Five Cent Wide Awake Library (vol. 1) (1885 07 15)
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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1885, oy FRANK TOUSE Pog NEE A ER et tered 9! Entered at the Post Ofice.at New York. N. ¥.. as Second Class Matter, aT nie FRANK TOUSEY Pupbrisurn, 34« 36 NonrH Moone Srauer. N. Y. No. 676, ’ t COMPLETE. { NEW York, July 15, 1885. IssUED EVERY WEDNESDAY. SSS »_ PRICE. ¢ . 15 CENTS. } ~ SSS aK Broughern |
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2 . . S CAST. UP. ry Ks The subscription price for THE Wwe Awake Liprary for the year 1885 will be $2.50 per year: A $1.25 per 6 months post-paid. j FRANK TOUSEHY, PUBLISHER, 34 and 36 North Moore Street, New York. Address Box 2730. j 2 ~~ UAT. UR 2 © OR, ADVENTURES ON THE BRINY DEEP fi By 2d BROUGHAM, «*The Fatal Fingers,” i Author of ‘‘ Yankee Donovan,” ‘* Wameless; or, 108,” Etc., Htc., Etc. 4 PROLOGUE, TuE scene was a dimly illumined room, in a handsome house, that stood a short distance beyond New York oe limits, on a certain night toward the end of April in the year 1855 “The room was sumptuously furnished in arary detail, as a sleeping nat ment, and faced the front\of the house, waich was covered with Weicreeping-yines. ‘The weather was mild, the sky cloudy, and a ie breeze rustled the branches of the trees surrounding heaivell: dim light of the lamp disclosed a thin, white and wretched look- Than of about fifty, lying on the bed, and by the window stood a ie fellow of eighteen, while close beside the fast dying man sat an- ndividual, whose age was hard to determine, as a bushy black 1 covered the lower portion of his face. The faces of the three ex- jed each a different sentiment; that of the sufferer a combination of eiv, rage and hatred, that of the youth intense curiosity, and the dark eyes of the bearded individual a baleful gleam of triumph.’ eas What you ask is impossible, Ralph Darrell!” the invalid was say- ing. , “Nothing is impossible at the eleventh hour, Joe Morgan,” Was the ‘quick reply. ‘But I refuse to alter my plan; I will make this restitution.” “You area fool. After keeping the fortune five years, why resign it now?” Lieyde My conscience troubles me.” “Bah! You never before had a conscience.” “Tt is different now that consumption is killing’ me.’ Sd Perhaps,” sneered the other, ‘‘you imagine you can atone for the “past?” “T can at least do some good before it is too late.” ‘<The girl and her mother must be dead by this time.” “No, Thad a letter from them only a week ago.” “And they said-—” “They are living in St, Augustine, Florida, in extreme poverty.” “Tf you restore this fortune to them our business will be ruined.” ~ ‘“T cannot help it, This is decisive. You may go.” You are mad'to ruin me thus. Imagine the misery to me when it Rnown that the presumed. rich firm of Darrell & Morgan, ship agents, | Why, without money to back me now, my few thousand dol- will go with the business, and I will be ruined—tf will starve.” I cannot help it,” was the firm reply. tell you again, you are mad! : world. Leave me this fortune of half a million, and I will pledge h to. see to the welfare of Mrs.. Holmes and ise é ough thet while ie was the ‘eaakatan of the lied in Plorida, and left them with his fortune in nothing can efface. You have no heirs—you are alone | j my care, that I appropriated the fortune and left them to starve in- St. Augustine,” “You are determined, then, to restore this money?” demanded the - other, furiously. ‘* Such is my resolution.” ‘eYou shall not do it!” “ Why?” ‘¢ Because I will prevent it by fair means or foul!” ‘eYou are a villain!” ‘* No worse than yourself,” was the bitter reply. ‘True,” murmured the sick man, aiid a violent fit of coughing seized him. ‘ ‘** Will you do as I say?” demanded Darrell again, as he arose. ‘sNever!? i “Then I shall use my own measures to get it.” *«Leave me!” exclaimed Mor gan, pointing to the door. *T will go, but. beware’ of me in the near future!” exclaimed the other, passionately; and without uttering another word, he put on his hat and hurried out.of the room, banging the door after him. Fully ten minutes of deep silence ensued after his departure, Joseph Morgan remaining buried in profound meditation meantime; then sud- p denly looking up, he shivered, and gazed at the open windows at which the thick, damask curtains were shaking softly, as if the gentle breeze had chilled him. But it was not that; his gloomy thought of approaching death and his past wickedness had only convulsed him. “Edwin!” he suddenly exclaimed, in feeble tones. “ Ay, sir!” replied a cheery voice, and the youth hurried to his bed- side from the window, where he had been standing, sitently taking in the aforegoing scene. ; “‘Hdwin,” said the dying man, “tyvou heard our conversation?” i “Yes, sir,” was the respectful reply. «Sit down here beside me; I wish to speak to you.” The youth complied silently. “Bdwin Hazleton,” said Morgan, after a pause, ‘I can trust you, can’t 12” ‘With your life, sir. Iam under @ debt of obligation to La tee Coming to New York after the death of my par- ents in Boston, I was starving in the streets when you picked me up two years ago, and gave me a position on one of your vessels as” sec- ond-mate.” ‘You think I am good; in reality, I am a rascal.” “Oh, sir-——” ‘ “Do not interrupt me. 1 will contide a secret to you which you must swear never to reveal. Swear you will not. reveal what Tam about to tell you, and swear that you will execute the mis- sion I am about to impose upon you, and then I will not only be at. peace with myself, knowing that may trust, in you is not eee but \
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.GAST UP. | | ees t ‘T shall also reward you by leaving you in my will my schooner yacht, the Sea Angel.” ‘I swear!” replied the youth, solemnly holding up his right hand. **Good!” murmured the other, regarding him with a fixed, pene- trating look for a moment. ‘‘ Now listen attentively to what I have to say. But first look and see if we are alone.” «Phere is no one in the room,” said Edwin, after searching about. “Did you lock the door?” «Ay, sir. We are alone!” He would not have spoken so confidently if he had seen the wily’ Darrell, upon Jeaying the house, climb up the thick vines that covered the front of the building, and hanging on the window-sill, listen in- tently on the other side of the curtains to all that they said. “Five years ‘ago,” commenced Mr. Morgan, ‘Jack Holmes and I were intimate friends. Jack was rich and Iwas poor. Iunderstood the business of a ship-broker, and induced Jack to go in the business with me. He had a wife and a daughter who was then twelve years old. This wag in St. Augustine. In less than a year Jack died, with every ‘cent he possessed invested’ in our business. About that time I met Ralph Darrell, who I subsequently discovered was a deep rascal. Leaying me guardian of his daughter, and his fortune involved in the business, poor Jack did not dream of any wrong. But Darrell filled my brain with his villainy, induced me to keep Holmes’ money, leave St. Augustine, let the widow and orphan shift for themselves, and ‘come here to New York. Alas, I heeded his proposal, and together, with our ill-gotten gains, we started another line of ships. Darrell had ‘put little money, and now that Tam dying he wants me to leave this money to bim. My conscience troubled me, however, and I sold all but one of the ships—the Blizzard, and my private yacht, the Sea Angel. With the proceeds, I now have a fortune of about half a mil fion—twive as much as Jack Holmes had in the business, and‘I mean to give it all t6 those I robbed, while the yacht shall be for you.” ‘Oh, Mr. Morgan, you are so generous——” commenced Edwin. “Stop! Iam a villain, I tell you, But let me finish. It is my inten- tion to put this fortune under your care. You must become respon- sible for it, and see that it is delivered to Mrs. Holmes or Jennie at the risk of your life. You heard Darrell’s threat, and I know him to be an unscrupulous wretch, who would not hesitate at anything to gain pos- session of it, He is avaricious, mean and crafty.” “But how am I to restore this fortune?” «J will tell you. As you are aware, there is a margin on gold, and in view of this fact, I had it all converted into this precious metal in order that it would bring more than its face value in the market. This gold I have had packed in canvas bags, and these bags are distributed . throughout ten cases of merchandise which are stowed away in the hold of the Blizzard with the rest of a cargo with which she is loaded. { did this for the sake of security. In the first place, to ship it like regu- Jar freight will detract the suspicion of Darrell from it; in the second place, the crew will not know, anything about it, and would not be apt to try to steal it; and in the third place, that is the easiest way to trans- port it from here to its owners in St. Augustine.” ~ “« And you want me to go with this money and see that it is deliver- ed properly?” : “Bxactly./ I haye also made a good precaution. The yacht is manned with-a crew, and will follow after the Blizzard to guard it, and Thaye armed both yessels.” He paused, then whispered, ‘« Before reaching Florida, these cases containing the gold must be transferred to the hold of the yacht, in order to defeat any schemes that Darrell / may concoct to gain possession of the money upon landing it. Do you understand, Edwin?” ‘Yes, sir. And Mrs, Holmes?” Abt you do not know what to say to her, do you? But you nes : say nothing. I have a letter here, » and he drew an envelope from _ under his pillow and handed it to the youth, ‘that will explain every thing. Long before she gets it I will be dead.” ‘Tf she ever gets it at all!” murmured the man outside of the win- : dow, ‘grimly. { "And when am J to set sail, sir?” asked the youth, # “Tt o- morrow ight. The captains and crews are all ready. And “here,” he added, pressing another envelope into the young man’s hand, ‘‘ is one thousand dollars to pay all such expenses as you may incur, at have only one injunction to give: you before you go, and that j ; N “is to keep | a braye Hearty do yout aa faithfully, shun fail Paes as you would a venomous viper, and constantly Beek Jonteelt armed — against treachery.” Spending another hour with, his employer, Edwin was given all his instructions, and then took his leave of Mr. Morgan. He had hardly been gone from the room an hour, and the dying man had fallen asleep, when Darrell cautiously entered the room from behind the cur- ~ tains, dropped a white powder into the tumbler of medicine that stood on the table near the bed, and as silently took his departure, clamber- ing out the window and climbing down the vines: It took all of the next day for Edwin to complete his final arrangements for departure, and an hour before the time he went to Mr. Morgan’s house to tell him that the vessels were about to set’ sail, when he received the startling intelligence that Morgan was dead. It was sudden and very unex- pected, and no one knew to what to attribute it, save his lingering sickness suddenly taking a bad turn. Having nothing further to do but carry out his mission, Edwin left word with the captain of the yacht to set sail at once, and then went aboard the blizzard to tell-the captain that it was time to go. He was thet by the first officer, however, who told him that the captain was confined to his berth with sickness, The captain had left orders with the mate, however, to act under Edwin’s orders. Therefore they put to sea with no further delay. The sickness of the captain lasted nearly a week, and by that time the Blizzard, which was a fine clipper bark, ‘had gone as far as Savannah, Ga., with but a poor wind. There was a crew of twenty men, including the captain and officers, and the bark was supposed to be freighted with general merchandise. The fore- mast hands were a rascally looking set, but the captain had engaged them. Edwin had looked in vain for the Sea Angel; but never saw any more of her than he did of the captain of the bark, who kept se- cluded in his cabin, leaving the first officer in command. One eyen- ing, as the bark was running along off shore half a league under a full pressure of canvas, Edwin stood leaning on the weather bulwarks gazing pensively into the dark sea. The watch on deck were all clus- tered forward, and a thick gloom had settled down. . Suddenly a man in costume silently approached him, and touched — him on the arm. ‘« Hello!” ex@aimed Edwin, in startled tones, suddenly wheeling b around. T thought I would interrupt your reverie, Mr. Hazleton.” *¢Good Heaven!” exclaimed Edwin, in horror. ‘‘It is Ralph Dar- rell!”" “Yes,” hissed the other, ‘‘ and I am captain of this craft.” ““You—captain!” gasped Hdwin, in astonishment. ‘ Yes—I—captain!” exclaimed the other. .‘*And that fortune is mine!” } «© Yours?” ‘Ay: I said'I would have it. ~ ¢ Neyer!” “Then take the consequence of your oy?" he cried, in tones of fury.! \ And raising a sheath knife, he plunged it into the breast of the youth, caught him as he was falling, snatched a letter from his inside pocket, and with an exclamation of triumph he raised the youth in his brawny arms, and hurled him over the bulwarks into the sea! No one saw the dastardly deed, and with a chuckle of satisfaction as direful as the appearance of a dark storm that was rising in the north, he stole away, and crawled into his cabin like a demon. Give ine that letter in your pocket.” CHAPTER I. CAST UP. Tim Sea Angel was manned-by an honest crew, but the captain, one Simon Bilks, was an accomplice of Ralph Darrell, and had his instrue- tions how to proceed. He was obliged to follow out the instructions of Morgan, in order to blind the sailors to his evil intentions, for Mor- _ gan had hired such foremast hands as had been under Edwin on other vessels, and all of these men, liked the young man and hhted Bilks. — The captain was a man of, heavy build, short, bewhiskered, and had a long nose, sharp eyes and a stubborn, brutal nature. An unusual number of émpty water casks had been shipped on leav- ‘ ing port, and on the second day out they mysteriously disappeared. It is strange, captain,” said the first mate, Fred Roland, that eyen- ing; ‘those casks could not haye moved of their own accord.” » But they Hy have rolled ous of that open gangway there,” said { Gru
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4 the captain, pointing to the open place on the port side.“ The pitch- ing of the yacht upset them, you {can rely upon it, and out they went.” The mate shook his curly head dubiously. “There is another fact equally as strange,” he continued, thought- fally, ‘that is surprising. Ever since shose casks disappeared the _ yacht has been going along at a snail's pace, despite the fact that every inch of canvas she can hold is raised apeak of the masts, and we have a spanking breeze that should send us along at sixteen knots an hour.” “This is a slow Sat Mr. surlily. “But, sir, I was told she would make eighteen knots——” «Nonsense! Whoever told’ you was jibing. Don’t bother your head any further about it, Mr. Roland, we are going along fast enough.” ‘: Our orders were, you know, to keep sight of the Blizzard.” «T cannot help that,” said Bilks, abruptly. ‘And she sailed right away from us, and is not in sight,” persisted Roland. : “Well, let her go; our following is no real necessity.” Roland was not convinced. He saw a strange look on the captain’s face, and his mind was filled with misgivings. That night, while he was on watch, he stood in the stern pensively gazing into the sea, when a dark object caught his eyes, and with a smothered exclamation he drew his sheath knife, clambered over the taffrail, slid down a rope, until he swung just over the water beside the rudder. Reaching further over, heslid his knife down under the water, and the next mo- ment the yacht bounded ahead with quadrupled speed. At the same instant the dark form of a man appeared above him peering over the stern. Then there sounded an ominious grating noise, the rope to which young Roland clung parted with a snap, and uttering a piercing cry he fell into the sea! The watch heard the cry, and as the young man sustained himself, the quartermaster brought the vessel up into the wind, and sent her off on a tack that brought her close by where Roland was swimming. A rope was hurled over, he caught it; and a moment later he was hauled up on deck. He was a plucky young man, and was quite calm. i A ¥ “How did it happen, Mr. Roland?” asked the captain, who first ad- dressed him. — “Tt might have been by accident or design,” he replied. ‘‘What do you mean by ‘design,’ sir?” They stood aft by the taffrail, and picking up the end of the rope which was tied to the railing, by which he had hung, he held up the parted end. “This looks more as if some one had cut it than as if the strands parted,” he said. “Tk might have chafed against this nail,” suggested Bilks. “No, no,” replied Roland. ‘‘It is too cleanly cut for that. Besides, I saw some one peering over at me as I hung down over the water.” “Hal” exclaimed Bilks, gazing fiercely around. ‘Do you think some rascal had the brutality to try to murder you?” ‘Such is my suspicion, sir.” Para “My God, this is too horrible, on my vessel! I thought I had an honest crew. Did you catch a view of this mysterious personage, Mr. Roland?” “TI did, sir, and very distinctly.” “Tam glad to hear it, so that can verify your suspicion. scribe him.” ; “The person | saw was certainly yourself, captain,” said Roland, calmly. ; “What!” roared Bilks. “Ay, ay, sir.” “You lie—confound you!” **Hold on!” exclaimed Roland, whose eyes flashed dangerously. oe Pil prove it. All the men except you and I wear round sailor hats, and blue shirts with white lanyards. You wear a white linen shirt and a straw hat. Therefore, I cannot be mistaken. But T do not accuse you of any evil intention.” “You hud best not, ‘sir!” exclaimed Bilks, AnPdtoninely ‘Of course, your eyesight deceived you in your sudden terror, I am more Roland, mark me,” said the captain, De- ‘¢ Me __ Strongly inclined to believe that the rope was cut on this nail in the railing.” 1 / » “You do not ask me what I was suspended on the rope for.” : rr getting the girl in their fear. groan and creak, and the cordage snap frightfully. ‘through the rack and mist like an atom in that mighty chaldron. CAST UP. } ie “Ah, very true,” said Bilks, with a poor grace. ‘‘It was a strange thing to do.” ‘Do you observe what excellent headway we are now making?” _All the sailors of the watch expressed extreme astonishment at it. ‘«This is very peculiar,” said Bilks, in pretended surprise. “Not at all,” returned Fred, quietly. ‘‘I suspected that something more than common retarded the progress of this craft, and my idea was confirmed when I saw that some cunning rascal, who was prompted by an evil design of some kind, had lashed the missing water-casks together, stove in the tops, and with weights on them to sink them beneath the water, had fastened them to a ring-bolt in the rudder, and left them towing astern of us as a drag! It was to cut loose the hawser that held these casks to the Sea Angel thatI went | down that rope, which some one seems to have cut, out of malicious- ness, upon seeing that I discovered the drag!” ‘As he said this he looked squarely into the eyes of the captain, and that individual quailed. That look cemented a feud between the first officer and the captain, and meant war to the end between them. Of course Roland could not divine what the intention of the captain . ' was in executing this plan to hold back the yacht from following the Blizzard, but that some mischief was afoot he had no doubt. The next morning at sunrise they sighted a schooner, which was drifting about at the mercy of the waves. Approaching it and hauling to, Mr. Roland and four sailors put out to it, and found it quite desert- ed and in good condition. (Going into the cabin, he saw a young girl lying in a berth fast asleep. When she was awakened she expressed such extreme delight that they were themselves filled with pleasure. She told them that she had embarked from St, Augustine on this ves- sel after the death of her mother, a week previously, and was bound for New York in search of her guardian, Mr. Joseph Morgan. Her name was Jeunie Holmes. The schooner, named the Foam King, met with rough weather and sprung a leak, when the crew abandoned her, for- The water swelled the seams of the ves- sel again, however, and although she did not sink, the poor girl was in constant dread that the next storm might send her to the bottom. There was plenty to eat and drink on board, and she had only the | hope of some passing vessel picking her up to cheer her in her loneli- ness. The young and gallant mate brought her back to the yacht, and her story was repeated to the captain, who gave her nice quarters in the — luxurious cabin. Bilks, who knew all about the scheme of Ralph Dar- rel], was transported with fiendish joy upon finding himself in posses- sion of the young and handsome girl for whom the fortune had been designed, and he made up his mind that as long as he had her in his power she would not interfere with their plans. The schooner was towed into a near-by port, and salvage was ob- tained in the amount of two thousand dollars, which was divided .. among the officers and men, As there was no means of going north from that port, according to the captain’s eager representation, the girl at his urgent request remained on board, with the understanding ° that they were to transfer her to the first northward bound vessel they encountered. Then the sails were trimmed, and they continued down the coast again. : On the second day a terrific storm arose, and all the sails were housed. ‘The waves rolled mountainously high, roaring and crashing and boiling and dashing the gracefal little yacht hither and thither with giant force, while the scene was lit up by vivid flashes of lightning that darted across the murky black vault of Heaven, and the din of the raging water was augmented by the fearful rolling and rumbling of deafening thunder. Rain came down in drenching torrents, and wave after wave broke over the Sea Angel, making her strained timbers ~ The fury of the storm increased momentarily, and the yacht, under bare masts, drove The helmsman was lashed fast to the wheel, and only a couple of sailors clung to the life-lines woven across the deck. Roland and the cap:ain were standing in the waist, keeping an anxious look over the storm, when suddenly a wave rolled in with a bellowing roar, it broke—some- thing struck the captain and knocked him down, and with a cry of surprise the mate seized it and dragged it into wie cabin, while the captain followed after him. It' was a young man, white, rigid, and lifeless! There was an ugly stab wound in his bosom, and in. his clenched hand was a letter. He was quite dead, and as the captain and the ©
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“over the body. CAST UP. mate gazed down at his still form, they wondered what strange freak of nature caused the briny deep to thus cast up its victims in this mys- terious way. CHAPTER TI. ‘A MESSAGE FROM THE SEA. THE captain and the mate stood mutely regarding the corpse of Edwin Hazleton for several moments, with the wind whistling through’ the rigging outside as the wild storm continued on, pitching the tiny craft about like a cockle-shell. Jennie had retired to her berth behind the curtains, and trembling with fear at the violence of the tempest, crouched under the covers. There was a bracket-lamp swung from the ceiling, shedding a dim glow throughout the small cabin. ‘Tt passes the bounds of comprehension,” said Fred, breaking the silence. “What possessed you to drag him in here?” demanded Bilks. “TJ thought he was alive.” “That was a strange supposition.” “Well, how did I know. Just look at his bosom; ag has been stab- bed, and the knife is yet in the wound.” “‘1 wonder where he came from?” muttered Bilks, thoughtfully. ‘‘Heaven only knows. Poor fellow, he is quite a boy in years.” “Well, Mr. Roland, as he is past recovery, you had better toss him overboard; corpses are unwelcome visitors here.” ‘7 will search him first, and try to discover his identity.” ‘As you please,” replied the captain, coldly, as he shrugged his shoulders; ‘‘you can continue your task alone, though, as I take no stock in it. Besides, we must weather this gale, and my presence is required out on deck, for our lives are in great peril at present.” “T will join youin a few moments, sir,” replied Roland. The captain said nothing, but left the cabin. “This is a strange occurrence,” thought the mate, as he stooped ‘He is evidently a victim of foul play. The look of | horror in his starting eyes, and that knife in his heart, tell the tale of treachery. I will examine the knife first.” : Seizing it by the haft, he drew it from its ghastly sheath, and a cry of surprise escaped him on seeing the following name engraven on it: ‘“RatPH DARRELL.” Fred knew that Darrell was one of the ship owners, and this evidence of his crime aroused the darkest suspicions in the young man’s mind. He did not pause to speculate, however, but continued his search by emptying the murdered youth’s pockets. Among its contents was the -envelope containing the thousand dollars Mr. Morgan had given him, “and‘a memorandum-book, both of which were water-soaked from their he asked her to dress and come out. tN immersion in the sea. A glance over the contents of the memoran- dum-book showed Roland that the youth was named Edwin Hazleton, and that he had written a synopsis» of the crimes of Morgan and Dar- rell up to the time of the departure of both vessels from New York. This information agitated Fred considerably when he recalled to mind that the girl they had picked up answered to the name of Jennie Holmes, and he had no doubt that it was she for whom the fortune was intended. ‘The strange fatality of bringing the gir) to the yacht, and the sea casting up the dead body of the emissary of the repentant rascal, Morgan, struck Roland as being so peculiar that he could only attribute it to the mysterious hand of God, who meant to make Roland the successor of the murdered youth in the accomplishment of the de- sign to restitute the stolen fortune to its proper owner. Of course it was easy to assign this mnrder to Darrell now, as there was a power- ful incentive for the mercenary wretch consummating thecrime. As Fred was cogitating thus, his glance fell upon the letter clutched in the hand of Edwin, and he set about to gain possession | of it. This avas no easy task, as the fingers had stiffened over it with the expiring clutch of desperation. Nevertheless, by dint of hard work he finally got it, aid saw that it was addressed to Mrs. Holmes in the well-known chirography of Mr. Morgan. It was the same letter which Darrell thought he had snatched from the breast pocket of his victim when he -stabbed him. The rascal had, however, seized the wrong letter, as this one had been concealed in another: ‘pocket. Fred did not open it, but with the resolve to-carry out the project of Edwin as nearly as he could, he dried the three articles he had recoy- ered on a cloth, carefully concealed them, and going to Jennie’s berth, She had formed a violent fancy for her handsome young rescuer, and wondering what he wanted, she complied with his request. She was startled on sight of the body, but @ Rta y ator ae he explained the circumstances to her of fos it came on- posts and. asked her if she recognized it. She replied negatively, and then, as nothing farther could be done, he put Darrell’s ‘knife in his pocket, and re-wrapping himself in his oil-skins, he lifted the body of poor Edwin in his arms, carried it out on deck, and let it fall into the raging sea, at the same time breath- ing a prayer of commendation to God for his soul. All that night and for two succeeding days the storm raged with un- abated violence, driving the Sea.Angel many leagues out of her course. By When it finally cleared away, the yacht looked as if it had rolled down ~ the side of a mountain. There was scarcely any paint on her hull, every movable thing on deck was washed away, the cordage was brok- en in places, anda gafi-topmast was gone. With his quadrant and sextant the captain made an observation, and, making a rough calcu- latien, he judged that they were then afew miles north of Walker's, the Double-breasted and Grand Keys, lying north of Lucaya, or Grand Abaco Island, the largest of the Bahamas. Consequently the storm must have driven*them not only past their port of destination, but en- trely out of the Gulf Stream, and far out past Florida. It was a clear afternoon, and the sun shone down with all the heat of the tropics, and the sailors did all they could to repair the damage. “ All we can do now,” said the captain, ‘‘is to run for the Bahamas, get our repairing done there and come back. We need a new spar.” - “You might save much time by going further east, sir,” replied Fred, who held a telescope in his hand. off our starboard which we might make in a couple of hours.” “ Excellent,” replied Bilks. ‘‘I want to get back'as soon as possi- ble.” “To St. Augustine?” “Yes. I want to see the captain of the Blizzard.” *¢ Ah—you mean Mr. Darrell?” Z ‘* What!” cried Bilks, starting nervously. .‘‘ How did you know——” “Oh, I know all about it, sir.’”’ ‘ ; ‘All about what?” demanded the other, with asperity. © It was Fred’s intention to ascertain if the captain knew anything about the treachery of the ship owner, and, assuming a mysterious air, he replied: Het ‘Oh, I saw film before we set sail, and he told me about the treas- ure.” Bilks looked at the young man in stupefaction. «Ts it possible?” he muttered. “‘Oh, it was perfectly understood between him and me,” contin- ued Fred. . “« What was understeod?” asked Bilks, cautiously. “Why, that aflair about young Hazleton—the one who went on the Blizzard to—but what am I saying—you know nothing about it.” “Do you mean to tell me Mr. Darrell told you anything?” «Certainly. He tokl me a good deal, sir.’ «* And what was that?” : ‘¢Oh, Tam not to say anything until all is safe.” * ee Domes come! I may as well tell you, I am a contidant of Mr. Dar- rell.’ \ «Then did, you know that the cases of merchandise contained the gold, and that Mr. Darrell was going to prevent Mr. Morgan’s return- ing it?” ; e. “Of course I did. Why, blast you, didn’t you say so before? If I had known that Darrell told you all, we might have avoided this trou- ble.” : ‘How do you mean?” “You certainly must ee been crazy to cut adrift that drag. 2 “TJ don’t understand you.” ‘« Well, you know that I did it, don’t you?’ ) ‘« Yes, sir.” “Do you think I did it for nothing.” / ‘«That seems improbable. Explain voureell more clearly, sir.” ‘‘Why, it was agreed between Darrell and me that I was to delay this yacht until he got rid of the boy, and got his treasure safely land- ed. I was to have the yacht for my trouble. are an honest gang, and if'they suspected that I was yp to- any. tricks, they would bave mutinied and thrown me overboard.’ ‘* Well? And you meant something by this?” ‘* Certainly. This craft was to guard the other, and when we eile ed the harbor, the cases were to be transferred to our vessel for land- ing, to escape Darrell. Consequently; to thwart this, we were to be t “Tsee a small wooded island The lubbers of my crew ~
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1 : ~ tonishment was increased by ‘observing that it was the Blizzard. 8 ‘ PO OAS TATE: delayed until the Blizzard made port, don’t yousee?’ Well, Darrell dis- charged the captain of the Blizzard, with full pay, just before she left New York, and substituted himself in order to get rid of the boy.” ‘© Ah! I see.” «Thinking you were working for the boy, I attempted to drown you. ” ‘Ha, ha, ha! what a blunder!” laughed Fred. “Yes. You should have let me known sooner Beek you ‘knew all about the affair, for, you see, I came near killing you.” “Tam sorry now I cut the casks loose,” said Fred, in regretful tones. “Well, never mind now, the mischief is done. Just pass the word to head for that island now, and we will make our repairs and get back to St. Augustine as speedily as possible.” Saying which, the captain entered his cabin. Fred’s blood was boiling with indignation on hearing this man speak fin guch a cold-blooded manner of the villainy he was a party in, and it was with the utmost difficulty that ‘he dissembled as adroitly as he had done in order to ascertain all that Bilks confessed. ‘The more he thought of it the more convinced he was that fate had decreed that he should strive to defeat this rascality, for the strange manner in which he had gained his information of the whole affair was rather supernat- ural. He did not deem it advisable yet to say anything to Jennie about it, but he resolved to explain everything in due time, He had become fascinated by the charms ‘of the young girl as much as:she liked him, and it was fair to presume that if their intercourse contin- ued at any length they would ultimately grow to love each other. Issuing the captain’s order to the quartormaster to head for the island, the booms soon swung around to leeward, the breeze filled the sails, and bending over on her beam ends, the Sea Angel went racing through the brine at a rapid rate of speed, and within a few hours, just ag the sun went down on the edge of the sea, they went into a small lagoon, the anchor, was heaved, and the captain and mate, with a couple of sailors, were rowed to the yerdure- clad shore. It was an island about a mile in diameter, covered with tropical vegetation. The central part arose to a hill, and going over this, they saw another ves- sel anchored on the opposite side of the island. . Very much sur- prised, they descended the hill, and approaching the vessel, their as- Eyvi- dently she, too, had been blown out of her course by the stor rm, and had put into the island for repairs. A cold sweat burst out all over Fred, for he realized that the moment Captain Bilks went aboard of the Blizzard and saw Darrell, he would discover the decep- tion practiced upon him by his mate. , CHAPTER IIL. THE DOUBLE yroTory! Tun Blizzard was anchored off shore, and the place where Fred, the captain, and the two sailors stood viewing it was on a small plateau, a hundred yards from the shore. “Well, well!” exclaimed Bilks, with a pleased expression on his Jace, ‘nothing could be more agreeable. We need not hurry at all ‘now, for Darrell is no doubt on board, and I can conclude my portion of the contract with bim within an hour!” { Oh, no, you won't,” exclaimed Fred, coolly. ‘What in thunder do you mean by that?” demanded Bilks, in sur- prise. ; “Simply what I said. You shall no¢ see Darrell!” “ Confound your impudence,” commenced the captain, angrily. “Men!” said Fred, to the two astonished sailors, ‘‘ this man is an accessory to a most foul murder, and is also implicated in a plot to rob the young castaway on the yacht out of a fortune. The-captain of the Blizzard is his accomplice. Seize him before he does any further injury. If he once meets Darrell, you will all be ill-treated.” «Ay, sir,” replied the sailors: ‘Ef so be as that’s the case, we'll * hold ’im!” 2 They sprung toward Bilks, but he, white with rage, and realizing in an instant that Fred had duped him, drew a pistol from his pocket, aimed it at the sailors, fired, and turning like lightning, he ran toward the bark. With a ery of agony one of the Bailors staggered back, vy unded i in the breast, and profiting by their consternation the cap- tain fled like a deer. The unharmed sailor caught his messmate in his i arms, staunching the flow of blood, while: Fred, recovering from his : surprise, ‘Yan after Bilks. The HEE had almost reached the shore Silas daly at 7 eooooooo00SoSsSSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSSS99sS9mmsmsspss by that time, however, and then sprung into the water and arice out for the Blizzard. Fred was filled with apprehension, for he knew that if Bilks once reached the bark and told Darrell that he knew of their — scoundrelism, and that Jennie was on aboard of the Sea Angel, the rascals would spare no efforts to gain possession of the girl, the yacht, and himself before they could get back to civilization and make their crime public. ‘*Stop!” he cried, pausing on the edge of the surf curling in on the, beach, and he picked up the revolver from the sand where us had — tossed it. ‘* Stop and come back, or I'll shoot you!” Bilks vouchsafed no answer, but kept steadily on. Bang! went the pistol a moment later. : The captain dived, and looking toward the bark, Fred was dismayed to see the watch on deck run over to the lee side and gaze at him. *¢There is no help for it,” he muttered, desperately. ‘‘I must stop. him.” Springing into the water, he struck out for the captain, and by the time Bilks was half way to the bark Fred was upon him, as he was an expert swimmer. Seizing the captain in his arms, he made a clutch at his throat; but he was too late, for the captain uttered a ery: ‘“Help, help! Ahoy, there, Darrell! It is I—Bilks!” ‘* Hello!” shouted some one from the deck. ‘‘ What’s the matter?” ‘‘ Help! save me!” yelled Bilks. ‘Tower away that boat in the stern!” cried the voice of Darrell. “Hal I have you now!” exclaimed Fred, excitedly. «Tet, me go!” gurgled the other, in choking accents, “Never! I will strangle you first.” ' “Help! For God’s sake save me, Darrell!’ faintly cried the strug- eling captain. Fred pulled him over and was drageing him toward the shore, when unfortunately a boat filled with half a dozen sailors and Ralpb Darrell reached the surface of the water and was pulled toward the two strug- gling men. Fred gazed at them in despair, and was obliged to relax his grip on Bilks and swim hastily for the shore to save himself. On gaining the embankment he saw them pull the half-dead captain ; into the quarter-boat, and then they came on toward the shore. The aspect of affairs was becoming serious to Fred, and he ran back — to the two sailors. The wounded man was standing up. , by ‘‘ Well, siz?” said the other, querulously. : ‘(He escaped me. Howis Tom?” “Tve got over a faint spell, sir.” “That is good. We must hurry right back to the eat 4 “ Any trouble in the wind, sir?” aes A boat load of Darrell’s cut-throats are coming ashore for us.’ «Do, they mean any harm?” “ They may kill us.” ‘‘Dash me now, that looks bad. What's the trouble?” Fred told them, as they hurried back to the Sea Angel. Looking back, they saw that Darrell and the boat's’ crew were fol- lowing them with Captain Bilks. Upon reaching the yacht, Fred in- formed all hands all that occurred to Edwin Hazleton and all subse- quent events, including the captain’s complicity, and said in ‘eonclu- sion, ‘‘ We must resist them, or they will murder eyery one of us.’ «We'll stand by you, sir,” said an old salt, determinedly. « Ay, ay, hooray for Captain Roland!” cried the rest, enthusiastical- ” ly. Wred appointed one of the men first officer, and they all armed themselves, and going ashore, after locking Jennie in the cabin, they. prepared an ambush and awaited the coming of their enemies i in silence. — Presently a number of dark shadowy forms came through the tangled vines and bushes, when at the word of command from Fred the ambushed yachtsmen let drive a volley that demoralized the others, and they turned and fled with cries of terror. The sailors quickly reloaded — their weapons, and uttering a ringing cheer they pursued their flying — enemies, and assailing them before they had gone far, a desperate combat ensued, which finally resulted in the defeat’ and capture of the whole party of barkmen. Blated oyer this unsanguinary triumph, i y Fred ordered all their prisoners bound hand and foot, and had them con- i veyed on board of the yacht. There were twelve in all, which left — about eight men on the Blizzard, and these the novitiate captain re- | solved to capture, if possible, when he foresaw that he could gain DOS th Session of the treasure. ? Darkness soon fell, and seeing that all his men were armed, they. set off across the island, and soon reached the other side. J ¢ ‘ Pode Bl
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ROAST ODay Giaurae dashes bat ae et v Darrell’s boat was drawn up out of the surf, and embarking his men in it after getting it through the low breakers, they silently rowed out toward the dark, shadowy outlines of the bark as it Jay at anchor, every rise and fall of the surging inland swell making the chain cables groan and creak. ‘¢ Bout ahoy!” cried a voice from the deck, as they'’drew near the ' ship. ** Ahoy!” responded Fred, in mufiled tones. / “Ts that the captain?” ‘‘ Ay! Toss mé a line over the Sr a “* Ay—ay, sir.” “Run her close under the lee,” whispered Fred, and the boat turned just'as a rope came whizzing over their heads, which was made fast to the painter, and a moment later they went up a rope ladder to the deck, encountering a couple of men, and they perceiving that the new- comers were strangers, they ran down into the waist. ‘¢ What’s the matter with you?” demanded Fred. «Who are you?—we don’t know you.” “From the Sea Angel,” replied Fred. . “Ah! Then you——” But before they could finish speaking they were overpowered and preventing more water entering bound. \ -‘ Where are your companions?” asked Fred of one of them. Instead of replying the men set up a terrilic yelling that brought the others up from the forecastle, and then the two gaye them warn- ing to resist the new-comers, who were their enemies. There was a large gun mounted on a carriage abaft of the foremast, and the six remaininy barkmen quickly ran to it and turned it on the yachtsmen. Leave this vessel!” exclaimed the man who manned the gun, ‘‘ or we will blow you all to pieces. We will gi’ ye jest two minutes!” ‘Down behind the water casks, men!” whispered Fred, excitedly. The next moment there came a thunderous roar, a blaze of fire and smoke, and they heard the flying grape go screaming over their heads. They did not give the others an opportunity to reload, but springing up, they rushed upon them in a body, and after a short, shur pstruggle they managed to make them prisoners. It was fortunate that Dar- rell’s forces were divided, for kad they all opposed the yachtsmen our friends would have fared badly. Confining his bound prisoners down - in the forecastle, the anchor was brought up to the catheads, the yards _ lagoon. squared away, and the bark was headed around the island for the About one hour was spent making the detour, and when the bark entered a gigmeying sight met their view that filled them with * dread. The yacht was gone! “Good Heaven!” exclaimed Fred, aghast. caped?” “ They must a’ got free by some means, sir,” replied a Bilan! +« And poor Jennie was locked in the cabin!” ut Could they have es- ««They wish to murder her for the fortune in this bark.” «That is a bad outlook,” said the sailor, gravely. “We must pursue them, and get possession of the yacht again, cried Fred, and issuing orders to raise Sails, they glided out on the sea again. a i CHAPTER IY. ; SCUTTLED. Ir was a dark night, and when the Blizzard got out on the open sea the sailors could not see theit hands before their faces, Fred was in despair, for he realized that he could do nothing in the thick darkness, as the yacht would not be likely to show lights, and it would be useless to beat about all night, with little or no chance of | meeting with the missing yacht. About midnight a thrilling cry rung through the ship that startled every one. Fred was sitting in the cabin when that cry was heard, and he sprung to his feet just as the door was burst open, and one of his men rushed in, his face pale, his eyes starting, and breathless from ex- citement. ‘ “What is the matter?” asked reo in sharp tones of alarm. “Oh, sir, it are awful!” - ‘* Speak!” ‘The wessel are sinking!” ‘The bark sinking?” 48 Ay, ay, sir.” Sty chases me. companion-way shut, an’ bolted it, catchin’ them in’ their own trap. They'll all be drowned in there wi’ no chance 0’ escape.” save our lives. chance.” «They won’t hurt her, will they?” _ . “You are jesting.”” ‘No, sir. I says az this wessel is a-goin’ down fast.” ; “How do you know?” ‘© was jist down in the fo’cas’le——” « Well?” , ‘« An’ I seen one o’ them lubbers of Lascars wot we tied kneelin’ on , ther floor, wi’ a auger in his ’and, a-borin’ ’oles in the floor.” ‘What! “ All on ’em was free-——” ‘<Hree?” ‘« Ay, sir, ’H must ’a’ slipped out o’ his fastenin’s, freed ther others d an’ findin’ the auger, tried to scuttle the ship.” ‘What did you do? Speak faster!” ‘“‘The minit I seen what’e wos a-doin’, I runs up on deck, an’ they But I got the start o’ ’em an’’slammed the door o’ ther ‘¢ Were there many holes in the floor?” “At least forty.” «Then they could not plug them up in time to save themselves bys. the ship, could they?” fi ‘No. The forecastle had two feet o’ water on the floor.” , “That is bad. Pass the word to the quartermaster to return to the : island.” *“Tf can’t be did.” “Why?” “‘Tt?g so dark out you can’t see nuthin’.” “Dreadful! Ob, why did I not ascertain our position. We might then have steered by the compass, and reached shore before the ship ° goes down.” ae He rushed out on deck, followed by the sailor. ‘‘Who uttered that cry which I heard before?” he asked. ‘<The men in the forecastle, when I locked the door on ’em.” ‘Let every lamp and lantern on board be lighted.” ‘Why, sir, that will expose us to Mr. Darrell,” said the sailor. ‘‘T cannot help that; we must run the risk of a fight in order to Pass the word to head north by east; it is a faint All the sailors were hurrying hither and thither on the deck in dread of the impending calamity, and the helmsman spun around his wheel, and brought the bark around on a new tack in conformity with Fred’s. order. The young captain approached the quartermaster. “How is she ROLES he asked. 'Slugeish, sir” “Tom!” he cried to one of the men. ‘Get the line and make soundings.” ‘¢ Ay, ay, sir,” was the cheery reply. In a few minutes the plumb and line went over the side, and the sounders called out the fathoms, others meantime lighting all the lan- terns, while from the companionway the wild cries of the imprisoned — men grew more frantic every moment. settling, and they all heard the gurgling of the water down the fore- castle as it continued to pour in. be beneath the water. Fred deduéted that they must be far from the island. The boats were — all prepared for launching at an instant’s notice, well provisioned, and a tackle was hastily rig cases were hoisted up on feck) Fred going down into the half submerged — hold with a lantern, and pointing them out to the men by the mark G, | with which each was made distinguishable from the rest of the mer- chandise. placed on a raft; but by the time they finally got the cases up on deck, he saw that bey would not have time to build a raft before the bark would founder. The bark was slowly but'surely In another half hour the bark would The soundings showed ten fathoms, by which ged over the hatchway, and all the treasure” i Tt was his intention to try to save ‘the treasure by haying it At this moment of bitter disappointment the sounders called out six fathoms, five, four, eight, three, and then they heard an unmistakable — ‘roar, at first faint and gradually growing louder each: moment, and they knew that it was made by the breakers onthe shore of the aBlapds t A cheer arose to the dark skies. © : . “What shall Ido, sir?” asked the quartermaster, “aaplotaly: will, be impossible to find the lagoon i in this darkness.” Pena ne eT. : ‘There is nothing for it but to beach her.” «She may go to pieces.” / . y er, ts Wy - “ ASE
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CAST UP. “That is true, but if we can run her in shallow water we will have a chance to get ashore, and take the treasure off of her.” At this moment the bark gave a frightful lurch to leeward, then Tighting herself, she rolled from side to side. : J fear she is going down,” exclaimed the quartermaster. ‘‘You are mistaken. Didn’t you hear that grating noise?” BAY, Sits” «Well, we are grazing the top of a sand bar; the tide must be high -if the water covers the bar. Consequently, we may hope to be left hich and-dry when the tide recedes, if we once get her stranded.” The bark now went on, and they all knew that the shore was close at hand by the loudness of the noise of the surf. Suddenly they were caughtin the strong current that swept inland, the bark was caught - on the cres* of a high in-rolling wave, and with a roar that frightened them all they were hurled in and struck! A how! of terror went up from those confined in the forecastle, there was a grinding, splitting noise as the bows were stove in, and every- thing on deck went crashing over into the sed, the mainmast falling across the deck, tearing the cordage, and splitting the foremast in two. Several of the sailors received numberless cuts and bruises, and one of them was struck by the fallen mast and knocked into the sea. The bark immediately rolled over on one side, and there she lay with the surf beating about her smashed hull, a total wreck! Under Fred’s orders, a couple of sailors went ashore in one of the boats, and found that they were within four fathoms of the beach. Collecting a huge heap of drift-wood and twigs on the sand, they ignited the pile, and soon a huge, lurid blaze shot up to the sky, showing them their position. Had they continued down the beach a few hundred feet, they would have entered the lagoon again. The sailors then went back to the ship, and the watches were set, and the dreary night dawdled by slowly enough, the men making themselves as comfortable as possible. When day broke the dark sky opened, and rain poured down in torrents. : Nevertheless, Fred set the men to work as soon as possible, and they landed the treasure, all the arms, provisions, clothing, and everything else needful to their comfort, and one of the men finding a natural cavern on the edge of the lagoon, in the base of a small bush-covered cliff, they concealed the treasure there. The following night the tempest increased, and when it cleared away, after two days, not a vestige was left of the wrecked Blizzard save the debris cast ashore by the surf. The prisoners in the forecastle had been securely bound again, and were confined in one of the half dozen tents which the sailors had extemporized from the sails of the bark, and a sailor constantly guarded them with a loaded musket, threaten- ing to blow the brains out of the first who attempted to escape. Toward nightfall of the third day, as the sailors were sitting around their camp-fires, discussing the best means of getting away from the island, a forlorn-looking wretch, with scarcely any clothing on his dark body, was brought into camp by one of the men whose duty it was to ‘stand guard up on the bluff, and they instantly recognized him as be- ing one of the Lascars whom they had confined on the Sea Angel. ‘Why, Tompkins,” said Fred, in surprise, ‘ where a you find him?” ‘‘ He war wanderin’ aroun’ eatin’ some oranges wot he hed picked! 24 “replied the sailor, ‘‘ when I caught ’im.” -. ‘See here, my fine fellow,” said Fred to the man, ‘‘ where is the yacht?” ‘She wreck, sah, Exit alla mens dey is drown.” / “Tmpossible!” cried Fred, in dismay. “‘Shuah, sar,” returned the Lascar, seriously. “And are you the only one who reached shore alive?” “Me de only one, sah.” ‘ “How did Darrell steal the craft?” ‘‘One man's he git free an’ maka.de odders so.” ‘And the young girl?” “She go down wid de wreck.” “You are lying!” said Fred, with a groan he could not suppress. ‘No, sah; dat’s de trufe. She wreck on ene reefs outside de same “night.” “3 : § Can you prove your assertion?” ‘I show you de timbers on de sand.” . _ “Where did she go down?” . ts “lOber dere, to de sou’ard.” CE 4 Jee Bak the a ule oie El le os ee to ee a ae ee ee = ‘« And every one perished but you?” The man nodded assentingly. ‘« Were any of the bodies washed ashore?” “ On’y de womin, sah.” ‘Ah! And where is her body?” “T hab it in one water cavern.” ‘You put it in a water cavern, eh? ““Come along, sah.” “Very well. I will go with you, but if there is any treachery here, you will suffer for it, as I will not hesitate to use iy knife on you.” ‘All right, sah.” “Tom,” said Fred, ‘‘you come with me, and, Will Buntline, you can assume charge of the camp. If we do not return in a couple of hours, follow our trail, which you ‘can clearly see in the moist ground, and be sure to arm yourselves, for we will return if no accident or de- sign befalls us, in the time mentioned. Now, Lascar?” . “Ay, sah.” “Lead the way. Is it far from here?” ‘‘De cave? Dat am on de west’ard, facin’ de sea.” “¢ You allude to those low clifls, I suppose?” ‘Tey are de on’y ones ober dere on dat side o’ de island, sah.” Following the Lascar, they left the camp, He trudged ahead of them silently and stoically. They took a path skirting the sea-shore, and as there was a full moon in the starry sky, objects were as visibleas by day. Ten minutes’ walk brougkt them to the heights abutting the sea, and the Lascar unhesi- tatingly descended an anfractuous path between a heap of huge rocks that wound gradually downward to a projecting strip that merged out into the water where it was comparatively calm and unrufiled. The rocks were beetling on the crag, and tumbled down in wild, picturesque confusion, leaving wide openings into which washed the tide. At cer- tain hours, as was evinced by the moss and sea-weed high upon these,~ rocks, when the tide was at flood, it submerged the lower rocks, whicd\ ‘ were now exposed in consequence of the tide being at ebb. The fissures that split the crags radiated in wide seams in all directions. E «« Where is the cave?” asked Fred, as the Lascar paused on the shore, and stooping over, drew a huge log from beneath some bushes growing over the water. ‘© Roun’ on de face ob de cliff,” replied the black, throwing the log upon the grass. A ‘¢ How can we enter it?” “Only by wading. You follow me.” They wore no shoes, and stepped into the shallow water, and walked around to the rocks mentioned, and plunged undér a large bowlder that looked as if about to fail momentarily into a dark opening. They fol- lowed him, and found themselves in Stygian darkness. They could stand upright and not feel the roof over their heads. The cavern, therefore, must have been spacious. ‘« Well, Lascar?” exclaimed Fred. Sie “ Hark, sir,” said Tom, warningly. ‘Do ye hear that noise?” ‘He is running away. Isay—— Oh, God! what is that?” They heard « crash the next instant, and turning around, they saw the huge bowlder over the opening drop down, barring their exit. And at the same time they heard the receding tones of the wily Las- car in a fiendish cachinnation as he left them to their fate. Can you show it to me?” CHAPTER V. 2 ENTOMBED ALIVE. : Frep and Tom were horrified at the peril into which the treacherous Lascar had drawn them. The water cayern was half full of brine, and they knew that when the tide rose the whole place would be sub- merged, in which case they would miserably perish like rats in a trap. At first the interior of the place was as dark as Egypt to them, coming as they did from the moonlight outside; but looking up, they saw that the roof of the cavern was split in places, allowing a few feeble rays of moonlight'to penetrate the gloomy interior. As the moments passed they became more accustomed to the semi-darkness, aud were able to define their surroundings. They saw that the tide was rising steadily, filling the cavern. It was a large place, with broad apertures in the walls. In the center was a deep pool; and in it several sharks\ were swimming about with nervous motions, evidently uneasy at their im prisonment, their black dorsol-fins cutting the surface of the water like knives. After a few moments of silence Fred spoke in gloomy. tones: ¢
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} Pe CAST NUP Ota as RN ; ? “ * iat Ma eee Ns «We will perhaps die here, Tom.” - i «Ay, sir. We've run afoul of bad luck again.” “Do you think we could move that rock?” “No, sir. It weigiis at least two tons, an’ is firmly wedged in.” “That Lascar did not do this for nothing, I ani thinking.” “Do you think as he was alone in the job?” ‘‘No. My impression is that he lied about the Sea Angel going down.” “Ah! island?” : ‘‘Pxactly. It looks as if our enemies sent the cunning fellow to do this. Buntline did not find him by accident at all; he strayed into camp by design, with his plausible story to gull us fully rehearsed, and with the plan to entrap us fully made up.” : “What could they gain by it, sir? The treasure is hidden safe *nough.” “That was a good stroke of luck for us.” “ Hark!” suddenly exclaimed Tom, warningly. “ Hullo! Hullo!” cried a mufiled voice. They gazed around in astonishment without seeing any one. “Who could it have been?” whispered Fred, in perplexity. “Tt sounded like Mr. Darrell’s woice,’’ replied Tom, uneasily. / “Fullo, down there?” interposed the strange voice again. Simultaneously both looked upward, and saw the grinning face of Darrell peering down at them through one of the openings in the roof. “Tt ts him!” ejaculated red, in dismay. “ Ay, now,” replied the sailor; ‘the lubber did it after all.” _‘* Well, my hearties,” chuckled the gloating wretch, ‘how do you like your quarters, eh? Rather a dangerous hole to be in, isn’t it?” ‘‘ You miserable rascal!” retorted Fred, bitterly, ‘it would be dif- ferent if you accorded us an even chance. You only gained this supremacy by trickery of.the basest kind. Ah, would that I had you in my clutches!” ‘*But you see you haven't,” chuckled the other, exasperatingly, “nor will you ever have that opportunity. The tide is rising, and in an hour or two the cavern will be filled. If you agree to my terms I will liberate you; refuse, and at the end of two hours both of you will be dead.” “T shall agree to nothing with eth retorted Fred, angrily. “AS youplease. I thought you valued your hide much higher.” “Life is dear, but pride is most supreme in this cage,” said Fred, dryly. _ “How high a spirit the boy possesses!” said Darrell, with mock gravity. iy “Ay,” said F Fred. “Jt will sustain my courage against you.” “T hope not... The favor I would ask is not great, and I think my honest Lascar’s excellent work will force you to terms.” ‘Not at all,” returned Fred, coldly. “We shall see. All I ask of you is to tell me where you have hid- den that treasure. You see I know most all that you have been doing since the unlucky Blizzard went ashore a few days ago.” “« Ah! your emissaries have been watching. us?” said Fred, involun- tariy. “Certainly. The yacht only left the lagoon she was anchored in to enter another further down the coast, where we have been lying ever since in security and living like kings. But to return to my former question. Jennie is in my power, and if you do not accede to my pro- posal I shall certainly cut off eh head and feed the fishes with her body.” “ Unmitigated villain!” red Fred. . ‘Will you do as T say?” ~~ “Never! Do your worst. We will all’ be killed anyhow by your ruffianly horde of cut-throats, even if we do deliver up to you this _ treasure.” ‘Oh, dear, how little confidence you have in our honesty of pur- pose.” “My mistrust has good foundation.” » “How sorry I am, to be sure. Are you aie decided to say noth- ing?” ‘Yes. I prefer to die this way than give you any Satisfaction.” “Very well, my boy, do just exactly as you please. I am going now, and I will return when the tide flows out again to pitch your dead bodies into the sea.. Your perversity is really lamentable. Farewell, then.” 5 4 i 3 » Then the rest o’ the crew o’ the yacht must be on the Ps tea G : yy ol wy Se eee eee ee eeeee—————————————eEeEeeEeEEeEeEE————————— Ee a eee | 2 A “nig * «¢See here!” cried the voice, in a louder tone. His face disappeared from the opening the next moment. “Did I express your sentiments, Tom?” asked Fred, pressing the old sailor’s hand. ‘* Ay, sir,” he replied, emotionally. f : . t ; a ‘ He had gained
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a ae y the wound rec had inflicted upon the other. i half the distance, and was just reaching out to grasp Nick’s hand, when with an ominious snap the sleeve of the coat parted from the body, as it had already been strained by the weight of Tom, and losing his balance, the next moment Fred fell backward, and dropped into _the pool, in the very midst of the ravenous sharks he had been so careful to avoid! , CHAPTER VI. THE MAN-EATER. eet Fred struck the water the sharks scattered in alright, and this momentary respite gave the young man’ time to collect ‘his facul- ties and draw his sheath-knife with which to defend himself if neces- sary. He was not kept long in doubt, for as he turned to swim back to the wall he heard a swashing sound behind him, and looking back over his shoulder, he saw a black fin cleaving the surface of the aie with the rapidity of lightning directly in his wake. Pausing and treading water, be took his knife from between his teeth, where he had placed it, and awaited the attack. When the shark arrived within arm’s Jength it turned over on its back, showing its white belly uppermost, and darted toward him. At the same juncture he dove athwart its course, and just as its huge mouth snapped together the heels of his shoes grazed by its head, and he passed within an inch of losing both of his feet. Had he delayed an instant his life must have paid the forfeit. As it was, he went down and came up again directly beneath the enormous body. Shov- ing his hand forward with the knife tightly clutched, he gashed open the body of the leviathan, and the next moment the water became dyed crimson with its blood. In excessive agony it lashed to and fro, | and Fred came up to the surface and strove to swim out of its way. Unfortunately, its small, sparkling eyes were fastened upon him, and it made a rush toward him again, no doubt recognizing him as the author of its misery, and bent upon avenging itself. The young man strove to get out of its way, but unfortunately his legs became entangled in,a mass of seaweed, and ue could not move any faster thanif he had been weighted. On came the infuriated shark, its eyes glaring like balls of fire in the obscurity, and Fred gave himself up for lost, when suddenly Nick let drive a large bit of rock, and so precisely was it thrown that it’ struck the man-eater with force enough to drive it down’ a dozen feet beneath the surface. But, although Fred knew that he would have time to gain the wall, he saw the other sharks darting toward him with alarming rapidity. They had been attracted by their keen scent of the blood flowing from Three of them started at him from different directions, and he let himself sink like a shot, straight down to the bottom. As the three came together they found their wounded member in their midst, and at once set about to devour it, with all the voracity of cannibals. Taking advantage of their pre- occupation, Fred darted up again, and swam for his life. It took but amoment for him to reach the wall) again, and grasp the body of Nick’s coat. He was half exhausted, and hardly had strength enough left to hold on to the coat while Tom and Nick drew him up to the opening. It did not take him long to get through the aperture, and once in the other cavern, he was overjoyed to take Jennie’s little hand in his own and tell her how glad he was that she hac escaped bet enemies, After they had rested awhile Fred arose. «‘T am going back to the camp,” he said. “Oh, Mr. Roland,” said the girl, ‘‘let me dissuade you from such madness.” “ Madness?” he Aaieet i in surprise. Ey cereal: The barkmen have gone thers to capture yout _ men.” ‘All the more reason why I should go to their assistance. M es No—no! They might kill you if they once catch you,” - “But I shall not let them do that,” he replied, smilingly. ‘+ Ah, you cannot tell; they are a bad lot of men.” «How did they treat you?” he asked. “T suffered nothing. “never spoke to me except when he fetched me my meals.” ‘© Ah, he made himself your jniler?” “Yes. The worst indignity I suffered was his repeated and inces- sant proposals of: marriage to me, all of which I scornfully rejected.” Hi Rh, he wanted to marry you?” “Suh uF claimed to be his akaetetess if I consented. Hi ‘ é Mr. Darrell kept me locked in the cabin, and _ “Did he say anything to you about your fortune?” *T told him that he only Te me as a medium to secure it, 2) “ And then?” - “The odious wretch smiled blandly, and as#ared me ‘that I guessed his design.” “He is as impudent as he is desperate,’ By the way, I have got fu letter for you concealed on board of the yacht.” ‘A letter for me?” ‘A message from the dead.” _ ‘That is a singular expression, Mr. Roland.” “Strange as it seems, it is, nevertheless, literally true.” ‘¢ And who wrote it?” “Me. Morgan intrusted this letter to Bawin Hazleton, whom Dae rell murdered and tossed into the ocean, The body of Hazleton was, cast up by the tempestuous sea on the deck of the Sea Angel, and r found the letter clutched tightly in the hand of the murdered youth.” “How strange!” she murmured. 4‘ Decidedly so. It was plainly one of the mysterious plans of” that invisible agency of the Divine Power, known as Providence. God had ' intervened his power to defeat the villainy of our mutual enemy.” “Hush!” suddenly exclaimed Nick, holding up his hand. He walked quietly to the entrance of the cavern, and peering out, he suddenly evinced some great excitement, and beckoned them to approach, This they did, and- looking ‘out, they saw four of the bark’s sailors in a row-boat, which contained thé eight remaining sailors of ne yacht, who were bound hand and foot. i “ Hold hard!” said one of them as they arrived opposite the cave entrance, and the others rested on their oars. ‘‘This will do, boys. Captain Darrell told us to drop them into the sea, but I don’t exactly , like this work. ‘There is another water cavern, and I think we had better leave them in there, and free one of them, first making them promise to remain secludea until the yacht leaves this island. This will at least give them one chance in a hundred, and leave our con- sciences clearer.” k “ Ay, what Rawlins says is right.” 4 a“ : «We'll do as he says.” at “JT am agreeable,” was what the others said, and giving away, ‘their oars dipped and rose, and the boat shot toward the cavern. f “Whatill we do, sir?” asked Tom, turning to his commander. «We must fall upon them the moment they enter. There are four against us three, but by taking them unawares, we can overpower them without resorting to the use of arms, of which, I see, Nick is defi- cient.” ’ “Here they come!” whispered Jennie. Ayer: « Allright. You go back out of our way, Jennie.” ; And as the girl retreated Lo the extemity of the place, Fred: crossed to the other side of the mouth of the cavern, and they awaited their prospective victims. i On came the barkmen, they run the boat ashore, sprang out, and each one.of them grasped a bound prisoner in his arms, and they filed - into the cave. As the first entered, Fred seized him, Nick caught the — next, and Tom the other. The surprise was so complete as to frighten’ the superstitious sailors, and our friends had no difficulty in mastering’ them, as they were rendered helpless by the shock of surprise. Haying secured them, they caught the remaining man, who had be-— come alarmed at the sounds he heard, dropped his burden and had sprung into the boat, and was trying to get away. They then unbound their friends, and Fred addressed himself to Buntline: ~ «How in the world did they capture you?” : “: We had no idea that they were coming after you were gone, and being unarmed, they had an easy time of it. They liberated the men we hadin the tent, and giving orders for these fellows to drown us, ‘they seized upon everything we had ‘saved from the wreck, carried them to the yacht, and the majority of them are now sear cing, for the treasure.” ‘ ‘« Why did Darrell order the men to drown you?” : ‘«Simply because we all refused to divulge the secret of the treasure trove.” ; ‘«Good boys! Have you any iden how many there are on ‘the yacht?” ; Fes} ' ~ “ Only four or five.” Sear wine _ “Then we must endeavor to gain possession of her at once. m4 Ue “Hurrah!” cried all the men, in delight. \ Aa ‘ pre td Tones k
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| (os Sapiens CAST UP.: AY Bane Onc manent AN Er a geese AV A ‘« You are brave fellows!’ exclaimed Fred. ‘* Come on!” They left the cavern, entered the boat, and carrying their four pris- oners with them, they rowed around the island to the lagoon, and boldly approached the yacht. ‘There were a couple of men on deck, and upon seeing them one of the men ran into the cabin. “It took the yachtsmen only a moment}to clamber up on deck, and they rushed upon the man, who proved to be the same Lascar who had in- yeigled Fred and Tom into the water, cave, and after a momentary struggle they knocked him down and bound him. Then they rushed toward the cabin after the others, when the door was thrown open, ‘and, to their dismay, almost every one of the crew of the Blizzard, - muskets threatening all their lives. among whom were Darrell and Bilks, filed out on deck, and covered the yachtsmen with a dark array of muskets. “Fury!” exclaimed Fred, in startled tones, ‘‘ we are trapped.” “So you are, my hearty—so you are,)’ said Darrell, smilingly; ‘‘and not only have we got you fellows and the girl, but we baye found the treasure in the cave beside the lagoon, and it is now safely stowed away in the hold. Hold up your hands, every one, and surrender, now, or, by heavens, you will all die like dogs!” . CHAPTER VII. OVER THE ROLLING SEA. 4 i Frep was exasperated to think how blindly they had walked into the lion’s jaws. ‘They were helpless with the grim muzzles of those Instead of attacking the yacht and gaining an easy victory, they found themselves suddenly made pris- oners; and not only that calamity, but learned from the sneering mouth of Ralph Darrell that they had secured the treasure. There was no sense in resisting, placed as they. were in 80 critical a posi- tion, therefore: “Hold up your hands, my men,” said Fred, setting the example. “Good,” pon ene Darrell, with gleaming eyes. ‘‘ You are sen: sible,” ' He made a motion, and the sailors and Fred were bound, and their ‘confederates in the row-boat were again put at liberty. Darrell gave his men orders to carry the sailors down into the hold, and secure them so that there would be no possibility of their escape, and then telling Fred and Jennie to follow him, he went into the cabin. They were preceded by Captain Bilks, who scowled at Fred darkly. ‘«Sit down on those camp-stools,” said Darrell, eurtly, when they had entered. f The girl and the young man complied silently. “Now,” continued the ship-owner, gazing fixedly at the youth, aay want you to tell me precisely how you came by your information of what transpired from the time Edwin Hazleton left the house of Mr. Joseph Morgan up to the time of your communicating to Captain Bilks your knowledge of certain events that occurred. subsequent to Hazleton’s embarkation on board ‘of the Blizzard.” i «T refuse to fully satisfy you on those points,” said Fred, doggedly. “Hal That isa bad commencement, my boy!” «You cannot force me speak if I do not wish to.” “Certainly not. Nor will I'try,'as I have had-one example of your ridiculous abstinacy. Yet, as your fate looks rather gloomy at present, I thought I would have humanity enough to give you a slight chance to ameliorate it by an open confession.” “T suppose you have yet designs upon my life?” Darrell shrugged his shoulders and smiled blandly. ues You Inay imagine apy thing,” he said. oh Why do you want that information?” “To satisfy my mind on a certain point at issue.” « And that is——” ‘¢To know just how. public the affair became.” “So! You imagine, no doubt, that am a confidant of Hazleton’s ?” “That: seemed impossible to, me as 1 had him watched from the time “he left Morgan’s house up to the time he embarked on the Blizzard. I am simply mystified at your knowledge, that is all.” «¢ You may well be.” ie May I ask why?” ‘Because I am an agent Providence decreed should baile you.” Darrell burst out laughing immoderately. Be Superstition!” he commented scornfully. fam not superstitious,” said Fred quietly. ret sf The ship-owner laughed again, and at this moment one of Vane officers entered. “Well, Mr. Benson,” he asked, ‘‘is everything on board?” ‘Yes, sir. We are ready to sail.” “Have you taken on fresh water and fruit, completed the new gaft. topmast, finished painting the hull, and put the yacht in good trim?” ‘««Bverything has been done, sir.” ‘“‘Then bend the sails at once, and leave this Recataed island as far in your wake as possible in the shortest space of time it can be done — in.” “ Ay, sir. retiring. “Now, Roland, to resume our conversation,” said Darrell, turning to the young man. ‘*T told you I was not superstitious.” *«So you did. You claim, though, to be an agent of Providence.” Ry *« Precisely.” ‘“ Will you be good enough to explain how?” “The body of your victim was cast up by the sea.” ‘Cast up?” exclaimed the other, perturbedly. | “Yes, sir; thrown on the deck of this yacht beside me.” “Impossible!” cried the other, turning pale. ‘Ask Captain Bilks.” “What is this I hear, Bilks?” ‘Oh, a body was thrown aboard in a storm.” «Did you recognize it, captain?” ‘Why, no. How could I. He carried it into the cabin.” “But you must have known——” ‘‘T knew nothing about it,” interrupted Bilks, surlily, “How was — I to recognize your victim, I'd like to know? I neyer saw him.” ‘How did this boy discover it?” ‘<By searching the body, I suppose.” I will man the wheel myself,” said Benson, saluting and. “‘Ah! “And you got that letter?” demanded Darrell eagerly of, Fred. , SVs “Yes,” was the cool rejoinder. ‘‘I got a letter, and something else. 4! ! ‘« Where is this letter?” “Tn a safe place where you can never Bob its i ‘““You defy me again, do you? Very well. Now what else did you find?” : { «Put your hand in my pocket and see for yourself.” Darrell thrust his hand into the young man’s coat pocket, and pulled out the dagger which Fred had found buried in the bosom of the ea dered youth. “Hal” he cried, with pulging eyes, ‘‘ what is this?” «You ought to recognize your own property.” « And you found this on the body?” 5 ‘*T found it iz the body.” é “J see it all now. The sea gave up its dead.” ai «<< Murder will out,’ you know.” «J should have been more careful.” «« Undoubtedly—for your own safety.” ‘« We shall see about the extent of my safety later on.” \ : “‘T presume by that you mean to let me share Hazleton’s fate, if . possible.” oa ‘ iat «Tf possible,” ” echoed the other, with a ghastly Saat of dark sig- nificance. ‘ “That is what I,said. You cannot kill me, for lam Remy con-_ vinced that Providence will protect my life until T bring you toy justice. I have sworn that you shall be hung at my instigation!” © “Bah! Your threats are silly. Tell me how you discovered all that related fo this affair. Was it by reading Morgan’s letter?” ._ “No. The letter has not been opened.” «Then how in thunder is it you know all?” “*T refuse to tell you.” elie ‘Allright. Does this girl Know?” ase ‘« She knows the whole history of your villainy. y “T am sorry to hear it, as I hoped to marry her.” ~ . Hird “That is something you cannot accomplish!” ¢xclaimed Jennie. — ‘Be assured,” he returned, imperturbably, ‘‘ that it does nob worry ~ me in the least. J have possession of this fortune, which is all 1 want, B and I had an idea of gaining it ina legitimate way rather than. Tob Ou. ” i ‘You are Prerinerpied enopen to do anything's she cried, Bale a y
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412 *« Denial would ve useless,” he replied, coolly. There was no proyoking him in this manner; he had too much brass. I ‘At this moment Mr. Benson reappeared. «Well, Benson, what do you want now?” asked Darrell. A peculiar glance passed between Benson and Bilks. “J have come to speak to the captain,” said Benson, sententiously. «© Ah! Then please flnish in a hurry, as I wish to continue my con- yersation with this confounded young cub,” ‘« Haye you spoken to the men?” asked Bilks. ‘ay, sir;’ they are all with you,” replied the officer. «Where are we now?” asked Bilks. ‘“‘ The island is down on the horizon two miles.” .‘* And we are heading for Florida?” “Directly, sir.” “Very good. You are sure of every man?” “Perfectly. They are only too eager to join you.” * “The crew of tlie yacht are all confined below, ain’t they?” ‘;yery man, anda guard mounted over them.” ‘‘Thet I think it will be safe to proceed.” “ Undoubtedly so, sir, as far as'the men are concerned.” “ Ah, Bilks,” interposed Darrell, who showed considerable curiosity at this ambiguous conversation, ‘‘what is in the wind? You speak strangely.” “Qh, nothing much,” said Bilks, laughing nervously, and motions _ ing to Benson. ‘But I insist upon knowing, my dear fellow,” said Darrell, warmly. “You ghall, then, if you are determined, only——” ‘No objections, Bilks.” «Very well, Darrell. You are a prisoner!” +A prisoner?” echoed the other, in alarm. “Yes. Land my men have taken possession of this yacht and the treasure, which we mean to divide between us, and if you so much as lift your hand in opposition, Mr. Benson, my first officer, will certainly blow your brains out with the pistol he is now holding in his hand!” CHAPTER VIII. ALL FOR GOLD. Hap the crack of doom sounded in his ears, Darrell could not have been more thoroughly astonished. He bounded up from his chair, ut- tering a hoarse cry of rage, such as might have been vented by a wild beast goaded with red-hot irons. His whole smiling demeanor was transformed, and he now appeared the incarnation of fury. ‘You lie! curse you! you lie!” ne howled, in his impotent rage, and with a spring he fell upon Bilks, and his long, sinuous fingers closed upon the captain’s wind-pipe pretty forcibly. But a sharp ‘‘click! click!” close beside his ear brought him to his “senses, and wheeling about, he stared dowr the barrel of Benson’s re- volver. «This would haye been a pretty scene if I had been absent,” maid Benson. “Yes,” returned Darrell, furiously, “I would have killed him, the traitor!” ‘) Benson laughed, and the captain, blue in the face, who had been staggering along the bulk-head, struck Darrell square in the face. The ship-owner scowled, but dared not lift a finger in defense, for he saw that he was as much at the mercy of these men as Fred was. ‘Ah! exclaimed Roland, with intense satisfaction. ‘‘Z can Jaugh now. You are no better off than I am, you rascal. I really enjoy ~ this.” \ « You shall not enjoy anything much longer,” growled Bilks, BUY. «Oh, yes I shall,” said Fred, gayly. “We shall see,” replied Bilks, in flerce tones. I remeniter the Cais you gave. me in the water, and shall have my revenge on you soon.” ask “<Pire away, old son,” was the careless reply. ‘< Benson,” said Bilks, ‘*lock them in here for the present, and come out here on déck. I wish to see iow we are going.” © _ «Very well, sir,” replied the first officer, and a sardonic smile cross- * ed his face. that, being observed by the captain, perplexed him. y When they went out on deck, there were several Sailors up in the _Tigging, apparently clewing up a sail. : y Benson at the captain EN beneath the men, and called his at- CAST. UP. f : : E tention to a black object eee in the water, half a PERO off their starboard quarter. “Gan you tell what that object is?” he asked. ‘It looks like a wreck.” ‘«So I imagined, but it seems to float rapidly.” ‘Lend me your glass,’’ said Bilks. Benson handed him his telescope, and the captain placed it to bis eye and directed it upon the dark object. 5 ‘Tt is nota wreck NS all. It is a whale,” he said, at length. ** A whale!” ‘Yes. You can see it spouting.” ‘« You must be mistaken, sir.” “No,” plain.” Seeing that his attention .was attracted to the dark object again, Benson made a rapid sign to one of the sailors up in the rigging, who held a running block in his hand, and stepped back. The next instant there sounded a cry aloft, and before the captain could comprehended what occurred, down came the block, it struck him on the head, and he fell to the deck an inanimate heap, covered with blood. ‘The sailors hastily ran up and surrounded him, while the men in the rigging hurried down to the deck. / «*Good Heaven!” exclaimed Benson. ‘‘ The captain is killed!” + “How did it happen?” asked Taylor, the second mate. _* & block fell from above.” ‘Do you think it was an accident?” *«T suppose so.” «‘ Which one of the men was up in the rigging?” ««There were several.” ‘* Haye they all come down?” SY OSaa, “Look out, and [’ll lift him up.” The sailors moved back, and Taylor raised Bilks from the deck, ‘« He isn’t dead!” he exclaimed. *<Is it possible? The blow was fearful,” said Benson. «Carry him into the cabin,” said Taylor to the men. ‘<No,” returned Benson, decidedly. ‘‘ Our prisoners are in there.” ‘What prisoners?” asked Taylor. ‘**Roland, Jennie, and Mr. Darrell.” “Mr. Darrell?” “Why, yes, didn’t the men tell you what he did?” sé No. ” “He threatened to shoot the conualn. Hi IGN. ‘© What for?” ' «Merely because the captain claimed a small portion of the treas- ure for us and the men as a EE euas for our arduous trouble.” ‘«That is bad.” **Yes, indeed. Don’t you think it fair we should have a share?” ‘© Of course I do.” ‘*See what a risk we have run.” ‘That is so.” ‘Besides that, the fortune belongs to neither of them; but to the girl.” : “The captain is seriously injured, I fear, Mr. Benson.” “Tf he should die, it would make no difference to us, would it?” ‘Not with me. I always detested the surly brute.” ; “And so did I. In view of this accident, I assume command.” ‘« That is perfectly proper under the circumstances.” “ Well, then,” turning to the men, “carry the captain down into the fo’castle until we can find better quarters for him, and two of you come into the cabin with me to bind the prisoners.” _ ‘Ay, ay, sir,” replied the sailors. Mr. Taylor walked away, and the Lascar Pporoached Benson. “How I do dat?” he whispered, guardedly. Splendid, Jim. I will pay you well for it. “My only regret is that you did not heave the block down on his head with sufllcient force to finish’him. But never mind; he has got a broken skull from which he will not recover in a hurry, and long before he has popauied his héalth. we will have this treasure for ourselves,” The black nodded and grinned, then glided away. The prisoners in the cabin had witnessed the whole scene through one of the windows, and the culpability of the treacherous Benson Ay only too evident to them. Darrell smiled bitterly, and turned to ed. : PALES: \ I said Bilks, adjusting the glass to his eye again; ‘‘it is very
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«You saw that, didn’t you?” he naked! “Yes. It was a dirty piece of work.” «Now you can see to what degradation man will descend for gold.” “Taking yourself as a fair example.” ‘Certainly. It seems, though, that the fever is epidemic!” “@reat heavens!” exclaimed Jennie, in horrified accents, ‘‘I wish that the gold had been buried with Mr. Morgan, rather than incite these wretched men to sell their souls by bloodshed for possession Vofit.”” At this moment Benson entered the cabin with the two sallors. “T have come to fasten you up,” said he'to Darrell. “« Ah, you played your points well,” replied the ship-owner; ‘for I 'g60 you are trying to get that money for yourself.” ‘Tf you refer to that block falling, it was an accident.” “Oh! Of course!” returned Darel ironically. “Do your duty, men,” continued Benson, coldly. The two sailors approached Darrell to bind hign. ; «Do you imagine I am going to quietly submit to this?” asked Dar- rell. “You will get hurt if you don't,” replied Benson. ‘J am in pos- session of this craft now, and I will make you pay dearly for any resist- ance you may be foolish enough to make.” Darrell drew a revolver from his pocket and cocked it. ‘On the contrary,” he exclaimed, ‘‘it is I who am master here.” ‘* Hal you mean to resist?” “T simply mean to enforce my authority.” ‘*So much the worse for you, Mr. Darrell.” “You can do nothing.”’ ‘© Oh, yes: you shall walk the Sen. ” @ “Tt will be over your corpse, then,” said Darrell. He raised his weapon, aimed at Benson, and fired. “TJ am shot!” cried the officer, clapping his hand to his bosom. Staggering back, he reeled blindly for a momeat, then fell to the floor. «This is i way I crush all who oppose me,” said Darrell. ‘The two sailors were mute with dismay; but Fred spoke. ‘sHere is another crime for which you must pay ‘the penalty.” “Tam suppressing a mutineer. That is no crime,” said Darrell. “‘The extenuating epithet ‘mutineer’ will not save you.” “See here, Roland, I am losing patience with your croaking.” " “You are apprehensive of your disagreeable future, in my opinion.” \“Shut up! T,will soon undeceive you of your chimera that you are a Heavenly emissary, by swinging you from a yard by the neck. Here, you two gaping lubbers, take him out of here, and rig a block from the mainmast-yatd. Refuse, and I will shoot you on the spot.” The sailors saw that there was no alternative but to obey, and both caught hold of Fred and dragged him out on deck. CHAPTER IX.) A STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY. - Upon going out on deck, followed by the two sailors who held Fred, Darrell assembled all the men, told them that he was master of the yacht still, and would kill the first man who refused to obey him; or- dered them to hang Fred from the yard, and sent two sailors into the * cabin to look after the first officer, Benson. His harangue was short and decisive, and he quelled all the rebel- lion with the few words that Bilks had aroused by working upon the cupidity of the sailors. Jennie had followed them out, and mute, elo- quent glances were exchanged between her and Roland, but she said “Hofhing: \ ; ‘A line, With a noose in the end, was roven from the yard, and as Fred was already hound, they adjusted it around his necks and pre- ae to swing him into eternity. ‘You see what you get for interfering with me,” said Darrell, ‘ Tam not dead yet,’ “was the youth’s calm reply. «Nevertheless, you will soon be food for the fishes.” “Your boasting is laughable,” said Fred, pityingly, and he laughed. The ship-owner betrayed the utmost astonishment at the persistent defiance of this singularly temperamented young man in the very face of death. / \ “T cannot understand it, unless he is crazy,” he muttered; then, eae to the two sailors manning the other end of the rope, he added alow ' ‘Hoist away, my hearties!” Y i ae / ‘ Pista CAST: _UP. : i ee j The men BON Cr om hee ee RS a ee ee the rope up higher, when there sounded a pistol- shot and a cry. They saw Darrell fall, and a tiny See of blood ooze from his body. One look Showed them who had fired the shot, for Jennie still held a smoking revolver in her hand as she stood beside the skylight. John Taylor, the second mate, ran to Darrell’s side and examined him, while the two sailors dropped the rope, and Fred exclaimed, con- fidently: “‘T knew that I was not yet to die!” “ He is not dead,” said Taylor to the sailors'prouped around/him. One of the sailors approached Jennie threateningly. “ Give me that pistol!” he exclaimed. ‘«Certainly; here it is,” she replied, as she handed it to him. ‘« Now come with me.” ‘‘ What are you going to do with me?” ~ “Tock you in the cabin.” ‘ “« Very well, sir; lead the way.” He caught her by the arm and led her away, followed by redress grateful gaze. Taylor had bared Darrell’s bosom, and discoyered that, although the builet had struck a rib and glanced off, it left a painful wound. Darrel had lost conscousness and lay like a dead man. Bandaging up his wound, they laid him in a hammock on deck. ‘‘ Take that fellow away!” said Taylor, pointing at Fred. «« Whar’ll we stow him?” asked a sailor. ‘« You can secure him down in the hold with the rest,” replied Tay- lor, who now assumed command, as Bilks, Darrell and Benson were disabled. The man conducted Fred down to his ship-mates, and left him there. When Darrell recovered his senses he was wild with fury, and want- ed to kill Fred outrieht; but Taylor was a sensible person, and told him that he must subdue this paroxysm of rage, or he might become seriously ill. ‘¢ What have you done with him?” he demanded. ‘He is confined in the hold, sir,” replied Taylor. ‘And that rascally girl—that spitfire—that vixen?” «She is locked in your cabin.” 1 ‘“An!” he groaned, and as a twinge of pain shot through his throb- bing wound he ground his teeth savagely. ‘‘ When I feel better I will fix them for this! Oh, how it pains! Get me some arnica, will you?” ‘ ; Taylor did so, and it cooled and eased the wound. y Darrell remained in the hammock, and haying enlisted the services and friendship of Taylor by promising to handsomely reward him, he patiently waited to get pels all the while cursing his ill-fortune roundly. The prisoners in the hold were regutarly served with their rations, and thus two, days passed by, the yacht meeting fair weather, and bounding over the surging sea like a race horse, with all her snowy canvas spread to the favorable breeze with which they were blessed. In a day or two more Darrell hoped to make port. In the meantime, Jennie had not been idle. + After finding herself a prisoner in the cabin, her first care was to make - a minute examination of the place. Among other things she did was to"sound the bulkheads of the cabin, when she heard a yoide on the other side. « Jennie!” it sounded faintly. ‘©Oh, Mr. zolene, is that you?’ she called, as she recognized the; voice. an «Ay, Are you alone in the cabin?” ’ ¢ All alone: I have been made a prisoner.” + “ Gome down here the first chance you get.” iB ‘« Where are you?” . “Tn the hold, with my men.” ; \ “But how can I get in there?” \ ; “Through the door i in the bulkhead.” ‘ ‘« Ah, yes, I did not observe it before,” she repiied. Sy But upon trying to open the door she found it was locked! This fact she conveyed to Fred. pe tned: ” said he, “you must try to pick the lock with 0 piece of ‘wire.’ : Of course she was ignorant of how to do this, but he instrneted her, { » and she took her shoe huttoner, straightened out the hook, then bent —
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14 | CAST UP. ft to an angle with the handle, and after working at the lock for sey- eral tiresome ‘hours, she managed to unlock the door. This door was hidden behind a curtain, which accounted for her in- ability to see it until he told her where to find it. Haying opened the door, she took some matches and entered the hold, where she saw the poor yachtsmen lying about in various atti- tudes, bound hand and foot. They were stiff from their contracted positions, and she offered to sever their bonds, but Fred prevented it wisely. ‘“No, no,” he said) “the time has not yet come. If you cut the cords now, the men who come to give us our rations will discover it, and sound the alarm before we could do anything. You must endeavor to gain access to the deck to-night, and lock the watch below down in the forecastle. That will Jeave us five men on deck with whom to ‘contend. the yacht.” : _ «J will try to do as you say.” “Who brings you your meals?” “The Lascar, Jim.” “Good! These Lascars are all drinking men. When he comes in again, strive to induce him fo drink. _ You will find several bottles of cognac brandy in a locker under the berth.” “What g good will that do?” f ‘Wait, and I will tell you. On the wall you will see a small glass compartment filled with medicines, each bottle of which is numbered. Take a half teaspoonful of the white powder in the bottle marked ‘No. 4 and put it in a bottle of the brandy. Then shake the bottle well to dissolve the powder, and when the Lascar drinks it he will sleep so soundly that nothing will awaken him for several hours. You can then gain access to the deck in order to entrap the watch below.” The girl nodded, and hetine some one opening the hatchway, she fled through the door, closed it after her, and dropped the curtain over it. That night, when Jim came in with her supper, she had the bottle of brandy drugged, and set about to catch him. Assuming her sweetest smile, she pointed to a seat, and said: ' «Sip down until I am through, Jim, I want to speak to you.” “Yes, ma’am,” returned the dark-skinned fellow, showing his white, even teeth in an innocent. smile, and he complied, delighted at the chance. . « Will we soon reach port, Jim?” she asked. ‘By’m by. Two day, dat for sure,” he replied. ‘Oh, dear me,. Two days more!, I am awfully lonesome, Jim. You see I have nobody to talk to, and it makes me feel sad.” ; “Too bad, ma’am,” said Jim, scratching his head. . «T haye one consolation though, Jim.” “Yes, ma’am. Wha’ dat?” “Some brandy. T drink it all the dime to keep my spirits from flagging. is # “Yo like brandy?” “Very much; don’t you?” ' “Oh? he exclaimed, rolling his black eyes, and smacking his ae expressively. - «Will you come in here and talk, to me “every day, if I give Ma "some, Jim?” “Sure! sure!” he replied eagerly, and only too glad of the chancel ‘Very well, but you can only haye one glassful at a time.” _ *Oh?? he grunted, his face lengthening. considerably. ' ‘“Tsn’t that Penouetl for yout ‘ Me like much one time.” : “But, don’t you see, if you drink a great deal at one time, the bottle will be emptied too soon; then you won’t come in to gee me often.” “Dat not make no dif'rence.” «Yes, it does. Do you want to try it now?” e “Sure!” ‘ “You will find the bottle on that shelf.” ; : He laid the key of the door upon the table, arose, took the bottle ‘ from. the shelf, and suddenly darted out the door with it, as quick as a “flash, She saw that his cupidity had overcome him, and by treacherously ‘stealing the whole bottle he meant to make sure of peuns more than “one drink at a time. ‘ Jennie burst out laughing, and hastily caught up the act which he 4); If we can overcome them, we can save our lives and seize a wos bas had forgotten in his flight and concealed it. She did not see anything of him until the next night, for which. negligence she was forced to do without her breakfast and dinner. When he came in he looked sheep- ish, but said nothing. Instead, he commenced to look for the key which he complained he had lost. Of course he did not find it, nor wouldhe ~ dare complain of having lost. it while robbing the fair young prisoher. of the brandy, as he did not know what Darrell might do to ae for his perfidy and carelessness. ‘Jim, you are a thief!” exclaimed Jennie. Ea “No,” he replied, with a cunning look. ‘* You give Jim only little. I will take all.” 3 y e ‘« Ah, you have not drank it yet?” ‘ ‘No. I carry it in de fo’castle. De men dey see an’ steal him bot- tle.” «Did the men drink your brandy?” A “No. I steal him back. To-night I drink him so dey not again get.” ‘Qh, and you willnot come to speak to me any more, now you have got it all.” ” eee “Yes, ma’am. I come ebery night sure.” Saying which, as she had finished her meal, he carried SEM, the dishes. f : i «To-night will do it!”-she muttered, when he was gone. Going through the door into the hold, she told Fred what occurred, and with a knife she cut his bonds and those of all the crew. Scareely had she done this, when the two sailors who were going to hang Fred came down into the hold with rations for the prisoners, and the girl fled. Night had fallen on the sea, dark and gloomy. ; She had another source of danger to apprehend. The helmsman was close to her door, and in order to gain the waist | she was obliged to pass him. Extinguishing her lamp, she softly open- ed the door and peered out. Atthat moment the quartermaster stood staring directly at the door, and saw her the moment she opened it. Her heart leaped up in her throat, but she boldly walked out. ‘«FJullo, thar!” he exclaimed in surprise. ‘What’re ye doin’ oub here?” “Tam going up on déck,” was her reply. “Tm plowed if ye are!” he growled. ‘Out of my way!” she cried. ‘‘ You shall not doeains me.” And slipping past him like a sladow, she ran across the deck, and made her way forward. He did not dare to follow her, for if he left the -wheel the yacht would fall off of her course, so he’ bawled to the watch: “ Avast there, you lubbers, and stop that ere woming!” Jennie was too quick for them, for she had reached the forecastle by this time, and slipped down the stairs ere they saw her. A curious sight met her view, that strangely reminded her of the palace scene in the story of ‘‘The Sleeping Beauty,” only that in this case, instead of handsome cavaliers and princes, it was a horde of ugly Lascars and depraved white men who were stretched about the place in every attitude conceivable, fast asleep. Among them she saw Jim soundly snoring in a bunk, while another sailor held the now emptied bottle of drugged wine in kis nerveless hands. It was evident that after Jim had taken a liberal libation the other Sailors discovered him, wrested the coveted bottle from him, passed it around, each man tak- ing a pull at it, and the result was ‘that the narcotic in the bottle bad overcome them with a lassitude which ended in profound slumber. This was more than she could have wished for. All the men but the watch on deck were now perfectly helpless, and at the mercy of the liberated yachtsmen, who by this time had, no doubt, captured their two jailers. As she stood thus contemplating the scene of sleepiness, she sud. denly heard a. terrible furore up on de¢k—the shouts of men, the shuf- fle of feet, blows, oaths and other noises of a warlike character, and she knew that the brave yachtsmen had come up out of the hold, eat were upon their enemies, struggling for the mastery. None of the combatants were armed, and relied wholly upon. “their physical strength to gain the supremacy. She had no doubt of the - \ ‘result of the battle, for the yachtsmen outnumberea their enemies two to one. Suddenly a man appeared at the top of the companionway. ‘Help! help!” he cried. ‘Come up here, my men, and assist us!” The girl shuddered, for she recognized the voice of Ralph Darrell. Zs moment later there pounded a patter of footsteps approaching
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CAST UP. 15 - castle. : There was a lamp swinging from the beams overhead that shed a dim light throughout the place, and in an instant he recognized her. “Hal? he ered, white with terror, *‘ you here?” ‘« Yes,” she replied, bravely, ‘‘and your wicked crew will soon be prisoners, with yourself.” ara i “They at least have not got me yet,” he cried, fiercely, ‘‘and I shall have an atom of revenge before they take me. Through your accursed interference those fellows have been liberated, and we can owe our, present trouble to no one else. Ah! they come! But you shall die dirst!”” } He sprang at her ferociously, and caught her by the throat. «Fred—l’red!” she shrieked, wildly, ‘*save me from this monster!” . * Unhand that girl, scoundrel!” shouted a ringing voice close be- hind Darrell, and the next moment Roland had him in his clutches, the girl fell back out of the way, and, clasped in each other's arms, Dar- rell and Roland fell upon the floor in a deadly struggle. The young captain did not have much trouble to overcome his ‘ad- versary, for Darrell had been weakened by loss: of blood, and what little strength he had was superficially induced by the intense excite- ment under which he was laboring. Getting him down, panting and exhausted, upon his back, Fred knelt upon his chest, and had him bound in a trice, the rascal thundering and roaring out the vilest curses all the while, to Jennie’s abhorrence, as she silently viewed the, scene. '~ At the moment Fred had secured Darrell, Jennie uttered a cry: *¢Took out, Fred!” eoWhat is it?” “A madman!” “* Where?” Pain ‘Behind you!” , * Ah!” he cried, wheeling around, ‘Captain Bilks!” The captain presented a horrible spectacle. His head was swathed in bandages, his face was livid, his blood- yshot eyes glared, and in his hands he held a marlinspike, To all appearances he was stark crazy. Just as Fred turned around, he uttered a hoarse bellow, and made a pass with the marlinspike at the young man’s head. * Fred sprang back, and the marlinspike missed its mark, flew out of his hands, and striking Darrell upon the head, he became senseless. Bilks glared around the forecastle a moment, and uttering those strange, inhuman cries, he ran up on deck, aud Fred followed him, One of the sailors happened to be in the captain’s way, and seizing the man in-his arms, he hurled him across the deck, and clambering upon the guard rail, he sprang oyer the side into the sea. That was the last they ever saw of the wretched maniac. Going down into the forecastle again, Fred found Benson rolling about in his bunk, groaning horribly, and praying in a half ‘audible yoice. ; _ “Benson!” he exclaimed, triumphantly, “you are my prisoner Again.” | ‘““ Ah!” he replied, faintly. ‘ I heard the noise of a struggle.” ‘* We are in possession of the yacht.” “Tam glad.of it. Wedid wrong. But the thirst for wealth was upon us. Oh, why did I criminate myself for nothing.” “Captain Bilks just jumped into the sea.” ‘Committed suicide, did he?” , “‘ Ay—that blow he got on the head turned his brain.’ : “God forgive me, Iam his murderer! It was I who induced Lascar "Jim to drop the block down on his head with intent to kill him.” “T know it.” 2 ‘Do not thinkit is fear of the penalty of my crime that troubles me— itis not that; itis fear for my soul, Roland—fear for my soul. Iam dying.” “Why, has your wound taken a bad turn?” eu “Inflammation and blood-poisoning have set in. Every moment I fear will be my last. Forgive the grievous harm I have done you, and pray for my soul, Roland. It is ungenerous not to forgive a repentent enemy when he is dying. Say you will forgive me.” “Yes, yes, Benson, 1 do forgive you. Tam sure you were always a ' good fellow, and an insensate desire for gold overcame your natural honesty.” s f Shortly after this the poor wretch fell asleep, and never again open- ed his eyes. The yachtsmen gave him a decent burial, and not one of the men who stood around the shotted canvas in which his body had been sewn could feel’much resentment against him when, after Fred finished reading the burial service from a Bible, the body was dropped into the sea, and sank out of sight. vine ) All of the barkmen were secured, with Darrell, so that it would be impossible for them to escape, and were confined down in the hold. The cabin was given exclusively to Jennie, and Fred bunked in the forecastle with his men. ‘ ‘They did not go to St. Augustine, but continued on up to New } York,"as Jennie did not desire to return to scenes that could only in- _ SPlteher with sadness. The night before they entered the harbor, Bred and Jennie sat on the deck of the Sea Angel, and drawing Mr. ' Morgan’s jetter from his pocket, hé handed it to her to read. her, and Jennie was petrified to see him run down into the fore- ° CHAPTER X. i “SHIP ON FIRE!” WueEn Jennie finished perusing the letter she looked up at Fred with i tears in her eyes, and a sorrowfal look on her face. “The letter seems to affect you,” he observed. “Yes. Mr. Morgan was a wicked man, and atoned too late.” ‘‘How?” asked Fred. “Because it was privation and want that killed my poor mother.” ““You don’t say so? That was sad.” “Yes,” she replied, tremulously; ‘*when I read this letter my grief and anger are augmented. He made a full confession of his periidious conduct, but it appeared that Ralph Darrell was the prime instigator of the project.” Rane ‘ : “Thank goodness, he will soon be made to suffer the extreme legal penalty for his crimes. You will then be avenged.” > ‘ ‘* Satisfaction as it is to the mind, it will not recall the life of my mother, Had Mr. Morgan made the restitution sooner, she might now be alive. As it is, I am rich, but alone in the world.” ‘Not alone, Jennie,” said Fred, gravely. “Tt is trne, I have good friends.” - ‘*There is one who cherishes you more.” “Ah!” she exclaimed, blushing violently. i “Do you comprehend me?” he asked. ‘‘I love you.” “Mr. Roland!” ; : ‘Do not think it is wealth I crave; it is your affection.” IT do not think of this inauspicious gold,” she murmured. know you love me.” ** And you?” y “* Fred—you too know that I——” ‘Ah, you love me?” “T do.” ; “Then, a8 you will become my wife, you will not be alone in the oy world.” ‘* No!” she cried, laughingly. “ Rirel fire!” cried a mufiled tone at this moment. -* Eh!” exclaimed Fred, springing up in alarm, ‘what is that?” ‘The ship’s on fire!” cried the same voice again. “ Great God! Jennie, see there. This is terrible!” “Why,” she replied, turning pale, “flames are coming through the hatchway!”? ; - ‘«Sure enough. We are in a sad plight, indeed.” “Took off the lee, there. Is that not Jand?” ; ““Ay! The Long Island shore. Fortunately there is good stiff breeze, and we will reach it in a short time at this rate. I must run | into the cabin and get the prisoners out ere it is too late.” Saying which, he hurried aft with the men, flew into the eabin, and bursting open the door in the bulk-head, they Went in with lanterns, and found the hold rapidly filling with smoke. There was a large blaze in the middle of the hold, which was rapi@ly spreading. In a few minutes all the frightened prisoners were deck, and they flew on toward the shore. hauled out on Darkness is deceiving, and . they found that the land was much nearer than they at first supposed. It was just below Sheepshead Bay, and they were aground before they knew they would strike. The boat was launched, and all the men | were rowed ashore just as the flames leaped out, through the crevices in ihe deck, caught the tarred ropes of the rigging, and set fire to the rails. : By some good fortune, a fire-patrol boat was passing up the bay at the time, and steaming to the burning yacht, they set the water spout- ing, and soon extinguished the flames, : et The yacht was a complete wreck, but the cases containing the fortune were saved, and were taken with all hands on a lighter, which carried them to the city. Here all the prisoners of the bark, includ- - ing Darrell, were given in charge of the police, on a charge of mutiny, piracy and murder. The cases were stored in a warehouse, and the . crew were given some money from the thousand dollars Morgan ha given Edwin Hazleton, and dispersed, first promising to meet Fred in two days at the hotel where he and Jennie stopped. : ; After the men were gone, Fred and Jennie were married, and the following day the gold was taken from the cases, deposited in a bank, — and Fred found himself suddenly possessed, not only of a pretty wife, but a large fortune. | Se eae ; : ete The sailors appeared in due time, were liberally rewarded for their honesty, and later on appeared as witnesses in the court when the crew of the Blizzard was tried and condemned. : Ralph Darrell was hung, his men all served terms in prison, and Edwin Hazleton’s foul murder was amply avenged, In time Fred pur-. chased a yacht, modeled after the Sea Angel, and manned it with the same crew who had stood by him in his many vicissitudes. He takes — frequent trips to different points, and is invariably accompanied by his charming young wife, upon whom the crew look with most paternal affection, = ; o- ; Pleasurable as these trips are to Fred, yet they are a sort of ghast- ly charm to him, his men and the yacht reminding him vividly of the strange, mysterious freak of nature that cast up the body of the mur-— dered boy.on the deck of the Sea Angel, the finding of which leadthem — into the perilous adventures on the briny deep which goon followed. _ (THE END. ] iy | :
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' +42 Ikey; or, He Never THE GREAT 5 CENT AWAKE LIBRARY 2 READ THE FOLLOWING LIST OF THE LATEST ISSUES PUBLISHED : yest No 525 Astray im Africa.................By Walter Fenton 986 Tiger Ted By Alexander Armstrong 527 The James Boys’ Cave...........By D. W. Stevens 528 ‘The Black Mask; or, The Vow of Silence....... By T. W. Hanshew 629 Son’-west Fred.’. sesseeeedse By Kit Clyde 630 Bob Rollick, the Yankee Notion Drummer; a sequel to “Bob Rollick; er, What Was He Born For?)’—comic......... sso-+.- By Peter Pad 531 The James Boysas Bank Robbers. By D.W. Stevens 632 The Black Hercules........By Colonel J. M. Travers 633 Fireman Dick; or, The Pride of Number 9 By James D. Montague 534 The Shortys Out For Fun—comic.....By Peter Pad 535 Red River Bill, the Prince of Scouts. By J. R. Scott 536 Special Express Ned, the Prince of Boy En- GIDCETS: Foe siewicasdeir tess sss By Horace Appleton 537 The Shortys? “Christmas and New Year's at Home—comic..:..i................By Peter Pad ‘6388 The James Boys’ Brides... . By D. W. Stevens $39 The Spies of the Delaware.......... 640 Denver Dan, Jr., and His Band of Deadshots.. v ‘‘Noname” 541 The Steam Man of the Plains; or, The Terror of the West. . By Harry Enton 542 On Deck; or, The Boy Pilot of Lake Erie. By Howard De Vere 543 From Pole to Pole; or, The Satlor Boy Avenger. By Horace Appleton 44 Dick Wright and His Band of Cannibals..... q By J. R. Scott 645 The Boy Captain; or, The Search for a Missing : Will. . By Alexander Armstrong 546 Pickle and Mieke; or, Aishaps and Mischiefs— comic. s....-.By Peter Pad 547 Fort Hayes; ‘or, Black Bagie, the pA ts pe x By Don Jenardo 548 Noiseless Nat; or, alr Just Where He’s Wanted. . seesesssseeby James D. Montague 649 The Secrets Under the Sea..c....... .By Kit Clyde 650 The James Boys’ Band...... y D, W. Stevens 651 Sam Sharpe at School....By apiain ‘Will Dayton 652 Privatecr, Tom—a’ sequel to ‘* Captain Tom Drake...) .....By HJ 0. Emmet $53 Frank Reade and ‘His. Steam Horse.By Hatry Enton $54 Billy the Booilack: or, The Tramp Card Las shewe BY. Harrigan & Hart 555 The Rival Scouts. 2.2.4. By J. R. Scott 656 The Coral Cave; or, Paul Philip's Cruise... ..).0/ By Horace Appleton 557 The Army Scout; or, The Mysteries of He West, By Kit Clyde 558 Missouri Jack and His Band of ‘7°’. By James D. Montague 559 Lasso Dukes or, The Three Prairie Pards..... By Kit Olyde and Mishaps of . Mazeppa of the Arctic Seas.... 563 Extree Nick,the New York News! By Commo: ore A ‘6 Look 564 Oath-bound; or, The Jack of Spades’. By J. R. Scott 565 Cyster’s Last Shot; or, The Boy Trailer of the Little Horn.../.........By Colonel J. M. Travers 566 Gassy Hyde; or, The Fire-Boy Fiend o1 Phila- delphia.,......+,..-.By Corporal Morgan Rattler 567 Fred Hazard, the Star of the Circus......... By Horace Appleton 668 Coonskin Kit, the Dashing | Government Scout.. y Kit Clyde 509 Denver Dan, In, and the Renegade. By a Nonomatl §70 Billy Badger; or, The Mysterious Unknown of the Bank Robbers’ Band. By James D. Montague 611 The James Boys’ Fate ...........By D. W. Stevens $72 Mail- Car Ned; or, eas Accuséd..... By Alexander “AYmstrong ! 619 The Shortys Out Fishing—comic.. .By Kit Clyde | ‘614 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Fatal Oath 573 The Maniac Pirate...... ...«By Horace Appleton 574 Smokestack Bob, the Hero of the Rail. By J. R. Scott 575 Nimble Nip; or, The Imp of the So tae By Tom Teaser 576 King Morgan, the Terror of the Seas,........ By Alexander Armstrong 577 The Convict’s: Oath; or, The Prisoner of Van Dieman’s Land..........By James D. Montague 678 The Serpent Queen; or, The Mysterious Night- Riders of Georgia.. Wencocssevdeces se BY Kit Clyde 679 The Fortune Hunters; or, Two Yankee Boys in AUStTAlIA......ecyeee ‘By Alexander Armstrong 580 The Fatal Star..........-.5008 By Horace Appleton 681 The Bootblack’s Plot; ‘or, The Mystery of a NIZ Mir cna saree pe cntietiey ona enes ae By J. R. Scott 682 Huron Harry; or, The Haunted Skiff.......... By James D. Montague 583 Doomed; or, The Secret League of Boston... By James D. Montague 554 The Maniac Rider; or, The aysiery of Hawkes- wood Grangé................By Horace Appleton 685 -‘The.Gipsies’) Den... cece os ieee oe By Kit Clyde 586 Matt Merry; or, The Life of the ‘School. Meeneley By Captain Will Dayton 587 The Phantom AvQngers'< ark Dick Darling in Montana... .. esse sen By Alexander Armstrong 588. Hugo, te Texan; or, The Demons of the §: y J. R. Scott 589 Lost Dit He Desert; or, the Guide's T eachery. By James D. Montague 590 The Avengers’ Lea M€.....2.------ By “Noname?? 691 phe ee Wave's”) Last Cruise; or, The Pirates’ Monet eet Ccahatle ge omes trea eh ts, .By Kit Clyde 592 Gromwell’s Boy Spy; or, The Roundheads and the Cavaliers J. 0..siseeeeeee By Horace Appleton 593 The Pirate Hermit; or, The Waifs Legacy.. By Alexander ‘Armstrong 594 Dick the Shadow; or, The Mysterious Trails of the Backwoods../.....c+ sees By J.R. Scott Fighting the Redskins; or, Beaver Bil’s Last | TrAllsvesatehaasnceee 2. ...By James D. Montague out Black Domino: or, The Jailer of the TOWEL. cervaeses a Frank Reade and His Steam Team... sie Cheeky and SURE, or, a Teeateh Thick and PAIN eee saa By Commodore Ah-Look Dead Man’s Pond; or, The Black Demon of the SlOrrags. Oe sie a ececeeees By Horace Appleton The Tiger of the Séas; ‘or. Forced to be a Pirate By Alexander Armstrong Harry 0” Malley, the Young Irish Invincible. . 601 By Sergeant O'Donnell. 602 603 604 Arkansaw Bill, the Indian Spy.......By J. R. Scott The King of the Deep.......1.- «+++--By Kit Clyde Little Death Shot; or,The Gold-hunter’s Ghost. By James D. Montague The Magic Mirror... .-.- By Don Jenardo 605 606 Old Rube, the Ranger. wees BY Je Hints 607 Frank Reade and His Steam TallysHOe. deer ee sy 608 Out with Barnum:.,.By Lieutenant E. Kellogg 609 Storm King Dick; or, The eee Adyenturers... y Captain Will Day ton €10 Frank Durham, the King of the owboys.. By Kit Clyde 611 Hildebrandt Fitzgum; or, My. Quiet Little Cousin—comic ........2... By Tom Teaser 612 Si Swift, the Prince ot Trapp By James D. “Montague 613 The Hyena Hunters; or, In the Wilds of Africa * By Harry Rockwood By Alexander Armstrong 615 The Young Fenian Chief. Nic baret adtuce gis Among the Crocodiles; or, Adventnres'in ‘India y Harry Rockwood out Lance and Lasso; or, The nie Mustangers _ of the Plains..... edgud emma tian -By Marline Manly | ~ +618 The Chief of the Delawares..... Sates By Kit Clyde +. By: Peter Pad vesetees BY Kit Clyde 620 peat Pere Tom; or, pegnting the Molly Ma- - gu easels stew vemery Treant 07 621 The Captain of the Nine; or, Awe aa Leader By Harry Rockw 622 Sassy Sam; or, A Bootblack’s Voyige onan oa __ the World—comic).. «+. +-By Commodore Ah-Look 623 Young Putnam; or, Always to EG Frontyesen ij By Harrigan t 624 Nugget Ned; or, The Mountain Queen's Pretes : ANCC..... 75s sees ++By Morris Re 625 Frank Reade, In ‘and His Sean ee ying 626 mht ae of '176 ”; or, The Green pou gat Frank Reade, Jr.;and His Blectrio Boake © 628 Ghouls of Gilt Ed Or vcecnee 629 Frank Reade, Jr., and His A His Latest Invention...... Ns diate swede sO 630 The Shortys Out Gunning—comic.. we UBy Peter Pad 631 Frank Reade, Jr., and his Air Ship............ 632 tks aves Boy ‘Ohief; or Advonttited in the Far West...... sseees++eBy Captain Will Dayt 993 Frank Reade, i's Marvel..--.ctaee een 634 The Lighthouse on the Rock...:. wee BY Kit Clyde entures With 635, Sassy Sam Suniner—a sequal to Sassy Sam— * COMIC..........+.2...-- by Commodore Ah-Look 636 fhe House of Horrors... -..By James D. Montague 637 The Men of the Northwest........0.-+..2c000. By Alexander Armstrong 638 ee ed Secret; or, The Wreck of the 639.Among the Arabs..........,.......By Don Jenardo 640 Garry Galore; or, The Adventures of a Wild Irish Boy at Home and Abroad............1. By Corporal Morgan Rattler y Kit Clyde » y Harry Rockwood — Vv seceveeeeeeBy Kit Clyda | 641 Cast Up by the Waves.........By Alex. Armstrong — 64% The Shortys Farming..... 643 Under the Ground........ <2 BY Harry Rockwood 644 Yankee Pete..........,....By James D. Montague 645 Hotspur Harry........ - By Alex.’ Armstrong 646° Buckskin Burke...... seek epee 647 Guerrillas and) Regulars. . iz By Col, Ralph Fenton 648. The Mystery of. Dead Man’s eh Saliiesope taea ate ames D, Monta, 649 Mad Pete; or, ‘Fearful Retribution, ok ay gue y Leon Leroy 650 Offon a Man-of-War.....By Major Walter Wilmot 651 Frank Reade, Jr., in the Olouds 652. Young Davy Crockett. swoiseee. sas By Wild Bill 653 ‘Trapper Against Renegade......,....By Kit Clyde 654 The Boy Pedestrians.......By James Dy Montague 655 Tom Basswood, the Swamp Hero ..........6+ . By Capt. Edward Park 656° A Sailor’s Diary. Male a tlevieagelt ‘By Co}. Leon Lenoir 657 Frontier Fred.......... By Texas Joe 658) Tales of the Waris yitnaens .By J. D. Ballard 659 Wrecked on the Coast of Florida. By Zach Brewster 660. The Boy Meéchanic,..........By Jas. D. Montagne 661 Among the Danites; or, "The Price of a Life... By Kit Clyde ~ 662 New York Noll, the Hazbor Police Boy....:.. By Horace Appleton 663 Young Marion, the Patriot Spy fot the Reyo- © lntlonsieae st aeg ee traela ties «--- By Ralph Morton 664 Young America fn ‘Egypt: r, The Drummer Boy’s Bravery...-... BY Alexander Armstrong 665 The Shortys Country Store..........By Peter Pad 666 Gunboat Harry; or, The Navy's Best Man..=.- y Col. Ralph Fenton 667 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Great Electric peplog ess and What He Did for Charity..... 668 Dick Wheel, the Young Roller see y Percy 669. The, Ghostly. Bell Ringer... 670 Man-of-War Dick....... Iph ‘Morton 671 aie chs Fighters; or, ‘at Wat with the Dem- Fish y Harry Rockwood 672 Senn Saddle, jThe Wiad Horse tamer, fete dae fi By Morris Reawing 673 The Young Arctic Explorers;-or, In Searcb.of ' The North Pole..-+++- «- By Harry Rockwood Do Not Fall to Purchase One from Your Newedeatere, as They All Have Them on Hand; or They Will be Sent to your, Address, Postage Frao on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents. WIDE AWAKE LIBRARY--Special Numbers. IP rice 10¢. each: 1 The Life and: "Trial of Frank JAMES... .0. "By D. W. Stevens 2 True Stories Told by Frank James.By D, W. Stevens 3 Frank James’ Prison Life.........By D. W. Stevens 4 Joe Junk, the Whaler..... .....By Peter Pad -By Tom Teaser 6 The Funny Four... ...By Peter Pad 7 A Bad Egg.../...... CES Os By Tom Teaser 8 Muldoon, the Solid Man..........-.By Tom Teaser 9 Jimmy Grimes; or, (OUSED, Smart and Saucy.. By Tom Teaser 10 Two in a Box. ek eee ek ae eo pete (0) arding-House...... aser eel leetpldoon.s Be Got Lefts es 0d py Tom Teaser .By Tom Teaser Of, “Muddled and Mixed.. By Sam Smiley y Tom Teaser 13: Muidoon’s Broth D 14 Four Happy Fellows; as Muldoon Abroad. re, te {16 Senator Muldoon... 17 Sam; or, The Troublesome Foundling. By Peter Pad 18 Comic Sketches. : -By Ea’? 19 Ted the Joker; or, Fuh all Around..By sam Smiley 20 The Fun Maker.........+-. fe Sam Smiley 21 Onur Future President. . PS ee “Bricktop’? 22 Tommay Tubbs. .............-5 .- By Tom Teaser 28 Bulger Boom, the koe ee ae tia .By “ Briektop’? #4 A Bad Boy's Scrapes.......-..: .... By Sam Smiley. 25 A Happy Pair; or, Chiara in Mischiei.... By Tom Teaser 26 Thomas and William, the Two Little Imps... By sam. Smiley 27 In and Otit of School..... By Captain Will Dayton 28 The Jolly Moke; or,Having Lots of Fun...... ‘By Tom Teaser .. By Tom Teaser 29 Our Camping Ont Club......-.... 134 Boarding-School.. .By Tom Teaser | 30 Billy. McNutt, the College Scapegrace.:.s.... By Sai Sulley 31'“Dutchy;” or, Fun in German.... By ‘us Williams 82 Fun ona Yacht.............2....... By Tom Teaser 83 Next Door.......; wee hee BY Tom Teaser oeed fesse sess By Peter Pad 35 The Aldermen Sweeneys of New York; +. ee ‘By Tom Teaser 36 Joining the Jolly Owls....,..... ...By Sam Smiley, 37 Henpecked Peer ert iN sey * Bricktop 1? 88 Mrs. Brown's Boarding-House..... BY, ‘Bricktop -.-By “ Bricktop 1" 39 Onr Landlord 40 The Trials ofa Street Band .--By Sam Smiley 41 Muldoon’s, Christmas. ...s+----.ssceen. 00. By Tom Teaser (and. Other Stories) 42 The Armorer’s Son.......... ..4By Allyn Draper 43 Behind the Scenes; or, Out With A New York Out Pear ace h ned A Cea By Peter Pad y tedeaeees by Peter Pad, -By Kit Clyde — Bi Ralph Anpietgul "