Pluck And Luck (no. 767) (1913 02 12)

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PLUCK AND LUCK Stories of Adventure Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. 0. New Application No. 767. bate according to Act Frank Tousey, Pu or Second-Class Entry pending. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 12, 1913. P opaeaeF mdhg ay ifs: ~ Sig Ahn fi the Cublisher’ 168 Weet 280 St. Wi —_—e Price 5 Cents. THE HOUSE OF SKULLS —~—0 RR THE BOY MINERS OF BLIZZARD BAY ie By JAS. C. MERRITT CHAPTER I. ABANDONED IN THE STORM. One Sunday afternoon in the month of April, about three years ago, just about the time the wonderful gold discoveries _ in the Klondike country began to be first talked about, a| whispered the miner, turning on him suddenly. small steamer, called the Sea Lion, was in hard straits among the islands on the inside route between Alaska and Seattle. It was snowing and miserably cold and chilly; the wind was _ blowing a perfect blizzard and there was not one among the _-dozen or so passengers in the cabin who was not anxiously looking forward to their arrival at Seattle, who did not Zeel absolutely certain that the captain had lost his reckoning al- together and was entirely off his course, Still nobedy dared to say so, and what would have been ’ the use of saying so? For it is a poor business to put cut one’s own ideas to make other people uncomfortable in a “time of danger, when said ideas cannot possibly do any good. At least that is what George Brandon thought that dreary Sunday afternoon, and his friend Harry Brown agreed with him. They were doing their best to make things lively and keep the. passengers in good humor, and Miss Blyburn, a young lady of twenty or thereabouts, whose mannich dress and man- ners had attracted some unfavorable comment on board the Sea Lion, was trying her best, too. “Now, then, ladies and gentlemen, we will sing that hymn again,” she exclaimed, turning around on the piano stool. “Nothing like music to cheer us up. Mr. Brandon, I cepend _ upon you for the tenor, as before. Mr. Brown, you wil! ‘try to do a little better with the bass this time, I am sure. No, no. “What a nuisance!” he drawled, addressing himself to a | rough miner, who did not sing simply because he couldn’t speak above a whisper on account of a cold. “That squalling makes me tired. As for playing the piano, Miss Blyburn don’t know the first thing about it, and——” “Say, young feller, if you don’t like the singing get out!” “Go up on deck and kick at the weather, but quit your kicking here.” “Really, you are very impolite,” drawled the dude; “but that is just what I was about to do. It’s bad enough on deck, but really it is worse to be shut up here and forced to listen to such caterwauling. I shall go and complain to the captain. | This annoying of pactsengers who are forced to take refuge in the cabin must be stopped.” , The miner would have liked first rate to have taken the fellow up by the coat collar and kicked him, but as it was he only scowled, while Mr. Herbert Fitzgerald turned up the col- lar of his great ccat, which*he had been wearing in the cabin, ard started up the stairs. The steamer was rolling fearfully, as she had been for an hour or more, and when the kicking dude had got up two steps he was thrown ‘violently against the partition on the left, banging his empty head and knocking his monocle out of his eye. Hie scarcely had time to replace it again and go up one or two more steps when he was thrown with equal violence against the pertition on the richt, and in that lurch several of the singers gathered about the piano were nearly thrown off their feet. ‘ “Worse and worse!” cried Miss Blyburn, cheerfully. “It’s a good thing we are nearly all old sailers or thcre would be some sick sculs among us this day. I wonder what in the * No offense meant. We are not all singers and I am sorry any | world is the matter with the old tub now.” of you have to sing to such a pocr accompaniment as I can produce. Now, then, here we go.” And Miss Blyburn started off on a good old hymn, in which almost all the passengers heartily joined. _ All but ‘one, a tall young gentleman, with perfect fitting clothes, high collar and stiff ulta-English manners, who kicked and sneered at everything and had an unpleasant way of star- + ing. at you. through the monocle, or single glass, which he} s *S aceacie most wees scare, ak ses eye. She had scarcely spoken when there was a fear'ul shock, which caused the rotten old Sea Lion to tremble from stem to stern, ss “Oh, my goed graciots!” screamed Mr. Herbert Fitzgerald, and he came tumbling down the cabin sta'rs end fell spraw- Ing at the feet of the singers in a most undicnifed way. S¢éme laughed, but others knew only too well what it meant. “We are on a rock,” cried George Brandon. “Yes, end we've stove our bottom all to blazes,” cricd the

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SS SESE A I se Se ae ee a old miner. scare any of ye, ‘Bang! Barz! : Again the shock came, twice repeated, with deafening noise each time, apd the ripping and tearing of the steamer’s tim- bers could be distinctly heard. There was something of more importance than Mr, Herbert Fitzgei'ald to be thought of now. The men all rushed on deck, George Brandon ‘ind Harry Brown gione hanging back to look to the safety of Miss Bly-} ‘burn, who was sd only woman beside the costings on) on band a 't be. “scared,” said sGeorgp. they think.” “Biess your heart, I'm not a bit more priate than. you ’ ‘ : “It may not be as bad as ere, George Brandon,” exclaimed thet lively little lady. “Why, Sy are as white as a sheet. Brace’up. <A feliow can only die once. What's worrying me is my manuscript. I'll get that. and be with yeu in no time. Don't stay back for me.” Thus saying Miss Blyburn. popped into her stateroom and ~ George and Harry hurried on deck. “Isn't. she a stunner?” said George, as they ascended the “stairs, “I wonder what her business is?” “Yl bet you she’s a reporter for one of the ‘Frisco papers,” “replied Harry. “You heard her speak about her manuscript. ‘It can’t mean anything else.” . AS soon as the boys stepped on. the deck they knew tat the steemer was doomed. c. ‘Through the thickly falling snow the dim outlines of an aS fronbound coast could be seen; an enormous mass or rocks, _ between two and tiree hundred feet high, towered before them, against which the sea was breaking with fearful force. Between the steamer and the base of this awful biuif great ‘black rocks rose out of the water here and there, looking Ike ; many black tombstones, around which the water surged we and roared with that terrific force which the Pacific Ocean can exert when it ouce gets aroused. st one of these ‘rocks that the Sea Lion had ‘struck. ‘Slipping off of this: and passing on she had run n two others and lodged there and now, careened away to one side, she was filling. — ‘Unless: something could be doe id to relieve her she was. doomed. “Bad business, George!” exclaimed Harry. “We pranneret we ® of ‘this, snap alive, that’s one peme ape ee vod * ches e was the 2 captain? sure wees: Where were ‘the ¥ Seealinbia tak teem no doe ve Be gga rae ae ri aa every where, but could. ne Besa oF deft us to our fate,” wards! No doubt they ‘saw some way “Gentlemen vand Miss Blyburn, I don’t want to THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. Sines ncneppemnennaepaaselinesiannaianieasastsind Shots were fired, knives were freely used. Several were killed outright, cthers were crowded over- board into the sea and when at last the boats were launched George Brandon and Harry Brown,“ who stood apart with drawn revolvers ready for instant use, protecting Miss Biy- burn, who clung silently to them, were the ones left behind. There had heen no.chance for them from the first unless they joined in the fight and s¢ramblé, and this the two brave Anierican lads, for they were both under twenty years of age, refused to do, “Keep back! Keep out of it!” George kept saying. wouldn't go in either of those boats for any money. chaaces are better where we are.” “Room for one more!” shouted the old miner, who was in the setond beat and just about to push off. “Pass down, Miss Blyburn, Brandon, or come yourself, but be quick whichever you do.” “Will you go, Miss Blyburn?” asked George, quietly. is your chance.” The girl hesitated for an instant. “No, I will stay with you,” she said, “for I know that neither of you two will go and leave me,” “I certainly shall not,” said George. “Nor I,” echoed Harry. “If we don’t go together swe both stay here.” “And you have held back to pretect me,” “No; I stay, -too.” “Coming or not!” shouted the miner. all night.” “No,” called George. “Go on with your boat, you cowards. Men who will desert a lady at a time like this are not fit company for her in any case.” “Take that for your impudence,” cried the miner, drawing his revolver and sending a shot ay at George, who was leaning over the rail. The shot missed and the rowers pulled away from the steamer, pulled wildly, clumsily, so much so that before they had gone ten yards the boat was ree against one of the rocks, A wild shout went up, cries of rage and despair. “She’s stove in and they are lost!” cried Harry. At the same instant a mountainous wave struck the boat. It rose upon the crest and overturned as it fell. - A few seconds later and no trace of either the boat or its »| cowardly occupants could be seen, “] Onr “Now said Miss Blyburn. “We can't stay here CHAPTER mt, VEECKED ON AN se aor ‘COAST. “The other boat a oe haa Lisagpiatea in the darkness and storm and the situation in which our two brave boys and Miss Blyburn found themselves was anything but a cheerful 2 oné, still it is unnecessary to speak of their thankfulness that : that they were where they Yee and bea not eee with the ; boat. | - Miss Blyburn’s cheerfulness ai ‘wonderful. “ She gave one low, shuddering cry when she saw the fate of -| the boat und for a moment covered her face with her hands. — Bt When she locked up again she set her lips firmly, and, eae ne little hand-bag which me os a ag up out es 3

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THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. . 3 -“There was no chance for those fellows from the first,” said “Harry, if you please,” sald that individual. “Look here, George. “They were a hard lot. .I’d rather have gone with. Miss Blyburn, we are only a couple of ’Frisco boys, who took the Huns than with them.” —_. : a-run up to Alaska for the house we work for, Doubleday & . “It's my opinion that there is no safety for the boats any-| Downer, the salmon canners, down in Front street. Maybe how,” added Harry. “Wo'll stick to the old Sea Lion for the you know them?” present at least.” “No, I doen't, boys, but liften to me. If you are only boys I - “What became of Mr. Fitzgerald?” asked Miss Blyburn. #2! am only a girl. I am only nineteen. It is not likely that I saw him crowding with the rest, but I didn’t see him when! Shall be saved, but you may be. I am a reporter working on the boat pushed off.” | the Morning Cally I have just made a run to the Klondike my “He may be' among the dead up there,” replied George. “I and back again in the interest of my paper. Here is my man- saw him pull @ revolver and fire. The fellow was 80 abso-. uscript all written up, I want you to take it to the Call and _lutely frightened thet ne had no sort of idea what he was tal) them I died in the harness. ‘hat’s al!; put it in your doing.” pocket, George, and den't say a word. Now, I am ready to do “Small loss anyhow," added Harry. “Well, let’s go forward | anything you say.” : and see how we are lying now.” ' At th i inion. thie dtpweatinn' “And what am I to do?” asked a dismal veice behind them, © Same momenta dismal cry was heard tn the direction ong there wes Mr. Fitzgerald again, rather calmer in his man- wed aan 2 z ie Se est 3 ‘re but still very much scared. pong wa stud pave ae Sievers. ad : “{'m blest if I Know and I was going to say I didn’t care,” replicd George. “I have my own opinion about such fellow And sure enough it was., Mr, Herbert Fitzgerald, with hi mre — eee mer) sep clothes all ripped and torm and his face besmeared with | HT ; Minuit « z : blood, came SHEETS, toward pen, the picture of terror and very man must look out for himself, I suppose. Don't be despair. xe | too hard on a fellow. Say, whatever you do you won’t go : “Where's the boat? Where's the boat?” he cried, catching! 2¥2Y aud leave me behind?” : sight of the boys. “Tell them to wait for me.” “I make no promises,” replied George, coldly. "Wait for you! Why, they have gone to Davy Jones’ long|__/f ¥°U Fe Saved and I am vot you may as beni sep tag who ; “ago!” retorted Harry. “So they knocked you out, did they? |! am,” continued the dude. I am the Hon. Herbert Fitz- ** You didn’t make anything by trying to crowd ahead of every- ae of——” . * “Hold on!” broke in George. “I don’t want your message, one else.” = “Gone!” gasped Fitzgerald. “Gone! What about you?” Write what you have to say on a piece of paper and hand : “Lett behind and glad of it.” ~ it to me. Know why I say. it? Well, it’s because I don’t be- “Oh, I shall be drowned! 1 shall be drowned. What shall I | eve you are any more an Englishman that I am, but I do do? Tell me what to do.” | believe you can lie as fast as a horse can trot,” =e “Go get a petticoat and put it on, sissy,” whispered Harry! “You are nothing,” drawled the dude, falling back into his in his ear, and he hurried after George and Miss Blyburn, who ld style. “It we ever get on shore I shall certainly challenge “had now started forward, disgusted with the cowardly dude. You... Remember, you have called me a coward and that’s e “Wonder how he came to be left behind?” said Miss Bly- | enough.” a ‘turning her head away to avoid the sight of one of the) “Oh, bother your challenge. You make me tired,” snapped ute Gi who haa pao shot dead and now lay stretched George. “Don’t speak to me again.” out pea vag yeh | “Don’t be so harsh with him, George,” sald Miss Blyburn; “Iehocked out and became unconscious,” | “two minutes may settle our ate.” x You-see what he {s. "isn’t likely he would |. “I have my reasous,” replied George. “He's no good and ' IT know it. Look! Look! See the wave! Isn't it a monster? - over the rocks between which the |! Was thinking about a raft, but you see for yourself how ‘been run with fearful force, and the | opeless it all ts.” face as he leaned over the rail “Look out! It's golng to douse us!” shouted Harry. “Catch oe against the wall ot rock | hold of something. Quick! Look out for yourself, Fitzy, or Gees sight awful, yet grand, to| You'll be swept away!” up against the bluff and; George threw his arm about Miss Blyburn and clutched one tow bin te be forced up neal, of the dayits, Harry seizing the other, but the aull peaks did not seem to comprehend. — “gir, I allow no man to address me as Fitsy,” he exclaimed, 1 | bristling up, “You are beneath me or I should challenge you. I'd tweak your nose for you if it was not for the presence 3 of the lady; yes I would.” G go veeigelipery a and all inanin- es being nse pes tor the monster ¥« ' © provide tor the emergency and Saties ex e knew where he was at his feet were swept from under _ iit; coughing and spluttering and calling ehecnaty tor = Sain Tip wae gregh sunlit | at the rae Psat” “There comes another,” sk Harry. Beste We are lost,” gaspec sent one lta cua er ‘it looked so. A “? rf joked peers cf >

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4 THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. "| though he pes up again all right a few moments later full t CHAPTER III. i of fight and very mad. Indeed, he offered to challenge George ‘ i then and there, WHAT, KIND OF A HOUSE IS THIS? / “Say, if you don’t shut your head and keep quiet I’m going 'to kick you,” drawled George, in imitation of the dude’s own Yes, it certainly looked like the end “and surely forking style of speech. “Here we are safe for the moment and I’m could nave sayed the little party, who clung desperately to tired of this nonsense. Miss Blyburn, you had better. take the wreck of the Sea Lion, if that monster wave had ever, back your manuscript. The danger is all over now.” broken over the deck. “Keep it, George,” said the girl. “Now, by the way, my But as luck would have it the wave broke before it reached ame is Edna and that’s the name you are going to call me them and the full force of the mighty swell lifted the steamer from this on. Where are we, anyhow? Marry and I are dry out of its trap high above the half sunken rocks and hurled 2d comfortable, but you are wet to the skin and will have it toward the cliff. | pneumonia sure if something isn’t done.” It was an awful moment. Death deemed very near. “How about me?” groaned the Hon. Fitz. “I am wet to the Not a word was spoken. George held Miss Blyburn tight, , Sin, too.” clutching the davit; the blinding spray mingled with the whirl’ “Oh, you don’t count,” said Edna—we propose to take her of srow flakes shut out the cliffs for the moment, but they , at her word and call her by that name—‘“please don’t speak were there and the boys knew they were, and it seemed as to me or I shall feel like trying George’s plan to make you though nothing could save them from instant destruction; hold your tongue.” and, indeed, nothing could have saved them if the steamer; “Where are we, anyhow?” asked Harry. “On tne mainland had been hurled against the rocks. ; of British Columbia or on an island? Does anybody know?” But it was not to be. “I’m sure I don’t,” said Edna, “but I do know that all this The force of the wave was not quite sufficient to do It; if! will make a splendid story. Every move made is going to the wind had been blowing straight in the direction of the pay me,” rocky wall that would have helped and, nd doubt, finished the | It was going to pay George and Harry, too, if they had only oo Weeks one thew Dightiy olf Yee ‘direct line And re bce it, but of this we shall have occasion to speak later blew the steamer with it. The first thing George and Harry knew they went slidin : SeaibsP tbéabtnk oF the Hi and, thén whirling” of into «:; pa See see Aas, rece: of Stee ooking Aa.» aicaight-line little bay, striking hard upon the sand and lodging there, the’ And that’s the way we have got to go,” replied George. ‘wave on its’ retreat leaving them high above the water line,’ What we want is to find a place of shelter and driftwood to “Hooray! Saved!” shouted George. . “This way, Miss Bly- build a fire. Let us hurry on, I’m afraid this ag only an un- burn. We may only have a moment, but that’s enough to inhabited island, but we will hope for the best. a ota back our lives.” As they walked on up the beach the snow began to let up _ The ship’s ladder wes over the side, near the davits, and as. and after a few moments stopped altogether. it fell, but soon they -Geor hurried Miss Blyburn toward it a dripping form r |.) Sere-on the beach; it melted, as fast as at Ped feet and made sees to head him ae “3 saat ‘struck the drifts, where its depth was over a foot, and this ‘ Me) ' made their progress both difficult and slow. It was the Hon. Herbert Fitzgerald. : aN : finding shelter. ‘Several times since that gentleman started to leav. ‘the! George’s heart sank. He saw no chance of = ce His wet garments were beginning to freeze and he was fear- cabin he had come down on hi in Pbiaghe and-nag ha bad ae ae cas. hating are pro” fully chilled. Still {t was the month of April and the actual - time he fell on the back of his head and his nose got a good *™Perature was not very Jew. _ Square taste of George Brandon’s clenched fist. | “If I may be allowed to speak without running the risk of None of that,” cried George. “You will be saved, but. being kicked, I would like to call your attention to that light + ladies first. Now, then, Miss Blyburn, before the next wave 0D ahead there,” said the Hon. Fitz, suddenly. “The rocks seem to set a long way in here,” said Harry. ripe comes.” | “Where?” demanded George. a . The brave little woman climbed down the ladder and sprang! Fitz pointed. . 4s to the beach. “You have sharp eyes, Fitzy,” said George. “That’s a light “Harry next,” cried George. all right and it has a hopeful look.” BS. ve “Go on yourself. The wave is coming,” objected Harry. “Can it be a house?” asked Edna. PS svaeee” said George so sternly that Harry had nothing for it! “More like it’s a fire in front of some Indian lodge.” be to obey, : “Heavens! We shall all be scalped! Fitzy, tais won't do for “Now, then, Fitzy,” aaah George, coolly, “the way is clear, you.” forthe dude.” “Say, I'll forgive you all if you will only stop calling me s a Hon. Fitz did not stand on the order of his going, but | Fitzy,” said the dude. “I’m in the same boat with the rest went, bustling down the ladder without even ae iets 5 of, you. Might as well be civil to a fellow! Now, come!” . “We'll get up to the light and think about it,” said Harry, Z epted tr cs op later his fate would have been! A moment later and the light flared up with great, bril- ealed, for another wave broke upon the gion passing clear liancy. This was on account of the rocky wall on their right, the steamer carrying the wreck back in the bay. | which had partially obscured it. Passing around a turn in y jul and, landing in water knee this wall brought it into full view and the boys burst out against the fearful undertow and with a cry of surprise. ed Miss iS “Great Scott, what a long house!” exclaimed George. “What i hurried Blyburn up out of can it mean?” s for the Hon. Fitz, he had sprinted so Thcre, right in front of them, stood a low, one-story struc- be ses Manne alae ge si Se cco > i aia 3

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but not a soul was visible around ‘the house. said George, “but here goes to find out. Follow me.” THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. 5 “It must be a fish cannery,” said Edna, ' ' “Indeed it isn’t,” replied George. “No fish cannery here. I know every one on the coast.” The light was shining through the dozen or more windows, It happened to be more convenient for our party to ap- proach the house at its end and there they saw an open door with the light streaming through. “It’s some Indian arrangement, you may rely upon it,” He walked boldly toward the door, so closely followed by _ ‘the others that they entered the long, narrow structure im- Tong white locks. mediately after him. An exclamation of astonishment burst from all the party as they locked around. The walls of the long house on both sides, as far as they could see, were lined with human skulls, so closely packed to- gether that one could scarcely have put his finger between In the middle of the earth floor a great fire of logs blazed. “Look out!” exclaimed George. “There’s some one beyond the fire!” Two, figures had suddenly ah up bebina the blazing logs. They were Indians clothed in bear skins and blankets, men of great age both of them. Their faces were hideously wrinkled and their hair hung down over. their shoulders in “Ugh! Ugh! No pale face come here!” cried one as both _ Stood staring at Edna and the boys, oo ¥ CHAPTER Iv. > THE DISCOVERY IN BLIZZARD BAY. Come “away, pai of this ‘dreadtul place!” OMe good gracious! -*come away! d the Hon, Herbert Fitzgerald. ‘hes indians will kill us all.” “Rats!” exclaimed George, “Don’t you fret, Fitzy! Those are both regular old fossils. Let me talk to them. I'll make them friends.” ; Aisa Sonne started toward the fire with his hands ¢ two old Indians, who seemed to. be tho guardians of of Skulls, stared at him, but did not speak again. % ‘still nearer ‘they suddenly dropped down be- ei" eried Harry. “They are up to some eter ty An Bald tas ong, or e ~ He, however, passed pe ER Cae ee SSIES 1d Fe SOE ORE Seed ere ERS Be nie Ci FEN SS “SEEN ed- ee LCR ee ore aie ne Eee | atty feet ea and if the Indians had run on pray the fire it would have been impossible not to have seen them, and yet beth Edna and Harry declared that they had not seen them after they dropped down behind the fire, and the Hon- orable Fitz was equally sure. In the end they had to accept it as a mystery, and the boys Set out to inspect their strange surroundings and to see what could be dene toward making Edna and themselves comfortable for the rest of the night. It was soon evident that they had been most fortunate in discovering the House of Skulls, which must now be more fully described. It was built of rough logs, and had a steep roof, with. a large smoke hole in the middle, which served to keep the air quite fresh. The only docr was in front. There was none in the rear. There was no attempt at inside finish either, and in the front there was no floor but the earth, nor any partitions. It was here that the skulls were nailed up against the log walls, hundreds and hundreds of them. There were big skulls and little skulls, skulls which from the remnants of long hair hanging to some of them looked as if they might have belonged io women. Of baby skulls there were many hundreds, and in one further section there was a great collection of the skulls of animals, bears; wolves, dogs, foxes, and some which the boys took to be the skulis of dolphins or blackfish. There was one enormous skull of this description which Harry declared was the skull of a whale. At the rear end there were no skulls, and the space against the walls of the house was divided off into little boxlike rooms by partitions miade of upright poles bound together by some sort of vine. These partitions were about ten feet high and the rooms were open in front. There was a big floor here, too; and as there were at least a hundred of these queer rooms, it seemed pretty certain that a great many persons must have occupied the house at one time.~ Of course the boys looked into each one of these rooms in ‘their efforts to find the two Indians, but without discovering the least trace of them; still, this led to another discovery of the highest importance in their present situation. In one of the rooms was a great quantity of. furs, buffalo robes, bear skins, deer. skins and the skins of the fox, marten, mink, beaver and other small fur-bearing animals. _ These skins had been all carefully dried, and the boys recog- nized their great value at a glance. “Why, there’s thousands of dollars worth of furs here!” cried Harry. “We must count them up later,” said Edna. “I must make notes of all this. It will make a splendid story for the Morn- ing Call.” “I say!” cried the Hon. Fits. “Am < e the deal? or course we shall carry these furs away with us when we go, I think I ought to have my share.” “There's one thing—they will make splendid beds!” cried George; “and I am going to take off my wet clothes and up in one of the bear skins.” __ ‘ 1” said Edna. “It may save you from pneu- A you and Fitz fix up the fire. I'll keep a ae. ‘up and down the House of Skulls, willing : a Santeonie Raith & Woreco: and began, eh rik rs he oul Harry soon

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= Same a THE HOUSE OF SKULLS ll ———— — ——————— ee grizzly bear skin and carrying his half frozen elothes in his | This seemed to be just about the proper scheme, and the hand. These he spread before the fire, ‘and Fitz and Harry i boys were soon swimming around in the little bay. ‘prought other skins and threw them down on the ground. George was a splendid long-distance swimmer; in fact had * They made eplendid sleeping rugs, ‘and upon them the party | quite a record in a modest way, and the temptation to exercise |. passed the night. his powers now was too much for him. : _ George and Harry took turns in watching, but no alarm | He soon distanced Harry and struck out boldly for the bluff 5 came. Edna slept pretty well once she got asleep, and as for} Which marked the entrance to the bay. q the Hon. Fitz, he not only slept, but snored loudiy. Harry shouted to him to come back, but George only waved Morning dawned clear and- cool. : ; his hand in answer, _ Leaving Rana and Fitz still asleep by the fire, George and! In a few moments he had passed around the bluff out of _ Harry burried out to have a look at things as soon as day-, *leht. : Might began to appear. | Harry turned back, feeling somewhat troubled. Before he could reach the beach he heard George’s voice shouting: “Hello, Hal! Hello! A big discovery! Put on your clothes and fetch mine! Gome out on the bluff, old man!” .The sea was roiling up on the beach, and now the tide, : was up the water extended within a hundred feet of the house. | a Back in shore the land was high, and beyond, far to the east, a chain of lofty mountains, all covered with snow, was St pale ; Gee There was “comparatively little snow hetween the beach and the house. The high wind of the night before seemed to _ ave blown it all away. “Well! Well! This is a great piece of business. To think that we should have been wrecked here!" exclaimed Harry. - “What do you think of it all, George?” lo ae “THE ‘INDIANS WHO VANISHED IN THE HOUSE OF SEULLS. : “Well, for one thing I think there is no doubt about our; eth being on an isiand,” replied George. “For another, I think! Harry lost no time in obeying. He could not imagine what we are likely to stay here for some time, ior we must be far George had found, but he knew that it must be something im- oe of the regular course of travel.” ; portant by the way he spoke. _ “By Jove! That’s not a very pleasant prospect, old man. "i He accordingly hurried on his clothes, and taking George’s, aoe good deal better than if we had fought our way into which were now dry, ran along the beach and climbed the : “that beat.” ; bluff. me _ “Oh, of course! That goes without saying I'm not kicking, | As soon as he got on top he cane: what George’s excite- her, and I don’t want you to think so. Only what are we ‘ment was about. to do for something to eat?” — | There lay the wreck of the Sea Lion in shallow water at “There's the Pacific Ovean, and there’s plenty of fish in it.”) the head of a larger bay. “Yes; but a fellow. can’t live on fish forever.” The steamer was all listed over to one side, ae looked to “Ch, something cise will turn up. There’s the woods be-, be in bad shape. } the house. We shall be able to shoct something there.| George was dancing about on the deck, and he waved his going to worry.” hand to Harry as he came in view. ; Ne Sieaiics of the house, what a queer place it is, George.; “All right now, Hal!” he shouted. “We have got all the 8 fellow was any way superstitious he would not care to | ship's stores to draw from. No danger of our going hungry, or . there long.” : j dry either, Come out here and fetch my clothes.” “Do you know,” said George, “that I'm surprised a This necessitated Harry taking off his shoes and stockings qd! kick about. it.” ete = again. Rolling up his trousers, he waded through the shallow - “Never ‘said a word, did he? Say, he may turn out to be a. water to the wreck and joined George on the deck of the : sort fellow after all. What do you think of the house, | steamer. yway? I never knew that Indians built houses ‘that”| “It’s a big find,” declared George, as he began dressing. Phe you had read up the early history of this ‘country you “Not only does it serve our present purpose, but ‘there ought have known it then. That’s what called an Indian ' to: be salyage money, if the steamer can be got off.” or ere House. In old time there were lots} “Do you think that is possible?” . seattered along this coast, — boris whole tribes lived} “Well, I'm no judge; but I know I’m hungry, and when I CHAPTER V. 2 oiaee eae : §0 back to.thp House of Skulls I propose to go loaded down - how about the ekulls?” A ; with grub.” r E Reritaiensd: yin = i Don't snow whether — After the boys were dressed they ran all over the steamer. : ier ; i | There was but a small cargo on board; three thousand cases Wiig ss: ¥: |of salmon formed the bulk of it, besides which were several oi i Pact eedbt aie divided up bales of seal skins and other furs. % Me: (Sen Ao aie one Sls = ic laos 7 As they drew near Edna came hurrying out to wish them, Bi ag George lest no time in telling her the good news. ee “That's agi exclaimed Edna. “So the blizzard blew the the bay, did it. Well, we shall have to name ee Blizzard Bay, 2S gouges But Thee yd el .

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: THE HOUSE =: we a So es, See ee ee ee AER ot a ra eed “Why, he wasn’t with us,” replied Harry. “We left him asleep onthe bear skin beside the fire.” “He was not there when I woke up,” replied Edna: ‘ably he has gone into the woods.” ee “Oh, he’ turn up all right,” said Harry. “Let’s have Po x breakfast. I'ye got ccffee here and a coffee pot and two __-_— leaves of bread and a lot of butter and a leg of roast lamb, and George has got a whole lot of other things.” - “I'm with you, there,” laughed Edna. “I don’t think I ever ‘wanted my breakfast so badly in my life.” ' “Shali we go into the house to eat it?” asked George. _ “Indeed we.won't!” declared Edna. “The very sight of all ; those skulls makes me sick. Let's sit right down on the rocks here by the beach and have a regular picnic. One thing I’m giad of, my yalise is on the steamer, and now I shail have a change of clothes.” “Yes; and we've got a trunk there somewhere and a whole lot of mining tools,” replied George. ~ “How did you get the mining tools?” asked Edna, _ thought you went up to Alaska on salmon business?” _ “So we did. This was a consignment of mining tools that our people sent to Juneau te the firm of Bennett & Burns. _ They failed about six months ago. “My orders were to set! the tools if L could get a fair price for them, and to bring : a mee back if if I couldn't. Nobody would give half their value, eee} Jes they eames” yy . aes of folly,” said’ Bana,“in her sprightly way. “Just bs, till the Klondike ‘mines become better known, and then segs ill see shiploads of mining tools sent to Alaska,” _ _How true this prediction proved everybody knows now, but f age! kere of which we write there was but little belief in| “Prob- wt « tte Ey AMEE ie ine adie PLE DRS SS Bi «BSc 7 Real i a PIS Sore eee RY eS ne . “The boys |. Spay and, made coffee and a tablecloth was spread aver a big flat stone and breakfast served. as Hon, Fitz did not put in an appearance, however, and Bee Degan to feel decidedly worried about him, Prat now something has happened,” he said again and q “That fellow is Aowanag too ne a ste to go up ” said just ee think. ar soon as T am through break- ont tthe tae due phis. be Ha give us the shake : ¢ Edna would have known.” — added Edna; “and certainly nothing u “Rs look agi ‘UP at the house! ly the ald. eco of the fear ‘of Skulls look- a never spoke @ word. es 2 te ination, to we he started ,” declared Harry. “If anything had happened in| OF SKULLS. ? Sure enough there were half a dozen Indians crowding in the doorway of the Long House, peering out. “It's all up with Fitz unless we help him!” cried George. “His skull-is booked to go up on’ the walls like the rest.” “You’ye got your revelyers—what are you waiting for, boys?” cried Edna. “You must stay behind,” said George. “It's on your account that we are holding back. You must not go up there,” “Fiddlesticks!” cried Edn2,. “As though Ff hadn't got my revolver! Just as though I wasn’t as good a man as either one of yeu! Come on!” All three started on the run. Just what the boys had feared had happened, and, deter- mined that Edna should not expose herself, George and Harry shot ahead and gaimed the door somewhat in advance of the plucky girl. Meanwhile the Indians drew back inside and vanished. “Look out, George! We'll get a shot, first thing you know,” said Harry, warningly. But the warring proved io be entirely unnecessary. ; There was no sound inside the queer building. George hesitated an instant and then ran in, “Why, there isn’t any one here!” he exclaimed. This was rather a hasty decision since there were a hun- dred places to hide in the long room. But the examinestion which followed proved that Genie Was quite correct. The Indians had completely vanished from the House of Skulls. CHAPTER VI. THE CANOE THAT CAME INTO THE BAY. - Here was a mystery which none of the little party could fathom, but it put a very serious aspect yen, the disappear- ance of the Hon. Fitz. Twice over they searched the Long House, but always with the same result. “There must be some secret way of getting in and out of here,” declared George. “One thing is certain, we mustn’t put in another night in the House of Skulls.” “What's the matter with those tents?” said Harry. might set up a couple of them at the head of Blizzard Bay.” Edna inquired. what he meant, and Harry explained that among the mining tools were a dozen or more tents, all ready f for use, and only requiring to be put in place. After some further discussion about the mystery all three. went over the hills _ i upon the shore of scree Bay. “Wert fix t up the ‘ents. ‘and get such provisions as we ‘sid ashore,” said ‘George, “and then we'll get back to the other bay — |and’ watch from behind the rocks for a while. We may see a They can't have ‘Vanished ‘more of the, and taken with them—that is sure.” “We d the wading act and made wraal e & eee Sea Lion and eaeabe aa a

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THE “SIOUSE OF SKULLS — —— —--~. Se re ———— ee On the. last trip George peouatit off a pick and spade and| . a good axe, CHAPTER VII. “There!” he exclaimed as he walked out of the shallow water to the place where Edna stcod. “J should think this THE SEA! THE SEA! THE EVERLASTING SEA! ought to do for the present. After we have taken another ‘ look for Fitz we will see about getting more provisions off.| “Are we going to run away and abandon all our things, Harry is bringing a load of bread and cold cooked meat now. ” ike a trio of cowards, Hal, or do we make a stand against “Yes,” cailed Harry trom the water, “and I don’t see what them?” exclaimed George Brandon when they had run a short you wanted to bother with that pick and shovel for. It’s | distance up the beach. about the last thing we are likely to need, under the cireum- | “That's what I say!” Edna spoke up. “We want those stances.” things—they are absolutely necessary to: us.” “Why, I don’t agree with yon at all,” declared Edna. “When ; “Twenty against three is big odds, ” replied Harry. “Still, we sct up the tents don’t we want to dig a little drain around I'll do anything you say.” them? ‘That's the way they do it in the Klondike, If you! The trouble was Edna would not leave them, and the boys dcn’t and it comes up to rain we will be ears Here, I'll} were afraid for her sake, shew you how it is done.” It was no use talking to the brave girl, either. Edna wanted Fzll of energy, as usual, Edna seized the spade and making to do her share of roughing it like a man. out the line of her drain on the beech sand began to dig. | “We will stop here behind these rocks and give them a She threw up a few chovelsful of the sand and then the} round anyhow,” she declared. spade struck aSaipst something hard. “Look out! Here come the arrows again!” exclaimed °. “Bother! There's a stone! ‘I suppose I’ve turned over | Gere. ‘ the edge of my spade!" cried Edna. “No, I haven't, either. They had just time to drop down behind the rocks when a Hello! What's this?” shower of arrows came whistling over their heads, doing no “She stocped down ‘and pulled out of the sand a coarse, red- ; damage, but showing clearly the unfriendly spirit of the say- - | dish-yellow looking mass, being irregular in shape, and held ages. ft wp for George and Harry to look at. George looked for serious trouble. Se. ‘A pugget!” cried George. “A nugget of gold, as sure as | He felt that sonie show of: resistance ought to he made at 5 you live!” : the start, just to let the Indians understand that they could _ “Leok out there! Lcok!out there!” shouted Harry in the not have everything their own way. So he threw up the ct sate breath. rifle and fired three shots. 5 3 He pointed out upon Blizzard Bay and George and Edna A chorus of horrible yells broke from the Indians and 7 “or & long canoe with a high prow carved into the shape of | #?0ther shower of arrows was the result. “ae a hideous head .come shooting around the end of the bluff. What the final result of it all might have been it is hard to sae _ it was filled with Indians; “there were at least twenty of| say, for at that moment an unforeseen occurrence altered the a. “them, all paddling Ran rtd : a wate had been steadily rising for some little time. _ “Better hide while nga Aiseore > poe is a aioe! and as the tide was on the rise also and‘the wind blowing off rar se xen "ade Fe sigh ang hpatal at do you suppose | tne water, the rollers on the beach were getting bigger and ugget is ' bigger all the time. Sainte Wigth st nef tn te Kien, oun ? Pet 5 All at once Edna spied a huge one sweeping into the bay. . “Look! Look!” she cried. “It will swamp them sure!” They sce us! No, they don't, either; or, if they do, they are) 474 that is just what it did, “mot paying, any pitanti se to = PE nego pak pase tie ane? | on came thé wave, a perfact ‘wail of water. “toward the wreck. George declared afterward that there must have been a “We had better get down behind these rocks,” said George. | sight earthquake, and that this was the accompanying tidal rang few ad against them, oe the best thing is to wave; but, be that as it may, the canoe was thrown high in the air when the wave struck it and immediately swamped. They crouched down bebind the rocks ‘ed waited; but] The wave broke upon the beach with a noise like thunder, gs did no’ turn out exactly as they expected. the water running almost up to the rocks behind which our the big canoe had almost reached the wreck the tall! little party lay concealed. who sicod mn the bow, and who seemed to be the “By Jove!” exclaimed Harry. “They'll all be drowned!” For a moment or two it looked very much that way. But the Indians all proved themselves splendid swimmers. One after another came bobbing up to the surface and the canoe was speedily righted. ‘The accident seemed to have aroused the superstitions fears of ‘the Indians, for they all got back into the canoe as quickly as possible and hastily turned around and paddled off out jof the bay and were seen no more. . Tt was an immense relief to know that they were gone. The boys and Edna climbed to the top of the headland and | could see them paddling away down the coast. Not only were they gone, but it was evident that they did {not mean to come back again, on the run.| For some time this seemed too good to be true, and the es, a shipwrecked party from the Sea Lioa ipaioes waiching them eo Seonarae d iteree its course and made a Sd gen

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‘ . ee % * Gis oe ate _ | THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. a “They are going to give us a rest fora while, any how,” said! “It’s an island!” gasped Harry, his breath all gone. George. “We must improve the opportunity. First question is And so it was. On all sides the water stretched away from where are we going to sleep to-night? In the House of Skulls the rocky shores. again?” ' ; “The sea! The sea! The everlasting sea!” cried George. “T say no!” declared Edna, positively. “I’ye had quite “We have got to make the best of it. Here we are and until enough of that dreary place. Let’s build ourselves some sort some steamer comes along and rescues us here we are likely of a shelter at the head of Blizzard Bay.” } to stay.” This was promptly agreed to. : The boys had come to admire Hdna’s way of doing business ete so thoroughly that they were ready to consent to anything ; she might ask. i - It was not a difficult task, either. i CHAPTER VIII. Among the things brought ashore from the wreck of the Sea Lion were two stout axes. PANNING. x George and. Harry went into the woods back of the hanel: as! and cut down a number of small hemlocks. Then selecting a’ favorable site, they drove into the ground two crotched poles and laid a third across resting in the crotches. Against these = they aie alae botighs nt each side, leaving a space for see sitting quietly on the rock, they discovered several things ; “ak f interest. 2 the door. aac oy It made a capital shelter from the wind, and to a certain ex- | First, on the other side of the mountain the descent was = tent teemnthe rain. almost perpendicular, and, as it looked to them, entirely im- _ “TThere’s your house, Edna,” declared ect. “Now we will 228sable. build a bigger one for Harry and myself.” Here the mountain ended in huge cliffs, against which the By the time this was finished it. was time for dinner, and | Water came dashing with fearful force. Edna, who had lighted a fire on the beach, had it ready pre-| “We won't go down there,” said Harry; “but look over this pared. i side, George. The House of Skulis is not loeated 2 bit as I As there were plenty ot eeignigen to draw from, the dinner ‘thought it was. It is right on the edge of a precipice, don’t proved @ very good one. you see?” After it was over all hands strolled up to the House of George looked down upon the mysterious building and at ight. “Skulls if anythi wld be seen of Fitz once perceived that Harry was r gloom: son ce nage deserted and the ee “? ba Behind the House of Skulls rocks rose. The boys had not > ange disappearance remained unsolved. zs _ ; climbed upon them, and now they could see that these rocks #4 “Let's put in the ps a digging on the h there formed the edge 6f a precipice at least a hundred feet in 7 beac’ a pe depth reaching down to a long, narrow valley which stretched sphere we:tountl the aagyet,”.adggected Harry. \We:niny find sig the interior of the island. Beyond the valley another hill or mountain rose. ‘It was not nearly so high as the one they now stood upon. so they i could look right over it, and beyond that again was the sea, The boys now descended and tejoined Edna. The boys did not remain long on the mcuntain top, but before they started down to rejoin Edna, whom they could ” . “Not to-day!” said Edna, decidedly. “I’m in for that ot | moro, but not to-day.” “I know what you are driving at,” replied George. “You: waded, tae heer ane ant BS Prt ot ph of “Well, we are on an island!” exclaimed George as they came : “ / out upon the rock. _“That’s just what it is,” replied Edna. “We really ought, ; w whether it is an island or whether it is the main- | “I thought so,” said Edna. “Look down there, boys. Plenty land.” eh / j of chance for our friend Fitz to yanish. Of course there is “There's n¢ re han to get up to that S°™e,Secret passage under the House of Skulls, and he has rock up Talesgh Ld i ig Riga ne pies’ ” been taken down into the valley there—no doubt about that.” ; | for the climb were soon made, and aes ge “Looks so,” replied George. “There has got to be some ex- ; a loring done sooner or later.” > way, party struck in th the woods to ? yale and ap a Fa of oe cmt “Now,” said Edna. “There must be no gold digging tiil we a; to reach the rock. | have done what we can toward Fitzgerald’s rescue. I don’t , the top of the mountain, but it was like the man, I confess; but it won't do to leave him in the . view was to be had on three sides. hands of a parcel of Indians.” whichever direction they looked. “If he is still alive,” said George, we te the on an island all right,” said George; “but| “If he ts still alive, of course. That’s the idea, and we want alge, orig aire get to the top.” to know that, too.” | to try for it,” panted Edna, and she; The return to the headland was the next move. ; . “I’ve had just as much of this It was easier work going down the mountain than coming hoys would push shead to up, and they were soon at the shelters again. ai ‘Nothing would suit Edna but they must go up to the House. ays * , - ‘ 3 “we will not leave ad We Skulls and have a look down into the valley. . ; dats “It will be easy enough to climb those rocks,” she said. “I a. “What harm ts going to expect to see a whole Indian camp down there in the valley.” t to be lett. I insist on it.| They pushed through the thick growth of bushes which dc fe "| surrounded the long house on three sides and soon came out 3

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it Wy 24 _ Edna. have got to give it up.” “Perhaps it’s not so steep further along,” “We are not through with it yet.” But they might just as wéll have given it up then. The Tocks were not over twenty feet high, but they rose in one perpendicular wall as’smooth as glass. “Oh, fcr a ladder, or a balloon, or an elevator!” exclaimed “We can’t do a thing without one of them. Boys, we suggested Edna. ‘They had followed this strange natural wall for fully half a mile om the left, and here it turmed and joined the moun- tain. There was absolutely no chance to get up on it at this end. At the other it was even worse, for the rocks grew higher and ended in a pricipitous point which stretched far out into the ocean. Thus they found themselves cut off on all sides. “Wait till to-morrow, when the sea is not running so high, and 1!’ll swim out and see if I can’t get around that head,” ‘said George. “I’m sure I can do it, but I don’t feel like try- ing it now.” “Settled!” replied Edna, “I'll not ‘urge you any more, boys. We have done al! we can here, so let’s get back and study the gold question a Hele bit. since there seems to be plenty of time.” Now this happened to be a question that George had studied | _ before while in. Alaska, for, although he had stuck pretty closely to his ealmon business, he te still found time to look into placer mining. It was a subject that interested him greatly, for at that time George had had a very serious notion of giving up busi- | Ress and going off to the Klondike, All this Harry Knew well enough, and when he explained it} THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. George washed the sand a second time, disposing of nearly all of it. What was left was a small collection of fine yellow dust . weighing about an ounce. It was not the coarse, flaky gold and small nuggets which are found in the Klondike country, but still it was gold, and the way George reasoned was that if one pan taken at ran- dom from the beach would yield an ounce, the chances were altogether in faver of a richer find below. Edna and Harry now went to panning on their own account, and George tried ancther. The result was much the same in all three pans. It was nothing wonderful, but the gold certainly seemed to be very evenly distributed through the sand. ° By the time the sun had set about a hundred dollars worth of dust had been collected, which was certainly a pretty good return for a few hours’ work. “I call off!” exclaimed Edna at last. “I’ve got to look after the supper, boys, and anyhow there has been enough done for the day. There’s gold here wherever we have a mind to look, for it. We know that now.” “Yes; and we shall know more about it to-morrow!” de- clared George. “We've made a big strike I have no doubt. It we ever do escape from this island and can claim the land here, it may make us all rich.” “It will make a splendid story for the Call anyhow,” said Edna. “Just you wait till you see me work up a boom on Blizzard Bay.” Another visit was paid to the House of Skulls after supper, j but nothing was found to be in any way changed. About nine o’clock our little party settled down for the to Rdng she at once declared that George was unanimously ; night, £ ot elected boss of the new mining camp on Blizzard Bay. riivge then, if that is the case, let’s go to work systemati- It had been ereutieed that Edna should sleep the night ; through and the boys divide the watch between them, George - eally,” said George, “just as though we expected to remain } taking first turn, here and do business forever. First thing is to wash the sand | iS seganee ‘Harry, you fetch a couple of those big tin pans we a t from the steamer and we will see if we can get a gale SAT tda-én “te one” Taking one of the pans when Harry came back, George ar ‘secoped up several double handsful of sand, threw them in’ n and then filled it up with water and began shaking it, s of sand he allowed to go with it. there was any gold present, being heavier than the sand, s bound to settle in the bottom of the pan.» ; Sie wt i tat ae es sont yp , light ® in your eyes. took croseways over the sand!” “no such seer ot pens Bas Wa pim He eR ae ee So Edna retired to her shelter, and, putting a branch up before the door, disappeared. Harry just flung himself down upon ia pile of hemlock | boughs in the larger shelter and was soon fast asleep, leaving George to pace up and down the beach, rifle in hand, ready for any emergency that might come. It was dull work, and nobody who has not tried it need blame George for soon getting tired of his lonely watch. Each time he walked toward the hill which separated Bliz- , zard Bay from the next cove, where they had landed, George went a little further, and after four or five times he de termined to push on around the hil! altogether and take a look at the House of Skulls,! which, let it be understood, could not | be seen from Blizzard Bay. He had no sooner come in sight of the long house than he saw that the return of night had brought a change. ' A bright light shone through the windows, Tongues of flame could be seen leaping up inside. “There’s some one there!” exclaimed George. “Now is the time to solve the Wiystery: if i only dared to leave Harry ‘and Edna alone.” He determined to wake Harry and ask niin to stand guard 7 ha ot what is: a. in| While he went to investigate the condition of affairs at the long house, but when. he tried this he font H. Was not such an easy task. Harry was a tremendously heavy dies at all times. He was in a deep sleep now, and, although George shook him again and again, he could noj even get a grunt out of him. George went out of the shelter and looked off on the bay. The moon was shining brightly’ and he could see a long way Our to sea; ‘but there was nothing to be seen of the Indians. Le Pee en as key aeotea

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Ls oe and—hello! oe 5 a ae THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. 11 “I'll take no chances, but I must and will get a look inside that house.” He hurried around the hill and started up the rise on which stood the House of Skulis. Not a sound reached his ears as he drew rear except the crackling of the fire, which George knew must be on the ground in front of the big stone which he had named “the altar.” Peering in through the open door when he reached it, he saw that he was right. A number of logs had been heaped up in front of the stone and were blazing away at a great rate; but there was no one to be seen near it, and not a sound was to be heard inside the house except the crackling of the burn- ing wood, ; George, after a little hesitation, ventured in and had a good look around. Surely there was no one in the House of Skulls but himself. “T suppose I ought to go back,” he thought; “but I’m go- ing to hold on a minute anyhow. Somebody built that fire and—hello! What was that?” A loud thump sounded near the big stone altar. George’s heart gaye a thump, too. The pile of bearskins lay on the floor at no great distance away, and he hastily crawled under it, pulling a big bearskin over his head and shoulders. ? : “Tf anything happens to Harry and Edna, I'll never forgive myself,” he thought, “I know I ought not to do it, but here Here she comes!” _A queer grating sound was heard near the altar. Breathlessly listening, George peered out from under the The mask moved sowiy right and left, the big eyes peering about in every direction. Then suddenly an Indian dressed in a queer suit made of Skins leaped up behind the fire, and, uttering a shrill whistle, began to execute a wild dance before the altar, whirling around and around in the most surprising fashion. It made George dizzy to look at him. He wished he was out of the Iong house and back at his post again, but unless he Wanted to expose himself it was too late to make a move now. So he continned to watch the whirling figure behind the fire. There was 2 strange fascination about it. Somehow or other George could not take his eyes away, Suddenly another figure appeared dancing with the first. They were as much alike as two peas, Where the second figure came from George could not tell, for he did not see it come. First thing he knew there it was, and that was all. The wild dance continued. Round and round the figures whirled with fearful hiner sine Then the same thing was repeated. Suddenly there were three, all exactly alike—all dancing in the same wild fashion. Then it was four, five, six, and so on, until at last twenty of these strangely masked forms were whirling about behind the fire. George was witnessing a sight which probably no white man had ever seen before. It was one of the ceremonial dances of these Indians, who for reasons best known to themselves chose to keep hidden. But George did not at all appreciate the blessing thus be- 2 ate _bearsk i ' stowed upon him. ote -.: tee ‘gre RA ence A waee. te He fully expected to sce the masked Indians make a ria for Ne < Sg the skins any moment, and drag him out. He heartily wished ae _ Suddenly a head with oan immense ears appeared behind the! himself back in camp again. ENS fire. ' 4 at rene hideous onk: half man, half beast, with two great, staring eyes, looking directly at the pile of hearwkcins beneath _— which the boy lay concealed. t , | i ‘ After continuing the dance for about fifteen or twenty min- utes, the masked figures suddenly came to a dead halt. Suddenly all threw up their hands and with one horrible yell each made a rush for the side of the building, and each seized a skull and tore it away from the wall. George had labored under the delusion that the skulls were so firmly fastened to the walls that they could not be _re- _) moved, Those which he had examined certainly were, but these ‘aude ae ey AE CHAPTER X. could not have been, for the Indians pulled them away with- - gt ee Soa ; “< out the least difficulty, and now began tossing them up in the se “smmana sores rs THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. air and catching them as they came down in the most expert Peis sk : manner, singing and shouting as this strange game of ball a sace square look at the pm went on, p behind the fire than he knew what} This continued for perhaps ten minutes. Then every In- 9 dian ‘staniped fiercely on the floor of the hut and came ae a ‘northwest coast of America, from Brit- halt. Fpl a -are all pretty much alike in one The skulls were now replaced against the wifes and one of outlandish ceremonies, and make] the masks gaye a shrill whistle. d representing grotesque and hideous! something new was going to happen, and Baca watched. _| breathlessly to see what ft was. bis huge wooden masks with great He had not long to wait. pure staring eyes. In a moment the head of the Hon. Herbert Fitzgerald. came further adorned by having the {nto view behind the fire. to them, ap 2 de dhs ees It was Fitzy with a bandage over his eyes and his hands ‘| tied behind him. — ero face, ath mi pailed him up into full view, the others silently watching. “What are you going to do with me?” demanded Fitzy ina | trembling voice. “Say, don’t kill me. I—I'll work for you~ | Pl do whatever you say.” louse. ei Sua) / There was no answer. Jay "Fitz began te grope his way about, Ps are cece hp moved, be ran against an Indian, “One of the Indians bent down, and, seizing hold of his hand,

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: 12 THE HOUSE OF SKULLS.” Sudden!y one of the masks drew cut a long stone knife and| As they walked on toward Blizzard Bay George looked back began flourishing it abeut in, front of the :face of the blind-} toward the House of Skulls again and again, but not the first folded. man. . ra) sign of an Indian could he:see, but when he turned the end The time had come to make a move. : of the hill and looked..toward the shelters, who should he " “They are goins to kill Fitzy, and add his.skull to the rest} see but Harry and Edna hurrying toward them. ‘ of the collection—thai’s what they are up to,” thought George. “There he is!” cried Harry. “Fitzy, too, by gracious! He grasped his rifle, and had just made up his mind to| Hooray! Say, George, where did you find him? Where on Spring up and stand fer the rescue of Fitzgerald, no matter at| earth have you been?” what cost, whea the question was decided for him in a hurry. “Well, I’m fairly caught, I. see,” replied -George. “I de- _ Suddenly the Indian with the stone knife waved it three|serted my post and went up to the House of Skulls. Of times in a circle about Fitzy’s head, and every mask made a! course I deserve to be shot, but I’ve got Fitzy just the same.” rush for the pile of furs, each seizing hold of the first skin he| “Yes, he saved my life,” said the Hon. Herbert. “There's : could lay hands on. no doubt about that, and I’m most awfully obliged to you, i “I'm in for it now!” thought George, and so he was all in| George Brandon, but please, please don’t call me Fitzy, Now, + @ moment, for one of the Indians pulled away the bearskin| there’s a good fellow! Don’t.” whieh covered him before he had time to get on his feet. They walked on; Edna explaining how she had suddenly ' waked up and come out to see how things were going. Not finding George, she had become alarmed, and aroused Harry, and both started off to look for him. When George came up with them they were on their way to the House of Skulls. Of course the next thing inorder was to find out what Fitzy e ‘ eo CHAPTER XI. had to tell. now!” ; be half inclined to think that what he had seen was all a was well that © denies gave Fitz the call when he did,| dream, but there was Fitz snoring away in the shelter when Ne dude had sprinted away toward the beach, and as he| they returned. ot the faintest idea where he was going, he ‘Would have} “We'll solve the mystery yet,” said Edna, “but let it drop himself in the water ina minute more. now. We want to get to work on the gold.” é , and in a moment the Hon. Herbert The pick and shovel brigade now started in for business. once more, — : . | George marked out a space six feet by four at the head of ” though. the beach, choosing a spot that looked as likely as any other, ‘first was: “Don’t let them e,|and they went to work to run down a prospecting shaft a idon! Don’t let them get me! Don't |} ae few feet to see what could be struck, n into that hole again!” — ' Edna took right hold and worked with the boys. fens — replied George. “You're all Hatt, She would do it, and there was no use in trying to persuade with me to camp. Never mind Sup me| her not to. | you have ata down a bit” - Two buckets had been’ brought out from the steamer with wR; the other things, and while Harry plied he pick, loosening

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THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. 13 up the earth, George filled the buckets and passed them up to Edna, who emptied them and passed them back again. In this way the work proceeded rapidly, but by ten o’clock, al- though the boys managed to get the shaft down about four feet, there was no sign of color in the sand. “I guess we will have to give it up here and strike in somewhere else,” said George, discouraged. “There doesn’t seem to be the slightest show.” “Who says there isn’t?” shouted Harry at the same mo- ment. “No show! Then what do you call this?” He struck his pick deep into the earth and turned up a queer shaped, brownish yellow mass. “Another nugget!” screamed Edna from the ground above. And so it was! ‘George made a dive for it, and held up a nugget twice as big as the one they had found on the beach. “It weighs ten pounds if it weighs an ounce!” “and it’s almost solid gold!” he exclaimed, CHAPTER XII. THE STONE THAT CAME OVER THE ROCKS, The finding of big nugget No. 2 was only the forerunner of other finds. Of course there was no forther talk of abandoning the pros- pect hole. On the contrary, work was pressed forward more vigorously _ than before, — a _ Between ten and eleven two other finds were made. Both were nuggets, one was even larger than No. 2, but the atner Was a little smaller than No. 1. After eleven and on to twelve nothing was discovered, al- _ though our boy miners worked very steadily. _ Edna had given it up now and was busy preparing dinner. The shatt was down about six feet, and it was necessary to stoop down and reach for the bucket. This made hard work, <¢ and the boys insisted that she give it up. George positively _ refused to fill the bucket again unless she did. \ After Edna went away George used both pick and shovel : and ‘Harry took Pe place on the ground and worked the _ -bugket. _ “How far down do you think we shall have to go to strike into the regular gold deposit?” he asked when George finally _ gave it up and climbed out of the hole. sa “Oh, itis. impossible to say,” replied George. “In the Klon- : ‘dike country, as you very likely know, they have to go down from, eighteen to twenty-two feet.. It might be the same here, be more or less. I’m sure I can’t tell.” “Hadn't we better shake out a few pansful of this stuft and see how she runs?” “We might, I suppose. Still if there is any gold in there it ‘ Co go Ang Sei plane aga a panning. No harm in trying, oats “About half an ounce of very. F “The sand is rich. | That would be considered more than 2 Lea ieee “It we could put this stuff through course Harry wanted to know what the amalgam process and George explained that it consisted of treating the vith quicksilver. ao ae oa gee crimes rl ose 7h eae: to wash up. Edna had spread the cloth on a big flat rock which had served them for a table before, and they’ were just beginning to cat when Fitz walked out of the shelter looking very much dazed. “Hello, Fitz!” called George. “How are you feeling? Come and have some dinner. You must be as hungry as a bear.” “Iam hungry,” replied Fitz. “I don’t know that I was ever so hungry in all my life. May I—may I join you?” “Why, of course! We expect you to join us,” replied George, kindly. - “Come and sit right down. You'll feel better after yoy get some grub into your stomach. Do you remember any more about that business than you did last night?” “What business?” asked Fitz, seating himself and attacking the crackers and cheese and canned salmon ravenously. And here was the beginning of another surprise. To the astonishment of all Fitz remembered even less than the night before. He had not the faintest idea how he came to go to sleep in | the shelter. He could not remember what had taken place in the House of Skulls. “It’s no use. I just can’t do it, boys,” he declared. “I sup- ; pose it is all just as you say, but upon my word the last thing |i recollect is dfinking out of the bowl in the cave.” | But in spite of his lapse of memory Fitz declared that he | felt perfectly well; he was most curious to know all that had happened in the House of Skulls, and he would have gone on taiking about it the remainder of the afternoon if Edna had not interfered. “Come, come!” she exclaimed. “It is no use going over and over the same ground. | tell you what we'll do, boys; we'll quit mining for the afternoon, build a ladder and climb up on top of those rocks. I’m most curious to know what is to be seen on the other side.” “That suits me, said George. “What's this about mining? asked. . This gave the boys another job of explaining. Fitz in- spected the nugget and grew enthusiastic. He wanted to know all about it, and the boys left. nim examining the shaft when they went up into the woods to begin on the ladder. ? It took about an hour to build it. Hammers and nails had been brought off from the Sea Lion, and, with the axe, nothing else was needed. When completed the ladder was strong if not artistic, and with it the whole party started for the House of Skulls. Here everything was just the same. It was hard to believe that the silence of the dreary place had ever been disturbed. Carrying the ladder around behind it, George and Harry placed it against the reck. George climbed up, and, grasping the edge of the rock, pulled himself up. A startled exclamation escaped him. “What is it? What do you see?” cried Edna. Harry was already climbing the ladder, when all at once before George had time to reply a stone came whizzing over ~ the wall. ; It struck eee on hashed: ; With a sharp cry of pain, he pitched forward and disap- . peared oyer the edge of the rocks. “We'll do it.” Is there a mine here?” Fitz CHAPTER XII. HOW HARRY JUMPED OVER THE CLIP. Evidently “Georse Brendon had managed to get. himself into serious trouble by the simple act of facensling the ladder and ica oyer the rocks. ;

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14 | THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. “To the rescuc!” cried Edna. “All this is going to make a of those rocks a few feet I believe I could find out something Ps first-rate story, but we don’t want to lose George! Get up about George.” there, Harry! Get’up on the wall!” } “Just what I was thinking myself. The rocks project so Harry was doings his best. ‘much a little way down there that we can’t get a good view. I Truth told he felt mighty ticklish about it, too. believe George was caught by somebody, and that that some- Gaining the top of the wall, he could see far down into the body is the one who threw the stone,” valley below. | “We'll try it anyway. Where's that fellow Fitz?” He wes able now to look right into the Indian village. | “Gone off mad.”, ‘ It was a big one and there were many people running about “The feol! Let him go! I shall have to go to camp after ei here and there. the rope myself, I suppose.” = “None of them seemed’ to be looking up or paying the least “No. I'll go, Harry,” said Edna. “Get up there again and attention to what was going on at the top of the precipice Hie down. Keep a watch! You may find out something. 1 _ which ended in the wall of rocks where Harry stood. ; Won't be gone a minute longer than I can help.” mt “See George?” Edna called out. | Edna started off on the run and Harry climbed the ladder “3 “No, I don’t! He bas fallen down here pit there is no help 9Ce more. si for him. Oh, what shall we do?”: ; He had scarcely set foot on the wall when a stone came “We won't give up till we have to, that’s one sure thing,” flying past his head. -. said Edna, very decidedly. Harry saw it coming and dodged. She scrambled upon the wall, leaving Fitz at the foot of the “éh,. _ The precipice was not very steep—certainly not perpendicular, 2 Ses cok Skew Boca porverbanpmere me steep to serene | But Harry was too quick tor the fellow. to ae meena: : we — ; che tatalin have Sone Hauling off, he dealt him a stinging blow between the eyes, ; a te aAAeRG Fork. Cows Rolleyp-Le Rap. 7 sending the old man reeling back into a cave which upened “Nor I,” replied: Harry, briefiy, letting his eyes roam in i, under the rocks. | Bie direction over a side of the hill. «9% a { He did not give Harry a chance to repeat the blow.. ‘With 30 chagigot iti x lans-there is down there,” continued , sharp cry he took to his heels and ran back into the cave, a ney. damit: eounr: 36 beans the least attention to pearly stumbling over George, who lay there stretched upon 3 : ‘the ground. Fes, ng how. ‘about’ the stone?” replied Harry. “Could - : throw it up here? Never! It is:more of the mystery of oy this place. George never went down that hill.” R “Tt seemed’ the merest folly to make {lite assertion, yet same- Pah ‘thing seemed to tell Harry that he was right. . CHAPTER XIV. “the Indians iP che--viTTAge AE 28S-Wekeome ot “the é' valley caught sight of them and a wild shout went up, OLD GOES BOOMING IN BLIZZARD BAY. The bueks were looking up, the children pointing. Women| came running out of the lodges and the attention of every one’ George called out as Harry rushed into the cave. Ss vt son het ed Harry. “Lo, Edna! Yoox! | , There was a bad cut on his forehead and his legs and arms ae ee , were tied with strips of walrus hide, but there was nothing a: ee ‘ee and more w . 7 a then and | a shower of ar- prs Ris pity me. ge mice suis ravers te Se rows came flying up at the top of the precipice. | “Are there any more of them?” Harry asked. “Oh, George, y saw at once that = were running no risk in re- this is a big relief! I thought you were a goner, sure!” ' > was quite a wind blowing — “Why, look here,” replied George; “it's.a wonder that I’m Senge aad before *HeY not, Would have been too, if it wasn’t for this queer con- ... trivance here.” 1 aiomying: where they were, George referred to the platform, which was a movable affair, fees, down the ladder. supported ‘by two fir trunks, one on either side, running in ee: “Let's” roe tack, and grooves cut in the rock, ; ‘ 2 t eas ¢2 could be pushed out beyond the line of the cliff, and just the ter and stood, looking i each gs easily drawn back again. The idea of it seemed to be to en- dig hago a able the Indian and his friends’ to reach the cave from the top , ett you: don't of the rocks. agin: “Ttmay seem “George, I thought you were a goner, sure.” — ae deers is treet was turned toward the two figures standing there on the rocks “Let him go, Hal!’ let him go! Don't try to follow!” “ee _ “It was a close call,” said Harry, when he got bis breath. » “When I got that

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aT r nk + a Tart : THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. 15 stone on the head it knocked me silly, and the next thing Far in the distance George spiced the black smcke of a knew that old fellow was on top of me. You put a scare into} steamer, and he ran up a red silk handkerchief on the end of him, though. He don’t scem in a hurry to come back, Where| a pole and kept it waving for some time. It is doubtful if the is Edna? How are we going to get out of here? Wirst thing) signal was ever seen, but at all events the steamer passed out we know there will be a gang of Indians up out of that hole. of sight: I suppose you'saw what there is down there?” | Monday morning bright and early work on the shaft began “I guess I’ve seen everything,” said Harry. “Edna has B0ne/ again, and this proved to be the red letter day, for fn less aiter a rope, but I think we can get up without it. Hold on/than en hour George struck into 2 mass of small nuggets a second fill I see if that fellow is laying for us. I don't) closely packed together in trne Klond ke style, and all that Want to get a stone on the back of the head.” day and the next and the next still the boys woyced Itke ‘He ran back into the cave, George following him. beavers getting them out. They could see nobody. After a dozen feet or s0 the open-) ‘There was a good deal of sand mixed with them, and it re | ing under the rocks seemed to narrow down to a mere Slit,) quired careful panning to make the separation perfect. _ just about wide enough for a man to pass through, and to} Sunday came again and the strike had been e!I harvested. Gescend abruptly. Now there was net much more than-a color to be obtained __. #*No use going any further,” said Harry. “Let's get dack.”| in the bottom of the shatt. _ They returned to the movable platform. Harry, by climbing) Had it pa‘a? __ apon George's shoulders, was able to grasp the top of -the|": wey, just listen! : ledge and pull himself up, and then, lying flat and reaching! George found a grocer’s scale in the galley of the Sea Lion am down, he caught both of George's hands and with a big effort/ and every ounce of the gold had been carefully weighed out, drew him up on top of the rocks, Here is the result: $85,542 to the credit of the boy miners _ -It.was all over now and no harm done, except the slight cut| of Bliszard Bay, on George's head. ‘Whey descended the ladder and hurried toward Blizzard Bray, ; bis Mote ‘meeting’ Bdna just beyond the House of Skulls. tee s “Well, don’t yofi go and do anything like that again, George » Brandon,” she said, after she had heard the story.. “Now dp. - _ Want to make a rule, and it must be obeyed. As long as these | CHAPTER XV. ye Indians don’t interfere” with us we must not interfere with KA them. Let's stick £6 Blizzard ay 2ne Cus) wate ead give FITZ SHOWS HIS TRUE COLORS AT LAST. “ee. “the House of Skulls a wide berth.” i Eid had being on the strains of wild music were heard there, lasting from | take a wetting any time than to pitch in and do his share of dnight until away long toward morning, but pues & sign | work.” 0 fan Indian was seen, ; '“Oh, come sow: you're weal hard on me, Edna,” drawled " _ Meanwhile mining boomed. : the dude. “I’m willing to work, only George won't let me.” a a big discovery had been made on Blizzard Bay. * “I don’t want to be bothered with you,” said George, who _ ‘The eat was ees eg epaeezaates feet by the end of the! naa taken the pail from Edna’s hand. “Get this full, so that alee 05, $e Tea’ keep'on here.” ; Pitz a his share ot ‘the Work 80 grudgingly and was 80) “Why, certainly I will,” said Fitz, shamed into deceny for lly lazy about it that at last the boys declined to avail once. “You don’t have to tell me, George Brandon. I was his services any longer, and Edna took his Dlece| just going to do it anyhow.” — re the time from the cooking, “Ready ‘with the bucket!” called Harry from down in the After that turned hunter and fisherman, and with a i : “What : you 786 ruck?” shouted George. od shotgun taken from the steamer sauntered about the ay "There's a lot of nuggets here in the alde of the shaft. Blomniaree a ecnaitadoe of Sees we vere vetkiog in last vin and ee alway iP ractonres aa m epee 9 ets tisk dishes table ac nase Sea eh Biden Fost ke of last week it will make us all rich.” ~ sheiter on Monday morning, something after nine o'clock. rit jor don’t we? By thunder, ae eet eee heal wit. ope oop op “All right! I believe we can do it. Do we get the bucket

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16 has got to boil, nuggets or no nuggets. Where is that lazy Fitz?” Edna was not one of the kind to stand waiting, so she started for the spring around on ‘the other side of a ledge of rocks which projected out into the bay. , “Strange what kinked this rope so,” exclaimed George. “I’m sure I left it all straight last night. It’s almost enough to make one believe that some one has been fooling with it.” “Do you think so?” replied Harry, from the bottom of the shaft. “Do you know that I’m dead sure that some one has been fooling around down here since we quit work Saturday night.” “No!” “Well, now, I am. There has been digging done on this s'de, and I’ll bet on it. I didn’t like to say a word before, be- cause——” “Because I was on guard the first half of the night,” broke in George. “Well. I'll have to make a confession. I suppose I did fall asleep.” “I thought so,” said Harry. “There has been somebody here. This is serious. Have you looked to see if the boodle is all right?” \ Now the “boodle” as the boys jokingly called the gold they had dug, which already amounted to the large sum of nearly a hundred thousand dollars, had been carefully buried each evening in a hole dug for the purpose lying between the shelter occupied by Edna and the one in Witch Harry and George slept. a: “I haven't looked, but I will, ” replied George. the bucket, Hal!” . - “Let her come! Take a look at the treasury just for form’s sake and see if everything is all right.” Harry received the bucket and began to fill it, and was still at work when all at once he saw George looking down at him as pale as death, . : “Hal,” he said, quietly, “there's trouble,” = “What! Not 2” ____. “Every ounce of it, and all my fault. Great heavens! what = { can I say? What shall I do?” _Befcre Harry had time to answer a piercing scream rang out down in the direction of the spring. : “Edna! More trouble!” cried George, and Harry sprang to _'. the ladder and was out of the hole in an instant. “What's up? What was that?” he called, running after George, who had already seized his rifle and was darting off in the direction of the shore. Come on!” he shouted. “Here goes “Oh, Hal! There it “George! George! Save me!” came the cry, and the last " of it seemed to be smothered, as though some one had clapped | & hand over Edna's mouth. — ‘In a tew seconds Harry had overtaken George, In a mo- ‘ment more they went bounding around the rocks in full sight j of Bl-scard. Bay. boats filled with men were pulling away from the shore. The girl was evidently a prisoner, for two of the men held _ her and Edna was struggling all she knew. ere ee ee ea te tae ome at the same instant Fitz, who was sitting calmly in the stern, ak shouted back to the boys: — la, Georgie! Good-by, Hal! See you later, after dug up some more gold!” : ac "OR, George, whet does al THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. Let ’em have “So, so!” shouted Fitz. it, boys.” Without a word four of the men in the rear boat, rough- looking fellows all of them, swung around, threw up rifles and sent a regular fusillade shoreward. The boys saw ‘t coming and ducked just in time to save themselves, the bullets whistling over their heads. By the time they recovered themselves the boats were well under way. | ‘ It was useless to fire, and George realized it. “Fitz, you traitor! Look out for me!” he shouted. time will come yet!” Fitz turned, and pulling off his hat waved it ‘dctiuiyely. a8 the boat shot around the point and was lost to view. “You will, will you? “My CHAPTER XVI. HUNTING FOR EDNA. It was a hard blow which had now struck our boy miners at Blizzard Bay, but a blow of another sort was already gath- ering seaward which threatened to add toetheir troubles; in other words, the most severe storm which had ever broken over desolate island was now close at hand. The boys realized something of this even in the excitement which followed the disappearance of the boats, for the wind was already blowing strongly toward the shore, throwing up great whirls of spray with every wave that broke. And these moments were moments of agony. To have lost the gold would have been bad enough, but to think of Edna in the hands of a gang of the toughs which are ever mov'ng up and down the far northwest coast, otensibly gold prospectors, but actually cut-throats, pirates or anything else in the crim- inal line that circumstances may call for, was terrible in- deed. So as George and Harry ran over the rocks trying to catch another view of the boat neither spoke a word, but the de termined look on the faces of both m‘ght well have made the “Hon. Herbert Fitzgerald” fear for his own safety if he could have seen his companions of the wreck then. At last the boys gained the end of the point which marked the entrance to Blizzard Bay on the left. Here they had a full view of the ocean and here the boats certainly should have been visible if they had put out to sea. “Not ‘n sight, George,” said Harry, after they had stood a few moments holding on to their hats and straining their eyes off toward the horizon. “No. ” “They have kept in shore. Probably they came off of some schooner or small steamer, which is hiding around here some- where,” “You're right. I have no doubt that’s so. Oh, Hal, what a terrible thing I have done! I ought to be shot or kicked off these cl ffs into the sea.” , "Hold on, now, don't distress yourself so much about it, old man,” replied Harry, kindly. “I have my own ideas about the whole matter. I believe that fellow Fitz has played us for a couple of suckers from the first.” __ “So do I. He’s a fake and a fraud. I'll ‘bet he knows the Indians; I’m certain his story about being drugged in the House of Skulls was all a lie.” “My idea precisely,” sad Harry, “but I go further than that; I believe he drugged us all last night. It was he who made the coffee and we all drank it just before Edna and I

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turned in,. My head, was as heavy as lead and when you came -* to call me after midnight it just did seem as if I could never wake,” ‘ es “Do you really think so?” asked George, looking immensely - relieved. As for me, I can’t tell.you how I came to fall asleep. near the shelter, Don't remember lying down even; was never - More surprised in my life than when I found myself there.” ; Five minutes passed. Still the boys stood looking off on the sea. ; “There’s one thing, dna is good for any of them,” said George. “’Tisn’t as though she was one of your weak ones. What a story she will have to make out of all this for the I see something at last! Look there, Hal! Lock there!” : 4 : iw : Morning Call after—hello! , “Smoke!” * “Yes. . “A steamer!” “a mm along the shore.” _. “Of course it has been there for several days. Fitz’s hunt- ing expeditions were only a blind. He simply went to meet these fellows. They were waiting for, us to get through with gold.” % “and now we will go for Fitz,” said ‘George, setting his : - teeth. “Don’t know what we shall do when we strike that _ gang, but I bet you that infernal dude will wish he had never pc - been born.” ¥t was @ relief to have something to do even if it was only = following that thin thread of smoke which, far in the distance, s could be seen, ‘rising about the high projecting masses of rocks that everywhere lined the shore of the island. Cees 5 looked as though it was going to be an easy matter to cross over the rocks and reach the place, weg the boys knew hd well that it was not so, They ‘had made several trips along the shore. Nothing outa be rougher, It vas a ser’es of high, rocky bluffs, with < Sonate indentations between and little or no beach anywhere. : head of these indentations, or bays, or to climb down Se ote crag chs, ate At low tide many of these crossings could be accomplished y wading and it was dead low water how, so every moment was precious if the ‘boys. expected. to make any headway in search, ionee apt the bays were thus crossed; each time there was 2 and dangerous climb down and up the cliff. coming out on the bluff after the third crossing the smoke med to be so near that George declared that the next bay [ a probably, ‘show them the steamer. so,” replied Harry, rather dismally. Ie was ‘for George to ask him what he meant, a cae oe a “There’s go- se had not ‘come, bt t it seemed wi Sa een all. on aba: ag ren ‘con ses ae ee. 5 ae ous shod b, 4 aias dy Re ad “That’s what I th’nk. It’s hiding in some bay or cove further | upon } Pee eel oe eg ttsins, obas vit pest? ty ion) \ THE HOUSE. OF SKULLS, 9 “Then the steamer ‘s in the next one,” replied Harry. fully half a mile away from us yet.” And Harry was quite right. When they reached the edge of the cliffs and looked down into the break they saw that they had struck a more serious gpstacic than anything en- I only know that I found myself lying on the ground | countered yet. It was a broad bay. which lay below them. The strip of water was several hundred yards acres; and seemed to be pretty deep. At the head of the bay wus a white, sandy beach, upon which the waves were breaking with fearful force, and this was a mile distant at least. George’s heart sank, for he realized that it would take the best part of an hour to cross this bay and to come back on the other side to the point on the bluffs cpposite to where they were now. , “Shall we swim it, Hal?” he sak cd. “It will take forever to go up to the head of the bay and back again.” “I’m good for it if you are. Anyhow the tide ‘s running in and there isn’t much danger of our being washed out to sea.” “Then we will try it, providing we can get down the rocks - here.” It was a tough climb. Part of the way they simply, had _ that strike and as soon as it was done they went for the|to sit down and slide. George saw that they could never hope to get back again and he felt very doubtful if they were going to be able to climb up on the other side once they got across. “Look out for yourself, Hal,” he called, for Harry was ahead. “Can you see whether there is any beach there or ‘not?” 2 “No, I can’t. Can’t get a view down there at all.” “We ought to ‘know, though, before we go much further. Where in the world are you going to land unless—look out for yourself, Hal! Don’t lean over so far!” Too late came the warning. Hal had alreddy leaned too far over the ledge upon which he was standing. He toppled forward and disappeared like lightning, strik- ing the water below w'th a loud splash. . CHAPTER XVII. FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. “Are you all right?” yelled George, terribly startled by this sudden mishap. “Right as the mail!” came the answer. “Such a find down here, George! Look out for yourself or you will come down same way I did and you don’t want that.” “What is it? What have you struck?” called George, as he climbed down over the rocks, not daring to lean over to find could scarcely bd their | out where Harry was. I’ve had my bath. No swimming needed here.” See “ A canoe! “Good enough. A war canoe as true as I’m a sinner, “No, I yu't. They can’t be far away, though. Hurry up, s is our game. We can round the next point easy Fe cee Teac an ee ta Blind Cows. 00 tO, dnt rock, against Sar or iil les anf which the canoe lay fastened by means of a rude hide hawser see Pee to a sharp upright stone. “It was really a tremendous affair, being fully sixty feet long oat last. “I see the end. ‘The and four feet wide. Fn tern toresbetwtioes = one snornemngen

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r » 18 trunk and at the bow rose a great wooden post. carved all point either on one side of the bay or the other without know- over with grotesque heads in the style common to the Indians ing it. of the Northwest coast. ; The canoe was skimming past high, beeting cliffs, which “Jump in, George,” criéd Harry; “there are plenty of pad- | projected far over the water; in fact, were hanging directly dies here. The Indians must have gone back among the hills Over the canoe. somewhere. It’s a shame to rob them, but we've got to use the! “Great Scott! Suppose some of those rocks should come luck that comes to us. That’s right. Mind how you step or | tumbling down upon us!” exclaimed George. you will turn the old thing over. Now, then, cast off. Coun- It was almost like a prophecy, for the words were no more found it, what’s become of the wind?” than uttered when a noise like thunder was heard above them It was a curious change which had suddenly come over the | 22d a vast mass of the rock was seen to disengage itself from storm. the ledge and come whirling down. All at once the wind seemed to die away and then, before Wildly working at their paddles the boys made a violent the boys had fairly seated themselves in the canoe and thrown °"°t to get out from under, out their paddles it shifted several points and came sweeping, /t was useless. down through the deep canyon with a mighty rush which sent} The rock struck the stern of the canoe, tearing it to splin- the canoe flying seaward with fearful velocity. ters, and dropped into the water with a force which sent up Gis.’ blizzard!. A blizzard!” gasped George, for following on a whirl of spray twenty feet high, while the canoe itself in- the wind came a whirl of snow in big flakes so thick that the, *#Mtly filled and sank out of sight. boys were almost blinded. , All in a moment the whole atmosphere was full of {t and | they could see nothing three feet away from them. Such a | thing as stopping the canoe was just as impossible as to try | to fly. They could only go with it in whichever direction the ; «wind chose to carry them along. “We must try to land,” yelled George. get outside the bay in this blow.” THE HOUSE OF SKULIS. - CHAPTER XVIII. “We are lost if we} AT THE MERCY OF A MADMAN. _ “What's that you say? I can’t hear you?” Harry yelled “Before George could try it again a wild cry, as if from many _ Yolces, was borne toward them from behind on the wind. “The canoe! The canoe! Where's the canoe?” “Adrift! She’s gone adrift!” “Then we are lost!” “Here they come!” Say *Look out!” (oe ree: 5 eile ‘Bang! Bang! Bang! tee _ AN this was heard and then a horrible yellng and om it _ crack of rifles rose above the storm. | a _ ‘But not a thing could be seen back in the direction of the in ¥ sate 7 » Meleker every instant. “The ‘yells grew louder; the voices which had spoken could . the rifles continued until all at once the sounds ceased en- > hv aud there was nothing to be heard but the rushing of ibe par his gang Aaa. wth the Indiaus!” yelled ge ea eae SAR reer Ane Ss, MAP Me ene AP he Hee bleed fF Beau - gounds but the wild whirl of snowflakes getting thicker and | It was a lucky thing for the boys that both were perfect ex- perts in the water. If it had been otherwise they would have seen their finish then. = George jumped when he felt the canoe going under. Harry, half dazed by the suddenness of the accident, was | not quick enough in disehgaging himself from the wreck to avoid being pulled under, but he bobbed up serenely just the Same and was as ready to face the new danger almost as soon ' as George. We refer to the waves. They were “mountains high,” as the saying is, and the ris- ing t'de was noading them dashing against the cliffs with fear- ful force. There was no chance to communicate with each other now; it was each one for himself and a big chance if either would ever escape this fearful peril. now only be heard in one confused cry and the cracking of | Twice George was thrown back toward those terrible cliffs, but each time the wave broke a little short of the rocks, He had lost s'ght of Harry from the first and gave him up i for dead, Springing out of the water at a moment when the retreat- ‘ing wave bronght a lull, George could see that he was almost around the point and he made a desperate fight for it and got , around altogether. ‘ His strength was almost gone now and it is very likely he would had given up entirely if he had not all at once caught ia Might of a small, wis rakish little steamer riding at anchor

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es “The steamer at last!” he were = with me. I’ve got to get abourd there or pass in my checks!” It was a question if he could do it, The steamer was straining her anchor chain fearfully, threatening to break away from her holding at any instant. There was no one to be seen on deck, but steam was up and the thick, black smoke of the soft coal showed George that at Tast, under these most unfavorable circumstances, he had ~ reached the goal which he and Harry had pirugeied so hard to obtain. _ “Tye got to get aboard there if they kill me!” he thought. _ “I’m almost winded. There is just, nothing else to do.” 2 Throwing all his remaining strength into one vast effort he _ Struck out boldly, and, coming up under the steamer’s bows, _ managed to clutch the anchor chain. it parted almost: instantly. > ‘Instead of the rigid chain. which he had so Scuiaels faim, George found himself holding on to the dangling end, while the steamer, freed from its moorings, was moving rapidly seaward, impelled by the rushing wind. ay George Was as good a climber as he was a swimmer, but he _ Was so exhausted that it took a mighty effort to rouse him- . ‘Belt to the effort, still any one watching the boy as he went _ over the side like a monkey would scarcely have een how age felt. “There was nobody in the pilot-house, no ‘Satak on deck, but he. could hear a terrific yelling somewhere on board the It made George’s blood mer. ! yn cold to ‘stem, sty . ; : “ee “It must be. Nothing saci had gone down with the canoe. He had scarcely advanced ten feet when, bounding up out 1e ) cabin without a hat and all wet and dripping, came / sGooreet” he fhouted. “Good Heavens! Are you here? x out! Look ue oHe's got a knife!” eet 3 gery ae, dressed only in shirt and ers; his black eves. gle , a up all over his. head. = . care after me! They are after me!” he yelled, brana- a long knife gree estes. ype rants way? ! ‘Ab! There he is!* 3 es iste eS, see George, b but as his eyes. rested upen : for him with the knife upraised. THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. ee en a ae a ee er d wildly and his hair seemed — 139 “Well, it’s life or death He did not raise his revolver, however. Somewhere he had read that any one suffering from delir- ium tremens and, indeed, mad people generally, could almost always be. influenced by the positive command of a will stronger than their own, and, great as the risk seemed to be, he determined to try it now. It worked like a charm. The man stopped yelling, stared at George and suddenly wheeling about, made a dive back into the companionway and disappeared. “Phew!” gasped Harry, “that fellow has got them bad! Oh, George, what a queer twist affairs have taken! How did you ever get aboard here?” “Same to you,” replied George. “I swam for it and climbed up the anchor chain. Is anybody else aboard but that man?” “Don't know. I did the same thing you did. I started down into the cabin to see if I could find—hark! Edna's voice! Great heavens, he has attacked her!” Piercing screams were heard below in the cabin. Unm'stakably it was Edna’s voice calling for help. “Ply, Hal! It’s Edna! She is at the mercy of the mad man!” cried George, and they made a rush for the cabin stairs. CHAPTER XIX. ON BOARD THE ROCKET. With Edna calling for help, as may well be tanetasds. tt did not take George and Harry more than a few seconds to fet into the cabin. The sight which met their gaze was enough to arouse Ail to the highest pitch of excitement. There was Eana kneeling on the cabin floor, with the mad sailor holding her by the hair. He clutched a long knife in ‘his hand, which he kept flourishing around her throat. It was a thrilling moment. Realizing the man's condition, the boys did not dare to rush upon him and try to get pos- session of the knife, for fear that the mischief might be done aul in an instant. “Hello!” shouted George. wants ‘you on deck.” The man stopped his motions with the knife and turned to see who had spoken, for his back was toward the boys. “Hello, friend! The captain “Who are you?” he asked in a hoarse voice. “Are you a couple of devils come to fetch me? Say, you know you're not real, You know I could walk right tarough you if I tried.” “Ha! Ha! Hal” laughed George. “Say, you're smart; you are onto us. - Come and try it. You can kill the girl afterward.. You know she can’t escape.” : “Don't laugh at me, you fiends!” yelled the sailor, turning — his rage toward George now, etlaehatoettr ss.) 7

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a: THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. He let go of Edna’s hair and made a rush for them. “Was stolen to the last ounce,” interrupted Edna, “but I “Let him go between us, Hal,” whispered George. “Let | suppose you know that all right. Who do you suppose Fitzy him go between us. Just like enough he'll chase ‘up on/ really is, boys? You would never guess. He told me himself. deck.” Do you know that impudent rascal actually wants me to It was a happy thought, for it worked like a charm and} marry him? The idea of such a thing! Well, who do you _ brought matters to a crisis at once. suppose he is?” As the madman came rushing toward them the boys sud-| “!’m sure I can’t imagine him to be anything else but denly parted. what he seems,” replied George. “Fiends! Fiends!” he yelled, and up the cabin stairs he “He’s the notorious Captain Crowninshield!” went flying. “What! The seal skin pirate?” “That’s him. For the last two years he and his gang have | been holding up the sealers and helping themselves to the results of their catch. He has been written up in the Call twice. You know the United States steamer Bear has been George ran to Edna, who he thought was fainting; Harry started after the fellow up the stairs, “George, help me up!” cried Edna. “I’m all right. One ; thing that fellow has done for me, he hes set me free. Pretty pre part-oe chap to be left to guard a prisoner, is he not? You out after h’m again and again and the Canadian authorities wile just in time to save my life. Up on deck with you. Go! are after him, too, but the Recket—that’s the name of this = help Hal or heaven knows what the result may be.* | steamer, boys—always managed to show her pursuers a clean ; pair of heels. Strange that we should fall in with him, isn’t Before George could gain the stairs a loud shout from URES | { it? Of course this island is the regular hang-out of the gang. fe told him that matters had come to a head on deck. | Fitz admitted it and he told me that he has been in commun- “Come up, George. Bring Edna up!” shouted Harry. “He, | ‘cation with them from the first. They were only waiting for has | fown himself overboard and I guess he is drowned.” lus to dig enough gold to satisfy them and then they jumped George and Edna got up on the deck without an instants | > ~ on us—that’s all.” ; ah. delay. “And the story about the Indians capturing him in the im _ “There’s where he went!” pee Harry, pointing to the star-| House of Skulls was all a lic?” u B board ral, “Just jumped right over and sank out of sight.| “myery word of it. When we thought he was drugged he ES oe. Edna, are you hurt?” was simply drunk. Oh, he’s a coffee cooler. You wouldn't es “Not a bit,”sreplied Edna. “I’m as sound in wind and limb| know the man if you could see him as I saw him on the déck me asvever I ‘was. Goodness, ew it snows! Tell me all about | of this steamer, and that’s right.” a> it, boys, and then I'll tell you about myself and all about! “We are almost outside of the bay now,” rceuarked Harry. Betts = Fitzy, which will surprise you—goodness me, what a splendis | “If the wind holds as it is it will take us back to Blizzard story it will make for the Mornings Call—and then I'll tell| Bay, too.” you a secret wh'ch will please you. On second thought ra! “Yes, if it don’t land us on the rocks,” said Harry, “and better, tell the secret first, and here it is. I know where those | that's what, it’s liable to do. I wish it would stop snowing; infernal pirates haye hidden the gold and you may thank the | we might be able to do something then. Edna, where is the ee for that, for it was he who gave the secret | gold?” , “Come with me and I'll show jt to you,” replied, Edna, and : ar” cried George. “Our story is soon told, Edna. We} she opened the door of one cf the staterooms, ‘came to look for you and we found you, that’s all. We have| “}zooray! It’s all here!” cred Harry, for the bags of gold ¥ been ‘blown away by a blizzard, we tumbled over cliffs, we| qust and nuggets were stacked up on the floor. stole & canoe and got smashed up by rocks tumbling on us,) At the same instant the sharp report of several rifles was or 1 board fust-'n time to reeeue you. ‘There you have the “Firing!” eried George. “What's the meaning of that?” 3 whole | thing in 2 nut-shell. Say, Hal, this boat is dragging; Again the rifles rang out and still again. her anchor; we are working out to sea.” s : ere was no doubt about this being a tact. The boys soon ane but surely the ttle steamer was working out: | the ‘CHAPTER XX, x +) ee ia esis Feiss : go for a little. We have got to keep watch. Later . ings epee aka, EEat sub AG's CE Sok sate vy and Beks:a ove.” ( : x my story,” said Edna, “it is just as simple as yours.| The boys and Edna hurried | en deck to find that the situ- ed gang drugged me and carried me on board this | ation had considerably changed. Xe rer rs, too; maybe you pity know it,| The snowstorm had ceased as suddenly as ‘t had come and . seperate. SF Mo ' ES _{ the ek. was, now clege, although the wind was blowing harder than ever. Nene Boe: '

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ing the mouth of the cove where George and Harry had found _ the cance. “The firing still continued; George and his companions hur- ried to the rail on the side toward the cove and there they _ saw two long canoes like the one they had taken lying off the _ rocks where they had seen the men. a. "The canoes were filled with Indians, who were firing at a : number of white men who were trying to make their escape by _ running along the rocks, some of them every now and then - turning back and firing rifles at the canoes. _“A fight!” cried George. _ “And see! Fitz is leading the Indians!” Edna exclaimed. = is a quarrel among the seal sk’n pirates. Fitz and half a > "dozen others have turned upon his own men.” It was more than a fight, as they presently became aware, a Harry was the first to discover the true situation. _ “They can’t go much further!” he cried. “See! They are P penned in. They can’t get beyond that little point and they ¢an’t go back without running right into Fitz’s crowd. _ “Fitz and the Indians are going to land!” exclaimed Edna. “Look at him fire! Who would ever have supposed there was : much life in the man? Goodness, boys! This is going to be a regular massacre! I must make a sketch of it for the Morning Call.” — : : Edna pulled out her notebook and pencil and went to work as coolly as though it was all a most ordinary affair, Then they saw Fitz lead the charge.. The canoe in which he sat as run ashore and the others nediately followed his example. tz led the Indians in a bold dash upon the rocks and a ‘fu coer was on all in a moment. bling into the water, while the Indians seized hold of rs and ‘sealped them. . EBeveral of Fitz’s party were shot by the men on the rocks, } whi 9 were still making a brave defence, although evidently stting the worst of it, when the steamer passed beyond the and the whole scene vanished in an instant, although wher 21” exclaimed Bana, shutting up her notebook, “I've eau not socket ws moment that I shan’t that very thing.” not put right ‘out to sea?” asked Edna. “Here are degeicdent sere we could do it—I there isn’t one se the erowa who knows the first 1 See Ta steamer,” said George, “it is entirely : dls me seek not to do “ and there you | a soe wnat vou an « ae re Sas THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. _ The steamer had drifted clear of the bay and was just pass- | Edna. 21 “Steer for Blizzard Bay and then we will make up our mind.” “But we are dragging anchor.” “Can’t we get the anchor up? At least we can try.” They did try, but met with no success, for the anchor was entirely too much for their united strength, or perhaps they did not know how to handle it. While they were fussing over the anchor the steamer con- tinned to drift on and was rapidly drawing near Blizzard Bay. “I think I might turn her in,” sald George. “We might as well go there as anywhere else. If we can get the gold ashore and hide it before Fitz and his crowd come down on us that will be something accomplished. After that we will decide what to do next.” “I hate to give up the ship,” said Edna. “It seems our only means of salvation. Let’s go right out to sea, even with the anchor dragging. Harry, what do you say?” “I say yes,” replied Harry. “George, will you take the wheel or shall I?” Before George could reply there was a shock which nearly threw them all off their feet and the steamer listed away over to the port side. “On a rock, by thunder!” cried George. We won't ever get to Blizzard Bay.” They had got themselves into serious trouble in more ways than one, as they found out a few moments later. The Rocket was hard and fast on the rocks and pounding terribly. ” “There they come!” cried Edna. “We are in for it now!” She pointed back in the direction of the headland which they had just passed. There were the two big canoes filled with Indians being paddled rapidly toward the steamer. “Let's get out on the rocks!” exclaimed George. make the shore with nothing worse than wet feet.” __ “Alas for the gold!” sighed Edna, “but I suppose it has got to be done. Just hold on a second, boys, while I make a sketch of these canoes and then I am ready to go.” “Sketch nothing!” cried George. to go now before they see us.” They hurried to the lower deck, where they had no difficulty in climbing out upon the ledges and by jumping from rock to rock they gained the shore. “This way,” sald George. “We will pass around that pont and that will keep Fitz from seeing us, while we are climbing up on the bluff.” It was just about the worst move they could have made. ~ As they scrambled over the rocks toward the point a sharp whistle rang out from the direction of the canoes, “Fitz sees us!” cried Edna. “Look!” gasped George, stopp‘ng short. “That’s not all!” Harry gave an exclamation of dismay, for there, right ahead, _ “That settles it, “We can “If we are going we want standing motionless at covering them tg rifles, were five said’ Indians.

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| 22 THE HOUSE OF SKULLS.’ “Ugh! . Ugh!” grunted one, who seemed to be the leader. Come on to the House of “Come on. No be frightened. Skulls.” CHAPTER XXI. THE MAN BEUIND THE ROCK. “Good gracious, We are in for it now!” cried Edna. in the world are we going to do?” “Nothing at all. There’s riothing to be done,” George. walked into a trap.” A dozen or more Indians were creeping up beh'nd them over the ~ocks. Some were armed with rifles; all carried long knives In their belts, To have attempted to show fight would have been sinh useless and could only have resulted fatally. “It's @ case of unconditional surrender,” Edna remarked in “What replied | “Look behind you, Edna. We have deliberately | | Should he do it? Would it be right to abandon Harry and Edna? George thought it over and came to the conclusion that his | chance of helping them was @ hundred per cent, better if he | did than if he allowed himself to be dragged on to the House » Skulis, to which he had no doubt this underground passage | through the bluffs would sooner or later lead them. l Quietly he loosened his hands; then, turning suddenly upon "| the drunken Indian, he dealt him a knockout blow alongside | the head which sent the fellow down upon the sandy floor of the cave like a log. He had chosen his chance well, for the other Indians had just passed out of sight around a projection in the rocky wall. For a moment George stood still waiting for results, for the move had been accomplished noiselessly and he did not want to alarm the Indians on ahead, There was no danger. The Indian never moved. “Heavens! I hope I haven’t killed him!” thought George. He bent down over the man and soon discovered that he was breathing all right. It seemed to h’m that he had passed out of a state of momentary unconsciofisness from the blow her cool way and she walked right up to the big buck who haq|!#t© ® drunken sleep. done the talking and held out her hand. “How are you, old man?” she exclaimed. and let’s be friends. There is no use in quarrelling.” ‘It was certainly a pretty good bluff, but it did not work. The Indian seized Edna roughly and dragged her on along| the rocks, the plucky girl talking to him-all the while, as though he was her dearest friend. , George could not help her a bit, nor could Harry, for both . were seized and their hands tied behind them. “Come, shake | 2W8Y the Indian’s knife and a good revolver. George instantly made the best of his discovery and took There was no rifle to get, so having accomplished all he could he groped his way back toward the mouth of the cave. - “I’m off overland for the House of Skulls,” he determined... “Surely it must be better for Edna and Harry to have me free than a prisoner like themselves.” He had scarcely gained the entrance to the cave when be heard some one shout outside and a lot of loud talking fol- If {t was really a whistle from the canoes ‘that had given | lowed, and he could hear Fitz's voice among the rest. the Indians their order they did not seem disposed to wait for any further instructions from Fitz and his gang, for all three prisoners were hurried on with ceremony and they had at- Cmpiens Wate: art Cistenne whed they pegeed into s cave opening in under the bluff. ' Edna was jn advance, Harry came next and George last, _ There was no rear guard, all the other Indians having led off ae Seek / _ It was dark in the cave and as soon as they entered it one "of the Indians lighted a torch, and, waving it before him, led the way. ‘There seemed to’be a regular beaten path earbukk the cave Renta Ore AON fend Benes ot Se Bate per nea menane etek smner wits tative cov “ygheta aes trgyatas ih wenshte laine T0Hisa rh bed Sond the tying: fos Gearge’s too, and he did it so badly that before they had gone RPE KN Se A es eet 319 Sande eaten ie lated “They are all coming in here!” gasped George. “Heavens! - What shall I do? My name is mud if they catch me!” He looked around for a place to hide and soon spied a big boulder which had rolled down on the shore outside, a few steps beyond the entrance to the cave. George dropped on his hands and knees and looked out. It was just as he had supposed. : The canoes were already alongside the stranded steamer and a number of the Indians were climbing aboard, while another party, half Indlans and half whites, were coming along over the rocks, led by Fitz himself. “Come on, boys!” Fitz was saying. “We want to hustle up to the House of Skulls and settle this business. Those two fellows must die—I can’t be-bothered with them. The girl is my prize, though; I mean to marry her and nobody must in- slag bert “Oh, that’s your plan, ‘!s itr” thought George. will see about that.” — He crept rapidly over the ledge and crawled in behind the. d boulder, when just as he started to rise a man suddenly sprang upon bim from further around the rock. “Hold on, there!” he hissed, covering Chines with 2 a cocked kee itr ese Mop tone mma a neal > “Well, we

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Se 7 If the Indians missed their other prisoner, too, they showed a wi “ CHAPTER XXII. pit by no sign. The fact was they had missed him long ago Ss » peed ; te : and had sent two of their number back to look for him, but 3 ze ; ' PRISONERS IN THE INDIAN VILLAGE. ome of course, Harry and Edna could not know and they | were both most dreadfully worried on George’s account. "While George Brandon was running into new difficulties} A great crowd of squaws and papooses came out to meet and dangers Edna and Harry were still prisoners and in a|the party and now the silence was broken and the clatter of fair way to learn something of the secrets of the House of | tongues all speaking the guttural language of these Indians Skulls, was deafening. ne There was no chance of escape for them. While the In-| ‘phe prisoners were marched to a large hut and turned loose ‘dlans had probably all been indulging too freely in firewater, | inside, the door being closed behind them and two Indians re- they were by no means drunk, with the sole exception of the | maining on guard outside. Py one put in charge of George, and they kept straight on th: ough the cave, or rather the underground passage, until. eras tnepemeteteera’ “ae edo cata State of affa'rs, I must say. What in the world co you sup- ; pose they mean to do with us, Hal, and where’s George?” ¥, T here was no opportun: ty for Harry and Edna to exchange Here were two very natural questions, but they were also_ word, for the Indians kept’them well apart, hurrying them | ones to which Harry had no answer and an hour passed be- = down the hill and then up on the other slope, until the long | rore there was any break in the monctony of their confine- Thouse was reached, where they entered and paused before the | ont in the hut, which was so dirty that for a long time Edna FA tar, all hands crowding into the room where the srinning psoetitety refused to sit down, although fatigue brought. her sk sm a nig them. fe it in the end. : a nts atoo ms eee pauls ana for few STH ee a! At last the door ¢f the hut was thrown open and in walked in silence. ‘What than were waiting for Harry could not | ituati the familiar figure of the Hon. Herbert Vit zgerald, looking aig _ cay sepnitie cobs pins ee h hen H had last seen him, with the same air of Ww r Ss m, wit st Tafien, Jeon we: Sepedhciicaae ee siti 2 1 i ape $ be the same drawl to his voice when he 5 one of ane pair who had 80 strangely disappeared be- A ig i ie r : : a spoke, “Aw, Harry, how are ‘you, deah boy?” he said. “How do, Edna? So you wouldn’t wait for me to come back on board the Rocket? Don’t you think it wasn’t altogether pleasant: ‘there for you, but still I would have made it pleasant for you if you had only said the word.” the se esl ook a a moment, the stone swung down | Edna looked at the speaker scornfully, but made no reply. rt led as though fixed upon two pivots, which, “Sulky, eh?” said Fitz. “Well, we will fix all that in time. r of ‘tact, it was. ; I suppose you want to know where George is. Well, I will : , a the stone, as it then hung, “and the altar there was tell you, for it is altogether too much trouble to keep secrets. m for § a man to pass and there also was a fight |George managed to escape my men, but we shall find him, don’t you fret yourselves, It’s only a question of time.” % ‘ gt Sik 111s, Still Edna kept silent and Harry, following her example, did , tape we cs got to travel now,” thought | the same. ‘ : was right, “Why don’t you speak?” demanded Fitz, dropping his dud- a Ha ins, who were belied Medicine men or | ish manner all at once. “Are you both tongue-tied? Don’t the procession moved ¢ on down into | you want to know what I intend to do with you? pind t think in Tasca silence; the torches were | that you are going fo bluff me this way.” a : came to the bottom of the steps “I don't speak because I have nothing to say to such a f fel- 0 with | lofty. walls and ant all |low as you eh nage + igeoem made verte eer “AS to atwa des nai g, until at wae they ever pleases you wiclecat are in your power, as we are now.” “Same here,” added Harry. “It’s war between us, Fitz I'm ; ‘a only ieatebing my hance, but I'll tell you right now what my “Well!” exclaimed Edna, now that they found a chance to speak to each other for the first time. “This is an interesting “Without speak'ng to any ‘one, dines two walked up to the . and, bending down, were seen to do something to a PF Nereysa and the. eennereret fellow I ever ag eee ts THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. 23° opinion of you is, 4f-you want to know. You're a thief and a

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ie me tell you something, Brown. These Indians, who are my friends, hold an annual festival in the House of Skulls to- night. At that festival it is the custom to add one skull to _ their collection, or more if they come handy, and in order to do this they sacrifice any prisoners they happen to ‘have on hand. When we first came here I got into a quarrel with the THE HOUSE OF SKULLS. went aboard the Rocket from catching on to us and so does this rock. Now, then, young fellow, who are you? One of the sealskin pirates? One of the Crowninshield gang?” “That's exactly what I am not, ” replied George, with all the calmness he could muster. “I am an independent American and not a pirate nor a member of any gang, and you Ka- chief—that’s the time you saw me lassoed—and I thought that nucks may as well understand it, too.” my skull was destined to go up on the wall, but since then I have made it up with them, although in doing it I had trouble with some of my own crew, and the result was that little racket on the rocks that I think you saw. It’s all over now and we are better friends than ever, and those fellows who thought they could down me—no matter what the cause of our quarrel] was—will be hunted down to the last man and the!r . skulls will go up on the wall along with yours and George : Brandon’s. That’s the program. The show comes off at mid- night, and, let me tell you, Brown, there is no more help for you and George than if you were already dead, unless Edna consents to become my wife, in which case your lives will be spared and you will both be sent back to ’Frisco or to Alaska, just as comes handy. You can chew over that for a while. By the way, one of the squaws will bring you in some dinner presently. Tra-la-la! See you later, Edna, By-by, Harry, _ old boy.” ‘ ; And Fitz, with a silly smile on his face, sauntered out of the hut and closed the door. ! > . i CHAPTER XXIII. GEORGE BYUMBLES INTO GOOD LUCK. It was a ‘desperate situation in which Harry and Edna now found themselves, that cannot be denied, but we must leave them in ‘t and return to George, whom we left interviewing the man who had so suddénly confronted him there behind the rock. a It-would have been exciting enough if there had been only one man to interview, but as a matter of fact there were six, They were ail lying flat on the ground behind the big boul- der and all were armed with rifies, ‘One, who seemed to be the leader, was watching the ‘en- trance to the cave, toward which Fitz and his men were now makihg their way over the rocks. % “Hist, Sam! ‘Hist! Don’t let him say a word!” tilis man “Clap your hand over his mouth. “We'll interview We must keep our eye on Crowninshield and his gang. I neon Bar agin’ Mi is tom them: I 'think—yes, there he is!" So George, who was at once seized, was ebupiy'n held a pris- “oner until the last of Fits’s party had entered the cave. . gpoctontabes ot and rscapiajarons : The man laughed. “How do you know that we are Kanucks?” he asked. “I know it by your talk,” replied George; “I’ve seen enough of you west coast Canadians to be able to pick you out any- where. Where you come from, though, and what you are do- ing on this island, I don’t pretend to know.” “That will do for you,” laughed the man. “You are a slick talker, but I guess you are one of the gang all right.” “You have no business to say so until you have heard who I am and what I am,” replied George. “I'd like to know your name?” “Oh, my name is Davidson,” replied the man. “I’m Captain Davidson, of New Westminster. I happen to be sheriff of this district. I suppose you know that this island is Canadian soil?” “T did not. Let me introduce myself, however. My. name is George Brandon. I am in the employ of Doubleday & Downer, of San Francisco. I was wrecked on the steamer Sea Lion, “Hello! Hello! One of the passengers of the Sea Lion, eh?” broke in Captain Davidson. “My dear sir, I am rejoiced to meet you. When we found the wreck I told my brother here that the chances were we should find some of the passen- gers or crew on White Gull Island—that’s this island, you un- derstand—and now here we have run into you. What do you know about the seal skin pirates? Ont with it all. I don’t doubt that you will be of the greatest service to us. I sup- pose you have some papers or someth'ng or other about you to prove What you say.” Now George had a dozen letters from his firm snugly stowed away in his pocket and plenty of private papers of his own which set the sheriff's doubts at rest at once. Thus instead of finding himself among enemies these men were suddenly transformed into- friends, and half an hour later George and all of Captain Davidson’s party stood on the bluff facing the House of Skulls, having passed through the long cave and come out on the shore of Blizzard Bay. George and Captain Davidson had come to-a perfect under- standing,also. The whole story of the wre¢k of the Sea Lion had been told and George now found himself looking down upon a trim little steamer lying at anchor near the wreck. It was the Canadian revenue cutter Julia, and Captain Davidson was her commander, There was a crew of twenty-— six men, all sworn deputy sher‘ffs, who had come to White Gull Island for no other purpose than.to capture the Hon. B soa: alias the notorious Captain Crowninshield. Serks _ “80 ferasite the “House of Skulls,’ 4a-itr* 2 ypesinag Captain ; . ; 4 ; 4

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: THE HOUSE Now, look here, Mr. Brandon, this fellow Fitz, as you call him, is as slippery as an eel. Many is the time he has es- peaped me, and once on this very island, by disappearing in _ the House of Skulls, just as you describe, but this time I think I have got him foul unless he has seen our boat, which = don’t think, seeing that it has just come into the bay after land‘ng us on the rocks long before the Rocket came around ‘Y into that cove. What you want is to recover your gold and your friends——” ‘ _ “My friends first and the gold second,” interrupted George. “Just so,” replied Captain Davidson. “It is all one, my boy, and we are going to help you to do it, but what I want to capture Crowninshield and his whole crew, and, my ans being all laid, I can't change them. You will have to ye patient for a while.” “How long shall we remain here?” “Till midn‘ght,” replied the captain. “Understand me, I pare right.in with the gang. I am expecting every min- e to hear from him and then I shall know better what to , and——” ’ : “Look! Look!” exclaimed one of the men, pointing to- 1 the House of Skulls. \ man had just appeared in the doorway. Looking warily nd, he came out ana hurried down the h'll. “That's Charley!” cried Captain Davidson. “Now we shall all about it. George Brandon, that is my spy!” food, had been brought to them, but Edna declared - rather go hungry than eat the horrid mess of Bg mixed with something which resembled cracked Soames Harry was only able to taste it, : y as be he was, gh t came at last and Fitz had not again showed himself. rhe | told the truth or not and intended to make good the prisoners could only guess, for neither of ns son guard “spoke a word of English. Indeed, they ould not re ho several times onabat the £s re tee Indian vil mcm en vr an voice and his uncertain walk as well as he could. OF SKULLS. 25 finery, while big wooden drums were beaten vigorously all the evening, making a deafening noise, Wearily the evening dragged on. It was now almost mid- night. Filled with a thousand fears, Harry and Edna sat on the floor talking in rather a gloomy strain, it must be ad- mitted, when-the door was suddenly thrown open and Fitz came staggering in very drunk, but with an air of attempted dignity which gvould have been comical under other circum- stances, He shut the door carefully and put his finger to his ts for Silence. “Edna,” he said, staggering up to the plucky girl, “the time has come. I alone can save Harry. Say the word and promise that you will be my wife and it shall be done.” Edna and Harry had both jumped up when Fitz came in and now stood facing him. 7 Harry was about to speak, but Edna nudged him with her elbow to keep still. “Come here, Fitz,” she said aloud. “I'll say it. I’ve been thinking it over, and—oh, you villain! I’ve got you now!” She flung her arms about Fitz’s neck and squeezed his head aga’nst her side until he was almost choked, at the same time clapping her hand over his mouth. “Quick, Harry!” she whispered. you. The chance has come. Act, boy! Act!” Harry did not need to be told twice. He and Edna had planned it all out, but it had been like hoping against hope to suppose that so good an opportunity would have offered. Harry threw himself upon the struggling Fitz and thrust h‘s handkerchief into his mouth, at the same time dealing him a knock-out blow alongside the head which sent him to the ground. “Done,” said Edna. “You know what I told “Off with his coat and hat. Fix your- ‘| self up quick before he comes to himself, What's this, a re- volver? It may come handy, on!” ; It was a bold move. Fitz was already groaning. There was no time to be lost. Harry, dressed now in a d’sguise good enough to deceive the half drunken Indian guards, selzed the lantern which Fitz had carried and boldly threw open the door of the hut, care- fully closing it behind him. The two Indians merely glanced at him. “Look after the fellow inside,” said Harry, imitating Fitz’s “I’m go- Now, are you ready? Come ing with the squaw.” The Indians merely sini: but made no move, | It was part of the bargain that Fitz should go away with Edna, if he chose to do so, and the Indians were completely rp arenes é ‘ Now, the hut stood on the cutskirts of the village and close to the exit of the cave beneath the House of Skulls. Harry had taken particular note of this when they were brought down and he and Edna had discussed this very sita-— were running 1p Cat GR ges 8 Hh i ta ain id

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26 ( THE ‘HOUSE OF SKULLS. mai were already forming in solemn nateronstois to bogin They were not followed by the Indians. So long as the their ascent out of the hidden valley to the House of Skulls.| House of Skulls was not disturbed they did not care. The , Walking -boldly around the hut unobserved by any one, story of the sacrifice was only one-of Fitz's lies. Harry and Edna entered the cave. } Once on board the steamer moved around into the cove, ' .@hey had made the most of their time, for already Fitz | where it took in tow the Rocket, already captured by the Was on his feet and try ng to pull his muddled wits together. | sheriff and guarded by his men. While he was thus engaged Harry and Edna were running It was a night of triumph for the boy miners of Blizzard at full speed through the cave and up the steps, which would! Bay, but it was a bad time for the Hon. Fitz, who went to soon take them out under the altar and into the House of| New Westminster in irons and was duly lodged in jail in com- . Skulls, pany with fully half his gang. . “Here they came!” panted Harry when they reached the George, Harry and Hdna took the next regular steamer from steps. “Faster, Edna! Faster!” - | New Westminster down to San Francisco and their gold went But Edna was doing the best she could, and the enemy was | with them, minus a liberal reward for the sheriff and each one right behind them before they were half way up the steps. of his men. : . i It was Fitz, sobered by what had occurred, and his four men,| Edna had stories for tne Morning Call to last her a month; all pretty well ‘intoxicated. jand, what was better, she did not care whether the paper ac- “The procession was not yet on the move, for the Indians as; cepted them or not, for when the gold dust and nuggets were | a body cared but little for F’tz and his affairs, although he| disposed of she, as avell as George and Harry, found herself ae had paid them well for the help they had given him in his | on the right side of “Easy street;” in short they were almost > é evil work. rich. “If we can enly move the stone!” gasped Harry, me we| Three months later Fitz went up for ten years, and on the 5 can't, we are lost!” | same day George, Harry and Edna returned to White Guill Island, with a band of workmen and every facility for mining. A company had been formed and the claim duly located under the laws of Canada in the name of Sheriff Davidson, "But they could and did, for Harry perceived the secret belt | the instant he flashed his lantern upen the stone. It. dropped as he touched it and ater passed through not an fegtact too soon. Z ‘ who, being a Brit'’sh subject, was able to take title. -»*Hold on, there! You are our prisoners!” exclaimed a voice,| Jumping from that date to three years later we need only and a dozen men sprang up from behind the altar. add that the Blizzard Bay Mining Company proved a big suce cess and its owners are rapidly becoming rich. ‘George and Mrs. George, formerly Miss Edna Blyburn, live on the island part of the time, but are oftener in San Fran- cisco, Harry is superintendent and stays there all the year round, Quite a settlement has sprung up around Blizzard Bay now | and houses and quartz mines and mining shafts are to be seen on all sides. The Indians are perfectly friendly and the stone behind the altar is always turned now, for the road from the prosperous” mining town of Blizzard Bay to Indiantown, as the village in : the valley is called, is through the House of Skulls, ee ~ “Harry! Edna! Oh, ios is great! pices these are my. tt was George. Captain Davidsan san his men were with them. So was Charley, the spy. They had been wa‘ting for the, Indians to bring their prisoners up and were all eae for them when they came, — | "Lay for Fitz, George!” gasped Harry: “Hes right behind 3 sd’ et him escape.” “Out with the lantern!” \whispered George. “Now, then, ‘all hands down behind the’ altar again.” _ They had but a moment to wait, Fitz was first up and his men foliowed h'm.. “Where are they?” he called out thickly, waving a pine “torch around;“its flering Wght flashing upon the skulls, Well, Fitz found out in a hurry where they were, for in an fastant bo nd bn en wore eine at: tte MNGIy a6 ¢ Sosen Next week's issue will contain “DAN AND HIS DOUBLE; : OR, THE CHURCH UNDER THE RIVER.” By Allan Arnold. — i NOTICE.—All back eenicin of tits mk . ¥ the following are in print: 1 to 25, 27, 29 to 36, 38 to 40, 42, 43, a _ Up hands, Cantata Crowninahiel” cle te serie “Dve sot you at last!” eee Bays S54, m2 tpitiom a Fe Mis 9 Daas hte a . en | a story is ended the ‘best thing to do is to wind it up ss quickly a8 (possible, and that is just the way we propose andle this story of the House of Skulls. — : BS Nise: ier aintedCantatn Deridvon. and bis ud that the est thing they could do was to beat 45 to 51, 53 to 60, 62, 64 to 69, 71 to 73, 75, 79, 81, $4 to $6, $8, — 89, 91 to 94, 98 to 100, 102, 103, 105, 107 to 111, 116, 119, 122, ‘ 124 to 126, 132, 129, 140, 143, 168, 166, 171, 174, 178 to 181, 184, 5 186, 192, 200, 212, 213, 215, 214, 233, 239, 247, 257, 265, 268, baie 277, 294, If you cannot obtain the ones you want from any newsdealer, send the price in money or postage stamps by mail to FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 168 WEST 23D F New York City, and you: will one. be nae you | ; mail. _# f. ji a 5 ee a ia £ “4 * ¢ - r *

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R57 CAPTURED BY ARAB SLAVERS IN AFRICA. By Col. Raiph Fenton. a had been with the Worumbu people Bey ten months » “when a number of us started off to the north to yisit what > was then a remnant of a once powerful tribe called the » Umbasi. Epideniics and wars had broken their power and _ reduced their numbers until only about 500 were left. ~ They lived in a valley on the main branch of the Lufiji River, and for several years had lived in peace and undis- turbed. Their women wove cloth of gress, and the men Were noted for the shields and sandals they made of rhi- _ heceros hide, We took along some wire and cloth to trade ; > Wath them, and our party numbered fourteen, It was a journey of sixty miles, and we had covered forty miles of the distance when an event occurred to show ' the childish and superstitious nature of the African, As “we rounded a thicket we came upon.a rhinoceros lying en his back and his legs standing stiffly in the air. It » Was a laughable sight to me and it was made all the more ridiculous by his subsequent anties. ~~ He was not dead but asleep, and as soon as he heard us “he made the most frantie efforts to get up. It seemed that had. got down in a soft spot and that his weight had ually carried him dont until he rested in a wedge- ped space. 3 When hé came to get up he found the effort fi much ee, and his struggles and snorts convulsed me with er. After a quarter of an hour he got a leverage es himself out of the hole, but he was so thor- 4 ly frightened that he: Tan off at the top of his speed, ng head over heels over a stone as he went. Dic any one among you ever see the beast in such a n before?” ne had. 4 he not place himself in our path as a sign?” __ It was more than likely, “Very well; we will return and make a fresh start some a3. If we are obstinate and insist on going ahead, we may not all be killed?” te and ridicule them from taking such a this Twas supported by two of the oldest men. \ ' an ie it Ans decided to turn cr bu ‘us Were at liberty to go on if we so de- red. We to go and at once moved off, thinking wid Woo e might lon, bt they did not, and at sundown ve were among the Umbasi. ‘us a cordial greeting, and we prolonged our yur-days.’» We left the valley early in the morn- ‘of us well loaded, and we had traveled for about ode is walking in single file in a path hrow Son tepges of us was tripped and a gees shout’ es the _ PLUCK AND LUCK. or eee eee ee band at fine held a council, and the leader gravely | - 27 ———— — —— when jerked to our feet and forced along to the northwest I felt pretty sure that we had been made prisoners’ by native slave hunters. It was soon discovered, of course, that I was white. The captors. were at first filled with dismay, and would have turned me loose, supposing that I was the head of some other slave hunting party. But I hesitated to take advantage of the offer. I knew that I could not find my way a mile in the African forest alone; and the chances were that I would he killed within a few hours by serpents or wild beasts. While I hesitated, the fellows made up their minds to take me along, and we traveled al! day to the northwest, with only a couple of brief halts. At dusk we arrived at a camp, and there I saw several Arabs and about 200 negro captives. There were only about twenty-five men among them, the remainder being women and half grown boys and girls. While my companions were turned into the inclosure with the other captives, I was conducted to the tent of the Arabs. They were regular slave dealers, and as repulsive and wicked-looking men as I ever saw. One of them could speak pretty fair English, and of course he asked me my nationali ity, and how I came to be among the Worumbu people. I knew this was coming and was prepared for it: Had I replied that I was a British sailor it would have settled my case at once, ‘and I should have probably been killed on the spot. I said I was an American sailor who had been wrecked on the coast and made prisoner, and that I looked upon the present adventure as opening a way for me to reach some port on the coast. I would be glad to go along with them as a guard until they could put me in the way of reaching the sea. My story made a hit. I was white and could be trusted. I was an American, and therefore had less abhorrence of the slave trade than other nationalities. They would secure my services for my keep, and when through with me would sell me into slavery with the others. I knew they reasoned this way, but I had plans of my own. I received plenty to eat, a loaded musket and was de- tailed to help guard the inclosure in which the poor peo- ple were confined, There was smal] chanee of any one getting away, as all were bound hand and foot, and only two guards were needed, The other, who was an Abyssinian, and quite an old man, was on the opposite side of the camp, and I to get down among the blacks and {ind my two friends, and tell them of my plans. I found this was impossible, however, as they were directly under the eyes of the other guard, and could not move tea the stakes to which they were fastened. I presume I was watched that night, but if so the Arabs could find no cause for complaint. I was relieved an hour after midnight, and when I awoke next morning the slaves were being fed preparatory to a start. J was very active in helping to prepare for the start. i There was considerable camp equipage to be carried, and ‘twenty or thirty bales of goods for traffic. The men and boys were selected as carriers, and ‘the se pnp rane oe Wi Saeeine a9 ree ae:

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28 ee en oe PLUCK AND LU LUCK, cases, atter the yokes were on, the people were eeunected| It didn’t take me above a minute, but as the column together by fours. or sixes, but thoge who carried the bur- had halted, there was an alarm from the rear, and we could dens were exempt fromi this further precaution. It so| hear the Masai men calling to the captives to step aside happened that, without any assistance on my pete the two} and let them pass on their way to the front. Worumbo men were yoked together. ¢ Behind the two Worumbu men were two men of the When. they saw me moving about among thie Arabs, | Umbasi tribe, who had been captured several days before and apparently entering into the hellish work»with great: we were. zest, they bestowed upon me many glances of reproach. | The five of us made a dash up the path as soon as I got Just before the start, however, I gave them a sign to) the cartridges, and were aronnd a bend in half a minute. put them on their guard, and to warn them that I was} 4. we rounded it we found the path split into three, Playing a part. and we turned to the right and put our best foot foremost. The force guarding the captives, when the. march} 7 Jet the four natives pass me that I might act as a rear ae, incre eee ee a . guard. It was well that I did so, for when we had gone land, who were paid by the day or mile. These last, though native Africans, were far. more unfeeling: and cruel in. their treatment of the prisoners than the Arabs, often misusing them to hear their cries of pain and anguish. When strung out on the march we covered a distance of half a mile, even where the ground was open. . When obliged. to,follow a path the head of the column was remasord si from the rear. They gave me ten extra cartridges and a large knife as were ready to go, and sent me to the head of the col- me with two Abyssinians. about half a mile one of the Masai men came running after us, and commanded a halt. He was armed only with a-spear, and though I stopped and made ready to fire on We he ‘continued to approach, and I finally knocked him over with a bullet just as he was about to hurl his lance. Then I started off and over- took the natives, and we continued to run for three or four miles. Then we halted, and I got the yokes off, and we now felt comparatively safe. ; I did not want to go further until certain that the slave party would not pursue. We had three muskets and four valuable packs, and I very much doubied if they but in following 5 des were marched in Indian file,| would give up the chase so easily, I therefore got the > I being last. men into a thicket beside the path, which was now run- We went forward three abreast where the ground : Next to me came my araeees friends. The Arabs; ning over hard ground, — ia ign brought up the rear and the Masai men were the flankers.}| I had begun to fear that we had lost our time, when “During the first day I had several opportunities to signal | three Masai men were seen coming along the path at a , my peas re friends, and before nig)it they knew that I dog trot. ‘ ss Wag ready to take advantage of the first opportunity to] Wo were ready as they came’ Eaaiaio: escape. The only plan of escape. [had was to release my My mah’ went down, killed in his tracks. One of the friends at night, while I was on guard, but when night | others was wounded, while the third was not hitst all, but came they were so well secured and so many guards. were | the four natiyes sprang out and soon finished the pair. Stations Hoaid cvola-pot make more. We got another musket, thiriy cartridges, two spears, es We were off again ‘at an early hour next day, following three knives and a lot of frinkets, and leaving the bodies the same order as before, and at about 10 o’clock in the | forenoon my opportunity came. We got into a path leading across a large swamp. The ‘ground was dry now, but the grass was higher than our to the wild beasts we headed to the south and heard nothing further from our pursuers. . On reaching our village the adventure created the mia = d wonderful dreiteminit and such was the awe and admira- tion won by the exploit that had I been a marplot I could car oat | we tate pee sig ai easily have ousted the head man and become ruler i in his | erg ners “Ail of a eadded, as we tramped along, three or four buf- ae i — faloes broke cover from the right and charged the two __ Abyssinians, the’ headmost of which was” three paces ahead of me, and looking beak over the hail at the “time. to FO “tee Se aes y Tt was, a vush’ as if a puff os wind had. swept over us, and came and went as'quickly. L cscctreepleaie man was sechaby: Kndthed in the tall could could not see hin, Suet his musket _ in the For a week ‘Thomas Wade, a prosperous “tees e Tuckahoe District, Henrico County, Va., dreamed ‘each — ~|night of a buried box bulging with gold in ingots and an- cient coins. “The spot where this treasure was secreted was — Jindicated. unvaryingly in his dreams by an old stump, | whicl, he recognized as being on his farm. With the assist-— ance of Constable I, Hi Henley, he went to the place indi- cated in his dream, and after digging for several hours. his. "ay Melt is the path ‘ither stunned or shovel struck thé traditional “hard metallic substance.” musket Pla 12 | Believing his dream of wealth realized, Wade fainted from ‘it Was t di s after T. Peatized’ pa hat emotion, but the constable nursed eine back to conscious-— ; my Worumbu friends ness, and’ then the box was unearthed and examined. 4a b for} ioe ita PS eR oo .

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CHANGING MONEY TRICK BOX. With this trick box you can make money change, from a penny into a dime or vice versa, appear at your command. Price, 10c, each by mail, postpaid. H, l. LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. Y¥.- INDIAN FINGER TRAP. A couple can be joined together and their strug- gle to be released only makes matters worse. It will hold them as tight ‘ 8s a rat-trap, and the more they try to pull @way, A 4 ome it grips. Our traps are extra | 10c. each; 3 for 25e. by ©. BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. SNEEZING POWDER. The greatest fun-maker of chem ail. A small ameunt of this pewder, when blown in & reem, will cause everyene to sneeze witheut anyone knowing where it comes from. It is very light, wi!l feat in the air fer some time, and penetrate every neok And ceener ef a reem. It is perfecttiy perme and © CACHOO OR ee at PACHOO| inter less. Cachee is put ie in bottles, bettie contains enough te be used from 10 te 16 times. Price, by mail, 10c. each; 3 for 25e, WOL£F NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St, N. ¥. 00 FLOWER-POT TRICK With this trick you can make a p:ant grow right up in a flower-pot, the eyes of your audience. An ordinary | Also make dimes appear and dis- | befors— = er polid- breech, cet Hammerless — Reh O22 REPEATER HAMMERLESS —SIDE-EJECTING Sure Safe Shooting for Man or Boy—And a Simple Rifle to Care For The Remington-UMC .22 Rereater is rifled, sighted and tested for aecuracy by expert gunsmiths. It shoots as you hold. The simple, im- proved safety “*vice on every Resnington- UMC .22 repeater never fails to work. Accidental discharde is impossible. The Remington- UMC 22 Repeater is easily cared for. Im taking down, your fingers are your only tools. The breech block, firing pin end extractor, come out in one piece—permitting the barrel to be eleened from the breech. The action handles .22 short, .22 long or .22 long rifle cartridgas—any or all at the same time-without adjustment. Remington-UMC—the perfect shooting combination ee Sn METALLIC CARTRIDGE CO. 299 Broadway, New York ae SOLID-BREECH empty earthen flower-pot Is handed 17, the spectators tor handkerchief is then placed over it, and you repeat a few magic words, and Wave your wand over it. When the handkerchief is removed there is a beautiful PY em apparently in full bloom, in the pot. Full directions with each outfit. Price, 15 cents postpaid. M, V. GALLIGAN, 419 W. 56th St., N. Y. NOISY HANDKERCHIEF. A great deal of eee may be had with this little article. It imitates the blow- ing of the noso exactly, except @ dozen times, and sounds like the bass-horn in a German band. This device is Used by simply placing it between the teeth Snd blowing. The harder the blow the louder the noise. ce, 10c, each by mail, WOLFF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥ — FretL Also known as & Japanese butterfly. A Pleasing novelty ¢n- closed an envelope. When the envelope is opened Fim will fly out through the air for several yards. Made of rt ge ey to represent a butter- By six Price, 10c. inches wide. M, V. GALLIGAN, 419 W. 56th St., N. ¥- GOOD LUCE BANKS. Ornamental as well as usefu ot Po ighiy nickeled brass. Ter hea” just One Dellar. When filled a ns itself. Remains fo! be ned tt senued. Ce = Price, 10e. ed they are imported from Japan. Place one sprig in a bowl, of water, it begins to exude examination. Ai by mail, | re the noise is magnified at . least ostpaid. / |S: GOOD LUCK GUN FOB JYOU ALL WANT THIS MEDAL! Has a picture of Fred sintering on one side and IMITATION “CIGAR BUTT. It is made of a composition, exactly resembling a lighted cigar. The white ashes at the end and the imitation of to- bacco-leaf being perfect. You can carelessly place it on top of the tablecloth or any other ex- pensive piece of furniture, and Mickel- -platey 6 iu. long, Pad LIQUID PISTOL WH! step the most vie- jeus deg (or man) with- out permanent injury. — Perfectly a“ sees | without danger | await the result. After they: see of lea and the joke everybody will have a Eg a trigger. Tends from any Liquid. No sood laugh. Price, 10¢. each by cartrdiges requited’ Over shots in one logding, mail, postpaid; 3 for 25c. All dealers, or by mall, 50c. Pistol with rubber coy- BEHR, 150 W. 62d St., New York City. ¢ted bolster, Holsters separate, 1@c. Money order or U. 8. stamps. Nocoins, PARKER, STEARNS & CO., 273 GEORGIA AVE., BROOKLYN, &. ¥, or Agents Wanted biteampie Renger The real western article, earried by the cowboys. It is. made of fine leather, with a highly nickeled ee Write buckle. The holster con- riggegenaces $1010 $27 tains a metal gun, of the “G7 to $12 same pattern as those used Tene fa Kis to $12 by all the most famous scouts, Any boy wearing one of these fobs will at- 7 All makes and Ca pw ie ~ rd aida sak to t et PACTORY 6 2 38 We, Ship on Ap tract attention. It will ph toe ; give him an air of western ’ jo BA ive tne iar: romance. The prettiest Bi er and most serviceable watch wre Go NOT BUY until you get Our cate- fob ever made. Send for} (i ce and offer. Coren og Chicago, 1h oue to-day. Price 20 centa each by mail postpaid. M. V. GALLIGAN, BLUE EXAMELLED FRE 419 W. 56th St., N. ¥. FLAG FIN. sale a wr SOs. foray, ca o * Tricks, Jokes and Pussies. Send TWO cents to pay for postage and ponds VERLY NOVELTY ©6., BO8T inevasay “Read, Broeklys, N. ¥. You Can Get One for Six Cents! elyn on the The chief cher characters of ” ‘mow an wor: | LOTS OF FUN FOR A DIME hanuastfaliotre-onn Yentriloquist Double Teroat 7 La Fits roof of mouth; always invisible; In order that taing vet. Astonish and mystify oped wn every reader of this Neigh like a horse; whine like a pi telog Weekly may secure like a canary, and imitate birds and of one or more of these the field and forest. Loads of fun. Wonder- medals, we have fulinyention. Thousands sold. Prices only 10 cents; 4 for 25 cents, or 12 for 60 cents. Double Throat Co. Opt. k Frenchtown,N.J. us TH TWwo- ORNT AAT 5b MPS, and will send'the model to any address, postage paid, by return mail. REMEMBER! You can secure as many medalsas you want. youp envelope plainly to \ Make $20 a Day with tea ay Address “PRANK TOUSEY, Publisher 168 West 23d Sireet, Now York

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PICK-ME-OUT THE FINGER THROUGH THE HAT. r ‘ PUZZLE. z Having borrowed a hat from ; . The head ts finished in your friend, push your finger mine through the crown of it, and it ? ig seem to move about. Though very amusing to others, the owner of the hat does, not see the joke, but thinks it meannezs to destroy his hat; yet when it is réturned it | & perfeétly uninjured. Price, 10c. each by mail. | WOLFF NGVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. peers io'e haenl olished jmou a ly po steel ball. The puzzis its pick out the ball. Price, 3 for 25e. by mail, M, V. GALLIGAN, 419 W. 56th St., N. ¥. RAVELLING JOKE. Yards upon yards of laughs. VANISHING CIGAR. Don't sine it! Everyone falis. for ? This cigar is mede in this one. It consists of a nice lit- tle bobbin around which is wound @ spool of thread. Yon pin the bebbin under the lapel of your coat, and pull the end of the thread through your button hole, then imitation of a good one, it is held by a rub- ber cord which, with the - attached safety pin, is fastened on the Inside of te itclend. the sleeve. When offered | Moma vega i a? to a try oe lend, as it is about t taken, it will | piece © read o you i, V. GALLIGAN, 419 W. 66th St., N. ¥. preane tor? eg sapere a ogeéis which stabs oe ene a 8 thumb or finger every me. rh is the latest and. 8 very “impressive” | SLICK TRICK PENCIL. This one is a hummer! It ts to all appearances an ordinary, but expensive lead pencil, nickel trimmings. If your friend wants your pencil] for a moment, MWihand it to him. When he at- tempts to write with it, the end instantly turns up, and he cannot write @ stroke. Price, 10¢., postpaid. . It can be opened easily by anyone in and as a neat catch-joke to save | the ea a bore is unsurpassed. — Price. e+} press, WOLEF BS 25c., postpaid; one dozen by ex- | EF NOVELTY CO., 29 W. 26th St., N. ¥. | t | t 1 de- | eeptive trick! ‘A wold i H. F, LANG, poo T aA ae io 1815 Centre St., B’klyn, N. Y. f pear and disappear at Sty at aD Ged R= SS RAEI NERS SRN ’ pleasare. age $45 ; IMITATION FLIES. & hat ports tm latees ; Absolutely true to. Nature! A rd cover | dandy scarf-pin and a rattling good Conicn may be examined) over it. At the | ree ae is natu aoe t ae Yt the cover, the block pins justice with a desc ption. ou of comm you ys oh falls to the | have to see them to understand how ne; and the same am lid thud, or lifelike they are. When people see , through the hat, onus so $50 waar them on you they want to brush 4 of the ye rd ae the block them off, They wonder “why thet ‘ : ig excellent ee A ate ‘beneath, | fly sticks to you” 80 persistently. a table and on to f This is the most realistic novelty ever esk into the drawer, | ‘alls to astonish the put on the market. he lia of @ 8 : Neeer It is a distinct ’ ornament for anybody's necktie, and and can be ngpanies 2° Seteaie: | hig ty joke on those who try to ‘ S chase it. CG. 62d St., New York City, Price, 10¢, by mail postpaid. 150 W. WOLIF NOVELTY CO., 29 W.. 26th St., N. ¥. COIN REGISTER BANK One of Iatest aud best noveltics on the market. it udds and Nickels, Dimes and Quarters t throvgh the samo slot. It One lever action does ali the work, Other banks daly hold pre kind eZ coin, whereaa this one takes three kinds, Tho three coin bank ; fs handsomely finished, is teed mechanically perfect, operates with ease accuracy. and does not get out of order. ‘Price, by express,B1.00 LANG, 1815 Centre St., B’kiyn, «eo “stronger bubbles | aud paren” tae Price, ize. by math, | Ms F eg TACKS, ix "wonderful loitation of . A the real » Made of rubber. box in which they come the ordinary tack box. is 2 great parlor en ner and you ean play a lot of tricks with the tacks. Place them in the palm of your hand, ta point upward. Then slap 4 nae ot oe it wit cad the tacks am t seem as @ committing suicide. Or you can t and then put in your ' mouth dc them, — lieve you have swallowed them... Your friends will think Tear. magician. Then, again, you can thibit the and then q push one in your ¢! iomebody else’s cheek and ey will with fear A y harms ed Gad bt 2 $Me with - holds cofns to the amonnt of Ten Detlars, “and then ; opens itself au ly. ys by mail post-paid — W. 61d St. New ¥ If a cat happens to be there, there's trig- — smoke and he raises the Nd of © Replace. the, struments ever invent- _ amuse

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PLUCK AND LUCK. eer a Out on the Southwestern, ever-warm prairies the goat- raising industry has been followed for many years. The best breed for the region they call the Persian, but it is not the Paseng, nor is it of the Angora type; it is a much larger, stronger, even hardier animal, and the books do not describe it. The male possesses enormous, straight, but twisted horns, flaring over his back, and long, silky brown and yellow hair. The female has small, slightly curved horns and a short coat. In a country where the coyotes and timber wolves, the pumas and lynxes get a third of the calves and a large percentage of the colts, and where sheep can be raised only by shepherds, these goats wander at will continually and suffer no loss. Turn a dozen nannies out with their great horned lords and, from a knowledge of the probable births, estimate on the in- crease. In a year make a count and the count will tally with the estimate. HOW TO SEND MONEY—aAt our risk send P.O. Money Order, Check or Registered Lettor; remittances in any o1 are at your risk, We accept Postage Stamps the same as.cas' n sending silver wrap the Coin in a separate piece of paper to avoid cutting the snvel- “Ope. Write your name and address plainly. Address leulers to Frank Tousey, Publisher 168 West 23d St., N. Y. ; One of the familiar sights on the streets of a Japancse OUR COMIC COLUMN. wn is the pancake woman, who, with her little brazier of ls and her tiny frying pan, is usually found on a corner! “Mrs. Codgers- is dreadfully afraid of embonpoint,” re- far from a school. She has a bowl full of delicious | marked Mrs. Gadsley. “Is that so?” chirped Mrs. Wopper. er, a ladle and a cake turner, and there is apt to be a/ «My favorite aunt had it, and the poor thing just wasted ry crowd around her little stand as soon as school is away !”? ; for not many of the children are able to resist the of the.crisp pancakes, at least if they have any . -For‘a very small coin a child may fry and turn n cakes, and happy is the one who has a number of in his little kimono sleeve and can fry and eat to his The Stranger—Are you quite sure that was a marriage license you gave me last month? The Official—Of course! What’s the matter? The Stranger—I’ve lived-a dog’s life ever since. y “Well, Freddie, dear, did you give the man at the post office the money and then mail the letter?” “No, mamma, , I still have the money; I put the letter in when he wasn’t looking.” as not until recent years discovered (or if discov- ts significance was not appreciated) that the pecan t grow true to sced; in fact, there is not a single on record of a seedling which has borne nuts like those parent tree, says Outing. A comprehension of this |, feature considerably lessened the value of those ds which have been set with seedling stock, jeg those trees themselves produced fine nuts. e ifference between the so-called “paper-shell” pecan e fruit from the wild tree of the forest is that the has been grown on a budded or grafted tree, the ing from a named variety. In such a way the n be certain of the kind of nuts which will be "3 SRE ART eae oa An, ; Oa ey eae Yhina is so well suited by natural conditions for the din wa'ot atk that a Tabane antiquated and un- ods cannot deprive hér of first rank in that = “Bobby, you must go to church with me this morning.” “Mamma, why don’t you say, ‘Bobby, wouldn’t you like to go to church with me?” “Well, Bobby, wouldn’t you like to go to church with me this morning?” “Nope.” One day the children in'a New York school were given a lesson about the cow. The next day a cocoanut was: brought in for their inspection. When the big nut came to Rosie Goldberg, she happened to shake it and heard some- thing lapping inside. “What’s that?” she asked. “That’s milk.” Hosie took another look at the nut, and asked: “Did the cow lay it.” O, <n : is pre- ur business?” “I am der band, sair. Ve vill blay in

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2 SINS FRR Sree age =. “SECHLT SERVICE” v4 The Lradys ane the Vig Red Ruby; or, he Gid Vawnubroker's Secret. 115 Thy Uruuys and the Stoleu Despatch; or, On Special Secret Service 716 The Bradys aud ihe Marked $1,000 BI; or, The Myscery of the Marsh, 7l7 ee Bradys aud. the LUronze Idol; or, Trackin, a Chinese ‘Treasure. 718 The Miadys and the Sales Girl; oc, A Six-days’ Search in the Slums. flv The Sradys’ Lieadiess “Lerror’; or, The > Mystery of the Hauuted MII 720 The bradys and the Guumen; ur, Break- ; ing lp a an bast Side beud. “WORK AND WIR” 722 fred Fearnet’s Cross-Country Cham- Pivbs; or, Great Sport vu Track aod rield. 723 rea Fearvet’s Buoy Trappers; or, Lost ia the ing Wovus. {24 Pred bearsets bvotbali Game; or, Work Gu the Gridiron. 723 Fred beari.ot and “Daring Dick"; or, ‘ihe bey Whe Could Do shiugs. 726. Fred Fearnot’s Winning hick; os, The Rival thieves of bocaburt. G27 Fra Peart aid tov ua.vce Men; or, ivtgh Lue ob ihe dlise.ssippi. pie RS a . 3 "THE LIBERTY BOYS OF 76” 613 Tue Libexty Boys Nerve, or, Not Afraid of the bing s Minions. G14 The Liverty boys Denance;.or, Catch @nd auug Lb st Luu Cau. G15 Tus asverty ovujys tv the siescue; or, A dost WV iL “Lease ves. | GIG “The widerty wyym Nacivw Escape, or, 4 G17 brow Aud bales. Deck tud- Neve wuce Wil ca Yhe Liverty buys a’tuck, uf, Ubuuuated 61d G19 Tue i.veaty oeys Luck; or, Fortune da¥ors the brave. by Udus. She Livesty Leys’ Veril, of, Lhreatened pads FE 867 Uusting "vor ‘Treasure; or, The Pirate's Cheat uf Gol SoS Slut wewace, ur The dortune Of a ; Tasis Ciera. ) ao Hougot at auction; og The Bid That dea W Kiches. / 870 The Lvusg Copper King, or, The Boy Who Weal Luc smut. ai asp, Lite acyvater, ve, The Mystery of Gas Butch s Nu. AU, BIZ A Lucay aise he ‘tae Nerve of a Wai: stab ota Umce Loy, , | eeteneat hak ae cm apes rae bat “WILD “WEST. WEEKLY” 524 ques Wild West au = Sgn Jack”; Dpysng a sane | 6x3 Toure Wald West's vals “Chae or, * Afielias Quick bro Bia sah i wild Wests sieabarike vi ye; vai "S be Free: t tut, seat se, Redsutne x 627 ue “ wWeat At Gola-VuUsi rial; .: oat ut, Arietta and the Secret baad. ; $ oupg Wi eaten Maaeee. le : c ae oe Misveed Cavalry 7 wee =A _ or edie by ali newsdeacers, penne. TOUSEY,: POSTAGE 1 + copies of WORK AND aie yer & FORTUNA EERILY’ 87% The Race for Gold; or, After an Aztec 880 Hal's Business Venture; or, Pe r will be sent to i siidion on receipt of price, 5 ceuts per copy,im money or postage stamps, DJ Publisher, iF YOU WA of our ican ordee age procure them from newsdealers, they ean be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and the following Or k aud send it to us with the price of the weeklies you want and we will send TAMPS TAKIN THE SAME AS MONEY. =, > a Aer a Wnatho tea sls anol do kl MARS “ WILD WEST WEEKLY, Bee oagaase crc ttabrrransnepteasienscostnvveeeceneuvvsscaree z LIBERTY BOYS OF "76, NOM. ssarseecanreresensesetaetensescevereesceseersnrecees ERVI Hand Dany ' Latest Issues wa ; S$ The Bradys A Bradys After a Million; or, T Chase to Save An Heiress. ci mana Thé ” penis in Peril; or, Solving a Strange Case 722 The Bradys’ Yellow Foe; or, In the Tun- | 729 The Bradys' Great Bluff; or, A B nels of Chipatown. Game = pei ig wilted. 723 The Bradys After the Loan Sharks; or, | 39 In and Out; or, The Two King Bradys) ’ a Lively Enase: The Bradys’ Hard Fight; or, After Puliman Car Crooks. Case Number Ten; or, The Bradys the Private Asylum Yraud. The Bradys’ Silent Search ; the Dear and Dumb Gang. The Maniac Doctor; or, Uld and You King Grady in Peril. Helping a Poor Boy. 724 The Bradys and the Spy; or, Trapping a False Inspector. 725 The Bradys’ Battle for Gold: Ex- posing a Dead Man's Secret. 726 The Bradys and the Tiger Tamer; or, The Clew ip the Green Box. 727 Told by the Ticker; or, The Two King Braays on a Wall Street Case. or, or, Tracki I'red Fearnot’s Narrow Escape; or, Plot that Failed. Fred Fearnot at Avon Again; or, Second Lerm at School. Pred Fearnot’s Pluck; Save a Lite. Bred Yearnot as an Actor; or, Fame fore the Fvotights. red bearnot at Sea; or, A Chase Acr the Ocean. 4 Fred Fearnot, Out West; or, Adventul ~ With the Cowbuys. ‘ Fred fearnots Giveat Peril; ning Down ihe Counterfeiters. 728 Fred Fearnot and Messenger 10; The Great A. D. T. Mystery. 729 Fred bearnot and the Fire Waif; or, Brave Work in the Flames. 720 Fred iearnot and the Marked Card; or, eating the Steamboat Gamblers. 731 Fred Fearnot and Mail ‘rain Matt; or, ‘The boy kKngineer ot Nerve. 732 Fred Fearnot and the Mountain Men; or, ‘he Secret of the Silver Mine. 738 Fred Fearnot, Detective; or, Desperate Ganie, - 784 Frea pearnot’s Daring Rescue; or, A diero in bpile OL Hise. His Race” or, Dalking a or, 620 y G2T “The Liberty “Boys op Their Mettl he Liberty Boys’ Trap; 0 or, , What 2 Caught ih I eee os Warm .or the Redcoats- 621 The Liberty Bo 8 Puzzled; or, The | 625 The Libétty boys’ Double Victory; ‘Tories’ Ciever Scheme. 60 eae = Kedcoats — —— 622 The Liberty Loys’ Great Stroke; or, Wes Meision crate igi : Capiuliog @ beitish siau of War, 630 The Liberty ioys' Clever Trick; ch 623 The Liberty Boys ‘trapped; or, Tus peachins the ‘Kedecoats a Thing | beauiuius Lory. Tw — G24 Gem Liberty Doys’ Mistake; or, What | 631 The ae Boys’ Gbod Spy Work; © Me > Aligul itave Geen. With ihe Redcoats in bhuadelpa 625 The u.verly woys Line Work; or, Doing | 632 Th Liberty Boys’ isattie Cry; or, V . a bings Up brown. Wasadiigiou at the Granay Wine. 626 The isperty Boya at Bay; or, The | 633 The Liberty isvys’ Wild Ride; or, wlonest Cail or All Dash to Save a Fort. Lressure. 874 Tipp ped to Win; or, The Wall Street esscuger Who Made a Portune. Success of Uimself. 381 Among the Man-HKaters; or, The Sect of the Goldeu Ledge. 7S The Hoy, Saleaman; or, Out on they’ 340 ‘phe Little Wall Street Speculator: 6 876 A Young Money roker; or, Striking The Boy Who Became a stock Broker 383 Olid Hazard’s Urrand Boy; or, The Ne Luck in Wali Street. le That Won the Money. Aa Story of Ww e S77 The Way tu bame; or, The Success of a Young Dramacist. Street. 878 In the Sioney Game; or, The Luck of | 884 Check 765; or, The Strangest Tip Two Wall street Chums. Wall Street. 379 A Golden dreusure ; or, Lhe Mystery of Au vid ‘Truuk, ise. wewnacintal Semniienemaeaipekeeennae —_ 255 A Short Cut to Fortune; and the S ‘Was Who Found It. 629 Young Wild West and the: “Dutchman's” 585 Young Wild West d the Ch Claim; or, Arietta Detending Her Lite. aA ee EE i. a 530 Young Ww id West Faming the he a Guess or, Arietta Defying the #e ito oe % 536 Young’ Wild West and the Haunt 581 Young Waid West After the “Vuitures;” ton or, The Secret of the De or, Arietta aud the Band of Ten. 532 Young W Ley West Calling the two Gun r, Saving a Sheritt's Life, re ‘ 587 Young Wild West Saved by a S ; or, Arietta and the Vanishing Et 533 Bie Wila West's Rustler Kound Up; | 538 Young Wild West's Double Shutile; Arietca’s Call for Help. The Celebration at Buckhora Ranch. f 534 your Wild’ West and “Ginger Jake ;"| 539 Young Wild West Capturing a Pee the Boss of Gimlet Guich, or, Arietta as a Cavairy Scout. ta _ 168 West 23d St., New Yor! NYT ANY BACK NUMBERS them to you puincheds aa Ria hades tim bess Caels cake OSs eveeseeresensteeseees. i ee a ik Brees Ne Re shes ta Sern) ° fasten o rs e y we iidkndaes -State eererrere rie 2 tia 7 ~

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PrLUuUCEX ANWD LUCE LATEST ISSUES ,) 753 om Cape Home pore or, In Charge of $10,000,000 In Gold y lan Arnold. 737 The Boss of the Camp; or, The Boy Who Was Never Afraid By 754 The Floating School; or, Dr. Bircham’s Bad Boys’ Academy. By An Old Scout ‘ Howard Austin 738 “333”: or. The Boy Without a Name. By Allan Arnold. 755 Doctor Dick; or, Ten Weeks on Lunatic Island. By Allyn Draper. 789 Joe Jeckel, the Prince of Firemen. By Ex-Fire Chief Warden. 756 A aay in Shy ends: or, The Balloon That Came Down on the 740 : or, ft ‘ort . By Allyn ‘arm y Berton Bertrew. “Draper we ga iter Al cata al scat s z 757 A Boy Who Would; or, From Newsboy to Merchant. By Richaré * 741 Dick Dareall, the Yankee Boy Spy. or. Young America in the R. Montgomery. . : ‘ Philippines: By Gen}. dae ih, Rtas. . 758 Sundy and Slim; or, The Boy Detectives of Caliphat. By Howard 742 Brake d Throttle: or, A Boy Engineer’s Luck By Jas. C Austin, Merritt ee Pre ‘ 759 Captain Jim and Pilot Joe: or, The Riva! Steamboats of Crooked 743 The Roy) Slaves of Siberia: or, The Vulture King Sy Berton ake. By Jas. C. Merritt. Y _e. Rert 760 Peter, the Wild Boy; or, Lost in the “Mountains of the Moon. 744 The in of No. 9: or. The Boy Loggers of Loon Lake. By By Allan Arnold. , ; ‘ H Austin. 761: Governor Gus: or, The-War-on No-Man’s Is'and Ry Allyn Draper. 745 The InVisible Twelve. An Irish Romance of tae present day. By | 762 Lost on the Pirate’s Isle; or, The Ship That Sailed on Friday. Allan Arnold By Cap't. Thos. H. Wilson. 146 The Bov Scouts of the Susquehanna: or, The Young Heroes of |763 A Wizard of Wall Street; or, The Career of Henry Carew, Boy wt the Wyoming Valley. By an Old Scout Banker. By H. K. Shackleford. A147 Lest On a Whaler: or, A Boy Captain's First Cruise. By Capt | 764 Little B. B.: or, The Boy With the Rear. Py Allyn Draper. Thos. H. Wilson 765 Fred the Foundry Boy; or. Fighting the Iron Kings. By Richard 748 The Treasurer's Son; or, Fighting the Railroad Sharks. By Jas. R. Montgomery. ks C. Merritt 766 The White World: or. The Slaves of Siberia. By Howard Austin. 749 i. Boy Silver King; or, The Mystery of Two Lives. By Allyn |767 = my eos eee: or, The Boy Miners of Blizzard Bay. By a raper. , as. C. Merritt. 750 The Roy of the Rastile. A Story of the French Reign of Terror | 768 Dan and His Double; or, The Church Under the River. By Allan By Gen’! Jas A Gordon. Arnold. “ (51 Dave and the Diamond: or. The Boy Who Came From Brazil. | 769 General Crook's Boy Scout: or, Beyond the Slerra Madres. By By Berton Bertrew. An Old Scout. %52 The Boy Mayor: or, Building Up a Town. By Richard R Mont |770 The Big Blue Diamond; or, The Boy Elephant Hunters of Ceylon. gomery. By Berton Bertrew. For sale by al] newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, by FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, . . - - - - - - - . 168 West 23d St., New York. IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our weeklies and cannot procure them from newsdealers. they can be obtained from this office direct. Write out and fill in your Order and send it to us with the price of the weeklies you want and we will send them to you by return mail POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, - - - : - : “ rs Z ouR TENW-CENT BAND BOO HS 0. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND ETIQUETTE.—It is a great life secret, and No. 30, HOW TO COOK.—One of the most 168 West 23d St., New York. - DREAM BOOK.—Containing the great oracle human destiny; also the true meaning of any kind of dreams, together with @harms, ceremonies, and curious games of Mo 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great of magic and card tricks, containing full ction on all the leading card tris of day, also the most popular magica! illu- sions as performed by our leading magicians: boy should obtain a copy of this book. on. 8. HOW TO FLIRT.—The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this book. Besides the various methods of erchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and flirtation, it contains a full list of the and sentiment of flowers. ‘o. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of ittle book. It contains full instructions the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball- foom and at parties, how to dress, and full ms for calling off in all popular square No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—A com- guide to love, courtship and marriage, sensible advice, rules and etiquette to ebserved, with many curious and interest- things not Sgporally known. No. 6. HOW BECOME AN ATHLETE, —Giving full instruction for the use of dumb- Indian clubs, parallel bars, horizontal! and various other methods of developing fi good, healthy muscle; containing over sixty 0. tions. : 7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Hand- a, filustrated and containing ful! instruc- ‘or the management and training of the ‘@anary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paro- . ete, . HOW TO BECOME A VEN .—By Harry Kennedy. Every intelli- boy reading this book of instructions can BOX.—The art of self- Contain Over thirty blows, and the differ- boxer. Every boy of useful and instruc- a, as it will teach you how to box n instructor. specimen letters for K TOUSEY, Publisher, - one that every young man desires to know al! about There’s happiness in it. No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.—A com- plete hand-book for making all kinds of eandy, ice-cream, syrups, essences, etc., etc. No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL. —One of the brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the world. Every- bedy wishes to know how to become beauti- ful, both male and female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. No. 20. HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVEN- ING PARTY.—A complete compendium of games, sports, card diversions, comic recita- tions, ete., suitable for parler or drawing- room entertainment. It contains more for the money than any book published. No 21 HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains full instructions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fish- ng, together with description of game and sh. No 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.— Heller’s second sight explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Explaining how the secret dialogues were carried on between the magician and the boy on the stage; also giv- ing all the codes and signals. No. 23 HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS.— This little book gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky and unlucky days. No. 24. HOW _TO WRITE LETTERS TO GENTLEMEN.—Containing full directious for writing to gentlemen on all subjects. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.— full instructions for all kinds of fe sports and athletic exercises. Em- mf thirty-five illustrations. By Professor W. Macdonald. No, 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully illustrated. Full instructions are given in this little book, together with in- structions on swimming and riding, companion sports to beating. No, 27. HOW TO RECITE AND BOOK OF RECITATIONS.—Containing the most popv!: selections in use, comprising Dutch dialect, French dialect, Yankee and Irish dialect pieces, together with many standard readings, No. 28 HOW TO TELL FORTUNES.— Everyone is desirous of knowing 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. No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR. —Every boy should know how inventions orig- inated. This book expiains them all, giving examples in electricity, hydraulics, magnet- ism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics, etc. 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 grgnd collec- tion of recipes. No. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER. —Containing fourteen i!lrstrations, giving the different positions requisite to become a good speaker, reader and elocutionist. _ Also con- taining gems from all the popular authors of prose and poetry. No. 32. HOW TO RIDE A _ BICYCLE.— Containing instructions for beginne choice ot a machine, hints on trainin, et. com plete book. Fwll of pras-ical illustrations. No. 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A com- plete and usin! Httle book. containing the rules ard regulations of billiards, bagatelle. backgammon, croquet, dominoes, ete. No. 36. HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS. —Containing all the leading conundrums of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches and witty sayings. ¥ No. 38. HOW TO BECOME WOUR OWN DOCTOR.—A wonderful book. containing use- ful and practical information In the treatment “ of ordinary diseases and ailments common to every family. Abounding in vseful and effee- a ite Ful complaints. o. 39. y) TO RAISE DOGS, POU PIGEONS AXD RABIN ee nae structive book. Handsomely illustrated. No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS. —Including hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, vats, squirrels and birds. Also sd re NE te Copiovsly illustrated. No. is > BOYS OF NEW YORK EN MEN’S JOKE BOOK.—Containing a great ce riety 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 SPEAKER.—Containing a varied as- sortment of stump speeches, Negre. Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing for home amusement and amatevr shows. No. 43. HOW TO BECOME A MAGICIAN. —Containing the grandest assortment of mag- ical illusions ever placed before the public Also tricks with cards. incantations, etc. No. 44. HOW TO WRITE IN AN AT- BUM.—A _ grand collection of Album Verses suitable for any,time and occasion; embrac- ing Lines of Love, Affection, Sentiment, Hu- mov, Respect, and Condolence: also Verses Suitable for Valentines and Weddings. No, 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MIN©@ STREL GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK.—Some- thing new and very instructive. Every boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for organizing an amateur strel troupe. nia a le by all newsdealers, or wil! be sent to any address on receipt of price, 10 cts. per copy, or 8 for 25 cts., in money or postage stamps, by - 168 West 23d St., New York.