Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 861) (1894 01 23)

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Wy » & *. 0 CARA, 'F ipl =i 2 a Teme a ot i errr ri Gone, -iS . Ent ered as 5 second Class Matter at the New York, N. x, Post Office. Copyrighted 1894, by BEADLE | AND ADAMS, ___ January 23, 184, ; PUBLISHE D WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. yr, No.861. 4% 861. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 cents. MA Vol. XH. BILLY BRIE, THE SWAMP OK; Pr, potest tes bsp Raes oak SCHOONER. vi i lisse . cakes ETS “TAKE THOSE sMuGG LERS BELow!* ORDERED CAPTAIN BRONSON.

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Billy Brine, THE SWAMP FOX; OR, Shadowing the Smuggler Schooner. BY CHAS. F, WELLES CHAPTER I. ON BOARD THE ‘‘ WATCHDOG,” Sarr and clear, the gong in the engine- room signaled ‘‘ stop”; the massive machin. ery ceased its motion, and the United States Revenue Cutter ‘‘ Watchdog” came to a standstill. * There, the order has come at, last.” Engineer Jack Robbins removed his hands from the lever as he uttered the words, and turning to his assistant-added. ‘‘ I’ve been expecting it for the last twenty minutes.” ‘* What time is it gettin’ to be?” asked his companion, an honest looking fellow arrayed in blue blouse and overalls. . * Half an hour past midnight. Funny time of night to stop the ship in this out-of- the-way spot, ain't it? I tell you, Jim, you may not have noticed anything unusual go- ing on, but there’s something going to drop during the next four or five hours.” “ Where are we, anyhow?” " ‘Blessed if I know only we’re close to the Florida Coast. Jim, do you know who’s commanding this vessel, to-night?” ‘‘Captain Bronson, I suppose, I don’t know who’s gota better right.” ‘You're wrong, You know that young fellow, Brine?” ** The chap that came aboard just before we left port, with the yeller nigger tagging after him?” ‘That's who I meqn. You may not be- lieve it, but Captain Bronson has turned the vessel over to him. He’s been running the whole concern ever since nightfall.” The other Jooked incredulous. *‘T’ve been wondering what them fellers come aboard for. I thought at first, and so did the other boys, that they was new men jiined ther crew, but that ain’t so, fer neither of them has done a lick 0’ work since they stepped foot on the deck. Did Captain Bronson have some other object in having them aboard?” ‘* You'd think so if you'd seen young Brine this afternoon. He was in the. captain’s cabin talking, and the captain was listening as respectfully as though the kid was one of the big guns of the Department.” Oe ‘*$0?” said the other, and added, laughin as he glanced down at his blue overalls an greasy blouse: — *‘T am-.afraid I shall never have that honor. The youngster must know some- thing important to stdnd in so.” “He does, He's a regular swamp fox. He knows where the game is, all right,” nodding his head knowingly. ‘I have an idea that they are not far from here now, and that be- fore morning they will either be roped in, or driven *from their holes. ting ready for them.” : _ 80?” again said his companion, ques- tioningly. ‘‘I didn’t think we was so close, but I’ve known for several hours that some- thing was in the wind, Well, Jack, I’m glad we ain't in it. T’d rather be down in this old engine-room with all its smell and grease, than to push my way through muddy swamps after smugglers, and liable to get . ,Shot any minute. But I believe I'll go up : on deck and see how things are.” Be : He left ‘the engine-room and’ went above. ny The moon was about an hour high, and ‘when not obscured by patches of clouds that | The boys are get- Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. studded the sky, shone weirdly, on the waste of water, disclosing a dark shore-line only a few hundred yards away. A dead silence hung over the cutter, not- withstanding that a group of men were gath- ered together in one part of the ship. The moonlight glimmering on the barrels of numerous carbines and the metal work on the butts of several pistols that peeped from their holsters, told that the men were heavily armed, Two. or three officers were conversing in -whispers near the quarter, while up in the bd . bows the engineer’s assistant noticed two more, seemingly engaged in an earnest con. versation as they stood by the rail, ‘“That’s Captain Bronson and that young Billy Brine,” muttered the man, “standing there with their heads together. I reckon there is something in the wind. We ain’t layin’ off here at this time o’ night for noth- neg, » ‘He was right. There was ‘‘something in the wind,” and had he been a little closer he might have learned a few things regarding that evident fact, ‘* And you know the waterways in yonder’ swamp like a book, Sb say?” It was Captain Bronson who spoke the words in a low tone to the young fellow at his side. ‘‘Like a book,” repeated his companion, “ Not over two miles from the coast is the haunt of the smugglers, It looks like a hopeless task to try to find anything in the dark in. such a tangled mass of woods and waters, but I know the place, as I said be- fore, for I have been over it many a time, and can take your men right to it.” ‘You shall. do it,” said the @aptain, de- cidedly. ‘‘ {f will send a squad of men under the command of an officer, but the expedi- tion will be subjecf to your orders.” He turned away and gave an order ina low tone, and immediately one of the cut- ter’s long boats was loosed from its davits and, as noiselessly as possible, was lowered to the water. Then the armed band, numbering sixteen besides the officer, Billy and his friend Ebony, his mulatto companion, slid down into the boat. , The three above~mentioned were the last’ to leave. i Billy hesitated. For the first time, a sense of the responsibility thrown on the young, feilow, dawned on his mind, and for a mo- ment he felt a fearful dread that he was in- pon eens to carry out the task set before im. But the thought of the exciting work in which he was to be a leader, stimulated his adventurous spirit, and he hastily scrambled down into the waiting boat, only anxious now to be off. A Under eight pairs of oars she shot away from the cutter, and glided off into the gloom. : Close by his side was sitting the mulatto, ° . As the shore line grew darker,anc more distinct as the boat swept on over the moon- lit water, so the cutter grew operat until she was but a dim blur in the hazy light that hung over land and sea. ‘‘Slower!” ordered the young fellow, as he rose erect to better pierce the darkness ahead, for theywere almost upon the shore now, and unless Billy had calculated cor- rectly, the boat would be grounded. Her speed slackened and almost before the men knew it the boat had entered the swamp. She was advancing up a narrow water- way, its quict surface gleaming with a silvety shimmer where the shadow of the trees that grew along its sides, did not fall upon it. The oars had been muffled and the ‘sub. dued sound of the dipping blades was but barely audible. _ ‘“We hain’t fur ter go now,” whispered ; Ebony, or, as he was more often called, | the shore. chat SA ‘«’But half a mile,” tersely answered te ‘«There’s some open water to cross yet—ah, here we are now.” The spot mentioned had been reached, “Off to the left the glimmer of the moon- light on the Water told that they had entered a lake thickly studded with ip islands. On, on past these islands the boat plunged. The silence was oppressive—nothing can exceed tie desolation which broods over these great swamps. ‘** Look, Eb, look!” suddenly said Billy, in a whisper. ‘‘Isn’t that a boat off yonder?” ‘*T reckon it be,” replied Eb, gazing ahead with all his eyes.. ‘It moved, anyhow. see’d it slide between a couple o’ dem islands ahead dar. Who kin it be, Mar’s Billy?” But, Billy did not reply. The discovery had filled him with alarm for it meant nothing else than that the enemy was abroad and aware of their pres- ence in the swamp! **Pull, boys, pull!” urged Billy ina low but earnest tone. ‘‘I believe some of the enemy are ahead there behind one of them islands.” The boat plunged ahead with added speed, entered the shadow of the island and dashed on by. Billy, with his revolver clutched tightly in his hand, crouched in the stern. ‘*Bang! bang!” Two flashes of fire spurted from the edge of the island and in the same instant a boat with two occupants was seen to glide away from the island, was visible for a moment on the open water and then vanished among the reeds that grew in bunches all over the watery waste. / 1»? Just about the time that Billy Brine and the men under his charge were debarking from the cutter, two men stood conversing in whispers on the other side of the vessel _ near the quarter, “T tell you, old man,” one was saying, ‘‘we have got to do something, and might quick too, That young devil will knoc everything to pieces if we don’t head him off. He knows those waters as well as the boys themselves.” ‘* Just keep cool!” answered the other. ‘*We can head him off all right, but to do it we have got to get ashore first. Theres the small boat over the stern. We will cut her loose. » Nobody is looking, Come on. It’s our only chance.” Silently the two men proceeded to the stern, taking a coil of rope with them as they went. This they fastened to the boat, which was hardly larger than an ordinary skiff, and cutting the tackle that secured it to the davits, lowered it carefully to the water. “This saves the squeaking of tackle- blocks,” muttered one. ‘‘ I’ve got her fasten- ed. Slide down and let’s be off before any of them catch on.” ’ In less than a minute the boat was noise- lessly creeping away from the cutter, glid- ing off in a different direction from that taken by the large boat. On, on it went until safe from the sight of those aboard the ‘‘ Watch-dog;” then its course was changed and it made rapidly for — ,~ None of the officers or men aboard the cutter noticed the strange departure of two of her crew. ' After the larger boat had disappeared Captain Bronson strode up and down the deck with his hands behind bis back. _ The dim figures of the officers and men seented asleep, so immovable were they as — they waited in the dead silence of that mid- night hour. The steamer herself seemed slumbering, the only signs or motion about — her being the smoke that crept steadily ; : re : ) ; at ‘ \ fare i R ; ae - 4) Lip , iin wh " : y . i] ’ ae ie Bee ho all Pa) ; st a . = ‘ ys y $ i ‘ ees ue yaa Pre — . . ees “ eee! S P eT . eee Vie Util Pi, _ ot =n , oct Tis Leas cr, <7 hes ea,

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es from the funnel in a thin but apparently ‘exhaustless volume and floated away. Perhaps two hours passed in this way, and then all were made suddenly wide-awake by the sound of the fire-arms, Looking shoreward whence the sounds came, they could see the blazing of the weapons, looking like two, bunches of giant fireflies, and showing that the belligerents were not more than twenty-five yards apart. “By George, Roswell,” said Captuin “a Bronson to his second lieutenant, ‘‘there’s a oa hot fight there. Our boys have roused them - up, or'can it be that Garth and his gang have chased them out of the swamp? CHAPTER II. GARTH AND HIS GANG ON TOP, Two shots from Billy’s revolver answered those from the strangers, but there was not a oe the boat or its occupants, The blue-jackets had ceased rowing ard the boat was barely moving. | “Here's a nice mess,” said Billy, ‘No use to try to catch those fellows and yet they will likely get the alarm to their friends before we can rope them in. After them, | . anyway!” The boat was brought around and started ; in pursuit. But in that tangled mass of i reeds and islands it was of little use—not a trace of the boat rewarded their search and they were forced to give it up. ““We can destroy their rendezvous, any- way,” said Billy. ‘‘If the birds have flown t we will hunt them up later.” ‘ The boat plunged ahead through the quiet i waters of the swamp with a speed that made ; Billy seize the tiller with a nervous grip and keep his eyes wide open, for steering the Swilt speeding boat along the narrow and devious waterways was no child’s play, This somewhat reckless pace was con- e tinued for perhaps ten minutes and then at 2 Billy’s order, the boat slowed up. , *“We are close on ’em now,” whispered Bie Ebony. ; “Yes,” replied Billy in the same'cautious | whisper, and, to the men: a “Careful, boys! Their hang-out isn’t twenty yards away.” The boat was in the shadow but swerved “yen sharply and crept across a moonlit space of 7 . water and stopped quietly against the bank Bi of a little wooded island. Bei. All stepped ashore. Be There was exciting work close at hand and the men fingered their arms expectantly and ie buckled their belts a little tighter. Be ‘Follow me,” whispered Billy, and started i off through the dark woods, fas Noiselessly as shadows the sixteen men filed after him. oo: Suddenly they stopped. : i, They had reached a clearing in the woods ie and in its center the moonlight shone on a an large, one-story house built of heavy, rough a timber. ; pr The house was as silent as the tomb, but a >. light streaming through a crack, gave evi- a dence that some one was within. . 7s “There is an opening or window on the 4 other side,” said the young leader, pointing Pi to a square aperture covered by a huge shut- ter made of boards that served as a window, ‘* Those are the only means of escape for them besides the doors.” Three men were detailed to guard each window, while Billy with the others moved. around to the side where the door was. Billy paused a moment before the door, and then placed his hand on the rude latch and shook it. - The door refused to open. ‘We've got ’em, anyhow,” muttered the young fellow. ‘*No use in tryin’ to make a sneak on ‘em with our force.” Then headded a loud tone, at the same time shaking the atch: sound to indicate that the balls had hit either | Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. A SS STATE vee yo) eee as ‘Your time is up, boys. We are Revenue men and we want you, and have got enough to take you dead or alive. Come, what is it? Surrender or have your shanty burned over your heads?) Answer quick.” No reply. Billy gave the door a vigorous kick. Still no response, ‘‘ All together now!” said he, in an angr voice to the waiting blue-jackets. ‘‘ We will break in the door, If they fire on us it will be the worse forthem, Wewill let them know we are not to be fooled with.” The door, strong as it was, resisted only a moment or two the weight of the sturdy forms pressed against it and then gave way with a crash. Billy, revolver in hand, pushed into the room. ‘* Nobody at home,” he ejaculaetd in sur- prise. The place afforded no concealment for any one as thesfurniture consisted only of two or three bunks and a few stools. On a rough pine table at one side stood the dingy lamp that lighted the apartment. ““They can’t have been gene long,” said Billy, piqued at the escape of the game they had counted on so easily capturing. ‘It will not do though, to fool away any time here. We Will call again. Hark, boys! What's that?” All held their breath and listened. ‘Tt sounded liké some one scuffling right outside the window that I left those fellows to guard,” ‘I heerd it,” whispered Ebony, moving up close to Billy. ‘‘1t war jest ezactly like some one er fussin’.” “Some of the boys stumblin’ round in the dark, I s'pose,” said Billy, but to satisfy himself he ljeft the room, followed by Ebony who seemed to be decidedly alarmed about something. The blue-jackets remained in the room, waiting and listening expectantly. A moment later they heard Eb shouting, excitedly: ** Look out thar, Mars’ Billy! Cut an’ run! Oh, golly, we’re goners!” | Three or four pistol-shots rung out in quick succession, followed by the sound of hurry- ing feet approaching the house, Within the room the silence which the men of ‘the ‘* Watchdog” had maintained, was broken by a sharp chorus of “clicks,” as the hammers of the carbines were brought to a full cock. They knew now that the enemy were close at hand, avd that a collision and a fight were inevitable, As a body they moved toward the door, but before the two in advance reached the threshold three or four more shots rung out and they reeled and fell to the floor. A loud, rufflanly yell of exultation came from outside where the enemy were hidden by the darkness, at The revenue men paused, appalled at the fate of their friends. ‘*That’s what ther rest o’ yer’ll get if ye try ter leave that room!” cried a loud voice. ‘We've got yer cornered. Throw down yer guns an’ give up ther fight. We-’tns don’t want ter kill yer but'll do it if ye don’t knuckle under. Throw down yer guns an’ bein er hurry about it, too, or we'll pour lead inter yer till ye’r’ cleaned out. Come away from that lamp.” : One of the men had edged toward the table where the lamp was sitting, hoping to extinguish it and in the darkness following, rush out with his mates and’ either escape or fight the enemy on more even terms, As he moved toward the table, the shutters covering one of the windows opened and a rifle barrel was leveled through it at him. He stopped. ; “Boys, they’ve got us7’ said he, and tossed his revolver and carbine upon the floor at the other side of the room. ~ some way. they ha The others followed his example, for, though brave men, they realized fully that they were at the mercy of the enemy who had outwitted them and that resistance meant death. There was nothing for them to do but yield. When the last firearm had been cast aside they folded their arms and sullenly awaited the next act in the drama. A rough-looking and roughly dressed man, followed by a dozen more even rougher look- ing than himself, strode into the room, The leader was the noted smuggler, Sam Garth, a tall, stalwart fellow with a droop- ing mustache and a stubble of a beard on his massive jaws. He _ scrutinized his prisoners sharply, a sneering light of triumph lurking in his dark eyes. - Dropping the ‘breech of his rifle on the floor he rested his hands across the muzzle and said with a leer: ‘*Kuchred, ain’t ye? What do ye expect ter do about it, anyway? Ye found out whar Sam Garth’s hidin’-place is, Think ye got paid fer yer visit?” ‘* None of the Revenue men made any re- y: + “Don’t ye want ter send word ter yer friends on ther ‘‘ Watchdog,” an’ tell ’em of your success? They'll be liable ter get tired o’ watchin’ I’m er thinkin’."’ But, the captured Revenue men were still sullenly silent, “Wal, boys, they won’t talk. Blamed if I know what ter do with ther cusses,’ scow] ing. ‘‘March ’em inter ther next room there.” Part of the prisoners were taken into an- other apartment not so large and with no openings but the doorand a square hole in the wall. There were two of these rooms and the prisoners were divided between them. ‘They can’t get out of there,” declared Garth after the heavy doors had been secure- ly fastened. ‘‘ We'll leave ’em till mornin’ in’ then we'll see what’s ter be done with ‘em. Come, let’s be gettin’ outer here.” The prisoners, confined in the darkness of their small, uncomfortable prisons, heard the heavy tramping of the outlaws as they nee out of the larger room and then all was still. “Boys, this is tough,” at last remarked one of the Revenue men. ‘‘ How this thing will end is what gets me; it’s a pretty fizzle, so far. But Td like to know one thing.” * What is that?” queried some one. ** Just this: whether i Brine and that nigger of his are dead or alive—whether they got away or are in the clutches of the smug- glers,”. , ; CHAPTER III. SHADOWING THE SMUGGLERS. Biiuy, with the faithful Eb close behind him, hurried around toward the window which he had left guarded by three of the cutter’s men, lt was very dark, but his sharp eyes dis- tinguished in the deep gloom five or six figures advancing noiselessly upon him as if to surround him, Eb discovered them at the same moment and gave his warning cry. Billy saw at once that the tables had been turned upon them! that the expedition to capture the vitae tpi was a failure; that in d been warned of the at- tack and were themselves the surprisers; yet, without a moment’s hesitation he dashed through the line of dark forms gathering © about him and rushed for the timber close at- hand, He heard some one crashing behind him but knew not whether it was his mulatto friend or the smuggler gang. “Lucky for me,” thought he,»<‘ that I have been over this ground before, else I would be at my wits’ ends toknow where to go, [I ad f : 4 oe let ta cat at PAR RG

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ey Aa a Sem a ta by | then stopped and Billy Brine the Swamp Fox. hope that’s Eb behind me but there’s more : mighty sly about it, too. Garth and his than one and there’s no telling one from an- | men won’t likely stay on the island to-night other. Billy had once before, when playing de- tective on his own hook, shadowed tbe smugglers to this haunt of theirs and had noted particularly allthe surrounding points. If it’s Eb he’ll know where to find | and if they leave we want to follow and see where they go. If they’ve got another | house on some island in the swamp I want to know it, and if—and it’s more likely— they've a vessel of some kind hidden away in one of the network of streams here [ want He was nimble of foot and knowing the ! to locate it, for we would never find it un- place as well as the outlaws themselves, dis- covered he was gaining on them with the ex- ception of that one person who managed to keep close in his rear. Running across an open spot in the woods which the moonlight flooded, Billy paused in the shadow onthe opposite side. Turning, he caught a glimpse of his pur- suer, It was Eb. itn Hearing no sound to direct his mad pur- suit he stopped close by Billy and the latter grasped him by the arm, smothering his cry of sudden astonishment by pressing his hand over his mouth. ‘‘Come,” whispered Billy, ‘‘This way. Lene now, those fellows are close be ind.” Hedrew the mulatto to one side and to- gether they stole noiselessly through the woods, In another moment the pursuers entered the open spot and stopped. ‘I can’t hear a sound,” they heard one fellow say. ‘‘ Which way did they go?” ‘‘Give it up,” replied a rough voice, ‘*Not by a durn sight,” declared another. “‘It won't doter giveit up. Them fellers knows too much ter be left hangin’ round loose.” ‘‘[ reckon they’re on ther island yet,” said another. ‘‘”"Taint goin’ ter do’em any good ter swim, away fer they can’t get outer ther swamp that-away nur walk. They’ll likely sneak eround ter where they left their boat an’ then our boys there’ll rope ’em in. That boat o’ theirn is ther only, way they have o’ gettin’ off, fur they’d never stumble onter ther dugout,” Billy could hardly repress a chuckle as he heard this, and nudging his companion, whispered: “Kb, [ think we’ll fool ’em.” Eb simply squeezed Billy’s hand in an- swer. ““Wal, boys,” some one said. ‘‘ Thar ain’t no use in monkeyin’ round here, We cain’t find ther skunks in these yere mis'ble woods an’ so we'd better go back ter ther house. I’m kinder ecur'us ter know how things come out an’ how Cap’n Garth fixed them fellers. I heerd er couple er shots erwhile ago an’ I'll bet somebody got popped over.” \ The men left the open spot and vanished in the dark woods, The sound of their footsteps was soon lost and a dead silence again hung over-all. ‘*Come, Eb,” said Billy; ‘‘ we'll see if we oor manage to stumble onto that dug- out. egg 4 they Byer on through the woods, Here and there where the trees Aas but sparsely, the moonbeams lighted he way for them but more often they were forced to ko in utter darkness. i Finally they paused. The edge of the island had been reached and Billy pushed his way along the bank; peered into some bushes. ‘Here it is,” he whispered, in a satisfied beds | t their feet lay a small craft hollowed ‘out from a log; a rather clumsy-looking affair but large enough to accommodate two persons. | Two roughly-hewn paddles were lying within, ; = , Billy seated himself and seized one of the paddles while Eb did the same. EASE ve fot to do some scouting now, Eb,” said Billy, “and we’ve got to be | again as the at gy was a tangle a 2 | through the water. less we was taken right to it and it’s im- ortant that we find it if there’s one here. BO you see, old man, we want to go easy and keep our eyes open, And now that you un- derstand the program, push off.” Eb gave a shove with the paddle and the dug-out glided oui of the little inlet where it had been lying. The moon shone full upon them now, but they were not apprehensive on that account as there was no one on the opposite side of the stream to see them, and the search on the island had been given up. Besides, the banks of the island were steep and being fringed with rank shrubbery backed by a heavy growth of timber, one would have had to have been on the very edge of the island to have discerned the boat creeping along so carefully below. ‘*Run her in between those reeds,” whis- pered Billy. The dug-out was stopped in the shelter of some reeds growing in a | unch in the water behind which they had a good view of. the water while concealed themselves. Perhaps ten minutes they waited and then their lonely vigil was rewarded by the sight of a boat that came creeping, as it seemed, right out of the island. | The boat was a large one and heavily load- ed with men. Under powerful strokes it rushed away from the island, making straight for a broad watercourse that reached out in almost a beer from the point where the dug-out ay. The boat steadily grew dimmer as it re- ceded down the moonlit water, sometimes being swallowed up entirely by the shadows of the trees that overhung the water, then appearing again like a blurred blot crawling along ora detached piece of the shadow it- self, ‘‘Come Eb,” said Billy, ‘‘ we must be moving. They can’t see us now and I’m afraid we won’t be able to see them much longer for they are going through it faster than we can hope to follow, because it will be hard work to make any time with this old lo, j? : 4 Vet they were surprised at the speed they could get out of the clumsy craft, and they had the satisfaction of not losing sight of the object of their pursuit, They were not going as swift, however, as the other boat when she started away from the island and the boys in the dug-out concluded that the other boat had slowed up. Keeping inthe shadows along the banks as much as possible Billy and his companion plied the paddles vigorously to get what speed they could out of the dug-out. » blotch and as Billy was watching it, if sud- denly vanished. ; Eb noticed its disappearance at the same time and said, bewildered: **She’s gone, Mars’ Billy. Wha’ now?” ‘Keep right on,” ordered the other. “They have turned into some adjoining stream or open spot of water. We will see them again,” and added vehemently as if to himself. ‘‘ we must.” But even as he spoke Billy knew there the boat network of water-courses, and he had no idea which one the other boat would take after leaving the main channel._ Nevertheless he urged Eb to renewed efforts and the dug-out fairly shot on was little likelihood of their seein The boat ahead was now but an indistinct. rm LZ At last they reached the place where Billy believed the other boat had left the main stream. Up this stream the boat was turned. After paddling for five minutes Billy had the dug-out stopped. They listened intently. There was not a sound to break the dead silence of the swamp. _ *“Wha’ yer goin’ ter do now?” asked Eb: _ ‘*Dem fellers has jest drapped outer sight an’ ther hain’t no use much o’ lookin’ fer “em in dis yer’ swamp. - ‘‘I don't believe they’re far off,” replied Billy, loth to give up. ‘* We’ll hunt awhile more. Maybe we can stumble onto them or a cabin or something.” Eb shook his head dubiously as he glanced! around at the impenetrable tangle of thick- foliaged trees bearing their added weight of clinging vines'‘and moss, but he seized the paddle and the dug-out crept on. The swamp had now become a perfect net-work of streams, broadening here and there into little lakes. The dug-out kept on and entered ona stretch of water considerably broader than | the one down which they had’ followed the: smugglers, and, like the other, lined with heavy timber.’ No sooner had the dug-out pusbed its: nose into this channel than Eb exclaimed in a startled whisper: ‘‘ Look, look, Mars’ Billy! Wha’ that?” To Billy it seemed like an eye of fire shining in the darkness that enwrapped the shores of the stream. They rubbed their eyes and stared. There it was—a great ball of fire in a bed of blackness, shining there like a blazing star, . ‘“Wha’ is it?’ again queried Eb, “A ha’nt?” and his voice trembled a little. *“Yo' sho’ it hain't a ha’nt, Mars’ Billy?” ‘“No, Eb, it isn't any ha’nt,” replied Billy. “It’s more likely the light from the window of some house on the bank of the stream. We'll see,” and he eagerly brought the dug- out around and drove his paddle deep into the water, ‘*Careful now, Eb. No noise,” and the: boat slid along as silently as a shadow, Eb considerably unstrung by a superstitious fear of the mysterious light, notwithstand- ing. what his more enlightened friend had said, Brighter and brighter it seemed to grow as: they neared it, and its surroundings to be- come more black. ‘*That don’t come from any house,” mut- tered Billy, as the moonlight disclosed the forest close to one side of the light. ** What can it be anyway?” Closer crept the dug-out that was now edg- ing along near the shore, where the dark- ness was intense, The mysterious ball of fire cast a narrow shaft of ight out into the night. Right up to the light glided the boat, and then silently and without warning, the light vanished, : For a moment they could see ncthing,,and then Billy grusped Eb by the arm and whis- pered as he pointed ahead; **See, Eb. There’s your ha’nt.” Right ahead of them, close to the shore, was a big black body, now easily distin- — guishable as a vessel's hull. That it was such the masts and spars, early painted, against the starlit sky, testi- ed, The boys had made an unexpected and important discovery, and Billy determined to profit by it. re CHAPTER IV. GARTH SCORES ANOTHER POINT. “Es,” whispered Billy, ““we must get: aboard that vessel. Garth and his men are: aboard I am certain, and I want to know what. tia

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they intend todo. You stay in the dug-out and wait forme. I won’t need you,” ** Golly, Mars’ Billy,” said Eb, ‘‘it’s mighty risky ter sneak aboard when them fellers is there. Better lemme go ‘long too.” But Billy refused. The dug-out was run up against the bank and Billy managed, as dark as it was, to get safely ashore and disappeared among the tangle of trees. Pushing on, he found the vessel moored close to the bank. It was not difficult to leap from the shore ito the bulwarks of the vessel. Though the moon was shining, all was dark on the vessel’s deck on account of the shadow from the trees on shore, but the masts could be seen stretching out above the gloom below, showing the traft to be a two masted schooner. As Billy became used to the darkness he found he could distinguish a pet about him; could follow the line of bulwarks and make out a cabin or deck house between the masts and a smaller one aft the main- mast, The vessel was about eighteen feet beam, The deck was deserted with the exception of himself and the silence was oppressive. — Yet he knew that the vessel was not de- serted and that the gang were at that moment below decks. ‘The men would be in the forecastle like- yy. reasoned he, ‘‘ but Garth and his closest riends would probably be in the cabin under the quarter deck. It’s their conversation I want to hear.” : He stole forward and found the hatch over the forecastle closed, He listened. He could hear voices below, but faintly, ‘That's where the greater part of the gang if. I s’pose, but it’s Captain Sam Garth, as ‘they call him, that T want to find. I have an idea that the light we saw came from the cabin window and that he closed the shutter or curtain or something fearing some prowl- “%. Revenue spy might see it. hough this was merely a surmise on his part it was the true solution of the disappear- ‘ance of the light. He slipped noiselessly into the little deck ‘house aft the mainmast and began to cau- tiously feel his way down the steps that led below. It was intensely dark where he was now; ‘he could not see his hand before his face, A false step, a collision with something inovable me:nt an alarm and a possible capture, Had he possessed a bull’s-eye lantern he ‘would have used it, risky though it would -have been, but he did not have one. - He reached the bottom of the steps. He knew not which way to go, dark as it was, and being at his wits’ ends, struck a match. He allowed it to flicker only long enough for him to obtain a general idea of ‘his sur- oundings and then extinguished it. He had seen the way that led to the cabin -and proceeded to follow it up as well as he -could in the dark, In fact the cabin door was close to the ladder, but several barrels and crates had to be avoided before it could be reached. Through a crack in the wall a tiny streak of light escaped. Billy reached the door and listened. Now and then he heard a sound like u rough outburst of laughter, muffled and in- distinct, but that was all. The cabin door and walls were evidently -of thick material, for listening as intently as he could, he could only hear now and then, a rough guffaw of laughter, indicating that ‘those within were in a merry mood, One of the voices was that of Garth, the ; chief of the smugglers; the other party or “parties were unknown to Billy, but he was Certain of the cause of their joviality—it_ Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. in the could be nothing but the smooth wa which they had outwitted and capture men of the “ Watchdog.” i morning now before we know it and we have got a good ways to go yet,” However it was yet several hours until Billy’s ire rose as he mentally reviewed the | morning but Eb exerted himself to the events of the night; the miserable failure of the expedition which he had set out so proud- ly to lead to success; the cutter expeciantly awaiting the return of her men with news of the capture of the outlaws while in fact the latter were the victors and laughing over it, But as these bitter thoughts rankled in his mind the sudden idea came to him that the tables might yet be turned on the smugglers before the morning. They would doubtless pass the night on the schooner, Having left’ the prisoners safely confined they would not be likely to leave any one to guard the house where wae were and why could not he and Eb go back and release them, and returning to the schooner, capture both her and her crew? He had noticed that the smugglers had left the island in their own boat: consequently the cutter’s boat must be still at the island. What had been done with the arms of the Revenue men he knew not—if they had been left at the house well and good: if not, it would not prevent them while Garth and his men were asleep, from securing them below decks and becoming masters of the vessel. He determined to carry the plan out and hurried up on deck again, satisfied that he could learn nothing by waiting longer there. It was still deserted. He went ashore and found Eb and the dug-out where he had left them. ‘Come, Eb, we must get out of this,” he said as the mulatto started to express his pleasure that Billy had not been discovered, captured or shot in his venturesome visit to the schooner, ‘* Which way?” was all Eb said. ‘‘On up. I know my bearings now. This channel connects with the lake where the island is. It winds around a good deal and the streams running into it are so narrow that a boat can’t move through them, It’s a longer route to the house, which explains why the gang came the other way. If I tried to go back the way we came I am afraid I’d get lost so we will go this way.” ‘But wha’ yer goin’ back fer?” queried Eb, much puzzled. ‘‘Reckon yer kin get dem fellers loose?” ‘* Yes,”’ was all Billy said, as he grasped his paddle and the dug-out stole away, creep- ing close to the dark slumbering hull of the schooner and on up-stream. 2 When the schooner had been left well be- hind they moved into the center of the stream and then used their paddles to the utmost, for Billy had seen a ier to vindicate himself in the eyes of the officer who had put such confidence in him but whose good opinion would be sure to be reversed were he acquainted with the disasters that had befallen the men when under Billy’s charge. ; The acquisition of the smuggler schooner, whose presence both he and the Revenue men were ignorant of, and which they would have known nothing about had the expedi- tion as at first planned been successful, Billy reasoned would more than offset the discom- fiture which the blue-jackets had suffered at. first. With this ambition filling his breast his arms, were tireless, but despite their best efforts (for Eb was working with all his strength) the clumsy dug-out seemed to make but poor time. A wide stretch of water was seen branch- ing off to the right, and into it the dug-out was turned, as Billy recognized it as one that connected directly with the stream down which they had first come. This in fact was the place where the it glers’ boat had left the stream they had fol- lowed after leaving the island, and Billy had miscalculated and gone cg Hag . ** Put into it, Eb,” said Billy. ‘‘ It will be pia hed a) Cave ay LO eae | | ui ; ey, é Rell oe hee SER De eae rm F emer ETRE a e DEE Peet EAS Shed acinar iaatias mine utmost as he was as anxious as his friend to reach the island. ‘Stop paddling,” ordered Billy, suddenly, **T hear voices!” The boat was brought to a standstill in the shadow of the shore, Yes, the silence brooding over the swamp was broken by voices now heard plainly and distinct, and in the direction from which they had come, Louder and louder they grew, mingled with the rattling of oar-locks and the dipping of blades. ‘It’s some of the gang coming this way,” said Billy. ‘‘It can’t be that they have seen us and are after us.” Filled with apprehension they awaited the appearance of the boat. Soon it came into sight, rushed into the stream where the dug-out was from its tribu- tary, and under the sweep of eight pairs of oars, passed the spot with a rush, The boat was well loaded; Captain Garth was sitting in the stern, From their concealment the two in the dug- out watched the boat as it receded until it sear, asia around a bend, ‘Wha’s that mean, Mars’ Billy?” asked Eb, as usual depending on bis white friend for the explanation of anything beyond his apprehension,” ‘*Don’t know; they are probably bound for the house on the island and that is enough to knock our little plan all to pieces,” and somewhat discouraged at the unexpected and unfortunate turn affairs had taken, he relapsed tnto gloomy silence. “”'Tain’t no use ter try an’ free dem fellers in der house now if dem scalawags is goin’ dere. Wha’ yer goin’ ter do, Mars’ Billy > ‘*I don’t know, I’m sure; stay here, [ reckon, till I scrape enough wits together to see what to do. There is no use in tryin’ to head off those fellows now—they oe the inside track, Blame the luck. hy couldn’t they have stayed on the schooner, where they belonged? What do they want to go back to the island for, anyway? There don't seem anything for us to do, Eb, but own up beat, leave the boys in the hands of Garth and his men, leave the smugglers in possession of everything, and go back to the cutter and confess my failure and incompe- tence. I would rather be shot than face , Captain Bronson after this, but he should know ail.” ‘ Eb felt it was impossible for him to say anything to lessen the sorrow and chagrin of his friend, and ‘he wisely remained silent, secretly glad that he wasa “ nigger,” and therefore free from the vexations and disap- pointments attendant upon the ambitions that fill the hearts of the white race. “They are coming back, Eb,” — These words broke the long silence that followed Billy's former many speech, There were no voices now, but the clatter f oar-locks and the splashing of dipping oars was audible, The sounds drew nearer, and shortly the boat appeared, ( The moon was silvery bright now, no clouds dimming its light, and the boat and its occupants were plainly seen as they came on over the shining water. ‘‘ Look, Eb, look!” said Billy, ina hoarse, excited whisper. ‘‘ That isn’t the boat that went up. See. Itis white. It is one of the cutter’s boats. And the men. Look, Eb. They, too, belong to the cutter!” There was no mistake, The familiar white shape of the cutter’s boat was pgs iy? tf nizable now, and the men wore t uniform of the cutter’s crew. ‘It’s our boys, Eb,” said Billy, squeezing the mulatto’s hand in ae er of joy. * Either they have escaped or : ; e blue : bey he gang have ¥.

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‘between his knees, They must have broken loose themselves, and perhaps now have Garth and his men confined in their places. We must join them.” There was no time to lose. The dug-out was paddled out of the shadow and into the center of the stream, to intercept the advancing boat. The dug out was seen, for an order was heard, and the boat slowed up. With oars ‘‘ tossed” she glided smoothly on, while Billy and Eb waited for her to come alongside. ; None of the men turned around—their backs remained toward the two in the dug: out. As the boat slid up against the dug-out, one of the men leaned over and grasped Billy by the hand and pulled him over into the boat, and at the same time a man in the stern seized him by the arm and said, with a laugh: ‘*Glad ta see you, youngster.” Billy uttered a cry of surprise and alarm, and tried to break away, but found he could not. It was Captain Sam Garth who,uttered the sneering words. Billy was in the hands of his enemies. He looked around. The dug-out was floating away. Ebony was nowhere in sight. : CHAPTER V. , THE SMUGGLER'S CLEVER RUSE. Iv was folly to attempt to escape: the grip of the smuggler was like steel. Even could he have broken loose and leaped over- board he would have been at the mercy of the rifles of the gang. Billy allowed Garth to pull him to a place But he was far from being cowed and bit his lips to keep back a retort when the leader commented approv- ingly on his apparent subjection, - But he was disheartened, for his cherished plan to retrieve the fallen fortunes of the ** Watchdog’s” men, was now scattered be- yond recovery. . What was to be the next move in the play he could not imagine-and he wondered what would be done with himself. . ‘* Where’s the nigger?” demanded Garth. ‘‘Dunno,” replied one of the men, ‘‘ He slid inter ther water, an’ that. was the ast o’ him.. He must have come up in ther shader out yander an’ is likely ashore now.” ** Don’t like ther idee o’ that nigger bein’ roun’ loose,” said the leader, ‘T’ll take this yere dug-out in tow so he can’t git that,” “Ther po’r devil’ll have er tough time of _ it all along by hisself in ther swamp an’ no boat. Durned if I wouldn’t hate ter be in ore such er fix. He'll likely never get out ave.” ‘Let him die then,” remarked Garth, coarsely, as he reached out and seized the rope that was tied tothe bow of the dug. out, and the boat started away with the ee igh in ag ‘ arth giving Billy a savage pinch, aske “What was you ellers dese in that mat dug-out an’ how did yer happen ter find it, anyway?’ ** We were trying to find out where you were going to,” replied Billy honestly, ‘*We knew where the dug-out was in the first ymin “4 *¢ Aas" yev been spyin’’round here before, hev ye?’ “Exactly. I’m no friend of yours, Sam Garth,” said Billy, ‘‘and nothing would suit me better than to see you in the grasp of the Revenue men. : ‘* [gethat er fact?” said the leader, with a sneering drawl. ‘‘ An’ how would yer lik ter see Uncle Sam in the grip o’ Captain Sam Garth?” At this all,the men laughed as though it was a huge joke. freed them—not likely the latter, though, | = \ Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. Billy pondered over the words as he look- ed at the blue uniforms the men all wore, which they had taken from the prisoners. They had also appropriated the cutter’s boat. There was an object in this. Was it possible the outlaws intended to impersonate the cutter’s men, depend on the disguises to board the ‘‘ Watchdog” unmolested anc when once aboard take possession? They were well-armed and now outnumbered the men who had remained on the cutter. Billy could hardly believe, however, that the smugglers, desperate as they were when ; cornered, would thus take the aggressive 'and dare attempt an outrage of that kind. Yet he knew Sam Garth was audacious enough to pause at nothing. This indeed was the plan the reckless smuggler leader had determined to carry out. The boat turned into the branch when that was reached and went swiftly on. ~ Garth, taking a handkerchief which was stuffed in one of the pockets of the suit he wore, tied it tightly over Billy's eyes. ‘‘What's that for?’ demanded Billy, though he knew well enough that it was to prevent him from seeing the schooner when they should pass the spot where she was lying. ‘* Never mind,” was all the answer he re- ceived, After awhile the boat stopped and he knew by the sounds that the smugglers were board- ing the schooner. Billy was not left alone in the boat—three or four others remained. Billy’s thoughts were many and all bitter. He wondered where his mulatto friend was and what he would do all alone in the swamp deprived of a boat. And too he wondered how the daring expedition of the smugglers would terminate, now that they had deter- mined on a retaliatory move. , Before, Billy had indulged high hopes of being able to turn the tables on the outlaws but these hopes were now dead, The smug: glers had already turned the tables on the cutter’s men; they were wee to score another victory and Billy, with all his quick wits, was impotent to prevent it. ‘*W'ot’s keepin’ them fellers?” grumbled one of the men in the boat after considerable time had passed. ‘‘ We've been layin’ here fifteen minutes now.” This was a fact, but another fifteen min- utes passed before those who left the boat returnedto her. . ‘‘You kin set in ther bows, youngster,” said Garth, grasping Billy by the arm. ‘I've got some use fer you there,” and he chuckled Billy, still blindfolded, did as he was bid and the boat started away again. On, on she went. Billy now had no knowledge of his surroundings. ‘Here's ther Gulf at last,” he finally heard some one say and so knew that the edge of the swamp had been reached. ‘An’ thar’s somethin’ else too, boys. Look behind you,” broke in Garth somewhat excitedly. They turned and looked back at the stream they had just left. “Tt’s er boat,” exclaimed several at once. Garth had noticed the dark spot that was now seen to be a boat, moving down the stream they had emerged from. They all stared in wonder, It was coming on rapidly. The oars could be seen, working like clock-work, their wet ends shining like silver in the moonbeams when they were lifted from the water. ‘Who kin they be. boys?” spoke up one. ‘“Cain’t be them fellers on the: island hev escaped an’ are nfakin’ fer ther cutter?” ‘That's what they are,” declared Garth, I can tell get away? ittle scheme, ! with acurse. ‘‘That’s our boat. it anywhere. How did the Blast ’em. We'll nip their We'll fetch ’em ter terms as soon as they get inrange. They hain’t got any guns fer we took ’em away. They’ll sneak back when we open up on’em. By George, boys,” slapping his knee with gusto,, ‘‘T’m a-thinkin’ a few shots fired at them fel- lers will help us along immensely in pullin” ther wool over ther eyes 0’ them chaps on ther cutter,” and he laughed, They ceased rowing and the boat was al- lowed to ,rock idly on the water while they waited for the other boat. yet awhile. ‘‘They must see us now,” muttered Garth,. as the other boat, with oars rising and fall- ing with quick precision, came pushing om straighs for them. ‘Bring her around,” ordered Garth, in a low tone. ‘‘ Starboard.” The boat forged around until she was broadside to the, other, ‘‘ Now give ’em a volley.” The gang reached for their guns, directed them upon the other party and let fly a scattered fire. What damage was caused was not seem then but it was plainly not enough to check. the progress of the boat for ft came right on. ‘Give ’em another,” ordered the smug- gler leader, A dozen rifles blazed out and as many bul- lets went whizzing at the rival boat. Then the latter was seen to swerve sharp- ly around, She was not over twenty yards away now and heavily loaded with men. Hardly had she turned before a burst of fire leaped from her, lighting up the figures. of her men and the waters around them with a lurid color, while the crash of the guns, the roar of which sounded as one, went booming along the edge of the forest and. over the water, Garth uttered an oath as he saw one of his. men reel back and fall, and rising, said: ‘*At ’em, boys. Pour it into them red hot. We must beat them fellers back. Where in ther deuce did they get their uns?” . The smuggler gang, all armed with re- peaters, now commenced a heavy fire on the: other boat. The others answered in the same way and) arapid but irregular fire was kept up on both sides as fast as the belligerents could load and fire. For about five minutes this miniature naval battle continued, hot and heavy, and the air between the rival crafts was cut b scores of flying balls while the smoke drifted. away to seaward. Then suddenly the firing ceased on the: part of the last comers, the beat was moved) around and commenced to glide shoreward with increasing rapidity. i yell of victory broke from the smug- ers. ‘* Ther fight is won an’ easy too, boys,” he said. ‘1 didn’t think them tellers war lick: ed yet, im fact begun ter feel a leetle skeery ferus’uns. But let ’em go, What do you think of it, youngster?” giving a playful poke with the muzzle of his rifle. Billy bit his lips and did not answer. During the fight he had crouched down in the bow of the boat and protected himself in that way from the zipping bullets that flew dangerously near, sometimes striking the boat close to him but more often whis. tling by in the air overhead. He had anticipated the defeat of the gang and his hopes had risen again, only to be once more shattered, He gazed angrily at the boat as it drew away toward the shore. ** On to the ‘ Watchdog!” . The order eame from Grath, The oars. dropped into the wajer and the boat leaped: ahead, making straight for the ‘‘ Watchdog” lying sullenly silent about three hundred: forlorn as she lay there alone in those deserts- ‘They won’t get aboard ther Watchdog ' ed waters. yards away, her dark bull looking grim and . Ae eo

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‘« Now see here, poNpgster,” said Garth, leaning over to Billy, ‘‘let me give ye a word of advice. Do you see this?” shoving a gleaming revolver in his face. ‘‘If you Open yer mouth when we get within hearin’ distance I’)l kill you deader’n Marc. Antony, D'ye hear?” ut Billy made no reply and Garth took his position behind him, still holding tu the revolver. The boat was close upon the ‘‘ Watchdog” now, and Garth ordered Billy to stand erect and face the vessel as they drew near. Billy made no move to obey until the cold muzzle of the revolver pressed against the back of his neck, coupled with an angry threat from the smuggler leader, told him that his life would pay the forfeit should his obstinacy get the better of his judg- ment, He knew he was to be used as a stool- pigeon to deceive his friends on the cutter and be the means of delivering them over to their enemies. The officers on the cutter, seeing the boat approach with the men wearing the uniforms of the crew and with Billy among them, would never dream of danger, but would assist to aid them in boarding the vessel. All this passed through Billy’s mind. His pride had been humbled by the disasters which had befallen the expedition under his leadership, but to be used for the base pur- pose for which he was to he used was too much for the high-spirited fellow to bear. The capture of the Revenue men in the swamp savored strongly of treachery on the part of some one connected with the attack: should he follow Garth’s orders by showing himself and thus making the men abourd the cutter think all was right, there would be nothing wanting to prove him to be the traitor—it would be self-evident, ‘*T will never do it,” he determined. ‘1 will warn them in spite of Garth and his re- volver. He will kill me for it but I will baffle him. He shall not have everything his own way. If it takes my life to save the ‘Watchdog from falling into the hands of these scoundrels well and good. Lought to die after this miserable night’s work.” They were close upon the cutter now, The forms of several of her men could be seen on her decks, The time had come for Billy to act. With the strength of desperation he drove his heel into Garth’s face and shouted out his warning to the cutter. Before a shot could be fired he had plung- ed from the boat and disappeared under the waves Close to the cutter. CHAPTER VI. BILLY TURNS EAVESDROPPER. WueEn Billy’s head again appeared above the surface of the water he was safe from the sight of the smugglers, for the hull of the ‘‘ Watchdog” was between him and them. ‘ He had dived under the cutter and come up on the other side, He heard shots ring out from the decks of the cutter 4md answering reports from the boat, He knew by that that his warning had put the Revenue men on their guard, He was confident that the latter would succeed in beating off their audacious as- sailants. He was certain he could keep afloat, providing no one came to his rescue, until Garth and his men were forced to re- treat and he could be then aided aboard the cutter. , As he listened, however, he was forced to the conclusion that the desperate smugglers fee obtained a foothold on the cutter’s ecks. , Shot after shot in quick succession told that hot a duel was being fought out there while hoots, yells, and cheers made an un- earthly and strange din in that early morn- ing hour on those desolate waters. Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. Through it all the cutter lay there in dogged silence, as if indifferent into whose hands the fortunes of the battle were to place her. Suddenly the firing and the shouting ge and a strange silence seized upon the ship. Then Billy’s heart sunk, ‘‘ Hooray, boys,” he heard a voice cry which he well recognized. ‘We hev got ‘em in spite o’ that youngster’s loud mouth, Blast him, where is he?” Another crushirg defeat the smugglers had scored against the Revenue men. **T must be what sailors call a Jonah,” muttered Billy, smothering a half sob, so bitter were. his feelings. ‘‘ Every move that has been made against Garth and his men since [have been aboard has resulted in disaster. If 1 manage to get aboard her now she will probably sink and carry the crew all down to death, while the smug- glers will escape scot free, and so the climax will be capped. But I must get aboard nevertheless for I can’t remain here much longer.” He found himself confronted by a prob- lem he had not counted on, He had anticipated the defeat of the smugglers and of being assisted aboard by the crew of the Watchdog. Now if he was seen and helped aboard it would be asa prisoner to his enemies. . He had more cause than ever to dread falling into the hands of the smugglers, for though he had not heard Garth’s threat to kill him, yet he knew the vindictive ruffian well enough to fear the worst if he fell again into his power. ‘*Lower a boat and hunt him up,” he heard Gath order. ‘‘ He's layin’ round here in ther water somewhere if he hain’t took a notion ter swim ashore. He can’t get aboard that’s sure.” ‘*\'m afraid that’s too true,” thought Billy as he heard the last sentence. ‘‘ What am I to do any wey ” He was in a serious position and he knew it. It was too late to try to swim away from the ship and reach the shore. The boat had already started out to look him up and he would be seen without fail. The smooth sides of the cutter afforded no hold for his hands. Then he remembered that the captain’s, cabin was in the stern of the ship and that the windows—but they were far up beyond his reach, But there was no other point that offered the least inducement and be: commenced to swim around that way. Reaching the stern he looked up at the cabin windows. They were far up out of his reach, He heard the dipping of oars and slipped in under the counter where the shadow of the overhanging stern would fall upon him, The cutter’s boat, containing half a dozen men, came slowly along, the oars rising and falling in a leisurely manner. Billy could see them turning their heads to the right and left and he.pressed closer against the side of the vessel Jest he should yt es ut he was not, and the boat passed on to the waters further out. _ ; As he watched the receding boat, growing dimmer in the hazy light that hung over the sea, he was startled at noticing » dark, per- pendicular line between himself and the boat. It was a rope reaching to the water, and suspended from one of the davits at the stern, Then, looking up, he noticed that the boat usually banging there was gone, “At last,” he thought joyfully. tune has concluded to favor me. I wonder if this is a turning, point? Anyhow I'll lose no time in taking advantage of it.” A deepening shadow was falling on the ‘* Ror- / . ‘ ——— sea as the reddening moon sunk lower and lower in the west. Billy was glad of this for it would soon be daylight and if be was to succeed in slipping unobserved aboard the cutter it must be during the short darkness that preceded the dawn, : A couple of strokes brought him to the rope, He tried it with his weight and then care- fully pulled himself up hand over hand. As he climbed higher he noticed that the cabin was dimly liglited, Cautiously he continued to climb until he had reached the taffrail. He peered cver and then suddenly ducked his head. Garth and two of his men were standing not over ten feet away, ‘There's no show of slipping on deck,” thought Billy. ‘‘ Neither can I hang to this rope very long and I don’t care about soak- ing in the water beneath—I’m soaked enough already. I don't see but what I'm ib a fix, Ah, | bave it. I will look té my first for- lorn hope, the cabin windows. lam able now to use them after all for they are not be- yond my reach now.” He had noticed that one of the large cabin windows was open, and he determined to try to get aboard the ship by this means. He gave himself a slight swing, increasing it as he descended and succeeded in running his foot through the open window and hold- ing it there, . Then, feet first, he began to edge himself in through the opening. Once half way in the rest was easy. But be was none too soon, The boat was returning and coming up rapidly off the quarter, j ; Billy was alarmed at this, fearing his body enframed in the lighted window would be seen, but the window was deepand the light within was not visible only almost dead | astern, ‘* Ain't seen anything of him, eh?” It was Grath’s voice, He was leaning against the taffrail above. ‘‘Nary a thing,” was the answer. “ Blast that youngimp. He’s too much of a water-dog to drown and i ae must have swum ashore during the first of the fuss, Well, drat him, he wants to keep outer my sight and claws.”’ The boat passed on and disappeared around the side—the search had been given up. Billy had, before this time, forced himself in through the window and was standing on the floor of the cabin. ““What now?” he thought. ‘‘ Here Iam in the captain's cabin—sacred apartment— and whatam TI going to do about it?” There was a berth on one side of the cabin and several chairs standing around. There was also a small table and two or three chests, The floor was carpeted. Along one wall wasa curtain of red cloth, behind which were hanging four or five suits of clothes as Billy discovered on exam- ining, There were, too, a few blankets lying. in a heap there. \ ‘‘Now,” thought he, ‘if I wanted to play the eavesdropper here’s just the chance, but it would be fearfulrisky, for them fel- lers would peck in here out of curiosity and I’d be caught sure, do it? Grath will eceupy this cabin to-night, of dntoig and he will likely turn in before long. He and his men will have to have some sleep for they bave been up all night, By George, but this is a pretty fix fora Gov- ernment vesselto bein, This is the cheekiest piece of business 1 ever heard of. What they willdo with her now that they have. got her is what gets me. One thing is cer=| tain though, and that is that I have got to de-| cide mighty sudden now what I’m to do.” | He was forced to decide soover than he @X+, onder if I had better ,

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- on his lips. a rr pected for just. then he heard a step outside and the knob turn on the door. He slipped behind the friendly curtain. Through the open place where they were parted he saw Grath enter the room follow- ed by another man. ‘Well, I'll be dad bobbed,’ ejaculated the latter. ‘This hyar'y perty slick roost fer you, Sam. Beats yercuddy-hole on ther schooner all holler.” **T reckon it does, Jim, but I don’t guess I'll keep it long; too much like rich folks fer me,” and he laughed. “What are ye goinster do with ther ves- sel anyhow?” queried the other. *‘T was just thinkin’, Jim. I had it all fixed ter get rid o’ them fellers we had penned up in the swamp and ther cutier at ther same time, but them fellers—gol durn it, Jim, it couldn’t ’a’ been them that follered us outer ther swamp. Them fellers we nabbed could- n’t ‘a’ got hold o' any guns even if they could ’a' gotaway from the island, Them chaps that tackled us so big was all armed, Still it looked like our boat they had. Blamed if I know what ter think about it.” ** My idee,” said the man ‘ Jim,’ ‘is that the fellers we roped in are still at ther island where we left them an’ that them cusses we had ther fight with are another lot sent out by ther cutter ter find cut what had become of ther first outfit. That’s my idee,” ** T reckon it’s the right ‘un, too, fer blamed if I can make myself believe that them chaps could ’a’ got away from ther island, an’ even if they did, as I said before, where could sp have got the guns? I reckon you're right, Jim.” ** And: then if it is, what are you goin’ ter do about it? We can't let them’starve there, an’ they’d eat us outer house an’ homeif we kep’ 'em there an’ fed ’em every day, besides ther trouble 0’ totin’ ’em grub.” ‘tI’ve got a scheme, Jim. It’s devilishly cold blooded, but it'll rid us of them, an’ that’s what we want, an’ before ther Govern- ment can send afiother vessel down in these waters, we will have the whole thing to our- selves, and do quite a little business. Listen an’ I Il tell you.” - Billy listened with all his ears for Garth’s plans, for tye future was just what he wished to know. |. But as if to intentionally balk him, Garth dropped his voice to a whisper as he con- versed rapidly with his friend. His plan, whatever it was, was evidently a startling one, for his companion jumped from his chair as Garth finished, and said excitedly: jae “Don’t do it, Sam, don’t do it. It’s bru- tal, and cowardly. What? Send the whole outfit to the bottom? No, sir. I'm a perty tough one myself, but I'll never take a hand in any such a wholesale murdering scheme ‘as that.” ; . shuddered at the words, and won- ‘dered if Garth was fiend enough to, actually Billy desire to carry out such a devilish design. Garth looked at the othersuneasily, There was an evil glitter in his eyes: an ugly sneer } “Ye’r’ a cad, Jim,” he finally said, scow]l- ing. ‘‘ What's ‘ther use o’ fiddlin’ away sympathy fer these ere Revenue cattle? n't they watchin’ an’ workin’ day an’ night fer ter catch us fellers an’ put us be- hind ther bars? Say, ain’t they? ‘wouldn’t they shoot us like rats if we dared ter stand our ground? Of course they . would, jest like they did ter-night.. I hain’t got any use fer ‘em.’ “They wouldn't kill us after we’d given up,” replied the other, meaningly. ‘I know that. It’s war between us an’ ther Government, an’ it’s well enough ter shoot and put lead inter em when we happen ter meet an’ get,ter fightin’, but when they sur- ‘render, ‘I’m thinkin’ they’re entitled ter be treated like prisoners o' war. Yer scheme would be only worthy of savages, Sam.” An’. — Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. TREE PERN Es Ted a hs aan a : , ll find somethin’ o’ther kind stowed away “What would yer do about it, then?” asked Garth, with a snarl. He was evidently in an ill mood, despite | | that he ain’t looking for,” thought poor Billy, his victories over his enemies. **Look yere: you want ter keep this ves- ' sel outer ther hands of ther Government an’ make ’em think she went down, so we can have free sailin’ fer awhile? Wal, ye kin do that without scuttlin’ her, and kin have ther use of her fer ourselves besides. . Listen ter my scheme. Take them fellers we’ve got on ther island an’ fetch ’em here; run ther cut- ter out ter sea; put all her former crew in ther boats an’ set ’em adrift. ‘Lhey’ll reach ther coast al! right after awhile. I know a place up ther coast where we kin run ther cutter inter ther swamp an’ use her fer a storehouse. We kin take ther schooner out an’ use whichever one we please. We kin afford ter give up ther old place on ther island, fer this will beat it all out. Of course it won’t do ter hang around ther old ranch any more, fer them cusses will find it easy enough after this if they look it up. But how do yer like ther idee?” ‘I reckon it’s ther best o’ ther two,” he finally confessed. “Hanged if I don’t be- lieve I'll do as you say. Kin tell better when I've slept over it Gosh, but I’m sleepy. Funny I never thought about try- in’ ter capture this ship at ther time we eee thought of it till we reached ther schooner. But as 1 jest now remember, I'm sleepy. Ain’t had any sleep since night before last, an’ I think we’d both better curl up an’ snooze erwhile. You kin stretch out on ther floor an’ I'll use ther bunk—I’m ther captain o’ ther ship now, yer know,” and he laughed softly, as though pleased at the situation, ‘‘Never thought [’d occupy ther cabin o’ ther United States Revenue Cutter Watch- dog. I war jest about ter turn in on ther schooner when Alex and Sid come an’ warned us that we was ter be attacked Them fellers didn’t seem ter know whether we was goin’ ter catch it at ther schooner or ther house on ther island, but it seems they only knew of ther house on ther island, an’ I’m mighty glad they don’t know anything about our leetle schooner lyin’ in ther swamp. But if it hadn’t been fer Alex and Sid. we'd all ot us likely been prisoners on this vessel now instead of its masters.” ‘* Yer bet,” Epes the other with emphatic roughness, ‘‘ It’s er mighty good thing ter have spies.in ther enemy’s camp.” ‘*Good thing fer us,” said Garth, with another soft laugh, “If it hadn’t been fer them two spies o’ mine aboard ther Watch- dog we might be in ther fix yer jest spoke ro) ”» Billy’s heart guve.a bound at these words. It was a revelation to him. There were, then, traitors aboard the. Watchdog —emissaries of the smuggler gang. is, then, ne why the Rev. enue men had been foiled so prettily at their own game. Somebody on the cutter had warned the outlaws of the attack and they had prepared forit. He, then, was not wholly to blame for the misfortunes that had been ! heaped upon him, There was considerable pleasure to Billy in that thought—a straw for his shattered hopes to cling to: a theory to work upon with which to vindicate himself yet in the eyes of Captain Bronson. | As he was busy with these thoughts and thinking little of his own present position and his dangerous ‘proximity’to his dead] and brutal foe it was brought forcibly to his mind by a few more words that passed be- tween Garth and his companion and which filled Billy with no small alarm for his own safety. 4 ‘*Whar’s my bed-clothes?” demanded the man Jim. like, Ain’t thar no blankets any where?” ‘Look behind that curtain. Reckon you- » ““This floor, looks kinder hard. out to the finish.” there.”’ ‘I reckon he will, and something besides a chill of dread creeping over him. jig’s up,” ‘he only blankets behind the curtain were | a couple that he had thrown over himself. “My CHAPTER VII. SIGNALING THE SMUGGLER. THERE was quite a space between the wall and the curtain and Billy slipped from under the blankets, rese erect and stepped behind a suit of clothes hanging there. The man called ‘‘ Jim” pulled the cloth rudely to one side and his glance falling on the blankets, said as he reached for them: ‘Yer’ right, Sam. Here’s just ther truck,” and pulled them forth, allowing the curtain to fall again, to the inexpressible re- lief of the eavesdropper who was almost bursting with suppressed excitement. ‘*Gee-whiz,” thought he. ‘‘ What a nar- row shave.” Though confident that the man would not return to the place, yet he hardly dared breathe for fear of betraying himself as he heard the man stepping around, Then the light suddenly vanished and he roped in her crew on ther island. I never | heard ‘‘ Jim” roll himself up in the blankets and all was stillin the cabin. Nevertheless, Billy did not move until the heavy breathing of the man on the floor as- sured him that he was safely asleep like the smuggler leader who was beginning to snore in his berth. ‘Now is the time to move,” thought Billy. ‘‘ Tt will soon be light now and make it dangerous for me to be nosing around the ship unJess everybody below is asleep like they ought to be.” ay had, in fact, already begun to break and the gray of mornin dispelled the dark- ness of the cabin sufficiently for him to easily distinguish objects. He removed his shoes and stepped cau- tiously from his concealment. He stole noiselessly to the cabin door, silently turned the knob and with a last look at the sleeping outlaws, passed out, But he was not out of danger by any means; he was liable at any moment to meet some of the smugglers who might be roving over the ship. He had learned what he wished—what Captain Garth intended to do, arth intended to take the most of his men ashore and it was therefore wisest for Billy to wait until this was done and the ship nearly deserted before making the at- tempt to learn the location and condition of Captain Bronson and his men. esides Billy was steepy himself and need- ed a rest. He knew of asnug, dark corner on the ship where there was little likelihood of his being discovered, and groping his way to it, he laid down and was sound asleep in a few moments, How long he slept he did not know, but he awoke undisturbed and refreshdd. _ ‘Now I've got to play the thief if T have any breakfast,” he thought, and smiled grimly, ‘‘for I don’t eare to act the tramp and beg it. But first to see if the coast is clear. If itis I'll let the breakfast go for an hour or two and see if I can’t get Captain Bronson and his luckless tars out of their fix. And if I can, then woe to Captain Sam Garth and his gang, for when they return they will meet a surprise party and find the ables turned on them at last and for good racky, but won’t it be a great revenge to rope the rascals in and have them walk right into the trap, right into our hands without so much as asking them? Now, Billy, you’ve got achance to clear your record. See that you don’t botch the \ \ job but carry the thing = | |

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Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. Billy arose and made his way forward, There was not a sound on bgard the vessel though it was broad daylight. Arriving at a ladder that led above, he as- cended and entered a cabin or deck-house. It wasempty. Opening the door slightly he peered out on deck, There was not a person on deck from his point of view. Stepping boldly out he looked round the | corner of the cabin. Two men were lounging against the port | bulwarks aft. They were the only persons In sight. Billy pla over the water in all direc- tions. There was not a sail in sight. He | gazed shoreward. » There lay the matted swamp, @ mass of luxuriant foliage and in | its quiet and dark recesses Billy was con- fident Grath and his men were at that mo- | ment for the purpose of carrying out the plan decided on a few hours before. How long had they been gone? Billy , asked himself ae ha | The sun told that noon was past, Per- haps Garth and his men had left several hours ago and would return before Billy could carry into effect his cherished scheme of releasing the cutter’s men and entrap the smuggler gang. The idea filled him withalarm. He stepped into the deck-house and went | below again. His object now was to find where Captain | Bronson and his men were. He made his way to the engine-room, The place was deserted. He went into the boiler beg and found steam at alow point and the res, ; He knew where the guard-room was and going to it shook the door gently and asked n a low tone, if any one was within. ; There was no response. He looked into the other apartments—the steward’s room, the mess-room, the gun-room; they were all Silent and deserted. “Tl try the big space in the bows they call the: forecastle,” determined Billy, ‘‘If they are not there they must be stowed away come in the hold: a very dungeon of a place.” " During his investigations he had had the entire vessel to himself; but he still retained his caution and glided along as noiselessly as & ghost, his eyes ever on the alert. At last he reached the door to the fore- castle, unheard and unobserved. The key was in the lock, ‘He shook the door softly and ‘asked: | “‘any one there?” ° ee ‘Oi think yes,” replied a voice unmis- takable Irish. ‘‘ But moind ye we wouldn’t be if we could get out of it.” Billy recognized the voice as that of a man belonging to the cutter’s crew. _ He turne.| the key in the lock and slipped into the forecastle. | In bunks and hammocks a dozen or more men were lying, some of them asleep. Of those who were awake some turned their eyes indifferently at the new-comer while others looked at him decidedly suspiciously. Billy was pained to notice that Captain Bronson was numbered among the latter. ‘*Oh captain,” he said, stepping forward. «Tt was not wholly my fault—this miserable fix youarein, I can’t explain it all now. But it can be made all right shortly now and | inside of a few hours you can reverse things | and have the smugglers confined here in your places,” ‘*How do you happen to be loose aboard | the cutter here while all the rest of ‘us are , confined here as prisoners?” i Captain Bronson was still suspicious, «They don’t know I am aboard,’ said - Billy, hastening to explain all that happened since he lexrped from the boat. He added: - “*) have come to free you,” and threw the SSLAe MiP wDY! Hil oh Pee soar Ntin NT aa . ashore with the exception of two or three on the upper deck. The Watchdog is again yours.” Captain Bronson looked at him steadily a ; bringing any of our boys away. moment and then said: “I have wronged you, Billy, and you are | are. true blue after all. But the way things | ! When the officers had left, Captain Bron- son said; t ‘‘Tney evidently have not succeeded in ld like to know what they are doing and where they That they got free we know. Rising, he hurried up on deck, followed turned out I could hardly help feeling as I | by Billy. did. Men, remove your shoes and follow me.” The disciplined crew obeyed and _ noise- lessly, Captain Bronson leading the way, they filed out of the forecastle. They fol- lowed Captain Bronson to the gun room where the arms and ammunition for the small-arms was kept. The blue-jackets were sitting on the decks now for the purpose of remaining from | Sight, all but two, who were officers, and with the caps of the common sailor upon their heads as a disguise, were posing as the two who had been left in charge of the vessel. Captain Bronson took a good look at the Each man supplied himself with a carbine | approaching boat. and a brace of revolvers, lt was hardly two hundred yards from the Hardly as silently as they had entered the | shore and coming on in an easy and con. place—for the arms would creak—they start ed for the upper deck. ; The cabin was reached on the upper deck, They filed out on the deck with ready guns, The two smugglers left on the vessel were still standing by the bulwarks. They heard a sound and turned. Resistance was out of the question—a dozen guns were leveled at them. ‘Take those men below,” ordered Cap- tain Bronson, He turned the vessel and crew over to one of the subordinate officers and ordered Billy to follow him to the cabin. ‘They reached it by the companionway leading from the deck. ‘Now then,” said Captain Bronson, as he seated himself and motioned for Billy to do likewise, ‘‘I want a report of everything that has occurred since you left the ship in charge of my men. I have heard nothing of them since they left. Why?” Billy gave the details exactly as they had occurred and added: ‘“‘T learned by a bit of talk that passed between Garth and the other man here in the cabin last night, that the failure of the expe- dition and the surprise and capture of your men is owing to traitors in the service of Garth, or, as he puts it,.‘spies in the camp of the enemy.’” , ‘‘Tt can’t be possible,” said the captain, lookiag keenly at Billy. **T noticed,” or 9 Billy, ‘when T swam around to the stdétn here, that the boat usually hanging overhead, was gone anda rope reaching to the water from a davit above. If it hadn’t been for the rope I could not have got aboard. I wondered at the the time the reason of it. I see why it is now,” Captain Bronson had hurried to the cabin window, still open, and looked out and up. ‘** You are right,” said he, ¢* The boat is gone and the rope is still hanging here. We never missed the boat orany of the men. Can it be a fact there have actually been traitors aboard the cutter? Could it have been for the purpose of warning the smug- glers of the attack and preparing for it, that the boat was taken? Yes, Iam forced to believe it isthe truth. I'll never rest until I have placed him, and when I do find him or them, whoever it may be—” | His eyes, blazing with anger, finished the sentence, , “‘T am sure such is the case now,” said a ‘‘Garth spoke of them as Alex and Si iy ‘«There are none of my men of that name as near asI can remember from a casual glance at the rolls,” said the captain. At this moment one of the officers stepped | into the cabin with the announcement that Garth and his men had just appeared from the swamp and were pulling for the steamer. \ ‘Ts; there more than one boat?’ queried Captain Bronson. ey yey ant ‘Ad * Ly a ‘ iit " ik eda Ve ad repos ee L yi ; db te re i a a a | ‘Only the one containing Garth and his . ‘door wide open. “The smugglers are al] men.” ne a ee fe] . ‘ ae a oe b “A tet Peres Per ee a rr antl Ege te WES RCM DE Mp RS LR SON Ore FM Seasaeep fident manner. / The captain’s eyes snapped with anticipa- tion as he watched the nearing boat, and then turned them on his blue-coated crew, ‘‘armed to the tecth’’ as the old saying is, waiting patiently for the prey so unsuspi- ciously approaching, Once under the muzzles of those carbines and it would be surrender or death to Garth und his men, for the Revenue men were in a decidedly ugly mood. ‘‘Just keep right on, Garth old fellow,” thought Billy, elatedly, ‘‘and you will find yourself in a trap you can’t get out—” is words were cut short by a terrific roar from the forward part ofthe vessel, while a cloud of smoke rushed away from the bows and hung heavily over the water, One of the ship’s cannon had been dis- charged. The boat came no nearer, but stopped, turned about and made back toward shore. Could the firing of the gun have been a ney signal tothem? If so who had fired t? Captain Bronson looked his men over. All that had been confined with him in the forecastle were there now on deck, The two prisoners were securely fasten- ed in the guard-room, -_— CHAPTER VIII. A SPY ON BOARD. CAPTAIN Bronson looked around at his men in amazement and then at the boat that was now pulling back toward the swamp. Then he stepped up to Billy and whisper- ‘That firing was a signal to the ears git Can there be a spy hidden on board. this ship? My men are all on deck here except the engineers and his assistants and the stokers who are getting up steam. I know the engineer too well to suspect him, and his assistants too,” \ Billy only shook his head, Captain Bronson went below and down in- to the engine room to see the engineer, He inquired if any of the stokers had been ab- sent from his post during the past few minutes, . They had not, Thg engineer himself had been with them for the last ten minutes while they had been arranging the fires, _ Captain Bronson returned to the deck his brows knitted with 5 per plain thought, He was confronted with a mystery. Some daring, cunning spy was in their midst and from falling into his hands. y Some one from the cutter had taken the *, boat that hung over the stern and gone with it to warn the outlaws of the first: attack. That boat had not returned and yet the spy whoever he was, was on board the ship. Could he, or they, have returned with Garth and his men when they came in the disguise of the Revenue men and slipped sboard unobserved? + ats had for the second time, saved the smugglers _

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ee, ee eee < Fe ee Fwy — oe age ts = er Ue SS SS anes E ™ eee? 10 ) **T don’t know what to think, Billy,” said the captain, drawing the young fellow to one side and speaking ina confidential way not usual with officials in his position, but which Billy, owing to the knowledge which he pos- sessed in regard to the smugglers, had been treated with since he had been aboard. ‘This spy was not with the party you took out, of course. He cither came back with Garth and his men and slipped aboard unobserved by us or returned in the night alone. It may be that we have had this spy hidden aboard the ship ever since we left port. This last performance of his was forced upon him by the critical position he saw Garth and his men werein. He must be found,” Men were detailed to search the ship. Two of the crew on deck exchanged know- ing looks at the order and smiled slightly but no one noticed it. The next three or four hours were spent _in giving the vessel a thorough search and there was not a place largé enough to conceal a man's body that was not looked into. But the mysterious spy was not found, Captain Bronson could not conceal his. chagrin and returned to his cabin. Billy knew nothing more could be done until night. He had suggested a plan to Captain Bronson which the latter had con- cluded to be a good one, The cutter was to, be run into an inlet some miles up the coast — the outlaws operated against from that oint, Y Darkness settled down at last and the order came for the cutter to move, and, without a light to betray her presence, she steamed slowly away. Billy was at the wheel. The start had been so timed that she would arrive at her destination about moonrise. Billy watched the coast keenly as the big red ball rose out of the east. Finally he gavethe order to slow up and the cutter, moved in toward shore, Slower and slower she went as she steamed into a little inlet and then stopped. ‘‘ Here we are,” muttered Billy. It was not yet midnight and Captain Bronson was anxious to accomplish some- thing before daybreak. In that secluded spot there was no danger of the vessel being discovered by her enemies and but two men were left on the vessel ex- cept the engineer and his men. The others, a dozen or fifteen, fully arm- ed, left the cutter in one of the long boats, and with Billy in the steersman’s seat, swept into the swamp. There was plenty of room to swing the oars as the waterways here were wide and the boat plowed onat a good pace, The men could not but wonder how anyone could keep his bearings in that tangled swamp and network of streams where a straight course was impossible as they were forced to twist about to void the islands that dotted the place, But though lost themselves they had full confidence in the young leader. ‘*Slow, boys,” cautioned Billy at last. ‘Here's the island,where your mates were roped in,” The boat ran up against the bank at the same spot where the other boat had stopped the night before. Carefully they approached the house. There was no light visible about the barn- like structure now—it was dark and seemed deserted, It was deserted as they found on stepping in over the fallen door, The rays of a bull's-eye lantern were turned about the room. Billy, noticing the lamp still standing on the table, lighted it. here was nothing to be seen of the ac- couterments which the Revenue men had cast on the floor the previous night. ES ee ee - 4 The. Pilly Brine, the Swamp Fox. confined, were open. ‘*Our boys are not here,” said Billy. ‘‘I wonder where they can be anyhow? If it wasn’t that I am certain it was them that attacked Garth and his men last night I would think they had been taken away and confined elsewhere to prevent their being rescued. But it’s the schooner we want to find now. That is where Garth and his men probably are at this minute.” ‘*Return to the bout then,” ordered Cap- tain Bronson. A few minutes later the boat left the island and moved away up the stream on which Billy and Eb had followed the smuggler gang, Billy had often wondered since his part- ing with Eb, where the faithful mulatto wus, and what had befallen him. Upon the broad, moonlit stream the oars- men could work to good advantage and the boat fairly shot along until they came within a few hundred yards of the spot where the schooner had been moored. Then he Billy cautioned them to go slowly and with caution, while he steered the boat over into the shadow of the trees along the bank, Soon after the boat was stopped. By points and peculiarities about the loca- tion which Billy had previously taken note of, he knew the spot had been reached close to which the schooner had been moored, The men went ashore and stole cautiously through the woods, pausing at last on the edge of the bank against which the vessel had been lying. The schooner was not there. Billy looked again at the surroundings to see if he might not possibly be mistaken. A careful scrutiny assured him that he was not. Piety" But the schooner was gone. — —— CHAPTER IX. SLIPPED OUT OF THEIR CLUTCHES. “Waar does this mean, Billy?” said Captain Bronson. ‘ The schooner is not here,” ‘J ‘*So I notice,” replied Billy, rubbing his head in a puzzled waf. *‘‘ They must have concluded to pull out, thinking best to aban- don the situation. Have probably slid out ‘to sea under the cover of darkness and are now under sail on open watcr.”’ **Humph,” muttered the captain. ‘‘ Are we to be balked at every turn? They can- not get out without the help of the tide and it just turned a short time ago. Perhaps it is not too late to overhaul them. Back to the boat,” Just then he countermanded the order for Billy had seized his arm and whispered: ‘Hear that? We have got. neighbors near!” Captain Bronson had also heard it at the same time—a sound rising out of the woods hack from the shore; a sound like a rough outburst of laughter, ‘“Who can it be?” queried the captain, ‘‘in these lonely woods at this time of night. There is some one close by. Let us investigate,” The darkness was intense and as they en- tered the thicket it was impossible to distin- guish one from the other. To avoid getting lost in the gloom they took hold of hands and followed single file after Billy who moved ahead, feeling a way for them. At times so tangled was the course of their march with matted vines that it was only by the indomitable will of the leader that they advanced at all, At last the bright light of) a fire was seen between a thick screen of trees and vines. Cautiously they advanced until they reach- ene ed a point where they could see without be- ing observed. In the cefiter of an open spot in the heavy woods a big camp-fire was burning, round which a dozen men were gathered, laughing, talking and smoking. Several were prostrate on the ground, presumably asleep. ‘‘Now look a yere,” growled one of the latter, turning over and half rising. ‘TI want you fellers ter quit yer card-playin” an’ turn in an’ goter sleep. D’ye hear?” It was Garth himself who gave this per- emptory order. ‘All right, Sam,’ remarked one of the players as he shoved the cards in his pocket. But instead of ‘‘tarning in” they re- mained at the fire smoking and chatting in a low tone. “If them chaps would only go to sleep,” whispered Captain Bronson, to Billy, ‘‘ we could ‘capture the whole crowd, but if we try to get close enough now to use our guns. we would be heard and discovered. We will have to let them alone for thistime. Return to the boat.” Under Billy’s leadership they managed to reach their starting point without any mis- haps except,a few bruises. : ‘* Billy,” said Captain Bronson, when the men had taken their places at the oars, ‘‘where do you suppose that schooner can be? Can she be lying in the neighborhood here? If so why are not Garth and bis men aboard her? I fully expected them fellows were our boys. What can be the reason the smugglers are camping there in the woods?” ‘* Perhaps,” offered Billy, ‘‘that our boys. have got hold of the schooner, and the gang, now devoid of any vessel, and afraid to camp on the island where we went last. night, have been forced to take to the open ear,?? ‘‘Maybe you are right,” replied Captuin Bronson. ‘I wish I knew. I think the best plan now is to push on down toward the coast and see if we can find anything of the lost vessel,” The boat was pushed off and stole quietly we from the shore, . When far enough away from the island the men bent to their work and a steady fountain spurted from the cutwater. ‘* There she is!” The words, coming from Billy’s lips, sent a thrill through the men. He had taken no pains to speak low: on the contrary spoke louder than usual, for Garth and his gang wére far out of hearing and he was perfectly willing that the Revenue men—whom he now believed to be “ possession of the schooner—should hear aim. The dim shape of the schooner grew more distinct and less ghostly as the boat swiftly drew up. Her position, however, puzzled them not a little. Aree She was laying with her bows against ‘the bank of the stream with her stern reaching out to the middle of the channel. “She seems to be aground,” said Billy and he called, out: + oe ‘* Hello, the schooner!” No response. J The blue-jackets ceased rowing and the boat glided up alongside. A rope with a grappling-iron was cast over the side and one by one the men climb- ed aboard the vessel. There was not a light on or about the ship. The hatch over the forecastle was raised: and the rays of the bull’s-eye turned into it. It was empty. ‘ Billy took the lantern and led the captain aft and together they went below. The door to the cabin at the stern stood. partly open. They entered,

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’ a! _ The cabin had no occupants but them- selves. *‘ Well, Billy,” said Captain Bronson, looking around, ‘‘we scem to have the en- tire craft to ourselves. What do you sup- pose it means?” ‘* Give it up,” replied Billy, dropping into achair. ‘ There is one thing sure enough, though, and that is that you are at last in possession of Sam Garth's smuggler schoon- er, “ Yes,” replied the other, ‘‘and I will try and see that he does sa her back again. But I cannot understand why she is aban- doned. his gang are camping in the woods when they might be aboard this vessel. It seems to explode your idea that our men had ob. | tained possession of her.” ‘** Yes,” said Billy, looking puzzled. ‘* They would not leave her to go wandering round the swamp in an open boat. If our men had been aboard and the gang had forced them fo leave they would have taken possession. When we Macovesa the gang there in the woods I fully expected to fine our boys on board the schooner, if we found the schooner at all. It’s rather strange.” ‘* Well, I don’t know,” acknowledged the captain. ‘‘ Her position bears witness that she might have floated away and become grounded.” ** Tf that’s so, perhaps our boys are pris- oners below now.” Captain Bronson caught at the idea, and grasping the lantern he left the cabin and hurried to look into the hold. But there was nothing there except a very strong scent of tobacco, ‘Shey are not aboard, Billy,” said he, as he returned to the cabin. ‘* Now I will have to own up beat. Where those fellows are and why this vessel is lying here abandoned is more thangl can guess,” ‘*But yoy have the vessel,” said Billy, smiling, his remark being uttered to lessen the disgust that was plainly depicted on the _other’s face. ‘« Yes, and as I said before, will hold to it. Let me see,” pulling out his watch, ‘it is one-thirty. Billy, I believe I will commence operations against the smugglers now.” ‘* How?” queried Billy, in surprise. ‘“‘They must be all asleep by this time. There is nothing to prevent my men going back there and making them all prisoners as they lay asleep, is there?” ‘*‘Nothing,” replied Billy, grasping the idea. ‘‘It is a good scheme. If we can capture the schooner and the outlaws all in one night it will be a good night's work.” ** There is nothing to prevent it as I can see,” said the captain. ‘‘I will rouse the Pye up and we will start out at once.” ~ Captain Bronson was a man of energy who never spared his personal pains in carrying out an object, and he hurried himself into the forecastle where the men had gone to spend the night. He had them all awake and attention al- most immediately. They armed themselves and hurried up on deck, Captain Bronson paused and after a sur- Sag stare, said to one of the officers at his side, “The watch Where are they?” The moonlight, falling full upon the deck, made every part that was not hidden in shadow, to stand out as distinctly almost as in daylight. The two men stationed on deck to watch, were nowhere visible. : Somewhat startled at this Captain Bronson hurried forward.. He had not proceeded far before he stumbled over ; Shadow of the cabin amidship, and fell to the deck. / Rising hastily, he ordered the men up. The light of ‘the lantern was turned into Phan Pace ay | Seb t wae Soler har b + I cannot understand why Garth and | / cage in some way : ,_ dete ' schooner. something lying in. the | i ata gt > i ie iia he ea Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. | structed the captain’s progress was made | known. | There lay the bodies of two men who had : been stationed on deck to watch. Not a sound did they utter nor did they / move, but fear that they were dead was re- moved ona closer examination, for it was seen that the men were bound and gagged. Their bonds were quickly loosed. ‘* What does this mean?” demanded Cap- ‘tain Bronson. ‘‘ Who did this?” | **'Two traitors in your crew,” replied one, “Jack Fyler and John Hurst were the parties. They came on deck a short time ago. Of course we thought nothing about | that and the first thing we knew we were | knocked down and then jumped on and | bound and gagged! Them fellers haven’t showed up since,” Captain Bronson seized the lantern and went to the bows, where he turned its light on the waters below where they had left the boat when they came aboard, As he expected, the boat was gone. ' He looked about the schooner. | pease was not another boat about the ves- sel. / ‘* Billy, your suspicions of there bein _ traitors in our midst is proven at last,” sai | Captain Bronson, bitterly. “It was they | who frustrated our first attempt to capture | the smugglers—they who saved them when | they were about to fall into our hands the second time and now this is their third move against us and once more they set my plans at naught, Everything is in their bands |now. We cannot leave this vessel because we have no boat—we are virtually prisoners, and what is worse the schooner is fast aground, and while we are forced to remain | here helpless those two scoundrels can row | to the place where Garth and his men are, | take them on and pull to the steamer and | take easy possession, The devil-is taking | care of those fellows, seems to me,” Captain Bronson was exasperated beyond | measure to realize that for the third time the wily foe had neatly slipped out of his clutches when almost within his grasp. But greater than this was his trembling , fear for his ship. He readily saw the object of this last move—the confiscation of the Watchdog, and with the traitor blue-jackets to guide the outlaws to where the vessel was lying defenseless it would be an easy matter , to accomplish it, and Captain Bronson and his men enchained to the grounded schooner, : would be impotent to prevent it. CHAPTER X. K THE SMUGGLER CHIEF IN CHARGE AGAIN. Wen Sam Garth and his men pulled j away from the cutter they had captured, , they little suspected that Billy Brine, their plucky young antagonist, was concealed aboard for the purpose of returning the ship to her rightful crew. : | _ But there were many surprises in store for Garth and his men. | Their first surprise was when they came | in sight of their schooner as they were pull- . ing up the water-course that Jed to.the island | where they had imprisoned the Revenue men the night before. The vessel was lying right where she had ; been left, but they were amazed to see three ‘or four figures standing upon the decks, | Moreover the figures were armed. ‘* Furies,” cried Garth, ordering his men to cease rowing, and pointing ahead. Those : blasted blue-coats have slipped out of their n’ got a-hold of our Here’s a pretty howdy-do.” His men looked around. They saw the “men on the schooner, now reinforced by a pooeee more gthat came hurrying up from { somewhere, That they were the men they had expected the darkness and the object that had ob- ; to find at the island there was no doubt, The 1t —— long boat the gang had left at the island, wag. floating by the a trees side, but the term **blue-coats ” would hardly apply to the men now as they were arrayed in the motley gar- ments which had been forced upon them in exchange for their uniforms. The boat stopped. The outlaws were face to face with their first set-back. Heretofore in their campaign against their rivals, their every move had been successful and followed by the defeat and discomfiture of the Revenue men, and their confidence in their reckless leader had risen until they deemed him capable of circumventing the enemy in an emergency. But Garth showed no evidence of being equal to the present problem: he uttered no words but deep curses, which be kept up: continually as he glared at the men on the schooner, ‘‘Come on, gentlemen, come on,” called out a voice frome the latter. ‘Come up closer. We've got some old clothes we want to trade.” The men in the boat were too angry to re- a ply. With a scowling face, Garth ordered the boat about. ‘* We'll have to go back to the Watchdog without ’em,” he said. ‘* This is the deuce ofa fix, It’s er good exchange though, fer ther cutter,” and he laughed a little, ‘If ther water was Sony enough I’d fetch ther cutter in an’ bring them rascals ter terms in er jiffy. As it is lll see that they don't put out ter sea in her. They may not know ther Watchdog is in my hands, an’ if they run ther schooner inter the gulf I kin bring "em ter order mighty suddint.” The boat was moving rapidly toward open water which was soon reached. The ‘‘ Watchdog” still lay there, silent and seemingly abandoned: no living person to be seen on her—no smoke issuing from her smokestack. But suddenly a burst of flame and a cloud of white smoke shot out from her bows and a ve he boom went rumbling over the water. Garth sprung half erect with an ejaculation of rage and astonishment. “Stop rowing,” he ordered. ‘‘ It won’t do ter go any nearer. Boys, there’s somethin’ wrong. I’ve got a couple o' spies aboard that. ship. I ordered them ter discharge er gun if by any chance ther prisoners regained their liberty an’ ther possession of the ship. That’s. what's happened or they couldn’t have fired that gun fer they were locked up with ther rest 9’ ther Revenue chaps when I left, Furies, everything is goin’ against us. Back to ther swamp an’ we’ll try ter get our schooner back anyhow. An’ we kin do it, too,” assuming a confidence he did not feel, “We kin keep ther boat outer sight an’ slip up ter ther island ag’in’ which ther schooner is tied, an’ make er rush an’ git her inter our hands ag’in before them cusses knows it.” This plan was carried out, and the boat, keeping clear of the schooner, crept up to the island where she was lying moored, by another route, The gang then landed. They were desperate, and determined to regain -possession of the schooner at any hazard, Their plan might have been successful so- determinedly was it prosecuted, had not. some of the men on the schooner who had gone into the cabin amidship to lounge and’ smoke and escape the rays of the afternoon sun that was beaming down fiercely upon the deck, seen, through the windows, Garth. — and his men as they stole out of the thick woods, Seeing the deck deserted and no. one in sight he and his men anticipated an. easy victory. But just as they were about to leap upon the deck the Revenue men rushed from the: cabin, guns in hand, They opened a basty and rather haphazard. fire on the smugglers that caused them to ' { ' La eas . 4 ns Teh ian ° 6 , : 4 7 ye 3 Le pupctaiatne tea aa Ste AH. gn etl ate ©: i

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12 ‘hurriedly conceal themselves in the timber again with the exception of one unfortunate who was killed at the first fire. . Garth was furious at this decisive defeat, am ‘* Wait till ter-night, boys,” said he, ‘an’ we'll have ‘em. We'll get aboard in ther ‘dark, We'll camp in ther open space here , in ther woods till then. We can’t go aboard now without gettin’ shot all ter pieces, ’cause we'd have ter fight our way through all them pesky vines an’ underbrush before } we could reach ther schooner, But I'll have } it ter-night, if it takes ther last man of us,” } So the discomfited and angry crowd re- paired to the open spot to wait for night to ive them another chance to drive a blow at ‘their enemies, } The leader, engrossed with his own un. ‘pleasant thoughts, remained silent and mo- rose. Somewhat superstitious, he could not te rid himself of the idea that the tide had ; turned against him, and he was alarmed ‘with the fear that the worst was yet to 4 ecome, f _ And his fears were well grounded, { Before sundown, one of his men, who had ‘been on a little scouting expedition by him- gelf, returned to his mates with the startling information that the schooner was not at her moorings, and furthermore was nowhere in ! } a | he men looked at each other in amaze- ment. Garth was speechless for a moment, | sand then cried: i ‘‘To ther boat. We will overhaul them fellers and take that vessel away from ’em -or kill ther last one o’’em They’re tryin’ pA ‘ter run ont of ther swamp an’ make fer ther cutter, but we'll catch ’em. Quick, now. If they get inter open water, they are be- ; yond our reach,” The gang seized their guns and made a rush for the side of the island where they chad landed. ‘‘The boat!” roared Garth, glarin chim like a madman, ‘‘ Whar’s ther ‘Yes, where is it?” queried one amen, The boat was gone, , Part of the rope by which it had been tied was still fastened to a tree, one end hanging er ‘in the water. adic ‘* See,” said one of the men, holding it up, Rh **it has been cut,” 7 The rope had beep smoothly severed with Ma a knife, . Xa | Garth broke out with a string of fearful ‘invectives that startled even the hardened ‘men around him, _ Disasters to the smugglers’ cause had fol- A lowed each other fast during the past few hhours—this one capped the climax. A few ‘hours before, and the enemy and their armed vessel were in their power, but the fortunes of war had turned against them with a sud- denness that was crushing. Ina few short hours they had not only lost possession of their prize, but their own vessel was in the . hands of the enemy, and now their only means of leaving the island was taken from ‘them, and they were prisoners in the swamp, without a roof to cover them. Their position was now critical. ‘* Boys,” said Garth, ‘‘ this is perty tough. Iswear I dunnowhatterdo.” ” The men were downhearted. se oe of their only means of leaving the island, /starvation stared them in the face. ‘We will pass the night here anyhow,” a ha said their leader. ‘' It’s ther only thing we a kin do, I reckon. When ter-morrer comes, HT Ay | ~we'll see what we kin do.” They built a fire in the open spot to drive away the chill and dampness that settled about oat?” of the os ee ee 2 —— ee =r 7 —— en (er a — ee > io Leet eA ne

Half her nyen are tied up > rth led his men -,

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Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. We left him when his white companion had fallen into the hands of Garth and his men, through Billy's error in supposing they were the Revenue men escaped from their prison on the island. It was not until Billy was seized that Eb saw that something was wrong. Before any one could suspect his purpose he had slipped into the water and kept under the surface until he had swam into water that was shaded by the trees on the bank. There he could raise his head above the } water without any danger of his black skin r and hair betraying him. ; No search was made for him but he did : not move until the boat was out of sight. r With a last rueful look in that. direction, he climbed ashore and shook himself. ‘*T knows what dem fellers is up ter,’” he muttered as he looked in the direction in which the boat had vanished. ‘‘ Dey are goin’ ter ‘tack der cutter an’ Ill be dab 1) bobbed if I don’t believe dey’ll get it too. { Dey look fer all de worl’ like reg’lar Revenue men. Won’er what I kin do about down ter der island an’ set dem fellers free er dieer-tryin’. ’Tain’t furan’ water won’t hurt me,” Eb knew that the island where the pris oners were confined was not,a quarter of a mile away, but one not affimated with an invincible purpose would have shrunk ap- alled when faced with the task of reaching t, for it was necessary to swim through stagnant water, tramp through slimy ooze, stirring up snakes and alligators; climb muddy banks and force one’s way in the dark among tangled trees, clinging vines and rank underbrush until compelled to take to the water again. But this was what the plucky fellow did. _ The mulatto had pushed his way along with the energy of a young giant, so great was his anxiety to reach the island, and when at last he arrived at its shores he was in an almost exhausted condition. But he did not rest. He hurried up through the timber to the house, and enter- -.. ing, felt his way to the table on which he had noticed some matches when he made his first visit to the place where the blue-jackets had been so decidedly handicapped. The matches were still there and he lighted the lamp. Two heavy bars across the doors that con- _ nected with the other two rooms bore wit- ness as to the prisoners’ place of confine- , ment. lee “You dar, boys?” he said. ‘‘I guess yo’ | is, cause I hears ye. Dé dickens is inter everythin’ we does ter-night, ’pears ter me, ? but I’se goin’ ter git ye out o’ dar er bu’st.” . ‘It's ther nigger,” said several voices at | once, and a half-dozen added encouragingly: | * Goit, blackey. Get us out o’ here and we'll give ye allthe terbaccy you can chew ae in er month.” i t \ oo grinned at this but looked sober as he , $al : ‘IT wants ter get ye outer dar bad enough, fer Mars’ Billy has got inter der hands o’ that rascal, Garth, an’ der cutter will, too, if - 1 don't get ye outer dar an’ we get er move - onusalmighty sudden,” and he told them all that had happened while he worked away at the bars that had been tightly jammed in their places, _ ‘* Well, hurry up an’ get us out o’ here an’ we'll put out after them chaps like a _, pack o’ hornets. We've got a score ter set- _ tle with them now, and if we get a crack at ’em they’ll come to terms pretty quick or somebody will get shot. But, say, nigger, ‘fe our guns out there?” “No,” replied Eb. along with ’em.”. ° ‘ ley “They took ’em ‘The deuce,” said the voice, with a mut- eS nrvet. “We might as well stay ha gad it anyhow? Golly, I jes’ know. I'll go |* “I kin get ye some mo’,” said Eb. ‘‘ Dar, durn ye!” addressing the bar, that had now become loosened, ‘‘ come down,” In another moment he had both doors open, and the men filed out. Eb showed his teeth ina big grin as they appeared, but it was as much on account of the ridiculous figure they cut in the rough and torn garments of the smugglers as from pleasure at seeing them free again, ‘‘What did ye say about gettin’ our traps fer us?” asked one. ‘‘ Follow me, gemmen,” was all Eb said and hurried out of the room, followed by the others. _ He was confident of finding the smugglers’ boat near where the Revenue men eo Sand ed, and was not mistaken. They lost no time in getting under way, and under Eb’s guidance bent down to their, work in good shape. On the way Eb acquainted them with the fact of the smugglers having a schooner tied up in the swamp, and that he supposed the arms belonging to the Revenue men had’ been carried there. When the schooner was reached she was boarded by the ex-prisoners, who, by the way, would never have discovered her had not Eb drawn particular attention to her, so well concealed was her black hull by the dark, timber-grown bank against which she was lying. : A hasty search was made of the vessel and the accouterments of the men were found lying on the floor of one of the cabins where they had been carelessly dumped. Once more they took to the boat, fully armed now and confident accordingly, ‘*V’m afraid we are too late,” said one of the men, as the minutes passed and nothing was seen of the enemy. As theyreader knows, it was not until open water had been reached that the other boat was sighted. Had not the outlaws delayed so long at the schooner they would not have been sighted ‘| at all by the pursuers. Without a moment’s hesitation, the ‘ex- prisoners, burning for revenge, opened a hot fire on their late captors, a fire that was as hotly returned. The desperate outlaws, excellent marks- men all of them, used their arms with such effect that the attacking party did not dare press them too closely. _| Then, while the thickest of the firing was in progress, the Revenue men made the dis- covery that their ammunition was exhausted, Filled with the excitement of the battle, they had used all their powder and shot before they were aware, and the word was given to retreat to the swamp. The smugglers’ boat was directly between them and the ‘‘ Watchdog” and it was therefore impossible to reach the cutter and save it from falling into the hands of Garth and his gang. ‘ Bitterly as they regretted it, they were forced to.give up the fight and see the daring outlaws pull serenely out to take possession of their unsuspecting victim. ' «Well, boys,” said one of the men in the boat, ‘‘those rascals have got everything their own way to-night, but maybe our time will come yet. We'll see what we can do to- morrow, Of course they know we escaped but don’t know we have discovered their | vessel. We will go back and take possession and perhaps to-morrow they will'return and come aboard and then we will lay for them and rake in the whole outfit.” Though the anticipation of this occurring —which was probable enough--cheered them some, yet they were terribly disheartened by the failure to check Garth and his men and save the cutter. They had not only failed to capture him and his men as they had ex- pected, but had not even succeeded in giving their friends on the ‘‘ Watchdog” a hint of danger, and they all felt a kind of prophetic AZ ds : i os ~i oe iy i ‘ £9) hau \ fae by he hse Vee 4 EAD pa hay kx ao (Wank } au 54 4 wat ‘ ’ ; ary " be Ae aa 2 13 conviction that the daring smugglers would: succeed in their ruse. The schooner reached, they went aboard. Eb changed his garments, which were now amass of ill-smelling mud, fora clean suit. he had found in a chest, and fiatigued with his night’s work he stretched himself out in: one of the bunks in the forecastle and fell: into a delicious slumber, forgetting the trials and fatigues he had undergone and: careless of what adventures the morrow might bring forth. CHAPTER XII. THE SCHOONER I8 ABANDONED. Es and his friends were confident that the: outlaws would return to the schooner the: following day. The hours of the morning passed and the- smugglers did not appear. ‘‘ breckon they’ve got ther cutter in their hands all right enough,” remarked one of the: men, resignedly, ‘‘ else they’d have been here before this,” The day passed on and still the enemy did. not appear, ‘* It might be, boys,” said one of the men, hopefully, ‘that our fellows on the Wateh-- dog were too much for them and instead of — getting the worst of it have turned in and ~ captured the whole crowd of them,” As the afternoon advanced and still no. . signs of Garth and his men, this idea began to take strong hold of them, and they grew to doubt whether the smugglers would re- turn to visit the schooner that day at all. Owing to this they became somewhat care- less about keeping concealed and so were: seen by the smugglers when the latter at last. unexpectedly appeared, “The cat’s out of the bag, boys,” said one: of the men. ‘‘ Our little scheme of allowin them to come aboard while we kept out of sight and then pouncing on them, is alli knocked in the head. Now we have got to» rs) our eyes open,” i thout replying to the idle gaint with which the men on the schooner greeted: them, the smugglers turned their boat about. and made off down the stream again. All was quiet after that until the ‘‘ Watch- dog’s” gun boomed out, startling the Revenue men in the swamp and making them wonder at the cause of it. } They were convinced of one thing and that. was that the smuggler gang would not allow them to remain on the schooner without an» effort to dislodge them and so they kept a en look-out in expectation of an at- tack, ey" . It was about an hour after the appearance: of Garth and his men that the attack came, but as the reader knows, the men on the schooner were not surprised, After the discomfited outlaws had disap- peared in the woods on the island, Eb said, as he made a motion with his hand in that. direction: ‘* Dem fellers is camped back among dem trees dar. Dey’ll pitch inter us ag’in befo’ long, see if dey don’t.” ‘Then he seratched his head for several. minutes while a serious look overspread his. comical countenance. Finally he uttered an ejaculation of de- light, and clapped his hands together in a, gleeful way, “What's ailin’ yer, nigger?” asked two or three of his companions, = - **Gemmen,” said Eb, again looking serious and as dignified as possible. ‘‘I’se got a scheme, a great big one.” Then for several minutes he and the others. had their heads very close together while Eb. talked in a low tone, at the same time grin- ning hugely. Eb’s “scheme” was very simple and at oe same*time would be effective if carried. out, ji It was simply to deprive the gang of their boat; loons. the s¢ onan eit et her- ®

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a 7 = re Sears et ee ee te Ee = a~? os 7 — Pz, | Billy Brine, the Swam float down the stream with the ebbing tide to open water. The outlaws, without a boat, would be forced to remain on the island while the men on the schooner could sail her out to the cut- ter and take easy possession asall but two or three of the smuggler gang were with Garth on the island. Eb lost no time in performing his part. He slipped into the water, stole cautiously along the shores of the island until he reach- ed the place where the outlaws’ boat was tied. Then he cut it loose, towed it back to the schooner and went aboard again. The boat was fastened to the vessel, Then the hawsers securing the schooner to the trees on shore, were cut and she began to glide slowly away, moved by the slight current and the ebbing tide. Before they cut loose entirely they suc- ceeded in turning the vessel’s head doWn- stream and they expected no difficulty now in guiding her into open water. When half the distance to the coast had been covered, however, the schooner struck asnag, her bow went plunging into the bank and she came to a stop. They went to work to free her from her position but their efforts were in vain—the vessel would not budge. Moreover, the ebbing tide, which had now turned strongly, jammed her tighter against the obstruction, and the water falling as the tide ebbed caused the schooner to settle lower and lower and to become more firmly planted in her unfortunate position, By the time they had at last exhausted all their efforts and their strength, night had settled down, and it was quite dark. ‘Wal, we can’t get her loose to-night,” drawled one of the men, ‘‘but there ain’t nothing as I see, ter prevent us taking the boat and pulling out to the ‘‘ Watchdog.” I don’t guess any three or four of Garth’s men, if there happens to be that many left on board, which | don’t believe there is, can have much show of stopping us fellers from taking possession of our own boat if we take the notion, eh, boys?” ; There was a little laugh at this, and the plan as above proposed, was decided on, In fact it was the officer in charge of them who made the proposition and consequently nu one would have dreamed of objecting. The privations and discomforts they had undergone had for the time made the officer feel that they were all equal and he made himself one of them instead of keeping haughtily aloof as would have been the case aboard ship. _ The boat captured from the smugglers be- longed to the cutter and so was kept towed astern that it might be restored to its proper place on the ‘‘ Watchdog.” x So the schooner was abandoned und the Revenue men, bending vigorously to their work, rapidly pulled out of the swamp. At last the coast was reached and all look- ee toward the spot where the cutter had been ying. They had expected a light or two to indi- cate her position but there was none, ‘The night was dark though starlit, and it ‘was impossible to see for any great distance over the waste of waters. They knew, however, just where she had” been lying, and pulled steadily for it. ‘But when that yicinity was reached, the cutter was not there. This they discovered by rowing back and forth over the spot ‘where she had been. ““ Where in thunder is she?” muttered one of the men. ‘Hail her!” ordered the officer. The fellow rose and cried in a voice that could have been heard to the shore and be- yond: “ Hello the Watchdog.” r He repeated it three or four times, but no answer came out of the darkness. ‘They rowed, backward and forward over a De —— Cee | pared for us. large extent of water, until fully satisfied that the vessel was not in that vicinity. The hours passed, and still they searched. At last the moon rose, lighting up the sea for them. But no Watchdog was in sight. CHAPTER XIII. DOWNED AT LAST. CAPTAIN Bronson and his men were in a quandary, from which they saw no way to extricate themselves. He was confident that his vessel would again fall into the hands of the smugglers. His only way of leaving the swamp was by the schooner, and not then unless she could be loosed from her position. It was about two-thirty o’clock in the morning now, and the tide was on the flood. Captain Bronson and his men went to work to remove the snag by the aid of ropes and hooks, and at last had the satisfaction of being rewarded with success. There was considerable of a current in the stream at this point, and the vessel began to glide away through the swamp, but so slowly as to be almost imperceptible. Such was the impatience of the men that she seemed scarcely to move at all, but finally she stole lazily out of the swamp and into the waters of the Gulf, | The sails were raised and the schooner brought about, her head turned to the north. The breeze was very light, but enough to fill her sails, and as the schooner was built for speed, und playing the fugitive suc- cessfully if chased by Revenue vessels, she slipped along smartly. Captain Bronson was determined that if the cutter was stillat the inlet—and he had good reasons to think she still was—and ia the hands of Garth and his men, to regain possession if it cost him his own life and ne lives of all his crew who wege with im. _ His men were equally anxious for a fight for they were burning for a chance to wipe out the defeats and discomfitures put upon them by the audacivus outlaws. They were well-armed and possessed a good supply of ammunition and in their pre- sent frame of mind would be only too glad for a chance to use them. If the smugglers showed fight, which they probably would, a desperate battle would result. At the end of about a half-hour ~ the schooner arrived off the inlet. Captain Bronson with his glass in his hand, was gazing shoreward. ‘«The cutter is still there,” said he, quiet- ly to Billy, who was standing by his side. Closer in glided the schooner. On, on, she crept, until the ‘‘ Watchdog,” lying there so quietly at her mooring, was not over twenty-five yards away. In the bright rays of the moon, numerous figures could be seen on deck, their arms glittering in the silvery light. Captain Bronson noted this and looked thoughtful. ; ‘* Billy, my boy,” said he, ‘‘ they are pre- ‘“You see yourself what we have before us. Garth and his men again have the cutter in their hands and are await- ing us in battle array. But they will not have it long,” biting his mustache fiercely, ‘‘without sacrificing their lives. There is going to be\a fearful fight, that is plainly seen, My men will take that cutter out of | panther on its prey. their power if they have to kill the last man of them. Iam going to run up alongside and board that vessel in regular old-fashion- ed private style.” The schooner’s sails were lowered and she glided up to the cutter as silently as a Closer and closer she came until the sides of the vessel almost touched: as she crept alongside. : ; Though the object was plain there had been no challenge from those on board the’ p Fox. ‘‘ Watchdog” nor any hostile demonstra- tions. Captain Bronson was not pleased at all this silence—he feared it was the calm that preceded the storm. Grappling hooks were cast over the sides of the cutter and the two vessels locked to- gether. The men on the cutter had changed their position. They were standing ‘‘ company front” on the opposite side of the ship, the breech of their guns resting on the deck. Captain Bronson and his men were at a loss to account for this unless it were that they were so ranged that they could pour in a terrific fire as quick as he and his men obtained a footing on the cuttcr. He had expected the battle to open before this, and to be forced to make fast to the ‘‘ Watch- dog ” inthe face ofa volley of lead. Not only had the party on the cutter failed to do this but had not even lifted a finger to resist their obtaining a foothold on the steamer’s decks. Captain Bronson, fearing trickery, hesi- tated before exposing his men to the fire of “the men on the cutter, by ordering them away from the shelter of the bulwarks be- hind which they were standing. He uttered one word in alow tone, and like magic the carbines of his men were leveled at the opposite party. He said but oné word: “Surrender!” ‘‘We are awaiting your orders,” was the reply from one of the party on the cutter, as he stepped out and saluted, Captain Bronson started at the sound. ‘*Who are you?” he asked. ‘‘ Lieutenant Cockrell and company who left last night under the leadership of Billy Brine to capture the smugglers.” — Billy uttered a little cry of surprise as he recognized the voice as that of the officer who had had charge of the blue-jackets the night before, though the expedition was really under the command of Billy himself. The officer had at the time, showed some signs of resenting his being superseded by an outsider and one as young as Pilly, and the latter noticed a tinge of sarcasm in his tone as he made the reply. In another minute Captain Bronson and his men were on board the cutter, and the men were sent below. ‘Come into the cabin, lieutenant,” said the captain. ‘‘I want to have this matter explained, 1 do not understand it. I ex- pected to find the vessel in possession of Garth and his gang and mistook you for them. Wasall prepared for a red-hot fight.” The officer laughed and said, as he seated himself opposite the captain: “You need not worry about Garth and his gang any more, for they are where they can do you no more harm,” and noticing Captain Bronson’s puzzled look, hastened to explain, He related all that had occurred after Eb rescued them, to their abandoning the schooner and putting out into the Gulf to find the cutter. ‘“We hung around until moonrise, think- ing we might have missed the cutter in the dark, although we were sure we hadn’t and we called out half a dozen times every hour. The cutter was not in those waters, that was certain. Then the nigger Eb declared he be- lieved he knew where the Watchdog was, and spoke of a place, young Brite had men- tioned to him as a good sppt to have the cut- ter lay while campaigning against the smug- glers. This is the spot he mentioned.” “Yes,” said Captain Bronson, ‘he spoke of it to me some time ago.” ‘*So we made for it,” went on the lieuten- ant, ‘‘and sure enough here was the cutter, safe andsound. We were surprised to learn that you had gone out to have another tilt with Garth and his gang. You -were ex- pected to return before daylight. re REST Fs eae PREP a ee i ee

Page 15

ia - ‘‘T stayed on deck—the rest of the boys except the watch, went below. *““As we stood there wondering when you ‘would return, we heard and saw a boat ap- proaching from shore. ‘There was no doubt in our minds but What it was you and your party. ‘‘Of course we remembered the trick Garth and his men had played on you the night before when in the disguise of our boys but we had left Garth and his men imprison- ed on a desert island so to speak, and more- over, we had his boat, or rather the boat he had stolen from the cutter, and consequently we never dreamed that the sharp raseal was again slipping up to us until they were almost upon us and the moonlight shone full upon the face of Garth as he sat in the stern of the boat facing us. ““The watch had not made the discovery and had already lowered the ladder. ‘*Tt was too late to repulse them now, but Tresolved that we should not fall such an easy prey as you were the night before, and I hurried below and roused the men. ‘*When we reached the deck Garth and his men were standing ina bunch, laughing among themselves at the big haul they had made, ‘* Before they were aware of our presence my men had them covered. 1 threatened them with instant death if they did not sur- render at once, and I meant what I said, too. ‘They did as they were ordered and were marched below and confined where they are at this minute. Their victory had been short lived. ‘‘Nothing more happened until you ar- rived. Seeing the schooner coming up we suspected you had stumbled onto it in some way and managed to get her loose again. And now, captain, I believe that is all. After many ups and downs in the struggle with Garth and hls men you are victorious; the smuggler gang are prisouers on board your vessel, and their schooner is your prize and lying alongside. What more would you want?” ‘‘T am satisfied with the way it has end. ed,” replied Captain Bronson, calmly, ‘‘ and 1 will confess that I shall breathe a good deal easier now, for these men have given me noend of worry. That fellow Garth is the pluckiest, sharpest, most audacious law- breaker I have ever been pitted against.” “If it had not been for that darky they would stiil have the upper hand and us fel lows would now be penned up in that house on that miserable island in the swamp. It’s to him more than to that chap Brine that we owe our success. That nigger is a brick.” *“‘T have no fault to find with Billy Brine,” replied the captain in a way that told he would brook no disparaging remarks about his young friend. ‘‘They are both heroes and have done us good service. And you too, lieutenant, are entitled to your share of thanks,” The officer bowed and took his leave. Before he left, Captain Bronson ordered him to send Billy Brine and his mulatto friend to him. ; Eb’s eyes were big with awe and he kept timidly behind Billy as they entered the cabin in answer to the summons, ‘‘Boys,” said the captain, smiling as he warmly grasped their hands, ‘you have both done well. I want to thank you “for it and promise you that you will not be for- gotten by the Revenue Department.” When the two friends left, Eb was chuck- ling with delight. Well, Eb,” said Billy, with a yawn, “I ain't hankerin’ after rewards for doing my duty towards upholding the law, but Lama- thinkin’ we deserve a good rest after all our roughing it. Captain Sam Garth and his gang are at last downed for good. Our work is over. Let’s hunt up our bunks and turn in,” “} THE END, y \, -illy Brine, the Swa THE NEXT T0 BE GIVEN! HALF - DIME LIBRARY, No. 862. Broadway Billy in London; Four For Scotland Yards’ New York Special. BY J, C. COWDRICK, The glorious Young New Yorker is ajfloat—is on one of the ‘“‘Ocean Grayhounds’’—on a peculiar trail to} Uncover a Peculiar Crime, The trail leads him right into London, and there he astonishes the Scotland Yard men by his hAmerican methods and performances. The story is one illustrating the incomparable Skill, Cunning and Pluck of this representative American abroad; and every one who reads it will wish the New York Spzora, Big Luck in his measuring strength with the detec- tive athletes of tae Old World, Beadle's Half-Dime Library. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 2 Vellowatone Juck; or, The Trapper. 458 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Murricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 M patane Sam 3 or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-tlawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport, 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Kance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire, j 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Parday or, Dainty Lance Unmaska, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ Loague, 885 Old Double Fist or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or. Daniel Boone's Last Trall. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Traller. 677 Chineapin Dan’« Second Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without « Head, TOS Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. 18 Light-Heart Lute’« Last Trail, 28 Silverblade, the Shoshone, 29 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 89 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle’s Trall, 48 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard z z c z z BY OLL COOMES, 146 Kit Bandy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight, 168 Kit Bandy tn Texas; or, The Young Mustanger. 208 Kic Bandy’s Catchy or, The Boy Hercules, 422 Kit Bandy’s Right Bower; or, Baby Sam,the Boy Giant 444 Kit Bandy’s« Swoop; or, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur. 478 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler, 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Bsn, 680 Kit Bandy’s Parad; ov, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, 791 Kit Bandy Rattledy or, The Iniant Giant, ’ 795 Kit Bandy In Red Ruin; or, The Young Whirlwind, 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Ruatle: or, Saddle King Sam, . 804 Kit Bandvy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide, 158 Jack Drew, the Neinesis, or, Eavle Kit, the Boy Demon, 182 Jack Drew’s Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pew. 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, B1 Keen-Kuilfe, the Prince of the Prairies. & Varabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew, 18 The Dumb Spy. Al Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 5S The Border King; or, The Secret Foo. 4s 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy, 74 Wawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Renger, 88 Kollo, the Boy Ranger} or, The Heiress, 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Roy Rifleman, 148 Sear-Face Sant, the Silent Hunter 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 218 Tleer Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 parking Dicks or, Trapper Tom's Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disgulsed Gulde ¢ or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 269 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter, - 290 Little Foxfire, the Roy Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle, 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbglt, the Ranger. BS4 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. A409 Nercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. Ab? Wingedfoot Fred 3 or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy, bad 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Rlundering Baall, the Hermit Boy Trapper, 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance. 670 Norway Nels, the Ble Boy Mountaineer. ‘ 778 Highland Warry, the Wizard Rifleman. 828 Poker Jack, the Detective Sport. BY eR aAne 8. ELLIS, 6 Bil Riddon, Trappe. 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 3 ponent or, ine ig of the Sioux Captive, « ‘rne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy ‘Minera or, The Enchanted Island, ; 82 The Wunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, &4 The MWalf-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 71 The Huge Munter ; or, The Steam Prairie Man. - oy i oe mp Fox. B41 "a alt Ny oes ye dn ae ; 15 BY J0 PIEROE, 897 Rob o’ the Bowery ¢ or, The Prince of Mulberry Street, 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, 452 Hotapur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, 460 The Lawyer’s Shadowy or Luke's Legacy, 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 404 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Points Phil, tho Pavement Prince, 5609 Jack Jaggera, the Butcher Boy Detective. 5616 Tartar Tiny; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 5626 North River Nat, the Pier Detective, 688 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, Jet Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective. 5651 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow; or, The Old Well Myatery, 659 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 669 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, 688 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. GOR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlein Hummer, 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret, 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Lite-Saver. ’ 688 Saltpeter Sel, the New York Navigator 694 Spicy Jim, the Only One of Hie Kind, 706 Tom Thiatle, the Rond-Hovs Detective, Z1T Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin, 726 Dennti« Duff the Brown Sport's Kid. 44 Dick of the Docka, the Night-Watch, 65 Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol. 71 Foxy Fred's Odd Pardy or, The Keenor’s Hugo Hustle. — TSL Cast-Off Cale, the Scapegoat Detective, 824 Bowery Billy, the Buneo Bouncer, 887 The Big Four of the Bowery. 846 Buck, the New ¥ ork Sharper. 850 The Grand Street Arab, 855 The West Broadway Gamin, BY BUCKSKIN 8AM (Major Sam, 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky a“ Boyeess or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker. 246 Giant Georges or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ¢ or, Giant George’s Pard, , 297 The Tarantula of ‘te | or, Giant George's Revenge: 807 The Strange Pard 3 or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos, BLT Creeping Cat, the Caddo}; or, The Red and White Pards. 882 Frio Fred: or, The Tonkaway’s Trust, 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattleunake, the Tonkaway, 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, 857 The Ranch Ralders 3 or, The Sloge of Fort Patgatory, 861 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. 875 Chiota, the Creek ¢ or, The Threw Thunderbolts, 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 8 Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage, 414 The Dalsy from Denver. 427 The Three Tratlera; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Billy or, The Lynx ofthe Leona. 455 Little Lone Start or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant, BY J. W. OSBON. 4 469 The Rival Glants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck, 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow, ; 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner; or, The Man Without a Past. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. * 620 Little Lightning’« League; or, The Myatery of tne Island 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector, 251 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 7565 Gold Dust Dan’sa Onthy or, Reckless Roy, the Regulator. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Morse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Rela and Frederick Whittaker, ® Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’sa Travels, By Dean Swift, 14 pigdsin or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Orusoe, (27 [lustrations,) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages, 22 The Seca Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juan Lewis, 88 The Occan Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By 8. W. Pierce. RK The Boy Olowns or, The Arena Queen. By F 8. Finn, BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 561 The Roy Riess or, The Yaderponns Camp, By A. C.Trons, ¥5 The Rival Rovers; or, Tho Freebooters of the Mississippi, By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 105 Old Ron bes the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmen. j 112 The Mad Hunter; or, Ihe Cave of Death, By Burton Saxe, eerie? 124 Tippy, the Texans or, The Young Champion, By George it . : 128 rhe oung Privateer? or, The Pirate's Stronghold, By — Harry Cavendish, ‘ 148 Bharp Sams; or, The Adventures ot a Friendloss Boy, By J, low ig 8 pas ti Trapper; or, The Green Ranger of the Yo! Ly) ‘ ol. = mehr: ‘hy Edward morson. o61 F Fearnaught the Now York Boy. By G. L. Alken 266 Kilib'ar. the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail, By Ensign C, D. Warren. : 298 Red Claw. the A asl Trapper; or, The Mald of the Clift, j atock, ai? Poncock Pete, “the Lively Tad from Landville, By Lieu- re . 828 The Rky Detectiver or, A Boy's Fight for Life and Honot, B aior Mickey Free. he River Rovers or, The Brother’ ite? vanes By Ned Bantline ~ .D ind ; beac as — taltl re Ben the Bootblac latective, y A. P. Morris. ara Bold-ionst Tom: eet Ten. mead) Cn, bel ag poten 8 allfornin Joe's rat Tr y ‘on oma Hoyer Monastery. 418 Billy Rombahel, the Clif Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop. 75% The Black Ship. By John S Warner. Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles, By enry J. omnaa, 582 The Cowboy Duke, By Edwin Brooke Forrest, BS2 Artel the Athlete. By David Droid. ; BSS WILL Waters, the Bov Ferret. By Hi. Enton. 682 The Dead Petective’a Double. By Gerald Carlton, 721 Maverick Moxe, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of WOU DoniPanton, ine Gite D Keone, of th - on » Ge i } poe Bom pure erie RY RE Rae 88 Ace Nigh, the Friseo Detective. By C. E. Tripp. 880 The Grim Lodgers in ag Miey or, Citinen Rube of Number Seven. By Ben D, Hallidny, R81 The Ghicnge Drummer’s Peal. By J. G, Rethure. ‘ 841 Prince Charlie, the Cat’s-Paw Sport, By Marma- duke Dev, } 848 Dan, the River Sporty or, Foiling the Friseo Sharp. By Harold Payne, "aah A New Iasue Every Tuesday The Half-DPime Library io tor ania oy all Newsdenlers, five counts pur copy, or aent by mail on receipt of lx conta eaco. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, e ’ ‘'. oo iil 2h Sich eee MY

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ee BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels, 1 Deagwaod Dick, the Prince of the Road, 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Vouble Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Butfais Ben 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanzay or, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Ol. 67 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck ¢ or, Calamity 4 me, the Heroine Zz Deadwood Dick’s Last Act: or, Corduroy Charlie. 00 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. Dick as Detective, Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Guich Ghost. Dick’s Home Kase; or, Blonde Bill. & 9104 Deadwood 41109 Deadwood 12 eandwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, 15@ Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy; or, The Rivals of the Rond. Dick’s Wards or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, Diek's peom rec eegpe od Jano’s Adventure. ckh’s De eal, Dick’s Death-Plant. Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, prexs pivide wae Spirit of Swamp Lake. ¢ek’s Death Trail, Dick’a Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. Dick’s Dozeny or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. Trek Mentanced 3 or, The Terrible Vendetta, ck’s Claim, Dick in Dead City. Dick’a Diamonds. Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case,” Dick’s Dusty; or, The Chained Hand. Dick, Jr.3 or, The Crimson Creacent Sign, Dick, Jr.’a, Defiance. Dick, Jr.’a Full Wand, drs, Bie Round-Up. Jr’s, Racket at Claim 10, Jr.’a, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Jr.’4, Dog Detective. dr., in Deadwood. Dick, Jr.’a, Compact. Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, Dick, or ny Diggings. Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance, piak aes poseeee, ck, Jr’, ree. Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks, \ Dick, Jr.’s) Death Hunt, Dick, Jr., in Texas. Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoog Dick, dr., on Nia Mettle, Dick, Jr., in Gotham, Dick, dr., in Boston, Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia, picks 5 bed bbe ge aa ek. Jr. oat. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree, S85 Recdused Bice dr by Becisehabs Rost P vhky -y at Coney Ialand, 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinuatl, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada, Dendwood Dick, dr., in No Man’s Land, Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer, Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Buffalo. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Chase Across the Continent Dendviat Wisk’ tela Itcetmer tae B: ; B. . -e Be. Deudwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines. Deadwood dr., (un Durangoy or, Gathered In.” Deadwood Jr.'s, Discovery* or, Found a Fortune, Deadwood Jr.’«. Dazzle. Aha peblars, Divia r., at Danger Divide, Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, gh 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot, 710 Deadwood Dick Jr.» in San Francisco, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Still Want. Deadwood Dick, Domtinoes. Deandwoed Dick, Disgulae 784 Deadwood Dick, Double Deal. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Deathwatch. TAT Dendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Doublet. Tb2 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Deathblow. 75S Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait, 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«a, Lone Hand, V70 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’# Detent. 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurrection, TS2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Dark Days. TST Deadwood Dick, Jr.» Defied. Z7HZ Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device. T9T Dendwood Dick, Jr’.s, Deaperate Venture. ' peadwoos Dick, Jr.’«, Diamond Pice, TF Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Royal Flush, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Head-off, Dendwood Dick, dr.’«, Rival. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Boom. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Scoop. 884 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Proxy. 840 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Clutch. 845 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, High Horse. 852 Deadwood Dick Jr., at Devyil’a Gulch, BY WM. G. PATTEN, 429 Violet Vane, the Velyet Spor; ‘or; The Jubilee ot Jacktown. $63 bh aetb MA Te fante ti | ri Seca as City Clean Out, is a t ‘ ie 705 Violet Vane’sa Vow; or, The Craity Detective’s Cratt. Ye Deadwood a Deadwood fs fadwood 21 Deadwood } 2 Gold-Dust '268 Deadwood »268 Deadwood ~ 809 Deadwood ‘B21 Deadwood 847 Deadwood $51 Deadwood 862 Deadwood 405 Deadwood 410 Deadwood 421 Deadwood 480 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 458 Dendwood 459 Deadwood 465 Deadwood 471 Deadwood 476 Deadwood 451 Deadwood 49L Deadwood 496 Deadwood 500 Deadwooa 508 Deadwood 515 Deadwood 522 Deadwood 529 Deadwooa 584 Deadwood 58) Deadwood 5644 Deadwood 549 Deadwooa 5654 Deadwood 561 Deadwooa 567 Deadwood 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwood Violet Vane’ Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate. The Mamond Sports: or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One, 881 Dalsy ware the Sport from Denver. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Lron Fern, the Man of Fire: or, Among the Vultures. €19 The Bo ramp Detective: or. The Doubie Grip Witness 641 Dismal Dave's hacdy Parad; or, The Clue to Capt. Claw 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Yoong Amateur Detective G82 Wild Vulcans the Lone-Range Rider, 714 Old Misery the Man from Misaourl. %74 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never Say-Die Detective, 789 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special, 806 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Maseot, 820 Nobby Nat, the Tenderfoot Detective. 886 Sharper Stoke’s Double Deal. RV. CAE. AL P.O WaLT, AIT Wideawake, the Train-hov Detective, S11 Weadlight Marry'’s Flyer; or, Duke Derby, 678 Headiieht Narry’s Wazard. 691 Weadlirht Warry’s Wants or, The Railroad Pards, 727 Weadliight Warry’« Airen; or, Mad Madge, 759 Weadiieht Warry'’s Heritage. 504 Headlight Warry’s Hvaty or, The Cacheof Gold, 99 Kiack Buckakin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon, 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King; or, The ed Six. 485 Littie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods, $28 The Dandy Sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator, Other Novela by E. L, Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Rosebud Rob on Hand; or, Idy), the Girl Miner. 88 Kosebud Rob’s Respucsrances or, Photograph Phil, 121 Rosebud Rob’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skull and Crossbones, 255 Denver Doll's Decoy 3 or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 896 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 868 Yreku dim, the Gold-Guatherers or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. BSS ¥ reka Jim’s sort or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Yreka Jim’s New. Role} or, Bicycle Ben, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Slerra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion, 245 Slerra Sama Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 255 Sierra Sam’a Pardy or, The Angel ot Big Vista, 2558 Sterra Sain’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. $84 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mystefous Miner. 9% Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 69 The Boy Detective; or, Gold Rifle, the Sharpehooter, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Cuptain Ferret, the New York Detective, 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Gir! Detective. 226 The Arab Detective ¢ or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 825 Kelley, seeker & Oo., the Detectives of Philadelphia. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 High Nat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 26 Sam Slabsides, the pegeed- bor Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 26 OCloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf’; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix, 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team, 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 25 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger, 8 Boas Bob the King of Bootblacka, 1 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows. @ Nobby Nick of Nevadnyj or, The Sierras Scampa. 1 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love, 6 Apollo Rill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patro): or, The Rival Heira, 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little ulck-Shots or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 858 Firat-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher, 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City, BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkier; or The Tribunal of Ten, BY J. 0. COWDRIOK, Broadway Billy Novels. 490 Brondway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 2 Brean way we Readies, Clearing a Strange Case, ? Broadway Billy’s Death Rackets 9 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. Broadway Billy’s Dead Acts or, The Leagne of Seven, Broadway Billy Abrondy; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. preadway TT ig Bests or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. roadway y In Clover. Breadwey eines in, a or, The River Rustlers, roadway y’s Brand. Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal, proadwar es Ne aig or, The Gamin Detective, roadway y’s Business, Broadway Billy’s Curious Case. Broadway Billy tn Denver. Broadway BEilly’s Bargains or, The Three Detectives, Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective, Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase. Broadway Billy’« Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest, Broadway Billy’« Team; or, The Combine’s Big Pull. Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive. hvekteas Gy Hwee ri y pd. Broadway Billy’s Signal Scoop. Broadway Billy’« Wipe Out, Broadway Billy’s Bank Racket. Broadway Billy’« Bluff. Broadway Billy hs PET Jersey Thugs. Broadway dt ad at 5 y’s iz Boom, Broadway Billy’s Big Bulge. Broadway Billy’4 $100,000 Snap. Silver-Maak, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, 869 Shasta, the Gold Kings or, For Seven Years Dead, 420) The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without s Name, 424 Oibuta Johny or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Diaco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 606 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Rona, 524 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Exprese Detective. 671 Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Donble Case 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 640 Bareback) Reth, the Centaur of ‘the Circle, 647 Typewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward, 659 Moonlight Morgan, tle ‘ Pizenest? Man of Ante Bas. BY BUFFALO BILL (ion. Wm, F. Cody), 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Border Robin Hoody; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY LIEUT, A. K. SIMS. 589 Tom-Cat and Pardy or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 422 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat's Terrible Taak; or, The Cowboy Detective. 688 Tom-Cat’« Triumphy or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’a Ten Strike B68 The Dandy of Dodges or, Rustling for Millions, 576 The Silver Sport; or, Josh Peypermint’s Jubilee. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Wapey Wana, the Dutch Videcg: or, Hot Times at Round-Up 611 BRildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 646 Cowhoy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective. 676 Stenal Sam, the Lookout Scout 689 Billy, the Gypay Spy: or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Rimple Stim, the Rroncho Buster: or. For Ble Stakes. 712 The Meameria«t Sport: or, The Mystified Detective, 78R Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector. 45 Kansas Jim, the Crosa-Cut Detective. 61 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective, 78 The Ruatler of Rolling Stone. 85 Lone Wand Joe, the Committee of One, 01 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck, 88% The Doctor Detective in Texas, SrlhsS Broadway BEADLE'S« H ALF- DIME« J IBRARY, Published Every Tuesday. Each-Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. ~ BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, Dick Déoom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out, Dick Doom’s Ten Strike. 842 Dick Doom’s Flush Hand. @72 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, 777 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, 784 Dick Doom; or, ‘he Sharps and Sharks of New York, 788 Dick Doom In Poston; or, A Man of Many Masks. 798 Dick Doom in Chicergo. 298 Dick Doow 1 the Wild Weat. $08 Dick Door. « C\cun Sweep; or, Five Links in a Clue, 808 Dick Doon’ s heath Clue, $18 Dick Doon’s Minunond Deal, 819 Dick Dou.) Cis) Mascot. 829 Dick Down Si acow Hunt, 8835 hisul, Dilek bros 4 dhigr Dashing 6 br tt Dashing ¢ 13. lic’ Nestinys or, The Renegade’s Captive. Dashing ( harife’s Pawtee Pard, Dashing CharHe, the Rescuer. Buck Taylor, King ot the Cowboys. Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande: 560 Pawnee BUI, the Prairie Shadower. Pawnee Bill; or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. Pawnee Bill’s Pledges or, The Cowboy's Doom, Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick. Redfern’s Curlous Case; o, The Rival Sharps. Redfern at Devil’s Ranch or, The Sharp from Texas. Redtern’s High Hand; or, Blue Jucket. Redfern’s Last Trail; or, The Red Sombrero Rangers, Red Ralph’s Ruse; or, The Buccaneer Midshipman, Red Ralph’s Bold Game; or, The Wizard Sail: r. Red Ralph, the Shadower, or, The Freebvoter’s Legacy, 644 Butterfly Bilily’s Disguise. ‘ 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony xpress Rider. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 565 Kent Kingdon; or, ‘The Owls of the Overland. 570 Kent Kingdon’s Shadow er} or, the Card Queen, 575 Kent Kingdon’s Duel; ¢r, The Surgeon Scout, 536 Kent Kingdon’s Boom 5 or, The Buckskin Avenger, 5465 Lafitte Run, Down; or, The Buc aneers of Barrataria, 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 Latitte’« Confession { or, The Creole Corsair. 520 Buckskin BIL, the Comanche Shadow, 5625 The Buckskin Brothers in Texaa, 580 The Buckskin Bowers; or. The Cowboy Pirates, 585 The Buckskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fogitive. 5640 The Buckskin Pardw Quest; or, Captain Ku-Klux. 608 The Royal Middy 3 or, The Shark and tne Sen Cnt 507 The Royal Middy’s« Luck ; or, The Huntea Midshipmar. $11 The Royal Middy’s Foe. * 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret or New York. 454 Wizard Will’s Street Scouts. 474 Wizard WIM's Pards or, Flora, the Flower Girl. 488 Wizard Will's Last Case; or, The Ferrets Aft at. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee, 488 Duncan Dare’s Plot; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 Duncan Dare’s Prize; or, The Sea Ruider 441 Dunean Dare’s Secrets or, The Ocenn Firefly. 402 Iaodor, the Young Consapirators or, The Feta) Lergue, A407 Isodor’s Double Erase; or, The Bey Insurgent. 412 Isodor’s War-Cloud Cruise; or, The Wild Yachteman. 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of the Reins, 222 Bison Bill’s Clue; or. Grit, the Bruvo Sport, 804 Dead Shot BDandy’s« Dilemma, 808 Dead Shot Dandy’« Double; or, Kero Kit. 814 Dead Shot Dandy’s Deflances or. The Boy Bugler. 607 Dead Shot Dandy’sa Chic ft; or, The River Detective. Merle Monte’s liap for Life. 250 Merle Monte’s Mutiny ¢ or. Brandt, the Buc: a:eer, 264 Merle Monte’s Treasure Island. 269 Merle Monte the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’sa Crulsez or, “The Gold Ship "Chase, 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, The Pirate's Pride 284 Merle Monte’s Pledge: or. The Sea Marauder, 197 The Kid Glove Sport; or, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid Glove Sport’s Doom; or, Buffalo Bill, Pony Express Rider. 825 Marlo, the Cowboy Coaster, ZBL Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower, 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, 597 The Texan Detectives or, The Black Bravos. 5Y1L Delmonte, the Young Sea-Rover; or, The Avenging Sailor. 680 The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective, 495 Arizona Joe; or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster; or, Pirate In Spite. 462 The Sailor Boy Wanderer; or, The Born Guide. 446 Waphazard Harry : or, The Sea Scapegrace 898 The Red Clasped Wands; or, The Boy Licutenant, B87 Warpath WIIl. the Triitor Guide. 888 The Indian Pilot 3_ cr, The Search for Pirate Te)and 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rovers or, The Flngiess Schooner. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, of the Rio Grande. 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 229 Orimson Kate, the Girl Trailer; or, The Cowboy's Triumph, 116 The Mussar Captain: or, The Hermit o! Hell Gute, 111 The Sea-Devil ; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smuggier, or, The Cruise o' the Vixem, 75 The Boy Duellat; or, The Cruise of the Sea:Woll, 62 The Shadow Ship} or, The Rival Lieutenants. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fugitive Yacht. ? The Flying Yankee} or, The Ocean Outcast. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 856 The Rootblack Stowaway; or, Broadway Billy’s. Blind, By J. C, Cowdrick, ‘: or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trafi,. the 857 Apdtter Rob In New York; or, The Man. from ’Way Back, By Wm. G. Patten, 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Beath-Hole Huatle ; or, The Doom of Satan’s Seven. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 859 New York Nat, the Gamin Detective; or, The Girl Queen of the Boy Police League. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 860 The Boat-Club Mascot; or, Dan Decker’s Double Deal. By Jo Pierce. 861 Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox; or, Shadowing the Smngcler Schooner, By “has, F. Welles. 862 Broadway Billy in London; or, The New York Speclul at Scotland Yards, By J. C. Cowdrick. A New lesue Every Tuesday The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newedea.ers, five: @ents per eopy, or sent by mail on receipt of alx cents each. BEADLE AN® ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York