Five Cent Wide Awake Library (vol. 2) (1896 07 17)
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__ THEFIVE CEN = TEM 74 Entered at the Post Office at New York, N., Y., as Second Olass Matier. c rhe ra FRANK TOUSEY, Pustisuer, 34 & 36 Norra Moors Sr. N. Y. f_ PRICK No. 1276. {coMPLET Bw} New York, July 17, 1896. « IssumD Every Fripay. ie) CENTS. \ Vol. II. Kntered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1896. by FRANK TOUSEY, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D OU. OR, FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS. The Young Engineers 9 sees. ee , i i vi | | A black horde of ruffians rushed np in a body and surrounded the platform; some half mounted the steps, and one venturesome individual seized Nat's foot and sought to drag him off the platform, but he retired | (with a yell and a broken Jawy caused by Wat's free, heavy-shod foot. : ie ] Ly eate = 4
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THE YOUNG ENGINEER, The Subscription Price of the Five Cent Wipe AWAKE Liprary by TOUSEY, Publisher, 34 and 36 North Mo the year is $2.50: $1.25 per six months, post-paid, Address FRANK ore Street, New York, Box 2730 THE YOUNG ENGINEER; or, FIGHTING AGAINST GODS. ‘ BY HOWARD DEVERE, ; e/ CHAPTER L A FIENDISH PIECE OF BUSINESS, ‘* Have you both got revolvers?” *¢ Yes.” «‘ And both feel willing to take the risk?” *« We do.” _ Alexander Hernshaw, president of the Insbruck and Overton Rail- road, breathed a sigh of relief, yet his face remained clouded with an anxious look. ‘ Well, boys,” he said, ‘‘to say more to you is useless, for I am sat- isfied you both know your duty. But one word. In the baggage car is a large amount of gold bullion, shipped over our line by the govern- ment, the orders concerning which are, that it is to be taken to its destination without delay. This is the reason of this night trip; and, boys, if you carry it safely through to Overton, you shall have a hun- dred dollars apiece,” “No need of promising a reward, Mr. Hernshaw,” said Jake Lock- wood, a veteran engineer. ‘* We'lldo our duty like men, more we cannot do.” } « Well said,” cried Hernshaw; ‘‘ well, time’s up, take out your en- gine, and God grant you a safe run; and, my lads, don’t spare the fuel or the engine, but shove her along for all she’s worth,” “ Tunderstand, sir,” said Jake, this time from the .cab-window. Good-night, sir,” and with his hand on the half-opened throttle, No. 49 glided out of the round-house, switched on to the main track, and backing up, coupled fast to a crain consistiug of one passenger ~ train and one baggage car. ~ An hour before, just at quittting time, Hernshaw had entered the _ round house, and in almost an unheard voice, so faintly he spoke, asked: « Will any engineer volunteer to take a train to Overton to-night?” As the question was asked, faces were turned away, the paler for Hearing it, and many a man’s knees trembled and hands shook, and dead silence reigned for some minutes, “ Will any man go?” : Silence profound answered him until Jake Lockwood spoke up. «Tf nobody else will go, I will,” he said; ‘that is, if my fireman will go?” half speaking to the person indicated in & questioning tone, fd { Instantly every eye was turne ‘ d to where, just beneath the glare of al) large oil lamp, stood Jake's fireman, a youth of twenty or so, by name Nat Norwood. ; x the were infested by a regularly ) his fires, then / peered out of the window opposite that by which the engineer stood. - He gazed ahead along as much of the track as was revealed by the ® headlight, and as they skimmed along over the iron rails, whose glis- tening surface resembled two long lines of white light, he fell to think- ing and his face grew serious. He was thinking of the dangers in the way. : ‘ And’so was Jake Lockwood, and brave man thet he was, his face grew a little pale; not that either was afraid, for hand in hand they - would have challenged the devil himself to mortal combat. , At danger, alive,and active, they both would have smiled, but to be ~ rushing along in deep darkness, with only a few feet of rail, perhaps, between them and death, was not pleasant to contemplate. Ten miles, twenty, thirty; they rushed past a little way station, from whose little window a light was still gleaming, and Alexander - Hernshaw, seated in the office at Insbruck, received the message: ‘« Drain just passed O. K.” Twenty miles further on was another station, and then beyond this there stretched away a long space of uninhabited country, part rough and part smooth plains; forty minutes later this was passed, and again came a message: {: «Train passing.” Up.to this time Jake and Nat had spoken 4 few words, but when this last station was passed, both lapsed into profound silence, and each leaning from a cab window, watched for signs of danger, for now they were come to the stretch of road where the two previous night trains had been wrecked. They began ascending a grade, Jake shortened the speed of his en- gine; they passed it; then came a smooth stretch of nearly ten miles, and here he let old ‘*49” go at her best. ° Well did the engine respond to the hand that opened the steam valve, and fairly flew along the rails. Faster—faster; swaying—bounding, but ever sticking to the tracks, Jake Lockwood stood at his post cool and collected, yet in his veins there burned a certain quiet excitement, which the circumstances could not fail to create, And Nat Norwood, bent out of the cab window, felt nearly the same; calm he certainly appeared, yet the excitement reddened his. cheeks and kept a glow in them which the keen cutting of the wind ~ could not erase, One, two, three miles were’ passed over in nearly a breath; four, five—and then, going at the rate of fifty miles an hour, Nat Norwood saw, not two hundred feet ahead, a death trap set for them. h, «Good God, Jake! do you see that?” he cried. ‘' See there!” Ané well he might exclaim, ‘(See there!” for across the track was} a high barricade of logs, to encounter which must inevitably throw pe from the track, following which must ensue death and destruc- jon. ? ; ; But Jake Lockwood had already seen the danger which threatene him, and, seizing a rope, he whistled down brakes, while quick as flash of lightning his hand grasped the lever; but it was not granted him to reverse the engine, for a pistol shot broke the stillness of the night, and Jake, flinging up his arms, groaned out: % “Ym shot! God help me, I’m dying!” and fell to the cab floor a corpse. ; Nat Norwood was almost paralyzed for an instant, and then he sprang across the cab, and, standing with afoot on either side of - Jake’s hody, he seized thelever and drew it back when but forty or fifty feet from the barricade, -
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‘ THE YOUNG ENGINEER. s REWER VS E nea ER) oh aor Rt es aS aM DE aR In ST ene oR Mee aS GRE OL AN. ee eevee against the barricade with fearful force, jumped the rail, | ‘what do you mean by crouching there in the corner like » but remained in an upright position, while the passenger | whipped curs? stand up like men. Ah!% Crack! toach in the rear, built with a lighter frame, telescoped | ‘‘ Missed, by thunder!” and in this wise, kept busy popping itself on the back of the baggage car. at heads outlined here, there and everywhere at doors and The conductor and one passenger who were in the coach | windows, Nat passed an active fifteen minutes, gayed their lives by jumping from the rear platform, but only Then came a cessation of hostilities, and the raging, — did so to meet a worse fate, for just then, witha terrifying | cursing and tramping of feet withdrew some distance. i yell, a‘dozen or more ruffians rushed from the low brush, «They are holding a consultation,” thought Nat. and meeting the two at once riddled them with bullets, And so they were; over thirty in number, diyided into and both fell without so much as a groan. three parties, in the beginning, one steady hand holding a Nat at once sprang to the platform, arriving there at | nevyer-failing revolver, had balked them of their prey, and precisely the same moment that also did one of the ruffians, | had already stretched five of their men out in a condition whom Nat at once sent to kingdom come by a well-directed | fit only for crows to feed on. shot, and then he pounded on the door for admittance. Brian Conway, or Captain Con, as he was most frequently “Who is it?” gasped the two frightened government of- | called, was he who had fired the shot at Nat which took ficials, who were taking charge of the bullion. effect in his shoulder ; he had directed the fight until he “‘ Nat, the fireman,” was the reply. ‘Open quick and | could find no man among his vile crew brave enough to let me in; our only chance lies in securing ourselves in here | attempt getting a shot at those inside the car; to goon the and keeping the hounds at bay. Quick—now—open!” | platform, and show a head above the solid part of the door, Crack—crack! ‘‘ Keep back—keep back! Ta! that’s for | meant a bullet in their skulls, and so the men hung back 5. you, and this for you, and you,” and indicating as he spoke | then, in a’rage, Captain Con called them some distance! the black figures that had rushed to the platform and were | away and held a council of war. What was to be done. clambering on it, he fired shot after shot in their midst. How could they reduce the enemy, and gain an entrance «Down with him, boys!” cried a voice of command, | into the car. evidently that of the leader. ‘Shoot him! Can’t you An hour slipped by in fruitless discussion, and Nat in- shoot straight? D—— him, let me get:a shot at him.” wardly wondered at the peace that had settled over things, Crack! A little puff of fire and smoke, and Nat felt a sting- and half entertamed the hope(that the wreckers, finding ing pain in his shoulder, but nothing daunted, he aimed at | them invincible, would quietly pull up stakes and leave. the foremost of the gang and fired, and another of the vil- When the minutes dragged along further, he began to lains bit the dust in his death agonies. think that perhaps they had already gone, and when half “Open!” eried Nat. “Open for God’s sake; I can’t | #1 hour had expired, he began to think this certain. | keop them at bay much longer. Quick—quick!” But he was doomed to disappointment, for from withont A black horde of ruffians rushed up in a body and sur- | @ Voice cried: : rounded the platform; some half mounted the steps, and “I say, there!” one venturegome individual seized Nat’s foot and. sought What do you want?” asked Nat. to drag him off the platform, but he retired with a yell} | ““ Want to haye a talk with you.” anda broken jaw, caused by Nat’s free, heavy-shod foot. ** Fire ahead.” Another drew a careful bead on him, and the fellow’s Come out on the latform.,”? gig ae finger was eyen pressing the trigger when Nat observed ‘You infernal jackass! do you think I’m a born fool? him; there was no time to lose; he whirled his empty re- Talk where you are.” _ volver upward, then threw it with force and precision into “Well, if you'll quietly surrender, we won’t hurt you.” the wrecker’s face, disconcerting his aim and saving his «You won't?” said Nat. - own life. ih i ** Nol” lk : eats The car door opened half an inch; the terrified messen- “Well, I don’t think so, either,” in a dry voice and ‘gers wanited to first assure themselves that Nat was what he | Manner. represented himself to be; they caught sight of him, and| ‘* You'll surrender, then?” would have opened the door had not they seen the raging, “Nol” a : cursing horde with which the lad was battling; more cow- “What do you ips c Po i gray than ever they would have slammed the door shut | ‘Go to the devil!” was the sharp answer, followed from _ ~ had ‘not Nat’s quick eye scen all, and his brain comprehend- | outside by a storm of curses, and then Captain Con, for \ 3 el what he saw; it was no time to stand on ceremony, and he was the speaker, withdrew a short distance, and talked ‘sticking his fingers in the crack, he wedged in his toot, the matter over further with his gang. is braced Raitt gave a violent push, bore down the opposi- Nearly another hour passed, and then Nat heard a wild _ tion of the cowards, and slid through the space which he shout a short distance away—a shout expressing joy and had vacated by less than a second’s time, when a volley of satisfaction, and he knew it meant that a plam of action bullet’s whistled through it; seizing hold of the door, he had been decided on. , closed and locked it just in time to thwart the entrance of The two messengers also felt this truth, and they trem- those who had quickly rushed upon the platform. bled in their shoes. S The upper part of the deor was of thick glass, and stand- aa voice, gruff with rage, press outs img outside the ruffians could see the exact location of ne you surrender, once for allt those ee as evidenced by a ball that whistled uncom- eae WS eaeger cried both the cowardly messen- fortably close'to Nat’s head; but this he soon remedied by | 8°%®: eee Es clean Uaseeselt shah Which extinguished the lamps, and ince “You Jie!” hissed Nat; then fairly shrieked: “* No \ the tables, for they could now see the wreckers without we don’t surrender! and then leveling his revolver, fhamselves being seen, : he sternly said: ‘* The first man that even hints of sure Thus affairs remained for a few minutes, and then seeing render, or that sneaks out of fighting, ['N shoot like a dog! the outlines of a human figure, Nat yanked out his second - _ revolver, and taking careful aim, fired through the glass, why ti and Ries gplosarys Fyn the man drop like a stone. . CHAPTER TL: ee a ; ‘Ha—ha!” he cried, “‘you won’t wreck any more eee, ie BE to gy As eres suotiier” tack! “He's sick, TL Baek SCONE REE ie | ay aan “lar, and another at the peel \NDER HENSHAW, after reading the br ‘<Fle’s gone, but I th, t pean Or ale nave 4 ty cowards, Ay
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me) 4 THE YOUNG ENGINEER. SS 5S Gat ee oe one eer em yatience; he knew that he could not. expect to again hear rom the train for an hour or more. So he sat quite still, and watched the hands of the station clock as they slowly told off the passing minutes. An hour passed, he roused from his chair, and hitched eloser to the telegraphic instrument which remained as silent and dumb as the grave; fifteen minutes more sped away, still no news; five, ten minutes Hernshaw waited, _then he aroused several men. | “*Get up steam on 30,’ Ben; and you, Jack, hurry around and wake up the men named on the list. These names were those of men who had pledged them- selves to take the law into) their own hands, and try to punish the train-wreckers if the law failed to reach them. Ten minutes more slipped away, still that strange little instrument, with its queer method of conveying intelli- gence, remained dumb and silent. , _ And then one by one men came almost breathless into the station, so great had they hurried. i Ten minutes more passed; then Hernshaw ordered: «Bring out ‘30’ with one car attached,” then turning to those who had gathered, he said: ‘‘ According to agreement, gentlemen, I have sent for you. You all know the fate of the two night trains we dispatched oyer the road. To-night it became imperative to send another, and I have every reason to suppose it has fallen in bad hands. How many will go with me to the rescue?” '. “J—and I—and I!” came from all sides. - *Then get on board. Are you all armed?” wie. Vee. are.” «Then jump aboard. All’ right, engineer, go ahead,» 39 and do your d est. Hernshaw seldom ever swore, but when he did, those who were best acquainted with him, knew that he was terribly in earnest; and he looked earnest, too. - -His face was set and determined, his lips were tightly closed, and his eyes gleamed with a dangerous fire. ‘The engineer héeded his instructions, and ‘‘30” dashed westward like the wind. ad And how fared Nat and his companions? We shall _ rage, and poured yolley after volley through the windows, oy _ «but the three inmates of the cars were sheltered safely from the leaden rain behind the woodwork. ‘The wreckers meanwhile, kept up a continual shouting, ‘whose meaning troubled Nat somewhat. ‘(> But it was explained when he heard the gur—r—r of the teeth ofa saw in wood at the further end of the car. a, Keeping bent, he crawled thither, and sure enough sat there was the blade of a saw eee up and down throu gh ee the floor, a saw which he recognized as belonging in the tool chest of old ‘*49.” fix! eats He waited until he had correctly located On osition of the sawyer, and then fired at him through the floor. Immediately there camé one wild shriek, and then all became quiet as death for several minutes, the wreckers giving over both firing and shouting. ~ ; ay, yOu rrender. _ Bee. , { Ns 3 At Nat’s defiant answer the wreckers set up a howl of at’s shot had proved Presta sai seem fea ets Ht ‘11 Cat onde (ie > Hit space eM K ie > nts “‘ Surely they will not kill us if we were to give up the gold?” whispered one. j ‘«« They couldn’t have the heart to do it,” muttered the . other. : “Heart?” said Nat, mockihgly. ‘ Ha—ha—ha! you don’t know these men; they’d cut a baby’s throat for a six- pence. Heart? bah! they’re devils in human shape. No, we will not surrender, and the first one of you that fnakes ; any such move, knows what to expect,” and he tapped his reloaded revolver suggestively. | Did they dare fire the car? Dare! Yes, and Nat knew that they would do so, yet his cheek never blanched, his heart never quailed. He would not desert the car until forced to, and then His resolute face, his flashing eyes, told the rest. He waited quietly. Fffteen minutes passed. Had they done as they threatened? He yee "Thus he questioned himself; his answer came very soon, A little spiral column of flame shot up at the far end of the car. es, it was on fire, and now that the devouring flames had burst through, they spread with frightful ee he scorching tongues of flame ran along the woodwork, mounted up around the windows, caught the roof in its fiery embrace, and presently the fire was dancing upward . into the clear night air. ‘ Nearer and nearer it came, and further and further they retreated, until they were hemmed in in the forward part of the car, just beside the door; on a piece of wood Nat projected his cap before the door, and the next instant a bullet went whizzing through it; he let it drop and gave an unearthly shriek; it had its reward, for two minutes afterwards a man mounted the platform and attempted to get a view of the interior of the car. ' Grack! a groan, and the would-be spy staggered back- ward and fell heavily to the ground. 7 . JT squealed,” muttered Nat, “but I’ve got teeth left 1 yet; and when I get out of here—if they don’t kill me too — quickly—God help some of them!” he added, grimly, Nearer leaped the flames, and the heat drew the perspi- — ration out on their foreheads in great beads; the air grew awfully hot, and every breath of it they drew seemed like, a fiery stream passing down their throats. » f “Let us go!” pleaded the messengers. «You must stay until I go,” was the stern reply. Nearer—nearer, the little flickering, curling flames, tne advance guards as it were, were playing around their very ¥ ‘feet, and the smoke that before had been carried away through the broken windows, now arose in a yolume about’ their heads, nearly choking them; they could not throw: — themselves on the floor, for the fire gave no place to de so; it was a choice then between fire, smoke, and death. ** Let us go!” gasped the messengers. ' “Yes,” said Nat, “I will! The time has come, we | must desert the car, and mind you what I say: When we | leave the car and jump to the round, you must make a good fight, and if you have to die, let it be like men. Bué | —if I find either of you sneaking—if God spares my life till then, ’ll put a bullet in your brains. Now, under- stand! When I open the door, make a dash, jump to the MS ] # ground, and pop away; you'll find enough work to do. 4 ow!” ‘ bbs He swung open the door, and aioe mesons jum ow ii ed clean acrogs the platform to the ground; they would — y surprise they had nb flung open the door, but ] hen arcs By. the orack~ ge of t ne tise enls
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\ THE YOUNG ENGINEER. Nat of course knew not of the advancing resene, knew not that engine ‘‘ 30” was advancing to the. rescue at fifty miles an hour; ‘‘30” had never before behaved as nobly as' she did on that night, and just ere the door of the burning ‘ear was flung open, Captain Con had heard a far-away rumble; nearer and nearer it sounded, and like lightning it flashed upon the wreckers that rescue was coming, and in numbers so strong that they must flee; they watched for the headlight with startled eyes, and it dawned in their gaze even as the three cracks rang out on the air. *¢ D—— the luck!” howled Con; then shrieked: ‘‘Take to your heels, boys; make for cover lively.” They took his advice instantly, only stopping to fire some shots at the trio, who by the time the flight was com- menced knew its cause and returned the fire with a shout of joy. i tie minute ‘*30.” dashed up to the spot, the citizens piled out and started an exciting chase, but a fruitless one, for knowing the wilds thoroughly, the wreckers were soon securely concealed. ; A prompt effort succeeded in extracting from the fire the safe containing the bullion; Nat had been one of the fore- most in this undertaking, and when he saw the safe on the ground, he cried: { “We fought against odds, but came out O. K!’ then fainted and fell across it. ; ; : * * * * * * Caleb Dill, president of the Greenburg and Overton Railroad, was sitting in his private office the next day, when there entered a well-built, handsome-looking fellow about thirty; he was dressed ina general free-and-easy style, and every word and look breathed the character of a thorough-bred desperado. ‘* Well, Con,” and Caleb Dill’s fat face was broadened by a smirking smile, oh, so deceitful and disgusting. ** Good luck?” ‘« No,” was growled rather than spoken. ; “‘Hoity-toity! What, do you mean to say you miscar- ried?” ee Yes. 3? “ After all the trouble I took to get word to you and all that?” © Yes; we'd a been all right but for one plucky little devil, and he got into the baggage car and kept us away as good as a regiment; we’ set fire to the car, and had just roasted ’em out, when up comes an express with a lot of fellows who gave us a lively chase.” ‘This information was received with a string of sulphur- ous ‘oaths of a yard or so in length, and when they were / finished, Caleb Dill said: *€ Well, Gon, better Iuck next time, although I could shoot myself for letting Hernshaw get the best of me. - Curse him!” and Dill clenched his handsguntil his finger- » nails sunk deep into his palms. ‘‘ How I hate that man. IT could murder him with a good conscience. But, ha—ha —ha—what he would give to know me—why, Con, be- tween you and I, that man could waft me to the gallows with one puff of his breath. But I say, Con,” he added, ‘excitedly, Natl ay “ What is it?” | «They say Hernshaw has a daughter that he cherishes like the apple of his eye.” * fs So Tye heard. a : ~~ «Could you steal her?” 6, « P’yaps.” ; 7 «Well, do so, and I'll give you a thousand dollars cash STR own.’ ‘ f a 4 The job’s as good as done. - ‘ith the gal, when we get her?” ere ‘Oh, anything—anything—knock her in the head— make a plaything of her—drown her—hang her—any- i SDN EUS Ei ces yh ad toy fake ht ee % mm What do you want done viet etna a S ; feet! “You want me?” and Mr. Hernshaw spoke rather \ S i ; isk = : i | ©21 take that express train through if. you'll give me ihe es ae % ee Sores ‘ 7 a Mindy a ‘ ae CHAPTER IIL THE OIL TRAIN. Nar was picked up and carried inside the car, where he was carefully propped up with cushions, and cold water be- ing dashed in his face he soon recovered consciousness. When the party was all gathered after having in vain pursued the wreckers, the barricade was removed from the track, the debris of the burned baggage and the mashed passenger-car was dragged aside, and then they undertook the sad duty of picking up the dead bodies of Jake Lock- wood, brave old fellow, the conductor, and the single pas- senger who had dared face the perils of the journey. The safe was also taken aboard, and then ‘*30” ran through to Overton, arriving there some time after day- break, and Hernshaw had the satisfaction of seeing the ~ bullion passed safely out of his hands. Here alsoa doctor was procured who attended to Nat’s wounds, after which he was taken on board and the train started on her back trip. . Nat was laid up a month with his wounds, but at no loss of time, for Mr, Hernshaw paid him regularly, and in ad- eae gave him two hundred dollars as a reward for his ravery. And during the time that Nat was laid up, great changes had taken places old “49” was a complete wreck, and Hernshaw telegraphed east for another to take her place; but before she arrived it became a question as to whether they would ever have any use for her, as the wréckers, en- _ raged at having been so badly beaten in that night attack, were now busily engaged in placing obstructions on the track in the daytime, in removing rails and various other a lish devices to interrupt the progress of trains or wreck them. In vain Hernshaw invoked the aid of the law; it seemed powerless to reach the outlaws, and they dwelt in security and inflicted what damage they pleased with utter im- punity. It was near night; the last train from Overton was over- due; word came that it was wrecked; a misplaced rail, but so well arranged as to escape detection from the cab, had caused it. é The next morning a climax came, and just as Nat reached the workshop, the ergineer of the morning express refused to risk his life in taking the train across the country to Overton. Hernshaw, always at hand, called for a volunteer, but none responded. Then he singled out different men and requested that they would fill the post, but each replied in the negative, and Hernshaw was in despair; just then there was a com- motion, for from a siding connecting with the trunk road, of which the I. & O. R. R was but a branch, there came grandly rolling a magnificent engine; BYP piece of brass was burnished like gold, and the iron work was both spot- less and faultless. \ “‘ What a beauty,” murmured Nat, and he was right; the engine was large and heavy, nearly double the weight they had used on the road before, but so perfect was her Soe that she could be handled as easily as a aby. e ° Mr. Hernshaw!” — Mea: ears The gentleman started, and observing who it was that | spoke, said kindly: “* Good morning, Nat, glad to see you out again, — How | are you feeling?” ‘Well, sir, thank you,” said Nat, his face wearing Mi yexed look as the president turned away. 1 ie SN * Mr. Hernshaw!” — “7 4 sa | ge *< Well, what is it?” Bt oe
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si “6 F2t THE YOUNG ENGINEER. - - Rand McCormick for fireman and that new engine to / run.” } It was amusing to see the astounded look of Mr. Hern- shaw at this proposal; it nearly took his breath away, and -when he spoke it was with a gasp. * You will?” “Yes, sir,” ** And who is Rand) McCormick?” ‘© A young fellow now working in the machine shop. He wants to go on an engine and J’ll be answerable for his doing his work properly.” * You will?” in still greater astonished tones. “T will. Is it a bargain?” **But—” catching his breath, ‘‘do you think you can run an engine?” It I didn’t think so, why should I say so?” said Nat. “* What is it, yes or no?” «Well, really—I—that is—I hardly know—caii’t you wait until I can—think about——” 3 “No, sir,” said Nat, promptly, but respectfully. ‘* You want to send the train through; I offer to take it; yes or ? et Yes, knew what asped Hernshaw, so bewildered that he scarce e was about. But Nat took him at his word, and jumped aboard of the , new ehgine, and relieved the driver who had brought her to the spot; he then sent for Rand McCormick, a young, noble-hearted Irish lad whom he thought much of, and ten minutes after regular starting time they sailed out of the depot. ' , It was grand, the first ride on the new engine, and Nat made up the lost time, and carried his train safely to Over- ton; when this was telegraphed back the other engineers rofessed their willingness to take their places in the cabs; r. Hernshaw wanted to exclude the driver of the express who had been the leader in the movement, but as he was supported by the other engineers, the president was forced » to receive him back in his old place. When Nat reached Insbruck on his back trip, it was to be given a bitter pill, for he had prided himself that hence- forth he should run the express, a fact which would have highly pleased him; and learned, when he reached Ins- bruck, that the old engineer was to take his usual place. , , ‘Is that so, Mr. Hernshaw?” he inquired. I _ sorrowfully. ce Yes. ”? R : ‘Then I run the risk, and you reward him,” said Nat, _ *No—no, Nat, not that,” and then Mr. Hernshaw ex~ plained: ‘‘you shall keep the new engine, and run freight over the road, and the first vacancy on a passenger train you shall have, and shall take your engine with you.” ~ “Thank you, sir—thank you,” cried Nat. ‘* But, sir, what name are you going to give the engine.” “‘T hardly know.’ om ‘*Then name her ‘49.’ It’ll put me in mind of the old engine, and Jake, he loved her so, poor fellow, and she mashed up and he dead,” said Nat sadly. ‘ \ “As you will,” replied Mr. Hernshaw, and Nat skipped away as happy as a bird. {PET ot A week passed; Nat had been oyer the road a number of times, and so far had met with no accidents, and Hern- shaw, who had slightly doubted the ability of one so young, began to have confidencein him. = hen business took a stidden rush, and the car sheds at Tnsbruck were blocked up with freight going west. F After Nat’s terrible experience, Hertha seareely liked _ asking him to take a second night trip, yet was compelled | to by force of circumstances. “Go,” said Nat, when Hernshaw asked him, ‘of course ‘Til go. What’s the freight?” | A train of oil cars filled with petroleum.” © _. Very well; when shall we start?” et pee Nts Me “It?s eight o’clock now; how long will it take you to _ Set your supper? yi nae ‘* Half an hour.” «© And Rand?” “* He’ll be on hand.” “Say you start then at 8:30, and I'll telegraph ahead to have a clear track for you.” , ‘* All right;” and thus it was settled. At 8:30 all was in readiness, and with Rand at the fire. box and Nat at the throttle, ‘‘49” moved out of the yard, and started on her run of one hundred and fifty miles westward. Engine “49” was a beauty, indeed, yet her beauty did not impair her for work, and Nat was accustomed to en- thusiastically declare that: “«She can do more work than any seven engines west of the Mississippi.” They covered ground at a good rate, and soon they had scored half a hundred miles, and then every minute began bringing them nearer the spot where Nat had seen hot work, and as he left it behind, he thought: «Those fellows haye some secret way of finding out what our road is doing, and is going to do. They knew beforehand of the bullion behind old ‘49’ the night she was wrecked. I wonder if they know that a train is out to-night?” That was a pregnant question. ; Did they know? / Yes; Oaleb Dill had heard of the probability of a night train, and a fitting tool to so dastardly a master was even then lying in wait for the train at the ‘‘Clove,” as a lon and steep descent on the mountain side was called, and provided it was an oil train, he had his instructions. The level stretch was passed and Nat breathed freer; they reached the top of the Clove going at the moderate rate of speed up the ascent by which the summit was reached, And. just on the summit, ere the descent was com- menced, a dark figure leaped from the bushes, took a spring, caught the rear buffer of the last car, and swung himself on it. ; ‘* Down brakes!” came the order, and the brakemen put on the brakes, and then, knowing that they would not be shifted for some time to come, seated themselves on the lee side of the oil tanks. Then the dark figure glided forward until it stood on the car next to the tender; then out came a small auger and a hole was bored in the wooden tank, from which then at once flowed a thick, dark liquid. Striking a match in the shade of the tender, he touched it to the oil; at once there shot up a great, broad flame, but it failed to disclose the villain who had safely screened himself on the ledge of the tender’s side, — ’ «My God!” gasped Rand, ‘* the train’s on fire,” and his face grew pale as death. What was to be done? Nat whistled ‘‘down brakes all,” but the two brakemen were most sadly frightened, and could not stir. Meanwhile theftank head was eaten through by the flames, and the burning masses of petroleum began rushing’ in fiery waves toward the tender. “ Rand!” cried the tender! Quick, or it will ‘be too late! ahead!” We must run at, quickly, “‘wncouple the car from — Over the tender Rand clambered, and cast loose the . couplings, and Nat shoved ‘49” ahead a little ways; but_ strange though it was, the oil-train began moving faster, -and Nat was compelled to open the throttle, though they were going down a steep incline. ; A brakeman’s carelessness was the cause. tris He had failed to secure the brake properly, and it gave way; and as the heavy train gained headway, it flew down the track like a flaming meteor. / Yotaeaea) at saw one brakeman jump; from Gazing backward, the rear of the train, and then saw the other crouch for a leap for life; he took the leap, but it proved for death! at age eae Netiay Cam i is ote | ‘ 9 yf -S- 7. - ‘ ,
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Rey THE YOUNG ENGINEER. He fell beneath, the wheels and two pairs of horrified _ eyes turned away, two hearts sickened, two frames shud- dered. Faster Nat sent ‘‘49” down the slope, and like some pursuing fiend, the oil-train increased its speed. It was now a race for life, and Nat’s face grew hard and rigid, and his fingers tightly clutched the throttle; if they could outrun the oil-cars they were safe; if they did not they could but shudder at the prospect. True, the engine had steam, but what was that com- pared with the great weight of the train that was moment- arily giving it a most fearful momentum. On—on—flew the locomotive, and after it came the / burning train. Nat turned on more steam. The engine seemed to fairly groan, and bounded high from the track every minute as if about to leave it. Tt was fearful. More steam yet, oh! what a speed. Nat’s face was very calm, but his blood was in a tumult, the delirium of pace was on him; one minute of such -ex- citation to him was worth a year of prosy life; more steam! he would win or die for it; and seeming in a dream, he looked from the cab window and saw the earth gliding from beneath him like a great black stretch of water. «The oil train’s gaininet* gasped Rand. “Good Heaven, so it is!” More steam; fearful was that ride. It frightened one man, the author of the mischief, but putting on a bold face on the matter, he suddenly ap- peared, and stepping in the cab, leveled a pistol at the head of each of its occupants, and cried: «Turn off the steam, or by ——I’ll blow your brains / out!” obs : CHAPTER Iv. YVLL PUT ’EM THROUGH. Nat and Rand were both greatly startled by the sudden appearance of\the wretch, who, in carrying out the in- structions that were to bring destruction on others, had placed’ his own head in death’s noose, and for some seconds neither of the youths could speak. Turn off the steam!” yelled the villain, ‘‘ D—— it, man, we’ll be over the track into the gully if you go ahead at this rate. Turn off the steam! If you want to go the devil yourself you sha’n’t murder me. ‘Turn off the steam or [ll shoot.” Mss Nat had by this time recovered his equanimity, and re- plied with the utmost sang frotd : ‘Now, just see here, that’s a game two can play at,” and drawing ont his revolver, he leveled it at the villain’s head. . “T’m running this engine, and I’m going to do it just as I please, so keep yourself quiet or I’ll adminster you a lead- en pill that’ll make you feel sick. But who im thunder are you, anyway? How came you on board the train?” hese plain questions staggered the fellow for a minute, and then he faltered out, after evidently conjuring up an answer on the spur of the moment: “« |—I—was stealing a ride.” “s Yousvere. | | d -ciih eb s =) Bice ‘4 And do fellows who have no money to pay for rides, » haye the wherewithal to buy such revolvers as you carry? They’re worth at least twenty dollars. What have you got to say for yourself?” ' The yillain made no reply, and Nat said, sternly: ** Now, my hearty, qu you drop those pop-guns, and sit down guste or I’ll pat a hole in you big enough to ee daylight through.” a : Thus adjured, and knowing full well that there was no e and squatted down on the floor of the cab, Be sl icc’ Ws Pee me ie sey OS . waa | wi cooling with Nat, the wretehed man lowered his revolvers | pice. : ae Z | Oh, what a moment of suspense that was to Nat. ' 4 A. ees "3 WV Jerry was also provided with revolvers, and singing out: *< Jerry, keep an eye on that fellow, and shoot him if he makes the first hostile move,” Nat turned his attention to the burning train. An exclamation of horror burst from his lips, for in the short space of time occupied by this little incident, the ail cars had gained amazingly, and were scarcely more than three hundred feet behind, and were now one mass of ! fire. Nat opened the steam-valve a little now, and ‘‘ 49,” fair- ly quivering, rushed down the heavy grade, bounding and jumping high from the track. It seemed almost miraculous that she had not before this time jumped the rails, the doing of which meant total de- struction in the rocky gully at the foot of the mountain side along which they were running. Nat looked at the fiery, pursuing demon. It was gain- ing yet More steam, and then, great Heavens, what a pace théy were going! “‘T must keep ahead,” groaned Nat. ‘‘ It is sure death one way; possible life the other,” and he opened wider the steam-yalve, and under the new.impetus ‘'49” seemed fairly to fly. And well it was that the young engineer put on this last touch, for it carried him ahead again, so that he was in~ safety when there came dn immense upward-shooting flame, ‘then a terrific report, and then the air was filled with sheets of flame in every direction. The fire had reached the interior of one of the tanks and it had burst, and doing sd, the oil was sent flying in every quarter, alive and blazing. In a minute another tank suffered the same fate, and then another, and its burning contents were flung far and near, and a part of it dropping among some any, stunted brush on the mountain side, it took fire, and added greatly to the splendor of the dreadful scene. On—on—on—the engine scurried, and on like the wind ~ came the demon of fire; slowly but surely gaining again. Nat opened the throttle to its widest, Mae *°49” did not respond, and a glance at the gauge told the trouble; in watching the villain, Jerry’s fires chad run down, and now the steam was dropping. The young engineer groaned as he comprehended the state of affairs, for he saw how useless it would be to attempt to raise the steam; so near was the burning train, ~ that before a shovel full of coal was consumed, the meeting must come. Letting go of the throttle for the first time, he folded his arms and awaited the result. : Nearer—nearer came the oil-cars, and slower “ 49’ went every moment; the platforms of the oil-cars took fire, then the trucks, covered with oil, blazed up, and all sémblance of a train was lost, and all that could be seen was one mass of moving flame, and that creeping slowly upen them, Two minutes passed, they were not separated by a hun- dred. feet; another minute, only fifty feet intervened; then forty, thirty, twenty. “God help us!” groaned Nat. ‘If the cars would only jump the rails} it’s our last chance.” a Ten feet away; a few seconds and the burning oil must — be flung all over the tender, and with that on fire it was dreadful to contemplate. m: f Inch byinch the distance was lessened, and then the cars struck; there came a hissing, and the tender was covered — with the flaming oil, and the wood piled up in the rear at once took fire. ' Poa ; But though this was unfortunate, the meeting proved _ a blessing, for the shock of coming together imparted a momentum to the engine that carried it ahead of the burn- ing train, which Nat. observed to commence wobbling — fia} ; this continued for a minute, and then the foremost ma car jumped the track, and ran over the edge of the preci- _ yi ‘ aD iP es : DA) ie / HOA Pr} 4 LP ‘ ohss
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THE YOUNG ENGINEER. ey, , uy. Le If the coupling broke, and the rest of the train were rmitted to come on, absolute death stared them in the ace; if the nope held, the rest of the train would. be drawn over, and they would be comparatively safe. There arose’a squeaking and groaning of joints of wood j and iron, then a rough, horrible grating, and the sus- ; pended car was dragged along the rough edge of the rocky, jagged precipice; and then—happy event—the second car eft the rails, and then there came one conyulsive move- ment ‘of the snake-like line of flame, and the entire train took one gigantic leap and fell far through space into the Yocky confines below. _ : One foe was out of the way, but there was another to dispose of—the burning tender. ‘* Keep a sharp eye on the fellow, Rand,” sang out Nat, and then bounded through the cab door and upon the ten- der, fought his way through the flames to the brake, seized it and put it hard on; there arose a harsh, grating sound, and their dreadful pace was lessened; one more turn of the brake wheel, then back through the flames, a leap into the cab, a quick movement, and the engine was uncoupled, and shooting ahead, the tender was standing nearly mo- tionless, to be consumed by the flames. This last heroic action of Nat’s had placed them in safety, and when this was certain, each one of the trio breathed a deep sigh of relief. What should be done? Nat quickly decided; they had water enough in the boil- er to run them through to Overton, so there they would 0. : The level was reached, Rand fixed his fires as best he could, and supplied the missing fuel by the use of grease and machinery oil. Meanwhile a close watch was kept on their villanous -{eompanion, who remained quiet, nor made any movement until the level having been crossed, Nat slowed up before ' entering a deep cut. _ At this point the fellow suddenly arose to his feet, knocked Rand down, and took a flying leap from the cab to the track, and then with a couple of Nat’s bullets whiz- _ zing about his ears, doye into the underbrush and disap- ared; knowing it would be useless to attempt following him, in conjunction with the fact that they must make the best of thei? time if they wanted toreach Overton, induced - ‘* Let me follow a plan of my own,” said Nat, “and I'll put ’em through.” ‘ ? No, sir,” said a voice. | Bibles hee eae Mr. Hernshaw turned; it was Nat Norwood who spoke; the railroad president’s eye eee Me he at the youth who stood proudly erect with arms mee ds) ar i ‘ : psi te ihe , aia en “4 $ : pth LY a Vee ile SAE Pas yk This was the climax; no engineer could be found to take. _| ing-place of ‘just the proper hight to nicely step in or out of a boat. a ee lanced | ray his office at Insbruck, was overjoyed at the first train which had gone safely through in some days. Nat ran back that afternoon, nor was he halted the en- tire distance, the wreckers evidently having gotten enough — for one day. : Nl A revolution in the working of the road at once took place, and Nat was given the most responsible engincer- ship, that of running the morning express. \ 4 ' , CHAPTER V. | SYNDYE HERNSHAW. ae "aa Ne ront. 2: ; Nemesis A Se . Overhanging the water was a neat boat-house, and in — one place a short flight of steps led to a little stone land- — This was built for the special acco: modation of his only child, a daughter'of seventeen, mown as Syndic, who bhatt -yery fond of rowing. Site fa sag He
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zi THE YOUNG ENGINEER. 9. tionally!” exclaimed the witness of the affair, and he gave way with a will. - Stand by, Dick,” said a low voice on board the yacht, ‘and yank her on deck when she gets under the bows.” In despair Syndie dropped the oars and jumped to her feet when the yacht was within ten feet of her, and clasp- ing her hands, awaited what was to come. The stem of the vessel glided past, and then her little, cockle-shell of a boat was swamped beneath the swell of the bows, and she at the same moment was seized and dragged on deck. s * Help—help!” she screamed. The man who was hurrying to her rescue saw it all, and quickly exerting his strength, the oars bent nearly double in his grasp. He was not far off, and a dozen strokes would place him ~ beside the yacht. They were taken. It was just sundown of a loyely day, when Syndie or- ek John, the man-of-all-work, to bring her boat to the anding. John did as he was bidden, and light asa fawn, Syndie sprang into the little boat which had been made for her es- pecial use, and seating herself on the thwarts, she took up the oars. “* Going far, miss?” asked John, respectfully. ‘©No, not very. Why?” ‘The sun’s gone down, and ’tain’t exactly safe for you to be on the river much later than that.” “Pshaw!” said Syndie. ‘‘ Why, it’ll be a lovely moon- light night. “There, you can see the moon now,” and she pointed upward toward the just visible new moon. « ?Twon’t last more’n an hour,” said John, warningly. “Weil, Pll be back by that time,” was Syndie’s reply, as she dipped the blades into the water and sent the light boat swiftly into the stream. It was just cool enough to suit the gay and beautiful He saw the yessel shading past him, took one tremendous girl, and turning the prow of her boat up stream, she | str oke, jumped to his feet, sprang into the bows and pulled steadily but slowly, and as she went, drank in the grasped. at the rail of the quarter-deck, and exclaiming: beauties that surrounded her, and admired much the | ‘‘ Thank God!” he obtained a good hold. Wee effects, as the roseate hues of the departed sun gave way to A quick movement, his boat was drawn up, and grasp- the silvery shimmer of the moon. ing the painter in his hand, he sprang on the yacht’s deck, _ She rowed onward, never thinking that the minutes just as a voice said: Aye d . | were fleeting, nor did she bethink herself of her promise to | __ “‘ Clap a hand on the girl’s mouth, Dick, and chuck her be back in an hour, till she chanced to behold the silver | into the hold.” crescent, just about to dip below the horizon. The blood was boiling in the veins of the. rescuer, and “‘ Ah!” she said, using that most feminine ejaculation when he saw the girl vainly struggling in the grasp of the . applied to everything. ‘‘I must get home as quick as I villain Dick, he dropped the painter, sprang forward like can; papa may be worried; I believe he told me, too, | # panther, and the next moment Dick was sprawling onthe . never to go on the twater after sundown. I’m sorry, of | deck; but he had not conquered yet, for two men came up course, that I disobeyed him, but I know I can beg off.* | from the tiny cabin, and rushed furiously upon him. Yes, Syndie could “beg off” anything, for Alexander | He fought a good fight, but finding himself pressed, he ‘Hernshaw fairly worshiped his daughter. cried: 2 wee Syndie turned the boat’s prow down the stream and gave ee into the water, girl! way with a will, nor did she pause, except now and thento| — ;, eee 3 Twill ; ¥ ha ead. firmly and decidedly © turn her graceful head for a moment to see if the road was ump} LWil saya VOUT De Gat, ARRAY A COCLCeasy: clear. For an instant the girl hesitated; it was asking a great She noticed a yacht with sails spread like a snowy cloud, deal of her to place so much confidence in a stranger; she dancing over the water in her direction, and turned her hesitated. m sh boat a Tittle aside to let it go clear of her, then bent to her “Jump!” 3 , oars again, murmuring: A rapidly rising confidence decided her, and just as he _ This is glorious. This wind is just the salt of rowing, flcored one of his pete pe by a blow, and turned to and it nevers springs up till after sundown. I'll tell papa | meet the other who held an upraised knife in his hand, that!” she concluded, and then glanced over her shoulder. the girl jumped overboard. P at _ The yacht was still bearing down on her; she changed her | |. A quick upward motion of his arm saved the rescuer’s - course, rowed a minute or two and looked again; the yacht life, but left a fearful gash behind, where the knife cut was now very near and still headed toward her; what could deep into the flesh of his arm. . ; % Os it mean?” Crowded hard, he dared not turn to jump, but running rapidly backward, his heels struck the ep and he fell into the water; recovering himself, he struck out for ae atang girl, and caught her about the waist with one nand. ‘Put your hand on my shoulder,” hesaid. ‘‘ Keep cool and you’re safe.” is Syndie gave herself up to his will completely, and as the — eee bore away, the brave fellow struck out toward where — nis boat was drifting; the yacht came about and made for — him, but he had reached his boat, had placed the girl in — it, and was seated at the oars ere they came anywhere near, and then, strong and expert with the oars, he kept out of — her my, until the nearing of several other small boats made the neighborhood a hot one for the would-be ab- — a | Rast _ Syndie’s rescuer pulled down the river until he had reached the landing-place, where she alighted, wet and shivering. aa rere g ; ; Won’ ee strokes, and then giv- ie A hae aS Sea Ba on py aeas into the house?” she asked,‘ et.” F (eit cae Oe eas ao bay tee as the reply, and he backed out a little C weht a a un
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10 THE YOUNG ENGINEER. 5 EE SS a SE ER EE TS A a SER ES SEES SOLE SE ERE TORE SPOTTER SES “ But what is your name?” she asked, “‘I want to tell papa.” ‘‘My name’s of no account. Good night,” and turning his boat, it took but a few strokes to take him beyond Syndie’s vision, who, wondering at the young man’s ___ strangeness, turned and walked towards the house, meeting her anxious father on the way to the landing. He heard Syndie’s story with gravity, and from it realized that he was in the midst of foes who were seeking to destroy his family as well as his railroad. * * * * * * bod Caleb Dill sat in his office, mentally cursing. He was impatient, that was clear, for he was expecting somebody. The man’s history is told in a few words. Thief, des- perado, horse-thief, gambler, blackleg, dealer in stocks as a speculator, a lucky venture, owner of controlling amount of stock in G. & O. R. R., president, a man of assumed respectability, but inwardly of a black and hellish nature. The door opened, a man entered. Caleb Dill looked up, his cheeks flushed. He started in Oe d surprise, turned pale, gasped: ** Jimmy Bolton.” *«The same,” was the mocking reply of the newcomer, ‘« Fact,” said Bryan. ‘It’s the same fellow that’s got away with so many of the boys.” «* What’s his name—do you know?” “* Yes; he’s called Nat Norwood,” said Brian. ‘© Nat Norwood!” echoed Bolton. “Is he out here?” ‘*7 don’t know whether it’s the same fellow as you mean, but Nat Norwood’s the name of the young fellow that runs ‘49’ on the other road.” «What kind of a looking fellow is he?” Brian gave a short description. ** How old is he?” *« About twenty one.” - «Then I say, too, that he must die!’ and then the quar- tette laid their heads together to form a plan to encompasy the destruction of Nat Norwood. CHAPTER YI. / NAT DISAPPEARS. A rw words here as to the relations to each other of the I. & O. R. R. and the G. & O. R. R. q Each road made Overton its terminus; the road running from Greenburgh had been first established, and had paid aman of thirty, fair-complexioned, but the owner of @ | handsome dividends at all times; a year before the opening most sinister look. ‘‘J had a good deal of trouble, but I piked you at last, and here I am.’ of our story, the I. & O. R. R. had commenced operations; this road started, as you are already aware, from Insbruck;, During this speech, Dill had recovered himself, and in a | g station on the main road of which both were appendages, collected voice, asked: “© When did you get ont?” ‘*A month or so ago. Dye been lookin’ for you ever since.” “* How’d you like Joliet?” “Didn’t like it forad—n. Well, pard, you’re well fixed ~ here, president of a railroad; I suppose you'll make me your private secretary!” i “¢ No.” “© You don’t mean that, do you? But you must give me asoft position. Understand? You know me,” he finished, with threatening tones. “You shall have a job,” said Dill, quailing before his - companion’s sharp glance. ‘I'll fix you all right if——” The deor opened nies Brian Conway and Dick Klinck entered. Dill saw ata platies erties their tale would be, but said, interrogatively: Be, SWell Brian looked at Bolton. __ *¢Oh, go ahead,” said Bolton, “don’t mind me. i _ derstand it all.” ee "This was said in an. off-hand way, and Bryan amrtie no -word of dissent from ‘Dill, said, in a sour voice: «We failed.” “ce How?” y b eat T un- got her away.” few Who was the fellow?” ieee te train.’ a “ec Any’ Sits saat & It’s the fellow that’s running « engine y ie >” said Dick Hernshaw held the man’s life _ “ Leastways, he was mae: her the ment: I fired | private reason hated Hernshaw with all the strength of his. « a lend: must be got out | him with savage pleasure in the deed 1s ely, situated eighteen miles north of Greenburgh; freight com- ing south, of course, would be shipped over the shortest road, and passengers also preferred the short road, as it saved several hours in reaching Overton. The Greenburgh road was familiarl? known as the “old road,” while that which Hernshaw represented was known as the “ new.” The ‘new road” had not been in operation a week, when its effect was felt by the Greenburgh road, of which Caleb Dill was president. Gradually but surely traffic went to the new road, and Dill found himself losing money, instead of making it, which was to him ‘the great desideratum, and to obtain which he was willing to go to any lengths. 4 As we have said, he was all that was bad, and his mikes brain conceived a scheme by which he hoped to quash the © rival road. Through Brian Conway, an old pal and a not- ed desperado, he had engaged in his employa large gang of horse-thieyes and general outlaws and murderers, whose business it was to be to destroy the trains of the I. & O. Be R., whenever they could safely do it, and harass them in alll possible ways. And another of his moves was to cut down the wages of all the employees of the road, on the plea that the newline ~ | was killing him; this of course created a bitter feeling ‘against the new road and its servants, and more than once — RATA fellow aatntees aboard after we’d got the girl, and | the two sets of men had been engaged in Bioouy. battles in the streets of Overton. And then again, as we hayes oe from aremark of Dill’s, his grasp; Dill for ‘some -| vile nature, and had he ‘got the chanee would have hee ea &0, és 160m Ser er pea bs Sg the teahon ‘that the trains of es Dar ae Neri A Susi
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| THE YOUNG ENGINEER. ; ‘ a R., had been destroyed and their engineers and attendants, murdered; they were in the pay of the other road. Hernshaw. knew that the old road was never troubled, and half suspected the truth, but ofcourse could never get a single atom of proof to corroborate it. We have seen how nearly Dill’s plans had succeeded, and the road would doubtless have been forced to cease opera- tions but for Nat’s pluck in coming forward twice when every other man had refused take a train across the road. He was given the morning express, much to the disgust of the other engine driver, who, like the dog in the man- ger, did not want to or dare take it himself and yet would haye debarred anybody else from taking it. The next morning “49” steamed out of the round house, hooked on the express train, and at the signal dashed away at the rate of over thirty miles an hour. It was an exciting pace, one that Ned gloried in; on they dashed, ten miles gone in a very short while, twenty left' behind very duseklye then thirty, forty, fifty, sev enty, ninety. They mounted the slope, and descended the grade down which “49” had fled before the burning oil train; here ’ they struck a level space of over ten miles in length, and at this point the single tracks of both railroads ran side by side, so near in fact, that leaning from a window of either train, you could have touched the other; in this close prox- imity the two tracks ran until just before the cut was reached where Dick Klinck had jumped from the cab of ‘<49,” after knocking down Rand McCormick; and here the old road crossed the new and madea detour around the base of the hill through which the new road cut. On this level stretch, this first morning of Nat’s running the express, he met the similar train of the other road. A-race of course was in order, and at first the Greenburg engine, “90,” forged ahead; Rand’s fires having fallen a little, made this so; jumping into the fire-box he threw on coal and wood, and opened the damper. ae 6 The steam jumped at once, and ‘‘49” mended her pace, and slowly drew up alongside of ‘*90;” on board the latter _ they were urging their fires to the utmost, and a big black | cloud of smoke told Nat that they were throwing grease in- to the furnace; but he stuck to wood and coal, and kept the throttle well in hand; on—on, they sped, meek and neck; on—on! over five miles, and neither had gained an a ge on —on! until the crossing was in sight. | Then Nat turned on the half turn of the throttle which he had reserved, and ‘‘49” leaped ahead amid the cheers of her passengers, and slipped over the crossing with a hundred feet to spare. _ The engineer of “90” cursed up hill al i: deebals and swore to heat “‘ 49” yet. They met at the same age next day, and again Nat came off victorious. — \ Engineer “90,” as Nat had dubbed him, smiled grimly; he would fix Nat yet. ¥ _ They met the next day; Nat held on: to his usual tactics, ; _ and held back until the crossing was in sight; he turned on the reserve, but * 49” did bes ign an opie “90” kept } sponse came. ! ath night up. — tee eu se ot Rand see his ears. ee, eo You! ee, spies’ ee ee Ge iG pepating. s wrong,’ pre fete Nat ee then- a pe i learn what had happened. surpr He te i s the matter?” he was asked, «‘ What is it?” he asked. “« Just see here.” Nat looked; engineer ‘‘90” had attached to his locomo- tive a heavy rope; in the loose end of this was a heavy iron hook, .and this had surreptitiously been hooked on the brass standard of ‘‘49,” to which flags are sometimes at- tached. «The sneak!” cried Nat. off the rope.” Swinging out of the cab, Rand made his way along the boiler to the standard and seized hold of the hook. “ Drop that!” yelled engineer ‘‘ 90.” “Go to blazes!’ retorted Rand, “‘ By God, if you touch that rope Pl shoot you!” cried the angry engineer. J “« Nat!” cried Rand. ee Ay—ay 1, *<Got your revolver there?” “e Yes: ? ‘Well, this fellow’s going toshoot me, All I ask is to give him the same. Got him sighted?” 4 ee Yes. 3? ‘Then here goes! Ease up a little.” Nat slowed ‘‘ 49,” the rope slacked. Rand seized te hook. Hands off, or I’ll put a bullet through your skull.” ‘Goon, Rand. And as for you, you dirty skunk, you'll never live one minute after you fire at Rand, for I’ve — got a bead on you, and £never fail! Off with it, Rand!’ Engineer ‘‘ 90” quailed; Rand picked up the iron hook, flung it off, and engineer ‘90 ” slunk back in his cab out of sight, and Nat, putting on steam, cleared the genie with ten feet to spare. There had been no deyiltry in a week; Hernshaw began to hope all was quieted down; a heavy freight was waiting — to go through, and Nat was called on to take it through at night. He did not back out, but hooked on after doing his davies 2 work, and started. Half way*between Insbruck and Overton the water ran _ low, and he decided to halt at a watering tank built for . just such occasions. They stopped, and Nat, descending to the ground walked around his engine and commenced see fy the — journals. The tank was full, the pipe was thrown off, said Rand looked around for Nat; nof seeing him, he called his name, but got no penne: ; then he grew alarmed and made a search for him, but searching and calling were of — no avail, for Nat had disappeared as completely as though t swallowed up by the earth. What had become of him so suddenly and silently? “Rand, go out and throw % CHAPTER VII. RAND TURNS DETECTIVE. But the trainmen, Bearing Rand’s a came dor
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THE YOUNG ENGINEER. “‘ Nat’s gone,” was all the reply he gave to numberless queries of the same nature. **Where?” was the next question, e which his invariable reply was: *T don’t know.” Leaving several of the brakemen to care for the train and Rand to take care of the engine, a search was institut- _ ed by the conductor, who took the lead, lantern in hand. They extended their search through a circle of seyeral hundred yards all about the train, but found no trace of him, nor heard his yoice even so much as whisper a reply to their frequent. calls. - Fully half an hour they expended in the search, and _ then they returned and gathered in a little cluster near the ‘engine. Rand felt the loss, perhaps, more keenly than any of _ them, and kept hopping on the engine to look at the water, and steam, and fires, and then to the ground, where he ' paced excitedly to and fro, until the return of the search- ing party, when he cried: - Did you find him?” ‘ cc No. 29 Rand groaned, and muttered: «Oh! what shall we do?” The conductor was perhaps the coolest of them all, and secking to find gar possible solution of the mystery, asked: Where did you see Nat last?” «Bending down beside the driving wheel; he was feel- — ing if the journal was hot.” __ * He didn’t speak to you after that?” be No. » : “Nor you didn’t see him?” \ : 6“ No.” _ The conductor was stumped; he did not know what to ‘3 do; lantern in hand, he stooped and looked under the en- gine, thinking possibly Nat might have crawled under it; put no, nothing but what should be there met his gaze. Then where had Nat gone? - He certainly would not have gone in this way voluntari- ly; if not, then his going was Tene: and that meant foul play! soy i: E This was what struck the conductor, and was the . proper clew. Holding the lantern close to the ground, he examined, ‘most carefully, the soft soil for ten feet each side of the ck, and finally found—foot- prints. This in itself was not so much, but coupled with Nat’s _ traced them right up to the engine, and here the earth was m turbed as though by a person being thrown from his while he had tried his best to remain on them. Then y of the engine. i, til the soil, changing from its soft nature to one herd ae the footprints no longer were visible. sei } aah d pearance, might mean a great deal. The conductor | pointed the other way, as if sis had all left the e conductor and. several of the “heath men, revolvers. eady for use, followed up the trail for some distance, un-— directed their malice toward him for monthis past. “*Can you run the engine?” the conductor asked Rand, “Yes; said Rand, sadly. ‘‘Nat used to teach me how, and told me the other day-that I could do it almost as well as he could.” “<Very well; we will try 1t.. There’s no use staying here, and we must get on. All aboard!” he cried, and | added: ‘‘T’ll stay in the cab with you.” t The furnace doors were closed, and Rand turned on the steam. The heavy driving wheels spun around, then caught hold, and ‘‘ 49,” Nat’s pet, moved slowly away and left him to his fate. When the fires needed attention, the conductor took his place at the cab window while Rand attended to them, and worked thus, the train reached Overton without further incident or accident. Here a competent engineer was engaged to run the en- gine back to Insbruck, where they arrived late in the fore- noon of the next day. Mr. Hernshaw was at the depot. «What made you so late in getting back?” he asked the conductor. ‘I had to send another engine out with the morning express. What happened you?” «We met with an accident.” << What is 16?” «<The loss of Nat Norwood.” “What do you mean? How? Explain yourself.” Mr. Hernshaw was soon put in possession of the facts, and expressed much genuine sorrow over Nat’s loss, and began revolving in his mind the practicability of a pursuit of those who had kidnapped him, by a large, armed force. Mr. Hernshaw felt it a duty to do something to this end, ; for,in Nat’s being carried away, he could only see a blow aimed at himself. Filled with these thoughts, he referred the conductor to the su perintendent’s office for orders, He sent for the county sheriff, but this individual, when he heard of what Hernshaw proposed, only laughed and said: Tt would be useless, sir, for they have most likely killed the lad before this!” “Killed him!” gasped Hernshaw. “ Good God! ‘0; met would not kill him on my account.” « They would on his own, though, for his being the , means of sending many a one of ’em into Kingdom Come; | they must hate him like pisen!” “But if they wanted to kill him they would have shot him down instead of carrying him away,” urged Hernshaw, who hung on to hope as long as there remained seven one straw to catch. «Perhaps they had reasons to do so,” said the sheriff, «But depend upon it, he’s dead afore this time, and even if he wasn’t, a mounted regiment couldn’t get him away from them ere fellers. ‘They make their home in different passes in the mountains, and fortify ’em, too,” _ And so Hernshaw, though much against his will, gave — up the idea of rescuing Nat from his captors, who, ‘he be- lieved, of course, were the same outlaws or devils who had And: $0. “64.9” had a new driver placed in her cab, though. Rand remained as fireman, and showed his loyalty, to his ior by hanging Nat’s picture ina conspicuous / a Pp care had been aren Ne at his a ae enh ak
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THE YOUNG ENGINEER. a Rand set great store by it, and many times a day would he glance at it and mutter: -*¢ Poor Nat—poor Nat!” It was the second morning after Nat’s disappearance, that Mr. daughter Syndie, whom he was going to accompany to Overton; Hernshaw, after Syndie’s narrow escape, would ‘not let her go anywhere out of doors without his com- pany, and in his heart he longed to know who her pre- server was. The express was ready to start, and ‘‘49” was hooked on. ‘Syndie knew the engine and aay heard the story of its missing engineer. A fancy to see the inside of it, to ride in the eat seized her, and she cried: “* Oh, papa, quick, before they start; will you take me on the engine.” “Tf you wish it,” and Mr. Hernshaw, with a pleasant greeting to the new engineer and Rand, assisted her into the cab, where a seat was brushed clean and a coat spread for her to sit on. . She watched the people, who, always behind, as some are, were rushing frantically to get their places before the train started. A’ toot of the whistle, a ringing of the bell, they. were going. t She watched the ground speed by her, until she grew tired, and then for the first time began curiously looking around the eab. Her eyes fell on Nat’s picture, she started quickly, looked at it with close scrutiny, and then cried: “¢Papa, who is that?” but without giving her father time to reply, said, rapidly and excitedly, ““I know him; I know his face; it’s the young man that rescued me. Who Tenor “* Nat Norwood.” Hernshaw then muttered to himself: ‘‘Brayefellow, how much I owe him. God be merciful to him,” humble entreaty to that Great Being who rules over all. And much need had Nat Norwood for all such aspira- tions at that time, for he was in a most deadly extremity. “But you said he was wounded,” sad Hernshaw to, _ Syndie. “So he was,” she eatiodi «T saw the blood.” Rand had overheard this, and a happy smile illumined his face, for he was pleased to know of Nat’s brave action. **T didn’t observe it on him,” murmured Hernshaw. “Rand,” turning to him, “‘had you any reason to think that Nat had been wounded lately?” «He never told me so, sir,” said Rand; ‘but he carried “one arm dreadfully stiff; and when he struck it once or twice, I saw him wince. 2 «<The noble fellow!” cried Hernshaw; ‘ and as modest - ashe is noble. Something must be Aanbaeat be done, - to find out what has become of him. T’ll hire detectives, since force is of no use; T’ll ane ioe on the trail as soon | lease; you kept faith prettily, I must say! But no mat a s we get to Overton.” SETS: you please, sr.” nei ta a had almost nt the ame of. ek ti S of i hi Hernshaw appeared at the depot with his | in a tone of } the humble ‘‘if you please, sir!” he faced Rand, who stood © before him, cap in hand. <‘ What is it, Rand?” «T should like to be one of those detectives.” “You should? But you have had no experience.” “‘T can gain it.” «But you might get your experience too late,” said Hernshaw. rl «You can put others at the same work; they may be - successful if I fail—but I won’t fail!’ «Why not?” “« Because, sir, he was kind to a poor outcast; because he did for me what none other has; because, sir, J loved him!” «And so do I!” It was Syndie who spoke, and her lustrous black eyes were filled with tears, as were also those of Rand; but his were not so from fear of the dangers to come, but because of the recollections of the past that crowded his brain. ** And so do I,” repeated Syndie, looking steadfastly at the blue eyes that seemed to smile tenderly at ‘her pets the picture. ‘‘ Give me this. Is it yours?” “Yes,” said Rand. ‘Tl not give it to you, but you may keep it for me until I get back from my hunt; if I never come back it is yours.” At first, Mr. Hernshaw had seemed about to stop Syndie, when she repeated her exclamation, the first utterance of which had greatly surprised him, but changing his ‘mind, he remained a silent spectator of what followed. ‘ They reached Overton, and in the depot there, Mr, Hern- — shaw warmly shook Rand by the hand and wished him God- __ speed. re: And Rand left the depot with these words on his lips: Up “Now to find my first and only friend; if he is alive Pl, find him and rescue him, or J’7/ die with him, so ‘help me God !” : : CHAPTER VIII. ee IN THE OLD WELD. : Now let us see what really became of Nat on the night of his sudden disappearance. \ ii As the reader will imagine, it was to some extent the ro , sult of a conclave held in Cabel Dill’s office a short time before, at which his death had been determined upon, and as will be remembered, none desired it more. than Jimmy _ Bolton, who had entered Dill’s office much to the hedag si} disgust. ; When they were alone, . Dill and Bolton, the tomer ae said: «“You have some phat reason for wanting the young. engineer out of the way.” . a ‘Well, what of that?” was the lazily-toned iene ‘‘ Nothing, particularly, only if we are going to play uae ] each other’s hands we should put cunseene: in each vf other.” ee “Yes, as youdid in me,” snecringly ie Bolton. You . promised to buy me out of Joliet, to meet me on my re- a Tve found yes aed mean to stick to you., As to pols of
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JS oe aS - ia THE YOUNG ENGINEER. : “In stealing the girl, I strike my rival, Hernshaw, a | time, were just about to cross the track of the I. & O. R. R. ‘heavy blow; I want this Nat out of the way, because the when the sound of an approaching train struck their hear- other railroad would have stopped before this only for his | ing. d—d pluck!” They were but a short distance from the watering place ar How sor” at which ‘‘ 49” stopped that night, and hurrying thus far “The ‘mountain men,’ as they call themselves, had | they threw themselves flat on the ground, on the side of wrecked a train or two, and murdered a few engineers; not | the track opposite that where stood the water funnel. a man could be found to take a train through until this Contrary to their expectations, but in accordance with Nat stepped in.” their desires, the train stopped, and when they recognized «Then you are in league with these ‘mountain men’?’”’ | «*49,” they chuckled for joy. ‘*No, I didn’t say so, and I ain’t,” said Dill, quickly. They could make no offensive move, and so laid and ‘‘ But you are, else why play into their hands by killing | waited the tide of events. this boy? Bah! Dill, you can’t pall me! Wher! s your | . Fate played into their hands, and they could hardly re- confidence now! Come, confess.” strain themselves as they saw Nat examining the wheels on , “Well,” said Dill, sulkily, “‘T suppose you'll find out | the opposite side of the engine, and they arose to their ; anyhow. Yes, then, ’m in league with these fellows to | feet when Nat crossed in front; he saw them not, intent as this extent; I pay them for intimidating the other road, | he was always when working around an engine, and was - and keep hier free from all raids by occasional sums placed entirely unprepared for defense when a pair of hands was in the hands of county officials. But only two of ’em, this | laid on either shoulder, and another was clasped across his Brian and Klinck ever came inside of the office, and they | his mouth. suppose me to be O. K. except as regards getting rid of my As they attempted to bear him down by their weight, he yival.” planted his feet firmly, and struggled desperately against Ah, Isee. They think you an upright Christian, a it, and this was the cause of the torn-up patch of earth © spotless church-member, except as regards this rival rail- | which had first attracted the conductor's attention, road?” Then he felt the cold muzzle of a revolver pressed “Yes.” against his head, and a voice, that of Bolton, hissed: _ “And in the town you pass as an honest man, a person ““Be quiet now or you'll get an ounce of cold lead: in of integrity, principle and worth, in short, as a very de- | your skull.” _ sirable member of society.” In vain Nat struggled against his fate; his whole son! _ Exactly.” revolted against allowing himself to be quietly led like an, ‘‘Haw—haw—haw! That’s good; just to think! The | ox to the shambles, yet fate was inexorable, and go he _ horse-thief, bank-breaker, highway robber, blackleg, gam- | must. bler, turned into a man of integrity and worth, and an or-| He heard the calling of his name, but could not answer namrent to'society; haw—haw—haw!” i because of that stifling hand over his mouth, and when, as © Be quiet!” said Dill, sharply. ‘‘ Your own safety de- | he was led further away and the cries became more and mands it as well as my own. Now why do you wish Nat | more faint, he shuddered and felt that he was losing hig out of the way?” last hold on the world. ‘Simply because I owe him a grudge. That cuss once | / His captors maintained silence as they led him along ~ sent me to prison for two years,” Bolton replied, without | toward the now distinctly outlined mountains. hesitation, but ina way that carried no conviction with it, What would be his fate? Why had he been thus borne and Dill, though forced to accept the explanation, did not | forcibly away? r _~ believe one word of it. Thus Nat questioned himself, but all to no purpose, un- _ “Tm strapped,” said Bolton. ‘“Canjyou let me have | til at length it dawned upon him that it was due to the about an even hundred for present necessities?” enmity of the outlaws to him who had braved them so of- i “Yes; just sign a receipt for the amount on account of | ten. one year’s salary.” He thought of ‘ 49;” would she reach Overton in safety? ‘This formula, altogether unnecessary, was gone through | And, truth to tell, he was as ormeeraed about the engine ag a with much gravity, and Bolton pocketed the hundred dol- himself, Py lars, and bidding Dill adieu, went to a hotel and there reg- _ At last Bolton spoke, and it'solved at oncein Nat’s mind | istered, and took rooms: under an assumed name. the fate intended for him. Next day he sauntered into the office, and there found} ‘* What shall we do with this chap?” ne : Brian and Klinck, who had not yet left town. “ That’s for yourto say,” replied Brian a With the former of the two Bolton at once struck up al] «I go for drawin’ and quarterin’ him,” growled Klinek, - _ friendship, and when this had been cemented by a few | who well remembered when he had been obliged to cower drinks of whiskey, it was agreed that Bolton should ac- | before Nat. ompany them to their mountain fastness. “What's that?” suddenly salen Bolton, re a little Recovering 1 from their drunk, they took passage on the | toone side. bs train for a little station opposite their rendezvous, but six | “That?” said Brian. Oh, you mean that shanty; i _ or seven miles south of it, which nseaget they were of ne- there used to be a farmer living there, but for some reason — cy _ aessity to travel on foot. he couldn’t keep a horse, or a cow, a pig, or oven Snieeh ‘ “fe iy ring akon bee station after ilo: and Sant their | 80 he plains a eee and left,” INE, ple. eee Ses ee ‘ ow eC" mi y ea ake Ga,
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- can when he sees death so near and inevitable, THE YOUNG ENGINEER. “Good!” said Bolton, “I'll tell you what we'll do, we'll bind this fellow hand and foot, fasten him in the shanty and set it on fire. How’s that?” he cried, exultantly. *‘ Rirst-rate!” and his companion laughed with fiendish glee, while the helpless victim for the sacrifice shuddered with horror. As they crossed the little yard which had surrounded the shanty, Brian said: * Be careful that you don’t tumble into an old well that’s there- abouts.” «An old well?” said Bolton. ‘* Yes.” ‘Find it.” “* Well, here ’tis. What do you want of it?” ‘Instead of roasting the kid, we’ll chuck him into the well, and then fill it up with dirt. He'll die slower that way than by fire and suffer more,” he added, malevolently. ‘Pick him: wp and let him have the usa of his lungs; they won’t do him any good.” They jerked him from his feet and bore him toward the well, whose black mouth could be seen some feet away. The curbing was gone, leaving the well level with the ground. Nat strugaled as only a man But it was utterly ‘useless, and the cold chills that swept his frame raced the faster as, held above the well, he saw several large suakes crawl over its edge / and glide away in the darkness. ) ‘Jn with him!” cried Bolton. A swinging motion, and then Nat was pitched headlong into the well. Straight down he went, head first, a heavy splagh, and he struck the water, and then his kead struck something hard, which, but for the water breaking the force of his descent, must have killed him outright. ; His presence of mind remained, and he struggled until he stood on hig feet with the water up to his waist; something cold and slimy struck against his hand, and then he heard a continuous hissing that struck terror into his soul; another clammy object touched kim, and he knew it was a snake; he felt a sharp, sudden sting on his leg, then another in his side, another—another and another, : . Half frenzied, he plunged madly toward tke side of the well and clutched at it with his hands. On the prairie land in which this well was sunk stones are as scarce as hens’ teeth, unless they be brought from the mountains, and this Well, in common with others, had its sides built of boards which stood perpendicularly. Me / Tn clutching at the side his fingers strack into a crack between two boards, and locking his fingers on the edge of onehe gave a desper- ate wrench; a splinter of it two inches wide and three feet long broke off, and with this he commenced beating the water’s surface, while the hisses arose louder an angrier. '“Haw—haw—haw!” laughed Bolton, ‘I do believe he’s found snakes down there,” and every word cut to Nat's very breast, “ But come, let’s chuck in the dirt,” and then the earth began to none in showers; But Nat continued his battle with the snakes, and finally silenced all hissing, and then leaning back, wiped the perspiration from his brow with his sleeve. He heard them speaking. j ‘* Here's some logs I found; chuck ’em in; if one of ‘em strikes him ‘atop of his cocoanut, it’s ail day wita him.” | Nat groaned, for he had no means of sheltering himself, and narrow- ly escaped death the next instant, for a huge knot of timber just shav-, ed his head ere it stuck the water and splashed it high up the sides. Then another came, and it struck his hand, seeming to splinter the bones of his entire arm. In hfs despair he inserted his fingers once more in the crack whence he split the splinter, the better to keep close to one side; but to his horror, he had hardly clutched it wken he felt it giving way slowly; then its top went over with a sudden jerk and struck the opposite side; then he realized that it formed a screen for him, and uttered a low cry of glacness, as, a heavy log striking on it, it saved his life; then another plank, loosened by the loss of its fellow, tumbled across, and thus was followed by still another, The logs used up, and supposing Nat dead from his gilence, the trio of devils now were contented with assuring themselves that if alive he could never get out, by industriously throwing loose earth into the well; Nat had hoped that they would go, and groaned as he saw his only means of escape cut off. 3 The trio worked with a will, and soon were able to see from the top the height to which the dirt had mounted, and deeming their work sufficiently well done, they gave vent to a hearty Sula, each note of which pierced Nat like a knife, ‘‘They’ve cut off all chance of escape,” he moaned. ‘ Ah!” he felt a queer, puffy sensation in body and limb; his head reeled, his brain swam, and borne down with desperation, murmured, “it’s just as well, for these snakes have finished me,” and then hope gone, he gave himself up to his bitter thoughts, while his limbs and body were swelling with inflammation. ‘ PARED, CHAPTER I. RAND ON THE TRAIL. Ranp. McCormick loved Nat Norwood as few human beings love each other. Later it may transpire how this love was born, and how it grew and thrived, but it is enough for the present to know that Rand paid Nat an unceasing devotion—not anything servile or slav- ish, but an open, frank affection. And if Rand had not gained in bravery by knowing Nat, it at any rate had been developed by constant companionship with him, so that when Rand took the oath we have quoted, it was not the mere ring of ampty words. They had meaning in them. ‘ Yet, though this was so, he little guessed how difficult it would be to carry out even one tithe of what he swore, nor knew how fearful a struggle he was to undergo in Fighting Against Odds. He left the depot, hopeful that he would speedily solve the mystery of Nav’s disappearance, little dreaming that even then his mission was known—that even then plans were being laid to trip up his first step in the affair. Yet such was the ease, Dick Klinck had already visited Dill, and informed him that Nat was safely out of the way, and from Greenburgh had gone through to Overton. At this place he was always. somewhat careful as to his identity, as once upon a time he had been engaged there in a little transaction that had pleased the citizens to such a degree that had he been caught he might have swung by his neck. He had sauntered to the depot of the I, & O. R. R., and was there when the express came in, He saw and recognized Hernshaw and his daughter, and without appearing to be dodging them, managed to Bet close enoagh to overhear their conversation. H + He saw Rand approach, and managed to catch the purport of what he said. x! : oy 6 “\
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THE YOUNG ENGINEER. ya ata niece onal « Ah!” he exclaimed, mentally. “So he is go- ing to hunt up Nat; he won’t find him, that’s certain, though I don’t doubt he’s a dangerous devil, and had better be taken care of, They shake hands! Um, he’s going, is he? Well, my boy, Rand, they call you, I think, V’ll take care of you,” and Klinck followed the fireman out of , the depot. i ‘ The first thing for Rand to do was to decide npon a plan to follow. ; : After musing awhile, during which he walked up the main street of Overton, he thought: , “That's what Pll do; Vl change my clothes, | disguise myself a little, and then follow the track on foot back to where Nat disappeared; if I meet one of those outlaws Pll play sweet on him, » and if ve got to, Pll join the gang and help them steal horses if necessary, to learn Nat’s fate.” Such was Rand’s devotion. He entered a second-hand clothing store and bargaining for, bought a suit of clothes, while Klinck, on the opposite side of the street, waited for him to reappear. When he did, Klinck, for a minute or so, hardly recognized him, so great a change had been Srected in his general ergot Instead of a jaunty cap, Rand now wore a black slouch hat; in place of the blue flannel shirt he wore a red one; a pair of corduroy pants stuck into the tops of his boots; a sort of pea-jacket completed the rough costume, one whose tout ensemble was well fitting the charac- ter of a western rough, - This was the precise effect desired by Rand, and he had gained it. He lost no time, having once decided on his course, and left the town at a swinging pace. The track was his footpath until he reached the spot where the Overton end of the tunnel came out from under the hill; at first he in- tended going through the tunnel and cut, but it struck him how dangerous this proceeding would be, as there was no means of escape should a train on through before he reached the other end, so 6 determined to cross the rough, steep hill, He clambered up the rocks with an activity born of his resolve to discover the mystery sur- _g rounding Nat; he never dreamed of pursuit, and 1 not turning to look back, did not see Klinck. Rand pushed on in ig of reaching the level ground beyond the hill before dark, warned to speed by the low, declining sun. \ i he sun had gove down, and darkness was gathering ere he saw the plain below him. He hurried on, but fi heigl to a dead halt, for in the darkness he had gone somewhat astray, and when he stopped it was just in time to save himself from falling headlong into the cut, on whose very edge he now stood. Klinck, unaware that he had halted, followed on, and never saw him until but twenty or thirty feet separated them. Rand heard a noise and turned around, but Klinck had ope ae to the ground and remained undiscovered; Rand was about to leave the spot, when he heard a faint rumble far away, low, in- distinct. Then it grew louder, more continuous, rising ! and falling. “It’s a train coming,” muttered Rand. ‘Tl | stay and see it ,” and facing the direction of the train, with mind wrapped in reflection, he ‘| waited its coming. . Nearer and nearer it came, and the low rumble swelled to mimic thunder, covering up the noise Howat by Klinck as he approached d from be- in i f _ Had Rand turned then he would have seen him, for the moon, just rising, shed its pale light over the scene. { i _ The train was but a hundred feet away. _. Rand was caught about the waist, lifted up and hurled downward, to be ground to pieces be- - néath the wheels of the rushing train. , * ; . _/ CHAPTER IL A CLOSE. SHAVE. Tris ponte to conceive how a human be- ing, born innocent and pure as the driven snow, _ can ever reach that aw: pas" in which blood- shed becomes a delight, and cold-blooded murder _is committed with feelings of exultation, — That such changes from the purity of baby- hood to the moral wretchedness of the murderer tak e place, we know by the annals of everyday | life, and have seen it bon i when we saw Ree ind Rand McCormick to 3 1 hee linck steal up ve rim. from. the wep J wh itteran % Ke: . ee bel ee the eutting beneath the | face eels of the oncoming train. =| sudden yiolen’ shove, Rand f and Klinck | So unexpected was it all that Rand hardly real- ized that a hand had been laid on him, when he felt himself falling. At such times a person can crowd years of re- flection in less than a single second. So it was on the present occasion, and in one sinhle instant Rand’s imagination had painted the picture of himself crushed to a jelly beneath the wheels of the cars. He uttered one shrill ery of agony, and then clutched wildly about for something to stay his downward progress; falling—falling—oh! how fast—the glaring light flashed upon him—the roar of the wheels thundered in his ears—the fiendish laugh of Dick Klinck added its horror to the scene. His fingers struck upon a spur of rock, but the momentum almost tore loose his slender hold. “ Help me, oh, God!” he cried, and clasped his free hand on another rough projection. Then he heard the sharp command of the whistle to ‘‘down brakes,” and knew that the engineer had seen him; but he knew that the train could not be stopped in such a short dis- tance, knew that his only chance for life was in holding on until it had passed beneath him. Could he do this? ‘Ves, if left alone, but this he speedily knew he would not be, for Dick Klinck’s fiendish chuckling was now brought toa speédy close, and Rand heard him cursing roundly. The blood-thirsty villain was not going to be baulked of his prey if he could help it, and stooping down he began searching for a heavy stone; this it did not take him long to find, and with one in his hands, Klinck bounded to the edge of the cutting, and balancing the heavy missile, aimed it at Rand’s head. Rand saw the movement, and his heart jump- ed into his throat, and caused his breath to come short, quick and strangling; he felt as if suffo- cating; everything began to grow misty and dark before his eyes; he turned his agonized face towards Klinck, and cried: “Mercy—mercy! as you hope for mercy in time to come!” The only reply was a cruel Jaugh, and when the locomotive was not more than thirty or for- ty feet away, the heavy stone struck Ralph’s hands, deadening all feeling im them, literally killing their nerves for the time, and making them like the hands of a dead man; they no longer retained their hold, but gradually slipped away. Band realized the peril of his situation, a gg welled up from his heart, and then—he fell! against the side of the eut, from which he bound- ed back and struck the ground lengthwise with- in an inch of the wheels; in fact, one arm fell partially on the rail, and the wheels passed over the loose part of his coat sleeve and took up just a little bit of the flesh; the weight of the cars, the small extent of flesh, hitler: the feeling of ahard pinch magnified thousands of times, the pain produced being excruciating beyond de- seription. At first Rand would have snatched his arm away, but he dared not, for the least movement. a stir of half an inch, would have encompassed his destruction; had he raised his head ever so little, his skull wonld have been stove in by the trucks; had he attempted to roll over, and thus raised his side, it would have been crushed; to have drawn up his arm would have thrown! his elbow under the wheels, and to have had his ‘}arm eut off clean; so, though his brain reeled with the agony he was enduring, he kept per- Sate Main he sunk his teeth into his upper lip and bit until the blood came, and then shutting his eyes tightly, he lay there and let wheel after wheel pass over the crushed flesh; it was suffer- ing of the most horrible nature, but Rand ac- cepted it like a hero—yet, oh! how he wished the long train was eee , ) Pass it did at last, and Rand, aching in eve bone and muscle, arose weakly to his feet, to mT tered amoment, and then his brain darkened, he sankin a heap, unconscious. pe The engineer finally brought the train to a stop, then backed up a short way, he would run any risk of running over the poor fellow whom he had seen fall, and whose fate he dreaded to ascertain, aks iii era ‘Lantern in hand, he hastened ‘and when he found that the person lay several feet from the track, he uttered a glad cry. - Tet’s havea look at him,” he the lantern so that its rays fell full on Rand's ‘An ejaculation of surprise, then he exclaimed: ue Tbe Rand MeCormick! ‘does he chance ‘be heret, Is he dead?” ER et Fell, striking the cab of the engine, was flung’ not so far that | door; one had a bead he said, and held | They could not tell, yet feared so, for the face was pale and blanched, aud the limbs were motionless, and when raised, fell like logs. They picked him up and carried him forward, and soon were speeding on to Overton, leaving behind the exultant Dick Klinck, who, witness-' ing their carrying the unconscious form, took it for granted that his unholy work had been done completely. ‘*Ha—ha—ha! Both of ’em out of the way now. That'll be good news for the boys, ’cause they were both dangerous fellows,” and laugh- ing softly to himself, he pursued his onward way. The train bearing Rand rushed into Overton behind time, and was met there by Alexander Hernshaw, who was going to return to Insbruck by a train that was to start immediately after the arrival of the freight. He was conducted to where Rand was lying, and while an employee was hurrying for a phy- sician, Hernshaw sorrowfully watched over the unconscious lad. i “Poor fellow,” he muttered. ‘‘To be thus disposed of ere the pursuit had been hardly be- gun,” The fact caused many serious thoughts on Hernshaw’s part, for it revealed to him how strong, subtle and numerous his enemies must be to have thus so quickly discovered Rand’s mis- sion, and to have so effectually defeated it. a “They do not hesitate at murder,” he mur-_ mured. “It’s a fight against odds—fearful odds.” And he was right to the letter. { A physicivn soon put in an appearance, and as he looked rather sob Hernshaw postponed his going back to Insbruck until the next morning, and remained beside Rand. ‘Ts his life in danger?” he asked “T don’t know,” was the reply. amine him first.” — When the examination was concluded the phy- sician ldoked relieved, and said: “There is no danger whatever, Iam happy te > say. He is bruised quite badly, and has suffered asevere mental strain; that is all, and he will be all right in a few hours.” ind’s injured hands were dressed, and the dreadfully mutilated was partially excised by the doctor’s advice, af- “T must ex- ter which it was also dressed and bandaged; when this was done the proper remedies were ap- plied, and soon Rand was restored to conscious- } jiece of flesh on his arm ~ ness, and when he eagerly inquired as to his con- - | dition, and 1eceived the cheerfulintelligence that he would be sound and whole within a week, his joy was intense, and at the time when he was en- joying arefreshing sleep, Dick Klinck, much mis- taken, was detailing the circumstances of Rand's supposed death, 10 doctor’s words were more than prophetic, for in less than a week Rand was himself again, except, perhaps, for a slight stiffness of his arm as Sngere, the abraded parts having nearly ealed. ] He then tuned his thoughts to the mission he had devoted himself to, and obtaining some col- oring matter, he darkened his face so that it was the color of a gipsy’s, and then rigged himself out in a.costume to convey the impression that he was such. — ; Thus disguised, he thought it impossible for anyone to recognize him, even the person who had penetrated his previous disguise. He took the train this time instead of going on foot, and left it at the water tank where Nat had disappeared ; it was late at night when he left the train, but he struck off towards the hills, and by a little after daybreak he was well up in the mountain. : i Finally he stepped into a little clearing from: out of a dense growth of bushes, and an instant afterward he heard the ominous click of a mus- ket lock; he turned to dive into the bushes, but too late. 1 voice cried: ; “Stop right there! Dve got and if you stir Tl let her fly!” : Ran stopred, and facing around, saw what he had not before seen; a little hut standing. at one edge of the clearing, with three men before the ne fi on him, while the other two looked curiously on; they had been re ed in skinning a deer when Rand interrupted t: eration yentering theckearing, = = = Well, what want you?” maken ipa) adopting, so to say, a backward way of talking, to bg Shc the character he had assumed, asquint on you, : \ 1@ Op- tter ant to know what you're doin’ here?” was : the pratt reply. i #
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_ “Much obliged; of course I will,” and advanc- ing, he helped prepare the meal of deer meat, cof- _ fee, corn bread and potatoes, nor did he exhibit _ the agitation he felt at the sight of one of the ‘men whom he recognized as a hard character, by whose side he had worked in the machine shop, hor did he show that he noticed the fellow’s sharp * glances at himself. teeth with his knife, and then sauntering slowly around the clearing, dived among the bushes, only to be confronted ere he had gone twenty steps, by the man he most dreaded. “Taking French leave, was you?” said the fel- low, with a sneer; “‘ perhaps it was a good thing for yee to do to save your mutton.” “Why so?” said Rand, pepe ‘* Because I know you, and Ill get a couple of hundred for roe ou out of the way.” “ Know me?” sai Rand, “who am I?’ “You are Rand McCormick. Is my know- ledge good?” “Yes,” was the reply; a quick movement, ‘a sudden spring with the knife in hand which d drove home, saying: ‘‘ So good that it costs you your life,” and the villain fell a corpse. A crashing in the bushes, ‘*h—l and d—na- pak and then Rand was called on to fight for e, CHAPTER III. NAT NORWOOD. 7 THE agony of mind experienced by Nat Nor- wood as he felt his body and limbs slowly swell- ing, was as frightful and intense as human mind _ could have borne without having passed within the bounds of insanity. _ He felt of his legs; they were swelled up un- til the skin was drawn tense and the flesh seemed from every re of the unsubmerged part of his body, which, too, was tense with that ter- goa inflammation which was firing his very ‘ood, “God have mercy on me,” he wailed, and tot- tering back, leaned his shoulder against the side lor the well and struggled hard to keep upright, for his knees shook and trembled, and momenta- vily grew weaker. : : is enemies were gone, indeed, a fact which _ at first he had hailed with gladness, but now be- gan to as bitterly bewail; and ROA aloud, he _ begged them to come back and put him out of his pnguish, which, to tell the truth, was more Menta Criminal frequently suffers a doxen deaths, . though supplied with every comfort, and well _ physically, before the day of execution comes; thus it was with Nat; feeling death a certainty, he naturally would shrink a little; but it was not death in itself that had such horrors for him, it was the manner in which it came. He felt that he was suffering a living death! “Kind Father in Heaven spare me!” he “Moaned; “let me die without these horrible ago- niles, The perspiration passed away, his skin became hot and feverish, his muscles began to acquire a Strange rigidity; his blood seemed to be on fire, and his head began to whirl around like a top, while everything grew hazy and indistinct; he tried to move his hand and arm, but they seemed weighted with Jead, and his head grew heavy and. Seemed desirous of falling forward. | “Ts this death?” moaned Nat. ‘It is more frightful than ever I dreamed it.” ‘ en came a, tion of drifting away, slow- _ | ly but perceptibly the rigidity increased, and his brain was darkened, and then all became a blank _ to Nat; and could the depths of that‘well half an hour later, it would have been to see a figure that, motionless _ and deathlike, stood stiff and cold against the \ well’s side. - Was this really death? ie ee ee ‘SHE - mts < _ Seven or eig ours have passed since Nat *» was thrown into the well. __ We penetrate its interior once more. The face which before was red with inflamma- __ tion and puffed ont, has shrunk to its naturalsize _ and grown paler. y The stiffness of the figure’s position had chang- % ioe and now it leans with a careless grace in every _ outline, 1 Th all, it looks like a figure that, being dead _ has just had breathed into it the breath of life. _,_ “hand, before in a constrained position, silent- ly glides mto ver, bend, and 1) A een he % ee 2 Breakfast over, Rand got up, coolly picked his | late about to burst its covering, cold sweat started. than physical; just as the condemned e reader have penetrated | d _| then began digging ; | how he made the s he take the first an easy one; then we see the knees | then—splash—it has falleninto | pace with his will; ; j ess + gained, another—another; an hour passed, two, THE YOUNG ENGINEER. A splutter, a quick jump, a wild voice mur- murs: ‘*Where am I? What means this darkness? Is this Heaven or hell?’ and the figure straight- bapa’ up, seeks, with strained eyes, to pierce the gloom. A few minutes of wonderment on Nat’s part, several exclamations of surprise, then he ejacu- di: “T thought I was dying, but surely Iam alive; and this is the well I’m in.” Reason and intelligence had returned, and Nat was himself again. The snakes which had bitten him so freely were only common water and black snakes, neither of which are poisonous enough to produce death; a single bite from either variety would cause aman no more trouble than a bee sting, yet let a hive of bees swarm upona man and sting him freely, its effect would be that terrible swelling experien by Nat, a lethargy, perhaps death; this lattér would doubtless have been WNat’s portion, had it not been for his sang nearly hip deep in water, and being surrounde by a cool atmosphere that tended to allay the in- flanimation. It was enough for him that he was alive, and his joy knew no bounds when he satisfied himself that his awakening was not all a dream. His limbs were stiff still, and his body was hilled through, yet these were regarded by him s minor evils, the latter of which he partially remedied by swinging his arms briskly. As his blood warmed his spirits arose, and he began casting around in his mind for means of escape. He could think of no plan, yet so confi- dent was he of escaping, that he muttered: “ And I warn all of you bloodthirsty wretches that my day of reckoning with you will make you howl for mercy.” : It was well that Nat was bouyed up by some’ such strong hopes, for otherwise he must have been driven to desperation, through the very blueness of his situation. He spent hours in ae- vising plans for escape, but was forced to reject every method ere it was hardly framed in thought, and at length even his hopeful nature was bent beneath the weight of the seriousness of his situation. Hour after hour ssed by, and long and dis- mal they could not ut be to the young man im- risoned in the well so dark and gloomy, with unger’s pangs just making themselves known, with no means of escape visible. And who, be- Sc had but just awakened from almost death itself. “There is no use thinking more,” muttered Nat, at last. ‘‘It is time for action. Let’s see if there isn’t a hole to crawl out of in the upward direction.” » He m to crawl up the side of the well to where the boards had struck, but further he could not go; there were small spaces left between the rocks and logs thrown in by the villains who had planned his destruction, and it was by means of these interstices that air enough entered the well to support life; but to i ore or crawl through them was impossible, and Nat was just preparing to drop back whey he heard a sudden rushin sound, then a heavy thud, and a gurgling an splashing of the water. He could not pn tl yal what had occurred. and waiting until all was quiet again he dropped down to make an examination; his descent was ‘stopped far quicker than he expected, and in an instant he knew what bad happened. Where the lining had been removed the sand had caved in. Be acsie God is with me,” cried Nat. It truly seemed so, for had he not been up out of the way when the sand gave way, he must have been buried beneath it, and smothered to eath. Nat realized the truth of this, and his, indeed, was a thankful heart, although it soon changed to bitterness, for he said: «Why should I be so glad to escape this, when it only outlines a more prolonged and terrible death—staryation!” _ He threw himself down on the sand, and there lay for some minutes; then, quick as a flash he was on his feet and penetrated the hole left behind when the sand had caved; it was a deep hole, its direction was surfaceward, and—it soly- ed the method of escape. ras Ri Like one mad, Nat wrenched loose a piece of board, penetrated to the back of the hole, and wildly into the soft sand; oh, e sand i By, and how eagerly did ward step in the tunnel he was digging, = _ heey ‘Faster—faster did his arms fly, yot never kept will; another foot upward was. Rasa Pec t A GY 4 oe . » AAY, 4 * est abe 17 three, and still he kept on unflaggingly, and since starting he had tunneled out fifteen or twenty feet; calculating for the angle he was working at, Nat knew that he had not gone more than ten feet upward. The air in the narrow pete, fed from so poor a source as the well, itself poorly supplied with fresh air, forced Nat to crawl out of the tunnel and rest himself. Half an hour later he was at it again, and he worked as only a man can when life depends on every muscle’s movements, The perspiration ran off in streams; his strength began to give way, but the brave heart that was beating within his bosom would listen to no such word as fail, and [that only made his arms fly the faster, knowing the value of each fleeting second. . According to his calculations, he could not then be more than ten feet from the surface, possibly not that; but come what might, he re- solved to dig straight through without a pause or break. Half an hour more had winged its flight, when Nat was brought to a halt by hearing a thud: ~ he listened, but it was gone almost as soon as heard; he quickly guessed its seen BY. the greater closeness of the air he was breathing: it meant that the tunnel had caved in somewhere behind him; he could not go back; his only re- source was to go ahead to freedom or—death! How precious became the seconds then! each one was worth a drop of life-blood, and each drop of a man’s life-blood is worth countless worlds, - Work—work—work—sand fiying in all di- rections, working—working—whi e now the sweat of agony rolled from his forehead; working while the air grew heavy and fetid— working while each muscle was racked with its own peculiar pain; working when each drawn breath seemed like a mass of lead passing into his lungs; working while his brain was reeling with convulsions. : What countless years of agony he had suffer- ed since he had been spirited away from his en- ine. He tried to murmur a prayer, but the words died ng his lips, and it only arose as a mental prayér. at paused for a few seconds, and then re- newed himself for the last grand effort; he knew that he could not Gepeng on more than a couple minutes more of life in that place, and he re- solved to make the best of them, : Good God! what a death struggle—what a battle of life was that! Certainty of death within two minutes, the greatest uncertainty as to how far dis- tant the surface was. ) t Most men would have lain down, given a gasp, and all would have been over. ; Not so with Nat; as long as one ounce of strength remained he was going to use it. Up—up—inch by inch: his brain was darken- ing, was clouding, as though a pall was descend- ing on it; it was the same feeling as when he thought himself gliding into the valley of the dead; he was gasping—oh!—kind Heaven how bitter !—the piece of board fell from an unnery- ed hand. _ Was allover? No; he grasped it as a drown- ing man clutches the straw, took one convulsive dig into the sand above him, and then—the cold | air rushed in upon him, and his clouding eyes saw above, the star-spangled blue of Heaven’s firmament, 4 : It was just a small fissure he fad made, but he tore it larger with his hands, and then poking his head through, sank back, and with his he: atte on the surface, breathed, oh, how deep- _ yt 5 He was safe! oA Thus he Jaid for perhaps half an hour, and then, much refreshed, he made the hole jargo enough and crept out. ; ; His hunger had become troublesome by this time, and seeing the deserted house near by, he approached it in hopes of finding provisions there, bub instead found a horse there aeRy, munch- ing some corn; Nat seized a handful and ate it — greedily, meanwhile revolving in his mind what to do; a glance at the horse decided the question, ‘and flinging himself on the steed’s back, he caught a: e reins and sent him flying towards — Tnsbruck. { j » Ba sara distance to Insbruck, but it was hing’ his orse he could reach there before the breaking of _ aatie minutes fled rapidly, and no sound Ta the stillness save the heavy breathing of the steed and the rapid footfalls; | a RW a Tusbruck came in sight at last, and. ost at as Tt was a long yet early in the night, and by a the same time a faint glare caught Nat's eyes; ¥ igi renee Fp Bye
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fe 18 then a tongue of flame shooting upward; Nat spurred on, a fear curdling his blood as he drew nearer, and then his fears were realized; An- drew Hernshaw’s house was in flames. « My God!” gasped Nat, ‘‘is she in the house?” The flames rolled, the crowd surged, Nat saw borne past him, in an insensible condition, the form of Mr. Hernshaw, who had fought the flames in trying to reach his daughter’s room,un- til they overcame him, and had he not been res- cued he must have perished. “The girl has not been seen; she must have been suffocated,” some one said. “‘Tts a lie!” shrieked Nat, ‘‘ I'll save her!” and into the burning building he rush. CHAPTER Iv. A DESPERATE LEAP, Ranp had been watched from the minute he arose from his breakfast, and while one of the trio had entered the bush, the other two had sat quietly where Rand left them. Wheh he dived into the bushes, both sprang to their feet. One said quickly: é “Jack, you stay here; I'll ’tend to his busi- Ly ness. “ All right, Tim,” was the reply, as he who had spoken first bounded across the opening toward where Rand had disap; d. Tim reached the bushes, took a dive into them just in time to hear the words Rand used as he drove home his knife. : «‘D—nation!” shouted Tim, and in one single moment he had his revolver leveled at Rand’s head,and it looked as if the brave fellow’s search for his loved companion must end this time for good. One quality that Rand possessed, was an agili- tier, and this ty and activity worthy of a panther, stood him in hand now. Crouching as a Mapa would have done, he gave a loud, shrill cry that had the effect of causing Tim, for one moment, to relax the pres- sure he had already put on the trigger. That yell saved Rand’s life, for before Tim could pull the trigger, Rand, by a forcible, upward stroke, sent the revolver flying, and Nr nie pti as a flash of lightning, he buried his blood-dripping knife in Tim’s breast. As the keen steel cut its way to the villain’s heart, he uttered a blood- eurdling ery of agony, and the next minute he ni beside his companion, a bleeding corpse! hen Rand drew back a few steps, his heart jomping with excitement. Heavy footfalls roke upon his ear, and, like a hunted hare, he crouched down, and drawing his revolver, he * cocked it with hands made steady only by force of will, for the hot blood of excitation was rush- ing, fire-like, through his veins. ‘or just a second or two, he thought how mean it was to shoot the new comer without givin him a chance for life, and then came a secon thought: _ ‘He'd serve me the same; surely it can be no sin to kill such a man, when he is hunting me.” He was ready and waiting. Jack showed his head, and Rand saw that in one hand he carried a huge knife, in the other a revolver. He heard him utter a He of rage and amazement, and then eursing round ye say: “ )—— the fellow; I didn’t like his looks. Tl cut his liver out if I lay my hands on nim. ha! my BOF there you are,” as he discovered Rand, and he leaped towards him. Rand was sae and seta quick aim, fired —fired again to make sure, and Jack was stretch- ed on the ground, a mass of quivering flesh, with two jets 4 blood spurting up like crimson fount- ains. Rand trembled as he stood beside the bodies and wiped dry his crimson-colored blade, for the sight of so much death, and especially when dealt by his own hand, was horrifying to him. “God forgive me,” he said, fervently. cai would not do it except for duty’s sake, My soul trembles with horror, but Nat—Nat, on earth or _ in Heaven, I will shed an ocean of such blood or find you. ButI must get away from here. The neighborhood will ‘be iow bleed for me to be _ caught in,” and turning his back on the place he ascended the mountain. _ He traveled several miles, and then he saw ly- ing before him a small, round, bowl-shaped val- ey, strewn in every quarter of which were rude huts, while around them he saw numbers of the est and most brutal looking men, the far- ay ons desperadoes and train-wreckers of the _ He heard voices near nim, and slunk into a - dense thicket, in which he lay all day long; night ~ bed fallen when he again heard voices near him, © ey, 2 ‘ s ‘shrinking back, THE YOUNG ENGINEER. and he strained every nerve to catch what was said. *Tt?s all settled?” . “Yes: one of the boys has gone on horseback to the Devil’s Gap; when the train passes there it always slows down, and he'll be able to smash the headlight; they can’t see where they’re goin’, of course, and the first thing they know they'll be in Devil’s Race.” Rand shuddered, for this Devyil’s Race was a swift-flowing stream in a narrow, rocky gully, across which the railroad ran on a bridge; in the aker’s words he saw the whole plot; it was to destroy the Stay and allow the train to go crash- ing down upon the jagged rocks far below, and then to have the fragments swept away by the turbulent current. “Then we are only to destroy the train?’ “That's all.” “Tt don’t give us any pickings,” in a grumb- ling tone. “What's the odds so long’s we get paid well for it. Them’s orders,” and they passed on. ; Yes, Caleb Dill had resolved to make one bold effort to drive his rival out of the country, and at one of these infernal conferences in his office, a plot had been concocted the full hellishness of which future chapters will disclose. When the speakers had gone, Rand was on his feet, yet so weighted was he by the horrors ictured by his heated imagination, that his legs Pelt weak and unsteady. ‘They must mean the train that ought to pass atten, as they have been doing lately,” said Rand. ‘I must brace up; I have work before me; I must save that train, and I will, or die making the attempt!” and oer te Je song to word. he nerved himself for the work before him, and hurried down the mountain side, and had nearly reached the track, less than half a mile east of the Devil’s Race, just as he heard the far-away rumble of wheels; he started on a run, and as he ran the train came thundering onward; once he heard the toot of a whistle, and knew it was that of ‘49, Nearer and nearer sped both, and then Rand saw a dark body rush toward him; the head- light was gone; so far the devilish work of the train-wreckers had succeeded, and Rand groan- ed as he thought of his ible failure. How could he arrest the train? “God help me decide,” he thought. Nearer—nearer; would he reach the track in time? he pursed up his lips—he whistled, shriek- ed, but all was drowned in the thunder of the wheels. Nearer—nearer. Good God! would he fail? A thought flashed across his mind—a thought whose very peril caused his cheek to blanch; he remembered the brass standards on the cow- catcher frame; he would take a jump, catch one of them, and swing himself on the en- gine. Heavens, what a perilous task he laid out for himself! it would be but a mere chance leap in the dark, and if he missed—all that would re- main of him would be a jelly-like mass of blood and bones; nearer—nearer, the train was oppo- site, he sprang; a moment’s suspension in space, he caught the standard, was: thrown’ violently around, his feet were thrown upward, his hands were wrenched loose, and he was hanging head downwards, only kept from being ground to death by the frail hold of his toes on the slides of the steam chest above the cylinder; he felt his frail hold give way, and a horrified shriek burst from his lips. ~ f F CHAPTER V. THE WARNING. As Rand McCormick’s hands were wrenched loose from the standard, and as he eae di head downward, he uttered a shrill ery for help. It penetrated within the cab and s' ed the engineer from his musings. e waited, listened, then stuck his head out of the window.» ‘Help p proenet Rand. : “My God!” exclaimed the engineer, as the ap- peal for help struck upon his ear, and his eyes be- ing turned in the direction whence it came, met the blood-freezing sight of the youth, his feet having but an insecure hold, his head but sever- alinches above the track,and but a few inches in front of the huge driving wheels, which, should he lose.his hold, would inevitably crush his head and body to a jelly. 4 : “My God!” exclaimed the be ug and ; shaded his eyes with his hands to shut out the horrible sight. And Rand? ul 4 He was undergoing torments of mind worthy of transpiring in hell itself. First and foremost in his mind was the desire to save the train, and it was for this he hadtaken that desperate leap; for one single moment, while his hands still grasped the standard, he had ex- ulted in anticipation of thwarting the devilish i of the train-wreckers, but this had speedily m changed when he fell, and had naught be- tween himself and destruction but the slender purchase of his toes on the machinery. Just as the engineer stuck his head out of the cab window, Rand felt that his toes were slip- ping. It was then that he groaned for help, knowing full well the horrible fate that awaited him un- less it was speedily rendered, Slippin, g- slipping “slipping ! Tt was a horrible sensation; slipping—not far at a time—only a fraction of an es: yet, under the circumstances, it was more than ten feet might have been under others; slipping—slip- A Oe FE God help me!” groaned Rand, for he saw.no — pro + ahead but death. i Slipping—slipping—‘‘ will I fail after all!” moaned Rand. ‘ Will the warning I’ve risked so perio ieee too cea pa er ipping: ing—‘ stop the train before you get to the Hace ye led Rand. a Se tap —‘‘the bridge has been doc- tored,” he shouted; “if you don’t stop, you'll plunge into the gorge.” Rand’s words floated into the cab, and to the engineer they seemed the voices of a dream; they possessed a strange influence over him, and in a swift but mechanical way he grasped the lever, and reversed the engine, at the same time whist- ling ba as. ? 4 ippin; ipping—a minute more, and all Saal bé ie patty Sh : The heavy train jerked and groaned, and went slower and slower, Slipping—slipping. Slower and slower and then a dead halt, just as Rand’s last slender hold gave way, and he fell, his body outside the track, his head on the rail, not two inches in front of the huge wheels. “Good God, how close!” thought Rand, and pe peng aera of danger and to his feet, stood there trembling like a man with an attack of the ague. St was not through fear that he trembled, but from a arenes. feeling that cannot be described, and canonly be experienced when by the breadth = Spats a man has escaped absolute and certain leath. ‘| As the rough grinding of the brakes ceased, the engineer sprang to the ground, and turned a. Soe z horrified es to where he expected to see nd’s led body. Talend he saw Rand on his feet alive and well, and a great sigh of relief welled up from his heart, while his look of horror gave way to one of joy. “Who are you?” he exclaimed. “Do you know me?” asked Rand, stepping for- ward into the my: that streamed from the just- opened furnace doors. , “Rand McCormick!” ejaculated the engineer. The same.” “But what are you doing here? How came you in that perilous position? and the memories. be oan brought back caused the engineer to udder. “T came to warn you of danger. The timbers of the bridge across Devil’s Race have been saw- ed in two, and you would have fallen through — into the gully had I notstop; ing to give you the signal, I saw the train about to pass, and I hazarded a jump; you know the rest. Go back, tell Mr. Hernshaw you saw me. but tell no one else, as it might be the cause o! my death. Here comes the brakemen and con- you. T wascom- ductor; I don’t want them tosee me. Good- | night!” and facing into the darkness, and was swallowed up from sight. Who was that?” asked the conductor, as he came up. “T don’t know,” was the reply of the engineer, — carrying out Rand’s instructions. CS LE ee ap Lae ; low si us ive us warning that the bridge Pi Lae th Devil's Race has been fixed so’s to let us down.” yee “Do you believe him?” 73 S, » i ‘It’s mor’n I do. I believe it’s one of the ras- cals; they’ve got a trap set for us somewhere be- — Dee of his warning.” . 2 oy hind. ell go on “No we won't,” sai PONV IY s1OUpe re the engineer.” - j : ae uickly about, Rand dove —
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= ' “Beeause I won't take the train another foot _ ahead.” ‘“‘ And I say the train shall go on.” “Tt willif you can run the engine,” was the en- gineer’sreply. ‘‘I know what I’m about, and if you kill yourself, and all the ore on board by going : ahead, the responsibility is yours, not mine.’ ‘ The engineer’s serious way of speaking con- vinced tie condition that he was be, he never failed to relentlessly drive home hi blood-thirsty blade. Klinck raised his knife above the innocently- sleeping form, and would have plunged it through yas s heart, had not Brian Conway stayed his and, ‘‘ What’s the matter?’ whispered Klinck. _ ‘‘ ve not the heart to kill her,” replied Brian. ‘ Let’s carry her off instead.” “Tt’s too risky,” grumbled Klinck. “Well,” retorted Brian, ‘‘if you’re afaid of the danger, just get out of the house, and Sandy and myself’ll go through with it.” “Tm not afraid,” growled Klinck. boss here, and I’ll do as you say.” So Syndie Hernshaw’s life was saved; for what reason, the future will disclose. “We'll have to gag and bind her,” commenced Brian; then suddenly flung himself on the bed, and clasped a hand over the girl’s mouth, for at that instant she had awakened, and Brian had discovered a pair of wondering, frightened eyes fastened on him. ‘‘ Here,” he said, in alow voice; ‘help gag her, she’s awake.” Klinck carelessly threw his knife oh the bed, and whipped out a large handkerchief, with which Syndie was securel “You're y gagged. At first bere was paralyzed with fear, but as she realized what was transpiring, her cheeks led to a sitting flushed with anger, and she struge: ) position, and with a menacing attitude bade them defiance. ; ' i : ‘““Take her from the bed,” said Brian, and San- dy, who was nearest, placed his arm around her for that purpose. . Like an awakened lioness, ed with anger and resentment; she chanced to f i Sate” ie “ Vv Fant f it cleared, and the Syndie’s eyes flash- Kinck’s knife, and seizing it she made. 19 one wild pass at Sandy; an agonizing groan startled her into letting go ber hold of the han- dle, and Sandy Bilkes fell across the bed, a corpse; the point had entered his eyeand had penetrated his brain. a ih | unnerved, Syndie sank back and lay ar ike a doe run to earth, : “here, I told you we'd a better ’ave knife her,” growled Klinck. ‘Shall I finish her now?” ‘No, I'm goin’ to take her with me,” was the reply. ‘‘Come, give us a hand!” and then to Syndie, ‘‘mark you, my lass, if you make a bit of noise or try to escape, I'll eut your throat; hear?” They lifted her from the bed, and Brian wrap’ a shawl about her; then they led her into the hall, down the stairs, out of doors, and finally disposed of her in the cabin of the yacht. “Here are your clothes,” said Brian; ‘‘T brought ’em eae and you can put ’em on if you want to. m going to lock you in, and mind, no noise.” They went on deck, and Klinck returned to the house, while Brian dropped down stream to a place appointed for meeting. Arrived at the house, Klinck fired it in half- a-dozen places, and beat a hasty retreat, and met his companion as agreed. Prey f77 The first intimation Mr. Hernshaw had of the - truth was when he was awakened by the noise of a tumult outside; he sprang out of bed, and noticed that the air was filled with smoke; hur- rying on a part of his clothing he opened the door, and glancing into the hall, saw a mass of smoke, while here and there a little tongue of flame darted up. “My daughter—my daughter!” he shrieked, and dashed toward her room, followed by sey- eral daring spirits who had entered the burning house. He had gone but a few steps when he was seen to stagger and fall. Those who fol- lowed at once picked him up and retreated with him, and this was the little procession Nat Nor- wood saw ere he dashed into the building. By instinct he seemed to know where Syndie’s room was, and straight toward it he fought his be through the flames. When he reached the hall where Mr. Hernshaw had succumbed, he pulled off his coat, and wrapping up his head, sprang blindly forward, reached the i door of Syn- die’s room, bolted into it, and flung to the door which was already beginning to blaze. ' A current of air setting toward the window, partially cleared the atmosphere, and he saw at once that Syndie was not there. Then he dis- covered the % ing in his eyeball, and drew it forth; he saw a name carved on the handle—Kiinck—and stuck the knife in a safe place for future use. He started to leave the room, but recoiled : | when on opening the door he found the hall one mass of flames. His only way of escape was by the window; he ran to it, threw up the sash, and groaned as he saw the ground below; to jump meant little short of death. Meanwhile the flames advanced with the ra- idity of lightning, and in one corner of the room the fire burst through the floor. The crowd below yelled wildly in sympathy, and a perfect bedlam of shouted-out directions for him to follow arose on the air. He glanced around the room like a hunted fox; his eyes fellon the bed, a glad cry escaped him; he jumped to it, snatched off a strong, stout blanket, bounded to the window, flung it to the greund, at the same moment speaking dumbly to the spectators by moving his hands, : They understood, and a dozen stout men seized the blanket and held it about three feet above the ground; they were some distance from the building, and looking up to where Nat stood, it seemed impossible that he could ever jump the distance and land safely in the blanket, Tt was the only chance, however, and nothing remained but to try. mt ‘ They were ready. Nat uttered a short prayer in silence, gathered himself, leaped ‘boldly out, ody of Sandy; saw the knife stick. felt himself falling in space, heard a loud, con- - fused cry of satisfaction, then all was a blank. They carried him to a quiet nook by the river shore, where ten minutes later he recovered his consciousness. His head swam at first, but then first thing he reeollected was the name on the CK. “Hal” he cried,‘ I can guess it all_ now. Klinck—Klinck, the same that I rescued Syndie from before. They’ve abducted her; they may even now be murdering her. cue; I'l track them all day and all night for ears to come, but_ I'll wrest her away and : h the cowards. Syndie, I come—I come!” / : ~~ 7 ‘ ‘ fel a heavy jar, and x ‘and I'll go to. the res- r i
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THE YOUNG ENGINEER. srising to his feet, he dashed away through the excited crowd unnoticed. Tn an hour the house was in ashes. ‘lwo days later a skeleton was exhumed from among the debris, a skeleton, charred and un- recognizable, and Alexander Hernshaw, bowed down with grief, buried it as that of his be- , loved daughter. CHAPTER VIL. A BOLD MOVE, ALEXANDER HeRnsHaw set himself to think- ing, after the burial of the remains he ae ‘to be those of his daughter, and somehow he be- gan to lay the cause of his misfortunes to the door of the G, & O. R. R. managers; as we know, he had long suspected that the rival road was in collusion with the train-wreckers, since the prop- erty of the G. & O. R. R. was never molested or damaged, while that of the I. & O. R. R. was never in safety. He had a room fitted up for him in the depot building, and here he remained, planning, devis- ing, beartvien, 9 he more he rage over the matter, the more he became convinced that his house had been set on fire, and that ae the order of the opposition road,who had hoped, perhaps, that this last cruel blow would drive him from the field. But if this were so, they made a mistake in their man, for it aroused all the lion in Hern- shaw’s nature, and though from the weight of his recent grief he took no immediate steps, it was none the less sure or certain; in fact, each passing day saw him bear down his woe, while is indignation arose in accordance, and when news was brought him by Draper of the sawing of the Devil’s bridge, he became danger- ‘ous; and when he gained the retirement of his own room, he raised one hand to Heaven, and in a heavy, mournful, but determined voice, he said: 1 “Tl have a bitter revenge on those devils, or die in executing it, You shall be doubly avenged, Syndie, I swear it by every drop they shed of your innocent blood!” Having finished, he threw himself on the bed, and half an hour later obtained the first sleep that had visited his eyelids in many—-many hours. And Nat? As most boys would express it, he had not Site only ‘‘had the breath knocked out of im. ’ When his breath returned and his conscious- ness, he was as good as new, except for a few burns and blisters, and the singed appearance of his eyebrows and ends of his hair. } Once through the crowd he looked around for |‘ _ his horse; somebody had tied him to a fence not | far distant. Mounting, Nat rode off at a rapid pace, but slowed it to a walk when he noticed the animal’s distress, his condition being truly pitiable after his forced ride over such a distance as he had traveled that night. . Once the thought struck Nat, “ ought I not to show myself to Mr. Hernshaw?” te half turned his horse’s head, when he mut- tered: ‘ “No; they all think me dead, and there’s no use of me disproving it now, for I may be killed in this venture.” So he kept slowly on his way. About four miles from Insbruck was a wayside inn; here he dismounted just after daylight, and had his horse attended to, while he himself en- tered the bar room, and ordered breakfast for himself to be seryed in a private room, whither Ane * once repaired and proceeded to cleanse him- self. _ While discussing his breakfast he had an op- portunity of y thinking over the situation, and its result was that when he had finished he called the landlord and proposed to sell him the _ steed he had ridden the night before. ; The landlord, as any one would naturally be, was rather rea é of buying a horse from a stranger, but finally, as Nat offered the animal for twenty-five dollars in cash, an old suit of clothes and a wig the landlord had on,the Dutch- man could not resist the temptation of the own- pak tet the horse, and said: “Vell, I takes up your offer, but I no bees sure vat ev’ryding is sdraight, ain’t it.” __ “#iverything is straight, depend on it,” said _. Nat; “now, the money, now the clothes and wig, and heis yours.” Cage NIMS AR) _ With some misgivings still, the Dutchman _ nevertheless handed oyer the money, and the | Seow actiploigin, uel New ares himself; and lete a transtormati ‘ yr ne FY ation did therig make in” & his appearance, that on seeing himself in the glass he remarked: . ““T don’t believe the old boy himself would know me.” Bidding adieu to the landlord, he returned to Insbruck in accordance with a plan he had ma- tured, and from there went to Greenburgh, around whose railroad office he hung for several days, but without having .the good fortune to learn anything decisive. ~ On the third day he saw enter the office a man whom he thought he recognized as the villain who had fired the oil train on the night of that terrible ride down the slope; he waited until he came out, and seeing him board a train, Nat muttered: “T may be on a wrong clew, but I’m going to follow him uP 4 On board the train he managed to get where he could see the fellow, who, in reality, was Klinck, who had remained at Insbruck to do some dirty work for Dill, while Brian, with Syndie in charge, the same night of the fire, had gone forward by a train which left Greenburgh before daylight. Nat watched him as a cat would a mouse, al- though not appearing to do so, and when he saw Klinek rise an ee to leave the train ata spot where a little station was stuck among the bushes that lined either side of the track, he, too, arose, and gliding out of the car unnoticed, descended on the eepostte side, and had conceal- ed himself before the train passed onward. He saw Klinck standing before the door of the station when the train was gone; Klinck watched until it was out of sight,then he abruptly turned and Diagn ene in a narrow path in the bushes. Nat followed as close as he dared to, until sa leaving the bushes, struck across the open plain towards the mountains; when a hil- lock hid him from view, Nat followed, and_so successfully dogged the villain’s footsteps, that when Klinck passed the portals of the bowl- shaped hollow where this nest of vipers lived, he yas only a few hundred feet behind. He dared not enter the valley of Devil’s Punch Bowl—as some of the vile crew had named it— so he remained ensconced in the bushes while the sun sunk in the western heaven. When it was gone and twilight came,and then the dusk of night, Nat emerged f-om. his conceal- ment, and only stopping to loosen his revolvers and knife, he Yeap eg ne He was going to beard the lion in his den. No one noticed or questioned him, for all were engaged in riotous drinking, and not men alone, for here and there could be discerned the outline of some representative of the female bagi as much and swearing as hard as the ill-favore: specimens of the male sex. h The sight sickened Nat’s heart, and but for the purpose which actuated him, he would have fled this hell-hole as a startled deer does the hounds. A crowd of half a dozen staggered by, and he heard one addressed as Captain Con. ‘‘ Ah-ha!” he thought, ‘now for it.” | Con was drunk, and they were taking him to his hut, whither Nat dogged them, and then lo- cating it, he retreated out of sight; he kept his concealment until the orgie had ceased, and then he sallied forth with teeth set and heart bound- within his breast. e was going to make a bold move. Not satisfied with penetrating into the den, he was going to carry its master away. in _ Straight to Captain Con’s hut he made his way, and hesitating but a moment he pushed open the door and entered. 7 5 Brian Conway, sleeping soundly under the effects of the rum he had nk, did not awaken at sound of the intruder’s footsteps. . — Nat drew his pistol, cocked it, and crawled to the sleeper’s side; his foot struck something, and icking up the article, he found it to be a pair of fandoutts: a glad cry escaped him, and quick as thought he snap, them on Captain Con’s ‘ists wrists. The ruffian awoke with a start, and he was conyulsed with fear to find the cold muzzle of a ‘revolver against his temple, and hear the low but stern words: : ! “A movement—an outcry—and you are a dead man!” \ Quickly and deftly, Nat bound a handker- chief around his mouth, then forced him to rise. A faint, moaning sound, as if of somebody in atroubled sleep, came from the opposite corner of the hut. G “His wife, no doubt,” thought Nat; ‘in a cee sleep; I must be off before she comes Ah, Nat, if you had only known the truth! | They passed out of doors, and Nat marched the » TAR Hi che he | fines of the village, all struggl captain of the wreckers through the streets of ‘ their little village. >a Was it not a bold move? oe CHAPTER VIL uf THE RESULT OF NAT’S BOLDNESS. Brian Conway was in an infuriated state of mind as he marched along by Nat's side. Chagrin at having been so easily captured, rage at his powerlessness to, change. the state of affairs, and fear of what would occur when once! his captor had conducted him beyond the con- for mastery, and each was master in succession. Several times he half ae his lips to give a signal, but each time it died away in his throat, for Nat, guessing his intention, more deeply im- ibe tg on Conway’s mind that a cold revolver arrel was at his temple. t Then Captain Con spoke. But N: at hashed him quickly. “ No noise,” he said, sternly. ‘‘Silence—as you | value your life.” ri And Conway cursed inwardly as they eter along in the darkness, often within a few feet of a hut which contained a ruffian or more, who, at one word, would have awakened and sprang _ forth, ready to destroy the bold invader of the | wreckers’ den. i But he must be silent; to utter that word he felt would cost him his life, for Nat’s words and tone and demeanor left no room for doubt as to his willingness and ability to perform what he had threatened. As for Nat, his blood was burning with an ex- citement which it was difficult for him to master; and, though Conway never guessed the truth, his severity of voice and manner was assumed only by the greatest effort—his heart at the time being ina terrible flutter, for he well knew in how great a peril he had placed himself. If but one of that motley gang of cut-throats chanced to be sleepless—chanced to meet them, as might easily be the case, all would be up. But good fortune had ¢o far attended his move. ments, and no such accident occurred. The village was as deserted and quiet as though its inhabitants were dead. at ; They passed on, with no opposition offered ta their progress, and at last they stond at_the nar- row entrance to the bowl-shaped valley, and Nat’s breath came freer and easier. i “Now, we're out of danger,” said Nat. hee “You may be,” thought jon, ‘But Til be hanged if I think T am!’ i They passed the entrance, and were in the rough path. ; ere Nat paused in a quandary. He had bagged his game, but what was he to do with it? . ii After thinking deerity for several minutes, he _ took Con by the shoulder, and walked him down ~ the mountain toward the plain. ; In the darkness, he was often puzzled to tell which was his way, but trusting to luck, he blundered on, until finally he was brought to a dead halt by suddenly coming upon the brow of a Prociniee: / z Vith an exclamation of sorrow and disgust, he greeted this piece of ill-luck,andturning rather fiercely upon Con, he demanded: ’ Bs “Why did you not tell me when you saw me (i going wrong? ; i _ Dissembling as best he could, he replied—and not without some appearance of honesty in the ee answer: j ; “Going wrong? How didI know where you | was taking me? How'did I know but what you were leading me to some out of-the-way place for the purpose of murdering me?” sf Gi “You prevaricate!” said Nat, sharply, seeing 4s! ne ye yh toon ee it is my ion woe s ose. But the question is—can you me back to the path?” 2 / wt pas tes ea Be “No,” {i sya fh you Hier oe BF ery well,” with a shrug of hisshoulders, for _ he had somewhat teabvened from fear he q began to entertain the idea that Nat’s purpose _ was any but a bloody one; ‘Vm bound and — can’t defend myself or my reputation. Go on.” “Reputation!” cried Nat. “‘Bah! it needs no defending; its rottenness stinks to the very _ ri eae We aera), “that’s all,” meaning to heavens. “Tm bound,” said Con, i insimnate that were his hands free, Nat should not take such liberties with his character, “Thats neither here nor there, at the pr son moment. “You don’t know the ua ae a oO. / 4 i “ Then we'll stay—Ti igpbeciaigen SS ati ‘will be thus,” d hin en Bin Mi ‘ Nien 3
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{ sitting position on the edge of the precipice; “‘and mine thus,” he continued, placing himself several feet to one side, but where he could see the vil- lain’s every movement, and with his cocked revolver in hand, he was ready to check any such made by his captive. ** What next?” growled Con, in surly voice, *‘Vou'll soon learn,” said Nat, sharply. want to ask you some questions.” “You mean—pump me. Well, you sha’n’t!” “Careful,” said Nat, warningly. ‘I want lain} straightforward answers, and by Heaven! mean to have them! Now, where is the girl?’ Con started in surprise, and remained silent. o . Where is the girl?” demanded Nat, sternly. ! “What girl?” asked Con, pretending, to be sur- prised at the query. ent very well baton a e in an exaspera “Where is she?” “T don’t know who you mean! Who do you speak of?” “Syndie Hernshaw!” thundered Nat, ‘“‘and ‘I give you one minute to answer—if you don’t, as Godis my judge, Pl blow your brains out!” Brian Conway trembled in his shoes, for there was no mistaking the terrible undercurrent of meaning in Nat’s words and manner. Con hesitated. The seconds slipped away. “How much does he know?” thought the vil- in, “Half of the time has expired!” “Shall I tell the truth, or try first to deceive him?” ran through Con’s mind. **A4 guarter of a minute more,” said Nat, and . then arose an ominous click as he drew the ham- \ mer of the revolver to full cock. “'Time’s up,” and Nat took aim. * Hold!” “Will you speak?” “ Yes.’ . . Tis well. Now, where have you concealed Syndie Hernshaw?”’ ey irl I mean,” and tone of voice. by «She isn’t concealed atall!” replied Con. ‘‘ Do you want to know the truth?” ** Of course.” “She’s dead!” 5 : “Dead! cried Nat; “be careful how you at- tempt to fool with me. She is not dead! But if ~ she is, how did she die?” | “She died the night of the fire!” **T don’t believe it.” **Then go to the Insbruck Cemetery and you'll find the proof.” Nat was grave and thoughtful. tnwardly he thought it impossible that Syndie _ Hernshaw was dead, still it might be so; and | though he knew how little reliance could be placed on the words of a man of Con’s stamp, at a chill of fear that it was true, across BMg: (-- _ Con broke the silence. “Tf it’s a fair question, what are you going to do with me?” _. I don’t know,” was Nat’s honest reply; ‘‘if you grag hee en well, I may take enough trouble to lodge you in the county jail; but if _ you cut up cross with me, I’ll shoot you ee the head. As it is, we must camp here for the _ night. Come back here in the bushes and lie down, while I bind you securely.” _ Con was loth to be ordered around thus, but Apsreanee must obey, and so a few minutes later _ he was stretched at full length on the gonad with his legs bound together aswell as his hands; Pog Resa at gagged fies : ese foresaw that he ‘might fn h such Br ve ak his intention. eee rie ae But he was weary and tired, w th possibility of such an ontireyne.. sea i * He showed himself prudent, for he had not been in the bushes by ns niece over half an hour when the drowsy feeling overcame himfand i: he slept ‘ : Not so, however, did Con; he was wide awake, and in his mind was mi acdiae means of escape: _ he saw Nat fall asleep, waited some minutes, and then with his glistening cree. fastened on the hilt a knife which showed in Nat’s belt, he en- but here again Nat’s pre- ce Nat had tied him to asmall a Fe eal lee ee unacnn| watching a mouse, he kept his eyes a ve chat : ? f ae Rae 1H ar isfaction when he learned that recautions the youth took because he | ence. ‘he was doomed to disappointment, | THE YOUNG ENGINEER. 21 for Nat lay as motionless as a log, until with the rising sun he opened his eyes. Instantly he was, on his feet, and after examin- ing Con’s bonds, he beganasearch for the mount- ain path, and to his surprise, discovered that he had not strayed over twenty feet from it, which fact convinced him that Con had lied when he disclaimed all knowledge of where they were. He went back to his prisoner, and was about to unbind his legs for the purpose of starting down the mountain, when the sound of voices and footsteps put a stop to his movements. Crawling nearer the path, he heard the conver- sation of the men as they passed, and from what they said learned that Con’s absence had been discovered, and that for some reason his presence was so greatly desired that they were on a hunt for him., “Hum,” said Nat. ‘‘In that case we must lie low all day,” and crawling back, he dragged Con a few feet further in the bushes, and then began his impatient watch for night. CHAPTER IX, AT DILL’S OFFICR, Jimmy Borton had returned from the mount- ain den, and was duly initiated inté a position as under book-keeper, though in reality he did no work whatever, his position being a sinecure. Dill tried in vain to keep his private business to himself. Bolton was one of those shrewd persons, who, prying into other persons’ business, obtain a modicum of truth and then build up the balance; so Dill, finding that be could keep none of his plans from Bolton, perforce took him entirely into his confidence so far as his villanous schemes for the destruction of the I. & O. R. R. were con- cerned. ; With the destroying of Hernshaw’s house Dill was highly pleased, and he fairly gloated in sat- ernshaw, mourn- ing his daughter as dead, had buried the unrecog- nizable remains as hers. But when the eed of destroying the train by letting it through the bridge became known as a failure, he was moved into cursing it at a round rate, for he had counted on this as a finishin stroke. the coup @etat that should drive his five from the field. Having failed in this he set his wits to work to strike another blow, and one which should ac- complish the result he was aiming at. Bolton and he were in his private office, and the latter was discussing the possible results of a loosened rail. **A very good plan,” said Bolton, ‘but one that is too common; it shows the hand of an enemy too plainly; what you want is to strike a uiet,underhand stroke, like the burning of Hern- shaw’s house.” “Pshaw! I’m not of your opinion. Let the boys barracade across the track as they used to. and when the train tumbles let ’em rush in an cut what throats they want to. It pleases them best and gives ’em a chance to make a stake out of it.” At “Its a risky business, though. They tried that a couple of times and finally only escaped with their lives when Hernshaw organized for defense.” f | ““-Yes; but they don’t carry anyone on board now but passengers.” gic) “Well,” with a shrug of his shoulders, ‘‘you’re the doctor—there’s a knock.” “Go to the door,” said Dill. Bolton did as directed, and opened the door to the county sheriff, whom he did not know, but who'was recognized instantly by Dill, who at once invited him to enter. 4 “Well, sir,” said Dill, in a business, matter-of- fact way, “what can I do for you?” The sheriff’s reply was a queer grimace, and a glance at Bolton, as much as to demand his ab- sence. * : sk Oh, you needn’t mind me; I’m O. K., ain’t I, “Yes,” said Dill, when appealed to thus di- “Go ahead, sheriff. What’s in the 66 Reththe Beastie he said, half reluctant- ly; for he not like the idea of Bolton’s pres- ‘“T only came to tell you that the ai up in Insbruck are organizing themselves into a vigilance committee, and the first time another | y “Eh again, if he heard anything that would be of in« teresc to Dill. “Strike secretly and mysteriously,” repeated Bolton; ‘‘ that’s my idea.” ** Perhaps you can suggest awa eretly and mysteriously?” said ing tone. “I can.” said Bolton, suddenly brightening up. “Tve got an idea how to do the thing.” “What is it?’ “Tl tell you.” And then Bolton unfolded a plot which was fiendish enough in detail to satisfy even the hellish mind of Caleb Dill, who, when his com- panion had finished, exclaimed: “Tl see about the thing at once. Jimmy, you’re a brick to think of it.” And, determined to lose no time, he left the office at once. He had been gone but a short while, when two persons entered. They were Dick Klintk and Rand McCormick, and, strange to say, they seemed on the most familiar footing. It came about in this way: On the night when Rand took that desperate leap, it will be remembered that he dived into the bushes to avoid being seemby the conductor and brakeman. He was pretty well used up from his long run and the weakening due to the excitement and horror of his late situation, when death’s jaws were open and were momentarily expected to close upon him. When once out of sight, he flung himself to strike ‘ se- ill, in a sneer down for a rest, and remained where he threw — himself all that night and nearly all the next day, for it was late in the afternoon when he struck out across the plain toward the mount- ain. _ He reached the foot-hills just as the sun was sinking in the horizon. He was determined to visit the mountain den once more. He skirted the valley in hopesof seeing some- thing of Nat Norwood in the enclosure below, but, of course, in this he was disappointed, But had he only known it, Nat Norwood, alive and well, was even doing as down on the home of the outlaws from a place of concealment, Klinek found Captain Con in his hut, in one corner of which was Syndie Hernshaw, cower- ne fear of such another cruel blow as had raised a fearful lump on her cheek, which was turned black and blue. Klink delivered the messages intrusted to him by Dill, and then arose to go, stating that he was going to return to Greenburgh the next af- ternoon. Leaving Con’s, he was passing through the vil- lage towards his own hut, when he encountered a rum-bloated creature, whom he familiarly sa- iatefralloos old gal, h t 00, old g: ow goes it?” a “ Middlin’,” was’ the reply, Goin’ to stay long? “Not very.” a I'm sorry,” she said. “You needn’t be. If I was here long, Bill would murder you. By the way, how does Bill come on?” : “ Tor’able,” she answered. This Bill referred to was the man to whom se degraded creature stood in the relation of a wife. ; Wesaid wife. Heaven save the mark! She scarce knew what the word meant, and he was—peering -_ had more than once given Bill reason to think | Ser she was a wife to Klinck as much as to him- self. ; \ Passionate, hot-headed, Bill had more than once threatened Klinck’s life, after trying vainly to reform his wife through beating her. ‘Tl see you to-night,” said Klinck. ; “ All right,” said the woman, and they sep- arated. They did meet that night, but there was an un- seen third party there, Bill, the outraged hus- band, and when they were finally gone, he glided from his place of concealment, and with the foul- est oaths swore to kill Klinck, The next afternoon, while the were in the beginning of a general deba' inck passed out of the valley and began descending the mountain. ; ‘ Rand McCormick, driven by hunger, had de- | train is wrecked they're going to take the field.” | scended the mountain in quest of food more than “Ah!” said Dill; ‘that’s bad.” an hour before. ; “Just what I told you,” put in Bolton.| Having succeeded in shooting a rabbit, he was “Don 't be too open | about it, but strike secretly | preparing to cook it in a secluded nook he had Se ii lee as wo art ee ea yee ne shel deno further remark except _ : bid them good-day, and to faadie Bill; in his |
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22 volver, and there was murder in his bloodshot eyes. Rand i al his rabbit, and followed. Shortly after he heard a shot just ahead of him, then another, and curses loud and deep. cove) forward, he saw Klinck and Bill, within’a few feet of each other, popping away like mad, at each shot advancing closer; instant- ly Rand’s revolyer was out, and cocked, and with the desire for Vengeance boiling within him, he drew a bead:on Klinck just as Bill, dropping his revolver, pulled out his knife, and sprang upon Xlinck. Crack! A. wild -cry—a groan—and Bill, instead of Rand’s intended victim—fell a bleeding corpse. But for that shot it would have been all day with Klinck, who, as his antagonist fell, glanced quickly toward whence the shot came, and sée- ing Rand, exclaimed: ‘Well done, young fellow; much obliged,” and stepping toward him, he added: ‘‘ give us your n Had he known the truth, he would hardly have been so friendly. Rand’s fingers itched to stretch him out beside Bill; but the thought struck him: “Here is a chayice to get in withsomebody who can be of use to me,” and staying his desire for revenge, he accepted the proffered hand. ‘““Who are you?” asked Klinck. At once Rand invented a cock and bull story of having just escaped from Joliet prison, and of being then on the look-out for any gang of ras- eals to connect himself with. Klineck swallowed the the bait at once, and élaiming his connection with the wreckers,agreed to put Rand through, an offer speedily accepted by the lad, who to his joy saw that he was not recognized. | ; “Tm going to Greenburgh,”: said Klinck; * you'd better go there with me, first.” * Agreed,” said Rand, and thus we see them ee the private office of Caleb Dill to- ‘ether. | fre Halloo!” said Bolton; there?” “ A youngster. who wants to join our crowd of good fellows.” ; : q * What's his creed?” “ A short life but a merry one,” put in Rand. “who've you got _ “Ay—ay, you'll do,” said Bolton, deceived by nis words and swaggering air. ‘‘ Where did you graduate?”. = “ At Joliet.” * Good 0 eee said Bolton,grimly, ‘If that’s the ease I'll swear by you.” / ‘“Where’s Dill?” asked Klinck. ‘*Be back shortly. Sit down.” Dill soon came in, and there was a smile of éatisfaction on his face,and to Bolton he remark- ed: * All correct. Ah! Klinck, you’re just in time; ou’re the eee T-want. Who’s that?” glanc- ing suspiciously at Rand. . u ‘ his wasexplained to Dill’s satisfaction, who then sat down and wrote a letter of instructions to Con. ' This he handed to Klinck with the remark: “Tf that don’t settle him, nothing will. ey against fate any longer, Ill shoot my- self,” not meaning ‘however to do any such t hing. ; They reached the den just after daylight, and Con’s hut being empty,search was made for him . in every direction. j CHAPTER X: OVER THE OLIFF. Exacrny what to do puzzled Nat very much, and in the interim of deciding he remained isc he was, in the bushes at the edge of the hunting for Con up then. / - The gang were in a quandary, to a man, to account for Con’s absence. i _ They went to the little clearing where Squiggs ; at uggles had acted in some measure as an uutpost, and here found the bodies of three men killed by Rand; and on taking ashort cut up the vie here, he could hear the parties of men and down every now and _ the outlaw; waited with all impatience for him to ob ) an appearance, and not the least inter- 1 was who up to this time ha: tured one 1estion concerning the ob, his heart for teax of avvakang suspicion ‘ reason that made hi a avail Sone ep. i ¥ | yas 4 @ enthe If he} b ion;| Con at once ap- | him on horseback, ay 3 vee THE YOUNG ENGINEER. pearance with interest was because he felt as- sured that in the letter for him in Klinck’s care was outlined some hellish plot, which he longed to know, so as to take measures to defeat it. He was more than once upon the point of ques- tioning Klinck concerning Nat, of advising hi to open the letter, when a feeling of prudence held him back, and inwardly fretting, he waited for the denouement. The hours dragged by as slowly to him as they did to Nat, who felt how great was the danger by which he was surrounded. Afternoon came, the sun began to decline, and still Con did not appear. Then the sky began to cloud up, and all knew that a storm was near at hand. It was beginning to grow dark when Klinck determined to descend the mountain in charge of a searching party, and they started as soon almost as the design was formed. Nat’s heart meanwhile had been growing lighter; in the coming darkness—in the storm— he saw a chance of escape with his captive, and began to feel comparatively safe. his, perhaps, caused him to relax his watch over Con, a fact which did not escape the out- law’s notice, and he took advantage of it in this way: But a few feet away was a loose stone of per- haps half a dozen pounds weight; towards this he wriggled himself until it was just before his feet; this much accomplished, he lay quietly and waited the turn of affairs. Nat heard the coming of Klinck as wellas Con, and pricked up his hey an he had. no fears of being discovered, as it was a dark, in truth. Now was Con’s chance! R When they were opposite, Con bracéd himself, and gave the rock a shove which sent it rolling over and over, until, reaching the edge of the cliff, it tottered and fell with a crash to the bot- tom far below. “‘ Halt!” cried Klinck, as he heard the stone crashing down; and then with head bent, he lis- tened. In the excitement of the moment, Nat forgot his caution, and jumped to his feet, exclaiming: ‘‘Ha! you treacherous dog!” thus revealing his whereabouts. ; “Boys,” cried Klinck, ‘‘ there’s been foul play! follow me,” and he dashed from the path into the bushes. Nat’s thoughts were like lightning flashes, and quicker than we can tell it, he had whipped out his knife, cut the bonds on Con’s cles, and dragged him to his feet. “Now,” said he, sternly, taking him by the shoulder, ‘‘ the first noise, and U’ll murder you! Come,” and he began retreating along the edge of the cliff. A rush of feet, a crashing through the bushes, and then a shout: - i “ Ah—ha! boys, there they are. Shoot the dog!” “Hold!” cried Nat, who saw that further con- cealment was out of the question. ‘‘I’ve got here Brian Conway, and as suré as the first one of Aan! a shot, Tu put a bullet through his rain They halted, and their revolvers dropped, rie every tongue roundly cursed the daring low. yr “Now,” said Nat, ‘‘ we'll make the best use of our time;” still holding fast of Con, he continued his retreat. : Klinck and his men followed, fuming with rage, kept at bay by a single hand, unable to do a thing. Ps 2b ‘| Nat began to exult at heart, when the face of affairs was suddenly changed by Con, who had grown wild with desperation. He was on the inside; Nat was nearest the cliff; pretending to stumble, he threw his whole weight against thedad, forcing him to the verge of the pee: Nat lost his balance; Was loose. aa. ; “ Dog!” cried the lad, and pointing his revoly- er at Con, he fired; then uttered a groan of an- ae he lost his equilibrium completely, and —fell! Guessing the truth, Klinck rushed up, unbound Con’s arms, and removed the gag. has ‘ Where is he?’ asked Klinck. ‘He fdll,” was all Con’s swollen jaws would septa kok ad aber ah recipice, but it was ey looked over the ce, but it was so dark that they could pe nating and satisfied that Natmust have been dashed to pieces on the a quick wrench, and Con | rocks below, ne phons to the den, where e' Klinck delivered he cites TE SoU? ‘ Nar oe Page er ready dark—very | 87! a ee t To this party was added Klinck and Rand, the latter puzzling his brain for a possible solution of the adventure then on hand. _ They rode hard and fast straight towards Ins- bruck, and finally halted when within twent miles of the Fea) right alongside of the rail- road track; Con and Klinck disap into some bushes, but s) ily returned with a small box which they handled, Rand thought, very gingerly. They opened it carefully, and Rand saw them take out about half a dozen long, ovoid shaped objects, which they proceeded to fasten to the rails. All at once the horrible truth flashed upon him, The dark gbjects were torpedoes! In the agony of the discovery, the sweat broke out from every pose in hi body, for the night express was almost due, and in fancy he already heard the rending explosion, the wrecked train the burning cars, the shrieks of the maimed and dying victims. CHAPTER XI NAT TO THE RESCUE. Poor Rand M’Cormick! ; In imagination, he saw the whole dread catas. trophe, saw the train wrecked, engineer killed, sengers wounded and dying. This drifted before him like a picture, and he ‘oaned aloud: “What is the matter with you?” It was Klinck who ae pe the question. “Nothing,” replied Rand. ‘A pain—that’s @ all,” he added. ' Klinck turned away from him,\and said: “Well, cap, got it all right?” “ Yes.” ‘* What next?” ts Only to get away from here.” “ Ain’t we a-goin’ to have a chance to make a spec out of this?’ “se i » ‘Why not?” i “Because we want the destruction of this train to be as mysterious as possible; we don’t want it known that we had any hand in it.” **T don’t like this,” grumbled one man. ‘ We used to do things openly, and I don’t see why - we can't yet. Wecan whip any company of men | they can send into the mountains. I like good , rough-and-tumble fighting, something exciting. But this sneaking way I don’t like.” “Nor I,” said another. ‘Shut up, both of you!” commanded Con. “I don’t want to hear another word. You’re here to do as I say, and you shall, or——’ and he stopped, but shook his: head in a threatening manner. } Con went upon the track and examined the , torpedoes once more, then returning, he mount~ — ed his horse, saying: “Come, boys, we must be miles away from here when that explosion takes place.” rae They all mounted, Rand among the rest, ‘ Poor Rand! . His mind was in a tumult. What should he do? His blood turned cold when he thought of calmly leaving the train to its fate; yet what could he do prevent it? =» W He dar®d not leave the company he was in, for they would suspect him; besides, leaving them now would spoil his chances of hearing what — had become of Nat Norwood, the Young Engi- neer. He resolved to stay. X Then he thought of the horrible scene about to be enacted. : He determined to desert the the train. 4 Latte Gradually slowing the pace of his horse, he » was soon four or five feet in the rear. PF His heart began to beat loud and fast with hy party and save x hopes of success. a few minutes he would be far enough be- Ran igi In that word were Randis plans destroyed, his 2 ho)
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rr rnrvwOwwrOrrssasaaSaaaaaeaem>&>n able to give the warning was useless, and so ad- vanced the few steps that separated them. “Ah, there you are!” said Con; “what was you staying behind for?” * Ready-witted, Rand replied: “My horse, I thought, went a littlelame, and I dismounted to see if he had possibly picked up a stone.” ere ** Ah!” said Con, in a tone free from suspicion again. ‘‘Ugh!” This latter exclamation was caused by # cold gust of wind, and then the storm that had been brooding over them since sunset, burst in all its wildness. The wind blew fiercely, and the rain fairly poured. But the wretches were used to all sorts of | THE YOUNG ENGINEER. The cliff, at this point, was all seamed and scarred. ‘These clefts in the rock had gradually gathered a soil from the particles deposited by the atmosphere, and in this soil, thus furnished, stunted bushes grew. 23 a Yes.” * And no other message?” co No. ” sag “Did he say anything about the——” And the rest was lost to Nat’s ears; but his When Nat fell, he of course clutched about | imagination finished the sentence: ‘‘ girl, Syn- him, in the endeavor to find some supporting | hold. when his career was shortened by striking, first the bushes, and then the ledge or shelf. Instently, he saw what was to be done, and so without moving a muscle, he laid perfectly still. He heard them as they peered over the cliff. ‘Would they see him? die Hernshaw.” So he finished it, and muttered: ‘ I’m sure she | lives sti is k is ere! None could he find as he went over the cliff, hes es still and that she is kept a prisoner here and his lips were all pursed up for his death wail, | 4 hough if she is, why should he have told me 3at she was dead and buried? I'll enter the den while its master is gone, and find out the | truth if it costs a leg.” They had passed. He stepped into the road and began ascending it; half the distance to the crest had been accome plished when, at his very feet, Nat saw some ie | 4 Vee i rae) y SS ER & Rand was caught about the waist, lifted up and hurled downward, tu be ground to pieces beneath the wheels of the rushing train. weather, and with only a curse or two and a shrinking closer in their clothes, they bore it without saying a word, waiting for the train, now nearly due, to come. They were nearly a mile from the place where the torpedoes were, but near enough, however, to seo if their vile plans succeeded. And,waiting thus, minute after minute stole y. These torpedoes, as we have called them, were not so in fact, but were little tubes of dynamite and nitro-glycerine. Ofa large quantity used in building the G. & O. R., a few were left in tha cellar attached to the station. Dill knew of their presence, and had spoken of them to Bolton as the means of breaking up a rock which they wished to get out of the way. Bolton thought of these, and it was concernin; them he whispered to Dill, when Klinck dnd d were in Greenburgh. Selecting a number of them, Dill had put them in a box, and sent them by a trusty man to the spot where they were found by Con. faving explained this to the reader, we must, a return and see what became of Nat Nor- 7 He did not fall, as Con supposed, to the bottom of the cliff, and when the ruffians were looking over the cliff he could almost have struck them in the face with the flat of his hand, had he so wished. Et so chanced that within seven or eight feet of the top edge of the cliff was a slight, shelf-like projection. His heart bounded in his breast, and he prayed God not. But they did not discover him, for they could not see two feet in the dense darkmess occasioned by the'storm settling over them. After they had gone, Nat arose to his feet, but took nosteps toward leaving the ledge for some minutes, not ee but that someone might have been left behind. Hearing no noise as the minutes passed, he de- termined to investigate his position. By lifting up his hands, he found he could touch the top of the cliff, This discovery overjoyed him, as it made his ats an easy matter. e found a V9 where the roughness of the face of the cliff offered him a foothold. Then catching hold above, he was less than a minute in placing himself in safety. Now that he was free, what was to be done? He hardly knew what to do, but in his quan- dary he walked along toward the road which the daylight had disclosed, and whose nearness Con, when a prisoner, had denied any knowledge of. He had just reached the edge of the road, when he heard the tramp of horses’ feet. F ‘“What’s up?” he thought. “Yl find out if 1 can,” and he concealed himself in some bushes. A few minutes later he saw a party of horse- men pass, and one voice which he recognized was a me of Con. purges ay Al iY ere can they be going?” he thought. s pha Rs up to apne Marites. wick? ‘ He listened on; Con was talking to Klinck, “The letter was all he gave you?” thing that in the darkness appeared yery white. He stooped and took.up the article; it was paper, writing paper, and folded in letter form. ike lightning there flashed through his mind the questions and replies of Con and Klinck; and then he clutched the letter eagerly. Had he found a prize? He determined to learn, and diving into the brush, he selected a spot where the glare of a fire would be shielded from the road by inter- vening rocks. Rapidly he gathered a few handfuls of dry twigs, and then with a match he lighted them. The fire was faint and small, but crouched on his elbows and knees, with the light shining upon a te er, he read what it contained, and as he read, his face grew pale with consterna- tion. It was Dill’s letter to Con, which the latter had lost, and Nat read in all their minute de- tails the devilish instructions for the destroying of the train. He knew the spot and all where it was to take place. ' Reading to the end, he jumped to his feet; trampled the fire out, and then stood confound- ed, irresolute. ‘God help me decide what to do,” he mur- mured, in a- sorrowful voice. His mind drew the same imaginative picture as had that of Rand, and put him in equally as great distress. Weakened and unnerved by the news, he stag gered back toward the roadway, Here he paused. ,
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s pa THE YOUNG ENGINEER. — He believed Syndie to be an inmate of the; Syndie was disgusted with the idea of passing | self with whiskey, and soon was stretched out wreckers’ nest; he had sworn to himself to pene-| the night here, particularly so when she learned | like a log. trate it that very night—but humanity demand-| that Con also occupiad it as his sleeping quarters.| And Syndie? She waited until all sounds of ed his presence elsewhere. She begged of him to partition off a part of the | stirring had ceased, waited until she thought all He heard the tramp of a horse’s feet approach-| room for her use, which after some grumbling |in the village were asleep, and then she stole ing; it decided him what to do, he did, by sus: ending a blanket from the ceiling, | forth into the stormy night to try to escape. the horseman drew near; Nat took aim at | so as to cut off one corner of the room. MBA bs him, and with a murmured: ‘God forgive} And here Syndie lived, accepting what came me!” shot him through the head, and as the | without resistance, being inert and hopeless. rider fell he secured his steed. A few days after her arrival, Con broached the He bounded on the back of the animal, turned subject of marriage to her during an absence of his head down the mountain, and dashed off to | Bets. the rescue. Syndie, of course, indignantly refused to join her fair and spotless fame with that of a black- hearted and red-handed outlaw. CHAPTER XIL GAME TO THE DEATH, + Nat Norwoop knew how pressing was ther mission he had entered on,'and knew that if he would reach the spot selected for thé hellisk deed before the train passed, he must make good CHAPTER Xil. So plainly did shespeak her mind that Con was | time. ; SYNDIE deeply incensed, and he threatened her with| Ere mounting he had caught up a switch , k , everything bad, but Syndie seemed to grow} which fell from the hand of the man he had Ler us here take a rapid glance at the pro-| stronger beneath his cruelties, and flung his| shot, and with this he struck the animal he be’ _ gress of affairs with Syndie Hernshaw. words back into his teeth. : As has been incidentally stated before,she was} ‘‘I shall only ask you once more,” said Con, taken to Greenburgh on the night of the abduc- | with a cruel smile; ‘and beware how you an- tion, and beats elds from there on a train | swer! will you marry——” starting before daylight. Before he could finish the sentence, or Syndie She could do nothing to help herself, as she| form areply, the door opened and Bet entered; yeas og ed, and a veil concealing her features | her darkened brow left no doubt that she had sien act from any person who chanved to | overheard Con’s last»words, but she said nothing, by and Con, made uneasy by her'threatening, tiger- Had anybody asked Con why he took so much | jije aspect, made some excuse, and left the two trouble to convey the girl in safety to the nest in | women together. the mountains, he would have been puzzled to) «5. cried the insanely-jealous woman, “‘you SSW Er. . : want to rob me of Con, do you? Curses on your It was from no scruples of conscience against | qol]-baby face,” and springing upon Syndie, she murdering her, for this he could have done as} pattered and bruised tae until the poor girl lay ge did he Nees rid = Loewen ¢ ld half stunned on the floor. e did not exactly love the girl, yet wou > have married her at once should shé have ex- bane hedinind pon Tat cide «pe we pressed any sign of being willing to acvept. such Con of this, Pil murder you,” and she showed the a position. ‘ F " F ut one thing he did—he respected her—and terrified girl a hideous knife whose handle was A : stained a dull red, not from paint, but from hu- wou she was with him so much, he never used per » , the first insulting word or look toward her, a 4 cee ¥ * fact to his sredee: villain—deeply-dyed—though site this time on Syndie’s life was a hell on Br ‘the mountain} Con seemed afraid of Bet, and with good rea- They left the train and reached ; inei capes _ | son, for ‘he had ascended to the leadership of the without ingident, and at once Syndie was con ng through a fancy for him which if ae tite see eed eyed Bet, who took | plunging that same Knife into the heart of the charge of Con’s hut and filled the combined po- ae captain, who had been her husband. sition of servant and mistress. ut one thing restrained Bet from killing “Here, Bet, is a boarder for you,” said Con, as Syndie, and that was that her brother had been he entered with Syndie. ; : one ee killed Lcd seagicw es pee seaploy ee i while he was engaged in that terrible scene ation hex cows ante on the tae alpha where Nat and the two express messengers were _ Young gin), her eyes flashed and her brow dark | EW ti wfeans of revenging ner brother's death, ao etienpebl ey eee : e jen apn a she was as cruel to her as a fiend could have ‘ -ha-) 19 iy “ce | n. iy your frightening she gal, but just be good to her | OB the night of Nat's, ‘bold move,” she had f care best m: erself drunk wii e rest; as a precaution paid ee op hesvaie Noted anche peak against any attempt at escape on Syndie’s part, n Ay 9; Treat her kindly, but keep your ng Symiie he and as a partial gratification of her devilishness, phe frequent and severe blows across the As Fate had decreed, the animal which had fallen to his lot for this ever-to-be-remembered ride, was a*good one, both in speed and in bot- to. m. Nat urged him to his best. A madman would scarcely have sent a horse flying down such a road, but Nat well knew it was either make or break, and his set teeth and tightly-closed lips expressed his determination to make it the former if it was in human pow- er so to do, He got down the mountain in safety, and struck the prairie. Halting just aac to get his bearing, he struck his steed sharply with the whip, and sent ed oe over the level ground for all he was wo . On he went like the wind that was blowing fiercely. , On he went, not able to see ten feet ahead. On he went, caring not for the dangers that might lie in his way. ‘4 ig drops of rain began to fall, and then heay- en’s flood gates seemed to open, but he never slackened his pace one bit, and rather hit agai and again his already nearly wing-footed steed. On—on—on—and then suddenly from the dark: ness loomed up the figure of a single horseman, who, in stentorian tones, cried: “oe Halt!” j Nat heeded not the command, but delivered” his steed a cruel cut across the head and eyes. “ Halt, d—— you!” rang out above the tumuit of the storm. ; On went Nat, paying no more attention than if it had been the ery of a frog or a bird. we Then he heard the horseman halloo wildly at perry and knew that he was being pur- | ued. : “Faster,” he cried, ‘‘faster,” and bent down so that he would lessen the force of the wind she don’t escape;” and then turnin ; continued: (this is to be your home for the | She bound and gagged the girl; and the moans} 4 oa inst him. ~ present. If you behave yourself it will be easy | Gir fist sean, Wore ty dio for whom he was| Grack! é tor you, but the first attempt at Serer we wi ceare hin: cep ihe Syndie, for btn he was} 4 bullet whizzed by Nats ear. we . resort to harsh measures. Understand?” rah aha yet whose nearness he never Sus-) He only bent lower, and urged his straining “Yes,” murmured the frightened girl. ‘‘ But, Peers steed to new exertions. f sir, pray what are you going to do with me?” she Bet was in the hut at the time, ina sleep of ase or the first Sinepalthig the Saag that pena pe a ae when she finally woke and _ had been trembling on her tongue from the first Syndie’s Homing nator bee sepia gy oe the gag had been removed from her she then perceived the gag. ’ “T don’t Le yet,” was Con’s reply. “I'll de-} —“‘ Oh,” she said, ‘I kept you bound and gagged cide before long, so make yourself as easy as you | all night, did I¢ You must excuse me, my lady, can, and don’t worry,” and then he departed | (mockingly), for I was so drunk I forgot it.” to look after some affairs that needed his atten-}] As she released the girl, she said: tion. $ a sleep much, eh?” Bet’s reception was not the most hearty, for| ‘‘No,” moaned Syndie, who could scarcel, she kind of regarded Syndie, not as a captive, | move her jaws, so stiff were they. but as an intrudér on her domain, and nosooner| ‘‘ When did Con go out?” had Con’s back vanished from sight, than she| ‘I don’t know,” was the reply, and then she Crack—crack! ; “Thank God!” cried Nat, ‘‘no harm done yet. On, my brave boy, faster—faster !” k But the pursuer’s steed was freshest, and Nat knew that he was being eee on, for the rider’s voice sounded nearer and nearer. big ie f Nat’s steed, a stagge’ d the lad neigh of Nat’s a Tr; an e lat knew that the horse had been struck. bale He made as if to stop, but rendered cruel by the desperation of the situation, Nat gathered alt his strength, and laid cut after cut on his poor | steed’s withers. j : _ With a ery of cae the steed bounded forward — ae sprang forward, and seizing the prisoner rough- | set to chafing her numbed limbs. . |at greater speed than everfor a few minutes,an ly by the shoulder, demanded: The day passed. Con came not, and when] then Nat saw that his pace was lessening. ~ “Did you come here of your own free will?’ | there arose suspicions of foul play, Bet pounced He plied the whip, but all. to no pur 3 his” - “Come here of my own free will!” echoed | upon Syndie, and demanded what she knew of | steed was used up by the hard work and the un- Syndie, with a shudder; then added, in fervent | the affair. Je lucky bullet. \ ; neha tones: “God in Heaven, no—no!” The poor girl could say nothing to oppose Bet’s} Crack! : Less OE Eee viata _ “Phen you’re not here from love of the cap-} wrath, and the enraged hag began apres, ‘The bullets passed between Nat’s elbow and in?” sat oe pmmere Cae eae ran screaming from begs and severed one of the reins; no longer FS fol ea Reve _ _ | the hut, with the blood streaming from her nose, | con dhe control his steed—the game wasup, “That's a blessing for you,” said Bet, grimly. | Bet after her. : “Up? No! Not yet!” sige noe + What'd they fetch you here for?” Syndie ran into a hut for refuge, and its only “IT don’t know:” inmate, as he saw her, muttered curses loud and y n deep, and then, as Bet came into view, whisper- | ‘‘ Winged you, have I? Just stay where you are into the girl’s ear: if you don’t want me to make crow-bait of you,” |and at a swinging gait the pursuer bore’ down e body as kitchen, din- | inone. = te
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THE YOUNG ENGINEER. 25 - heard the click of the hammer as it was drawn back, ‘‘ Who areyon, anyhow?” Nat started, for the voice, before familiar, he now recognized as that of Jimmy Bolton. . “li tell you who I am!” eried the lad, and as he sprang forward, and dragged Bolton from the saddle, he yelled: ‘‘ I’m Nat Norwood!” , Crack! Bolton had fired as Nat threw him to the earth, and then, as Nat laughed scornfully. he shouted: “* D— the luck!” and cocked his re- volver again. Nat hesitated only a minute, then he placed his revolver at Bolton’s head, fired, lea into the saddle, and was away like the wind. Two miles away or less lay the point he was striving to reach, and between them,was the bloodthirsty Con and his companions, On—on Natsped, never swerving to right or left. A mile was gone over: ina few minutes he would be at the top of a slope, and then the goal was not far distant, ‘“ What's that?” _ It was Klinck who spoke, and immediately all Svea, they clearly heard the fall of a horse’s eet, Bi S Who ean it be?” cried Con. “Spread out, boys, and stop him;he must give an account of himself,” Nat was on the qui vive. ; He knew thatsoon he must meet those who had come to carry out the devilish instructions of Dill’s letter. He reached the summit of the long land-roll, - gathered his reins a little to dash down the gentle Sescant, when—— “Halt!” broke on his ears. : _He looked up, saw dimly the figures before / The time of trial had come. ; A quick, sharp cut, his horse bounded for- _ ‘ward—crack—crack! another cut—a shout—a horseman came close, reached out for his bridle. The time to act had come. Up came his revolver—crack—a how] of agony ; the daring fellow dropped from his saddle. “Wire!” yelled Con, “Get up!” shrieked Nat, and cut the horse sharply. \ Grack—crack—crack! ) He felt a sharp. dp 5.2 pain in his side, but heedless of that, he only cared for the dark fig- ure on horseback before him. He measured the distance, a few long bounds: _ he raised his horse to the leap, and Dick Klinck ‘was carried from his saddle to the ground by the -horse’s feet, while brave Nat, clear of his ene- ‘mies, plied his whip,and disappeared in the dark- n eSs, . & After him!” in pursuit. ; _* Meanwhile, in the distance was heard the shriek { of the locomotive whistle, and presently they heard the rumble of the coming train. Nat reeled in his saddle, and cried: “Good God, shall I fail now?” ‘He clenched his hand over the wound from which the blood was spurting, and sent his steed arong at amaddening pace. Each instant Nat was growing weaker, and it ~ filled his soul with sorrow,for he feared he could not keep up long enough. The outlaws gave up the chase when they saw _ the headlight come in sight, and Nat had it all to pimself. aS: On—on—on! He faltered, he shook in his saddle, but he _ elung on; he reached the track, stood his steed _ aeross it; he felt himself growing weak, every- _ thing began to grow hazy, he fell to the ground; _. che eee took a step off the Ik, -_“No—no!” shrieked Nat, who felt the world bf slip ing away from him. c. de must be the warning!” and cocking his t She? eth gs g _ revolver, he fired and the horse fell. j 2 his body and stop,” - murmured Nat, andcrawling outside the track : Shetsantk prone on the ground.| — 4 Nearer and nearer came the locomotive; the ; gineer discovered the obstruction and whistled vA not dead, and roused by ferthanders of the train and the glarin ght, he gave a convulsive movement an w him- “self f off the track. I ee The engineer whistle1 “‘ brakes off!” ie Tt struck Nat’s fleeting senses, and \raising on 7 oe ae he way ed the other hand wildly and ak ¢ (0 CoA Raat Se! y H yelled Con,and away they swept _ “They can’t help seein, | murmur i No—no—no!_Stop—stop! and sank back in CHAPTER XIV. NAT’S WQUND. All this was to them a mystery. But it was destined not to be so long, for Bob’s terror overcame his self-possession, and instead of quietly laying down the torpedo and backing away from the dangerous spot, he attempted to he a it far ie ep fear unnerved him, his cles wer ot blond bad wikda hima very weak GN ee muscle: e relaxed, and when he let go it fell to hi f il—there c: hardly felt able to raise his head, yet he strug- DS ae ee ae ese To report like thunder—a single death-cry—a rush gled to a half tres eet and supported by | of wind that prostrated the little crowd, and one elbow, he wav Ee his free hand above his a lifted the engine from the track—and the rr inane ca ee dethicet wil ae reman, torn into a thousand pieces, was flying th h the ai hile di d ti ‘- wailed, as, strength exhausted, he fell backward: EC ee ee ae ed in all directions. “Qh, God! do they fail to understand?” Dazed and : part 088 The engineer had coated the signal to down ais bance as Bisad pe Fipent aoe their feet and gazed toward the spot where such _ brakes when he saw the horse across the track. | havoc had been ‘made, gazed and trembled as He had heard the pistol shot a minute before, | they thought what might have been the case but ~ and it put him on the alert for danger. _ for the timely warning they had received. The horse might have thrown the train from |" The danger was over now, they thought, so aN Ge etsy ig le Ar fh pasa ae advancing, they saw for the first time the full wanted to rush right through the crowd which ap ip Gee eta ch dpe hig Mb abe a hole had been scoo out in the und at ~ ee eS Sao had put the horse on the track | jeast ten feet square ora many dean. B 2 fc : : Then he espied that figure outside the track Hh Sella tomig hae epg I gr ep oh that wildly waved its hand, and then he fancied | fisted so that they looked like huge snakes. e heard: i a But as they were looking around they dis- Stop—go no further! % . covered several small, dark objects attached to _ A new light broke in upon his understanding; | the rails, and upon the sight at once beat a hast: =e being stopped to prevent his running into | retreat, not ere to share the awful fate suf- The world was drifting away from Nat, still soe by a ee, ; Another consultation was held. They could there penetrated to his understanding the shrieks 804 of the whistle, and then he heard the, jolting and rg Sagh Sg gt oad Pieter ladle Spies tied 09 jerking, knew that the train was at a standstill, Bee Leen bm Peace aes and then with a: ‘‘Thank God!” on his lips, he} ‘This plan was communicated to the engineer, fainted away. , A who at once reversed his engine und ran back to Tn less than a minute from the time the halt | Insbruck, where they arrived, much to the sur- was made, the conductor was at the cab stepsin-| prise of the depot master, who at once sent to quiring what had happened. , “TY hardly know myself,” said the engineer Eton glee pi vids he physician bh ¢ and then in a few’ wants he told of the horse, its} Dye ate Bh ots Mist mle pe lying across the track, its struggling away, of the figure that brandished its hand as a signal to , Ta? was a moment of agony to Nat when he saw the horse struggle off the track, for he feared has So ate now would not stop. attending to Nat, but beyond stanching the flow of blood, had been able to do but little for him. owing to the lack of his case of medicines and instruments. ° Arrived at Insbruck, they carried him up stairs to a small room, and here the physician probed the hole in Nat’s side, located the ball and then cut it out, after which he washed an dressed the wound, and was engaged in restor- ing Nat to consciousness when Mr. Hernshaw entered. “Who is this person?” he asked. know him?” I “No,” replied the physician. ‘‘His face is a good one, but he is in disguise,” the last few words uttered in a grave tone, for the pliysician was one of those who always associate conceal- ment or disguise with guilt, from not taking the time to) reflect that on occasions the purest righteousness needs to be cloaked. ‘(Tn disguise?” repeated Mr. Hernshaw. o Yes. ” i “How—what is his disguise?” “This.” : ; | The physician pulled off the wig, and Hern- shaw saw and recognized—Nat Norwood. — “Good God!” he ejaculated. ‘Is itypossible? Nat—Nat—Nat!” He bent down, and called the name in the lad’s ear. It seemed to bring back life, for he opened his eyes, looked up, met the gaze of Mr. Hernshaw, his face brightened, and he weakly said: ay: agony Be aie hearty ‘rent —ay—m oy!” was the hea reply, “and vaad to ob you did not get_ mur fits al those fiends of the mountains. You saved the train, they tell me. How was it done?” And here we will leave Nat relating to Mr. Hernshaw what the reader already knows. stop. PWhere did you see the person?” asked the conductor. “He must now be just about opposite the en- gine,” was the reply. .‘‘Hey! halloo, there! Isay —halloo!” he cried aloud. But no reply came. The conductor swung his lamp around his head, and as its rays extended their horizon, he imagined he saw extended on the ground the Sane of a man. 4. rawing hisrevolyer as a precautionary meas- ure, and bidding two brakemen to do the same thing, the trio advanced until they stood beside the still, lifeless-looking form of Nat. The conductor swung his lantern close to Nat’s face and body, and thus discovered the fact that he had fainted from the effects of a wound, his clothing being dyed crimson with the blood that had flowed freely. “Poor fellow!” said the conductor, “he evi- dently was wounded while endeavoring to save us. There must be some frightful danger ahead. Pick him up, boys: carefully, there; now carry him on board.” Bs There happened to be a good physician on board, and into his hands the conductor commit- ted Nat, and then he called together the coolest heads in the train for a consultation as to wheth- er they should go ahead. When they heard the whole story of how the train, was stopped, it/was held advisable not to roceed until the nature of the danger which eatened them was known. ; The engineer arid fireman acquiesced in this, but nevertheless, the former felt more than half inclined to go ahead. “Bob,” to the fireman, “go ahead with the lantern, and examine the track closely, and “Do you ee know if you see anything like a loose ; CHAPTER XV. BR The fireman did as requested, and having re- SYNDIE’S ESCAPE. 4 ported the track safe for a hundred feet, the en-|_ Rand McCormick was Bi the most great’ gineer slowly advanced that far; the action call- | ly eared person on the face of the globe as he ing to the front, when the train came to a halt | again, the conductor, several brakemen, and a number of sengers. ¢ 4 “Why did you start up?” demanded the con- ctor. ; ; NF ‘Bob's ahead,” was the reply. “He says the bahay ‘ae safe, and I went as far as he had exam- in eect et ; beside Kiinck on that stormy night, and waited for the coming of the horseman,. now The conductor was just framing a reply when he have got his new when none but Con- they all saw Sat tated pk he track ‘and pick | even. knew their destin ‘ion until it was nearly something u bite : reached? i) wee sti They saw him hold it close to the light toex-| This is what puzzled him. ressing the trig? amine it, then heard a low cry of r,and| His finger, which was even | é saw his_ ied arm try to fling away the} ger, was removed, and helet his revolver fall. Rae eee eRe ie rh eae tia ae shouted Klinek. TOS ees gach ae ; Vhat’sthe matter, man?” Rar er En ten Ura Pale Se Rea, 9 RO Ne, hae WOR Ei the doce ain BoM Le
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a3 Ad 26 "ae ek _ *‘He’s an enemy, they’re firing at him; make ready, and shoot when To allay suspicion, ou get a chance.” of the mark. He did the shootin him. “ After him!” shouted Con, and away they dashed after the flying messenger. Rand dismounted, and proceeded to where been carried from his sad- Klinek lay, he havin dle when Nat vaulted over his horse. Rand found him not insensible, but winded so pel by the force of the fall, that he was gasp- or reath. i about five minutes he was himself again, ing n and then with astring of curses so foul that Rand snuffed the air with the expectation of detecting a sulphurous odor, he arose to his feet. Just then he heard a pistol shot. With savage fury he jerked out the words: “T hope that hall ment through his liver!” * And I hope it didn’t,” thought Rand; then said aloud; “I guess they are coming back.” “Sounds like it,” assented Klinck, and inside of a minute Con was beside them. “Did you catch him?” asked Klinck, “ce No.’ “What was thatshot?” ' “He drove his horse on the track and killed him there so as to stop the train.” “This was the signal for another whirlwind of passionate cursing by Klinck. Con had advanced close enough to see Nat shoot the horse, and then the train being already in sight, he knew he could do nothing now to prereset the miscarrying of the plans of Dill, so e wisely turned about and left the proximity of the train. : On the eminence they remained and waited to see what would be done. As the minutes glided by and they saw that the train remained motionless where it had stop- ped, they began to wonder why they did not either go forward or return. Thén vend saw the lantern in the hand of the fireman as he advanced to examine the track. “* He’s looking for torpedoes,” criedCon. “A traitor’s hand is apparent in this,” and turnin around, he said sharply: ‘‘ Was it you, Klinck?” Thus it ever is among such men as they were, they nevor trust each other. “Me?” said Klinck, in an indi; t tone; ‘no, there’s more chance of your being the traitor than me.” Con retorted hotly, and there is no tellin; what might have been the result of the hard ‘ words that followed, had not at that juncture occurred the explosion that cost Bob, the fire- man, his life. : This cut short the angry dispute, and as the saw the train start back to Insbruck they struc spurs into their horses and started for home, The rain was still falling, although not so heavily, and the heavy blackness of the sky was momentarily giving place to a lighter hue. Hea tn began to grow visible, and they could see where they were going. Con looked around on his little band, gave a start, and then came to a halt; one of their number was missing. He ordered a return to the hill where Nat had broken through them, and here he found the missing man. stretched out in death; his horse stood near by, quietly grazing. They fastened the body on the horse and once again started homewa' Several miles had been traversed when they _ came upon the dead body of a horse, and not far off they saw a man stretched on the ground. As they advanced, he raised himself up, and with a faint smile he said: “ Halloo, Con, how are you?” Con looked once, twice, thrice, at the hair red- dened with blood, at the face all covered with blood, except little f washed off here and there by the rain. At last he recognized him. “Jimmy Bolton!” “ Yes. ” “ How came you 80?” , si You saw a fellow on horseback?” Wall, Isaw him, too,” said Bolton, a certain im humor underlying the words. | ; Nat left Bolton for dead; but the villain’s time ad not come, so the bullet, instead of penetrat- _ ing his brain, had glided along the whole length _ of the skull, ripping up the flesh and inflicting a sheets - but not dangerous wound. st ; ; t lelt him unconscious, however, which was broken finally by the rain pattering in his face; ay ee See ie Tit / if hee? ; , WaT. d fired three or four shots after Nat, but took good care to aim wide was the rather mixed-up reply of Bolton. swore it was that Nat take an oath that it couldn’t be him.” with so much show of spirit, that he thoroughly deceived all around the dead man for the den in the mountains. and there crouched with wildly beating heart. while minutes dragged slowly by. tches which had been and each she disappointed as she had fancies. from the pone and a voice asked: “se 2 _ She the raging storm, P \ “Give me your hand. Say no word, make no! night, weary and sore. ; é as THE YOUNG ENGINEER, ‘© Who was the fellow—did you know him?” “‘ Yes—no—that is—I’m danged if I ph hoe Us orwood, only that I can “Why so?” It was Rand who put this question in a sharp, shrili tone. “ Hey?’ and Bolton eyed him fiercely. “Why. . . ? . - did you say? Because he’s dead!” accenting the | don’t be afraid of me; I’m a wicked man, word; ‘friend of ours, maybe?” sneeringly. ‘ » . ? 9 ‘He was,” said avenge his death.” he wes Con coming and greeted them as re- ndise, and you will escape without danger. You corded. couldn’t have had a better time; this storm will obliterate all traces of you.” n At these words, poor Syndie shrank baes, for just then. the thought struck her: “Ts it wise to leave this place and aematle this man? May he not mean me harm? May henot murder me?” 3 evidently penetrated her thoughts, for ho aaidy ‘“Come, miss, we have no time to waste, and but not so bad that I’d harm. the likes of you. No—no! Rand, promptly, “‘and now I| Godforbid! Come!” ‘* Anything—even death—is better than stay- Out came his revolver; ere’a hand could be | ing here to be forced to become the wife of that Again was Bolton’s life spared by Fate. Rand had emptied one revolver of the pair he Suspicion was now aroused, and Rand was disarmed and put under guard. Bolton mounted s horse, and they started slowly | man. Rand was morose and Co and felt angry at having shown his han And another overpowering feeling welled up in his heart, a fearful thirst for revenge on those who had slain his loved companion. raised to stay him, he cocked it and aimed it at| Con,” thought Syndie, and acting on the im- Bolton’s head. pulse of the moment, she gave the man her hand and sprang along by his side. He hurried her through the village, and de- carried; it was this empty one he chanced to| , in halfway: pull out, and so, though the hammer f seended the mountain way; here he halted A ell, Bolton placed in her hands a little bundle of food, and remained unharmed, gave her directions for the remainder of the journey to the railroad. “One thing you must promise me,” said the “ What is it?” “That if by any chance they capture you i io you will not betray me, or say I helped “T never will,” said Syndie, solemnly. “Tl trust you,” hesaid. “ And now have you They reached the den and found it in commo-| anything to protect yourself with?” tion, and upon inquiring what it meant, Con re- ceived the reply: ‘ “The girl has escaped!” The girl! Rand pricked up his ears. CHAPTER XVI. NAT ON HIS PINS AGAIN. ‘Waar girl had escaped? Rand listened with all the ears he had, but his | halt, for she found herself stumbli eagerness betrayed him, for it was noted by Con, | and bushes, and knew that she had lost the who, therefore, immediately ordered two of men to take Rand to the castle, which closer in- spection showed to be a log hut about ten feet) sho sank square; it was intended for the confinement of | afforded her some shelter from the storm. | risoners, and it was strongl . ‘ogs, with no opening in any of its four sides save the single door. Into this he was roughly thrown, and left to | T° ZuDaleAte over his past, present, and possible ‘uture. his built of heavy Meanwhile he heard noise and bustle outside, You will remeniber that she had been cruelly beaten by Bet, and thata man, whose name she did not even know, had escape that very night. Buoyed up by this hope, she meekly bore the | and found her missing; drunken woman’s curses and blows, and inward-| was fairly aroused, and in a p ly Ber oer for the night to come. © t came at last, dark and stormy. promised to help her bi that Syndie was ‘Yes, [ have this knife which I secreted in my dress this afternoon.” . ‘Well, then—good night.” “ Good-night,” said Syndie. “God bless you for being so good to me.” The outlaw was gone; Syndie was alone. She remained in the position in which he left her for some few minutes, and then bidding her heart take comfort, she started forward; but in less than fifteen minutes she was brought to a. amid rocks way. - With a pa at this disheartening discovery own behind a projecting rock, whic Once she essayed to leave her quarters and — find the path, but a fall she received made her turn and seek cover again. One thing that set her heart to trembling was the sound of horses’ feet not very distant, which she rightly judged were those of Con’s party re- and so much of it that he became satisfied that | @7™N&- whoever the girl was, her escape was a matter of some moment. : And now to relate the mode of Syndie’s escape. | resolutely clutching the knife-hilt, “ By daylight the she thought. ‘“ Bu will be searching for me,” — let them come,” she sai o “T defy them Con was wild when he entered the den, to be one; Bet, waking from, er drunken slumber, had looked for Syndie, — she feared Con when he, — ic, she rushed — out doors, and set up a lusty yelling, and having drawn all the men out, they were preparing to She went to bed—if throwing herself down fin | make a search when Con returned. one corner could be spoken of as going to bed—at as earl wake et she pretended to sleep. Bet had got her usual supply of Then she became silent for a few moments,and then a loud snore conveyed to Syndie the infor- mation that she was sleeping. The girl arose and erept to the door of the hut. “Why don’t he come?” she murmured again and again. Cicenibaaily she heard footsteps approaching, en the. passers-by grew less frequent, and | there were longer intervals between them. After a long silence she heard footsteps once more, and to the girl’s intense joy they halted before the door, as th son was listening. and she made out that the per- Then the door was cautiously pushed open ware yourendy?” ponte g along.” ) bi? ih + rar We eae ee >| have found, as once in it, she could not be see neied his, but was as many times| Here she lay during the entire day. ' yped across the threshold and out into trembling He immediately organized half a dozen parties, hour, and though she was painfully! and just as day was breaking, smiling after the storm, they dispersed to hunt the girl. - her 1 ly of whiskey, and | Syndie was up and doing as soon as she could soon she was ina jolly mood, and finally struck ‘see, but had not gone far when she heard the up a song in @ voice,which, from frequent, halts | noise of pursuit. f societies ey Linge yee became thicker, and at las e song died away in a chokin 5 ri gurgle, which represented her ineffectual ate ner ets sa Mae aa Pe tempts at articulation. Like a hunted kare, she looked around for a She espied a cleft between two rocks, the open- ing of which was screened by some bushes. Into this she forced her way, and there cowered, trembling, yet hoping. / Vented A better place of concealment she could ergo Y 4 After — nightfall she ventured out, i d by thirs Luckily, she soon found a little rooklet € at uenched the feeling, for she was driven back by _ the snared, of feet very soon after. | 34 tee So she passed the igh’ where she had theday, — and stayed there alt the next day, not daring to — venture forth. But pe oe again ialling, she de- — termined to make one effort to reach tl and to let nothing deter her. She started out, and after drinking again at — the brook, she stumbled along until shefoundthe — oad, down which she hurried as fast as her — limbs would carry her. ai Cre She reached the foothills some time after nai — e railroad, tn, 4 deg Lie y ¢ ‘ ’ r
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But she pushed on, determined to do or die in the attempt. 4 h * * * * And now let us turn to another scene. Caleb Dill sits in his comfortable armchair en- joying a smoke. The door opens and a rough-looking fellow en- ters, who hands the railroad president a letter, which the latter reads after tearing off its cover- ing. “Dini:—We are in a devil of a stew. The * girl escaped and we cannot find her. It is fear- ed she will reach Insbruck, and if she does—— “Con. The abrupt closing of the letter, that long dash, spoke volumes. - The calm, contented look fied from Dill’s face, and he sprang to his feet with; ‘The devil you say!” “Tf she reaches Insbruck!” His face blanched. ‘*T will go to the mountains myself!” he cried. *‘Gome along,” he said, bruskly, to the messen- ger, and he hurried aboard of a train just about to start, and soon was speeding along through the darkness. And where was Nat and Mr. Hernshaw all this while? Nat concluded his story by showing Mr. Hern- shaw the letter of instructions to Con, written and signed by Dill ‘‘The scoundrel!” hissed Hernshaw. ‘‘I sus- pected as much. Nat—I depend on you—what’s to be done? Shall I have Dill arrested at once?” “No,” was the reply; ‘‘for you_have not evi- dence sufficient to convict him. You had better waita day or two until I get strong enough, then raise a company. I will conduct them to the rendezvous in the mountains; it is not likely you will kill all of the scoundrels; capture some of them, offer them life to testify against that arch- fend, Dill. What say you to this?” “Good!” cried; Hernshaw. ‘I'll follow your advice. ’ll go now and dispatch the construction train, and the morning’s light will find me pre- paring my company,” i Two days pieed. Rta was able to get up, although he still felt weak. | Mr. Hernshaw debated whether to take the sheriff of the county into his confidence. “Don’t do it,” said Nat. ‘Go to Overton, *ather, and raise another company of men.” “T1 do it,” said Hernshaw. A freight train was going westward at 2:30 in the morning, and on the engine of the train Hernshaw decided to go to Overton. They sped onward through’ the night, crossed the spot where the torpedoes had been, in safety, and thence rolled along while day gave warning of its approach. — : A greyish haze overhun; lie Cp ; Objects were visible as through a filmy veil. A sudden scream brought Hernshaw to his feet, and another drew him to the side of the cab. His eyes pierced the mist, and he saw, just aREOE from the bushes into sight, a girlish fig- ‘ure—behind her was a man; a groan fell from his lips; the girl was his child, the man, a mur- derer—his bitterest foe! [ CHAPTER XVII. THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 1 _ then turned his eyes to where he had seen the figures, but found them missing. | “Stop the train!” cried Hernshaw. ‘ Back up- Tacter—there|” and he sprang to the ground. Mena | ‘Bushes and into th m. ‘ , pkey were deserted; he found there not even a But no- : me, ‘ He'das reply vay here and there, in search of put they had vanished as com- though the earth had swallowed them Hernshaw returned to the engine in a brown ady, and tkneing at the engineer, he asked: ace TiK | ; Pais oe ~ 1 . could half raise it, THE YOUNG ENGINEER. “Did you see anything?” J “Yes,” was the reply. “What?” “A mai and a girl.” , “Thank Heaven!” said Hernshaw, and under his breath, added: ‘‘T had begun to think my troubles had turned my brain.” “Well, sir,” said the engineer,.‘‘ what are we todo? Shall we go ahead?” “No, not just yet. You stay by the engine; the fireman, the conductor, and the brakemen will help me beat up those bushes thoroughly. Come along, boys,” and he hurried back again toward the bushes, his mind all the while in a queer conflict. “Td swear that voice and face were Syndie’s, and a how can it be when she was burned to death; and Dank’s—can it be possible I have seen him?” By this time they had reached the bushes, and the men entering, commenced and) finished a thorough search that, however, had no result. Hernshaw was nearly. beside himself, and ig knew whether he stood on his head or eet. ‘What was to be done? He hated to leave the spot, yet well knew that he could do nothing alone, and so saw the prac- tical thing was to hurry on to Overton as fast as possible and then return as quickly. “Tf it was Syndie I saw,” he thought, “she is alive and well now. If they have done her no harm yet, why, should they in the time that I shall be gone? Jumping on the engine, he cried: ‘“‘All aboard!” and then ordered the en send his train through as fast as he coul They reached Overton at about ten o’clock in the morning, and Hernshaw at once telegraphed back to Nat prreet to “Unexpected circumstances makes our attack on the outlaws tonight a necessity; notify the men—you have the list of names—and leave Ins- bruck about dusk. We will meet about a couple of miles west of the watering tank. Letthe mat- ter be conducted with secrecy. “ HERNSHAW.” Nat greeted the receipt of this telegram with marks of joy; for now that he began to feel strong again, he longed to make some move to- ward wiping from existence the nest of vipers in the mountains, \ Taking a horse and carriage he drove around the country village, stopping to see this or that ‘man, and whisper a few words in his ear. Nat looked at the list. Three more yet remained to be notified, and they lived about two miles beyond the outskirts of the town. { At first he half decided not to go to see them, but finally he changed his mind and drove off, saying: “tts best; every man coutitsone. We've been fighting against odds clean through. Let’s see if we can’t change things now.” It was pretty well toward sundown, when hayv- ing notified the last man, he turned his horse’s head in the direction of Insbruck. About half way there he entered a rather gloomy, dark place in the road, caused by a hill rising abruptly on one side, while the other was fringed heavily with large old trees. Pretty nearly through these had Nat gone, when suddenly a pistol shot rang out on the air, and a bullet whizzed past Nat’s head so closely that it cut away a lock of his hair, and caused him in the alarm of the moment to sink down in the buggy with a hoarse cry, This proved a fortunate circumstance, for the would-be assassin, whose revolver was cocked for another shot, thinking his purpose accomplished, jumped forth from his concealment and hastened toward the wagon. Nat comprehended the situation instantly, and with a groan sank down until he was partially screened from view. Then, with sharp, decisive movements, he reached the butt of his revolver, jerked it forth and as the murderer in thought stuck his head. forward to catch a sight of his supposed victim, he was struck aghast by the frowning muzzle of revolver beside his sone, while his own er ver, held at his side in his hand, was of no use, since he could be sent to kingdom come before he “The devil?” gasped Jimmy Bolton, for he it was. ‘ ¥ _‘* Astonished, hey?’ remarked Nat, coolly. “Well, so goes the world. Ah! got your reyol- ver at your side; want to draw a bead on me— don’t you? Now, sir,”—sternly—‘‘ akop your Wee bon rae ground, or I’l) put a bullet through your sky Drop it!” : . ; Uo t < f yi! * Tag 5 27 = Bolton hesitated onty for an instant, for he could not mistake the determination that git. tered in Nat’s blue eyes, which were as hard as adamant in expression, ; Thump! The revolyer dropped. “Now,” said Nat, ‘‘just put your two hands upand walk along beside the wagon, while I drive . out where I can get a better sight of you.” He spoke to the horse, who had stopped Nat, in falling, had pulled upon the reins. The animal started at a slow, measured walk, Nat guiding him with his left hand, and keeping the would-be murderer covered with the revolver in his right. Thus they traversed the few hundred feet which brought them into the greater light of the open road. : ‘* Ah!” cried Nat, as he caught a square look of the villain’s features. ‘“‘I know you; you are James Golden.” Bolton uttered a savage curse, then relapsed into sullen silence. “Foul-hearted monster!” cried Nat; ‘so you sought my life, did you?” Bolton made no reply. “Never mind,” said Nat, “ you’ get your deserts hig Come, get into the wagon,’ And Nat forced him to get into the wagon, and to occupy both hands in driving back to Insbruck, while he, meanwhile, kept watch over him, prepared to shoot at the first sign of resist- ance or attempted escape. They reached Insbruck, and Nat had him committed to the jail there on a charge of at- tempt at murder. As Bolton was forced into his cell he com- menced cursing furiously, and somehow the tones of the voice struck Nat as familiar. He stopped short, looked fixedly at the pris- oner a minute, then said: ‘“You are the fellow whom I have heard called Jimmy Bolton. You helped throw me in the old well, and you shot at me the other nite when I saved the train. I thought I had killed you, but it seems not; however,” shrug- when ! wounded as might w hours rest served ging his shoulders, ‘‘ you’re only reserved for a more pie ag Macy gallows.” ~ And with this parting shot at the raging vil- lain, Nat left. . The train was ready when he reached the de pot, and most of the men who were to help extirpate the gang of wretches, were gathered. Those who were, behind time soon made their appearance, then ‘‘all aboard,” was the cry, and a few minutes later they were speeding away on their mission of vangeance. ; And how went things in the camp of the out aws? As has been recorded, Caieb Dill was greatly excited over the news of the escape of Syndie Hernshaw, and with curses the most foul on his lips, he started for the mountain retreat of that crowd of vultures, to help recover, if possible, the escaped captive. ; ogee aad much of interest had transpired ere. Bolton was not so badl have been expected, and a te to put him on his feet again. uring this time he had been busy in thought, and finaly broaching the subject which had oc- cupied his attention, to Con, he said: “Con, do you think there’s a possible chance that the young fellow we threw in the well, could have possibly escaped?” At the question Cor started back as if stag~ gered, and then he cried, eg “He has—he did escape. Why, he was the very fellow who captured me; I never saw hint before in the light, so I didn’t know him.” Bolton groaned out: / “Then my cake is all dough.” | “Why did you ask that?” said Con. “Because I had an idea that the fellow who shot me last night was this very Nat Nor- wood.” : : Con ripped out an oath, and added: “Then we must be careful, for with that fel- low around loose, it'll breed mischief for us.” = And then with mind sorely troubled, Con turn- ed his attention to the search for Syndie, while Bolton was lost in his own soomyy ections for several days, during which his wound healed up; by this time he had decided _on a course to ‘pursue, and had hurried off to Insbruck, where, to his joy, he found that Nat Norwood was stay- ing. jt) otis, i fie watched around until he saw Nat go omk — in the wagon, followed him asfar as the place in the road, where he crouched to await iis return. | ; pe It will be remembered that Syntic, after — ‘spending Several days of agonizing fear in close Jape
Page 28
28 + a ‘3 ‘ THE YOUNG ENGINEER. skeen to the wandering parties in search of er,determined to make one'supreme effort to es- cape. We followed her for awhile after she quitted her place of concealment, and we take up the thread of the gga of her flight, just as, by the Jight of breaking day, her strained eyes. catch sight of the far away, long. black line, which she knows to be the railroad track. With a ery of joy she hurried onward, and was within half a mile of it, when suddenly she came face to face with Caleb Dill, who, haying jeft the train by which he h come from Greenburgh, had gotten just thus far on his journey. “ Ha—ha—ha?’ laughed Dill, in glee. ‘‘ This is lucky ; stumbled a her the very first thing,” and with open arms he advanced toward Syndie, who, at first stopping short and panting hard at the unexpected discovery, then turned and fled, with Dill in close pursuit. ‘ The frightened girl fairly flew over the ground, and turning into,the bushes, doubled, and start- ed wildly down the mountain, and across the brush-dotted foothills toward the track. She kept ahead, though she could not help knowing that she was losing ground. Once she was going to stop, when her soul was cheered by the sound of a coming train. With a new vigor and strength she sped along; the train came nearer, but a fringe of bushes separated her from the track; but her pursuer was close hehind. The train was ing, Dill was buta few feet far Rendle tiviengtocward. te rt of h yndie sprang forwar e upper part of her body already projected from the bushes when she was seized; she uttered shrill cries for help, saw that they were noticed, struggled to break away, but like a poor bird caught in the fowler’s snare, she was dragged back and hurried away. , Again fortune or the devil favored Dill, for several of the “mountain men” met him as he was hurrying toward the hills; picking up the strugg! ing girl, they carried her ily onward, _ stopping her eries by stuffing a handkerchief in her mouth, and when Hernshaw was searching, they were far away from the spot. A couple of hours later Syndie was in her old quarters, once more a prisoner. > Great was the rejoicing among the outlaws when Syndie was brought back, for they had been conjuring up all sorts of fears that Would follow on her arrival among her friends. Dill was more than pleased, for he now con- sidered himself safe. ‘ To be sure, he and the girlhad been seen b some one on the train; but then they would hardly dare enter the mountains. So he reasoned. And felt safe. But his heart would surely have thrilled with another feeling had he known that he had been, geen by Alexander Hernshaw. : ; Providentially, Hernshaw had not been recog- nized by either his daughter or Caleb Dill, the latter being too intent on capturing the girl to more than notice the figure of a man spring to the cab window. Dill, before this, had held aloof from the mountain den, and now gave Con the word not to betray his identity, at the same time intimat- ing his intention of remaining there until the next day. “Where is Bolton?” he asked. **Gone to Insbruck.” “What for?” : “To wipe out Nat Norwood.” “T thought you killed him?” } Con undeceived Dill, who is bass pve | “The devil! I’m afraid Bolton’s got his hands fall. I hope he don’t get into any trouble; but I - dohope he cuts that fellow’s throat!” _ So do I!” said Con, earnestly; “for if he _ don’t, there’s no telli what may happen. The fellow’s been here. “ig: t in the village; knowing the ground, he migh bring a troop of fellows down on us of a sudden.” : ** He could hardly do that without my know- ing it beforehand. I’ve got the sheriffs in my pay, and they’d let me know.” . _ (sic ‘Tf they were consulted,” added Con. “ That Nat’sa s oe ea and he wouldn’t let any news of that kind fly around loose, you bet.” _ This conversation but augmented the fears of each, ry pen aaa soon in a condition to fancy Pe be the attackers were upon them, : } lucking up courage, however, after a while, ‘Dill said: __ “Pshaw! We've got nothing to fear, anyhow, _ for we'd have the advantage of them ever} yey there. It would be for then A fight Karate’ ‘orl ‘ _ which they couldn’t master.” LRP Sy, ‘ jon shrugged his shoulders, but made no reply. is whey ae one Iie PH aan 2 Dinner over, Dill and Con retired to an empty hut, and here, with a bottle of whiskey between them, began hatching up some fresh deviltry against the I. & O. R. R. . They satdevising and planning until darkness had settled o’er the face of the earth, and then, leaving the place, they got some supper. To-night,” said Con, “ is our regular month- ly meeting night to give each man his share of plunder. ; ‘You'll come and look on, of course?” ‘ Y 7 The meeting was held outdoors, and Con, mounted on a rock, which elevated him a few feet above the heads of the others, made a speech. The scene was lighted up by a multitude of lan- Waaly bee ARE 4 terns, by means of which Con distributed the parcels which had been made. This sort of business was usually followed by a general debauch, and this time was no excep- tion. CHAPTER XVIII. CONCLUSION. | Wiruin fifteen minutes after the completion of the distribution, every man of that hyena pack was engaged in iz eae Those who had fared well in the distribution, which was by lot, drank for joy, while those who fared ill drank to drown their disappointment. The women joined in the orgie with much gusto, swore as loudly, talked as foully, and rank as deeply as the men. Of all in that bowl-shaped valley but four per- sons retained clear heads. Two of these were the captives, Syndie and Rand, and the others, Dill and Con, the latter of whom, however, was more so from compulsion than choice, for he longed to be in the midst of Mine night gressed, and the outla The night pro; » an e outlaws grew frenzied ith drink. At length Dill professed himself tired, and Ss to be shown to the place where he was to sleep. Gon did. so with considerable alacrity, for his heart was with the merry-makers, with whom he soon was. : And right royally did he sail in, as if anxious to make up for lost time. Rand lay in the hut into which he had been thrown, and listening to the noise of the drunken crowd, inwardly chafed and fretted with the desire for freedom. He was bound tightly, hand and foot, and lying flat on his back. ; “Tf I could only get rid of these cursed bonds,” he muttered,-“T’d be all Aka If I had my hands free, ’@ stake my life on getting out of this place in an hour.” Restless and nervous, and growing more so every minute, Rand commenced rolling labor- iously around the floor, without ager any particular reason for so doing; yet, althoug: this rolling around was an aimless proceeding, it resulted well, for Rand’s back struck upon a sharp ridge where a stone projected above the floor of earth. _ At first it only drew outa cry of pain, but soon it was followed by a joyous exclamation. He had found a use for the sharp-edged stone. _ Turning on his back so as to bring the stone just beneath the bond on his wrist, he com- menced sawing away. It was discouraging; for he could not see the Ss ee of his work, and at the expiration of alf an hour’s hard labor, was apparently as firmly bound as ever. ' f During all this time he could plainly hear the shouts of the revelers, who were gathered less than a hundred feet from the hut in which he was confined. ‘ ° The orgie reached its height at the midnight hour, and then Rand could hear little knots of rum-crazed individuals staggering toward his or her particular hole. 5 . And then—“ glory!” he cried; the bonds snap- ped asunder, his hands were free. ) For a minute or two he rubbed them ther to restore circulation, and then he unfastened his feet. Be aitet 01k Lt Rising to an oat aie m, he now com- meneced reconnoitering the interior of his pris- ‘ing yhole weight against it, he epre up all idea of éscap’ ; bent his G tion Then he thought of the roof, and cl in ti of the sides of logs. — ve it but after a few minutes’ examina’ ty : ‘ =, ay. emit Yh “o on. He examined the door, and after testing its etbengtth by beari wh ib at way, and ular attention to an examin: Here in he was" iJ tbed up to| “Great God, t _ drop. ar to the floor, convinced that escape did not lay in that direction. { ‘ here was but one course left—that of bur- rowing out a passage from the inside under the wall to the outside. This resolved upon, he commenced work im- mediately, and urged on by an indomitable will, he made rapid progress. About half the short passage had been com~ pleted, when he was astounded by hearing a hos outcry, followed by the rapid discharge of re-arms, What could it mean? He paused, and listened. j The cries grew louder and shriller, and their accent—which could not be mistaken—was that of terror. Then he heard Con’s voice rise clear and loud; ‘At them, curse you all! At them—shoot down the villains! Fight—and remember there’s a gallows and a halter for all that’s caught!” A wild cheer—a savage growl—a returning yell of defiance—the infernal din of musketry. Rand knew it all, they had been hunted out, and were now cornered by aroused vengeance. “Oh!” groaned Rand, ‘‘ that 1 should be shut up here when I may be needed out there!” and then dropping on his knees, he commenced work- ing like a steam engine. es, the avenging hand had fallen. Nat and his party had been gathered at the place! of meeting but a few minutes, when the train from Overton came steaming up. { The two parties joined, and under the leader- ship of Nat, s for the moutains. Tt was a long and tiresome walk, but actuated — by such a motive as they had, the men would | wiley have doubled the distance and doubled __ im. _ Nat struck the mountain road and commenced its ascent. : Not any ee well acquainted with the way, he a is upward course carefully, until at last he gained the mouth of the valley; here he had expected to be challenged, but found this was not so, and was ee hag at the good fortune which had enabled them to penetrate to the en- © emy’s door without being discovered. He could hear wild, maudlin shouting and songs, and tegen 9 at the truth, he bade the men stay behind while he advanced and learned the state of affairs. t Nat was. overjoyed to see victory so ready to perch on their banners, and returniag, he caused the party to spread out until the whole valley was encircled. Then, at a shrill whistle, with steady pace, rifles and revolvers well in hand, and knives handy, they advanced upon the huts. ' A quartette of drunken outlaws were the first to discover the line advancing, and uttering shouts of alarm and warning, they pulled their ever ready revolvers and fired. “ Fire!” cried Nat,who saw the affair. “Shoot down the dogs, show them no quarter!” ‘The avenging band obeyed literally, and the _ four men fell beneath a volley, their bodies transformed into very sieves by the bullets which passed through them. } 3 The drunken outlaws, suddenly awakened from the stupefaction following such heavy potations as theirs had been, tumbled from their beds, and _ dicly, aware that they were called on to fight, clutched revolvers and knives and, reeled out- — doors. Con was amon: yet laid down, an urged the outlaws heard by Rand: 2 “Close in!” cried Nat. ‘‘Now—steady—so— _ charge!” : ON And then, in the twinkling of an eye, the hor-_ rid combat was raging with fury wild, Caleb Dill, too, was there! At the first noise he was on his feet, and ere the second volley was fired he was outdoors, and when Con urged the attack he rushed into the fray. Firearms all discharged, it became a hand to hand confiict, and roan every quarter came the & curses and groans of the wounded and dying. ones And then the turnings of the fight brought face to face two men—Hernshaw and Dill. Wa Their identity was disclosed by the sudden blakinns up of one of the huts which had caught — re. cis Shee “ Ah-ha!” cried Mr. Hernshaw. “Villain, I~ know you!” A von pre ae “ And Iknow you!” said Dill. Yet ‘A sudden cry of surprise sounded in Alexande ws and then he heard the words: — hat’s Caleb Dill, the president of ‘the Greenburgh road!” ; ‘ Pi f #5 i, ase Me ge: SEY SA ALR cok ae YO hen the first outside, not having ei essing the whole truth, he the attack with the words »
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i ig : t A sudden light of intelligence shot across the features of Hernshaw, and he cried: 3 “Haha! Danks, the murderer, isCaleb Dill. T understand now this hellish business. Die, vil- lan!” and Mr. Hernshaw fe forward and made a lunge at Danks, or Dill,which, had it fell where it was aimed, must have cut short his mortal career. But Danks avoided the stroke, and made his knife flash as he made pass after at Hern- shaw, who steadily forced him back until at last Danks kicked open the door of the hut he had backed inst, and disap; ed from sight. Others had witnessed the progress of the fight, and one man was no° long in applying a torchto the hut, which, dry as tinder, blazed up imme- tely. "i Bie, waited at the door until the villain should ¥ be driven forth. The flames mountéd higher, and spread around until the whole hut nearly was enveloped. : Then from the interior went up a wild, terri- } ’ fied scream, in a female voice. The avengers were aghast. \ A minute more, and Danks appeared throug the door, holding in his arms the struggling form of Syndie Hernshaw. ernshaw sprang forward. | “Ha—ha!” screamed Danks. ‘Now shoot— shoot—why don’t you shoot?? And he leered at those who, with cocked revolvers, had stood ' ,- “Back!” cried Danks, ‘‘ back! One step near- er, and a her among the flames.” f » _Hernshalw stopped short. ready to shoot him down, A minute—two—three passed, and then Danks “ Syndie!” cried the agonized father. _ “Papa!” she called back, in tones of joy, for to back away from the burning hut, keep- ing Syndie in front of him. : his presence seemed to her to secure her safety. i hen so far distant that no danger could be erson, dealers Is ostage free, upon receipt of the ublisher, Bho j and conundrums with key to same. newsdealers, New York. P.O. Box 2730. _ Making Magic Toys and devices of man; Dae ully illustrated. 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For sale by all or sent, post-paid, upon receipt of the dress Frank Tousey, Publisher, 34 and 36 North | HOW TO MAKE MAGIC paar acs f q inds, For sale by all news- dealers, or pr pneetipald by mail, upon receipt of fl Xa. ublisher, 34 and 36 North Moore Street, j HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS—Containin complete in- Fully illustrated. Price 10 cents, For sale by all pestage Address Frank Tousey, Pu New York, P. O. Box 2720, TAIN AN EVENING PARTY is the title of a very value able little book just publichon A complete compendium of game, comic recreations, etc., suitable for parlor or _It contains more for the money than all newsdealers, or send 10 cents to North Moore street, New York, A complete hand-book for making all kinds | THE YOUNG ENGINEER. apprehended from the fire, Hernshaw sprang for- ward, but recoiled when, with a fiendish cry of exultation, Danks brandished aloft a glittering knife. “And then the face of affairs was suddenly changed. A few feet back of Danks was the hut in which dwasconfined. He burst his cover just then, crawled up from the hole in the earth, saw Danks, picked up a stone, raised it on high, and_bring- ing it down on the villain’s head, felled him to the ground, The next moment father and daughter were in each others arms, while Danks, who had strug- led to his feet, was shot down like adog, a fate ie richly deserved. We need add but little more concerning the doings of the band of avengers. They had fought indeed “against odds” so far as numbers went, but had come off vic- torious. : Whe the fight was over, only eight of the out- laws remained alive, the rest being either dead or dying. These eight, of whom Con formed one, were Nahe short shrift on neighboring trees, and then the huts were all fired. The Man Ser were lenient toward the women, and when they were driven forth by the flames, let them fly whither they would. Of those in a dying condition, Danks alone was conveyed to Insbruck, where he made restitution of interests in the G.& O. R. R., of which he had come into possession by the foulest treachery. His bitterness toward Mr. Hernshaw arose in the fact that he had been the means of _convict- ing him of murder in years gone by, D: es- caping the gallows by breaking jail. The subsequent life of Danks, or Dill, as he chose to call himself, we already know enough of, and will say no more, : ‘ aed By A. And- ousey, Full rice, Ad- oore St., g full directions for By A. Ander rice, Ad- \ stre! troupe, ricks, By A. | free, upon re- lisher, 834 & 36 North book, receipt of North Moo: \ boy should midi } newsdealers in the your address on re rtment of Stump Speeches, Negro, Duteh and Iris. en’s Jokes. “Just the thing for home amusement Price 10 cents, For sale ddress on receipt of price, by F ; I York. yy des by all newsdeulers, or ran . TAE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL | Something new and very instructive. Every boy should obtain this ' book, as it contains full nited States and Oanada, or we will send oe J ipt of the price, [ and 86 North Moore street, New York, Box 2780, wood Anuncle, wealthy, had intended making Bol- ton his heir, but Bolton’s rascalities coming to light, he had disinherited him, and made a will in hae of Nat Norwood, provided, as the will read: ““That the said Nat Norwood shall, at the of twenty-one, bear a character unim) ble as to honesty and integrity,” the old gentleman being evidently afraid to trust any one after hav- ing been so deceived in Bolton, or more properly ie h the li is personage escaped with the light sentence of twenty years in to a term whieh he never lived to see finis for he died while serving out his sentence. It was this provision of his uncle’s will that had age ed Nat to work for a living, although a ric rospectively. Nat eon tie pagel birthday shortly after- ward, and his charactar being unimpeachable, he had no trouble in assuming control of the legacy. And Syndie Hernshaw? | It is perhaps superfluous to say that it was not many months after ere Nat took the fair girl by the hand and led her to the hymeneal altar, or that Nat, the ‘“‘ Young Engineer,” became the general manager of the I. & O, R. R. And Rand? ‘ > Could Nat ever forget his generous, heartfelt devotion? ; No; but keeping his heart warm toward his fireman of old, he advanced him in position rap- idly. Gena owns @ pretty house and grounds in Ins- bruck, has a handsome wife and lovely children; money flows in upon him, good luck atten his doings, and he declares it is all due to the— Youne ENGINEER. (THE END.] Useful and Instructive Books. HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN.—Containing full instructions for constructing a window garden either in town or country, and most approved methods for raising beautiful flowers at home, The most zomplete bucs of the kind ever published. Price 10 cents, For sale by all newsdeslers in the United States and Canada, or Sent to your address, postage free, on receipt of price, Address Frank Tousey, pubiisher, 34 and Box 2730 36 North Moore Street, New York. HOW TO DO ELECTRICAL TRICKS.—Containing a large col- lection of instructive and ether with illustrations, ‘or sale by all newsdealers, or sent, post-paid, the price. Addres Frank Tousey, ny Moore St., New York. P. O. Box'2730, amusing electrical tricks, to- Anderson. Price 10 cents. Epes receipt of & 36 North highl By A. ublisher, GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK. instructions for organizing an amateur min- and will cost you but 10 cents, For sale by all news- dealers in the United States‘or Oanada, or sent to any address, age free, on receipt of price. Address Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 and 36 North Moore Street, New York, Box 2780. ; port. f { HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.—Oontaining full instructions for all © _ kinds of gymnastic sports and athletic exercises, Embracing thirty- five illustrations, By Professor W. Macdonald. A handy and useful . briee 10 cents. For sale by every newsdealer in the United States and Canada, or will be sent to your address, p 6 price. Address Frank Tousey, publisher, Street. New York. ‘ ; ost paid, on 3 and 36 Box 2730. E =} HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD » BOAT.—Fully illustrated. Every know how to row and f c given in this little book, together with instructions on swimmi , companion Cat to boating. sail a boat. Full instructions are and_ Price 10 cents. For sale by al ” Frank Tousey, publisher, 4 ‘i } ic) ’ over © 1e hun. chemicals, By ts. For of price Sr eS Bolton proved to be a cousin of Nat Nor- Ss. ds all” \ H ae, q ies Ca, Po
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ae rank fousey’s Hand Books. Containing Useful Information on Almost Every Subject Under the Sun. Price 10 Cents Per Copy. . No. t. Napoleon’s Oraculum and Dream Book, Containing the great oracle of human destiny; also the true meaning of almost any kind of dreanis, together with charms, ceremonies, and curious games of cards. A com- plete book, Price 10 cents. No. 2, HOW TO DO. TRICKS. The grent book of magic and card tricks, containing full instruction of all the LA eard tricks of the day, also the most popular magicul illusions as performed by our ading magicians; every boy sbould obtain a copy, as it j will both amuse and instruct. Price 10 cents. MOQ. 3 HOW TO FLIRT. The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by tni- little book. Besides the various methods of handkerchief. fan, Fiore. pata window and hat flirtations, it contains afull list of the language and sentiment of flowers, which is interesting to everybody, both old and oung. You can- not be happy without one. H bt Price 10 cents. 5 No. 4 A HOW TO DANCE Js tho title of a new and handsome little bool just issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instructions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, how to dress, and full directions for calling off in all popular siuare dances. ‘I'he price is 10 cents. No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVES A complete guide to love, courtship and marriage, givin B®ensible advice, rules and. etiquette to be observed, Wit! many curious and interesting things not generally known, Prtce 10 cents, No. 6. , HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE. Giving full instruction for the use of dumb-bells, Indian siubs, parallel bars, horizontal bars and various otber methods of developing a good healthy muscle; containi evor sixty illustrations. very boy can become strong anc healthy by following the instructions contained in thi Bittle book. Price 10 cents. No.7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS. Handsomely illustrated, and contait.ing full instructions for the management and training of the canary, mocking- lh Oe , blackbird, paroquet, parrot, etc., etc. Price cents. HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST. A useful and instructive book, giving a complete treatise on chemistry; also, experiments in acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and directions for making fire- works, colored fires, and gas balloons. be equaled. Price 10 cents. This book cannot No. F HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST. B rry Kénnedy. The socret given away, Every intelli- gent boy ending tois book of instructions, by a practical rofessor (delight Norful imitations), can master the art, and create any amount of fun for himself and friends. It is the greatest book ever published, and there’s millions (of fun) in it, Price 10 cents. { ——— : No. 10. HOW TO BOX. The art of self-defense made easy. Containing over thirty M@lustrations of guards, blows and the different positions of ® good boxer. fiver; boy should obtain one of these useful and instructive books, as it will teach you how to box with- out aninstractor. Price 10 cents. é _ “No. 11. ; HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS. A most complete little book, containing full directions for i love-letters, and when to use them; also giving pi letters for both young and old. Price 10 cents, No. (2. scl HOW 'TO WRITE LETTERS TO LADIES. ivi lete instructi for writing letters to ladies Saunton: , faligs Tettens of tatrod uation, notes and re- quests. Price 10 cents. z 1 og. aE RAN GAGES ELT [RCT ae ee > = ——— oe Bee wr WEES me orn No. (3. f How to Do It; or, Book of Etiquette. Bel atte eee 3 ona ae ZOO as happiness init. ss No. 14. ey HOW TO MAKE CANDY. , plete hand-book for making all kinds of candy, nbs ig essences, etc., otc, Price 10 conts. : For sale by all newsdealers, aor Nee, * ing multitndes every night with his won- | Z i¢e- No. (5. HOW TO BECOME RICH. This wonderful book presents you with the example and _ life experience of some of the most noted and wealthy men in the world, including the self-made men of our country. The book is edited by one of the most successful men of the present age, whose own example is in itself guide enough for those who aspire to fame and money, The book will give you the secret. Price 10 cents. HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN. Conssiiing. full instructions for constructing a window garden either in town ¢r country, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful flowers at home. ‘fe most complete book of the kind ever published. Price 10 cents. No. 17. a0) HOW 'l0 DRESS. Containing full instruction in the art of dressing aud ap- pearing well at home and abroad, giving the selections of colors, material, und how to have them made up. Price 10 cents. f ERE Ee aR a A a SB eek No. (8. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL. One of the brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the world. EKverybody wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male and female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. vinced how to become beautiful. NO. 19. FRANK TOUSEY’S United States Distance Tables, Pocket Com- panion and Guide. Giving [the official distances on all the railroads ot the United States and Canada. Also, table of distances by water to foreign ports, hack fares in the principal cities reports of the census, ete., etc., making it one of the most complete and handy ‘books published. Price 10 cents. Price 10 cents. No. 20. ‘ How to Entertain an Evening Party. A very valuable little book just published. A complete compendium of games, sports, card-diversions, comic recreations, etc., suituble for parlor or drawing-room en- tertainment. It contains more for the money than any book published. Price 10 cents. { No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH. The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever pub- lished. It contains full instructions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trsppia and fishing, together with descrip- tions of game and fish. Price 10 cents. No. 22, HOW T0 DO SECOND SIGHT. Heller's second oe t explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. laining how the secret dialogues were carried on between the magician and the boy on the stage; also giving all the codes and signals. ‘I'he only authentic explanation of second sight, rice 10 cents. - wt No. 23. s HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS. Everybody dreams, from the little child to the aged man and woman. ‘This little book gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky aud unlucky days and ‘ Napoleon's Oraculum,”’ the book of fate. Price cents ; HOW TO WRITE LinTERS TO GENTLE- Containing full directions for writing subjects; also giving sample letters 10 cents. to gentlemen on all rinstruction. Price —< / No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST. Containing full instructions for all kinds of gymnastic letic exercises. Embracing thirty-five i pay ae Paeg ae W. Macdonald. yore Apr ful book. Price 10 cents. _ No. 26. * HOW TO ROW, SALL AND BULLD A BO. aah ete instructions are given in this little book, pe her with instructions om swimming and ri n- panion sports to boating. “rice 10 cents. 4. No. 27." A ; HOW TO RECILE AND BOOK OF RECI- ' — TATIONS. T. Containing the most popular selections in use, comprising | Daten die ect, Frenc: rraialset, Yankee and Irish dialect pieces, together with many standard readings. Price 10 cents, i iN or sent, post-paid, upon receipt of price. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 34 & 36 2 = No. 28. HOW TO 'TELL FORTUNES. Every one is desirous of knowing what his future life wil! bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or pow erty. You can tell by a glance at this little book. Bay one and be convinced. ‘Tell your own fortune, Tell the forte unes of your friends. Price 10 cents. No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR. Every boy should know how inventions originate. This book explains them all, giving examples im electricity, by- draulics, magnetism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics, ete., ete? ‘Ihe meet instructive book published. Price 10 cents. — No. 320. HOW TO COOK. One of the most instructive books on cooking ever put-~ lished. It contains recipes for cooking meats, fish, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of bashy anda srend collection of recipes by one of our mos* Read this book and be con-. Every boy should know how to row and ‘ing, Ccom- popular cooks. inly 10 cents per copy. No. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER. Containing fourteen illustrations, giving the different po~ sitions requisite to become a good speaker, reader and slocutionist. Also containing gems from all the popular authors of prose and poetry, drranged in the most simple and concise manner possible. Price 10 cents. No. 32. . HOW TO RIDE A BICYCLE. Handsomoly illustrated, and containing full directions f Tpoanting; zaciog and managing a, bicycle, fully explained with practical illustrations; also directions for picking out amachine. Price 10 cents, No. 33. HOW TO BEHAVE. Containing the rules and etiquette of good society and the easiest and most approved methods of appearing to good advantage at parties, balls, the theater, church, and in the drawing room. Price 10 cents. No. 34. om HOW ''0 FENCE. Containing full instruction for fencing and the use of the broadsword; also instruction in archery. Described with twenty-one practical illustrations, giving the best positions ; in fencing. A complete book. Price 10 cents, No. 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES. A complete and useful little book, containing the rules and regulations of billiards, bagatelle, backgammon, cro« ‘ quet, dominoes, etc. Price 10 cents. j te No. 36. t HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS. Containing all the leading conyndrums of the day, amusing riddles, curions catches and witty sayings. Pric3 10 cents, No. 37. HOW TO KEEP HOUSE, It contains information for everybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to make almost anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, brackets, — cements, wolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds. — Price 10 cents. No. 38. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR. A wonderful book, containing usefol and practical infor- mation in the treatment of ordinary diseases and ailments common to every family, Abounding in useful and effect= ive recipes for general complaints Price 10 cents. ry —_——— : ‘No. 39. 3 How to Raise Dogs, Poultry, Pigeons and | MA ee Coe A usefnl and instructive book. Handsomoely illustrated. By Ira Drofraw. Price 10 cents. ; No. 40. ; HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS. - Including hints on how to catch Moles, Weasels, Otter, Rats, Baaicrels and Birds. Alse how to cure S a Oo. Dloualy illustrated. By J, Harrington Keene. cents, {i No. 41. bese The Boys of New York End Men’s Joke Bo Containing a great variety of the latest Roost used by st f a j minstrels is moe ames ead men, ig aaiery eaetseseceme y York Stump Speakers it North Moore Street, New Yo ra
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FRANK TOUSEY’S HAND BOOKS. No. 52. 59. 66. HOW TO PLAY CARDS. HOW TO MAKE A MAGIC LANTERN. How To Do Puzzles. j dy little 50k, giving the rules and ful} | Containing a description of the lantern, together with its! Oontaining over 300 interesting puzzles and comun: iotigue for pinging, Ruchre, Cribbage, Cassino, Forty- | history and invention, Also full directions for ite use and | yi¢h key to same.) “A complete book... Bully Fierro 8 ve, Rounce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auction Pitch, | 1f painting slides. Handsomely illustrated, by John | py'4 “Anderson. Price 10 conte. Nl tours, and many other popular games of cards, Price See ea I, aoe 60. 87. No. 53 HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER, How To Do Electrical Tricks. ° @ jontaining useful information regarding the Camera, an, Oontaining s large collection of instructive and high! HOW TO WRITE LETTERS, ROR oir se poe Le ea hie nae pee acer ee pone comet with illustrations. <4 , “A wonderful little book, telling you how to write to your | illustrated. By Captain W. De W. Abney. Price 10 cents. | erson, ice 10 cents, ; Sweetheart, your father, mother, sister, brother, employer; Bad, in fack, everybody and anybody on via ee ad rT To Do Che 5 oung man and every youn . are arsine Wee alaanees HOW TO BECOME A BOWLER. fn ee wad A complete manual of bowling. Containing full instruc- i A a : N 54, tions the pleying all the standard erotica and German | Sttuctive tricks ie Hee By A. Anderson. = bdelincdild ames; together with rules and systems of sporting in use | 0mely illustrated, Ge 10 cents. AND MANAGE PETS. fy the principal bowling clubs in the United States. By Bartholomew Batterson. Price 10 cents. 6d. “et raising, keeping, taming, breeding and managing al) 62 How To Do Sleight of Hand. { Inds of pets; also giving full instructions for making . Hy, A ; A ® sys, Containi fifty of th it : Fea ey ena es Le tae Lind ctor suo: | How to Become a West Point Military Cadet. | py magicians, Also Coutaiuiog tke secret of meocud sighs Jontaining full explanations how to gain admittance, | Fully illustrated. By A. Anderson, Price 10 cents. dished. Price 10 cents, course of ‘Smuay, Wi earainerions, Duties, Staff of officers 4 y, i Post Guard, Police Regulations, Fire Department, and all HOW TO KEEP Giving complete information as to the manner and methu. i Hy my ; No. 55 2 boy should Sao we a nici Somes and wethel ee 70. “ e 2 4. , Author oe ae HOW 10 COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS. | det" Priced coms” OS" NNN SUN How to Make Magic Toys. ~Oontaining valuable information regarding the collecting vices of inany kinds. By A. Anderson. Fally | ining | : g ; : . Fully Wustee and urranging of stamps and coine, Handsomely Illus Price 10 cents, For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, pos y Containing full directions for making Magic To: citrated, 63, trated, Prico 10 cents. : HOW TO BECOME A NAVAL CADET, paid, by mail, upon receipt of price. Oomplete instructiona of how to gain admission to the Annapolis Nayal Academy. Also containing the course of vil No. 56. instructions, descriptions of grounds and buildings his- . cone OW, 19 BECOME AN ENGINEER. | cola oftieer in the United Kates Navy. Compiled and How to Do Mechanical Tricks, lontaining full instructions bow to proceed in order to be- | written By Lu. Senarens, Author of “How to Become a] Containing complete instructions for performing over aim Some a locomotive engineer; also directions for building & | Wont Point Military Cadet.” Price 10 cents, ty Mechanical Tricks. By A. anaes Tally illuatents “model locomotive; together with a full description of every- thing an engineer should know. Price 10 cents. ed. Price 10 cents, For sale by all newsdealers, or we 64. send it by mail, postage free, upon receipt of the p: No. 57s. How to Make Electrical Machines. 72, : = ling full directi f ical Machi 9 * ‘HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, | Goptssize fllaistions fon mating BleariceiMechines,| How to Do Sixty Tricks With Cards. directions how to make a Banjo. Violin, Zither, | worked By, electricity, By R.A. R. Bennett. Fully illus- Embracing all ofthe latest and mont deceptive card tricks Man: Harp, Xylophone and ether musical instrumentes | trated. Pica 10 cents, with illustrations. By A. Anderson. Price 10 cents, % ether with a brief description of nearly ever. musical peters used in ancient or modern times. Drohinely * | salo by all newsdealers, or we will send it to you by mail, Mlustrated. By Algernon S. Witzgorald, for 20 years band= 65. postage free, upon receipt of price. “msater of the Royal Bengal Marines. Price 10 cents, Muldoon’s Jokes. be. a one of a most, original joke nonke Ala PRL AUSoe 73. “ ; an is brimful of wit a: amor. It contains a large . ° . collection of songs, Jolen:. conusidl Fons; etc., of Terence How to Do Tr ‘icks With Numbers. : HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE. Muldoon, the great wit, humorist, and Rrapticalioker te the Showing many curious tricks with figures and the mi wy Old King Brady, the world known detective. Yn which | day. We offer this amusing book, toget er with the picture | ic of numbers. By A. Anderson, cay Ulustrat ‘Re lays down some valuable ‘and sensible rules for begin- | of “Muldoon,” for the small sum of 10 cents, Every boy | Price 10 cents. For sale by all newsdealers in the Uni ‘Kern, and also relates some adventures and experiences of | who can enjoy a good substantial joke should obtain a copy | States. or we will send it to you by mail, postage free Well-known detectives. Pricel) cents. immdiately, upon receipt of the price. ‘ Funny Stories by the Great “Bricktop.” ‘Handsome Lithograph Covers in Colors. ‘Stories Fully Hlustrated by Worth. Each Story Complete. Price 10 Cents Each. : hoy Mulligan’s Boarding-House. | 14 Dodging a Creditor. 2 To Europe by Mistake. 15 My Wife’s Mother. Z _ 3 Joining the Freemasons. | 16 Going to the Country. eo re aes 17 A Quiet Fourth of Jul if 4 3 Ve | ‘e ail sae ati Store. 18 Where Are You Going ? -] Mrs. Brown’s Boarding-House. | 19 That Parrot Next Door. 3 8 Henpecked. _ | 20 Our Baby. | : 3 9 Columbus, the Discoverer, _— | 21 Good Templars Exposed. — | a ves choix’ one Duke Raghag | 9° our Boarding-School. _ | 4 oe ote toch : nai sath ti 23 The Troubles of Mr. and Mrs. Hunting for a Wife. ns cba a oe 3 Mrs. Snoodle’s Curtain Lect-| 24 Mrs. Blinker’s Blinds. _ (% - ures. _ 25 My Birthday. Peed é ooks are for sale by All Newsdealers in the United States and Canada, or be sent, postage free, to any address, by = = Fit ies ft ae nf r, 34 & 36 Feet e
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Latest Issues of THE 5 CENT WIDE AWAKE LORRY 1091 Old Oak Burrell, the pours Detective Paul Braddon 1092. Among the Amazons. A Thrilling Story of the Interior of Africa...... y R. T. LBA 1093 Afloat in a Tiger’s — or, ane Wreck of - the M enagerie § Ship. ...by Roger Starbuck 1094 Newsboy Ned; or, the Raverent to A OAD OO tae Ty 05f ae S-sitcseles sasteh Nir y C. Little 1095 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Electric ie! Joach; or, The Search for the Isle of Diamonds, *Noname ”’ 4 Part I iv 1096 Ze Reade, Jr., and His Electric Coach; he Search for the Isle of Diamonds, WORT G CLA Uiscibeas tibies MOM cee he pertains by Ralph Morton 1178 The Potomac Detective..... by Ralph Morton 1179 Union Dick in the Rebel et Se Mloeh Dens. y Philip Murdock 1180 Cavalry Jack at Mturtreosone Sed othe teen 1. Ralph Fenton 1181 Cavalry Jack in the Swamps. y Gol. ‘Ralph’ Fenton 1182 Sea Dog C Charlie; or, The “Adventures ofa eee ota. «ak WI. rei Jr 1183 The shorty ae ro Road; "ae wa the O Pad usiness Just for Fun—comic. .b Boter au 1184 The Haunted Cave......by Jas. p. Montague 1185 Infantry Dave, the Young pene of the Wilder: B Morton 1192 inte “the\Gallow 1193 The Gold Hunte: Prairie Phantom y 1194 Drifting Harry; or, Hoste 3 “a Own Row. J. G. Bradley 1! Trip to the Center of the Ba: ah Pe as ie ba Last Shot. me. nah aor uster’s Las ot; or, The Boy Trailer the Little H by Col J. M. Travers 1197 anaes Ce Soto or, Suits ale Mishaps Schoo. 1198 Dick ode an grids igh wep tabbetewcakaasat ine tui: y eo by. 9) (<) 1200 eae ae hee ie 2 6; or, Three Boy Scouts ; ‘by Capt. Will Dayton immet : by. G, Little 1207 Denver Dan Outwitted; or, ‘The bes 8 PLSTUON eke cc si. 1 er a 1208 Denver Dan the Sheriff 1209 Denver Dan to the Rescue; or, taineer's Stratage: 1210 Denver Dan and k wood y Harry 1214 Trapper Duke; or, The Female Avenger. as, D. Mon Tharton on the Bay. Rock webal é 1215 Wate ote Blue; or, Nick KW 1217 The ries ot) « ar by J. 1218 The Search Bor the “ Midas;” or, ree from the Deep............+ by Gerald Fleming 1219 bn George; or, A New eS Boy in ALticn ji. Umitamabal mney by J. L. Freeman 1220 ootes Express Ned, the Prince of Boy nginéers..... sit eeeee tee by Horace i 1221 North Woods Tom, the ‘Athiote ante 1222 Lighthouse Lem; or, is va man’s Reef n Ol 1223 Joe Jordan, the Young Inventor, linac absent. by H. K. Shackleford 1224 Lasso Luke; or, The Three Petio Pards. by Kit Clyde 1225 Jack Harkaway’s Schooldays. ’ 1226 Jack Harkaway Afloat. } 1227 Jack Harkaway Among the Savages, 1228 Jack Harkaway's Escape. 1229 Jack Harkaway at Oxford. 1230 Jack Harkaway and the Black Band. 1231 Jack Harkaway and the puesta: 1232 Jack Harkaway and the Spy. 1233-Jack Harkaway Trapped. 1234 Jack Harkaway and the Italians; or, The Brigand’s Doom. 1235 Jack Harkaway and His Son’s Adventures Round the World. 1236 ao Harkaws ay and His Son Homeward oun 1237, Youn Harkaway and the Pirates. 1238 Jack Harkaway’s Triumph. 1239 Jack Harkaway on. Pipe al island, 1240 Jack Harkaway’s Pi 1241 Jack Harkaway to the Rescue. 1242 Jack Harkaway, the Magician. 1243 Jack Harkaway, the Avenger. 1244 Jack Harkaway in Australia. 1245 Jack Harkaway and the Convicts, 1246 Jack Heer and the Bushrangers. 1247 Young Jack Harkaway and His oa Tinker. 1248 'Tinker’s Man, Bogey 1249 Young Jack EPat Lawns in Spain. 1250 Young Jack Harkaway in Turkey. 1251 Mole Among the Mussulmans, 1252 Young Jack. Harkaway and the Arabs. 1253 Young Jack Harkaway and the Counterfeiters. 1254 Dick Lightheart..... by Bracebridge Hemyng 1255 Dick Lightheart’s bite 1256 Dick Lightheart’s me 1257 Dick Lightheart at Se: ia RidodentNaMeeeue ea by Bracebridge Hem 1258 Dick Lightheart, ee the W. World 7 v iracebridge ‘Hemyng Bisiodheidize Hemyng 1259 Dick Lightleart in ‘London ES SNORE ER acelividge ese 1260 Dick Lightheart’s Victory LAltWie ane’ 1261 Joe Dodger, the Boy Venisigaui eae wane 1262 Little Mace, the’ Boy Engineer. by a 1263 The Marked Moccasin; or, P; Pa 1264 Tom Brown’s Schooldays, 1265, aeuee eS Haka oward y 1268 Master iF Himself; ° A x Fig the World og eae 2 ween 1272 Secrets Under the Sea... i. rear any: 2 ap er . lis’ vfs BARR eb he py hs a By! Marl ne Manley HS Young Jack Hanke t Ge macsbrdgelicnyng 1274 The FO ee arma Detective; POR ale OONSHINETS. +e ei eee ce - minis | Retired Detective 1275 Long-Paw, the Mysterious ae ea HN y En: neers ote witings 176 Eig Lone Baer Oe ea ‘For sale by all newsdealers in the United epntes he Ounada, or sent to your address, post-paid, on receipt Bi price, 5 cents. Address -P,.0. Box 2730, AV AD, Sign ©, FRANK TOUSEY Publisher, aa & 36 North Moore Street, N, ¥.