Pluck And Luck (no. 139) (1901 01 30)
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“leaned Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York Post Office, by Hrank Tousey. 139, NEW YORK, JANUARY 30; 1901. Price 5 Cents: JACK WRIGHT \: DEER SEA OR SEARCHING FOR A TON OFGOLD. — Br NONAME.-— Bs 2 = — LS mabe. Bee EOE sassy 2 Se door brought them into a courtyard in the centre of the building, and the three divers gave utterance to cries of the utmost astonishment. For there in the middle of the place stood the Golden Idol!
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PLUCK AND LUCK. Complete Stories of Adventure. Issued Weekly—By Subsert iption $2.50 per year. | November 7, 1898. En of Congress, Washington, D. C. No. 139. NEW YORK, JANUARY CHAPTER I. THE BOY AND HIS BOAT. Our story opens on the afternoon of Friday, the 24th of April, 18—, in the beautiful town of Wrightstown, on the At- lantic seaboard, at the head of a small, pretty bay. A cluster of vine-covered cottages lined the shore, among which were strewn numerous seine nets, oars and overturned boats; in back of them were a number of more modern houses, stores and streets, while at anchor off an old wooden pier floated a number of boats. A creek ran in from the bay, and a short distance from the bay shore a beautiful plot of fenced-in ground ran down to the ereek bank, a magnificent house standing at the front of this garden, and a fine brick workshop at the foot of the grounds beside the creek. , The house was owned and occupied by a boy between eigh- teen and nineteen years of age, named Jack Wright, who was accounted one of the most wonderful inventors of sub- marine boats in the world. By the aid of his father, after whom Wrightstown was named, he had first begun to devise these contrivances. But his, only parent died before their boat was finished, and the _ boy had completed and used it, and since then invented several more wonderful under-water marvels, by the use of which he had amassed a large fortune frgm various sources under the sea. Jack Wright’s name and fame thus became world-wide, and at the time we now refer to he was a young millionaire, a sturdy fellow, with an athletic figure, flashing black eyes, a pointed nose, curly dark hair, and of a courageous, ambitious and inventive nature, that to ordinary minds was simply marvelous. Upon the afternoon to which we call your attention, Jack had just put the finishing touches upon a new submarine ves- ‘sel of his invention within his workshop, and, uttering a sigh ot relief over the ending of his arduous task, he viewed the ‘graceful craft a moment with unbounded admiration and pride as it floated in the water-filled cellar of the big brick building ai the end of which two huge doors opened out upon the creek . to give egress to the boats. The vessel was one hundred feet long, fifteen feet beam, and six feet draught. The exterior appearance was that of a naeiitee, with a flat deck, a flat bottom, and a revolving turret pierced by round windows, over which were protecting bars, to guard against breaking the thick glasses. The vessel was made of a metal called aluminum, lighter and stronger than steel, as white and bright as polished silver; from port-holes in the turret there protruded the muzzles of three pneumatic guns; upon the top of the turret stood the pilot-house, upon which was mounted a powerful sear ch-light of 100,000 candle power, while along the low water line there - ran on either side a row of dead-lights, also for illuminating _ purposes. . ‘The monitor was propelled by twin screws astern, Pee : I Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Offtes, tered according to ak of Congress, in the » by Frank Dousey, 2 ear 1901 . in the office of the Librarian Union Square, New ¥ ork, 1901. 30, Price 5 Cents. by electro-motive force, a door in the turret was made for surface usage, and traps forward and aft were designed for submarine use. Upon a scroll on the turret was painted the name The Sea Serpent, and as the giance of the young inventor swept over his singular looking craft, he muttered: : “She’s as pretty as a siren, as swift as the lightning flash, as formidable as a fleet of frigates, and yet as safe to handle — as atop! lam glad she is finished inside and out, though, for she has cost me a fortune, considerable time, and my anxiety will only be appeased when I give her a trial on the bay to- morrow. Every one in the town has heard about her, and will Mii be down to the water to see her first trip, as they always do, © : tor everybody is interested in my boats. If she should prove “t a, to be a failure—but no! She can’t be, for in building her I have not only followed the secrets of my former success, but I have vastly improved upon them. I won’t borrow trouble!”, Jack took off his working clothes, washed himself, and put on stylish garments. He then left the workshop, passed through the garden out to the street, and made his way toward the bay by going down the main street, where every one he met bowed, smiled, and ie treated him with the greatest friendliness, respect and defer-— ence. Within ‘a short time the boy reached the lower part of the town and drew near an old, weather-beaten tavern, over the door of which swung a sign upon which was painted the name of the Sea Spider House. There were a large number of men gathered about the front ~ of the old hostelry, and the boy saw that they were made up of the worst characters in the town. Most of them had been drinking heavily, and were in an> ugly, quarrelsome mood, as their staggering gait and loud talk attested. Jack had scarcely taken in the looks of the crowd when he was startled to hear a furious uproar suddenly arise within the barroom, made up of hoots, yells, and curses, the jingling — of broken glass, the banging of furniture; and a medley of an-— gry voices. “A fight! excitedly. Most of the crowd went surging into the saloon, when out through the door came the struggling figure of an old sailor. — ties He wore the costume of a marine; he had a wooden leg and — a glass eye, and his weatherbeaten face was coyered by a sandy heard. ( It seemed as if the loungers’ were angry at the cripple, for as he struggled frantically to get through the door, they kicked — and punched him, pushed and jostled him and heaped every : conceivable abuse upon the poor fellow. “ae “Belay thar, lads!” he cried, with tears in his solitary eye. “This ain't a fair reckonin’, nohow! It’s only a gang 0’ Inb- berly cowards as’d pile on to a poor a A score ter one! Fer shame! Fer shame!” — “Out with him! » yelled the leader of the gang. “Tf he nits one of our crowd he’ Ss sc sto fight the whole lot, Re) ; ; : Poe ry A fight!” shouted one of the drunken loaters, ee
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‘JACK WRIGHT AND HIS DEEP SEA MONITOR. him, others slugged him right and left, without giving him a ’ chance to defend hmself. A thrill of surprise, anger and grief passed over Jack. “Why,” he muttered, “it's my dear old friend, Timothy Top- stay!” _ Timothy Topstay was a former marine with Jack’s father on the United States frigate Wabash, and had accompanied Jack upon all of his submarine cruises. - He was a regular old sea dog, a man who was so addicted to telling yarns that he got to believe his ‘own lies, and was the _ owner of a trick monkey named Whiskers. The boy no sooner recognized his old friend than he sprang / % into the midst of the cowardly gang, doubled up his fists, and “struck out right and left. - Every powerful blow he dealt knocked aman sprawling, and - Jaek fought his way through the gang up to, his friend. ~ “Jack! Oh, Jack!” cried the poor cripple, gladly, as he saw the boy. “Thank ther Lord, ‘ye ha’ come, lad! These lubbers is a rakin’ me fore an’ aft.” a was cut, bruised and bleeding, and his clothing was badly “Babic, you cowards!” shouted the angry boy, as he pulled - a revolver out of his pocket and aimed it at the crowd. “Back - with you, or I’ll shoot the first man who lifts his hand!” _ There was a dangerous flash, in the young inventor’s dark eyes, and the seared toughs recoiled with cries of alarm. “Don’t shoot!” yelled the leader of the gang, in terrified =! satightest provocation. as “«P]) put your whole sneaking gang in jail for this!” the boy replied. : By that time the loafers, nearly sobered up, got out in the street, and, recovering courage, they began to jeer at the boy and his friend, and a few of them were indiscreet enough to ig fling missiles. ~ “Tl teach them a lesson!” the young inventor exclaimed, as a shower of stones struck him. “They are a hard crowd, Tim!” _ He took deliberate aim at the guilty parties, and fired sev- eral shois at them in rapid succession, using up ail the cart- vidges in his pistol. Every ball told, for Jack Wright was a dead shot, and he - wounded every one he struck. ig A fearful uproar arose from the loafers, and they retreated, _ swearing and threatening Jack and Tim, and continued their fusillade of missiles. Goaded to desperation and rage, upon seeing that the boy had used up all his ammunition, they came swarming back - toward Jack and his friend, swearing to wreak-a terrible ven- geance upon them. Alarmed by the pistol shots ee the sight of the crowd, people came swarming from all directions, but it seemed as if the gallant boy and the old sailor would fall victims of the gang’s fury before any one could go to their assistance. At this critical juncture, just as the crowd came rushing up to the two, a spirited team of handsome horses, hitched to a buggy, came sweeping around a corner driven by Fritz Schnei- der, a little fat fellow with a head of yellow hair, a big stom- ach and a pugnacious disposition. f With one pane wane els in the situation, and, standing | ing the loafers to a pause. Boe “Shiminey Christmas!” he roared, SIBOROUSIY, turning his ? “Got. oudt of mine vay alretty! Hoop-la! You don’t fool ‘yourselluf mit mine friends if I can helb id vonct!” 4 Swish! went his whistling whip, up rose the horses on their paunches, ‘and down went sevenals of the rascals under their Bente, ne ope y in jail now, so let us drop the subject. To-morrow I want yi ‘laughing at them. the men fled, pursued by all the decent citizens who had wit- nessed the afiray, while the young Dutchman, satisfied wit! scattering them, drove back to his friends, The police afterwards captured the whole gang and locked: them up in jail. Bais Amid the cheers of the people who witnessed the wictese of our friends, they got into the carriage and Tim drove them to Jack's house, where they resided together. vile Jack was holding a pet of Fritz’s named Bismarck, that the Dutch boy had with him, and Fritz hauled out an old accordion which he had gotten repaired, and triumphantly ground out a tune upon it, much to the pacer of Tim, who hated the in strument. i In this manner they reached Jack’s mansion, and left th a team in the hands of a colored coachman, while Tim got up such an outrageous lie about the fight that they were glad to hs interrupt it by alighting and entering the house. SH \ CHAPTER II. he THE CARIBBEAN AVENGER. Jack had a beautiful library on the ground floor of his house, ; and, when the three friends reached it, Fritz turned to the’ boy and asked: “Shack, how dot fight vhas all habben vonct, anraet ; row in the tavern, saw Tim getting beaten, and went to his as sistance. Now, come down to facts, Tim, and don’t » stretch your imagination—what caused the row?” “Why, lads, shiver me, but ’twas all a mistake on ther p o’ ther gang,” replied the old man-o’-warsman, taking a ch of navy plug and giving a hitch at his baggy pants. ed 8 when one o’ them swabs calls ther hull crew up ter ther ‘bar, an’ are all orders a drink an’ walks Sele When! tT went : ete ae drunk, sonata one o’ them told him I wuz treatin’. cu ; fused, 0’ Course; an’ Bh ce gang vy etiaiiict me, ter an? = payin’. When they runned afoul o’ me, though, I fit, ‘ ‘aid, a é Lor’ bless ye, it wuz hot in thar fer a_minnit. Then I sot hard pressed, an’ tried ter git out, when you came.” ae “Well, they were a mean gang,” said Jack, “and must all b both to join me at three o’clock in the afternoon, for all, ‘the residents of Wrightstown, and people from all over the Cot Serpent.” “T’m wi’ you, lad,” assented Tim. “An’ now I'll Boy te r quarters fer repairs on my figgerhead. if ; A ae me, too,” said Fritz. “I—och! yot's dot?” since the tine our friends found their pets in Africa, d a previous voyage, the bird and beast hated each other. — With a ape Bismarck landed tan Whiskers’ head, The boy studied over the sine of his boat until. supp Up time, and then went out. Night had closed, storm- ri dark and gloomy, and the boy proceeded toward th mean pond acaeee to look after some freight * ected in. :
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7 7 7 x + ll RR OAS As he came to a pause upon the station platform a train came thundering in from New York, and a passenger alighted. He was:-a tall, thin, dignified-looking man of about forty-five, his stiff, grim figure clad in a ministerial suit of black, while his long neck was encased in a high choker collar and a black cravat. He had long, gray hair that was parted in the back, a beil- crowned stovepipe hat covered his head, his face was clean shaven, sallow and angular, his eyes a watery blue, and his nose was very long and red. In one hand he carried a carpet bag and in the other an um- brella. Jack saw that he was a stranger in Wrightstown. He glanced around, saw’ the station agent receiving some freight, and then approached Jack, with a benign Sniile upon his thin lips. He made a sweeping bow, and gave a cough, smiled plandly “and said: “My good friend, pardon my presumption for thus address- ing you, but I am Peleg Hopkins, Ph. D., and piscatorial ex- pert of the American Fish Commission, and am anxious to | find one John Wright, of Wrightstown. Would you be kind enough to direct me to his résidence?” _* jack sized the individual up. “The fellow you want lives in that big house over there,” ‘said the boy, pointing at his handsome residence. “Do you want to see him, sir?” “I am very auxious to meet with this ‘young inventor, and beg to thank you for your information.” “Jack Wright isn’t home just now,” said the boy, “but he will return soon, so you can wait there if your business is important.” ; “Important?” echoed the professor. “Well, it is important —very important indeed—vitally important. Dear,.dear! What a trying thing it is to ride for a distance in railroad cars. ; Really, it makes one so dry he becomes parched. Fortunately, however, I am a man of forethought, and have provided against such a contingency. Pardon me, and I ‘will imbibe of a most refreshing stimulant.” He pulled a flask out of his pocket ant took a drink. He uttered a sigh of intense satisfaction when the liquid ari contents ceased to gurgle Gown his throat, and proffered the flisk to Jack. | “Pray have some,” invited he. “I don’t like to tempt the vising generation from the path of rectitude, but when we imbibe as a tonic or medicine, as I always do, why it cer- tainly does us no harm that [ can see.” “What is it?” : “Whisky.” : “T don’t drink.” SOn!*: x‘ And with an approving nod the professor seized his grip ' from a bench upon which he had dropped it and strode away. _ jack glanced up at the train and beheld a man standing upon the platform of a car intently watching the, departing rofessor. - He was) a lithe, active, middle- -aged person, in a dark suit, gs ana wore a slouched hat upon his jet black hair, a thick black beard covered his face, and. his skin was as dark as a ulatto’s. ; In fact, Jack saw that he was a foreigner from some south- ern country. _ The eager, devilish look upon his face ‘28 he watched Peleg Hopkins startled Jack, for he saw that the man was intent upon a mission that boded no good for the professor. . “Without paying any attention to Jack the man alighted from the car just as the train started, and stealthily but swiftly s ded after Hopkins, who was then ina lonely spot of the “nets A eA Sey PL >A Fe JACK WRIGHT AND HIS DEEP SHA MONITOR. Away went the train with a rumble of wheels and the clang of its bell, and Jack only waited to assure himself that the — dark stranger was in pursuit of the professor, when he ran — fy after the man. ‘ “He is up to some mischief,” flashed through Jack's mind: ay “He is planning some rascality against Hopkins, as sure as fate. Il follow them and discover what his design is. Ha! What is that?” There came a brilliant flash at the dark man’s side, and Jack saw that he had withdrawn a long knife and was clutech- ing it in his hand. : : *Can it be murder he is scheming?” thought the boy, witha ~_ shudder. : Ree Just then Hopicins reached the darkest spot in the road, his when the stranger swiftly glided up behind ‘him, and with one spring he landed on the professor’s back, clapped a hand over ~ his month to stifie a cry that involuntarily arose to the pro- fessor’s lips, and knocked him down. : The dark fellow fell on top of his victim, who rolled over upon his back, dropping his grip and umbrella when he fell, and, clutching the frightened professor by the throat with one hand, he raised his gleaming knife with the other as if to stab his victim. The assault was so unprovoked that Jack could not help thinking that it was the result of vengeance or for robbery. _ But the boy spent no time speculating over the matter. He rushed up to the struggling pair, and just as the knife was descending he reached them and gave the dark fellow. such a punch under the ear that he was knocked over upon. the ground and the knife flew from his hand. é3 A yell pealed from his lips, and with the agility of a panther be sprang to his feet a moment after he was struck and darted __ away several pacés. Jack picked up the murderous-looking knife, and the pro- fessor scrambled to his feet and hastily recovered his hat, car- pet-bag and umbrella. “You assassin!” exclaimed the angry aes “T’ve thwarted 9 you, do you see?” et “Oh, good Lord!” gasped “the Por see “Tt’s Kellenda, ENS Mixitli, the messenger of death!” ee A terrible scowl crossed the dark face of the man, and, rais- con ing both of his clenched fists above his head, he shook them cs in a paroxysm of passion, while his eyeballs glared like those _ of a furious beast. ie “My foulest curses upon you for that blow!” he yelled, gnashing his teeth and stamping his foot upon the ground.’ “You have cheated me of my prey. But woe unto you for it! 1 swear by the powers above that you shall dearly repent of i that blow. «My life shall be devoted to crushing you for it, and 3 the oath of the Caribs never was broken! Remember!” — And with a baleful look of intense hatred at the boy, the dark fellow plunged into the bushes by the roadside and dis- appeared. Jack was deeply impressed by the vengeful demeanor of the man, and turned to Hopkins, whom he found as pale as death, and trembling in every limb with the most terrible fear, as he was a great coward. “You seem to know that man—who is he, and why did he attack you?” the boy asked. “This whole thing was evidently a premeditated job.” : i “We are most certainly doomed,” replied Hopkins, whose 0 ‘teeth were chattering like castanets, “He is an emissary of a Lr most powerful tribe of idol worshipers who dwell upon a | voleanic island in the Caribbean Sea. A year ago a number of men from the American Geographical Society were sent to that island and I was among them. We learned that they , were _ idol worshipers and had erected a large idol of gold, with eves made Of enormous diamonds, upon a small adjacent isl- and. An Sane. halt a century HER sunk this island ee
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ts idol beneath the seas, and no one knew the location of it “afterwards but one of the high priests. Half a century passed by, and fearing death, yet not caring to disclose the location of ‘the submerged golden god, the priest wrote a description of its _ _ docation in their hieroglyphies, and it passed into the hands of his successor, whom we captured when driven from the island by the natives. He had the metal plate upon which the sign+ _ writing was cut, and it came into my hands.. The priest died amd one of his men followed our ship in’a small boat night and day tili we landed upon the island of Cuba. He was a smart, educated man, civilized by missionaries.” “You mean this fellow Kellenda Mixitli?” questioned Jack. - “My dear boy, your conjecture is right,” answered the pro- fessor, who was fast recovering his composure. “To proceed: this fellow, supplied with precious stones, with which he gained plenty of money, hounded us to this country, and on several occasions attacked us in an effort to secure the sign- - inseribed plate and take our lives. But thus far he has been baffled, although he has singled me out as his prey—yet he may succeed in time if I do not get rid of him, or leave the country on the project that brings me to Wrightstown.” “And what is your project?” asked Jack, curiously. “Having heard of Jack Wright and his wonderful subma- _ ine boats, it is my plan to induce Wright to go.on a cruise in one of his vessels in search of this idol of gold,” replied the ce Reiter, ait CHAPTER ‘IIT. ALON)" OF “GOLD: Jack was very much surprised at Professor Hopkins’ story, for there was a ring of truth about it, and as the boy had been anxious to find some warrantable use for his new inventions, it ‘Seemed as if this was the very opportunity. : “Your story has impressed me, professor,” said he, “and I am glad you have explained the motive of your trip to Wrights- town, for I am Jack Wright,: the very person you are so anxious to meet.” _- “What! You?” gasped Hopkins, with a start and a happy smile, as ‘he eagerly seized the boy’s hand and literally de- _ tvoured him with his glance. “Why, bless me! This is a start- ling surprise, ’pon my word. Permit me to express my su- preme delight at making your acquaintance.” 5 - He shook Jack's hand with an energy that made the boy wince. , + “Come home with me,” said Jack, “and you can show me the tg sengraved plate and give me detai!s of your project. I’ve just completed a new boat, and if you can prove to my satisfaction ‘that it will pay to make a-trip.to the Caribbean Sea in search of the treasure, | may do go.” The professor was delighted to follow this plan, and ac- eordingly followed Jack to his mansion, chatting, all the way there about his adventures at the islands of the Mexican Gulf, and giving the boy details that! were destined to be of use to him in the future regarding the location. JACK WRIGHT AND HIS DEEP —— ; the isle of San Salvador?” pavere Rh 3 of the cellar, and the Carib sprang on board. His’ jet black eyes Has detected several screw- caps on. to-morrow on exhibition before a multitude. If Jack Wright fails to observe the absence of the things I have removed w they get below the surface the sea will rush in and dro them. My vengeance will then be complete. Now to escap as I can do no worse,” said the Carib. He crept from the building, left the grounds, and escaped that if these screw-caps had become loosened the mie in boat would lose their lives, Jack and the professor met with ‘Tim and Fritz in the house, and, after introductions, the boy stated the cause of Pele; Hopkins’ visit, and explained about the enmity of the civilize savage. * See They adjourned to the parlor and there the professor pr duced his metal tablet, and showed it to the three friends. Upon examination they saw that it was about the size 0 h sheet of note paper, and not much thicker, made of hard © per, and had strings of well-preserved hieroglyphs cut into o 1 professor of dead languages: TRANSLATION. A “The earth, shaken by the wrath of our wareod: crae in many places, was tumbled in confusion, and burst int mass of fire, then sank forever beneath the water, from 1 whi : ‘t had arisen in one night. Our tribe fled in their canoe: = the Magic Isle disappeared, Siete down wit ‘it its w weight was as great as that of this plate, ‘multiplied §, times, and the diamond eyes are as large as the egg of t water fowl, and as brilliant as the sun. At exactly midd aay, stick thrust in the ground of the isle whereupon the wh first came, on thé side where the sun rises, will cast a shade in the direction where sunk’ the isle of the sun- god an reach it by canoes they must be paddled for as much time as it takes to heat water over a fire. is i it ea, Jack was struck by the primitive style of the com position. The savage who inscribed it clearly showed an weight and time divided into pounds and aR had faith in the tablet. ‘He balanced it in his hand a moment, and aske Be i How much does this plate weigh, professor?” “Exactly four ounces.” _ ? “Four ounces multiplied 8,960 Fines gives 2, 240. 28g ind just one ton.” © “Und dot golden idol vos weigh so a fe $5 sot” a Fritz. ‘ 5 “Exactly so, without counting the diamond eyes, io Jack. “Gold is worth about four cents a grain, and t 5,760 grains to a pound. The market value of that ton would be about half a million dollars.” eae he Reese: F “Tsn’t that a prize worth going for my € Jack looked at Tim and Fritz a
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JACK WRIGHT AND HIS DEEP SEA MONITOR. it _ “The case stands this way, boys,” said he, after a moment’s _thought. “We have got the boat and want an object to use the boat. This gentleman has furnished the object and we can add to our riches if the trip proves to be a success. On the other hand, if it turns out to be a failure, we can’t lose much, . &S we are all anxious, anyway, to make a trip in the Sea _ Serpent.” “And now, lad,” said Tim, cheaheune? “for my part, [’m tape ter make ther v’yage.” “Und me, too,” said Fritz. “And I,” added the professor, enthusiastically. _ “That settles it, then; in one week from to-day we will start on our voyage in the monitor searching for this ton of gold,” said Jack, quietly. ae ta After some further desultory conversation, during which it was ascertained that the professor was alone in the world, and had a commission to bring back specimens of deep sea fish, shells and aquatic plants for a noted university, if he suc- - ceeded in going off in Jack’s boat, they laid out their plans, and Hopkins deciding to remain at Jack’s house, they all retired. On the following day the four were up early, found that the weather had cleared, and after breakfast they boarded the Sea _ Serpent by going through the turret door, and showed the pro- fessor the boat. } Inside of the turret was a large, handsome room, bull’s eyes of thick glass letting in daylight, and shutters over the front being lifted disclosed a large window by which everything was lighted. There was a wheel to steer the boat in the room, in front of il a circular table with a white top, upon which a camera obscura reflected from the dome of the roof, while along one _ side of it were several numbered levers that controlled the : “Taachinery of all the working parts by electric wires. 'The breeches of three pneumatic guns were secured in the _ floor below their feet, and the walls were coyered with gauges, - indicators, maps, charts, etc. In back, a narrow flight of stairs led them down into a BY large, handsome cabin, fitted up with fine carpets, elegant fur- niture, handsome pictures on the wainscoted walls, and every known comfort and luxury. _ Forward of it there was a stateroom containing a dozen cur- Z tained berths, with running water and handsome lockers. The room back of the cabin was a well-appointed galley pd and pantry, in back of that a store-room for provisions, and - apparatus for diving, arms, ammunition and ali sorts of equip- Bs, “ments suited to their needs. _ The small compartment aft of it was the battery room, Miss which supplied the boat with power by the distributing wires, qe ‘small dynamo for storing the jars standing at one side, and everything was fastened tight. f Two small compartments in the bow and stern were’ used _ to go in and out of the boat while she was beneath the water, and down in the hold there were three more rooms below ~ them, The two ‘end ones were used to hold air pumped from the central chamber, into which water was let to submerge the boat to any desired depth; while to ascend, the water was again forced out, and the air! let into the middle chamber ne - a before three o ‘oloeit repatt ed to the pilot: house, attired in ancient knights, with ple Jamps on ee of the helmets and. Ms -airr _ Jac ise the wheel ak rang a gong, tio 68 the workmen ing suits of aluminum, looking like Suits of mail worn by opened the doors leading out to the creek, Tim standing on — the forward deck, Fritz on the after deck and the professor upon the pilot-house. j They all held flags in their hands, and as the boat sped down —. the creek and out on the bay, a round of cheers greeted them from thousands of people who lined the shore, covered the pice and sat in rowboats and on fishing smacks. People from distant cities, town and villages had come to, witness the exhibition; farm wagons, carriages, and, in fact, every known vehicle was crowded, and Jack worked his boat skillfully, his friends waving their flags in response to the cheers of the people. The boy inventor’s heart throbbed with joy, for the basic acted better than he expected, showing a speed of forty knots, turning in her own length, and doing everything that he de- sired of her. SH | “And now for the last trial!” he muttered, “to see how she behaves under water!” ! . He fired a shot from one of the guns into the air, and, turh- ing a lever, he put the pumps in motion, compressed the air into the end chambers and let in the water. Down sank the boat, tili Tim and'Fritz were submerged to their bosoms, when he brought her to a pause, and started her! br off in a circle. \ a The wildest applause greeted this maneuver. . It was Jack’s mtention io sink her to the bottom when he at ha@d tested her partly submerged; but the moment the ex- treme top of the pilot-house became submerged, the water was bound to rush in through the open screw-cap holes. ‘ CHAPTER IV. BENEATH THE WATER. Upon finding that the boat behaved properly, Jack turned a lever and sent her toward the boitom, when the water rushed in through the screw-cap holes in the pilot-house roof. The moment Jack found the water pouring into the monitor, he imagined she was leaking in some defective spot, ang turning another of the levers, he brought her to a suddem— pause. eae She was then, according to a gauge he glanced at, forty feet below the surface of the bay, and turning a lever controlling, — the electric lights, a halo shot out of the dead-lights all around — the boat, while a broad shaft from the searchlight darted ahead through the water. : The boy then glanced around, and saw several streams pour ing down through the opened screw-cap holes in the roof of the turret overhead, dispelling his first impression of a lee when he saw the real cause. “Some one has been tampering with the boat!” was the thought that flashed across his mind, but he never for a mo- ment suspected that it was the work of vengeance consum- mated by Kellenda Mixitli. There was a rubber, water-tight disc in one of the ‘windows, looking like the mouth-piece of a telephone, and each of the diving suits worn by the four were furnished with in ® in! the helmets. ; They were an invention of the boy's, called audiphones, and enabled them to speak and hear under water almost as plainly : as if they were on land without their helmets on, for water is a good conductor of sound. Uh cae zm shouted the boy, “the boat is filling up! i:
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der here! Qulee—-take us up again, do you hear? Heavens and earth! do you want to kill us?” In spite of their jeopardy, Jack smiled at the cowardly professor's alarm, for their knapsacks then held enough air to lasti\them five hours each, and even if the boat went down, they would be safe if they did not descend more than three hundred feet into an extraordinary pressure. ral Jack rushed down into the fast-flooding cabin, and getting Pr ‘some, cotton waste he hurried back with it, and thade an effort xo stop up the holes to keep out the water. He was partly suc- cessful, : , .By this time Tim and Fritz came up to the turret, and Hop- _kins hastily slid down to the deck, and piteously begged them _ to bring him to the top. ecg “Avast thar, professor!” growled Tim, shaking off Hopkins’ clinging hands, “don’t yer see as Jack’s in trouble in thar?” _ “Shiminey Ghrieimast vos someding habben vonct, ‘Govipe te “roared Fritz. “The turret screw-caps were taken off by somebody,” re- plied the boy, pointing upward where the water was drip- “ping through the stuffing. He soized the pump-lever to empty the boat of her ballast, in order to raise her to the surface, when he heard a startled exclamation from his friends, and glancing up through the ‘a “window, he saw the figure of an immense shark appear in the halo of light. = For an instant the monster paused, glaring at the boat, and then it shot forward directly toward the men on deck. Tim and Fritz started away to the right, and with a shout of horror Peleg Hopkins rushed to the port side, ‘The shark passed over the spot they had just left, and - darted by the turret with great rapidity. ay . The professor was so terrified that he became panic stricken, and looking back over his shoulder, he continued on with such impetus, never looking where he was going, that he struck the wire-rope rail surrounding the deck with a violent shock. Losing his balance he pitched over head first, and the next moment he plunged from the deck down into the dark yawn- ing gulf below and disappeared from the view of his com- _ panions. “Donner und blitzen!” cried Fritz with a ceadaee. “He vhas gone down und dot boat vhas in such conditions alretty t ve don’t been able to sink her down und help him vonct. Och, vot ve do now, neider?” 4 “Keelhaul me, lad!” gasped Tim, “ther water may be so leep there we may not be able ter dive down arter, him without losin’ our lives!” had not been idle, ee for as soon as he saw HAD. in more meee ballast. ; Down settled the Bee into darker water, surroun ‘by thousands of fishes, attracted toward her by the elec ; lights, and with the increased pressure the air in the boat b 5 came heavier. ; There were valves in the ceiling for letting off the vitiate : air, and automatic atomizers for spraying the atmosphere with. a solutien of quick-lime and potash, to purify the air. Carbonic acid combines so readily with water, though, that if a current ran through the hoat there would have been 20, need of the lime solution, ‘ In a few minutes Jack saw by the gauge that they were ata depth of one hundred feet, and the bottom was not yet in sight. — a “Tim, drop the plummet, and*sound the depth below,” h eried. * f ' Meer There was a sounding-lead of the Brooke pattern on deck, and the old sailor heaved He and, RE Ne: the line till it paused, he cried: ‘ “Ten fathoms more, sir, an’ thar’s a hard bottom!” “Highty feet!” muttered Jack: “We must be near a Devil’s cade rocks. ° ai ata ae ae Not a drop of water now leaked in through tna Wevoweeaat and there was now the enormous preanee upon her of Sih devoured the smaller ones in vast multitudes. “Do you see Scythe of ria yet?” eagerly ee '“Turn dot searchlight atau anata? ‘sila Fritz, Jack caused it to revolve by turning one of the leve the brilliant light pierced the dark, currentless Nisa sweeping circle. : Upon one side there arose a great mass of jagged called the Devil’s Jaws by the. people of Wrightstown, i } . “With these in his hand, he passed into the Tele ues ae State. he after trap, and, closing the water-tight door, he let in the ay, he unbolted the as ae and went up on deck. Within one minute he reached the turret, ascended to the top, and screwed new caps on in place of the ones that had _ been stolen.. : “The boat is all right, wreck ob a fishing Be EN aad in Hath of ther was a forests x eee dense eel grass fifty feet high. < anes over roe hie spot Jack beheld the shark boys!” he cried, aaa “Now tant eoaee: of Hopkins calling: “Help! Help! Help!” “He is over in the eel Kune near the shark! seen the lights ef the boat to call to us for help, “Tack her over thar!” called Ten, “ther shark must him! ” Just then eyo) saw the man- -eater dive in a grass and vanish from uae while a erie:
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Ne “trom poor Hopkins attested to the fact that he was is trouble, - which no doubt came from his fear of the shark. Jack raised the boat a few feet, by emptying her of very . little watér, and, starting her ahead, she plunged into the grass, scattering it right and left by her keen prow, and leay- ing a broad passage astern. ; Hardly had she gone into the grass, when the shark ap- peared in front of her, just faintly distinguishable among the grass, but the cries of the professor had suddenly ceased. “Can that cannibal of the deep have devoured him?” mut- tered Jack, violently shuddering. “If it has I’ll avenge him!” He took a brass cylinder from a shelf, and, putting it hastily into one of the guns, he aimed it by a lever, and then touched a press button. © With a fearful whirr, the projectile tore from the gun through the water, and true to its aim, it struck the shark’s body and penetrated it. The shock burst it within the creature’s body, there came a fearful smothered explosion, the water was violently agitated, and the shark was blown to fragments that were scattered out of sight. CHAPTER V. AFTER THE TREASURE. “Professor! ” shouted Jack. Startied, Hopkins glanced at the boat, and, with a glad ery, he came hurrying toward it and got on deck. “Saved!” he cried, joyfully. “Jack Wright; may the Lord | bless you! But how are we to get out of this fearful place, -| may I inquire?” “Hang on to the boat and I will raise it to the surface,” re- plied the boy. + A moment afterwards he pumped out ‘the water, and up darted the monitor toward the surface at an angle, and she presently emerged not far from the shore near the pier. A tremendous cheer burst from every throat as the specta- tors saw her, and the professor uttered a sigh of intense relief. _ Jack flung open the window of the turret and saw Kellenda -Mixitli standing on the edge of the pier with a scared look | upon his face, and it instantly flashed across the boy’s mind that the Carib had made the attempt to swamp the Sea - Serpent. Behind the dark-featured fellow stood a policeman, and Jack pointed at the rascal and shouted: “Arrest that dark fellow, officer! . us! ” ; No sooner was this said when the Carib withdrew the screw- * caps which he had stolen from the boat from his pocket and e began to fling them into the water to hide the proof of his guilt. He has attempted to kill Before he could get rid of all of them, meek the police- } _ Man seized him, and a struggle ensued between them, but the Carib could not get away, as there were so many people packed on the dock in baie’ of him. _ Helped by the bystanders, who all knew Jack would not _ make such a charge for nothing, the officer rendered the Carib helpless, and he was carried away through the crowd raving|s like a madman. Upon seeing that the man was aavieeeniek with proof of his guilt, Jack again drove the boat out upon the bay and con- tinued the exhibition for the curiosity of the spectators for ‘several hours longer, and then sent the Sea Serpent home- ‘ ward’ again, ie it ihe, boat in his weridiape. 3 ‘Jack ae hie nds made a minute examination of every. part of her and found several defects that required. remedying before. the monitor would be absolutely fit for sea service. They divested themselves of ‘their suits of. armor, and, nel ing turned out the incandescent lights, they left the boat and adjourned to the house. : o Partaking of their supper, the four friends were discussing re the merits of the monitur, when there came a ring at the — front door bell, and a.servant came in and announced a polliey ay man to see Jack. 3 He went out in the hall, and at the front door met the ~ officer who had arrested Kellenda Mixitli, who had a troubled a look on his face. ae “I have got some bad news for you, Mr. Wright, ” said the nit PS Be policeman, in* hesitating tones, as the boy glanced up at him. “What is the matter now?” demanded Jack. “The man you told me to arrest down on the dock has es- caped.” “Indeed? How did it happen?” ali der “While I was bringing him to jail, he suddenly turned ‘upon me near the railroad depot, and with one blow he knocked me io down. Before I could get upon my feet again he ran away and sprang aboard of a train which was just leaving for New York. I did not get half way to the cars before they gatheted such headway that it was utterly impossible to overtake thipata and he got away.” “Well, glad as I would have been to have had thé te caught, I am just as well satisfied to see him gone from the town, for it is not at all likely that he will ever alent we return here.” ; “How did fie make an effort to kill you?” Jack explained the circumstances, and the officer went away. On the following day the boy gave his boat an Grerhe ae “ and the defective’ spots were repaired, after which prepara- \ tions were begun to get the Sea Serpent in order for her cruise to the Caribbean Sea. ae A week was thus consumed, and on the first day of May every detail had been atlended to, and the boat was ready start. ie At exactly three o’clock our friends went aboard of the peautiful vessel, their baggage having preceded them, Ti earrying his little red monkey, Fritz his green parrot, and professor his carpet-bag and umbrella. Every one of the villagers knew about their intondet, des parture on a long cruise, and there was a large crowd at water’s edge to wave their adieus when the monitor sped out on the bay. The stirring strains of a band of music pealed out, firework ; were let off, and cheer after cheer arose from the people. — d and fired a battery from his three guns as a salute, while companions waved their flags out on deck and shouted the selves hoarse. heaving bosom of the BOSE Atlantic, and Wrightstown vi ished from view. 4 'The monitor began to heave, pitch, roll and rock when § got in deep beige but none of her crew, except the profess that it worked properly, while Tim, who was an experte navigator, eaerne in the turret with Jack. where he lay groaning and piteously begging to be set agsho again, until sleep finally overcame hin and he ges cs i ing eek
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actieds Swept over the sea again, the moon and stars : -gleamed in the dark blue canopy of heaven, and a strong ee breeze kicked up a ruffled sea, through which the monitor sped 2 southward with her low-lying decks half the time rolled under. There were no lights shown aboard of the monitor, save a dim glow in the dead-lights on the after side of the turret, and at a maximum speed of about twenty knots she forged along, with the dull, dark coast line about a league to the leeward. ‘The young inventor kept a keen glanee fixed upon the : gauges: and indicators, for extreme care had to be manifested in the beginning to guard against any defects that might have ppeeh overlooked. Sara stood at the open wedow with ie ERD eye fas- A thunderous report rang Ronn the gun, wae a ‘shot came ae screaming across the heaving water and struck the deck Ofer the Sea Serpent. ; There came a fearful shock, and the monitor quivered from — stem to stern, causing Jack to imagine for a moment that she was ruined. But a moment afterward the boy saw that the tough plates. of aluminum resisted the ball, which grazed along the sur- face, tore away some of the railing, and went flying into the sea. : “Nothing but a scratch,” coolly commented the young in- ventor. “And now to return the compliment. WHard-a-port, — Pim!” While the old sailor spun the wheel around, Jack took a | eS eylinder, filled with an explosive white powder, which he named horrorite, from a box, and opening the breech of one of the pneumatic guns, he placed it in. Then closing it, he sighted ‘the weapon, made due allow- ance for the swell of the sea, and, pressing a button, the piece — was discharged. : Y Ks _ “How is she erica: Fritz?” “Better as never vos!" came back the reply. “Can you leaye the dynamos now?” “TI dink so alretty.” “Then serve up mess, for I’m hungry.” 4“ Yah! ” . 4 ' “Tim, she is perfect now in every way.” _ “Ay; lad, I reckon she are,” replied the old sailor, enthu- giastically, “Take the wheel and I'll go in and look at the machinery.” ‘Leaving the boat in Tim’s care, the boy descended into the abin, which was now brilliantly illumined, and found Fritz setting the table for supper, while upon a stove; heated by "electricity, in the galley, a savory repast was in the process cooking. : ack made a careful examination of the machinery, and ‘when he had finished he heard Tim yell through a speaking- Nothing but a thud of the escaping air followed, and, with a howl, the projectile shot through the air, describing a semi- circle, and struck the ship abaft of the cathead upon the star- board quarter. 1 It penetrated the thick oak planking, and exploded “with. A roar of thunder. . The vibration made the sea.tremble, and there came a fear- ful upheaval of planks, timbers, an anchor, hg gun, capstan, chain-cable and several men. They were blown high in the air and torn to fragments; the ship was suddenly knocked over on her ‘beam. ends, and the boy saw that all the deck-work of the ship, including the heel bey of the bowsprit, were blown away, rendering the ship unfit for. as service upon the sea, R Had the shot struck below or even near the water line, the : high explosive power of the powder would have sunk the ves: sel, A scene of the wildest confusion ehatied on board of her, the remainder of the crew rushing up on deck, shouting and swearing, and the ship put off upon the leeward tack, as if to get away from the moniter. ; } “It looks to me as if they have more of the dvel than eos bargained for,” laughed Jack, loading another of the ‘guns to. guard against need of it. } “Dash my figgerhead, but they’ye come about now,” sai uf Tim, taking a chew of navy plug, “an’ thar they tacks, back Sie fer N’York agin!” " _ The noise of the explosions brought Fritz and the ‘ease in at a rush, inquiring the cause of the firing, and aie Were) informed. '“T trust,” nervously said Hopkins, “that there is no danger. of the shots they may fire penetrating the hull of this boat.” % “a the old sailor gating excitedly out of the ‘window. _ The monitor was then passing within a few miles of the canvas, was sailing majestically from the direction of New York harbor, at a short distance from the Sea Serpent. _ Tt was at oie: craft that Tim was pointing, ang. the boy “the ‘port side, staring down at the submarine boat. heir faces and figures, at such a short distance away, were to be seen, and, to, Jack’s artoninpment, he observed that soon as Jack appeared the Carib saw him. ( “Haul to, there!” the dark fellow shouted. “Surrender to or we will blow your boat out of the water!” Je ok and Tim exchanged glances of intense amazement. ‘He must ee that enipt eda the ee i little ign our strength,” said the boy, “or he would ot thus dare to attack us. But since he is bent upon war- | shall give him a chance to es a duel with us with our about it,” answered Hopkias ate he gauged himself rather. gingerly to find out if it might return, but was satisfied wit F the result of his investigation. As it would be a mere waste of time to pursue the Caril ship, Jack let them depart in peace with what there was maining of the craft, and headed the Sea Serpent to the south- OFF CAPE HATTERAS. ward again. ‘more’ than two hundred yards separated the ea Th watch was then divided, with Jack and Hopkins in » the “ship, and the vengeful Carib did not wait for igre first and Fritz and Tim in the second. ; i he fired, ; Beus' aR a The moon = stars sent ibs a silvery oo / : GHAPTER V1.
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i heaving waters, and the old sailor and the Dutch boy turned y ‘ia. ; Gon A southern bound steamer came bearing down upon them, and, overtaking the Sea Serpent, they heard the lookout in the bow ery: “A boat athwart our course!” “What' do you make her out to be?” queried the ‘reba, approaching. “T cannot tell; she looks like a monitor without a haeuee: stack.” » ' “Ab! I see her. What a strange craft! Give her a hail.” “Boat ahoy!” shouted the man, loudly. “Ahoy!” replied Jack, moving the Sea Serpent aside. “What craft is thal?” “The Sea Serpent, of Wrightstown.” “What! Jack Wright’s submarine wonder?” “Ay, ay.” “T read of her. » “fo San Salvador. “She is the fastest that runs to the Gulf, and cam beat any- thing afloat,” replied the commander, in proud tones. “Anything except my boat,” replied Jack promptly. ; “Do you wish to try conclusions with me?” é “With pleasure; but I warn you that I can easily defeat you.”' f “That remains to be seen,” replied the captain, tartly, as he passed the word to the engineer to put on full speed. It was no more unusual for south-bound steamers to race than it was for the Trans-Atlantic liners, and as most of the ‘passengers had come up on deck and witnessed what was trans- ‘> piring, considerable excitement ‘ensued between them. over the result, many ‘of them laying wagers on it. if Jack laughed as he saw the speed of the Steamer gradually inereasing until it reached the limit of twenty-eight knots. “They, are running ahead of us!” remarked the professor, -glumly, . I see they are, and the erew and passengers look singularly delighted,” the boy replied. “But I will soon change their sentiments!” He glanced up at the patent log register on ‘the wall, and saw that the monitor” was going along a trifle slower than fif- teen knots. OAER Turning the lever, he increased: the weeaal of the boat to a thirty miles, and burying its prow in the sea while a big wave swelled up astern, she shot ahead like an arrow from a how. Are ‘you bound southward?” You have got a fast steamer there.” 4 its furthest extent as soon as he reached her side, A. shout arose from the passengers on the steamer when they ‘saw the boy’s marvelous creation inerease her speed again, and the Sea Serpent kept forging on until at last the steamer was hull down astern ere Jack reduced speed, _ “wonderful!” ejaculated, Hopkins, admiringly. “ Such a racer I never met with before. Jack, you are to be congratu-’ Jated. | “Tt has taken gome of the conceit out of that captain,” the boy replied, with a smile of exultation, “and it shows you i. we are hard pressed by enemies, ere this cruise is over, what we can do if'it comes to a run for our lives.” The wisdom of this conclusion will be shown later on. At two o'clock Jack called Tim and Fritz, and resigning the : wheel to their ¢are, he and the professor turned in. — Wi The night dawaled slowly by, and just before the break of “aay there suddenly sounded the fierce ringing of a gong. Sot came from the pi flot-house, and awakened Jack. 4 p with a startled ae) wondering what occasioned the| to the floor and rushed up to the pilot-house. sp sles He The Sea Serpeut was violently heaving and ‘pitching: ( : heard the fierce bellowing of wind and “waves: outside, which jat once impressed him with the real situation they were in. fury,” he muttered, as soon as he glanced out of the window: side. rified eke “an? 1 can’t work ther boat!” Fritz glared:at each other in terror, while the cceain bait ’ staggering in. - light of the first order, in a tower ald feet high, on the mii sand bar. (im lina coast, for its shoals extend far out to sea as a menace to when the raging sea would pound her to pieces. Var op _ Rapidly overhauling the steamer, Jack pulled the lever to He had flung himsel¥ down with his clothes on, and started | descending. ; struck him and slammed him atanlals the hull But as soon as the situation dawned upon his mi “A storm must have arisen, and has broken with intense “Jack! Jack!” shouted Tim, in frenzied accents. jf “What is the. matter?” he panted, iting to the ee “Where are we?” a “Off Cape Hatteras.” as Years mahal The boy taal ht ci of the beaver re and a cry. “of alarm é CHAPTER VIL. A BATTLE WITH THE waves. = | f° just as the day was ee sens the Sea Saroent in a bad position, © - Pine ves For an instant Jack did not know what to do, and Tim and Two miles to the north there showed a. flashing “dioptric This cape is one of the most dameerons’ ¢ on the North. Caro ships. Be Unless prompt measures were taken, there was every y likelte hood of the monitor being drifted upon the rocks and. shoals, “Why ‘didw’t you arouse me, when the storm broke?” manded Jack, angrily. “Lor’ bless yer, lad,” returned the old sailor, “I hated ter spile yer sleep, jest fer ther sake o’ a gale o’ wind, as I: could ; easy manage this eraft wi'out yer. But as soon as 1 foun’ ther rudder lines jammed, I got skeered, I can tell ex “Have you examined them inside of the boat?” “Yah,” said Fritz. “I vhas done aot mineselluf, und | ih f Jack hastened back to the storeroom eee put on ad suit, saw that the knapsack was filled with compressed air, } taking a wire accommodation ladder with hooks in the en went up,on deck through the after trap. | i Fastening the hooks of the ladder into two ring bolts on laffrail, he mounted it, and fearlessly descended into the ing waters below the stern. Beaten along abroadside, the Sea Serpent was 4 1 rapid leeway, while breaker after breaker rolled up w ing roars, and breached clear over her with. the thunder, keeping her buried half the time under tons of and knocking her about like a cork. a aN TRBGEE: was roaring ree like artillery, ane the 1 "The electric lamp on Jack’s helmet gaye a powerful ah t and showed him into what a fearful chaos of waters, he was He had hardly are -within’ the hissing brine. when } Serpent with apeeline force.
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ti “JACK WRIGHT AND Nee DEEP § SBA MONFTOR, + The breath was almost knocked out of him, and he was - bruised and hurt painfully, but he did not retreat, or utter a ery, but, recovering himself, he kept right on going down on _ the swaying ladder, and hastily bound it to the rudder-post as soon as his body was submerged. oe Thus secured, the swaying ladder was stopped, and he had a firm foot and hand hold, so he could retain his position. é The draught of the monitor being six feet, he did not have far to go under, although it would have been better for him could he have gone further below the surface, as he would then have been out of the fierce influence of the raging "waves. Jack flashed the rays of his lantern upon the rudder chains _at the spot where they were fasteried to the post and then - ran through two holes into the hull. A small piece of driftwood had been drawn into one of the apertures, and was lodged between the chain and the side of ; the orifice, holding the rudder line as firmly as if it were clenched by a vise. The boy pushed and pulled at it with all his might, but it - would not budge, and every succeeding wave pounded and beat upon him with relentless fury, swaying him about and using up his strength. - He finally withdrew his knife from the belt around his - waist, and jamming the point into the wood, he pried at it and split it in two, He was then enabled to withdraw it from the aperture, and the ehain ran freely, whereupon he replaced the knife in his belt. : G ? The boy then swung himself around on the ladder to ascend Pads ENS ORY pillow struck him. It came so unexpectedly that he was knocked from his hold, ; and, half dazed, was swépt off into the furious sea. ¥ _“Help!” he shrieked at the top of his voice, but the howling é wind and thundering waves drowned the cry as if it was.a whisper. - ‘Away he was flung into the maddened waters like a whisp of straw, and the monitor was carried off in an opposite di- rection. _ “Help!” rang out his hoarse cry again, but down under the sea he sunk like a shot, the appeal smothering under the ngry billows that wildly tossed over him as the Jeaden weights carried him down. The Sea Serpent disappeared in the gloom. Jack did not go far. There were white caps curling all over the surface of the hoal into which he went. ‘He fell flat upon his face, and lay upon the water-covered sand, swayed by every thundering wave that came rushing in oreward, Within a few moments he recovered himself and arose. _ The young inventor was worse off than ever then, for he felt the influence of the waves stronger, and they kno¢éked him flat ain: i ip he arose a second time, only to get beaten down again and again, as he repeated the effort to walk. Every wave drifted him nearer and nearer the bleak shore, ‘and finding that it was impossible to walk, he got upon his hands and knees, and crept along, following the direction of je waves. n this manner he got into such shallow water that he ssend had the boy recovered his 6 bret however, when 4 ue i ; ‘could attract the attention of his friends, and heard, rising to the deck, and had just gained a footing, when an enormous |. ‘| was flashed ashore upon the ees and held there, exposing the he crept up tarther out of reach of’ the fierce undertow, and got upon the barren, desolate shore, where he remained’ in comparative safety. wo: Here he recovered from the exhaustion brought on by his — exertion at fighting the waves, and glancing out over, the , tempest-tossed sea, he saw by the lightning’s flash. that the monitor was under way again, and forging out of reach of the ferocious currents that were carrying her ashore. “They will soon miss me,” soliloquized Jack, keeping his glance fastened upon the darkness in the direction of the Sea Serpent, “and will know that I have gone overboard. i need not fear that they will go away from this locality with- out making an effort to find me.” j He sat down upon a rock, resolved to remain there until he above the din of the warring elements, the reveille of a bugle at the distant Fort Clark, at the mouth of Hatteras Inlet, lead- ing to Pamlico Sound in back of him. It began to rain hard now, but above the wailing of the gale his quick ears caught the sound of excited men’s voices, and, glanciyg to the southward, he was surprised to see two soldiers, evidently from the fort, quarreling. pe} “As we both love the girl, and only one can have her,” he heard one.say, “we must fight this duel, and the victor shall have the field.” yates “T have kept my appointment to meet you here,” replied — the other, loudly, “and am determined to settle the matter in the manner you proposed.” “The winner shall bury the loser in the sand here to hide this deed.” : “Ay, and our weapons shall be swords, as we are both ex-— pert fencers.” “Charley, one last shake hands. fore this jealousy sprang up.” “Do not weaken me, Will. other’s life!” wees “Then to the wind with our past friendship, and now—on 1 seem guard!” Clash! sounded the two meeting swords. he i= It was a difficult, dangerous duel, fighting in a dense gloom, which was only broken at intervals by the blinding lightning’ Ste glare. 4 Off to the seaward the Sea Serpent was gliding through the ~ gloom, and one of her crew was flashing the rays of the — searchlight over the sea, hunting for some trace of the miss- : ing boy. Jack sprang to his feet, and dasianed over to the two duel- lists. : “Peace!” he cried, pausing in back of her with one hand upraised. At the same juncture the searchlight from the Sea senpand We were dear friends be- > Remember, we are adeiing each — startling tableau. CHAPTER VIII. A BRUSH WITH A PIRATE,. The duellists were so startled by the sudden flashing of th electric light upon them, and the appearance of Jack in his diving dress, that a superstitious feeling took agers! ut them. ; Fol Flinging down their swords, they recoiled with cries” of: alarm. “Tt’s the devil!” gasped one. “A warning!” panted the other, “Let us forgive and forget!” —
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“We will let the girl choose between us.” “And her decision shall settle the case.” They clasped hands in old friendship once more. Just then the searehlight went out, and Jack dropped behind a rock, When the lightning flashed the duellists saw that he had vanished, and more convinced than ever that they had seen a supernatural object, they picked up their swords and hast- ened away. : “They never expected to'see such a singular object as I am in the midst of the storm at this lonely spot,” chuckled Jack, watching them until they were out of sight. “Their alarm was therefore excusable, and the fearful scene around here would warrant their superstition. Two friends parted by jealousy over a girl, a duel, my interference, and their reunion in the bonds of a stronger affection than before, with a sensible resolution in view-—that is the pith of the matter. I’m glad I was washed ashore. But for me they might have slain one or the other, and the survivor would have had much to answer for.” It was evident to Jack that his friends had seen him with their night glasses, else they would not have held the light upon that spot so long, and he concluded that they would beat about the cape until the storm abated so they could get him aboard again. He did not see the searchlight for some time, but it showed at intervals after that. and he remained several hours upon the beach. : Daylight came at last, and the storm broke and passed away, and then the boy saw his monitor haul to a mile off the cape. She carried a portable boat, and Fritz put off in it and came ashore. “Shiminey Christmas!” ejaculated the Dutch boy, delight- edly, shaking hands with Jack. “Ve vhas tort dot you vhas Jost, undil ve seeded yer by der peach looken on by a fight _mit dose two soldiers vonct!” Jack explained what happened while Fritz was rowing back to the monitor, and upon their arrival Tim and the professor . greeted him with every demonstration of joy, and he had to repeat his narrative, ie He learned that the rudfer-lines worked properly as soon ,as he got the wooden wedge out, and they told him that he was not missed for some time, Fritz haying discovered his loss, they began to search for him. The boy divested himself of his diving suit, and, after a hearty breakfast, he assumed control of the boat, and she sped along the dark waters of the Guif Stream on her course to the southward again. From Cape Hatteras, due south, it was: almost a bee-iline to the Bahamas, among which was San Salvador Island, and the Sea Serpent took the nearest course, in order to economize time, the distance being about 750 miles. All traces of the storm disappeared by the afternoon; only an easy swell ruffled the bosom of the deep, the sky was blue, nett and a fair wind came from the west. \ 7h aie Ba ce held the wheel, and Fritz and the professor were in the turret with him. “Goin’ at twenty knots,” said Tim, presently; “we'd oughter _ make ther Bahamas to-morrow.” * “If no accidents occur to us, We may,’ “but there’s many a slip, you know. tions are wonders, ain’t they?” a “You oughder know yourself someding aboud dot,” said ‘Fritz, ? : «Just see how his diving suit saved his life,” said Hopkins. _\ “Lor’,” scoffed Tim, “that ain’t nuthin’! I reckerlect when ‘I wuz aboard o’ ther U. S. frigate Wabash, when somethin’ Pata wonderfulier’n that happened ter me. Yer may not ‘b'lieve it, sir, but——” i “ ‘ ’ replied the professor; Jack Wright’s inven- a ra, bi ‘the pursuer was rapidly overhauling the other. /upon them rapidly, and Jack passed into the pilot-house. ; “Shestnuts! ” said Fritz, a disgusted look sweeping over” his face; and; unable to stand the yarn he khew was coming. . he bolted out of the room. aes. “But what?” queried the professor, wee did not ‘know any- thing about Tim being such a consummate liar that he actu- ally believed his own yarns. HO “Why, sir, * replied the old sailor, giving a hitch at his. pants, and following the retreating figure of Fritz with a * baleful glare from his solitary eye, “I onct saved my own hulk under Davy Jones’ locker, wi’out a divin’ suit on, arter bein’ © * sunk niore’n two hours, an’ a hari.” “How could it be possible?” asked Hopkins, incredulously. “Yes see; wewuz in midocean in ther winter o’ 59, goin’ un- der easy sail, an’ ther commodore wuz a-lookin ower some waluable papers, when ther wind blowed ’em away inter ther water, an’'I offered ter git ’em. So I dived overboard, an’ seein’ ther papers sinkin’, down I went arter ‘em like a fish. { had took a powerful breath, an’, sir, afore I knowed it I reached ther bottom.” “Of the Atlantic?” asked the professor, suspiciously. ; “Ay, sir. I don’t jest quite remember our latitude, but that iy don’t matter. As soon’s I struck bottom, I begun ter ger 3 fer ther papers, an’——” ye “J think I’ll leave you seine for them,” said the pro- wv fessor, going out. “Dash my timbers! ” roared Tim. me?” The areteaebe made no reply, and Tim consoled himself — : with a chew of tobacco. Ae A short ‘time afterwards Fritz went out on deck, and de-~ seried two ships. One of them was following the other, and ag both were’ under full sail. “Sail ho! Sail ho!” he cried. Jack came out with a spyglass in his hand. “Can you make them out, Fritz?” he asked. “Nein. But I t’ink me dot vun vhas chasin’ der odder yun.” “That iooks suspicious,” said the boy, leveling his glass at the vessels. Jack scanned them long and earnestly, and gave a start, “Vell?” demanded Fritz, impatiently. “T thought the days of piracy in these waters was ovens re- turned Jack. “Holy Moses! ishment. y “One of themris. It carries the ghastly buccaneers’ emblem at its truck, and is in pursuit of what looks like an American brig!” “Donner und blitzen!” “Tim! Port your helm, and run down yonder yessels! ” “Ay, ay, sir,” responded the old sailor, complying. “Fritz, go and load the guns in the turret. If there is any pirating going on out there, I'll blow the infernal rascals out of the water! ” “Hurray!” roared Fritz, delighted at the prospect of a fight, and he obeyed. ; | Off swung the Sea Serpent on the starboard tack, and sael r she raced toward the two flying ships, when, from the one — abaft of the other, there came a puff of smoke, a flash of — fire and a duil report. Still watching them, Jack saw the shot that was fired carry away the topmast of the fugitive brig, and observed thas “T guess yer don’t b’live ; Vhas dem birates?” asked Fritz in aston- The Sea Serpent, buried to her decks in the sea, bore down | The monitor was not seen until she arrived within half < mile of the pirate, when the rascal suddenly swung up in the wind, abandoned the chase, and tacked off to aie} windwaa Aloft there yet fluttered the black flag, and her crew, having seen the Sea Serpent was.a HOeEOTs made a hasty Seer to ee
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down. Before they eat: ‘do so, Jack, aimed and fired one of his’ guns. : Away whistled the shot, and striking the ugly flag, it burst -and carried the emblem and topsail. away. | A cheer pealed from Jack’s fri¢nds when they saw the flag ‘fall. » As the frecbooter had done nothing to warrant Jack’s un- ' authorized right to blow: the ship to pieces, the boy let, him _ depart, and ran after the brig, which hé now saw. carried the American flag. ' Finding that help had come, the brig had been hauled to, and when the monitor ran up alongside of her, and Jack ques- ‘tioned the captain, our friends learned that no damage but the ‘toss of the topmast was, done. » The Black Hawk, as the pirate was called, made haste to get away, and the brig continued her cruise in the opposite - direction, after the captain had warmly thanked Jack for the " assistance he rendered, Assured that the pirate would not renew the attack, sent his vessel spinning to the southward again, - marked, complatently: “TI have found use for my guns in earnest now,” Jack and) re- CHAPTER IX. RIVAL TREASURE HUNTERS. t Land ho! Land ho!” “Where away, Tim?” “Three points off our weather bow, Jack.” ‘it was raining hard on the following night when Tim’s ery startled all the crew of the Sea Serpent, for from May to October the rainy season of the Bahamas sats in, and every- thing was wrapped in dense gloom. The boy inventor hastened into the turret where the ancient Ethene: stood alone, and his keen glance caught sight of a distant swaying light, evidently upon a moving vessel. Far beyond jit the night glass showed him a dark outline rising above the sea, which was unmistakably a shore, and at one point, toward which the ship he sighted was going, there ‘rolled several lights, which seemed to be! peak ‘signals on anchored ships. It looked to Jack as if they were a number of vessels in a 5 safe, harbor, and he turned to Tim and said, anxiously: “T wish we were anchored among those vessels for the ‘Right. We are navigating very dangerous water. It is full - of sunken reefs and keys upon-which a craft could easily strike and go to pieces in this gloom.” “Ay, now, an’ yonder ship is a-tackin’ in fer it,” said Tim. “why can’t we?” _ “So we cari. That land is San Salyador Island, where we are bound for, according. to my calculation of our locality. Head for the harbor, Tim.” The shore could not have been more than a mile away, and swith all his wonted caution, Jack suddenly turned on the * “Coast wreckers!” said the boy. “Lord a’mighty!” “They were luring us into a death trap! ?. “Ay! An’ yonder ship is doomed!” “Unless we overhaul her, and warn the crew!” “Shall we attemp’ it, lad?” “Yes! Bus on full power, their lives!’ : Around Tim pulled the lever, and away dashed the snonito with the speed of the wind in the wake of the imperiled ship. The Bahanias were the resort of a notorious pirate named lackbeard, and the natives of some of the islands, lived. chiefly ‘by coast wrecking, some of (he more unscrupulous act~ and aN God help us to say ‘ually luring ships to destruction upon the rugged shores, by. means of false beacons, so that they might prey upon en Tey mains of the wrecks. In a few minutes the Sea Serpent, oyeehauin the ship, Bt proved to be a bark of about eight hundred tons burden, laden with a miscellaneous cargo bound for Nassau, N. P. “Ship. ahoy!” sages Jack, ite out on devi. “Ahoy! the bark, “Haul to, on your lives!” “What for?” came the gruff reply. “You are running upon wreckers’ false beacons.” : “Bosh! I don’t believe it!” came the ungracious answer. “Then watch the lights; and you'll see!” said Jack, (gee naturedly. the bark Hie a jepod look at the danger they were: peng into. Cries of alarm peaint from the whole crew. saying their lives. fd The boy laughed at them, and brought the Sen Serpent to: pause. top of the ee 3 Jack aimed the forward: gun, at the cliff and fired tes With a shriek the brass cylinder of the horrorite. be through the air, and striking the rocks, it burst with a fe ful report, and the misleading lanterns were blown to tora ae while a large portion of the cliff was carried away in) trag- ments. Turning a lever upon the awitchbolra: Tack caused the: tur ret to revolve, and as soon as the port gun faced the cliff , pressed a button, when a second shot went howling on its - and demolished more of the cliff, striking terror to the of the wreckers, Still revolving, ‘the gun on the starboard came arte the first fet when the turret resumed its natural position remained motionless. ie ‘searchlight, and flashed its powerful beams upon the spot look- |. ang like a me! bor. in, pea; ware cael ot what was transpiring. ‘ “I think I have put an end to the foul work of those fien i wreckers at this spot at least,” said Jack, as he started hoat away. “By their rascality, I have no doubt, they murdered many a ship’s crew and wrecked numberless essels. | Retribution has overtaken them at last.” ‘ “Between the pirates, wreckers, and a possibility. of lenda Mixitli, the Carib, returning to contest our effor: ; get the sunken ton of gold, my Christian friends,” said t ratio ruefully, “I am afraid we are ee ie to
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: TACK WRIGHT. AND His ii “MONITOR. “Vot vhas dot?” queried Fritz, curiously, as Hopkins held wp a corked hottie. t ; “A sea cucumber. You see it looks remarkably like that - well-known vegetable.” Our friends examined it, and then the boat was sunk to the ‘bottom ard anchored for the night, as navigetion on the surface was too dangerous. She lay in three fathoms of water. on a hard bottom of limestone, heneycombed and perforated ee innumerable ; cavities, ‘ se “We could not stop at a better pldee * said Jack, before they turned in, “for we are at the northern jend of the island now, and to-worrow Sonat begin our experiment here to locate the RS treasure,’ They took turns watching that night, nothing occurring, save a fight between Whiskers and Bismarck, to break themon- otony, und when day broke at last the rainstorm had passed away and the sun shone out. Partaking of a good breakfast, Jack brought the Sea Serpent to the surface, when, to his surprise, the first thing he saw was a large schooner lying at anchor half a mile away. ' His friends were apprised of the fact, and the er suspicions at once began to assail them all. “What can they be doing there, I wonder?” queried Hop- kins, in alarmed tones, as “aie observed his companions’ glum looks. “The only way to find so is to go over to them,” answered alia ! “Don’d yer see vot’s der matter mit “em?” roared Fritz, as he peered at the boat with a strong binocular. “Bless; us!” Tim exclaimed, a frown gathering upon his brow. “I don’t need no glass ter see as thar’s several divers on her deck in costume an’ some men a-riggin’ up air pumps fer/them.” . “By jove! then they must have heard about the treasure, too!” said Jack, emphatically; “and they are here searching for it as well as ourselves. Professor, who knew about the existence of the ton of gold among your party at the time you were here?” Y “Every one of the geographers,” replied Hopkins, gloomily. “Then. either one of your former friends must be here on “the ‘same mission as ourselves, or else the secret was given {0 someone else, for that party is evidently here to get the treasure. i! “Tam afraid they are,” said Hopkins. Jack drove the Sea Sepont over to the schooner, wa they _ saw that there were over a score of men upon her deck. It was plain to be seen that they were provided with every medern appliance for diving, and they all saw the monivor High) approaching. ; A descent had evidently not been made yet, and the profes: sor failed to see anyone upon the schooner’s deck whom he cognized. The leader of the party was a total stranger to sea, serpent Jack was not alarmed. He simply turned a lever and sent the moniter below the - surface, “If the gold is sunk here, I will find it first!” he exclaimed, Then he rattled out a volley of orders to his friends, just - as two divers from the schooner went overboard. and de- scended toward the bottom. te us Down shot the monitor beneath the waves, and it then be- vame a contest between her and the divers to. see which should iovate the treasure first, if it really was submerged at that s spot. CHAPTER X. ATTACKED BY SAVAGES. Jack had but little fear of the strange divers getting pow session of the golden idol, if, indeed, it were submerged at the place where they were descending. The bottom was only five fathoms down, and they yeach it long before ‘the two divers. wep followed them seis the strange schooner. : : Sided as the, mets morning sun was, it failed to penetra c where ie idol was alleged to be submerged, Hritz was attired in a diving suit by the time they reach the bottom, ready for action, but Jack did not call upon him, “The strangers have miscalculated the right spot, professor,” : 5aid the boy to Hopkins. “Let them keep on their search. ‘This can’t be the place, I will drive the monitor away, and we can. - 30 ashore with your direction and try the RTs to mark the treasure’s location.” “Just my sentiments, my Chviekien friend,” acquiesced Hopkins. The Sea Serpent glided away, ee the iwe divers. “fro ‘S the schooner to have the ground, and a mile farther on she came to the surface. es Sif All the crew of the schooner were watching her when she emerged. Taking the professor's translation, and lowering the portable boat, Jack and Hopkins rowed ashore, leaving Tim to manage the monitor. , As soon as they stepped ashore Jack pointed = the graph that ‘referred to the location of the treasure, and said “You see, professor, we can’t do anything until noontim: The paper says: ‘At exactly midday a stick thrust in- thy ground of the isle whereupon the white men first. came- the side where the sun rises—-will cast a shadow in the direc- iion where sank the lidol of the sun god, and to. reach it ; canoes, they must be paddled for as much time as it takes | heat water over fire’ Now, at midday the reflection. wou somewhere in the water northeast of here; we are on ‘th island where the sun rises, and it would take bieinrigle ur ‘business here must be a suspicious one,” retorted the! ir business,” shouted the leader of the party, “is diving.” ‘or an idol of gold?” said Jack, suggestively. i heavens, he knows our plans? ” involuntarily exclaimed he stranger, “inadvertently betraying himself, and turning as right place for eo Ubsanaaece’ then,” Sata Hopkins, with a smile. pal “Jack pinnees sen and’ saw that they were at a + des was ms wihie a ntniunae roar. woods, and farther to the north a a mass of. “This. plate Hepes be Moe se frequented by po
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oe on the isle,” he remarked, forbidding to see.” Sh Just then an arrow shot out of the woods, whistled through |. the air, and the point landed with a thud in the sand beside : them. “Savages! ” exclaimed Jack, glancing at the arrow in sur- prise. “Nonsense!” replied the professor. “When the Spaniards settled on San Salvador, centuries ago, after Columbus dis- covered this isle, they drove the aborigines away from the island.” “Tt has a wild, gloomy look, quite “But some of the Caribbean islands farther southward are yet peopled by the remains of the tribe, and some’ of them may have come here, I don’t see any one yet, though.” “They may be the fellows who attacked me, on another isl- and, when I was in this region before,” said the professor, nervously. “In that case they must be Kellenda Mixitli’s band.”” “The Lord help us if they are!” 4A shower of arrows now assailed our two friends, coming from among the trees and bushes, and they retreated to the boat and pulled away from shore, when a score of Caribs burst from the undergrowth and rushed down to the surf. “Look out!” exclaimed Hopkins, excitedly. “Here they come now.” It was only by the merest chance that they escaped the shower of arrows and spears that the natives sent flying after them, and, reaching the monitor, they hastily got on board. “Riast ther lubbers, did they hurt yer?” anxiously asked Tim. “No, Start the monitor ahead!” cried Jack, entering the turret. | “Och, vy don’d yer let us plow dem by bieces?” asked Fritz, - pleadingly. “Not until they do something to warrant our taking their ives,” answered Jack, who was averse to killing the savages for nothing. -. It was very evident that the Caribs had not-molested them for nothing, and Jack deduced from it that they must have ‘been placed there to keep watch for anyone who might ven- ture to search for the sunken treasure. In this they recog- nized Mixitli’s hand. / The crew of the schooner was still watching them, and Jack drove the Sea Serpent around the northern end of the island into Exuma Bay, where she was hauled to for a while, and they scanned the shore. 4 ‘ “We must not venture to descend anywhere near where the treasure lies,” said Jack, “for the crew of the schooner will ‘soon find that they are not in the right spot, and, knowing) that we are here on the same mission as themselves, will watch us. If we find where the treasure lies, and guide them to the : spot, very likely they will try to get it, and that will lead to’ ; serious trouble between us, sure.” rn _ “With such arms as we possess,” the professor replied, “we Bids ; would have but little trouble in keeping them at a respectful distance.” The Sea Serpent was‘started again and made a circuit of the island, and they saw the divers working from the schooner ‘the whole morning, the strange vessel moving about from place to place every hour. — ae When the monitor arrived at the northern end of the island again, just before noon, Jack saw that the savages were there yet in large numbers, intently watching the boat. _ “We have got to go ashore again,” the boy remarked, “and I have no doubt that those fellows will attack us. . But if we don our metal diving suits they can do us no harm with their -. weapons.” ! The professor had been feeling very timid, but Jack’s words reassured him, and he consented to make the venture, JACK WRIGHT AND HIS DEEP SBA MONITOR. whereupon they each put on a diving suit and rowed ashore again, where the boat was beached. — ta Jack carried a watch and a compass, and both were armed. The Caribs retreated among the trees, and from there kept __ up a fusillade of arrows and spears, none of which were capa- : ble of penetrating their suits, and they went on with their work. Thrusting a stick in the ground, Jack kept his glance upon his watch, and exactly at twelve o’clock he located the direc- tion of the shadow by the compass, and began his calculations. The direction indicated was across Ship Channel, northeast of Hleuthera Island, about sixty miles east of the shore. = They were both. so intent upon their examination that they did not watch the Caribs for a few moments, and the savages came toward them at a rush. A warning cry from ‘lim on the monitor apprised them of their danger; but it caine too late, so swiftly ran the islanders, ‘ for they reached Jack and the professor before they could fairly draw their weapons from their belts. Like an avalanche they came upon the divers, and while half of the dusky horde fell upon the professor, disarmed him, and carried him away, the cages? attacked Jack with the most savage fury. i Opposed by a score of the Caribs, the boy began. to plane away at them, but they knocked his electric pistol from his” oe hand, and were fighting to get him in their power when he — ran for the shore. The professor was a prisoner, and had disappeared, while — Jack, unarmed and opposed by a score, could do nothing un-— aided. ‘ 5 F Some of the savages had captured the rowboat, but the boy hurried out into the breakers, and, pursued by the yelling horde, he plunged into deep water ,and was soon lost to their sight beneath the sea. 2 Afraid of injuring Jack or Hopkins, Tim and Fritz did not fire a shot in their defense. tay. CHAPTER XI. A FATAL GUNSHOT, When Jack saw the moniter: floating over his head he cast off his weights and the air reservoir on his back lifted him to the surface. : Fritz was out on deck, and assisted him on board the Sea Serpent. “T have got the location of the ton of gold, ” said the boy, breathlessly, as he opened the visor of his helmet, “but they’ye captured the professor.” “Shiminetty! Dey vhas mebbe paihan him alretty vonet! wi gasped Fritz. “Don’t you alarm yourself on that point; they can’t do him much harm, unless they manage to get his diving suit off,” re- plied Jack, grimly. “If they have plenty of time, however, they could break through an iron-clad.” 4 “Vot yer vhas goin’ ter do aboud it?” “You and Tim must put on your suits, arm yourselves, an } come ashore with mo. We must rescue poor Hopkins befor those Caribs get a chance to do him any harm.” “Und leave dot Sea Serbend all alone by itselluf?” “We can anchor her near shore.” old sailor of. what Jack ‘pranesed doing, and they bot @ paris aera
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soon as he reached the side of Hopkins he cut the professor’s| the boat. joined Tim and Iritz, and the four opened fire upon the Caribs} friends had been rowing in safety a few moments before. “JACK WRIGHT AND HIS DEEP SEA MONITOR. The schooner at that time was out of sight down the coast, “Only shaken up a bit—nothing to speak of, dear boy,” behind a projection of the land, and not another vessel was in| was the professor’s reply. . vicy. ; : “Then away with you all to the monitor!” Moreover, the savages had disappeared in among the trees. Further fighting was useless now, as they knew in which Fritz and Tim socn joined the young inventor, and they] direction to look for the sunken treasure, and they had Hop- slipped down the anchor cable into ten feet of water and} kins rescued. = walked ashore. w Ceasing hostilities, therefore, they hastened across the end The portable rowboat lay high and dry upon the beach. of the island to the beach, where they had left the Sea Sere — Without pausing the three divers divested themselves of|Pent anchored. . ue their weights, and boldly’ proceeded toward the dense shrub-| But the monitor was gone!, et ae tae bery where the Caribs had disappeared, and easily found the| Cvies of alarm and surprise escaped the lips of the quartette, x trail they had made. and Jack pointed out at the sea, and cried in dismay: ie It led Jack and his friends across the island toward the} ~See there! The pirate has got her!” rocks, which lined that side, and they presently saw the na-| The Black Hawk was sailing away to the northward with the Rs tives among them. monitor in tow, for our friends had searcely gone to the res-- cue of Hopkins when Blackbeard’s vessel came around the end tween the rocks, and the Caribs were heaping brush and of, the island and swooped down ‘upon ‘the deserted. Sea PSR } Eras chats pent. ‘ shrubs, dried up by the sun, around him in a great mass, ’ ’ ey “Look!” shouted Jack. “They intend to burn him to| 4 blank silence of several minutes followed their startling © The professor lay upon the ground in a narrow defile be- death!” discovery, and they might have given away to their despair “Not vhen I knows dot!” said Fritz, savagely. had ae pot Bald: : . Besides their rifles and pistols our friends were armed with Don’t give in, boys—there’s a chance for us yet. small hand-grenades, loaded with slugs and horrorite—Jack’s| “How?” eagerly asked ‘Tim, stumping up and down ex- ~ patent explosive—and as soon as the savages saw them com-| “itedly. ap ing they set up a fearful chorus of yells, and began to fire upon| Don’t you see how light the breeze is?” LE them. “Ay, ay, lad.” : “Haven't we got the rowboat left to pursue the pirate?” “Hoop-la!” yelled Fritz, delightedly. “Gief me an oar vonet! ” “Set the boat afloat! ' There are the oars lying upon, the beach. \In this light wind we can easily overhaul the moni- “Give it to them, boys!” shouted Jack, energetically. _ fhey flung the bombs among the Caribs, and, striking the ground, the missiles burst with a roar of thunder, dealing de- struction to every one and everything in the way of the flying Lipo tay tor, and as we have got plenty of ammunition left for our With their merle filled with terror the yelling horde scat- weapons we can give that pirate a hot tussle for the boat! tered. Lively now, boys; lively!” They set to work with a will, and, getting the metallic Hones Us afloat beyond the breakers, they all got in, and Tim and Fritz _ rowed afte: the pirate. af By that time the Black Hawk was a mile in adlustaee of them, and yet the two strong, experienced oarsmen soon closed up the gap between the ship and themselves, and the pirate saw them, The remainder of the savages came trooping ones to the shore as they put off in the boat, shouting, gesticulating and ~ firing spears and arrows after them, some even plunging into — the suri; but they did no harm to our friends, and the boat sped out of their range presently. i 4 Many of them were blown to pieces, but those who remained fled up on the rocky heights ‘over the rift wherein lay the pro- fessor, and from the top sent down shower after shower of weapons. One of them had set fire to the fagots piled around the professor, and as Jack saw the smoke begin to pour up in dense clouds, he rushed forward, got into the rift, and began to scatter the embers right and left. - No sooner had the Caribs upon the rocks seen what he was doing than several of them began to roll a rock toward the edge of the rift to send it erashing down upon Jack and Hopkins. BS ie. “Belay thar!” roared Tim, excitedly. “Look aloft, Jack! | Within an hour the rowboat was within a cable’s srigadt Bc Thunderation, lad, they’re a-goin’ ter smash yer flat!” of the monitor, and the pirate sent a dozen of his ruffianly “Shood ’em! Shood ’em!” Fritz bellowed, leveling his rifle.| crew on board of the monitor armed with various weapons to ws They both fired-at the designing Caribs, and the moment the} repel our friends. ae explosive bullets struck the men they were aimed at they burst : inside of them. boat from the deck of the Black Hawk, and just as our friends Again and again Fritz and Tim fired from their repeating | wore upon the point of catching up with the monitor, it was rifles, but no sooner did one man fall at the rolling bowlder, fired. when another took his place. A tremendous report, a blinding belch of fire and smoke Jack had not been idle in the meantime, however, for as| followed, and with a howl the ball came flying Straight toward In the meantime, a gun was trained to bear upon the row- bonds and dragged him out of the rift just as the rock came] It struck—there was a crash—a cry from the four friends— crashing down. the boat’s bow went to pieces, flying in all directions, and then If the savages had not had so far to roll the rock both would| there resounded a hoarse cry of exultation from,the sea — have perished; as it was, particles of the bowlder broke off as| robbers. / _ it came flying down, striking the sidés of the rift and merci-| Fung from the smashed boat in all directions, Jack and his lessly pelting Jack and Hopkins. friends disappeared for a moment beneath the waves, and not Hastening to get away from beneath their enemies, they|a thing remained upon the surface to mark the spot where our and drove them back cut of sight, leaving several behind The pirates cheered their huge, hulking, black-bearded cap: wounded and-dead. i tain, who had fired the disastrous shot, and, gathering head “Are you hurt, Hopkins?” demanded the boy, in a breathless] way in the freshening breeze, the Black oat gayly sped z voice.’ | along, dragging the Re ERE monitor with it.
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JACK WitiGiit ANB HIS DEEP SHA MONITOR. ERATE AS Bas BORLA Ws Ay Visine ats press button, and the projectile shot Koa thie gun ‘ane struck the ship. There came a fearful explosion that shook the Sea Serpent, ; When the boy glanced out he saw that the hawser was burst in two, the after part of the pirate’s vessel was blown to pieces, a, number of the rascals were torn to shreds and the vessel Was f over on her beam ends. : “Tit for tat!” exclaimed Jack. “See—Uve wieeked her, Tim.” ; : on “Downhaul my foretop,” chuckled the 6ld Sailor, “an’ she’s sia a-sinkin’, too!” is “Look at the rest of the beggars taking to their boats!” “Ay! It don’t need another shot in their lubber’s locker ter show him ther course ter Davy Jones, by gol!” Jack flung open the shutters, and they had an uninterrupted ; view of the Black Hawk and her panic-stricken crew. i The pirates were lowering their two remaining boats from the dayits, and were half wild when they felt their vessel lurching as if to go down. ; : Indeed, the last of them had no sooner got off when the Black Hawk settled into her lést resting-place among ‘the: . sand, fishes and weeds. af She created a vortex as she sank into which one of the boats — was sucked, and spun around, capsized, and swamped, leaving CHAPTER XII. DIVING FOR THE TREASURE. The rowboat was standing at an angle with the course of the gun ball, and it struck the prow, tearing it to pieces. Several pieces of the flying metal struck Jack and his friends, but their almost invulnerable suits of metal protected their bodies from wounds, although the shock of the concus- ' sion flung them into the sea. All that remained of the rowboat sank beneath the sunlit - water, and they, too, went down, but came up again buoyed by their knapsacks. It was several moments ere they recovered from the SniGoke: ‘ but.as soon as Jack regained his wits he seized the stern post: of the monitor beside which he found himself, and, reaching out his hand, he grasped Tim by the arm, and clung ‘to him’ _ tenaciously. The monitor gcing on, dragged them along with: it, and left Fritz and the professor far astern, held afloat by their air reservoirs. “ Within a few minutes the old sailor recovered from the - shock, and, grasping the stern post beside Jack, he‘relieved the boy of his weight. ; ; “Hang on, old boy!” gasped Jack. “We'll ‘get up on deck _ presently. ” _ “Ay, lad, but Fritz aad cher perfessor?” ‘ ~ “Oh, they’re ail right. We will try to’ regain the monitor and go back for them. They can’trsink, and the pirates don't now we are here.” “Blast my timber leg if this don’t remind me 0’ wot hap- - pened ter me, sir, while I wuz aboard o’ ther U. S. frigate Wa- bash, sir.” ; _ “No yarps now, Tim, ” interposed Jae ‘k, “Keep as quiet as @ mouse, and we will gain our object; vettay our presence here, and you will spoil our chances of winning, do you see?” “Tl stow my jawin’-tackle, sir,” acquiesced Tim. % Silence followed for five minutes, and at the expiration of that time the two were fully recovered and ready for action, _, The edge of the after deck was but two feet above the ; water’s surface, and Jack and Tim pulled themselves up and eered around. i: ie has the pirate saw no use of his men remaining on the deck f the monitor to repel boarders now, he had called them back 0 his own ship. The deck of the monitor was therefore deserted, and our r ends lost no time in getting upon it and dashing forward. No! sooner, however, had napa made their appearance when kee ms ‘ her yelling crew ‘struggling on the surface, begging for help Bc from their messmates. The other boat was so heavily laden with passengers, how- ever, that the addition of two more men would have sunk her, so they left the miserable rascals with the coolest indifference, and rowed away to prevent them from getting hold of their boat. It was a soul-harrowing sight, bad as the men were, and, his : generous soul stirred to pity by their fearful disaster, Jack forgot what joy these men had taken in trying to kill hin and sent the monitor over among them, so that they might g upon her deck. Salvador, ” the an said. “] can’t see sites pinta 80 ralceiob without lifting a hand to give them a chance to become better men.” pi? : “Lord save yer fer bein’ a soft-hearted lad,” said Tim, tak- ing a chew of plug, “but if I wuz you, I’d give each one 0’ ther blasted Iubbers a ballast o’ hot shot ter carry ’em ter. ther bottom, I would.” wiley The struggling rascals all ridmagel to ‘nel upon than deck of the monitor, and the surviving boatload pulled off to the nort! west, heading for Mleuthera Island. “We can spare no time pursuing the rest of them,” said. Jack, “for we must hasten back after ‘Fritz and the prozessor, ef They are ‘safe enough in one sense floating in the water, ’ ‘marine monsters may make prey of them, Tim, and. they will sadly need ouy assistance.” j “Ay, ay! Then let her go, sir,” UIE the old s “an? 1’ go through ther Sea Serpent an’ see if them ‘er yains done anything ter her.” , Jack grasped the wheel, and started the boat back the a she came. “ Ay, but why aia cast off that hawser fust?” queried Tim, xcitedly. ; “No need! They'd kill se while doing it! .Come on!” Sack Ee open the door in the turret, and Tim came stump- BP aticaieiy none of iti rascally crew were within the boat, ut this was probably owing to the tate that they could not and shouted to the pirates who were now grouped an cf the monitor: “T say!” .. WAY, By, Bitthy: responded one of them, sulkily.. “You are to remain where you are until we rent land, go. overboard and ‘swim ashore. Any treachery on your | will meet with the punishment of death, for TM ‘fire a 0 ‘in your midst to destroy you all.” “We pont do ener wrong,” awser bey draw the monitor elose enough to permit them to ; aboard of her, Hastily Seana the breach of the forward gun, he put in a some the » man.
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" euiristec oem erin Heer ‘ fessor and the Dutch boy, whom iiey picked up and took in- \ side without ‘any interference from the pirates. ‘Their ad- _ ventures were explained to them. ; Upon nearing San Salvador Jack brought his boat to a pause ifty yards from shore, and ordered the pirates to leave the essel. } They could all swim, and, plunging into the sea, they made for land, upon arriving at which our friends saw the savages surround them and they all disappeared among the trees. “That’s the end of them,” said Jack, “and now let us go un- _ der for the treasure, as everything is all right, and we have got the bearings.” Calculating the distance, Jack sent the Sea Serpent off to the spot where the sunken island was supposed to lie, and, serding the monitor beneath the surface, he turned on the electric lights. Down, down, down went the Sea Serpent in a halo of sil- very light, aud Jack saw by the register that she sank fifty E _ feet ere she came'to a pause with a gentle. shock. ES The powerful electric lights blazed in every direction, and 2 _ the inmates of the beat hastened to the turret windows and % peered ont. -A strange scene met their view, and ihey gave utterance to eries of the utmost ast padre at the curious picture spread around them. CHAPTER XIII. THE SUNKEN CITY. _ The spot at which the Sea Serpent descended was about thr ee ‘miles north of San Salvador, and about sixty east of Eleu- - thera Island, and although the shadows of twilight were steal- 4 al ing. over the Bahamas, the electrie lights dissipated the dense i _ submarine ‘gloom. ‘ _ The singular scene presented to the view of our friends a was a ruined city, in the midst of which the monitor alighted— no doubt the city of priests, mentioned on Peleg Hopkins’ tab- let. | True to the description in the translation, an earthquake had, to all appearances, knocked the strange, Moorish-looking buildings down, for they lay in heaps, some of the pillars, domes and towers yet standing. ‘Everything was covered with sand, weeds, barnacles, and aquatic shells; plants, and living flowers, such as grow under the sea, while the silent city’s only inhabitants were fishes, ‘bugs and serpents. ih must be the place where the golden idol is to be found!” Eedatined Jack, delightedly. “Professor, your tablet was not “myth.” | é ““urrah, dear boy, hurrah!” said Hopkins, waving his hat ‘hilariously. “I tink ve vhas petter found dot idol alretty, don’t ve?” “Give us a chance ter get the wind out o’ our sails fust!” growled Tim. ‘ In the heat of their delight they forgot all about their fight with. the Caribs on San Salvador; they never thought of how hey sank the piratical Black Hawk, and did not dream of the easure hunters”. schooner hovering near. _ But the crew Of the latter halt had, svamiteoiov witnessed ack. dete his hoat, and keeping within a dozen feet of the it or about pais -eight feet from the surface, he sent JACK WRIGHT “AND HIS DEEP ‘SEA MONITOR. : Everywhere they went strange sights met their view, but — paramount to all they noticed several deep, dark fissures in che ground, cutting through the city, evidently resulting from» the earthquake that destroyed it. There presently loomed up in the midst of the ruined city” a vast building, one story in height, the front portico supported. by huge columns of stone, upon which were cut a number of. strange hieroglyphs. It was the only building left standing, and Jack brought. the Sea Serpent to a pause upon the smooth, white sand before- it, and they saw that the great per acture was half buried in sand. “Eere’s a barbarous relic!” exclaimed the professor. “Let. us explore it. Who knows but what it may be the very place- we are seeking!” ; , “By all means,” replied Jack, shutting off power. “Fritz, prepare three of the suits for use, and fill the knapsacks with: - air.” “Don’t I vhas gone mit yer?” queried the Dutch boy. “Certainly. We will leave Tim in care of thé monitor.’ : The old sailor’s face lengthened, and a broad grin over— spread Fritz’s, as he hurried down toward the storeroom to: obey Jack’s request, remarking: “You don’t vhas in it, oldt dimber does.” “Avast, thar,” growled Tim. “D’yer know why he wants: yer in ther brine?” “So's dot you vhas don’t get your vooden leg vet,” answered : Fritz. - “No, gol durn ye! | wuzn’t in brine?” “Och, shestnuts,” peared, . Tim grinned good naturedly again, lit his pipe, and began to skylark with his little red monkey, sah Jack and the pro- | fessor follewed Fritz. 5 In the storeroom they donned their diving costumes, and when everything was in readiness, they passed into the water: a: chamber aft, opened a valve, and with a hiss, the sea poured in, Then they went out om deck, where their weights were not: — felt, and descending an accommodation ladder, mt tl: the ground. Tim kept the searchlight reflected upon the huge building, and as they drew closer to it, Jack observed that the windows > were closed by massive wooden shutters, and the entrance i ; great heavy. doors. M it “How are we going to get in?” questioned the professor, as. he walked beside Jack and pointed at the doors. “They must be rotten or insect eaten by this time,” the fae replied, His words were nrdpHete: for when they reached the ine they found them perforated by thousands of little holes, and Did ye ever see sauerkraut when it said Fritz, with a scowl, as he disap- it did not require much strength to push them open. _ The interior of the great hall was filled with water, and sand had sifted in, while the place was alive with all sorts of fish. No sooner, in fact, had they passed the threshold, when an enormous spider-crab, with a shell the size of a big sea-turtle’s, sprang towards them, and fastened its squirming claws on Jack. } ; } He fought the loathsome ereature off, but it returned to the attack, and a fearful combat ensued between them, until Fritz came to, the boy’s assistance with a short-handled ax and killed it. 7 Pt oaere Salas ee ye They then started the electric lights on top of their helmets, and flashing the rays around, saw that they were within a vast epurt, on all sides of which enormous doors opened, » Passing through the first one, they found that it led them into a hag of chambers, in which were peace; of sip
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of fish and curious-looking shells, with which the Mretacser ‘loaded himself, — '. The iast door brought them into a ipartyare in the center of the building, and the three divers paused and gave utterance to cries of the utmost astonishment. For there in the middle of the place stood the golden idol! It was a strange-looking object in the shape of a man squat- ting, and a face resembling that of the Sphinx; its great star- ing eyes, made of two enormous diamonds, and ihe precious . metal of which it was composed turned almost black by the - water. It was enmeshed in a mass of d guitic plants, covered with barnacles and shells, and a most hideous object to behold, yei its body was the purest gold, and the blazing gleam from iis diamond eyes outrivaled the glitter of the finest known gems. The three friends were so amazed at the strange sight that it was some time before they could speak; but Jack finally found utterance, and exclaimed: ; “The golden idol, by heaven!” a . “Hurrah!” yelled Hopkins, delightedly, it. f “I vhas yust goin’ ter say dot mineselluf,” ~ lowing him. t Upon close inspection they found that the idel was all that i Hopkins’ had represented, and as soon as the first excitement wore away, Jack said: “We must shift the monitor into this courtyard in order to get that thing upon her deck; for, we can’t afford to lose any -time, as there are others searching for this treasure.” “Den you shtay here, vonct, und I vhas dell Dim ter prought her in,” said Fritz, starting to go off. “Ve can get down troo _ der roof, ‘cause der vasn’t some roof on der dop of dis place, --alretty.” And so saying, he started off.’ 5 Within five minutes the monitor came gliding through the “ water overhead; with Fritz on deck, an Tim in the pilot- : house. Settling down into the courtyard near the stone pedestal BS - upon which the statue sat, the boat came to-a pause. Fritz was just about to descend and join Jack and the pro- fessor, when suddenly two dark bodies came shooting to _ the bottom from the surface of ,the water, and landed near Jack. : Very much startled, our friends flashed the lights of their eit lamps upon them, when they were amazed to see that they as ‘were two men in ordinary diver’s costumes. Re The strangers were as much surprised to see the boat, Jack _ “and his friends there as they, were to see them, and as is they recoiled side by side, their glances fell upon the idol. Instinctively one of them pointed at it. The other nodded, and began to speak in the deaf and dumb alphabet. Jack was keenly ‘watching the strangers, and being familiar With the spelled language they used, he easily understood all % they said, and observed that the diver implied:. “There stands the idol; but we will have to fight for it!” The next moment one of the divers approached Jack. i as he rushed up to said Fritz, fol- Ses ck 8, Cae 2 ee bis CHAPTER XIV. A RAIN OF DIVERS. It did not take the boy inventor more than a moment to realize that if the strangers onde went to the surface the the treasure. . i In that ease there was bound’ to be trouble. “Professor,” said Jack, “those fellows have discovered our it was quickly pumped out, and the half-strangled diver “But what can we do about it, dear poy?” blankl Hopkins. “Prevent them from going up to their boat and anvEe their friends.” ; “What! make prisoners of them?” “Precisely. We can keep them secured on board. the m0 itor,” “Oh, they can’t do us any harm.” “Perhaps not; but they can annoy us a good deal.” / By this time the diver who was approaching paused with a few feel of Jack and peered hard at him for a moment, evidently much astonished to see our friend walking aroun without air-tubes and life lines, such as those with wien were furnished themselves. He then hastily retreated to his friend, and they dale eae, four pulls on their air-pipes, signifying “haul up diver.” “Go for them, professor!” cried Jack. “They are se to ascend!” * die! The two men at that moment were being hauled up, hid Jack and Hopkins reached them just in time to seat ag legs. . ; Both men, very much amazed, began to struggle and fete, but Jack and the professor held on tenaciously, and, straini a every effort, pulled them down to the bottom again, as but one man was hoisting them above. Here the fight was continued, the strangers now aceee knives from their belts, with which they | strove to stab oa friends. : The man Jack grappled was the biggest of the two, end he made a dig at the boy’s throat, but the point of his blad broke against the hard aluminum suit, and left him utterly fenseless. Hopkins, on the other hand, was more timid, for no soone had his man aimed a blow at him with his knife than th professor let him go and recoiled a step, afraid the Risto se m penetrate his suit. S No sooner was the man released than up he shot sue . surface alongside of the Sea Serpent, and he might ha re eS: eaped our friends, had not Fritz made a jump and caugh Clinging to his ankles, the fat Dutch boy’s weight bor down to the bottom again, and the next moment Fritz cut ‘the man’s life line, and the professor came to his assistance. 2 They cut a piece from the life line and bound the fello then hastened over to Jack, who was struggling bee other diver. Between the three they soon rendered him helpless, having severed his life line, they carried them both uP. on Sea Serpent. air-pipes, ae then hastily dragged them into the boat. : Considerable water was shippe4 during this operation, © ut were revived, after which they were bound hand and foot. “Didn’t you come from the schooner up on the surface si asked Jack. ‘ “We did,” replied one of the men, viewing his surround in astonishment. yee “How came you to know there was a sunken roaaiaia here?” j Jack, “He purchased the schooner in NewiOwiauna! fitted c with a number of Esti te een divers, and |
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~ idol oad raise it to the gurface. him. And now, tell me, isn’t this a submarine boat?” “Yes, and I have brought it here on the same errand you We were all well paid by are on. us.” As we were the first to find the idol, it belongs to ' “That depends upon whether you get it,” grimly answered the diver. “As all our crew are to receive a certain percentage on the sale of the gold, you can depend upon us straining every effort to wrest it from you, my friend.” Jack smiled disdainfully, as he had not much fear of them, and calling Tim, he told the old sailor to guard the prisoners. He then went out on deck again, and, glaneing over toward _ the idol, what was his astonishment to see a rain of divers coming down from the surface, all around the golden image. There. were ten more of them. Alarmed by the disappearance of their two friends from the ends of the life and air lines, they had come down to in- vestigate it, and now saw at a glance how matters stood. Fritz and the professor retreated over to the boat and got “upon her deck to learn what Jack proposed to do. G 4 “Look there—an army of them!” gasped Hopkins. “We are ' no match for so many, dear boy—what shall we do about the Fe matter?” ee. a es “ “Und dey vhas seen us now,” added Fritz. ; 7em?” ; “First let us see what their intentions are,” quietly replied » Jack, The divers now gathered in a group, and held an animated talk with their fingers, at the conclusion of which one of them shot to the surface to apprise the men on the boat of what had. happened. A few moments afterwards this individual came down again - earrying some ropes with hooks upon the ends, and the rest -_ of the divers signalized their intentions at once by fastening them around the idol so as to hoist it up to the surface. “Their intentions are plain enough now,” said Hopkins. “But they won’t get the idol!” replied Jack. “Come inside.” They passed into the Sea Serpent, and Jack went into the _pilot-house, from the window of which he intently watched the divers until they had their ropes securely fastened around _ the idol. '. The boy then loaded the three pneumatic guns in the turret and carefully aimed the bow chaser at the ropes and fired it. ? “Should ve fighd Sire saan Gotta ACA age With a loud hiss the’shot tore through the water, but passed between the ropes and disappeared harmlessly. beyond. Startled by the thud and rush of the projectile, the divers _ recoiled, and several of them took fright and ascended to the j surface. _ Jack uttered an impatient exclamation over the non-success of his shot, and turned the turret around until he got a second shot at the ropes, properly aimed. _ While he was so engaged the derrick up on the schooner on the surface was put in operation, for the ropes became taut, ; and after stiffening UP, the idol was lifted gradually from its 8 pedestal. Be There was no time to lose now, for if the treasure hunters had a steam derrick, which was more than likely, they were apt to pull the idol up to Mees boat in a very short space of hme. * Having drawn a bead upon the ropes again, Jack touched the press button and the second shot was discharged. It grazed the ropes, but failed to cut them. A SSA must be neryous to fire so badly,” muttered the boy, f frowning, as he hastily revolved the turret again in erder to ; _ bring the last gun to bear upon the ropes. ~ Unless these ropes More severed he knew. that the peoples on a Pa my mines fine collection. 2 indeed, as he glanced “at the idol again te saw that it: was now raised a dozen feet SORE the pedestal, and was ane : ascending. “Be careful!” warned Hopkins, breathlessly. “If I don’t hit the ropes with this shot,” replied Jack, “they will get the idol and we will lose it as sure as fate.” ““Vhy don’d yer let me fire id den?” nervously asked Fritz. “Ay, or mebbe I- could do better, lad,” said Tim, in shaky Bs tones. cS “No! 1 shall fire it!” firmly réplied Jack, carefully sighting ; the gun. “See, boys, I’m as cool and steady as need be, for everything depends on the success of this shot. Look out now!” and as ke spoke he fired the shot. _—— ae CHAPTER XY. ABANDONED UNDER 1HE SEA, With bated breath and anxious eyes, our friends watched the projectile go ripping through the water, and then there came an explosion as the cylinder struck a resisting substance and broke. his For a minute the water became fearfully agitated, boiling into foam, a cloud of sand was stirred up from the bottom, and a great number of fishes were torn to pieces. The searchlight had been directed at the tackle, and its keen rays -penetrating the .clouded waters soon showed the _ Sea Serpent’s crew that the ropes had been blown to pieces, se: and the idol iiad fallen to the bottom, where it now lay upon = its face. A cheer pealed from Jack and his friends, for they saw that | ¥ the divers, terrified by the shot, were rushing away in all di- rections. Ee “That settles it—the idol is ours!” said Jack, triumphantly. @ “Blast my timbers if them lubbers ain’t skeered out o’ thar wits!” Tim chuckled, thumping his wooden peg on the floor, and shutting his good optic in a grin, while the glass one con- tinned its meaningless blank stare. : “What shall. we do—get the idol. up on deck, my Christian | friends?” asked Hopkins. ; “As sooner ve done it as petter,” said Fritz. mit me, shendicmens.” i He led the way to the storeroom, where tackles were pro-— cured, and Jack made them fast to the electric machinery. _ They then went out of the monitor, and, as all the strange divers had vanished by this time, they set to work at se- Re curing the idol. A Having made the tackles fast to her, Jack went up on deck to guide Tim at working the machinery to hoist the heavy mass up on a portable crane they had rigged amidships. Fritz manned a guy-line, and the professor the fenders, and in a few minutes the machinery was started, and once oy the idol was hoisted. This time it landed upon the deck of the monitor ataiaantene and was lowered, released of the tackles, and lashed fast with chains. 4, By the time this was completed the water had settled and: : cleared, and our friends had seen nothing more of the divers | from the schooner. ‘ + “We will run away from here under water,” said Jack, when everything was in readiness, “and we need not come to the surface again until we are at a safe distance from those fel- lows.” “Before you start, my good friend,” sala Hopkins, ange you any objection to awaiting my return from an exploration of this pee city on foot? Mere are many relics apes “Come “-
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| TACK WRIG EI arti BFR ars on? A ; “Tf you do not stay away Mak h replied Jack, “I will remain Jong enough to take an observation with my camera obscura of all that is transpiring upon the surface before we ascend.” “You can expect me back in ten minutes, dear boy,” replied Hopkins, eagerly, and with this understanding he walked away and soon vanished from sight, passing through one of the great arches. Jack and Fritz ascended. to the deck and mounted the turret, in which sat Tim smoking his pipe and interestedly watching a fight going on between Whiskers and Bismarck in the middle of the pilot-Louse. oa. ‘«Tim!” exclaimed the boy, peering in the window, causing ‘the old sailor to start up, for, as we have intimated before, the pilot-house was furnished with an audiphone. '. “Ay, ay, sir!” replied the old. sailor, briskly, when he saw them outside. ; ; i “Send the lenses of the camera to the top, and ‘shut off ~ the lights.” “Ay, ay, sir!” replied Tim, extinguishing the electric lights. Hiverything was instantly bathed in the densest gloom, and Tim thereupon turned a lever on the switchboard, and a tele- ‘scopic tube on tap of the pilot-house shot toward the surface, : with a sinall box on top of it containing the reflecting lenses. 333 Tt could be graded to a height of eighty feet, and as Tim saw by the indicator that they were at a depth of a trifle less than fifty feet, he stopped it when the box was protruded above the waves. A gray dise of light suddenly illumined the table, and upon _ it Jack saw the life-like reflections of the starry, moonlit sky, the dark. green, rolling waves, and off at one side the schooner ef the divers and another craft that was tied to it, which had a strangely familiar look. “Hullo, ther!” exclaimed Tim, guns! ¢ i “Don't you recognize her?” asked Jack, across his mind. _ “I Vink me dot vessel I haf seed pefore, alretty,” said Fritz, scrutinizing it. ‘ “It is Kellenda Mixitli’s ship, near New York.” - “Wot! Ther cussed pirate wot we blowed ther starn offer!” _ “Shiminetty! So she vhas!” gasped Fritz. Jack studied the reflection intently a few minutes, and al- though the dim light made objects upon the board more indis- tinet than they would have appeared in daylight, he was able to distinguish all he cared to see at that moment.. . The Carib’s ship had been repaired, and had evidently just joined the schooner, for only her jibs were down. Upon the deck of his schooner Jack plainly saw a dozen ir pumps, while mingling with the sailors were the divers o had been using them, the visors of their helmets now pened for air. Standing alone upon the deck, evidently haranguing the en, Jack detected the well-known figure of the Carib with “his bushy beard, sack suit and derby hat. r He ‘kept pointing down at the water, by which the hoy judged that he was alluding to what had been going on down here, and the boy observed by the distance at which the 4 “doat 5 stood up in the wind that they were not a quarter of mile away. j “The Carib has joined them a last—do you see him?” cried ack.” j “Wot good’l] his comin’ do now, ‘Td like to know?” quer ied jm, with a broad grin. men as hostages.” ( aifers eee sure ter Sith down again yonet, ” added “Here’s a strange craft, by as roe truth flashed with which we had a fight ett Out of the sea! “We' a i ther idol, an’ two o’ his | : two divers. professor comes pee ? said Jack, “and, we will then a on their moyemenis and fsa 2 exactly what they ar Tim.” “Av, ay, sir! “Yes. Are yer a a-comin’ in now?” There is need of———” by ue! wate: in the dipetionl in which ‘hie: professor ha just then, interrupting what Jack was upon the po saying. A “Help! “The professor is in trouble!” muttered. Jack. “Och, dot oldt fool vyhas a nuisance by us somedimes! growled Fritz. y ; Tim rushed to the window and peered out, and just then ch two divers whom they had captured appeared in the doorw: in back of the old sailor, armed with one of Jack's pneumati¢ rifles. Bick the aid of his pase one of f them had undone the was an easy matter for them both to get free of their thong and, picking up the rifle in the cabin, they had overcom oe Baller He “Turn on the electric lights, professor’s aid.” Just as the bit sailor obeyed, casting the monitor Tim, and we will oe to fessor. Hardly were they gone; when the two ‘divers nual into: _) pilot-house. “Hands up!” yelled the one with the rite; aiming it at head. ! “Wow!” gasped the startled old fellow, Grevine and up at them. ' M “You are our prisoner now!” hissed the man. “Bust my figger-head, rate ve seceRedt Biiiree spairingly. “Will you do as we command, or shall we ‘ill you?” sch aapial the wih ind ‘ “Send this boat to os surface ‘tien. or I'll blow you out!” ballast out. He drew in the camera then. wei. Just then Jack, Fritz and the professor atered the) vard, and saw by the electric ia ‘that Tim was at “ | CHAPTER XVI. IN THE ENEMY’S POWER. Jack and lritz had found Hopkins engaged in combat with a devil fish, and the unlucky professor’ have been lost had they not gue ae killed i “The tro bl
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nda Mixitii now,” said Jack. “Let us cast off our weights, we will go up, although it is very doubtful if we can get joard of the Sea Serpent again, for, as you can see, she is ~ traveling along the surface now, “surrounded | by a. haio of light, going in the direction of the schooner and Mixitli’s ves- : 1 Pies 4 ' They accordingly let their leaden soles go; and their knap- sacks carried them half way, to the top; then they abandoned their breast weights, and went all the way to the surface. ' Upon seeing the monitor bearing down upon them, the crews of both vessels hastily began to raise their anchors and sails ' expecting an attack, when one of the windows of the pilot- house was flung open, and one of the divers yelled loudly: “Schooner ahoy! Belay there~—it is I—Robinson. Don’t “move, The submarine boat is in my power!” Thus assured, ther side and Sanit The fearful reports had scarcely ceased vibrating when out not the figure of the man who had been keeping Tim covered ith the pneumatic rifle, Tim had fired off the guns by deceiving bis captor with the ‘belief that he was stopping the machinery, and the recoil hay- ing flung the man to the floor, the old suilor had pounced upon him ere he arose, and hurled him through the window, shut it, a d closed the metal shutters over the glass panes: e thus had possession of the boat again. ‘he shot that struck the Carib’s ship tore away the weather ulwarks ere it sped on into the sea, while the projectile that irst upon the schooner, had ripped the after-deck all up, destroyed most of the atvea! punips, carried away the wheel, yinnacle and taftrail, and almost ruined the rudder. ‘Hurrah for Tin!” shouted Jack, excitedly. “See what he he monitor remained stationary for several minutes; then ; started suddenly on, and shooting from between the two sels, it forged ahead of them. Not caring to stand any chances, Tim sunk the monitor yeneath the ine where she was, Se safe. pe Bene at him, and realized aa their presence upon the ‘ surface had been discovered, and that an pewastt was now n fact, upon seeing the monitor speeding away unharmed, “the ¢ crews of gee two vessels brought their boats itd and fe te vessels heading toward ay Wad ooeenred Tim ging ‘the monitor to the surface some distance away. ere is no escape for us. )We will have to submit whether ish to or. not. ‘to handle us a it we were hot coals by: filling our ci stocd ie the bulwarks, aiming their rifles and pistols’ hree HORE, divers, when eae shouted: ‘surprise, But we can make it as hard for those “pling, them ropes!” ordered. the Carib, turn men, ies “Stand fosstics now, boys,” said Jack, in low tones. — Down. came séveral ropes, and our friends caught hold and ‘drew themselves upon the deck of the Carib’s ship. “Seize and bind them, and stow them in the hold, ” ordered Mixitli. The crew laid hands upon our friends on all sides, when they ~* * ? \ were suddenly shocked by the current elias through the suits, and started back, feeling as if they were struck by thunder- bolts, and the next moment our friends, had their weapons » in their hands ready to repel another | forcible attack. CHAPTER XVIL. HELD AT BAY WITH A GUN, “What is the matter with you idiots?” roared Mixitli, obsery~. Fai ing the queer actions of his men, and glaring at them in deep “Are you afraid of these men? Seize them, I tell you!” “They are charged with electricity and we can’t hold them!” ” one of the sailors yelled, in furious tones. “Fire upon them, then!” snarled the Carib. He set the example by rushing at the trio with a pistol y pointed at them, firing as he came, : The bullets rattled like hail against the suits of aluminum, - hy but failed to penetrate or do any damage, and when the rest of the rascals began to fire, had not our friends been so s eurely protected, they would have been riddled like sieves. “This won’t do!” exclaimed Jack. “Give ie a Miya boys!” The electric and Beene arms were discharged at as Carib's crew, and when the explosive bullets bate in their midst, scattering death and destruction among them, the ras- ; cals became panic stricken, and huddled a a bunch, rushed up ‘ forward. Pics oe iA as Jack reached one of the sais guns, an a and trained it to bear upon the Rleamen crew. | Jack seized a lock string, and taking up a position at hs breech of the gun, oe shouted warningly ie “Mixitli: The sagaitor was. bearing down ‘upon the ship. In a few minutes the two boats were close together, t schooner having tacked away at full eres when the monit approached. a “Run alongside, we ian to board you! 4 shouted Jack. (igh Tim obeyed, and our friends jumped aboard the Sea Serpe: when, to their amazement, Mixitli and his friends follow them. With wildest yells, groans and oaths the men released them ee Up they swarmed on ae deck of the jabutior: pel mell, led) ‘by the wild Carib, who shouted, fiercely: - “They have got the idol! Don’t let them get tngide!) ad get away not one of us will satan with his lite!” ‘ Ques auneL dad the fearful ok fired into their mis in one grand assault overwhelmed the tri Despite the electricity in their suits, ti | friends and) made prisoners: of them ju assured of. an (easy, bbs
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JACK WRIGHT AND ‘HIS ‘DEEP ‘SHA MONIT OR. Tim poured a heavy fire down upon them from the window of the pilot-house, several of them got in and attacked him. Within a few minutes he, too, was knocked down and bound. _ It was a complete victory for the Carib. His men yelled themselves hoarse, and beat the quartet about '* the deck with capstan bars, without doing them any damage. “The idol and this ship are ours!” screamed Mixitli, deliri- ous with delight. “Signal the’schooner to follow us back to the island of San Salvador, I left Blackbeard there with The desperate men next scaled the tairok ane: although ! the Carib answered, rising. to his feet. ' Bodily pain will not force him to open his lips. some of my native friends, and we will take these accursed Yankees ashore and avenge the deaths and injuries they have created in our midst!” Tim had brought the monitor to a pause, Jack watched his enemies narrowly. “They have got us bad,” he remarked, with a crestfallen air. “But see at what a fearful cost,” kins, Just then Mixitli came out on deck through the turret door, and with a dark scowl upon his face he approached Jack and asked: “How do you work this boat?” “TY refuse to give you any information,” bluntly answered the boy. ; '“Beware! 1 can torture and force you to speak.” “Praceed. then, and see if you can!” defiantly replied Jack. The Carib ripped out a malevolent expletive. : . Mixitli saw that he could gain no information from the boy ax then, but swore he would do so ere putting Jack out of the way. He turned upon his heel and walked off, a dark look on his face. oo he schooner hove up to them just then, and after an inter- change of explanations towing hawsers were made fast from the monitcr to the two vessels. “They were then brought about and headed for San Salvador, _ dragging the captive Sea Serpent along astern of them. consolingly answered op: ee eae “aa CHAPTER XVIII. HUNG FROM THE CLIFF, When the three vessels reached the island and hauled to in a ; ‘smatli, sheltered lagoon, the anchors were dropped, and, a large body of men came out of the bushes on shore. Jack and his friends were taken ashore, as they had shut off the electric flow by the aid of each other's teeth, and were carried to the cavern in which Blackbeard had been dwelling. On the following day they Were given some food, and then were left alone in the cavern with the pirate and the Carib. A conversation then ensued between the two men, to which Jack listened with great and absorbing interest, as they had ‘taken his helmet off. ~ : It was decided between the two men that the three vessels gang of white and black men Mixitli had at his back. They were to scour the vicinage of the West Indies and Bahamas together, Mixitli in command of the Sea Serpent, the pirate to control the schooner and one of their men the other craft. fs “We all hate this accursed By inventor, “said the pirate, 3 when their conference was almost ended, “and it now remains. _ for you to devise a means of punishing him in a manner that. ixitli.” “There are a thousand. methods of so Hang, in my mind, ie lin to feed Jack and his friends, but toward evening they heard showd be turned into piratical cruisers, manned by the mixed: will expiate all the sales he has coos upon us, Kellenda | ee and saw a crowd of men ‘there. Pebesdiey “We is high str We reach his heart. It can be done by injuring one of his ‘frie ds, He is devoted to them. Sooner than see them suffer, he will confess how he operates his electric boat. We will then put him out of the way.” : “Then begin with the sailor, our leer. Jack started, and glanced hurriedly at Tim. lt stung the boy to see how easily they had divined fat an weakest point, and tears sprang to his eyes. The old sailor observed the look. . ae “Avast thar, lad!” he exclaimed, energetically. “Don’t ye go fer ter give in about me. I’m a tough ole oak timber, 1] am, — an’ they kin flay me from bow ter starn, but dash my ornar, ole figger-head if they'll make me cave!” a They carried Tim out of the cavern bodily; and left th three prisoners remaining lying on the floor near the fire to. gloomily wonder what they were going to ao to poor bs Tim. , The day, passed quietly by, one of Blackbeard’s. men conalitte * said Blackbeard, with a hide- i the sounds of drunken revelry going on outside, by whic’ they knew that their enemies were having a good. time drink- ing. The carousal continued, the laughing and jesting voices so breaking into ribald songs, hilarious chaff and loud talk. : Th was evident that the orgy was a its helene. a while with bloodshot eyes ana iievehaly. legs. “Come!” said the Carib, pointing down at them. —-are wanted. “We can’t move, unless ite unfasten our ankles, i ania Jack, i Poel tion. eve, rocked aie on his heels anc toes and spread tk fingers, “will you do me ze favor—hic—ze favor to veute vonch?” - * Kat ‘ “Ay, messmate, I will see to them,” r eplied the pirate He stooped over Jack with a knife and hissed in his earsg “He is drunk, IJ am sober. I will give you a chance for you life if you will trust me. To remain in his power you al doomed.” rs “Treachery!” muttered. the startled boy. “Tush!” fiercely whispered the pirate. “He may ‘hea Now, then, in whose hands do you place your fate—his, to. ish miserably, or mine, to live? T have a plan—a good on “What is it?”, questioned. Jack. ‘“To wrest the ships and treasire from him and his “He is eruel, vindictive, and bloodthirsty—a savage at he and soul, while you—well, you may be ten times worse, but “So be it. walk.” - “And my friends?” asked Jack, wistfully. “They go with you,” said the pirate Mberane ae Hopkins. aie two scoundrels led our friends eat) and in the ty at it. The pirates, as we may now call them collecti rowed our friends out to the monitor, which had been round on the other side of the cliffs in Ship Channel, an noise attracting Jack’s attention on the cliff-tops, 1 lowered him OVER the precipice, ata let ‘nix
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the old sailor hanging there by main strength, and turning fiercely to Mixitli, he asked: j “For God’s sake, man, what do you mean by having that eruel work done?” - “He'll hang zere till his—hic!—his strength givesh out, an’ zen he’ll fall,” chuckled the Carib. “He’ll get killed on zem _ rocksn below him, if a “If what?” hoarsely asked the agonized boy, as he ised — “If you don’ t—hic!—don’t tell how to operate zish boat!” said the Carib. _ Jack burst into a cold sweat, for the suspense was awful. Every moment Tim’s strength was waning, and if he did not Y _ comply the old sailor would get so weak his fingers would re- _ lax their desperate clutch, and down he would fall to his destruction! | “And if I “comply?” he asked, hoarsely, of his fiendish tor- mentor. “My men will pull him up!” came the Carib’s reply. ' The boy wavered for a moment; then his resolution was Bi “made. “I won’t do it!” he said firmly. 7 ies) ’ ‘ CHAPTER XIX. a SAVED BY THE SAILOR. _ A veritable howl of fury escaped the dusky Carib’s lips when ack gave his answer, for he did not expect a negative reply. The fumes of the liquor he had imbibed seemed to clear rom his brain, and he jerked a dirk knife from his belt, Bevrene at the bound boy from whose head the metal helmet ad been taken, and, pressing the point of the weapon at his throat, Mixitli yelled: le will know at once from you how to work this electric oat, or by the stars above us, T shall bury this dagger in your gular! Speak now! Curse you, speak, I say!” ‘The plucky boy cast @ cool glance at the enraged man. “By killing me you jessen your chances of learning what are so anxious to know,” he said, quietly. _ ‘Fritz and the professor withdrew their glances from the ure of the old sailor, clearly outlined against the face of the , to the edge of which he was hanging by his hands for is life. There was a dark scowl on Mixitli’s face and a frantic glare | his snake-like black eyes, and he hissed: “You will not tell me anyway?” True,” answered Jack, ringingly. “We are bound to die your hands, and the death you are putting my friend to will as sudden an ending as that with which you now threaten Strike, you infernal coward! Strike! I am not afraid diel” : I shall!” screamed the Carib. He drew back his arm, and the boy unflinchingly met his bid glances without a tremor or change of color. The flashing knife darted toward the boy’s neck. Blackbeard struck it aside. “Fool! Regain your senses!” he cried. Staggered by the unexpected interference, Kellenda Mixitli ea ge of apse a ene temper, wheeled round and glared machinery for fear a shock may kill the one who does it.” As he said this he placed a whistle to his lips and blew it. The shrill blast went up to the cliff top where the pirates were assembled around Tim Topstay, and, hearing it, they followed the signal it meant by hauling the old sailor up on — terra firma, “What did you do that for?” asked Mixitli, in petulant, sur- prised tones. “Because, in the first place, nothing can be gained oi it, as you have found by a trial,” replied Blackbeard, secretly nudging Jack, sone in the second place, I have got a better © plan.” “Name it,” growled the Carib. : “T shall, when we have more privacy,” answered Blackbeard, glancing around at his own men, who were the only ones be- sides themselves on the deck of the Sea Serpent. Mixitli was forced to be content with this vague reply. He never suspected the treacherous part Blackbeard was playing against him, and knew nothing of the pirate’s offer to aid Jack in order to further his own schemes. : The boy detected at once the diplomacy of Blackbeard in thus saving Tim’s and his own lives from the foe; it was evi- dently a stroke to win the boy’s confidence. The men on the cliffs, according to prearrangement, con- ducted Tim out to the monitor in a boat, upon receiving the signal to lift him from his perilous position. They now brought the old sailor aboard of the Sea Serpent, and Blackbeard asked one of them: : “Have the savages and the dissenters boarded the ship?” - “Ay, sir,” replied the man, saluting respectfully, “an” they : threatens ter keep the schooner back in the lagoon, an’ “That will do. The schooner is renamed, isn’t it?” “Ay, ay, sir. She’s now called ther Terror, as you ordered.” “You may now take Mixitli ashore or aboard of the ship “Me?” echoed the Carib, in extreme amazement. “Pxactly,” was Blackbeard’s cool reply. “What does this mean?” queried the astounded man. “Simply this—I am the master of these vessels now.” “What! Have you been playing me false, Blackbeard?” “TI have schemed to get you and your whole crew drunk to seize this monitor and the schooner. Most of your men have deserted you and joined me to sail under the black flag and share with me the ton of gold massed in the idol lying upon the deck.” “Traitorous rascal!” gasped Kellenda Mixitli, in horrified ; surprise. The Carib uttered a groan and turned deathly pale. This blow was so unexpected and heavy that it took him some time to realize the position he was placed in. He reeled back against the golden idol, trembling like an aspen, and breathed hard for a few moments, the fiendish glare in his eyes having a sullen look that portrayed: the fire ‘ of conflicting emotions raging in his bosom. Within a few moments he recovered from the shock, and, restoring his composure by a violent effort, he cried ‘in tones of the bitterest chagrin: “So this is the end of all my plans?” “Precisely,” answered Blackbeard, in mocking tones. “Give me, at least, the satisfaction of killing my enemies.” “Not one. They are my prisoners, and as such I shall pro- — tect them.” é : Mixitli gnashed his teeth. \ “TI shall, then, have revenge!” he yelled, madly. And, dropping the dagger to the deck, he withdrew a pistol and shot Blackbeard, pocketed his i and sprang over board. : With a ery of woe, the ative pe his mand to fhe wound
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in ‘his bosom, Peon back, one hand upraied: and fell to the deck, All his friends rushed to his side, some of them firing after Mixitli. a ate ~ + Tim was left’ unguarded for a moment. Baan, Quick to act, the old sailor: snatched Mixitli’s dagger up from the deck, glided over to his friends and cut their bonds. “Inter ther boat wi’ yer!” he gasped. Before Blackbeard’s men could divine what had been done, they dashed across the deck into the pilot-house, shut the door and locked it,’ >” j “Sayed! ” exclaimed Jack, jubilantly. “One good turn desarves another,”chuckled the old sailor. Fritz rushed up through the turret and closed the shutters ey of the pilot-house windows, While Jack followed after’ him, A The boy peered out through one of the loop-holes and saw Blackbeard’s men scatter) and make a rush at the door. The “monitor was anchcred. ¥ Consequently Jack could not run! away. with her. But he saw the schooner swiftly bearing down upon them, ‘Saw’ the, yelling pirates arm themselves to burst down the door, and as there was but one way to get rid of them, the boy turned Ja leyer. ., The monitor sank down, and the panic-stricken nivaten were left struggling in the water upon the surface. A tmomevt later the Sea Serpent disappeared beneath the “waves. could repeat his effort the ‘cheatdte da ed up dragging him with it toward the surface. In vain Jack fought to get away; he was as helple child in the jaws of the Cyclopean beast, and he gave 1 ance to a cry of alarm that brought Tim to the Miia ing out at the unequal strug, pee lights., ‘ % Away swam the trunk turtle into the dense gloom, wh was entirely unbroken except where the light streak the small electric lamp upon the. boy’s metal helmet. For the a Hime a thrill of fear passed over the boy, ow Reaching for a hula handle in his belt, he ‘puted it o ‘By this time the turtle was floating a dozen feet fro. bottom, going at a prodigious rate of speed, and ney oe its determined hold. : pat the soft, fleshy part it darted, and with’ ‘e move of his wrist, the hoy gashed off the turtle’s front Instantly it came to a pause and sank. é Open went its beak, releasing the boy, and off its. back dropped to the bottom among a lot of tall eel grass. The monster came down beside him, and he ma Jat its neck, but it saw the knife coming, withdrew into the shell again, and drew in its legs. There it lay safely snugged up in its armor, and aa could induce it to show fight or protrude its ah = Lin, ae on CHAPTER XX. PHE THUNK TURTLE, Down went the monitor, and when she reached the bottom : Jack glanced at the indicator and saw they were in ten fathoms of water. a Sg : ; : He started the electric lights, and as the silvery glow spread . _ Around the boat, he observed that. the boat was in an ex- tremely muddy spot, through which many black, slimy rocks d were cropping out. Jack opened the window shutters, and, glancing out, he _ Saw that the anchor was imbedded in a mass of rocks some dis- ; - tance away, and said he would go out and loosen it. - Fortunately; there were a number of. diving suits on board, end the boy procured a kelmet in place of the one the pirates had taken away from him and put it on. _\ While Tim and Hopkins were taking an inventory of the * contents of the Sea Serpent to see if the pirates had broken or t stolen anything, the boy left the boat. The lights radiating from the lamps and searchlight sent a glow a long distance around the Sea Serpent, and he found 7 that although the muddy bottom was oozy, he could travel over it, < i - Making his way over to the anchor, Faek pulled it up and carried it over to the deck of the monitor, and then began to coil in the wire cable through the hawser hdle. “While so engaged. he suddenly felt something seize him from behind on the thigh of his leg, and, glancing back, he saw that it was an enormous trunk turtle. ‘These creatures are the largest in the world, reaching a ‘length of ten feet, and weighing over a ton, their shells along the Mediterranean being ‘used for small boats and animals’ ¥ drinking troughs. ut was one of the largest that ever grew which seized the ’ boy with its enormous beak in a grip, ke a vise,, its ridged shell aie ios te aee in the gi ject. } He could not see where he was ‘going tnonae l grass, but made a direct line for where he supposed tor to be, and ‘traveled along for some time, ; S Instead of teaching ee boat," however, the b ‘ it in oie that. he could see. where he was located. A dark object shot down from the surface past his 8 moment he got on top of the reef, and struck the ) hin. ship’s anchor, with a cable, attached tte it, and one 0) catching in a crevice in the coral, held fast there. He watched it closely, and saw the line decomne tar out of the sea. ; eos Beside him lay the pirate’s schooner, the Terr Jack clung to the anchor line, and, listenin One of them he heoaiteey as that of Blackb he knew not. “No,” the pirate was serine “ Mixitli ous wound. The bali passed through th s] You say he swam to the shore and. ot aboa “ “Ay, sir, while you and ‘the rest, 1 nD monitor sinking, were. swimming the other.
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san JACK erew clamor for active work now.” he law.” ad sunk, chanced to glance down and saw him. on the pole. CHAPTER XXI. TO THE RESCUER, ‘ks. came in sight of the electric lights. ad befallen him when the trunk turtle carried him off. er was laid by the Dutch boy, and upon hearing tory they all sat down at the table and enjoyed the repast. lackbeard is bent upon mischief,” said Jack, iP expedition. is plans. n dot Carib don’t vhas in ia seme more?” queried Fritz. tre ‘el ah » ‘here now, as he fears me. We will lay to here until to-morrow, { and at daybreak we must set sail in quest of prey, as the whole “And if I get a chance,” muttered Jack, “I'll keep you in iew, thwart your pirating plans, and put you in the hands of He glanced around and located the spot where the monitor The boy had just come to the conclusion that he could now ind his way back to where his boat lay, when Blackbeard Realizing in an instant who the strange diver was, the cun- ‘ning rascal suddenly picked up a long boat-hook, reached over he bulwarks with it, and caught the boy under the arm with “T’ve got one of those accursed divers!” he yelled, pulling in To Jack’s dismay, he found himself being pulled over toward ‘The boy’s hands were dragged from their hold upon the an- ‘hs c r line as the two men began to. pull upon, the handle of the hook, and he felt himself being lifted up hewn the bul- Catching hold of the pole above the hook with both hands 2a thin a minute Jack disappeared beneath the surface, and, es ting himself slide he reached the top of the reef once more. ea. sea he ees started off, and after a long ve he found Tim wandering around in a diving suit look- r him, and in a few words he explained to the old sailor ley then went inside and took off their diving costumes. tz and the professor were in the saloon, where a fine Jack's during the e of the meal, “and is determined to carry out his pirat- He can do a great deal of harm unless me is such a vindictive rascal,” the pee answered, “that, I effort to do them all the injury they could for acting In the morning they saw the schooner’s anchor go up. Fritz and the professer were then on watch, and the Dutch boy sent the camera’s telescopic tube to the surface, put out © the lights and saw daylight reflected upon the white board. The broad expanse of dancing sea was plainly depicted upon the board in natural movement and colors; at one side they beheld the end of the island, and off the shore the schooner, upon the deck of which the crew were busy making preparations for departure. Fritz rang a gong, and Jack and Tim soon came in, glanced at the camera board and observed what was transpiring. / By that time the schooner’s anchor was atrip, her sails were filling away, and she stood off through Ship Channel to the ‘sea, going around to the southward with a quarter wind, “We must follow him at once!” said Jack. surface,” “Yah,” said Fritz, turning the pump lever. The machinery failed to operate, however, and a Ge of blank astonishment overspread eyery one’s face. “T must go aft and see what the trouble is,” said Jack. He hastened down in the cabin, passed through the galley and store-room into the machine compartment, and glanced around, A series of most dismal howls reached his ears, and, direct- ing his glance at the spot from whence they proceeded, he be- held the cause of the pump’s refusal to work. “Go to the) The monkey was jammed in between the wheel and the belt, . and nearly had the life crushed out of his little body as it effectually jammed the broad leather band, preventing it op- erating. How he got in there was a mystery that never was solved- Jack hastily got him out, the belt ran, the wheel whirled, and in 4 moment the machinery began to operate properly. The water was rapidly pumped out of the hold, and the Sea Serpent began to ascend to the surface. As soon as she began to go up Jack lowered the camera tube to accommodate their nearness to the surface, and when the monitor was within ten feet of the surface, he brought her toa a pause with the tube projecting a few feet above the waves. “By this means,” he remarked to the professor, “we can re- main: concealed ourselves and observe all that Foie beac: tapon the surface. i ‘ “The monitor, dear boy, is a wonder,” said the astentole ‘glancing down at the camera board.’ “But I see the Terror has vanished.” : “Och, she vhas vent herself yust aroundt dot hetlandt,” said Fritz, “und so soon dot ve got oudt ourselfs by der sea, ve ‘ A soon seen her again alretty. Oxcuse me, but dit you vhas seen” mine pipe?” “You! laid it down on the floor beside your chair,” Hopkins, “Donner und blitzen! looker. dot Bismarck!” cried Fritz, pointing at his pet, who had stolen the pipe and was walking’ off with it. “Dit you effer vhas found a barrot so schmart like: dot, vonct? I t’ink me poody soon he vhas Seas aca) ter shew derbacker somedimes.”: sal He rushed after Bismarck, and the ea flew out of the | - room with the pipe. The monitor soon got out into deep water, when Jack saw ihe schooner flying along the eastern shore of the island under: a full head of canvas, in purusit of a bark which had come out from Hxuma Bay, from behind Rum Island. : She bore the Stars and Stripes at her mast top, and was: ‘| heading straight out to sea, when suddenly a gunshot burst. from the schooner, and a ball went flying athwart her course © Hauling to,'she rode up in the wind suddenly, and the pi-* rates came swarming out from under cover upon the deck of the schooner, armed with cutlasses and firearms: As soon as ‘the crew a the bark eoseeyse the” character: A
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the EOErOr; she Sone ‘away before the wind and ran AWAY: her. Jack increased the speed of the monitor, and overhauled the ‘pirates’ vessel, which was a fast sailer, and a cas was gain- ing on the bark. The camera showed a second gunshot frem the Terror, the ball was seen to strike the bark in the hull astern above the water line, shattering her rudder to pieces. \ Up into the wind’s eye rode the bark at once, and the over- _. joyed pirates swiftly swooped toward their victim, the blood- thirsty crew eager for the fray which seemed to promise them a rich reward. In five minutes the pirate would. reach its prey. But seareely half the distance was covered, when up from the sea rose the Sea Serpent between the Terror and the bark. A yell of consternation pealed from the pirates, and away they sent their craft careering upon the leeward tack, firing a héavy broadside as she skipped along. 4 Half a dozen screaming shots went fiying toward the moni- ter and struck her hull in different places, knocking her over ‘upon her beam ends. ta s CHAPTER XXII. O#E FOR THE PIRATES’ STRONGHOLD. _ The broadside of half a dozen ‘shots from the schooner that ‘struck the Sea Serpent and knocked her over upon her beam ends were incapable of penetrating the heavily clad aluminum “hull. In a few moments the monitor recovered an even keel, after - the first shock, and Jack sent the professor on a tour of ex- amination to see if any damage was done, Tim and Fritz went'to help him. j The bark which had come out of Exuma Bay, near Rum Island, lay helplessly upon the waves with her rudder shat- a - tered by the pirate’s shot, which had penetrated just above the water line. | In the east the early morning sun was just arising on a _ beautiful day, and nothing was to be seen of Kellenda Mixitli’s _ ship and crew, which had been’at San Salvador when Black- beard so treacherously deserted the Carib. The Terror had gone off on the leeward tack to fire that broadside, and never stopping to observe the result, although _ the schooner was well armed and her decks bristled with a + é: Jarge crew, she fled from the dreaded monitor. - electric boat, with the golden idol on. her deck, which he -eoveted so much, putting him to flight. : z fi There was a small crew on the American bark, and Jack now saw that her name was the Texan Queen. S Her men were all cast into a wild panic by the pirates’ pur- be suit and attack, and were astonished to see the submarine monitor rise up from the sea between themselves and their _ enemies. / Jack gauged one of his guns to bear upon the flying seheoner, ; With one shot he could blow her to pieces. _ “It's lucky I followed her under water from San Salvador.” _ the boy muttered, grimly. “If I hadn’t, that bark would have fallen the pirates’ victim.” _. He was just about to fire the gun, when the schooner shot ; around a rocky promontory and faded from view behind the isle. , _“Shase ‘yourselluf after him vonct!” exclaimed Fritz, ex- ‘itedly. “Don’t you vhas see dot ve couldn't pompard him 1 abet = ; and It must have been chagrining to the pirate to watch the} she wuz founderin’. R “Tim is right. The shot she got must have passed u the bottom of her hull,” said Jack. “She is filling and sink ing.” “We can pursue the pirate any time, dear boy, 8 professor. Jack let Blackbeard go. Steering the monitor over to the bark, he ran alongside her. “Ahoy, there!” he cried through the window. ' “Take us /offi—we are sinking!” came the reply. + »“I can do better than that—Ill tow your craft ashore, you can beach and mend her well enough to reach your pO of destination. How will that do?” “Much better, if you will aid us.” “Tim; go down on deck and make their hawsers fast. ” “Ay, ay, sir!” replied the old sailor, stumping away. ; “Fling over a towing line!” cried Jack. Stand Dy to catch it, then. = made it fess to a stanchion, and Techs sent the Sea ~~ ent in toward the island. inane but in that comparatively short space of ras. mae vanished as completely as if dissolved into air. “I am of the opinion that the pirates knew of so: harbor along the shore somewhere,” said Jack, when monitor sk back in the vicinity of the: Texan Quee had better give it up, and await our chance to meet the again. ” Le ; : “You say he intends to cross the Gulf to the island. Rua-— tan, and join the pirates of that stronghold?” asked the p p O- fessor. “Then why not go ahead and lie in wait for him ze “Perhaps I may,” answered Jack, thoughtfully. Fritz, what’s that you’ve got there in that little jar?” “Dot vhas a fish I vhas catch me for Dim’s breakfast, ve vhas under der yater, I guess so, und I vhas tooken it by der galley now ter fix me it alretty,” answered Fr “Wot’s that?” demanded Tim, just then coming in, »- “A fishes ter make 3 ou a kidney stew vonet,’ “ said a a grin. a good-sized polly-wog, and a look of aiacant cros: “Avast, thar!” he exclaimed. “D’yer mean ter wuz a-goin’ ter sarve this ’ere pencake-headed, ring- t ihing on me?” y fell out on the floor, where it bee to. fei 1 enatening it up: with a tobi ora chuckl
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1 > / “Murder!” be bellowed. “I’m full of pins and needles!” . ? “Haw! haw! haw! haw! haw!” brayed Fritz, till the tears ran from his eyes. : - '*Oh—ouch—wow—whoop!” yelled Tim. “This is a trick!” “It vhas a torpedo!” chuckled Fritz, delightedly. The fish was filled with electricity powerful enough to knock | -a mule down, and the Dutch boy knew it well enough. 5 The old sailor dropped the torpedo, scrambled up on his good 2 foot, and caught Fritz a tremendous bang, as he bent over, _ with his wooden leg. It lifted the Dutch boy Gisae off the cee and he gave a grunt. He didn’t say a word, except: “Donner vetter!” oe Then he fled, and the irate sailor pursued him. . A few minutes afterward a terrible thumping, clattering _ and banging noise came from the pantry, interspersed with _ehboice adjectives in sailor lingo and Dutch dialect. “They are having a red-het time of it in there,” observed Hopkins. Bi “Just a little scuffle,” repiisa Jack, with a smile. a good surgeon, professor, they may call upon you to sew on a few pieces of arm, a nose, scalp, and a few ears when they finish. ; " Hopkins looked as if he did not doubt it, and said so. “Which way are you taking the boat now?” he asked. “Toward Ruatan,” replied Jack. “It is the worst rendez- ; vous in the world for pirates, and as Blackbeard is going there, I don’t see why I can’t break the pestiferous place up, as Well as blow that scoundrel and his schooner out of the water.” “Tf you are CHAPTER XXIII. . THE NEGRO. t was a long run from Rum Island through the Caribbean a into the Gulf of Mexico, for ordinary vessels, but the monitor made quick time of it, and soon hove in sight of the say of Honduras. The afternoon had closed when they came in sight of the ods sland, and the big blood-red moon began to rise over the stern waters like a ball of fire, which sent a broad sheen ittering across the gulf. Jack stood silent and alone in the pilot-house eee the far- listant island was sighted, and he was wondering what the st disposition would be that he could make of,the golden 1, when he was startled by hearing a cry coming from the water, A moment afterwards there sounded a violent crasb. He thought at first that the bow of the monitor had struck m a sunken reef, and hastily stopped the wheels and versed them. Upon a quick glance ahead,down into the water, however, he 40 served that the prow of the Sea Serpent had struck a row- oat, smashed it to pieces, and spilled its negro occupant the water. | was swimming ey at that moment, and crying for e boat he had been in was almost the same color as the ter, and this fact, coupled with the abstracted mind Jack in, and his not expecting to meet with a rowboat in this lated spot, occasioned the accident. - f A wild roar pealed from his lips, and he hopped up in the old sailor, who stood beside Hopkins in the doorway. boat out on the Guif again, as he had no landmark. : “Fritz! oy ie sheuted, in tha. pipe. Wigs i “Yah vohl!” came the Dutch boy’s reply. = ‘ “Man overboard, Fling him a rope!” “Shiminey Christmas! Vhas dot so? All right!” A moment afterwards Fritz dashed out on deck with a line in his hand, and hurrying to the bulwark he peered over. aS “Steamer ahoy! Help, dar! Help, dar!” yelled the swim- ming coon. i “Shtrike .oudt! You vhas ie your het!” bawled Fritz, a “Caught yourselluf aholt by dis rope alretty quick.” Dans He let the coiled line fly, and it dropped in the brine pale ihe negro, who eagerly caught hold of it, whereupon Fritz _ hauled him in, and he got up on deck, soaking wet. Jack scon found out that the negro was well acquainted with the shoals and rocks in the neighborhood, and promised ‘ him five dollars if he would point out a safe passage to the pirates’ rendezvous. This the treacherous rascal swore he would do. “Tim, go down in the bow on lookout,” seth the boy to the “Hull on, dar!” exclaimed the negro, “Ay, now, what’s amiss?” queried Tim. “*V'ain’t no use ob habin’ lookout; de water am cl’ar ahead, ~ boss, an’ dis yere coon know ebery bit ob it, fo’ shuah.” “That don’t make any difference. Go ahead, Tim.” ee “Ay, ay, sir!” responded the ancient mariner,.limping away. ‘4 A look of disappointment overspread the darky’s sable face. The monitor passed on like a shot, and in due time came, ~* within half a mile of the rock-bound coast, when dene Tim, stationed in the bow, yelled lustily: “Haul to! Haul to!” Se “What's the matter?” asked Jack, complying. “Reefs ahead, sir.” “TY don’t see any.” ‘ sat “Ay, but looker that ’ere riffled water athwart our course.” “By jove!\a sunken reef, or a sand bar!” ene A guilty look crept over the negro’s face, and Jack runngs Pe . him angrily, and exclaimed: “Say! Are you playing me false for any pirunay” “Tord a-massy, no, boss,” quickly answered the coon. i done fo’get dat de tide wuzn’t all de way up, sah. Wif plenty _ 4 tide. yo’ done could go ober dis' yere reef easy ’nough.” a “Do you know a passage to get inside of it?” “Spec’s I do. Golly—how I could fo’git dat reef. G’wan.” , pa “How far?” me % “Opposite dat palm tree asho’, boss.” ae Jack started the boat, when a narrow opening was found in x a the barrier reef, and they passed through toward the rugged land. Nothing but rocks, black and beetling, lined the shore, oe “Now which way am I to steer?” queried Jack. s i “See dat stone castle yonder, on top ob de rocks?” ae, “Yes—so I do. Is that it?” 54 “Yassah. I'se a-gwine fo’ ter leaba yo’ heah. Gimme ‘de Ps. money.” Ae as “Going to swim ashore?” asked Jack, handing him a bill. ie “Fo’ shuah. D’yo’ s’pose/I’se gwine ter stan’ de “shots from fe de cannons up dar on de bluffs? No, sah! No, saht” — sr 0 He wished them good-by, went out on deck, and, gite. overboard, he swam away to the shore. ; Hardly had he reached it. when a gang of men jumped, ou irom among the rocks and surrounded him. An energetic conversation followed, whereupon one of ‘the “hy men with an ax cut down the palm tree by which the passage in through the reef was marked. Unless there were other openings, Jack could not now abt The negro and’the men sent the tree adrift and disappeared. No sooner were HEY. sone mbet a Tent flared a bite
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_ cliff top, there sounded a thunderous report, and a shot from ~ a heavy gun came whistling down toward the monitor. F = CHAPTER XXIV. IN A TRAP. “Treachery!” cried Jack, as the shot went flying over the Sea Serpent. “Do you see what that nigger did, boys?” “Tt looks ete me as if he was in 1 with the pirates,” said Hop- Kins, “or course he is,” assented the boy. “He spotted the golden idol and designed to wreck us on the reef first, so his friends on yonder cliffs could fish the gold up afterwards.” “Blast his black mug!” growled Tim, angrily. “Now he has destroyed the landmark by which we coud ‘have found our way out from behind this reef. That looks _ very suspicious to me,” said the boy, loading the three guns. “He must be a member of the pirates’ gang,” said the pro- fessor. “Of that lam sure, since he joined their band on the shore,” Jack replied. “Tt is a put-up job. I see through it.. [ll fix them, though.” | He aimed the gun at the cliff and fired a shot below where _ the castle stood, at an abutting mass of rock. With a howl like a buzz-saw ripping through a board, thé projectile rushed through the air and struck its mark. There it burst with a terrific report. The entire wall of stone was smashed to pieces, showing that it was hollow in back, and it fell with a crash. In back of it a-sheltered lagoon was revealed, floated a dozen ships of various sizes and kinds. “The piratical fleet!” exclaimed Jack, in surprise. “Dot vall vhas almost shust so t’in like baper,” Said Fritz. _ Another gunshot thundered from the cliff-top, and, striking the water beside the Sea Serpent, splashed it up and sank. Jack flashed the searchlight up on the rocks. They were swarming with armed men. < Some of them were hastily filing down different paths to- ae ward the ships in the lagoon. “They mean tg board their hes curtd and attack us,” said the professor, grimly. “Vl stop the barking of the guns up in that fortress!” said f Jack, as he revolved the turret, and brought his port gun to _ bear upon the castle. “Watch it!” ug earefully sighted the piece. _ Then he pressed the button. Away shrieked the shot on its course, and struck its mark. A tremendous mass of debris flew up in the air, they heard he distant sound of a chorus of yells, and when the dust leared away the castle-like structure had disappeared. The shot had torn it to pieces. “Bull’s-eye!” exclaimed Tim, jubilantly. ‘By that'time several of the ships in the lagoon, swarming ith men, got under way and came gliding out. _ “They mean to show fight,” observed Jack, dryly. GAY, lad. an’ thar’s hundreds 0’ them to each of us,” said _ Tim, “Tam not alarmed; I have silenced the battery up on the cliff. Wait—I’ll draw all the ships out. Tim, feturn to the ws on lookout. I’m going to run away.” t “Ay, sir; but I hopes as ye ain’t skeered on tem?” i “Not much! It’s only a ruse.” bus satisfied, Tim stumped away. ii Starting the monitor’ off at full speed, it dashed avey and Je in which On dashed the monitor, and on came the pirates’ ‘ships pursuit, when the foremost sent a shot flying after ROE fr a bow-chaser, but it fell short, harmlessly. ‘ y Just then Jack glanced up at a cliff they were passi: Behind a breastwork there were mounted over a hundred guns, pointing cut from the cliffs, and he saw scores of men around {hem preparing to pour a deadly battery down upon the moni- tor. “Pasten up all openings—quick!” exclaimed the boy. Fritz and the professor obeyed, and Tim came in. - As soon.as this was done, the boy glanced up at the registers and seeing that there was plenty of air in the boat for a fe hours, he opened the valves and let in the waver. Down plunged the Sea Serpent under the waves, just /as a. broadside, that shock the island to its foundation, was poured from the siege battery on the side of the rocky bluif. The cannon balls came whizzing along, and pounded the: water all around where the monitor had beén, without ae her any harm. She had just gone below in time to save herself from peta blown to pieces,’ thanks to Jack’s quick forethought, Down she went about five fathoms ere the boy brought her to a pause in her descent, and drove her ahead. He kept her going ‘haif a mile under water, the powerfu searchlight shedding a broad glare ahead, and then he brou her to the surface again, beyond the range of the battery. The full moon had arisen by this time. Aon It flooded the sparkling waters with.a mellow light, an showed Jack that the ships were still pressing on ‘after him A few minutes afterwards several shots from long-ra se gums came screaming after them, and while some fell sho: : others passed over the monitor, and dropped on either quarte “It's getting uncomfortably hot here!” remarked the b Ye “T’ll give them my remaining shot and sink a ship.” j The fastest sailor, in advance of the rest of the fleet, wa singled out, and the boy turned the turret and aimed at ti He then fired a shot, and the projectile hit the ship. ~ Nothing was left of the crew or craft a moment afterward There came a ery from Tim a few minutes later. far s “Breakers ahead!” was his exclamation. : “Where away?” asked Jack, in startled tones, as he the turret. “Athwart our course,” - replied Tim. : citar and followed it with his anon It led from the shore to the first barrier reef ‘they ee tapes My dibeutan reef!” he remarked. . “This: is more. of th treachery. He knew very well what he was doing whe: lured us in here.” “Dem shibs yhas owerhaulin’ us puddy soon,” said F. “We can easily give them the slip by sinking, as we ¢ any farther, ” coolly replied Jack. “Don’t alarm yo agoutia went the turret, and the starboard gun wa and discharged, with equally as disastrous effect, bi from the port gun missed its mark, tipped the wa and, ploughing its way to Jand, patpy: aoe the ol
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“rest of the eat pressed steadily on, ‘assured now of 3 an easy yictory over the Sea Serpent. : Jack laughed scornfully at their confidence, “We will descend and disappoint them!” he remarked. He turned the leyer, but the valves failed to respond! - Instead of filling, the boat remained stationary on the sur- face. 4 “Something is the matter with the spiracles!” exclaimed Jack, in alarm. “If we remain here five minutes longer,” said the professor, “yonder fleet will reach us and blow the monitor to pieces!” ! CHAPTER XXY. THM WOLF-FISH. ; Jack and his friends were alarmed when they found that they could not make the Sea Serpent sink, for the fleet of pirates’ ships were now in easy gun range. ~ “There is nothing for it but to engage them with the guns | till we find out what the trouble is,” said the boy, hastily - Joading the weapons again. “Lord save us, lad!” gasped Tim. “D’ye want me ter go below and find out what ther trouble are?” “Yes, and remedy it, too, if you can!” ; Just then several gunshots came from the oncoming ships, and one*of them struck the monitor, giving her a shock that knocked her around on her beam ends. ‘ It glanced off again without doing her any harm, and Sack returned the shot, while Tim hurried out, and Fritz worked ihe machinery controlling the turret. The projectile from the Sea Serpent tore away the leeward side,of the ship, and sent her foremast by the board. “Turn the turret!” exclaimed Jack, in hurried tones. Around it went and a second shot was discharged, which smashed another of the ships to pieces. The third shot completed the loss of the first ship Jack “struck. i a “While the boy was reloading the gun several more shots ai came from the pirates, battering the hull of the monitor with- i out doing her much damage, as her thick aluminum plates pro- tected her. if “Tim came in just then, and exclaimed: “Ther valves wuz all choked up with seaweed! ” “Have you got them clear?” queried Jack, anxiously. “Ay, lad. Ye kin send her down now.” “ing the golden idol, knocked it into the sea from the deck. Down it plunged beneath the waves with a loud splash, and -' sank to the bottom, disappearing from Jack’s view. “Sink her here,” said the professor. “The idol is gone.” Jack lowered the monitor to the bottom, a yell of the most intense delight pealing from the lips of the pirates, who did not ‘know she was a submarine boat, and imagined that one of their shots had sunk her. ‘The electric lights at the ports were started, and she came te a pause among a mass of coral, in a halo of silvery glory. About the bottom, myriads of fishes of various kinds swim- ming: here and there among the grottos, and upon a slight | ‘plateau on one side they beheld the ton of gold. : Our friends put on their metallic suits, and, going out on leck with the proper kind of tackle, they at once began to eB rk ue the idol ‘back on sei monitor’s deck. - Just then another cannon ball came flying along, and, strik- |: Great ridges of yellow, white and red coral were strewn ; ized in a twinkling that something had gone wrong. Daylight arrived by the time this work was finished, great swarms of turtles constantly interfering with their labor, a vhe island of Ruatan was densely infested with these crea-, tures. ce Jack was just about to follow Tim and Hopkins down through the trap-door, when there sounded a loud “swish” in the water in back of him; he glanced around, and some- thing bright and metallic flashed before his eyes. The next instant it struck him on the back and knocked him down upon the deck flat on his face, passed over him and dis- appeared beyond in the gloom. , It was a fierce-looking wolf-fish, of a savage, voracious and — ugly appearance, five feet in length, its slimy skin covered with tubercles, and its gaping, powerful jaws filled with sharp © teeth, which added to its hideous appearance. Jack shuddered when he observed what a terrible monster it was, and observed that its huge, bulging eyes were staring at him with a most malignant expression. | He tried to leap out of its way, and partly succeeded, but the tubercles on its rough body caught.in the scales of aluminum of which his armor was composed, and, while the onward rush of the fish was checked, the impetus knocked Jack down upon the deck. The wolf-fish now became terrified at finding itself caught fast to the boy, and struggled with all its separ bet sine it ; tear itself free again. A A fearful strain was brought to bear on the sist; pulling the scales of metal backward in the wrong direction, and Jack was dragged along to the bulwarks in the bow. ry There he caught hold of the rope lacing and hung on. tA The straining of the fish to get free continued. ; It was caught in a defective spot in Jack’s suit, and there came a sudden ripping sound as the rubber cloth under the metallic plates was suddenly torn and gave way. The wolf-fish tore the caught tubercles from its body in the f powerful tug it gave, and, badly lacerated, got free. \ a Bleeding from its wounds, it swam away, pursued by a i white shark, which, swimming by, scented its wounds. The moment Jack heard the ominous rip his heart pal He felt the water begin to gush into his suit. By the time he reached the trap-door he was strangling. He could not hold his breath under such a pressure. The blood rushed to his head; he staggered like a drunken — ‘a man; a gasping ery escaped him; he tried to recover him- self; then he blindly fell. : Ay o> He inhaled the water, and in a moment was drowning. f yo s iB CHAPTER XXYVI. ‘ ats THE LAST OF THE PIRATES. f; pe Down into the water chamber fell Jack with a bang. ; q His body struck a hard substance, and the trap-door closed — with a loud thud after him, “I say, dear boy, do you want to kill me, falling down upo! my head in that manner? Dear me, you have broken m: helmet lamp, and I declare——” it was the professor Jack had fallen on. (i “Help!” gurgled the drowning boy. He did not waste a moment in idle speculation, but opener the door leading into the interior, without waiting to Rsaaret the water out of the compartment, gushed into the thot: flooding the floor to several “tnelte sen and knocking Fritz Asn:
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* joke, ani Hopkins rapidly igerewell Jack’s visor gldss. ' Then he took off the boy’s suit. “The young inventor, half drowned, was unconscious. In such experienced hands as those of the professor and Fritz, however, he was soon revived, and in half an hour had ‘entirely recovered from the effects of his adventure. 4 Soon afterwards Fritz gave them their breakfast, and they = all turned in for a much needed rest. , ait was late in the afternoon before they were up and about 4: again, and Jack returned to the pilot-heuse. f The air gauge indicated that they would soon haye to go ae to the top, and the boy then examined the batteries, and found that they were in exceilent working order: , ; The machinery needed lubricating, and he sent Tim to at- | tend to it, while the professor examined the guns. 4 Jack sent the camera to the tep, shut off the lights, and the board reflected the scene above the sea.- It was a clear day. Not a man or ship was anywhere in sight. but he observed that the pirates had marked the spot where the monitor went _ down with a white painted buoy. “They evidently intend to come back some time in the near future to.go fishing for our dead bodies and the golden idol,” laughed the young inveutor, withdrawing the camera. “Verily, my Christian friend,” smilingly answered the pro- fessor, accidentally treading on Whiskers’ paw,~“but they won't find it.” _ Jack went back into the storeroom, and opened a box con- _ taining several hundred small cépper cylinders, pointed at ‘one end with needle-like spikes, and finished at the.other end with electrical binding-posts. - They were filled with his own patent high explosive, and as . Tim and Fritz eame in, he pointed at them and said: ; _ “Bach of these cylinders is capable of blowing up a hundred tons. I am going to use them in a short time.” -“Exactly.. We are going to the pirates’ lagoon, and get un- : Preda chit their fleet. Fritz can put on a diving suit.” “Yah, I tink go, But vot iss? I can do me someding for you?” “Tt will be your business to jab one of these bombs into the _ bottom of, each one of the ships. Then attach a running wire from one binding-post to the other, till we have got them all A strung together, after which the line can be brought into the pilot-house. I will then send a current of electricity through it and burst the bombs. When they eenody there won’t be f Lm ‘ship left,” ae Tim and Fritz were delighted with this plan. < ; Jack returned to the pilot-house, brought the monitor to the surface, and when a supply of air was stored on board, he sub- tnerged the Sea Serpent again twenty feet. : j : the surface showing them the way, and Fritz merrily playing a tune, on his old accordion. where Jack had bombarded the cliffs; and she passed over desl ‘fallen rocks into the lagoon. Here they saw the pirates’ squadron of ships calmly lying at chor, most of the crew being ashore. From ‘within the lagoon they saw the pirates’ village ne tered on a plateau up among the rocks, and fluttering from 4 tall flag pole, rising from the midst of it, there was a huge : ck flag with a Hib its skull and cross- roe in the middle. De ror mghold, which “would sdok pe subdued by the dire tragedy en enacting the ocean. Eating. te i 4 71 - “Ay, then I reckon as ye want us ter help yer?” said Tim.. Then away she started for the pirates’ lair, the camera on}. ‘In due course of time the Sea Serpent reached the place ‘ “gerous reef! They had only the ruffled str them see where the coral: = ran. ie of salt thé box of bombs standing beside him. ; From one handsome ship to the other wudea ¢ the avengin deep, sea boat, and cylinder after cylinder was attached to th hulls of the fleet. t ; In a short time every one of the ships had a mine affixed its flanks, with a wire running from one to the other. — As soon as they were all in readiness the end of the wire was secured to a binding-post on the outside front of th turret, and the Sea Serpent recoiled out to the sea, — A . Fritz came inside presently. ie “Is everything in readiness?” asked Jack. “Everyt’ing! ” replied the Dutch boy. “Then here goes the whole fleet!” ae As the boy spoke he teuched an electric press button, and La electric current flashed to the torpedoes. iy Instantly there came a roar that shook land and sea. ? n The camera showed them a cloud of dark debris flying ‘up to the sky from the lagoon, and when it came down ever y ship of the,fleet had been blown to fragments. A scene of wildest confusion ensued upon the rocks. _ ; The terrified pirates fled inland at full speed, and in ten minutes not a man was left in the place. ~ wpa Jack then brought his boat to the surface. ; ie Hopkins had loaded the three guns, and as soon as the b maneuvered the monitor into a favorable position, he two shots at the pirates’ village, and left it in ruins, which he.sent the Sea Serpent away. Na : . Then he ran along the coast until he reached ‘the Hoge tery upon the face of the cliff. : Shot after shot was fired at it, until at last not a gun loft, and the pirates’ stronghold was entirely wrecked. Jack had carried out his purpose. ; - The pirates of the island of Ruatan were cxtheminang “And. now to find the passage out toy the seal claimed. io, He drove the monitor over the Vasabiog? reef, whi cried: “Sail ho! Sail ho!” “Where away?” the boy asked. “On our starboard quarter, sir.”. és “What do you make her out to be?” » | . “Blackbeard’s schooner, the Terror, an’ she’s a-bearin’ ou us fast, sir,” replied the old sailor. ~ CHAPTER XXVII. Rea CONCLUSION. “Dere vhas only yun vay,” said Fritz. “Ve ‘vhas got along dot reef, und keep on runnin’ till ve found dose obenings, troo vat ve sailed alretty—ain’d id “Then you go out on deck and keep a lookout Ba Jack, hiss upon this ier pews suggestion. ~
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deemed it consistent with safety, and Tim pasted himself on the bow and fixed his solitary eye upon the water, Had the treacherous negro they picked up not chopped down the palm tree on shore, they would have had no trouble to locate the precise spot where the opening was. Now they had to trust to luck to find it. The monitor had not gone very> far, however, when there came the shout from Tim of: “Were it are!” Jack glanced down and saw smooth water alongside. Instantly turning the Sea Serpent, he drove it slowly into _ the opening, and she passed out from behind the reef. A cheer burst from our friends as soon as they found the Sea - Serpent in clear water, and the young inventor headed his eraft for the flying schooner. Extra speed was put on, and she began to rapidly overhaul the Terror, when the pirate, in a fit of desperation, drove his ’ eraft in shoreward. he struck with a terrible crash upon the hidden reef, a - hole was stove in her hull, and the bow rising, lifted her a out of the water upon the coral. There she hung, her stern submerged, and her broken bow hanging upon the reef, a hopeless wreck. Down went her quarter boats, in tumbled the crew, and away some of them went for shore. _ Up to the wreck dashed the monitor like lightning, and upon seeing Blackbeard yet on her deck, Jack shouted: “Surrender, or we will blow your craft to pieces!” “Never!” yelled the big rascal, defiantly. Jack brought the monitor to a pause a few yards from the schooner, and he was just about to open fire upon the rest of £ the ‘piratical crew when the cabin door of the Terror burst open, and a man rushed out. He was Kellenda Mixitli, the Carib. ie ‘Having followed the schooner in his other vessel, he at- tacked the pirate, and his ship was blown to pieces. All his native crew were slaughtered, and he himself had been made a prisoner. iy The Carib looked like a veritable fiend. . He picket! up a belaying pin, and, rushing across the slant- ‘ing deck, he attacked Blackbeard with the ferocity of a demon, and a terrible struggle ensued. ei They lost their footing on the slanting deck, and fell down, rolled over and over, and dropped in the sea. ae Here the struggle was continued with unabated fury, the dark Carib thirsting for vengeance, and utterly reckless about his” own life. ; _ Several times the snarling pair sank and rose again.’ 3 The last time they came up, Blackbeard clutched a dagger in his hand, and plunged it in the Carib’s heart. * Oh, Goa! ” shrieked Mixitli. “I’m killed!” uit ‘May the arch fiend take your soul!” hissed the pirate. ‘Be flung the Carib from him and swam away. ‘Mixitli sank beneath the waves forever. “Fire upon Blackbeard!” cried Jack. : Tim and Fritz rushed out on-the pilot-house on the turret with pneumatic rifles in their hands to carry out this order, but the pirate dove down and vanished, _ ‘When he arose again he was hidden from sight behind one oF the escaping boats, and, reaching land in safety, he made ~~ er =<, 2 SOR ed ye “They can’t defend themselves now. e senie the boy. yan order by return mail, Lg ACK ‘WRIGHT AND HIS DEBE SEA MONITOR, It would be wanton ae ey “Lee the rascals live. Sooner or later their many crimes will find them out, and be expiated on fe the gallows.” “Vot aboud dot schooner?” asked Fritz, anxiously. “She will never ‘serve their DATDORS, again, Ill blow her up. ” ; “Biast thar timbers, they’ve all sacan but that ’ere Carib! growled Tim, taking a big chew of navy plug. Jack backed the Sea Serpent away from the Terror, and, aiming one of his guns at her, he fired a shot. The schooner was blown to atoms. Jack Wright was satisfied at last. f “Mixith is dead!” he exclaimed. “Blackbeard’s craft is de- stroyed. The stronghold and fleet of the pirates of Ruatan are blown up, and we have got the ton of gold we were In search of. There is nothing to keep us here any longer. Now, what say. you, my friends, to return home and enjoy the fruits of our labor?” “Yea, verily, my Christian friend!” “J tink so, neider!” “Ay, ay, my hearty!” : / Thus chorused the rest, and as Whiskers:and Bismarck just then chimed in, with a howl and a screech, the motion was carried, Jack then turned the Sea Serpent homeward, and drove her through the Mexican Gulf and up the American coast, In due time, and without further adventure, she reached the vicinage of New York, when the ton of gold was brought ashore and sold. Jack kept the big diamond eyes as sou- venirs. ; Ae The professor’s original calculation of the amount of money it would bring proved correct, and the sum was divided in four parts among them, giving each a large fortune. Peleg Hopkins resided in New York, so he stayed there, and | after bidding our friends a hearty good-by, he took the shells and fossils he had gathered and went off to make a report of the result of his investigation to the societies he represented, The Sea Serpent then proceeded on to Wrightstown, and our friends stored the wonderful craft away and met with a great ovation from their fellow citizens when their stories were toid, the monkey and parrot coming in for! a share of the praise. The inventive genius of Jack Wright began to assert itself again, when once more he was comfortably settled at home, and a newer and more wonderful contrivarice than the monitor soon began to engross his attention. And so engaged we must leave the boy and his two friends for the present, promising | to show ‘you in the future the new Pauaniv es he was inventing, © and all that it did. aes THE END. t Read “THE RICHEST BOY IN THE WORLD: OR, THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG AMERICAN,” by Allyn Draper, which will be the next number iti of = “Pluck and Luck.” SPECIAL NOTICE: Allback mumbers of this weekly are always in print. If you cannot obtain them from any newsdealer, send the price in money or postage stamps by ; mail to FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 24 UNION — SQUARE, NEW YORK, and you will. receive the Sea
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a! Pioneauing tnd maxiclane, | Bach book consists of sixty-four pages, printed on good paper, in clear type and neatly bound in an attractive, {illustrated cover. ‘Most of the books are also profusely illustrated. and all of the subjects treated upon are explained in such a simple manner that any child can thoroughly understand them. Look over the list as classified and see if you want to know anything about. the mies mentioned. THESE BOOKS ARE FOR SALW BY ALL NEWSDEALERS OR WILL BE SENT BY MAIL TO ANY ADDRESS. ®ROM THIS OFFICE ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, TEN CENTS BACH, OR ANY THREE BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N, x. SPORTING, No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND KISI.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. [t contains fut! in- atructions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and Le ol ; ot apt with descriptions of game aud fis o. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—_Fully fustrated. Every boy should know how to row and sail a boat. Full instructions are given in this little book, together with in- atructions on Pe and riding, companion dase to boating. No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE. AND DRIVE A HORSE.— ‘A complete treatise on the horse. Describing the most useful horses for business, the best horses fee the road; alsoyvaluable recipes for diseases peculiar to the horse. No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOES. —A. handy ook for boys, containing full directions for constructing canoes and the most popular manner of sailing them. ['rily illustrated. By C. Stansfield Hicks. : FORTUNE TELLING. No. 1. NAPOLHON’S ORACULUM AND DREAM BOOK.— «Containing the great oracle of human destiny ;:also the true mean- ing of almost any kind of dreams, together with charms, ceremonies, ace curious games of cards. A complete book. No. 23. HOW TO EXPLAIN DRBAMS..Everybody dreams, from the little child to the aged man and woman. This little book gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky ‘and anlucky days, and “‘Napoleon’s Oraculum;” the book of fate. No. 28. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES.—Bveryone is desirous of sknowing what his future life will bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little ‘book. Buy one and be convinced. Tell your own fortune. Tell seek fortune of your friends. : No. 76. HOW TO THLL FORTUNES BY THE HAND.— GJontaining rules for telling fortunes-by the aid of the lines of the and, or the secret of palmistry. Also the secret of se future events by aid of moles, marks, scars, ete. Iustrated. By A. Anderson. ATHLETIC No. 6 HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE—Giving full ing mirvaction for the use of dumb_ bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, ‘horizontal bars and yarious other methods of developing a good, healthy rauscle; containing over sixty illustrations. Every boy can become strong and healthy by following the instructions contained in this little book. No. 10. HOW TO BOX.—The art of self-defense- made easy. Containing over thirty illustrations of guards, blows, and the differ- ent positions of a good boxer. Eyery boy should obtain one of these useful and eae books, as it will teach you how to box -without an instructo No. 25. HOW TO. BECOME A GYMNAST.—Containing full Anstructions for all kinds of gymnastic sports and athletic exercises. ‘Mmbracing thirty-tive illustrations, By Professor W. Macdonald. A handy and eae ‘boo No. w TO ENCE Containing full instruction for tencing and ase use of the broadsword; also instruction in archery. Described with twenty-one one illustrations, giving the best postions in fencing. A comple No. HOW TO BROOM. ‘A BOWLER. —A complete manual sof eens Containing full instructions for playing all the stand- ard American and Gerinan games; together with rules and systems of sporting in use by the principal bowling clubs in the United States. By Bartholomew Batterson, TRICKS WITH CARDS. No. 51. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Containing _explanations of the general principles of sleight-of- -hand applicable ‘to card tricks; of card tricks with ordinary cards, and not requiring sleight-of- “hand: of tricks involying sleight-of-hand, or the use of mpectally prepared cards. By Professor Haffner. With illustra- tion NS. 72. HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Hm- bracing all of the latest and most deceptive card tricks, with Me a a bas age By A. Anderson. { ‘hs ow TO DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.— ene in instructions for writing letters on almost dee Card Tricks as performed by leading conjurers | also rules for punctuation ard sat igen — Arranged for home ae cag ain Fully iustrated. ' MAGIC. No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—Vhe great book of magic and card tricks, containing full instruction of all the leading card trick of the day, also the most popular magical illusions as performed by — our leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book, - ap as it will both amuse and instruct. “ No.22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.—Heller’s second sigh v4 explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Explaining bh the secret dialogues were carried on between the magician and | boy on the stage; also giving all the codes and signals. The only authentic explanation of second sight. No. 48. HOW TO BECOME a MAGICIAN. —Oontaining grandest assartment of magical illusions ever placed before public. Also tricks with cards, incantations, ete. No. 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS. "Containing 0 one hundred highly amusing and instructive tricks with chem By A. Anderson. Handsomely illustrated. ay 69. HOW TO DO SLEIGHT OF HAND .—Containing ov fifty of the latest and best tricks used by magicians. Also conta ing the secret of second sight. Fully illustrated. By A. Anders; No. 70. HOW ‘TO MAKE MAGIC TOYS.—Containing f directions for making Magie Toys and devices of many kinds, A. Anderson. Fully illustrated. : No. 738. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS. —Sho eee curious tricks with figures and the magic of numbers. Anderson. Vully illustrated. : No. 75. HOW TO BECOME A _ CONJURER.—Containi tricks with Dominoes, a con and Balis, Hats, ete. mbrace' thirty-six illustrations. A. Anderson : ‘a No. 78. HOW TO DO PH BLACK ART. yee a const plete description of the mysteries of Magie and Sleight of ae together With ‘many wonderful experiments. By A Ande et 13 Iilustrated. MECHANICAL. No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN IN Yano Racal should know how inventions originated. This book explains the all, giving examples in electricity, hydraulics, magnetism, op pecuee tee mechanics, ete., etc. The most instructive book ishe No. 56. HOW TO BECOME AN ENGINEDR\—Containi instructions how to proceed in order to become a locomoti gineer; also directions for building a model beret E: ie with a full description of everything an engineer should k No. 57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMBENTS- directions how to make a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Aeolian Harp, phone and other musical instruments ; together with a bri scription of nearly every musical instrument used in ancient modern times. Profusely illustrated. By Algernon 8. Fitageral for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengal Marines. No. 59. HOW TO MAKE A MAGIC LANTERN.—Cont: a description of the lantern, together with its history and inven Also full directions for its use and for painting slides. Handso illustrated, by John Allen. No. 71. HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRIOKS.—Conts complete instructions for performing over sixty Mechanical T: By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated. iD LETTER WRITING. k No. 11. HOW TO WRITE LOVH-LETTERS.—A 1 plete little book, containing full directions for writing lov a bee to use them; also giving specimen letters for both and 0 No. 12. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO LADIBS. complete instructions for writing letters to ha pale on all ‘subj also letters of intreduction, notes and requ i No. 24. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO GENTLED "00 Containing full directions for writing to gentlemen on all | su also giving sample letters for instruction. No. 538. HOW TO WRITH LETTERS.—A ' wonderfal I ttle book, telling you how to write to your sweethe: your mother, sister, brother, employer; and, in fact, ev rybody body you wish to write to. Byery penne man and ae in pe land should have this boo HOW TO WRITE LETTERS CORREOTL or letters.
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es | PLU CC KX A IN D mvc HK CONTAINS ALL SORTS. OF 32 PAGES. LATEST ISSUES. 50 a oe Fireman; or, The Mystery of Mark Howland’s by Ex Fire Chief Warden The Magic Mountain. A Story of Exciting Adventure, by Howard Austin The Lost Treasure Ship; or, In Search of a Million in Gold, by Capt. Thos. H. Wilson _The Red Caps; or, the Fire Boys of Boylston, by Ex Fire Chief Warden 54 A Scout at,16; or, A Boy's Wild Life on "He Frontier, ae by an Old Scout 55 Ollie, the Office Boy; or, The Struggles of a Poor W aif, Allyn Draper by On Board the School-Ship St. Mary's; or, eh Plucky Fight of a Boy Orphan, by Capt. Fighting With Washington; or, The Boy Regiment of the evolution, by General Jas. 5 sce Dick, the Young Cadet; or, our Years at West *oint Stanley's Boy Magician; or, Lost in Africa, The Boy Mail Carrier ; or, Government Service in Minnesota, by an Old Scout 4 Gus Williams Roddy, the Call Boy; or, Born t+ Be an Actor, A Fireman at Sixteen; or, Through Flame and Smoke, Lost at the South Pole: by Ix Fire Chief Warden “hos. H. Wilson by Corporal Morgan Rattler or, The Kingdom of Ice, by Capt. A Poor-Irish Boy; or, Fighting His Own Way, 5 Monte Cristo, Jr.; or, the Diamonds of the Borgias, by Howard Austin Merritt Robinson Crusoe, Jr., by Jas. C. Jack Jordan of New York; or,-A Nervy Young American, by Howard Austin The Block House Boys; or, The Young Pioneers of the Great Lakes From Bootblack to Broker; or, The Luck of a Wall Street by a Retired Broker OY, Bi liad Diamond Hyes; or, The Nine-Headed Tao! of Cey- Berton Bertrew 71 Phil, he Boy Fireman ; or, Through Flames to Victor ry, by The Boy Silver King; or, The Mystery of Two Lives, by’ Allyn Draper The Floating School; or, Dr. Bircham’s Bad pepe ts Academy, y Howard Austin Thos. H. Wilson A. Gordon by Howard Austin by Jas. C. Merritt by an Old Scout Ix Fire Chief Warden : 74 Frank Fair in Congress; or, A Bov Among Our Lawmakers, by Hal Standish 75 Dunning & Co., the Boy Brokers, by a Retired Broker 76 The Rocket ; or, Adventures in the Air, by Allyn Draper 77 The Virst Glass ; or, The Woes of Wine, by Jno. B. Dowd 78 Will, the Whaler, by Capt. Thos. H. Wilson 79 The Demon of the Desert, by Jas. C. Merritt 80 Captain Lucifer; or, The Secret of the Slave Shp, by Howard Austin 81 Nat o’ the Night, by Berton Bertrew 82 The Search for the Sunken Ld by Capt. Thos. H. Wilson 83 Dick Duncan; or, The Blight of the Bowie by Jno. B. Dowd 84 Daring Dan, the Pride of the Pedee, by General Jas. A. Gordon 85 The Iron Spirit; or, The Mysteries of the Pla.us, by an Old Scout! 86 Rolly Rock; or, Chasing the Mountain Bandits. by Jas. C. Merritt 87 Five Years in the Grassy Sea, by Capt. Thos. H. Wilson 88 The Mysterious Cave, by Allyn Draper 89 The oy by-Nights ; or, The, Mysterious Riders of the Reyo- lution, by Berton Bertrew 90 The Golden Idol, by Howard Austin 91 The Red House; or, The»Mystery of Dead Man‘ a ee as. C. Merritt 92 The Discarded Son; or, The Curse of Drink, Be Jno. B. Dowd 93 General Crook's Boy Scout; or, Beyond the Sierra “Madres, by an Old Scout 94 The Bullet Charmer. A Story of the American Revolution, by Berton Bertrew or will be Sent to Any Address on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy, by For Sale by All Newsdealers, PRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, STORIES. BEAUTIFULLY COLORED COVERS. 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 tone eo ¢ on aoe’ HS ROO lea eee ee COrD cin is] it Toe oo bo —] EVERY STORY COMPLETE PRICE 5 CENTS. On a Floating Wreck; or, Drifting Around the Worid, by Capt. Thos. H. Wilson The French Wolves, by Allyn Draper A Desperate Game; or, The Mystery of Dion Travers Life, y Howard Austin ; or, Dick Dunn in Search of His BORE: by Jas. C. Merritt The Prince of Firemen, by Ex Vire Chief Warden Vighting for a Iortune, by Jas. C. Merritt Irrozen In; or, An American Boy's Luck, br Howard Austin Toney, the Boy Clown; or, Across the Continent With a Circus, by Berton Bertrew His Virst Drink; or, Wrecked by Win by Jno. B. Dowd The Little Captain; or, The Island of oo y Capt. Thos. H. Wilson The Merman of Killarney ; or, The Gaune of the Lake, by Ailyn Draper by Howard Austin The Young King Joe Jeckel, The Boy Railroad King; or, In the Ice. A Story of the Arctic Regions, Arnold’s Shadow ; or, The 'raitor’s Nemesis, by General Jas. A. Gordon 8 The Broken Pledge; or, Downward, Step by Step, by Jno. B. Dowd by an Old Scout by Allyn Draper Old Disaster; or, The Perils of the Pioneers, The Haunted Mansion. A Tale of Mystery, No. 6; or, The Young Firemen of Carbondale, by Ex Vire Chief Warden Deserted ; or, Thrilling Adventures in the Frozen North, y Howard Austin A Glass of Wine; or, Ruined by a Social Club, ie Jno. B. Dowd The Three Doors: or, Half a Million in Gold, by Jas. C.. Merritt The Deep Sea ‘Treasure ; or, Adventures Afloat and Ashore, by Capt. Thos. H. Wilson Mustang Matt, The Prince of Cowboys, by an Old Scout The Wild Bull of Kerry; or, A Battle for Life, ye Allyn Draper The Scarlet Shroud; or, The Fate of the Five, by oward Austin Brake and Throttle: or, A Boy Mngineer’s Luiek, by Jas. C. Merritt Two Old Coins; or, Found in the Elephant Cave, by Richard R . Montgomery 121 The Boy Courier of Siberia; or, The League of the Russian Prison Mines, by Allan Arnold 122 The Secret of Page 99; or, An Old Book Cover, by Roi: Draper = to Resolute No. 10; or, The Boy Fire Company of Fult by Ex Fire Chief Warden The Boy Scouts of the Susquehanna; or, The eae Heroes of the W yoming Valley, an Old Seout The Boy Banker; or, From a Cent to a gia iy Hs Tee aerators Shore Line Sam, the Young Southern isapingen! or, roading in War Times, by Jas. C. Merritt On the Brink; or, The Perils of Social Drinking, hy Jno. B. Dowd The 13th of October, 1863, by Allyn Draper Through an Unknown Land: or, The Boy Canoelst of Quanza, The Blue Door, A Romance of Mystery, by Richard R. Montgomery Running with No. 6; or, The Boy Piremen of Iranklin, by Ex Fire Chief Warden 2 Little Red Cloud, The Boy Indian Chief, by an Old Seout Safety-Valve Steve; or, The Boy Engineer of are ne H. & W., Jas. C. Merritt The Drunkard’s Victim, y Jno. RB. Dowd by Capt. Thos. H. Wilson § The Two Schools at Oakdale; or, The Rival PR Gadent Ss of Corrina Lake, by rae Draper The Farmer's Son: or, A Young Clerk's Downfall. My Sto of Country and City Life, ecbowand Austin The Old Stone Jug: or, Wine, Cards and Ruin, iy Jno. B. Dowd Jack Wright and His Deep Sea Monitor; or, Searching for a a Ton of Gold, = by ‘“ Noname ” The Richest Boy in the World; or, The Wonderful Adventures of a Young American. by | aad Draper 5 Abandoned; or, The Wolf Man of the Island, 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 THE SAME turn mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN fF 8 6G Bhai N6 60 1s wei a ew, Web aaa Oia" e-0%. 6 6*a(e 0 0 0 eoed 0 6 Baers gPRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, Dear Sir—Enclosed find copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos. So PSC cAmM aL CIC So oe O. “ SECRET SERVICE “ ... Bored a tlee arse! ag ht ae aaa ae a ESET “« THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ’76, Nos. . “ Ten-Cent Hand Books, Nos........... NEI Sr RD tere oasis sca hated ent LECH TATU INOreoe nee ee ee ery ee eet “ ce wees New York. .... cents, for which please re- AS MONEY. send me: ARIE Sa es se ewe ee = POWs a by Allan Arnold j