Frank Reade Weekly Magazine (no. 96) (1904 08 26)

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NEW YORK, AUGUST 26, 1904. R’S TRIP TO TEXAS. ey) Jy MME °° a Suddenly from the thicket there were thrown circling lassoes. They came whistling through air like so many angry serpents. They fell upon all parts of the machine. Some caught about the pilot house, over the forward fender.

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‘ FRANK READE WwEEEKLY WAG AZINE. CONTAINING STORIES OF ADVENTURES ON LAND, SEA AND IN THE ATR. t Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Application made for Second Class entry at the New York, N. ¥., Post Office Entered according to Act of ~ ae; at 4 in the year 1904. in the office of the Librarian of Congress. Washington, D. No. 96. , by Frank Tousey, 24 Union Square NEW YORK, AUGUST New York. Price 5 Cents. 26, 1904. 7 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES; OR, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Trip to Texas. By “NONAME.” CHAPTER I. THE DETECTIVE’S STORY. “The James boys never committed such atrocities as are placed to the credit of these Hinkley brothers,” declared Detective Jim Stuart, as he adjusted his quid and took a fresh chew. “Why, the West has never seen their equal. They are daredevils in everything, and as merciless in _ their dealings as the Apaches!” He e stood on the steps of the Southern Hotel in St. Louis: as he uttered these words. Half a dozen men stood “about as listeners, men who had faced danger in its most . desperate form, typical frontiersmen. “They are well called the Prairie Pirates,” continnell — “Why, the upper part of ‘Texas is terrorized by them. They set even Uncle Sam’s ait at defiance. Noth- Se can clean them out.” spt of the' party: rae "ar, fend sere etn hi agent ot” asked | brain. drels in the Southwest. Nobody but the Hinkley broth- ers could keep such a set under subjection.” “But there ought to be a way to clean ’em out. Why don’t the country about rise and make common cause against them ?” “Ah, my friend,” said Stuart, with a smile, “that shows that you don’t understand the situation at all. Texas is a mighty big territory and the ranches are scattered, there being sometimes fifty miles between them. It is hard to get all the herders and rancheros together for a sufficient length of time.” “What is the method of these desperadoes ?” “Their methods vary according to the work they have to do. If it is to loot and burn a ranch they are sure to descend upon it while the cowboys are out on the range. In holding up a train they are adepts. Their accomplices and colleagues lurk everywhere, and it is not safe to speak your mind in public, for many a rash man has been found with a knife —— _ shoulder bee or a bullet in 7: . a vit for sacking them in thir ir, 8 vale ee

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JNA 2 -THE. PRAIRIE PIRATES. impenetrable hills which it is almost impossible to safely | ment in deep thought, Then a great light flashed across invade.” ‘Stuart’s auditors one and all drew a deep breath. It his face. “By Jupiter !” he cried, kthe Fates have sent you here could be seen that they were deeply impressed by his to-day! If there is aman in the world who can bring words. } “And yet,” continued the detective, “I have been com- the Hinkley brothers to terms, Pl vow you are the man!” “Do you think so?” ~“T am sure of it. You are an inventor and a man of ‘missioned to invade the den of the Hinkley brothers and rescue a young girl whom they abducted from her father’s} brains, If you will only co-operate with me, I will pledge ranch a month ago. Her father is Colonel John Alden of| my sacred word to bag the game within six months or the Double Star Ranch, and he offers a reward of ten thou- | less!” sand dollars for her rescue.” Frank Reade, Jr., the famous young inventor, who was “Are you going to undertake it?” asked one of the|now the cynosure of all eyes, smiled and said, politely: , “T am,” replied the detective, firmly, “Do you expect to succeed ?” “I hope to.” All were intensely interested in the detective’s story. Indeed, there were not wanting volunteers to assist him , tective, eagerly. “You speak confidently; yet, the undertaking you have _ | mentioned is a serious and a diffieult one.” Yet you can overcome all difficulties,” cried the de- “Only say the word; will you help me? I will give you the lion’s share of the reward, and. Frank made a slight gesture, which the detective under- when it was known that a beautiful young ag was in| stood. Then they moyed away together, leaving the oth- durance vile, ers out of earshot, They walked into a private room in ~ Among: the listeners to the Hletackive's: words was a tall,|the hotel and closed the door. Y fine-looking young man, with a distinguished air and a : stamp out of the common. They did not come out for an hour. When they did appear, the detective hustled out upon the street, while a» | After a while, as Stuart moved away, he walked quickly | Frank Reade, Jr., went to the hotel counter and called cia and overtook him. EPR bee beg your pardon,” he said, “but I was a listener just : _ morta yxe story of the Hinkley brothers.” SAbm exclaimed Stuart, looking him over critically, y. ah replied the young man, “and I was much inter- ogee eesmmpolean ve gave a start. 1 -w “Id | J aes ‘this is card, he would know at once whom you referred to,” bs LTO RSS EI: Berl <P tot ao Alden, Sank he asked. ae least Roa NER INTER oe for his bill. “Going to leave us?” asked the affable sihek in a per-. functory way. “To-day,” replied Frank. train for the East.” “All right, sir.” aM few hours later the young inventor was in his tem “Have my baggage at the first he yeached his deitination. Readestown was a smart little city among the high hills, and upon a river which led down to the sea, It had been | for'a number of generations the home of the Reades. — The machine works where Frank perfected his inven- tions were near the river and were very‘ extensive, con-. sisting of a number of large shops and yards. On the day .

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THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 3 — a eae Barney let out a shrill whistle, and a jolly looking coon came bounding into view. He turned a handspring at sight of Frank and came running up. “Golly! I’se awful glad fo’ to see yo’ home once mo’, Marse Frank.” “Very good, Pomp. Now, I want you and Barney to get ready at once for a lively expedition to the South- west.” “Whurroo!” shouted Barney. “Golly!” gasped the coon. “When am we gwine to start, - Marse Frank?” : “Just as soon as possible,” replied the young inventor. “How is the new machine? Have you finished putting on the brasswork ?” . =a Shure, we have, sor, and she’s as fit as a fiddle!” cried Barney. “Wud yez loike to take a look at her, paper Frank?” “That I will!” replied Frank. “Golly, Marse Frank, I’se curus to know wha’ am de name youse gwine fo’ to gib her rv - “Name?” exclaimed Frank. “Oh, we will eall her the “Dat am a bery good name, sah!” “Begorra, yez are right, naygur,” agreed Barney. “Ah am allus right,” retorted Pomp. 53 Wilh _-Frank smiled and said: My is ot very appropriate name, when you | sakes what sort of: an expedition she is bound on, ” . “Phwat is that, sor?” - $ “To track down a gang « of prairie eS “One of our mpat y will be the famous Western detective, Jim Stuart.” oe they had rpached the wide Goors of one of oS oexespvg cae entered, 1 f dese ~ me malaise of Frank . “James Stuart, Southern Hotel: “Shall leave here by special train, with the Detective, on the 11th inst. You may expect us in St. Louis accord- ingly, and. join us there for the trip to Texas. “Prank Reape, JR.” CHAPTER II. IN TEXAS. It might not be amiss at this juncture to take a look at the Detective, as completed and ready for the great Western trip. Frank’s idea had been to construct a machine which could travel at a rapid rate of speed over a level surface of ground, and furnish a traveling abode for the: ‘purposes f of exploration in any foreign country. The Detective was able to move over any kind of ordi- narily smooth surface at a tremendous rate of speed. She — ; was also so constructed that she could ascend or one hills with perfect ease and safety. The body of the machine was long and narrow and ak upon a running -gear of strong and peculiar make. There — were a series of springs, which were Frank’s particular in- | vention, and deadened. the jolt of est Oe almost ¢ com- | pletely. | fe : Four steel wheels, with ball adie and rubber tires, ah | Were affixed to the strongest of axles. The motive power _ of the electric engines was furnished to the rear axle, the forward gear being made to revolve under fie idles 80 that it could be guided by heres yeh oak house ‘above. - es SOE igre ther ' Fiske $

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4 " ‘THE PRAIRIE samc tion of steel netting in which were loopholes. The voy- agers were safe behind this netting, for it was bullet proof, and in a warm climate it was excellent, for the fact that a circulation of air was to be always had. Over the pilot- house was a powerful electric searchlight. _ The Detective was primarily constructed with an eye to _ Offense as well as defense. It was provided with the neces- ; sary requirements for travel in a perilous. region, where there were wild beasts and savage men. Provided with arms, ammunition and stores, the crew if - eould live aboard the vehicle for an indefinite length of ees: time, and with the deadly dynamite guns the Detective ~ could hold a small army at bay on open ground. bree With this invention, the latest effort-of his genius, Frank ‘See Reade, Jr., was about to essay the invasion of the Pedro a Hills and the stamping out of the lawless band known as ae the Prairie Pirates. fet How he succeeded and what were his thrilling, pee bean : tures 9 will form the subject-matter of this story. Se; ‘When Jim Stuart, the detective, received the telegram Hy from Frank Reade, Jr., quoted in a previous chapter, he 2 was beside himself with joy. m: is meine to any, that he wey that he did agree with Pomp. ight, ay” ey ny es He came » divently up to Frank $a Jr, and held out his hand. “Welcome, strawnger; I reckon you're the sharp from the East what has come out here to help me run down the Hinkleys and find my gal, Alice.” “T beg your pardon !” said Frank. “Same here,” replied the other, in his off-hand way. “I’m Colonel John Alden of the Double Star Ranch. Most anybody will vouch. for me in this town.” “T am glad to meet you, Mr. Alden,” said Frank. “I am Frank Reade, Jr. You are the very man I want to see, Did you anticipate our arrival?” “T did,” replied Alden, “and I’m ready to discuss mat- ters with you at once.” At this moment Jim Stuart came rushing up and fairly embraced Alden. _ “Well, this is luck! How did you get here, colonel ?” “Came all the way pony-back, ” replied Alden. “I have twenty of my best* cowboys with me, and we’re all ready to strike into the Pedro Hills with you.” . “Good !”’ cried Jim. “You have made Mr. Reade’s ac- quaintance?” f “Just now,” replied the colonel, and Frank bowed: At once the three beeame the warmest of friends. Then Frank pointed ont the details of the Electric Detective as Barney .|and Pomp were putting it together. The colonel was tremendously impressed. “You say it is bullet proof?” he asked. : “Yes,” replied Frank. | 5| toot safety travel anywhere in them hills. —_ air they _| ever goin’ to lick ye?” 4 | “Well, they will have a hard job,” laughed Frank. “Of ye ised is res een: ha we can ane them a hard re r tussle.” nm : i Well; you bet! But me more I look at you, the more ; You: cémtod me of your tater, who warn pies ie 4 friend of mine.” : { “Whoever was one of as father’s friends, can count me same,” replied Frank, ih fre : Well s went: tweet ee Gti “or “Wall, by jingo! I don’t see why you can’t with per- Mp ath le — ee eee

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; . THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. > declared the colonel, earnestly. “You shall have your re- ward. It nearly broke my heart when they took my gal, Alice, away from me. “If the black hounds have done her harm, I will consecrate my lif@ to their destruction !” ' “T think we may find her safe and sound,” replied Frank. “At least, we will make a mighty effort.” “Thank you, my boy!” . Then the colonel rode away to join.his men and organ- . ize them for the great ride back to Paradise Lost, the lit- tle mining town at the base of the Pedro Hills, from whence ‘ they were to conduct their operations against the Hink- leys. It would not be difficult for the machine to make its way very rapidly across that stretch of several hundreds of miles, but the ponies must, of course, go much slower. However, Barney and Pomp soon had the Detective all in working order and ready for the start. Then Colonel Alden and his men cantered up, twenty of them, mounted on game little ponies. Without unneces- sary delay the start was made. Out of Fort Worth the party dashed and soon were upon the broad and level Texan plains. The ponies can- tered on behind the Detective, which bowled along smoothly. Tt made quite an imposing little party, with the Detee- r - tive and its dynamite guns leading the way. No wander- : ing band of savages would hardly have. ventured an at- ‘ tack, Until nightfall they traveled, the distance made being ! -fitty miles. This was a good starter. Camp was made pt ae eee geal dest cs * Pee was a beautiful evening and the moon n rode high’ in - S$ = y,” replied Pom. “Wha? yo’ pz eae down dere ay ab natin roll Might Age, “Hi, dar, chile! T’se all ready. We gib dem chillun a chaince fo’ to dance, if dey wants ter.” Down they went from the deck of the machine. In‘a few moments they had reached the campfire. The cowboys were engaged in telling some pretty blood- eurdling yarns, but they looked up as Barney and Pomp appeared, and shouted: “Wall, now, what’s er comin’? Great mustangs! If if ain’t a reg’lar Pat!” “An’ a black nigger!” “I say, boys, thar’s fun fer us, fer they've got some music !”” This was the best possible card of introduction that Bar- ney and Pomp’ could have had. It is needless to say that they were at once welcome. ( And the clever assurance and ready wit of the two jonere soon made them bon camarades with all. Barney played all manner of Trish jigs on his fiddle an sang Irish ballads to the immense entertainment of the cowboys. | Then Pomp put in the licks on his banjo and rendered some plantation songs that took the cake. : And thus the evening passed. the ‘party retired. “Golly !” ejaculated Pomp, as he crawled aboard the De- tective, “dat was jes’ a jolly crowd ob gents, eh, Tish?” c ' “Yez kin bet on that,” agreed Barney. “Shure, I’m in love wid ‘Texas already, naygur!” . And, indeed, it might truly be said that the se to Yoo ; had really begun most auspiciously. But the future held some events in store which were destined to give the adventurers good reason to long Te member the day they set forth from Fort Worth to attack | the Hinkley gang in their mountain stronghold. And — It was a late hour when ~ pevery day now they were pin 7 rena reba 2 | ering erent Hee ages natin es “\ oh i RPS A hve IG f fc , Sr" : ‘ hg rt - : .

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6 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. SSS OoeeeOooooo——e—eeeeoooooaoaoaeaeaeaaaEeEOOOOOOOQQOQQOaaasasaGooeeeeee eee ooo “There are the Pedro Hills,” he declared. “We are now on the stage trail to Paradise Lost. There is the ford over the creek yonder.” “And there is the stage,” cried Jim Stuart, suddenly. And sure enough, there across the rolling plain in the distance was seen the yellow stage, with its eight fleet mus- tangs flying under the lash of the whip to the relay sta- tion, a few miles further on. 7 The top of the stage carried armed men. Of late a gang of desperadoes had been holding up the vehicle in a pass just this side of Paradise Lost. 2 “Many thought they were the Hinkleys, but of this none were certain. However, there was good ground for sus- picion. : _ At once our adventurers were interested. ’ “Tet us go over there and hail the stage,” cried Colonel John. “Perhaps they may help us in some way to locate the Hinkleys. What say ye?” we, ‘ “Very good,” agreed Frank. “Ride out on the trail, colonel.” ; ts __ The cowboys all gave rein and rode out on the trail. _ The stage began to pull up and the armed men leveled their ‘Alden rode forward with uplifted hand. «an right, boys!” he shouted. “We are friends. You “Colonel Alden !” exclaimed Jim Brisco, the driver, as he ec the rence on tasty haunches. “What do ye want, @ want to know if you've sen anything of the Hink- leys on ‘on the way from the Forks?” | “Not e dumned sign,” replied Brisco. “Cluck—go lang!” —up! ‘Wait a minute!” cried the colonel. “T see posse on deck, Jim. ‘Ros snuaront eon. be ‘ Paradise?” wa ye have Pantin “That's what we're lookin’ fer, stranger,” said one of} 55, é Ee é. doubt it,” d the « sina ak gem ‘might LaAgaieia homes Now, we've got ty, and we're ge ee We'll} :s “Wall?” ny ae | Ds 30 oh he ae of hi mg could easily have overtaken sit, but. made’ no effort, and thus they all approached the hills. A black-looking gap loomed up in front of them. High walls of rock rose upon eitlfer side. Beyond this pass was the mountain trail which led down into the mining town of Paradise Lost, perhaps twenty miles beyond. The stage reached the pass and disappeared into it. A few minutes later the Detective followed. As the party in the rear had succeeded in getting into the pass, suddenly the sound of firearms was heard far ahead. Instantly John Alden rose in his saddle and shouted: “Tt’s the road agents! They have set onto the stage. Come on, boys!” ; With a cheer thé cowboys swept up the defile. tective followed them. They did not have to ride far ere they came full upon the scene of action. And a thrilling scene it was. The stage had been attacked at a very narrow part of the pass. The mustangs were instantly shot down, as the road avents saw that resistance was meant. Two of the armed guards lay dead on the deck. The others and the passengers had made a barricade of the coach and were pluckily returning the fire of the bandits. A hot fight was in progress when the reinforcements came up. ‘ The road agents were well sheltered by an angle in the wall of the pass and a heap of boulders. Colonel Alden and his cowboys rodé boldly up to the coach. Then they unslung their rifles and answered the fire. This began to tell. The bandits, finding the place too hot Yi for them, suddenly decamped. ‘The victory was won. The Detective had come up by this time behind the ‘stage and | Frank had the dynamite gun all ready, but there was no occasion’ to make use of it C22 Colonel Alden and his men came infor gret dal of The De: ese. ender, com ” eee Sorte a-foul praise, but the bluff colonel ignored this and cried: “The question is, how are ye going to get the stage down to Paradise? The mails are all safe, eh, Brisco?” “Yes, sir;” replied the stage driver. “Yew in bet this is the time we fooled ther gang.” Spies . ed ~ “Look: here, Jim!” oe oe st * ‘ es

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i> , _ inventor. THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. ~z stage and ride upon the vehicle themselves until Paradise was reached, Cheers were given them. Then the stage coach was quickly equipped. It did not take long to change the harness. Then once more the stage was off on its way. s But as.the Detective followed the party up the canyon, Barney, who was at the wheel, suddenly cried to Frank :. “Och, Misther Frank, wud yez cum here, sor?” - “What is the matter, Barney?” asked the young in- ventor, as he sprung into the pilot-house. Barney pointed to an object in a cleft of the cliffs near. It was a man with fierce, desperate features, cow- ering under a cactus leaf. He seemed to be unarmed and evidently desirous of es- eaping observation, but Frank gave the leyer a sudden twist and brought the Detective to’a stop. “Phwat will yez do, Misther Frank?” asked Barney. “Jump out there and bring him aboard,” said the young “Make a prisoner of him. He is one of the gang and perhaps we can‘ get some valuable information out of him.” . “Whurroo!”? cried the Celt, “yez are roight, sor. Cum on, naygur. ” “A capital idea!” cried Jim Stuart, drawing his Colt’s revolver. “Bring the fellow aboard.” . With Barney and Pomp the detective leaped overboard. They sprang into the cleft. : For a moment the outlaw was disposed to make resist- ance, but the sight of the pistol barrels subdued him. He surrendered sullenly and was led aboard the Detec- : bie which went dn up the. defile. _ He was a powerfully framed fellow, with a darkly hand- some but evil face. His shifting gaze took in everything — about him. _ He seemed surprised and interested i in the vehicle aboard which he was and stared at the electric keyboard in the SS . pilot-honse as if trying to study out what it was. Jim Stuart removed the fellow’s sombrero and. found a jagged scalp wound. A bullet had cut its way along the skull, <MDhia, doubles, had, take he tallow i ible and ex- | Pied his eng Het ind for dad Wy Hs coma After s Sie aes). pecen Shaet ae The ontlaw showed his teeth, like a wolf driven to bay, iy EP s Aetective d i earn ak oh : ’s throat, | | Te, HM ape is aa PEN die wr AR “Answer, you dog!” he gritted. “Jose Rivera, noble senor.” “Are you the leader of that gang?” The fellow rolled his eyes. 9) “Jesu pity!” he replied. “I am only a poor follower. Antonio Gardo, he lead us.” “Gardo,” exclaimed Stuart. “Oh, then you are all Greasers, eh? Do you want to die?” “Saints defend poor Jose! Have mercy, senor!” “Then you shall tell us where is the hiding place of your gang that we may ferret them out.” Something like a gleam of cunning flashed in the vil- lain’s eyes. He quickly replied: : “There be no hiding place, senor. Ron Gardo he go everywhere. Camp here, camp there. No tell where to find him. Only hunt for him.” “Then he has no rendezvous ?” “None, senor,” Stuart went into the pilot-house with Frank. “Do you believe that wretch?” asked the young inven- tor. “T think it more than likely that he speaks the truth,” replied the detective. “I have heard that very same thing of Gardo. Well, it is of little use for us to waste our time hereabouts. We are after the Hinkleys.” “Right!” agreed Frank, “We cannot stop to trail down a‘lot of Greasers.” «Just so.” “But——” y “What?” “What will you do with this fellow?” “Oh, take him down to: Poradish and: turn, bie overt the sheriff.” “Very good! He no doubt well merits henging,” But as the Detective rolled on towards Paradise Loat the wretch began to beg and plead piteously for his life, He promised all sorts of things. He would give up a bandit’s life—would be the Ameri- cans’ slave, and so forth. “Do not kill poor Jose,” he pleaded. 4] sue adh ith Aptanio Gardo of my own choice, Oh, holy saints defend me!” . said Frank, ; “Wait till we get to Paradise and well give him a fair e. ‘against him he shall go free,” Px repos halal hae! od withont " “Really, Vim lf @ mind to le the poor devil go fe,” trial,” said Jim Stuart. “If nobody proves miss te

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8 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. “Hurrah! hurrah!” yelled the crowd, and Colonel Alden gripped hands with a score of the brawny miners. The big yellow stage finally rolled down into the town, and the Detective and the cowboys followed. A great sensation was created in Paradise when the party appeared. Never in its history had it witnessed the entry of any other vehicle but the yellow stage. At this moment a man came lounging out of the hotel. He was a typical Westerner, with revolvers stuck all around in his belt. 4 . “How air ye, Stuart?” he cried, as the detective came along. “What air ye doin’ in Paradise?” “Keno Jim!” exclaimed the detective. “You are just the man I want to see.” “Bh?” exclaimed the other. “What-can I do fer ye, Stuart ?” “We've got a fellow in our team who I think is one of CHAPTER LV. * THE WARNING. Consequently when the Detective appeared in their, midst the denizens werg utterly dumbfounded. ; In all their career they had never seen anything like this ' eurious horseless vehicle of the tenderfoots from the effete East. They came from all quarters to. gaze upon it. ‘Paradise Lost was a typical-mining town. In the main it was little more than a collection of pine if shanties. There was the long flume fed by the water KY, - from the gulch stream, - the big stamp-mill of the Para- | dise Company. “Deep in the heart of the hills were sunk the shafts of the company. Here the red-shirted toilers were at work _ most of the time. him dangling from a mountain pine. But besides this the gulch was crowded with shanties and| So he started back to the Detective. It required but a claims of placer miners. On’ the’ arrival of the stage, or| few montents for the crowd to get onto the fact that one of after the day’s work was over, these men came from near|Gardo’s men was about to be tried for his life in Brig- ny ‘ert far into the town. ham’s. _ There was a frame hotel, ocean and spacious loung-|- “The crowd at once made a rush for the bar-room of Ee ig room. the hotel. Not half of them could get inside. ; Here miner and sport, seri Panay and tenderfoet, were] But the others waited without for the prisoner to come a “to be found. There were gambling dens, and, in fact, all} along. hay ae 43 _ the other usual fixtures of the frontier town. As Stuart sprang aboard the Detective he said to Frank: ‘Twice a week the stage came in, bringing fresh arrivals “Now we'll dispose of this poor devil of a Greaser. If and sometimes mails from the East. 7 he tells a good story we'll let him off. If he don’t—why, 4 Sheer ae wreined the bigistege up in front of | Fudge Keno will settle accounts with him.” . Barney and Pomp led the panic-stricken outlaw on deck. He begged piteously for his life. ©. So abject and groveling was he that his eptees did not think it necessary to bind him. resaaoaree Pony on iter ie of him led him toward : : e j d =} at mn dels 2 ‘The excitement ofthe crowd] - “The crowd surged tovard them to get a look at the oat. / “ Antonio Gardo’s men. We want to give him a fair trial! See??? “Oh, yew want ter call a special meeting of ther district court, eh 2”? said Keno Jim, with a grim smile. “Wall, ’'m lawyer, jedge, justice of the peace and everything else com- bined here. Bring up yer man!” “Where will we hold the trial?” “In Brigham’s bar-room,” said Keno, pulling out a big revolver. “I'll jest go over now an’ clean it out!” And with this he strode away. Stuart knew well what Western justice was. Unless Jose Rivera could prove his innocence the hour would soon see Ls sot li ba, rian ar fi Cnpenenss | “an hiv atin paired datant gave «Kom ey. ne hee eee ae ae oF" se is

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THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 9 EEE ———————ooIIULESSSeSEeeEEEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeeeeeEeEeeee and was so unexpected, that none afterwards could recol- lect just how it happened. But with the quickness of a lightning bolt, Rivera whirled and dealt Pomp a crushing blow on the jaw and hurled Barney aside like a puppet. Ere the two could recover he had made one mad leap and gained the back of a broncho tethered near. A dig at the animal’s flanks and it broke the tether and away it went like a thunderbolt down the gorge. Judge Keno fired four quick shots but none took effect. The scene which followed bafiled description. Cowboys were instantly in pursuit. Shots were fired and a great hue and ery was made. ; But they might as well have spared themselves the trouble. : ~ An hour later the discomfited pursuers returned to the Rivera was not caught. town. i . ra Stuart was much put out, and Barney and Pomp were frantic at what they considered their stupidity. But Frank Reade, Jr., was inclined to laugh until Colonel Alden came riding up ‘excitedly. “T say, oma” he cried, “do you know who that fellow really was?” “Who?” asked Stuart, breathlesaly. “Keno Jim says he is Goff Hinkley himself!” <f “Thunder 1” exclaimed Stuart, and gazed blankly at vl | Prank. “Well, what fools we are! 'To have the gameright s: nt in our hands and let it slip like that!” That the supposed Greaser was indeed Goff Hinkley “there : ten no ‘oubt. ey #. ake «His clever yarn about Antonio Gardo was easily diceeobea by a number of Mexicans, who swore that Gardo and: his al Ar _ a en on the Pecos River, This ore that Beers waesret ind miners were as a aie “ me inci-} down the Hinkley brothers he _[nously, but og Jim egg big -eard, inscribed as fole Bb act po had come with John ao Sh: ae <? rescuers to the mountain stronghold of the Hinkleys, or as to the place of captivity of Alice Alden. That night an excited meeting of the miners was held in the bar-room at Brigham’s. Keno Jim officiated, and it was voted and decided that the Paradise Vigilantes’ twenty men should co-operate with Alden’s cowboys and the Electric Detective. A plan of operation was indorsed by Frank Reade, Jr., and was as follows: As it was believed that the Hinkleys were in force in the Pedro Hills, Keno Jim and the Vigilantes were to enter the hills from the south and Alden from the north, while the Detective made its way directly in through Calamity Pass. In this manner it was hoped to force the fiends from their hiding place by surrounding them. Attacked from all sides they would surely be driven to bay. It was no light undertaking. Nor was it the first one. Several times the invasion had been attempted in much the same manner and had failed. Many brave men lost their * lives. The Hinkleys had proved almost invincible. So the — miners knew what they had to face. - But this time they had the assistance of the Electrie De- tective and the dynamite guns. It was-believed that this would count. : 2 a . das The next day all were awake at an early hour and a startling surprise was in store, x On every cabin door, and even upon the rail of the De tective itself, there hung a placard upon which was traced in letters of Mont ; } - “Beware ! The Doom of Paradise Lost Has Been Dat : “Fly While | mele Is Time. q «Per order - wt ABieie X mark) * Ss i ele a atts ed :

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Wa tie 10 eae - (HE PRAIRIE PIRATES. Knots of men gathered and discussed the situation in ominous tones. Nobody felt safe, for it was not known at what turn a} foe might be encountered. The outlaws were known to lurk in disguise in every part ef the town. But preparations went on rapidly for the invasion of the hills. The Vigilantes, armed to the teeth, formed under Keno Jim, and the cowboys rallied under Colonel Alden. There were many volunteers to go aboard the Detective. But Frank said: “We need no assistance. Mr. Stuart, and that is a sufficient number to efficiently . protect the machine.” But there was one person who ‘giathad a deadly signifi- “cance to the message of the Hinkleys. * This was Jim Stuart. The detective’s face wore an anxious expression, and he ae declared : ae a ica s 0 will be well for the people of Paradise to keep on ‘their oe There i is trouble, Sane: 7 . CHAPTER V. preg can they ae harm ps the town?” he Do you know of me particular el accel ° There are four of us, with} This was about ten miles distant, and the real entrance to the Pedro Hills. Beyond this pass they might quite reasonably: expect to encowpter the outlaws, if, indeed, the latter should stand their ground. That their hiding place would be found there was no cer- tainty. The fastnesses of the hills were many, and it would be easy for such a band to find a retreat in some pocket or cave from which it would be almost impossible to dis- lodge them. But Frank felt that if the lair of the outlaws could be found, much would be gained. He was sanguine of suc- cess. The townspeople cheered the Detective heartily as it rolled out of the place. Soon it was threading the moun- tain trail. . Around the high mountain wall, down through gorges, over divides and at times following the brow of some deep canyon the trail led. The scenery was wild and rugged, like all of that on the New Mexican border, but there was no sign’ visible any- where of human life. The miner and the hunter seldom ventured into these They could tell great stories of the perils they held, while the superstitious Greasers and half-breeds counted them — the abdde of evil spirits. And, indeed, there was very good reason for their fears. For a more desolate, wild region the eye never rested ‘upon. The most vivid description of the entrance to Hades — | could alone deseribe it. Yet these hills were, no doubt, rich in = No | vegetation of any account grew there. The soil was arid and usaless, but in the beds of the | creeks and gulches, i in the strata ie on cliffs and ae Liecrrd bs fae eee abounded. a ae a , ged . AM it awaited was the ‘pick of ‘the ‘placer mihet or ie ve ing, Inuge rollers of the stamp-mill to yield untold wealth. Sai Years before this it had been a favorite rendezvous or ey ie Bence er te ened ore F vi oe

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THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 11 — The Detective made its way through Calamity Pass and came into a narrow; barren valley. Here the machine was obliged to proceed slowly as the ground was rough. The yoyagers were busily engaged scrutinizing every point, near and far, for some sign of the outlaws. % But not a thing was seen which would suggest their presence in the hills until suddenly the Detective came to a shallow stream. Frank was preparing to ford this when Stuart clutched » his arm. “Wait a moment, Frank,” he said. “What is the matter?” asked the young inventor. “Look down there in the sand! Do you see any foot- prints ?” "There, in the sand, which extended to the water’s edge, were the prints of horses’ hoofs. They extended into the stream. “Horsemen have been this way,” said Frank. “Just so,” agreed the detective. “Allow me to get down; I would much like to examine them.” The machine halted and the detective went out on deck. He sprung down into the sand and examined them. Then he inspected the shore carefully up and down stream for a hundred yards. Next he waded across it and examined the opposite shore. He gave a sharp cry: “Tt is just as I thought, Frank!” he cried. “What?” ‘ “This is a covered trail. They have gone up the stream, and the water has covered their trail.” The detective came over and clambered aboard the ma- chine. He exchanged comprehensive glances with Frank. “What is your theory?” asked the young inventor. “There are several explanations,” declared the detective. a ‘Risa, it is possible that the outlaws heard us coming and have done this to throw us off the trail. In'the next place, __it is not impossible that this stream is the hidden entrance ~~ to their stronghold.” , “Tt is a clever trick,” declared the young inventor, “and ee ee eae : “Yet it is something = We have found their trail” Nee! “Though a water tral” Peel : _ nageh Peers Barney and Pomp would follow in the rear with the ma- And thus the start was made. Carefully Frank and Stuart made their way along ‘the banks of the stream, looking cautiously for any sign of the foe. chine. Presently the level of a plateau was reached. Here it was pretty smooth going for the explorers. But it also furnished a fearful setback for them. They paused in sheer disappointment. For Frank suddenly came upon footprints at the water’s verge, showing plainly that the outlaws had here left the stream. , But this was all. It could not be pursued further. This was the end of the trail. For the hard, flinty surface of the plateau left no mark whatever. The horsemen had cleverly eluded the trailers. The pursuers were baffled. “By Jove!” exclaimed Frank, “this is a hard one. What do you make of it, Stuart?” “Tt means that we are beaten,” declared the rarest “unless we can find the point at which this trail has lett® the plateau.” “Which will not be easy.” “A random quest.” “However, it seems to be our only recourse.” “Just so.” So they went back aboard the machine. ever, had an important bit of intelligence. “Shure, *listher Frank,” he said mysteriously, “I think I can give yez a bit av information.” “What is it?” asked Frank. “Whilé yez war lukin’ along the bank of the creek there, sor, the naygur and mesilf kept a watch ahead, sor.’ . “Well?” Barney, how- “And ferninst that corner av the mountain, sor, We seen _ a queer flash of light.” hee “A flash of light?” “Yis, sir, an’ mebbe av yez watch it long enough yez may see the same.” Frank gazed in the dirtotion indicated by the Celt. This was a high spur of the mountain about a mile distant. “‘Kape yer eyes well on it, sor,” declared the Celt. “Loike! enough yez will see it.” % ; Frank did as directed. Some ‘pitiiecks elapsed. ‘Then he gave a start. $ ' < ret eae. Te for an tt agit = a

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12 - THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 3 “Come here!” he cried. “Good!” agreed Frank. “Itcan do no harm.” In a moment the detective was by his side. “Keep your eye on that angle of the mountain wall,” said Frank. “Ah, do you see it?” Again the flash of light came. It was like an electric star. Once, twice, thrice it flashed. Then there was an interval and it flashed again. “It is a signal.” And the young inventor dived into the forward cabin and soon appeared with the new gun. It was a very light affair, with a barrel about twice as long as the ordinary one. Meanwhile the Detective had been slowly moving along over the plateau and in the direction of the mountain. Frank adjusted the needle gun and handed it to the de- tective. ‘Stuart took it and looked it over curidlsly. Then he raised it to his shoulder, saying: “Done with a mirror.” “Yes.” ’ _ The sun was in full glare in the noonday sky. There was nb doubt but that this hypothesis of the signal was correct. ‘It was the common-system employed by signal-service nen, the use of flashing mirrors. These signals were meant for some others of the foe jurking in another part of the region. It proved several things—that the outlaws were apprised of the presence of the invaders and were in active com- ~ munication. _ It was not unlikely that they were preparing some sort x of a reception for the enemy, and our voyagers realized that & would be well to be on the lookout. “Tt means that they are well organized,” averred Frank. _ “They mean to defend themselves systematically.” “x “Humph!” exclaimed Stuart; “let us once locate their _' __ stronghold and we'll give them all they want.” me “That must be our first end,” said Frank. “Suppose we make a line for that part of the mountain.” “T have an idea,” said Stuart. : “What ?”? “You told me of an electric needle rifle which you have. An arm of your own invention.” “Yes,” replied Frank. oh SS : “Tt will throw two miles or more, will it not?” “Yes, but what of that?” _ he detective glanced at the distant mountain angle. “Here is for luck.” He took long and steady aim. Suddenly the light flashed on the mountain wall again. The detective pressed the lever. There was a hiss and a recoil, but no report.. -The long, thin, needle-like projectile left the barrel of the gun. It seemed hardly an instant ere a distant flash of light and a sharp report was heard. The needle had exploded by impact. At that distance it could not be seen what damage had been done, but the flashlight signaling instantly ceased. The machine now went forward at full speed. The run across the plateau was made in a few moments, but a half mile of dense undergrowth extended to the moun- tain wall. Through this the machine could hardly hope to forte its way. Here was an unlooked-for barrier. However, Frank headed the machine about so as to skirt it. In this way he kept along for a time. And thus. the machine was moving along when an, un- looked-for incident occurred. Suddenly from the thicket there were thrown circling lassoes, They came whistling through the air like so many angry serpents. They fell upon all, parts of the machine. Some caught about the pilot-house, over the forward fender, across the rail and even in the wheels. Some fell short, but they were quickly thrown again. , | The Detective was proceeding slowly and the ropes which © tective was a captive. machine could have made broken strings of the lariats. But as *: was, var mete engines buzzed Sriouely; there was a i aS hee ry, Bi rear ra Were it not for the entanglements of the wheels the ~ caught the whéels for the moment tugged them. The De-—

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‘THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 13 other lariats snapped like threads and the outlaws went down in heaps from the deck. Clear of the struggling mass the Detective struck up speed. There were a score of the foe yet on deck, but they tumbled off unceremoniously, throwing their dead and wounded comrades oyer also. But following the lassoing of the machine came the at- tack of the foe. From the depths of the tangle came a legion of armed and masked men. They were all attired in black and looked like demons. Straight for the deck of the Detective they came. Only the sharpest kind of work saved the machine: Tn an instant Frank shouted: “Press lever No. 6, Barney !” This was the electric connection which instantly closed _and barred every door and window on board. So much for the defense. It was done in the twinkling of an eye. Then Barney, with a whoop, grabbedeup his rifle. “Whurroo! Bad cess to the omadhouns! Give it to vem, naygur!” Before the machine had gone a dozen yards the deck was clear. But the lever slipped and she ran half a mile before Frank could check her. He brought her about quickly and sprang to the dyna- mite gun.' His purpose had been_to throw shells among the outlaws. But it was too late. They had picked up their dead and wounded comrades and vanished. When the Detective got back to the spot not one of them was in sight. “T’se wif yo’, honey!” cried Pomp, and both opened . fir: at the shortest range upon the foe. : Just as fast as they could they fired the Winchesters through the loopholes. They could be easily seen through the netting by the masked outlaws. Over the rail they came with the fury of wolves. _ They tore at the netting, striking it with hatchets and knives and firing point blank against it. But even their tremendous weight could not batter it in. Frank had constructed it for just such an exigency as the present. ‘ * It resisted every effort! Meanwhile Barney and Pomp were using revolvers oan: the loopholes with deadly 4 The deck v was becoming strewn with the dead and wound- ws of outlaws. Some of them were trying to force the pik: : house and. cabin open. ve Frank and Stuart weré not idle, either. Stuart was at "the eabin loopholes, while Frank had gone down into the lower part of the vehicle, where there was a trapdoor. ‘ - By lowering this he could lean out, and, uuiobeerved, cut x at the arinis: lashing the wheels. . seo In this way he was rapidly liberating the machine. He wth Kept ‘manfully at the task. eas The outlaws had neyer thought of. loaking under the “aigihiae ‘Their attention was concentrated pape eh er per =k of the Detective. Frank threw a shell into the deep nadergrowth, but it seemed to have no effect. The first encounter with the outlaws of the Hinkley gang _ was ended and was a signal victory for the Detective. Jim Stuart was delighted. 5° “It was a regular Waterloo,” he declared. “They'll hardly care to attack us again right away!” “T almost wish that we had not experienced this en- counter,” said J’rank. “Why?” “We have gained little and given them an idea of our strength. They will now be on their guard.” “That may be true,” agreed Jim, “but " I sa nt help: feeling glad of the victory. p ; it “Oh, certainly. It is much better than defeat.” , “But where shall we strike now?” “do “T would like to reach that mountain wall. But I don t eae; see how we are going to get through all that tangle of un- 4 dergrowth.” “ge “Tt is impossible unless we may succeed in finding a =| path. But I have an idea.” La “What is it?” - ' vy “Suppose we cut away to the northward gat and make a detour of the whole niountain ?” “Approach it from the other side?” SYigay Le Aaa ms i Nevaeh Gan Seca 3 «We will do that.” in | ‘Accordingly the Detective was turned about and headed» adi er ee ate sepeencoee Sound for a ; | z MY Bf 3% Hedge oie Met oe

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14 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. oon ouyanwu {TT ET EeeeeoeeoeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeSsSSSSSSSeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesSeeeew—wwuwa_a_ass Then a canyon was seen leading seemingly into the depth of the mountain fastnesses. There was some hesitation about entering this. Frank did not wish to get into a trap, which he knew was quite possible. The outlaws could, perhaps, get in a position to hurl huge boulders down upon the machine from the steep heights of the canyon on either side. So he studied the situation very carefully. By this time ; darkness had begun to settle down. Frank ran the machine into the open plateau and turned on the searchlight. This prevented any attack by stealth. He had no intention of trying to work by night. He also had a double purpose in selecting this conspicuous posi- tion. He knew the outlaws would occupy most of their time watching the machine. While their attention was thus di- yerted the Vigilantes under Keno Jim and the cowboys un- by “der Colonel Alden were closing in from separate quar- ters. ' . This ought to enable them to surprise the outlaws, or at least surround and besiege them. ‘ So Frank was not anxious to push matters until another 4 _ day. It was decided that the watch should be in pairs that night. | _ Barney and Jim Stuart went on watch for the fist part of the night. Frank and Pomp were to relieve them at about three o’clock. ® “ ; The night was pitchy dark and the rumbling of thun- der in the western sky foreboded a storm. The wind Songnell mournfully. down: through the pass. gat - Soon the lightning played vividly through the black- ‘ness, and then pattering drops of rain began to fall. - Barney and Stuart sought refuge in the cabin and the “ pilot-house. - “Oeste, they onuld not heap s watch of the alas as well from here. . But it did not seem teouoneble that the outlaws would _ make another attack that night. The searchlight at inter- sel epee te plata: + Crouching in the pilot-house Barney was keeping his eye | _ “upon the prairie in the flashes of lightning. ie ". Suddenly he spmang up, with a wild ery: ger “Misther Frank! Misther Frank! For Hivven’s sake, come quick, cor hs Sk ie anh iy tte: 9 rs And it was a scene which caused the blood of all to run cold. . CHAPTER VII. THE QUICKSAND. . Far out on the plain a huddled body of men and horses were seen. They were advancing toward the machine. But in the searchlight’s glare, realizing that they. were a. sudden. halt. Then to the front came a two-wheeled carriage. discovered, they- had come It was a small cannon. The men could be seen unlimbering it. Now, a shot from such a weapon might forever ruin the machinery of the Detective and place its defenders at the mercy of the foe. Frank knew this. A sharp, astonished cry burst from his lips. Then he made action. He sprung to the dynamite gun, but before he could train it a flash and a boom came from the darkness, Then there was a rending and crashing of wood and steel, a buzzing arid whirring of machinery. _ “My soul,” cried Frank, “we are hit.” “Jericho!” exclaimed Stuart. “Who started her up?” For the machine had really started and was speeding away over the plain. A second shot from the cannon was avoided and Frank cried: “Hold on, Barney, don’t get out of range. I want td _ give them a shot back!” “Shure, sor, I haven’t started the machine. ye did it, sor.” Frank sprang to the keyboard. He turned the -lever quickly to check the speed of the machine. I thought But in that act he was accorded a surprise. The ma-_ chine did not abate its speed. It refused to obey the lever! Again and again he tried it. Then he sprung down into the engine-room. The dynamos were buzzing fiendishly. A great hole was torn in the wall of the engine-room, and all connection | with the keyboard in the pilot-house was destroyed. was visible but a jumbled mass of wires and ~ anh eee: Ayaher ‘| debris. To stop the machinery was only possible by finding a) “ean te a ly in ig the proper battery connections. * alles arate ajc } t the sea ypon a| dumbfou . oe Mev te matine we aming wa fhe + Mey is - , oa cy * A ets pie ho 2. <- tes We s 7 |

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THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 15 plateau. Frank recalled the thrilling fact that the other side of the plateau was a fearful series of steep descents. For the machine to plunge ocr those meant certain de- struction, and it was headed that way. Nor was it possible to change the Detective’s course, for the steering apparatus was also mixed up in the debris. It was a frightful outlook. , Where had the outlaws procured the cannon? If their stronghold was defended with heavy guns, then its reduc- tion was going to be a very serious matter. Frank came back quickly to the cabin and communi- cated the state of affairs to the others. ~ “Really,” he said, “I don’t see.what we are going to do. It is apparently impossible to check the machine.” “And to jump overboard would be ain, going at this speed,” declared Stuart. “There is only one way to stop her, that I can think of,” said Frank. “And that——” “To smash the driving-bars with a hammer. It would put her, I fear, beyond repair, and might make an end to our trip.” The detective hesitated. “Ts there no other way?” “Nore that I can think of.” “Begorra, Misther Frank!” cried Barney, as he rushed down from the deck where he had been using the search- = light, “the edge of the plateau, sor, is only a mile away!” “Then we must act!” said Frank, setting his lips firmly. -_He picked up a heavy hammer and started for the lower part of the engine-room. But before he reached there a great cry came from above. - ‘Then there was a shock, a crash dnd dull splash. The en- gines hissed and creaked and stopped. The machine was at a standstill. _ What had happened? _ Frank rushed up into the Sehad? Tt was dark. He reached over and took some of it up in his hands. Then he exclaimed : “By Jove, boys, it is from the frying-pen into the fire! It is a quicksand!” “Quicksand ?” asked Stuart. “Yes, or mire-hole, as the Texans call it. quite common in this part of the country. Many a good steer has been lost in these treacherous spots, and even men and horses themselves.” They are “And, begorra, it’s ourselves as is in it now,” cried Bar- ney. “Yes,” agreed Frank, “and the next thing is to get~ out of it.” “Can we do that?’ asked Jim, “in our present condi- tion ?” “T fear not until our machinery is repaired. *We must wait for daylight.” “But what if these outlaws come. up again with their | gun?” “Turn oak every light on board,” commanded Frank. “Tn the darkness they’ll hardly find us. These electric lights guide them easily.” The order was obeyed. Then the voyagers retired to the cabin, for the storm had burst with terrible fury. The thunder and lightning was most appalling. For hours it raged. If the outlaws were abroad in it they were certainly possessed of great hardihood. They did not appear to our adventurers in any case. It seemed an age before daylight came. Then the sun came up hot and glaring to flash across the dreriched land- scape. Just as s ,on as things about became clearly visible Frank and Stuart began to examine the position of the Detec- tive. & It was not an encouraging one. The area of quicksand — covered a hundred square yards, The machine had run Rady | _ Something covered the windows on the outside, excluding r? <t as light. The others were up on the pilot-house deck. vite “Come up, quick, Frank!” shouted Stuart. “We are|hicle were mired. But they were sunk deep in the treach “ nets safe for just now.” erous stuff and wot gs) no easy way of extricating ; What has happened?) them, j oes “Perhaps you can tell.” . ‘Certainly the engines were Pecsule woido’ i aut snk sprang up on the deck. The machine lay partly “Well,” asked the detective -after some while, “what he side. “He reat whos and dete wate Yelow the leel)ia our Dest move, Frank . into a narrow part of it. Ce Only the rear wheels and a part of the body of the ve-

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16 had procured some plates of steel and were repairing the rent in the side of the machine. ._ Frank began to pick out the tangle of wires and soon had restored some sort of order out of chaos. Very fortunately the storage tanks and dynamos were uninjured. All that was needed was to connect the wires and restore the keyboard. The detective worked assiduously with Frank and in a couple of hours the machine was all ready, so far as the machinery was concerned. _ * Barney and Pomp had also succeeded in riveting the , armor plates, and the Detective was intact once more. But now the question arose as to how it was to be got out of the quicksand. And this was a problem. But before it could be solved an unlooked-for incident oceurred. Suddenly Pomp pointed out over the plateau and shouted: iy “Golly, Marse Frank! Dere dey cum fo’ all dey is wort! It am de debbils ob outlaws!” This was seen to be the truth. a great body of horsemen were seen, and between their ranks was the field-piece. They had spied the machine and were coming toward it full bent. If they should once more succeed in getting within range it would be all up with the Detective and ie its voyagers. The cannon would quickly destroy it. But Frank Reade, Jr., smiled in a grim fashion. “We will hardly give them the chance this time,” he muttered, “They must come to close quarters to do any “harm, and before they get into range I think I can stop them.” He went to the forward gun and carefully trained it. He waited until he saw the cavalcade halt. _~ They came to a halt just behind a hummock in the pate The cannon was in the act of being unlimbered. epie Frank knelt down and carefully sighted the dynamite He gun. ‘Then he pressed the electric button. Straight to ‘the mark went the ss shell. It struck aay the fimmmock full and fair. A cies. was a tremendous upheaval: of earth and debris. Out on the level plain THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. “Whurroo!” shouted Barney. “Now if the machine cud only trayel, how we cud give them a b’atin’!” Pomp stood on his head with delight, and then went to wrestling with Barney. But Frank stopped this. “Tt is no time for fooling,” he declared. x “We must first of all get the machine out of this quicksand.” “Right !” cried Jim Stuart. that she may settle deeper at any time.” “T suppose there is danger “Certainly,” replied Frank, “and the quicker we get her out the better.” “Then let us get to work. You must tell us what to do, Frank.” The young inventor went into the cabin and brought out a long and strong cable. This he carried to the De- tective’s rail. CHAPTER VIII. A GREAT VICTORY. It was no easy matter to get off the deck of the ma- chine down upon level AEs The quicksand was very treacherous. s But by putting ont a ladder forward Barney and Frank succeeded in getting out upon terra firma. They carried one end of the cable and a strong chain to a sycamore tree, about fifty yards away: . Frank placed the chain about the trunk of the tree and then placed a strong pulley block against it. This made a double line of the cable to the machine and back. The ‘cable on the machine was placed about the for- ward axle. As it was turned by the engines the cable should wind up and thus exert a powerful pressure to Sa the machine out of the sand. It was © clever arrangement and Frank fancied that he might thus be able to pull the machine out. So he went into the pilot-house and started the engines. The big rope tautened and creaked with the immense strain. Then ‘slowly the machine began to yield. _ But Frank saw at once that this would not do. th machine ml where it wa, iis sha one Weaile | ‘weakens

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,. ‘ THE “Matter enough,” replied Frank ; “it won’t work, that’s all 2 “But why not?” “Easy endugh! two!” ‘ “Do you believe it?” - : “Yes.” ‘ ; The detective was keenly disappointed. He knew that - The strain. will break the machine in it was losing valvable time. He swept the horizon with his gaze. all disappeared. Not one was in sight. “Well,” he said finally, with a tinge of impatience, “what shall we do about it?” ~*T have one other plan,” said Frank. “If that does not work, then I fear we shall have to abandon the machine.” They watched Frank's next move The outlaws had A gloom fell upon all. closely. The young: inventor went down into the lower part of . the’ vehicle. The trucks of the Detective could be sev- ered from the main body of the machine by disconnecting certain “bolts and nuts. Frank's new plan was to disconnect the rear truck. » This would dispose of the anchor. This would enable the forward part of the machine to bé dragged safely onto terra firma. . | But what Frank most feared was that the rear trucks would then sink out of sight and reach in the quicksand. aie tried to think of some plan to avoid this contingency. ~ Carefully he studied the seen: _ Finally an idea oc- fe “eurred to him. le ay ebtisek. This was carried to another tree directly oppasite ie the syeamore. Then Frank disconnected the oy, trom “the main body of the machine. Sn et / Again he returned to the pilot-house and turned on the | yon The great ropes strained and creaked. . ‘Phe Detective gently and slowly slid. from the quick- + sad a out ‘upon terra, firma. Instantly" al eye were © bus exactly the same position. PRAIRIE PIRATES. "ph Ee eS Se EES SCG RENE RE é He procured an) extra ‘eable and fastened it to the rear] 5 Saat alate naaet ‘Nearer the machine drew.” ot Jo. “ccogeh 17 a truck and then it was placed back ‘under the machine, which was now none the worse for the experience. The cables were taken in and once more all was ready for the fray. At once Frank set a course back for the hills. Ina short while they were once more near at hand. But no trace of the outlaws could be. seen. For several hours the Detective ran on to the northward. Then. they began to make a turning of the mountain wall. And this brought them suddenly into a region the like of ¥ which none of them had ever before seen. : It was akin to the famous Bad Lands of Dakota, there being all manner of strangely shaped rocks and earthy for- Amanf these the machine picked its way. Suddenly Jim Stuart, who was on the upper deck, shout- r ed to Frank: i mations. “Come np here, quick!” \ The young inventor sprang up beside the detective. “Listen !” said the latter. . But already Frank heard startling sounds coming from BS the westward. They were dull and faint, yet recogniz- _ a able. E a) ee “There is a fight going on over there,” declared Stuart. cat 4 “You are right!’? agreed Frank, excitedly. “Do you red think it can be Alden?” ie “More likely the Vigilantes ; sealldos both of them.” — : i “At any rate, it means that they have. hit upon the Ald gang and are making things lively,” declared Frank, 7 & A % . “Right you are! oe we not to mane an inventions: ~ tion ?” : fey ae eh “Certainly ! seh a BA ie eas a Frank at once changed the course of the Detective AH. a nel speed was putomn, aster He it # ot tia Ss ee ee speed among the rocks of the region. But jot the sounds 7 of conflict drew nearer. | Hho he gm si in yt he ote Then suddenly. it ran out into an open clearing the _ [base of a high cliff. sehen anne se phe pied the lower edge of this clearing. . 4 .

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18 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. Here the outlaws were skulking and hotly fusillading those below. There were stone steps cut in the face of the cliff for an ascent, but to have attempted such a thing in the face of the hot fire from above would have been sure death. But the outlaws’ den had at last been found. This was one great object accomplished. And as the Detective appeared on the scene a mighty cheer went up from the Vigilantes and cowboys. Their spirits went up one hundred per cent. “We got here just in the nick of time,” cried Stuart. “Let’s go over and see Alden and Keno Jim.” ‘The Detective was the recipient of a hot fire from the cliff above, but the bullets did mo harm. Once back of the cover of rocks, Alden and Keno Jim sprung aboard. It was a joyful meeting. - Mutual explanations were recounted. Then Alden ex- ot: “I think that Alice is somewhere confined up in that place. If we could only get up there——” «“We can,” said Frank. “% “How 2”? “T will show you. Have your men ready for a charge. I will send a dynamite shell up there and clean the cavern’s mouth of those rascals. Then you can send your men up _ «there safely.” And Frank proceeded to carry out this ie __He sighted the dynamite gun and sent a shell up into the mouth of the cavern. It exploded with terrific ef- > i tock SF ee “A great section of the ledge came tumbling down,’ Not an outlaw was to be seen after the explosion. With a cheer, the cowboys, led by Colonel Alden, rushed. “Alice!” he cried. “Thank God, you are safe !” The next moment Alice Alden was clasped safely in her father’s arms. It was a happy meeting. To every part of the outlaws’ stronghold the victorious invaders penetrated. The very easé of their victory made them over-confident. The outlaws had incontinently fled. Not a trace of them could be fotind anywhere. There were heaps of plunder and stores in the great cav- ern. The victors proceeded to overhaul the spoils. But Colonel Alden, with Alice, went back down to the base of the cliff and aboard the Detective. Frank at once gave the young girl a stateroom on board the machine. “She will be safe now!” declared Colonel Alden. this is the happiest moment of my life!” Thus far the expedition had been a grand success. “But I can’t understand why the Hinkleys didn’t make a harder fight,” said Stuart, in surprise. “Can it be, possible that we have broken up this hard gang so easily # ye “Ah! they may be planning some big coup!” “declared the colonel. “Tt is well for us to keep an éye out.” “You are right,” said Frank; “we are not done with them yet!” “But what will be their next move?” asked Stuart. “That we can hardly tell,” replied Frank, “but rest as- sured we shall hear from them again.” By this time the day had begun to come to a close, There seemed no way but to spend the night on the spot. “Oh, ‘ ‘ CHAPTER IX. A praia MOVE.

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“It can be done,” said Jim Stuart. “TI tell you we did a big thing when we gdt Frank Reade, Jr., to enlist with us.” ’ “That-is right !” Frank smiled and bowed his acknowledgment of the compliment. a “You do me too much credit,” he said. 7 titled to it.” So the cowboys and Vigilantes set forth”to scour the hills. The Detective followed slowly in their wake. Thus two days were consumed, but search as they would, not a trace gf the Hinkleys could be found. This was curious enough. What had become of them? i There seemed but two eee conclusions easy to arrive “at. : _~ . One was that the gang had abandoned the hills and gone = farther west. The other was that they had some Bens e _ Place which could ‘not be found. . oa -However,. the quest proved vain and fruitless, so at Tength it was decided to return to Paradise and abandon the search. : _ It was believed that a blow had Hin dealt the gang “T am not en- ~ which would prove permanent, and ‘that they would hence- en forth shun the region about. Re. ho the Vigilantes and cowboys formed ranks oat sas , away back toward Paradise. _ i a The Detective followed leisurely and the Pedro Hills ~ had begun to sink below the horizon when an unlooked- - for and starting incident occurred. Far in the distance, in the direction of Paradise, a great flond of smoke was seen mounting ‘into the sky. = Even at that distance of eight or ten miles the glare of flames could be seen. It could hardly be mistaken for a forest be for the trees were not dense bhi in that . : locality. 4 gt “4 a y Colonel sian sept back tothe Detective, where we Pt tS “We THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 19 . _| ly have turned the tables. Was their warning posted on every door in Paradise after all a literal one? . A grim look came into the eyes of the three men. It was not necessary for Frank to say: “Forward, with all speed!” The horsemen gave their mustangs full rein. The Detective went forward with full speed. It could run faster than the horses, of course, and soon had outstripped them. Mile after mile sped by. ‘And now a single horseman was seen galloping like mad from the direction of Paradise. As he drew nearer it could be seen ‘that he was: half lying over the pommel of his saddle, as if exhausted: > Nearer he drew. Then, as he came up sdaiecite the Detective, it could be seen that he was covered with blood. One shoulder had” been shot through. He was half fainting from loss of blood. “It is Tom Melton!” cried the detective. “Hey, Tom, what is wrong?” eae Se « : “The Hinkleys !” gasped the wounded man. attacked Paradise! love of heaven, go to their help!” The Detective, stopped just long enough to take the wounded courier aboard. Then away it sped. Frank took the wheel. ‘That ride down into Paradise none on board ever for- got. Down steep, descents, through gorges and canyons, around precipice walls the machine sped like a meteor. Now the fearful scene came plainly to view. Half of it is in flames! “They have For the — . Yee Far below in the little mining valley the town seemed a to be in flames. The crack of firearms and yells of éom- batants could be heard. Tt was plain that the small number of men left i in n Para- dise were defending the place with their lives. t | mountain trail. Had he reached the town he would quick- But a catastrophe completely upset ; all fic “The trail suddenly narrowed. at fearful speed. are hie teed ee pale Frank set his teeth and sent the Detective down “the re xiiuy gh “The. Eaaehipe vas going.

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PEAT. 20 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. But there was just enough of a collision to tilt the ma-} The outlaws were pressing hard against the doors of the j chine over. Then she plunged into the opposite bank. building, and were just about to put the torch to it. Frank tried to back her out, but the engines would not} But when they heard.the avenging cry of the returning answer. It was easy to see that they were again out of} Vigilantes they melted from sight like mist before the order. morning sun. ; ’__ Appalled, all exchanged glances. It was a bitter mo-| In a few moments not one of them was in sight. The \ ment. darkness of the gorge swallowed them up. “My soul !” seine Stuart. . “We can do nothing to] In their black suits and masks they looked like veritable . help them!” demons, which in practice they were. sit “Then Paradise is doomed !” groaned the wounded cour-} ‘The infuriated Vigilantes pursued. them savagely, but as ‘ ee aaa ‘ usual they gave their pursuers the slip: . “No,” said Frank, ate “we must go to ‘the res-| The state of affairs in Paradise Lost was lepdbrable in the ft ene ourselves.” . ie Pate te extreme. ed Gare the machine?” pt eit ; | As soon as’the burning embers were extinguished and fe ae ; -|the dead and wounded cared for, a meeting was called at_ ieee aed ‘ Brigham’s Hotel. Pao We “Well ” ; SCARE’ ‘Publie feeling ran high. vill that be safe?” os : sa ¢ _ |. Speeches were made in favor of a ovine oe ot extermi-- e% Pomp will stay aboard and gins it: With the dyna-| pation against the outlaws. ; mite gun he will be all right.” et A tt Then miner and tenderfoot, wakiter and REL Oe The detective. could ‘say no more. — per and half-breed, even the Chinamen, took a solemn oath “Well,” he said, a ie know best. You are the mer to pursue the Hinkley gang until poh one was left alive. a. They were in bitter éarnest. . Ne time, howerer, was to be lost. Barney and Stuart 6 can tell you, gentlemen,” declared John Alden, con- / and Frank, with rifles, lett the machine. — . fidently, “that if Mr. Reade, Jr., had not suffered an. acci- | areca nh and Alice ae wep ar aboard i | dent to his machine coming down the trail he would have Bi out a few of the dogs. 4: “You are right,” cried Jim ‘Stuayt;’ and 5 we ) must en-— list his services in the hunt.” aa + ie ¥ x A great cheer’ went up. A speech was called. de, and s ; Frank was obliged to respond. Sate Down the fal the xt plucky men aa Re They eae ‘He promised generously to aid the Paradise ae in “ ‘ the outskirts of the settlement when Alden bringin ais .. e villainous gang to justice. “And then the meet- Bai Wil Niet on neg toh ing diated bah tae : a nel Alden eanbraced Frank pas and prrers: im | Double tar Ranch and. all he had ‘in | the world — asa “recompense for his services i in reseuing Alice. a 4 berets modestly declined any Ne . ee a, b inky gm in Poxas for my own diversi an ; ‘

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= THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 21 A great cheer went up. The crowd gathered about the young inventor, who was the hero of the hour. CHAPTER X. “When can you start, Mr. Reade?” asked Tom Brig- | ham. ENTRAPPED. “Within ten minutes.” The Detective was rolling down into the little town and Pomp was at the wheel. The darky had kept persistently at work after his com- panions left him, and had actually succeeded in repairing the delicate machinery and getting the Detective out of the sand-bank. Melton, the wounded courier, and even Alice Alden, had assisted him to the best of their ability. To say that our voyagers were overjoyed at sight-of the machine once more intact would be*a mild statement. They rushed forward tp meet it, and were quickly on board. Then Melton was taken in charge by his friends, and Alice Alden by her happy father. Comfortable quarters were secured at the Brigham for the colonel and his daughter, for Alden was determined The air was rent with cheers. As Frank promised, ten minutes later the Detective was en route for China City, where the Hinkley gang was ex- pected to meet. Out of Paradise rolled the machine and elchchy climbed the mountain trail. Down on the other side of the divide she rolled and came out upon the great plain, extending all the way to the rail- road. It was clear sailing and Frank gave the machine: its head. “One hundred miles!” he said. “It is now eleven o’clock a.m. We will be in China City at dark.” “Whew!” exclaimed Jim Stuart; "that is fast going!” “Well, you shall see.” The machine fairly fl the plain. T . not to return to his ranch until the Hinkley gang had oe TeeNe tamy ef over the plain werlty miles | ith utter extermination an hour was an easy clip. i ea But, of course, there were some delays. There were de- - a or, The next day bands of men scoured the mountains for miles about. The Detective went over every trail within fifty, miles. But not a trace of the Hinklejs was to be. found. If they were in hiding near they were certainly exceed- ingly clever in keeping so close. Thus a ~eek passed. ) _ Then an unexpected clew was gained. An eastern stage brought in a wounded man found srt on the trail not a _ dozen miles from Paradise. “He vie seengizel a one of the Hinkley gang, and ; * made a dying confession. He declared that the gang had she one hundred miles further south’ and hed laid a plan to hold up’a treasure = _ train on the ‘Texas Central Railroad. _ The details of the nefarious project were obtained. Then a consultation was held as to what it was best to do. ; f course, it was proper to send word to the railroad » but there was no telegraph, and a stage would not reach there in, time: roita : ER ecm pveieeepats tours about swamps and the fording of streams. But just as the sun sank upon the horizon Barney gave a shout: “Shure, sor, there be the tillygraph poles!” he cried. “It’s the railroad!” And this was the truth. The railroad was, indeed, in sight. All were ie the qui vive. Just to the south there was a deep pass between “ial hills. Ten miles in the heart of these hills the gai was to occur. . Frank ran down to the side of the railroad track and then a conference was held. It was finally decided to wait for the cover ‘of datiness and surprise the outlaws im the very act. Their plot was to blow up a bridge over a creek with dynamite. sd aig re paid al Foor’ dn tac they would board it. - he creek was some distance into the hills. As the train did not come along until an hour before midnight, it was deemed not best to enter the hills yet. : es ae se om

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22 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. the defiles. Frank and Stuart, with rifles, walked along slowly, picking out the way, while the machine followed. In this manner they proceeded cautiously, and, as they believed, unseen, into the enemy’s country. Steadily they kept on and reached a small height near the bridge at a little before ten. Here the machine rested, with its guns pointed toward the bridge. Frank’s plan was simple. It was merely to turn the searchlight upon the villains as they attempted to board the train, and then send a bomb into their midst. Rather a harsh remedy, but such a disease required dras- tie treatment, as Stuart said. They were delighted at having gained so sightly an eleva- tion, and were sure of giving the foe a keen surprise. __ “Bejabers, they'll’ be afther thinkin’ the world is comin’ to an ind,” declared Barney. 5 In the gloom dim forms could be seen workihg at the bridge. The outlaws were laying their train of saat mite. — Frank and Stuart even ventured to descend almost to a _ point from whence they could easily see them. ‘The time was now growing short. Everybody was upon __. the qui vive, __. Frank was at the electric gun. Stuart was at the for- ward rail, and Barney and Pomp at the searchlight, ready to turn it on at the word of command. Thus matters were when the distant whistle of the train was heard. Then, far down the track, its headlight showed. : fe _ The supreme moment had come. __ Every nerve was strained, but while all were intently . _ Watching the train they did not see a number of shadowy _ forms climbing silently over the rail in their rear. ua ‘Suddenly the train whistled. Then there was a great], . roar and a volcano burst of flame from the bridge below. ‘The next instant it was in the air. ‘The shrill shriek of ress and warning from the locomotive followed. ae ee as a ir fe of armed “nn rt mt to the locomotive oab. are ny or gun, but a powerful arm was thrown about his neck and he was flung to the deck. Jim Stuart shared his fate. Barney was instantly in the clutches of half a dozen armed men, as was Pomp. “Yield or you die!” was the stern command. In the face of such odds resistance was sheer madness. In the twinkling of an eye they were bound and prisoners. Such a turning of tables was most astounding. Our ad- venturers were hardly able to realize their misfortune. Meanwhile, others of the outlaws, with lanterns, surged on board. Their exultation was great. And the train robbery down below was made complete. The guard in the treasure car attempted resistance, but . were quickly shot. The treasure chests, with one hundred thousand dollars in gold and bank notés, were taken out of the car and blown open and the spoils divided. ' Then the terrified engineer was allowed to back his train away and cut out for the nearest station back on the line. The train robbers were wildly delighted with the success of the affair. All now came crowding about the machine. They began to overhaul it, to Frank’s dismay. All went well until they reached the engine-room. Then one of the greenhorns placed a hand unwittingly upon a live dynamo. - He was killed as if with a lightning bolt. Astounded, one of his companions picked up an iron bar and touched the dynamo. He was knocked senseless, the bar knocking three oth- ers down with its ecstatic kick. The dead man was carried out and the death-dealing part of the machinery was regarded with awe. Then the villainous crew began to plunder the stores, and, in fact, possessed themselves with everything of value aboard the-machine. “Great Scott!” groaned Stuart, as he lay beside Frank in “the ee cabin. “This is the cate misfortune we have had yet.‘ It is our ruin!” “T am not so sure of that,” said the young inventor. “If Srna kangen hon gue ipia sini crap ects x -- rascals 1? ‘ They were at itipncnent reclining in deep shadow. Only. ae bis one man was acting as guard near them. Frank had been patiently working on his bonds until he — ae nearly had them free. hee Loman aden ved

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THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 23 2a “All right.” In a few moments the detective’s splendid white teeth were doing their best to rend the bit of Tope. And he sue- ceeded most admirably. In a short while Frank’s hands were free. inventor partly sat up with a thrill of joy. But at that moment a startling thing happened. The young CHAPTER XI. ¢ THE PURSUIT. Into the cabin strode a tall, dashing fellow, with dark features and flashing black eyes. He wore a complete suit _ of black yelvet. 3 - “Jericho!” whispered Stuart, “that is Tad Hinkley!” In was, indeed, the younger of the famous Hinkley broth- G ers, He was noted for his daredevil bravery. _ guard: ' “Keep an eye on those fellows until sunrise. Then take - them out and shoot them!” Nl right, sir!” replied the guard. Then, with a contemptuous glance at the prisoners again, . the villain’ was gone. Stuart shrugged his shoulders. oe fy But Frank muttered: “They may not have a chance to shoot us at sunrise?” f “What i is your plan, Frank?” asked the detective. ih “Keep quiet and Tl show you!” ‘They were lying but a few feet from. the door of the -house. As it chanced nobody was in it. Frank braced himself a moment, then sprung up and like flash bounded into the place. ‘The gnard turhed, but ot quick enough. . = Frank d swung the steel door shut behind’ nae his cast on the key- ; He flashed a glance at the prisoners and: said to the|~ The outlaws on deck tried to force in the cabin doors, but they were of steel and stoutly resisted. By this time Frank saw a-clear course before him and dared to leave the wheel long enough to liberate his companions. Barney and Pomp quickly seized their rifles and thrust them through the loopholes. At this the outlaws, frantic with terror, leaped from the deck. Going at that fearful rate of speed a leap from the deck of the vehicle was no light matter, It was likely that many of the villains were severely injured. “Hurrah!” cried Stuart, “that was done very slick, But what will you do now?” Frank had checked the speed of the machine and was turning it about. Frank. You are a hero. “T am going back to recover the stolen treasure,” he declared. “Good!” cried Stuart. “T think we can.” “And we can do it, too!” . “How did those rascals ever get the whip hand on us that way?” “We were extremely careless. We should not have neg- lected to keep a sharp watch. But we'll not get caught that way again!” “You are right!” . ‘Back went the Detective on its course, Soon it had reached the scene of the train tobbery: The searchlight swept the vicinity very thoroughly, but not a sign of the robbers could be seen. Not one asm Pree sight. ee The nature of the region was such that ce could slip into the deep woods and among the rocky crags where the machine could not follow br hope to dislodge them. nae This was unfortunate in the extreme. However, as thor- — ough a search of the hills ay aan was mare but beh jout result. aS “The Hinkleys had actually sity gah las a a ‘ure from the car and left no clew behind them. ‘Thus far’ 5 meen st the oun he ge a Set mails :

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24 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. The result was that the Vigilantes spread out into the hills while the Detective held guard below, hoping to drive the robbers out and then nab them. But after a day’s hard quest the search proved fruitless. Evidence was found that the outlaws had got away with their booty down the creek, in the direction of a frontier town known as Big Divide. | This was well known as a resort of toughs and despera- does, and there was little doubt that the gang would there divide the spoils. ; _ Then they would separate, as was the usual line of tac- ties after a big robbery, to come together again months later, after the detectives had been outwitted. To reach Big Divide, then, before the gang could sepa- So arrangements rate and escape, was the proper plan. were at once made. The machine was to go ahead as rapidly as possible and corral the robbers. Then the Vigilantes, armed with the law, were to arrive on the scene as quickly as pos- sible. | Captain Odell and four of his men were to go aboard, the Detective and represent the law. So the start was made. ‘ . Tt was fifty miles to Big Divide, and the Prairie Pirates had had ample time to get there. ue 4 The Detective could make the run easily in three hours. re It would take the Vigilantes at least ten hours. ; aap - Soon the yaeching was speeding away like a meteor over Captain Odell and his men were eager to reach the fron- | tier town and get their clutches upon the robbers. Frank put on all speed. Tt seemed an age before the three hours began to draw ign of adobe buildings. : It was hard to understand to what Big Divide owed its ae was, in the first ae a convenient rendezvous for Eee iis wha hips 6 ecand upon ill be one way to eal with them. te tina to, fon fe asp! to a close. Alias Die otk 90 She eater saw a rude the Loa gangs of ieee who every season cromiieg up]. fg Die i ene es Rae ny) a bem They instantly opened | fire on the Detective. Mounted men were dashing about and one of the streets could be seen to be barricaded. , “What does that mean?” exclaimed Jim Stuart. “It means that they are expecting us,” said Captain Odell, grimly. with them !” “Bejabers, I hope we will!” cried Barney. “We have got to have a bit of a ruction “Shure, we'd give thim all they want ay that, I think.” Everybody agreed with the Celt. They took their stations at the loopholes in the netting and watched the progress of affairs. Very rapidly the machine now drew nearer to the town. Straight on Frank ran until he was within hailing eons of the barricade. Behind this was the roughest aggregation of men ever seen. They brandished their weapons and yelled. furiously as the machine approached. The Detective remained before tlie barricade for some time before the din subsided sufliciently to admit of a par- ley. “Who is the leading spirit out there?” he shouted. Then Odell acted as spokesman. “We're all leading spirits,” yelled one of the gang. “Down with the Vigilantes!” “Hang 7em |” “Shoot ’em !” Then a tall, desperate-looking fellow leaped upon the barricade and shouted : “Tm here. What have ye got ter say to me?” “All right, Frisco,” said Odell. “I am High Sheriff of this city, and I am after the Hinkley hii vemz Are they or any of their gang here?” “No!” was the defiant reply. “We have tracked them here.” A mad yell went up. “Well, if they are here, they ain’t goin’ to surrender! *Frisco Jim, an’ I’m ther high-cock-of-ther-walk High Sheriff or not, you hed better go on about your busi- } ness! Divide ain’t no place fer you!” “Oh, you think so, do you?” cried the sheriff; “we'll see. I demand that you give the Hinkleys up to the law. If you don’t, we'll batter down every basrepa in oy town and hang every man of you!” ; This threat was too much "fot thd denise’ of Divides | b “That is enough,” cried Odell, angrily. “There % aaa iv

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could pour a murderous fire into the midst of the out- laws. ° 5 And so the battle opened. It raged for awhile with great fury. Of course, Frank could have opened fire with the big gun and reduced everything about to powder. But he * was averse to this, for it meant wholesale slaughter. Moreover, it was his belief that after the foe had stood the fire of the Winchesters awhile they would be over-glad to surrender, or come to terms. Méreover, in course of time, the rest of the Vigilantes would arrive and then an attack could be planned from the rear. 7 ¢ As it was, the bullets of the Divide people could do the party aboard the machine no harm whatever. This fact finally’ became apparent to them. They at once changed their tactics. _ Firing almost ceased and finally the ruffian who claimed _ -to be their leader appeared once more on the barricade, with a flag of truce. ' “Well: ?” asked Odell, as he opened wart saad _ do you want?” a3 “We want to know what kind of a condemned prairie fe a schooner have yew got wen We kain’t shoot through Mie” F “Of course you can’t,” retorted the sheriff. “It is of “What -. steel.” — 5, bak ‘ «Steel ei “Yes, and what is more, we have a dynamite gun here ¥. which, if we ehctiee to use it, would blow you into er oa “tion!” 7 : pe if “Why don’t ye use it?” sneered the wretch, m4 We: don’t want to kill all of you. We want simply ea deme ey ye cot Bit soe Uo ee BO aa belt ot | the hundred thousand. 5d ae | THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. 25 CHAPTER XII. WHICH ENDS THE TALE. Frank Reade, Jr., was deadly in earnest in his purpose, He very carefully sighted the gun. He believed he could destroy the barricade without kill- ing many of the people behind it. He selected the center of the barricade as the objective point. Then he sighted the gun and discharged it. The shell struck full in the midst of the barricade, result was thrilling to witness. The There was a tremendous roar and a mighty upward burst of flame and smoke. The ground trembled as with an earthquake shock. When the smoke and dust cleared a mighty hole was seen to have been blown in the ground big enough to bil the ma- chine. And the defenders of the barricade were scurrying for their lives in all directions. ; ‘ Some of them had been killed or wounded in the explo- sion, but the number was not great. ’ In a few moments every outlaw or tough was out of sight. In the sheerest of terror they had sought refuge in every © building or hiding place about. Frank could have kept on in his deadly work and have ‘destroyed every building in the place, and for that matter, every person as well. This fact had become patent to the desperadoes. 7 They were of a class which, once mastered, were always ‘subdued. No further resistance was thought of. . Odell was astonished. ba oe en “Whew!” he exclaimed. “You have tamed them this time for sure. ‘They won't dare make another fight.” “Now, the question is,” cried Frank, “how are we going : to find the Hinkleys and recover the money?” - “I think the Hinkleys are in that building yonder,” said Jim ‘Stuart, indicating a long, rambling adobe structure. ; “I think I saw ’em rush in there.” “Go for it, then!” cried Odell. Aare Prk ran the machin pt thee ofthe id. e ing. Then Odell shouted: , ai y mil ary Re ni git St eat ve! If you refuse, we will blow you all law pe nd vis i

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26 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. “Then we'll agree to it, if ye’ll keep away from Divide with that ere concern of yours!” “That is a bargain,” said Odell. “We want the two men and the money.” “Kain'’t give ye the money, as it’s all scattered amongst . the men.” “Well, give us the Hinkleys, then.” “All right.” This announcement was followed by the sounds of a ter- P rifie fight in the building. _ Shots were fired, curses were heard, and finally the door was burst open and a crowd of rough men surged out. In their midst were the two outlaws, securely bound. Odell and his four men leaped down and secured the pris- oners. They brought them aboard the machine. Then Frank brought the Detective round and started to leave the is hdc . It was easy to assume that the denizens of the Divide be drew a deep breath of relief when the Detective vanished from view on the prairie horizon. a Ten miles on the return route the Vigilantes were met. ; se esha sorsepiondet fx Senin Soe inher nto, but Frank objected to this, “Tt is better to take them back to Paradise Lost and give oO ‘them a fair trial,” he said. “Of course, there is no doubt “That is right,” agreed Odell. “It is meh to cher the Stalin shall have justice.” So the party kept on for Paradise. ye x 3 ay cee ‘> ct lc or ee And th Goff and ‘Tad Hinkley were at length in limbo. Bound hand eae foot xd were sere eae by tee of te Frank Reade, Jr., and his companions became the heroes of the hour. : No time was lost in calling the tribunal of justice. Keno Jim’s services were once more called into requisition. - The trial was very brief. The weight of evidence was preponderous against the prisoners. Their lawyer could make absolutely no defense. So the jury of miners brought in a speedy decision of guilty. Then Keno Jim pronounced the sentence. “The prisoners at the bar, Goff and Tad Hinkley, are found guilty of the charges against them,” he declared. “So I will pronounce sentence: Both shall die of hanging by the neck to-morrow morning at sunrise from the limb of the biggest pine on our hills.” * “Hurrah!” wildly shouted the spectators, breaking the rules of the court. And they cheered themselves hoarse. The prisoners were deadly pale. oF It was evident that they realized that their fate was sealed. But yet they did not plead for mercy. For they knew full well that it would be useless. But it was noticed that they exchanged significant glances as their doom was pronounced. , The sequel of this came quickly. When the prisoners were led from the courtroom to the little jail, Goff Hinkley was attended by a giant miner on his right. In thé miner’s belt was an arsenal of weapons. The prisoners’ hands were not bound, as it did not seem — that they could escape. But suddenly, swift as a flash, Goff Hinkley wut the butt of one of the pistols. He twitched it from the other’s belt like a flash and eaped to one side. _ A seating oxy Vie tak 99 eee wolf escaped his: lips. . Thunderstruck, the crowd for a popes cwayed beck Il Mia a Reet ay, me ) A hundred revolvers covered the highwayman. ae — Ca

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THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. as “T cannot escape?” shouted the highwayman. “That is] “How long will that take you?” he asked, false! This very weapon is my means. Tad!” “Two months or more.” “Goff! Do not be afraid!” “Ah, of course, our contract ended with the defeat of The other brother had shouted these last words. The|the Prairie Pirates.” next instant Goff Hinkley fired the revolver point blank at} “Well, yes.” his brother. { Stuart fidgeted around a bit. Frank read his mind like Tad Hinkley fell back, with the blood spurting from his|a printed book, and smiled. heart. Then, before the astounded bystanders could re-}. “Of course,” said the detective, slowly, “I—er—that is, . cover from their surprise, Goff Hinkley placed the weapon|I think I have earned a vacation. I would like to take oe to his head. that trip with you, Frank, if you’ll take me.” “Stop him!” yelled Odell.” “Would you, really ?” Too late! . “Yes.” : 5 Crack! - “Very well,” agreed the young inventor. “Your offer : : The bullet went crashing through his brain. He fell a is accepted. I am glad that you have decided to accom- corpse. = pany us.” a The career of the Hinkley brothers was ended. The| The detective sprang to his feet. ‘ _ Prairie Pirates would never more terrorize the plains of | “Do you mean that?” he cried. . » = - ‘Texas. : “Every word of it,” & ~The wonder-struck crowd gathered about the two dead “How can i thank you enough?” ¥ outlaws, Then they slowly dispersed. “Tt is nothing.” i. “ After all,” said Frank Reade, Jr., “it was the best thing|. “Oh, it will be a jolly trip,” and Stuart went 8 -* tell * * ‘that could be done. They can do no more harm now and Odell and Keno Jim of his luck. ate ve their blood is upon their own heads.” te “\ "fhe machine remained in Paradise a.weck. oe a oe | “That is true,” agreed Stuart. " tee During that time the voyagers were ddoliped and treated i = They went back aboard the Detective. ‘Then @ consult handsomely by the people. It was sm ari that 6 o % ‘tion ‘ane held. were preg compelled to leaye. ing aa being chased, by:the Kinch = nape . | As the incidents of that trip vould OF sat thet hake we os ae le ee a T have cannot give them here. Lae Bae . +4 st eee ce ey ine mini of wea se But the machine kept: on from. fosthoe: babi oe | region. of the’ Great Basin eres Rockies to.

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28 THE PRAIRIE PIRATES. It would never be possible to take another trip in her,| He often hears from Colonel Alden and Alice, who are for the wear and tear of her machinery had been great. yet at the Double Star Ranch. They are untiring in their So Frank broke her up for old iron, but he said: | gratitude to Frank Reade, . “JT will build another to beat her. 1 can make an im-| Barney and Pomp went back to their duties at the ma- provement on her, 1 think, some time in the future.” chine shops with a relish. “When you get a new machine finished, maybe I'll have} Happy, prosperous and contented, we must now leave another case for you,” said Jim Stuart. “Would you un-| Frank, Barney and Pomp. dertake another ?” ; THE END. “We will decide when the time comes,” replied Frank. SPECIAL NOTICE: AH back numbers of this weekly “For the present I have enough of travel and mean to are always in print. If you cannot obtain them from any quit it.” hee : newsdealer, send the price in money or postage stamps by ; Jim Stuart went back to St. Louis and resumed his de- mail to FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 24 UNION tective duties, but he will never forget that trip with Frank SQUARE, NEW YORK, and you will receive the copies Reade, Jr., to Texas in quest of the Prairie Pirates. — you order by return mail. - we IMPORTANT NOTICE 7 This will be the last number of Frank Reapk Weexty Macazine. In its place we will publish a splendid new series of stories of the Rebellion in Blue and Gray Weekly Stories of Brave Northern and Southern Boys in the Civil War BY LIEUT. HARRY LEE THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS ARE ALREADY ISSUED: No. 1 OFF TO THE WAR; or, THE BOYS IN BLUE MUSTERED IN No. 2 AT THE FRONT; or, THE BOYS IN GRAY IN BATTLE No. 3 HOLDING THE LINE; or, THE BOYS IN BLUE’S GREAT DEFENSE Every reader of Frank Reape Weexiy MaGazine should buy a copy of this grand war # library. All of.these stirring stories are replete with exciting adventures, great battles and | daring deeds, Jack Cxark is the hero of the Boys in Blue, and Wit Prentiss figures the same way with the Boys in Gray. Both sides of the Rebellion are given and absolute-- _ ly no partisanship is shown. Every one of these stories is written in a manner that cannot ats fail to nt the most exacting reader. eee ORDER A COPY FROM YOUR NEWSDEALER. IT IS — wa OUT TO-DAY a

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ee — ————eeeoOr as A Grand War Library BLUE AND GRAY WEEKLY Stories of Brave Northern and Southern Boys in the Civil War BY LIEUT. HARRY LEE wee EACH NUMBER COMPLETE A 32-PAGE BOOK FOR 5 CENTS! “ama wee D0 NOT FAIL 10 BUY A COPY “Waa A New Story Will Be Published Every Week _ All of these stirring stories are based on historical facts. They relate the exciting adventures of two gallant young officers in the rebellion. Each alternate story deals with the North and South. There §s absolutely no partisan- ship shown, In one story the exploits of Captain Jack Clark, of the Fairdale Blues, is given. In the next, Captain Will Prentiss figures with his company, the Virginia Grays. Thus, both sides of the war are shown in the most impartial manner. You will like the stories of the South as well as you will like those of the North. Both are replete with daring incidents, great battles and thrilling military situations. An interesting love theme runs through each story. Reatl the following numbers; they will be issued on the dates given below: No. ISSUED 1 Off to the War; or, G4e Boys in Blue Mustered In Aug. 12 2 At the Front; or, G4e Boys in Gray in Battle Aug. 19 3 Holding the Line; or, Gse Boys in Blue’s Great Defense Aug. 26 4 On a Forced March; or, G4e Boys in Gray to the Rescue Sept. 2 5 Through the Lines; or, G4e Boys in Blue on a Raid Sept. 9 6 Prisoners of War; or, GSe Boys in Gray in Limbo Sept. 16 7 On Special Service; or, G4e Boys in Blue in Danger Sept. 23 8 Bivouac and Battle; or, Ge Boys in Gray’s Hard Campaign Sept. 30 For Sale by All Newsdealers, or will be Sent to Any Address on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy, by FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher No. 24 UNION SQUARE, NEW YORK —_—_—_————OOOOOlwleheowoqo"o"“aeOa——— eee IF YOU WANT ANY BACK our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained trom this office direct. Cut out and fill i the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to you by re- turn mail POSTAGE SISNE? TAKEN THB SAME AS MONEY. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York, 2 cic ececeseee AE URES Dear Srr—Enclosed find...... cents for which please send me: ..copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos........ eo Rew UL CAR: CCRT EULY Ree COURS Cen Oe vay e ve eyeus 0b) Cas Kye 2 Mite ie sence védee .... “ © THE LIBERTY BOYS OF 76, Nos..... POOREP ed sedi te VOR s So Wlltict'p Geb oso NTRS oe rege a a... “. “ BLUE AND GRAY WEEKLY, Nos.........-.-- siete gu acse s+ 2 Fosters at Redes stat seat eh alae te (sees © # Ten-Cent) Hand Books, ae Oe ee PEPE ee SP agn GTi Siaeatin soso 45 04d5' son ag ete Nome... tater cece siecvneescess .. Street and er ree 6, Towns)... State 28 vbbhe eee ‘aii eee RE SS Oe Ree ty ee ay eee ee “ ae ¢ oa hy at Pela, are sh Bee de ¥-s . dtl hoah

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These Books Tell You Everything! 4 GOMPLETE SET IS A REGULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA! Bach book consists of sixty-four Pages, printed on good paper,in clear and neatly’ bound in an attractive, illustrated ‘cover. Most of the books are also profusely illustrated, asks all of the subjects treated upon are explained in'such a simple manner that any _child can thoroughly understand them, ‘Look over the list as classified and see if ‘you want to know edits about the subjects * mentioned. ; ; -‘THESH BOOKS ARE FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDBALERS OR WILL PE SHNT BY MAIL TO. ANY ADDRESS FROM THIS OFFICE ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, TEN CENTS EACH, OR ANY THREE BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y. 4 No. 72. HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.—En- bracing all .of the yo and most deceptive card tricks, with il- er oer By A. Anderson. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.— Conatids deceptive Card Tricks as pe-formed by leading conjurors and magicians. Arranged for home amasement. Fully illustrated. MAGIC No. 2. HOW TO DO-TRICKS.—The great: book of card tricks, containing full instruction on all the leading ca hee 0: the day,’also the most popular magical illusions as performed by ou. leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book, as ic Will both amuse and instruct. + No. 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.—Heller’s second sight explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Explaining how the secret dialogues were carried on between the magician and the boy on the stage; also giving all the codes and signals. The only ae ag e tic explanation of second sight. OW TO BECOME A MAGICIAN .—Containing the riko assortment of magical i:Jusions: ever placed before the public. Also tricks with cards, incaxtations, etc. No. 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS.—Containing over one hundred highly amusing and instructive tricks with chemicals, By A. Anderson. Handsomely illustrated. No. 69. HOW .TO DO SLEIGHT OF AAND.—Containing over fifty of the latest and best tricks used by bar eine Also contain- ing the secret of second sight: Fully illustrated. A. Anderson. o 70. HOW TO MAKE MAGIC TOYS. taining full directions for mg Magic Toys and devices of many kinds. By A. Anderson. bye illustrated. No. 73. HOW DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS.—Showing many curious tricks with Eure and the magic of numbers. By A. Anderson, Fully illustrat No. 75 HOW TO BECOME A CONJUROR. — — Containing tricks with Dominos, Dice, rea and Balls, Hats, ete. Embracing | thirty-six eons. B Anderson, FORTUNE TELLING. No. 78. HOW TO DO Hi BLACK ART.—Containing plete description of the ray are of Magic and Sleight of of “Hand, > Toe S with hoard wonderful expériments. By A. Anderson. MESMERISM. No. 81, HOW TO MESNERIZE.—Containing the most ap- proved methods of mesmerism; also how to cure all kinds of diseases by animal magnetism, or, magnetic healing. By Prof. Leo Hugo Koch, A, CG, §., author of “How to Hypnotize,” ete. PALMISTRY. No. 82. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.—Containing the most ap- pore methods of reading the lines on the hand, together with ae ies of their meaning. Also explaining been oe: the key for nee character be the bumps-on the head. and ugo Koch, A. C. S. Fully illustrated. HYPNOTISM. © | No. 83. HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.—Containing valuable and in- structive information regarding the science of hypnotism. Also explaining the most approved methods which are employed by the eading bypnotists of the base By Leo Hugo Koch, A.C.S. No. 21. HOW TO pa, BPRUING FISH.—The most complete bunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains full in- structions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, on with descriptions of game and fish. o. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—TFully Alustrated. Every boy should know how to row and sail a boat. Full instructions are given in this little book, together with in- ons on ee of and riding, companion sports to boating. No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSE.— A complete treatise on the horse. Describing the most useful horses business, the best horses for the road; also valuable recipes for diseases aliar to the horse. No. HOW TO BUILD 7 ted SAIL CANOES.—A handy book for boys, containing full directions for constructing canoes and the most oe ee of sailing them. Fully illustrated. By C. Stansfi ' rag | 29, HOW TO MECHA MC INVENTOR —Bvery_boy . —livery Een trom te ite chil Siac eis wpmaD, tte ook should know how Bivestions originated. This book explains them end u unlucky ie poleon’s Oraculum,” cane fate. all, giving examples ip electricity, hydraulics, magnetism, m, optics, No. 28. HO eae FORTUNES.—Everyone is desirous of pneumatics, mechanics, étc. The most instructive k published, d towing whe what his future life will bring forth, whether happiness or No, 56. HOW TO BECOME AN HNGINEDR.—Containing full misery or verty. You can tell by a glance at this little | instructions how to proceed in order to become a locomotive en- Buy ys convinced, Tell your own fortune. Tell gineer; also directions for butlging a model locomotive; together fortune o of ae with a full pieocription of eve! ineer should know. Bos ee FORTUNES BY THE HAND.—| ,, No. 57. H MAKE MUSICAL, INSTRUMENTS. -Fun tuning rues for telling fortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, directions how to make a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Aolian Harp, Xylo- re ‘palmistry. Also the secret of telling future events phone and other musical instruments; together with a brief de- ie eet of les, ks, scars, etc. Illustrated, By A. Anderson. scription of nearly ae musica{ instrument used. in ancient or by. . Ls ae ae . ern times. Profusely illustrated. By Al Algernon § S. Pitagerald, ; AiG? FF. 5 4 eco A aL : Noo HO ears bandmaster of the Roya oa ing pears abn narnia bared a demain ort the peas ts Viens —6 pieaten -* » ‘ 1 e) with i and inven c= eatal thee Pee. developing | good, | Also Also ee ne painting slides. Handsomely RIES : 7 iy coe y can | illus sown ty tre Sc ati No. TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS.—Contain is littl ck cy x me the ins pound seneetnys alapieke "eatryetionk for performing over sixty Mechanical Tacks X.—The art of self-defense By ted. x td made easy. A. a rag Fully illustra dB g mace bags eH o Li ooh ows, and the differ: : poves should obtain one of ' LETTER WRITING tea how No, 11. HOW TO WRITHD LOVE-LETTERS.—A sit com- ao it wi id ov bios: ieee little book, containing toll directions for writing love-lettera, - Wr ‘and when t i letter for ea 1d. BECOME A GEMNABE <Cpitalites Loh ae Ng METS a 10 wire Liters ore rabins.“¢ é ° igi 4 bs 4 ; ‘TO. 3 for an oe of gymnasts sp roleesor cp ged Seeded, llustra tions complete instructions for writin Ts tls eta : rasa Sieg lectins of introduction, nites es eer xi No. 24. HOW TO WRITE L $00 GENTLEMEN.— also ins n arche Contaiaing full directions for writing to gentlemen on all subjects; iuustrations, giving giving sample letters for instruction EDR G IE OLED ss Ba | Be Fc Menge — Lhe ain’ AB 8. i prrmns—A wonderful little FR, : 5 book, e! you how to write to your father, "| mother, sister, b oneness and, in fact, everybody and any: bod ish tov young — -and every qouns

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* - the leading conundrums of the day, amusing riddles, curious Auction Pitch, All o, 66. HOW THE STAGE. No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE BOOK.— Containing a great variety of the latest jokes used by the most famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without this wonderful little book. No. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPHAKER.— Containing a varied assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing for home amuse- ment and amateur shows. No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK.—Something new and very instructive. Every boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for or- izing an amateur minstrel troupe. No. 65. MULDOON’S JOKES.—This is one of the most original joke books ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It contains a large collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, etc., of Terrence Muldoon, the great wit, humorist, and practical joker of the day. Every boy who can enjoy a good substantial joke should obtain a copy immediately. ie No. 79. HOW TO BECOMB AN ACTOR.—Containing com- plete instructions how to make up for various characters on the stage; together with the duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, Scenic Artist and Property Man. uM S prominent Stage Manager. No. 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKH BOOK.—Containing the lat- est jokes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned and aves popelar German comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome colo cover containing a half-tone photo of the author. HOUSEKEEPING. i No. 16, HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN,—Containing full instructions for constructing a window garden either in town or country, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful flowers at home. The most complete book of the kind ever pub- lished. No. 80. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive books on cooking ever published. It contains recipes for psy, Oe aps fish, game, and oysters; also pies,\puddings, cakes and all kinds of pastry, anda grand collection of recipes by one of our most popular cooks. No. 87, 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, Aeolian-harps, and bird lime for catching birds. ELECTRICAL. No, 46: HOW TO MAKE AND USB ELECTRICITY.—A de- scription of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism ; together with full instructions for making Electric Toys, Batteries, = By George Trebel, A. M., M. D. Containing over fifty il- ustrations, No, 64. HOW TO MAKB ELECTRICAL MACHINES,—Con- taining full directions for making electrical machines, induction coils, dynamos, and many novel toys to be worked by electricity. By A. R. Bennett, ed illustrated. No. 67. HOW TO DO ELECTRICAL TRICKS.—Containing a large collection of instructive and highly amusing electrical tricks, together with illustrations. By A. Anderson. ENTERTAINMENT. No. 9. HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILO Kennedy. The secret given away. Every inte this book of instructions, by a practical professor tudes every night with his wonderful 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. ‘No, 20, HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVENING PARTY.—. very valuable little book just published. A complete compendium of games, sports, card diversions, comic recitations, etc., suitable for parlor or drawin yor hoo yeaa “It contains more for the mon n any book published. . No $5, HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A complete and useful little book, containing the Fd and ee of billiards, bagatelle, gammon, croquet, dominoes, ete. , 0. 36. HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS.—Containing an UIST.—By Harry ligent boy reading (delighting multi- and witty sayin Sy How To PLAY OARDS.~A complete and handy little giving the rules and full directions for laying Euchre, Crib- Casino, Forty-Five, Rounce, Pedro Sancho,, Draw Poker, ours, and many other popular games of cards, TO DO PUZZLES.—Containing. over three hun- uzzles and conundrums, with key to same. illustrated.. By A, Anderson. ETIQUETTE. No. 13. HOW TO DO IT; OR, BOOK OF PTIQUETTH.—It isa abot life secret, and one that every young interesting book. man desires to know it. : iness in i 5 ange BOW 0 Hiteate cant te neat a d easiest and most approve: Ps to good advantage at parties, balls, e theatre, church, and the or _ DECLAMATION. _ 3 No, 27, HOW TO TE AND BOOK OF RECITATIONS. —Con lecti in rising Dutch sane ai Yai adie! se beri fe te Ta ee ‘+ A| Canada. Also table of distances by water to foreign ““PRICE 10 CENTS: EACH, OR ¢ PRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, No. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPHAKER.—Containing four teen illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to become a good speaker, reader and elocutionist. Also containing gems from all the popular authors of prose and poetry, arranged in the most simple and concise manner possible. No. 49. HOW TO DEBATH—Giying rules for conducting: de bates, outlines for debates, questions for discussion, and the best sources for procuring information on the questions given: SOCIETY. ’ No. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.—The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this little book. Besides the various methods ‘of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it con- tains a full Jist of the language and sentiment of flowers, which is interesting to everybody, both old and young. You cannot be happy without one. No. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of a new and handsome littie book just issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instruc- tions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, on to dress, and full directions for calling off in all popular square ances, No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—A complete guide to love, courtship and marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to be observed, with many curious and interesting things not gen- erally known. No. 17. HOW TO DRESS.—Containing full instruction in the art of dressing and appearing well at home and abroad, giving the selections of colors, material, and how to have them made up, No, 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL.—One of the brightest and most ‘valuable little books ever given to the work. Prosybods, wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male and female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. this book and be convinced how to become beautiful, BIRDS AND ANIMALS. No. 7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Handsomely illustrated and containing ful) instructions for the management and training of the canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, ete. No. 39. HOW TO RAISE DOGS, POULTRY, PIGEONS AND RABBITS.—A useful and instructive book. Handsomely illus- trated. By Ira Drofraw. No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.—Including hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure skins. Copiously illustrated. By J. Harrington eene, No, 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS.—A valuable book, giving instructions in collecting, preparing, mounting and preserving birds, animals and insects. No. 54. HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGH PETS.—Giving com- plete information as to the manner and method of raising, keeping, taming, breeding, and managing al! kinds of pets; also giving fu instructions for making cages, ete. Full explained by twenty-eight illustrations, making it the most complete bodk of the kind ever published. MISCELLANEOUS. No. 8. HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST.—A useful and in- structive book, giving a complete treatise on chemistry; also a periments in acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and _di- rections for making fireworks, colored fires, and gas balloons. This book cannot be equaled. No, 14. HOW TO MAKB CANDY.—A complete hand-book for making all kinds of candy, ice-cream, syrups, essences, etc., etc. No. 19.—FRANK TOUSBY’S UNITED STATES DISTANCH TABLES, POCKET COMPANION AND GUIDE.—Giving the official distances on all the railroads of the United States and rts of the census, etc. rts, hack : ae. making | it one of the most complete and handy books publish No. 88. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.—A won-. derful book, containing useful and practical information in the treatment of ordinary diseases and ailments common to every Sanity. Abounding in useful and effective recipes for general com- plaints, No. 55. HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS ax5 COINS.—Con- taining valuable information regarding the collecting and arranging of stamps and coins. Handsomely illustrated. ; No. 58, HOW TO BD A DETECTIVE—By Old King Brady, the world-known detective. In which he lays down some valuab and sensible rules for besinners, and also relates some adventures and experiences of well-known detectives. To TRo HOW TO BROOME. A PHOTOGRAPHER.—Contain- fares in the principal cities, re A|ing useful information regarding the Camera and how to work it; Iso how to make Photographic Magic Lantern Slides and other ‘Transparencies Handoomely illustrated.. By Captain Wy: De W. ey. No. 62. HOW TO BECOME A WEST POINT MILITARY CADET.—Containing full explanations how to gain admit oie | EB aie aaa ig a FA rg eit t olice tions, Fire ? sho’ know, to ye a Cadet. Compiled BS yritten by Lu Senarens, author “ va’ A. of No. 63 HOW TO BECOME A NAVAL GADET.—Complete in- eed admission to the Annapolis Naval Academy. Also contain me the course of fnstruction, description ds and buildings, historical sketch, and everything a boy know to become an officer in the United States Navy. Com- by La Separens, author of “How to Become tary 3 FOR 24 Union . - Car. New Youk, nef

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Pad SECRET OLD AND YOUNG KING BRADY, SERVICE DETECTIVES. PRICE 5 CTS. 32 PAGES. COLORED COVERS. ISSUED WEEKLY LATEST ISSUES: 208 The Bradys on the goat or, The Search for a Missing Girl. 209 The Bradys and the Pawnbroker; or, A Very Mysterious Case. ah The Bradys and the Gold Fakirs; or, Working for the Mint. a The Bradys at Bonanza Bay; or, Working on a Million Doliar ew. 212 The Bradys and the Black Riders; or, The Mysterious Murder at 213 me Bradys and Senator Slam; or, Working With Washington 214 ag tent and the Man from Nowhere; or, Their Very Hardest 215 The Bradys and “No. 99”; or, The Search for a Mad Million- 216 es Bradys at Baffin’s Bay; or, The Trail Which Led to the Arc- t 217 The Bradys and Gim Lee; or, Working a Clew in Chinatown. 218 va Re apa and the “Yege” Men; or, ‘Recking a Clew on the 219 The Bra s — the Blind Banker; or, Ferretting Out the Wall Street 220 The Bradys ‘and the Black Cat; or, Working Among the Card Crooks of Ch jeago. 221 The Bradys and the Texas Oil King; or, Seeking a Clew in the Southwest. 222 The Bradys and the Night Hawk; or, New York at Midnight. 223 The Bradys in the Bad Lands; or; Hot work in South Dakota. 224 ~— > Bradys at Breakneck Hall; or, The Mysterious House on the arlem. : 225 pe. pentye and the Fire Marshal; or, Hot Work in Horners- ville. 226 The Bradys and the Three Sheriffs; or, Doing a Turn in Ten- hessee. 227 a. Bradys and the Opium Smugglers; or, A Hot Trail on the eific Coast. 228 bs Bradys’ Boomerang; or, Shaking Up the Wall Street Wire The Reedy Among the oa or, Working Away Out West. The Bradys and Ju Lynch; or, After the Arkansas Terror. 1 The Bradys and the Boys; or, Hustling in the Black Hills. 2 Reig and Captain Bangs; or, The Mystery of a Mississippi 33s he tira Bradys in Maiden Lane; or, Tracking the Diamond Crooks. ere FRANK The gh and Wells-Fargo "Case; or, The Mystery of the Mon- 235 The Bradys and ie Bill” ; or, The Crooks of Coon Alle ey. mug- 236 Se Ps eae at Bushel d; or, Smoking Out the Chinese The Brad and the Messenge or, The A. D. T. Myste: a po s and the Wire WGdene: or, The Great Race Track ind: 239 me" Bradys Among the Mormons; or, Secret Work in Salt Lake 240 5 radys and “Fancy Frank”; or, The Velvet Gang of Flood The v9, Coes t Battle Cliff; or, Chased Up the Grand Canyon 32 The i aca and “Mustang ‘ Mike” ;, or, The Man With the Branded oO ee a at Gold Hill; or, The Mystery of the Man from 244 bi Eseae and Pilgrim Pete; or, The Tough Sports of Terror The B and the Black Eagle Express; or, The Fate of the - 7 ae ee Hi-Lo-Jak; or, Dark Deeds in Chinatown. The ie Bradys and the Texas Texas Rangers; or, Rounding up the Green 248 me Bradys and “Simple Sue”; or, The Keno Queen of ert ap fii araars and the Wall Street Wizard; or, the Cash That Did 0} Some. 250 ae eee, and Cigarette Charlie; or, the Smoothest Crook in e Worl The Bradys at Bandit Gulch; or, From Wall Street to the Far West. 252 sig nw nid in the Foot-Hills; or, The Blue Band of Hard Luck 253 The gg and S eraey the Banker; or, The Secret of the Old anta Fe The Bradys’ antes Clue; or, Dealings With Doctor Death. 255 The vend and “Lonely Luke” or, The Hard Gang of Hard- scrabble 256 The Bradys and Tombstone Tom; or, A Hurry Call from Arizona. Gane Bradys’ Backwoods Trail; or, Landing the Log Rollers 258 The Bradye and “Joe Jinger’’; or, The Clew in the Convict Camp. 259 Sa am. at Madman’s Roost; or, A Clew from the Golden ate. 260 baie Bradys and the Border Band; or, Six Weeks’ Work Along e Line. The Bradys in Sample City ; or, ‘The Gang of the Silver Seven. 262 Fs. ae Mott Street Mystery; or, The Case of Mrs. Ching “how. The Bradys’ Black Butte Raid; or, Trailing the Idaho ‘Terror.’ The Bradys and Jockey Joe; or, Crooked Work at the Racetrack. 265 ba Pte hy = Kicking Horse Canyon; or, Working for the Can- adian ¢ific. 266 The Bradys and “Black Jack” ; or, Tracking the Negro Crooks. The Bradys’ Wild West Clew; or, Knocking About Nevada. The Bradys’ Dash to Deadwood ; or, A Mystery of the Black Hills. 269 The Bradys and ‘“Humpy Hank”; or, The Silver Gang of Shasta. 270 The Bradys and Dr. Dockery; or, The Secret Band of Seven. The Bradys’ Western Raid; or, Trailing A “Bad" Man to Texas. 272 bid ve jy at Fort Yuma; or, The ix-up with the “King of exico. 2738 The Bede and the Bond King; or, Working on a Wall Street The ‘Bredys and Fakir Fred; or, The Mystery of the County 275 Py Bradys! California Call; or, Hot Work in Hangtown. 276 The Bret s’ Million Dollar "Camp; or, Rough Times in Rattle- snake Canyon The arenas and the Black Hounds; or, The Mystery of the Midas 278 The Bradys Up Bad River; or, After the Worst Man of All. 279 fas Bane ste and “Uncle Hiram"; or, Hot Work with a Hayseed and Kid King; or, Tracking the Arizona Terror. ys’ Chicago Clew; or, Exposing the Board of Trade ; or, After the Man of My: ogg 4 283 we Bradys’ Hard Struggle ; or, The Search for the issing ngers. radys in ae City; or, After “Bad” Man Brown. 285 The Bradys and “Wild Bill”; or, The Sharp Gang of Sundown. 286 The Bradys in the Saddle; or, Chasing “Broncho Bill.” 287 big pate the Mock Millionaire; or, The Trail which Led to Tu 288 The Bradys’ Wall Street Trail; or, The Matter of X-Y-Z. d the Bandits’ Gold; or, Secret Work in the Southwest, § The Bradys andthe ‘aptain Thunderbolt; or, Daring Work in Death 1 2 ley. 4 Chinatown; or, Trail John St The Bradys’ Trip to WH; OF, railing an Opium Fiend, 280 ‘inp "Bre 281 yrs en 282 The eat s and Silver Kin 28 29 29 292 The Bradys and Diamond Dan; or, The Jewels, ___ For Sale by All Newsdealers, or will be Sent to Any Address on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy, by FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, a IF You WANT ANY them from newsdealers, they can be ACK from this office direct. of our libraries, 24 Union Square, New +One. out and ail by re- ‘AGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. LE fy RIES NS SS ee ne er PL eT Per a Leer ee eee ee eee Ree Cee De in the following Order Blank and and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send aan ae ees ‘mail. POST tee si ay ep ee sf TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. . Dear Str— Enclosed find...... cents for whieh please send me: pretest vee AND WIN, MS tat hr GN i ow han ee TeEeREOREOereeerere “ WILD WEST WEEKLY, NoS. 2.2... 0... cede l ect e cece cece neces ced eeeeeceestseceesesesese Peers 4 “4 FRANK READE WEEKLY, BTN hou cs Uoloa en Vso oss Leap hals Wen Pueg edu eseeednp ss « « PLUCK AND LUCK, NOS... .0seeeeeeeeseeceryeesseesparetecencreeesenesseesreseeeceues I ae zs seteeeeeen sre eegeeeeeeeee e190 “ “3 ‘ es SG SECRET SERVICE, fedpernn Se abit tains ih hes So Nd RACAL co mh na po nice «SERN ees y ee ae THE LIBERTY BOYS OF "26, Nop, .....-.-+.-0sss+eeens¥eeseneeiesersarrcve ster «teereee , Nos... . ee isey la bis “ OER Vmueness st egies * regs di seee Tanto att ve é, seeeneees re . auth peor ERAN pean Tse. a4

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PRANK READE WEEKLY MAGAZINE. Containing Stories of Adventures on Land, Sea, and in the Air. By “NONAME.” EACH NUMBER IN A HANDSOMELY ILLUMINATED COVER. A 32-PAGE BOOK FOR FIVE CENTS. All our readers know Frank Reade, Jr., the greatest inventor of the age, and his two fun-loving chums, Barney and Pomp. The stories published in this magazine contain a true account of the wonderful and exciting adventures of the famous inventor, with his marvellous flying machines, electrical overland engines, and his extra- ordinary submarine boats. Each number is a rare treat. Tell your newsdealer to get you a copy. LATEST ISSUES. 61 Latinos Bo Degrees ; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Most Wonderful Mid- ’ - : : Ly Air Flight. = 33 og com Jr.'s Prairie Whirlwind; or, The Mystery of the|go Lost in the Great Undertow; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Submarine 34 Around ‘the ‘Horison for Ten Thousand Miles; or, Frank Reade, | Crolee In the Guit- Stream. Jr.'s Most Wonderful Trip. 7 m ade, | 63 aoe Australia with Frank Reade, Jr.; or, in His New Electric 35 Lost in the Atlantic Valley; or, Frauk Reade, Jr., and his Won- der, the “Dart.” 86 Frank Reade, Jr.'s Desert Explorer; or, The Underground City of the Sahara. 37 Lost in the Mountains of the Moon; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Great Trip with the “Scud.” 38 Under the Amazon for a Phousand Miles. 89 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Clipper of the Prairie; or, Fighting the Apaches in the Southwest. 40 ne, 7 a Comet; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Aerial Trip with e “Flash.” 41 Across the Frozen Sea; or, Frank Reade Jr.’s Electric Snow Cut- ter. 42 Frank Reade Jr.’s Electric Buckboard; or, Thrilling Adventures in North Australia. 43 Around the Arctic Circle; or, Frank Reade Jr.'s Famous Flight With His Air Ship 44 Frank Reade Jr.'s arch for the Silver Whale; or, Under the Ocean in the Blectric “Dolphin.” 45 —— Reade. Jr., and His Electric Car; or, Outwitting a Desperate ang. Flight. 65 Under the Equator; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Greatest Submarine Voyage. 66 Astray in the Selvas; or, The Wild Experiences of Frank Reade, Jr., in South America. 67 In the Wild Man's Land; or, With Frank Reade, Jr., in the Heart of Australia. 68 From Coast to Coast; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Trip Across Africa. 69 Beyond the Gold Coast; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Overland Trip. 70 Across the Earth; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Latest Trip with His New Air Ship. 71 Six Weeks Buried in a Deep Sea Cave; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Great Submarine Search. 72 Across the Desert of Fire; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Marvelous Trip in a Strange Country. 73 The Transient Lake; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Adventures in a Mys- terious Country. 74 The Galleon’s Gold; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Deep Sea Search. 75 The Lost Caravan; or, Frank Reade, Jr., on the Staked Plains. 76 Adrift in Asia With Frank Reade, Jr. 77 Under the Indian Ocean With Frank Reade, Jr. 78 Along the Orinoco; or, With Frank Reade, Jr., in Venezuela. 79 The Lost Navigators; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Mid-Air Search. 80 Six Sunken Pirates; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Marvelous Adventures in the Deep Sea. 46 To the End of the Earth; or, Frank Reade Jr.’s Great Mid-Air Flight. 47 The Missin Island; or, Frank Reade Jr.'s Voyage Under the Sea. 48 = ~— le, Jr., in Central India; or, the Search for the Lost javants. 49 Frank Reade, Jr. age the Terror of the Coast. 50 100 Miles Below the Surface of the Sea; or, The Marvelous Trip of Frank Reade, Jr. 51 Abandoned in Alaska; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Thrilling Search for a Lost Gold Claim. 1 The Island in The Air; or,-Frank Reade, Jr.’s Trip to the Tropics, 2 In White Latitudes: or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Ten Thousand Mile Flight. 3 Afloat in a Sunken Forest; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Submarine Cruise. 4 The os eeu Country; or, Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring a New Conti- nen 5 Over the Orient; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Travels in Turkey. 6 The Coral Labyrinth; or, Frank Reade, Jr., Lost. in a Deep Sea Cave. 7 er: the Tropics; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Adventures in the Gran 1aco, 8 The White Desert; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Trip to the Land of Tombs. 9 1000 Fathoms Deep; or, With Frank Reade, Jr. in the Sea of Gold. 0 In Lo Black Zone; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Quest for the Mountain of vory. 1 The Missing Planet; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Hunt for a Fallen Star. 2 The Sunken Isthmus; or, Frank Reade, Jr. in the Yucatan Channel, 3 The Black Mogul; or, Through India with Frank Reade, Jr. 4 The Demon of the Clouds; or, Frank Reade, Jr., and the Ghosts of 5 6 ar. 64 Over Two Continents; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Long Distance 8 8 8 8 52 Frank Reade, Jr.'s Twenty-Five Thousand Mile Trip in the Air. 8 53 os on aad Sea; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Search for the Cave 8 of Pearls. 54 ear 4 the Nile to the Niger; or, Frank Reade, Jr. Lost in the 8 udan. { 55 The Electric Island; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Search for the Greatest | 8 Wonder on Earth. 18 56 The Underground Sea; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Subterranean Cruise. | 9 57 ps ie gr to Tropic; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Tour With His cycle Car. 9 58 Lost in a Comet’s Tail; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Strange Adven- |9 ture With His Air-ship. 9 509 Under Four Oceans; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Submarine Chase of ,9 Phantom Island. 95 The Weird Island; or Frank Reade, Jr.’s Strange Submarine Search. ‘96 The Prairie Pirates; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Trip to Texas. a “Sea Devil.” 60 The Mysterious Mirage; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Desert Search for a Secret City. For Sale by All Newsdealers, or will be Sent to Any Address on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy, by FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to you by re- turn mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New fork. cama Shida ie ome PVE aR ee eae Dear Str—Enclosed find......cents for which please send me: .-. copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos........5.00teccceeeereececesceccceereceseeteresscccsesscssseaseee sense * © WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nob... ise c cece cscs sees cence sence enagerccscccrceescessescurce = & © PRANK READE WEEKLY, Nob.. .... 60-20 ccicic cece cc ccereeseneeccvarcsewereccccesccescese ea EE ADD. Ta Cire NOGs cbin wis oo 5 dv o.c co.cc cnywnaisie.s t)ein\one oR gienied ence eSeseeesesene ree GN MESES RINT SOUL GECE BOCs iid cs caw dinlin 6 3,6 wis oreis: 0, e,0.0 ond win dinswin.eip § sielaieie + Cipwin's Wi oelee SeSs ee Fae _.... & © THE LIBERTY: BOYS OF °%6, Nos....... 0c cece ccc ecenececccececrcnesccosccccsscsscece ete @ ~~) Pen-Cent. Hand Books, Nos. .......cccceecceecrsrecscnccsnsersevassvesecccscsesesceseesee Name... . occ cc cs bee svccnccee sStrect amd NO... 56.6... c eee cee -TOWMe cso eens State... cee cccccceee