Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 62) (1906 12 07)

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a We ‘ RATT x AW \ = s { RATA ‘ ARS 2 5 ui eK WY AN RN 2 The long anchor-rope uncoiled rapidly. Switching back and forth, its snaky folds go angled = ‘with Clem Lambert’s legs. He had only just time enough to seize the rope with a both hands when he was whisked off the ground and carried heavenward. i

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Fame and Fortune Weekly SS OF BOYS WHO MAKE MONEY “y Issued Weekly—By Subscrintion $2.50 per year. = of Congress, Washington, D. C — yrntes according to Act of Congress, in the year 1908, in the office of the Liaration: 1, by Frank Tousey, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York, No. 62. NEW YORK, DECEMBER 7, 1906. ' PRICE 5 CENTS. From Dark to Dawn en A POOR BOY’S CHANCE By A SELF-MADE MAN CHAPTER I. THE LAST STRAW. “Hello, Clem, where are you bound this morning ?” asked Will Ashmore, a bright looking lad of sixteen. “T’m bound for New Orleans,” replied Clement Lambert ‘ina dogged kind of way. “Bound for New Orleans!’ exclaimed Will, clearly | astonished, Clem nodded gloomily. ) “What are you going there for?” © look for something to do, or ship aboard some vessel, as the case may be. ” “The deuce you say!’ Then you’ ve cut loose from Mr. Fowler at last.” ‘ “T have, for good and all.” “Well, I’m not surprised. You stood more from him than I would if ’d been in your place.” “The last straw was dumped on me this morning.” _ “What did he do to you?” . «He accused me of stealing a dollar from the store till.” | new bill on the First National of New Orleans, sree did” _ from Fis poor as I am, that didn’t belong to me. But ny word ek et ais feos with Mr. Fowler, so z let i - “J think Upton Fowler appropriated Ud Then he went up into my room and pulled everything apart there.” “What good did that do him?” . “He found a tin box with something like two dollars in small change in my old trunk. I picked that up one way or another doing favors for different people.” “Well?” said Will Ashmore in an interested tone. “He took the box and put it in his pocket saying he ~ would keep it as security till I returned him the dollar bill.” “That was meaner than dirt.” sd “Oh, that is quite in line with Mr. Fowler’s character replied Clem, bitterly. “But he had no right to rob you shel you: didn’t ‘take e his money.” ~ pees ci! “What's right and fair doesn’t cut any figure. with, Mr. a Fowler.” Ch “Tid he really lose a dollar?” Bae Fs “Yes. It was missing from the till after breakfast.” “How do you know it was?” - | “Because it was the only dollar in the drawer—a brand” LT took it in myself in payment for some goods I sold a customer soon ! after I Beans the store.”” “T s’pose you’ve no jdea where that bill went??) _“T have a strong suspicion on the subject.” ~_ ie — €Yon have? What do you think became of iter nee i “Why think Upton took ie pete

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? FROM DARK TO DAWN. | loose Hou them and seek his own fortune out in the vines | world. ; But the crisis always passed without Clem carrying his resolution into effect. The older he grew the less he liked the treatment handed | out to him, until the “last straw »” as he called it, was. reached when Mr. Fowler accused him of theft. That proved to be the turning point in his young career, for he had now taken the bit between his teeth and “ passed "| ‘the Rubicon.” : “Did you tell Mr. Fowler that you intended leaving | him ?”’ asked Will Ashmore, who was Olem’s one a friend and. associate in Gretna. “TI did not, for there surely would have been a terible’ flare-up.” = “How then did you manage the matter?” “When Mr. Fowler sent me down the road with a: package of groceries to the Singleton house I slipped up to my room, — made up a hasty bundle of my things, and took them along. © By the time he begins to get wrathy over my absence T expect to be some distance from the village.” “Then he'll get out his rig, chase after you and’ try to bring you back.” “He'll have a swell time doing the last,” replied lene resolutely. i “Now look here, Clem, I don’t blame you a bit for eng : ing away from Mr, Fowler, for I don’t believe there’s a meaner man under the sun. than he; but I hate to have ee go away just the same. I like you better than any boy I ever knew, and we’ve been chums as far as Sentinal would let us. “Now I want you to come up to the house | and take dinner with us. Then I want you to go with me over to Lakeport to see the balloon go up, and have one last — good time together. I’ll stand all the expense—you know — I can afford it—and it can’t make much difference with you whether you go to New Orleans to-day or me hc: You'll do this, won’t you?” “You're very kind, Will, and I sha’n’t forget your friendly offer. The only regret I have in leaving Gretna is — parting with you. If I hadn’t met you on the road I was going to stop at your house on the chance of seeing you! before I left the neighborhood. I’d take you up only I’m afraid it would lead to an unpleasant meeting with Mr. Fowler.” “Don’t you worry ait Mer Fowler, He won't. disturb you at our house. In fact, he'll never know-you're ther As for the chance of meeting him at Lakeport it is a slir one. He’s the last man in Gretna to part with four its to see the inside of the fair grounds unless he absoh had information that you were there, and he was confi of being able to make you return home with him.” | ~ After some further argument Clem permitted i v= be’ ‘persuaded to fall in with Will's alta ae the pe turned i in together at the next be . © WBecence he w ad a della Pretty bad? a A. What for?” » “He has his mind set on going to the Lakeport fair a _ ground where the. balloon ascension is to take place this afternoon.” | : _. “Did you tell your suspicions to his father?” ie “No. It wouldn’t have done any good if I had done so.” . “Tfe wouldn’t have believed you?” No. hie wouldn’t.” “YT thought Mr. Fowler kept Upton in pocket money?” aid Will. &T pelieve he gives him two bits a week.” _ “Ts that all? Upton usually has more than that in his clothes. Two bits wouldn’t go-very far with him.” _ #T don’t know anything about that; but I do know that he was, strapped yesterday afternoon. He tried to borrow ss a dollar of me, for he found out that I had some money saved. I couldn’t see it, because I knew that would be the ast of my dollar. He isn’t one of the repaying kind.” - “That's right. He’s owed me four bits for six months, Then, you think he took the missing dollar ?” _ “1 do. He'was in the store when I went to breakfast.” ~ “Does he know that = father accused you of taking the eae? iG ig “He does.” i me “And he never said a word?” ef “Not 2 syllable; but he seemed to he greatly tickled over “the serape [was in.” _ “That isn’t'strange. He doesn’t like you for a cent.” “T know he doesn’t. It isn’t my fault for I have often “done him a fayor. If I got right down on my knees to him, which: ‘isn’t my way by a long shot, he wouldn’t be a bit more. friendly. He hates me on general principles, and / that. covers the whole ground,” 5 The two boys were standing in the road not far from Will ‘ Ashinoré’s home. ; Clement Lambert was a poor boy. _ He was a good looking, sturdy.lad, with a tab honest face that would have inspired confidence anywhere. $ | His ‘nature was self-reliant and ambitious, but he was ___ sadly handicapped by an adverse fate. Left an orphan at a tender age he had been brought up and partly educated at the expense of the county. eit the age of ten he was turned over to Jefferson Fowler, _ storekeeper, of the village of Gretna, who contracted to board, clothe and educate him in return for his services in store and ar ound his house. y ‘Up to the time this story opens he had been with Mr. i wler six. years. 1 His board had been both plain and may his clothes ae

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FROM DARK TO DAWN. . | oes him to suspect that the lad had run away as he had often threatened to do. 7 Mr. Fowler felt as angry as he looked. Clem was too valuable an assistant to be lightly lost, and ‘yet no one was more to blame for his secession from the store than Mr. Fowlér himself, There probably wasn’t a more unreasonable man in the ‘whole State of Louisiana. _ His disposition had cost him many a dollar, and it was now about to lose him the services of the best boy he was ever likely to have in his store, He drove all the way to the next village, made many inquiries for Clem Lambert, but without success. “Then feeling sure the runaway boy had departed in, the opposite djrection’ he hurriedly retraced his way, never dreaming as he passed the lane leading to. the Ashmore house that the boy he sought was there enjoying the last few hours of his stay in Gretna. CHAPTER II, SNATCHED OFF THE EARTH, At two o’clock that afternoon Clem ‘Lambert and Will Ashmore approached the gate of the fair grounds at the town of Lakeport, situated on the shore of Lake Pont- chartrain. _. Instinctively Clem glanced around with a wary eye on the lookout for Mr. Fowler, but that individual at that moment was in his store at Gretna village several miles ‘away in a very bad humor indeed after his unavailing ac for his runaway assistant, _ Will took the lead, for he had the money in his hand to pay for their admission. Suddenly he turned around sai called Clem’s attention to a boy just ahead, It was Upton Fowler in the act of passing: up a brand new dollar bill to the ticket seller. “JT guess that’s the bill that caused the trouble between you and Mr. Fowler this morning,” whispered Will, “You said it was a new one,” “That's right,” nodded Clem. “T was sure he took it.” ~ Upton got his change and passed inside the grounds. “Will you tell me what bank that new bill was on you just took from that boy?” Will asked the ticket seller as he passed up two fifty cent pieces. ‘The man looked a bit surprised, _ “What do you want. to know for, yotmg feller?” he quired, as he handed out two bits of pasteboard. “Just curiosity,” answered Will, The man looked in his money drawer. © Ei irst National, of New Orleans,” was his. reply” hanks,” replied Will, then he and Clem passed on. ill beyond a doubt,” he said to his companion. cy. Upton, but . ri think less 0 0 after where the balloon was now being inflated or its aerial ing Upton to get out. waa and the two- boys saw no more of him for an hour, during which time they wandered around the place and saw _ two trotting races between local two-year-olds. Everybody then gravitated toward the big open spot ‘. journey. pier Tt was an interesting sight to watch the great oiled-sille bag swell out as it lay in folds on the ground, gradually ~ assume form and finally rise into the air, where it received its final cargo of gas as it swung above the round basket — The car itself was secured to the ground, not by its long anchor-rope, which lay coiled up close by, but by strong short ropes attached to stakes driven into the ground. Heavy bags of sand hung at intervals around the outside of the basket. . At last the balloon was fully inflated, its often sides bellying out as round and as hard as one of the red toy bal- loons one sometimes sees for sale in the streets of a big city. Tt swung about as a strong puff of wind occasionally — struck it, and tugged at the ropes like a small yacht pulls at its anchor while its mainsail is being hoisted. Clem and Will stood on the front line of the crowd and consequently had an unobstructed view of everything that af was going on. e The gas generator was carried away and the seat around the balloon cleared of other obstructions. pe. The crowd then gradually encroached upon the open % space, like crowds will do on such occasions, until the two. boys found themselves quite close to the basket. a The promoters of the exhibition thought the mob too close for safety, and calling on their assistants began to harangue the sightseers, and to force them back. =e This was a difficult job to accomplish, and in the cons : fusion that ensued Clem and Will got separated. : The crowd was finally driven back a few yards all sound, and there remained—a dense circle of humanity. ‘ Clem looked about for his spsvenianl but could not 3 see 3 him. f At length the two men who were slated to go up in the balloon were seen forcing their way through the mob with bundles and packages they were going to take up with them. Clem was surprised to see Upton Fowler tagging after them with his arms full of packages, too. é E tr When they arrived at the balloon, one of the men hely Upton into the basket and then hegan, maging hie the ; bundles to stow. away inside the car. Ag The men then returned the way they came Ae moi , - Tnstead of obeying fe Sr ad remained I ‘

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FROM DARK TO DAWN. Ashmore, overcome with boyish curiosity, walked over to _the balloon. “Want to get in and see how it feels?” grinned Upton. Will shook his head dubiously. “Oh, come on,” urged uber It feels great.” He grabbed Ashmore by the arm and began to pull him “What are you afraid of ? in. “Be quick,” he said. “We ean only stay a minute for the men are coming back. You won’t get another chance like this.” Will allowed himself to be persuaded and got into the - ‘basket, don’t want him in here. AF As he looked around, enjoying the sensation, he saw Clem and yelled at him, “(ome over and get in the basket.” Upton frowned, “What do you want to ask hind for?’ he growled. sor He ran off from the store this ‘morning after stealing a dollar from the till.” “That’s a lie!” retorted Will, angrily. “You stole that _ dollar yourself.” ‘Didn’ t steal it,” replied Upton, growing red in the face. “Dad said Clem stole it, and he ought to know.” “Tt was a brand new dollar bill on the First National of New Orleans.” “What if it was?” answered Upton, doggedly. _ “We saw you give that bill to the ticket seller at the gate. _ We were right behind you when you entered the grounds.” “You're off your perch !” said Upton, with a guilty flush. “No, I'm not off my perch. Here, Clem, Upton says he didn’t take that dollar.” “He knows better than that,” replied Clem, advancing ‘half way toward the basket:and standing close to the coiled anchor rope. _ “You'll get it when you go back to the store,” called out | Upton, with a grin, _ going off without leave.” “Dad won’t do a thing to you for “He won’ ( do anything to me, for I’m not going back,” Us replied Clem, coolly. ' “You're not going back ?” cried Upton, in astonishment. _ “No, I’m not. You can tell your father when you return 2 ‘that he’s seen the last of me. T’ve been a slave long enough ra for him. After this ’m going to hoe my own row, and _ keep what’s coming to me.” “Where are you going?” asked Upton, curiously. “Don’t you worry about where I’m going.” “Dad ‘Il find out and fetch you back.” “Tell do nothing of the kind. This is a free country. He can’t chase after me like they used to do years ago after he runaway slaves. I’m my own boss now.” ‘You ain’t got any right to leave the store till babe nty-one,” retorted Upton, cae ee ie 80 eS : ; rem fay § ‘ Paty 4 fe cee | into the car.” i {hand | and assist him into the basket, where he sat do u whitefaced and trembling as the ‘reaction set in. Just then the men appeared forcing t their way through the crowd. “Cet out of that basket, you two!” roared the foremost — one. “Gee! We'd better sneak!” cried Upton. He and Will in their hurry to get out detached two of the sandbags. At that moment a blast of air swooped upon the balloon. The inflated bag gave a sudden and vicious tug at the short ropes and both of the boys tumbled back into the basket. Snap! Snap! Snap! Three of the ropes gave way. The crowd shouted a hoarse warning to the ine boys who had picked themselves up. : Another puff of wind struck the gas hag. The remaining ropes were unable to resist the sudden — strain and parted almost simultaneously. | Instantly the balloon released from its moorings rose — into the atmosphere. A roar of dismay went up from the assembled multitude. This ery was immediately changed into one of horror. The long anchor-rope uncoiled rapidly. Switching back and forth, its snaky folds got igage i with Clem Lambert’s legs. He had only time enough to seize the rope with both ~ hands when he was whisked- off the ground and ie dire: heavenward. i se | ‘ —— . CHAPTER IIt. ‘ WANDERERS THROUGH SPACH, Almost before Clem realized the gravity of his ‘of he - was swinging five hundred feet in the air. The big crowd below was dumb with consternation. Will and Upton, looking over the edge of the basket caught a glimpse of Clem clinging to the rope, but both — were so overcome with, terror at their situation that they could not move a finger to aid the lad below. Clem recovered his self-possession first, and he saw his only chance of safety lay in climbing up the a to the. basket. : He lost no time in doing this, the shall btn ‘crowd © below watching his efforts with the greatest of anxiety. He presently reached the bottom of the basket and called — out. i “«Will—Will Ashmore! Give me a hand!” , Then his chum woke up to Clem’s desperate predicament, a “Great Scott, Upton! Don’t you know Clem is hanging — on to the anchor-rope of the balloon? Help me pall bits 5 ‘Upton, however, made no effort to go Yer Lamberts si assistance, so it remained for Will to grab Clem’s extended — The balloon was now all of one thousand tet aon e fair ground _ mile

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| . | ie he Ae - FROM DARK TO DAWN, ee Se iiraie’ \ They had struck a current of air that was carrying them }: rapidly ina southerly direction. “We're in a nice pickle,” said Will, at last. Lx only knows where we will fetch up.” ii ae ane —— will ne Clem had now ‘fully recoyered from their fright, jand being lads of some nerve they began {o enjoy the “The Lord | novelty of their situation. They possessed enough philosophy in their composition Upton crouched on one side of the basket frightened out | to feel that they might as meh make the best they could out. of his seven senses. His face was the color of chalk, and his a protruded. like a lobster’s. Clem got up and looked over the edge of the car. “My gracious! We’ré high in the air!” he said. “And of a bad predicament. It was a rare treat for them for the time being. The only thing that really troubled their serenity was the question where the balloon might ultimately land. Somehow it did not occur to them that there was a cord _ just to think I was swinging down there from that anchor | running up to the top of the bag that controlled the quan- rope! 1 don’t like to think of it,” he added with a shudder. “TI saw you,” replied Will; “but I was so upset at first that I couldn’t do a thing to ele you out.” eae OE wonder how high we are now?” said Clem. _ to be getting higher every moment.” ; He looked around the car for an instrument he expected _ to find that would give them an idea of their altitude. He found it presently and was able to make out that the balloon was already about fifteen hundred feet above the _ earth. “We must look like a mere speck to those people in the fair ground by this time. We're leaving the town and lake far behind us.” “Tf we go on at this rate we'll soon be over the gulf, and ‘then our name will be mud if the balloon descends in the water,” remarked Will, with a very sober face. - “How far is it to the nearest land ‘after leaving the State “We seem of Louisiana?” said Clem, looking at Will, who was well _ up in geographical distances. “That’s a pretty large question,” replied Will. “If we * should be blown right across the gulf to the most northern part of Yucatan, the distance is about six hundred miles. _ If we’re carried more to the’ west, to Campeachy Bay, the _ distance is all of three hundred miles further, We may. * not go that way at all, though it looks as if we were at present, for if you will look to the south you will see a long _ glistening white. line that V’ll bet marks the shore of the - gulf. The wind is liable to change at any moment and carry us to the southern si of Texas, or down further into. Mexico.” “T don’t want to go to Mexico,” groaned Upton, finding | : _ | basket, and the sight of the immensity of space bensa him | _ his tongue for the first time. “I want to go home,” “Tt doesn’t look now as if you'll get home for a week, if nies ever do,” replied Will. ; “Oh, lor’! Where are we anyway ?””’ a Were sixteen aained fesh above the earth, sailing to the south.” beast Sixteen hanes feet es _ensped Upton, with a aliver. “ “We're as good as dead.” ot at all,” laughed Clem. ek ‘Ct up cad dake a jek ’ ee sages bine you Ae a see seen tite to be | _ pak By sundow tity of gas in the balloon. By pulling on it they could let out the gas, and thus descend earthward. In the course of half an hour they could plainly make out the water of the Gulf of Mexico inthe distance, and there wasn’t any doubt about them being carried straight toward it. ¥ They had an instrument in the car which would have measured the velocity of the wind if they had known how to use it and been able to figure out the result. 3 As a matter of fact the current they were in was ae them to the south at something like thirty-five sari an hour. Their course at ere was shaped toward the sont. northern point of Yucatan, and if the wind held'as it did it would take them seventeen hours to cross the gulf ‘to Cape Catoche. 55 Clem presently ascertained that their aliatads had gone to eighteen hundred feet, where it appenied to be about stationary. After a time Upton awoke from his trance and: asked again where the balloon was: “We're over the gulf now,” oe Will. “Are we as high as ever?” scat “Yep. And its a a good thing we: keep UP, TOO. seul “Why? py 7 ib r “Because we've got a long reach of water to face from the present outlook, and I’m not anxious to get +00. neat to it. ” Upton was finally induced to look over ‘the rim of tl Ss took his breath away, and he drew back in terror. oy “Tf we were to fall now we'd be kiled—smased, into. little. bits.” “Don’t let that worry you. You'a never snow what happened to you.” Sar Cie" “Why wouldn’t 1” y ede sista you hit the meek ” Upton looked as if he would ise again. e 7 pone over sii

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a6 . “So am I. I never thought of that fact before. liable to starve before this balloon lands us somewhere.” “Maybe there’s something to eat in.those bundles,” sug- gested Will. “Those chaps wouldn’t have been such fools _ as to go off without preparing for a day or two’s stay among the clouds.” “That sounds reasonable. Let’s oyerhaul them.” They lost no time in doing so, and found quite a liberal _ supply of bread, cakes, pies and canned meats and vege- tables, as well as fruits, “Say this is all right, Will,” eried Clem, smacking his j lips hungrily. “We won’t starve for three or four days at _ any rate.” “You can bet we won’t,” he nepleds in a tone of satisfac- tion. ,“‘Let’s have supper.” The word supper had a magic sound for Upton, and he grew interested at once. _ ‘There was a keg of water, and a jar of cold coffee, milked but unsweetened. They found a package of sugar, however, and so they ‘soon fixed the coffee to suit their individual tastes. _ The three made a good meal, with blankets over their . shoulders, for the darker it grew the colder the air became. _.. The moisture in the air gathered and clung to the sides __ of the baloon, and this had the effect of decreasing their altitude, for when Clem next looked at the instrument, he _ found that it registered sixteen hundred feet, and seemed _ to be going lower. — ae After talking awhile the three Handorers through space om huddled close together for warmth, and ere long fell asleep. And while they slept théongh the night the balloon kept on its journey southward over the big Gulf of Mexico, a] 7 _ very small object indeed in that immensity of space. . CHAPTER IV. i ey IN BRAZIL. It was sun rise when the three boys awoke. The first thing Clem did was to look at the altitude in- strument which told him the balloon had sunk to fourteen.|’ hundred feet. -.. Then he jumped up and looked over the eaee of the ig Pasket, There was nothing to be, seen below but water—they ocean for all the land that was in sight. “Come, Will, take a peep,” he said. _ Will came and so did Upton, too. The latter had got over his panic, and was able to look m aa without feeling demoralized. | know we won’t have any provisions left. healthy appetites as ours are sure to make the commissary: | department look, sick in no ane. at all unless we put a curb | might have been in the middle of the Atlantic or the Pacific | FROM DARK TO DAWN. We're | which proved to be the coast of Yucatany‘though the boys did not know what it was. At four in the afternoon they struck an immense body of water on their left with land peice away to their right. They were soon passing over the Gulf of Honduras, with the Caribbean Sea in the distance. The balloon had dropped to a height of fifteen hundred feet, and striking a different current they were borne to the E. 8. E., right over the Caribbean Sea. When another night closed in on them there was tae but water to be seen again, with just a blue streak of epast line in the distance to the west. | When they awoke next morning they were still sailing at an altitude of fifteen hundred feet over a limitless watery space. “Where are we at now?” asked Will, anxiously. “You’ve got me,” replied Clem. “We may be over the Caribbean or we may be above the Pacific Ocean.” . “How are we heading by the compass?” “South-east, but rather more east than south.” “That was almost the same course we were on yesterday afternoon. You can bet then that we’re crossing the Caribbean and not the Pacific.” \ “The balloon must have lost some gas for we’re lower by two hundred feet.” “Yow'll find that we'll rise with the sun,” said Will, who had observed that phenomena the previous morning. - “We ought to strike South America soon on this course,” remarked Clem, “Sure we will if the wind don’t ees around and carry us in a different direction.” “We'd better not eat so much to-day, or first thing we Three such on them.” “T agree with you that we'd better go on short ailononte: for half a loaf is better than no bread at all,” said Will. “Bet your life it is.” “How long do you suppose we're going to stay up in the air?” asked Upton, who was extremely anxious to reach the solid ground once more. “You'll have to ask me something easier than ‘that, Upton,” replied Will. “If I was a fortune teller I might possibly be able to answer your question, but as T am not it seems a matter of pot-luck when we do come down.” “Tsn’t there any way of making the old thing descend?” continued Upton. “Why, yes, come to think of it, there must ioe a ‘ord somewhere communicating with a valve on the top of the balloon. By pulling on the cord you open the valve which | lets out the | gas and the balloon will then sink.” a _ “Where i is the oie?" eee aes ree

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in sight,” said Will, - morning grew apace and the sun’s rays warmed the oiled _ silk, and expanded the gas. They saw nothing but water all that day, = ey pros- | W pect was decidedly discouraging. alice struck the northern coast of South America, pass- ing over a narrow strip of Colombian soil into Venezuela. When Clem looked over the rim of the basket in the morning there wasn’t a sign of water in sight. While he didn’t know it they were paseing near the Venezuelan town of Truxilla. “Land at last, * he shouted to his companions. They looked over the side of the car to see for them- selves. “Tg South America for a dollar,” said Will, “for we are still heading south-east, but rather more south this time than east. How high are we?” “Little over thirteen hundred. We scem to drop lower each night.” “The gas is bound to leak out by sees anyway,” said Will, On the previous dit Clem had discovered the position of the valve cord. It was tied to one of the guy ropes of the basket erga feet beyond their reach. As the balloon leaned in that ditection none of the boys had the nerve to climb up and release it. ’ Now that the ground lay spread out aay them they east longing glances at the cord. A pull upon it would send them ‘gtthhonnta pretty quick, and the lads were tired of their aerial journey by this time. : Their provisions were also alarmingly short. Clem finally made an attempt to reach the valve cord, and succeeded in detaching it. Letting some of the gas escape they dropped to an alti- |: tude of nine hundred feet. ee te on eae ay deen at B decided. not to descend further for the present. __ When darkness came on they were still over Venezuela. Soon after midnight the balloon crossed: the boundary into Brazil, and the boys were awakened by a violent sway- ing of the basket. The balloon had sunk to seven hundred feet i had been _ caught in a fierce windstorm that was whirling them along "at the rate of nearly one hundred, miles an hour. i At six o’clock in the morning they were being carried “helplessly across the Madeira River, a tributary of the _. Amazon, which they had passed over four hours previously. The wind now began to moderate, but still carried bese g at the rate of a mile a minute. FROM DARK TO DAWN. ‘j ee ee: » At ten o’clock that night, while they were ste: the _ The country looked so bare and uninviting that they |. rs NP FEEDER CDOS IE aT TL AAA . Pm w illing to stay up hier as long as I see so much water [will come to an end,” said Clem, “whether we want it to. ay | or not.” E The balloon gradually rose 6 sixteen hundred feet as | “That's what: it looks like for were only five eee feet, above sea level now. We barely passed over that line . hills yonder. We must throw over some of the sand. ” ed surely starve if we alighted in this Lord-forsaken — region. We must be somewhere in Brazil.”” “It’s a mighty poor country whatever it is,” i Clem. “Came on, help me dump out some of the sand.” They got rid of three bags of-the stuff and the balloon 2 rose up buoyantly once more to a height of one thohieend feet. Hohe They had to throw over the rest of their sand at sitevvales during the day to keep the balloon at a respectable height : until they reached the neighborhood of a town or village. “We must be journeying through the worst part of South America from the aspect of the country,” said Clem. ie. re haven’t seen a trace of civilization all day.” ; “T guess this is the central part of Brazil,” replied Will, ” “where people are few and far between.” “We'll never get out of this valley in the balloon, that’s Ss certain,” answered Clem. “You can’ see we're not over — three hundred feet above'the ground and are heading for that range yonder. The bag is getting wobbly through loss of gas, and we can’t lighten it any more unless we Ba ee a Upton out,” grinned the boy. ? “Throw me out!” roared Upton. “TI guess not.” “Then, perhaps, yowll be obliging enough to jurap ont so we can get over yonder mountains?” chuckled Clem. “Why don’t you jump out yourself?” snarled Uplan. Mg “We wouldn’t miss you.” © aay “Thanks for the suggestion. I'll consider it.” “Tf we can’t pass the range in the balloon then it’s a dead certainty we'll have to continue our journey on foot to the id nearest town,” said Will. iz “That's what,” replied Clem. “And we've only got a few crackers and a little water _ left, with hungry stomachs to hoot. This is simply fierce.” ” “That’s right. a couldn’t be much bela adie Clem. as SOh; Lor’, we'll starve to death in this wilderness” a; groaned Upton. a “Well, you can blame yourself far our troubles and your own,” said Clem. = : ps “What have I got to do with it?” growled Upton. : E “Tf you'd got out of the balloon when the men. told a to at first, instead of persuading Will to get into the bas you two would have heen at home: now, while ’d px ry’ be in New Orleans,” — “1 “Ho! Who thought this old thing would break lose i it did?” “er 1 ie Fesae chon 80; but brit the cha Th found that the bag ant leaking gas from the rough s s0

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Pecan FROM DARK TO DAWN. ; pee TR EWS Fao Tt took little urging for fhe Glas lads 3 carry out Clem’s suggestion. There were two crackers and a glass of water a-piece, and they finished the meager provender in a few moments. In ten minutes the anchor at the end of the rope struck ce the ground of the foot hills and began to drag. The balloon floated right into a gorge where the anchor caught in the underbrush, and their aerial flight was over for good and all, Clem pulled on the valye rope and the car sank to the ground, the bag collapsing with a puff, and spreading itself an inert mass of silk cloth along the bushes. “Come, fellows, step out,” he said, setting the example himself, Suddenly a dozen rough looking Brazilians dashed out _ of the gorge, armed with Mauser rifles and knives. They surrounded the basket in a threatening manner, - calling on the boys in Portuguese to surrender. It was certainly a ticlish: situation that the American lads faced. CHAPTER V. . PRISONERS. “What's the matter with you chaps?” asked Clem of a fierce looking rascal who appeared to be the leader of the ES crowd. “Ha! Un Americano?” he answered, using the Spanish : language. “Yes, we’re Americans all right,” replied Clem; as he iM sat astride of the basket. “Que dice usted? (What do you say?)” ~ Clem shook his head. ba He didn’t understand a word of Spanish. Neither did his companions. _ Nor did the Brazilians understand a word of English. Therefore conversation was at a dead lock. _ Signs became the order of the day, and the hard looking ij chap motioned the boys to get out of the basket. "They obeyed and were immediately seized by the gang. The leader looked into the car and took out the instru- : d ments and blankets, handing them to. a couple of his fol- lowers to carry., Then he gave some order in Spanish and the party started up the gorge, forcing their captives to accompany them, oF “Tt looks as if we are prisoners,” said Clem to Will, who “This is as tough a lot of rascals T wonder was tight ahead of him. ; ‘one could expect to run against in the wilds. rat, they mean to do with us?” As Will turned to reply the Brazilian who had hold of him yanked him forward in a rough way and muttered tf ool in his ticle Line ae ie — Fowler was the ses of woe as he was, aga | ! “ orward I y t v0 of h as hind Clem ne i Tn this way ae oii peeiaed over the uneven surface of the gorge until, they turned a jutting rock, when they, came in view of a cave before which a man fully as dis- reputable as the others was cooking something in a big iron | pot over a fire, Whatever was in the pot an appetizing odor was wafted to the noses ‘of the boys, and in spite of their unenviable position it made their mouths water, The leader made the lads sit near the mouth of the cave and placed a man to watch them, while the rest stood their weapons against the rocks and disposed themselves at their ease around on the ground. “We're up against it hard, old man,” remarked. Will, turning to Clem, “Seems so, doesn’t it?” replied his chum. “T guess these fellows arg an organized gang of thieves, and this spot is their rendezvous.” '“You might make a worse guess.” “They’ve made us prisoners for some purpose, on general principles.” “T judge they thought there might be something worth stealing in the basket. of the balloon.” “In which case they’ve been disappointed,” chuckled Will, “for those instruments won’t do them any good.” “But the blankets will.” “They aren’t so much. It’s a wonder they haven’t ; searched us.” “They're welcome to all they’ll get on me,” grinned Clem. “They won’t find a dollar’s worth of coin on ‘the three of us.” “T haven’t a nickel.” “Upton takes it pretty hard, doesn’t he?” said will. “He looks as if he was in a blue funk.” “Tt is very discouraging, at any rate. cooking yonder. pot. “Same here. Maybe we'll get a share. ginning to ladle it out. Seems to be a kind of stew.” One i; the men brought a number of tin basins out of \ the cave, and as the cook filled them with the savory com- _ pound he passed them around among his companions, each — of whom was provided with a spoon to eat with, Td feel a heap — sight better if I had a plate full of that stuff that chap is — It smells good, and I feel about starved,” said Will, with a wistful fsnie in the eens of the black _ The cook is be- ees When all hands had been served the cook took his share, it and it was a kind of exquisite torture for the hungry boys — to sit and watch the stew disappear gore the Se % throats. ; EON gs In addition to the stew each man was provided ake a hunk of dark colored bread, and these two articles eonsti- ‘tuted their meal. “After tho chief of the gang ak finished his share he | walked to the pot and looked into it. \ He flee for ‘yen basins. and filled stan aoe inted at the bo:

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FROM DARK TO.DAWN. : .: comand joyously, his tongue almost eens: owt in pedcipadion of what was coming. - They were handed the basins, with spoons and’a hunk of bread each. The Brazilians watched the boys eat. They must have thought the lads nigh starved from the way they devoured that stew and sour bread. There wasn’t a crumb left. _ “My gracious!” cried Will, with a sigh of content. “That tasted good. Ihaven’t had such a banquet in a week.” “Nor me in a month,” replied Clem, thinking of the scanty table that Mrs. Fowler was accustomed to set. Upton didn’t say anything, but he looked as if he had enjoyed the meal as much as his associates. “T am beginning to feel like a new man,” said Clem, presently. “When a fellow’s breadbasket is empty he isn’t worth much.” “That's right. It takes all the ambition out of you,” replied Will. “Upton looks like a different boy already.” ' “Say, what do you suppose these men are going to do ‘with us?” asked Upton, with an anxious expression. “Why don’t you ask them, Uppy?” ‘snickered Will: “Maybe youtan make them understand you.” “Oh, you be jiggered!” retorted Upton, with a look of disgust. “It’s a wonder you wouldn’t give a straight answer when a fellow asks you a question.” “That was a silly question to ask me,” replied Will. “How can I tell what these rascals mean to do with us? If I understood Portuguese——” He didn’t get any further for the leader of the crowd came up and pointing to the cave ordered the boys to go inside, pS They did so, and were marched to the Bee back of the place, and directed to sit down on the hard floor. . Will happening to be in the center his right ankle was ~ pourid to Clem’s left one, and his left ankle to Upton’s right one. The blankets taken from the balloon were thrown to}: . them, and they were left to their own reflections. The men gathered around the front of the cave, drank some kind of liquor out of a stone jug that was passed from mouth to mouth, smoked cigarettes, and chinned together in Portuguese. Bi eer They're in no hurry 6 let us g0, 4, said Clem, when they had been left to themselves. “That's evident, ” abe ¢ Will; “but I can’t see what use they can make out of us.” ~ “We'll know in good time. I wish I tieeehat part of - Brazil we’re in, if we really are in Brazil. It’s such a big ef country that we may be hundreds of ‘miles in the interior, and practically cut off from any available opportunity of escape.” Pie ing people don’t hear from me soon they'll think T 3 fins lost in the balloon,” said Will, soberly. _ePhat’s one advantage of ree an pies , i breakfast was over the men lighted the customary cigarette, marked The satisfaction he had felt at filling his stomach had passed away, and his mind was filled with gloomy pictures — of the immediate future. He lay back on his blanket, sick at heart, while the other — two talked for half an hour more, The Brazilian ruffians grouped about the entrance to the cave continued to drink and smoke for some time longer, then they drew off one at a time and wrapping | themselves in their ponchos went to’sleep. The leader was the last to turn in; but previous to doing. so he went to the rear of the cave and looked at the boys, now asleep. ne With a grunt of satisfaction he, too, selected a spot. near eS his sleeping companions, and soon nothing broke the silence é of the Brazilian mountain cave but the deep breathing ofay the sleepers. # CHAPTER VI. z By DIAMOND POACHING. Soon after sunrise the boys were roughly awakened by one of the gang. “es They found that the ropes had been Se, from their ankles. _ " They were ordered in the sign language to go to the front : of the cave. ‘ ee The Brazilians were eating their morning. meal, which consisted of a tin cup of black coffee and a cake made ae of maize, with some dried fruit. The boys were given a fair share of the food, aa ne grabbed their rifles, and appeared to be ready to start out. The fellow who officiated as cook appeared with ¢ a bag in his hand, and the lads being placed in front, with, the leader on one side and one of the gang on the other, the pro cession started down the mountain gorge. Half an hour’s walk brought them to a narrow valley : between two spurs of the range. A narrow and shallow river followed the course a ‘thes: j valley. z At a certain spot, which showed evidences of recent ex- ‘ey. cavation, the Brazilians came to a halt. Hy. One man, with his rifle, perched himself on a high rock at overlooking the entrance to the valley, while the rest, under — the direction of the leader, age a number of shovels out it Ae of the bushes. ae a A spade was put into each of the boy’s ymca and he ordered to get into the excavation and dig. ae y he He was made to understand that he was to dump: ee in a certain spot, and this dirt was afterward removed | to, the bank of the river and examined by some of the at Zs ify “T wonder it we’ "re Talia thc aliows to dig for ae face gold?” said Clem to Will, as they paused for ate aN “Almost as fast as we throw ‘this dirt out it is carried — river to be pose.” |

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345) ges FROM DARK TO DAWN. At that moment Clem saw an object in the | Spidefal of earth he had just turned over. He stooped down, picked it up and looked at it, It presented the appearance of a semi-transparent rounded pebble, covered with a thin, brownish opaque crust. Will’s attention being attracted, too, he glanced at the stone. “That's a diamond as sure as you live,” he said. “It exactly answers the description I have read in books on the subject. Drop it in your pocket on the sly.” Clem was a wise boy, and without looking to see if his actions had been observed, he made a motion as if casting something aside and then went on with his digging, holding the rough diamond all the time in the palm of his hand. _ After a time he put his hand in his pocket and drew out his handkerchief, letting the pebble fall into his pocket. ~ The leader of the ruffianly gang did not hurry the boys, as he saw they were not used to this kind of work, nor to a torrid climate. He was, if anything, harder on Upton than the other two, because Upton shirked his labor and looked ugly and dis- . contented, At noon a halt was called in the work, and the man who acted as cook served out maize cakes, dried fruit and clear spring water. After which all hande rested for over an hour in the | shade. “Are you fellows going to “iat for this sort of thing?” said Upton Fowler. “Not any longer than we can help,” replied Clem. “This kind of treatment to a free-born American is the biggest kind of an outrage,” went on Upton, indignantly. “What are the Stars and Stripes good for if it isn’t to pro- tect the people of the United States?” “Oh, choke off; Upton. What do you suppose a gang of , rascals like these chaps care for the Stars and Stripes, or the flag of Brazil for that matter?” replied Clem. “There isn’t any use of you or Will and me butting our heads against a stone wall. These scoundrels have got us dead — to rights and we’ve got to knuckle down. till they happen. to be off their guard and then we'll cut away. Isn’t that 80, will?” “That’s so,” acquiesced Ashmore, nodding his ead: “Well, ’'m not going to get sunstruck to oblige a lot of — been a great deal of gold, as well as fe found i in certain parts of Brazil.” “These chaps are evidently working this place on the sly. Look at that rascal on yonder rock. Anybody can see that he’s there on the watch.” “Say, ’m sick of this,” growled Upton, edging wp to- ward his companions. ‘It is as hot.as blazes in this hole, and digging is hard work. . What right have these men to make us free American boys work like slaves for them ? And what. is it all about? What’s the object of this dig- - ging? What are we hunting for?” - Upton’s face wore a dissatisfied expression. _ He had never been used to hard work, or work of any kind for that matter, except-to wait on an occasional cus- - tomer in his father’s store, and this kind of thing jarred on his feelings. “Well, Upton, you have iny sympathy,” grinned Clem. _ “There’s no use of you kicking, for we’re all in the same box. These ruffians have no right, of course, to make free American boys work, but might is right with them, and _ we’ye got to knuckle down until we find a chance to make our escape. As to what we're digging for, I reckon it’s gold.” “Maybe it’s diamonds, ” interjected Will, as the thought suddenly struck him. “Ts just as likely to. be diamonds as gold, I suppose, id admitted. Clem. _ “Diamonds!” exclaimed Upton, eagerly. “Do you really ~ think so?” “Tt isn’t improbable,” answered Clem. “Brazil is one of the countries where, diamonds are dug out of the soil.” “Gee!” Sas Ae sa “T’m going to look for them. If I find any— _ “Well, what then?” asked Clem, aati: “PI put them in my pocket, bet your life.” “You don’t imagine these men are going to ies you _ keep them, do you?” ~~ ®J shan’t let any one know I’ve got them,” said Upton, ie moving off to the spot where he had been shoveling out the dirt, and starting in again with renewed activity, for his ~ interest had been aroused. ; The leader of the crowd, who devoted his time to walking up and down the top edge of the excavation, keeping a sharp eye on the diggers, soon noticed that Upton, instead _ of throwing out shovelfuls of dirt, as before, was examining | Brazilian bandits, not by a jugful,” peep neies Upton, the blue clay with great attention, doggedly. _ He immediately jumped into: the hole, gaye the boy a| “If you know of any way to get the better of them let : clout alongside the head, and signed to him to continue his|us know, and Will and I will stand by you. Otherwise i : e advise you to grin and bear it as best you can.” “What’s the matter with sneaking up to the place ¥ here | their rifles are standing against the rocks, grabbing one apiece, and standing the gang off?” said Upton. — \ “Have you got the nerve to ie such a move as Chad a at ; ne tine got as much. as ‘you 1” snorted Upton. yc erat y fool could : see that game ‘woulda’ work, ot At th ni mo el eye 77) re ees ae chap isn’t going | 4 put up with any nonense. ii ear | Pere: bey jee ae here to work, and if we io f

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} within reach of his gun. When we’re in the excavation it would be equally out of the question. Think again, Upton, and try and strike a better idea.” | “Why don’t you think up some scheme Scurels: youre so » smart?” “T’m on the lookout for an opening, don’t you fear; and when it comes I’ll be there with both feet. But I’m not] _ going to do anything rash, That would only make a bad, job worse.” Work was resumed in the excavation at two o'clock, and the boys labored with more or less persistence until near _ sundown, when the shovels and other paraphernalia were hidden in the bushes and the march taken up again for the cave. The cook had preceded the party and had another pot full of stew on the fire and well under way by the time they arrived at the cave. This programme was kept up for several days, during which time the Brazilian diamond poachers took out’ of | ~ the earth a couple of bags full of the rough gems, whose value, just as they stood, might be estimated at between $8 and $15 a carat. By this time the hands, necks and faces af the three boys were blistered and tanned a rich brown. They were gradually getting used to the hard work, ‘though they didn’t relish it any better than at first, when something happened that cut short their servitude to the _ diamond poachers. _ OHAPTER VIL. ‘A BREAK FOR FREEDOM. It was getting on to noon of the fourth day of their|. work in the excavation when the boys were suddenly startled | ; - by the report of the lookout’s rifle. Instantly every man stopped. his ie and ran for his gun. The leader ordered the boys to leave the hole and pointed to a big reck behind which a couple of the diamond poach- ers had taken their stand. , “Looks as if there was going to he something doing,” said Clem. “This vgs to be our ene to get clear of these aiteva replied Will. “T hope so,” returned Gla He glanced around the corner of the rock and saw a - number of uniformed men in the distance advancing up _ the valley. _ The diamond ponehornss were scattered at different points among the rocks, with their rifles ready to are battle to _ the. invaders. “Those fellows who are coming this way are ahitiens, and ee is quite a bunch of them. By the looks 6f things, ~ somebody i is going to be hurt before the scrap is over.” e may be killed.” ooked kind of a around the ails and was pense! t ‘ 4 on FROM DARK TO DAWN. “Oh, Lor’!” gasped Upton. “I wish I was out of this, | at The soldiers scattered as they advanced into the valley, and soon the poachers opened fire on them from behind boulders and other spots of vantage. As the shooting on both sides became more tively; Clem told his companions to keep their wits on the alert and be . ready to make a break. “There’s a gulley fist? behind us,” he said. reach it. we may be able to keep out of harm’s way until “Tf we can the soldiers clean these chaps out of the valley. Then we - can show ourselves and claim protection of the govern-— ment men.” Clem pointed out the spot where the gulley ran. To reach it, however, they would have to expose them- selves to the fire of the military who were now well up the. — valley. g, It was also possible that the poachers might interfere am with their retreat. . The latter was hardly probable as the attention of the rascals was fully occupied with their foes in front. : “Well, what do you say, fellows?” asked Clem at last.. “Shall we make a dash for the gulley now and risk a bullet or two. I think the chances of our getting hit is small. If we wait here much longer it will be different.” “What about these two rascals close by?” asked Will. “They're not paying any attention to us,” replied Clem. © “Tis too risky,” objected bee who seemed to be an shaking in his shoes. 2 “T think it’s a deal more risky to stay here, here’s.a chance to shake these diamond poachers. want to get away from them, don’t you?” “Of course I do, but——” A sudden cry from the rascal on their right intemuptod a him. Be The fellow had incautiously exposed himself too mers and became a target for a soldier. ; A Mauser bullet reached his brain aye he tumbled. over — dead. That incident cee the boys: for a moment, and gap crouched closer to the rock and gazed neces atthe dead diamond poacher. . he Finally Clem pulled himself together and crawled over’. to the corpse. “Where are you going, Clem?” asked Sie anxiously. Basiden; a You <h) “His chum did not answer him. ‘sé Wea Then Will saw Clem reach out and get coir of the Pate man’s rifle. ‘: mat ta! After securing it he unbuckled his meidga ee an crept back to his companions. “Qome along, Will. Let’s make for the sallopt ‘This trae. rock will cover our retreat to some extent. Get a move td Upton.” Lime 9 Carrying the rifle and cartridge belt with him, Cle started to crawl toward the gulley. » “a * ‘Will followed close behind. - Ps Teiew hesitated a saad seeing his. dia . : join them when the othe

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ae on 3 | FROM DARK TO DAWN. “My gracious!” exclaimed Ashmore. “Where did he go 2” . He walked forward with some caution, parting the bushes before him, and ‘wondering how on earth it was that ms companion had vanished so mysteriously, There was no sign of Clem or how he had gone from ‘poacher discovered his object, and, giving a shout, cov- ered him with his rifle. Young Fowler collapsed and crept back to the aie of ~ the rock again. The rascal then looked for the other two boys, but they had just vanished from his sight over the-edge of the gul- ley, and he was unable to make out where they had gone. sight. The fight between the detachment of soldiers and the] “Clem!” called out Will. “I say, Clem! Where have diamond poachers had now grown quite hot, and there} you got to?” — “were a number of casualties on both sides. He received no answer to his Hail. The latter stood their ground and put up a desperate] The ravine was as silent as a tomb. resistance, and as the two parties were pretty evenly divided| “This is deuced strange,” Will said to himself. “TI can’t ‘in numbers, the result was a matter of doubt. see where he could have gone to in such a rapid manner. Clem and Will waited for Upton to appear, but he didn’t. __.“What’s the matter with him?” asked Clem. “Didn’t he ‘come! 2 _“T don’t know. I supposed he was right behind me.” They glanced cautiously above the edge of the gulley and saw Upton still crouching under the rock. Will now began to grow alarmed. _ “He’s a. blamed donkey!” cried Clem, in an impatient} ‘He certainly went down somewhere near this spot. I tone. “He hasn’t spunk enough to make an effort to save |\don’t see a hole of any kind. But, then, the bushes are so himself. I don’t want to stay here. My idea was to get | thick they might cover: *, as far away from the gang of diamond diggers as. we _ could, and then.watch for a chance to join the soldiers as ay “soon as they sneceeded i in clearing these fellows out.” “They seem to be having a tough time doing it. These ‘rascals are putting up a stiff cae You can gamble on it. they are not cowards.” : “So much the more reason why we should take advantage of a chance that might not occur soon again if the poachers manage to beat the military off.” 4 “rp we wait for Upton I guess we’ll stay here some time, ‘He seems to be anchored to that rock.” _“T hate to leave him in the lurch; but it’s his own fault,” hs replied Clem. © Well, he’s got a. fair chance of a rescue by the soldiers eg if-he stays where he is; but if the poachers beat them off he’s bound to remain a prisoner with them,” Clem and Will finally decided to sneak off down the , guilley and hide in the bushes somewhere until they dis- covered how the fight terminated. It was only inviting a possible recapture to Lin where “they were, . Accordingly, off they set, and soon placed a avs ofa mile between them and the battle-ground. - The gulley ended at the mouth of a densely nondedk Tas e that ran right into the mountain range. A ns witty oe stream of water ran rough “7 think we’ He at the bottom of a toogsen” answered «| Clem. “Anybody that Ache the same ride on the seat of their: : ‘ Hapa that we did might easily guess that. What I sige to 3 [ wonder how the fight is getting on?” said Will. know is where are we?” f fe There's : a tree yond. Vi cued it and tee a a squint »| “TJ should say we are some distance amderground, : ‘| plied his a ae . . looked to see him rise up in a moment or two. I don’t like this for a cent.” He called out again to his companion, but there was no reply. like a shot. CHAPTER VIII. A FORTUNE IN DIAMONDS. The cry that rose to Will’s lips was choked off by the dense mass of shrubbery that closed above his head. cushion. somewhere down in the depths of the hillside. “Hello, is that you, Will?” asked a voice out of the darkness. = surprise. ° following me by the same route,” with a chuckle. — “That was the swiftest age I ever made in my life,” re- ete Will. “Yes, it was pretty swift, It could give cards and spades to some. trolley lines that I’ve been on.” on acta ‘to be si us.” “Wow!” he ejaculated, with a grunt, as he fetched up “Where do you think we’re at?” ! a [ thought he had tripped over something in the bushes, and The ‘ground suddenly gave away under his feet as he took another step forward, and down he went, out of sight, He struck upon a hard, inclined plane, about six feet . below and shot off, feet first, like a billiard ball from the ~ “My goodness ! Is that you, Clem ig cried Will, 3 in ead : “Bet your life it’s me; but I hardly expected to see you

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te a —— Will quickly ignited.a match and’ pe boys looked wag P them. The toboggan was right before them—an-inclined hae of smooth slate disappearing into the darkness above at an angle of forty-five degrees. - Behind and around them was a wide, earthy cavern that looked as if it had been dug out by the hand of man. “This must be a mine,” said Will. “A diamond or a gold mine. Where diamonds are found gold almost al- ~ ways exists, too.” There was a lot of dried brushwood around the floor and ' the boys built a small fire to better illuminate the place. It took them a matter of ten minutes to explore the pre- sumed mine, Tn a far-away corner Clem fell over some obstacle in : his path. It was a bag full of some hard stuff. Bringing it within the circle of light cast by the fire, he ~ examiried the contents. _ found in the excavation during the first day’s digging, It was fnll of rough pebbles similar to the one he had - and which Will had declared to be a diamond in the rough. Clem dumped a pile of them out on the floor for his companion’s ingpection as well as his own. - Many of them showed a remarkably brilliant and iri- descent surface which demonstrated their character beyond _ a doubt. “Diamonds, every one of them!” cried Will, in great ex- citement. “There must be a fortune in ae big. Gee! What a find!” * “What makes > ad so sure they’re all diamonds?” asked Clem. . _ “Because T’ve read enough about deinen mining, and the descriptions of what diamonds in the rough look like. Those are the real article. After they haye been cut and _ polished they'll look altogether different.” ~ must be a thousand or more in that bag.” A Fu bet there’s two or three thousand.” “Perhaps you can guess how much the lot is worth, too?” feanuad Clem, “Most of them appear to be small,” said Clem. “There “A thousand!” ejaculated Will. “You’re a poor guesser. “In their present state they ought to average #12 a carat, ite There are a hundred at least that will fetch a specially | high price by themselves. greatly reduce their size, Ae will proportionately increase: Cutting and polishing will ~ their value.” i 3 Be Es. ¥ oe Pf tare . “You never thought when you studied up the diamond that. your knowledge would come in Sagi one day, did you?” That’ s right.” FROM DARK TO DAWN. “Now, seeing you’ ve read so much on the: faabiedk? you | to ee where the ee districts of Brazil are.” | his 13 of the biggest in Brazil. It borders on Bolivia on the west, and lies mostly between the 10th and 20th degrees of lati- tude. It is bounded on the east by the Province of Goyaz. Between Goyaz and the coast lie the provinces of Bahia and Minas Geraes, These four provinces may be called the diamond district of Brazil. been found in the last two.” “We must be some distance from the coast, then?” “TJ think we’re in the mountains which form the dividing line between Matto Grosso and Goyaz: If so, we’re all of 700 miles from the Atlantic in a direct line.” : “Why do lg think we're in those particular mountains, © Will?” The most diamonds have — “It is only a guess on my part, because this seems to _ be a prolific diamond district, judging by the contents of this bag, and more diamonds have been found in Goyaz — than in Matto Grosso. Minas. Geraes.”” “What puzzles me, Will, is why, if all these pebbles are I don’t think the balloon carried | us as far east as Bahia, nor by any means as far south as real diamonds, which would make their value considerable, $i they should have been abandoned in. this*mine,” said Clem. ' “Don’t let that fact worry you. I’m ready to swear that they’re diamonds. I’m so certain of it that if the feat were possible I’d be willing to carry that bag, heavy as it is, all the way to Bahia on foot—and that would be a tramp as far, I guess, as from New York City to Chicago—on ; the chance of getting $12 a carat for them.” “Tf we had another bag now, Will, we could divide the ~ burden between us.” “We'll have to get one somehow, for that’s too jae to {lug far.” “The first thing will be to get out of this mine.” “That oughtn’t to be hard, We'll take off our shoes: and walk up the toboggan to the spot where we tumbled in.” “But can we carry all these diamonds up with us?” “T guess we'll make a pretty good effort to do it. They’re — worth the trouble, bet your boots. I’ll do my share toward helping you get them to some place where you can realize on their value, though I don’t expect you to divide up even, | as you found them.” “Nonsense, Will. If we’re able to carry these to a — ‘market you shall have a square half of what they bring.” #6 Clams ‘call 'it & third ‘and 110 be: satiated. Habs, we've goteour work cut out for us to get them to Bahia, — or anywhere else where we’d stand any show of selling a them to advantage. We can’t show ourselves to those sol- _ diers with these diamonds in our possession, for they'd confiscate them so quick it would make our heads swim. #3 “T shouldn’t like that for a cent.” “T should say not. Tt would be losing a Foe 8 “But how are we to get out. of this erga without a guide?” call Trust, to luck and te sun. We must ike a

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“44 “And how about the important fact of eating? We haven’t had a mouthful since breakfast, and I’m rather hungry. - “So am I, now that you call my attention to it. That is a rather serious problem, I must admit,” said Will, mak- ing a wry face; “I didn’t consider that in my calculations.” “Well, I’d give a considerable share of what I hope to ‘get from the sale of these diamonds for a good, square meal _at this moment.” “So would I.” " “There must be a town, or a good-sized village, not a great way from here; the question is, how are we to find it? It is like sagen for a needle in a haystack, for at ‘this moment we're actually lost in a wilderness. In which aA direction shall we strike out to find evidences of eiusleate he ton ??? | “You've got me, Clem. It’s another case of beast to i duck. a2 “Well, then, let’s get out of this place and make a start. The fight between the soldiers and the diamond poachers _ must be over by this time. Upton has either been rescued _ from the raseals, or he is still a prisoner. He'll have to : ® shift for himself as far as I can see, for we oe troubles : enough ahead of our own.” “You can bet your life we have. that rifle you had?” . Ed eritty dropped it when I fell into the hole.” _ *T hope is isn’t lost, for we’re likely to need it.” ‘d “Tis either at the foot of the hole or somewhere along ey. the toboggan.” By the way, where is Tt was well along in the afternoon when, atter infinite f difficulty, the boys reached the top of the slippery toboggan with their bag of rough diamonds. _ The rifle was found stuck in the side of the earthen wall f adlen ‘the hole. ce Clem boosted Will up so he could clamber out into the “open air again, 4 “The rifle and then the bag of diamonds were handed ‘up, the latter not being‘an easy job, . Then catching hold of Will’s hands, Clem managed to _ scramble out of the hole himself. There was no longer the sound of firing in the air— a3 nature had resumed her usual quietness in that vicinity. ae _ The boys put the bag of diamonds down in a spot where . they could find it again, and went forward to. reconnoiter ~ the valley, S? re recent conflict. There was not a sign either of the soldiers or the diamond joachers. : The valley was, in tact, elias deserted. Seat When they reached the etenaea Hey saw the shovels PROM DARK TO DAWN. i They advaneed with: due ane toward the scene of the Will quickly nicked up one of the rifles and gees a eartridge belt. : . While he was filling the empty holes with cartridges Hoke ; other belts, Cleny discovered a bag containing the few dia- monds the poachers had found that morning. Further on, behind a rock, he also made a most "he portant, find. It was the provisions brought for the noonday meal of the gang. Under present circumstances this was worth its weight in gold to the hungry hoys. Clem could not help announcing the discovery with a — hurrah, so delighted was he. Will ran up to see what was the matter, and he, too, felt like standing on his head out of sheer satisfaction. The problem of! eating for several days to come had been satisfactorily solved. CHAPTER IX. - et DOWN THE RIVER. : “Who says we don’t eat, eh ?” chuckled Will, gleefully. “Nothing could be more fortunate,” said Clem, “It — pulls us out of a mighty ticklish hole.” “Oh, but I say!” eried Will, suddenly looking glum, “how are, we going to carry it all with us, and the dia- — monds, too?” Ne “ And the rifles, likewise,”’ said Clem, dubiously. another one of the difficulties we’re wp against.” “Difficulties seem to crop up on every side. I see you've got hold of another bag. We can divide the diamonds — now.” “If we didn’t have the diamonds to carry there volt be no difficulty about the food question.” “That's true enough; but if we leave the diamonds he- — } hind we'll never see them again.’ “If we only could rig up some kind of a raft we could float down the river. That would save us not only the trouble of. walking, but of carrying all the stuff we Seach to take with us.” “That would be fine,” replied Will. “That's “The only troniile te is that.the river runs southward and we ought to bearet eastward.” og “What's the difference as long as we get away from — this place? It might carry us by or near some town or — ‘village: where we could make such arrangements as would — enable us to travel to the coast in good shape.” ie “Tt seems to me that we'll have a high old time making ” arrangements with people who don’t speak our language _ a nor we theirs. How are we going to make ourselves, ieee oe stood ?” ; “We ought to find somebody in a town ae can English, ” said Clem. ) . “Well, how about this raft matter? It suit

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“whee is the wood? And where the tools to construct it : with ?” “ q secured together with green vines, provided they would ~ hold;” replied Clem. _ “Where are we going to find the logs?” : . “Well, I can see one now down neat the water.” “You'll;want to see more than one before we can talk raft. I move that we have something to eat before we Faure any more on the subject. We'll eo down beside the river and eat, for then we'll haye fresh water all ready at hand.” Pigee They selected a quantity of maize cakes and dried fruits . from the diamond poachers’ commissary Bepee sens and 4 marched down ‘to the river bank. ; Tt was a simple enough repast for two hungry boys, but _ they were thankful indeed to have anything to satisfy their _ appetites with. ; “They had finished theit meal and were ideking idly up and down the river when Will, pointing to an object a short distance away, cried out: “What do you call that?” ~ Clem looked in the direction indicated by his compan- ion. ie saw arhat seemed to be a small rowboat tied to the ighares Such a discovery seemed to be too good to be true. Bi Why, I call ita boat if I can sce straight,” he said, in ' some excitement, “But can it really be a boat?” “The best way: to. pie sure of the matter 3 is to 0 and ‘see. 2 . That was good logic, and 80 they Tuasied toward the ~ floating object. To their intense eidotction it turned out to fia’ a small boat, partly full of water, which sank it nearly to its gun- " qwhale, “Another serious problem solved,” said Will. > great Tuck.” _ “We are if it doesn’t leak ieThaa replied Clem. . 4. They pulled the boat on to the shore and dumped the - water ont of her. ‘Then they found that she did not leak at all. There was a pair of oars fastened under the seats, _ “Nothing could be better.for a short cruise down the J e ’ “We're in ; “That's right. Let’s put the provisions on had and | then row back for the diamonds,” said his’ companion. © hey 1 lost no time in doing this, for darkness would soon be upon them.» y aie that they might “just | as well mt all the igh FROM DARK: TO. DAWN. - “We might be able to build a make-shiff out of logs} areata: eh; Wall? hes | taken place. valuable of the diamonds to dispose of at the best price _ they could get in order to meet their expenses. : By the time they were ready to cast off and begin. their voyage it was neatly dark, but the sky was brilliant with © stars which would enable them to see their way Gor ‘the river. “We won’t even have the troutle of rowing,” said Will. “<The current is swift and will carry us rapidly ei wth. out the least labor on our part.” “All aboard!” shouted Clem, as he stepped into the boat . and seated himself by the tiller. “Let her go,” answered Will, as he jumped i in and took * ‘possession of the seat facing his companion. “Get out an oar and push her off into the middle of the: : stream, ” said Clem. Will obeyed, and they were soon cee af down the river. in great shape. ; ‘Upton made the mistake of his life in not following? : us,” remarked Will, presently. “He'd have had a share — of the diamonds and been in congenial society. Now he’s — either, with a lot of Brazilian soldiers or still in the hands _ of the diamond poachers. In either” case I eat envy his. situation.” - The country they ‘were passing through was not a cheerful-looking one. As far as they could see in the night there wasn’t a yestige of life. ee The valley gradually expanded to a desolate plateau through which they floated for several hours before it took on a fertile look. By that time Will was asleep, while Clem kept rsh and guided the little craft. ) When he guessed it was near midnight i seks his companion and stretched himself oni on the seats for: a: -snooze himself. In this way the night wore away and daylight came. They breakfasted on more maize cakes and dried fruits, “hig isn’t hotel feed, but I guess it will fill the bill under the strenuous circumstances,” grinned Will. “Tt will fill our stomachs at any rate, and that’s all | that’s necessary,” replied Clem. “We've been having. strange | adventures enough to fill a book since that balloon carried — ‘us away against our will from Lakeport ten days ago.” “Phat’s what we have,” nodded Will. “If any one iad told me that eventful morning that I would be in the wilds of South America in less than a week I should have laughed in his face. And yet pe: is what has. apes Clem ?”

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Bk Beene 4 FROM DARK TO DAWN. Ps worth ? I wouldn’t take a cent less ihad $15, 000 for my | tachment, made seria idovenents with his arm, , where- i half.” upon two soldiers ran down to the bank, rifle inthand, and~ “There must be over 2, 000 carats at that rate.” hailed the boys in Portuguese, ‘ _ “There are over 3,000; but half of them won’t bring over} As Clem and Will didn’t understand a word the men — $8 or $10 a carat, as they are small. But they are gem| said they paid no attention to them, but allowed the boat diamonds all right, and by the looks of the bag they were] to drift on. q all originally in they must have been dug out of the ground] Both men then raised their rifles and fired oyer the boys’ | many years ago, when the Brazilian mines were more pro- | heads. ductive than they are to-day.” “That seems to be a signal for us to pull ashore,” said “The South African mines turn out most of the dia-| Clem. monds to-day, don’t they, Will?” said Clem. “Tread inthe} “Very likely,” replied Will, “and I think we'd better do newspaper about a man over in London who was called the] it, for the next time they might put a ball through our Se ot eS ore eee Diamond King because he controlled the business.” bodies. Maybe they take us for a couple of the crowd Will nodded. they fought yesterday. I see the finish of our diamonds — “That lucky chap is dead now. I iakiéee he committed | as far as we are concerned.” suicide.” “We've got the bags stowed under the provisions go it is “Why? Because he was so rich he didn’t know what | possible they may escape notice,” answered Clem, though a to do with his wealth?” he had little hope of such a happy result. " “Maybe so. I think you and I could‘stand a good deal| The boys turned the boat toward the shore and soon © of that kind of prosperity without going off our base.” reached it. “What are the biggest mines in this country?” They were ordered to land. “The Sierra de Frio, discovered in the early part of the} Though the words of this command were unintelligible eighteenth century. They supplied the world until the | to them, the gestures accompanying it were perfectly plain, — South African diamond fields came to the front.” so they got out of the boat and were seized by the two “What was the size of thé largest diamond ever found?” | soldiers who, without paying any attention to the boat, — “One called ‘The Mogul, found in India, and which | which drifted off a short distance and then grounded just — 5 ead in the rough %87 1-2 earats.” out of sight, marched them to the encampment, A “Tt must have been a corker. I shouldn’f think any one} They were brought before the officer, who viewed them — -would have had money enough to buy it.” with a stern and forbidding countenance. we apg Will didn’t answer, as he was looking intently down the} “Who are you: °” he demanded in Portuguese. i river, Clem shook his head as an intimation that they aia nOv “T think Bikes s a village yonder, for I see smoke,” he| understand what he said. sil ~~ said. “Tell him we are Americans,” whispered Will. Clem looked where he pointed and saw the smoke, too.| Clem did so. “Tt’s around that turn in the river,” he said. “No| “Americans, eh?” replied the officer, looking at here doubt we shall find a village there. “This is where a knowl-| very hard and by no means favorably. “What are you edge of the native tenuis ees come in ols handy | doing out here?” he added, suspiciously, Pai _ with us now.” Clem shook his head again. Fee Will got the oars out aiid se to kag to increase] “You do notrunderstand Portuguese?” he as in some their speed. surprise, but accompanied with a look that seemed No say They soon swept around the curve in the stream. —_| that he had his doubts on the subject. Much to their disappointment there was not the slight-|_ Another shake of the head from Clem. est sign of a village. — _ | “Search them !” commanded the officer. — : | The soldiers went through the boy’s pockets sae pulled y f CHAPTER X. ‘Got among the various articles and coins the boys 1 had it : IN THE HANDS OF THE MILITARY. Wee their pockets, the half dozen rough diamonds each carrie : The boys saw that the smoke came from an encampment / “Aha!” exclaimed the officer, fiercely. “Diamonds, he. close to the river bank. | You belong to that band of rascals who are giving me so A number of men having the appearance’ of soldiers much trouble, You say you do not speak Portuguese fs ‘moved about in the vicinity of the fire, | You Americans think to pull the ‘wool over my am “a “Tl bet that’s" the. detachment that had the fight with | no fool! You shall go to prison, Tt promise you ay with ¢ jhe. diamond poachers yesterday,” remarked Clem. them to yonder tent, and one of you stand. yet e ‘vba guess you” re right,” replied Wak sae hey RRM: Be thal oe ee : q : _ Their bined on ne? river was es discovered by| ‘The officer stroke ae foving musta in if

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FROM DARK TO DAWN. "They were shoved with little ceremony inside of the can- Was folds and left to reflect ae this latest stroke of hard “Gee!” exclaimed Will, with a blank look, “we're up against it again. We’ve lost both our freedom and a for- tune in diamonds at one blow. What are we going to do, ‘Clem ?” “T don’t see that we can do anything but grin and bear it,” replied his chum. _ “That officer handled us without gloves, especially when those diamonds were found in our pockets. T’ll bet he takes ‘us for members of that gang they tackled yesterday.” _’ “T wouldn’t be surprised. We're at a terrible disadvan- tage, not being able to talk the language of the country. “It is impossible for us to make any explanation of who we are and in what a remarkable way we came into this part of South America.” ~ “TJ don’t believe he’d believe any statement we might make if we could talk the language. He would say that our coming here from the United States in a balloon was ridiculous.” “We could tell him shies the remains of the balloon is to be found, nét so many miles from here. That ought _to be proof enough to bear us out.” 4 “What’s the use of talking? We couldn’t get him to un- peereiand our story to save our lives, I wish to gracious we'd never gone to Lakeport to see the balloon go up. My ie father and mother are crazy over my disappearance by this time, and goodness knows when we'll ever a out of this country and back to Louisiana.” n After a little while the boys peered out through the open- ing of the tent to satisfy their curiosity as to their sur- -roundings. There were about a, dozen tents in the encampment, but oS could see only half a dozen soldiers all told. It looked as if most of the soldiers were away, somewhere. _ The boys finally concluded, and correctly, too, that this was not the detachment which had attacked the diamond poachers the day before, but a small section of it which had remained behind to watch the camp. “The main body are no doubt trying to exterminate the gang before returning to camp,” said Will. Very likely,” admitted Clem. “ They will probably bring back some prisoners, Upton among them, possibly. Then if the rascals only tell 4 truth about us we may get out of this scrape.” - “What bothers me more fiat anything else is the loss of those diamonds,” said Will, disconsolately. “I had cal- a ulated on making a good haul out of my share.” “T suppose that officer has got possession of the two bags by this time,” replied Clem. “It will mean a good many dollars in his pocket.” TEs a blamed shame, so it is. ; | to easure, for we found it away down in that a nd ball cae But even if we could speak Portuguese like a native we couldn’t Tecover those diamonds once these y We are rightfully en- ern ni t abe ayy ell, to say the poten truth, Will,-I hed strong doubts about our being able to get those diamonds to any place ‘where we might have a chance to sell them.” “Tt didn’t take long to have your doubts realized, then,” grumbled Will. ~ In about an hour a soldier came and marched the boys to the commander’s tent. He started to interview them again in Seieaes evi- dently believing they were lying when they said they did not understand the language, for it seemed ridiculous that * two boys would come away out to that province without the ability to make themselves understood. Then, again, he argued that they must have some strong. object for being in that unsettled part of Brazil—and what object could entice them to the diamond district, but the intention of digging for the gems on the quiet, which was against the law, for the government exercised a strict sur- veillance over the diamond industry. The officer pointed at the dozen rough Baines that had been taken from their pockets, and now lay on his camp table, and jabbered fiercely at the lads. He made threats of punishment that would have made them uneasy if they had been able to translate his words, — and browbeat them in every way he could, thinking to bring them to terms; but it had as little effect on them as water on a duck’s back, though they could easily see that the officer was furiously angry. Finally he gaye up the effort to get anything out of ee for the present, and ordered them to be taken back to the tent and bound. Their hands were tied behind their backs and their atikles secured in the same manner. After that it wasn’t considered esi) to keep a guard over them. Early in the afternoon they were furnished with plain black bread and water for dinner, which panini: were du- — plicated about sundown. * “These chaps don’t mean to pamper our tego NG growled Will, who didn’t like prison fare for a cent. “We won’t get fat on it, that’s a fact; but T’ve sat seine to pretty nearly as rocky a meal at Mr. Fowler’s on sundry. occasions when Mrs. F. had a grouch on,” grinned Clem. “Now look here, Will, I’m thinking that we ought to make an attempt to give these chaps fie, leg bail before the rest of the detachment get back. show up long before this.” \ I ten the others would ef . “How are we going to do it, when we're. bound like a Pe pair of chickens ready for the market?” “Well, I haven’t been idle this afternoon. J’ve got | a ig small hand, and have been working more or less steadily at my bonds for sey ae hours past while talking to you, and — now I’ve got the rope loose enough so that I can draw one hand out at any moment, and the- other will follow as a matter of course.” “You haye?” cried will, hopefully. ix “Yes.: Then with my jack-knife, which dat ap 4e3 2

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18 3 é “FROM DARK TO DAWN. Clem put his hand in his pocket, drew out his knife, and in three minutes both boys stood up, free of their bonds. Ps “Now,” said Clem, “go to the flap and peek out while T slit a hole in the back of the tent.” ' Will did so, and he saw five soldiers sitting saci: his: camp-fire which illuminated the fronts of all the tents, while a sixth marched up and down, doing sentry duty. _ “Tt would be impossible for us tofeseape from the front of this tent unnoticed in the face of that firelight and the sentinel’s sharp eyes,” breathed Will, as he observed the — condition of things outside. “Our only chance is to crawl out by the rear way, as Clem proposed. Clem has a great head, blessed if he hasn’t.” At that moment he heard his companion call to him in a_ low tone. ; if “Qome on, Will. Tye made a hole big enough to let : a barrel through. We haven’t any time to lose.” Ashmore didn’t need to be told twice, but hurried over and followed Clem into the night air. Clem got down on his hands and knees and crawled ae into the darkness, followed by Will. - Lambert led their retreat around toward the commander tent, which stood off by itself in the direction of the river A moment before he had seen the officer come out of hi . tent and walk toward the fire. weit Instantly a daring, and perhaps foolish, idea hed curred to him. zs He wanted to regain those dozen Hicnieies 3 which were among the best of their find, and he had seen the Brazilian officer place them in the drawer of his camp table during the interview the boys had with him. / Aga If they were still there he was going to get them ifhe could. “You go on as far as that tree yonder,” he whapeed to. ankles free, and after that your bonds would come off as easy as winking.” “That’s all right, but don’t you suppose somebody would see us the moment we walked out through the flap door?” “I don’t propose to make the attempt until it is dark ~ and the camp is quiet, Furthermore, my plan is not to ' go out the front way, as the tents face the open space where a guard probably marches up and down all night. It - will be easy to slit an opening in the back of this tent and “sneak that way.” “Your scheme is first-class,” said Will, in some ‘ex- - eitement. “TI hope it will work.” “We must trust to luck.” “Tt is probable we shall find the boat down by the shore, though the diamonds are likely to be missing.” “Tm not so sure they were taken from the boat.” “Why not?” “When we were receiving that. jawing in the com- mander’s tent I looked around for the bags, but didn’t see _ agign of them. Then, again, you remember he made a great how-de-do about those few stones he got from our pockets. It looks to me as if he did not suspect that we had any more in the first place.” “That’s so,” said Will, with a hopeful expression. | “Still it seems singular that the boat was not examined. There were six rifles in it besides the cartridge belts, provisions and the diamonds.” “These Brazilian soldiers are a slouchy lot, I guess. When we stepped ashore this morning those two soldiers seized and marched us right before their officer, and never looked at the boat, nor made an attempt to secure it. Til “bet that boat floated off down the river on its own hook, and that whether we escape or not we'll never see it again.” “Gee! I hope not,” replied Will, blankly. “I want to ~ recover those diamonds,” _ “There are a good many things we all want in this world | Will; “I'll be with you in a moment.” ge _, that we don’t get just the same,” answered Clem, truthfully.| “What are you going to do?” asked his chum, in some . ‘The boys continued to talk until it grew dark, and then a | surprise, = sitar with a lantern entered the tent and in a perfunctory ‘manner examined their bonds. “All right,” acquiesced Will, moving cautiously away, ee Apparently satisfied they were all right, he dragged the | but nevertheless wondering what purpose Clem had in view. — boys in turn to the bunk that occupied the center of hs - Clem crawled up to the commander’s tent, slit up a big : ‘en, and then left them in. the dark. - | opening in the canvas and 7 inside. “No matter. Do as I tell you.” would no doubt be back soon. » Clem didn’t lose a second but hurried up to the table, pallet open the drawer and looked in. ee CHAPTER XI. THE ESCAPE. “Tt looks as if this is the last visit we'll have jomens 2 - said Clem to his companion. : “YT guess so, That chap, appeared to be satisfied that we would not be able to give them any trouble,” replied Will. “Then here is where we turn the tables on them,” an- -swered Clem, drawing one of his hands out of bondage, the other quickly following. “You see my hands are free, don’t you?” he added, seizing Will by the arm. Mee LY are all to the mustard, Olem !” flap of his tent to re-enter. : ‘Clem saw the commander’s figure, and. ‘the com ndet | saw eta outline joing over ‘the whip nae t

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oe |. FROM DARK TO DAWN. | =e -mirable presence of mind, overthrew the table, the lamp | opposite bank, but the boys didn’t hear the music of the going with it. bullets. For a moment the tilesion of the tent was shrouded in} The soldiers had simply fired at random, not being able» darkness, and the boy dashed for the slit in the canvas |to make out the boat. and made his escape just as the lamp exploded under the} By that time the Brazilian commander’s tent was ree officer’s bed. The thunderstruck commander roared out a command, which drew the attention of the men about the fire to him. _. They sprang to their feet and ran toward his tent, where the ignited oil from the shattered lamp had set the bed on fire. _ By that time Clem dashed up alongside of Will. _ “Come,” he said, in an excited ae “we Fanst eut it nick.” He rushed off toward the river, followed by Will. Behind them there was a great hullaboo around the offi- *s burning canvas habitation, ‘What's happened?” queried Will, as soon as they d at the river bank. ion’t bother asking questions now. The fat is in the : e and we'll be lucky to get away in safety. We must try nd find our boat.” “I don’t believe it’s here at all,” replied Will. “TI told I thought it had floated away long ago.” ‘Maybe it has, but I want to make sure,” answered Clem. They ran along the bank, Reepmng ety eyes skinned for > trace of the boat. the view of the distant campfire from the boys. Clem and Will: began to breathe easier. “Now tell me what you did, Clem, when you left me that time?” asked Will, eagerly. ‘Whatever it was it aroused the camp and was the cause of the officer’s tent taking fire.””: “Well, I made up my mind to recover those diamonds the soldiers took from us when the commander ordered us to be seafched.”? “You don’t mean it!” gasped Will, amazed at his com- panion’s daring. “T do mean it, and I’ve got them in my pocket now.” “You have?” “T have. Just as I got the last of them in ‘my fist the officer suddenly re-entered his tent and caught me.” “And what did you do?? “J overthrew the table with the lamp that stood on it. It exploded and set the tent on fire. In the confusion, we reached the boat and got the start we needed to take us out of sight of the soldiers.” “Great Scott! But -you’ve got ¢ a cast-iron nerve to go into that officer’s tent for those diamonds !” Clem laughed a bit nervously now that the strain: was over, for he began to realize that he had taken pretty des- perate chances to regain those diamonds. However, it had turned out all right, and the two boys 4 1g ae all hope of saving it futile. i ‘By George!” cried Will, suddenly. “Tf there isn’t the ' after all, ashore on that og of beach, 4 At that moment their figures were seen in the circle of ht thrown by the fire, and the officer’s attention called ing on the future. : CHAPTER XII: CAPTURED AGAIN. Had it been a bright starlit night, like the evening pre= vious, the boys probably wouldn’t have got out of their scrape as easily as they did. The Brazilian soldiers would have been able to have geen them clear across the not over-wide river, and would | doubtless have made their passage down the stream so — warm that the lads would have had to*take to the: shore : to escape their bullets. _ The darkness of the night in that respect ‘fi avored the a boys, but in another it operated against them. , They intended to go down the river till they reached ;|the neighborhood of some town, but, their intention was e|for the time being at least frustrated by the current of : | the stream carrying them into a creek. aa ~The thick: gloom’ which hung over the face of nature ‘that night pereniet ee: from bie site that ia 8 bares Rs He issued a walle of orders just as the fleeing lads stepped into the boat and pushed out on the river. __ A soldier rushed ‘to the tent where the prisoners had ~bee confined, while the others ran to get their rifles. em in, the meantime seized the oars and pushed as hard could to get over to the other bank and out of range f the firelight cast: by the burning tent. _ A couple of bright flashes, followed by sharp reports and um of a pair of bullets. close to their heads, showed joys they were still within the danger zone. Clem pulled like a good fellow, and the boat vanished from the os of the soldiers met as oa fired jake q) lark !” exclaimed dues “theyte running cel the gi of ue river Settee to locate us for a shot. eel duced to ashes, and soon after a bend in the river shut Ce) eee There was no further sound of firing or pursuit, and . : ceased to talk about it, but turned their attention to figur-

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rf eee S | FROM DARK TO DAWN small ones. These should bring us a good price as they stand. I think we can afford to throw out all the very — small ones in order to increase our chances of saving the really good ones.” “But the smallest we've got will fetch $8 a carat at least, It’s like throwing away so much good money,” soe Will. | Finally, after some econo on the subject, the stones were sorted over and 300 very small specimens were thrown - out. . “This is evidently a creek we wandered into last night in the dark,” said Will, looking at the narrow watercourse ce at the head of which the boat lay. “Yes, I guess it’s a creek, all right,” abaaieiced Glens “ello, here’s somebody coming this way from the dis : rection of the river. Blessed if it doesn’t look like Upon I wonder if it really can be him?” They watched the slow and toilsome approach of the ne comer with some interest, until the fact became evident t them that it actually was Upton Fowler who was drawing near. * “Well, he certainly looks as if he’d been up against a extra slice of hard luck since we saw him last,” said Will ; “That's what he does. He seems hardly able to draw one leg after another,” Upton did not notice them until he got ae near, and A then not until Ashmore hailed him, . He stopped and stared at them as if he couldn’t paler Le: eyes, then he made a dash forward and tumbled ai down in a heap at their feet. eee They soon found out that Upton was almost starved, and ‘ they set before him as much of their provisions as he could eat.’ i i Then he told them that the diamond poachers had finally been dislodged from their advantageous position among the © rocks and driven off out of the valley, the soldiers. bua! ; them. \ ook That he had finally mustered up courage onae to ea i shelter in the gulley. suing soldiers they kept close to the opposite bank, and so the current that swept into the creek carried the boat in with it, and until they had gone nearly half a mile, and got entangled in the shallows, they supposed they were still floating down the river. “Say, where are we at, anyway?” asked Will, at last. “We must have got switched off the river somehow.” “Looks like it, doesn’t it?” replied Clem. “There isn’t two feet of water here,” he addeéd, feeling around with an oar. “Seems to be a lot of rank vegetation around us, too,” said Will. “We'll either have to turn around and try to get back _ to the river again or. stay here till morning, when we'll be able to get a true line on our Pastaen once more.” “How far do you think we’re below that amp! 2? ins quired Will. “T haven’t any idea; but it must be several miles,” “Do you think those chaps will pursue us in the morn- ing? 7 “ey woul@n’t be at all surprised but they will, di “Then if we kept to"the river they would probably head us off in the course of the day.” “Tf they followed us long enough I think they would.” “Then we'd better stay where we are, don’t you think?” “T think we had until daylight.” “Then the best thing we can do is)to go: ‘ashore and have ~ a good night’s rest in the shrubbery. T’m sore from lying - » aeross the seats last night.” Clem thought Will’s sug gestion sons and they decided to adopt it. - .They tied the boat to a stone, found a soft roosting spot near at hand and ere long were. sleeping: soundly. : The sun was well up when they awoke. ‘Emerging from the bushes Will called Clem’s attention 40a house about a mile away, and to ground saa seemed _ to be in a state of cultivation. ee “Tooks as if we may be reaching civilization at last,” he said. i You can’t tell. ‘This may ‘be an. isolated habitation.” rif I could talk the lingo of the country I’d go over to that dwelling and find out where we-are.” “Tt is a great world, isn’t it?” grinned Clem. “If it’s all the same to you, we'll sample those provisions in the boat, for I feel statved out iad that bread-and-water. diet | we had yesterday.” ann Ashmore was more than willing t to eat, and so the boys breakfasted, ae “Now,” said Clem, when they were shvehant Mas it’s more than likely we'll have. to do some walking before long, sere ste that we try and reduce the burden we’ve got to Po CRY? “While you're telling it, will, said: Clem, ie ; i lig what way?” . ‘to. tse age and see if I can secure a: ‘f i igs I think we'd better: is over the diamonds and tables. : “He had ‘Sa Midtis to eat in forty-eight ‘hours i _|some wild berries, and was about done up. “Well, you: look it, Upton,” said Will. “Ts that your boats ?” asked Upton. “Where dia get it?” since we ne you.”

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Sige Wee ee FROM DARK TO. DAWN. Co = 2 ~ Will ‘pois to entertain ak with an account of the ad- ventures Clem and himself had experienced since they parted company with him during the fight between the soldiers and the diamond poachers. For reasons, he suppressed the fact of their discovery ae the bag of rough diamonds in the deserted mine, merely stating how they had slipped down the slate toboggan and afterward made their exit from the hole by the way they ad got in. Clem, in the meanwhile, proceeded on to the distant louse, wondering’ how he would iid able to make his wants known. - © The necessity of procuring a fresh supply of provisions, wever, urged him to make the best effort he could to ac- aplish that end. He approached ia rear of the house as being the most likely place where he might expect to find some member of the family at that hour. Smoke was ascending from: the chimney of a one-story dition, which he judged to be the kitchen, and conse- aM ently he guessed that breakfast was under way, : He was within a few yards of the door when suddenly le ‘shrill scream of a woman broke upon the still air, Ait that the person was in trouble. “Good gracious !” exclaimed Clem. pedubtor Pig He dashed forward with the intention of lending his id if that was necessary. — “The scream was a third time repeated, and it came from a room just ahead of the kitchen annex, _ Clem didn’t stand on ceremony about entering the house der the circumstances, He sprang through the kitchen door, crossed the room at a bound, and, clearing the adjoining entry in no time, at all, appeared at the door of the room beyond. > Here a table was. spread with dishes and eatables at which two 1 ‘men were seated, while a ‘third was struggling vith a ee pretty girl, who was trying to beat him “What can be the rms around her dd was frying to kiss her her will, a companions sock on and enjoying ontest. he didn’t intend to. 45 dea by. her ul “a alee but the chances were all ‘The scream was repeated in such a tone as seemed to in- face conversation were quite lost on the boy. _ Fifteen minutes’ passed i in this way and then Clem, who ae ras facing the open window, saw the girl's face appear at a Clem’s cyclonic entry and vigorous aggressiveness pro- 3: duced something of a sensation in the room, and the three men stared at him in angry astonishment. It-was then for the first time that the boy noticed they were attired in the garb of soldiers. “What do you mean, you rascal, by abusing that girl?” cried Clem, forgetting in his excitement that he was addressing people to whom the Hnglish langunge was 4s intelligible as the Chinese jargon. His voice broke the spell. “By thunder!” exclaimed one of the soldiers, in Portu- guese, springing to. his feet, “this is one of those boys we're after. Grab him!” Before Clem had quite grasped the situation the three men were upon him, and, in spite of a vigorous resistance on his part, he was overthrown and his hands bound with | a leather strap. ~ CHAPTER XIII. TRICKING THE ENEMY. | Qt Clem was pulled on his feet and forced into a chair in ‘a corner, while the men returned to the table to finish their interrupted meal. The boy now had an opportunity to realize that he had . | inadvertantly placéd himself in the hands of his enemies— soldiers who he guessed had been sent out to ent off the escape of himself and his companion. He noticed that they océasionally bestowed triumphant — and malicious glances on him as they hurried down their food in their eagerness to start out after the other escaped f prisoner, whom they naturally judged to be hiding in that vicinity. ; The girl did not show up near the house again while the = soldiers were eating. As far as Clem could see, no other member of the family that lived there was about the place. ‘The men at length rose from the table and Aes fo. go in search of their prisoner's companion—at least two of — them were to undertake that cheerful duty while the third, {the half tipsy chap, was to remain and guard Clem. In order to make sure of their prisoner, they got a rope and tied him to the chair. Then the sober pair took up their rifles and departed on fe, » | their mission, ; ‘The partly intoxicated soldier sat in front of Clem with his, rifle across his knee, and’ amused himself telling the oy in Portuguese” what he might expect in the way of punishment for his escape of the night before. As Clem didn’t understand a word he said, the terrors (2

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pe cana FROM DARK TO DAWN. Finally she appeared to understand the situation in the room, and then placing her finger on her lips, and smiling at the boy, she disappeared. Ten minutes passed away, during which Clem wondered whether the girl really intended to help him out of his _serape, and then she suddenly appeared at the door of the room. Tiptoeing toward the Brazilian guard, who appeared to be unconscious of her presence, she reached the back of his chair. 3 Raising her arm quickly she dashed a handful of fine cin- namon dust into his face. The soldier screamed out with pain and staggered to his feet. His rifle clattered to the floor, the chair fell over, while the stricken man, swearing and erying out in Portuguese, groped for the door. The girl, without a word, seized a knife from the table, quickly cut Clem’s bonds and pointed at the window. The boy seized both her hands gratefully in his and pressed them fervently. Then he started for the window. But he made no attempt to get out, for at that moment he heard the sound of voices and approaching feet, and a rapid glance showed him the two soldiers returning to the house with Will and Upton in their custody. The two boys had been discovered and caught off their guard at the creek, and became easy victims. The men had only expected to find one boy, and the pres- ence of two rather astonished them. f. ry However, they wasted no time figuring the matter out, _ but took charge of both. Clem, perceiving that escape by the window seemed to _ be out of the question, looked hurriedly around for some - other means of making himself scarce. The girl, who had-also become aware of the return of the - tipsy. soldier’s companions, showed by her countenance that she was not a little alarmed thereat. _ She motioned to a closed door on one side of the room, and then ran into the entry, from which she escaped by a door opening on the opposite side of the house. Clem understood the girl’s pantomime. | He jumped for the dogr, opened it and found himself in a broad hallway with a stairway before him. The stairs instantly suggested to him a method oF Op- erations. It is true he did not have time to elaborate the nes and fully determine what he should do when he went upstairs; but the general idea that he could drop out of a window and escape from the other side of the house struck him ‘forcibly, and he impusively. embraced the nau pga thus presented. The building he found was a very ordinary ae qyens ‘ing, of two stories, with a sloping roof. Te was rudely constructed, and very imperfectly finished. | closed. “ As Clern cautiously threw up one of the windows he heard _ the voices of the returned soldiers raised in great ace ; ment. They had discovered their comrade washing out his eyes _ at the kitchen sink, and showing every evidence of extreme pain. +3 They could get no intelligible explanation from him, and fearing their prisoner was at the bottom of it, and had in — some way managed to free himself, one of them rushed into the eating-room to find their suspicions realized. = Afraid that he might be seen by the soldiers from one of — the windows below deterred Clem from adopting his ae idea of escape, and he looked around the room for some nook in which to hide. No place of concealment, which was apparently rial Gi for his purpose, presented itself; and, without loss of time, — he mounted a large chest and asconded to the loft above, for the beams were not floored in the middle of the house. — ‘ The ascept of the loft was not at all hopeful. a4 There were none of those convenient cubby holes which American houses contain, wherein he could squeeze himself i with any hope of escaping notice from the watchful eyes of searcher who might take it upon himself to investigate th part of the building. _ s There were two small windows in the loft, both ro . sashes, which had been boarded up to exclude the wind : and the rain. This job on the one nearest to where Clem stood had aa done by a bungling hand, and had never been more es half done. J The wood was as rotten as punk, and without diicuty, and without much noise, the boy succeeded in removing the board which had covered the lower part of the opening. __ Clem stuck his head out to reconnoiter the roof, and found his nose within a few inches of a wide chimney wna was built on the outside of the dwelling, The idea at once. struck him that if he could get to ent top of that chimney he could lower himself inside, out of re sight, and thus effectually outwit the enemy. ag a The only objection to this course was that he might sl all the way down inside the chimney and reappear in an open fireplace below before the coast was clear. fi To reach the top of the chimney from the small. win was, he saw, rather a difficult piece of gymnastics. Still the thing was possible, and the urgency of the casion fully Banas Lo risk he would have to face, os From it sna other rooms, the doors of which were = q , . bef to get a move on if he ecieael to save himslf. 8 Clem was as agile as a young haem and. Hs | were strong as steel. He climbed out of the window, ani, su sorting

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FROM DARK Boe DAWN. 23 ‘Testing the stability of this, and judging that it apaba easily bear his weight, he pulled himself up by his arms alone, and then by a quick and successful cast of one leg, secured a precarious hold on the roof. Then he moved slowly and cautiously till he reached the chimney, against which he braced his left elbow and scrambled wholly upon the roof. - The manceuver so far was successful—all that now re- mained was to insert himself into the chimney, and he pro- ceeded to do this without loss of time, CHAPTER XIV. A FIRE’ ALARM. As Clem sat for a moment or two on the top of the chim- mey, with his legs down the flue, he glanced about upon the ‘sunshiny landscape. Nearly a mile away he could detect the serpentine course of the river. a The creek, too, up which they had blundered during the ‘night, was right under his eye, with their boat Hed at the head of it. fe _ There were fields around the house in various degrees of eration, and outhouses, several horses in a pasture, and ther evidences that this was a small Brazilian’ farm, but ingular. to say there Was no sign of men folks about the ip eee: - Around the corner of a nearby outhouse he saw the girl tanding. _ Whether she saw him in that airy height or not he could ‘uot say, but she seemed to be looking directly at him, Clem allowed his body to slide down into the chimney as far as his arm-pits, and with his head exposed he waited calmly for his enemies to get tired of looking for him. _ He wished he could think of some plan by which he ‘could rescue Will and Upton from the soldiers below, as well as get off himself, but he could hit upon nothing that promised the slightest degree of success. , While he was pondering upon their critical situation he heard sounds: ‘dose by just below him. ac Gon it or one of the soldiers has surmised how I He let Dae up a little and looked aoe down t the window through which: he had gained the root, His suspicions proved true. The Brazilian had noticed the soe. al of the board from lieved their prisoner was ancien on the dae e noise Clem noticed was his efforts to swing himself . on the coping so that as could see if the boy was on} ' the ee ie — a ere brace his knees in such a scientific manner as to maintain a secure hold on the bricks which were wholly free of soot, or any projections that might have aided him. The result was that as soon as he released his grip on the top of the chimney he began to slip ‘right down, and it was only by the most desperate efforts that he prevented {his descent from becoming an absolute fall. Down he went, sometimes a foot at a time and sometimes a whole yard or more. His jacket and trousers suffered. greatly from sets with the bricks. CEG - Tt was dark as pitch in the narrow verticle tunnel, and — only by glancing up at.the opening at the top could he form any idea of how far down he was. Finally his feet came in contact with the bottom, and then he wondered where the fireplace was. By tapping around with his fist he found that the open- ing was closed by a board screen. He pushed on it and one side gave away. Glancing through the crack he found himself looking into a fairly well furnished room, probably oe best in the. house. Bxerting some strength he moved the screen far enough to enable him to-step out of the wide chimney. He walked over to one of the doors, opened it cautiously — and saw the hall and the stairway up which he had beat ine retreat at the first alarm. “I might get the best of these rascals by a itd move,” he thought. “Phere are only three of them all told, One I guess is out of business—the chap that caught the red - dust in his eyes. A second is now on the roof, or trying to reach it. That leaves only one able-bodied fellow to be reckoned with. Nothing ventured nothing gained. I'll see what I can do to help both my companions and myself to give these fellows the slip.” He crossed the hall and listened at the doot opening upon the eating-room. He heard Will and Upton talking siasiliay. Slowly he opened the door and poked his head in. There sat his companions each tied to a chair with their backs to him. : He heard the voices of the two soldiers in the kitchen, the entry door being wide open. Making up his mind what to do he walked into the room and showed himself suddenly to Will and Upton, gee - {up his hand for silence. With the same knife that the girl had used to liberate eo. him he cut the boys loose. i The soldiers’ Tifles stood. piled dgatnel: a chair, Clem silently pointed at them, and each took possession {of one. Then he led the way to the © open window and lowered S rimself outside. — . Sie

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ei on hearing his native language spoken by an inhabitant of him. had caught Will’s words. . Ais Bape htt: ? - ae ry P ,) ; eae Ral Pie eae Eee See FROM DARK TO DAWN. “T went to the roof, and discovering that I was followed] “ “Thank you, and my name is Clem Lambert. This is I came down through the big chimney,” he answered. my chum, Will Ashmore, and this is Upton Fowler.” — 4 “Yon don’t say. Well, your clothes look as if you’d been The girl acknowledged the introductions with a smile. . ‘4 through a mill,” said Will. “You're a regular. wreck.” Then she tripped to the corner of the shed and peered “What's the odds so long as we get off.” around at the house. “We ought to be able to do that for we have their nae. ”) A dense volume of smoke was rolling out of the kitchen “Oh, we'll get away all right, but I’d like to do so without | window. attracting their attention. One of the soldiers is on the| ‘Oh, my gracious!” she cried in great alarm, “T believe. roof at this moment. He'd see us the moment we walked | they’ve set fire to our house.” : away from the house.” ; The boys looked and saw the smoke which suggested dire- “Well, he couldn’t stop us,” said Will, ful results for the Wheeler home. ees “Wait here till I take a look.” “Come on, fellows!” cried Clem, in great éxeiigen t, Clem backed away from the building, with his eyes cast “we must save the house if it is possible for us to do ¢ aloft. ee . ta He saw the soldier lowering himself back to the window CHAPTER XV, en in the loft. A SQUARE MEAL AT LAST, He watched him till he saw. him oe ees and | The three boys, followed by Estelle Wheeler, left oe me ter of the outhouse and started for the dwelling on ‘the run then motioning to his companions to follow he made a Th 4 ‘ break for the outhouse where he had seen the girl standing ey held their rifles in readiness to make a emonstras : ak atlaik Hinnes Mateus tion against the uniformed rascals who had been ss such a high-handed manner, The fellows, however, were seen retreating up the. ; in the direction of the encampment, which they exp to regain by means of a boat they had left somewhiens: on the river bank. : ‘ | They had been greatly enraged on didovening that tl ree aie auigd, pannimerioeasd him with outstretched two ai a had been ane from their bonds and “ hands. _| their guns had disappeared, too. i! Then she stopped and blushed. They believed the girl of the house responsible tor thet oa ‘that moment Will and Upton joined Clem. loss of their prisoners, and their rifles, and in sss they" “Gee !” exclaimed Will. “A girl! Isn’t she a beaut?” — fe nth: Shin dep ey ; - “You are Americans, are you not?” cried the girl, in per- - Casting the guns aside the boys formed sichuesleee into. : fect English, her eyes lighting up with pleasure, for she a volunteer fire department. Buckets were seized, carried to a bubbling spring ge at hand, and rushed to the burning kitchen on the - run 0 ‘1 watched thei he a est that wild district. ty the ee es ee weed a1 60 glad that you succeeded i in making your escape} Fortunately, the soldiers i in their hurry had not mad from the house,” she replied, earnestly. “T saw you climb very good job of their incendiary attempt. to the roof and get in the-chimney. Then T saw one of They had ignited a lot of brushwood, over yaaa a As he turned the corner he saw her peering around the other corner. He called out to her, and she sprang around with a stifled scream, which turned to a glad ery when she recognized ¥. “That's what we are,” replied Dienst with | a thrill of joy _ ‘the soldiers come to the attic window, and from the way | of water had been accidentally spilled that morning ; _ behaved with the utmost rudeness to me because T happened | very serious damage. phatoe ~ to be alone here this morning, and if you had not appeared | As soon as'the fire was out they cleaned up when you did, I believe that nasty brute would have ‘kissed | that nothing remained to indicate the peril me Tam deeply grateful to you, and sorry that you have heen i in, but a few charred beams. abe eG pe for your enna and ope Raeaee . c he acted I was sure he suspected where you were. You must | the greater part of the wood was damp, and prod Nate have let yourself, down the chimney.” smoke than flame. “T look like it, don’t 1?” ational Clem” 99: | For all that, however, the fire would hav “80 “You do, indeed,” she answered with a smile. “But/T} plished its purpose but for the ake action wonder Bee those men are doing now? 1 do wish they’d his companions. meng leave the place. When my father learns of their conduct They worked like rkaian for fitieen ‘minut he will certainly report them to their commander, They | eceded in subduing the flames: hefore they 1 ad

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kan, ald judge, from his. pia said Sieay while ‘hus qwere all resting from their recent labors. ey es, my father is a Californian, though my mother is 's ative of Brazil,” answered Miss Wheeler. “I was born an San Francisco myself, so I may claim to be as much of an American as my father.” “Tow is it that you happen to be alone on this place?” ed Clem, with some curiosity. “Well, my father went to the mine as hana at six ock. My mother is away on a visit to her relatives in tio de Janeiro, and our two hands went to the town of rrez, nine miles away, for some supplies.” ut are not you afraid to remain here all by yourself ?” Ses in the least, for I eens our men back by noon, This is the so time since we have lived here that liers hei oa intruded wpa us. Those three caine soon ‘ Peed it for them. 7 rata solar dish con- ‘ion, for I understand the Portuguese language per- that they were hunting for two prisoners who es- Jast night from their camp on the other side of the i’s right,” said @lem, with a grin; “they were look- r me and ay. friend will Ashmore. 2 oe That’s just what T do mean, “Miss Wheeler. ill tell you our story after I hear the rest of yours. Ours is a most extraordinary relat: ‘as you will have to ad- ii when you hear it. Go on.’ “well, T: am sure T shall be glad to learn what bead rought 3 you so far into Brazil as the Province of Goyaz. “¢ | clamations of astonishment. “Well,” she almost gasped, when he had finished his story, “this sounds more wonderful than anything I ever read in a book. And you boys haven’t had a real good |meal since you left home, two weeks ago?” “T regret to say we have not. Ill wager we three could clean out a small restaurant at this moment.” “Then you shall have a good meal, and as much as you can eat, just as soon as I can cook it for you!” she eried, springing to her feet. “Thank “you, Miss Wheeler,” replied Clem, “we conida’t refuse so generous an offer on your part. If there is any- thing we can do to help the good work along let us know.” You can draw some water and bring in some wood for. the fire. Then you may peel a few potatoes and—I ene that will be all.” “Tl go for the water. Rion get the: wood, will. And . you tackle the potatoes, Upton, and be sure you don’t forget _ | yourself and gobble one or two of them down raw.” a As soon as the wood and water was brought into the — kitchen, Clem proposed to Will to pay a visit to the boat and remove the bags of diamonds to the house. ; His companion was only too eager to do this, and they — brought up also the discarded stones, thinking they cate be able to save them after all. “Tl tell you what we'll do with them,” said Will. aon give them to Upton. T’ll bet they’re worth over $1, 000.7 “All right,” agreed Clem. “Hesought. to have a mall a share in. our prosperity, though he i is not pes entitled to i anything by any right.” They carried the bags to the hone: aH put them, for — e time being, in one of the dining g-room closets. the boys gathered i in the ee and watched the broil chit with

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D Estelle. eG The house was the best one they had been able to obtain within a reasonable distance of the Rio Esmeralda mine. At the best it was but a poor habitation, much out of: repair and run to seed, but it answered their purpose for the time Mr. Wheeler expected to remain in the diamond ‘diggings of Goyaz. The boys’ appetites were on edge by the time Estelle sum- moned them to the table, and the way they sailed into that ‘meal almost made her die laughing. - “Ton’t mind me,” she said. certainly are half starved.” And they didn’t mind her in the least, for when they de- clared themselves satisfied there wasn’t enough left to feed a canary bird. “at all you want, for you CHAPTER XVI. BESIEGED. About the time the boys had finished their ditiner the two men belonging to the farm returned with a wagon load of various boxes and packages. Half.an hour later a boat came up the creek and landed a corporal with six soldiers, who i ae marched toward the house. Miss Wheeler was entertaining her young guests on the - front veranda when Clem noticed the approach of the military. “Hello!” he exclaimed, jumping to his feet, “Here comes a file of soldiers. I guess there’s no doubt but they’re after Sela Will looked anxious and Upton frightened. “No use trying to beat those chaps off,” remarked Will. “T guess we'd better take to the woods.” _ He used the expression in its figurative sense, for there was no woods within sight of the Wheeler home. “J think you boys had better get out of sight until I can explain matters to the officer in charge of these men,” said “Tf my father was here there would be no trouble, for he is well acquainted with the commandant of the soldiers who patrol this district.” “Well, we don’t propose to be taken back to that camp up river if we can help ourselves,” said Clem in a determined tone. “We can’t speak a word of Portuguese, and would: ’ only be in the same hole we were before, and a good deal worse, if anything, for no doubt that officer will try to get square with us for the burning of his tent. If you can’t stand them off with fair words, Miss Wheeler, we’ll try and stand them off with our rifles until your father gets back.” _ The boys, with a rifle and cartridge belt apiece, retreated to a small stone outbuilding about five hundred yards away, and securing the door mounted to the left where they ensconced themselves beside a single small window that aah commanded the approach from the house. ha Those chaps mat get all that’s eon ae to oh is, base FROM DARK TO DAWN.” | ‘at the end of which the officer and two men entered the Somebody is going e get into trouble over this matter yet and it won’t be us if I have anything to say.” a “Tirat’s right,” agreed Will. “I’m with you every tae bet your boots.” ~ “T hope there won’t be any shooting,” said Upton, nerv-_ ously. : “We're not looking for trouble,” answered Clem: “but if it comes I hope you'll ‘do your share to see us through: Die “Are you going to fire on these men?” asked Upton, © apprehensively. a “T hope there'll be no necessity for such a thing,” replied Clem. “But I’ve stood all the nonsense I’m going to from 4 these Brazilian soldiers, and I guess Will has, too. If they — try to capture us I shall resist to the last, éven if I have to. shoot one or two of them.” Will nodded approval of his chum’s remarks, ive Viton saw that they meant business. Through the window they saw the file of soldiers drawn up in front of the house and the corporal talking 1 to ee Wheeler. 3 The conversation was carried on for fully fifteen minut building while the rest took up positions that commande all exits from the dwelling. “They're going to search the house,” said Clem, “Mis Wheeler’s arguments evidently had no effect, Well , | reckon they'll have their trouble for nothing.” _ Reo “There goes Miss Wheeler towards the barn,” said will, “And one of the soldiers is watching her,” ipeieee Upton. “She has called out one of the hands and is speaking to him,” remarked Clem. The girl was soon seen returning to the house wile ‘thes farmhand went into the barn, got a short noosed rope and | went into the pasture where the horses were grazing, He caught one, brought it to the barn, saddled it, and jumping on its back rode off at top speed for the dist mountains, Clem, as they watched the dider Gisappeat up the road.» The boys agreed that that was what the girl had sone, after were ide hidden in the building. Leaving two men near the house he marched the ia four over to the barn, which he surrounded, and ae = man with him entered to, wit it. ( outhouses, and finally directed their steps toward | in yt the boys. were concealed. Geo aees, and cocking it. # 3 sty y | will followed his example, and ve h eart in

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FROM DARK TO DAWN. | The corporal found the door fastened on the inside, and he ordered his soldiers to force it in, which they did. } Then after glancing around below they came up’ the} heavy steps that communicated with the loft. | Here-they found their progress barred by the trap-door yer which the boys had drawn. a heavy feed chest. The soldiers banged away on the trap with the butts of ‘their rifles, but could make no impression on it, The corporal was now satisfied that he had discovered the jhiding place of the boys. | Finding that the trap-door was impregnable they re- eated. Sieade. Then one of the soldiers, mounting on the shoulders of nother, essayed to enter the loft by the single narrow der,” said Clem. “As only one can come up at a time, the window is too narrow to let him through, I don’t they'll accomplish much. That officer is a chump.” e ladder was brought up and a soldier ordered up. "he boys lined up or’either side of the window, hugging thick stone wall closely. the soldier stuck his head in through the aperture, but e couldn’t get it far enough in to see more than two-thirds the interior of the loft.. fe saw the grain chest on top of the Beene but he ouldn’t see the boys. He tried i in every way to equinm Ws eiiao in, but it was no go. — _ Then he retired to the ground to report to the corporal. The officer then essayed the feat himeelf, but was not a it more successful. ‘He thréatened the fugitives in atc with various enalties if they did not surrender, but received no reply? “He retired discomfited and began to consider what he nould do next to accomplish his purpose. te “At this point Miss Wheeler appeared on ‘the scene and newed her expostulations without success. the corporal was very polite to her, but refused to listen nally he thought of a scheme to drive the bays from petlesi lie would smoke them out. a7. ..“And some of them are likely to see their finish, answered Clem. “What are you going to do? Shoot?” “Yes. We'll move the chest and open the trap. The chap who attempts to fire that hay will get a bullet.” * Matters seemed to be getting serious, Miss Wheeler put up another stiff kick when she saw the preparations that the soldiers were making, but it, fide i do any good. Will had been casting his eyes sranae the loft to see f there wasn’t some ied of getting out besides the window and the trap, = He spied.a big hinged flap in the side of the roof which sloped to the rear. “Say,” he said, eagerly. “Look at that trap in the roof. Couldn’t we give the soldiers the slip through that? They are, all engaged in front. We might sheak out that way, drop to te ground and escape before they got on.” - “A good scheme,” agreed Clem. He went and examined the flap. He saw there was a pole for pushing it up and. keeping it open to admit the sunshine to the loft. He pushed it up and looked out. ~ The rear of the building was not watched. “Come on, fellows, we'll risk it.” Silently they passed through the opening and dropped noiselessly to the ground, carrying their rifles with them. The fire had been started inside the outhouse, and as, the - soldiers threw wet straw on the flames a dense smoke arose and began to work through the cracks into the loft. _'The corporal grinned and rubbed his hands together. He was sure the boys would have to give in now. But that was where he got badly left. CHAPTER XVII. - GONCLUSION. | Pretty soon the smoke began to rise above the roof in suspiciously large proportions, and still no move had heen a made by the boys to give in. The corporal went around to the rear to see why so much _ smoke came out there, and the wide open flap greeted his” astonished eyes. This trap had been shut when he first recomoterd = outhouse. He immediately jumped to the sauieeon that the spe: had opened the trap to let the smoke escape. He ordered the fire to be put out at once and the ladder to be brought around to the rear. . As soon as the smoke began to die away, he and two _[poldiens mounted the ladder and sprang down into thé loft. Do, the corporal’s astonishment and rain ae was.

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ns ees you can sell in the rough. You had better not attempt to « boat, Clem and his comrades returned to the Wheeler house, smart.” with the man Estelle had despatched for him. father, and the situation was explained to him. ‘ity of his home to them as long as they chose to stay. - connect with a steamer even better than at Bahia,” replied } showed to their host. ; soldiers had attacked the diamond poachers. “They'll pay your way to the United States fifty times over.” .joyed themselves immensely. the bags. tain to find out what you were about, and seize them pend- ing settlement of their claim for royalty.” . 2B te as Ty ee ROM DARI LO! DAWN. He ‘took possession of the boat the boys had used, and then rowed’ back to camp to report the failure of the | waited for the Behe of a Sadilee to carry them see A cable message was forwarded to Mr. Ashmore. at. tretna village, Louisiana, informing him that his son we * safe and-would soon be home once more. A similar message was sént to Mr, Jefferson Fowler with: respect to his son. < No message was necessary in Clem’s case, as he had we to his knowledge a relative in the world. . + In due time the boys reached New York. my ee -The diamonds were held in bond by the custom house authorities, and arrangements were soon made for theit : sale in various lots at their appraised value. — The hundred best diamonds were held out, and fon th rest the total amount received was fifty-five thousan dollars, from which the duty was deducted. ” Clem had a dozen of the big diamonds cut and polishe and afterward sold them for fifteen thousand dollars, ha of which, after deducting the cost of putting them i shape, he forwarded to, Will, who had already received abo twenty thousand dollars, as his share of the rough. The balance of the large diamonds went to Clem as of the treasure. et Clem had a set of diamond earrings made and expr S to Estelle. ‘He told her in a letter which accompanied the gift he ‘|he was keeping the very finest diamond of them all f engagement ring for his future wife, and he said he ho the ring in question would go to some one he knew in Province of Goyaz, Brazil, which, as a miter of fact, did after a year. And Qlem carried it there himself, and was ieee betrothed to Estelle in the house where he had had the 108 stirring adventure in his young life. A year later Clem returned to Brazil and marrje girl of hisheart. © — 8" He was worth about sixty thousand dollars, and established a wholesale diamond business for, him Maiden Lane, New York. . He often refers to his remarkable balloon adven: - And while the corporal and his men were boarding their to Hstelle’s great delight. “We won the day without firing a shot,” laughed Clem. “T gee you did,” she smiled. “You boys are pretty aa ent pa A couple of hours later Mr, Wheeler rode up in company She introduced their young American visitors to her He was glad to meet the boys, and extended the hospita!- Naturally their balloon trip to Brazil and Louisiana astonished him. “We should like to reach Bahia, where we can get a steamer for the States,” said Clem. “Rio de Janeiro is about as near for you, and you can . Mr. Wheeler. “I am going for my wife next week. She’s at Rio. You can go with me in my conveyance, and I will, see that you get off all right. I will purchase tickets for you all, as I presume you have no funds,” “We have a few rough diamonds that we found, which’ perhaps you can turn into money for us,” replied Clem. | He hauled out the dozen big stones from his pocket and _ “Why, where did you find these?” asked Mr. Wheeler, in great astonishment, after examining ae of the stones attentively, “Clem told him Sle he and Will had found them in an old deserted mine in a ravine just off the valley where the - «Why, boys, these are uncommonly fine specimens. The boys stayed six days at the Wheeler home, and en- Clem and Estelle'took a decided fancy to each other, and to her, the day before the one set for their departure for | Rio de Janeiro, he confided the secret of the contents oe “Tf T was you, Clem,” she said, “T’d take a hundred of the best ones out and have them eut and polished on your } ‘own account and get the full value for them. The balance THE END. | . reel “OUT. FOR HIMSELF; OR, “PAVIN ae WAY TO FORTUNE, ” which will be tee m (63) of “Fame and hice se oo a ie sell them at. Rio, for the Government would be almost cer- “Then I guess I had better box them up and carry them to the United States with me. I don’t know what the duty a diamonds is, but it can’t be Hear as ; much as on|

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ECRET LATEST ISSUES: Phe Bradys’ Diamond Syndicate; or, The Case of wea “Marquis” f of Wall Street. 39 The Bradys and the Seven Masks; or, Strange Doings at the Doctors’ Club. 40 The > Bradys and the President’s Special; or, The Plot of the 42 The E Bradys and the Russian Duke; or, fhe Case of the Woman From Wall Street. ; {42 The eroue and the Money Makers; or, After the “Queen of the laa ae bs ‘Bradys and the Butte Boys; or, The Trail of the Ten ‘“‘Ter- : om Bragys and the Wall Street “Widow”; or, The Flurry in A FR. 45 ug oid op beh Chinese Mystery; or, Called by the “King” of Mott 346 The Bradys and “Brazos Bill”; or, Hot Work on the Texas Bor- anaes der. ; 7 The Bradys and Broker Black; or, Trapping the Tappers of Wall NS) __ 1» Street. 48 The Bradys at Big Boom City; or, Out for the Oregon Land a ieves 49° eis Bradys and Corporal Tim; or, The Mystery of the Fort. PES ead Banner Raid; or, The White Boys of Whirlyina 851 whe Bradys and the Safe Blowers; or, Chasing the King of the Yeggmeu. The Bradys at Gold Lake; or, Solving a Klondike The Bradys and “Dr. Doo-Da-Day” ; or, The Man on Mott Street. .fhe Bradys’ Tombstone ‘Terror’; or, After the Arizona Mine Wreckers. ie. peenys and the Witch Doctor; or, Mysterious Work in New * rleans, apr Bradys and Alderman Brown; or, After the Grafters of reenvill Phe eradys in “Little Pekin”; or, The Case of the Chinese Gold a lee The Bradys and the Boston Special ; or, The Man Who was Miss- ing from Wall Street. 59. The radys aye the Death Club; or, The Secret Band of Seven. 60 The Pee. hinese Raid; or, After the Man-Hunters of Mon- tan, 61 rie ‘Bradys and the Bankers’ League: or, Dark Doings in Wall Te 186 eS Meee i Call to Goldfields; or, Downing the “Knights of 63 ‘The “Bradys and the Pit of Death; one ped by a Fiend. 872 mie one vd s and Governor Gum ; oF, ‘Buntia the King of the i eee : ss . mail. splay WEST ink Nose ane is ‘ECRET. 7 oun = See Mehl ‘ RTUNE WEEKLY, yho was Lost. é@ Man Who Woke up. 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 41 41 41 41 41 — iF YOU a ANY BACK NUMBERS our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, in the following Order ve and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to you _ POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE, FRA K TOUSEY, Si bisker 24 Union ‘Square, New York. © Duar Sm—Enclosed find......cents for which please send me: .copies of WORK AND WIN, AEs, © 3 pee MAME eh R O% Bradys rere res a ¥ ‘A Dark Wall Street Mystery, 399 The an e Bond Forgers; or, ar’ a 7 400 The Bradys’ Mexican Trail; or, Chasing the ‘King of the Mesa. oy 1 The Bradys and the Demon’ Doctor; or, The House of Many Mysteries, The Bradys and “‘Joss House Jim”; or, Sabri, a Chinese Opium Gang The Bradys and the Girlin Blue; or, After the a Lane Diamonds, ‘t ihe Bradys Among the “Hill Billies’”’; or, A Case From Old Kentucky. he Bradys and the Gold Miners; or, W orking a Wild West Trail, ane Bradys’ M sterious Shadow: or, the Secret of the Old Stone Vault. The Bradys and “Mustang Joe”; or, The Rustlers of Rattlesnake Run, The Bradys’ Snapshot Clew; or, Traced by the Camera. The Eeaye and the Hip Sing Tong; or, Hot Work on a Highbinder Cas The Brodie and “‘Mr. Mormon’’; or, Secret: Work in Salt Lake City. The "Bradye and the Cellar of Death; one f Ferreting out the RGR TOGKS, The Bradys’ Lake Front Mystery; A Queer Case from Chie: The ys and the Dumb Mi ina or, The Latest Wall Street nts Bradys! Gold alas: Game; or, Rounding up the Ni vada Mine ere, i = ONKO- eaten they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out we ry Te bi SAME AS BION EY. Co ee i ee ee ee ee ee . A eeu er Sree yy era) aE Tee es Por ac Re Le HE a PPT OR eae ee ee et YS 5 23 f “a i a > a

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- These Books Tell You Everything! — A COMPLETE SET IS A REGULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA! Bach book consists of sixty-four pages, printed on good paper, in clear type and neatly bound in an attractive, illustrated cover, -- Most of the books are also profusely illustrated, and all of the subjects treated upon are explained in such a simple manner that any ” child eae undecstand them. Look over the list as classified and see if you want to know anything about the subje mentioned. i y > THESH BOOKS ARH FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDEALERS OR WILL EE SENT BY MAIL TO ANY ADDRESS” FROM THIS OFFICHW ON RECHIPT OF PRICK, TEN CENTS EACH, OR ANY THREE BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE | GENTS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y. — MESMERISM. No, 81. HOW TO MESMUERIZIN.—Containing the most ap- proved methods of mesmerism; also how to cure all kinds of diseases by animal magnetism, or, magnetic healing. By-Prof. Leo Hugo Koch, A. ©. S., author of “How to Hyprtttize,” etc, PALMISTRY. No. 82. HOW 'TO DO PALMISTRY.—Containing the most ap- proved methods of reading the lines on the hand, together with _a full explanation of their meaning. Also explaining phrenology, and the key for telling ¢haracter by the bumps on the head. By Leo Hugo Koch, A. ©. S. Fully illustrated. HYPNOTISM. ; ; No. 88. HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.—Containing, valuable and in- structive information regarding the science of hypnotism. Also explaining the most approved methods which are employed’ by the leading hypnotists of the world. By Leo Hugo Koch, A.C.S. No. 72. HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Em bracing all of the latest and most deceptive card tricks, with ik lustrations, By A, Anderson, : roy seed _ No. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS | Containing deceptive Card Tricks as performed by leading conju: and magicians. Arranged for home amusement, Fully illustrate: MAGIC. sai No. 2, HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of magic and card tricks, containing full instruction on all the leading card tric. of the day, also the most popular magical illusions as performed by our leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book, as it will both amuse and instruct. ‘ ar No, 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.—Heller’s second sight. explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Wxplaining how the secret dialogues were carried”on between the magician and the boy'on the stage; also giving all the codes and signals. The o authentic explanation of second sight, - : SPORTING. ae a al) ug Eset Sen ie bsipes Epo A a grandest assortment of magical illusions ever placed befor No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete public, y Ala MibRAvth carta, tedetations ae hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains full in- Fe eee Stape PS etructions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, No. 68. Ue DO CHEMICAL TRIOKS.—Containing together with descriptions of game and fish. one hundred highly Beane and instructive tricks with chem No. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully | BY A. Anderson. CO a ae ee illustrated. Every boy should know how to row and sail hig fifty of ie lated aad seg rsd a tS ee Full instructions are given in this little book, together with in- ing the secret'ofdecond sight, Pully illwatrated. By ‘Ay Audenach gtructions on swimming and riding, companion sports to hoating. n ria I A sh = - o 70. HOW TO MAKB MAGIC TOYS.—Containing full No. 47. HOW-TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSE: directions for making Magic Toys and devices of many Linde: A complete treatise on the horse. Describing the most useful horses Ai . : A, Anderson. Fully illustrated. arent for business, the best horses for the road; also valuable recipeg for | No. 73. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS.—Showh diseases peculiar to the horse. ; 3 ‘ : . - : many curious tricks with figures and the magic of numbers. B No, 48. HOW TO BUILD. AND SAIL CANOES.—A handy Anderson. ° Fully, iivetrated 8 nu J book for boys, containing full directions for constructing canoes : slp and the most popular manner of sailing them. Fully illustrated: No. 5. HOW TO BECOME A CONTUROR. — Conta: ain By GC. Stansfield Hicks. ee Bis poe va ey ane Balls, Hats, ete. Hmbraci 3 thirty-six illustrations. . Anderson. 4 ra ) FORTUNE TELLING. | No. 78, HOW TO DO THH BLACK ART.—Containing a com-| No: 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND DRBAM BOOK.— | plete description of the mysteries of Magic and Sleight of Hand, Qontaining the great oracle of human destiny; also the true mean-| together with many wonderful experiments, By x dei ing of almost any kind of dreams, together with charms, ceremonies,’ “ and curious games of cards. A complete book. ; No. 23. HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS.—Dverybody dreams, |, from the little child to the aged man and woman. ‘This little book : i . ‘ I gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky should know how inventions originated. This book explains hae: rr ’ 7 ll, giving examples in electricity, hydraulics, magnetism, — and unlucky days, and ‘‘Napoleon’s Oraculum,” the book of fate. 2 7 4 f 4 CS; re ayS» 3 Mi ee : HS pneumatics, mechanics, ete. ‘Che most instructive book pub No, 28. HOW, TO TELL FORTUNHS.— lveryone is desirous of | P'NO "56 “Yow TO BECOME AN ENGINEBR.—Containin knowing what his future life will bring forth, whether happiness or instructions how to pr oceed in order to become a locomotiy, gineer; also directions for building a model locomotive; ‘toge' misery, wealth or poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little book. Buy one and be convinced, Tell your own fortune. Tell with a'full description of everything an engineer should kno No. 57. HOW TO MAKH MUS'CAL INSTRUMENTS.— the fortune of hg or a = i No. 76. HOW _TELL FORTUNES BY. THE. HAND.— directions how.to make a Banjo, Violin, -Zithen alolian Harp phene and other musical instruments; together with a br Containing rules for telling fortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, or the secret of palmistry. Aiso the secret of telling future events scription of nearly every musical instrument used in an modern times, Profusely illustrated. By Algernon S. 1 by aid of moles, marks, scars, ete. Illustrated. By A. Anderson. for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengal Marine é ATHLETIC. No. 6. HOW: 20 BECOME AN ATHLETW.—Giving full in-| No: 59. HO TO MAKH A MAGIC LANTHRN.—C ty 4 a description of the lantern, together with its history and invent étruction for the use of dumb bells, Indian clubs, parailel bars, : L 0 horizontal bars and various other methods of developing a good, | Also full directions for its use and for painting slides. Hands j illnstrated. Ee John A TL. healthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations, very boy can llen, es ai ie 5 become; strong and healthy by following the instructions contained yw TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS.—Containin; complete instructions for performing over sixty Mechani Tricl in this little book. “No. 10. HOW TO BOX.—The art of self-defense made easy. | By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated. LETTER WRITING, Containing eal thirty Pah bawar of snares i aaa the oe ent positions of a good boxer. very boy should obtain one o these useful and instructive books, as it will teach you how to box| .No. 11. HOW TO WRITH LOVE-LETTERS. mo without an instructor, é plete Led Pat Contains full aiec Bore pu fs ee ee No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST:—Containing full | 2nd wen to use them, giving specimen letters for young and instructions for all kinds of gymnastic sports and athletie exercises. No, 12, HOW TO WRITH LETTHRS a0 LADINS.— Givin Embracing thirty-five illustrations. By Professor W. Macdonald. | complete instructions for writing letters to ladies on all subje A handy and useful book. also letters of introduction, notes and requests. ; ! : “ en No. 34. HOW TO HNCH—Containing full instruction for! , No. 24. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS, TO GENTLEME fencing and the use of the broadsword; also instruction in/archery. Containing full directions for writing to gent ae: _ Described with twenty-one practical illustrations, giving the best | “/8o giving sample letters for gg re fet positions in fencing. A complete book. uk tle TRICKS WITH CARDS. W TO DO TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Containing f the general principles of sleight-of-hand applicable Illustrated. MECHANICAL, 2 No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.—Every | No. 53. HOW TO WRITE LETTHERS—A | book, telling you how to write to yo mother, sister, brother, employer; and body you wish to write to. lady in the land should have t No. 74. HOW TO WRITE. nstructions | ¥ t

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i>. THE STAGE. se ; 41. THH BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE -Containing a great variety of the latest jokes used by the famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without wonderful little book. : : -o. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPHEAKER.— taining a varied assortment of stump spéeches, Negro, Dutch Trish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing for home amuse- and amateur shows. fo, 45, THE. BOYS 15, 7 OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE ) JOKY BOOK.—Something new and very instructive. Every “should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for or- » jizing an amateur. minstrel troupe. Yo. 65. MULDOON’S JOKES.—This is one of the most original * p books ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor, It ains a large collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, etc. of rence Muldoon, the great wit, humorist, and practical joker of day. Hvery boy who can enjoy a good substantial joke should in a copy immediately. 79. HOW TO BECOMD AN ACTOR.—Containing com- nstruetions how to make up for various characters on the ; together with the duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, ‘mic Artist and Property Man. By a prominent Stage Manager. o, 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKE BOOK.—Containing the lat- okes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned and tas gies German comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome ‘ored coyer containing a half-tone photo of the author. yt 4 HOUSEKEEPING. No. 16. HOW TO KHEP A WINDOW GARDEN.—Containing instructions for constructing a_window garden either in town ountry, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful ers at home, ‘he most complete book of the kind ever pub- . 80. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive books ing ever published. It contains recipes for Oe, meats, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of str; + a grand collection of recipes by one of our most popular . HOW TO KEEP HOUSH.—It contains information for ybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to 6 almost anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, s; cements, Acolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds. f ELECTRICAL. ‘0. 46. HOW TO MAKEPAND USE ELECTRICITY.—A de- tiption of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism ; ther with full instructions for making Hlectric Toys, Batteries, ‘By George Trebel, A. M., M. D. Containing over fifty il- 4xbrations. ‘No. 64. HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MACHINES.—Con- ining full directions for making electrical machines, induction ils, dynamos, and many noyel toys to be worked by electricity. R. A. R- Bennett: lly illustrated, : 61. HOW TO, DO BLECTRICAL TRICKS.—Containing a za collection of instructive and highly amusing electrical tricks, ther with illustrations. By A. Anderson. vo 2 : ENTERTAINMENT. ; 0. 9, HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST.—By Harry nedy. The secret given away. Every intelligent boy reading ook of instructions, by a practical professor (delighting multi- des every night with his wonderful imitations), can master the “ereate any amount of fun for himself and friends. It is the test book ever published. and there's millions (of fun) in it. “20. HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVENING PARTY.—A y valuable little book just published. A complete compendium mes, sports, card diversions, comic recitations, etc., suitable rlor or drawing-room entertainment, It contains more for the than any book ponlshes 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A complete and useful little containing the Bue and renuladons of billiards, bagatelle, b ammon, croquet. dominoes, etc. ae) ) Say Be 36. HOWTO SOLVE. CONUNDRUMS.—Containing all e leading conundrums of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches nd witty sayings. ‘ ‘ P HOW TO PLAY CARDS.—A complete and handy little ing the rules and fe. “rections for Playing Euchre, Crib- asino, Forty-Five, Re_..ce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Pitch, All Fours, and many other popular games of cards. HOW LO DO PUZZLES.—Containing over three hun- uzzles and conundrums, with key to same. A ully illustrated. By A. Anderson. hy NS 2 resting ‘book. >) 3 AN A TION. E, ‘ a : oe = - ; h mos res ‘jn use, compris ng Dutch in select one t ie bates, outlines for debater, questions for discussion, and ¢ sources for procuring infomation on the questions given. withou dances. a -Ailand, gether | No. 31: HOW TO BECOME A SPHAKER.—Containing four mort No. 49. HOW TO DEBATE.—Giving rules for concise feen illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to a good speaker, reader and elocutionist. Also containi: all the popular authors, of prose and poetry, arranged in the simple and concise manner possible. gems : SOCIETY. : No. 3. HOW TO FLIRYT.—The arts and wiles of flirtation fully explained by this little book. Besides the yarious Rate hy. handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it cone tains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers, which is interesting to everybody, both old and young. You cannot be happy t one. No, 4. HOW TO DANCH is the title of a new and handsome little book just issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instrue- tions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, how to dress, and full directions for calling off in all popular square No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—A complete guide to love, courtship: and marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to be observed, with many curious and interesting things not gen- evally known, 7 No. 17. HOW TO DRESS.—Containing full instruction in the art of dressing and appearing well at home and abroad, giving the selections of colors, material, and how to have them made up. No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL.—One of the brightest and most yaluable little books ever given to the world. Hyerybody wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male and female. ‘The secret is simple, and almost costless. Read this book and be convinced how to become beautiful. BIRDS AND ANIMALS. No. 7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Handsomely illustrated and containing fu instructions for the management and training of the canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, ete: _ No, 39. HOW TO RAISE DOGS, POULTRY, PIGHONS AND RABBITS.—A useful and instructive book. Handsomely illus- trated. By Ira Drofraw. Y No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.—Including hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds, Also how to cure skins, Copiously illustrated. By J. Harrington eene. No. 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS.—A valuable book, giving instructions in collecting, preparing, mounting and preserving birds, animals and insects. No. '54. HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGH PETS:—Giving com- plete information as to the manner and method of raising, keeping. taming, breeding, and managing all kinds of pets; also giving full instructions for making cages, etc. Fully explained by twenty-eight illustrations, making it the most complete book of the kind ever published. 4 MISCELLANEOUS. No. 8. HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST.—A useful and in- structive book, giving a complete treatise on chemistry; also ex- periments in acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and _di- rections for making fireworks, colored fires, and gas balloons. This book cannot be equaled. No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.—A complete hand-book for making all kinds of candy, ice-cream ayrupe eee ete. ete, *.- _ No. $4. HOW TO BECOME AN AUTHOR.—Containing full information regarding choice of subjects, the use of words and the manner of preparing and submitting manuscript. Also containing valuable information as to the neatness, legibility and-general com- position of manuscript, essential to a successful author. By Prince No. 88. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR:—A wor derful book, containing useful and practical information in the treatment of ordinary diseases and ailments common to every coms. Abounding in useful and effective recipes for general com- plaints. ; No. 55. HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.—Con- taining valuable information regarding the collecting and arranging of stamps and coins. Handsomely illustrated. No. 58. HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.—By Old King Brady, the world-known detective, In which he lays down some valuable and sensible rules for beginners, and also relates some adventures and experiences of well-known detectives. ; } fe No. 60. HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER.—Contain- ing useful information regarding the Camera and how to work its also how to make Photographic Magic Lantern Slides and other Transparencies. Handsomely illustrated. By Captain W. De W. Abney. No G2. HOW TO BECOME A WEST POINT MILITARY CADET.—Containing full expianations how to gain admittance, course of Study, Examinations, Duties, Staff of Officers, Post Guard, Police Regulations, Fire Department, and all a boy should ‘know to be a Cadet. Compiled and written by Lu Senarens, author of “How to Become a Naval Cadet.” i. No. 63. HOW TO BECOME A NAVAL CADET.—Complete in- — structions of how to, gain admission to the Annapolis Nayal Academy. Also containing the course of instruction, description — of grounds and buildings, historical sketch, and everything a boy — ‘should know te become an officer in on Uni tates Navy. | - d and written by Lu Senaren: tho w to Become f as oint Milita Sele ; er ** ath

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WIDE AWAKE WEEKL BY THE BEST AUTHORS 32-PAGES OF READING MATTER Interesting Stories of Adventure in All Parts of the World Price 5 Cents (0@- HANDSOME ILLUSTRATED COVERS wae TAKE NOTICE! “@g This handsome weekly contains intensely interesting stories of adventure on a great variety of subjects. bright, manly merited success. this one of the best weeklies ever published. Here is a List of Some of the Titles..... Smashing the Auto Record; or, Bart Wilson at the Speed Lever. By Edward N. Fox. Off the Ticker; or, Fate at a Moment's Notice. From Cadet to ‘Captain; or, Dick Danford'’s West Point Nerve. Lieut. J. J. Barry. By Tom Dawson. By The Get-There oye: or, Making Things Hum in Honduras. By Fred Warburton. Written in Cipher; or, The Skein Jack Barry Unravelled. By Prof. Oliver Owens. The NS Boys; or, Downing a Tough Name. Witt. Kicked off the Barth; or, Ted Trim’s Hard Luck Cure. Doin By A. Howard “By Rob Mit Quick; or, ae Brown's Hustle at Panama, By Captain awthorn, U. 8. ) In the ’Frisco ae eae or, Bob Brag'’s Day of Terror. By Prof, Oliver Owens. We, Us & Co.; or, Seeing Life with a Vaudeville Show. By Hd- ward N. Fox. Cut Out for an Officer; or, Corporal Ted in the Philippines. By Lieut. J. J. Barry. A Fool for Luck; or, The Boy Who Turned Boss. By Fred War- ee Phil Winston’s Start in Reporting. Se es a gee Hoe hm be oO é ‘burton. The Great. Gaul Knits: By A. Howard De Wit Out. Aor Gold; or, The Boy Who Knew the Difference. Dawson. 15 bi Epes Who. Balked; or, Bob Brisbane's Big Kick. “ti ak 16 Slicker than Silk; or, The Smoothest Boy Alive. a aw ae © § By Tom By Frank By Rob Roy. For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, | PRAIS TOUSEY, Publisher, IE YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our libraries, and cannot procure. them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out an in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them ito you by te- ss ; soba PS TAKEN pe mail. POSTAGE pas he Oe Be FRANK Dean Siar Enclosed find. ..... | « THE LIBERTY BOYS OF 76, Nos... Each number is replete with rousing situations and lively incidents. y fellows, who overcome all obstacles by sheer force of brains and grit and win well- We have secured a staff of new authors, who write these stories in a manner which will be a scurce of pleasure and profit to the reader. ored illustration made by the most expert artists. 119 ee Oe ee ee ie ee ee ee TOUS SEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. cents for which seaF send me: he yay +++, copies of FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY, Nos.... 1... ssc ceccceceeceterseee weneeees “ WIDE AWAKE WEEKLY, NO Eup aise # WORK ANT: WIN Nop 50% al ds paces gle seam Ra Oe ale 8 og “ WILD WEST WEEKLY, ee ee eee © PLUCK AND AMOK, Nog.) vies sto bee ae whee #: SECRET SERVICE, Noga isc nes wort acter ne any Price 5 Cents: ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY 3a The heroes are Each number has a handsome col- Large’ sums of money are being spent to make . . . . . . . . . . . The Keg of Diamonds; or, After the Treasure of the Caliphs. "ag Tom Dawson, q Pannen, Junior; or, The Boy Who Looked Puny. By Prof. Oliver _ 3 wens. ma, Won by Bluff; or, Jack Mason’s Marble Face. By Frank Irving. se On the Lobster ee or, The Herald's Star Reporter. By As Howard De Wit ee Under the aT ctatiok Steel ; By ee Lieut. J. J. Barry. : 22 Too Green to Burn; or, The Luck of Being a Boy.. By Rob Roy. — 23 In Fool's Paradise ; ‘or, The Boy Who Had Things Hasy. By Fred 17 18 20 21 or, A Yankee Boy in Corsica. Warburton 24 Pee eee in a Million; or, The Trick That Paid. By Edward N. — ‘ox. } Rae 25 In Spite of Himself; or, Serving the Russian Police. By Prof. Oliver Owens. Etepeier 26 Kicked into Luck; or, The Way Nate Got There. By Rob Roy. — 27 The Prince of Opals: or, The Man-Trap of Death Valley. By Es Howard De Witt. a 28 Living in His Hat; or, The Wide World His Home. By Baward of Fox All fer President Diaz; or, A Hot Time in Mexico. By Lieut. J. J. arry. The Easiest Ever; or, How Tom Filled a Money Barrel. 30 B z Hawthorn, U. 8, } 5 sia 31 In fe 88 Sultan's Eye; or, Beating the Porte’s Game. By Tom aw: 32 The Crater’ of Gold; or, Dick Hope’s Find in the Philippines. 3B Fred Warburton. 24 Union Square, New York fll THE SAME one MONEY. ea ae CE PAG ie alan eR CE TE OE GaD S50 a LE ~ x Nin en ctaa eee RE

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ke Fame and Fortune Week! STORIES OF BOYS WHO MAKE MONEY By A SELF-MADE MAN 32 Pages of Reading Matter a Handsome Colored Cov: A new one issued every Friday Price 5 cents a cor t This Weekly contains interesting stories of smart boys, who win fame and fortune by their ability to take adva passing opportunities. Some of these stories are founded on true incidents in the lives of our most successful self. men, and show how a boy of pluck, perseverance and brains can become famous and wealthy. Every one of this st contains a good moral tone which makes “Fame and Fortune Weekly” a magazine for the home, although each n : is replete with exciting adventures. The stories are the very best obtainable, the illustrations are by expert artists % every effort is constantly being made to make it the best weekly on the news stands. Tell your friends about it. ALREADY PUBLISHED. 1 A Lucky Deal; or, The Cutest Boy in Wall Street. 33 Playing to Win; or, The Foxiest Boy in Wall Street. 2 Born to Good Luck; or, The Boy Who Succeeded. 34 Tatters; or, A Boy from the Slums. <q 3 A Gorner in Corn; or, How a Chicago Boy Did the Trick. ; 35 A Young Monte Cristo; or, The Richest Boy in the World. — 4 A Game of Chance; or, The Boy Who Won Out. 36 Won by Pluck; or, The Boys Who Ran a Railroad, e 5 Hard to Beat; or, The Cleverest Boy in Wall Street. 37 Beating the Brokers; or, The Boy Who “Couldn't be Done. 6 Building a Railroad; or, The Young Contractors of Lakeview: 38 A Rolling Stone; or, The Brightest Boy on Record. 7 Winning His Way: or, The Youngest Hditor in Green River. .39 Never Say Die: or, The Young Surveyor of Happy Valley. 8 The Wheel of Fortune; or, The Record of a Self-Made Boy. 40 Almost a Man; or, Winning His Way to the Top. 9 Nip and Tuck; or, The Young Brokers of Wall Street. 41 Boss of the Market; or, The Greatest Boy in Wall Street. 10 A Copper Harvest; or, The Boys Who Worked a Deserted Mine. | 42 The Chance of His Life; or, The Young Pilot of Crystal Lakel. 11 A Lucky Renny; or, The Fortunes of a Boston Boy. 43 Striving for Fortune; or, From “f%%ell-Boy, to Millionaire. , 12 A Diamond in the Rough; or, A Brave Boy's Start in Life. 44 Out for Business; or, The Smartest Boy i Low 13 Baiting the Bears: or, The Nerviest Boy in Wall Street. 45 A Favorite of Fortune; or, Striking It Rie® to-* ‘all..Srreer. 14 A Gold Brick; or, The Boy Who Could Not be Downed. 46 Through Thick and Thin; or Adventures of a Smart G 15 A Streak of Luck; or, The Boy Who Feathered His Nest. 47 Doing His Level Best; or, Working His Way Up. Y 16 A Good Thing; or, The Boy Who Made a Fortune. 48 Always un Deck; or, The Boy Who Made His Mark, 17 King of the Market; or, The Young Trader in Wall Street. 49 A Mint of Money; or, The Young Wall Street Broker, 18 Pure Grit; or, One Boy in a Thousand. “ 50 The Ladder of Fame; or, From Office Boy to Senator. 19 A Rise in Life; or, The Career of a I*actory Boy. 51 On the Square ; or, The Success of an Honest Boy. 20 A Barrel of Money; or, A Bright Boy in Wall Street. 52 After a Fortune; or, The Pluckiest Boy in the West. 21 All to the Good; or, From Call Boy to Manager. 53 Winning the Dollars; or, The Young Wonder of Wall Street 22 How He Got There; or, The Pluckiest Boy of Them All. 54 Making His Mark; or, The Boy Who Became President. 23 Bound to Win; or, The Boy Who Got Rich. 55 Heir to a Million; or, The Boy Who Was Born Lucky. 24 Pushing It Through; or, The Fate of a Lucky Boy. 56 Lost in the Andes: or, The Treasure of the Buried City. 25 A Born Speculator: or, The Young Sphinx of Wall Street. 57 On His Mettle; or, A Plucky Boy in Wall Street. 26 The Way to Success; or, The Boy Who Got There. 58 A Lucky Chance; or, Taking Fortune on the Wing. 27 Struck Oil; or. The Boy Who Made a Million. 59 The Road to Success; or, The Career of « Fortunate Boy. 28 A Golden Risk; or, The Young Miners of Della Cruz. 60 Chasing Pointers; or, The Luckiest Boy in Wall Street. 29 A Sure Winner; or, The Boy Who Went Out With a Circus. 61 Rising in the World; or, From Factory Boy to Manager. 80 Golden Fleece: or, The Boy Brokers of Wall Street. 62 From Dark to Dawn; or, A Poor Boy’s Chance. 31 A Mad Cap Scheme; or, The Boy Treasure Hunters of Cocos Island. 32 Adrift on the World; or, Working His Way to Fortune. % For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, » cents per copy, in money or postage stam }; FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, : 24 Union Square, New Yo: IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS 4 of our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and / in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to you by 1 oi turn mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. o duels Waidle diate ale ataracan aeetuemat el On Dear Sir—Enclosed find......cents for which please sead me: bis ....copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos.........-. MCS salbette ase. davai ele Sieh Guia Ged eae a aaietite ie en oe ee eeu ge) SWEDE AK EY WEEKLY, Nos... i:sicage+: 65 4 /si +.» ca elles eee eee tO) WD AWEST WEEKLY, Noss ilies cides oss. sansccics o/5 alas! cae a aim aoa éi ‘PM TIBERTY BOYS OF 776) Noses «+++ -dine ts. tean same a 2ap MS eee a Ce TRLUOK. AND: TUBE, Noa: ; bss th 0. -SRGe%, es bos ds og Soe ae a eeee va tae SESRCRET SHR VIC BeN O8..00 c<jeinii eee es diac ale! aie'o biela-e avo ela! of oves€)ig a eyeiacaheeaniuaiie Reames calcmetiaiga ont Myer ae. BAME: AND) BORIU NH) WER Nos «1-1 Eigen 0h ee eaaaae semapent wo... “ © Ten-Cent' Hand: Books, Nos. .....+.++0.sseese cect eect ese e eee tenet eer eee ee Name:.........-eeeeeeeee esses Street and No... .......-.+-++5-+-Town..........BState..... 4