Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 455) (1892 09 28)

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Seer Tt tt a ut tn i in at ann a Copyrighted, 1892, by “esomis ts anp ApAma, Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N, ¥., Pout Office, Sept. 28, tis, No. 455, $2.50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, Price, Vol XXX. a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM St. New YorK, Five Cents,

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3 A Hot Trail -Glark’s Big Bonanza’ OR, £m SELOF "VR A TI. BY CHARLES MORRIS, AUTHOR OF ‘HONEST HARRY,” ‘‘THE YOUNG NIHILIST,” ‘‘ THE DESERT ROVER,” ETO, CHAPTER L IN THE WHART OF SIBERIA. Into the heart of a town in South Siberia rode three horsemen, It was early in the month of October, but the winter of that icy climate had begun, The trees, which a month ago were in full leaf, were now hung with icicles instead of blossoms, and the yellow harvests of the sum- mer had given way to bare stalks and frozen clods, The road-bed was white with the first snow of the season, and the feathery flakes were still falling from the skies in a graceful yet shivery fashion, Two of the travelers were evidently Russians. That vas shown by their spare faces, their high cheek bones, and small, twinkling eyes, They were th shrewd-looking men; the one of them a tall, thin fellow, with brick-red hair, and a face as grave asa statue; the other with light hair and blue eyes, and an expression of great energy and deeion, Their compavior was little more than a boy, but 16 bad a man’s look on @ boy’s face, A slight growth of bair on his upper lip was the first prcmise of acoming wustache. He was tall, and gracefully builf, white his handsome face seemed to overflow with youthful spirit, and with a daring that ould stop at no obstacle, As for bis nationality, that was not easy to meke out, He way dressed in full Russian cos- tume, and much more expensively than the common attire of his companions, His complex- ion and features were also like the Russian, yet there was something about him of a foreign air. He looked like one who had been used to do as be pleased all his life, and had not been accus- tomed to the slavery of the Russian govern- ment, “So this is Trobilsk,” he remarked in good Russian, though with a foreign accent, ‘‘ There isn’t much of it to swear by, that’s one thing sure, Bless my eyes, what a shivery place it must be when it gets cold enough to freeze the skin off a goat’s horus! You've been here be- fore, Peter, you say?” “Yes,” answered the red-haired Ru-sianina grave voice, ‘And I’m afraid I’ve been here once too often.” He looked around him with a frightened aspect. ‘It may be well enough to lay with the bees; but it isn’t wise to jump in- their hive,” “Pixo that, Peter. You're enough to givoa baboon +e blues,” answered the youth with cLeery jecklessness. know we're in danger? What of that? Dan- er’s the very spice of lifc for roving blaies like us, What do yousay, Ivan?” “Do you think I dons! “I don’t scare easily,” answered the second Riwsian, “At the same time! think Peter is right, There is no use to plunge into a hornet’s ne 4, when youcan fly around it.” « Bless your sweet e es,” answered the youth, with a gay laugh, “don’t you know that the best way to cheat suspicion is to braveit boldly, If we went creeping about every fool of a Si- berian would take us for escaped convicts, But they will never suspect that chaps of our sort would ride into a garrison town. I bet you high I putit on them that ’m the emperor traveling in disguise,” “Hush!” warned Ivan, townsman.” The man who came up, a stupid-faced peas- ant, hardly raised his heavy eyes to the travel- ers as hapassed. The young man stopped him with a sharp summons, ‘*Hold up,~moujik!” he cried. “Just turn and show us the traveler’s rest of this town, and we'll see if Ican’t fish you up a kopeck for the service.” “ Haven't time,” answered the peasant stolic- ly. ‘Ride on. You'll find it midway this street,” “Follow my nose, is it?” rejoined the youth sharply. ‘' | could have done that without your advice, Come on, lads, I’m as hungry as a Russian wolf,” They ro 9 briskly down the snow-covered street, through the falling flakes. Few persons were abroad. Tbe sudden change in the tem- perature made th townsmen hug their stoves ag yet. Within th: past week summer had given pace to winter. “There it is,” cried Peter, at length. ‘ That wooden building, with the porch and pillars Anda good hbtel, too. for this out-of-the-way town, I’ve eaten a spicy chop there before.” A group of soldiers was standing on the porch of the Siberian inn, who locked with curious in- terest atthe travelers as they rode up. Stran gers were not an every-day sight in that town, But without the least attention to them, the youth rode up and sprung from his horse to the ground, throwing the reins to Peter. “ Jump down, [van,” he cried, ‘and stir np the hostler of this caravansery! The folks here seem all dead or asleep, Be alive, now. See that those brutes are well cared for,” There was a tone of command in his voice which indicated that his companions were serv- ants, This was also displayed in the difference of dress. Ivan and Peter wore the coarse attire of the Russian moujik—sheepskin coats, with the woolly side turned in, and heavy, wide- topped boots, into which their pantaloons were thrust, The young man, on the contrary, was dressed in a hindeome cloth cloak, lined with furs, while the rest of his attire was of the best French out, as Epes by most of the richer Russians, e strode past the gazing soldiers without a glance toward them, ead entered the hotel witk a proud, free step that seemed to betoken a per son of conseq'1ence, ‘* Landlord!” he cried impatiently, ‘‘ Groom: Moujik! Where is everybody? Are you all asleep around this establishment? I hope you “Here comes a

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A Hot Trail. arent Tike your Northorn bears. & winter snooze as soon as th falls,” This energetic summons soon brought several persons into sight, The landlord—a fellow as fat as an English alderman—with a long pipe in his mouth; thé landlady, as thin as charity, and with a nose like a crochet-book ; and several dull-faced servi- tors, who looked as if they had not more than half a brain between them. “ Here you all are!” he energetically exclaim- ed; “ Yakob, Susanna and the cook. Thought Td fetch you. Stir your stumps, my hearties; | make a raid on your grub chest; bebead a brace of chickens; wake up your oven! If haven't eaten the size of your hand for a week, and I’ve got two fellows outside who are good for asheep atasitting. Dinner now sharp in half an hour, If you keep me waiting longer, I'll eat the cook for a lunch!” He looked so much in earnest that the cook, | who was one of the persons present, backed hastily off, as if not sure but the hungry guest might be a cannibal, The others, too, stirred briskly around, while the youthfultraveler flung himself into a chair, threw his fur-lined cloak on another, and stretched out bis limbs with the ease of a person to whom all the world isa home. There was a twinkle of fun in his black eyes as the group melted away before his commands, like a snow-heap under a hot sun. ““T suppose they take me for the great Nabob at least,” he laughed, ‘‘ That’s the way te get ong in this world, Stir it up hot wherever cGugo, Act asif you had just bought and paid ‘or all creation, and balf the people will be- eve you. Good Heavens! how cheek does car- rya man through thick and thin! I hope it will only carry me sate through this town. all going fnto e first snow j lay.” 3 of his two comrades, Peter and Ivan, on thei return from the stables. “Glad to see you, lads!” he exclaimed, | “ How are the beasts doing? Hope you've got | them a fair show of oats,” “They are feeding high,” answered Peter, “ The creatures are hungry as bears,” “T hope you won’t founder them, We may want them in prime condition for a sharp burst before the sun kisses the west to-night.” ‘*-You don’t know a Russian horse,” answered Ivan. ‘‘ They can fast for a week, and takea | week’s feed at one spell.” ‘* And a Russian man can dothe same. I am potting a good dinner in shape, lads. Bet you astonish these Siberians, when I get at it!” “*Siberians are not easily astonished in that direction,” answered Ivan. “They are born gourmands,” Peter and Ivan quickly withdrew to the wall, and stood in a respectful attitude, with their caps in their hands, as footsteps were heard ap- proaching the room, The door opened and a person entered, at whom they all lcoked with a show of surprise, He was dressed in the uniform of a lieutenant in the Russian service. He removed his hat as he entered, and bowed to Clark with great po- liteness, Tho latter returned his salute easily, without rising, * Pleased to see you,” he said, I owe the honor of this visit?” “The commandant lias just beard of your ar- rival,” rejoined the cfficer, *You will please wait on him at once and have your parsport vised. He desires your presence without de- “To what do “No objections whatever,” answered Clark easily. ‘Only I’ve not had my dinner, anc have been fasting since yesterday. Stir out, I’ve got into it, but I haven’t got out of it yet, lt might turn out to be Peter’s bee-hive or Ivan’s hornet’s nest.” e sat deeply cogitating, his chin on his hand, while changing expressions marked his handsome face, “Haven't I cut it fat?’ he began again. ‘‘Here am I, Clark Cloverly, only a boy, but Pye got into and out of more scrapes in the last year than any three men in Russia, I’ve learn- | ed the secrets of the Nihilists, and escaped from a St. Petersburg Pe I’ve ridden through Russia and snapped my fingers at the Cossacks; Pvo gone into the Siberian mines and rescued a convict; I’ve bunted sables with the Samoides, and railroaded on a reindeer sled with the Lap- landers; and Pye brought my two boys down gouth through Siberia without losing a hair, thongh we’ve had some closo scrapes, and squeez- ed through some narrow holes, Here we are now in the garrison town of Trobilsk. Howto get ont I don't know; but you can bet bigh that sha’n’t spoil my appetite for dinner, I’m Yankee clear ttrough vo the backbone, and no genuine Yan- kee ever says die while he’s got a drop of blood in bis vems or a mouthful of air in bis lung Tain’t no easy job to take the kick out of th ‘eels of a true-grit Yankee.” His soliloquy was interrupted by the entranes / Pete, and see if the grub is ready. Take a seat, “T have no time,” replied the officer, stiffly. * As for you, sir, the commandant’s order: are peremptory, He is not used to listen to excuses for delay,’ ‘*So is my appetite peremptory, and I am not used to eating cold dinners,” answered Clark, with equal stiffness, ‘* Well, Peter, how is it? Is dinner ready?” “Tt is on the table, smoking hot,” replied Peter, who had just returned. “You hear, sir,” said Clark, with a wave of his hand, ‘ Will you join me?” ‘No, sir. Nor can I take back that an- swer.” “Ym afraid you'll take no other. What! let my dinner get cold while I’m dancing atten- dance at a commandent’s heels? I wouldn’t do it for the Governor-General of Siberia! You can take that back for answer if you like. My peewers will keep cold, but my dinner won't eep hot. Tell your commundant that. If he thinks I am likely to flit, between two bites at a chicken’s wing, he bas his regiment. He can patrol the town,” “Ts that your answer?” “Yer; by Julius Coser, it is! Way, P’ve beea summoned before the emperor in 5. Petersburg with less fuss than this, And you

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can retail every word I say to your com- mandant, Come, will you join me at dinner?” Clark rose, and bowed toward the dining- room. “No, sir,” was the angry reply. ‘And I much fear you will find your way to the com- mandant’s quarters between a file of soldiers, for this message.” ** All right. wishes, u revoir/1 will think of you at din- n companions, with scared faces. The lieutenant angrily left the hotel. You will spoil all,” cried Ivan, in a despair- ing tone, “ You don’t knew the sort of man you are dealing with.” *T'll let him see the sort of boy he is dealing with,” said Clark, sharply. ‘*Come, lads, din- ner’s the word. Don’t let that starched ape * spoil your appetites.” CHAPTER II. AOW CLARK PLAYED HIS FISH, TuaT the hungry travelers enjoyed their din- ner need not be repeated. It was one of the things which, in the French idiom, goes without saying. An abundant and attractive meal smoked on the tables, Clark being seated in state at the central board, while bis companions occupied a servants’ table at the side. Tbe landlord had overheard something of Clark’s reception of the lieutenant, and at once concluded that he must have some great lord to deal with, For a marvel he laid aside his con- stant comrade, the pipe, and himself waited on his guest at table. ‘What can I help your honor to? You will find that fowl very tender and toothsome, It is of my own raising. A salad, did you say?” ‘No, thank you,” answered Clark ‘I want something that fills up fast. No leaf or grass rovender, if you please. That’s prime mutton, Feotiont Of your own raising, too?” “No, my lord. But if you’ve been long in this country you know that there’s no equal to Siberian mutton. Traveling westward, | pre- sume,” ‘Yes; the potatoes, if you please,” rejoined Clark, in an off-hand manner, The inquisitive landlord drew back abashed at this choking off of his curiosity. Clark con- tinued his dinner with all the appetite he had promised. Meanwhile Peter and Ivan, at the side-table, were doing full justice to the proven- der. At this moment there came the sound of foot- steps from without. They filed through the passage, and into the dining-room. Clark look- ed around with his usual unabashed ease. There stood the lieutenant, with a squad of bearded soldiers at his back, whose muskets came with a crash to the floor. “Ah!” cried Clark easily. “You have thought better of it, I see, Glad to have you. There’s enough for two yet, Sit down and try this capon!” ; : “T have already declined your invitation,” rejoined the officer stiffly. ‘‘ You will go with Let him send a regiment if he er, Clark walked easily away, followed by his i instantly. Buch are the commandant’s or- ers. “ And you’ve brought some persuaders with you, Isee. But, isn’t it slightly impolite to in- troduce such rough boon c »mpanions into a gen- tleman’s dining-room? Keep cool, for a few minutes, my dear sir, and I am at your ser- Vice, Clark continued his meal, without a symptom of haste. “Now, sir,” cried the lieutenant in a raze, ‘“‘ if you are not ready in a minute, you will go like a culprit between a file of soldiers,” “Will I, my friend? If I do, | promise you to make it as bot for you as if you’d poured red pepper into your veal-pie. You may be 2 little mistaken in the man you're dealing with.” He continued to eat, while the officer looked a little undecided at this threat, and the imperturbable boldness of the traveler. “There,” cried Clark, springing up, ‘ That will do. I am obliged to you for waiting. Your arm, my dear sir. I shall accompany you with great pleasure.” It had been the intention of the lieutenant, who had been angered by the youthful stran- ger’s disdain of bis authority, to march him through the town like a culprit, in charge of a file of soldiers; but he did not know the metal he had to deal with, Clark Cloverly was not the sort of chap to be handled in that fashion. He took the lieutenant’s arm in such a decisive fashion that the latter could not readily shake him off. ‘At your service now,” he said, ‘‘ Lead off. Why, you do not know how I = eaenlige ss the honor of your company. And I am eve. so anxious to meet your courteous commandart,” The lieutenant unwillingly allowed the impul- sive youth to lead him away, while a l»ok of awkward spite marked his broad face. it was not easy to escepe Clark’s dashing earn- estness. Down the street of the Siberian town he went, arm in arm with the lieutenant, while the squad of soldiers walked behind like anescort. It wasa very different state of af- fairs than the spiteful officer had intended, and he continued sullen in spite of all Clark’s lively sallies of wit, ‘These are the quarters of the commandant,” the lieutenant at length remarked, wit a triumphant sneer, ‘‘We will see now what comes of your disdain of his orders, General Skobeloff is not the man to be played with by a traveling boy.” Clark take up curiously at the handsome house before which they had stopped. He then took a quick observation of the surroundings. . ‘Don't you go intoa brain fever about it, my friend,” he remarked, dropping the lieutenant’s arm, ‘The general and I will settle all that.” The Russian sullenly led the way into the mansion before them. They passed through @ wide passage, and into a room at the right, which was fitted up as an office, and strewn with an abundance of official-looking papers. In an easy chair, behind a table-desx, sat stout, florid-faced individual, dressed in all the eplendor <f a Russian general's uniform. He looked up with an expression of wounded pride and dignity. But oo.

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A Hot Trail. 6 tt “Is this the man that dared refuse my sum- mons?” he sharply asked. ®, Yes, sir,” answered the lieutenant, touching $s cap, “It seems to me, young sir, that you do not know much of the laws of Russia, or of the man you are dealing with,” continued tho general, severely. ‘‘ Have you not learned that it is the first duty of a traveler to show his passport?” “Pardon me, general,” rejoined Clark, easily, as he quietly helped himself toachair. ‘In my eonutry it is the first duty of a buogry man totst hisdinner, Every country has its fash- ions, I suppose, But I'll set mine against yours for common-sense, any day.” He was as easy as if they had met for an or- dinary conversation, while the frown of the general was utterly wasted on his reckless hu- mor. “You take it very coolly, young sir,” was the severe answer, while the heavy brows of | the general frowned ominously. ‘Do: you know I could send you to prison, without seeing your passport, for contempt of authority?” ‘*T don’t reckon there’s much danger of that, general. You’d only have the trouble of order- ng me outagain, And 1m one of those easy- & ng fellows who are at home everywhere. ercy on us, sir, I can see you know what a good dinner is yourself, and you are never the man to condemn a bungry traveler to a cold mess, when there’s a hot one smoking before him. Here is my passport. I reckon you'll find it all right.” He drew the official document from his pocket and laid it before the general, whose heavy face had worn various expressions during Clark’s speeey He was apparently a little puzzled by the sort of man he had to deal with, He looked again at bis imperturbable visitor through his shaggy brows, Clark played with a paper-knife which he had taken up, and looked as if half-inclined to whistle, There is always a possibility of picking up the wrong chestnut-burr, and getting wore stings than nuts for your pains, The commandant evidently thought it might be best to find out who this easy-going young gentleman was, ere proceeding to extremities, He opened the passport and cast his eyes over its contents, looking up occasionally at his visi- tor as if to see if his appearance agreed with the description, “* Allen Herbert, attache to the British Em- bassy,” he read, with a sudden change of ex- ression, ‘ Traveling ona pleasure excursion 3 Siberia. Mercy on us, sir. Why did you not give your name and rank at once, and save this unpleasant misunderstanding?” Jark was tapping his finger-ends lightly with the paper-knife, ‘Oh, mistakes will happen,” he said, easily. “1 knew you would be ready to apologize when ou found the sort of stray sheep that had got to your pastures.” 4 “‘ Certainly, sir. Certainly I apologize,” cried the general, profusely. ‘‘Iam so sorry you did not call on me at once, Should have been ha to have you to disner. The mistake is all j eon h that stupid Lieutenant Kribach. Vl make him sweat for this,” | the afternoon with me, }@ person fresh from Petersburg in this out-of- “TI beg you will do nothing of the kind,” an- swered Clark, “I played with him a trifle, I admit. Where is he? I should like to make friends with him. I haveno doubt he is a very clever fellow at bottom.” * But stupid—dog stupid. He is off again on | some business of hisown, I warrant, Do not hurry, sir. 1 should be g:ad to have you spend It is not often we meet the way place, Here is your passport.” It was no easy matter to get away from the commandant, who became profuse in his apolo- gies. He kept Clark for an hour, answering his questions about St. Petersburg, and supplyin him with all sorts of gossip about the court an capital. Finally, the somewhat uneasy visitor got away, declaring that it was necessary for bim to look after his servants and horses. In fact, Clark was not quite easy in bis mind about the business of the lieutenant. There was no telling what mischief might be hatching. ‘‘Good-day, then, my dear Mr. Herbert,” cried the commandant, shaking his hand very warmly, ‘Your visit bas done me a world of good. You must come back again, you really must. Take tea with me. I will introduce you to some pleasant fellows of officers.” “T cannot say,” answered Clark. ‘ My time is limited, and I must be on the road again with little delay. At any rate, I will call on you before leaving.” He walked down the street of the little town, The snow-storm had ceased, but there was an inch of snow on the ground, A smile came to Clark's intelligent face, ** He’s like all the rest,” he remarked. ‘That assport doesn’t come within a mile of descri- ng me, yet they all swallow it wholesaia, There’s nothing like carrying things off with a stiff upper lip. It’s astonishing how fur a little brass goes in taking a man through the world, Ha! there’s Peter, with a face as solemn as a graveyard. What's bu’sted now, I wonder?” Peter met him near the steps of the hotel, looking preternaturally grave. It was very clear that something had gone amiss. “What is’ it?” asked Clark, hastily. ‘ You haven’t more than three grandfathers to bury to-day, I-hope.” “I fear there’s the Old Nick to pay,” rejoined the solemn servitor. ‘‘The stable has been entered, and our saddle-bags searched. That lieutenant has been here again.” “What!” cried Clark, sharply. ‘‘ Anythin taken? What were you doing—you and Ivau **It was while we were still at dinner. The package of papers you had in your saddle- pocket has gone.” “Then the devil has broke loose, sure! Hi our appetites, that, take two hours to a dinner Vs lucky if the fat isn’t allin the fire through your stupidity. Come with me.” He led the way hastily to the hotel. CHAPTER III. A BREAK FOR LIBERTY. THe visit of Clark Cloverly to that southern Siberian town had other objects than a mére ride through Asia, or an effort to escape from the Russian authorities, In previous stories we

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tave deseribed some other events of the Ameri- can boy’s history, and particularly his ride turough Russia, and his rescue of Ivan Stretz- litg from the convict workshops of Siberia. He had, after the exploit, made his way to the country of the Laplanders. From there he { could readily have escaped to Norway and * Sweden; but he had first sent Peter south to communicate with his fatber in St. Petersburg, and had received an answer that changed all his had turned rascal, and absconded with cash and securities of considerable value. ‘This man, Tbomas Mason by name, had been traced to the borders of Siberia, and there lost sight of. ‘Tie must be captured,” wrote Mr. Cloverly to his son, “orIamruined, I will do what I cen, but he seems to have completely hidden Lis track, Can you not take a journey through Siveria in search of him? He is likely making k tor the far East, Perhaps for China, Isend i you a passport which ought to carry you safely through. The gentleman named in it got it for me out of friendship.” It was this unexpected news that brought Clark back into Siberia. His two companions had insisted on going with him. Ivan, the es- caped convict, felt that he owed his life to the oung American, and wes ready to give it for im, As for Peter, he would bave run his bead into the fire for his young masters They had already traversed more than two thousand miles of Siberian soil, with many hair- breadth escapes from arrest, So far, however, the passport had carried them through, Of the fugitive thief they had as yet learned nothing, axd it began to look asif they were on a wild- goose chase. We give these explanations to show hew Clark Cloverly came to ride into the town df Tyobilsk on that October morning, instead of be- \ ing on the deck of a vessel bound for the free shores of America, He well knew the consequences if he should D be recognized. He would probably pass the re- mainder of his life as a convict in the Siberian mines. It was_a terrible risk, yet the object of his journey was a bighly important one. As Clark re-entered the hotel, followed by the dejected Peter, he met Ivan, with a look of in- tense satisfaction on his face, q “The best of luck,” he cried eagerly. ‘The t trail is hit at Jast, if I am not badly cheated. ’ I have been inquiring for Mason. I have found—” ‘* No matter what,” Clark hastily interrupted. “That news will keep. ‘Io get out of this town wi' bout a rope around our necks is our present tusiness, I was fool enough to leave papers in my saddle-pocket that will sell our who:e game. And that jackanapes of a lieutenant has got them.” “The deuce!” cried Ivan, growing suddenly ‘ pale. ‘“ We will never get away. Why, the ‘ town is swarming with soldiers.” He looked around him like a fox that has been cut off from his covert, “ Won't away, eh? Don’t you bet on that. I’m not the chap to give up the ship till the water is coming through the hatches. But, there’s one thing sure. We've got to work like beavers, pot’s boiling.” Every second counts while the ‘* What shall we do?” asked Ivan desperately. By this time the whole town may be guarded. I doubt if there’s more than a rat-hole left open.” “Tf there’s half a rat-hole, we'll try our luck to get through it,” rejoined Clark, with un- diminished hope and spirit. “Make it your business, Ivan, to inspect the town, See if guards or patrols have been placed. Report yourself as quick as possible in front of the com- mandant’s head quarters.” * And what sail I do?” asked Peter. “Pay our score to the landlord. Get the horses saddled and out of the stable. There may come an order to detain them. Bring them to the same place, the commandant’s bead-quarters,” ** What will you do?’ asked Ivan. “T will call on General Skobeloff. There's nothing like facing the music. I will beard the lion in his den. Away with younow. There's not a second to lose,” The three parted instantly, each hastening to erform his part in this quickly-conceived plan, t was hardly a plan, indeed, for Clark did not know what was tobe done. But he had mado up his mind on the spot to bo ready for ths chances, and to find out where the danger ay. ‘Less than half an hour had passed from his leaving General Skobeloff’s office ere he again entered it, in a somewhat abrupt manner, His quick glance in an instant tookin the situa- tion, Oppcsite the commandant at the table sat the lieutenant. Between them was a small arcel of papers which they were examining. Park recognized them as bis own, though the general, with a very red face, instantly swept them off. “Isn't this an abrupt way of entering a gentleman’s office?’ asked the general, with mingled confusion and anger. + Clark had on the instant taken his cue, There was no use to ask for his papers, or ac- cuse the thief. The mischief was done. cape from the consequences alone remained, ‘Excuse me, general,” he answered, in his easiest manner. ‘There was no attendant visible. I was toohasty, I acknowledge. But the pressing invitation you gave me must be my excuse. In fact, I find it advisable to con- tinue my journey without delay, and I prom- ised to see you again before going.” He seated himself without waiting for an in- vitation, ““Certainly, certainly,” exclaimed the gen- eral, with a confused effort to speak heartily. “T was taken a little aback, I confess, but your apology is accepted. Glad to see you so soon again. You need not stay, lieutenant. We can finish our business later.” “Ob, no! I beg not,” exclaimed Clark ear- nestly. ‘‘I am anxious to_make better ac- quaintance with Lieutenant Kribach, He will surely me a chat about St. Petersburg. I always like a larger audience than one,” he iaughingly concluded. — The lieutenant had risen, with an irresolute

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countenance, duties, “Duties to the winds! Give a half-hour to Risaznpe, and you can have all the winter for uties, Make him sit down, general, I shall not forgive myself if he is driven out.” * There is no hurry, Kribach,” answered the eneral, with a meaning look, ‘*You will en- oy Mr. Herbert’s conversation. Sit down, ow was the emperor looking when you saw him last, Mr. Herbert?” At this question Clark broke into a conversa- tion about the emperor and his court, that proved so interesting to his auditors, that they quay forgot all their uneasiness and anxiety. he apparent self-possession of the youth satis- fied them that he knew nothing of their occupa- tion when he entered. Twenty minutes passbd away thus. Clark was not only talking, be waslistening at the gametime, Certain desired sounds came to his ears, The whinny of his horse, the sound of voices outside that bad a familiar tone. He rose quietly and took his hat. “Tf must say that I have passed a pleasant hour. You will please excuse me now. I must return to the botel, where I directed my ser- muttering something about vants to get the horses ready for our further journey. [leave Trobilsk in baif an bour, Fare- well. If I should return’ this way I shall be happy to resume our acquaintance.” “Good-by. And a speedy joufney,” an- swered the general, gear rising and bowing. Clark walked with a free step into the pas- sage. The two men left behind looked at each other. “You arein error, Kribach,” exclaimed the general. ‘The man is honest and a gentle- map.” “T am not sure of that,” answered the lieu- tenant, stooping under the table for the fallen yapers, : eneral Skobeloff walked from the room, and to thedoor, with the thought of taking a fare- well glance at his departing guest. What was his utter surprise to tind three horses drawn up in front of bis mansion, the saddles of two occu- pied, while Clark was just springing to the back of the third. “Why, Mr. Herbert,” cried the general an- grily, “what am I to understand from this?” “Only that my servants have been quicker than I expected, and that Trobilsk is too much ofaden of thieves forme to care to stay in. Good-by. _ I will give your respects to the Emperor of China.” The horses were off ata rapid pace down the snow-mufiled street. Thesoldiers who stood by looked on with surprise. They had evidently received orders, but the presence of the com- mandant, and the starting of the cavalcade from his door, setthem astray, It might not , be safe to arrest the departure of the travelers under such circumstances, The next instant Lieutenant Kribach came . rushing from the house, with disheveled hair, and waving a paper in his hand. “ItisasI said!’ he cried. “Itis the Yan- kee refugee and Ivan the convict! Here is the whole story, and a printed description of the party! Let them be arrested at once!” A Hot Trail. q He thrust the paper into General Skobeloft's hand, but stopped speaking suddenly, as he no- ticed that gentleman’s dismayed countenance, “* Are you sure of this, Kribach?” “Yes. But what has happened? Who are those horsemen?” ‘Our late guests,” cried the general, with « burst of anger. ‘‘Hang me, if they haven’t cheated us to our noses! To horse, gentlemen! To horse! Stir up the troopers! After the p lains! Run them down, or we are etermally disgraced!” “They can’t get out of the town,” exclaimed the lieutenant with a satisfied air. “I have picketed every road, I took good care to set the trap for our foxes.” “Good! But after them. That Yankee in bold as the deuce, He may play us some cun- ning trick yet.” CHAPTER IV. OVER AN ICY PATHWsY¥. Tan town of Trobilsk was by no means a largeone. At the pace at which the three riders were passing down its street they would soon be beyond its boundaries, “ Are we pursued?” asked Clark, looking back toward the group on the porch of General Sko- beloff’s mansion, “There is no need of pursuit,” answered Ivan, shaking his head doubtfully. ‘* Weare trapped, and that’s worse.” ** Ah! what do you mean?” “They are ready for us, There is a picket oe horsemen on every road leading from the own, ‘“Wheb! That’s a blue lookout. That con- founded lieutenant!” “T told you we were fools to come here,” said Peter mournfully. “TI know you did, Peter. And maybe we were. But we’re not going to be fools enough - to stay here, my boy.” He checked his horse and looked around him, They were at the edge of the town. It was as Ivan had said: across the road, a hundred paces in advance, stretched a body of horse- men, “The game is up,” declared Ivan sadly ‘Every road is guarded in the same way. A — fox couldn’t get out. We are booked for the mines again,” ; Clark was still gazing in every direction with a keen eye that took in every feature of the sur- roundings, “You don’t know much about foxes, Ivan. Especially Yankee foxes. They are famous for creeping through slim holes, The roads are . guarded, but the fields are not. Here’s a broad — stretch to our left. What kind of soil is it?” “All swamp land,” groaned Ivan. ‘ The horses would sink to their fetlocks at every step. ; “Not much, after last night’s freeze. There's a good two inches of ice. And the grass will make footing for the horses. It will carry us like a breeze, If it don’t we'll die game.” ‘Here come horsemen down the street,” ex- claimed Peter, ‘And the picket is coming up. We are surrounded.” \ .

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~ an icy glitter. “Nary time! Not while the swamp side is en, urrah, my lads! Spur and whip! To ies swamp! Sink or swim, to the swamp!” He gave bis horse the rein, turned with a eri curve to the left, and rode briskly for- abl , followed by his faint-hearted compan- ns, A loud ry from the soldiers followed this movement. They put their horses more brisk- ly in motion, Clark answered with a shout of deflance, The next minute they bad left the hard level of the street, and struck the grassy plain, that stretched out far before them. t wasas yet hard, though uneven. The horses had good footing, and made rapid headway. iiaking back Clark saw tbat the pursuers had drawn rein on the edge of the town, and were looking after the fugitives, with laughter and derisive shouts, “Tet him laugh that wins,” remarked the bold boy. ‘‘They think we are going to be mired, and that they can pick us up like so many ripe chestnuts. I don’t believe it. That freeze last night wasn’t for nothing.” “' Here is the edge of the swamp,” said Ivan, “Will it bear us?” : “The troopers thinks it won’t. But they don’t know everything. Push on, my lads, It’s neck or nothing now.” Before them stretched a broad flat, covered with long swamp grass. Through it gleamed he next moment the iron-shod hoofs of the horses struck something that rung like iron under a hammer. A few steps more, and Clark waved his cap inmph. Le The ice, my hearties! What did I tell you? It bears us up like a stone pavement, And the ass frozen bb stops the horses from slipping. od for our side! Wecan snap our fingers in old Skobeloff’s face yet.” The borses stepped gingerly for a few mo- ments. But when they found that the footing was secure, they stretched out with a freer “ Heigho!” cried Clark, flinging his cap into the air, and catching it asit fell. ‘Never say die! Here we go, and the best horse wins.” His it a ap caught some of his enthusi- asm, and their faces brightened as they pushed their steeds briskly forward. Now and then the ice cracked with a dangerous sound, but no hoof bad yet gone through, The Russian troopers had ceased their jeers, They stood fora minute gazing with surprised eyes on the daring venture of the fugitives. hen the groupsuddenly broke up. A part of it rode back into the town, while the others dashed forward over the meadow. “They’ve caught the wind now?’ cried the reckless youth, ‘*Anyhow, the start’s ours, and a fair start is half the race, I bet there’s not a horse in the town canrun us down. Let out, my hearties!” cried the daring young American. ‘It’s heels now that’s wanted, not brains. The best heels win. Hurrah!” Away they went at a free pace over the frozen quagmire. At a considerable distance in the rear came on their pursuers, a group of six or eight horsemen. The oon was now well advanced. and j A Hot Trail. the sun low down in the southwest. A cold wind blew across the marshes and cut their faces like a knife. “That’s just what we want to hold the ice stiff,” remarked Clark cheerily, ‘‘ What ails the beggars behind us? They seem to be floun- dering. te 3 are heavier mounted than we,” an- swered Ivan. ‘ Their horses are cutting through the ice. Good! They are drawing rein—they are giving up the chase!” “Hurra! What did I tell youf We have thrown the hounds already,” “You don’t know much about a Russian sleathhound if you think so,” rejoined Peter gloomily. ‘Look! It is just as I thou -ht; pan go parties out on the road to head ns off. It was as he said. On both sides of the swamp region ran high roads in a southerly di- rection. On each of thesea body of Russian troopers was now riding, their long lance-heuds givers in the sun, The sound of their jing- ing accouterments could be heard. “Cossack beggars!” growled Ivan—‘ hounds that would spit us on those lances as freely as they would so many frogs, And they’ve got the best of the game, with the hard road eller their hoofs,” “They know what they’re about,” broke in Peter. “It’s likely there’s stiff ground ahead, They’ll sweep in from the two sides and snatch us up. Clark listened in silence to the remarks of his comrades, while his keen eye took in the situa- tion, They were probably right. The pursuers had the advantage of solid footing. They would soon overlap the fugitives, and leave themin t.e rear, What thoughts passed through the mind of the caring youth be kept to himself, “ Push on,” was all he said. The hard ice rung with a bell-like clatter be- neath their pounding hoofs. Now and then a horse slipped on the smooth surface, but the thick grass made a fair footing. The faithful beasts had done good work that day, but the rest and feed at Trobilsk bad freshened them UP, and they sped on without a sign of abor. Clark’s keen | rine continued to take in every feature of the landscape. Not a move- ment of the pursuers escaped his eyes. Boy as he was, he felt all the responsibility of a leader. He had got his comrades into this scrape by foolhardy recklessness; he was bound to get them out againby wit and daring, if good for- tune only favored, “They have Japped us on both roads,” de- clared Peter, ‘‘ Their horses are fresher, and the roadway better emer “Their game is plain enough,” continued Ivan. ‘‘ See! some of them are leaving the road already, and riding into the fields at the side. Likely the swamp-lands end not far abead. By picketing the edge, on the hard ground before us, they will have us in a net,” ‘TI see,” answered Clark briefly. “I’m afraid the dog’s dead in that direction, There js no making our best e on this ice, but [ don’t gi ve up yet, lads, e’ve one trump card in our ‘avor,

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“Ab! what is thatf’ they asked simultane- ‘ Binck up. your speed slowly, as if the horses were giving out. There is no use to waste the strength of the poor Lrutes; we may need it for @ burst,” “Do you think of breaking through their lines?” “If nothing better ~@ers, But it wouldn’t be very safe, I think there's an easier way to dis- court them, ‘Yondzr’s our trump card.” lis pointed to the west, where the sun now Iay close to the horizon, in a bank of heavy clouds, Ivan looked at him with a growing sneering in xis intelligent eyes, but Peter looked in stupi wonder, “There’s nothing there except the sun!” he cried, ** And that will be gone in half an hour. And in ten minutes after it sinks, the night will be on usthick, It’s acloudy sky. The night wil bea black one. If we «an only keep the Cos- sacks at bay till afte; dark, we can give them the go-by. I bet on tnac.” His comrades looked up in admiration. It »was as Clark said. Here was a chance in their favor of which they had not thought. “But the Cossacks know that too,” declared Peter. ‘ They’ll make a line that we can’t get through without having our ribs tickled with their long lances,” * But there are ways of getting past a net without swimming through the meshes,” an- swered Clark, mysteriously. ‘‘ Slack your speed still more, lads, The Cossacks are spreading their line. I’ve a notion the marsh ends two or three miles ahead.” They now drew into a jog trot trot that was little more than a walk. Clark continued to watch every movement of the pursuing troops, He noticed, to his satisfaction, that they had dropped none of their number on the road. The net was to be spread only in front. Rapidly the sun sunk lower. The gloom of evening already began to dim the brightness of the day. In that high latitude the October sun sinks early to its rest, and rises late to its day’s rs, “ And now, Ivan,” resumed Clark, ‘‘ there is another matter to be settled. What were you about to tell me when you left the hotel? Have yop really found a trace of our game?” I think 80,” answered Ivan.’ ‘It was that I was about when our saddle-bags were rifled. asked everybody about the hotel, and find that ro such @ man as the one we want passed rough Trobilsk only three days ago.” “The deuce you say !” cried Clark, with sud- den interest. ‘‘ Did you get his name and de- scription?” es “ He gave a German name, Carl Kinnig. He had red hair, and red mustache and whiskers, and had a long scar across his right cheek.” “But what makes you think that was Mason? It is nothing like him.” “I found a wide-awake chambermaid, who knew a thing or two. She had seen foreigners before, and swore that this was no German, but an Englishman to the backbone. She was sure, teo, that bis red hair was false,” os “Ah! That's prime news! How did she de- scribe him?” “He was a fellow of middle hight, with broad shoulders. He had a sharp-pointed nose and thin lips. His eyes were gray, and had a foxy look in them. He walked with an awkw gait, as if he was not brought up to the good clothes he wore.” " * By Jupiter, Ivan!” cried Clark, catching Pi hand, ‘lll goaten you’ve hit the mark. If it’s so it was worth all our risk. Was he alone?” ‘No, He had two fellows with him. He cut a great dash. Stayed two days in the town, and then left on the Irtish road. The one there to the right,” ‘That is our road then, Cossacks or no. VIL have Mason, if I follow him to the wall of China, and if the whole Russian army cl up the track,” There was a ring of joyful de- cision in Clark’s voice, ‘‘Look yonder, lads, the sun has pulled in his nose. The gloom is | thickening. 1n ten minutes more it will be as dark as all Africa,” ; ‘And the Cossacks are waiting for us,” re- joined Ivan, pointing ahead. It was as he said. The troopers had spread themselves in a long line across the plain be- tween the two roads, The swamp had evident- ly ended, Some of them were pushing back along the roads, as if to close the gap they had left in their patrol line. Erect on their horses in the growing gloom of evening, they looked like giant statues, but statues that might stars into life at any moment, The fugitives still moved on, but now at a walk, rae het the gloom deepened, Now the horsemen ahead looked like dusky shadows, Now they faded, and disappeared. They were swallowed up in the darkness of a cloudy night, ‘Now is our time,” said Clark cautiously, ‘*Turn your horses. We must retrace our steps.” “What is your plan?’ asked Ivan, ‘as he obeyed. “The Cossacks have left the road unguard in their rear. They have been too sure of o going straight on. Quick, before they discover their mistake.” Some lights from the distant town guided them on their way back. Verging to the right they soon struck the harder ground that bor- dered the swamp, Within ten minutes from their turn they felt the hard, smooth surface of the road beneath their horses’ feet. Clark was right. ‘The road was not patrolled, ‘We must take to the fields again,” be said quickly. ‘They may soon discover their mis- take. But I’ve a notion there’s solid soil on the other side, Push on.” On they rode, side by side, into the thick night, leaving their fooled pursuers to patrol in vain the empty meadows in advanoe, CHAPTER VY. DRAWING THE FIRE OF A REGIMENT. A HALF HOUR bas passed since the fugitives: turned back from the line of statue-like Cos- sacks, that like dread phantoms of the night

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2 A Hot Trail, 10 closed ~ their road to liberty. They have | “And keep you horses well In hand. It’s a erossed the road and entered the meadows be- | touch and go job.” yond, through which they have ridden sharply to the south, The night has fully fallen, A pitchy dark- ness covers the whole landscape. Nothing is visible ten paces in advance. Thick clouds cover the sky. It is necessary to ride cautious- yy, lest their horses should strike upon some angerous obstacle. “T fear it is not allright ahead.” said Ivan, striving to pierce the darkness with his keen vision. “ Why?” “T heard sounds— There! Do you hear it now? The neighing of a horse.” “Have the confounded Cossacks stretched their line across in this direction?” “Keep an eye open,” exclaimed Peter. “There’s a break inthe clouds, The moon will peep through in a minute.” Terovedl as he said, The minute after the moon broke through a deep cloud cavity, and shed its silvery rays over the landscape, The fugitives looked eagerly ahead. There to their surprise and disappointment, stretche the line of phantom-like Cossacks, their lance- heads glittering in the moonbeams. The revelation’ was but for an instant. The clouds again swept past,and blotted the moon from sight, Buta whistle of warning from the soldiers told that they had sighted their prey. Clark drew up his horse with an angry clutch at the reins. “The game’s blocked in that direction,” he declared, ‘The beggars bave smelt our game. and have checkmated it.” “hey were closing in, too,” averred Ivan, “The are drawing their net. We are the fish that are to be found in it when it comes asbore.” ‘Don’t you bet too high on that,” answered lark sharply. ‘It wouldn’t be the first net that’came in empty, if they have their pull for their pains,” “But what are we to do?’ asked Peter help- lessly. ‘‘ They bave not left an opening.” “There you are much mistaken, my boy. The mouth of the net is open, And yonder it ” Ho pointed back to where some faint lights in- dicated the locality of the town. “Trobilsk!” exclaimed Ivan. ‘You don’t mean—/” : **T mean to ride through that town and strike for the other side.” : “Why, they’ll snap us up like a dog snapping up a bone.” “Desperate diseases need desperate reme- dies,” answered Clark, coolly, a he turned bis horse’s head. ‘If you’ve a notion to stay here and be spitted on a Cossack lance, I haven’t. Through that town I go, or I go down in the ef- fort. The unexpected wins. They won’t dream of our coming, and we’lltake the bounds by surprise, Follow me, if you value liberty.” @ gave bis horse the rein and broke back over the grassy plain. There was no time now to hesitate. Ivan and Peter followed him in the desperate enterprise. It wasa forlorn hope. “Have your pistols ready.” Clark warned, The lights from the town guided their moye- ments, and they rode back with a swift pace through the darkness, Meanwhile within the town all was rest and quiet. Most of the soldiers were lounging about their quarters, A party of them rested on the porch of the hotel. In front of the command- ant’s house stood a group of horses, their riders being on the porch in company with General Skobeloff. That individual was walking up and down the porch with short, angry strides, growling to himself like a chained mastiff. “o think of the confounded impudence of the fellow!” he muttered. ‘‘Why, be might as well have twitched my nose and be done with ‘You will have your turn, general,” answer- ed Lieutenant Kribach. “He will never get through tbe line of lances which I have stretch- ed out for bim, ‘You can yet take your twitch at bis nose.” ‘* Aad by Jupiter I'll pull it rousdly i” roared the furious commandant, “ To think of his in- fernal Yankee impudence! And playing the part of a member of the British Embassy! He must have stolen that passport. Why, I nevet heard of his match! To bring a runaway con: vict under my very eyes! [ll send him to the deepest mine in Siberia for this.” ‘* First catch your hare before you truss him,” warned the colonel of the regiment, a grizzled veteran. “Don’t fear! We have the hare cut off from his cover,” rejoined Kribach, in a tone of con- fidence. Their conversation was at this instant cut short by an unexpected noise. This was no other than the sound of hoofs, muffled by the snow on the ground, yet quite distinguishable, The next instant, to the surprise of the com- pany, three horsemen broke into view in the te of light that came from the house, hat was their astonishment to recognize, ata glance, the daring fugitives. Clark, with unparalleled boldness and assur- ance, drew up his horse in front of the porch, and lifted bis hat with a courteous gesture, “Much obliged, general,” be said, ‘for the neat surprise you jaid out for me in front. But I don’t choose to play fish for your net. ‘‘ You’re a smart old coon, I give in, but you haven’t yet learned all the sides of a Yankee trick. Good- by. Any orders for the emperor?” “Stop! Villain! Thief! Convict! Stop, on your life! Gentlemen, to horse! Sprea the alarm! Wing the villain, somebody! His words were echoed by the sharp report of a pistol. A double report in fact. It was Lieu- tenant Kribach that had fired. But from the darkness in front came a bullet from Ivan’s pis- tol, and the lieutenant tottered back with a bige while tbe bullet from his weapon sung ‘ar over the head of the fugitive, The sound of hoofs again broke for an instant on theair. The three fugitives vanished again into the darkness, Itseemed as if a vision of the night had broke for an instant upon their eyes, and then suddenly disappeared, ¢ > an

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A Hot Trail, But a mocking laugh came back to their ears, “T can try,” answere@ Ivan, confidentl--. The smell of powder was inthe air. Lieutenant Kribach lay wounded and groaning against the wali. All this was reality. ‘To horse, gentlemen!” repeated the general, as he fired into the darkness, without aim, ‘ To horse! Their animals must be worn out! The daring rascals! Ride them down, on your lives, and fetch them to me.” The officers had not waited for this summons. They had already sprung for their horses, which stood ready saddled before the porch. At the same time the soldiers, who occupied the hotel porch, alarmed by the pistol-sbots, were hastening down into the road, in wonder as to what this meant, Out of the gloom there broke upon them the forms of the three horsemen, riding onward at a furious gallop. “ Out of our way!” said the foremost of these, in a harsh tone. ‘Back, or we'll ride you down!” They came thundering on. The soldiers drew back. All but one, who sprung at the bridle of the nearest horse. It wasa perilous movement for him. There came a keen flash, a sharp report, ad with a cry of pain the risky fellow fell backward into the snow, “Down!” warned the leading horseman, in a low tone. “The riders bent to their horses’ necks, and just in time to escape a volley of bullets that whistled past their ears. There was no time for this favor to be repeated. Two more leaps carried the springing horses out of sight, into the thick gloom of the night. But the peril was yet farfrom past. The fazitives were now in the very heart of the town, which was alive with soldiers, and the warning shots, and the cries of the pursuing horsemen in the rear, bad widely spread the alarm. Lights flashed here and there. Loud voices were heard,’ The rat-tat-tat of an alarm- drum broke upon the air. The troopers rushed for their horses and weapons. The event of the afternoon had put them on the qui vive. Yet onward rode the fugitives, grim, silent, and geet Their horses roused to their utmost speed, rushed side by side, in a dashing gce down the broad, snow-covered street. bere was no need of whip orspur. The intelli- gent animals seemed instinctively to know what was required of them, and put out all the strength of theirlimbs. They were horses of the steppes, and had been trained for speed and bottom. They were good for a ride of twenty hours on a stretch. A bright light broke out at the end of the town they were pppennening: It was in this direction that the alarm-drum sounded, “ae barracks lie there,” declered Ivan. “We shall have theregiment to face. Shall we not turn into the side street ahead?” coe road lies past the barracks?” es, “Then we must ride past them and take our | chances, A lost second now isa lost game. See, there’s only the one light, and that’s held by a fellow on the platform yonder. If it was put out we might dash by in the darkness. You area prime shot, Ivan, you hit it?’ /carbines down the street, They were not twenty paces distant. ‘The light already revealed their approach. The soldiers were rushing from the barracks. grasp- ing their carbines. A quick aim—a flash—a report—the lamp fell from the band of its holder to the ground, shattered into a hundred fragments. Darkness fell over the scene, doubly deep for its sudden- ness, Three great shadows broke for an instant into sight. A line of soldiers who had hastily stretehed across the street, were ridden down | like grass-blades, The shadows vanished aguin, Darkness once more resumed its reign. The armed soldiers poured a hasty volley from their It only brought back a disdainful laugh, It was too wild to be effective. Ere it could be repested, with better aim, the squad of pursuing officers rode briskly past. ‘Where are they?” “Not two hundred yards ahead,” “We will bring them, You need not turn out.” The chase swept on into the darkness, The sound of hoofs was for a minute audible. Then all vanished, sound and sight. The night bad swallowed up its prey. The road they were on was one that led to the northeast, The picket which had been ‘placed on it in the afternoon bad been with- drawn ere night, when the fugitives had ridden south, It seemed now a question of power of horse-flesh, The squad of officers were well-mounted, and rode furiously onward,. cursing the lagging moon. They expected readily to ride down the fugi- tives, whose horses must be severely blown, But after a profitless ride of five or six miles, they drew up in despair, . “They bave taken to the open country, for a fortune,” exclaimed the leading ofiicer. ‘“ We have no bope of overtaking them to-night. But it is impossible for them to escape. Tho whole country can be warned to-morrow,” They turned back, sadly disappointed, and conversing about their ill-luck, and the reckless. boldness of the Yankee, **T cannot but admire the rascal,” declared one. “I would like to lead a regiment made up of men like that.” They rode briskly on. ‘* Much obliged,” came a voice from the road- side, in guarded accents. “ But Iam notready to enlist ina Russian regiment yet. Now that ou’ve had your ride out, and have given our orses a breathing-spell, we’ll push on, with’ your permission,” The fugitives drew up from the deep depres- sion by the roadside, in which their horses had stood for the last twenty minutes, while their pursuers had ridden twice past without perceiving them. “Abold stroke is often the best ctroke, you see, lads,” laughed Clark gayly. “ We baye thrown the hounds from our track, und have 9 pais road before us.” ‘* And where shall we harbor for the night#” , asked Ivap,

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“With the surly chap who gave us a short answer this afternoon,” answered Clark. ‘I've a notion Ican make some capital out of that sturdy coon.” A ten-mile ride brought them to the door of a habitation that stood a short distance back from the road, Clark sprung from bis horse, and struck sharply with bis whip-handle on the door, while the barking of dogs echoed the sounds, CHAPTER VI A CHEAP BARGAIN. Apm oil lamp shed its light over‘a room with sides of logs, and furnished in the rudest and most primitive fasbion. On one side stood a great Russian stove, that filled the room with warm air. On the other was a rough board table, set out with bacon and coarse bread, on which three fugitives were making a frugal supper. ear by sat a black browed Russian, his chin on bis hands, and a sullen frown on his face, watching bis guests as if he gave them no good will with their supper. “There.” cried Clark, with a satisfied ges- ture. ‘Rough fare; but bunger is a good sance, Guess I'll do for tonight, And now for a talk with the gentleman of the house.” “The gentleman of the bouse wants no talk with you or yours,” answered the host, in a ruff voice. ‘I didn’t ask for your company, ou forced yourself on me. Now take your sleep, and take your jeave, and the least said the soonest mended.” “You are short and sweet in your welcome, at any rate,” answered Clark coolly, as he drew forward his chair. ‘But if you won’t talk maybe you will listen. Do you know who we are?” “TI don’t care who, Some of the emperor’s pets, I reckon,” was the gruff reply. “Then you don’t love the emperor’s pets? So much the better. Do you know that we are fugitives from justice? This man is an escaped conyict. Iam a—” “Lord save us!” cried Ivan, springing up, hastily. ‘‘ What are you about, Mr. Cloverly?” “About telling the truth,” was Clark’s re- ply. ‘We have been pursued by the regiment at Trobiisk. We have ridden through the town in the face of the garrison, and snapped .our fingers under the general's nose. And there’s the very Old Boy stirred up behind us, Now, you’ve heard it all. You can make a fifiy- Sg reward by selling us to General Skobe- 0; The host wes now sitting bolt upright, star- ing at his free-speaking guest with eyes that seemed ready to start from his head. “The devil!’ he muttered. “Is this the truth?” 4 “I have not ridden across Siberia to retail es. ‘*T didn’t ask you your business. Why do you trouble me with it?’ During Clark’s abrupt confession Ivan had been fuming with disgust, while Peter lay beck in terror in his sent, making a.l sorts of wild signs to his reckless young master, But the 12 A Hot Trail. daring youth went on without the least atten tion to their dismay. “You have your choice,” continued Clark. **-You can betray us, or rescue us.’ The surly Russian continued to look at bin from between his dark brows. There was a strange look in his eyes. ‘*I don’t intend to do either,” he said, ‘TI don’t love soldiers, and won’t help them. As for you, you founc your way here, and can find it away, ogain. I bave given you your supper. A bed is ready for you. Take your snooze and be off. _ I all rocee you two hours before daylight. ‘You will want a good start if that devil Skobeloff is on your track.” He turned his back as if he had nothing more tosay. But Clark was not to be choked off so easily. ; “You are an old hunter? You know the country bereaways?” ‘* What if I do?” snapped the Russian. “T want you for guide,” ‘Never. You may guide yourself.” ‘See here, Paul Previtsch, | know you,” con- tinued Clark, with a sharp accent. ‘I have two things to say to you. ou will not betray me to General Skobeloff, as you think of doing, because, if you do, I will report you to the gen- eral as a runaway convict from the Nertchinsk mines,” } The Russian sprung to his feet with a terrified look on his bronzed face. ‘*It isa lie! How—” “Tt is no lie,” broke in Ivan sternly. ‘1 have been in the mines myself. I don’t forget a face.” Paul Previtsch sunk back on bis bench, and covered his face with bis hands, thoroughly dismayed by this discovery. “Don’t be scared,” continued Clark. ‘Deal square with me, and I will with you. You are a hunter. You know the country. Guide ma safely out of this peril and it will be a hundred roubles in your pocket.” ; At this offer Paul lifted his bead, and stared steadily at his guests. ‘* A hundred roubles?” he repeated, “Just so. Half down, Half when we are clear of the danger.” Paul continued to look at him. * It is a doubtful business.” - “ Suppose it is. We are not babies or kit- ens. “You don’t know Skobeloff like I do, or you wouldn’t have drawn rein while your horse could creep. If you twitted him as you say, he will rouse the whole country against you. B this time to-morrow there won’t be a solaier within fifty miles that will not be on your track.” ‘ By this time to morrow, then, we must be more than fifty miles away. We must run faster than the news can follow. You will guide us” **One hundred roubles?” “Fifty when we set foot in stirrup. Fifty when we are safe away.’ “Tf we are caught we will all go to the Nert- chinsk mines,” said Paul doubtfully, ‘Do you know what that means?” “ No,”

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** It means hell on earth. Far better the ecfiin than the mines. It means the whip for a thought; the dungeon for a word; the bullet for an effort to escape.” “Y would begin, tnen, with the bullet,” an- swered the bold American lad. ‘See here, Paul, I have yet another fish to fry. I will double the reward if you help me in it.” **Ha!” cried Paul, with new interest, « *[ am in pursuit of a runaway thief. Eng- lish, Red hair and beard. Passed this way within a week.” “‘T saw him,” remarked Paul. “You did?” “ Yes,” “Put me on his track and I will make your reward two hundred roubles,” “Say three hundred, and I will promise to run bim down,” answered P:ul confidently. “He is making for the Mongolian steppes. We will find him somewhere among the cattle- drivers. For that money I will cut loose from Siberia, and spend the rest of my days in a safer and happier land.” “Itisa bargain,” answered Clark, joyfully. *€ And I will add another bundred to it it I find him with his plunder on him, Ycu are our man, And now, what is the programme?” ** We must leave here three hours before day- lighf. Our only chance is to take to the mount- ains. It will bea dark ride, but I can set you at their foot by daybreak. And then for crag and cliff, and mountain pass. We will be hotly chased. Old Skobelotf will bunt you like a wolf, Your money will be well spent, for there is not a mon within fifty miles would take the risk that | am doing.” : “Bless you, l’'ve taken a worse risk inside an hcur, and here I am witha whole skin. But sleep’s the word now, my lads, We want fresh horses and fresh brains for our work to-mor- row.” Tn a half-hour afterward every soul within the roadside edifice was lost in deep slumber. Clark had made a lucky bargain, and he knew it. Ivan had seen the man the year before in the mines, and recognized him at sight. Of eourse he might have gained his freedom by food conduct; but there wasa chance that he ad made hbisescape, Clark worked on that bare chanee, and juckily hit the mark. They all slept now as soundly as if they had been in an American bed, There was a noose arcund their host’s neck that saved them from all danger of treachery on bis part. The long night passed on. The wind rose and howled sbrilly without, but it was warm as toast with- in, Still they slept on, and the night was verg- ing rapidly toward.its end. But their Siberian host had not forgotten his bargain, He was early astir, and called them up with a loud voice, **Come,” he cried, in a tone that was natur- ally harsh, ‘You’ve bad your snooz) out. It is time to be astir. Awake, The morning drawe near,” Up they sprung at the summons. ‘What is the matter?” exclaimed Peter, rub- bing his eyes. “Did you say you wanted hot water for shaving?” A loud jeugh called hira to his senses, The poor fellow had been dreaming that he was a gentleman’s valet in St. Petersburg. “The mizutes count now,” declared Paul, in a quick, decided tone. ‘* Look after your horses, and get them ready for the road, will make my preparations;” “Come!” exclaimed Clark briefly. He left the house, followed by his two com- panions, It was yet quite dark, but the low- down moon broke faintly through the dim mask of the clouds, A loud neigh from the horses as they entered the stables showed that they were awake and ready for the road, There was a fourth horse in the stable, that belonged to Paul, a long- iimbed, full-chested roadster, . “Looks as if he had wind and speed,” said Clark. ‘We want that, for it will take a prime goer to keep pace with our horses,” In half an hour afterward they were on the road, having hastily eaten a frugal breakfast, Paul took the lead,on his strong beas}, over whose crupper he bad hung a heavy parcel. **Tbe moon is low in the West!” he remarked, ‘but it will give us an hour's light yet. Then for another spell we will have the dark bour be- fore day. We must make the most of these two hours of night. Away.” Off they rode, over the snowy ground. The faint moon-rays, and the white surface, gave light enough for them to make rapid speed, The horses had fully recovered from their fa- tigue, and were fresh as deer. Yet the wind still blew shrilland cold, The weather was fvee7~ ing, and they felt it bitterly in their first mo ments from the steaming heat of the room in which they bad slept. “You Tueains must have cast-iron constitu- tions,” remarked Clark, with asbiver, “ You step from an oven into a snow bath as we would walt from room to room. It is always too hot indoors, and too cold ont of doors, and your confounded climate is brimful of roasts and agues.” ‘*We are broucht up to it,” laughed lvan, “Thave taken a night's sleep ona snowbank before now.” Ke Hang me if I would care to be such a sala- mander,’ Paul led for a short distance on the road that passed his house, Then he struck eastward eae the fields, which here were open and level, After three or four miles of this field work they struck a narrow lane, or horse track, that led to the southeast. In an hour, as he had said, the moon sunk be- low the horizon, and the darkness grew much . deeper. He pointed off to the west, wherea faintlight shone from what seemed a long distance, “Do you know the place?” he asked, “ No.” **Tt is Trobilsk.” “The deuce!” “ Likely they are astir by this time and ‘pre- paring to send out their foraging parties. For. tunately we have ten miles’ start of them!” Silence followed. They rode briskly on, Dark as it was, Paul seemed to have the eyes of acat, The white surface made the road faintly

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)) A Hot Trafi, “By thunder, it is enough to set one’s teeth | Pant, “He picketed every road and pass lust on edge!” exclaimed Clark. “Is there much of | night. The Picket we 10de through Ena ten this sort of road?” They ‘*We can make better headway now.” path here was broader and more level. ase put their horses into a canter and rode briskly forward. There was something exhila- rating in the fresh mountain air, that put them all in spirit despite the danger, Yet it was not easy to forget that the Russian bulldogs were on their track, and that for miles around, the whole country would be soon roused : against them. “But let them come. We'll give them lead ills to cure their dyspepsia,” said Clark, as he aid his hand on the rifle that was swung over his shoulder. Each of the party was armed with a simi- lar weapon which they had obtained at Paul’s "i cottage. | They were now on the summit of a slight ; eminence in the path, Paul came to a halt and | looked back. The mountain ravine lay open f for a long distance before them. Afar off some | faint figures were visible, creeping iike ants along the edge of the rock wall. “Ts is as I expected,” declared the guide. **- Yonder come the sleuth-hounds, They are on the track of the deer. But, by Heaven, oa may find their deer turn to tigers! They will not take me like a bird in a net.” “Nor me,” cried Clark, ‘‘Hurry on before they see us.” “Tt is too late. They have seen us already. : They are pusbing on with the hope to catch usina trap.” Paul had a glass to his eye as he spoke. “Lucky I know something about these mountains. I have not hunted them a year for nothing.” They pushed onward, as rapidly as possible, up the paso. In some places it was necessary to go at a walk. In others they could move more rapidly. The sun rose in the sky and poured its light down into the ravine, touching the fleecy foam of the down rusbing.torrent, | ‘“‘That’s one of the worst bits,” answered is word to the guards of the other passes. are all in motion, drawing in on us from three directions, I tell you, there is a hot business before us.” Clark closed the glass and handed it back, with a gesture of defiance. “ At any rate the danger is all behind. There is a clear field ahead,” he answered. ‘‘ We can push on faster than the news can spread, and nae it hot for them if they press us too close- “Tf we were past the mountain chain and on the open ground beyond, I would feel safer,” re- plied Paul, * There is a mountain pocket ahead of us. A regular blind alley in the rocks, It is into that the soldiers are trying to drive us. They fancy they have us in a safe trap.” ‘And what do you think?” “There isa way out. Butitis a dangerous one, fit only for the feet of a hunter. 6 caR- not take our horses through it.” “ Then we will go on foot.” Paul shook his head. “We will want horses on the other side. I would prefer to make a stand and try to fight them off.” ‘“‘Fight’s the word then, if yousay it. If bul- lets w0.,’t serve, we will try what fortune there isin feet. Have you got a plan laid?” “ Yes,” ; Ms 6 leave it to you, then, Whatdo you say, ads P “We are with you, Clark Cloverly, to the death,” answered Peter and Ivan, as with one voice, “You hear, Paul. Lead on,” The guide put bis horse again to the trot down the opposite side of the bill they bad as- cended. There was a stern, determined look upon every face that told of high resolve. They were not to be taken like sheep in a pen, as the Russian drovers were likely to find. : For three hours they toiled onward, along a route that grew more difficult at every step. SS SS ee ee ae ee Ses ee Sat. 2e> S82 2) =) 4 For two hours they picked their way onward | The rock walls towered above them a thousand | in this manner, They were now high up in the | feet in hight. The way was strewn, here and | mountains, At length they came out upon the | there, with large bowlders, which were very ; summit of a rounded knob, far above the difficult to pass. In some places cascades came stream, that dashed through the ravine be- dashing over the rock walls, from such a hight neath. y that they were blown into mist in the air. The ‘I have climbed this peak on purpose,” re- wind that drew down the ravine was biting cold, marked Paul. “See. The pass we came by is as if it had been chilled by the distant snow- not visible from here, but it opens on two other clad peaks, passes, to the right and the left. I know what They had now reached a great hight in the we have before us, 1 want to know what we mountains. Their horses were panting with the | have bebin« us.” labor they had endured, and breathed the thin Ke took the field glass from bis pocket, and mountain air with some difficulty. Paul sprung adjusted it to his eyes, Each of the two passes from his saddle. was closely examined. To Clark and his com- “The beasts are done out,” he said. ‘ We panions there was nothing visible but dark ypust trust to onr legs for a while,” rocks, and the occasiona) glint of water, with = The others followed his example. A few here and there the waving foliage of a cluster steps more and there came to their ears a rush- of pines, Clark looked at Paul, who shook his ingsound. Turning a corner in the pass a re- head grimly. markable scene was revealed. A broad siream / “The country is up,” he said. “Look for came rushing in foam across their track, pour- yourself,” : ing out from a narrow ravine that cut into the It was as he said. The glass brought into mountain wall, and dashing into another ravine view a line of moving figures in either pass. on the other side of the track. “ Skobeloff is a shrewd old hunter,” exclaimed They paused and looked down its course,

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The ravine was about twenty feet wide, but was filled from side to side by the rushing ood, Paul stood on its banks, looking longingly downward. “Td give half my reward if I was two hun- dred yards down that channel,” he remarked. “ hy?’ Tt opens below, and there isa narrow path beside the water, which leads down through the mountains. But it is safer to face the sol- diers than that torrent.” “And what is your other mode of escape?” “It is a goat’s track across the mountains that is fit only for a hunter’s feet. You will need to be sure-footed to try it; and will have to leave these good horses behind, Do you see horned creature yonder?” He pointed up the pass. A graceful, stag-like creature, with branching antlers, was bounding up a steep rock face, that seemed almost per- pendicular, ‘That is the Maral, the stag of the mountains, Where it is going we will have to follow, But it is not safe footing for a plainsman.” “Tt looks as if you had led us into a blind alley for certain,” said Clark discontentedly. **We must either follow a goat’s path up a pre- cipice, or dive like a salmon through a moun- n torrent. These are doubtfulgames, Have you nothing else in view?” “ What is ft “To make a stand, and try to drive off the soldiers,” “That's more in the vein. Where shall the stand be made?” ‘* Here,” “ Here?” Clark looked around him, with in- quiring glances, lt needed no skill to perceive that the spot was well chosen. Around them was a broad swell in the pass. But behind, up the route they had just traversed, it grew very narrow and rock-bound, There was a sharp turn in its course, within which lay several large bo wlders. Below these the route was for some distance steep and narrow. On each side the walls were nearly SY pas “It is gloriously chosen!” cried Ivan, in en- thusiasm. ‘‘{t is a spot where one man might = an army.” he others assented to this conclusion. No _ better natural fort could have been selected. ‘There are three resuits open before us,” re- marked Paul. “If we can beat off the soldiers, we can return and seek some easier way across the mountains. If they hold their own, or are too much for us, the track of the Maral re- mains.” “Andif we are cut off from that the way of the torrent is open.” “Hardly,” answered the grim guide, ‘I doubt if horse or man could swim it and live.” ‘* Has it ever been tried?” “Not to my knowledge.” “It may be our businesss to ‘have to try it, then. If we drown we will go down like free men, instead of living like slaves, chained ina Siberian mine. At any rate, the game is We will make this our fort. I wager A Hot Trail. that more than one Russian bites the dust before we are taken, And now let us try some grub. We may have to go hungry for hours to come.” They spread a frugal meal on the bare sur- face of the rock, and ate it silently. The oc- casion was too serious a one to spend in idle chat. The horses were also watered, and left to bid the scanty herbage on the sides of the rocky inclosure, An hour glided by, And now, from down the pass, came the rattle of accouterments. pursuit was drawing near, CHAPTER VIII. STORMING THE PASS, Tam sun had now risen high into the heavens, and poured its rays into the mountain pass. Beneath its beams the foam of the torrent sparkled with jeweled luster, flinging its pearl drops up tocatch the gleams of the sunlight, and falling back ina shower of diamond dust, The keen wind lulled, and it grew warm under- the enlivening beams, But all this peace and brightness of nature was in strange contrast to the storm of human passions that lurked in that sunn Behind the rocky portal o: stronghold lay the fugitives, rifle in hand, and with frowning brows and close-set lips, waiting in stern determination the onset of their foes. In front of therm toiled the soldiers up the pass, the head of the line just in view, in blind uncon- oaee of the danger that stared them in the ace, The clear young voice of Clark rung out in sharp accents on the morning air, bringing the line to a sudden stop, . “Halt, there!” he cried. ‘You have como your distance now. A step more and.we will check you with bullets instead of words,” The foremost riders recoiled at this warning. They had not dreamed of the fugitives making a stand, A uniformed officer rode to the front. “Surrender!” he cried, ‘‘or it will be worse for you. We have our orders to take you back to General Skobeloff, dead or alive.” “You will not take us alive,” declared Clark boldly. ‘And if sp try to take us dead we promise you to kill ten for one. We have the whip-hand of you. If you are wise you will draw off your men and save their bacon,” ‘Do you know that we have a hundred to your four?” “T would not care if you had a thousand. We hold the fort.” “Once more, will you surrender?” “Never. Will you take my waning? We don’t want to slaughter your men. But we have our lives to fight for, Once more, will you draw off your forces?” ‘** Never. e will have you, dead or alive.” it Fight's the word, then. Look out for your- self.” The officer turned and gave a word of com. mand to his men, In an instant a squad of them put the spur to their horses and charged briskly up the narrow way. There came from above a keen flash, the sharp report of s rifle, and the horse of the offi- the natural’ ee a

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35 —s, S A Biot Trail. cer staggered and fell, flinging his rider violent. ly % the ground, The animal had fallen across the narrovest t of the way, exactly in front of the charg- ing horsemen, They came stumbling over the fa‘Jing mass, not able to check their impetuous sperd. In an instant there wasa dense group of stumbling and crowded horses, Another rifle-shot rung out. One of the horses wildly reared, screaming with pain, and fell in a dead mass, bringing another to the ground with him. The fallen officer scrambled out on hands and knees, with a comical show of fear. Those singing bullets had taken all the dignity out of him, shout of derision came trom behind the rocks up the pass. ‘“That’@the sort of corn we have for your mill. We've dropped horses so far. We’ll drop men next, if you don’t take warning and draw out, The horsemen drew hastily back, while a vol- ley of bullets sung up the ravine, pattering on the sheltering rocks. There was no reply to this other than a deri- sive laugh. The four fugitives lay atfull length behind the bowlders that closed the path, their rifle-barrels extended through slight crevices between the rocks. It was almost impossible for a bullet to reach them, * By Jove, friend Paul, you have a good eye for a fort!” exclaimed Clark, ‘‘What do you think? Will they take warning and back out?’ “Not they,” answered Paul, decisively. ‘“Why the whole party would be casbiered if they retired with sound skins from a party of four men. We will have to leave our mark on their bides.” ‘Tm the man for that,” cried Ivan, savagely. “ Any one who has been a convict in a Siberian mine has no love for a Russian soldier.” ‘*Look out! They are prepariag for another rush,” warned Peter. - The warning was well given. A number of the troopers had dismounted, and stationed themselves, carbine in band, in a partly pro- tected position, on the sides of the pass. An- other group bad drawn their horses well to- ether for a dash upthe ravine, The two fallen forsee, indeed, nearly closed up the way, only a narrow opening remaining between them and the rock-wall of the ravine, A word of command, ard a patter of bullets rained onthe rocks. At the same instant the horsemen dashed at full speed up the aaclivity. A second volley of bullets foliowed, with the intention of forcing the fugitives to keep under cover. But they were not the sort to be caught by any such trick. ** Don’t fire allatonce,” cried Clark. ‘ Now's ycur time. Give them a dropping fire.” Paul’s piece rung out sbrilly. Tbe old buiter was not the man to waste a shot, passed through the neck of a horse, and flying The bullet , on, struck a rider behind, full in the breast, | The animal reared, and turned to plunge down the path, making a confusion in the line. The report of Peter’s and Ivan’s pieces next rung out. Af that distance it was impossible to | miss. Ivan's bullet brought down his man. Peter's sent a horse crashing down on his rider. The momentary confusion in the ifne was ended by the officer, who rode briskly to the front, waving bis sword. * Now, my merry men!” he shouted. “ We have drawn their fire! Charge, and we have them!” Not twenty paces now separated the combat- ants. A few more leaps of the horses, and the stronghold of the fugitives would be scaled. But a voice came from bebind the rocks: f Don’t be toosure. You may catch a Tar- tar.” ; Clark’s bullet whistled through the air, Luck- ily for himself, the officer at that instant had his sword before his breast. The leaden messen- ger struck the aera) blade, and tore it from the hand that held it. It whirled through the air with such force that it finally plunged into the side of a bounding horse, bringing him iu a heap to the ground. Dropping his balf-paralysed sword-hand, the ral rode on, calling cheerily for his men to ollow, a We have them now. That is their last ot. “Is it? I bet you a buffalo you're mistaken, You won't take warning. Take this!” It was the voice of Clark, who in an instant sprung to the top of the bowlder which had sheltered him, pistol in hand. For a moment he stood there erect,and fully revealed, a target for all theRussian muskets. His followers called to him in an agony of apprehension to come down. ‘ But the revolver in his hand took instané, deadly aim. It cracked shrilly, and the bullet went crushing through the brain of te horse. The youth could not yet bear to have the blood of a man on his hands. Down come the animal in a sickening crash. His rider was flung with a thud against the rocks, and lay senseless. At the same instant a storm of bullets came sweeping up the pass from the marksmen below, But Clark had vanished as quickly as he care, His whole movement had not consumed ten sec- onds. The bullets rushed through empty space, as he again sought the shelter of the rocks, * Let them have it!’ be cried, ‘‘They are wavering! Let them have it!” The reloaded rifles again rung out, Ping! Bang! Flash! Three riderless horses turned and fled, The assailed party bad ceased to fire at the animals and were directing their fire against the men, This was enough. The remainder of the troop turned and filed hastily down tae pass, which they left completely choked with the bodies of, dead borses, while several men lay dead or wounded on the rocky bed. Tbe first act of the play had ended, and the fugitives remained triumphant. They reioaéed their pieces, while the soldiers withdrew out of sight down the pass. ‘Well,” asked Clark, enough?” “No,” answered Paul. “But the pass is choked. We have them at our mercy.” “They will not try it on horseback again,” ** How thenf? “have they got

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“On foot.” “al By Jove, I believe you are right! .] But let them come as they will, foot or horse, the game isours. §o far they have not reached the worst point in the pass. Do not fire, lads, till I give the word. We can mow them down like Tass.” “And by Saint Peter, we will!” declared Ivan, wita set lips. ‘‘They are after our lives, end life for life is my motto. This shooting horses is played out. It is men we have to shoot now, or it is all up witb us.” This fact was so evident that there was no need to repeat his words. Each of them resum- ed his station behind the rocks, conversing in a low tone. There was no telling when the next assault might take place, and it was necessary to be vigilant, All below was silent, except for the occasional neigh of a horse. Fifteen minutes passed with out a sign of life. Every soldier had disappear- éd_ below the turn in the pass, But the defendants did not for an instant re- lax their watckfulness. A moment’s heedless- bess might turn the scale of victory or defeat. Suddenly a group of men appeared in ie down the pass, rushing forward on foot at full speed. ild shouts broke from their lips as they poured on. A constant ping of bullets struck the rocks, as if with intent to intimidate their foemen, Yet not a sound came in response, All was as silont above as if the defenders of the rock fortress had abandoned it. On came the forlorn hope, over fallen stones ~ - and dead horses, clambering with all haste up- waad. Nearer and nearer they approached. Two minutes more would place them within the fort. Yet all remained in terrible stillness, It was the pause before the storm. The head of the poy 4 party had now gained the spot of which Clark had spoken. It was a point at which the ascent grew steeper and more rugged, while the pass narrowed so that scarce three men could move abreast, When this point was reached the pushing of the throng behind jammed those in front so that 22 or two men fell, The critical moment had arrived, “Fire!” came the fatal word. A volley of bullets poured down the pass, into the dense mass of crowding men. They fell as if in winvrows before the scythe of the mower. But others came pressing on upward over their bodies, There was no time for the defenders to re- load. They drew their revolvers, Again a storm of bullets struck the dense throng, at close pistol distance, Others fell. The narrow way was becoming choked up with dead bodies, The assault wavered, Again came the keen crack of the revolvers, A groan of dismay ran through the throng, who were helplessly ex- pesed to the pistols of their assailants. The next moment they had turned and were rushing in wild panic down the fatal pass, leaving half a score of their party to choke the throat of the narrow defile, “Have you apringiag deflan t enough?’ roared Clark, to the summit of the boulder, A Hot Trail. “If not we have more of the same medicine, and can be you another douse.” The whistle of a bullet that swept the hat from his head, warned him of his imprudence. He sprung back to shelter, while the flight con- tinued down the blood-stained pass, . CHAPTER IX THE LAST HOPE FOR LIBERTY. A HALF-HOUR had passed since the close of our lust chapter. The silence which had reigned since the signal defeat of the storming-party was now for the first time broken. Up the pass came a group of men, bearing with them a white flag of truce, “What are they after now? cried Ivan savagely, grasping his rifle with a threatening clutch. ‘‘Some treacherous game, I wager.” “We will soon see,” answered Clark, “I think I can venture on my lookout now with- out drawing a bullet.” He sprung once more to the top of the bowl- der, rifle in hand. “Halt!” he cried sternly. ‘Tell your busi- ness before you venture another step.” A soldierly-looking man stepped forward as spokesman, ‘““We ask the privilege of removing our wounded,” he said, Clark turned and spoke for a minute with his PE oon cea He then turned again to the soldiers. m “You can have the wounded if you disturb nothing else in the pass,” he declared. ‘The dead must remain as they lie, We bave built ourselves a wall of dead bodies, If you disturb it we will add your own to it. Do you assent to this?” “Yes.” Be te ee from his exposi b, e step own from his e ing perce but kept a keen lookout on the movements of the Russians, * Be ready, at the word,” he warned his com- rades. ‘“‘ They are not to be trusted.” Yet the soldiers seemed bonest in their inten- tions, They picked up their wounded, and par- ticularly the body ot their captain, who lay still in a dead insensibility, and retired down the pass in a solemn procession. They had bardly done so *efore Ivan sprung up, and struck his side with his aand in a move- ment of angry spite. ca “The fools we were!” he cried. ‘‘ We should have brought the captain in ourselves, and held him as hostage.” ‘At any rate he has got the fight taken out of him,” answered Clark. ‘I doubt if he leads another charge to-day.” His words brought back ea surprising echo, A bullet struck the rock at his feet, coming 50 close as to pierce his sleeve. The report of the rifle which had sent thisshot rung from high up in the air. “ By St. Anthony!” cried Paul, ‘‘the treach- erous hounds have scaled the bights and are firing at us from above'” He pointed up the side of the pass. There, two hundred feet above their heads, a shag; poll peered out from a crevice in the rock w -

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Se ee ee a ne reas Se ne pee ge Rie ge ere A Hot Trail. 19 SE re a ce ee Rae ey eee Another bullet came pinging down, and flat- tened itself at their feet. ““The dogs! They bave done this under cover of their flag of truce! I suspected sometreach- ery. Toshelter,men, We are at the mercy of of those rascals above there.” The overhanging bowlders afforded some shel- ter, buf the situation was a perilous one if the soldiers should charge at this moment, “There is but one—or two at the most,” de- clared Paul. ‘‘They must be dislodged. We are lost if they are left there, Cover the spot with your rifles, tillI seeif I can find a point to reach them from.” The shagey bead that looked down from the crevice hastily withdrew as three rifie-barrels were simed at it. Paul took the opportunity to ae retreat up the pass. Reaching the ra- vine through which flowed the stream he quick- ly began to climb up a narrow crevice along its side, that was hardly fit for the sure feet of a goat. Tbe ravine hid his movement from the eyes of the party on the opposite side of the ASS, : Several anxious minutes followed. The fel- low in the rock crevice kept under cover. He was apparently waiting for something. Ina few uotites there came into view the advance of a body of dismounted troopers down the pass. They stood asif waiting for asignal. It came, in the wave of a hand from tbe upper rock, Instantly they bounded forward, up the a8s. y The defenders of the fortress were in a ticklish position. Should they seek to repel this assault they would be exposed to the fire from the rock, Should they lie under cover they were lost. With anxious hope and dread they awaited the result of Paul’s adventure, A third shot came from the concealed marks- man above, Itscored Peter’sarm. He had for the moment incautiously exposed bimself. “What the deuco shall we do?” groaned Clark, “Tn two minutes more the storming-party will be on us.” The answer came in a sharp rifle-crack, that echoed from side to side of the pass, A flash of flame shot out from the rocks above their heads, From the opposite side of the pass came a scream of ee and the form of a man suddenly appeared, hanging by his hands from a rocky ledge, and writhing as if in agony. For a moment he hung and swayed between earth and heaven. Then his hold loosened, and down he came bounding from rock to rock, un- til he was dashed in a shapeless mays on the flintv surface of the pass below. “There is only the one!” screamed Paul. “Repel the stormers! On your lives, don’t let them up the pass!” There was no need cf this warning, The fall- ing body had struck the base rock directly in front of his charging comrades, so closely that they were sprinkled with his blood, ey checked themselves in horror, and stood gazing in dismay at this terrible spectacle. heir indecision was terminated by the rattle of rifles up the 8s and the whistle of bullets | pert te ears, They turned and fied in terror | the fatal spot, Tn a few minutes afterward, Puu!l joined his comrades, “That little trick is settled,” he grimly re marked. “*Isn’t the wee merte settled?” asked Clark, “ They are cured of the game of storming our fort, Ifancy. They may return to the town and report their failure.” ‘Not they,” answered Ivan. ‘They would not dare report that four men had fought off 6 hundred. They may do one of two thingy. They fancy we are in a trap here, and may wait until night and storm our stronghold under cover of the darkness; or they may send hack to Trobilsk for a field-piece, and batter down our defenses,” Clark turned to Paul, who stood leaning upon rifle, his dark face marked with a saturnine rown. : “What do you think?” he asked, “They will do neither.” “And why not?” “They hav. asurer game. Within an hour this fortress will cease to protect us, We must escape, or we are lost,” ie hat do you mean?’ cried they all in con- cert. ea oe! cannot take us in front,” declared ark, “But they can in the rear. I discovered more than one thing, gentlemen, while I was u the rock yonder, The bird I brought down is not the only one on the wing. Far up, over the upper level of the mountain, I caught sight of a pars of men. How they climbed there I don’t now, There must be some pass up the rocks which I have never seen. At any rate they are there, and within an hour will be in our rear,” A look of dismay came upon all the faces present. ‘What shall we do then?” asked Clark. “Shall we abandon the horses, and try the maral’s track?” Paul shook his head. “We weuld be cut off if we attempted it. That is the footway by which the party above there will descend into the pass behind us.” “ What remains then?” They all looked with eager question at the guide, satisfied that there was something at work in his brain, “Only one chance remains,” he answered, He pointed significantly at the stream, that ran in swirling foam at their feet. Ashudder ran through their hearta, It seemed like inviting certain death. “ No mancan do it and live!” exclaimed Peter. “We cannct stay here and live,” answered Paul, sternly. “It is a question whether we are to die by rope or bullet, or try our luck im the torrent. “There is no question about it," declared Clark, ‘* We'll take to the water, A man that’s got the heart to take bis chances boldly | don’t die easily. If any of you choose to stay here well and good. dive for freedom.” ‘Where you go we will follow,” came from eter and Ivan. Paul stood in quiet resolution, , for one, am going to 7 @ oy

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= 9 aS To aS St 3 ee i, RS 5 SE Is 7 a pe P a Pe ek, eee ft) A Hot Trail. “To your horses, then. Now’s the time, while | remained, beyond the bleeding bodies of men we have a frre field. The soldiers will give us no trouble for the next bour., They have found that we can bite, and will keep clear of our teeth.” During the stirring scenes we have described the horses had been quietly browsing the scanty herbage that grew at the foot of the rocky wall, Their bridles were quickly replaced, and the riders sprung to their saddles, Taking a last look, to see that their move- ments were not observed from below, they rein- ed up onthe rocky borders of the stream, and gazed in silence into the whirling flood. Here it was but some ten feet wide, but where it en- tered the ravine below it expanded tothe width “Tt isshallower there,*remarked Paul. “If our horses can only keep their footing we may go through safely. Let us move closely side by side, and each man take hold of his neighbor's rein, That will help us to support ourselves against the rush of the water.” This advice was judicious, and they arrarged themselves accordingly, Paul and Ivan taking the two outside places, ** Now, are you ready?” asked the guide. “ All ready.” “Then march.” Yhe horses halted, and for the moment re- fused to enter the water. But vhey were urg.d onward, and soon set foot inthe stream. It was _of twenty feet. shallow near the bank, but soon deepened. The cuecked flood heaped itself up on the daring riders, until it was pouring in foam over the flanks of the horses. On they went, step by step. Return was now impossible. The walls of the ravine closed in on them at either side, Slowly and carefully trod the well-trained steeds. The waters howled and hissed by, heaping ovei the saddles and threat- _ ening to bear th riders bodily away. The torrent seemed like some great dragon, with foam for scales, furious at being disdained, and bent on the destruction of its daring foes. On went the horses, still side by side. The rocky path, by the torrent’s brink, of which - Paul had spoken, was now visible at some dis: tance in advance. If that could be reached they were safe, But now the stream narrowed and deepened, The horses lost their footing, scrambled wildly fur a moment, and then were borne helplessly yay furiously seeking to swim on the surging ood. ‘‘Every man for himself now!’ eried Paul. “Tt is life or death on the turn of a wave. Who gains the brinkis safe! He who does not per- ishes| Work for your lives!” iM His veice was rearly drowned in the roaring - and hissing of the mountain torrent that dashed onward with its prey. CHAPTER X. IN THE HEART OF THE TORRENT. Mork than ar hour passed by in slowly drag- ging seconds, agcusd the spot where the late bloody fight had taken place all continued silent as death, No indication of the terrible strife and horses that lay heaped in crimson witness in the fatal pass. The stream foamed on asif in exultation over the victims which it bad so recently received within its hungry jaws. It was the dread silence after the rending storm. But now there camo a faint stir from up the pass. No one was yet visible, and it would have needed keen ears to recoynize the faint rustle of garments and sound of footsteps which came from the upper levels, The sound drew nearer, Finally a face appeared at the nearest turn in the path, peering heedfully around the wall of rock, The refuge of the fugitives was full in view from that point. The eyes of the gazer expand- ed as he looked, their expression changing from curiosity to surprise and utter astonishment, A few moments’ observation, and be sprung hastily into the open path, calling out in a voice of loud dismay: » “By the blessed Saint Nicholas, there’s no one there! There's not a soul left of the whole ship’s crew of them.” is voice called several others into sight. A half-dozen men sprung out from the shelter of the rocks, rifls in hand, and all gazing in utter astoundment at the empty stronghold, They are in hiding somewheres. Look out for bullets. Give the signal to the men below.” A bugle call rung out on the air, as the scouts withdrew in caution to the shelter of the rocks, The call was echoed from below, and in a few minutes there came arush of soldiers up the ASS, This time their progress was uninterrupted. No bullet sung past their ears; no voice hailed them from the fort. Over the dead and dying they clambered, and into that natural fortress which before they had sought to storm in vain, And before them was only visible a group of their own men, who stood above, returning their ° stare of surprise with looks of equal wonder. “Where are they? Did they pass you? What has become of them?” “The saints know! They are birds, I fancy, and have flown over the precipice, Or they are fiends and have sunk into tha earth. We found the place as empty as you see it now.” “Look out for them up the rocks. They must have discovered some path, and clambered over. Several men sprung forward to examine the locality, but they were checked by the voice of the leader of tho party. ; “ Halt!” he cried. “ They have done nothing of the sort,” “ Why?” , “Because their horsos are gone, A horse is not a goat, to climb in a maral’s pathway.” The justieve of this observation was quickly apparent. The men drew back, while a new thought became prominent in their minds. What had become of the horses? That was the ques- tion now to be decided. The point at which they had been grazing was easily perceived, But ‘as whére the rock was too bare and hard to take any impression of’ footsteps, After a few minutes’ search, how- ever, aloud call came froma soldier who had

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— A Hot Trail. wandered to che spot at which the torrent again entered the ravine. ““See here!” he shouted. “Here are their tracks on the soil at the stream’s edge. Aud leading downward to the water. By all that’s risky, the hounds have trusted themselves to the stream, and gone down with the torrent!” “Impossible!” exclaimed the officer, rushing forward. ‘No man could venture it, and live!” “Tt may be impossible; but it is true for all that,” The offices had now reached the spot, and was examining it for himself. A single glance was evough for his experienced eyes, There was DO doubt that the fugitives had taken to the tream, » But they will be dashed to pieces! There is no man or horse living that couid stem that tor- rect. Does any one know the lower reach of this stream? How does it open out below?” All present shook their heads, lt was un- known ground, ‘ ‘* But those men are not fools,” suggested a soldier, “ They must have known what was before them, There may be a safe landing be- low,” “Very well. Will you follow them?” The knowing soldier drew back. He had no heart for carrying out his own suggestion, “ There is no need of that,” remarked another. ‘¢ We have a surer path over the rocks. If they escape they must pass near the Cossack station beyond the mountains, The path over the sum- mit is a shorter one than any they can take. We may give the alarm before they reach there.” “A good thougnt!” cried the officer. ‘Two of you make ail baste in that direction, Two others seek to descend over the summit to the ravine. They may be still in there, or their dead bodies may be found. Hasten*‘ there is no time to waste.” At this command the four men selected for * this duty hurried away up the pass, springing over the stream at its narrowest point, The others turned sadly back to the solemn duty of gathering their dead, who remained in the ravine below, the sole evidences of the deadly combat which had recently raged in that en- crimsoned spot. Leaving them to their task we must turn to another scene of our story, and follow the fugi- tives in their dread venture into the jaws of the mountain whirlpool, When we left them, at the close of the last chapter, the heaving waters bad just lifted the struggling borses from their footing, and were bearing them helplessly down the stream, Tbe animals sought to swim, but it was im- ossible to stem thatcurrent. They were swept ike floating chips down its center channel. “There are worse rapids below!” screamed Paul, with a voice that. rung above the roar of the torrent. ‘* And jagged rocks to close them, If we reach there itjs all up with us. Try and scromble for the bank,” The horses bad still kept side by side, the riders yet grasping each other’s rein. This | brought the horse of Paul close to the right bank, Clark rode next to Lim in the line. The guide rode a powerful and sagacious “91 aniinal, who struggled with some success fo gain the side of the stream. An eddy here aided his efforts. His feet struck the bottom at a shallow place. A sharp fight with the | iy stream, which sought to sweep him again from his footing, and the strong brute succeedcd in stemming the current. Paul yet firmly grasped the rein of Clark’s horse, and succeeded in drawing bim in to the same place of vantage. But no power could stay the other horses. The rein which C.ark grasped was torn from his band, and the two animals with their riders burled down the re- ae channel, toward the jagged rocks be- ow. “Steady,” exclaimed Paul. ‘A false step now, and we will be swept away again. Hold your beast well in hand. Steady. Is be trem- \ bling?’ | “Yes, Likea loaf.” f “Then let us stand for a minute, till the ani- mals gain nerve.” “Tdon’t blame the horse, I am trembling myself,” announced Clark, “And I also. Man and horse are made of flesh and blood; not of stone.—How goes it now? Are you getting nerve again?” “Yes, Ha! yonder go Peter and Ivan on the rocks! Poor fellows! 1 fear they bave seen their last sun!” He shut bis eyes to close out the vision of their destruction, “Don’t look at them!” screamed Paul. “ You need all your courage now to save yourself, Are you ready?” “Tam. And as solid as an oak tree, Say the word.” ; “Then for the bank. It is sloping here, or there would be no hope.” Clutching their bridles with firm hands the horses were set in motion, their heads turned toward the bank. This showing of their flanks f toward the stream gave the currentadouble ~ — advantage, The water surged against the side | of Paul's horse like some mighty engine, pour- fi ing over the saddle, and seeking, with immense | force, to thrust the animal back into the seeth- — ing channel. z No simple horse could have withstood ite power, ut the two animals moved side by side, each Jending its strength to the struggle, They touched along their flanks, and trod Tike two animals in one, A step was gained. Another. The water rapidly shallowed, A third step, Now the foam only touched the stirrups of the riders, A fourth step. The fore feet of tho animals were on the edge of the bank, while (heir flanks were still bathed in the hissing foam, And now came a touch of the whip; a strong surge upward; ascramble up the steep bank; | | and in a minute the roble animals stood on the =| | level of the path above, streaming with water, and trembling in every vein. “Life, and safety!” cried Clark, joyfully. “And these good animals rescued from the flood. And now for the fate of our comrades.” He sprung from the saddle as he spoke,and hastened down the pathway, followed by Paul, Tis escape, which we have taken so many — words to describe, had passed like a flash, It was not five minutes since they had ridden inte = -

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an nia eee Sa pcre ne Oe at EES aS | the stream from the pass above. Yet the time occupied in reaching the solid ground had sufficed for a very different fate to overtake the other two adventurers, Their horses, borne down the mid-channel like leaves before a gale, and shot fiercely down the rapids, were burled with fearful force on the jagged rocks that nearly closed the channel at the foot of the descent. No living creature would have borne that stroke and escaped. Both horses were killed by the blow, and torn with a hundred ragged wounds. But the unlucky animals had served as a shield to their riders, The latter were flung from their saddles to the upper surface of the rocks, which they desperately clutched, and a a half-stunned condition. ortunately the stream found its way through crevices between these choking rocks, and only some rivulets of foam passed over their sum- mits, Yet there was danger that the grasp of the clinging men might give way in their partly paralyzed state, and they drop back into the seething flood below. “Hold your level!” cried Clark, on perceiv- ing the condition of his companions, “Grip on like grim death! Use your teeth if your fin- gers give out! We willhave you off ina min- ute!” ‘ Yet this was not sosure, The stream swirled here, and ran between the rocks and the shore in a channel six feet wide, which it filled up to the level of the bank. The rock beyond was slippery with moss and slime. The guide gave a warning cry, but it was lost on the impetuous outh, who sprung boldly across the dangerous uterval. His feet touched the slippery rock. They shot from under him on the wet moss, He fell Lengel with half his body hanging over the ood. A foot more to the left, and nothing could have saved bim, “A miss is as good asa mile,” yelled the reckless youth, as he scrambled nimbly to his feet. ‘It was a fool’s jump, but it is sometimes a fool’s jump, or none. I’m on the spot at any rate and the game is mine.” His strong bands grasped Ivan’s shoulders as he spoke, and dragged him up to a safe position on the rugged rock, He next turned to Peter. And just in time, The grasp of the half-stunned fellow had given way, and he was slowly slip- ping back down the slimy rock, A moment more and he would have been in the flood. Clark seized his collar with the grip of an athlete, and jerked him strongly up. He had at that instant a double strength, and lifted Peter bodily with his single band, setting him upright on the rock. “Safe at last!” he cried. “And now, my men, fet back your breath and your brains, and we will make tracks from these damp quarters. It is not the safest spot in Siberia,” Ten minutes passed ere the stunned men were fully themselves again. Then Clark led them to the edge of the rock, and with Paul’s in got them sa ely across the perilous channel. A single bold leap then landed him beside them on the stony bank. “ All bunky yet!” he yelled, with a boy’s en- thusiasm, ‘ And now, my lads, another break for liberty. We are not out of the frying-pan yet, if we have escaped the fire.” CHAPTER XI. ACROSS THE DESERT OF TARTARY, Art the’southern foot of the mountain chain which we have recently described, or rather, some five or six miles distant from it, stood a group of habitations. They were almost the only visible object in the midst of a vast plain that stretched out on every side to the distant horizon. On the mountain flank which overlooked this scene sj00d a group of men, who were gazing with interest and admiration upon the scene be- fore them. They were com d of our four adventurous friends, who bad come thus far in their flight, through the perilous channels of the mountains. Two of them, Peter and Ivan, were on horseback. They had not escaped the rocks without some ugly scratches, and their two sound companions had abandoned the rah ee to them, making their own way on ‘oot. An exclamation of astonishment came from Clark, as he gazed upon the mighty level before him. Paul looked at him with a quiet smile, “Looks grand, does it not?’ he asked. “It you could only see it all you would say that your Western prairies are but cattle-fields to it. That is the ag Tartar steppe, the mightiest level on the face of the earth. in the direction in which you are looking it stretches out for a thousand ‘miles, But east and west it is four thousand miles long, and spreads from the Paci- fic on the east almost to the Atlantic on the west.” “And is it all desert?” Oh, no! It has its broad reaches of sand, which {t would take the swiftest horse two days to crossata gallop. It bas its mountain-chaing, more rugged than the one we have just crossed. And it has its lakes, its rivers, and its pasture- fields, on which feed millions of cattle and sheep and horses. It has its inbabitants, the savage Mongols and the wild Kirghis, with whom we may have trouble enough before we reach safo quarters. From that plain came the Tartar hordes of the great Jenghiz Khan, and of Tamerlane, who once conquered all Asia and half of Europe, and who slaughtered millions of men as we would slaughter ants, Ob, it is a great plain, and has had a great history.” The guide grew quite enthusiastic in bis de- scription of this mighty upland plain, which has indeed been the foster-home of all the civil- ized nations of Europe, as well as of the savage tribes whose career the guide described. But it was not the moment for moralizing. The Russians were probably yet upon their track, and every second was valuable. “What is the settlement below there?” asked oes inting to the cluster of habitations on C) in, a is a Cossack station, the first of the sta- tions through which the Russians govern the wild tribes. “Then that is our goal. Every minute counts!” They put themselves again in motion and Hurry onward,

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A Not Trail. 23 5 RT TE ET A TSR SEES: A RE LS TE ES OT Oe a RRS ROS METIS TOE Ee rapidly descended the mountain toward the level below, A journey of an hour and a half brought them to the vicinity of the Cossack station. It was one of a line of pickets that stretched far across the plain, fifteen miles apart, for the purpose of guarding the wild nomads of the desert, “What shall we do?” asked Ivan. ‘They may have gotten the alarm of our escape. Are we not venturing blindly into danger?’ ‘‘Whether or no we must take tbe risk,” answered Clark, boldly. ‘* We must have food and ammunition; and we cannot cross the plain on two horses. A relay is absolutely neces- sary.” “But how are we to get it? The Cossacks may refuse.” “Trost me for that,” answered Clark, mys- teriously. ‘I promise you a remount of horses, and a Cossack escort as well. There are ways of doing things.” : Ivan looked at him in surprise, but Peter had the utmost faith in his young master. “Tf Mr. Clark says it, he'll do it,” cried Peter, confidently. ‘I don’t know how. But what he says he does,” “ An escort may be useful,” remarked Paul, “We may meet some of the desert robbers, As for the picket, it has not been warned yet. But we have not many minutes to lose.” “« How do you know that?” The guide turned and pointed back toward the hills. Clark looked in the direction indi- cated. He could perceive nothing but rock and lain, Pp I see nothing doubtful,” he said. F Pee yonder, below the long slope to the ert, The young man looked again. He made out some faint dots on the brown surface that seem- ed moving. “It is two men,” remarked Paul, seins: “They ere on our track, sent out to warn the st. But we have a half-hour the start. Will bat be enough to save us?” “ees” answered Clark, confidently. ‘Push on! Ten minutes more brought them into the station. It consisted of two or three wooden huts, built on the open plain. Around these was a group of some twenty soldiers—bold, fierce-looking fellows, dressed in the Cossack uniform, On the level ground, grazing on the stunted-grass, was Visiblea number of shaggy horses, short of stature, but evidently hardy. The soldiers looked with eager curiosity at the approaching travelers. Any break to their monotonous life was welcome. Their officer, who bore the stripes of a sergeant, stepped for- ward, Clark advanced to meet him. After afew words of greeting and welcome bad passed the youth remarked in an open, con- fident way: ‘“ We have lost two of our horses in the moun- tains. The poor brutes are food for the wolves at this moment. Can you give usa relay?” ‘That depends,” answered the officer coolly. et Fagiaee first ~ our credentials, and know who you are au ere you are going. Cor - That is all rent,” rejoined Clark easily. His three companions were listen: ing, with nervous uneasiness, to this colloquy, Every minute now was golden. “T am straight through from St. Petersburg,” he continued, ‘in hot chase of a defaulter who | has been tracked this far across Siberia, He a through Trobilsk only a few days ago, here is reason to believe that he came in this direction.” “Can you describe him?” asked the offiver curiously. “He was in disguise when last seen. He had red hair and whiskers, wore a short velveteen coat, and—” “That is enough, No such person has passed this post.” “Then some one has passed?” “Yes. Two days ago,” ‘Will you describe him?” ‘*This man had black hair and no beard, He spoke but afew words of Russian, and seem to be English, He was dressed in fur cloak and Tartar hat.” “Short and stout?’ asked Paul. ‘' With sharpnose and thin lips, and a cunning look about the eyes?’ “Yes,” answered the officer with interest. ‘He had twocompanions? One of them a tall, spare fellow, dressed in a kbalat?”’ “Just so.” “Tt was our man,” cried Clark eagerly. “Twodays gone, yousay? To the south?” ss copay a 5 “Then 1 must follow, without a moment’s delay. Please order some of your men to sad- dle beasts for us at once. And I want a couple of Cossacks as an escort.” The sergeant looked quietly at him. **T must see yuur passport, and your author- ity to give these orders first.” Ivan and Peter were looking anxiously back over the plain, The two pursuing scouts were now plainly visible, little more than a mile dis- tant. The situation was growing ticklish, “T have no time to waste,” answered Clark, haughtily. ‘‘Give the order. I want the relay ready by the time you have examined my authority.” Tho sergeant looked at him indecisively for a moment, and then turned and spoke to his men, Several of them burried out on the plain toward the grazing horses, “Here is the document,” continued Clark, drawing the parchment roll from his pocket, — “T fancy you will find I speak from the card,” The sergeant’s face changed as he ran his eyes over the important instrument, A look ¢ respect replaced his former doubtful expres- sion. hate member of the British Embassy!” he mut- red. “Just so; and with power to command assist- ance from any post in bis majesty’s service, as you will perceive.” The sergeant read quickly on, He then closed | the document and returned it, with a bow of great respect. “You are correct,” he said, service.” “Then please stir up those lagging fellows,” “T am at your

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answered Clark, haugbtily. ‘ Imust make two or three posts more before night. And order some of your fellows to get ready as an es- cort.” The sergeant burried forward and gave some quick orders to his men, which produced a marked change in their movements. In a very short time six horses were brought in, bridled and saddled, and two of the Cossacks were ready for the road, Peter could not resist the inclination to look back over the plain. The two scouts were now little over a half-mile distant. Ten minutes more would bring them into the picket. Paul gave tho incautious fellow a pinch that almost brought a howl from his lips, ““You stupid fool!” he whispered savagely. “To you want to call attention to those chaps? Find something better to look at.” Peter hastened forward at this admonition toward the horses, which were now ready, In a moment more the party were in their saddles, the two Cossacks on the flanks, with their long spears reaching far above their heads, The others carried their rifles strapped on their backs, ‘* Stop a few minutes,” said the officer; ‘‘ here come some men.across the plain, They are making signs as if they had some business with you. Stop and see what they want.” “They can have no business with us,” an- swered Clark, decisively. ‘‘ Our business lies ahead, not behind. Good-by; every minute counts when one is on a trail. word, gentlemen; and let no grass grow under your feet,” Off they went, over the hard surface of the steppe. Their horses were fresh, strong and vigorous—the best of those at the station. The wiry animals rushed on at a rapid pace, over a surface as level and smooth as that of a race- course, The Cossack escort rode with all the wild en- thusiasm of the rest of the party, seemingly giad to escape from the dull life of the station: They did not know, indeed, the cause for con- gratulation which their companions bad in the springy gait of their horses, and in their rapid flight over the plain, lark looked cautiously back, The two scouts were close to the picket, running at full speed, and making frantic signs at every step. “This is life, my merry men!” he shouted, **Abead! ahead! is the word. And a fig take all behind, On! on! through the free air of the desert!” The horses seemed to catch the fire of his words, and strode forward at a pace that would huve done credit to a race-course, The Cossacks, a wild-looking pair, waved their long lances with enthusiastic cries, and spurred their horses to a racing speed. Away they rushed, like birds of the desert, in all the wild gladness of flight. At almost the same moment the two scouts rushed into the picket station, dusky and per- spiring, and gasping with their exertions until they were unable to speak. “ What ails you?’ demanded the sergeant. _** What are you after? Are you pursued?” The gasping fellows made ineffectual efforis | Away is the to answer. I¢ was several minutes before they could speak in intelligible accents, ** Fools !—villains!—traitors!” came in succes- sive gasps. “You have let them escape—you will be sent to the mines—for this.” ‘““What do you mean? Are you crazy?” — the sergeant, shaking one of them vio- ently. “Those men—they are reCugees, murderers, escaped convicts!” He pointed onward desperately to the reced- ing he of horsemen. ‘Those men?” asked the astounded sergeant, “Yes. Don’t you know our uniform? We are of the Third Regiment, stationed at Trobilsk. We chased them into the mountains, They made a stand, and left ten of us dead in the pass, They made their escape, We were sent tospread the ares He ‘But the leader had the emperor’s passport. He is of the British legation.” 43 “TItis false. He is a Yankee reprobate. He stole the passport. They must be overtaken, or it will go hard with you.’ The alarmed officer sprung hastily away, and gave burried orders to his men, In a few min- utes afterward the party on the plain saw a troop of horsemen leave the station, hot upon their track. The Cossack escort were among the first to perceive this, They looked at their companions with a momentary doubt. ‘*What does this mean? Are we pursued? they asked, ‘‘Let us slack up, and see if we are wanted,” “It’s another escort for those two men we saw on the plain,” remarked Clark. ‘* My busi- ness is ahead, not behind. I have no seconds to seanes Push onward, lads, Let no man draw rein, On they went with unchecked speed, the Cos- sacks apparently satisfled with tbis dubious ex- planation, . Two miles behind them came on the party of ode pushing their horses to their utmost spe CHAPTER XII. A HOT CHASE BY DAY AND NIGHT. Mme after mile fell behind the swift steeds of the horses. There was something exhilaratin in the wild ride. Above them was the broa blue sky, without a cloudon its whole extent, Beneath them was the level plain, stretching on- ward, as they knew, for thousands of miles, Not a tree was anywhere in sight, not a bird, nothing Jiving but themselves on that vast*out- reach of nature, Yes, there was something else, Behind them came on their pursuers, But the latter bad been falling steadily behind, Their two miles of dis- tance had now extended to three, Fortunately the sergeant had selected the best horses at bis station for the fugitives, Though they had run at top-speed for ten miles they showed no signs of distress, The horses of the steppes are: cele- brated for bottom rather than speed. One of them could run down two European horses. Five miles more and they dashed into anotner Cossack picket. Tbe hard driven horses were now showipg some sigus of distress,

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A Hot Trail. ee dill *Arelay. Quick!” cried Clark. ‘Shift our se are hungry take a bite in your fist. When saddles at once to your best horses, We are on Lees service, and have not a moment to Ose, He produced his passport as he spoke, and handed it to the officer in command. “ Give your orders first, and read afterward,” he demanded, ‘* We are in pursuit of a fugitive, and every second counts.” The presence of a Cossack escort convinced the officer of the truth of the traveler’s words, He gave the necessary orders to bis subordinates ere opening the passport. A glance at it was sufficient. He closed the paper and respectfully returned it, While the horses were preparing Clark ques- tioned concerning Mason, the fugitive thief. He learned that he had passed the station two days before. “On, my merry men!” cried the American, springing to bis saddle. ‘‘ We are on the track et. “What troop is that behind you?” asked the Officer, pointing back to the party of pursuers who had advanced during this colloquy unti they were but a mile distant. “Some other travelers, I suppose. They must report for themselves, On, lads, our game is close ahead.” Away again, over the interminable plain, the Cossack escort still riding unsuspiciously on the flanks of the troop. By the time that the pursuers had changed horses and were again on the trail, the fugi- tives were once more three miles in advance, It wasa stroke of genius which Clark had de- vised, He had made of his direst enemies his best friends, The magic of the passport secured him the best horses at cach station. By his side rode two men as guards, who would bave turn- ed spear and carbine against bim had they dreamed of the truth, In the rear eame a party of eager pursuers, spreading fury and dismay atevery station which they reached. And so bate Ba a went on, sunshine ahead, storm be- ind. By the fortune of picking up the best horses at every station the distance between pursued and pursuers graduall¥ increased, until at sun- down the latter were six or seven miles in the rear. Since morning the fugitives had ridden nearly a kundred miles. They were now far within the steppe. “Tueky the Russians have not stretched a telegraph wire between their stations,” whis- pered Clark to ivan, ‘They would soon dis- count our daring game if they had the lightning to chase us,” as) of the Cossack escort now rode up to ark, “Shall we stop at this next station for the night!” he asked. ‘No. Night and day is my motte. We must ride at least a station or two more before | we draw rein. Is the road safe in the night?” | “We may be attacked by the desert brig- s. “Tet them. We will give them a lesson.” “Shall we stop, then, for supper?” “Supper can wait till our ride isended. If A ~ on the chase, my good fellow, there are no alts, The Cossack withdrew, a little discontented, yet with renewed respect for the young traveler whom he was escorting. It was nearly night. | fall when they entered the next station. The change of horses was quickly made, and they were soon on the road again, The usual ques- tions about Mason had been asked, with the usual answers. He was two days’ journey in advance, They had not got far from the station, how: ever, when the Cossack who had lately spoken to Clark again approached him, “T learned something of importance at the picket,” he said, ‘which may change your plans. Mason, or whatever you call the man you are after, did not ride to the next station, He diverged from the post-track a short dis- tance ahead of ts.” “Hal” exclaimed Clark, with sudden in- terest, ‘That is news indeed. How do you know this?” ‘*T was told it by a soldier at the picket who rode for a distance with the party.” ‘‘But where, then, did he go, and how shall we take up the trail?’ ““He rode out to a Kirghis encampment, which lays off here somewhere to the right.” ‘‘The Kirghis, eh?” exclaimed Clark. “Then we are in their country?” “Yes, Sultan Souk, of the Middle Horde, is pasturing somewhere to the west of us,” **Can you lead the way to his camp?” “Tt is doubtful if we can find it after dark. Wecan try it, But it would be safer if we want to escape a cold bed on the desert, to turn back to the picket, and ride on to-morrow,” “Turn back? Never. Push on. We will find the Kirghis, I feel it in my bones.” The Cossack bowed, but made no answer, He rode ahead, diverging toward the west, The others followed. In a few words Clark ex- plained to his follewers the change of plan. \ “And it is a lucky change,” be remarked, in cautious tones. ‘‘ We have cut loose from those dangerous Russian pickets, and we have left no word behind to reveal our change of plans, Once safely among the nomads of the plein, and we can snap our fingers at the Russians,” On they rode, all glad at this change of plan, though they had to conceal their exultation from the Cossack escort. The night fell rapidly. Ere they were a mile away from the point of divergence darkness covered the plain. It was a moonless night, yet the stars were visible. These served as guides, and their Cos- sack leader rode fearlessly onward through the gloom, closely followed by bis train. ; Mile after mile they went on thus, hesding due westward over the endless plain, Not a landmark was anywhere visible. Nowhere a trace of the shepberd-tribe appeared. For some twenty miles their ride continued, vet not a sign of any encampment was visible, 'The guide drew back anxiously. “T fear we have passed it in the darkness,” he said. ‘A camp on these plains is like a bost on alake, It is not easy found in the dark.” The other Cossack drew up his horse sud-

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A Hot Trail. denly. and Lt to the ground, which he felt vith bis hands. -fhere is good grass here,” he announeed. ‘We are near the pastures.” ‘he horses, too, grew more lively, amd started ahead with renewed speed, * “They scent water,” remarked Paul, ‘‘We are approaching a stream.” ‘Good news,” exclaimed the Cossack, joy- fully. ‘For there comes a cloud over the sky. In ten minutes every star will be blotted out, and our only compass gone.” ** I'hatis the best piece of news yet,” whispered Paul to Clark. “ Why ?? “T have been afraid the Russians would pur- sue us to the Kirghiscamp. But they cannot do it without the stars to guide them. We are safe for the night.” “ And we cin laugh at them to-morrow.” Psul’s prediction proved right, Within five minutes a stream was reached, into which the thirsty animals rushed, and began eagerly to drink, While they were drinking the two Cossscks alighted, and searched thé muddy borders of the brook with their bands for the footprints of animals. Nothing was found, however, and they separated, one going up and one down the stream, on the same errand, The travelers waited impatiently the result of this investigation. In a few minutes theréd - eame a loud call from the man who bad takes the northward direction, All burried up to the spot, and found that he had discovered a well- 4 marked track, in which the hoof-marks of bo'b eattle and horses could be traced by the hands. Fording the sballow brook, they rode on in search of the aoul, or Kirghis camp. After proceeding half a mile there came to their ears what seemed the distant barking of a dog. They continued their course, anxiously listen- ing. Ere they had gone much further the voices of several dogs broke on the silence, the barking soon growing furious as they advanced. “ Halt here!” cried the Cossack leader. “We are near the camp. We must look out that we are not assailed as brigands,” : Now the clatter of hoofs was heard, in proof that the guards were riding to call out the tribe. Soon a great noise resounded. The barking of the dogs was succeeded ey the shouts of men, and by the sound of galloping borses, as the armed and alert nomads rode out ready for the fray. The two Cossacks pushed forward toward the sentinels ata slow pace, calling out that they were friends aud not robbers. In a few min- utes they reached the watchmen, whose fear vanished when they recognized them as Rus- sians, The guards now came forward and conducted the party of travelers to the chief, who stood waiting to receive them, It was a strange scene they gazed upon, Around the venerable chief was collected a up of armed horsemen, all grasping their Roitie-axes, and ready for the fray. Behind them huddled the women and children, all anx- ious and frightened. Around rose the bee-hive vourts, or tenta of the nomad Tartars. From distance bleated the herds. All this, ender the faint light that came from the yourts, formed a remarkable scene of barbarian Asiatic life, on which Clark looked with eyes of wonder. In a few minutes, however, the travelers were conducted to an empty your, all the in- habitants of the camp sought their tents again, and silence and sleep fell upon the scene, It was one of those events that are of frequent oc- currence in a nomad camp, which are always subject to the attacks of the robber-bands of Ee steppes, and are always ready for the com. at. CHAPTER XIII. FROM PASTURE TO PASTURE DESERT. THe scene on which the travelers gazed the next morning was full of interest and anima- tion. Around then: extended the yourts of the Kirghis, the Tartars of the, Steppes, bee-hive- shaped mansions, covered with great strips of felted cloth, made of camel’s hair, and spread over a framework of poles, It formed a warm, close habitation, yet so fragile that it could be taken to pieces and packed on the back of a camel in an hour’s time. Looking at the travelers with equal interest was a group of the people, short, squat, stout fellows, the most of them with bowed legs, from living so much on borseback. They were of the olive complexion, and had the almond eyes of the Asiatics, while their faces were almost des- titute of beards, Both men and women were dressed alike, is long cotton khalats, or gowns, encircled by a belt or a shawl at the waist, and usually so dirty tbat it was impossible to tell what their original color had been, But Clark was most interested in the animals which surrounded the village. These consisted of immense herds of horses, cattle, sheep, goats and camels, which covered the whole plaiv. Of these animals the nomads possess vast num- bers, and it is not uncommon to see a sing!s herd containiag 1,000 camels, 10,000 horses, 20,- 000 cattle, and 50,000 sheep. Early as the hour was the women had beem already out, milking their herds, and were car- rying back the milk in large leathern pails, This milk was poured into Jarge caldrons, un- der which a hot fire was blazing. A group of old women, who looked like witches in their tat- tered clothes, kept busy stirring the milk, which becomes thick after boiling for two hours, It is then cut into squares and dried in the sun, as winter food for the people. Sultan Souk, a handsome, determined-looking mah, greeted the travelers, and invited them to breakfast in his yourt. They gladly accepted, - they had not tasted food for twenty-four ours, “T don’t know how you will relish a Kirghis breakfast,” said Paul to Clark, as they followed their host. ‘‘These folks don’t live in a very civilized fashion.” “Oh! when a chap is as hungry as I am the can eat beef cooked and served in any fashion,” answered Clark, ‘‘I am past being particular,” ‘* Beef?” laughed Paul. ‘‘I pity all the beef vou will get.” . ACROSS THE

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A Het Prati. “ ‘What then?” “You are in a new part of the world, Mr. Cloverly, and among new notions. These peo- ple think that beef is hardly fit for dogs to eat.” **On what do they live then?” * Mostly on mutton. But when they want a grand feast they kill a horse. When you tind horse meat on their tables you may know that you are feasting like a ki..g.” Clark followed the sultan, as the nomad chief was called, a little astonished to find himself | among people who despised beef, and preferred horse meat to any other viand. Ho was rather pleased on this occasion to find that the breakfast consisted of boiled mutton, which was served up on a wooden tray, with boiled rice, The remainder of the breakfast consisted of dried apricots and raisins, and brick a. This brick tea, which the nomads drink in greet quantities, is made from tbe refuse of the tea crop. It is mixed with bullock’s blood, and ressed into a solid mass, of the sbape of a rick, and so bard that it has to be cut with an ax. This stuff is boiled with sour cream, salt, and meal, and is more like tea soup than tea, Yet the Kirgbis drink it steaming hot, and in reat quantities, sometimes as many as twenty wis per day. The table around which our travelers now squatted, there being no such luxury as chairs, was empty of all the app ister of civilization. There were no plates, knives or forks, and the strangers curiously observed their hosts, anxi- ous to see how they would manfge to consume their food. But Sultan Souk soon gave them to under- stand that fingers were made before forks. S izing a large piece of mutton with one hand, he drew a knife from his belt with the other. He crammed the meat into bis mouth until his jows were full, and then cut off the huge mouth- ful with his knife, so close to his lips that it looked as if he would take them off in the pro- cess. This done he chewed away diligently at the food, holding the joint in his hand in readi- ness to repeat the dose, This was hint enough for the travelers, When you are in Rome do as Rome does, is an old pave, and they at once put it in practice. ut they could not easily bring themselves to the completion of the process, for when the sultan was satisfied with his meal, he handed the half-chewed joint to the women of the family, who were anxiously waiting behind the table for their share of the feast, Clark rose after a few minutes in disgust. Hungr, u himself into the barbarian fashion, He strolled out into the aoul, in which the process of boil- ing the morning’s milk was still busily going on, In fact he was wing ea) to proceed, There was no telling. how aya the Russians might be on the track, and a wasted hour might bring trouble, He had another reason for haste. He bad learned from the sultan that Mason, the fugi- tive, had really been at t thirty hours bef his camp, which he had left bu’ ‘ore, riding in search of ' as he was he could not easily break | a tribo who had their pastures in a valley abowt fifty miles to the west, ‘Then I must make all haste,” cried Clark. “Tt will be a day’s ride, without a change of horses, to cross that space, and we must reach the tribe before night.” “You can easily do it, with Kirghis horses and Kirghis guides, which you must take,” said the hospitable chief, “ It is a dangerous pce = Faipasa* Ot bee —_ to cross, infested with aring r and your party is take the risk,?” i Miler **Many thanks for ycur kindness,” answered | Clark, through the aid of one of the Cossacks, who served for interpreter. ‘I shall beglad to accept your offer.” The sul an was as good as his word. Ina short time a troop ef horses was cau ht, bridled, and brought up to the yourts. They were wild, savage creatures, hard to control, and full of the spirit and wildness of their desert plain. The one saddled for Clark was a coal-black stallion, with an eye full of fire, who pawed the ground in a rage as he awaited his rider, It was no easy matter to control him, and he plunged forward with a hound like a deer, as cam ae he felt the weight of a rider in his saddle, There was no turning him back, and tho youth rode on, leaving it to the others to over- take him. There was something exhilarating in the furious speed, in the smooth gallop of the | fi-ry steed, and the fresh, pure air of the open pia’, He soon gave up the effort to check the ery beast, and let him run on at‘full speed, knowing that eight or ten miles of such a gallop would bring bim down to a soberer pace. He soon left the pastures behind and reached the open plain, covered here with sand and gravel, which was as smooth and hard asa floor. The youth, though not a trained rider, sat his horse like a centaur, to the admiration | of the Kirghis, who live on horseback, and have almost forgotten how to walk. He was ten miles out ere they overtook him. By that time the horse had lost much of its fiery energy, and settled down toa slower pace, better suited for the long journey which yet lay before the travelers, . Clark found that his party bad been incressed by eight Kirghis horsemen, These were hardy, savage-looking fellows, dressed in leathern 4 coats, with the mane of a horse flowing duwn their backs. Each carried a long spear, with a tuft of horse-bair at its extremity. A long- handled battle-ax, thrust in the belt at the waist, completed their equipment, and marked Sen as men whomit would not be safe to trifle — with, With a brief runaway, Clark joined the journey across the steppe. mile they rode onward, over a scene as monot- eting, and a laugh at his s friends, and resumed onous as the open sea, An uninterrupted level — of sand and gravel; now running into long un- dulations, now as level as the floor, and seem- ingly without end, while not a sign of tife mark- ed its vast extent. But the sky wasclear. The air was pure and bracing. There was a sense ~ For mile after _

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_ of freedom and breadth in the scene, that for the time made Clark envy the shepherds who spent their days in this life-giving air, aud who lived upon these wild-springing, spirited horses of the meres. our after hour passed by and still they rode onward, at asteady pace. Tothe tar south was | visiblea blue line that looked like a mountain | range, andagleam as of a flowing stream. But | where they were all was the barest desert. i. The sun was sinking low in the west, and yet no trace of the expected pastures was visible. Clark questioned one of the Kirghis. “Tn an heur,” was the answer, * we will be in the yourts, See yonder.” : Clark looked in the direction of his pointing hand, He beheld a group of small, gracefully- shaped animals, which were bounding forward ata great speed, and so lightly that they hardly - seemed to touch the ground. “They are the antelopes of the steppe,” ex- ‘ peed the Kirghis. ‘They are not far awa m grass and water. We will be in St. Sal. tan Beck’s aoul before the sun touches the west- ern edge.” I * But what ails the creatures?. They bave | suddenly changed their course.” _ The Kirghisreplied bya hasty movement, in which he drew his battle-ax from his belt, and e turned his horse more to the southwest, * Look yonder,” he said, pointing northward. he desert robbers, Make ready, We may have to fight our way.” The ol. jects at which he pointed were yet far off, but were evidently horsemen. They came | onuatagreat pace. In a half-hour after their | discovery they were within easy vision. It was | a troop of Kirghis horsemen, some thirty or | forty in all, who rode in battle array with bran- _ dished spears and axes. _ * Make ready!” commanded Clark, as he took | his rifle from his back and examined the lock. _ “We will not fly from the beggars. They out- lumber us, but they are not used to powder ne pel We will give them a touch of our ality. The strange band came on at great speed. ‘The travelers bad halted, and were quietly waiting them, “Give them-a touch of your quality!” cried - Clark to Paul, | The guide quickly raised his rifle to his eye, but evs he could fire, the barrel was struck up- ward »y the hand of the nearest Kirghis, _ **No—no!l” he exclaimed. ‘* They are not rob- bers after all. It is Sultan Beck and his men. | Don’t fire!” : _ The opposite troops had now halted, on ag ceiving be ging among the travelers. They | sent forward two of their number, who were _ met by two of Sultan Souk’s Kirghis. In a min- | ute explanations had been given. Each part had snistaken the other for a robbev band. a | mingling of the troops followed, and Clark soon | grasped the hand of the tall, stalwart leader eet Kirghis troop—the very model of a desert chief. | In a half-hour afterward they were among | ae pastures, and riding through the vast a eis Sultan Beck, that spread for miles over 20 Plas, tal CHAPTER XIV. THE BND OF THE CHASE. WE cannot hare detail all the incidents of the chase of the fugitive thief zerces the steppes. It continued for day after dey, each day bringing them nearer to their goal. ike them, the fugi- tive was riding from pasture to pasture of the Kirghis, but not with their speed, as he has no idea of any close pursuit. It was evening of the third day after leavin Sultan Souk’s aoul. Thetravelers that day ha< crossed a long reach of desert. Nightfall loaned them on the reedy shores of a small lake beyond which a range of hills appeared. They knew that there was an encampment somewhere in this vicinity, but no trace of it could be seen. The guides led around the north- ern border of the lake, eager!y examining the ground for some trace of horsemen or herds. These nomads have all tbe keenness of the American Indians in detecting a trail; but, sharply as they looked, nothing was visible. Finally, one of them observed a faint stir in the reeds. Riding thither he discovered two Kirghis, who had been hiding from thestrangers, A few words reassured them, and they will- ingly led the way, by a pare through the reeds, toward the pastures of their tribe. ** You are not our only strange visitors,” said one of them. ‘' We haveanother EKuropean in our yourts, who came at noon to-day.” This remark was translated to Clark, who waved his hat with a gesture of triumph. “Mason, by gill that’s good!” he shouted. * We have him nailed at last! Ask thut good fellow to describe the visitor.” The description given doubled Cisrk’s sutisfac- tion. There was no mistake possible. It was the man he sought beyond a doubt, He feli in- toa reverie as they rode on, debst#ng to him- self as to how he had best actin th mergency. “You take the post of leader of the party,” he at length said toIvan, ‘‘I will keep in the background. You can enter into a conversation with this man, Tell him what you please of our business, and get his own story of his plans, I wil question his attendants. I want to find, if possible, what he has done with the spoil.” his plan was hardly arranged when they rode into the aoul of the tribe. Its chief, a stout, intelligent-looking persen, advanced to meet Ivan, who put hiaself forward as the leader of the party. By the side of the Kirghis chief stood a brown-faced fellow, short and slender, with a countenance that might have been recognized in any part of the earth as that of an English- man of the lower classes, Clark, who stood in the background, affecting to busy himself about his horse, fixed his keen glance for an instanton the face of the sultan’s guest. That one look was enough, There was no mistaking the face of Thomas Mason, his father’s thievish servant. The shrewd youth continued to keep out of sight, while words of greeting passed between Ivan and bis Kirghis host. They walked away at length, in company with Mason, and disap- peared in the sultan’s yourt, Clark now hastened to the Cossack interpreter. ~ * That is my man,” he briefly declared, *‘ Find

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out all the Kirghis know about him. See who is with him.” A few minutes sufficed to acquire the infor- mation, Two Russian servants had accom panied Mason across the desert, together with a guard, from the last tribe the had passed, These Russians were somewhere on the left of the encampment, looking at the Kirghis cattle. Clark sent forward Paul, the guide, to question them, while he anxiously awaited the result, A half-hour passed ere the scout returned. The look of his face showed that he had gained some desirable information. * What is in the wind!” asked Clark quickly. “ Have you learned anything?” ‘«Yes,” was the answer. ‘The fact is these men are more in the dark than we. They tell me that they are traveling with a German gen- tleman, Carl Kinnig by name, a man of wealth, who is journeying for scientific pursuits. He has little baggage with him, and keeps all his valuables safely out of sight. They know, in fact, very little more than that he pays them well for their services.” ** Did you ask them how it was that bis hair had so suddenly changed from red to brown?” ‘*No, That would have been to let them into our game.” “You may do so, if you wish, Awd take the Cossacks with you. Tell these fellows that they are confederates of a thief, and are our prison- ers. I want to detach Mason from all aid. I willcall on that gentleman and let bim know what’sinthe wind, There is no need to mince matters longer.” z Clark made his way toward the yourt of the chief, at the door of which he paused awhile be- fore entering. Meanwhile a conversation had been proceed- ing inside between Ivan and the false German, whose Russian dialect, however, was very broken and disjointed, ? So far as Ivan could understand bim, he was arich German gentleman, who had set out on a journey for scientific purposes, and was now making bis way toward the Caspian sea, : He told a long story of his travels, to which Ivan responded by as long a story, both being pure works of the imagination. “ From what part of Germany are you?” ask- ed Ivan, at length. ** From Baden.” “Ah! But is not your German dialect an un- usual one? It sounds to me like that of some Englishmen I have met,” Nt ason gave a slight start at this remark. ‘“Tne deuce!” he muttered, in very good En- glish. ‘This fellow knows too much. German and English are Janguages very much alike,” he exclaimed, in his broken Russian. “ They might be easily confused together.” ‘But tbe German is very rough and rugged like. It doesn’t sound as glib as the English, I urs met people of both nations in St. Peters: “ Hang the fool!” grumbled Mason, in his native tongue, that? my speech is going to sell me I had best take up the English dodge. He w next be smelling out the plunder in my pocket. i must pull the wool over this fellow’s eyes.” “Is he intending to stick to | The Kirghis chief at this moment left the tent, after a useless effort to understand the conver- sation of his guests. He was joined by Clark, who beckoned to his side the Cossack inter- preter. A few minutes sufficed to acquaint the shrewd nomad with the true state of the case, and the fact that be was harboring a thief as his guest, threw bim into a furious rage. He angrily returned to the yourt, in com- pany with his new guest. The conversation had continued between Ivan and Mason, whose face wore a look of satisfaction. He had reason to thf k that he had deceived his questioner. “The fellow is confoundedly inquisitive, though,” he muttered in Hnglish. ‘He pushed me close. Ifhe only knew now that I am from London instead of Baden, and that my true name is—” “Thomas Mason,” supplied a stern voice be- hind him. r The fellow sprung as if he had been shot, while his face grew suddenly of a ghastly pale — lor, He turned round, trembling in every timb. — Before him stood, beside the fierce-faced — Kirghis chiof, a graceful figure, whose fresh young face seemed to give the detected fugitive — an attack of palsy. “i “Clark Cloverly !” he ejaculated, looking as it he would fall, . “Just so, Mason,” exclaimed Clark. ‘ You played your part well, my man, but you had a sharp bound on your track. I have chased you~ now for three thousand miles, and I wil! not leave you till you deliver every particle of the valuables which you stole from my father.” “Tt is false,” stammered the thief. nothing of his.” \ ; “Have you not? We will see that, if we have to skin you to come at it. knowledged that you bad the plunder in your — ket.” “Tt isa lie! I refuse to be searched,” , “Thave | You just now ac- | “Then I am a liar, am I?’ eried Clark § angrily, seizing him by the shoulder, aud furi- ously shaking him, is the liar.” “We will soon prove who | He turned and spoke to Ivan, who quickly | disappeared, Ina minute be returned, bring- ing with him all the Russians in the camp, in- cluding Mason’s two servants, 4 The prisoner appealed to them to protecthim, and hey ranged themselves by his side, casting — furious looks at the opposing party. ' “That is right, my good fellows,” said Clark ~y approvingly. ‘But you hardly know the sort — of man you are backing. Can you read?” “Yes,” answered one of the:men, **'Then cast your eyes over this document.” He handed the man a partly partly written paper, which he quickly perused, — with a sudden change of countenance. rinted and | “Tt is a warrant, issued from a St. Peters. burg court, to arrest and search Thomas Musou, a runaway thief,” declared the man. * ““Just so. And there stands Mason before . You can see it confessed in his face,” e handed the warrant to the Cossack inte preter. ‘Explain this to the sultan,” ne com- manded, 7 A few minutes sufficed to make the Kirghis 7 i 4 chief acquainted with the meaning of the docu- |

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ment, at which he gazed with deep respect, as at some magic scroll. “Now, Mason,” continued Clark severely, “you are at the end of your rope. Hither quietly deliver up your plunder, or I will bave you stripped to the skin in the presence of these persons, and relieved of all your ill-gotten wealth,” The unhappy villain looked appealingly from face to face of those present. But be encoun- tered only stern and unfriendly faces, Even his own servants confronted him with digtrust and scorn, The game was up, and he saw it, With slow movements, each of which looked like the pull- ing of a tooth, he removed a part of his cloth- ing, and unbuckled a belt from his waist. “You will not leave me alone among these Kirghis? he asked Clark with humble appeal, “I will give aJl up to you if you promise to protect me. They would sell me asa slave to the terrible Tartars of the South.” Clark made no answer until he bad emptied the treasure-belt of its contents, and closely ex- amined them, They consisted principally of papers, financial securities of great value. There was, however, a considerable sum in Russian bank notes, and some gold and silver coin. it is all here, except some five bundred roubles, which you have got rid of in your vain ¢ffort to escape,” he announced, ‘‘ You did not know the men you were dealing with, my chap, nor that a Yunkee boy had the eyes and nose of a sleuth-hound. I would bave run you down if I had bad to chase you ten thousand miles further. As you have made a free deliverance, however, I will not leave you to be sold into slavery. You can accompany me back to Rus- sia, and there shift for yourself.” ‘Thanks, thanks,” muttered the detected vil- lain, with some return of color to his pallid face, He knew well the terrors of slavery among the brutal Tartars. This scene had been of at interest to the Kirghis chief, to whom Clark now explained, through the interpreter, what bad happened, In return the Sultan congratulated him on bis success, and begged him to remain as his guest for a few days. But the shrewd American lad did not forget the fact that there wasa chase after him as sharp as that he had made after the thief, and that a Russian troop might goon appear at the soul, with authority to carry him back to a Siberian dungeon. He therefore paetly thanked tbe chief, but declcred that he could only spend the night with him, as be must resume his journey with the early das. Tbe next morning, therefore, Clark dismissed his Cossack escort, with a Brak. that made the two fellows happy, and sent them back to find out how thorougbly they and their friends had been hoodwinked by the daring youth, The remainder of the party, with Mason and his two late servants, rode onward in a rapid journey over the steppes toward the borders of Europe, two thousand miles away. It is not our purpose here to detail the adven- tures which befell the travelers in this long aud arduous journey. It will suffice to say that, after all they were forced to winter in the steppes, and that they finally reached Europe without Mason, who left the partyin a man- ner which we have not space here to describe, Clark and his party did not tarry long in Russia, but burried on to Switzerland, the home of the political refugee, where Clark met his father, who was delighted with the boldness and success of his son in recovering the stolen wealth. From this point the brave American lad con- tinued his ioorney to the shores of the land of freedom, with his faithful comrades, And there they all now reside, the Russians tbrivin through the aid of the grateful American, a Clark quite satisfied with his experience of ie in the Siberian and Tartar wilds,

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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY, 262 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen, | 297 Arizona Giant George; or, The Boyees of Sardine By Edward L, Wheeler. 253 The Boy Tenderfoot; or, Roaring Ben Bundy of Colorado. By Capt. Mark Wilton, 254 Black Hills Ben; or, Dutch Jan on the War- Path. By Maj. Lewis W. Carson. 255 Jolly Jim, Detective; or, The Young Protege’s Victory. By Charles Morris, 256 Merle Monte’s Last Cruise; or, The Sea Robber at Bay. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 257 The Boy Cnief of Rocky Pass; or, The Young California Pards. By Maj, BE. L. St. Vrain. 258 Denver Doll as Detective. By BE. L. Wheeler. 259 Little Foxeye, the Colorado Spy. By Ol] Coomes, 260 Skit, the Cabin Boy. Ry Edward Willett. 261 Blade, the Sport; or, the Giant of Clear Grit Camp. By T. C. ‘Harbaugh. 282 Billy, the Boy Rover. By Cot. P, In 263 Buster Bob’s Buoy; or, Lige, the Keeper. By Capt. J. FC. Adams. 264 Denver Doll’s Parner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport. By E. L. Wheeler. 265 Billy, the Baggage Boy: or, The Young Railroad Detective. By Charles Morris, 266 Guy's Boy Chum; or, The Forest Waif’s Mask. By Capt. Bomstock. 267 Giant Geo-ge’s Revenge; or, The Boye of *' Slip- up Mine.” By Buckskin Sam. 268 The Deadshot Dandy; or, The Rio Marauders. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 269 The Quartzville Boss; or, Daring David Darke ham, ight-Mouse Grande By Edward Willett. 270 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss, By E. L. Wheeler. 271 tony Jim’s Terror; or, Ranger Rainbolt’s Ruse, By Oll Coomes. 272 Kit, the Girl Detective. By T. O. Harbaugh, 273 The Girl Rider; or, Nimble Ned’s Surprise, Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 274 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Benito, the Boy Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 275 Fred, the Ocean Waif; or, The Old Sailor’s Protege. By Charles Morris. 276 Deadwood Dick Trapped. By Ed L. Wheeler. 277 The I iot Boy Avenger; or, Captain Wild-Cat’s Big Game. By Albert W. Aiken. 278 Arizona Alf, the Miner; or, Little Snap Shot’s Luck. By T. C, Harbaugh. 279 Colorado Jack, the Tiger; or, The Ghost of the Trailer. By Frederick Dewey. 280 Dead Shot Dandy’s Last Deal, or, Keno Kit’s New Role. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 281 Ned, the Boy Pilot; or, The Pirate Lieutenant’s Doom. By Jack Farragut. 282 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, the Messenger Boy’s Fortune. By Edward L, Wheeler. 283 Roving a Kir; or, The Ghost of Chuckaluck Camp. By Edward Willett. 4 284 The Showman’s Best Card; or, The Mad Animai Tamer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker, 285 Old Rocky’s Pard; or, Little Ben’s Chase. By Buckskin Sam. 286 Dick, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Morris. 287 Ned, the Boy Skipper; or, e Sea Sorceress’ Cruise, By Jack Farragut 288 Deadwood Dick's Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. 289 Col :rado Nick, the Lassoist; or, Old Si’s Protege. By Major H, B. Stoddard. 290 Rube, the Tenderfoot: cr, the Boys of Torpedo Guich. By Major FE. L, St. Vrain. 291 Peacock Pete, the Leadville Sport; or, Hawk, the Boss Miner. By Albert W. Aiken. 292 Joe Morey, the Night-Hawk; or, the Black Rider, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 298 Dwarf Jake, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon's Man-Funt. By Edward Willett. 294 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gola Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 295 White Wing, the Ferret Flyer, By Chas. Morris, 206 Govinda, the Tiger-Tamer; or, The American Horseman Abrosd By Captain I, W er, By ‘ Box City. By Buckskin Sam, 298 Daisy Doll's Dash; or, The Ten Colorado Pards, Ry 'T. C. Harbaugh. 209 The Balloon Detectives; or, Jack Slasher’s Young Pard. By Harry. Enton, 800 Deadwood Dick's Mission, By EB. L. Wheeler. 801 Densy Duke, the Cowboy. By Major E. L, St. rain. 802 Big Benson’s Bet, By T. C. Harbaugh, 808 Tbe Hotel Boy De'ective; or, The Grand Central Robbery. By Charles Morris. 804 Bald Head’s Pard; or, Creeping Cat's Cunning, By Buckskin Sam, 805 Dusky Dick’s Duel; or, The Demon’s Trail. By Harry Hazard. 806 Spotter Fr tz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy, By E. L. Wheeler. 807 Nick, the Boy Sport; or, Three Plucky Pards, By Major B. L. St Vrain. 808 Double-Fisted Mat; or, The Mystic California Giant. By Jos. BE, Badger, Jr. 809 O d G-aybeard’s Boy: or, The Girl’s Ruse, By C, Ducning Clark, 810 Kit, the Girl Captain; or, The Mad Sailor's Legacy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 811 Frio Frea in Texas. By Buckskin Sam, 812 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassafras City. By Edward L. Wheeler. 31s Honest Jack's Protege; or, The Dwarf's Scheme, By Philip 8. Warne 814 Clip the Boy Sheriff; or, The Two Crooks of Montana, By Edward Willett, 015 Tom, the Arizona Sport; or, Howling Hank from Hard Luck. By Major E, L. St. Vrain, ul6 The Street Arab Detective; or, Dick Dorgan’s Double Dealing. By Charles Morris, 817 Buckskin Ben of Texas; or, Single Eye’s Plucky Pards. By Buckskin Sam, 31s Colorado Charie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle K'nes. By Edward L. Wheeler. 319 Frissy Fran’: in Idaho; or, Old Skinflint the Shadower. By Roger Starbuck. 820 Cool Sam’s Girl Pard; or, Captain Dick and His T xans, By T, CO. Harbaugh. #21 Billy, the Kid from Frisco; or, Silver Mask’s Clew. By J.C. Cowdrick, 822 Fred Flyer, Detective; or, Abe Blizzard on Deck, By Coerles Morris. 328 Dead Shot Ike in Montana; or, Hez Helper, the Yankee Pard. By Roger Starbuck, 824 Kit, the Denver Sport; or, The Bonanza Miner ~ King. By Edward L, Wheeler. 325 Dusky Darrell the Camp Detective; or, The Dandy’s Daring Dash, By Edwin Emerson. 326 Roy, the Boy Cruiser; or, The Water Wolt Wreckers. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 827 Ned, the Roving Miner; or, Arkansaw Jack's Match. By Harry Hazard, 828 Rocky Ben’s Band; ov, Big Pete's Big Haul. By W. J. Hamilton. 329 Dave, the Colorado Wrestler. By Maj. E. L, St. Vrain, 830 The Denver Sport’s Racket; or, Kit’s Big Boom, By Edward L. Whecler. 881 The Coast Detective; or, The Smuggler Shadow- er. By Roger Starbuck. 832 Dakota Dan in Canyon City; or, Colorado Kate's Check. By Philp 8S. Warne. 833 Bootblack Ben, the Detective; or, Pooler Jim and His Pard. By Anthony P. Morris, 334 Frisco Tom on Deck; or, The Golden Gate Smug- lers. By George Henry Morse. 8:5 Ben Bandy, the Boss Pard; or, The Plucky Parson. By J. Stanley Henderson, 836 Fred, the Sport, in Brimstone Bar Camp: or, we aig Wrestler’s Confederate. By a, L, eeler, 387 Daisy Dave the Colorado Galoot; or, The Boss of Dead Lino City. By T, OC. Harbaugh, 838 The Gold Bar Detective; or, Iron Ike, the Solié Mav. By Major E i, St Vrain,

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BRADLE’'S Pocket LIBRARY. 839 Rardo, the Boy Gypsy. 340 Billy Bubble’s Big Score, 841 Colorado Steve’s Dash. 842 SnapShot Sam. By Buch 843 Mike, the Bowery Detce of Vermont. By Edwe " 844 The Dru nmer Sport. By Edward Willett. 815 Jaques, the Hardpan Detective; or, Captain Frisco the Road Agent. By J. C. Cowdrick. 845 Joe, the Chicago Arab. By Charles Morris. 847 Middy Herbert’s Pri By Col. P. Ingraham. 848 Sharp-Shoorer Frank. By Buekskin Sam. ' $49 Buck, the Miner, By Maj. EB. L, St. Vrain. $59 Ned, the Slab City Sport. By Ed, L. Wheeler. 351 Rocky Mountain Joe. By Col. T. H. Monstery, 352 New York Tim. By Charles Morris. 853 The Girl Pilot. By Roger Starbuck, 354 Joa, the. Boy Stage-Driver. By Maj. St. Vrain. 355 Texas Feank’s Crony; or, The Girl Mustang Rider, By Bucks in Sam, $55 Idaho Ned, Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. Guy, the Boy Miner, By Col P. Ingraham. Jersey Joe, the Old Tar, By Mrs. Orin James. Dandy Dick’s Dash; or, Tue Boy Cattle - King. By Oli Comes, 9 Jim's Big Bonanza, Ovegou Phil, tne Sport. By Philip 5. Warne. Kit, tne Bootblack Detective. By EL. Wheeler. 3 f.e Ocean Racer, By 'T, C. Harbaugh. Fritaz’s Old Seare. By Ned Buntline 5 Crick Shot Harry, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 8 Goll Dast Rock, the Whirlwind of the Mines. By G. Waldo Browne. FreW’s Bolt Game, By Paul Bibbs, 3 Jin, the Sport in Wake-up By Ed. L. Wheeler. Captain Blake’s Jonah. By Roger Starbuc*, Denver Kit’s Double. Ry Major H. B. Stoddard. Blue Blazes Dick, By T. C. Harbaugh. The S2a Cat’s Prize. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Larry O’Lyan‘'s Dash. By Joseph F. Henderson. Jim, the Sport’s Biz Boom; or, The Bonanza Kinz’s Rival. By Edward L. Wheeler, Bowery Bob, Detective. By Jo Pierce. } Buckskin Dick’s Clean Sweep: or, Jonathan Jenks’ Still Hunt, By Col, Arthur I’, Holt. Tae Deadwood Sports. By Lieut. S. G. Lansing. Boned Billy, the Saddle Prince. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 879 Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles Morris. 830 Young Dick Talbot. By Albert W. Aiken, $81 Danly Bill’s Doom; or, Deerhunter, the Boy Seout. By Oll Cooms, 882 Wide-Awake (eorge By Edward Willet. 883 Wild Bill, the Pistol Prince. By Col. Ingraham, $84 Brimstone Bill's Booty: or, Mariposa Marsh at Dead Man’s Guich By Joseph BE, Badger, Jr. 285 Tho Boy Tramps, By J. M. Hoffman. ‘ 386 The Montana Kia; or, Litthe Dan Rock’s Mis- sim. By Morris Redwing. 387 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. — #838 The Pony Express Rider; or, Buffalo Bill’s Frontier Feats. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. .33) Nowy York Bill, the Dodger By Edward Willett. 390 Tee Tieket-of-Leave’s. Trick; or, Spring Steel, King of the Bush. By J seph E, Badger, Jr. 201 Ciaviey Skylark, the Sport. By Major Henry 3, Stoddard, : 892 ‘Texis Jack, the Mustang King. Prentiss Ingrakam. 393 Pater, the Dandy Greenhorn, Ry Noah Nuff. 291 ‘om Temple’s Big Strike. By Barry Ringgold. 295 Harry, the Country Boy, in New York. By Charles Morris. 896 Detective Paul’s Richt Bower. By C.D, Clark. 397 Tio Tressell, the Flatboat Boy. By Ed. Will tt. 393 Captain Jac« in Rocky Roost, By Col. Ingraham. 399 Mary Somers, the Magician. By S. W. Pierce. 400 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker. By Roger Starbugk, By Wm. G. Patten. By Charles Morris, ty Philip 8, Warne. ag Prancer Fy W. J, Hamilton. By Colonel 401 Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines, By Chas. Morris. 402 Flathoat Fred on the Mis issippi. By E. Willett. 403 Jake, the Colorado Cireus Boy. By Bryant Bainbridge. 404 Texas Charlie’s Wild Ride. By Col. P. Ingraham. 405 Wide-Awake Ned, By Barry Ringgold. 406 Giant Pete and His Pards, By T. C. Harbaugh, 407 Old Ruff’s Protege; or, Little Rifle’s Secret. By Captain Bruin Adams. 408 Stowaway Dick Abroad. By Charles Morris. 109 Doctor Carver, the Champion Shot. By Col. P. Ingraham, Captain Fly-By-Night, the Colorado King-Pin By Jes. E Badger, Jr. New York Jack’s Mettle. By Barry Ringgold. 3 aes Sve nees the Broadhorn Boy. By Edward lett. 3 Revolver Billy in Texas. By Col. P. Ingraham. Dasher Dick’s Dead Lock, By J. M. Hoffman. Pony, the Cowboy Chief. By H. B. Stoddard, 5 Panther Dick’s Death Leap. By A. F. Holt, Fighting Fred of Frisco. By T. C. Harbaugh. Buckskin Sam’s Wild Ride, By Col. P Ingraham. Frisco Guy's Big Bonanza. By Roger Starbuck. Pat Mulroony’s Pard. By Emerson Rodman, Tim, the Boy Acrobat. By Charles Morris. Red Spur R-Iph, the Texan, By © D. Clark, 3 Dashing Bob, the Pony Express Rider. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Tom Stone, the Old Seo Dog. By C.D. Clark. 5 Darky Jumble’s Wild Ride, By Barry Ringgeld. § Wolf-Cap; or, The Night-Hawks of the Fire- Lands. By Capt. Chas. Howard. Bessie. the Border Girl. By Henry J. Thomas. Neb aska Charlie. By Col. P. Ingraham. Bill Beeler’s Bonanza. By Edward Willett. Long Shot; or, The Dwarf Guide. By Captain Comstock. Lillie, the Reckless Rider. By Maj. H. B. Stod- By Charles Morris, dard, Ex-Seout, Cool Clark’s Rash Race, Old Grizzly in the Rockies, By Col. P. Ingraham. 831 Joe, the Rover Sport. By A. H. Post, 435 An Irish Sport Abroad, By C. L, Edwords. } Oregon Josh, the Wizard Rifle. By R. S:arbuck. Detvc ive Jake’s Clew, By H. B. Stoddard. Faney Frank’s Drop. By Col. P. Ingraham, Silverspur; or, The Mountain Heroine. By Kd, Willett. The Death Shot. By Joseph KE. Badger. Jr. Wistah, the Child Spy. By George Gleason. Dirk, the Sea Dandy. By Roger Starbuek. 3 The Masked Avenger. By C 1. P. Ingraham, Cool C ark’s Dead-Set. By Charles Morris. 5 Old Pegs, the Mountaineer. By L. W. Carson, 3 Black Panther, the Haif-Blood. By Joseph E. Hadger, Jr. The Antelope Boy. By George L, Aiken. 48 Will Raven, the Scout. By Oll Coomes., The Boy Pilot... By Colonel P. Ingraham. Kidnapped Dick. By J, Stanley Henderson, Silv r Rifle, the Girl Tracker; By Capt. Cuarles Howard. 452 The Giant Hunter. By Harry Hazard. 43 The Half-Breed Rival. By Jos, Ef. Badger, Jr. 454 The Darky Detective. By Mrs. Orin James. 455 Clark’s Big Bonanza, By Charles Morris. 456 Nick Doyle, the Gold inter. By P. H. Myer’, 457 Frank Bell, the Boy Spy. By Oll Csomes, Ready October 12th, 458 The Champion Texan Rider, By H. St. George. Ready October 19th, A New Issue Every Wednesday. Bsavir’s Pocket Lispary is for sale by all News- dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on re- eceipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND Avams, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,