Five Cent Wide Awake Library (vol. 2) (1891 02 17)
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6 TOM TOPP. built could not claw off if she were where we are. ‘The fastenings of the raft had been strained and stretched, so that the planks now worked about like sticks in a loosely tied bundle, and it was a miracle that the whole thing did not tumble into pieces. For the next few minutes it was hurried along ata terrific rate of speed, alternately rising on top of the vast billows and sliding down into the trough of the sea, as though it would never Brops ; *“As soon as the raft strikes,” said the cap- tain, ‘jump off, and try to get beyond the reach of the next wave, or you will be swept back and drowned.” * An’ thin the bloody sharks would ate us afther all,” remarked Phil. ‘ “Of course. Hold on now like grim death. We are getting among the breakers.” The next moment the waves were ae all around them and the raft was tosse about like a feather till, borne on the crest of a huge billow, it was shot far up on the beach. The shock was so severe that the rafb went to pieces, and all hands were thrown pros- trate on the sand with such violence that the breath was almost completely knocked out of them. : ~ But there was no time tobe lost, and they scrambled ahead as fast as possible. The next wave, roaring like a. monster en- raged at being cheated of its prey, dashed over them, but they dug their toes in the sand, and avoided being swept back by it. A few steps more carried them beyond the reach of the waves, and they were safe from the perils of the sea, But they did not pause until they had cross- ed the beach and reached the welcome shade |, of an immense tree which stood in the edge of the forest. Then with cramped and stiffened limbs, but gratefulness, they stretched themselves on the grass, ; “Thank Heaven !” exclaimed Tom, ‘‘ we are safe at last!” : **T am afraid not,” replied the captain. “Why?” “There is great danger that we will be kill- ed by the first natives we meet.” er RAINE they will not harm ship-wrecked men?” “Don’t: you believe it; they will jump at the chance.” - . “Bub we are Americans !” Y “Thats barrin’ nie,” ejaculated Phil, ‘an’ T’m an Irish-American.” “Our nationality will not save us,” replied the captain. “Ever, since the Sepoys mu- tinied, they murder all the white peels they can, regardless of age, sex or condition.” “Then we are-in a bad box,” said Tom; “what can we do?” / “Try to make our way to some port where there are British troops.” Do you Know which way to go?” “Not exactly ; we had better keep along the sea shore, travel at night, and hide in the jungle during the day; if we escape the na- tives and tigers, and do not starve to death, we may reach a place of safety.” “Have you any idea where we are now?” ““T think we are somewhere north of the Mupurra river.” _ ‘An’ it’s at the river I wish we were now,” said Phil, “for I’m kilt entirely by the thirst.” “« We all need water,” said Captain Helm, ‘let us look for some,” but-when he attempt- ed to rise, his left leg, which was sprained when the raft struck, pained him so severely that he sank back on the ground. ; “‘Stay where you are, captain,” said Tom, “we will bring you some water, if we can tind any.” fs All right ; be careful, and don’t lose your- selves. : _ The beach was strewn with shells, and Tom and Phil picked up two large ones, and start- ed on their search. - f _ After forcing their way through the dense _thickets for about an hour, they found a small pond, the surface of which was covered _ with green slime and fallen leaves. On brushing the scum aside, however, they found the water underneath to be clean, though colored by decayed vegetation. After satisfying their ‘thirst, they filled their shells, and started back to the beach, which they reached without difficulty, at a point not far from where they had entered the forest. : _On arriving at the tree where Captain Helm was left, they were surprised to find that he was gone. = The grass was trampled down, as if there had been some kind of a struggle. On examining the spot closely, ithey were horrified to find that the grass was spattered with blood. 3 “Great God !” exclaimed Tom, ** what has become of. the captain?” Before Phil could make a reply, the sharp reports of two guns rang out on the air in quick succession. The shell in which Phil was carrying water flew into pieces and a bullet cut its way through Tom’s clothing just over his heart. Panic-stricken, the boys, as if actuated b one impulse, plunged into the jungle, an fled for their lives. *’ CHAPTER VI, UP A TREE—THE CORAL SNAKE—FIRST BLOOD FOR TOM—A BRAVE GIRL. BRAVER boys than Tom and Phil never lived, but for the time being they yielded blindly to the instinct of self-preservation. Nor is it in any wise to their discredit that eee did so. Their nerves were unstrung by exposure, fasting and constant danger on the raft; their imagination was excited by what the captain said about thé natives and they were horrified by his mysterious disappearance, and the in- dications that he had been killed. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that when.they heard the reports of the guns, and the whistling of bullets aimed at them, that they fled without a moment’s-hesitation. On they sped in their wild flight, tearing through thorny thickets, and occasionally tripped up by vines, or falling into gullies, which were concealed by the dense grass, while behind them they constantly heard the sound of pursuit. ‘ As yet Tom and Phil had not seen their foes, but that in nowise decreased their ter- ror, for an unknown enemy isalways terrible. The two boys strained eyery nerve, but could not gain on their pursuers, whom they could distinctly hear crashing through.the bushes in their rear. At length Phil struck one of his knees against a fallen tree and bruised it severely. ‘It’s done for I am,” he said. “Save yer- self, Tom, an’ don’t be afther mindin’ me.’ “T’ll never leave you,” replied Tom; ‘‘ take hold of my arm and keep up a little longer, we may dodge them.” «There's no use pletely.” The patter of their pursuers’ footsteps sounded plainer and plainer. - Tom glanced around eagerly and said: “Here, let us get up into this thick tree, and they may miss us. ; ® This suggestion was acted upon at once. Catching hold of the limbs of a low, wide- spreading tree, which was covered with vines bearing large, trumpet-shaped flowers, the two boys climbed up into the branches and hid themselves in the luxuriant foliage. They had scarcely concealed themselves when two Sepoys, carrying muskets in their hands, and having long knives in their belts, came in sight, panee irectly under the tree, and kept on their way at a long, swinging rot. “Be jabbers,” said Phil in a whisper, “the’ve passed sie ‘ “Hist!” replied ‘Tom in the same tone, “Ieep still, they may return.” His fears were speedily realized, for the Se- poys, missing the trail they had been follow- ing, stopped and held a consultation. Z Then one of them started off to make a cir- cuit, while the other retraced his steps. The latter ‘Tom and Phil soon saw gliding towards them with the stealthy and noiseless tread of a fox, his keen eyes rolling from side to side, now glancing into the tangled thick- ets, and now roving over the ground, or scan- ulng the trees. to thry, ’m used up com- When he arrived at the tree in which the’ boys were,-he stopped short, knelt down, and carefully examined some marks which his eye had detected amongst the dry leaves ‘and rass. - a After carefully scrutinizing the signs he had observed for a few minutes, he arose with a grin of satisfaction on his villainous coun- tenance, and began to peer up amongst the branches of the tree. The foliage was so dense, that at first Tom and Phil were not discovered. But in a short'time the Sepoy fixed his eyes upon them, cocked his gun, and aiming at Tom, said, in pretty fair English: ““ Come down, or I’ fire.” “‘Shoot and be hanged,” replied Tom, who preferred to be shot rather than butchered in cold blood. The Sepoy kept his musket pointed at Tom a short time longer, but did not fire. “He probably reflected that the report of his n would summon his companion, whom he id not wish to come until he had killed the boys, stripped them of their clothes and cut off poe heads, for which he would receive a reward. So laying his’ gun on the ground, and throwing off his coat, he commenced to climb the tree. 3 Tom and Phil retreated to the topmost limbs, broke off some branches, denuded them of leaves, so they could use them as clubs, and determined to defend themselves to the last gasp. The Sepoy, regardless of the OS AEA made to receive him, continued to ascend, and was soon within eight feet of Tom. After pausing a minute or two to get breath, he took his knife—not a bright blade, but a dull, bluish-colored weapon—from his belt, placed it between his teeth, and crept aio the limbs towards his intended vic- ims. : : : . Some vines impeded his progress, and he impatiently jerked them aside. The move- ment: inverted one of the trumpet-shaped flowers, and a slender, bright red object cupped out of it into the breast of the Sepoy. The next instant he uttered an exclamation of terror, and frantically clutched at his bosom. The knife dropped from his mouth, his eyes seemed starting from their sockets, he clench- ed his teeth, and his body worked as with a spasm of agony. ; After writhing about for a short time as if suffering intensely, the Sepoy page Sst aay weak, and his legs slipped off of the imb, but clasping his hands around the branch, he held on with convulsive energy. For a few minutes he hung thus suspended, then uttering a deep tantly relaxed his hold, fell crashing through the boughs and struck the earth with a sick-" ening thud. ‘By ther powers !” exclaimed Phil. “that bates me. hat’s the manin’ av it?” ‘““He must have had a fit,” replied Tom, who, notwithstanding the fact that a few minutes before he was about to engage in a death struggle, had not lost his presence of mind, and was already sliding down the tree to secure the Sepoy’s arms. : In two minutes more he had the musket in his hands, and was joined by Phil, who picked up the knife. : “Now let that other rascal’ come,” said Tom, whose spirits had risen a hundred per cent.; ‘‘ we are ready for him.” “Sure, we'd betther be goin’,” replied Phil, ‘there may be more than one ay them.” ° ‘No, I'll get this fellow’s cartridge box, and then we will hide in the thicket until dark ; if we start off now that other chap may shoot us down before we see him.” ““1)’ye think this one is dead?” ~ . eat must be; the ‘fall was enough to kill im.” ° : The Sepoy was, as Tom supposed, dead as a , ae As Tom bent over him to unbuckle the belt to his cartridge box, a tiny snake of a een crimson color about eight inches long. and not thicker than a goose-quill, glided ou of the bosom of the man’s loose shirt and coiled itself ready to strike. § ae out |” shouted Phil. “Git out ay ther way !” Influenced more by Phil’s earnestness than by any personal Bporebension of danger, Tom drew back and said: “Why, you are not afraid of that little thing, are you?” ‘Sure an’ I am though ; it’s a coral schnake. Miny’s ther time I’ve heard ther ould sailors tell of the same, an’ you’d betther be sthruck wid lightnin’ than bit by it.” . _And Phil was right, for persons struck by lightning sometimes recover—those bitten by the coral snake never, f _ The diminutive little creature, which, from its size, elegant shape, and vivid color, might well have served as a 1nodel for a dainty lady’s groan, slowly and reluc- .
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\ 2 TOM TOPP, oe f bracelet, was one of the most deadly reptiles known to man, : As if conscious of the fatal character of its bite, the snake made no effort to escape, but remained coiled ready to strike, with its head erect and its fiery little eyes fixed on Tom. While Tom kept still the reptile remained quiet; soon as he stirred, however, it sprang at him, but fell short, and before it could re- coil itself, Tom crushed the life out of it with the stock of the musket. “Tt was ther schnake that killed ther Say- poy,” said Phil. ‘‘ The craytures sthay in ther vines an’ flowers, an’ ib must ’ave crawled inter his clothes.” ‘*It was a lucky thing for us,” spliced Tom, *‘or before now we would have had a taste of cold steel,” The words were scarcely out of his mouth peor, the sharp snap of a percussion cap was eard. The boys wheeled around, and saw the companion of the dead Sepoy. He had crawled up to within fifteen paces of them. and attempted to shoot Tom, but was foil by his gun ae fire, 7 ttering an exclamation of rage, the man clubbed his musket and rushed at Tom to dash out his brains. : : The movement was so rapid that Tom}. scarcely had time to throw shoulder and fire, : . But the bullet sped true to its mark, and the Sepoy, pierced through the heart, fell headlong to the ground dead. Though Tom knew that he had fired the snot in self-defense, that if he had hesitated an instant the lives of himself and Phil would have been forfeited, he could not repress a shudder when he looked on the distorted fea- tures of the man he had slain. But it was no time for idle regrets. , Stripping the uniforms off of the dead Se- poys, the two boys slipped them on over the is gun to his _ clothes they had on, and then buckled the belts of the accoutrements around their waists. : Tom and Phil were now well-armed and . equipped, each of them having a musket, _ perish in the attempt. forty rounds of ammunition, a long knife, canteen and a haversack well-filled with cooked food. The body of the Sepoy who fell out of the tree was found to be much swollen, and his tawny skin had turned black. On his breast and side, in the region of the heart, were a number of punctures, not larger than might be made by a cambric needle, indica- ting where the coral snake had buried its fangs. Leaving the corpses where they were, Tom and Phil went to a thicket near at hand, and ate some of the food found in the haversacks, Then eS their guns, they started off to search for Captain Helm, determining that if he was alive they would save him or But while flying from the Sepoys they had turned and twisted about so much that they were uncertain Whether they were going the right way or not. hil’s bruised knee was quite esuiely but the generous-hearted boy vowed e would go to the captain’s assistance, if he had to craw] | fled. on his hands and knees, - _ After walking about an hour, they saw a building of very considerable size, with a f, 4 ' the premises, and the silence was pro . a legion of devils ha he number of outhouses grouped around it, Being uncertain whether the place was oc- cupied hy white people or natives, Tom and Phil approached it very cautiously. They soon arrived at_a low wall which in- closed a garden that lay back of the main Re : ; : Crouching down in some bushes, the boys kept their eyes fixed on the house, in hopes of seeing some of the occupants. But apparently no one was pelrrine Hea ‘ound. A few minutes passed, and suddenly the whole place started into internal life. A yell arose from the front of the house, long, wild and piercing—a yell that had mur- “der and exultation in it, ' ‘Then there was a rattling discharge of fire-| arms, shrieks, groans, and the clashing of ywreapons. Satisfied that the fight gomg on was be- tween whites and natives, Tom and Phil without a moment's hesitation leaped over ‘the low wall, and dashed up to the house. ~ _ The uproar was appalling ; it seemed as if broken loose, and the ‘\ air was filled-with the sound of blows, shouts, cries, oaths and pistol shots. In one of the rooms, through an open win- dow, the Rove saw a beautiful girl, with bare arms, and disheveled hair, who, revolver in hand, was defending herself against some Se- poys. the heroic girl had shot down two of her assailants, and was in the act of sending a bullet through the heart of a third, while a villain behind her had his sword raised to cut her down. CHAPTER VII. ON HAND IN TIME—IN THE THICK OF 1T— PHIL BAGS A SEPOY—A BLOODY REPULSE, THE keen sword was hissing through the air to descend on the brave girl’s head. In another minute her skull would have been cloven, when, quick as lightning, Tom saree raised their muskets, and fired to- gether. The Sepoy officer clapped his left hand to his breast, staggered back and fell. The next minute Tom and Phil leaped into the room through the low window. As they did so, the girl covered Tom with her revolver, and cried out: “Stand back, or I'll fire !” “Don’t shoot,” replied Tom; “we are friends.” : “None are friends who wear that uni- orm.” 3 “We assumed it for disguise—we are ship- wrecked sailors—A mericans.” The girl now a anized the fact that they were white, and sai “Then, for Heaven’s sake, come with me to the assistance of th father.” “Lead on,” replied the boys, who had hast- ily reloaded their muskets. “This way,” replied the girl, turning and darting through an open door into a corridor, closely followed by Tom and Phil. With the sound of clashing arms, shouts, roans and shrieks ringing in their ears, the wo boys and their conductress quickly pass- ed through the corridors and emerged into a large room, At the further end of the apartment a tall, Brey beard od man; with his back against the wall, was defending himself against six Se- poys. The heavy dragoon’s saber with which the old man was armed had drawn blood more han once, and two Sepoys lay dead at his eet. But he had not escaped scatheless. His left arm DUBE DOWEL ees by his side, and it was evident that the unequal contest could not be prone many minutes. All this Tom, Phil and the girl took in at lance, and acted instantly. ang! bang! bang! went the girl’s pistol and the guns of the boys. Two of the Sepoys dropped to the floor dead and another was desperately wounded. Before the other three could recover from their surprise at the sudden attack, Tom and Phil dashed upon them with the bayonet and pinned two of them to the floor, The sixth Sepoy, terrified at the fate of his comrades, Jeaped through a window and a “Thank God, you are alive!” éxclaimed the girl, throwing her arms around the gray- eaded man; “ but you are bleeding—you are wounded!” ‘ “Tt is nothing but a scratch, my child,” he replied ; *‘ but how did you escape? I heard shots in your room, but the rascals pressed me so hard I could not go to-your assistance.” “T owe my Safety to these brave young men and the pistol you taught me to use.” ~~ “Then we are both indebted to them for our lives. I could not have held out much longer.” Turning to the boys, the ie Neate ed man continued: ‘‘I am Colonel Kelly, and this is my daughter Flora. By what name shall I thank our preserver ?” Tom told who Phil and himself were.\ The colonel grasped their hands alternately, squeezed them hard and said: “God bless you, my boys. I do not know how to thank you as I wish, but you haye my heartfelt gratituae. And my dear, mother- less child will bless and pray for you for hay- ing sayedus from a cruel death.” : Tom and Phil blushed like girls, and pro- | tested that they had done nothing more than. any one else would have done under the cir-. cumstances, ; - ; Siren fi The colonel shook his head, and said: eSijoe: Nee GS tes “¢ We will speak of this hereafter, we have no time to spare now. Come into the next room; we must barricade the doors, and be ready for another attack.” ¢ As the party stepped into the cast room a native, whose mustache curled up nearly to his eyes, and who carried a bloody - sword in his hand, came through a doorway on the opposite side of the apartment. Tom and Phil were about to bayonet him, when the colonel cried out: “‘Hold! he is my peon, and as true as stee. then addressing the native, continued: : “amet, fasten the doors, and be quick about it.” ‘ Assisted by the boys, Hamet soon locked the doors and further secured them with heavy bars, which had been provided for the purpose. * : hile Hamet was binding up the colonel’s wounded arm, Tom and Phil had leisure to look about them. They found that they were in a room without windows, but lighted by a skylight, which was protected by a heavy grating. As soon as the colonel’s wound was ban- daged, he said: : “Hamet, get out the arms, we must be ready, for the rascals may attack us at any moment,” ; j Hamet threw open a closet door, and. re- vealed quite a collection of guns of various kinds, a dozen heavy revolvers, and an abun- dance of ammunition. ‘ “Some of the a Ihad for sporting pur- poses,” explained the colonel, “‘the others and the pistols 1 intended to place in the hands of my attendants, if I none it necéssary ; but we were attacked so suddenly and unexpect- edly, that there was no time to do so.” All hands at once went to work and loaded the guns and pistols. The task was scarcely finished when some- 7 thing obscured a part of the BEyiehts : ‘¢Sure, there’s some wan on ther skylight,” said Phil. Every eye was at once turned upwards, and’ the figure of aman was dimly seen through the thick glass. * Shoot him,” said the colonel. Phil snatched up a sporting rifle, took aim and fired. There was a loud report, resounding with ~ stunning effect in that confined space of the room, and a crash of shivered glass, A dark form writhed about on the skylight for a few. monients, and then lay still, while large drops of blood pattered down, forming a crimson pool on the floor. F “Ti’s like a murtherer I fale,” said Phil, ruefully. - “Pooh!” replied the colonel. ‘‘If you had not fired promptly, the rascal would probably have shot one of us by this time.” The sounds of conflict, shrieks of despair, and cries for mercy that were heard through- out the house had now ceased, and no sound was audible save an occasional crash, as if doors or drawers were being forced open by the plunderers. Finally even this noise ceased, and every- oe ~was still. . ; ‘Perhaps they have gone,” said Flora. ‘Not a bit of it,” replied the colonel. “‘ They will make a desperate attempt to get us out of here.” “Can they succeed 2” ‘*T think not.” : “Tt seems to me,” said Tom, “that we can hold this room against a large number.” “The house is wood,” quietly observed Hamet. ! © *‘Confound it!” exclaimed the colonel. “TI did CY think of that—the villains may burn us out!” The sound of footsteps were now heard in the corridor, * : f In an instant thereafter there were tremen- caus and resounding blows upon one of the oors, : : ' : The Sepoys were battering it with a heavy © eam, ane ‘Fire the shot-guns first, and then use your revolvers,” said the colonel, in a low voice; “if they get into the room, we will be 6yver- powered by the mere weight of numbers,” It_ was evident that the door must soon yield, and every one, including Flora Kelly, stoo ey with gun in hand and revolvers in their belts, awaiting the coming struggle. There was afew moments of breathless sus- ense, : ; E Before the furious blows the fastenings of the door gave way. JR Se Sates bse
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The bar was broken, the lock was crushed n, the hinges burst off, and the door fell. With a fierce yell sa crowd of Sepoys swarmed to the attack. The corridor was literally packed with the villainous crew, who had tasted blood and ‘were eager for more. But ere the foremost of the thronging throng could pass through the open doorway, five double-barreled shot-guns, — heayily charged with buck-shot, were fired among them, and immediately afterwards a perfect storm of revolver bullets, before which noth- inguiving could stand, swept the passage. he tumult and uproar were ea tRe Under the withering fire men fell like grass before the scythe of a reaper, In less time than it takes to write it, the floor of the narrow passage was strewn with the dead and dying, who were crushed and trampled on by the unhurt and slightly wounded; in their eagerness to flee. Nor did that frantic flight cease until the corridor was cleared of all save the dead and disabled. Amore bloody and disheartening repulse - could scarcely be imagined, and the Sepoys weutat to be in no hurry to renew the at- ack. : __ButTom and his companions did not relax their vigilance, for they did not know at what moment the assault would be repeated. CHAPTER VIII. A RETREAT—FIGHT IN THE STABLE—THUN- DERBOLT AND BANSHEE—HISTORICAL—A NEW DANGER. AFTER sea ney Colonel Kelly and war. Colonel Kelly and Hamet were both confi- dent that the Sepoys would burn the resi- dence, so it was determined to make’ an at- tempt to reach the stable, which being built of stone, and covered with tiles, was sup- posed to be safe from fire. The door on the opposite side of the room from: the one that was battered down, was cautiously opened, and the apartment in which Colonel Kelly was first attacked found _to be unoceupied. 7 Holding their arms ready for instant use, the party passed through: that chamber, threaded a corridor, reached the room where Tom and Phil first saw Flora, and from it Sails! into the yard at the back of the ouse. < Not a Sepoy was in sight, and a rush was made for the stable, which was about fifty yards distant. 2 : Before half of the distance was passed they were discovered, and a fire opened on them from the upper windows of the house. “Without stopping to return the poorly di- rected shots, the fugitives continued their their guns and pistols, is party held a council of flight. The stable was nearly reached when a _ party of Sepoys turned the corner of it and made a dash at them. » A well-directed volley made the villains re- coil, and the next moment Tom and his com- anions entered the stable and closed and astened the door behind them. : “A twilight gloom prevaded the interior of the stable, so that it was difficult for persons ‘coming from the open’ air to distinguish ob- jects plainly at first, but the semi-obscurity was far from unpleasant, for the glare of the las in India is oppressive to both man and rute, : ~“ Well,” said Colonel Kelly, as soon as he had recovered his breath, ‘‘ we are safe for a time at least.” He had scarcely ceased speaking, when four Seypoys, who had gone into the stable to steal the horses, rushed from the stalls where they had at first been concealed, and threw themselves on the new-comers, ' A terrible hand-to-hand struggle now en- sued in the dim light of the stable. Parr ing the first blows of their assailants, Colonel elly, ‘Lom, Phil, and Hamet each grappled with one of their enemies. Y So closely were they locked together after Z the first onset that the combatants could not use their weapons, and Flora Kelly was afraid to fire, lest she should kill one of her friends. - The fight—or rather the fights, for there were four siigle combats in progress at the same time—theugh waged with great fury, did not last long. — Though Colonel Kelly could only use his. _ right arm, he fastened on the throat of his TOM 'TOPP. opponent, and with ferocious energy, beat his head against the stone wall of the stable with a power beyond the strength of human skill towithstand. —. 4 Phil, after wrestling with his man for some time, tripped and threw him, and before he could rise, drew a pistol and shot him dead. Hamet managed to draw his knife and dis- patch his antagonist. : But, in the meantime, Tom was not so for- tunate; for the Sepoy who attacked him was powerful fellow, and sprang upon him so suddenly, that he was borne to the floor be- tween the two horses’ stalls. Kneeling upon Tom’s breast, and com- pe his throat with a grasp of iron, the epoy drew his dagger to dispatch him, ‘om’s life now hung on aslender thread in- deed.” The murderous weapon was just about to be plunged into his unprotected breast, when a horse that he and the Sepoy were just be- hind, excited by the struggle, lashed out furi- ously with his heels. One of the iron-shod hoofs caught the Sepoy under the chin, and broke his neck, and knocked him off of Tom, : Though thus providentially relieved of his antagonist, Tom was by no means out of dan- ger, for the horse continued to kick viciously. By dragging himself along with his hands Tom, however, reached a place of safety, an arose to.his feet just about the time his com- panions disposed of their opponents. Releasing his hold on the Sepoy whose brains he had pounded out, and letting the limp and lifeless body fall to the ground, Col- onel Kelly said : “Hamet, get the lantern; we must search the stable. ‘There may be more of the rascals hid in it.” , Hamet went into a small room where sad- dles and other horse trappings were kept, Bone light, and the stable was carefully ex- amined. . No Sepoys were found, but two of the colonel’s grooms were discovered concealed prong the forage in the loft. Finding that they were anyong friends, the grooms recovered from their panic and ex- yressed a determination to fight for their ives. Nor was itan idle promise, for their behav- ior afterward afforded another evidence of the fact, that under the leadership of white men the natives of India readily perform brave, nay, even desperate deeds. The Sepoys apparently had no intention_of attacking the stable, but occasionally fired a shot at it and reviled the occupants, telling them that in a short time they should be mas- sacered, After Hamet and the grooms had dragged the Sepoys to the back part of the stable and covered them up with straw, Tom and his companions, who had now a breathing spell, very naturally talked about the incidents of the late conflict. When Tom related the particulars of his encounter, and pointed out the horse that saved him, Colonel Kelly exclaimed : ‘By Jove, if was a narrow escape, and I'll make-you a present of the horse, that saved your life. £ call him Thunderbolt. Heis a thorough Arabian, swifter than an antelope, and more tireless than a wolf for on him I have ridden down and speared both of those animals.” Tom had all of a boy’s fondness for horses, and was a splendid rider. ~ “5 He could scarcely find words to thank the ‘colonel, or to express his admiration of Thun- derbolt, who was, indeed, a perfect equine beauty, black as midnight, with long, flow- ing mane and tail, and a skin that shone like satin, 4 ef Tom was much pleased with Thunderbolt that for the time being he forgot all about the dangers which surrounded him, and the only regret he had, was that he did not know how he could divide his present with hte But no such thought found a place in Phil’s head; there was never a trace of envy in his generous heart, and he was as sincerely glad of Tom’s'good fortune as if it had fallen to his own lot. | 2 The joy of the two boys, therefore, can readily be imagined when Colonel Kelly pointed to a clean-limbed iron-gray horse, and said: : ** Master Phil, thatis your steed, accept him with my best wishes; his name is Banshee, and I give you my word, he is a worthy mate of Thunderbolt, in blood, speed and endur- ance.” The colonel then took Tom and Phil into the small room at the end of the stable, and gyal each of them with a splendid sad- le, bridle, and pair of spurs. The two boys were profuse in their acknowl- edgments, but the colonel stopped them, ~ saying : “You owe me no thanks; Lam gettin old to ride such spirited horses, and but for your timely arrival and brave behavior, neither Flora nor myself would now be alive. This matter being disposed of, and Hamet, who with the grooms was watching the Se- poys, reporting that there was no indication of an attack on the stable, Tom and Phil, at the request of Colonel Kelly, gave a short ac- count of how they came to India, and of what had Beene to them. After the boys were through, Colonel Kelly related the circumstances that led to the at- tack on his house, and gave a brief account of the Sepoy mutiny, about the nature and mag- nitude of which Tom and Phil had a very vague idea. ; ‘he story of the Sepoy mutiny fills some of the most blood-stained. pages of history, and many of the incidents were as full of horfor as though devils had acted them, while angels. looked on and wept. Yet»the details of the gigantic struggle which was waged with in- credible ferocity, were never generally known in America, and are nowy, in a great measure, forgotten. any things which occurred during the progress of the uN will be found in the succeeding pages of this narrative. and the story of its commencement cannot better be told than by giving the substance of Col- onel Kelly’s account which I have divested of verbiage, and added thereto certain facts about the colonel which the modesty of that. gallant officer made him merely allude to or pass over entirely. Colonel Arthur Kelly, after serving with distinction for many years in the army, had a. disagreement with a superior officer which caused him to retire from the military service # on half pay. Though past the prime of life Colonel Kelly was still active and vigorous, and did. not wish to remain idle. f His high character and extensive knowl- edge of Indian affairs enabled him to secure the lucrative and responsible position of a collector in the civil service of the Hast India. Company. Colonel Kelly at once entered upon the dis- charge of his‘ dutiés, and for several years won golden opinions alike from the officers. of the East India Company and the natives. Then a mutiny which had no parallel in the history of India broke out, threatening the expulsion of the British from the country. t seemed as if the prediction long since made was about to be realized, and that some ' fine morning all the Europeans in- India’ rng Bet up with ‘their throats cut. y The Napier feared had come blasting and des- troying. Mohammedans and Hindoos had combined. against the enemies of their faith determin- needs roy. or expel them. ices prediction had been i a circulated, and extensively believed, that the British power would be overthrown in the year 1837. But the ostensible and immediate cause of the outbreak was the introduction into the. army of.a eee gS which was greased, and the native troops believed that it was a delib-: erate attempt to make them come in contact. with animal substance, which they abhorred, aud merc their religion forbade them to ouch, ; : The disaffection spread like wild fire, and. the Sepoys, of whom the bulk of the British army in India was composed, mutinied, mur- dered their white officers, and made war on too © ash of lightning which Sir Charles. ~ ; the Europeans and all natives who remained . in their service. f The Rene at Calcutta was so great, that. Colonel Kelly, and various ‘other collectors, were'directed to use their discretion about — abandoning the treasure at their stations, or” attempting to save it. - Like most of Indian officers, Colonel Kelly doubted the spread of the mutiny, until’ it- assumed so threatening an appearance that. he was forced to believe that an attempt: to: moye the large amount of. money in his pos- session without a strong guard would pro- yoke an attack, — So he determined to remain \ a
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. —$—$————— -with it, until troops could be sent to escort it to a place of safety. The white troops in India, however, were so ‘few in number that weeks passed before any could be spared for that purpose. At length Colonel Kelly was notified that a pore any of infantry had started to his re- ief. The day before the troops were expected to arrive a band of mutineers made an attack on the station, plundered the treasure, and but for the opportune arrival of Tom and Phil, would, as the reader has already been inform- ed, have murdered Colonel Kelly and his daughter, A few minutes after’Colonel Kelly conclud- ed his narration, the Sepoys, who had not sco eey, gutted his residence, set it on e. The house was dry as tinder, and it was soon reduced to a heap of smoldering ruins. But. the Sepoys evinced no disposition to Jeave, as it was hoped they would do after the douse was destroyed. ~ On the contrary, they seemed to be expect- _ ing reinforcements, for they were constantl . no white person would stan looking down the road, and several mounte sagas went off at intervals in the same direc- tion. A short time before sundown one of the mounted messengers came spurring back and imparted some information to the Sepoys, who at once began to yell Leudly A few minutes afterwards a dull, rumbling moisé was heard, and the» a party of Sepoys appeared with some buuocks dragging a six- pound cannon. This sight almost froze the blood in the hearts of those in the stable. a! “I am afraid it is all up with us,” said Col- nel Kelly, grinding his teeth together. “‘ They will batter the stable down, and kill us like wats in their holes.” : _ CHAPTER XV. DESPERATE DEEDS—IN THE TOILS OF DEVILS. ““OaAn’r we hold out until the troops arrive ?” asked Tom. : ‘1 think not,” replied Colonel Kelly. ‘If the gun is properly served the stable will be knocked to pieces long before they get here.” “Wow far off are they now ?” “They ought not to be more than fifteen miles away.’ “Tf a message were sent to them, could they not make a forced march and get here before the stable can be battered down?” “Perhaps so, but I don’t think a messenger ‘could reach them.” * Tell me what direction to take, and T’ll try ‘* An’ so will I,” put in Phil. There was a gleam of genuine admiration in ‘Colonel Kelly's eyes when he heard these offers, but he shook his héad and replied : “Tt would just be throwing sour lives away ; it. chance to get through; a native might suc- ceed, if he could run the gauntlet of the Sepoys that surrounded us.” * Then, why not send one of your men?” **T don’t like to order aman to go to what Ihave no doubt will be certain destruction.” “But if something is not done we will all be killed.” ¥ “That is so, therefore the attemp® may as well be made, but the man who goes must do so willingly.” Hamet immediately offered to undertake ‘the desperate enterprise. But Colonel Kelly said that Buram, one of the grooms, who was a small, wiry fellow, and a magnificent horseman, would stand the best chance to succeed. : : Turning to Buram, and addressing him in Hindostanee, the colonel offered him a thou- sand rupees if he would carry a message to the commander of the British troops that were on the march to the place. Money will do anything with a native, and the groom at once signified his willingness to make the perilous attempt. While he was saddling and bridling a horse, Colonel Kelly wrote a short note with a pen- cil on the blank leaf of a letter which he hap- pened to have in his pocket. When everything was ready, and Buram had received the note and his instructions, ‘Colonel Kelly, Tom, Phil and Hamet placed themselves at the windows of the stable with their’ guns, ready to fire on any one who should attempt to intercept the messenger. The other groom then threw open the door, - | his horse, the ghost of a) TOM ‘TOPP. and Buram, who was already mounted, dash- ed out into the road, and urged his horse to- wards the low wall which inclosed it. A fierce yell went up from the Sepoys, and aes whistled around Buram as thick as ajl. He was apparently untouched until his horse rose to leap the wall, when a party of Sepoys, who were concealed behind it, sprang ED and discharged their muskets in his very ‘ace. _ Horse and rider went down together, and in another instant a dozen Sepoys were bay- oneting the unfortunate Buram, or cutting him with their swords. But the villains were not allowed to indulge in their bloody work with impunity ; a volley fired from the stable laid three of them dead by the body of their victim and the rest sought shelter. The fate of Buram made Tom and his com- panions shudder, but they did not waver in their determination to sell their lives dearly and never surrender as long as they ha strength to pull a trigger. The Sepoys having charge of the cannon now brought it up, and while they were get- ting it into position, a palling fire was opened on them from the stable, But the Sepoys stood their ground bravely, until they had loaded and fired the gun twice. The first shot passed over the stable but the next tore off part of the roof. The fire of Tom and his companions, how- ever, proved so distressing that the Sepoys shifted the piece ‘to a position at one end of the stable where they were secure from an- noyance, for there was no window in the building. Ina few minutes the cannon was fired again, and the shell with which it was loaded burstin the loft of the stable. ‘Saddle the horses,” ordered Colonel Kel- ly ‘‘ we will have to make a dash for it.” Fortunately there were six horses in the stable, just enough to mount the party, and they were all fine animals, The horses were quickly caparisoned, but not before a strong scent of something burn- ing filled the stable. he shell had set the hay in the loft on fire, and in a few moments the roaring of the flamse could be distinctly heard. 3 “Mount,” said the colonel, “‘and when you reach the road turn to the right.” The next moment every One was on horse- back, and Hamet was about to throw open the doors when the six-pounder was dis- charged again, the ball crashing through the side of the stable and carrying off the head of Flora Kelly’s horse. As the animal was falling, Tom, who hap- pened to be close to Flora’s side, caught her in his arms and lifted her in front of him on 6c hurt “No, sir,” replied the heroic girl, who during all this time had not uttered a word of fear. ““Then you had better ride behind me.” “T think not, Colonel Kelly,” interposed Tom. ‘Iam lighter than you are, and am unhurt.” _. ‘You are right, save herif you can. And if the worst comes to the worst, let every one keep _a pistol-ball for themselves. Better suicide than the fate which awaits all who are captured alive.” The forage in the loft was now one mass of flre, and_the flames were bursting out of the roof, and from under the eaves. The Sepoys, feeling sure of their prey, were closing around the stable, and yelling like demons. The horses were becoming very restive, and some one suggested that they be blindfolded, lest they should be disposed to run back into the burning building, but Colonel Kelly scouted the idea, saying: ’ “They are all true sons of the desert, who fear neither fire, water, beast nor devil. Let us be off, there is not a moment to be lost.” The door was thrown open and out of the flaming stable the little party charged like a thunderbolt into the midst of the host of human tigers, shooting, cutting down, and riding over everything in their way. Phil and Hamet dashed out: first, closely followed by Tom and Flora, while Colonel Kelly and the groom brought ay the rear. The Sepoys were taken completely by sur- pes cried Colonel Kelly, “are you 9 re eS and many of them were killed before hey were aware of their peril. ? Tom and his companions AE right onward, silent in all save the roar of their revolvers, There was a confused mass of men who fired wildly and without aim, and were then rent asunder or destroyed. When the smoke cleared away the yard was strewn with dead and wounded Sepoys. In the meantime the fiery steeds had clear- ed the low wall at a bound, and were tearing along the broad road like a whirlwind. Though hundreds of bullets were fired at the party after they emerged from the stable, strange to say, none of them were hit except the groom. He was riddled with balls, and fell near Buram, but his horse leaped the wall and kept on with the others. Some of the Sepoys mounted and started in pursuit, but they soon saw that it was impos- sible for them to overtake the fugitives, and returned to their comrades. Hamet secured the groom’s horse, and Flora Kelly insisted upon riding it, though it had a man's saddle on it, but she was such a good horsewoman that she retained her seat with ease, notwithstanding their speed. The headlong flight had continued for about two miles, when, at a sudden turn in the road, Tom and his friends encountered about twenty cavalrymen, who heard them coming and drew-up across the highway to bar their passage. i As well mighé a handful of saplings try to stop an avalanche, when it is plunging down the mountain side. Without drawing rein, or stopping to count noses, Tom and his comrades hurled them- selves upon the enemy’s line, thundered pea it, firing right and left and continued their flight. It was over in the twinkling of an eye, but when it was done some half dozen saddles were empty, and the remaining Sepoys were so much demoralized that if Was several seconds before they regained presence of mind sufficient to fire a scattering volley and give chase, When the Sepoys fired, Colonel Kelly’s — horse turned off from the road almost at right angle, and darted off into the woods. ‘What is the matter, colonel?’ shouted Tom, checking his horse. “Go ahead,” cried Colonel Kelly, ‘fm going to take a short cut.” u There was no time for explanation; the pursuing Sepoys were close at hand, so Tom and the rest of his port pe oue kept on their way and Colonel Kelly disappeared in the orest. : Brave oldman. His left arm was disabled before, and the Sepoy’s volley shattered his right, and wounded his horse, so that it became frantic with pain and ran away with him, while he was entirely powerless to guide, much less check, its mad career. Yet, though well aware that there was - every prospect of his perishing miserably in the jungle, Colonel Kelly thought only of the safety of his daughter and friends, and de- ceived Tom, because he knew that otherwise the whole party would follow him, even if doing so would insure their destruction. The sun went down about the time Tom and his friends left the stable, and the dark- ness set in With the suddenness peculiar to tropical climates. o that a few minutes after the Sepoy cavalry were encountered it was difficult to distinguish objects. : But the starlight enabled Tom and his com- ~ rades Lo keep in the road, and they continued their flight with unabated speed. Mile after mile was passed, but the pursuers did not give up the chase. j At Jength a large fire came suddenly in sight some two hundred yards distant. ‘Hurrah !” cried Tom, urging his horse for- ward, ‘‘there are our friends at last.” *“Stop, Sahib! It the name of the holy pro- phet, stop!” exclaimed Hamet, “‘ they are ene- mies” Hamet was right. © The rallying notes of a bugle were heard, and a company of Sepoys could be plainly dis- tinguished as they formed in line across the road in front of the camp-fire. The Sepoys in front were so numerous that it would have been madness to charge them, and the jae cayalry were close at hand, On either side was the impenetrable jungle, shrouded in stygian gloom, in whose depths aren danger and death in a thousand ‘orms,
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y 10 Tom and his friends were caught, asit were, ‘between two inexorable jaws which were closing to crush them. CHAPTER X. TOM TOPP SHOOTS A TIGER. DANGER ees the timid, but quickens the intellect of the brave. ; Tom Topp had only a few seconds to delib- erate, but in that time he determined that it would be courtin, i destruction to advance or retreat along the highway. “Tet us take to the woods,” he said, “it is only a chance.” As they approached the trees the keen eyes of Hamet discovered a small opening in the thick vegetation. “There is a path,” he said, ina low tone, iding his horse towards it. Following Hamet, the party entered the patbslea ng into the trees and thick brush- wood. As they disappeared in the jungle, the cav- alry which were pursuing them came along the road at a gallop, and were fired upon by the Sepoys drawn up across the road. Then there was some shouting, which prob- ably caused the two parties of natives to recognize each other, for the firing ceased. The path was so narrow that there was only space for one horse to pass at a time, Beneath the shadowstof the trees the dark- ness was intense, so Tom and his comrades Baye the horses their reins, and bending low avoid the overhanging branches, dashed along at a venture. A wild gallop was that night ride, For miles they rode in Indian file beneath the gigantic trees, whose limbs showed like fanciful tracery pralisy the starlit sky. Aroused from their lairs by the noise, fero- cious beasts of prey crept off, growling sav- agely, and serpents hissing fiercely, coiled themselves to strike, but before they could make the fatal spring the cavalcade rushed by. Behind there was torture and death, in front the unknown. Being uncertain whether they were pursued or not, no one thought of drawing rein, until a ae tinge of gray in the eastern sky and a chill in the air indicated that daylight was at hand. The roars of prowling tigers which at inter- vals had broken the silence were no longer heard, and the only sound audible was the melancholy cry of the great horned owl. The constant attention necessary to avoid being thrown from the saddle, when the horses Poe over the numerous obstructions in the path, had kept every one too fully oc- cupied to admit of much conversation during the ride through the jungle. As soon as they halted, and Tom ascer- tained that Flora Kelly had suffered no seri- ous inconvenience from the long ride, he asked Hamet what had best be done. But Hamet was completely at a loss, and did not know what to advise. ; He knew that the public road which they had left led to the town of Baumeengant, but did not know anything about the locality in which they were. After some little consultation it was deter- mined to move forward cautiously until water was found, and then retire a short distance from the path and rest themselves and the horses. About an hour’s ride brought them to a clear, shallow stream, with a firm, sandy bottom. ‘ ““Wehad better leave the path here.” said Tom, ‘‘and as water leaves no trail, let us ride down in the bed of the stream.” This suggestion was acted upon, but after proceeding some two ‘hundred yards, their urther progress was barred by a fall in the stream, below which there was a deep pool.. So the horses were allowed to drink, and - then urged up the shelying bank into the forest. The horses were unsaddled, but it was not considered safe to turn them loose to graze, so while Hamet was rubbing them down, Tom and Phil, with their swords, cut an abundant supply of the tall grass. - their haversacks, an a hearty meal. thus cared for, Tom and peo ueions remaining in the whole-party made The steeds Phil ein roduced the Hyvery one was tired, so the saddle-blankets were spread on the grass, and Flora, Philand aed “soon fell asléep, while Tom kept watch. show narrowly she TOM TOPL. The cool morning breeze had died away, and the air felt hot and suffocating. The stillness of death pervaded the woods. Not a sound broke the solemn silence save the wild, unearthly cry of the great black monkey—a deep long-drawn “‘wooh! wooh!” which, rising suddenly and at long intervals, echoed among the hollow arches of the forest. All nature seemed to be overpowered by the approaching midday heat. Tom felt it a difficult task to keep awake, and several times found himself nodding. Fearing that he might go to sleep, he went to the deep pool below the falls, which was about thirty yards distant, and bathed his face snd hands, Happening to glance back as he was wip- ing his face, he thought that he cau ht a glimpse of a brindled mass ehdin ike a snake across an openspace in the bushes near the piperete The object that attracted Tom’s attention ce pear ee. so quickly that he was uncertain whether he had seen anything or not. The nextmoment, however, he saw the grim head of an immense tiger cautiously thrust out of the bushes, The fiery green orbs of the striped monster were fixed on Flora Kelly, who was somewhat nearer to him than any one else. Tom stood as though rooted to the spot, and a deadly fear thrilled through his heart, such as no danger to himself could ever have pro- duced. He was as if paralyzed, and incapable of speech or motion. : It was like a horrible dream, made more vivid by the intense feeling of reality there was about it. How long Tom remained in this condition he did not know, ero bly not more than a few Ape though it seemed like an age of tor- ure, Dragging its belly along the ground, the tiger moved with Meals tread toward the sleeping girl. At length the bloodthirsty creature is with- in springing distance of his intended victim. His tail switches impatiently, his ears are laid flat upon his neck, and his whiskered lips are drawn back so as to show his long, gleaming tusks. 5 Glaring on the unconscious girl fiercely, the tiger gathered himself together for the fatal spring. In another second Flora Kelly will be a mangled corpse, But at. that moment Tom recovers his powers, and quick as lightning draws his revolver, and fires at the tiger’s head. The ball took effect, causing the blood to flow copiously, but in nowise disabling the animal, Uttering an eupal es roar, he sprang past Flora Kelly and dashed with terrific bounds towards Tom. Tom stood his ground until he fired two more shots, but when the tiger arched his back and lowered its head to spring on him, he leaped back, eubudely and fell, Just as Tom fell, the tiger dashed at him, as if thrown by the impetus of some projectile engine, passed over him, and fell into the pool below the falls. Dyeing the water with its blood, the fero- cious creature, though sorely wounded, start- ed to swim back to the bank where Tom was. But Tom was quickly on his feet, and before the savage brute could land, sent a ball through his brain; it struggled desperately to keep above water, but soon sank. Flora, Phil and Hamet, who had been rudely awakened by the report of a pistol and ake roar of the’ tiger, now came running to Tom’s assistance, but were only in time to see the slain monster disappear beneath the water. y Flora Kelly turned pale when she was told had escaped a horrible death, and was profuse in her thanks to Tom for saving her life. ~ Tom and Phil were anxious to look at the tiger, so they cut some Jong poles, and suc- ceeded in pulling it up to the shore, where Hamet went to their assistance, and they dragged it out on dry land. The immense size of the tiger excited great surprise, and every one congratulated them- ae that Tom had been so fortunate as to ill it. = Little did they imagine that Tom’s achieve- ment would put a party of human tigers on their track. . But at the very time they were examining ; returnin Sn ee eee ean the huge brute, a native Shikaree, who had been following the trail of the tiger, was watching them from a thicket not far dis- tant, and mentally calculating how much a band of Sepoys, who were camping in the neighborhood, would give him for guiding them to where the fugitives were. After satisfying himself as to the strength of the party, and eating many longing Bates at the horses, the Shikaree withdrew rom the vicinity so noiselessly that he was not aisehrere and started on his yiliainous. errand. CHAPTER XI. MURDER MOST FOUL—IN A CRITICAL PQSI- TION, Wirnovur suspecting the danger that. threatened them, Tom and his comrades re- mained where they were until the cool of the: evening, then returned to the path and con- tinued on their way. After they had proceeded some five miles. the path became wider, and they came in sight of a large house and out-house. ismounting and leaving their horses with Phil and Flora,'Tom and Hamet crept for-: ward through the bushes to,reconnoiter. There was a considerable clearing around the house, and Tom and Hamet stopped in the Pane of the woods and_ examined the buildings closely, but did not see any living creature; the place.seemed to be deserted. Finally, Hamet told Tom to remain where. he was and he would go to the house, Tom objected to this, but Hamet insisted that if the place was occupied by natives. they would not be likely harm him, so he was permitted to go alone. Hamet hesitated when he approached the house, then drew a revolver, advanced, look- ed in the open doors and windows, and hastily retraced his steps. When he got back to Tom his sallow face was of an ashen hue, and there-was a wild, startled look in his eyes. “What's the matter?” asked Tom, “The Sepoys,” replied Hamet. * Are they at the house?” **No, they have gone.” “Did you see any one?” ‘None but the dead.” - aay white people among them?” ‘ es. ” ‘Have you any idea when the Sepoys were there?” “To-day.” ** How do you know?” “The bodies have not commenced to de- cay.” ‘Well, we must search the place for pro- visions, we are about out.” “The house has been plundered.” “No matter, there may be something left.” Hamet, however, was so much opposed to that he was left with Flora, and. Tom and Phil went to the house. ‘ When they reached it, they saw a spectacle. horrible beyond description, The occupants of the house had evidently been surprised and “murdered before they could prepare for resistance. Q Some had apparently been shot or cut down before they were aware of their peril, while _ others seamed to have been killed while at- tempting to escape, Corpses were seen on eyety side, and the whole place smelled of blood—sickeningly. Apparently none had been eens for Phere mere odies of women and children among the: slain, In nearly every part of the house there. were evidences of the brutal ferocity of the murderers. Nearly all of the dead were horribly muti- lated, and one man was found who had evi- dently been literally flayed alive. Large strips of skin dangled from him like a tat- tered garment, Reet Most*of the slain were natives, but in a. large room were found the corpses of a mid- dle-aged man, that of a young woman some- what younger, and those of two children, all of whom were white. D While in this chamber, Tom and Phil were startled by hearing something stir. Revolvers in«hand they approached an. alcove at one end of the room, and drew back the curtain which hung over its entrance. Lying on a low couch they saw a beautiful girl about sixteen years of age who was yet. alive, 4
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She was Bag ed with a pocket handker- chief, and er life's blood was slowly oozing from a deep gash in her faultless breast. Tom remoyed the handkerchief from the poor girl’s mouth, and her lips moved as if she would speak, Tom and Phil leaned down their ears to catch the words, but the only thing the could hear was the breath gurgling throug ené fast-filling lungs like the sound of air- bubbles forcing their way through water. In vain she attempted tospeak. There was a rattling noise in her throat, her jaws drop- ed, her eyes closed, her limbs, with a shud- nerine motion, stretched out to their full ex- tent, and she was dead. The two boys had seen much blood shed during the past forty-eight hours, and their lives had for days been in constant danger, but nothing had moved them so deeply as witnessing the death of this fair youn girl. Without a word they turned and IJeft the alcove, their hearts filled with pity and.a pirating desire to avenge her. Thinking that there might be some one else alive about the place, they went all through the house, but found no one who showed any signs of life. "he house had been plundered of nearly everything, and the rest of its contents in a great measure destroyed. Mirrors were shivered into fragments, pic- tures slashed or torn out of their frames, and the furniture broken to pieces. But in the pantry a Se UEY of cooked food was found untouched, for a Hindoo would starve before he would eat food which was repared ina vessel that was ever used by Huropeans or natives of adifferent caste from himself. Anxious to pikes away from the house, Tom and Phil filled their haversacks with the pro- visions, and rejoined Flora and Hamet. “Tet us leave here,” said Hamet, as the two boys mounted their horses, Not wishing to alarm Flora Kelly, Tomand Phil-rode on a short distance in adyance and talked in low tones of what they had seen at the house. A short distance beyond the house the peee forked, and the party took the right and path, which seemed to be the plainest. As they advanced the path grew wilder and wilder, and finally ended abruptly on the edge of an immense morass, through which there had once been a causeway—traces of which were yet visible—but it was now im- passable. It was utterly impossible to cross the mor- ass, and it would have been madness to puemtt to penetrate the jungle, and go around it, so there was nothing to be done except to Bo back and take the other path. This had a depressing effect on eyery one, not so much on account of the distance they had lost—though that was at least five miles —but because it reminded them forcibly of the fact that they were wandering about without knowing which way to turn for safety. Night, too, was near at hand, for they did not start from where they had rested until late in the day, and there were strong indica- tions of rain. Blcomy, gray color crept over the ky and the air prearS Hamet, spurring to be a storm,” “I hope we won’t be caught out in it,” ex- claimed Flora, urging her steed into a gallop. _ “Why,” said Tom, ‘‘ you are not afraid of a little rain, are you?”- * Oh,” she replied, ‘you don’t know what an Indian storm is,” Away they scampered, paoueD Tom and Phil did not clearly understand the nature of the danger they were flying from. But they soon had reason to feel that the peril was great and imminent, There was not a breath of air stirring, yet all nature—plants, trees, men and beasts—|h seemed to quiver and tremble with appre- hension. & The whole animal world seemed to be in commotion, as if seized with an overwhelm- ne peal. F = s if by magic, the jungle which was lately c= TOM 'TOPP. so silent, and apparently deserted, was now teeming with life. Animals, snakes and birds were running, scampering and flying in every direction. And on every side was heard the roars and howls of beasts, the chattering of monkeys, and the frightened cries of birds. A cloud of inky blackness arose above the tree-tops, and a low, mysterious sound came Sweeping from afar. It seemed as though the elements were col- lecting their energies for some tremendous outbreals. The horses, as though gifted with under- standing, stretched out in a wild race, and bounded along with unflagging energy. The house which they had lately passed was soon again in sight, and reeking with slaugh- ter as 1t was, it was a welcome sight to every one. Dashing up to the stable, which was to the rear of the house, the party hastily dis- mounted. Phil and Hamet remained to stable the hotses, while Tom led Flora into the back door of the dwelling, and up-stairs into aroom in which there were no dead bodies. Phil soon joined Tom and Flora, and re- ported that Hamet intended to remain in the stable with the horses. -As he said this, the faint twilight was quenched in the darkness of midnight. Then there was a vivid flash of lightning, a peal of thunder that seemed to shake the earth, and the tempest burst forth, crushing and destroying. : The house trembled like a leaf, and the sound of falling trees and the roaring of the blast was deafening. Suddenly the hurricane ceased, and all was hushed; the change was so sudden, that it was startling and unnatural; it was like a pause in a battle.. “YT wish we had a light,” said Flora. “ Hist!” whispered ‘l’om, “what is that?” “T didn’t hear anything,” “Listen.” The tempest now began to rage again, and mingled with the howling of the wind, and the groaning and creaking of the trees, was an indistinct sound like that of human voices. ““Tt’s the storm.” “No. Keep still, I think I heard people talking.” There was a moment or two of breathless suspense, and then all doubt was at an end, There were shouts, the patter of many feet, and a large number of men rushed tumultu- ously into the house to escape the rain, which just begun to fall in torrents. Judging from their exclamations, the new- comers were much rejoiced at reaching shel- ter. They spoke in Hindostanee, which Flora Kelly understood, and interpreted in whis- pers to the two boys. “Tt’s lucky we did not burn the house,” cried one, “Yes,” replied another, ‘if we had to stay out in this storm we might be killed by the falling trees,” Then aboye the confused babble of many tongues and the clanking of arms which were being laid aside, an authoritative voice was heard saying: “Strike ¢ ight, some of you, and throw the carrion out of doors.” “Bad luck to thim,”’ whispered Phil “they’re the same murtherin’ villains that were here to-day.” . The hands of Flora Kelly sought and found those of Tom and Phil, and she said in a low, firm voice: “T want you both to promise me that will kill me, rather than see me captured.” The two boys both remembered the condi- tion in which yey ned seen the poor girl die in the morning. They returned the pressure of Flora’s hand, and simultaneously replied : fW e-will.” . ‘But don’t give up yet,” said Tom. “We may get— ush! there is some one com- ou ing. eay steps were heard on the stairs, and then a light, which some one was carrying, shone under the door. Tom, Phil and Flora stood shoulder to atts with a revolver ready cocked in each and, ‘* Now for it,” whispered Tom. : But the door was not opened. Two men passed by it, and entered an adjoining room. Tom crept to the partition wall, and peered through a crevice in the thin partition. His heart leaped into his mouth,'and he k le * a Sn could scarcely repress an exclamation of aston- ishment. The man who carried the light was John Croley. ~ e He was dressed in the uniform of a BEpOY officer, and wore a turban on his head; but there was no mistaking that cruel looking mouth, and that hideous, solitary eye, having the glare of hell itself. CHAPTER XII. COLONEL KELLY AND CAPTAIN HELM, A MORE hopeless condition than that of Colonel Kelly can scarcely be imagined ; both of his arms were disabled, and his spirited horse rendered frantic by the pain of a slight wound, rushed off into the jungle. The colonel scarcely thought his life was worth a moment’s purchase, but he determin- ed to stick to his steed as long as possible. On dashed the frightened horse, tearin through thickets and leaping over rocks an fallen trees, as if he would never tire. Colonel Kelly retained his seat with diffi- culty, and had hard work to avoid having his neck broken, or his teeth knocked ont by the overhanging limbs. Mile after mile was left behind, and yet the mad race was continued, The spirit of a demon seemed to possess the horse. He burst through the interlaced vines and dense masses of thorny plants with unabated speed, making springs and leaps that more resembled those of a hunted deer than that of a horse. Colonel Kelly was bruised and battered un- til he was sore all over. His body and limbs were stuck full of thorns, and nearly all his clothing was torn off. More than once he was tempted to throw himself to the ground, and probably would have done soif he had not noticed that the horse was going towards the sea shore, straight as the crow flies, t *‘Confound you,” said the colonel to the un- heeding horse, ‘‘if you don’t stop when you reach the beach, ll risk a tumble on the sand anyhow.” The speed, no lessthan the difficult nature of the ground over which he passed, at length began to tell on the horse. The sweat poured off him, and he panted and groaned while he bounded along as if half wild with terror. Thé colonel noticed these indications of dis- tress and it gave him fresh courage, for he thought that the horse would soon be so dead beat that he could not go any further. His career, however, was ended in a most unexpected manner, Just as he was about to enter a patch of grass taller than a man’s head, the horse planted his fore legs in front him, stopped suddenly as if he had run against a stone wall and stood with outstretched neck, dilated nostrils and glaring eyes, trembling in every limb, and snorting with fear at some object he had encountered. ) The suddenness with which the horse halt- ed sent Colonel Kelly through the air, and de- posited him on the ground in the position of a spread eagle, some yards in advance, Thanks to the softness of the spot uporm which he fell, the colonel was none the worse for his tumble. He at once drew himself up into a sitting position, and to his infinite as- tonishment found himself face to face with'a man, who had apparently crouched in the grass for concealment. Both were startled by the unexpected meet- ing, but fortunately there was still light enough for each to see that the other was white, and that had a tendency to reassure them ; for at the time I write of, in India, the color of men’s skins determined with almost - unfailing certainty whether they were friends or enemies. Colonel Kelly was the first to recover his presence of mind, and he asked: ** Who are you?” ‘Captain Helm of the American merchant service,” was the reply. ‘‘And you?” “Colonel Kelly, late of the British Army. now in the civil service of the Honorable East India Company.” ** Are you much hurt, colonel?’ : “Both of my arms are disabled, and the right one is bleeding: I wish you would tie it up for me.” Captain Helm bandaged the arm as well as. he could, and the colonel said: “Thank you. Nowif I could get a little water I would feel much better.” “There is water within two hundred yards. s
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12 TOM ‘'TOPP. ofus,” replied Captain. Helm, “but I have nothing to bring itin. Can you walk?” “Certainly; but before we go I wish you would secure my horse or he may go away, and notwithstanding the scurvy trick he play- ed me, I would hate to lose him.” The horse, however, looked as if he were much more likely to die than run awe He showed eyery symptom of extreme distress— flanks heaving; tail quivering, and legs tot- tering as if he could scarcely stand. But to make matters sure, Captain Helm hobbled him with one of the bridle reins and then led the way to the water. After Colonel Kelly had quenched his thirst he asked the captain how he happened to be where he was. The reader is already aware of what hap- pened to Captain Helm prior to the time Tom and Phil left him at the beach and went in search of water; his account of what occurred afterwards was as follows: ‘A few minutes after the boys left me I fell asleep. se When IT awakened, a Sepoy was standing by my side punching me with the butt of a musket to arouse me. “There was murder in the man’s looks, and T at once seized hold of the gun and wrenched it from him. “Startled by the suddenness of the act, he recoiled and drew hissword, I sprang to my feet and tried to shoot him, but the gun missed fire. “Then he closed with me, and I got hold of his arm and kept him from using his sword. “While we were struggling with each other another Sepoy, whom ad not seen, came out of the woods behind me and felled me to the ground by sro rne mea blow on the head with the stock of his musket. ' “ After I was down the villain pevoncied me; fortunately, the point of the bayonet struck against one of my ribs and glanced along it without penetrating deeper. 2 “The pain was so severe that I fainted, and as the wound bled freely, the Sepoys no doubt: thought I was dead. “When I again became conscious, I had resence of mind not to give any sign of life. he rascals had dragged me in the bushes and commenced to strip me, « Just at that moment I heard the voices of Tom and Phil, who had returned and were searching for me. “The Sepoys jerked up their ean and fired at them, but I suppose missed their aim, for they immediately started off in pursuit, and ret the poor boys were overtaken and mur- ered.” “No,” exclaimed Colonel Kelly, interrupt- ing him, ‘‘ the boys escaped, and { trust are now in a igs of safety; but finish your story, and I’ll tell you about them.” “jam glad to hear that tae boys escaped,” replied Captain Helm, “for braver or truer las never lived. I have very little more to tell about myself. After the Sepoys left me I scrambled off into the woods, tore up my shirt, iets my wound, and staggere along until I was lucky enough to find this pool of water. : “ After saviet stats my fill I felt much refresh- ed, and started off in search for food, as I was nearly famished. “T heard you coming, and fearing you might be an enemy, hid in the grass; your horse did not see me until close to me, and then no doubt thinking I was a savage ani- mal, svopned which I dare say was a lucky thing for oth of us.” ; When the captain concluded, Colonel Kelly gave a brief account of what had Hepbened at his house; spoke in high terms of the con- duct of Tom and Phil, and expressed himself as being confident that they, Flora and Hamet would readily reach a place of safety. By the time the colonel finished. it was quite dark, and Captain Helm asked : “What shall we do now?” “Get away from this orig as soon as pos- sible,” replied the colonel. ‘It is dreadfully infested by pers and panthers, and if we re- main much longer, the scent of the blood from our wounds may cause some of these fly-by-night, gentlemen to find us and make a mealonus.” ~ , 5 He had searcely ceased speaking when some dark shadowly-looking figures were seen gliding as noiselessly as ghosts through the bushes close at hand, and there was a] - burst of horrible, discordant laughter, imme- a Ny followed by fiendish shrieks of merri- ment. ° baht “‘ Great heavens !” exclaimed Captain Helm, springing to his feet, every hair on his head standing on end, ‘“‘whatis that?” “ Quick!” replied the colonel, “‘ take the re- volvers out of my belt—I can’t use them—and don’t waste a shot, for there is life or death in every bullet.” CHAPTER XIII. CROLEY—OR THE DOOM OF SERTERS. SoME pene PNeWLUUs to the time of which I write, John Croley—then a common sailor— stabbed the second mate of the vessel he was puploye on, while she was lying at Calcutta, and escaped by swimming ashore. Being afraid of remaining in Calcutta, Cro- ley went up into. the country, and finall reached Lucknow, the capital of Oude, whic was then an independent state, ruled over by a native king, celebrated alike for his bar- baric magnificence and ferocious tyramny. Croley took service under the king, and by. his shrewdness and boldness attracted the notice of his royal master. Being entirely unscrupulous, Croley did not hesitate to embrace the Mahometan religion, after which his advancement was rapid, and he soon had a position of trust and impor- tance at court. In India, from time immemorial, it has been the custom of 1ulers and their officers to oppress and plunder the lower orders. roley was not slow to take advantage of the opportunities his position gave him, but began to Geert Sie ONL enrich himself, and lived in a style that he had never before even dreamed of. ’ But the ordinary means of extortion did not long satisfy Croley’s avarice, for his greed increased with his gains. He formed a conspiracy with Bajee Rao, the king’s treasurer, to appropriate to their own use a lerge amount of money which would otherwise have gone into tke royal coffers. This was a grievous mistake, as Croley soon found out to his cost. > He might have gone on plundering the com- mon paonle with impunity, for if they com- plained they would have been answered by the bastinado. * } But when the revenues of the king were touched, that was a very different thing. Not that the indolent king, if left to him- self, would have been at all likely to discover the peculation, for so careless was he about money matters, that when an account of ex- penditures was submitted for his inspection —written, aS was customary, on a contin- uous sheet of paper—he had it measured with a yardstick, and approved it without any fur- ther examination. But there were many about the court who regarded Croley’s rapid advancement with dealousy: and were eager to bring about his downfall. These disaffected persons soon discovered what Croley and Bajee Rao were about, and went to work to get positive proof, before pene ne: the matter to the attention of the king. Bajee Rao got wind of what was going on, and hastened to secure his own safety by be- ing the first to make a charge against Croley, upon whom he threw all the blame. Though Bajee Rao did not hesitate to be- tray Croley, he did not desire his arrest. or Cromey knew too many things of a damaging nature about Bajee Rao. Croley was therefore warned of his danger, and saved himself by a precipitate flight to the British Possessions. On reaching a place of safety, he sent back to Lucknow to haye his property sold and the money brought to him. The answer he received was prompt if not satisfactory. His effects had been confiscated by the king, and a native woman whom he married in Lucknow, being thus left without support, was anxious to join him. Having no desire to be encumbered with a wife, he had married for money and never cared for, Croley left the country. The loner: which he wore, and some money which he happened to have about him when he fled, enabled him to live in idleness for about a year, and then his necessities forced him to ship as a Sailor. ; He now felt like the man who killed the goose that laid,the golden egg. The recollection of what he had lost was like wormwood and gall to Croley. 4 JOHN THE DE- er The hardship and privations of a sailor's life caused. him to continually curse and deplore the folly which led him to forfeit a position that enabled him to live in luxurious ease. and offered him every gratification his sensual nature craved. : He never ceased wishing to reinstate him- self in the favor of the King of Oude, and kept himself well posted about Indian affairs. At length an incident occurred which ap- peared to be a death blow to Croley’s hopes. . The British added the kingdom of Oude to their other possessions, and the king, shorn of his power, was forced to take up his residence in Calcutta, and depend for his suppor upon a stipend allowed him by those who had taken possession of his territory, and appropiated to their own use its enormous revenues, The next year (1857) the Sepoy mutiny broke out, and Croley’s fertile brain at once devised several plans for taking advantage of the state of affairs. Compared with the native population, the British in.India were a mere handful, an Croley believed that they would soon be killed or driven out of the country. But whether the mutiny succeeded or not, Croley knew that the King of Oude and other native princes would do theirutmost tomake it successful and pay liberally for assist- ance, Being in New York city he went to Tom Topps uncle, William Alston, with whom he- EX been engaged in certain transactions, and after some preliminary remarks, said: “There is a chance to make afortune out of this Sepoy mutiny.” ‘How?’ asked Alston, ‘By sending out a cargo of small arms and selling them to the King of Oude.” “He isin Calcutta, and to all intents and UTD ges ajprisoner.” “T know it, but the kingdom of Onde is peopled by upwards of three millions of the most turbulent and warlike race in India. They will be heart and soul in this movement, and the king’s agent will jump at achance to buy improved arms for them. * Oude is hundreds of miles from the sea,” “No matter ; let the arms be landed on the coast, and the natives will take them and pay the money down.” “Would there not be great danger of the vessel being captured by a British cruiser?” “Not if the affair is properly managed. All you have to do is to buy the arms, charter a ship, and place me in command ; I'll attend to everything else.” Alston thought favorably of the enterprise, but he was not willing to trust Croley with” so much money. . Therefore, it was determined that Croley should proceed to India and make the best terms he could for the sale of the arms, which Alston agreed to purchase within sixty days, freight a ship with them and proceed to the French port of Pondicherry in the southern part of India, and there await intelligence from Croley. It was agreed that ,Croley should have one quarter of the profits, and he professed him- self satisfied with the whole arrangement ; but in fact, he was by no means pleased at the turn things had taken, for he intended to keep every copper he received for the arms, stay abroad and let Alston whistle for his money. It was diamond cut diamond, or taking the character of the two men into consideration,— Deeps it would be more correct to say, dog eat dog. j After the interview was ended and Alston was left alone, he said to himself: “T know you a little too well, Mr. Croley, to trust you with my money.” While Croley, who was striding down the street, muttered under his breath: ‘*You think yourself very smart, William Alston, but if I get you ashore among the Se- poys you will be glad to give every cent you ave to escape with a whole skin.” Alston furnished Croley with money to pay his way to India, but he gambled it off, and in consequence applied for and obtained the position of first mate of the Comet. After deserting their comrades on the burn- ing ship, Croley and his companions steered for the coast of India. Having a sail as well as oars in the boat, : and being favored with fair weather, they — made the land in a little over twenty-four ~ hours. Running the boat up into a little stream, ~ they landed, intending to supply themselves a
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with water and provisions, and then coast along until they reached a British port. Fortunately for Croley, the Sepoys that cap- tured him and his compan ipis were acting as escort to Bajee Rao, who had been in atten- dance on the King of Oude, at Calcutta, but succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the Brit- ish, and was on the way. to Lucknow, with orders from his king to encourage and direct “he rebellion among his former subjects. Croley at once requested a private interview with Bajee Rao, told him about the cargo of arms to be brought, and proposed to give him a share in the profits if he would assist in dis- posing of them. Bajee Rao, knowing that the arms were very much needed, and thinking their pur- chase would give him a chance to put a con- siderable sum in his pocket, interfered to save Croley’s life. But this was found to be no easy task, and if Croley had not satisfied the Sepoys that he Nae a ijitna ene they would have killed im. As it was, he was spared on condition that he at once enlisted in the Sepoy army. The rest of the boat's crew were stripped led out one by one, shot down, and mutilate in the most horrible manner, So their das- tardly behavior met with ayspeedy and bloody punishment, Croley was too selfish to risk his own safe- ty by uttering a word or stirring a finger to save his own comrades, and saw them exe- cuted without regret, for he believed that with them perished the secret of his deser- tion from the Comet. z As soon as the execution was over, Bajee Rao and his escort resumed their march, tak- in CroloeNe them. ajee o said that the money to pay for the arms would be furnished in Lucknow, and Poot that Croley should enlist enough men to carry it down to the coast and bring back the arms. To this Croley agreed, and wrote a letter to William Alston, directing him where to bring his vessel, and Bajee Rao placed the commu- nication in the hands of a native, with in- structions to carry it to Pondicherry, and wait until he could deliver it in person. Bajee Rao’s escort were such a desperate set of cut-throats that they were as danger- ous almost to their friends as to their enemies. They paid yery little attention to Bajee Rao’s orders, and after the first day’s march he turned the command over to Croley, who. he knew, had a strong will, great p ysical power, and a prompt, vigorous hand, ready to strike when necessary, The Sepoys were at first disposed to grumble at this BIRR ES IERY for they expected that Croley would attempt to check their pillag- ing, but when they found that he was as ready to murder and plunder as any of them, they became satisfied with his leadership. So the band of desperadoes marched on- ward, plundering and murdering all of the de- fenseless Europeans and not a few of the na- tives who came in their way. Andit was they who butchered the occu: pants of the house they were now in, After completing their hellish work, Croley and his company marched some miles, when they were overtaken by the shikaree, or hunter, that saw Tom kill the tiger. Tie shikaree told about Tom and his com- yoxions, and was anxious to have a sufficient number of men go back and capture them. Bajee Rao was in nowise disposed to delay his march to Lucknow for the sake of killing two youths and a girl. But when the two boys were described to Croley, a shiver ran through his veins—suc as men are said to feel when others walk over their graves—and he insisted upon go- ing back at once. : Oroley evinced so much excitement and was so determined about the matter, that Bajee Rao, after being promised a satisfac- tory explanation, ceased to object. Hetracing their steps with the shikaree, Croley and his company were overtaken by the storm, and sought refuge in the house where Tom, Phil and’Flora were. 5 When the storm commenced, Croley feared, and with good reason, that the trail of those he sought would be obliterated, but he had stumbled on the right scent just as a man occasionally finds in the dark what he looked in vain for during the daytime, LOM LORP; CHAPTER XIV. DANGER, For a moment or two after he had looked through the crack in the wall and recognized Croley, Tom TOP was too much excited to speak, then he whispered : ‘Phil, as sure as you are alive, Croley is in the other room.” “The murtherin’ villain,” responded Phil, | t in the same tone, ‘‘I’d like to wather the ground wid his blood.” “ Hush, let us hear what he says.” There were plenty of cracks in the partition, so the two boys and Flora Kelly had: no diffi- culty in seeing and hearing everything that took place in the next room. Placing a light upon the table, Croley and the native with him seated themselves oppo- site to each other, “T tell you, Bajee Rao,” said Croley, as if continuing a conversation that had been in- terrupted, “I must and will find Tom Topp.” “J don’t understand,” replied Bajee Rao ‘‘how the capture of a boy can be of sufficien importance to detain us, when we should be peu on to Lucknow.” “Tt is to me.” } “But we neglect the interest of the king by stopping.” ‘“*] can’t help that—‘self-preservation is the first law of nature.’” ; “Surely you are not afraid of a boy?” “As sure as that infernal storm is ragin outside, he will be the cause of my death ft do not slay him.” “Who can escape his fate?” ejaculated Ba- jee Rao, who, like all good Mussulmans, was a fatalist. “But none are wise enough to know the future.” “T am- warned by the past.” How?” “Listen. The moment I saw Tom Topp on shipboard, I felt that he suspected me of kill- ing his father, and was following me.” ‘ EY made you think that he suspected ou?” ‘His guilty conscience,” muttered Tom. “T don’t know,” replied Croley, ‘‘ but I did think so, and was tempted to chuck him overboard ; I had dozens of opportunities to do it.” “Why did you not?” “ Because I was a fool, and he had the nerve and cunning of a devil; he acted so innocent- ly, that I thought I was mistaken, until the ship caught fire.” ‘What did he do then ?” “Why, when vera body, expected the vessel to be blown into a thousand pieces, and those who could not get into the boat were trying to find something to make a raft of, he brought my chest on deck and searched it.” “What good did that do him ?” ; “Dash him, he found his father’s watch in the chest, and no doubt regards it as strong proof against me.” “Ah, indeed!” said Rajee Rao, as coolly and indifferently as if he was not perfectly satisfied of Croley’s Bult “Yes,” continued Croley, ‘I saw the watch in his hand; he held it up, and asked me where I got it. It was impossible for me to return and wring his neck, but I felt certain that _he could not escape. He did, however, and I will not feel safe a moment until L put him out of my way.” Little did Croley imagine that the boy he spoke of murdering was ea nite. him with a face now fiercer and feller than his own. For as Tom Topp listened, all lingering doubts Ee pneere , and he felt certain that he saw before him one of his father’s assassins. His fingers gripped his revolver as though they would sink into it, and it was with ex- treme difficulty that he refrained from stepping into the other room and shooting Croley dead. : se “T don’t wonder at your feeling uneasy, said Bajee Rao, in response to Croley’s last remark, “‘but there are large interests at stake, and we must start for Lucknow by noon Api seh whether you find your man or not.” “Tl not give up the chase until I hunt him down. Ha! whatis that?” A sharp crack of a pistol was heard, quickly followed by another report, then there was a shout and the sound, of horses galloping away furiously. : In an instant the lower part of the house was in an uproar, - The Sepoys, thinking that they were at- tacked, became panic-stricken. ' 13 But not knowing which way to fly, they seized their arms and there arose a tumult of orders, exclamations, oaths, and questions, “The Feringhees are upon us!” exclaime Bajee Rao, his eyes starting from their sockets, and his face turning an ashen hue. “TI think not,” replied Croley, springing to his feet and moving toward the Sane “but let us go down and find out what is the mat- e ya Bajee Rao followed him, but at the head of the stairs they were met by a Sepoy, with whom, after exchanging a few words, they returned to the room. The Sepoy then told what had caused the alarm. He and a companion had been sent to put the horses of Croley and Bajee Rao—the only ones of the party who were mounted—into the stable. Owing to the darkness, the two Sepoys did not immediately find the stable, but when they did so, they were met at the door bya mounted man, who was just about to leave, era ee oa horses. The Sepoys challenged him, whereupon he instantly fired, killing one of them, and then dashed off with the horses he was eading. The other Sepoy fired, but did not stop the retreating man, who quickly disappeared in the darkness, The Sepoy, fearing there might be other et) in the stable, then returned to the ouse. “‘Hamet is off,” whispered Tom. ‘An’ it’s meself that wishes we were wid him,” replied Phil.* : ““Are you sure there was only one man?” asked Croley of the Sepoy, when he concluded his story. “Yes, sahib.” “ Was he a white man or native ?” “A native. Isaw his face by the flash of the pistol when he fired.” ** How many horses did he have?” “He was riding one and leading three,” “That will do. Godown-stairs. Stop that chattering and have some torches made at once.” “What are you going to do?” asked Bajee Rao, after the Sepoy left the room. ““Search this building and the outhouses,” replied Croley. ‘‘'Ten to one the birds we are after are here and that it was their attendant with the horses.” ‘Sure an” it’s lost entirely we are now,” whispered Phil. ‘* Tf we were out of doors we might escape,’ replied Tom. “Let us try the windows.” aying which, Tom felt his way along the wall to a window, raised it gently and with great difficulty pushed back the shutter, which was immediately slammed against the pier the house with a loud bang by the wind. The noise sounded so loud to Tom that he expected some of the enemies would come to the room at once, but the uproar of the storm, which was still raging, was so great that the slamming of the shutter did not attract any attention. > The wind poured through the open window with a roaring sound, and something clammy swept against Tom’s face, He was startled, but grasped the object, and found that it was the branch of a tree, His first idea was that he had found a means of escaping from the house, but almost immediately ascertained that the limb was too small and weak to support any one. In the meantime, Phil tried the other win- dow, but it was fastened down so that he could that raise it, “It’s no use at all—at all,” he said; ‘‘ we'll be jist afther breaking our necks if we jumped out, and the Sapoys wud capthur us afther- wards.” ‘*There is a door on the side of the room,” whispered Tom; ‘it may lead into another room, where the chances are better.” The door was close to the window that Tom had opened, and the two boys and Flora soon reached it. Phil, who was in advance, turned the knob, opened the door, stepped through the door- way, and almost immediately said : ‘“Be jabbers, it’s a bit of a closet, an’ there’s a ladder ladin’ up above.” t “Up with you,” said Tom; ‘it probably leads to the scuttle.” Phil went up the ladder, and in another moment exclaimed : “Sure, there’s a trap door, an’ I can’t open it.” i
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14 TOM TOPP. > ““Try—try our only chance. “ve found the bolt, but it is rusted, an’ livil the bit will it move.” ae sete ae for your life! We have no time to spare; [ hear men coming up stairs now, and they probably have the torches.” ““Tt’s no use; I’ve scraped the skin off ay me fingers thryin’.” “Don’t give it up; I'll keep the rascals off as long as possible.” ; “Thin Vd better come down an’ sthand by er, “No—no,” hurriedly whispered Tom; “keep working at the bolt, and you may save Miss Flora. There is no use to throw away a chance.” i “T don’t want you to throw away your life to save me;” murmured Flora; ‘‘ we had bet- ter stay together.” “That would be madness,” replied Tom pressing her hand; “go up the ladder. and when Phil opens the trap-door ‘follow him; Til ee you as soon as possible.” Flora was disposed to expostulate, but Tom would not listen, and said: “Not another word. Here they come—go at once. if you would not throw away all of our lives.” With his sword in one hand, anda revolver in the other, Tom then placed himself in the closet door to face the coming danger. Heavy steps were heard, approaching the nooe of the room that opened into the cor- ridor. A lurid glare as if torches shone through the transom light, and the next minute the door was thrown open. 7 CHAPTER XY. IN THE JAWS OF THE TIGER. For an instant after the door was thrown open Tom saw the villainous faces of Croley and a group of Sepoys, then all was dark again, . : “The furious blast that blew in at the open window had ue out the lights. So suddenly were they extinguished that Tom was not observed. “Go down and light the torches again,” or- dered Croley, “‘and some of you shut that window.” E . Tom heard some one walking across the room and then saw a dark form between him and the dim light of the window. The man was almost within arm’s length, and Tom lunged at him with his sword. The keen blade passed through the Se heart, and without a groan he sank dead. ““Why in the devil don’t you shut that window?” roared Croley. ‘‘I believe the fool has lost himself. Let somebody else go and close it.” : Again Tom heard a step and dimly discern- oy’s own ' ed a figure between him and the window. Tom made another thrust with his sword, but as he did so the Sepoy stumbled over the form of his fallen comrade, and the weapon \penetrated his shoulder without inflicting a mortal wound, Wild with terror and screaming with pain, the Sepoy scrambled back towards the door. Startled by his cries, the SeDOYS at the door, without stopping to reflect, fired into the room, killing the wounded man and shatter- ing the glass in the window. - But to their astonishment the flashes of the guns failed to reveal the presence of any one in the room except the two Sepoys.. ; Just after wounding the second man, Tom hearing the trap-door raised, Bienbed back into the closet and closed the door after him. Finding that he could not move the bolt. Phil braced his shoulder against the door and managed to raise it. ? “Come along wid ye now, Tom,” he said, “the way’s clear.” iy Tom at once joined Phil and Flora, and found they were just under the roof of the ouse. « An’ what will we be afther doin’ now?” asked Phil. “There must bea scuttle opening on the top of the house—try and find it, and I'll sta. here and keep any one from coming throug the trap-door,” ‘““What’s ther good avy bein’ on top of ther house? Sure it wud be easier to jump out av a window than off ther roof.” . “There is a veranda at the back of the house, the roof of which is very low, if we can your best,” urged Tom; “it is| reach that we can jump to the ground. « All right, thin.” : “Ti help look for the scuttle,” said Flora. “T wish you would,” replied Tom. ‘“‘ Every moment is worth a diamond to us.” Oe and Phil then crept away on their er- rand. Tom let down the trap-door, and laid him- self flat on his stomach, facing it. He placed his left hand on the end of the trap-door, so he ‘could feel if it pushed up, sae in his right hand, which rested on the floor, he held a cocked revolver, ready to fire at a moment's notice. The superstitious fears of the Sepoys were excited by the manner in which their two comrades were killed, and they refused point blank to go into the room to close the window. In vain Croley raved and swore—they an- swered him by saying: “Go yourselfif you are not afraid.” Croley did not much relish the job, but a sense of shame, and his eager desire to cap- ture Tom Topp, who he now felt certain was concealed. in the house, kept him from back- ing out. 0, mustering up his courage, he advanced into the room, whirling his sword around him to protect himself from attack, and closed the window. . Lights were then brought, and the Sepoys trooped into the room; Tom could distinctly hear them, while-they examined the dead bodies, uttering exclamations of wonder and cries of rage. Directly they came to the closet, and Tom heard some one coming up the ladder. Then the trap-door was pushed up. The first thing that Tom saw was a pair of dusky hands which raised the trap, then there appeared in the opening within six inches of the muzzle of his pistol the repul- sive face of a Sepoy. A Tom pressed the trigger of his revolver, there was a flash and a report, followed by a despairing death-shriek, and the Sepoy pierced through the brain, fell back dea among his startled companions. ; For a short time there was quite a commo- tion among the Sepoys, then the trap-door was shoved up with the muzzle of a musKet, and Tom wondered what was coming. He soon found out. A hand holding a pistol was thrust through the opening, atounhy with a design of tak- ing a chance shot at the person defending the PN ut before the pistol could be discharged Tom sent a bullet through the hand, and its owner, uttering a hoarse yell, tumbled head- climb down the posts or long off of the ladder: ‘Judging from its color,” muttered Tom, “JT think that was Croley’s hand, and I only wish that it had been his head.” “Come, Tom,” said Phil, who had ap- proached unobserved; ‘‘Miss Flora’s found ther scuttle.” - Thinking it well to tuke advantage of the confusion which his last shot had produced, Tom immediately followed Phil toward the scuttle. - It was well he did, for he had scarcely got off of the planks upon which he had been ly- ing, when they were riddled by a volley fired from below. If Tom had remained where he was two seconds longer he would inevitably have been killed. Throwing open the scuttle, Tom, Phil and Flora were soon out on the roof. _ They found that they were on the front side of the house, and that it would be necessary to go over the ridge of the roof before they could reach, the veranda. The wind was blowing so that they could scarcely stand, and the roof was both steep and slippery. But no time was to be lost, and they com- menced the perilous ascent, keeping close to each other, in hopes that they might be able to aid one another. They had not proceeded far before Flora’s dress caught on a nail, and when she at- tempted to get it loose she slipped. : Tom and Phil, who were on each side of her, attempted to stop her, and the effort caused them to slip. : Once started it was payee to stop, for there was nothing to hold on to. They shot down té’the eaves and pinteed over, crashing through the shrubbery to the ground, which they struck with such violence that they were rendered insensible. - The Sepoys, hearing them fall, rushed out, disarmed them, and bore them into the house, uttering savage yells of triumph. CHAPTER XVI. HOW IT FARED WITH THE CAPTIVES. Ir was lucky for Tom, Phil and Flora that the thick shrubbery broke the force of their fall, and that they struck upon a flower-bed where the ground had recently been turned up and was soft. "3 Had they fallen upon one of the walks or where the soil was firm and compact they would have been killed instantly. As it was the shock was so severe that when the Sepoys bore them into the house they showed no signs of life, and for some time afterwards their death-like swoon con- tinued. It was to this circumstance that Tom and eae owed their escape from immediate eath. ; For if they had been conscious when brought into the presence of Croley—who was almost frantic from the pain of the wounded hand— he would have slain them at once. But when he saw Tom Topp helpless and insensible Croley hesitated to take his re- venge, not from any relenting feeling, but be- cause the speedy death it was in his power to inflict appeared an inadequate punishment— a paltry revenge. Croley felt that if he saw his enemy perish on the rack, or torn limb from limb by wild horses, that his burning thirst for re- venge would hardly be slaked;, and an easy, painless death be regarded as a thousand times too good for Tom. Feeling thus, Croley determined to give Tom time to revive, if revive he would, and then put him to death in the most cruel man- ner that could be devised. So Croley, after taking Tom’s_ father’s watch from his pocket, ordered the Sepoys to bind the two boys, and put them with Flora ae the next room, and keep a guard over em. The unconscious boys were at once bound hand and foot, then they and Flora, who was also insensible, were dragged into the ad- joining apartment, and rudely thrown on the oor. Owing to the fact that Flora’s dress and skirts caught on the shubbery, she was not hurt as much as the boys were, and was the first to regain consciousness. She moved toward Tom and Phil, to chafe their hands and foreheads to revive them, Bik the Sepoy guards sternly ordered her to stop. After what seemed an age to Flora, who feared that they were dead, the two boys made some feeble movements and then muttered disconnected words, as if they were delirious. Gradually their minds became clearer, but it was some time before they remembered what had happened, and even then did not at once fully realize their situation, ~ “Where am I?’ Tom ejaculated. ‘‘ Where is Miss Flora and Phil ?’ “God be praised, hé is alive!” exclaimed Phil. ‘‘ Here we are, both ay us, Tom, but it’s tied I am, an’ can’t move.” f At the welcome sound of Phil’s yoice, Tom, who was lying with his back to his two com- panions in misfortune, managed to roll over so as to face them, and inquired if they were much hurt. B % “TI feel very sore,” replied Flora, ‘“‘but I don’t think I am injured much,” “It's ivery bone in me body that’s broke. I’m thinkin’,” said Phil. “ An’ how isit wid yerself, Tom?” : AG ee badly bruised, and half dead with irst. * An’ so am J; it’s completely kilt Iam for ther want of a dhrop of wather.” Flora addressed one of the guards in Hind- ostanee, and begged for a little water. aan the Sepoy with a ferocious scowl re- plied: * ‘“No water, make you all drink blood soon.” Flora commenced to tell Tom and Phil what the man said,-when further conversation was peremptorily forbidden by the guard. _ Bodily injuries almost invariably produce intense thirst, and Tom, Flora and Phil suf- fered more for the want of water than they did from their bruises. Their yonpnee and throats were dry and parched, and the sound of the rain, which was now fallin, eayes, nearly drove them distracted, 4 in torrents and pouring off the ©
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Oh, to be out in the dashing rain! to feel the refreshing fluid pouring over them—soak- ing through them—and trickling down their throats. But they were posverless, and could only clench their teeth and endure what they could not alleviate. ; There were four Sepoy guards in the room, and they passed the time away by drinking arrack, a villainous liquor distilled from rice. ; As the night deepened, so did their pota- tions. In afew hours they were all drunk, and amused themselves by brandishing their swords dangerously near to the heads of the helpless boys and girl and by pointing cocked guns at them. While engaged in this pleasant one of the Sepoys, either accidentally or in- tentionally, discharged his gun, and the ball just grazed Tom’s head, cutting off a lock of air, and buried itself in the floor. Wounds in the extremities are of the most painful kind, and Croley suffered so much with his hand that he could not sleep. Having no opiate, he endeavored to deaden the pain by pouring down copious draughts of fiery liquor. While thus engaged, he heard the report of the Sepoy’s gun, and thinking that some one had dared to balk him of his vengeance, rushed into the room hot with anger. His face was swollen and inflamed with drink and anger,‘and his appearance was so frightful and loathsome that the Sepoys— drunk as they were—cowered before him like whipped curs, ‘With furious oaths, Croley drove them out of the room, ordered them. to send up some men who were sober, and then turned to Tom. For some seconds, Croley, with a fierce reed in his eye, stood gloating over the help- ess boy, and then said: So, you young rascal, I’ve got you at last.” Tom made no reply, and Croley asked : “Who put you up to following me from New York?” “T did not follow you,” said Tom, on the Comet by accident.” : ‘eThat’s a lie; and you know it.” “Tt is the truth. I never heard until I met you on board.” “How didit happen, then, that you search- ed my chest as soon as I left the ship ?” ; “The chest was brought up with other tines to make a raft, and emptied to make it ighter,” : “Bah! Tell that to the marines.” Tom paid no attention to the sneer, bub astime, **T came your name said: “Yd like to know. how you got my father watch |” EF “T bought it,” replied.Croley. **T don’t believe it.” «* How do you suppose I got it, then?” “By murdering my father,” replied Tom - boldly. R Croley’s face blanched as he heard this’ ac- cusation, and his eye avoided Tom’s, but it was only for a moment; grinding his teeth together, he said: “You had better not say that again.” “ T dosay it,” answered Tom, who believin that Croley intended to kill him anyhow, had no hesitation in says what he thought. *“ A man who would leave his comrades to perish on a burning ship would not hesitate to commit a murder.” “Drat you! Ill stop that lyin’ tongue of yours !” exclaimed Croley, pau Saying which he drew a pistol, but before he could level it, Flora threw herself upon Tom so as to shield him, and said : “For God’s sake, don’t murder him !” “Get out of the way!” yelled Croley, ‘ or Tl blow a hole through you !” “ Don’t stop him,” said Tom to Flora, “let the coward shoot.” “ Not ifI can help it,” exclaimed Flora. _“ He shall kill me before he does you.” Hardened as he was, Croley admired Flora’s spirited behavior, and he did not wish to harm her. ? r As he could use but one hand, he did not attempt to pull her away from Tom, but call- ed for some of the Sepoys to come and re- move her. - : It was some time before any one answered his call, for the drunken guard on gettin down-stairs at once went to sleep withou troubling themselves about sending others to take their places. _ By the time the drowsy Sepoys, who were aroused by the sound of Croley’s voice, made TOM: TOPP.. - their appearance he concluded to postpone killing Tom, “Hal” Croley muttered, *‘ the young rascal came near cheating me out of half of my re- venge; and if I had shot him, I’ never would have found out who put him on my track.” Croley did not speak to Tom again, but after giving the Sepoys instructions to ee the prisoners carefully, he turned to Flora, and with a hideous leer, said : ““Y’ll spare him for the present, my dear, for -your sake, but if he does not tell me what I wish to know, to-morrow he dies.” ; Saying which, he turned on his heel, and left the room. As soon as he went away, Flora asked the new guard for water, but which was again refused, Though their minds were filled with the most dire foreboding, Flora and the two boys were so faint from thirst, and worn out by what they had gone through, that they soon fell asleep. But their slumbers were troubled—haunted by horrible dreams—and unrefreshing. CHAPTER XVII. A STRANGE AND TERRIBLE CHASE, CaprAIn Hrtm took the revolvers, as. di- rected by Colonel Kelly, and stood ready to use them at a moment's notice, but he did not know the exact nature of the danger that threatened him and his almost helpless com- panion, -The unearthly laughter, growls and howls continued, and the fiery eyes shifted from place to place,* but their owners hesitated about making an attack. “What are they?’ asked Captain Helm. “ Wolves,” replied Colonel Kelly, ‘jackals and Drumelgundies.” 5 “ Drumelgundies—what are they ?”. ss Tavehing hyenas.” . “YT did not think that any of the animals ou have mentioned were very likely to at- ack man.” ; : a “They are not, except when many of them are together.” :: “Their numbers are rapidly increasing, What shall we do?” “Try to make our way to the beach.” “Had we better not get up into a tree?” “*T can neither climb nor hold on.” “T can help youup among the limbs and then tie you fast.” : “We would not be safe from the leopards ; they abound hereabouts.” *T don’t understand how we would be any better off on the beach than we are here,” said Captain Helm, who was still in favor of climb- ing # tree, for he believed that with the re- volvers he could protect himself and com- panion from the leopards. ; “We will find plenty of drift wood on the beach,” replied Colonel Kelly, ‘‘and if we can et out of the jungle and start a fire, we will ie comparatively safe.” “But won't the light betray our where- abouts to the Sepoys? “Tt may, but if we don’t have it, the beasts will eat us before Morning He had scarcely ceased speaking, when a tremendous roar, followed by another from an opposite direction, arose with fearful distinct- ness above the confused howling and growl- ing of the animals near at hand, who shifted about uneasily, as if they scented danger. “There !” cried the colonel, ‘‘ the barking of the jackals has attracted the attention of two tigers, and they will soon make their appear- ance; let us be off at once, though I fear we have wasted too much time.” ee “Come on, then,” answered Captain Helm, leading the way. The wolves, hyenas and jackals—all the more readily, perhaps, because they were in- timidated by the roars of the tigers—made way for them as they advanced. hey had not gone more than twenty paces before they heard some large animal rushing through the bushes toward them. f “Hal” exclaimed Captain Helm, facing about with the pistols ready cocked towards the approaching animal. ‘‘There comes a tiger now.” : : - “Get behind a tree,” said Colonel Kelly, setting the example, “and don’t shoot if you can avoid it; I think it is a rhinoceros ; they are stupid creatures, and if they see nothing immediately in front of them, are apt to keep on without stopping.” The next moment the cause of their appre- hension made its appearance in the shape of eR SE SOLAS Seis Se ee a ee ee ede Ey - 25 Colonel Kelly’s horse, which testified its pleas- ure at finding its owner by whinneying and rubbing its nose against his shoulder, The well-conditioned animal, although com- pletely blown by its wild race, had ina great measure recovered its wind, and being fright- ened by the roars of the tigers, and the cries of the other animals, sought human com- panionship and protection, “Captain, this is fortunate,” said Colonel Kelly; “help me to mount and get up behind me, and we can reach the beach before the tigers overtake us.” Captain Helm needed no second bidding; he lifted Colonel Kelly into the saddle, jumped on behind him, and in obedience to a touch of the heel the well-trained horse dashed off towards the sea, For some minutes the horse sped onward at a gallop, and then the thunder-like roars of the tigers were again heard. *“ They are on our track,” said Colonel Kelly ; ‘it’s lucky that we have a good start, an that the woods are open,” - “Can a tiger overtake a horse?’ inquired Captain Helm. - : “They can readily do so in a hilly country, or where there is a thick underwood, and you eee remember that our steed ~ carries ouble.” : . ‘We will hardly have time to make'a fire, will we ?” ‘ z. “No, but there is a low sand island some three hundred yards from the shore; I have been to it often on fishing excursions; if it can be reached by wading at low water.” “T expect that the tide has commenced to come in by this time.” “No matter; we must get to the island some way or other. It is our only chance.” ‘* Will we be safe there ?” ae “Not perfectly, for the tiger is a bold swim- mer, and readily takes to the water, But they may not follow us'so far.” ; The gleam of water was now seen through the trees, and in a few seconds the horse emerged from the woods on to the beach. Bye touch of the leg Colonel Kelly direct- ed the horse in a diagonal direction to the shore, and then urged him into the water. As Captain Helm suspected, the tide had commenced to come in, but the horse reached the small sand island, which was not more than twenty yards square, without swim- ming. pcatonel Kelly remained on the horse, but Captain Helm dismounted, saying: “So far so good.” - o _ At that moment the tigers were heard roar- ing on the beach. “There they are,” said Colonel Kelly. ‘* We will soon.know what to expect.” * They were not left in uncertainty long, The savage animals, who could not be seen- while on the beach, es into the sea, and the phosphorescent light of the waves break- ing around them plainly showed that they were swimming toward the island. “Take this said the colonel. ‘“‘'There are plenty of cart- ridges in it, and open fire as soon as the brutes come a little nearer.” : The captain did as he was told, and rapidly fired shot after shot, but without stopping the two tigers, who were soon within fifty yards of theisland. ‘I'd better reserve my fire until they come to close quarters,” he said. : “Tt would do no ood replied the colonel, “You might disable one of them, but the elt from around my waist,” ~ - other would killus in a minute, We must leave here.” “Teave? How?” : “This horse is a good swimmer and can carry me easy enough, and if you take hold of his tail he can pull you along.” This suggestion was acted upon at once, for for there was no time to be lost. The frightened horse needed no urging, but readily entered the water and struck out to- ward the open sea. 4 ; ‘““Where do you expect to go to?” asked Captain Heim, ; “Stfaight ahead, if the tigers follow us,” replied the colonel. ‘‘I’d rather drown than be eaten by them,” : «So would I.” “Use your pistols if they come close to us; the cartridges are waterproof.” : * All right ; they are both loaded.” “The tigers may sive up the chase when they get to the island.” : ‘ But the savage creatures evinced no dis- position to do so, ..They came out on the
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16 TOM TOPP. - island, ran across it, roaring hungrily, plunged into the water, and continued their pursuit. - They rapidly overhauled the heavily en- cumbered horse. Holding on to the horse’s tail with one hand, Captain Helm emptied the contents of one of the revolvers at the ferocious monsters. Apparently the shots had no effect until the tigers were close at hand, when one of them, uttering a bubbling roar, sank, came up again, swam back to the island, and crawle out on it. Z While Captain Helm was trying to draw another pistol from his belt, the other tiger approached nearly within arm’s length, rear- an alf its body out of the water, and struck at him savagely with its paw. *¢ Quick!” replied the colonel. The captain instinctively dived, and thus escaped the blow, otherwise he would have been killed instantly. - The descending paw of the tiger came. in contact with, and tore some skin off the horse, causing it to pisnee violently. Colonel Kelly slipped out of the saddle, and _as both of his arms were disabled, sank. _ The horse being thus left to itself, swerved _ violently to one side and swam towards the _ shore, closely followed by the tiger. _ Captain Helm came to the surface of the water in a few seconds, and when the colonel ‘rose caught hold of him, and managed to keep his head above water. ~ For some seconds neither of them spoke, but when the tiger had got off some distance, - Colonel Kelly said: : - “There is no use for you to waste your strength by trying.to save me; leave me to my fate, and you may manage td’ swim ashore.” : __ Neyer say die,” replied the captain. ‘I can __ keep you afloat for some time, and will stick __ to you to the end. Help may come when we least expect it.” ; Though the captain spoke thus cheerily he felt in his heart that their condition was well- nighhopeless. wey % CHAPTER XVIII. DOOMED TO DEATH. EARLY in the morning of the day following their capture, Flora, Tom and Phil were roughly aroused from their slumber by the epoys. ‘ hes bonds were removed from the feet of the boys, and they and Flora were carried into the room where Croley and Bajee Rao were. ; The two men Croley with resented a strange contrast. is rough hair, beard of a week’s growth, and heavy projecting under jaw, reminded one of a hun While Bajee Rao looke crafty as a fox, or serpent. ry wolf, sleek, oily, and Fixing his sullen, blood-shot eye on Tom, Croley said : “Tom Topp, will you to follow me?” ‘No one,” replied Tom. “That won't do.” a “Tt is the only answer you wili get from me.” “You know the consequences if you persist that reply.” ie “T do, and defy you.” “Tl make you change your tune before I am through with you.” “Do your worst; you may kill me, but you cannot scare me.” ‘ *‘T don’t wish to frighten you, but on cer- tain conditions will set you at liberty.” “Name them.” Linea . “In the first place you must give me this inforniation I asked you for.” “You have your answer to that,” broke in Tom, ‘and if you question me until dooms- day, I can give you no other reply than that no one sent me after you.” Without heeding this interruption, Croley continued: ; you tell me who instigated in “And in the second place, you shall execute a paper, transferring to me your right, title and interest in all property, whether the same be in New York or elsewhere.” eee This proposition astonished Tom, but after a moment's hesitation, he replied: “Tf there is any property to which I have a claim it has been kept from me by fraud.” “Just so,” assented Croley, ‘and you had better make it over to me, and secure your’ safety and liberty.” “TI don’t believe you would let me go, and I would rather let the swindler who has the property keep it than to give it to you.” ‘““ What difference does it make to you who ee one property if you do not get it your- self?” ; «The PrOeLy: belonged to my father, and his murderer shall never touch a scrap of it if I can help it.” ‘¢Jake the revolvers out of my belt—I can’t use them—and don’t waste a shot, for there is life or death in every bullet.” : : wleys brow darkened, and he growled Ae ut: “You had better mind what you say.” “I know what I say,” replied Tom, “‘ and mean every word of it.” “T’ll not bandy words with you any longer ; we march at twelve o’clock to-day, and if you do not comply with my demands, at eleven | o'clock I will have you skinned alive, and Phi Fitzgerald shall share your fate.” Bajee Rao was struck by the beauty of Flora Kelly, and ever since she came into the room had kept his wicked eyes fixed on-her. As_ soon as Croley ceased speaking, he asked : j “How about the girl ?” - “Tl attend to her,” replied Croley; ‘‘she must not die—not yet, at least.” . “You don’t Coat to dispose of all the prisoners, do you?” 2 : “Certainly ; they are all mine.” “The girlis not; you never saw her until she was captured.” roe “None of them would have been taken if I had not/insisted on turning back.” _ “I don't evita i eat any, time for noth- ing; you can do what you please with the ‘boys, but I'll have the eit” a ; roley felt certain that as to the division of prisoners the Sepoys would side with Bajee Rao, so he said: .S
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the ——. ‘* We can’t both have her; let us draw lots for her.” Bajee Rao objected to this, and the dispute was safest hot, when it was interrupted by a loud hubbub down-stairs. : In a minute or two the cause of the dis- turbance was explained by several strange Sepoy officers, who came up-stairs and into the room. - They stated that they were in command of a company of mutineers who were on their way to Oude, and wished to join their force to that of Bajee Rao and Sethe As this arrangement gave strength to the party, and added to their safety, it was of course at once assented to, The new-comers were in part composed of the men who attacked and burned Colonel Kelly’s house, They were sore over the rough manner in which they were handled ; some of them rec- benuzed Flora Kelly, and they at once clamorously demanded that she should be given up to satisfy their vengeance. **Ha—ha,” chuckled’ Croley, sardonically, ‘we are about to have the prize taken from between our very teeth.” But Bajee Rao was equal to the occasion, and said: 4 “The maiden is intended for the zenana of His Highness Nina Sahib; let him who dares touch her.” | Nina Sahib, the powerful Mahratta chief, who was at that times known to be engaged in besieging the English at Cawnpore, was feared by the natives throughout India. At the sound of his dread name, the Sepoys hushed their clamor and protested that as that was the case, they had no desire to molest Flora, {oie _ he conversation was carried on in Hindo- peuenee, bul Flora understood every word of it. : cs $ ea On hearing the horrible fate designed for her, she made a sudden spring, grasping a pistol which was lying on a table by Croley, clapped it to her head, and pulled the trigger, | Oroley, however, was as quick as she was, pes TOM ‘TOPP. He struck up the muzzle of the pistol as it was discharged, and the ball buried itself in the ceiling of the room, : In another moment Flora was disarmed and her hands tied. : Bajee Rao had no idea of handing Flora over to Nina Sahib, nor did his assertion to that effect deceive Croley for a moment ; but about that subject they did not deem it pru- dent to exchange any words, even when they were alone, - re: Flora begged for some water, and Bajee Rao ordered a Sepoy to supply her and the boys with water and food. They were carried back into the room, and then given a little boiled rice and water. “Tom,” said Phil, “‘ what did Croley mane 17 At eleven o’clock Croley came into the room, and Tom told him what he was willing to do. “‘T have no power to dispose of the girl,” an- swered. aap «Then send Phil; you can do as you please with him,” said Tom. “As soonas you sign the paper, and tell me who sent you after me, you may both go,” “No one sent me, I tell you, but I will sign the pODeE after Phil is safe.” «Then T’ll have him released at once.” s ee and murdered before he has gonehalf _ a mile.” ‘*My men shall not molest him, but after he pets away from them he must take care of imself.” “T won’t take your word for anything.” the repulsive face of a Sepoy. whin he talked about your RIED You tould me you had nothin’ at all.” — Tom had been thinking about this very sub- ject, and he replied : = “‘T don’t know myself ; but I'll tell you what I think.” “What?” 2 “You noticed that Croley insisted that some one put me up to follow him.” awake “Well, he no doubt believes that. the per- son who swindled me out of my father’s prop- erty put me on his track,” “I'm thinking that you are right.” “And he wants to get even with the man who he thinks betrayed him, and fill his pockets at the same time.” “ But you'll not give him ther paper?” - **T believe I will.” Ra ‘An’ Bemnee you're thinkin’ of doin’ it ter save me, an’ I in’ that,” “He must first send you and Miss Flora to a place of safety, and then I will sign the paper.” “hin, if he is afther playing yer false, I’ll get even wid him.” peer eeitans ‘ “Exactly. And if I get away, a paper, ex- torted from me by threats, will not be worth anything.” re don’t want yer to be afther do- late.” The trap-door was pushed up, and there appeared in the opening, within six inches of the muzzle of his pistol, “What do you want, then?” , “T want Phil sent to the nearest English ost, and when I receive a note from him that e is safe I'll do what you wish.” ~ Be “That is impossible; none of my men will venture to go where the English are, and if they would, I have no time to wait for them,” ‘Then that ends the matter as far as I am concerned.” Bie ie “Ts that your final determination ?” “ Wixed as fate.” wer, ‘Then an had better say your prayers. “For God’s sake spare them!” pleaded Flora. ; Without paying any attention toher Croley © turned to the Sepoys, and said: boys out into the yard, “Take these two ek your knives. Sune thém, tie them up, and get ready.” is The order was obeyed, and by a refinement of cruelty the two boys weretied to trees close together, andin such a position that they could wriiness each other's sufferings. Bets A Sepoy, with an expression of ferocious joy on his countenance, and a néwly-whet- | ted knife in his hand, stood by each of the popmed boys ready to commence their horrid ask. : “ll give you one more chance,” said Cro- ley toTom, “Speak quick, or it will be too . a Set
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18 — TOM TORP. Tom looked the yillain in the eye without flinching, and replied: “You have my answer.” “Go ahead,” said Croley to the two execu- tioners, ‘‘and mind you don’t cut any large blood vessels. I want them to die by inches.” Seizing hold of the boys, the Sepoys drew ‘the knives lightly across their backs from one shoulder to the other. Thin red lines from which the blood oozed indicated where the keen blades had passed, and showed that the flaying alive—one of the most terrible modes of inflicting death ever invented by the devilish ingenuity of man —had fairly commenced. OHAPTER XIX. A TERRIBLE MAROH—PARTING WITH FLORA. Tom and Phil gave themselves up for lost, and bade each other good-bye. But they were respited in the most unex- pected manner. Just as the bloodthirsty Sepoys commenced to skin them, some Ryots* made their a: eas ance and announced that a battalion of Brit- ish troops weré near at hand, advancing to- wards the place. : ‘In a moment all was bustle and confusion, and many of the Hindoos evinced a strong disposition to take to their heels at once. Croley’s energetic language, however, in ssome. degree quelled the panic, and induced the Sepoys to prepare to move in an orderly manner. : : ache Tom and Phil were-unbound, and ordered to adress themselves. ; : As soon as they put ‘on their clothes their arms were pinioned, but their legs were left at liberty. F It was fortunate for Tom and Phil that the flaying operations had not extended beyond the two incisions just through the skin of their backs—the bleeding of which was speed- ily checked by coagulated blood—and that} Ss the slight wounds were covered by their clothing, for otherwise the torrid sun of In- dia and the flies would have played the mis- chief with the cuts in a few hours, A dooly (a kind of native palanquin), found in one of the out-houses, was appropriated for Flora’s use, and the Ryots, much against their will, pressed into service as bearers. This consideration and attention was paid to Flora because after she was declared to be designated for the zenana (harem) of Nina Sa- hib, her person was held too sacred to be ex- posed to the common observation of the na- tives. So, in this instance, at least, good came of evil, for if Flora had been forced to make the march that followed on foot, or even on horse- back, she would have suffered severely, and in all human probability lost her life, Tn less than ten niinutes after the alarm was, given, the Sepoys, with their prisoners, were in full retreat.’ « Striking off at a right angle from the road, they hurried through the jungle toward a low range of hills not far distant, On reaching the hills, the Sepoys immedi- ately ascended one of them, the horses of the mouunted men choosing their steps, and scrambling like goats over the broken ground. ‘The hill was heavily timbered from base to summit, and when the Sepoys arrived at the top, they halted in the thick woods, which ef- fectually screened them from observation, In a few minutes the column of British troops appeared marching along the road. Tom was in hopes that they would pursue his per Lore! but in this he was disappointed though some of the advance guard turned aside and stopped at the house. They, however, soon rejoined the main body of troops, and continued on their ute - They were evidently in haste, and the spec- tacle of a murdered family and plundered home was at that time too common to detain or turn them from their course. Afraid to return to the highway upon which the British troops were marching, lest they might be encountered unexpectedly, Croley and Bajee Rao cut across the country to an- other road, and then continued on their way -to Oude, ° ' By the advice of Bajee Rao, with whom he conferred during the day, Croley determined that instead of putting the two boys to death ie once, he would try and break the spirit of Tom and make him do as desired, by subject- * Peasants—cuitivators of the soil. - .& ing him to the toils and privations of a long march, Owing to the enervating climate of India, which renders long continued exertion im- Doe this plan was well calculated to re- uce Tom’s mind and body to a state of help- lessness. Tom and Phil, of course, received no intim- ation of Croley’s intentions, and at every halt they expected to be put to death. From the natives along the route it was as- certained that troops were pene hurried for- ward from all quarters to reinforce General Havelock, who was making preparations to raise the siege of Cawnpore. Being in constant dread of coming in con- tact with some of the troops, Croley and Ba- jee Bao with their command advanced with he greatest caution, and by the most unfre- quented roads. The suffering of Tom and Phil during the march was almost incredible. . The heat was most intense, the sun blistered their hands and faces into masses of pulp ; the pain was terrible at first, but the skin peed off ina few days, and their complexions ecame almost as dark as that of the natives ; afterwards the sun did not affect them so much, The Sepoys who were not mounted when the march commenced speedily provided themselves with steeds, by appropriating hore belonging to the natives along the route. Tom and Phil, however, were forced to kee up with the column on foot, and if they di not walk briskly; were beaten unmercifully, or tied to the tails of horses and dragged along. Nor was the ill-treatment which they re- ceived from their guards all they had to en- dure. The natives in the villages through which the passes loaded them with abuse and pelted them with mud and filth. In fact, such was the animosity of the coun- try people that but: for the interference of the epoys ‘Tom and Phil would have soon been torn to pieces. After two or Croley evincing any disposition to put them to death Tom and Phil began to hope that they might escape, and.this idea raised_ their spirits and aided them to endure the hardships to which they were aon eciee In the meantime Flora, who was borne along in the dooly on the shoulders of Ryots, trayeled with considerable comfort, though of course she was very much distressed about her captivity and the fate which she was told awaited her. ; Occasionally the two boys managed to walk by the side of the dooly and talk with her, and these conversations, rare and short as phey were, had a very cheering effect on all of them, Tom and Phil were made.to march in the midst of the Sepoys, and at night a special guard was placed over them; so carefully were they watched that days lengthened into weeks without their having the slightest chance of ets But they didnot despair. They were con- stantly on the alert, ready to take advantage of any chance which might’ offer to regain their liberty. The state of the country through which they passed was deplorable in the extreme, Villages were being burned and plundered daily. The roads deserted, and no man’s life or property was safe for a moment, n the disturbed territory there were some few districts—under powerful talookdars and zemindars*, who took no part in the rebellion —which were calm and peaceful, but all the rest of the country was subject to fire and sword, ; Bears : Nearly every day ororey tried to argue or bully Tom into acceding to his demands; but Tom was deaf alike to persuasion or threats, Experiencing great difficulty ab first in communicating with their guards, Tom and Phil set themselves industriously to work learning Hindoostanee, and soon acquired a sufficient knowledge of the language to un- derstand what was said to them, and express themselves pretty plain. ates The further che advanced into the interior of the country, the more complete was the desolation found to be. % Near the villages it was no unusual thing to see a number of persons hanging by the eee on trees, and human heads exposed on poles. : * Native chiefs. three days passed without. » Along the wayside, corpses in various stages of decomposition were numerous, some of them scarcely yet cold, while others were little more than grinning skeletons, to which clung a few shreds of putrid flesh. The stench was terrible, and scarcely a sound was borne on the tainted air save the cries of unclean beasts and birds that tore to piece fought over, and fattened upon the oathsome remains, i: After the command had marched for some weeks in a northwestern direction, the sound of heavy guns was heard at night when eyery- thing was quiet. ‘ Tom and Phil learned from the Sepoys that the guns were fired by the besiegers and de- fenders of Cawnpore. The next afternoon the river Jumna was reached, and crossed in boats. A march of a day and a half further brought the command to the banks of the Ganges, where the sound of the firing at Cawnpore could be heard with great dis- tinctness. : Some of the natives reported that General Havelock, with a portion of the British army, as at Allahabad; others said that he had left that place and was advancing to- wards Cawnpore. ; Unable to get any reliable information, and thinking that at any moment they might be called on to fly for their lives, Croley and Ba- jee Rao determined to send Flora elly and the baggage of their command- to Cawnpore by water, It was, howeyer, difficult to find any boats, and it was not until late in the afternoon that some small ones were puosees In the meantime, Bajee Rao wrote a very nomen letter in the Oriental style, begging Nina, Sahib to accept Flora, tna his org services; and saying very little about roley. ; Bajee Rao gave his letter to the commander of the guards who were going with the boats, and chuckled to himself at having gained a march on Croley. But Croley was wide awake, and outwitted the cunning Hindoo very cleverly, Under pense of givin some parting instructions, he went on board of-the boat where the ofli- cer was, privately got possession of Bajee Rao’s letter, and substituted one that he had written himself, . By a strange combination of circumstances, which no one dreamed of, much less foresaw. this act of Croley’s, for a time at least, save the life of Flora. Had Bajee Rao’s letter gone to its: destination, she would in afew days haye been a corpse ! By a refinement of cruelty, Tom and Phil were kept from HD BrORChIng Flora to bid her good-bye, but with her hand she waved them a mute farewell, and they replied in the same manner, ; A Everything being in readiness, the boats © were shoved off from shore, and propelled by lusty rowers, darted swiftly over the surface of the turbid stream. Tom and Phil watched them until, after dwindling to mere specks in the distance they shot around a bend in the river and vanished. : The two boys were very sad when they turned away from the river, and their spirits were not improved by hearing the harsh voice of Croley, who had been standing near at hand watching them. “Ha, hal’ he chuckled, ‘‘you did well to take a long look; you will never see her again,” Neither Tom nor Phil made any answer. but turned from the villain with feelings o contempt and detestation too deep for words, -CHAPTER XX. SIKHS AND SEPOYS—DEATH IN FRONT AND 4 if REAR. Now that he was within two days’ march of Cawnpore, and probably at no great distance fromthe British army, Croley felt that it was necessary to use double caution, He knew that the popcorn of his com- mand on the bank of the Ganges was more than pee be noticed, and that there were plenty of Hindoos who, in hopes of being re- warded, would convey intelligence of his whereabouts to the British, if they were not too far away. . * Therefore, though it was latein the after- noon when the boats left, Croley determined to march a few miles before encamping for the night. 5 >
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pi nhls design was at once put into execu- ion. Striking into an old abandoned road, oyer- grown with grass and weeds, the compan moved in a diagonal direction from the bank of the river. After proceeding some five ‘miles, they camped at the foot of a rocky hill, over a ledge of which the waters of a bold stream fell into a deep pool, and then flowed off toward the Ganges. It was a wild and lonely spot, and there was no sign thatit had been visited by human | one beings for a long time. As evening advanced, swarms of huge vam- pre uate which hung in clusters suspended y their claws, head downwards, from the branches. of the trees, dropped one by one, and glided away on noiseless wing. Now that the heat of the day was over, the wild creatures in the jungle began to stir, and the shrill call of the wild peacock and other sounds were heard. The short twilight of the tropics passed, night, dark and intense, set in, and the cries of wild animals rang out with terrible signifi- cance near at hand. The appalling roar of the tigers, at inter- vals, mingled with the long-drawn howl of the wolf, the bark of the jackal, and the laugh of the hyena. As soon as the Sepoys had cooked and eat- en their suppers the flres were extinguished, lest they should attract the attention of the enemy. : The encampment was supposed to be suffic- iently protected on two sides by the hill and the stream, on the other sides strong pickets were posted, to guard against a surprise. But, notwithstanding these precautions, and the loneliness of the place, neither Croley nor his men felt safe. Being without fire, they feared the attacks of savage animals, but what caused the most uneasiness was the howling of jackals that seemed to answer each other, Hindoos, when on thieving or warlike ex- editions at night, commonly imitate the lowling of jackals, and give signals to each other by means of these cries. Therefore the Sepoys were apprehensive that the sounds were made by hostile natives reparing to attacl, or guiding British troops 0 surround the camp. Very few of the Sepoys slept soundly, but the night passed without disturbance. » Next morning, however, just at daylight, a body of men who had crept down to the oppo- site edge of the stream fired point blank into the camp, and at the same {time the outposts were attacked furiously and driven back on the main body. ! Aroused suddenly from sleep by the mur- derous yolley, and finding themselves sur- rounded on three sides by an enemy who kept up a brisk fire which did considerable execu- tion in their ranks, most of the Sepoys, with- out waiting for orders, snatched up their uns, and with the agility of mountain goats fled up the side of the hill and sought shelter among the rocks. Tom and Phil hoped that they might escape during the general confusion, but they were secured and carried off by Croley, who, with a few of his most determined men, fora short time held the assailants at bay, and covered the retreat. In hopes of saving their horses, Croley and the handful of men who stood by him fought stubbornly ; but they were outnumbered and forced to retire up the hill—the only direction in which retreat was practicable—until they had passed the top of the falls, and were some fifty yards further up the stream. At that point there was a level place cover- ed with rocks and trees, and on one side of it was a perpendicular fall of some forty feet to the surface of the stream. ~ It was an admirable place for making a stur- dy defense. This Croley noticed with the eye , of a soldier, and the quickness of a man whose ’ life is in peril. Placing his men behind the rocks, and bein, reinforced by a portion of the Sepoys who ha been rallied by Bajee Rao, he made a stand, and repulsed his pursuers. This success enabled Croley to collect the greater part of his command, and post them at the most advantageous points to defend his position. SaaS Bajee Rao, with some twenty-five men, was NE a ee Tn a ped * Flying fox of India; length of bony one foot, ex- panse of wings, five feet. - TOM TOPP. stationed a short distance back of the main body to act as a reserve, and to guard the rear. ‘With this reserve Tom and Phil were placed, and told if they made the slightest motion to escape, they would be shot down. The boys were astonished not to see any white men in the attacking party, and in- quired of a Sener. who and what they were. ss quey are Sikhs,” was the ou) 3 «And what are Sikhs?” aske Phi “Robbers and murderers who spare no “Be jabbers !” said Phil to Tom, ‘it’s very little we need be afther carin’ how ther foight goes, The Sepoys did the Sikhs great injustice. They are a fighting race of Mohammedans, who took service under the British, and for the most part remained true to their salt dur- ing the mutiny. But it is not to be denied that some of them took advantage of the dis- turbed condition of affairs to do more or less plundering on their own account. Of this, however, Tom and Phil knew noth- ing, but they could not help seeing that the Sikhs were brave and obstinate fighters. Undismayed by their repulse, they renewed the attack as soon as they were reinforced by those who fired into the Sepoy camp from the opposite side of the stream. Tom and Phil were where they could see everything that transpired, and the scene was so exciting that they rec}lessly exposed themselves to the flying bullets, poured in their fire at short range, and without BERS ping to reload, threw themselves furiously upon the Sepoys. : The hand-to-hand fight that followed was not very long, but very bloody. Cay a few of those engaged had pistols and the combat was chietly with the swor and bayonet, weapons which are not noisy, but very deadly. There was no chance for strategy; every man stood on his individual merits and per- sonal prowess, quarter was neither asked for nor given, and all was blood and death. Believing that their lives depended on hold- ing the position, and encouraged by Croley, who fought like an incarnate demon, the Sepoys displayed a degree of intrepidity noth- ing could overcome. The Sikhs fought like wolves, with less order than valor; they poured out their blood like water, but the nature of the ground was such that they could not bring their strength to bear, and were beaten in detail. But so obstinate and protracted was the struggle, that when they fell back carrying off their wounded with them, they left at least fifty of their number on the hillside dead, three-fourths of them in a space that ese haye been covered by a dozen blan- kets, Nor did the Sepoys escape scathless ; twenty of them were killed outright, and ey more wounded, some of them desper- ately. Croley endeavored by threats and entrea- ties to induce the Sepoys to pherne the Sikhs as they fell back, and recover the horses of the command. y But the beating of Sikhs was so defiant, and the Sepoys had been handled so roughly, that they refused positively to advance a step. Berhaps the Sepoys were aeLY for they soon had reason to know that their antagon- ists were by no means disheartened by their repulse, After retiring down the hill, the Sikhs remained quiet for about an hour, then from the heavy timber, which afforded them excellent cover, opened a fire which was so well directed that several Sepoys who ex- posed themselves paid for their temerity with their lives, , The provisions of the Sepoys were cap- tured when they were driven out of their camp. ° Buowing that hunger would soon force them to abandon their position, Croley ordered two of his trustiest men to go some distance to the rear, and ascertain if it was practicable to retreat in that direction, The two men had not proceeded more than two lKiundred yards when an-ambushed foe fired upon them, killing one and woundin the other, who, howeyer, managed to get bac to the command. ; . The intelligence that they were surrounded on all sides completely demoralized the epoys. : 19 But Croley, on finding that he was in a trap from which there appeared to be little robability of his escaping, raged like a chafed ear, One thing he quickly determined on, and that was, come what might, he would not be baffled in wreaking his vengeance on Tom Topp. y Bat even then, when there was scarcely the ghost of a chance that information or paper would be of any use to him, Croley resolved, if possible, to induce Tom to comply with his demands, before destroying him.. i After ordering six Sepoys to be ready with ctheir guns loaded, Croley directed that the two boys should be brought before him. Tom and Phil were brought, and by Croley’s orders placed on the edge of the level space, where it fell abruptly to the surface of the stream, which flowed dark and swift some forty feet below. ; In front of the boys, at a distance of ten ~ aces, the six Sepoys with their guns were rawn up in line. “Phil,” whispered Tom, ‘‘ this looks like an execution.” “That's phat I’m thinkin’ meself,” replied Phil, in the same tone. “Tf that is what they intend let us jump into the water.” “Say whin, thin; it’s all one; we'll be kill- ed, afther all.” Further conversation was prevented by Croley, who, taking a position alittle to one side, said: ; “Tom Topp, Ido not intend to be trifled with any longer, and I ask you for the last time to tell me who sent you after me?” “‘No one,” replied Tom. i, ie that your final answer ?” is, : “Will you sign a paper giving me your right and title to ONE ge aie you have a claim to?” : *No—a thousand times no!” . “Then your blood be on your own head. Ready!” ¥ ’ The ominous clicking of six gun-locks was ee es the Sepoys drew back the hammers. im!” Six gaping muzzles covered the boys. Croley had made many threats which he did not execute, but now Tom saw murder in his face, cee yelled out: um i? “Tire!” roared Croley, : Under the impulse of the moment several of the Sepoys discharged their guns, but it © was too late, and their bullets only pierced — the empty air. The instant that Tom gave the word the two boys with lightning-like rapidity wheel- ed_and sprang off of the bluff, © Down they shot, feet foremost, from the dizzy height into the dark waters, which parted to receive them, and closed over them with a gurgling sound. After a moment of breathless astonishment Croley uttered a horrible oath, rushed to the verge of the bluff with the Sepoys, and peer- ed eagerly into the stream. At first nothing was visible, then two dark objects came ae to the surface of the water close to the falls, over the top of which they were instantly swept, and vanished. CHAPTER XXI. A HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPE, Boru Tom and Phil were expert swimmers, and had frequently leaped and dived off of spring boards and other elevated objects. Habit is second nature; so when they epeene over the bluff they instinctively kept their arms close to their sides and went straight down, feet foremost. Consequently they clipped into the water ae eeee dropped end first, without much shock, ; : The rapidity of the descent, however, nearly took away their breath, and the impetus car- ried them so deep under water that forthe pe being they were incapable of any exer- _ ion, ee : yal The current was so swift that before they came to the surface of the water, they swept close to the verge of the falls, so close, in fact, that there was only time to long breath before over the: plunged down amid the seething, hissing waters in the deep pool below. : ast Fortunately neither Tom nor Phil struck upon any of the rocks at the foot of the cat- — aract, but they were severely shocked by the t were draw a went, and —
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20 fall, and the down-pouring water carried them under, and kept them down so long, that when they came to thesurface they were limp and almost lifeless. ; Scarcely conscious of what they were doing, they floated on their backs and made some feeble motions, which luckily were sufficient to keep the refluent water from carrying them under the falls again. On one side of the stream at ‘the lower end of the pool was a low bank or bar, formed by debris washed up by the current. _ : Against this bank Tom and Phil drifted close to each other, and managed to drag, themselves about half out of the water ; more ene, could not do, they were so weak and aint, For a short time they were’ helpless as in- fants, but no bones were broken, and under the genial influence of the sun and air the “regained their strength and wits with marvel- ous rapidity. The first thing they did, and before ches were strong enough to talk, was to grasp eac other by the hand. - They were only able to give a short, weak B gu, ut between two such old and tried riends it spoke volumes, _ Phil was the first to break the silence. ““May the Howly Vargin be praised,” he Seated in a low voice, “‘ but it was a close shave SIA “Tt was, indeed,” replied Tom ; ‘‘ but thanks be to God we are alive yet.” “But what will we be afther doin’ ?”’ “We must get away from here at once.” a: its Mus meself that wants to do the same—but snes ow 79 “Keep quiet, and let us make up our minds what to do.” And in truth their position made it neces- sary for them to act promptly and with ex- treme caution, ; : Where Tom and Phil were lying they were * screened by the poreuscn ay rocks of the _ waterfall from the view of Croley and his "men, who were fifty yards further up the stream. But just to the right, and so near that the - two boys could hear their voices, though not raised above an ordinary conversational tone, were the Sikhs, firing whenever they got a glimpse of the Sepoys. : The bank against which Tom and Phil were was so low, that if they stood up, evenin a bent position, or attempted to cross the «stream and get on the other side, they would inevitably be discovered by the Sikhs and captured, or what they thought more proba- ble, be riddled with bullets at once. While on the other hand, if they went along down in the stream, they would, after pro- ceeding a few yards, be in [plain view of Cro- ley and the Sepoys. ‘ Y ‘All of these facts Tom and Phil weighed in their minds, and did it quickly. For every moment of delay was fraught with deadly peril, as it was almost absolutely certain that some of the Sikhs would come to the pool below the falls, which they could do in perfect safety, to get water. “The stream is our only chance,” whisper- Poona ‘To you feel strong enough to try a i Le “Yis,” replied Phil. ‘An’ sure itll be ’asier ter go wid ther current than ter crape _ thro’ ther thorns.” 3 “Tetus be off then; don’t speak a word, -and avoid splashing in the water.” Whereupon the two boys slid gently into the stream, and barely moving their hands and feet enough to keep them afloat, glided along noiselessly with the current. - They had not proceeded more than fifteen or twenty yards, when a shout announced _ that the Sepoys ensconced among the rocks had discovered them. Tom and Phil at once commenced to swim as fast as they could, without making. any “noise, while Croley and the Sepoys opened a _ furious fire on them. Whew! how the bullets whistled and sung around the boys’ heads, knocking up the _~ water in their faces, and in several instances ae passing so close that they felt the wind of the _ balls upon their cheeks. : - It is, however, very hard to strike small, _ moving objects with plunging shot, and Tom and Phil increased the difficulty by diving re- ss Beatedlys and remaining and swimming un- _der water as long as possible, coming up to breathe each time further and further down - the stream. ° Nor did the Sepoys have a chance to aim TOM “TOPP. and fire deliberately, for the Sikhs were not idle, but popped over several of those who in their eagerness to shoot the boys exposed themselves, and speedily drove the rest to cover, Croley, however, furious at the PrOspeRy of Tom and Phil escaping, continued to expose himself recklessly, and fired shot after shot at them as fast as the guns could be loaded and handed to him. In his insane desire to see them destroyed, he even shouted to the Sikhs to look to the stream, and tried to direct attention to the boys by pointing to them. F ut the Sikhs SU BETES that he was firing at them, and thought his words and gestures were meant as a defiance, so they kept blaz- ing away at him until a well directed bullet tore off nearly all of one of his ears and grazed his skull, momentarily stunning him, when some of the Sepoys dragged him down behind the rocks. Almost instantly, however, Croley regained his senses, tore himself away from the Sepoys, and sprang up, gun in hand. But Tom and Phil had just passed around a bend of the stream, and could no longer be seen. Yielding to a wild paroxysm of rage, Croley dashed himself upon the ground foaming at the mouth, and uttering such furious impre- cations that the SeDOYE recoiled in dismay, and RnB eted among themselves that he was possessed by evil spirits. In the meantime, Tom and Phil, who had escaped in an almost miraculous manner from the many bullets aimed at them, were making the best of their way down the stream. Nor did they relax their efforts, except to rest a little two or three times under shelter of the bank, until they were more than a mile and a half from the water-fall. The appearance of the stream where they now found themselves was very different from what it was at the place they entered it. Its width was increased, the banks, instead of being firm, were muddy and slippery, the water had lost transparency, and the current became slugs ish, as if affected by back-water. In the middle of the stream, out of which it arose in a slanting position, was a medium- sized tree, which had probably been brought down by a freshet, until its roots caught in pete eet dy bottom, and anchored it firm and ‘ast. : The gently inclined trunk looked like an in- viting resting-place to the two boys, who were now pretty tired, and they climbed up on it, and seated themselves very comfortably some five feet above the water. Neither vom nor Phil had anything what- ever but the clothes they wore, not even a pocket-knife. They were in the heart of a country swarming with blood-thirsty and merciless foes, and knew not which way to turn for succor. a Yet they were in fine spirits, the excitement caused by their narrow escape still affected them and they were at liberty—out of the clutches of Croley, which was enough to re- move foundations of care from their bosoms. A reaction might, and no doubt would, sooner or later, throw a damper over their feelings, but now, as they sat on the tree, dis- cussing plans for the future, they were not only hopeful, but actually jubilant. “Did yer iver see the bate ay that?” ex- claimed Phil, suddenly breaking off from the subject they were talking about. “What?” asked Tom. “D’ye moind that log now? Be jabbers, it’s floatin’ straight up strame.” Tom looked at the object indicated, and saw that it was an immense crocodile, at least thirty feet long. The scaly monster had its cold, cruel eyes fixed on the boys, and moved toward them in death-like silence. On it came without producing aripple, until within ten feet of the boys, when it made a lightning-like rush, raised its head out of the water and snapped at their legs, which, how- ever, they drew up on the tree in time to save themselves. j The crocodile then, after swimming around as if examining the position, deliberately fried to crawl up the inclined surface of the ree, i : Tom and Phil moved up as far as they could towards the top of the tree, which bent and swayed and trembled like an aspen leaf be- neath the immense weight of the crocodile. The savage monster succeeded in getting about half its body up on the tree, but the EEE EEE ee ne Tate AT SS a ES a ie Sa Mar ae eal Sa trunk was so narrow that when he endeavor- ed to advance further he slipped off and fell into the water with a tremendous splash, The tree, which had been very much dis- tressed by the creature’s weight, sprang up with such a.sudden jerk that the two boys narrowly escaped being thrown off. The crocodile made no further attempt to get at the boys, but. swam slowly to’ and fro under the tree, as if determined to wait until they fell into his jaws. ‘“Begorra, it’s a nice kettle of fish we're in,” said Phil, ruefully. “We might be in a worse,” replied Tom, eas he was not far from feeling what he said. “Tt’s meself that would like to see it, thin.” The words were scarcely out of Phil’s mouth before his wish was gratified. "There was a rustling in the bushes, and a truculent-looking native, n in hand, made his appearance on the bank and ordered the boys to come ashore. : “Shoot ther craythur, an’ we will,” replied Phil, in his choicest Hindostanee, pointing at at the crocodile. Then he whispered to Tom : “Tf he kills it we can swim ter ther other side whin his gun is empty.” This was an excellent plan, with one slight exception—it would not work, The native was a Hindoo, and regarded the crocodile as a sacred creature; rather than harm it he would have killed his own grand- father. Therefore, on hearing Phil’s request, a hor- rible scowl came on the man’s face and. level- ing the gun at the boy he sternly and per- emptorily ordered them to come ashore imme- diately or he would fire. CHAPTER XXII. TOM AND PHIL ARE CAPTURED AND HUNG, Just under Tom and Phil was the huge crocodile, ready to seize them the instant they touched the water. e Hindoo, though well aware that one or both of the boys would be caught and de- stroyed by the savage monster if they at- tempted to obey his order, threatened to fire if they did not at once start to come ashore. Tom tried to expostulate with the man, but he would not listen to reason. Death stared the two boys in the face, and there seemed to be no way in which it could be avoided. Notwithstanding his perilous position Phil’s quick, Irish temper got the better of his judgment, and he addressed the native in the choicest Hindoo gallee (abuse) he could command, Phil’s limited stock of Hindoo words were soon exhausted, but that did not stop him; he fell back on his mother’s tongue, and con- tinued : “ Ouch, ye born omadhawn, may the curse of Crom’ll rest on ye an’ the devil fly away with ye; d’ye think we'd be afther jumpin’ inter the crockodile’s mouth, ter plaze sucha black, murtherin’, barbarian as yerself !” To the great astonishment of the two boys, as soon as Phil commenced speaking ~ English the native lowered his gun. And when Phil stopped talking the man asked in Hindoostanee : i Bek ‘““Who are you?” : Tom did not know any Hindoo word for American, so he answered: ‘© We are Goraloy.” (Europeans). The man shook his head and said : ““No, you are Sepoys.” Tom assured him that he was mistaken. and both the boys rolled up their sleeves and showed that their arms, where they were not sunburnt, were white. “This seemed to surprise the man very much., He hesitated a few moments, as if uncertain what to do, then drew a pistol from his belt. and fired it in the air. The report was answered by a shout, and in a few minutes a havildar and twoarmed na- tives made their appearance, — After exchanging a few words with the man who first discoyered Tom and Phil, the hayildar, who was a Mussulman, and had not. reyerance for the crocodile, threw some sticks. at it, and the scaly monster reluctantly swam away down the stream and disappeared. Tom and Phil were then ordered to swim. ashore, and did so, though every moment they were in the water they feared a crocodile would seize them. y ‘ But they reached the shore in safety, and on —
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VOM. -TOPRP: landing, were at once marched off through the woods at the point of the bayonet. After proceeding some two miles, they ar- rived ata place where about three hundred British soldiers anda hundred and fifty Sikhs were bivouacing. ; It was a portion of the column commande by Major Renaud, which marched some miles in advance of the army, when General Haye- lock started from Allahabad towards Cawn- ore, e The policy of the British was to strike, and strike hard, whenever there was a chance, and Renaud’s path—or retribution, as it is called—was marked out so plainly, by bodies of rebels hanging from the trees along the roadside, that Havelock’s men needed nothing: else to guide them, while marching to join the column in advance, ‘*Hurrah!” shouted Phil, when he saw the white troops; ‘‘it’s safe we are now.” “T hope so,” replied Tom, who, however, thought that the soldiers looked at them in a way that was far from friendly. But there was not much time to speculate about the hostile demeanor of the men, for the two boys were at once conducted where Major Renaud and some of his officers were loung- ing on blankets under the wide-spreading limbs of a banyan tree. Major Renaud’s brow darkened when he saw ‘om and Phil, and he said to the havil- dar: “What do you mean by bringing these fel jJows here? Why did you not shoot or hang them at once?” ** By all means,” “‘ Hang them at once.” ‘Let them swing.” : Exclaimed different officers, and the red- faced captain roared out: Sf Hanging is too good for them; they ought to be burnt |” Tom and Phil were dumfounded at the turn things had taken. They had naturally supposed that the British would commiserate their condition and gladly contribute to their comfort and safety. But on the contrary Bboy. found they were regarded as persons who had leagued them- selves with those fiends in human forms, the Sepoys, to murder and plunder, were execrat- ed by every one, and on the point of being put to death in the most ignominious manner. “We can prove our innocence,” said Tom, as soon as he in some degree recovered his presence of mind. “ How ? asked Major Renaud. ““By Colonel Kelly, or his peon, Hamet,” “ Where are they 2” *“T told you how they parted from us.” cs Supposine for the sake of.argument, that you told the truth—which I very much doubt ea more than probable that they are both ea *“T think not.” _ “Well, they cannot be found, so there is no use to speak of them,” “Wecan give the names of a number of persons in the United States who will tell who and what we are, if you will write to The hayildar told how the two boys were | them captured, abd in conclusion said: ‘They are Europeans, and I did not know whether your orders not to take any prison- ers applied to them or not.” : ‘*Ah, Europeans!” exclaimed the major. *““T thought, from the color of their faces and their dress, that they were Sepoys.” Then, turning to Tom and Phil, he asked; *© Who are you,.and how came you here in that uniform?” Tom told, in as few words as possible, who Phil and himself were, and how they came to be where they were, dressed in the uniform of Sepoys. 2 When Tom concluded, he was astounded at seeing that there was a scowl or sneering expression on the faces of everybody around him and Phil. It was very evident that no one believed a word he had uttered. “This is not the first time I have had to deal with white renegades,” said Major Renaud, fiercely. ‘‘ But what have we here?” ‘The latter exclamation was caused by a Sikh, who came dashing into camp, his horse covered with foam. The Sikh was one of a reconnoitering part: which had been sent out by Major Renau and it was this force that attacked Croley and the Sepoys. As soon as the Sikh dismounted, he gave an account of the fight, and said that the Sepoys were commanded by a white man, and had others with him; he also stated that the had cut their way out of the position in whic they were surrounded, and retreated towards Cawnpore, in a badly demoralized condition. A company of mounted men to assist in pursuing the Sepoys, and a surgeon with some litters for the wounded Sikhs, were at once sent forward under the guidance of the man who brought intelligence of the fight. As soon as this was done, Major, Renaud said to the group of officers : ‘Gentlemen, you have heard this very re- markable account that the young man gave of himself and his companions ; what do you think of it?” “That itis a lie from beginning to end,” re- . plied a red-faced captain. ; “ One of them is an American, and the other Trish,” said the lieutenant; ‘‘and of course , they hate the British.” : “And would be glad to see us all ‘killed, or driven out of the country,” growled another officer. “But being ea to fill their own pockets, took service with the Sepoys, thinking they would have a fine time plundering.” These, and similar remarks, were heard on all sides. ; R “You haye expressed my opinion exactely, said Major Renaud to the officers, ‘‘so was” are all of the same mind, I appar they had as well be strung up without the formality of a drum-head court-martial.” ~ “Certainly.” “Pooh! they can’t possibly know what you have been doing lately.” ‘““ They will vouch for our good character.” “That would not affect my judgment in this matter, and it would require months to make the inquiry. Isthere any one in India to whom you can refer?” “Captain Helm, if he is alive.” ‘“ Which is not likely.” “Miss Flora Kelly.” ‘** But you say that she is in captivity.” “I do not know of any one else except Col- onel Kelly, and Hamet, his peon.” “They may not be found in months, if ever, and I can’t encumber myself with prisoners.” “Sure it’s no throuble we'd be at all,” said Phil, “‘ becase we’d do our duty as sojers.” “1 could not trust you,” replied Major Re- naud; then earns re the red-faced captain, he said: “‘ Captain Nims, will you attend to their execution ?” ‘* Certainly,” replied the captain, eagerly. “T havemy eye ona nice limb which stretches over the road; I'll have them strung up there as a warning to others.” ~ Tom and Phil experienced a sinking of the heart, which they had never felt to such an extent before,even when death seemed cer- tain. Nor was it to be wondered at. Anticipating friendly treatment, they found distrust and hatred.” Expecting safety, they were confronted by destruction. : Phil asked for a ORO but there was none with the command.» The two boys cate hands and bade each other a last farewell. After which they prayed silently. Preparations for the execution were at once made. Tom and Phil were led to a spot designated by Captain Nims and their arms pinioned. The noose of two strong halters were put around their necks and drawn tight. 3 The other ends of the ropes were then thrown over an overhanging limb and seized by a number of soldiers, who stood ready to run {the two boys up side by side when the order was given. : ‘ The fiery-faced Nims chuckled to himself, took a piece of wide board and with some charcoal marked on it the following words: TOM TOPP, (American,) , AND PHIL FITZGERALD, (Irish.) : Hung like dogs for serving with the Sepoys. ’ This placard was then attached with cords to the necks of the two boys, so that it was supported in a horizontal position between em. j “Now,” said Nims, rubbing his hands with ferocious glee, “pull them up gently, so that they may be 4 long time dying: 4 The next instant Tom and Phil were hoist- .)ed up into the air, and hung with quivering limbs, —protruding tongues, and blackening faces slowly strangling to death. CHAPTER XXIII. RESCUE OF COLONEL KELLY AND CAPTAIN HELM—WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS, Ir will be remembered that Colonel Kelly and Captain Helm being pursued by two tigers, abandoned the low sand island upon which they had taken refuge, and struck out towards the open sea. ; Also, that Captain Helm severely wounded one of the tigers, which then swam back to the island. : And that Colonel Kelly’s horse, frantic with fright, plunged so as to throw him, and made for the shore, pursued by the other tiger, while Colonel Kelly—whose arms were both disabled—was kept afloat by Captain Helm. Tt was with extreme difficulty that Captain Helm supported Colonel Kelly, and they drifted at the mercy of the tide, which was rising, and bore them straight towards the small island, upon which could be dimly seen the dark form of the wounded tiger. “We will soon be face to face with the tiger,” said Captain Helm, “but the tide is so strong that I cannot alter our course.” ‘Leave me to my fate and look out for your own patel. a: replied Colonel Kelly. “T would rather die than do such a das- tardly thing, and hope you will not pain me by suggesting it again.” Conscious that Captain Helm was acting as he himself would do, if their situations were reversed, Colonel Kelly ceased to insist on being abandoned. Steadily the tide drifted them towards the island, and they were soon near enough to see that the tiger was in a crouching attitude, with its belly on the sand, and head lowered, as if ready to spring on them ds soon as they were near enough. The feelings of the two men can scarcely be imagined, much less described. Captain Helm could not even draw his pis- tol, for he had to use both of his hands con- stantly to keep himself and helpless compan- ion afloat. And thus they drifted nearer and nearer to the terrible man-eater, every moment expect- iug him to utter his appalling roar, spring on .them like a triumphant fiend, crush their skulls with his tremendous paws, and tear them to pieces with his powerful teeth. When within about ten feet of ythe grisly” monster they touched bottom, and found that by standing erect they could keep their heads above water. “This is lucky,” whispered Captain Helm, hastily drawing his pistol. ‘TI can now firea shot in our defense, if the cartridges are not ruined,” ped ‘Never fear,” replied Colonel Kelly in the 3ame tone, ‘ they are water-proof.” “Had I not better shoot him at once?” “By nomeans; hemust be severely wound- ed, or we would have been attacked before now; let him keep quiet if he will.” But Colonel Kelly and Captain Helm soon found that they could not remain teen The tide continued to rise, and they had to take step after step towards the island, until they were not more than six feet from the tiger, which, however, continued to lie still as a rock, is : “By Gearge !” said Captain Helm, who was in advance with his pistol presented ready to fire, ‘‘ I believe he is dead.” : “That is what I think,” replied Colonel Kelly ; ‘give him a shot, and see; we will haye to get on the island in afew minutes, anyway, or the water will be over our heads.” aptain Helm fired at the tiger’s head, but it never stirred ; the creature was as dead as a herring. In another moment the colonel and captain were upon the small island, congratulating — each other upon their fortunate escape. Colonel Keily was so weak and faint from the loss of blood, that Captain Helm made him lie down and go to sleep, while he kept watch. During the night, to keep himself awake, — “ Captain Helm skinned the tiger, intending, if possible, to preserve the skin as a memento of the adventure. : - In the morning, soon after.sunrise, a coast~- ing vessel passing was hailed, took them on them to Calcutta. 3 Colonel Kelly was at once surrounded by board, and carrie hosts of friends, who treated Captain Helm
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22 with the greatest consideration and kindness when they heard of his heroic conduct. But the news they heard at Calcutta great- ly‘distressed Captain Helm, and made Colo- nel Kelly almost frantic. The troops that were sent to relieve Colonel Kelly, and remove the treasure from his sta- tfon, had been attacked by an overwhelming furce and cut to pieces. Therefore, there were strong reasons for fearing that Flora, Tom, Phil and Hamet had been murdered, as the Sepoys scarcely ever spared the lives of prisoners, The condition of affairs too was most alarming. Regiment after regiment of na- tive troops had thrown off its allegiance to the British crown, and amidst dreadful atroci- ties, put their officers and all other Europeans in their power to death. ; At, Lucknow, Delhi, Ferzpore, Barelly, Me- rut, Allghur, Shahjehanpore, Nurseerabad and various other places the mutineers were triumphant, and the bravest of the British be- gan to fear that they must abandon the coun- ry or be exterminated. he arrival of Colonel Kelly at Calcutta was regarded as a most fortunate occurrence. For his well-known a eats and ex- perience, his knowledge of the country and people, and his high standing with both uropeans and natives, made him of the highest value in the emergency. Sir Colin Campbell, the commander-in-chief, and many others high in office, urged him to accept a position in the army, and take the field as soon as possible. To this Colonel Kelly consented upon con- dition that he might raise a force of Sikhs and _ irregular cavalry, and operate upon the army, or independently as he saw proper. These points he insisted upon, so that he might be at liberty to search for, and if pos- sible, rescue Flora; Tom, Phil and Hamet, or revenge them if they were dead. His wishes were promptly complied with ; he was at once commissioned as a colonel in _ the army, and received the orders he desired. Neither of his arms were broken, but the flesh wounds were severe. ‘ But so eager was he to get: to the front, that in less than a week after receiving his papers, Colonel Kelly, disregarding the ad- vice of surgeons, started up the country ina - hackerie, or covered carriage, drawn by bul- _ locks, accompanied by Captain Helm, and escorted by fifty mounted Sikhs. _ Five days afterwards Hamet, with Thun- derbolt, Banshee and his own horse, was ac- cidentally met on the road. Being informed by Hamet of the capture of Flora and the two boys, and’ the probable destination of their captors, Colonel Kelly hurried forward, recruiting as he went. s At the expiration of three weeks, auing: “which a hundred Sikhs were enlisted, an added to his original escort, he overtook General Havelock’s army, encamped on the road to Cawnpore. - Learning that Major Renaud was in ad- vance, the colonel proceeded to join him, hoping with his assistance to intercept the - captors of Flora and the boys. a e arrived at Major Renaud’s bivouac with Captain Helm and his enna .of Sikhs a few seconds after Tom and Phil were hung, and halted close to the tree up on which they were dangling. — ‘aThere are two men who have been hung,” said Captain Helm, looking out of the car- ~ riage. : *“Sepoys, I see,” replied the colonel, uncon- sciously gazing at the suspended figures ; - but what is written on that placard? Can you make out?” “Great God!” exclaimed the captain; “it isTom and Phil! For mercy’s sake have ~ them cut down; they may yet be alive.” The next instant the colonel and captain pes leaped out of the carriage, “Tower those boys instantly !” yelled the - colonel to the men who were yet holding the ends of the halters with which Tom and _ Phil were drawn up. ; ‘The colonel had no ee of rank about him, and the soldiers, not knowing him, hesi- tated to obey, while the red-faced Nims came forward in an arrogant and blustering man- “ner, saying: ; : - “Tam managing this execution, Who are _ you that dares to interfere ?” » “T am Colonel Arthur Kelly, and darn you, if those boys are not let down immediately, T1kill you with my own hand.” : ‘Nims was a coward as well as a bully, and ‘by Colonel Kelly, who was almost TOMES OR Rs he slunk away, muttering something about seeing Major Renaud. The soldiers delayed no longer, but lowered Tom and Phil to the ground, where they lay | like logs. The halters were at once removed from their necks, but they were apparently lifeless. A surgeon, who with some others had been attracted to the spot, knelt by the side of Tom and Phil, felt their wrists, placed his hand over their hearts, then arose and shook his head. ‘ “Doctor, is there any hope?” simultaneous- ly asked Colonel Kelly and Captain Helm. “None. ‘They are dead.” ‘Dead !” echoed Colonel Kelly, ‘‘ Then, by Heaven, I will call their murderers to a strict account.” “They vere not murdered, colonel,” replied the surgeon, in respectful tones, ‘* but exe- cuted by order of Major Renaud.” “For what cause ?” “ Because they were in the service of the Sepoys.” “Tt is a lie! a base, infamous lie!” said Captain Helm ; “ truer-hearted or brayer boys never lived—they were incapable of doing anything dishonorable.” “ And so say I,” exclaimed Colonel Kelly. “Tf we had arrived here a few minutes sooner we might have saved them.” “¥ did not witness the execution,” said the Se rat * but I know when it took place, and from the suddenness of their deaths, think that their necks were broken.” “No,” replied an officer, ‘‘ I saw the whole thing; they were poled slowly, and must have choked to death.” i “Hal say you so?” ejaculated Captain Helm, “ then there may yet be a chance to save them. I have seen persons resuscitated after apparent death from drowning.” “J will try to revive them,” said‘the sur- eon, “but to be frank with you, I do not hink it possible to do so,” Whereupon he went to work with several soldiers as assistants, alternately forcing air into the lungs of the boys, and expelling it by pressing on their chests, thus imitating natural breathing. - A few minutes after this operation was commenced, Major Renaud made his appear- ance, greeted Colonel Kelly, with whom he wss well acquainted, and was introduced to Captain Helm. n learning that Tom had given a true ac- count of himself and Phil, the major ex- pressed much regret for his precipitancy in ordering their execution, and encouraged the surgeon and his assistants to persevere in their efforts. To do the soldiers justice, however, they needed no urging to do whatever they could; they were as eager to save the lives of Tom and Phil as they had been to put them to death. But for a long time it seemed as if the at- tempt to resuscitate the boys would be in vain. However, after the artificial respiration had been continued for nearly an hour, Phil began to breathe naturally, and a few min- utes afterwards Tom showed signs of life. Their condition improved rapidly, and at the expiration of thirty minutes ey had so far regained their consciousness that both recognized Colonel Kelly and Captain Helm ; the joy of all four can readily be imagined, hen he saw the look of recognition in the eyes of Tom and Phil, the surgeon forbade them to speak, as their lives yet trembled as it were in a balance, and the slightest exer- tion might prove fatal. Restoratives were adminstered to the two boys, a tent was hastily erected for their ac- commodation, and just as the sun went down and darkness came on they were put to bed, and almost immediately fell into a deep sleep —so death-like, that Captain Helm, who watehed by their side, feared that they would not live to see the light of another day. After a short time the captain was joined eart- broken. He had just learned from Major Renaud the fact—communieated by Tom—that Flora was now in all probabilities an inmate of Nina Sahib’s zenana, and subject to his brutal caprlces. aptain Helm uttered no words of consola- tion. Atsucha time they would have been the bitterest mockery. But as the night waned and the camp-fires burnt low, flickered and died out, quenched by the heavy dew, he talked of revenge. And the heart of Colonel Kelly; which had been melted by sorrow, grew hard as the neth- er mill-stone, and he thirsted for blood like tigress when robbed of her cubs, : CHAPTER XXIV. IN THE ARMY—CAWNPORE—THE DEVIL'S ISLAND. Tom and Phil slept through the night al- most without stirring, and awakened in the morning feeling rather weak and their necks were very tender and sore, otherwise they ex- perienced no ill effects from their terrible experience of the day before. s soon as Tom and Phil eoy out of bed, they—at the requestof Colonel Kelly and Cap- tain Helm—gaye a full account of what hap- pened to them and Flora. Colonel Kelly and Captain Helm then re- lated their adventure, and the former an- nounced his intention of forthwith starting to aid in the pursuit of Croley and the Sepoys with him. : But this intention was abandoned in con- sequence of the return of the men whohad been engaged in the pursuit. They reported that they had encountered a strong body of cavalry, which handled them ery roughly. They also brought intelligence that Cawn- pore had fallen, freeing the rebel troops from occupation, and they were pushing forward a strong force to oppose the British advance. Major Renaud sent the news by courier to General Havelock, and determined to remain where he was until he received instructions how to act in the emergency. This was a fortunate thing for Tom and Phil, as they were sorely in need of a few days’ rest. Jolonel Kelly intended to raise a regiment, and had, as before stated, already enlisted a company of Sikhs one hundred and fifty strong. After ascertaining that it would be agree able to them, the colonel appointed Tom cap- tain and Phil first lieutenant of this company. Hamet, who, previous to his entering the personal service of Colonel Kelly, had served. ° in the army and was a well-trained soldier, was assigned to duty as Tom’s sabadar. ° The Hindoos are the best grooms in the world, and Hamet had kept Thunderbolt and Banshee in splendid order. So Tom and Phil could not haye been better mounted than they were. j And Colonel Kelly sent to Allahabad and procured them complete outfits, including uniforms, swords and pistols. When the things arrived and Tom and Phil had thrown aside their tattered clothing, and put on the showy uniforms, two more hand- some and dashing-looking officers it would have been hard to find. , After a short delay, Major Renaud, having received orders to that effect, broke up his camp, and advanced cautiously towards the enemy. Two nights afterwards, General Havelock, with the main army—after a forced march— jolted. Major Renaud on the road by moon- ight, and with him marched to Futtelpore, My sre ule enemy were found in force, strong- y posted. hinking that they had only Major Re- naud’s small force to contend with, the Sepoys attacked at once. - But in less than thirt they scattered and fled in utter confusion, leaving eleven of their guns on the field. While the infantry were fully epeeeed in front, the enemy’s cavalry made a bold attack upon the supply train of the British, the de-. struction of which would have been as disas- trous as a crushing defeat. ; Captain Nims, with a force of irregular cay- alry, who were guarding the train, fled in the most cowardly manner. But Tom, seeing the canteen the supplies were exposed to, charged the enemy—who outnumbered his company two to one—im- etuously, and drove them off with heavy oss. 7 After the battle was over, General Have- lock publicly thanked Tom, and ordered Nims to be pulense of his uniform and drummed out of the army. ; During the next five days General Haye- lock’s army won three battles, in allof which ~ Tom and Phil behaved with con‘ sicuous minutes afterwards
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he TOM TOPP. een and re-entered in triumph the lood-stained walls of Cawnpore. But they were disappointed in their expec- tations of rescuing their friends. There were a thousand Europeans in the place when the siege commenced, half of whom were women and children. Five men escaped by swimming down the Ganges; all the rest were killed during the siege, or mur- dered after the surrender. In the house where the women and children were butchered, the blood on the floor was over shoe deep, and an immense well into which the dead had been thrown for burial, and the wounded to die, was found filled with its ghastly contents to the brim. Mutilation and decomposition rendered it impossible to recognize any of the dead, and as Colonel Kelly and Tom gazed into the hor- rid sepulcher, they grew sick at heart with the thought that it might contain the body of Flora. But all efforts to learn the fate of Flora failed, ; It was ascertained, however,that Croley and Bajee Rao had been at Cawnpore, and after conferring with Nina Sahib, were sent off with a strong body of cavalry and a number of covered wagons. After a halt of two weeks, General Have- lock started to the relief of Lucknow; but Tom and Phil did not march with him; they remained at Cawnpore with Colonel Keily, who peta the penalty ot travel before his wounds were healed by being prostrated on a bed of sickness for two months. During the colonel’s illness the two boys were worked half to death; they took turns with Captain Helminnursing their sick friend, and while one of them was thus engaged, the other was in command of the Sikhs, scouting and skirmishing with the Sepoys, who began to gather round Cawnpore as soon as the main army left. Before Colonel Kelly had fully recovered Lucknow was relieved, Delhi captured an Nina Sahib a fugitive, with a price set on his ead, But Tom had not succeeded in getting the slightest clew to the whereabouts of either Flora or Croley. The British arms were everywhere trium- ean but the country was in a terrible con- dition, being overrun by the scattered Sepoys, who plundered and murdered right and left Against an unusually large, crafty and blood-thirsty band of these marauders Tom was sent with his company of Sikhs, and was soon on their track. But the robbers were not to be easily trap- ped. Vestiges of them were found ’tis true— smouldering ruins, late a peaceful village-— here and there a murdered family—flocks wantonly butchered and left weltering in their blood, and other horrors showed where they had been, but they were nowhere to be seen, Tom, however, having heard that the chief of the robbers was a one-eyed man was fire by the hope that he was Croley, and prose- cuted the search with almost supernatural activity. é He paid spies highly for information, en- couraged injured yillagers to seek revenge, and spared neither himself nor his men to leave no stone unturned to capture the rob- ber chief and his band. At length, acting upon information received from a native, Tom made a forced march, and for'the first time caught sight of the robbers who were just leaving a village that they ha plundered and set on fire. The robbers at once abandoned their spoils and fled, hotly pursued by Tom and his Sikhs. The robbers, however, were quickly out of sight, for their horses were fresh, while those of the Sikhs were jaded. But Tom was not thus to be baffled. There were in his company men who could follow a trail over the burning sands of Kandeish with unerring certainty, and he hung on the traces of the fugitives like a blood-hound. : With many windings and turnings the trail led to the Ganges River, and disappeared at the water’s edge. The banks on both sides of the river for many miles up and down were carefully ex- amined, but the trail could not be again dis- covered, ota The robbers had disappeared as mysterious- ly_as if the earth had swallowed them up. In the Ganges a short distance below where _ the trail was lost, there was an island upon _ which it was supposed no one could land; d} “ Help—help! the natives had a superstitious dread of the place, believing it to be tenanted by evil spirits, After trying every other way that he could think of to find out which way the robbers had gone, Tom determined to give the island a careful examination. This resolution was combatted by his whole company, from Hamet down. “‘We will go if you order us to do so,” they said to Tom, “‘but no good will come of it; the island is a haunt of Pishash (the devil,) ee he destroys all who attempt to land on it. Tom knew that it would be useless to rea- son with the Sikhs on such a subject, and he did not wish to force them to do what they were so averse to, without there was a strong probability of accomplishing something; therefore, he said: “Tet the company be deployed along the river bank to protect us with their rifles, and Lieutenant Fitzgerald and myself will take a nearer look at the island; perhaps there te be no occasion for any one else to go to it.” "Then getting into a small boat, Tom and eae rowed out to the island and pulled around i ering toa height of at least three hundred feet, and on every side overhung or arose steep as the upright walls of a house from the water, and nowhere could be seen either fissure or projection that would have afforded foot-hold even to a squirrel. Though not a twig or blade of grass grew on the sides of the island, its top was clothed with the most luxuriant trees which shot high into the air, while all along the edge of the cliff was a dense and apparently impene- trable mass of matted vines and bushes, On failing to discover any place where a landing could be made on the island, Tom was worse puzzled than ever to imagine what had become of the robbers. _Determining to fathom the mystery, if pos- sible, he, on returning to shore, ordered his company to camp a short distance from the river, posted men in the forest along the bank to keep a sharp lookout, and sent off a party with orders to procure enough boats to carry the whole command, and to bring them down after dark, and conceal them in a creek near at hand. : Nothing unusual occurred until the next night about twelve o'clock, when Tom and Phil, who were visiting the lookouts to see that they were on the alert, heard a slight noise near the water's edge. As they listened there came through the stillness the murmur of gruff voices, and then a sound—too significantly piteous to be mis- taken—the moan of some one in extremity of terror or pain. They had only advanced a few steps when a lithe, slender figure darted, or rather, flew by them, shrieking in heartrending tones for For God’s sake help!” Close upon the heels of the fugitives came two men in Sepoy uniforms, who, finding themselves likely to be distanced, fired their muskets at the flying person who thereupon, fell heavily to the ground. Drawing their swords, Tom and Phil sprang upon the Sepoys and cut them down before they were even aware of their dan- mer. . e Tom and Phil then turned their attention to the fugitive, who was found lying on the round somewhat stunned by the fall but un- hurt by the bullets. On raising the prostrate figure to an erect position, the boys saw before them an effemi- nate looking Hindoo, some thirty odd years of age, who was trembling excessively. Being assured of safety he became calmer, and asked Tom : “Are you not the sahib that has left his home to catch those who have done much bad | h work?” “T am_in search of the robbers,” replied Tom. ‘* Where did you come from, and what were those men going to do with you?” have been among the robbers, and by order of their chief was about to be put to death.” “If you can show me where the shall be both rewarded and avenged.” “The word of a sahib is equal to an oath on the Koran. Those he seeks are on the island near at hand.” “Tmpossible!” = “Be jabbers, it’s a lie!” exclaimed Phil. are, you "The island was one huge mass of rock, tow- 23. ‘No, sahib,” the Hindoo answered meekly, “Why should I lie? If you will hear my words, I will show you the whole matter.” _ He then explained that there was a con- cealed opening in the side of the island, through which its top could be easily reached, and said that the robbérs were celebrating the great Mohammedan festival of the Mohurran, and were stupefied with liquor and could easi- ly be overpowered. “But what security have I,” asked Tom, “that you will not lead us into a trap?” “The life of your slave isin your power, and youcan take it if you find yourself de- ceived.” * Tom hesitated no longer, but collecting his men, embarked in the boats and pulled softly towards the island. ; On reaching it, the Hindoo pointed outa large stone door, which was now standin, open; its bottom was below the surface o the water, and it was cunningly contrived that when closed, no one not in the secret would ever haye supposed it was not a por- tion of the solid rock. Pushing their boats through the singular doorway, Tom and his men found themselves in a cavern, whose floor was water, and the interior of which was shrouded in more than midnight darkness. The water was only six or eight feet deep, and by direction of the Hindoo, who was in the leading boat with Tom, the men did not row, buf pushed the boats along by pressing their oars against the bottom. Not a whisper was uttered as they proceed- ed, and the silence was so profound that it was almost painful. . Suddenly, Tom felt a jar, as if something had struck against the bottom of his boat— the door of the cavern shut with a thunder- ing clap, that resounded through the place with hollow echoes, and a deep, sullet.-toned bell began to toll, startling the Heaverts as if every stroke fell on their hearts. CHAPTER XXYV. A STRANGE STRONGHOLD—FLORA AND CRO- LEY—FIGHTING WITH FIENDS—LOST, ALL Lost, ; “WHa—wHa!” exclaimed the Sikhs, in suppressed tones, grasping their arms when the door of the cavern closed, and they heard the loud booming of the bell. . They thought they were in a trap, but were too brave and well-drilled to make a loud outery. The instant the door of the cavern slammed to, Tom grasped the arm of the Hindoo guide, plapped the muzzle of a pistol to his head, and said : i “What does this mean? Speak quick or T'll fire! If we are betrayed you die !’ The Hindoo was startled by the suddenness of the action, and by feeling the cold muzzle of the pistol pressed against his head, but he replied, steadily enough : ‘No, sahib, L have not deceived you; your boat struck agaist something in the water that is fixed to loosen a catch which holds the door open; then the door closed by itself and made the bell ring; the same thing always happens when a.boat passes along where we are. : “But won’t it put the robbers on the alert ?” asked Tom. “No; if they notice it at all, they will think the noise was caused by the boat’ of the men — who were sent to murder me.” Tom remembered feeling’ a jar as if his boat had come in contact with something, and was satisfied. : He explained the matter to his men, and © EHeY again commenced to push the boats along. ‘ After proceeding in profound silence for perhaps a hundred yards, the glitter of stars were seen through a circular opening over- ead, “Let the boats float,” said the Hindoo. The men stopped pushing with the oars, and the boats gliding onward with the im- petus which had been imparted to them, rounded on the sloping edge of a rocky plat- ‘orm. The whole party now landed and drew the boats up on the platform far enough to keep them from drifting away. Then following Tom, who kept hold of the guide’s arm with one hand, and carried a re- volver in the other, the company moved across the platform and commenced to ascend — a flight of steps cut in the solid rock, and
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- asked ’ where the robbers were carousing. * end of a sash on his mouth, and at the same a ley. 24 TOM 'TOPP. which wound spirally up the sides of a shaft or wall some ten feet in diameter. After asteep and winding ascent of between three and four hundred steps, they emerged into the upper air, and found themselves in an open space about a hundred yards square. partially overgrown with shrubbery, and three sides of which were low but massive buildings. A huge iron grating, used to close the sub- terranean stair by which they aséénded, was lying to one side of the openine, with dry wood piled on it, ready for ignition, showing that in time of danger a fire was kept burn- ing on the grating, thus presenting an impas- sable barrier to any one ascending from the cavern, Tom and his men were all fatigued by climb- ing the steep and narrow stairs, and soon as they emerged into the open air, threw them- selves flat on the ground to rest and deter- mine on a plan of action. The glimmer of lights could be seen in two of the buildings, and from one of them pro- ceeded the sounds of revelry, but the other was buried in silence. “The band of robbers are there,” whispered the Hindoo guide, pointing to the building where the revel was going on, ‘f‘and their chief is in the other house that has a light in ‘Do you think he has any men with him?” ‘om, in the same tone. “Only one who sleeps in the building ; but a sentinel is always placed at the front door.” Tom quickly made up his mind what to do, and as soon as he had explained his intention to Phil the men proceeded to act. The first thing done was to close the open- ing to the subterranean stairway by placing the iron grating over it and to post six men in the bushes a few yards distant to shoot any robbers who might attempt to escape that way. . ’ Then Tom, with the rest of the men, crept noiselessly forward and surrounded the house Leaving Phil with the company, silent as fate and as terrible, crouching among the shrubbery, Tom, with the Hindoo guide and four of the Sikhs, stole toward the quarters of the robber chief. On approaching the house the sentinel was found lying in front of the door ina drunken slumber, : “Secure that man,” said Tom. Two of the Sikhs approached the alee Ee softly, and bent over him; one pressed the instant the other Sikh stabbed him to the heart; he struggled conyulsively for a mo- ment or two, and then lay still. Tom did not intend to have the man killed, but it was done so quickly that he could not interfere. Placing two of the Sikhs at the door, with instructions to cut down any man who at- tempted to escape, Tom, with the other two and the guide, entered the building. Led by the guide, who seemed to be per- fectly familiar with the place, they passed through several corridors with marble floors and finally reached an arched doorway, over which hung a thick cloth curtain. Drawing a keen dagger which he carried concealed in his clothes, the Hindoo guide cut two small holes in the curtain, and motion- ing to Tom to follow his example, applied his eye to one of the openings. Looking through the hole in the curtain, Tom gota view of the interior of a large MOOR, uxuriously furnished in the oriental style. . : ut he had no eye for the Poreeoue furni- ture and decorations, his whole attention was fixed on the two occupants of the room, who, to his intense astonishment, were Flora Kelly and Croley; they were both dressed in costly native costumes, but Tom recognized them at once. i Flora was seated, but Croley was standing. and they were evidently engaged in a conyer- sation of an exciting and absorbing nature, “JT will be trifled with no longer,” said Cro- ‘p Before another sun sets you shall be wife.” ‘Never,” replied Flora. ‘I would die first, even if you did not have a wife already.” The words were scarcely uttered when the Hindoo tore aside the curtain, bounded to ones side, and struck at his breast with a agger, : : arned by the rustling of the curtain, Cro- ley turned just in time to save his life. m ————————————————— ns: EEE ee shh Pe a ee a et his left arm, he caught the agger in his loose sleeve, and keen poniard from his belt, Throwing u point of the plucking a long, struck home. A stream of blood spurted over his hand. The immense form of the Hindoo bent like a broken reed, and fell back lifeless. As the Hindoo fell, Tom drew his sword and leaped into the room. Uttering an inarticulate cry of rage, more bestial than human, Croley dashed forward, and struck at him with the bloody poniard. With a. dexterous moulinet, Tom parried the blow, and his sword shivered the highly- tempered weapon of Croley like glass. But before ‘'om could recover his guard, Croley closed with him, and clutched his throat with the grasp of a giant. The onset was so sudden and furious, that Tom, ROE and struggling, was forced down on one knee and dropped his sword. The grip on his throat was so powerful that his brain whirled and his senses reeled. He groped. blindly at his belt for his re- volver, but, before he could draw it, one of the Sikhs dealt Croley a terrific blow on the head with the butt of a pistol, and he dropped in his tracks like an ox felled in the shambles. Tom arose to his feet breathless but uhurt, and Flora Kelly, who had instinctively sprang forward to aid him, fell fainting in his arms, At that instant the report of a gun rang sharp and clear upon the midnight air. Hastily placing the insensible irl on a couch, and ordering the two Sikhs to remain with her, and to guard Croley carefully, Tom snatched up his sword and rushed out to join his company. One of Tom’s men had accidently discharged his gun, and the robbers knowing that some- thing was wrong—after a few moments’ hesi- peor Cae ny up their weapons, and pre- pared to sally forth. But before they did so Tom was by Phil’s side. Little pnt of the unseen death that Jurked in the shadows of the myrtle and) orange trees, the robbers came streaming pell-mell towards the door, their features ablaze with drink and distorted with passion. “Wirel” shouted Tom, when he saw the broad doorway crowded full of the villains. A pitiless jet of flame spurted in the very faces of the robbers, then there was a crash- ing report, the sound of falling men on the floor, cries of rage, groans and shrieks of ter- ror. Appalled by the swift destruction that had overtaken so many of their numbers, the rob- bers recoiled and tried to close the door of the house, but could not do so quickly in con- sequence of the dead and dying piled upon the floor. “Charge!” yelled Tom, and he and Phil sword in hand, followed by the Sikhs, hurled themselves against the door before ib could’ be fastened, burst it open, gained a footing in the hall and flung themselves on the foe. The fight immediately became desperate. and soon the smoke and sulphurous flames of the gunpowder were stifling. There was only one door to the hall, and the windows were mere slits in the thick walls, scarcely wide enough for a thin man to squeeze himself through. The robbers, inflamed with drink, and un- able to retreat, fought like penned wolves and died hard. The melee was close and suffocating, and enveloped in the dense powder pall no man knew how the killing went on. Men fe}l fast on both sides, but the surviv- ors spurned the quivering corpses and wound- ed out of the way or trod them down and continued the deadly work. At length, after two-thirds of their number were slain, the robbers were forced back un- til they were hurled against the rear wall of the building, and the confiict became almost a butchery. No quarter was asked or given, but all was blood, and death and victory. Most of the robbers were cut or shot and died fighting down where they stood L i a trigger, or strike as long as they could pul a blow. But towards the last, some few made a dash for the window, and attempted to es- cape; among them Phil recognized Bajee Rao, and with a well-directed shot cleared off old scores with that wily Hindoo, by ending hisexistence. Only five or six of the fugitives ess S got out of the building, and they were hunt- ed down by the Sikhs and killed. Never was there a-fight more rapid or des- perate. It did not oceupy fifteen minutes—not ten, probably—though it is hard to say, for description moves so slowly, action so rapid- ly, yet when it was over, twenty-three Sikhs were dead or mortally wounded, a large num- ber, more or less hurt, and the corpses of sixty-seven robbers stretched upon the floor. , Though they exposed themselves reckless- ly, and were constantly where the danger seemed the thickest, Tom, Phil and Hamet were among the» fortunate few who escaped injury. ‘Tonr did not know whether all of the rob- bers were engaged in the fight or not, and was apprehensive that there aight be others, who would take advantage of the opportun- ity while the conflict was raping, to rescue Croley, and carry off, or kill Flora Kelly. Therefore, as soon as the fight was over. Tom directed Phil to see that the wounde were cared for, and taking Hamet, and eight men with him, hurried back to the house where Flora and Croley were left. The two Sikhs whom he had posted at the door, were no longer there, and Tom began to fear for the worst. —_ Almost breathless with anxiety, he hurried through the corridors. and entered the room where he left Flora and Croley. They and their guard had all disappeared. The body of the Hindoo guide lay on the floor where it fell, and the furniture was over- turned and broken, showing that a violent struggle had taken place during Tom’s ab- sence, ; ve Tom’s heart stood still, and his strong spirit grew faint within him, His very soul was filled with bitterness by the thought that at that moment he fancied his victory was commnlete, the object of his undying hatred had escaped—the girl he loved better than his life, was torn from him. ‘Fool! fool that I was to leave them,” he epee beating his breast. ‘‘ Lost! lost! all lost !” F CHAPTER XXVI. WHAT BECAME OF FLORA—WILLIAM ALSTON —TOM GETS HIS FATHER’S WATCH AGAIN— CONFESSION OF CROLEY. THoucH the disappearance of Flora and Croley was a stunning blow to Tom, he did not long despair. panaer aes is feelin: he sent for Phil and a not attending to the wounded. When they camea Buare was posted around the building, and the rest was ordered to search the house from top to bottom. Directed by Hamet, most of the men scat- tered themselves through the different parts of the building, while Tom and Phil, with some few others, commenced their investiga- tions.in.the room where Flora and Croley were left. The apartment SOper OU had but one door, and Tom almost instantly concluded tha there must be a secret entrance, fe The room was wainscoted with dark wood. and a close inspection with the eye, showe: no break or other indication of a door. Tom and Phil then began to pass their hands over the walls from as high up as they could reach down to the floor. t At length Tom touched a spot which feit~ colder and harder than the rest. It was a piece of iron, shaped and colored like a knot in the wood. : He pressed it; there was a clicking noise, and a panel slid back, revealing the entrance to a dark and narrow passage. Seizing one of the silver lamps which were burning in the room, Tom, followed by Phil and the men with them, passed through the opening, and after traveling the passage, came to a strong door plated with iron. The door was locked, and the key was on the other side. ; : Tom heard a stir within, and placing his mouth to the keyhole, said: thy Pe the door, or we will break it down.” ““Who’'s there?” asked a voice that made Tom's heart bound in his bosom. “Tt is me—Tom Topp,” he answered. The next instant the door was thrown open, and he saw before him Flora Kelly. Croley, and the two Sikhs that were left with them. One of the Sikhs had his head tied up, and there were several bruises on the face of Cro- — by a pO wen effort, 1 the Sikhs that were
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TOM TOPP. 25 ley, whose arms were secured to his side with a sword belt. The room in which they were was not much larger than a cell,‘and entirely without ven- tilation, so as soon as they exchanged greet-| said ings, and Tom, at Flora’s request, had relock- ed the door, and taken out the key, the whole party returned to the large chamber. Then an account was given of what hap- ened after Tom went away, which was as ollows: : Flora soon regained her consciousness, and hearing the sounds of the fight which was go- ing on, became very much alarmed, _ The two Sikhs were eager to go and join their comrades, she-urged them to remain where they were, and while their attention you—here it is,” and suiting the action to the word, she handed Tom his father’s watch. Tom thanked her, and turning to pe: who stood guarded on each side by a Sikh, “Your life is forfeited, but you may save yourself some torture by telling me how this watch came into your possession.” Croley frowned contemptuously, and re- mained obstinately silent.) Tom was about to make another remark, when a shout was heard—the sound of hurry- ing footsteps—and a man dressed in the na- tive costume rushed into the room, closely pee by Hamet, and throwing himself at om’s feet, exclaimed : “Save me! For God’s sake, save me!” "“Death?” faltered Alston, turning pale; “you are joking, surely ?” “Not a bit of it.” “But you can save me, and you will, won’t you?” he whined. é “ e “That depends on circumstances ; tell me without reservation everything you know about the murder of my father, and what be- came of his property; your life hangs on your answers; attempt to deceive me, and you die.” : For a few moments Alston remained silent, las if dumfounded, then he stammered out: “‘Oroley—Croley murdered him; I found it out after he left the country, and Lalso got possession of your property, and have it all x Holding on to the horse’s tail with one hand, Captain Helm emptied the contents. of one of the revolvers at was directed to her, Croley recovered from the stunning effect of the blow which he had received, arose stealthily to his feet, knocked one of the men down, and grappled with the other before he could:use his weapons, The Sikh would soon have been overpower- ed, but the prospect of being once more in Croley’s power inspired Flora with desperate courage, and she took a hand in the combat. She sprang behind Croley, threw a shawl] over his head, drew it tight, and thus in some measure disabled him. - : This gaye the Sikh who was knocked down partly, stunned time to regain his feet, and e sprang to the assistance of his comrade. Before Croley could get the shawl off his head, he received a number of disabling blows, but it required a desperate struggle to over- pooner subecure nite, set uring the struggle Croley several- times shouted for his men, and Flora, fearing that “some of the robbers might come to his assist- ance, took the key to the secret chamber from his girdle, where he always kept it, and had him carried here. : These facts were related partly by two Sikhs and partly by Flora, and in conclusion, she said to Tom: : F “When I secured the session of a aos key, I also took pos- “> S t ‘ “ a piece of property that belongs to the ferocious beast. Making a motion to Hamet to put up his sword, Tom turned his attention to the sup- pliant, and on getting a view‘of his face, started as if he had received an electric shock, The man groveling on the floor before him was his uncle, William Alston. : “Why, how in the world did -you come there?” Tom asked, as soon as he had in some degree recovered from his amazement. “They found me hiding in a closet, and would have killed me if I had not run for my life,” answered the trembling wretch. “That is not what I asked about; I want to know how you happened to be in India, and among robbers.” : Torn’s yoice sounded familiar, and Alston looking up, now recognized him, and from a state of abject terror, passed into the oppo- site extreme. i : ““Ha—ha!” he cried. ‘Tom, is it you, is it? Hurrah! I’m safe—I’m safe!” ; “Yes, ibis me,” replied Tom, dryly, ‘‘and I wish you to answer my questions.” : _ * Certainly—certainly. J waslanding some arms, my ship left me, and I had to stay with Croley or be murdered.” * ty is death.” : t 4 you? The pena TRS La FOS “Been selling arms to the Sepoys, haye | ce) safe at home for you—you will have quite a nice fortune when we get back.” “Liar and coward! Die!” roared Croley— who had managed to get his right arm loose me kes te heavy dagger out of a Sikh's belt and hurling it at Alston. The deadly weapon flashed through the air straight as an arrow, and buried itself up to the hilt in the back of Alston, who fell for- ward on his face as if striken by lightning. Croley was quickly overpowered and securely*bound, but he had completely lost~ control of his temper and raved like a mad-" man: : “Yes,” he yelled, glaring at Tom, ‘I did kill your father” I hated him when we were boys, for he excelled me in Sven iin ie zy “We grew to manhood and loved the same woman; he won her, and hating him more than ever, I fonght him and he put out one of eyes. = : ; m ‘i ‘ XT was a fair fight, and as our paths lay far apart for some years afterwards,my hate slept, but did not die out. In an evil hour Willian Alston cameto me, and said: ‘Late to-morrow afternoon, I~ am to receive some money from Robert Topp, and give him a mortgage on my real-estate 5 ‘if you will put him out of the way, and get me the papers befcre they are recorded, I will
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26 give you two thousand dollars, and you will ‘also find something -worth taking in his office.’ I jumped at the chance to fill my empty ‘pockets and revenge myself at the same time. : “T called on your father—who bore no malice—and after inquiring about some ships he had to charter, told him that if he would be at his office at six o’clock the next after- noon, I would take one of them; he said he would remain to accommodate me, though it was after office hours. ““T was on hand at the hour appointed, and while he was making out the charter of a vessel, struck him from behind with a belay- ing pp and repeated the blow until he was ead. ¢ f “T then took his watch, pocketbook and everything of value in the office, including _ Alston’s mortgage, and waiting until every- thing was quiet in the streets, escaped from the building through one of the windows. “That same night I delivered the mortgage— which was stained with your father’s blood— to William Alston, and received the promised reward ; he offered to give the same amount if I‘would kill you, but I declined. ‘“ When I saw you on the Comet I thought that Alston had betrayed me, and acted ac- cordingly ; if he had kept his mouth shut to- night, he would now have been alive, and I would. have kept silent; but as itis, he has met with his just deserts, and you can do with me'as you will.” For some seconds after the fiendish story was finished, there was profound silence. - Tom’s face was pallid with the pallor that indicates alike great joy and sorrow, and there was a look in his eyes that made Croley shiver in spite of himself. ; “Gag him,” Tom at length said in a low pore and when the morning comes he shall ie.” x 4 f » CHAPTER XXVII THE GUIDE— DEATH OF “ALSTON —CROLEY Ig ANNIHILATED—TOM MARRIES—CONCLU- SION. : WHEN the Sikhs were about to remove the dead guide, Flora discovered that it. was Croley’s Hindoo wife in male ajtire. Death-like as William Alston looked, an examination revealed the fact that he was not dead. : He was placed on a couch, the dagger ~ drawn out of his back, where it had remained sticking, and his wound bandaged. He revived sufficiently to swallow a little brandy, but did not speak, and almost imme- diately relapsed into insensibility. Cee Leaving Hamet and several of the Sikhs to watch by Alston's side and to, guard Croley, Tom. and Phil, after ascertaining that the wounded man had been carefully cared for and sentinels posted, retired to another room with Flora, partook of some refreshments and talked over what had happened since they parted. 5 ‘ i The chain of circumstances which led to - Croley’s being in command of a band of rob- ‘ Flora Kelly, William Al- bers, and havin, Oo with him, was as fol- ston and Bajee lows: In the letter which he substituted for the one written by Bajee Rao, Croley expresse a desire to have Flora Kelly for a wife if Nina Sahib did not faucy her; and spoke in glow- ing terms of the cargo of arms which he was haying brought to the country fer the use of the Sepoys. SURAES This letter, it will be remembered, was sent with Flora to Nina Sahib, and as before stated, saved his life. 3 For Nina Sahib hated the English so bit- “‘terly, that he was disposed to put him to death; but wishing to secure the arms, and also the services of Croley, determined to’give her to him. i aS On arriving at Cawnpore, after escaping from their pursuers, Croley and Bajee Rao were informed by Nina Sahib of his wishes and intentions. — haa - Croley was delighted ; and being provided “with money to pay for the arms, wagons for their transportation, and an ascort, departed for a circuitous route for the sea-coast. Bajee Rao was not only angry at befng out- - witted, but was by no means pleased at the - for the turn things had taken, as he wanted the arms ing of Oude; but he stood too much in dread of Nina Sahib to complain, and as, Croley thought it politic to promise him a share of the profits, pretended to be satisfied. Ws TOM ‘TOPP. === He left Cawnpore with Croley, but after trying in vain to get his money at once, parted company with him, and proceeded to Luck- now. Croley with his escort, reached without ac- cident, the point on the coast that be had desig- nated in the letter sent to William Alston at Pondicherry, and the next day the expected vessel appeard. Signals, formerly agreed upon, were ex- Ue, and Alston came ashore in a boat. Delays were dangerous, so scant time was spent in greetings, before Croley and Alston withdrew to one side, where they could talk without being overheard. Of course their bargaining was the merest pretense ; Nina Sahib had sent down by the escort two lacs of rupees—a sum equivalent to about one hundred thousand dollars—and Alston being prompted by Croley, demanded the whole amount, forthe arms which he had brought. This demand was acceded to, and the mone sent on board of the Orion, Alston’s vessel, he remaining on shoreas a hostage for the de- livery of the arms. ; This arrangement was made because neither Croley nor Alston were willing to trust to the good faith of the other. ; With the money, Alston sent an order to the captain of the Orien, to lower all of the ship’s boats, and land the arms as quick as possible, and to send back with the last boat one quarter of the money in an arm-chest di- rected to Croley. By this means, Croley expected to conceal from-Nina Sahib’s officers, that fact that he had received any of the money. Everything went on smoothly until the boats had returned tothe ship for the last of the arms, when a British cruiser hove in sight. The captain of the Orion, knowing the dan- erous nature of the business he was engaged in, at once hoisted in the boats and sailed away, leaving Alston on shore. ‘ After Alston purchased the arms to carry to India, he found it impossible to charter a vessel for such a risky expeditign, and he bought the Orion, intending to dispose of it on his return. ; Nearly aren cent he had in the world was invested in the vessel and cargo, and the prospect of losing’ them both, and the dan- gecus osition in which he was left, made im perfectly frantic. Croley, however, knowing that his chance of getting a share of the money paid for the arms depended on Alston’s preservation, as- ‘sured him of safety. Alston’s life would not have been worth a moment’s purchase if he had tried to make his way through the country aléne, so, in a most deplorable state of mind, he put on a Sepoy sel and accompanied Croley on his return to the headquarters of Nina Sahib. Nina Sahib was found at a place called Futtehpore Chowrassee, andin a very savage and cross condition indeed, ¢ For during Croley’s absence he had been defeated in several battles and his palace at Blithoor burned. 3 His men, too, were deserting in large num- bers, and, deeming it unsafe to remain in d| striking distance of the British, Nina Sahib was making preparations to retreat to the western portion of the country. : Bajee Rao had returned to Nina Sahib’s headquarters, and brought Croley’s Hindoo wife with him from Lucknow. : = By this means Bajee Rao fully es Croley for the trick he had played about the letter. Croley would almost as soon have met the devil as his deserted wife, but felt that his po- sition with the natives was too ticklish to run the risk of discarding her now that She had rejoined him. | Before Nina Sahib had completed his pre- parations to march he learned that the British were advancing against him. __ : The march of a Hindoo army is always dis- orderly, but the retreat of Nina Sahib’s forces —which at once commenced—was like the flight of a panic-stricken mob. : Desertion was the order of the day, and night, too, for that matter, and whole regi- ments melted away like snow in the sun, Croley and Bajee Rao determined to leave the sinking ship and not to go empty handed. Securing the services of about a hundred desperadoes, they took advantage of the con- fusion of a night march to carry off the wag- ons that contained most of Nina Sahib’s ‘ treasure and the palanquin in which Flora Beco was traveling. When the robbery was discovered next morning, Croley and his companions were far }enough to be safe from pursuit, and in less than twenty-four hours were established on the Devil’s Island, a place which Bajee Rao was well acquainted with. F Croley took William Alston with him, and his wife stuck with him and went along also. But Croley at once set himself to work to get rid of her, and abused the poor creature— whose only crime was in clinging to him—so shamefully, that she begged him to give her a suit of men’s clothes so that she could travel in safety, and she would annoy him no longer, To this Croley, agreed, but fearing that she might betray him, instructed the men who 5 Samu to row her ashore to put her to eath. : This she learned when in the boat, and on landing fled for her life, and wassayed by Fom and Phil.” Eager for revenge, she gladly guided Tom and his men to the island, and enraged be- yond endurance by hearing Croley speak of er as an ‘old hag,” attacked him, and met_ her death at his hands, ‘The night that Flora was rescued by Tom was the first time since she was carried on the island that Croley had threatened to force her into a marriage. ‘ oo The reason can be told in a very few words.. He had acquired a fortune by his robberies, and was anxious to get out of the country, but the seaports were all in the hands of the British, and he thought that if he could in- duce Flora to wed him willingly, she might secure his safety by saying he had rescued her from Nina Sahib. We will now resume the thread of the nar- rative. ‘ 4 % About daylight the morning after he was wounded, William Alston regained his con- sciousness, and asked to see Tom. - Alston’s life was ebbing fast. He insisted on Tom’s drawing up a paper trausferring all of the former’s property, to the latter, signed it, and confessed that Croley had told the eae about him, and almost instantly ex- pired. ‘ - Shortly after sunrise, Tom went out to make arrangements for the execution of Cro- ley. asters who had Bone out earlier, knowing Tom’s purpose, led him to where there was a strange and fearful instrument of execution. It was a machine like an ordinary pile-driy- er, but on an enormous scale, and of tremend- ous strength. ; Ley Instead of the ordinary weight, there was a kox, each side of which was fifteen feet square, Sel MSS of solid timbers, braced with iron rods. : os : eco The outside of the bottom of the box was covered with wrought iron two inches thick. The interior was filled with granite. Immediately under this enormous mass a corresponding surface of, the solid rock had been leveled and covered with a plate of iron. Tom did not know what the machine was intended for until J. Hamet had explained, and said that he had seen several men exe- cuted with one of asimilar kind at Delhi, and that the bodies of the victims werespread out like a sheet of paste-board, and were after- wards dried and hung up on a wall te serye as a warning to others. ; fi Tom had been wishing for some terrible mode of putting Croley to death, and here was the instrument ready to his hand. He ordered Hamet to muster his men, raise the weight, and then bring out Croley. It required the united strength of fifty sikhs to hoist up the immense mass, and then it hung thirty feet in the air, and was so ar- ranged that one man, by simply moving a lever, could let it drop. One of the guard had removed the gag from Croley’s mouth to give him some water and neglected to replace it, so when he was brought out his tongue was at liberty. When he saw how he was to be executed, all his hardihood deserted him, huge drops of perspiration stood on his face, and he shriek- ed and begged for mercy. ~ But Tom was inexorable; onl speak, and that was after the trembling wretch was laid under the weight, then seiz- ing the. lever, he said: * John Croley, if you had a thousand lives I would take them thus.” R As the last word was uttered Tom the lever, the enormous weight shot é once did he oved own- pe =
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TOM 'TOPP. 27 striking with a shock ‘that made the very earth tremble, the ma- chine was enveloped in a crimson mist that squirted out from under the edges of the iron- bound box and Croley was annihilated. The woodwork of this fearful invention of Eastern despotism was then set on fire and burned, but the mass of granite was leftas a _ fitting monument for the villain whose man- gled remains lay beneath it. After this matter was,disposed of the Sikhs collected wood and burned the bodies of their slain companions, but the dead robbers were hurled over the cliff into the river to feed the crocodiles, \ . Then commenced the more agreeable task of collecting and examining the spoils of the robbers’ stronghold. There were magnificent garments embroid- ered with gold and precious stones, swords and daggers, whose hilts and scabbards were crusted with jewels, saddles of velvet stiff with gold. housings and couterments full of gems, shawls of the finest texture and richest of colors, and enough gold and silver utensils and coin to make every man in the command rich beyond his most sanguine expectations. But the richest prize of all was what Flora ointed out to Tom and Phil. She led them o the small room in which she had taken re- fuge during the tight, and showed them, cun- ningly concealed in the*wall, a square steel box about eighteen incheslong, It was Nina Sahib’s jewel box, and was monds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and other precious stones, some set in barbaric style and others not even polished. : Tom would have turned it into the general stock, but the Sikhs, for once in their lives had as much plunder as they wanted, and Swore to a man that the jewel box and con- tents should belong to him, Phil and Flora. In the cave at the foot of the subterranean stairway, there was found a number of boats belonging to the robbers, and an arched pas- sage leading to an underground stable, in which there were over a hundred fine horses. The horses were sent ashore by swimming, which they seemed accustomed to, and the men who were left with the company’s horses _at the camp, directed to take all ~ to Cawnpore by land, while Tom and Phil, with the rest of the men, went down the river in boats loaded with treasure, and reached ward like lightning, .. the city before dark, Leaving Phil to attend to the valuanles, Tom at once hurried to Colonel Kelly’s quar- ters with Flora. The front door stood open, and they entered. without ‘knocking. Tom had suggested that Flora should re- main in the passage while he broke the news of her rescue to her father. But this little plan was not carried out, for Flora, through a door which was standing lled with dia-|h the animals | son ajar, saw Colonel Kelly with his soldierl form bowed and bent and a look of settle melancholy on his face, and could not restrain herself; in another instant she was in the room. e. * Hather—father |” “My child—my child !” were the exclama- tions that simultaneously burst from their overflowing hearts, and Flora was locked in her father’s arms. : The scene was too sacred for the eye of a third person, so ‘T'om silently withdrew, and gladdened the heart of Captain Helm by tell- eine what had pe prance fter a while the colonel sent up to Captain Helm’s room for Tom, and when he went down, overwhelmed him with praise and thanks, and insisted that Tom should men- pen something that he wanted, or wanted one. Now, Tom knew Mr well what he wanted, and what he wished the colonel to do, but it was some time before he could muster up enough courage to stammer out: ‘Colonel, I love your——’ and then he stuck fast, and could not utter another word, “Love my what!” asked the colonel, after waiting a reasonable time for Tom to finish the sentence. Flora, with womanly instinct, divined what was coming, her long lashes nearly veiled her eyes, and the blood surged in a crimson flood over her neck and face up to the roots of her air. Encouraged by a glance he got of her, Tom, in straight, soldierly fashion, told his love, and told it well, for there is true pathos in deep feeling, and an eloquence in truth which art in vain seeks to imitate. + And the plain, unvarnished statement of Tom Topp, who, but little more than a boy in years, his hearers knew had a man’s heart and was as brave as a lion and as true as steel, went straight to their hearts, “This is a matter that Flora must decide,” said the colonel. ‘“‘.What say you, my child ?” Flora’s little hand shyly stole into Tom’s and rested there confidingly, and hiding her face upon her father’s breast, she murmured : Wy You know you were always wishing fora ‘“* And if [searched the whole world through I could not find a nobler one,” said the colonel NEIL “But, Tom, you will have to marry ois us, for I cannot be parted from my ir a “Our happiness would not be complete if you did not share it,” replied Tom, wringing the colonel’s hand, The next day Tom and Phil parted from their company of Sikhs, who expressed sree sorrow at their leaving, and by their advice elected Hamet captain of the peas The same afternoon Colonel Kelly, Captain Helm, Flora and the two boys embarked ona (THE END.] government steamer, taking with their other valuables Thunderbolt, Banshee and twelve of the best horses captured from the robbers, and in due time arrived safely in Calcutta, Now that fortune had begun to smile on Tom, it seemed as if he was to have nothing but good luck, for at Calcutta he found the Orion and the one hundred thousand dollars paid for the arms, in the hands of the govern- ment officials; the captain and crew had amneeled themselves on board other vessels and departed for parts unknown, and as there was no positive proof against the vessel, Tom Peowee his right to the ship and money, and they were handed over to him, Tom immediately presented the ship and fifty thousand dollars to Captain Helm, and Phil also gave him an equal amount of money. : Wen. During the time peer to ship a crew, and supply the Orion with stores for the homeward trip, Colonel Kelly made the necessary arrangements to transfer his for- tune to America, and Tom and Flora “were mazrried. : : While in Calcutta Tom and his companions ~ were the lions of the place, and were flatter- ed and caressed by everyone, from the goy- ernor-general down. At length everything was ready, and the Orion, with Tom and his wife and friends on board, sailed for America, and after a pleasant voyage arrived at New York, Tom at once bought a fine residence near the park, and went to housekeeping; Colonel Kelly of course lives with him, and so does Phil about half the time; the rest of his time he spends in sailing with Captain Helm, who, though he is not in easy circumstances, says that he will stick to his ship fora few years longer. One of the first places that Tom visited after reaching New York was William Alston’s residence on West Twelfth street: In the safe he found an EP OUGN), which pagned beyond doubt that Moses Levy had een, bribed to have him convicted for pass- ing counterfeit money. Moses Levy, however, was beyond Tom’s reach; he having been found guilty of manu- facturing bogus money, and died in Sing Sing Penitentiary. . After examining this new proof of William Alston’s villany, and the blood-stained papers for whose possession his father was mur- dered, Tom bundled them up together and thrust them intothe fire which was burning in the grate. * “What is that you are burning up?” asked Flora, who was with him. *‘At the sound of her voice, Tom, who had been gazing at the blazing papers, turned, and answered: : “Proofs, that here, as well as in India, I have been fighting against fiends.” . Useful and Instructive Books. fOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hurting and fishing guide ever published. 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Box 2730. in the drawing- sOw TO BECOME AN ATHLETE.—Giving full instruction for the use o1 dumb-bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, horizontal bars, and. various other methods of developing a good, healthy muscle; containing over Eyery boy can become strong and healthy by- For sale by newsdealers in the United States and Canada, or we will send it to your address on receipt of the price, Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 _ and 36 North Moore street, New York. Box 2730, all newsdealers, or sent to your address, postage free, on receipt of 10 cents, Frank Toxsey, publisher, 84 and 36 North Moore street New York. Box’ 2730. ‘
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St. John 118 Black Horse Tom; or, The Young Cavalryman, * __ of the South........-.-++-----By Ralph Morton 119 Jack Harkaway and His Son's Adventures Around the World 120 Harkaway and His Son Homeward Bound 121 Jack Rushton; or, Alone in the Pirate’s Lair _ By the Author of ‘Gentleman George’? 122 On and Off the Stage; or, Which Was Right? 123 The Bush*Boys........... By Captain Mayne Reid 124 The eae: Schools: Their Fun, Feuds and Frolics : 125 Frank the Fisherboy; or, Perils on Land and SO. oe ew cecsecsceceeee sees By. Charles E. Pearce 126 Young Tom Rodman........... By J. A. Maitland 127 Shorty, Jr., on His Ear; or, Always on a Rack- et—comic..........By the Author of **Shorty * 128 Fred Spangle; or, The Life of a Strolling Play- er 1129 The Young Tragedian ~ ar a a | a a a ne se t i ETS 130 Clarence Rhett; or, Tile Cruise of a Privateer y Ned Buntline 181 Paddy McGroarty; or, The Drammer Boy o! the Irish Brigadeé..........,-...By Philip Allison 132 Brian the Brave; or, The Hero Minstrel Boy... : By Dennis O'Sullivan. 183 Yank, Shank & Co., Yorkers....By Harry Enton 134 Master of Himself; or, A Boy’s Fight in the World.. . «-+.-...By Commodore Ah-Look 135 Jim Jams; or, Jack of All Trades—comic...... 136 The Boy Bohemian; or, The Adventures of a Young Reporter........... .By Philip Alison 137 The Mysterious Messenger; or, The Secret of the Three Black Stars..........By Hart Barnard 188 Burt, the Detective; or, A Sleuth-Hound on the Track......... .-- By Police Captain Howard 189 ‘*12;” or, Tracked to Death 140 The Young Ventriloqnist 141 Denver Dick; or, The Mystery of the Treasure Mountain..........By Corporal Morgan Rattler 142 Dick Daring, the Bareback Rider 148 Gypsy Blanche 144 The Boy Clown; or, The Star of the Pantomime ‘By Harrigan &.Hart 145 Three Yankee Chums; or, Dr. Dodd’s Explor- ing Expedition.......By Commodore Ah-Look 146 Unlucky Tom—comic 147 Lathy; or, The Funny Adventures of a Thin Boy—comic 148 The Sea Fiends 149 Under the Ocean 150 -ANGY Handy; or, The Boy Jim aro Fisk Started in 110. eset ese eeee es eeee tegeeee es BYVCO), Blair 151 Red Leary, the Bill-Poster; or, The Murder on the Pier... .....,-.-.--.By Col. Robert Lennox 152 Danie] Boone, the Hero of Kentucky 183 Hale and Hearty; or The Boys of Columbia College..................-By Tittlebat Titmouse 154 Tim of the Mail-Train; or, Steel to the Last...._ By Hart Barnard 155 Out With Stanley; or, Young America in .Al- TICASScieerecesecenececiesgees by COlnw ames bialr 156 Mad Maurice; or, The Crazy Detective ....... S By Dennis O’gnilivan 157 Shorty and the Count; or, The Two Great Un- | mashed—comic... By the Author of “‘ Shorty *” 158 The Wharf Boys of New York i 169 Big Silas 160 Nip and Flip; or, Two of a Kind—comic..,.... By the Author of ‘Skinny, the Tin Peddler ”” 161 The Four Jacks; or, The Dog Detective..... By§Paul Turk 162 The Miser of Harlem; or, The Old House by the Bridge..............By Col. Rob rt Lennox 163 Young Harkaway and the Pirates 164 Harkaway’s Triumph 165 Harkaway on Magic Island 166 Ferret, the Little Detective 167 The Man of Many Faces ° 168 Harkaway’s Peril 5 169 Harkaway to the Rescue 2 170 Harkaway, the Magician 171 Reckless Rob; or, The Mystery of Palm Island f By Ralph Kamble 172 Luke Lander, the Lion Hunter; or, The Boy Adventurers in Africa ....By Col. J. M. Travers 174 The Dwarf King; or, The Adventures of Harry BlUM, -00000-. evs eaeeeeses BY OOl. J. M. Travers 175 The Gallant Middy; or Captured by Pirates.. By Richard R. Mont ry Av aetna tey, “he Avenger _ , Met e Rival Crusoes..........By Ha rth 178 Harkaway in Australia Be hore 179 Harkaway and the Convicts 180 Harkaway and the Bushrangers 181 Chased Around the. World 182 The Detective’s Mistake 183 Chips and Chin Chin—comic.........By Peter Pad 184 Chips and Chin Chin Among tlhe Mormons—.. 4 COMIC. ...2 2 sss sieceseseeseee- BY Peter. Pad 185 Chips-and Chin Chin’s Adventures with the Indians—comic........:.++.+..++..By Peter Pad - -. Ul By the Author of ‘Skinny, the Tin Peddler?” 173 Rob Rattler, the Scapegrace.By Col. J. M.Trayers —
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_ 296 Free-and-Basy Ned: THE FIVE CENT WIDE AWAKE LIBRARY---Continued. 186 Chips and Chin Chinin Omaha—comic........ By Peter Pad 187 Chips and Chin Chin in St. Louis—comic..... z By veter Pad 188 Chips and Chin Chinin New York—comic.... By Peter Pad 189 Jack Hawley 190 ‘Che Two Boston Boys 191 Frank Martin, the Young Rajah 192 The Locksmith’s Apprentice 193 The Charmers and the Charmed 194 The Red Circe 195 The Nemesis; or, Tracked to their Doom - i196 Tom Trump 197 The Boy Pilot 19s Satan’s Tree - tase 199 ‘The School on Wheels 200 A Lightning Flash 201 The Mystery of a Minute 202 Bound to Be An Actor 203 Mountain Tom, the Rebel Raider............. by Morris Redwing 204 The Mystery of the Red River 205 The Masked Messenger 206 The Prairie PHANOM cs gaesbes BY) H.C, Emmet 207 ‘The Young Engmeer 208 Fighting Against Odds 209 Harry Halsey 210 Donnell O’Gig 211 Mustered Out at Fredericksburg. A Tragic Romance of War....by Richard R. Montgomery 212 Kilpatrick’s Charge; or, The Terrors ofthe War By Richard R, Montgomery 213 The Dare-Devil Detective 214 Game to the Death 215 Kickapoo Joe 216 The Struggle for a Mine 217 Stump; or, *‘ Little, But, Oh, My!’’—comic 218 Stump at $chool—comic 219 Stump at.Sea—comic ~ 220 Stump and Jack Hawser—comic 221 Stump’s Rackets Below Decks—comic 222 Stump and His Chums Homeward Bound—comic 223 Three of a Kind—comic 224 Adventures of Charlie, Mike and Don—comic 225 Thirteen 226 The Brotherhood ef Death 227 Tricks; or, Traveling with a Variety Show 228 Under the Gallows 229 Adrift on a Floating Island 230 Fred Hazle 281 Shot in the Dark 252 Doonie Crandall 233 Meta, the Girl Crusoe 284, Teddy Doyle 235 A Trip to the Center of the Earth 236 Drifting Harry 237 Rory, the Smasher 238 An Irish Boy’s Luck 239 Twenty Miles Away; or, Sheridan’s Ride to’ Fame...c-sceeee seeeeeeee-bY COl. Ralph Fenton 240 Sword and ALOE or, The Young Trooper’s PLIZOtiteewe ete hs ees bY, Perey Be St John 241 Tornado Tim 242 The Boy Avenger 243 Jack, the Joker 244 The Irish Robber’s Apprentice 245 Fighting His Way ’ 246.4 Knight of the Brush 247 Fritz the Tumbler 248 Iron-Knuckled Ted 249 Dare-Devil Dick = 250 The Dock-Boy of New York 251 Captain Cartouche 252 The Gipsy Boy’s Vengeance 253 The Boy Miners 254 Water-Duck Jim : 255 The King of the Swimming Gang 256 The Flying Ship of the Pacific \ 257 The Adventures of Harry Franco 258 Oripple Charley * 259 The Adventures of Two Tramps 260 Plucky Jimmy 261 The Blackemith’s Apprentice 262 Jumpiug Joe 263 Jack Gordon 264 Mat McCarthy’s Fortune 265 London Bob—comic 266 An English Boy in America—comic' 267 Scotty the Terrier 268 Philadeiphia Dave 269 Billy the Boxer 270 Cadger Con ~ 271 The False Detective 272 Highfalutin’ Jim 273 Charley Lance 274 A Search fora Missing Man 5 Commodore Rip-Rap 216 Teddy O’Lynn 277 The Shadow Ship 258 Lone Jack 279 Bine Grass Bob 280 The Wild Rider of Old Kentuck ae Shoo-Fly; or, Nobody’s Moke—comic 2 Shoo-Fly at School—comic oe Shoo-Fly in Love—comic 284 Shoo-Fly the Gymnast—comic 285 Sharkey, the Young Robber of the West 286 Dashing Bob 287 Johnnie Burgoo a 288 Reliable Joe 289 The Yankee Claude Duval F 290 Midshipman Ned 291 The Cruise of the Old Ironsides / 292 Jack Feeney 293 The Young irish Brigand 294 Lance, the Lion 295 Tipton Blue 297 True Blue; or, Right at Last * 298 That Boy of Ours 299 Tom on His Muscle 300 Bob Short; or, One of Our Boys comic 301 Percy of the Strong Arm 302 Jack Manly; or, On the Trail 303 The Freepooters of California 304 Captain Merrick and His Rangers 805 Nero. the Hunchback 306 The Rell-Ringer of Trinity 307 Harry Hariey 308 The Arctic Queen 809 Harry Fitzroy 310 The Heart of Oak 811 The School on the Sea 312 The Golden Island 313 Among the Savages 314 The Specter Schoolboy, and otter stories 815 The Headsman of Old London Bridge 316 Harold Forrester 317 Mat o’ the Mist 318 Eveline Duke 319 Mark Bradley 320 Driven to the Sea 321 Routing the Redskins 322 Tom Fox $23 Adventures of a Philadelphia Detective $24 Richard Savage 825 The Mystery of a Misspent Life 326 Double-Six $27 The Dominoes of Death 328 Gipsy Bess 829 The Queen of the Highway 330 Rodolf, the Traitor 331 The Boy Cavaliers 332 Young Captain Kidd ~ 333 The Secret of Wizard Lake 334 The Prairie Witch 335 The Hunters of the Silver Trail 836 Traveling With Barnum 337 Three Dashing Hussars 338 Pat-O’Corker; or, Always to the Front 339 The Diamond Eye 340 Jack of the Navai Brigade 841 The Zulu’s Daughter 342 The Haunted House at Deadman’s Cormer 843 Sir Guy’s Secret #44 The Fortunes of ap Acrobat 845 For the Green Flag of Old Ireland 346 Kathleen O’Shaughnessy « $47 Tom the Midshipman 848 Out With Captain Cook 349 Every Inch a Sailor 350 Ralph, the Light Dragoon 851 The Brothers in Arms 352 Jack of Cheapside 853 The Green Banner of Islam 354 The Colonel’s Daughter 355 Walter’s Secret 356 The Outlaws of Berkeley Forest \ 857 Redspear the Outlaw 358 The House of a Hundred Terrors 859 Oswald, the Unknown \ 360 Adventures of a Free Lance 361 The Treacherous Knight $62 Young Jack Har kaway and His Boy Tinker 363 Tinker’s Man Bogey 364 Young Harkaway in Spain 365 Young Harkaway in Turkey 366 Mole Among the Mussulmans 867 Young Harkaway and the Arabs 868 Young Harkaway and the Counterfeiters 369 The Secret of the Traitor Gate 870 The Waif of the Tower 871 Ralph Wildhawk 372 The Brigand Chief 373 Marco Bravo 374 Zara, the Gipsy 875 The Servian Spy 876 Sword and Cimeter 87; Adam Bell 378 The Archers of Inglewood 379 The Knight of the Red Cross 380 Jack-o’-the-Cudgel ‘ 331 Oroquard, the Free Lance 382 The Fair Maid of Kent 383 Dick the Brewer 384 The Oxford and Cambridge Eight: * 385 The Wild Huntsman 886 Tom Mansfield, the Smuggier 387 The Sunken Treasure 388 The Slave’s Revenge 889 Cris Carrol, the Scout 890 Phil Rayleigh, a London Arab 391 The Knight of the Iron Hand 392 Tom Lester 893 Bicycle Bob a $94 Mark Darrell M 395 Oscar Merivale; or, the Forger’s Victim. 396 Tom Oakland 397 The Mad Alchemist; or, Behe Unfolded.. By Dr. H. M. Jordan $98 Worm, the Pittsburg Detective.By An Old Netective 899 Rob Racket, the Scourge of the Cowboys 400 Gipsy Dick;’ or, Born a Detective.............. By Seth Huntington‘ 401 The Red River Pilot ...........by Paul Braddon 402 Catana, the Robner’s Dau ghter.By Seth Huntingdon 403 Detective Sketches....by A New York Detective 404 The Boy Scouts ofthe Slecra: by Seth Huntingdon 405 The Heir of Longworth 406 A Ghostin. the Mir ror, and other stories,...:... by Allyn Draper 407 eget Stories of Maniacs. .....eccsesesecrecs - by Dr. R. Jackson and Orrin.Goble 408 The Skeleton’s Legacy; or, ale Mystery of the Island. .......a0......0...by Col. J.L. Trueman 409 The Pirate’s Son...............by J. T, Brougham 410 The Young Revenue Detective; or, Among the - Moonshiners............-.by @ Retired Detective 411 Little Hall, the Boy Engineer. By Capt. Will Dayton 412 Captain Hurricane; or, The Waif of the Wreck » By Allan Arnold 413 Towpath Ted, A True Sroy, of Life on a Canal Give cowsaes onemememinwes .-.By J. M. Bradon 414 The Ghost of Faul Priestly; or, The Mystery of Haggard Hollow........ L BY James Grsenwocd 415 The Cruise of the Beauty..By Captain Will Dayton 416 Joe Jordan, :he Young Inventor 417 Ebenezer Crow—comic 418 Charley Charlton, the Young Magician.....-.. | By Col. J. M. Travers 419 Gorilla George; or, A New York Boy in Africa By J. L. Freeman 420 Stuttering Mose; or, The Old Scout of the Rey- Olution..,...........By General J. L. Johnston 421 The Kingdom in the Sea..... .-.By J..G. Bradley 422 Lighthouse Lem; or, The Mystery of Dead- man’s Reel isese es Sse By, an Old Sea Captain 423 The Search for the “‘ Midas”; or, Treasures From the Deep ES By Gerald Fleming 424 The Young Explorele...2..8y C2 Capt. Will Daytou 425 Little Nugget, the Pride of Leadville.......... By Major J. Anderson 426 The Young Aeronaut..........By Professor Wise 427 The Boy Trapezist..... .By a Former Professional 428 Prairie Phil; or, The Panther of the Platte..... - By Harry Rockwood 429 The Green Caps..............By a U.S. Detective 430 Hollow Roost; or, The Traitor Guide......... By Morris Redwing 431 The Grimsda'e Ghost, and other stories........ By @ Physician 432 Lost in Africa; or. The Adventures of Two Young Castaways Eysto ies By Samuel T. Johnston 483 Denver Dan and His Mystic Band..By “ Noname ” 434 Shorty in Search of His Vad—comic. By Peter Pad 485 The Blasted Pine; or, Three Boy Scouts...... By Capt. Will Dayton 486 Denver Dan and the Road Agents. By **Noname” 437 The Freebooter’s Secret........ By J.T. Brougham 438 Sawdust Charlie, the’Pet of the Ring......... By an Old Ringmaster 439 Denyer Dan and the Counterfeiters.By ‘‘ Noname ”? 440 Cavalry Jack at Corinth.....By Cot. Ralph Fenton 441 Ned Owen; or, The Mysteryol a Missing Ship. ~ By Capt. Will Dayton 442, Venven Dan Outwitted; or, The Outlaw’s Tn- INDI... .ccses-ccces cosecesceveses by “Noname?? 443 The Girdle of Gold; or, The Counterfeiter’s Danghter...................By Morris Redwing 444 The Treasure Cave; or, Run to Earth.By a Traveler 445 Denver Dan, the Sheriff............8y ““Noname’”’ 446 Long Paw, the Mysterious Hunter..By Kit Clyde 447 A Yankee Boy in Africa......By Percy B. St. John 448 Black and Blue; or, Nick Wharton on the War- path....... «a-,------By Harry Rockwood 449 Tyan and Ismail; or, Scouts of Plevna........ by Don Jenardo 450 Denver Dan’s Peril; or, The rai Ruse.... ‘Noname? 451 Sir Rufus the Rover; or, the Pirates Island... by Richard R. Montgomery 452 The Russian Spy..............by a U.S. Detective _ 453 The Creole Brothers....by Colonel J. M. Travers 454 The Castaways; or, Tee White King of the © _ AtlantiC.......-:ceeeeeeeeese0+-By Don Jenardo 455 Denver Dan to the Rescue; or, The Mountain- eer’s Stratagem............,.....By ‘*Noname”? 456 Condemned; or, Number 709.....+.e.sestnees By Richard R. Montgomery 457 The Wolf of the Waves. A Tale- of the Pi- rates of Old...........By Alexander Armstrong 458 Billy Bangs’ Scho: By Captat: Will Dayton 459 The Mad Doctor.... ............By Paul Braddon 460 Zola, the Old Trapper’s Daughter. By R. T. Emmet 461 The ‘Shortys’ Trip Around the World—comic By Peter Pad 462 Locomotive Bill, the Giant Enginéer..:...... By Samuel Keene’ 463 Buffalo Sanne Chum...... By Colonel Ralph Fenton 464 Denver Dan and His Chums.......By ““Nouame 465 The Old Magician.....By Corporal Morgan Rattler 466 The Bnknown Scout...............By Zeke Baxter 467 The Brother’s Crime.........By. Perey B. St. John 468 Molly Bland, the Detective. ...By J.T. Brougham 469 The League Of Bluesssecess ee teseey. Paul Spry 470 Tumbling Tim; or, Traveling With a Circus— COMIC seeders ne scrose sstewusteketes BY Oleh Pad 471 Mat of the Mountain; or, The Struggle of Des- ~ ---By Allyn Draper -...By Don Jenardo 473 The Lost Island; or, The Cruise of the ‘*Caro- line” ssseeseee--By Colonel J. M. Travers 474 “273” or, The House of Many Doors.........-: By Philip Murdock 475 The Maxwell Brothers; or, The Chase of a Sea- BON Tce ence gre cice sion vise anevely coenb PRK AbEt rae: ae Stuttering Sam—comic iuvssesese ee By Peter Pad 477 The Mad Hunter; cr, The Mystery of the Bea- — ver Dam........ .......By Captain Will Dayton — 478 Persimmon Bill; or, the Red Cross of the Che: VONUC. 6... cesceeevsuseseeeeeBy DOD Jenardo 479 Young Lynx, the Amateur Detective......... By Philip Murdock 480 Buck Bidwell, the Boy Slayer of the Pawnees. Ra . By Lieutenant B. H, Kellogg” 481 Toby, the Spy; or, The Russian Conspirs‘ors of Paris........-.----..-..+By a Parisian Detective 482 The Phantom of the WaveS.....-....sssseeeses By Alexander Armstrong 483 Denver Dan in New York.........By ‘‘Noname ” 484 Tommy Bounce, Jr.; or, A Chip of the Old. Block—comic....,.... ..+.«..+.«.d¥ Peter Pad 485 Washed Ashore; or. Adventures in a Strange AAG swe sos te te op ces maoes By Harry Rockwood 486 WED Chubbs at College.By Captain Will DaylOnys : See PR
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y 2 THE FIVE CENT WIDE AWAKE LIBRA RY---Continued. 487 The Irish Clarde Duval.By Corporal Morgan Rattler 438 The Twin Boy Scouts........By Percy B. St. John 489 Fair-Weather Jack; or, Life in the Arctic Re- GIONS... - 2... ee eee nee eueeaebBy Albert J. Booth 490 Sumter’s Aide..By Capt. Geo. Granville (U. 8. A.) 491 Old Fox; or, The Mystery of the Trunk, ...... By a Parisian Detective 492 The Old Thirteen; or, The Union League of Charleston. .c.seee-ceeeee-+-By Morris Redwing 493 Silvershot, the Sport from Sacramento........ By Kit Clyde . 494 The Silent, Slayer; or, The Terror of the Ciip- DOWASPBtuvsccvcccccccsccecee es By J, G. Bradley 495 The Irish Claude Duval as a Rebel...........- By Corporal Morgan Rattler 496 Astray in the Clouds......By a Retired Aeronaut 497 The Shortys Married and Settled Down—a sequel to all theShorty stories—comic..... ~ By Peter Pad 498 The Tree of Death..............by, an Old Trapper 499 The Twin Detectives; or, True to Each Other. By Ralph Royal 500 William Tell, the Dead Shot of the West....... . By Harry Enton 601 Trapper Duke; or, The Female Avenger...... = By James D. Montague 602 Leon the Outlaw; or, The Avenger of the Death ‘ PaSS...+-seceveeseveneeeeby James D, Montague 603 Tommy Bounce, Jr., in College—comic...... : By Peter Pad 604 Around the World; or, Fighting to Win........ By Harrigan & Hart 605 Out With the “Jeannette; or, Two Years _ Among Icebergs,.......-.By a Herald Reporter 606 Captain Tom Drake; or, The Young Privateers By H. C. Emniet 607 Fred Ford; or, Life at Boarding-School....... : By Captain Will Dayton 608 Billy Bakkus, the Boy With the Big Mouth— COMIC, ...00..564056... by Commodore Ah-Look 609 Bow and Arrow Jack, the Indian Nemesis,.... By Kit Clyde $10 Arctic Phil, the Bear-Slayer of the Northern Seas... .eeeceeeees-eeeeeeeee By Alex. Armstrong 611 Fred Baxter, the Wild Horse Tamer.......... By J. M. Travers 612 The rookfield Bank Robbers....by D. W. Stevens _ 618 The order Bandits........by James D. Montague 514 The Young Sharpshooters of the Rebellion.... by Col. Ralph Fenton $15 Fighting Joe; or, The Game Man of the Plains x by Kit Clyde $16 Invincible Bill. A Wonderful Story of Neva- da, California and Utah of 12 Years Ago.... by Alexander Armstrong 617 Skeleton Gulch; or, Captain Texas and His Band of Vultures..................by J. R. Scott $18 The Irish Claude Duval as a Privateer......... by Corporal Morgan Rattler 619 The Wolverine; or, The Count’s Treachery. .. * by a Parisian Detective $20 Ben Bolt; or, the Young Blacksmith.......... by James D, Montague 621 From Drummer Boy to General............... by Richard R. Montgomery '§22 Bob Rollick; or, What Was He Born For— COMIC Jose ve ccccccvovccrccosveccesceDy Peter Pad 423 Northwoods Tom, the Athlete Hunter.by Kit Clyde 524 Only a Cabin-Boy; or, Saved by Grit... ...... by Harry Rockwood 625 Astray in Africa.. secceeeeeeDY Walter Fenton 626 Tiger Ted......... y Alexander Armstrong 627 Barnum’s Boy Ben......by Commodore Ali-Look 628 The Black Mask; or, The Vow ofSilence...... by T. W. Hanshew 529 Son’-west Fred........secseeseseeeae. DY Kit Clyde 680 Bob Rollick, the Yankee Notion Drummer; a sequel to ‘* Bob Rollick; or, What Was He Born For?’—comic...,..,..-.....by Peter Pad - 631 The Drummer Boy Spy; or, the Slfughter of the Wilderness................by Ralph Morton 532 The Black Hercules. Colonel J. M. Travers 538 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- * FINCCLS, 60s 2 eee ee eeea-eeeees DY Horace Appleton 637 The Shortys’ Christmas and New Years at Home—comic............s:000-+0--by Peter Pad 538 Owlface, the River Scourge; or, The Guerril- la’s Captive. A Romance of the Wur in the South-West............-by Captain Phil Jordon 639 The Spies of the Delaware.......... by Kit Clyde 640 Denver Dan, Jr., and His Band of Deadshots.. _ by * Noname” 541 Frank Reade and His Steam Man of*he Piains; -or, The Terror of the West.......by “ Noname” 642 On Deck; or, The Boy Pilot of Lake Erie..... ; by Howard De Vere 643 From Pole to Pole; or, The Sailor Boy Avenger pate -by Horace Appleton 644 Dick Wright and His Band of Cannibais...... by J. R. Seott 545 The Boy Captain; or, The Search for a Missing Will...-....2.0..0-.-., by Alexander Armstrong 646 Pickle and Tickle; or, Mishaps and Mischiefs— MOM Otel dataieaterdsavaaaes tests ComDYeLOLeler ad 547 Fort Hayes; or, Black Eagle, the Avenger...... , 3 Z by Don Jenardo 548 Noiseless Nat; or, Aiways Just Where He’s ~ Wanted......5........-eby James D. Montague 549 The Secrets Under the Sea............by Kit Clyde 650 Lazy Jake, the Boy Spy of the Rebellion..... f by Col. Ralph Fenton 4 651 Sam Sharpe at Schooi....By Captain Wi!l Dayton 652 Privateer Torn—a sequel to “Captain Tom. Drake si... S.sce ce cansececeee DY H. CO. Emmet x $53 Frank Reade and His Steam Horse.by ‘* Noname ?? 554 Billy the Bootblack; or, The Trump Card Last by Harrigan & Hart 555 The Rival Scouts...............-...Dy J. R. Scott 656 The Coral Cave; or, Paul Philip’s Cruise...... = % by Horace Appleton 557 The Army Scout; or, The Mysteries of the West by Kit Clyde 658 Missouri Jack and His Band of *7.......... by James D. Montague 559 Lasso Luke; or, The Three Prairie Pards.... by Kit Clyde 660 Shady Dell School; or, Haps and Mishaps of Schoolboy Life..........by Captain Will Dayton 561 The Man of Gold; or, Under the Shadow o1 Crime sseeess cacsee cies «.....by Horace Appleton 5662 The Mag Man of the North Pole; or, The Boy Mazeppa of the Arctic Seas........by Kit Clyde 563 Extree Nick,the New York Newsboy.........+ By Commodore Ah-Look 664 Oath-bound; or, The Jack of Spades.By J. R. Scott 665 Custer’s Last Shet; or, The Boy Trailer ofthe Little Horn..... sees By Colonel J. M. Travers 566 Gassy Hyde; or, The Fire-Boy Fiend of Phila- delphia..............By Corporal Morgan Rattler 567 Fred Hazard, the Star of the Circus...... = By Horace Appleton 568 Coonskin Kit, the Dashing Government Scout By Kit Clyde 669 Denver Dan, Jr., and the Renegade. By *‘Noname’?’ 670 Billy Badger; or, The Mysterious Unknown of the Bank Robbers’ Band,By James D. Montague 671 The Brand ofthe Desert........By Walter Fenton 572 Mail-Oar Ned; or, Falsely Accused............ ~ By Alexander Armstrong 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 School—comic j By Tom Teaser 676 King Morgan, the Terror of the Seas.......... By Alexander Armstrong 677, The Convict’s Oath; or, The Prisoner of Van Iieman’s Land..........By James D. Montague 578 The Serpent Queen; or, The Mysterious Night- r Riders of Georgia.........---+..----By Kit Clyde 79 'The Fortune Hunters; or. Two Yankee Boys in Australia,.............By Alexander Armstrong 580 The Fatal Star.........-..-.-by Horace Appleton 581 The Bootblack’s Piot; or, ‘The Mystery of a Night... 0. ccccccepeesgeccessressebY de Re SCOPE 582 Huron Harry: or, The Haunted Skiff.......... By James D. Montague 583 Doomed; or, The Secret League of Boston.... By James D. Montague 584 The Maniac Rider; or, The EL 8 of Hawkes- wood Grange..... ...-By Horace Appleton 585 The Gypsies’ Den. ry of the Romany ACR ace cccccsccscrsccee -by Kit Clyde 586 Matt Merry; er, The Life of the School. .... By Captain Will Dayton 687 The Phantom Avenger; or, Dick Darling in.. Montana..... .. .By Alexander Armstrong 588 Hugo, the Texan; or, The Demons of the Alamo By J. R. Scott 689 Lost on the Desert; or, the Guide’s Treachery - By James D. Montague 690 The Avengers’ League.........-.-.By ‘‘Noname”? 691 The ‘Sea Wave’s’”? Last Cruise; or, The Pi- TALES’ CAVE. ..0.0-cceccenceeeseseee++ bY Kil Clyde 692 Cromwell's Boy Spy; or, The Roundheads and the Cavaliers...........-...By Horace Appleton 693 The Pirate Hermit; or, The Waifs Legacy By Alexander Armstrong 594 Dick the Shadow; or, The Mysterious Trails of. the Backwood.... ..........++.+-By J. R. Scott 595 Fighting the Redskins; or, Beaver Bill’s Last Trail...........65....--.-by James D. Montague 596 The Black Domino; or, The Jailer of the Tow- DEOL sesccocccesccseccsecsescescccgcevesbY Kit Clyde 597 Frank Reade and His Steam Team.By ‘*Noname’”? 698 Cheeky and Chipper: or, Through Thick and Thin—comic......--...By Commodore Ah-Look 599 Dead Man’s Pond; or, The Biack Demon of the Sierras ........-....-....-By Horace Appleton 690 ‘The Tiger of the Seas; or, Forced to bea Pirate Be Alexander Armstrong 601 Harry O’Malley, the Young Irish Invincible... By Sergeant O’Donnell 60. Arkansaw Bill, the Indian Spy......By J. R. Scott 603 The King of the Deep +++-se--By Kit Clyde 604 Little Death Shot; or,The Gold-hunter’s Ghost By James D. Montague 605. The Magic Mirror..... .By Don Jenardo 606 Old Rube, the Ranger.......- seeeee BY J. R. Scott 607 Frank Reade and His Steam Tally-Ho.......... By *‘Noname” 608 Out with Barnum...By Lieutenant E. H. Kellogg 609 Storm King Dick; or, The Boy Adventurers... . ; By Captain Will Dayton 610 Frank Durham, the King of the Cowboys.... : By Kit Clyde ¢11 Hildebrandt Fitzgum; or, My Quiet Little Cou- SIN—COMIC....... eee cece eee eeesee By ‘Tom Teaser 612 Si Swift, the Prince of Trappers.......+...-.. : ky James ID. Montague 613 The Hyena Hunters; or, In the Wilds of Africa By Harry Rockwood 614 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Fatal Oath.... . ~ By Alexander Armstrong 615 The Young Fenian Chief 616 Among the Crocodiles; or, Adventures in India By Harry Rockwood 617 Lance and Lasso; or, The Young Mustangers ~~ of the Plains......-.+c.-.»----By Marline Manly 618 The Chief of the Delawares..........By Kit Clyde 619 The Shortys Out Fishing—comic....By Peter Pad 620 Coal Mine Tom; or, Fighting the Molly Ma- QUITES......+00,see0s--5-- BY Sergeant O'Donnell 4 621 The Captain of the Nine; or, Always a Leader... By Harry Rockwood 622 Sassy Sam; or, A Bootblack’s Voyage Around the World—comic......By Commodore Ah-Look 623 Young Putnam; or, Always to tie Front....... By Harrigan & Hart 624 Nugget Ned; or, The Mountain Queen’s Venge- BUCO. ...cececesecsecceess>--- by Morris Redwing §25 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Steam Wonder.... By *Noname?? 626 The Spy of ‘'’76; or, The Green Mountain OYEiveeticceccedicbassarec sesame es bY Mt.Olyae 627 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Electric Boat....... By * Noname” 628 Ghouls of Gilt Edge..........By Harry Rockwood 629 Frank Keade, Jr., and His Adventures With His Latest Invention............By * Noname” 630 The Shortys Out Gunning—comic...,By Peter Pad 681 Frank Reade, Jr., and his Air Ship.By ** Noname’? 632 The Young Boy Chief; or, Adventures in the Far West......--+.-.-.-- By Captain Will Dayton 633 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Marvei........By “*Noname ” 634 he Lighthouse on the Rock... .....By Kit Clyde 635 Sassy Sam sSumner—a sequal to Sassy Sam— Comic......-...+.+++++-By Commodore Ah-Look 636 The House of Horrors..... By James D, Montague “Daisy” 639 Among the A 6 640 Garry Galore; or, Irish Boy at Home and Abroad...... ...... By Corporal Morgan Rattler 641 Cast Up by the Waves.........By Alex. Armstrong 642 The Shortys Farmng—comic. ..,....By Peter vad 643 Under the Ground; or, The Wild Man of the Cavern. The Strangest Story Ever Told, By, Harry Rockwood 644 Yankee Pete, the Man of Grit......... rf By James D. Montague 645 Hotspur Harry; or, The Texan ‘Trailers ....., ‘ « _* By Alex. Armstrong 646 Buckskin Burke; or, The Cache of Gold....... By Kit Clyde 647 Guerrillas and Regulars; or, The Cost of Inde- pendence.......+..+++-+++»Dy Col, Ralpli Fenton 648 The Mystery Of Dead Man’s Castle......--...-- By James D, Montague 649 Mad Pete; or, a Feartul Retribution. By Leon Lerov 650 Otron a Man-of-War......By Major Walter Wilmot 651 Frank Reade, Jr., in the Clouds....By “* Noname?? 654 ‘The Boy Pedestrians; or From California to Maine.........sse.0e00++eby Jas, 1D, Montague’ 653 Trapper Against Renegade; or, Life on the. PlAINS ..5 saiseve coe cesesedecceccess DY Kit Clyde 65% Young Davy Crocket; or, The Hero of Silver GUICN sesso Cisse dewesccewscseUY Wilde Dit 655 Tom Basswood, the Swamp Hero.By Capt. BE. Park 656 A Sailor’s Diary..............by, Col. Leon Lenoir 657 Frontier Fred..... soseeeeeesBy Texas Joe 658 Tales of the War.......e...-+.--++BY J. D. Ballard 659 Wrecked on the Coast of Florida. By Zach Brewster 660 The Boy Mechanic..........By Jas. D. Montague 661 Among the Danites; or, The Price of a Life.... By Kit Clyde 662 New York Noll, the Haxvor Police Boy. ...... By Horace Appleton 663 Young Marion, the Patriot Spy of the Revolu- TOMS 00.0 sev eceecesecescccsses hy Ralph Morton 664 Young America in Egypt; or, The Drummer Boy’s Bravery....... By Alexander Armstron 665 The Shortys’ Country Store—comic...By Peter Pa 666 Gunboat Harry; or, ‘I'he Navy's Best Man...... By Col. Ralph Fenton 667 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Great Electric Tricycle, and What He Did for Charity.........By “ Noname?? 668 Dick Wheel, the Young Roller Skater.......... By Percy B. St. John 669 The Ghostly Bell Ringer......By Horace Appleton 670 Man-of-War Dick; or, Fighting for the Stars GNM BArs Secasvaceaeecssivans .-by Ralph Morton 671 The Shark Fighters; 0 War with the De- mon Fish........ 672 Sain, Saddle the W d Horse Tamer ........... By Morris Redwing 6738 The Young Arctic Explorers: or, In Search of the North Pole.............By Harry Rockwood 674 Old One Kye, the Trapper Guide of the North- WEBtisesvocccsestcnvesccsdvenvede bers NONSME! 675 A Yankee Boy in Mexico.?..-.....Bvy Don Jenardo 676 Cast Up; or, Adventures on the Briny Deep. By J. T. Brougham 677 Steam-boat Steve. the Boy Pilot of the Missis- sippi Seutestaitesssesteae bYELAlTOtandisit 678 The Yankee Boy Whaler... ... By Albert J. Booth 679 Little Mike Malloy, the Pride of the Irish Coast. By Corp. Morgan Rattler ~ 680 Dick Twilight’s School Days..................- By Captain Will Dayton 681 Dick. the Engineer seers BY Albert J. Booth 682 The Sry of the Northwest.....By Jas, D. Montague 683 The Pacific Specter....By Alexancer Armstrong 684 The Lost Whaler; or, Adventures of the North- QFN S€AS.2 yo svc wceccse ».By C. Little 685 Panama Pete; or, The Outlaws of the Isthmus By Hal Standish 686 Sightless Saul, theMysterious Man of Montana. id By ‘* Noname ”? 687 Joseph Jump and His Old Blind Nag—comic By Peter Pad 688 A Struggle for Fame; or, Fighting Against Fate..... terecsesesscesesss by H, K. Shackleford 689 Jack Hawser’s Tavern—comic.....By Peter Pad 690 Black Diamond Bill; or, The Hero of the Coai _ MineS....0. 625 5 (vases ceseeeeeesBy Ralph Royal 691 A Boy With Grit, and How He Made His For- TUNE... .0eeeeseeeegee-- BY Captain Will Dayton 692 Jack Stowaway; or, Bound to be aTar...... By Howard De Vere seseeeeeBy Harry Rockwood ©
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wane 13 THE FIVE CENT WIDE AWAKE LIBRARY--Continued. 693 The Sunken City. A Tale of Mexico......... By H. K. Shackletord 694 Royal Dick; or, Standing by His Chums...... By Hal Standish 695 Wing and Wing; or, The Young Captain of thle FIYAWAY..c2..cecescccseee-ceeseby Kit Clyde 696 Dick Davit, the American Boy Middy..By C, Little 697 Frank Keade, Jr., Witn His Air-Shipin Africa By **Noname 1? 698 Trusty Joe, the Brave Old Seout...By ‘* Noname” 699 Found at Sea; or, The Secret of a Boy’s Lite. oar By Hal Standish 700 Liftle Ned, the Leader of the School.......... y Captain Will Dayton 701 Will o’ the Wisp; or, The Wila Man of the COAL Me thicteseecs ti cebert ae sirets DYER IL Olyde 702 Acrobat Ned, the Prince of the Air,....by C, Little 703 Jack, the Wrecker’s Son; or, Adventures on the Coast.....c0..-sereseeeeseb¥ J. T. Brougham 704 The Fire Bugs of Chicago....hy Jas. D. Montague 706 Lighthouse No, 6; or, The Ghost of the Sea.... : by Allyn Draper 706 The Wolf-Fighters; or, The Adventures of Two New York Boysin Minnesota........0.-.-.0- : by Howard De Vere 707 Railroad Larry; or, Always in on Time...... by Albert J. Booth 708 Bound Together; or, The Young Fire Laddies of Springdale............-...0y Robert Lennox - 709 Two Weeks on a Wreck; or, Abandoned in Mid Ocean ........,-cecere-s eee bY Hal Standish 710 The Jolly Travelers; or, Around the World for FUN—COMIC......ccceesssseceeess ly Peter Pad 711 The Haunted Pioneer; or, Fighting for Texas by ‘*‘Noname’? 712 Leaves From a Diary; or, A Young Clerk’s Downfall....... sseeee-DY H. K. Shackleford 713 Boone and the Renegade; or, Life in Ken- UUCKY. 22. ccc cccccsececccrccseccccsely Kit Olyde 714 Before the Mast; or, A Sailor Boy’s Travels in Many Seas....+scoseseseeee DY Jas, D. Montague 715 Monaco, the Jaguar Hunter.....by Hal Standish 716 From Page to Senator; or, Working his Way Di ccccccccocccsscccvscees DY H. K. Shackleford 717 Judge Cleary’s Country Court—cornl¢......... by Tom Teaser 718 Old Rough and Ready; or, The Heroine of Montereynscsuecececetccececcssn Dy NODAMEG !) 119 Fire Bell Dick; or, The Rival Hook and Ladders : 3 : by Robert Lennox 720 Kidnapped; or, Forced on a Man o’ War.... : j by J. G. Bradley 721 Jack o’ the Plain; or, The Headless Mazeppa by Paul Braddon 722 The Prisoners of the Castle; or, A Blow for FreedOm...+-+teseeeeseess «DY Jas. D. Montague 723 Muldoon, the Sport—comic........by Tom Teaser 724 A Newsboy’s Trip Around the World......... by H. K. Shackleford 725 In Dixie; or, A War Correspondent’s Thrilling AQventures... ..e+-eeeseeeby COl. Ralph Fenton 726 The Skeleton Sentinel....by Lieut. B. H. Kellogg 727 Muidoon’s Vacation—comic......by Tom Teaser 728 The Valleydale Social) Club; or Ruined by Wine- by fl. K. Shackleford | 729 Davy Crockett’s Vow; or, His Last Shot for VeNZeaNnCe...e.sseeee ssee-e- Dy Kit Clyde 730 Keeping His Word; acky ? Landy’s PluCKiestaccectessices ..by Jas. D. Montague 731 Young Tom Drake; or, nd to bea Captain By the Author of ‘‘ Privateer Tom,’’ etc., etc. 782 The Mystic Maiden; or, Through Deadly Dan- OTS. pce cessseoeeeeeesDY Corp, Morgan Rattler 733 The Exiled Prince; or, Two Boy Explorers in AlASKA. ce eeceeceeseeseceeneee-DY J. G. Bradley 734 Pilot Boat No, 7 and ItsAmewican Boy Captain “by Kit Clyde 735 In the Wild West; or, On The Plains With Buifalo Bill...............--by Robert Maynard 736 A Sailor Boy's Kingdom; or, Young America In the South Sea Islands..by H. K. Shackleford The Forest Mystery..........by Jas. D. Montague Beaver Ben; or, Three Voyagers 1n the Yellow- BLONCssccsvlevact earache ccesecsssneseDVeKutcOlVe, A Wail from the Sea; or, Flung from the Foam by Thomas P. Murray The Book Agent’s Luck—comic........-.by “Hd? Dandy Nock, the Man from 'Texas........-.. fey " by D, W. Stevens ‘Near the Gallows; or, A Young Man’s Peril ; c by R. T. Emmet Jick Daunt the Diver; or, Down Among. the Sponge-Cutters, .. ............by J. G. Bradley 744 Across the Continent on Wings; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Greatest Flight...... by ‘*Noname”? 745 Lost In an Unknown Sea; or, Adventnges Un- COLthe WArtl. ce ccs ceca, by Jas. D. Montague 746 The Shorty Kids; cr, Three Chips of Three Old BIOCKS—COMIC. ... 44 se0eee «+. by Peter Pad 447 Dick Walton Among the Cannibals........... 2 by W. I. James, Jr, or, Tlie Boy Cavalier.... ‘ by Richard R. Montgomery 749 The Mutinees; or, Dick Walton in the South Sease..os2 LER ee ee eee DVAN law AMOGH,© ITs 750 Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring Mexico in His New Air-Ship.... OOO by “* Noname 7? 751 The Fighting Twins; or, The Cavaliers of Mys- tery...............--by Richard R. Montgomery _ 752 Five Dollars; or, A Cheap Revenge...+...++..- : by Perey B. St, Jolin 753 Mike McGuinness; or, Traveling for Pleas- UTE—COMIC......-sseeececessesee DY TOM Teaser 754 Old Grudge, the fcont; or, The Castle on tke TAK@. 2 sees ccs ccesecseocssesee by ‘ Noname ?? 755 Young Sam Patch, the Champion Boy Jumper “ . ; by I. K. Shackleford 756 Little Jack and His Twenty Boy Firemen...... ee by Robert Lennox i 737 738 739 740 1 132 748 The Six Swordsmen; 757 Dick Spray; or, A Stowaway’s Trip to China.. by J, G. Bradley 758 Barnum’s Hunters; or, Trapping Wild Ani- mals for the Greatest Show on .Harth...... nae By Richard R. Montgomery 759 The Seven Masks; or, The Quaker City League : By Percy B. St. Jom 760 Muldoon’s Night School—comic....by Tom Teaser 761 The Unlucky Miner; or, The Rivals for Dead Man’s Claim..................-by Paul Braddon 762 Cal, the Cowboy; or, The Young King of Las- SOCTS. cee ecceees sessereeeeDy D, W. Stevens 768 His First Drink; or A Country Boy’s Life in Ne w York............++.-.by H. K. Shackleford 764 The Ozar’s Boy Mail-Carrier: or, Young Amer- ica In RUSSIA. 2.0... ce. ccenecvcpee DY O, Little 765 Trappers and Trailers; or, Battles With the ReCGIMCNS. cuavipecvecsvscecsessDy "NODAME? 766 On the Queen's Service...........by J. G. Bradley 767 Tick Tack, the Messenger Boy; or, Sharp Work for a Million...... ....by Robert Lennox 768 Sam Spry, the New York Drummer; or, Busi- ¥ ness Before Pleasure—comic.......by Peter Pad 769 A Lost Boy; or Homely Jack’s Luck........-. by R. T. Emmet 770 The Black Rider. A Story of the Revolution. By Ralph Morton Til A Week Above the Clouds; or, Cast Adrift in & Balloon. ........-0.eeeeeeee--DVY Hal Standish 772 The Young Moonlighter; or, An American Boy in lreland.... ...+.++++-eee-.vY J. T. Brougham 773 Dashing el, the Knight of the Knife; or, The Maniac Father......... .--by Paul Braddon 774 Little Matt, the Pilot; or, The Perils of the LAkK@ snes cocccccvcceccccscouecer sees se DY. Os Little 775 The Irish Boy Monte Crist0......seeceesee ones by Corp, Morgan Rattler 776. A Cruise Among Pirates; or, The Blue-beards Of the Sea... 2... cc cccuccsccceee DY Kit Clyde 777 The Little Joker—comic...........by Sam Smiley 778 The Two Runaways; or, The Hardships of a Circus Life............-.e0e-e-- DY Hal Standish 779 The School-boys’ League; or, Working His Way Against Odds.......,....by Robert Lennox 780 Lucky Lal, the Newsboy; or, Climbing the Ladder of Fame...........60..00.----by O. Little 781 Lost in the Land of Snow; or, Two American Boys in the Arctic..... sess ooee-DY R. T. Emmet 782 Coal Mine Kit; or, The Mule Boy of Diamond Shaft... sce s eee eeseee DY Percy B. St. John 783 The Band of 12; or, The Knights of the Trail... by Paul Braddon 784 Muldoon the Fireman—comic,....by Tom Teaser 185, Diving 10 GOld.........eseeeseeseees VY Kit Clyde 786 The 12 Owls; or, The Secret Band of Chicago by Paul Braddon 787 The Fire King; or, The Yankee Boy Explorer by R, T. Emmet 788 The Boy Bank Messenger; or, Brave Bob Brad- shaw’s Secret Foe. ...............-..by C. Little 789 His Last Cent; or, How Joe Dutton Made His PeeOTLUNO staacade'sgeicies'o «...-by H. K. Shackleford 790 Born to be ‘a Sailor; or, Bob Dare’s Life on the Water... ....+..csccees.s-.-%--Dy Kit Clyde 791 The Electric Man; or, Frank Reade, Jr., in AUStPAlia.. ©... ss. cecsecescecee DY. NOnAME ”? 792 Satan; or, The Mystery of Ten Years......... by Howard De Vere 793 Those Quiet Twins—comic..........by Peter Pad 794 The Czar’s Messenger; or, The Burning of Moscow........ severe DY R. T. Emmet 795 A Soldier at 16; or, Fighting for the Union ... by ©. Lithle 796 Teddy of the Toll Gate; or, The Man With the Green Shades........ ..P2y Corp. Morgan Rattler 797 The Mayflower Boys; or, Life in a Yankee School seesesseceee-D¥ Percy B. St. John 798 The Young Snow Trailers; or, Big Track. the Giant Moose Hunter......,....by Paul Braddon 799 Denny the Clown. A Story of Circus Life in Ireland.......2.....by Corporal Morgan Rattler 800 On the Ratl; or, Perilsin the Life cf a Young Engineer....<....... eeseee-e-bDy Albert J. Booth 801 3,000 Miles ona Bicycle; or, A Race Across the Continent. . tesecseseee DY O, Little 802 Fearless Phil; or, Lhe Hero of Rugged Rilt,... by Pant J 803 The Shortys’ Christmas Rackets—comia..... by Peter Pad 804 Claim 45 or, The Hunchback of Placer Pocket : by **Noname?? or, In Search of Hidden ; seeee sseeees DY HK. Shackleford 806 The Walls Of New York. .....eeees ee eesees « by N.S. Wood (The Young American Actor), BOPs Geet anos citer -by Corporal Morgan Rattler 808 The Haunted Bell Tower; or, The Hidden Mys- LOL nteitafelecione Sige r bee's «ee--Dv Percy L. St. Jolin by Percy B. St. John 817 Carillo, the Corsair; or, The Mysterions Mon. arch of the Mediterranean......by J. G. Bradley 818 Fearless Phil’s Uhase..........--by Paul Braddon $19 The Ghost of the School-Itonse,.......by C. Little 820 The Young Avenger; or, The Knight of the Silk MaSk.....+-.e. esses eeeeee sees. by ‘ Noname” * $21 Up and Down; or, The Life of an Elevator Boy ~ by Percy B. St. John 822 Dick the Middy; or, A Bey’s Life on a Man-o’- » * WAP. ode. vese cavesec-seescess LY J. G, Bradley 823 Footlight Fred the Boy Actor; or, Bound to be & Star... Si. 6. See vee sc esee- DY No S. WOOO 824 A Rolling Stone; or, Jack Ready’s Life of Fun ? “=COMIO. .ccccetsvctcvccccasesecenes Uy Peter Pad 825 The Secret of the Tattooed Map..by R. T. Emmet 826 OCuster’s Little Dead Shot; or, The Boy Scout of the Little Big Tforn............by** Noname ”? $27 A Queer Race. The Story ofa are People by William Westall 828 Kit Carson’s Boy Trapper........by Paul Braddon 829 Slippery Ben, the Boy Spy ofthe Revolution.. 880 Paddy Miles’ Luck; or, The Irish Boy Miner.. t by Corp. Morgan Rattler 881 The Boy Fish; or, Little Dick the Diver........ by R. T. Emmet 832 Ben the Bowsman; or, Adventures in the Mon- teZUMa SWAMP... 50.2.6 00s..00-eeeeeby OC. Little 833 The Mastodon’s Oave; or, Two Wide Awake Boys in the Far Weat......by Percy B. St. gohp 834 The Boy Stage Driver; or, The Hero of Rocky PASS... .00 ee seessesaseeesseeees DY Paul Bracdor 885 From Newsboy Up; or, A New York Boy in BuBsINCSS. .-os. es cece sec cesncocdeeeayobenee by N. S. Wood (The Young American Actor) 886 Alone in the Wild West; or, A New York Boy’s Search for Bulfalo Bill,........-by R. T. Emmet 837 The Secret of the Sealed Gold Mines.by*t Noname 838 Little Blondin, the Tight-Rope Walker..by C, Little 839 From New York to San Francisco in a Catama- TAN. oceccesceewccevcccecoseeselb¥ JOHN Sherman 840 A Young Jay Gould; or, A Boy Amovg the Money Kings..............by H. K. Shackleford 841 Only an Errand Boy; or, Getting Up in the WOOL... . eee eceeeeecescecceen DY ht. 'T. Emmet 842 Jack Ready’s Schoo] Scrapes—comic.by Peter Pad 843 The Ice-Boat Boys; or. Cruising on Frozen Waters in the Northwest..........by C. Little 844 Little Blind Joe; or, The Sharks of New York. hy N.S. Wood (The Young American Aetor) 845 Young Ironclad, the Boy Gunner.by John Sherman 846 The Boy Gold Hunters; or, Young New York in California...................by R. T. Emmet 847 The Sinortys in the Wild West—comic.by Peter Pad 848 Billy the Bugler, A Story of Governor's Island and New YVOrk.......+-..--seeceeeeeDy OC, Little 849 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Chase Through the Clouds, : _ by “Noname” 850 A Lucky Boy; or, The Mystery of an Iroh CHOSE. .eceresseccverrsonssecesesby Re Js Emmet 851 My Friend Smith.......... 852 ‘The Boy Crusoes; or, The Young Castaways of the Pacilic..........by St. George Rathborne 853 Jerry the Tumbler; or, The Wonder of the Ring..... ...-.--.--by Corporal Morgan Rattler 864 Ned, the Bound Boy; er, Through 100 Miles’ of FOCB, vec ce ccceeveRvssvesecscosesese UY O, LIthe 855 Frank Reade, Jr., aud His Electric Team..... by *‘Noname?? 856 The Shortys’ Christmas Snaps—comic........ by Peter Pad 857 Two Walfs: cr. Afloat in New York........... by N.S. Wood (The Young American Actor) 858 Fearless Phil in Disguise; or, The Tiger’s Last A PlOL..-.--.seeeeseeeseees ---s-. DY Paul Braddon 859 A Southern Boy in New York; or, Bound to Make His Money..........by H. K. Shackleford 860 Steamboat Billy; or, The State-Room Secret.. 861 The Boy Lion Tamers; or, Adventures in Africa 862 Out With Kit Carson, A Story of the Karly Days of Kansas.................by R. T, Emmet 863 The Boy Samson; or, Taking Care of Himself. by ©. Little 864 The Boy From New York; or, A Fight for Five Millions........2...... ....by Percy B. St. John 865 Smart & Co. the Boy Peddlers—comic........ by Peter Pad 866 A Chicago Boy; or, Up From the Lowest..... By John Sherman 867 An Old Boy;or, Maloney After Education— COMIO ME sseleswsstedsscue -.by t’om Teaser 868 The Boy Telegraph Operator; er, The Mystery of a Midnight Message.. vby Ool. Ralph Fenton 869 Dick Boldhero; or, The Strange Adventures of a Young Yankee Sailor.......Written by Himsets 870 Garry the Greenhorn; or, From Stowaway to Senator............by Corporal Morgan Rattler 871 From lrrand Boy to Lawyer; or, Bound to be f AE LNG TOP. .s.cceccccsenseocees DY R. 1. Emmet $72 Bob Allen's Ranch; or, A Cattle King at 17... ; by ©, Little $73 Behind the Scenes; or, Ont with a New York U Combination—comic..............by Peter Pad 874 A Boy Among the White Caps; or? A Victim Of HG LAS. .... esse eeeseee- DY Paul Braddon 875 General Washington's Boy; or, Tlie Youngest Soldier in the Revolution,....by Ralph Morton 876 Pawnee Bili and the Oklahoma Boomers. .... _ by Geo. W. Goode 877 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Search for a Sunken Ship; or, Working for the Government.by ‘‘ Noname* 878 Young Captain Tom Drake; or, In Search of tho Pirate's Home. 2c. soc cccececsvctecersecunl by the Author of ** Captain Tom Drake,” etc. 879 A Bad Boy’s Note Book—comic.....-...by ‘* Ed”? 880 The Young Railroad King; or, From Brake- _ man to President.........by Col. Ralph Fenton 881:\Joe Junk, the Whaler; or, Anywhere for Fun i —COMIC 045. cevesrecccesencecseesesDY Peter Pad 882 Lost on the Atlantic..........by Howard De Vere 883 Monitor Matt; or, The Glant ofthe Waves. A Story of the Great Rebellion...by Ralph Morton 884 The Boy. Rovers; or, The Adventures of Two PIWUCKY BOYS. . see cevecscccscsnceseeesDy C, Little 885 His Own Boss; or, The Boy Captain of Cat- head Lake.....-.++.eseeees-by Percy B. St. John - = -.by Talbot Baines Reed »
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a ‘LATEST ISSUES OF _ ae “The Great 5 Cent Wide Awake Library. 886 Braving the Flood; or, The Plucky Fight of Two Johnstown Boys..........-by K. T. Emmet 887 Muldoon the solid Maun—conic... by ‘fom ‘teaser _ 888 The Boy Star; or, From the Fooulights to For- TUNG eis ce se sepccecoprecscncsey esl Y oN. Ss, WO0U . A New York Boy : in the Southern War..... ..... by Ralph Morton 690 Two in a Box; or, The Long and Short of it—comic......5.0.05.... oe eeees- DY Tom ‘Teaser 891 The Soldier's Son; or, The Secret of the House of Hight Pines. A Story of New York... .. é by C. Littie ) Satin Sam the Young Western Sport.......... ~ by Paul Braddon Zhe Funny Four--comic............-.by Peter Pall 894 The White Queen of the Aztecs; or, ‘'wo Yan- kee Boys in Mexico.............by R. 'T. Emmet » 695 The Deavon’s Son; or, ‘The Imp of the Village COMIC. ces eccsceceescecccceceees by ‘Tom Teaser 696 The Boy Slave of the Galley; or, Vhe Mystery of the Treasure Ship..... .-by Percy B. SteJohn 897 A Bad Egg; or, Hard to Crack—comic.. b y ‘om Teaser 898 Two Years With a Pirate; or, The Phantom Ship of the Gold Gonst..........by J. G. Bradley 699 Muldoon’s Boarding House-comic.by ‘T'em Teaser 900 The Boy Diamond King; or, The Yonug Monte Cliristo of New York.........by CO. Little 901 Ikey; or, He Never Got Left-comic.by ‘’om Teaser 902 The Armorer’s Son; or, The Mystery of the Tower of London...............by Allyn Draper 903 Jimmy Grimes; or, Sharp Smart & Sassy— eCOMIC. cee. eee cescccccocee seeeeDV TOM Teaser 904 Dick Getaway; or, Fighting for a Fortune..... by Corporal Morgan Rattler 905 Tom Quick, the Avenger of the Delaware..... by R. Tf. Emmet 906 Sam Switch the Boy Bngineer; or, Beginning at «the BOttom....... s-se0ees by Aibert J, Booth 907 Daring Dave the Diver; or, The Prince of Pee OWIMMOLEsweasueee steareescscss sees DY O, Little 908 Sain; or, The Troublesome Foundling—ecomic. by Peter Pad 909 Velvet Van; or, Deadly Grip and His Demon - Band seeeeseeeeeee by Paul Braddon 910 A Smart New York Boy; or, From Poverty to Wealth. ......020..............by John Sherman 911 Foretop Tom; or, X Yankee Sailur Boy _ -Among the Malay Pirates......by J. G. Bradley 912 Bulger Boom, the Inventor-. comic. .by Peter Pad @13 Outin fhe Streets. “A Story of igh and Low Lifein Ne wsvOrKise. swucsvcadecsee snes cence by N.S. Wood (The Young American Actor). The Swamp Demon; ov, Lost For Two Years by R. T. Emme* » , o Denver Dan, Jr., the Stage Driver; or, The = Mystery of Golden Guich........by “Noname ~ +. 916 M:ldoon’s Brother Dan—comic...by Tom Teaser 917 Buifato Bill's Boy Broncho Breaker; or, The , Youngest Hero on tlie Plains..by Paul Braddon 918 A Sattor at Fifteen; or, From Cabin Boy to SCaptaiivccescteccedseses en ec oeUV 7 JG bradley, 919 Henpecked—comic....,...........-.by Peter Pad 920 Homeless Hal; or, A Poor Boy’s Life in a Great City..............by Captain Will Dayton 921 Wild Kill's Boy Partner; or, The Redskins’ i Gold Secret.......... seveeeseesD¥ Paul Braddon 922 Mulddon’s Christmas—comic ....by Tom Teaser 923 Captain Jack the Pirate’s Foe; or. ‘The Devil- fish of the Indies............by Roger Starbuct 924 A Bad Boy at Schocl—comic........... wby “ed.” 925 Mr. McGinty—comic..............by Tom Teaser 926 Lineman Joe, the Boy Telegraph Climber.... : ‘by C. Little 927 Shipped to China; or, The Life of a Ranaway BOY. .sceseessecesscecesscseseesDY J. G. Bradley 928 Searching for Stanley; or Tom Stevens* Ad- ventures in Africa.............by R. T. Emmet 929 Boarding-School; or, Sam Bowser at Work *. and Play—comic..................by Veter Pad 930 Young Magic; or, The Boy with a Charmed TAfO . 0. ee cence eteescenesseee-- DY Paul Braddon 931 Muldoon Out West—comic........ by Tom ‘Teaser 932 ‘The Boy Treasure Hunters; or, Searching for LOSt MONEY. ..0.0-e-seeeeeeee- DY JON Sherman 933 Senator Muldoon—comic......:...by Tom Teaser 934 >am Johnson, the Negro Detective, by Harry Kane 935 Frank Reade, Jr., in the Far West; or, The - Search for a Lost Gold Mine.....by ‘* Noname”? 936 The Waif of Mystery Island: or, The Adven- tures of a Boy Who Was Kidzapped...... by Roger Starbuck 937 The Mystery of the Sealed Door; or, ‘The Uid- ‘ ae 981 Alone on a Wreck; or, The Mystery of a S¢ it- UGIE Nl Does sce dexececuweees ....by R. T, | aime? 982 Dan lurling's Cruise; ur, Three Boys’ Lucky Vacations... ..ccceer-+ eee) H.K. Shiandgleford est House in New York.........by R. 1, Mipmet 9x3 Muldoon’s Picnic—comnic..........by Tom Teaser 938 Island No. 7; or, The Pirates of Lake Michigan by Geo W. Goode 939 Our Landlord; or, Life in French Fluts—comic F by Peter Pad 940 From Jockey to Judge; or, The Boy Who Was Always Ahead. ......20cseeeseeeeee--D¥ C, Little 941 Alone in New York; or, Ragged Rob the News- boy. by N. S. Wood (The Young American Actor) 942 The Boy Express Messenger; or, Fighting the ‘Train Robbers......i...--+.--Uy John Sherman 943 Next Door; or, The Irish Twins—comic...... by ‘Tom Teaser 944 The Limbless Hunter; or, $1 Slocum’s Revenge by Roger Starbuck 945 ‘he Boy in Red; or, The Czar's Masked Mes- BCWMLET cre ecoscsoccecsonccscene DY R. J. Emmet 946 Adriftin the Antarctic; or, Two Years on a Continent of Ice..... sseevsees) »DY.C. Little 947 The Aldermen Sweeneys of New Yock—comic by Tom Teaser 948 Pawnee Bill; or, The White Chiefs First War WU aero rrr eit ROOD .. by Paul Braddon 949 The Boy Showman; or, A Circus Manager at Sixteem.......... ...... ... by John Sherinan 950 Tip Top Teddy. the Young Foretopman; or, Four Years Before the Mast.....by J. G, Bradiey 951 Mrs. Brown's Boarding-House—comic..... a : by Peter Pad 952 The Boy Sheriff, or, The Regulators of Peco VAllCy<c fe ccc ecccwccccccosccecsDY Ke 1, Himmet |” #53 The Buried Gold Ship; or, The Sailor Boy’s GlOSiriccccsnsecccaeccsetscduvesecs a UY.C. bitte 954 Our Future President; or, The Oak That Came From the Acorn—comic...........hy Peter Pad 955 General Crook’s Boy Gnide; or, The Great Indian Fighter’s Black Hills Trail.......... : ‘ by Paul Braddon 956 Three Yankee Boys in Africa; or, The Giants of the Congo..........-....by Percy B. St. John 957 The Boy Surveyor; or, Running Out a Rail- road in the Indian Country...by John Sherman 958 Rob Rounds, the Young Fireman. ,...by C. Little 959 Muldoon‘s Base Ball Club—comic.tx Tom Teaser 960 Fair-Weather Frank, the Dashing Sailor Boy.. ; _ by J. G. Bradley 961 Fagle Dan the Boy Hermit of the Rockies..... ° by Pau) Braddon 962 Captain Lewis, the Pirate..............by ©. Litile 963 Mu!doop’s Base Ball Club in Boston—comic.. 5 by ‘Yom ‘Teaser 964 Harry Horton; or, From a Wait to a Million- AIC. ce eveceeeseceseee+s DY Captain Will Dayton 965 The Prairie Post Boy; or, The scalp Hunters of Apache Land...,........-..by Paul Braddon 966 Chums to the Death; or, The Adventures of a Boy Marine............2..6.-by Roger Starbuck 967 Muldoon Abroad—comic........-.by Tom Teaser 968 An Engineer at 18; or, The Boy Driver of the Lightning Express. ...........-.by R. JT. Emmet 969 Hardpan Harry, the Hunted Boy; or, A Young New Yorker Ainong Western Outlaws...... rs ; by ©, Little 97¢ The Property Roy; or, Before the Fooilights and Behind the Scenes......,....by N. 8. Wood 971 Muidoon’s Base Ball Club in Philadelphia— COMIC. cases eeeyevscevecsscssees. DY TOM Teaser 972 The Mystery of the Fire-Ship; or, A Brave Boy Sailing Master...............by@oger Starbuck 973 The Roy Bicycle Scouts; or, On the Wheel Among the Redskins..........by Paul Braddon 974 Rob Rider, the Circus Equestrian; or, Two » Years Under the Canvas......by Geo. W. Goode 975 The Shortys’ Minstrels; or, Working the Same Old Rackets—comic.......-+.ae-.--by Peter Pad 976 The Tunnel Under the Sea; or, The Adventures of Two Drowned Boys. ........by R. T. Emmet 977 Pawnee Lill Doomed; or, The Great Scont in No Man’s Land..,.......-.--.-.by Paul Braddon 978 The Buffalo Hunters; or, Wild Life on the PLAINS... seseseescceseeeses+- DY Robert Maynard 979 Little Tommy Bounce; or, Something Like His Tadd COMIC... 0. cscccscccsssccseceelDy Peter Pad 980 The Treasure Trove; or, The Buccaneers of the GUIf. 22. ccscccceecceescccsceseeD) J. G Bradley | | 984 Luke Lines. the Boy Stage Driver: or, The Four. in-Hand of Keno Camp...by Pani Braddox 985 Jockey Jim, the Waring Boy Rider; or, Win- ning His Fortune in the Saddje.. ........- by Robert Maynard- 986 The Lost Boy Captain; or, The Secret of the - Hidden Whirlpool..........by Roger Starbuck 987 Honest Jack Jarrett; or, How He Made His MOney....-eeeseee+ -eeeee DY H. K. Shackleford 988 Rob Rivérs, the Raft Boy; or, Log Driving on’ the Missouri River.............by R. T. Emmet 989 Muldoon the Cop, Part ].—comic..by Tom Teaser 990 Muldoon the Cop, Part 11.—comic. .by Tom Teaser 991 The Boy Wrecker; or, ‘The Young Pilot of the Breakers. .....6+-es00- oe. DY Roger Starbuck 992 Born to be Rich; or, A Boy’s Adventures in Wall Street................ by H. K. Shackleford 993 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Queen Clipper o} the Clouds—Part 1..............by “ Noname?? 994 rank Reade, Jr.. and His Queen Clipper of the Clouds—VPart We... 0. .....2. by “ Noname ** 995 The Boy Lawyer; or, Fightirg For a Stolen MiINNOncceechess hae ta cau anamewse by R. T. Emmet 996 Little Tommy Bounce on His Travels—comic. by Peter Pad 997 The Litrle Piack Rover; or, The Mysterious Privateer of New York Bay.....ccecseereees by Corporal Morgan Rattler 998 Pa wnee Bili’s Oath; or, The Oklahoma Scouvs J.ost Gold Cacne.........-.0.e-Dy Paul Braddon ~ 999 Jimmy Grimes, Jr.; ox, The Torment of the Village—comic.... -s-eeee--by TOM Teaser The Pirates of the Black Cave; or, The Mys- tery of the Hidden Lake.....by Roger Starbuck Throngh Thick and Thin; or, Our Boys Abroad.. -by Barton Bertren Jack and 3 or, ckets and Scrapes at School—comic.. «.-.by Tom Teaser Titue Quick Shot; or, o Pill’s Wild West in Enrope...... ..-...---by Paul Braddon The Mysterious Light Ship; or, The Smug- gicrs of the Death Cosst.... by Roger Starbuck Muldoon’s Grocery Store—comic. Part 1... by Tom Teaser Muldcon’s Grocery Stoie~ comic. Part IJI.. " by Tom Teaser Frank Reade, Jr., and His Monitor of the Air; or, He)ping a biiend an Need. by “‘ Noname” Gerald O'Grady’s Grit; or, The Branded Irish Lad... ..by Corporal Morgan Rattser Denver Dan, Jy.. the Silyer King; or, The Richest Lode in Nevada....,....by ‘‘Noname’? Six Weeks in the Saddle; or, The Adventures —__ of a Poys’ Riding School........by R. T. Emmet ‘Jhe Traveling Dude; or, The Comieal Adven- tures of Clarence Fitz Roy Jones—comic... by Tom Teaser Black Brow, the Pirate; or, The Cruiser of the Dark River..............by Roger Starbuck The Yankee Yacht Club; or, Around the World by Water...............by Geo, 4. Smal Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring a River of Nys- tery. A Strange Story of Alrica.by “ Norname’’ Muldoon’s Trip Around the World -coniic. PArLt Ties sree a Tocccsenecscoeess0!/ LOM TEOBE/ Muldoon’s Trip Around: the Wur}4.-comic.. Partie... coos eecressoss UY TOM Tesset Flai Boat Fre ‘he Young Swamp Hun- ter of Lonisiana..........-by H. K. Shacklefory Among the Sun per: . D York Boys in Pern. .s-..,by Berton Be Jack Magic, the Boy nder; or, The Smart- est on the Stage.........0.--00..05-.by C. Little ™ Frank Reade, Jr., and His Electric AlrYacu™ sues -or, The Great Inventor Among the Aztecs ». _ by ““Naname.7 Two Poy Wanderers; or, The Chums of the Lost [-land....... ....ese.-. dy Roger Starbuck 1022 Thé Wcnder of Wall Street; or, A Boy Among the Bulls and Bears.......by H. K. Shackleford 1023 The UnknOWN........eeee--+e0+.0¥ Paul Braddon 1024 The Comical Adventures of Two Dudes— | COMMIC-..0. ca. coccccosssseosess DY TOM Teasel 1025 Cast Adrift; cr, One Year on a Raft.......... : ~ by J. G. Bradley 1060 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 For sale by all newsdealers in the United States-and Canada, or sent to your address, post-paid, on receipt of price, 5 cents, Address | FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, Box 2730. 34. & 36 North Moore Street, N. Y. ’