Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 1039) (1925 08 28)

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Price 8 Cents Boy WHO FOUND ASILVER MINE Oy A5tLL- i lle “Now then,” : Slat Hurley, shaking his fist at the helpless boy, “tell us the Toontiod of that mine or we'll throw you into the ravine.” Joe saw that his predicament was 2 desperate one, for the ruffians were thoroughly in earnest.

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« West 23d Street, New York, N. Y. ‘No. 1089 © STRANDED Entered as Second-Class Matter, October 4, 1911, the Post-Office at Néw York, N. Y¥., under the Act of March 8, 1879. “NEW YORK, AUGUST 28, 1925 ) FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY __ Tosued weekly, -Subgoription orice, #4.00 per Year! Canada, $40; Porelen, $500, Batry ®. Wolf, Publisher, me., 160 "MAR 29 1926 Price 8 Cents. OUT WEST OR, THE BOY WHO FOUND A SILVER MINE. a eS | By A SELF-MADE MAN es CHAPTER I.—Stranded. “So yer stranded, are ye?” ‘said the landlord of ‘the Hathaway hotel, a roughly-constructed, two- story building situated about the center of the - single street of Silver Creek, but which, neverthe- less, was the most imposing specimen of architec- ture in that bustling little Western mining town. » “Yes, sir; I’m flat broke,” replied the stal- wart, good-looking boy who stood in front of the _ bar in the main room of the hotel. “How came yer to be busted?” asked Bug _,Hathaway, curiously, noting ‘the fact that the “youth seemed unusually intelligent, and above ' the ordinary specimens of hard luck that floated around that section occasionally. : ' “TJ was held up yesterday afternoon as I was yiding along the xoad to Jordan by three rough- fet Fea men with rifles. They took my horse, my _ saddlebags, my revolver, and cleaned out all my _ pockets. Then they let me go.” : _ _“Ye must have run up ag’in some of the Hurley LR ang.” s ee What do you mean by the Hurley gang?” _asked the boy. _ “Hain’t yer heard about them?” The youth shook his head. “They're desperadoes and horse thieves. They have given the sheriff of this county all kinds of trouble, and the men they’ve killed Would start _ @ very respectable graveyard if collected together. Ye were lucky to git off with yer life. Generally, they don’t leave no witnesses to carry tales away from these diggin’s. Where do yer hail from?” “Denver.” -* _«» “And what Iougie you § ‘Nothing in particular. - after I lost my way.” “What’s your name?” “Joe Rushmore.” ® “Hungry, I s’pose?” _. “Very. I haven’t eaten anything since yerter- ye lay noon. You see I carried some grub in my saddlebags, but that went with the rest.” _ ~ *¥ see. If I give ye a mé@al are yer willin’ to se egw the price?” : to Silver Creek?” Just drifted in here Try me,” replied the boy, cheerfully. wi ome with me.” ~~ ered the dining-room of the hotel, . : ? m As Ee ae Af ‘é which was furnished with a long table built of planed planks covered with shiny oileloth, and fringed at regular intervals with plates,,cups and saucers, knives, forks and spoons, while three cruet-stands stood in the center and at either end. ‘A good-looking gir] was filling several sugar - bowls at a small table near a window overlook- ing a section of yard. f “Sit. down,” “said the landlord, pointing at the end seat of the table, and Joe took possession of the ‘chair. “Maggie,” continued Mr. Hathaway, addressing the girl, “get this boy somethin’ to eat.. When yer done,” he added, turning to the boy, “ye kin see me out at the bar. V’ll give yer somethin’ to do.” : “All right, sir,” replied Rushmore. “Much obliged-for giving me the chance to earn a meal.” “Ye are welcome,” replied the landlord, walk- ing away. The girl presetely returned with a plate of cold meat, sliced, some bread and butter, and a jug of milk. ‘ “This is the best I can do for you,” she said. ‘Dinner won’t be ready for an hour or more.” “Thanks,” replied Joe, “it’s first-class. When a fellow hasn’t eaten in about twenty-four hours he is thankful for anything in the shape of food.’ “Haven't you eaten anything in all that time?” the girl asked, in some surprise. “Not a bite,” replied Joe, as he attacked the meat and bread with a voraciousness that proved his words. . “How is that?” ‘ Joe explained how he hag been cleaned ‘out by - the three rascals on the road to Jordan; how he had then lost his way on foot during the night, ~ and how he had just wandered into Silver Creek, feeling pretty rocky. f “That was too bad,” said the girl, sympatheti- cally. meu get you more/meat and bread, and half a ple. : She hastened to do so. , “You'll be able to get work in the mines here- abouts,” said the girl, encouragingly. “The pay is good. The superintendent of the Crescent Leasing Company lives, here. You can speak to-. him when he comes to dinner.” ; ' “Y will,” answered Joe. thing to get another start.” oy ‘ we i Re 4: a Ne “T’ve got to do some rae 7 ie 8)

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house, STRANDED re “You’ re from: the. East, aren’t “you?” * “Yes. I was born in Buffalo. I came out to Denver on what proved a wild goose chase. A man in Denver gave me a letter to a mine owner near Jordan, who, he said, wanied a general assistant in the office of his smelter. That’s what brought me out this way., Now the letter is gone, and_with it everything else I owned in the world, and I’m down to hard-pan,” “T’m sorry for you,” replied the girl. “You’re cut out for something better than a mine laborer, - 1 ean see that. It’s hard work, but you look strong enough to stand it till you get on your feet again.” Joe finished the last of the milk, and having cleaned up all the bread and meat, he rose from the table, fécling like a new boy, and went out into the barroom to see what the boar eis had for him. to do. “IT reckon you’re pistey. handy at writin’ and ‘cipherin?” said Bug Hathaway, in,a tone that. implied he had littie doubt what _ the boy’s an- _ swer would be. “Yes, sir. I’m well up in all ae ” replied Joe, with alacrity. “Enough said. I want you to go over this here account book of mine and kinder straighten it out.. Write down on a paper what’s comin’ to me from the people whose names is writ in the book. There’s a misunderstandin? between mé and several of ’em, and as they’re all good cus- tomers I want to fix the matter right.. If there’s anythin’ yer don’t understand, jest ask me and ~~ Tl *lucidate it.” “FAN right; six.” ~ « Joe was aiickod at the upper hia of the bar with pen, ink, paper and Mr. Hathaway’s account book, and he started to dig the various items out and arrange them in methodical order-- With the proprietor’s occasional assistance Joe made good progress, He went in for dinner when everybody else was through, and he ate with. the man-cook and three’women servants of the After the meal Joe returned to his job and finished it in ‘about half an hour. The land- -lord declared he had acquitted himself in fine style, “Ye had better take a look around town now, Rushmore,” he said. “Ye might pick up a job in one of the stores before supper. If yer don’t. I’ll see about gettin’ yer took on at one of the mines to-morrer.” __ Joe put on his hat and went out. There was no danger of getting lost in Silver Creek. It had but one long thoroughfare, and all byways led into it. There was a bank, an assay office, a post- & : ce, a couple of other hotels besides Mr. Hatha- way’s, saloons by the score, with gambling rooms attached, vaudeville stages, and stores for the sale of everything that was in demand in that locality. Joe made inquiries in several places, but there was no opening for him. Finally he - reached the end of the street and walked out to- oe % i ward the mining district. At a lonesome part of - the foothills he saw a burro wandering about nibbling the few blades of grass that sprouted * . hour longer V’ll turn up my toes.” OUT WEST CHAPTER Il.—Heir To A Silver Mine. Joe looked hard at the stranger, and the” ma ; returned his stare. x “Say, pardner,” said the derelict, “will you doe me a-favor?’ “Sure, I will,” replied Joe, cheerfully. : “T’m about petered out. This is the first time in twenty years I’ve felt the need of a docto®} I’m sick, and-I can’t get away from the fact I want you to help me reach some place in Silver Creek where I can put up. I’ve gone as far as I can alone.. Just catch that burro, help me ‘ow his back, and walk with me to town, and [il make it worth your while. If i stay here an “T’l] do that for you,” said Jo The animal permitted the boy to ‘take him ‘in ai charge and lead him to his owner. ¢ “What's your name, pardner? Thompson,” “My name is Joe Rushmore.” “T knew a Henry Rushmore thirty years: ago — when [I lived in Buffalo. He was a carpenter. He # loaned me $100 to-start West with.” “My father’s name was Henry Rushmore, ‘aie he was a carpenter. We lived in Buffalo. sreeO ae “Your father must be the man. I mean. 3p never paid him that $100. Is he alive?” “No. He died three. years ago.” “T_s’pose your mother ‘is. alive?” said the man “No,” ” answered Joe, sadly. ‘She died this pas spring.” =. pre: “You don’t say! Strange I should ne you away out here. Are you working in th “No. T only arrived here this mor “Only this morning,” he muttered. He said nothing more for some little Rese I ing which the .burro jogged slowly along ae wagon trail, and Joe kept pace with it. Revers times.the man groaned> as if suter ne great pa Mine. is Zeke, : He appeared to be growing weaker, anc ‘had to support him on thé animal’s back. ~ After a while his mind seemed to wander, and the boy heard him talking about silver ore wor th millions. The inhabitants looked at them cut ly as the boy led the way to Hathaway’s h He tied the burro to a post and helped the ma into the saloon. Placing Zeke Thompson. in- i chair he intérviewed the landlord, telling him | circumstances of the case. Are prospectors,” remarked Mr. achat got the price he kin stay, if he hasn’t he'd move on.’ ; “He can't move on. He! Paice mani ar post-office. You'd betted tak _ *“E don’t believe he can wal Ber _As if to prove that Joe was pene e er at that moment collapsed in his chair, a boy had to rush over to catch him to prevé falling to the floor. Mr. Hathaway didi’t - among: the apace : oy close oe perceived a weary- his visitor, and he was put out with Jo looking old man, who looked like a miner or pros- bringing the man iid ave aoe In order to pector, ia on a& flat pores looking: the pie “vive him so he co he x ture of desolation, i - gome spirits in a gla

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- Thompson. , Hé got enough down the prospector’s throat to fetch him around. _ “Where am I?” muttered the stranger. _“You’re at Hathaway’s Hotel in Silver’ Creek,” “Can yer pay for a room? If so, ve kin have ay t,” said the landlord, in a business tone. Thompson fumbled®in his pocket and brought out some bills. “That’s all I have,” he said, faintly. ~-and help me.” The landlord counted the money. He kept half handed the rest to the stranger. The bills 1 from his listless hand and Joe picked them “Take it If you have him put to bed I'll get the doctor apr him,” the boy said. pint said,” replied Mr. Hathaway. fe called up a man who was sweeping the bar- a and between them they carried Zeke iOmpson to a room on the next floor anfl put ‘to bed. While they were’ doing this Joe shed off for the doctor. He found the physician ters with an acquaintance. ic! an,” said Joe. = What's the matter with him?” “asked the or. ° ‘couldn't tell you. All I know is that he’s ty bad.” ntl physician said he’d be right over and Joe to the hotel. The landlord was: behind eee to me as if he might pass in any moment. I left my man mindin’ he doctor comin’ over?” : Fi » replied Joe. y, curiously. t a mile out of tov ‘came you to f-tch hir heer . Said he was sick and wanted to sée a doc- aw that he was in a bad way, and might eft by himself in; that lonely spot, so I him into town.” “foot?” 9, he had a burro. It’s tied outside.” en you'd belt er take it around to the yard put it in the stable.” ‘ ight,” replied Joe. old ‘on a moment. it was Zeke Thompson.” registry. book so that I ‘took out a week’s board Money. Jest. mark that hind the counter of his store talking mining * ure wanted at Hathaway’s Hotel to attend | > re did you pick him up?” asked Mr. Did ‘you ask ‘him his _ last hours. ” STRANDED OUT WEST 3 doctor told Joe that Thompson had acute pneu- ~ monia with complications. He did not. think his patient would survive the night. * “Come over to the drug-store and I will give you some medicine for him. Somebody ought to look after him, as he is liable to get up, and that - would greatly hasten his death.” “T will look after him,” replied Joe. “Then you'd better stay with him now and I will send clerk over with the stuff. He will give you the necessary directions.” ~The. doctor went away and Joe took a chair in the room and listened to the delirious mutteringes of the old man. By and by the drug clerk came- with the medicine and instructed Joe what to do with it. Thompson was given his first dose. “That will make him easier after a time.” said the clerk. “Dr. Morton,’ however, savs that he cannot possibly live over thirty-six hours at the outside, and he will not be surprised if he’s dead in the morning. The only nourishment you! need give him js a little of this ecneentrated heef— sav a small teaspocnful in, a cup of hot water. Vl stay with the patient while you eo down- stairs and have the cook,prepare it for vou.” Joe returned with the preparation in about ten minutes, and then the clerk went away. Soon after the supper bell rang the landlord sent. his man to} the room to Jet Joe off to get his supper. Half an hour later the boy was back at his nost, with no intention. of ‘quitting it that night. Thompson remained quiet, breathing’ heavily and ~ apparently unconscious—a kind of stupid doze- + for several” hours. With the coming of dark Silver Creek seemed to wake up into a new kind of -existence—that kind of life which centered around the numerous saloons. There was music and dancing to be found in divers places. It. was after dark that the saloons did’a land-office busi- Joe could hear the boisterous talk, and, ness. sometimes the clink of glasses, in the big front room downstairs. People occasionally came un- stairs, as the evening wore on, and went to béd. This was Thursday night that Joe kept his lonesome vigil in the sick man’s room and con- sequently things were quieter, though the boy thought there was plenty of life stirrine in town. It was along toward one o’clock that Zeke Thomp- - son “ opened his eyes and gave evidence that ee was in a rational state of mind. “Rushmore, are you there?” he said, weak voice. “Yes, sir. JI See you’ve got your senses back. Vil rive you a couple of spoonfuls of this beef juice.” Ee old man took it without a word, then he sai “Where am 1?” se “In a room in the Hathaway Hotel. Don’t you ine that I brought you into the saloon be- ow the journey. You've treated me white, boy, and youre doing more for me now than I could ex- pect of you, who are a stranger to me. But your reward is to come. It is- strange be the one to be on hand to succor me in my. For I am coin ua die, my lad. § ina. at you, the. son of Henry Rushmore, my old friend, should “Yes, “I remember that you did. You helped =, me into town, though I don’t recollect much of —

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4 STRANDED = & a know it. I can feel it. I sha’n’t. live till morn- ing, but before I go I mean to put you in pos- session of the key to a fortune—a fortune—a fortune -of millions.” Joe looked at him sharply. “Surely the old fellow must be wandering again in his mind. “Where is my coat?” he asked, after a moment or two. “Tf is hanging on the wall.” “Get it down.” — Joe, wondering what he could want with his i coat, took it down from the hook on which it + was susperided. ~ “Feel along in the back lining. There is a ; ‘paper there. Rip the lining open so vou can take it out. I want. it.” The boy obeyed his wishes and presently placed the paper in his hand... He opened it with some difficulty, and then Joe saw that it was a dia- gram with figures and words rudely serawled -- upon “it. - “This,” said the old prospector, “marks the lo- eation of a very rich deposit of silver ore. There are millions of dollars’. worth of the metal al- most in sight. It is a valley in the mountain range twenty miles from here, and in a region as yet unsuspected as a depository of silver ore. I have staked out the claim, and complied with all the requirements of the law. All that re- ’. mains to secure it is to register it properly with the authorities. That will remain for vou to do.” Joe listened in great wonder to Thompson’s words. The dying man then minutely explained to the boy how he would be able to find the silver mine. After that he told Joe to get pen, ink ~ ‘and. paper. — “J want to dictates my will. I intend to leave ¢ you all m¥ right and title as discoverer to this _ valuable . property. Its possession will make ' you. a rich boy, and-in this wav I shall repay you for your disinterested kindness to a boor old “man who was once your father’s friend.” . Joe got the writing materials from the saloon and wrote as Thompson dictated. It was a short will, but it said all that was necessary to say. -. “Now you must get two witnesses to witness “my signature and attest its genuineness with their signatures, said the prospector. : Joe went down again to ask Mr. Hathaway to come up and bring another man with him for ‘the required purpose. He.~found the landlord talking with the superintendent of the Crescent Leasing Co., and inducéd them both to come up ~ and. witness the old. man’s will. They did so. - The’short will was read to them, leaving every- thing of which Thompson died gether with all his rights to any mineral dis- e. coveries he had made, to Joe Rushmore. It was: easy to see that they regarded the material ben~ efits conveyed by the will as something of a joke, but nevertheless, to satisfy the prospector, they witnessed his signature, and signed ees “.names in due form, after which they withd + . “Deposit this will at the proper place, Rush. nore, as soon 4s possible after I am sleag, and. ‘then have the necessary documents concerning the “was shaking: him into wakefulness. . “If youll get Mr. Wilbur, or somehons ' town, possessed, to-. ‘ine made out by some on ote oS ; OUT WEST CHAPTER III.—Making Preparations, Soon after Zeke Thompson made his will he grew delirious again, and Joe poured a dose of the medicine down his throat. .In time h became quieter, but his breathing grew more Jabored, and he had ereat difficulty in catching — his breath. About three o’clock in the morning, _ when the house was all quiet. and the town as well, the old prospector started un in bed. easne: for air, plared wildly at Joe. and then fell bae on his pillow.. The boy rushed to help him, bu help was no longer possible. The death gattle was in the man’s throat, and in a few mi he was dead. As soon as Joe was certai this fact he closed the staring eyes and boun up the saggine iaw with a towel. After that hi e-vered the face of the’ corpse with the end the sheet. That was all he could do. During the last hours of the old man’s 1 Joe had experienced great difficulty in- keenin awake, for he was tired and in great neo Now: that there was nothine to requir attention, he soon dozed off into a deep sleen and did not awake till he felt a hand on his-~ shoulder, and opening. his eves saw that-it broad daylight and that Mr. Hathaway “So the old® fellow is dead, eh?” said th ma as Soon as the boy was aronsed. “Died Som time during the night, did he?” “Yes.” answered Joe. “Well, lock the door on him and come ji68 breakfast. I s’pose the town will have: to bi him.” Joe didn’t like 3. idea of having H prospector buried like a pauper, so afte morning meal he himted mn the undertake tried to make a deal with him: ~ “T shovld like to have Mr. Thompson. b le a Christian,” ha said. “If you'll do. right thing by him I’ll guarantee to pay 2 bill by instalments as soon as I get to with the Crescent Leastng Co. Mr, Wilb promised. to, put me on in a day or two.” “That’s all. right, my i see, I don’t know you” te guarantee you, under consideration.” Joe went’ back to the hotel and 1 told ee away what the undertaker said. : “Are you willing to see me through thing? ll agree that when I get to the Crescent Lease my wages shall be p: to you. [ll board with ‘vou and youve t: me a bed in any old place till un paid. After. that I’ll work o “What’s the matter with old fellow?” replied Mr. Hathaway ye so bent on standin’ for it?” — “Because Mr. Tho ompson was an E of my father’s.” “He was!” answered the landlord, se. ce he say fg wes? —w

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STRANDED - “Do ye expect to make anythin’ out of that will he gave ver?”20 *. T eouldn’t tell you.” at Ets Y OPO 0 isn’t worth the paper it’s writ on. “Ye kin sell the burro for a few dollars, and if there’s anythin’ else worth -disposin’ of it’s yours, but that’s all yer likely to realize, ~Y’m ‘thinkin’.” “Well, how about the undertaker?” “Sinee yer bent on payin’ for his plantin’ I’ll “see ye through, for I kind of admire ver Rrit, and I believe ye’ll stand by ver word.” eed wall.” “Enough said. I'l] sell the burro for what he'll ‘brine; and I'll put half of that money I charged ‘him for board and lodgin’ to it. That’ll help yer out some. The balance yve’ll have to make good.” The matter being settled to Joe’s satisfaction, “the undertaker was notified to take charge of the body and give Zeke Thompson a decent burial. Mr. Wilbur personally loaned Joe $10 to uy a grave in the Silver Creek burial ground, and the old prospector, was sui€ably interred. The next day the boy went to work for the ment Leasing Co. When Joe proposed to have the old man’s will probated the superin- endent of the leasing company laughed and told - him-that it would be a useless expense, and ad- vised him not to bother with it. “But,” said the boy, “Mr. Thormpson told me ‘a he had made a valuable discovery of silver € in the mountains. pet twenty. miles from* a] re, that he had taken“up the claim according law, and that all that remained was to register : ‘Did he give you the directions by which you ae verify this information ?” ; ‘He did. I mean to hunt the place up_as soon Ss S pay off the debts and ks a few dollars to- eG prospectors time and again within the last ten s, and wherever gold or silver has been dis- ered by surface indications, it has been, or is ng, exploited. I’m afraid Thompson was off Fated you find any specimens of ore in — Wilbur whistled. x He must have lost his outfit somewhere along road, whigh w ould go to show that his mind ‘unbalanced. His story of his silver os very I ess is all bosh. If I were you wouldn’t waste my time thinking about it.” While this conversation with the superintendent t encouraging to Joe, he did not altogether . e up the hope that there might be something an ible. about the silver discovery. He was us ied by the diagram the old man had given n of the location of the alleged mine and, he quently looked at it and pondered over it. In ‘ ‘to be able to identify real silver ore when - i it, as well us the general indications of ‘where he was working, he asked ques- bE the other men, ek of Mr. Wilbur, oie steadily “ond faithfully day after ~. by. that— would: give him the Pits bit of light on the subject of mines and mining. By the time he had squared his debt with Mr. Hathaway and repaid Mr. Wilbur his $10 loan, he was fully. competent to go on a prospecting expedition himself, with a reasonable chance of not wasting his time on barren fields. He continued to, work at the Crescent Lease in order to accumulate a fund to make the necessary purchases for. the trip he had resolved to make at the earliest moment. Had the Hurley gang still been reported in *® that district he might have hesitated about un- dertaking his contemplated journey. alone, for one experience with members of that crowd was quite sufficient for him, and he had no relish for coming up against them again. The sheriff of the county, however, had succeeded in cornering the desperadoes soon after Joe’s arrival in Silver Creek, and after a pitched battle between the two parties, in which there had been sérious casualties on both sides, the Hurleyites had fled, and for several weeks nothing had been heard of them. Joe was now saving up funds to buy a burro and provide himself with provisions for his short journey to the mountain range and during his stay there. —The Boy and the Sad-Eyed Burro. CHAPTER. IV. One evening as the shades of twilight were falling upon the landscape, and Joe was return- ing from the mine to the hotel in town for his supper, he overtook a boy of nearly his own age ‘mounted on a sad-eyed burro, jogging slowly toward Silver Creek. Joe’s burro, which belonged to Mr. Hathaway, was such a bright-looking, healthy beast that it made the other look like thirty cents. “Hello, pard, ” said Joe, for introductions were “not necessary out there in order to Strike up an acquaintance “with a stranger, “bound for town?” “Feain’t bound for nowhere else,” grinned the: poy a f “Where do you hail from?” : <4 “Most anywhere, but just now from Paradise Crik.” “Paradise Creek!”. repeated Joe: some distance.” “A pretty good piece.” : Be Sia burro looks as though he was tired of ife “Yep, but he’s only sulky. © “Thinking!” ejaculated Joe. “Yep. Thinkin’ whether I’m goin’ to. stay in town over night or only long enough to feed up.” “What’s your name, pard?” ; “Sam Short. What’s yours?” “Joe Rushmore.” “You’ve come He’s thinkin’.” — ee said the boy, holding out his hand. shook his rough, brown hand in a friendly - way. “Are you bound for any place in particular?” he, asked the boy. : ope?” “Nope.” “Then you haven’t any tae 2 : Alice “What do, you do for. a living ? Work Srone . the -miges 7” Peete OUT WEST — Be

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2 a" x yt 5 STRANDED “Yep, when I feel like it or have to.” “Then you only work ocasionally ?” “Yep. ” What do you do most of the time?” “Travel.” “You’re a strange boy. me.” “You interest me, too.” “How is that?” “T rather like you.” ~You rather interest — “I don’t know but I like \you, too, “though owner of the sad-eyed burto, and he piled can’t say why.” “Wish you’d pull up. stakes and travel with me. I’m gettin’ lonesome.” . “No,” replied Joe, “I’m not cut out for a rolling stone. I prefer to work, and with a purpose in view.” “Makin’ money, I s’pose.” “That’s the main object in view out -here.” “Yep, but I don’t care for money.” “You don’t?” exclaimed Joe, in Surprise. “Nope. Not so long is I have all I want to ®eat. The burro’s lucky. He kin live on grass, but I ean’t. Wish I could.” “What do you do in winter, when travelin bad and the burro can’t find grass handy?’ “Go south.” “Ffow far south have You been?” is ~.“To the Rio Grande.” “How long have you been traveling around this way?” he asked. ..“Two years. Ever since pap passed checks.” “Then youre an orphan, I suppose?” “Yep. “So am I.” “Are you?” said the boys looking interested. in his“ « “Shake.” . Ege Joe took his hand again. as they entered the ; lonz street. of Silver Creek. “Well, Sam,” she said, “you'll stop with me tonight, I guess.” “Yep. | Where’s your shack ?” if “7 put up at Hathaway’s Hotel.” “You must be flush.” : “Not very. I’ve got the cheapest of eens - tion in the house.” A “Get enough to eat, don’t you? Your burro looks fat. Bet niine kin hold out longer on a stretch.” “Hathaway sets a good table. You'll have the chance to sample his feed.” “How about my burro?” “T'l]-see that he gets all lie can eat, too.” Joe led the burros into the stable of the hotel when they arrived there, and after they .wére stripped, each was put in a Stall and provided with water and feed. The sad-eyed animal went for his portion as if he was famished, and Joe: gave him an extra quantity, for which, no doubt, he was grateful, after an animal fashion. “Come up to my room and take a wash said Joe to his new acquaintance. - Sam followed him up the back stairs on the “outside of the building. After sprucing up a bit they went down to supper. ‘Joe was a prime favorite with the girls, and as there were only a couple of persons at the table, the two wait- esses made eer for the boys, epeet graci- OUT WEST ko make his acquaintance, ad she was the firs : to wish him good-evening. a; “Hello, Maggie,” said the boy. “This. eh friend, Sam Short.” & Sam grinned and the girl bobbed. her BS pak also introduced Sam to Mamie, the one gir “You can take Sam’s order, Mamie,” said Rushmore. “Maggie will look after me.” The meal was evidently a banquet joes tO * it as if making up for several missing dinners. ‘When both had eaten as “much as they want they walked into the s°'»son, where Joe told Hathaway to charge + “‘m’s meal against h He said that Sam wouk. are his room with him — that night, if it was all the same to the landlor “The room is yours, Rushmore. I sha’n’t ¢ yer nothin’ for running’ in a friend. Who is “He’s a traveler from Missouri.” ~ Mr, Hathaway regarded Sam with som f osity, but maggie no remark. The boys then walk- = outside, and finding two vaeant chairs, sa’ own. “Say, Sam,” said Joe. “T’m going to the mou tains in a few days. How would you like to Spain in town and’ £0 along with me?” — “What are you goin’ to do in the' moun “Hunt for silver. If I find any you shall 5 a share.” “Ho!” ejaculated Sam, without any enth “Tl pay your board, and that of your while you stay in town, And put up the grub a babes trip: Does that hit youd. “In return I shall probably want you | me out if I strike what I’m after. és “T'll help,” replied Sam. . “Then we'll consider the oder settled,” took a walk around town. ~ * CHAPTER V.—A Hold-Up, _ When Joe fed the burros in the morni sad-eyed. one raised his head and gave hi intelligent look. He lifted his bie ears, wagged them solemnly back and ei a pitched into the feed. _ A little while later they rode out of ¢ and took their way toward the hills... Th Gmities all about the neighborhood, the Lease being about a mile and a half. ee The boys carried their lunches with, some feed for the burros. Joe found af for Sam to do, and the lad from Misso a dollar. He stuffed it away in his ¢ future needs. When Joe got his pay ere afternoon he resigned his job with th standing that he was to get it aga came back to town, if he wanted it. buying a borro for his. trip to the arranged with Mr. Hathaway for th animal. The saddlebags of” both bo; filled with provisions, a prospect other things Joe believed that he neede insisted on ring t ag part of

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STRANDED ~ the cooking utensils on the back of his burro. The animal had worn a rather happy expression - for the last few days, but when they took the . trail for the mountains the sad look came back, and one of his ears hung down, while the other ~~ stood: straight. up. “What is he carrying his ears that way for?” asked Joe. mo “He's fieurin >” -_ “What is he figuring about?” chuckled ‘Joe. - “About the prospect ahead. If I went off alone his ears would be down. As you’re with me he’s wonderin’ what’s in the wind.” ~The boys traveled without a stopsantil about ‘noon, when, feeling hungry, a halt was made to “eat and let the animals. have a rest. They had ‘covered some twelve miles at an easy gait. They te a lunch of sandwiches and cold coffee,. pro- vided by Maggie, and consequently they were not obliged’ to cook anything. About two. o’clock hey started on again and by five were, well up n the range. They were passing along a narrow ection of the trail, bordered on one side by great ‘boulders, and on the other. by a deep ravine, when Joe’s attention was attracted by the ap- earance of some of the rocks. . “Hold on, Sam,” he said, @ismounting and tak- ng a closer look at the rock} “What are you Yookin’ at, Joe?” asked the ‘Missouri boy. : ; “Looks as if there might be metal in this _ ~ “Yes. Unship your shovel and pick. I’m going to get out some specimens, at any rate. "He took a small bag off his own burro and threw it on the ground. a “Now, Sam, you @an go ahead with the animals d look for a place to pitch camp. Stake out 1e-burros and start a fire. By that time I'll catch up with you.” _* Se ae “I you. don’t show up by the time the fire is _Zoin’ Tl be back after you,” said Sam, starting They soon disappeared around a turn in the ge, and Joe was left alone to get out ‘his ecimens, which, after all} amounted to nothing, is eye had been deceived by the character of e rock, not being educated up to know the ence between the true and the false. -~ He worked away for about a quarter of an hour, and had accumulated quite a small pile of “specimens, when four men, one of them mounted ‘on a burro, came in sight up the trail. “Joe didn’t notice them till they were right on him, and then, his dismay, he recognized the three men who ‘on foot as the rascals who had held him un hat afternoon, two moriths back, when he was | his way to Jordan. The man on the burro, a l-looking six-footer, seemed to be their leader, arently the Hurley gang had returned to their stamping grounds, — “Hello, younker,” said the leader, with an un- asant grin. “What yer doin’? Prospectin’?” s,” replied Joe. © 50 are wé. Prospectin’ for cash. Got any yer

5 * mounted his burro and told his men to proceed. - “Hold on,” cried Joe. cut me loose from this tree?” “Arewt you®roing to» | “Do you want us to throw you down the se ; “mount’in?” asked Hurley, with an ugly look, which showed that he was quite capable of ex- ecuting such a piece of villainy. ‘s 5 “Of course I don’t.” : “Then shet up and saw wood... Thank yer stars we're lettin’ yer off’as easy as we’re doin’, If you was. a man we wouldn’t think twice about — -e te wi Thus speaking, Hurley jogged off after , who had already disappeared among t oulders ahead ee SS Siti Aas

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? CHAPTER Vi—Huntine for the Valley. Joe tried his best to get his wrists free, but * it was no go. He was anchored to the dead tree securely enough to defy his best /efforts fo get away without help. : “ While Joe was feeling greatly dfscouraged over the outlook, Sam, to his intense relief and*satis- faction, suddenly showed up. “Joe,” he said, stopping a short distance away, “are you comin’?” ”: ; “I would, if I could. bound to this tree?” Same advanced with bulging eyes. “Sq you are,” he said. “Why, how did that happen? Who bound you?” “Four,of the biggest raseals unhanged: »They came on me unawares, cleaned out my pockets and tied my arms around this tree. Didn’t you see them at all? They went off along the trail in the same direction you took with the animals. I thought sure they’d nab you, too, and get away with everything that belonged to us.” “T didn’t see them,” replied Sa _they must. have turned off whefte branches off down the ravine.” “Well, it’s mighty fortunate they did,” said Joe, as Sam produced a bie jackknife and cut him loose. “We'd be in a nice pickle if they’d cleaned us out of our outfit and tied you up like myself into the bargain. We would have stood a good show of+starving to death before any one came this way. Where did you pitch camp?” “About half «a mile from here: There is lots of grass for the burros, and.water runnin’ down the rocks. I’ve got a fire started. It will “be out if we ain’t on hand to put more wood on it.” - “Come on, then,” said Joe, tumbling his speci- mens into the bag. Sam led the way to a small nook in the range, where the grass grew soft and green, and a tiny cascade tumbled down the rocks from some point hundreds of feet above. The, burros, tethered to. a tree, seemed to be enjoying them- selves, while to one side was the glowing embers of a fire that had almost burned itself out. “Put more fuel on that fire, Sam, and then “we'll get supper. That stream of water is par- ticularly havtidy. I was afraid we might have trouble finding water just when we wanted it.” Joa put the water on to boil for #he coffee, while Sam, who was something of a rough cook, egot the frying pan on the fire and soon had a mess of bacon and eggs done to a turn, which he served up on the tin plates they ‘had brought along. : ; “Sam, said Joe, while they were eating, “I’m afraid this expedition is going to be a failure.” A oe so?” asked his companion. » _ *Those raseals who robbed me and tied meg to that tree got away with the paper on whieh I mostly relied to find a silver mine that is some- where in this vicinity.” - “That a fact?” asked Sam, astonished. — “Yes, that’s a fact. It was to. find that mine that: I started out on this trip, not todo pros- pecting.” “=. ° ‘ : _. He then. told Sam of the circumstances under which he had gotten possession of the diagram. “Of course, now that we’re here, I don’t mean— > ‘ fe 3 Can’t you see that I’m “T ‘guess ; the trail oe de a3 STRANDED OUT WEST “the door open and a young girl come ou to give un the search without an effort, for the old prospector gave me additional directions how — to find the little valley in which the mine is hidden away; but, nevertheless, without the dia- gram, I am afraid that the chances are against me. ee “Those chaps that robbed you may find it, then what are you goin’ to do?” ; ie “Tt wouldn’t do them any good. They couldn't — work «the mine to any'advantage to themselves, for they’re marked men, every one of them. The sheriff of the county will be after them with a ~ posse as. soon as. he learns they have come to the district. I have been figuring on whether I — hadn’t betjer send you back to town to notify him _ without loss of time.” ae. Sam didn’t receive that proposition with eee enthusiasm. He wasn’t anxious to return to — Silver Creek. Before the meal was. ended Joe decided that they would spend the next day look- ing for the valley where the mine was supposed to be. The lost diagram had no. bearing on th part of the quest. : ied Enis The. boys. talked a while after supper, chiefly on the prospects of finding the mine, in which Sam now began to show considerable interest, and then they rolled themselves up in their blank ets, laid down ongthe velvety grass, and were soon asleep. Theywere up with the sun, and after cooking and eating their frugal breakfas started off to hunt for the valley they were at which Joe knew was Somewhere in the neighb hood. The trail they were following soon a course sloping downward. They soon car a place where another trail crossed the one t were pursuing, and as this coincided with Tho “We ought to run across,a cabin pretty soo! said Joe. “That will be my next landmark.” The trail led around the base of a precipiti section of the range, and then was lost in a ¢ Beyond the gullv they came out into the again, and soon after“they came in sight o cabin. a Ss “We're on the right track, all right.” said Joe pointing out the lone habitation. eet Thompson had told Joe that the cabin wa serted, but now as they approached it they Sa smoke issuing from the chimney. . ; “Hold on, Sam, we’ve cot to be cautious. our ruffians may bein there. If they s coming I’m afraid there’d be something They reined in their burros and Joe direc bt shadow of the surrounding rocks, and w the cabin at frequent intervals. Finally tin buecket.in her hand. Joe stopped in great prise and watched ‘her .walk down to a stream of water that flowed among the 1 and ran across the. trail. . While he w at her filling the bucket, a sti gat w man appeared at the door and looked Joe concluded to walk forward and in self. As he idrew nearer the habitat a sort of prairie schooner drawn ~ af

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ef STRANDED heuse and a pair of horses tied to the back of the ‘wagon. The gir) carried the pail of water to the animals and gave them a drink. At this moment ' the white-haired man noted the approach of Joe. + ae: CHAPTER VII.—Mr. Maitland and Jess. “Well, young man, who might you be?” asked _ the occupant of the hut, in a friendly way. “My name is Joe Rushmore,” replied the boy. _. cheerily. haired man, who was a hale, hearty and rugged specimen of manhood in, spite of the color of ver as the girl came forward with the bucket swing- dng in ‘her hand. Joe turned and bowed politely to the girl, : 0 responded in a shy way. + aenrit po come in and have breakfast with us?” asked Maitland, in a hospitable way. “Myself and my companion breakfasted about an hour, ago,” replied Joe, “but I don’t think we 7 ¥ * . ” would object to taking a cup of coffee with you. “Where is vour companion?” asked the man, glancing up the trail. , S: ; “Out of sight behind’ those rocks, with our burros. He is a boy of my. own age. I'll return and bring him and our outfit up. ; ; — “Do o Jess, make some more coffee and fry a dew more eggs.” : : _ Joe, after another admiring glance at the cirl, - turned around and went back to the spot where he had left Sam and the animals. , _ “Come on, Sam. It’s all right. There’s an elder- Tw man and his daughter stopping’ at that cabin. Je’re invited to breakfast. Do vou think you n eat any more?” “Try me,” grinned Sam, as he dug the sad-eyed rro in the side with his heels. ‘The white-haired man was waiting for them itside the door, and when they came up Joe “We are bound there. How a” away, is it?”: : Creek and go into the mining business, in which ‘T’m_an expert, if things pan out right. You will easily find us in town when you return, which I Suppose-will be soon, as you do not seem to be provided with an outfit for a lengthy stay.” “Our stay will all depend on our discoveries while in the valley. ‘We may get baek ina week, or not for two or three weeks. As to the rifle, I will accept it with thanks, I think it will come in very handy in case of an emergency. I will hunt you up and return it to you on our return.” The boys remained an hour after the meal was ended, and during that time Joe managed to get on very friendly terms with Jess Maitland, who seemed to be somewhat taken with the stalwart, good-looking’ boy. dishes, while Sam was outside with her father. He learned from her that she and her father had come from a mining district further south in the State, where he had been superintendent of a big mine. The property having changed hands, coming into the contro] of a syndicate, Mr. Mait- land had been superseded by another man, and that fact induced him to pull-up stakes and start for Silver Creek, where he had an offer to take charge of a new mine. Joe then told the girl something about himself. Why he had left Buf: falo, where he was born, to begin life anew in — 2 He helped her to wash the _

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10 he had started for the mining camp of Jordan, and how, after his first hold-up by the Hurley gang, he had lost his way and drifted into Silver Creek. As he proceeded he grew quite confi- dential and, under her promise of keeping the matter to herself he told her about his meeting with Zeke Thompson. and how the old prospector on his deathbed had told him about the silver mine in the valley they were going to. “As soon as I have settled the matter of the mine one wav or the other I shall return to town with Sam.” he said. “If I fail to find any traces of the mine, why T’ll return to work on the - Crescent Lease, or, go to work for your father, if he will have me on his mine, On the other hand, if I“find the mine I will try and get vour father, since he’s an expert, to come out and look at it. I think I can depend on his honesty and squareness, and on his advice as to the best way to make it pan out to my advantage.” “Oh. yes,” replied the girl, “father would nat take the least advantage of you if. you find that mine and should ask him to give you the benefit of his experience.” Joe believed her, for Mr. Maitland had the face of » thoroughly upright man. “Well, boys, I wish you luck in your search for silver ore,” said Mr. Maitland, as Joe and Sam ‘were ready to move on toward the valley, the hearines of which the mining man ha ade so clear that Joe did not think they cotld miss it. “T presume you know how to take up a legal ‘claim. in case you strike anything that looks promising.” “Yes, sir; but the claim I am trying to locate asa Di cunderstand, already marked out according to law, and nothing remains to be done but to register it. of doing that until I saw with my own eves just -where the property is, because it is possible that the old prospector might have dreamed the whole thine in one of his periods of delirium.” Mr. Maitland nodded, and then Joe and Sam bade him and his daughter good-by and started _ off down the trail, the former carrying the bor- rowed rifle slung over his back. CHAPTER Vill. —Joe Finds the Silver Mine. Twenty apaites later Joe’s sharp eyes made ‘out the narrow entrance to the defile, and he headed his burro for it. It was easy to see how _ they might have missed it ninety-nine times out of a hundred if they were not actually looking for it. Narrow and circuitous indeed they found jt as they followed its windings until the valley® ~ itself burst unexpectedly on their view. It was jike°a gereen oasis in the midst of a great, rocky bowl and its circumference was »robably some- _ thine over a mile. ~The sad-eyed burro lifted his head and looked upon. that green surface with evident interest. He seemed to see and smell fat meals of juicy prass awaiting his teeth, and -he raised his ears one at a time and began to wave them_ slowly back and forth as if to express the joy. he felt ¢ the prospect. ahead. Joe’s burro. made no ‘such demonstration. mn world had for a long STRANDED OUT WEST . in my possession I’ve no doubt we’d be able to- I couldn’t afford to_take the chances © ~ a year lookin’ for it.” and contented as ever any four-footed animal of ae his species could well be. “I hope we shall find water in this valley.” said? Joe, as he started his burro down the oats Y declivity toward the green plain. “There's water, for I kin smell it,” said Sam; ~ “You must have a pretty good smeller, then.” ) — “Tf I can’t emell it, the burro kin. See his ears point ? That’s a sign that he’s thirsty and scents : water near.” The burro himself verified Sam’s statement, by starting off at a smart trot up the side of the valley without taking the trouble to consult his owner, who made no effort to restrain him. Joe’s animal trailed.on behind, and sure enough, the: sad-eyed beast led the way to a small stream’ “0! water flowine out of ae rocks and running clean across the valley. “Y'm thinking that its not going to be easy to locate that mine. We'll have to make a tour of all these pockets. We may strike the min soon, or pot for some timé. Or, if it should hap- pen to be out in the valley itself, we may neve hit upon it at all, if it really does exist. This i where the loss of that diagram is felt. With that pS ’ B $3 hit on the spot in short order,” said Rushmore. ~ “We kin take our time huntin’ for it,” replied ~ Sam. “We’ve got two or three weeks to do ait in haven’t we?” “You don’t suppose I’m going to spend t or three weeks doing what maybe can be: don in a day or two?” answered Joe. “Didn’t you say you was goin’ to stay out ty or three weeks? And didn’t you brine én he grub along to last us that Sear ae Samy ble. S “That's all right. I’m prepared to stay t to look the valley all over, but I’m xoine abo in a business- like way so as to get it ove: soon as possible.” soon,” » ecuibled dare. Hit . ¢ame hero ae to hunt that mine, and had enough grub, ue tak “We'll start from this point ae work ar’ the pockets,” said Joe, after making up his | as to the most methodical way to proceed Bs their search, Sam had no objection, so Joe got down to ness. They spent an hour investigating pockets, without result. “There’s a house,” said Sam, as they rode the fourth pocket. It was a small one-s agair, built of rough stone, with a peaked woo roef. They went up to it and dismounted. ~ consisted of two rooms, with an attic forme tae the double slope of the roof. One of the was furnished with a bed, two chairs and a rw home-made locker, the other with an ope place, a table and four chairs, together wi supboard and shelves, Although the house was furnished f os paney, and there were even ‘dishes in the | board, and various Se ae articles on him, and” hes was sleek th

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STRANDED parently. Sam declared that he could live there _ for a year and enjoy himself if he had enough to eat. : “Tl bet you could,” laughed Joe. “Well, if I _. find the mine I'll let you stay here and watch it to last‘me till you get back.” _ “Y}] leave you all we have left. any more.” eS “Yon ain’t goin’ to do any more huntin’ till we have dinner, are you?” _-. “Why, it’s too early for dinner by two hours, at least.” 3 = _ “What’s the diff’rence? We kin sit-in the sun and rest ourselves till it’s time to cook some- sa thin’.” «= “You can do that, if you wish. ‘keep \on looking for the mine. ; -“7']}) wait till you come back,” said Sam, throw-. , ing the shovel and pickaxe on the ground and seating himself in the sun with his back against I can’t leave I’m going to - Joe mounted his burro and proceeded to. inves- tigate the pocket. He followed the rocks around ‘as he had done with the others till he réached the inner end of the pocket, where he discovered “punch of trees. Dismounting and tying his animal, he pushed his way among the trees and found ‘himself at the entrance to a gorge which _widenéd out into a lofty amphitheater as he ad- anced. He kept on till he came to a pile of rocks. 7 Looking around A big evidently vut there by hands. a he saw,similar piles at regular intervals. k one in the center had a piece of paper floating from it. He walked up to the center pile and read the paper. It ran as follows: ) _ “Silver Valley Mine and_ Lode, discovered by <e Thompson, March 2, 189—,” with added par- lars according to law. A few feet away was -rudely-formed hole in the mountain. Joe took ‘ his pocket, opened it out, mp. inside, and crawled, into ashing» about in spots showed veral feet. fe followed it for about five hundred feet to ‘a point where it stopped and ran straight down- ward. Great chunks of the lode were missing. e mine at random. The floor of the;tunnel covered. with silver quartz. With the little owledge that Joe possessed of estimating the ue of. gold or silver ore, he easily made, out ; the mine was a very rich one. He retraced ‘eps. to. the open air and once more examined otice written and posted by Thonipson. Then lea struck him. Why not write out a dupli- aim, advancing the date to the present and inserting his own name as the dis- ered, instead of Zeke Thompson? . _ e decided to do it. He had paper in his sad- ags. Taking the-Thompsor notice with him, returned the spot where he had left his tro, The animal had moved in under the trees : out of the glare of the summer sun, and ding as if asleep. Glancing over. to- house, Joe was startled at seeing sev- eg fe ae “ the rious spots, as if some one had been work-’ = OUT WEST eral men there around the door. Sam was not in sight. A second survey of the strangers con- vinced Rushmore that they were Bill Hurley and~ his three eompanions. = CHAPER IX.—Jess Maitland In Trouble. “Whew!” breathed Joe. “Those rascals have found their way into the valley after all, and of course they’ve captured poor Sam. That’s tough on him. The next thing they’ll be doing is to hunt for the mihe. They'll be almost certain to find their way here, and then they’ll discover urro, the gorge, the mine, and me on top of it keep in hiding. It’s a good thing I brought the rifle with me. I ought to be able to stand them off with itgthough four men, equally well armed, are mighty larée odds for a boy like me to tackle.” Joe unhitched the rope by which the burro was tied to the outer tree and led him well into the grove and secured him again. Then he removed the saddlebags from the animal’s back and hid them in a convenient hole in the rocks. Half of their food supply’ was in his. bags and Joe meant to try and keep it from falling into the enemy’s hands. Everythig& else belonging to them haa clearly been captured by the Hurleyites when they pounced upon the probably sleeping Sam and made him their prisoner. ‘ _ Sam wasnot the only prisoner the Hurleyites had, as Rushmore presently discovered.’ The boy stood in the shade of ‘the friendly trees.and kept a bright lookout on the house, in order to note if the raseals made any move toward his place of shelter. Hurley himself was not visible. He evi- dently was in the house, but his three men were’ loitering around outside. Joe saw that the saddle- bags had been removed from Sam’s burro, and that the animal, im company with Hurley’s beast, was tethered out in the grass. Fifteen minutes passed away, and then Hurley came out leading a girl by the arm. It needed but one glance for Rushmore to recognize her as Jess Maitland, and the sight of her in the power of .those rascals gave the boy a shoek of surprise and sent the blood bounding through his veins. It was clear that she and her fatler had been attacked by the scoundrels in an unguarded moment before e wagon had gotten clear of the range. She had been taken a prisoner, while her father— Joe shuddered to think what must have been his fate, since he knew what crimes these villahs had perpetrated since they first became the terror of thé district. The Maitland outfit must have been taken possession of by the rascals, though the boy saw no signs*of it. Joe’s first, impulse was to, rush forth and attempt the rescue of the girl’ at any cost, but a moment’s reflection con- vinced him that he would only throw his life away to no purpose in an open fight against the odds he must face. It behooved him, therefore, to watch and wait for a fitting opportunity to rescue | both Sam and the girl. He saw that Hurley was arguing with and threatening Jess Maitland. As far as he could make out, the girl resented his conduct in a resolute way. She did not appear 11 y unless there is some way by which I can . to be overcome with terror, as most girls prob-. _ ably would have been under the circumstances, and J oe admired her apparent grit.

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12 Whatever it was that Hurley was svt to ac- complish, he was certainly not succeeding very well. At one time he raised his fist as though he intended striking Jess, but reconsidered the mat- ter. When Joe saw his action, his eyes blazed with anger, and he raised his rifle to take aim at the scoundrel. Had he Struck the girl, Rush- more would certainly have thrown every other consideration to the winds and fired at him. With the chances in favor of his missing the rascal, for Joe was not a practiced shot, this would have ereated_a complication that might have resulted disastrously for the brave boy. Fortunately, such a crisis was averted. While Hurley was engaged with Jess his men went into the house, d presently Joe observed smoke issuing fro he chimney. As the sun indicated that the hour was - about midday, the boy guessed that the men were preparing their dinner. Hurley finally marched Jess back into the house, and immediately after one of the men appeared with a pail and started for the stream to get water. After watching an- ‘other half an hour and finding that the desper- adoes remained in the house, Joe, beginning to feel hungry, went to his saddlebags and got out some bread and hard-boiled egies, and returning to his post, made a light meal of.them. He had no means of quenching his thirst, howeyer, and had to do without drink. When he had finished the last erust he saw the three men come out with their pipes in their mouths, and squat down against the side of the house in the shade. Soon after Hurley joined them, and the group Smoked and talked for the best part of an hour. Joe judged that they were talking about the mine, for Hurley had a paper in his Hand, and he occasionally pointed toward the trees behind which the boy was observing his actions. ' “Ym afraid I shall have a visit from those . chaps soon,” thought Joe, with some. uneasiness. His fears proved to be well founded, for after a time Hurley, accompanied by one of the rascals, started for the little grove. Joe decided to take refuge inside the mine. So he hastily retreated into the gorge, crossed the amphitheater where Thompson had erected his monuments of stone, and diving into the hole, made his way to the ex- . treme end of the tunnel. There he crouched and waited with, beatin , heart for the coming of the two villains. It. wa! some time before he heard from them. Then. there was a noise at the entrance of the hole.’ He could hear the distant sound of talk, and every moment he expected they would crawl into the -_.«,tunnel.. They did not, however. The fact ‘of the matter was they had no means with them of pro- ducing a light, and to venture inside in the dark struck them as being productive of no good re- if sults. Having satisfied themselves that they Aad . found the mine, they went away, and after some -. time Joe ventured to make his way out again ‘= into the amphitheater. ' He remained around the tunnel entrance for more than an hour, thinking that the rascals must have discovered his burro tied in the grove a ~ get. a watch for the owner of the animal. length he grew tired of inaction, and santhcnaty zy trees ® STRANDED OUT WEST -Then his burro was no doubt thirsty, too, ‘ly for darkness. - Stars. took his way through. the gorge and reached she it oking b panion had not been observant es to notice — it where it was hidden among the trees. ; “They haven’t the least idea that they are a ing spied upon.” thought Joe. “That is fortunate for me, and I hope for Sam and Miss Jess also. Maybe I’ll be able to oe them tonight — if the raseals don’t set a watch. = When the boy looked toward the house again he saw the four villains loafing in front of the building smoking and talking. “T suppose they’re figuring on what they’re eh going to do about the mine, now that they know _ where it is. It certainly couldn’t be in a better. situation for them to gét out some of the rich ore of the lode without interference, except from me. If I-was not on hand to watch their actions and ultimately to checkmate them, I hope, the could load the two burros with ore, earry it sout and dispése of it at some smelter for cash. they adopt that plan they will count on | security afforded bv the séclusion of the valley, . and the fact that their return to this locality is not yet suspected. Working the mine in that w promises results, as well as safety, for them, and I should be surprised if they don’t attempt to. put-the.scheme into operation,” thought J as he watched the men. At any rate they were, in no rush about doine anything at the mine. fo or as they did not revisit the amphitheater that after- noon. With the setting of the sun the men set about getting their supper, and the sigh’ smoke coming out of the chimney reminded Jo that he had a good appetite himself. He wé a extremely thirsty, and would have civen a good deal for a big drink of water. There was chance of his getting that till darkness afforded him the chance of sneaking down to the: stre: would have to have water, if the boy had to him loose. Joe ate some bread and two hard-boiled eggs, of which a supply was saddlebags, while the uncooked rations ha stowed in Sam’s bags, and then waited imp CHAPTER X.—Joe: To the Reset: As night fell upon the little valley,.the Pee “ was) deepened by masses of dark clouds tha climbed the usually brilliant sky and_hi A moaning wind also swept thro 2 mountains and made its presence felt in th cluded plain of grass. The. darker the ni better it suited Joes for it favored his_ sb operations.” The only light that came from house was the fitful gleam of the fire in the o fireplace. As soon as he was satisfied tha four men were inside the building, he unhitehe the burro and led him along the edge of pocket tothe end of the promontory of rock th dividéd it from the adjacent pocket. Then headed for the streams After both had dr ‘ much as sthey wished of the cool, clear Joe decided not take the burro. bac grove, where ‘there was every chance of his | discovered next day if nothi ney came’ that nig of the boy’s efforts in. behalf of ae prison So he a the animal CTOSS the vall g ae!

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* es STRANDED ‘of his own accord. There he left him and re- “timed to the neighborhood of the house. He wondered whether Jess Maitland was imprisoned jn. the room where the bed was, or whether she ‘was up.in the attic along with the unfortunate Sam. He guessed that the attic would be regard- ‘ed as the more secure place to hold the prisoners, ‘since there was no way for them to leave except “by way of the ladder in the kitchen, which the rascals could remove. The door leading into the itehen, which was the main room of the house, “was open, and through it Joe caught a glimpse of the tascals- seated near the fire. He squatted out the grass and waited for developments. The ‘a midsummer one, but it was not so cool as to inconvenience the watcher. Nearly two - hours assed before the men showed any intention of turning in for the night, then Hurley withdrew © the inner room where the bed was, which sat- ed Joe that Jess was in the attic with Sam, nd two of his comrades lay down near the fire. e other man lit his pipe again, came to the yy, and sitting down on the sill, began to smcke and ruminate. That was a sign that a swatch was to be kept, and Joe began to despair of being able to communicate with the prisoners. Half an hour passed away and then the man got p and sauntered out toward Joe. The boy ‘awled to one side and let-him pass. As he did n idea occurred to Joe, and he determined to carry it out. He followed after the rascal, who “went as far as the stream to get a drink. As he it down beside the water, Joe drew his re- ver, crept upon him, and.when within reach ick the fellow a heavy blow on the head. toppled over into the stream, unconscious. dragged him out, took his revolver from him, Jooked in at the door. The two rascals in- e were sound asleep. In a corner stood two s. Joe decided to remove them first of all. ntered the room, which was illuminated only slightly the dying fire, and slipping across floor, secured the guns, and got outside with em. He dropped them in the grass-a short dis- ance in the rear of@the building and then went Jadder had not been removed from its e in the corner near the fireplace, and Joe determined fs creep up it to the attic and o get the prisoners out. It was a ticklish b, as one or both of the sleeping. men might ke up at the critical moment, discover him, hen there would be trouble. The boy, how- determined to carry out his plan _at any sk, and he entered the room again. He had ly gone a yard before one of the men rolled r and sat up. Joe’s watchful eye caught his “move and he hastily retreated into the room “Hurley Jay asleep on the bed. The man essed he was looking for the watcher.’ yas he didn’t see any, signs of him. } ed outside and walked about, probably for him, and no doubt surpriséd by Tis } He was away some time, dare leave the d, but remained P ute: ind from the mountains made the night cool for - ind left him., Then he hastene¢ back to the house _ - stretched himself and went to the cook _ “Miss Jess,” OUT WEST 13 his companion into wakefulness. Joe heard them talking together and then saw them both go to the door. The.boy listened to their talk and heard them discussing the. strange absence of — the fellow whose duty it was to be on watch. The fire, starting up again, began to dispel the shadows on which Joe depended largely, to es- “eape observation. “Hello!” ejaculated one of the rascals, sudden- ly,:“where are our guns?” “In the corner, ain’t they?” replied the other. “No, they ain’t. They’re gone.” “Gone! Where would they go to?” They looked about the room and found only the rifle belonging to the man who had been selected to stand the first watch. “There’s Hank’s gun, but ours— where tha deuce have they disappeared to?” said the fellow who called attention to the absence of the rifles from the corner. 3 “Hank couldn’t have put them somewhere else, could he?” asked the other. - : : “What would he do that for? Where is he, anyhow? I don’t like the looks of things. I’m goin’ to wake the cap up.” That decision on his part placed Joe in an awkward predicament. @The man was coming into the inner room where he was, and if a light was thrown on the subject he would be discov- ered. At this critical moment he thought of the bed. Unslinging his rifle from his back he quick- ly crawled under it. As he did so the man who had last spoken entered the room, and going ~ to the bed, shook Hurley by the arm. “What’s the trouble now?” asked. the of the small band, jumping to his feet. © .“The trouble is that Hank, who was on watch, is nowhere about, and Bill’s gun and mine are missin’.” : : . Hurley uttered an imprecation and walked out of the room, followed by the other. Joe heard the three men talking in an animated way in the outer room, and he wondered what would hap- pen. Leaving his,rifle under the bed, he crept to the door, and d out. He saw Hurley spring- up the ladder with a grass torch in his hand. In a-moment he came down and announced that the prisoners were safe. Then the three men, had: ? another talk, but couldn’t make head: nor tail out i of the situation. Finally they all went outsi and began looking around. Joe struck a mate. and inspected the inner room. Hurley’s rifle stood in a corner. The boy took it and shoved it under the bed. Taking possession of his own gun Joe went to the door of the room and listened. He could hear the rascals talking outside. At last ~ their voices grew fainter as if they were walking further away and the boy took courage to slip to the outer door and peer outside. He had to do this cautiously, because the light from the fire would have thrown his figure into relief against the darkness without. He couldn’t see the men chief _ He® in the gloom, nor could he hear their voices jJonger. Trusting that they were now at some -Aittle distance, he crawled across the floor to the Z fire, kicked the blazing fuel partly out, and then darted up the ladder. Striking a match, he saw the sleeping form of Sam close by. in ae Hires Further on he saw Jess Maitland, wi “he cried in a low tone. “do £

Page 16

i4 STRANDED alarmed, it is I—Joe Rushmore—come to try and rescue you.” The girl recognized his voice, and his figure in the matchlight, and uttered an exclamation of joy. “Time is precious,” went on Joe. “Are you bound 2?” “Ves. We both are,” replied Jess. “All right. I’ve sot a knife.” He slipped over and cut her loose. Ther he eut the rope that held Sam’s- hands, and while he _ was doing it the lad awoke. “What—what’s: iy “Hush, Sam!” replied Joe, in the darkness, “Don’t you know my voice? I’m Joe.” “Joe! Why, how did vou wet up here? Where are those men? : ' “No. matter now. Your.hands are free, and vour feet, too. Both of vou follow me, quick. Here, Miss Jess, take this revolver. I took. it from one of the rascals. You:know how to use it, I guess. You take my shooter, Sam. Now come’ on,” %: He led the way down the ladder, and Sam and Jess followed him, Another kick at the fire sub- dued it still further. “Grab that rifle yonder, Sam.” _. Sam did so. ward the outer entrance Joe heard the voices f the men returning. They were so close that” it was impossible for the three young people to ‘make their escape that way, So Joe hurried them into the inner room just in the nick of time, for in another moment Hurley entered the house, followed by the eather two, supporting the in- jured_ Hank, whom Joe had knocked out over at the. stream. a > ~~ CHAPTER XI.—tThe Escape. “Here, you, Bill, shake up :that fire,” said Hurley, as the two men assisted Hank to a chair. “Take another swaller of this licker, Hank, and brace up.” The rascal took the flask goodly portion. “Now, then,” said the leader, “let us know what happened to you.” 1 “Blamed if I know what happened to me,” re- plied Hank, in a dazed kind of way. “Somethin’ struck me on the head, and that’s all I remember.” “Somethin’ struck yer, | eh? What was it struck yer? And yer wet, too.” “Wet!” ejaculated Hank:” “Me wet?” “T should say yer was wet. Can’t yer feel it? - Yer must’r tumbled into the stream. Can’t yer ‘remember anythin’ about what happened to yer? - What was yer doin’ down by the stream,’ any- way? Yer were told te watch round the house.” -*“T was thirsty and T went oven to-take a drink.” _- “Wasn’t there good licker in the room?” de- “manded Hurley. ; “T wanted water.” “Oh, yer did?” sareastically. swallowed a “Then I reekon . what struck yer?” aoa: “No, I don’t.” oi S'pose yer don’t ‘know what happene¢ to A two. gun Baad stood in bias) see As thé crossed the room to-' \ - yer got more’n yer wanted. So yer don’t know OUT WEST “Bill’s oe Jack’s.” ; Sr a “What do I know about their guns? Every man looks after his own.” “Waal, them two guns was in that corner where yver- went on watch. When Jack woke up and. found yer missin’ he found the guns missin’, too. - There’s somethin’ crooked goin’ on ’round this ranch, and I’m goin’ to find out what it is.”\ “Hold on,” said Bill, in some excitement. : - “What’s the matter?” said Hurley: : 3 “When we three ’ vent out to look after Han his gun was standin’ ag’in the wall yonder. Ni it’s gone like the others. There’s somethin blamed mysterious goin ’on. I wonder if thi here shack is haunted.” : a “Haunted, you fool, of course not,” snorted Hurley. “ft’s my opinion there’s somebod round what’s no bus’ Tess to be here. Take al other look at the pris’ners, Jack.” i Jack picked up a wad of ‘dry grass, Holled into a short torch, lighted it and sprang up the ladder. Joe, Sam and Jess, who had ea overheard all that was going on in the room : yound, realized that there would be oa : doing in less than a minute. Se “They're gone!” roared Jack, as soon as “he had _ waved his torch in the attic. “Ther pris’ners!” howled Hurley, with a te ble imprecation. “Yes, the prisoners,” down the ladder. “That’s all yer fault, Hank, for jpaut = house,” raged the leader. “Somebody must follered us into this valley—thet gal’s father — mabbe: got onto our trail—and laid. low: dilbaieeros dark. I reckon it was he follered yer to stream, Hank, and laid yer out with a rock somethin’. Here, Jack, run out and see if thi taken the burros. If they hev they'll be ow the valley afore we kin ketch ’ a : Jack rushed out into the night to look for animals. “You take a look around the rear, Bil tinued Hurley, fand see what yer ki they hadn’t got away pie our guns we'd be able to make matt i Now they’ve got one sh with, while we’ve only got our revoly “They” won't ‘be able to do much ; guns in the dark,” said Hank, who was again. * “The burros are all right,” said Tale sti his head in at the door. “I’ve brought “Good enough,” replied Hurley. “Wait git my gun, and we'll head ’em off at the ® trance to ‘the valley. ca “replied Jack, ati Jess. “I chucked his gun under the mae have to fight our way out.” Joe reversed his rifle and waited. ‘Hurley aft into the room and felt in the corner ‘eapon. - When he found it was gone he 0 Swear like a trooper. “Fetch a light in here, Hank,” As he spoke Joe dashed eked him down with the butt of him gun. — Hurley roared as he fell, the blow onl a glancing one. s either?” Bes

Page 17

STRANDED stood holding on to the burros. He was taken * _so by surprise that the young people brushed by him before. he thought of getting out his re- - volver. Hank caught a fleeting glance of the three, but drew his weapon too late to use it. Hurley staggered from the room with his face _ and head bleeding, and great confusion ensued. ' At that moment Bill came up with the two rifies he had stumbled over in the grass. Hurley order- ‘ed Jack to ride to the entrance of the valley and ‘ hold the estaped prisoners off. "Jack seized one of the rifles from Bill, mounted the sad-eyed burro, and hustled. off toward the defile. Hurley wiped the blood.from "his counte- nance and then roughly bound up his head, and ~ while doing it he ordered Bill and Hank to scour the vicinity for ‘their late prisoners. In a few ~ minutes he left the house and joined the pursuit himself. In the meantime Joe led: his compan- ~ ions over to the Brove of trees.’ ,, “We'll stand them off from this place if they ome here,” he said: “Give that rifle to Miss ess, Sam. She’s a first-class shot.” : Jess shoved the revolver Joe gave her into her elt and took the rifle. : ; Then the little party waited for developments. The girl explained that when their wagon was early out-of the mountains she had gotten out -to get a bunch of wild flowers. While in the act of picking them she was suddenly surrounded | eaptured by the rascals. One held her while others rushed at the wagon to overpower her father. At that moment the scoundrels saw a couple of horsemen approaching. Taking alarm, Hurley swung her on his burro, and the whole _ party disappeared among the underbrush. They A ed along a lonely trail as fast as they i 1, and after séveral hours’ travel reached and entered the defile that communicated with ait 3 valley. On reaching the stone house they f They woke him up and made him a prisoner. Jess said she had at first » eri confined in the room with the bed, but was fterward taken into the attic, where she found am bound hand and foot. On being left alone hh Sam she had asked him about Joe, and was he was off hunting for the silver mine. le both expected nothing else than you would ught on your return to the house and forced share our imprisonment,” the girl said. “As hours passed away, and darkness came, we ondered where you could be. Finally Sam said uessed you had seen the rascals at a dis- ance, and that you had kept away to avoid ‘ 1. ” 2 rro tied» near -by. that’s exactly how it was,” said Joe. “I had found the mine and——” _ i. Did you really find the silver mine?” asked in a tone of excited interest. “Where did you find it?” chipped in Sam. ’s only ad short distance from where we are nding now,” answered Joe. ‘‘There is a gorge ehind this grove which leads into a kind -amphitheater. The mine is in there, and little I know about silver ore I can tell is a mighty rich property. A tunnel, has ig several hundred feet right into th alongside the main lode. This mine h * Sam Short sleeping in the sun, with his- | the bundles of crackers, raw OUT WEST 15 been worked by somebody a good while ago. Why such a rich iead should ve abandoned, with - thousands of deliars’ worth of silver in sight, is a mystery that-i can’t see through. The orignal discoverer uiust have dropped dead before he could impart tie knowledge of the mie to any one else. Weil, as 1 was saying, I had just found the mine, and was returning to tell Sam the news, when I saw four desperadoes hanging around the house. I knew at once that they had captured you, Sam, and that I would only be put- - ting my head into the lion’s jaws by showing. myself. So I kept under cover and watched them through the trees of this grove. I saw Hurley, whom I easily recognized, bring you out of the house, Miss Jess. I was much startled to see that you were also a prisoner, and I feared that your father had been killed trying to defend you. I. determined to do my best to rescue both you and Sam, after it got dark, and so’ far I have suc- ceeded. There is very little chance that they'll ‘be able to find us during the night, but when daylight comes I have no doubt but that théy will make a strong effort to discover our wires capouts and try to do us up. They are wow guarding the exit from this valley to prevent us from gutting away in the dark. The defile is so narrow that we could not pass them without instant discovery. In the morning they will probably leave one man on guard there while the rest will scour the valley. If we remain here we must have pro- visions to stand a siege, so I think the best thing Sam and I can do now is to go back to the house while they are away and bring the othe® saddle- bags containing the bulk of our uncooked grub over -here, together with anything else in the provision line that we can find in the building. The main trouble will be to secure water, for there is none, to be had here that I know of. With a good supply of food and water we ought to be able to defy all their efforts to rout us out of this place} for the gorge is very narrow just behind these trees.” As Sam and Je&s looked upon Joe as their Jeader and mainstay, wh er he suggested went as a matter of course. Handing Jess his rifle in exchange for the revolver, and warning her to keep a bright lookout for the rascals, yp and Sam left the shelter of the grove and made for the house with all due caution. ¢ i CHAPTER XII.—The Enemy Reinforced: . ; c “Keep your eyes skinned, Sam. No telling where most of the rascals are.. With one on watch at the defile, the others may be quietly prowling around, hoping to pounce on us unawares,” said Joe, as they drew near the house. ; : All was silent in that vicinity, and there was scarcely any firelight in the building, which loomed before them like a dark blot in the gloom. i _ “Stand here at the corner, Sam, while I go inside. If you see or hear the least thing to a@rouse your suspicions give me instant warning. Understand?” : io Preis “e ws Xs uk. ‘Joe. glided into the kitehén, Flashing a match he saw Sam’s saddlebags lying in’a corner, igh sliced Lacan, oa

Page 18

t 'Sam’s_ bags. 16, STRANDED _other provisions dumped out in a pile and show- ing signs of having been examined. _ Joe hastily returned the stuff to the bags and flung them on the table. He took possession’ of the half-filled flask of whisky that Hurley had left behind in his excitement. He dumped out the contents of a pair of saddlebags belonging to the, raseals, and finding that it consisted of provisions which they had brought with them, he shoved aS much of it as he could get into Then slinging the bags over his shoulders he carried them out to his associate. Returning to. the room, he picked up. the “tin pail he had seen there, also the bundle of blankets and the few cooking utensils which had been part of the load Sam’s burro carried. With these articles he returned to his companion. “Pick up the Saddlebags and we’ll return to “the grove,” said Joe. Sam did so, and they reached the shelter of the trees where Jess was Standing without see- ing a sign ‘of the desperadoes. Joe’s next effort was to obtain a supply of water. He-went off alone with the pail, bound for the little stream. He reached it without mishap, filled the pail brimming full and made his way back in safety. “We are now prepared to stand a siege for a fery days, at any rate,” he said, to his com- panions. “This water is our most precious prop- e.ty. We'll have to use it sparringly if we re- main. here. To-morrow one of us had better look about the amphitheater and see whether there’s water to be had within reach. Now, Miss Jess, you can take one of the blankets, roll yourself up in it and go to sleep on the grass. Sam and T will stand watch by turns all night.” _ The girl declared that she was too excited to sleep, but Joe insisted that she lie down any- way and rest herself. She obeyed, and then Joe and Sam removed all their goods to the amphitheater. The water pail they covered up and placed in a hole among the rocks. What Hur- ley and his minions were doing all this time, the ‘young people had not the least idea. All they knew was that they did not see, nor - hear from, them in any way. Night passed slowly away, Joe and Sam maintaining an alternate watch, and morring*dawned bright and clear. ® Joe climbed up among the wxocks where he could get -a sweeping view of the valley, and looked around for signs of the desperadoes. He saw the whole bunch seated near the entrance to the defile. As he looked three of them, two of them on burros, started in the direction of the stone house. Tethering the animals on their ar- ‘rival at the building, they walked inside. They same out almost immediately and began looking around. , *They’ve discovered the loss of the grub. and “Pil bet they’re as mad as hornets,” chuckled Joe, aS he watched them talk and gesticulate. ’ Finally two-of the men went back into the house, leaving Hurley walking up and down in front of the door. “They’re going: to feed’ on what I couldn’t take away last night,” thought Joe. “There isn’t more than enough to last them through the day: »I wonder what they’ll do for fodder when that’s gone?” ? “Joey returned: to ‘his @ompanions. 3 oe ‘Sate had. better Gook- some "ico OUT WEST Jf Lhe” The look that accompanied the words made ‘boy’s heart beat quicker than usual. There is no use disguising the act that he greatly admire: this lovely girl, and he was delighted that cire stances had b as him. to do her a anne serv- ice. * “You are.more than welcome to what? Te did you, Miss Jess,” he replied, earnestly. “I have tried to save you even had I lost my lif in the attempt.” _™ < She gave him one swift piainse ont of her be -tiful eyes and then looked down, her cheeks flu ; ing deeply unger his admiring gaze. . — “Well, ” said Joe, i have to go and re Sam.” for a Be and walked out into the mata Jess looked after him as he strode away. save me had that been necessary,” “How brave and noble, and handsome he er tes had a brother like him how . shout im!” Quite unconscious of the impression he hi; made on Jess Maitland. Joe: walked thro rro. 3 ahaa doing, Sam?’’ he asked. ‘ “Nope: They: hain’t stirred: prone ‘the hou you went to eat. <;

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STRANDED * +*]’yve been wonderin’ what, you did with your » burro, I don’t see him around.’ : ; 3 “Ff took him across the valley last night, and staked him near the stream, where he could get water as, well as grass,” : “Oh, you did,” said Sam, and then, without an- other word, he walked off. In a few minutes Hur- Tey and his two men came out of the house. One of them jumped on a burro and Startd off for the defile. Me aie's gone to relieve the chap on watch there,” gaid Joe to himself. ; -_. Hfis surmise was correct, for inside of a quarter of an hour the other man came riding back on the burro. After exchanging a few words with _. Hurley, the fellow entered the house. While Joe was wondering what the ruffians were going to do = he was rejoned-by both Sam and Jess. - *Hurley and two of his crowd are still at the house,” said Joe to the girl. “I suppose they’ll ' get busy presently.” nen Soke Hurley and the man who was talk- ing. to him turned and looked up the valley as if something interested them in that direction. Joe and his companions could not see what they were looking at, owing to the fact that the semi- ? cireular pocket of rocks hemmed in their line of ee Thare’s emething doing,” said Joe, in a tone $f interest. “I’m going to climb up on the rocks and take a squint. You two can come along, also, ag those chaps won’t be able to see you, since © we shall do our ¢limbing inside the gorge. ~ Leaving the treeS Sam and Jess followed Joe. “\ He led them up a precipitous pathway to the point he had reached earlier that morning when he $x 8 his view of the valley: As they glanced out over the grassy lain they saw three men on sata viding briskly toward the house. The ae | qwere ladened with heavy saddlebags, and the “men carried rifles slung across their backs. : ‘At the first glance Joe thought they were Jess father and two two horsemen whose appearance in the nick of time had frightened the rascals from attacking the wagon, and his heart gave a % pound of satisfaction. A moment later, however, “the disagreeable truth forced itself upon him— - these three new arrivals were members, of Hur- Jey’s gang, which now numbered seven. ‘They were bringing up supplies, badly, needed a by the rascals at that moment, and their appear- ~ ance was. welcomed by. Hurley with@the greatest of satisfaction. | : ee coming to the valley showed that Hurley had known of the place before he came there “the day before, and the valley had been appointed as. a rend ouis\when the gang was’ scattered. =” With the enemy reinforced by men and sup- plies the prospect was altered very mutch for the worse for the three young people who were prac- tically bottled uR in the valley. cs tes > el - = Bean XIII.—Beating A Stealthy Retreat. "The newcomers rode up to the house and dis- m eerie They were evidently warmly greeted by id: ley and his comrade. A conference: ensued, while they were talking they were joined by ‘the: man who had been in the house. The burros _ Were stripped. of their freight, which was taken pees | ae ! renew their attack on us,” said Rushmore. MS i ~ -~ OUT WEST 17 into. the house, and the animals. tethered with the other two. One of the rascals was left to. guard the building, and then the: other five started. to- ward the young people’s retreat. “We've got to fight them off now if we can,” said Joe, feeling that the situation was a critical one. “They have four rifles among them, while we have but. two. It is fortunate that the cartridges your father gave me, Miss Jess, fits the rifle Sam brought away from the house: We have got to keep under cover and not. open fire on the ras- cals till we’re sure of hitting them. Remember, Miss Jess, that you mustn’t think of sparing those fellows, for your fate would not be a pleasant one if they got you into their power again.” Their position enabled them to: command the narrow entrance to the gorge, and the distance between them and that point was so short that é they could hardly fail to hit a man every time one showed himself at’ the opening. They .watched Hurley and his companions as they advaneed toward the trees, They soon reached the little grove and were lost in it. “TH take the first shot,” said, Jo@, with his eyes on the entrance to the gorge. In a. few minutes the enemy appeared at the opening, Hur- ley in advance. As the rascal entered the gorg@, ~ closely followed by one of his men, Joe’s rifle rang out on the morning air. Hurley staggered for- ward arid sank down on the rocks. Then Jess fired and the second man fell. Sam discharged his: re- volver at the third fellow, and the bullet barely missed him. The other two men who were on the point of following dodged back out of sight. The rascal fired at by Sam seized Hurley and dragged him out of the forge. The man shot by Jess lay quite still. Joe and the girl put. fresh cartridges in their rifles and waited for a further move on the part of their enemies. They were holding a consultation’ out of sight, and for fifteen minutes notiling developed. At the end of that time the three unwounded ruffians were seen com- ing out of the grove carrying Hurley between them. Jess could easily have shot one or more of them before they could have reached the house with their burden, but she did not want to-- do it. wo “Sam,” said Joe, “get down there and see if that chap is dead or only woundéd. Tike charge of his gun and his cartridge belt, and take away any other weapons he may have about him. The © boy lost no time in obeying Joe's orders.. He found that the chap had been stunned by the ball, which had cut a furrow on the side of his. head. w He took his arms away and reported the facts ° to-Joe. Rushmore then joined Sam and between them they bound the raseal, carried him into the amphitheater, and léft him to recover his senses at his leisure. While they were doing this Jess remained on the rocks watching. Hurley was car- — ried into the house and while one of: the gang was attending to him the others gathered in. a group outside and canvassed the situation. It — is certain that they did not relish the warm: re- é * a “ception they had received in the gorge, and they were figuring how they could even up matters. — After disposing of the wounded rascal Joe and Sam rejoined the girl. j ae cf ; we oe “T guess those fellows won’t be in a hurry te A * :

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18 STRANDED they, do we'll make them still more sick of the ieb. “They may wait till night comes and then try “to ereep in on us,” said Jess. “T think it is more likely that they will at- tempt to get at us by climbing up the rocks,” said Joe. - “We wouldn’t: be able to see them in the dark,” replied Jess. “Tf it should be a fine, starry night we could see their figures. At any rate, if we couldn’t see them they could hardly see us, either.” Sam was bothered about his burro. He didn’t like the idea of his animal being in the hands of ‘the enemy. If the rascals should happen to take a notion to abandon the valley he had little doubt but that they would carry the burro away with them. He had a decided objection to losing..the sad-eyed beast, because he regarded the animals as an. old friend that could not, in his estima- ion, be replaced. No further move was made against the young people by the desperadoes that riorning, but a close watch was maintained by . them on the rocks behind the trees. Hurley was - #vidently pfetty sore over their defeat,” remarked foe. *“They wouldn’t do a thing to us if they ‘guld catch us. They’re a mighty bad lot.” Jess prepared dinner soon after noon without any assistance from Sam, other than to start the yre. Joe and the girl partook of it first,sSam re- maining on watch. Then Rushmore and Jess re- lieved Short. As the afternoon wore away, and the ruffians did not renew their attack, Joe was more certain than ever that. they were holding off for darkness. “Tf the night should sturn out to be tolerably dark,” he said, “like last night, for instance. I * should’ be in favor of making a move down the valley and forcing our way through the defile. We 3 3 iz oie ¢ > business before he knew what wasgbout to hap- : pen, and then we would start for Silver Creek. ‘On our arrival there I’d put the sheriff up to the - » whereabout of the remnants of the Hurley gang ' and! Hurley himself, and a posse would take the ~ vad to is valley in very short order. Sam and - I would go out with it in order to look your father 2 up, Miss Jess, while you would remain at. the hotel till gve got back.” “We couldn’t walk tw venty-five miles,” objected — _.. fam. who wasn’t accustomed to that kind of ex- Sis excise: f ~ “J guess you could if you had to, Sam.” . ; “Ho!” cried Sam, shutting up like a clam. Close on to sundown Joe, who had several plans in his mind, one or the other of which he ine tended to put in operation according as cir stances shaped affairs told Jess to prépare - supper. After it was eaten, he said to the girl: ‘ aay. eTepAre B small package of grub for you to carry for yourself, Miss Jess. Sam and I will , fill our pockets with crackers and hard-boiled eggs. pay idea of Iéaving the valley.” As dusk fell on the landscape the evening at they could afford to take .the chances of irrying out his idea. About an hour after dark 1ey left the ‘gorge and took up their station ig the tres. cre ues As ys Lass for OUT WEST ‘ could put the one man on wateh there out of. Then, if the night suits, we'll carry out mised to bé a fair one, but still Joe believed some move in their direction on the part of the. desperadoes. Hour after hour passed, until about eleven o’clock came, and still nothing happened, Laying his rifle with Sam, Joe started out on a tour of observation. Crawling siowly through the grass, he arrived within a short distance of the house. Then from a portion of the conver-' sation he overheard among the Hurleyites he found that they had determined to start out —~ presently, climb the rocks at a certain point and try to surprise the little party ihuv had given” them such a lively five minutes at the gorge that ~~ morning. Joe immediately returned to his com- panions and told them to follow him. He led the way into the ‘shadow of the rocky spur enclos- | ing the pocket. The dark background against he which they were passing concealed their move-— ments from the ruffians, who, not expecting Such. a retreat on their part, did not keep much of a- watch on the valley. When the rascals, four in ~ number, well armed, set out by a roundabout way for the rocks that they proposed to climb, Joe and his companions saw them go. The rascals did not consider it. necessary to leave any one to watch the house, or even to look after their wounded leader, who lay on the bed in the inner room of the building, chafing at his POR like au caged beast. 3 “Now,” said Joe, as the ruffians Deicies in the — gloom, “let’s see where the burros are. My plan is to recover Sam’s animal, also my own, where I left it on the other side of the valley, and take ~ a third for your use, Miss Jess. Then bli : able to ride to Silver Creek instead of walking the distance. This will be a much pleasanter way for us to proceed, and will save a whole lot- of ‘time, which is of more importance under th circumstances.” bf The proposal of Joe’s to take the burros w hailed by Sam with great satisfaction. They soorP = © ey found the animals stalked together. Sam Pic le d out his own. beast = mounted ‘him. as ee eee as Sam had es into’ Bik: CHAPTER XIV.—Besiefed Jn the Cabin. They turned their faces up the trai] in the d ( rection that would take them out of the Bias atthe point where Joe and Sam had entered “Your father must have been cig by a a 3 trail into gomg.some distance on a wrong s rt,” : said Joe ‘to Jess. ; “I’m afraid so,” replied the girl, with a ¢o) cealed look. ? “We had such a strenuous time of it in the valley that you didn’t get a chance to see the silver mine, though it lay within a few yards of where you cooked our meals in the amphith said Joe. “However, there will be ple chances for you te get a look at it later. I s want your father to take charge of it for 1 I have no doubt that I will have no troubl ing oT eee with him, after he sees le ness_of the Jo “He will do ape in the world for ye

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~ Rushmore, when he learns how you saved me i from those desperadoes,” replied the girl. * “It is a great satisfaction to. me that I was ¥ able to do it, Miss Jess,” replied Joe. “Anybody, : however, would have done the same, so I don’t _ think I am entitled to any special-eredit.” fh “T don’t know,” answered the girl, “that any- body would have risked his life like you did in behalf of one who was almost a stranger to him.” é “He’d be a pretty poor specimen of a man who wouldn’t stand by any unprotected girl in dis- tress,”’ replied Joe, emphatically.” _ There’s the cabin,” said Joe, at this juncture, pointing to the building where he and Joe first ' fasted with them. The moon, which was now rising above the mountain peaks, threw a shaft _of light athwart the little uninhabited dwelling. At that’ moment Joe’s sharp ears detected the ‘sound of horses’ feet upon the trail behind them. “There are some persons overhauling us. For ¥ fear they might happen to be the desperadoes who have discovered our escpe from the valley and are on our tratk, we had better seek tempo- ‘vary shelter in the cabin,” he said. The three young people started their burros ahead at a faster pace, and soon reached the cabin. ; “We'll take the burros inside with us,” said Joe, _ s0 there’ ut be no evidence that any one is around the place.” . The door, of course, was not fastened, and Joe - flung it open for his companions to enter and lead their animals with them. »He was the last to enter himéelf. His burro, _ however, drove his hoof through a knothole and “stuck fast. : - “Come. here, Sam, quick, and help me get the "animal's foot out of this hole.” ~. After considerable difficulty they freed the r burro, and shoved him into the room. Before this was effected and the door closed the oncoming party of horsemen came in sight. Jess, who was looking out of the one small window facing the trail, gave a little startled ery. es Ss the desperadoes,” she e are six of them, two mounted they know that we are here!” claimed. “There. m each burro, and way we.can,” said Joe, in a determined tone, as he placed the bar in position across the door. - “Look to the back door in the other room, Sam. there isn’t a ‘bar, secure it in some way.’ The desperadoes quickly dismounted from their ‘os and prepared to attack the cabin. The oonlight, however, rendered their “movements discernible, - *No use waiting for them to begin operations, Miss Jess,” said Joe, unslinging his rifle from s back. “Fire away at them, for we know rhat their intentions are.” he echoes of the mountains and was followed by a ery from one of the rascals. who}threw up his hands and staggered back against the rocks e other side of the trail. A chorus of recations and threats followed. Jess’s shot. ne hot reception they were getting cause all illains to seek the fixst shelter at hand, and “STRANDED mete Jess Maitland and her father and break-, _ «Then we 1 have to stand them off the best” The sharp crack of the girl’s weapon awoke -but three at the most, and then them, and take up the heavy log between ‘theme ‘ ifles began ringing out, and bast. beh niga eS ee OUT WEST Ble after bullet came whizzing through the little win- dows The rascals kept up a‘rapid fire on the window for a while, under cover of which half of their number moved around to the rear of the cabin. The little party soon found themselves ~ practically surrounded, and things began to, wear a desperate look for the besieged. The windows -in the back of the house were covered by ‘thick shutters which. Joe did not dare open in ordér to discover what the enemy was doing in that quarter. The firing ceased when it was not re- turned by those inside the cabin, and the ruffians, slinking from rock to rock, approached to the very edge of the open space surrounding fhe building. At. Joe’s suggestion he and Sam got their jackknives out and began’ to make small openings between the logs for observation pur- poses. As fast as these holes were made— one in each of the four sides of the. cabin—Jess was instructed to look out through them and take note of what was going on. The girl was finally stationed at the hole in the inner room, while ~~ Joe and Sam made use of the three in the large outer room, or kitchen. . For a time all remained quiet outside—thrée of the rascals were seen to be at one end of the eabin, among the rocks, and two at the other. The besieged. heard them ex- changing suggestions across the intervening space. : They were figuring on how to force an en- trance to the cabin. Finally Joe, looking through the chink he had made in the rear wall, saw four of the seoundrels bringing a big out into the open. Evidently they intended use it ‘as a battering-ram upon the back door. They did not begin the attack’ right. away, but, after plac- ing he log on the ground, withdrew behind the shelter of a big rock. At first Joe did not un- derstand their motive in delaying: operations until it oceurred to him that they were waiting for the moon to get behind the range so that the = ‘ cabin and clearing waquld be plunged into gloom. The man that Jess had hit at the first fire lay at the edge of the trail, evidently badly wounded. He was not dead, for he was seen to raise one arm occasionally, \ “What are the skunks up to, anyway?” asked Sam, when Joe came back to the outer room. “Why don’t they attack us?” “I guess they’re holding off for the mgon to set So we can’t get a good shot at them. It is ~ evident te me from the looks of that log they. brought and left at theeedge of the clearing that they intend to use it as a battering-ram on the - baek door. One or two good blows will smash the door in, and then it will be a hand-to-hand — fight to stand them off.” oe Joe, however, was not discouraged by the prospect. He felt that the moment the door = went down the rascals would offer a good mark, for they would be bunched around the log. “We ought to be able to downgthree, or two. at any rate, at the first fire, which ‘leave ‘eoun. re- volvers we Should: make it so hot for them that — is they'll draw off and skip,” thought Joe. As the moon sank behind the range Joe sa’ ie the rascals come from behind the rock, four « The crisis was: 2a hand.

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20 STRANDED CHAPTER XV.—The End’ of the Fights Rushmore immediately called Jess from the inner room and hastily told her what was about to happen. “The moment the door gives way they’ll drop the log and rush in on us. We must cover the opening with our rifles, and fire the instant they appear. After that we will have to rely on our - revolyers. Everything depends on the accuracy of our aim. If more than one gets past the door our fate may be sealed. It is now a question of life and death with us.” With their rifles poised ready to shoot, Joe and his two companions awaited the attack with beating hearts. It came in a moment. Crash! The door shivered under the impact of. the heavy log against it. But it didn’t give way, for the timbers and hinges were stout, and the bar held it pretty firm. Bang! The concussion came against the lower section of the door’ ae it partly gave way, the bottom hinge coming off Smash! The third attempt of the rascals was pretty successful, and the door hung in ruins. One final thrust only was needed to clear the way for the desperadoes and the door went com- pletely to pieces. Down went the log and then Joe fired at one of the figures. Simultangously with his shot came a flash from -behind a rock commanding the doorway and a.bullet whizzed by the boy’s ear. At that moment the entrance was filled by tj inrushing rascals. Crack! “Crack! blazed the rifies of Jess and Sam and two men went down headlong on the floor. % Crack! went Joe’s revolver and a third man ‘staggered back. The fourth man fired his re- volver in the direction of the flash and Joe felt a hot sting on his head. _ Crack! Jess’s revolver sent the last man in the doorway to the ground with a bullet in his breast. The man who had fired from behind the rock came dashing up, only to be met with a fusillade which bowled him over like a ninepin. Thus, in the space of a couple of minutes, the . ‘fight had been won. Five scoundrels lay writhing .... jn agony about the doorway. e room was clouded with smoke by this time, which was wafted out at the window. Joe went forward, re- volver in hand, to .investigate. One of the des- peradoes, less seriously wounded than the others, raised his revolver ande fired at_ the boy Joe dodged just in time to escape the bullet. “Throw down your gun or I'll fire!” cried Joe, : covering the rascal. The ruffian had no alternative but to obey or . take the consequences. With an imprecation he ‘dropped his weapon. Joe stepped over the others and picked it up, tossing it into the room. Call- -. jing Sam to help him, he started to pull the vil- lains from the door. Two of them seemed toh ve lie life in them. The other three groan- ‘ ed a re as they were dragged aside. “At this juncture “the two boys were startled by the appearance of three more men on the scene. They grabbed their revolvers, ready to sell their lives ly, for they saw that the newcomers had Bi ig Bi their hands ready for ther instant there would have been ‘prob “ably fatal pistol play in thé gloom, but at that — x siness. OUT WEST critical moment Joe recognized Jess’s father, who was in advance, by his white hair. “Mr. Maitland!” he cried. Ube parte “Ha!” cried the mining man. % “Ts that bie Joe Rushmore?” At the sound of his voice Jess rushed from the doorway of the cabin exclaiming, “Rather! Father!” In another instant the white-haired man had _ the girl clasped in his arms. ~ “My, gracious, young . fellers!” ejaculated one of the newcomers, “you’ve. had quite a battle ere.” SF ahould say that we had,” replied Joe. “We ve been besiged three hours in the cabin by half a~ dozen of the desperadoes who carried Miss Mait-_ land away.. They finally forced the door, but we managed to lay them out by quick firing.” _ “Did you young chaps beat them off- OURS, selves ?” “Yes, with Miss Maitland’s help. She ‘can. shoot as good as any man. She knocked out one. fellow down by the trail.” “We saw him. He’s a subject for the coroner. I guess, and a couple of these men are, too. You must have had a_lively time of it.” “We did while it lasted: which wasn’t long.” “We heard the firing and came on to ‘veseee gate. We’ve been hunting the rascals through the mountain since the young lady was carried “Pil tell you the story after a while. § Ging ought tg be done for these bgtias ore cals “They don’t deserve any consiieGeatee ought to be lynched. Howevér, the sheriff wil see that'they gét their deserts. Which one | Hurley ?” it “He’s not here,” replied Joe. “That’s a pity,” replied the man. king-pin of them all.” “J know where he is. I wounded him yester- day morning in a fight we had with the gang soon after I rescued Miss, Maitland. He's alone in a house in a secluded valley not far from here, — and if you want to take charge of him I] igs you to the place.” “We're ready to do that, It’s time he was pu where he won’t do any more harm.’ Mr. Maitland now came forward and grasp Joe by the hand. “My daughter has just been telling me how you saved her from those desperadoes at risk of your life. Believe me, Rushmore, I ¢a not find words sufficient to fittingly express gratitude. % am under a life-long obligation 0 you, and shall endeavor to repay you in So manner for my dear child’s safety.” _- ray ““T hope you won’t worry yourself about yr paying me, Mr: Maitland. I only did my d and I am glad that I succeeded in doing daughter, dnd yourself, a service. I hone, you will let the matter go at that.” 3 or Mr. Maitland, however, insisted that Joe was — entitled to some recognition for his cake t. plucky conduct. ey “Your friendship and that of: yo £ all the Recognition 3 want,” iis

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STRANDED “Then you may be sure we are your friends for. life,” answered the mining man._ ~ At that moment Jess noticed that there was plood on Joe’s hair and with a ery of concern, she. said: @ ~ “Joe, Joe. you are wounded!” : 2 “A mere scratch, I guess,” he replied, his heart giving 2 bound of pleasure at her calling him by his first name. : : He put his hand to his head and brought it away covered with blood. 7 5 Oh!” exclaimed the girl, in consternation. “Do ~~ git down and let me see where vou were shit. ‘He perniitted her to examine his head, and -- ghe saw that a bullet had raised a bloody furrow -» Fust above his ear. 2 ; ion have had a narrow escape,” she said, serl- ~~ owsly. “Come down to the stream and I will wash and bind up your, wound the best I ean under the circumstances.” cae ~ He accompanied her to the mountain rill, and though the injury was beginning to be painful. he ~ geemed to feel.only the gentle touch of her fingers as she bathed the inflamed and lacerated flesh. -and botind the wound up with her handkerchief. “Thank you, Jess,” he said, taking one of her in his when she’ was done. “You are very good, I wish—you were my sister.” ' i Jess blushed to the Bip as he cage her 12 ked down on the ground. ; a ee same to be the best of friends, aren’t. , and I may call vou Jess after this and you will call me just Joe? Do you agree? - Yes,” she replied, softly. That’s right. I want to know you better be- ‘eause—well, no matter, because we have been in rouble together, and I have taken an interest in : T never met a girl before that I liked as “mtich as you, and I don’t—well, 1 don’t want lose you—that is, lose sight of you.” @. he made no reply, but he saw that she did not tempt to withdraw her hand from his grasp. Do you like me, Jess? he asked, eagerly.’ “Yes,” she answered, after a pause. ere was something in the word that seemed mean a whole lot, and Joe, whose wounded d was throbbing and burning frercer and fiercer ery moment, looked into her half-averted face. at he thought he saw there even in the gloom encircle her waist with his arm. jof the moment sent the blood: A roaring and buzzing sisting nt yoice of Jess* crying. : “eh ‘dante ‘die—please don’t die, for my fake! Oh,-Joe, I love you—I love you—I love pe he Se t j 2 ou!” ; rae « Then he became entirely unconscious. ¥ CHAPTER XVI.=Conclusion. ; on a bed in a small afternoon sunshine | - single-exception of his finding the mine in. QUT WEST oI “Why, how did I get. here, and what is the pales with me? I feel as-weak as a cat. A fair, sylph-like form bent over him, and a cool, soft hand rested gently on his forehead. “Jess,” he murmured. “You here?” é KVeg “Where am I?” “In Silver Creek.” “Silver Creek?” he murmured, in a puzzled way. ts “Yes. Father brought you here in the wagon. Don’t you remember that you were wounded in the head during the fight with the desperadoes at the cabin?” “Yes, so I do.” “You went with me down to the mountain rill where I bathed your hurt and bound it up with my handkerchief.” “T remember that, too.” “Then you suddenly fainted. I was dreadfully alarmed, for I thought you were dying, and I called igs: “You called——” said Joe, faintly, as his mind recalled her words, like the words of a half- © forgotten dream. A “My father,” she said, with a flush. 4 “T thought—I thought——” His voice died away-to a whisper. “There, there,” she said. “You mustn’t try to talk. You are too weak.” @ She brought his a spoonful of medicine, which he swallowed simply because ghe held it to hi lips, not because he realized why he needed it. Next day Joe felt a little stronger and better, and then Jess, who remained with him the great- _— re part of the daytime, told him all that happened after he fainted by the side of the stream. He learned that two of the aoe: oes died before the wagon was brought up for their removal, and - that the others were néw under a doctor’s care ; in the town jail. Sam had guided the two men, who accompanied Mr. Maitland in his search for his daughter, to the house in the valley, where - they found the wounded Hurley all alone, im- patiently awaiting the return of his @ang. ~~ His wound was not so serious but he was able to be carried a prisoner on horseback to Silver Creek, whére he was now awaitine trial for his — many crimes. We may as well remark here ~ that in due time, when the wounded rascals re- covered their quietus in public at the ends of hempen nooses, and the contmunity. was, well rid of them forever. Soon after Jess had brought — everything up to date for Joe; Sam walked into the room and shook hands with his» wounded comrade. e “Glad to see you’re comin’ around,” he said, with a cheerful grin. “How do you feel today?” “Weak, but better,” replied Joe. | rs a _ Joe improved steadily from that time, and in’ — a week was able to be out of bed for part of | the day, Jess had already told her father about ~ Joe’s discovery of the silver mine in the secluded valley, and the first day that the boy was up Mr.-— Maitland came into his room’ to have a talk with — him about it. Joe had previously told the mining man about everythine that had happened in the valley from the moment he and Sam entered till they left it in company with Jess, with the.

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-. _, .. “Thank you, sir,” replied the boy. 22 rocky amphitheater. He now told him the story of the mine itself, from the odd meeting with his father’s old friend, Zeke Thompson; how the old prospector, finding himself dying, had willed him all-his rights in the discovery, and given him full directions, with a diagram, how to find it; how, after he and Sam had parted with him and his daughter, they had easily found the valley, and how, leaving Sam at the stone house, he had continued the search for the mine and found it. He told Mr. Maitland how rich in silver ore it appeared to be, what his plans were in respect to securing a legal claim to it, and-how he hoped to interest him in the working of it. . “T want you to go and look at it as soon as I am able to get about. Mr. Maitland. I am satis- fied you will find that it bears out all I have said about its richness as a mining proposition, and I Aiea you will help me work it to advantage,” said 08. “I am entirely at your service in this matter, Rushmore,” replied Mr. Maitland. “I owe you a + ot of gratitude IT can never wholly repay, and if ’ I can be of assistance to you in developing this property I will gladly do so.” “T am will- ing to give you a good interest in the mine in return for your services.” “We will talk about that some other time— after I have inspected the property and sized up its possibilities. In any ease you can depend on my doing the right thine by you, for my daugh- * ter’s sake, as well as my own.” = WA week later Joé was himself agaifi. He, Sam, Mr. Maitland and Jess, who insisted on accom- panying them, started for the mountain range en route for the valley and the silver mine. They ~ made the journey on burros, with a fifth one load- ed with supplies. Sam’s beast could no longer be called sad-eyed. e had improved wonder- fully in flesh and in spiriés since his master be- eame acquainted with Joe Rushmore. But he still had the habit of wigwe-?ing his ears on occasions when he was especially pleased at any- thing, or seemed to be curiously inclined. The party made the stone house in the pocket of the -. valley their heddquarters, and’Jess was appointed by acclamation as boss of the culinary depart- ment. Mr. Maitland was astonished at what he saw in the mine, and declared that it was uncom- monly rich. He agreed to take full charge of the working of’it as soon as Joe had established his legal right to the property. that the Inine was to be worked secretly, for a time, by the three now interested in its develop- ment, in order to get the funds necessary to be- ein more extensive operations. In order to pre- ‘vent the news Raking out in Silver Creek the ore was to be carried to a smelter on the south ’ side of the range. Mr. Maitland attended to put- ting Joe’s claim through the proper legal chan- nels. Then g company was formed, with a million shares at a par value of $1. 150,000 shares; Sam and Jess received 50,000 ishares each; and the balance, or 249,000, was of- over 25 cents a share. Sufficient money wasiraised . to install the necessary machinery and pay labor, -® and the mine branched out 2* once as a producer. Its stock immediately went ts par, for the rich- It was settled, Joe retained 501,000 shares; Mr. Maitland got fered to the public at the best figure obtainable’ STRANDED OUT: WEST ness of the ore was undisputed. Joe, of course, had himself elected president of the company, which was known as “The Secluded Valley Silver Mining Co.,” and Mr. Maitland was elected vice- | president and general manager. Sam Short was. provided with a sinecure at the mine to prevent him from wandering around the country as of yore, which he undoubtedly would. have done, notwithstanding the fact that he was now worth. $60,000. His burro had nothing to do now but meander about the valley, eatine the grass and. drinking from the stream, and as a consequence, he grew. fat and lazy. Sometimes when Joe, or Jess, or*his master, spoke to him, he would look’ up and wigwag his ears solemnly to and fro, but otherwise they never moved any more—the exer- , tion had become too strenuous for him. One ~warm summer evening, a year after t] mine had been in operation, Joe and Jess were walking together, as théy often did, around the. ~ edge of the valley. Finally they sat down on a ; smooth rock and Joe put his arm around the girl, as he had gotten into the habit of doing. “Pye got something to tell vou, Jess, that’s been in my mind ever since that night I fainted away at the cabin after I was shot. When every- thing had turned black before mv eyes, and I seemed to be floating away in space, your voice seemed to come to me from a great distance. This is what you said: ‘Joe, Joe, don’tdie—please ; don’t die, for my sake! Oh, Joe, I love you—I love you!’ Did you actually say that Jess?” The girl blushed crimson and hid her face in her hands. ,“You know I love you, dear, and I want to know if you really love me. If you said those words — that night I shall know that you have loved me from the first. Is it so Jess?” z So “Yes, it is so. I did speak those words, buf I never@dreamed that you heard them.” is “And you love me well enough to become -wife, Jess?” : ae “Yes. I-love you with all my heart, and have : from the moment I first say you.” oar Next day Joe ‘asked Mr. Maitland for his daughter’s hand, and the answer he got was — favorable, as a matter of course. Today Joe Rushmore is rated as one of the silver kings of Colorado. He lives with his wife in a splendid mansion in Denver. And he lays-all his good a to the fact that he was STRANDED OUT Wet. week’s issue will contain. “BEN BASS- FORD’S LUCK; or, WORKING ON WALL > STREET TIPS.” PANyeS WS ANDY \ my WORLD’S LARGEST BOILER Py The largest steam boiler in the world is being installed in’ Pittsburgh, Pa., by a heating com- pany. There are six miles of four-inch steel tub- ing in the heating and condensing apparatus, with

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BILL, THE COWBOY PRINCE» Or, The Rough Riders of the Ranch _ BUCKSKIN By GASTON GARNE (A Serial Storv.) CHAPTER XII.—(Continued) ~ “We know all about that part,” said the colonel, but what I wish to know is where Flood’s gang went.” : “To Four Flush,” answered one of the men, ‘promotly. “All right. After you have eaten I want you go back to the ming. You'll find some of our boys there on guard. From now on I am going o work tie Buena Vista openly. In fact, I am going to sell this ranch and devote all my time ‘to the mine.” : 2 ‘The miners then went out to one of the sheds 2 their food. e Bill listened ‘to SS You are goingito landed. “J am,” declared the colonel. “It’s the biggest colonel in amazement. . sell Rorebud Ranch?” he would make the largest Is the Double X yours?” yne hundred thousand dollars.” “And the gee ede: ‘Hqually-as much more. ; . Peotone! looked at Bill as if he thought the E entioned would ateceet him; but the boy was cool and calm enough. — Se ae ter 2 moment’s reflection he asked Briggs: “How much do you honestly reckon the Beuna sta mine is worth in its present condition, col- ie “Well I had an expert examine it, and he as- we e that about half a million dollars’ worth ould be taken from it, but the cost of get- out would eat up more than half of this ! < aa ranch and stock are ZTE A veseeyy & of ts FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY t “been drowned.” ene Ray eS ch anty snore : 23 “No. of running it istoo much for me. vote myself to the mine.” “T see. Now I’ve got something to say that witl . surprise you.” » Pry “Say it, Bill.” r “Well, it is just this, Colonel Briggs. My father was the sole owner of the land upon which ~ the Buena Vista mine is located. He willed it to me with the ranch. I am now the owner. I can prove this with legal documents. You have no lawful claim on thé mine at all. You have simply. ‘jumped’ the abandoned place.” “Thunder!” roared the astonished colonel. “Listen,” proceeded Bill, with a quiet. smi “don’t get excited. I am not going to take mine away from you. On the-contrary, I am go- ing to offer it to you in exchange for Rosebud Ranch. Are you willing to do it?” For a few moments the colonel could scarcely speak. But ,he quickly recovered from his amazement, and, seizing the young cowboy prince by the hand, he cried: “Ttis a bargain. Prove your claim to the mine.” Bill pulled off his sombrero and waved it in the air. : “Hurrah!” he cried. “I'll prove it, colonel, and when I get hold of Rosebud Ranch. and blend it with the Double -X I will then be a cowboy prince indeed!” ° i I am an old man and I find that the work. I prefer to de- # v “ CHAPTER XII. ¥ Lawyer Marks, | * With a hoarse cheer of joy Jim Flook and fif- teen of his gang rushed out of the secret exit of~ , the Buena Vista mine after the liberated miners. — Water was already pouring out of ‘the opening, but they escaped the full strength of the flood, and the outlaw shouted to his followers: * . Prd “Git ter Four Flush as fast as yer kin ‘go!” . Hank Sawkins stuck to Flood, but the rest of. oy gang scattered, each one going off by him- self, Fj “It’s tough luck, Hank,” the outlaw growled, as they hurried on, ‘Ali our mustangs must have * “Well,” replied the other: in a Soothing way, ‘after we get over the first shock of this adven- ture we can easily make a raid on one of the corrals near Four Flush and supply ourselves, with new ones.” ees “Thet’s a hangin’ job,” retorted Flood, taking a chew of tobacco, “but I reckon it ain’t ther first. one of its kind wot we've did.” — ” . They finally reached the town and headed fora saloon called “The Boiled, Owl,” in which they — agreed to meet the-gang. ~ ; As all the gang was there, they went into the back room and there planned a raid on some bronchos that were to be used on the following nd jus ‘doo

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24 : in, wearing a perforated plug hat and a rusty black ‘suit of clothes. “Just in time, gentlemen. I’m just in time to join you!” he cried, with a beaming smile. “Mine is whisky, if you please.” ‘Everybody turned around, and a ment went up. “It’s Lawyer Marks!” ‘yelled Flood, ‘tan’ hang me if he ain’t got on thet ole tile agin! Step up, Marks, an’ git yer pizen,” he added, whipping out ‘a revolver. “Are yer ready ter make yer bow?” “Ready,” answered the lawyer. Bang! went Flood’s revolver, and a how] went from the gang ds a bullet fiew through the stove-pipe hat and sent it flying across the room. Every one laughed, and the lawyer took his drink. ‘ He was an old “has been” who was capable” of doing almost anything for the sake, of liquor, and was the same fellow who had held a small mortgage on Buckskin Bill’s ranch. “Waal,” said Flood, “it requires a certain “amount o’ nerve fer a galoot ter stand up afore a shooter an’ allow his hat took off with a bul- let. Whar yer been, Marks?” « “Up to Colonel Briggs’. Say, Jim, what do u think is going to happen? Buckskin Bill a bought Rosebud Ranéh.” “What!” gasped Flood. "“Tt?s a fact,” went on the lawyer, seriously. “I was sent for by the colonel and made the trans- fer.” “When?” ‘ “An hour ago.” , “Where did ther kid he's ‘ “He proved to Briggs that he was the true and lawful owner of the Buena Vista gold mine. The : colonel made a strike there and was quietly work- + jing it. Bill swapped the gold mine for the ranch, and Buckskin Bill’s mother, acting as the boy’s guardian, signed the papers.” “Then ther-lettle varmint is really a cowbo prince, ’cause he now owns ther biggest ranc : m ther hull of Dakoty.” , “It’s a fatt,” assented the lawyer,-with a nod. * ®“And they paid me a very liberal fee for attend- ing to their legal work.” , { ‘Then yer’d better treat ther hull gang,” said \ Flood. “If yer do it will be ther fust time yer ever done it in yer life.” . ea “Why, certainly,” was the lawyer’s bland re- ply. “I néed another drimk myself, gentlemen. Step right up to the bar*and have one on me.” All the loafers and outlaws made a rush for the bar, and the bottles and glasses were put be- , fore them. But suddenly the wary bartender hap- pened to remember what a foxy gentleman Law- yer Marks was, and he exclaimed: “Where’s your dough, boss?” é ' “Why, you see,” began the oily lawyer, as he ; swiftly clutched the neck of a bottle and poured out a big drink, #‘I haven’t been paid yet.. You ean hang it up, and—=—” > ! sneered the saloon-keeper, roar of merri- i git ther coin ter pay for “And never git it as he made a rush from behind the counter. — Seeing him coming, Marks hurriedly gulped~ _ down his drink, and as the last drop disappeared ' ein _ the barkeeper’s boot shot out and caught him like ‘Es eS ; NA a - 7 gs nike FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY j the kick of a mule. Ont the door shot the lawyer | with a dismal howl, and there rose a tremendous roar of laughter from the inmates of the room, . When they gazed outside the next moment the lawyer had vanished, and the saloon-keeper never got his money for those drinks. iE aaa The news brought in i) the lawyer astonished ] everybody, and Flood called his men aside and held a whispered conversation with them. = All the villains were worried, for they had often gine: the old colonel and had no trouble come of it: ; ; They knew that Buckskin Bill was a different sort of a proprietor, and would organize the cowboys on the Rosebud the same as he had done _ on the Double X. Naas In that case, they could not run off the cattle with such impunity, and a regular source of their income would be stopped. : > “An’ wuss than this,” added Flood, “now thet — Colonel Briggs is a-givin’ up cattle raisin’ an? — is going’ ter work ther Buena Vista mine open an’ above-board, he will put in such a big force ts of armed men thet we can’t never jhope ter git a foothold in ther place agin.” i “What’s to be done?” demanded Sawkins, un- easily. , ‘ f Gans . Flood scratched his head and reflected. He was at a loss to know exactly what to do, but,he thought out an idea at last, said: ‘ “Waal, fer ther present all we kin do is ter go ter ther cowboy pigtic ter-morrow an’ hook. — a broncho fer each feller. Then we kin find a new hangout, an’ wait fer Briggs ter start in cartin’ away his gold. Our game will be ter hold _ up ther ore-wagons, shoot the guard, an’ seize ther cencentrations when they send ’em ter Four ush. , ee This plan satisfied the gang, for it promised big money for them. ; tiene “J know where there’s an old hut in the woods not far from the San Jo trail, over which the ore-wagons will: have to pass,” said’ Sawkins, “Let’s»go up there now and fix the placegup so_ us fe: ter ther stores an’ buy sich articles as we want ther most.” PGS Sawkins then told each man what to get to furnish and stock the hut, and they left “The ae Boiled Owl” one after another so as not to at- — tract too much attention | ee Just as twilight, fell they stole away and met _ at the trail, each one ladden with things he had ~ bought or stolen. ‘ aoe Sawking led them to the big log hut, and they Weal “ - found the place nicely adapted to their nedds, ’ Lanterns were lit, food was cooked and eaten cards were brought out, and they gambled an drank liquor until far into the night. As On the following afternoon a man was left « guard the place, and the rest stole away after Flood and Sawkins had headed for the where the cowboy picnic was to be held. _ <n 1 Tevbe continued.)

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY GOOD READING i -. ‘ COLLIE AND. SHEPHERD DOGS ~The shepherd dog originated in Germany and is also called the police dog. In France it is called the French police dog, in Belgium the Belgian po- lice dog and.in England the Alsatian wolf dog. The collie is the real shepherd dog and was de- veloped in the Highlands of Scotland. The dog of all domestic’ animals is the only. one which seems to: grasp the connection between man and man’s property. This attribute is most conspic- udus. in collies and shepherd dogs, ss i meh Dewt fees ass Bact: TUBERCULOSIS SOON TO. VANISH saat Twenty-five years’ from now, tuberculosis will _' be as uncommon in the British dominions as lep- rosy is to-day, according to Dr. C. W. Saleeby, of the London Medical Institute... He also predicts that infant mortality will be reduced to almost _. nothing and that successful ways will be discov- ered to combat cancer. Largely through pre- __-ventive methods the death rate from tuberculosis has steadily decreased in the United States. In 1910, the fatalities from this affliction of the _ Iungs were nearly 140. for each 100,000 popula- tion and in 1922 less than one hundred. % . a IAM ta It will be news to most people that we have a considerable number of Siamese students with eas. Ley: held their annual conference this year at Manassas, Wa. One of the chief purposes of the alliance is to promote friendlier relations be- tween the American and the Siamese. Siam is a long Pennisula of about 220,000 '/~ square miles hemrhed in by the krenech and brit- _. ish possessions. The population of the country is about 8,500,000, @f whom 500,000 are Chinese. - About a quarter of the population are’ Siamese of low stature and light color. They live prin- cipaily. on rice and fish, with tea for a drink. They ave Buddhists.in religion and celebrate Buddha's ~ Payeabout the first of April. The country has ‘a long history, with invasions and wars with their neighbors. During the World War Siam deglared war on Germany and Austria, and seized Pig vessels in Siamese harbors, and arrested all -. Germans and Austrians. ‘ SUCKS SNAKE’S VENOM Word comes from Blowing Rock, N. C., of the heroic action éf Mrs. Frederick C. Zabriskie of Hackensack, N. J., in saving her husband’s life by sucking the poison from a wound after he had been bitten in the leg by a copperhead snake. Mr. Zabriske is a retired broker and well known n Hackensack club cireles. He has been spend- the summer in North Carolina. He was pick- ing wild flowers for his children when the snake pit him. The party was twelve miles, from the village and Mrs. f : chances. She sucked the wound while the family made fast time back to the village in an automo- Pe husba t en se Ww is nd was already under the influence of hen he reached the doctor, who said ie’s action had no doubt savel Mr. 2, She suffered no, ill effects. Zabriskie decided to take’ no. Latest advices received said that Mr. Zabriskie Was recovering rapidly: i THE GARDEN OF THE GODS If ever there was a place on earth where. the gods of the Greeks, and Romans may be supposed. tu. have lived and had a good time, that place must have been in Colorado, Near*the foot of the famous mountain known as Pike’s Peak lies the “Garden of the Gods.” It is a valley, just on-the edge of the Rocky Mountains, and is completely _ surrounded by a high, perpendicular wall of white sandstone. Thef® are two entrances. through this wonderful wall; one of them—the larger—is called “The Beautiful Gate.” It is a narrow gap in a mass of rock more than‘ one hundred feet high. As you enter, you look-over a valley fenced in on all sides with white sandstone ; and, nearly opposite, at the top of a hill, is another smaller gateway, half-concealed by a huge rock about th: size of an ordinary cottage. This mass of rock is so balanced on the®edge of the slope that it looks as if it might jump. off and-go thundering down the hill while you look at it. The Garden of the*Gods abounds with beauti- ful trees and foliage, and, towering amidst this loveliness, are some of the most extraordinary, queer and fantastic shapes ever made out of rock. Ages ago, when this part of the world was in a state of terrible commotion, vast layers of rock were forced up out of the earth in all sorts of positions. Some were vertical, some slanting, and some were crisscross and mixed up generally. Learned men say that was the way these layers of, sandstone, which once~ were flat, got up edge- wise and in all other ways. We-must take their word for it. ‘There was nobody there to seg, , Trees and shrubs, after a time, grew: up: around’ and the disturbed earth trad peace. Then came the mountain winds and the long autumn rains. The wind blew the sand against the rocks, which are so soft that you could dig holes in them with a strong jack-knife. The wearing of the stony surfaces carved them into all sorts of wild and funny shapes. ably, before these grotesque scalptures looked as they do now. Here and there among the trees rise up fan- ~ tastic shapes like spires, towers: and steeples. Some of the fanciful names given these are “Mon- tezuma’s . Cathedral,” ‘“Cleopatra’s - Needle,” “Washington Monument,” “The Cathedral Spires” and “Needle Rock.” i! SJ : “Meving Picture Stories” A Weekly Magazine Devoted to Phetoplays and Players _ e PRICE TEN CENTS PER COPY | Each number contains Three Stories of the Best Films on the Sereen—Hlegant Half-tone Scenes, from the Plays —Interesting Articles About Promineet People in the Films—Doings of Actors and Actresses in the Studia and Lessons in Scenario Writing. . ; oe HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc. 166. West 23d) Street New York City Pi at ware Ages and ages passed away, prob- — y .

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26 wAME AND FORTUNE WEEKL» NEW YORK, AUGUST 28, 1925 TERMS TO SUBSCRIbEKS Single Copies.....c..ccccceneces Postage Hree 8 Coats One copy Three Months........ es ie 00 One Copy Six Months......+.0« = = 2.00 ue Copy One Year,.... I es Si Ms 4.00 Canada, $4.50; Foreign, $5.00, HOW TO SEND MONEY — At our risk send P. O. Money Order, Check or Kegistered Letter; remittances ‘n any other way are at your risk, We accept Postage Stamps the same as cash. When sending silver wrap the Coin in a separate piece of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. rite your name and address plainly. Address letters to } HARRY E. WOLFF, Marry KE, Wolff, Pres. Charles E. Nylander, Sec. Publisher, Inc., 1, ¥, Wilzin, Tregs. 166 W. 23d St., N. Y. ITEMS @F INTEREST AMERICA’S NEW AIRPLANE ; The Saratoga, Uncle’s Sam’s new mother ship for, airplanes, is the mightiest vessel of her type in the world. She can carry 72 planes—32 bomb- ers and 40 combat machines. Her length is 888 feet, and she is driven by eight electric motors, each of which develops 22,500 horse-power—the - most. powerful plant ever put into a ship, Her * maximum speed is 89 miles per hour. s TELEPHONE TESTIMONY For the first time in the history of Fayette County, Pa., courts, testimony was taken bystele- phone. the Commonwealth in an automobile accident casey) had just returned home after being a patient in ‘a hospital and was unable to attend court. He was called by telephone, the oath administered -and his testimony transmitted and recorded: by ae court stenographer. ve - CIGARETTES HELP DISCOVER ORE Over the entrance to the principal mine | of a lead company in Arizona hangs a portrait of - “Antonio,” the Cave Finder,” an émployee who ' . yoams about the underground passages puffing cigarettes, says Popular Mechanics. He keeps close watch of the smoke as it drifts away, and if he sees it disappearing” through tiny breaks in the rock formation, the workings are extended in that direction, which often leads to inner caves, \ Yich in ore. Minerals in this region seem to have “been deposited in. cavities which lie in an approx- imately horizontal plane. The mine is said to have been enlarged by more than se a mile in this manner. Tunnels are driven under the caves and the ore issdropped directly into -earry it out of the mine. . GET RID OF WOODCHUCKS * ’ Rockland County farmers are among those of - forty New York tounties who have been killing kal chucks by wholesale. Calcium: cyanide has ~ been placed in the woodchucks’ dens. --M.-D. Pirnie of the Agricultural College and “mM. A. Stewart of the United States Biological 2 ‘Survey have been holding Sena aes oe the cyanide. Ing the jelly off my hands, Richard Barton, one of the witnesses for | e cars that - “My wife saved me from drowning. She’s a mi FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY in‘the counties of the State interested in getting rid of woodchucks, and Mr. Pirie said the. re- sults had been successful. In many of the dens woodchucks were found dead within two or three feet of the entrance, and the vast majority of holes were unopened, Tests made at some of the meetings show that only three to five minutes’ use oi the pas is neces- sary to kill them. It is imperative to use the utmost care in hands ling this. deadly gas, Mr. Pirnie cautions. ; should always be used in dry weathér, as it is liberated too rapidly for the safety of the user when the ground is’wet. Cans of calcium cyanide — should never be opened where the gas or fumes — ~ could be confined in any one place. _ An ordinary tablespoonful of the cyanide dumped far into each den with a long-handled — spoon is one of the best ways of using it. All openings should be closed immediately after plac- ing it. Grass, sod or a stone is good to keep the loose earth from sliding down and covering up fh One should be careful to wash the hands after — using it,it is pointed out. : & LAUGHS Jimmie—What are you doing? Tonimy—-Was8e ‘ Ma’s a finger-print © expert, you know. pie Se - Bacon—London women now feed their pet. dogs at the tables in restaurants. Egbert—How about — oe children? 2” **Oh, they have cepare ate rooms: tor em. : gor et boy of ours seems mighty foud: of : tendin’ to other folks’ business. Hiram—Guess we'll have te make a lawyer of him. Then he'll 7 get paid for doin’ it: ~ “So you intend to be a soldier syhen’ fe ‘gro ow : up. Don’t you know you'll be in danger of it ¢ killed?” “Who Puts “Why, by the enemy.’ The Vil be the enemy.” Teacher—Where is the Dead Sea? omnis Don’t know, ma’am. Teacher—Don’t know where the Dead Sea is?) Tommie—No, ma’am. I didn’t even know ae is the seas were sick, ma’ am. “Does your husband go fishing?” ‘“Yes,? ee plied young Mrs. Torkins. “And does he ‘eatch anything?” “Yes, I heard him telling a frie how, after great patience and perseverance, 6 caught his third ace,” Client—I want to sue for a divorce ee allowance of $1,500 a year. Lawyer—What ‘your husband’s income? Client—It’s about tha’ I wouldn’t ask for more than Beg man makes. m0 not that kind. 5 Our romance began in a. most romantic -way. nifieent swimmer, you know.” “1 notice you. He go out very far.” “No. I don’t know if she w } save me again,” E ;

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY Ss i POINTS OF INTEREST — | =. a: P ays LASSOES A RATTLESNAKE in Sussex, N. J., this simmer, Samuel Cole, who lives on a farm near by was entering his barn — recently to get his horse when he noticed a rattler _ § feet long coiled on the stable floor behind the _. horse and poised to spring. Cole got a-rake and -, killed the reptile. 5 Elliott Tranger, dnother farmer, lassoed a rat- .tlesnake 4 feet long on the highway near Sussex ies @and took it home for a pet/ _-—sSPEAKS 12 HOURS IN BERLIN a _ Franz Horaz, from upper Silesia, aspires tobe ~ European champion in public speaking. Coming to the German capital for the initial event, he » -recently mounted a soapbox in the Lustgarten, be- -» gan speaking at 9 a. m., and ended at 9 p. m., - pausing only occasionally for two minutes’ to. sip lemonade or near beer. Above his head hung a . placard reading: “I am contesting for the tu- -yopean championship in speaking. I challenge the orators of Germany. If no one accepts I win +the title. Contests will follow in Warsaw, Paris md Rome.” ; During his Berlin performances this modern mosthenes has recited Schiller, Goethe and other German poets by the hour, declaring he is nxious to revive the ancient, but lost, art of ora- y. in Paris he intends-to recite Moliere, and in Rome the entire Divine Comedy, each in the iginal language. on e HOW A SPIDER RUINED A NATION ‘When the French quartermaster, Disjonval, as confined in prison by the Dutch at Utrecht, he sought to beguile the tedium of his prison life attentively studying the habits of the spiders _ which frequented his cell, and eight years of im- "i isonmen’ gave him leisure to be well versed in eir ways. In December of 1764 the French my, on whose victory over the Dutch depended * Disjonval’s restoration to liberty, were in Holland, and the victory seemed certain if the frost which yas then of unprecedented severity, cofitinued. > The Dutch envoys had failed to negotiate a peace, and Holland was despairing, when the frost Maadeniy broke. The Dutch were now exulting, nd the French generals prepared to retreat; but he spiders of Disjonval’s cell forewarned him at the thaw would be of short duration, and he w that his little insect weather monitor never seived him. Accordingly he contrived to com- uunieate his weather knowledge to the army of his countrymen, and his generals, who duly es- mated his’ (Disjonval’s) character, relied upon d again be frozen so 4s to be passable for is Seach -troops.- They delayed their retreat; twelve days a sharp freeze set in, and the army triumphed. Disjonval was-released, | a spider had brought ruin to the Dutch na- rant ee 5% f r * Tee Se: ‘ ‘ Rattlesnakes are reported in great abundance _is provided, like a rifle, with a fore sight and a ,a small beast called the acouchi. ssurance that within « few days the waters. HUNTING WITH BLOW GUNS . The blow pipes used by the savages of Guiana for shooting poisoned arrows-are very wonderful weapons indeed. The climate of this equatorial region, being both very hot and very moist, pro- duces a vegetation of astonishing luxuriance. The forests are commonly ankle deep in water for mile after mile, and, consequently, the animals found there mostly inhabit the trees. Monkeys are exceedingly numerous. For killing these tree- dwelling creatures the blow gun is the most possi- ble instrument. It is ‘made from a peculiar kind of reed, and, although eleven or twelve feet in ; length, its weight is only a pound and a half. It ics OM wi) back sight, the latter being made of the teeth of The natives are most careful respecting the straightness gf their blow-guns, and never allow them to lean against anythisig lest they should be warped. The arrows employed are made from the leaf ribs of a kind of palm, made to fit the- bore of the gun by a wrapping made, of wild cot- ton fastened with a fiberof silk grass. Great art is required to put on the cotton properly. The arrow is about ten inches long, no thicker than a crow quill, and at one end is brought to a point as sharp as a needle by scraping it between the | _ keen-edged, saw-like teeth of the piari fish. One- half of a piari jaw is always suspended to the quiver. z The vegetable poison used for envénoming the i arrows is called: “curari.” It is extremely pow- = erful and will kill a man within a few minutes ie

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A cl 28 FROM. ALL POINTS YEAST AS A REMEDY FOR HOOKWORM The United States Public Health Service has announced results of experiments which prove that severe cases of himan pellagra can be either prevented or cured by means of dried yeast. Sur- geons Joseph Goldberger, G. A. Wheeler and W. i Tanner, after the successful treatment of twenty-five out of twenty-six patients, were Jed to this discovery by following another disease in dogs. Black tongue, a bacterial disease with somewhat similar effects on: the skin as are pro- duced in severe cases of pellagra, also a bacterial infection, was. produced experimentally in dogs. Then the dried. yeast was given. The cures were so satisfactory in the cases of the dog disease that the Public Health Service surgeons tried the yeast treatment on pellagra patients. As early as the second or third day after the treatment beneficial effects were noted. . A HUGE ROCKING-STONE Every one has heard of rocking stones—masses of rock so delicately poised as to move backward and forward upon the slightest impulse. There ave many such stones scattered throughout the world, but the majority of them are mere mar- _ bles compared to the famous rocking-stone of _Tandil, in South America. This giant among rocking-stones weighs no less than 700 tons, and is situated in a low range of hills some 250 miles south of the city of Buenos Aires. It is com- posed of granite and contains 130 cupic meters. ‘It is in the shape of a paraboloid, four meters high and five meters in diameter at the base. The stone rocks upon a knob of rock beneath, which fits closely on a -socketlike hollow in the great boulder itself. The action of the elemients through countless centuries has succeeded in wearing away the softer parts of the stone, leaving be- hind only the harder-gritted=core. The stone is so delicately poised ‘that it can Se made to crack a walnut without crushing the kernel!® «SPONGES ARE OCEAN’S BEEHIVES _ Sponges are the beehives of the sea. This curi- ous discovery has been reported to the United States Bureau, of Fisheries by Dr. Charles J. Fish of the scientific staff of the New York Zoo- - Jogical Society’s steamer Arcturus, cruising in tropical waters. Thé “bees” which Dr. Fish found inhabiting the canals of- sponges were whole col- onies of the tiny snapping shrimp Alpheus. These gregarious shrimps, he discovered, swim freely about, but always return to the individual sponge which is their hive-like home. Numerous other forms were also found to use these subway pas- sages as a haven of refuge at the approach of danger. One sponge-hive with its homing-shrimps was secured and placed in an aquarium aboard ‘ship, where the colony continued to flourish. This discovery makes known another of nature’s queer partnerships; for the sponge which the shrimps .-use as a home is itself a marine animal, although place, like a plant, and the canals which shelter the shrimps are the many ‘mouths through which the sponge ‘gets its food. it spends its” adult life fixed to the rocks in one. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY nes es SECRET SERVICE __ Grand and Thrilling Detective Stories. _ By OLD KING BRADY Price 10 Cents ect We can still supply the following numbers — 1338 The Bradys and the Subway Mystery; or, ‘Tracking ; 1339 1340 134 1342 1343 1344 1345 1346 1347 1348 1349 1350 1351 1352 of the above Weekly Z ieee a Gang of Counterfeiters. ‘and the White Band; or, The Sign of the Sil ver Crors. 3 and Lock Box No. 11:"or, Solving a Post-Office Mystery. ay and the Yellow Crooks; or, The Chase for the Ee. Chinese Diamonds. £3 Strangest Case; or, The Skeleton in the Well. and the School Boy; or, Hot Work on the Brandon Case. eee and the Forged Check; or, Convicted by an ’ Ink Mark, Best Trick; or, The Clue in the Glass Jar. and ate Cracksmen; or, A Desperate Game ‘tor Millions. i he Gent Mine; or, The Mystery of Sh and the Voodoo Queen; or, A Dark Case from San Juan ang the Boy Spy; or, Solving a Secret. of Seven ears. and the Missing Money; or, Shadowing a Sine pected Man Chinatown Case; or, The Hidden Den of Pell ‘ Street. or, The Secret Si and the Double Daggers; 4 “Old Breaklock”: or, Trapps and “Old Breaklock”: or, rapp nga Deve Crook. be price of the following numbers is © oe On a Raid; or, Rounding -Up the Circus Fakir and the Snake Charmer; or, The Search f Pals: ee eer ; _ After the Bronx Burglars; or, Nabbing the Gas House Gang s = e = and the. Dumb Boy; or, The Fate of Messenger and the Blind Chinaman; or, The White Slav of Mott Street. TES ne a Skeleton Arm; the «Tree.. an. ‘ e Factory Boy; or, The Mystery of or, The Clew in 2 ot ang ‘oe. se OS Pen; or, Foiling a Desperate ie Chasing the Black Crook; or, Solving a Fi Avenue Mystery. i and the Banker’s Boy; or, “The Kidnappers Mulberry Bend. 3 After the Gold Brick Man; or, Chasing a Gang aa of Swindlers. and the Diamond Heart; a Mummy Te ee Red Glove Clew; or, The Secret Band of Seve: and the Man-Next Door; or the Mystery Ho on High Street. Case tt Chinatown; or, Tracking the Hip Tor And ‘fie Mad Barber; Secrét. a et Days’ Chase; or, Running Down a Che aid the Bldck Dwartson: Waki Oba Poison Clew. Masked Hoe: The Man With the — D or, ‘The. Myateny or, Solving A Singu or, Finger. and the Sineate Thieves; or, Running De Red Hook Gang » Working a “Blind’; or, The Seoret of thi Sealed Room. Any of the above numbers will be mailed’ + postage free, upon receipt of the price in mion postage stamps. Aeon HARRY EF. WOLFE, PUBLISHER, IN Me 66: West 23rd Street, ; “New York, Ne x.

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REMARKABLE ECHOES You-can find » this subject dis- cussed in books on acoustics: One’ SOL th.1.e remark- _ ale echoes of the world, according to a French sci- entist, is at the straits of Menai, on the coast of Wales, over which a suspen- sion bridge has beeh swung. If ‘one of the piers - be struck with a vishamer. for ex- ample, the sound is’ not only re- echoed from the opposite pier, 500 “feet distant but also from each of the metallic sup- ‘ports of the road- way, and from the water itself, so that every stroke is multi- plied into a suc- _eession of strokes, following at the rate of about five _ seconds. The ef- fect is said to be ‘that of a metal- lie trill, sonorous and strident. The chateau of Simo- netta near Mi- lan, has a curious cho, which re- ~peats the reports of firearms about sixteen times, even when the at- mosphere is eee - In Sussex, England, not far from Shipley Church. is an e peats rases sa rom sixteen to “eighteen syllables. ie the Panthenon at Paris is an men that causes he ground tobe ‘eproduced as st. falling to ene: ‘of al . noise of a} Be What Shall [Be?=_\f Can You Answer This Question and be Fair to Yourself? fee you as successful as you : could be—if you had some other occupation? Many a man fights for success—and fails wrong row to hoe. i or money 0 MONEY. Pay postman on errival $6.45 ~ postage. F New ork Cay amely all his life” cause he has the Don’t make this mistake! If you have been making 1t—quit! Find out NOW what you can do best and tackle that—before it is too late. §. Our expert Vécational counselors, employing tatest & scientific method which eliminates all guess work, will show you what occupation you are best fitted for, and guide you step by step until you succeed. Write for free information Today BUREAU OF VOCATIONAL RESEARCH ,Dept. 10 330 Broadway New York City a ar A money or ‘gifts, FORDCAR Free / and other grand prizes. | AMERICAN SPECIALTY CO. * Box 127-Z Pag 2 LONESOME? FORGET IT! Let me introduce you’ to your “Ideal Com- panion,.” Male interesting new friends; re- celve hundreds of romantic letters from wealthy members. Efficient, confidential and dignified service. Big descriptive list mailed free in sealed envelope. EDNA K. ARWH® Box 24, Richmond pce N. x. TOBACCO; Or ‘Snuff Habit taught almost any one at home. Small cost. Send TODAY 2-cent stamp for particulars Cured Or No Pay ¥ treatment sent GEORGE W. SMITH Sees tiny Come a ta preapedenss ‘400,000 Men and W. omen. 85 Baltimore, Md, Room 8-2, 125 N, Jeff Ave., Peoria, Il. —PIMPLE Blackheads—Acne Eruptions Now Are Easily Removed at Home at a Small Cost! Banish those unsightly blemishes easily and quickly] Pimples, Break poate, 'D Acne Eruptionson the by using “CLEAR-TONE”—a simple home -+treat-| face or body, Barbers itch, Eczema, Enlar; nt ment that has cured chronic cases of long years| Pores. ae A or Shiny Skin—never mind standing. Use like toilet water. Leaves the skin bad" CLEA ‘ONE”’ has cured the worst cases I ever Saw, Wnioceed te druggists, jicians, skin specialists, and over 100, len and Women it cases, who clear, —— be See et a blemish. Pian made} pari many riends with men, women an children, | fs eded ith“CLEAR-TON * "a Elegant for men after shaving. If you have thing cleats web ania) dais “A CLEAR-TONE SKIN,” telling how f Send name today for FREE Booklet, F, R EF EY years. And i know every embarrassment ened EAy Seis <a pene eM for 15 one has to endure with a bad complexion. $1,000 COLD CASH SAYS I CAN @ 9 CLEAR YOUR SKIN OF THE ABOV VE BLEMISHES. E.S.GIVENS 186 Chemical Building KANSAS CITY, MO... BOYS! GIRLS! Spiffy Speedster Areal auto with powerful 2)2 h. p. engine Solve This Puzzle “vi22°° VOTES What words do these numbers make? Each number in the Square Regt a letter of the alphabet. lis A—2is B— | and 80 on. Free Votes toward Spiffy 3) later and | K_ other Grand a and full particulars FREE to all who send in correct solution. ACT AT ONC: You may prove to be the winner of this splendid motor Speedster. ‘Prizes and Rewards fer Every Club Member Brand new. Spiffy Speedster, Bicycle, Radio Sets, Gold _ Watches, Rifles, Dolls, Knives and many other prizes given ~ away in this big contest for more club members and readers, pnlch closes lean. any Aaa gets S pondster: All slab qnetonere TeWsnoes pee itats sega in caso” of a tie your of the prizes. only one cen ‘ust send a card or letter address and puzzle solution. Don’t let anyone beat you to it. Send for big cirealae. ‘Don't delay o ¥- AMERICAN SPEEDSTER CLUB, Dept. 186 537 S. Dearborn St, CHICAGO A classy, powerful aioe driven + car. Complete in every way. Speed and CS ath fort. Speed up to 30 miles. 60 to 90 mii on gallon of gasoline. 1925 model, disc whgels, etc.

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BLANK CARTRIDGE Proteotwon against Burglarn, Zrampeé& Doge Clocks, Etc., mnake Re Well mnde and rffeotive; ties, 50c and $1 portpaid. JOH qT 0) R modelled on latest type 9 of Revolver; appearance 'Ser pen t’s Eg alone in-enough to scare j d a burglar. When jonded f Box contains 12 eggs. When it Tony be op effective ag lit with a matoh euch one areal revolver, without arndually hatches Itaelf into 0 gam ey 1eh unger to life, It inkes = enake = povera a e A ndard 22 Cal. Blank Cartridges obtainable everge foot long, which = i . bere. Price $1.00 postpaid. Blank Cartridges, curls and twiate ae . ; j hy exprens, 50c per 100. Holster (Cowboy type) fob Aix 3 ‘ 2 = Blank Cartridce Pistol, SOc, postpaid, ser, 100 postpald, 3 for 28e. EEF © Z dohnson Smith & Cox, Dept. 405 » Racine, Wis. ARETTE. MAKER BIS BOYS! BOYS! ‘ BOYS! WaKeh eran, cromaer comets! BRROW YOUR VOIC BUT SUCH REAL STARTLERS! The box contains toy genuine cigarettes of excellent, quality. ‘They appear ao real, but when each cigarette ianbout one-third emoked, the victim Into a trunk, under gotén Very great.eurprise un it goes off with a N ¢ igs the bed or any- : loud BANG! A great mirth provoker yet ; whére, Lot u Roll your:own nd save money. Maker entirely harmless.’ Price 25c per box. Roos Lots of fun | them Hater and quicker rye ata moore é r ran tobsoce, Neat uactnl ond handy. Fok | Popular Watch Charms { . Weighs 34 os. Made entirely of metal, ‘ » MIDGET BIBLE {5c ontat : | usany, a ace Wl: alia se ible H 4 * | inthe World. by o 4 q a 2: | Bise of e post 1d 48 eli 8 for 400; $1.35 doz, © for Bird Calls, etc, Any- } Bo hoteias 1 Bal | Very, pretty little ouriopitien and decidedl; one can use it | geod ok % DS lidern i novel. Fished, with Magnifying Lenses that rl ne age book on ware : 4 . : large the pic’ om ver 4 sm. f xonuine work | SegeariOOe HA) | i fact, it veers sitoost incredible that a cleat be wai iho ALL FOR SOCENTS of art. Must picture could be possible in auch « emall com- ae mS Se be seen to he appreciated. Make good money | pass, and how sharp and inet they show up 5 selling Stora 40 tlends, church acquaintances, | when you look through. Come in assorted r ste. PRICK 180 ench. 3 for 400, 12 for | viewr—Actremas, views of Paosspa Conal, | $1.35, 100 for $7.56. Also obtelnable in | Lord's Prayer in type, eto. ‘ : ee each, 3 for S128, $4.50 per doz, Maunl= bs r Everything about the Ku Miux Kian told each, -25, $4.50. x. > D a fying Glass for use with Midget mans 4 Mystic Skeleton UA ina clear, earless manner. Book tells al _ Withabuno vy, How it started and was oppressed in. { of these bills, | A jointed figure fi —The New Ku Klux Kian—How Organ- itis easy for | of a-skeleton 14 By, be ized—How Members are Enrolleé—Oath each person | in. in helght, will é of the Klan—Questions for Candidates— of limited | dance to music Wika Creed—Objects of the Order—Obedience— means to} and perform va- ge : Ae Fidelity—Piedge of Loyalty—Ku Mlux appearjrious gyrations rs ‘i He Kian and the Mosons— The Jews—Tbe rosperous| and movements yi gh Masons—Real K. of C The Negro Ku Klox yilashing | while the oper- , be Kian, ¢ La end most complete ook o.,' etc, of] ator may besome p DRT A on the Kian published distance from it. Wonderful time : otr ‘time and peeling o NEW BOOK ON 4 pastiggretth rl ° or two from the outside of the roll, af t. Nine the effect created will be found to ROPE SPLICING » ve be all that can be desired, Prices, Useful Knots, Hitches, 5 i 2 postpaid: 40 Bills 20c, 125 for 50c, \ i Age or $3.50 thousand postpaid. Splices, etc. & \ j : ‘Everybo- : t practionk handbook ‘ ; ‘ dy delighted | Wonderful X-Ray Tube | sro restaging Gee Osa. ; BA Wonderfullittie lizeotions for meting al the iy ‘ o Sea nd interesting. Lots instrument pro- tigning.ce hours 80, H $2.00 of pleasure a8 wellas very Use VF "ducing optical } yop ilfistrations. Ail i J ul, Itismdouble Microscope for exemining the Y {1lugions both | wiroropsattachinen wonders of nature. It ie also an Opera Glass, @ Y BO t Lcsirprising anid | ine, bode ero. i Stereoscope, a Burning Lens, a Reading Glass, # Telescope, @ uy can #00 what is apparently the bones of ‘Son. 8 Jour fingers, the fovd in'n lend pencil, the in- | mechanionsrigeors, camperas f terior opening in a pipe stem, and many other | Postmen. . — i f similor illusions. 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There . pottet ashine ‘geme parking out of the | {a no fingering, and ie you bave mastered i=, 4 Male Sex Ind tor ever. Said by many to bring Good Luck to the | it you can play all kinds of music with facility ‘a “ Fold the MAGIC INDI- wearer, hence ite name, Goad Luck Ring. | and care. When played an an accompaniment B CATOR ‘over o man's Very unique ring that you will take a pride in | to # piano or any other munical instrument, y = Sees uantioanecel wearing. ONLY 25 CENTS. ‘A the effect ie ws charming as it js surprising. 4 5 25c fue” encarta dg Age ibm Address orders for all goods on this page to —s ; yard and forward. Hold . v ea Seg «(nd it describor & com- NSON SMITH & mill Shite, gat” eintncoa bed circle. The meme action can ie, obtained ores a other: pretest by Bheg eet » ote, i inating; ing. ® have Dept. 405 RACINE, WIS2 | stow vs done-byt me'ye never teen It fal Many povel and enteriaie ¥ pe Sex Indicator. Aetune Eaonat cur naw, 1920, CATALOG mailed on cecint af 28: |neutscabuctalgcd cs mah eats done ores Hag een 7 ‘ ie letermine the sex ek tsloks in seams; She newest novelties Muzzles. wasiads Sheree er, infact it ip sold ag a patented ore tester in Hurope, Price 26¢,0r Bf eek eee es pee 1° | JOHNSON SMITH & CO., Dept. 405, RACINE, elsewhere. ing eye, car, nose and throat. [tig worth all the cost to locate ‘evenore painful cinder inthe eve. Folds fiatand fits the poqke etc. A P i Muse § startling. With it Be eee maine , A Compass, a Pocket Mirror, and @ Laryngascope—for examin- : 4 ; : 3 Gory. It crawls nlong, mi P, overcoming obstacles

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é “What would I do if I lost my job?” THAT would you do? What would your wife and children do? - Suppose your employer notified you to- morrow that he didn’t need you any longer? 4 Have you any idea where you could get an- other position? You wouldn’t have to worry if you were ‘a trained man. You wouldn’t have to spend your mornings reading the “Want Ads” and then trudging from place to place, meeting rebuffs. and discouragements, piling up bills, finally willing<“to do anything” if only you could get on somebody’s payroll. » Don’t have this spectre of unemployment hanging over your head forever. ‘Train your- self to do some one thing so well, that your services will be in demand. Employers don’t discharge such men. They promote them! Decide to-day that you are going to get the spe- cialized training you must have if you are ever oing to get a real job and’a real salary. Iti is easy you really try. Right at home, in the odds and ends of spare time that now go to waste, you can prepare for the position you want in the work you like best. For ic paces Goa Correspondence Schools will aig you just as they are training thousands of other -men—no matter where you live—no matter what your circumstances, At least find out how, by marking and mailing the coupon printed below. There’s no cost. or obligation, and it takes only a moment of your time, but it may be the means of changing your whole life, Mail the Coupon To-day! INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS Box 4489-1, Scranton, Penna, Without cost or obligation, please tell me how I ean quently, for the position or in the subject before which I have marked an K BUSINESS TRAINING COURSES Business Management Salesmanship Industrial Managemont Advertising Personnel Organization ~ Better Letters ‘Trafic Management Show Card Lettering Susiness Law Stenography and ‘Typing Banking and Banlling i Law Business English Accountancy (including C, P. A.) Civil Service,- Nicholson Cost Accounting Rallway Mail Clork Bookkeeping Common School Subjects Private Secretary ~ High School Subjects LSpanish 1 French Tilustrating [) Cartooniag TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL COURSES Electrical Engineering Architect Electric Lighting Architects’ Blue Prints Mechanical Engineer f#fontractor and Builder Mechanical Draftsman Architectural Draftsman Machine Shop Practica Concrete Builder Rallroad Positions ° Structural Enginesr Gas Engine Operating Chenitstry Pharmacy , Civil Engineer Automobile Work Surveying and Mapping Airplane Engines Metallurgy Navigation Steam Engineering Agriculture and ees ‘Radlo Mathematica WAM iss ccs isocssovarbede vubssnbsdssonsboesentsnsscscossvoeseretoiscsscescescsscsepsanovasescobss ae Street © rs AGATOBS. 0... cceessensees Eee nO eeeDoneenverasenenere ress ven Danensaennanesevaerovensesrsenneserehascatae: ve CUS... rsosorissosecnersonaneeasopnersvcsessnecss ref TEBUOsroversegoosbassovesosecnsveseerecsssenen Oseipatione se Ween te dered aaee ve cuahnnesenivonbsnevucods Fuduseadgatghoguosadasee Poreons residing tn Oanada should send thi te 23 . sional Correspondence Bohoole Canadian, Limided, P Montr rf wk Pontos. or SS

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OUR TEN-CENT HAND BOOKS Useful, Instructive, and. Amusing. They contain _ Valuable, Information on Almost Every Subject. No. 26. HOW, TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT, —Nully illustrated. Pull anstructions are igiven ig. this little book, together with instructions .on swimming ‘and riding, companion sports to hoating. No. 28& HOW TO TELL YFORTUNES.—Every. one ts ACE of knowing what his futwre Jife will bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or poverty. Yen can tell by ‘a glance ‘at this lfttle book. Buy one ant be convinced. No. 29 HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.—Every boy should knew how inventions originated, This book explains them all, giving examples in ‘electricity, hy- draulies, magnetism, optics, pneumatics, mechantes. No. 86. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive hooks on cooking ever published. Tt contains recipes for cooking meats, fish, game and oysters; ‘also piles, © puddings, “cnikes~ avd all kinds of pastry, and .a ‘grand cohwetion of recipes. No. 33. HOw TO BEWAVE.—Containing the rules and etiquette ‘of good society and the easiest and most “pproved- methods of appearing to good advantage at parties, balls, the theatre, church, and in the draw- ‘ng-room. No. 8. HOW TO PLAY. GAMES.—A complete and nsefnl little book, containing the rules ‘and regulations ae billiards, bagatelle, back-gammon, croquet. doinin: ere. No. 36 HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS.—Contain- ing-all the leading conundrums of the day, amusing rid- dies, curtous catches and witty sayings. No! °40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.—In- cuding hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, «quirrels and birds. Also how to cure Skins. Copiously Mustrated. No. 414. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN'S 70K EBOOK,—Containing a great variety of the latest jokes used by the most famous end men. ° No amateur minstrels Is complete without this wonderful little hook. No. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP- ©“PEAKER.—Containing a varied arsortment ot stump speeches, Negro, Duteh and Trish. Also end men’s jokes. Tust the thing for home amusement and amateur. shows. No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTRET CUME AND JOKE FOK:—Something new and very ‘natructive.. Ewery boy should obtain this book, as it contains ful Instructions for organizing an amateur minstrel troupe. No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USE ELECTRICITY. —A description of (fhe wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism: together with full Instructions for making Plectric Toys, Batteries, @te, By George Trebel. A.M. M. dD. Containing over fifty ilustrations. No. 48, HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOFS.—A handy book for boys, containing full directions for con- efructing canoes and the most popular manner of sail- ing them. Fully illustrated, No. 49. HOW TO DERATE.—Givinge rules for con- ducting debates, outlines for debates, questions fon dis- enssion and the hest sources for procuring information on the question given. No. 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS ax ANIMALS. -A valuable book, giving instructions in collecting, pre- paring, mounting and preserving birds, animals and in- cects, No. 61. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Con- taining explanations of the general principles of sleieht- of-hand applicable to card tricks; or card tricks with ordinary cards, and not requiring Sleight-of-hand; of tricks involving ‘sleight-of*hand, or the use of eairg prepared) cards, Ilustrated. No. 82. HOW TO PLAY CARDS.—A eom lete and handy little book, giving the rules and ful] directions for ‘playing Euchre, Cribbage, Casino. Forty-Wive, Rowunce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auctfon Pitch, Ali Vours; and many other popular games of cards, No. 54. HOW TO KEEP AN MANAGE PETS.— ‘iving complete information as to the manner and meth- ed of raising, keeping, taming, breeding and, managing ")] kinds. of pets: also giving full Instructions for mak- Ing cages, ete. Fully explained by twenty-eight 1us- irations. t For sale by ali newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 10c. per copy, in money or stamps, by 166 West 23d Street - — New York City _ HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc. Fame and Fortune Weekly — LATEST IssuEs ——_ 983 The Ttoad to Success; ‘or, The Career of a Yor- tunate Boy. 984 a Pointers: or, The Luckiest ‘Boy in Wall” 985 Rising im the World; or, From BIR ERUES, Boy to- Manager. 986. From Dark to Dawn; or, A Poor Boy's ‘Chance, 987 Out for Himself; or, Paving His Way to Fortune. 988 Diamond Cut Diamond; or, The Boy rokers of . Wall Street. 989. A Start in Life; or, A Bright Boy's Ambition. 990 3} = a Million; or,. The Young Midas of Wall | ree 991 Every Inch a Boy; or, Doing His Level Best. 992 akg Ho bes Bure; or, The Shrewdest Boy in Wall ree 993 5 Eve to Business; or, The Boy Who Was Not sleep. 994 Tipped by the Ticker ; or, An Ambitious Boy" in “All St Teet, 995 On to Suecesse-or, The Boy Who Got Ahead eae 996 gece Ra Fortime; or, A Country Boy in Wall i: oes ree ‘997 Bound to Rise; or, Fighting His Wavy to Success : 998 —, ai the Dollars; or, A Smart Boy in Wa’t ree te 999 For Fame and Fortine; or, The Boy Who Won Both. 1000 A Wall Street Winner; or, Making a Mint of Money. 1001 The Road to Wealth; or, The Boy Who Found Tt Outs A F 1002 ie aes Wing; or. The Young Mercury of Wall ; ree “: 1004 sneeitne, with the Market; or, The Boy Who Made — : t Pay. : 1005 Cast Adriftz or. The Luck of a Homeless Boy. 1006 Playing the Market: or, A Keen Boy in Walt : Street. 100% A Pot of Money: or, The Legacy of a Lucky Saye. 1008 From Rags to Riches; or, A Lucky bpp fa a Messenger. “1009 On His Merits: or. The Smartest Boy Alive. 1010 Trapping the Brokers:.or, A Game Wall Street Boy. » 1011 A Million In Gold: or, The Treasure of Santa ‘Cruz. 1012 Bound to Make Money: or. From the West to Ba Street 1013 The Boy Magnate: or Mekinge Beseball Pay. 41014 Making Money: or, A Wall Street Messenger’s TLuek, 1015 A Harvest of Gold; or, The Buried Mreasureé of Coral Ysland. 1016 On the Curb; or, Beating the Wall Street Brokers, 1017 A ees of Fortune; or, The Boy Who Struck 1018 ee Prince of Wall Street; or, A Big Deal for Big : toner. bani te 1019 Starting His Own Business; or, The Boy Who — Caught On. 1020 A Corner In Wall Street; or, The Wall Street Boy Who Won. 1021 First in the Fieldyor, Doing Business for Himbelf, : 1022 A Broker at Bighteen;-or, Roy Gilbert's Wall Street = Career, 10283 Only a Dollar: or.-Prom Errand Bow to Owner: 1024 Price & Co.. Boy Brokers; or, The Young Traders of Wall Street. 1025 A Winning Risk: or. The Boxy Who Made Good. 1026 From a Dime to a Million; or, A Wide-Awake Wall # Street Boy. 1027 The Path to Good Luck; or, The Boy Miner of. Death Valley. 1028 Mart Morton’s Money; or, A Cornde In Wall Street Stocks. "\ 1029 Famous at Fourteen; or, The Boy Who “Made a Great Name. 1020 Tins To Fottune; or, A Tucky Wall Street Dent. 9 1031 Striking” His Gait; or, The Perils of a Boy Bn- gineer. 1082 From MesseWger to Millionaire; or, A Boy’s Tuck In Wall Street. 1033 The Boy Gold Hunters; or, After A Pirate’s — Treasure. 1034 Tricking the Traders; or, A Wall Street Boy's soni Game of Chance. 4 1035 Jack Merry’s Grit; or, Making a Man or Himeetf. 1036 A Golden Shower; or, The Boy Banker of Wall Street, 1037 Making a Reeord; or, The Luck of a Working Boy. 1088 A Fight For Money; or, From School: id Wal Street. tics For sale by all newsdealers, or will be-sent to any address on receipt of price, 8c. per copy, ifs in money or stamps, by t @ WARRY K. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc, | 166 West 23d Street. 2 New York one