?’ queried Phil, sharply, as he thrust his glass. back into its case. ‘‘He’s lying on his back, face “He is bound to a anld ‘horse that will carry him to his death.’ ‘Fury! gasped Phil, running to un- tether his horse and leaping into saddle. ‘Headed straight for the chit! ee ‘shouted Bruce, excitedly. ee ‘‘He is condemned—the wretch, said Ching, stolidly. “Not ifI live to reach him!” roared os back Phil, setting spurs to his steed. He was off like a S19: oe po one could say more. But Tim McCarthy, who had ads ‘done some quick thinking, galloped off a hun- dred and fifty feet to the rear of his leader. There was not Gane 62 the ce 46" They realized that long before they could reach the picagie the Wagedy would be over. © So with breathless interest dey watched the absorbing drama ose -their glasses. “On, my Bee fellow!” ae Phil, . eas erin ADVENTURE WEEKLY. 13 - sinking his spurs in deeper. ‘‘Don’t let us lose by a second!”’ It was a fearful race.. Phil, with a “groan, realized that the wild horse to which the Tai-ping was bound was fresh- er than his own steed, ‘‘On, on!—you’ve got to go!’’ panted our hero, lashing his - horse’s neck and striking its flank with his sabre. Tim followed ° manfully, shoush not able to gain a pace. As if guided by Death’s own hand, the | wild horse raced straight for the ee FDIC, Phil, riding from a different direction, "strained every nerve in the mad effort to cut off the wild horse before it should reach the brink. Onward and onward, and nearer! Phil “was now so close that he could see the _ tense lines of: agony on the condemned 2 man "S face. “That glimpse faddened our hero. A groan of anguished compassion escaped him. It was answered by a shriek of mor- tal dread from the Tai-ping. _A yell of encouragement from Phil, rising in his stirrups and fairly oecae his brute forward. Now the two nee were close to- gether. ‘*Merciful Heaven! !? faltered Phil Stir- ling, the cold sweat standing out on his” face. por the Ke horses had all but come to- eon Only. a yard intervened between the brutes.. Both were now in a straight line, racing madly for the brink of the precipice, only a few pitiful, fateful rods - away ! :*7On!? yelled Phil, in a tone of foe: ate appeal. “*Oh! oh!’ he vented, piteously, as he fancied he saw the interval between the straining horses increase by a_hair’s - breadth. “Hi-yi-yi!’? came with a vim that im- parted itself to the panting beast under nim; “Hurrah ! This last was only a hoarse sahieper as the head of the American’s steed stole by the other brute’s rump. Throwing himself forward, clasping his horse’s neck with one arm, Phil swung his sabre. Swish! through the air it went, straight for the hapless wretch’s legs. Steady! A slight veering by either brute while the blade flashed through the air might land a maiming blow! _ Down came the sharp edge, severing the ropes that bound the Tai-ping’s legs to the horse, cutting the lashings with: one clean stroke, yet never so much as grazing the horseflesh underneath. ‘It was the cleanest, cleverest sabre stroke delivered by Phil Stirling in all his long, dashing career as a trooper—it was glorious! : But success was not yet won. The mo- ment of greatest, most paralyzing peril was now at hand. Only a few more bounds to the fore, and both riders must dash over the preci- pice. Could he make it? In that moment of supreme, unselfish manhood, Phil gave not a single thought to himself. If he could gain but four feet—if he could make such another gallant slash at the ropes over the stranger’s chest, this thrilling game of life would be won! ‘‘Hi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi!” Urged on by that tremulous cry, the frantic pressure of knees and the swift goad of spurs, the magnificent beast gained the few feet needed. Whizz! Truly driven, the sabre’s edge went completely through the last strands of rope. 7 Bump! That muffled sound, coming above the sharp rattle of hoofs, told our 14 ADVENTURE WEEKLY. hero that a body had fallen to the ground —that he had saved a life! Nor had this deliverance come a second toosoon. At the next bound the wild horse’s forefeet struck the air—the ait beyond the brink! Uttering a shriek that was ‘almost human, the wild horse lurched forward and plunged forward and down to de- struction. Two bounds more must witness the destruction of the American and his steed. One! His face utterly pallid, but every nerve and muscle firm as steel, Phil Stir- ling again rose in his saddle. Two! Vim McCarthy flying behind as swiftly as he could, uttered a hoarse, aw- ful cry of despair. He saw Phil and his_ horse rise in the air—the last bound—the fatal plunge! Brave as he was, true old ‘Tim shut his eyes, a tortured sob escaping him. But on the next instant he opened them again. Could he believe his own vision? For Phil, leaping backward in the last second that was left him for action, had completely cleared the brute’s back, and now rolled over and over on the ground where he had struck. Such a cloud of mist passed over hon- est ‘Tim’s eyes. that he himself had difficulty in reining up on the safe side of the brink. * - 2 Ate yez hurt, Misther Phil?” ered the Irishman, throwing himself out of saddle and running toward the boy. -**Not so much asa bruise, I believe,’’ laughed Phil, springing to his feet. ‘‘And Tim, Tim! I—I saved the poor devil!”’ ‘*Blasht the moon-eyed chink !’’ snorted the Irishman, with sudden contempt. “Misther Phil, a thousand the like av him wouldn’t be worth the wan av yez!”’ But Phil, shaking his head, hurried to where the Tai- -ping lay. That unfortunate fellow, a little dazed but otherwise unhurt, lay squirming upon the ground. His hands being still tied be- hind him, he was unable to sit upright. But our hero soon oe him oe his feet, free and sound. / To Phil’s already moist eyes there came a rush of tears. : _ him, he. faltered, “my poor beast behaved nobly. It seems a shame that that poor beast should have perished so pitifully. However, a human life is worth untold horses !’’ Tim, running to the brink and peering over, shouted: : ‘‘Misther Phil, I can see two mangled bits av something, way, way down. Wan av thim is yure horse—and_ praised be the saints thot the other isn’t yersilf!”’ — —— Part Second. CHAPTER. V. A PLACE OF MYSTERY. ‘‘What ails the poor fellow?” cried Phil, gazing at the Tai-ping. For, while it was apparent that the latter was not injured, he trembled con- vulsively, turned as pale as it was possi- ble for his yellow skin to do, and then sank upon his knees, holding out his hands with a gesture of eo “It’s himself that’s afraid ye’re going to massacray him,’’ conjectured the Irish- -man. . There could certainly be no oe ex- ee for the Tai-ping now groveled before his rescuer in a most abject manner, oe ‘‘Help me get him upon ae foe ne He'll get over his scare when he gets ‘used to us.’’ Yet, though supported | in the most friendly manner, the Tai- -ping. seemingly could not stop trembling. a “Pll give: him my arm, Tim. You mount and ride back by us.?” | What an ovation greeted them as they neared the camping place! oo “his escape. 2 dinner, for I begin to believe that Iam ADVENTURE WEEKLY. , ag Jupe strode forward to meet them, fol- lowed closely by Ralph, Bruce and Jinks. “Good old American cheers rent the air, causing the Tai-ping to tremble more. than ever. But Ching did not come forward, nor did any of the Chinese recruits. To their own Oriental minds Phil’s heroic risk of his own Fe was a piece of crazy pone i ness. @Qn spying Ching, the Nai-ping wrenched himself away from our hero, throwing himself at the interpreter’s feet and crying out hoarsely. ‘‘What is he saying ?’’ demanded Phil. ‘‘He begs,’ was Ching’s answer, ‘‘that his life will be spared.”’ ‘Tell him that it shall be.’’ With a shrug, Ching translated this ‘assurance, and soon after continued: ‘He begs that you will not = him to the torture.’’ ‘Tell him that we have no thought of doing him any harm—that we rejoice in And ‘now: let us have that starved !”? Food was served to all, including the Tai-ping. But that alarmed fellow sullen- ly refrained from eating. ‘‘He fears,’’ grinned Ching, ‘‘that we are giving him poisoned food.’’ Whereupon Phil rose and went over to where the poor fellow’s allowance of food lay upon a rock. Taking some of the food himself, and _ nodding reassuringly, Phil swallowed it. That was enough to. set the Tai-ping to eating. He devoured the last morsel, and was ready for more. - From under their blouses the Chinese recruits now produced bamboo pipes and tobacco. Soon smoke was curling upward from a score of pipes. “Tupe,’’? hailed Phil, ‘‘have you any of those cigars left?” (Yes, honey.” - ‘‘Please give one to our friend the encimy,.”” All this nde made the Tai-ping ~ | both happy and thoughtful. ‘‘Ask him Ching,’ directed our hero, ‘how he happened to be in the scrape in which we found him.” : Ching put the question. The answer was typical of the Chinese ways ot doing and thinking. The Tai-pings whom our friends had met and ‘scattered an hour before were both astonished and chagrined at finding themselves defeated by a party so inferior in numbers, and by a maneuvyre so puz- zling. . Chinese logic demanded an excuse; an excuse called for a scapegoat. The present T'ai-ping, who called him- self Chow Low, had been picked upon as | that scapegoat. Chow Low, said his com- rades, had shown himself a coward. His very presence had been a hoodoo. To appease the god of war it was necessary to destroy him. Hence Chow had been lashed to thie wild horse’s back, and nettles had been stuck between the horse and the con- demned one to spur the brute forward. All that had remained to be done was to head Chow and his unwilling steed for the precipice. Naturally the Tai-pings could not forsee that American gallantry — and courage would prevent their offering to the god of war. “He is protesting more kinds of thanks,’? wound up Ching, ‘‘than I could translate to you in an hour. He begs that you will command him—promises to be your slave to his last breath.’ ‘‘T don’t know what he can do for me,’’ smiled Phil, gazing dubiously* at the forlorn looking yellow man. ‘‘He says,’’ resumed Ching, trans- lating rapidly, ‘‘that though he belonged > to the Tai-ping army, he must now, as your slave, serve you in all things. He 16 _ ADVENTURE WEEKLY. offers you any information that you may want about the rebels.’’ Phil shook his head, hesitatingly. He had little use for traitors. Yet, the longer our hero pondered over it, the more he felt that Chow Low was, by virtue of his bad treatment, tree or all allegiance to the enemy. , MAsk im,” decided | Phil. finaly, ‘‘how many T'ai-ping armies there are in this province, and Ve they are en- camped ?”” Chow Low was voluble in his answers. There were four separate armies, he de- clared, in Kwang-se. Leaping to his feet, he pointed to a dis- tant mountain peak from the summit of - which he said, the encampments of LETee of the armies ane be seen, As for the fourth, that was two day’s journey beyond the mountain. There was also, he stated, at a distance of a few miles from the base of the mountain, a hill, of which he knew the location, but nothing else. ‘This hill he thought was an important centre of sup- plies for the rebels. — | ‘CA magazine where amimunition is kept>?’’ questioned Phil. Chow Low thought so, but would not be sure. ‘*Ching,’’ questioned Phil, in an under- tone, ‘‘do you think this fellow is telling the truth ?”’ ‘‘Ves,’’ was the interpreter’s unhesi- tating answer. ‘““Then my rescuing him was indeed a lucky stroke! Work that would have _taken a month may now be accemE eed | in a few days!’ ‘‘De horses am fresh enough now, Marse Phil, for another ‘march,’’ inter- posed Jupe. | ‘“Then into the saddle at once!’ an- nounced the leader. ““Going to the mountain-top?’’ ques- tioned Ralph. = “That will be our next halt.” * mountain. ‘“‘And I was just ‘making up my mind for a nap,’’ drawled Bruce. One of the recruits dismounted, se up his horse to the young leader, beside whom Chow Low tramped along. Taking more precautions than ever, Jupe kept the advance guard two hundred yards to the fore. Two hours saw them at the base of the each hour, it was long after dark when the raiders made the final halt at the summit of the mountain. ‘Looking to the east, the west ad the south, where Chow pointed, our friends could make out tiny glows which they took to be distant camp-fires. “Vd like to send out reconnoitering parties to-night,’’ declared Phil, gather- — ing his comrades around him in council, ‘‘Fellows, what do you say about it??? “That I’m ready,’’ responded Ralph. “Of course you--are old fellow. But what about the horses and the men. Can they stand it 2”? x ‘‘We-ell,”’ — hesitated. Ralph. “41m afraid not. Both men and brutes are thoroughly fagged.’’ ‘‘My own opinion,’’ agreed Phil. I haven’t heard from the rest of you.’? All were of the same mind, however. This point settled, horses were tethered and supper eaten. It being arranged that one American and two Chinamen should stand each two-hour tour of watch duty, threw themselves upon the ground and were soon sound asleep, “Before the first rays of dawn, he little cainp was again astir. ‘“We’se jess whispered to ae break- fus,’’ was the way Jupe described the hurried morning meal. Halting but five minutes in - the rest Se = Some six miles away and below them : to the east they espied a Tai-ping camp It contained, in the first morning light. as near as could be guessed from its. size, about six thousand fighting men. —t * © ADVENTURE WEEKLY. Hight miles away to the west was a camp of about the same size. To the south, fully ten miles off, was a third army, apparently neither larger nor smaller than the other two. As for the fourth camp, it was not visible from where they stood, but Chow, by the aid of landmarks, indicated its position with tolerable clearness. Much nearer there was one point of interest that held Phil’s gaze fascinated. This was a rocky hill, some three hundred feet high, with sides as steep as a castle’s walls. hi Looking down from the mountain top, our friends could see that there was a de- pression in the hill, giving the whole the aspect of a courtyard surrounded by thick towering walls. “Is it a powder magazine ?”’ Phil again - demanded through Ching. But on this point Chow Low would be no more sure than on the day before. It was a centre of mystery, that hill, was all he knew. The Tai-pings guarded its secret jealously. ‘‘Now for details,’ said Phil, briskly. ‘‘Fellows, have any of you a choice???’ ‘Tt shouldn’t make any difference if we have,’’ rejoined Ralph. ONo: you lead, and we Oey coin- cided Bruce. ‘Then Jupe will take four men and go to the east. Tim, with four men, will reconnoitre the camp to the west. Bruce, you and your four men will inspect the camp to the south. You, Ralph, will take eight men and learn all about the _ fourth, invisible camp. Avoid fighting, if possible. turn here: While I——”’ demanded Job. “You will hide here with Wun Ching. Learn all you can, and re- Get out your pencils and book, boy, and make the best map you can of all you see >from here.” = tS Aad you??? chorused the others. _ “Oh, 1?” retorted Phil, with a quiet all,’ sighed Ralph, 17 smile. ‘‘I shall investigate the little hill yonder—the powder magazine, the treas- ure house, the mystery shop—the what- it-is.”? ‘*The best, most dangerous A of though without a ice of mean envy. a et ey CHAPTER Wd, Ree CACKLER. ‘‘As soon as you have each finished your scouting work, fellows, return here and stay in hiding. If I am gone longer than any of you, don’t marvel, and don’t come in search of me.’? With a silent, loyal grip of the hand he bade good-by to the leader of each squad as it started. Job Jinks, though he had been assigned to no part of the peril, saw how useful his maps would be, and did not demur. ~ “Tell Chow,’’ desired our hero of the interpreter, ‘‘that 1 want him to pilot me as well as he can to the entrance of that bottle of nystery over yonder.”’ Eagerly enough Chow nodded his will- ingness to do so. Without delay our hero and his guide set off on foot. Less than an hour later they teen in a thick clump of trees from which Chow pointed to a oo in the big hill of rock. For soine minutes our hero iaeenddy re- ‘garded it. All was as still as if no human beings but themselves were within a mile of the spot. At the point where it began, the cleft ‘was not more than eight feet wide. How it was guarded, if at all, our hero could not discover from where he crouched. This much learned, Phil studied every detail of the eon in the immediate neighborhood. Experience had taught him not to venture on great risks without a fair knowledge of every possible route to escape. 18 “ADVENTURE WEEKLY. Ready at last to advance, he signed to Chow Low to return to the mountain Op: Chow demutred, too grateful to his pre- server to consent to his going alone into peril. » But our hero, nodding toward the cleft in the rock, held up one ‘finger with an approving look. Then holding up two fingers he shook his head. : This meant that where one might ven- ture in safety, two would increase the risk. This was enough for Chow. Witha low kow-tow, he turned and disappeared. Leaving the grove, Phal advanced on hands and knees. In a few moments he was in a position - to get a good view into the pass. Twenty feet in from the entrance six sentinels were posted—six as redoubtable looking fighting men as our hero had seen among the “Tai-pings, ; Yet, in proof of their certainty that no foe was in the neighborhood, these guards were squatted upon the ground, grouped around a board on which they were play- ing a game of fan-tan. Utterly: absorbed were they in this ~ game of chance. ‘WFhere’s a chanee-to et im there,’ muttered the spy, ‘‘if they don’t turn their heads or look up.”’ . Along one side of the gully rana nee of low bushes. Gaining the shelter of the nearest bush, Phil lay flat upon the ground. Watching the enemy until he saw their almond-shaped eyes fixed intently upon a pile of coins on the board, the boy wrig- gled forward a foot at a time. His heart began to beat fast! So near was he now to the players that he could have reached out his hand through the bushes to touch two of the party. Lying there in one prolonged tremble of suspense, he waited until a loud burst of laughter and a rattling of coins fur- nished noise enough to cover his advance. Before he paused again, he was ten feet away from them. : : Five feet more, and he passed an angle in the rock which shut the sentinels out from his view. But now our hero had-come to the last point of safety. ‘The fringe of bushes ended here. -Ahead the gully, which was now bare ‘of vegetation, narrowed to a point thirty feet away. Here it was not more cee three feet — wide. Through this natural gate pro- truded the muzzles of two small cannon. Nor was this all, for back of the cannon were visible the heads and shoulders of two Tai-ping sentinels who were talking with each other in low tones. - ‘“T his far, perhaps no farther,” grim- aced the boy. this is. A half dozen men, relieved often enough, could hold the gully against any force. Even if driven back, those cannon with a few sharpshooters behind therii could hold the place indefinitely. » Phil was quite certain, now, that he could not advance farther. Could he even retreat with the same luck which had at- tended his advance? ene Even while he was debating this alanwing problem, ‘a voice at some dis-— _ tance behind the two eo at the cannon called out. One of the fellows answered. both disappeared. ‘Here’s luck!” chuckled the young American. Half rising, he glided forward to the very muzzles of the cannon. From here he had an almost perfect view. Beyond was an inclosure or yard, be- tween towering natural walls of rock. This inclosure was até least three acres in extent. Then At one side was what appeared to be ; -roomy entrance to a cave. “Whew! What a fortress ~¥) ~ Across the a ~ near which yard was a collection of flimsy mat huts, was along table around which squatted a score of coolies making cartridges. | This a magazine,’ flashed Phil. Just in front of the entrance to the cave we ° 2 stood a Chinaman whose back was turned to the observer. This person was talking animatedly to the two sentinels. ) yupiter 7 thrilled Phil, when, not twenty feet from the cannon he beheld a pile of lumber close up against one of the walls. Could he gain it? _“Not by hesitating,’’ gritted the boy. ‘Crouching low, he sprang inside—fair- ly raced for the chetier é He gained it—sank upon the eround behind the lamber pile. No sound proclaimed his entrance had been discovered. But now he was effectually penned, for Ae two sentinels returned to their post. ‘ There were in all about a score of soldiers in this camp, in addition tothe twenty coolie laborers. And this represented the sum total of what our hero learned during the long hours that followed. _ Soon after the middle of the day he took two rice cakes from his pocket and - ate them—the only break in the awful monotony until dark. Before sight had grown an hour old, all was still in this mysterious place. Peering beyond the pile of lumber, the young American saw no one astir save two sentinels at the breeches of the- cannon, Stealing around the end of the lumber pile farthest from them, and keeping close under the shadow of the high wall, Phil stole toward the entrance to the cave. ; Pausing at the mouth, he peered and listened. No sound came from within, nor was there any light. Noiselessly drawing his sabre, our t hero ADVENTURE WEEKLY. — : 19 stole into the cave, halting and listening at each step. An eerie feeling crept over him in that awful stillness and intense blackness! Resolutely fighting this creepy sensa- tion, the boy advanced ten feet farther. Clack! rattle! grip! ‘€Q-o-oh!?? That startled exclamation was wrung from him before ie could repress it. And little wonder, for a surprising, fearful thing had happened in the dark- ness. Cautiously as he had gone forward, he had walked squarely into a trap from which there was no escape. _ Only the warning click, a swift rattle of mechanism, and there was not time to jump back ere he found his legs securely Imprisoned in a grip of iron that held him from his cles to a point above the knees. Footsteps Sounded off in the distance, then a light came into view. Phil strug- gled frantically to free himself, but the effort was wholly in vain. - Onward hurried the bearer of the light, An aged Chinaman, with one-of the most hideous faces the boy had ever seen, stood ten feet away, regarding the captive with a look of diabolical delight. “da, ba, ha! ehir-rs?? “The effect of that senile but heartless, fiendish cackle upon the boy was worse than a galvanic shock. “(Come mnearer—please do!’ Phil, grimly. Though he could not have conipre- hended the words, he of the hideous face actually approached. Phil watched him with a stolid stare, until the repulsive wretch was within close reach. Then swish! went the sabre, whistling through the air, Clang! : It rang upon the rocky floor, after all but grazing the man with the hideous face. begged 20 - ‘To Phil’s great joy he did not loose his grasp upon the hilt. The blade was still in his control for another attempt. a ha: ha! chir-r-r-r! chir-r!’? No words can describe that awful merri- ment, or its demoralizing effect upon the captive. ‘‘He’s thinking what he’ll do to pay me back,’’ muttered the boy, his stout heart sinking in spite of himself. Ha, hal chirti ‘‘What in blazes is he doing now?’’ wondered the boy, striving to pierce the gloom, for the old man, setting down the lantern, had retreated into the shadow. ‘*Say,’’ demanded Phil, in a tone of sardonic entreaty, ‘‘won’t you come here and give me one more chance at yours just one!” ‘tHay tia, hat chir-r-2P” ““Q-oh!—murder!’’ gasped the Ameri- can, suddenly divining what was up. Lowered from its position overhead, something fell over his head and shoul- ders. It was a heavy iron contrivance, keg-shaped and open at both ends. Before Phil had a chance to struggle, the iron shell had passed over him, con- fining his arms to his sides. Only his hands and wrists protruded from under this metallic jacket. ‘The top rested even with his neck. ‘With another ‘‘ha, ha, ha!’’ and much ‘‘chirring,’’ he of the hideous face glided forward to seize the boy’s sabre hand. Even now Phil would not give up the weapon until a torturing grinding of the old man’s knuckles against his own forced him to weaken. Possessing himself of the blade, the Chinaman felt its keen edge with a criti- cal air. Drawing back a pace, the old man swung the sabre backward on a line with -our hero’s neck. Phil faced him undauntedly. Hesi- tating, he of the hideous face suddenly turned and ran off with the weapon, re- ADVENTURE WEEKLY. turning with, in a s place, a short coil a rope. Out of the ce of the shadow be- yond, this repulsive jailer dragged a stone ° weight fitted with a ring. With a few turns of rope, he fastened this to the boy’s right leg. Next he lashed the wrists securely. Again the old man retreated. into the gloom. Repeating his hideous cackle,; he hoisted the iron shell from the eg so body. Springing the trap next, he seized the captive thus set free by the shoulders and dragged him over the ground. > Dumping Phil unceremoniously upon the ground, the Chinaman ran of to bring the lantern. By its light Phil saw that he was be- tween two round holes in’ the ground, each about a dozen feet in diameter, and | not more than five feet apart. ‘““What does old Ha-chirr mean to do . “Drown with me now ?’’? wondered Phil. me?’? he added, for his second glance showed that the holes were filled with water almost to the top. “tia, Wa, hat: dia ha, ach e cackled the hideous fellow, ting upon the them upon a stone. With a bound of desperation, Phif - Stirling sprang to his feet. Be “as, ‘squat- ground he produced two small, keen knives and began to whet : Bound as he was, it t required a tremen- dous effort. Uttering a cry of rage the: ‘Chinaman sprang toward him. But he was too late. s Swaying, unable to balance himself, our here toppled for an instant, then lurched over into one of the pools. Weighted as he was, he sank instantly, .. leaving only a ripple at the surface of the water to show where he had gone down. Seizing the lantern, he of the hideous face bent over the pool, gazing down into — the black, impenetrable oe 4 ADVENTURE WEEKLY. 21. > CHAPTER VIE MR. HA- CHIRR’S TRUNK. ae ha, ha! chir-r-r! chir-r- r!?? How hideously that cackling laughter sounded in the cavern, as he of the hideous face continued to end over the pool! With what hate and loathing a pair of steely blue eyes glared at him from the surface of the twin pool! _ For Phil Stirling, in that critical in- ‘stant when he tottered between the _ cavern floor and the water, had succeeded 10 wrenching free one of his hands. ol had ee movement also released the other hand. As he eae oe a slight thrill of hope went through hin His feet touched bottom, fully forty feet below. Holding his breath by a pro- _digious effort, he dragged his knife from one of his pockets, opened it, and slashed once, twice, thrice at the rope that bound ' his leg to the weight. Qn the very instant of dou: his : Diovan body began to ascend. To his intense amazement and great joy, his head emerged at the top of the other pool. ‘Treading. water without a splash, Phil kept his head in the air until one groping hand found a jut of rock just below the surface. | Gripping this, and holding on to it, with the knife between his teeth, he _ waited in agony of suspense until the old man should turn and discover him. Then—but Phil could form no clear plan. Wholly at a disadvantage, he must _be prepeared to act upon the slightest POMS But the old man did not turn. Shaking ; his head slowly, he walked away. Phil’s eyes followed him. Some thirty ; : feet away, he of the hideous features eS upon the ground and kindled a vate Of fagots. “Well, he? s a cool one!’’ muttered the boy, as the nature of these preparations dawned upon him. ‘‘After murdering me, as he must suppose, he sits down t to have a lonesome cup of tea.”’ so absorbed was the Chinaman i in his task that Phil ventured, all the while keeping his eyes upon the foe’s back, to draw himself out of the pool. Having heated water in a tin, Mr. Ha- chirr proceeded to pour it over some tea leaves in another vessel. Cat-footed, Phil Stirling stole forward, his eyes blazing angrily. Would Mr. Ha-chirr turn in time to discover him? ‘The thought made the boy tremble. Nearer, closer he stole, watching every slight movement of the other’s back and shoulders. Nearer! arm’s length! Then—a leaping bound! a cackling squeal! a clinch and a grip! Over and over on the floor they rolled, ina tight, deadly embrace. _ Yet there was no sound, save that of a scuffing, since Phil Stirling’s muscular fingers were tightly locked around the Chinaman’s throat. After a few moments the struggle ceased, yet the boy did not reiax his grip until convinced that his enemy was un- conscious. Tearing a strip, then, from the hideous faced one’s blouse, Phil crammed it in over the protruding tongue, knotting the gag in place with his own handkerchief. There was plenty of cord at hand. Phil tied the old man’s hands behind him, tied them at the wrists, below the elbows, above the elbows, and at the shoulders. Next he lashed the cackler’s feet, and the legs above at knee and thigh. Going over all his work again, our hero interlashed both sets of rope. Never was a prisoner more thoroughly, completely,. helplessly secured! The young American even added a second 4g. 4 22 = oe ADVENTURE WHEKLY. “Now, Mr. Cackler,”’ ventured the boy, standing over the vanquished one, ‘fyou can’t-even ha-chirr. ’/ Leaving him there, Stirling snatched up the lantern and ran onward into the interior of the cave. He had not far to go before he came to a citcular pit, a few feet below the general level. ‘‘Gunpowder!?’ cried fie observer, eyeing the the casks and kegs piled up there, and not forgetting to make an esti- mate of the number. ‘*Knough to last a big army for a year!”? Over the pit, completely arotind it, ran a natural gallery of rock, from which the moveinents of men handling the powder could be watched and directed. Perceiving that this pit was the end of the cavern, Phil did not dally there. Hastening back, his glance fell upon an opening in the rocky wall which had escaped his discovery before. Poking his head through, and bringing the lantern to bear, he saw a room of considerable size, and comfortably fur- nished according to Chinese ideas. ‘‘Tust the place for old Ha-chirr,”’ he cried. ‘‘I dare say it’s his own private and especial apartment anyway.” - Losing not a moment, now, Phil hur- ried back to where he had left his victim. He of the hideous face was still as helpless as five minutes before, but con- scious now. _ “Cheer up, old répulsiveness,’’ mim- icked the boy, bending over Him, “1 ve come to take you home.” Without ceremony our hero grabbed the wretch by the collar and dragged him over the floor. ‘‘Here we are,’’?’ announced the con- — ductor. ‘“‘In -with you!’ yanking him through the door. Ha- “chitr didn’t relish the situation. a bit, if the extra-villainous scowl on his face was any indication. ‘‘T wish I had an even safer place than this to leave you,’’ muttered Phil.-‘‘Say, _ say! Why didn’t I see that before? Just the place for to cacklej in, my unhandsome friend!?? The object that had caught our hero’s eye was an odd-looking, substantial teak- wood chest, more than six feet in, length and half as high. **Bother! It’s locked,” announced the investigator. Hold on, though! Old. damaged face must have the key.’’ Fumbling in the prisoner’s clothes, Stirling brought to light several keys. One of these unlocked the chest. ‘‘And the rest I’ll put in my pocket for possible future need,’? murmured the boy, delighted at the look of uneasiness which he saw pass over the hideous features at his feet. ‘“Humph ! little wardrobe in,’’ reflected the Ameri- can, holding up the only articles in the chest. First came a mask, made to fit over the whole head, helmet fashion, ‘‘Homely enough for a mardi-gras burlesque, ’’ ruminated the finder. “‘Why, I believe its actually uglier than old Ha- chitr’s facet) _ Second and last was a voluminous robe of rich red silk. | ‘Is this your Sunday-go- ae ~neeting suit???’ demanded Phil, holding up the articles while apostrophizing the hideous’ faced one. Old Ha-chitr looked far from pleased. ‘*You’re not fiiled with unmixed de- light at my discovery ?’’. mimicked Stir- ling, closely watching the countenance at his feet. ‘‘Perhaps you’re afraid Ill put these things on. Eh?~- And, by Jupiter, perhaps I will!” Suiting the action to the word, Stirling fitted the mask over his head. . Regarding his foe through the narrow eye-holes, Phil saw the look of alarm deepen on the repulsive face. ‘On goes the robe, then,” announced the boy. It would have idea oe any size of man. Phil brought the tasselled ends of a girdle around, knotting them SS in front. ‘“Wonder what these queer figures, em- broidered all over the gown, mean???’ pondered the American, half aloud. He soon had this queer.attire adjusted to his satisfaction. ‘Now, old Handsome, 2 breathed Stir- ling, bending over and lifting the China- man i in his strong young arms, ‘‘it’s time _ to put you in your little bed. oe Old Ha-chirr fitted, a Toom to spare, inside the chest. It’s a big trunk to ee SO a : ADVENTURE WEEKLY. 23 aie tie hateful eyes glittered up at Phil’s, however, “with a cunning smile of delight that almost unnerved the boy. “How you’d like to have your mouth free to indulge in. a few innocent Cackics:” erimmbled eur. hero. “You seein so happy that you don’t mind my leaving you in this fix. You’re sure I’m about to run my neck into a noose of sone kind. Don’t I wish I could make you talk English—and tell the truth!’ But there was no possibility of this, so” Phil went -about his next move with a feeling of ill-defined but gloomy appre- hension. Ha-chirr’s aes the last glimpse Phil had of it before lowering the lid of the chest, bore a light of fiendish delight. What's the coming trouble for me that tickles him so mightily? Shall I “lock the lid down? But I can’t do that. I couldn’t kill even this vile wretch by shutting off the air from him.’’ Dragging the chest around, so that the ‘open side of the lid was against the wall, Stirling picked up two ‘pebbles, placed them under either end of the lid in such a way as to leave a space of half an inch for breathing, then hurried out of the - Toom. As he did so, ie pulled ab place a hanging Curtain that ola closed the entrance to the room. Seeing his sabre on the floor of the outer cavern, he concealed it under the own. : Still holding the lantern, until he had safely passed the trap, our hero left the - light behind him and passed out into the = Open air. — All was still—no one visible save two sentinels over behind the two cannon. ‘Heads I live, tails I die,’ muttered - Phil. ‘Is the coin tails on both sides?”’ _ Palpitating with doubt and dread, he walked toward the sentinels. Part Third. - CHAPTER VIIL YANKEE “OCHEEK.”? “Tf I could only get my revolver handy, ” thought the young trooper as he neared the pair a sentinels. ‘flected the boy, anxiously. - But he could noe or rather it was too late. One of his arms he was obliged to hold close to his body, in order to keep his sabre from swinging or clanging against his boots. As for the other hand, he needed it free for a gesture, should the situation de- mand it. Besides, the sentinels had perceievd him. They were watching him closely. Our hero’s happy. knack of mimicry came to the surface now. As he went forward, he fell into the shuffling walk of the hideous-faced man. | - **It’s a capital imitation, I think,’ re- Whether it is really good will be shown by the num- ber of minutes I have left to live!’’ He was close upon the sentinels now. Looking straight ahead, as if he would ignore their presence, Phil nevertheless kept a close, if covert, watch. upon their every movement. “Is this where J’m supposed to say something ?’’ he wondered, palpitatingly. **Is there any Chinese word—a password that 'm expected to give these fellows? If there is—I’m a goner!”’ Shuffing up to within two feet of them, Phil felt a thrill of joy at seeing the sentries inmake way for him. Throwing their guns upon the ground, they kow-towed very low indeed. ““That’s good!’? chuckled Stirling, in- watdly. ‘‘It seems that I’m a person of some consequence. ’’ Looking straight ahead, apparently not deigning to notice the ‘sentinels, Phil + stepped between the two cannon. He was in the ravine, now! Just as our hero was congratulating himself, one of the pair called after him, uttering a few quick words. ‘‘Kh? Blazes! What am I supposed to - Saye i Have it’ Facing about, drawing himself up with an air of offended dignity, Phil used his free hand to make an impressive gesture commanding silence. _ ‘‘How will that strike ’em?’’ he quiv- ered inwardly. * Nothing could have succeeded better. Throwing themseives forward upon their faces, the sentinels remained in that posi- 24 ADVENTURE WEEKLY. tion until he turned to resume iis walk forward. ‘Itts all right now, until] meet the next crowd. Hello!’?. In turning the bend of the ravine, he had come squarely upon the outer guard . party. It wasa moment of harrowing uncer- tainty for the boy, but quickly over, for every one of the Tai-pings made a re- spectful bow as the gown and mask passed them. © A inoment later Stirling was out of the ravine. ‘“Whew !?? The tension was over, the danger past. Hurrying into the bushes, Phil took a long, free breath, staring about him until he had got his bearings. There was the mountain, looming up like a watchful friend. Pausing only until his heart consented to beat once more in a normal manner, Phil strode forward. ‘“Now, old Mr. Ha-chirr,’’ quoth the boy, as he covered the ground with long strides, ‘‘now I understand why you finally seemed so ecstatic about my put- ting on your gown and mask. It wasa bluff, my aged friend, for you thought your seeming joy would make me hesi- tate. I wonder, old handsome, how you feel, packed in your trunk!’ . When he felt that he had puta safe distance between himself and the Tai- ping stroughold, Phil removed both mask and gown, throwing them over his arm, It was much harder work climbing the mountain than it had been descending it. After what seemed a tramp of many miles, Phil’s heart was made ee by a hail Ge ‘Halt, ye spalpeen !?’ ‘’Tim!? exclaimed the boy. ‘*Saints preserve us, it’s Misther Phil!’ came the delighted response, and in an- other instant our hero was in the camp, surrounded by his friends—all except Ralph. ‘*Here’s my report of what I learned,” cried Bruce, saluting merrily as he handed a folded paper to the young Jeader. ‘‘Oi told Professor Jinks what to wroite,’’ explained Tim. ‘‘He has it all rejuiced in his book.”’ FDairs Phil. ‘‘Now, fellows, if you want to hear something good, listen to me.’’ “It’s all about this masquerade rig, I reckon,’’ drawled Claymore Bruce, taking the gown and mask from our hero and holding them up to view. ‘It’s a sin—-—’? observed Job, oracle = “Oh, ds itr’ chuekled Pil. “Weil f want to tell you that it stood’ by me like a. brother.’ ‘It’s a sin—-—”’ repeated Job, desper- ately. “Vou said that before,” interposed Bruce, holding up the gown once more.’ “Tadmit that isa trifle gay—we might even say frivolous—but as for calling ita sin? Oh, I don’t know.’ “Bruce, you fr-r- reprobate, Ye Job, wrathfully, ‘‘w-w-wait. until I finish w-what I’m trying to say, w-won’t you? I tried to r-remark that outfit was a sin—~ a cinch in the way of a masquerade. cos- time!” “Tt’s an astrologer’s gown and mask,’’ “The Tai- -pings revere explained Ching. astrology.”’ “Be the powers!’ suddenly ejaculated Tim. ‘‘O1 came near fergittin’ thing that Oi found mesilf.. some- AY Ol Gee. Misther Phil, whin we was within two — moiles av. here. we tun into t’ree av. thim Tai-pings thot tried to howld us up. There was a bit av a shindy, an’ we got the best av thim. We left thim tied to a three, and on one av thim Oi found this.’ From one of his pockets the Irishman : hauled out a bundle of bright red paper, bound together in the Sorin of a book, each page of which was covered with Chinese characters. “It’s a Chinese song-book, isn’t it?’ questioned Tim, as our hero turned over the pages. “Or is it a joke book >”? “Our good friend, Wun Ching can tell. you more about it than Ican,’’ smiled = Phil, passing the book to the interpreter. Ching, going close to the lantern, which - furnished light for the camp; studied the “find” with interest. Of. a sudden his eyes lighted up. exactly what I’se done, too, = ~ Marse Phil,’’ put in Jupe. . Aad Ralph, I suppose, won’t be able to get back for a couple of days,’’ added Bene ee “His whole manner became. ee as ye turned to. Tim ao8 cried: cee “man. ~ ADVENTURE WEEKLY. {This book is worth a fortune.’ = iS id, ow 2 —**Then will yez be koind enough to remimber thot it was mesilf who found it. . By thot token it belongs to me.”’ ‘{No,’’ rejoined Wun Ching, gravely. ‘It belongs to General Ki-yo—that is to say, it is a report from one Tai-ping com- mander to another, and seems to be full of the most valuable military information about the rebels. General Ki-vo will re- _ joice over this more than he has done since the Kao-low pearls were recovered.’? And mesrit so neat forgettin’ all about it!’ cried Tim. “The three men you overcame were couriers, then. No wonder they fought well, knowing how important a docu- ~ ment was confided to them.’ 'TH tell yeu «all about it. _ This disposed of, “joined Phil. Ido alone? But it seems to me,’’ drawled Bruce, “that we’re plumb forgetting all about the exciting yarn Phil promised us.”’ ‘As soon as 1 vé eaten,’? Jauohed Pin, By the way, where is Chow Low ??”’ i, At that very moment the Chinaman in- quired for answered for himself by coming forward with a lacquer tray on which were tice cakes, sweetmeats and steam- -ing hot tea. ‘*Bravo, my fede cried Phil, fall- ing to upon the food with the appetite of one famished. the young leader gave his friends an account of what he had seen and done. “Can't we capture that old powder magazine, cave, gully, Ha-chirr and all??? demanded Bruce, his _ nostrils quivering. ‘Be sure Ive shoneht of that. * te- can’t. As to strategy, I might succeed in getting back into the camp, if I went. alone, and if they haven’t found the old eer in his trunk yet. But what could Yet, if I took you fellows = with me, and these Chinese soldiers in their imperial yellow blouses—why ie Tai-pings would know us in a second.’ ‘‘How about a—a—a—assault 2”? put in Job. ‘“That. soa ie just as hopeless. The outer guards could keep us busy fora few moments. By that time, a handful of demanded the Irish- “Prankly, I’m afraid we 85 fighters. at the narrow upper end of the ravine would be in a position to hold out against a brigade of the best troops America ever saw.’’ ““Marse- Phil). «Marse Phil, honey!” _ breathed Jupe, breaking into the circle at that. moment. ‘‘Dar’s somebody a- coming!” Attention !? commanded Phil, quick- ly, as he drew his sabre, ready, for in- stant fray. While disposing of his men in the best way to repeFatiack, our hero thrilled at the sound of a low whistle. Instantly answering it, he heard a re- sponse in another key. at Se karply 77 ane ‘Come on, old fellow!’ ing his voice a little, ward to greet his cousin. Ralph, indeed, followed by his squad, and in their centre another—a stranger, ‘‘Back so soon ?”’ greeted the leader. ‘“’The distance wasn’t so great as Chow thought,’’ responded the Maryland boy. ‘And: who’s this?’’—pvinting to the stranger, whom he now saw to be a prisoner. - “Don’t know,’’ answered the Maryland boy. ‘‘He’s some yellow grandee. He was prowling about on the outskirts of the camp. Icouldn’t resist the tempta- tion to make him come with me.”’ ‘““You have captured an important rebel,’? Ching informed them, after studying the stranger’s uniforin. _ Then, after a close scrutiny of the prisoner’s face, the tute Dieter quickly added: ‘‘More important than you have any idea of! Wait! I will talk with him.’’ At first the prisoner refused to reply. Finally he spoke sullenly. Ching’s face was beaming as he turned to our friends with: : ‘‘Your prisoner is no other than Ch’en, the general second in command of the Tai-ping rebels in this province.’’ ‘*Sure, thot knocks me owld song-book silly,’? was Tim’s admiring comment. But Phil’s always active brain was now seething with a new plan. ‘‘Ch’en is a man to be obeyed by the Tai-pings?’’ he demanded. ‘CAssuredly,’’ quoth Ching. cried, eagerly. he hailed, rais- and hurried for- 26 ‘(And his uniform shows his rank, ”’ _‘‘Beyond any question.’ ‘‘Rellows,’’ said Phil, deliberately fry ing to suppress the quaver in his voice, ‘‘now we’re going to take the powder magazine if there’s a living show to do it. Ching, you look something like this fel- low, Ch’en, and you’re about the same build. Try on his uniforim, and see what sort of a general you look like,’’ ‘‘What’s the scheme?’’ interposed Ralph, eagerly. ‘'What about the pow- der inagazine?”’ AS quickly as he could, our “hero again described his adventures of that day. '*We’ll leave four men here to guard the prisoner, went on Pini Stichuag. ‘At the head of the rest will ride Ching, made up for the general, and myself in the mask and gown. As for you‘fellows,”’ nodding to his five comrades, ‘‘you will have to stay behind out of sight until we see how the game goes. ”? Day was just dawning when Phil and Ching, at the head of sixteen troopers— the latter minus their jackets of imperial yellow—rode up to the entrance of the pass that led to the magazine. Behind, in a grove, on tender-hooks of anxiety, waited. Ralph, Bruce, Job, Tim and Jupe. Suecess in this new and daring move hinged mainly on whether the plight of old Ha-chirr had been discovered. Ching, who, like most Chinese schol- ars, had no taste for soldiering, quaked inwardly. Even Phil Stirling, hero of a hundred perilous escapades, was far more grave, watchful, alert than usual. A mistake meant—undoubted annihila- tion! CHAP IMR IX: WHEN BLOOD TURNED TO ICE. No sooner did Phil and the interpreter, at the head of the calvalcade, show them- selves at the mouth of the ravine than they found themselves confronted by the Tai-ping sentinels. Like a flash, half a dozen rifles were leveled at them. Phil held up one hand commandingly. Ching, who had been well eet in ADVENTURE WEEKLY. the part he was to play, became almost. demoralized when he found himself look- ing into the muzzles of so many rifles. “Brace up!?). whispered. Phil. “Res meimber—its life or death!’ = Thus adjured, Ching found his voice. Speaking as sternly as he could in Chi- nese he thundered out: ‘‘Dogs, why do you not throw your- selves upon your faces??? ° By this time, the sentinels had had a good view of Phil’s cabalistic gown and mask. In the same instant they recog- nized the uniform borrowed by Ching. Flop! Like so many automatons the dismayed sentinels prostrated themselves. ‘You are not fit to be here,’’ cried Ching, riding nearer, at which -the grov- eling creatures struck their foreheads against the earth. Gathering courage with success, Ching continued : ‘Leave here, instantly. Go to the near- est camp outside, and remain until I have decided what is to be done with you. Go!” Rising with the air of so many whipped curs, hanging their heads,-trailing their weapons after them, the deluded Tai- pings filed out of the ravine No such mistake did the pair of senti- nels behind the cannon make as to chal- lenge the on-comers. Promptly saluting, they met with no better fate, for Ching, with his fiercest air, ordered them begone. Riding into the inclosure, Ching or- . dered Phil’s recruits to rouse the other - rebels and the codlie laborers.- These were driven forth without cere- mony or loss of time. Not oue of them-so much as ‘thought of resisting the order. : Gazing in affright at the impositig uni- form on Ching’s body, they supposed themselves to be obeying the redoubtable General Ch’en. “Great Scott!’ quivered Phil, as ae posted his own men behind the cannon and stationed others in the ravine, ‘‘of all the cheeky, bare-faced jobs. Ching, my friend, you ought to be a real general!’ “No, thank you,’’ responded the in- terpreter, huskily, more frightened than ever now that the peril seemed to be over. BE mered, Running to the mouth of the ravine Phil gave a low whistle. _ In response to it, his five comrades ap- | peared, followed by Chow Low. “Splendid ! ae eine iatca Ralph, “as they ee PP ni ay ’re more than a gen- ius. ‘No time fae com plinicuts dear boy. Follow me into the cavern, all hands. Tm almost dying to pull old Ha-chirr out ‘of his trunk and exhibit him to you.”’ Lighting a lantern at the mouth of the cavern, our hero piloted them safely past the trap. ‘*Now, to show you “the ugliest face that ever escaped the hanoman !? prom- ised Phil, leading them into the cell-like room. Seizing the lid of the chest, he yanked it up. _ As he did so, his face became instantly a study of bewilderment. ‘‘Gone! escaped! vamoosed !’’ he stam- gazing into the empty chest. “But I don’t understand,”’ pondered cp ‘Neither do I,’’ caine a ly oe Phil. “T mean, since he has escaped, i can’t — understand how it was that he did _give the alarm and prevent our getting in Here.) ‘Old Ha- chirr isn’t ie anything else human. Figure out what most men would do, and he’ll do the reverse.’’ “He must have ecaped just before we came in here,’’ suggested Bruce. «*N-n-never m-mind,’’ stuttered Job. “Fhe c-c-c-c-c-an’t do any harm now.”’ “J’m not so sure of that.’’? This, almost apprehensively, from the young leader. “But come on, fellows, I want to show you the pit.”’ With a brief last look around ie room, _ they followed their commander out into the main cavern. Before he had gone ineniy feet for- ward, ee) Phil began to sniff, then ‘stopped short. BB ouscbody? s smoking,’ he cried. “Roight,’ voiced Pir “T's you, then 2 ‘Another good guess, yer honor,’’ re- sponded the Irishman, holding out a short, black stump of a pipe. “Good Heavens, man, stop it!”’ | ADVENTURE WEEKLY. ; 21 ‘“Whoy??? inquired McCarthy, inuo- cently. “Were going into the powder maga- Zine 2 *‘Oi know it.”’ ‘‘Do you want to blow us up?’’ = Devil a bit av 4b. 7 “But a spark from your pipe—— ‘Rist aisy, Misther Phil,’’ responded Tim, puffing out huge clouds. ‘“TPhere’s too little terbacky “in this counthry to waste a single spark until the lasht bit av foire is out ay it.”? ‘Tim,?* eried Phil; impatiently, ‘‘quit that smoking! Stamp out every bit of Hires? : Grumbling, Tim fumbled about until he found a ledge of rock in the wall be- side kim. Laying the pipe down there with the utmost care, he replied: ‘Sure its foolishly unaisy ye are, Mis- ther Phil, but it shall never be said Tim McCarthy refused a favor to a _ good friend.’? ‘*Forward, now,’? called Phil Stirling. 2), Carefully eyeing the-lantern, which was, in itself, a source of danger, he showed thein the edge of the pit. “Come up onthe gallery,’ he added, a moment later, leading his comrades up on the broad stone ridge. Here they were more than twenty-five feet from the bottom of the pit. “Hight hundred kegs and boxes of powder, as near as I can estimate it,’?’ an- nounced Pig. Job made a quick note with his pencil. ‘“’Those smaller boxes, seemingly sixty in number, contain cartridges, I be- eve. Job ae another note.. oo Ha, ha, ha! ehieriar!)) Like a subdued shriek of maniacal laughter came that interrupting, blood- chilling: cackle. ‘Why, it’s Old Hideous!’ panted Phil Stirling. : ‘*Ha-chirr, and Bat eg They saw his stooping body glide like-a phantom -down in the bottom of the a In one hand he held a hatchet, in the other a smoldering torch. At the very moment of distover: the hatchet flashed. 28 : ADVENTURE WEEKLY. Smash! crash! crash! Into splinters flew the lid of one of the boxes, Dead-black grains of powder poured out as the old Tai-ping brandished the torch. Frozen with terror, the watchers on the gallery looked helplessly on. Before Jupe, who was nearest the maniac could race twenty feet and jump down, the awful deed would be done. a5 late! CHAPTER XxX. CONCLUSION, Thump! Something landed in the pit. That something rose, as if on the re- bound. It hurled itself upon the maniac, wound — its arms around the fatterts neck, then lurched backward, bearing old Ha- chirt, torch, hatchet and all, away from the open box of powder. ‘*It’s Chow Low!?? thrilled Phil. Chow Low, indeed, who, standing un- seen in the gloom, was almost overhead of the maniac before he sprang. . Like a flash the two contestants clinched again. Down they went, but the torch was on the ground under ee Low. Heedles of the burning of his back, careless of the hatchet in old Ha-chirr’s vengeful hand that yellow hero hugged the ground stubbornly, smothering the torch. Not an instant did the Americans hesi-. tate. Chow erapple with the foe, they came tumbling down into the pit, indifferent alike to life and limb. Clang! The uplifted hatchet fell, ring- _ing on the rock. A stifled shriek from Chow, then Phil’s arms coiled around the maniac’s neck, yanked him back, and threw him to the ground. -Others piled upon the foe. Old Hideous "was held past the power of doing further harm. “Chow, vou hero!”? ohana Phil, ten- derly raising the valliant fellow and stamping out the last sparks of the torch. Something warm and moist dripped over Phil’s fingers. “Chow's hirt;?) cried . Pha. ‘“Here, help me to raise him out of this.’’ - fainted. as Bruce and ‘Fim scaled their way to the floor above. Reaching down they seized Chow as Jupe lifted him from below. ‘“‘Heah comes de odder one,’” Brow ieu = Jupe, raising Ha-chirr. Prisoner and wounded swiftly out into the open air. While Tim held the captive with fat were more force than was actually necessary,” the others bent over Chow. Fearful work the hatchet had done. Chow’s left hand was severed just above the wrist. From the maimed stump the bright red fluid was gushing in torrents. “Golly, Marse Phil, he’ll soon bleed to death,’”’ gulped Jupe, huskily. ‘No, he won’t,’? muttered Phil. ‘A piece of cord, quick, somehody !”’ Without a word, Bruce handed down what was wanted. ‘*Now, a stout stick,’’ called Phil, ty- ing the cord loosely around the maimed arm, just below the elbow. Ralph found the stick, and flew back with it. Thrusting one end of the stick through > the noose, Phil began to twist. Tighter and tighter became the noose, ~ until Phil could not twist it another turn. ‘‘More cord, plenty of it,’’? ordered the young leader. With this, the stick was lashed se- curely at both ends to the yellow hero’s ari. By his simple method, which surgeons call the tourniquet, the flow of blood was checked. Chow’s lips moved faintly. ‘*He says,’’ interrupted Wun Ching 102% Phil, ‘‘that he owed his life to you; that he has paid the debt the best he conid?* ‘Tell him,’ choked Phil, ‘‘that JI ad- mire him for a brave, true fellow—that my gratitude and friendship for him will never cease,” Chow heard. his sickly yellow lips just ‘Bear him out of here,’’? ordered Phil. ‘‘Jupe and Tim, you two look after him a As soon as you | ~ have got him away from Oe give higkg, = as you would a brother. a crn lank ay ~ 1, t00, will go with. hin,’ observed “T know something a Chine, gravely. pecs and surgery.’” borne : A smile hovered over — before he © er “Now,” exclaimed Phil, as Chow’s at- tendants bore him away, ‘‘we have an hour’s work to do in ten minutes!”’ - Working like beavers, they laid a train » of fuse from the me to the mouth of the ravine, Ha- chirr, bound and held i two of the ” Chinese recruits, watched the proceedings with hateful eyes. At last, all was in readiness, Standing at the mouth of the ravine, Fhay: coolly lighted a piece of slow- match. ‘All ready,’’ he Sh abinced: it will take this fuse a minute and a_ half to reach the magazine. I shall watch it for twenty or twenty-five seconds. Then I shall spring into saddle and ride like mad after you.”’ = Alter us?” a eee Ralph. ‘*‘Do you mean that we are to leave you alone here?” aoe Ceriamniy.” “‘But we simply can’t do it,”’ protested the Maryland boy. ‘‘Ours is a partner- ship of peril. What oy risk, all must riek. 2” - Not so,’” retorted Phil, decisively. “Tf you could help me by remaining t here, it would be the part of comradeship. To stay and take a needless risk with me, out of pure sentiment, is foolish.”’ - “But I don’t like the notion of run- juin. On betore you, either,’ declared Bruce. **Pellows,’’ responded Phil, ‘‘when that gunpowder goes off, it will seem as if an earthquake had struck this country. Besides the shock, there will be flying pieces of rock. Where one. may get _ through unscathed, half a dozen, by re- maining, are sure to have one or more of their number hurt.. oh dow fs least, none ”” begged Jupe, het me stay wid yo’.”’ ‘‘No, your duty is to Chow, who saved us all and may be dying in consequence. + *‘Now, eo. “I otder it, if necessary. I'll wait a tall a minute after you start before touching the match. Ride straight north, = like the: wind.”’ os Demurring, they got into saddle, Jupe _olding: Chow before him. ADVENTURE WEEKLY. ‘*Rellows, flew through For more than my-. self - ‘remain would be foolish—crimi- 2) Phil waited to give his friends a good two hundred yards start. Then, bending over, he touched the © glowing match to the fuse. Sputter! flare! The tiny spark ran along the train, burning perfectly. Leaping into saddle, our hero waited what he judged to be thirty seconds. ‘Git!’ he yelled, digging the spurs into his horse. Away they raced, the young trooper bent on putting all possible distance be- tween himself and the awful upheaval soon to come. Suppose the fuse should fail? It had been carefully laid, yet there might be some ovetlooked break between the traveling spark and the magazine. Bang! came a deafening detonation, an effectual answer to the boy’s doubts. The earth shook. Bang! Bang! Two more explosions, louder and more forceful than the first, threatened to rend the earth asunder. Looking backward over his shoulder, Phil saw the hill of rock sway and totter. Great fissures appeared in the hill. Upward heaved a very volcano of rock, flying in every direction. ~ : Stumble! The trooper’s horse was down, carried off its feet by the sharp, seismic trembling of the earth. “‘Whe-e-e-ew! whizz-zz-zz! Something the air, with a fiendish shriek like that of a huge shell of a dozen times intensified. As Phil’s horse struggled to its feet again, our hero gave another backward look. High up in the—air something was hurtling toward him. Intuition warned the boy that he was in the path of the projectile. Ducking by instinct, his heart seemed to stop all in a flash as he realized the hopelessness of trying to dodge. ‘*Cr-r-rash ! They were down, horse and rider, Phil plunging headlong over the steed’s head. After an instant of dazed uncertainty, the young. trooper stuinbled to his feet, unhurt. But a long- drawn out whinney of pain recalled him to the beast. 30 : : ADVENTURE WEEKLY. A bowlder of rock, more than three feet high as it lay upon the earth, had struck the poor brute’s hind legs, crushi- ing them and pinning the horse to the ground. ‘(You poor friend!’ gulped Phil Stir- ling. -‘Well, this is the kindest thing that can be done for yeu!” Drawing his revolver, he held the muzzle against the suffering animal’s skull. Crack! The crippled horse would suffer no more. ‘Now, Pve got a jolly Pine catching tie rrest, ~ erimaced the boy, taking to his heels. “Jupiter? Por, ere he liad run forty feet he stopped in dismay. A wall of stalwart bodies, a double row’ of grim yellow faces confronted him. “Crack! crack! crack! On the second that the Tai-pings started for him Phil’s revolver rang -out, dropping a man with each shot. ‘‘My legs are my best friends,’’ gritted the boy, turning and running from num- bers before which he could not hope to make a successful stand. Hardly less than a score of the enemy caine after him. _Phil, who had recognized in ea Ha-- chirr’s duped followers, well knew how little mercy could be expected. Economizing his breath, he ran until he realized that the foremost pursuers were at his heels. Whirling about, his sabre flashed straight out, cutting down one of the foe. Another caught the second blow. Halting in their mad rush, the Tai- pings spread and dashed upon him. Crack! crack! | 'The.. revolver, after keeling over two more foes was empty— useless. It was the sabre, now—one true blade against more than a dozen! . With all the erit, pluck and force of a ‘true American, Phil fought these desper- ate odds as long as breath lasted. One of the Tai-pings, wielding an enormous spear, darted behind him. _Grasping it with both hands, poising it above his head, young trooper’ s back. the Tai- ping made- ready to drive the point through the Crack! At the ringing of the shot the spearman fell back, the point of the lance barely grazing our hero’s spine. “Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah??? Shouting the rousing American cheer, a body of horsemen charged into the melee. Nothing could stand before that rush. Scattered like chaff, the Tai-pings bolted off, many-of them not living to get more than-a dozen paces away. Unharmed, though utterly winded, Phil found himself j in the midst of his friends, ‘(We didn’t ride very fast,’ confessed Ralph Stirling, with a laugh in which a happy sob. sounded. ‘‘When we heard the shots, we left Chow with mee and came back helter-skelter.”? ‘Then back to,them ee e- joined Phil. ‘‘I’d as soon see one of our- selves hurt as to have ae happen to brave, loyal Chow.’’ Jupe’s bugle rang out, recalling the Chinese recruits, who were pursuing the panic-stricken Tai-pings with furious ardor. Chow and Ching were fonnd sate enough. job, with a few of the recruits, rode up the snountain to the old camp, returning with the other four men and their pris- oo oner, the general Ch’en. - Without delay now our hero gave the order to return-to the headquarters of General Ki-yo’s army. “Ror weve “accomplished all we came to do, and I rather think Eee smiled the young leader. Before noon the fatigue of both men and horses compelled a three hours? halt. They rested near the top of a hill, ina wooded grove where the underbrush grew Tank lye Just as they were about to rayon Jupe, as officer of the guard, called Phil’s attention toa pursuing body of horsemen. Two hundred ‘Tai-pings, following the prints of the horses’ ee had tracked them. ~Ficle Ss: 4 chance for my cannon! cried Bruce, his eyes sparkling. ‘A splendid one,’’ agreed Phil. the gun. We'll ambush them? Quick as a flash the field piece was = dragged behind a thick growth of “Mash = at 6 y ¢ DS 4A ryHO RH QQ cmt |. = ow > TM bea s~ 9) O - Loaded with a heavy charge of canis- ter, it was sighted straight at the on- coming horsemen, trotting by fours. - Not a sound was heard in the ambush. > in the background, silent as statues and ~~ screened by the foliage, sat Phil’s squad, awaiting the order. + On came the enemy, until within ten rods. “‘Hire!? shouted Phil. A jet of flame, clouds of smoke poured me 6ftom 6 the ~muzzie of the: field — piece. 7 Through the compace Tai-ping ranks whizzed the spreading missiles of the canister shot. — Halting in consternation, the thinned out ranks speedily reformed. Working like a beaver, Bruce had a * second, equally disastrous hail of death @ - ready for them. “V7 _formatio.., to the right and left, 6 charge!’ rang out Phil’s clear, resolute Voice. The invincible rsh was the last stroke needed. : Like leaves ae the wind the Tai- pitigs were swept away. . Iwo minutes Jater the recall pealed out. Now the ae to eee votes was - begun in good earnest. i ia was reached. Indeed, under the not very skilful care of Chinese surgeons, Chow was about in a week, littie .the worse, save for his maimed stump of an arm. It may be said here, in passing, ‘that at ’ Phil’s earnest fitercession. Chow Low’s case was so, favorably reported by General Ki-yo to Pekin that the ex-T'ai-ping rebel was pardoned for having once taken up arms against the Emperor. Moreover, Chow was rewarded, as he deserved to. be, by an appointment as Chow Low was still alive when camp ~ ADVENTURE WEEKLY. = 3l mandarin of the sixth grade. Provided with an official position near~ Pekin, a good salary from the Imperial treasury was granted him. 2 On the night when our American free lances returned to Ki-yo’s camp it was discovered that Jupe, who was supposed to be riding with the advanced squad, was inissing. He had been seen last about eight miles away froth camp. As this, however, was Jong past the point where the last Tai- -pings had been eneountered, our hero was not greatly alarmed. ‘*Jupe can take care of himself, if any- body on earth can,’’ he declared, with a confident smile. ‘*Then you're tioned Ralph. “Not in the least:. If Jupe had done anything more than fall asleep during one of the halts——.”’ ‘Well?’ questioned Bruce. ‘*He’ll come back with a squadron of the enemy as prisoners. I see that supper is ready. Let us attack it by platoon!’’ In they rushed to the harmless battle of knife and fork. not worried?’’ ques-— [THE END. ] Every lover of clean, thrilling, genuine stories of adventure should be on the alert for next week’s issue of this weekly. It. will contain, complete, ‘‘The Black Mandarin; or, Phil’s Most Mighty Foe.’’ In this latest production Mr. Douglas Wells has fairly outstripped all his pre- vious splendid performances. ‘‘’The Black Mandarin’’ will delight every lover of adventure, every patriot who “believes that America leads the world in sterling worth and cotfrage. It will a new as well as old readers. RUSTE 32 . : ADVENTURE LIST OF PRIZE WINNERS “Christmas Money Contest” Red, White and Blue Weekly. a et The winners in the contest concluded in No. 57 Red, White and Blue are as follows Cc. B. WHITE, 1628 Huron Street, Toledo, Ohio. FRANK C. BOWKER, 99 Minot Street, Dorchester, Mass. MILTON FROHMAN, 121 Thirteenth Street, Portland, Oregon. Miss E. A. EMERSON, Providence, R. I. Miss DELLA BARTHOLOMEW, 414 Laurel Street, Warren, Pa. 12 Lowe Avenue, ADVENTURE WEEKLY BINDERS. This binder will hold twenty-six copies, and will Keep your papers always clean and smooth. No more missing numbers. Handy to refer to and ornamental as well as useful. of price. STREET & SMITH, New York City. 2 - Mills’? Universal Letter-Writer. Sent post-paid to any address on receipt FOR EVERYBODY BOOK TEN CENTS EACH, The following list of books will be found useful, entertaining, and full of instructive information for all. 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It is fully illustrated, and wil be sent postpaid on receipt of ten cents. Address STBEET & SMITH, ° Rose street, New York. (Manual Library Department). HOW TO DO BUSINESS. - This book isa guide to success in life, embracing Principles of Business, Choice of Pursuit, Buying and Selling, General Manage- ment, Mechanical Trades, Manufacturing, Bookkeeping, Causes of Success and Failure, Business Maxims and Forms, etc. It also contains an appendix of complete business forms and a dictionary of commercial terms. No young man should be without this valuable book. It gives complete information abont trades. professions and oecupatoin in which any young man is Anterested. Price ten cents, Address STREET & SMITH, 25 Rose street, New Pon (Manual Library Depar tment.) : OUT-DOOR SPORTS. Complete instructions for playing many of the most popular out et-door games is found in this book. ‘The games are illustrated and very easily mastered. Priceten cents. Address — SITREET & SMITH, 25 Rose street, New Vork (Manual Library Department), : ie ee ADVENTURE we == WEEKLY 32 Pages—lIlluminated Cover—32 Pages. Loe OF ADVENTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES, Relating, in fascinating detail, the careers of two brave Amer- ican boys while serving under foreign flags. These stories, the first five titles of which are given below, are unexcelled in adventure, incident and descriptive ability. They will be written by one of the best known authors of the day, Mr. Doug- las Wells, who has traveled extensively throughout the world. LISTWOE TITLES. . No. —On Foreign Ce raiiess ot,Philand | No. 3—The Black Mandarin; or, Phil’s Ralph’s Fighting Mission in China. Most Mighty Foe. De ie MeO ae ea | No. 4—Phil’s Great Stroke; or, Rescu- hold. | ing the Flower of Yun-Nan. No. 5—Taming the Dragon; or, A Case of Yankee Nerve. wt PRICE, FIVE CENTS. x PUBLISHED WEEKLY. %.%.%.% FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDEALERS, STREET & SMITH, NEw YorRK CITy. |