Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 328) (1883 11 06)
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e/ (pa 0 | a alin © Re ea! Pee. SaaS : Notice = La iy Dim me eo a YZ x a re x ~~ ; = " MUN vals ae DUR? C0 > fs) ~*~ Mkt FS tat HN er er (i i i i il a TL FUL i lime. (TIN $2.50 a year. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyright, 1883, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, November 6, 1883, 4 es ro ; ~ ! K \ : atk - | — = 4 SR MNT, NAW Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS Price, Vol. XITT. amber. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. . 5 Cents. No. 328. = es eee te xi Lana te SSS ‘ ¥ aes Ye | Rae an =i=== BC Bay Biss= ‘| | — Th a i Se > ~ SS SNS ye SS Sey JACK HATS AND HIS MEN, SEEING THEIR VICTIM THUS ESCAPING, RODE FORWARD AT A FURIOUS SPEED, FIRING AS THEY RAN. M
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—_———.._ Th Sky Detectives; A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor, 4 BY MAJOR MICKEY FREE. CHAPTER I. aN THE ACCUSATION. Tre “ Digger# Delight,” the largest, flashiest saloon in the mining town of Golden Gulch, ‘was crowded with miners and gamblers whena man walked in and shouted: “ There’s a thief in camp!” No more startling announcement than this could have been made. Had the man announced the killing of some- body, he would not have made much of a scene. Deaths were common, but thefts were very ware. A murderer might easily escape the con- sequences of his deed, alleging a quarrel, or self- detense, but a thief detected was sure of being strung up. Therefore, the miners at once start- ed up, left the bar and their games of cards, and crowded around the man who had mad the startling statement. The machinery in the principal mine of Gold- en Gulch was being repaired, and the large force of miners were having a holiday, ‘* What's the matter, Simpson?” ‘¢ Who's the thief?” ** What bave you lost?” ‘* Have you caught him?’ Simpson held up bis hand to onjoin silence. ‘Tet me tell you,” hesaid. “I’d got a nicg fot o’ nuggets and dust, and a week ago I sol tem to one of the men at Wells, Fargo & Co’s. I ot the cash fur the stuff, five hundred dollars in gold, and that same amount, in a canvas bag, has been took from my cabin this mornin’,” ~ The intelligence was received with very gloomy countenances by the men about the speaker, A thief was much dreaded. They had no banks and no detectives. They were thus forced to depend upon the mutual honesty of the dwellers in the camp for the security of their hard-earned savings. ‘* Who do yer suspect?” was the cry. Simpson was silent. There was a movement in the crowd, and a4 tall man, who seemed 'to be about thirty years of age, pushed his way to the fronb. Sees (oe he said, ‘you know me, I’m Dick Crowell, and I’m the man that shares Simpson’s cabin. Naturally I’m the man to be suspected, Now, here is what I’ve got to say: * A hundred to one that money is still in the town, stowed away in some snug corner of a cabin. I’m going to search the town and try to find that money. It must have been taken by a neighbor who saw Sim hiding it away, and a hundred to one we'll find it in the house of aneighbor. Who'll help me in this search?” “T will.” ‘* And J.” ‘¢ Let’s all help,” suggested somebody, and the ery was taken wpe ‘Yes; let’s all go.” ; With Dick Crowell and — at their head, the aroused miners left the ‘‘ Diggers’ Delight.” -To their way of thinking, theft was the worst crime in the calendar, and tho one meriting the o- _ quickest punishment. ‘Where shall we begin?” asked Simpson, ‘*Next to your own shanty,” returned Dick Crowell. «We'll visit all your neighbors the first thing.” “Here we are, then,” said one, pausing be- fore the door of an humble cottage. ‘‘ Let’s rap at the door.” ‘Hold on!” cried a miner. “ Why?’ demanded Crowell, Because there’s only Ben Bradley and his cister there.” ‘* What of it? The boy’s no better than any- ¥ body else, and as I’m going to search every— At that moment the door was flung open and Ben Bradley appeared. He was seventeen, and tall, broad-shouldered, and strong as most of the men who stood at his door, Behind him in the doorway stood his sister, Annie, a most charming girl of sixteen. Ben looked astonished when he saw the crowd of men at his door, and his wonder was turned to alarm when he noted their stern looks. With the promptness acquired by life in the mines, Ben drew his revolver and cocked it. ‘* What are you doing here with such black fooks?” he demanded. ‘*Well, yer see,” spoke up Simpson, “Pye lost a bag of money.” The Sky Detectives. ‘Curse your tongue!” cried the hot-blooded boy. ‘'Do you dare accuse me ?” and he drew : og upon Simpson, his eyes flashing wrath- ully. 2 ‘Hold on, Ben; don’t do nothing yer might be sorry for,” interposed Jim Ballston, a miner, who was a warm friend to the boy and his sis- ter. ‘‘ Yer see, a bag o’ money has been stolen, and we’re going to search everybody’s cabin, to see if we can get hold of it, and square Dick Crowell’s character, seein’ as how he thinks that ’spiciou points to him,” : ** All right, then; go ahead,” assented the boy. ‘‘Pm suré I can stand all the searching. Only be careful not to break anything, and remember that a lady is present.” : Ben was regarded as powerful, quick as a cat, and as good a shot as there was in the mines, so all hands paid respectful attention to his admo- nition. Half a dozen of them entered the cabin, and began searching in all likely and unlikely places for the stolen treasure, Meanwhile the balance of the curious lot of men stood around, waiting for the result of the search. A yell from one of the men made them all crowd into the doorway. The man who had uttered the cry was bend- ing over the fireplace. He had removed three loose bricks, and was now holding up a bag made of canvas! ‘*TIs this it?” he asked. : “Yes,” shrieked Simpson, swooping down up- on the prize like a hawk, and snatching it from the finder’s hands. ‘‘I kin swear to it!” A hoarse. growl, an ominous murmur arose from the miners. . “The thief!” **The sly dog!” “We're none of us safe, now.” “We will be, though,” cried another, ‘for we'll hang him!” ’ A murmur of approbation went up from the majority. hey made a united movement toward Ben, who sprung back and placed his shoulders against the rear wall of the cabin. In an instant a revolver gleamed in either hand, and the boy’s resolute tones rung through ‘the cabin like the notes of a bugle-blast: ‘*Stand back! Iam as innocent of theft as any of you. I know a, whatever of this charge! There is-some devilish trick in this, or that bag could never have been where it was, I am innocent, and you shall not hold me re- Paris ble ai fixed stern] hi is taatan ¢ es were fixed sternly upon his accusers, ens. armed in so deadly a manner, were half raised, ready to deal out death if ree a hero was assailed. , ‘There ain’t no plan nor trick about this,” cried Simpson, ‘‘Now that J] come to think of it, yer’ve been hanging about my shanty ever since I sold the nuggets and dust.’ Again that hoarse, angry murmur went up. “T's a lie!” savagely cried Ben. “I have not been near your shanty.” . “String the you whelp up, and so protect your property,” said Crowell. That was the great appeal to make to men when confronted with a person who seemed con- victed of theft. ** Yes, string him up!” “+ All Ln aed ” ‘Upon him!” “Stand back!” cried Ben. life dearly!” But they kept on their way, Crack! crack! rung out the sharp reports of “T will sell my the revolvers, and two of his assailants went down. Again the weapons pealed forth and two more were wounded. . But, of course, the boy could not bold his own against such odds as were opposed to him, A dozen strong hands seized him and bore him down to the floor, where his weapons wore rudely torn from his clinging grasp. Unobserved by the others, Annie stole out of the cabin, her beautiful eyes blazing like twin stars. , “Away with him!” said Crowell, who had made himself leader, ‘‘away with the thief to the valley and hang him to the big trees,” The bound and gagged boy—for some cruel hand had gagged him by forcing a large cork into his mouth—was hurried away. “Get a horse and a rope,” suggested some- AN right,” was the cry, and half a dozen started off for the required things. ‘‘ We'll be there lively.” : Ben was rushed out of town to the valley that ‘and bordered it, and brought to a halt under a clus- ter.of trees. . Here the few hangings that bad fallen to the lot of Golden Gulch in the few years of its ex- istence had taken place. A tall tree was the favored gallows, and un- der this the party halted. * Up with the young thief!” was the ery, “ Let him talk if he wants,” suggested one of the more bumane. ‘Yes, you thief, confess your guilt before you die,” But r Ben couldn’t speak because of the gag in his. mouth. : ** He’s obstinate,” ‘Yes, he’s bardened.” , ene him up and let’s be done with the ob! They had to wait but a short time for the horse and the rope they needed. The line was brought, the noose was made and slipped over the head of the doomed boy. Then be was placed on the horse, the animal situated directly beneath the lowest overhavging branch, The noose was drawn quite tight, and the slack end was made fast to the trunk of the tree. When the,horse moved away from the tree Ben Bradley would be left in the air suspended by his neck! “ All ready?” asked Dick Crowell, who held a whip in bis hand. “Yes; all ready!” ‘‘Then here goes!” Crowell was about to raise the whip and strike the horse when something fell from the tree and alighted fairly on the haunches of the animal. ; At once a lightning-like change took place in the lawless scene. CHAPTER II. DOUBLY RESCUED! Ir was Annie Bradley who had dropped from the tree. The shrewd girl bad left the cabin in advance of the mob, and knowing where the hangings all took Gass had secreted herself amid the very ample foliage of the tree. She bad dropped first from an upper branch to the one over which the rope had been thrown, When she dropped down from the lower branch she had the rope grasped in her left hand. In her right hand ne a long, sharp knife, and ere her feet fairly struck the back of the horse, she had cut the line with one swift sweep of the shining blade, When her feet struck the horse she did not try to cling to the animal, but dropped in safety to the ground, while the steed, in great alarm, bounded away at his top speed, bearing Ben with him. The boy’s hands were bound, and he was not able to speak, but that did not prevent him from keeping a firm seat upon the back of the frightened brute, who tore over the plain as only fright could bave made him do, Tbe whole affair had been such an utter sur- prise to the bystanders, and had been 80 quickly executed, that for a minute not one of them moved or spoke. They could scarcely realize that both horse prisoner were gone, leaving behind only the nea'ly cut rope to show that a hanging had been interrupted by the courageous act of tho beautiful girl who now stood watching her loved brother’s escape. f But when the first shock of surprise was over, a storm of curses were leveled at the girl and any number of orders were shouted forth: “Stop him!” “ After him!” ** Shoot him down!” But it was neither very easy to shoot him down nor to stop him, and as for going after him on foot, that seemed to hold out but a slim possibility of recapture. ; At that moment, when the fugitive on horse- back bade fair to leave enemies on foot, far in the rear, the thundering tramp of many hoofs was heard, and ascore of mounted men, all resolute-looking fellows, came into view. A shout went up from a dozen or more throats: *‘ That’s Jack Hays!” And, indeed, the short, strongly-built man who rode at the head of the troop, was the celebrated sheriff, one of the pluckiest men who ever kept order among the mines, 4man whose deeds of daring and cool courage in the dis- charge of his duty is still warmly spoken of by the pioneers, The little sheriff dashed upto the gallows-tree, and drew rein. te t @
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“we ‘Ts that man a prisoner?” he asked pointing after Ben, who was fast receding in the dis- tance. ‘‘Ho was,” said somebody. ‘Stole a bag of money. After bim!” -“T will. Follow!” The last words were addressed to his men, and away dashed the sheriff and his posse, The horse on which Ben was mounted was a very ordinary sort of a nag, and the sheriff and his men were supplied with the best of stock; hence they naturally — rapidly upon the inferior nag, and soon lessened the distance be- tween them and the object of their pursuit. “Langley,” said Hays to one of his expert marksmen; “shoot that horse!” Langley produced an immense revolver that carried a bullet large enough for a gun, took a careful aim, and fired, He succeeded, for the fugitive steed fell to the plain, his rider rolling off without injury. In a moment Ben was on his feet, and run- ning for dear life; but, how could he hope to escape the mounted men? These latter, now assured of their prey, set up a loud shout. ‘* My God,” panted the boy, as be dashed on, “tam | to be killed by these roughs fora crime I know nothing of? Is this the justice of Heaven that—” He had involuntarily cast his eyes aloft, and the sight that met his eye stopped the impious words on his lips, : a A large balloon, a monster ship of the air, was descending swiftly toward the earth and seemed to be about to strike the plain a few ow yards in advance of the bewildered en, In the ample car of the balloon stood two pens a boy of about Ben Bradley’s age, and a ig Irishman with a head of fiery red hair. he young balloonist had bis hand-on the valve balyard, while the big man from tue Emerald Isle had ‘a coil of cord in bis hands, and as Ben looked up the Irishman uttered a loud shout and threw down the slender strand. It was made of silk, a mere string it looked, but it would easily bear the weight of a heavy man, At the lower end was a noose or loop, large enough to encircle a barrel of ordinary size, This noose just swept the ground as it hung pendent from the hands of the Irishman. . The balloon, under the skillful hand of the boy in the car, was held almost at a standstill. Reali that this movement meant attempt- ed rescue, Ben’s hopes revived and he dashed on toward the hanging cord of silk. At the same moment his pursuers caught sight of the balloon, and the majority of them drew rein in utter astonishment, Ben’s hands were tied, but he thrust his head through the noose, allowed it to fall nearly to his waist, and then ran backward. This tightened the slip-knot, and brought him in full view of the man and boy in the car. The next instant he was pulled from the ground. The Irishman was drawing him up to the car. Jack Hayes and his men, seeing their victim thus escaping, rode forward at furious speed, firing as they ran with revolver and rifle, But the young aeronaut, with a single move- ment of his hand, sent the big air-ship flying swiftly upward until, catching in a westerly current, it dashed away with more than race- horse 4 With a hand-over-hand movement the power- ful Irishmen drew Ben up to the side of the car, the youthful aeronaut hanging far out on the other side in order to maintain some degree of balance. It was a queer journey for Ben, and created strange sensations in his mind; and he was heartily glad when a big hand clutched bim and drew him into the car. ‘There ye are, and it’s a solid lump of a gos- soon ye are, too,” averred the athletic Irishman, as he dropped the rescued lad on the floor of the car and took off the noose, ‘‘Be Heavens, ye weigh more nor sixteen ounces to the pound, Tm thinking.” The balloonist came forward, and with a keen knife severed the cords that bound Ben’s wrists. Then Ben plucked the gag from his mouth, sat upright, and looked gratefully at his deliv- erers, Ben, as the Irishman had said, was a solid Hes and was indeed heavily and strongly ult ’ But the young balloonist was of such an un- usually fine b that Ben could hardly repress The Sky Detectives. 8 bis admiration, The lad was apparently about eighteen, tall, light in weight, with a swelling chest that denoted ample wind, and his arms, which were bare, seemed covéred with muscles that glided up and down under the smooth skin with every movement. His sleeveless shirt was open at the throat, and exposed a chest supplied with a regular net- work of muscles. Altogether the young fellow presented the appearance of a slender bit won- derfully strong athlete, with the muscles of a gladiator, and the wind of a champion run- ner. The bright blue eyes of the young air-traveler frankly met the admiring gaze of the boy he had rescued. ‘* Who are you?” asked the aeronaut, ** Ben Bradley.” P ** And what are you?” ‘A miner. I live in the mining-town of Golden Gulch with my sister. Our parents are dead. Some enemy of mine put up a job on me, and had me arrested for theft. I was escaping from a mob of lynchers when you came to my rescue,” ‘** And you swear that you are innocent of the charge?” searchingly inquired the balloonist. ‘« As innocent as you are.” “‘T believe you,” warmly said the other. \ Here is my hand. My name is Harley Wil- ] s,”? : Their hands met in a friendly grasp, and thus began a warm bond of mutual attach- ment, ‘‘Permit Denny Malone to introjuce himself,” said the jovial Irishman. “I owe my life to both of you,” gratefully said Ben, and shook the big Irishman heartily by the hand. Then turning to the boy, be asked: “Is this balloon yours?” ‘« Yes,” proudly answered Harley; ‘‘ my own property. I am the son of a wealthy New Yorker, who permits me to dojust as I please. My taste runs in science, and I have devoted the past three years to study and experiment. I had this balloon constructed. after a long and careful study of the science of air navigation, and now I can roam thousands of miles at will, over land and sea, without a dollar for travel- ing expenses, and asking nobody’s leave to come or go when and where I will. It’s a grand life! I can travel bundreds of miles in a day!” Ben’s ee sparkled, The words of the young aeronat thrilled him, ‘“‘ But you encounter storms?” | J “[ rise above them, and sail along in the bright sunlight while the storm rages and _ rains below.” “But your supply of gas cannot last long,” ersisted Ben, who had read some facts on bal- ooning. ‘* You soon lose it by descending sev- eral times.” “I don’t loge any,” answered Willis, “B the aid of a small battery and various chemi- cals | expand or contract the gas in the bag at & moment’s notice, Thus I can ascend or de- scend without losing any of the original sup- ply. The invention is a nch one,” ‘But where are you taking me now?” asked Ben Bradley, ‘* Nowhere in particular.” ‘Will you take me back to Golden Gulch?” “Certainly. All places are alike to Deony and me. By the way, when I caught the first view of you, you were mounted on horseback, and the animal was shot down by one of your ursuers.” “Tl explain,” said Ben, ‘ They placed me on the horse with the noose of a rope about my neck, intending to whip the horse from under me and leave me high in the air.” ‘‘Oh, you were nearer death than I thought. How did you escape them?? ‘“My brave sister Annie, sixteen years old, rescued me,” said Ben, and then told how hero- ically the girl had executed the daring deed. Harley Willis’s eyes flashed fire at the mere narration. ‘‘T want to see that girl,” he said, his face flushed with admiration of this unknown hero- ine. ‘Denny, send her along toward Golden Gulch as soon as you can find a current.” . “T will, sor,” said Denny, who assisted in handling the balloon. ‘‘ Be Heavens! and it’s mieneit that wants to see this brave colleen, so I 0. ‘* What are you going fo do when you get to ked 1 Golden Gulch?’ as ey. ‘Try to see my sister; aad aos her to remain where she is until I can clear up this blot on my honor, or else establish a home elsewhere,” an- swered Ben. ‘‘ To tell you the truth, Ive lately found a bonanza.” .| Ben. * A bonanza?” ‘¢ Yes, the richest kind of a to get atand work. I think that knows anything about it,” ‘* What sort of a mine is it?” ‘‘A stream that runs through a narrow canyon of rock, The bed of the stream is one mass of gold-dust, the deposit of thousands of ears. If I can reach it, and get it away, then shall be rich enough to hunt down the cruel wretch who murdered my father and mother, and also the cowardly brute who tried to have me be are to-day.” ‘“‘ This gold-bedded stream is at the bottom of a rock pass?” said Harley, “ Yes,” ‘* How wide is the pass?” * About sixty feet.” , “Then the Sky Traveler—that’s the name of the balloon—could easily descend between the cliffs, anchor. at the side of the stream, and Onite away a load of pure gold-dust.” ‘Why not?” cried hig eyes spepping 8s the ne ane pol pe exactly the thing. But how much gold could you carry away?” “In addition to the passengers up to the number of five, and my ordinary amount of stores, I could carry at.. least five hundred pounds of gold, That would make half a dozen persons in ependent] wealthy for life,” ** And you'll do it?” asked, Ben,, “You bet!” answered Harley’ Willis, , “I have no objection to getting rich”... _ ‘« Be heavens, and it’s meself that don’t despise gould,” said Denny Malone, . “* bey I drink’and dance wid the best in the land.wbin I'm rich, lll marry Biddy Maguire, and have fonrkggn small childers, and. a horse, and. dogs, and— , . ‘All right, Denny,” laughin interrupted the young ont 1) a all thege things in your mind; but me baven’t got our hands on the gold yet, Don’t count, your cbickens before they’re hatched.” . , , Then Harley Willis turned to Bens: , ‘‘ You don’t look like a native of, these parts. I should say that you came from somewhere in the North, I dare say, you haye a histor ft * ‘‘And you are right,” returned Ben, ‘* Would you like to hear the story of my life?’ ‘* Indeed, I would,” was the answer, ‘‘ While re pre Daming along nothing would please me Tr. " ‘My history is a brief, but bitter one,” began ‘Like yourself, 1 am a New Yor and grew up to the age of thirteen in the heart of the great city. “My father, Mark Bradley, was a man of considerable means, He had an excellent busi- ness when I was a little boy; but, somehow, before [ was. ten years of age he suddenly became poor, My sister and I id not know the reason of his sudden fall, and as we were little children, we were kept ignorant of the cause, ‘‘I can remember that my father was in two or three different businesses after he lost his fine store, but that we still mODe, Pent we luck, evidently, was against bim, hingS"went on until I was near y fourteen years old. “Then father determined to emi mines, intending to. start a store, e came on the railroads as far as they went, and then joined a wagon-train. We were four in number my father, my mother, my sister Annie, a me; Fatber was hopeful, and we were all very happy. together, : ‘We had gone some distance on our wagon- route, and one evening were going into camp at a small grove, wren Sim Tree, our guide, his suspicions aroused by the queer actions of his horse. The animal threw up its head, snuffed the air in a peculiar manner, and then neighed. ‘«*Jumpin’ snakes!’ said Tree, who was a rienced guide, ‘thar hain’t been no sign of Injuns about—yes, by crikey, thar is some around yere. Attention! Every man rip his gun. Form a circle of the wagons. ‘omen and children flat down in the middle. Lively! , ‘We all sprung to obey his orders, and in very short order the circle was formed, the frightened women and. children Jying: Hab on the grass, and the men, pale but determined, standing erect bebind the cade, their load- ed weapons in their bands. ; ‘I was only a boy, but I ir on being allowed to fight, and a Joaded revolver was placed in my hands, . ‘*Sim Tree was looking out over the plain in e, but difficult m the only one very ex all directions, while we stood there in silence, - hoping the alarm might prove a false one, Suddenly the old guide threw up his rifle, wook a quick aim, and fired, At the same instant a tall, painted Indian leaped up from the tal » to the
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grass a hundred yards away, and then fell dead upon the plain, “That shot, and the death of the Indian, was: a signal for the attack. A moment later our foes sprung up on all sides, and rushed toward The Sky Detectivos. | treacherous fellow was sitting. ** Johnson.” ; “ Yes.” ‘*We missed on the boy, just through that the wagons, yelling and screaming. I could see | cursed balloon, and we mustn’t take any chances that they outnumbered our party, and so could | with the girl.” de “T can get her to the right spot without any £4 They’re two to one! he yelled. ‘Let | trouble,” said Johnson. every blow tell. Use pistols, knives, and * Sure?” clubbed guns after you fire. All together now. “Yes, sure. TPll wager she'll be at the old Fire!’ spot within half an hour from now if you want “Then we poured'a volley into them as they | her.” came on, and with good effect, but we did not “You can just bet that I do,” said Dick succeed in stopping them. In an instant they | Crowell, his eyes sparkling. ‘I don’t think were ing to break through the irregular | we'll be troubled with that boy around bere an barricade, and the fight became band to hand. | more; and if we get the girl away clean I shall consider it a pretty decent job after all. Where is she?” ‘ — followed her to the cabin, and saw her go in “Three differént Indians tried to cut me down, and each time I dropped my opponent with a bullet from my revolver. On all sides che scene now defied description, and blood was flowing like water. I turned to look after my mother and sister, “Twas jist in time to see a murderous fellow rush upon a4 mother, seize her by the hair, raise a_long knife on high, and stab her to the heart! 1 raised my revolver to shoot him down, when 7 was knocked over by a chance blow, some flying object hitting me on the bead. Before | fell, however, I had taken note of the fact, that under the red war-paint on the cheeks of the murderer, patches of white skin were v’tible, and I realized in a moment that be was 7 white man in disgtiise! “When I got 4 sp my feet again, I looked {bout for him, but in vain, T ran to my mother jut, alas! she was dead. Mad with rage and grief I clutched my pistol firmly, and darted in and out among the combatants, looking for the ‘murderer of mother. It ee that he m turn, was looking for my father, and when 1 ‘aught sight of him he was just crossing blades ‘ith my parent. I shall never forget my fath- r’s words, the last I ever heard him utter, *** Monster,’ he cried, ‘I know you! Unnatu- tal demon, you are false to your own blood, and if this good knite—’ “T heard no more. An Indian attacked me, AsI shot my assailant in the neck, I saw m father falling under the knife of my mother’s murderer. The right sleeve of the renegade had been ripped open, and on his white arm. lainly marked on the skin, I saw a black cross! y that mark, should I ever meet him, I shall be able to identify the slayer of my joe ‘It is needless to annoy you with the further details of that battle which made Annie and me orphans. The emigrants triumphed at length, and the Indians were driven off with great loss, The whites had many killed and wounde?, and the Indians left a score of dead upon the field. '“T found my sister bidden in one of the wag- ons, and together we helped to bury our parents in one grave. The next day the train went on its way, and T possessed my father’s little store of goods. When we got to Golden Gulch Annie and I left the train, and as I was too young for business, I sold off thé goods and bougit a little house to live in. “Here we bava been living for three years, Annie keeping house for me while I’ve been making a living for both, working in the mines. As T told you, I had found a bonanza, and prosperity seemed to be within reach, when suddenly this romped up charge of theft was made against me. I want to go back there and clear my name, and then, with wealth to aid me, I'l] search for the murderer of my parents, and if I find him—” * Danger!” cnet broke in Harley, seizing a loaded rifle. “ ahead |” “Then carry out your plan, whatever it is. and I’)! be waiting for you. Go out first and [ll leave in a minute or two. It’s just as well not to attract attention if it can be avoided.” Away went Johnson, and in a short time thereafter Dick Crowell also left the smoky set- mosphere of the Diggers! Delight. Pretty Annie Bradley, feeling quite bappy at her brother’s escape from hanging, was bustling about ber cabin-home, and wondering when she would see Ben again, when there came a light rap at the door. nnie was far from being timid or nervous as oy gute are. Her dence in the camp had her’as plucky and self-reliantas any girlin the West. Without hesitation she at once opened the door. The man who stood there was a stranger to er. mK looked cautiously around before he opened s * fire you Annie Bradley?” be asked in a low mn tone. a as am Anpie Reade * your head down. I don’t want any- body to hear me, The balloon has come down, miss.” Annie’s eyes sn ‘¢ Where is “ere **Outside the town about halfa mile from here. I’ve got'a cabin there.” * And he’s safe?” eagerly asked Annie, “'Yes’m, and be wants you to come to him because he’s afraid to come to you,” said the man. “Put on your hat and J’) take you there.” ‘Ob, thank you, thank you!” gratefully said the girl. “You néeedn’t thank me,” said the other, “I am paid for my work.” And had Annie been the least bit on her uard she would have detected ‘the evil sneer in is tones. On went her hat, and out of the house she — fcllowing a sbort distance behind her e. ; 3 er nverybodg: was at the Diggers’ Delight, talk- ing over the news, and there was not a soul to note the nt departure. A brisk walk of*ten minutes brought the guide, who was 2 -ajeamengn Johnson, to a clamp of trees. te ‘*Right in “here,” said Jobnson, and Annie strode in among the trees, ‘* Why, the t n isn’t bere!” she said, ‘* Did they say—” gn) ‘They said they would be right here,” said a ‘voice in her ear, ‘‘ and here they are, my pretty darling.” AKIN And as the words were in the embrace of Dick ken she was caught rowell, who laughed : Tobe dee: ‘from th ty red lips, and ** One rom those pretty r , aD iene aul, then away we go,” said Crowell, and tried to CHO WER S LITTLE PLAN, press bis | agains* hers. FitLep with ‘astonishment, and unable to| Taken completely by surprise, Annie was al- most incapable of resistance at first, but when she saw the lips of the scheming rascal ap- proaching hers, she twisted about in a violent manyer, and succeeded in escaping from Dick’s em 6 : erband her, Johnson!” cried Crowell. ‘Tie talk of anything else but the wonderful double rescue, the lynchers returned to the town and thronged the Diggers’ Delight again, the one aera occurrence the theme of every e. ** He'd never got away from the sheriff only for the balloon. “Sure not; and now you bet we'll never see him again.” So the talk went on, with whisky and tobacco to fill up the spaces, Dick Crowell was there, gnawing moodily at his mustache, and evidently much out of tem- per. He was glaring around when he caught sight of a short, thick-set man, whose sna #yes never met anybody’s gaze in an honest manner. her hand and foot, and away with her!” nson made a forward movement to obey i order. * Stop!” Bp: ‘Clear as a bugle note rung out the order, reso- ite, imperative. or And when Johnson saw that the girl had awn a short, broad-bladed knife from.a secret pocket, he considerately did halt. be ‘*T warn you not to approach me,” said the girl. ‘I was taught by a Spaniard how to Crowell crossed the room to where this very throw the knife. I never miss my aim. I? oo come one step nearer you'll get this knife n your body.” nfident in ber skill, the border heroine stood coolly on guard, Dick Crowell’s taunting laugh rung out in loud, sneering tones; ‘* Afraid of a girl, Johnson!” he said. The brute seemed stung to madness by the taunt. He leaped forward, The broad-bladed knife lay in Annie’s right palm, point reversed. With a lightning like half sweep of her arm, Annie threw the knife. Like a blue streak it went through the air, and lodged in the breast of the brutal and fool- hardy Johnson! Down he went on the greensward, the blood staining the grass. ‘*Curse you!” cried Crowell, bis face ablaze with passion; ‘‘ 11] teach you, you young she devil!” And he darted forward to graep Annie, be- ering her to be defenseless, but he was brought up short by another ringing order: ‘‘ Halt! for your life!” And then he beheld, to bis intense chagrin, a small, well-made revolver shining in the girl’s extended right hand. “ You would not dare shoot!” muttered the villain. “‘T’'d shoot you quicker than I would a dog,” was the cool reply. The rascal stood undecided, and the brave girl settled the matter for him. ‘Dick Crowell,” shesaid, ‘‘ you are the man who pestered me with your attentions until I told you I hated you. Then you plotted my brother into trouble, and very nearly su 1- ed in hanging him. If you are taking all tbis trouble on my account I can tell yu that you are wasting your time, for you'll never do as you please with me you cowardly villain! “Pm only a sixteen-year-old-girl, Crowell, but I’ve got just such accomplishments as a girl should have wbo lives in a camp of miners. My skill with the knife you have seen, and to show you that lam not less expert with the revol- ver, Pll give you a sample with powder and ball. This will not hurt you, but it will serve to remind you of this day for some time to come, ) Almost before she ceased speaking the little beauty raised her revolver slightly, and with a remarkably rapid. aim, pulled the trigger. Simultaneously with the report of the pistol, Dick Crowell’s bat was thrown from his head by the flying bullet. The beauty of Golden Gulch smiled, while the astonished rascal nervously felt of the top of his head presumably to see if it had not been removed. “You see that you can’t get the best of me, so you'd better tackle some other girl,” advised Annie Bradley. ‘*Now you attempt to follow me, and my next bullet shall split your coward- h ” ] , maid the baffled villain was forced to let her depart, with the taunting advice: “Packle some other girl, Dick—tackle some other girl.” CHAPTER IV. FIGHTING IN THE CLOUDS! THE cry of ‘‘danger” that pealed from the lips of Harley Willis cause Ben Bradley to look up in alarm, Three lobge eagles, with broad wings, long, wicked beaks, and cruel-looking claws, were sweeping down upon the balloon, uttering harsh screams that seemed to be inspired by anger. be immense birds approached to within a certain distance of the Sky Traveler, and then wheeled about, still uttering their angry shrieks, ‘Are they dangerous?” asked Ben, as he picked up a rifle from the socket in which it “Yes, On the solid earth they would not annoy us; bere, however, they seem to look upon the Sky Traveler as an intruder, and I am eunatansele n fear that they’ll tackle the bak oon. - “Could they injure it” . “Why, witb their sharp claws, and their im- menediy aerone beaks, they could make ribbons of the Sky Traveler.” vou down we'd go?” ‘Yes, and probably never know where we landed. Oh, here they come again, the scream- ing: Poe birds seemed angry, and yet loth to at tack the balloon. 7
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The Sky Detectives, 5 7 — Shrieking out their hoarse cries, the big kings of the air rushed hither and thither, keeping the voyagers in constant alarm. ‘** Be heavens,” said Malone, ‘and it’s not me that loikes the look o’ them. ‘Worra, but they’d tear me eyes out, the haythens.” ‘Just at that momeut one of the birds made a straight dive toward the travelers in the car, a the alarmed Irishman hastily fired his rifle. It was a hasty, and perhaps unnecessary shot, but the Irishman was rardited, and did not stop to think that shooting one of the number might incense the other two to revengeful acts. Such, however, was the result. Dennis Malone’s shot was'a fair one, and badly wounded the eagle, who uttered a suc- cession of short, piercing cries, and then slow- ly whirled over and over and began todescend toward the far-distant earth. ‘* Now we're in for it,” declared Harley. And he was right. The other two eagles seemed maddened 4 the fate of their companion, and: with :shrill screams they darted upon the occupants of the car, So swift were the huge birds in their circling movements, that the marksmen within the car were uvable to take a good sim, and their shots went wide of the mark. An instant later) and like a dark cloud the eagles were upon them! At short range; and in a blind fashion, for they could hardly ‘see, both Ben and Harley discharged their heavy revolvers. The bullets both took effect in one bird, only wounding him, however, but causing him to fly away again with screams of pain. The other bird flung bis immense wings about Ben Bradley’s form, and tried to pull him from the cage. He succeeded in lifting Ben to the rail of the ear. Then the Jad succeeded in bringing bis revol- ver into use. With great difficulty, smothered and blinded bu oe was by ee ee wings, ~~ hurt by the iron grasp of those hu a’ © managed ‘to raise the eeenenes: of uals plates! ' it was all he could do to use his right arm, so firmly did the wings of the eagle pin his arms to his body, but with a great effort Ben brought the revolver up, pressed the muzzle against the bird, and fired. a The shot took effect, and the eagle let go his ol This dropped Ben Bradley fairly upon the rail of the car, and he was slipping over the mes when the boy balloonist caught sight of im. : Harley caught Ben’s leg with a firm grip of his left hand. ‘ it was done just in time to prevent Ben from journeying down to the earth with more speed than enjoyment. Giving a violent pull at the leg, Harley brought Ben down to the bottom of the carin éafety. “Thanks,” said Ben. “That was a mighty “ When close shave.” “Don’t mention it,” said Harley. ‘we get te your gold mine and gather up— My God! we're falling!” The startling announcement was made as the Sky Traveler began to slowly but very per- eeptibl y descend. é ‘The eagles,” cried Ben, who, in company with Harley and the Irishman was wuch start- Jed. “What about them?” demanded the young balloonist. ‘Where are they?” ‘They flew away.” “But they may be on top of the bag, sinking tas by their weight.” Harley felt that Beu was correct in his con- jecture. ‘You're right,” he cried. “That is why we are sinkin reat heavens, if those birds tear the bag with their claws and beaks, we shall be dashed upon the earth!” “Then try to reach there in safety,” said Ben, “Go down as lively as Fa “ Begorra, and that’s sinsible,” put in the big {rishman. ‘ Afrah, and be the smoke 0’ Kate Kelley’s pipe {be the same token it was a rale black du 54 iv’s not Dinny Malone that wants ‘to be kilt by haythenish aygles, so I don’t.” Harley at once shut off the current from his ‘battery, thus cooling and at once contracting the gas within the bag, and they began to de- #cend rapidly. . Harsh cries greeted this movement, and the elarmed eagles, who really were perched above, at once deserted the top of the balJoon, and re- turned to the attack, more enraged than ever. But our friends were now ready for them, and met them with a prompt and rapid fire that was deadly and decisive, _ Hit in vital parts by the bullets, the big eagles careened over, and began to fall towar the eartb. Harley at once restored the proper heat to the gas in the bag, and they began to rise again. ‘ ‘““Search above and below, Dennis,” he said to Malone, ‘‘until,you find a current that will carry us close to Golden, Gulch... 1 want to see Ben's plucky sister; and also. get a peep at the gold-bedded stream.” CHAPTER V. CATCHING A TARTAR, ‘Say, Bill, what is that thing walking up the street?” “‘Haloha! give it up, Jim.” ‘‘Oh, that’s something that blew in with the wind,” ** But it’s alive.” “Oh yes; I guess it can talk, too.” * But you can’t: call ita man, ‘‘Oh no, pard; that ere thing hain’t no man; it’s a piece. o’ machinery. When it runs down pars “Ha! ha! ha!” And a loud chorus of laughter greeted the last pleasantry. There was cause for the mirth of the several speakers who formed part of a big crowd of ptnare who sat in front of the Diggers’ De- ight. Along’ the street—the only street of Golden Gulch—came a figure that would have. been all right on Broadway, New York, but. certainly was remarkable in that rough mining-town, where & white shirt, a collar or cuff, or a plug hat had probably never been seen, ; The stranger. who had excited the mirth of the miners was a young man of twenty-five or thirty» years, of medium hight, floe. form, and graceful movement. He was clothed in a deli- cate, cream-colored suit, with tight-fitting, bell- bottom pants, single-breasted coat, white. tie, and white plug hat. His snowy shirt-front was adorned with a diamond stud, his hands. were covered with cream colored gloves, he carried a slender cane, and he was constantly twisting his pretty brown mustache as he gracefully sauntered along the irregular street. There probably wasn’t such another fop- pishly-dressed man within five hundred miles of Golden Gulch, and it was not at all to be wondered at that the rough-and ready miners greeted the appearance of this remarkable stranger with good-natured chaff and laughter. The young man, however, took no notice of their derision, He walked slowly and gracefully along, and ‘was passing the Diggers’ Delight, when one of the idlers called out: : ‘Say, sonny, woere’d yer come from?” The fop took no notice of the speaker, who was a great, broad-shouldersd, hard-fisted fel- low, knownas Jack Slasher, the acknowledged **cock o’ the walk” in Golden Gulch. This seemed to anger Slasher, and with a snort of rage he yelled out: , ‘Say, you) white-shirted skunk with the white tie, I'm talking to, you.” Then the stranger stopped, turned about drew forth an eye-glass, stuck it in his eye, an gravely regarded Siasher from head to foot. The crowd roared at the odd manner of the fop, and. Slasher felt vexed at the peculiar treatment. With an expression of contempt, he spat fairly upon the highly-polished right shoe of the stranger, . '“There, you flyaway,” be said, ‘that’s my opinion of you I” ‘Really, that’s too bad,” said the young fop, in a drawling manner, looking at his t. ‘Was that an accident?” ‘Why, of course,” grinned Slasher. _‘‘ I was Spitting at a man’s foot down in Yuba Dam.” The crowd roared, The fop drew forth a snowy linen handker- chief from his pocket. ‘* As it was an accident,” he said, in that mild manner of bis, ‘‘ of course you will wipe it off.” * Me wipe it off? Me, Jack Slasher, the bully of Golden Gulch?’ cried the other, and then he suddenly added, with a wink at his comrades: “Why, of course lll wipe it off. Boys, just see me wipe it off!” i He took the handkerchief from the hands of the stranger. . by The crowd grinned broadly in high antici- pation, for they knew that the bully meant al “‘wipe” the stranger instead of the soiled t. With a grin that threatened to break into a laugh every second, Jack Slasher approached the fop, handkerchief in hand. When close to him the bully drew back his hand, and made a quick, open-handed slap at the stranger, with the evident intention of knocking him over with the heavy stroke. Rrernonay expected to see the ada 4 sprawl in he, dust, but they were very much disap- pointed. Up went the fop’s bands with the speed of a« rocket. One long arm blocked the series ‘sir slap, and the other, the fist Heber clinched, shot out with immense force, catching Slasher under the chin, raising him from bis feet, and knocking him over two chairsand their startled CoN RANA before he fell with a crash upon the ground. ’ The spectators were struck dumb with aston- ishment, That. this foppish stranger who ‘blew in with the wind,” should hig and knock down Jack Slasher, the terror of the town, was a matter wonderful eneeal to deprive them of utterance for some seconds, Then, when they saw the fop standing still in his tracks, with the same off-hand, easy expres- sion on his face, their admiration overcame every other sentiment, and their cries of ap- proval rung out: afte “ Hurrah for the swell!” S ah ‘*Ain’t he immense?” , ‘* Bully for the banty!” ‘*He’s a plucky one, he is,” ** Ho’s a cool card, that fellow is.” - Jack Slasher, who was only a trifle bewil- dered by his fall, got upon his feet, drew a knife, and rushed furiously at his foe, Like a flash, a small revolver appeared in the strangers ‘hand, looking very much as thou; it Lad slipped from his sleeve, and before infuriated, Slasher had taken three steps with the upraised knife in bis hand, the young fop took a, hasty aim and fired, 2 The miners pave a groan, for they all thought that the bullet had been aimed at Slasher, who, despite his fighting proclivities, was good'na- tured and well liked, 5h. urbe next instant they burst into a hearty cheer With a cool nerve that would bave done credit to one of the most noted marksmen in the land, the stranger bad fired at the uplifted blade, and his bullet had knocked the bowie from Slasber’s band! It was an act of cool eR YETy just such a one as the miners could appreciate. / ‘He's a trump!” “Give me your fist, little one,” ‘*Plucky as a wild-cat,” And then they crowded around him with ex- pressions of regard, fully a score of them press- ing him to enter the Diggers’ Delight and “try pS oa an invitation which was smilingly eclined, 1 eee Jack Slasher’s hand and erm had been quite paralyzed when.the bu let struck the bowie, and he seemed dazed for a moment and unable to_realize what had taken place, eis BS When, however, he saw bis friends tr Wi shake hands with the stranger, he felt that he had been disgraced in their eyes and his.eyes. He, blazed up. again with anger and made a rush at his quiet enemy. ang oy be A Cote ‘** Let me at the sneak!” he roared. ‘‘Give a me 8 fair chance at the whelp, and I'll chaw bim u And he dashed turtopsly toward the little fop who had displayed so much grit. The miners did not. think that the dandy ought to be bothered again, and some of them seized upon Slasher. . “Let the boy alone.” ‘ ‘Yes, Slasher, you’ve got no right to tackle him again.” ; “Pl show, you!” roared Slasher, and he struggled furiously to break loose from his riends. f F The calm, even tones of the stranger put an end ta the struggle. y sie i “Gentlemen,” he said, “ please don’t hold per on my account. I can take care of my- self. There was so much confidence in the voice of the speaker that the miners let Slasher go. But Slasher, although avery, began to feel 44 some respect for his undersized enemy, and did not rush wildly upon him. He gazed for a brief i- stant upon the fop, and the latter smilingly said: : “See bere, Mr. Bully, you insulted me end L knocked you down, Iam of the opinion that I
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said tbe Jan 6 ¢ The Sky Detectives. uared matters with you. If you are not sat- is why just pile in and I’ll give you all the satisfaction you want. I warn you, however, that I can whip two such men‘as you before breakfast.” _ The miners laughed, and some cheered the plucky stranger. “ Brag’s a good dog, but braggin’ won’t down me,” said Slasher, and went at his foe in a sledge-hammer style, striking terrific blows with right and left hand, But his sledge-hammer blows’ were neatly blocked by the long, sinewy arms of the youn stranger, and a_ straight’ hit on the nec knocked Jack Slasher down again, “Rah?” yelled the crowd. Up jumped Slasher and made for his foe a ath and once more a clever right-bander sent m flat on his back, this time with a dam- aged nose, from which the blood flowed, Twice more the bard headed bully toed the tmark, and twice more he was neatly knocked down again by the long-armed, foppish stran- er, who. was smiling confidently and still wisting his brown mustache, Then Jack Slasher got up again, cast one siance at his smiling, confident opponent, and “T cave!” After which he walked off for repairs, “Rah!” yelled the miners again, and almost ~ earried the victor into the bar-room of the Dig- gers’ Delight. . The highly-amused crowd ordered whisky by the quart, and began to indulge in the biggest kind of celebration. . “Whar’s your handle, pard?’ demanded a score of voices. oT Berry, Brown,” said the stranger; “and as you're all so friendly, let me begin our acquaint- ance in proper style, Gents, all have something _ And he threw down a twenty-dollar gold-piece on the bar. < Witb another cheer for Harry Brown the crowd began ordering their drinks; and mean- while the victorious stranger, who had accom- plished such wonders with muscle, science and nerve, glanced about him. He saw the landlord of the place at one end of the, bar keenly overlooking his busi- Harry Brown walked up to him. 4 grndlacd, can I have e private wordin your iy ry _ Stranger,” said the delighted owner of the saloon, “‘ any man that can do what you have done can have anything I’ve got and not pay a cent. Brown smiled. “Thank you,” he said; ‘I can pay for all I get. I wanted to ask be if there was a family named Bradley living in the town?” “You mean the Bradley children, as most folks call "em, The father and mother got _ their, hair lifted by red-skins, about three years eT guess they’re the folks.” “Well, the boy and the gal lived right down street just a few bours ago, but the boy— ing” wly escaped hanging this very morn- hae sgartin sure; stole a bag of money, Let me _ tell you the yarn.” And the landlord of the Diggers’ Delight told him the story of the morning, winding up with radley and then by the Sky Harry Brown listened attentively, and thank- ed the landlord. Then, without asking any more questions, he requested a private room, and asked that his supper be sent there. ee ane Thongs ng in the house for you,” xd, and he had the hero of the hour shown to the best room in the house. There, within an hour,a very good supper was sent to him; and Harry Brown had suc- ceeded in putting away an excellent meal, when a knock sounded upon the door of the : “ Come in!” Brown called out. _ & glowt ription of the double rescue st by, Riots ; veler. _. “ Beg pardon,” said a voice at the open door, and as Brown’ Re own looked up he saw the damaged countenance of his late antagonist, ‘I thought this was somebody else’s room.” Never mind,” cheerily responded Brown. _.“ Come in and have a drink, And jumping up, be beld out his hand to the man be had defeated. ; With an odd expression on his face, the big fellow ae rown’s hand, and in a doubt- dng way sai : J @ ‘*No hard ese ard?” » ‘* Not a bit,” cordially, and taking up a flask of whisky, the young man gave it to Slasher, saying: ‘Drink to our better aequaintance.” ‘Well, you are a screamer!” declared Slash- er, and took a deep draught. ‘* Here’s hoping we’ll be good friends in the future)” and Brown also took a drink from the sk. ‘Pard,” said Slasher, “‘ you’re the bulliest man I ever met, You ‘licked me, fair and square, and now you shake paws and ask me to a with yer. I say you're a screamer, and Pll fight for yer any time,” ‘*And I think that you’re a good-hearted, powerful chap, with lots of strength and a quick temper; but my © inion of you is that you’re a square man,” said y Brown, “**Pard, you tickle my heart—yes, sir. I’m a friend to you, through thick or thin—and don’t let anybody forgit it, Roll up yer sleeve, pard, and give me yer bare arm.” Wonderingly, Harry Brown rolled up: his shirt-sleeve, and exposed a white arm that was knotted and corded with immense muscles, “Do yer happen to notice how black my peepers are?” asked Slasher, “Yes; I notice that your eyes are quite as black as Spanish or Italian eyes generally are. ‘“Pard, you're right. ' ’'ve got Spanish blood in my veins, and I reckon that makes me kinder hasty. But look.” He took Harry Brown’s arm in his left hand, drew a knife with his right and made a ‘small cut in the white flesh, The blood instantly started forth from the nding down, Jack Slasher placed his lips to the cut and drank the red life-current. Harry Brown watched the act with consider- able curiosity. ‘ ; “There,” ‘said Jack, “ that settles it. Now T’ve rtd blood in my veins, and dmong the Spanish people they say that when one turns ag’in’ his blood it turns to fire in his veins, So, pend: if I was to betray os, or go back on yer n any A be the blood I drank would ‘turn to fire and drive mé mad, Take me fora pard, and trust me, I'll die for ye!” Feeling that he had gained a valuable and werful friend in this Hercules of the min- ng-camp, Harry Brown very readily accepted the offer, t * Slasher,” he said, ‘I take you for a pard; and as I’ve a purpose in coming to Golden Gulch, and a dangerous one, too, you may have many chances of proving your faithfulness.” “Pll be there, pard, every time. But tell ot bg name and what brings yer to Golden ulch. ‘slight wound. “Tam Hery Brown, a detective; I've come |: here to establish the Bradley children in their rights, and to hunt down, secure and bring to justice the murderer of their father and mother.” CHAPTER VI. THE STREAM OF GOLD. OwI1nNG to contrary currents, Harley Willis was unable to reach the vicinity of Golden Gulch before dark, : Then he allowed the balloon to come down in a little valley, where he was completely sbut Here they anchored and 1 oc eoren the night, awaking with the first baat dawn. ‘*By Jove, we’re only a short distance from my bonanza,” answered Ben, when he ga around him. “Do you see those little rock — to the east, about half a mile awa “ Yes,” responded the balloonist. “ Well, between those ridges of rock you will find the gold- bedded stream!” After an ample breakfast the young aeronauts released the Sky Traveler, and away they gracefully moved to the cliffs. By dexterous management, and, also, by favor of a light current moving in the required direction, Harley was enabled to hover fairly between the walls of the canyon, and then A pe slowly down until the car of the big balloon rested on the south bank of the stream. The drag-rope was made fast, and out they ith all the eager interest and excitement that gold can produce, Harley Willis ran to the stream, plunged his hand into the clear depths, and scooped up a handfull of the dull, red par- ticles that formed its bed. " Examining the pieces with the eye of an ex- pert, he drew a long breath and grew red and white by turns, ** Well?” demanded Ben. Harley uttered a cry of delight. ** Gold?’ asked Ben, ‘Why it’s perfectly pure,” cried the young balloonist, trembling with excitement as he drew up handful after handful.of the little red lumps. ‘‘1 sup these particles bave been washing down into this stream from high lands for hundreds of years, until the water flows Over a complete bed of pure gold. Dennis!” “*Be Heavens, I’m here, and purty near as cracked as yerself,” said Malone, whose eyes were bulging. . ‘We can take away enough of this gold in the car of the Sky veler to make us ali wealthy for life.” ‘‘ Arrab, and is that thrue?’ “True as gospel.” ‘Be Heavens, thin, and it’s meself_ that’li have me hair dyed,” trium pbantly cried Malone. ‘“*Tll go back to the county Tyrone, and buy an ilegant farm wid pigs and everything, and whin me hair is black, be Heavens, I'll coort the pur- tiest girrul in the land. . Hooroo] Malone, Esquire, wid black hair.” And the delighted Inishman danced a reel on the goldep shore, until -his shock of fiery-red hair ‘was tumbled . about his good-natured face. *Well, we'll not take our load of the. stuff now,” said Harley, beginning to recover a little from his first: wild transport of xin: Swe must see about Ben’s sister, first. @ can al- ways come here and get our gold. ' Nobody is likely torun away with it. No loads could be carried up those walls.” And he looked confidently up the steep face of the rock, Here and there were footholds—at long ivter- vals there were also et or natural shelves, and an occasional sprinkl ng of hardy mountain bushes that sprouted forth from crevices. None but hardy and fearless climbers would attempt such an ascent, ; ‘By the way,” said Harley, regarding the rock attentively, ‘‘ how did you find your way here to this stream?’ ‘* By vente I have been up and down that wall of rock perhaps half a dozen times, “If you can scale it, I'm sure that I can,” cried the adventurous young voyeger, aud with a light spring he leaped up, clutched a stout bush with one hand, and began the somewhat perilous ascent. F “Pl go with you, and show you the different laces 1 made use of,” said Ben Bradley, and up fhe face of the rock he also sprung. With painful toiling they made their way up foot by foot for about twenty yards, and then came to rest where a broad shelf of rock’ jutted out fully four feet from the wall. é On this ledge rested a stone weighing hun- dreds of pounds, looking as though it had been placed there by the hands of howe z ‘Why, look, Ben,” excitedly exclaimed Har- ley Willis, peering around this immense rock, ‘this big stone covers up a hole in the wall, In fact it is just like a locked door, opening into & passage through the cliff.” , “ Right,” cried Ben, narrowly examining the back of the big stone, ‘There is & passage be- hind this stone, leading right into the rock. And perhaps a mine of gold inside.” The two lads looked excitedly at One another. Harley placed his hand upon. the big stone, exerted all his strength, and made it rock, ‘‘Hurrab!” he cried, ‘‘ The stone is merely balanced, and together we can burl it from the Dinnis zed | shelf. ‘Then let’s do it,” said Ben, “and we can ex- plore the interior.” : ‘“*Denny!” roared Harley. “ Yes, ” “We're going to throw this big stone down upon the bank. See that you stand clear,” ** All right!” : ““ And go to the ear and bring me one of my torches,” ordered Harley. “T will,” " ‘“‘ Now,” said Harley, bracing himself as best he could. -‘* Plant your fee} in a solid manner, | ” “Pm all right,” returned Ben, who got a firm hold on a tough bush that~ grew near at hand. “Ready?” “Ready.” . “ Down with it!” : ‘Together the two boys applied the united strength of their arms and legs, and with a re- luctant se:..ping sound the massive stone tum- bled from its resting-place, boomed through the air, and imbedded itself deeply in the yielding bank of the stream,
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—<$—$— $$$ —— A dark, tunnel-like opening was exposed to view. “Lively with the torch, Denny,” yelled out the owner of the Sky Traveler, ‘ Tieit toa light line, and sling it up.” | “ Beaisy,” said Denny, and tied an odd-look- ire contrivance on the end of a light strong ine. Tois culiar-looking machine he whirled around ts: the air a score of times, and then hurled it upward with all the strength of his massive right arm. With a true aim ib was cast above the boys’ heads, and Harley caught it with a dexterous twist of his hand, ‘“What do you call it?” asked Ben, looking curiously at the odd-shaped affair, which was about three feet long, and looked like a thick metal rod with a steam gage at the bottom, and a large bull’s-eye lantern at the top. “T call it a magnesium torch,” replied the young scientist. ‘ It is my own invention, and works to perfection. This round part at the bottom contains the coils of magnesium wire and the clock-work machinery that feeds the wire through the’ pipe to the lamp. The lamp itself is an ordinary oil lantern of the bull’s-eye pattern, with a contrivance for feeding the wire to the flame. The torch will burn for over two hours, and gives a light powerful enough to al- most blind a person at the distance of two or three hundred feet.” “‘That’s great,” said Ben. ‘‘Set the thing going.” e Harley set light to the wick of the oil-lamp, and when it burned up clear he started the machinery at the bottom of the invention. With a buzzing sound the wire began to feed to the flame of the lamp, and a blinding glare _ issued from the bull’s-eye. Harley closed the door of the lantern, and the werful light was intensified when it streamed orth from the lens. * That’s grand,” said Ben. the interior of the rock.” They were about to enter, when, luckily as it afterward proved, Harley called out to the Irishman ard told him to bring the balloon up to the opening and wait there for them to comie back. 3 “ And why?” asked Ben Bradley. | , ‘ Because I prefer it to the slow job of going down the cliff the way we came up,” said - ley. ‘‘ Come on.” They walked into the tunnel, took half a dozen steps, and suddenly found themselves in a large, vaulted cavern. Overhead . the gleaming stalactites flashed back the light of the torch in a thousand bril- liant colors. ‘‘ Diamonds,” shouted Ben. ‘‘ Where?” asked the balloonist. ‘* Why, look at them,” said Ben, pointing the vaulted roof. b Harley laughed. f “There are no diamonds there, Ben,” he said. “Those thousands of glittering points you see are nothing more than a compound of carbonate of lime.” ‘** And of no value?” * Not to on” ‘I thought they were all diamonds,” said Ben, weeny ‘* Hash!” d Harley, and he held up bis hand to enjoin silence. Ben Bradley listened intently, but could hear no sound, : - ““] bear nothing,” he said. “‘] thought I heard the muffled sound of voices,” Nh i “From what direction?” “I can’t say, but I feel quite positive that my ears did not deceive me.” ; ‘Then we'd better move cautiously,” said Ben. “ Let us listen again for a minute,” They listened for a full minute, during which time nothing reached their cars but the hum of the clock-work machinery of the torch, **Come on,” said Harley. ‘I guess it was only imagination, after all.. Ob, see, Ben, there are two passages yonder.” ‘ The cavern was folly fifty feet in length, and perhaps two-thirds as wide. At the extreme end appeared two wide-mouthed openings lead- ing on to unknown parts of the interior. ‘ Which shall we take?” asked Harley. “Tt’s a blind choice,” said Ben, ‘ but let us take the one to the right. After that is ex- plored we can take a trip through the others, and— He did not conclude the sentence, for it re- ceived a startling interruption. A shrill ery, the shriek of a female in terror and distress, reached their ears, striking from ‘Now to explore The Sky Detectives. side to side of the tunnel, and losing some of its volume by the distance, but none of its ac- cent of fear. ‘* A woman in peril!” shouted Ben, ** To the rescue!” yelled Harley. One glance the brave lads bestowed es their weapons, and then, side by side, dashed forward through the right band tunnel to the rescue of her who had uttered the piercing cry! CHAPTER VII. THE MIDNIGHT VISIT. Wuen Annie Bradley returned to Golden Gulch after defeating Dick Crowell and bis man Johnson, she made no complaint to any- body about the affair because she knew that Dick would get out of the difficulty by some means, and perhaps injure herin the eyes of the rough and ready miners, She was very self-reliant, too, this prett girl who could hur! a knife and shoot a revol- ver in so deadly a fashion, and felt perfectly competent to take care of herself. So with a prayer to God for the safety of her brother end! herself, lonely Annie Bradley threw herself on her rude bed without remov- ing her clothing, for she had an idea that Ben might return in the night and ask her to go away with him, and she wanted to be ready to start at once. » She had fallen into an uneasy slumber about the hour of midnight, when she was suddenly awakened by a light, timid tapping on the sole window of the cabin. ri 2 She jumped up at once, thinking of her bro- er ‘“Who is it?’ she said, coming close to the window and trying to see through the dark- ness of the night. “It is I, Ben,” answered a smothered voice from without, and she could dimly discern a form. ‘Speak low and move softly, Annie, or those men may hear you, and if they catch me again it is good-by.” “Come to the door,” whispered Annie in re- turn, and then glided across the floor and re- moved the bar, She opened the door, saying: - “Are we going to go away together, Ben, or are—” ‘*Oh, we'll go together, my darling,” said the mocking voice of Dick Crowell, and the next minute the astonished girl was in his arms, her mouth covered with bis band, Annie was, of course, taken utterly by surprise, and unable to free herself from the rascal’s grasp. ‘* At last,” cried Crowell. ‘‘ At last I have you safe and sound, Simpson!” The man who had proclaimed the loss of a bag of money and had nearly effected the hanging of Ben Bradley, made his appearance, ‘*Get behind her, and tie her up tight as you like, hand and foot,” said Crowell, who all the time held Annie close to his breast, offering the brave girl not the slightest chance to use her bands, “ All right,” said Simpson, and with a rope he got behind the captive to obey his leader’s com- mands. Brave Annie Bradley, determined to struggle to the last, kicked out in a vicious and mule- like manner, and caught the unfortunate Simp- son fairly in the pit of the stomach, Ot course the kick knocked all the wind out of the rascal, and he fell in a heap on the floor. ‘‘ You'll have no more chances to cut your capers,” savagely said Crowell, and quickly grip: ing the girl by the throat he knocked her head seers against the side of the doorway. One blow was enough to deprive poor Annie of sensibility, and sbe fell back limp and breathless in bis arms. ‘‘ Simpson,” said Crowell, “Tl be all right in a minute,” groaned the rascal. ‘That kick came mighty near to kill- ing me, though.” Simpson finally got upon his feet and got to breathing correctly. Then he found the ropes and securely bound the insensible object of Dick Crowell’s cruelty. After which a gag was thrust into her mouth to prevent her making any outcry, and chen thie helpless girl was swiftly borne away from her home. The unfortunate girl did not come back to sensibility until her captors had her safely under cover. When Annie opened her eyes she was puzzled for some time to account for ber where- abouts. The gag had been removed from her mouth, and the bonds from her hands and feet. Annie sat up, and looked about her with interest. She sat on a few old pelts at the side of a rocky cave, a natural room big enough to turn a coach and team around ip with ease. About the cave, which was lit up by both lamps and torches, sat, reclined, or lay a dozen men, playing cards, smoking pipes, drinking whisky, and talking. Tbe appearance of the men, their lawless conversation, their occupa- tions at the time, and, above all, their sur- roundings, made the truth known to Annie. She was in a den of outlaws! { For months past, pilfering large and small 4 had been going on, and more than one miner had been robbed of his hard earnings by thieves who wore masks, Ae Annie did not doubt fora moment that she was in the den of these identical law-breakers. One of the men saw her looking about, and jumping up, he at once brought her some food, which seemed clean and likewise well-cooked. Annie was at first tempted to reject it, but she really lelt hungry, and she also reasoned. that she needed strength of both body and mind to “ge to escape, and she accepted the meal. “Who are you, and where am I?’ she said to the man who brought the dishes. : ‘ “Ask me no questions, and Ill tell you no lies,” bluntly said the fellow, and walked! — away. ‘ And then this bearty heroine of Golden — Gulch, with the kind of appetite that is gathered: from exercise in the pure, open air, put vind ra) meal that would have made a city girl open her eyes in wonder. But, evidently, a drug had been put into the food, for within ten minutes after she had-com- leted her meal, Annie felt an uncontrollable rowsiness steal over her, and asleep she went. : : - How long sbe slept she could not tell, but when she awoke she became aware of the fact that she had been removed since her repast, and now occupied another room. This cave was smaller, and was nicel furnished with skins, On a pile of these s furs the captive lay, The light of a lamp that stood on a rude table was shed about the place, Annie looked around | her, and saw Crowell near at hand, looking at her with a very satisfied grin. _Annie gave him a defiant look, and as her j limbs were all free, she got upon her feet, and walked bravely up to bim. “Dick Crowell,” she said, ‘‘ what do you mean by this outrage?” ‘What do you call it?” ‘ “An outrage.” lca: didn’t call it by that name in olden times when a knight ran away with his lady love,” grinned Crowell. , Annie Bradley regarded bim with undi* guised contempt and disgust. F “You brute,” she exclaimed, ‘“‘ you heartless wretch, who could dash a girl’s head against @ door, let me go, before I blow your head té atoms,” ’ Sbe was unarmed when she began ber tirade, but when she uttered the threat the aspect of affairs bad changed. Dick Crowell, as was common with men of bis class, wore a belt about bis waist, and this belt contained a brace of good-sized revolvers, While speaking to him, Annie bad suddenly bent forward, clutched the butt of one of the tN Ang and wrenched it from its resting- place. In an instant the ham “* was raised with the practiced motion of an ¢_pyert, and the gleam- Ing weapon was staring Dick right in the eye. fre was considerably startled, and fell back a step or two. ot “Put that down!” he commanded i an authoritative manner, Annie laughed at bim. D Fn think you are talking to some haby?” she said, ‘‘ Put your bands up, you villain, or off goes the top of your head!” . The deadly tube was on a level with bis fore- head and the girl’s bright eye looked just ex- actly as deadly as the pistol. Dick Crowell had already been treated a satisfactory exbibi- tion of the girl’s skill with the revolver, and so he reluctantly put up his hands. Annie cast a swift glance about her, and saw that there were five passages leading out from the rocky room, three before ber, and two be- hind her. She decided to back into one of the passages at’ the rear, 4 ** Stand perfectly still,” she said, ‘‘or as sure as I'm a living girl I'll drill a bole th skull. I’ve never yet missed my aim, and you may be sure that I'll not fail with your hateful face for a target.” Slowly she backed toward one of the rocky rough your a ; SES ee eee
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—_ — ee A A A A A A i ; ' east into his face, making 8 pasnacets keeping her bright eye fixed on rowell, — On his part Crowell seemed to watch ber re- treat with an expression on his face that seemed to indicate expectation of some sudden change. And, sure enough, a sudden change did take ace. : As Annie neared the rock passages her ears were saluted wich a shrill hiss, and something twined about her neck with a slimy touch. It wus a snakel Then this Western heroine proved that she was agirl. Sbe screamed ajioud in terror, and turned around to clutch at the serpent. In an instant Dick Crowell leaped upon her, threw one arm about her, and then caught the suake, a small one of a harmless species, about the body. H:» burled the reptile away and then made a clutch at the pistol. He wrenched it from her hand. ‘‘ Now, you troublesome cat,” he snarled in a cre rage, * I'll put an end to all this nonsense, ‘ll fool with you not one minute longer. You . thave defied me and laughed at me and now you shall be—” At that instant a a glare of light was is eyes useless, and filling him with surprise and alarm, Then came a sound of quick footsteps on the hard stone floor, and a ng voice cried: ‘* That’s my sister!” While another voice shouted out: ‘Drop that lady, you infernal rascal, or I'll drop you!” And into the rocky chamber rushed Ben Bradley and Harley Willis, the latter bearing his magnesium torch. Not liking to see a pretty girl in the rude grasp of a vindictive looking fellow, the youn aeronaut banged away at him as he spoke, an only a sudden twist on the part of Crowell saved his life. He immediately dropped Annie, not liking to be shot at by a foe who was invisible, for so powerful was the glare of the magnesium torch that the lads behind it could not be seen, and turned to run out of the chamber by one of the opposite es, when a uumber of his men, attracted by the shot, rushed in. They, however, were likewise blinded by the brilliancy of the torch, but Crowell, who did not feel like losing bis : poeeege yelled out: ‘Fire at the light! fire at the light, and you may hit somebody.” This was good advice, and was dangerous in the extreme to our young friends, Not caring to serve as a target for the bullets of the ruffians, Harle illis very prudently dropped the torch and jumped aside, giving Ben a dex- ¢erous twist tbat flattened him up against the «wall of the passage. r The double movement was executed just in time. Half a dozen shots rung out, and half a dozen bullets whistled past the two lads. But although they had escaped a probable danger by throwing down the light, they had also lost a great advantage by the sameact, for, relieved from the blinding effect of the mag- nesium toreb, the outlaws were now enabled to see their foes, 4“ Only boys y “Two lads!” **Knoek em down!” | { «*Yes; don’t waste bullets on ’em!” These and similar cries rung out, and then the rascals rushed forward with the evident in- tention of knocking over the enemies they deemed too youthful for pistol-work. “Crack away,” cried Harley. “Never say die,” said Ben. “Oh, if I only had a revolver, or even a knife,” groaned the female expert. Ben and Harley banged away with their re- volvers, wounding two of their foes, but before either of them could fire another shot they were borne to the rock floor by force of num- bers. Annie Bradley had turned to make her es- cape during this exciting scene with the idea of summoning assistance to the spot, but Dick Crowell sprung before her. “No you don’t, my beauty,” he cried, and caught her in his arms. ‘‘ You'll not leave this _ place till I’m done with you.” Holding the struggling girl fast in his arms, he turned bis bead in time to see the lads hurled to the ground. 2 “Don’t waste any time on ’em,” he shouted to his men. ‘I don’t want any more prisoners, Knife the young fools.” The big brutes who were pressing down the forms of the struggling lads did not wait fora second order. . . ee a eee ee eee — SS SR ' _ The Sky Detectives. Their knives were raised to carry out the cruel command of the heartless leader when a clear voice rung like a bell through the cave: ‘* Hold, for your lives!” And into the rocky chamber leaped the pon- derous Jack Slasher, the one-time bully of Golden Gulch, with Harry Brown, the detective, at his side. But the mere order might have failed to save the lives of the two boys, had not the new- comers been equally prompt with their weapons, A bullet from Slasher caught one of the knifers in the back and tumbled him to the floor of the cave, while Brown, with bis mar- velous aim, broke the wrist of the other stab- r. Then the detective leaped like a tiger toward Dick Crowell. ‘‘Drop her, you fiend!” he shouted, and seems didn’t have to be told to do it a second time, He dropped Annie like a hot potato, and started for the passage from which Brown and evident idea of getting one “ After me,” he yelled, to his followers, ‘‘ back to the big room, e’ll get help, and clean these fellows out,” Away they all rushed, just as Harley and Ben got upon their feet. ; ‘‘ After ’em!” shouted Ben, and would have pursued the retreating rascals had not Brown caught him by the arm. } ‘* Let them go,” said the detective, ‘and let us try to get away from here before they re- turn in force,” ‘Yes, let me get out of this terrible place,” said Annie, throwing her arms lovingly about her brother. ‘‘ Thank God, Ben, we’re united once more,’’ I'll take you to safety befvre those ruffians can return.” “Do it,” said Brown, ‘‘and at some future time, with more men, we can clean out this den of thieves,” Harley caught up his magnesium torch from the floor. It was siill burning, and when turned in the right direction, lit up the return pathway with a brilliancy almost equal to daylight. Through the passage they went, and found the balloon in charge of Malone at the end of t. ‘‘ All aboard,” cried Harley, and the much astonished people behind bim hastily got into the spacious car attached to the Sky Traveler. ‘* Cast off!” was the next order, Malone unwound the drag-rope from the ledge of rock, and with a majestic leap the great airs-hip shot up into the air, bearing aloft its half-dozen passengers with ease. CHAPTER VIIL DANGER ALOFT. " WHEN the balloon had gone up some hun- dreds of feet, it suddenly ceased to ascend, and shot along at great.s toward the west. So fast did the Sky Traveler move, that more than one of the passengers in the car felt a strange sensation at their hearts. . ‘* Are we not traveling at. an unusual rate. of speed, Harley?” said Ben. ‘Yes, we are, but we can’t help ourselves, just now. You see, we left our last mopeate place in a hurry, and did not have time to shape our course in a proper manner.” ‘* 1s there any danger in this?” “Not much. The Sky Traveler is a stanch craft, and can weather rougher passages than this. In and out among the clouds they went, now in the sunshine, now in the shadow, now catcb- ing glimpses of hill and plain and shining stream below, and now, again, surrounded by an al- most inky darkness, and all the time whirling along at a rate that drove the blood back from every cheek. ; “Oan’t we get out of this?” whispered Ben Bradley to Harley. ‘*No,” was the whispered reply. ‘‘ Without a bit of gas in the . this mighty current would keep us from falling to the earth. We can neither ascend nor descend until the force of this current is somewhat spent. But I don’t tbink we are in danger.” “But we may be swept out over the ocean,” said Ben, ‘That is so,” gravely returned Harley. ‘* How fast are we going?” ‘‘Tt’s impossible for me to say, but I think ‘seaeh current runs eighty miles an hour at east, ‘‘Why,” cried the astonished Ben, ‘forty Slasher had made their appearance, with the ‘Follow me,” spoke up Harley Willis, ‘and. miles an bour on land will knock a man down and take bis breath away.” ‘Yes, but we move with this wind,” smiled Harley. ‘If we resisted it, we could not live five minutes.” **] see,” said Ben. ‘'So if this current holds us fora couple of bours, we’ll be out over the ocean,” ‘‘Less than that. It will not take an hour from the start to bring us many miles out over the Pacific ocean. Delighted with the grand nature of this air traveling, Annie Bradley leaned against the side of the car, and gazed upon the magic pano- rama beneath. " Harry Brown, the detective, was watching the girl with a strange expression on his reso- lute face, when a hand was placed on his arm. He turned and smiled kindly upon Ben Brad- ey. ‘* Well, my boy?” he said, and his voice was as soft as a woman’s, ‘You saved my life,” earnestly said the lad, ‘‘and I’m sure I’m very grateful to you and Jack Slasher. But l’malso a little—a littlh—” ‘* Inquisitive,” smiled Brown. ‘“ Yes,” admitted Ben. ‘‘I would like to know bow and why it was that turned up in that cave just in time to help me and my sister.” ‘* Well, my name is Harry Brown. I am a detective froy New York, and I am bere in search of the Bradley children!” Ben regarded him with surprise. ‘* Well, you’ve found ’em,” he said. ‘*T know it,” was the quiet or ‘* And what do you want with us?’ “T want to find out from you the cause of your father’s emigration from New York. I want to find out all you know about the murder of your mts also.” _ “Well,” said Ben, “tin regard to father’s com- ing to California, I can only say that he was rich, and suddenly. became poor. I was only thirteen when this happened, and of course father did not explain affairs to me. I only know that we came down from wealth to verty, and that after battling against it in Yew York for about a year, he started for the mines. In regard to the murder, I'll tell you the story.” And then, in a graphic style, Ben ted the story of the battle on the plains, as told by him in the second chapter of this tale. ‘“‘The scoundrel, the villain, the base, un- natural hound!” warmly cried Harry Brown, who seemed terribly excited by the story. ‘* And you distinctly saw the mark of the black cross on his bare arm?’ “Tl hunt him down, the mee privel the detective through bis teeth, displaying an un- usual amount of a ‘Vi grip bis throat and make him confess bis crimes, and then I'll cut his black beart from his body! Oh, that I bim here at this moment!” His eyes blazed, bis face flushed with passion his powerful bands clinched in a transport o rage, and bis teeth ground together, Ben Bends was astonished at this exhibition of intense feeling in one who only claimed to be a paid detective, sent from the North to ascer- tain certain facts and do certain things, and he couldn’t help saying: “What makes you feel so deep an interest in this matter?” Brown seemed to recollect himself, and in an evasive manner answered: : ‘*Oh, if 1 carry out this case to a successful end, L shall receive great praise from my su- riors. But Ben Bradley’s suspicions bad been aroused, and the answer was not enough to satisfy him, However, he did not question Brown further, but to bimself the boy said: ‘‘There is a mystery about this. That man has more inte in this matter than an ordina detective would have. Well, I suppose I'll know his secret one of these days.” After a moment the detective turned to him, as calm and as collected as ever: ‘How many are there of you?” he asked. ‘‘Only the two of us: Annie and I are the only children.” “Oh, then there never was any more?” “Yes, I had a brother, but be died when I was a baby,” answered Ben. A strange expression crossed the face of the detective as he said: ‘Trust me, Ben, before I get through with this matter I'l] clear up a good deal of mystery, punish a villain, and restore you and your sister to a decent station in life.” With immense velocity the Sky Traveler had
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a aa a — bowlea along for the last hour, held in the grip of the air current, For some ten minutes past they had been among dark clouds, and the blackness of night reigned about them. ‘Where are we, captain?” asked Brown. “T really don’t know, because I cannot see any more than you can. I don’t know whether we're above land or sea, but by my estimate of the force of this wind we should be over the ”n ‘* Ah,” cried Ben, “light at last!” “Arrah, and w’u'd ye look at the ilegant landscape below?’ and Malone pointed down, where the ocean lay smiling in peace, At that moment they got into a more mild stratum of air, and Harley Willis at once began operating with his apparatus, trying to find an- other current that would bear them back to Jand, ; While the majority of them were laughing at Malone’s “ bull,” a startling cry rung out from Annie’s lips: ‘* Merciful God!” ejaculated the startled girl, inting straight ahead with a trembling finger, ‘look at that!” And when they followed tbe direction of Annie’s forefinger, and saw a great, dark- colored, funnel-shaped cloud rising from the sea, they knew what it was even betore the calm, even tones of Harry Brown said: ‘That is a water-spout,” . **‘And bearing right down upon us with ter- rible speed,” said n Bradley, ‘Can't we escape it, Harley?” . ‘‘T don’t think so. This current holds us with a terrible grip.” “That's a terrible thing to run afoul of,” broke in Jack Slasher. ‘‘ Pards, we’re booked, Tm afeard.” : ‘1 don’t think so,” decided Harry Brown in his resolute manner, ‘‘ All hands give me their attention,” They turned to this cool leader. ‘Everybody take a rifle or a revolver, cock it, and fire exactly when’ you bear the word. We may break that spout at a suflicient distance to escape all injury. There are tons of water in that cloud, and if we fail we are doomed. Ready?” ‘‘Heady!” came from all, and_ there they stood with cocked weapons in hand waiting for the leader of the hour to utter the word of com- mand, The gigantic water-spout, seerningly about twenty yards in diameter and reaching from sea to ay was catching up the spray from the waves with an awful roaring sound as it whirled around and around with frightful speed, bear- ing down upon the course of the Sky Traveler. t was a terrible situation! Everybody in the car knew that if the mighty wonder of the air collided with the balloon, they would all be dashed to death in less than a minute. There was no earthly hope of escap- ing. the fatal consequences of a collision, &j ware and calm they all stood with weapons nd. Cool as ever Harry Brown noted the approach and carefully calculated the distance., Every shot must tell, ** Ain!” he said, Every weapon was pointed toward the roar- ing whirlwind, their fingers pressing the trig- ats: Fire!” CHAPTER IX. A NOVEL BOAT, SmmuL TANEOUSLY the reports blended. Then eusued a single second of the most awful suspense. The eee out had not been more than one hundred feet distaut from the balloon when the order was given by Brown to fire. A mighty change took place. f The enormous whirlwind, with its masses of water, burst with a noise like the roar of ten cataracts, making the air shake with tremen- dous vibrations, Great jets of water struck the Sky Traveler with immense force, deluging its occupants and sending the air-craft down toward the ocean as though pressed by the hand of a giant. With great speed the balloon descended, and the soiy Mihtstam voyagers could do nothing to arrest its progress, . They were stunned and blinded, as well as nearly strangled by the jets of water that had knocked them all prostrate to the floor of the car, Crushed down by the sudden change in the ~~ The Sky Detectives. air currents, the Sky Traveler bowled down toward the waves. It really seemed as though the plucky occu- pants of the car had only esca one threat- ened death-blow for a fatal plunge into the dee One by one they ene to their feet, wet and bewildered, but still thankful for their es- cape from one danger even though threatened with another. **Can’t we stop?” gasped Brown. *¢ We'll all be in the big drink in less nor no time,” said Jack Slasher. ‘* Good folks, if at pray, here’s the time to put it in power- ful!” “I can do nothing,” groaned Harley, ‘‘ with this immense—” At that moment, when within about a hun- dred feet of the waves, the balloon suddenly ceased to move. The sudden stop was the same in effect as the quick application of a brake to a car—the voy- agers were all thrown off their balance. So violently was Annie upset that she flew toward the rail, and seemed about to topple over when es 3 Willis clutcbed her, Tbe young balloonist. succeeded by a violent jerk in drawing the girl back in safety, but he himself lost his balance and fell over the side, For a brief instant he hovered there, and Ben Bradley and Harry Brown both made a clutch for him; but the distance was too great for them to reach, and they failed, With an ineffectual attempt to clutch the rail of the car, Harley Willis fell, and as be found himself descending, he cried as loudly as ible: ‘Malone, the box!” : Then he swiftly descended toward the sea while Denny Malone, with one swift movemen caught up a box that rested on the floor of the car and hurled it out after his young master. Relieved from the weight of the youthful aeronaut and that of the box which the Irish- man had thrown after him, the Sky Traveler gave an immense leap from its stationary posi- tion and went up high into the air, r Everybody in the car was again thrown own. Up fully a thousand feet the balloon bore its occupants, and then Malone, on his hands and knees, began operating with the electric appa- ratus. The balloon was got under control in less than two minutes, the volume of gas was de- creased by the reduction of heat, and the air- ship began to descend. , In a minute or two thereafter, while the rest were wondering what had been the fate of Harley Willis, Malone found a very favorable and mild current that swept the balloon along about a quarter of a mile above the ocean. ‘* Now all hands kape a lookout for the young masther,” said Malone, **Do you think he’s alive?” asked Brown. ‘*He’s as well and hearty as ye are yerself, sor,” confidently said Denny, ‘Kapo all yer eyes skinned, and be Heavens! ye’ll be aston- rae ye see the wonderful gossoon, so ye will! And truly, could the voyagers, have seen Harley Willis at that moment they would have been astonished. When Harley fell from the car of the Sky Traveler, some thirty or thirty-five yards in- tervened between him and the surface of thé water, and falling this distance through the air was nearly enough to deprive him of breath without speaking of the force with which he struck the water, He descended into the ocean feet first, and went down many, many feet before the force of his long dive was all spent, Then up he bounded like a rocket to the sur- face, where he gasped for breath and looked around him. A most remarkable change had taken place in Harley’s appearance, His jacket, which was a loose one, had swelled out to an enormous size, and made him look like a fat man. The truth of the matter was the whole lining of the loose coat was an entire oil-skin sack, in- side of which were several powders done up in aper, and when the powders became wet they instantly turned into gas and swelled the oil- skin cover up like a small balloon, the action of the gas at the same time closing the valves where the water had entered in, and making the support reliable. -Knowing that his life saving jacket would keep him afloat for at least twenty-four hours, Harley Willis floated at ease upon the water, regained his breath, and looked above, : 9 Not a trace of the Sky Traveler could he see, and after looking long and very anxiously for bis noble yey be turned away with a sigh. ‘‘Lord only knows where they have been blown to,” be muttered, with a rather heavy heart. ‘I may never see that pretty girl again.” 6 was worrying a deal more about the probability of not seeing Annie cin Oe | than he was for the possible loss of his oon. The fact was that he had been very much smitten with brave Annie, and on her part the girl had looked with enoouragement on the ashing balloonist. Floating at ease upon the surface of the sunlit waves, Harley Willis cast a keen glance on all sides, evidently seeking for something. At length his glances rested on the object he thought to discover. It was the box thrown by Dennis from the balloon, It floated lightly on the water about one thou- sand yards away, and turning over on bis back Harley began to propel himself toward it, He was Very light with bis inflated bag, and made good time over the rippling waters. In about fifteen minutes be reached the box, grasped it, and took breath again while bobbing up and down. Secured to one side of the box, which resem- bled an ordinary soap-box in its general appear- ance, was a small, but very strong ard sharp- edged chisel of chilled steel, held in place by leather straps, Unfastening the straps, Harley seized the chisel with a firm grip, and began prying the cover from the box. In a few minutes the lid was pried off, and the a of the box were partly exposed to view, Harley Willis drew forth some sheets or slabs of cork, about an inch in thickness, the edges rovided with tenon and mortise, so that they tted snugly together. Piece after piece of cork was drawn forth and fitted togother, and when the last slab had been oined on, Harley had a cork boat about seven eet long and thirty inches wide. : Then from the box the brainy young inventor drew forth an oil-skin cover of great strength and elasticity, made specially for the ay tei and wh'ch he drew completely over the t, buttoning it on the inside. At about the central parts covering the gun- wales, there were two uprights made of gutta- percha, which would serve as row-locks, The young genius then took from the box sections of ash-wood, which, when joined to- gether by means of snap fastenings, at once eee good oars, five feet long, with a spoon ade, : The oars were placed in the boat, and then = Ages was put in also, to cerve the place of a seat. The novel craft was dancing as lightly as a bubble upon the water when Harley placed bis hands on the stern and leaped into it, A more buoyant boat than this cannot be imagined, : Taking off his immense jacket and throwing it down, Harley took his seat upon the box. Then he sat still fora moment, and said to himself: **Where am I?” ; He tried to estimate the distance from the gold-bedded stream to the coast, and then tried to calculate how far the Sky Traveler bad gone before meeting with the gigauitic and perilous water-spout. ; Try as he would to locate himself, he could only come to the corclusion that he was some — out ab sea, but how far he could not tell, He took one glance at the sun, and then shaped his course toward the east, pulling for the shore he could not see. His powerful strokes sent the light craft along at race-horse speed, and almost Sittea it from the waves. Harley could see that it was not yet noon, ac- cording to the sun. He pulled away for about an hour, and then tired with his exertions, united to the trials of tbe the morning, lay down in the boat to eep. He slept for a couple of hours, and was very pip =f awakened by being dumped into the water, The sudden contact with the cool ocean bad the et of making him wide awake on the in- stant. With the instinct of a swimmer, Harley took a stroke the instant he came to the surface, and then looked about him, His boat had been run down and upset by a f
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.™ 10 large, elegant steam-yacht, which was even now puffing lazily away toward the north- e ast. “Ahoy!” yelled Harley. But they didn’t hear him on board the vessel, and Harley made up his mind to go after them. His boat, too light to be injured by the force of the collision, was floating on the water near at hand, and in a short time Harley had col- lected his seat and the oars, and was once more seated in his fleet craft, Bonsting ko his work with a will he chased the yacht with such good success that within ten minutes he had overhauled it, and was regarded with astonishment by a young man who stood at the stern of the vessel, who, apparently, was amazed at the vreat speed of Harley’s at, ** Ahoy!” yelled Harley, again. _‘‘Aboy,” answered the young man, who was richly dressed in a fancy costume and wore eye- glasses. . ‘Throw me a rope.” “T will,” And then he yelled for one of his lazy crew, and a rope was thrown to Harley, who made his boat fast and clambered on board, .. ‘*Good-afternoon,” said the young man_with the eye-glasses. ‘‘I’m Captain Bernon Dyer, and this is my yacht, the Corrigan, from San Franciseo.” ‘*Glad to meet you,” said the aeronaut, ‘‘ I’m Captain Harley Willis of the Sky Traveler.” ‘That's an odd name for a boat,” rejoined Captain Dyer. ; “Tt would be an odd name, indeed, for a boat,” said Harley, ‘‘ but it happens to be the name of a balloon.” , “Ob, a balloon!” “Exactly.” ** And bave you got one?” _ “Thad one a few hours ago, and fell out of it, leaving five friends bebiud me, including a most beautiful young lady.” “ Obo! then it was Ke balloon that Isaw.” saan? did you see it? When?’ excitedly asked arley, My ae half an hour ago, and then it was passing along abcut on our present course, Of course, it went out of sigbt in a few minutes,” ‘Then, Captain Dyer,” earnestly said the young aeronaut, ‘‘I beg of you to take me with alls to the coast on this present course, I shall probably find the balloon somewhere near the shore, and be united to my friends again. If you are not bound elsewhere I beg that you will do me this favor. What do you say, captain?’ “Why,” said gallant Captain Dyer, ‘I'd do it if only for the sake cf the pretty girl you left behind ycu.” Then he gave orders to put ona full head of steam, an Bide they went at a rate that proved the Corrigan fast. ‘The distance is about thirty miles to the coast on this course,” said Capen Dyer, ‘‘and within two hours from now I'll land you.” Merrily onward bowled the Corrigan, and Harley improved the time by accepting Captain Dyer’s invitation to have a bite, After a splendid dinner with the captain the sailing-master and one of the officers of the Se Harley came on deck again and had a genia talk with the young owner, who proved bea warm-hearted, liberal young gentleman, with all the wealth he could spend, and nothing to do but amuse himeelf. ‘ “We may be able to see something of the Sky Traveler,” said Captain Dyer, picking = long telescope and focusing for theshore. . ‘‘ By * Is it there?” cried Harley. **'Yes,” said Dyer. ‘Just look fair over our quarter and you'll see it on the beach,” “Tin so glad they have come out of the scrape all t,” said Harley, and then he took the glass, pointed it in the direction named by Captain Dyer, and brought his eye into range. moment Jater he dropped the glass, an ex- pression of dismay on his noble face. ‘Haste, captuin!” he said, ‘‘the balloon is there, but deserted! What can be the matter? ——— . CHAPTER X, THE AZTECS. Unprr the really competent handling of Dennis-Malone, the Sky Traveler hovered over the ocean, ng short trips to the north, aha ast and west, searching for Harley “The sir-ship was cleverly kept at about a quarter of a mile above the water, and all eyes eagerly scanned the surface of the ocean. The Sky Detectives. The telescope, too, was constantly in the hands of some one member of the little com- pany in the car, and the ocean was swept under the powerful lens with no better result than had been achieved by the naked eye. ‘Poor Harley,” said Ben, ‘‘I wonder if he has been drowned?” “Tt was a terrible fall,” remarked Brown. “And he may have flopped on his back and had the wind knocked clean out o’ him, you know,” put in Slasher. ‘*Be Heavens, an’ ye’re all wrong,” averred Malone, ‘‘The gossoon axed me to throw the box, didn’t he?” Yes,” “Thin, be Heavens, he knew he was going, so be did, and it’s not Masther Harley that wouldn’t be Jandin’ in the wather in proper sthyle. And thin, do ye moind, he can’t sink,” And he told them all about the wonders of we oil-skin jacket, and the sectional boat in the x. ‘We're off the coorse,” said Malone, ‘‘and that’s the throuble. It don’t nade more nor a few minutes for a balloon to thravel a dozen miles away.” . “Then you think that we may be many miles from the spot where he fell?” The detective asked the question. “Very loikely,” said Deuny. “Then we may hunt all day and _ not find him,” said Brown, ‘‘ Now we certainly were a number of miles out from land when we saw that water-spout. Harley was dropped at that point. It is probable, according to Malone, that the lad has now got a boat, and one re- markable for lightness and speed. I think the boy will make for the shore, guiding himself by the sun, and that is about the best aise Pa can do. We shall both strike the coast within some miles of one another, probably, and he certainly COuLA A the Sky Traveler at anchor, and come to it,” The proposition seemed so sensible to all that they begged of Denny to follow it, so the brave Irishman, not without a regretful look at the ocean, sought a current to the east and bore away for the coast. The balloon descended upon a broad strip of bbly beach, back of which was a belt of wood- andl and a range of pretty hills. The country looked as wild and natural as could be. ‘‘Do you know what part of the coast this is, Denny?’ asked Brown, ‘“‘ Indade I do not,” said Malone. “T see no signs of life,” remarked Annie. «This porn of the country must be perfectly deserted.” «Yes, I'll wager there’s not a house or a cabin within ten miles, at least,” said Ben, “Tt certainly looks wild,” added Brown, ‘¢ Guess I'll take a stroll in the woods.” Of course, six or seven people in the car of the balloon had made rather crowded quarters for all hands, and they were now averse to stretch- ing their limbs. They had nothing to do but wait for the possible arrival of Harley Willis, so they scattered about.. At first Annie Bradley walked along the beach, picking up some rare and pretty shells, but later on she strolled off to the cool looking woods, They had not seen a sign or trace of human beings since the Sky Traveler was made fast, therefore it was with a careless step that Annie entered the woods, and began searching for fruits and flowers, At first sbe kept near the edge of the woods, but gradually penetrated deeper and deeper. Then shadowy forms began to rise behind the Ce eee unsuspecting girl, flitting from tree to tree, and from bush to bush, all the time keeping out of view. So long as the girl wandered away from the coast, the hiding forms followed without molest- ing her, but the instant she turned to go back, they acted. A score of savages closed in about ber, and the astonished girl found herself in the center of a human ring. ; She screamed lustily, drew her revolver with a swift motion, and without at all being ticu- in her aim, fired at one part of the ring. A tall savage caught her wrist at the moment, and the bullet flew harmlessly away. Then a number of hands grasped and held the girl. She uttered shriek after shriek, with the sole, view of attracting her friends to her rescue, and struggled furiously with ber captors. But what could even a robust and plucky girl do against twenty men? In a moment she was hurled to the grass, her hands were tied to her body, her ankles lashed together, and then poor Annie was helpless. Then one of her red captors placed her on his back, and the whole lot started off at a brisk ace. While journeying on the back of the man who had shouldered her, Annie had time to think and compare matters. * At the first moment of ber surprise she thought she had been attacked by some Digger Indians, natives of California, and the lowest, meanest wretches of their race. Now that she had time to think over it, she recalled to mind that her foes were more olive than red, that they bad both chins and fore- heads that receded; that they bore themselves nobly, and very much different in mien to the degraded * Digger,” and additionally, they wore gold and silver ornaments, and bore spears in their hands that were tipped with gold, and ornamented with jewels, Reviewing all these facts in her mivd, Annie Bradley soon made a*“guess at the identity of her captors. She was in the power of a remnant of the once powerful Aztecs, once the rulers of Mexico, the worshipers of the pagan god Huitzilo- Siete to whom for centuries past they had een making human sscrifices. Formerly they had occupied towns and cities in Mexico only, but since they had been con- quered by the invaders of the Jand they bad be- come scattered, and bad sought some remote and wild corners, where they could live as their ancestors lived for centuries before them. Annie knew that there were some few Aztecs in California, and heard strange stories con- cerning their wonderful temples, their gods, and their sacrifices. Therefore, it is not to be wondered at that Annie Bradley, brave as sbe naturally was, felt a cold shiver run through ber young. bones when she thought of being sacrificed by her idolatrous captors. ‘My brave brother and his friends will not desert me,” she said to herself more than once, but for all that she felt cbilled with horror, now that she was satisfied that her foes were, indeed, members of the Aztec race, There were twenty-two members in the band that bad captured Annie, and they were ali fine-looking and intelligent in-their way. One after another took turns in carrying the cap- tive, and so the band was enabled to travel with considerable speed. Fully five miles into the interior they pene- trated, and at length reached their village, a group of twenty odd houses lying ina valley surrounded by a high range of hills, When the band was seen approaching with a captive, the ple, men and women, old and oung, rushed out into the sole street of the re and at their head came a man with a long robe, This was a priest, and in the original language of the race he shouted: wise sacriGest + Gi vi e people took up the cry, appearing to go almost wild with joy. — ir as A sma!l body of soldiers came forth from a temple; they were well - drilled, splendidly dressed, bore shields and spears, and also short swords, The captive’s feet and bands were then re- leased, and she was placed before the doors of the temple. Barbarous instruments were played, and & procession was formed of the yillegers, who —, slowly before Apnie and made a low w, uttering words which were unintelligible to the girl, and seeming to treat ber with great eee ishes of solid gold and silver were then placed before her, containing food that appeared good and well cooked. The whole thing seemed like a dream to the girl, who could scarcely believe that she was awake, But when she saw the long roted old priest draw a keen, glittering knife from beneath bic dress and hold it aloft, she shuddered, for she felt that the knife was intended for ber. ““My people,” cried the priest, ‘once more shall the blood of a beautiful sacrifice purify the floor of the temple and make glad the beart of the mighty, gracious god, Huitzilopochtli. ‘* Prosperity will once more smile on us In this retreat, far from the land of the great Montezuma. “Let all prepare for the hour of sacrifice, for it comes with the setting of the sun.” A number of women came forward at the conclusion of his remarks, took up the captive oe
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in their arms and bore her away, followed by ‘the trained and armed band of soldiers. Annie saw that it was useless to attempt es- cape from such a crowd. She could only hope for rescue from her friends. She was taken into a house by the women, her garments were stripped from ber, and then she was clothed in robes of fine cloth, heavy with gold and thickly ornamented with jewels, A sort of crown was then placed on her head, and she was seated outside the house where this had taken place, to be admired and compli- mented by the people. The food. was again placed before her, and as she really felt bungry, and had not yet lost all hope of rescue, the sensible girl partook of it, finding it very good. So the afternoon passed away, Annie being worshiped and admired, women and men chant- ing, and girls performing a strange dance. hen she was led back to the door of the tem- ple and placed upon a sort of altar, richly orna- mented, while half a dozen priests gathered about her and held her down with a strong rip. r Then the high priest, brandishing aloft the long knife of sacrifice, chanted a sort of dirge and enumerated the many virtues of the god ButtallopochEl, to whom the sacrifice was made. At the end of the chant a shout went up, and the bright blade was lifted above the girl cap- tive’s heart! ’ CHAPTER XI. STMARCHING FOR ANNIE, Or course the shot fired by Annie Bradle and her loud screams were heard by tha scat- tered passengers of the balloon, who were all amusing themselves along shore or in the woods. Harry Brown, who. was in a remote part of the woods at the time, ran with all speed to- ward the balloon. The others all ran toward the same spot for the reason that they were unable to tell from what quarter the alarming sounds came, They met at the car of the Sky Traveler and a)l exclaimed: ‘* What’s the matter?” ‘‘ Where did Annie go?” demanded Brown, ‘(To the woods,” said Ben. ‘‘ She uttered the screams, I’m sure.” He darted away for the woods, and they all put after him, leaving the balloon deserted up- on the beach, ' Spreading out, with weapons ready in hand, they scoured the woods for a considerable dis- tance, but saw no.signs of Annie, They shouted the girl’s name aldud, but re- ceived no response, and were about to return to the shore to see if Annie had returned there, when Jack Slasher saw a handsome spear balf concealed in some long grass and picked it up. ‘Stand still a minute,” he said, with his eyes on the ground. : He studied the appearance 0’ the spot for a few minutes, and as he was quite a fair woods- man, he boldly made this statement: % ee here the girl was captered by a lot of men ‘White men?” asked Ben. “No, nor exactly red ones nuther,” replied the ex-bully of Golden Gulch. ‘ Accordin’ to this here spear, she was captered by them ’ere fellers phony lived in Mexico afore white men come along. fy plese * said Brown. “Pard, you've hit it. They must have one 0’ their towns in this part of the country. I'm advisin’ that we git back to the balloon, go up, and use the spy-glass to locate the town,’ “ But,” cal Ben, excitedly, ‘‘if you’ve got the skill to read all this by signs, can’t you fol- low up the trail, and let us rescue Annie?” «NS use, boy,” said Slasher. “Jest look at the trail. No less than twenty men, and they’re not Digger Indians, nutber, an’ don’t yer forgit it. These here chaps kin fight. Besides, the gal’s in no danger, now.” ‘How so?” demanded Brown. ; “They either kill’em at. sunrise or sunset,” replied Slasher, ‘Oh, as sacrifices?” a Correct.” airt ; “Then,” said the detective, ‘‘Jack’s advice is good. Come on.” Back they went to the shore, to find to their astonishment that a handsome steam-yacht la a few hun yards off-shore, and that a hand- some cutter was approaching the beach, manned by a full crew, and bearing Harley Willis in the stern, The Sky Detectives. happened and made acquainted with Jack Slasher’s idea. “Tl tell very soon,” said Harley, jumping into the car. ‘‘ Let go the anchor, Malone,” Two minutes later he was high up in the air, and brought the Sky Traveler to an almost stationary ition. Within five minutes he was upon the solid earth again, ‘*Slasher is right,” he announced, as Malone made the balloon fast. ‘She has been carried off by just such a band as Slasher mentions; they are carrying her upon their backs, secure- ly bound. ith my glass I made out their vil- lage, toward which they are traveling. I should jadge that it is five miles away, and they are more than half-way home.” ' ‘How many in the band, do you say?” aske Captain Dyer. ‘** About twenty.” ‘* And how many people are we to look for in the village?” ‘The place looked very small to me; and I shouldn’t look for avery large fighting force,” said Harley. * But much eresy, than your numbers can successfully tackle “We must tackle them, though,” said Har- ley. ‘‘Pdsave that girl, or try to, if I had to do it alone.” ‘“Your numbers would fail against the Aztec village,” said Captain Dyer. ‘‘I know some- thing of them, They have a trained body of soldiers. Suppose I lend you my blue jackets?” ** Will you?” cried all. 7 ‘* You bet I will,” said the gallant young cap- tain. i tion on board the. Corrigan, and I’ll lead every volunteer in my crew to the rescue,” He turned to the boat’s crew. “Will you volunteer to rescue this pretty lass from the heathen?” he asked, ; A cheer was the answer, and the men all tossed up their caps. ‘* Brave lads,” cried Harley. “ll take the boat back to the Corrigan and get the rest of the crew,” said Captain Dyer. ‘We can also bring the arms and ammunition forall. Ill stand at the head of twenty-five brave and well-armed men, By the way, bow will you go?” “In the balloon, with Malone, my man.” “Then I'll bring you a small cannon, and a suit of armor I bought in France, The cannon will be loaded with small stuff that will scatter broadly, The armor you can wear, and fear neither sword, knife, or bullet if you have to at- tempt the rescue alone.” “T'll take both ‘‘Thanks!” said Harley. along with pleasure.” With two oarsmen back went Captain Dyer to the Corrigan. Every sailor on board re- sponded to his call for volunteers, and the pre- parations went on actively. In less than fifteen minutes from the time that the men volunteered, the expedition under the lead of Captain Dyer was on its way, ac- companied by Ben Bradley, Harry Brown, and the former bully of Golden Gulch, while ‘Har- ley and Malone, in the Sky Traveler, with the small cannon and the suit of armor along, were bearing away through tbin air. Crossing some — ridges the Ba of the Aztecs was lost by tbe party under Captain Dyer, and they were forced to come to a halt ane search for it, t was not easy to find where the earth could not receive impressions, “Don’t lose time hunting for it,” spoke up Jack Slasher, ‘‘ We know about the way to go to the town, so what’s the use of losing time as may be valuable?” ‘“That’s so,” said Brown, “ Harley gave us our bearings. t’s move on; the girl may be in great danger.” ** All right,” said Captain Dyer, and on they ent. The result of this was that they passed by the little range of bills that shut in the town of the Aztecs, and went a trifle off to the north with- out seeing a signofthe settlement. Fortunately, for it was now growing late, Harley Willis, aloft in the car of the Sky Traveler, caught sight of them and saw that asf had missed the point they aimed to reach. € managed to lower his balloon in advance of them, and waited for them to come up, when he told them of their error, much to their sur- The time thus lost brought them aero near to sunset, and Ben was in a fever of w “Tve got plenty of arms and ammuni-’ 1 anxiety lest they should be too late to rescue his sister. Back went the command under the youn yachtsman, and Harley, clad in his suit o armor, with the assistance of Malone, dragged the loaded cannon on its low wheels to a pass not more than five feet wide, which led in be- tween two hills to the Aztec town, The arrapgement had been made that he was to enter the town at this point, aim his cannon if he saw a crowd, and fire it among the crowd. When Harley opened attack at this end of the town in the manner mentioned, the party under Captain Dyer was to rush in from arr 0 ite entrance and fall upon the astonished villagers. Harley saw the crowd about the temple, sav the raised altar upon which he believed Annie. lay, and saw a long-robed Aztec standing over the altar, around which stood half a dozen more long-robed men. Carefully training bis cannon upon the idola- trous crowd and aiming low, the young aero- naut fired the piece. With a loud roar it went off, and the hail of lead and iron with which it was loaded among the Aztecs, just as the priest raised the glittering knife above Annie’s prostrate form, Tn an instant the scene changed. The cannon, aimed so as to be on a range with the lower limbs of the villagers, cut thens down as a scythe mows down the tall F aoe The high priest’s arm fell by his side, and ars expression of terror crept over his stern feat- ures, The priests who were holding on to Annie let: go of her with a dismal howl, and fled with precipitate haste into the sacred temple, prob- ably with the idea that they would be within its walls, The wounded fell in a shrieking mass to the street, while the others stood bewildered and unable to turn one way or another. And at that moment of extreme confusion, with Captain Dyer, Ben Bradley, Harry Brow und Yaak Slasher at their head, the sailors from the Corrigan made their charge. CHAPTER XII, IN ARMOR, Wir a cheer as loud as the report of the cannon that had seived asa signal, the hardy blue-jackets charged into the town at a double- quick pace, . The common people fled, but the trained sol- diers of the Aztecs turned to meet them with a bold front. In a moment they met with a crash, and then, it was cutlass against sword and revolver against spear and shield. Clad from head to foot in armor that set snugly on his athletic form, and with a revolver in each hand, Harley Willis made a dash for the temple. He was just in time, { The high priest had recovered from bis terror, and was about to retreat into the tem- e. ‘ It seems that he had made up his mind to earry out the sacrifice at all odds, for be raised the blade once more just as Annie, hearing the shouts and feeling that her friends were athand, tried to get up from the altar, — The priest pusbed her rudely back, and was about to stab her with the long, sacrificial blade, when Harley Willis drew a bead on him. The cim was a hasty one but it was true, an& with a bullet through bis left lung the pagan priest fell. Up the slope to the temple dashed the young balloonist, crying: “* Annie—Annie, it is I!” safe / Annie’s eyes opened wide with wonder, as she leaped down from the altar and beheld this fig-- ure clad in armor rushing up to her, but she recognized the voice with a feeling of joy. ‘*Oh, Harley! is it you?’ she cried. _ And then, as though she had known bim for years, she rushed into his arms, armor and a Throwing one arm around her, Harley led. ber away from the spot to the pass by which be had entered, and told her to run along it. until she met Malone with the balloon, Then he returned to the vicinity of the temple and dashed into the thickest of the fight, laugh- ing to himself when blows were rained upon: him, and turned aside by the solid armor, He caught a cutlass from the hands of a fallen sailor, and slashed about him right anc left like a hero, not attempting to defend him- self in the least, so secure did he feel in his dress of steel. * (Tf
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12 Jack Slasher fought with all the vim and welish of a man who loves fighting as well as he dover eating, and disdaining either revolver or knife, used a big club with terrible effect, strik- ‘ink terrific blows witb his long, powerful arms. Ben Bradley was doing his share, and had already tumb ‘trying to evade a thrust of a spear, he fell. nstantly the Aztec who had thrust at him ‘was upon the boy, and once again the deadly was raised aloft, to be sunk into brave n’s heart, _ But Harry Brown, whose eyes seemed to be all over, and whose aim was sure, sent a bullet crashing fhrough the barbarian’s brain, just.as Captain Dyer made a brave but unnecessary dash to the rescue, The Az62cs certainly were good soldiers, and fought along with the cool apd determined «courage of trained §-oops. But they could not hold out against the su- perior arms of the attacking party, and were s00n forced to succumb, A peculiar order rung out from one who ap- peared to be the leader, and they made a united dash for the temple in which the priests chad taken refuge. So sudden was the movement made, and with such unity of action, that they were half-way to the edifice before the astonished Americans had time to understand the dodge. “ After them,” yelled Captain Dyer, and led the attack, The entire body of men dashed after him with ~ cheer following the flash of his sword, but they were too late to cut off the retreat of the ‘flying troops. The last man got into the temple, and the door, constructed of iron, and fitted into solid stone, was closed. Then as the Americans halted they saw that the temple was solidly constructed of stone, “They’re solidly fixed in there,” said Captain Dyer. ‘Boys, I guess we’ll have to let the rascals alone, for the simple reason that we can’t get at them.” . “So it seems,” said Brown. ‘‘ We can’t batter down that door, and the building looks re a big lump of stone, the way they’ve built i Jack Slasher stood by and looked at the ‘temple with longing eyes, “Tes a’ta shame,” he declared. “What is?’ asked Brown. ‘That we can’t git in,” “ Oh, it doesn’t really matter,” said the de- tective, ‘‘ We’ve rescued the girl and punished her abductors.” “* Pard, yer talkin’, but yer not on the tack I am. Yer see, pard, I knows something about them 'ere Aztecs—seen 'em in Mexico more’n a bundred times, an’ I kin bet you as how there’s i 0 plunder to be skinned out o’ them tem- ples, ‘ Plunder?” may # » af t kind?” ‘* Why gold and silver gods, some of the crit- ‘ters with diamond eyes big enough to make yer head swim,” ‘* Is that so?” ‘“True as preachin’, Why d, you’d find a fortune in that temple, or tai be ‘a Digger, by aTigge. ‘“ We can’t leave all this treasnre behind us, tain Dyer,” said Brown. ‘‘We are the victors, and to us belong the spoils. Your men will not object to a sbare of the prize mart “*That’s true,” Dyer exclaimed. “ But how are we to get in?” said Ben Brad- . “We might stay here and starve the a out, but that would be a mighty long “This temple is built as a place of retreat ‘and refuge in time of danger,” spoke up Harley Willis, ‘‘and the work has been solidly done, but if you will all wait here until I can go to { the balloon and return, I think I shall be able to open that iron door for you.” “Go it,” said Captain Dyer. ‘‘ We'll stand guard until you return,” Away went the scientific lad toward the Sky Traveler, and then Captain Dyer improved the chance to look after his men, some of whom had fallen in the rattling ago, He found one of his men killed, pierced through the heart by the long spear of an Aztec ‘warrior. Six more were wounded, two of them quite seriously, while the other four were wounded in @ manner that was painful, yet not sufficiently bad to prevent them from fighting. Half a dozen Aztecs, pierced by the bullets of over two of his foes, when, in The Sky Detectives, the attacking party, lay dead upon the ground, while nearly double Ruat number had been wounded, and were now crawling away to a place of safety. In a short time wre d Willis, divested of his armor, returned to the spot, and brought the small cannon with him. Behind him came Annie Bradley, carrying a couple of packages, ith great care Annie placed the parcels on the ground, and then shook hands with her friends and kissed her brother Ben. Then all hands watched Harley with con- sigerable bie dion in eg e @ young genius opened one of the packages, and brought forth a canof powder. He took the tissue paper surrounding the can, and looked about him, ‘* Who can make a slow fuse?” he asked, and one of the sailors touched his hat and stepped forward, *T can make a time fuse,” he said, confident- ly. ‘‘How long does your honor want it to burn?” “Three minutes, at least.” ‘ All right, sir.” He took the paper and some powder, and be- gan manufacturing the fuse Harley needed. Then the young genius took the bulk of the wder and carefully loaded the cannon, plac- ng three or four large stones on top of the pow- der to serve the place of a ball, Then he opened the other package and ex- posed something that looked like a can of can- ned fruit, ‘What is it?” asked Brown ‘Oh, a trifling thing,” smiled Harley. “TI hold here a pow er great enough to blow us all to eternity.” ‘* Nitro-glycerine?” “ Yes,” They all n to move off, while the young balloonist laughed heartily at their uneasiness. ‘*Don’t fear,” be said. “I’min no hurry to die. I'll be careful.” The can was placed against the door of the temple and the mouth of the cannon directed against it at a distance of two feet. ** Now, my man, how about the fuse?” said Harley to the sailor. . *‘Done, your honor,” answered the sailor, giving it a last twist. ‘‘T’ll warrant it burns no less than three minutes.” ‘* That will give me all the time I want,” said Harley. ‘‘ My friends, I advise you all to take a walk, I can assure you that it will be for the benefit of your health to do so,” They didn’t need a second request but got away at a lively pace; nor did they pause until they had put a safe distance between them- selves and the dreaded explosive. ‘ Very quietly Harley completed all his ar- rangements. : 7 e kept talking in a loud tone all the time, in order that the imprisoned folks within the tem- ple might not think the spot was deserted and eome forth, The long fuse was securely attached to the cannon, the end was set light to, and then Har- ley started away from the dangerous locality on a very lively run. He reached the safe location where his friends had taken up their stand, and then all with eager interest awaited the result of the experi- ment. With a uniform action the fuse burned down to the cannon. The heavily-ioaded cannon went off within three minutes after Harley reached his friends, but its report was drowned in the mighty roar that seemed to shake heaven andearth. — A cloud of dust, a shower of stones, and a series of startled cries followed, but for a few minutes our friends were unable to see the re- sult of the tremendous explosion, Then the smoke and dust cleared away and they saw that half of the massive temple had been shattered to fragments, ~vhile the other half was demolished in a degree that told how far-reaching had been the effects of the nitro- glycerine, Not a soul was to be seen. “Come on!” said Harley. ‘‘The temple is ours!” With a cheer they dashed down upon the ruined temple. Four dead men within the ruins was all that could be seen of the many who had taken plea there. The rest had disappeared from view. _— ‘* Where are they all?” asked Captain Dyer. ‘* Blown to the four winds, as such inhuman brutes deserved to be,” said Harley. ‘Had they been like other members of the human family I could not have done it, but heartless brutes who could make a sacrifice of a beautiful girl—ob, I could blow them all into eternity and laugh at it.” “Yes, they are no more than the brutes of the field,” said Harry Brown. A shout from Jack Slasher at this moment at- tracted attention. The former bully of Golden Gulch had picked up a overthrown image, and was holding it aloft. It was about the size of a ten-pound baby, and a an eyes that gave forth a bewildering ight, ‘*There’s a prize,” cried Captain Dyer. * Hurrah!” yelled the crew of the Corrigan, and up went their hats. ‘‘ What’s that worth?” asked Ben, turning to Harry Brown. “On a rough estimate,” said the detective, taking the image in bis hands, “1 should “ ieee was worth at least fifty thousand dol- ars. *“ Hurrah!” again yelled the crew. Then a half-dozen made a dive among the debris of the ruined temple. Several more images of bronze, brass, and iron were found some of them gilded in parts exposed, and all supplied with eyes of diamonds. t length the patron god of the Aztecs Huitzilopochtli, was found, He had a face, wide mouth, and terrible eyes. He was covered with gold, pearls, and precious stones, and was girt about with golden serpents. On his neck were the faces of men wrought in sil- ver, and their hearts in gold. Everything in gold, silver, or precious stones was hacked c ff or pried out by the lootin party, and an immense heap was made outs C) ruined temple. Then Captain Dyer, Ha Brown, and the young balloonist were elected to act as a com- mittee for dividing the spoils of war, and so fairly was the division made that everybod was satisfied, and it was estimated that the sale of tbe stuff under fair circumstances would make all hands the possessor of quite a snug little fortune. - Then, with many Ess, and re to meet again, Captain Dyer bade adieu to Harley Willis and his party, and with his wounded borne on Jitters, marched off at the head of his victorious crew, while Harley and his friends, bearing their sbare of the booty, regained the Sky Traveler. The prizes were safely stowed away in the bottom of the car, the reunited party got aboard, the drag-rope was cast off, the gas in- flated by heat, and up into the thin air they arose. ‘**Once more afloat,” said Harley, with an ad- miring glance at Annie Bradley, who looked very charming in the costume the Aztec women had put upon her. “ And now, the question of the moment is: where do you want to go?” ‘*Back to Golden Gulch,” spoke up Ben, in his resolute manner. ‘ With what we all know Ican expose Dick Crowell and Simpson. I'll show up their guilt, even if I don’t prove m own innocence. I am determined to 40 bac there with my bead erect, and if they plot against me again Ican do what I’ve done fore: fight for life and honor!” : CHAPTER XIIL AN ARREST. LATE the next day after the fight of the Americans with the Aztecs quite an exciting scene took place in Golden Gulch. Finding, by careful inquiry, that no news of his villainy had been spread about the town, Dick Crowell unhesitatingly left bis haunt. He and a number of his men were seated in the Diggers’ Delight, in company with a mis- ceJlaneous crowd of miners, tradespeople, pros- ctors and others, when the thunder of many oofs was heard, and a body of mounted men dashed up to the door. They dismounted and passed into the bar- room just as the occupants sprung to their feet to see what was afoot. . A score of people recognized Sheriff Hays, and a number shouted: “What's up, Jack?” — The eagle eye of the little sheriff ranged over the room, and be advanced upon Crowell. “Diek Crowell,” he said, “IJ want you, I arrest you as an outlaw, a robber, and the leader of robbers. Cave in, or you'll never But what he was never going to see remained am ry, for at that very instant Crowell acted upon the defensive with lightning-like rapidity.
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A revolver gleamed in the hand of the little sheriff, and it was known that no man in the mines looked more truly over the barrel of a weapon than did Jack Hays, so Crowell, who was really a shrewd fellow, was not foolish enough to invite a shot from the sheriff by drawing a weapon. No, he waited until the sheriff was close to him, and then made a swift, hard kick at him. He came at him in the stomach, and little Jack Hays doubled up like a ball and fell to the floar, Tben, with a signal-cry to his men, the leader of the outlaw gang bounded like a flash through an open window and disappeared from view. ** After bim!” cried one. “Stop him!” said another, “ive hundred dollars for him, dead or alive!” yelled one of the sheriff's posse, and the reward caused nearly all in the saloon to rush out and bunt for the fugitive, Bat almost as soon as he was out of the saloon Dick Crowell had twenty choice spirits about him, and when the ‘hen-bantein eager for the reward offered, made a rush for the defiant outlaw, his men met them with a hasty volley that killed one, wounded half a dozen more, and made the rest rush for cover. Jack Hays’s men were busy trying to get him in breathing condition again, and the unorgan- ized loungers did not attempt to further pursue the compact and well-armed gang. The consequence was that when Jack Hays came back to a natural condition Dick Crowell and hi, men were out of sight. ‘* Where is be?’ roared the sheriff. ‘‘ Where is that Dick Crowell?” te Gone !? “ Where?’ None of his men knew. A voice from the doorway said: ‘*T know!” They all looked up. Ben Bradley stood in the doorway, with ‘Harry Brown, Jack Slasher, and Harley Willis at his back. al Aba!” roared a dozen men, recognizing the ““That’s Ben Bradley!” ‘* He’s a thief!” * Secure him!” “ We'll string him up!” Pistol in hand Ben advanced into the room, “Tf the man who called me a thief will stand out from the rest,” he said, ‘‘1’ll put a bullet in his heart.” ‘“* And if the man will follow who proposes to string him up,” announced Harry Brown, in his cool style, ‘“I’ll try to do just as much for him.” “ And if any galoot in the shebang, or an half-dozen wants me to jump clean down their throats, just let ’em put a paw on the kid,” growled out Jack Slasher. Harley Willis didn’t say anything, but he gripped bis pistols with a resolute expression. his determined exhibition had the effect of quelling any intended movement, and then Ben spoke again: “‘ Where are your brains, my old-time friends? Hasn’t the sheriff tried to arrest Dick Crowell, Simpson and the rest of the gang of outlews and robbers? Can’t you see that Simpson and Crowell put up that job on me? Capture the villains, and ‘I'll make them own up at the oint of the knife,” “‘ Guess the boy's right.” “Tt looks like it.” “Sure,” And in a mom<«nt his old enemies, who a mo- ment before had been ready to string Ben Brad- ley up, underwent a change of feeling, and crowded around the boy with outstretched hands. “Sheriff,” said Harry Brown, “I know the retreat of this robber and his men, and if you will follow me we will make them prisoners, or else wipe them from the face of the earth,” ““Who are you?” * Harry Brown, a New York detective.” “And what is your business here?” the sheriff sked. “‘T hold a warrant of arrest from the Goy- ernor of the State of New York for a party ' named Walter Storm.” ‘¢ And do you know where he is?” “‘T think I shall find him when you find Dick Crowell,” was the reply. “ Haste, sheriff, and let us get on after the rascals before they have time to mount horses and get away.” ‘* How many men do we need?” “Your party and mine will serve the pur- pose, We have no horses, You are a sheriff The Sky Detectives. in pursuit of fugitive prisoners. Levy on the town for horses.” ae 20) Within ten minutes after that the sheriff and his posse, numbering fifteen men besides bhim- self, and accompanied by our four friends, rode out of Golden Gulch, well-mounted and well- armed, At a swinging gallop they swept away from the town, Harry Brown leading the way. On they dashed at arapid rate, and to Ben who was riding at his side, Harry Brown sai in a stern tone: ‘*T feel that the end is near at hand.” “The end of what?’ asked Ben, “Of my searvh; my mission,” “Why, do you expect to find the murderer of my parents? “No, I don’t say that, but I do expect to find the man who ruined your father and sent him out here to the West, where he met an untimely death, and when I find him I may Jearn some- thing abo~* the murderer,” ‘*T never saw the man’s face,” said Ben, “ but tbe mark on his arm may yet bring him to jus- tice, I can always swear to the block cross.” ‘*This man who ruined your father, holds or did hold a fortune, a stolen one, which belonged of right to you and your sister Annie,” said Brown. ‘I did intend to try and make him re- store that ill-gotten wealth, but now that neither of you need itI shall say nothing about the mouey, which probably went. long ago.” ‘IT only want revenge,” exclaimed Ben, with flashing eyes. ‘‘ J’m rich, already, without tak- avg tte gold from the stream,” 4 t that instant a shout rung out from Jack ays: “There they come!” Hs pointed tothe bottom of a little valley, along which were walking Dick Crowell and bis men, burdened with packs of plunder that they were removing from their cave, Like tigers the mounted men swept down up- on them, CHAPTER XIV. “Srn, THE BLACK CROSS!” WHEN the outlaws saw the sheriff’s band sweeping down upon them, they were consider- ae surprised, but, nevertheless, turned to & Their bundles of plunder were cast aside, and co stood upon the defensive, he — were about equally matched in polit of numbers, the only advantage possessed by the attacking party consisting in being mounted, while the outlaws were on foot. ‘*Here’s a bullet to wing the leader,” cried the sheriff. He took aim at Dick Crowell’s right arm, and as the sheriff was a crack shot the outlaw leader would have been rendered useless at the begin- ning of the fight, bad not one of his men hap- pened to move in front of bim, The fellow was pierced through the body by ot ay intended for Crowell’s arm, and fell ead, With an imprecation on his bad luck, Jack Hays gave the order to fire. A volley from his Laredo rung out, and was almost instantly returned by Crowell’s men. Then the two parties met. The horses were abandoned, and the dis- mounted men fought on foot and hand to hand with their eager foes, By In a moment the pure air of the little valley was thick with smoke and dust, while the dis- charges of weapons, the clash of steel, the shrieks of the wounded, and the groans of the dying, made up a series of sounds and sights not to be easily described, A gigantic outlaw, armed with a rifle which he had clubbed after first discharging it, was raging around like a fury, and nobody seemed anxious to tackle him until Jack Slasher caught a glimpse of him. ‘“ Oho!” cried the former bully of Golden Gulch. ‘Come here, you big buck, and hit a feller yer own size.” A moment later they closed in with a shock. Slasher had picked up a gun from the fleld of battle, and with it met the sweeping blow aimed at him by his opponent, The force of the blow and the parry knocked the guns from the bands of both combatants. — With a common instinct they gripped their knives, and hacked away at one another like twin furies. , Just at that moment the Sky Traveler came into view, moving majestically toward the bat- tlefield. Half a dozen rapid parries, a few severe cuts 13 on either side, and then Slasher knocked dis opponent’s blade flying from his hand, and drove his bowie through the outlaw’s heart, Ben had dashed fearlessly into the fight, Har- ley Willis at bis side, y The New York detective seemed to be prompted by a desire to protect the young miner, and wherever Ben Bradley went the keen eye of Harry Brown followed him. A revolver was grasped in either hand by the cool detective, and bis aim on all occasions was sure, An outlaw leaped with an upraised knife upon Ben. ‘ The boy turned pluckily to meet bim, but before he could close in with the man, Harry Brown had drawn a bead upon the fellow and drilled a hole through the rascal’s bead with a bullet, ‘Now, ae young whelp!” It was Dick Crowell’s voice. Ben heard him, and turned to meet the eyes of the outlaw chief turned upon bim with an expression of hate. Crowell’s sleeves were rolled up, just as & butcher might do when about slaughtering cat- tle, and a Jong knife was flercely gripped in his right band. The once bright blade was now red with blood, and Crowell himself was covered with the crimson stains, He looked very ferocious as he stood there, but Ben didn't hesitate a minute about meeting him, ‘You dog!” he cried, while his trusty bowie- knife flashed in the air, ‘‘ You thief, who tried to rob me of my good name, You're a man, and I’m only a boy, but in fighting you lam t- ing for life aud honor, and ll cut your black heart out!” The boy was flushed with a just rage as he uttered the ringing words. is powertully- made form seemed to grow stronger and bigger as he spoke, and bis tone and mannel aimost. made Crowell quail. Then the outlaw cbief, who had so long de- ceived the unsuspecting miners of Golden ‘| Gulch, laughed in bis wellknown sneering style and made a slash at Ben’s throat. The boy parried with great strength, and the blow was turned aside. A moment later the fire flashed from their blades as they met with a succession of rin ging sounds in the air. ; Harry Brown had been tackled by two of the outlaws, and had his hands as full as possible, otherwise he might have picked off Ben’s oppo- nent with one of his cool shots. : The Sky Traveler bad now arrived within a short distance of the battle-field, and wa. rest- ing motionless a few feet up in the air, and perhaps three hundred yards away. The jovial face of Dennis Malone peered over the side of the car, and behind the jolly Irish- man was to be seen pretty Annie Bradley. The balloon was maintained at about the one position, and the occupants of the car bad a first-class view of the exciting battle. With great fury Ben and Dick Crowell at- tacked one another. The boy was strong, and skillful in the uee of the knife, and desperate fighter as Dick Crowell was, he bad his hands full when he tackled brave Ben in mortal combat. Suddenly Ben dcdged down to evade a pecu- liar thrust, and at the same time the bare right arm of his foe went up in the air. : The boy’s eyes, glancing upward at the very instant, caught sight of the peculiar mark that appeared upon the white skin of the robber cbieftain’s arm. His eyes blezed, his form expanded, and in a piercing shriek, he cried: “ § e, the black cross !” A’ d he mark which at once branded the murderer of his parents! So loud and piercing, so peculiar was the cry, that almost all the combatants heard it. Harry Brown heard it, struck down the man who opposed him with a swift blow, and turned to look at Ben. He saw the boy; he saw the outstretched, in- dicating finger; he saw the black cross on Crowell’s arm, and then, bis voice ringing out in Staines ery, be rushed toward the outlaw chief, Bat Dick Crowell didn’t wait for Brown to reach bim. From the very second when Ben uttered the astonished accusation, a sort of terror had seized upos him, and without waiting to strike again at Ben he turned, and fled from the spot. He happened to go in the direction of the Sky pointed an arity | finger at the ick Crowell as
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| | en ee silken bag. 14 “Traveler, and a gleam of hope lit up his face as he caught sight of the big ballcon. He bounded toward it, and he ran fleetly, too. After him came Ben Bradley and Harry Brown, both pale with excitement. With immense bounds Dick Crowell leaped toward the car. Dennis saw him coming, and drawing a knife from his hunting-shirt, stood in readiness to meet the desperate-looking man, ut Crowell, who had drawn a revolver, was ‘too quick for the brave Irishman. He took a hasty aim, firing as he ran, and Dennis Malone uttered a cry, reeled, and fell heavily to the und, Plucky Annie Bradley, seeing Malone fall drew her small but serviceable revolver, an would have rendered a good account of berself had not her foot slipped in the haste of her movement, throwing her to the floor of the car and dislodging the pistol from her grasp. Lightened by Malone’s heavy form falling to the ground, the Sky Traveler would have shot up into the air at once had it not been for the fact that Crowell grasped the: car on one side just as Harley Willis, who, seeing that his air- ship was menaced, bad fleetly bounded after ~ri villain, clutched the basket on the opposite side. Both Crowell and Harley bounded into the ear just as the balloon began to rise. In falling Annie Bradley bad touched with some weight against the crank controlling the heating ap- paratus, and the heated gas speedily asserted its ascensional qualities. The battle, commenced late in the day, had been prolouged until nearly seven o’clock, and ‘the shades of night were beginning to fall when the balloon ascended with its three occupants. Actuated by a common ‘impulse, Harley and Crowell leaped toward one another, both armed with knives. As frequently happens in knife wombats, both combatants made a quick clutch for the right wrist, and, as luck would have it ne both succeeded in obtaining the desired 0. . Then, in the gathering darkness, and while the balloon was sailing along to unknown a the mortal foes struggled for the mas- ry. te was a full-grown man against a boy of eighteen, but the youngster possessed muscles and sinews of steel, and the battle was an even one, In the gathering darkness they foughe on, oe here and thereover the floor of the car, while the Sky Traveler continued on its way. In twisting hither and thither the strugglin opponents suddenly collided with the electrica apparatus that served to expand or contract the 8. The ay oh ey were broken and in an instant a flash issued from the bottom of the “Fire! It was Annie who uttered the cry. The lower part of the immense silken globe ‘was in flames. This was a common enemy, a terrible foe to all three, and asif by mutual consent Harley Willis and Dick Crowell let go their hold upon one another and turned to fight the fast-increasing flames. But there was little that they could do, now that the firs was started. The hot tongues of flame came down toward them with scorching effect, and Harley realized that their situation ‘was one of extreme ea He did not know how high up in the air they were, nor what sort of landing-place stretched below. There was one means of obtaining in- formation, and Harley adopted it. “The balloon is losing gas rapidly and de- scending,” be muttered, ‘The great danger is that we sball be scorched by the fire long before we touch the earth. I must see what is below ws, He caught up a torch, lit it, and with a gentle cuba Ui nusiirts. Cnedgacrel wary eedaenly wa until it disap very suddenly from his sight, and then turned to the girl, “* Annie,” “ Yes.” “Will you trust your fate to me?” “45 will Do as you think best, that we are doom: this car.” «Then come,” ; He 6 his arms, and with perfect confi- dence Annie crept within his strong embrace. Crowell, as though paralyzed with fear, had been dly nite the flames, but when he saw Harley make a movement as though to I am sure if we stay much longer in teave the car, he bounded upon him with a The Sky Detectives. savage exclamation. He was too late, how- ever, to arrest the progress of the young aero- naut, With Annie Bradley clasped firmly in his arms, Harley Willis leaped from the balloon, Swiftly they descended through the air, and after plunging mrnugh. perhaps sixty feet of thin air, they broke through the surface of a cool body of water, and darted quite a number of feet beneath the surface. They came up to- gether, clasped in a close embrace, and like the expert swimmer that be was, Harley shook the water from his head and face and struck out with his right hand, keeping his left arm clasped about the linn waist of his adored companion. ‘* Let me go,” said Annie. ‘““Why, we're in the water,” returned Har- ley. “T know that,” **-Yow’ll drown.” ‘**Aslam able to swim a mile or two with ease,” exclaimed Annie, ‘‘I don’t think I’m in much danger of drowning.” Thereupon Harley Willis let go of her, and she began swimming by his side with the Jong, graceful strokes of a practiced swimmer, ‘¢ Annie,” said Harley, ‘‘ we are in a body of water, some miles, I don’t .know really how many, from the valley where the battle took place. Can you remember any body of water within a few miles of Golden Gulch?” fs ~e yes,” returned Annie. ‘‘ We are in Dead Man’s Lake. That’s the only body of water in this vicinity.” ‘* And how big is it?” “Well, it’s a good many miles long, and from shore to shore at some points is fifteen to twenty miles,” ‘*Then,” rejoined Harley, ‘‘ there is really no telling what sort. of a swim we are in for, my dear girl. Look at the balloon.” They gazed up in admiration at the huge air- ship, now a mass of flames that was fast receding in the distance, yet still showing brightly in the darkness of night. ‘‘Tell me, Harley,” spoke up Annie as she swam by his side, ‘‘ how you knew that water was below us when you took that leap with me in your arms.” “The torch told me,” was the answer. ‘Had it fallen upon earth, it would have been broken and scattered in sparks, but its sudden disap- arance told me thatit had been extinguished y water.” * Suppose it bad been a mere pool that the torch fell into, perhaps a foot or two of water, yet sufficient to suddenly put out the flame?” ‘‘ Had that been the case,” laughingly said Harley in answer, ‘‘I don’t think you wculd be putting questions to me or anybody else, Annie.” ‘‘ We would have died together, Harley,” she exclaimed. ‘‘True,, Now let us swim carefully, without exhausting gareshren.ane try our best to live together,” returned Willis. hey had not taken more than half a dozen strokes ere a familiar sound came to their ears, ‘‘ Hist!” warningly ejaculated Harley. They both stopped swimming, and then lis- tened intently for a repetition of the sounds that had struck upon their ears. ain they came, the sounds made by oars working in rowlocks, and not very far distant. ‘Hail them!” suggested Annie. Harley lifted up his voice in a stentorian shout that could have been heard half a mile over the water: ‘* Hello!” There was no answer, but the noise made by the oars at once ceased. Harley took in a deep breath, and again sent forth a loud hail: ‘* Hello-o-o!” No answer, and not a sound came to their ears. Annie, with the quick wits belonging to her sex, guessed at the reason of this unnatural silence. Wot ; od 4 LS ah she whispered, “That must be one of the outlaws.” ‘* And he’s afraid to answer, because of any chance of recapture?” y: “You must be right,” decided Harley. “TI am sure the outlaws were routed, and they must all be fugitives, Annie, I'm going to have that boat.’ ‘I'll help you.” ape yt Come on.” They could dimly discern the shadowy out- lines of the boat many feet away, and soon, swimming with soft, noiseless strokes, they made _ on of a man sitting bolt upright in e cra er _ OO Harley whispered in Annie’s ear, and then they swam away to either end of the boat, try- ee keep under water most of the time. moment later the boat rocked with a vio- lent motion, The man in it dropped his oars and tried to save himself by madly clutching at tho gunwales, but be was too completely over- balanced to save himself from falling. Out of the boat he went with a heavy splash and Harley, clutching one of the oars, lea into the boat with it in a style possible only to a nimble and skillful athlete, ‘*Oh-h-h!” spluttered the man who had so unceremoniously been Gumped into the water. fe Hold on, curse you, and [ll cut your hear‘ out, : . Harley would have willingly declined tho offer, but Annie was swimming off after the other oar, and he could not leave her, The man with a howl of rage made for the boat, and without waiting to draw a weapon, Har- ley lifted the oar, intending to use the weapon club fashion. ‘*Keep out of danger, Annie,” he shouted, and then turned to meet bis foe. The fellow had drawn a knife, and was holding it in bis teeth while swimming with rapid strokes toward the drifting boat. Harley waited for a good opportunity, and then cracked the fellow over the head with the blade of the oar. . The rascal, one of Dick Crowell’s men, gave a howl of pain, and then, with a sudden resolve, darted through the water toward the girl. He caught Annie about the body, and in a trium- phant manner said: Hy goes ou’ll take me aboard now. don’t Pll kill the girl.” That seemed to arouse all the tiger in the sim, balloonist’s nature, and witb a cry of rage he leaped erect in the boat, with his knife in his band. With an accurate eye be measured the dis- tance, and made the leap, alighting fairly upon the villain’s shoulders. He struck with the knife as he descended, and pare the long blade deep into the man’s back. That ended the matter. The fellow gasped, let go his hold on Annie, and rolled over like a log, while side by side, taking the oar with them, the young couple swam to the boat. They clambered in, and Harley seized the oars, just as Annie, pointing away to the east, exclaimed: “Look! the Sky Traveler is comin and by the light of the flames I think the tops of trees.” “Then,” returned Harley, as he bent to the oars, ‘‘ land cannot be far away. Ill pull with might and main and try to reach the sbore be- fore the balloon comes down, If Crowell isn’t killed by the fall, 1 want a shot at him,” CHAPTER XV. CONCLUSION. WHEN one is in a balloon, the loss of even an ordinary silver or copper coin, thrown over the side, is appreciably marked by the rising of the air-ship, The reader can, therefore, judge how eat a bound the Sky veler must bave ken when Harley leaped from the car with Annie Bradley in his arms. The burning balloon made an immense leap when relieved of this weight, and Crowell felt his heart fall as the conveyance ascended. He knew nothing about the management of a balloon, and even had he been an expert aero- naut, the knowledge would not have availed him now. “My God!” he muttered, shrinking back in fear m the tongues of bright flame that leaped from the bottom of the silken bag, and seemed to dart at him, ‘I shall be roasted alive in this infernal trap. Why did I ever trust myself init? Fool that I was to be so frightened, merely because that boy caught sight of the black cross on my arm, I would have been better off bad Istuck to my men, taking all the ebances.” Too late the villain repented the terrible con- sequences of bis sudden fright upon the field of battle. The fiery, long tongues of flame bi about him, striking terror to his soul, and caus- ing him to crouch trembling upon the floor of the car. Several hundred feet the balloon shot up; then the oneape of the gas overcame the loss of weight, and the Sky Traveler began to ascend, moving along with a slow current at the same a oadenly the trembling villain’s ears were sa- If you down, can see luted with a loud report. A section of the silken: bag had been split by the action of the burning gas.
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The Sky Detectives. 15 The escape was now enormous, and the Sky Traveler began to rush down toward the earth with frightful speed, the velocity of the descent blanching the cheeks of the occupant of the car, ‘Doomed! doomed!” groaned this cruel, mer- ciless fiend, who could murder in cold blood, but whe had not the courage to meet death in any form. ‘I shall be dashed to pieces. Oh! whatamI todo? Ah! I can arrest the speed of the descent by reducing the weight in the car. That’s right! I must not lose my head. Presence of mind may save me yet. If I touch the earth without a great shock, I shall not be at allinjured. Ha! ha! I may escape and triumph over all my enemies yet, curse them!” He crawled about the floor of the car on his bands and knees and picked up a heavy book, 4 telescope, a small compass in a inetal box, and several other articles. These he hurled over the side, and was gratified to note that the violent and dangerous descending speed of the balloon was considerably checked by the loss of weight. “ Hurrah!” shouted Crowell, his spirits begin- ning to rise again. ‘‘ Keep cool, may lad, keep cool, and we’ll beat them all yet. Ab! here is a heavy box. This will help.” . He seized the box and hurled it over the side, Again there was an abatement of the descend- ing speed. . A tongue of flame lapped at the rail of the the car and set it on fire. With desperate energy Crowell seized the section of rail, and tore it away. Then he hurled the burning wood from him, and actuated by a sudden idea, eagerly watched it as it fell. Over and over whirled the burning stick, and at length, as Harley Willis’s torch had done, disappeared in a very sudden manner, without making a spark. “Tm over the lake,” muttered Crowell. ‘ Oh, how high am I, I wonder? This car is getting unbearable, If I only dared to jump down.” He made a movement to leap over the side, but his cowardly soul was not equal to the un- known peril of the fall. As he drew back irresolute, a long tongue of flame darted toward him and scorched his cheek, Still he dared not make the leap. ‘ Something brushed against the side of the ear, and startled him. He looked up and shouted with joy. ‘*Treetops!” he screamed. ‘'I am very near the earth, and app ey slowly, too, Hal! ha! ha! I am saved, saved! curse my foes! Dll outwit them all!” As a matter of fact, the battle between the outlaws and the sheriff’s command was at an end as soon as the former body lost its leader, When Dick Crowell in bis sudden fright dashed away and disappeared with the Sky Traveler, his followers seemed to lose all heart, and in less than two minutes enay had ceased fighting and were trying fheir best to run away. The sheriff ordered bis men to pursue the rascals, and the order was eagerly carried out. The majority of the fugitives, when hard Reauree threw down their arms and surren- ered, while some few desperate and barcened ruffians, when brought to bay, fought like tigers oud ae some instances killed before they were illed. The battle was over, however, and victor was with the sheriff’s party. Jack Hays gal- loped over the field to where Ben Bradiey and Harry Brown were standing, looking up in the air after the fast receding Sky Traveler. “And after all,” exclaimed Hays, “ that vil- lain has escaped!” : ‘ “Yes,” returned Ben, in a troubled tone of voice, ‘‘and he’s gone off with my sister, too. Of course, he and Harley will fight, and if he gets the best of the battle, what will become of m r sister?” : ‘That Willis is a match for him, confidently asserted Brown. ‘‘ How dark it is growing. In a few minutes the balloon will be out of sight.” “This poor chap tried to save your sister, didn’t he?” asked ays, touching tbe prostrate form of Dennis Malone with his foot. “Yes,” answered Ben, ‘‘ Poor Malone! he was a brave fellow, and had he not been killed by Crowell’s bullet he would have made short—” “Tare an’ ouns,” spoke up a familiar voice from the ground, ‘IT have such a quare head- ache, so I have. © heavens, an’ if don’t get some whisky, sure me head will sphlit, so it will,” . And to the surprise of all, Malone got "pon his feet, declaring that he was all right, and only wanted ‘‘a wee dhrop o’ whisky.” Before they could look into the cause vf the brave feilow's escape, a shout from Harry Brown caused all to look up. ‘* Great Scott! the balloon is on fire!” From that time on they did nothing but watch the eccentric movements of the Sky Traveler, as it ascended and descended and moved hither and thither. They saw it hovering in one particular spot for some time, and rode toward that point, euxiouay. awaiting some result that would ter- minate their really terrible suspense. Thus it as nor that when the balloon de- scendéd to the earth, quite near to the shore of the lake, all our friends were near at hand. ** Crowell!” cried Hays. ‘« And alone!” exclaimed Brown, ‘‘Heis the murderer of my parents, and his life belongs to me!” gritted Ben, his eyes snap- ping. ‘‘ This for the blood of my father and mother!” And as Crowell leaped from the car when e eet from the ground, and tried to Ben pulled the trigger and sent a bul- the rascal’s heart’ that he fell, dy- ound. nm oment, to Ben’s great joy, the Y aeronaut and Annie reat within the d of light shed around by the burning bal- loon. ** Saved!” cried Ben and Harry Brown, while Harley Willis was seized upon by Denny Ma- lone and treated to a bear-like hug from the affectionate fellow, who shed tears of joy. The balloonist was delighted to find that his faithful companion had only been slightly wounded. he bullet which was meant to split his skull, had, fortunately, only grazed his hard head, and stunned him for a few minutes. Harry Brown and Ben Bradley approached the <a where Dick Crowell lay weltering in his blood. The dying outlaw looked up, and glanced keenly at Harry Brown. ‘*T know you now,” he said. little chum.” “Right,” said Brown, ‘‘and I ‘would have either hung you ogee ae to law or put a bullet in your heart bad not this brave boy avenged himself and me.” “Avenged you?” cried Ben, shot avenge you?” ‘‘ Because, Ben, Tam youn brother!” There was no doubting the affectionate and solemn words, and Ben eagerly seized his hand, while Annie, witha cry of joy, rushed into the outstretched arms of the New York detective. ‘Yes, it’s all right,” apake up Crowell. “I am dying, and I’ll tell the truth. He is your elder brother, and I am your uncle. ‘Give me one good drink of whisky, and I'll tell you the whole story.” The dying villain, who seemed to have the pride common to doomed criminals in relating their misdeeds, was given a big drink of whisky, his head was propped up on a saddle, and he began his story, while all, with a morbid inter- est, stood grouped about the expiring outlaw in silence, “My name is Walter Storm. I belong in the city of New York. My sister was courted by Mark Bradley, a widower, who had one son, a boy, my own age. There he stands now—the detective. ‘“‘T was not more than fourteen, but I had the spirit and brains of a man, I had a row with Mark Bradley, and he whipped me with a lash. He said that l insulted him and my sister, and he made my back red with stripes, “With my flesh bleeding and my heart on fire with rage, I swore to have his heart’s blood for the insult, and as my sister sided with Mark, I swore to kill her, too. ‘‘T was a long-headed boy, and biding my time I appeared to forget all about the matter. Harry, there, who was my playmate, heard me take that oath and it frightened him, Hespoke to me about it, and was going to tell his father. but I laughed at the matter, and told him tf had forgotten all about it. So Harry left home, thinking all was right, and his folks never heard from him afterward. ‘‘T planned well, boy that I was, and a few ears after Mark Bradley married my sister he looked upon me as his best friend, and did not hesitate to take me into business with him. “Then my chance came. He was a very wealthy man doing a large trade, and I man- a matters so well that in less than two years Thad ruined him. With all his money in my possession I made off, leaving him aoSy Spun reals id and eel single dollar to meet © demands of his creditors. “While leading a gay life in the West I kept paid spies in the North to keep me posted in re- ‘*You were my “ How did my gard to Mark Bradley’s actions. For some time e struggled on in the city, but at last made up his mind to try his luck in the mining “He emigrated with his family, and every bit of their route. With my money I hired a band of Indians, met the train they traveled with, and killed them both. “That man struck me when I was a boy; I swore to be revenged, and I kept my word. No “_ in this world ever striped my back, and— and— The blood welled up from the wound in his breast and gushed in a bright red stream from his mouth, With an ineffectual attempt to speak he gasped for breath, shivered from head to foot, and died, ‘So may all villains die,” sternly said Harry Brown, ‘Ben, it was my father as well as yours that he killed, although your mother was no kin of mine, and I look upon you as a bero, It was just that he should fall by the hand of one of the three children of the man be mur- dered.” ‘*] would have killed him for your sake,” said Harley Willis, carried away by his admiration, and then both he and Annie blushed crimson, There was a growing feeling of love creeping up between these two young people, and they could not disguise it from one another. The battle-field was cleared, three of the sheriff's men being buried on the spot and a half-dozen wounded carried away. Allof the outlaw band were either dead or prisoners, and the organization that had proved such a scourge to honest miners and travelers, was broken up forever. DS. knew Two years later we bring some of the charac- ters of this life-drama before the reader, Ben Bradley, Harley Willis and his wife— who was once known as Annie Bradley—Jack Slasher and Dennis Malone, live in style in the finest bouses in Golden Gulch, and to pass their time agreeably, operate some first class mines in the vicinity. Harry Brown, whose real name, as_ the reader now knows, was Harry Bradley, and whose restless spirit would not permit him to settle down, became the sheriff of the county, and from his past record the readers of this true tale will willingly be- lieve that he was a terror to all law-breakers. Of course, as the reader vey. naturally su 8, they were all made wealthy by the fabulous resources of the gold-bedded stream, which yielded enough particles to make every one of our old friends a millionaire, even to honest Dennis Malone, who, true to his ideas, dyed his hair black, curled his whiskers, and put ona heap of style, which resulted in winning for him a pretty American wife. And so, with virtue and good deeds rewarded by the power of an all-seeing Providence, and vice and crime punished as the most ancient laws aver they shall be, we bid a friendly adieu to the patient reader and to the story of the Black Cross, THE END, DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOL HXHIBITI Ons AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS, Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 30 inclusive, 15 to 8% popu- lar dialogues and dramas in each book, Each vol- ume 100 pages 12mo. Speakers, Nos. 1 to MU inclusive. Each speaker 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 75 pieces, YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERIES Dime Book of Winter Sports. Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports, Dime Gents’ Letter Writer. Dime Book of Etiquette. Dime Book of Verses. Dime Book of Dreams, Dime Fortune Teller Dime Ladies’ Letter Writer. Dime Lovers’ Casket. Dime Ball-Room Companion, Dime Book of 100 Games, Dime Chess Instructor, Dime Book of Beauty. tr The above books are sold by newsdealers everywhere, or will be sent, post-paid, to any ad- dress, on receipt of price, ten cents each, Brapie AND Apams, Publishers, 98 William st., N. Y.
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4 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. By E. L. Wheeler. cllowstone Jack. By Joseph E. Burger, Jr. 8 Kansas King, By Buffalo Bill, (Hon. W. F. Cody.) 4 The Wild-Morse Munters, By Captain Mayne Reld and Captain Frederick Wiitiuker, & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. By Oll Coomes, Double number, 10 cents. 6 Bill Biddon Trapper. By Edward §, Ellis, The Flytng Yankee, By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, Jones § or, The Cuptives of the Frontier. By E. S. Ellis, Adventures of Baron Munchausen, \ : Nat } Sond or, The Fate of the Sioux Captives. By E. S. Ellis, The ‘T'wo Detectives, By Albert W. Aiken, Gulliver’s Travels. A Voyage to Liliput, and a Voyage to Krohdinguag, By Dean Swift. The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes, Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. The Sea-Cat. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. Robinson Crusoe, (i Illustrations) By Defoe. Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, Si ad the Sailor. From the Arnbian Nights. The Phantom Spy. By Butfwo Bill. 20 The Double Daggers. By Edward L. Wheeler. 21 The Frontier Angel. By Edward S, Ellis. 22 The Sea > erpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By J. Lewis. 28 Niek o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 16, By T. C, Harbaugh, 24 Diamond Dirk. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 25 The Koy Captain, By Royer Starbuck. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. Ky Edward L. Wheeler. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coomes, 28 Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistl, By E. L. Wheeler. { The Dumb Page. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 80 Rouring Kalp Roekw sod. By Harry St. Gromge: Keen-kh nife, Prince of the Prairies.” By Ol! Coomes. Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian. By Edward L. Wheeler. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound, By S. W. Pierce. 340 m Sol, By Captain J. F.C. Adame. 85 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval, By E, L, Wheeler. 86 The Boy Clown, By Frank S, Finn. 4 The Hidden Lodge. 8 Ned b AS rs the Boy Seout. By Texas Jack. 8&9 Death. 40 RK eebeind aleat — ~ Hlahewss or, Dand White ' ekhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team, ?FiF = A z : i 58 64 c rf 60 61 62 e bat urricane , Jr. 66 Single ii or, A Life for n Life. na W, J. Hamilton, ps8 Pa By Philip S. Warne. 6 rder Robin Hood, By Buffalo Bill. 69 Gold Rifle the Sharpahooter. By, Edward L, Wheeler. TO Old Zip’s Cabin, By Captain J! F.C. Adama. pe} elaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. By Ol] Coomer. 8 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. By W.J. Hamilton. < v4 7b 76 77 to endwood Dick on Deck. liy Edward L. Wheeler. awk-cye Murry. By O!] Coomes. LATA Duelist. By Colonel Prentiss Ingnham. t, the Crow-Killer. By Albert W. Alken, rduroy Churiie, the Boy Bravo. By E. L, Wheeler. Blne Dic By Captain Mayne Reid, Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. By Albert W. Aiken, ob. By Edward L. Wheeler. w1 Lightaing Jo, By Captain J. F. ©. Adams, 82 Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk, By T. C, Harbaugh. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By 0}! Coomes, 84 Idyl, the Girl Mine, By Edward L. Wheeler, 85 Buck Buckram, ly Captain J. F.C. Adums, 86 Dandy Rock, the Man from Texas, By G. Waldo Brown. he 4 Pirates, By Captaiu Mayne Reld. ; 8A preceersok Phil, the Boy Sleuth, By E. L: Wheeler, © Inland Jim, By the author of Jack Harkaway,” 90 ‘The Dread Rider. By George Waido Browne. 91 The Captain of the Club. By Bracebridge Hemyng. Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. By E. L. Wheeler: 98 The Roy Miners. By Edward. Ellis. 94 Midnight Jack, the Rond-Agent. By T.C. Harbaugh. 95 The Rival Rovers. By Liert. Col. Hazeltine. 96 Wateh-Eye, the Shadow. By Edward L. Wheeler. 97 The Outlaw Brothers. By Jobn J. Marshall, 98 Robin Hood, the Outiawed Earl. By Prof, Gildersleeve. 99 The Tiger of Tuos. By George Waldo Browne, 100 Deadwood Dick In Leadville. By E. L. Wheeler. 101 Jaek Narkaway in New York. Bracebridge Hemyng. 102 Diek Dead-Eye. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 108 The Lion of the Sea. By Colonel Delle Sara. 104 Dendwood Dick's Device. By Edward L. Wheeler, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter, By Captain H, Holines. 106 Old Froaty, the Guide. By T, C. Harbaugh. 107 One-Eyed Sim. By James L. Bowen. 108 Daring Davy, the Young Benr-Killer.» By H. St. George. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies,’ By J, L, Bowen. 111 The Sea-Devil. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 112 ‘The Mad Hunter. By Burton Saxe. 118 Jaek Hoyle, the Young Speculater. By FE. L. Wheeler. 114 The Black Schooner. By Roger Starbuek. 118 The Mad Miner. By George Wuldo Browne. 116 The Hussar Captain, By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick. By Edward L. Wheeler. 118 Will Somers, the Bor Detective. By Charles Morris. 119 Mustang Samm or, The King of the Plains, By J. E. Badger. 120 The Branded Hand. By Frank Dumont. 121 Clnnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. By E. L. Wheeler. 1223 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. By Charles Morris. 128 Kiowa Charley, the White Mustanger. By 'T. C. Harbaugh. 124 Tippy, the Texan. By George Gleason. : 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. By Edward L. Wheeler. 126 Pieayune Pete. By Charlee Morris. 127 Wild-Fire, the Boss of the Road. By Frank Dumont, 128 The Young Privateer, By H. Cavendish. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double. By Edward L, Wheeler. 180 Detective Dick. By a i / | ee E33 i 181 The Golden Hand, By George Waldo Browne. 182 The Hunted Hunter. By Edward §. Ellie. 188 Bose Bob, the King of the Bootblacks, By E.L, Wheeler. 184 Sure Shot Seth. By 0)! Coomes. 185 Captain Paul. By C. Dunning Clark. 186 Night-Hawk Kit. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 187 The Helpless Mand. By Captain Mayne Reid. 188 Blonde Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler, 189 Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. C. Harbaugh. 140 Blue Blazes, By Frank Dumont. 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 142 Handsome Harry. By Charles Morris. - 148 Sear-Face Saul, By Oll Coomes. 144 Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr, 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. By Wheeler. 146 Silver Star, the Boy Kuight. By O11 Coomes, 147 Will Wildtire, the Thoroughbred. By Charles Morris. 148 Sharp Sum By J. Alexander Patten. 149 A Game of Gold. By Edward L, Wheeler. 150 Lance and Lasso. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 151 Panther Paul, the Prairie Pirate. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 152 Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer. By Charles Morris, 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon, By Ol] Coomes. 154 The Sword Hunters, By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport, By T. C. Harbaugh. 156 Deadwood Dick o Deadwood, By E. L. Whe 157 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, By Charles Morris, 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado, By Buffalo Bil). 159 The Lost Captain. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 160 The Black Giant. By Joseph E, Badger, Jr. 161 New York Nell. By Edward L. Wheeler. 162 Will Wildfire in the Woods. By Charles Morris. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By Ol) Coomes, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By George Waldo Browne, 165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. By Charles Morris, 166 Mickory Harry. By Harry St. George. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. By Edward Willett, 168 Deadly Dash. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr, 169 Tornado Tom. By T, C, Harbaugh, 170 A Trump Card. By Charles Morris, 171 Ebony Dan. By Frank Damout. 172 Thunderbolt Tom. By Harry St. George. 178 Dandy Rocks Rival. By George Waldo Browne, 174 Bob Rockett, the Boy Dodger. By Charles Morris, 175 Captain Arizona, By Philip S. Warne. 176 The Boy Runaway. By Lieutenant H. D. Perry, U.S.N. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada. By Edward L. Wheeler. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. By Ol! Coomes. 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, By Charles Morris, 180 The Sea Trailer. By Lieutenant H, D, Perry, U.S.N, 181 Wild Frank of Montana. By Edward L. Wheeler. 182 Little Hurricane, th; Boy Captain. By Oll Coomes, 188 The Hidden Hand, By Charles Morrie, 184 The Boy Trailers. By Joseph E, Badger, Jr. 185 Evil Eye, King of the Cattle Thieves. By Frank Dumont, 186 Cool Desmond, By Colonel Delle Sara. 187 Fred Mualyard, the Life Boat Boy. By Charlee ATorrie. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. By T. C. Harbaugh. 189 Bob Rockett, the Cracksman, By Charles Morris, 190 Dandy Darke. By Willlam R. Eyster, 191 Buffalo Billy, tie Boy Bullwhacker, By Capt. A. 2. Taylor. 192 Captain Kit, the Wi |-0’-the-Wisp. By Lieut. Perry. 198 The Lady Road-Agent. By Philip 8. Warne. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet. By Captain Taylor. 195 Deadwood Dick's Dream. By Edward L, Wheeler. 196 Shadowed. By Charles Morris. 197 Little Grit, the Wild Rider. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 198 Arkansaw, th» Man with the Knife, By T. C. Harbaugh. 199 Featherweight. By Edward Willett. 200 The Boy Bedoutns, By Capt: Frederick Whittaker, 201 The Black Hills Jezebel. By Edward L. Wheeler. 202 Prospect Pete, of the Boy-Brignde. By Ol} Coomes. 208 The Boy Pards, By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 204 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom. By Edward L. Wheeler, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. By Charles Morris. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter, By T. C. Harbaugh, 208 The Boy Hercules. ’ By Oll Coomes. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler, 210 Faro Frank of High Pine. By William R. Eyster. 211 Crooked Cale. By Joseyh E. Badger, Jr. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. By Charles Morris. 218 Fritz to the Front. By Edward L. Whee'er. 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. By Capt. Whittaker. 215 Captain Bullet, the Raider King. By.T, C. Harbaugh. 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of the Reins, By Col. P. Ingraham, 217 Captain Crack-Shot. By Edward L, Wheeler. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texan Terror. By O11 Coomes. 219 Despard, the Duelist. . By Philip S. Warne. 220 Tom Tanner, Scalawag and Scapegrace. By Chas. Morris. 221 Sugar-Coated Sam. By Edward L. Wheeler, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. © 228 Ozark Alf, King of the Mountain. By Edward Willett. 224 Dashing Dick. By Ol! Coomes. 225 Sam Charcoal, the Premium Darky. By Charles Morris, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. By Edward L. Wheeler. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper. By E. Emerson. 228 Little Wildfire. By Ol] Coomes. 229 Crimson Kate. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 280 The Yankee Rajah. By C. Dunning Clark. 281 Plucky Phil, of the Mountain Trail. By T. C. Harbaugh. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. By Edward L. Wheeler. 288 Joe Buck of Angela, By Albert W. Aiken, 284 Old Rocky’s “‘Boyees.” By Buckskin Sam, © 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. By Charles Morris, — 808 "Liza Jane, the Girl Miner. 286 Apollo Bill. By Edward L, Writcler. 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain, 288 The Parson Detective. By Ol Coomes. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide, By Captain Mayne Reid. 240 Cyclone Kit. by Edward L. Wheeler, 241 Bill Bravo and His Bear Pards. By T. C. Harbaugh, 242 The Two ** Bloods,” By Charles Morna, 248 The Disguised Guide, By 0] Coomes, 244 Slerra Sam, By Edward L. Wheeler. 245 Merle, the Middy. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 246 Giant George. By Buckskin Sam, 247 Old Grizzly and His Pets, By Capt.“ Bruin” Adams, 248 Slerra Sum’s Secret. By Edward L, Wheeler. 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King, By Capt. Fred: Whittaker, 250 The Midshipman Mutineer. By Col. P. lngrabam. 251 Light-house Lige. By Captain J. F.C. Adams, 252 Dick Dashaway. - By Charles Morris, 258 Sierra Sum’s Pard, By Edward L. Wheeler. 254 The Half-Blood, By Edward §, Ellis, 255 Captain Apolle, By T, C. Harbaugh. 256 Young Kentuck, By Captain Mark Wilton, 257 The Lost Hunters, By Capt. J. F. C, Adama, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven, By Edward L, Wheeler. 259 The Golden Harpoon, By Roger Starbuck. 260 Dare-Devil Dan. By Ol! Coomes, 261 Fergus Fearnaught. By George L, Aiken. 262 The Young Sleuths, By Charles Morris. 268 Deadwood Dick's Divide. By Edward L. Wheeler, 264 The Floating Feather. By Col. P. Ingraham, 265 The Tiger Tamer. By Captain Fred, Whittaker, 266 Killb’ar, the Guide, By Ensign Warren. 267 The Buckskin Detective. By T. C. Harbangh, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail, By E. L. Wheeler, 269 The Gold Ship. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 270 Blizzard Ben. By Captain Mark Wilton. d 271 The Huge Hunter. By Edward S. Ellis, 272 Minkskin Mike. By Ol] Coomes, 278 Jumbo Joe. By Edward L. Wheeler. 274 Jolly Jim, By Charles Morris, 275 Arizona Jack, By Buckskin Sam. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 277 Denver Doll. By Edward L, Wheeler, 278 The Three Trappers, By Major Lewis W. Carson. 279 Old Winch, the Rifle King. By T. C, Harbaugh, 280 Merle Monte’« Fate. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 281 Denver Doll's Victory, By Edward L. Wheeler. 282 The Typo Detective, By Edward Willett. 288 Indian Joe, By Major Lewis W, Carson, 284 The Sea Marauder. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 255 Denver Doll's Decoy, By Edward L, Wheeler. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. By Capt. Mark Wilton, 287 Billy Blue-Eyes. By Colonel! Prentiss Ingraham, 288 The Sealp King. By Captain J. F. C. Adams. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job. By Charles Morris, 290 Little Foxfire. By Ol) Coomes. 291 Turk, the Ferret. By Edward L, Wheeler, 292 Sancho Pedro. By Major E. L. St. Vrain. 293 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper. By Captain Comatock, 294 Dynamite Dan. By T. C. Harbaugh. 295 Fearless Phil, By Edward Willett. 296 Denver Doll's Drift. By Edward L, Wheeler, 297 The Tarantula of Taos, By Buckskin Sam. 298 The Water-Hound. By Cherles Morria 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. By Edward L, Wheeler. $00 The Sky Demon. By 0}! Coomes. 801 L: adville Nick. By Major E. L. St. Vrain. 802 The Mountain Detective, By T. C. Harbaugh, By E. Ly Wheeler. By Colonel Prentiss Ingrabam By Col. Ingrabam. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy, 805 Dashaway, of Dakota. By Charla Morris, 806 Neck-Tie Ned. By Major H. B. Stoddard. 807 The Strange Pard. By Buckskin Sam. 808 Keno Kit, the Boy Bugler's Pard, By Col. P. Ingraham, 809 Deadwood Dich’s Big Deal. By E. 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By Harry Hazard, 880 Little Quick-Shot. By Edward L. Wheeler. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. By Capt. Fred, Whittaker, 882 Frio Fred. By Buckskin San. A New Issue Every Week. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, fire cente per copy, or sent by mai! ou receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,