“Young Fearless,” the Boy Engineer mas READ THIS § Or, RUNNING THE MOUNTAIN EXPRESS oe NEXT WEEK | By Albert J. Booth a i APAPER FORYOUNG Ss Issued Weekly and Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1906, by FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, tn the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. October 19th, 1894, Vol. XXIV, {FRANK TOUSRY, Publisher NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 29, 1906. $2.00 Pan Annus Is ADVANCE) No, 624 24 Union Square, N. Y. : NNT. - OR, DICK GARVAN’S MASCOT - Not Worth a Cen BY . T. RAYMOND 7 /sseeew Swift ag a shot Dick Garvan leaped up. He jumped down into the cock-pit, started to run forward, when “boom!” The noise and the jar were like the firing of a great cannon. It seemed as if.a volcano had gotten at work under the Mascot! = HAPPY DAYS. The Man who Hadn't ‘Heard. ‘He boasted of the dangers . © That he had boldly faced: fle told of wicked ruffians And bullies he had chased, . And they that heard him boasting Became imbued at last~ - With the feeling that his courage And his might were truly vast. He spoke and others trembled, _ They let him have his way; Nobody dared to question Aught that he had to say; - As some anointed monarch He held his lordly sway— He spoke and they that heard him : Rushed blindly to obey. One day there came a stranger Who knew not of the might, The bravery or powers Of this unconquered knight— Who had not heard him boasting, - Who knew not of his fame, Who did not even tremble When he heard his awful name. Somehow they met and quarreled, Ere the stranger knew— The man of might was humbled _-When they finally got through, And the stranger, when they toid him The truth, was fain to own - That he never could have licked him if he’d happened to have known. — Not Worth a Cent. ( Garvan,” By P. T. RAYMOND. CHAPTER I. AS MEAN AS HE LOOKED. “Here you are!” bawled Dick Garvan at his loudest. - He stood on the little pier at Bixton, - megaphone in hand. “Here you are! All around the lake for a quarter! A three hours’ sail for twenty- five cents! Can you beat it?” _. There were perhaps forty summer visi- tors Within reach of his voice. Some of these people looked his way. Two or three of the men walked out on the pier. “You're a pretty young fellow to handle the boat,” observed one of the men, look- ing first at the trim little sloop and then at its youthful skipper. “T can handle a boat on Lake Placid as well as a seven-footer,” grinned Dick. Then up the megaphone went to his lips once more: “All around the lake! A three hours’ sail on beautiful Lake Placid for twenty- five cents!” Seeing the first start of a crowd out on -the pier, others came out. No one stepped aboard the craft, but, as our hero continued to call, the crowd __ grew in size. At last Dick lowered the megaphone. “Quite a party this,” he smiled, looking around over the group of more than a score of men, women and children. “We'll have a good sai] to-day. Let me help you aboard. Ladies first, please!” Dick stepped nimbly from the pier to the pow of his boat, hauled close in. But no one came forward. Some of the erowd turned as if to leave the pier. “Don’t delay, please,” urged Dick, pa- tiently, his face as bright as ever with hope. For this was his first sail of the ‘season. He had spent a week in learning how to handle the craft that had come so strangely into his possession—the. craft which, he hoped, would prove the basis of his fortune. Not once in that. week had he ventured to take anyone else out with him, for he had been learning how to handle a sail- boat. But now, being a bright wonmetie and wonderfully quick to learn, he felt that -he was honestly a safe skipper to take out - passengers. . During the time that he had been learn- ing he had been out in some rough weather, and had had but one accident—a capsize from a sudden gusty. puff of wind at a moment when he had been caught with his centerpoard up. = “Don’t go in the boat, Martha,” caution- ed one girl’s mother, sharply. “Don’t tisk your life out with a boy.” “There’s no risk about it, ladies and gen- tlemen,” urged Dick, anxiously. _He was _ growing worried now for fear his new ven- ture, on Which he had based so many eager, happy plans, would turn out to~be a fizzle. eos ‘T can handle this boat. Don’t you worry..” y ot fDy pa cones from. anyone who pi C Sets ae t Walk aboard, all that’s going, please, so that we can make an early start.” — “Let me through, please,” called a sweet | voice that made Dick jump with pleasure. Some of the younger fellows, when they saw the owner of that voice, made way gallantly enough. Dick’s eager hand was almost tremblitg as he held it out to help Dot Pritchard aboard. For she might aptly have been called “sixteen years of loveliness.” - Dot was a native of the town, unlike these summer visitors at the Lake Placid Hotel. She was the prettiest girl in Bixton, even when the feminine summer boarders ived in all their glory. e was not very tall, yet with a car- riage as stately as that of a queen. People had a way of thinking of crowns when vate saw that gorgeous mop of pure golden ny, Though the daughter of Bixton’s town drunkard,:and poor as a church mouse for years, just now Dot was as prettily gowned as-any of the “summer girls” down from | the city. For old Eb Pritchard had prospered of ‘late. Just how he had done it no one knew, and for a wonder Eb had kept it to himself. But, always pleasant and generous with his daughter when sober, Eb had of late been very generous with be whether he was drunk or sober. He had insisted that Dot should dress “like a lady.” He had also supplied her with funds, and the girl had done the rest. Dick had heard, but he had not seen Dot for the last few days. The boy had suffer- ed, too, for once he and Dot had been good chums, and now he was afraid Dot might become too particular to pay much heed to a plain, everyday fellow like himself, “I’m so glad I wasn’t too late, Captain Dot laughed, as she sprang aboard, her eyes meeting his with the old, friendly light. “But where are the rest of the passengers?” “Not aboard yet,” smiled Dick. “There seems to be seme fear that I can’t handle this boat. “Oh, how silly!” pouted Dot, half turn- ing toward the little throng on the pier. “We who know you here in Bixton, Dick, raren’t a bit afraid to go anywhere with you. But you go back to the tiller and let me see what I can do.” “Come,” she pleaded, persuasively, turn- ing to the crowd on the pier. “Thig is the first regular trip of the season, you know. Help make a success of it. So much de- pends on a good start.” Dot, in her white dress, her white canvas shoes and her white lingerie hat, looked so altogether pleasing that five young Men al- most collided in their efforts to get aboard. There was something of a gasp among the young ladies left on the pier. Five young men on the boat, when there were only seven really young men in all at the hotel! “I’m going, mamma,” said. one young woman, energetically, as she stepped aboard, then turned to coax her mother. That broke the ice. Other young women —and their mammas—came aboard. Two of the older men joined the party. Some children, too, were brought aboard. Dick, with glowing eyes, counted twenty- two souls in all for passage on this first trip. The two most picturesque characters now jeft on the pier were two youths of fifteen. Both were red-haired; both were bare- foot and rather ragged. Hach wore a cheap flannel shirt, old and worn and open at the chest; each sustained his trousers by a single gallus, and each had on his head the most tattered kind of a straw hat. Both were freckled beyond all desecrip- tion. But Buster Burke looked nigh as broad as he was tall, and had a- round, homely, laughable face. Scads Simon was slimmer, and with the face of an imp. They were known in Bixton as orphans,” for the very good reason that they were orphans. : In the winter season the poor authori- ties saw to it that the orphans had homes with farmers, and that they got a chance to go to school. _ But in summer neither boy would drudge all day on a farm for his weep. They in- sisted on shifting for themselves in sum- mer, picking up odd jobs here and there, and always together. Sooner than be put to the expense of maintaining the boys in the county reform home, the authorities let Buster and Scads have their own way in the summer time. And so the pair lived a delightful, tramp- ish, care-free existence at this time of the year. Just now their faces were rather long. Both wanted to go on the water. Neither saw any chance. s “Poor chaps,” thought Dick. ought to have fun like other folks.” So he went briskly forward, past smiling Dot, and called out in pretended sharp- ness: < They rew oO “Tf you two fellows are going to be my : LO istle “the . “Stand by there, you two, to cast off,” smiled Dick. “Miss Pritehard, may I lead you back to the-seat of honor by the cap- tain?” Though Dick had never been in a ball- room, he led this mighty pretty girl aft to the standing-room with all.the grace of an oldtime naval man. “Cast off!” he shouted, as he took his place at the steering wheel. Scads comprehended before anything dawned On Buster. ; “Pole her head off!” Dick commanded, as the line came aboard. Again it was Scads who interpreted the order by “natching up the great pole and- with it pushing the craft slowly from the pier. Buster, as soon as he understood, lent kis rather considerable muscle to the effort. “In with the pole!” cailed the young skipper, as he began to tauten on the main sheet and throw the wheel over. : ‘Then the wind caught the sail and filled it—and filled Dick Garvan’s heart. also with pride. For this was his first real sail as a cap- tain—a successful trip, thanks to Dot. The boat had become Dick’s curiously enough. It had been bought, three weeks before, by the nineteen-year-old son of a rich man from town. One squally afternoon the young man had insisted in going out in the craft, and had been knocked overboard by the swing- ing poom within a hundred feet of the pier. Into the rough water Dick had leaped and had brought the careless fellow ashore. No more boating for that young man! His disgusted father took the young man out of Bixton and away from the lake that ‘Same day, “You can keep the boat for your own She work,” the father had told astounded ick, Was there ever such luck? Dick and his mother had passed through the hardest kind of a winter, but here, with the coming of summer, Mrs. Garvan had gone over to Belmont as housekeeper in a small summer hotel—while Dick actually owned a boat on one of the finest lakes in the state. The young Men who had come aboard on this first trip, if they had expected to find Dot .a simple country maiden ready for new friends, were soon tatight better. . Dot, hardly looking at anyone else, perched herself beside the young skipper, her whole thought on the success ofthis first trip. “What have you named the sloop, Dick?” She asked, as soon as the young skipper had his boat running smoothly. “Haven’t named her yet, Dot.” — “May 1?” y oe “T wish you would!” ‘“Then this boat will be henceforth known as the Mascot,” Dot declared. “How do you like that?” “J guess you’re my mascot,” murmured Dick, in a low tone. “If it hadn’t been for you there wouldn’t have been a soul on this trip.” “Oh, there always has to be a first one to start the crowd,” Dot smiled into his eyes. “Why, there’s dad!” Dot was looking out across the i to a small, flat-bottomed boat that they were passing at a distance_of two hundred feet. “And—why, that’s old Jed Hutch with him,” Dot added, in a very low tone, in- tended only for our hero’s ear. ‘Now, what can dad be doing with old Hutch?” “Tt don’t know,” Dick answered, simply, and as if he wished to dodge the ques- On, “Dick!” Dot looked swiftly about her to make sure that none of the other passen- gers could hear her low tone. “You—you don’t suppose dad’s new prosperity comes. in any way through old Hutch?” “T don’t know. f hope not,” the boy re- plied soberly. — Old Hutch was the richest man in Bix- it but he didn’t bear a good nazze for all that, The common saying “as mean as hé looked,” bad. Old Jed Hutch ‘had been married once. Ten years before he had driven his wife away by his cruelties. The wife’s brother had promptly thrashed old Hutch. Then the: brother was “done up” by a zgang— done up so badly that that brother had been an imbecile ever since. Hutch’s wife was dead now. No one had ever been able to prove that old Hutch had hired men to worse. than kill his brother-in-law, yet everyone was sure of it. Other wicked acts were popularly charged to old Hutch. Too much of a coward to do his dirty work himself, old Hutch was believed always to hire other men to visit vengeance on any- one who incurred old Hutch’s enemity. Now, old Hutch lived in his solitary big house up on the hill, with a solitary old was that he was which was pretty man Servant who was as badly hated as the master. “ “If I thought dad was getting money from old Hutch,” whispered Dot, her eyes welling up, “Vd—— “Sh!” murmured Dick, sympathetically. But the sight of Dot’s father and old atch ther, out on the lake by them- Dot, too, was wholly upset. When Mascot berthed late in the afternoon, Do after a- hurried hand- “squeeze, hurr ashore. . 5 “I guess those folks believe I can sa a boat,” murmured Dick, as he watched h late passengers trooping’ of up the pie “But poor Dot! JI hope that isn’t where ‘her father has been getting his money “Say, can we go with you often?” d manded Seads. “As often as you fellows like,” sm Dick. . “But say. Help me warp the Mase in alongside the pier... ‘swimming board.” The trim little twenty-two-foot sivas was soon made fast alongside. Dick looked he over With pride as Buster and Scads tram ed off up the pier. Then he stepped down under the little canvas-walled deck-hous with its two sofas in the place of bunks. — “I’m stiff after handling the boat all afternoon,” he murmured. “A stretch on a sofa will seem good.” He was more than tired, for he quickly Went sound asleep. It was almost dark when he awoke wi something of a start. He had a notion th something was wrong. But all was still, save for two droning voices out at the end of the pier. Raising the canvas side of the. cabin, Dick peered out. 4 Out at the end of the spring-board that bathers used when diving sat two men, their legs dangling over the water. os “Old Hutch and Dot’s father, and talking like cronies!” muttered Dick. -Then he started, for, on the still night air, the voices came to him distinctly: “You'll bring her up to the house to- night, then?” asked old Hutch, but in the tone of one who was giving a command. “Her?” Whom could.that mean unless Dot! Dick’s pulses throbbed. “ll bring her up,” promised old Eb Pritchard, thickly. “Ill bring her all the © way by the hand, Oh, J’ll make her come.” “Of course,” hinted old Hutch, darkly, “you've got a right to put your daughter : out as a servant any place you choose.” “Of course I haye!” cried Pritchard, cun- ningly. “And then we'll see to it that I win her consent: to marry me,” glowed crafty old Hutch. “People’li say all sorts of things about a pretty girl being lucky. °Oh, f tell you, then, Pritchard, the girl’ll be mighty glad to become Mrs. Hutch. She’ll - be tame enough when she finds folks look- a ing up to her.” “Tame enough!” nodded Eb Pritchard. “And you shall have money enough, Eb, then— when you’re my father-in-law! Enough for a jug of whisky every day.” © “Oh, I know you’re white, Hutch, even ~ if folks. do say different,” growled the drunkard. : “White?” quivered Dick, in disgust. “Then Satan is an angel, and there’s al- Ways been some mistake about him.” : “Well, you’ve got a right to pick your | own daughter’s husband,” went on. old Hutch, persuasively. % “That! A husband for Dot!” quivered Dick Garvan, as he thought of pretty, dainty, lovable Dot, ang then looked at this monster. About fifty years of age, and somewhat — corpulent, old Hutch had yet a_ thick, hatchet-face and overhanging upper lip and a nose that stuck out like a three-cornered leg-o’-mutton sail. He was a repulsive- looking wretch from head to foot, even though he did try to dress well in the hope of hiding some of his ugliness. ‘ Dick’s eye suddenly fell on the lever, within arm’s reach, that held the shore end of the spring-board in place. Eas Up alongside th Dick’s hand had shot out at that lever — before he realized it. “She’s a mighty pretty girl, Eb Pritch- ard,” went on old Hutch, musingly. — “Of course!” “But how she turned up her nose when [ asked her to Marry me!” “You! Asked that decent girl to marr you?” quavered Dick, hotly, hours und his breath. Wrench! Twist! Dick’s gripping, trem- re hand tugged fiercely, silently at that lever. It yielded! Yells and splashes mingled as that spring-board tetered and sent old Hutch and the town drunkard hurtling down into fifteen feet a water CHAPTER IL. EB PRITCHARD PLAYS HIS WICKED PART. “Scads Simon, if you laugh!” “Oh: Lord, put I won’t!” protested the skinny boy with the impish face. “Or if you do anything to give: yoursel Bway ee “Say,” broke in Seads, with an injured air, “do you think I’d do anything. S spoil © a snap?” “Well, be mighty careful,” wee Dick. Garvan. “Remember, this is something, | more than a joke.” ay ess HAPPY DAYS. th ng to win out against old Hutch. Here they comer such a Discauly wicked one as fore- ot Pritchard into marriage with old Pritchard, peing a good swimmer, had managed to get his employer safely to hore, aS Dick had known would happen. Ore they got ashore, however, Dick Gar- had made himself scarce. Their sud- den dump into Lake Placid looked td the old rats like a sure-thing accident. ut how Dick had hustled since then! First of all, he had seen Dot. He had toid her, had calmed her indignation that she ‘might think, and finally they par -— And now here, out behind the bushes by A e roadside that led ‘up to Jed Hutch’s ‘But Scads was wonderful to look at. He was dressed in one of Dot’s pretty white gowns, his stubby toes literally jammed into a pair of her slim little white canvas ties. Above this all showed the sharp, homely, freckled, impish face of Scads, surmounted by that flaring red hair. — "Lord, but you’ re a bird!” ter. “Hush!” nudged Dick. heard ’ em. coming.” Buster crammed a dirty fragment of & handkerchief into his mouth to keep the chuckles back. choked Bus- oy (a! “We're almost there,” sounded the voice - Oi Eb Pritchard, as the sound of footsteps came nearer. Dot did not reply, put. she was there. - Dick’s heart felt hot under his ribs when he first caught sight of her, her hand se- : curely held in her father’s. But Dot, acting under Dick’s orders, was walking willingly enough, making no effort to hold back. “Ye ain’t so sot against going to your new place as I thought ye’d be,” Bic iaenes b Pritchard. “What’s the use?” asked Dot, ule _ “That's the sensible way to look at it, girl!” commended her father. “Hoid on a moment, please, dad,” called Dot. She had halted suddenly just before the bushes. . “What's the matter, pirl?” - “Garter’s broken. Wait! ind here and fix it. It won't take a sec- ond Eb let go his child’s hand iD draw a liquor bottle from his pocket. Like a flash Dot slipped around behind the bushes. Whisk! The dainty white -sun-bonnet that she had worn was off, and she was tying it in place over Scad’s head, wholly concealing that orphan’s impish = Tace, - In a twinkling Scads had glided out around the bushes, thrusting his own rather soft hand lightly into Pritchard’s. “Good girl!” nodded the -*Come along now!” - Buster almost coughed the fragment of _bandkerchief out of his mouth when he - saw drunken old Pritchard lurch forward, _clasping the disguised Scads by the hand. _ But to hustling Dick. there was no thought of merriment. . “Thank heaven, Dot!” he breathed, fer- vently. “Now we'll glide for safety! ” They were soon upon a village street, go- ing, by as much of a back route as they eould find, straight to the parsonage. And there the Reverend John Bridewell “and his wife, already warned by Dick, were Waiting to receive the three young people. “Dick Garvan, I’m going to kiss you for _ this!” cried motherly old Mrs. Bridewell. throwing her arms around our hero and hugging him close. . “And I’m going to shake hands with you for your manhood,” uttered the minister, his face grim but his eyes shining. “Have no fear, Miss Pritchard. You will be safe here for to-night—and to-morrow we shall see if a man can sell his daughter to be the wife of any loathsome wretch who of- _ fers enough price!” _Scads, in the meantime, was having the time of his life in anticipation. Two or three times Eb Pritchard spoke, ~ but Seads did not answer. At Jast the drunkard led his supposed - daughter in at the driveway leading up to Hutch’s house. ~ “That you, Pritchard?” from the dark porch, | -#¥ep! It’s (hic) me!” “Did you bring my charming new house- “keeper?” “Betcher life! . Didn’t I- (hic) say I - would? Ain’t I her (hic) dad?” -. “Good evening, Miss Pritchard—Dot!” greeted old Hutch. ' Still Scads did not answer, but hung his head that his face might not be seen. — - “Bring the young lady inside,” invited old Hutch, leading the way. == 4n the hallway. the threw open the door into a lighteq parlor. Scads stepped in. ahead - OL? ritch rd, but the Men still hailed a voice sure I I'll slip be- drunkard. . “What's this—chromo?” shrieked aan Hutch, staggering back. “Whoop! Ah, there!” challenged Scads, boiling with glee. As for the town drunkard, Eb Pritchard was almost scared sober. “You young wretch!.” roared old Hutch, leaping forward. “I—— -“Whoop! Ever get left, you old sinner?” Then, snatching up his borrowed skirts to give the trousered legs beneath free play, Scads turned and bolted for dear life. “Pritchard, you drunken old idiot!” screamed old Hutch, turning upon his ac- complice. “Why, I—I—don’t understand “Tf this is your idea of being ees screamed old Hutch. Scads, as soon as he found that he was not peing chased, got near enough to hear some of the dialogue that followed. He told it all to Dick and Buster later that night. It was with a thankful heart that Dick Garvan lay down for his rest’ that night in the little cabin of the Mascot. But it was with a great start that he awoke an hour later. There was a smell of smoke in the air, of burning pitch—a crackling of flames. In a jiffy he was out and on deck, star- ing wildly forward at the bow. It was a mass of flames up there. “The Mascot’s not worth a cent now!” he groaned, in the sickness of despair. CHAPTER III. THE PRICE OF A SOUL. But there was too much push in Dick Garvan for him to waste time in dream- ing, “Coal oil! Set on purpose!” he gasped, as the odor of the flames came back to him. “Then old Hutch found out. Someone saw me on the street with Dot and told! But, by gracious, I'll fool the old wretch! ” Stowed away at the stern was an ax. As quickly as he could snatch this up, Dick sprang on to the pier. Ten rapid steps and he was in a TOW- boat. Breathless, he got out on ihe water alongside his cherished sloop. Whack! Smash! Sweating with agony as much as with effort, Dick Garvan stove three holes in the sloop’s hull at the water- line. “Then up on the pier like a flash he cast off the lines as the boat filled. She sank swiitly, putting out the flames where they had had time to creep up the mast, which alone now showed above the water. Still gripping the ax tightly, looking at that mast. “Can I ever raise the money to get that boat up and her hull mended?” he won- dered, with a heart that kept sinking lower. “But I don’t care! If that’s the price of saving Dot, ’'m willing—if it has to be!” In that dead of the night no other gout had been attracted to the lake-front by the disaster which filled poor Dick’s s heart to aching. “Tl go up in Bloxham’s barn for the night,” he decided. “Bloxham won’t care if I sleep in the hay.” His heart was stronger by the time he rose after daylight. He slipped around to a restaurant on the main street, where he ate his breakfast. Then, in decent season, Dick Garvan pre- sented himself at the parsonage. From there, just before nine o’clock, a party of four set out for the courtroom. At that latter place little old Judge Plymp ordered Dot into the custody of the clergyman until the higher Probate Court could regularly appoint a guardian for the girl. But, as it was, all authority had been taken from Dot’s father, who could not now molest her. No mention was made of old Hutch, but the elergyman had told that part of the story into. the judge’s private ear. Dot was taken from her father’s control on the ground of his drunken habits. But all the same the Bir got through the little town. Dot had not been back at che parsonage an hour before little knots of people were discussing it at the street corners. “What gets me,” grunted one of the young city men from the hotel, “is why you folks don’t tar and feather a scoundrel like old Hutch!” 2 “That’s because you don’t know him,” growled a resident of Bixton. “You can’t do those things to old Hutch. Supposing we did, what would happen? He’d hire foreigners to set fire to all our homes.” “Then lynch him!” proposed the young man, hopefully. “Tf we got to talking of it, old Hutch would have a spy in our crowd. He’d skip, ed all oe for our plottin, I can. tell Dick stood vengeance on his enemies without being found out. - Dick, after he had seen Dot back to the parsonage, went dolefully down to the wharf. He got a carpenter over to give an esti- mate on raising and repairing the Mascot. “Thirty-four dollars?” groaned the boy. “T reckon T’ll have to let her stay on the lake’s bottom.” After the carpenter had gone, but while Dick stood looking sullenly at that stick- ing-out mast, an oily voice behind made him jump. “Dick, I want to get you to take me out!” It was old Jed Hutch who stood taste blinking softly, cunningly at the boy. “You can wuSe Pritchard’’s boat, but I want a short sail,” pursued old Hutch. “All right,” retorted Dick, suddenly. Leaping down into Eb Pritchard’s old flat-bottomed scow, he began nervously to undo the fastenings of the sail. “What on earth is the old rat up to?” wondered the boy, quiveringly. “Well, I don’t care what it is. I may find out if I go out on the water with him. I can’t find out anything by refusing.” “All ready,” announced the boy, gruffly, when he had hoisted the sail.. He stood with an oar ready to push off. Old Hutch stepped gingerly into the boat, - squatting on the middle seat. Dick did not speak as he shoved off, not until he had sailed the little craft some four hundred feet out from shore. “Now, what do you want, Hutch?” de- manded the boy at. last, grimly eyeing the old wretch. “Business-like!” grimaced Jed Hutch. “That’s what I always like. I want you to get out of Bixton. Leave town. Don’t come back. Understand?” “Yes,” added Dick, without “What else?” “Why, nothing,” grinned Jed Hutch, “ex- cept that I’ll pay you five hundred dollars for going. You'll leave to-day?” “Is that all?” Dick queried, in a cold, hard voice. «“All but one thing. T’ve heard of the yarn you're telling about Pritchard and me. Before you go, you'll sign a letter saying that it’s all a lie.” “Tg that all?” “Why, I think so,” Hutch replied, in his most oily voice. “Then we'll head back for shore,” an- nounced Dick Garvan, giving the tiller a turn. “And you'll leave town?” “Souls are cheap, ain’t they, Jed Hutch —when you offer five hundred as the price of one?” sneered the boy. “But see here——” began old Hutch, ris- ing in the boat and glaring at the boy. “Sit down,” warned Dick, coldly. “You'll upset us.” ; It happened just then, for old Hutch, lurching, tried to recover his balance, and in doing so upset the boat. Douse! That cold water came as a shock when Dick Garvan first landed in it. But he came up, clear of the overturned boat, and struck out easily. “Where’s old Hutch?” he muttered, but just then a dark object bobbed up to the surface. : Old Hutch was making a frantic effort, but could not swim. “This is where I save myself!” uttered Dick, grimly. But a second later-he reconsidered: “That wouldn’t be right. I don’t what old Hutch is!” A few vigorous strokes and Dick was at the old man’s side. For a wonder the man obeyed his rescuer. Dick got him quickly to the hull of the overturned boat. Cries from the shore showed -that their fix had been observed. A boat was putting off. Wet through, Jed Hutch was lifted into the rescuing boat. He sank down, chatter- ing, as our hero was pulled in after him. Not until old Hutch was safe on the pier, in the midst of a crowd, did he open his mouth again. Then, espying Constable Baxter in the crowd, Hutch pointed a shaking finger at Dick. “Arrest that boy!” he choked. “He upset the boat and tried to drown me!” “That’s a liel “It ain’t so! ‘The boy saved his life!” shouted a half dozen men at once. “T know it,” replied the constable, slow- ly. “Vve got eyes of my own, Mr. Hutch. You probably believe what you say, but I saw the boy keep you from going down.” Old Hutch looked at the offieer fixedly for a moment. Baxter paled, but made no move toward Dick, who had not. stirred since hearing that amazing charge. Then with a soft step old Hutch went slowly down the pier, his head bent. Ssss! huss-ss-ss-ss!. That hiss rose and grew as the despised man quickened his departing pace, Old Hutch did not look back, but a great flinching. care _ | purple spot burned on either cheek. : “Hissed, oma Le" Lala - wretch. our own -with old Hutch! . : eae CHAPTER IV. THE LIVING BLISTER. “T can’t get over thinking it’s a dream!” choked Dick. “But I’ve rubbed my eyes | till they smart, and pinched myself until I’m sore!” It was just after dark, the same aay Wonder of wanders, he was sitting close to the wheel in the cockpit of his own ~ sloop, the Mascot. After old Hutch’s departure Dick had been cheered to the echo. One enthusiastic young man from the hotel had started to pass the hat, but our hero had objected. Then they bore him off up to the hotel for dinner. That over, they forced him off on an automobile ride, which did not end until nearly dark. In the meantime other hustling good fairies had pushed the carpenter into get- ting a force of men together. The Mascot had been raised and repair- ed that very afternoon. ' And here she was, as snug and staunch as if she had never been scuttled! More than that, there were handsome new cushions on the seats around the standing- room, “Old Hutch’ll be crazy!” observed Bus- ter, solemnly. “He and his crowd had better keep away from this boat in the future!” flared Dick, fiercely. His fingers gripped the ax-handle. “Tt won’t do.’em good to come to-night,” | chuckled Scads.. “We'll catch ’em at it if they do!” The orphans were keeping guard with Dick. They had volunteered to spend the night aboard, so that one of the three could constantly play lookout. “We might just as well stay here every night,” proposed obliging Buster. “It’s as good as any other place to put up at night.” “Tt’s cool out here on the water,” nodded ~ Seads, cheerfully. “But, say, I wish you could have seen old Hutch’s face last night! ” - Then Scad’s face grew a bit more Seri- ous. “T s’pose old Hutch will soak us for this game, though. He always does that when people get in his way.” “Huh!” interjected Buster, drawlingly. “That’s because he never went up against anything but slow men before—men that were scared to death at that. But now he’s up against boys, and if he tries any- thing, old Hutch will find out the differ- ence—same as he did last night!” “Good for you!” beamed. Dick, leaning forward and gripping Buster’s hand at this unexpected bravery. “I guess we can hold The way my luck has followed me so-.far, in spite of him, [I ain’t scared.” “You don’t have to be,’ with an air of conviction. Mascot. ” “Yep!” agreed Buster, thoughtfully, as he held out one of his bare feet and scanned it. “Yep, you’ve got a mascot, Dick—this boat.” But Dick was thinking of his other mas- cot, the girl who had named the boat. “When are ye going to have it painted on her?” demanded Buster. “What?” asked Dick, with a. start. “Why, the name on. her.” : “Oh! AS soon as I can spare the mon- ey.” Buster grinned, knowing that the people at the hotel, who had several styles in money, were going to attend to wee them- selves. “Time to turn in,” enue Dick an- hour later. night, you know.” Buster and Scads crawled in on the sofas, while Dick landed to pace the wharf. He was drowsy, indeed, when at twelve o’clock he called Buster. to send watch until half-past two. “Don’t fall asleep, old fellow,” warned Dick. “Whatcher take me for?” grumbled Bus- ter, indignantly. Dick Garvan was soon snoring. Buster didn’t mean to do anything wrong, but the sound of that snoring made him sit down on the wharf, his back against a post. Within two minutes Buster Burke was useless for the night. Half-an hour later two noiseless figures stole down the pier. They moved more softly when they saw Buster’s sleeping form, There was a smell of chloroform in the air by the time that the two prowlers had reached Dick Garvan’s sofa._ Nor did Dick Garvan know a thing of | the journey that followed. When next he knew anything at all, he lay on his back, his just-opened eyes star- ing up at the great tree-tops overhead. He was barefooted, and stripped bare to the waist. . Nothing on but his trousers. - Yes; one more thing on, as he realined with a sudden start of horror. There were ropes around his arms, un- * declared Scads, “You've got a derneath him—cords at his wrists. A crackling, as if a brisk wood fire were burning, and over all Ute uddy oe Ob What's ur he called, —o : this? En standing watch until ae is HAPPY DAYS. a sharply, and gave a half-roll toward the =< cHre: ‘Two men, big, powerful fellows both of them, and, like himself, stripped to the waist, were over there by the fire, over which hung a big kettle. Ag Dick saw their faces he did not re- member to have seen either before. They were brutal-looking faces. “Kid’s awake!” growled one of the pair. “Taking notice of things; are ye, kid?” leered the other, turning around for a good look at the boy. “What on earth does this mean?” falter- ed Dick Garvan, sick with sudden fear. “Surprise party,” growled the first speaker, briefly. “Think the stuff’s hot enough, Bill?” (les all right.” “Bring him over, then.” Dick was picked up by one of the pair as lightly as though he had been a feather. Placed on his feet, close to the great kettle, Garvan saw a rope dangling from a tree limb overhead. “Make him fast!” growled the other brute. In a twinkling that hanging rope was made secure under Dick’s shoulders. Whisk! He was high in air, hanging over the kettle. | “Mighty interesting proceedin’, this, ” ob- served the first brute, jeeringly. “I might call it our specialty. It’s our cure for keepin’ folks from. buttin’ inter other folks’s business. This here is boiling oil under you. You’re to be dropped down into it and boiled there until you’re a great, human, living blister all over! away, Bill!” Lower CHAPTER V. TURN ABouT! Struggling to keep his wits, Dick Garvan - had not uttered a sound during these wick- ed moves. But now he could not keep back “the shriek of fear as he felt himself being slowly lowered to the kettle. “Stop, Bill!” grimaced the directing brute. “What's the matter?” gruffed the man at the rope, holding Dick steady with his feet some forty inches above the rim of the kettle. “Why, the young gentleman objects,” guffawed the directing brute. “Lot that’s: got to do with it,” erowled the one at the rope. “But the oil ain’t hot enough yet, any- way,” went on the directing brute. “I can stand my finger in it, if I take it a quick enough.” .. He thrust a finger in, drew it out with a gasp and thrust it into his mouth. ' “Not quite hot enough,” he announced. “We want it boiling. That’s the way we _figgered out the thing. Hold him there.” “Maybe ye think he don’t. weigh noth- ing,” glared the other fellow. _ “Cast him loose, then, an’ put him back on the ground.” This the second brute aia. untying ‘the rope from under the boy’s shoulders. : Then, lifting Dick Garvan in his big arms, he walked a dozen feet off with the boy. Flop! “Ouch! ” Chug! Dick’s bearer had hurled him through the air nearly a dozen feet, letting the boy down hard on -the ground. “Yell, kid, if ye want!” proposed the di- recting “prute, cheerfully.. “There ain’t no- body to hear ye around here.” “T’ll take a chance on that, anyway,” flared Dick, inwardly, desperately. ; “Help! Help, quick!” he bellowed, put- ting all his fear into that appealing voice. “Louder!” grinned the directing brute, a without turning away from the kettle, “we -ean’t hear you over here.” _ “They’ve got some reason for their con- fidence,” flinched Dick, inwardly. He stared around him, trying to place ‘this bit of forest in his recollection, but could not. “It must be mighty far from anywhere,” concluded the boy. After that he called no more. ‘One of the brutes threw himself on the ground, sitting with his back against a tree, while he filled, lighted and puffed at a short clay pipe. The other, the directing beast of the pair, “stood close by the kettle on the windward side, staring down into the oily contents and waiting for them to boil. “There she goes, Bill,” announced this one at last. “She bubbling. Now fetch the kid back and rig him up.” Bill got lazily up, dropping his pipe, and started over_to where he had flung Dick Garvan. Then in a jiffy he called out: Jim, for the love of——” “What’s wrong?” “The kid ain’t here!” - —“Ye’re crazy, Bill!” snorted the Scher - leaping after his comrade. They both stood there in dumb terror for a few moments, shaking as oe sared at nd : His StaLine right hand pointed off into ‘the shadows under the trees. “Jim,” he- gasped, “for the love of heaven, what’s them?” Jim’s quailing eyes peered in the same : direction. ~ What they saw was as yet but dimly de- fined to their vision. Yet there were the figures—seven or eight of them, in ghostly white, and with strange head coverings. Ghostly, unnatural. those strange white figures looked, off there in the intense blackness of the forest. For a few moments there was no sound, the two ignorant brutes standing still, as if terror had turned them to ice or Stone. But at last, out of the forest, came a hail with startling distinctness: “Don’t stir or you’re dead men! Up with your hands! Stand still! Obey every or- der if you want to live!” “Jim, for the love of——” gasped one brute. “Shut up—and get yer hands up! ” gasp- ‘ed the other brute, hoarsely. “Now stand just that way. Don’t stir,” ordered the same sharp voice, as the figures began to move forward. These men, disguised under white gowns, and with white, almost shapeless masks over their faces, displayed an assortment | of shot-guns, rifles, pocket-pistols as they moved forward, their feet swishing over the grass and fallen leaves. “Back for the fire for you two!” com- manded the ‘only voice that had spoken. Dazed, yet too cowardly to think of re- sistance or flight, the brutes obeyed. “Now lie down on your faces! | Right where you are!” “Fer the love of mercy, what are ye goin’ to do?” quavered Bill, as he groaningly sank to his knees. “Going to fill you up with lead if you don’t do all you’re told, and do it qui°k! a declared the brisk, business-like yoice, “Down with you!” Jim had already obeyed, and Bill made haste to. “That’s all right so far,” assented the commanding voice. “Now put your arms at your sides and roll over on your backs. That’s right. Now cross your wrists over your stomachs. That’s right, too! Breth- ren, surround the victims. All except the bearers of the shackles.” “Say, fer heaven’s sake, whatcher goin’ to do?” pleaded Bill piteously. “Keep still and ye’ll get out of it easier,” advised Jim, in a quivering undertone. While six men stood guard over the two brutes, two others advanced with ropes and cords. : Without haste, they tied the wrists and arms of Bill and Jim most securely. “Now turn them over on their faces once more,” ordered the commander. “The next step,” announced the leader’s voice, coolly, “will be to obtain the instru- ments of torture.” “Torture?” screamed Bill, hoarsely. “Torture was the word I used,” agreed the commander of these white-sheeted fig- ures. “For the love of——” began Bill, in wail- ing pleading. “Follow your friend’s advice to the ex- tent of shutting up,” Suggested the voice of him in command. Bill lay half-sobbing on his face, listen- ing to the steps of others as they prowled through the woods near by. But neither brute was left long in doubt, for back came the white-gowned, white- masked figures armed with the “instru- ments of torture.” “Switches?” gasped Bill. ~ “Correct!” nodded the leader. “You did not expect to get out of the scrape as light- ly as that, did you?” “For the love of ingly. “For the love of common sense, shet up and take your medicine!” gruffed Bill. “Lay on, brethren—and lay on well!” or- dered the spokesman. ‘Right then and there all nonsense stop- ped. During the next three. minutes the switches were applied, swiftly and vigor- ously, with a strength worthy of athletes. Bill’s yells filled the air, nor was the pluckier Jim able to keep from yelling out for mercy. But none was shown to either. At last, when the back of each ruffian was raw and bleeding, the beating stopped. “Conduct the intended victim hither!” desired the spokesman of the whitecaps. Dick Garvan was led forward. : “Garvan,” asked the spokeman, “would you like to see this precious pair of rascals dipped in.the oil—which is now boiling merrily?” - Dick’s face was sober indeed. | “Tf it rests with me,” he replied, “I think they’ve had all that even they deserve.” “Unbind them and let them go, then,” ordered the leader. “But hark ye, you scoundrels, don’t get into this king of work again. If ever again we run across your “ began Bill, plead- trail, boiling in oil would be light com-— pared to what you'll get. ity, “the night’s work is not yet done. ye well know, we must pay a visit to the home of that fellow. known as old Hutch. We must bring him out into the open, try him and decide what is to be done. Forward! ” There were many chucklings as the white-gowned figures moved off toward Jed Hutch’s home. As they vanished under the trees, a white, scared face peered out from one clump of bushes. “Go, but ye won’t find me!” grunted old Jed Hutch. “I’m not caught as easy as that! And I’ll get even with the whole bunch of you if it costs me a thousand dollars!” Dick Garvan, who had been joined by the chuckling Scads and the broadly-grin- ing Buster, followed in the rear of these energetic whitecaps. Our hero was now hearing from Scads the whole story of his rescue. In carrying our hero from the boat to the pier, one of the rascals had kicked against Buster. The kick awoke that youngster. He saw what was going on, but was too scared to cry out. Instead, he darted aboard the boat, woke up Scads, and told what had happened. There were still lights going at the sum- mer hotel. “You jump up and tell the hotel fellers,” gasped Scads. “I'll foller the crooks and scatter paper. Ye can get some of them college boys to foller the trail. They’ll do anything for fight or sport!” So Scads, the alert, after catching up a pad of paper that Dick kept aboard, had trailed the wagon bearing our hero, and ‘had kept on the trail. Buster had promptly routed out some of the college boys at the hotel. They followed the trail with speed, and, once near the spot.in the woods, had donned the white garments that they had hastily snatched up at starting. But the whitecaps were destined to one disappointment that hight. For the reason that, as the reader knows, they did not find old Jed Hutch at home. CHAPTER VI. THE VOLCANO. “Here comes the crowd from the hotel,” glowed Dick. “Why, I make out over a dozen people,” announced Dot, who stood aboard the Mas- cot close to the bow. “It'll be a small crowd, if that’s all that comes,” Dick replied. “I’ve been handling bigger crowds than that all this week.” “Youre making money, aren’t you, Dick ?2 >= “Well, I’ve cleared twenty-eight dollars to the good in just one week.” “Oh, Dick, that’s just splendid!” “Well, a fellow ought to do well who has such a mascot as I’ve got,” replied te young skipper. “She is a nice boat,” Dot contended. “Oh, I’m not talking about the boat, you know,” ‘smiled Dick. “Her name’s the Mascot, of course. But my real mascot is——”’ e , “Well?” asked Dot, innocently. “The girl who named the boat is my mascot!” declared Dick ‘Garvan, with great seriousness. CL? Your mascot? Oh, nonsense! Why, Dick, if there’s any mascot about it, you must be My mascot. Think what you saved me from! ” “Can’t We be each other’s mascots, then, Dot?” asked the boy, with sudden earnest- ness. But pretty Dot, with a sudden turn and a swish of her soft skirt, had hurried aft, for the hotel crowd was now close to the boat. Dot was still, Tne at the house of the Reverend Mr. Bridewell. . She still. had all her fine clothes that her father had bought her, presumably with money given him by old Hutch. Old Hutch, by the way, was not in town these days. He was keeping well away from the place where whitecaps were so reckless. Yet Dick did not doubt that the old ras- cal was plotting a general vengeance against everybody. Nor had Dot’s father been sighted late- ly. Dot was still provided with a goodly little bunch of money that her father had ‘| handed her before trouble broke. The girl was looking for employment, put she was not in a big hurry. She could wait until the right position came along. But this was the first sail she had taken in the hee since the trouble had hap- pened. “1’1] have a fine trip to-day, as sure as guns,” reflected Dick, as he helped his 28 sengers. aboard. These were mostly women and girls. +t As : the pier. Wood had brought some oiler tello sister. “Crew ahoy!” shouted’ Dick. He had helped his last passenger ate at last. There were sixteen now in au not counting Dot. Scads and Buster came hurrying dow Z They had become regular mem- bers of the crew, receiving twenty-five cents apiece on -each sail. ~ Buster was a handy fellow at the ropes, ‘while’ Seads, with his monkey-shines, help- ed to keep the passengers amused. “Cast off forward!” called Dick, as h took his stand at the tiller. “Hoist th sail! ” As the Mascot drifted. out into the lake the two youngsters of the crew toiled at the halyards. Dick, watching his sail, tautened on the 7 sheet, preparatory to making fast. _ “Why, there’s dad on the pier!” nounced Dot, in a whisper. Yes, there stood. Eb Pritchard, who had walked down on to the pier while the sloop Was getting away. He stood looking over the boat and her passengers with a malicious grin, until suddenly he caught sight of his daughter. Then suddenly his face paled. “Dot!” he yelled. Come back here!” But as the sail filled, and the sloop keel- ed over and moved jauntily away over the lake, everybody laughed at the fellow’s frantic request. “Dot!” screamed her father again as the sloop gained distance, “come back here, I tell you!” The girl’s father seemed to be in real | distress. He was almost crazy with anxiety. “You mustn’t go! “Dot!” he screamed for the third a “You mustn’t go! Come back!” But Hawkes, making a megaphone of his hands, roareq back: “She can’t! She’d get her feet wet!” Every body laughed except Dot and Dick —everybody, that is, except old Eb Pritch- ard. 4 He stretched out both arms imploringly, shouting hoarsely. But just at that instant the Wind got into the sail with a snap. Away over keeled the Mascot in a bully good wind. Between the creaking of cordage and the rush of waters past the sloop’s hull, Eb Pritchard’s last words were lost to those aboard. “Your father doesn’t seem to approve of us aS companions, Miss Pritchard,” observed Hawkes, gravely, but with a twinkle in his ‘eyes. “My father has nothing to do with my — actions nowadays,” replied Dot, very quiet- ly. “Seads,” broke in Dick, quickly, us that new song of yours—the one about the minister and the mag-pie.” Always on tap, though he was a more comic than a sweet singer, Scads broke loose in his ditty. Under cover of the song Dick had chance to whisper to the girl: “T wonder why your father took that sudden notion?” “T can’t imagine,” Dot fegilea “Was it a notion, or had he some real reason. for not wanting you here?” “All I noticed,” Dot whispered back, — “was that dad seemed very well satisfied — about something until he caught sight of me. Then “Then his actions began,” chimed in Dick. “Now surely that couldn’t: have been just because you were with me.’ “T don’t think so,” the girl ae z thoughtfully. “Am I intruding?” asked Hawkes, in a low voice, as he moved up on the other side of the young skipper. “Of. course not,” our promply. = “Then,” murmured the leader, in a very low tone, have been deeiding that it’s about time to have the whitecaps go out to old Hutch’s house again to-night. He may be back by this time. We want to catch him the first night he’s home.” “You know the danger of fooling with him, don’t you?” murmured Dick, grave- ly. hero -eollege “Danger?” smiled Hawkes. “That’s what’d appeal to us. The more danger there is in the lark the better we’d like it! ”? “But old Hutch always gets square a his enemies—no matter what he has to do to get square.” “T notice you haven’t eh town yet,” smiled Hawkes. “No; and I’d like to see anybody make me leave, ” flared the boy. “But just the same I ain’t going out of my way to get into new rows with that scheming rascal, old Hutch.” “Then you wouldn’t care about going with us to-night?” asked Hawkes. “No, but not because I’d he afraid to,2 Dick returned, - quickly. “Oh, if you don’t want to 80, you don’t “ sing 5a) replied, © boy. “Wood and [- an-. # BAP? DAYS. il know. a it isn’t because you lack grit sand, Garvan.” What’s that peculiar noise?” murmured Dick, suddenly. “What sound?” queried Hawkes. ‘There! You hear it? Sounds clock-work!” “So it does,” agreed the college youth. “And it’s under this stern-decking, too,” cried Dick, suddenly, but in a very low tone. “Take the wheel, please!” _ With a bound Dick was up on the stern- decking. He pulled up the small hatch, peering below. - Then, his face very white, but his tone steady, the young skipper whispered: “Hawkes, throw that sheet off! Never mind the wheel! Now get all the folks up forward as quick as you can, but don’t Make any excitement. I’ve located that sound; it’s in ’a box that doesn’t belong there, down under the cordage.” Hawkes, quick to act, had begun driving the women and girls forward. _ Even while he was talking, Dick Garvan was delving with one hand down under the coils of rope in that. compartment. But now, even as his fingers went within like some four inches of the box, Garvan heard a sudden loud click ~ Swift as a shot Dick Garvan. leaped up. ‘He jumpcd down into the cock-pit, start- ed to run forward, when— Boom! The noise and the jar were like the fir- ing of a great cannon. It seemed as if a voleano had ote. at work under.the Mascot! For an instant the craft seemed bent on rising out of the water. Then, swiftly it settled down again, the - water rushing in Pponee the bottom of - the hull. girls. In an instant the saucy little Mascot ~had become a wreck—a sinking wreck at that, with just a score of precious souls at stake out there in .the middle of the lake. From that stern hatch, now made three times as big by the fearful explosion, smoke was belching in clouds. ed the young skipper, palpitatingly. Can swim a bit. yell- “Save “Hawkes—Wood—Scads—Buster! ” all the lives you can!” CHAPTER VII. THE LAST KNOCK ON THE HEAD. “Jump!” shouted Captain Dick, as he saw the frightened faces of the women and “She’s settling! Jump! Don’t get caught in the suction when the boat goes _ down!” As he spoke, Dick darted over the smok- ing stern, casting off the rowboat that had towed astern. “Jump, Dot!” the boy implored. “You Don’t be afraid!” _ Our hero himself pushed Dot off, call- ing: “T’ll be with you in a second!” - Others were raising the desperate cour- age to jump. Hawkes and Wood were already in the water, swimming alertly around, ready to ~ help. Splurge! Filled with water, the Mascot reeled, then went down under the surface. “All right, Dot?” demanded Dick, swim- ming up to the girl, who, having gotten a i 2. poat. : dy. 2 over the waters. nies entrusted — to him, few strokes away, was now floating, pallid - but calm. -“Save some one else,” steadily. “Follow me to the small boat,” Dick or- dered. “Swim hard!” Hawkes had just reached the rowboat - with his mother. “Climb in, Hawkes, e Dick. “I’ve got your mother. her afloat. Get in, quick!” — Hawkes nimbly drew himself into the Dot answered, directed Captain Tl keep “Now, don’t let anyone else get in—not even your mother,” Dick ordered. “What's that?” Hawkes demanded quick- “Straight. goods! The rowboat wouldn’t hold many, and liable to be capsized by folks getting in. We'll save every life if ‘we let folks just hold on to the gunwale. Now hold on, Mrs. Hawkes. Here comes Scads with your daughter.” “Dot, who was a fair swimmer, had al- “ready. coolly rested one hand on the gun- wale of the small boat. | Dick went off for others. -He worked like a beaver, too. But there was a good bit of wreckage afloat. Helpless women and girls, with four good male swimmers at hand, were quickly piloted to wreckage and told to take hold. From the wreckage they were taken one at.a time to the boat, all except a few of the sloop’s late passengers, who remained holding to floating wreckage. “Keep cool, all of you!” shouted Hawkes, “A steam launch is put- ting out from-shore. We'll have all of you Standing on dry boards in a jiffy!” ‘Dick, in the meantime, feeling that he was responsible for all the lives that had “swam | vapidly Ze quicker than th “van. -erowd. “Hawkes!” roared the _young skipper, | exultantly. “Well, Cap’n Dick?” “We haven't lost a life! The Mascot is on the bottom now, but everyone’s afloat! ” That news put heart into them all. Dick, treading water easily close to the boat whose gunwales supported so many of the sloop’s late passengers, was think- ing hard and fast over the explosion. “Mb Pritchard just knew that infernal machine was aboard!” quivered the boy. “Did he put it there himself? He must have! Did he do it on his own hook, or for old Hutch? Gracious! What fearful trouble Hutch can put up for those that he hates! But this time old Hutch came near losing the girl that he’s after. That’s what made Eb Pritchard so crazy. For he could go to blazes with old Hutch, with Dot gone!” “Dick,” whispered a very soft voice, as the water rippled close to our hero. “Dot!” gasped the boy. “I thought you were at the boat!” “But I just had to come out here to ask you if——” began the girl, quiveringly. “No, I don’t think anything of the sort,” Dick retorted, swimming so close that he eould catch her at a moment’s notice. “But, Dick,” murmured Dot, imploringly, “if I thought dad was back of that ex- plosion, I’d rather go to the bottom of the | lake!” “No, you wouldn’t!” blurted young Gar- “And your dad didn’t have a blessed thing to do with that explosion. Wait until we get on shore and then we’ll set it straight.” “But, Dick, I’m sure most of the folks think dad did it,” went on the girl, pite- ously. “I can’t face them again.” “Dot Pritchard, let me take you Over to the boat. You hold on to that gunwale like a good one, or PIl——” He did not finish, but smiled at the girl in a way to show that his vengeance would be fearful if she dared to disobey. “Steady now, good folks!” called Hawkes, reassuringly. “Steam is coming swiftly to our aid. You’ll soon be out of this mess!” Again Dick Garvan swam around, this time to make sure that everyone was able to hold on well. “Now then,” called a cheery voice, as @ bell rang the slow-down. “Don’t every- body try to get saved at once, and we'll soon have you all aboard.” The steam launch was.moving slowly in among them now. ; ie still swam about, helping to the ast. “All aboard that’s coming,” sang out the young fellow who commanded the launch. “Garvan, you’re the last fellow in the water. Come aboard.” “Go on with you!” laughed Dick. “Don’t you think I want my rowboat towed in?” “Get aboard your own boat, then. Throw us the line and we'll make fast.” Dick,’ seated in the bow of his rowboat, Was soon pens. pulled rapidly through the water. g Now the Seonchee ones began to remem- ber his coolness and fidelity in seeing to it that all hands were saved. “What’s the matter with Captain Dick?” ‘yelled Hawkes. “Oh, he’s all ri-i-i-ight!” “He’s the hero of the day!” Roundly enough the people in the launch cheered the young skipper to whom they had safely entrusted their lives this day. But--Dick, peering only for Dot’s face, could not make it out among all those heads. The launch was quickly in at the pier. Everybody was soaked as he got out be- fore the crowd that was gathering fast. “Hold on!” shouted Wood. “Don’t anybody go off without thanking our young captain!” So back they came, crowding around their hero, deluging Dick with their thanks and. praise. “Say, where’s Dot Pritchard?” demanded Dick, suddenly, when: ‘he missed her face from. the throng. “Miss Pritchard!” bellowed Hawkes. “Come and shake hands with our hero!” “Miss Pritchard!” 73 Dot! 9? Then the fearful news dawned and pass- ed from mouth to mouth in wild dismay: “Miss Dot Pritchard didn’t come ashore with us!” CHAPTER VIII. CAPPING THE WHITECAPS. “Why, Dot must have been aboard!” faltered the white-faced Dick. “She was up in the water at the last moment!” But now questioning faces were turned one to another. A chill swept over the crowd. For no one who had been on the launch remembered to have seen pretty Dot Pritchard. “Oh, it can’t be,” moaned Dick to him- self, aS he stood there, swaying and look- ing with haggard eyes over the startied ought. “Yet Dot told me she'd rather sink than face these people!” : ‘Something © must. be -done—and- that “Run out there ee her!” cried Dick. “Cast off—quick!” The two young men who had run the launch on her first trip were still aboard. As Dick darted forward, casting off the bow-line, Scads caught up the stern-line and sprang aboard. The launch started ere more could get aboard. Scads, with a snort, made his way for- ward to our hero. “Don’t fuss,” whispered that young imp. “Dot’s all right. Don’t look surprised, either! ” And Dick, who had found it impossible to believe that Dot had gone to her death, drew in his breath sharply, while Scads hurried on in his whisper: “When Dot got aboard nobody was notic- ing anybody else much. Dot hurried up into the bow. Mr. Hawkes’s sister was right up there with her. So was I. Dot begged Miss Hawkes’s hat and veil, and put ’em on, covering her face. to disappear, and made Miss Hawkes swear she wouldn’t tell. Made me swear I wouldn’t tell a living soul but you—and I won't!” finished up Scads, with vigor. “Are you telling me the truth, Scads?” demanded Dick, in a strained voice. “Ye can ask Miss Hawkes, can’t ye?” demanded Scads. “And if ye ‘found I was lyin’ to ye, ye’d whale daylight outer me, + wouldn’t ye?” : “T sure would!” furnished Dick, prompt- y. “Well, ye can ask her when there ain’t nobody else around,” agreed Scads. “But where’d Dot go?” “She said she was going to leave town. She’ll write and let ye know where she is. Don’t worry. She got through thet crowd like a streak, nobody payin’ any attention to her ’cause her face was hid under that veil. She'll get outer town *thout bein’ known.” “We might as well have this launch put around,” muttered Dick. “And have folks know Dot ain’t dead?” demanded Scads, keenly. “That’s sot Then I’ve’ got to go being upset.” = Of course there wasn’t a trace of Dot. The launch steamed slowly all over the scene of the late disaster, while the crowd looked on sorrowfully from shore. A few rowboats put off, others helping in the search until dark. But Dick, on his return to the pier, ‘was waylaid by Hawkes’s sister, who ask- ed: - “Scads told you that Miss Pritchard is safe, didn’t he?” “Ves, and you?” “T’ve been waiting to tell you the same thine.” “Oh, I don’t know how to thank you, Miss Hawkes! sé “But why did Miss Pritchard want to disappear? Does she think her father will be aceused of knowing all about that bomb?” “T don’t know,” sighed Dick. But all the town knew by this time. The constables of the place were search- | ‘ing actively for Eb Pritchard. If found, Dot’s father was certain of a prompt escort to jail. that night. For now Hawkes ang his little group of college youths, certain that old Hutch | |'was back of the whole attempt to destroy the yacht, were more than ever determined on giving him a whitecap visit. . But, first of all, there was a surprise in store ‘for Dick Garvan. He was just finishing his supper at the jittle restaurant up the street when Scads and Buster, both breathless, rushed in. “Captain Dick, ye’re wanted at the pier!” be shouted Scads. “Ye certain are,” affirmed Buster Burke. “And we’re sent to bring ye, whether ee come or not.” With one member of his late crew on either side of him, young Garvan was marched excitedly down to the wharf. Hardly realizing what was up, Dick was hurried out over the boards to the end of the pier. - There Hawkes and a dozen others await- ed him. ‘And there, too, lay a thirty-foot sloop, a boat from down the lake, fast moored. “Captain,” began Hawkes, “I’m a man of few words, as maybe you've. discovered. But your conduct this afternoon took hold of us all. We appreciate the grit, the courage, the fidelity and the honor that a boy captain showed. That you may not lose anything through this disaster, we folks at the hotel have subscribed a trifle apiece, and—vwell, this is your new craft— /your own and paid for. Now, that’s all, old fellow, for I know you feel badly.” And Hawkes, who was not in the secret CHAPTER IX. A SECRET. Come in here, Dick Garvan! There’s -letter for you!” “For me?” cried Dick, in amazement. “Sure! ” “But nobody ever writes letters to me.” “Someone did this time. Looks like a lady’s handwriting, too.” Postmaster Brown laughed as he looked at the boy’s puzzled face. Dick had just been eating luncheon at the little restaurant, and was now on his way down the street to the dock. “Oh, it’s from Dot, of course,” he sudden- ly told himself. “What a chump I am!” “Come in, lad, and get your letter,’ jibed the postmaster. “Don’t stand think- ing about it all day!” So Dick followed meekly in and received his letter. He glanced at ine writing. Yes, he felt sure that it was Dot’s dainty handwriting. Stepping into the far corner of the of- fice, he took out the letter. “Dorothy Pritchard” was the signature. Yes, it was all right! -It was only a short note from Dot, tell- ing him that she was at the home of an old friend of her mother’s, in'a small town some thirty miles away. Dot begged our hero to send her whatever news there was, and to be sure not to let anybody noe where she was. Just overhead the post office door, in his office upstairs, sat Lawyer Swazey— in a dry suit of clothes—nursing his griev- ance and hoping that the constables. would find those college youths. Sitting close to the window, the lawyer overheard the talk between Postmaster Brown and our hero. “It’s either a letter from that Pritchard girl, or else from the college friends,” bristled the lawyer, sitting upright. “If It’s from the Pritchard girl, then it’s Hutch’s business. If it’s from one of those boys, then it’s mine. I’ve got to find out! T ean bluff a boy. like Garvan.” Coming out of the post office, with the letter tucked in his inner pocket, Dick al- most collided with the waiting lawyer. “Garvan, I want to talk with you,” an- nounced the lawyer, sternly. “No objection to that,” cheerfully. - §Swazey led the boy to the corner, looking around to make sure that no one was. with- in hearing distance. Then old MHutch’s dirty-work ‘opened his batteries: - “Garvan, you’ve just received a letter! ” -“That’s everyone’s right, ain’t it?” No joking with me, young man!” “See here,” Dick put in, coldly, “what are you driving at? _ “Garvan, you’ve just received a letter through the mail!” “Suppose I have? ness, Swazey.” “Call me Mr. Swazey when you speak to me,” ordered the little man of the law. “1 don’t want to speak to you, anyway,” offered Dick, coldly, turning as if to walk away. But Swazey caught him by the arm, drawing him back. “Garvan, you’ve just received a letter, and it’s from several young outlaws whom Vm prosecuting! They’re fugitives from justice. I demand that you show me your letter that I may fing out where these fugi- tives are hiding.” “Oh, that’s what’s eating you, is it?” replied Dick, lawyer It’s none of your busi- ~~ plumped in: Dick. “Show me that letter! ” “Not on your life!” “Then I accuse you of hiding from the law the whereabouts of men who are fugi- tives from justice.” “Oh, that’s your game, is it?” flared Dick, his eyes flashing into those of the crafty lawyer. i “It is my right to demand a look at that Tetter. If you don’t show it to me, Gar- van, you’ll have -to take the consequences— -~ and they’ll be serious consequences, too!” “Go back to your office and cool off,” Dick advised, contemptuously. - “Phen you persist in aiding the fugi- tives to conceal their place of hiding? you understand the consequences of this + before the law, Garvan?” “Why, if I knew the law, I’d know more than you do, wouldn’t I, Swazey?” grinned the boy, coolly. “Now, that wouldn’t be 7 Ww 2 ; Die : ii eee ‘to answer anybody else. her now. Oh, but Ill get that Pritchard_| Do - He paused long enough to send this shot over his shoulder: “And don’t go swelling around, trying to frighten kids. It makes a cheap lawyer look mighty small!” : As for Dick, he went back into the same little restaurant, called for pen and ink, paper and an envelope, and seated himself to write an answer to Dot. “Don’t send any letters addressed to me, or folks will know I’m alive,” Dot had written. “Send your letter addressed to my friend, Mrs. Richards, and she’ll know it’s for me by the postmark.” “One good thing,” muttered Dick, as he dipped the pen in ink and wondered what he’d write. “Swazey won’t find out from the postmaster where my letter goes to. Brown can’t bear the sight of Swazey.” As Dick bent low over the paper, Lawyer Swazey passed, peering into the restaur- ant. “The letter’s from that Pritchard girl, ‘and she’s alive all right!” thrilled the law- yer. “Dick Garvan hasn’t looked as upset as he would if he thought the girl was dead. And he wouldn’t be in such haste ~He’s writing to girl’s letter of him. If I can find out where Dot Pritchard is, won’t Jed Hutch pay me well for the services! . Well, I think!” While Dick was writing, a tough-looking fellow, a stranger in the village, came in and sat down at another table. Dick wrote with great effort, describing his new sloop and the other news that there was, including what had happened to Swazey and the flight of the friendly col- lege boys. This letter finished, and directed to Mrs. Richards, as. Dot had asked, our hero rose, holding the letter tightly in his hand. At the door the tough-looking one bump- ed into him, but quickly apologized. Dick mailed the letter, then strolled down to the pier. But it was yet too early to know whether anyone would want to go sailing this after- noon. “T’ll go into the cabin and have another look at: Dot’s letter,” he decided. “Hello! What’s this? Gracious! ” Dot’s letter was gone from his pocket. Slowly a grin overspread the boy’s face. “That tough mug who jolted Me was working for Swazey, all right. Swazey be- lieves that Dot’s alive, all right. Swazey wants to find out for his master where she is. A lot of good that letter’ll do Swazey, after I had torn out the postmark, the date line, Dot’s signature and Mrs, Richard’s name!” And Dick, who in ae post office had taken those very precautions, laughed to himself in keen enjoyment over the thought of Lawyer Swazey’s raging disappointment. “T told ‘Swazey he was a cheap lawyer!” chuckled the boy.. “Now he thinks so him- self, I reckon. Lord, wouldn’t I like a peek at his face now! ” _ “What’s so mighty good?” murmured Scads, ducking low and bobbing into the cabin, followed by Buster Burke. “Nothing, except my thoughts,” Dick re- torted, drily. As no one came for a sail this afternoon, Captain Dick took the boat out for a trial trip for the enjoyment of himself and the small crew. It was after six when they got back to the pier, and the Reverend Mr. Bridewell stood there waiting. He came aboard as soon as the new Mascot touched. Seads and Buster, realizing that some- thing private was on, dusted. “A boy came to My house with this note,” said the clergyman, deftly passing a note to our hero. “He said you were out sailing, and he had orders to leave it with no one else except myself.” With his message delivered, the clergy- man sprang ashore. Dick dodged below into the cabin, for he had recognized Dot’s handwriting on the envelope. “Dear Dick,” began the note. ‘That thrilled him, for the other note had begun only with “Friend Dick.” “l’m afraid there’s some trouble brew- ing,” ran the note. “And you are the only one I can trust, Dick. Meet me at the old Northrup mill to-night. Mrs. Richards is coming with me. Don’t let a soul know, and be sure no one follows you. Destroy this as soon as you have read it. Yours faithfully, Dot! ” “‘*Vours faithfully, Dot’! ” eau the boy. “Destroy this note? I hate to—but I’ve got to!” Striking a match, he watched the last bit of paper and envelope blacken and crumble. CHAPTER X. AT THE OLD MILL. “Followed? I don’t believe I’ve been, 2 uttered. Dick Garvan. He came out of the camp of bikes in which he had crouched for the last few minutes. He was within an eighth _ of a mile of It stood at the edge of a swift mountain stream. Built both for grinding grain and for sawing out logs, the old mill was still used once in a while for log-sawing in the spring-time. But the place was a “mile from any- where,” 2a lonesome old spot where a few people could meet secretly with little dan- ger of being found out. For the fourth time on the way Dick had suddenly hidden, in order to see whether anyone was trailing him from behind. - ail right, I’m sure,” Dick told him- se He left the road now, trudging briskly through the woods for the two hundred ae or so that lay between him and the mi That old tumble-down building loomed up big and black against the cloudy sky. “Whew! Dot and her friend must have an awful long walk to tramp all the way here—from wherever they come from!” ut- tered the boy. “I wonder if they’re around yet.” He heard someone moving ahead in the brush. “Hello!” he called, softly, halting. There was no answer. He went closer to the sound. “Hello!” he called again. There was an answer this time: On either side the bushes parted. rough-looking men pounced upon him. Ere Dick. could ery out or fight back they had him up off his feet. A big hand of one was clapped over his mouth, stifling all cries. Swiftly they bore the startled boy down close to the stream. Here a door in the mill wall stood ajar. In through this Dick’s captors bore him. Bang! It was the door closing behind them as they shot in with the boy. At the sound another door opposite flew open and someone stood there holding a lantern. “Got him, eh?” made Dick’s flesh “creep.” It was old Hutch who held the lantern and peered at Garvan’s face as the two ruffians threw the boy on the floor. In the next instant Dick’s ears told him where he was even before his eyes told him the same thing. He was in the damp, musty wheel- -room of the mill. Over at one side the floor ended sharply, so that another step would carry one into the race-way against the great mill-wheel. Dick was yanked to his feet and held there as though in a vise. “Tell me where Dot Pritchard is! And be sure you tell the truth—if you want to live!” rumbled the ugly voice of old Hutch. “If that’s the trick you got me out here for,” retorted Dick, his eyes flashing, “you have fooled yourself as badly as. you’ve fooled me!” “Would you sooner die?” growled old Hutch, his eyes looking red with hate. “Td die any time sooner’n tell you any- thing about Dot Pritchard!” proclaimed the boy. “Rig him up, men, and we’ll see!” quav- ered old Hutch. Dick fought for ‘all there was in him. He wriggled, kicked, hit out when he could get a hand free—but the brutes were too much for him. Old Hutch helping, they bore him up to the top of the wheel. Face downward, his hands swiftly tied to one paddle of the wheel, his feet to another, Dick was at their mercy. “Will ye tell—or be soused?” glared old Hutch, one hand on the starting lever of the great wheel. “Souse!” came the defiant answer.: Whirr-rr! . Clack! They meant it, then, the scoundrels! The great wheel started, a rush of water carrying it creakingly over. Splash! Choke! Strangle! Then Dick Garvan, striking the water ere: he realized it, and shipping a great mouthful of water that seemed to fill his whole heing, knew what it felt like to drown! His head buzzed and throbbed. senses were leaving him. Then his head came out of the water. He choked out all the water he could, tried to get his breath, as the wheel stopped with Dick Garvan. again at the top. “Will you tell now?” leered old Hutch. Garvan tried to speak, but could not, the water still in him was strangling him so. Old Hutch waited, smiling wickedly for a few moments. “Well, Garvan,” he hailed at last, that souse you'll tell?” Two His “after “Pll tell you nothing!” came gaspingly. from the victim. Whirr-rr! Clack! ed the wheel again. “The boy means to die game! ” he grated, hoarsely. “Ali right! Let him do it this time! ” : Old Hutch had start- (TO BE CONTINUED. ) chuckled a voice that. proved to Gus that originally the Get A New York Detective’s Wall St. Story -|@ room into which the béys had not prev: iously enetrat d reat piles of bag made [This story commenced in No. 621.) Gus and the Gold Hunter \ The Search for Netter s Mines BY © LITren. Author of ‘Hercules. Harry,” “Out for Every. Hes ” “Heir to a Cent,” Good o Wheue 4 “Ben and the Banker's Son,” ete. ce CHAPTER XXII. GUS AND WALTER GET AWAY WITH THE GOLD. “Hold on there, Gus,” said Walter, as Gus got out his revolver and prepared for — business; “don’t be in too big a hurry; i these Indiang may be like Arabs, who, as — I have read, when: in their most friendly moods, will come at you as though they were going to wipe you off the face of thet earth.” “I’m ready for either thing,” answered Gus, grimly. “Indians are not like Arabs. — ae are ever a Silent race,’ ese particular Indians wer but silent, however. eee Their shouts were deafening. They danced, leaped, waved their arms and brandished their bows. But Gus could not be gure whether joy {or defiance was what drove them to this. “It may be their way of rejoicing at the fulfillment of the prophecy,” he thought, and sure enough, so it proved. Luisa motioned to the boys in a way which seemed to say: “There is nothing to: fear!” co As the Indians came crowding about them their whole manner changed. 4 They fell on their faces and bowed their heads to the ground. - They kissed the boys’ feet and patted _ their legs. “You want to keep perfectly quiet and let them do what they will,” said Luisa in Spanish. “They will do you no harm. Not one of them have ever seen a white man before.” This seemed almost ineredible. Nevertheless, it is a well-known fact that there are Indian tribes inhabiting the deep valleys between the Sierras who never come out, and who live precisely as they lived in the days of the Aztecs, : Fierce tribes like the Jaquis guard the passes leading into these valleys, and it is impossible for whites to pass them. That some of the richest mines in Mexico — exist in these hidden valleys there can be no doubt. From these Naticos there was nothing _ to fear. Ca : Luisa: had made good in every particu- ae “Now, Senor Gustavo, we want to. get to work at once,” she said. “These simple people believe the degend of the tribe has been fulfilled, and that if they give you the gold you will return and build up the | ruined eity.° Part of this is the legend — and part the story I have given them. They are prepared to go with you as far as you wish. We should decide now what: our destination should be.” a “If they would only go with us to the © coast,” said Walter. “We have a boat there.” “They will do it,” replied Luisa, “and — I am glad you do not want. to return to Tepic, for there they would surely get itto — trouble. I will tell them what you wish.” Luisa explained to the Indians, who nod- A ded assent to everything she said. “Now we start for the house of the sacred turtle,” saiqd the girl. “Put your-— self in the lead, and they will follow. When they see that you know just where the gold is it will make them still more © certain that you have been sent by their gods.” a8 : “Poor, simple people,” remarked Walter _ in English. “It was in just this way that the Aztecs in the city of Mexico originally — received Cortez and his Spaniards. They | treated them as gods and opened their treasure houses to them. « .“And the Spaniards repaid their kind- ness by slaughtering them by thousands,” added Gus. “It’s a great world. I must confess I feel a good deal like a thief my- self about taking away this gold.” The boys now put themselves at the head of the Indian band, and the march to the house of the turtles began, the Indians shouting and singing as they advanced. Arrived at the temple, they passed sa the treasure room. As each Indian entered he prostrated . himself before the empty turtle tank, coe ‘ ive. turtles which swam in the tank were Wore, shipped as gods. “Let them do everything their own way, ” said Luisa. “You have only to stand quiet ly by and wait.” Some of the Indians now prouehe from HAPPY DAYS. out to their fellows who filled the While they worked they kept. up a wild hant, and the enthusiasm ee never lag. s each bag was filled it “was carried up to the great courtyard and deposited at 4 foot of the pedestal which supported image of the sacred turtle. At last as many bags had been filled as the burros could carry, and Luisa, who in a way directed operations, called a halt. - But the treasure in the pit was lowered very little. To have exhausted it would have taken ‘days. “Tt’s all we can get away with,” remark- ed Gus, “and we may consider ourselves as mighty lucky to do so well.” _ “That’s what’s the matter,” replied Wal- ter. “How much do you suppose those bags are worth?” “They weigh about a hundred pounds each.” “And there are forty of them, two for ach burro.” “Exactly.” “At eighteen dollars per ounce Troy that makes what?” “Two hundred and sixteen dollars to the ‘pound. aR “And four thousand pounds Aeros up eight hundred and sixty-four thousand dol- lars.” “Exactly so. Near a million. It will make us rich if we can only get away with it. But just think that we are leaving behind. t : It was useless to think of that, however, and the boys dropped the subject. . All hands now returned fe the court- ard. - Other Indians had arrived, bringing with them hams, fresh beef, fruit and other pro- ‘visions. _ “They are ready to start at once,” said Luisa; “but first we must eat.” " ‘While some of the Indians busied them- elves with tying the loads upon the burros,. others prepared the meal over a fire made by rubbing two sticks together. The boys and Luisa ate apart from the thers, two Indians attending to their ‘wants. Two additional pburros had been brought in, and upon the backs of these patient little animals the remainder of the pro- ‘visions were tied. ~ Tt was now three o’clock, and all being in readiness, Luisa gave the word and a _ start was made. An old Indian now took the lead. He advanced to a big building which the boys had not previously examined. Here they entered into the mound upon which it rested by a wide doorway and - immediately began to descend. ' ‘Torches were now lighted, and the bear- ers going ahead, the little cavalcade passed - underground. Constantly descending, they soon enter- ed an immense cavern. It was a place beautiful beyond descrip- _ tion. Immense stalactites hung down from the roof. They were as white as snow, and had assumed all sorts of peculiar shapes. Some resembled animals, and not a few -even took forms which looked like carved statues of men. That some of these had been actually carved out into these forms by the Indians Gus was ready to believe. They were an hour in passing through this cave, always descending, until at last light was seen ahead. “We are coming out now,” said Luisa: “and we shall find ourselves at the ‘foot of the great dome upon which our ruined city. stands.” “T wonder if Padre Echeverria came this way,” remarked Walter. “He must have done so if he brought “away gold to any amount,” replied Luisa. _ “ have spoken to the Indians about him,” she added, “but they never heard of the good man. They don’t even seem to _ have a legend of any white man ever hav- ing visited the city before.” They passed on toward the light, and a at length came out into the open. ‘To Gus’s immense satisfaction, ee were the trees. . They were already far down the moun- aa, and all seemed plain sailing now if nothing occurred. CHAPTER XXIII. OVERTAKEN IN THE FOREST. Once in the open a halt was made. All the Indians but five now started to return. — Bach man, before leaving, bowed low be- fore the boys and kissed their feet. Gus would have liked to make each man some little present, but he- had next to nothing to give. So as the few trifles they could have spared ‘would never have gone arougd, Chis, was: not done. The five- “indians who. remained ¢gica: ‘ed were prepared to accompany them coas and bring the: burros ecite Their way was down a steep incline and through an almost unbroken forest. In many places the Indians were obliged to cut a path with machetes with which they were provided, wherever they got then. At last, toward nightfall, they came out upon the same trail which the boys had followed in their ascent of the mountain. Night overtook them at a point where there was something of a clearing and an excellent spring of water. ‘Here the burros were relieved of their loads, and the Indians prepared supper. “Well, this is certainly great,” remarked Walter, as he and Gus found themselves stretched upon the grass under a spreading tree after the meal. “It begins to look as though our gold-hunting expedition was destined to prove a complete success. “It certainly does,” replied Gus. “I never would have believed that things would have turned out as they have.” “and we have only Luisa to thank for it,” continued Walter. “She is a wonder- ful girl. It is the luckiest thing you ever did, Gus, when you. jumped in and saved her life at Tepic.” “Tuckier for you than for me, perhaps,” replieq Gus, slyly. “What do you mean by that?” “Well, Walt!” “Oh, you needn’t look at Me like that. I own up that I could fall in love with Luisa. I ever laid eyes on, and as for the rest— well, I should not be afraid to marry her if it came to that.” “In spite of her Indian blood.” “At all events, she is an American.” “She certainly is, if that counts. Well, much as I feel under obligations to her, you will find no rival in me, Walt, so jump in and win.” The subject was dropp 1, for Gus saw that Walter was deaq in earnest, and he did not care to tease him about the mat- ter. Luisa joined them a little later, and after some discussion of their plans, preparations were made for the,night. These were simple enough. It was 2 case of the hard ground for a bed. The Indians built up a big fire to keep off the jaguars. Not a trace of these fierce creatures had been seen as yet, but Luisa assured the boys that they existed in the forest, and that she personally had known of several cases where men had been killed by them. ~All lay around the fire but Gus, who | determined to remain on the watch. As for the Indians, they seemed to have no fear. It was hard keeping awake, for Gus had been up all the night before. Walter, on this account, wanted to take first turn, but Gus would not hear to it as his. companion was by no means as robust as himself, The hours passed without alarm, and at one o’clock Walter was awakened and Gus lay down to get the sleep he needed so much. There is nothing like mother ‘earth ‘for a bed when one wants sound sleep. As for Gus, he was well used to this sort of thing, and he never slept sounder than he did that night: From this deep oblivion he was suddenly aroused to find Walter shaking him. “You must wake up!” cried Walter. “I hear horses or something. There is cer-_ tainly someone coming. We want to be on the alert.” Gus sprang to his fest. _ The gray of dawn was upon them; morn-° ing was close at hand. “Shall we wake the Indians?” elaimed. “T wouldmt for a minute,” replied Wal- ter. “Let’s catch on to this..thing. Do you: hear?” Gus listened. “Tt certainly sounds like ae coming,” he said. “Or mules.” “Mules, most likely.” “What if it should be the Mendoza-Perez contingent?” “We ought to get those eold bags out of the way in that case.’ “The Indians had better be called.’ I will wake Luisa: first.” Luisa responded to the call on the in- stant.” “Vou are right. Mules are coming,” she said. “We can’t act too quickly. I have ex- plained to the Indians. They know just what we have to expect.” She gave a peculiar ery, and two of the Naticos were on their feet in an instant. These awakened the others. There was no talk made. Luisa directed and the Indians etlently began loading the bags upon the burros. _“What’s the plan?” Gus asked Luisa. “What do you propose to do?” “They must not see the gold, whoever he ex- t | they are, Senor Gustavo.” . : “Certainly not. if it can be avoided.” “We will run the burros into the woods. . The indians and I will watch. You can go ‘with us, and we will let these people j , or you can. let them over- see who they are. If they dre Perez, ee. I think she is the prettiest .girl- one not to be allowed to go on to the city 23 “Is it worth our while to try to fight them now?” questioned Walter. _ “Ah,” replied Luisa, “have not the Nati- cos of the Sierra used you well? Do you want to send them trouble? They are heavily armed; the Indians are but poor, simple people. They will think that these men have been sent by you to rebuild the city. What wil: be the result? Many of them will surely be killed. I know Gen- eral Mendoza. He will soon quarrel with them, and then they will be slaughtered like sheep.” “There’s a lot in what you say, and the Naticos certainly have used wus well,” re- plied Gus. “If there is to be a fight, then it had: better be now, so that we can turn these people back.” “And you two will stop here and receive them?” Luisa asked. “We shall be ready ‘| to help you on the minute.” “What do you say, Walt?” demanded Gus. “We have got to decide quick. They are right upon us.” ““T think that Luisa is dead right,” re- plied Walter. “We certainly owe a lot to the Naticos of the city, and to send them trouble would be dead wrong.” “Settled,” said Gus. “We stay even at the risk of our lives.” Luisa turned and spoke to the Indians, who led the burros in among the trees, all but the two which earried the pro- visions. The heavy footfalls of the approaching mules could now be heard close upon them. Gus and Walter threw themselves down by the fire and pretended to be asleep. But it is needless to say that each kept a corner of his eye open, watching in the direction of the approaching sounds. In a few minutes two Indian muleteers eame into view. They gave a shout at the sight of the camp. Others came running up. Then came two mules loaded with a camp equipment and provisions. Still the boys pretended to sleep, and in a minute More they saw General Mendoza and Padre Perez ride into view. 7“ “An-ha! It is as: E°teld you;” shouted the padre in Spanish. “Here are our gold- hunters now!” : ot CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION. Tt was high time to awake, and Gus roused up and sprang to his feet, Walter following his example. The Indians came around them, but. kept their distance, evidently waiting for or- ders. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” demanded General Mendoza, riding up to the boys... “We might just as well put the question to you,” retorted Gus. “We are hunting in the forest—that is all.” “Hunting without rifies?” sneered the general. “Not a very likely story, young man.” “Did I say what we were hunting for?” replied Gus. “It don’t happen to be ani- mals.” “1. Taney Nob, “Well! ” “You are the boys who robbed my friend here.” “That’s right!” eried the padre. that fellow with Mr. Winters.” “Whom you killed,” retorted Walter, bit- terly. “I know you.” Trouble was right at hand. But then it could not have been avoided. That would have been impossible. Gus was growing fearfully nervous. wondered how it was going to end. He was not to be kept long in doubt. He was to be shown that to think of showing these men mercy was simply to sacrifice their own lives. General Mendoza now interfered. “Let me talk to them,” he said, and then turning again to the boys, he resumed: “Have you been on the mountain? [I command you to answer Mme! _ See, you are wholly in our power. Speak the truth.” It is - gold.” 66 t saw He “T have nothing to tell you,” replied Gus. “Vou go your way and let us go Ours. Thats all = Of course they can’t have been on the mountain,” put in Perez. “You can see for yourself, general; that they have no gold.” “Tet them answer my question,” said the general, fiercely. “They will do it quick, too!” ~ “Well, then, we have been on the moun- tain,” replied Gus, “and as you See, we have got no gold.” “You have those papers which you stole, though. Probably you can not read old Spanish well enough to understand them, and that is where the trouble comes in.” “Perhaps,” sneered Gus. “Give up the papers.” “LD Say. not” The general Made a sign to oo Indians. Instantly they closed about the boys. “Shoot them! Shoot them off-hand!” said Perez. s “That As. s the best way ‘to settle At” “You are right,” said the general, and he flung up his rifie, motioning to the Indians to fall back. Gus gave a shout. It was the signal agreed Luisa. At the same instant a ehorus of horrible yells rang out through the forest and the Naticos broke cover. There was a whiz of flying arrows. ~ ‘The Indians broke and plunged into the forest. General Mendoza did not fire. Padre Perez turned his mule and went dashing back along the trail, the general losing not a second in following him. ... Luisa now appeared jubilant. “I told you how it would be!” she cried. “These Indians of the warm lands”—tierra caliente was the way she put it—‘“will never stand up against the Naticos. We — shall see no more of them, and we have | captured their mules.” “And that should put them out of busi- ness,” said Gus: | He slapped the baggage mules over the haunches and started them off up the trail - on the run. “Now let us get our breakfast,” Ca Luisa. “If those Indians are coming back and there is to be a fight, we may as well know it and settle it right here.” The Indians did not return, and the boys never saw either the general or the padre again. Whether they traveled fast enough to keep ahead of them, or whether they lost their way and perished in the forest, they — never knew. The journey was soon resumed, and they reached the ruined temple without mishap. Here they put in the night, and in fhe - morning started over the foothills for the coast. It was just before sundown that they came in sight of the earved rock, and a few minutes later they saw before them the full sweep of the eove. To their intense relief Mr. Winters’ little sf en was still lying at anchor undisturb- e “And now the end of your journey is in sight,” said Luisa, with a touch of sadness in her voice. “I must turn back, and to - what? What is to beeome of me?” “Why,” said Gus, “I suppose you will go back to your people; but you must not go empty-handed. A full share of this gold is rightfully yours.” “T cannot accept it,” replied Luisa. “It would de Me no good if E did. No, I cannot zo back to the tribe. Sooner or later they will learn what I have done and they will kill me. They are not to be fooled like the simple Indians of the mountains.’ : “And what will you do?” demanded Wal- er. Luisa. gave him a look which sent the . blood coursing through his veins. Gus saw what was coming and held his tongue. It was Walter’s business aad not his. “T must return to Tepic, I suppose,” said Luisa. “I have not a friend left on earth.” This was Walter’s time. He had resolved to do it. “What about going “with us and Marry- ing me as soon as we get to Acapulco?” he asked. “That’s where we are heading for. I will make you a good ha ee Luisa, if upon with | you will say yes.” We cut it off right here. ' Enough to add Luisa did not Say no, and Walter finished his courting on the yacht. The gold was safely loaded on board, and the Indians started back with the burros. 5 : Oe boys sailed with the turn of the ide They were blest with perfect weather, and in due time they turned in between the two big white rocks and found them- selves in that earthly. paradise, the harbor of Acapulco. Here Walter and Luisa were promptly married in the big church at the head of the plaza. The boys passed off the contents. of their bags as silver ore, and were able to land it in safety and deliver it at the bank, where they obtained drafts on the city of Mexico for over three-quarters of a million. It was Mexico City next, and then, in- stead of going 1o San Francisco, as they. had intended, they went to New York. Here they remained—almost everybody does who lands in New York with money enough. Gus and Walter went into the brokerage — business, and in time became rich men. _ Never for an instant did Walter regret his marriage, and as for Luisa, she always declares that the happiest day of her life was the day when she eame tp with Gus and the Gold-Hunters. (THE END.) - $040404040+4040+40+40+4 04040404 04 | Don’t Miss Harry Moore’s Rousing War Story. THE LIBERTY BOYS’ REVENGE or, Punishing the Tories OUT TO-DAY! . OUT TO-DAY! — In “The Liberty Boys of "76 No. 298 ne HAPPY DAYS. HAPPY DAYS. | NEW YORK, SEPTETIIBER 29, 1906. Terms to Subscribers. One Copy Gne Year. . . $2.50 One Copy Six Months. . 120 One Copy Three Months. - . 630 Ali remittances should be sent by express money order, P, O. order or draft on New York to insure safety. We will be responsible for all money sent in this way. Postage Free During the year 1906 Happy Days will be for- warded FRED oF PosTaGH, to our subscribers, which will enable all our readers residing in re- mote parts of the country to receive their favor- ite journal at a low rate. ‘ Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. NOTICE}! Those of our readers who wish any of the back numbers of HAPPY DAYS and cannot procure them from their newsdealer, can, by sending to us, secure any back number they desire, at 5 cents per copy. {This story commenced in No, 623.) TOM JONES T# MESSENGER BOY THE SWIFTEST LAD IN WALL STREET By HARVEY K. FORD Author of “From Beggar to Broker; or, the Boy Who Won a Fortune.” CHAPTER X. BESSIE BREEZE IN WALL STREET. When Bessie saw Tom’s perilous Situa- tion she was nearly paralyzed with fright. But she was a brave, resourceful little girl, and with admirable presence of mind she dashed forward and dragged him out of the trap that Denny McMahon, with fiendish malignancy, had placed him in. Be Pe ee OO eee er eer S “ATT MTT A ALBERT J. BOOTH © @ © © Y © ee @ © EXPRESS READ IT! “1 & © QD : © © Y © © Y © Y © Y @ @ © © © © © © © Y © © © & © © ® © © © © © ® © @ © ® ® © © <> LO ® Oo @ Me CLEAR the TRACKS Next Week =-= A Railroad Story BY THE KING OF AUTHORS “Young Fearless,” THE BOY ENGINEER RUNNING THE MOUNTAIN ‘(= READ IT! This great serial begins NEXT WEEK PLEASE BEAR THIS IN MIND = Nico. G26 Is going to contain one of the best stories ever issued Title will be announced Next Week Here’s Your Chance! NO CHARGE FOR A COPY OF OUR BIG CATALOGUE mae SEND FOR ONE “Gag Ne © i DOOOOOOGHOPOOOOOOOOOOOOOHD ODP PDD DTD FF IONS PAAMUMY, JS ANIL I INL IS fs bd Se IN lhl telelrrlrrlerslss Ar lar larlarlerrley CURB. OP? 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Wide Awake Weekly No. 22 Too Green to Burn or, The Luck of Being a Boy Fame and Fortune Weekly No.50 The Ladder of Fame or, From Office Boy to Senator Work and Win No. 406 Fred Fearnot’s Swim for Life or, How He Fooled His Foes Secret Service No. 399 The Bradys and the Bond Forgers or, A Dark Wall Street Mystery The Liberty Boys of '76 No. 298 The Liberty Boys’ Revenge or, Punishing the Tories Pluck and Luck No. 432 Exile No. 707 or, The Boys of the Forgotten Mine Wild West Weekly No. 204 Young Wild West and the “Crooked Cowboys” or, Arietta and the Cattle Stampede SPECIAL NOTICH:—If you cannot procure back numbers of any of above weeklies from newsdealers send the price to us in money or postage stamps and we will send them to you by return mail. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York City. MY NI NS SND NI INI INS NS DI GF And she was only just in time, too, for the next instant the descending elevator whizzed downward without stopping. Bessie had saved Tom’s life, and the boy, realizing the fact, pressed her hand grate- fully, while his eyes thanked her, But for her opportune presence in the corridor that day his head would have been sMashed by the elevator cage as one might break an empty eggshell. Denny McMahon did not pause in ‘his flight down the stairway to see whether his dastardly attempt on Tom Jones’s life had been. successful or not. He had caught a fleeting glance of Bessie Breeze’s sudden appearance on the scene, but he did not believe she would be able to extricate Tom from his dangerous posi- tion before the fast-descending elevator struck him. Before he reached the first turn in the stairway the elevator cage shot swiftly past him without having encountered any obstacle, as far as he could tell, and he began to understand that his wicked scheme had miscarried. At any rate, it behooved him to get out of the ‘building as fast as his legs could carry him for fear of the consequences, In the meantime Tom, on the floor above, was trying to tell Bessie how grateful he was to her for saving him from an appall- ing death. “T’ll never forget what you have done for me, Bessie, as long as I live,” he said, hold- ing her little hand in his. . Bessie was crying and laughing at the same time, almost hysterical in a way, now that the danger to Tom had been happily averted, and she gradually under- stood how close had been the margin by which the boy had escaped. “Oh, Tom, Tom, I’m so glad you were not hurt,” was about all she could say. Two brokers whom Tom knew by sight “HIT HIM!” CRIED A FAMILIAR VOICE. came out into the corridor to. take the ele- vator, and regarded the white-faced boy and excited girl in no little surprise. Tom felt called on to explain the situa- tion to them. Both expressed indignation at the at- tempted outrage. “You ought to have the young villain ar- rested at once,” said one of the brokers, energetically. “He must be a hardened rascal.” oD rt be TMU tarily pressing her hands against her ears, “what a noise those men are making! ” “That's the way they do _ business,” grinned Tom. a “Why, there are three men fighting over. near that pole,” she cried. “Oh, no; they’re not fighting,” laughed Tom, looking in the direction she pointed, “That stout man just shook his fist in the tall, thin man’s face, I thought he was going to strike him. He looks awfully anery.” “All business, Bessie.” “Well, they are acting perfectly dreadful. Look at that group there how they are pushing and crowding one another,” “Tike a football game, isn’t it?” “T don’t know,” replied Bessie, doubt- fully. “I never saw a football game.” Suddenly the incessant strident uproar that rose to the ears of the visitors was pierced by a sharp, treble voice from one corner of the room. Instantly thirty or forty brokers from all parts dashed in that direction, and in a twinkling the owner of the voice was sur- rounded by a yelling mob of brokers, who THE BOYS, WHO HAD BEEN GRADUALLY CLOSING IN ON HIM, SUDDENLY ATTACKED HIM ON THE EDGE OF THE TOM, WHO WAS PUTTING UP A GAME FIGHT, TURNED UPON THE SPEAKER AND STRUCK HIM A HEAVY BLOW. “He’s about as tough as they come,” ac- knowledged Tom. “There’s an institution up the state for such young scoundrels,” said the other broker. “I shouldn’t have an ounce of mercy on him.” “You have a clear case against him, with this young lady’s evidence to corroborate your story,” said the first broker. “I think you deserve a medal, miss, for your re- markable presence of mind in a desperate emergency.” “She deserves a dozen medals,” chimed in Tom, earnestly. “She certainly saved my life. It gives me the cold shudders to think how near I came to having the whole top of my head shaved off.” “Don’t, Tom; please don’t speak about it any more,” begged Bessie, appealingly. “I don’t think [I shall ever forget this terrible thing. I’m so unnerved now I can hardly stand.” Bessie wasn’t sure that she wanted to go over to the Hxchange now. She felt that she had had excitement enough for one day. “Nonsense, Bessie! Come along. Wipe your eyes, or people will think we’ve been having a private quarrel.” The next elevator stopped at the floor just then, and Bessie was prevailed on to enter it, followed by Tom and the two brokers, who were enthusiastic in their ad- miration for the plucky little girl. Tom and Bessie walked to Broad street, and down that wide thoroughfare to the entrance to the Stock Exchange. They entered that imposing marble building, and Tom led the way to the vist- tors” gallery. The floor was thickly sprinkled -with active, leather-lunged brokers, a consider- able proportion of whom were gesticulating with upraised arms and extended fingers, and shouting out their bids in a high key. “By gracious!” exclaimed Bessie, involun- seemed to be springing at him like a pack of coyotes upon a lone, wandering sheep lost on the prairie. Bessie’s eyes bulged at the sight. “Oh, Tom,” she cried, in some alarm, “what are they doing to that man?” “Oh, they won’t hurt him,” chuckled the boy, not a little tickled at her trepidation. “Won’t hurt him!” she _ ejaculated. “Why, they’re just pulling him to pieces.” “You only think they are.” “T can’t see him now. I’m sure they've injured him.” . “Don’t worry about him. He'll get off with a dented hat and a wilted collar. Those things don’t count here.” Tom and Bessie remained until twelve o’clock, when the chairman’s gavel brought the business of the day and week to a con- clusion. The clamor died away as the Members of the Exchange began to make a bee- line for the doors. It was but a few minutes before the floor was clear of everything but a litter of torn envelopes, bits of paper, and similar debris. The boy and girl then followed the other spectators to the sidewalk. “We might as well go to lunch now, Bessie,” suggested Tom.. “I know a very nice restaurant down on Beaver street. T’ll take you there.” “Hadn’t we better take a car for home?” she replied. “You’re through for the day, aren’t you?” “l’m through, yes. But what’s the use of going home? I want to treat you now I’ve got you down here.” : “You're awfully good, Tom; but——” “T’ll have no buts about it, When f invite a young lady down to the Street to take in the sights I hope I know how to treat her. You seem to forget that I am something of a capitalist. I made over $3,000 in my last deal, and I am worth about $5,000—or: to be exact, $4,720.” (CONTINUED ON PAGE 10.) FIA FPY DAYS. & By SAM SMILEY Author of “The Boy Next Door,” “Just Like His Father,” “Our Jim,” WV ally,” ‘A Boy From the Country,” “Rolling Rob,” ‘Billy Brass,” “Finnegan's Boy,” ete. CHAPTER VIII. It was bad enough to get a spanking - right out in the open daylight, without |three other boys, all ready for fun and ', having the boys happen along just at that | quick to seize the first opportunity of get- time. “What's the matter, Jonah?” asked Jack, “when it was all over. “School isn’t in now. What struck Wagegles?” “Nuthin’ struck him as I know,” wailed Jonah. “It was me what got struck.” (This:storyzcommenced inBNo. 617.) JONAH OR, MAEING A MUSS OF EVERYTHING and those two and the dog slept on, un- mindful of coming danger. Then along came Jack Jolly and two or ting it. “Sh!” said Jack, taking in the situation. “Here’s a bully good chance for a joke on Jonah and Uncle Hiram at the same time.” “That’s a funny place for a fellow to hang his hat,” chuckled one. THE FLAMES AND SMOKE CURLED UP FROM THE HAT BRIM; THE DOG DID NOT LIKE THE SMELL AWAY, AND JONAH AND THE OLD SPORT SLEPT ON, WHILE THE BOYS WAITED TO SEE THE FUN FROM DOORWAY AND WINDOW. “Yes, but what for?. Why did he paste you the way | saw him doing?” “Oh, don’t ask so many questions,” snap- ped Jonah. “I’m not responsible for all the queer things he does.” Then Jonah went off, and Jack had to get the story from some other source. Later on, when it was hotter than ever, - Jonah came back and took a seat in the - chair vacated by Wagzgles. It was so hot that most of the crowd had left to find a cooler spot indoors. Uncle Hiram. was there, fast asleep, with his wooden leg crossed over the good one and the peg sticking straight out. His head was bent forward, with his hat tipped over his eyes, his arms were folded, and he was taking solid comfort. : Jonah sat in the chair in front, intend- ing to put up some dandy job on the old sport after he had been asleep a little longer, and when the boys were around to enjoy the fun. He did not intend to go to sleep, but he did, all the same; being hot and tired and the place shady and much cooler than out in the sun. Before he knew it he was nodding, then his head slipped back, his nose went up in the air, and he was in the-land of dreams. His feet were stretched out in front of — him, his arms crossed over his breast, his nose pointed towards the leafy branches Overhead, and his whole attitude one of rest. and Sweet repose. His straw hat slid off his closely-cropped head and, by good luck or chance, hung right on the eng of Uncle Hiram’s wooden leg. There was nobody around except these came loafing along and got on the ground ‘alongside his master’s chair. Uncle Hiram’s stick was on the ground at his feet; the trees shed a grateful shade, two, but presently Jonah’s shaggy dog’ “Looks as if Jonah were Making a regu. |} lar hatrack of the old man.” “Yes, and it’s just like his clumsiness to go to sleep right in front of Hiram.” “Sh!” gaid Jack, and then he struck a match, one of the sort that make no noise but smell to heaven, and touched it to the brim of Jonah’s suspended hat. The flames and smoke curled up from the hat_ brim; the dog did not like the smell and sneaked away, and Jonah and the old sport slept on, while the boys waited to see the fun. from the doorway and window. The flames and smoke increased, and be- fore long Jonah felt the heat on the back of his head, then got a whiff of smoke, gave a sneeze and a snort and awoke. “Gee whiz! what’s that burnin’?” he ask- ed. “Smells like the deuce! Wonder if that’s Uncle Hiram’s cigar? Gosh, what stinkers he does smoke! Guess I better wake him up and tell him he’s on fire.” The back of his head was getting hotter and hotter, and now he got up and turned around. That hat of his was all on fire by this time, and the smell] of burning straw was not pleasant, to say the least. For a minute Jonah thought that was Uncle Hiram’s hat, and he let out a big laugh and danced about in great glee. “Ha, ha, that’s a good joke,” he shouted. “Hung his hat on his peg leg and then set fire to it with his butt. Ho, ho, but that’s awfully funny! Hallo, wake up, Unele Hiram, and see what you are do- ing.” Uncle Hiram awoke, set his peg toe on the ground with the remains of Jonah’s hat still on it, shoved his own dicer back and said: “What’s the matter, bub? What you laughing at? What’s the joke? Tell me so that I can laugh, too.” Then Jonah:-suddenly discovered that there wasn’t anything to laugh at from his point of view. : Seeing Uncle Hiram have his hat on made him think of his own, and he clapped his hand to his head and found that it was not there. “Here, you skunk, what you burnin’ up my hat fur?” he demanded angrily. “Who you talking to?” snapped Uncle Hiram, giving his wooden leg a flirt and sending the fiery relics of Jonah’s hat flying. “Who the mischief stuck that thing on my leg?” “Here, that’s my hat!” poe pick it up, then; I don’t want i ree The fellows laughed to split, and Jonah went away to cool off and meditate upon the mutability of good snaps. It did not cost him much for another hat, but the fellows made things weary for him talking about the old one for one while. However, Jonah had a way of getting over things quickly, and it was not long before he was as chipper as ever and ready to play jokes on people, even if with the usual result. Somehow or other, though, Jonah never seemed to think that his i snaps could “a fail, and he Se went into them with every idea of s SUCCESS. One day Willie Walk- over came out with a new tandem bi- i cycle. He wanted to take out one of the vil- lage girls, but he was not really skilled enough yet and so desired to get more practice. He intended to ask Jack to ride the thing with him, but =— Jonah saw ; him first. Now, Jonah could ride al- most any- thing, from a Se high-bred stal- He Lo Orn 0-00 3 b room stick, and the idea of mounting a tandem had no terrors for him. M oreover, he had an idea in that fertile brain of his when he saw the machine. * Hoa bo; Willie,” he chirped. “Let’s ride on your new wheel?” “Aoh, I don’t mind,” said Willie. you know how, me deah fellah?” “Do I know how?” snorted Jonah. “Why, I’m the feller what got up that machine.” “Aoh, aw you, weally?” asked Willie, greatly impressed. “Sure. Here, you set on in front and Vl get on behind and do the steering.” “T’d like to steah mahself, don’t you know.” “Oh, well, let me do it first,” said Jonah. “Then you'll see how it’s done.” “Aoh, but I haven’t any eyes in the back of my head, don’t you know.” “All you’ve got to do is to set still and hold the handle-bars,” said Jonah. “Then when you take your girl out, you can set back here and do the steering just the same as you do on any wheel.” “Aoh!” remarked Willie. The reason that Jonah wanted to sit be- hind was because he had designs on Willie. If Willie was up in front, Jonah could work his little racket better, or he thought he could, at any rate. “That’ll be all right, Willie,” Jonah said. “You jump on in front and I’ll start her a-going all right.” Willie got on, grabbed the handle-bars and held them stiff, and then Jonah got on behind and shoved her off. All went well for a time, the road being good and level and nobody in the way. Folks turned to look at the two wheel- men as they went by, and numerous re- maarks, not at all complimentary to either of them, were made. “Huh! that’s a funny combination.” “Ves, a fool and a regular blunderbus.” “Willie’s going to get a spill riding with that fellow.” “Ves, it’s the worst kind of luck to have anything to do with that Jonah.” .-“Well, there is such a thing as a fool’s luck.” “Certairdy ; AND SNEAKED 66 Do and it may save Willie,” “Somebody’s sure to catch it, though, you bet.” Jonah did not hear these remarks, going so fast, but he knew that something was going to happen all right. In fact, he meant that something should, and that was why he had invited himself to accompany Willie. Pretty soon they came to a ditch run- ning along the side of the road, and a pretty deep and muddy ditch at that. Jonah had been looking for something like that, and now he indulged in a very large and rosy smile when he saw it. Suddenly he headed straight for that ditch, meaning to dump Willie into it and jump off in time to save himself. The plot was well enough laid, but the plots of mice and men often spring aleak, as the proverb has it. Willie had dropped his single eyeglass and could therefore see very well. He saw where Jonah was going, and without dropping to the fact that the thing was done purposely, concluded that he did not want to go that way. He accordingly jumped off just in the nick of time, and landing safely in the road, yelled excitedly: Hi, theah, look out, me deah fellah!” Jonah tried to back pedal, struck a stone, took a header and went kerslosh right into the very ditch where he had meant to de- posit Willie. He went as deep as the original Jonah did into the whale’s belly, but he was not fired out. He floundered out, looking like a tramp, a coon and a waterbug all in one. He was as black as soot, the mud stuck in big patches all over him, and the water squirted out of his shoes as he walked. Aoh, that was too bad, don’t you know,” said that innocent Willie. “You'll have to wash yawself befaw you go home, won’t you, deah boy?” “Yes, I guess I will,” grunted Jonah, roll- ing off great slabs of mud. But how did it happen, me deah fellah? We were going along fine, don’t you know.” “T dunno,” said Jonah, not caring to dis- cuss the matter. “Something gave way, I guess, ” He was not giving anything away him- self, and he did not put Willie wise on the business. He found a brook where there was more water and less mud, and made himself look a lot more respectable, although there was still acres of room for improvement. He did not continue the ride, for, some- how or other, his enthusiasm had petered out, and he thought that walking was de- cidedly preferable to wheeling-at that par- ticular moment. Somehow or other the story got out, al- though the dude was perfeetly innocent of any desire to throw ridicule on Jonah. One of the fellows that had seen him start off met him as he came back and asked: Hallo, Willie, how did you come out? What did you do with Jonah?” “Aoh, he didn’t seem to caih to wide aftah tyking the headah in the ditch, don’t you know.” “Took a header into a ditch, eh? did that happen?” “Aoh, I cawn’t tell. He was steewing, and all of a sudden I saw that we were going faw the ditch, don’t you know, and I jumped off. I hollaheq to Jonah to jump off, but he went ovah- wight into the mud.” The story was repeated and finally got around to Jack. “T’7ll bet. anything,” he said to two or three of the fellows, “that Jonah was working a job on the dude and that it went off the other way, just as usual.” “It must have been fun,” laughed’ one. “Yes, and it’s too bad some of us were not there to see him.” | Jack determined to get at the truth of the matter, and so the next time he saw Jonah he said: “How about it, Jonah? I hear that the dude tumbled you off his tandem into the ditch. Is that so?” “No,” said Jonah, “but I’d’ve tumbled him off if things had turned out all right. I don’t see why in thunder they didn’t. They were laid out to suit the queen.” “How was it?” asked Jack, and Jonah gave him the full particulars. “Same old luck,” chuckled. Jack to him- self. “And he wonders why it didn’t turn out all right. His snaps never -do, but they’re funny, just the same.” “That dude never tumbled,” laughed Jonah. “He never knowed that I had a dandy job put up on him. Strangest thing in the world that it didn’t turn out right,” “It would be stranger yet if one of Jonah’s jobs ever did turn out right,” thought Jack, but he didn’t say so, for there was more fun in letting Jonah go on putting up jobs than there. would be in discouraging him by telling the truth: Still, you couldn’t seem to down Jonah, and it was not very: long after this that he made another attempt at playing practi- cal jokes. ‘This time he selected for his victim that battle-scarred veteran, Billy Bottles, and told Jack all about it in advance. Jack, not liking to keep a good thing Tow all to himself, told two or three of the fel- { HAPPY DAYS. owe about it, and they were all on hand to see the fun. Now, Jonah was of an inventive turn of mind and had fixed up a trick which was really very clever. Tt consisted of a bottle which looked like any ordinary, everyday bottle of the sort in which strong spirits are kept. Looked at, casually, it seemed to be just a common whisky bottle with a cork stuck in it and a certain quantity of liquor in- side. It had been just a plain bottle at the start, but Jonah had fixed it up so that: it was not just the ordinary thing that it looked. He had cut the bottom out and put in a wooden one, and on that false bottom was a powerful spring which held something which would fly out when the cork was removed. There was a bottle inside the bottle, and outside this was the liquor. Well armed with this bottle, stuck in his side pocket, Jonah went hunting for Billy Bottles in company with Jack and another fellow. The rest went off and located Billy and took him to the store, as Jack advised them to do. When Jack suggested to Jonah that they -might find Billy over at Podgett’s, the boys went over, and, sure enough, there was the old fellow sitting on the steps sunning himself and reeling off philosophy by the yard to the gang. Jonah stepped up, listened awhile and then, not too suddenly, in order to make it seem perfectly natural, took out his bottle and said: a “That’s some pretty good stuff, I guess, to look at the bottle. Do you know what it is; Billy?” “Huh! I ain’t much ‘quainted with sech things,” remarked Billy, “but ’pears ter me, from the- label, it might be whisky. Le’s have a taste of it. Perhaps I can tell.” “Why, certainly it’s whisky,” said Jonah. “That’s what the label says. There’s dif- ferent kinds o’ whisky, though, an’ I thought mebby you might know if it was a good kind or not.” “Wull, I hain’t much of a knowledge o’ sech things,” said the old humbug, taking the bottle. “All’s I know is that whisky ain’t gin an’ that rum ain’t nuther; but I hain’t teched werry Much whisky in my day, on’ the best.” All this time he was fooling at the cork, “which seemed to be disinclined to come out. All of a sudden, however, and something followed. This was a snake, a long green snake with a forked tongue and beady eyes. Billy Bottles dropped the business in a hurry and kicked out in most _ lively fashion, sending Jonah heels over head down the steps, upsetting a stray dog, which promptly took a piece out of his trousers. _ . The joke was on Billy Bottles, to be sure, but it was on Jonah also. “Great snakes! have I got ’em again, or -what?” howled Billy. “Gosh! I declare for it, I hain’t hed nothin” ter drink. fur a week.” Jack picked up the bottle, shoved the false snake back into it, put. in the cork and said: “That’s one on you, Bottles, and one on his nibbs, too. Golly, that was a lively old crack you gave him.” All hands laughed. and Billy Bottles erunted. “Huh! sech a start. head.” Jonah would have sneaked quietly out of the crowd, but just then there was a clanging of bells and the country cop came running up, yelling: “Dekin Bones’s haouse is on fire. aout the ole fire- -ingine quick as yer kin, boys.” Now Jonah always liked to go to a fire, and at once he was interested. He was off as quick as any one to see it and help put it out, but if he had known what was good for him, he would have stayed away. However, his name was Jonah, and he couldn’t. out it popped, Served him right fur givin’ me Wisht [’q ha’ broke his (TO BE CONTINUED. } Read An Old Scout’s Exciting Ranch Story i YOUNG WILD WEST AND THE “CROOKED” COWBOYS or, Arietta and the Cattle Stampede OUT TO-DAY! OUT TO-DAY! tr “Wild West Weekly” No, 204 Father of Three Dagehters—eich of my daughters will have a house free fram all incumbrances. Susie will have the one at the cross-roads, Maggie will have the one at the hill, and Rosie will- have the one on the river. I forgot to ask you which one of my daughters you are in love - with? Suitor—HEr—er—l’]l have to take a ae ahs at the houses eo ee Git - WY VN TOMMY AND I FIGHT INDIANS. 3: =: By ‘* BD. DOCOOOCOSOO SESOE OES POOOS LOCO DOOD “J guess those enemies of mine are—go- ing to pull that racket off now. I wish I knew for certain; I’d give them the sur~ ie prise of their. lives.” Tom walked up to the door, but instead a 2 of ves to" g0 = he ee and looked at the three stout lads who held the fort, as it were. “Come, now,” said Tom, brusquely, “get a move on and let me pass.” “We ain’t stoppin’ you,” grinned one of the boys. “T don’t mean that you shall,” retorted Tom, grabbing him by the shoulder and shoving him up against the other two. Then he darted through the opening, leaving the three striking out at air. One of the boys outside put out his foot and tripped Tom, who went down on his hands and knees. Instantly a great ohott went up, and the mob began to pile upon Jones as if it was a football match and he had the leather. Tom squirmed from under like an eel, while the others floundered around on the sidewalk in hopeless confusion. Before our hero could make his escape, however, the three boys who had blocked the entrance were upon him. Then something happened. Biff! Smash! Whack! Two of Tom’s aggressors went down like a couple of ninepins, while the third won- dered what had hit him. “Want any more?” asked the star mes- senger, backing away. “Don’t let him get away, -Patterson,” shouted a D. T. youth at a safe distance. “Slug him, Hoolligan!” yawped another boy, who was spoiling to see the expected mix-up. “Sail in and do him up!” suggested an- other, encouragingly. The three fighters helq a hurried consul- tation and then followed Tom, with the mob at their heels. At a propitious moment they circled around him and fell upon him at once. The crowd closed in and shouted glee- fully. But their satisfaction didn’t last long. A human projectile forced its way through their midst, and Sam Beaseley soon got into the scrap. That evened matters up a little better for Tom, who punched the other two so quick and hard that they soon got sick of the job assigned to them. They were glad to take advantage of a sudden cry of “Here comes a cop!” to re- tire at full speed from the contest, follow- ed by their companion whose nose had been knocked sideways by a left hook from Sam. The rest of the crowd scattered like mist before the early morning sun, leaving Tom and Sam to explain the situation to the officer. The policeman happened to be a Speaking acquaintance of Tom’s, and so did nothing but grin when oe heard the details of the scrap. “How did van get on?” asked Tom, as | he and his friend walked off toward Wall street, none the worse for the exercise. “T was coming down Wall street and saw the crowd. I suspected the cause and hustled down to make sure. Then I got busy.” “Ym rather glad you showed up—three chaps, who meant business, are a little more than I can Safely handle at close quarters.” “You did well to get out without a seratch, for you had a tough proposition on your hands. Those chaps can fight.” “They seem to have had enough of it for the present, at any rate.” Several brokers had seen the mix-up from the steps, and one of them had recog- nized Tom Jones as the chief factor in the skirmish. He reported the occurrence to Mr. Nye. “You missed a bang-up scrap, Nye. A whole mob of messengers tried to wipe up the street with your messenger just now, and he made it quite interesting for them until a policeman caMe up and put an end to the affair.” _ The broker laughed. “He was too swift for them, eh? I guess Tom can hold his own with the best of them.” “He certainly can. That boy of yours is a gem. I wish I had his duplicate.” They went off laughing and talking, and were presently joined by another broker, to whom they imparted the news. On the ensuing Wednesday Tom noticed unwonted activity in D. & W. shares. They rose three points during. the first two hours of business on the Exchange. “T guess Ill get 1,000 shares of that stock,” thought Tom, eager for an addi- tion to his capital. “Ill risk half my boodle and see how [I coMe out.” He knew he was taking unusual chances for him, but as he believed he had enough funds to make good additional margin if ealled for, he did not hesitate to go to the Nassau gtreet bank and make the pur- chase. - He got the stock at 73, and it was 75 on the ticker when the Hxchange closed for the day. Five days later there was a good deal of excitement in the Street over the unex- pected rise in D. & W. The stock had advanced ten- dollars a- share by that time. The excitement was so intense. that ‘Tom |: | did not know UE EOE he ought, to. hold €: any longer or not. as Tene s Baad) can “scoop in ‘$10, 090 on this deal. with that. It’s generally the fellows who are too hoggish who get caught while they are reaching out for more. I’ll sell out just as soon as I can run over to the bank.” The activity in the market made a greater demand on his services, so that he found he could not get to the bank without neglecting his employer’s business, and it was a matter of principle with him never to do this. The Exchange closed, however, without a break in the market, much to Tom’s relief. D. & W. had also gone up five points more, adding fifty per cent to the boy’s paper winnings. “T’ll sell out first thing in the morn- ing,” he assured himself. He wrote out the order, put it in an en- velope and sent it. by a D. T. messenger to the bank as soon as he came down next morning. His order was duly executed at 881-8, and when he got his statement and check | he found he had added $15,000 to his re- sources, making his present capital $30,000. CHAPTER XV. SLUGGED. D. & W. shares went up to 91, and then a reaction set in which sent prices on the down grade, and many persons unable to extricate themselves in time were ruined. Tom Jones shook hands with himself be- cause he had got out from under before the slump set in. Bessie Breeze acted on Tom’s advice, and with her mother’s permission attended the evening sessions of a well-known business school whose specialty was shorthand and typewriting. After a six months’ course of instruction she had become proficient enough to be able to take an Office position, and so Tom looked around to find a suitable one for her. He asked Mr. Nye one day if he knew of any broker in need of a fairly good stenographer, and who would be willing to take a girl who had not had any previous office experience. “Who is this girl? A particular friend of yours, Tom?” smiled the broker. “Yes, sir. Her name is Bessie Breeze. Her mother and my aunt keep house to- gether.” when that rascal tried to have you smash- ed up under the elevator in this building, isn’t it?” “Yes, sir,” replied Tom, promptly. “You say she has never had any office experience?” “No, sir. She has always worked in an infants’ wear factory on University Place.” “T suppose you induced her to take up with stenography and (pens said Mr. Nye, quizzically. ' “Yes, sir. There’s more money in At; and the surroundings are more congenial girls, many of them pretty rough, are em- ployed. I want Bessie to work herself into a first-class job. She’s as bright as a new silver dollar, and smart—say, I’d just like to have you talk with her five minutes, Sir.” “Well, Tom, I’m always willing to do you a favor when I can, and I suppose you’d consider it a favor if I put Miss Breeze in the way of a position in Wall street.” “Certainly, sir. something for her than for me.” ~ © “Wow would you like to have her work in this office?” smiled Mr. Nye. “In this office, sir?” exclaimed the boy in surprise. : “Yes. Miss Dean complains that she is being overworked, and I agree with her. I’m going to give her an assistant, I imagine it will be just the place for Miss Breeze. She will acquire the office experi- ence here that she lacks, and Miss Dean, I am sure, will push her forward to the best of her ability.” “It is exactly what I would like her to start out with,” replied Tom, delightedly. “Shall I tell her to come down and see you?” “Yes. Can. “Tl see that she does. I know you will like her, sir. She is the nicest little girl in the world,” went on the boy, enthusiasti- cally, “and the most obliging——” “T’ll take your word for it, Tom,” laugh- ed the broker, turning to his desk. Then Tom went into the Con Mie scot to see Mazie Dean. “The boss says you’re ce about be- ing worked to death,” grinned Tom. “Did he tell you that?” asked Mazie, in some surprise. “He says he’s satisfied you are doing More than your share of work.” _ “J should think I was. Business has greatly increased in this office during the past year. e “He is going to give you an assistant.” ' “He promised me that he would.” = ELe’S. going to sive a friend of mine a chance.” Let her come to-morrow if she — eae “1s he? - Who is the young ces with a Sea I think I ought to be. satisfied “Oh, that is the girl who saved your life than in a factory where a hundred or more I’d sooner you'd da “Bessie Breeze, the girl who saved life six months ago in the corridor. “Oh! She’s a real nice girl. You i duced her to me, you know, but i ha never seen her since.’ “She’s new to the business—never w ed in an Office, so I want you, as a persona favor to me, to help her along. Will yen Mazie?” Bs “T certainly will do all I can for h She’s quite young, isn’t she?” “She’s fifteen, and the sweetest —” “And prettiest,” laughed Mazie, inter rupting him. “T won’t say she’s prettier than you ar Mazie,” said Tom. “Thank you,” blushed Mavic “That i quite a compliment.” : “You deserve it. I hope you and Bes ie may become the best of friends.” ; “TJ am sure We: shall.” morrow, when I guess he’ll engage he I shall tell her to-night that you are th finest girl I ever met, next to her, course. ’ ‘ “Of course,” laughed Miss Dean’ ae can’t expect to be first fiddle with you when she’s around.” “I guess you’ve got no particular use me, Mazie, anyway. I understand tha you and Frank Beaseley are pretty thick. “Why, what nonsense!” replied Ma: blushing furiously. “Just as if F thought anything of me.” g “T see you call him by his first nan grinned Tom, “so that’s a sign there something doing in that quarter.” S Mazie hid her glowing face in her h for the truth of the matter was tha sh and Krank were as good as engaged. | . “Never mind, Mazie,” said Tom, soot ingly. “I won’t say another word on the subject. You do the right thing by Bessie and I’m your friend for life.” “T’ll do it, Tom,” she replied, turnin: to her machine. ss “Thank you, Mazie. I knew you woul ; I want her to get along, so that some da when you leave the office to get marrie “I haven’t the least idea of doing suc a foolish thing,” blushed the girl. “I know you haven't,” snickered Tom “but the unexpected often happens. If you should leave one of these days, I want Bessie to be competent to take your place.” “JT will do everything to push her on, Tom. It will be to my interest to do so, — for we have lots of work to get out here.” Next morning Bessie came down and was admitted to Mr. Nye’s private office. After a short interview he engaged her, and told Tom to take her out to Miss Dean. The two girls seemed to “cotton” to bet other right away, much to Tom’s satisfac- tion. Bessie left after a little while in order — to notify the factory firm that she would — not work at the infants’ wear business any longer. On the following morning she began her new career in Mr. Nye’s Office. Bs a It was about this time that Tom saw a chance to use his money again. . control of the company’s interests. It was what is known as a holdin pany, and had originally been for take over the stock of half a dozen ent traction lines in the neighborh New York City, and consolidate t one corporation, thus doing away Ww rivalry which had heretofore exi tween, them. It was a gilt-edge stock, and there many thousand shares in ‘the market, Tom had been quick to see that the fight — between the rival factions would cause the price of the shares to boom as soon as the holders got. on to what was in the wind. _— The stock was ruling at 148, and Tom immediately bought 2,000 shares, paying $29,000 down in margins. © It was a stupendous deal for the young messenger boy, for it involved a matter of almost $300,000. The interest alone that he would have. to pay on the 90 per cent the bank under- took to carry for him was a considerable item,.and would depend on the number of days it took to swing the deal to Tom’s satisfaction. : If a screw worked loose in his cafeule tions he would be completely wiped out for he had not a dollar back of ie to” answer a call for more margin. “He took a desperate risk in order. _to make a heavy haul if things came his way as he felt confident they would. He went home that afternoon, feeli as if he were one of the big operators - the Street and involved in a transacti of millions. So His mind was so worked up over the big” deal he was in that he could hardly e: his supper, and his aunt May, in much concern, asked him if he felt ill. “No, auntie, I’m all right; but ’m work ing a little deal in the market just no and it takes up all my attention. I guess I’ll go to the Grand Opera House to-nigh There’s a funny show there. Perh it will take my thoughts away” from | HAPPY. DAYS. 13 show was out at eleven, and he de- 0 walk home instead of taking a he sight of an oyster house made him jungry. guess my appetite has come back,” he to himself. so he went in and had a steak, with id potatoes and coffee. e felt ever so much better when he ted down Highth avenue for Christo- r street. was a dark night, and the wide thor- ghfare was not any too brilliant at that r, nearly a quarter to twelve. reaching Thirteenth street he branch- ff down toward Hudson street. » was quite unaware that he was being wed by several tough-looking boys. the junction of Hudson and Bleecker s the boys, who had been gradually ing in on him, suddenly attacked him the edge of the curb. _ “Hit him!” cried a faMiliar voice. Tom, who was putting up a game fight, ned upon the speaker and struck him a vy blow. He recognized him in the of the street lamp as Denny Mc- on. 0 that’s you, Denny McMahon, is it?” : trying to reach his enemy. ou kin bet it is. and [’m goin’ to you up this trip for keeps.” ‘You only think you are, Denny,” re- Tom, Planting a heavy blow in the ng rascal’s mouth that sent him stag- But at that moment something hard de- ded on Tom’s head, causing him to see hole galaxy of stars. e staggered, when a second blow tched him senseless on the sidewalk. ‘(TO BE CONTINUED.) 00 O@0---020 e is a a one a A Self-Made Man THE LADDER OF FAME > Or, From Office Boy to Senator ro ay! OUT TO-DAY! AME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY” NO. 50 OO-2-0-O0-4-0-O0-9-0-O-0-0-0-O-0-8-0-O0 ODO {This story commenced in No. 622] eee by ROBERT LENNOX Lor of “Liberty No. 2,” ‘‘Monarch No, 4,” Volunteer No. 1,” “Pranlt, the Fire Chief,” : “Fire-Alarm Fred,” ete,, etc. CHAPTER XVI. _ A HARD FIGHT FOR LIBERTY. imsby and Slinker suddenly ceased et ir struggling, and a cold chill shot “through Jack, for he was unarmed. He knew that the old real estate dealer several cartridges left in his -revolver, d would shoot him the moment he was was a nerve-racking ordeal for the ng fireman, and he came to a desperate lve on the instant. fe could not see a thing in the dark r, and did not know just exactly where imsby and Slinker were, but he could ke, so his movements would not betray ; position to the two men. "hey will both turn on me now!” he re- ed. “I must get a light so I can see len papers, then fight them to a e was beside the overturned packing eh was removed furthest from the e where he judged Grimsby .to be. match from his pocket, reached up the box and scratched it. he flung it out in the middle of the stantly Grimsby fired a shot at the here the Maich was lit, but the bullet ver Jack’s head. ol them he gave a yell as if in and it made them think the ball had him. while the match dimly burned on r, and by its faint light Jack saw sis and Muges dying ee. on oo ri had if fined the location of “he s£O 1) But he had scarcely got ihem in his hand, when Grimsby exelaimed: “Let us see who I shot!” and: he lit a match. Instantly he saw Jack, but as quick as a flash the boy grabbed the lantern from the floor and hurled it at the old rascal while he was in the act of raising his pistol to fire again. The lantern smashed against his face, and his pistol went off. but it was deflected -so that the ball flew wide of its mark. His match went out, but Jack had located the ladder and ran for it. “Blast him!” Grimsby yelled furiously. “Look out! He’s escaping!” shouted Slinker, running after Jack. “Don’t let him get away with those pa- pers!’ bellowed Grimsby. But the young fireman reached the lad- der far enough in advance of the sneak thief to get up the rungs unmolested. His escape was aided by Slinker tripping over the body of Derringer and falling to the floor with a crash. Up into the old mill fled Jack with the precious papers clutched in his hand, and he heard Grimsby howl frantically: “Don’t let him escape. It’s Jack Robin- son! He’s got the papers! ” A mocking laugh escaped the boy as he rushed across the room and climbed out the broken window, and the last he heard of his enemies they were swearing at him and raving at each .other. Down the road ran Jack at the top of his speed. oo He feared instant pursuit, nor was he mistaken, for pretty soon he heard the pat- ter of flying footsteps coming along after him, “Must be both Grimsby and Slinker, as Derringer and Muggs were too badly wounded to follow me!” he thought, as he raced on. The pace was killing, but Jack knew that his life depended upon getting away from those armed and desperate men, and he ran until he was almost exhausted, the others still following. A mile was covered in this way, and he thought he would distance his pursuers, when suddenly his foot struck a stone, and he fell headlong. The boy was slightly stunned when his forehead struck the ground, and his enemies began to draw dangerously close. But he recovered enough in a moment to crawl off into some bushes beside the road, and there he hid himself. It was not a minute after he disappeared that Grimsby and Slinker went racing by in the moonlight, each of them gripping a revolver in his right hand, and both in- tent upon shooting him at sight. “They never suspected. that I am here!” he thought, with a thrill of joy. “They will chase ahead as far as Factorytown, hunting for me.” — He remained there until he had entire- ly recovered from the blow he got on the forehead, and rising, he avoided the public road, and Made a wide detour to avoid meeting hig enemies. “T must not go home. They will be lay- ing for me there,” he reflected. “My best course will be to head for the police sta- tion, put these papers in the hands of the authorities for safe-keeping, and have a couple of officers sent to the old mill to pick up Muggs and Derringer. ”- With this resolve, he finally reached the town and made his way to the police sta- tion, where he found the captain at his desk. He told the officers what had happened te him, and three peticcmeD Were sent at top speed to the mill. : Jack then had a couple of Men detailed through the town to hunt for Grimsby and Slinker. : This done, he gave the captain the pack- |age of papers for safe-keeping overnight and then went home tired out. He did not encounter either of his enemies on the way there, but he found ‘Mrs. Harris and Daisy waiting for him. When they heard his story they were delighted at learning what the papers con- tained, of course, but the danger through which Jack had gone filled them with alarm, and the widow said to the boy: “Jack, when I come into possession of my rights, you will never know want as long as you live. I owe everything to you.” “Well,” laughed the boy, “we won't count our chickens before they are hatched. However, I. hope to-morrow to have Mr. Dix in possgssion of all the facts so he can go ahead recovering your fortune for you.” CHAPTER XVII. THE DOUBLE ALARM. After breakfast next morning Jack walk- -ed down to the mill with Daisy, very much to that young lady’s surprise and delight. “You. are getting quite attentive these days; Jack,” she laughed. “Daisy, don’t you pay any attention to. notes, strangers, or anything else, now that P “hy a or ne had not forgotten Derringer’ s ehieat to in- jure Daisy in order to get square with him. But he did not tell the girl anything about her danger. ' “Oh,” she answered lightly, “I’ve got nothing to fear now that those rascals have been arrested.” — “Are you sure they are in jail?” “Well, no; but they must be.” you see it proven.’ He left her at the door of the woolen mill, and making his way to the police sta- tion, he found the captain in and asked him: “How did you make out last night?” “Haven’t caught one of them,” was the startling answer. _ “What!” gasped the boy. “Did they all escape?” “Looks so!” was the gruff reply. “When my men got to the mill they saw nothing of Derringer or Muggs. The men who scoured the town for Grimsby and Slinker met with no better success.” “They must have feared that I would tell you about them.” “Of course they did. What else did you expect?” “Isn’t Grimsby at his house?” “No. He wasn’t home all night, and his servant got a note from him this morning saying he would be gone an indefinite length of time. That shows pretty plainly that the old fox has taken alarm and has gone into hiding until this matter blows over, don’t it?” “Too bad!” muttered Jack. “Now Daisy Harris and I can expect nothing less than an assassin’s bullet in our backs.” “T mean to keep the town watched for them. That’s all I can do.” “Well, give me those papers and Ill take them over to Mr. Dix’s office and see what he has got to say about them.” The captain handed them over, and Jack proceeded to the office of the lawyer and found the old gentleman in. Throwing the documents down on Dix’s desk, Jack remarked: “Here are some interesting papers; read them.” “What are they?” asked the lawyer, curi- ously. “Proofs of Mrs. Harris’s claims against Grimsby.” The lawyer whistled, raised his eyebrows, and putting on his spectacles, he slowly and deliberately read the papers. This done, he laid them down and said to the boy: “With this evidence Mrs. Harris can es- tablish her claim without the least trouble. Where did you get them?” Jack told him, and then asked: “Would my evidence convict Grimsby of instigating those fires?” “Yes. I’ll make out an affidavit, and you can swear to it.” Within a few minutes the whole story of the villainy of Grimsby, Derringer, Muges and Slinker was put in the form of an affidavit, and as the lawyer was a notary / public, Jack swore to the evidence. This paper later on went to the police to convict the four rascals as soon as they might be arrested. Having complied with this formality, the lawyer began proceedings to legally wrest from Grimsby all that he had stolen from Mrs. Harris. “How about the dispossess he served on the widow?” asked Jack. ; “Pay no attention to it. He will not go to court to press it, you may be sure. In fact, I feel quite confident that he is now a fugitive. He probably suspects what town, and will take mighty good care to keep away from here now.” After some further talk with the lawyer, Jack left his office ang made his way down to the engine-house. He found Tim, and there was a broad grin on the young Irishman’s face as he shook hands with Jack and said: “Ther widdy towld me what happened yer, me bye, an’ it’s glad I am.as ould Grimsby is brung up wid a short turrun.” “Well, they all escaped and are at large now,” said Jack, “and I am positive that they will be after me for revenge.” “Carry a gun, as ther soldier was towld ter do.” “T hate to do so, Tim, but I suppose it is necessary.” “Tf yer don’t, shure an’-it’s vain regrets yer may have ‘whin they knock yer head off,” grinned Tim..- “Any news here?” is “We've been overhaulin’ ther engine. She’s in foine workin’ order now, an’ it’s itchin’ [I am ter see her at a foire. 2 “Heaven forbid that there will ‘be any more fires in Factorytown,” sharply an- swered Jack. “I was in hopes that we would have no More, now that we have got Grimsby’s firebugs on the run. But, Tim, I’m afraid that the villains may do some more damage in our town before We finally run them into prison.” “Bad cess ter thim, it’s no more than ry’m expectin’ mesilf now,” answered Flynn. LOL © take anything for granted until. trouble you have stirred up for him in this ron’t: ‘be aoe. healthy fer | the afternoon, and when night fell he made his way to the mill to escort Daisy home. He was afraid that some of Derringer’s crowd might attack her. She seemed to suspect that there was something wrong about his close attention to her, and she asked him: “Are you afraid for my safety, Jack?” “Daisy, I am sorry to tell you that Grims- by and all of Derringer’s gang escaped. As they are at large, I feared they might attack you out of spite against me. That’ why I came after you.” : “T thought there was something sus- picious about it,” replied the girl, turning pale. “Do you believe they would be so mean?” “Ves. They are capable of anything. AS this is Saturday, and you have been paid off, I don’t propose that you shall go back to the mill to work. Send word to the superintendent to that effect.” “Oh, but, Jack, I’ve got to work. Mamma has no income put what you and I bring into the house. She can’t afford to keep me in idleness.” “Well, I have ten thousand dollars, and I am going to pay her more for my board so she will not have to reply upon your wages at all,” “No, no! I could not consent to such an arrangement as that.” “Then you can’t stop me from lending $5,000 to your mother. She will soon come into possession of the fortune out of which Grimsby swindled her, and she can then repay me.’ “You are determined that I shall give up working at the mill.” “Ves. It is not befitting a girl of your financial expectations to be a mill hand. When you get your fortune you will be able to live just as nicely and dress just as nicely as Gertie Fairfax.” — “Oh, won’t that be grand!” laughed the delighted ‘girl, clapping her hands. “Why, then she won’t be in a position to sneer at me and look down upon me any longer, will she?” “No, indeed!” laughed Jack. “You real- ly are of as good birth as she is, dear, but money is what makes people’s social stand- ing in this country. As you will be as rich as she is, you will be her social equal.” “Lovely! Lovely!” cried Daisy delight- edly. “She has snubbed me dreadfully | several times, Jack, and although I am © not spiteful, it will certainly be a great satisfaction to me to humble her a little.” “There’s the woman of it for you!” chuckled the boy. When they got home he had a serious talk with the widow, and finally gained her con- . sent to letting Daisy give up her job, and at the same time the good woman was in- duced to borrow several thousand dollars with which to keep the house going until the slow process of a law-suit finally brought her the fortune she was entitled to. A neighbor’s little boy brought her resig- nation to Mr. Brown that evening so as to give him time to get another girl to fill Daisy’s place. Jack. felt much easier when this was done, for he did not trust the girl alone © in the street for fear that his enemies might attack her. _In fact, he told her mother about his fears, and asked her to keep a strict watch ~ over Daisy until the crooks were captured. Then after supper he went over to the police station again to find out whether any. of the gang had been caught. Nothing had been seen of any of them, the captain gruffly informed him, and he started for the ehgine-house. When he reached the corner he was sud- denly startled by seeing a boy running to- ward him through a cross street, shouting wildly: “Bire! Fire! Fire!” Instantly all personal thoughts fled from Jack’s mind. He ran to meet the boy. “Where’s the fire?” he demanded, breath- lessly. “Down there! Our house!” gasped the little fellow. “You are Tommy Smith, ain’t you?” “Yes, Captain Jack, an’——” “Run back and say the Salamander boys will be there soon.” “Orright!” and away dashed the fright- ened urchin in one direction while Jack sped off in the other. He had not gone a block before he met a crowd running down another street, and the bell began to ring out. “Hire! Fire!” the crowd was yelling. “Two fires!” muttered Jack. “And both in different directions! ” = CHAPTER XVIII ROBBING THE BANK. Jack made a rush for the engine-house, intent upon getting the Saloiancers out as rapidly as possible. But scarcely had he reached the a. co ner when a bright blaze down the sifle ees ae shot up in the darkness, d a wo ’s voice shouting HAPPY DAYS. gasped Jack, getting badly alarmed for the first time in his life. The first fire was at the east side of the town, the second at the west side, and this ‘one was at the north. As he stood for an instant gazing at it, another crowd came rushing down the street, going toward the southward, and following the direction they were taking with his glance the boy saw still another fire. “Four!” he groaned. the whole town afire?” There were only two fire companies in the town—the Salamanders pretentious company or ganized and run by the richer element. These two companies were capable ‘of handling two fires, but when it came to four, and each one in a different section of the town, it was actually more than they could cope with. “Two of the houses are bound to go!” - Jack muttereqd as he raced on. “And we may save two. But what troubles me is that one of these houses if left to burn may set fire to the adjoining ones, and in a “What next? Is short time we will have a fire in Factory town with which we could do nothing.” ~ On he raced, turning the Matter over in his mind and trying to form a definite plan of action to handle the case. Just as (he reached the Salamanders’ house a plan flashed into his mind, and he saw the door fly open, and some of the boys came out pulling the machine after them. “Hello, there, Tim!” he shouted. “Run to Tommy Smith’s house.” “Ts that where it is?” “That's where you will find one of them.” “One av thim?” “There are four fires, started at the same time! ” “Saint Pathrick deliver us!” “There is one in each section of the town.” “Shtarted be foirebugs?” CTE wouldn’t euryrtne me to hear that you are right.” “Thunder! ale?” “Go like fury for Smith’s first off. Pll - join you there, and tell you later on what next to do.” The Salamander boys had manned the -jines, and away they rushed pell-mell down the street, ‘the crowd scattering to give them room to pass. By this time the whole town was in an uproar. Men, women, and children were hurrying by, everyone excited and shouting as they ran along. What shall we do at all, at Just then Bob Dean came running up from his home. “Where’s the fire, Jack?” he panted. “Qur boys have gone to Smith’s, The other company will take care of the blaze at the north side of the town. You run to the one at the south side-and form a buck- et brigade as quick as possible. Stay there - and keep them working as hard as you can.’ My All pene But here comes Nick Jones.” “T gee him. Now, go!” — Away rushed Bob just as Nick joined them. “Boys gone, Jack?” he asked. “Yes, but don’t you follow them. You run over to the east side, and see what you can do about organizing the people to try to put out some of the blaze you will find there. Go like lightning, Nick.” Jones ran down the street, and Jack dashed inside. Going straight to the telephone he ‘called ae up the other engine company, and told the man at the house what he had done, tell- ing him at the same time to keep his men at the blaze north of the town. “We can’t handle this spreads!” came the reply. “T am going to call up the fire company at Midvale to come to our aid!” announced Jack. “We are going to have a good deal of trouble.” As soon as he run off and got Midvale on thing if it the wire, they readily consented to come over to Factorytown. The distance to be covered was five miles, and they would have to run every step of the way, but did not demur, for on other ~ occasions when they needed the aid of Sala- manda No. 1, out friends had not hesitated to go to their assistance. Assured of help, Jack hastily donned his uniform, and ran as fast as he could go for the Smith house. His course took gee down Main street past the bank. The street was not entirely deserted, for everyone was going through the side streets to the various. fires. ‘Just as the boy arrived opposite the bank he was startled by hearing a terrific explosion inside the building. It cracked the window glass, and almost flung him down. But he quickly recovered, into the building. His glance fell upon three masked men who had just taken advantage of all the excitement, and had blown open the big sate with dynamite. | ‘ » “Burtglars!” gasped: the boy. — “TI won- and peered der if they started the fires to draw all the. people and police away from here, so ‘they _ could” crack the. bank safe?” oe and a more- He saw that the place was half llea | with smoke, and through it he dimly made out that the ponderous door had been torn from its hinges and laid a bent and twisted wreck on the floor of the counting-room. One of the thieves had plunged into the safe and was pulling out the contents, which he was passing to his pals, who stuff- ed the money in a bag. So secure had the villains felt that they had evidently not posted a‘lookout to warn them of the approach of anyone. Jack felt in his hip-pochet, and to his joy he found that he had the new revolver with which he had, at Eek ‘suggestion, provided himself. Z “Vll try to stop them foam getting away. with their booty!” he muttered. “It’s three against one, and no doubt they are all armed to the teeth, but I am going to risk Th: 9 He knew very well that they would not venture to emerge from the front door, and looked to see how they got in. The cut iron bars at a rear window show- ed plainly how they expected to get out, and he ran around the building. He paused at the edge of the fence, and peered around it, when his gaze fell upon a horse and wagon the rascals had in wait- ing to carry them off. “T’ll cripple them!” he muttered; as he ran for the outfit. - It only took him a minute to unhitch the horse from the wagon, and he gave the beast a sound slap, and it went galloping away across lots, and disappeared in the woods beyond. Jack now concealed himself inside of the covered wagon. He got his revolver ready for business, and waited. In five minutes more he saw the three masked men come through a gate in the back fence, one of them carrying the bag over his shoulder in which they pad their swag. The ‘trio of villains were aisee to the wagon before they saw that the horse was missing, and they paused, uttering ex- clamations of dismay, — “Someone has got away with our horse! ” roared the well-known voice of Derringer. “Bill, get ready for trouble!” Just then Jack appeared in the wagon, and covering them he shouted: “You are too jate, you beast! your hands!” “That boy again!” hissed - Derringer, starting back and glaring at Jack feroci- ously. “May the demon blight him!” “Drop that bag!” ordered the boy, stern- ly. ’ “Not on your life!” and Derringer start- ed to run. Jack took Throw up deliberate aim at him and . fired. A yell of misery escaped the scoundrel, and he dropped the bag, but he did not pause, and Jack saw him rari for his life. Muggs and Blinker, if indeed the other two were those worthies, rushed off in different directions. Out of the wagon leaped Jack, and aim- ing at Derringer again, he fired a second shot, but missed, as the crook ran in a zig- zagz course. Before he could shoot at the rascal again he vanished in the woods. Both of his companions by this time had disappeared in Main street. Jack opened the bag, and found it stuff- ed full of money which they had stolen from the bank safe. “T’ve saved the cash, at any rate!” he muttered. He carried it over to the front of the building, and there he found Mr. Fairfax, the president of the bank, and one of the directors. “Hello, Jack!” he cried. “We heard an awtul explosion here, and came to find out what caused it. To me it looks as if the safe door was open inside-of the bank.” “TI eaught three burglars breaking it open, sir, and after I shot one I managed to recover the money they had stolen. It’s in this bag.” “Good gracious! glars?” “All escaped me, sir. ger’s gang, of whom you have heard before. It’s my opinion. that they started those fires to call people away from the bank so they could break in and rob the safe.” “What terrible villains! Give me the money. I shall take care of it.” “Here,” said the boy, handing it over. “I am glad to get rid of it, as I am needed at the fires. I will talk to you later about it, sir.” And the boy ran down the street ¢nd headed for the big blaze at the Smith house, where his company were then working like fury. And where are the bur- CHAPTER XIX. FIGHTING THE FLAMES. Jack knew that the bag of money he-had saved from the burglars at the bank was safe in Mr. Fairfax’s hands, so he dismiss- -ed the matter from his mind ag he ran for the Smith so eee his- boys were ae WOH Is ep ee ee : lucky you came. They are Derrin- They evidently had the fire under sub- jection by this time, for the flames had diminished, and considerable black smoke was rising. Tim had charge when he reached the engine, and the foreman cried: “Bedad, we’ve got ther best av it, so far, me bye!” “That’s lucky. Can you save the house?” “Not entoirely. But, faith, we’ve pre- vinted ther flames from spreading.” “That is the principal point. I’ve tele- phoned te Midvale, and they are on their way here with their engine now. But it will take them some time to cover the five miles, Tim.” “Bob Dean is missin’.” “T sent him to the south side to form a bucket brigade.” “An? Nick Jones?” “We was dispatched to the east side on a similar errand.” “Then ther Factorytown Fire Company will take care av ther foire on ther north soide, I suppose?” “It is to be hoped so.” _ “Quare that four foires broke out at one toime in four different directions?” mused Tim, “T think Derringer’s ‘gang did it.” “What fer?” “So they could rob the bank. I caught -| them in the act, and stopped them, saved. the cash, shot Derringer, but they "all es- caped me.” cE thought yer said as Grimsby shot Der- ringer an’ Muggs at ther aould mill?” ask- ed Tim. “So he did. But their injuries could not have been serious if they are able to get | around robbing banks.” “Bad cess ter ther villains!” growled Tim. “What’s ther matther wid ther po- lice that they can’t nab that crooked bunch?” Jack now hurried away to give the boys some orders, and seeing that everything was all right he said to Tim: “IT am going to the fire where Nick is sworking, and see if I can help them out with some advice. You keep charge here.” “T kin git along all roight now, Jack.” The young fire captain then hurried off, and after a run of ten minutes he came in sight of a big blaze ahead. As he feared, the bucket brigade was not adequate to handle the fire, and the flames were spreading to the adjoining houses. A huge crowd was gathered there looking on, and Jack yelled at them: “Tf you don’t want the whole town burn- ed down, you fellows had better lend a helping hand, instead of standing there in idleness! ” “What do you want us to do?” demanded a man. “Get more buckets, or any other thing that will hold water, and try to put out the fires, of course!” “If you’ organize us with definite work cut out, we'll do it.” “That’s the right sort of talk! body who will help fall in.’ In a few moments fifty men were lined up, and Jack gave them some instructions, and they hurried to the other burning houses, and in a few minutes new bucket brigades were formed. Having reorganized the force, Jack soon had the satisfaction of seeing some of the smaller fires put out, and a force of men wetting the roofs of adjacent houses so they could not get afire. The house, at which Nick was working was sure to 20 down in ruins, and as soon as Jack was sure of that, he éalled off the force that was trying to subdue it, and set them to work upon another burning build- ing. “By jove,” said Nick to the boy, “it was | I had just about given up. T tell you, Jack, you are a born fire chief.” “Can you handle the situation now?” Easily, since you got things going in some kind of order.” “Then I shall have to leave you. Let this house go, and devote all your atten- tion to preventing the flames from spread- ing to the surrounding buildings. [I will return as soon as I can.” All the fire fighters were working furi- ously now, so he hurried off to the south side of the town to see how Bob was mak- ing out. Here be found an alarming state of af- fairs, for the fire in the old feed store had grown rapidly, and despite all Bob’s exer- tions, it Was spreading to the woggen build- ings in all directions. ‘When Jack arrived, there were no less than six houses on fire. : A fearful reg glow lit up the scene, show- ing him that hundreds of people were working madly to try to save the build- ings. = It was a densely populated spot, and all the houses were pretty close together. The boy only watched the seene a mo- ment, then his mind- — made Hp. “Get Some powder, dynamite! ” yelled stentoriously. Bring it to me. Every- he “The only way to save ‘the town from pone is some laborers say that it conta dynamite.” “Get it quick, then.” Away raced Bob, and Mr. Hamilton, , insurance man, ran up. “We have these buildings insur ed on books, Jack,” he gasped. “It looks to as if the company would have a mig serious loss. ” ee “Do you approve of dynamiting?” de manded the boy. — ny “By all means, if it will save us furthe fire losses.” “All right. Vl have some of the s rounding buildings knocked down in a j fy, on the side toward which the wind i blowing the flames.” “Have you heard how the fire start “No, but I am sure. Derringer’s crow did it so they could rob the bank. I wil tell you about it later on, sir.” 2 Something like an oath against Derrin ger escaped the man, as he turned away, and in a few moments Bob came running back. He had a bundle of dynamite, some wire, and a battery. s “Follow me!” Jack exclaimed, and he ran off, Bob behind him. “Drive the crowd away!” cried Bob to a policeman. “We are going to use dyna- mite, and someone might get hurt.” The police got busy, and the crowd sca tered in a panic. With the assistance of several officers, they made sure that no one was in any of. the doomed buildings, and then some of th explosive was planted under one of them, and the ‘wires adjusted. Jack had the battery, and when he ae the signal he sent the current along the wires, and. there sounded a terrible roar, The building was smashed and fell, — “Now for the next!” cried Jack. Again and again was the dynamite an plied, and house after house went down a mass of ruins and debris. a With nothing to feed on, the fires finally began to diminish, and as the Midvale engine now came rushing up, its gallan crew was greeted by a hoarse cheer from the frightened spectators. They were good firemen, too, for it di not take them long to get a stream playing upon the last buildings to catch afire. AS soon as one fire was put out they a tacked another, until at length all the smaller fires were extinguished, and the Were enabled to get at the two last build- (ings which were still burning. Jack now met the captain of the” Mia- yvales and shook hands with him, 2 “J willi leave you in charge here, Staf- ford,” said Jack. “There are fires ragin yet in another part of the town, and Ti have to go and see to them.” “We'll stop at your engine-house before we go back home.” “Do, by all means, so all my boys can see and thank you for the tremendous fa- vor you have done by coming all the way here to give us a helping hand. It’s a fa- vor I won’t forget in a hurry.” e & “Oh, your fellows would do as much for us. 9 “You can bet they would.” “Well, so long.” Taking Bob with him, Jack sent him & Nick’s assistance, while he ran at top speed toward the north side. There was a row of stores with tenes ments over them at the upper end of Main street, and the Factorytown Fire Company were there trying to put out the blaze, but had not succeeded as yet. Jack took in the situation, and saw how the fire could be overcome. The captain of the rival company evidently had failed to sla the remedy, so Jack walked. up to im He was a rich beotoes son, and was called Robbie Keen. : Standing at a safe distance from the fire, with ‘a cigarette in his mouth, he was in- dolently watching the lazy work of his men. “Mr. Keen,” said Jack, “will you allow me to suggest a way to get the best of the obstinate fire your men are fighting?” The young man eyed Jack insolently through his glasses, and replied: — You mind your own business, Robinson. You haven’t got anything to do with this fire. You needn’t think you can butt into my business just bécause you happen to be — newly elected captain of the volunteers.” “Youll kill your-men if they remain there. The wall is going to fall.” “Clear out!” roared Keen, savagely. ‘Mind your own business, I say!” ~ Jack’s eyes flashed with anger. CHAPTER XxX. ONE OF THE GANG CAUGHT.. “Tf you will get your men around in back of that row of stores,’> exclaimed t angry boy, “they will be able te do soi thing. As it is, they are exposed. to the danger of a wall falling, and the win blowing the fire right along t PP¥ pA. nivice. you forget it!” that moment there arosé a terrible t from the spectators. Look out! The front wall is falling!” errible stampede took place, the hot Weating firemen running with the ople, as some bricks came flying through in ‘One of the bricks fell at Keen’s feet, and gave a wild yell, and fied. for his life, h every evidence of cowardice. ck gave him a contemptuous look, and shed ‘over to his men. “Uncouple this engine, and get it out of way before that wall comes down!” ® shouted, as he began to work. A couple of the pluckier firemen assist- him, but the rest were not going to risk eir lives to save the machine, and ran er Keen, he huge front of the row of stores was tering. t threatened to fall at any instant. Should it come down it would have iried and ruined the engine. till, Jack did not flinch an instant, for knew that if this machine was put out yisiness the fires would keep spreading, the town might be wiped out entire-- four lives are in dangcr here, boys,” | he to his two helpers. So is yours,” grimly answered one of better run and save yourselves. md to this.” . Why should we desert you, Robinson?” “Because if there must be a funeral, it ll not be so bad if only one dies as it d if it were three.” 1, you are a cool card!” have no relations to mourn me, boys, ou probably have families.” Vv thunder, I wouldn’t desert a com- like you in the face of danger if it twice as bad as this is!” ere!” cried the other. “It’s uncou- un for your lives!’’ roared a hundred s in the crowd that was watching rom a distance. “The wall is fall- | as they seized the rope and started off rush there came an avalanche of *n timbers, loose bricks, and clods of ar through the air. , three of the brave fellows were hit | ozen places, but they did not let go ope until they had pulled the precious to a place of absolute safety. en the cheer they got from the crowd rremendous! of the men with Jack happened to foreman, and as Jack told him the ntage of getting behind the row of ings With the engine, he readily and had it taken there. m did not return, so Jack took his ure to find his own boys. was heated, tired, and nervous from rible straiii he was under going, but re up bravely, for he saw very plain- tt much depended upon his cool judg- that terrible night. . he turned the corner of High street, ught he saw the shadowy form of a on the opposite side, in the gloom of ‘ees, dodging along, keeping him in when he paused to make sure of it, ire vanished. — the street, under the dense arcade s hurried the boy, and he had about one-half of the distance to the orner, when suddenly there came a f light, a sharp report, anda bullet d from behind a tree. d been fired by his mysterious shad- cross the street. elt a sharp sting on the side of his d uttering a cry, he flung up his ids, and fell to the ground. ‘he hidden assassin peered out from be- ind he tree trunk to see if anyone had n attracted to the spot by his shot, and iling to observe a soul in sight, he ran ross the, street toward the boy. “T thought I saw him fall,” he muttered, ut I am going to be sure.” Along he came, peering ahead eagerly in est of the young fireman’s corpse, until length hé reached the fallen boy. n exclamation of satisfaction escaped ice ‘dropped him!” he muttered. “At 9? was “Slinker, the pickpocket, and king of the news he would have to give two friends, he stole up to the boy, a was a fatal move on his part. > young fireman had been playing pos- He suddenly seized the thief by the roat with a grip of steel, and as a star- a exclamation burst from the amazed k, Jack threw him over upon the nd, Shouting grimly: JT am the boss here, and ll | b the engine!” coolly ordered Jack, | The young gece rolled over on top of him, and pinned him down to the ground with both hands. “Slinker, eh?” he panted. “You're choking’ me!” gronaed the fel- low. “Good enough! to do!” “Let me go. I only came to help you!” “Liar!’ It was you who shot me!” “No, by gracious, I didn’t!” “T saw you. off. ” “Ror merey’s sake don’t kill me, Robin- son!” gasped the rascal hoarsely. “I have- n’t done you any harm. I ain’t with my pals any longer.” “Oh, yes, you are. Your gang started these fires to-night. You'll get twenty years for this outrage, Slinker, or I’m no judge of the law.” The thief had been preparing to hit Jack on the back of the head with the butt of the revolver which he clutched in his right hand. He now drove it toward the boy’s skull with lightning-like rapidity, but just then Jack happened to bend down, and the blow glanced off. Still, it was hard enough to gash his scalp, ‘and he fell back half-stunned, giv- ing Slinker a chance to spring to his feet. The villain might have escaped had he not in a sudden burst of revengeful fury paused and tried to shoot the boy. Brief as: the delay was, it was his un- doing. There had béen a silent witness of the affray coming swiftly toward them, and he now sprang at Slinker behind his back. ‘His fist shot out like a pile-driver, and caught the crook on the jaw with such terrific force that Slinker was knocked down. : His pistol flew out of his hand. _ A wild yell escaped him, and he scram- bled to his feet, only to get another awful wallop which slammed oe up against the tree, dazed. i “Bad luck ter ye fer a pldckouard ” bee lowed the well-known tones of Tim Flynn. 4“Tll taich yer ter throy ter kill a feller that way.” “Oh!” roared ‘Aunier. edi Biff! went Tim’s fist for the third time. Thud! went Slinker’s body on the side- walk. He was stunned this time, and as soon as | Tim was sure of this he bent over Jack, and for the first time saw who he was. A great cry of amazement escaped the honest fellow. “Captain Jack, by all that is holy!” “Oh, Tim, is that you?” faintly asked the young fireman, as he made a desperate ef- fort to struggle to his feet. “Where is that coward?” “Shure, an’ I’ve broke his head.” “It’s Slinker! ” cried Jack. “Secure him.” Electrified by these words, Tim pounced upon the stunned man, and in a minute That’s just what I wish “Ouch! I’m kill- back. Then he picked up the revolver, and de- manded: “Wor ye hurted bad, Jack?” “His bullet merely grazed my scalp, but he gave me a pretty hard knock during a struggle I was having with him, and that gave him the chance to get upon his feet, just before you arrived.” “Wud yer luck at that, now!” “How did you chance to come along at such a lucky moment?” . “Faith, we’ve put out ther foire at ther Smith house, an’ ther byes wor playin’ ther hose on soMe other buildin’s what catched near by, whin I made up me moind fer go an’ hunt fer you fer instructions. AS good luck would have it, I kem this way, an’ plaze ther pigs, I’m glad I did!” “Let’s take this scoundrel to the police station.” “Indade we will! See—he’s comin’ to.” They watched Slinker until he revived, and then Tim grabbed him by the neck and yanked him to his feet. “Come along wid ye!” he roared savage- ly. . “Tf ye resist I’ll give yer another belt in ther gob that will finish ye entoirely! ” they showed him no Mercy, and he was dragged to the police station, and haled be- fore the gruff captain. “One of the firebugs,” announced Jack. “What?” roared the delighted officer. “He is also one of the thieves who rob- bed the bank.” “T ain't!” howled Slinker, who was wild with terror. His pedigree was ee and he was locked up- ‘ “Tl pump him later on,” growled the captain. “Perhaps he may be made to tell where his pals can be found.” “T hope so,” replied Jack, as he et out with Tim. (TO BE CONTINUED. ) $550 85 51 es oe —Allan Arnold’s Splonaid Story is— ‘one side of the paper only. Now I’m going to pay you | Mt. Everest, 29,000 feet. more he had _ his hands bound behind his. Slinker whined, wept, and protested, but | Laiswers to Correspondents. To Correspondents. Do not ask questions on the same sheet of pa- per with mail orders, as they will not be an- swered. Correspondents, in sending a numer of questions, will aid us greatiy by writin, If this is not ote questions will have to be rewritten by those who send them. Novice is now given that hereafter no letters will be answered unless addressed ere or Happy Days, 24 Union Square, New ork - NOTICE. Readers of Bary Days who send questions to be answered in this column should bear in ‘mind that Happy Days is made up and printed two. weeks in advance of publication; conse- quently it will take from two to three weeks from the time we receive the questions before the answers will appear in print, and should the questions require any special research it may take longer. If the readers will take this matter into consideration, they will readily see the folly of requesting us to put the answers to their ques- tions in the next issue of the paper. J. C. E.—No premium on dimes of 1853. R. C. W.—There is no premium on the | dime of 1836. Sam SMILEY. —We can cue all the 96 numbers of “Frank Reade Weekly” and all but No. 1 of “Three Chums.” READER.—Your description of the coin is very vague. Send it to us for examination, enclosing stamp for return postage, and we will give its value. EXpLoReR.—The highest mountain in ‘Europe is Mt. Blanc, 15,800 feet; Asia, Africa, Kiliman- jaro, 19,680 feet; North America, Mt. Mc- Kinley, 26,467 feet; South America, Acon- ecague, 23,091 feet; and Australia, Mt. Townsend, 7,347. Boy BALLOonIst.—The reason that hydro- gen gas:‘is the best to use in a balloon is because it has the greatest lifting power. One cubic foot of hydrogen gas will lift one-fifteenth of a pound; one cubic foot of coal gas will lift only one-thirtieth of a pound. H. T. Hatr.—The largest tree in the U. S. outside of the California redwoods is in Dougherty Co., Georgia. It is a giant sycamore; one foot above the ground it is said to be 44 feet in circumference. We can fing no record of elm trees, and have no means of gaining the desired informa- tion. The tree you describe is undoubtedly one of the largest in the country. Capret.—The oldest vessel in the United States Navy is the frigate Constellation, which is forty-four days older than the Constitution, familiarly known as Old Ironsides. The Constellation was built by David Stodert at Baltimore, and was launched September 7, 1797. The Consti- tution, built at Boston, was launched October 21, 1797. Dick DArE.—The official residence of the Pope, the Vatican Palace, is a large aggre- gation of buildings, which occupy an area of 1,151 by 767 feet, and inclose or front on twenty different courts. There are over 11,000 rooms, halls, chapels, etc., and about 200 staircases. Besides the pontifical residence, the Vatican includes the ecclesi- +astical offices, museums, galleries, libraries and archives. Epgar GRossMAN.—The best way to clean fur is to lay it fur side down on a flat table and beat it with thin rods until all the dust is removed. 2. We cannot say from your description what kind of stamps they are. Send to us for examination, enclosing a 2-cent stamp for return postage. 3. We consider this paper and our various li- braries excellent reading for boys and young men. L. J. K.-C. R. P.—There are a dozen different preparations for exterminating cockroaches, which you can buy from any druggist and from many grocers. It is said that hellebore, rubbed over with molasses and put round the places that cockroaches frequent, is a very effectual poison for them. Ordinary powdered borax spread on the shelves and in the corners of closets is said to drive them away. Persian insect powder is sure death to them if blown into cracks and crevices where they frequent. Wuy?—if your father is a naturalized citizen you will not require papers: other- wise you will require papers to become a citizen when you are twenty-one years of age. 2. Admiral Evans received the name of “Fighting Bob” during the Spanish- American War, owing to the fact that he was always anxious to be engaged in a battle. 3. Japanese and Chinese are class- ed as Mongolians; they cannot become citi zen of the United States. 4. We cannot furnish the address of organizations of that kind. 5. Yes, upon application to the Bar Association of New York or other cities,- 6. Oxalic acid, diluted, will spots from white paper; if handled care- fully it is very effective. 7. Take any pro- fession you are best fitted fon 8. Invisible ink can be made by mixing cobalt with a weak solution of muriatic acid. When the writing is cold it is invisible: when the remove ink paper is heated it appears of a bluish- ; CO ppears again when rer other questions next- ‘remain over to “D swer red next a ye | fixed near the ticket office. is known to ie been A Little Fun. Dottie—I wonder if a blonde is more attractive to men than a brunette? Lottie —Ask Tottie—she’s been both. “You mus’ fight de good fight,” said Brother Williams to his congregation, “but I don’t mean dat you mus’ go into it wid a hymn book in one han’ en a razor in de yuther! ” “Ignorance of the law, you know,” said the justice of the peace, “is no defense.” “In that case,” replied the prisoner, “you wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if they ever hauled you up, would you?” “T’ve been reading about an extinct vol- cano that still smokes. Queer, isn’t it?” “Yep. Reminds me of a woman. She gets mad and says she’s never going to speak to you again, and then keeps right on talk- ing.” George—The ring doesn’t seem to fit very well, Clara. Hadn’t I better take it back and have it made smaller? Clara— No, George; an engagement ring is an en- gagement ring, even if I had to wear it around my neck. Mother—Edith, you’ve been playing all the. morning with toy soldiers. It’s hardly the proper amusement for a big girl like you. Hdith—I wasn’t playing with the soldiers, mother. [ picked out the officers and played with them. “That winter scene you painted is very realistic, Mr. Dobber.” “I think it must be. One of my models looked at it the other days and immediately put my fur overcoat on. He kept it on’ when he left ‘and I haven’t seen him since.” . “What's the matter, darling?” asked ee anxious mother. “George went away this morning and forgot to kiss me,” sobbed Mrs. Newlywed. “Never mind. Now you - will have a chance.to strike him for some- thing he mightn’t have wanted to get if he hadn’t been so thoughtless. 2 = BUY OUR 10-CENT a No. 70 How to Make Magie Toys Containing full directions for making Magic toys and devices of many kinds. By A, Anderson. Fully illustrated. & e-o-0-e-2- 2 Interesting Items. The Black Hills beetle has killed between 700,000,000 and 1,000,000,000- feet of timber in the Black Hills forest reserve. It is also doing Much harm in Colorado and New Mexico. The government has issued a pamphlet on the way to fight it by ‘ne and barking infested trees. Swiss railway companies have adopted a measuring arrangement for half-fares. Every one who asks for a half-fare i be measured, a measuring machine being All children — ‘under 4 feet 1 inch in height will be passed as half-fare, but those above, whatever their ages, are treated as adults. General Manager H. V. Farwell of the © Wabash Valley Telephone Company. is making an effort to obtain several ferrets, to be used in carrying the cables through the conduits recently laid here for putting the wires underground. The ferrets have been used with great success elsewhere in carrying through a string. While fishing in the river opposite Red Bluff, Cal., Willis Brown caught a pike weighing over four pounds. The young fisherman, being anxious to make a meal of his catch, proceeded to dress it. While removing the entrails he noticed some- thing hard in the fish’s stomach and on opening it found a fine gold wedding ring. It is a plain band, and on the inside sur- face are plainly engraved A. C. to M. B.” The supposition is that the ring was lost by some person while bathing in the river. A ring similar to the one found in the fish was lost in the river near Corning, twenty miles down the stream from here, over a year ago. The importation of injurious birds and mammals into the United States has been carefully guarded against since the pas- sage of the Lack Act on May 25, 1900. In the five years ending June 30, 1905, the authorities issued 1591 permits for the entry of 1,006,964 birds (chiefly canaries), 2,846 mammals and thirty-eight reptiles, and thirteen permits for the entry of 6,500 eggs of game birds. Of the consignments 402 were inspected. See seas animal admitt Wide le Weekly ] This Weekly is a fine, new, up-to-date periodical, containing stories of adventure throughout the world. It has for its authors men who have -traveled from one end of the globe to the other, and are fully compet- ent to write such stories as we have in this first-class Weekly. 32 PAGES COLORED COVERS PRICE 5 CENTS: ---READ IT---% LATEST ISSUES: Smashing the Auto Record; or, Bart Wilson at the Seca Lever. x Off the Ticker; or, Fate at a Moment’s Notice. By Tom Dawson. : ee Cadet to Captain ; or, Dick Danford’s West Point Nerve. By Lieut. J. a. arry. The Get-There Boys; or, Making Things Hum in Honduras. By Fred Warburton. Written in Cipher; or, The Skein Jack Barry Unravelled— By Prof. Oliver Owens. The No-Good Boys: or, Downing A Tough Name. By A. Howard de Witt. Kick Off the: Earth ; or, Ted Trim’s Hard Luck Cure. By Rob Roy. oe it Quick; or, Ike Brown’s Hustle at Panama. By Captain. ‘Hawthorn, U. By Edward N. 9 In the ’Frisco Earthquake ; or, Bob Brag’s Day of Terror. By Prof. Oliver Owens. We, Us & Co.; or, Seeing Life with a Vaudeville Show. By Edward N. Fox. Cut Out for an Officer; or Corporal Ted in the Philippines. By Lieut. J. J. Barry. A Fool for Luck; or, The Boy Who Turned Boss. By Fred Warburton. The Great Gaul ‘‘Beat’’; or, Phil Winston’s Start in Reporting. By A. Howard de Witt. Out for Gold; ius The Boy Who Knew the Difference. By Tom Dawson. The Boy Who Ba lked ; or, Bob Brisbane’s Big Kick. By Frank Irving. Slicker than Silk; or, "The Smoothest Boy Alive. By Rob Roy. The Keg of Diamonds ; or, After the Treasure of the Caliphs. By Tom Dawson. Sandow Junior; or, The Boy Who Looked Puny. By Prof. Oliver Owens. 9 Won by Bluff; or, Jack Mason’s Marble Face. By Frank Irving. On the Lobster Shift : or, The Herald’s Star Reporter. By A. Howard - ae ‘Under the Vendetta’s Steel; or, A Yankee Boy in Corsica. AM Lieut. J. Barry. Too Green to Burn; or, the Luck of Being a Boy By Rob Roy. For sale-by all newsdealers, or will be sent toany address on receipt of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N. Y. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY STORIES OF BOYS WHO MAKE MONEY By A SELF-MADE MAN ~ 32 PAGES OF READING MATTER PRIGE5 CENTS BEAUTIFUL COLORED COVERS seeluatest Issucsoe All to the Good; or, From Call Boy to Manager. How- He Got There : or, The Pluckiest ae of Them All. Bound to Win; or, The Boy Who Got R Pushing It Through ; or, The Fate of a Paeky Boy A Born Speculator; or, The Young Sphinx Of Wail Street. The Way to Success; or, The Boy Who Got There. Seep Oil; or. The Boy. Who Made a. Million. A Golden Risk; or, The Young Miners of Della Cruz. A Sure. Winner; or, The Boy.Who Went Out With a Circus. Golden Fleece; or, The Boy Brokers of Wall Street. A Mad Cap Scheme ; or, The Boy Treasure Hunters of Cocos Island. Adrift on the World; or, Working His Way to Fortune. Playing to Win; or, The Foxiest Boy in Wall Street. Tatters; or, A Boy from the Slums. A Young Monte Cristo; or, The Richest Boy in the World. Won by Pluck; or, The Boys Who Ran a Railroad. Beating the Brokers; or, The Boy Who “Couldn’t be Done.” A Rolling Stone; or, The Brightest Boy on Record. Never Say Die; or, The Young Surveyor of Happy Valley. Almost a Man; or, Winning His Way to the Boss of the Market ; or, The Greatest Boy in vail Street. ‘The Chance of His Life ; or, The Young Pilot of Crystal Lake. Striving for Fortune; or, From Bell- -Boy to Millionaire. Out for Business; or, The Smartest Boy in Town. A Favorite of Fortune; or, Striking It Rich in Wall Street. Through Thick and Thin; or, The Adventures of a Smart Bey - Doing His Level Best ; or, Working His Way Up. Always on Deck; or, The Boy Who Made His Mark, 49 A Mint of Money; ‘or, The Young Wall Street Broker. 50 The Ladder of Fame; or, From Office Boy to Senator. ‘For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of peice, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage. stamps, FRANK TOUSEY, ee 24 Union Square, New York City. FENCE, ETC., ETC. MESMERISM. No. 81. HOW TO MESMERIZE.—Con- taining the most approved methods of mes- merism; also how to cure all kinds of dis- eases by animal magnetism, or magnetic healing. By Prof. Leo Hugo Koch, A.C. S., author of “How to Hypnotize,” etc. PALMISTRY. No. 82. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.— reading the lines on the hand, together with a full explanation of their meaning: also explaining phrenology, and the key | for telling character by the bumps on the head. By Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. S. Pully illustrated. HYPNOTISM. : No. 88. HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.—Con- taining valuable and instructive informa- tion regarding. the science of hypnotism; also explaining the most approved methods which are employed by the leading hypno- tists of the world. By Leo Hugo Koch, A, C25 SPORTING. No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.— The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains full in- All the above books are for sale by three for 25e. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, Containing the most approved methods of | -road; peculiar to the horse. Our Ten: ‘Cent fand Books. USEFUL, INSTRUCTIVE, AND AMUSING. Containing valuable information on almost every subject, such as WRITING, SPEAKING, DANCING, COOKING; also, RULES OF ETIQUETTE, THE ART O: VENTRILOQUISM, GYMNASTIC EXERCISES and THE SCIENCE OF oS structions about guns, hunting dogs, eeape trapping and fishing, together with de- scriptions of game and fish. No. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AN BUILD A BOAT.—Fully illustrated. Every. boy should know how to row and sail a boat. Full instructions are given in this little. book, together with instructions on ‘Swimming ‘and riding, companion sports to boating. No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSE.—A complete treatise on the horse. Describing the most useful horses for business, the best horses for the also valuable recipes. for. ca No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND -CANOHS.—A handy book for boys taining full directions for constr gz. canoes and the most popular manner of sailing them. Fully illustrated. By Stansfield Hicks, ; - FORTUNE TELLING. No. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AN DREAM BOOK.—Containing the great oracle: of human destiny; also the true- meaning of almost any kind of dreams, together with charms, ceremonies and cur: ious games of cards. A complete book. newdealers throughout the United St and Canada, or they will be sent, postpaid, to your address on receipt of 10c. eae or Send your name and address for Our Latest Illustrated Catalogue. 24 Union Square, New York City. 32 Pages LATEST 178 Young Wild West Beating the Bandits; 179 Young Wild West and or, 182 Young Wild West’s Dash to Deadwood; 183 Young Wild West’s Silver Scoop; or, ® Xoung Wild West and “Mexican Matt’; Young Wild West’s. Double Rescue; or, Young Wild West and the Texas Rangers; Young Wild West’s Branding Bee; or, Young Wild West and His Partner’s Pile, Young Wild West’s Young Wild West’s Cowboy Dance; Young Wild West’s Double Shot; ‘or, 202 Young Wild West Strikin 203 Young Wild West’s Relay FRANK ‘TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 or, Routing the Rawhide Young Wild West and the Comanche. ‘Queen ; or, Arietta as an Young Wild West and the “Gold Ring’; or, The Flashy Five of ‘Arietta’s- or, Crooked Work on ‘Arietta and the Cow WILD WEST WEEKLY Containing Exciting Stories of the Wild West By AN OLD SCOUT. Colored Covers Price 5 Cents s ISSUES : S 176 Young Wild West and the Magic Mine; or, How. Arietta Solved a ceaices 177 Young Wild West as a Cavalry Scout; or, Saving the Settlers: Arietta’s Best Shot, “Crazy Hawk’: or, The Redskins’ Last Raid. 180 Young Wild West Chasing the Cowboys; or, Arietta the Lariat Queen. 181 Young Wild West and the Treacherous Trapper: or, Lost in the Great North Woods, or, Cleaning Up a Hundred Thousand. rie Young Wild West and the Oregon Outlaws; Arietta andthe thee or, Arietta as a “Judge.” Rangers. Archer. Four Flush, eath. the Rio Grande. Punchers. - Saved It. Race With and How Arietta Young Wild West at Diamond Dip; or, Arietta’s Secret Foe. Buckhorn Bowie, and H ow It Saved His Partners. Young Wild West in the Haunted Hills; or, Arietta and the Aztec or, Arietta’s Annoying Admirer. Cheyenne Charlie’s Life Line. Young Wild West at Gold Gorge: or, Arietta and the Drop of Death. Young Wild West and the Gulf Gang; or, .Arietta’s Three Shots. Young Wild West’s Treasure Trove; or, The Wonderful Luck of the Girls. Young Wild West’s Leap in the Dark; or, Arietta and the Under ground Stream. 201 Young Wild West and the Silver Queen; or, The Fate of the Mystic Ten, it Rich; or, Arietta and the Cave of Gold. aces or, The Fight at Fort Feather. 204 Young Wild West and the “Crooked Cowboys’’; or, Arietta and the Cattle Stampede, For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by ALrow.6 Union Square, New York City. : Work and Win THE GREAT FRED FEARNOT STORIES. Largest Circulation of any Weekly Published. _ 82 pages. Colored Covers. Price 5 centé. LATEST ISSUES: Fred Fearnot and ‘“Nobody’s Boy”; Helping Along an. Orphan. Fred Fearnot’s Promise; Drunkard’s Boy Fred Fearnot ad the Hunted Man ;- Solving a Queer Mystery Fred Fearnot and the Girl a Gold; or, The Female ‘‘Wizard” of Wall Street. Fred Fearnot and Uncle Josh; or, Saving the Old Homestead. Fred Fearnot and “Long Luke” ; The Toughest Man in Texas. Fred Fearnot on the Diamond; or, Playing Pennant Ball. Fred Fearnot and the Silver Syndicate; or, Beating the Wall Street Sharks. Fred Fearnot’s congue Stroke; or, Win- ning the Diamond Sculls. Fred Fearnot’s Summer Camp; or, Hunting in the North Woods. Fred Fearnot’s Baseball Boys; \ in: the League. Fred once and the “Wharf Rats’; Solving a North River Mystery. Fred Fearnot and His No-Hit Game; Striking Out the Champions, Fred Fearnot and the Boot-Black; or, Giv- ing a Poor Boy His Rights. _ Fearnot’s Puzzling Curves; or, Fool- “the League Batsmen. Fred Fearnot’s Triple Play; or, How He and Terry Won the Game. Fred Fearnot and “Ned, the Newsy” > OF, The Sharpest Boy in New York. : Fred Fearnot and the Farmer’s Boy; or, A Greenhorn from the Country. Fred Fearnot and the. White “Moose ; or, Out on a Strange Hunt. — aes Fearnot? 'S Swim for Life; or, How He Secret Service Containing Great Detective Stories. 32 pages. Colored Covers. Price 5 cents. LATEST ISSUES: The Bradys’ Ten-Trunk Mystery; or, Work- ing for the Wabash Road. ‘The Bradys aud Dr. Ding; or, Dealing With -a Chinese Magician. The Bradys and “Old King Copper” Probing a Wall Street Mystery. The Bradys and the ‘Twenty Terrors’ After the Grasshopper Gang The Bradys and Towerman Fi"; or, The Fate of the Comet Flyer. The Bradys and Judge Jump; or, The “Bad- man’’ From Up the River. The Bradys and Prince Hi-Ti-Li; or, The Trail of the Fakir of ’Frisco. The Bradys and “Badman Bill”; or, Hunt- ing the Hermit of Hangtown. The Bradys and ‘Old Man Money”; Hustling for Wall Street Millions. The Bradys and the Green Lady; or, The Mystery of the Madhouse. The Bradys’ Stock-Yards Mystery ; Queer Case from Chicag 0. | The Bradys and the Frisco Fire Fiends; or, Working for Earthquake Millions. _The Bradys’ Race With Death; or, Dealings “With Dr. Duval. — The Bradys and Dr. Sam- Sey Soy; or, Hot Work on a Chinese Cle The Bradys and “Blackfoot Bil?’ ; or, The Trail of the Tonopah Terror. The Bradys and the ‘Lamb League” : After the Five Wakirs of Wall Street. The Bradys’ Black Hand Mystery; or, Run- : ning Down the Coal Mine Gang 397 The Bradys and the ‘King of Clubs” : or, -.The Clew Found on the Corner. - 398 The Bradys and the Chinese Banker: Fighting for Dupont Street Diamonds. 399 ‘The Bradys and the Bond comer: ob mar: Wall Street ‘Mystery. ae 380 387. 381 388 389 ~ 890 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 408 404 or, or, Helping a 382 383 384 +5 OF, or, > OF, or, or, or, Playing or, A or, or, 394 395 396 or, or, ér will be sent to | 5 cents per copy 4 in ‘Money or ‘postage stamps, ‘by é For gale by all newsdealers, or. ‘will be ant 16 any address on receipt of price, 5 cents per copy, Pluck and Luck ALL KINDS OF STORIES. 82 pages. Colored Covers. Price 5 cents. _ LATEST ISSUES: - eae Buttons: or, Climbing to the Top. .(A Story of a Bootblack’s Luck and Pluck.) By * Allyn Draper. The Iron Grays; or, The Boy Riders. of the Rapidan. By Gen’l, Jas. Gordon. Money and Mystery; or, Tal Hallerton’s ay in Wall Street. By H. K. Shackle- ord, The Boy Seetod or, Searching for a Lost Diamond Mine. By Allan Arnold. _Hdgewood No. 2; or, The Only Boy. in the Fire Company. By Ex-Fire-Chief War- - den. Lost On a Raft; or, Driven from Sea to Sea. By. Capt. Thos.. H: Wilson True as Steel; or, Ben Bright, the Boy En- gineer. By. "Jas. C. Merritt. Ed, the Errand Boy; or, Working His Way . in the World. By Howard Austin. 3 Pawnee Bill in Oklahoma; or, Fighting With the White Chief. By An Old Scout. Perey Greville, The Scout of Valley Forge. A Story of the American Revolution. By Gen’l. Jas. A. Gordon. Bulls and Bears; or, A Bright Boy’s Fight With the Brokers of Wall Street. By H. K. Shackleford. The Dead Shot Rangers ;-or, The Boy Cap- tain of the Home Defenders. (A Story of s American Recolaice) By Gen’l, Jas. Gordon. Lost in Phe Grassy Sea; or, Sphree Years in the Sargasso. By Capt. Thos. H, Wilson. Tom Porter’s Search; or, The Treasure of the Mountains. By Richard R. Mont- gomery Throush’ ‘Smoke and Flame; or, The Rival Firemen of Irvington. By Ex-Fire- Chief Warden Exic No. 207; or, The Boys of the Forgot- ten Mine. “(A Story of cls eeg and ss rnol ia: Jos By. Allan 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 For 8 any address on receipt of price, 5 cents ‘per copy, in money or postage stamps, by : by all newsdealers, or will be sent to | dn money: or Postsee,. stamp eA Bees ate 24 — Sa... m. ¥. | es TOUSEY, re baal : Union Sa..N. we THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ” A Weekly Magazine Containing Stories of the American Revolution. Colored Covers. Price 5 cents. BY HARRY MOORE. LATEST ISSUES: The Liberty Boys’ Secret Orders; or, The Treason of Lee. The Liberty Boys and the Hidden Avenger rs or, The Masked’ Man of Kipp’s Bay. The Liberty Boys. at Spring Hil; or, "Atte Cluny the Traitor. The Liberty Boys and Rebecca Mottes; or, Fighting With Fire Arrows. — : The Liberty Boys’ Gallant Charge; or, Th Bayonet Fight at Old Tappan. The Liberty. Boys’ Daring Raid; Hot or, 32 pages. 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 or, Times at Verplanck’s Point. The Liberty Boys and Simon Kenton; Fighting the British on the Ohio. The Liberty Boys Beaten; or, Fighting at “Cock” Hil? Fort, The Liberty Boys and Major Kelly; or, The Brave Bridge-Cutter. The Liberty Boys’ Deadshot Band ;-or, Gen. eral Wayne and the Mutineers. _ The Liberty Boys at Fort Schuyler; or, “Th Idiot of German Flats. The Liberty Boys Out With Herkimer ; or Fighting the Battle of Oriskany. : The Liberty Boys and Moll Picher; or, ‘Th ‘The Brave Woman Gunner. The Liberty Boys’ Bold Dash; or, The Skir mish at Peekskill Bay. The Liberty Boys and Rochambeau ; Fighting with French Allies? The Liberty Boys at Staten Island; OF Sp ing Upon: the British. The Liberty. Boys With Putnam ; OF, Go Work in the: Nutmeg State. = The Liberty Boys’ Teebaae: ‘ory the Tories. : ; - For sale by. all newsdealers, or will be ent te any address on receipt of i, ae pet SE = i or