Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 298) (1883 04 10)
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. " —S = ; & > > 2 a : ; : a j \ ‘os : J S 4 r = - a? o rt .F 5 : : ; rar TA - » eS ig lle Men Hl elle elle =| eo bo \ MLD >, 5 yx - WEES Ve-~'5 erste # “tT DON’T OFTEN MISS,” SAID FRANK, COOLLY, AS DOWN CAME THE HEAVY GAFT.
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— The Water-Hound: The Young’ Thoroughbred. A Tale of Vengeance, BY CHARLES MORRIS, AUTHOR OF “JOLLY JIM,” ‘‘THE TWO BLOODS,” ‘*pICK DASHAWAY,” ‘‘ YOUNG SLEUTH,” BIC., ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. THE FAIR UNKNOWN, It was a cool October night. High above the roofs and spires of Baltimore rode the full moon, now plunging into a bank of clouds, now sailing through the sable sky, while light and shade chased each other through the lanes and streets of the monumental city. It was late at night and few people were abroad. But in one portion of the city there was no scarcity of wide-awake persons, and no Jack of light to replace the flitting moonlight. This locality was neither fairly inside nor out- of-doors. It had the grass beds, the gravel walks, and the green bushes of a garden. But it was covered with a broad canvas canopy, stretched to keep out the cool night air, beneath which flashed the blaze of a hundred brilliant lights. On one side of the inclosure a brass band sent music thrilling through the air. Near by, on a broad platform, a company of merry dancers whirled in the mazy waltz. Elsewhere laughing groups promenaded the garden walks, or were seated at tables, smoking, chatting, or sipping at goblets of white crested beer. It was a place of fashionable resort, which we may know here as Guy’s Gardens, a higbly re- spectable place of entertainment despite its beer and cigars, for it was noted as furnishing the best music in the city. Seated at one of these tables were two young men, one a handsome, well-built, athletic per- son, tastily dressed, and with a face full of life and energy. His companion was a more burly individual, with the full face of one who is bound to enjoy life, no matter what follows. These gentlemen were Frank Frazer and Bart Wilson, *‘two bloods” whom we have met be- fore, in a very different situation,* ‘“‘Confoundedly bad cigars!” cried Frank, pettishly. ‘ And I’m saddled with a whole box of them. Hang me, if I won’t change my dealer. And I wish you'd tell me somebody L can give away the balance of my box to.” “Give it to me,” answered Bart. ‘I will make a martyr of myself to help you out.” “You old villain!” laughed Frank. ‘‘ Nomat- ter; you are welcome to the vile weeds.” “You don’t know what a cigar is, Frank,” re- plied Bart. ‘‘Why, they have a perfume like sandal-wood, and a flavor like—like—” ‘* Extract of rbubarb,” supplied Frank. ‘Allright, my sweet youth. If you choose to throw away boxes of prime Havanas, I’m your market, Come, let’s stroll down and see these fools in the corner kick up their heels, There’s no harm in saying that, is there? Or maybe you are wanting to dig into the dance with the rest of them?” “Faith, if I can get hold of a pretty partner, I won’t mind,” rejoined Frank, ‘‘The fun of a val in the face of the girl you dance with. “Tt lies in her heels,” growled Bart. : * Hold Sle tongue, you used-up sinner!” cried Frank, ‘You know no more about dan- ae than you do about cigars,” be music struck up in a wild waltz tune as they strolled onward toward the dancing-plat- form. It was one of those airs that are vital with vim and melody and that make the very blood dance in the veins. Frank’s young feet broke in o an involuntary waltz to the strains of the inspiring music. When they reached the platform it was cov- ered with dancers, who whirled in wild rings to the pulses of the tune, while flushed faces and lang ing eyes shone in the light of the gleaming mps. ps The two young men failed to notice that they were closely followed by a third figure, It was a tall and graceful girl, her face hidden behind a thin vail. There was something eager in her aspect, as if she had a special reason for wish- ing to overhear the conversation of the gentle- men. When they stopped, near the stand, their _ *See Halt-Dime Library, 242. The Water-Hound. pursuer rested in the shadow of a bush close y- “ By the saints, Bart, can you stand that un- moved?” asked Frank. ‘‘That’s an air to make a hermit dance. I’m going to have a round, if there’s a partner left in the gardens.” “Go ahead young giddy blood,” retorted Bart, with a sarcastic grin. ‘‘I like to see the young folks enjoy themselves.” ‘* You!—you patriarch of twenty-five!” “ve been through all that ages ago,” and Bart fingered his beard .with an air of great dignity. ‘‘But I suppose you’ve got to go through it, and get weaned. Dive in, if you can find the girl.’ ‘*T fear there’s nothing left but the crooked sticks,” answered Frank, looking with a doubt- ful air about him. “‘I must hunt up the man- ager and get an introduc ion.” ‘*Too late! Too late!” sung, in a low, sweet tone, a soft voice near him. The young man quickly turned. He saw be- fore him, in the half-light, a graceful, swaying figure, the face hidden bebind a light vail. A quick light shot into his eyes. It looked like the germ of an adventure, ‘Never too late to those of daring heart,” he sung in reply. ‘Light heels are worthier now than loving hearts,” came the laughing song of the unknown, as she tripped lightly away. Frank eagerly followed. She was not going to escape him so easily. : ‘* Will you not dance with me, fair lady?’ he asked, in earnest tones. ‘*Flatterer! How know you I am fair?” * By intuition. I will know it by sight when you lift that envious vail.” **No, no,” came the ie. Faye answer. ‘ You must trust to intuition. ou shall not see my face. And yet I will dance one round with the redoubtable Frank Frazer, of Shenandoah fame.” “You know me, then?” cried Frank, with a start of surprise. “Better than you are likely to know me,” was the gay reply. ‘‘Come, the music is throb- bing its soul out on the air. Time is flying. Why do you tarry?’ Mystified, yet deeply interested in the strange unkpéwn, Frank said no more, though he was determined not to part with her without a glimpse at that vailed face. Ina minute more they were upon the dancing platform and whirl- ing through the mazes of the waltz. Frank was a light and skillful dancer, yet he soon found that his partner was still more skilled than he. Round and round they went, keeping time with the pulses of the music, ber graceful, swaying form yielding to every im- pulse as a light reed yields to the breath of the wind, Frank’s arm lightly encircled her waist, her hand rested on his shoulder. He could feel her warm breath as they responded to the throb- bing tune with a grace and ardor that drew more than one pair of eyes upun them, ’ In vain he sought to see ber face. The blind- ing vail still hid what he felt must be its charm- ing features. He could catch the dimmed gleam of a pair of bright eyes, and the red crimson fe by but otherwise only the faintest outlines of of the face were visible. ‘Cruel fair-one,” he whispered. “Why will you treat me with such disdain? Raise that en- vious vail, [ pray you. 1 would give the world to see the charming face beneath it.” “You might be scared by its ugliness,” she laughed. “ [ will not drive my handsome part- | ner away.” “T will risk all such danger,” he replied. ‘“‘No,no; Thetimemay come, But not now. You must not know my face and name.” / “ And why not? Why, then, did you lure me on to dance *‘ Mayhap because we were both pining for a partner,” she gayly laughed. ‘Scop talking, sir. You made a misstep there.” The dancing-floor was now thickly crowded. It was necessary, indeed, to be on the alert to escape collision with more awkward dancers, Therich strains of the music, the timed fall of busy feet, the sounds of laughter and gay voices mod the gleam of gas lights through theshadow- ing trees, lent an enchanting charm to the scene. The young man drew his yielding partner to his side, with a warm impulse that was almost love. There was an influence emanating from her that affected him despite himself. At this moment some startling words were whispered in his ear, in low, strange tones: “ Beware!” came the warning words. ‘‘ Your life isin peril! Trust no one. Your life will be attempted this very night!” With a quick start he looked hastily around, and then at the face of his partner. He could see none near nen to have whispered. Was it she who had spoken? ‘* What do you mean?” he asked impulsively. ‘*Why do you give me this warning?” She looked at him with a show of surprise, “What warning?—But attend to the dance, sir. The air is drawing toitsend. Let us not lose a note of this delicious music!” Yet Frank did not dance as well as before. He could not help dwelling upon the strange words he bad heard, His life in peril? By whom and how? The music stopped, with a crash of brazen sound, The throng of dancers suddenly oats while a cloud of dust enveloped them. Frank's vailed partner released herself from his arms, with a gesture of despite. ‘*T thought you could waltz,” she said, ‘‘ but you have stumbled through all the last meas- ures of the dance.” “Tt is hard to think and dance at once,” he re- ay indifferently, looking inquiringly around im, with a vague hope of seeing the person who had addressed him. *“*Go not home by your usual route! Avoid Fremont Avenue! There lurks the avenger of blood!” The same startling whisper had spoken these words in his ear. With an exclamation that was almost an oath, Frank wheeled sharply around. There were a dozen persons near him, but none who seemed to take any note of his existence, , ‘‘Tt was you!” he averred, turning sharply back to his partner. But his voice dropped into an accent of sur- prise. She was gone! She had vanished as a shadow might vanish. Look as keenly as be might through the throng, no trace of her was to be seen. There came a momentary impulse to pursue, but he repressed it instantly. ‘No, no,” he said to himself. ‘‘ Let the bird fly. I will trap her yet. 1 feel that I have not seen my last of her.—But this strange warning! What am I to make of that?” He forced his way slowly through the mass toward the point at which he had left bis friend. While the dance went on Bart had solaced himself with a cigar. He leaned his shculder soe a post and looked cynically on at the ance, “‘Confounded ninnies!” he muttered, ‘* That’s what they call pleasure. Kicking up their heels and raising a dust! It’s lucky there’s some men born With good sense, or the whole world might grow mad. There go Frank and bis girl, twirling like tops. I suppose next he will be falling in love with her. That’s the sec- ond step of craziness,” He continued to smoke and growl. “It’s ridiculous good music, though. I'll say that for it.” In a few minutes afterward the music stopped, and the dancers began to spread from the platform through the garden. Bart puffed the white smoke through his lips, and waited patiently for his friend. While doing so he became suddenly aware of some one close behind him, while a low voice sounded in his ear: “Beware the vendetta! Guard well your friénd! Be alert, for the bloodhounds are on his track!” Bart flung away bis cigar as if it had burned him, and hastily turned toward the speaker. To his surprise, there was no onein sight. Ata distance he caught the twirl of a dress through the bushes, but in an instant it was gone. ‘Deuce take it!” he muttered, savagely. ** Td sooner have a pin stuck in me at once, lo creep up behind a fellow and whisper such stuff in his ear! Frank, and the vendetta! What does it mean?” 5 a There was certainly something mysterious in these warnings, as they both agreed after Frank had come up, and they had talked it over together. They left the garden, eagerly de- bating the subject. “What can they mean by the vendetta and the blood-avenger?” asked nk, in a puzzled tone, ‘I bave burt no one, and did not know I had an enemy in the world.” ‘“‘ Have you forgotten Shenandoah Valley and the old cashier?” reminded Bart, ‘‘ We did not kill him, but ran him to earth, and the old fox went down. He was wellconnected, you know, with a proud Maryland family.” > ‘You don’t think that?’ conte Frank, a trifle startled. “‘The Manleys, eh? They are a bold and reckless crew, I know. Have they taken a ite spent us on account of the old man’s eath
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ae rr “Tt looks like it,” answered Bart. “Then we've got to be wide awake. But let them look out. They won’t find Frank Frazer quite a baby.” “TI hope they will keep clear from mo,” re- joined Bart. ‘‘A quiet life is my hobby, but Pu be hanged if 1 can get a whiff of it. There’s always some deviltry afoot that I get dragged into. But let the Manly boys look out. There’s such a thing as waking up a catamount.” _A grim look came on Bart’s face, as he set his ‘oath firmly together. They continued to converse as they walked on, until they had reached a considerable dis- tance, ‘Where are we?” asked Frank. “In Fremont Avenue!” exclaimed Bart— “‘drifting to the very spot we were warned against, Shall we strike for a side street?’ ‘“No. I vote to face the music.” Frank looked stern and dangerous, ‘‘If there is any- thing in it, I want to find it out.” ’ **Then you’re likely to; and mighty soon!” ejaculated Bart, as he gripped his friend and pressed him suddenly and strongly toward the ground. It was just in time, for at the same instant there came the sharp crack of a pistol-shot, and lrank’s hat was torn violently from his head. Tne stoop had saved his life. In a moment the young man was erect again, his blood fully up. He glared keenly across the snadowy street, Just opposite them was the mouth of a narrow lane, within which his quick eyes caught sight of a form in full flight. ** Quick!” he cried fiercely. Bart!” ‘‘T bave none with me.” “Nor I; by foul luck! To your legs, then! We will run the fox down!” He darted forward like a deer, sharply fol- lowed by Bart, **Your pistol, CHAPTER II, A THRUST FROM BEHIND. A WEEK or two after the period of the events recorded in our last chapter a large party of men had collected at a point some miles outside the city limits. Nor was the gathering lacking in the fair faces and bright attire of ladies, It was, in short, the race-course, and some fine trotters were booked for that morning’s races, Many carriages were wending their way to the inclosure, and within the ring a number of booths had been set up, some for the sale of re- freshments, while around others betting was oing vigorously on. The people present, anxious for excitement in any shape, crowded eagerly around these centers, and the waving of arms and hats, and loud tones of excited voices, lent double anima- tion to the scene. Not far away from one of these betting centers stood our two friends, Frank Frazer and Bart Wilson. The former was reading, with a puz- zled countenance, a letter which he had appar- ently just received. “This thing is getting confoundedly monoto- nous, Bart,” he exclaimed, with a vexed gesture, “‘T had this paper just thrust into my hand by some unknown person. Read it.” Bart did so, with knitted brows, ‘**More warnings. More danger,” he ejacu- lated. ‘The vendetta again. And we are to bewarethe races. Signed, ‘ The Fair unknown.’ What won’t we have to beware next? Why, I'd sooner sell my head for a spring cabbage, and be done with it, at once.” “There's many & slip, twixt cup and lip,” yioted Frank. ‘“‘They missed the first shot. li they try the second they won’t find me with- oata weapon, And you know that when I put Paes finger on the trigger some bird has got to all. “ That’s so,” acknowledged Bart. “ You can shoot like a scout, I'll give in to that, ButI wish we had run the hound down that night we chased him.” *‘ He had his retreat laid out,” rejoined Frank. **-You know how he disappeared. Slipped into some door, no doubt, and left us to scour the empty street. We've got nothing but that half letter, with balf a name oni’, which he drop- ped as he ran. If wecould only match it with the other half.” He drew from his pocket half a letter sheet, which bad been torn diagonally across the mid- > A few broken lines of writing were upon it. *« Just enough to have all the meaning taken out of it,” remarked Bart. ‘‘It’s worth keep- ing, though. Martin. We wrote it.” ‘* And mar his game.—I wish I could get my eyes on that girl again, For a fig it was she that slipped this into my hand, I am growing ridiculously interested in her.” “Smitten. I knew how it would be. Per- haps that’s her whole game.” “No. The bullet that she predicted came to time. We must look out for its mate to-day. Your eyes were quick enough to save me that night. Just give me the same chance again, and I bet high V’ll wing our flying bird.” ‘* Bet high on what?” came a voice at his el- bow. ‘Pll match it whatever it is, I’m back- ing Laporte for the best trotter on the ground, and I’ll book your bet, if you’ve got a favorite.” ‘*Hillo, Harry, old boy! Is it you?’ ejacu- lated Frank, as he recognized an acquaintance, On the bet as usual, el 7’ ‘““Two to one on Laporte against the field! Come, name your choice!” and the would-be better stood with book and pencil in hand, eager to record the wager, ‘*?’m not a better,” answered Frank. ‘‘ But if you are so anxious I won’t mind matching you. T’ll back Beauty against Laporte on an even wager. I don’t want your odds.” “All right, my unsophisticated cove. I’m your man for even bets. What shall it be? A thousand?” — you please,” answered Frank, indiffer- ently. ‘Deuce take you, Frank,” whispered Bart angrily in his ear. ‘** Why don’t you fling your fortune in the Chesapeake, and be done with it? You will be a beggar in a month, at this rate. ‘* Maybe not,” answered Frank, with a know- ing look. ‘‘Harry thinks be has found a cheap victim. But I am not quite so green as he takes me for, Wait till the race is run.” The betting had drawn a knot of curious in- dividuals around our friends. But at this moment a new sensation attracted their attention. The word had been given, and a group of horses broke from the start, and thundered at a rapid trot down the track. There were eyes now only for the race. No minor incident was likely to attract attention. _ Frank’s and Bart’s eyes were fixed with like interest upon the track. Yet they were not destined to see the horses come in at the close, Forvat this instant there came bebind them a slight thud, and a cry of keen alarm in a wo- man’s tones. Simultaneously Frank felt asharp pain in his back. He quickly turned. Close behind him stood a vailed woman, whom he recognized at a glance as his strange partner in the dance. He ‘could see no one else who showed any suspicious signs. There was only the group who had formerly stood there, with their eyes now turned inquir- ingly toward this new point of alarm. et Frank was not the man to hesitate in coming to a decision, Hecaught the woman by the wrist; crying out: ‘* So, it’s you again? You won't escape me so easily this time. By all that’s good, ’'m bound to 880 what sort of a bird itis that’s flying about me,”’.. i ‘* Release me, sir!” she cried indignantly. ‘* Not until I see your face,” he sternly re- joined. “Oh, release me!” she pleaded, in a_tone of I sought must try and nail the Martin that distress, ‘It was not I that did it. to save your life. Let me go. I pray you!’ Some of the hard-fisted fellows who stocd near bustled up at this piteous appeal. f “Let go the woman!” cried one angrily. “Let her go, I say, or by—” “Drop all that,” interrupted Bart, in stern tones, as he pushed the fellow back. ‘'We can settle our business without your help. Do you see this?’ He stopped and picked up a long bladed knife, whose extremity, for half an inch, was reddened with blood. “By the Lord, there’s murder afoot! Are you hurt, Frank?” “T don’t know. Got a pinch, I fear.” “By Heavens, the man has been stabbed!” exclaimed a bystander. ‘See, his coat is slit, and the blood running!” At this instant a loud shout distracted the at- tention of most of those preseat. The horses had just come thundering in to the close of the race, Excited cries and comeing of hats attested the deep interest of the crowd. This, and the knowledge that he had been wounded, caused Frank momentarily to looser his ty upon the wrist of the shrinking woman, With a hasty twist she broke loose from him,and in a mo- ment more had disappeared in the thick mass of people. Frank started forward, but his pursuit 3 was hindered by, the swayi cry of alarm was lost in the ed sportsmen. ‘“‘ By Jupiter, Bart, she has slipped me again!” he angril y ejaculated, ** Hold hard!” exclaimed Bart, ‘‘ Let the wo- pam go. Stand there, till I see if you are badly urt. ‘*Poh! it is only a scratch.” ‘‘’m not so sure of that,” Bart hastened to tear off his friend’s coat and vest. The knife-slit was visible in the shirt, which was wet with blood. Hastily lengtben- ing the slit, he laid bare the flesh of the left shoulder, on which the knife-thrust had been made. A gaping but narrow wound was revealed, from which the blood was yet freely flowing. “No artery cut, by good luck!” exclaimed Bart. ‘‘Tbhe knife hasn't gone deep. Does it lame you, Frank?” ; “No, It’s only a pin-thrust,” ‘Hang me if I’d like to be stuck with pins like that!” The attention of the throng was now eagerly diverted toward the wounded man, and a dozen comments on the incident hastily proposed, “ {t isa high-handed outrage!” exclaimed one, “It was the woman. did it. No man would have been spiteful and reckless enough to stab in the midst of a crowd.” : ‘‘What made her sound the alarm, then?” asked another. “She bad nothing to do with it,” cried a third. ‘Isaw the arm that struck, The wo- man caught it, and broke the blow. The man would have been killed but for her.” ‘The deuce you say!” ejaculated Bart, flerce- es a Why did you not seize him, then? Wbere is he?” “I was off yonder when it happened,” ex~ plained the other. ‘‘I hurried. up; but be slipped into the crowd.” ‘What sort of a chap was he?’ came eager questions in a dozen voices, ‘*T saw the arm, I tell you, not the man, It was a large, white band, with a diamond on one finger. The sleeve was a gray-checked stuff. I gave the alarm, but I was tied fast in, the crowd.” “It’s rascally mysterious,” remarked Bart. * But this bleeding must be stopped. Is there a: doctor on the ground{” “Come this way,” suggested one of the by~ standers. ‘‘Old Joe, up here at Parole’s stable is your man. He is dead sure on hbcrses; and I’ve always found that what’s good for a horse is god for a man. He’s always got plenty of plasters and liniments.” ‘*Lead on, then,” exclaimed Frank, impa- tiently ‘I'd bave given sometning handsome, if you had nailed the chap that stabbed me. But my turn will come, Wait till lb get a bee line on that individual.—Lead on!” Old Joe was a weather-beaten, leather-frced, old chap, one-eyed, but with knowingness enough in the other to serve for both. He might have been through the storms: of a century, to judge by his looks. He rose from ‘the horse-bucket on which he bad been seated as the crowd approached, while half a dozen ab once demanded his services. ‘“Saddle and spurs!” ejaculated the cross- grained old chap. ‘‘ What’s bu’sted here~ aways? Any o’ the bosses took with the stag- rs? Don’t say it’s Parole, or Vil bu’st yer bilers!” “It’s a man, not a horse,” was the replys “Stabbed, old fellow. We want you to do up the burt.” : “Only a man?” growled old Joe, in a tone of cynical disdain. ‘Why, I though it couldn’t be less nor a fust-chop racer, by the row ye're makin’. Trot bim out. Let’s see the critter.” Frank was led forward to the cynical sur- geon, to whom the life of a noted trotter was worth that of a dozen men, and who had lived so long among racers that he fancied himself more horse than man. He looked at the wound with eyes of bleared wisdom, ‘‘Mought be a sore cut if it’s deep enough,” he announced. ‘’Tain’t the best spot in the world.” ‘ , “It isn’t deep,” explained Bart. ‘Here is the knife,” , “ns Old Joe looked at it questioningly, and then coolly inserted the point into the wound, with-~ out heed to the pain he might Pde the patient. ‘*Not much over a half-inch,” he declared. ‘* That's just a trifle. We'll settle it in a jiffy.” He evidently bad imbibed some respect for Frank, from the firmness with which the latter ng crowd, while his Sate of the excit-
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4 had borne the probing of the wound, It was not long before the gaping cut was treated with liniment, and its edges drawn together with plaster. “There, don’t disturb that, an’ if you've got good blood you kin be choppiu’ wood in a week. couldn't do no more if it was Parole hisseif as had been burt.” “Why, you confounded old jockey!” ex- claimed Frank, as be resumed his coat and vest, ‘‘are you putting me below the level of a horse?” “1 hope ye’re as honest, and as wide-awake, and as sure footed as some hosses [ could name, Ye seem to be a sound, well-groomed, stiddy- nerved chap, and p’raps ye’re up to the gineral ran of hosses. But I don’t match Parole with no two-legged critter as ever walked.” Frank laughed beartily as he turned away from the cynical old surgeon. “ All right, my good friend,” he remarked. *“*Tf you cure my shoulder you can compare me with a donkey, forall J care. But I fear you would not find me to run well in har- ”? ness. “Get out, the whole o’ ye, now!” exclaimed old Joe, surlily. “There’s the 2:20 race up, and I calculate to take a squint at that myself, Don’t paternize no slow hosses.” The crowd which had been attracted by these incidents speedily divpersed. The big race of the day was about to be run, and their interest in smaller matters rapidly subsided as the time for the race approached. “* How does your shoulder feel?” asked Bart, as the two friends walked toward the track. “A little stiff_—I’m sorry I touched that woman, Bart. Who can she be, anyhow?” “Some sort of a guardian angel of yours, I fancy.—Ha! there’s the word ‘Go.’ The horses are off. Stir up here, Frank. You’ve been green enough to lay a thousand against a born sport. You can have the satisfaction of seeing your margin wiped out.” “Don’t build on that. I know the horses, Hush, there they go, at the balf-mile.” There were four borses in the race, Down the long, back stretch they came at a killing ce, and nearly side by side, Every breath was beld, and every voice stilled, as two of them, a pair of grays, slowly drew ahead of the others, a bay and a black. When they turned the three-quarter pole the grays were a full length ahead, while the bay lagged still further bebind the black. ‘‘Laporte and Parole have it, nip and tug,” cried an entbusiastic sportsman. ‘ Beauty and Dart are out of the race.” ** Do you hear that?” asked Bart. “There’s no race won till it’s run,” Frank coolly answered, “I'll lay you a hundred more that Beauty wins.” “Done!” cried Bart eagerly. ‘It will be a cheap hundred.” But he did not feel so sure as the horses came nearer, down the home stretch. The two lead- ing borses were being pushed to their utmost pace, while the black was trotting with a far easier step. On they came, with a thunder of hoofs and wheels. Parole was a head and neck in the lead, and caps were off and voices ready to shout in victory. But those who were further down the line saw tve jockey who drove Beauty at this moment loosen the reins, while a chir- — sound came from his lips. nstantly the glossy black darted forward with new speed. Ere the lookers-on could scarce tell what had mepeenes Beauty had the leading horses. few seconds more and they were head tohead. The rival jockeys, athe by this. change in affairs, sought to shake out a trace more of speed, but in vain. The gallant black kept up ber nd pace, till her shapely head and glossy mane showed in advance. The nex instant the whole race came thundering past the judge’s stand, Beauty the winner by head and shoulders, Clapping of hands, tossing of hats, shouts of “Beauty! Beauty!” followed, until it seemed as if the whole field had gone mad, The sway- ing mass was wild with excitement. They could searcely believe that this little-known horse had out-trotted the two veterans of the age Pe snatched victory out of the face of ea ‘* Hang it! I’m a hundred dollars out after all!” exclaimed Bart, with a wry face. ‘ But there’s one satisf ction.” ‘* What’s that?’ ‘“‘Ooly that you’ve warped that sharp sport, | \ have in it.” Harry Hilton. You're a lucky dog. Frank.” ‘““Pve seen Beauty trot before,” Frank quiet- dy answered. The Water-Hound. CHAPTER III. SPORT IN VIEW. “ [ris getting to be a confoundedly ridiculous piece of business,” remarked Frank Frazer, with a comical grimace. ‘* There’s fun m any reasonable kind of sport, but nobudy likes to be set up as a target for ball and knife prac ice. If I could get my eye on the fellow ouce, 1 fancy the law would be saved trouble.” “Don’t kick against the law, Mr. Frazer. That will never do. The law bas an awkward fasbion of kicking back.” The man who spoke was at all, well-devel- oped person, his beardless face displaying hard features and keen eye. His stout figure was clothed in a loose suit of gray cloth. The room was an office-like apartment, with desks and revolving chairs, and a display of portly ac- count-books. In short, Frank’s companion wasa well-known member o: the Baltimore detective force, by name William West. “Trust to the law: it’s fot a long hand and a tight grip,” he continued. ‘ Just suppose you let me have that story again. It looks promis- ing.” frank repeated the description of the two at- tempts upon his life. ‘““\f the hound would only show himself face to face, I wouldn’t bother with the law,” he re- iterated. ‘‘ But bis striking in the dark is none too comfortable. What do you think of it, Mr, est?” ‘“‘Iv’s a little bit mysterious,” acknowledged the officer, shaking his bead. ‘Somehow I don’t believe it is the Manlys. You tell me there is no Martin awong them?” ‘‘No; I know no one of that name.” ‘+ *¢ Mar—’, you see, is the address of the letter. It probably is the name of the man who fired the shot. But the queer part of the business is that woman. She wants to save you from dan- ger but at thesametime to cover the villains. have a notion that the vendetta and blood- avenger talk is all a blind.” “Ha! Then you think I am on the wrong track?’ “Not sure—mind you. We must follow up every clew. ‘A large white hand, witb a dia- mond ’—that’s a good item. There’s no evidence in this knife, though; it might have belonged to five hundred persons, The woman is the best figure in our game. Keep a sharp eye open for her; it might be worth something to you to see her face.” ‘‘T could not be rough with her,” answered Frank. ‘ 1 owe ber my life.” “‘ Very good; but she may not be on hand at the next attempt. Desperate villains like these are not going to let themselves be foiled by a woman,’ “By heaven! there’s scmething about the woman—I cannot tell what; but sbe bes half made a fool of me.” “It’s the old romantic story,” answered the detective with a scornful laugh. ‘‘ Ycu’re but a boy yet; take my advice: don’t go falling in love with faces you bave never seen—drop all such romantic stuff. You've got to bave your wits about you if you want to checkmate this enemy. I will work it up for all thatis in it; but Imay need your belp. ‘Track that woman if you see her again—we may run our fox to cover.” ‘* Very well,” returned Frank, as he rose and took his hat. ‘‘ But I’ll give you first a week's free play for your work; I am going duck- shooting down the bay for a week. ou may hit some clew before I return.” “Ab?!” said Mr. West, with a reflective look. ‘But your shoulder—is it fit for such sport?’ “Yes, Old Joe’sliniment bas worked like a charm.” The officer sat in a moment’s silent thought, as if revolving some project. ‘See here, Mr. Prager,” he suddenly said, looking briskly up. ‘You’re a quick, wide- awake fellow, and fond of adventure. If you want a bit of better sport than duck-shooting I think I can promise it to you. We have some lively work afoot, in which we are rather short- handed, If you want to see some life, say the word.” : “Pm your man for sport in any shape,” cried Frank, striking his hand into the open palm of the officer. ‘‘ And if there’s a spiee of danger in it, so much the better. Of course it’s a straight business?” “I represent the law,” answered Mr. West, somewhat pompously. ‘Open your budget then. Let’s see what you “We are fitting out a naval expedition against the oyster pirates,” rejoined the detec- bea jolly trip. ee tive. ‘‘Tbey are in force down the bay, and playing the deuce with the beds. The’ plante), are calling on the law for be p.” , ‘«There’s, noubing in that. They'll scatt¢ like a flash of sparrows at sight of a policd- boat,” seid Frank contempiucusly. “Not they! I tell you they are in force; and they threaten tofight. Iltis cur game to cap- ture as many as we can; and they might fig! t hard before they are taken. We camnot sya: ——- officers, and need some good volun | aid. “TI am your man, then,” answered Fre. ‘‘ And I can answer for my friend. Who else have you?” ‘‘ About a dozen prime fellows. There will be plenty of good grub aboard. It is going *o I can book you, then, ior ihe cruise?” ‘* When will you sail?” ‘*Next Wednesday.” ‘Allright. That will give us time for a up at the canvas-backs. We are going to sboot o Somers Point, and you can pck vs up on your way down. I haven't ruffled a feather this year, and must have two cr three days’ shoot- in 7 S Are youa good shot?” “Tolerable,” answered Frank, indifferently. “Don’t miss more than two out of three on un average. Good-day, Mr. West. lf my unseen foe don’t wing me first, 1 witl report at Somers Point next Wednesday.” ; ‘‘And meantime [ will work up the case,” re- joined the detective. Frank left the rcom with his free stride, the officer following him with his eyes. * There’s good stuff in that young blood,” be soliloquized. ‘‘He shall not go under if 1 can hinder it. But there’s scmething migbty mys- terious about this business,” In anotber pert ot the city, at a time not very distant from the pericd of this conversation, another was taking place which bore strongly upon the same +ul ject. The scene of this second conversation was & ricbly-furnisbed apsrtment in a large mansion situated in the fashionable quarter of the city. The room was furnished in crimson velvet, and with a profusion of objects of art that be- tokened wealtb. Two per-ons were present. One of these was a bandsome but dissolute-lo. king young man. He was powertully buil', and bore an appear- ance of great muscular strength. His expres- sion seemed high-spirited and resolute, though there was an occasional furtive look in bis eye indicative of treachery. The other wes a richly-dressed young lady. S e had aclean cut face of great beauty. Its expression just now was that of pride and dis- dain—yet those hazel eyes could soften and those red lips wear a less scornful curve, It was one of those faces that can change as the tide changes, and grow now earnest as the sun, now tender as the moon. Evidently, from its present expression, harsh words had passed be- tween the two, 1 “ You dare notand youshall not try it again!” she passionately «xcleimed. ‘I have screened you so far, but if you try me too much—’ “You will turn traitor, «eb? he sneered, ‘‘T am much obliged, Mabel. You have been kind enough to show your hard. _One would think pone of the old blood ran in your veins, by your weak-heartedness,” **IT conn the old blood when it leads to mur- der!” she hotly rejoined. ‘*Murder? I don’t call it by so harsh a name, Revenge is.a sweeter word. Girl, by the. Lord you stall not stand in my ypatb! You would betray me! I see your purpose in your eye!” He sprung up as be spoke and caught her wrist, while he glared threateningly into her face, ‘(If I} ad wanted to betray you it would have been done ere now,” she calmly rejoined, re- leasing her arm from bis grip. _‘‘ Sit down, sir, You cannot control me by viclence. I do not fear you, And I repeat that I will cease to screen you if this goes on. The man you weuld slay has never injured you.” “ He has injured mine; andI and mine sre one,” ‘But Iam not one with any such reveng ful scheme.” : “| know you, gir! You have water in y«ur veins, where you should Lave fire. You have let this fellow’s pretty face fool you. Dov na fancy that I have not bad my eyeson you? Lut you had best beware! If you seek to betray me I will kill you as I wouldafiy. Lhaveset them all adrift now, by that letter I_was shrewd enough todrop. They can bunt Mart huuley
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————— — - it they will. But 1 fancy the nearer they get “0 'im the further they will be from me.” ‘You will kill me, you say?” There was not i quiver in her voice, ‘I believe you are devil enough to do it. But our family do not die easily. Remember that. You shall not harm this youth, I tell you. If you do I will give you upto the law. And I care not for your threats.” **Very well, Mabel,” he rejoined, with an easy smile, as he lazily rose, “I have just learned that Frank Frazer is going down the Chesapeake for a week’s duck-shooting. He could not play better into my hands, And I hardly think you will be there as a marplot.” **] will put him on his guard!” she passionate- ly cried. ‘* You shall not harm him!” ‘*Do not bein too great haste about it,” he scornfully answered. ‘tI will give you fair time to think.” As he spoke be key through the doorway, and the click of the key sounded harshly in the lock as he secured the door behind him. “You can have opportunity to reflect,” he mockingly cried through the door. “I will leave old Pomp for your attendant. Suppose ou amusy yourself by telling your story to im. The trapped woman ran hastily to the door and violently shook it. It was too firm to yield to ber strengtb. **Good God!” she cried, in horror. ‘‘ He will kill his foe! And it willbe my fault! Why did I not tell him his enemy’s name? Why should I screen this merciless fiend?” She fell back ona chair, ber hands to her face, her whole soul filled with horror. 1 ‘ CHAPTER IV. POINT SHOOTING FOR CANVAS BACKS. Ir is a wild scene which now opens out before us. A low, flit stretch of grassy meadows, a broad reach of water, a line of reeds and marsh grass between land and water, telling of swamp and treacherous mud. Theshore isa wavy line, the water now cutting deep indentations into the land, the land nuw protruding in swells, or in long points into the water. And all lay still and deathlike under the rays of a low autumn sun, But far out on the water appears that which attracts the excited «ttentiou of many persons, who lurk at various points along the cvast. Dark objects moving rapidly in lines and groups through the air. Birds, no douvt, but it takesa practiced eye to tell at tbat disiance that they aie the renowned canvas-backs of the Chesa- peake—the prince of ducks. Hundreds of sportsmen are scattered at va- rious points along the shore, Some lie in grass- covered boats, sunk until! their gunwales are on aline with the water, while groups of decoy ducks float around, Others are on shore, con- cealed amid grasses and reeds, or behind wood- en screens, some with“ toling” dogs to coax the birds to shore. The bird is a shy and wary one, and is not to be trapped without the exercise of great cun- ning on the part of the sportsman. It is never without its sentinels, whether sleeping by night or feeding by day, and usually can only’ be shot from ambush, : ‘ There is, however, another mode of shooting it, the most difficult of all, and this method is being adopted by the sportsman who stands erect On the extremity of along narrow poiut of land, in full view of the fiving birds. This method is by adirect, perpendicular shot at single flying birds, high in tne air, It needs a keen eye, @ lightning touch on the trigger, a -dead shot. Yet it is the plan chosen by Frank Frazer, for it is be who stands on the point. The feeding birds, disturbed by tre gunners, in their flight to new feedi g-gr unds, usually fly over, instead of circling around these points of land. Tbey fly high, however. and cannot be brought down except by a firs -class shot, Frauvk had been stationed here for a couple of hours, crouching to partly conceal himself, and rising to fire when the Sucks came overhead. But t e shrewd birds seemed to fight shy of the ‘‘po:nt,” and he had not yet a feather to show tot, What luck?" exe) oan naa at luck?” excla coming off to him. ‘‘I’'m tired of my fun.: "Poaegell away a half-dozen times from my blind, and haven't a feather to pm ail * You're not go ve it upalready? You will - et the hang of aiming awhile, It a r Sagem experts . “T've a @ more mee than I wani,” rowel Bart. “After my last shot.” 0 eee eee aS The Water-Hound, “How was that?” asked Frank, smelling a oke, / ‘*Why, the confounded bird just lifted its head with a knowing air, gave me a sly wink, and then went on feeding as if it thought the safest place it could find was in front of my gun. That settled my business. I shouldered arms and came away in disgust,” Frank laughed heartily at his friend’s experi- ence, ‘*Hang it!” exclaimed Bart, a little miffled; ‘**T don’t see as you’ve done any better, and you a brag shot.” ““They’re shyer of me than of you; that’s the trouble,” returned Frank. ‘‘ Hist! Here comes abunch. Stoop! They’re bound this way. I fancy I'll get a crack at them.” There wer? about a dozen birds in the bunch which Fiank bad sighted. They flew straight for the point, rising as they did so, until they were more than two hundred feet in hight. sé No go,” whispered Bart. ‘‘They’re beyond reach, ‘*Not much. Ican reach them at three hun- dred feet with this piece. "Ware! Here they come! The birds flew straight onward, spread out in a wedge-shaped double line. When they were nearly overhead Frank rose with a quick move- ment, his fowling-piece at his shoulder. The aim was almost perpendicular, and was quick as lightning. A touch on the trigger, a keen blaze from the mouth of the gun, a sharp re- port, and the old bird that formed the point of the wedge suddenly checked its flight, fluttered an instantin the air, and then came tumbling straight downward, stone dead. Another report from the second barrel, An- other bird broke from the flock and came down at a sharp angle, struggling and fluttering. It struck the clear water ten feet out from the edge of the point, ‘Two, by Jupiter! That’s prime work!” ex- claimed Bart, springing up apciteys “ Hang me, if I didn’t always say you were the primest sbot going. But how are we going to get that bird? If we only had a dog.” ‘The best dog going would be of little use for a wounded canvas-back,” replied Frank, as he Asset pee toreload, ‘*The cunning things will swim under water till they fool the sharp- est dog. There’s a punt here in the reeds, but there’s no use trying it.” “Yes there is,” rejoined Bart. ‘* The bird caught it heavy. See! he’s kicking up bis heels. All the trick is taken out of that chap, and Pm going for him.” Jumping into the concealed boat, he pushed it out with an oar, and quickly reached the bird, which was feebly flapping in the water. With a sharp twist to its neck, he flung it into the boat, calling out gayly: **Can’t afford to lose any when we've onl two to show for two hours’ work. My, ain’t it a beauty !” He looked admiringly at the bird, with its glossy back crossed with wavy lines, and its black and white breast. Taking the oars, he rowed ashore. Frank had reloaded, and was weitivg for another chance, | . ‘*Down in the boat!” he warned Bart. ‘‘ Here comes a single chap, but I’ve a fancy he’s going over tbe point.” The bird came on, flying low. It was not a huudred yards high when Frank rose and fired. But whether from over-eagerness in the marks- map, or other cause, the sbot failed. The bird flew on untouched, A vexed exclamation came from Frank’s lips. The duck swerved slightly, but k-pt on. It passed overhead and was off at a long angle. Wheeling as he stood, fowling-piece to eye, Frank followed the flying game for a moment, aid again pressed the trigger, A clean, sharp report. The bird suddenly balted; poised mo- tionless for an instant in the air; and then tumbled headlong downward, striking the water heavily thirty yards from shore. * That chap ‘won't crawl away, anyhow,” he exclaimed. ‘Go for him, Bart. It isn’t often I was'e two shots on one bird.” ‘* You’re too confoundedly greedy,” grumbled Bart in reply. ‘I'd be well satisfied to get one bird in twenty shots. But when a knave of a bird winks at me, and goes on feeding, as if it thought I was only firing a salute, it’s confound- edly discouraging.” . Frank laughed as be reloaded, while Bart rowed out for the game. It seemed, indeed, as if Bart’s coming had turned the luck in Frank’s favor. During the rest of the afternoon the birds seemed to have taken a fancy to fly over that point, and crack after crack of Frank’s piece added rapidly to 5 the gathering heap of slain birds. He was cer- tainly a prime marksman, for be hardly wasted a charge of shot during the afternoon. ** Don’t believe there’s your match ata sneap- shot on the Chesapeake,” cried Bart approving- ly. ‘See bere, Frank, you’ve had your share of sport. I'm going to show you what I can do. Here comes a neat buneh of birds. Let me have them,” “All rigbt,” answered Frank. “I ho you'll fetch your bird. Don’t waste time in aiming. Slip your eye along the barrel, and let fly... It’s the only way.” “Ay! ay!” returned Bart, bringing the gun to his shoulder, while he fixed his eye on the coming birds, On they flew, not seeing, or not heeding, the crouching forms on tbe point of land. They were yet a hundred yards off, and were rising to pass the point at an elevation, when Bart hastily rose, glanced along the sights, and Sh trigger. To his utter amaze- ment and Frank’s surprise, a bird dropped from the flock, and tumbled heavily downward. “Good! Prime! Toe other barrel! Let them have it again!” he exclaimed. Bart turned and bastily fired, but whether he was aiming at Baltimore or New Orleans he could not himself have told. Certainly it was not at the birds, who flew on unhurt, ~ “Dash me, if you ain’t coming out!” cried Frank, as be picked up the bird, which bad fal- len almost at their feet. ‘‘ Try it again, my boy. You'll make your bag yet.” “Not a bit of it,” returned Bart. ‘‘ I’m not fool enough to spoil my reputation. I’ve got something to brag of for the rest of my life, and I’m oot going to give anybody the opening to prove it was a chance shot.” ; rank laughed at bis friend’s wise caution. “How came you to pick out the tail bird of the flock?” he asked, ‘* You should have aimed for the leader,” “Somehow I have a notion for tail birds,” an- swered Bart fom He did not feel it necessary to explain that he had aimed at the head and bit the tail of the line. There are cases in which a wise silence is the pink of wisdom, A half hour more, and the sun lay Jow on the western horizon. Collecting their game, which amounted toa dozen of fat birds, with Bart's bird for tally, the two friends shouldered their fowl ing-pieces and left the point, well satisfied with the day’s sport. As they walked along, some distance back from tbe shore-line, they passed at intervals a half dozen-spurtsmen, intent on the exciting game of duck-shooting, Some lay in their low sunk, and grass hidden boats, surrounded with decoys, with a comrade in a light boat hidden rary the reeds, to pick up such birds as might fall. Others were on shore, screened from the feeding birds, One fellow they passed, with a toling dog, whose operations they curiously stopped to watch, _ . The practice of ‘‘ toling” Is a curious one, which it may be of interest to describe. In this mode of duck-shooting the sportsman is bid be- hind a shvre-blind, and bas with him a mongrel water-dog, which has been taugbt to run back and forth along the shore, after sticks and stones thrown from side toside. The ducks are very curious, and on seeing this strange behav- ior of the dog, from their feeding-grounds seve- ral hundred yards off-shore, will swim in to learn what it means. The dog continues torw and the birds swim further and further in until within a few feet. Often they will stand on the beach, staring in stupid wonder at the dog’s an- tics. This is the time for the sportsman to let fl when, at the sound of the eine, the dog imm it ately springs into the water, to arrest tbe flight of the wounded birds. It is one of the kinds of spert that the trne Pai hak looks on as utterly spurious, a mere orm of murder, ‘ Sbaking bis head Frank resumed his course, followed by Bart, . “That’s not the way we bring down our birds,” remarked the latter. atk “No,” laughed Frank. ‘ You and I dou’t in- dulge in such amateur work as that.” It was near sundown when they reached their destination, a lonely sporisman’s inn on the Maryland ba shore, standing far apart from any otcer habitation. , CHAPTER V. GUNNING FOR BIG GAME, Ir the inn was low and narrow, and its ap-. pointments few and meager, there was ore. point in which it could vie with the most stylish of metropolitan hotels, Its table was hard to
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us match. It was a rough-looking body of men who sat down to the supper table, but the had before them a meal fit for a king. This was the rich and delicate meat of the canvas- back duck, the delight of epicures, served u piping hot, and looking juicily tender as it teamed in its wide platter. There were other dishes of red-head and bald-pate ducks, only su by the canvas-back. These flanked by side dishes of huge Chesapeake oysters, raw and fried, and by plates of steaming hot biscuit, made up an epicurean table in which persons much less hungry than the tired sportsmen might have taken delight. _ Great were the trencher feats done, sharp the clatter of knives and forks, and many the com- pliments paid to “ mine host ” for his success in getting up a sportsman’s supper. But there was little conversation until the edge of appetite had been dulled, and the satis- fied gourinands lay back easily in their chairs to inspect the ruin they bad wrought. ‘“Maybe the grub can be beat,” said Bart, icking some last morsels, ‘‘but I have never d the luck to be about when it was beat.” “There’s nary a two-winged bird in the sky as kin hold a candle to a geniwine canvas-back,” positively asserted a weather-beaten old fellow, at the foot of the table. “You can have your own way about that,” answered Bart, easily. ‘‘I won’t dispute you.” This was the key-note to a busy conversation, in which ducks as food and ducks as game bore a principal share. The old chap who had just spoken showed himself as good at talking as he had been at eating, and monopolized a principal share of the conversation. “You gentlemen think you're havin’ good shootin’ now,” he asserted, ‘* but bless you, you dunno what duck-shootin’ means, Ye ought to been here ten years or more agone, afore there wasa gunfur every bird. It’s jist amazing how we used to drap the birds. I’ve bagged a clean 200.in one day, little as I look, an’ 1 don’t brag on my shootiu’, neither. Why, bless you, in them days we thought nothin’ on a hundred head fur a day’s sport. “For a day’s murder, you mean,” growled one of the sportsmen, ‘ You mowed them down with your swivels, and called that sport.” ‘““Nary time! I’m talkin’ of shootin’ from the shoulder, There is sich things as duck pirates, more’s the pity, but they al! oughter be sunk with stones around their necks, to chaw wild celery theirselves, so long’s they won’t give the birds a chance,” “ Are there many other birds here except the canvas-backs?’ asked a stranger. “Lord love you, yes, plenty. Why, thero’sa good half-dozen sorts of ducks, and some of them prime eating, too. There’s the Mallard, the Butterball, and the Blackhead, besides the sorts we’ve bad for supper, and it ain’t unkim- mon for us to git a blaze at a cronking Canada goose, Then there’s the bay snipe, which makes go dsport on the flats. And now and then we start a clump of plover. They don’t fall easy, though. They’re a confounded hard bird to shoot, and I'd advise you city folks to stick to duck, if you want to make a bag. Ye’ll not git many plover fur a day’s sport.” “ Are there not swan, occasionally? I’m told that they frequent the Chesapeake,” asked another. “Tf you want to settle your minds on that pint, jist file out to the kitchen door, and if tie: don’t see a poole swan hanging there by is bind legs, then you kin blame the cat. drapped bim to-day from areed-blind,” said the old man proudly, “You did?” asked the last speaker, with much interest. ‘‘I’ve heard of swan on the Chesa- ke, but thought it wasalla traveler’s story.” ‘Not much, They travel mo-t as thick as the in some seasons. Why, it was only last year, when I was ambushing fur canvas-backs, what should I see but sixteen long-necked swans feedin’ not sixty yards away, and as innercent of danger as a-cat on a fence. You bet I blazed away at their heads, which is the only safe part, and I dropped the second barrel on hom as they riz.” ; “How many did you bag?’ asked the in- terested listener. a Ys you wouldn’t b’lieve me if I said there wero ten of them; so mebbe I'd best keep quiet,” and the old fellow leaned back in his chair with easy dignity. “Why, you old rogue, you only killed two!” cried a sportsman near bim. “ Well, s’pose 1 did. I didn’t say as I killed any. Guess a man 0’ my age is got a right to draw a parellel, hain’t he, of arithmetic plugged down his throat?” BIE bE ee eretartetcanaeectntiatille cet sontrcetl ie pnw lt pee OLN ER I RD Lit ats Bee Fe BB ee OAK EEE SS i aa] nt a Nt SE Fe as mene hes > wait Base cae without havin’ a lot | The Water-Hound. The old chap got up, and walked away with offended majesty A laugh followed, and the conversation grew | out.” more general, many stories of sporting adven- ture going the rounds of the table. At this juncture a couple of strangers came in. One a tall, square-built, gentlemanly perscn, with a handsome face, adorned with a ong mustache. He bore a fowling-piece, which he deposited in a corner. His com- panion was one of the shore sportsmen, a tanned-face fellow, who had been evidently acting as aid to the city gentleman, The stranger looked easily around the circle of guests, a slight change coming upon his ex- ression as his eyes fell on the form of Frank razer, at the head of the table. ‘‘ Looks as if that table had been struck by a simoon,” he remarked, with a smile, ‘‘ Come, landlord, have you got nothing fresh fora hungry man?” “Calculate I kin skeer you up a bite,” an- swered the landlord, as he left the room. Most of the others had now left the table. Our two friends, Frank Frazer and Bart Wilson rose and strolled from the room, fol- eee by the stranger, with an odd look as they id so. Frank struck a match and lit himself a cigar. ‘““Who is that man?” he asked of Bart, ‘Hang me if I know.” “TI thought there was something familiar in the face, that’s all. Strikes me he has the Manley nose.” ‘Tt has something of the same twist.” “T hope, if be is of that breed, he’ll confine his attention to the ducks, Between you and me, Bart, the birds are better than the cigars down this way.. This is a wretched affair,” he took the weed from his lips with an air of dis- ust. ‘‘Any letters?’ he asked of the bar- nder. ‘“‘ There are two for you, Mr. Frazer, jist come in,” was the reply, as a brace of epistles was handed over. Frank took a seat aside, and opened the first of his epistles, “This is from Will West, the officer,” he said. “ The police boat will be down, and stop for me off Somers Point on Thursday. This is Tuesday, That gives us another day’s popping at the birds, Bart. You can try your luck again on the wing.” ‘Not if the court knows herself,” answered Bart, ‘Tam not fool enough to discount my uck, Frank laughed, as he opened his second epis- tle. But bis face soon grew serious, while a puzzled look came upon it. ‘* What’s the matter?” asked Bart. ‘ Has the bottom tumbled out of stocks? You look as grave as a tombstone,” ‘Read that.” He tossed over the open letter; and resumed his cigar. Bart ran his eyes hastily over it, while a harsh exclamation broke from his lips. “Shoot me for a jackass if this isn’t getting monotonous!” he ejaculated. ‘‘The vendetta again, eh? You're to be followed to this out-of- the-way hovel. Your life’s in danger here. Signed by ‘The Fair Unknown, Blast it all, you'll have to keep your eyes open, my boy. We've got proof that there’s no humbug in that girl’s warning.” Frank sent a cloud of smoke curling upward to the ceiling. ’ ‘“What do you think of. the chap who just came in?’ he asked. ‘It struck me that he gave me a queer look.” “Yet he seems an open-faced sort of coon. Guess he’s only after a snap at the birds,” “At any rate l’ll be on the lookout. warned is forearmed.” ' : He pocketed his epistles, and continued to smoke, conversing lightly on general subjectsas if the warning bad already passed from his mind. The evening and night ; passed away without further incident of importance. Frank had not been without dread of a night atteck from his unknown foe. and had carefully fastened his room door. But there seemed no occasion for precaution. No evidence of any wrong inten- tion displayed itself. The morning rose very favorable to sport. The sun was coming up brightly over the east- ern horizon. There was a fresh wind, and a ripple on the water. It was just the day Fore- high pho esas the birds in motion, and to deceive them. by the rocking of the decoys, ; “Will you take a boat to-day?” asked Bart of his companion, ‘Not J. I prefer point shooting.” © All right... Pll Moy yesterday's blind. I want to get my eye again on that duck that a A SSSR aaa a winked at me yesterday. I’ve got a gradge against that chap which 1’m bound to have The day went on with varied luck. Frank had a good bag of birds by noon, and even Bart had one to show, which he vowed was the very one against which he had a spite. The afternoon sport began with an increased number of duckers, though the birds fought sh Xt and hopes of game seemed poor. he late-comer of the night before strolled down tothe shore, and stationed himself behind a blind not far away from the point from which Frank was shooting. There was not a ghost of a chance for ducks there, but he obstinately chose that station, despite the remonstrances of rg guide, and sent off the latter on some er- rand, Frank continued to shoot, oblivious of the fact of this near companionship. Bart war, or was supposed to be, a half-mile further down the bay shore, in company ‘vith a toler. A half-hour passed wii sittle show of birds. Frank continued to crouch cn the point. Finally a clever bunch of birds came irom the west, heading toward the point. He fixed his keen eye upon them, and steadily waited. They came nearer and nearer. They were evidently going to cross the point. They were almost overhead before Frank rose. Aiming perpendicularly, he let them slightly pass his station ere he pulled trigger. A bird paused suddenly in its flight, and came fluttering down. He pulled the trigger of the second barrel, but as he did so the gun was thrown sidewise, and its charge went wild. Simultaneously there came to his ears the sounds of two shots, and then a loud yell, and a chorus of cursing. Frank looked hastily around. On the shore, at no great distance from him, a man was dancing wildly, and giving vent toa storm of curses. He recognized him at a glance. It was the stranger of the previous night, At the same moment he caught sight of Bart, who was rest- ing upon the smoking muzzle of his piece, look- ing with an odd smile at the stranger. rank run quickly inward; but before he reached the shore the stranger had turned upon Bart, with a bitter oath,‘and fiercely exclaimed: ‘“‘Confound you for an awkward jackanapes? Do you know you’ve pat a charge of shot into me? ‘Only stung you a bit, I fancy,” said Bart, coolly. ‘* Was too fur off fer a shot to go deep in a thick skin.” ‘* And what the hound did you mean? Hang me, if I don’t match you!” and he began fiercely to reload. : “Thought I saw a duck off in that direction —that was all.” “So Dm your duck, am I?” ‘* Looks that way,” answered Bart, with pro- voking coolness, ‘“‘I’d advise you to go to & doctor and have them shot picked out. I’ve a notion we both aimed in the wrong direction. You might have brought down my friend here for a duck, if I hadn’t fired a trifle the soonest.” Frank had by this time come vp, and was gavine curiously from one to the other of the two men, ‘: T¢ was a ball struck my rifle. You don't generally shoot canvas-back with ball-car- tridge?” he asked grimly. ; “T was aiming at the birds,” replied the stran ger testily; ‘* but this fool fired into me and dis- turbed my aim.” “Or you might have dropped a bird too heavy for your game-bag!” retufned Bart, in stern tones, ‘‘ Now I’ve just got one bit of advice for you, my cove—l’ve got another load yet in my second barrel; if you don’t streak out quicker than lightning, shoot me if 1 don’t p:|t it into you!” The stranger attempted some reply, but Bart raised his gun so threateningly that the other turned and made a hasty retreat, thinking per- haps that prudence was the better part of valor. “Tye been watching that chap all day,” ex- plained Bart—‘tI knew I’d nail him in some trick before the day was over.” CHAPTER VI. MIDNIGHT MOVEMENTS. A WHITE irae hates had just put in toa wharf that stretched out from the bay shore. | A dilapidated wharf it was, looking as if it might have served to moor Noah’s ark after the flood, and never been mended with a new log since. Yet is was a favorite halting-place for wearmanbacens ping sportsmen to the gunning- grounds, and it had just served to Jand a pas- senger from the yacht in question.
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The Water-Hound. : ee The light boat veered and stood out again into the bay, while the single passenger walked up toward the main-land. , Yet this person looked like anything but a sportsman. He was a very small and very oung man, though of a trim and neatly-dressed gure, His cap was of navy-blue, and bore a red band of officer-like aspect. In face he was of an olive complexion, but very handsome, while a long, silken mustache and a tastefully- cut beard gave tone to his attractive features. Frank and Bart, walking up from their shoot- ing stand with their load of game, looked with interest upon this striking stranger as they met im. <A polite nod passed between them, while the stranger fixed bis liquid eyes upon their faces with great interest. He stopped hesitatingly as they passed, and ey, disposed toaddress them. Frank turned CK, - ‘Excuse me,” he remarked, in a tone of un- usual softness. ‘* Tam looking for the ‘ Duckers’ Rest.’ Is it near here?” Frank cast a keen glance at him before reply- ing. There was something familiar in the tone, though he could not imagine where be had heart it before. ‘We are going there,” he replied. “If you choose to accompany us we will be happy to show you the way.” ‘With pleasure,” answered the youth. ‘ You have had good sport,” he continued, looking with interest at their load of game. : “Tolerable,” answered Frank, indifferently. “Tt hasn’t been a good fiying day or ducks,” The young man laughed. e hada singularly sweet laugh. “Mercy; if I’'d brought down a feather for every duck you have, I'd been proud of my skill. “That’s what I tell him,” answered Bart, lumly. ‘‘ But these brag shots are never satis- fied short of a cart-load. He came near being made game of himself. Lucky I didn’t have to fetch him home in a wheelbarrow.” ‘* How was that?’ asked the stranger, quickly, while a peculiar look passed over his handsome face. ‘A galoot took him for a duck, that’s all. Would have peppered him, too, only I happened to pull trigger a trifle sooner, and salted the chap with some duck shot.” An expression that seemed like fear, and al- most terror, came upon the face of the youth. “Did he intend it?” he asked, eagerly. ‘‘ Or wasitan accident?” _ “Tt looked blazingly like a solid purpose,” an- swered Bart, grimly, ; The young man asked no further questions, but fell into a Sate silence as he accompanied them to the inn. e took no part in the con- versation between the two sportsmen, but seemed lost in some gloomy meditation, ‘This is the place,” said Frank, at length, as they ained the front of the low-roofed inn. ; nk you,” exclaimed the stranger, with undue warmth, “Iam greatly obliged.” “Oh, not at all! We have not gone out of our way.” They entered the hotel, the stranger quickly disappearing from the view of the clump of sportsmen who thronged the bar-room. Frank and Bart bra ey their game and weapons and then looked at each other mean- ingly. : at do you make of it, my boy?” asked the former. ‘* Don’t make itat afl,” answered Bart, shortly. ‘“‘There’s something confounded odd about that ehap. Looks like a swan in a flock of ugly duc And he’s slipped away as if he didn’t want to be seen.” “T ought to know him. There’s something about the youngfellow— Eh? Oh, yes, wehad bou! young fair sport to-day.” This was in answer toa uestion. ws You've made a neat bag, that’s sure,” an- swered the person who had addressed him, ‘*By the way, who is your young friend? A fine-looking chap that.” - “Never saw him before,” answered Frank. ‘* Picked him up on the marsh and towed him in bigleeds ", indeed, Sieh disineee to show self. Supper passed without bis pres- ence, and he failed ta make his appearance during the pig or was there any sign of the sport who had received the charge of Bart’s gun. i ‘* Guess we can account for that loot, though,” remarked Bart. ‘‘ Likely he’s off to a surgeon to bave the lead picked out. Bet you high he won’t sit comfortable for a week.” 7 “What's become of the young chap who came in with us this evening?’ asked Frank of the landlord, ‘Dunno. Took supper in hisroom, Likel he’s there now. Sort of a high and mighty fel- ler that, Looks like a navy cadet from Annap- olis, Is he’ “Don’t ask me, He’s a stranger to me.” “T jist judged by his airs,” answered Boni- face. ‘‘Them young sprouts feel their oats so mightily. It’s a wonder the United States is wide enough to hold some o’ them,” Night came down deep and dark. It was late October, and there was a chill breath in the air, that made a fire feel bighly comfortable. The sportsmen huddled over the great stove in the bar-room, while many a yarn of remarkable duck-shooting went the rounds, : Bed-time came at length, however, and silence fell upon the lonely hotel, as slumber enwrapped the senses of allits inmates. Frank Frazer was too sleepy to take the precautions of the pre- vious night. His door was left on the latch, and his only thought of caution was to place a | revolver under his pillow. The man of whom he wasin doubt bad not returned to the hotel, and he saw no need of any unusual wariness. Outside it was a chill and gloomy night. Oc- casionally the moon broke through the dense vail of clouds that shrouded the sky, but for most of the night a thick darkness prevailed. The lit lantern that swung in front of the hotel was the ouly beacon light through the gloom, Yet all was not at rest within the building. A slender, shadowy form crept stealthily along its passages. The thing, whatever it was, felt its way with excessive care, now pausing and listening intently, now stealing on without a sound, A door opened with a slight creak at the touch of the phantom hand, It was the door of Frank Frazer’s room. Yet, whatever the object of this strange intruder, there was no sign of an intension to enter the room. The figure pansed, listening for a moment, and then made 4 Singing motion with its hand. A pattering sound followed, as if something light had fallen on the floor. It then turned and retreated with the same stealthy tread. Some distance down the pas- sage another door stood open, which it entered. here was a low-burning light within the room, whose gleam revealed the slender form and silken mustache of the stranger youth, Then the closing-door hid bim from view: Who he was, and what his purpose in this midnight prowling, did not appear. Everything about the Ducker’s Rest sunk again into rest and silence, while sleep a peared to have locked all its inmates within tts silken bonds. Yet outside all was not at rest. A person was approaching the hotel, guided by its swinging li ht, and taking advantage of the occasional gitcatees of the moon. On coming near enough to be within view of any wakeful person about the building, he moved more warily. Skirting around the building, he brought himself under cover of a small stable, which permitted him to approach out of view from any wiudow of the Rotel. Ten minutes afterward he was under the walls of the building, and bad erected a light ladder,. which just reached the sill of.a window on the second floor of the edifice. He now crouched warily, as if waiting to dis- cover if his movements had given the alarm, All continued deathly still, He began to ascend the ladder. His movements were made with such extreme caution that a fly would scarce bave been dis- turbed by them. Ina few minutes the window was reached, With the same csre be lifted the sasb, and then waited to see if the inrush of cold air would disturb the inmate. It was Frank Frazer’s room. A minute more, and the prowler had noise- lessly crossed the sill, and stood within the room. He looked warily around him. Deep darkness envelo everything. The position of the bed could not be observed from where he stood, But at this moment the moon broke dimly from a dense cloud, and threw a faint gleam of light into the room. It was sufficient to reveal two things. It showed the furniture of the apartment, and the bed, with its inmate appar- ently wrapped indeepslumber. And it gleamed on something bright in the hand of the midnight wler, a glitter as of a drawn blade, while bis ace, faintly touched by the light, looked stern, dark and dangerous. Murder was brooding over the sleeper, with nothing to warn him of its approach, no hand to check the deadly blow. 7 Now by a gliding, dragging movement the murderous wretch approached, Step by’ ste with a pause between each. The side is reached. He broods over his victim, glaring down with a face of hellish intent. It seems as if nothing could save him now, from that gleam- ing blade which vibrates in the air above his breast. The moonlight, striking on a mirror that hangs near the window, on the opposite side of the room, clearly displays the form of the un- disturbed sleeper. The murderer pauses a moment, lifts his knife higher, and takes a step back as if to give greater effect to his blow. Tbe muscular arm descends. What shall save the victim now? It seems as if nothing but the hand of an angel can interpose between him and death. And yet that strange chance, which has saved so many a life in the moment of immi- nent peril, was at that instant active in Frank Frazer’s behalf. For the backward step which the murderer had taken was fol'owed by a loud, sharp re- ort, so startling as to disconcert his aim, The nife, instead of piercing his victim’s breast, simply grazed bis side, and buried itself deep in the yielding bed. The sleeping man was wakened by the same sharp detonation, Turning quickly over, he glanced upward, with all his senses actively alert. He took in the situation at a glance, That dark form, towering over the bed. The knife-baft quivering by bis side, The hasty ef- fort of the would-be murderer to withdraw the knife and repeat the blow. But the keen blade bad penetrated the wood of the bed-slats, and refused to yield. Dropping it the villain sprung sharply for the window, at tbe same instant that Frank, with a fierce ex- clamation, reached beneath bis pillow for the revolver be bad placed there. Tn an instant it wes drawn and cocked. A quick glance revealed the form of the fugitive outlined against the opposite wall. The tables seemed turned now. Frank vas desd sure ata snap shot, and he meant work. <A touch to the trigger, a keen report, and the figure of the fugitive suddenly disappeared, wh le the crash- ing of glass resounded through the room. ‘By the Lord! I’ve winged my bird,” ex- claimed Frank, leaping from bed, and rusbing across the room, to where he expected to find a writhing form. To bis utter amazement there was no one there. He gazed fora moment around him in stupefied wonder, Wasita ghost at which he had fired? There was not even a shadow to be seen. A quick thought, and he sprung to the win- dow. There, just vanishing behind the barn was agliding form, Another pistol-shot rung through the house, but too late, the fugitive was under shelter. But how had be escaped from the first shot? The fact was that Frenk had really fired at a shadow, as he quickly perceived. The fugitive had been in the window, at the instant of the sbot. But the outlines of his form, thrown by the moon into the mirror on the wall behind him, bad been reflected from this mirror to the bed, and Frank’s shot had been made at the re- flection in the mirror, instead of at the actual fugitive, He had brought down the phantom, with the splintered glass. By this time the whole house was in an up- roar. The two pistol-shots in succession had roused every soul, and the slamming of doors and loud exclamations resounded throughout the inn, A crowd of half-dressed men were soon rush- ing into Frank’s room, He still stood by the window, pistol in hand, ‘‘What is the matter? What are you firing at?” asked the landlord. “Atan escaping murderer.” “The deuce! A nightmare, I reckon.” ““Maybe that knife is a nightmare,” cried Frank, pointing sternly to the bed. “If so, it is the sort of dream that I don’t like.” Tke landlord sprang forward. As he did so there came a sharp detonation from beneath his feet. Similar cracking sounds came from un- der the feet of others present, One of these, who carried a lamp, stopped and examined the floor. «sk eee “ By all that’s good!” he cried, ‘‘it’s covered a cracking matches! How canie they ere 4 ‘*That’s more than I can say,” answered Frank, in surprise. ‘‘I didn’t put them there, But whatever lucky hand scattered them has saved my life.’ aatn ~4 =F think so,” answered the landlord, who
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8 was tugging at the knife. ‘‘Hang me, but the fellow struck hard,” ** Where is he?” cried Bart. “Shot out across the meadow.” “Then let loose the dogs! We'll chase the hound down! It will be an unlucky night for him if he falls into my hands.” There was a quick rush from the room at this suggestion of a pursuit, CHAPTER VIL. THE COMING OF THE WHITE WING. FORTUNATELY for the purpose of the mur- derer, the dogs had been confined in the house, and had failed to take alarm from bis stealthy approach. And it appeared now as if tbey would be useless, They were bunting-dogs, but not accustomed to the pursuit of man, It seemed impossible to make them take the scent of the fugitive. Frank and Bart, with several others, impa- tiently ran ahead, hoping to overtake the flying villain, The country was flat and open for miles, and a man’s figure could have been seen for a long distance with any reasonable light. But the darkness cut off every object twenty paces ahead. The moon was again under a cloud, and the ursuers rushed on blindly, spreading out as hey ran, but with little hope of success. Luckily the moon broke for an instant from its thick shroud, and in that moment Frank’s sharp eyes caught sight of a moving tigure, far off toward the water side, He dashed forward with renewed hope, feel- ing for his pistol ashe did so. The young man’s blood was ups and it would go hard with the fugitive should he overtake him. At the same moment the dogs gave voice. Tney at last had been made to understand what was expected of them, and had taken the trail of the flying villain. , But the few moments lost by the pursuers in dressing, and in loosing the dogs, had given the fugitive a good start. Frank ran hastily on. In less than ten minutes he had reached the shore of the bay at the point where the figure had appeared. But the treacherous moon had given no second glimpse of light, and the form had utterly vanished. Which direction he had taken along the shore it was impossible to tell. While the pursuer stood irresolute a brace of dogs came down at full speed to the wa- ter’s edge. Taere they stopped short and stood yelping, as if they bad suddenly lost the trail. A thought came to Fraak’s mind. H»soothed the dogs and Jistened intently. From afar across the waters, through the stillness of the night, came the faint dip of oars. The mystery was cleared. Tne fugitive had taken to the water. Frank stopped and sought to look out over the water. But the darkness shrouded all objects, though he had a vague fancy that he saw some- thing moving far out. He fired his pistol in that direction, more to call up his friends than for any other purpose. In a few minutes an eager crowd had gather- ed around bim. ‘*Why did you fire? Ishein sight? Did you wing him?” came the excited queries. “No. He has taken tothe bay. Are there any boats handy? If we keep up the chase it must be by water.” “There isa boat just off here,” cried one of the hotel men. A minute after there came a sharp exclamation from him. ‘‘ By mighty, it’s one! The lock is smashed, and the fellow has en it, H ing his thieving picture, there’s not another skiff within half a mile.” “Then we're dished, that’s all,” rejoined Frank. “The hound is safe away, and it is useless to pursue bim further. If that con- founded moon would break out, there might be some chance vet; but there is none in this dark- ness.’ He turned on his heel and proceeded back to- ward the inn, whoss swinging light could be seen like a star in the distance. Several of the pce remained on the shore with the hops that the fugitive might put to land again. But it was a weak hope, was ne ned by Bart. “There's one thing I can’t get through my wool,” declared the latter. ‘‘How came those mate “y on the floor? You didn’t scatter them ere “NotI. It is a puzzle to me also, There’s been more going on this night than we have any idea of, my boy. It looks gs if I had a friend as well as a foe.” “Three times threatened and three times saved,” said Bart; ‘‘that ought to break the charm, But there’s something confoundedly rank ee _ The Water-Hound. mysterious about those matches, How came they there?” “I give it up. There’s no fair unknown at band now,” seemed made for the purpose,” re- sumed Bart. ‘‘ They snapped at a touch.’ There was little more sleep that night. The uestion was discussed and rediscussed around the great stove in the bar-room, with no ap- roach to a solution of the mystery. Bart told of the previous escapes of his friend and the mysterious warnings he had received, to the surprise and astonishment of all present. ‘‘Tt looks like a set thing,” remarked a veteran ducker. ‘* It’s nip and tug between your friend and foe, Mr. Frazer, and it’s hard to tell which of them will have the last kick at the football.” ‘Tf I am not mistaken the football will take a hand in the game himself, before it’s played much further,” answered Frank, grimly. ‘I can’t always expect to have a good angel at my elbow; but let me get a fair sight on this ven- detta scoundrel, and I'll answer for his bide.” ‘*T believe you, my dear sir,” answered the sportsman heartily. ‘‘I’ve heard of your skill as a muarksman,—Suppose you set out that black bottle and some glasses, landlord. The folks here look dry.” “Tam going to bed to finish my sleep,” re- marked Frank. ‘Pye got work before me to- morrow; and I don’t fancy my slumber will be disturbed again. By the way, landlord, where is the young fellow who came last night? He hasn’t hi through all this hubbub?” “No. He was about, very anxious to know what wasup. Gone toroost again.” ‘* He's wise. I’m for roost too.” But most of those present had the roosting fever taken out of them, and sat chatting over the black bottle until daylight. The morning broke bright and fine. The clouds which had proved so annoying during the night, dispersed before the risi.g sun, and left a clear sky. A fresh wind blew across the meadows, but it was the wind of October, at once soft and bracing. [t seemed to blow all the shivering chill of the night out of the air. A late breakfast prepared the sportsmen for the labors of the day. “Going to try the point again, Mr, Frazer?’ asked one of the gunners, ‘‘ You have had good luck there.” “No, I’m off, with my load, to-day,” an- swered Frank, “I may take a snap this mor :- ing, but there’s a boating-party to stop fer me to-day.” ‘“*Where’s your navy youth, landlord?” asked Bart. ‘‘Is the lofty fellow breakfasting in his room? The little rascal ought to be keelhauled, to take some of the starch out of him.” Lord love you, he’s eaten and off an hour ago!” answe the bost. ‘‘ Walked over to- ward the bay, where there was a yacht stand- ing off and on. Jack here saw it swoop in and take the fellow aboard.” ** And what brought him here?” ‘Mercy o’ me knows. He may have heered of my biscuit and canvas-backs. That ought to be enough to bring a chap from Annapolis.” A laugh followed, and the conversation grew more general, It was as the landlord had declared, The youth after an early breakfast, for which he seemed to have but a light appetite, had set out across the flats, in the rays of the just risen sun. R-aching the dilapidated whart he gazed over the level reach of waters. Here, a half-mile out, lay the yacht from which he had landed on the previous day. It was standing off and on, as if waiting for its passenger. A wave of bis handkerchief in the air, and the light vessel quickly swung round, with squared sails, and darted in before the wind. A few minutes brought her close to the wharf, when, with a long sweep, she shot round. and came up with quivering sai'x, A rope flashed through the air, and she was fast moored, ‘Ready to come off, Mr. Bradley?” asked a rasping voice from the deck. “Yes, Lend mé a hand.” Taking the outstretched hand of the brown- faced yacht captain, the youth skipped daintily on board, A hidden smile marked the face of ~ captain, as if-he fancied his passenger effem- nate ‘* And whereaway now, sir?” he asked. “Down the bay,” came in a somewhat haugh- ty tone. ‘Lav to, when you get an offing of a few miles, and keep a lookout for the sail I told you of. I will be on deck in an hour.” The youth walke’ aft and went below, while the yacht swurg off and put out again into the bay “There’s something rascally odd about that boy,” growled the captain. ‘ 1 don’t know just what to make of him, Softas silk, yet he knows what he’s about. No matter; it’s my business to obey orders. He’s got something biddon in his poll.” rank managed to steal another balf-day’s shooting, while waiting for the expected boat, But the birds flew rly, and he got but a brace for bis pains, with another brace of plov- er, at which he had gota ae - Bart tried bis band too, and lugged ina white- winged goose, as proudly as if he had brought down an elephant. “If any of you want quill pens, just cal! on me,” he remarked. ‘I’m in that line now. You never saw such a neat drop as | made of that old gray goose.” They were at dinner when this conversation took place. ‘‘There’s a sort of schooner-yac’ t out yonder, signaling as if for a passenger,” remarked the landlord, entering. ‘* For me, | fancy,” answered Frank. “ We'll have to bolt our dinner, and gather up our traps, Bart. Has it any colors flying ” “Yes; a red and blue pennant.” ‘That's the boat. It’s good-by, then, Hope you gentlemen will have fairsport. I'd liked to bave had a few more days ot it, but it isn’t in the wind.” A return signal had brought the yacht ashore, and a couple of its inmates were on their way to the inn, when they were met by Frank and Bart carrying their shooting material. An at- tendant bore down a heavy load of ducks and Burt’s gray goose, ‘How d’ye do, gentlemen? Glad to see you, Mr. West.” Tbere was a warm shaking of bands. “Td ask you to the inn totry a duck dinner, but I fancy we can manage that matter aboard.” He pointed to bis load of game. “Faith, yes; 4 fancy we'll luxuriate,” was the reply. ‘You're paying your shot well, Mr. Frazer. But let’s aboard, I bear the pirates are out in force, and we’ve no time to lose.” “A neat boat, that,” said Bart, with an ap- proving look. ‘“‘ And sails like a flash,” answered the officer. “ There’s not a yacht in Baltimore can beat ber with any sort of a stiffih breeze. Her only weak point is when the wind’s down. Let’s aboard. The White Wing, the name of the police boat, was a well-appointed craft, with a clean run that betokened speed. She dropped off from the wharf and swung gracefully up into the wind, shooting with a dipping motion down the kay, with the wind a-starboard. “‘ She moves like a swallow,” said Frank, ep- rovingly. ‘* But where sha!l we store our traps, Mr. West? And what’s to ke done with these birds?” “Come below. I'll find you a berth and a locker. As for the birds, there are some idle fellows here who will like nothing better than to stip them, with the chance cf payment in a duck’s wing. This way, gentlemen.” A half-hour afterward they persed close by a vacht lying-to a few miles below the point. Tne eyes of the cadet-like youth rested keenly on them as they passed. Yet they were suffered to make several miles down the bay ere the yacht was seen to drop off before the wind and put herself on the track of the White Wing. It was near sundown when there was ob- served, from the deck of the police boat, another broad-sailed sloop that was hugging close to the eastern shore. . ‘Vd say that chap was a pirate only for his show of canvas,” remarked Mr. West. “I wouldn’t care to sail in such an egg-shell before a stiff breeze.” An bour after the night fell, hiding tho three craft from esch other. CHAPTER VIII. THE OYSTER PIRATES AT WORK. Tue night had come and gone, and morning again bro«e over the rip d waters of Chese- peake Bay. The wind had continued to rise during the night, and was blowing freshly frem the west, while sbredded, stormy-looking clcuds covered thesky with their ragged edges, driving in successive battalions across the sun’s petb. Far down the bay, miles below the scene of our last chapter, a small fleet oi boats were busily engaged on a broad shallow of the west A glance would have told any one accustomed to the business that they were oyster-boats, and were occupied now in the art of dredging. But it might not so readily have paaared | that they
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. the other boat. were poncnd ay on forbidden ground, that, in fact, they were oyster pirates. The water-farm upon which they were en- gaged was several miles in length by some- thing over a half-mile wide. Backward and forward across this they sailed, dragging their iron dredges, which raked and swept the oys- ter-beds at the bottom. They were attached by ropes to the vessels, and as the latter moved before the wind the iron teeth of the dredges tore up the haat from their beds and depos- ited them in the wire-meshed bag that followed the dredge. At intervals these were drawn from the bottom, with their loads of bivalves, and emptied into the open hold, to be again flung overboard fo. a fresh rake. Thus the fleet had been busily engaged since daybreak, making all haste to load up ere they should be disturbed in their little game. For in fact they were working upon a field of culti- vated oysters, and they could as honestly have taken the turnips from a land-farmer’s field as the oysters from a water-farmey’s plantation. © Yet the oystermen did not look on it in this light. They upheld that whatever grew in or under the water was every man’s property, and that the laws forbidding them to poach were base and oppressive. They could not be made to see that they were doing wrong, and were ready to resist the execution of any such laws, if strong enough to do so with safety. They looked on themselves as honest and ill treated citizens. The fleet comprised a full dozen of vessels, sloop-rigged, but most of them good sailers, as they were built for flight as well as work. One was particularly sharp-built, and carried a heavy show of sail. At its peak floated an odd-colored pennant, that perhaps might have had some use in signaling. The deck of this craft was patrolled by a specially rough-faced old salt, who looked as if his nose might have long done duty as a nutmeg-grater, while his little, half-closed eyes gave out an odd twinkle of humor and spiri*. He bad a heavy jaw and firm-set mouth, a short, thick-set aud powerful figure, and looked like the man for an emergency, as he vigor- ously strode back and forth on his deck. He was, in truth, the appointed leader of the fleet. Old Dirk Hardscrabble, which was the name he carried, cast bis twinkling eyes with a sbrewd glance around the horizon, and then cricd to the msn, who were busily engaged in hauling up the dredge: ‘‘Heave hoy merrily, my lads. Rip the oys- ters like fun, fur I’ve a notion we’ll soon have to up and streak, or stick and fight. There’s the glint of a sail way off there to the north’ard as ain’t to my liking.” : The dredge came up over the vessel’s side with a will, its bag of meshed wire drooping low with a heavy load of ‘bay fruit.” Old Dirk’s eyes twinkled. ‘“That’s a good haul. Tumble’emin. Tum- ble merrily and ahoy. Rip and rove, my love- lies, for our time’s short. Hard down, helms- man. We're scrapin’ the edge of the bed. About ship, and we’ll take the back track.” Up into the wind came the Lively Emma, as Dirk called his craft. The broad sail shook and bellied as the wind filled it on the other tack. She shot rapidly onward. But in a few minutes the dredge was again flung overboard, and low- ered to the bottom. Catching the rough surface of the bed, it brought the vessel up with a will, — she quivered and trembled in every tim- r. Staggering onward at half speed before the fresh wind, the slender mast bent as if it would snap in two. “She bites my boys. She bites deep,” cried old Dirk. ‘* We're on a ripe bank, and will fill an eee wax. But I don’t like the glint of that sail.” Snatching a glass from its locker, he put it to his eye, and gazed long and earnestly to the north, shaking his grizzled head slowly from side to side. -“T’ve a shrewd notion it’s the chap as chased us off moorings last spring,” he remarked. ‘* Ahoy, there, the Polly! look lively. Yonder’s something with the mug of a policer, comin’ down on us on a taut bowline. Hearty, my loves. We mought have to pull stakes and streak out.” This hail ae @ lively stir to the deck of 1 a moment more the pennant at the peak of the Lively Enrma was hauled down, and a signal flag run up inits stead. A movement was quickly visible on all the vessels of the fleet. They had evidently taken the alarm. “‘ By the blue jabers, lads, she's not alone!” The Water-Hound. exclaimed the old salt. ‘‘ Yonder’s a brace of other sails. Off there to the right. We mought binff off one of ’em, but we’re notin shape to figuca hull fleet. Anyhow, we'll take another scrape, and let ’em show the’r feathers ” The sail which his keen vision had distin- guished far to the north was rasping down the bay hand over hand. It was yet six or seven miles distant, but, like a great, white-winged bird, it came every minute more plainly into sight. To the east two other sails were visible; one well out in the bay, the other hugging the eastern shore, and somewhat in advance of its two consorts. ‘“‘They’re glowing old sailers,” remarked Dirk, a little anxiously. ‘ Yacht-rigged, the whole set on’em, Wonder if it’s a sailin’-match? Anyhow, I’m good fur one thing—they won't gobble up the Lively Emma like a fat ’yster. Bet I open their eyes when I show’em this here craft’s heels.” Down came the yacht-like fleet. Fifteen minutes more and they were in plain view, not three miles away. It was in fact the White Wing, and the two strange yachts, which were serving as unbidden consorts. On its deck stood Will West, the of- ficer, with a sturdy-looking body of associates, and our two friends, Frank and Bart. ‘““They’re a bold set of vagrants,” remarked the officer. ‘‘ They’re dredging yet, asif they were going to play bluff. They’re in force, too. e may have a scrimmage with the rascals.” ‘“‘ Will they fight?” asked Frank, leaning eas- ily against the mainmast. J “Fight? You bet-they will, if they get their blood up. Some of them are rough devils enough.’ ‘** Then suppose you set me ashore,” said Bart, with a comical grimace. “If they’rc going to shoot oyster tongs, I'll be sure to havea quarter section taken off my farm, There's so much of me that they can’t miss.” The officer laughed; he did not take much stock in Bart’s cowardice. He looked off to the left, and shook his head, “T don’t know what to make of those two chaps. They bang to us like a pair of leeches. Can you make them out any better, Cap? You ought to know them, if they’re Baltimoreans,” The weather-beaten tar who sailed the White Wing gave another look at their consorts. “This chap astern I’ve seen afore,” he re marked, “It’s a yacht as I’m told bel: nged to Harry Prime, a Baltimore sport as you ought toknow. Joe here says he hears it’s been sold lately, but he dunno who’s the buyer.” ** And the other?” ‘‘That’s a dead stranger. If it’s a Baltimor- ean, it’s a new one. never see'd it on these waters afore.” He took a long squint at the yacht, which was creeping under the eastern shore. ‘If it’d only come into the open I mought make it out. Its p’ints are lost in the shadder. Guess, anybow, they're nothin’ as we’re interested in. Oasly a pair of sporters out on a cruise.” . The two broad sails of the White Wing, hauled taut, and bellied with the fresh west wind, caused her to careen till her lee bulwarks dipped beneath the waters. And still the belmsman held ber stanchly up. It seemed as if she would capsize with a thread more of breez». The water gurgled and boiled under her forefoot, and ran off aft in a long, gleaming wake, ‘‘She sails like a bird,” cried Frank, approv- ingly. BK na she'll go over like a tub, if you don’t let her bead off.” growled Bart. ‘If you folks want to drown, I don’t.” “We're going into that pirate fleet, if we go bottom upward,” cried the officer. ** Ha! they’ve taken the alarm at last. There’s something like a signal flying from the peak of that tall- masted sloop. Look at them. They’re ga ther- ing like a flock of canvas-backs before a flight. ‘I thought they had more fight in ’em,” grumbled the captain, in a tone of disappoint- ment. ‘Maybe they don’t like our show of force,” remarked Mr. West, pointing to the two yachts. ‘Off they go, in a bunch. Now it’s a question of the best sailer, Some of these chaps are regular flyers, but it’s a caution if we don’t pick up the laggards.” ‘There's none on ’em can hold a candle to the White Wing,” exclaimed the captain, angrily. “ All righ Stick to that. But some of them distanced us last spring.” “They had the wind of us then. our own breeze this morning.” It was an interesting scene which now ap peared on the rough waters of the bay, which We've got 9 was plowed into white caps by the stiff breeze. The fleet of oystermen, huddled together like a flock of frightened birds were sailing due south and hoisting every shred of canvas that would hold. Bebind them came the White Wing, careen- ing in her flight. North of her again, and apparently losing ground in the race, appeared the small yacht, which was none ober than that which had taken off the cadet like youth, Eastwardly the larger, sloop-rigged vessel, which had so long hugged the shore, had sud- denly veered, aod stcod out on »# long tack across the bay, her sails gleaming in the sun as she slipped out from the dark background of the tree-covered shore, She stood across the bay in a southwest course under shortened sai], and hugging the wind very closely. This mareuver threw ber back of the White Wing, whose stern she prom- ised to closely graze. ‘What is she up to now?” asked the officer. ** Afeared of a lee shore, mebbe,” answered the captain. ‘‘She’s been huggin’ it a bit too close for comfort.” Frank moved from bis station and walked down to the lee side of the careening ‘vessel, curious to discover the secret which had so far shreuded this mysterious craft. The movement proved an unlucky one, for at this moment a fresh puff of wind struck the sails, the vessel gave a quick surge, and ere he knew bow or why, be had lost his footing and was swept helplessly over the deck. He caught a dragging rope, but it was snatched from his hand, and the next instant he plunged over the side of the vessel, and into the boiling waters of the bay. *“Man overboard!” came the thrilling cry. ““Whereaway! By Jove, it’s Mr. Frazer! Up with your helm. By Heaven we must pick him up if the devil takes the pirates! Lively, men. Stand by to launch a boat,” But the vessel bad such headway that ina minute it bad swept a hondred yards away. The tacking yacht meanwhile came up, in the very track in which Frank was struggling in the water. lt was a dubious question whether either would be in time to save bim from bis perilous position, CHAPTER IX, A HOT ENGAGEMENT. FRANK fortunately was a good swimmer, and easily kept bimself afloat on the rough waters of the bay. He had the sense not to struggle, and kept himself at the surface by an easy pad- dling motion, knowing that help would soon come to him if he could hold out to wait for it. The stranger yacht headed straight for him. It seemed to have taken the alarm from the White Wing, and came rushing on at an im- mense pace through the water, plowing up the waves with its sharp cutwater. It was close upon the swimmer ere the White Wing had succeeded in veering, and starting on her re- verse course. ‘Look alive,” came a loud voice from the yacht. “Be ready to take a rope as we poss, We'll have you on board in a jiffy.” The boat came up like a buge bird, dartin swiftly through the ruffled waters It seeme for the moment as if it would run Frank down, But at the critical juncture it slightly yawed, pree him on the lee quarter. At the same instant & coiled rope fell with a heavy splash into the water, directly in his path. Frank, who had all his senses sharply on the alert, grasped it with vigorous energy, and in a moment was being dragged through the water in the wake of the flying craft, * Now, hold hard!” came the cheering cry. ‘* We'll have vou aboard in a flash,” Willing bands at tbe rope soon drew bim from his perilous position, For a moment he hung suspended in mid-air, and was then lifted over the low bulwarks, and onto the deck, Shaking himself like a water spaniel in the warm sun, he looked curiously around on the crew of the yacht, To his cing tee he saw a halt dozen stalwart of negroes, black, powerful, hard-faced fellows, There was but one white man visible, but his face at once attracted Frank’s earnest attention. It was the stranger of the ‘“* Ducker’s Rest,” the man who bad received Bart’s charge of duck-sbot, and whom they had suspected of the murderous midnight assault, He re ized Frank at the same instant, with a frowning look, followed by a smile that had in it more of threat than his frown. “Mr. Frazer!” he cried, with a tone of recog- nition. ‘A lucky rescue. Com», you must go below at once dry your wet clothes.”
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1 “There is no need,” answered Frank, a little doubtfully. “1 am obliged, but my own —— be here in a few minutes and take me ° ‘“‘There is need then,” cried the other in a tone of authority. ‘‘ Fetch the gentleman aft. Quick, before he gets chilled.” At this peremptory command two of the negroes caught Frank by the arms, and burried him rapidly aft, with such energy that he was unable to resist. “Into the after cabin. He can dry himself there by the fire.” . Frank attempted to remonstrate, but in vain. He was hurried rapidly below, and into a small but well-warmed and _ luxuriously-appointed cabin. Here his conductors left him, and to bis surprise and alarm he heard the key snap in the lock as they closed the door behind them, He was a prisoner! Meanwhile the White Wing was coming ra- pidly up. The yacht fell off before the wind and approached her on the opposite course. “Ahoy, the White Wing!” came in stentori- an tones through aspeaking-trumpet. ‘I have Mr. Frazer safe, and will look after him while you deal with the pirates. Put about or they will leave you in the lurch.” ‘“What yacht is that?” a The Comet, of Baltimore, Hanley command- ing. A moment’s consultation appeared to take place on board the White Wing. ‘““Where is Mr. Frazer?’ came a bail. ‘Below, drying off. Will uand him over when you're done with those fly-aways.” (WAN right. Good by.” The spars of the White Wing creaked and groaned. She luffed sharply up into the teeth of the wind, took it on her starboard quarter, and was off again like a dolphin in the wake of the pirates. Her officers were apparently satis- fied that the rescued man was iu safe hands, During these evolutions the fleet of oystermen had been making the best of their way in re- treat. The White Wing had lost considerable time, and the fugitives were more than two miles away, flying before the strong breeze down the bay. A quarter-mile behind the pur- suer came the Comet, shortening sail, as if with a desire todiminish her speed. A ha!f-mile fur- ther back lay the other yacht, moving grace- fully on in the same direction. Such was thesituation at the moment when the police-boat resumed the chase. Maxing all sail she drove onward at her greatest speed, while the Comet, with considerably reduced sail, lag- ed behind. The distance between them rapid- y increased, More than an hour thus passed, The sun was now well up in the sky, and was pouring its beams warmly ov the papas. xfted waters, dis- pelts the chill of the October air. This hour made a marked change in the situation of affairs. The oyster fleet was stretched out over a line of more than a mile in length, while the White Wing was within half a mile of the slower sailers. Nearly two miles bebind the Comet moved slowly onward. ‘¢Our would-be consort doesn’t seem to have much stomach for fight,” remarked Mr, West. ‘‘See how she drags. By Jupiter, what is she up to now? She is putting about!” “ Afeared she'll be gobbled up with an oyster dredge, I reckon,” answered Bart. ‘‘ She wants to keep her distance.” “A ly, cowardly Comet,” cried the offi- cer, shaking his head. ‘Hey, Cap! , What are those chaps ahead up to now? They seem to be ~ signaling again.” ‘Tbe leaders are shortening sail. Mebbe they’re goin’ to wait for us.” ‘*By Heaven, I think so! They fancy we've - lost our consorts, and they can handle us single-hande 1.” “They’re too much for our mettle,” said the ~ captain dubiously. ‘Guess we'd best g out,” “Not much, We'll make a dash for those rear vessels. We can lay them aboard, and capture one or two before the others can inter- fere. Shake out a knotor two more,Cap. Can you shew any more canvas?” “ No, and it's lucky we can’t. We'd topple over with an inch more of rag. Ease up a re on the helm. She’s staggering too heav- ily. On through the heaving waters the White Wing dashed. But ber maneuver was seen through by the oystermen, for several of the forward boats tacked and stood back, so that, before she came up with the two laggards in the rear, they were reinforced by a half-dozen other boats. ‘ The White Wing, however, dashed bravely _ The Water-Hound. forward, heedless of the odds, and the belliger- | ent show of the law-breakers. ‘‘ Surrender, you rascally pirates!” yelled the captain, in a ringing voice. ‘ We are officers of the law, and it will be a sorry day for you if you attempt any resistance.” A short, sturdy, bronzed figure sprung into the ratlines of one of the boats, and screamed defiantly back: ‘*-You’d best draw off, te bloody hounds, while yer skin’s whole. here’s none of us goin’ to be took, and we'll make Rome lively fur ye if ye don’t skeedaddle instanter.” ‘Ready there, boys. Run out that ten- pounder. Give the fools a settler,” cried the officer, alluding to an imaginary piece of artil- ery. ‘‘ Wire and be fizzled!” screamed old Dirk, not a bit frightened. ‘Ready, lads, with your ar- tillery. We'll give and take, if that’s the game.” In a few minutes more the police,boat darted into the midst of the pirate fleet. They were all now on the southward course. For a short space she moved side by side with one of the swiftest of the fugitive sloops. Then, with a quick movement of the helm, she fell off slight- ly, and headed at an angle for the sloop. The next minute the two vessels grazed side by side, and a rapes was thrown skillfully over the bulwark of the oyster-boat, ‘Boarders, away!” cried the stern voice of Mr. West. ‘Jump, wy hearties! Drive the rascals below, or fling them overboard! Away !” “Ready, lads!” came old Dirk’s rasping voice, for it was the Lively Emma which had been grappled, ‘‘Gire them a volley. We'll teach these bloody Baltimoreans a thing or two. Ready! Aim! Fire!” There was a hasty ducking of heads on board the White Wing at this command. They ex- ected nothing else than a shower of bullets. ut instead, to their utter surprise, came a storm of oysters, rattling on mast and deck. They were almost as bad as bullets, The jag- ged edges of the shells cut deep gashes, end more than one ugly wound came from that first fierce volley. Those who were attempting to board in re- sponse to their leader’s appeal were met full in their faces by another shower of these danger- ous missiles, and retreated in dismay. Some shots were fired by the angry police, but the oysters caine with a fury there was no witbetanding. There seemed to be twenty able fellows on board the Emma. Her crew had been reinforced from the other boats, and at their feet lay a heap of the dangerous missiles, which they flung with vigorous zeal. It was probably the first time in the bistory of naval warfare that oysters had been used for ammunition, and it proved the more effective from its uovelty. The boarding party re- treated in dismay, firing some ineffective pistol- shots, while a number of the crew ran below, with bleeding hands and faces. At this moment came another aber volley from the opposite direction. A second of the oyster-boats had forged up on the other side of the White Wing, and came into the battle, with a fierce shower of sharp-edged bivalves. This was too much. ost of those on the deck of the White Wing ram hastily b low, while the bolder few crouched in dread of the flying missiles. “Tumble aboard, my hearties!” roared old Dirk. ‘‘Capture the beggar! We'll arn ’em a thing or two. Slip the hatches; and knock blazes out of these chaps if they stir.” In an instant a throng of stalwart oystermen had boarded the White Wing, and were fasten- ing the crew below, while the few who re- mained on deck were held prisoners, each by two strong fellows, who threatened to scarify their faces with oyster-shells if they moved a muscle, ; “Gut the lines! Let her sails down with a run!” yelled old Dirk. ‘‘Cut and slash! Don’t leave ‘em a whole yard or brace to bless them- selves with! Cut and slash, my lovelies!” Down with a run came the two broad sails. The old fellow sprung fiercely to the mainsail, armed with a long, keen knife, and made lon slashing blows through the canvas until the sai was a pitiable sight. He ripped at it with the fury of a madman, yelling: “Bet that sail con’t bold no more wind! Let ’em thank their stars we don’t cut their shrouds and chop down their masts. That’ll do, my bearties! Aboard again and cast off! Calker- Jata the policer won’t foller us no further to day. Lively! Aboard—and three cheers for the bo oystermen!” Aboard they rolled. In a moment more the rappling-irons were cast off, and the Lively {mma forged ahead, leaving the White Wing almost a wreck upon the waters, with a dozen of her lines severed and her mainsail ripped into ribbons. | With cheers and shouts of laughter the oys- termen glided away, leaving their discomfited foes mad with chagrin. CHAPTER X. A LUXURIOUS PRISON. THE White Wing lay helpless as a log on the wa- ter, while the fleet of her foes sailed merrily away. Her foresail and jib were yet sound, but there needed some reeving and splicing of ropes ere they could be hoisted, while the mainsail had been utterly ruined. Will West, the officer, raved and stormed with rage, swearing by all that was black and blue that he would yet have the best of the pi- ratical oystermen., ‘* It’s only to turn back and refit, boys. And, by Heaven, Vl have artillery next time, and sink every rascal of them that refuses to surren- 3! Bart rolled his fat sides with laughter, as he listened to the furious officer. ‘““We have met the enemy, and they aren’t ours,” he declared. ‘‘Hang me, if 1 don’t ad- mire that old rcgue! It was a confoundedly neat operation, you must give in.” “‘Tl] show them a neater,” roared the officer. “Tf they don’t pay for a new mainsail for the White Wing, then vote me a donkey. Make sail, Cap, as soon as you can, and put about. We’ll have to work back to Baltimore for more canvas,” ‘‘And meanwhile these chaps will load up and skedaddle,” suggested Bart. ‘‘Guess not,” answered the captain, dryly. ‘We happen to have some spare canvas on board. e’ve only to [ma into some quiet barbor and we can have all sail set again before two days.” “That’s clever. Get under way as soon as possible. We'll have the laugh on these chaps yet. “How about Frank Frazer?’ asked Bart. ‘We'll pick him up onour way north. Where is that yacht?’ ‘Running off under full sail,” "answered the captain. ‘‘ Yonder she goes, Hang it all, there’s something queer about her movements, ‘ Where's the otber yacht?” “Off bere to the left, under the Maryland shore. She’s pulling off north, too. It takes my time what they are after.” . * Good or bad, we’ve got to rescue Frank Frazer!” exclaimed Bart, with energy. ‘‘ There’s some more deviltry at work.” The crew of the White Wirg was, mean- while, busy at splicing the parted lines and pre- paring to make sail. But we must return to the fortunes of: Frank Frazer, prisoner on board the Comet. His sen- sations on hearing the door of the cabin locked upon him would be hard to describe. A prisoner in the hands of one whom he now knew to be his deadly enemy, with no one else aboard but that crew of savage-faced ne s, and destitute of a weapon with which to defend bimself, the situation was anything but an agreeable one, There was hope, of course, that the White Wing would return and take him off. But there was also the danger that she would continue her uit of the pirates, thinking him in safe hands. ‘It’s a ticklish predicament,” said Frank, with ashrug of the shoulders, ‘‘and I’d give a gold repeater to be safe out of this. But I’ve pulled through worse holes, so P’ll keep a stiff upper lip. The first thing is to get p there’s anything else in the wind, it can wait.” The warm fire was very a ble in his soaked condition, and he removed part of his clothes for the better convenience of drying. While thus engaged he waited patiently for what might turn up. An bour passed. the White Win It was very evident that bad continued the pursuit. And now from above there came the sound of trampling feet and 7 spars. There was a change in the sound of the swashing water. He looked curiously through the thick a of the cabin windows. At a considerable distance appeared the grassy beach of a low shore. It seemed sweeping —\ ee northward, @ sure proof that the vessel herself was = “She is heading up the bay,” he doubtfully told himself. ‘“ t does this mean? Is she going to run away? Ha! there’s that other yacht.” i! He had just caught a glimpse of the smaller
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yacht lying close in to the shore. It was but a momentary glance, for the swinging vessel soon swept her from view, and quickly nothing but the tossing water was to be seen. Frank returned to the stove, and quietly re- sumed his drying process. ‘Time will tell what’s afoot,” he remarked. ** And I’ll bave to wait till it’s ready to tell.” It seemed, indeed, as if time was likely to be in no hurry with its tale. Several hours passed away, and yet Frank was left alone, while he could tell from the movement of the vessel that they were still bound north. His clothes bad become thoroughly dried, and with bis ordinary easy temperament, he looked around him for some pastime, In an open locker at his left lay some books and a bunch of cigars. He examined the for- mer, and found that they were light novels. “Good!” he remarked. ‘‘I don’t want any- thing heavy just now. And if the captain of this craft don’t object, V’ll treat myself to one of his cigars,” An hour more passed away. Then there came a click in the lock of the cabin door. It opened, and revealed the form of the comman- der of the Comet, Frank’s mortal foe. But if the latter thought to surprise bis pris- oner he was mistaken. The surprise was all on the other side. There sat Frank in an easy- chair, a cigar between his lips, from whick wreaths of smoke were ascending, and an open sovel in his hand. He nodded easily to his visi- or. : ‘Glad to see you. Trying to while away the time, you see. Take a seat. ‘You seem to be taking it decidedly cool,” re- marked the other, grimly. “ Always do,” answered Frank. ‘' And now, my dear sir, if you have no objections, perhaps you will tell me what that blacky meant b turning the key on me. I could dry as i with an open door as a locked one. I am not very anxious to stay aboard your boat, but you needn’t fear my jumping overboard to leave it. I’ve bad enough of that for one day.” “T have a little business with you,” answered his captor, seating himself with a frowning brow. ‘ As you have the name of being a slip- pery customer, I prefer to make sure of you.” “Can’t your business wait?’ asked Frank, “ve just got toa ay 8 interesting chapter. It is a question whether the hero of this book will be married or be hung, and I hate to leave him in such a ticklish predicament.” “You are disposed to be very witty, Mr. Fra- wer.” answered the captain, in harsh tones. “ Perhaps you are not aware that you are ina worse predicament than the hero of that book, There’s no question about what’s likely to hap- pen to you. Do you know who | am?” “T have not had the pleasure of an introduc- tion,” rejoined Frank. **T will tell you, then.” He laid his hand on the table. It was a large, white hand, with the glitter of a diamond on one finger. Frank slightly shuddered. Wasthat the band thit had struck at his life on the day of the horse-race? “Have you forgotten that, a year ago, you hounded an old man to his death?” asked the visitor, sternly, ‘‘Do you remember that glen in the Shenandoah valley, where the old bank jer was murdered by your arts?” ““T remember pursuing a criminal who had robbed me of my fortune,” answered Frank. ‘I had nothing to do with his death, and I only acted as the agent of justice in his pursuit.” “That excuse will not serve you,” was the harsh answer. ‘I am the son of that old man’s only sister. His fate caused my mother’s death,” ‘*J am sorry to bear that,” rejoined Fiank, ‘Though I do not see that I have any personal concern in it.” ‘* I] see it, then,” was the bitter reply. “Iam of a race that never forgive an injury. You may have heard of the Manleys, and their re- vengeful spirit. Iam Miles Manley.” ‘Very bappy to know you,” returned Frank, with a polite nod. “You will perhaps be less happy when you know me better,” was tbe grim answer. ‘I swore revenge, and byall that’s good I will have revenge. You have escaped me several times, but you are in my power now. You will not escape again,” * Ab! then it is as I suspected,” remarked Frank coolly, taking the cigar from his mouth, ‘‘T have you to thank, for several delicate at- tentions, such as a pistol-shot in Baltimore street, a knife-thrust on the race-course, and an- other bit of knife practice in my m at the Ducker’s Rest?” . “Tt was my band did it all,” answered Man- ley. ‘If have no objection to tell you, as I A smile passed over his face as his foe invol- untarily clapped his hand to his back, The effects of Bart’s shot seemed to trouble him there yet. ‘**Some fool stood in my way on all those oc- casions,” answered the cold-blooded villain. ‘I hardly think it will happenagain. That woman who warned you before is in sate hands now. You have no weapon. What will you do?’ ‘Perhaps I may find some fool of the same kind here. Among those negroes, for example,” ‘‘Ha! that’s your hope, eh? Well, you shall have the chance,” with a grim laugh. “Iam going to kill you, Frank Frazer, understand that, You can go among the negroes and tell them that. You are at full liberty. Here is the way open to you;” he flung open the door. ‘**T wish to see if you can win them over.” “Very well,” answered Frank, dropping bis book, and rising to his feet. ‘* You don’t object to my helping myself to another cigar? They are not bad specimens of the weed,” Manley only stared, as his would-be victim quietly helped himself. Tbis coolness was a lit- tle beyond anything he bad ever met. With no further attention to him Frank walk- ed on deck. His first movement was to take a survey of the situation. They were well out on the waters of the bay, the western shore lying far off to their left, Miles away to the south he could faintly distinguish a sail, too far off for him to make out that it was the disabled White Wing, slowly creeping north. Much closer at hand was the smaller yacht, which had persist- ently dogged the Comet throughout the entire day. t was now not a quarter of a mile off, on the Jarboard quarter of the Comet, on which vessel it seemed gaining. The sharp wind of the morning had fallen, and the breeze now blew light and fitfully. A Pea of hope shot into Frank’s eyes as he saw the proximity of this vessel, the more so as he noticed Manley’s frowning observation of it. Evidently it was not in league with bim. “What does that fellow want?” he asked him- pan ourlily. ‘““He bas been dogging me all ay. **T can try my luck with these chaps?” asked Frank. ‘* Yes,” rejoined his fierce foe. ‘And Ill settle the one that you win over.” He drew a pistol from hiv pocket as he spoke. Frank looked again over the water. The small yacht was still gaining. The released prisoner walked slowly aft, closely observing the faces of the crew as he ssed. They were an evil-faced set, with owering brows and savage expression, and had been evidently chosen for a purpose. , ‘“* Well, what do you think of them?’ asked Manley, with grim satisfaction, ‘“‘There is another yet. The man at the wheel.” Mnley laughed disdainfully. ** You are welcome to try him.” Frank walked aft, gazing keenly around him as he did so. His situation was indeed a peril- ous one. He seemed as much a prisoner on deck as when locked within the cabin, with the waters of the bay around him, and those fierce black faces watching bis every movement. And bebind, like an executioner, stood the villainous commander, pistol in hand, and a smile of devilish malignity on his lips. The only shadow of hope lay in that vessel stealing slowly up on their lee. It was now nearly within hail, and he felt for a moment inclined to call] for aid, ’ But another thought came to him as he gained the after deck, and took in at a glance the situation of affairs. The helmsman was a stal- wart black, the fiercest and most determined- looking of the crew. Appeal for aid to such a fellow would evidently be useless. But Frank had no idea of demanding aid; he bad bolder thoughts in his mind. He laid his band on the wheel. “Let go,” he said. ‘‘I will take the wheel,” ‘“ Why?’ demanded the helmsman, in sur- prise, be “It is your duty to obey, not to question. This is my reason why.” y A quick movement; a rapid shooting out of Frank’s muscular arm; and the astonished negro. received a blow on the neck that would almost have felled an ox. Down he went, prostrate to the deck, rr st eee 11 In an instant Frank had seized the wheel, swung it rapidly around, and lashed it fast. The Gomet suddenly came up into the wind, with Cult eens sails. ‘* What in the fiend’s name do you mean?” yelled Manley, starting aft. ‘“Only that you were a fool not to keep your bird caged, when you bad him,” cried Frank in reply, as he hurled an iron missile at the head of his enemy. Manley aserd, and at the same moment fired, an ineffectual shot. Ere he could repeat it Frank had placed a foot on the taffrail, flung his cap in the air as a signal to the pans yacht, and given a quick leap, With a lou splash he struck the water in the wake of the Comet, whose sails were yet uselessly shivering in the wind, CHAPTER XL. A STERN CHASE. FRANK’s hasty movement had not been an ill- advised one. e had in his quick observation noticed two things. First that the stranger yacht was no consort of the Comet; and second, that she was the best sailer, with tha light wind then prevailing. She was coming up rapidly, and there was a chance of his being picked up ere the Comet could be got before the wind again. He swam as far as he could under water be- fore coming to the surface, fearful of a second shot from the pistol of his foe. And his fear was well founded, for he no sooner appeared than Manley dived at him. But Frank had instantly fired again, and the bullet use- lessly struck the water where he had just been, and skipped into the air again, failing to pene- trate the surface, With an oath the discomfited villain flung his pistol to the deck, and grasped the wheel, The felled helmsman was just slowly rising, with a dazed look in his eyes. He had gota settler fr: m the hardest bitter in Baltiu.ore. Frank again came to the surface, a hundred yards away. He looked keenly around. The stranger yacht had continued its rapid course, until he was now midway between the two ves- sels. The Comet was slowly falling off before the wind, and her sails beginning to fill, From the deck of the stranger faces could be seen, looking eagerly toward him. The firing on board the Comet had evidently attracted their attention. ‘A rope, good friends!” cried Frank, ‘‘ Stand by to take a passenger on board.” No admonition was needed. The yacht slight- ly yawed, and came up so as to bring him close under her lee, As she did so, a half-dozen ropes: were flung over the side, and one eager fellow lowered himself to the water’s edge with out- stretched hands. As the vessel glided swiftly by, within a few feet of the swimmer, this dar- ing fellow ped him by the collar, Inan in- stant Frank was being towed alongside, ‘* Haul away there,” yelled the captor, ‘I’ve got our prize.” Willing bands were lent to the work, and in less than a minute both men were seized and lifted on deck, the stalwart captor still clinging to the collar of his prize. Frank sbook the dripping water from bis clothes and looked curiously around, The boat was considerably smaller than the Comet, but remarkably neat and trim. There were four persons on deck, three of whom ap- parently formed the crew, while the fourth, who was looking with strange interest at Frank, at once attracted his attention, He knew him at a glance, and a cry of sur- prise came from his lips as he recognized the cadet-like youth of the Ducker’s Rest,the brow) - faced, mustachbed young man whose stranj!: movements had caused so much surprise. * You here?” he exclaimed, in astonishment. The youth smiled, and turned to the man who had rescued Frank, a sturdy, determined- loge ing perecne e, ‘Let her head fall off a few points, Captain Mather. The Comet is rounding up after us, and we want our best sailing course. “ Are you going to run away?” asked the man addressed, ina tone of remonstrance that was almost sneering. , “Yes,” came the quiet but firm answer. “They are too strong for us;and I am not eager for a fight. I would sooner show them the heels of the little Pride.” ’ _ Frank was attracted as he had been before, by the softness and sweetness of the speaker's voice. : ; “Do not go out of your course on my ac- count,” he protested. ‘* They mean me no good, i roa
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12 “T know, I know,” hastily interrupted th. youth. ‘“‘ AndI understand the temper of the commander of that craft and his savage crew. We dare not face them. They have the wind again and arein chase of us, Captain Mather. hat do you think of the chances?” ‘* We can beat them hollow, unless the wind freshens too much.” ‘But Mr. Frazer is shivering in his wet \ thes. Take him below, sir, and give bim @ nething dry to wear. You have had ill-for- tune to-day.” ‘“ Why, two cold baths in one day are rather more than is desirable,” answered Frank with a shrug, as be followed the captain below. In ten minutes, he came again on deck at- tired in a suit of rough but warm sailor clothes, which fitted him as if cut for his form. He looked doubly handsome in this attire, and felt a sensation of pride as he noticed a look of ad- miration in the eyes of the youthful yachts- an. Frank took a quick glance over the waters. The Comet was coming up behind them with all sail set, at some.hing more than a quarter-mile distant, He could could see the form of his foe, erect on the heel of the bowsprit, gazing intently to- ward the chase. But the Pride was easily hold- ing her own, and had, indeed, gained slightl since he went below. She was before the wind, running directly across the bay. “Tt is our best course for speed,” said the young man, noticing Frank’s inquiring look. “T don’t like the idea of runuing away,” an- swered Frank, ‘‘and hopa you will not go out of our course on my account, Mr.— Excuse me, or asking your name.” “Bradley,” answered the youth, with @ slight hesitation, while a shade of color came to his cheek. ‘‘ As for my course, I bhave.none special. I am only out pleasuring, and north, south, east or west are all one to me. Is not the wind chanving, captain?” “Yes, sir; it seems veering round to the north’ard.” ‘We had better meet it, then.” ** AY, ay. The wind, in fact, had suddenly shifted, and after a few hesitating fliws and lulls, came out decidedly from the north, The yacht’s head was at once put south, and she ran down the bay with a free sail. This maneuver increased her distance from the Comet, which lay to the northwest, “We've a yood half mile the start!” ex- claimed Captain Mather with satisfaction, ‘‘and no danger of running in o the Delaware shoals, If the wind holds at this, we cin laugh at them, If it strengthens, as it promises to do, the laugh may be on tbe other side.” **T don’t believe there’s a yacht in Baltimore ean overhaul the Pride on a wind!” exclaimed Mr. Bradley, earnestly, ‘* We are dropping the Comet every minute, The captain smiled at the young man’s enthu- siasm, as he turned away. It was a bright, beautiful day.- The after- noon sun shone warmly on the waters, and threw an agreeable temperature on the deck of the yacht. Mr. beso drew up a brace of camp-stools, and invited his guest to be seated. The water gurgled and swirled beneath the swift boat, as it darted onward with the speed of an eagle, its sail swelling and its tall mast bowing before the strengthening wind. Behind, at a considerable distance came the Comet, with every stitch of sail set, rushing on- ward like a great, white-winged bird. Frank looked intently ahead. No trace of the police jboat was to be seen. But in the far distance to the southward the glint of sails could be faintly distinguished, He recognized it as the oyster ileet. “Where is the White Wing?” he asked him- self. ‘I saw her a half-hour ago,” ‘*T fancy she bas put ashore,” answered Mr. Bradley. ‘‘Sbe had a fight with the oyster- men, and drew off as if she had got the worst of it. » sue may have gone in somewhere for re- rs, Frank looked at his companion with an inter- est he felt every time he beard that voice, with its amazingly familiar strains. ** Where have I met you before?” he asked. ** At the Ducker’s Rest.” ‘* But where before that?” “Nowhere, I fancy. Have you ever been to Annapolis?” ee Hal Then you are in the Naval poodesyT ~ 2 not say so,” came the laughin 4 “*Suppose I ask you a few questions, Mr. r? ] happen to rte the commander of yacht, and the kind of man he is; and onder had a The Water-Hound. poxpose in keeping soclosetohim. But I would ike new to hear your story. Why were you shot at, and forced to leap overboard? It was fortunate that the Pride was so close at hand.” ** Fortunate indeed,” answered Frank, He proceeded to tell the story of his adventures on board the Comet. Hehada een interested auditor, for the young man beside him seemed to hang eagerly upon every word, while bis face flushed and paled at the crises of the narrative. His questions brought out the remainder of Frank’s story, the various attempts which had been made upon his life, his protection by a vailed woman, and finally the murderots as- an and remar.able escape at the Ducker’s est. The denouement of this story seemed to great- ly excite the young man. He laid both hanas on Frank’s arm, and looked up in his face with an interest that bung on every word. He breathed heavily, his face grew pale, a shudder ran through bis frame as the perilous crisis of tke narrative was told. Frank looked around in surprise at this strange excitement of his auditor. ; The young man sprung to his feet with a forced laugh, though he could not drive the pal- lor from his cheeks and lips. “1 was always nervous,” he exclaimed, ‘‘and your story has wonderfully excited me. You should not have such thrilling adventures. How now, captain, is not the wind freshening?” Yes,” answered the captain briefly. ‘* And itis going to blow sharply before many min- utes. The Comet is our full match with this wind. We are not dropping her now an inch in a mile.” ‘But a stern chase is a long one,” answered the vouth, “Very true. And here’s the oyster fleet looming up tothe south, If there’s iene: bet- ter offers, we can run among them, and laugh at the Comet.” The oystermen, yet several miles in advance, seemed to be again at work dredging. A half- mile in the rear the C met came crowding on. The wind constantly freshened, and the tall mast of the Pride bowed perilously. “Can we carry all this sail, captain?’ Mr. Bradley anxiously asked. “ We will not take in a stitch till the Comet does,” he decidedly answered. ‘‘She is more than our match with this breeze, and we will not give her the advantage of extra sail.” ** But if a spar goes?” ‘*When we can run no Ienger we will fight,” answered the captain energetically, ashe turned again to his duty. CHAPTER XII. A BULLET IN THE RIGHT SPOT. WITHIN ten minutes the wind had greatly freshened. Both vessels were running under a ress of sail, but it was very evident that the ride*was no match for the Comet with this wind, Captain Mather kept all his seil spread, though his boat was fearfully crowded, but he had made up bis mind to sink ere he would take in a stitch until the Comet showed him the ex- ample, *T’ll bet the Pride against her any day,” he proudly declared. ‘ Sbe may not outsail ber in a hurricane, but she’!l outswim her. Not a reef knot will I tie till I see him shortening.” “There’s a fearful strain on the sail,” said Mr. Bradley, a little pale. ‘‘ Sail or mast will go, if we keep on.” “Let them go,” answered the captain, brief- ly. ‘‘If the wind shortens sail for us, there’s no hindering it.” Frank looked a little scorrfully at the young man. He was more of the bold temper of the captain, and disdained these evidences of weak- ness, Yet there was something about t-at soft, ney face that attracted him despite himself. 6 could not help feeling a deep interest in it. There was something indeed strange—some mystery about it which he could not make out. The smile of disdain vanished from his face, and a look of absorbing attention replaced it. Meanwhile the chase went on. e waters boiled under the sharp Ape of the Pride, and ran off in glistening lines behind her. Her broad sail bellied in the wind till the mast bent like a whip-lash with every successive puff. Should a stay give way, the whole thing would go by the board. But the cordage staunchly eld, as the light boat shot onward with arrowy speed. Behind came the Comet, staggering under ber crowd of sail, and rushing with immense rapid- ity through the water. She had been gaining now for half an hour, and was little more than a quarter of a mile in the rear, In ad- ¢ —t vance, some two miles distant, lay the oyster- fleet, under shortened sail, and seemingly ot work in the business of dredging, with lit’ heed to the two vessels that were coming +» rapidly upon them, t was a question whether the Pride cou reach them before being overhauled by her pursuer, Still the chase continued, now the Comé¢t gaining rapidly. A mile was quickly passed—& mile and a half; the pursuer was scarcely a hundred yards in the rear. The heavier yacht cams on like a fate, with a steady and implaca- ble energy. She was steering directly for the stern of the Pride, ‘*What does she mean?’ asked Mr, Bradley, ina tone of alarm. ‘ Does she intend to run us down?” “It looks like it,” answered the captain, grimly. ; ‘‘ Had we not better change our course?” ‘*We must keep dead before the wind, or we wll go to the bottom,” was the stern reply. ‘* But, by the Lord! I'll hurt some of them be- fore they burt us.” He walked below. Ina minute he returned, with a rifle in his hand, and a look of fierce de- terminstion on his face. Frank meanwhile stood at the taffrail, gezing aft. The Comet seemed perilously near, and wis coming on with the grim energy of an avengin demon, On her prow stood erect the form 0 his mortal foe, with a malignant smile on his face. His intention was becoming more and more evident. He was bent on running down the Pride and’‘sinking her with all or board. Frank felt a trembling hand on bisarm. He looked around into the face of the young yacl.t- owner, Its pallor had deepened, and there was a nervous twitching of the lips that indicate’ some deep emotion. Frank placed bis art’ around the waist of the youth, with as mucao tenderness as if it bad been a woman “Do not fear,” be gently remarked. “We will escape him yet.” The youth released himself from the balf-em- brace, while a flush replaced the pallor of his ce. ‘‘He is a fiend.” he declared. “It is not for myself I fear. But, why does he chase you with such implacable hatred?” “Tt is the blood vendetta that I have told you of,” answered Frank. ‘I do not like to kill a man: but, by Heaven, if he pursues me much further—” ‘No, no!” exclaimed his companion in sudden excitement. ‘Not that! You must not kill him! Promise me you will not!” ‘““Why are you so interested in him?” asked Frank, looking curiously into the trembling face. “No matter. Promise me— Ah! Do not fire!’ He darted quickly aside, to Captain Mather, who bad the rifle to his eye, and was taking a cool aim at their malignant enemy. In an instant the muzzle of the weapon was thrown up, and the bullet whistled harmlessly through the rigging of the approaching yacht. Its villainous commander stepped quickly down from his exposed position, “Why did you do that?’ cried Captain Math- er fiercely. “Why did you do it, Isay? It’s come to be life for life now, and my life is as good as his!” “This is mv vessel!” answered the ‘While Iam on board of it a outh haugbtily. will command!” ‘““Not when my life is in question,” screamed the captain in reply, “ k yonder. Sbe is not a hundred feet from us. She will crash into our stern in ten minutes more, at this “Tet me bave the rifle,’ said Frank, as a thought came to him. ‘‘Have you another cartridge?” “Yes,” answered the captain, as he reloaded the weapon, ‘What are you going to do?” asked the youth, with a nervous tremor in bis voice. ‘TI would do nothing wrong if I should send a bullet through the brain of that hound, who means death to us all,” was Frank's stern an- swer, ‘' But I do not want his blood on m soul. See the craven! He is pet bin e paps Frank Frazer’s reputation with the rifle. “What are you going to do?” ~» “Tam going to shorten sail for them.” He pointed upward tothe slender line that held the great sail of the Comet aloft. Captain Mather laughed incredulovsly. “Do you mean that you will eut tht rope with a rifle bullet?” he asked. ‘“‘ The man never breathed that can do it.”
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—<——— ——$ SS ——______. “If I had solid footing I would soon show you that,” answered Frank. ‘I cannot be sure fra this uneasy deck,” p. te waited a few minutes more, while all on board anxiously watched him. They were now close upon the oyster fl-et, the crews of which were watching the chase with intense interest, The Comet was now so close that the ex- trimity of ber jib-boom nearly overlapped the stern of the Pride. Five minutes more and the crash would come. Nota soul was visible on her deck. The rifle in the bands of the re- doubtable marksman had driven them all from sight. Tne weapon came to Frank’s shoulder, pointed aloft ata line so slender that it looked like a spider’s web at that distance. He stood with the steadiness of a rock, as his eye glanced along the sights. But he did not fire. at would not do to miss now, and the footing was too in- secure, He lowered the rifls, while the hearts of all on board throbbed with intense anxiety. The extremity of the jib-boom lapped the stern of the Pride. He continued to wait, without a movemeot of his muscular frame, or a change in his set look, until the puff of wind blew itself out, and the breeze lowered to its steady rate ‘‘Now for it!” he cried, bringing the rifle again with a quick motion to his stoulder, For hardly a second he stood there, his keen eye glancing along the sights. Then a flash of fire shot from the mouth of the weapon, and a 8 report broke on the air. All eyes were directed upward to the taut line at which he bad fired, and a look of bitter disappointment came into their faces as they saw tnat the line still held. “By all that’s unlucky. ip : “6 i : yoled the captain, ‘' Here, t me ram in an- other cartridge. You've time to try it again.” Frank laid hishand on the young man who stood beside him, gazing with pallid earnest- ness into bis face. ‘Wait an instant,” he said, ‘till the next uff ” 8 A flerce blast of air came as he spoke. The sail of the Comet swelled and strained. At the same instant there came a sharp crack aloft, and the line was seen to part, its two ends fly- ing wilily in the air. ‘TI don’t often miss,” said Frank coolly. Down came the heavy gaff, no longer held aloft.’ The loosened sail swelled out with the wind, and then gave way before the intense strain, With a report as of a cannon shot it parted, rending into shreds, which cracked like whip-lashes in the wind. The of the rushing Comet quickly di- minished, while tre Pride, whose sail bad been robbed of wind by that of her pursuer, shot with new s abead, Frank sprung upon the taffrail, rifle in hand, and greeted with a shout of derision his baffled foe. “Show your cowardly head,” he yelled, ‘‘ and perhaps I can spare a bullet for you.” Bat the other evidently thought that pru- denoe was the better part of valor, and kept concealed. Mr. Bradley caug't Frank excitedly by the arm, and pulled him back from his exposed situation, ** Do you not see that you are making your- self a mark for a pistol bullet?” he cried, in tones of womanly dread, The next minute the Pride ran in among the ovster vessels, whose crews greeted Frank’s late exploit with three rousing cheers, “ Ahoy, the oysterman!” bailed Frank. ‘‘ We are friends. That hound tried to run us down. Will you stand by the little yacht against the big?” Way! ay!” came in a ringing reply. ‘‘ And make fish-meat of the bloody rogues if they don’t: skedaddle.” Down game the straining sail of the Pride. It was caught by strong hands and deftly furled while toe craft gradually lost the great speed at which sbe had been running. Meanwhile the Comet h»d veered under her jib, and her crew was sevking to secure the rent and flapping Frank’s bullet bad completely turned the tables. He had only wounded the rope, but a line with a cut strand isa weak depencence in a gele. } e We'll stick to you through thick and thin!” cried old Dirk, as the Pride glided close by the Lively Emma. “And if you want a g fry ou’ve missed!” of prime ’ysters, come aboard.” “You won’t give them to us as you did to the crew of the White Wing?” ask ther, Captain Ma- The Water-Hound. | j } ; / 1S i | j | ‘“Nary time!” laughed old Dirk, ‘‘ Tbe sbells for our foes, the ’ysters for our friends; that’s the ’ysterman’s motto, We guv ’em to them in the shell, so’s they could open ’em themselves, You can have yours on the half she!!.” A laughing rejoinder followed. Frank locked around for the young yachteman, but he had Cir ‘* Where is Mr. Bradley ?”’ he asked. ‘Gone below.” He descended the companion-stairs, but paused in surprise as his eyes took in the scene before bim. For there, rather crouched than sat the young man, bis face in his hands, while his whole frame shook as with deep emotion. He seemed to be bitterly sobbing. The intruder gazed at bim for a moment in surprise. It seemed like a Ean nervous relaxation—a hysterical at- tack, Frank turned and softly withdrew. Astrange suspicion bad come across his mind at that min- ute, A dozen recollections flashed upon bim at once. Whether his fancy had any value time only could tell; but he would not have intruded upon the privacy of that crouching figure just then for the world. CHAPTER XIIL THE FATE OF THE PRIDE. MorninG nad again dawned on the broad waters of Chesapeake Bay. A night had passed since the events r Hares | in our last chapter, and the sun was mounting high in the east, i his bright beams far over sea and land. arious changes had taken ace in the positions of the parties concerned. The oyster fleet was considerably reduced in numbers. Some of its vessels, sufficiently loaded, and fearful of a longer stay in those waters, had decamped dur ing the night, so that the morning rays lit but four boats out of the dozen of the previous day. There bad also been changes in the position of the two yachts. The Pride lay side by side with the Lively Emma, old Dirk’s craft. As for the Comet, she had managed to repair her torn can- vas during the night, and was now alsosamong the oyster fleet, in close company with the remaining three boats. It appeared as if some understana- ing existed between Miles Manley and the oys- termen. Ata considerable distance to the north an- other sail appeared. But it was yet lost be- neath the shelter of the land, and it was impes- sible to decide whether or not it was the White ing. The high wind of the previous day bad lulled, and only a gentle breeze now ruffled the surface of the water. The boats lay under essy sail, eHeing wracetally over the liquid element. Old Dirk stood on the deck of the Pride, an expression of virtuous indignation on his bard but honest face. ‘*Somehow or t’other I never coddled to rogues and murderers,” be declared with great energy. ‘Now that chap boarded me Jast night and fried to buy me over—me, Dirk Hardscrab- ble, that’s never done a dirty trick in my life, ’cept you call the piratin’a few ’ysters «ff the ” square, ‘* He tried to bribe you?” , ‘Jist that. But be wasn’t long in diskiver- ing as be was barkin’ up the wrong tree, I guv bim a private hint to git, and be got.” “« What sort of a hint?” asked Frank, laughing. “Wall, 1 told him if be didn’t absquatulat. uicker ner a ’skeeter could wink his right eye, d b’ile bim like a lobster, and keelhaul him to cool off.” Frank continued to laugh at the old man’s idea of a gentle bint. “Tam afraid be has found others more open to bribes,” he remarked. ‘‘ He’s bought over them there bounds, body and soul—if they’ve got any souls,” ejaculated Dirk. ‘I'm afeared we're goin’ to have a bit of a scrimmage, My men’s ready for it, But they’re two to one, and that’s big odds,” ‘““What shall we do, then? Run?’ “‘Nary run! Not while I’ve got a peg to stand on, Here they come. I’il git aboard the Lively Emma. If there’s fight in the wind, I kinder enjoy a brisk tussle.” The opposite party, consisting of the Comet and ber three new consorts, had indeed veered, and were bearing down upon the Pride and the Lively Emma, who remained awaiting them, with no show of fear. Tbere was a considerable distance between them, and flight was not out «f the question, for the wind was in prime order for the little Pride, but no one showed any evidence of dread except the young yachtsman, Mr, Brad- ley. / i He turned slightly pale as he saw the four boats bearing down. ‘*We are no match for them,” he declared. ‘‘They sare more than two to our one, and it is madness to await them.” “It seems to me that we bave done enough running away,” rejoined Frank. “1 feel like facing them.” ‘For what? To be killed? For that devil means to kill you! There is no use to scot like brainless fools,” exclaimed the young man angrily. ‘* Yonder comes a boat which you, think to be the White Wing. We had tetter lun up ‘oO meet it. If we join forces with it we will be a match for these fellows.” “By Jupiter, tbere’s sense in that!” cried Captain Mather, “ All right,” said Frank indifferently. ‘It is all one to me.” A bail to their coneort, a cheerful “ Ay! ay!” in reply from old Dirk, and the two boats wore gracefully rcund, beading north, It was a very doubtiul experiment. The as- sailing fleet lay some distance cff to the ncrth and east, and might, by sailing close to the wind, intercept the parsage of the two fugitives. The breeze came from several points to the north of west, and struck on the Jurtoard quarter of the fleeing conscris, as they purhed north, cn the opposite tack to that of th ir pursuers, Hand over band the latter came ov, drawin nearer at cvery moment. There was a critic point which the fugitives must pass for safety, and every breath was suspended as they drew near. “It's gain’ to be nip and tuck,” exclaimed old Dirk. *‘‘ We're hugein’ the wind as close as is in wocd and canvas, But it’)] be a scrape if we pass. lve a thunderin’ notion to fall cff, and run down one of thim beggars.” ** Al's fair in war,” yelled Frank in reply. “The Pride might do the same thing, tut she’s too ligbt.” Five minutes more trougbt the two parties very close together, the one runnirg north, the other west, 61d likely to meet at the 1 orthwest. point, The Price bad drawnv slightly abead of ier conrort. But the Comet was also in advance of the oystermen, end the contest for speed lay between the two yecbts, On they ceme, steadily, A biecuit cc uld have been thrown from deck to deck. Yet the Pnde bed slightly the acvantsage, and seemed likely to sail just clear of ber pursuer, A cry of tritmphant dirdsin come frem the lips of Captain Mather. It wastoo roon, for at this instant the wind unfortunately ebifted a int nore to the nerth, and the head of the ride fell ff to the castward, The result was inevitable, The next instant the bowsprit of the Comet shot « ver her deck, to be followed by a tl undering crash as the heavier vessel struck with her sharp prow :quare upon tbe exposed side of the fugitive. There cume a rending and ripping of plarks, both vessels trembled through every timber, and as the Cc met slowly tacked cff, a geping wound was visible in the side of the +naller yecht, through which tie water poured in a swirling torrent. The poor Pride hed got herdeatb-wcevnd, She was already settling in the ruthless waters, The liquid element seethed and boiled as it prured into the gaping aperture, A fleree cath brcke from the bearced lips of Captein Mather as he stamped beavi y upon the oeck, “Tf that infernal wind had only beld for a minute longer!” he excleimed, “ Luck’s dead against us!’ He sprung for the bowsprit of the Comet, in company with his two nen. Bout rank end the young yechtsman stood tegether on the deck of the sinking vercel, the former with a es my but resolute fece, the latter clingirg to im as if toa last refuge. The liquid eyes of the youn map were tent upon Frenk’s counte- nance £8 if in hope t find safery there. The veree] quivered end sunk beneath their feet. Shewarpoing down! Unless they wished to be taken with ber, there «es nothing for it but to trust to the water, Wreatbing his arm protectingly around the slender waist of his companion, Frank sprung. With a surge they struck the waves. As they rose to the surface the face of Miles Manley was visible, gezing with bitter malig- nity over the side of bis vessel. It was a peril- ous position, for Frank saw in an instant that his companion was unable to swim. He bat- tled the waters with bis right band, while he continued to support bis belpless comrade with his left, Evidently it was the object of the fiendi-h villain to let them helplessly drown, but at that
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¢ ( moment there came a cheering cry from Old Dirk, whose vessel had forged up just in the rear of the Comet. ‘* Hold your own, my hearty! Paddle lively! Tl have a boat down ina jiffy and pick you up. Merrily away, my lads!” At this cheery hail Manley turned and spoke to his crew, and with marvelous rapidity a boat was dropped into the water. Two of the black gailors sprung into it, and pushed off with an oar to where Frank was still valiantly strug- gling for the life of himself and his companion. Seized by the strong arms of the negroes, they were lifted into the boat, just as the boat of the Lively Emma fell with a splash into the water, At the same instant, with a wild, whirling motion, the Pride went down into the treach- erous waves, making a vortex into which rushed the heaving and tossing waters. The boat con- taining the rescued pair was sucked strongly toward this whirlpool, but was drawn back by the ropes which held it, bow and stern, to the side of the Comet. A creaking of blocks fol- lowed, and in a minute more the boat, with its crew, was lifted bodily from the water and landed on the vessel’s deck. The Pride had vanished; only the extremity of her mast standing above the surface of the water, ‘“We'll take care of your friends,” cried Manley, mockingly, to old Dirk. ‘ And if you choose to come aboard, L’ll treat you to that keelhauling which you promised me.” ‘*Pll come aboard yet,” exclaimed Dirk, sig- nificautly. ‘“‘ Be mighty keerful how you deal with them there folks, or I’ll make things lively fur you, now you bet.” The prow of the Lively Emma fell off as he spoke. She wore round and stood toward the three oyster-boats, whose crews were curiously surveying the exciting incidents we bave just detailed. Perhaps the old fellow thought to shame them for their base allianca, and to win them back to honesty. pravley sernee toward his involuntary guests, and started with surprise as his eyes fell upon their faces. His surprise was not uncalled for. Frank stood mpright before him, sup; orting bis slighter companion, but the dash into the water had wrought aremarkable change in the appear- ance of the latter. Tbe mustache which had graced the slender upper lip had vanished, and the face was utterly beardless! The hat, too, was gone, and instead of the short locks of a man there appeared a profusion of long curling hair, that reached nearly to the waist. Thé unbrowned face was white and fair, as if astain had been washed from it by the water. An exclamation of astonishment broke from Mg lips of Captain Mather, who had pushed «By the Lord, it’s a woman!” Frank, who had evidently before this pene- trated the disguise of his fair companion, onl clasped the drooping form more firmly to h side, and proudly faced his foe, The look of surprise on the face of the latter bad changed to one of fierce anger. “So!” he hastily cried. ‘‘ This is my cousin Mabel, masquerading as a man, and hanging on to that base adventurer! This is the boasted pride of the Manleys?” The girlish form released itself from Frank’s rotecting arm, and stood erect before Miles anley, with a pride and haughtiness equal to his own. ‘You sought to keep me prisoner,” she cried, “so that you could pursue your base designs undisturbed. I escaped fron your jailer. saved Mr, Frazer once already from your mur- derons designs. I am here now to save him once more?’ ‘* You are, eb,” sneered the villain. ‘‘See if you can save bim now.” He drew and cocked a pistol as he spoke. With acry of dread she threw herself before the threatened form, involuntarily acknowledg- ing her love in that impulsive act, ‘You shall not! you dare not!” she cried. real you slay him, it shall be through my i } form pistol from the villain’s hand, crying out: ‘By Heaven, there’s others can take a hand in this game 1” * Hal” P agwoay Manley, mad withrage. ‘‘Who commands on this deck? At them, men! Cap- ture and bind the hounds!” j ‘‘This way!” cried the doughty captain. “This way, lads! _We’ll make a fight for it!” Onone side the stalwart negroes advanced, ‘ ar reply. 00 { At this instant, Captain Mather knocked the The Water-Hound. “ with savage look. On the other stood the res- cued crew of the Pride, collected into a sturdy group. War was in the air. _ CHAPTER XIV. THE BATTLE ON THE COMET. *“Briast my eyes if I ever calkerlated that rough Joe Prime and Bill Barley would sell themselves to a bloody cut-throat like that!” It was old Dirk that spoke, in tones of deep scorn, as he hailed the captains of the other oyster boats. ‘¢There’s money in it, Dirk; more nor ther’ is in oysters,” came the reply. ‘If a chap kin make a stuke, he’s a fool to fling the chance over bis shoulder.” ‘*You’re a nice coon, you are! Why don’t per go bank-bu’stin’ at once, if money’s so much etter nor honesty ?”’ ‘*Tt?s as honest as stealin’ oysters,” came the “ here, Joe, how mich of that chap’s cash are you jinglin’ now in yuur pockets?” “Nary red.” “And nary red you'll jingle. He’s only makin’ a cat’s paw of you. See if he don’t show his heels and let you whistle when he’s through with you. Look at him! There he streaks off now.” ‘* By the Lord, it’s true!” cried the oyster- man, as he saw the Comet tack and stand north, “You'd best take a fool’s advice, and start home with yer cargoes. Yonder comes the chap we fit off yesterday.” ‘And what are you goin’ to do?” ‘“‘To hang round and see fair play. I don’t fear’em. There ain’t one on ’em kin overhaul the Lively Emma, But they’d run you all down in a jiffy.” The advice of the shrewd old fellow was taken. The three boats turned and steered south, taking his opinion that prudence was the better part of valor. The Emma, baving thus cut off the allies of the foe, stood north, in the wake of the Comet. The latter was, indeed, between two fires, for the sail which had been visible in the north, bad come down rapidly during these events, and was now little more than a mile away, crowding down under a press of sail. At its peak flew the bunting of the White Wing. Meanwhile a sharp contest was taking place on the deck of the Comet. The two hostile parties had eyed each other for several minutes without coming to blows, The vessel bad put about, as we have seen, and Frank took advan- tage of the same opportunity to induce bis fair charge to take refuge behind the combatants. ‘*You would only tie my hande,” he said. “Leave it to me. They will not conquer us easily. There was a dangerous look cn his face as he confronted the group of stalwart blacks, who were cautiously advancing to the essault. They had had some experience of Frank Frazer’s fist already. Beside him stood his three associates, Captain Mather and the crew of the Pride. “On them, men!” cried Manley fiercely. “Down with them! Fifty dollars for the first man who floors one of the hounds!” At this bribe the negroes lea forward. They were met in full career by their white op- pees and a sharp combat ensued, hard blows ing given and taken on both sices. One of the crew of the Pride went down like a log before the fist of astalwartblack. Captain Mather avenged him by avoiding the blow aim- ed at him, and closing with his opponent. A surge, a quick trip, and the fellow was flung heavily to the deck. Two of them came together at Frank, who stood erect and wary. Destitute of pugilistic skill, they ran at bim head on, like mad bulls, thinking to beat him down by sheer force. They were never more mistaken. Out shot his right fist, like a battering-ram, taking one of the negroes between the eyes, and lifting him clear from his feet as it burled him prostrate. Out went his left, fetching the other a sharp i: gece the belt, and doubling him up like a nife. One negro was at the wheel, and three of the five others bad gone down at the first meet. The two remaining ones rushed forward, catch- ing weapons from the deck. They were afraid to meet their opponents with bare fists. Captain Mather avoided the blow aimed at bim, and wisely retreated, looking for some counter wea- pon. Frank, on the contrary, caught the wrist of his opponent, and twisted it till he dropped bis weapon. Then stooping, he caught the burly ee ee ee eee Pe ee Ee a a a es re et ae oe PE i i A A i > bloat around the waist, and a fierce tussle en- sued, Miles Manley had kept out of the combat, though his eyes blazed, and his lips were white with rage, The pistol was still in bis hand, and he raised it threateningly as be saw his crew falling like autumn leaves before the blows of their opponents. A fierce oath came from his lips as he saw that Fraok’s superior skill was gradually over- coming the brute strepgth of his adversary. A look of murderous malignity came upon the villainous face. The head.of the man he so deeply hated was exposed toward him. In an instant his arm was extended, the pistol aimed with deadly skill, and the trigger touched. For the moment it seemed as if nothing could save Frank Frazer from death! . But at that critical instant the villain was sharply pushed from bebind, and his aim dis- concerted. The bullet flew wild of its intended ear, 0 it was not discharged in vain. For Captain Mather staggered and sunk to the deck, with the loud exclamation: ‘ By Jupiter! he has peppered me! I am done for!” The murderous wretch turned fiercely back, to encounter the face of his cousin, with a set, intense look on it. “It was I, wretch!” she screamed, in high ex- citement—‘‘it was I that again saved him from your fiendish hand! I have sworn that you shall not barm him!” ‘ ‘‘Look to yourself, Mabel!” he exclaimed, catching her arm ina fierce grip. ‘‘ Look that I harm not you. By the gods, if this goes on— “TI fear you not, Miles Manley,” she inter- rupted. ‘You are a coward at heart, and [ know it, You dare vot face an open foe, and can only strike in the dark.” His eyes glared like those of a wild animal as he pushed her backward, his white teeth fiercely clinched. But ber look was as bold as his. There was brave blood in her veins, and the vil- Jain was cowed by tbat stern, intense regard. He dropped her arm with a curse of rage. Meanwhile the battle went briskly on. Cap- tain Mather lay crouched where he had fallen, while a groan of pain came from his set lips. Of his crew, the first one felled was slowly regain- ic his feet, while the other—a slight-built man —had yet kept clear of the combat. The felled negroes bad regained their feet, all but the first one whom Frank had struck. At this moment, he overcame the resistance of the one with whom he was wrestling. A quick trip struck the fellow’s feet from under him, and be fell bo Meh But he dragged Frank with him in his 1 With a sbarp wrench Frank sought to tear himself Joose from the negro’s grasp, but one of the others flung himself upon him, pinioning bis limbs. He struggled vigorously, but in vain; his foes were too strung for him. The remain- ing two men of the Pride’s crew were each ri oe by a stalwart black, and could not in- rfere, ‘Hold him!” screamed Manley; ‘don’t let him escape you! Here, hold his arms while I tie him!” He caught up a rope from the deck, and while Frank’s arms were drawn strongly behind him by his captor, he twisted it in a dozen turns around his wrists. His feet were secured in like manner, and bis captors rose, leaving their bound prisoner prostrate on the deck, breathing heavily from bis late exertions, while his set teeth and gleaming eyes showed that bis spirit was yet unbroken, ey looked down on him with fierce tri- umphb. ‘“You are safely mine now,” he declared. ** You will not escape me again. ‘‘ Do not be too sure of that.” ““Who will you look to for help? I fancy I have the game in my bands.” “Not much, I reckon,” came a loud, boarse voice from behind. ‘‘ He kin look to the jolly *ystermen for help.” The villain turned in alarm, to encounter the face of old Dirk. The Lively Emma had forged up during tbe fight, until her bowsprit overhung the deck of the Comet. The old salt had just sprung to the deck of the latter, and was being quickly followed by his crew, CHAPTER XV. f THE END OF THE VENDETTA. In fact the tables were being turned in more ways tban one. During the combat the yacht had been sailing north under full sail. North- ward lay the White Wing, sailing south under
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a press of canvas. Thus they were rapidly ap- proaching each other, and five minutes more would bring the police-boat into the fray. ‘* Hard a-port your helm!” yelled Manley. ‘‘ Hard a-port it is,” answered old Dirk, as he fetched the helmsman a clip with a stout club, that laid him prostrate, ‘‘Take that wheel, Jack,” he cried to one of his crew, ‘‘and steer for the boat ahead. If the nigger mixes in, pitch him overboard.” ie rushed forward, followed by the remain- der of his crew. Only the man at the helm re- m \ined on board the Lively Emma. The reinforcement came none too soon. As we have seen Frank Frazer was helplessly bound, and Captain Mather prostrate with a pistol-shot. The two less vigorous members of the Pride’s crew were no match for the savage fellows who now assailed them, They would have been overcome in a minute more but for the opportune arrival of old Dirk and bis crew. “At’em, lads! Pile in, my hearties! Go fur the devils, black and white!” yelled the old man. ‘Your weapons!” screamed Manley to his crew. ‘‘Muskets and axes! Shoot and chop down these rascals! Quick! It’s life or death now!’ He turned and rapidly fired several pistol- shots at the assailants, but too hastily to be ef- fective. Ere we could continue this exercise a tap on the hand from old Dirk’s club sent bis pistol whizzing into the bay, and stung his knuckles as if they had been touched by fire. “ Ahoy, lads!” yelled the energetic old leader. “‘Cut off the niggers! Don’t iet them git the’r weepons!” The crew of the Emma had not waited for this command, but were already racing forward for the forecastle, to which the negroes had started for their arms. The two men of the Pride followed, and in a moment whites and blacks were again engaged ina fierce hand-to- band struggle. During these latter events Mabel had stood by the mast, breathing heavily, while her face burned with intense excitement. The diversion which bad just occurred gave her an opportu- nity. Drawing a pocket-knife, she sprung quickly to where Frank lay bound and drew its keen blade with rapid energy across the ropes, They were severed before his foe could inter- fere. “You are free! You have friends on board!” she cried inhis ear. ‘‘ Now is thetime to strike for anche Wrank leaped to his feet, and glared around oim with undiminished spirit. There before him stood his mortal foe, with gleaming eyes and teeth, half-crouched like a tiger for the spring. Between them lay stretched the form of Cap- tain Mather, in seeming pain. He turned toward the forecastle, where a hard combat was oing on between the whites and the blacks, the atter seemingly getting the worse of it. Frank’s momentary inattention to his foe was nearly a fatal error. The latter, wrought by the fear of failure to a pitch of savage fe- rocity, suddenly drew a long knife from his dress, and sprung wildly forward. Mabel’s scream of alarm caused Frank to turn, But nothing would have saved him from a perhaps fatal stab had not a providential accident: in- tervened, We have said that Captain Mather, wounded by the pistol-shot of Miles Manley, Iny s'r tched on the deck between the two foes. The villain, intent on his murderous design, did not per- ceive this obstacle. Leaping demely forward, he stumbled —<_ the form of the prostrate man, and was hurled violently to the iat Frank sprung back, though all danger was passed, for a most unforeseen fate had befallen his foe. The hand holding the knife had be- come twisted in his fall, turning the handle to the deck and the blade upward. In an in- stant the full length of the keen weapon was buried in his breast! A scream of rage and agony, a roll upon the deck, a convulsive movement which drew the blade from the wound, and a gush of blood that sprung from his breast like a fountain, and the limbs of the self-slain man stiffened, while a final groan came from his lips. He bad struck himself a deadly blow. Frank and Mabel drew back in horror, she clinging with the abandonment of dread to his strong form. , : ‘‘ My God!” she cried. ‘‘ Heisdead! slain by his own wicked hand!” ‘It is the band of destiny,” answered Frank. “Thank Heaven his blood is not on my head. He has pursued me with such unrelenting fero- The W ater-Hound. “i aes I would have been justified in killing im.” ** Tt is the old blood Vath of the Manleys,” she eye orie w replied. ‘‘ 1 would not, for the world, have had him die by your hand.” He wreathed his arm around her waist and drew her to bis side, realizing all the sient between love and duty to family bonds which here words implied. ‘*You are mine, Mabel,” he whispered. ‘‘ My own sweet love. Nothing stands between us now.” The look which she cast upon his face was more than answer to his words. The ‘struggle between the two crews, which had still continued, was brought to a sudden termination by this disastrous event. Olid Dirk had observed the fall of the villain, and yelled out: **Give in, you bloody blackbirds! Yer mas- ter has killed himself! Tnere he lays, as dead as a capstan bar!” The negroes, cowed by the fatal event, sullen- ly withdrew, leaving their adversaries masters of the field. At the same time there came a hail from over the waters, ; “Ahoy the yacht! What the blazes has broke loose aboard? Are you all mad?” It came from the White Wing, which had forged up during these events. Frank sprung into the rigging, and hailed back in reply: ‘“We have hada battle, but the field 4 ours. Come aboard.” ‘Jump, my lively lads, fur the Livel Emma!” cried old Dirk. ‘I ain’t goin’ fo trust myself into the hands of them police.” As the White Wing forged up on the lee quar- ter the Emma dropped off astern. In a minute more Will West, Bayt and several others. were on board, looking with eyes of surprise on the scene that met their gaze. Some rapid words of explanation, and the tragedy was made clear. ‘*The vendetta is at an end,” said Frank. ‘* His bloody designs have been fatal to bimself, It is thus that the hand of Providence defeats the schemes of the wicked,” We need not dwell at length on the after oc- currences of our story. Old Dirk put off south- ward, He was hailed to come back and he ttc be safe, but the old chap was too cau- ious, *Won’t trust you,” he cried. “If you want the Lively Emma you've got to outsail her. And I'l treat ye to another mess of ’ysters in the shell afore ye take her. So put that in yer Le and smoke it.” : he other vessels returned to Baltimore, with the slain master of the Comet, and the wounded master of the Pride. Fortunately the burt of the latter proved not serious, and Captain Mather was soon himself again. Since then several Pas have passed away, and have brought certain changes to our char- acters. Frank and Bart are as close friends as ever, but a change has taken place in the con- dition of the former. He is no longer a bach- elor, but boasts that_he has the loveliest and lovingest wife in all Baltimore. And Mabel, no longer masquerading as a naval cadet, but lovely indeed in her proper garb, is as proud of her husband as he can be of her, The malignity of the Manley family has died out with the death of the one black sheep in the flock, and the ‘fair unknown” has no longer to defend her husband from deadly assault. She is happy in the knowledge that he is hers, safe at last from all the peril of the Vendetta. THE END, THE 1 Latia Rooxu. By Thomas Moore....... Ad 10¢ 2 Don Juan. By Lord Byron .. ........... +.» 20¢ 3 Panavise Lost. By John Milton ........ eek 106 4 Tue Lapy or THE Lake. Sir Walter Scott,... 10¢ 5 Luctuzr. By Owen Meredith .. .............. 10e 6 Unvine; or, THE Warer-Sprritr, From the German of Friederich De La Motte Fouque.... 10c For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postage paid, on receipt of twelve cents for single numbers, double numbers twenty-four cents. ADAMS, VICTOR & CO., Publishers, . 98 William street N.Y. 15 BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. 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———— LIBRARY. BEADLE’S | HALY-DOWE 1 Deadwood Dick, rue Prince of THE RoaD | By Eaward L. Wheeler. 2 Yellowstone Jack, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. | 3 Kansas King. By Butfalo Bill. } 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Captain Mayne Reid and Captain Frederick Whittaker. 5 Vagabond Joe, THE Youre WANDERING JEW, | By Oll Coomes. Doulle Number, 10cts, i 6 Bill te ig Trapper. by E. 8. Ellis. 8 Jack Hoyle. By Edward L. Wheeler. 229 Crimson Kate. By Col. P. In &m. 4 The Black Schooner, Roger Starbuck. 230 The Yankee Rajah. By CU. D. Clark. 5 fa ew Wa —_— By — me ne ge Browne. , 231 Plucky Phil. By T. C. Harbaugh. > The ussar Captain, Col. P. Ingraham. | 9990 @ a . , 7 Gilt-Edged Dick, By E. L. Wheeler. | SS ONE Dae. SOM. BY) STs hetaee 8 Will Somers, THE Boy Derective. Morns, | 223 Joe Buck, of Angels, By. A W. Aiken. ¢ Mustang Sam. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 234 Old Rocky’s * Boyees.? Buckskin Sam- D 0 The Branded Hand, By Frank Dumont. | 225 «pe “at 21 Cinnamon Chip. By award L. Wheeler. | op Shadow Sam. By Charles, Morris. 22 Phil Hardy, Tz Boss Boy. By ©. Morris. | 236 Apollo Bill. By Kdward L. Wheeler. 23 Kiowa Charley. By T. C. Harbaugh. | 237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain 3 or, 24 Tippy, THE Texan. By George Gleason. 25 Bonanza Bill, Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 26 Picayune Pete, By Charles Morris. 27 Wild-Fire, Bossorrne Roap. By Dumont. 28 The Young Privateer, By H. Cavendish, 29 Deadwood Dick’s Double. By Wheeler. 30 Detective Dick. By Charles Morris. 31 The Golden Hand. By Geo. W. Browne, By T. C. Harbaugh 32 The Hi Ti aes | a1 td. 8. Ellis, Ey pig at pptets dy Blea 242 The Two ‘ Bloods’. By Charles Morris, 1 1 | 1 1 1 1 i 7 The Flying Yankee, By Col. P. Ingraham, | 1 | 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 { 133 Boss Bob. by Ed. L. Wheeler. H 13. Sure Shot Seth, By oll Coomes. 243 The Disguised Guide. By Oll Coomes, tae Captain Paul. By C, Dunning Clark. 244 Sierra Sam, By Edward L. Wheeler. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 | 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Seth Jones. By Edward 5. Ellis. Adveutures of Baron Munchausen, Nat Todd, By E. 5. Ellis. The Two Detectives. By A.W. Aiken, Gulliver’s Travel«. By Dean Swift. The Dumb Spy. By Ol! Coomes. Aladdin; or, Tar WonperrcL Lamp, The Sea-Cat. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) Ralph Roy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Sindbad the Sailor:.. His Seven Voy The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. The Double Daggers. By E. L. Wheeler. Whe Frontier Angel. By Edward 8. Ellis. The Sea Serpent. By Juan Lewis. Nick o° the Night. T. C. Harbaugh. Diamond Dirk. By Colonel P. Ingraham, The Boy Captain. By Roger Starbuck. Cloveu Hoof, By Edward L. Wheeler. Antelope Abe, THE Boy Guipz. Oll Coomes, Buffalo Ben. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Dumb Page. By Capt. F. Whittaker. Roaring Ralph Rockwood, THE REcK- Less RanGeR. By Harry St. George. Keen-Knife. By Ol! Coomes. Bob Woolf, By Edward L. Wheeler. The Ocean Bloodhound, 8. W. Pierce. Oregon Sol, By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, Wiid Ivan. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Boy Clown, By Frank §. Finn. The HMidden Lodge. By T. C. Harbaugh, Ned Wylde, THe Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. Death-Face, tHE Derectrve. By Wheeler. Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. The Phantom Miner. By E, L. Wheeler, Dick Darling. my Capt. Fred. Whittaker, Rattling Rube. By Harry 8t. George. Old Avalanche. By Edward L. Wheeler, Glass Eye. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. Nightingale Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh. Black John, THE Roap-AGENT. By r. Omaha Ol], By Edward L. Wheeler. Burt Bunker, THe Trapper. C. E. Lasalle, The Boy Rities. By Archie C. Irons. The White Buffalo. By C. E. Lasalle. Jim Bludsoe, Jr. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ned Hazel. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, Deadly-Eye. uffalo Bill Nick hiffles’ Pet. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. Deadwood Dick’s Eagles. By Wheeler. The Border King. By Oll Coomes. Old Store. By Harry St. George. n The White Indian. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. THe Mysrerious RANcuEro. By P. Ingrahai. 238 The Parson Detectiv>. By Oll Coomes. 239 The Gold-seeker Guide; or, Tue Lost Mountain. By Captain Mayne Reid. 240 Cyclone Kit, By Edward L. Wheeler. 241 Bill Bravo and His Bear Pards, ae i ‘ Night-Hawk Kit. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 37 The Helpless Hand, Capt. Mayne Reid, | 245 Merle, the Middy, By Col. P. Ingraham, 3 246 Giant George. By Buckskin Sam. 38 Blonde ill, By Edward L. Wheeler. Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. C. Harbaugh. | 247 Old Grizzly and His Pets, By Captain “ Bruin’? Adams. ae Blazes, ny Petes Dumont. Sold, fam. pe Layard © Ce a 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret. By KE. L. Wheeler. Scar-Face Saul, By ont Coomes, 249 Milo Romer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. ee THE Boy Sport. By Badger. | 250 Midshipman Mutineer. By Ingraham, 251 Light-house Lige,. By J. F. C. Adams, 252 Dick Dashaway. By Chas Morr's. Captain Ferret, By Edward L. Wheeler. Silver Star, THE Boy Kniont, By Coomes. Will Wildfire. By Charies Morris, eae ere Be Rete te Wher, 253 Sierra Sam’s Pard. By E. L, Wheeler, Lance and Lasso. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 254 The Half Blood, By Edward 8, Els. a gs OP ga fe r, Jr. ae st Apollo. By T. C. Harbaugh, RC 9 : CER; OF, 5 oung Kentuck. By Capt. Mark Wilton. Magis Beat, ram ee pen on 257 The Lost Munters, By Capt. Adams, aie, L ccpehgt gay biel B a ame hae go eka: aE By E. L. Wheeler, aT ont. T.C. 1 wugh. 5 1c Golden Harpoon, By R. Starbuck, Deadwood Bick, wf Deadwood: or, | 960 Dare-Devil Dan. By Cll Comes 261 Fergus Fearnaught, By Geo. L. Aiken. 262 The Young Sleuths. By Charles Morris. 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide, By Wheclicr. 264 The Floating Foather, By Ingraham. 265 The Tiger Tamer. By Capt. Wlittair. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide. By Ensign Werren. Mike Merry. By Charles Morris. Fancy Frank ot Colorado. Buffalo Bill 267 The Buckskin Detective... By T. ©. Harbaugh. The Lost Captain, By Whittaker. The Black Giant. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail, Dy Edward L. Wheeler. New Work Nell. By E. L. Wheeler. Will Wildfire in the Woods. Morris. 269 The Gold Ship. By Col. P. Ingraham. 270 Blizzard Ben. By Captain Mark Wilton. Little Texas, By Oll Coomes. Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By G.W. Browne, 271 The Huge Munter. By Edward 6. Ellis. 272 Minkskin Mike. By Oll Coomes. Billy Baggage. By Charles Morris. Hickory Harry. By Harry St. George. 273 Jumbo Joe. By Edward L. Wheeler. 274 Jolly Jim. By Charles Morris, Asa Scott, Tut Stramnoat Boy. By Willett, 275 Arizona Jack. By Buckskin 8am. Deadly Dash. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ternado Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. A Trump Card. _ By Charles Morris. 276 Merle Mont..s Cruise. By Incraham, 277 Denver Doll. By Edward L. Wheeler. 278 Whe Three Trappers. By Major Carsen. Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont. Thunderbolt Tom. By Harry 8t. George. 279 Old Winch, Tar Rirtz Kina. By T. Cc. Harbaugh. 3 ca BH SOSA ke WN HOS SID ie) Al wK OSes & I we OCD Au Dandy Rock’s Rival. By G.W. Browne. 4 Bob Rockett, rae Boy Doperr. By Morris, Captain Arizona, By Philip 8. Warne. Whe Boy Runaway. By Lieut. Perry. Nobby Nick of Nevada, E. L, Wheeler. Old Solitary. By Ol! Coomes, Rob Rockett, THE Bank Runner. Morris. The Sea Trailer. By Lieut. H. D. Perry. Wild Frank, By Edward L. Wheeler, Little Hurricane. By Oll Coomes, The Hidden Hand. By Chas. Morris, 84 Whe Boy Trailers. By Badger, Jr. mee Buckhorn Bill, By Edward L. Wheeler. The Shadow Ship. By Col. P. Ingraham. The Red Brotherhood, W..J. Hamilton. 64 Dandy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Hurricane Bill. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr 66 Single Hand. By W. J. Hamilton. 67 Patent-leather Joe. By Philip 8. Warne. 68 Border Robin Hood. By Buffalo Bill 69 Gold, Rifle. By Edward L. Wheeler. 70 Old Zip’s Cabin. By Capt. J. F. C, Adams, GBD A Sr Sr Or St Gi Gt St G1 Se Se hee ie she ae ade ee COCO CORO CORO OESCS «CORDON RNR DNS RM SD PAD SNH OSV DAA ON KOO SO uk Ot SOBIOAK SHH OSDAaS NH wwwoOOe HWW Waka kaEaFaEaFaeagadaF Wwe OS Hatin ol Fo eles BV enters. By Wes Hamilton, | 135 Evil Eye. By Frank Dumont, 280 Merle Montes Fate, By Col. Ingraham. 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck, By Wheeler. a pay § wiateaea. BY ies Morin 281 Denver Dolls Victory. By Wheeler. z4 Hawk-ere Harry. Be Lge i 9 ae 88 Ned Temple, THE Borper Boy. Harbaugh. | 282 The Typo Detective. By Edward Wilets 716 Abe Colt, Ro Crow Kien. B 7% Aiken, | 182 Bob Rockett, raz Cractsuan, By Morris, | 283 Indian Joe. By Major L. W. Carson. 77 Corduroy Charlie. By E. L. Wheeler. 2 ea al o Billy, 54 yn EO. g.a, | 284 The Sea Marauder. By. Col Ingraham, BO eee oe aren By AW. Aiken, | 192 Captain Kit. By Lieut, H. D. Perry, U.S.N, | 285 Denver Dolls Decoy. By E. L. Whecler, 80 oy "bud Hob B award L> Wheeler 193 Captain Mask, By Philip 8. Warne, 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot; or, Tre 81 Lightning 0. By Captain J. F.C, Adams, | 19+ Buffalo Bill’s Bet. By Captain Taylor. Witp Men or Buazarp Bar. By Mark Wilton. 82 Kit Hareteot. eT C. Harbaugh. $05 peGwoes aera Meriter Wheeler. | 97 Billy Blue-Eyes.. By Col. P. Ingraham. a wn ine isl Wain B Brg A ssa tang 197 Little Grit, r= Wimp River. By ingraham, | 288 The Scalp King. By Capt. J. F.C. A‘ams. Ri Buck Buckram. £ Capt. J F.C. Adams. 198 Arkansaw. By T.C. Harbaugh. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job. By Charles Morris, 8(, Dandy Rock. By G. Waldo Browne, 3oo ee antian. Eawarrietaker, 290 Little Foxfire. By Oll Coomes. S34 Photograph Phil. by dae eres Black Hills Fezebel. By Wheeler. x : fae “fee =o igh sarin) . . ler. 202 P ect Pete. soomes. ancho Pedro, THE y Banprr, Dy 89 Salnwe Jim. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 203 The soy Pards. Y By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Major F. L. St. Vrain, 90 Yhe Dread Rider. a G. Waldo Browne, 91 The Captain of the Club; or, THe Youna RrvaL ATuueTes, By Bracebridge Hemyng. 92 (unada Ciret. By Edward L. Wheeler. 93 The Boy Miners. By Edward 5. Ellis, 94 Midnight Jack. By T. C. Harbangh. 95 ‘The Rival Rovers. Lieut. Col. Hazeltine. 96 Watch-Eye, THE Spow. By E. L. Wheeler. 97 The Outlaw Brothers, By J. J. Marshall. 98 Robin Hood. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 99 The Tiger of Taos, By G. Waldo Browne, 100 Deadwood Dick in Lexdville; or, A STRANGE STROKE FOR LisERTY. By Wheeler. 101 Jack Harkaway in New York. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 102 Dick Dead-Eye. By Col. In am. 103 The Lion of the Sea. By Col. Delle Sara. 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device. By Wheeler. 105 Old Rube, THe Hunter. ore H. Holmes. 10@ Old Frosty, THE Gouine. By T. C. Harbaugh. TOY One-Kyed Sim. By James L. Bowen. 10. Daring Davy. By Harry St. George. 10) Deadwood ck as Detective. By \wdward L. Wheeler. 1°49 Whe Black Steed of the Prairies. A Th pea Bind Texan Adventure. By Bowen. 11 The a-Devil. By Ingraham, ] 112 The Mad Hunter, Saxe. 4 Gold Plume, tH Boy Banvrr. Ingraham. | 99g weed Claw, tHe One-Evep Trapper. Py Captain Comstock. 294 Dynamite Dan. By T. C. Harbaugh. 295 Fearless Phil; or, Toe Kina or Quartz VILLE, By Edwar Willett, 296 Denver Doll’s Drift. By EK. L. Wheeler, 297 _ Tarantula of Taos. By Buckskin m. 298 The Woter-Hound}; or, Tar Youre THOROUGBRED. By Charles Mo 299 A No.1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. By Edward L. Wheeler. 800-The 8k Demon} or, Rarmsort, roe Ranaer. By Ol Coomes. 801 Leadville Nick, tae Boy Sport, By Maj. E L. St. Vrain. 302 The Mountain Detective. By T.C. Harbaugh. A ner" desue every week. ‘ The Half-Dime Library is for sale by aff Newsdealers, five vents per copy or sent by mail om receipt of six cents each. BRADLE & ADAMS, 20 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom, By Wheeler 206 Dark Paul, THE Ticrr Kina. By C. Morris 207 Navajo Nick. »ByT.C. Harbaugh. 208 The Boy Hercules. By Oll Coomes. 209 Fritz, THE Bounn-Boy DErEcTIvVE. Wheeler. 10 Faro Frank of High Pine. By ees 11 Crooked Cale. mtd FE. Badger, Jr. 12 Dashing Dave. By Charlies ‘orris. 13 Fritz to the Front. By E. L, Wheeler. 14 Wolfgang, THE Rosarr oF THE ReINE. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 15 Captain Bullet, By T.C. Harbaugh. 16 Risen Bill. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 17 Captain Crack-Shot. By FE. L. Wheeler. 18 Tiger Tom, THE TEXAN TERROR. Coomes. 19 Despard, the Duelist. By P. S. Warne, 20 Tom Tanner. By Charles Morris. 21 Sugar Coated Sam. By E. L. Wheeler, 22 Grit, the Bravo Sport. 4 Ingraham, 23 Ozark Alf, Kiya or THe Mountary, By Edward Willett. 24 Dashing Dick. By Oll Coomes. 25 Sam Charcoal. By Charles Morris. 26 Snoozer, ene Boy SHArp. By E. L. Wheeler. 27 Dusky Darrell, Trapper. By E. Emerson, 2 8 Little Wildfire, By Ol' Coomes. Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.