Pluck And Luck (no. 549) (1908 12 09)
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Tssued Weekly—By Subscription 0 per year. Entered as. Second-Class Matter at the New York Post Office, November 7, 1898, by Frank Tousey. hal Aad st sce Abi chk tees: Aegan ac Seta tata gk bee. IS No. 549. NEW YORK, DECEMBER 9, 1908. Price 5 Cents. Quick as thought, Nate Badger changed his position ‘and placed Nettie between himself me Bert ~ Shirley. The boy' was baffled then as regarded shooting. But, clubbing the gun, he rushed at Badger. There were many French soldiers spectators of the scene.
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Stories of Tesued Weel BY aaa * Entered November 7, 1898. Cougnene Washington, D. C., by 2.50 per year. PLUCK AND LUC ede = Adventure. as Second-Class Matter at the New aoe N. Y., Post Ofte, ne Librarian of hd according to act of Congress, in the year 1908, in the office nie Tousey, Publisher, 24 Union Square, ew No, 549. NEW YORK, DEC EMBER 9, 1908. Price 5 Cents. THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS OR, | The Young Pioneers of the Great Lakes BY AN OLD SCOUT. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY EVENTS. It was a dark period in our colonial history when in the ‘early summer of 1756 the French Canadian’ and Indian forces under General Montgomery captured..Qswego, the. American key to Lake Ontario, and a large quantity of cannon and mili- tary stores, together with the entire garrison of sixteen hun- dred troops. A more signal disaster could scarcely have be- fallen our colonies. The American pioneers of the Great Lakes were terror- stricken, and it wag feared that now, having gained a base of permanent supplies in the American territory, the French would send their murderous Indian allies to deal death and desolation, with torch, tomahawk, and: scafping knife, along: all, our northern border, and throughout the fertile lake country. Although for about two years the French and English colo- | nies had been at war, the two governments had maintained the relations of peace at home until the spring of 1756. Then ‘war was declared by Great Britain against France in due \form, and the celebrated conflict began which is called in our ‘annals “The French and Indian War.” | General Abercrombie was in command of the American troops, while General Seavnin commanded the French and Indians. Crown Point and Meondetoea were French posts, with strong sorts on Lake Champlain, and the nearest American bost was the settlement of William Henry, on Lake George. Between these frontier settlements of the hostile colonies] Was the great northern forest, and the hunting grounds of the Savages, most of whom had been won over to the side of the enemies of the Americans by French gold. At the. date of which we are writing the Americans had es a strong block house or log fort at the settlement ‘of William Henry, so that in the event of an Indian attack ‘the settlers tight have a place to shelter themselves and families and: defend it against their red foes. | One moonlight night, not long after the French and Indian "victory at Oswego, ‘Legrand Shirley, the hunter of the block e at Wi wk ‘Indi | (Mok: dian, left. ores fort and made pat) way swiftly liam Henry settlement, and Manatock, a friendly | them. Legrand Shirley was a stalwart American colonist of middle age, who had emigrated from England some years previously, _ accompanied by his wife anq two little ones, named respec- tively Berton and Valentine. ; Legrand Shirley was the son of a wealthy Hnglish gentle” ‘ man, but he had come to America almost penniless, and after. ‘the death of this beloved wife, which occurred soon after his arrival in America, he seemed to lose heart to do battle with | . the world, and being an excellent hunter he had been content. to accept the position of hunter for the block house. sith det There his two boys were reared, and they became brave — young pioneers, skilled in all that pertained to woodcraft, ex- cellent marksmen, splendid trailers, and learned in many. of a the Indian dialects, for before the French made them hostile | the northern tribes used to come to the block house to trade, Bert and Val Shirley were now aged respectively sixteen and eighteen years. Both were fine, well-grown lads, athletic % of frame, with bright intelligent faces and good true hearts. : It is almost needless to say they were the pride of thei father’s heart, and general favorites with all the American settlers. Far and wide,.along the American border, tHe boys 1 were known as “The Block House Boys,” because they made their home at the log fort. ‘ ¥ a ' Manatock, the friendly Mohawk, was as fine a specimen the grand Indian warrior of those early days as one can con: ; ceive of. Tall and magnificently formed, with mus iron; lithe as a panther, ewitb;tooted as an antelope, | ¢ ally of the Americans: And he was particularly devoted to the Block House and their father, who had on many occasions proven t selves to be his true friends. On the night of which we are writing Legrana Shirley was exceedingly anxious about the safety of his two sons, 2 Manatock shared his solicitude fully. — i) The two lads had gone out hunting early in “the mor promising to return by midday. But they had not ye: iurned to the block house, and when the night fell, being nigh convinced that some calamity had ‘befallen th their father and the friendly Mohawk set out ti A few days. reson they. had founc 1
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THE were not without grave apprehensions that the boys might have fallen into the hands of the hostile Indians, who were the allies of the French. -For some time the Mohawk and his white comrade followed the trail of the missing boys which they had struck in the edge of the woods, in silence. But all at once, a distance of several miles from the block house, Manatock, who was in advance, suddenly paused, and pointing down at the trail, said in guttural] tones: “Senecas make tracks here! See, moccasin prints. warriors came on white boys’ trail here, and fey not cross Th”. “Ah!” exclaimed Shirley, “it is as we feared; the murderous Senecas are the cause of the non-return of my two sons. They followed Bert and Val’s trail from thig point. God grant they may not have overtaken and captured them!” “White boys know much. Manatock taught them to blind a trail. Maybe they are safe yet. Seneca maybe cut them off so no get back to block house.” “Well, forward, Manatock! We must learn the truth, and every moment may count for the lives of my dear boys now.” “Ugh! Mohawk go on! Maybe take Senecas’ scalp. The Senecas are women and cowards and they fear the Mohawk.” _Manatock started forward on the trail again as he spoke and Shirley closely followed him. They went on in silence for a long time, and both were alert and constantly on the watch for an enemy. Many miles were traversed and still the plainly defined trail told them that the Senecas had not yet overtaken the white lads. From the latter’s tracks the two trailers judged that ‘the ‘boys were aware that they were pursued, and that they were anaking all speed to distance the savages. Finally Shirley and the Mohawk arrived at a stream of water, and there the trail of the boys disappeared, but the tracks of the Senecas were found on both sane of ‘the water- course going upstream. _ Shirley and the Indian followed the trail left by the Senecas until they finally lost it in a han rocky region Sie mile farther on. “They knew the white boys had waded orien to blind the “trail, but they could not fing where they had left the water. _ Presently, however, about half a mile from the stream which they had left to make a scout for the lost trail, Shirley and the Mohawk came upon the edge of a small clearing, in _ which stood a dilapidated log cabin, which they knew had deen deserted since the northern Indians became hostile.’ ‘Just as they reached the edge of the timber, Manatock®de- tected the tracks of the two white boys in the soft earth, -with the toes poining toward the cabin. os Shirley counted: ten warriors about the cabin, beside which » stood a large tree, whose spreading branches extended ‘out over the cabin roof. _ “Heavens!” said the anxious father. “It must be, Mana- tock, that Bert and Val have sought shelter in the deserted ‘ bin. But if so, why do they not fire upon the Senecas? They are close enough.” , “Manatock can say nothing *hout that. Come, we crawl up ze e snake to help the boys, while Senecas break down cabin oor. aH SER. cs or ae \dvantage of firearms. Ob, Heaven protect my boys! ” replied ‘Then, under cover of the grass, they began to crawl toward the cabin. Presently they saw four of the Senecas climb the ree” Be the ‘settler's deserteq home. vi Eas x ane Ten ; *the ground again. toa deep, wide, rudely built fireplace. 8 3 The odds are terribly against us, but the Senecas are armed only with bows and arrows, and we at least have the ‘sleeping: boys, and then, | the Boas of the 1 cabin eee PS ener, a he ar BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. would have been thrilled to the heart by the discovery that the situation of the Block House Boys was even more terrible and hopeless than they supposed. Bert and Val Shirley were sleeping soundly upon their blankets in one corner of the log cabin with their guns besid them. As their father and Manatock had learned from the signs o their trail, they had discovered a long distance back th the hostile Indians were in pursuit of them. Then they ha fled at the greatest possible speed until they had arrived at the watercourse. That stream they entered and waded north for miles. At last they left the water where their moceasin left no impression on the flinty rocks. Climbing then into the tops of some studded hemlock tree they there concealed themselves! until the Senecas came up. They heard the Senecas acknowledge that they could not find their trail, and say they would turn back and go to Fort Et- ward, a post some fifteen miles south of the block house. The boys remained concealed in the treetops until the In- dians had been gone for Some time. Then they descended to They were exhausted by their long run, and knowing of the deserted cabin they resolved to go there and pass the night, and then make their way back to the block house in. ee morning. Arriving at the cabin they entered it, ang having secured the door by means of a stout oaken bar which they found at hand, they spread their blankets, lay down, upon them, and — with no further thought of danger from the “Senecas soon fell asleep. x But the erafty Indians had not really left the neighborhood, fhough they had gone southward a short distance. They rea- soned that the white boys had left the water where the flinty — rocks would conceal their trail, precisely as they had done. Halting in a thicket, two scouts were sent ont to make a stealthy detour beyond the rocky place in the hope that the lost trail might be found again where the sites became soft. Fem So it transpired that not long after the boys entered the de- serted cabin and fell asleep, one of the Seneca scouts found — their trail at the ‘edge a the clearing and followed it to the cabin. Then peering through a loophole in the wall, the redekin’ spy had seen the boys asleep inside. He tried the door silently, and having found it fastened, he crept noiselessly away, and rejoining his band, informed them of his discovery. ji All the war party then advanced with the greatest caution, on intending to take the boys by surprise or kill them while they slept. 7 ‘fhe cabin was provided with a stone chimney, going down ae It was now the purpose of the Indians,’ who climbed the tree, to gain the roof of the cabin and then drop down the» chimney. The father of the imperiled boys and the friendly Mohawk saw the four Senecas lower themselves from the limbs of the tree upon the cabin roof and go to the deka Then they ? divined the purpose of the savages. Meantime the Block House Boys slept on, unconscious of the ip awful danger that so nearly menaced them. — The moonlight, falling through a small window Bot large enough for an In- rough stone anépinas and the wheutned faces of the two boys. cae at once the legs, of a Seneca warrior appeared in t 1 ae upon the hearth. : “For a moment, he glared. at ; the as another wee came :
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THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. n raised for a terrible blow, he began to steal across the ‘in floor, straight toward the sleeping boys. d nearer crept the murderous savage who meant to slay em both. CHAPTER II. THE DEATH OF LEGRAND SHIRLEY. Meanwhile what measures had the father of the Block House ¥ Boys and the friendly Mohawk adopted looking to ths preser- vation of the lads? There was a clump of timber in the clearing not far from ‘the cabin, and some bushes grew close-to the rear wail of the structure. ; Shirley and the’ Mohawk instantly decided what to do. ‘The former made for the bushes against the rear cabin wall, while - Manatock gained the cover of the grove. None too soon did Shirley reach the bushes. He had just concealed himself therein, and raised his head and peered ‘through a loophole, when he saw the first Indian who had descended by the chimney stealing ubon his sleeping boys.:. Quick as thought Shirley aimed his gun through the loop- hole at the murderous redskin and pulled the trigger. There came a loud report, and with a terrible yell the savage fell with a bullet through his heart. The two boys sprang to their feet clutching their guns as the detonation of their father’s weapon awakened them. But - now the second Indian, who alighted on the hearth as the foremost one fell, darted at the lads. As he came on he hurled his hatchet at Bert, but the boy dodged the weapon and it was buried in the log wall behind him. " . Then Val’s gun exploded, and the second savage dropped at| that he had fied the country. Volmar Kilda received the in- his feet, shot through the brain. At the same moment a yol- | heritance and converting everything into money he came to ‘ley of shots was discharged from the grove at the Senecas on | America. the outside of the cabin. Those shots were fired by Manatock from his flint lock anda pair of the single-barreled pistols in use at that date. Byery shot the Mohawk fired dropped a Seneca. cabin, but five of the hostile war party remained alive. They evidently thought a considerable party of enemies His volley | with the Indians, and on that account he has been made a dropped three of them, and as two had been killed in the | colonel in the French army. Kilda has for years enjoyed the la bullet wound in his freades Manatock came and knelt beside pis wounded friend, and examined the wound. snd still the Block House Boys did not waken, while nearer The Indian shook his head sadly as he saw that the injury was a fatal one. Legrand Shirley knew that he had received his death wound. It needed not the look of heartfelt sorrow that came upon the face of the Indian to tell him there was no hope, “My dear sons,” said the dying pioneer, faintly, “I must leave you forever. I am sinking fast, but while I have stréngth I want to tell you something’ of the past.” «. The lads were in tears. They knew that the dread white shadow had fallen upon their beloved father. They could not speak for their emotion, but they listened while he continued: “My father married a second time while I was a youth. The stepmother he gave me was a French woman, and she had a son by a first husband, named Volmar Kilda, whom she brought with her to my home. Volmar and I were about of an age, but we never became friends. The fierce, cruel dispo- ‘sition of the half French half Russian lad repelled me. “His father was a Muscovite. My father disapproved of | my marriage and at that time made a will disinheriting me. But later on he Sent for me and told me he had revoked the — first will and’ made a second one in my favor. Whether he | did it or not no one knows, but I believe he did. But the first — will only was found at his death, in which Volmar Kilda was named sole heir, My father died a violent death. He was found dead in the woods on his own estate, where he had gone to hunt, and he had been shot through the head. Who killed | him was never positively proven, but as one Bart Blackwood, a gamekeeper, suddenly disappeared and was never heard Of again, it was generally concluded he was the guilty party, and His sympathies were with the French, and he es- ’ tablished himself in Quebee and built up a great fur trade with all the northern Indian tribes, establishing branches. at ‘ Crown Point, and in the far north. He gained great influence fortune that is rightfully mine, and but three days since I. received a mysterious communication assuring me that the) were at hand in the grove, and while the two who wére yet on| last will of my father is in existence and thaeI am the heir. Ali the cabin roof scrambled ‘into the tree the other three made for cover. Then Shirley quickly reloaded and brought down one of the Indians in the tree, while he shouted to the boys to come out. Meanwhile Manatock rushed from the grove, and shot the gec- ond’ Indian in the tree, while the boys unbarred the door and came outside of the cabin. Then all of the whites, led by the friendly Mohawk, started in pursuit of the three Senecas who had fied. But the chase was not long continued. Finding that the Senecas were leading them further and further from the block house, the whites and their Mohawk comrade turned back presently. - Mutual explanations were made, and they set out on the re- turn march for the American settlement, - But the adventures of the night were not over yet. As they were passing a thicket some miles to the southward two shots - were fired in quick succession from an ambush in the cover. _ Legrand Shirley reeled back and fell into his sons’ arms. They half dragged, half carried him beyond a tree. The Mo- hawk leaped to cover with a single bound and serit a bullet into the thicket. A “moment subsequently under the moon- light two redskins were seen making off, dodging from tree to tree. Manatock would have pursued them, but he saw that Shirley was severely wounded. The boys liad placed their father on the gro nd; and, while Bert suported nay : ot to stop the flow of blood om] eet The message was brought me by a strange Cherokee In- i a dian. It was written on birch bark and ran thus: rahe os “*Your father did make a will revoking tHe one that an ahs herited you. The last will made you the heir. I can produce that will. Seek to rescue me from the Cherokee Indians, to whom I was sold as a slave by Volmar Kilda, and I will give you your father’s last will. - Bart Blackwood.’ “You see, the author of the message was the missing ga keeper, who was suspected of killing my father. | “Now, my dear sons, before I breathe my last, I wish promise me to try to find my father’s last will, and also. to ob- tain the inheritance Kilda has so long unjustly held, if the ay will proves your right to it, as my direct heirs.’ ¥ ‘ in solemn Bioken voices: fru we plea as you desire. hid “Manatock, promise me, in the sight of Stig great Manto, oa . you will ever be a true friend to my dear boys.” The noble looking Indian drew himself erect, and rai one hand majestically he pointed Bt ae heavens, and s solernnly : ; “The Great Spirit hears the red teas oath. He sw will be a brother to the white boys. of the Block House. peers Shirley: ‘smiled contentedly, drew one joer
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« breath, and when that breath was spent, his eyes closed, and his spirit took its last long flight, as peacefully as though he had only fallen asleep. The Indian and his sons conveyed his remains to the block house. A simple funeral followed, and Legrand Shirley was interred in the settlement burying ground. The Block House Boys were orphans, but everyone was kind to them, and Colonel Hastings, the good commander of the block house, said the lads were now the children of the post. Nettie Hastings, the colonel’s pretty daughter, who had long been Bert Shirley’s girlish sweetheart, was very sorry for her boy lover in his affliction, and she consoled*him and his younger brother as best she could. But about two weeks after Legrand Shirley’s death, a French halfbreed, who called himself Henri Dupere, came to the block house under a white flag, followed by four hideous Seneca Indians. The French halfbreed lost no time in making known his business to the commander of the block house. He said he came as a messenger from Colonel Volmar Kilda to the sons of Legrand Shirley. Thereupon the commander of the block house called in Bert : and Val, and Dupere, the halfbreed, gave them a letter writ- ten to them by Volmar Kilda. We need not reproduce the letter. Suffice it to say that the substance of the communication was that having heard of the death of the boys’ father, though they had long been es- tranged, Kilda would like to benefit the orphaned lads. He went on to say that he would give them a goed home, provide them with the best private tutors, and give them a good edu- cation, and in fact, assure their future success in life, if they ~ ‘were worthy. If they accepted the offer, which he made in all good will, the Block House Boys were to go with Henri Dupere, Kilda’s trusted clerk, and the four “honest Indians” _ who accompanied him. They would act as an escort for the ae boys and guide them safely to the French fort at Crown Point, - where Kilda would meet them, and take them to his home in Quebec. aS ~ Colonel" Hastings advised the American boys to accept Kil- a's offer. He thought it best for them, much as he disliked to, part with tfiem. 1. The boys did not give Dupere an immediate answer. They 4 thought the matter over and discussed it. It seemed to them _ that the opportunity to obtain an education which both ar- - dently eraved should not be cast aside, and besides if they could be near Kilda the idea occurred to them that they might find out something more about the mystery of the will and _ the whereabouts of Burt Blackwood. Finally, after considerable reflection, the boys decided to accept Kilda’s offer and go with the halfbreed and the four _ Seneca Indians. At the time Measniadic was absent from the block house, and : 80 the boys did not have the benefit of his advice. Some days r previously General Abercrombie, of the American army, had gent word to Colonel Hastings to dispatch a trusty, friendly indian scout, to spy out the doings of the French and Indians _ at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and other posts on the lakes. sed ae » Manatock had. "bag selected ea this dangerous service, and to | Crown Point. The French | halfbreed seemed very ee he had Gheerved the four Seneca een closely while he Ness pleased.” Perhaps | Bert might have felt some uneasiness THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. —,. and their hands sought their scalping knives and hatchets in- voluntarily. The following morning, after taking a tender farewell of Nettie Hastings, Bert joined Val and they said good-by to all their friends, who wished them “God speed,” and then they set out, with Dupere and his Indians, to make the journey to Crown Point through the wilderness. 4 The boys carried their flint-lock guns, hunting knives, pow-— der horns, and bullet bags. They were clothed in ‘fridged buckskin hunting suits, and they wore Indian. moccasins and squirrel caps. : Altogether they looked very pioturesaus and handsome. — Dupere walked beside the boys and chatted pleasantly in broken English, until they were a_ long distance from the block house. The Indians went on ahead. aa When the party was half a day’s journey from the American settlement the boys fancied that Dupere’s good natured man-— ner must have been assumed. He became silent, and only replied gruffly and impatiently when the lads spoke to him. — The boys observed, too, that two of the four Indians now fell in the rear while the other two continued to march ahead. It occurred to Bert and Val that the Senecas séemed to be covetly watching them all the time. Vague misgivings be-- -| gan to assail the boys before the first day’s march wag ended. N, That evening at sunset they made a camp in a little valley, under a jutting ledge of rocks. A fire was kindled, venison — was broiled, and with this and bread all made a good meal. The boys fell asleep with their guns beside them when all the others of the party, save the Indian who was left on guard, seemed to slumber. But Bert awoke suddenly, though he knew not what had aroused him. In a moment he heard low voices, and caught the following conversation between Dupere and one of the Indians: “In the morning,” said the halfbreed, “I will make an ex- cuse to leave the white boys alone with you and the other braves. Then you must kill them both if you mean to keep |faith with Kilda, the great fur chief, and receive his gold.” “White boys shall diet Injun kill! Want Chief ee: gold,” replied the fierce Indian. Bert was amazed and terrified. Upon the instant he real- ized that he and his brother were the victims of a treacherous, murderous plot. Instinctively he felt for his gun. It was gone; so was his hunting knife, which was in his belt when he went to sleep. He saw, too, that Val was also disarmed. . The Indians had taken their weapons while they slept. “God have pity upon us! We are entirely at the mercy of the bloodthirsty savages, who have been bribed to kili us,” thought Bert, in despair. . ‘CHAPTER III. : THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS UNMASKED IN THE PRESENCE OF THEIR: DEADLY FOR. 5 Bert remained pentecely motionless and pretended to. be ; still sleeping soundly. iy The conversation between Dupere and the Indian ended ae they drew their blankets about them, and the lad soon bo cluded that they had fallen ‘asleep. y : He could discern the tall form of the Indian | pentine! sta ing beside the smoldering ‘ camp fire, and he ‘knew the Seneca was watchful. Bert saw, too, that the guns belonging brother and Rimeett were lying eater two of the a cautious ye | his ear, 8) ape
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Then, as Val listened in astonishment and terror, Bert quickly told him what he had overheard, and he added: : “We are in a terrible plight, and I see no way of escape un- less the Indian on guard should fall asleep. We can only watch him and wait, praying that the opportunity to steal away, which is our only hope, may come before the dawn.” Val assented, and then the two lads -remained silently watching the Indian guard, while the night wore on. But the Seneca did not sleep, and he always kept his face turned toward the boys. The first purple glow that heralded .the advent of the new day appeared on the Eastern horizon, and still the Indian guard remained at his post as wakeful and vigilant as when the night began. Very soon it would be broad daylight, and then the French halfbreed would leave the boys alone in the hands of the mur- derous savages to be put to death. Whey shuddered with dread, despite their efforts to be calm. Their position was such that as they glanced upward they could see the projecting edge of the ledge of rocks directly above their heads. Bert all at once felt a pebble dropped from the ledge above strike upon his shoulder. He looked up quickly and saw two objects attached to a buckskin thong ‘being lowered from the ledge by someone entirely hidden from sight among the stunted bushes that surrounded the rocks. Just as Bert made this last surprising discovery there came a rustling sound in the bushes on the opposite side of the camp, Which caused the Indian sentinel to turn and look in that. direction. ¢ When the Seneca again glanced toward the boys, he saw nothing unusual. But meantime, the objects attached to the buckskin thong had been swiftly lowered beside them, and ‘they ad secured and secreted them in the bushes, against which they lay. As soon as it was fairly daylight the camp was astir, and Dupere said: “Boys, I must now leave you for a time to visit an old French trapper, whose camp is not far distant, and with. whom I have important business. In the meantime, you will be safe with these honest Indians.” With this Dupere shouldered his gun and strode away. The boys had arisen and paced about a bit, to stretch their limbs. But they did not go many feet away from the bushes under the ledge, and all the time they watched the movements of ' the treacherous savages narrowly. Suddenly the four Senecas drew their tomahawks, and ad- vanced upon the boys threateningly. They sprang back be- side the bushes under the ledge. “What would the warriors do? Are they not friends?” de- manded Bert, as if he had no knowledge of their terrible purpose. : ’ “Injuns kill white boys! Take scalp! the foremost of the redskin assassins. “Stand back, you treacherous demons!” shouted’ Bert, and then, like a flash, he and Val snatched up ont of the bushes the objects that had been lowered to them from the ledge. . ~ These objects were two guns, and, of course, they supposed the boys had no weapons within reach. The redskins had left ' their own guns, and those taken from the boys, standing against a great tree on the other side of the camp fire, intend- ing to dispatch the boys with their hatchets. At once they started for their firearms. But the Block House Boys knew their lives depended upon prompt and decisive action, and they instantly discharged heir guns. “Two of the murderous Senecas fell dead under their. bullets. At almost the same moment a gun was dis- eh rged from the top of the ledge, and another ‘Seneca drop- e ear “Kil eagnccaii, But the bo voys' WEpe Rs were now rilaniige ‘Get gold!” replied THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. ' g! and they had no hunting knives. The remaining Seneca, who ~ was a giant savage, secured his gun, and aimed it at Bert. But just as he was about to press the trigger, a pistol shot was. fired from the ledge. The ball struck the fingers of the sav- age, and spoiled his aim. The bullet from his gun sang harm- lessly by Bert’s head, and with a yell of rage and pain the huge Seneca dashed into an adjacent thicket, and fled at nee speed... Then with a tremendous leap Manatock, the white lad’s Mohawk friend, bounded from the ledge, and alighted beside the Block House Boys. the He it was who had lowered the guns to them, and he quick- ly explained: Si “Manatock on way to Crown Point. Meet big band French and Senecas, turn back. Then strike trail of white boys and Senecas, know tracks of white boys, follow trail, come to camp, hear halfbreed and Senecas talk, see them steal boys’ guns and knives. Then go on ledge to try save white boys. Manatock great warrior. Ugh!” While he was speaking, he began to scalp the dead Senecas. — The boys expressed their gratitude, and told how they came — to be with the Senecas. “Ugh!” exclaimed Manatock, “me no let white pave go to. : Kilda, the French fur chief, if had been at fort. Kilda snake. Now we go quick to cave of old Seneca medicine woman, who friend of Manatock, who once save her life. Wood full of Sen-’ ecas and French on warpath. We make Senecas of ourselves, so fool bad Injuns and git back to block house.” The friendly Mohawk signaled the boys to follow him and set out for the cave he had mentioned at once. * ; Keeping close behind him the boys hastened from the camp € ; where they had been in such great peril. ae They had gone for some distance when they discovered three Senecas, neither of whom, however, was the one who had fled from the camp under the ledge, following them, and presentl a running fight commenced, during which Manatock: and the — white boys, one after another, succeeded in shooting down a ‘ three of the Senecas. The last one was shot very near the cave of the old medicine woman. As Manatock stood over this the last of the thick foes who f had just been upon their trail, he said: i “Ugh! Manatock do good job; This no Tnjun. This ° Read Wolf. See blood, where bullet go through head at templ Red Wolf kill no more white women and children.” To all outward seeming» the dead man was a hideous ‘Sen warrior. The Block House Boys were astonished when the heard Manatock say he was no Indian. They always hear¢ that Red Wolf was the most blood-thirsty of the Seneca chief: “What do you mean, Manatock? Surely Red Wolf is not a white man?” said Bert. “Ugh! Manatock think yes. He believes Red Wolf wl man. But worse than bad Injun—a renegade, But. har hear footsteps. Come quick to cave,” replied Manatoc Then he and the boys went swiftly on, and s : eave in a range of hills, whose entrance was so 7 that one unacquainted with the secret of its location not have cance found it. An old Seneca squaw, ¢ 3 2 % na ot two boys’ costumes, which belonged to her broth and young sons about the ages of the ‘Block House Boys, were now absent on the warpath. Manatock and the white boys quickly disguised themsel as Senecas. The Mohawk painted the lads’ faces, a he finally said they were ready to go the Block Hi Side the cave. Red Wolf, the seeming redskin, whom “Mana was seeming] a splendid looking § eneca wal ‘But meantit me a ieee occurrence as ed out:
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> and Senecas. 6 the cave. Red Wolf. the seeming redskin, whom Manatock and the boys had left for dead, arose to his feet. The bullet that Seemed to have crashed through his brain had only Brazed his skull, rendering him unconscious. He quickly took the trail of the Mohawk and the boys again, and gaining the mouth of the cave he peered within and saw Manatock and the white boys disguising themselves. Then silently as a shadow, and with a look of savage satis- faction upon his painted face, he glided away. Presently Manatock and the two Block House Boys emerged from the cave and took their way southward. An hour or so later they came suddenly upon a band of a score of French and Indian scouts. They were discovered be- fore they could retreat, and so, relying on their disguises, they held their ground. The French and Indians surrounded them. Manatock did the talking, and in answer to’ the questions of the French leader claimed that he and his comrades belonged to the southern branch of the Seneca tribe, that they had re- cently come from the neighborhood of the American settle- ments on Lake George, and that they meant to join the French against the English. The enemy seemed completely deceived, and the French of- ficer. invited Manatock and the boys to accompany him to Crown Point, saying that the French commander would like to question them about the condition of the American forts on Lake George. Manatock could not do otherwise than consent, and so he and the white boys marched away with the French No: opportunity to desert them came on the march to the French post, and at the end of the journey they found themselves at Crown’ Point. Then they were conducted to a large cabin near the. fort, in which the commander of the post had his headquarters... Entering the cabin behind the French officer who had brought them. tothe post, they saw a stern, dark-faced man i» French’ uniform seated at a camp table. i : 4 The French officer saluted the man at the table, and indi- eating Manatock and the boys, said: ? a ets, “Colonel Kilda, these Senecas are from the south. ‘you would like to question them.” “Ah, so I would, so I would,” replied the other, in a harsh voice. The Block House Boys knew then that they were face to face with the man who had migenEed their father and plotted -_ their own doom: I thought _~ Golonel Kilda questioned Masatock at.some length, and the f Bi _*erafty Mohawk’s replies were satisfactory, and tended to Sorry out hig. deception. But ail at once an Indian hastily entered the cabin, and ” Manatock. and the two boys at once recognized his as the one eneca of Dupere’s band who had escaped them. ' “Ha! So you have returned, Kanawah? Have you and your comrades earned my gold?” exclaimed Colonel Kilda, ad- dressing the Seneca, “Yes, Injuns killed white boys! ‘Um dead in great woods! Here sealps!” replied the redskin, showing two white persons’ fresh scalps in his belt. “Now Injun come for the gold,” He dded. “Manatock and the boys had stepped back against the side ‘wall, and the Seneca stood before Kilda in front of the table. Mou. shall have the gold, chief,” replied the arch villain, and _ taking a bag of money from his pocket he proceeded to count ut a quantity of sold pieces upon the table, “There is the amount,” added Kilda, placing the last coin on the table, while the white boys looked at their foe and the ‘blood money, almost breathless with excitement. : “he Seneca was about to reach for the gold when, all at mee, Red Wolf, the pareletey whom Manatock and its boys ‘way from the lodge. THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. rt nner had left for dead, burst into the cabin, and hurling the Seneca aside, he shouted: “Do not pay that Indian the gold!” “Why?” demanded Kilda, starting to his feet. “Because he has not earned it. The white boys live and there they stand!” thundered Red Wolf, pointing at the shrinking forms of the Block House Boys. CHAPTER IV. A THRILIANG ESCAPE. “Yes, the white boys live, and there they stand,” repeated Red Wolf, fiercely. It was a moment of the most intense and thrilling peril for the Block House Boys. There they were, in the midst of the camp of the French and Indians, and in the very presence of the man who sought their lives. : Kilda sprang to hfs feet, as the startling revelation of the disguised lads’ identity fell from the lips of Red Wolf. Kenewah, the lying redskin who falsely claimed the blood money which Kilda had agreed: to pay for Hie killing ofthe boys, wheeled toward them. The climax of the startling drama was reached. The most desperate crisis had overtaken the white lads and Manatock, their devoted Mohawk friend. One single shout, uttered by either of the three enemies of the boys and their red ally, would suffice to heed a throng of foes upon the scene. The friendly Indian acted with unsurpassed quickness, for he knew what must be done was to be accomplished instantly, if at all. Quick as thought Manatock’s uplifted tomahawk cleft the air as Kenewah wheeled toward the boys, and the weapon crashed ‘through the skull of the treacherous Seneca. ~ With a single outcry the stricken savage fell at the feet of the white lads. Then the Mohawk’s hatchet whizzed through space as he hurled it at Red Wolf. The latter dodged, but his movement did not enable him to entirely evade the weapon. It struck him with the flat of the blade on the gide of the head and he went down, stricken senseless, but not seriously injured. — Bert Shirley, meanwhile, nobly seconded the efforts of his Mohawk friend. _Just as Volmar Kilda recovered his presence of mind to some degree, and was about to shout for assistance, Bert lev- eled his gun at him and cried sternly: “Not a word! Not a sound, or you-aré a dead man!” Volmar Kilda turned white in hig alarm and rage, but he knew that the youth who menaced him was in deadly saves and he dared not utter an alarm. One glance at the Seneca he had first struck down with his tomahawk told Man&tock that the painted assassin was stone ; dead. oh “Ugh! One Senecu gone! Other Fieey. some time. Injun bind and gag wee man. Then boys go. Wah!” said Mana- : tock. 3 “Make haste! Make haste! come!” cried Bert. “Ugh!” grunted Manatock. “Injun be heap quick.” Then he forced Kilda down, and producing some stout thongs of buckskin which he chanced to have with him, sh bound Kilda and also gagged him, using a knotted handker : chief belonging to one of the boys. — ; j As goon as Kilda was properly secured abe Mohawk 1 At any moment someone may te . They sauntered carelessly along, fearing to move with spee lest the suspicions of the Indians and Frenchmen who- W moving about all through the settlement might gle. Ai? Ane boat ribs Beey eee: peepethion now: meant, death fc :
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THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. . et ss Sa them, and they shuddered as they thought that someone migh “Yes,” rejoined Val. “Oh, it would be terrible indeed if the & enter Kilda’s lodge and discover what they had done before| block house was captured through the treachery of Nate Bed- ~ they could reach the forest. ger. Then Nettie Hastings would fall into Badger’s power.” Bert and Val frequently glaneed backward in the direetion Bert shuddered as he said: Bie ae of the lodge which they had just left. The Mohawk, too, kept} “Heaven keep dear Nettie from such a terrible fate.” ~ F glancing that way. “Ugh! Some day Manatock take um Nate Badger’s scalp, “If anyone goes into Kilda’s quarters before we are elear| uttered the Mohawk fiercely. of the settlement, we must run for the woods,” said Bert. While this exchange of Temarks occurred they were pro-~ “White boy say right,” replied the Mohawk.. ceeding rapidly. ‘ They kept on, and at last they were clear of the village, and They all felt that Nate 1 r would use a his cunning — still they had not seen anyone enter Kilda’s lodge. against them and their friends, and it was little wonder that — The boys began to breathe easier, as the prospects of escape | their apprehensions were intense, for Badger was a, vindictive — became more assured, and presently they were at the edge of | scoundrel, who had been driven in disgrace from the settle- the great forest that lay between Crown Point and the Ameri-| ment of the Americans by Colonel Hastings’ command. can settlement of William Henry. Badger has been a thief, and he had dared attempt the ab- Mntering the woods, they darted forward in a southerly | duction of Nettie Hastings. f The Block House Boys were well aware that Nate Badget had sworn vengeance upon Colonel Hastings and all the — American settlers, and they knew, too, that he had vowed to — yet carry off Nettie, declaring she should become his wife. ; Swiftly and silently, while Manatock led the way, ever alert and watchful, the boys pressed onward, and meanwhile; de- — termined pursuers, who possessed all the skill of bloodhounds — in following a track, were on their trail, - y Some time after the fugitives left the settlement of Gia Point a French officer discovered the situation in Colonel Kil- . da’s lodge. He was promptly released, and Red Wolf re- — stored to consciousness. Kilda’s rage may be imagined when he foyind that the white y boys and their Indian comrade were already out of the set- tlement. But he swore they should be féehpdirea, and selecting a! score of Indians noted as runners in their tribe, he. placed | Red Wolf in command of them, and sent them after the Block House Boys. Je Kilda gave the bloodthirsty Red Wolf the following * instructions: ¢ course at full speed. But, all at once, the Mohawk, who was in the lead, held up his hand warningly as he halted, and-then sank noiselessly_ upon the earth. The boys instantly paused, and they saw Manatock place his ear to the ground and listen for a brief space. “Two white men come,” announced the Indian. “Manatock hear them. He know um white man, ’catse make too much noise for Injun.” The astute and cunning Mohawk led the boys into a thicket, and they had scarcely concealed themselves when two white men, in the uniforms of French officers, came in view, ad- vancing in the direction of the settlement from which our fugitives had just fled. : The two French officers were conversing earnestly, and the ‘concealed Block House Boys and their Indian comrade over~ “heard all they said. One of the Frenchmen had got a pebble in his shoe, and while he seated himself on a log, near the thicket in- which the listeners were concealed, to remove the annoyance, he and his companion continued to talk. “Yes, our forces are promptly assembled at Crown Point,” said one of the Frenchmen. “There is some decisive movement against the Amerioans on foot, then,” replied the other. “Yes, I am in Colonel Kilda’s confidence, and I do not mind telling you that he is only waiting now for the arrival of our General Montcalm before marching south. > “What is the objective pjan—what American settlement is to be attacked?” “William Henry. Kilda means to capture the block house there and so open the southern portion of Lake George to the French.” “A surprise is “intended?” “Tes, Consequently the secrecy which has been observed |. as to the destination of the exposition now ihceetaang at Crown Point.” |to another. Manatock sprang beliind a tree. T : “Do you think the campaign will be endcaeugent® the same. But they immediately discovered that they wer “Yes. There is an excellent plot on foot to betray the block} surrounded by Senecas. ~ house at William Henry into our hands.” d ; : ; “Indeed! How is that?” = vie Ee “ : ' CHAPTER Vv... -*° “Nate Badger, the English rausenaas means to open the DOOMED TO THE STARE. _ block house doors for us at the proper time.” — - At this point in their conversation the we — officers disguises of Seneca Indians, in which they” had appeared "moved on. fore Colonel Kilda at Crown Point. . Ags soon as they were out of sight the white lads and the} Though the movements of the Senecas, who had steal thil ; radi emerged from their concealment. ° ; surrounded them, seemed to indicate that the savages hi ie _ They were greatly agitated and alarmed by the disclosures} some reason hesitated about receiving them for what _ the Frenchmen had unwittingly made to them. § ; seemed, still, as this band was not from Crown Point “Good heavens!” Spat aie Bert. “This: is rss important had not been Lege cagheges the send plan t ; to track them to the very doors and bring them back te: me. This time I will trust no one save myself to dispose of the young rascals. When you have taken them, if you can. trust your warriors to conduct them here, you had better press on — to William Henry to carry out the dangerous sae ~~ have undertaken.” i Red Wolf and his braves at once set an in pursuit, of the Block House Boys. They found the boys’ trail and the red- skin runners darted on and on, never once at fault. — And later the fugitives met with an adventure that retai their flight. Suddenly Manatock heard a twig snap, as he was lead ng a
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8 THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. e “Ugh!” whispered Manatock; “we fool Senecas, make ‘um think we of their tribe in the south.” Then he held up his hands in token of friendship, and boldly stepped from behind the tree, saying in the Seneca tongue: “How, brothers, how?” The white boys imitated Manatock. ' The Senecas thronged from the trees that sheltered them and greeted Manatock and the lads in a most friendly way. 4 “Whence come our brothers?” @rea the chief of the hostile band. “rom the south,” replied Manatock. “So Big Thunder said to his braves.” “And why did our brothers steal upon us as though we were enemies?” asked Manatock. y “Because you were strangers, and we have heard that some of the southern Senecas are friendly to the Americans,” an- _ Swered Big Thunder. “That is true. But we are on the side of the French, men. ‘We come now from Crown Point.’ We go to carry a message to the southern Senecas from the great French father, Mont- ~ calm.” : “Then you shall go on your way in peace.” “That is well, brother, for our mission bids us make haste.” “The forest is free to you.” *Come then, my sons, and I will go,” said Manatock. Then waving his hand to the hostiles in the Seneca signal _ of friendship, he calmly led the boys onward again. 7 - The ordeal had been a trying one for the lads. “They could but admire the stoical calmness and cunning hi which Manatock had manifested during the interview with “Big Thunder, however. are whites, for their tracks show their ‘toes turn out!” yelled. Big Thunder. The succeeding moment the hostile Seneeas closed in upon Manatock and the Block House Boys, uttering fierce ee and brandishing their weapons. ‘The boys were quickly overpowered. But the Mohawk proved himself a forest hero of the grand- est type. With one terrific blow from the butt of his gun he knocked down Big Thunder. ‘ Then uttering the wild, thrilling yell of the Mohawks, he shot down another Seneca, and with his tomahawk in one hand and his long, keen-bladed scalping knife in the other, he rushed at the wall of red foemen that hemmed him in. Manatock’s onset was resistless. One blow from his terrible tomahawk split the skull of a huge warrior who came in his way to the chin. Another of the Senecas went down under a blow from the Mohawk’s knife thatesplit his heart in twain. And then Manatock was out of the circle of death that his foes had drawn-about him. The Indian paused not an instant then, but he bounded away like the wind. The Senecas, to the number of a dozen, darted after Mana- tock, while those who remained behind, having disarmed the boys, tore off:their Indian head-dresses and removed the paint from their faces. Then, when the white boys stood unmasked, the savages danced and howled about them exultantly. Some of the red demons were in favor of slaying the. boys ‘on the spot. But Big Thunder said: “The white boys shall be burnt at the stake. The Ameri- ~ But they had not proceeded far when the entire band of] cans shot the chief’s son last ier big, in the battle on the lake. ~~ " Senecas they had just left came rushing after them. ~ “Ugh, what now?” said Manatock, looking troubled. e boys shuddered with the fear that they were about. to : ed Biot But they could not for their lives divine how a yp piscarer,. looking to such a result, could have been made ~ since. _they parted with the hostiles. t ich “Something wrong,” said Manatock, grasping his gun firmly as he saw the expression upon the fierce,’ hideously painted an of the Senecas as they surged toward him and the boys. : In a moment the brave Mohawk and the boys were sur- / Founded by the hostiles. The band numbered thirty odd, and in’ ‘any event Manatock knew that resistance was now out of @ question as far as saving the boys went. i id “The warrior has spoken with a erooked tongue!” cried Big Thunder, as he confronted Manatock in the centre of the cir- ‘cle his warriors had formed about the Mohawk and the boys. _ “No; my brother is wrong. Pawhattan speaks with a traight tongue,” replied Manatock, stoutly. A feeling of intense alarm had, naturally, enough, now ‘Seized upon the lads. They saw the glances of the blood- shirsty Savages fixed upon them in a menacing manner, and ley were almost sure they were found out. lt Was a period of suspense calculated to try the nerves and est the courage of the bravest, while Big Thunder ccntinued: “And does the warrior say the young braves are his sons?” The gavage chief pointed at Bert and Val with his mur- erous looking” ‘scalping knife as he spoke. “Yes,” replied Manatock, calmly and promptly. \“Ha! The warrior is a snake and a Nar, ” cried Big Thun- er. Winkces brow grew dark, and the veins ig his nba). and ck swelled. ‘“Pawhattan: ‘would make ‘Big Thunder eat/ his words it he ‘not his braves to protect him,” hissed the Mohawk. ee, Look at the trail of the Jads. Ha! l the truch, ‘The, ie of in redmen turn in. Those a The footprints | Big Thunder will have his revenge.” F Then the boys were bound to separate trees and the sayv- ages collected dry brush and heaped it about them.. — When all was ready for the fire of death Big Thunder struck a flint, a spark fell among the dry punk he had prepared be- | side the brush heap that surrounded Bert, and in a moment the flames broke out. Then the fuel that had been placed about Val was fired in the same manner. The boys gave up all hope. “Farewell, Val, and may God have mercy on us both!” said Bert as the smoke and flame began to envelop him. “Good-by, brother; good-by!” responded Val falteringly. As the flames arose higher and higher the savages danced’ around the fire of death brandishing their weapons and yell- ing like demons, ; The warriors who had gone in pursuit of Manatock returned and reported that they could not find him, that he had covered his trail at some distance. Age But at that very moment the Poulte boys’ noble, Mohawk — ally was near. He had doubled on his pursuers, after blinding his trail by climbing a tree, and then swinging himself from ey limb to limb along a line of forest THONSY CH, bk is a ; y ‘pranches almost interlaced. Crouching in an adjacent thicket Manatock watched the ter- ; rible scene of the doom of the Black ‘House Boys. . : The Mohawk’s heart was almost bursting with grief and impotent fury at the sight, and the thought that he cout not save the lads he loved so well. “The great Manito knows the Mohawk’s will is good fx seep his pledge to white boys’, father and protect them. But Injun can’t do it. Seneca dogs too sant ” said the brome Indian, mentally. ice bk 5 And Gea SS he red flames about the two. white Ik
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THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. The boys began to suffer. The heat scorched their faces and the smoke half stifled them. In a moment the flames would reach their limbs. Still they made no outcry, nor did they plead for mercy, well knowing any such appeal would only be derided. ‘ Manatock put his hands to his eyes. He did not want to witness the awful torture and horrible death of the boys which it seemed must soon come. But all at once a chorus of yells rang out from the north- ward, and through the woods, coming from the direction of Crown Point, Manatock saw a considerable band of Senecas. The on-rushing band quickly reached the war party who had doomed the Block House Boys. CHAPTER VI. A WHITE MAN UNDER WAR PAINT AND FEATHERS. The new arrivals were Red Wolf and the Seneca runners sent by Colonel Kilda to capture and return the Block House Boys to Crewn Point. “Those white lads escaped from the great fur chief, Kilda. He wants them back alive!” shouted Red Wolf. He knew Big Thunder was a faithful adherent of Kilda and the French. As he spoke Red Wolf rushed to the brush heap about Val and began kicking it away. “If the great chief, who gives the warriors powder and fire- water, sends for the boy captives, he must have them,” as- sented Big Thunder. Then he threw the brush that was burning about Bert away, employing a pole for the purpose. After that the flames were quickly extinguished. Manatock in the thicket looked the picture of joy. He re- joiced deeply, and his simple, untutored mind was inclined to regard that timely arrival of Red Wolf and-his band as an interposition of the Great Spirit in the white boys’ behalf. Almost fainting from the nervous reaction upon being snatched at the last moment from what had seemed certain doom, the two white lads were released from the igees to which they had been bound. The boys were not freed from their bonds, however; their hands were yet secured behind their backs, and the redskins surrounded them and watched them closely. Red Wolf's party very soon set out to conduct the lads back to Crown Point. They were marched along between their cap- tors, half of whom went ahead of them, while the others followed. Night came on and Red Wolf’s party went into camp in an open glade in the woods. Four warriors, noted as hunters, were sent out after game. The rest of the band remained in the camp to guard the white boys. Presently Red Wolf approached gq tall sub-chief of the band who stood near the white boy captives, and said: “J must leave you now to go to the block house at William - Henry. the fur chief.” “Tal] Deer will do all his white brother asks,” desponnee | the Indian. “Have you forgotten that I want to keep it a secret that I am a white man? Never call mé your white brother again. To you and all men I am for the present an Indian,” replied Red Wolf, dropping his voice and speaking firmly. _ At the same time he glanced in the direction of the boy cap- tives, to see if they had overheard. But they were not looking that way, and ‘seemed to be ; hi wrapped up in themselves—conversing earnestly. apa moment later Red ie ie the camp. I trust you, Tall Deer, to take the boys in csiond to tock had indicated. There, concealed behind the stump,” vt found a loaded gun. Bert snatched up the weapon, leveled it arsu “Manatock was right in his ‘suspicions. By his own con- fession Red Wolf is a white man,” said Val. “Yes, but who is he? Oh, Val, I’ve a terrible suspicion. I believe that disguised renegade is none other than Nate Badger.” ; “Ah, I almost know you are right. Just now his yoice sounded differently to me than it ever did before. He spoke in his natural tones now, I presume, and they were familiar. Yes, his voice was like that of the desperate villain, Nate ? Badger,” Val said excitedly. a The boys conversed farther about hie startling discover they believed they had made. A Some time elapsed. But scarcely an hour had gone by han ye a Frenchman, clad in half Indian costume, and carrying a small keg strapped on his back, came into camp. The Indians | greeted him with eries of delight, exclaiming: “Le Pere; the fire-water trader!” Rs! The Frenchman was well known and liked by the Tndiaitie= ‘ and he was soon dealing out whisky from his keg Jjn a tin cup to the redskins, receiving in payment French gold, which but a week before the crafty Montcalm had caused to be. dis- tributed among the Senecas. é Very soon the entire band of savages, including Tall Deer, — who was now in command, were deeply intoxicated. They — yelled and danced and finally all hands began to shout for the = blood of the white captives. : In their drunken madness they were reckless: of the orders of Kilda, and Tall Deer was as mad and athirst for blood. aee57 his braves. Le Pere tried to prevent it, but the drunken savages seized upon the white boys, and dragged them to a fallen tree, upon ‘which they bound them, declaring that they meant to es them alive. : Only one hope animated the boys now. oe They hoped the four Indians who had been sent out as nunters, and were therefore sober, would return in time Rates, save them. ‘ It seemed that this hope was to be realized. The boys had just been bound to the tree, when the four ‘hunters: returned ba the camp, laden with game. sy The Indians who had partaken of the whisky were ‘vesting and staggering about, none of them scarcely able to stand, as they gathered dry wood for a fire with which to pee th : captives. al “Ha!” cried one of the Indian hunters, “the ‘white ‘man's. fire-water has stolen away the brains of our brothers. They have forgotten that the great fur chief, Kilda, said we must bring the white boys to him alive this time.” eh The speaker and the three other ‘sober Indians rushed ¢ Ost: the log and cut the boys loose. Then they began to expostu- j late with Tall Deer and the drunken warriors who now thronged forward threateningly, and insisted upon the “death of the boys. Meantime the sober Indian who had first spol e in the boys’ behalf whispered in their ears: x iat “Run for the great stump yonder! Manatock will Bs after you.” ries “The boys were astonished, but their hearts leaped for jo as they understood that one of the yeturned hunters | was really the Mohawk. Instantly the boys bounded away. nf ag The drunken Indians could not pursue them. But the other three Senecas, including the disguised Mo hawk, rushed after the boys. “They reached the stump M over the stump, and sshot down the foremost of his. At the same instant Manatock ‘shot down another. ‘Then he uttered oe war es of oe ne and dr ae i
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10 The latter had left his gun in camp. Manatock discarded his gun. In a second the two deadly forest foemen came together, “armed only with knife and hatchet. Then an awful bloody duel ensued between the two Indians, bat finally Manatock drove his knife through the heart of his antagonist. Then, with his blood-stained knife, he scalped the Seneca and waving the reeking trophy above his head and mad with the Indian fury which seems to seize them when they have tasted blood, he darted away, calling out to the boys: _ “Follow Manatock, the Mohawk, and him save you!” — “The boys sprang after the Indian, Val securing a Se2eca’s gun, They ran swiftly southward. ‘ _ Presently Manatock calmed down and explained to the boys _ that he had followed Red Wolf's band, and when the hunters _ left camp tracked them until they separated. | ~~ “Then Manatock steal on one hunter and send knife through : him back! Then Mohawk put on his war-dress and join other ‘Senecas. They are children! 80 they did not know him. Manatock put the gun behind the » stump. It belonged to the dead Seneca hunter,” concluded the ~ Mohawk. The boys hoped their perils in getting back to the block house were now all past. They thought they could obtain so great a start that when the drunken Senecas sobered up it would be impossible for them ito overtake them. But fate was against them. es Some hours later the Mohawk announced that they were _ pursued. We said, too, that it could not be by Tall Deer’s warriors. The boys and the Mohawk now ran at full speed. ' But the pursuers gained. - Finally the boys could no longer keep pace with the tireless Mohawk. He slackened his speed, and a moment, later, through the trees, he saw a large band of hostiles on his trail, and pres- _ ently he knew it was Big Thunder's party. A few moments _ later the fugitives burst into a clearing. In the centre of the _ “open” was a partially built log cabin. The logs were laid up - about four feet high on all sides. ~The enemy was very close now, and their savage yells rang in the ‘fugitives’ ears. They reached the log pen and leaped nto ‘it. “Here we fight till die!” gritted the Mohawk. Then he and the boys leveled their guns over the logs, behind which they were crouched, and fired at the enemy. three Senecas were hit. They leaped into the air and fell uttering their wild death yells. Then from all sides, yelling, eaping, brandishing their weapons, charged the redskins like rage of demons. fs ’ CHAPTER VIL. ; A MAN WITH A SECRET. 3 ae ‘the phiack house, some little time subsequently to the departure of the two boys with Volmar Kilda’s messengers, ‘there was some excitement. CK sentinel who was at his post on the parapet of the log ortress discovered a strange looking man prowling along the edge of the woods in the distance. ‘Suspecting the man might be a spy in the service of the ench, sent to inspect the log fort and the American settle- mn around it, the sentinel gave the aldrm. mee THE BLOCK HOUSE The Mohawk blinded their eyes | BOYS. 4) Colonel Hastings then revoked the order to the two scouts and the stranger was permitted to advance unmolested. : Every loophole of the stockade was crowded with eager watchers observing the stranger as he approached, and he was soon seen to be a startling looking being. - He was clad from head to foot in buckskin garments of Indian make and heavily armed. He moved like a man in the full vigor of the prime of life. and yet his hair, which fell in heavy masses upon his broad shoulders, was as white as the driven snow. His face was one terrible mass of bluish scars—evidently powder marks—which with his white hair gave him a remarkable and frightful appearance. Arriving at the door of the block house the stranger said: “I come in peace. I am a friend, and I seek one Legrand Shirley.” : “Admit the stranger,” commanded Colonel Hastings, and in obedience to his order the door of the stockade was promptly thrown open. The stranger entered, and while he became the centre of all” glances Colonel Hastings met him within the door. “Who are- you and why do you seek Legrand Shirley?” demanded ‘the commander of the fortress. ; The dialect of the stranger had already proclaimed to all within the sound of his voice that he was not a Frenchman, and Colonel Hastings was inclined to think his profession or friendship might be made jn good faith. ; “T am one who is well known to Legrand Shirley. Let him come forward and he will vouch for it that I have no love for. the French. When I have conversed privately with Shirley my name and business may perhaps be made known. First, | however, I must see Legrand Shirley alone,” replied the | stranger. Colonel Hastings was not a little surprised and mystiied Dra this rejoinder on the part of the unknown. But his manner conveyed an assurance of sincerity, and: the commander re- — [ plied: } “Legrand Shirley is dead. He was recently slain by the hostile Indians!” “Legrand Shirley killed by the Indians! ‘Then by heavens © I knot who instigated his murder!” exclaimed the stranger, exhibiting intense agitation. i And he added: Reiee 4 “Have I come too late? But stay. 1 think ‘Legrand | Shirley had two sons. Oh, do not tell me they -have shared their father’s fate.” a “No,” answered Colonel Hastings, quickly. living.” “Then I must see them instead of their father!” “That is impossible, Sire” “How is that? Are the boys not: here?” “No. They left the block house but a short time since. ie “Where have they gone?” demanded the stranger, with in- creasing agitation. ' “To their father’s brother by marriage. for the boys, offering them a good home, and they went, with his Indian messengers! ”, “The boys are the stranger. 2 ; “What mean you?” cried Colonel Hastings catching the in fection of agitation so marked in the manner of the other, of “Let me speak with you privately,” said the stranger meat ingly. Colonel Hastings hastened to lead him into. his’ private” quarters, and when they were alone the dies: thrilling tones: ; “T hold a secret of the past. swhich T came to ‘reveal Sea Shirley. a Secret enab Volmar Kilda sent -“My God, the boys have gone to their death!” Beeeten :
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. my secret only to them. Give me all the information you ean as to the party with whom the boys left the block house, and regarding their destination.” “One Frenchman named Henri Dupere, with a small party of Senecas, conducted the lads away. They said Kilda would meet them at Crown Point,” replied Colonel Hastings. “Then I must away. Tl save the boys if I can, and reveal _ to them the great secret, the possession of which has cost me very dear,” cried the stranger. Then grasping his gun he rushed from the presence of the commander. “Let him go!” shouted Colonel: Hastings to the guard at the gate of the stockade, for he felt that the lives of the boys now depended upon the stranger. : The latter darted out of the blockhouse without another word and dashed away to the forest. Entering the wilderness he took a course directly for the French post, which he now supposed to be the destination of the sons of Legrand Shirley. Traveling swiftly, dodging with rare skill several bands of of hostile savages whom he encountered, but meeting with sev- eral escapes on the way, the stranger at last arrived in sight of Crown Point. The boys had already fied from the post with their Mohawk friend, as narrated in the preceding chapters. Indeed, they had been gone from Crown. Point now for some time. Halting at the edge of the clearing in which Crown Point settlement and fort was situated, the stranger suddenly be came aware that four men were approaching. He immediately concealed himself behind a log, and pres- ently the four men he had discovered became seated on the. very log behind which he lay hidden in the dense bushes. The four men were Frenchmen, and they were conversing about ‘the escape of the Block House Boys, whom Kilda had now pro- claimed to be spies sent by the Americans. From the conversation of the four men the stranger quickly learned that the boys he sought were now fugitives in the forest pursued by savages. He crept away undiscovered and at once set out to seek for the trail of the Block House Boys and the Mohawk. In his search for the trail of the white lads and their In- dian friend, the stranger displayed the greatest skill and acumen as a, woodsman. , His knowledge in this branch of frontier craft served him well, and he finally found the boys’ trail, locating it near where they had entered the forest, at a point where the soft earth had taken an impression of their moccasins. The small size of the imprints made the stranger decide that he had made no error. - But since the flight of the Block House Boys, Colonel Kilda, to give the villain the title the French had bestowed, had caused a line of Indian sentinels to be formed about the set- tlement and camp, and he had issued orders to the guards to allow no one to pass unless they had the password which he had promulgated. : All at once the stranger coming ar ound the corner i a con- siderable thicket found himself face to face with a tall Seneca |. warrior. The Indian was one of Kilda’s sentinels standing _ guard. The Seneca raised his gun, but at the same momen the stranger hurled his hatchet at the redskin. The weapon] struck the stock of the gun, and it fell from the Seneca’s hold » without being discharged. ; of The succeeding moment the stranger and the Indian sen- tinel were engaged in a terrible struggle, for the former did 10 dare discharge his gun at’ his foe, lest, the pes of the THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. ¢ gladiators, thrilling, terrible. Each tried to be the first to ~ draw a knife, as they struggled desperately. For a brief space the issue of the combat remained in doubt. But at last the strange white man succeeded in drawing his knife, and almost immediately he drove it to the hilt in the heart of the savage. But at precisely the moment that the white man obtained possession of his knife, the Indian also _ snatched his own weapon from his girdle, and gave the other — a slashing blow on the shoulder which caused the blood to stream down his left arm. The single blow of the white man’s, & knife had slain the Indian, and the stranger gained his feet, oe but only to reel and fall beside his dead foe in a faint caused by loss of blood and over-exertion. At that moment Volmar Kilda and Henri Dupere were ap- proaching. Presently they discovered the dead Indian and the — white man. They thought they detected signs of life in the ‘white man. a Kilda and his companion were astonished at the sight of the cs stranger. The former tore open the white man’s shirt to feel if his heart yet beat. On his breast Kilda beheld a blood-r star. The arch villain started back with a cry of alarm, hiee he exclaimed: “That man is Bart Blackwood—he whom I sola to the chero- % kees!” ; “Mon Dieu! If he reoovers so communicate with the sons ae. es Legrand Shirley, the Block House Boys, you are i aeile Volmar Kilda drew his hunting-knife. But at the same instant the seemingly insensible een” gained his feet with a bound. **Duped! Deceived! He lives!” cried Dupere. Volmar Kilda uttered a fierce cry and sprang at the “se face.” But the latter felled him with a blow from the stock of his gun, which he suddenly caught up. Dupere brought. - gun to his shoulder. Before he could fire, however, the stranger darted behind tree, and then fled through a thicket. As he went he shouted: “Justice shall yet be done! Beware of my vengeance, Vol: mar Kilda!” a CHAPTER VIII. THE CHASE ON LAKE GEORGE. but brief, Again the Senecas came on, yelling meee renewed wee weapon once mole The Mohawk singled out the foremi the Senecas, and dropped the red demon in his tracks was in the act of rea ied a shot! at the log breastwo quickness, and then fired avait : : The Senecas, seeing four of their ares Gadi ‘fall, hesitated. for an instant, and then fell back until they, ’ = out of range of the 108 | fortress. |
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away in darkness. by’m by.” _ An oceasional shot came from the Senecas as the moments of suspense for the besieged elapsed, and the night drew on, while the moon sank lower and lower toward the distant hori- zon, Finally darkness fell, “Now we get start before Senecas come,” said the. Mohawk, as soon as darkness became complete. d Then he noiselessly climbed over the log wall. The Block House Boys followed, and Manatock led the way “in the direction of the adjacent timber. With the advent of the darkness storm clouds had gathered in the sky, and now ’ the rain began to fall. Afar the lightning occasionally sent out its lurid shatts _ along the horizon, and the detonation of distant thunder rum- * bled through the air, '.. Perhaps half the distance that intervened between the log a. and the forest had been traversed by the boys and the Mohawk, when all at once the latter abruptly halted. - “What is it?” whispered Bert. “Injun come,” replied Manatock under His breath. ' Then the boys caught the sound of a stealthy, cat-like tread si just in advance of them. It was 2 thrilling moment. Dis- covery meant doom. One yell from the approaching Indian would bring the entire band to intercept their flight. The boys clutched their guns more firmly and Manatock changed his “ scourse. But at that instant other footsteps were heard, and it " ‘became evident that a line of Senecas were approaching. _ ¥Manatock halted. Then he passed his gun silently to Bert, ae drew his scalping knife. A moment of. silence followed. . Then Manatock gave a tiger-like bound into the darkness. : ~ tlie boys heard a series of faint sounds, and a heavy body fell upon the ground. The succeeding moments Manatock was : owith them again, and he panted heavily as he uttered the - single. word “Forward!” . . The boys knew he had silently slain one of the line of Sen- ‘ecas, who were closing in on the boys’ fortress, and thus a pened a gap in their ranks. BE =f Preceded by the Mohawk, they went on again swiftly. Ina moment or so they were at the edge of the forest. But at that _time, when they began to feel that after all they ‘might elude the enemy, a brilliant flash of lightning suddenly illuminated the night, making it as light as day. “The fugitives were seen by the Senecas, and as davictioss again ensued they came bounding in pursuit/of them. The Mohawk led the boys toward the shore of Lake George, which was now not far distant. The boys knew that their Indian friend had a hunting lodge ‘somewhere on the lake, and they supposed they were ce: far from it now. “This was presently Koren to be true, for while they still jeld their own in the race for life, they came upon an Indian dge standing in sight of the waters of the lake. “This Manatock’s lodge when on hunt. Canoe yonder,” said e Mohawk, indicating first the lodge and then a clump of aT ‘he ‘lightning was again illuminating the scene. Darting forward to the willows, he pushed a large, well: made canoe out into sight. 1 ‘Leaping into it, followed by the boys, Manatock seized the addle and pulled away into the lake. The illumination of the +m lightning: lasted but a minute. Then the’ darkness became more intense than ever. Manatock paddled. swiftly down the lake in. the direction of oN block house ‘at the settlement of the Americans. They are foxes, but we must try fool ’em illows growing ( down into the water on the bank of the lake. | athe shall reach the block house in time to warn our friends | > intende attack Aa ‘the ‘French. ana, i ncleat, and defeat: THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. Manatock suddenly rested on his paddles, and they all lis- tened intently. They heard the dip of paddles behind them. “Senecas hab got canoe, too. Where get-one? Injun don’t know!” uttered Manatock in a tone of disgust. “White boys take gun. Be ready. Lightning come agin. Then white boys shoot Senecas if in range!” Then he paddled away again as swiftly as possible. Then came another brilliant flash of lightning, and the Block House Boys saw a large canoe containing five Seneca warriors close behind them. They discharged their guns simultaneousiy, and two of the Senecas fell. The others re- turned the boys’ fire, but the darkness that instantly ensued favored the lads and their enemies’ bullets went wide. Manatock dropped the paddles. “Mohawk run no furder!” he uttered, in determined tones. CHAPTER IX. . THE FRENCH AND INDIANS. iatintéek snatched up his gun. As he did so there came a flash of lightning. The Mohawk instantly discharged his gun. Bert and Val fired almost as quickly as Manatock, and their ‘bullets disposed of the three Indians. The journey on the lake was immediately resumed, and without further adventure the Block House Boys and Mana~ tock arrived at the fort. Of course there was great rejoicing over their safe return. Nettie Hastings greeted the boys joyfully, and she whispered to Bert, telling him she had endured misery during his ab- sence, through fear for his safety. _ Bert sought the commander of the block house and told him that the French and indians were massing Bi Crown Point, and. were about to attack them. “Then no time, must be lost in sending for reinforcements to Fort Edward down the lake,” replied Colonel Hastings. “And I have made a great discovery relating to Nate Badger. Since Badger was driven in disgrace from the settlement he has joined the Seneca Indians and became a chief. Colonel, I | am convinced that: Red Wolf, the most bloodthirsty of the hostile chiefs, and Nate Badger, the white renegade, are one and the same.” . “Good heavens! And is he with-the French and thdisns who are coming to attack us?” asked the colonel, in startled tones. “He is, and more than that, he is at the bottom of a plot to betray the block house into the hands of the French. He a means to come here disguised, gain admission, and win con- _ fidence. Then at the proper time, when the enemy attacks the — block house, he intends to open the doors for them.” ' “But we are warned. Thanks to you and your brave. com- rades, we will be on our guard against all strangers. And speaking of strangers reminds me. We had 4 Sater, guest during your absence.” | The colonel went on to relate’ all the conversation he heal: with the scar-faced stranger during the latter’s recent visit. © “Ah!” exclaimed Bert. “That man was surely Bart” Black-_ wood, the author of the eB sacl note my father received — before his death.” Then Bert went on to explain about the history of his fath: er’s past, with which the reader has already been acquainted Much surprise was ou by Colpaet Hastings, and pi im- Bai evident to him. . ; “And now about sending to Fort ‘Edward for reinforce ments,” finally ‘said the colonel. ie a “We will go,” volunteered | Bert. “Let us hav food al hopes s rest, and we'll be iy to start again.” ite caste ; Se 7
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“ae THE BLOCK. HOUSE BOYS. ; 13 “Good! You three are the best scouts we have,” said Colonel The Frenchmen and the Indians of that band passed on. astings. f : “Now to reach the block house and expose Badger. After The boys were at once provided with refreshments, which | all, if the ‘post can hold out for five hours the tables may be — anatock shared. Then, after a short rest, they once more | turned,” said Val. left the block house. Then they started forward again. The Mohawk was in the Meantime the French General Montcalm had arrived at the| lead. But a moment or so later they came face to face with Settlement of Crown Point, and the French and Indians were| Kilda and his redskins. Making for the American settlement of William Henry by a re Y 1 forced march. ee ° | Not long after the Block House’ Boys left the settlement to CHAPTER. &, go to Fort Edward, further down the lake, the sentinel on the MANATOCK’S DESPERATE MISSION. ‘ roof of the block house informed Colonel Hastings that the strange scarface, white-haired man who had previously visit- ed the block house was again approaching, Colonel Hastings ordered that he be allowed to come into the block house, and presently the stranger entered. “Back again, eh? So you did not overtake the Shirley brothers. But they escaped from the Indians and arrived here safety during your absence.” ; “I’m glad of that. Where are they now?” replied the man. | “Gone to Fort Edward to bring reinforcements. I told them you had been here, and they requested you to wait until they | returned, if you came again.” “Then I will stay,” responded the stranger. _* While he and Colonel Hastings continued to converse let us follow the Block House boys and the friendly Mohawk. _ The lads and the friendly Indian pressed on rapidly, and in ' due time reached Fort Edward, which was at this period com- | manded by Colonel Webe ‘with four thousand men. The Block | tracks, and as they fell the Mohawk and the white lads plung- ‘House Boys at once obtained an audience and acquainted the! .4 into the thicket, The enraged Senecas sent a volley of bul- , pemienel petite whe: situation a Willie Henry and the request) tots after them. ‘The leaden missiles cut the foliage all around of Colonel Hastings sent for immediate assistance. the boys and their Mohawk ally, but by rare good fortune - Colonel Webb replied that he would send a thousand men} neither of them were hit. The Senecas almost immediately — ‘within five hours’ time. Relying on this promise the Block’ came in pursuit of the fugitives in the thicket. Meanwhile, By House Boys and Manatock set out to return to the settlement} ¢h¢ report of firearms and the yells of the Senecas had been. of William Henry. The Block House Boys had not made half|hearg by their comrades, and soon the boys and Manatock F _ the distance on their way back to the settlement when they | found that they were cut off from the fort. _ were intercepted by a considerable band of hostile Indians. The] The, enemy had drawn their lines completely around the ei - boys and their Mohawk’ friend tried to reach the block house log fortress, and it would be certain doom to attempt to rush by making a detour. But when, having thrown their pursuers} through that environment of fierce foemen. é off the trail, they came in sight of the block house, what was} Colonel Kilda’s war party was yet in pursuit of the Block doh, _ their consternation to observe from the top of a hill which| House Boys. when the attack upon the block house began. they had gained, that the French and Indians from Crown| Hearing the yells of their comrades and the report of their Point were in sight, advancing from the shores of Lake George. | guns, the war party turned from the trail of the boys, seem- _ After making a forced march, as stated, for a portion of the| ingly irresistibly impelled to join in the more exciting work q distance from Crown Point, the enemy had completed the|at the fortress. Colonel Kilda’s presence was demanded to d journey by water. A long line of barges, provided by the| direct the attack, and he hastened to join the forces around French in advance, had been employed. Each barge had aj the block house. The implacable hatred which he entertained large lateen saii, and under a favorable wind they had made} for the Block House Boys prompted him to say: iS the voyage down the lake in less than one-third the time it} “When the post is captured we will scour the forest an would have taken them to come by land. | | capture the boy spies, let them hide where they may. T’ll Peas This the boys and the Mohawk had not counted on. a thousand redskins to hunt them down.” “Oh, heavens! The block house is doomed! The reinforce-| Manatock and the white lads slackened their pace when they. enis from Fort Udward cannot come in time now!” cried | found that they were no longer pursued, Gaining ‘a. wooded ert. height, whence they could command an unobstructed view of “Let's reach the “plock house Bae a moment’s delay,” the plockhouse and its immediate. surroundings, they watched said ‘the other lad. : the assault of the French and Indians. They were about to descend the hill, when, just below, they| “Merciful Heaven!” exclaimed the distraught Bert. ; alee Saw a dozen Indians and a couple of Frenchmen passing under tock, can nothing be done to warn our friends that Nate, Bad cover’ of the trees. Bert started violently as he saw this party,| ger is in the block house?” ae or he recognized one of the Frenchmen as Volmar Kilda, his} “Ugh! Mohawk no see the way.” said Manatock, shaking ; ‘deadly enemy. And Bert heard the villain say in incautious his head negatively, : D to his comrade: rH “Then God help the garrison. But Nate Badger shall an- “Nate Rice aed is. now in the block house, I've seen his sig- “wer with his life for his treachery yet,” ‘said siaipie in a tee I ing, yet fierce and determined tones. “Ugh! “Manatock take um Badger’s ‘Scalp, sure Th “Shi rley_ boys. and all “within the. sae ‘ ; | The. Mohawk has aa. replied the noble 1 Indi For once at least Manatock was outwitted by the Senecas. ‘When the hostiles passed on at the foot of the hill from which the Mohawk and the Block House Boys had discovered them, the Senecas caught a glimpse of one of the boys. Upon reach- ing the cover, the Senecas at once communicated their discoy- ery to Colonel Kilda, and an ambush was immediately arrang- ed. Manatock and the two Block House boys soon came in sight, and when the lads and their Mohawk ally came to the thicket the Senecas leaped ‘out of their ambush and came face to face with the devoted trio. Surprised though they were, Manatock and the Block House Boys acted with a promptitude that spoke well for their fron- . tier training and rare presence of mind. f Instantly their guns sprang to their shoulders, and as the Senecas rushed at them the report of their three weapons. rang out in one terrific crash. ye) The yolley dropped three of the foremost Senecas in their ned
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14 THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. bushes, Manatock and the boys raised their guns and sprang| Hvery one was in a hopeful frame of mind, for all relied © _ behind adjacent trees, expecting to see an enemy appear. on the Block House Boys to bring them reinforcements from But as the bushes almost immediately parted they beheld a| Fort Edward speedily. The appearance of the enemy so much white man of singular appearance step forth into plain sight. | sooner than they had looked for him was a great surprise to From the description Colonel Hastings of the block house | the garrison. oa had given them of the strange man who sought their father The first onset of the enemy was met by a fusillade of gun and then themselves, the boys at once recognized the stranger; shots and a discharge from the two small cannon that aston- * as the mysterious “scar-face.” But now the strange man was| ished the howling savages and the French soldiers. shorn of his long white locks. His hair was clipped closely They were hurled back with considerable loss; and then the and his clothing was not the same as he had worn when we} battle progressed with varying success; sometimes the assault= 35 ; saw him last. ing party would get perilously near the fort. But each time, Sa Bert, Val and the Indian came from behind the trees. until Manatock, the Mohawk, arrived at the wall of the. plock. The stranger uttered an exclamation of intense satisfaction | house, the enemy had been finally repulsed. as he gazed at the two boys, and then he: said: | Meanwhile Nate Badger, the renegade, was secretly at work “fT see your father’s features in both your faces so plainly | inside the block house, intent upon carrying out the betrayal Pew a that I know you are Legrand Shirley’s sons.” of the post which he had planned. he “Yes. We are the sons of Legrand Shirley, and you, I lg The arch villain was really the supposed “scar-faced man,” pe lieve, are the stranger who came to the block house to. see us,”| as we have previously, almost positively indicated. mr said Bert. ' Wate Badger was yet unsuspected by anyone in the block “Yes, But of that later. sot, let me tell you that a white | house. ey, renegade, by whom I was captured recently while looking for} At first he took his place at a loop-hole and fired rapidly, > ~ you, has gone to the blockhouse to personate myself. He and seemingly as determined as any one to beat off the enemy. Kis Indians cut off my white hair, and of it the renegade made] But soon he crept away from his post, aid as the conflict a rude wig. Then he painted his face like my scarred visage| went on he stealthily made his way to the great doors of the © and appropriated my clothing. I fear he has deceived the gar-| stockade. He at once set about removing the heavy oaken, rison and means to work them some injury.” bars and strong iron bolts with which the doors of the block “Ah, now the secret is out! Nate Badger’s disguise is known | pouse were secured. ‘The last bolt was finally drawn by the tous. Manatock, take a part of the stranger's Indian costume. | arch traitor, and yet he had not been detected. It seemed that Paint your face like a Seneca and try to reach the block house. | the fate of the block house was now dependent iivon the occur=. You can mingle with the Senecas,” said Bert. rences of the next few moments. Then Manatock quickly exchanged garments with the “scar-| Tf no one discovered that the doors were unfeteneth before face,” and painted his face anew to represent a Seneca on the} the next determined charge of the enemy, surely the doom of : _ warpath. This done, he glided stealthily away in the direc-| the isolated American post would be consummated. tion of the block house. In a moment he was out of sight in Having drawn the last bolt on the great doors, the renegade | ; the surrounding bushes which grew thickly where the boys| was about to withdraw to the nearest loop-hole, there to : i were now stationed. : watch and wait for the arrival of the most favorable moment, _ “How did you escape from your recent captivity?” inquired | to throw open the portal, when all at once Colonel Hastings — - Bert of the stranger, when Manatock was gone. stepped into view around an adjacent angle in the wall of the , R _ The sear-face explained, and his narrative showed that he| stockade. As with the power of divination an idea of the truth had been captured, not long after his encounter with Kilda. | flashed upon his mind, and he sprang at Nate ‘Badger, exclaim- — ©The stranger told the story of his subsequent escape from | jing in tones of just indignation: + ' Badger modestly. The renegade had left him guarded by five| “Traitor! Scoundrel! You have untadiesed the doors! You - Indians. He had freed himself, and single-handed slain every | are in the service of the enemy!” ee one of his captors. He was on his way to the fort to warn the| Badger was on the alert.!. As Hastings leaped at him he ah garrison against Badger, when he came upon the Block House! sprang aside. Then, like a flash, he clutched his gun, which ‘Boys, as shown. he now held in his hand, and brought the stock down upon the | f gets Meanwhile Manatock went.on toward the block house. Very colonel’s skull with force. The commandant fell heavily. } soon he was mingling with the Senecas, who were engaged in| Seeing that he was insensible Nate Badger drew his Say _ the attack, In the exeitement and confusion of the battle the] jng-knife. His knife was raised to strike, and he aimed La _ Mohawk was accepted as a Seneca unquestioned, an’ he feign-| ihe heart of the helpless man at his feet. But there was : ¥} ed to Join the assault on the block house. \- | interruption. At that moment of supreme peril for Colonel ‘In that manner he was’ not long in making his way to the| pfastings Manatock had arrived at the door of the block. ‘house front ranks of the hostiles. All at once he fell. But he had| He was listening there when Colonel Hastings ° fell. As Ni » not been struck by a shot, though it looked as though such} Badger was about to deal the deadly blow of vengeance, Mana: é was his fate. Immediately Mauatock began to crawl away! tock dashed open one of the great doors and sprang insid is from the spot where he had fallen. There was yet a hundred| The sudden appearance of the Indian arrested the rene- _ yards to be traversed before he would reach the walls of the| gade’s knife in mid-air. Manatock leaped upon Nate Badger Picci house. » But under the cover of the dense smoke and the| with a furious exclamation, A struggle ensued. But Manai partial concealment of the grass Manatock kept on unnoticed. | finally hurled Badger away, and thea a blow from the b pels last he reached the wall Bs the block ae Then he arene ae Mohawk’s tomahawk stretched ie renegade ene ieanrife” one. Manateck reeled fealict the log wal _when i was over, ane he was almost breathless. : CHAPTER XL HY MOHAWK ON HAND, — the block. house preparations for defense had | been going| ing scene before ce doors , 1 ever ‘since the nar ‘scouts had brou ei ews of | | backward, utt ‘ing thrilling scream
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THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. The garrison was alarmed by Nettie’s cries. In an instant a throng of men rushed to the gate. All saw, as they supposed, a bloodthirsty Seneca Indian inside the gate, and Colonel Has- lings and the “sear-face” dead at his feet. “Shoot down the infernal redskin! He has opened the gate and murdered our colonel and the stranger!” thundered an officer of the garrison, who was next in rank, under Colonel Hastings. d 4 CHAPTER XII. THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS TO RUN THE GAUNTLET. The Mohawk dropped flat on the ground as the men of the block house garrison fired. The volley of bullets penetrated the log wall where he had stood, but not a shot struck him. Before the crash of the detonation died away Manatock cried: “Me Manatock! Me friend!” Colonel Hastings at that moment staggered to his feet, and he instantly recognized the friendly Mohawk’s voice. So in- deed did the others. . “Seize the villain! I saw him unfasten the gate. He was turning away from the doors, at least, as | came upon him,” said Colonel Hastings, pointing at Badger. ' “Him Nate Badger, the renegade the Seneca dogs call Red Wolf!” cried Manatock, and making a sudden leap at the traitor, he added: “Me take um scalp!” Before anyone could interpose Manatock grasped Badger by. the white hair. Then off came the rude wig. Colenel Hastings now stayed the Mohawk’s scalping-knife, saying: : “Hold! I would make this rascal a prisoner.” Nate Badger was by Colonel Hastings’ command bound hand and foot and thrust into a small dark room in which ammuni- tion had been stored. The door of this room was then secured, and all thought that they had made sure the renegade could not escape. Then the’ Mohawk explained everything, precisely as the reader already knows it. When Manatock stated that reinforcements could not reach the block house in less than five hours from the time of the departure of Manatock and his boy comrades from Fort Hd- ward, Colonel Hastings started back and his face changed color. Then, casting an anxious.glance at Nettie, he bade her re- tire, saying: “T have some private communications to make to the PAGs hawk.” Nettie walked away quietly. But she had read the ex- pression of her father’s face aright, and she knew that the news of the delay there was to be in the coming of the ex- pected help filled him with alarm. It was a terrible surprise to Colonel Hastings. Y " When Nettie was out of hearing he called his officers around him and quietly informed them of the news Manatock had brought. But dreading the moral effect upon the men, he re- ‘quested that as yet the discouraging intelligence be not. made known to them. Meanwhile the confiict was on. Manatock’s entrrance into the fort had not been observed by the enemy. If the worst came, ‘to be a secret helper, to assist the imperiled whites, waS Manatock’s purpose. “He had long ago pledged his word to Bert Shirley to protect Nettie from danger in any event of her peril, and now the brave fellow was resolved the save Neitie. Y “The ammunition of the garrison began to fail as the day = of. dreadful conflict wore on. The frequency of the firing - from the fort decreased for the defenders were sechanding i owder Bad bullaferiice a a supreme cos He ree “ques Manatock fought on the side of his friends, and many a Seneca fell under his deadly aim. Meanwhile Bert and Val, accompanied by the scar-face, who was really Bart Blackwood, the man whom Colonel Kilda had ~ sold to the Cherokee Indians, after.a short consultation, de- cided that they would set out to return to Fort Edward, to~ carry the news of the arrival of the French and Indians at the block house, and, if possible, hasten the coming of the reinforcements. But they were not destined to garry out this resolution. fA ; They made a short advance in the aerachosk of the ‘fort down the lake, when they were obliged to turn back. Kilda had sent out a band of scouts e lay between the two pecieris can forts. The boys returned to the hill, where they had been Beas tioned when Manatock left them. As the Mohawk did not return they concluded he had been successful in getting into the fort, or that he had fallen under the bullets of the de- fenders of the block house, who would take him for one " the enemy. We need not dwell upon the conflict at thé block house one: The massacre at William Henry is a matter of eoere in the: annals of our country. Finding that their ammunition was spent the iarbacs began to despair. The exultant enemy became ‘bold. Blazing ar- rows showered upon the block ih es es it Was wrapped in flames. ; Then, as the historians agree, the sas promised the gare ; rison that they should be re as prisoners of war if they would .surrender. Despite Manatock’s assurance that treachery was meant, and that the Senecas would have their scalps, the ietoaiee surrendered. The French officers entered the burning fort, and the gar- sison marched out with their women and children. Nate Badger was released, and he darted among the Senecas, who were for the moment held back by the French troops. Colonel Kilda placed a special guard around Colonel] Hastings and his officers, and the commandant’s daughter Nettie was at her ; father’s side. They were marched away. A moment later the blood-curdling yells of ‘the Senecas rang out more terrible than ever, and, glancing back, Colonel Hast- ings and his companions saw that the Senecas had fallen upon’ the survivors of the garrison, and that they were butchering _ them mercilessly,’men, women and children. “Siop that fiendish massacre! Have you no honor? Will | yeu allow your men to slay my brave people, who have trusted to-your word that they should have protection?” cried Col- onel Hastings, rushing to Kilda. i “T am powerless to restrain the’ Indians. Sous men have slain many of their braves, and they will have their Habe Pisce replied the arch villain coolly. rss at Then, despite his’ protests and appeals, Colonel Hastings. sae and Nettie, with the other officers, were hurried away, and as _ they entered the forest the terrible yells of the savages and — c the groans and shrieks of the doomed settlers, as they were 2 slain by the Senecas, continued to ring in their ears—a pan demonium of horror such as Pena Ss heart and makes ihe blood run cold. ‘ Z And what of Manatock? se He had slipped away in the confusion, and en” Colonel Hastings and his party were marched into the forest the Mo-- hawk saw them. In a few moments the faithful fellow was oa their trail. 7 Hig Meantime the Block House ebovs Recor | ‘me captur 0 the fort with such tis of regre and horror as” may , N
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16 THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. ] joined the main body and gave warning of the approach of the men from Fort Edward. Then the French and Indians re- treated. When the reinforcements came up the Block House Boys joined them. They had seen Nettie and her father marched away. Now they sought for Manatock. Not find- ing him among the dead, they concluded he had followed the captives. The force from Fort Edward had come too late, and the officer in command refused to pursue Kiida’s force, fearing an ambush in the forest. But the Block House Boys, accom- panied by the scar-face, took the trail. The lads meant to res- eue Nettie yet. But it seemed fate wag against them. Scarcely a mile from the block house, which wags now a heap of blackened ruins, they were caught between two bands of the enemy and made prisoners. Then they were hurried on to a camp which the Indians had made. There.they found Manatock, also a cap- tive, bound to a stake, about which the Senecas had heaped fuel. Manatock’s foes had doomed him to be burnt alive. As the boys were brought into the camp, Nate Badger appeared in the full garb of Red Wolf, the Senecas’ war chief, and he Said: “Now the warriors shall make the white boys run the death gauntlet.” : CHAPTER, XIII. x A CHANGE OF CAPTORS. The Block House Boys shuddered as they beheld Nate Bad- ger in his disguise of Red Wolf, the bloodthirsty Seneca chief. “Yes,” repeated the renegade.’ “The-white boys shall run the gauntlet. They havé slain many - the Senecas, and the braves must have vengeance.” Fierce eries, exclamations of satisfaction, and exultant yells greeted the speaker’s words. _ He had proposed a terrible ordeal, which the savages were fond of making captives undergo. “You dastardly villain!” cried Bert. “You are worse than | the savages, for you have had all the benefits of civilization, and you are a white man, yet you have leagued yourself with othe bloodthirsty Indians to make war upon your own race. 4 ‘For shame, Nate Badger! For shame!” ; _ “Silence!” thiumdered the renegade, and in his rage he drew E his hatchet from his belt and advanced upon the boy captives and their strange scar-faced companion. “Ugh! Big chief spoil Seneca braves vengeance if kill white boys now,” said a tall Indian ag he quickly stepped between Badger and the young captives. “Yes, yes, 1 forget myself. cals,” assented the renegade. He put his hatchet in his belt, and the two white lads and the “scar-face,” otherwise Bart Blackwood, were bound to trees, near the stake to which Manatock, the doa Mo- hawk was secured. Some of the Senecas- “were yet busy heaping be brush around the prisoner at the stake, and the heroic Mohawk was taunting them, after the manner of the Indians. Among all the tribes it was considered an evidence of great d bravery to meet torture defiantly, and without showing a sign of fear. If Manatock was in fear and gk now that it seemed the eruel torture fire would soon consume him, he did not show it. _. The Mohawk warrior held his noble head high, and his eyes : flashed with the fire of hate and rage as he regarded his Ree tgas (a1) “The Senecas are dogs. They are cowards and all like old’ women. The Mohawk spits at them. They cannot fight. Let. them release the Mohawk and he will show them how a war- Mor can slay such dogs as they are,” said Manatock. es erbaps the fire would have been set to the brush heaped | i ; a The gauntlet for the young ras- about the prisoner then, but Red Wolf called all the band together to form the terrible death gauntlet which he had doomed the Block House Boys to run. The Senecas who had been busy preparing the torture fire about Manatock left him to join the rest of the band and en- gage in the horrible sport of the gauntlet. And meanwhile the boys and Manatock had a moment for conversation, while the red fiends were arranging the gaunt- let. j “How came you a captive, Manatock?” asked Val. “Ugh! the Mohawk was captured in fight. Heap Senecas find him trail as him follow Colonel Hastings. Manatock made quick run. Soon find more Senecas ahead. Then both bands come at Manatock. Him make big fight. No-good. Senecas too may. Manatock made prisoner,” replied the Mohawk, “And now we are all doomed and Nettie and her father are prisoners in the power of the. French. Oh, Manatock, this is the darkest hour of all our lives,” said Bert sadly. “Ugh!” grunted the Mohawk. “White boys say true.” a “But you must live! You must live to call Voimar Kilda to account! The man who had wronged your dead father and yourselves must yet be brought to justice,” said the scar- face. As yet the strange man had imparted nothing of the secret of the past relating to themselves, which the Block House Boys supposed he possessed. But now he went on, speaking rapidly, and he said: “My name is Bart Blackwood. Do you know if your dead father ever received a message from ’me, which should have been given him. by a Cherokee Indian?” “Yes,” replied Bert. “Then you probably know what the message was?” “Ves. It stated that our grandfather made a will revoking the one he made disinheriting our father, and that the last will made our father the heir; also that you could produce that will, but were a prisoner among the Cherokee Indians, to whom you had been sold by Volmar Kilda.” “Yes, and all that is true. But unfortunately” “The savages are coming!” interrupted Val. The further remarks of Bart Blackwood were’ cut short. The next moment Bert and Val were unbound from the trees to which they had been temporarily fastened. The Senecas marched the two ‘lads to the centre of the camp. The whole band of Indians was now drawn up ina er double line, so as to leave a space of three feet between their ranks. A Each of the painted demong held some weapon ready | to strike the Block House Boys when they’ were comes Me j run between their lines. ‘ft Dk At the head of the gauntlet the boys were unbound. © ‘ “Go!” yelled Nate Badger, and he and a couple of powerful a Serleca, braves pushed the lads forward between ane lines of death. i The next moment they bounded down the. gauntlet, But at once Bert ducked hig head and dashed it into the stomach of a big chief. Over went the redskin with all the breatt driven out of his body. i In a trice, then, Bert and Val leaped over the salen chief and broke through the lines of the gauntlet, Away they darted at full speed. 4 ‘The Senecas were surprised. ig Rarely, if ever, had they met with a similar experience. A captive doomed to run the death gauntlet seldom, if -before, broke: through the lines of his foes. The desperate daring of the Block House ane had now a gen a chance for their lives. : = was a slender chance. een tin *
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Aa ¢ Oh the boy who is my rival. agreement, which was made when I agreed to go to the block: ' the rain now descended in torrents and so the torture of Man- 4 THE BLOCK distance the Senecas, who immediately came howling after them, all might be weil. If not, then they would surely be re- captured again, and another chance would not be given them. The hope of escape inspired the lads. They strained every nerve and muscle in the race. But it was not decreed that they were to elude their enemies it seemed, for all at once they heard a band of men in front. Then they turned aside and tried to avoid the approaching party, but almost immediately they found themselves sur- rounded by a large party of French soldiers led by Colonel Kilda in person. “Ha! The very lads I was coming to secure at Red Wolf’s camp. These are the American boy spies,” eried Kilda, as his men hemmed in the block house lads. But Red Wolf and his Senecas now came up and while the rain began to descend from the dark storm clouds that had gathered in the sky, Red Wolf demanded the boys be sur- rendered to him, and the Indians clamored for their blood. ' “No,” said Colonel Kilda in response to the demand of Red Wolf, and the importunities of the Senecas. {These boys are the spies who escaped from Crown Point. They were then my personal prisoners. But now, since they are known to be spies, they are prisoners of war and they shall be tried and punished as such.” ' Red Wolf and his braves were compelled to content them- selves with this decision. The renegade drew Colonel Kilda aside and said: “What will be the fate of the boys?” “Death! They will be shot as spies,” replied the Block House Boys’ deadly, foe. ik: “Good! Then I am satisfied. I only wished to rid myself You have not forgotten our house in disguise?” , “No,” replied Colonel Kilda. “Then you may expect me soon to come to your camp to elaim my reward for that crHapioye undertaking. I mean the sit), Nettie Hastings.” “You shall have her,” replied Kilda. / The Block House Boys did not hear a word of this con- -versation. They were marched away by Colonel Kilda. . Then Badger and his redskins returned to their camp. But atock was postponed. Indeed, the brush that had been heaped about the Mohawk and all ‘the available fuel was so wet that it would not burn. _It seemed almost proyidential that the storm had occurred just at that time. } “In no other way could the respite of the fr iendly Mohawk ‘from this terrible doom have been secured. ‘The captive at the stake welcomed the rain. \“The Manito is good. The rain may save the Mohawk,” 2 alg Manatock. ‘He knew that if the rain ements soaked the buckskin iGues with which his captors had bound him to the torture post he might make them give so that he could free his hands. Once his hands were free he could soon loosen: he other bonds. Chie) i Ps CHAPTER XIV. Thee Fe ‘THE RENEGADE CLAIMS NETTIE, | 3 "he French soldiers’ conducted the Block Housé Boys to a 1p, Where Colonel ‘Kilda and his divisiGn of the eid from own Point were located. — General Montcalm was encamped further north with the Inain force. Baie! ‘French — a ; A he cae They shall AP: HOUSE BOYS. American reinforcements into the forest and for this they Were now waiting. Colonel Kilda meant to give the boys, whom he fed and hated, no chance for their lives now. By having them convicted as spies and executed, Herpes lieved he could forever rid himself of them in such a way that he would never be called to account for their death. This idea had occurred to him when he first denounced the boys as spies. Even then he had concluded upon recapturing them, and having them tried and shot according to military usages. Colonel Kilda was ints and far-seeing. since he knew that Bart Blackwood had escaped from the Cherokees he was © in mortal dread lest the boys of the block house should learn a secret which the reader must surmise—that he was in un- lawful possession of the inheritance which should have been the lads’ father’s and which now rightfully belonged to the ‘\ young scouts themselves. ts Colonel Kilda was not aware that Bart Blackwood, “the scar- face,” was now a captive in the camp of Nate Badger and his Indian. allies. If th plotting villain had known that there can be no doubt that he would have attempted to immediately put the man ‘who held his secret to death. Nate Badger did not know that the “scarface” was the cus- todian of any secret of ‘Colonel Kilda. Had the renegade been aware of the fact, in all likelihood he would have made haste to inform his principal of his important capture. In Colonel Kilda’s camp Colonel Hastings and his daughtér Nettie were now held prisoners. The fellow officers of the gallant Hastings had been sent on to General Montcalm. The captive father and daughter occupied a tent in the a French camp, and two sentinels stood guard at the door. \ Moreover the prisoners’ tent was in the centre of the camp, : and even if the sentinels had been guilty of dereliction of duty, the captives could not have escaped, for pennies were — posted all around the encampment. Colonel Kilda was something of a martinet, and. ie per- mitted no infraction of military duty among his forces, _ ' Hearing the soldiers outside of the tent shouting a welcome fe ; to Colonel Kilda, Colonel Hastings and Nettie lifted ‘the — tent flap and looked out. At that-moment Kilda and the detachment. who had the — Block House Boys with them were marching into the en campment. ; Colonel Hastings and Nettie saw the lads. re “Oh, father!” cried the girl, sternation and solicitude. Val. Now I fear Kilda will show the brave lads no mercy.” — “J share your fears, my dear,” replied Colonel Hastings. “Can nothing, be done for Bert and Val? Father, you must, intercede for them. Speak to Colonel Kilda, Entreat him to treat the boys as prisoners of war. You know that ‘the strange searfaced man told you at the block house that Kilda wanted to have Bert and Val slain,” continued Nettie. ee | f “I remember, and I will speak to Kilda,” pemponded Colon ; Hastings. A moment later, as Kilda was passing ‘the tent of. the cap- tives, Colonel Hastings called out to him, saying: “Colonel Kilda, can I have a bib tin with you?” a “What, now?” demanded Kilda gruffly as, he | halted. “T want to speak to you about the two ion you haye ju: in tones of deepest con- ¥ { “They have captured Bert and — brought into camp. They are regular members of the. garri- son of the block house, and I call upon you to treat ae prisoners of war,” said Colonel Hastings. _ ; “That is precisely my intention ‘regarding them, — “they are Sant FS Aw oy spies. I shall treat them as such prisoners of war are alw. e hea ait oe
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¥ 18 THE BLOCK Kilda stalked on and, although Colonel Hastings entreated him to spare the boys, and declared that they were not spies, _ the villain would not listen, Nettie Hastings was heartbroken. “Oh, heaven have merey! That tetrible man will have Bert and Val shot, and we are powerless to save them!” she cried, wringing her hands in mental distress. Colonel Hastings could not comfort her. . Indeed he believed that the fate of the two young frontier ‘heroes was sealed. Hope of their rescue he had none, and certainly he had not the slightest thought that Kilda would relent, Bert and Val were bound to a couple of trees in mat sight of the tent occupied by Nettie and her father. Colonel Kilda retired to his tent to arrange for the form of a military trial which he meant to give the Block House Boys. “We are lost now. This time Kilda will make sure we do not slip through his hands, and with Manatock and the scar- ‘face, Bart Blackwood, captives in Red Wolf’s camp, there is no one at large to render us the least assistance,” said Bert, _Val assented in hopeless words. Then in silence and despair the two boy captives awaited what was to come. But a short time, however, elapsed, and then Nate Badger, still in the full costume of Red Wolf, the chief of the _ Senecas, entered Colonel Kilda’s camp. The renegade uttered some taunting remark to the boys : as he strode by them on the way to the tent of Colonel * Kilda. j The boys made no rejoinder to the vindictive renegade, and -@ moment subsequently he passed from their sight and stood ‘in the presence of Colonel Kilda within the latter’s tent. A moment or so elapsed. Then Colonel Kilda and Nate Badger emerged from the tent}. of the former. Nate Badger had claimed Nettie Hastings as his prize, and Colonel Kilda had raised some objection. The truth was that the scoundrel had a half formed purpose of making Nettie his own unwilling bride. Since he parted with Badger in the woods he had been casting about for some excuse to - retain the girl in his own power. In, his tent he had just told Badger that he had concluded that he must himself hold Nettie as a prisoner of war. Then Badger became enraged, dnd he stalked out of the tent, vowing if the girl was not surrendered to him he would draw off all the Senecas from the service of the French. Colonel Kilda in alarm at this threat followed Badger, and he concluded he would have to keep faith with the renegade. “I demand the girl Nettie Hastings. You are to give her up to me. You must keep your word,” cried Badger eee. of Kilda’s tent. ' Nettie and her father as well as tBe two Block House Boys -'eard his words, ; ' The young girl sprang into her father’s arms. “Oh, father, protect me!” she cried, in terror. : “Well, » said Kilda, in response to Badger, “since you insist, : you ‘shall have the girl.” ‘Then he turned to the sentinels ‘at. the doors of the tent ocenpied by Nettie and her father and said: “Bring out the prisoners!” ge Colonel Hastings and his pee hs at once came out of the “Mercy! mater cried Nettie. “Oh, Colonel Kilda, do not give me to that merciless savage!” and she indicated the dis- ‘guised renegade. Colonel Hastings recollected that the Block ‘House Boys ‘had told him Red Wolf and Badger were one. Nettie eo to have forgotten. that. HOUSE BOYS. ma “He is no Indian!- Ah! What:have I said?” exclaimed Colonel Kilda. 'Too late he knew he had blundered. ' “You have unwittingly betrayed me. But the girl may as well know the truth now. I am Nate Badger!” eried the renegade. Then he suddenly sprang forward and seized = young girl in his arms. : CHAPTER XV. THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS SENTENCED TO BE SHOT AS SPINS. Colonel Hastings would have struck down the areh villain who dared thus to seize Nettie, but as he made a leap at the disguised renegade, the two sentinels, in obedience to a signal from Kilda, grasped him by the arms and held him fast. “Hold! For God’s, sake, Colonel Kilda, if you are a sol- dier and an officer, you will not permit thig outrage!” eried | Colonel Hastings in agony. Kilda turned his back and made no reply. Nettie screamed in terror and vainly strove to free herself from Badger’s hold. “Ho! Ho!” cried the renegade. “How the. mighty. are - fallen. You had mé driven from the settlement in disgrace, Colonel Hastings, and I swore then to haye my revenge. Now my hour of triumph has come!” Mentally Colonel Hastings’ agony was terrible, but the feel- ings of Nettie’s boy lover—daring Bert Shirley—may be im-— agined a8 more intense and terrible even than the emo- tions of the father. } Bert struggled madly to release himself. eae Suddenly, to his surprise, the cords with which he had been bound to the tree snapped, and he was free. _ He had brought against them such a severe strain,” nae the inspiration of the moment, that the stout cords yes broken as if a giant had pulled against them. sy Under circumstances of great peril persons often acadne plish achievements which, ordinarily, they would have been entirely incapable of accomplishing. ee Such was the case now with Bert Shirley. The moment he found himself at liberty he sprang ‘forward _ and snatched up the gun belonging to one of the sentinels, . who had dropped the weapon when he seized Colonel Has-. F tings. The Block House Boy leveled the weapon Al Nate Badger, and he shouted: “Release the girl, Orsi fre!” 4 Despite the danger of hitting Nettie, the young patie was in earnest. He believed he could bring down the ee gade and leave Nettie unscathed. is But quick as thought Nate Badger changed his position, and placed Nettie between himself and Bert Shirley. : The boy was baffled then, as regarded shooting, But clubbing the gun he rushed at Badger. ‘There were many French soldiers spectators of the scene. A number of the soldiers now advanced at a run. Before Bert could inflict a blow upon Badger he was surrounded and overpowered, but not before he had felled more than one of — the enemy by a blow from his clubbed weapon. . ‘s Then Nate Badger lifled the now half-fainting girl in hig ed arms and bounded away. In a moment or so he was clear of the camp, and Bert saw him pass out of sight into the ‘dense forest with the captive maider; whom he was carrying: aw. to a fate worse than death. “Colonel Kilda!” shrieked Nettie’s distracted father; Has heaven hears me and spares my life, you shall one day be called to account for permitting this outrage, General | ‘Mo calm. shall hear all. I cannot believe that the French mander will uphold you ‘in your villainy (vires The villainous a a retorted pene 5 nie
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THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. “You forget that you, too, are at my mercy. Take care that you are not yourself given over to the redskins.” Then, having seen Colonel Hastings returned to his tent and Bert Shirley bound to the tree as before, Kilda called together the officers of his command. Under the spreading branches of a great tree he held a military tribunal, and Bert and Val Shirley were tried as spies. ‘When the informal court reached a certain point in its '. proceedings the two boys were marched before the tribunal and Colonel Kilda said: “What have you to say as to why the sentence of death should not be pronounced against you as spies?” “Only that we are not spies and guilty of no crime,” replied Bert. “Your denial is useless. Colonel Kilda. Then he added impressively, while all the officers stood up -and removed their hats: “The sentence of this military court is that you, Bert, and you, Val Shirley, be shot to-morrow at sunrise.” The boys turned white as death as they heard the sen- tence. But they made no protest, for they knew it would avail them nothing to do so: : They were marched back to the trees to which they had previously been bound and again secured. This time Colonel Kilda personally superintended the binding of the boys. They were so tied that it would be impossible for them to liberate themselves under any circumstances. The ensuing night was one of despair and grief for the Block House Boys. They fully believed that their young lives were to end when the sunlight of a new day again dispelled the darkness. How terrible was their situation. They had so much to live for— life was so sweet! ; « Bert groaned aloud as he thought that in a few hours - Nettie Hastings would no longer have him to strive to save her. The bitterness of the lad’s fate was intensified by the reflection that Nettie was at the Riess of the loa E EL renegade, Nate Badger. -The hours wore on, and it was very near the first ‘coming of the dawn, when Bert caught sight of a shadowy form mov- ing stealthily along the ground and coming toward him. In a moment more he knew that a man was crawling noise- lessly fin his direction. Bert almost held his breath in the intensity of excitement. But suddenly his heart leaped to his throat. He had made a great discovery. The approach- ing man’ 8 face became visible under the imperfect moonlight, for the rain had ceased and the dark clouds had drifted “away, __- Bert Shirley recognized the face of the man who was com- ae A ing toward him as silently as a serpent. _ The man was “the scarface.” i *b Wes: There was no mistake. Bart Blackwood, the man who held Colonel Kilda’s secret, was approaching. ~ ; MELT soon he gained Bert’s side, and quickly severed the cords | that bound the lad. Then, enjoining silence, he stole to ‘Val and released him also. A moment subsequently the Block House Boys and the man lonel Kilda had sold into slavery among the Cherokee In- Ss were stealing ‘out of the French camp. ‘They got by “the sentinels unseen and crept. away into the sean ae the gloomy shadows -welcomed on and gave You have been found guilty,” said pen Mie IS fee? a eS et Sr IRE hater ae Pas Coa ea nENT Gan ann RE UNVnRREnG REET enPTerEcen eran eee GER OE they could check the rush of ibe Senecas upon fBlagewood t a sitient at least, and there: ‘ea a bare chance ee sty the Indians even yet... been bound, after those fetters had become saturated by ‘the rain, so as to give considerably. a The stranger stated that Manatock was still a prisoner, ait that Red Wolf, otherwise Nate Badger, the renegade, had — brought Nettie Hastings to the Indian camp and’ placed the ~ girl in charge of an old medicine woman who followed as a fortunes of the Seneca band. “We must rescue Nettie and save Manatocks,” said Bert. : “Yes. We will try to do so. But we must make haste. The — dawn will soon come and then Manatock will be burnt at the stake, for he was only respited because of the rain,” assented ; Bart Blackwood. as Then the trio went on swiftly to age renegade’s eamp. They were not long in reaching it, and first they ‘determined to attempt to rescue Manatock. The scarface started to crawl into the camp, after discovering that an Indian who had been. standing guard beside the Mohawk earlier was no longer on © the watch. The stake to which Manatock had been bound stood in the shadow of a great tree. Blackwood was pretty near it when he saw that Manatock was gone. A moment more and he came upon the dead body of the Indian guard. Then he knew Manatock had escaped unaided. The strange man was creeping back to the Block House Boys whom he had left on the edge of the camp, when Red Wolf or Nate Badger came out of a tepee and walked toward the stake, at which Manateck had been bound. In a moment the renegade discovered the escape of the Mohawk and he ut- tered the alarm yell of the Senecas. ‘The camp was all astir in a moment and a keen-eyed warrior caught sight of Black- wood. The ensuing moment the entire band of redskins were a gees at the. “scarface. 2. : 2 CHAPTER XVI. Fase ‘THE SACRIFICE AT THE MANITO'S ROCK. Pursued by the Senecas and Red Wolf or Nate Badger, the renegade, Bart Blackwood, “the scarface)” did not run toward nee the place where he had left the Block Houge Boys at the aiee # of the camp. 2a Of course he knew that if he shaped eis? course pt ihe hiding place of the boys, he would cause the lads to be dis covered by their enemies. Wishing to shield the boys he took a course which woulk lead his pursuers away from the lads’ place of concealment. But all at once Blackwood met with a mishap which: threat ened io cause his capture. As he was bounding ore at full speed he stumbled and fell heavily. eerie With exultant yells the savages apceand on toward t fortunate man at increased speed. They were sure capture now ‘and, indeed, it did seem that little shi miracle could save the “scarface,” for he lay motionless. : The fact was he had struck his head on the exposed of a great tree as he fell, and he was partially. stunned. — From their hiding noe the Block House Boys, who ee nessed his accident. | : ‘The strange man had fallen bisa gunshot of the gnceale ; lads. _ Bert’s gun sprang to. » Val: also el: ?
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"20 THE BLOCK HOUSH BOYS. “Yes, but we must not let that consideration prevent our shooting to save a friend,” replied Bert. “No, no,” assented Val. Then both lads discharged their weapons. They had taken careful aim, and both their shots told. Two of the redskins who were foremost in the pursuit of Blackwood fell. Almost at the same moment the imperiled white Man re- gained his feet and bounded forward. Now that the boys had revealed their presence, the scar- face had no motive for leading the Indians away from them, so he renewed his flight in the direction of the lads. The shots discharged by the Block House Boys served only to check the pursuit of Blackwood for a moment. Then on came the whole yelling enlehe of red warriorg as swiftly as before, ‘ Blackwood reached the boys and all three of the whites dashed uway. But then the Indians began to discharge their guns, and those who carried bows gent well-aimed arrows hurtling at the fugitives in a dangerous shower. Suddenly Val thréw up his hands and fell heavily. Bert stopped instantly and tried to lift his brother up and carry him. Blackwood came to his assistance. “We is not dead. His heart beats yet. I'll never leave him to the tomahawk and scalping knife of the savages,” said Bert. “Nobly said. We will strive to carry him on with us,” re- plied Blackwood. i They lifted the insensible form of the lad between them and started forward again. But the momentary delay had enabled their pursuers to gain upon them. Burdened as they now were with the insensible lad, Bert -and Bart Blackwood’s speed was materially decreased. Steadily the Indians gained upon them as the desperate race was continued. But the white fugitives would not abandon Val. “We must make a stand here!” all at once cried Blackwood, when the Senecas were close upon them. Since the two unharmed fugitives had burdened themselves - with their unfortunate companion the Senecgs had become so certain of running them down that they refrained from firing at them further. [ As Blackwood last spoke he bounded over a fallen tree. Bert “did the same. ‘Then depositing Val upon the ground Black- - wood and the uninjured lad crouched down behind the fallen tree and leveled their guns over it. On canre the savages. Blackwood and Bert fired simulta- neously, and two of the foremost Senecas fell. But the rush was not checked. On came the savages still. Instantly they surged over the fallen tree, There was a brief but desperate hand-to-hand fight between them and the boy of the Block ’ House and Blackwood. Then the whites’ were overpowered. Just then Val staggered to his feet. He had not been seriously hurt after all. - grazed his skull and knocked him senseless. was unharmed. . , The attention of the redskins were centered upon Bert and : Blackwood. They did not observe Val had recovered, In the mad fury of the moment, when Bert and his com- yade were overpowered, one of the savages, whose brother ‘Bert’ had just slain, rushed upon the lad with his ‘hatchet ; raised to cleave the white youth’s skull. — oval saw his brother’s. peril, and, upon the napa he -snatehed up a gun one of the ‘Senecas had dropped, and shot said Yi the urd TO s Indian through the heart just in time. to A bullet had Beyond that he But then Val, too, was overpowered, j Then the savages began to bind their captives. But all at once Blackwood threw off two of the redskins who held him and made a terrific leap into an adjacent thicket. The dense foliage instantly concealed him. Several Indians bounded after “the scarface,” but they returned in a short time with- out him; Blackwood had eluded them. The boys were hurried back to the renegade’s camp. : There Nate Badger met them, and it is needless to say that the renegade exulted greatly over their capture, The Senecas now clamored loudly for the blood of the white captives. Red Wolf, the renegade, SECICESs that the cap- tives should be slain. ‘ “If Colonel Kilda calls me to account for not returning the Block House Boys to him again I will claim that I was power- less to restrain the enraged Senecas from taking their lives.” “Braves,” then said Badger to his red followers. “the white lads who have slain our brothers shall die. The Manito’s rock has not yet had a sacrifice in some moons. Let the blood of — the captives flow on the spot where the ancient Senecas sac- rificed their victims in other days before ths white nian came across the big waters in his great canoes. ” A shout of approval from the redskins greeted this speech, Then the boys were hurried away /to a cave at no great dis- ; tance; torches were procured by the Indians and lighted; the boys were marched into the cavern and bound hand and foot; they were placed upon a great. red stone in the centre of ge underground place. Then Badger and all his savages retired from the cave, andi — the two boys were left alone in the darkness, unable to move hand or foot. It was the. custom, of the Senecas of those early aare to sac- rifice their victims on some occasions. To this day a great rock, in Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, and called Queen ~ Mary’s Rock, after an Indian queen, is pointed out to the tourist who visits the scene of the massacre in that valley — during the revolutionary war. On Queen Mary’s Rock the Savages used to sacrifice their white captives. 3 Badger and his band proceeded to draw lots to decide who : should have the office of executioner, and the fatal ton feist to the white renegade. Nothing loath to slay the helpless lads, he drew his hires our scalping knife and crept alone into the cave of as Manito’s rock. It was the custom of the executioner to slay the vietims : alone, it seemed. Some moments elapsed. The band of savages outside of the cave began to grow patient. They seemed to think that the execution was con suming too much time, as Badger did not reappear. But when what the savages regarded as an unreasonably jong time had elapsed, and just as some of their number qvere: proposing that they should go into the cave} fearing that there was something wrong, Badger came out of it, wavin, plood-dripping scalping knife above his head and yelling, ex ultantly: \ : “The white boys are slain! The Manito 1 is pleased, and the — Senecas are avenged! Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!” Besides the opening through which the boys had been ta! a : into the cave, there was no other way into or out : While Badger was in the cave its entrance was cl at guarded. It was impossible for the boys to free the Selves a. No one could possibly have entered to liberate the being § seen ed the tnatenee 1 ‘OHAPTER XVII. _ MANATOCK AND. WYONA, Left. alone i
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' THE BLOCK HOUSE: BOYS. 21 Senecas to think that the white boys were dead. The absence of daylight favored hig ruse, which he meartened to explain to the boys. Then he added: “Boys, stay here till Manatock come back.” act the role of executioner, the Block House Boys experienced | feelings of intense terror and despair: q The situation was terrible enough to try the nerves and test the courage of the bravest of men, and it was little wonder that the Block House, Boys trembled from head to foot, and : shuddered at every sound. Bert and Val assented, for they comprehended that only Many times before he really came, they fancied that they! Manatock’s daring ruse could save them, for certainly, if they » could*hear the stealthy footsteps of the executioner approach-| were not soon visited by the redskins, it would be because the ing them. latter supposed Badger had executed them. . But at length the darkness of the cave was illuminated, the Manatock proceeded to bind and gag the renegade. boys saw Nate Badger coming toward them from the mouth| «ypitg boys wonder why Manatock no kill um Badger?” geueee Cave! asked the Mohawk, while he was thus engaged. In one hand the renegade carried a pine torch, and its “Yes,” assented Bert. | light dispelled the darkness, and flashed from the glittering ; : 2 “Mohawk heap cunning. Um keep Badger prisoner to. ex- ' blade of rdero alping k gies ol ae aks as bce HO Rela Shs change for Colonel Hastings,” replied the Mohawk. _ Other hand. e sy 9 The boys struggled madly to free cnaeuatee: but in vain, pene You are a trump, Manatock!” exclaimed Bert in and the renegade, who was comi t er ‘ and nearer. : ues Bet Ay eee ae Having secured Nate Badger to his satisfaction, Manatock gave him a, slight slash on the hand with his knife, and then The light from his blazing torch lit up his evil face, and showed his terrible purpose in its murderous expression. ats ahi i a EM id sy Sia gem ane tes The boys believed that at last their doom w: i oa eee ecnat a Mousa ia The Senecas were completely deceived. yond all possibility of deliverance through human agency. 2 ; i Finally Badger paused beside the great red stone rock upon They accepted Manatock as Red Wolf, and he led them back to the renegade’s camp. As soon as that place was reached | Which his victims lay. Then he set his blazing torch on end ; in the ground, and was ready to begin the bloody task he had| t#¢ Mohawk improved the first chance that he found to steal come to execute. away unseen. He succeeded in leaving the camp undetected. You shall die first, Bert Shirley,” hissed the renegade, and| Then he hastened back to the cave in which he had left the _ then he raised his knife above the heart of the boy hero to| Block House Boys. . Arriving there, he found ae boys all right, and Badger was ‘still a captive. i; deal the fatal blow. Bert closed his eyes, and with a prayer in his heart awaited the doom that so closely menaced him.| ‘What of Nettie Hastings?” asked Bert as soon as Mana- ‘tock returned. Then he heard a dull thud, and opening his eyes he saw : Nate Badger outstretched upon the floor of the cave close be- “White gal in care of old Wyona, the medicine woman of aw side the rock. Senecas.” sie; | Over the fallen renegade stood a familiar form. Bert Shir-| “Ah! And Wyona is your friend because you once saved her _ ley’s heart leaped to his throat at that instant, under the im-| life. I remember we procured disguises at her cave,” replied pulse of the revulsion of feelings which he experienced. Bert. - “Ugh!” grunted the man who stood over the fallen rene- “Ugh! Yes, Wyona now with renegade’s band.” ae } gade. “Manatock strike down Badger! Um no kill white boy| “ Gan you not rely on her friendship to cause her to give up) now!” the girl I love to you?” 3% u ‘The speaker was the friendly Mohawk who had promised| “Manatock don’t know. Years ago Colonel Hastings hate VN | the dying x father of the Block House Boys to stand by and pro- and killed Wyona’s brother—Chief Chepata—in battle. Ware ona hate Hastings; maybe hate white gal, too.” - | tect the lads always. bal malig tote: ine da “But you will save Nettie?” implored Bert. PN are Ae “Manatock do um best.” ¢ The explanation is simple, miraculous though his most timely appearance certainly seemed to the Block House Boys.| “Good! Then I have confidence that you will succeed.” “Manatock hope so.” pee _ Manatock had secreted himself in the cave of the Manito’s Rock before the white boys captives were brought there. The Moh@wk went on to say that Wyona’s ‘tepee was set up But he had been secreted in a side passage of the caye, at| on the outskirts of the renegade’s camp. __ 4; ome distance from the ‘Manito’ s Rock, and he had only dis-| “Now, Manatock, go to Wyona’s lodge, try bring white girl we overed | the boys as Nate Badger was about to slay them. back here. Boys wait, ane come again soon,” continued the Mohawk.. So Manatock explained to Bert and Val as he quickly sev- Then he shouldered his gun and left the cave again. . d the thongs with which their captors had secured them, f He went straight to Wyona’s lodge, and boldly entered it. e Mohawk also added: Rain make Duckskin thongs that ‘bound Mohawk stretch, | In his disguise of Red Wolf or Badger he did not fear detec- tion. 1m et away from par Kill guard ’fore he see Mana- = Kk “free. Then come here. Wyona was alone in the. lodge with Nettie Hastings when a, ert and ‘Val, as soon as ne were ate Teaped dowa from Manatock entered. At the sight of the man whom she believ- ; ed to be Badger, the young girl uttered a cry of alarm and | retreated to the furthest end of the lodge. : \ Manatock had resolved to try to deceive ‘Wyona, nad get her | to. allow him to take Nettie away under the leap reeplon that ‘AG | was Red ‘Wolf. s a : ; The Mohawk knew that the old ‘medici e WO: Se
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aa x THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. : " not take the girl captive away from the old medicine woman peacefully, then he would resort to force. “Red Wolf has come ‘for the white girl,” said the Mohawk. “Ugh! chief take white squaw then,” assented old Wyona. “Come with me,” said Manatock to Nettie, and with a sud- den leap he reached the side of the shrinking girl, caught her up in his arms, and started to leave the lodge. But suddenly old Wyona snatched up a gun, and springing before Manatock leveled the weapon full at his heart, CHAPTER XVIII. MANATOOK OUTWITS WYONA. Manatock recoiled before the leveled weapon in the hands of old Wyona, the medicine woman. The Mohawk was completely surprised. ° His gun was now slung from his shoulder by a strap, for both his hands were employed to hold the white girl captive. Old Wyona, so to say, now had the Mohawk completely at her mercy. It flashed upon Manatock’s mind that in some way the Seneca medicine woman had all at onee detected that he. was a renegade. “Who are you? medicine woman. “I am Red Wolf,” replied Manatock. “You speak with a crooked tongue.” “How know? Wyona wrong.” “No, Wyona is right. Badger has the little finger of his left hand missing!” Then Manatock remémbered that what the old medicine woman said was true. The renegade really had lost the little _ finger of his left hand by the accidental explosion of a gun, a . year before. 3 : “You are a foe! Wyona shoot!” cried the red hag fiercely. Her finger was on the trigger. Manatock knew his peril. “Hold!” he cried; “I am NEE, the Mohawk—he who once saved Wyona’s life.” “Prove it,” demanded the medicine woman, still keeping her gun leveled, and with her finger yet on the trigger. Manatock lifted his right hand as he released Neitie Hast- ings, and quickly removed Red Wolf’s head-dress and wiped the fresh paint from his face. “Ah, you are Manatock,” said Wyona. She was convinced, as she recognized the Mohawk, “Why come for white girl?” she demanded, as Nettie uttered a ery of joy when she under- stood that she had a friend at hand. “Manatock would restore the white girl to her friends,” re plied the Mohawk. The old medicine woman frowned darkly, as ee replied: “Tt cannot be.” “Why not? Wyona will let the white girl go for Manatock’s sake?” “No. The praite squaw is the child of the binyel of Wyona’s brother.” “But white girl has done ‘Wyona no harm.” “She is the slayer’s child.” “Manatock begs for her,” “Wyona will not let ws go. Anything else she will do for '. Manatock.” “He gave you your life.” ; “Wyona has not forgotten.” “But she has a hard heart.” , “She longs for revenge on all that have the blood of the slayer in their veins.” _ Manatock saw the medicine woman would not consent to let him rescue Nettie. Speak, or Wyona will shoot!” said the nN - Then he called his cunning t to his assistance by Suedenty, ex- The Mohawk pointed behind the old medicine woman. She involuntarily turned in the. direction he indicated. Then Manatock’s clenched fist struck her a heavy blow on the back of the head, and she fell in a heap at his feet and re- mained motionless. “Ugh! Manatock had to do it,” witerel the Mohawk. Then he led Nettie from the lodge. As they went forth the Indian said: “White girl, have no fear. Manatock true friend. Him. oat’ white girl to Block House Boys.” “Oh, Manatock, are they free?” Nettie asked. “Yes, and Manatock left boys all safe in cave.” “Thank Heaven for their preservation!” “Ugh! Great Spirit on side of white boys!” said the, Indian. Walking rapidly Manatock led Nettie from the camp. j The Seneca warriors saw him and the maiden. But they suspected nothing of ‘the truth, and so no one interposed to prevent their departure. As soon as they were under cover of the woods and out of sight of the renegade’s camp, Manatock led Nettie on more rapidly yet. While they went in the direction of the cave, the Indian ex- plained the escape of the boys from what had seemed certain death in the cavern. Meantime there was an arrival at the cave. Bert and Val were at the entrance of the cavern watebing and waiting for the return of the Mohawk. es Presently they caught sight of Bart Blackwood. _ Almost at ; the same time “the scar-face” caught sight of the lads. Then he hastened to join them, and mutual explanations were made. They were still talking when Manatock and Net- iie came in sight.. Bert ran to meet them, and the joy the young lovers experienced in the reunion may be imagined. : All soon entered the cave, and a consultation was held. ' Manatock proposed to visit the camp of Colonel Kilda, and be. open negotiations looking to making the exchange of Nate Badger, the renegade, for Colonel Hastings, Nettie’s father. All approved the Mohawk’s plan. Manatock prepared to set out upon his dangerous wiser ' “If Manatock no come back in three hours, he pd ee come. Then shoot Badger,” said the Mohawk. zs Then Manatock, after giving his friends a word or two of ; warning—to be constanttly on the es. to guard against ale: covery, took his departure. “¢ Manatock traversed the forest swiftly after leaving the and in a short time he arrived at the cabin of Colonel Kilda ; The sentinels around the camp allowed Manatock to pass them unquestioned, for they took him for Badger, the ane , gade, whom the Indians called Red Wolf, i The Mohawk went boldly through the French camp to one : tent of Colonel Kilda. 3 Unannouneed, he thrust aside the flap of the uckskins shielded the door of the tent and entered. = Colonel Kilda was alone in his tent. ioe “Ah, Badger! I did not anticipate seeing you so soon agai I hope you bring me news of the Block House Boys, who ee me the slip last night,” said Kilda, Manatock suddenly raised his gun and aimed the weapon at the arch villain as he said: 0 “Me not Badger one renee
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THE BLOCK: | But the Mohawk’s gun covered the villainous colonel, and ' Manatock added: “Mohawk kill if utter a word.” The Indian’s finger was on the trigger of his gun, and Kilda | was intensely alarmed. He did not doubt that the Mohawk - would shoot him down if he attempted to give an alarm, and | so he was silent. The person Manatock had heard at the door of the tent was a sentinel pacing his beat. ‘The soldier had been at the end ) of it when the Mobawk entered Colonel Kilda’s quarters: He Was now passing the door, but he did not look in, } This was fortunate indeed for Manatock, who was preparing | for swift and desperate action. The sentinel passed on. ‘ As his footsteps died away in the distance Manatock said, ' while he still kept his gun leveled at Kilda: “Me Manatoek, the Mohawk; me friend of Block House Boys.” “What do you want here?” ge Kilda. “Mohawk have Nate Badger, called Red Wolf by Senoeas, } prisoner. Kilda has white prisohee: f | “You mean Colonel Hastings, the commander of the block “house?” “Yes. Mohawk want to exchange Badger for Chief Hastings.” “You rascal! How would you make the exchange?” _ “Fur chief send two warriors with Colonel Hastings to forks ; pot stream, a little way south, when Mohawk has gone.” - “Yes, And will you have Badger there?” “Yes, Mohawk so promise.” “Suppose I refuse?” Manatock tapped his gun significantly as he replied: “Mohawk come to save Colonel Hastings, He will do it or 4 €arry away Kilda’s scalp.” _ Manatock spoke fiercely. His eyes flashed. He was in deadly "earnest. Kilda realized this, and he hastened to reply: - “And if I consent to your proposal to exchange prisoners?” “Then Mohawk go away and no hurt Chief Kilda.” i “Your impudence is superb.” - “But Kilda must go with Mohawk to edge of camp so he ~ ean’ t give alarm, for fear Mohawk shoot.” Kilda ground his teeth in rage,,and stealthily reached for a j ‘pistol in his belt. But the Mohawk saw the movement, and he said fiercely: “Kilda put pistol on ground.” The villain did not dare refuse to obey, and he reluctantly dulled the weapon from his belt, and dropped it. As he had discarded the sword, which he wore as an officer Of the French army, before Manatock entered, Kilda was now unarmed, “Now will Kilda make exchange of prisoners? \ Mohawk in heap hurry,” sail Manatock. ‘Speak quick. He was in mo- . If Kilda make even Fale. to betray him, Mohawk ‘shoot, es rejoined Manatock. Then he held aside the tent-flap, and Kilda passed out ahead him. A> moment subsequently the disguised Mohawk and le French colonel were walking through the camp. suspicion of the daring stratagem which the Indian was ‘king out entered their minds. Soon the Mohawk and Kilda arrived at the confines of the Camp. ‘Then the former halted and said: : “Kilda has done well not to” iy to beiney Mohawk. Now zy nurs’ t ume) Manatock will rend Kilda the Beal of Bad- As, of course, ‘the soldiers still took Manatock-for Red Wolf, ne as promised, tor if the white 1 prisoner is not there in| ‘cave, and heard the voices of the fugitives. HOUSE BOYS.. 83 r “Tll keep my word,” replied Kilda. Then Manatock entered the woods, and hastened Aan while Kilda returned to his tent mortified and chagrined, as he thought how he had been compelled to make terms with the Indian. . Manatock made his way swiftly through the woods. Meantime old Wyona had regained consciousness and recoy- ered from Manatock’s blow. But knowing it was now. too late she did not immediately give the alarm to the Indians of Bad- ger’s band that the white girl had escaped, But finally she went in search of Badger to inform him, Of course she failed to find Badger in the Indian camp, and then she went to the encampment of the French, in quest of the renegade. Arriving there she proceeded to the tent of Kilda, and asked the French:-colonel for Badger, telling him that the renegade had disappeared from his own camp. Kilda informed Wyona that he had just learned that Bad- ger was a captive in the hands of the enemy, and then Wyona told of the white girl’s escape. ; Manatock met with no adventure worthy of special record on his way back to the cave after leaving the French camp. The Block House Boys and Blackwood, the scar-face, wel- comed Manatock as he re-entered the cave. “What success? Oh, Manatock, have you succeeded 0 ar- ranging for the exchange of my poor father for the renegade?” asked Nettie, with all the eagerness natural in a loying daugh- ter whose father was a captive in the power of the enemy. “Ugh! Manatock make terms with Kilda,” replied the Mo- hawk. ; = Then he went on briefly and related his adventures at thé French camp. The Indian spoke modestly of the daring work which he had accomplished, but all understood how great had been his peril, and his achievement was duly appreciated. — Nate Badger had listened to all the conversation, and he was now exultant in the thought that he would soon be free. The vindictive wretch mentally resolved to yet execute a terrible vengeance upon Manatock. is “Now,” said Manatock, presently, “Scar-face and Manatock march Badger to stream, Where meet Colonel Kilda’s warriors to exchange prisoners,” } “Yes, I will accompany you, Manatock, and we must be on our guard against treachery. Kilda is quite capable of any vil- lainy, and he may set a trap for us,” said Blackwood. , “Manatock thought of that. Him be on lookout. If Kilda try that Badger get killed heap quick,” said the Mohawk. Manatock and Blackwood, having first unbound Badger's limbs so that he could walk, marched the renegade out of the cave. Meanwhile old Wyona, who now shrewdly suspected that Manatock had captured Badger at the cave of the Manito Rock, left the French camp without voicing this suspicion, and set out to make a secret scout of the cavern. - Peril for the Block House Boys and Nettie Hastings was evi-_ dently pending. CHAPTER XX. THE BATTLE IN THE GAYE. Not long’ after the departure of Manatock and Blackwooa from the cave with Nate Badger, the manoeade, old Seon the medicine woman, approached it, oe : As it was now broad daylight the aged Seneca squaw, who, despite her years, moved with the elastic steps of youth, ‘came © toward the mouth of the sacred cavern of the Manito Rock | with great caution and stealthiness. ; She soon discovered evidence of the presence. of whites in the An exultant fecling animated ‘Wyona then, and ee
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24. [2 SR RP ORS SE A LER OEE glided out of the cave and went rapidly in the direction of the encampment of Nate Badger’s Indian allies. The time went by slowly to the inmates of the cave, as it always does when the occurrence of some particular event is anxiously awaited. Nearly an hour had elapsed when Bert sud- denly enjoined silence, and then said in a whisper: “Tf thought [ heard a. stealthy footstep in the cave.” In a moment the fugitives of the cave became fully con- vinced that there was more than one stealthily moving person approaching. “Come,” whispered Bert, “Let’s creep away to the furthest depth of the cave and seek a hiding place.” , As he spoke he silently led Nettie forward into the dark cay- ern, and after him came Val. Presently Bert came to an obstruction. It was a mass of fallen rock which blocked the way, but it was only about three or four feet high, and the fugitives clambered over it as noise- lessly as possible. Scarcely had they scaled the barrier when a ray of light flashed in the darkness, behind them, and they heard the striking of a fiint. The spark had fallen upon pow- der sprinkled on a torch and a blaze was the result. Then the boys and their girlish companion beheld a dozen Seneca Indians in the cave. But the whites crouched down behind the rocks, over which they had just passed, and the Senecas did not see them as yet. - Of course old Wyona had brought the savages to the cave. In a few moments several torches belonging to the Indians were ignited from the one that was first fired, and the light thus afforded very well illuminated the cave. - The Indians now hastily advanced toward the hiding-place of the boys and Nettie: Bert and Val felt that a crisis was at hand, and that the moment for prompt and desperate action had arrived. The rocks served as a breastworks, and the two lads leveled their guns over them. The foremost of the Ihdians was now very near the rocky barricade, and the keen-eyed savage at once halted and leaped backward, for he had caught a glimpse of Bert’s gun, from the muzzle of which the torch light glinted. “At the same moment Bert pressed the trigger. D uttered a yell, and fell head first at the foot-of the rocks.’ Instantly the other savages pressed forward to assault the position of the Block House Boys, and the cave rang with their blood-chilling war cries. Then as the Senecas charged Val discharged his: gun. _ chanced that his bullet pierced the heart of a great war chief. As the savage fell the remaining Senecas set up the death Then they raised wail of the tribe, and halted for a moment. the dead chief and carried him back some distance. _This delay in the attack gave the two boys an opportunity to reload their flint-lock guns. ~ But the Indians came on again, just as the boys were prith- “ing their weapons. They both fired at once, But the char ge was not checked. The succeeding moment the Indians reached the rocky wall, and were attempting to scale it, Then the boys sprang up and ( discharged their single-barreled pistols, and clubbing their > guns, wielded them fupiously, seeking to beat back their ‘red enemies. THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS, The Indian it Ha, hat As the Senecas thronged toward the mouth of the cave the, three guns crashed again in a deadly volley. CHAPTER XXI. AT THE CAVE AGAIN. After leaving the cave in which the Block House Boys cad Nettie Hastings were secreted Manatock and Blackwood swift- — ly marched their prisoner toward the forks of the stream at no great, distance, to which Colonel Kilda had agreed to send Colonel Hastings that he might be exchanged for Badger. Kilda had kept faith with-the Indian, for two Seneca braves met them with Colonel Hastings, and the exchange was soon made. Badger and the two Senecas at once hastened spe ‘ in the direction of their encampment. ‘ Colonel Hastings and his friends rapidly vetreateel iy tie opposite direction, and shaped their course in the shortest route to the cave of the Manito. Manatock hastened to acquaint the aniins father with the | most welcome intelligence of Nettie’s rescue. Manatock and his two companions were soon very near. me Manito cave. Then, all at once the muffled report of fir arms reached their Réartite, and also the indistinct yells of 4 the Senecas. An intensely anxious expression came ba r features of the Mohawk, as he said: “Seneca dogs in cave!” “Then our friends are in awful peril, and my daughter, Net tie, too!” exclaimed Colonel Hastings. | “Yes, and we must to the rescue,” said Blackwood. “Wait!” cried Maral’ and turning aside he ee to a3 hollow eee more than a month previously, after taking 3 from a Seneca spy whom he had shot. i the torches of the Senecas ae saw at once what Ww piring in the underground place. : The three guns. that suddenly chen forth a deadly at the mouth of the cave at the opportune moment | redskins were about to scale the rocky barricade, behi at the Block House Boys had so heroically battled, w e charged by Manatock and his two companions. Y But as they fired the second time the Mohawk’s caught an alarming sound from the ‘adjacent fores A moment subsequently he was sure that a ¢ band of Senecas were. approaching from the directi camp, and almost at the same time he caught a gl idly moving forms as the coming Senecas. space. hs Then the voice of Nate’ Badger, the renegade, ae to. his Indians to urge them, o1 eyes capture aioe all. Wyona’s baila a The Manito, cave shall vo the mouth of the cave. | — Just then the report. of three guns xe ashed simultaneously St “What shall we do? If we rush. to. the ee pers we way get out ve them the renegad ern > The Indians halted in their desperate charge. They knew f they were attacked in the rear, and leaving the barricade, they if hastily retreated toward the entrance of the cave, _ The Block House Boys sank down upon the rocks panting | and well nigh ara with the, ss cla of the. re hrhe r fight they had THBAG, < : ut
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THE BLOCK | those which succeeding events might be presumed to present- ay. cause. The Indian’s plans were immediately formed, and he ' “Only one way. Manatock go for help while you go in cave. ae With boys you make four. Mouth of cave small. You four, } Cave.” } “Yes. You have solved the problem!” replied Blackwood, | and he rushed into the cave as he spoke, closely followed by | Colonel Hastings, while Manatock glided away unseen. | The Block House Boys and Nettie rushed forward and met ‘) Blackwood and the exchanged prisoner. Nettie sprang into .| her father’s embrace, with a glad cry, and Blackwood said to | the boys: } “Now to barricade the entrance. Manatock has gone for {i help. All depénds upon our holding the cave against the In- “dians until he returns.” it There were loose rocks at hand, and all set to work to heap | them in a barricade across the mouth of fhe cave, but almost by immediately the Indians under Badger, who had now come up, | Made a charge. They were met with a volley from the cave | that sent them backward in a hasty retreat, and then the be- a Sieged set to work again on the barricade. Blackwood en- | ‘couraged all by speaking hopefully, and they labored as only | those can who feel that they are striving to save their lives, k It now began to dawn upon the mind of Badger that he was | Rot to capture the occupants of the cave very easily. sant he Sought to intimidate them by shouting: | “You are caught in a trap and you may-as well surrender! | We will. make you ue your supply of ammunition, and | then we shall have you.” t i No reply was returned to the renegade and the batile was ' continued. | Meanwhile Manatock sped swiftly through on forest on his | Way to the encampment of the Americans at the site of the burnt blockhouse. He was one of the swiftest of all the speedy ae of the great Mohawk tribe, and he arrived at the ; | American camp in much less time than one might have sup- | Posed he would have required to gain it. fe The commander of the thousand men sent from Fort Hd- ard too late to save the block house, suspected the retreat of Rte French and Indians, who greatly outnumbered his army, | was a ruse to draw him into the wilderness, where the In- \ dians could be used to the greatest advantage against him, ‘Therefore he did not advance. But he was planning to meet | the stratagem attempted by the enemy with a grand coup. _ Burning with rage, and longing to avenge the terrible mas- ‘ard to bring up more troops as soon as_ possible. When fanatock gine the Ramp poner. hese ae aon men had just a Manatocks sitar Colonel Wilson and acquainted tite with i he perilous situation of Colonel Hastings and his companions jin the cave. The Indian also gave the American commander ; tock, and i set. Ou with them to save the hiites at the be- Sieged cave. At the same time an advance of the American sorces: was made up the Pict It was the intention of the} ‘Sible e draw the enemy ak of the forest, 4 force was left behind, so that the enemy would be led to un- deres imate their numbers. The reserves would fall upon the i he ruse to draw them out of es timber suce wae me the besieged whites 1 it make good fight, hold out some time ‘fore Sendéas get in HOUSE BOYS 25 of the enemy. At last the end of the heroic defense of the cave seenied about to arrive. The defenders had loaded their weapons with the last round of ammunition in their posses- — sion, and still the hoped-for assistance’ did not come. CHAPTER XXIII. - THE AMERICANS DRIVE BACK THE ENEMY. Above the din of the terrible conflict at the mouth of the cave, where the devoted little band of whites were desperately fighting for their lives against overwhelming numbers of the Indians, there suddenly rang out a resounding cheer. The noble Indian had arrived with help in the very nick of time. The hundred Americans swept down upon the renegade savages like a resistless tornado, and only Badger and two or three others escaped the white avengers. The Block House Boys and their companions came fee of Halt the American k | face” aac tis on i eee mission into Lo ene the cave, and a scene of rejoicing ensued. The white scouts all knew and respected Colonel Hastings, and mo rejoiced over his rescue. As they traversed the woods toward the American army Blackwood marched beside the Block House Boys, and pres- ently he said to them in low tones: “Circumstances have prevented my revealing to you the great secret which I have desired to tell you ever since I es-_. | eaped from the Cherokee Indians, to whom I was sold by the arch villain Volmar Kilda.” “That secret concerns our father, the will by which he was- disinherited, and some fraud on the part of Kilda,” -said Bert. “Yes,” assented Blackwood. “It is a singular story. The. fact is, in England I was a gamekeeper on the estate of your grandfather. You probably know your grandfather was killed mysteriously in the game preserves on his estate. Very well. Volmar Kilda had found out that your grandfather had made a will revoking the one by which he disinherited your father. The last wil! made your father the main heir. Now, Kilda’ murdered your grandfather. I saw him do the deed. He had previously stolen the last will, and, he thought, destroyed it. But by a lucky accident I had secured it. Kilda, in ignorance of the fact that I had the lost will, but knowing I saw him murder your grandfather, bribed me to go to America. f went, and I brought the lost will here with me. Meantime, after converting most of the estate which he wrongfully acquired through the first will into money, Kilda also came to America. Then, to extort money from him, I made known that I had the Jast will. He planned cunningly after that, and I was kid- napped and sold to the Cherokees. But I had secreted the last will, and Kilda did not secure that. At last I escaped, thirst- ing for vengeance, and resolved to undo the wrong of which I had been guilty by helping your father to obtain the fortune Kilda unjustly holds. An explosion of powder accidentally scarred my face, and the terror of a single hight, when I be- i ie lieved that in the morning I should perish at the torture stake, turned my hair as white as snow.” , iy Where now is the will that makes my father the heir of ae Bnglish inheritance?” “In the house of Volmar Kilda, at his pr incipal trading-post for barter with the Indians,” replied Blackwood. bis “Then it is beyond our reach,” said Val. — Pi ee ae ak have a plan. Manatock must be taken into our con- fidence, and we will arrange to go in disguise to Kilda’ s. trading: post and secure the will during the ence scoundrel’s absence,” explained Blackwood. f and the project to recover it was explained to the Mohawk, who readily volunteered to accompany the boys and the “Se a rs eae Manatock was called and everything rotating: 40 ‘the will :
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a6 The party reached the American army after a long march, and went to a cabin by the lake shore near the position of the reserve troops. There Nettie and her father were quartered: Then the other went on to take a hand in the impending battle. The Block House Boys and Blackwood led on by Manatock overtook the division of the American army that had gone forward to make a sham attack on the enemy. A brief but sharp engagement ensued when the attack was made. The French and Indians, thinking the entire American force, whom they so greatly outnumbered, was before them, . charged fearlessly. - This was, of course, just what the cunning American com- mander desired them to do, and he ordered a retreat. The French and Indians thought the battle was well-nigh won, The Americans continued to fall back until the French and Indian forces were all drawn out of the woods, into the clov- ered fields adjacent to the destroyed block house. There was a valley not far from the woods whose sides con- cealed the American reserves. Colonel Hastings was now in command of thé troops hidden there. When the French and Indians had passed the end of the valley the reserve led by Colonel Hastings charged upon their flank, uttering shouts that made the forest ring, and re- sounded afar over the clearings. Then was the Americans’ hour of vengeance. The bloodthirsty Indians were slain in vast numbers, and a retreat of the French and their red allies, which was little better than a disastrous flight, at once commenced. The Americans pursued the enemy and drove them back to Crown Point. which post was so well fortified that the Ameri- cans did not deem it advisable to lay siege to it just then. The return march of our troops immediately began when the enemy had reached Crown Point, but the Block House Boys ‘and Manatock went on toward Canada with Blackwood CHAPTER XXIV. . CONCLUSION. ; Without great difficulty, Manatock had secured complete Seneca war-dresses for the entire party. These he took from dead enemies after the battle. All were not only dressed as Senecas, but they were stained -and painted so as to defy detection even by a suspicious per- son, and they were sure of passing for what they seemed, unless they by some overt act or premature revelation placed themselves at a disadvantage. — The journey to the post, which Kilda had established’ in order to carry on his trade with the Indians, was reached after several days’ march. It was just at nightfall when the Block House Boys and their venturesome comrades arrived in sight of the fur-traders’ settlement. From the brow of an adjacent hill, where they stood at the edge of a fringe of timber, where the darkening shadows screened them from the sight of the people of the trading-post, Blackwood pointed out one cabin larger than any other, stand- ing close to the great store-house. “That cabin,” said he, when he knew that his hearers saw _ the particular dwelling which he indicated, “is the cabin al- ways occupied by Kilda when he is here. During his absence it is closed. In that dwelling the night I was kidnapped I hid - the will of which I told you under a certain stone in the hearth. Now, when all the people of the little settlement are asleep, we will advance and seek to enter Kilda’s cabin, secure | ; ihe hidden will, and escape.” / The party remained where they were until midnight. Then _ the last light in the little settlement disappeared. — pas Proceeding stealthily, they reached Kilda’s cabin. They | : soon convinced themselves. that there was no one inside of it. : hen, leaving Manatock and the EVE? on “the ete b cnt of THE BLOCK HOUSE BOYS. ‘| renegades and the Indians pursued. b bi bee ais it, Blackwood forced open a window as silently as possible and entered. Meantime, the very any that the Block House Boys and their comrades set out for the Canadian trading-post, Kilda, accompanied by Nate Badger, the renegade, and a body-guard of a seore,of Seneca warriors, by a singular opatrerenae also started for’ the same place. A messenger, coming in great haste from the fading post, had brought Kilda the intelligence that his Indian wife, who resided there, and to whom he was much attached, was dying, So Kilda set out for the post without any delay. At the time when Blackwood entered the cabin of Kilda tha’ villain and his men were rapidly approaching the settlement. Blackwood had been inside of the house but a few moments when he leaped through the window with a package in hi hand, and said to his friends triumphantly: 4 “JT have-it! I found the will just where I secreted it so 9 ago.” The Block House Boys were delighted, and the little party at once started to leave the settlement. They had reached its confines when, as they were about to enter the woods, there appeared before them a file of Senecas, headed by Colonel Killda and Badger, the renegade. - pis The Americans sprang aside and rushed for Carer. The Suddenly Manatock wheeled and discharged his oe at Bad- ger, and with a terrible yell the rascal fell to rise no more. The fall of Badger checked the pursuit, and the Americans ran swiftly southward. They obtained an excellent start, and although the Indians soon took their trail, they finally eluded their red enemies ant at last reached Fort Hiward in safety. The last will was then examined, and it was fount to Bal precisely as Blackwood had said. bee Then ‘legal measures were adopted to make Kilda turn over the fortune of Legrand Shirley to his sons. After some liti- gation the last will enabled the American boys to obtain the fortune of which their deceased father had was depr. ved by Kilda. S/o The villain would probably have been thrown in but he was suddenly shot and killed sf an Indian. had wrongéd. Some time later, when Bert and Val Shirley were in ‘asd possession of the fortune they had wrested from Colonel wildy Bert and Nettie Hastings’ were married. . Blackwood and Manatock always thereafter, when not em-, ployed as scouts or hunters, made their home at B 's bea- tiful home on Lake George, near the site of the bur house. i) Some time later val married happily and mete brother. ; fh . THE END. Read “THE WHITE BOY SLAVES; L. STUDENT EXILES OF SIBERIA,” by Richar Montgomery, which will = the next umber Ls “Pluck and Luck.” SPECIAL NOTICE: All pack stumbers: of this ‘ytaeillr de pt the oe are in ipsa 1to5, 1, 8, 10 to.13, oo 2 ee if pete from any newsdealer, send ‘the Hee Oe orp RANK lens oe order; by saturn a. mail
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PLUCK AND LUCK. 22 NEW YORK, DECEMBER 9, 1908. | © Terms to Subscribers. Hin AMGIO COPIES, » Ws. ., cts CNC ORT RE CUR TODSER TNS oh in ONY Cees .o5 Cents | One Copy Three Months. ...........sceeveedsecessesoceees ‘ sid macOne: Copy Six [lonthsi<. cites. vs passe conics bicekovtir va $1.25 OneCopy One Year aiigaarseieress seit eavaaketveasents 2.50 Postage Free. ? How To Senp Money. At our risk send P. O. Money Order, Check; or Registered Letter; re- : mittances in any other way are at your risk. We accept Postage by Stamps the same ascash. When sending silver wrap the coin in 4 . separate piece of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. Waite your name and address plainiy. Address letters to Frank Tousey, Publisher, a4 Union Sq., New York. THINGS OF INTEREST. 3 White Island derives its name from the clouds of white Steam in which it appears to be continually enveloped. Its ’ area is only 600 acres, and its height about 880 feet above the Sea level. In form and color it is like a reposing camel, while its interior with its gray, weather beaten, almost perpendicular ' Cliffs, recalls the Coliseum at Rome. Overhanging the southern landing place stands a column of rock closely resembling a Gon which has been dedicated tothe memory of Captain Cook. The water of the island is of a pale green hue, and any- , thing dipped into it becomes of a red brick color. The fumes Of sulphur are always plainly perceptible. On a fine moonlight “night a wonderful sight is afforded to any one who will sit in { an open boat in one of the lakes of the island. Covering an area of fifty acres is an immense caldron hissing and snorting and sending forth volumes of poisonous steam, while all chances of egress appear to be denied by the steep, silent and gloomy cliffs. pa Coca is the South American invigorant. The shrub from Which the coca leaves are obtained grows under favorable con- ditions to.a Height of about four meters, It is cultivated in Peru and Bolivia. At the time the crop is gathered the seeds ‘are sown in beds, when they germinate and grow, and in two Months the growing plants reach a height of about a foot. é ‘The leaves, grown in the proper sunlight and shade, are yellow- ish, small and thick. This is the kind of leaf that is preferred _ tor chewing by persons using the leaf as a stimulant, fortifier and preventive of sleep and fatigue in the performance of ardu- ous work, inasmuch as they prevent rheumatism, from which miners suffer when working in mines that contain much water. Indians who masticate the leaves of this plant can work twenty-four hours without eating or sleeping. Coca leaves are used by the natives when engaged in long and fatiguing jour- heys and by soldiers when subject to hardships and privations. ‘They may be used with all kinds of food and are said to cure dyspepsia, eithen taken as an infusion in the shape of tea or by Masticating the leaves. The life of the plant when perfect is Sighty years. oh While the Russian citizen is forced to be content with his reign papers blacked out by the cehsor, the ezar, until the mmencement of the Japanese war, was supplied with news the outside world only through the medium of a daily paper printed for him by a special department of the foreign office. ‘This contained clippings and translations from all the Euro- Dean papers, and was printed upon fine paper from special type. All items which might be supposed to be disquieting to the czar were eliminated by the editors, and the freshly printed sheet” contained news designed to please the one subscriber. ; the war, ahi ee the czar insisted upon au: eing SUD-, Pen Pa cae a Pluck and. Luck. | rageous! wale Se as the child’s healthy?” these were sent with no good grace by the censors, who in times past had resorted to odd devices to keep certain publica- tions from their imperial master, counterfeits sometimes being printed. This was notably the case with the revolutionary sheet published in London, which was rabid in its strictures of the court officials. The paper and type were so cleverly coun- terfeited that it was some months before the scheme was de- tected. The blacked out matter is saved for record, and in huge scrapbooks might be found all prohibited articles. OUR COMIC COLUMN. “Whew! Isn’t this weather the worst you ever saw?” “No, sir. No weather is the worst I ever saw.” Winkers—I haven’t seen you at the club for a week. You seem to have become a great home Hoy. lately. Blinkers— Yes. Wife’s away. Miss Sweetly—I think your writings resemble some works of the greatest writers. Young Scribbler (delighted)—iIn what manner? Miss Sweetly—You will not live to see them appre- ciated. “So you claim to possess the heart of a boy? Bah!” “But, really, I feel just as young as I ever did.” “Go on. The fire engines went past here five minutes ago, and you were so busy reading some of Emerson’s essays that you never knew it.” “John,” said the political leader’s wife, “you’ll have to get a new policeman assigned to this beat; Bridget doesn’t like the present one.” “All right,” said he; “and, while I’m about it, T’'ll get one that likes his meat tare. I’m getting tired of overdone beef.” “Hiram, what profession do you think our John ought -to follow?” “I dunno,” replied Farmer Korncob; “John is rather handicapped.. The only profession he thinks he is naturally adapted to is that of a capitalist, and I can’t see where the money’s comin’ from.” “Physical culture, father, is perfectly lovely. To develop the arms I grasp this rod by one end and move it slowly from right to left.” “Well!” exclaimed her father, “what won't science discover? If that rod had straw at the other end you'd be sweeping.” Wigg (relating experience with burglar) —The fellow was an amateur, all right, for when I pointed my pistol at him he stood petrified with fear. Wagg—He did? Then you’re mistaken about his being an amateur. If he was petrified, it’s clear that he was a hardened criminal. In a village in New Jersey the schoolmistress saw one of - the little boys erying, She called him to her and inquired. the reason. “Some of the big boys made me kiss a little girl out in the schoolyard,” was the reply. “Why, that is out- Why did you not come right to me?” “f—I didn’t. snow that you would let me kiss you,” he said. Two Irishmen who had not met for many years came to. gether one day recently. After much slapping of backs and rejoicing, one said: “Long time since we met, Clancy, isn’t. it? Lots of things have happened since then.” “’Tis, indeed. Look at myself. Shure, it’s married I am,” replied the other, “You don’t tell me. Have you any family?” asked the first speaker. “Faith, and I haye that. I’ve a fine, healthy boy and the neighbors say he’s the picture of me.” The first speaker looked at Clancy, who “was not built on the me a a prize beauty, and said: “Ah, well, whats the har-un Ser ey y t
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+ use to the owner, her husband, so that, upon a certain morning “of last. week, when Dominick Philethus McGruder, the rag- » man of MeSwyny Court, went by the McSwynian domicile with * his ringing bells clanging over his rag cart, Anastasia went sb ' the door and called. him. fe smile, but never pausing for breath as he went on—*Rags-an’- * pottles-to-sell! *. do you do to-day?” - “Ts that all ye’ give me for a handsome blue trousers belong- were, more" betoken the coat an’ vesht were so tight across the ey waist: as ‘to burst the firsht day he wore ‘em.” ; - moind, they is only good for ould rags now, though T might sell them to Solomon Isaacs, the ould clo” man. I’ll make a Mrs. MeSwyny cordially. oat a8 His Blue Trousers By D. W. STEVENS. There is an old adage to the effect that a woman is at the bottom of every trouble in this world of ours. Taking McSwyny Court as a smaller sphere existing within and encircled by a greater orbit, and we find that the adage will hold good to its application therein. Dionysius McSwyny, after his experience recently, is no doubt fully prepared to confirm the truth of the proverb re- ferred to, for he has been in great trouble, brought about and concocted by his wife, Anastasia, although without any malice aforethought or premeditated design on the lady’s part, she being the innocent cause of the whole row. And the second agent of the fomenting of the disturbance was a pair of trousers. Now, a pair of trousers are not troublesome in themselves, unless ill-made or too tight for comfort, but these particular trousers kave been the means of raising the deuce in the Mc- Swynian household, and, in consequence in McSwyny Court. It seems that Dionysius had a pair of blue trousers, which for some months past he has discarded wearing, having donned an entire suit of black cheviot, with the trousers would not match, and therefore were laid aside. They hung on a peg in one of the MeSwynian bedrooms, and were rapidly becoming useless, save from the utilitarian stand- point of the old ragman. ' Anastasia McSwyny, being of an economical disposition, got tired of seeing the trousers hanging on a peg, and of no earthly ' *¢Good-mornin’, Mrs. McSwyny,” said McGruder, with a Any ould r-a-g-s?” “Good-mornin’, Mr. MeGruder,” responded Anastasia. “How “Quite well, ma’am, thank ye. How’s the ould man? Rags- an’-bottles-to-sell!’ Any ould r-a-g-s?” . “He's nicely, Mr. McGruder,” answered Mrs. McSwyny. an ould pair of trousers here I’d like to sell ye.” “All right, ma’am,” responded McGruder, taking the article and examining it closely. “How's your daughters, Mary Ann and Anny? Rags-an’ ’-bottles-to-sell! Any ould r-a-g-s?” “They’re well, Mr. McGruder, an’ how much are the trousers worth, an’ is your wife in good health?” answered the eet “Pve “Oh, she’s all right, ma’am, an’ I’m glad to hear ye’re all well, but all I can give ye for the trousers is tenpence. Rags- ‘an’-bottles-to-sell! Any ould r-a-g-s?” “Only tenpence! » echoed Mrs. McSwyny, in astonishment. in’ to a suit Dionysius paid fifty shillings for to order of little ‘Tooley, the tailor, only gix months ago; and a foine fit they i “Well, ‘ma’am,” went on the MeGruder, soothingly, “d’ye sixpence, but not more, an’ thin ‘it may be a losing ‘speckila- ‘tion. ‘Rags-an’ -bottles-to-sell! Any ould r-a-g-s?” m4 “Well, take thim,” responded Mrs. ‘MeSwyny. “They're no 00 to Dionysius any more, an’ . Pm sure I cant, wear ” PLUCK AND LUCK. =e em. ” “You're the first woman I ever heard acknowledge that, thin,” jocosely answered the McGruder, as he threw the trous- ers into his cart. “There ye are, ma’am; good-day, Mrs. McSwyny, Rags-an’-bottles-to-sell! Any ould r-a-g-s?” And the old ragman trudged along, with his cart, singing. his invitation to trade, while Mrs. MeSwyny went indoors, re- joicing in the possession of tenpence additional pin-monéy. It flashed across her mind at the last moment that possibly 7 Dionysius might have left. some important papers in the pockets, or perhaps even money, and she hastened to the door ) again, intending to call McGruder back. But he had long since disappeared from view, and Mrs. McSwyny was forced to return, comforting herself with the i reflection that she was possibly mistaken in her suippositions fears, E | Two days afterwards Dionysius was looking curiously about the bedroom, evidently hunting for something, when Mrs. } McSwyny passed by the door leading to the kitchen. ; “Anastashia,” called out Dionysius, “did you see an oul blue trousers of mine hanging up here?”? : “A blue trousers?” echoed Mrs, “MeSwyny. “Do ye mane 9 that dirty ould thing ye’ve had hangin’ there for a month back?” 4 “That dirty ould thing is jist the wan I do mane,” reltdiated Dionysius. “Where’s it gone to, I’d like to know?” ; “Where do ye s’pose it'd go to,” answered Mrs. MeSwyny | indignantly, “like the old rag ’twas, but to the rag dealers?” “What!” yelled Dionysius, leaping three feet‘from the floo: in his excitement. — “Yis,” answered Mrs: McSwyny, composedly enough, “yet not | without a certain misgiving. “TI sold it two days ago to sae Gruder for old rags.” ay “Tare an’ ounds!” roared Dionysius, dancing on she ‘loo: With madness. “Are ye mad, woman alive?” * Aisy, Dionysius, aisy now,” went on Mrs. MeSwyny. go about like a lunatie havin’ a dose of the Ue agte mad, thin.” “Be Heavens, woman,” responded Dionysius, confronting wife angrily, “yell drive me mad wid yer Jack of common sinse. Do ye not know that I got little Tooley the tailo sew three bank-notes in the waisht of that flannel _trouss ay oe iced ys no ed itis the street axotealy. Tenants in McSwyny Court must have thought him | man, from the manner in which he hurried along, into and over Sega Winkelmyer’ S shop. “Have ye a blue fiannel trousers oO” ming here, he asked, excitedly. id “A blue flannel throusers, ” answered MeGr ( “I think so, Mac. I recollect buyin’ them av yer w ie “Yis, bad seran to her for sellin’ — Bae, ¢ an’ ni worn,” went on Dionysius. ie “Frederick James,” called McGruder ‘his son, : kim av that blue flannel trousers I bought two or thr ago?” ly. you Hccliecbs You sold them to. Solomon sate ternoon for half a crown,” Dionysius didn’t wait 0 » hear any ‘more, but
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PLUCK AND LUCK. 29 “Where is it?” asked MeSwyny hurriedly. at double what ye paid McGruder for it.” “T sell him again dish mornin’ for ziven and sixpence,” explained Isaacs, graciously, “to dot young mon wat asain down by der court. His name is—Rachel! Rachel!” “Vot you vant, fader?” came a voice, evidently belonging to Rachel. “Vat is der name of dot young mon vot puy dose plue flan- nel trousers dish mornin’ for ziven and sixpence?” asked Solomon, : “You mean dot mon vot vore a plue shirt mit short hair, fader?” queried Rachel. 4 “Yesh, my tearsh,” Solomon answered. “Dot young mon yot bead me down from fifteen shillings to half-prize.” “Dot young mon’s name ish Rooderig Alphonso Moriarty,” “Tl buy it. av ye “answered Rachel. Dionysius thanked, Solomon and Rachel Isaacs for, their courtesy, and started out in search of Roderick Alphonsus Moriarty; and it is safe to say that he never had such a hard day’s traveling. Moriarty had gone to Mulvaney’s livery stable. Mulvaney told him Roderick Alphonsus had gone to a fun- eral with one of his (Mulvaney’s) drivers. When Dionysius got to the home of the late lamented, the mournful cortege had started for the cemetery. Over to the cemetery followed Dionysius, only to find when he had got there that the interment had taken place, and back came the half-crazed man*to Mulvaney’s. The driver was found here, but not Roderick Alphonsus, who had left him to go to the theater with Tim O’Shaugnessy and Felix Vincent O’Dwyer. Fortunately for Dionysius he caught the boys on the way, and offered ten shillings for an immediate delivery of the oe esane trousers, besides volunteering to purchase a new pair at* orice. Roderick Alphonsus consenting with pleasure, the exchange was made, and Dionysius quickly ripped open the waist lining, and found the three bank-notes untouched. “Jimminy Christopher!” exclaimed Roderick Alphonsus, “if I'd a-known that, those trousers would be worth twenty pounds / at least. What a puddin’ you’ve got, McSwyny.” Dionysius has got back the money invested in this novel ‘savings bank, but will hereafter fall back on the old style, a wise conclusion which we think our readers will coincide with. ——__——_-> <2 <___—_—_ Forests of Stone \ x ; “T had a queer experience once,” a gentleman, who had _ been examining the collection of trees and woods in the old Arsenal building, Central Park, said, “and these hard woods remind me of it. I was prospecting in Arizona with a party of friends, and we had had rough luck. We had a young Irishman as cook that I had picked up in Omaha, who was worth more than any ten men I ever saw in keeping up the spirits of the : crowd. ‘The lower the provisions the more jovial he was, and Tm hanged | if he didn’t seem to have the biues one day when we shot a bear, and were on the edge of starvation. One day, when he had Been out picking up wood for a fire, he came to me and said: “e ‘Beggin’ yer pardon, Master Tom, but ay it’s the so rd ] oike | to take the Len track.’ alk bask, but divil 2 a . bit -o’ that,’ said nas solemnly. ‘But ever Rear tell oF the etd ay, Pedi peoidke ics al women, and childer turned to stone. I always took it to be a joke, the results av too much larnin’, but divil a bit when we've struck the ‘self-same place. Ye laugh, is it? Cast yer eye on that,’ and he held out a perfect limb,of a tree of hard, solid rock, while in the other hand he had a large, ered ovetey. “ Why, that’s petrified wood,’ I exclaimed, “ Yes,’ rejoined Pat, ‘and we'll all be in the same fix if we kape on. I’m for the back trail,’ “It was a long time before we could make him understand the situation. But it was a curious sight. We had camped on the edge of a forest that had actually turned to stone. All about were the great stumps that at first we had taken for stones, but found, on closer examination, to be trees turned into stone. Some were flat on the ground, others broken into hundreds of pieces, while all around were bones and shells all turned to stone also. How long they had been there no one knows.” Stone forests are in many parts of ‘is world. A number of stony trees have been recently received at the Smithsonian Institute from the West. In many cases they are hardened by the peculiar atmosphere as they stand, and in others they are buried, the parts being replaced by mineral matter. The little Colorado River in Arizona has long been a famous locality for such finds. At one place more than fifteen hundred cords of trunks and sections of logs were found by Government survey- ors. “Most of them were silicified. Many are seven feet or more in diameter, and from twenty to seventy. feet in height. The greater part of them have probably been covered in the marl that originally was a thousand feet thick. Some of the trees are changed to jasper, assuming numerous hues, while others resemble opal, and when broken open the core. is often-found lined with crystals of the most beautiful tints. Louisiana and Ohio are noted localities for fossil trees. In the former State, several years ago, in turning up the ground, an ancient forest layer was unearthed, and in suc- cession two others below it, and scientists judge from the size of the trees that from the time of the first layer to the last 50,000 years must have elapsed. In the remains of the’glacial drift in Ohio old forests are often discovered. Some have been buried beneath the water by the sinking of the land. Some of the Ohio trees are not entirely changed into stone, being yet soft, while others are found e all stages from rock to porous ~ sponge matter. In some parts of the ieiaaa of Antigua, one ‘of the British leeward group, there are most remarkable examples of stone forests. The trees are in many instances of great. size, present-— ing a curious sight with living birds perched upon their leaf- less and stony limbs. The fossil palms are the most remarkable of all these shed forms. upon the rock in high relief. Some wonderful stone forests have been unearthed by the workers in building stone quarries of the Isle of Portland, from which comes the famous building stone. The workmen had cut down to what they termed a dirt-bed,/ ‘and suddenly came to the stony forest standing upright. dreds of trees a few feet apart. some of the limbs were the delicate stéms, and here and there leaves and twigs. known, the great trunks being calcified and partly silicified, while others are changed into chalcedony. Theyvere found in most cases erect, with the branches and limbs scattered about their roots. So natural were many of these that a newly a rived laborer sent out to collect wood brought in a loa plaining of its heaviness. burned for lime They generally have a cylindrical stem, rising to a great height, crowned with a canopy of foliage that stands © There were hun- The tops appeared to have been wrenched off, but many were forty feet in height. On. In Van Diemen’s Land similar forests are
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These Books Tell You Everything! — 4 COMPLETE SET IS A REGULAR ENCYOLOPEDIAL — ‘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 a ed, oe thoroughly undegstand them. Look over the list as classified and sce if you want to know anything about the subj s mentioned. ; THESE BOOKS ARE FOR SALE BY ALY. NEWSDEALERS OR WILL BE SENT BY MAIL TO ANY ADDRESS FROM THIS OFFICH ON RECEIPT OF PRICH, TEN CENTS EACH, OR ANY THREN BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE VENTS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THH SAME AS MONEY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y. ' MESMERISM. No. 81. HOW TO MESMERIZE.—Containing the most ap- roved methods of mesmerism; also how to cure all kinds of iseases by animal magnetism, or, magnetic healing. By Prof. Leo Hugo Koch, A, ©. S., author of “How to Hypnotize,” ete. ' 2 ' PALMISTRY. No, 82. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.—Containing the most ap- proved methods of reading the lines on the hand, together with a full explanation of their meaning. Also explaining phrenology, and the key for telling character by the bumps on the head. By Leo Hugo Koch, A. ©. 8. Fully illustrated. HYPNOTISM. No; 88. HOW TO HYPNOTIZHE.—Containing valuable and in- structive information regarding the science of hypnotism. Also explaining the most approved methods which are employed by the leading hypnotists of the world. By Leo Hugo Koch, A.C.S. ; SPORTING. No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains full in- struetions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, together with descriptions of game and fish. No, 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully illustrated. Byery boy should know how to row and sail a boat. Full instructions are given in this little book, together with in- structions on swimming and riding; companion sports to boating. No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSH.— ‘A complete treatise on the horse: Deseribing the most useful horses for business, the best horses for the road; also valuable recipes for diseases peculiar to the horse. _ No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOES.—A handy book for boys, Containing full directions for constructing canoes end the most popular manner of sailing them. Fully illustrated. By C. Stansfield Hicks. 5 : FORTUNE TELLING. No. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND DREAM BOOK.— Containing the great oracle of human destiny; also the true mean- ing of almost any kind of dteams, together with charms, ceremonies, @nd curious games of cards. A complete book. ~ No. 28. HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS.—Everybody dreams, from the little child to the aged man and woman. This little book _ gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky _ end unlucky oa and “Napoleon’s Oraculum,” the book of fate. : No. 28. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES.—HEveryone is desirous of &nowing 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 the fortune of your friends. No. 7%. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES BY THE HAND.— +» Containing rules for telling fortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, or the secret of palmistry. Also the secret of telling future events ' By aid of moles, marks, ATHLETIC. | ; / ‘No. 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETH.—Giving full in- * gtruction for the use of dumb bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, horizontal bars and various other methods of developing a good, ‘healthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations. Hvery boy can become strong and healthy by: following the instructions contained in this little book. ° z ; -_ No. 10. HOW TO. BOX.—The art of self-defense made easy. . ent positions of’a good boxer. - without an instructor. } No. 20: HOW ag BECOME A GYMNAST Containing full instructions for all kinds o nastic sports and athletic exercises. Heapreciig ght fatto By Professor W. Macdonald. _ Embracing thirty-five illustrations. A hendy and useful book. ; No. 34. HOW : E TO FENCH— Containing ful] instruction for fencing and the use of the broadswotd; also instruction in archery. - Described with twenty-one practical illustrations, giving the best positions in fenzing. A complete book. 3 TRICKS WITH CARDS. Yo. 51. HOW ecard tricks a f tricks involving sleight-of-hand, | cards, By Professor scars, etc, Illustrated. By A. Anderson. Containing over thirty illustrations of guards, blows, and the differ- { i Every boy should obtain one of these useful and instructive books, as it will teach you how to box TO DO TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Containing’ lanations of the general principles of sleight-of-hand applicable tricks ; of ca 8 with ordinary cards, and rag Ssqusring ; e@ use 0} No. 72, HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Em- — bracing all of the latest and most deceptive card tricks, with il- lustrations, By A. Anderson. iz + gee No. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.— — Containing deceptive Card Tricks as performed by leading conjurora — and magicians. Arranged for home amusement. Fully illustrated, — MAGIC. ee No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of magic and card tricks, containing full instruction on all the leading card tricks of the day, also the most popular magical illusions as performed by. our leading magicians: every boy should obtain a copy of this book, — as it will both amuse and instruct. . No. 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.—Heller’s second sight explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Wxplaining how — the secret dialogues were carried on between the magician and the — boy on the stage; also giving all the codes and signals. The only — authentic explanation of second sight. eigts eee No, 43. HOW TO BECOME A MAGICIAN.—Containing the — grandest assortment of magical illusions ever placed before the ~ public. Also tricks with cards, incantations, ete. . No. 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS.—Containing over — one hundred highly amusing and instructive tricks with chemicals. — By A. derson. Handsomely illustrated. ver a No. 69. HOW TO DO SLHIGHT OF HAND.—Containing over — fifty of the latest and best tricks used by magicians. Also contain- se, ote secret of second sight. Fully illustrated. By A. Anderson. _No. 70. HOW TO MAKE MAGIC TOYS.—Containing ful directions for making Magic Toys and devices of many kinds. By A. Anderson. ai illustrated. =. > Mas pat see eh Sg No. 73. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH NUMBDRS.—Showing many curious tricks with figures and the magic of numbers. By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated. ' oat ; No. 75. HOW TO BHCOME A CONJUROR. — Containing “Bhhbracing — tricks with Dominos, Dice, Cups and Balls, Hats, ete, thirty-six illustrations. By A. Anderson. Ate Sens No. 78. HOW TO DO THE BLACK ART.—Containing a com: plete description of the mysteries of Magic and Sleight of Hand, — together with many wonderful experiments. By A. Anderson. Tllustrated. re MECHANICAL. No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.—fvery bo should know how inventions originated. This book explains ther all, giving examples in electricity, hydraulics, magnetism, ; pneumatics, mechanics, ete. The most instructive book published. _ No. 56. HOW TO BECOME AN ENGINEHR.—Containing ful instructions how te proceed in order to become a locomotive gineer; also directions for building a model locomotive; togethe: with a full description of everything an engineer shoul nas _No. 57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUME we ye illustrated. By John Allen. ; el No, 71. HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRIOE complete instructions for performing over sixty ‘Mech nic By A. Anderson, ’ Fully illustrated. LETTER WRITING. | a No. 11. HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS.—A m ple als ‘pe aes full airectiot ie oe lov é and when to use them, giving specimen letters for young and ok No, 12. HOW TO WRITH LETTERS TO LADIES — a complete instructions for writing letters to ladies on all also letters of introduction, notes and requests. e No. 24. HOW. TO WRITE. LETTERS TO GBN' Containing full directions for writing to gentlemen on also giving sample letters for instruction. : No. 53. HOW TO vee TTERS.—A book, telling you how to te to your sweeth mother, sister, brother, employer; and, in fact, body you wish to write to. Hlyery young m lady in the land should have this book. : No. 74. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS CORR!) taining full instruetions for w letters on alm also rules for pur tuation an tion, with oom with
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; ~ THE STAGE. No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE BOOK.—Containing a great variety of the latest jokes used by ‘the most famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without this wonderful little book. No. 42, THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPRAKER— ‘Containing a varied assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Duteh and Irish. Also end men’s jokes, Just the thing for home amuse- Ment and amateur shows. : No, 45. THH BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDH AND JOKH BOOK.—Something new and yery instructive. Hvery boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for or- ‘Sanizing an amateur minstrel troupe. | 3 No. 65. MULDOON’S JOKHS.—This is 616 BF the most Original joke books ever published, and it is brimful o£ wit andé humor. It contains a large collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, ete, of _ Terrence Muldoon, the great wit, humorist, and practical joker of the day. Hvcry boy who can enjoy a good substantial joke should obtain a copy immediately. ‘ z No. 79. HOW TO BECOMH AN ACTOR—Oontaining com- plete instructions how to make up for various characters on the stage; together with tho duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, Scenic Artist and Property Man. By a Nes Stage Manager. No. 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKH BOOK.—Containing the lat- @st jokes, anecdotcs and funny stories of this world-renowned and ever popular German comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome if igplored cever containing a half-tone photo of the author. HOUSEKEEPING. No. 16. HOW TO KEEP *. WINDOW GARDEN.—Containing ‘ull instructions for constructing a window garden either in town | f¢, -or country, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful bea at home. The most complete book of the kind ever pub- lished. No. 30. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive’books ~ on cooking ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, ‘fish, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of Pastry, and a grand collection of-recipes by one of our most popular Cooks. : - No. 87. HOW TO KEEP HOUSH.—It contains information for everybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to _ Imake almost anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, brackets, cements, Aeolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds. : ELECTRICAL. No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USH BLECTRICITY.—A de- ‘8cription of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism ; together with full instructions for making Hlectric Toys, Batteries, ate. By George Trebel, A, M., M. D. Containing over fifty il- tustrations. , : No, 64. HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MACHINES.—Con- taining full directions for making electrical machines, induction ' foils, dynamos, and many noyel toys to be worked -by electricity. y R. A. R. Bennett. Fully illustrated. _. No. 67. HOW TO DO ELECTRICAL TRICKS.—Containing a large collection of instructive and highly amusing ¢lectrizal tricks, together with illustrations. By A. Anderson, | : ENTERTAINMENT, 4 No. 9. HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST.—By Harry ennedy. ‘The secret given away. BHyery intelligent boy reading this book of instructions, by a practical professor (delighting multi- tudes every night with his wonderful imitations), can master the Art, and create any amount of fun for himself and friends, It is the eatest book ever published, and there’s millions (of fun) in. it, No. 20. HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVENING PARTY—A ery valuable little book just published, A complete compendium f games, sports, card diversions, comic recitations, ete., suitable for parlor or drawing-room entertainment. It contains more for the oney than any book published. No. 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A complete and useful little - book, containing sy ee: and i laiaedey of billiards, bagatelle, - backgammon, croqut, d-minoes, ete. : ae “HOW 'O SOLVE CONUNDRUMS.—Containing all 8nd witty sayings. +e No. 52. HOW TO PLAY OARDS.—A complete and handy little £ a e leading conundrums of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches ok, giving the rules and full directions for playing Huchre, Grib- bage, ‘Basing, Forty-Five, Rounce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auction Pitch, All Fours. and many other popular games of cards, No. 66. HOW TO DO PUZZLES.—Containing over three hun- “dred interesting puzzles and conundrums, with key to same. A _ Complete book. “Fully illustrated. By A. Anderson, ss ETIQUETTE. No, 13. HOW TO DO IT; OR, BOOK OF ETIQUETTH.—1t Wa great ae secret, and one that. every young man desires to know out. ere ippi ‘it. , : ‘ ma HOW TO BHA VE.—Containing the rules and etiquette ‘ood society and the easiest and most approved methods of ap- ring to good advant: the drawing-room. eet J ECLAMAT OF RECITATIONS. REOITE AND BOOK 7. AOW TO ‘8 French dialect, Yankee and nh wate atandatd readings 1 ~* +, o, 49. HOW TO DEBATE.—Giving rales for conducting bates, outlines for debates, questions for: discussion, and the sources for procuring information on the questions given. € SOCIETY. No. 3. HOW TO Aettenere arts and wiles of flirtation are. fully explained by this little . Besides the various methods handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it con- tains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers, which is ee to everybody, both old and young. You cannot be happy, without one. No. 4, HOW TO DANCH is the title of a new and handsome littie book just issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instrue- tions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, ie to dress, and-full directions for calling off in all popular square nees, No. 5. HOW TO MAKH LOVE.—A complete guide to love, courtship and marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to - eB with many curious and interesting things not gen- erally known. ; : No. 17. HOW TO DRESS.—Containing full instruction in the art of dressing and appearing well at home and abroad, giving the selections of colors, material, and how to have them made up. No. H BECOMH BEAUTIFUL.—One of the brightest and most valuable little books over given to the world. Bverybody wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male and emale. The secret is simple, and almost costless. Read this book and be convinced how to become beautiful. ‘BIRDS AND ANIMALS. : No, 7. HOW TO KEHP BIRDS,—Handsomely illustrated and containing full instructions for the management and training of the canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, Cs. No. 39: HOW TO RAISE DOGS, POULTRY, PIGEONS AND RABBITS.—A useful and instructive book. Handsomely illus- trated. By Ira Drofraw. No. 40. HOW. TO MAKE AND ST TRAPS.—Including hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds. oe how to cure skins. Copiously illustrated. By J. Harrington eene, No. 50. HOW TO STUFF .BIRDS AND ‘ANIMALS—A’ valuabie, book, giving instructions in collecting, preparing, mounting and SS a animals and insects. No. 54. HOW TO KBEP AND MANAGE PNTS.—Giving cotti« plete information as to the manner and method of raising, keepi pets; also giving full’ ete. Fully explained by twenty-eight most complete book of the kind eveg taming, breeding, and managing ull kinds of instructions for making cages, illustrations, making it the published. MISCELLANEOUS. ; No. 8. HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST. —A useful and ities. structive book, giving a complete treatise on chemistry; also ex- periments in acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, ai . book cannot be equaled. making ail ki_Nis of candy, ice-cream, syru No. 54. -HOW ‘TO BHCOME AN AUTHOR.—Containing full information regarding choice of subjects, the use t of words and the manner Of preparing and submitting manuscript. Also containing — valuable information as to the neatness, legibility and general com- Poacen of manuscript, essential to a successful author. }Hilan. By Prince . “No. 38. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.—A won: derful book, containing usefal and practical information in the treatment of ordinary diseases and ailments common to every plaints. taining valuable information regard ng t!e collecting and arrangin of stamps and coins, Handsomely illustrat_d. ; No. 58. HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.—B the world-known detective. In which he lays and seusible rules for beginners, and also relat and eg aye of well-known detectives. No. 60. ing useful information regarding the Camera and how to work i also how to make Photographic Magic Lantern Slides and other Transparencics. Handsomely illustrated. By Captain W. De W. re be f Mo. CADET.—Containing full explanations how to gain admittance, course of Study, Examinations, Dates, Staff of Officers, Post Guard, Police Regulations, Fire Department, and all a boy should know to be a Cadet. Compiled of “How to Become a Naval Cadet.’ No. 63. HOW TO BECOME A N. structions of how to gain admiss own some yaluabl ‘% AVAL CADET—Complete re ds and buildings, historical sketch, and everythin cbouid know to bene Ge aes the United ‘States N, aut. r ii) rections for making fireworks, colored fires, and gas balloons. ‘This. No. 14. HOW TO MAKB CANDY.—A complete hand-book for ee oe etc. ete. 4 and written by Lu Senarens, author m to the Annapolis Naval | Academy. Also containing the eee of instruction, descripti » a ~ family. Abounding in useful and effective recipes for general com- ie No. 55. HOW. TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.—Con- _ Olt Ring Brady, es some adventures’ : : HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER —Contatn Fe 62. HOW TO BECOME A WHST POINT MILETARY
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we Latest Issues we “SECRET SERVICE| ( Ba | 3 Oxup anp Youna Kine Brapy DETECTIVES : : _ CotorED Covers _ 82 Paces Price 5 Cz 509 The Bradys after Silent Smith; or, Trailing a Dumb, 513 The Bradys and the Black Shadow; or, Lost in ~ Crook, Swamp. 510 The Bradys and the Broken Bank Lock; or, Bold Business | 514 The Bradys’ $20,000 Case; or, The Detectives’ Fig -in Brooklyn. a Life. eat 5i1 The Bradys after the Chinese Tong Fiends; or, The Se-| 515 The Bradys and the Veiled Picture; or, Sen cret Cellar on Mott Street. for Life to Silence.’ 512 The Bradys and the Fatal Footprint; or, The Trail Which 516 The Bradys and No. 195; Or, The Messenger Boy . Led to Death. i Was Robbed. “THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ’76” i | A WEEKLY Macazine CoNTAINING StorIEs of THE AMERICAN REvoLUTION. — | a CotoreD Covers. 32 PAcEs, Price 5 Cen _ 407 The Liberty Boys and Captain Sue; or, Helped by Girl) 412 The Liberty Boys’ Sag Harbor Sortie; or, cogent: Patriots. With Col. Meigs, 408 The Liberty Boys Fighting Prevost; or, Warm Work | 413 The Liberty Boys and the Gypsy Spy; or, Lonening Georgia. 4 Enemy’s Secrets. 409 The Liberty Boys’ Barricade ; or, Holding off the Hessians, pate pe 414 The Liberty Boys and the Wicked Six; or, The J Pl _ 410 The Liberty Boys on the Watch; or, The Plot to Invade ee sane : Pla New York. ; Kidnap Washington. 411 The Liberty Boys at Fairfield; or, A Bold Dash Across| 415 ane Liberty Boys and “Mad Mary”; or, ia. Aa peer: SOUR: the Hills. “WILD WEST WEEKLY? fy A MAGazINE Conrainine Storizs, SkeroHss, Erc., or WxEstERN Lire i ConoreD Covers. — 32 Pagus. Prion 5 ee 34 ‘Young Wild West and the “Terrible Ten”; or, ‘Arietta’s 318 Young Wild West's Fight on the Plains; ee : Two Last Shots.” Arietta Saved the Settlement. ’ $15 Young Wild West's Apache Token; or, The Trail That |319 Young Wild West at “Two Spot” Camp, or, The Ban Rs he Led to the Valley of Gold. and the Powder Train. i se 316. Young Wild West “Salting” the Salters; or, Arietta and | 320 Young Wild West’s Triple Round-Up; or, Arietta a i ‘ the Death Chute. 5 Cattle King. 817 Young Wild West's Trip to Mexico; or, Routing the | 321 Young Wild West Catching the Claim Crooks: oY River Raiders. j “Bad” Men of Beauty Spot. “of. our Weeklies and cannot procure them’ trom newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut. ow in mS oie Order Blank and send it to us with the price of os weeklies you want and we will send them to Peewee meee eres ee ee Hest eneesseeasae WIDE AWAKE WEEKLY, Nos. armen iy * . WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos.. ee THE LIBERTY BOYS OF 16, See ee thet eet ese eetens PLUCK AND LUCK, ae : i ota Nos..s.. Goce | Mater) < Oe ac BT RU RAD ie Se LI EOL a eT oth ae SECRET ae CE, Nos.
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» 504 PLUCK 32 PAGES Contains All Sorts of Stories LATEST ISSUES: 483 Newsboy Nick; or, The Boy with a Hidden Million, Austin. 484 North Pole Nat: or. Thos. H. Wilson. 485 Thirteen White Ravens: By Allyn Draper. . 486 Little jpeaa Shot; or, The Pride of the Trappers. 487 S By Howard The Secret of the Frozen Deep. or, The Ghostly Riders of the Forest. By An Old athe New York Bootblack; or, The Secret of a Boy’s Life. Allan Arnold 488 W ing Walt, The Ch (A Story of the American 4 Revolution. ) 3y Gen. ordon. r Two Years. By Richard R. 489 The Boy Maroons; or, Cast Away Montgomery. 490 Fred eeime The Hero of Greystone No. 1. By Ex-Fire-Chief Warden. The White Wizard of the Bowery; or. The Boy Slaves of New York. By Allyn Draper. ae ane or, A New York Boy in the Navy. By Capt. Thos. ilson. The little Unknown: or, The Young Hcro of the Reign of Terror. By Allan Arnold. Jack Qnick: or. The Boy Engineer. By Jas. C. Merritt. Lost in the Great Basin; or, The Wonderful Underground Clty. By An Old Scout. From Bootblack to Senator; or, Bound to Make His Way. By Howard Austin. ge 7 eee of the Mountain; or, All for Love and Glory. R. Montgomery. Siigpany _ or, The Cunning Spy of the merolarion (A Story of the American Revolution), By General Jas. Gordon. Blown Out to Sea: or, Lost Among a Strange Race. A Capt. Thos. H. Wilson. The Boy Volunteers: or, The Boss Fire Company of the Town. By _Ex-Wire-Chief Warden. The Swamp Doctor; or, The Man Witch, By Allyn Draper. ie Rival i” or, From Engineer to President. By Jas. C. erritt, The Boy “iaitor ; or, The Struggles of a Brave Orphan. By Howard Austin. Rit Catsenh the Mihg oftiie Scouts, BYSAR/Old Scout. 505 I ong the Slave Hunters: or An American Boy’s Adven- By Richard R. Montgomery. 506 Jolly Fone Scout and ee (A Story of ution.) Gen'l Jas. Gordon. : The Hidacn Foe of Piummerdale. By ( ‘Ugbionteate® or, Burke Halliday, the Boy [ire- mar By Ex-lire-Chief Warden. TH at Hoy Mutineers; or, Slavery or Death. By Capt. Thos. H. i son, Always Ready; or, The Best Engineer on the Road. C. Merritt. Pranded a Deserter; or, Boy Rivals in Love and War. Jas. A. Gordon. A Scout at 16; or, A Boy’s Wild Life. on the Frontier. By An Old Scout. Damond Daye, the Waif; or, The~ “Search for the Great Blue By Allan Arnold. By Richard R. Montgomery. 5 Headlight Tom, the Boy Engineer. By Jas. C. Merritt. The Regied Despatch ; or, The Blind Boy of Moseow, By Allan Arnol 7 The Swamp Rats; or, The Boys Who Fought for Washington. By By Gen’l Jas. A. Gordon. Nino, the Wonder of the Air. A Story of Circus Life. Berton Bertrew. 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 soT Tt 508 . 509 510 4 512 513 514 Stone. The Little Corsican; or, The Boy of the Barricades. For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, © IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our Weeklies and cannot procure them from newsdealers. By Capt. Beautifully Colored Covers By Jas. By Gen'l j AND id 550 The White Boy Slaves; or, The Student Exiles of Siberia. By Rie they can be obtained from this office direct. f the weeklies you want and we will send them to yo in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price 0 return mail. Ce ee er FRANK TOUSRY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. cents for which please send me: .copies of WORK AND WIN. Nos........-. Rige eN oy erg Pep me Dear Srr—Enclosed find “ “ WIDE AWAKE WEERLY. Nos.. “ “ . « WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos......... in. “RE LI BEREE BOYS: OF 776, Nos... eee ed ee . PO ass A IN Dem KOMEINOS cic ass i's eae oe TE SECRET SERVICE Nos. “« & Men-Cent Hand Borks. Nos.........-- ..Street and No POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONRY. Ce ee FAME AND: FORTUNE WEEKLY, Nos..----......--+eeee 2 The Mystery of the Volcano. 5 The White Boy Chief; or, The Terror of the North Platte. 5 Dunning & Co.; 7 The Boys in Blue; or, The. Football Champions of Cherryville. LUCK PRICE 5 CENTS Fire-Chief Warden. A Fireman at Sixteen: or, Through Fiame and Smoke. By 100 Feet Above the Housetops: or, The Mystery of the Church Steeple. By Allyn Draper. The Boy Explorers; or, Abandoned in the Land of Ice. By Cap A True Story of Mexico. Iloward Austin. Thos. 11. Wilson. Fighting with Washington; or, The Boy Regiment of the Revo ol tion. By Gen’l. Jas. A.’ Gordon. The Smartest Boy in Philadelphia; or, Dick Rollins’ Fight f Living. By Allyn Draper. or. An Old Scout. The Boy Senator: or, Napoleon's Boy Guardsman ; Iiow He Won His Toga. _. By Allan Arnol or, A Hero at Eighteen. By ard R. Montgomery. Dae Adrift; or, The Trip of the Daisy. By Capt. Thos ilson. Bob the Waif. A Story of Life in New York. By Howard Austin: The Wildest Boy in New York: or, Saved at the Brink. (A Temperance Story.) By H. K. Shackleford. Bushwhacker Ben: or. The Union Boys of Tennessee. Ralph Fenton. ae Night Riders of Ravenswood. Allan Arnold. pul, aha Boy Fireman : Fire-Chief Warden The Boy Slave; or, A Young New Yorker in Central Ame By Howard Austin. the Boy Brokers. A Retired Broker. By | (A Strange Story of Arizona} or, Through Flames to Victory. By B (A Story of Wall Street.) Daniel Boone's Best Shot: or, The Perils of the Kent Pioneers. By An Old Scout. : Ollie, the Office Boy: or, The Struggles of a Poor Waif. Allyn Draper. The Two Boy Stowaways: or, A Strange Voyage on a Doo Ship. By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson, Columbia; or, The Young Firemen of Glendale. By Ex-k Chief Warden. Paddling on the Amazon: or, Three Boy Canoeists in South America. By Richard R. sontgomerys ‘ Happy Jack, the Daring Spy. A Story of the Great Rebel t By Gen'l Jas. A. Gordon. Nameless Nat: or, A Millionaire in nt Se By Allyn Draper. The Boy Mail- Carrier ; ; or, Government rvices ae Aline sa) An Old Scout. Tire Boy Messenger Bearer, Gy Allan Arnold. see = Cristo, Jr.; or, The Diamonds of the Borgia Austin. The Boy Privateer es or, Lost on a Nameless Sea. Capt. Thos. H. Wil ‘a of Russia; or, The care Se. ret lan Arnold. From Bootblack to Broker; or, The Luck of a Wall St. Boy. By { tired Broker. Ye The Se eonte, Boys; or, The Young Pioneer of the Great Lakes, cou R. Montgomery. 24 Union Square, New Yor Cut out and oo 66 00 0 a 6's os «6 8 Oto * * 0 eo ehalS Pee 2 0,0 0 0 0.6 6 er epee *)'*) © -elsienere '* 0 \s.sneae 6, #0 ;.9¢) eae eee o. shes aaeeeLe sas (ee see were « apeuerels @ eve el aipre! o'e 5 tel age ecco een eee eS. a0 * cena . eas . State..... ¥ Pe, it) oe ih |