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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 01:49:24 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 01:49:24 -0700 |
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diff --git a/22424-h/22424-h.htm b/22424-h/22424-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bde4af1 --- /dev/null +++ b/22424-h/22424-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12909 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Merriwell Down South, by Burt L. Standish. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + visibility: hidden; + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-size: 90%; + text-align: center; + margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + margin-top: 0.25em;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Frank Merriwell Down South, by Burt L. Standish + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Frank Merriwell Down South + +Author: Burt L. Standish + +Release Date: August 29, 2007 [EBook #22424] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL DOWN SOUTH *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 335px;"> +<a name="ill109" id="ill109"></a><img src="images/page109.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt=""'What's that!' howled the little professor" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="caption">"'What's that!' howled the little professor, dancing +about in his night robe." (See page <a href="#ill109_ref">109</a>)</p> + + +<h1>Frank Merriwell Down South</h1> + +<p style="text-align: center;">BY</p> + +<h2>BURT L. STANDISH</h2> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; font-size: 90%;">AUTHOR OF</p> +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;">"Frank Merriwell's School-Days," "Frank Merriwell's Chums," +"Frank Merriwell's Foes," etc.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;">PHILADELPHIA</p> +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;">DAVID McKAY, PUBLISHER</p> +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;"><span class="smcap">610 South Washington Square</span></p> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; font-size: 90%;">Copyright, 1903 By STREET & SMITH</p> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; font-size: 90%;">Frank Merriwell Down South</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;"><span class="smcap">Chapter</span></td> +<td> </td> +<td> </td> +<td style="text-align: right;"><span class="smcap">Page</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">I</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">A Wonderful Story</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">7</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">II</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Gone</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">13</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">III</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Held for Ransom</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">19</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">IV</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Unmasked</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">27</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">V</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Kidnaped</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">31</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">VI</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Carried into the Mountains</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">37</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">VII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Camp in the Desert</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">42</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">VIII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Treasure Seeker</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">46</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">IX</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Professor's Escape</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">51</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">X</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Stranger</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">57</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XI</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Awakening Volcano</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">62</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Doom of the Silver Palace</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">68</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XIII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">A Stampede in a City</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">75</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XIV</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Hot Blood of Youth</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">80</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XV</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Mystery of the Flower Queen</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">85</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XVI</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Professor Scotch Feels Ill</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">90</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XVII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Led into a Trap</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">95</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XVIII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Barney on Hand</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">100</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XIX</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">A Humble Apology</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">106</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XX</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Professor's Courage</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">111</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXI</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Frank's Bold Move</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">116</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Queen is Found</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">121</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXIII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Fighting Lads</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">127</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXIV</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">End of the Search</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">132</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXV</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Mysterious Canoe</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">138</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXVI</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Still More Mysterious</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">144</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXVII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">In the Everglades</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">149</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXVIII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Hut on the Island</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">155</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXIX</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">A Wild Night in the Swamp</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">160</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXX</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Frank's Shot</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">165</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXXI</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Young in Years Only</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">170</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXXII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">A Mysterious Transformation</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">177</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXXIII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Gage Takes a Turn</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">181</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXXIV</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">A Fearful Fate</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">186</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXXV</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Serpent Vine</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">192</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXXVI</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Right or Wrong</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">196</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXXVII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Frank's Mercy</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">200</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXXVIII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">In the Mountains Again</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">206</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XXXIX</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Frank and Kate</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">212</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XL</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">A Jealous Lover</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XL">218</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XLI</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Facing Death</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">222</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XLII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Muriel</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">228</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XLIII</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Saved!</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII">240</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XLIV</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">Frank's Suspicion</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV">248</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XLV</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Greatest Peril</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">257</a></p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td style="text-align: right;">XLVI</td> +<td style="text-align: center;">—</td> +<td style="text-align: left;">The Mystery of Muriel</td> +<td><p style="padding-left: 4em; text-align: right; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI">263</a></p></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: left; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; font-size: 80%;">[Transcriber's Note: The following list of illustrations has been +created for this electronic edition. Some illustrations have been moved +to positions closer to their appearance in the text.]</p> + +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;"><a href="#ill109">"'What's that!' howled the little professor, dancing +about in his night robe."</a>(See page <a href="#ill109_ref">109</a>)</p> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;"><a href="#ill014">"Frank began shooting, and his first bullet brought +down one of the ponies of the pursuers."</a> (See page <a href="#ill014_ref">14</a>)</p> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;"><a href="#ill147">"The white canoe had stopped, and was lying calmly on +the inky surface of the shadowed water."</a> (See page <a href="#ill147_ref">147</a>)</p> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;"><a href="#ill218">"Kate grasped the assailant by the collar, and with +astonishing strength, pulled him off the prostrate lad."</a> (See page <a href="#ill218_ref">218</a>)</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<h1>Frank Merriwell Down South.</h1> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>A WONDERFUL STORY.</h3> + + +<p>"It is in the heart of the Sierra Madre range, one hundred and +twenty-five miles west of Zacatecas," said the dying man. "Across the +blue chasm you can see its towers and turrets glistening in the +sunshine. It is like a beautiful dream—dazzling, astounding, grand!"</p> + +<p>"He wanders in his mind," softly declared Professor Scotch. "Poor +fellow! His brain was turned and he was brought to his death by his +fruitless search for the mythical Silver Palace."</p> + +<p>The man who lay on a bed of grass in one corner of the wretched adobe +hut turned a reproachful look on the little professor.</p> + +<p>"You are wrong," he asserted, in a voice that seemed to have gained +strength for the moment. "I am not deranged—I am not deceived by an +hallucination. With my eyes I have seen the wonderful Silver +Palace—yes, more than that, I have stood within the palace and beheld +the marvelous treasures which it contains."</p> + +<p>The professor turned away to hide the look on his face, but Frank +Merriwell, deeply interested, bent over the unfortunate man, asking:</p> + +<p>"By what route can this wonderful palace be reached?"</p> + +<p>"There is no route. Between us and the Silver Palace lie waterless +deserts, great mountains, and, at last, a yawning chasm, miles in width, +miles in depth. This chasm extends entirely round the broad plateau on +which the wonderful palace stands like a dazzling dream. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> bottom of +the chasm is hidden by mists which assume fantastic forms, and whirl and +sway and dash forward and backward, like battling armies. Indians fear +the place; Mexicans hold it in superstitious horror. It is said that +these mist-like forms are the ghosts of warriors dead and gone, a +wonderful people who built the Silver Palace in the days of +Cortez—built it where the Spaniard could not reach and despoil it."</p> + +<p>Despite his doubts, the professor was listening with strong interest to +this remarkable tale.</p> + +<p>The fourth person in the hut was the Dutch boy, Hans Dunnerwust, who sat +on the ground, his back against the wall, his jaw dropped and his eyes +bulging. Occasionally, as he listened to the words of the dying man, he +would mutter:</p> + +<p>"Chimminy Gristmas!"</p> + +<p>For several weeks Frank Merriwell, our hero, Hans, his chum, and +Professor Scotch, his guardian, had been exploring the country around +the city of Mendoza, Mexico. They had come to Mexico after having +numerous adventures in our own country, as related in "Frank Merriwell +Out West," a former volume of this series.</p> + +<p>Only a short hour before they had run across the sufferer, whose head +seemed so full of the things he had seen at what he called the Silver +Palace. They had found him almost dead in a hut at the edge of a sandy +plain, suffering great pain and calling loudly for aid. They had done +what they could, and then he had begun to talk, as related above.</p> + +<p>With surprising strength the man on the bed of grass sat up, stretching +out his hands, gazing across the sunlit sand-plain beyond the open door +of the hut, and went on:</p> + +<p>"I see it now—I see it once again! There, there—see it gleaming like a +dazzling diamond in the sunshine! See its beautiful towers and turrets! +That dome is of pure gold! Within those walls are treasures untold! +There are great vaults of gold and silver ornaments, bars and ingots! +There are precious stones in profusion! And all this treasure would make +a thousand men rich for life! But it's not for me—it's lost to me +forever!"</p> + +<p>With a stifled moan, he fell back into Frank's arms, and was lowered on +the bed of grass.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>Professor Scotch hastily felt the man's pulse, listened for the beating +of his heart, and then cried:</p> + +<p>"Quick, Frank—the brandy! It may be too late, but we'll try to give him +a few more minutes of life."</p> + +<p>"That's right!" palpitated Frank. "Bring him back to consciousness, for +we have not yet learned how to reach the Silver Palace."</p> + +<p>"There is no such place as the Silver Palace," sharply declared the +professor, as he forced a few drops of brandy between the lips of the +unfortunate man. "The fellow has dreamed it."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps! Why, Frank, I took you for a boy of more sense! Think—think +of the absurdity! It is impossible!"</p> + +<p>"It may be."</p> + +<p>"I know it is."</p> + +<p>"Vell, maype you don'd nefer peen misdooken, brofessor?" insinuated +Hans, recovering for a moment from his dazed condition.</p> + +<p>The professor did not notice the Dutch boy's words, for the man on the +bed of grass drew a long, fluttering breath and slowly opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>"I thought I saw the palace once more," he whispered. "It was all a +delusion."</p> + +<p>"That is true," nodded the professor, "it is all a delusion. Such a +place as this Silver Palace is an absurd impossibility. The illness +through which you have passed has affected your mind, and you dreamed of +the palace."</p> + +<p>"It is not so!" returned the man, reproachfully. "I have proof! You +doubt me—you will not believe?"</p> + +<p>"Be calm—be quiet," urged the professor. "This excitement will cut your +life short by minutes, and minutes are precious to you now."</p> + +<p>"That is true; minutes are precious," hastily whispered the man. "It is +not the fever I am dying of—no, no! The water from the spring you may +see behind the hut—it has destroyed many people. This morning, before +you came, a peon found me here. He told me—he said the spring was +poison. The water robs men of strength—of life. I could not understand +him well. He went away and left me. I could see him running across the +desert, as if from a plague. And now I am dying—dying!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But the Silver Palace?" observed Frank Merriwell. "You are forgetting +that."</p> + +<p>"Yah," nodded the Dutch lad; "you peen forgetting dot, ain'd id?"</p> + +<p>"The proof," urged Frank. "You say you have proof."</p> + +<p>"Yah," put in Hans; "you say you haf der broof. Vere id peen?"</p> + +<p>"It is here," declared the unfortunate, as he fumbled beneath the straw. +"You are my countrymen—you have been kind to me. Alwin Bushnell may +never return. It is terrible to think all that treasure may be +lost—lost forever!"</p> + +<p>"Who is Alwin Bushnell?"</p> + +<p>"My partner—the one who was with me when I found the palace."</p> + +<p>"Where is he now?"</p> + +<p>"Heaven knows! He went for another balloon."</p> + +<p>"Another balloon?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; it was with the aid of a balloon that we reached the Silver +Palace. Without it we could not have crossed the gulf."</p> + +<p>"Absurd!" muttered the professor.</p> + +<p>Despite the fact that the word was merely murmured, the miserable man on +the bed of grass did not fail to catch it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I will convince even you!" he exclaimed, gasping for breath, and +continuing to fumble beneath the straw. "You shall see—you shall know! +But our balloon—we had no means of obtaining a further supply of gas. +It was barely sufficient to take us across the gulf, with a few pieces +of treasure. We struck against the side of the bluff—we were falling +back into the abyss! Barely were we able to scramble out of the car and +cling to the rocks. Then we saw the balloon rise a little, like a bird +freed of burden; but it suddenly collapsed, fluttered downward, and the +mists leaped up and clutched it like a thousand exulting demons, +dragging it down from our sight. We crawled up from the rocks, but it +was a close call—a close call."</p> + +<p>He lay exhausted, his eyes closed, his hand ceasing to fumble beneath +the straw. Once more Professor Scotch gave him a little of the brandy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> + +<p>Frank Merriwell was more than interested; he could feel his heart +trembling with excitement. Something seemed to tell him that this man +was speaking the truth, and he was eager to hear more.</p> + +<p>For a long time the unfortunate lay gasping painfully for breath, but, +at last, he was easier. He opened his eyes, and saw Frank watching him +steadily, with an anxious expression.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he murmured, exultantly, "you believe me—you do not doubt! I must +tell you everything. You shall be Jack Burk's heir. Think of it—heir to +wealth enough to make you richer than Monte Cristo! Witness—witness +that I make this boy my heir!"</p> + +<p>He turned to the professor and Hans, and both bowed, the former saying:</p> + +<p>"We are witnesses."</p> + +<p>"Good! We escaped with our lives, but we brought little of the treasure +with us. I was determined to find the way back there, and I made a map. +See, here it is."</p> + +<p>He thrust a soiled and crumpled piece of paper into Frank's hand, and +the boy saw there were lines and writing on it.</p> + +<p>"How we found our way out of the mountains, how we endured the heat of +the desert I cannot tell," went on the weak voice of the man on the bed +of straw. "We reached Zacatecas, and then Bushnell went for another +balloon. He knows friends who have money and power, and he will get the +balloon—if he lives."</p> + +<p>"But the proof—the proof that you were going to show us?"</p> + +<p>"It is here! Look!"</p> + +<p>From beneath the straw Jack Burk drew forth a queer little figure of +solid gold—a figure like the pictures of Aztec gods, which Frank had +seen.</p> + +<p>"This is proof!" declared the man. "It is some of the treasure we +brought from the palace. Bushnell took the rest."</p> + +<p>The professor excitedly grasped the little image, and gazed searchingly +at it.</p> + +<p>"It is all right—it is genuine!" he finally exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Of course it is genuine!" said the man on the bed of grass. "And there +are more in the Silver Palace. There<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> the treasures of the Aztecs were +hidden, and they have remained. The country all around is full of fierce +natives, who hold the palace in awe and prevent others from reaching it. +They have kept the secret well, but——"</p> + +<p>"Vot vos dot?" interrupted Hans.</p> + +<p>At some distance on the plain outside the hut were wildly galloping +horses, for they could hear hoof-beats and loud cries. Then came a +fusillade of pistol shots!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 333px;"> +<a name="ill014" id="ill014"></a><img src="images/page014.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Frank began shooting" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="caption">"Frank began shooting, and his first bullet brought down +one of the ponies of the pursuers." (See page <a href="#ill014_ref">14</a>)</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>GONE.</h3> + + +<p>"Bandits!" cried Jack Burk. "It may be Pacheco!"</p> + +<p>"Pacheco?" questioned Frank.</p> + +<p>"<span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'Pacheo' changed to 'Pacheco'">Pacheco</span>, the human hawk! He haunts the mountains and the desert. He +pursued us across the desert, but we escaped him. I have been in hiding +here to avoid him. He believes we brought much treasure from the +mountains."</p> + +<p>The professor had leaped to the door, and was looking away on the plain. +Now he cried, excitedly:</p> + +<p>"Look here! A band of horsemen pursuing a white man—plainly an +American. Look, he is shooting again!"</p> + +<p>Once more the shots were heard.</p> + +<p>Frank ran to the door, catching up a rifle that had been leaning against +the wall of the hut, for he knew he was in a "bad man's land."</p> + +<p>"Stand aside!" he shouted, forcing his way past the professor. "No +countryman of mine can be in danger that I do not try to give him a +helping hand."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean to do?"</p> + +<p>"Get a crack at those Greasers."</p> + +<p>"You are crazy! You will bring the entire band down on us!"</p> + +<p>"Let 'em come! One Yankee is good for six Greasers."</p> + +<p>Past the hut at a distance a single horseman was riding, hotly spurring +the animal which bore him. At least a dozen dark-faced, fierce-looking +ruffians, mounted on hardy little ponies, were in pursuit.</p> + +<p>As Professor Scotch had said, the fugitive was plainly an American, a +native of the United States. He had turned in the saddle to send bullets +whistling back at his pursuers.</p> + +<p>Frank ran out and dropped on one knee. The professor followed him, and +Hans came from the hut.</p> + +<p>Just as Frank lifted the rifle to his shoulder and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> on the point of +shooting, the voice of Jack Burk sounded from the doorway, to which he +had dragged himself:</p> + +<p>"It is Bushnell, my partner! Al! Al! Al Bushnell!"</p> + +<p>His voice was faint and weak, and it did not reach the ears of the man +out on the plain.</p> + +<p>Then <a name="ill014_ref" id="ill014_ref"></a>Frank began shooting, and his first bullet brought down one of the +ponies of the pursuers, sending a bandit rolling over and over in the +dust, to leap up like a cat, and spring behind a comrade on the back of +another pony.</p> + +<p>"Dot peen britty goot, Vrankie," complimented Hans Dunnerwust.</p> + +<p>Again and again Frank fired, and the bandits quickly swerved away from +the hut, feeling their ponies sway or fall beneath them.</p> + +<p>In an astonishingly brief space of time the course of pursuit was +deflected, giving the fugitive a chance to get away into Mendoza, which +lay at a distance of about three miles from the hut.</p> + +<p>The man in flight heard the shots, saw the figures in front of the hut, +and waved his hand to them.</p> + +<p>The professor excitedly beckoned for Bushnell to come to the hut, but +the horseman did not seem to understand, and he kept straight on toward +the town.</p> + +<p>"Confound him!" exploded the professor. "Why didn't he come?"</p> + +<p>"He don'd like a trap to run into," said Hans.</p> + +<p>"But there is no trap here."</p> + +<p>"How he known dot?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know as I blame him. Of course he could not be sure it +was not a trap, and so he was cautious."</p> + +<p>Frank was calmly refilling the magazine of the rifle with fresh +cartridges.</p> + +<p>"Why you didn't shoot some uf der pandits deat, Vrankie?" asked Hans.</p> + +<p>"I do not wish to shed human blood if I can avoid it."</p> + +<p>"You don't done dot uf you shoot six or elefen uf dose togs."</p> + +<p>"Oh, they are human beings."</p> + +<p>"Don't you belief me? Dey vos volves—kiotes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I did not care to shoot them if I could aid the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> man in any other +way, and I succeeded. See, they have given up the pursuit, and the +fugitive is far away in that little cloud of dust."</p> + +<p>"Frank!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, professor."</p> + +<p>"We should follow him, and bring him back to his dying partner."</p> + +<p>"And leave Jack Burk here alone—possibly to die alone?"</p> + +<p>"We can't do that."</p> + +<p>"Of course not."</p> + +<p>"What then?"</p> + +<p>"We'll have to consider the matter. But Burk—— Look—see there, +professor! He is flat on his face in the doorway! He fell like that +after trying to shout to his partner."</p> + +<p>Frank leaped forward, and turned the man on his back. It was a drawn, +ghastly face that the trio gazed down upon.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch quickly knelt beside the motionless form, feeling for +the pulse, and then shaking his head gravely.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" anxiously asked Frank. "Has he——"</p> + +<p>He was silent at a motion from the professor, who bent to listen for +some movement of the man's heart.</p> + +<p>After a few seconds, Professor Scotch straightened up, and solemnly +declared:</p> + +<p>"This is the end for him. We can do nothing more."</p> + +<p>"He is dead?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>There was an awed hush.</p> + +<p>"Now we can leave him," the professor finally said. "Pacheco, the +bandit, cannot harm him now."</p> + +<p>They lifted the body and bore it back to the wretched bed of straw, on +which they tenderly placed it.</p> + +<p>"The idol—the golden image?" said the professor. "You must not forget +that, Frank. You have it?"</p> + +<p>"Little danger that I shall forget it. It is here, where it fell from my +fingers as I ran out."</p> + +<p>He picked up the image, and placed it in one of his pockets.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then, having covered the face of Jack Burk with his handkerchief, Frank +led the way from the hut.</p> + +<p>Their horses had been tethered near at hand, and they were soon mounted +and riding away toward Mendoza.</p> + +<p>The sun beat down hotly on the plain of white sand, and the sky was of a +bright blue, such as Frank had never seen elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Outside Mendoza was a narrow canal, but a few feet in width, and half +filled with water, from which rose little whiffs of hot steam.</p> + +<p>Along the side of the canal was a staggering rude stone wall, fringed +with bushes in strips and clumps.</p> + +<p>Beyond the canal, which fixed the boundary of the plain of sand, through +vistas of tree trunks, could be seen glimpses of brown fields, fading +away into pale pink, violet, and green.</p> + +<p>The dome and towers of a church rose against the dim blue; low down, and +on every side were spots of cream-white, red, and yellow, with patches +of dark green intervening, revealing bits of the town, with orange +groves all about.</p> + +<p>Across the fields ran a road that was ankle deep with dust, and along +the road a string of burros, loaded with great bundles of green fodder, +were crawling into the town.</p> + +<p>An undulating mass of yellow dust finally revealed itself as a drove of +sheep, urged along by peons, appeared.</p> + +<p>Groups of natives were strolling in both directions, seeking the shadows +along the canal. The women were in straw hats, with their black hair +plaited, and little children strung to their backs; the men wore serapes +and sandals, and smoked cigarettes.</p> + +<p>Along the side of the canal were scattered scores of natives of all ages +and both sexes, lolling beneath the bushes or soaking their bodies in +the water, while their heads rested on the ground.</p> + +<p>Those stretched in the shadow of the bushes had taken their bath, and +were waiting for their bodies to dry, covered simply by serapes.</p> + +<p>From beneath such a covering dark-eyed native girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> stared curiously at +the passing trio, causing Hans no small amount of confusion.</p> + +<p>"I say, Vrankie," said the Dutch boy, "vot you dinks apoudt dot pusiness +uf dakin' a path in bublic mit der roadt beside?"</p> + +<p>"It seems to be the custom of the country," smiled Frank; "and they do +not seem to think it at all improper."</p> + +<p>"Vell, somepody better toldt dem to stob id. Id keeps mein plood mein +face in so much dot I shall look like you hat peen drinking."</p> + +<p>"They think nothing of it," explained the professor. "You will notice +with what deftness they disrobe, slipping out of their clothes and into +the water without exposing much more than a bare toe."</p> + +<p>"Oxcuse you!" fluttered Hans. "I don'd like to took mein chances py +looking. Somepody mighd make a misdake."</p> + +<p>The sun was low down as they rode into the town.</p> + +<p>"We have no time to lose," said Frank. "We must move lively, if we mean +to return to the hut before nightfall."</p> + +<p>"That's right," nodded Professor Scotch.</p> + +<p>They were successful in finding a native undertaker, but the fellow was +very lazy, and he did not want to do anything till the next day.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow, señors, to-morrow," he said.</p> + +<p>That did not satisfy, however, and he was soon aroused by the sight of +money. Learning where the corpse was, he procured a cart and a burro, +and they again set out along the road.</p> + +<p>They found whole families soaking in groups in the canal, sousing their +babies in the water, and draining them on the bank.</p> + +<p>Young Indian girls in groups were combing out their hair and chatting +merrily among themselves and with friends in the water.</p> + +<p>"Dere oughter peen some law for dot," muttered Hans.</p> + +<p>Leaving the canal, they set out upon the sand-plain, the undertaker's +burro crawling along at an aggravating pace, its master refusing to whip +it up, despite urging.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + +<p>The sun had set, and darkness was settling in a blue haze on the plain +when the hut was reached.</p> + +<p>Frank lighted a pocket lamp he always carried, and entered.</p> + +<p>A cry of astonishment broke from his lips.</p> + +<p>"Professor! professor!" he called; "the body is gone!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>HELD FOR RANSOM.</h3> + + +<p><span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, missing quotation mark added">"</span>Gone!"</p> + +<p>The professor was astonished.</p> + +<p>"Shimminy Gristmas! I don'd toldt you dot!" came from Hans Dunnerwust.</p> + +<p>"Yes, gone," repeated Frank, throwing the light about the room and +finally bringing it back to the bed of grass.</p> + +<p>"But—but it's impossible."</p> + +<p>"Impossible or not, it is true, as you may see."</p> + +<p>"But the man was dead—as dead as he could be!"</p> + +<p>"Yah!" snorted Hans. "Py shingoes! dot peen der trute. Dot man vos +teader as a goffin nail, und don'd you vorget him!"</p> + +<p>The trio were silent, staring in stupefied amazement at the bed of +grass.</p> + +<p>An uncanny feeling began to creep over Frank, and it seemed that a chill +hand touched his face and played about his temples.</p> + +<p>Hans' teeth began to chatter.</p> + +<p>"I am quite ill," the professor faintly declared, in a feeble tone of +voice. "The exertions of the day have been far too severe for me."</p> + +<p>"Yah, yah!" gurgled the Dutch lad. "You vos anodder. Oxcuse me while I +go oudt to ged a liddle fresh air."</p> + +<p>He made a bolt for the open door, and Professor Scotch was not long in +following. Frank, however, was determined to be thoroughly satisfied, +and he again began looking for the body of the dead man, once more going +over the entire hut.</p> + +<p>"The body is gone, beyond a doubt," he finally muttered.</p> + +<p>"There is no place for it to be concealed here, and dead men do not hide +themselves."</p> + +<p>He went out, and found Professor Scotch and Hans awaiting his appearance +with no small amount of anxiety.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the professor, with a deep breath of relief, "you are all +right."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Frank, with amusement; "of course I am. What did you +think? Fancy I was going to be spirited away by spooks?"</p> + +<p>The little man drew himself up with an assumption of great dignity.</p> + +<p>"Young man," he rumbled, in his deepest tone, "don't be frivolous on +such an occasion as this. You are quite aware that I do not believe in +spooks or anything of the sort; but we are in a strange country now, and +strange things happen here."</p> + +<p>"Yah," nodded Hans. "Dot peen oxactly righdt."</p> + +<p>"For instance, the disappearance of that corpse is most remarkable."</p> + +<p>"Dot peen der first dime I nefer known a deat man to ged ub un valk avay +all alone mit himseluf by," declared Hans.</p> + +<p>"What do you think has happened here, professor?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"It is plain Jack Burk's body is gone."</p> + +<p>"Sure enough."</p> + +<p>"And does it not seem reasonable that he walked away himself?"</p> + +<p>"Vell, you don'd know apout dot," broke in Hans. "Maype he don'd pelief +we vos goin' pack here to bury him, und he got tiret uf vaiting for der +funerals."</p> + +<p>"There must have been other people here after we left," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Right," nodded the professor.</p> + +<p>"Bandits?"</p> + +<p>"Bushnell?"</p> + +<p>"One or the other."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps both."</p> + +<p>Frank fell to examining the ground for "signs," but, although his eyes +were unusually keen, he was not an expert in such matters, and he +discovered nothing that could serve as a revelation.</p> + +<p>"The man was dead beyond a doubt, professor—you are sure?"</p> + +<p>"Sure?" roared the little man, bristling in a moment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> "Of course I'm +sure! Do you take me for a howling idiot?"</p> + +<p>"Don't get excited, professor. The best of us are liable to err at +times. It would not be strange if you——"</p> + +<p>"But I didn't—I tell you I didn't! The body may have been removed by +the bandits which hang about this section."</p> + +<p>"Or by Al Bushnell, Burk's partner."</p> + +<p>"Yes; Bushnell may have recognized him, although he did not seem to do +so. In that case, he has been here——"</p> + +<p>"And that explains everything."</p> + +<p>"Everything."</p> + +<p>"He took the body away to give it decent burial."</p> + +<p>"And we have had our trouble for nothing."</p> + +<p>By this time the native undertaker got the drift of the talk, and set up +a wail of lamentation and accusation. He had come all that distance at +great expense to himself and great waste of time during which he might +have been sleeping or smoking. It was robbery, robbery, robbery. It was +like the <i>Americanoes</i>. He had a wife and many—very many children +depending on him. He had been tricked by the <i>Americanoes</i>, and he would +complain that he had been cheated. They should be arrested; they should +be compelled to pay.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come your perch off, und gone took a fall to yournseluf!" cried +Hans, in disgust. "You gif me der lifer gomblaint!"</p> + +<p>The native continued to wail and lament and accuse them until Frank +succeeded in quieting him by paying him three times as much as he would +have asked had the body been found in the hut. The old fellow saw how he +could make it appear as a clean case of deception on the part of the +strangers, and he worked his little game for all there was in it. Having +received his money, he lost no time in turning his cart about and +heading back toward Mendoza, evidently fearing the body might be found +at last and forced upon him.</p> + +<p>"We'd better be going, too," said Professor Scotch.</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed Frank. "There is no telling what danger we may +encounter on the plain after nightfall."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Vell, don'd let us peen all nighd apout gedding a mofe on," fluttered +Hans, hastening toward the horses.</p> + +<p>So they mounted and rode away toward Mendoza, although Frank was far +from satisfied to do so without solving the mystery of the remarkable +disappearance.</p> + +<p>Darkness was falling heavily on the plain, across which a cool and +refreshing breath came from the distant mountains.</p> + +<p>Frank kept his eyes open for danger, more than half expecting to run +upon a gang of bandits at any moment. As they approached the town they +began to breathe easier, and, before long, they were riding along the +dusty road that led into the little town.</p> + +<p>Entering Mendoza they found on each hand low buildings connected by +long, white adobe walls, against which grew prickly pears in abundance, +running in straggling lines away out upon the open country.</p> + +<p>About the edges of the town were little fires, winking redly here and +there, with earthen pots which were balanced on smoldering embers raked +out from the general mass.</p> + +<p>Withered and skinny old hags were crooning over the pots, surrounded by +swarthy children and lazy men, who were watching the preparation of the +evening meal.</p> + +<p>Groups of peons, muffled to the eyes with their serapes, were sitting +with their backs to the adobe walls, apparently fast asleep; but Frank +noted that glittering, black eyes peered out from between the serapes +and the huts, and he had no doubt but that many of the fellows would +willingly cut a throat for a ridiculously small sum of money.</p> + +<p>Within the town it was different. All day the window shutters had been +closely barred, but now they were flung wide, and the flash of dark eyes +or the low, musical laugh of a señorita told that the maidens who had +lolled all the hot day were now astir.</p> + +<p>Doors were flung wide, and houses which at midday had seemed uninhabited +were astir with life. In the patios beautiful gardens were blooming, and +through iron gates easy-chairs and hammocks could be seen.</p> + +<p>Many of the señoritas had come forth, and were strolling in groups of +threes or fours, dressed in pink and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> white lawn, with Spanish veils and +fans. The most of them wore white stockings and red-heeled slippers.</p> + +<p>Many a witching glance was shyly cast at Frank, but his mind was so +occupied that he heeded none of them.</p> + +<p>The hotel was reached, and they were dismounting, when a battered and +tattered old man, about whose shoulders was cast a ragged blanket, and +whose face was hidden by a scraggly, white beard, came up with a +faltering step.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," he said, in a thin, cracked voice, "I see you are +Americans, natives of the States, Yankees, and, as I happen to be from +Michigan, I hasten to speak to you. I know you will have pity on an +unfortunate countryman. My story is short. My son came to this wretched +land to try to make a fortune. <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'We' changed to 'He'">He</span> went into the mines, and was doing +well. He sent me home money, and I put a little aside, so that I had a +snug little sum after a time. Then he fell into the hands of Pacheco, +the bandit. You have heard of Pacheco, gentlemen?"</p> + +<p>"We have," said Frank, who was endeavoring to get a fair look into the +old man's eyes.</p> + +<p>"We surely have," agreed the professor.</p> + +<p>"Vell, you can pet my poots on dot!" nodded Hans.</p> + +<p>"The wretch—the cutthroat!" cried the old man, shaking his clinched +hand in the air. "Why didn't he kill me? He has robbed me of +everything—everything!"</p> + +<p>"Tell us—finish your story," urged the professor.</p> + +<p>Frank said nothing. The light from a window shone close by the old man. +Frank was waiting for the man to change his position so the light would +shine on his face.</p> + +<p>For some moments the man seemed too agitated to proceed, but he finally +went on.</p> + +<p>"My son—my son fell into the hands of this wretched bandit. Pacheco +took him captive. Then he sent word to me that he would murder my son if +I did not appear and pay two thousand dollars ransom money. Two thousand +dollars! I did not have it in the world. But I had a little home. I sold +it—I sold everything to raise the money to save my boy. I obtained it. +And then—then, my friends, I received another letter. Then Pacheco +demanded three thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"Der brice vos on der jump," murmured Hans.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But that is not the worst!" cried the old man, waving his arms, +excitedly. "Oh, the monster—the demon!"</p> + +<p>He wrung his hands, and groaned as if with great anguish.</p> + +<p>"Be calm, be calm," urged Professor Scotch. "My dear sir, you are +working yourself into a dreadful state."</p> + +<p>"How can I be calm?" groaned the stranger. "It is not possible to be +calm and think of such a terrible thing!"</p> + +<p>"What terrible thing?" asked Frank. "You have not told the entire story, +and we do not know what you mean."</p> + +<p>"True, true. Listen! With that letter Pacheco—the monster!—sent one of +my boy's little fingers!"</p> + +<p>"Shimminy Gristmas! I don'd toldt you dot, do I?"</p> + +<p>"Horrible! horrible!"</p> + +<p>The professor and Hans uttered these exclamations, but Frank was calm +and apparently unmoved, with his eyes still fastened on the face of the +old man.</p> + +<p>"How you toldt dot vos der finger uf your son, mister?"</p> + +<p>"That's it, that's it—how could you tell?" asked the professor.</p> + +<p>"My son—my own boy—he added a line to the letter, stating that the +finger had been taken from his left hand, and that Pacheco threatened to +cut off his fingers one by one and send them to me if I did not hasten +with the ransom money."</p> + +<p>"Dot seddled you!"</p> + +<p>"You recognized the handwriting as that of your son?"</p> + +<p>"I did; but I recognized something besides that."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"The finger."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you may have been mistaken in that—surely you may."</p> + +<p>"I was not."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?"</p> + +<p>"By a mark on the finger."</p> + +<p>"Ah! what sort of a mark?"</p> + +<p>"A peculiar scar like a triangle, situated between the first and second +joints. Besides that, the nail had once been crushed, after which it was +never perfect."</p> + +<p>"That was quite enough," nodded Professor Scotch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yah," agreed Hans; "dot peen quide enough alretty."</p> + +<p>Still Frank was silent, watching and waiting, missing not a word that +fell from the man's lips, missing not a gesture, failing to note no +move.</p> + +<p>This silence on the part of Merriwell seemed to affect the man, who +turned to him, saying, a trifle sharply:</p> + +<p>"Boy, boy, have you no sympathy with me? Think of the suffering I have +passed through! You should pity me."</p> + +<p>"What are you trying to do now?" asked Frank, quietly.</p> + +<p>"I am trying to raise some money to ransom my son."</p> + +<p>"But I thought you did raise money?"</p> + +<p>"So I did, but not enough."</p> + +<p>"Finish the story."</p> + +<p>"Well, when I received that letter I immediately hastened to this land +of bandits and half-breeds. I did not have three thousand dollars, but I +hoped that what I had would be enough to soften Pacheco's heart—to save +my poor boy."</p> + +<p>"And you failed?"</p> + +<p>The old man groaned again.</p> + +<p>"My boy is still in Pacheco's power, and I have not a dollar left in all +the world! Failed—miserably failed!"</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you hope to do—what are you trying to do?"</p> + +<p>"Raise five hundred dollars."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"In any way."</p> + +<p>"By begging?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know how. Anyway, anyway will do!"</p> + +<p>"But you cannot raise it by begging in this land, man," said the +professor. "This is a land of beggars. Everybody seems to be poor and +wretched."</p> + +<p>"But I have found some of my own countrymen, and I hoped that you might +have pity on me—oh, I did hope!"</p> + +<p>"What? You didn't expect us to give you five hundred dollars?"</p> + +<p>"Think of my boy—my poor boy! Pacheco has threatened to murder him by +inches—to cut him up and send him to me in pieces! Is it not something +terrible to contemplate?"</p> + +<p>"Vell, I should dink id vos!" gurgled the Dutch boy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But how did you lose your money?"</p> + +<p>"I was robbed."</p> + +<p>"By whom?"</p> + +<p>"Pacheco."</p> + +<p>"How did it happen?"</p> + +<p>"I fell into his hands."</p> + +<p>"And he took your money without setting your son free?"</p> + +<p>"He did."</p> + +<p>"Did you tell him it was all you had in the world?"</p> + +<p>"I told him that a score of times."</p> + +<p>"What did he say?"</p> + +<p>"Told me to raise more, or have the pleasure of receiving my boy in +pieces."</p> + +<p>"How long ago was that?"</p> + +<p>"Three days."</p> + +<p>"Near here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How long have you been in Mendoza?"</p> + +<p>"Two days, and during that time I have received this from Pacheco."</p> + +<p>He took something from his pocket—something wrapped in a handkerchief. +With trembling fingers, he unrolled it, exposing to view——</p> + +<p>A bloody human finger!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>UNMASKED.</h3> + + +<p>Hans and Professor Scotch uttered exclamations of horror, starting back +from the sight revealed by the light that came from the window set deep +in the adobe wall.</p> + +<p>Frank's teeth came together with a peculiar click, but he uttered no +exclamation, nor did he start.</p> + +<p>This seemed to affect the old man unpleasantly, for he turned on Frank, +crying in an accusing manner and tone:</p> + +<p>"Have you no heart? Are you made of stone?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"This finger—it is the second torn from the hand of my boy by Pacheco, +the bandit—Pacheco, the monster!"</p> + +<p>"Pacheco seems to be a man of great determination."</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch gazed at Frank in astonishment, for the boy was of a +very sympathetic and kindly nature, and he now seemed quite unlike his +usual self.</p> + +<p>"Frank, Frank, think of the suffering of this poor father!"</p> + +<p>"Yah," murmured Hans; "shust dink how pad you vould felt uf you efer +peen py his blace," put in Hans, sobbing, chokingly.</p> + +<p>"It is very, very sad," said Frank; but there seemed to be a singularly +sarcastic ring to the words which fell from his lips.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen your son since he fell into the hands of Pacheco, sir?" +asked the professor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I saw him; but I could scarcely recognize him, he was so +changed—so wan and ghastly. The skin is drawn tightly over his bones, +and he looks as if he were nearly starved to death."</p> + +<p>"Did he recognize you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What did he do?"</p> + +<p>The man wrung his hands with a gesture of unutterable anguish.</p> + +<p>"Oh, his appeal—I can hear it now! He begged me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> to save him, or to +give him poison that he might kill himself!"</p> + +<p>"Where is he now?"</p> + +<p>"In a cave."</p> + +<p>"Where is the cave?"</p> + +<p>"That I cannot tell, for I was blindfolded all the time, except while in +the cave where my boy is kept."</p> + +<p>"It is near Mendoza?"</p> + +<p>"It must be within fifty miles of here."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is nearer?"</p> + +<p>"Possibly."</p> + +<p>"But you have no means of knowing in which direction it lies?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Your only hope is to raise the five hundred dollars?"</p> + +<p>"That is my only hope, and that can scarcely be called a hope, for I +must have the money within a day or two, or my boy will be dead."</p> + +<p>"Hum! hum!" coughed the professor. "This is a very unfortunate +affair—very unfortunate. I am not a wealthy man, but I——"</p> + +<p>"You will aid me?" shouted the old man, joyously. "Heaven will bless +you, sir—Heaven will bless you!"</p> + +<p>"I have not said so—I have not said I would aid you," Scotch hastily +said. "I am going to consider the matter—I'll think it over."</p> + +<p>"Then I have no hope."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"If your heart is not opened now, it will never open. My poor boy is +lost, and I am ready for death!"</p> + +<p>The old man seemed to break down and sob like a child, burying his face +in his hands, his body shaking convulsively.</p> + +<p>Frank made a quick gesture to the others, pressing a finger to his lips +as a warning for silence.</p> + +<p>In a moment the old man lifted his face, which seemed wet with tears.</p> + +<p>"My last hope is gone!" he sighed. "And you are travelers—you are +rich!"</p> + +<p>He turned to Frank, to whom, with an appealing gesture, he extended a +hand that was shaking as if with the palsy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You—surely you will have sympathy with me! I can see by your face and +your bearing that you are one of fortune's favorites—you are rich. A +few dollars——"</p> + +<p>"My dear man," said Frank, quite calmly, "I should be more than +delighted to aid you, if you had told the truth."</p> + +<p>The old man fell back. He was standing fairly in the light which shone +from the window.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" he hoarsely asked. "Do you think I have been lying +to you—do you fancy such a thing?"</p> + +<p>"I fancy nothing; I know you have lied!"</p> + +<p>"Frank!" cried Professor Scotch, in amazement.</p> + +<p>"Shimminy Gristmas!" gurgled Hans Dunnerwust, in a dazed way.</p> + +<p>The manner of the old man changed in a twinkling.</p> + +<p>"You are insolent, boy! You had better be careful!"</p> + +<p>"Now you threaten," laughed Frank. "Well, I expected as much from a +beggar, a fraud, and a scoundrel!"</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch and Hans fell into each other's arms, overcome with +excitement and wonder.</p> + +<p>Frank was calm and deliberate, and he did not lift his voice above the +tone used in ordinary conversation.</p> + +<p>Still another step did the man fall back, and then a grating snarl broke +from his lips, and he seemed overcome with rage. He leaned forward, +hissing:</p> + +<p>"You insulting puppy!"</p> + +<p>"The truth must always seem like an insult to a scoundrel."</p> + +<p>"Do you dare?"</p> + +<p>"What is there to fear?"</p> + +<p>"Much."</p> + +<p>Frank snapped his fingers.</p> + +<p>"Your tune has changed in the twinkling of an eye. You are no longer the +heart-broken father, begging for his boy; but you have flung aside some +of the mask, and exposed your true nature."</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch saw this was true, and he was quaking with fear of what +might follow this remarkable change.</p> + +<p>As for Hans, it took some time for ideas to work their way through his +brain, and he was still in a bewildered condition.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> + +<p>For a moment the stranger was silent, seeming to choke back words which +rose in his throat. Finally, he cried:</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well! I did not expect to get anything out of you; but it +would have been far better for you if I had. Now——"</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>Frank asked the question, as the speaker faltered.</p> + +<p>"You shall soon learn what. I am going to leave you, but we shall see +more of each other, don't forget that."</p> + +<p>"Wait—do not be in a hurry. I am not satisfied till I—see your face!"</p> + +<p>With the final words, Frank made a leap and a sweep of his hand, +clutching the white beard the man wore, and tearing it from his face!</p> + +<p>The beard was false!</p> + +<p>The face exposed was smoothly shaven and weather-tanned.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" cried Frank, triumphantly. "I thought so! This poor old man is +Carlos Merriwell, my villainous cousin!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>KIDNAPED.</h3> + + +<p>As our old readers know, Carlos Merriwell was Frank's deadly enemy, +although they were blood cousins.</p> + +<p>Carlos was the son of Asher Merriwell, the brother of Frank's father.</p> + +<p>At the time of his death, Asher Merriwell was supposed to be a crusty +old bachelor, a man who had never cared for women and had never married. +But he had not been a woman-hater all his life, and there was a romance +in his career.</p> + +<p>Asher Merriwell had been snared by the wiles of an adventuress, and he +had married her. By this woman he had a son, but the marriage had been +kept a secret, so that when she deceived him and they quarreled they +were able to separate and live apart without the fact becoming public +that Merriwell had been married.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the woman died without openly proclaiming herself as the +wife of Asher Merriwell. In her veins there had been Spanish blood, and +her son was named Carlos.</p> + +<p>After the death of his wife, Asher Merriwell set about providing for and +educating the boy, although Carlos continued to bear his mother's maiden +name of Durcal.</p> + +<p>As Carlos grew up he developed into a wild and reckless young blade, +making no amount of trouble and worry for his father.</p> + +<p>Asher Merriwell did his best for the boy, but there was bad blood in the +lad's veins, and it cost the man no small sums to settle for the various +"sports" in which Carlos participated.</p> + +<p>Finally Carlos took a fancy to strike out and see the world for himself, +and he disappeared without telling whither he was going.</p> + +<p>After this, he troubled his father at intervals until he committed a +crime in a foreign country, where he was tried, convicted, and +imprisoned for a long term of years.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> + +<p>This was the last straw so far as Asher Merriwell was concerned, and he +straightway proceeded to disown Carlos, and cut him off without a cent.</p> + +<p>It was afterward reported that Carl Durcal had been shot by guards while +attempting to escape from prison, and Asher Merriwell died firmly +believing himself to be sonless.</p> + +<p>At his death, Asher left everything to Frank Merriwell, the son of his +brother, and provided that Frank should travel under the guardianship of +Professor Scotch, as the eccentric old uncle believed travel furnished +the surest means for "broadening the mind."</p> + +<p>But Carlos Merriwell had not been killed, and he had escaped from +prison. Finding he had been cut off without a dollar and everything had +been left to Frank, Carlos was furious, and he swore that his cousin +should not live to enjoy the property.</p> + +<p>In some ways Carlos was shrewd; in others he was not. He was shrewd +enough to see that he might have trouble in proving himself the son of +Asher Merriwell by a lawful marriage, and so he did not attempt it.</p> + +<p>But there was a still greater stumbling block in his way, for if he came +out and announced himself and made a fight for the property, he would be +forced to tell the truth concerning his past life, and the fact that he +was an escaped convict would be made known.</p> + +<p>Having considered these things, Carlos grew desperate. If he could not +have his father's property, he swore again and again that Frank should +not hold it.</p> + +<p>With all the reckless abandon of his nature, Carlos made two mad +attempts on Frank's life, both of which were baffled, and then the young +desperado was forced to make himself scarce.</p> + +<p>But Carlos had become an expert crook, and he was generally flush with +ill-gotten gains, so he was able to put spies on Frank. He hired private +detectives, and Frank was continually under secret surveillance.</p> + +<p>Thus it came about that Carlos knew when Frank set about upon his +travels, and he set a snare for the boy in New York City.</p> + +<p>Straight into this snare Frank walked, but he escaped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> through his own +exertions, and then baffled two further attempts on his life.</p> + +<p>By this time Carlos found it necessary to disappear again, and Frank had +neither seen nor heard from him till this moment, when the fellow stood +unmasked in the Mexican town of Mendoza.</p> + +<p>Frank had become so familiar with his villainous cousin's voice and +gestures that Carlos had not been able to deceive him. From the first, +Frank had believed the old man a fraud, and he was soon satisfied that +the fellow was Carlos.</p> + +<p>On Carlos Merriwell's cheek was a scar that had been hidden by the false +beard—a scar that he would bear as long as he lived.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch nearly collapsed in a helpless heap, so completely +astounded that he could not utter a word.</p> + +<p>As for Hans, he simply gasped:</p> + +<p>"Shimminy Gristmas!"</p> + +<p>A snarling exclamation of fury broke from Carlos' lips.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're too sharp, my fine cousin!" he grated, his hand disappearing +beneath the ragged blanket. "You are too sharp to live!"</p> + +<p>Out came the hand, and a knife flashed in the light that shone from the +window of the hotel. Frank, however, was on the alert, and was watching +for just such a move. With a twisting movement, he drew his body aside, +so the knife clipped down past his shoulder, cutting open his sleeve, +but failing to reach his flesh.</p> + +<p>"That was near it," he said, as he whirled and caught Carlos by the +wrist.</p> + +<p>Frank had a clutch of iron, and he gave Carlos' wrist a wrench that +forced a cry from the fellow's lips, and caused the knife to drop to the +ground.</p> + +<p>"You are altogether too handy with such a weapon," said the boy, coolly. +"It is evident your adeptness with a dagger comes from your mother's +side. Your face is dark and treacherous, and you look well at home in +this land of dark and treacherous people."</p> + +<p>Carlos ground forth a fierce exclamation, making a desperate move to +fling Frank off, but failing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you are smart!" the fellow with the scarred face admitted. "But you +have been lucky. You were lucky<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> at Fardale, and you were lucky in New +York. Now you have come to a land where I will have my turn. You'll +never leave Mexico alive!"</p> + +<p>"I have listened to your threats before this."</p> + +<p>"I have made no threats that shall not come true."</p> + +<p>"What a desperate wretch you are, Carlos! I would have met you on even +terms, and come to an agreement with you, if you——"</p> + +<p>"Bah! Do you think I would make terms? Not much! You have robbed me of +what is rightfully mine, and I have sworn you shall not take the good of +it. I'll keep that oath!"</p> + +<p>A strange cry broke from his lips, as he found he could not tear his +wrist from Frank's fingers.</p> + +<p>Then came a rush of catlike footfalls and a clatter of hoofs. All at +once voices were heard, crying:</p> + +<p>"Ladrones! ladrones!"</p> + +<p>Dark figures appeared on every hand, sending natives fleeing to shelter. +Spanish oaths sounded on the evening air, and the glint of steel was +seen.</p> + +<p>"Shimminy Gristmas!" gurgled Hans Dunnerwust. "Uf we don'd peen in a +heap uf drouble, I know noddings!"</p> + +<p>"It's the bandits, Frank!" called Professor Scotch. "They have charged +right into the town, and they——"</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed Carlos. "You fear the bandits! They are my friends. +They are here, and it is my turn!"</p> + +<p>A horseman was riding straight down on Frank, and the boy flung Carlos +aside, making a leap that took him out of the way.</p> + +<p>Something, glittering brightly, descended in a sweep toward Frank's +head, but the blow was stopped by Carlos, who shouted something in +Spanish.</p> + +<p>Frank understood Spanish well enough to catch the drift of the words, +and he knew his cousin had not saved him through compassion, but for +quite another purpose.</p> + +<p>Carlos coveted the riches into which Frank had fallen, and he meant to +have a portion of the money. If Frank were killed, there was little +chance that he would ever handle a dollar of the fortune, so he had +cried out that his cousin was to be spared, captured, and held for +ransom.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> + +<p>That was enough to warn Frank of the terrible peril that overshadowed +him at the moment.</p> + +<p>Out came his revolvers, and his back went against the wall. Upward were +flung his hands, and the weapons began to crack.</p> + +<p>Two horses fell, sent down by the first two bullets from the pistols of +the boy at bay.</p> + +<p>But Frank found he could not shoot horses and save himself, for dark +forms were pressing upon him, and he must fall into the clutches of the +bandits in another moment unless he resorted to the most desperate +measures.</p> + +<p>"If you will have it, then you shall!" he muttered, through his set +teeth, turning his aim on the human forms.</p> + +<p>Spouts of red fire shot from the muzzles of the revolvers, and the +cracking of the weapons was followed by cries and groans.</p> + +<p>Through a smoky haze Frank saw some of the dark figures fling up their +arms and topple to the ground within a few feet of him.</p> + +<p>He wondered what had become of Hans and the professor, for he could see +nothing of either, and they had been close at hand a moment before.</p> + +<p>In the midst of all this, Frank wondered at his own calmness. His one +thought was that not a bullet should be wasted, and then he feared he +would find his weapons empty and useless before the desperadoes were +rebuffed.</p> + +<p>But this reception was something the bandits had not expected from a +boy. They had no heart to stand up before a lad who could shoot with the +skill of a Gringo cowboy, and did not seem at all excited when attacked +by twenty men.</p> + +<p>Mexican half-bloods are cowards at heart, and, by the time they saw two +or three of their number fall before the fire from Frank's revolvers +they turned and took to their heels like a flock of frightened sheep.</p> + +<p>"Say, holdt on avile und led me ged a few pullets indo you, mein +friendts."</p> + +<p>It was Hans' voice, and, looking down, Frank saw the Dutch lad on the +ground at his feet, whither he had crept on hands and knees.</p> + +<p>"What are you down there for, Hans?"</p> + +<p>"Vot you dink, Vrankie? You don'd subbose I sdood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> up all der dime und +ged in der vay der pullets uf? Vell, you may oxcuse me! I don'd like to +peen a deat man alretty yet."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Hans. I admire your judgment."</p> + +<p>"Dank you, Vrankie. I admire der vay you vork dose revolfers. Dot peat +der pand, und don'd you vorged him!"</p> + +<p>At this moment, a horse with a double burden swept past in the flare of +light.</p> + +<p>"Help! Frank—Frank Merriwell! Help—save me!"</p> + +<p>"Merciful goodness!" cried Frank. "It is the professor's voice!"</p> + +<p>"Und he vos on dot horse!"</p> + +<p>"Yes—a captive!"</p> + +<p>"Dot's vat he vos!"</p> + +<p>"Our own horses—where are they? We must pursue! What have become of our +horses?"</p> + +<p>"Dose pandits haf dooken them, I susbect."</p> + +<p>This was true; Frank had killed two of the horses belonging to the +bandits, but the desperadoes had escaped with the three animals hired by +our friends.</p> + +<p>But that was not the worst, for Professor Scotch had been captured and +carried away by the bold ruffians.</p> + +<p>Frank heard the professor's appeals for help, and heard a mocking, +cold-blooded laugh that he knew came from the lips of Carlos Merriwell.</p> + +<p>Then the clatter of hoofs passed on down the street, growing fainter and +fainter, till they left the town for the open plain, and finally died +out in the night.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>CARRIED INTO THE MOUNTAINS.</h3> + + +<p>In vain, Frank attempted to organize a party to pursue the bandits. The +citizens of Mendoza were completely terrorized, and they had no heart to +follow the desperadoes out upon the plain, which was the bandits' own +stamping ground.</p> + +<p>Frank urged, entreated, begged, and finally grew furious, but he simply +wasted his breath.</p> + +<p>"No, no, señor," protested a Mexican. "You no find anybody dat chase +Pacheco dis night—no, no, not much!"</p> + +<p>"Pacheco? You don't mean to say—you can't mean——"</p> + +<p>"Dat was Pacheco and his band, señor."</p> + +<p>Frank groaned.</p> + +<p>"Pacheco!" he muttered, huskily; "Pacheco, the worst wretch in all +Mexico! He is utterly heartless, and the professor will—— But Pacheco +is not the worst!" he suddenly gasped. "There is Carlos Merriwell, who +must be one of the bandits. He may take a fancy to torture Professor +Scotch simply because the professor is my guardian."</p> + +<p>"What you say, señor?" asked the curious Mexican. "I do not understand +all dat you speak."</p> + +<p>Frank turned away, with a gesture of despair.</p> + +<p>"Vot you goin's to done, Vrankie?" asked Hans, dolefully.</p> + +<p>"I do not seem to be able to do anything now. This matter must be placed +before the authorities, but I do not fancy that will amount to anything. +The officers here are afraid of the bandits, and the government is +criminally negligent in the matter of pushing and punishing the outlaws. +The capture of an American to be held for ransom will be considered by +them as a very funny joke."</p> + +<p>"Vell, I don'd seen vot you goin' to done apout it."</p> + +<p>"I do not see myself, but, come on, and we will find out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> + +<p>He sought the highest officials of the town, and laid the matter before +them. In the most polite manner possible, they protested their pained +solicitation and commiseration, but when he urged them to do something, +they replied:</p> + +<p>"To-morrow, señor, or the next day, we will see what we may be able to +do."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow!" cried Frank, desperately. "With you everything is +to-morrow, to-morrow! To-day, to-night, now is the time to do something! +Delays are fatal, particularly in pursuing bandits and kidnapers."</p> + +<p>But they shook their heads sadly, and continued to express sympathy and +regret, all the while protesting it would be impossible to do anything +before to-morrow or the next day.</p> + +<p>Frank was so furious and desperate that he even had thought of following +the bandits with Hans as an only companion, but the man of whom he had +obtained the horses in the first place would not let him have other +animals.</p> + +<p>That was not all. This man had gone through some kind of proceeding to +lawfully seize Frank and Hans and hold them till the animals captured by +the bandits were paid for at the price he should name, and this he +proceeded to do.</p> + +<p>Now, Frank did not have the price demanded for the three horses, and he +could not draw it that night, so he was obliged to submit, and the two +boys were prisoners till near three o'clock the next afternoon, when the +money was obtained and the bill paid.</p> + +<p>At the hotel Frank found a letter awaiting him, and, to his unbounded +amazement, it was from the professor.</p> + +<p>With haste he tore it open, and these words are what he read:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Frank</span>: Pacheco commands me to write this letter. We are at +the headwaters of the Rio de Nieves, but we move on to the westward +as soon as I have written. He tells me we are bound for the +mountains beyond Huejugilla el Alto, which is directly west of +Zacatecas as the bird flies one hundred and ten miles. He bids me +tell you to follow to Huejugilla el Alto, where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> he says +arrangements will be made for my ransom. Remember Jack Burk. He +spoke of the mountains to the west of Zacatecas. Pacheco threatens +to mutilate me and forward fragments to you if you do not follow to +the point specified. He is watching me as I write, and one of his +men will carry this letter to Mendoza, and deliver it. The +situation is desperate, and it strikes me that it is best to comply +with Pacheco's demands in case you care to bother about me. If you +want me to be chopped up bit by bit and forwarded to you, do not +bother to follow. I have no doubt but Pacheco will keep his word to +the letter in this matter. I am, my dear boy, your devoted guardian +and tutor,</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;">"<span class="smcap">Horace Orman Tyler Scotch</span>."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>That this letter was genuine there could be no doubt, as it was written +in the professor's peculiar style of chirography; but it did not sound +like the professor, and Frank knew well enough that it had been written +under compulsion, and the language had been dictated by another party.</p> + +<p>"Poor old professor!" murmured the boy. "Poor old professor! He shall be +saved! He shall be saved! He knows I will do everything I can for him."</p> + +<p>"Yah, but he don'd seem to say dot der ledder in," observed Hans, who +had also read every word.</p> + +<p>"Huejugilla el Alto is one hundred and ten miles west of Zacatecas."</p> + +<p>"Vere you belief they findt dot name, Vrankie?"</p> + +<p>Frank did not mind the Dutch lad's question, but bowed his head on his +hand, and fell to thinking.</p> + +<p>"We must have horses, and we must follow. 'Remember Jack Burk.' Surely +the professor put that part of the letter in of his own accord. He did +not speak of the Silver Palace, but he wished to call it to my mind. +That palace, according to Burk, lies directly west of Zacatecas, +somewhere amid the mountains beyond this place he has mentioned. The +professor meant for me to understand that I would be proceeding on my +way to search for the palace. Perhaps he hopes to escape."</p> + +<p>"Yah," broke in Hans, "berhaps he meant to done dot, Vrankie."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We would be very near the mountains—it must be that we would be in the +mountains."</p> + +<p>"I guess dot peen shust apoudt vere we peen, Vrankie."</p> + +<p>"If he escaped, or should be rescued or ransomed, we could easily +continue the search for the palace."</p> + +<p>"You vos oxactly righdt."</p> + +<p>"We must have horses and a guide."</p> + +<p>"We can ged dem mit money."</p> + +<p>"We had better proceed to Zacatecas, and procure the animals and the +guide there."</p> + +<p>"Shust oxactly vot I vould haf suggestet, Vrankie."</p> + +<p>"We will lose no time about it."</p> + +<p>"Vell, I guess nod!"</p> + +<p>"But Carlos—Carlos, my cousin. It is very strange, but Professor Scotch +does not mention him."</p> + +<p>"Py shimminy! dot peen der trute!"</p> + +<p>"And I am certain it was Carlos that captured the professor. I heard the +fellow laugh—his wicked, triumphant laugh!"</p> + +<p>"I heardt dot meinseluf, Vrankie."</p> + +<p>"Carlos must be with the band."</p> + +<p>"Yah."</p> + +<p>"And Pacheco is carrying this matter out to suit my cousin."</p> + +<p>"Yah."</p> + +<p>"Hans, it is possible you had better remain behind."</p> + +<p>"Vot vos dot?" gurgled the Dutch lad, in blank amazement. "Vot for vos I +goin' to gone pehindt und stay, Vrankie?"</p> + +<p>"I see a trap in this—a plot to lead me into a snare and make me a +captive."</p> + +<p>"Vell, don'd I stood ub und took mein medicine mit you all der dimes? +Vot vos der maddetr mit me? Vos you lost your courage in me alretty +yet?"</p> + +<p>"Hans, I have no right to take you into such danger. Without doubt, a +snare will be spread for me, but I am going to depend on fate to help me +to avoid it."</p> + +<p>"Vell, I took some stock dot fate in meinseluf."</p> + +<p>"If I should take you along and you were killed——"</p> + +<p>"I took your chances on dot, mein poy. Vot vos I draveling aroundt mit +you vor anyhow you vant to know, ain'dt id?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are traveling for pleasure, and not to fight bandits."</p> + +<p>"Uf dot peen a bard der bleasure uf, you don'd haf some righdt to rob me +uf id. Vrank Merriwell, dit you efer know me to gone pack mit you on?"</p> + +<p>"No, Hans."</p> + +<p>"Dot seddles dot. You nefer vill. Shust count me indo dis racket. I am +going righdt along mit you, und don'd you rememper dot!"</p> + +<p>Frank laughed.</p> + +<p>"Hans," he said, "you are true blue. We will stick by each other till +the professor is saved from Pacheco and Carlos Merriwell."</p> + +<p>"Yah, we done dot."</p> + +<p>They clasped hands, and that point was settled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>THE CAMP IN THE DESERT.</h3> + + +<p>Without unnecessary delay, they took the train from Mendoza to +Zacatecas, which was a much larger place.</p> + +<p>In Zacatecas they set about the task of finding a reliable guide, which +was no easy matter, as they soon discovered.</p> + +<p>The Mexican half-bloods were a lazy, shiftless set, and the full-blooded +Spaniards did not seem to care about taking the trip across the desert.</p> + +<p>Till late that night Frank searched in vain for the man he wanted, and +he was finally forced to give up the task till another day.</p> + +<p>Such a delay made him very impatient, and he felt much like starting out +without a guide, depending on a compass, with which he believed he would +be able to make his way due west to Huejugilla el Alto.</p> + +<p>The landlord of the hotel at which they stopped that night was a +fine-appearing man, and Frank ventured to lay the matter before him.</p> + +<p>The landlord listened to the entire story, looking very grave, shook his +head warningly, and said:</p> + +<p>"Do not think of attempting to cross the desert alone, young señors. +Without a guide you might get lost and perish for water. By all means, +take a guide."</p> + +<p>"But how are we to obtain a trustworthy guide, sir?"</p> + +<p>"That is truly a problem, but I think I may be able to assist you in the +morning."</p> + +<p>"If you can, it will be a great favor."</p> + +<p>"Many thanks, young señor. I will see what can be done. If you would +take my advice, you would not go to Huejugilla el Alto."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"It is far from the railroad, and is situated in a very wild region. If +you were to go there and should never be heard of again, it would not be +easy for your friends to discover what had become of you. Pacheco +directed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> you to go there, and he means you no good. It is likely you +will walk into a trap that Pacheco has set for you."</p> + +<p>"I have considered that," said Frank, quietly; "and I have decided to +go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well," with a gesture expressive of regret. "I know it is +quite impossible to change the determination of you Americans. If you +have firmly decided to go, you will go, even though you knew all the +deadly dangers that may lie in wait for you."</p> + +<p>Being again assured that the landlord would do his best to obtain a +guide, Frank proposed to retire for the night.</p> + +<p>For all of the troubles that beset him, Frank was able to sleep soundly, +having trained himself to sleep under almost any circumstances. Hans +also slept and snored, to be awakened in the morning by Frank, who was +shaking him roughly.</p> + +<p>"Come, Hans, it is time we were stirring."</p> + +<p>"Vot vos dot?" cried the Dutch lad, in surprise. "We don'd peen asleep +more as fifteen minutes alretty yet."</p> + +<p>"It is morning."</p> + +<p>"I don'd toldt you so! Vell, dot peats der pand!"</p> + +<p>Hans got up and dressed with great reluctance, yawning, and declaring +over and over that the nights in Mexico were not more than fifteen or +twenty minutes in length.</p> + +<p>The landlord had prepared a special breakfast for them, and it proved +the best they had found since leaving "the States," so they ate heartily +and felt much better afterward.</p> + +<p>After breakfast the landlord himself informed them that he had been able +to obtain a guide.</p> + +<p>"He is the very person you want, young señors, for he knows the desert +and he knows the mountains. You may depend on him to lead you straight +across to Huejugilla el Alto."</p> + +<p>The guide was waiting for them, wrapped to his chin in a crimson poncho, +and smoking a cigarette. He was a dark-faced, somewhat sinister-looking +fellow, and he gave his name as Pedro.</p> + +<p>While Frank did not like the appearance of the man, he felt that it was +not policy to delay longer, and a bargain was soon made. Pedro not only +agreed to take them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> quickly across the desert, but he contracted to +furnish horses for them.</p> + +<p>The forenoon was not far advanced when they rode out of Zacatecas, and, +with the sun at their backs, headed toward the west.</p> + +<p>Before the day passed Pedro showed by many things that he was quite +familiar with the desert. He knew where shade and water were to be +found, and, at noonday, they rested long beside a spring, with the sun +beating on the wide waste of sand, over which the heat haze danced, and +where no cooling breath seemed astir.</p> + +<p>The heat affected Hans much more than it did Frank. The Dutch boy +suffered, but he made no complaint.</p> + +<p>With the sun well over into the western sky, they pushed onward again. +They did not halt as the grateful shadows of night lay on the desert, +but followed Pedro on and on.</p> + +<p>At last, far across the desert, they saw the twinkling of a light that +seemed like a fallen star.</p> + +<p>"It's a camp-fire," declared Pedro, in Spanish. "Who can be there?"</p> + +<p>"It may be bandits," suggested Frank, somewhat wary.</p> + +<p>"No," declared the guide, "bandits do not build fires on the open +plains. Bandits it cannot be."</p> + +<p>He did not hesitate to lead them straight toward the fire.</p> + +<p>Frank whispered to Hans:</p> + +<p>"Have your weapons ready. This may be the trap."</p> + +<p>As they approached the fire, they were able to make out the figures of +two or three horses, but no human being was to be seen, although a +coffeepot sat on some coals, fragrant steam rising from the nozzle.</p> + +<p>Pedro stopped, seeming somewhat uneasy for the first time.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Frank, with apprehension.</p> + +<p>"Yah, vot id vos?" asked Hans. "Vos der camp left all alone mit ids +lonesome?"</p> + +<p>"Not that, señors; but we have been heard, and the ones at the camp are +hiding and watching."</p> + +<p>"Vell, I like dot. Maype dey haf der trop on us alretty soon."</p> + +<p>"That is likely," said Frank.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> + +<p>Pedro called out something in Spanish, but there was no answer, save +that one of the horses lifted its head and neighed.</p> + +<p>Then Frank tried it in English:</p> + +<p>"Ho, the camp! Who is there, and where are you?"</p> + +<p>Almost instantly a man's voice replied:</p> + +<p>"I'm out hyar whar I kin take a peep at yer, as I heard yer comin'. +Didn't know but you wus Greasers, an' I ain't got no use fer ther onery +varmints. As yer kin talk United States, just move right up ter the fire +and join me at supper."</p> + +<p>There was a hearty freedom about the invitation that dispelled Frank's +fears immediately, and they rode forward into the firelight.</p> + +<p>As they did so, a man rose from where he had been stretched on the sand, +and came forward to meet them.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" shouted Frank, as the firelight fell on the man's face. +"It's Alwin Bushnell, Jack Burk's partner!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE TREASURE SEEKER.</h3> + + +<p>"Thet thar's my handle," acknowledged the man; "but I'm strapped ef I +understand how you 'uns happen ter know it!"</p> + +<p>He stared at the boys and the guide in blank amazement. Seeing Pedro's +face fairly, he gave a slight start, and then looked still more closely.</p> + +<p>"There's no doubt," palpitated Frank; "you are Alwin Bushnell?"</p> + +<p>"That's me," nodded the camper.</p> + +<p>"And you are alone?"</p> + +<p>"Certun sure."</p> + +<p>"Bound west?"</p> + +<p>"I reckon."</p> + +<p>"For the mountains and the Silver——"</p> + +<p>Frank caught himself, and stopped short, remembering Pedro, and knowing +the guide's ears and eyes were wide open to hear and see everything.</p> + +<p>Bushnell fell back a step, a look of still greater surprise coming to +his bronzed and bearded face.</p> + +<p>"W'at's thet thar you wus goin' ter say?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Wait," said Frank, "I will tell you later. It is better."</p> + +<p>Plainly, Alwin Bushnell was puzzled, and not a little amazed.</p> + +<p>"You know my handle, an' you seem ter know whatever way I'm trailin'. +This yere lays over me, as I acknowledges instanter."</p> + +<p>"That's not hard to explain."</p> + +<p>"Then I begs yer to explain it without delay."</p> + +<p>"Your partner told us of you."</p> + +<p>"Old Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"When, and whar?"</p> + +<p>"Two days ago, outside of Mendoza."</p> + +<p>"He wuz thar?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"But how did yer know me?"</p> + +<p>"We saw you."</p> + +<p>"When?"</p> + +<p>"When you were pursued across the plain by bandits."</p> + +<p>Bushnell slapped his thigh.</p> + +<p>"Thar!" he cried; "I remembers yer now! You wuz near a doby hut, an' yer +opened up on ther pizen skunks as wuz arter me."</p> + +<p>"That's right."</p> + +<p>"Wall, I'm much obliged, fer you socked ther lead ter them critters so +they switched off an' let me get away. You kin shoot, boy."</p> + +<p>"Some."</p> + +<p>"Some! Wa'al, that's right, you bet! Give us a wag of your fin! I'm +mortal glad ter clap peepers on yer, fer I never expected ter see yer +an' thank yer fer thet trick."</p> + +<p>Frank swung from the saddle, and surrendered his hand into the broad +"paw" of the rough and hearty Westerner, who gave it a crushing grip and +a rough shake, repeating:</p> + +<p>"I'm mortal glad ter see yer, thet's whatever! But I want ter know how +you happened to chip inter thet thar little game. You took a hand at +jest ther right time ter turn ther run of ther cards, an' I got out +without goin' broke."</p> + +<p>"I chipped in because I saw you were a white man, and you were hard +pressed by a villainous crew who must be bandits. I believe in white men +standing by white men."</p> + +<p>"Say, thet's a great motter, young man. 'White men stand by white men.' +As fer me, I don't like a Greaser none whatever."</p> + +<p>As he said this, Bushnell gave Pedro another searching look, and the +guide scowled at the ground in a sullen way.</p> + +<p>"Now," continued the Westerner, "w'at I wants ter know next is w'at yer +knows about Jack Burk. We had a place all agreed on ter meet w'en I +returned, but he wusn't thar, an' I hed ter go it alone. That's why I'm +yere alone."</p> + +<p>"It was not Burk's fault that he did not meet you."</p> + +<p>"Say you so? Then lay a straight trail fer me ter foller."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He was sick."</p> + +<p>"Is that whatever? Wa'al, derned ef I could seem ter cut his trail +anywhar I went, an' I made a great hustle fer it."</p> + +<p>"He was in the hut where you saw us."</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, dern my skin! Ef I'd knowed thet, I'd made a straight run fer +thet yere ranch, bet yer boots!"</p> + +<p>"He came to the door, and shouted to you."</p> + +<p>"You don't tell me thet! An' I didn't hear him! Wa'al, wa'al! Whar wuz +my ears? Whar is he now?"</p> + +<p>"Dead."</p> + +<p>Bushnell reeled.</p> + +<p>"Is he that?" he gasped, recovering. "An' I didn't get to see him! Say, +this clean upsets me, sure as shootin'!"</p> + +<p>The man seemed greatly affected.</p> + +<p>"Poor old Jack!" he muttered. "We've made many a tramp together, an' we +struck it rich at last, but he'll never git ther good of thet thar +strike."</p> + +<p>Then he seemed to remember that he was watched by several eyes, and he +straightened up, passing his hand over his face.</p> + +<p>"Jack shall hev a big monumint," he cried. "Tell me whar my old pard is +planted."</p> + +<p>"That is something I do not know, Mr. Bushnell."</p> + +<p>The man was astonished.</p> + +<p>"Don't know? Why, how's thet?"</p> + +<p>Frank told the entire story of Burk's death and mysterious +disappearance, to which Bushnell listened, with breathless interest. +When it was finished, the man cried:</p> + +<p>"Thet thar beats me! I don't understand it, none whatever."</p> + +<p>"No more do I," confessed Frank. "There is no doubt but Burk was dead, +and the corpse did not walk away of its own accord. It was my intention +to investigate the mystery, but later events prevented."</p> + +<p>Frank then explained about the kidnaping of Professor Scotch by the +bandits.</p> + +<p>While the boy was relating this, Bushnell was closely studying the +guide's face, as revealed by the firelight. Frank noted that a strange +look seemed to come into the eyes of the Westerner, and he appeared to +be holding himself in check.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>When this explanation was finished, Bushnell asked:</p> + +<p>"And you are on your way ter Huejugilla el Alto with ther hope of +rescuin' ther professor?"</p> + +<p>"We are," replied Frank.</p> + +<p>"You pet my life," nodded Hans.</p> + +<p>"This is the guide who was recommended to you in Zacatecas?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"You trust him fully?"</p> + +<p>"We are obliged to do so."</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, boys, ef this yere critter can't take yer straight ter Pacheco, +nobody kin."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Jest this!" cried Bushnell, explosively; "this yere Greaser galoot w'at +yer calls Pedro is nobody but Ferez!"</p> + +<p>"Who is Ferez?"</p> + +<p>"He's Pacheco's lieutenant!"</p> + +<p>Frank uttered a cry of amazement and anger, wheeling quickly on the +Mexican, his hand seeking the butt of a revolver.</p> + +<p>But the dark-faced rascal seemed ready for such an exposure, for, with a +yell of defiance, he dropped behind his horse, and the animal shot like +a rocket from the firelight into the shadows which lay thick on the +desert.</p> + +<p>Bushnell opened up with a brace of revolvers, sending a dozen bullets +whistling after the fellow, in less than as many seconds.</p> + +<p>At the first shot, Hans Dunnerwust fell off his horse, striking on his +back on the sand, where he lay, faintly gurgling:</p> + +<p>"Uf you don'd shood der odder vay, I vos a tead man!"</p> + +<p>"Don't let him escape with a whole skin!" shouted Frank, as he began to +work a revolver, although he was blinded by the flashes from Bushnell's +weapon so that he was forced to shoot by guess.</p> + +<p>Ferez seemed to bear a charmed life, for he fled straight on into the +night, sending back a mocking shout of laughter. From far out on the +waste, he cried:</p> + +<p>"Bah, Gringo dogs! You cannot harm me! I will see you again, +<i>Americanoes</i>. This is not the last."</p> + +<p>With an angry exclamation of disappointment and an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>ger, Bushnell flung +his empty revolvers on the sand at his feet.</p> + +<p>"Dern me fer a fool!" he roared. "Ef I'd done my shootin' first an' my +talkin' arterward, he wouldn't got away."</p> + +<p>But Ferez had escaped, and they could only make the best of it.</p> + +<p>When this was over and the excitement had subsided, they sat about the +fire and discussed the situation. Frank then showed the golden image +which Burk had given him, and explained how the dying man had told of +the Silver Palace.</p> + +<p>Bushnell listened quietly, a cloud on his face. At the conclusion of the +story, he rose to his feet, saying:</p> + +<p>"Ef Jack Burk made you his heir, thet goes, an' I ain't kickin' none +whatever. Old Jack didn't hev no relatives, so he hed a right to make +any galoot his heir. But thar's goin' ter be plenty of worry fer anybody +as tries ter reach ther Silver Palace. How'd you 'spect ter git 'crost +ther chasm?"</p> + +<p>"As yet, I have not taken that into consideration. The kidnaping of +Professor Scotch has banished thoughts of everything else from my mind."</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, ef Jack Burk made you his heir, you're entitled ter your half of +ther treasure, providin' you're ready ter stand your half of ther +expenses ef we fail ter git thar."</p> + +<p>"You may depend on me so far as that is concerned."</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, then, you see I hev three hawses. One is fer me ter ride, +another is ter kerry provisions, and ther third is ter tote ther +balloon."</p> + +<p>"The balloon!"</p> + +<p>"Thet's whatever. I hev another balloon with which ter cross thet thar +chasm. It's ther only way ter git over. In crossin' ther balloon will be +loaded with a ballast of sand; but when we come back, ther ballast will +be pure gold!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>THE PROFESSOR'S ESCAPE.</h3> + + +<p>They did not expect to reach Huejugilla el Alto without being molested +by bandits, for it was presumed that Pacheco's lieutenant would carry +the word to his chief, and the desperadoes would lose no time in moving +against them.</p> + +<p>Knowing their danger, they were exceedingly cautious, traveling much by +night, and keeping in concealment by day, and, to their surprise, the +bandits made no descent upon them.</p> + +<p>Huejugilla el Alto proved to be a wild and picturesque place. Being far +from the line of railroad, it had not even felt the touch of Northern +civilization, and the boys felt as if they had been transported back to +the seventeenth century.</p> + +<p>"Hyar, lads," said Bushnell, "yer will see a town thet's clean Greaser +all ther way through, an' it's ten ter one thar ain't nary galoot +besides ourselves in ther durned old place thet kin say a word of United +States."</p> + +<p>The Westerner could talk Spanish after a fashion, and that was about all +the natives of Huejugilla el Alto were able to do, with the exception of +the few whose blood was untainted, and who claimed to be aristocrats.</p> + +<p>However, for all of their strange dialect and his imperfect Spanish, +Bushnell succeeded in making himself understood, so they found lodgings +at a low, rambling adobe building, which served as a hotel. They paid in +advance for one day, and were well satisfied with the price, although +Bushnell declared it was at least double ordinary rates.</p> + +<p>"We ain't likely ter be long in town before Ferez locates us an' comes +arter his hawses. Ther derned bandits are bold enough 'long ther line of +ther railroad, but they lay 'way over thet out hyar. Wuss then all, ther +people of ther towns kinder stand in with ther pizen varmints."</p> + +<p>"Stand in with them—how?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, hide 'em when ther soldiers is arter 'em, an' don't bother 'em at +any other time."</p> + +<p>"I presume they are afraid of the bandits, which explains why they do +so."</p> + +<p>"Afeared? Wa'al, I'll allow as how they may be; but then thar's +something of ther bandit in ev'ry blamed Greaser I ever clapped peepers +on. They're onery, they are."</p> + +<p>Frank had noted that almost all Westerners who mingled much with the +people of Mexico held Spaniards and natives alike in contempt, calling +them all "Greasers." He could not understand this, for, as he had +observed, the people of the country were exceedingly polite and +chivalrous, treating strangers with the utmost courtesy, if courtesy +were given in return. Rudeness seemed to shock and wound them, causing +them to draw within themselves, as a turtle draws into its shell. +Indeed, so polite were the people that Frank came to believe that a +bandit who had decided to cut a man's throat and rob him would first beg +a man's pardon for such rudeness, and then proceed about the job with +the greatest skill, suavity, and gentleness.</p> + +<p>Having settled at the hotel, Bushnell ordered a square meal, and, when +it was served, they proceeded to satisfy the hunger which had grown upon +them with their journey across the desert.</p> + +<p>Bushnell also took care to look after the horses and equipments himself.</p> + +<p>"Ef Ferez calls fer his hawses, I don't want him ter git away with this +yar balloon an' gas generator," said the Westerner, as he saw the +articles mentioned were placed under lock and key. "Ef we should lose +them, it'd be all up with us so fur as gittin' ter ther Silver Palace is +concerned."</p> + +<p>Frank expected to hear something from Pacheco as soon as Huejugilla el +Alto was reached, but he found no message awaiting him.</p> + +<p>"Poor professor!" he said. "I expect he has suffered untold torments +since he was kidnaped."</p> + +<p>"Yah," nodded Hans. "Uf Brofessor Scotch don'd peen britty sick uf dis +vild life mit Mexico, you vos a liar."</p> + +<p>That night they were sitting outside the hotel when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> they heard a great +commotion at the southern end of the town.</p> + +<p>"Vot vos dot?" gasped the Dutch boy, in alarm. "Sounds like dere vos +drouple aroundt dot logality."</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed Frank, feeling for his revolvers; "and it is +coming this way as fast as it can."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe another revolution has broke out," observed Bushnell, lazily. +"Best git under kiver, an' let ther circus go by."</p> + +<p>They could hear the clatter of horses' hoofs, the cracking of pistols, +and a mingling of wild cries.</p> + +<p>All at once Frank Merriwell became somewhat excited.</p> + +<p>"On my life, I believe I hear the voice of Professor Scotch!" he +shouted.</p> + +<p>"Yah!" said Hans, "I belief I hear dot, too!"</p> + +<p>"They may be bringin' ther professor in," said Bushnell. "Ef he's thar, +we'll take an interest in ther case, you bet yer boots!"</p> + +<p>Into the hotel he dashed, and, in a moment, he returned with his +Winchester.</p> + +<p>Along the street came a horseman, clinging to the back of an unsaddled +animal, closely pursued by at least twenty wild riders, some of whom +were shooting at the legs of the fleeing horse, while one was whirling a +lasso to make a cast that must bring the animal to a sudden halt.</p> + +<p>"Ten to one, the fugitive is the professor!" shouted Frank, peering +through the dusk.</p> + +<p>"Then, I reckon we'll hev ter chip in right hyar an' now," said +Bushnell, calmly.</p> + +<p>He flung the Winchester to his shoulder, and a spout of fire streamed +from the muzzle in an instant.</p> + +<p>The fellow who was whirling the lasso flung up his arm and plunged +headlong from the horse's back to the dust of the street.</p> + +<p>"Professor! professor!" shouted Frank. "Stop—stop here!"</p> + +<p>"Can't do it," came back the reply. "The horse won't stop!"</p> + +<p>"Jump off—fall off—get off some way!"</p> + +<p>"All right! here goes!"</p> + +<p>In another moment Professor Scotch, for it really was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> that individual, +flung himself from the back of the animal he had ridden, struck the +ground, rolled over and over like a ball, and lay still within thirty +feet of Frank, groaning dolefully.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Al Bushnell was working his Winchester in a manner that +was simply amazing, for a steady stream of fire seemed to pour from the +muzzle of the weapon, and the cracking of the weapon echoed through the +streets of Huejugilla el Alto like the rattling fire from a line of +infantry.</p> + +<p>After that first shot Bushnell lowered the muzzle of his weapon, as, in +most cases at short range, his motto was to "shoot low," for he well +knew more lead could be wasted by shooting too high than in any other +manner.</p> + +<p>In about three seconds he had thrown the pursuing bandits into the +utmost confusion, for they had never before encountered such a reception +in Huejugilla el Alto, and it was the last thing they had expected. With +all possible haste, they reined about and took to flight, hearing the +bullets whistling about them, or feeling their horses leap madly at the +sting of lead or go plunging to the ground.</p> + +<p>The inhabitants of the town had fled into their houses before the rush +of the bandits, so there was little danger that any of Bushnell's +bullets would reach innocent persons.</p> + +<p>The confusion and rout of the bandits was brought about in a few +seconds, and Bushnell was heard to mutter:</p> + +<p>"One white man is good fer a hundred onery Greasers any time! Ther +derned skunks hain't got a blamed bit of sand!"</p> + +<p>Frank ran and lifted the fallen professor, flinging the man across his +shoulder, and carrying him into the hotel.</p> + +<p>Hans followed with frantic haste, and Bushnell came sauntering lazily in +after the bandits had been routed and driven back.</p> + +<p>"Are you badly hurt, professor?" asked Frank, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I'm killed!" groaned Scotch, dolefully. "I'm shot full of holes, and +every bone in my body is broken! Farewell,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> my boy! We'll meet in a +better land, where there are no bandits to molest or make afraid."</p> + +<p>"Where are you shot?"</p> + +<p>"Everywhere—all over! You can't touch me where I'm not shot! They fired +more than four hundred bullets through me! I am so full of holes that I +wonder you can see me at all!"</p> + +<p>Bushnell made a hasty examination of the professor, who lay on the +floor, groaning faintly, his eyes closed.</p> + +<p>"Look hyar, pard," said the Westerner, roughly, "ef you want ter pass in +yer chips ye'll hev ter stand up an' let me put a few more holes in yer. +I can't find a place whar you're touched by a bullet an' I'm blowed ef I +'low you broke a bone when ye tumbled from ther hawse."</p> + +<p>The professor sat up with a sudden snap.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" he cried. "I'm not shot? I'm not all broke up? Is it +possible? Can I believe you?"</p> + +<p>"Yah," nodded Hans, gravely; "I can belief me. You vas all righdt +brofessor, und dot is sdraight."</p> + +<p>"Wow!" shouted Scotch, bounding to his feet like a rubber ball. "That's +what I call great luck! Why, I thought I must be killed sure! I don't +know how I escaped all those bullets. And then the fall! Providence must +have been with me."</p> + +<p>"Vell, I don'd know apoudt dot pefore you come der town in," said Hans; +"but you vos alone mit yourself when we saw you, brofessor."</p> + +<p>The landlord of the hotel came bustling up in a perfect tumult of +terror, wringing his hands and almost weeping.</p> + +<p>"Oh, señors!" he cried, in Spanish, "what have you done? You have ruined +me! You stopped at my house, and you shoot the ladrones. Ah, señors, you +know not what that means to me. Pacheco will come down on me—he will +raid my house; I am a ruined man, and you are responsible for it. You +must leave my house without delay! If you remain here, the whole town +will rise against me! All the people will know this must make Pacheco +very angry, and they will know he must take revenge on the place. They +will be angry with me because I allow it. Carramba! How could I help it? +I could do nothing. It came, and it was all over before I know what was +doing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> Señors, you must have pity on me—you must leave my house +immeditely."</p> + +<p>Bushnell caught enough of this to translate it to the others.</p> + +<p>"Ther best thing we kin do is ter git out instanter," he said. "Ef we +wait, ther outlaws will watch every road out of ther town, an' we'll hev +trouble in gittin' away."</p> + +<p>"Then let's get away immediately," fluttered the professor. "If I fall +into their hands again, I'm a dead man!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we will get out immediately," decided Frank; "but we'll do it as +secretly and silently as possible."</p> + +<p>Bushnell nodded his satisfaction, and, thirty minutes later, the party +was ready to move. They left the hotel by a back way, and, guided by the +landlord, made their way along dark and narrow streets, creeping +cautiously through the town till the outskirts were reached.</p> + +<p>There Frank gave the landlord some money, and, after calling down +blessings on their heads, he quickly slipped away and disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll hustle right along," said the Westerner. "We'll put a good +long stretch between ourselves an' Huejugilla el Alto before mornin'. +We're off, bound straight inter ther mountains——"</p> + +<p>"And straight for the Silver Palace," added Frank.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>THE STRANGER.</h3> + + +<p>They were fortunate in getting away without being seen by any of the +bandits, and at dawn they were well up into the mountains, where +Bushnell found a secluded place for them to camp and rest, as rest was +something of which they all sorely stood in need.</p> + +<p>Bushnell prepared breakfast, and Frank insisted that Professor Scotch +should explain how he escaped from Pacheco's gang.</p> + +<p>"Don't ask me," sighed the little man, fondling his red whiskers. "I +can't explain it—really I can't."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, I don't know how I happened to do it. They forced me to +write that letter against my will, two of them standing over me with +drawn daggers while I was writing, and prodding me a bit whenever I +refused to put down the words Pacheco ordered written."</p> + +<p>"Then Pacheco speaks English?"</p> + +<p>"As well as I do<span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, question mark changed to period">.</span>"</p> + +<p>"What does he look like?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"He kept his face concealed with his serape quite up to his eyes."</p> + +<p>"Thar's a mystery about Pacheco," broke in Bushnell. "No one seems ter +know jest what ther varmint looks like."</p> + +<p>"Go on, professor," urged Frank; "tell us just how you escaped."</p> + +<p>"I tell you I do not know myself. All I know is that they tied me to a +horse, and brought me across a plain of burning sand, where I nearly +perished for want of water, and was nearly sawed in two by the backbone +of the horse I rode. I believed it was a case of gone goose with me. At +last they camped in a wild spot, and I was so badly used up that I could +scarcely eat or do anything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> but lay around and groan. They seemed to +think there was no need of watching me very closely, and I noticed that +I was alone sometimes. Then, feeling utterly reckless, I began to watch +for a chance to sneak away. I didn't care if I were shot, or if I +escaped and perished from hunger and thirst. I was bound to make the +attempt. Last night I made it. A saddleless horse strayed along where I +was, and I made a jump for the animal. Before they knew what I was +doing, I was on the beast's back and yelling into its ears like a +maniac. The horse scooted out of the camp, and I clung on. The bandits +pursued me, and everything else is a haze till I heard Frank calling for +me to jump off. I recognized his voice and fell off the horse, although +I had not the least idea in the world where I was."</p> + +<p>"Wa'al," chuckled Bushnell, "thet's w'at I call dead fool luck, beggin' +yer pardon fer speakin' so open like, at which I means no harm +whatever."</p> + +<p>"Oh, ye needn't beg my pardon," quickly said Professor Scotch. "I don't +want any credit for getting away. It wasn't a case of brains at all."</p> + +<p>Breakfast was prepared, and they ate heartily, after which Frank, Hans, +and the professor lay down to sleep, while Bushnell smoked a black pipe.</p> + +<p>But even Bushnell was not made of iron, and the pipe soothed him to +slumber, so the entire party slept, with no one to guard.</p> + +<p>All at once, some hours later, they were awakened by an exclamation from +Frank, who sat up and stared at the form of a stranger, the latter being +quietly squatting in their midst, calmly puffing at a cigarette, while +his poncho was wrapped about him to his hips.</p> + +<p>Frank's exclamation awakened Bushnell like an electric shock, and, even +as his eyes opened, his hand shot out, the fingers grasping the butt of +a revolver that was pointed straight at the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Stiddy, thar!" called the Westerner. "I hev ther drop on yer, an' I'll +sock yer full of lead ef yer wiggle a toenail! You hear me chirp!"</p> + +<p>The stranger continued smoking, his coal-black eyes being the only part +of him to move, for all of the threatening revolver.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> + +<p>Hans sat up, gasping:</p> + +<p>"Shimminy Gristmas! Der pandits haf caught us alretty soon!"</p> + +<p>At this Professor Scotch gave a groan of dismay, faintly gurgling:</p> + +<p>"Then I'm a goner!"</p> + +<p>That the stranger was a half-blood could be seen at a glance.</p> + +<p>"Drap thet cigaroot, an' give an account of yerself instanter right +off!" ordered Bushnell, threateningly. "Who in blazes be yer?"</p> + +<p>The cigarette fell from the man's lips, and he answered:</p> + +<p>"I am Rodeo."</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, who is Rodeo?"</p> + +<p>"The brother of Pacheco."</p> + +<p>"Don't I toldt you dot!" panted the Dutch boy.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch groaned again, and rolled a little farther from the +half-blood, but still made no effort to sit up.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, dern your skin!" cried Bushnell. "You've got a nerve to come +hyar! I s'pose Pacheco an' his gang of onery varmints is within whoopin' +distance?"</p> + +<p>"I am alone; there is no one within call."</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, w'at be yer hyar fer, thet's what I wants ter know?"</p> + +<p>"I found you asleep, and I came to warn you."</p> + +<p>"Of what?"</p> + +<p>"Danger. The ladrones are on your trail already. Before the sun sinks +behind the mountains they will be here. If you are not gone, you must +all fall into their hands."</p> + +<p>Bushnell looked doubtful and suspicious, while a puzzled expression came +into his bronzed face.</p> + +<p>"Look hyar," he said; "you're up ter some game, an' I'm derned ef I know +what she am, but yer wants ter understand yer can't monkey with this old +coon none whatever. I hold the drop on yer, Old Socks, an' I may take a +fancy ter bore yer once jest fer fun, so ye'd best talk straight an' +squar', an' be lively about it."</p> + +<p>"Yah," nodded Hans, threateningly, "you petter peen in a plamed pig +hurry apoudt dot talking pusiness."</p> + +<p>"What do you wish me to say, señors?"</p> + +<p>"Explain why you're hyar ter warn us."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Because I'm the brother of Pacheco."</p> + +<p>"Thet don't go down with this old coon. Pacheco is ther leader of ther +bandits."</p> + +<p>"He was the leader of the bandits."</p> + +<p>"Was the leader?"</p> + +<p>"Si, señor."</p> + +<p>"An' ain't he now?"</p> + +<p>"No, señor."</p> + +<p>"How long since?"</p> + +<p>"At least one month."</p> + +<p>"Oh, say, thet thar won't do—I tells yer it won't, fer we know er +blamed sight better! Rodeo, lying is dangerous with me 'round."</p> + +<p>"Señor, I do not lie; I tell you the truth. One month ago Pacheco was +the leader of the band; now he is dead, and another is in his place. +This other killed him in a battle, and by that he won the right to be +leader of the band. He has taken my brother's name, and he calls himself +Pacheco. Señors, I swear to you I speak the truth—I swear by all the +saints! My brother is dead, and there is an impostor in his place."</p> + +<p>Frank was impressed, and his hand fell on Bushnell's arm.</p> + +<p>"I believe the fellow really speaks the truth," he said. "He seems +sincere, and his eyes are square and steady."</p> + +<p>"Yer can't tell about ther skunks," muttered the Westerner; "but still +this one does seem ter be layin' a straight trail."</p> + +<p>"I have taken my oath," continued the half-blood, a red light in his +dark eyes—"I have sworn to kill the murderer of my brother, and I will +keep the oath. That's why I am here. I have been watching the band for +two weeks; I know every move they will make. I know when you leave +Huejugilla el Alto, and I know they will follow. I make sure of that, +and then, with my heart full of joy, I ride fast in advance. At last—at +last they go to my country in the mountains! My people are there—my +other brothers, my cousins, my relatives. They will all stand by me, and +they will be ready to avenge Pacheco. The wrath of my people shall fall +on the head of the impostor! You wonder why I warn you? I will explain. +You are bound far in the mountains, and the false Pacheco will follow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +If you are captured, he may turn back. I want him to follow you—I want +you to lead him into the snare. That is why I am here, and that is why I +have warned you, señors. It is done, and now I will go."</p> + +<p>He arose to his feet, heedless of Bushnell's command to "keep still," +and strode toward the horses. They saw an extra animal was there, and, +in a moment, he had flung himself on the creature's back.</p> + +<p>"<i>Buenos dias, señores.</i>"</p> + +<p>A clatter of hoofs, the flutter of a poncho, and a crimson serape, and +Rodeo's horse was galloping up the ravine that still led deeper into the +mountains. Man and horse soon vanished from view.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>THE AWAKENING VOLCANO.</h3> + + +<p>Two days later, shortly after sunset, the party camped far in the depths +of the Sierra Madre Mountains.</p> + +<p>The words of Rodeo, the half-blood, had proved true, for they were +pursued by the bandits, but, thanks to the skill of Bushnell, they had +been able to give the desperadoes the slip.</p> + +<p>"By ther end of another day we oughter be able ter clap our peepers on +ther Silver Palace," declared the Westerner.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch was now as eager as any of them to see the wonderful +palace, all his doubts having been dispelled by Bushnell's +straightforward narrative of the discovery of the place by himself and +Jack Burk.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what causes that column of smoke we saw rising amid the +mountains to the westward to-day?" said Frank.</p> + +<p>Bushnell shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Thet thar has troubled me some," he admitted. "It seems ter be fair an' +squar' in ther direction of ther Silver Palace."</p> + +<p>"Maype dose pandits peen aheadt uf us und purn der balace up," suggested +Hans, with an air of very great wisdom.</p> + +<p>"I scarcely think they would be able to burn a building made of stone, +gold, and silver," smiled Frank.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, not much," said Bushnell. "Ther palace will be thar when we +arrive. You needn't worry about thet."</p> + +<p>They were very tired, and, feeling secure in the depths of a narrow +ravine, they soon slept, with the exception of Frank, who had the first +watch.</p> + +<p>The moon came up over the mountain peaks, which stood out plainly in the +clear light, every gorge and fissure being cut black as ink, and showing +with wonderful distinctness.</p> + +<p>The shadow was deep in the narrow ravine, and Frank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> sat with his back +to a wall of rock, looking upward, when he was startled to see a figure +rise in the bright moonlight.</p> + +<p>On the brink of the ravine above stood a man who seemed to be peering +down at them.</p> + +<p>"Awaken!" cried this man, in a loud voice. "You are in great danger!"</p> + +<p>The cry aroused every sleeper, and Bushnell started up with his +Winchester clutched ready for use.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Frank clutched his arm, gasping:</p> + +<p>"Merciful goodness! look there—look at that man's face! Can the dead +return to life?"</p> + +<p>He pointed at the man on the brink of the ravine above them. The light +of the moon fell fairly on the face of this man, which was plainly +revealed to every one of the startled and thunderstruck party.</p> + +<p>"Move lively, down there!" cried the man, with a warning gesture.</p> + +<p>"There have been spies upon you, and Pacheco knows where you have +stopped for the night."</p> + +<p>Bushnell dropped his rifle, clutching at the neck of his shirt, and +gasping for breath.</p> + +<p>"By ther livin' gods!" he shouted, "it's my pard, Jack Burk, or it's his +spook!"</p> + +<p>"Id vas a sbook!" gurgled Hans Dunnerwust, quivering with fear. "Id vos +der sbook uf der man vot we seen deat as a toornail!"</p> + +<p>In truth, the man on the brink of the ravine looked like Jack Burk, who +had been declared dead in the adobe hut near Mendoza.</p> + +<p>"It is a resemblance—it must be a resemblance!" muttered Frank.</p> + +<p>Once more the man above uttered a warning:</p> + +<p>"You were trailed by a spy," he declared. "The spy saw you camp here, +and he has gone to bring Pacheco and the bandits. They will be here +soon. If you escape, you must move without further delay."</p> + +<p>"It not only looks like my pard," said Bushnell, hoarsely, "but it has +ther voice of my pard! Ef Jack Burk is dead, thet shore is his spook!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> + +<p>And then, as suddenly as he had appeared, the man above vanished from +view.</p> + +<p>"Gone!" gasped Professor Scotch, wiping the cold perspiration from his +face. "I never took stock in ghosts before, but now——"</p> + +<p>"Remember his warning," cut in Frank. "We had better heed it."</p> + +<p>"Dot vos righd," nodded Hans.</p> + +<p>"Yes, thet's right," agreed Bushnell. "We'll git out of hyar in a +howlin' hurry. Ef Jack Burk is dead, then thet wuz his spook come to +warn his old pard."</p> + +<p>There was saddling and packing in hot haste, and the little party was +soon moving along the ravine.</p> + +<p>For at least thirty minutes they hastened onward, and then the Westerner +found a place where the horses could climb the sloping wall of the +ravine and get out of the gorge. It was no easy task to make the animals +struggle to the top, but Bushnell succeeded in forcing them all up. When +the party was out of the ravine every one breathed with greater freedom.</p> + +<p>"There," said Frank, "I do not feel as if we might be caught like rats +in a trap."</p> + +<p>Frank was the last to move from the ravine, and, just as he was about to +do so, he seemed to catch a glimpse of something moving silently in the +darkness.</p> + +<p>"Hist!" came the warning from his lips. "Come here, Bushnell—professor, +Hans, stay with the horses. Be cautious, and come lively."</p> + +<p>He flung himself on his face in the shadow of a great bowlder, and +peered down into the darkness below.</p> + +<p>The Westerner and the professor came creeping to his side.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Bushnell.</p> + +<p>"Look," directed Frank. "What do you make of it?"</p> + +<p>Peering down into the dark depths of the gorge, they saw black figures +flitting silently past, men and horses, as they were able to make out.</p> + +<p>"Horsemen!" breathed the professor. "They must be the bandits!"</p> + +<p>"But look!" came cautiously from Frank's lips; "they are riding swiftly, +yet the feet of their horses make no sound!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's right!" gasped Scotch. "Great Jupiter! can they be more ghosts?"</p> + +<p>"Mysteries are crowding each other," said Frank.</p> + +<p>Bushnell was silent, but he was watching and listening.</p> + +<p>Like a band of black phantoms, the silent horsemen rode along the ravine +and disappeared. Frank could hear the professor's teeth chattering as if +the man had a chill.</p> + +<p>"This bub-bub-beats my tut-tut-tut-time!" confessed Scotch. "I rather +think we'd better turn back and let the Silver Palace alone."</p> + +<p>"Rot!" growled Bushnell. "Them varmints wuz Pacheco's gang, an' they hed +the feet of their critters muffled, thet's all. Don't git leery fer +thet. All ther same, ef Jack Burk or his spook hedn't warned us, them +onery skunks w'u'd hed us in a consarned bad trap."</p> + +<p>This was the truth, as they all knew, and they were decidedly thankful +to the mysterious individual who had warned them.</p> + +<p>Bushnell now resorted to the trick of "covering the trail," in order to +do which it was necessary to muffle the feet of their horses and lead +them over the rocky ground, where their bandaged hoofs could make no +mark. At length he came to a stream, and he led the way into the water, +following the course of the stream, and having the others trail along in +single file directly behind him.</p> + +<p>When they halted again Bushnell assured them that there was little +danger that the bandits would be able to follow them closely, and they +rested without molestation till morning.</p> + +<p>At daybreak the Westerner was astir, being alive with eagerness and +impatience, as he repeatedly declared they would behold the wonderful +Silver Palace before another sunset.</p> + +<p>Eating a hasty breakfast, they pushed forward, with the Westerner in the +lead.</p> + +<p>Once more the tower of smoke, which they had noted the day before, was +before them, but now it seemed blacker and more ominous than on the +previous day.</p> + +<p>It was not far from midday when, away to the westward, they heard +rumbling sounds, like distant thunder.</p> + +<p>"Vot id vas, ain'd id?" asked Hans, in alarm. "I don'd seen no dunder +shower coming up somevere, do I?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It did not seem like thunder," said Frank, soberly. "It was more like a +rumbling beneath the ground, and I fancied the earth quivered a bit."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is an earthquake," put in the professor, apprehensively. "I +believe they have such convulsions of nature in this part of the world."</p> + +<p>Bushnell said nothing, but there was a troubled look on his face, and he +urged them all forward at a still swifter pace.</p> + +<p>The smoke tower was now looming near at hand, and they could see it +shift and sway, grow thin, and roll up in a dense, black mass. It cast a +gloom over their spirits, and made them all feel as if some frightful +disaster was impending.</p> + +<p>Again and again, at irregular intervals, they heard the sullen rumbling, +and once all were positive the earth shook.</p> + +<p>It was noticed that directly after each rumbling the smoke rolled up in +a thick, black mass that shut out the light of the sun and overcast the +heavens.</p> + +<p>The professor was for turning back, but Bushnell was determined to go +forward, and Frank was equally resolute. Hans had very little to say, +but his nerves were badly shaken.</p> + +<p>"In less than an hour we shall be able to see the Silver Palace," +assured Bushnell. "We would be fools to turn back now."</p> + +<p>So they went on, and, at last, they climbed to the top of a rise, from +which point the Westerner assured them that the palace could be seen.</p> + +<p>An awe-inspiring spectacle met their gaze. They looked across a great +gulf, from which the smoke was rolling upward in clouds, and out of +which came the sullen mutterings they had heard.</p> + +<p>"Merciful goodness!" cried Professor Scotch. "It must be the crater of a +volcano!"</p> + +<p>"Yah!" gasped Hans; "und der volcano vos doin' pusiness at der oldt +standt alretty yet."</p> + +<p>"The volcano may have been dormant for centuries," said the professor, +"but it is coming to life now!"</p> + +<p>"Where is the Silver Palace?" demanded Frank.</p> + +<p>Bushnell clutched the boy's arm with a grip of iron,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> pointing straight +through the smoke clouds that rose before them.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he shouted, hoarsely; "it is thar! See—the smoke grows thinner, +an' thar she am! See her glitter! In thet thar palace is stored enough +treasure ter make us richer then ther richest men in ther world, an' ten +thousand volcanoes ain't goin' ter keep me from it, you bet yer boots!"</p> + +<p>True enough, through the parted smoke clouds gleamed the towers and +turrets of the wonderful palace that had remained hidden in the heart of +the mountains hundreds of years, jealously guarded by the fierce +natives, who believed it sacred, and who had kept the secret well from +the outside world.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>DOOM OF THE SILVER PALACE.</h3> + + +<p>Bushnell leaped from his horse and began tearing the packs from the +backs of the led animals. He worked with mad haste, and there was an +awesome, insane glare in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"The man is crazy!" roared Professor Scotch. "The volcano is certain to +break forth before long—it must be on the verge of breaking forth now. +If we remain here we are doomed!"</p> + +<p>"Oxcuse me!" fluttered Hans. "I vos retty to gone righd avay queek."</p> + +<p>The professor turned to Frank with his appeal:</p> + +<p>"Come, boy, let's get away before destruction comes upon us. We must not +remain here."</p> + +<p>Frank sprang down from his snorting horse, flung the rein to Hans, and +leaped to Bushnell's side.</p> + +<p>"You are mad to think of remaining here!" he said, swiftly. "Come away, +and we will return when the volcano is at peace."</p> + +<p>"No!" thundered the treasure-seeker, "I will not go! The Silver Palace +is there, and I mean to have my share of the treasure. Go if you are +afraid, but here I stay till the balloon is inflated, and I can cross +the chasm. The wind is right for it, and nothing shall stop me!"</p> + +<p>He picketed the horses, and began ripping open the packs.</p> + +<p>Frank turned to Professor Scotch, saying, quietly:</p> + +<p>"Bushnell will not go, and I shall stay with him. At the same time, I +advise you to go. Take Hans with you, and get away from here. Leave a +plain trail, and Bushnell will be able to follow it, if we succeed in +reaching the palace and returning alive."</p> + +<p>The professor entreated Frank to change his mind, but the lad was +determined, and nothing could alter that determination.</p> + +<p>At last Scotch gave up in despair, groaning:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you stay, I stay. I am your guardian, but you seem to have things +all your own way. If this volcano cooks us all, you will be to blame for +it."</p> + +<p>Frank said no word, but went about the task of assisting Bushnell in the +work of inflating the balloon.</p> + +<p>The Westerner had a "gas generator," which he was getting in order. As +soon as this was ready, the balloon was unrolled, spread out, drawn up +by means of poles and lines, and then secured to the ground by one stout +rope, which was hitched about the base of a great bowlder.</p> + +<p>Then Bushnell built a fire and set the "gas generator" at work.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the volcano had continued to mutter. At intervals the +clouds of smoke parted, and they saw the wonderful Silver Palace +standing on a plateau beyond the chasm.</p> + +<p>The palace seemed to cast a spell over them all, and they felt the fever +of the gold-hunter beginning to burn in their throbbing veins.</p> + +<p>It was more than an hour after their arrival that the balloon began to +fill with gas and Frank uttered a cheer as he saw the silk bulging like +a bladder that is inflated with wind.</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!" laughed Bushnell, wildly. "In a few minutes we'll go sailin' +over ther gulf, right through ther smoke, ter ther Silver Palace. Ha, +ha, ha!"</p> + +<p>The man's face was flushed till it was nearly purple, and his eyes were +bloodshot. The fever had fastened itself firmly upon him.</p> + +<p>More and more did the balloon expand. Bushnell had brought out a folding +car, which he securely attached.</p> + +<p>"In ten minutes more we'll be ready for the trip!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>At that instant a series of wild cries reached their ears, and, turning +swiftly, they saw a band of dark-faced men pouring through a fissure in +the rocks to the north of them.</p> + +<p>"Shimminy Gristmas!" cried Hans Dunnerwust, in terror. "Dot seddles us!"</p> + +<p>"Who is it? Who are they?" fluttered the professor.</p> + +<p>"They look like bandits," acknowledged Frank.</p> + +<p>"It is Pacheco's band!" cried Bushnell, hastily securing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> his rifle. +"Ther pizen varmints hev come ten minutes too soon! Ther balloon would +take us all over in another ten minutes, but now it won't carry more +than two. We must hold ther skunks off till she fills."</p> + +<p>"Right!" shouted Frank Merriwell. "And we must be ready to go the +instant she does fill. We can't hold 'em back long, for we have no +shelter here. Professor, Hans, into that car! Get in, I say, and be +ready! We'll try to stand the whelps off till the balloon is inflated, +but we must be ready to start at any instant."</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch and Hans were hastily bundled into the car.</p> + +<p>The bandits hesitated long enough to gather and prepare for the charge, +with their chief in the lead. It was plain they saw the treasure-seekers +had no shelter, and they meant to close in without delay.</p> + +<p>"Reddy for 'em, Frank!" called Bushnell, dropping on one knee, his +Winchester in his hands. "They're comin' right soon!"</p> + +<p>This was true. With mad cries and a fusillade of shots, the bandits +charged.</p> + +<p>Bushnell opened fire, and Frank followed his example. Several of the +bandits were seen to fall, but still the others came on.</p> + +<p>"Lead won't stop 'em!" snarled the Westerner. "It'll be hand ter hand in +a jiffy."</p> + +<p>"And that means——"</p> + +<p>"We'll get wiped out."</p> + +<p>"The balloon——"</p> + +<p>"Won't carry more'n two—possibly three. In with ye, boy! You may +escape! It don't make any diffrunce 'bout an old coon like me."</p> + +<p>"Not much will I get in and leave you!" cried Frank. "We are partners in +this expedition, and partners we'll stay to the end!"</p> + +<p>"But ther others—ther professor an' ther Dutch boy! They might escape +if——"</p> + +<p>"They shall escape!"</p> + +<p>Out flashed a knife in Frank Merriwell's hand, and, with one sweeping +slash, he severed the strong rope that held the tugging, tossing balloon +to the earth. Away shot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> the balloon, a cry of amazement and horror +breaking from the lips of the professor and Hans.</p> + +<p>"Mein gootness!" gasped the Dutch boy. "Vot vos happened?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you," groaned the professor. "The balloon could not carry all +four of us, and Frank Merriwell, like the noble, generous, hot-headed, +foolish boy he is, refused to leave Bushnell. At the same time he would +not doom us, and he cut the rope, setting the balloon free. He has +remained behind to die at Bushnell's side."</p> + +<p>"Led me git oudt!" sobbed Hans. "I vant to go pack und die mit him!"</p> + +<p>"It was too late now. Look—see there! We are directly over the Silver +Palace! What a beautiful——"</p> + +<p>The professor's words were interrupted by a frightful rumbling roar that +came up from the gulf surrounding the plateau on which the palace stood. +All the way around that gulf a sheet of flame seemed to leap upward +through smoke, and then, paralyzed, helpless, hypnotized by the +spectacle, they saw the plateau and the palace sink and disappear into +the blackness of a great void. Then, like a black funeral pall, the +smoke rolled up about them and shut off their view.</p> + +<p>But they knew that never again would the eyes of any human being behold +the marvelous Silver Palace of the Sierra Madre Mountains.</p> + +<p>When the balloon had ascended higher another current of air was +encountered, and the course changed. Away they floated over the mountain +peaks and out beyond the great range.</p> + +<p>At last they came down, made a safe landing, and, to their satisfaction, +found themselves within a mile of Huejugilla el Alto.</p> + +<p>They had escaped the most frightful perils, but Professor Scotch's heart +lay like lead in his bosom, and Hans Dunnerwust was not to be comforted, +for they had left Frank Merriwell to his doom.</p> + +<p>In Huejugilla el Alto they remained four days, neither of them seeming +to have energy enough to do anything.</p> + +<p>And, on the fourth day, Frank, Al Bushnell, and two others rode into +town and stopped at the hotel.</p> + +<p>Picture the meeting between Frank and his friends!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> Hans shed nearly a +bucketful of joyful tears, and Professor Scotch actually swooned from +sheer amazement and delight. When the professor recovered, he clung to +Frank's hands, saying:</p> + +<p>"This is the happiest moment of my life—if I am not dreaming! Frank, my +dear boy, I never expected to see you again. How did you escape?"</p> + +<p>"The eruption of the volcano broke the bandits up," explained Frank; +"and, by the time they had recovered and were ready to come at us again, +a band of natives, headed by Rodeo, Pacheco's brother, came down on +them. A terrible battle ensued. The bandits were defeated, many of them +slain, among the latter being the false Pacheco. And whom do you fancy +the impostor proved to <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'me' changed to 'be'">be</span>, professor?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't the least idea."</p> + +<p>"He was my villainous cousin, Carlos Merriwell."</p> + +<p>"And he is dead?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"That is a good thing. He will not trouble you any more."</p> + +<p>"No, I shall never be troubled by him again. With Rodeo and the natives +was Jack Burk——"</p> + +<p>"Jack Burk! The man is dead!"</p> + +<p>"Not quite, professor," declared a familiar voice, and Burk himself +stepped forward. "I am still quite lively for a dead man."</p> + +<p>"But—I saw you dead!" declared the astounded professor.</p> + +<p>"You saw me nearly dead, but not quite. You remember I told you of a +native who had found me in the hut, and how he had said it was not a +fever that ailed me, but was a trouble brought on by drinking the water +of the spring near the hut?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember."</p> + +<p>"And I told you the native hastily left me—left me to die alone, as I +supposed."</p> + +<p>"I remember that."</p> + +<p>"He did not leave me to die, but went for an antidote. While you were +away he returned and administered some of the antidote for the poison, +bringing me around, although but a feeble spark of life fluttered in my +bosom.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> Then he took me on his shoulders, and carried me from the hut to +another place of shelter, where he brought me back to my full strength +in a remarkably brief space of time."</p> + +<p>"I understand why we did not find you," said the professor.</p> + +<p>"We followed the bandits," Jack Burk continued. "This native was <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'Rodero' changed to 'Rodeo'">Rodeo</span>, +the brother of the true Pacheco, and he is here."</p> + +<p>Rodeo stepped forward, bowing with the politeness of a Spanish don.</p> + +<p>"Rodeo made me swear to aid him in hunting down the murderer of his +brother. That was the pay he asked for saving my life. I gave the oath, +and it was his whim that I should not reveal myself to you till the +right time came. But when I saw the spy tracking you, saw him locate +you, and saw him hasten to tell the bandits, I was forced to appear and +give a warning."</p> + +<p>"We took you for a ghost."</p> + +<p>"I thought it possible you might, and I fancied that might cause you to +give all the more heed to the warning."</p> + +<p>"Well, of all remarkable things that ever happened in my life, these +events of the past few days take the lead," declared Scotch. "However, I +have come through all dangers in safety, and I am happy, for Frank is +alive and well."</p> + +<p>"But the Silver Palace is gone, with all its marvelous treasure," said +Frank.</p> + +<p>"Thet's right, boy," nodded Bushnell, gloomily. "Ther palace has sunk +inter ther earth, an' nary galoot ever gits ther benefit of all ther +treasure it contained."</p> + +<p>"Don't take it so hard, partner," said Jack Burk. "Mexico is the land of +treasures, and we may strike something else before we cross the Death +Divide."</p> + +<p>"Vell," sighed Hans Dunnerwust, "you beoples can hunt for dreasure all +you don'd vant to; but I haf enough uf dis pusiness alretty soon. I +nefer vos puilt for so much oxcitemend, und I vos goin' to took der next +drain for home as soon as I can ged to him. Uf I don'd done dot I vos +afrait mein mutter vill nefer seen her leedle Hansie some more."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I fancy I have had quite enough of Mexico for the present," smiled +Frank. "The United States will do me a while longer, and so, if you are +going home, Hans, Professor Scotch and myself will accompany you till we +strike Uncle Sam's domain, at least."</p> + +<p>A few days later, bidding their friends adieu, they left Mexico, taking +their way northward to New Orleans, where new adventures awaited them, +as the chapters to follow will prove.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>A STAMPEDE IN A CITY.</h3> + + +<p>It was the day before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and the "Queen City of +the South" was in her gayest attire, being thronged with visitors from +the North and from almost every part of the world.</p> + +<p>It was Monday, when Rex, king of the carnival, comes to town and takes +possession of the city.</p> + +<p>Early in the forenoon the river front in the vicinity of Canal Street +was thronged with people seeking advantageous positions from which to +witness the king's landing.</p> + +<p>It was a jovial, good-natured gathering, such as is never seen in any +other city. Every one seemed to have imbibed the spirit of the occasion, +and there was no friction or unpleasantness. Every one was exceedingly +polite and courteous, and all seemed to feel it a duty to make the +occasion as pleasant for other folks as possible.</p> + +<p>The shipping along the river was decorated, and flags flew everywhere. +The sun never shone more brightly and New Orleans never presented more +subtle allurements.</p> + +<p>Seated in a private carriage that had stopped at a particularly +favorable spot were Professor Scotch and Frank, who had arrived a few +days before.</p> + +<p>"Professor," said Frank, who was almost bursting with pent-up enthusiasm +and youthful energy, "this makes a fellow feel that it is good to be +living. In all the places we have visited, I have seen nothing like +this. I am sorry Hans is no longer with us to enjoy it."</p> + +<p>"And you will see nothing like it anywhere in this country but right +here," declared the professor, who was also enthused. "Northern cities +may get up carnivals, but they allow the spirit of commerce to crowd in +and push aside the true spirit of pleasure. In all their pageants and +processions may be seen schemes for advertising this, that or the other; +but here you will see nothing of the kind. In the procession to-day and +the parade to-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>morrow, you will see no trade advertisements, no schemes +for calling attention to Dr. Somebody-or-other's cure for ingrowing +corns, nothing but the beautiful and the artistic."</p> + +<p>Frank laughed.</p> + +<p>"It's seldom you speak like this, professor," he said. "You must be in +love with the South."</p> + +<p>"I am a Northerner, but I think the South very beautiful, and I admire +the people of the South more than I can tell. I do not know as they are +naturally more gentle and kind-hearted than Northerners, but they are +certainly more courteous and chivalrous, despite their quick tempers and +more passionate dispositions. Northerners are too brusque. If they ask +pardon for rudeness, they do it as if they regretted the breath spent in +uttering the words. It is quite the opposite with Southerners, for they +seem——"</p> + +<p>"Hold on, professor," interrupted Frank. "You may tell me all about that +some other time. Hark! hear the whistles on the river? The king must be +coming!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is coming."</p> + +<p>There was a stir among the people, a murmur ran over the great throng. +Then the royal yacht, accompanied by more than a dozen other steamers, +all gayly decorated, was seen approaching.</p> + +<p>The great crowd began to cheer, hundreds of whistles shrieked and roared +at the same instant, bands of music were playing, and, as the royal +yacht drew near the levee at the foot of Canal Street, the booming of +cannons added to the mad uproar of joy.</p> + +<p>All over the great gathering of gayly dressed people handkerchiefs +fluttered and hats were waved in the air, while laughing, excited faces +were seen everywhere.</p> + +<p>The mad excitement filled Frank Merriwell's veins, and he stood erect in +the carriage, waving his hat and cheering with the cheering thousands, +although there was such an uproar at that moment that he could scarcely +hear his own voice.</p> + +<p>The king, attired in purple and gold, was seen near the bow of the royal +yacht, surrounded by courtiers and admirers.</p> + +<p>To Frank's wonder, a dozen policemen had been able<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> to keep Canal Street +open for the procession from the levee as far as could be seen. +Elsewhere, and on each side of the street, the throng packed thickly, +but they seemed to aid the police in the work of holding the street +clear, so there was no trouble at all. Not once had Frank seen the +pushing and swaying so often seen when great crowds assemble in Northern +cities, and not once had the policemen been compelled to draw a club to +enforce orders.</p> + +<p>As the royal yacht drew into the jetty a gathering of city officers and +leading citizens formed to greet and welcome him. These gentlemen were +known as "dukes of the realm," and constituted the royal court. They +were decorated with badges of gold and bogus jewels.</p> + +<p>The yacht drew up at the levee, and King Rex, accompanied by his escort, +landed, where he was greeted with proper ceremony by the dukes of the +realm.</p> + +<p>Then the king was provided with a handsomely decorated carriage, which +he entered, and a procession was formed. The king's carriage somewhat +resembled a chariot, being drawn by four mettlesome coal-black horses, +all gayly caparisoned with gold and silver trimmings and nodding plumes.</p> + +<p>A magnificent band of music headed the procession, and then came a barge +that was piled high with beautiful and fragrant flowers. In this barge +was a girl who seemed to be dressed entirely in flowers, and there was a +crown of flowers on her head. She was masked, but did not seem to be +more than sixteen or seventeen years of age.</p> + +<p>She was known as "the Queen of Flowers," and other girls, ladies of the +court, dressed entirely in white, accompanied her.</p> + +<p>The king's carriage followed the flower barge, and, directed by the +queen, who was seated on a throne of flowers, the girls scattered +flowers beneath the feet of the horses, now and then laughingly pelting +some one in the throng with them.</p> + +<p>As the procession started, the cannons boomed once more, and the steam +whistles shrieked.</p> + +<p>And then, in less than a minute, there came a startling interruption. +The cheering of the people on one of the side streets turned to shrieks +of terror and warning, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> the crowd was seen to make a mad rush for +almost any place of shelter.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Frank?" asked Professor Scotch, in alarm.</p> + +<p>"Don't know," was the reply, as Frank mounted to the carriage seat, on +which he stood to obtain a view. "Why, it seems that there are wild +cattle in the street, and they're coming this way."</p> + +<p>"Good gracious!" gasped the professor. "Drive on, driver—get out of the +way quickly!"</p> + +<p>"That's impossible, sir," replied the driver, immediately. "If I drive +on, we are liable to be overturned by the rushing crowd. It is safer to +keep still and remain here."</p> + +<p>"Those cattle look like Texas long-horns!" cried Frank.</p> + +<p>"So they are, sir," assured the driver. "They have broken out of the +yard in which they were placed this morning. They were brought here on a +steamer."</p> + +<p>"Texas long-horns on a stampede in a crowded city!" fluttered Frank. +"That means damage—no end of it."</p> + +<p>In truth, nearly half a hundred wild Texan steers, driven to madness by +the shrieking whistles and thundering cannons, had broken out of the +fraily constructed yard, and at least a dozen of them had stampeded +straight toward Canal Street.</p> + +<p>Persons crushed against each other and fell over each other in frantic +haste to get out of the way for the cattle to pass. Some were thrown +down and trampled on by the fear-stricken throng. Men shouted hoarsely, +and women shrieked.</p> + +<p>Mad with terror, blinded by dust, furious with the joy of sudden +freedom, the Texan steers, heads lowered, horns glistening, eyes glowing +redly and nostrils steaming, charged straight into the crowd.</p> + +<p>It was a terrible spectacle.</p> + +<p>"For Heaven's sake, is there no way of stopping those creatures?" cried +Frank.</p> + +<p>"We'll all be killed!" quavered Professor Scotch.</p> + +<p>Into Canal Street rushed the crowd, and the procession was broken up in +a moment. The one thought of everybody seemed to be to get out of the +way of the steers.</p> + +<p>The horses on the flower barge became unmanageable, turned short, +snorting with terror, and upset the barge,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> spilling flowers, girls, and +all into the street. Then, in some way, the animals broke away, leaving +the wrecked barge where it had toppled.</p> + +<p>The girls, with one exception, sprang up and fled in every direction.</p> + +<p>The one exception was the Queen of Flowers, who lay motionless and +apparently unconscious in the street, with the beautiful flowers piled +on every side of her.</p> + +<p>"She is hurt!" cried Frank, who was watching her. "Why doesn't some one +pick her up?"</p> + +<p>"They do not see her there amid the flowers," palpitated the professor. +"They do not know she has not fled with the other girls!"</p> + +<p>"The cattle—the steers will crush her!" shouted the driver.</p> + +<p>"Not if I can save her!" rang out the clear voice of our hero.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch made a clutch at the lad, but too late to catch and +hold him.</p> + +<p>Frank leaped from the carriage, clearing the heads of a dozen persons, +struck on his feet in the street, tore his way through the rushing, +excited mob, and reached the side of the unconscious Flower Queen. He +lifted her from the ground, and, at that very instant, a mad steer, with +lowered head and bristling horns, charged blindly at them!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE HOT BLOOD OF YOUTH.</h3> + + +<p>A cry of horror went up from those who beheld the peril of the brave boy +and the Queen of Flowers, for it looked as if both must be impaled by +the wicked horns of the mad steer.</p> + +<p>Well it was that Frank was a lad of nerve, with whom at such a moment to +think was to act. Well it was that he had the muscles and strength of a +trained athlete.</p> + +<p>Frank did not drop the girl to save himself, as most lads would have +done. She felt no heavier than a feather in his arms, but it seemed that +he would be unable to save himself, if he were unincumbered.</p> + +<p>Had he leaped ahead he could not have escaped. With all the energy he +possessed, he sprang backward, at the same time swinging the girl away +from the threatening horns, so that his own body protected her in case +he was not beyond reach of the steer.</p> + +<p>In such a case and in such a situation inches count, and it proved thus +in this instance.</p> + +<p>One of the steer's horns caught Frank's coat sleeve at the shoulder, and +ripped it open to the flesh as far as his elbow, the sharp point seeming +to slit the cloth like a keen knife.</p> + +<p>But Frank was unharmed, and the unconscious girl was not touched.</p> + +<p>Then the steer crashed into the flower barge.</p> + +<p>Frank was not dazed by his remarkable escape, and he well knew the peril +might not be over.</p> + +<p>Like a leaping panther, the boy sprang from the spot, avoiding other mad +steers and frantic men and women, darted here and there through the +flying throng, and reached a place where he believed they would be safe.</p> + +<p>It was a brave and nervy act—the act of a true hero.</p> + +<p>The stampeded steers dashed on, and the danger at that point was past. +Men and women had been trampled and bruised, but, remarkable though it +seemed, when the steers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> were finally captured or dispatched, it was +found that no person had been killed outright.</p> + +<p>Men crowded about Frank and the Flower Girl. The lad had placed the girl +upon some steps, and he called for water.</p> + +<p>"Remove her mask," directed some one. "Give her air."</p> + +<p>"Yes, remove her mask!" cried scores of voices.</p> + +<p>They were eager to see her face, that they might again recognize the +girl who had passed through such peril.</p> + +<p>Frank hesitated, although he also longed to look on the face of the girl +he had saved. She was most beautifully formed for a girl of her age, and +that her face was pretty he had not a doubt.</p> + +<p>He reached out his hand to unfasten the mask. As he did so his wrist was +clutched by strong fingers, and a panting voice hissed in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Would you do it? Well, you shall not! I will take charge of that young +lady, if you please!"</p> + +<p>Looking over his shoulder, Frank saw the dark, excited face of a youth +of twenty or twenty-one. That face was almost wickedly handsome, +although there was something decidedly repellent about it. The eyes were +black as midnight, while the lips were full and red.</p> + +<p>With a twisting snap Frank freed his wrist.</p> + +<p>"You?" he said, calmly—"who are you?"</p> + +<p>"One who knows this unfortunate young lady, and has a right to protect +her."</p> + +<p>"Which is ver' true, sah," declared a man with a bristling white +mustache and imperial, who stood just behind the youth with the dark +face. "I give you my word of honah, sah, that it is true."</p> + +<p>The words were spoken with great suavity and politeness, and Frank noted +that the speaker seemed to have a military air.</p> + +<p>Frank hesitated, and then straightened up, stepping back and bowing, as +he said:</p> + +<p>"That settles it, gentlemen. If you know the young lady, I have nothing +more to say."</p> + +<p>The young man instantly lifted the Flower Queen in his arms. As he did +so she opened her eyes, and Frank saw she was looking straight at his +face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then came a staggering surprise for the boy from the North. He saw the +girl's lips part, and he distinctly heard her faintly exclaim:</p> + +<p>"Frank Merriwell!"</p> + +<p>Frank fell back a step, then started forward.</p> + +<p>"You—you know me?" he cried.</p> + +<p>Quick as a flash, the youth with the dark face passed the girl to the +man with the white mustache and imperial, and the latter bore her +through the throng to a carriage.</p> + +<p>Frank would have followed, but the dark-faced youth blocked the way, +saying, harshly:</p> + +<p>"Hold on! You did her a service. How much do I owe you?"</p> + +<p>"Stand aside!" came sharply from Frank's lips. "She knows me—she spoke +my name! I must find out who she is!"</p> + +<p>"That you cannot do."</p> + +<p>"Who will prevent it?"</p> + +<p>"I will!"</p> + +<p>Frank measured the other from head to heels with his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Stand aside!"</p> + +<p>"Now, don't go to putting on any airs with me, my smart youngster. By +sheer luck, you were able to save her from possible injury. Like all +Northerners, you have your price for every service. How much do I owe +you?"</p> + +<p>Frank's face was hot with anger.</p> + +<p>"You say 'like all Northerners,' but it is well for the South that you +are not a representative Southerner. You are an insolent cad and a +puppy!"</p> + +<p>"You have insulted me!"</p> + +<p>"I simply returned what you gave."</p> + +<p>"And it shall cost you dear!" hissed the youth with the dark face.</p> + +<p>Quickly he leaned forward and struck Frank's cheek with his open hand.</p> + +<p>Then something else happened.</p> + +<p>Like a bolt, Frank's fist shot out and caught the other under the chin, +hurling him backward into the arms of a man behind him, where he lay +gasping and dazed.</p> + +<p>Frank would have rushed toward the carriage, but he saw it move swiftly +away, carrying the mysterious Queen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> of Flowers, and, with deep regret, +he realized he was too late.</p> + +<p>The man with the bristling white mustache and imperial did not depart in +the carriage, but he again forced his way through the crowd, and found +his companion slowly recovering from the stunning blow he had received.</p> + +<p>"Mistah Raymon', sah, what does this mean?" he cried, in amazement.</p> + +<p>"It means that I have been insulted and struck!" hissed the one +questioned, quivering with unutterable anger.</p> + +<p>"Struck, sah!" cried the man, in unbounded amazement. "You were struck! +Impossible, sah—impossible!"</p> + +<p>"It is true!"</p> + +<p>"Who struck you, sah?"</p> + +<p>"This young coxcomb of a Northern cur!"</p> + +<p>The man glared at Frank, who, with his hands on his hips, was quietly +awaiting developments, apparently not at all alarmed. He did not quail +in the least before the fierce, fire-eating look given him by the man +with the bristling mustache and imperial.</p> + +<p>"If this—ah!—young gentleman struck you, Mistah Raymon', sah, there +can be but one termination of the affaiah. He will have to meet you, +sah, on the field, or humbly apologize at once."</p> + +<p>"That's right!" blustered the young man, fiercely. "I'll have his life, +or an instant apology!"</p> + +<p>Frank smiled as if he were quite amused.</p> + +<p>"As I happen to feel that I am the one to whom an apology is due, you +will have to be satisfied with taking my life," he said.</p> + +<p>The youth with the dark face drew out a handsome card case, from which +he extracted an engraved card, which he haughtily handed to Frank, who +accepted it, and read aloud:</p> + +<p>"'Mr. Rolf Raymond.' A very pretty name. Allow me; my card, Mr. Raymond. +I am stopping at the St. Charles Hotel. You will be able to find me +without difficulty."</p> + +<p>"Rest assured that a friend of mine will call on you without delay, Mr. +Merriwell," stiffly said Raymond, thrusting Frank's card into his +pocket.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch had forced his way through the crowd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> in time to catch +the drift of this, and the full significance of it dawned upon him, +filling him with amazement and horror.</p> + +<p>"This will not do—it will never do!" he spluttered. "Dueling is a thing +of the past; there is a law for it! I will not have it! Frank, you +hot-headed young rascal, what do you mean by getting into such a +scrape?"</p> + +<p>"Keep cool, professor," said the boy, calmly. "If this young gentleman +insists on forcing me into a duel, I cannot take water—I must give him +satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"I tell you I won't have it!" roared the little man, in his big, hoarse +voice, his face getting very red. "I am your guardian. You are a minor, +and I forbid you to fight a duel."</p> + +<p>"If Mistah Merriwell will apologize, it is possible that, considering +his age, sah, Mistah Raymon' will not press this mattah," smoothly said +the man with the bristling mustache.</p> + +<p>"What has he to apologize for?" asked Scotch.</p> + +<p>"He struck Mistah Raymon', sah."</p> + +<p>"Did you do that, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but he struck me first."</p> + +<p>"He did, eh?" roared the professor, getting very red in the face. "Well, +I don't think you'll apologize, Frank, and you're not going to fight. +You're a boy; let him take a man. If he wants to fight anybody, I'm just +his hairpin, and I'll agree to do him up with any kind of a weapon from +a broad-ax to a bologna sausage!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>MYSTERY OF THE FLOWER QUEEN.</h3> + + +<p>Frank looked at Professor Scotch in amazement, for he had never known +the little man to use such language or show such spirit in the face of +actual danger.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if the professor has been drinking, and, if so, where he got +his drinks?" was the thought that flashed through Frank's mind.</p> + +<p>"Mistah Raymon', sah, has no quarrel with you, sah," said the individual +with the bristling mustache. "If there is to be any further trouble, +sah, I will attend to your case."</p> + +<p>"You? Who are you?"</p> + +<p>"I, sah, am Colonel La Salle Vallier, the ver' particular friend of +Mistah Raymon'. If yo' say so, we will exchange cards, sah."</p> + +<p>"Then we will exchange. Here is mine."</p> + +<p>"And here, sah, is mine."</p> + +<p>"This," said Colonel Vallier, "precludes yo' from interfering in this +othah affair, Professor Scotch."</p> + +<p>"Hey? It does! How's that, I'd like to know?"</p> + +<p>"I am at your service, professor," bowed the colonel. "You shall make +such arrangements as yo' choose. Pistols or swords make no difference to +me, for I am a dead shot and an expert swordsman. I trust yo' will +excuse us now, gentlemen. We will see yo' later. Good-day."</p> + +<p>He locked arms with the young man, and they turned away, with a sweeping +salute. The throng parted, and they passed through.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch stood staring after them till Frank tapped him on the +shoulder, saying:</p> + +<p>"Come, professor, we may as well get out of this."</p> + +<p>"Excuse-a me, señors," said a soft, musical voice, and a young man with +a Spanish face and pink cheeks was bowing before them. "I t'ink you +need-a to be tole 'bout it."</p> + +<p>"Told about what?" demanded Frank, who took an in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>stant dislike to this +softly smiling fellow with the womanish voice and gentle ways. "What do +you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Excuse-a me," repeated the stranger, who was gaudily dressed in many +colors. "Yo' are strangar-a-rs from de Noath, an' yo' do not know-a de +men what you have a de troub' wid. Excuse-a me; I am Manuel Mazaro, an' +I know-a dem. De young man is son of de ver' reech Señor Roderick +Raymon', dat everybody in New Orle'n know. He is ver' wile—ver' +reckless. Ha! He love-a to fight, an' he has been in two duel, dough he +is ver' young. But de odare, señors—de man wid de white mustache—ah!"</p> + +<p>Manuel Mazaro threw up his hands with an expression that plainly said +words failed him.</p> + +<p>"Well, what of the other?" asked Frank, impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Señors," purred Mazaro, "he is de wor-r-rst fightar ever leeve! He +like-a to fight fo' de sport of keelin'. Take-a my advice, señors, an' +go 'way from New Orle'n'. Yo' make ver' gre't mistake to get in troub' +wid dem."</p> + +<p>"Thank you for your kind advice," said Frank, quietly. "I presume it is +well meant, but it is wasted. This is a free country, and a dozen +fire-eaters like Colonel La Salle Vallier and Mr. Rolf Raymond cannot +drive us out of New Orleans till we are ready to go. Eh, professor?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess not!" rumbled the little man, stiffening up and looking +as fierce as he could.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ver' well, ver' well," said Mazaro, lifting his eyebrows, the ghost +of a scornful smile on his face. "You know-a your own biz. Good-day, +señors."</p> + +<p>"Good-day, sir."</p> + +<p>They passed through the crowd and sought their carriage, which was +waiting for them, although the driver had begun to think they had +deserted him.</p> + +<p>The procession, which had been broken up by the stampeded steers, was +again forming, making it evident that the pleasure-loving people were +determined that the unfortunate occurrence should not ruin the day.</p> + +<p>The Queen of Flowers and her subjects had vanished, and the flower barge +was a wreck, so a part of the programme could not be carried out.</p> + +<p>The procession formed without the flower barge, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> was soon on its way +once more, the band playing its liveliest tune.</p> + +<p>The way was lined with tens of thousands of spectators, while flags +fluttered from every building. All along the line the king was greeted +with cheers and bared heads. It was a most magnificent spectacle.</p> + +<p>The carriage bearing Frank and the professor had found a place in the +procession through the skill of the driver, and the man and boy were +able to witness this triumphal entrance of King Rex to the Crescent +City.</p> + +<p>At the City Hall, the Duke of Crescent City, who was the mayor, welcomed +Rex with great pomp and ceremony, presenting him the keys and the +freedom of the city.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterward, the king mysteriously disappeared, and the procession +broke up and dispersed.</p> + +<p>Frank and the professor returned to the St. Charles Hotel, both feeling +decidedly hungry.</p> + +<p>Frank had little to say after they had satisfied their hunger and were +in their suite of rooms. He had seemed to be thinking all the while, and +the professor again repeated a question that he had asked several times:</p> + +<p>"What in the world makes you so glum, Frank? What are you thinking +about?"</p> + +<p>"The Queen of Flowers," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"My boy," cried the professor, enthusiastically, "I am proud of +you—yes, sir, proud! But, at one time, I thought you were done for. +That steer was right upon you, and I could see no way for you to escape +the creature's horns. I held my breath, expecting to see you impaled. +And then I saw you escape with no further injury than the slitting of +your coat sleeve, but to this minute I can't say how you did it."</p> + +<p>Frank scarcely seemed to hear the professor's words. He sat with his +hand to his head, his eyes fixed on a pattern in the carpet.</p> + +<p>"She knew my name," he muttered. "She spoke it distinctly. There can be +no doubt about that."</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch groaned dismally.</p> + +<p>"There you go again!" he exclaimed. "Now, what are you mumbling about?"</p> + +<p>"The Queen of Flowers."</p> + +<p>"Confound the Queen of Flowers!" exploded Scotch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> "You saved her life +at the risk of your own, but you don't know her from Adam."</p> + +<p>"She knows me."</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"She spoke my name."</p> + +<p>"You must be mistaken."</p> + +<p>"I am not."</p> + +<p><span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, extraneous quotation mark removed">Professor</span> Scotch looked incredulous.</p> + +<p>"Why, she was unconscious."</p> + +<p>"She was when I saved her from the steer."</p> + +<p>"And she recovered afterward?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; just as Colonel Vallier was taking her to the carriage.<span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, single quote changed to double quote">"</span></p> + +<p>"And she spoke your name then?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. First I saw her open her eyes, and I noticed that she was looking +straight at me; then I heard her distinctly but faintly pronounce my +name."</p> + +<p>The professor still looked doubtful.</p> + +<p>"You were excited, my boy, and you imagined it."</p> + +<p>"No, professor, it was no case of imagination; I know she called me +Frank Merriwell, but what puzzles me is the fact that this young cad, +Raymond, was determined I should not speak with her, and she was carried +away quickly. Why should they wish to keep us from having a few words of +conversation?"</p> + +<p>"That is a question I cannot answer, Frank."</p> + +<p>"There's a mystery here, professor—a mystery I mean to solve. I am +going to find out who the Queen of Flowers really is."</p> + +<p>"And get into more trouble, you hot-headed young rascal. I should think +you were in trouble enough already, with a possible duel impending."</p> + +<p>A twinkle of mischief showed in Frank's eyes.</p> + +<p>"How about yourself, professor?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, the young scoundrel won't dare to meet me," blustered Scotch, +throwing out his chest and strutting about the room.</p> + +<p>"But he is not the one you will have to meet. You exchanged cards with +Colonel La Salle Vallier."</p> + +<p>"As a mere matter of courtesy."</p> + +<p>"That might go in the North, but you exchanged under peculiar +circumstances, and, taking everything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> into consideration, I have no +doubt but you will be waited on by a friend of Colonel Vallier. You will +have to meet him."</p> + +<p>"Hey!" roared the professor, turning pale. "Is it possible that such a +result will come from a mere matter of politeness? Why, I'm no fighter, +Frank—I'm no blood-and-thunder ruffian! I did not mean to hint that I +wished to meet the colonel on the field of honor."</p> + +<p>"But you have, and you can't back out now. You heard what Manuel Mazaro +had to say about him. He is a dead shot and a skilled swordsman. Oh, +professor, my heart bleeds for you! But you shall have a great funeral, +and I'll plant tiddly-wink posies all over your grave."</p> + +<p>"Cæsar's ghost!" groaned Scotch, collapsing on a chair, and looking very +ill indeed. "This is a terrible scrape! I don't feel well. I fear I am +going to be very ill."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>PROFESSOR SCOTCH FEELS ILL.</h3> + + +<p>Frank found it impossible to restrain his laughter longer, and he gave +way to it.</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha, ha!" he merrily shouted. "You surely look ill, professor! I'd +like to have your picture now! Ha, ha, ha! It would make a first-rate +picture for a comic paper."</p> + +<p>"This is no laughing matter," came dolefully from Scotch. "I don't know +how to fire a pistol, and I never had a sword in my hand in all my life. +And to think of standing up and being shot full of holes or carved like +a turkey by that fire-eater with the fierce mustache! It is awful, +awful!"</p> + +<p>"But you were eager to fight the young fellow."</p> + +<p>"No, I was not. I was simply putting up a bluff, as you call it. I was +doing my level best to get you out of the scrape, Frank. I didn't think +he would fight me, and so I pretended to be eager to meet him. And now +see what a scrape I am in! Oh, my soul and body! What can I do?"</p> + +<p>"Fight."</p> + +<p>"Never!"</p> + +<p>"I don't see how you can get out of it."</p> + +<p>"I'll run away."</p> + +<p>In a moment Frank became very grave.</p> + +<p>"That is impossible, professor," he said, with the utmost apparent +sincerity. "Think of the disgrace! It would be in all the papers that +Professor Scotch, a white-livered Northerner, after insulting Colonel La +Salle Vallier and presenting his card, had taken to his heels in the +most cowardly fashion, and had fled from the city without giving the +colonel the satisfaction that is due from one gentleman to another. The +Northern papers would copy, and you would find yourself the butt of +ridicule wherever you went."</p> + +<p>The professor let out a groan that was more dismal and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> doleful than any +sound that had previously issued from his lips.</p> + +<p>"What can I do?" he gasped.</p> + +<p>"There is one way to get out of the difficulty."</p> + +<p>"Name it! name it!" shouted the wretched man. "I'll do anything!"</p> + +<p>"Then commit suicide."</p> + +<p>The professor collapsed again.</p> + +<p>"Are you entirely heartless?" he moaned. "Can you joke when I am +suffering such misery?"</p> + +<p>His face was covered with perspiration, and he was all a-quiver, so that +Frank was really touched.</p> + +<p>"You can apologize, professor."</p> + +<p>"Apologize for what? I don't know that I have done anything to apologize +for; but then I'll apologize rather than fight."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you'll be able to get out of it some way."</p> + +<p>But it was no easy thing to reassure the agitated man, as Frank soon +discovered.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what, professor," said the boy; "you may send a +representative—a substitute."</p> + +<p>"I don't think it will be easy to find a substitute."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll find one."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Colonel Vallier will not accept him."</p> + +<p>"But you must be too ill to meet the colonel, and then he'll have to +accept the substitute or nothing."</p> + +<p>"But who will act as substitute? I don't know any one in New Orleans +who'll go and be shot in my place."</p> + +<p>"Barney Mulloy has agreed to join us here, and he may arrive on any +train," went on Frank, mentioning an old school chum.</p> + +<p>"That wild Irishman!" cried the professor, hopefully. "Why, he'd fight a +pack of wildcats and think it fun!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Barney is happiest when in trouble. According to my uncle's will, +I am at liberty to carry a companion besides my guardian on my travels, +and so, when Hans Dunnerwust got tired of traveling and went home, I +sent for Barney, knowing he'd be a first-class fellow to have with me. +He finally succeeded in making arrangements to join us, and I have a +telegram from him, stating that he would start in time to reach here +before to-morrow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> If you are forced into trouble, professor, Barney can +serve as a substitute."</p> + +<p>"That sounds very well, but Colonel Vallier would not accept a boy."</p> + +<p>"Then Barney can disguise himself and pretend to be a man."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it won't work. Not that Barney Mulloy will hesitate to help +me out of the scrape, for he was the most dare-devil chap in Fardale +Academy, next to yourself, Frank. You were the leader in all kinds of +daring adventures, but Barney made a good second. But he can't pass +muster as a man."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he can. But you have not yet received a challenge from Colonel +Vallier; so don't worry about what may not happen."</p> + +<p>"I can't help worrying. I shall not take any further pleasure in life +till we get out of this dreadful city."</p> + +<p>"Oh, brace up! Come on; let's go out and see the sights."</p> + +<p>"No, Frank—no, my boy. I am indisposed—I am quite ill. Besides that, I +might meet Colonel Vallier. I shall remain in my room for the present."</p> + +<p>So Frank was obliged to go out alone, and, when he returned for supper, +he found the professor in bed, looking decidedly like a sick man.</p> + +<p>"I am very ill, Frank—very ill," Scotch declared. "I fear I am in for a +protracted illness."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, professor! Why, you'll miss all the fun to-morrow, and we're +here to see the sport."</p> + +<p>"Confound the sport! I wish we had stayed away from this miserable +place!"</p> + +<p>"Why, you were very enthusiastic over New Orleans and the people of the +South this morning."</p> + +<p>"Hang the people of the South—hang them all! They're too +hot-headed—they're altogether too ready to fight over nothing. Now, I'm +a peaceable man, and I can't fight—I simply can't!"</p> + +<p>"Well, well! I don't fancy you'll have to fight," said Frank, whose +conscience was beginning to smite him.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll have to apologize, and I'll be jiggered if I know what I'm +going to apologize for!"</p> + +<p>"What makes you so sure you'll have to apologize?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Look at this—read it!"</p> + +<p>The professor drew an envelope from beneath his pillow and passed it to +Frank. The envelope contained a note, which the boy was soon reading. It +was from Colonel Vallier, and demanded an apology, giving the professor +until the following noon in which to make it, and hinting that a meeting +of honor would surely follow if the apology was not forthcoming.</p> + +<p>"Whew!" whistled Frank. "This does seem like business. When did you +receive this?"</p> + +<p>"Shortly after you went out."</p> + +<p>"I scarcely thought the colonel would press the affair."</p> + +<p>"There's a letter for you on the table."</p> + +<p>"From whom is it?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know. Raymond, I suppose. The same messenger brought them both."</p> + +<p>Frank picked up the letter and tore it open. It proved to be from Rolf +Raymond, and was worded much like the note to Professor Scotch.</p> + +<p>The warm blood of anger mounted to the boy's cheeks.</p> + +<p>"This settles it!" he exclaimed. "Mr. Rolf Raymond shall have all the +fight he wants. I am a good pistol shot and more than a fair swordsman. +At Fardale I was the champion with the foils. If he thinks I am a coward +and a greenhorn because I come from the North, he may find he has made a +serious mistake."</p> + +<p>The professor literally writhed in the bed.</p> + +<p>"But you may be killed, and I'd never forgive myself," he moaned.</p> + +<p>"Killed or not, I can't show the white feather!" cried Frank, warmly.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe in duelling."</p> + +<p>"Nor do I, but I have found it necessary to do some things I do not +believe in. I am not going to run, and I am not going to apologize, for +I believe an apology is due me, if any one. This being the case, I'll +have to fight."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a scrape—what a dreadful scrape!" groaned Scotch, wringing +his hands. "Why did we ever come here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, do brace up, professor!" cried Frank, impatiently. "We have been in +worse scrapes than this, and you were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> not so badly broken up. It was +only a short time ago down in Mexico that <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'Pacheo' changed to 'Pacheco'">Pacheco's</span> bandits hemmed us in +on one side and there was a raging volcano on the other; but still we +live and have our health. I'll guarantee we'll pull through this scrape, +and I'll bet we come out with flying colors."</p> + +<p>"You may feel like meeting Rolf Raymond, but I simply can't stand up +before that fire-eating colonel."</p> + +<p>"There seems to be considerable bluster about this business, and I'll +wager something you won't have to stand up before him if you will put on +a bold front and make-believe you are eager to meet him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my boy, you don't know—you can't tell!"</p> + +<p>"Come, professor, get out of bed and dress. We want to see the parade +this evening. They say it will be great."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wish the parades were all at the bottom of the sea!"</p> + +<p>"We couldn't see them then, for we're not mermaids or fishes."</p> + +<p>"Will you never be serious?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; perhaps I may, when I'm too sick to be otherwise. Are you +going to get up?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to stay in bed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And miss the parade to-night?"</p> + +<p>"I don't care for the old parade."</p> + +<p>"Well, I do, and I'm going to see it."</p> + +<p>"Will you see some newspaper reporters and state that I am very +ill—dangerously ill—that I am dying. Do this favor for me, Frank. +Colonel Vallier can't force a dying man to meet him in a duel."</p> + +<p>"I am shocked and pained, professor, that you should wish me to tell a +lie, even to save your life; but I'll see what I can do for you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>LED INTO A TRAP.</h3> + + +<p>Frank ate alone, and went forth alone to see the parade. The professor +remained in bed, apparently in a state of utter collapse.</p> + +<p>The night after Mardi Gras in New Orleans the Krewe of Proteus holds its +parade and ball. The parade is a most dazzling and magnificent +spectacle, and the ball is no less splendid.</p> + +<p>The streets along which the parade must pass were lined with a dense +mass of people on both sides, while windows and balconies were filled.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the appointed time the parade started.</p> + +<p>It consisted of a series of elaborate and gorgeous floats, the whole +forming a line many blocks in length.</p> + +<p>Hundreds of flaring torches threw their lights over the moving +<i>tableau</i>, and it was indeed a splendid dream.</p> + +<p>Never before had Frank seen anything of the kind one-half as beautiful, +and he was sincerely glad they had reached the Crescent City in time to +be present at Mardi Gras.</p> + +<p>The stampede of the Texan steers and the breaking up of the parade that +day had made a great sensation in New Orleans. Every one had heard of +the peril of the Flower Queen, and how she was rescued by a handsome +youth who was said to be a visitor from the North, but whom nobody +seemed to know.</p> + +<p>Now, the Krewe of Proteus was composed entirely of men, and it was their +policy to have nobody but men in their parade. These men were to dress +as fairies of both sexes, as they were required to appear in the +<i>tableau</i> of "Fairyland."</p> + +<p>But the managers of the affair had conceived the idea that it would be a +good scheme to reconstruct the wrecked flower barge and have the Queen +of Flowers in the procession.</p> + +<p>But the Queen of Flowers seemed to be a mystery to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> every one, and the +managers knew not how to reach her. They made many inquiries, and it +became generally known that she was desired for the procession.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon the managers received a brief note, purporting to +be from the Flower Queen, assuring them that she would be on hand to +take part in the evening parade.</p> + +<p>The flower barge was put in repair, and piled high with the most +gorgeous and dainty flowers, and, surmounting all, was a throne of +flowers.</p> + +<p>Before the time for starting the mysterious masked queen and her +attendants in white appeared.</p> + +<p>When the procession passed along the streets the queen was recognized +everywhere, and the throngs cheered her loudly.</p> + +<p>But, out of the thousands, hundreds were heard to say:</p> + +<p>"Where is the strange youth who saved her from the mad steer? He should +be on the same barge."</p> + +<p>Frank's heart leaped as he saw the mysterious girl in the procession.</p> + +<p>"There she is!" was his thought. "How can I follow her? How can I trace +her and find out who she is?"</p> + +<p>As the barge came nearer, he forced his way to the very edge of the +crowd that lined the street, without having decided what he would do, +but hoping she would see and recognize him.</p> + +<p>When the barge was almost opposite, he stepped out a little from the +line and lifted his hat.</p> + +<p>She saw him!</p> + +<p>In a moment, as if she had been looking for him, she caught the crown of +flowers from her head and tossed them toward him, crying:</p> + +<p>"For the hero!"</p> + +<p>He caught them skillfully with his right hand, his hat still in his +left. And the hot blood mounted to his face as he saw her tossing kisses +toward him with both hands.</p> + +<p>"What's it mean?" asked a spectator.</p> + +<p>"Don't know," answered another.</p> + +<p>But a third cried:</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what it means! That young fellow is the one who saved the +Queen of Flowers from the mad steer! I know him, for I saw him do it, +and I observed his face."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That explains why she flung her crown to him and called him the hero."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that explains it."</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for the hero!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!"</p> + +<p>The crowd burst into wild cheering, and there was a general struggle to +get a fair view of Frank Merriwell, who had suddenly become the object +of attention, the splendors of the parade being forgotten for the time.</p> + +<p>Frank was confused and bewildered, and he sought to get away as quickly +as possible, hoping to follow the Queen of Flowers. But he found his way +blocked on every hand, and a hundred voices seemed to be asking:</p> + +<p>"What's your name?"</p> + +<p>"Where do you belong?"</p> + +<p>"Won't you please tell us your name?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't I seen you in New York?"</p> + +<p>"Aren't you from Chicago?"</p> + +<p>Somewhat dazed though he was, Frank noted that, beyond a doubt, the ones +who were so very curious and who so rudely demanded his name were +visitors in New Orleans. More than that, from their appearance, they +were people who would not think of such acts at home, but now were eager +to know the Northern lad who by one nervy and daring act had made +himself generally talked about in a Southern city.</p> + +<p>Some of the women declared he was "So handsome!" and "So manly!" to +Frank's increasing dismay.</p> + +<p>"I'd give a hundred dollars to get out of this!" he thought.</p> + +<p>He must have spoken the words aloud, although he was not aware of it, +for a voice at his elbow, low and musical, said:</p> + +<p>"Come dis-a-way, señor, an' I will tek yo' out of it."</p> + +<p>Frank saw Manuel Mazaro close at hand. The Spaniard—for such Mazaro +was—bowed gracefully, and smiled pleasantly upon the boy from the +North.</p> + +<p>A moment Frank hesitated, and then he said:</p> + +<p>"Lead on; I'll follow."</p> + +<p>Quickly Mazaro skirted the edge of the throng for a short distance, +plunged into the mass, made sure Frank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> was close behind, and then +forced his way through to a doorway.</p> + +<p>"Dis-a way," he invited.</p> + +<p>Frank hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Where does it lead?"</p> + +<p>"Through a passage to annodare street, señor."</p> + +<p>Frank felt his revolver in his pocket, and he knew it was loaded for +instant use.</p> + +<p>"I want to get ahead of this procession—I want to see the Queen of +Flowers again."</p> + +<p>"I will tek yo' there, señor."</p> + +<p>"Lead on."</p> + +<p>Frank passed his hand through the crown of flowers, to which he still +clung. Without being seen, he took his revolver from his pocket, and +held it concealed in the mass of flowers. It was a self-cocker, and he +could use it skillfully.</p> + +<p>As Mazaro had said, the doorway led into a passage. This was very +narrow, and quite dark.</p> + +<p>No sooner were they fairly in this place than Frank regretted that he +had come, for he realized that it was a most excellent chance for +assassination and robbery.</p> + +<p>His one fear was of being attacked behind. He was quite ready for any +that might rise in front.</p> + +<p>"Dis-a way, señor," Mazaro kept repeating. "Dis-a way."</p> + +<p>Frank fancied the fellow was speaking louder than was necessary. In +fact, he could not see that it was necessary for Mazaro to speak at all.</p> + +<p>And then the boy was sure he heard footsteps behind them!</p> + +<p>He was caught between two fires—he was trapped!</p> + +<p>Frank's first impulse was to leap forward, knock Mazaro down, and take +to his heels, keeping straight on through the passage.</p> + +<p>A second thought followed the first quite swiftly.</p> + +<p>He knew not where the passage led, and he knew not what pitfalls it +might contain.</p> + +<p>At that moment Frank felt a thrill of actual fear, nervy though he was; +but he understood that he must not let fear get the best of him, and he +instantly flung it off.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> + +<p>His ears were open, his eyes were open, and every sense was on the +alert.</p> + +<p>"Let them come!" he almost exclaimed, aloud. "I will give them a warm +reception!"</p> + +<p>Then he noticed that they passed a narrow opening, like a broken door, +and, the next moment he seemed to feel cat-like footfalls at his very +heels.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling Frank whirled about, crying:</p> + +<p>"Hold up where you are! I am armed, and I'll shoot if crowded!"</p> + +<p>He had made no mistake, for his eyes had grown accustomed to the +darkness of the passage, and he could see three dark figures blocking +his retreat along the passage.</p> + +<p>For one brief second his eyes turned the other way, and it seemed that +Manuel Mazaro had been joined by two or three others, for he saw several +forms in that direction.</p> + +<p>This sudden action of the trapped boy had filled these fellows with +surprise and dismay, and curses of anger broke from their lips, the +words being hissed rather than spoken.</p> + +<p>Frank knew he must attract attention in some way, and so of a sudden he +fired a shot into the air.</p> + +<p>The flash of his revolver showed him several dark, villainous faces.</p> + +<p>"Upon him!" cried Mazaro, in Spanish. "Be quick about it!"</p> + +<p>"Back!" shouted Frank, lifting the revolver. "I'll not waste another +bullet!"</p> + +<p>"Thot's th' talk, me laddybuck!" rang out a familiar voice. "Give th' +spalpanes cold lead, an' plinty av it, Frankie! O'im wid yez!"</p> + +<p>"Barney Mulloy!" Frank almost screamed, in joyous amazement.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>BARNEY ON HAND.</h3> + + +<p>"Thot's me name, an' this is me marruck!" cried the Irish lad, from the +darkness.</p> + +<p>There was a hurrying rush of feet, and then—smack! smack!—two dark +figures were seen flying through the darkness as if they had been struck +by battering-rams.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cheered Frank, thrusting the revolver into his pocket, and +hastening to leap into the battle. "Give 'em glory, Barney!"</p> + +<p>"Hurro!" shouted the Irish youth. "Th' United Shtates an' Ould Oireland +foriver! Nothing can shtand against th' combination!"</p> + +<p>This unexpected assault was too much for Manuel Mazaro and his +satellites.</p> + +<p>"Car-r-r-ramba!" snarled the Spaniard. "Dis treek is spoiled! We will +have to try de odare one, pardnares."</p> + +<p>"We're reddy fer yer thricks, ye shnakes!" cried Barney.</p> + +<p>"Are you armed?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"To th' muzzle wid grape-shot an' canister!" was the reply.</p> + +<p>But the boys were not compelled to resort to deadly weapons, for the +Spaniard and his gang suddenly took to their heels, and seemed to melt +away in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Musha! musha!" gasped Barney. "Where hiv they gone, Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>"They've skipped."</p> + +<p>"An' lift us widout sayin' good-avenin'?"</p> + +<p>"So it seems."</p> + +<p>"Th' impoloight rascals! They should be ashamed av thimsilves!"</p> + +<p>"Barney!"</p> + +<p>"Frankie!"</p> + +<p>"At school you had a way of always showing up just when you were needed +most, and you have not gotten over it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's harrud to tache an ould dog new thricks, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"You don't want to learn any new tricks; the old ones you know are all +right. Barney, give me your hand."</p> + +<p>"Frankie, here it is, an' I'm wid yez, me b'y, till Oi have ter lave +yez, which won't be in a hurry, av Oi know mesilf."</p> + +<p>The two lads clasped hands in the darkness of the passage.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Frank, "to get out of this place."</p> + +<p>"Th' sooner th' quicker."</p> + +<p>"Which way shall we go?"</p> + +<p>"Better go th' way we came in."</p> + +<p>"Right, Barney. But how in the world did you happen to appear at such an +opportune moment? That sticks me."</p> + +<p>"Oi saw yez, me b'y, whin th' crowd was cheerin' fer yez, but Oi +couldn't get to yez, though Oi troied me bist."</p> + +<p>"And you followed."</p> + +<p>"Oi did, but it's lost yez Oi would, av ye wasn't sane to come in here +by thim as wur watchin' av yez."</p> + +<p>"Which was dead lucky for me."</p> + +<p>"Thot it wur, me darlint, unliss ye wanter to shoot th' spalpanes ye wur +wid. Av they'd crowded yez, Oi reckon ye'd found a way to dispose av th' +lot."</p> + +<p>"They were about to crowd me when I fired into the air."</p> + +<p>"An' th' flash av th' revolver showed me yer face."</p> + +<p>"That's how you were sure it was me, is it?"</p> + +<p>"Thot wur wan way. Fer another, Oi hearrud yer voice, an' ye don't +suppose Oi wouldn't know thot av Oi should hear it astraddle av th' +North Pole, do yez?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I am sure I knew your voice the moment I heard it, and the sound +gave no small amount of satisfaction."</p> + +<p>The boys now hurried back along the narrow passage, and soon reached the +doorway by which they had entered.</p> + +<p>The procession had passed on, and the great crowd of people had melted +from the street.</p> + +<p>As soon as they were outside the passage, Barney explained that he had +arrived in town that night, and had hurried to the St. Charles Hotel, +but had found Professor Scotch in bed, and Frank gone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Th' profissor was near scared to death av me," said Barney. "He +wouldn't let me in th' room till th' bellboy had described me two or +thray toimes over, an' whin Oi did come in, he had his head under th' +clothes, an', be me soul! I thought by th' sound that he wur shakin' +dice. It wuz the tathe av him chattering togither."</p> + +<p>Frank was convulsed with laughter, while Barney went on:</p> + +<p>"'Profissor,' sez Oi, 'av it's doice ye're shakin', Oi'll take a hand at +tin cints a corner.'"</p> + +<p>"What did he do then?"</p> + +<p>"He looked out at me over the edge av th' bed-sprid, an' he sez, sez he, +'Are ye sure ye're yersilf, Barney Mulloy? or are ye Colonel Sally de la +Vilager'—or something av th' sort—'in disguise?'"</p> + +<p>Frank laughed harder than before.</p> + +<p>"What did you do then, Barney?"</p> + +<p>"Oi looked at him, an' thot wur all Oi said. Oi didn't know what th' mon +mint, an' he samed to be too broke up to tell. Oi asked him where yo +wur, an' he said ye'd gone out to see th' parade. Whin Oi found out thot +wur all Oi could get out av him, Oi came out an' looked fer yez."</p> + +<p>When Frank had ceased to laugh, he explained the meaning of the +professor's strange actions, and it was Barney's turn to laugh.</p> + +<p>"So it's a duel he is afraid av, is it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"An' he wants a substitute?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Begobs, it's niver a duel was Oi in, but the profissor wuz koind to me +at Fardale, an' it's a debt av gratitude Oi owe him, so Oi'll make me +bluff."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe Colonel Vallier will meet any one but Professor +Scotch, but the professor will be too ill to meet him, so he will have +to accept a substitute, or go without a fight."</p> + +<p>"To tell ye th' truth, Frankie, Oi'd rather he'd refuse to accept, but +it's an iligant bluff Oi can make."</p> + +<p>"You're all right, Barney."</p> + +<p>"Tell me what brought this duel aboit."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> + +<p>So Frank told the whole story about the rescue of the Flower Queen, the +appearance of Rolf Raymond and Colonel Vallier, and how the masked girl +had called his name just as they were taking her away, with the result +already known to the reader.</p> + +<p>Barney was intensely interested.</p> + +<p>"An' thot wur her Oi saw in th' parade to-noight?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"She flung ye some flowers?"</p> + +<p>"She did. It was her crown of flowers. I still have it here, although it +is somewhat crushed."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Frankie, me b'y, it's a shly dog ye are! Th' girruls wur foriver +getting shtuck on yez, an' Oi dunno what ye hiv been doin' since l'avin' +Fardale. It's wan av yer mashes this must be."</p> + +<p>"I've made no mashes, Barney."</p> + +<p>"Not m'anin' to, perhaps, but ye can't hilp it, laddybuck, fer they will +get shtuck on yez, av ye want thim to or not. Ye don't hiv ter troy to +catch a girrul, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"But I give you my word that I cannot imagine who this can be. All the +curiosity in my nature is aroused, and I am determined to know her name +before I rest."</p> + +<p>"Well, b'y, Oi'm wid yez. What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"Go to the place where the Krewe of Proteus holds its ball."</p> + +<p>"Lade on."</p> + +<p>As both were strangers in New Orleans, they did not know how to make the +shortest cut to the ballroom, and Frank found it impossible to obtain a +carriage. They were delayed most exasperatingly, and, when they arrived +at the place where the ball was to be held, the procession had broken +up, and the Queen of Flowers was within the ballroom.</p> + +<p>"This is most unfortunate!" cried Frank, in dismay. "I meant to get here +ahead of the procession, so that I could speak to her before she got +inside."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's go in an' spake to her now."</p> + +<p>"We can't."</p> + +<p>"Whoy not?"</p> + +<p>"This is a very exclusive affair."</p> + +<p>"An' we're very ixclusive paple."</p> + +<p>"Only those having invitations can enter the ballroom."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is thot so? Thin it's outsoide we're lift. What can we do about thot?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"Is it too late to git invoitations?"</p> + +<p>"They can't be bought, like tickets."</p> + +<p>"Well, what koind av a shindig do ye call this, Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>Barney was thoroughly disgusted.</p> + +<p>Frank explained that Professor Scotch had been able to procure +invitations, but neither of them had fancied they would care to attend +the ball, so the opportunity had been neglected.</p> + +<p>"Whinever Oi can get something fer nothing, Oi take it," said Barney. +"It's a use Oi can make fer most things Oi get."</p> + +<p>The two boys lingered outside the building. Frank hoped the Flower Queen +would come out, and he would be able to speak to her before she entered +a carriage and was carried away.</p> + +<p>Sweet strains of music floated down to the ears of the restless lads, +and, with each passing moment, Frank grew more and more disgusted with +himself.</p> + +<p>"To think that I might be in there—might be waltzing with the Queen of +Flowers at this moment, if I had asked the professor to obtain the +invitations!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"It's harrud luck!" said Barney; "but ye'll know betther next toime."</p> + +<p>"Next time will be too late. In some way, I must meet this girl and +speak to her. I must, and I will!"</p> + +<p>"That's th' shtuff, me b'y! Whiniver ye say anything loike thot, ye +always git there wid both fate. Oi'll risk yez."</p> + +<p>Two men in dress suits came out to smoke and get a breath of air. They +stood conversing within a short distance of the boys.</p> + +<p>"She has been the sensation of the day," said one. "The whole city is +wondering who she is."</p> + +<p>"She seems determined to remain a mystery."</p> + +<p>"Yes, for she has vanished from the ballroom in a most unaccountable +manner. No one saw her take her departure."</p> + +<p>"Not even Rolf Raymond."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No. He is as much mystified as anybody. The fellow knows her, but he +positively refuses to disclose her identity."</p> + +<p>Frank's hand had fallen on Barney's arm with a grip of iron, and the +fingers were sinking deeper and deeper into the Irish lad's flesh as +these words fell on their ears.</p> + +<p>"It is said that the young fellow who saved her from the steer to-day +does not know her."</p> + +<p>"No. She saw him in the crowd to-night, and flung him her crown, calling +him a hero. He was nearly mobbed by the crowd, that was determined to +know his name, but he escaped in some way, and has not been seen since."</p> + +<p>"That settles it!" Frank hissed in Barney's ear. "They are speaking of +the Flower Queen."</p> + +<p>"Sure," returned the Irish lad; "an' av yersilf, Frankie, b'y."</p> + +<p>"She is no longer in the ballroom."</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"We are wasting our time waiting here."</p> + +<p>"Roight ye are."</p> + +<p>"Then we will wait no longer. Come, we'll go to the hotel."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>A HUMBLE APOLOGY.</h3> + + +<p>Barely were they in their apartments at the hotel when there came a +knock on the door, and a boy entered, bearing a salver on which were two +cards.</p> + +<p>"Colonel La Salle Vallier and Mr. Rolf Raymond," read Frank. "Bring them +up."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" roared Professor Scotch, from the bed. "Are you crazy?"</p> + +<p>Frank hustled the boy out of the room, whispering:</p> + +<p>"Bring them up, and admit them without knocking."</p> + +<p>He slipped a quarter into the boy's hand, and the little fellow grinned +and hurried away.</p> + +<p>Frank turned back to find Professor Scotch, in his night robe, standing +square in the middle of the bed, wildly waving his arms, and roaring:</p> + +<p>"Lock the door—barricade it—keep them out! If those desperadoes are +admitted here, this room will run red with gore!"</p> + +<p>"That's right, professor," agreed Frank. "We'll settle their hash right +here and at once. We'll cook 'em."</p> + +<p>"Whoop!" shouted the little professor, in his big, hoarse voice. "This +is murder—assassination! Lock the door, I say! I am in no condition to +receive visitors."</p> + +<p>"Be calm, professor," chirped Frank, soothingly.</p> + +<p>"Be calm, profissor," echoed Barney, serenely.</p> + +<p>"Be calm!" bellowed the excited little man. "How can I be calm on the +eve of murder and assassination? I am an unarmed man, and I am not even +dressed!"</p> + +<p>"Niver moind a little thing loike thot," purred the Irish lad.</p> + +<p>"It's of no consequence," declared Frank, placidly.</p> + +<p>"No consequence!" shouted Scotch. "Oh, you'll drive me crazy! You want +me to be killed! It is a plot to have me murdered! I see through the +vile scheme! I'll call the police!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<p>He rushed into the front room, and flung up a window, from which he +howled:</p> + +<p>"Fire! Police!"</p> + +<p>He would have shrieked murder and several other things, but Frank and +Barney dragged him back and closed the window.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" gasped Frank. "It'll be a wonder if the whole police +force of the city does not come rushing up here."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they'll not be able to locate th' spot from which th' croy +came," said Barney. "Let us hope not."</p> + +<p>"Yes, let us hope not."</p> + +<p>The professor squirmed out of the grasp of the two boys, and made a wild +dash for the door.</p> + +<p>Just before he reached it, the door was flung open, and Colonel Vallier, +followed by Rolf Raymond, strode into the room.</p> + +<p>The colonel and the professor met just within the doorway.</p> + +<p>The collision was violent, and both men recoiled and sat down heavily +upon the floor, while Rolf Raymond barely saved himself from falling +astride the colonel's neck.</p> + +<p>Sitting thus, the two men glared at each other, the colonel being in a +dress suit, while the professor wore a night robe.</p> + +<p>Frank and Barney could not restrain their laughter.</p> + +<p>Then a most remarkable thing happened.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch became so angry at what he considered the unwarranted +intrusion of the visitors that he forgot how he was dressed, forgot to +be scared, and grew fierce as a raging lion. Without rising, he leaned +forward, and shook his fist under Colonel Vallier's nose, literally +roaring:</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by entering this room without knocking, you miserable +old blowhard? You ought to have your face thumped, and, by thunder! I +believe I can do it!"</p> + +<p>"Sah!" gasped the colonel, in the greatest amazement and dismay.</p> + +<p>"Don't 'sah' me, you measly old fraud!" howled Scotch, waving his fists +in the air. "I don't believe in fighting, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> this is about my time to +scrap. If you don't apologize for the intrusion, may I be blown to ten +thousand fragments if I don't give you a pair of beautiful black eyes!"</p> + +<p>"Sah, there seems to be some mistake, sah," fluttered Colonel Vallier, +turning pale.</p> + +<p>"You made the mistake!" thundered Scotch, leaping to his feet like a +jumping jack. "Get up here, and let me knock you down!"</p> + +<p>"I decline to be struck, sah."</p> + +<p>"You don't dare to get up!" howled the excited little man, growing still +worse, as the colonel seemed to shrink and falter. "Why, I can lick you +in a fraction of no time! You've been making lots of fighting talk, and +now it's my turn. Get up and put up your fists."</p> + +<p>"Will somebody kindly hold this lunatic?" palpitated Colonel Vallier. "I +am no prize-fightah, gentlemen."</p> + +<p>"That isn't my lookout," said the professor, who was forcing things +while they ran his way. "Get up and take off your coat! We'll settle +this affair without delay."</p> + +<p>"With pistols, sah?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, with pistols, if you want to!" cried the professor, to the +amazement of the boys. "I am ready, sir. We will settle it with pistols, +at once, in this room."</p> + +<p>"But this is no place foh a duel, sah; yo' should know that, sah."</p> + +<p>"This is just the place."</p> + +<p>"The one who survives will be arrested, sah."</p> + +<p>"There won't be a survivor, so you needn't fear arrest."</p> + +<p>"No survivah, sah?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you how it is. You are such a blamed coward that you won't +fight me with your fists, for fear I will give you the thumping you +deserve; but you know you are a good pistol shot, and you think I am +not, so you hope to shoot me, and escape without harm to yourself. Well, +I am no pistol shot, but I am not going to miss you. We'll shoot across +that center table, and the width of the table is the distance that will +divide us. In that way, I'll stand as good a show as you do, and I'll +agree to shoot you through the body very near to the heart, so you'll +not linger long in agony. Come, sir, get ready."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<p>Colonel Vallier actually staggered.</p> + +<p>"Sah—sah!" he fluttered; "you're shorely crazy!"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it. Come, get ready!"</p> + +<p>"This is murder, sah!"</p> + +<p>"It is a square deal. One has as good show as the other."</p> + +<p>"But I—I never heard of such a duel—never!"</p> + +<p>"There are many things you have never heard about, Colonel Vallier."</p> + +<p>"But, sah, I can't fight that way! You'll have to excuse me, sah."</p> + +<p><a name="ill109_ref" id="ill109_ref"></a>"What's that!" howled the little professor, dancing about in his night +robe. "Do you refuse to give me satisfaction?"</p> + +<p>"I refuse to be murdered."</p> + +<p>"Then you'll apologize?"</p> + +<p>The colonel gasped.</p> + +<p>"Apologize! Why, I can't——"</p> + +<p>"Then I'm going to give you those black eyes just as sure as my name is +Scotch! Put up your fists!"</p> + +<p>The colonel retreated, holding up his hands helplessly, while the +professor pranced after him like a fighting cock.</p> + +<p>"This is disgraceful!" snapped Rolf Raymond, taking a step, as if to +interfere. "It must be stopped at once!"</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" came sternly from Frank. "Don't chip in where you're not +wanted, Mr. Raymond. Let them settle this matter themselves."</p> + +<p>"Thot's roight, me laddybuck," said Barney Mulloy. "If you bother thim, +it's a pair av black oies ye may own yersilf."</p> + +<p>"We did not come here to be bullied."</p> + +<p>"No," said Frank; "you came to play the bullies, and the tables have +been turned on you. Take it easy."</p> + +<p>The two boys placed themselves in such a position that they could +prevent Raymond from interfering between the colonel and the professor.</p> + +<p>"Don't strike me, sah!" gasped Vallier, holding up his open hands, with +the palms toward the bantam-like professor.</p> + +<p>"Then do you apologize?"</p> + +<p>"You will strike me if I do not apologize?"</p> + +<p>"You may bet your life that I will, colonel."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then I—ah—I'll have to apologize, sah."</p> + +<p>"And this settles the entire affair between us?"</p> + +<p>"Eh—I don't know about that."</p> + +<p>"Well, you had better know. Does this settle the entire affair?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose so, sah."</p> + +<p>"You apologize most humbly?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"And you state of your own free will that this settles all trouble +between us?"</p> + +<p>The colonel hesitated, and Scotch lifted his fists menacingly.</p> + +<p>"I do, sah—I do!" Vallier hastened to say.</p> + +<p>"Then that's right," said Professor Scotch, airily. "You have escaped +the worst thumping you ever received in all your life, and you should +congratulate yourself."</p> + +<p>Frank felt like cheering with delight. Surely Professor Scotch had done +himself proud, and the termination of the affair had been quite +unexpected by the boys.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>THE PROFESSOR'S COURAGE.</h3> + + +<p>Colonel Vallier seemed utterly crestfallen and subdued, but Rolf +Raymond's face was dark with anger, as he harshly said:</p> + +<p>"Now that this foolishness is over, we will proceed to business."</p> + +<p>"That's right," bowed Frank. "The quicker you proceed the better +satisfied we will be. Go ahead."</p> + +<p>Rolf turned fiercely on Frank, almost snarling:</p> + +<p>"You must have been at the bottom of it all! Where is she?"</p> + +<p>Frank was astonished, as his face plainly showed.</p> + +<p>"Where is she?" he repeated.</p> + +<p>"Whom do you mean, sir?"</p> + +<p>"It is useless to pretend that you do not know. You must have found an +opportunity to communicate with her somehow, although how you +accomplished it is more than I understand."</p> + +<p>"You are speaking in riddles. Say what you mean, man."</p> + +<p>"I will. If you do not immediately tell us where she is, you will find +yourself in serious trouble. Is that plain enough?"</p> + +<p>A light came to Frank.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean the Queen of Flowers?" he eagerly asked.</p> + +<p>"You know I mean the Queen of Flowers."</p> + +<p>"And you do not know what has become of her?"</p> + +<p>"How can we? She disappeared mysteriously from the ballroom. No one saw +her leave, but she went."</p> + +<p>"She must have returned to her home."</p> + +<p>"That will not go with us, Merriwell, for we hastened to the place where +she is stopping with her father, and she was not there, nor had he seen +her. He cannot live long, and this blow will hasten the end. You will be +re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>sponsible. Take my advice and give her up at once, unless you wish to +get into trouble of a most serious nature."</p> + +<p>Frank saw that Raymond actually believed he knew what had become of the +Flower Queen.</p> + +<p>"Look here," came swiftly from the boy's lips, "it is plain this is no +time to waste words. I do not know what has become of the Flower Queen, +that is straight. I did know she had disappeared from the ballroom, but +I supposed she had returned to her home. I do not know her name as yet, +although she knows mine. If anything has happened to her, I am not +responsible; but I take a great interest in her, and I am ready and +eager to be of assistance to her. Tell me her name, as that will aid +me."</p> + +<p>Rolf Raymond could not doubt Frank's words, for honesty was written on +the boy's face.</p> + +<p>"Her name," he said—"her name is—for you to learn."</p> + +<p>His taunting laugh brought the warm blood to Frank's face.</p> + +<p>"All right!" cried the boy from the North. "I'll learn it, no thanks to +you. More than that, if she needs my aid, she shall have it. It strikes +me that she may have fled of her own accord to escape being persecuted +by you. If so——"</p> + +<p>"What then?"</p> + +<p>"We'll meet again."</p> + +<p>"That we will! Colonel Vallier may have settled his trouble with +Professor Scotch, but mine is not settled with you."</p> + +<p>"You are right."</p> + +<p>"We may yet meet on the field of honor."</p> + +<p>"I shall be pleased to accommodate you," flashed Frank; "and the sooner, +the better it will satisfy me."</p> + +<p>"Thot's th' talk!" cried Barney Mulloy, admiringly. "You can do th' +spalpane, Frankie, at any old thing he'll name!"</p> + +<p>"The disappearance of Miss ——, the Flower Queen, prevents the setting +of a time and place," said Raymond, passionately; "but you shall be +waited on as soon as she is found. Until then I must let nothing +interfere with my search for her."</p> + +<p>"Very good; that is satisfactory to me, and I will do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> my best to help +find her for you. Now, if your business is quite over, gentlemen, your +room would give us much more pleasure than your company."</p> + +<p>Not another word did Raymond or Vallier say, but they strode stiffly to +the door and bowed themselves out. Barney closed the door after them.</p> + +<p>Then both the boys turned on Professor Scotch, to find he had collapsed +into a chair, and seemed on the point of swooning.</p> + +<p>"Professor," cried Frank, "I want to congratulate you! That was the best +piece of work you ever did in all your life."</p> + +<p>"Profissor," exclaimed Barney, "ye're a jewil! Av inny wan iver says you +lack nerve, may Oi be bitten by th' wurrust shnake in Oireland av Oi +don't break his head!"</p> + +<p>"Boys!" gasped the professor, "fan me! I can't seem to get my breath! +How did I do it? It scares me to think of it."</p> + +<p>"You were a man, professor, and you showed Colonel Vallier that you were +utterly reckless. You seemed eager for a fight."</p> + +<p>"Fight!" groaned the little man. "I couldn't fight a child! I never +fought in my life. I don't know how to fight."</p> + +<p>"Colonel Vallier didn't know that. It was plain, he believed you a +desperate slugger, and he wilted immediately."</p> + +<p>"But I can't understand how I came to do such a thing. Till their +unwarranted intrusion—till I collided with the colonel—I was in terror +for my life. The moment we collided I seemed to forget that I was +scared, and I remembered only that I was mad."</p> + +<p>"And you seemed more than eager for a scrap."</p> + +<p>"Ye samed doying fer a bit av a row, profissor."</p> + +<p>"What if he had struck me!" palpitated the little man. "Oh, gracious! It +would have been terrible!"</p> + +<p>"For him. If he'd struck you, you'd been so mad that nothing could have +stopped you. You would have waded into him, and given him the worst +thrashing he ever received."</p> + +<p>"Thot's pwhat ye would, profissor, sure as fate."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<p>Scotch began to revive, and the words of the boys convinced him that he +was really a very brave man, and had done a most daring thing. Little by +little, he began to swell, like a toad.</p> + +<p>"I don't know but you're right," he said, stiffening up. "I was utterly +reckless and desperate at the time."</p> + +<p>"That's right, professor."</p> + +<p>"Profissor, ye're a bad mon ter buck against."</p> + +<p>"That is a fact that has not been generally known, but, having cowed one +of the most desperate duelists in the South, and forced him to +apologize, I presume I have a right to make some pretensions."</p> + +<p>"That's a fact."</p> + +<p>"Ye've made a riccord fer yersilf."</p> + +<p>"And a record to be proud of," crowed the little man, getting on his +feet and beginning to strut, forgetful of the fact that he was in his +night robe and presented a most ludicrous appearance. "The events of +this evening shall become a part of history. Future generations shall +regard me as one of the most nervy and daring men of my age. And really, +I don't know but I am. What's the use of being a coward when you can be +a hero just as well. Boys, this adventure has made a different man of +me. Hereafter, you will see that I'll not quail in the face of the most +deadly dangers. I'll even dare to walk up to the mouth of a cannon—if I +know it isn't loaded."</p> + +<p>The boys were forced to laugh at his bantam-like appearance, but, for +all of the queer twist he had given his last expression, the professor +seemed very serious, and it was plain that he had begun to regard +himself with admiration.</p> + +<p>"Think, boys," he cried—"think of my offer to fight him with pistols +across yonder narrow table!"</p> + +<p>"That was a stroke of genius, professor," declared Frank. "That broke +Colonel Vallier up more than anything else."</p> + +<p>"He wilted at that."</p> + +<p>"Of course you did not mean to actually fight him that way?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know," swelled the little man. "I was reckless then, and +I didn't care for anything."</p> + +<p>Suddenly Frank grew grave.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This other matter they spoke of worries me," he said. "I can't +understand what has happened to the Queen of Flowers."</p> + +<p>"Ye mustn't let thot worry yez, me b'y."</p> + +<p>"I can't help it."</p> + +<p>"She may be home by this toime."</p> + +<p>"And she may be in desperate need of a helping hand."</p> + +<p>"Av she is, Oi dunno how ye can hilp her, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"Nor do I know of any way. Why should any one kidnap her?"</p> + +<p>"Oi dunno."</p> + +<p>"It would be a most daring thing to do, as she is so well known; but +there are daring and desperate ruffians in New Orleans."</p> + +<p>"Oi think ye're roight, me b'y."</p> + +<p>"It may be that she has been persecuted so that she fled of her own +accord, and yet I hardly think that is true."</p> + +<p>"No more do Oi, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"If it is not true, surely she is in trouble."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't remain quietly here, knowing she may need aid!"</p> + +<p>"Pwhat will yez do?"</p> + +<p>"I am going out."</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Somewhere—anywhere! Will you come along?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, me b'y, Oi'm wid yez firrust, larrust, an' all th' toime!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>FRANK'S BOLD MOVE.</h3> + + +<p>The professor declined to go out. He returned to bed, and the boys left +the hotel.</p> + +<p>"Where away, Frankie?" asked Barney.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Frank, helplessly. "There is not one chance in +millions of finding the lost Flower Queen, but I feel that I must move +about. We'll visit the old French quarter by night. I have been there in +the daytime, and I'd like to see how it looks at night. Come on."</p> + +<p>And so they made their way to the French quarter, crossing Canal Street +and turning into a quiet, narrow way, that soon brought them to a region +of architectural decrepitude.</p> + +<p>The streets of this section were not overlighted, and seemed very silent +and lonely, as, at this particular time, the greater part of the +inhabitants of the quarter were away to the scenes of pleasure.</p> + +<p>The streets echoed to the <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'boy's' changed to 'boys''">boys'</span> feet. There were queer balconies on +every hand, the stores were mere shops, all of them now closed, and many +windows were nailed up. Rust and decay were on all sides, and yet there +was something impressive in the almost Oriental squalor of the place.</p> + +<p>"It sames loike we'd left th' city intoirely for another place, so it +does," muttered Barney.</p> + +<p>"That is true," admitted Frank. "New Orleans seems like a human being +with two personalities. For me this is the most interesting part of the +city; but commerce is beginning to crowd in here, and the time is coming +when the French quarter will cease to be an attraction for New Orleans."</p> + +<p>"D'ye think not, Frankie?"</p> + +<p>"It is a certain thing."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll get our look at it before it is gone intoirely."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> + +<p>A few dark figures were moving silently along the streets. The night was +warm, and the shutters of the balcony windows were opened to admit air.</p> + +<p>At a corner they halted, and, of a sudden, Frank clutched the arm of his +companion, whispering:</p> + +<p>"Look—see that man?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, me b'y."</p> + +<p>"Did you see his face?"</p> + +<p>"Nivver a bit."</p> + +<p>"Well, I did, and I do not believe I am mistaken in thinking I have seen +it before."</p> + +<p>"Whin?"</p> + +<p>"To-night."</p> + +<p>"Pwhere?"</p> + +<p>"In the alley where I was trapped by Manuel Mazaro and his gang."</p> + +<p>"It wur darruk in there, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"But I fired my revolver, and by the flash I saw a face."</p> + +<p>"So ye soay."</p> + +<p>"It was the face of the man who just passed beneath this light."</p> + +<p>"An' pwhat av thot, Frankie?"</p> + +<p>"He might lead me to Manuel Mazaro."</p> + +<p>"Pwhat do yez want to see thot spalpane fer?"</p> + +<p>"Mazaro knows a good deal."</p> + +<p>"Fer instance, pwhat?"</p> + +<p>"Why I was attacked, and the object of the attack. He might be induced +to tell."</p> + +<p>"It sure wur a case av intinded robbery, me b'y."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so, perhaps not. But he knows more. He knows all about Rolf +Raymond and Colonel Vallier."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Rolf Raymond and Colonel Vallier know a great deal about the lost +Flower Queen. It is possible Mazaro knows something of her. Come on, +Barney; we'll follow that man."</p> + +<p>"Jist as ye say, me lad."</p> + +<p>"Take the other side of the street, and keep him in sight, but do not +seem to be following him."</p> + +<p>They separated, and both kept in sight of the man, who did not seem to +fear pursuit or dream any one was shadowing him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + +<p>He led them straight to an antiquated story and a half Creole cottage, +shaded by a large willow tree, the branches of which touched the sides +and swept the round tiles of the roof. The foliage of the old tree half +concealed the discolored stucco, which was dropping off in many places.</p> + +<p>Over the door was a sign which announced that it was a café. The door +was open, and, in the first room could be seen some men who were eating +and drinking at a table. There was another room beyond.</p> + +<p>The man the boys had followed entered the cottage, passed through the +first room, speaking to the men at the table, and disappeared into the +room beyond.</p> + +<p>Frank and Barney paused outside.</p> + +<p>"Are yez goin' to folly him, Frankie, b'y?" asked the Irish lad.</p> + +<p>"To be sure I am."</p> + +<p>"There's no tellin' pwhat koind av a nest ye will get inther."</p> + +<p>"I'll have to take my chances on that."</p> + +<p>"Thin Oi'm wid yez."</p> + +<p>"No, I want you to remain outside, so you will be on hand in case I need +air."</p> + +<p>"How'll I know ye nade it?"</p> + +<p>"You'll hear me cry or shoot."</p> + +<p>"Av Oi do, you'll see Barney Mulloy comin' loike a cyclone."</p> + +<p>"I know I may depend on you, and I know this may be a nest of assassins. +These Spaniards are hot-blooded fellows, and they make dangerous +rascals."</p> + +<p>Frank looked at his revolver, to make sure it was in perfect working +order, dropped it into the side pocket of his coat, and walked boldly +into the cottage café.</p> + +<p>The men in the front room stared at him in surprise, but he did not seem +to give them a glance, walking straight through into the next room.</p> + +<p>There he saw two Spanish-looking fellows talking in low tones over a +table, on which drinks were setting.</p> + +<p>One of them was the man he had followed.</p> + +<p>They were surprised to see the boy coolly walk into the room, and +advance without hesitation to their table.</p> + +<p>The one Frank had followed seemed to recognize the lad, and he appeared +startled and somewhat alarmed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> + +<p>With the greatest politeness, Frank touched his cap, asking:</p> + +<p>"Señor, do you know Manuel Mazaro?"</p> + +<p>The fellow scowled, and hesitated, and then retorted:</p> + +<p>"What if I do?"</p> + +<p>"I want to see him."</p> + +<p>"And you have come here for that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I will see if he be here. Wait."</p> + +<p>At one side of the room was a door, opening on a dark flight of stairs. +Through this doorway and up the stairs the fellow disappeared.</p> + +<p>Frank sat down at the table, feeling the revolver in the side pocket of +his coat.</p> + +<p>The other man did not attempt to make any conversation.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the one who had ascended the stairs reappeared.</p> + +<p>"Señor Mazaro will soon be down," he announced.</p> + +<p>Then he sat at the table, and resumed conversation with his companion, +speaking in Spanish, and not even seeming to hear the "thank you" from +Frank.</p> + +<p>It was not long before Mazaro appeared, and he came forward without +hesitation, smiling serenely, as if delighted to see the boy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, señor!" he cried, "yo' be not harm in de scrape what we run into?"</p> + +<p>"I was not harmed, no, thanks to you, Mazaro," said the boy, coolly. "It +is a wonder that I came out with a whole skin."</p> + +<p>"Señor, you do not blame me fo' dat? I deed not know-a it—I deed not +know-a de robbares were there."</p> + +<p>"Mazaro, you are a very good liar, but it will not work with me."</p> + +<p>The Spaniard showed his teeth, and fell back a step.</p> + +<p>"De young señor speak-a ver' plain," he said.</p> + +<p>"It is my way. Mazaro, we may as well understand each other first as +last. You are a scoundrel, and you're out for the dollars. Now, it is +possible you can make more money by serving me than in any other way. If +you can help me, I will pay you well."</p> + +<p>Mazaro looked ready to sink a knife into Frank's heart<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> a moment before, +but he suddenly thawed. With the utmost politeness, he said:</p> + +<p>"I do not think-a I know what de señor mean. If he speak-a litt'l +plainer, mebbe I ondarstan'."</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Mazaro."</p> + +<p>The Spaniard took a seat at the table.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Frank, quietly, "order what you wish to drink, and I will +pay for it. I never drink myself, and I never carry much money with me +nights, but I have enough to pay for your drink."</p> + +<p>"De señor is ver' kind," bowed Manuel, and he ordered a drink, which was +brought by a villainous-looking old woman.</p> + +<p>Frank paid, and, when Mazaro was sipping the liquid, he leaned forward +and said:</p> + +<p>"Señor Mazaro, you know Rolf Raymond?"</p> + +<p>"Si, señor."</p> + +<p>"And Colonel Vallier?"</p> + +<p>"Si, señor."</p> + +<p>"And the Queen of Flowers?"</p> + +<p>"I know of her, señor; I see her to-day."</p> + +<p>"You know more. She has disappeared, and you know what has become of +her."</p> + +<p>It was a chance shot, but Frank saw it went home.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>THE QUEEN IS FOUND.</h3> + + +<p>Mazaro changed color, and then he regained his composure.</p> + +<p>"Señor," he said, smoothly, "I know-a not what made you t'ink dat."</p> + +<p>"I do not think; I know."</p> + +<p>"Wondareful—ver' wondareful," purred the Spaniard, in mock admiration. +"You give-a me great s'prise."</p> + +<p>Frank was angry, but he held himself in restraint, appearing cool.</p> + +<p>"Your face betrayed it."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Dat show yo' have-a ver' gre't eye, señor."</p> + +<p>"You do not deny it?"</p> + +<p>"Why should I do dat when you know-a so much?"</p> + +<p>"You dare not deny it."</p> + +<p>"Dare, señor? I dare ver' many thing you do not know."</p> + +<p>Mazaro was exasperatingly cool.</p> + +<p>"Look here, man," said Frank, leaning toward the Spaniard; "are you +aware that you may get yourself into serious trouble? Are you aware that +kidnaping is an offense that makes you a criminal of the worst sort, and +for which you might be sent up for twenty years, at least?"</p> + +<p>The Spaniard smiled.</p> + +<p>"It is eeze to talk, but dat is not proof," he said.</p> + +<p>"You scoundrel!" exclaimed the boy, his anger getting the better of him +for the moment. "I have a mind to convey my suspicions to the police, +and then——"</p> + +<p>"An' den what, señor? Ah! you talk ver' bol' fo' boy like you. Do you +know-a what? Well, see; if I snappa my fingare, quick like a flash you +get a knife 'tween your shouldares. Den you not tell-a the police."</p> + +<p>Frank could not repress a shiver. He looked swiftly around, and saw the +black eyes of the other two men were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> fastened upon him, and he knew +they were ready to obey Mazaro's signal.</p> + +<p>"W'at yo' t'ink-a, señor?" smiled Manuel, insolently.</p> + +<p>"That is very well," came calmly from Frank's lips. "If I were to give +the signal my friends would rush in here to my aid. If you stab me, make +sure the knife goes through my heart with the first stroke, so there +will be little chance that I'll cry out."</p> + +<p>"Den you have-a friends near, ha? I t'ink so mebbe. Call-a dem in."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you. They will remain outside till they are needed."</p> + +<p>"Ver' well. Now we undarestan' each odder. Yo' have-a some more to say?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Say him."</p> + +<p>"I have told you that you might find it profitable to serve me."</p> + +<p>"I hear dat."</p> + +<p>"I meant it."</p> + +<p>"W'at yo' want done?"</p> + +<p>"No dirty work—no throat-cutting. I want information."</p> + +<p>"Ha! W'at yo' want-a know?"</p> + +<p>"I want to know who the Queen of Flowers is."</p> + +<p>"Any more?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I want to know where she is, and you can tell me."</p> + +<p>"Yo' say dat, but yo' can't prove it. I don't say anyt'ing, señor. 'Bo't +how much yo' pay fo' that info'mation, ha?"</p> + +<p>"Good money, and a fair price."</p> + +<p>"Fair price notting; I want good-a price. Undarestand-a?"</p> + +<p>"I understand."</p> + +<p>"W'at yo' gif?"</p> + +<p>"To know where she is? A hundred dollars."</p> + +<p>Mazaro smiled scornfully.</p> + +<p>"Dat notting. Yo' don' talk de biz. Yo' don' have-a de mon' enough."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Wait," urged Frank. "I am a Yankee, from the North, and I will make a +trade with you."</p> + +<p>"All-a right, but I don't admit I know anyt'ing."</p> + +<p>Manuel leaned back in his chair, lazily and deftly rolling a cigarette, +which he lighted. Frank watched this piece of business, thinking of the +best manner of approaching the fellow.</p> + +<p>And then something happened that electrified every one within the café.</p> + +<p>Somewhere above there came the sound of blows, and a crashing, +splintering sound, as of breaking wood. Then a shriek ran through the +building.</p> + +<p>"Help! Help! Save me!"</p> + +<p>It was the voice of a female in great terror and distress.</p> + +<p>Mazaro ground a curse through his white teeth, and leaped to his feet, +but Frank was on his feet quite as quickly.</p> + +<p>Smack! Frank's arm had shot out, and his hard fist struck the Spaniard +under the ear, sending the fellow flying through the air and up against +the wall with terrible force. From the wall Mazaro dropped, limp and +groaning, to the floor.</p> + +<p>Like a flash, the nervy youth flung the table against the downcast +wretch's companions, making them reel.</p> + +<p>Then Frank leaped toward the stairs, up which he bounded like a deer.</p> + +<p>"Where are you?" he cried. "I am here to help you! Call again!"</p> + +<p>No answer.</p> + +<p>Near the head of the stairs a light shone out through a broken panel in +a door, and on this door Frank knew the blows he had heard must have +fallen.</p> + +<p>Within this room the boy fancied he could hear sounds of a desperate +struggle.</p> + +<p>Behind him the desperadoes were rallying, cursing hoarsely, and crying +to each other. They were coming, and the lad on the stairs knew they +would come armed to the teeth.</p> + +<p>All the chivalry in his nature was aroused. His blood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> was leaping and +tingling in his veins, and he felt able to cope with a hundred foes.</p> + +<p>Straight toward the broken door he leaped, and his hand found the knob, +but it refused to yield at his touch.</p> + +<p>"Fast!" he panted. "Well, I'll try this!"</p> + +<p>He hurled himself against the door, but it remained firm.</p> + +<p>There were feet on the stairs; the desperadoes were coming.</p> + +<p>At that moment he looked into the room through the break in the panel, +and he saw a girl struggling with all her strength in the hands of a +man. The man was trying to hold a hand over her mouth to keep her from +crying out again, while a torrent of angry Spanish words poured in a +hissing sound from his bearded lips.</p> + +<p>As Frank looked the girl tore the fellow's hand from her lips, and her +cry for help again rang out.</p> + +<p>The wretch lifted his fist to strike her senseless, but the blow did not +fall.</p> + +<p>Frank was a remarkably good shot, and his revolver was in his hand. That +hand was flung upward to the opening in the panel, and he fired into the +room.</p> + +<p>The burst of smoke kept him from seeing the result of the shot, but he +heard a hoarse roar of pain from the man, and he knew he had not missed.</p> + +<p>He had fired at the fellow's wrist, and the bullet had shattered it.</p> + +<p>But now the ruffians who were coming furiously up the stairs demanded +his attention.</p> + +<p>"Halt!" he shouted. "Stop where you are, or I shall open fire on you!"</p> + +<p>He could see them, and he saw the foremost lift his hand. Then there was +a burst of flame before Frank's eyes, and he staggered backward, feeling +a bullet near his cheek.</p> + +<p>Not till that moment did he realize what a trap he was in, and how +desperate was his situation.</p> + +<p>"It is a fight for life!" he muttered, as he lifted his revolver.</p> + +<p>The smell of burned powder was in his nostrils, the fire of battle +gleamed from his eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + +<p>The weapon in Frank's hand spoke again, and once more he found his game, +for the leading ruffian, having almost reached the head of the stairs, +flung up his arms, with a gurgling sound, and toppled backward upon +those who were following.</p> + +<p>Down the stairs they all tumbled, falling in a heap at the bottom, where +they struggled, squirmed, and shouted.</p> + +<p>"So far everything is very serene!" half laughed the daring boy. "This +has turned out to be a real lively night."</p> + +<p>Frank was a lad who never deliberately sought danger for danger's sake, +but when his blood was aroused, he entirely forgot to be afraid, and he +felt a wild thrill of joy when in the greatest peril.</p> + +<p>For the time, he had entirely forgotten the existence of Barney Mulloy, +but now he remembered that the Irish lad had waited outside the cottage +café.</p> + +<p>"He has heard the rumpus," said Frank, aloud. "I wonder where Barney can +be?"</p> + +<p>"Whist, be aisy, me lad!" retorted the familiar voice of the Irish +youth. "Oi'm wid yez to th' ind!"</p> + +<p>Barney was close behind Frank!</p> + +<p>"How in the world did you get here?" cried our hero, in great +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Oi climbed the tray, me b'y."</p> + +<p>"The tree? What tree?"</p> + +<p>"Th' willey tray as shtands forninst th' corner av th' house, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"But that does not explain how you came here at my side."</p> + +<p>"There was a windy open, an' Oi shlipped in by th' windy."</p> + +<p>"Well, you're a dandy, Barney!"</p> + +<p>"An' ye're a birrud, Frankie. What koind av a muss hiv ye dhropped into +now, Oi'd loike ter know?"</p> + +<p>"A regular ruction. I heard a girl shout for help, and I knocked over +two or three chaps, Mazaro included, on my way to her aid."</p> + +<p>"Where is she now, b'y?"</p> + +<p>"In here," said Frank, pointing through the broken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> panel. "She is the +missing Queen of Flowers! There she is, Barney! See here!"</p> + +<p>Then Frank obtained a fair look at the girl's face, staggered, clutched +Barney, and shouted:</p> + +<p>"Look! By heavens! It is not strange she knew me, for we both know her! +She is Inza Burrage!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>FIGHTING LADS.</h3> + + +<p>While attending school at Fardale Military Academy, Frank had met and +become acquainted with a charming girl by the name of Inza Burrage. They +had been very friendly—more than friendly; in a boy and girl way, they +were lovers.</p> + +<p>After leaving Fardale and starting to travel, Frank had written to Inza, +and she had answered. For a time the correspondence had continued, but, +at last, Frank had failed to receive any answers to his letters. He +wrote again and again, but never a line came from Inza, and he finally +decided she had grown tired of him, and had taken this method of +dropping him.</p> + +<p>Frank was proud and sensitive, and he resolved to forget Inza. This was +not easy, but he thought of her as little as possible, and never spoke +of her to any one.</p> + +<p>And now he had met her in this remarkable manner. Some fellow had +written him from Fardale that Mr. Burrage had moved from the place, but +no one seemed to know whither he had gone. Frank had not dreamed of +seeing Inza in New Orleans, but she was the mysterious Queen of Flowers, +and, for some reason, she was in trouble and peril.</p> + +<p>Although dazed by his astonishing discovery, the boy quickly recovered, +and he felt that he could battle with a hundred ruffians in the defense +of the girl beyond the broken door.</p> + +<p>Barney Mulloy seemed no less astonished than Frank.</p> + +<p>"Be me soul! it is thot lassie!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Inza! Inza!" shouted Frank, through the broken panel.</p> + +<p>She heard him.</p> + +<p>"Frank! Frank! Save me!"</p> + +<p>"I will!"</p> + +<p>The promise was given with the utmost confidence.</p> + +<p>At that moment, however, the ruffian whose wrist<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> Frank had broken, +leaped upon the girl and grasped her with his uninjured arm.</p> + +<p>"<i>Carramba!</i>" he snarled. "You save-a her? Bah! Fool! You never git-a +out with whole skin!"</p> + +<p>"Drop her, you dog!" cried Frank, pointing his revolver at the +fellow—"drop her, or I'll put a bullet through your head, instead of +your wrist!"</p> + +<p>"Bah! Shoot! You kill-a her!"</p> + +<p>He held the struggling girl before him as a shield.</p> + +<p>Like a raging lion, Frank tore at the panel.</p> + +<p>The man with the girl swiftly moved back to a door at the farther side +of the room. This door he had already unfastened and flung open.</p> + +<p>"<i>Adios!</i>" he cried, derisively. "Some time I square wid you for my +hand-a! <i>Adios!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Th' spalpanes are comin' up th' shtairs again, Frankie!" cried Barney, +in the ear of the desperate boy at the door.</p> + +<p>Frank did not seem to hear; he was striving to break the stout panel so +that he could force his way through the opening.</p> + +<p>"Frank! Frank! they're coming up th' shtairs!"</p> + +<p>"Let them come!"</p> + +<p>"They'll make mince mate av us!"</p> + +<p>"I must follow her!"</p> + +<p>"Well, folly, av ye want to!" shouted the Irish lad. "Oi'm goin' to +shtop th' gang!"</p> + +<p>Crack! The panel gave. Crack! splinter! smash! Out came a long strip, +which Frank flung upon the floor.</p> + +<p>Barney caught it up and whirled toward the stairs.</p> + +<p>The desperadoes were coming with a rush—they were well up the stairs. +In another moment the leading ruffian would have reached the second +floor.</p> + +<p>"Get back, ye gossoons! Down, ye haythen! Take thot, ye bloody pirates!"</p> + +<p>The strip of heavy wood in Barney's hands whirled through the air, and +came down with a resounding crack on the head of the leader.</p> + +<p>The fellows had not learned caution by the fate of the first man to +climb the stairs, and they were following their second leader as close +as possible.</p> + +<p>Barney had a strong arm, and he struck the fellow with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> all his power. +Well it was for the ruffian that the heavy wood was not very thick, else +he would have had a broken head.</p> + +<p>Back he toppled upon the one behind, and that one made a vain attempt to +support him. The dead weight was too much, and the second fell, again +sweeping the whole lot to the foot of the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Hurro!" shouted the Irish boy, in wild delight. "This is th' koind av a +picnic pwhat Oi admire! Come on, ye nagurs! It's Barney Mulloy ye're +runnin' up against, an' begobs! he's good fer th' whole crowd av yez!"</p> + +<p>At the foot of the stairs there was a writhing, wrangling, snarling mass +of human beings; at the head of the stairs was a young Irishman who +laughed and crowed and flourished the cudgel of wood in his hands.</p> + +<p>Barney, feeling his blood leaping joyously in his veins, felt like +singing, and so he began to warble a "fighting song," over and over +inviting his enemies to come on.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Frank had made an opening large enough to force his body +through.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Barney!" he cried, attracting the other boy's attention by a +sharp blow.</p> + +<p>"Pwhere?"</p> + +<p>"In here—somewhere."</p> + +<p>"Frankie, ye're muddled, an' Oi nivver saw yez so before."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Nivver a bit would it do for us both to go in there, fer th' craythers +moight hiv us in a thrap."</p> + +<p>"You're right, Barney. I will go. You stay here and hold the ruffians +back. Here—take my revolver. You'll need it."</p> + +<p>"G'wan wid yez! Quit yer foolin', Frankie! Oi hiv an illigant shillaly +here, an' thot's all Oi nade, unliss ye have two revolvers."</p> + +<p>"This is the only one I have."</p> + +<p>"Thin kape it, me b'y, fer ye'll nade it before ye save the lass, Oi +think."</p> + +<p>"I think you may be right, Barney. Here goes! Hold them back. I'll not +desert you."</p> + +<p>"It's nivver a bit Oi worry about thot, Frankie. G'wan!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> + +<p>Through the panel Frank forced his way. As soon as he was within the +room he ran for the door through which the ruffian had dragged Inza.</p> + +<p>Frank knew that the fellow might be waiting just beyond the door, knife +in hand, and he sprang through with his revolver held ready for instant +use.</p> + +<p>There was no light in the room, but the light from the lamp in the +adjoining room shone in at the doorway.</p> + +<p>Frank looked around, and, to his dismay, he could see no one.</p> + +<p>"Are they gone?" he asked himself. "If so, whither?"</p> + +<p>It was not long before he was convinced that the room was empty of any +living being save himself.</p> + +<p>The Spanish ruffian and the unfortunate girl had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Oh, confound the infernal luck!" raved the boy. "He has escaped with +her! But I did my best, and I followed as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>Then he remembered that he had promised Inza he would save her, and it +wrung a groan from his lips.</p> + +<p>"Which way have they gone?" he cried, beginning to look for a door that +led from the room.</p> + +<p>By this time he was accustomed to the dim light, and he saw a door. In a +twinkling he had tried it, but found it was locked or bolted on the +farther side.</p> + +<p>"The fellow had little time and no hands to lock a door. He may not have +gone this way. He must, for this is the only door to the room, save the +one by which I entered. He went out this way, and I will follow!"</p> + +<p>Retreating to the farther side of the room, Frank made a run and plunged +against the door.</p> + +<p>It was bolted on the farther side, and the shock snapped the iron bolt +as if it had been a pipe stem.</p> + +<p>Bang! Open flew the door, and Frank went reeling through, revolver in +hand, somewhat dazed, but still determined and fierce as a young tiger.</p> + +<p>At a glance he saw he was in a small room, with two doors standing +open—the one he had just broken down and another. Through this other he +leaped, and found himself in a long passage, at the farther end of which +Barney Mulloy was still guarding the head of the stairs, once more +singing the wild "fighting song."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + +<p>Not a trace of the ruffian or the kidnaped girl could Frank see.</p> + +<p>"Gone!" he palpitated, mystified and awe-stricken. "Gone—where?"</p> + +<p>That was a question he could not answer for a moment, and then——</p> + +<p>"The window in that room! It is the one by which Barney entered! It must +be the one by which the wretch fled with Inza!"</p> + +<p>Back into the room he had just left he leaped. Two bounds carried him to +the window, against which brushed the branch of the old willow tree.</p> + +<p>He looked out.</p> + +<p>"There they are!"</p> + +<p>The exultant words came in a panting whisper from his lips as he saw +some dark figures on the ground beneath the tree. He was sure he saw a +female form among them, and his ears did not deceive him, for he heard +at last a smothered appeal for help.</p> + +<p>Then two other forms rushed out of the shadows and fell upon the men +beneath the tree, striking right and left!</p> + +<p>There was a short, fierce struggle, a woman's shriek, the death groan of +a stricken man, a pistol shot, and scattering forms.</p> + +<p>Without pausing to measure the distance to the ground, Frank sprang over +the window sill and dropped.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>END OF THE SEARCH.</h3> + + +<p>Like a cat, Frank alighted on his feet, and he was ready for anything +the moment he struck the ground.</p> + +<p>There was no longer any fighting beneath the tree. The struggling mass +had melted to two dark figures, one of which was stretched on the +ground, while the other bent over it.</p> + +<p>Frank sprang forward and caught the kneeling one by the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"What has become of her?" he demanded, fiercely.</p> + +<p>The man looked up, astonished.</p> + +<p>It was Colonel La Salle Vallier!</p> + +<p>"Yo', sah?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"You?" cried Frank.</p> + +<p>Then the boy recovered, again demanding:</p> + +<p>"What has become of Miss Burrage? She was here a moment ago."</p> + +<p>The colonel looked around in a dazed way, slowly saying:</p> + +<p>"Yes, sah, she was here, fo' Mistah Raymon' heard her voice, and he +rushed in to save her."</p> + +<p>"Raymond? Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"Here, sah."</p> + +<p>The colonel motioned toward the silent form on the ground, and Frank +bent forward to peer into the white, ghastly face.</p> + +<p>It was, indeed, Rolf Raymond.</p> + +<p>"Dead?" fluttered Frank.</p> + +<p>"Dead!" replied Colonel Vallier.</p> + +<p>"He was killed in the struggle?"</p> + +<p>"He was stabbed at the ver' start, sah. The knife must have struck his +heart."</p> + +<p>"Merciful goodness!" gasped the boy, horrified. "And how came he here?"</p> + +<p>"We were searching fo' Manuel Mazaro, sah. Mistah Raymon' did not trus' +the rascal, and he believed Mazaro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> might know something about Miss +Burrage. Mazaro is ready fo' anything, and he knew big money would be +offered fo' the recovery of the young lady, so he must have kidnaped +her. We knew where to find Mazaro, though he did not suppose so, and we +came here. As we approached, we saw some figures beneath this tree. Then +we heard a feminine cry fo' help, and we rushed in here, sah. That's +all, except that Mistah Raymon' rushed to his death, and the rascals +have escaped."</p> + +<p>"They have escaped with the girl—carried her away!"</p> + +<p>"But they will not dare keep her now, sah."</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because they are known, and the entire police of the city will be after +them."</p> + +<p>"What will they do with her?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I do not think they will harm her, sah."</p> + +<p>"What was she to Rolf Raymond?"</p> + +<p>"His affianced bride, sah."</p> + +<p>"Well, she will not marry him now," said Frank; "but I am truly sorry +that the fellow was killed in such a dastardly manner."</p> + +<p>"So am I, sah," confessed the queer colonel. "He has been ver' valuable +to me. It will be a long time before I find another like him."</p> + +<p>Frank did not understand that remark then, but he did afterward, when he +was told that Colonel Vallier was a professional card sharp, and had +bled Rolf Raymond for many thousands of dollars. This explained the +singular friendship between the sharp old rascal and the young man.</p> + +<p>More than that, Frank afterward learned that Colonel Vallier was not a +commissioned officer, had never been such, but had assumed the title.</p> + +<p>In many ways the man tried to imitate the Southern gentleman of the old +school, but, as he was not a gentleman at heart, he was a sad failure.</p> + +<p>All at once Frank remembered Barney, and that he had promised to stand +by the Irish lad.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" he cried. "Barney Mulloy is in there with that gang of +raging wolves!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nivver a bit av it, Frankie," chirped a cheerful voice. "Oi am here."</p> + +<p>Down from the tree swung the fighting Irish lad, dropping beside his +comrade.</p> + +<p>"Th' craythers didn't feel loike comin' up th' shtairs inny more," +Barney explained. "They seemed to hiv enough sport fer wan avenin'. +Somebody shouted somethin' to thim, an' away they wint out doors, so I +took to lookin' fer yez, me b'y."</p> + +<p>"And you found me?"</p> + +<p>"Oi looked out av th' windy, an' hearrud yer voice. Thot's whoy Oi came +down. Phat has happened out here, Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>Frank hastily explained.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's the avil wan's oun luck!" exclaimed Barney. "But av we shtay +here, Frankie, it's pinched we'll be by the police as will be afther +getting around boy and boy. We'd betther take a sneak."</p> + +<p>"Inza——"</p> + +<p>"She ain't here inny more, me lad, an' so ye moight as well go."</p> + +<p>"You are right. Come on."</p> + +<p>Swiftly and silently they slipped away, leaving Colonel Vallier with the +dead youth.</p> + +<p>Frank was feeling disgusted and desperate, and he expressed himself +freely as they made their way along the streets.</p> + +<p>"It is voile luck," admitted Barney; "but we did our bist, an' it's a +jolly good foight we had. Frankie, we make a whole tame, wid a litthle +yaller dog under th' waggin."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't think of anything but Inza, Inza, Inza! She——"</p> + +<p>"Frank!"</p> + +<p>Out of a dark shadow timidly came a female figure.</p> + +<p>With a cry of joy, Frank sprang forward, and clasped her in his arms, +lifting her off her feet and covering her face, eyes and mouth with +kisses, while he cried:</p> + +<p>"Inza, girl! at last! at last! We fought like fiends to save you, and we +thought we had failed. But now——"</p> + +<p>"You did your best, Frank, but that dreadful wretch dragged me to the +window and dropped me into the arms<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> of a monster who was waiting below. +I did not faint—I would not! I made up my mind that I would keep my +senses and try to escape. The man jumped after me, and then a signal was +given that brought the others from the building. They were going to wrap +something about my head when I got my mouth free and cried out. After +that I scarcely know what happened. There was fighting, and I caught a +glimpse of the face of Rolf Raymond. How he came there I do not know. I +felt myself free, and I ran, ran, ran, till I fell here from exhaustion, +and here I lay till I heard your voice. I knew it, and I replied."</p> + +<p>"Frankie, me b'y!" cried Barney, "it's a bit ago we were ravin' at our +luck: It's givin' thanks we should be this minute."</p> + +<p>"True, Barney, true! It is all right at last. Inza is safe, Rolf Raymond +is dead, and——"</p> + +<p>A cry broke from the lips of the girl.</p> + +<p>"Rolf Raymond dead?" she exclaimed, wildly. "Are you sure?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," replied Frank, coldly. "You will not marry him now."</p> + +<p>"I should not have married him anyway."</p> + +<p>"But you were affianced to him?"</p> + +<p>"By my father—yes. My father and Roderick Raymond, who is a cripple and +has not many more years to live, were schoolmates and friends in their +younger days. Roderick Raymond has made a vast fortune, and in his old +age he set his heart upon having his son marry the daughter of his +former friend and partner. It seems that, when they first got married, +father and Raymond declared, in case the child of one was a boy, and +that of the other was a girl, that their children should marry. Rolf was +Mr. Raymond's only son, as I am an only daughter. Believing himself +ready to die, Roderick Raymond sent to my father and reminded him of +their agreement. As you know, father is not very wealthy, and he is now +an invalid. His mind is not strong, and he became convinced that it was +his duty to see that I married Rolf Raymond. He set his mind on it, and +all my pleadings were in vain. He brought me here to the South, and I +saw Rolf. I disliked him violently the moment my eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> rested on him, +but he seemed to fall madly in love with me. He was fiercely jealous of +me, and watched me as a dog watches its mistress. I could not escape +him, and I was becoming entangled deeper and deeper when you appeared. I +knew you, and I was determined to see you again—to ask you to save me. +I took part in the parade to-night, and went to the ballroom. Rolf +followed me about so that I became disgusted and slipped from the room, +intending to return home alone. Barely had I left the room when a fellow +whispered in my ear that he had been sent there by you—that I was to go +with him, and he would take me to you. I entered a closed carriage, and +I was brought to the place where you found me a captive in the hands of +those ruffians."</p> + +<p>Frank had listened with eager interest to this explanation, and it made +everything clear.</p> + +<p>"It was ordained by fate that we should find you there," he declared. +"It was known the Queen of Flowers had disappeared, and we were +searching for you. Something led us straight to that place. Rolf Raymond +came there, also, and he came to his death. But, Inza, explain one +thing—why didn't you answer my letters?"</p> + +<p>"I answered every one I received. You stopped writing."</p> + +<p>"I did not; but I received no answers."</p> + +<p>"Then," cried the girl, "your letters must have been intercepted. You +were constantly changing about. I did not know your address, so I could +not ask for an explanation."</p> + +<p>"Well, it has come out right at last. We'll find a carriage and take you +home. To-morrow I will see you."</p> + +<p>They reached Canal Street, and found a carriage.</p> + +<p>Inza's invalid father was astounded when he saw Frank and Barney Mulloy +appear with his <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, 'daughtetr' changed to 'daughter'">daughter</span>, and he was more than ever astounded and +agitated when he knew what had happened.</p> + +<p>But Inza was safe, and Rolf Raymond was dead.</p> + +<p>It was a lively tale the boys related to Professor Scotch that night. +The little man fairly gasped for breath as he listened.</p> + +<p>"Well! well! well!" was all he could say.</p> + +<p>In the morning the police had taken hold of the affair,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> and they were +hot after the fellows who had killed Rolf Raymond. Frank and Barney were +called on to tell their story, and were placed under surveillance.</p> + +<p>But the cottage café was deserted, and the Spanish rascals were not +captured. They disappeared from New Orleans, and, to this day, the law +has never avenged the death of Roderick Raymond's only son.</p> + +<p>The murder of his boy was too much for Raymond to endure, and he died of +a broken heart on the day of the son's funeral. Knowing he was dying, he +had a new will swiftly made, and all his wealth was left to his old +friend Burrage.</p> + +<p>Frank and Barney thoroughly enjoyed the rest of their stay in New +Orleans. In the open carriage with them, at Frank's side, rode the +"Queen of Flowers" as they went sight-seeing.</p> + +<p>In the throng of spectators, with two detectives near at hand, they saw +Colonel La Salle Vallier. He lifted his hat and bowed with the utmost +courtesy.</p> + +<p>"The auld chap is something of a daisy, after all, Frankie," laughed +Barney. "Oi kinder admire th' spalpane."</p> + +<p>"Ha, hum!" coughed Professor Scotch, at Barney's side. "He is a great +duelist—a great duelist, but he quailed before my terrible eye—he was +forced to apologize. Hum, ha!"</p> + +<p>Frank leaned toward Inza.</p> + +<p>"If anything happens when we are again separated that you should fail to +receive my letters, you will not doubt me, will you?" he asked, in a +whisper.</p> + +<p>And she softly replied:</p> + +<p>"No, Frank, but——"</p> + +<p>"But what?"</p> + +<p>"You—you must not forget Elsie Bellwood."</p> + +<p>"I haven't heard from her in a long time," said Frank. And there the +talk ended.</p> + +<p>But Frank was to hear from his other girl friend soon and in a most +unexpected manner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERIOUS CANOE.</h3> + + +<p>From New Orleans Frank, Barney and the professor journeyed to Florida.</p> + +<p>Frank was anxious to see the Everglades and do some hunting.</p> + +<p>Our hero was particularly anxious to shoot a golden heron, of which he +had heard not a little.</p> + +<p>One day a start was made in a canoe from a small settlement on the edge +of the great Dismal Swamp, and on went our three friends deeper and +deeper into the wilds.</p> + +<p>At last the professor grew tired of the sameness of the journey.</p> + +<p>"How much further into this wild swamp do you intend to go, Frank?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"I am going till I get a shot at a golden heron."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! There is no golden heron."</p> + +<p>"You think so?"</p> + +<p>"I know it. The golden heron is a myth. White hunters have searched the +remote fastnesses of the Florida swamps for a golden heron, but no such +bird have they ever found. The Indians are the only ones to see golden +herons."</p> + +<p>"If the Indians can see them, white men may find them. I shall not be +satisfied till I have shot one."</p> + +<p>"Then you'll never be satisfied."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know about that, professor. I am something of an Indian +myself. You know the Seminoles are honest and peaceable, and——"</p> + +<p>"All Indians are liars. I would not take the word of a Seminole under +any condition. Come, Frank, don't be foolish; let's turn round and go +back. We may get bewildered on these winding waterways which twist here +and there through swamps of cypress and rushes. We were foolish to come +without a guide, but——"</p> + +<p>"We could not obtain one until to-morrow, and I wished to come to-day."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You may be sorry you did not wait."</p> + +<p>"Now, you are getting scared, professor," laughed Frank, lifting his +paddle from the water and laying it across the bow of the canoe. "I'll +tell you what we'll do."</p> + +<p>"All right."</p> + +<p>"We'll leave it to Barney, who has not had a word to say on the matter. +If he says go back, we'll go back."</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch hesitated, scratched his fingers into his fiery beard, +and then said:</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll have to do as you boys say, anyway, so we'll leave it to +Barney."</p> + +<p>"All right," laughed Frank, once more. "What do you say, Barney, my +boy?"</p> + +<p>Barney Mulloy was in the stern of the canoe that had been creeping along +one of the sluggish water courses that led through the cypress swamp and +into the heart of the Everglades.</p> + +<p>"Well, gintlemin," he said, "Oi've been so busy thrying to kape thrack +av th' twists an' turruns we have been makin' thot Oi didn't moind mutch +pwhat ye wur soaying. It wur something about turning back. Plaze repate +it again."</p> + +<p>So the matter was laid before him, and, when he had heard what Frank and +the professor had to say, he declared:</p> + +<p>"Fer mesilf it's nivver a bit do Oi care where we go ur pwhat we do, +but, as long as we hiv come so fur, an' Frankie wants to go furder, Oi'd +soay go on till he is sick av it an' reddy to turn back."</p> + +<p>"There, professor!" cried Frank; "that settles it!"</p> + +<p>"As I knew it would be settled," growled Professor Scotch, sulkily. "You +boys combine against me every time. Well, I suppose I'll have to +submit."</p> + +<p>So the trio pushed on still farther into the great Dismal Swamp, a weird +section of strange vegetable and animal life, where great black trees +stood silent and grim, with Spanish moss dangling from their branches, +bright-plumaged birds flashed across the opens, ugly snakes glided +sinuously over the boggy land, and sleepy alligators slid from muddy +banks and disappeared beneath the surface of the dead water.</p> + +<p>The professor continued to grumble.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If we should come upon one of these wonderful golden herons, Frank +could not come within a hundred yards of it with that old bow and +arrow," he said.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't I?" retorted Frank. "Perhaps not, but I could make a bluff at +it."</p> + +<p>"I don't see why you won't use a gun."</p> + +<p>"Well, there are two reasons. In the first place, in order to be sure of +killing a heron with a shotgun I'd have to use fairly large shot, and +that might injure the bird badly; in the second place, there might be +two, and I'd not be able to bag more than one of them with a gun, as the +report would scare the other. Then there is the possibility that I would +miss with the first shot, and the heron would escape entirely. If I miss +with an arrow, it is not likely the bird will be alarmed and take to +flight, so I'll have another chance at it. Oh, there are some advantages +in using the primitive bow and arrow."</p> + +<p>"Bosh!" exploded Scotch. "You have a way of always making out a good +case for yourself. You won't be beaten."</p> + +<p>"Begobs! he is a hard b'y to bate, profissor," grinned Barney. "Av he +wurn't, it's dead he'd been long ago."</p> + +<p>"That's right, that's right," agreed Scotch, who admired Frank more than +he wished to acknowledge. "He's lucky."</p> + +<p>"It's not all luck, profissor," assured the Irish boy. "In minny cases +it's pure nerve thot pulls him through."</p> + +<p>"Well, there's a great deal of luck in it—of course there is."</p> + +<p>"Oh, humor the professor, Barney," laughed Frank. "Perhaps he'll become +better natured if you do."</p> + +<p>They now came to a region of wild cypress woods, where the treetops were +literally packed with old nests, made in the peculiar heron style. They +were constructed of huge bristling piles of cross-laid sticks, not +unlike brush heaps of a Western clearing.</p> + +<p>Here for years, almost ages, different species of herons had built their +nests in perfect safety.</p> + +<p>As the canoe slowly and silently glided toward the "rookeries," white +and blue herons were seen to rise from the reed-grass and fly across the +opens in a stately manner,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> with their long necks folded against their +breasts, and their legs projecting stiffly behind them.</p> + +<p>"Pwoy don't yez be satisfoied wid a few av th' whoite wans, Frankie?" +asked Barney, softly. "Shure, they're handsome enough."</p> + +<p>"They're handsome," admitted Frank; "but a golden heron is worth a large +sum as a curiosity, and I mean to have one."</p> + +<p>"All roight, me b'y; have yer own way, lad."</p> + +<p>"He'll do that, anyhow," mumbled Professor Scotch, gruffly.</p> + +<p>They could now see long, soldier-like lines of herons stretched out +along the reedy swales, standing still and solemn, like pickets on duty.</p> + +<p>They were not particularly wary or wild, for they had not been hunted +very much in the wild region which they inhabited.</p> + +<p>Little green herons were plentiful, and they kept flying up before the +canoe constantly, scaring the others, till Frank grew very impatient, +declaring:</p> + +<p>"Those little rascals will scare away a golden heron, if we are +fortunate enough to come upon one. Confound them!"</p> + +<p>"Let me shoot a few of th' varmints," urged Barney, reaching for one of +the guns in the bottom of the canoe.</p> + +<p>"Not much!" returned Frank, quickly. "Think what the report of a gun +would do here. Keep still, Barney."</p> + +<p>"All roight!" muttered the Irish lad, reluctantly relinquishing his hold +on the gun. "Av ye soay kape still, kape still it is."</p> + +<p>Frank instructed the professor to take in his paddle, and Barney was +directed to hold the canoe close to the edge of the rushes. In this +manner, with Frank kneeling in the prow, an arrow ready notched on the +string, he could shoot with very little delay.</p> + +<p>Beyond the heron rookery the waterway wound into the depths of a dark, +forbidding region, where the Spanish moss hung thick, and the great +trees leaned over the water.</p> + +<p>They had glided past one side of the rookery and were near this dark +opening when an exclamation of surprise came from Frank Merriwell's +lips.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Phat is it, me b'y?" asked Barney, quickly.</p> + +<p>"A canoe."</p> + +<p>"Phere?"</p> + +<p>"See it yonder."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Oi see it now. It's white."</p> + +<p>"There must be other hunters near at hand," said the professor.</p> + +<p>"The canoe is not drawn up to the bank," said Frank, in a puzzled way. +"It seems to be floating at some distance from the shore."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is moored out there."</p> + +<p>"Why should it be moored in such a place? There are no tides here, and +alligators are not liable to steal canoes."</p> + +<p>"Do ye see inny soign av a camp, Frankie?"</p> + +<p>"Not a sign of a camp or a human being. This is rather strange."</p> + +<p>A strange feeling of wonder that swiftly changed to awe was creeping +over them. The canoe was snowy white, and lay perfectly motionless on +the still surface of the water. It was in the dark shadow beneath the +trees.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the owner of the canoe is lying in the bottom," suggested the +professor.</p> + +<p>"We'll see about that," said Frank, putting down the bow and arrow and +taking up a paddle. "Head straight for her, Barney."</p> + +<p>With the very first stroke in that direction a most astonishing thing +happened.</p> + +<p>The white canoe seemed to swing slightly about, and then, with no +visible occupant and no apparent motive power, it glided smoothly and +gently toward the dark depths of the black forest!</p> + +<p>"She's floating away from us!" cried the professor. "There must be a +strong current there!"</p> + +<p>"Nivver a bit is she floating!" gasped Barney Mulloy. "Will ye look at +her go! Begobs! Oi fale me hair shtandin' on me head!"</p> + +<p>"She is not floating!" Frank said. "See—she gains speed! Look at the +ripple that spreads from her prow!"</p> + +<p>"But—but," spluttered Professor Scotch, "what is making her move—what +is propelling her?"</p> + +<p>"That's a mystery!" came from Frank, "but it's a mystery I mean to +solve! Get out your paddle, profes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>sor. Keep straight after that canoe, +Barney. We'll run her down and look her over."</p> + +<p>Then a strange race began, canoe against canoe, the one in the lead +apparently empty, the one pursuing containing three persons who were +using all their strength and skill to overtake the empty craft.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 335px;"> +<a name="ill147" id="ill147"></a><img src="images/page147.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="The white canoe had stopped" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="caption">"The white canoe had stopped, and was lying calmly on the +inky surface of the shadowed water." (See page <a href="#ill147_ref">147</a>)</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>STILL MORE MYSTERIOUS.</h3> + + +<p>"Pull!" panted Frank.</p> + +<p>"Pull!" mumbled the professor.</p> + +<p>"Pull!" snorted Barney, in disgust, great drops of perspiration rolling +down his face. "As if we wurn't pullin'!"</p> + +<p>"We're not gaining."</p> + +<p>"The white canoe keeps just so far ahead."</p> + +<p>"Begobs! it's not our fault at all, at all."</p> + +<p>Indeed, no matter how hard they worked, no matter how fast they made the +canoe fly through the water, they could not gain on the mysterious white +canoe. The distance between the two canoes seemed to remain just the +same, and the one in advance slipped through the water without a sound, +following the winding water course beneath the dark trees and going +deeper and deeper into the heart of the swamp.</p> + +<p>Other water courses were passed, running away into unknown and +unexplorable wilds. It grew darker and darker, and the feeling of awe +and fear fell more heavily upon them.</p> + +<p>At last, exhausted and discouraged, the professor stopped paddling, +crying to his companions, in a husky voice:</p> + +<p>"Stop, boys, stop! There is something supernatural about that fiendish +boat! It is luring us to some frightful fate!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, professor!" retorted Frank. "You are not superstitious—you +have said so at least a score of times."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," returned Scotch, shaking his head. "I do not take +any stock in rappings, table tippings, and that kind of stuff, but I +will confess this is too much for me."</p> + +<p>"Begobs! Oi don't wonder at thot," gurgled Barney Mulloy, wiping the +great drops of perspiration from his forehead. "It's the divvil's own +canoe, thot is sure!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, it's simple enough!" declared Frank, nettled.</p> + +<p>"Thin ixplain it fer me, me b'y—ixplain it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I won't say that I can explain it, for I do not pretend to +understand it; but I'll wager that the mystery would be readily solved +if we could overtake and examine that canoe."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe so; but I think it nades a stameboat to overtake it."</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch shook his head in a most solemn manner.</p> + +<p>"Boys," he said, "in all my career I have never seen anything like this, +and I shall never dare tell this adventure, for people in general would +not believe it—they'd think I was lying."</p> + +<p>"Without doubt," admitted Frank. "And, still I will wager that the +explanation of the whole matter would seem very simple if we could +overtake that canoe and examine it."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so."</p> + +<p>"You speak as if you doubted it."</p> + +<p>"Possibly I do."</p> + +<p>"I am surprised at you, professor—I am more than surprised."</p> + +<p>"I can't help it if you are, my boy."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid your mind is beginning to weaken."</p> + +<p>"Soay, Frankie," broke in Barney. "Oi loike fun as well as th' nixt wan, +but, be jabbers! it's nivver a bit av it can Oi see in this!"</p> + +<p>"See that infernal canoe?" cried the professor, pointing at the mystic +craft. "It has stopped out there in the shadows."</p> + +<p>"And seems to be waiting for us to pursue again."</p> + +<p>"That's what it's doing."</p> + +<p>"I'm ready!" exclaimed Frank.</p> + +<p>"I am not," decisively declared Professor Scotch.</p> + +<p>"Nayther am Oi!" almost shouted the Irish youth. "It's enough av this +koind av business Oi've been in!"</p> + +<p>"We'll turn about," said Scotch, grimly. "That canoe will lure us into +this dismal swamp so far that we'll never find our way out. We'll turn +about at once."</p> + +<p>Frank laughed.</p> + +<p>"All right," he said. "I suppose I'll have to give up,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> but I do dislike +to leave without solving the mystery of that canoe."</p> + +<p>"It may be thot we're so far in thot we can't foind our way out at all, +at all," said the Irish lad.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid we'll not be able to get out before nightfall," confessed +the professor. "I have no fancy for spending a night in this swamp."</p> + +<p>Barney promptly expressed his dislike for such an adventure, but Frank +was silent.</p> + +<p>The canoe turned about, and they set about the task of retracing the +water courses by which they had come far into the swamp.</p> + +<p>It was not long before they came to a place where the courses divided. +Frank was for following one, while both Barney and the professor +insisted that the other was the right way.</p> + +<p>Finally, Frank gave in to them, although it was against his better +judgment, and he felt that he should not submit.</p> + +<p>They had not proceeded far before, as they were passing round a bend, a +cry of astonishment fell from Barney's lips.</p> + +<p>"Howly shmoke!" he shouted. "Thot bates th' band!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Frank and the professor, together.</p> + +<p>"Thot whoite canoe!"</p> + +<p>"What of it?"</p> + +<p>"Look back! Th' thing is afther follying av us!"</p> + +<p>They looked back, and, sure enough, there was the mysterious canoe, +gliding after them, like a most uncanny thing!</p> + +<p>"Well, I like that!" said Frank, in a tone that plainly indicated he did +not like it. "This is very pleasant!"</p> + +<p>"Pull, pull!" throbbed the professor, splashing his paddle into the +water and very nearly upsetting them all. "Don't let the thing overtake +us! Pull, pull!"</p> + +<p>"Oi think it's a foine plan to be gettin' out av this," muttered Barney, +in an agitated tone of voice.</p> + +<p>"Steady, there, professor," called Frank, sharply. "What do you want to +do—drown us all? Keep cool."</p> + +<p>"It's coming!" fluttered the little man, wildly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let it come. As long as we could not overtake it, let it overtake us. +That is a very good scheme."</p> + +<p>"Th' skame won't worruck, me b'y. Th' ould thing's shtopped."</p> + +<p>It was true; <a name="ill147_ref" id="ill147_ref"></a>the white canoe had stopped, and was lying calmly on the +inky surface of the shadowed water.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't say that I like this," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"And I scarcely think I like it more than you do," came from the +professor.</p> + +<p>"An' th' both av yez loike it as well as mesilf," put in the Irish +youth.</p> + +<p>"What are we to do?"</p> + +<p>"Go on."</p> + +<p>Go on they did, but the white canoe still followed, keeping at a +distance.</p> + +<p>"I can't stand this," declared Frank, as he picked up a rifle from the +bottom of the canoe. "I wonder how lead will work on her?"</p> + +<p>"Pwhat are yez goin' to do, me b'y?" cried Barney, in alarm.</p> + +<p>"Shoot a few holes in that craft," was the deliberate answer. "Swing to +the left, so that I may have a good chance."</p> + +<p>"Don't shoot!" palpitated the professor.</p> + +<p>"Don't shoot!" gurgled Barney.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you?" demanded Frank, sharply. "You both appear +like frightened children!"</p> + +<p>"No telling what'll come of it if you shoot."</p> + +<p>"I'll simply put a few holes through that canoe."</p> + +<p>"It may be the destruction of us!"</p> + +<p>"It may sind us all to glory by th' farrust express."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Don't be foolish! Swing her to the left, I say. I am going to +shoot, and that settles it."</p> + +<p>It was useless for them to urge him not to fire; he was determined, and +nothing they could say would change his mind. The canoe drifted round to +the left, and the rifle rose to Frank's shoulder.</p> + +<p>Spang! The clear report rang out and echoed through the cypress forest.</p> + +<p>The bullet tore through the white canoe, and the weird craft seemed to +give a leap, like a wounded creature.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hit it!" cried Frank, triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"Hit it!" echoed the professor, quivering with terror.</p> + +<p>"Hit it!" groaned Barney Mulloy, his face white and his eyes staring. +"May all the saints defind us!"</p> + +<p>"Look!" shouted Frank. "She is turning about—she is going to leave us! +But I'll put another bullet through her!"</p> + +<p>Up the rifle came, but, just as he pressed the trigger, Professor Scotch +pushed the weapon to one side, so the bullet did not pass within twenty +feet of the white canoe.</p> + +<p>"Why did you do that?" demanded Frank, angrily.</p> + +<p>"I couldn't see you shoot into that canoe again," faltered the agitated +professor. "It was too much—too much!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch shook his head. He could not explain, and he was +ashamed of his agitation and fears.</p> + +<p>"Well, you fellows lay over anything I ever went up against!" said +Frank, in disgust. "I didn't suppose you could be so thoroughly +childish."</p> + +<p>"All right, Frank," came humbly from the professor's lips. "I can't help +it, and I haven't a word to say."</p> + +<p>"But I will take one more shot at that canoe!" vowed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Not this day," chuckled Barney Mulloy. "She's gone!"</p> + +<p>It was true. The mysterious canoe had vanished from view while they were +speaking.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE EVERGLADES.</h3> + + +<p>"Gone!"</p> + +<p>"Disappeared!"</p> + +<p>The exclamations came from Frank and Professor Scotch.</p> + +<p>Barney's chuckle changed to a shiver, and his teeth chattered.</p> + +<p>"Th' Ould B'y's in it!" he chatteringly declared.</p> + +<p>"The Old Boy must have been in that canoe," agreed the professor.</p> + +<p>Frank was puzzled and disappointed. He still refused to believe there +was anything supernatural about the mysterious, white canoe, but he was +forced to acknowledge to himself that the craft had done most amazing +things.</p> + +<p>"It simply slipped into some branch waterway while we were not looking," +he said, speaking calmly, as if it were the most commonplace thing +imaginable.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's gone," said Scotch, as if greatly relieved. "Now, let's get +out of this in a great hurry."</p> + +<p>"I am for going back to see what has become of the white canoe," said +Frank, with deliberate intent to make his companions squirm.</p> + +<p>Barney and the professor raised a perfect howl of protest.</p> + +<p>"Never!" shouted Scotch, nearly upsetting the boat in his excitement, +and wildly flourishing his arms in the air.</p> + +<p>"Nivver!" squealed the Irish lad. "Oi'll joomp overboard an' swim out av +this before Oi'll go back!"</p> + +<p>Frank laughed.</p> + +<p>"You are most amusing," he declared. "I suppose I'll have to give in to +you, as you are two to one."</p> + +<p>"Come on," fluttered the professor; "let's be moving."</p> + +<p>So Frank put down the rifle, and picked up his paddle,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> and they resumed +their effort to get out of the swamp before nightfall.</p> + +<p>But the afternoon was well advanced, and night was much nearer than they +had thought, as they were soon to discover.</p> + +<p>At last, Barney cried:</p> + +<p>"Oi see loight enough ahead! We must be near out av th' woods."</p> + +<p>Frank said nothing. For a long time he had been certain they were on the +wrong course, but he hoped it would bring them out somewhere. He had +noted the light that indicated they were soon to reach the termination +of the cypress swamp, but he held his enthusiasm in check till he could +be sure they had come out somewhere near where they had entered the +dismal region.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch grew enthusiastic immediately.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" he cried, punching Frank in the back. "What do you think now, +young man? Do you mean to say that we don't know our business? What if +we had accepted your way of getting out of the swamp! We'd been in there +now, sir."</p> + +<p>"Don't crow till you're out of the woods," advised Frank.</p> + +<p>"Begobs! Oi belave he'd be plazed av we didn't get out at all, at all!" +exclaimed Barney, somewhat touched.</p> + +<p>In a short time they came to the termination of the cypress woods, but, +to the surprise of Barney and the professor, the swamp, overgrown with +tall rushes and reed-grass, continued, with the water course winding +away through it.</p> + +<p>"Pwhat th' ould boy does this mane?" cried the Irish lad.</p> + +<p>"It means," said Frank, coolly, "that we have reached the Everglades."</p> + +<p>"Th' Ivirglades? Well, pwhat do we want iv thim, Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>"They are one of the sights of Florida, Barney."</p> + +<p>"It's soights enough I've seen alreddy. Oi'd loike ter git out av this."</p> + +<p>"I knew you wouldn't get out this way, for we have not passed the +rookeries of the herons, as you must remember."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's true," sighed the professor, dejectedly. "I hadn't thought of +that. What can we do, boys?"</p> + +<p>"Turn about, and retrace our steps," said Frank.</p> + +<p>But Barney and the professor raised a vigorous protest.</p> + +<p>"Nivver a bit will yez get me inther thot swamp again th' doay!" shouted +the Irish lad, in a most decisive manner.</p> + +<p>"If we go back, we'll not be able to get out before darkness comes on, +and we'll have to spend the night in the swamp," said Scotch, excitedly. +"I can't do that."</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you propose to do?" asked Frank, quietly. "I don't seem +to have anything to say in this matter. You are running it to suit +yourselves."</p> + +<p>They were undecided, but one thing was certain; they would not go back +into the swamp. The white canoe was there, and the professor and the +Irish lad did not care to see that again.</p> + +<p>"Whoy not go on, Frankie?" asked Barney. "We're out av th' woods, an', +by follyin' this strame, we ought to get out av th' Iverglades."</p> + +<p>"What do you say, professor?" asked Frank, who was rather enjoying the +adventure, although he did not fancy the idea of spending a night on the +marsh.</p> + +<p>"Go on—by all means, go on!" roared the little man.</p> + +<p>"Go on, it is, then. We'll proceed to explore the Everglades in company +with Professor Scotch, the noted scientist and daring adventurer. Go +ahead!"</p> + +<p>So they pushed onward into the Everglades, while the sun sank lower and +lower, finally dropping beneath the horizon.</p> + +<p>Night was coming on, and they were in the heart of the Florida +Everglades!</p> + +<p>The situation was far from pleasant.</p> + +<p>Barney and the professor fell to growling at each other, and they kept +it up while Frank smiled and remained silent.</p> + +<p>At length, Scotch took in his paddle in disgust, groaning:</p> + +<p>"We're lost!"</p> + +<p>"I am inclined to think so myself," admitted Frank, cheerfully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, who's to blame, Oi'd loike to know?" cried the Irish lad.</p> + +<p>"You are!" roared the professor, like a wounded lion.</p> + +<p>"G'wan wid yez!" exploded Barney. "It's yersilf thot is to blame! +Frankie wanted to go the other woay, but ye said no."</p> + +<p>"Me! me! me!" howled the professor. "Did I? You were the one! You +insisted that this was the proper course to pursue! You are to blame for +it all!"</p> + +<p>"Profissor, ye're a little oulder thin Oi be, but av ye wur nigh me age, +Oi'd inform ye thot ye didn't know how to spake th' truth."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to call me a liar, you impudent young rascal?"</p> + +<p>"Not now, profissor; but I would av ye wur younger."</p> + +<p>"It's all the same! It's an insult, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Well, pwhat are yez goin' to do about it?"</p> + +<p>"I'll make you swallow the words, you scoundrel!"</p> + +<p>"Well, thot would be more av a male thin the rist av ye are loikely to +get th' noight, so it is!"</p> + +<p>"Come, come," laughed Frank; "this is no time nor place to quarrel."</p> + +<p>"You're right, Frank; but this ungrateful young villain makes me very +tired!"</p> + +<p>"Careful, professor—slang."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, but you know human beings are influenced by their +surroundings and associates. If I have——"</p> + +<p>"Professor!" cried Frank, reproachfully. "You would not accuse me of +having taught you to use slang?"</p> + +<p>"Ah—ha—ahem! No, no—that is, you see—er—well, er, that Dutch boy +was always saying something slangy."</p> + +<p>"Hans?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Professor! professor! He's not here to defend himself."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well! Oh, well! Ha! ha! ha! Quite a joke—quite a little joke, you +know! You always appreciate a joke, Frank. You are full of fun +yourself."</p> + +<p>As under the circumstances there was nothing else to do, they finally +paddled slowly forward, looking for a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> piece of dry land, where they +could stop and camp for the night.</p> + +<p>They approached a small cluster of trees, which rose above the rushes, +and it was seen that they seemed to be growing on land that was fairly +high and dry.</p> + +<p>"We'll stop there," decided Frank. "It's not likely we'll find another +place like that anywhere in the Everglades."</p> + +<p>As they came nearer, they saw the trees seemed to be growing on an +island, for the water course divided and ran on either side of them.</p> + +<p>"Just the place for a camp!" cried Frank, delightedly. "This is really a +very interesting and amusing adventure."</p> + +<p>"It may be for you," groaned the professor; "but you forget that it is +said to be possible for persons to lose themselves in the Everglades and +never find their way out."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, I remember it quite well. In fact, it is said that, +without a guide, the chances of finding a way out of the Everglades is +small, indeed."</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you feel so exuberant about?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the possibility that we'll all perish in the Everglades adds zest +to this adventure—makes it really interesting."</p> + +<p>"Frank, you're a puzzle to me. You are cautious about running into +danger of any sort, but, once in it, you seem to take a strange and +unaccountable delight in the peril. The greater the danger, the happier +you seem to feel."</p> + +<p>"Thot's roight," nodded Barney.</p> + +<p>"When I am not in danger, my good judgment tells me to take no chances; +but when I get into it fairly, I know the only thing to be done is to +make the best of it. I delight in adventure—I was born for it!"</p> + +<p>A dismal sound came from the professor's throat.</p> + +<p>"When your uncle died," said Scotch, "I thought him my friend. Although +we had quarreled, I fancied the hatchet was buried. He made me your +guardian, and I still believed he had died with nothing but friendly +feelings toward me. But he knew you, and now I believe it was an act of +malice toward me when he made me your guardian. And, to add to my +sufferings, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> decreed that I should travel with you. Asher Dow +Merriwell deliberately plotted against my life! He knew the sort of a +career you would lead me, and he died chuckling in contemplation of the +misery and suffering you would inflict upon me! That man was a +monster—an inhuman wretch!"</p> + +<p>"Look there!" cried Barney, pointing toward the small, timbered island.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"May Ould Nick floy away wid me av it ain't a house!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE HUT ON THE ISLAND.</h3> + + +<p>"A house?"</p> + +<p>"A cabin!"</p> + +<p>"A hut amid the trays."</p> + +<p>In a little clearing on some rising ground amid the trees they could see +the hut.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible any one lives here?" exclaimed the professor.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if some one stops here at times, at least," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Av this ain't a clear case av luck, Oi dunno mesilf!"</p> + +<p>"We'll get the man who lives there to guide us out of the Everglades!" +shouted the professor, in a relieved tone.</p> + +<p>Then Frank cast a gloom over their spirits by saying:</p> + +<p>"This may be a hunter's cabin, inhabited only at certain seasons of the +year. Ten to one, there's no one living in it now."</p> + +<p>"You'd be pleased if there wasn't!" almost snarled Professor Scotch. +"You're a boy without a heart!"</p> + +<p>Frank laughed softly.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon find out if there's any one at home," he said, as the canoe +ran up to the bank, and he took care to get out first.</p> + +<p>As soon as Frank was out, the professor made a scramble to follow him. +He rose to his feet, despite Barney's warning cry, and, a moment later, +the cranky craft flipped bottom upward, with the swiftness of a flash of +lightning.</p> + +<p>The professor and the Irish lad disappeared beneath the surface of the +water.</p> + +<p>Barney's head popped up in a moment, and he stood upon his feet, with +the water to his waist, uttering some very vigorous words.</p> + +<p>Up came the professor, open flew his mouth, out spurted a stream of +water, and then he wildly roared:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Help! Save me! I can't swim! I'm drowning!"</p> + +<p>Before either of the boys could say a word, he went under again.</p> + +<p>"This is th' firrust toime Oi iver saw a man thot wanted to drown in +thray fate av wather," said Barney.</p> + +<p>Frank sat down on the dry ground, and shouted with laughter.</p> + +<p>Up popped the professor a second time.</p> + +<p>"Help!" he bellowed, after he had spurted another big stream of water +from his mouth. "Will you see me perish before your very eyes? Save me, +Frank!"</p> + +<p>But Frank was laughing so heartily that he could not say a word, and the +little man went down once more.</p> + +<p>"Hivins! he really manes to drown!" said Barney, in disgust.</p> + +<p>"Grab him!" gasped Frank. "Don't let him go down again. Oh, my! what a +scrape! This beats our record!"</p> + +<p>For the third time the professor's head appeared above the surface, and +the professor's voice weakly called:</p> + +<p>"Will no one save me? This is a plot to get me out of the way! Oh, +Frank, Frank! I never thought this of you! Farewell! May you be happy +when I am gone!"</p> + +<p>"Stand up!" shouted Frank, seeing that the little man had actually +resigned himself to drown. "Get your feet under you. The water is +shallow there."</p> + +<p>The professor stood up, and an expression of pain, surprise, and disgust +settled on his face, as he thickly muttered:</p> + +<p>"May I be kicked! And I've been under the water two-thirds of the time +for the last hour! I've swallowed more than two barrels of this +swamp-water, including, in all probability, a few dozen pollywogs, +lizards, young alligators, and other delightful things! If the water +wasn't so blamed dirty here, and I wasn't afraid of swallowing enough +creatures to start an aquarium, I'd just lie down and refuse to make +another effort to get up."</p> + +<p>Then he waded out, the look on his face causing Frank to double up with +merriment, while even the wretched Barney smiled.</p> + +<p>Barney would have waded out, but Frank said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't attempt to land without those guns, old man. They're somewhere on +the bottom, and we want them."</p> + +<p>So Barney was forced to plunge under the surface and feel around till he +had fished up the rifles and the shotgun.</p> + +<p>Frank had taken care of his bow and arrows, the latter being in a quiver +at his back, and the paddles had not floated away.</p> + +<p>After a time, everything was recovered, the canoe was drawn out and +tipped bottom upward, and the trio moved toward the cabin, Frank +leading, and the professor staggering along behind.</p> + +<p>Reaching the cabin, Frank rapped loudly on the door.</p> + +<p>No answer.</p> + +<p>Once more he knocked, and then, as there was no reply, he pushed the +door open, and entered.</p> + +<p>The cabin was not occupied by any living being, but a glance showed the +trio that some one had been there not many hours before, for the embers +of a fire still glowed dimly on the open hearth of flat stones.</p> + +<p>There were two rooms, the door between them being open, so the little +party could look into the second.</p> + +<p>The first room seemed to be the principal room of the hut, while the +other was a bedroom. They could see the bed through the open doorway.</p> + +<p>There were chairs, a table, a couch, and other things, for the most part +rude, home-made stuff, and still every piece showed that the person who +constructed it had skill and taste.</p> + +<p>Around the walls were hung various tin pans and dishes, all polished +bright and clean.</p> + +<p>What surprised them the most was the wire screens in the windows, a +screen door that swung inward, and a mosquito-bar canopy over the bed +and the couch.</p> + +<p>"By Jove!" cried Frank; "the person who lives here is prepared to +protect himself against mosquitoes and black flies."</p> + +<p>"It would be impossible to live here in the summer," gravely declared +Professor Scotch, forgetting his own misery for the moment. "The pests +would drive a man crazy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know about that," returned Frank. "If<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> a man knew how to +defend himself against them he might get along all right. They can't be +worse than the mosquitoes of Alaska in the warm months. Up there the +Indians get along all right, even though mosquitoes have been known to +kill a bear."</p> + +<p>"Pwhat's thot?" gurgled Barney. "Kill a bear? Oh, Frankie, me b'y, Oi +nivver thought that av you!"</p> + +<p>"It's true," affirmed Professor Scotch. "Sometimes bears, lured by +hunger, will come down into the lowlands, where mosquitoes will attack +them. They will stand up on their hind legs and strike at the little +pests with their forward paws. Sometimes a bear will do this till he is +exhausted and falls. Then the mosquitoes finish him."</p> + +<p>"Thot's a harrud yarn to belave, profissor; but it goes av you soay so," +said Barney, thinking it best to smooth over the late unpleasantness.</p> + +<p>"Up there," said Frank, "the Indians smear their faces and hands with +some kind of sticky stuff that keeps the mosquitoes from reaching their +flesh. In that way they get along very well."</p> + +<p>But they had something to talk about besides the Indians of Alaska, for +the surprises around them furnished topics for conversation.</p> + +<p>Exploring the place, they found it well stocked with provisions, which +caused them all to feel delighted.</p> + +<p>"I'm actually glad we came!" laughed Frank. "This is fun galore."</p> + +<p>"It will be all right if we are able to get out of the scrape," said +Scotch.</p> + +<p>Barney built a fire, while Frank prepared to make bread and cook supper, +having found everything necessary for the accomplishment of the task.</p> + +<p>The professor stripped off his outer garments, wrung the water out of +them, and hung them up before the fire to dry.</p> + +<p>His example was followed by the Irish boy.</p> + +<p>They made themselves as comfortable as possible, and night came on, +finding them in a much better frame of mind than they had expected to +be.</p> + +<p>Frank succeeded in baking some bread in the stone<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> oven. He found +coffee, and a pot bubbled on the coals, sending out an odor that made +the trio feel ravenous.</p> + +<p>There were candles in abundance, and two of them were lighted. Then, +when everything was ready, they sat down to the table and enjoyed a +supper that put them in the best of moods.</p> + +<p>The door of the hut was left open, and the light shone out upon the +overturned canoe and the dark water beyond.</p> + +<p>After supper they cleaned and dried the rifles and shotgun.</p> + +<p>"By jingoes!" laughed Frank; "this is a regular picnic! I'm glad we took +the wrong course, and came here!"</p> + +<p>"You may change your tune before we get out," said the professor, whose +trousers were dry, and who was now feeling of his coat to see how that +was coming on.</p> + +<p>"Don't croak, profissor," advised Barney. "You're th' firrust mon Oi +iver saw thot wuz bound ter drown himsilf in thray fate av wather. Ha! +ha! ha!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, laugh, laugh," snapped the little man, fiercely. "I'll get even +with you for that some time! What fools boys are!"</p> + +<p>After supper they lay around and took things easy. Barney and Frank told +stories till it was time to go to bed, and they finally turned in, first +having barred the door and made sure the windows were securely fastened.</p> + +<p>They soon slept, but they were not to rest quietly through the night. +Other mysterious things were soon to follow those of the day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>A WILD NIGHT IN THE SWAMP.</h3> + + +<p>Clang! clang! clang!</p> + +<p>"Fire!"</p> + +<p>"Turn out!"</p> + +<p>The boys leaped to their feet, and the professor came tearing out of the +bedroom, ran into the table, which he overturned with a great clatter of +dishes, reeled backward, and sat down heavily on the floor, where he +rubbed his eyes, and muttered:</p> + +<p>"I thought that fire engine was going to run me down before I could get +out of the way."</p> + +<p>"Fire engine!" cried Frank Merriwell. "Who ever heard of a fire engine +in the heart of the Florida Everglades?"</p> + +<p>"Oi herrud th' gong," declared Barney.</p> + +<p>"So did I," asserted the professor.</p> + +<p>"I heard something that sounded like a fire gong," admitted Frank.</p> + +<p>"Pwhat was it, Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>"It seemed to come from beneath the head of the bed in there," said +Scotch.</p> + +<p>"An' Oi thought I herrud it under me couch out here," gurgled Barney.</p> + +<p>"We will light a candle, and look around," said Frank.</p> + +<p>A candle was lighted, and they looked for the cause of the midnight +alarm, but they found nothing that explained the mystery.</p> + +<p>"Whist!" hissed the Irish boy. "It's afther gettin' away from here we'd +better be, mark me worrud."</p> + +<p>"What makes you think that?" demanded Frank, sharply.</p> + +<p>"It's spooks there be around this place, ur Oi'm mistaken!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've heard enough about spooks! It's getting tiresome."</p> + +<p>The professor was silent, but he shook his head in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> very mysterious +manner, as if he thought a great many things he did not care to speak +about.</p> + +<p>They had been thoroughly awakened, but, after a time, failing to +discover what had aroused them, they decided to return to bed.</p> + +<p>Five minutes after they lay down, Frank and the professor were brought +to their feet by a wild howl and a thud. They rushed out of the bedroom, +and nearly fell over Barney, who was lying in the middle of the floor, +at least eight feet from the couch.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you?" cried Frank, astonished.</p> + +<p>"Oi was touched!" palpitated the Irish lad, thickly.</p> + +<p>"Touched?"</p> + +<p>"Thot's pwhat!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>"Oi wur jist beginning to get slapy whin something grabbed me an' threw +me clan out here in th' middle av th' room."</p> + +<p>"Oh, say! what are you trying to make us believe!"</p> + +<p>"Oi'll swear to it, Frankie—Oi'll swear on a stack av Boibles."</p> + +<p>"You dreamed it, Barney; that's what's the matter."</p> + +<p>"Nivver a drame, me b'y, fer Oi wasn't aslape at all, at all."</p> + +<p>"But you may have been asleep, for you say you were beginning to get +sleepy. There isn't anything here to grab you."</p> + +<p>"Oi dunno about thot, Frankie. Oi'm incloined to belave th' Ould B'y's +around, so Oi am."</p> + +<p>"Oh, this is tiresome! Go back to bed, and keep still."</p> + +<p>"Nivver a bit will Oi troy to slape on thot couch again th' noight, me +b'y. Oi'll shtay roight here on th' flure."</p> + +<p>"Sleep where you like, but keep still. That's all."</p> + +<p>Frank was somewhat nettled by these frequent interruptions of his rest, +and he was more than tempted to give Barney cause to believe the hut was +really haunted, for he was an expert ventriloquist, and he could have +indulged in a great deal of sport with the Irish boy.</p> + +<p>But other things were soon to take up their attention. While they were +talking a strange humming arose on every side and seemed to fill the +entire hut. At first, it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> was like a swarm of bees, but it grew louder +and louder till it threatened to swell into a roar.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch was nearly frightened out of his wits.</p> + +<p>"It is the end of everything!" he shrieked, making a wild dash for the +door, which he flung wide open.</p> + +<p>But the professor did not rush out of the cabin. Instead, he flung up +his hands, staggered backward, and nearly fell to the floor.</p> + +<p>"The white canoe!" he faintly gasped, clutching at empty air for +support.</p> + +<p>Frank sprang forward, catching and steadying the professor.</p> + +<p>"The white canoe—where?"</p> + +<p>"Out there!"</p> + +<p>Sure enough, on the dark surface of the water, directly in front of the +hut, lay the mysterious canoe.</p> + +<p>And now this singular craft was illuminated from stem to stern by a +soft, white light that showed its outlines plainly.</p> + +<p>"Sint Patherick presarve us!" panted Barney Mulloy.</p> + +<p>"I am getting tired of being chased around by a canoe!" said Frank, in +disgust, as he hastily sought one of the rifles.</p> + +<p>"Don't shoot!" entreated the professor, in great alarm.</p> + +<p>"Av yer do, our goose is cooked!" fluttered Barney.</p> + +<p>Frank threw a fresh cartridge into the rifle, and turned toward the open +door, his mind fully made up.</p> + +<p>And then, to the profound amazement of all three, seated in the canoe +there seemed to be an old man, with white hair and long, white beard. +The soft, white light seemed to come from every part of his person, as +it came from the canoe.</p> + +<p>Frank Merriwell paused, with the rifle partly lifted.</p> + +<p>"It's th' spook himsilf!" gasped Barney, covering his face with his +hands, and clinging to the professor.</p> + +<p>"That's right!" faintly said Scotch. "For mercy's sake, don't shoot, +Frank! We're lost if you do!"</p> + +<p>Frank was startled and astonished, but he was determined not to lose his +nerve, no matter what happened.</p> + +<p>The man in the canoe seemed to be looking directly toward the cabin. He +slowly lifted one hand, and pointed away across the Everglades, at the +same time motioning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> with the other hand, as if for them to go in that +direction.</p> + +<p>"I'll just send a bullet over his head, to see what he thinks of it," +said Frank, softly, lifting the rifle.</p> + +<p>Then another startling thing happened.</p> + +<p>Canoe and man disappeared in the twinkling of an eye!</p> + +<p>The trio in the hut gasped and rubbed their eyes.</p> + +<p>"Gone!" cried Frank.</p> + +<p>"Vanished!" panted the professor.</p> + +<p>"An' now Oi suppose ye'll say it wur no ghost?" gurgled Barney.</p> + +<p>It was extremely dark beneath the shadow of the cypress trees, and not a +sign of the mysterious canoe could they see.</p> + +<p>"It is evident he did not care to have me send a bullet whizzing past +his ears," laughed Frank, who did not seem in the least disturbed.</p> + +<p>"What are your nerves made of?" demanded Professor Scotch, in a shaking +tone of voice. "They must be iron!"</p> + +<p>"Hark!"</p> + +<p>Frank's hand fell on the professor's arm, and the three listened +intently, hearing something that gave them no little surprise.</p> + +<p>From far away through the night came the sound of hoarse voices singing +a wild, doleful song.</p> + +<p>"Hamlet's ghost!" ejaculated the professor.</p> + +<p>"Pwhat the Ould Nick does thot mane?" cried Barney.</p> + +<p>"Hark!" Frank again cautioned. "Let's see if we can understand the words +they are singing. Be still."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"We sailed away from Gloucester Bay,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And the wind was in the west, yo ho!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And her cargo was some New England rum;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Our grog it was made of the best, yo ho!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"A sailor's song," decided Frank, <span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, missing quotation mark added">"</span>and those are sailors who are +singing. We are not alone in the Everglades."</p> + +<p>"They're all drunk," declared the professor. "You can tell that by the +sound of their voices. Drunken men are dangerous."</p> + +<p>"They're a blamed soight betther than none, fer it's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> loikely they know +th' way out av this blissed swamp," said Barney.</p> + +<p>"They may bub-bub-be pup-pup-pup-pirates!" chattered the professor.</p> + +<p>"What sticks me," said Frank, "is how a party of sailors ever made their +way in here, for we are miles upon miles from the coast. Here is another +mystery."</p> + +<p>"Are ye fer takin' a look at th' loikes av thim, Frankie?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, and that without delay. Come, professor."</p> + +<p>"Never!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I am not going near those ruffianly and bloodthirsty pirates."</p> + +<p>"Then you may stay here with the spooks, while Barney and I go."</p> + +<p>This was altogether too much for the professor, and, when he found they +really intended to go, he gave in.</p> + +<p>Frank loaded the rifles and the shotgun, and took along his bow and +arrows, even though Barney made sport of him for bothering with the +last.</p> + +<p>They slipped the canoe into the water, and, directed by Frank, the +professor succeeded in getting in without upsetting the frail affair.</p> + +<p>"Oi hope we won't run inther the ghost," uttered the Irish boy.</p> + +<p>"The sound of that singing comes from the direction in which the old man +seemed to point," said Frank.</p> + +<p>This was true, as they all remembered.</p> + +<p>The singing continued, sometimes sinking to a low, droning sound, +sometimes rising to a wild wail that sounded weirdly over the marshland.</p> + +<p>"Ready," said Frank, and the canoe slipped silently over the dark +surface of the water course.</p> + +<p>The singing ceased after a time, but they were still guided by the sound +of wrangling voices.</p> + +<p>"They are quarreling!" exclaimed Frank, softly.</p> + +<p>"This is tut-tut-terrible!" stuttered the professor.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the sound of a pistol shot came over the rushes, followed by a +feminine shriek of pain or terror!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>FRANK'S SHOT.</h3> + + +<p>Frank and his two companions were profoundly astonished. As soon as he +could recover, Frank asked:</p> + +<p>"Did you hear that?"</p> + +<p>"Av course we hearrud it!" returned Barney, excitedly.</p> + +<p>"It sounded very much like the voice of a woman or girl," said Professor +Scotch, who was so amazed that he forgot for the moment that he was +scared.</p> + +<p>"That's what it was," declared Frank; "and it means that our aid is +needed in that quarter at once."</p> + +<p>"Be careful! be cautious!" warned the professor. "There's no telling +what kind of a gang we may run into."</p> + +<p>"To thunder with thot!" grated Barney Mulloy, quivering with eagerness. +"There's a female in nade av hilp."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead!" directed Frank, giving utterance to his old maxim.</p> + +<p>The professor was too agitated to handle a paddle, so the task of +propelling the canoe fell to the boys, who sent it skimming over the +water, Frank watching out for snags.</p> + +<p>In a moment the water course swept round to the left, and they soon saw +the light of a fire gleaming through the rushes.</p> + +<p>The sounds of a conflict continued, telling them that the quarrel was +still on, and aiding them in forming their course.</p> + +<p>In a moment they came in full view of the camp-fire, by the light of +which they saw several struggling, swaying figures.</p> + +<p>Frank's keen eyes seemed to take in everything at one sweeping glance.</p> + +<p>Six men and a girl were revealed by the light of the fire. Five of the +men were engaged in a fierce battle,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> while the sixth was bound, in a +standing position, to the trunk of a tree.</p> + +<p>The girl, with her hands bound behind her back, was standing near the +man who was tied to the tree, and the firelight fell fairly on the faces +of man and girl.</p> + +<p>A low exclamation of the utmost astonishment broke from Frank's lips.</p> + +<p>"It can't be—it is an impossibility!" he said.</p> + +<p>"Pwhat is it, me b'y?" quickly demanded Barney.</p> + +<p>"The man—the girl! Look, Barney! do you know them?"</p> + +<p>"Oi dunno."</p> + +<p>"Well, I know! There is no mistake. That is Captain Justin Bellwood, +whose vessel was lost in the storm off Fardale coast! I am certain of +it!"</p> + +<p>"An' th' girrul is——"</p> + +<p>"Elsie Bellwood, his daughter!"</p> + +<p>"Th' wan you saved from th' foire, Frankie?"</p> + +<p>"As sure as fate!"</p> + +<p>"It can't be possible!" fluttered Professor Scotch. "Captain Bellwood +has a new vessel, and he would not be here. You must be mistaken, +Frank."</p> + +<p>"Not on your life! That is Captain Bellwood and his daughter. There is +no mistake, professor."</p> + +<p>"But how——"</p> + +<p>"There has been some kind of trouble, and they are captives—that is +plain enough. Those men are sailors—Captain Bellwood's sailors! It's +likely there has been a mutiny. We must save them."</p> + +<p>"How can it be done?"</p> + +<p>"We must land while those ruffians are fighting. We are well armed. If +we can get ashore, we'll set the captain free, and I fancy we'll be able +to hold our own with those ruffians, desperate wretches though they +are."</p> + +<p>"Wait!" advised the timid professor. "Perhaps they will kill each other, +and then our part will be easy."</p> + +<p>Frank was not for waiting, but, at that moment, something happened that +caused him to change his plan immediately.</p> + +<p>The fighting ruffians were using knives in a deadly way, and one man, +bleeding from many wounds, fell exhausted to the ground. Another, who +seemed to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> this one's comrade, tore himself from the other three, +leaped to the girl, caught her in his arms, and held her in front of +him, so that her body shielded his. Then, pointing a revolver over her +shoulder, he snarled:</p> + +<p>"Come on, and I'll bore the three of ye! You can't shoot me, Gage, +unless you kill ther gal!"</p> + +<p>The youngest one of the party, a mere boy, but a fellow with the air of +a desperado, stepped to the front, saying swiftly:</p> + +<p>"If you don't drop that girl, Jaggers, you'll leave your carcass in this +swamp! That is business, my hearty."</p> + +<p>Frank clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from uttering a great shout +of amazement. The next moment he panted:</p> + +<p>"This is fate! Look, Barney! by the eternal skies, that is Leslie Gage, +my worst enemy at Fardale Academy, and the fellow who ran away to keep +from being expelled. It was reported that he had gone to sea."</p> + +<p>"Ye're roight, Frankie," agreed the no less excited Irish lad. "It's +thot skunk, an' no mistake!"</p> + +<p>"It is Leslie Gage," agreed the professor. "He was ever a bad boy, but I +did not think he would come to this."</p> + +<p>"An' Oi always thought he would come to some bad ind. It wur thot +spalpane thot troied to run Frank through with a sharpened foil wan +toime whin they wur fencing. He had black murder in his hearrut thin, +an' it's not loikely th' whilp has grown inny betther since."</p> + +<p>"Keep still," whispered Frank. "Let's hear what is said."</p> + +<p>The man with the girl laughed defiantly, retorting:</p> + +<p>"You talk big, Gage, but it won't work with me. I hold the best hand +just at present, and you'll have to come to terms. Keep back!"</p> + +<p>"You don't dare shoot," returned the young desperado, as he took still +another step toward the sailor.</p> + +<p>In a moment the man placed the muzzle of the revolver against the temple +of the helpless girl, fiercely declaring:</p> + +<p>"If you come another inch, I'll blow her brains out!"</p> + +<p>"The dastard!" grated Frank. "Oh, the wretch! Wait. I will fix him, or +my name is not Merriwell!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> + +<p>He drew an arrow from the quiver, and fitted the notch to the +bow-string. His nerves were steady, and he was determined. He waited +till the man had removed the muzzle of the weapon from the girl's +temple, and then he lifted the bow.</p> + +<p>Barney and the professor caught their breath. They longed to check +Frank, but dared not speak for fear of causing him to waver and send the +arrow at the girl.</p> + +<p>The bow was bent, the line was taut, the arrow was drawn to the head, +and then——</p> + +<p>Twang! The arrow sped through the air, but it was too dark for them to +follow its flight with their eyes. With their hearts in their mouths, +they awaited the result.</p> + +<p>Of a sudden, the ruffian uttered a cry of pain, released his hold on the +girl, and fell heavily to the ground.</p> + +<p>The firelight showed the arrow sticking in his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Ugh!" grunted a voice close beside the canoe. "Very good shot for a +white boy. Not many could do that."</p> + +<p>The trio turned in amazement and alarm, and, within three feet of them, +they saw a shadowy canoe that contained a shadowy figure. There was but +one person in the strange canoe, and he immediately added:</p> + +<p>"There is no need to fear Socato, the Seminole, for he will not harm +you. He is the friend of all good white men."</p> + +<p>It was an Indian, a Seminole, belonging to the remnant of the once great +nation that peopled the Florida peninsula. Frank realized this in a +moment, and, knowing the Seminoles were harmless when well treated, felt +no further alarm.</p> + +<p>The Indian had paddled with the utmost silence to their side, while they +were watching what was taking place on shore.</p> + +<p>The arrow had produced consternation in the camp. The fellow who was +wounded tried to draw it from his shoulder, groaning:</p> + +<p>"This is not a fair deal! Give me a fair show, and I'll fight you all!"</p> + +<p>"Where did it come from?" asked Gage, in dismay.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<p>The two canoes were beyond the circle of firelight, so they could not be +seen from the shore.</p> + +<p>Gage's two companions were overcome with terror.</p> + +<p>"This swamp is full of Indians!" one of them cried. "We've been attacked +by a band of savages!"</p> + +<p>Gage spoke a few words in a low tone, and then sprang over the prostrate +form of the man who had been stricken down by the arrow, grasped the +girl, and retreated into the darkness. His companions also scudded +swiftly beyond the firelight, leaving Captain Bellwood still bound to +the tree, while one man lay dead on the ground, and another had an arrow +in his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Close to Frank's ear the voice of Socato the Seminole sounded:</p> + +<p>"Light bother them. They git in the dark and see us from the shore. Then +they shoot this way some."</p> + +<p>"Jupiter and Mars!" gasped Professor Scotch, "I don't care to stay here, +and have them shoot at me!"</p> + +<p>"White boys want to save girl?" asked Socato, swiftly. "They pay to get +her free? What say?"</p> + +<p>"Of course we will pay," hastily answered Frank. "Can you aid us in +saving her? If you can, you shall be——"</p> + +<p>"Socato save her. White man and two boys go back to cabin of Great White +Phantom. Stay there, and Socato come with the girl."</p> + +<p>"Begorra! Oi don't loike thot," declared Barney. "Oi'd loike to take a +hand in th' rescue mesilf."</p> + +<p>"Socato can do better alone," asserted the Seminole. "Trust me."</p> + +<p>But Frank was not inclined to desert Elsie Bellwood in her hour of +trouble, and he said:</p> + +<p>"Socato, you must take me with you. Professor, you and Barney go back to +the hut, and stay there till we come."</p> + +<p>The Indian hesitated, and then said:</p> + +<p>"If white boy can shoot so well with the bow and arrow, he may not be in +the way. I will take him, if he can step from one canoe to the other +without upsetting either."</p> + +<p>"That's easy," said Frank, as he deliberately and safely accomplished +the feat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>YOUNG IN YEARS ONLY.</h3> + + +<p>"Well done, white boy," complimented the strange Indian.</p> + +<p>"Pass me one of those rifles," requested Frank.</p> + +<p>"White boy better leave rifle; take bow and arrows," advised Socato. +"Rifle make noise; bow and arrow make no noise."</p> + +<p>"All right; what you say goes. Return to the hut, Barney, and stay there +till we show up."</p> + +<p>"But th' spook——"</p> + +<p>"Hang the spook! We'll know where to find you, if you go there."</p> + +<p>"The Great White Phantom will not harm those who offer him no harm," +declared the Indian.</p> + +<p>"I am not so afraid of spooks as I am of—— Jumping Jupiter!"</p> + +<p>There was a flash of fire from the darkness on shore, the report of a +gun, and a bullet whirred through the air, cutting the professor's +speech short, and causing him to duck down into the canoe.</p> + +<p>"Those fellows have located us," said Frank, swiftly. "We must get away +immediately. Remember, wait at the hut."</p> + +<p>Socato's paddle dropped without a sound into the water, and the canoe +slid away into the night.</p> + +<p>The professor and Barney lost no time in moving, and it was well they +did so, for, a few seconds later, another shot came from the shore, and +the bullet skipped along the water just where the canoes had been.</p> + +<p>Frank trusted everything to Socato, even though he had never seen or +heard of the Seminole before. Something about the voice of the Indian +convinced the boy that he was honest, for all that his darkness was such +that Frank could not see his face and did not know how he looked.</p> + +<p>The Indian sent the canoe through the water with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> speed and silence +that was a revelation to Frank Merriwell. The paddle made no sound, and +it seemed that the prow of the canoe scarcely raised a ripple, for all +that they were gliding along so swiftly.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" whispered Frank, observing that they were leaving +the camp-fire astern.</p> + +<p>"White boy trust Socato?"</p> + +<p>"If I didn't, I shouldn't be here. Of course, I do."</p> + +<p>"Then keep cool. Socato take him round to place where we can come up +behind bad white men. We try to fool 'um."</p> + +<p>"Good!"</p> + +<p>The light of the camp-fire died out, and then, a few moments later, +another camp-fire seemed to glow across a strip of low land.</p> + +<p>"See it?" whispered the Indian, with caution.</p> + +<p>"Yes. What party is camped there—friends of yours, Socato?"</p> + +<p>"Not much!"</p> + +<p>"Who, then?"</p> + +<p>"That same fire."</p> + +<p>"Same fire as which?"</p> + +<p>"One bad white men build."</p> + +<p>Frank was astonished.</p> + +<p>"Oh, say! how is that? We left that fire behind us, Socato."</p> + +<p>"And we have come round by the water till it is before us again."</p> + +<p>This was true, but the darkness had been so intense that Frank did not +see how their course was changing.</p> + +<p>"I see how you mean to come up behind them," said the boy. "You are +going to land and cross to their camp."</p> + +<p>"That right. They won't look for us that way."</p> + +<p>"I reckon not."</p> + +<p>Soon the rushes closed in on either side, and the Indian sent the canoe +twisting in and out amid their tall stalks like a creeping panther. He +seemed to know every inch of the way, and followed it as well as if it +were broad noonday.</p> + +<p>Frank's admiration for the fellow grew with each moment, and he felt +that he could, indeed, trust Socato.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If we save that girl and the old man, you shall be well paid for the +job," declared the boy, feeling that it was well to dangle a reward +before the Indian's mental vision.</p> + +<p>"It is good," was the whispered retort. "Socato is poor."</p> + +<p>In a few moments they crept through the rushes till the canoe lay close +to a bank, and the Indian directed Frank to get out.</p> + +<p>The camp-fire could not be seen from that position, but the boy well +knew it was not far away.</p> + +<p>Taking his bow, with the quiver of arrows slung to his back, the lad +left the canoe, being followed immediately by the Seminole, who lifted +the prow of the frail craft out upon the bank, and then led the way.</p> + +<p>Passing round a thick mass of reeds, they soon reached a position where +they could see the camp-fire and the moving forms of the sailors. Just +as they reached this position, Leslie Gage was seen to dash up to the +fire and kick the burning brands in various directions.</p> + +<p>"He has done that so that the firelight might not reveal them to us," +thought Frank. "They still believe us near, although they know not where +we are."</p> + +<p>Crouching and creeping, Socato led the way, and Frank followed closely, +wondering what scheme the Indian could have in his head, yet trusting +everything to his sagacity.</p> + +<p>In a short time they were near enough to hear the conversation of the +bewildered and alarmed sailors. The men were certain a band of savages +were close at hand, for they did not dream that the arrow which had +dropped Jaggers was fired by the hand of a white person.</p> + +<p>"The sooner we get away from here, the better it will be for us," +declared Leslie Gage.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to get away in the boats," said a grizzled +villainous-looking, one-eyed old sailor, who was known as Ben Bowsprit.</p> + +<p>"Fo' de Lawd's sake!" gasped the third sailor, who was a negro, called +Black Tom; "how's we gwine to run right out dar whar de critter am dat +fired de arrer inter Jack Jaggers?"</p> + +<p>"The 'critter' doesn't seem to be there any longer,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> assured Gage. +"Those two shots must have frightened him away."</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed Bowsprit. "This has been an unlucky stop fer us, +mates. Tomlinson is dead, an' Jaggers——"</p> + +<p>"I ain't dead, but I'm bleedin', bleedin', bleedin'!" moaned the fellow +who had been hit by Frank's arrow. "There's a big tear in my shoulder, +an' I'm afeared I've made my last cruise."</p> + +<p>"It serves you right," came harshly from the boy leader of the ruffianly +crew. "Tomlinson attempted to set himself up as head of this crew—as +captain over me. You backed him. All the time, you knew I was the leader +in every move we have made."</p> + +<p>"And a pretty pass you have led us to!" whined the wounded wretch. +"Where's the money you said the captain had stored away? Where's the +reward we'd receive for the captain alive and well? We turned mutineers +at your instigation, and what have we made of it? We've set the law +agin' us, an' here we are. The <i>Bonny Elsie</i> has gone up in smoke——"</p> + +<p>"Through the carelessness of a lot of drunken fools!" snarled Gage. "She +should not have been burned. But for that, we wouldn't be here now, +hiding from officers of the law."</p> + +<p>"Well, here we are," growled Ben Bowsprit, "an' shiver my timbers if we +seem able to get out of this howlin' swamp! The more we try, the more we +seem ter git lost."</p> + +<p>"Fo' goodness, be yo' gwine to stan' roun' an' chin, an' chin, an' +chin?" demanded Black Tom.</p> + +<p>"The fire's out, and we can't be seen," spoke Gage, swiftly, in a low +tone. "Get the boats ready. You two are to take the old man in one; I'll +take the girl in the other."</p> + +<p>"It's the gal you've cared fer all the time," cried Jaggers, madly. "It +was for her you led us into this scrape."</p> + +<p>"Shut up!"</p> + +<p>"I won't! You can't make me shut up, Gage."</p> + +<p>"Well, you'll have a chance to talk to yourself and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> Tomlinson before +long. Tomlinson will be jolly company."</p> + +<p>"You've killed him!" accused the wounded man. "I saw you strike the +blow, and I'll swear to that, my hearty!"</p> + +<p>"It's not likely you'll be given a chance to swear to it, Jaggers. I may +have killed him, but it was in self-defense. He was doing his best to +get his knife into me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we was tryin' to finish you," admitted Jaggers. "With you out of +the way, Tomlinson would have been cap'n, and I first mate. You've kept +your eyes on the gal all the time. I don't believe you thought the cap'n +had money at all. It was to get the gal you led us into this business. +She'd snubbed you—said she despised you, and you made up your mind to +carry her off against her will."</p> + +<p>"If that was my game, you must confess I succeeded very well. But I +can't waste more time talking to you. Get the boats ready, boys. I will +take the smaller. Put Cap'n Bellwood in the larger, and look out for +him."</p> + +<p>The two sailors obeyed his orders. Boy though he was, Gage had resolved +to become a leader of men, and he had succeeded.</p> + +<p>The girl, quite overcome, was prostrate at the feet of her father, who +was bound to the cypress tree.</p> + +<p>There was a look of pain and despair on the face of the old captain. His +heart bled as he looked down at his wretched daughter, and he groaned:</p> + +<p>"Merciful Heaven! what will become of her? It were better that she +should die than remain in the power of that young villain!"</p> + +<p>"What are you muttering about, old man?" coarsely demanded Gage, as he +bent to lift the girl. "You seem to be muttering to yourself the greater +part of the time."</p> + +<p>"You wretch! you young monster!" grated the old shipmaster. "Do you +think you can escape the retribution that pursues all such dastardly +creatures as you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you make me tired! I have found out that the goody-good people do +not always come out on top in this world. Besides that, it's too late +for me to turn back now. I started wrong at school, and I have been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +going wrong ever since. It's natural for me; I can't help it."</p> + +<p>"Spare my child!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't worry about her. I'll take care of her."</p> + +<p>"If you harm her, may the wrath of Heaven fall on your head!"</p> + +<p>"Let it go at that. I will be very tender and considerate with her. +Come, Elsie."</p> + +<p>He attempted to lift her to her feet, but she drew from him, shuddering +and screaming wildly:</p> + +<p>"Don't touch me!"</p> + +<p>"Now, don't be a little fool!" he said, harshly. "You make me sick with +your tantrums! Come on, now."</p> + +<p>But she screamed the louder, seeming to stand in the utmost terror of +him.</p> + +<p>With a savage exclamation, Gage tore off his coat and wrapped it about +the girl's head so that her cries were smothered.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps that will keep you still a bit!" he snapped, catching her up in +his arms, and bearing her to the smaller boat, in which he carefully +placed her.</p> + +<p>She did not faint. As her hands were bound behind her, she could not +remove the coat from about her head, and she sat as he placed her, with +it enveloping her nearly to the waist.</p> + +<p>"Is everything ready?" asked Gage. "Where are all the guns? Somebody +take Tomlinson's weapons. Let Jaggers have his. He may need them when we +are gone."</p> + +<p>"Don't leave me here to die alone!" piteously pleaded the wounded +sailor. "I'm pretty well gone now, but I don't want to be left here +alone!"</p> + +<p>Gage left the small boat for a moment, and approached the spot where the +pleading wretch lay.</p> + +<p>"Jaggers," he said, "it's the fate you deserve. You agreed to stand by +me, but you went back on your oath, and tried to kill me."</p> + +<p>"And now you're going to leave me here to bleed to death or starve?"</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't I? The tables are turned on you, my fine fellow."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm sure you won't leave me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Why won't I?"</p> + +<p>"This is why!"</p> + +<p>Jaggers flung up his hand, from which a spout of flame seemed to leap, +and the report of a pistol sounded over the marsh.</p> + +<p>Leslie Gage fell in a heap to the ground.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>A MYSTERIOUS TRANSFORMATION.</h3> + + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha!" wildly laughed the wounded sailor. "That time he did not +escape! Leave me to die, would he? Well, he is dead already, for I shot +him through the brain!"</p> + +<p>"That's where you are mistaken, Jaggers," said the cool voice of the +boyish leader of the mutineers. "I saw your move, saw the revolver, and +dropped in time to avoid the bullet."</p> + +<p>Gage sprang to his feet.</p> + +<p>A snarl of baffled fury came from the lips of the wounded sailor.</p> + +<p>"The foul fiend protects you!" he cried. "See if you can dodge this +bullet!"</p> + +<p>He would have fired again, but Gage leaped forward in the darkness, +kicked swiftly and accurately, and sent the revolver spinning from the +man's hand.</p> + +<p>"You have settled your fate!" hissed the boy, madly. "I did mean to have +you taken away, and I was talking to torment you. Now you will stay +here—and die like a dog!"</p> + +<p>He turned from Jaggers, and hurried back to the boat, in which that +muffled figure silently sat.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready, boys?" he called.</p> + +<p>Captain Bellwood had been released from the tree, and marched to the +other boat, in which he now sat, bound and helpless.</p> + +<p>"All ready," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"All right; go ahead."</p> + +<p>They pushed off, settled into their seats, and began rowing.</p> + +<p>Gage was not long in following, but he wondered at the silence of the +girl who sat in the stern. It could not be that she had fainted, for she +remained in an upright position.</p> + +<p>"Which way, cap?" asked one of the men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Any way to get out of this," was the answer. "We will find another +place to camp, but I want to get away from this spot."</p> + +<p>Not a sound came from beneath the muffled coat.</p> + +<p>"It must be close," thought Gage. "I wonder if she can breathe all +right. I wish she would do something."</p> + +<p>At last, finding he could keep up with his companions without trouble, +and knowing he would have very little difficulty in overtaking them, +Gage drew in his oars and slipped back toward the muffled figure in the +stern.</p> + +<p>"Elsie," he said, softly.</p> + +<p>No answer; no move.</p> + +<p>"Miss Bellwood."</p> + +<p>Still no answer.</p> + +<p>"You must not think too hard of me, Miss Bellwood," he said, pleadingly. +"I would not harm you for anything. I love you far too much for that, +Elsie."</p> + +<p>He could have sworn that the sound which came from the muffling folds of +the coat was like a smothered laugh, but he knew she was not laughing at +him.</p> + +<p>"I have been wicked and desperate," he went on; "but I was driven to the +life I have led. Fate has been against me all along. When I shipped on +your father's vessel it was because I had seen you and knew you were to +be along on the cruise. I loved you at first sight, and I vowed that I +would reform and do better if you loved me in return, Elsie."</p> + +<p>He was speaking swiftly in a low tone, and his voice betrayed his +earnestness. He passed an arm around the muffled figure, feeling it +quiver within his grasp, and then he continued:</p> + +<p>"You did not take kindly to me, but I persisted. Then you repulsed +me—told me you despised me, and that made me desperate. I swore I would +have you, Elsie. Then came the mutiny and the burning of the vessel. Now +we are here, and you are with me. Elsie, you know not how I love you! I +have become an outcast, an outlaw—all for your sake! Elsie, dear Elsie! +can't you learn to love me? I will do anything for you—anything!"</p> + +<p>Again a sound came from beneath the coat. He was sure she was sobbing. +It must be that he was beginning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> to break down that icy barrier. She +realized her position, and she would be reasonable.</p> + +<p>"Elsie—little sweetheart!"</p> + +<p>He began to remove the muffling coat.</p> + +<p>"Do not scream, Elsie—do not draw away, darling. Say that you will love +me a little—just a little!"</p> + +<p>He pulled the coat away, and something came out of the folds and touched +cold and chilling against his forehead.</p> + +<p>It was the muzzle of a revolver!</p> + +<p>"Keep still!" commanded a voice that was full of chuckling laughter. "If +you chirp, I'll have to blow the roof of your head off, Gage!"</p> + +<p>Leslie Gage caught his breath and nearly collapsed into the bottom of +the boat. Indeed, he would have fallen had not a strong hand fastened on +his collar and held him.</p> + +<p>It was not Elsie Bellwood!</p> + +<p>"I don't want to shoot you, Gage," whispered the cool voice. "I don't +feel like that, even though you did attempt to take my life once or +twice in the past. You have made me very good natured within the past +few moments. How you did love me! How gently you murmured, 'Do not draw +away, darling; say that you love me a little—just a little!' Ha! ha! +ha! Really, Gage, you gave me such amusement that I am more than +satisfied with this little adventure."</p> + +<p>"That voice—I know it!" grated Gage, through set teeth. "Still, I can't +place you."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, you are forgetful, Gage. But it is rather dark, and I don't +suppose you expected to see me here. We last met at Fardale."</p> + +<p>"Fardale?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And you are—Frank Merriwell!"</p> + +<p>Gage would have shouted the name in his amazement, but Frank's fingers +suddenly closed on the fellow's throat and held back the sound in a +great measure.</p> + +<p>"Now you have guessed it," chuckled Frank. "Oh, Gage! I can forgive you +for the past since you have provided me with so much amusement to-night. +How<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> you urged me to learn to love you! But that's too much, Gage; I can +never learn to do that."</p> + +<p>Leslie ground his teeth, but he was still overcome with unutterable +amazement and wonder. That Frank Merriwell, whom he hated, should appear +there at night in the wilds of the Florida Everglades was like a +miracle.</p> + +<p>What had become of Elsie Bellwood? Had some magic of that wild and +dreary region changed her into Frank Merriwell?</p> + +<p>Little wonder that Gage was dazed and helpless.</p> + +<p>"How in the name of the Evil One did you come here?" he finally asked, +recovering slightly from his stupor.</p> + +<p>Frank laughed softly once more. It was the same old merry, boyish laugh +that Gage had heard so often at Fardale, and it filled him with intense +anger, as it had in the days of old.</p> + +<p>"I know you did not expect to see me," murmured Frank, still laughing. +"I assure you that the Evil One had nothing to do with my appearance +here."</p> + +<p>"It was trickery—magic! I left her in the boat a few moments. What +became of her? How did you take her place?"</p> + +<p>"I will let you speculate over that question for a while, my fine +fellow. In the meantime, I fancy it will be a good idea to tie you up so +you will not make any trouble. Remember I have a revolver handy, and I +promise that I'll use it if you kick up a row."</p> + +<p>At this moment, one of the sailors in the other boat called:</p> + +<p>"Hello, there, Mr. Gage! where are you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>GAGE TAKES A TURN.</h3> + + +<p>Gage was tempted to shout for help, but the muzzle of the cold weapon +that touched his forehead froze his tongue to silence.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Ahoy, there, cap'n! Where are you?"</p> + +<p>Ben Bowsprit was growing impatient and wondering why Leslie did not +answer. It had occurred to the old tar that it was possible the boy had +deserted them.</p> + +<p>The voice of Black Tom was heard to say:</p> + +<p>"He oughter be right near by us, Ben. 'Smighty strange dat feller don' +seem to answer nohow."</p> + +<p>"Shiver my timbers!" roared Bowsprit. "We'll pull back, my hearty, and +take a look for our gay cap'n."</p> + +<p>They were coming back, and Gage was still unbound, although a captive in +Frank Merriwell's clutch.</p> + +<p>Frank thought swiftly. There would not be enough time to bind Gage and +get away. Something must be done to prevent the two sailors from turning +about and rowing back.</p> + +<p>"Gage," whispered Frank, swiftly, "you must answer them. Say, it's all +right, boys; I'm coming right along."</p> + +<p>Gage hesitated, the longing to shout for help again grasping him.</p> + +<p>"Do as I told you!" hissed Frank, and the muzzle of the revolver seemed +to bore into Gage's forehead, as if the bullet longed to seek his brain.</p> + +<p>With a mental curse on the black luck, Gage uttered the words as his +captor had ordered, although they seemed to come chokingly from his +throat.</p> + +<p>"Well, what are ye doing back there so long?" demanded Bowsprit.</p> + +<p>"Tell them you're making love," chuckled Frank, who seemed to be hugely +enjoying the affair, to the unspeakable rage of his captive. "Ask them +if they don't intend to give you a show at all."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + +<p>Gage did as directed, causing Bowsprit to laugh hoarsely.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're a sly dog!" cackled the old sailor, in the darkness. "But +this is a poor time to spend in love-makin', cap'n. Wait till we git +settled down ag'in. Tom an' me'll agree not ter watch ye."</p> + +<p>"Say, all right; go on," instructed Frank, and Gage did so.</p> + +<p>In a few seconds, the sound of oars were heard, indicating that the +sailors were obeying instructions.</p> + +<p>At that moment, while Frank was listening to this sound, Gage believed +his opportunity had arrived, and, being utterly desperate, the young +rascal knocked aside Frank's hand, gave a wild shout, leaped to his +feet, and plunged headlong into the water.</p> + +<p>It was done swiftly—too swiftly for Frank to shoot, if he had intended +such a thing. But Frank Merriwell had no desire to shoot his former +schoolmate, even though Leslie Gage had become a hardened and desperate +criminal, and so, having broken away, the youthful leader of the +mutineers stood in no danger of being harmed.</p> + +<p>Frank and Socato had been close at hand when Gage placed Elsie Bellwood +in the boat, and barely was the girl left alone before she was removed +by the Seminole, in whose arms she lay limp and unconscious, having +swooned at last.</p> + +<p>Then it was that a desire to capture Gage and a wild longing to give the +fellow a paralyzing surprise seized upon Frank.</p> + +<p>"Socato," he whispered, "I am going to trust you to take that girl to +the hut where my friends are to be found. Remember that you shall be +well paid; I give you my word of honor as to that. See that no harm +comes to her."</p> + +<p>"All right," returned the Indian. "What white boy mean to do?"</p> + +<p>"Have a little racket on my own hook," was the reply. "If I lose my +bearings and can't find the hut, I will fire five shots into the air +from my revolver. Have one of my friends answer in a similar manner."</p> + +<p>"It shall be done."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Give me that coat. All right. Now skip with the girl."</p> + +<p>Frank took the coat; stepped into the boat, watched till Gage was +approaching, and then muffled his head, sitting in the place where Elsie +had been left.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, the Seminole was bearing the girl swiftly and silently +away.</p> + +<p>Thus it came about that Gage made love to Frank Merriwell, instead of +the fair captive he believed was muffled by the coat.</p> + +<p>When Gage plunged into the water, the small boat rocked and came near +upsetting, but did not go over.</p> + +<p>But the fellow's cry and the splash had brought the sailors to a halt, +and they soon called back:</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? What has happened?"</p> + +<p>"I rather fancy it will be a good plan to make myself scarce in this +particular locality," muttered Frank.</p> + +<p>Gage swam under water for some distance, and then, coming to the +surface, he shouted to the men in the leading boat:</p> + +<p>"Bowsprit, Black Tom, help! Turn back quickly! There is an enemy here, +but he is alone! We can capture him, boys! Be lively about it!"</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Frank, merrily. "You will have a fine time +catching me. You have given me great amusement, Gage. I assure you that +I have been highly entertained by your company, and hereafter I shall +consider you an adept in the gentle art of making love."</p> + +<p>"Laugh!" fiercely shouted Gage from the water. "You are having your turn +now, but mine will soon come!"</p> + +<p>"I have heard you talk like that before, Gage. It does not seem that you +have yet learned 'the way of the transgressor is hard.'"</p> + +<p>"You'll learn better than to meddle with me! I have longed to meet you +again, Frank Merriwell, and I tell you now that one of us will not leave +this swamp alive!"</p> + +<p>"This is not the first time you have made a promise that you were not +able to keep. Before I leave you, I have this to say: If Captain +Bellwood is harmed in the least, if he is not set at liberty with very +little delay,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> I'll never rest till you have received the punishment +which your crimes merit."</p> + +<p>Frank could hear the sailors rowing back, and he felt for the oars, +having no doubt that he would be able to escape them with ease, aided by +the darkness.</p> + +<p>Then came a surprise for him.</p> + +<p>When Gage stopped rowing to make love to the supposed Elsie he had left +the oars in the rowlocks, drawing them in and laying them across the +boat. In the violent rocking of the boat when the fellow leaped +overboard one of the oars had been lost.</p> + +<p>Frank was left with a single oar, and his enemies were bearing down upon +him with great swiftness.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if there's a chance to scull this boat?" he coolly speculated, +as he hastened to the stern and made a swift examination.</p> + +<p>To his satisfaction and relief, he found there was, and the remaining +oar was quickly put to use.</p> + +<p>Even then Frank felt confident that he would be able to avoid his +enemies in the darkness that lay deep and dense upon the great swamp. He +could hear them rowing, and he managed to skull the light boat along +without making much noise.</p> + +<p>He did not mind that Gage had escaped; in fact, he was relieved to get +rid of the fellow, although it had been his intention to hold him as +hostage for Captain Bellwood.</p> + +<p>It was the desire for adventure that had led Frank into the affair, and, +now that it was over so far as surprising Gage was concerned, he was +satisfied to get away quietly.</p> + +<p>He could hear the sailors calling Gage, who answered from the water, and +he knew they would stop to pick the fellow up, which would give our hero +a still better show of getting away.</p> + +<p>All this took place, and Frank was so well hidden by the darkness that +there was not one chance in a thousand of being troubled by the +ruffianly crew when another astonishing thing happened.</p> + +<p>From a point amid the tall rushes a powerful white light gleamed out and +fell full and fair upon the small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> boat and its single occupant, +revealing Frank as plainly as if by the glare of midday sunlight.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" gasped the astonished boy. "What is the meaning of this, +I would like to know?"</p> + +<p>He was so astonished that he nearly dropped the oar.</p> + +<p>The sailors were astonished, but the light showed them distinctly, and +Gage snarled.</p> + +<p>"Give me your pistol, Bowsprit! Be lively!"</p> + +<p>He snatched the weapon from the old tar's hand, took hasty aim, and +fired.</p> + +<p>Frank Merriwell was seen to fling up his arms and fall heavily into the +bottom of the boat!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + +<h3>A FEARFUL FATE.</h3> + + +<p>"Got him!" grated the triumphant young rascal, flourishing the revolver. +"That's the time I fixed him!"</p> + +<p>The mysterious light vanished in the twinkling of an eye, but it had +shone long enough for Gage to do his dastardly work.</p> + +<p>The sailors were alarmed by the light, and wished to row away; but Gage +raved at them, ordering them to pull down toward the spot where the +other boat lay.</p> + +<p>After a time, the men recovered enough to do as directed, and the +smaller boat was soon found, rocking lightly on the surface.</p> + +<p>Running alongside, Gage reached over into the small boat, and his hand +found the boy who was stretched in the bottom.</p> + +<p>"Here he is!" cried the young rascal, gleefully. "I'll bet anything I +put the bullet straight through his heart!"</p> + +<p>And then, as if his own words had brought a sense of it all to him, he +suddenly shuddered with horror, faintly muttering:</p> + +<p>"That was murder!"</p> + +<p>The horror grew upon him rapidly, and he began to wonder that he had +felt delight when he saw Frank Merriwell fall. The shooting had been the +impulse of the moment, and, now that it was done and he realized what it +meant, he would have given much to recall that bullet.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," he thought. "I swore that one of us should not leave this +swamp alive, and my oath will not be broken. I hated Frank Merriwell the +first time I saw him, and I have hated him ever since. Now he is out of +my way, and he will never cross my path again."</p> + +<p>There was a slight stir in the small boat, followed by something like a +gasping moan.</p> + +<p>"He don't seem to be dead yet, cap'n," said Ben Bowsprit. "I guess your +aim wasn't as good as you thought."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<p>That nettled Gage.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't think he'll recover very fast," said the youthful rascal, +harshly.</p> + +<p>He rose and stepped over into the smaller boat.</p> + +<p>"Give me some matches," he ordered. "I want to take a look at the chap. +He must make a beautiful corpse."</p> + +<p>"You'll find I'm not dead yet!" returned a weak voice, and Frank +Merriwell sat up and grappled with Gage.</p> + +<p>A snarl of fury came from the lips of the boy desperado.</p> + +<p>"So I didn't finish you! Well, you'll not get away!"</p> + +<p>"You'll have to fight before you finish me!" panted Frank.</p> + +<p>But Merriwell seemed weak, and Gage did not find it difficult to handle +the lad at whom he had shot. He forced Frank down into the bottom of the +boat, and then called to his companions:</p> + +<p>"Give me some of that line. I'll make him fast."</p> + +<p>A piece of rope was handed to him, and Black Tom stepped into the boat +to aid him. Between them, they succeeded in making Frank fast, for the +boy's struggles were weak, at best.</p> + +<p>"Now it is my turn!" cried Leslie, gloatingly. "At Fardale Frank +Merriwell triumphed. He disgraced me, and I was forced to fly from the +school."</p> + +<p>"You disgraced yourself," declared the defiant captive. "You cheated at +cards—you fleeced your schoolmates."</p> + +<p>"And you exposed the trick! Oh, yes, I was rather flip with the papers, +and I should not have been detected but for you, Merriwell. When I was +exposed, I knew I would be shunned by all the fellows in school, and so +I ran away. But I did not forget who brought the disgrace about, and I +knew we should meet some time, Merriwell. We did meet. How you came here +I do not know, and why my bullet did not kill you is more than I can +understand."</p> + +<p>"It would have killed me but for a locket and picture in my pocket," +returned Frank. "It struck the locket, and that saved me; but the shock +robbed me of strength<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>—it must have robbed me of consciousness for a +moment."</p> + +<p>"It would have been just as well for you if the locket had not stopped +the bullet," declared Gage, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"By that I presume you mean that you intend to murder me anyway?"</p> + +<p>"I have sworn that one of us shall never leave this swamp alive."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, Gage," came coolly from the lips of the captive. "Luck seems +to have turned your way. Make the most of it while you have an +opportunity."</p> + +<p>"We can't spend time in gabbing here," came nervously from Bowsprit. +"Let's get away immediately."</p> + +<p>"Yes," put in Black Tom; "fo' de Lawd's sake, le's get away before dat +light shine some mo'!"</p> + +<p>"That's right," said the old tar. "Some things happen in this swamp that +no human being can account for."</p> + +<p>Gage was ready enough to get away, and they were soon pulling onward +again, with Frank Merriwell, bound and helpless, in the bottom of the +smaller boat.</p> + +<p>For nearly an hour they rowed, and then they succeeded in finding some +dry, solid land where they could camp beneath the tall, black trees.</p> + +<p>They were so overcome with alarm that they did not venture to build a +fire, for all that Gage was shivering in his wet clothes.</p> + +<p>Leslie was still puzzling over Frank Merriwell's astonishing appearance, +and he tried to question Frank concerning it, but he could obtain but +little satisfaction from the boy he hated.</p> + +<p>The night passed, and morning came.</p> + +<p>Away to the west stretched the Everglades, while to the north and the +east lay the dismal cypress swamps.</p> + +<p>The party seemed quite alone in the heart of the desolate region.</p> + +<p>Leslie started out to explore the strip of elevated land upon which they +had passed the night, and he found it stretched back into the woods, +where lay great stagnant pools of water and where grew all kinds of +strange plants and vines.</p> + +<p>Gage had been from the camp about thirty minutes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> when he came running +back, his face pale, and a fierce look in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"I have heard of it!" he kept muttering. "I have heard of it! I have +heard of it!"</p> + +<p>"Avast there!" cried Bowsprit, with an attempt at cheerfulness. "What +are you muttering over? What is it you have heard about, my hearty?"</p> + +<p>"The serpent vine," answered Gage, wildly.</p> + +<p>"What is the serpent vine?"</p> + +<p>"You shall see. I did not believe there was such a thing, but it tangled +my feet, it tried to twine about my legs, and I saw the little red +flowers opening and shutting like the lips of devils."</p> + +<p>"Fo' de Lawd's sake! de boss hab gone stark, starin' mad!" cried Black +Tom, staring at Leslie with bulging eyes.</p> + +<p>"Not much!" shouted Leslie, hoarsely. "But I have thought of a way to +dispose of Frank Merriwell. I will feed him to the serpent vine! Ah, +that will be revenge!"</p> + +<p>Frank had listened to all this, and he noted that Gage actually seemed +like a maniac.</p> + +<p>Captain Bellwood, securely bound, was near Frank, to whom he now spoke:</p> + +<p>"God pity you, my lad! He was bad enough before, but he seems to have +gone mad. He will murder you!"</p> + +<p>"Well, if that's to be the end of me, I'll have to take my medicine," +came grimly from the lips of the undaunted boy captive.</p> + +<p>"My child?" entreated the captain, anxiously. "What became of her? Can +you tell me? Where is she now?"</p> + +<p>"She is safe, I believe. She is with friends of mine, and they will +fight for her as long as they are able to draw a breath."</p> + +<p>"Thank Heaven! Now I care not if these wretches murder me!"</p> + +<p>"I scarcely think they will murder you, captain. They have nothing in +particular against you; but Gage hates me most bitterly."</p> + +<p>"That's right!" snarled Leslie, who had overheard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> Frank's last words. +"I do hate you, and my hatred seems to have increased tenfold since last +night. I have been thinking—thinking how you have baffled me at every +turn whenever we have come together. I have decided that you are my evil +genius, and that I shall never have any luck as long as you live. I +shall keep my oath. One of us will not leave this swamp alive, and you +will be that one!"</p> + +<p>"Go ahead with the funeral," said Frank, stoutly. "If you have made up +your mind to murder me, I can't help myself; but one thing is +sure—you'll not hear me beg."</p> + +<p>"Wait till you know what your fate is to be. Boys, set his feet free, +and then follow me, with him between you."</p> + +<p>The cords which held Frank's feet were released, and he was lifted to a +standing position. Then he was marched along after Gage, who led the +way.</p> + +<p>"Good-by," Frank called back.</p> + +<p>Into the woods he was marched, and finally Gage came to a halt, +motioning for the others to stop.</p> + +<p>"Look!" he cried, pointing; "there is the serpent vine!"</p> + +<p>On the ground before them, lay a mass of greenish vines, blossoming over +with a dark red flower. Harmless enough they looked, but, as Gage drew a +little nearer, they suddenly seemed to come to life, and they began +reaching toward his feet, twisting, squirming, undulating like a mass of +serpents.</p> + +<p>"There!" shouted Leslie—"there is the vine that feeds on flesh and +blood! See—see how it reached for my feet! It longs to grasp me, to +draw me into its folds, to twine about my body, my neck, to strangle +me!"</p> + +<p>The sailors shuddered and drew back, while Frank Merriwell's face was +very pale.</p> + +<p>"It did fasten upon me," Gage continued. "If I had not been ready and +quick with my knife, it would have drawn me into its deadly embrace. I +managed to cut myself free and escape."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to Frank, and the dancing light in his eyes was not a +light of sanity.</p> + +<p>"Merriwell," he said, "the serpent vine will end your life, and you'll +never bother me any more!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> + +<p>He leaped forward and clutched the helpless captive, screaming:</p> + +<p>"Thus I keep my promise!"</p> + +<p>And he flung Frank headlong into the clutch of the writhing vine!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE SERPENT VINE.</h3> + + +<p>With his hands bound behind his back, unable to help himself, Frank +reeled forward into the embrace of the deadly vine, each branch of which +was twisting, curling, squirming like the arms of an octopus.</p> + +<p>He nearly plunged forward upon his face, but managed to recover and keep +on his feet.</p> + +<p>He felt the vine whip about his legs and fasten there tenaciously, felt +it twist and twine and crawl like a mass of serpents, and he knew he was +in the grasp of the frightful plant which till that hour he had ever +believed a creation of some romancer's feverish fancy.</p> + +<p>Frank did not cry out. A great horror seemed to come upon him and benumb +his body and his senses.</p> + +<p>He could feel the horrid vines climbing and coiling about him, and he +was helpless to struggle and tear them away. He knew they were mounting +to his neck, where they would curl about his throat and choke the breath +of life from his body.</p> + +<p>It was a fearful fate—a terrible death. And there seemed no possible +way of escaping.</p> + +<p>Higher and higher climbed the vine, swaying and squirming, the blood-red +flowers opening and closing like lips of a vampire that thirsted for his +blood.</p> + +<p>A look of horror was frozen on Frank's face. His eyes bulged from his +head, and his lips were drawn back from his teeth. He did not cry out, +he did not seem to breathe, but he appeared to be turned to stone in the +grasp of the deadly plant.</p> + +<p>It was a dreadful sight, and the two sailors, rough and wicked men +though they were, were overcome by the spectacle. Shuddering and +gasping, they turned away.</p> + +<p>For the first time, Gage seemed to fully realize what he had done. He +covered his eyes with his hand and staggered backward, uttering a low, +groaning sound.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> + +<p>Merriwell's staring eyes seemed fastened straight upon him with that +fearful stare, and the thought flashed through the mind of the wretched +boy that he should never forget those eyes.</p> + +<p>"They will haunt me as long as I live!" he panted. "Why did I do it? Why +did I do it?"</p> + +<p>Already he was seized by the pangs of remorse.</p> + +<p>Once more he looked at Frank, and once more those staring eyes turned +his blood to ice water.</p> + +<p>Then, uttering shriek after shriek, Gage turned and fled through the +swamp, plunging through marshy places and jungles, falling, scrambling +up, leaping, staggering, gasping for breath, feeling those staring eyes +at his back, feeling that they would pursue him to his doom.</p> + +<p>Scarcely less agitated and overcome, Bowsprit and the negro followed, +and Frank Merriwell was abandoned to his fate.</p> + +<p>Frank longed for the use of his hands to tear away those fiendish vines. +It was a horrible thing to stand and let them creep up, up, up, till +they encircled his throat and strangled him to death.</p> + +<p>Through his mind flashed a picture of himself as he would stand there +with the vines drawing tighter and tighter about his throat and his face +growing blacker and blacker, his tongue hanging out, his eyes starting +from their sockets.</p> + +<p>He came near shrieking for help, but the thought that the cry must reach +the ears of Leslie Gage kept it back, enabled him to choke it down.</p> + +<p>He had declared that Gage should not hear him beg for mercy or aid. Not +even the serpent vine and all its horrors could make him forget that +vow.</p> + +<p>The little red flowers were getting nearer and nearer to his face, and +they were fluttering with eagerness. He felt a sucking, drawing, +stinging sensation on one of his wrists, and he believed one of those +fiendish vampire mouths had fastened there.</p> + +<p>He swayed his body, he tried to move his feet, but he seemed rooted to +the ground. He did not have the strength to drag himself from that fatal +spot and from the grasp of the vine.</p> + +<p>It seemed that hours passed. His senses were in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> maze, and the whole +world was reeling and romping around him. The trees became a band of +giant demons, winking, blinking, grinning at him, flourishing their arms +in the air, and dancing gleefully on every side to the sound of wild +music that came from far away in the sky.</p> + +<p>Then a smaller demon darted out from amid the trees, rushed at him, +clutched him, slashed, slashed, slashed on every side of him, dragged at +his collar, and panted in his ear:</p> + +<p>"White boy fight—try to git away! His hands are free."</p> + +<p>Was it a dream—was it an hallucination? No! his hands were free! He +tore at the clinging vines, he fought with all his remaining strength, +he struggled to get away from those clinging things.</p> + +<p>All the while that other figure was slashing and cutting with something +bright, while the vine writhed and hissed like serpents in agony.</p> + +<p>How it was accomplished Frank could never tell, but he felt himself +dragged free of the serpent vine, dragged beyond its deadly touch, and +he knew it was no dream that he was free!</p> + +<p>A black mist hung before his eyes, but he looked through it and faintly +murmured:</p> + +<p>"Socato, you have saved me!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, white boy," replied the voice of the Seminole, "I found you just +in time. A few moments more and you be a dead one."</p> + +<p>"That is true, Socato—that is true! I owe you my very life! I can never +pay you for what you have done!"</p> + +<p>In truth the Indian had appeared barely in time to rescue Frank from the +vine, and it had been a desperate and exhausting battle. In another +minute the vine would have accomplished its work.</p> + +<p>"I hear white boy cry out, and I see him run from this way," explained +the Seminole. "He look scared very much. Sailor men follow, and then I +come to see what scare them so. I find you."</p> + +<p>"It was Providence, Socato. You knew how to fight the vine—how to cut +it with your knife, and so you saved me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We must git 'way from here soon as can," declared the Indian. "Bad +white men may not come back, and they may come back. They may want to +see what has happen to white boy."</p> + +<p>Frank knew this was true, but for some time he was not able to get upon +his feet and walk. At length the Indian assisted him, and, leaning on +Socato's shoulder, he made his way along.</p> + +<p>Avoiding the place where the sailors were camped, the Seminole proceeded +directly to the spot where his canoe was hidden. Frank got in, and +Socato took the paddle, sending the light craft skimming over the water.</p> + +<p>Straight to the strange hut where Frank and his companions had stopped +the previous night they made their way.</p> + +<p>The sun was shining into the heart of the great Dismal Swamp, and Elsie +Bellwood was at the door to greet Frank Merriwell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> + +<h3>RIGHT OR WRONG.</h3> + + +<p>Elsie held out both hands, and there was a welcome light in her eyes. It +seemed to Frank that she was far prettier than when he had last seen her +in Fardale.</p> + +<p>"Frank, I am so glad to see you!"</p> + +<p>He caught her hands and held them, looking into her eyes. The color came +into her cheeks, and then she noted his rumpled appearance, saw that he +was very pale, and cried:</p> + +<p>"What is it, Frank? You are hurt? You are so pale!<span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, single quote changed to double quote">"</span></p> + +<p>Socato grunted in a knowing way, but said nothing.</p> + +<p>"It is nothing, Miss Bellwood," assured the boy. "I have been through a +little adventure, that's all. I am not harmed."</p> + +<p>He felt her fingers trembling in his clasp, and an electric thrill ran +over him. He remembered that at their last parting she had said it were +far better they should never meet again; but fate had thrown them +together, and now—what?</p> + +<p>He longed to draw her to him, to kiss her, to tell her how happy he was +at finding her, but he restrained the impulse.</p> + +<p>Then the voice of Barney Mulloy called from within the hut:</p> + +<p>"Phwat ye goin' to do me b'y—shtand out there th' rist av th' doay? +Whoy don't yez come in, Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>"Come in, Frank—come in," cried Professor Scotch. "We have been worried +to death over you. Thought you were lost in the Everglades, or had +fallen into the hands of the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Your second thought was correct," smiled Frank, as he entered the hut, +with Elsie at his side.</p> + +<p>"Phwat's thot?" shouted the Irish boy, in astonishment. "Ye don't mane +to say thim spalpanes caught yez?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's what they did, and they came near cooking me, too."</p> + +<p>Frank then related the adventures that had befallen him since he started +out on his own hook to give Leslie Gage a surprise. He told how Gage had +made love to him in the boat, and Barney shrieked with laughter. Then he +related what followed, and how his life had been saved by the locket he +carried, and the professor groaned with dismay. Following this, he +related his capture by Gage and how the young desperado flung him, with +his hands bound, into the clutch of the serpent vine.</p> + +<p>The narrative first amused and then thrilled his listeners. Finally they +were horrified and appalled by the peril through which he had passed.</p> + +<p>"It's Satan's own scum thot Gage is!" grated Barney, fiercely. "Iver let +me get a crack at th' loike av him and see phwat will happen to th' +whilp!"</p> + +<p>"I hate and despise him!" declared Elsie. "He is a monster!"</p> + +<p>Then Frank explained how he had been saved by Socato, and the Seminole +found himself the hero of the hour.</p> + +<p>"Soc, ould b'y," cried Barney, "thot wur th' bist job ye iver did, an' +Oi'm proud av yez! Ye'll niver lose anything by thot thrick, ayther."</p> + +<p>"Not much!" roared the little professor, wiping his eyes. "Man, give me +your hand!"</p> + +<p>Then the Seminole had his hand shaken in a manner and with a heartiness +that astonished him greatly.</p> + +<p>"That was nothing," he declared, "Socato hates the snake vine—fight it +any time. Don't make so much row."</p> + +<p>When all had been told and the party had recovered from the excitement +into which they had been thrown, Barney announced that breakfast was +waiting.</p> + +<p>Elsie, for all of her happiness at meeting Frank, was so troubled about +her father that she could eat very little.</p> + +<p>Socato ate hastily, and then announced that he would go out and see what +he could do about rescuing Captain Bellwood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> + +<p>Barney wished to go with the Seminole, but Socato declared that he could +do much better alone, and hurriedly departed.</p> + +<p>Then Frank did his best to cheer Elsie, telling her that everything was +sure to come out all right, as the Indian could be trusted to outwit the +desperadoes and rescue the captain.</p> + +<p>Seeing Frank and Elsie much together, Barney drew the professor aside, +and whispered:</p> + +<p>"It's a bit av a walk we'd better take in th' open air, Oi think."</p> + +<p>"But I don't need a walk," protested the little man.</p> + +<p>"Yis ye do, profissor," declared the Irish boy, soberly. "A man av your +studious habits nivver takes ixercoise enough."</p> + +<p>"But I do not care to expose myself outdoors."</p> + +<p>"Phwat's th' matther wid out dures, Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>"It's dangerous."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"There's danger that Gage and his gang will appear."</p> + +<p>"Phwat av they do? We can get back here aheed av thim, fer we won't go +fur enough to be cut off."</p> + +<p>"Then the exercise will not be beneficial, and I will remain here."</p> + +<p>"Profissor, yer head is a bit thick. Can't ye take a hint, ur is it a +kick ye nade, Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>"Young man, be careful what kind of language you use to me!"</p> + +<p>"Oi'm spakin' United States, profissor; no Irishmon wauld iver spake +English av he could hilp it."</p> + +<p>"But such talk of thick heads and kicks—to me, sir, to me!"</p> + +<p>"Well, Oi don't want to give yez a kick, but ye nade it. Ye can't see +thot it's alone a bit Frank an' th' litthle girrul would loike to be."</p> + +<p>"Why should they wish to be alone?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, soay! did ye iver think ye'd loike to be alone wid a pretty swate +girrul, profissor? Come on, now, before Oi pick ye up an' lug ye out."</p> + +<p>So Barney finally induced the professor to leave the hut, but the little +man remained close at hand, ready to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> bolt in through the wide open door +the instant there was the least sign of danger.</p> + +<p>Left to themselves, Frank and Elsie chatted, talking over many things of +mutual interest. They sat very near together, and more and more Frank +felt the magnetism of the girl's winning ways and tender eyes. He drew +nearer and nearer, and, finally, although neither knew how it happened, +their hands met, their fingers interlocked, and then he was saying +swiftly, earnestly:</p> + +<p>"Elsie, you cannot know how often I have thought of you since you left +me at Fardale. There was something wrong about that parting, Elsie, for +you refused to let me know where you were going, refused to write to me, +expressed a wish that we might never meet again."</p> + +<p>She caught her breath. Her head was bowed, and her cheeks were very +pale.</p> + +<p>"All the while," she softly said, "away down in my heart was a hope I +could not kill—a hope that we might meet again some day, Frank."</p> + +<p>"And we have met!" he cried, exultantly. "When we have to part again, +Elsie, you will not leave me as you did before? You will let me write to +you? You will write to me occasionally?"</p> + +<p>"Would it be right?"</p> + +<p>She was looking straight into his eyes now, her face was near his, and +the temptation was too great for his impulsive nature to resist. In a +moment his arm was about her neck, and he had kissed her.</p> + +<p>"Right!" he cried. "I do not know! Oh, we cannot always be right!"</p> + +<p>She quickly released herself from his hold and sprang to her feet, the +warm blood flushing her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"We cannot always be right," she admitted; "but we should be right when +we can. Frank, Inza Burrage befriended me. She thinks more of you than +any one else in the wide world. Do not forget Inza!"</p> + +<p>He lifted his hand to a round hole in his coat where a bullet from +Leslie Gage's revolver had cut through, and beneath it he felt the +ruined and shattered locket that held Inza's picture.</p> + +<p>"I will not forget!" he said, his voice far from steady.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> + +<h3>FRANK'S MERCY.</h3> + + +<p>The forenoon passed, and the afternoon was well advanced, but still +Socato the Seminole did not return.</p> + +<p>But late in the afternoon a boat and a number of canoes appeared. In the +boat was Leslie Gage and the two sailors, Black Tom and Bowsprit. The +canoes were filled with Indians.</p> + +<p>"Great shnakes av Ireland!" cried Barney Mulloy, amazed. "Phwat th' +dickens does this mane, Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>"It means trouble," said Frank, quickly. "Have the rifles ready, and be +prepared for hot work."</p> + +<p>"Indians!" gurgled Professor Scotch. "We're all dead and scalped!"</p> + +<p>"Those must be Seminoles," said Frank. "It is scarcely likely that they +are very dangerous."</p> + +<p>The boat containing the three white persons ran boldly up to the shore, +and Leslie Gage landed. Advancing a short distance toward the hut, the +door of which was securely closed, he cried:</p> + +<p>"Hello in there!"</p> + +<p>"Talk with him, Barney," Frank swiftly directed. "The fellow does not +know I am alive, and I do not wish him to know it just now."</p> + +<p>So Barney returned:</p> + +<p>"Hello, yersilf, an' see how ye loike it."</p> + +<p>"You people are in a bad trap," declared Gage, with a threatening air. +"Look," and he motioned toward the water, where the canoes containing +the Indians were lying, "these are my backers. There are twenty of them, +and I have but to say the word to have them attack this hut and tear it +to the ground."</p> + +<p>"Well, Oi dunno about thot," coolly retorted the Irish lad. "We moight +have something to say in thot case. It's arrumed we are, an' we know how +to use our goons, me foine birrud."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you were to fire a shot at one of these Indians it would mean the +death of you all."</p> + +<p>"Is thot so? Well, we are arrumed with Winchester repeaters, an' it +moight make the death av thim all av we began shootin'."</p> + +<p>"They do not look very dangerous," said Frank. "I'll wager something +Gage has hired the fellows to come here and make a show in order to +scare us into submitting. The chances are the Indians will not fight at +all."</p> + +<p>"You're not fools," said Gage, "and you will not do anything that means +the same as signing your death warrant. If you will come to reason, +we'll have no trouble. We want that girl, Miss Bellwood, and we will +have her. If you do not——"</p> + +<p>He stopped suddenly, for there was a great shouting from the Indians.</p> + +<p>"The phantom! the phantom!" they cried, in tones that betokened the +greatest terror.</p> + +<p>Then they took to flight, paddling as if their very lives depended on +it.</p> + +<p>At the same time, the mysterious white canoe, still apparently without +an occupant, was seen coming swiftly toward them, gliding lightly over +the water in a most unaccountable manner.</p> + +<p>Exclamations of astonishment broke from the two sailors, and Leslie Gage +stared at the singular craft in profound astonishment.</p> + +<p>When the attention of the crowd was on the remarkable sight, Frank +unfastened the door and before Gage was aware of it, our hero was right +upon him.</p> + +<p>"You are my prisoner, Gage!" Frank shouted, pointing a revolver at the +fellow. "Surrender!"</p> + +<p>Gage saw the boy he believed he had destroyed, uttered a wild shriek, +threw up his hands, and fell in a senseless heap to the ground.</p> + +<p>Frank swiftly lifted the fellow, and then ran into the cabin with him, +placing him on the couch.</p> + +<p>The two sailors did not pursue. In fact, they seemed almost as badly +scared as the Indians, and they got away in their boat, rowing as if for +their very lives, soon passing from sight.</p> + +<p>"Well, begobs!" exclaimed Barney Mulloy; "this is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> phwat Oi call a +ragion av wonders. It's ivery doay and almost ivery hour something +happens to astonish ye."</p> + +<p>Gage was made secure, so he could not get away when he recovered from +the swoon into which he seemed to have fallen.</p> + +<p>A short time after, Socato was seen returning, but he was alone in his +canoe.</p> + +<p>"He has not found my father—my poor father!" cried Elsie, in distress. +"Those terrible men will kill my father!"</p> + +<p>"Wait!" advised Frank. "Let's hear what he has to say. I have great +confidence in Socato."</p> + +<p>"The bad white men leave their captive alone," said Socato, "and I +should have set him free, but the great white phantom came, and then the +white captive disappeared."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" cried Frank, in astonishment. "Make it plain, Socato. +Whom do you mean by the great white phantom?"</p> + +<p>"The one who owns the canoe that goes alone—the one who built this +house and lives here sometimes. Every one fears him. My people say he is +a phantom, for he can appear and disappear as he likes, and he commands +the powers of light and darkness. Socato knew that the bad white man had +hired a hunting party of my people to come here and appear before the +house to frighten you, but he knew you would not be frightened, and the +bad men could not get my people to aid them in a fight. Socato also knew +that the great white phantom sent his canoe to scare my people away, but +he does not know what the great white phantom has done with the man who +was a prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Well, it is possible the great white phantom will explain a few things +we do not understand," said Frank, "for here he comes in his canoe."</p> + +<p>"And father—my father is with him in the canoe!" screamed Elsie +Bellwood, in delight.</p> + +<p>It was true. The white canoe was approaching, still gliding noiselessly +over the water, without any apparent power of propulsion, and in it were +seated two men. One had a long white beard and a profusion of white +hair. He was dressed entirely in white, and sat in the stern<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> of the +canoe. The other was Captain Justin Bellwood, quite unharmed, and +looking very much at his ease.</p> + +<p>The little party flocked to the shore to greet the captain, who waved +his hand and called reassuringly to Elsie. As soon as the canoe touched +and came to a rest, he stepped out and clasped his daughter in his arms, +saying, fervently:</p> + +<p>"Heaven be thanked! we have come through many dangers, and we are free +at last! Neither of us has been harmed, and we will soon be out of this +fearful swamp."</p> + +<p>The man with the white hair and beard stepped ashore and stood regarding +the girl intently, paying no heed to the others. Captain Bellwood turned +to him, saying:</p> + +<p>"William, this is my daughter, of whom I told you. Elsie, this is your +Uncle William, who disappeared many years ago, and has never been heard +from since till he set me free to-day, after I was abandoned by those +wretches who dragged us here."</p> + +<p>"My uncle?" cried the girl, wonderingly. "How can that be? You said +Uncle William was dead."</p> + +<p>"And so I believed, but he still lives. Professor Scotch, I think we had +the pleasure of meeting in Fardale. Permit me to introduce you to +William Bellwood, one of the most celebrated electricians living +to-day."</p> + +<p>As he said this, Captain Bellwood made a swift motion which his brother +did not see. He touched his forehead, and the signal signified that +William Bellwood was not right in his mind. This the professor saw was +true when he shook hands with the man, for there was the light of +madness in the eyes of the hermit.</p> + +<p>"My brother," continued Captain Bellwood, "has explained that he came +here to these wilds to continue his study of electricity alone and +undisturbed. He took means to keep other people from bothering him. This +canoe, which contains a lower compartment and a hidden propeller, driven +by electricity, was his invention. He has arrangements whereby he can +use a powerful search-light at night, and——"</p> + +<p>"That search-light came near being the death of me," said Frank. "He +turned it on me last night just in time to show me to my enemy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He has many other contrivances," Captain Bellwood went on. "He has +explained that, by means of electricity, he can make his canoe or +himself glow with a white light in the darkest night."</p> + +<p>"Begorra! we've seen him glow!" shouted Barney.</p> + +<p>"And he also states that he has wires connecting various batteries in +yonder hut, so that he can frighten away superstitious hunters who +otherwise might take possession of the hut and give him trouble."</p> + +<p>"Whoop!" shouted Barney. "Thot ixplains th' foire-allarum an' th' power +thot throwed me inther th' middle av th' flure! Oi nivver hearrud th' +bate av it!"</p> + +<p>"It is wonderful, wonderful!" gasped Professor Scotch.</p> + +<p>At this moment, a series of wild shrieks came from the hut, startling +them all.</p> + +<p>"It is Gage," said Frank. "He seems to be badly frightened."</p> + +<p>They hurried toward the hut, Frank leading. Gage was still on the couch, +and he shrieked still louder when he saw Frank; an expression of the +greatest terror coming to his face.</p> + +<p>"Take him away! Take him away!" screamed the wretched fellow. "He is +dead! I killed him! Don't let him touch me!"</p> + +<p>Then he began to rave incoherently, sometimes frothing at the mouth.</p> + +<p>"He is mad!" cried Professor Scotch.</p> + +<p>"It is retribution!" came solemnly from Frank's lips.</p> + +<p>Two days later a party of eight persons emerged from the wilds of the +great Dismal Swamp and reached a small settlement. They were Frank +Merriwell, Barney Mulloy, Professor Scotch, Leslie Gage, Captain +Bellwood and his brother William, Socato the Seminole, and last, but far +from least, Elsie Bellwood.</p> + +<p>"What shall be done with Gage?" asked Professor Scotch.</p> + +<p>"He shall be given shelter and medical treatment," declared Frank; "and +I will see that all the bills are paid."</p> + +<p>"Thot's the only thing Oi have against ye, me b'y. Ye wur always letting +up on yer inemies at Fardale, an' ye shtill kape on doin' av it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If I continue to do so, I shall have nothing to trouble my conscience."</p> + +<p>Frank did take care of Gage and see that he was given the best medical +aid that money could procure, and, as a result, the fellow was saved +from a madhouse, for he finally recovered. He seemed to appreciate the +mercy shown him by his enemy, for he wrote a letter to Frank that was +filled with entreaties for forgiveness and promised to try to lead a +different life in the future.</p> + +<p>"That," said Frank, "is my reward for being merciful to an enemy."</p> + +<p>If Jack Jaggers did not perish in the Everglades, he disappeared. Ben +Bowsprit and Black Tom also vanished, and it is possible that they left +their bones in the great Dismal Swamp.</p> + +<p>William Bellwood, so long a hermit in the wilds of Florida, seemed glad +to leave that region.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE MOUNTAINS AGAIN.</h3> + + +<p>Leaving their friends in Florida, Frank, Barney and the professor next +moved northward toward Tennessee, Frank wishing to see some of the +battlegrounds of the Civil War.</p> + +<p>The boys planned a brief tour afoot and were soon on their way among the +Great Smoky Mountains.</p> + +<p>Professor Scotch had no heart for a "tour afoot" through the mountains, +and so he had stopped at Knoxville, where the boys were to join him +again in two or three weeks, by the end of which period he was quite +sure they would have enough of tramping.</p> + +<p>Frank and Barney were making the journey from Gibson's Gap to Cranston's +Cove, which was said to be a distance of twelve miles, but they were +willing to admit that those mountain miles were most disgustingly long.</p> + +<p>They had paused to rest, midway in the afternoon, where the road curved +around a spur of the mountain. Below them opened a vista of valleys and +"coves," hemmed in by wild, turbulent-appearing masses of mountains, +some of which were barren and bleak, seamed with black chasms, above +which threateningly hung grimly beetling crags, and some of which were +robed in dense wildernesses of pine, veiling their faces, keeping them +thus forever a changeless mystery.</p> + +<p>From their eyrie position it seemed that they could toss a pebble into +Lost Creek, which wound through the valley below, meandered for miles +amid the ranges, tunneling an unknown channel beneath the rock-ribbed +mountains, and came out again—where?</p> + +<p>Both boys had been silent and awe-stricken, gazing wonderingly on the +impressive scene and thinking of their adventures in New Orleans and in +Florida, when a faint cry seemed to float upward from the depths of the +valley.</p> + +<p>"Help!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + +<p>They listened, and some moments passed in silence, save for the peeping +cry of a bird in a thicket near at hand.</p> + +<p>"Begorra! Oi belave it wur imagination, Frankie," said the Irish lad, at +last.</p> + +<p>"I do not think so," declared Frank, with a shake of his head. "It was a +human voice, and if we were to shout it might be—— There it is again!"</p> + +<p>There could be no doubt this time, for they both heard the cry +distinctly.</p> + +<p>"It comes from below," said Frank, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Roight, me lad," nodded Barney. "Some wan is in difficulty down there, +and' it's mesilf thot don't moind givin' thim a lift."</p> + +<p>Getting a firm hold on a scrub bush, Frank leaned out over the verge and +looked down into the valley.</p> + +<p>"I can see her!" he cried. "Look, Barney—look down there amid those +rocks just below the little waterfall."</p> + +<p>"Oi see, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"See the flutter of a dress?"</p> + +<p>"Oi do."</p> + +<p>"She is waving something at us."</p> + +<p>"Sure, me b'y."</p> + +<p>"She has seen us, and is signaling for us to come down."</p> + +<p>"And we'll go."</p> + +<p>"Instanter, as they say out West."</p> + +<p>The boys were soon hurrying down the mountain road, a bend of which +quickly carried them beyond view of the person near the waterfall.</p> + +<p>It was nearly an hour later when Frank and Barney approached the little +waterfall, having left the road and followed the course of the stream.</p> + +<p>"Is she there, Frankie?" anxiously asked Barney, who was behind.</p> + +<p>"Can't tell yet," was the reply. "Will be able to see in a minute, and +then—— She is there, sure as fate!"</p> + +<p>In another moment they came out in full view of a girl of eighteen or +nineteen, who was standing facing the waterfall, her back toward a great +rock, a home-made fishing pole at her feet.</p> + +<p>The girl was dressed in homespun, the skirt being short<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> and reaching +but a little below the knees, and a calico sunbonnet was thrust half off +her head.</p> + +<p>Frank paused, with a low exclamation of admiration, for the girl made a +most strikingly beautiful picture, and Frank had an eye for beauty.</p> + +<p>Nearly all the mountain girls the boys had seen were stolid and +flat-appearing, some were tall and lank, but this girl possessed a +figure that seemed perfect in every detail.</p> + +<p>Her hair was bright auburn, brilliant and rich in tint, the shade that +is highly esteemed in civilization, but is considered a defect by the +mountain folk. Frank thought it the most beautiful hair he had ever +seen.</p> + +<p>Her eyes were brown and luminous, and the color of health showed through +the tan upon her cheeks. Her parted lips showed white, even teeth, and +the mouth was most delicately shaped.</p> + +<p>"Hivvins!" gasped Barney, at Frank's shoulder. "Phwat have we struck, Oi +dunno?"</p> + +<p>Then the girl cried, her voice full of impatience:</p> + +<p>"You-uns has shorely been long enough in gittin' har!"</p> + +<p>Frank staggered a bit, for he had scarcely expected to hear the uncouth +mountain dialect from such lips as those but he quickly recovered, +lifted his hat with the greatest gallantry, and said:</p> + +<p>"I assure you, miss, that we came as swiftly as we could."</p> + +<p>"Ye're strangers. Ef you-uns had been maounting boys, you'd been har in +less'n half ther time."</p> + +<p>"I presume that is true; but, you see, we did not know the shortest way, +and we were not sure you wanted us."</p> + +<p>"Wal, what did you 'low I whooped at ye fur ef I didn't want ye? I +nighly split my throat a-hollerin' at ye before ye h'ard me at all."</p> + +<p>Frank was growing more and more dismayed, for he had never before met a +strange girl who was quite like this, and he knew not what to say.</p> + +<p>"Now that we have arrived," he bowed, "we shall be happy to be of any +possible service to you."</p> + +<p>"Dunno ez I want ye now," she returned, with a toss of her head.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Howly shmoke!" gurgled Barney, at Frank's ear. "It's a doaisy she is, +me b'y!"</p> + +<p>Frank resolved to take another tack, and so he advanced, saying boldly +and resolutely:</p> + +<p>"Now that you have called us down here, I don't see how you are going to +get rid of us. You want something of us, and we'll not leave you till we +find out what it is."</p> + +<p>The girl did not appear in the least alarmed. Instead of that, she +laughed, and that laugh was like the ripple of falling water.</p> + +<p>"Wal, now you're talkin'!" she cried, with something like a flash of +admiration. "Mebbe you-uns has got some backbone arter all. I like +backbone."</p> + +<p>"I have not looked at mine for so long that I am not sure what condition +it is in, but I know I have one."</p> + +<p>"An' muscle?"</p> + +<p>"A little."</p> + +<p>"Then move this rock har that hez caught my foot an' holds it. That's +what I wanted o' you-uns."</p> + +<p>She lifted her skirt a bit, and, for the first time, they saw that her +ankle had been caught between two large rocks, where she was held fast.</p> + +<p>"Kinder slomped in thar when I war fishin'," she explained, "an' ther +big rock dropped over thar an' cotched me fast when I tried ter pull +out. That war nigh two hour ago, 'cordin' ter ther sun."</p> + +<p>"And you have been standing like that ever since?" cried Frank, in +dismay. "Lively, Barney—get hold here! Great Scott! we must have her +out of that in a hurry!"</p> + +<p>"Thot's phwat we will, ur we'll turrun th' ould mountain over!" shouted +the Irish lad, as he flew to the aid of his friend.</p> + +<p>The girl looked surprised and pleased, and then she said:</p> + +<p>"You-uns ain't goin' ter move that rock so easy, fer it's hefty."</p> + +<p>"But your ankle—it must have crushed your ankle."</p> + +<p>"I 'low not. Ye see it couldn't pinch harder ef it tried, fer them rocks +ain't built so they kin git nigher together;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> but it's jest made a +reg'ler trap so I can't pull my foot out."</p> + +<p>It was no easy thing for the boys to get hold of the rock in a way to +exert their strength, but they finally succeeded, and then Frank gave +the word, and they strained to move it. It started reluctantly, as if +loath to give up its fair captive, but they moved it more and more, and +she was able to draw her foot out. Then, when she was free, they let go, +and the rock fell back with a grating crash against the other.</p> + +<p>"You-uns have done purty fair fer boys," said the girl, with a saucy +twinkle in her brown eyes. "S'pose I'll have ter thank ye, fer I mought +a stood har consider'bul longer ef 'tadn't bin fer ye. Who be ye, +anyhow? an' whar be ye goin'?"</p> + +<p>Frank introduced himself, and then presented Barney, after which he +explained how they happened to be in the Great Smoky Mountains.</p> + +<p>She watched him closely as he spoke, noting every expression, as if a +sudden suspicion had come upon her, and she was trying to settle a doubt +in her mind.</p> + +<p>When Frank had finished, the girl said:</p> + +<p>"Never heard o' two boys from ther big cities 'way off yander comin' har +ter tromp through ther maountings jest fer ther fun o' seein' ther +scenery an' ther folks. I s'pose we're kinder curi's 'pearin' critters +ter city folks, an' you-uns may be har ter cotch one o' us an' put us in +a cage fer exhibition."</p> + +<p>She uttered the words in a way that brought a flush to Frank's cheeks, +and he hastened to protest, halting in confusion when he tried to speak +her name, which he did not know as yet.</p> + +<p>A ripple of sunshine seemed to break over her face, and she laughed +outright, swiftly saying:</p> + +<p>"Don't you-uns mind me. I'm p'izen rough, but I don't mean half I say. I +kin see you is honest an' squar, though somebody else mought think by +yer way that ye warn't. My name's Kate Kenyon, an' I live down toward +ther cove. I don't feel like fishin' arter this, an' ef you-uns is goin' +that way, I'll go 'long with ye."</p> + +<p>She picked up her pole, hooked up the line, and prepared to accompany +them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> + +<p>They were pleased to have her as a companion. Indeed, Frank was more +than pleased, for he saw in this girl a singular character. Illiterate +though she seemed, she was pretty, vivacious, and so bright that it was +plain education and refinement would make her most fascinating and +brilliant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> + +<h3>FRANK AND KATE.</h3> + + +<p>The boys did not get to Cranston's Cove that night, for Kate Kenyon +invited them to stop and take supper at her home, and they did so.</p> + +<p>Kate's home was much like the rough cabins of other mountain folks, +except that flowering vines had been trained to run up the sides and +over the door, while two large bushes were loaded with roses in front of +the house.</p> + +<p>Kate's mother was in the doorway as they approached. She was a tall, +angular woman, with a stolid, expressionless face.</p> + +<p>"Har, mammy, is some fellers I brung ter see ye," said this girl. "This +un is Mr. Merriwell, an' that un is Mr. Mulloy."</p> + +<p>The boys lifted their hats, and bowed to the woman as if she were a +society queen. She nodded and stared.</p> + +<p>"What be you-uns doin' 'round these parts?" she asked, pointedly.</p> + +<p>Frank explained, seeing a look of suspicion and distrust deepening in +her face as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Huah!" she grunted, when he had finished. "An' what do you-uns want o' +me?"</p> + +<p>"Your daughter invited us to call and take supper," said Frank, coolly.</p> + +<p>"I ain't uster cookin' flip-flaps fer city chaps, an' I don't b'lieve +you kin eat the kind o' fodder we-uns is uster."</p> + +<p>The boys hastened to assure her that they would be delighted to eat the +plainest of food, and their eagerness brought a merry laugh from the +lips of the girl.</p> + +<p>"You-uns is consid'ble amusin'," she said. "You is powerful perlite. I +asked 'em to come, mammy. It's no more'n fair pay fer what they done fer +me."</p> + +<p>Then she explained how she had been caught and held by the rocks, and +how the boys had seen her from the mountain road and come to her +rescue.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>The mother's face did not soften a bit as she listened, but, when Kate +had finished, she said:</p> + +<p>"They're yore comp'ny. Ask 'em in."</p> + +<p>So the boys were asked into the cabin, and Kate herself prepared supper.</p> + +<p>It was a plain meal, but Frank noticed that everything looked neat and +clean about the house, and both lads relished the coarse food. Indeed, +Barney afterward declared that the corn bread was better than the finest +cake he had ever tasted.</p> + +<p>Frank was particularly happy at the table, and the merry stories he told +kept Kate laughing, and, once or twice, brought a grim smile to the face +of the woman.</p> + +<p>After supper they went out in front of the cabin, where they could look +up at the wild mass of mountains, the peaks of which were illumined by +the rays of the setting sun.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Kenyon filled and lighted a cob pipe. She sat and puffed away, +staring straight ahead in a blank manner.</p> + +<p>Just how it happened Frank himself could not have told, but Barney fell +to talking to the woman in his whimsical way, while Frank and Kate +wandered away a short distance, and sat on some stones which had been +arranged as a bench in a little nook near Lost Creek. From this position +they could hear Barney's rich brogue and jolly laugh as he recounted +some amusing yarn, and, when the wind was right, a smell of the black +pipe would be wafted to them.</p> + +<p>"Do you know," said Frank, "this spot is so wild and picturesque that it +fascinates me. I should like to stop here two or three days and rest."</p> + +<p>"Better not," said the girl, shortly.</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked the boy, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Wal, it mought not be healthy."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"You might be tooken fer revenue."</p> + +<p>"For revenue? I do not understand."</p> + +<p>"I wonder ef you air so ignerent, or be you jest makin' it?"</p> + +<p>"Honestly and truly, I do not understand you."</p> + +<p>"Wal, I kinder 'low you-uns is all right, but thar's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> others might not +think so. S'pose you know what moonshine is?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; it is illicitly distilled whiskey."</p> + +<p>She nodded.</p> + +<p>"That's right. Wal, ther revenues say thar's moonshine made round these +parts. They come round ev'ry little while to spy an' cotch ther folks +that makes it."</p> + +<p>"By revenues you mean the officers of the government?"</p> + +<p>"Wal, they may be officers, but they're a difrrunt kind than Jock +Hawkins."</p> + +<p>"Who is Jock Hawkins?"</p> + +<p>"He's ther sheriff down to ther cove. Jock Hawkins knows better'n to +come snoopin' 'round, an' he's down on revenues ther same as ther rest +o' us is."</p> + +<p>"Then you do not like the revenue officers?"</p> + +<p>"Like 'em!" cried the girl, starting up, her eyes seeming to blaze in +the dusky twilight. "I hate 'em wuss'n pizen! An' I've got good cause +fer hatin' 'em."</p> + +<p>The boy saw he had touched a tender spot, and he would have turned the +conversation in another channel, but she was started, and she went on +swiftly:</p> + +<p>"What right has ther gover'ment to take away anybody's honest means o' +earnin' a livin'? What right has ther gover'ment to send spies up har +ter peek an' pry an' report on a man as is makin' a little moonshine ter +sell that he may be able ter git bread an' drink fer his fam'ly? What +right has ther gover'ment ter make outlaws an' crim'nals o' men as +wouldn't steal a cent that didn't b'long ter them if they was starvin'?"</p> + +<p>Frank knew well enough the feeling of most mountain folks toward the +revenue officers, and he knew it was a useless task to attempt to show +them where they were in the wrong.</p> + +<p>Kate went on, passionately.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I has good right to hate ther revenues, an' I do! Didn't they +pester my pore old daddy fer makin' moonshine! Didn't they hunt him +through ther maountings fer weeks, an' keep him hidin' like a dog! An' +didn't they git him cornered at last in Bent Coin's old cabin, an' when +he refused ter come out an' surrender, an' kep' 'em off with his gun, +didn't they shoot him so he died<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> three days arter in my arms! Hate 'em! +Wal, I've got good reason ter hate 'em!"</p> + +<p>Kate was wildly excited, although she held her voice down, as if she did +not wish her mother to hear what she was saying. Frank was sitting so +near that he felt her arm quivering against his.</p> + +<p>"Hate 'em!" continued the girl. "I has more than that to hate 'em fer! +Whar is my brother Rufe, ther best boy that ever drored a breath? Ther +revenues come fer him, an' they got him. Thar war a trial, an' they +proved ez he'd been consarned in makin' moonshine. He war convicted, an' +he's servin' his time. Hate 'em! Wal, thar's nuthin' I hate wuss on this +earth!"</p> + +<p>"You have had hard luck," said Frank, by way of saying something. "It's +lucky for us that we're not revenues."</p> + +<p>"Yer right thar," she nodded. "I didn't know but ye war at first, but I +changed my mind later."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"Wal, ye're young, an' you-uns both has honest faces. Revenues is +sneaks. They show it in their faces."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose they have been able to check the making of +moonshine—that is, not to any extent?"</p> + +<p>She laughed harshly.</p> + +<p>"Wal, I judge not! Did ye ever hear o' Muriel?"</p> + +<p>"Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"A moonshiner."</p> + +<p>"What of him?"</p> + +<p>"He makes more whiskey in a week than all ther others in this region +afore him made in a month."</p> + +<p>"He must be smarter than the others before him."</p> + +<p>"Wal, he's not afeared o' ther revenues, an' he's a mystery to ther men +ez works fer him right along."</p> + +<p>"A mystery?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"None o' them has seen his face, an' they don't know Who he is. They +ain't been able to find out."</p> + +<p>"And they have tried?"</p> + +<p>"Wal, Con Bean war shot through ther shoulder fer follerin' Muriel, an' +Bink Mower got it in ther leg fer ther same trick."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I rather admire this Muriel," laughed Frank. "He may be in unlawful +business, but he seems to be a dandy."</p> + +<p>"He keeps five stills runnin' all ther time, an' he has a way o' gittin' +ther stuff out o' ther maountings an' disposin' of it. But I'm talkin' +too much, as Wade would say."</p> + +<p>"Who is Wade?"</p> + +<p>"He's Wade Miller, a partic'lar friend o' our'n sence Rufe war tooken by +ther revenues. Wade has been good to mammy an' me."</p> + +<p>"I don't blame him. If I lived near, I might try to bother Wade +somewhat."</p> + +<p>She glanced at him swiftly. It was now duskish, but he was so near that +he could see her eyes through the twilight.</p> + +<p>"I dunno what you-uns means," she said, slowly, her voice falling. "Wade +would be powerful bad to bother. He's ugly sometimes, an' he's jellus o' +me."</p> + +<p>"Then Wade is paying attention to you?"</p> + +<p>"Wal, he's tryin' ter, but I don't jes' snuggle ter him ther way I might +ef I liked him right. Thar's something about him, ez I don't edzac'ly +like."</p> + +<p>"That makes it rather one-sided, and makes me think all the more that I +should try to bother him if I lived near. Do you know, Miss Kenyon, that +you are an exceptionally pretty girl?"</p> + +<p>"Go 'long! You can't stuff me! Why, I've got red hair!"</p> + +<p>"Hair that would make you the envy of a society belle. It is the +handsomest hair I ever saw."</p> + +<p>"Now you're makin' fun o' me, an' I don't like that."</p> + +<p>She drew away as if offended, and he leaned toward her, eager to +convince her of his sincerity.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I am doing nothing of the sort," he protested. "The moment I +saw you to-day I was struck by the beauty of your hair. But that is not +the only beautiful feature about you, Miss Kenyon. Your mouth is a +perfect Cupid's bow, and your teeth are like pearls, while you have a +figure that is graceful and exquisite."</p> + +<p>She caught her breath.</p> + +<p>"Never nobody talked to me like that afore," she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> murmured. "Round har +they jes' say, 'Kate, you'd be a rippin' good looker ef it warn't fer +that red hair o' yourn.' An' they've said it so much that I've come to +hate my hair wuss'n pizen."</p> + +<p>"Your hair is your crowning beauty. It is magnificent!"</p> + +<p>"Say!" she whispered, drawing toward him.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"I kinder take to you."</p> + +<p>Her hand found his, and they were sitting very near together.</p> + +<p>"I took to you up by ther fall ter-day," she went on, in a low tone. +"Now, don't you git skeered, fer I'm not goin' to be foolish, an' I know +I'm not book-learned an' refined, same ez your city gals. We kin be +friends, can't we?"</p> + +<p>Frank had begun to regret his openly expressed admiration, but now he +said:</p> + +<p>"To be sure we can be friends, Miss Kenyon."</p> + +<p>"Partic'ler friends?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure I shall esteem your friendship very highly."</p> + +<p>"Wall, partic'ler friends don't call each other miss an' mister. I'll +agree ter call you Frank, ef you'll call me Kate."</p> + +<p>Frank hesitated.</p> + +<p>"I am going away to-morrow," he thought. "It won't do any harm."</p> + +<p>"Is it a go?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"It is a go," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Frank!"</p> + +<p>"Kate!"</p> + +<p>A fierce exclamation close at hand, the cracking of a twig, a heavy +step, and then a panther-like figure leaped out of the dusk, and flung +itself upon Frank.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 333px;"> +<a name="ill218" id="ill218"></a><img src="images/page218.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Kate grasped the assailant" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="caption">"Kate grasped the assailant by the collar, and with +astonishing strength, pulled him off the prostrate lad." (See page +<a href="#ill218_ref">218</a>)</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XL" id="CHAPTER_XL"></a>CHAPTER XL.</h2> + +<h3>A JEALOUS LOVER.</h3> + + +<p>The attack was so sudden and fierce that the boy was hurled to the +ground before he could make a move to protect himself.</p> + +<p>"You shall not have her!" hissed a voice in his ear.</p> + +<p>A hand fastened on his throat, pinning him fast. The man's knee crushed +into his stomach, depriving him of breath. The man's other hand snatched +out something, and lifted it aloft.</p> + +<p>A knife was poised above Frank's heart, and in another moment the blade +would have been buried to the hilt in the lad's bosom.</p> + +<p>Without uttering a sound, Kate Kenyon grasped the wrist of the +murderous-minded man, gave it a wrench with all her strength, which was +not slight, and forced him to drop the knife.</p> + +<p>"You don't murder anybody, Wade Miller!" she panted.</p> + +<p>"I'll choke ther life outen him!" snarled the fellow, as he tried to +fasten both hands on Frank's throat.</p> + +<p>By this time the boy had recovered from the surprise and shock, and he +was ready to fight for his life.</p> + +<p><a name="ill218_ref" id="ill218_ref"></a>Kate grasped the assailant by the collar, and, with astonishing +strength, pulled him off the prostrate lad.</p> + +<p>In the twinkling of an eye, Frank came to his feet, and he was ready for +a new assault.</p> + +<p>Snarling and growling like a mad dog, the man scrambled up and lunged +toward the boy, trying to grasp him.</p> + +<p>Frank was a skillful boxer, and now his skill came into play, for he +dodged under the man's right arm, whirled like a cat, and struck the +fellow behind the ear.</p> + +<p>Spat! sounded the blow, sending the assailant staggering, and Frank +followed it up by leaping after him and striking him again, the second +blow having the force of the lad's strength and the weight of his body.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> + +<p>It seemed that the man was literally knocked "spinning," and he did not +stop till he landed in the creek.</p> + +<p>"Wal," exclaimed the girl, "I 'low you kin take keer o' yerself now!"</p> + +<p>"I rather think so," came coolly from the boy. "He caught me foul, and I +did not have a show at first."</p> + +<p>"Look out fer his gun."</p> + +<p>"I will. Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"Wade Miller."</p> + +<p>Frank whistled. It was a case of jealousy, and he had aroused the worst +passions of the man who admired Kate Kenyon. Miller came scrambling and +snorting from the water, and Barney Mulloy rushed toward the spot, +crying:</p> + +<p>"Pwhat's th' row, Frankie, me b'y? Do ye nade inny av me hilp?"</p> + +<p>"I think not. So far, I am all right, thanks to Miss Kenyon."</p> + +<p>"An' you kin fight!" breathed the mountain maid, in sincere admiration. +"I didn't s'pose city chaps knowed how ter fight."</p> + +<p>"Some do," laughed Frank, keeping his eyes on Miller.</p> + +<p>"I'll have his life!" panted the man, springing toward Frank, and then +halting suddenly, and throwing up his hand.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" screamed the girl. "He's got a pistol!"</p> + +<p>Frank knew this well enough, and he was expecting just such a move, so +it happened that the words had scarcely left the girl's lips when the +revolver was sent flying from Wade Miller's hand.</p> + +<p>The boy had leaped forward, and, with one skillful kick, disarmed his +foe by knocking the weapon out of his hand.</p> + +<p>Miller seemed dazed for a moment, and then he started for Frank, once +more grinding his teeth.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let me take a hand in this!" cried Barney Mulloy, who was eager for +a fight. "Me blud is gittin' shtagnant."</p> + +<p>"Keep away!" ordered Frank. "I can look out for myself."</p> + +<p>"I'll kill ye! I'll kill ye!" snarled the infuriated man.</p> + +<p>"Well, you have tried that trick twice, but I do not see that you have +succeeded to any great extent."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'll hammer yer life out o' yer carcass with my bare hands!"</p> + +<p>"Possibly that will not be such a very easy trick to do."</p> + +<p>The boy's coolness seemed to add to the fury of his assailant, and the +man made another rush, which was easily avoided by Frank, who struck +Miller a stinging blow.</p> + +<p>"You'd better stop, Wade," advised the girl. "He-uns is too much fer +you-uns, an' that's plain enough."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll show ye—I'll show ye!"</p> + +<p>There was no longer any reason in the man's head, and Frank saw that he +must subdue the fellow some way. Miller was determined to grapple with +the boy, and Frank felt that he would find the mountaineer had the +strength of an ox, for which reason he must keep clear of those grasping +hands.</p> + +<p>For some moments Frank had all he could do to avoid Miller, who seemed +to have grown stolid to the lad's blows. At last, Frank darted in, +caught the man behind, lifted him over one hip, and dashed him headlong +to the ground.</p> + +<p>Miller lay still, stunned.</p> + +<p>"Wal, that's the beatenest I ever saw!" cried Kate Kenyon, whose +admiration for Frank now knew no bounds. "You-uns is jes' a terror!"</p> + +<p>Barney laughed.</p> + +<p>"Whoy, thot's fun fer Frankie," he declared.</p> + +<p>Miller groaned, and sat up, lifting his hands to his head, and looking +about him in a dazed way.</p> + +<p>"What's happened ter me?" he asked, speaking thickly.</p> + +<p>"Ye run ag'in' a fighter this time, Wade," said the girl. "He done ye, +an' you-uns is ther bully o' these parts!"</p> + +<p>"It was an accident," mumbled the man. "I couldn't see ther critter +well, an' so he kinder got——"</p> + +<p>"That won't go, Wade," half laughed the girl. "He done you fa'r an' +squar', an' it's no us' ter squawk."</p> + +<p>"An' ye're laffin' 'bout it, be ye, Kate? Wal, I ain't done with him."</p> + +<p>The girl became serious instantly.</p> + +<p>"Better let him erlone, Wade. You-uns has made fool enough o' yerself. +Ye tried ter kill me, an'——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What I saw made me do it!" grated the man. "He war makin' love ter ye, +Kate—an' you-uns liked it!"</p> + +<p>"Wal, Wade Miller, what is that ter you-uns?" she haughtily demanded. +"He has a right ter make love ter me ef he wants ter."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, he has a right, but his throat'll be slit before long, mark +what I say!"</p> + +<p>"Ef anything o' that kind happens, Wade Miller, I'll know who done it, +an' I swa'r I'll never rest till I prove it agin' ye."</p> + +<p>"I don't keer, Kate," muttered the man, getting on his feet and standing +there sulkily before them. "Ef I can't hev ye, I sw'ar no other critter +shall!"</p> + +<p>"Be keerful, Wade Miller! I've stood all I kin from you, an' from now on +I don't stan' no more. Arter this you-uns an' me-uns ain't even +friends."</p> + +<p>He fell back a step, as if he had been struck a blow, and then he +hoarsely returned:</p> + +<p>"All right, Kate. But I'll stick ter my oath. I ain't ter be thrown +aside so easy. As fer them city chaps, ther maountings ain't big enough +ter hold them an' me. Wade Miller has some power, an' I wouldn't give a +snap for their lives. The Black Caps don't take ter strangers much, an' +they know them critters is hyar. I'm goin' now, but that don't need ter +mean that I'll stay away fer long."</p> + +<p>He turned, and, having picked up his revolver, strode away into the +darkness, quickly disappearing.</p> + +<p>Kate's trembling hand fell on Frank's arm, and she panted into his ear:</p> + +<p>"You-uns must git out o' ther maountings quick as you kin, fer Wade +Miller means what he says, an' he'll kill ye ef you stay hyar!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI"></a>CHAPTER XLI.</h2> + +<h3>FACING DEATH.</h3> + + +<p>Frank Merriwell's blood was aroused, and he did not feel like letting +Wade Miller drive him like a hunted dog from the mountains.</p> + +<p>"By this time I should think you would have confidence in my ability to +take care of myself against this man Miller," he said, somewhat testily.</p> + +<p>"Yo're ther best fighter I ever saw, but that won't 'mount ter anything +agin' ther power Miller will set on yer. He's pop-ler, is Wade Miller, +an' he'll have ther hull maountings ter back him."</p> + +<p>"I shall not run for Miller and all his friends. Right is right, and I +have as good right here as he."</p> + +<p>"Hang me!" cried Kate, admiringly; "hang me ef I don't like you-uns' +pluck. You may find that you'll need a friend afore yo're done with +Wade. Ef ye do—wal, mebbe Kate Kenyon won't be fur off."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Frank. "It is a good thing to know I shall have one +friend in the mountains."</p> + +<p>"Huah!" grunted a voice, and Mrs. Kenyon was seen stolidly standing in +the dusk. "Mebbe you-uns will find my Kate ther best friend ye could +have. Come, gal, it's time ter g'win."</p> + +<p>So they entered the cabin, and Barney found an opportunity to whisper to +Frank:</p> + +<p>"She's a corker, me b'y! an' Oi think she's shtuck on yez. Betther be +careful, lad. It's dangerous."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry," returned Frank.</p> + +<p>Shortly after entering the house, Mrs. Kenyon declared she was tired, +and intended to go to bed. She apologized for the bed she had to give +the boys, but they assured her that they were accustomed to sleeping +anywhere, and that the bed would be a positive luxury.</p> + +<p>"Such slick-tongued chaps I never did see before," declared the old +woman. "They don't seem stuck up an'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> lofty, like most city fellers. +Really, they make me feel right to home in my own house!"</p> + +<p>She said this in a whimsical way that surprised Frank, who fancied Mrs. +Kenyon had no sense of humor.</p> + +<p>Kate bade them good-night, and they retired, which they were glad to do, +as they were tired from the tramp of the day.</p> + +<p>Frank was awakened by a sharp shake, and his first thought was of +danger, but his hand did not reach the revolver he had placed beneath +the pillow, for he felt something cold against his temple, and heard a +voice hiss:</p> + +<p>"Be easy, you-uns! Ef ye make a jowl, yo're ter be shot!"</p> + +<p>Barney was awakened at the same time, and the boys found they were in +the clutches of strong men. The little room seemed filled with men, and +the lads instantly realized they were in a bad scrape.</p> + +<p>Through the small window sifted the white moonlight, showing that every +man wore a black, pointed cap and hood, which reached to his shoulders. +In this hood arrangement great holes were cut for the eyes, and some had +slits cut for their mouths.</p> + +<p>"The Black Caps!" was the thought that flashed through Frank's mind.</p> + +<p>The revolvers pressed against the heads of the boys kept them from +defending themselves or making an outcry. They were forced to get up and +dress, after which they were passed through the open window, like +bundles, their hands having been tied behind them.</p> + +<p>Other black-hooded men were outside, and horses were near at hand.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" thought Frank Merriwell. "We are in for it! We should +have been ready for them."</p> + +<p>But when he thought how tired they had been, he did not wonder that both +had slept soundly while the men slipped into the house by the window, +which had been readily and noiselessly removed.</p> + +<p>It did not take the men long to get out as they had entered. Then Frank +and Barney were placed on horses, being tied there securely, and the +party was soon ready to move.</p> + +<p>They rode away, and the horses' feet gave out no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> sound, which explained +why they had not aroused anybody within the cabin.</p> + +<p>The hoofs of the animals were muffled.</p> + +<p>Frank wondered what Kate Kenyon would think when morning came and she +found her guests gone.</p> + +<p>"She will believe we rose in the night, and ran away. I hate to have her +believe me a coward."</p> + +<p>Then he fell to wondering what the men would do with himself and Barney.</p> + +<p>"We are harmless travelers. They will not dare to do anything more than +run us out of this part of the country."</p> + +<p>Although he told himself this, he was far from feeling sure that the men +would do nothing else. He had heard of the desperate deeds perpetrated +by the widely known "White Caps," and it was not likely that the Black +Caps were any less desperate and reckless.</p> + +<p>As they were leaving the vicinity of the cabin, one of the horses +neighed loudly, causing the leader of the party to utter an exclamation +of anger.</p> + +<p>"Ef that 'rousts ther gal, she's li'bul ter be arter us in a hurry," one +of the men observed.</p> + +<p>The party hurried forward, soon passing from view of the cabin, and +entering the shadow that lay blackly in the depths of the valley.</p> + +<p>They rode about a mile, and then they came to a halt at a command from +the leader, and Frank noticed with alarm that they had stopped beneath a +large tree, with wide-spreading branches.</p> + +<p>"This looks bad for us, old man," he whispered to Barney.</p> + +<p>"Thot's pwhat it does, Frankie," admitted the Irish lad. "Oi fale +throuble coming this way."</p> + +<p>The horsemen formed a circle about the captives, moving at a signal from +the leader, who did not seem inclined to waste words.</p> + +<p>"Brothers o' ther Black Caps," said the leader, "what is ther fate +we-uns gives ter revenues?"</p> + +<p>"Death!"</p> + +<p>Every man in the circle uttered the word, and they spoke all together. +It sounded dismal and blood-chilling.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Right," bowed the leader. "Now, why are we assembled ter-night?"</p> + +<p>"Ter dispose o' spies," chorused the Black Caps.</p> + +<p>"Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"Thar!"</p> + +<p>Each one of the black-hooded band extended a hand and pointed straight +at the captive boys.</p> + +<p>"How shall they be disposed uv?" asked the leader.</p> + +<p>"They shall be hanged," solemnly said the men.</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried the leader, as if well satisfied. "Produce ther rope."</p> + +<p>In a moment one of the men brought forth a rope. This was long enough to +serve for both boys, and it was quickly cut in two pieces, while +skillful hands proceeded to form nooses.</p> + +<p>"Frankie," said Barney Mulloy, sadly, "we're done for."</p> + +<p>"It looks that way," Frank was forced to admit.</p> + +<p>"Oi wouldn't moind so much," said the Irish lad, ruefully, "av we could +kick th' booket foighting fer our loives; but it is a bit harrud ter go +under widout a chance to lift a hand."</p> + +<p>"That's right," cried Frank, as he strained fiercely at the cords which +held his hands behind his back. "It is the death of a criminal, and I +object to it."</p> + +<p>The leader of the Black Caps rode close to the boys, leaned forward in +his saddle, and hissed in Frank's ear:</p> + +<p>"It's my turn now!"</p> + +<p>"And you mean to murder us?" demanded Frank, passionately.</p> + +<p>"Not murder," answered the man. "We-uns is goin' ter put two revenues +out o' ther way, that's all!"</p> + +<p>"It's murder," cried Frank, in a ringing tone. "You know we are not +revenue spies! Men, we appeal to you. We can prove that we are what we +claim to be—two boys who are tramping through the mountains for +pleasure. Will you kill us without giving us a chance to prove our +innocence?"</p> + +<p>The leader laughed harshly.</p> + +<p>"It's ther same ol' whine," he said. "Ther revenues alwus cry baby when +they're caught. You-uns can't fool us, an' we ain't got time ter waste +with ye. Git reddy, boys!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> + +<p>About the boys' necks the fatal ropes were quickly adjusted.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" Frank commanded. "If you murder us, you will find you have not +killed two friendless boys. We have friends—powerful friends—who will +follow this matter up—who will investigate it. You will be hunted down +and punished for the crime. You will not be allowed to escape!"</p> + +<p>Again the leader laughed.</p> + +<p>"Pore fool!" he sneered. "Do you-uns think ye're stronger an' more +po'erful than ther United States Gover'ment? Huah! Ther United States +loses her spies, an' she can't tell who disposed o' 'em. We won't be +worried by all yore friends."</p> + +<p>He made another movement, and the rope ends were flung over a limb that +was strong enough to bear both lads.</p> + +<p>Hope was dying within Frank Merriwell's breast. At last he had reached +the end of his adventurous life, which had been short and turbulent. He +must die here amid these wild mountains, which flung themselves up +against the moonlit sky, and the only friend to be with him at the end +was the faithful friend who must die at his side.</p> + +<p>Frank's blood ran cold and sluggish in his veins. The spring night had +seemed warm and sweet, filled with the droning of insects; but now there +was a bitter chill in the air, and the white moonlight seemed to take on +a crimson tinge, as of blood.</p> + +<p>The boy's nature rebelled against the thought of meeting death in such a +manner. It was spring-time amid the mountains; with him it was the +spring-time of life. He had enjoyed the beautiful world, and felt strong +and brave to face anything that might come; but this he had not reckoned +on, and it was something to cause the stoutest heart to shake.</p> + +<p>Over the eastern mountains, craggy, wild, barren or pine-clad, the +gibbous moon swung higher and higher. The heavens were full of stars, +and every star seemed to be an eye that was watching to witness the +consummation of the tragedy down there in that little valley, through +which Lost Creek flowed on to its unknown destination.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> + +<p>How still it was!</p> + +<p>The silence was broken by a sound that made every black-hooded man start +and listen.</p> + +<p>Sweet and mellow and musical, from afar through the peaceful night, came +the clear notes of a bugle.</p> + +<p>Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta-ra-tar! Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta-ra-tar!</p> + +<p>A fierce exclamation broke from the lips of the leader of the Black +Caps, and he grated:</p> + +<p>"Muriel, by ther livin' gods! He's comin' hyar! Quick, boys—finish this +job, an' git!"</p> + +<p>"Stop, Wade Miller!" cried Frank, commandingly. "If that is Muriel, wait +for him—let him pronounce our fate. He is the chief of you all, and he +shall say if we are revenue spies."</p> + +<p>"Bah! You-uns know too much, fer ye've called my name! That settles ye! +Ye must hang anyway, now!"</p> + +<p>Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta-ra-tar!</p> + +<p>From much nearer, came the sound of the bugle, awakening hundreds of +mellow echoes, which were flung from crag to crag till it seemed that +the mountains were alive with buglers.</p> + +<p>The clatter of a horse's iron-shod feet could be heard, telling that the +rider was coming like the wind down the valley.</p> + +<p>"Cut free ther feet o' ther pris'ners!" panted the leader of the Black +Caps. "Work quick! Muriel will be here in a few shakes, an' we-uns must +be done. All ready thar! Up with 'em!"</p> + +<p>The fatal moment had arrived!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII"></a>CHAPTER XLII.</h2> + +<h3>MURIEL.</h3> + + +<p>Ta-ra-tar! Ta-ra-ta-ra-ta-ra-tar!</p> + +<p>Through the misty moonlight a coal-black horse, bearing a rider who once +more awakens the clamoring echoes with his bugle, comes tearing at a mad +gallop.</p> + +<p>"Up with 'em!" repeats Wade Miller, fiercely, as the black-hooded men +seem to hesitate.</p> + +<p>The ropes tighten.</p> + +<p>"Stop!"</p> + +<p>One of the men utters the command, and his companions hesitate.</p> + +<p>"Muriel is death on revernues," says the one who had spoken, "an' thar +ain't any reason why we-uns shouldn't wait fer him."</p> + +<p>"That's so."</p> + +<p>More than half the men agree with the one who has interrupted the +execution, filling Wade Miller with unutterable rage.</p> + +<p>"Fools!" snarled the chief ruffian of the party. "I am leadin' you-uns +now, an' ye've gotter do ez I say. I order ye ter string them critters +up!"</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the clattering hoof-beats.</p> + +<p>"Av we can have wan minute more!" breathed Barney Mulloy.</p> + +<p>"Half a minute will do," returned Frank.</p> + +<p>"We refuse ter obey ye now," boldly spoke the man who had commanded his +companions to stop. "Muriel has signaled ter us, an' he means fer us ter +wait till he-uns arrives."</p> + +<p>"Wait!" howled Miller. "They sha'n't escape!"</p> + +<p>He snatched out a revolver, pointed it straight at Frank's breast, and +fired!</p> + +<p>Just as the desperate ruffian was pulling the trigger, the man nearest +him struck up his hand, and the bullet passed through Frank's hat, +knocking it to the ground.</p> + +<p>Miller was furious as a maniac, but, at this moment, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> black horse +and the dashing rider burst in upon the scene, plunged straight through +the circle, halting at the side of the imperiled lads, the horse being +flung upon its haunches.</p> + +<p>"Wal, what be you-uns doin'?" demands a clear, ringing voice. "What work +is this, that I don't know erbout?"</p> + +<p>The men were silent. Wade Miller cowered before the chief of the +moonshiners, trying to hide the revolver.</p> + +<p>Muriel's eyes, gleaming through the twin holes of the mask he wore, +found Miller, and the clear voice cried:</p> + +<p>"You-uns has been lettin' this critter lead ye inter somethin'! An' it's +fair warnin' I gave him ter keep clear o' meddlin' with my business."</p> + +<p>The boys gazed at the moonshiner chief in amazement, for Muriel looked +no more than a boy as he sat there on his black horse, and his voice +seemed the voice of a boy instead of that of a man. Yet it was plain +that he governed these desperate ruffians of the mountains with a hand +of iron, and they feared him.</p> + +<p>"We-uns war 'bout ter hang two revernues," explained Miller.</p> + +<p>Muriel looked at the boys.</p> + +<p>"Revernues?" he said, doubtfully. "How long sence ther gover'ment has +been sendin' boys hyar ter spy on us?"</p> + +<p>"They know what happens ter ther men they send," muttered Miller.</p> + +<p>"Wal, 'tain't like they'd be sendin' boys arter men failed."</p> + +<p>"That's ther way they hope ter fool us."</p> + +<p>"An' how do you know them-uns is revernues?"</p> + +<p>"We jest s'picions it."</p> + +<p>"An' you-uns war hangin' 'em on s'picion, 'thout lettin' me know?"</p> + +<p>"We never knows whar ter find ye, Muriel."</p> + +<p>"That is nary excuse, fer ef you-uns had held them-uns a day I'd knowed +it. It looks like you-uns war in a monstr'us hurry."</p> + +<p>"It war he-uns," declared one of the black hoods, pointing to Miller. +"He-uns war in ther hurry."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We don't gener'ly waste much time in dinkerin' 'roun' with anybody +we-uns thinks is revernues," said Miller.</p> + +<p>"Wal, we ain't got ther record o' killin' innercent boys, an' we don't +begin now. Take ther ropes off their necks."</p> + +<p>Two men hastened to obey the order, while Miller sat and grated his +teeth. As this was being done, Muriel asked:</p> + +<p>"What war you-uns doin' with that revolver when I come? I heard ye +shoot, an' I saw ther flash. Who did you-uns shoot at?"</p> + +<p>Miller stammered and stuttered till Muriel repeated the question, his +voice cold and hard, despite its boyish caliber.</p> + +<p>"Wal," said Wade, reluctantly, "I'll have ter tell yer. I shot at +he-uns," and he pointed at Frank.</p> + +<p>"I thought so," was all Muriel said.</p> + +<p>When the ropes were removed from the necks of the boys, Muriel directed +that their feet be tied again, and their eyes blindfolded.</p> + +<p>These orders were attended to with great swiftness, and then the +moonshiner chief said:</p> + +<p>"Follow!"</p> + +<p>Out they rode from beneath the tree, and away through the misty +moonlight.</p> + +<p>Frank and Barney could not see, but they felt well satisfied with their +lot, for they had been saved from death for the time being, and, +somehow, they felt that Muriel did not mean to harm them.</p> + +<p>"Frank," whispered Barney, "are yez there?"</p> + +<p>"Here," replied Frank, close at hand.</p> + +<p>"It's dead lucky we are to be livin', me b'y."</p> + +<p>"You are quite correct, Barney. I feel like singing a song of praise and +thanksgiving. But we're not out of the woods yet."</p> + +<p>"Thot Muriel is a dandy, Frankie! Oi'm shtuck on his stoyle."</p> + +<p>"He is no more than a boy. I wonder how he happened to appear at such an +opportune moment?"</p> + +<p>"Nivver a bit do Oi know, but it's moighty lucky fer us thot he did."</p> + +<p>Frank fell to speculating over the providential appearance of the +moonshiner chief. It was plain that Muriel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> must have known that +something was happening, and he had signaled with the bugle to the Black +Caps. In all probability, other executions had taken place beneath that +very tree, for the young chief came there direct, without hesitation.</p> + +<p>For nearly an hour they seemed to ride through the night, and then they +halted. The boys were removed from the horses and compelled to march +into some kind of a building.</p> + +<p>After some moments, their hands were freed, and, tearing away the +blindfolds, they found themselves in a low, square room, with no +windows, and a single door.</p> + +<p>With his back to the door, stood Muriel.</p> + +<p>The light of a swinging oil lamp illumined the room.</p> + +<p>Muriel leaned gracefully against the door, his arms folded, and his eyes +gleaming where the lamplight shone on them through the twin holes in the +sable mask.</p> + +<p>The other moonshiners had disappeared, and the boys were alone in that +room with the chief of the mountain desperadoes.</p> + +<p>There was something strikingly cool and self-reliant in Muriel's +manner—something that caused Frank to think that the fellow, young as +he was, feared nothing on the face of the earth.</p> + +<p>At the same time there was no air of bravado or insolence about that +graceful pose and the quiet manner in which he was regarding them. +Instead of that, the moonshiner was a living interrogation point, +everything about him seeming to speak the question that fell from his +lips.</p> + +<p>"Are you-uns revernues?"</p> + +<p>"Why do you ask us?" Frank quickly counter questioned. "You must know +that we will lie if we are, and so you will hear our denial anyway. That +can give you little satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"Look hyar—she tol' me fair an' squar' that you-uns warn't revernues, +but I dunno how she could tell."</p> + +<p>"Of whom are you speaking?"</p> + +<p>Frank fancied that he knew, but he put the question, and Muriel +answered:</p> + +<p>"Ther gal that saved yore lives by comin' ter me an' tellin' me ther +boys had taken you outer her mammy's house."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Kate Kenyon?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"God bless her! She did save our lives, for if you had been one minute +later you would not have arrived in time. Dear girl! I'll not forget +her!"</p> + +<p>Muriel moved uneasily, and he did not seem pleased by Frank's words, +although his face could not be seen. It was some moments before he +spoke, but his voice was strangely cold and hard when he did so.</p> + +<p>"It's well ernough fer you-uns ter remember her, but ye'd best take car' +how ye speak o' her. She's got friends in ther maountings—true +friends."</p> + +<p>Frank was startled, and he felt the hot blood rush to his face. Then, in +a moment, he cried:</p> + +<p>"Friends! Well, she has no truer friends than the boys she saved +to-night! I hope you will not misconstrue our words, Mr. Muriel."</p> + +<p>A sound like a smothered laugh came from behind that baffling mask, and +Muriel said:</p> + +<p>"Yo're hot-blooded. I war simply warnin' you-uns in advance, that's all. +I thought it war best."</p> + +<p>"It was quite unnecessary. We esteem Miss Kenyon too highly to say +anything that can give a friend of hers just cause to strike against +us."</p> + +<p>"Wal, city chaps are light o' tongue, an' they're apt ter think that +ev'ry maounting girl is a fool ef she don't have book learnin'. Some +city chaps make their boast how easy they kin 'mash' such gals. Anything +like that would count agin' you-uns."</p> + +<p>Frank was holding himself in check with an effort.</p> + +<p>"It is plain you do not know us, and you have greatly misjudged us. We +are not in the mountains to make 'mashes,' and we are not the kind to +boast of our conquests."</p> + +<p>"Thot's right, me jool!" growled Barney, whose temper was started a bit. +"An' it's mesilf thot loikes to be suspected av such a thing. It shtirs +me foighting blud."</p> + +<p>The Irish lad clinched his fist, and felt of his muscle, moving his +forearm up and down, and scowling blackly at the cool chief of +moonshiners, as if longing to thump the fellow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + +<p>This seemed to amuse Muriel, but still he persisted in further arousing +the lads by saying, insinuatingly:</p> + +<p>"I war led ter b'lieve that Kate war ruther interested in you-uns by her +manner. Thar don't no maounting gal take so much trouble over strangers +fer nothin'!"</p> + +<p>Frank bit his lip, and Barney looked blacker than ever. It seemed that +Muriel was trying to draw them into a trap of some sort, and they were +growing suspicious. Had this young leader of mountain ruffians rescued +them that he might find just cause or good excuse to put them out of the +way?</p> + +<p>The boys were silent, and Muriel forced a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Wal, ye won't talk about that, an' so we'll go onter somethin' else. I +judge you-uns know yo're in a po'erful bad scrape?"</p> + +<p>"We have good reasons to think so."</p> + +<p>"Begorra! we have thot!" exclaimed Barney, feeling of his neck, and +making a wry face, as if troubled by an unpleasant recollection.</p> + +<p>"It is a scrape that you-uns may not be able ter git out of easy," +Muriel said. "I war able ter save yer from bein' hung 'thout any show at +all, but ye're not much better off now."</p> + +<p>"If you were powerful enough to save us in the first place, you should +be able to get us out of the scrape entirely."</p> + +<p>"You-uns don't know all about it. Moonshiners have laws an' regulations, +an' even ther leader must stan' by them."</p> + +<p>Frank was still troubled by the unpleasant suspicion that Muriel was +their enemy, after all that had happened. He felt that they must guard +their tongues, for there was no telling what expression the fellow might +distort and turn against them.</p> + +<p>Seeing neither of the lads was going to speak, Muriel went on:</p> + +<p>"Yes, moonshiners have laws and regulations. Ther boys came nigh +breakin' one o' ther laws by hangin' you-uns ter-night 'thout givin' ye +a show."</p> + +<p>"Then we are to have a fair deal?" eagerly cried Frank.</p> + +<p>"Ez fair ez anybody gits," assured Muriel, tossing back a lock of his +coal-black hair, which he wore long enough<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> to fall to the collar of his +coat. "Ain't that all ye kin ask?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. That depends on what kind of a deal it is."</p> + +<p>"Wall, ye'll be given yore choice."</p> + +<p>"We demand a fair trial. If it is proven that we are revenue spies, +we'll have to take our medicine. But if it is not proven, we demand +immediate release."</p> + +<p>"Take my advice; don't demand anything o' ther Black Caps. Ther more ye +demand, ther less ye git."</p> + +<p>"We have a right to demand a fair deal."</p> + +<p>"Right don't count in this case; it is might that holds ther fort. +You-uns stirred up a tiger ag'in' ye when you made Wade Miller mad. It's +a slim show that ye escape ef we-uns lets yer go instanter. He'd foller +yer, an' he'd finish yer somewhar."</p> + +<p>"We will take our chances on that. We have taken care of ourselves so +far, and we think we can continue to do so. All we ask is that we be set +at liberty and given our weapons."</p> + +<p>"An' ye'd be found with yer throats cut within ten miles o' hyar."</p> + +<p>"That would not be your fault."</p> + +<p>"Wal, 'cordin' to our rules, ye can't be released onless ther vote ur +ther card sez so."</p> + +<p>"The vote or the cards? What do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>"Wal, it's like this: Ef it's put ter vote, one black bean condemns +you-uns ter death, an' ev'ry man votes black ur white, as he chooses. I +don't judge you-uns care ter take yer chances that way?"</p> + +<p>"Howly Sint Patherick!" gurgled Barney Mulloy. "Oi sh'u'd soay not! +Ixchuse us from thot, me hearty!"</p> + +<p>"That would be as bad as murder!" exclaimed Frank. "There would be one +vote against us—one black bean thrown, at least."</p> + +<p>Muriel nodded.</p> + +<p>"I judge you-uns is right."</p> + +<p>"Pwhat av th' carruds?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, what of them?"</p> + +<p>"Two men will be chosen, one ter hold a pack o' cards, and one to draw a +card from them. Ef ther card is red,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> it lets you-uns off, fer it means +life; ef it is black, it cooks yer, fer it means death."</p> + +<p>The boys were silent, dumfounded, appalled.</p> + +<p>It was a lottery of life and death.</p> + +<p>Muriel stood watching them, and Frank fancied that his eyes were +gleaming with satisfaction. The boy began to believe he had mistaken the +character of this astonishing youth; Muriel might be even worse than his +older companions, for he might be one who delighted in torturing his +victims.</p> + +<p>Frank threw back his head, defiance and scorn written on his handsome +face.</p> + +<p>"It is a clean case of murder, at best!" he cried, his voice ringing out +clearly. "We deserve a fair trial—we demand it!"</p> + +<p>"Wal," drawled the boy moonshiner, "I warned you-uns that ther more yer +demanded, ther less yer got. Ye seem ter fergit that."</p> + +<p>"We're in fur it, Frankie, me b'y!" groaned Barney.</p> + +<p>"If we had our revolvers, we'd give them a stiff fight for it!" grated +Frank, fiercely. "They would not murder us till a few of them had eaten +lead!"</p> + +<p>Muriel seemed to nod with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"You-uns has stuff, an' when I tell yer that ye'll have ter sta' ter +vote ur take chances with ther cards, I don't judge you'll hesitate. +It's one ur t'other."</p> + +<p>"Then, make it the cards," said Frank, hoarsely. "That will give us an +even show, if the draw is a fair one."</p> + +<p>"I'll see ter that," assured Muriel. "It shall be fair."</p> + +<p>Without another word, he turned and swiftly slipped out of the room. +They heard him bar the door, and then they stood looking into each +other's faces, speechless for a few moments.</p> + +<p>"It's a toss-up, Barney," Frank finally observed.</p> + +<p>"Thot's pwhat it is, an' th' woay our luck is runnin' Oi think it's a +case av heads they win an' tails we lose."</p> + +<p>"It looks that way," admitted Frank. "But there is no way out of it. +We'll have to grin and bear it."</p> + +<p>"Pwhat do yez think av thot Muriel?"</p> + +<p>"He's an enigma."</p> + +<p>"Worse than thot, me b'y—he's a cat's cradle toied in a hundred an' +sivintane knots."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is impossible to tell whether he is friendly or whether he is the +worst foe we have in these mountains."</p> + +<p>"Oi wonder how Kate Kenyon knew where to foind him so quick?"</p> + +<p>"I have thought of that. She must have found him in a very short time +after we were taken from the cabin."</p> + +<p>"An' she diskivered thot we hed been taken away moighty soon afther we +wur gone, me b'y. Thot is sure."</p> + +<p>"Remember one of the horses neighed. It may have aroused Kate and her +mother, and caused them to investigate."</p> + +<p>"Loikely thot wur th' case, fer it's not mesilf thot would think she'd +kape shtill an' let ther spalpanes drag us away av she knew it."</p> + +<p>"No; I believe her utterly fearless, and it is plain that Wade Miller is +not the only one in love with her."</p> + +<p>"Who ilse?"</p> + +<p>"Muriel."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe ye're roight, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me that way. The fellow tried to lead me into a trap—tried +to get me to boast of a mash on her. I could see his eyes gleam with +jealousy. In her eagerness to save us—to have him aid her in the +work—she must have led him to suspect that one of us had been making +love to her."</p> + +<p>Barney whistled a bit, and then he shyly said:</p> + +<p>"Oi wunder av wan of us didn't do a bit av thot?"</p> + +<p>"Not I," protested Frank. "We talked in a friendly manner—in fact, she +promised to be a friend to me. I may have expressed admiration for her +hair, or something of the sort, but I vow I did not make love to her."</p> + +<p>"Well, me b'y, ye have a thrick av gettin' all th' girruls shtuck on yez +av ye look at thim, so ye didn't nade ter make love."</p> + +<p>"It's not my fault, Barney."</p> + +<p>"It's nivver a fault at all, at all, me lad. Oi wish Oi wur built th' +soame woay, but it's litthle oice I cut wid th' girruls. This south av +Oireland brogue thot Oi foind mesilf unable to shake counts against me a +bit, Oi belave."</p> + +<p>"I should think Miller and Muriel would clash."</p> + +<p>"It's plain enough that Miller is afraid av Muriel."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And Muriel intends to keep him thus. I fancy it was a good thing for us +that Kate Kenyon suspected Wade Miller of having a hand in our capture, +and told Muriel that we had been carried off by him, for I fancy that is +exactly what happened. Muriel was angry with Miller, and he seized the +opportunity to call the fellow down. But for that, he might not have +made such a hustle to save us."</p> + +<p>"Thin we should be thankful thot Muriel an' Miller do not love ache +ither."</p> + +<p>The boys continued to discuss the situation for some time, and then they +fell to examining the room in which they were imprisoned. It did not +seem to have a window anywhere, and the single door appeared to be the +only means of entering or leaving the place.</p> + +<p>"There's little show of escaping from this room," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Roight ye are," nodded Barney. "This wur built to kape iverything safe +thot came in here."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later there was a sound at the door, and Muriel came in, +with two of the Black Caps at his heels.</p> + +<p>"Ther boys have agreed ter give ye ther chance o' ther cards," said the +boy moonshiner. "An' yo're goin' ter have a fair an' squar' deal."</p> + +<p>"We will have to submit," said Frank, quietly.</p> + +<p>"You will have ter let ther boys bind yer hands afore ye leave this +room," said Muriel.</p> + +<p>The men each held the end of a stout rope, and the boys were forced to +submit to the inconvenience of having their hands bound behind them. +Barney protested, but Frank kept silent, knowing it was useless to say +anything.</p> + +<p>When their hands were tied, Muriel said:</p> + +<p>"Follow."</p> + +<p>He led the way, while Frank came next, with Barney shuffling sulkily +along at his heels. The two men came last.</p> + +<p>They passed through a dark room and entered another room, which was +lighted by three oil lamps. The room was well filled with the +black-hooded moonshiners, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> were standing in a grim and silent +circle, with their backs against the walls.</p> + +<p>Into the center of this circle, the boys were marched<span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, missing period added">.</span> The door closed, +and Muriel addressed the Black Caps.</p> + +<p>"It is not often that we-uns gives our captives ther choice uv ther +cards or ther vote, but we have agreed ter do so in this case, with only +one objectin', an' he war induced ter change his mind. Now we mean ter +have this fair an' squar', an' I call on ev'ry man present ter watch out +an' see that it is. Ther men has been serlected, one ter hold ther cards +an' one ter draw. Let them step forrud."</p> + +<p>Two of the Black Caps stepped out, and Frank started a bit, for he +believed one of them was Wade Miller.</p> + +<p>A pack of cards was produced, and Muriel shuffled them with a skill that +told of experience, after which he handed them to one of the men.</p> + +<p>Miller was to draw!</p> + +<p>Frank watched every move, determined to detect the fraud if possible, +should there be any fraud.</p> + +<p>An awed hush seemed to settle over the room.</p> + +<p>The men who wore the black hoods leaned forward a little, every one of +them watching to see what card should be drawn from the pack.</p> + +<p>Barney Mulloy caught his breath with a gasping sound, and then was +silent, standing stiff and straight.</p> + +<p>Muriel was as alert as a panther, and his eyes gleamed through the holes +in his mask like twin stars.</p> + +<p>The man who received the pack from Muriel stepped forward, and Miller +reached out his hand to draw.</p> + +<p>Then Frank suddenly cried:</p> + +<p>"Wait! That we may be satisfied we are having a fair show in this +matter, why not permit one of us to shuffle those cards?"</p> + +<p>Quick as a flash of light, Muriel's hand fell on the wrist of the man +who held the cards, and his clear voice rang out:</p> + +<p>"Stop! Unbind his hands. He shall shuffle."</p> + +<p>Frank's hands were unbound, and he was given the cards. He shuffled +them, but he did not handle them with more skill than had Muriel. He +"shook them up"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> thoroughly, and then passed them back to the man who +was to hold them.</p> + +<p>"Bind him!"</p> + +<p>Muriel's order was swiftly obeyed, and Frank was again helpless.</p> + +<p>"Draw!"</p> + +<p>The cards were extended. Wade Miller reached out, and quickly made the +draw, holding the fateful card up for all to see.</p> + +<p>It was the ace of spades!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII"></a>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2> + +<h3>SAVED!</h3> + + +<p>"Death!"</p> + +<p>From beneath the black hoods sounded the terrible word, as the man +beheld the black card which was exposed to view.</p> + +<p>The boys were doomed!</p> + +<p>Frank's heart dropped like a stone into the depths of his bosom, but no +sound came from his lips.</p> + +<p>Barney Mulloy showed an equal amount of nerve. Indeed, the Irish lad +laughed recklessly as he cried:</p> + +<p>"It's nivver a show we had at all, at all, Frankie. Th' snakes had it +fixed fer us all th' toime."</p> + +<p>"Hold on thar!"</p> + +<p>The words came from Muriel, and the boy chief of the moonshiners made a +spring and a grab, snatching the card from Miller's hand.</p> + +<p>"Look hyar!" he cried. "This won't do! Let's give ther critters a fair +show."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean ter say they didn't have a fair show?" demanded Wade +Miller, fiercely. "Do you say that I cheated?"</p> + +<p>"Not knowin' it," answered Muriel. "But ther draw warn't fair, jes' ther +same."</p> + +<p>"Warn't fair!" snarled Miller, furiously. "Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Because two cards war drawed!" rang out the voice of the masked youth. +"Look—hyar they be! One is ther ace o' spades, an' ther other is ther +nine o' hearts."</p> + +<p>Exclamations of astonishment came from all sides, and a ray of hope shot +into Frank Merriwell's heart.</p> + +<p>"Did I draw two cards?" muttered Miller, as if surprised. "Wal, what o' +that? Ther black card war ther one exposed, an' that settles what'll be +done with ther spies."</p> + +<p>"It don't settle it!" declared Muriel, promptly. "Them boys is goin' ter +have a squar' show."</p> + +<p>It was with the greatest difficulty that Miller held himself in check. +His hands were clinched, and Frank fancied that he longed to spring upon +Muriel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boy chief was very cool as he took the pack of cards from the hand +of the man who had held them.</p> + +<p>"Release one of the prisoners," was his command. "The cards shall be +shuffled again."</p> + +<p>Once more Frank's hands were freed, and again the cards were given him +to shuffle. He mixed them deftly, without saying a word, and gave them +back to Muriel. Then his hands were tied, and he awaited the second +drawing.</p> + +<p>"Be careful an' not get two cards this time," warned Muriel as he faced +Miller. "This draw settles ther business fer them-uns."</p> + +<p>The cards were given to the man who was to hold them, and Miller stepped +forward to draw.</p> + +<p>Again the suspense became great, again the men leaned forward to see the +card that should be pulled from the pack; again the hearts of the +captives stood still.</p> + +<p>Miller hesitated. He seemed to feel that the tide had turned against +him. For a moment he was tempted to refuse to draw, and then, with a +muttered exclamation, he pulled a card from the pack and held it up to +view. Then, with a bitter cry of baffled rage, he flung it madly to the +floor.</p> + +<p>It was the queen of hearts!</p> + +<p>Each man in the room seemed to draw a deep breath. It was plain that +some were disappointed, and some were well satisfied.</p> + +<p>"That settles it!" said Muriel, calmly. "They-uns won't be put out o' +ther way ter-night."</p> + +<p>"Settles it!" snarled Miller, furious with disappointment. "It war +settled afore! I claim that ther first draw counts."</p> + +<p>"An' I claim that it don't," returned the youthful moonshiner, without +lifting his voice in the least. "You-uns all agreed ter ther second +draw, an' that lets them off."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you have worked it slick!" grated the disappointed Black Cap. "But +them critters ain't out o' ther maountings yit!"</p> + +<p>"By that yer mean—jes' what?"</p> + +<p>"They're not liable ter git out alive."</p> + +<p>"Ef they-uns is killed, I'll know whar ter look fer ther one as war at +ther bottom o' ther job—an' I'll look!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + +<p>Muriel did not bluster, and he did not speak above an ordinary tone, but +it was plain that he meant every word.</p> + +<p>"Wal," muttered Miller, "what do ye mean ter do with them critters—turn +'em out, an' let 'em bring ther officers down on us?"</p> + +<p>"No. I'm goin' ter keep 'em till they kin be escorted out o' ther +maountings. Thar ain't time ter-night, fer it's gittin' toward mornin'. +Ter-morrer night it can be done."</p> + +<p>Miller said no more. He seemed to know it was useless to make further +talk, but Frank and Barney knew that they were not yet out of danger.</p> + +<p>The boys seemed as cool as any one in the room, for all of the deadly +peril they had passed through, and Muriel nodded in a satisfied way when +he had looked them over.</p> + +<p>"Come," he said, in a low tone, "you-uns will have ter go back ter ther +room whar ye war a bit ago."</p> + +<p>They were willing to go back, and it was with no small amount of relief +that they allowed themselves to be escorted to the apartment.</p> + +<p>Muriel dismissed the two guards, and then he set the hands of the boys +free.</p> + +<p>"Thar ye are," he said. "Yo're all right fer now."</p> + +<p>"Thanks to you," bowed Frank. "I want to make an apology."</p> + +<p>"Fer what?"</p> + +<p>"Suspecting you of double-dealing."</p> + +<p>"You-uns did suspect me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"It looked that way once. It seemed that you had saved us from being +hanged, but that you intended to finish us here."</p> + +<p>"Ef that war my scheme, why did I take ther trouble ter save ye at all?"</p> + +<p>"It looked as if you did so to please Miss Kenyon. You had saved us, and +then, if the men disposed of us in the regular manner, you would not be +to blame."</p> + +<p>Muriel shook back his long, black hair, and his manner showed that he +was angry. He did not feel at all pleased to know his sincerity had been +doubted.</p> + +<p>"Wal," he said, slowly, "ef it hadn't been fer me you-uns would be gone +coons now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Begobs! we know thot!" exclaimed Barney.</p> + +<p>"You-uns know I saved ye, but ye don't know how I done it."</p> + +<p>There was something of bitterness and reproach in the voice of the +youthful moonshiner. He continued:</p> + +<p>"I done that fer you I never done before fer no man. I wouldn't a done +it fer myself!"</p> + +<p>Frank wondered what the strange youth could mean.</p> + +<p>"Do you-uns want ter know what I done?" asked Muriel.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I cheated."</p> + +<p>"Cheated?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"When I snatched ther first card drawn from ther hand o' ther man what +drawed it. It war ther ace o' spades, an' it condemned yer ter die."</p> + +<p>"But there were two cards drawn."</p> + +<p>"No! Thar war one card drawed, an' that war all!"</p> + +<p>"But—but you showed two!"</p> + +<p>Muriel nodded.</p> + +<p>"That war whar I cheated," he said, simply. "I had ther red card in my +hand ready ter do ther trick ef a black card war drawed. In that way I +knowed I could give yer two shows ter escape death."</p> + +<p>The boys were astounded by this revelation, but they did not doubt that +Muriel spoke the truth. His manner showed that he was not telling a +falsehood.</p> + +<p>And this strange boy—this remarkable leader of moonshiners—had done +such a thing to save them!</p> + +<p>More than ever, they marveled at the fellow.</p> + +<p>Once more Muriel's arms were folded over his breast, and he was leaning +gracefully against the door, his eyes watching their faces.</p> + +<p>For several moments both boys were stricken dumb with wonder and +surprise. Frank was not a little confused, thinking as he did how he had +misunderstood this mysterious youth. Even now Frank could not understand +him. It seemed most unaccountable that he should do such a thing for two +lads who were utter strangers to him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> + +<p>A sound like a bitter laugh came from behind the sable mask, and Muriel +flung out one hand, with an impatient gesture.</p> + +<p>"I know what you-uns is thinkin' of," declared the young moonshiner. "Ye +wonder why I done so. Wal, I don't jes' know myself, but I promised Kate +ter do my best fer ye."</p> + +<p>"You have kept your promise!" cried Frank, "kept it nobly! Muriel, you +may be a moonshiner, you may be the leader of the Black Caps, but I am +proud to know you! I believe you are white all the way through!"</p> + +<p>"Thar!" exclaimed the youth, with a show of satisfaction, "that makes me +feel better. But it war Kate as done it, an' she's ther one ter thank; +but it ain't likely you-uns'll ever see her ag'in."</p> + +<p>"Then, tell her," said Frank, swiftly, "tell her for us that we are very +thankful—tell her we shall not forget her. I'll never forget her."</p> + +<p>Muriel moved uneasily. He seemed about to speak, and then checked +himself.</p> + +<p>"You will tell her?" said Frank, appealingly.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell her," nodded Muriel, his voice sounding a bit strange. "Is +that all you-uns want me ter tell her?"</p> + +<p>"Tell her I would give much to see her again," came swiftly from Frank's +lips. "She's promised to be my friend, and right well has she kept that +promise."</p> + +<p>"That's all?" questioned the boy moonshiner.</p> + +<p>"That is all."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll have ter leave you-uns now. Take it as easy as yer kin. +Breakfast will be brought ter ye, and when another night comes, a guard +will go with yer out o' ther maountings. Good-by."</p> + +<p>He was going.</p> + +<p>"Wait!" cried Frank. "Will you shake hands before you go?"</p> + +<p>He held out a hand, and Muriel seemed to hesitate. After a few moments, +the masked lad shook his head, and, without another word, left the room.</p> + +<p>"Begorra!" cried Barney, scratching his head, "thot felly is worse than +Oi thought! Oi don't know so much about him now as Oi did bafore Oi met +him at all, at all!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> + +<p>The boys were given much food for conversation. They made themselves as +comfortable as possible, and talked over the thrilling events of the +night.</p> + +<p>"If Kate Kenyon had not told me that her brother was serving time as a +convict, I should think this Muriel must be her brother," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"Av he's not her brither, it's badly shtuck on her he must be, Oi +dunno," observed Barney. "An' av he be shtuck on her, pwhoy don't he git +onter th' collar av thot Miller?"</p> + +<p>That was a question Frank could not answer. Finally, when they had tired +of talking, the boys lay down and tried to sleep.</p> + +<p>Frank was beginning to doze when his ears seemed to detect a slight +rustling in that very room, and his eyes flew open in a twinkling. He +started up, a cry of wonder surging to his lips, and being smothered +there.</p> + +<p>Kate Kenyon stood within ten feet of him!</p> + +<p>As Frank started up, the girl swiftly placed a finger on her lips, +warning him to be silent.</p> + +<p>Frank sprang to his feet, and Barney Mulloy sat up, rubbing his eyes and +beginning to speak.</p> + +<p>"Pwhat's th' matter now, me b'y? Are yez—— Howly shmoke!"</p> + +<p>Barney clasped both hands over his mouth, having caught the warning +gestures from Frank and the girl. Still the exclamation had escaped his +lips, although it was not uttered loudly.</p> + +<p>Swiftly Kate Kenyon flitted across the room, listening with her ear to +the door to hear any sound beyond. After some moments, she seemed +satisfied that the moonshiners had not been aroused by anything that had +happened within that room, and she came back, standing close to Frank, +and whispering:</p> + +<p>"Ef you-uns will trust me, I judge I kin git yer out o' this scrape."</p> + +<p>"Trust you!" exclaimed Frank, softly, as he caught her hand. "We have +you to thank for our lives! Kate—your pardon!—Miss Kenyon, how can we +ever repay you?"</p> + +<p>"Don't stop ter talk 'bout that now," she said, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> chilling +roughness. "Ef you-uns want ter live, an' yer want ter git erway frum +Wade Miller, git reddy ter foller me."</p> + +<p>"We are ready."</p> + +<p>"Begorra! we're waitin'!"</p> + +<p>"But how are we to leave this room? How did you enter?"</p> + +<p>She silently pointed to a dark opening in the corner, and they saw that +a small trapdoor was standing open.</p> + +<p>"We kin git out that way," she said.</p> + +<p>The boys wondered why they had not discovered the door when they +examined the place, but there was no time for investigation.</p> + +<p>Kate Kenyon flitted lightly toward the opening. Pausing beside it, she +pointed downward, saying:</p> + +<p>"Go ahead; I'll foller and close ther door."</p> + +<p>The boys did not hesitate, for they placed perfect confidence in the +girl now. Barney dropped down in advance, and his feet found some rude +stone steps. In a moment he had disappeared, and then Frank followed.</p> + +<p>As lightly as a fairy, Kate Kenyon dropped through the opening, closing +the door behind her.</p> + +<p>The boys found themselves in absolute darkness, in some sort of a +narrow, underground place, and there they paused, awaiting their guide.</p> + +<p>She came in a moment. Her hand touched Frank as she slipped past, and he +caught the perfume of wild flowers. To him she was like a beautiful wild +flower growing in a wilderness of weeds. The touch of their hands was +electric.</p> + +<p>"Come."</p> + +<p>The boys heard the word, and they moved slowly forward through the +darkness, now and then feeling dank walls on either hand.</p> + +<p>For a considerable distance they went on in this way, and then the +passage seemed to widen out, and they felt that they had entered a cave.</p> + +<p>"Keep close ter me," directed the girl.</p> + +<p>"Here, give me your hands. Now you-uns can't git astray."</p> + +<p>At last a strange smell came to their nostrils, seemingly on the wings +of a light breath of air.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is that?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Ther mill whar ther moonshine is made."</p> + +<p>"Oh!"</p> + +<p>Now the boys recognized the smell.</p> + +<p>Still she led them on through the darkness. Never for a moment did she +hesitate; she seemed to have the eyes of an owl.</p> + +<p>All at once they heard the sound of gently running water.</p> + +<p>"Is there a stream near?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Lost Creek runs through har," answered the girl.</p> + +<p>"Lost Creek? Why, we are still underground."</p> + +<p>"An' Lost Creek runs underground. Have ye fergot that?"</p> + +<p>So the mysterious stream flowed through this cavern, and the cave was +near one of the illicit distilleries.</p> + +<p>Frank cared to know no more, for he did not believe it was healthy to +know too much about the makers of moonshine.</p> + +<p>It was not long before they approached the mouth of the cave. They saw +the opening before them, and then, of a sudden, a dark figure arose +there—the figure of a man with a gun in his hands!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV"></a>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2> + +<h3>FRANK'S SUSPICION.</h3> + + +<p>"It's all right."</p> + +<p>Kate uttered the words, and the boys began to recover from their alarm, +as she did not hesitate in the least.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Dummy."</p> + +<p>"Who is Dummy?"</p> + +<p>"A cousin o' mine. He'll do anything fer me. I put him thar ter watch +out while I war in hyar."</p> + +<p>They went forward. Of a sudden, Kate struck a match, holding it so the +light shone on her face, and the figure at the mouth of the cave was +seen to wave its hand and vanish.</p> + +<p>"Ther coast is clear," assured the girl. "But it's gittin' right nigh +mornin', an' we-uns must hustle away from hyar afore it is light. We +won't lose any time."</p> + +<p>The boys were well satisfied to get away as quickly as possible.</p> + +<p>They passed out of the dark cavern into the cool, sweet air of a spring +morning, for the gray of dawn was beginning to dispel the darkness, and +the birds were twittering from the thickets.</p> + +<p>The phantom of a moon was in the sky, hanging low down and half-inverted +as if spilling a spectral glamour over the ghostly mists which lay deep +in Lost Creek Valley.</p> + +<p>The sweet breath of flowers and of the woods was in the morning air, and +from some cabin afar on the side of a distant mountain a wakeful +watchdog barked till the crags reverberated with his clamoring.</p> + +<p>"Thar's somethin' stirrin' at 'Bize Wiley's, ur his dorg wouldn't be +kickin' up all that racket," observed Kate Kenyon. "He lives by ther +road that comes over from Bildow's Crossroads. Folks comin' inter ther +maountings from down below travel that way."</p> + +<p>The boys looked around for the mute who had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> guarding the mouth of +the cave, but they saw nothing of him. He had slipped away into the +bushes which grew thick all around the opening.</p> + +<p>"Come on," said the girl, after seeming strangely interested in the +barking of the dog. "We'll git ter ther old mill as soon as we kin. +Foller me, an' be ready ter scrouch ther instant anything is seen."</p> + +<p>Now that they could see her, she led them forward at a swift pace, which +astonished them both. She did not run, but she seemed to skim over the +ground, and she took advantage of every bit of cover till they entered +some deep, lowland pines.</p> + +<p>Through this strip of woods she swiftly led them, and they came near to +Lost Creek, where it flowed down in the dismal valley.</p> + +<p>There they found the ruins of an old mill, the moss-covered water-wheel +forever silent, the roof sagging and falling in, the windows broken out +by mischievous boys, the whole presenting a most melancholy and deserted +appearance.</p> + +<p>The road that had led to the mill from the main highway was overgrown +with weeds. Later it would be filled with thistles and burdocks. Wild +sassafras grew along the roadside.</p> + +<p>"That's whar you-uns must hide ter-day," said Kate, motioning toward the +mill.</p> + +<p>"Why should we hide?" exclaimed Frank. "We are not criminals, nor are we +revenue spies. I do not fancy the idea of hiding like a hunted dog."</p> + +<p>"It's better ter be a live dorg than a dead lion. Ef you-uns'll take my +advice, you'll come inter ther mill thar, an' ye'll keep thar all day, +an' keep mighty quiet. I know ye're nervy, but thar ain't no good in +bein' foolish. It'll be known that you-uns have escaped, an' then Wade +Miller will scour ther country. Ef he come on yer——"</p> + +<p>"Give us our arms, and we'll be ready to meet Mr. Miller."</p> + +<p>"But yer wouldn't meet him alone; thar'd be others with him, an' you-uns +wouldn't have no sorter show."</p> + +<p>Kate finally succeeded in convincing the boys that she spoke the truth, +and they agreed to remain quietly in the old mill.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> + +<p>She led them into the mill, which was dank and dismal. The imperfect +light failed to show all the pitfalls that lurked for their feet, but +she warned them, and they escaped injury.</p> + +<p>The miller had lived in the mill, and the girl took them to the part of +the old building that had served as a home.</p> + +<p>"Har," she said, opening a closet door, "I've brung food fer you-uns, so +yer won't starve, an' I knowed ye'd be hongry."</p> + +<p>"You are more than thoughtful, Miss Kenyon."</p> + +<p>"Yer seem ter have fergot what we agreed ter call each other, Frank."</p> + +<p>She spoke the words in a tone of reproach.</p> + +<p>"Kate!"</p> + +<p>Barney turned away, winking uselessly at nothing at all, and kept his +back toward them for some moments.</p> + +<p>But Frank Merriwell had no thought of making love to this strange girl +of the mountains. She had promised to be his friend; she had proved +herself his friend, and as no more than a friend did he propose to +accept her.</p> + +<p>That he had awakened something stronger than a friendly feeling in Kate +Kenyon's breast seemed evident, and the girl was so artless that she +could not conceal her true feelings toward him.</p> + +<p>They stood there, talking in a low tone, while the morning light stole +in at one broken window and grew stronger and stronger within that room.</p> + +<p>Frank was studying Kate's speech and voice. As he did so a new thought +came to him—a thought that was at first a mere suspicion, which he +scarcely noted at all. This suspicion grew, and he found himself asking:</p> + +<p>"Kate, are you sure your brother is still wearing a convict's suit?"</p> + +<p>She started, and looked at him closely.</p> + +<p>"Sure o' it?" she repeated. "No, fer he may be dead."</p> + +<p>"You do not know that he is dead—you have not heard of his death?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Is he bold and daring?"</p> + +<p>Her eyes flashed, and a look of pride swept across her face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Folks allus 'lowed Rufe Kenyon wa'n't afeard o' ary two-legged critter +livin', an' they war right."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he has escaped."</p> + +<p>She clutched his arm, beginning to pant, as she asked:</p> + +<p>"What makes you say that? I knowed he'd try it some day, but—but, have +you heard anything? Do you know that he has tried it?"</p> + +<p>The suspicion leaped to a conviction in the twinkling of an eye. If Rufe +Kenyon was not at liberty, then he must be right in what he thought.</p> + +<p>"I do not know that your brother has tried to escape. I do not know +anything about him. I did think that he might be Muriel, the +moonshiner."</p> + +<p>Kate laughed.</p> + +<p>"You-uns war plumb mistooken thar," she said, positively. "Rufe is not +Muriel."</p> + +<p>"Then," cried Frank, "you are Muriel yourself!"</p> + +<p>Kate Kenyon seemed astounded.</p> + +<p>"Have you-uns gone plumb dafty?" asked the girl, in a dazed way. "Me +Muriel! Wal, that beats all!"</p> + +<p>"But you are—I am sure of it," said Frank, swiftly.</p> + +<p>The girl laughed.</p> + +<p>"Well, that beats me! Of course I'm not Muriel; but he's ther best +friend I've got in these maountings."</p> + +<p>Frank was far from satisfied, but he was too courteous to insist after +this denial. Kate laughed the idea to scorn, saying over and over that +the boy must be "dafty," but still his mind was unchanged.</p> + +<p>To be sure, there were some things not easily explained, one being how +Muriel concealed her luxurious red hair, for Muriel's hair appeared to +be coal-black.</p> + +<p>Another thing was that Wade Miller must know Muriel and Kate were one +and the same, and yet he preserved her secret and allowed her to snatch +his victims from his maws.</p> + +<p>Barney Mulloy had been more than astounded by Frank's words; the Irish +youth was struck dumb. When he could collect himself, he softly +muttered:</p> + +<p>"Well, av all th' oideas thot takes th' cake!"</p> + +<p>Having seen them safely within the mill and shown them the food brought +there, Kate said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Har is two revolvers fer you-uns. Don't use 'em unless yer have ter, +but shoot ter kill ef you're forced."</p> + +<p>"Begorra! Oi'm ready fer th' spalpanes!" cried Barney, as he grasped one +of the weapons. "Let thim come on!"</p> + +<p>"I feel better myself," declared Frank. "Next time Wade Miller and his +gang will not catch us napping."</p> + +<p>"Roight, me b'y; we'll be sound awake, Frankie."</p> + +<p>Kate bade them good-by, assuring them that she would return with the +coming of another night, and making them promise to await her, and then +she flitted away, slipped out of the mill, soon vanishing amid the +pines.</p> + +<p>"It's dead lucky we are ter be living, Frankie," observed Barney.</p> + +<p>"I quite agree with you," laughed Merriwell. "This night has been a +black and tempestuous one, but we have lived through it, and I do not +believe we'll find ourselves in such peril again while we are in the +Tennessee mountains."</p> + +<p>They were hungry, and they ate heartily of the plain food that had been +provided for them.</p> + +<p>When breakfast was over, Barney said:</p> + +<p>"Frankie, it's off yer trolley ye git sometoimes."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that, Barney? Is it a new sell?"</p> + +<p>"Nivver a bit. Oi wur thinkin' av pwhat yez said about Kate Kenyon being +Mooriel, th' moonshoiner."</p> + +<p>"I was not off my trolley so very much then."</p> + +<p>"G'wan, me b'y! Ye wur crazy as a bidbug."</p> + +<p>"You think so, but I have made a study of Muriel and of Kate Kenyon. I +am still inclined to believe the moonshiner is the girl in disguise."</p> + +<p>"An' Oi say ye're crazy. No girrul could iver do pwhat thot felly does, +an' no band av min loike th' moonshoiners would iver allow a girrul +loike Kate Kenyon ter boss thim."</p> + +<p>"They do not know Muriel is a girl. That is, I am sure the most of them +do not know it—do not dream it."</p> + +<p>"Thot shows their common sinse, fer Oi don't belave it mesilf."</p> + +<p>"I may be wrong, but I shall not give it up yet."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Whoy, think pwhat a divvil thot Muriel is! An' th' color av his hair is +black, whoile the girrul's is red."</p> + +<p>"I have thought of those things, and I have wondered how she concealed +that mass of red hair; still I am satisfied she does it."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's no use to talk to you at all, at all."</p> + +<p>However, they did discuss it for some time.</p> + +<p>Finally they fell to exploring the old mill, and they wandered from one +part to another till they finally came to the place where they had +entered over a sagging plank. They were standing there, just within the +deeper shadow of the mill, when a man came panting and reeling from the +woods, his hat off, his shirt torn open at the throat, great drops of +perspiration standing on his face, a wild, hunted look in his eyes, and +dashed to the end of the plank that led over the water into the old +mill.</p> + +<p>Frank clutched Barney, and the boys fell back a step, watching the man, +who was looking back over his shoulder and listening, the perfect +picture of a hunted thing.</p> + +<p>"They're close arter me—ther dogs!" came in a hoarse pant from the +man's lips. "But I turned on 'em—I doubled—an' I hope I fooled 'em. +It's my last chance, fer I'm dead played, and I'm so nigh starved that +it's all I kin do ter drag one foot arter t'other."</p> + +<p>He listened again, and then, as if overcome by a sudden fear of being +seen there, he suddenly rushed across the plank and plunged into the +mill.</p> + +<p>He ran fairly upon Frank Merriwell.</p> + +<p>In the twinkling of an eye man and boy were clasped in a close embrace, +struggling desperately.</p> + +<p>"Caught!" cried the fugitive, desperately. "Trapped!"</p> + +<p>He tried to hurl Frank to the floor, and he would have succeeded had he +been in his normal condition, for he was a man of great natural +strength; but he was exhausted by flight and hunger, and, in his +weakened condition, the man found his supple antagonist too much for +him.</p> + +<p>A gasp came from the stranger's lips as he felt the boy give him a +wrestler's trip and fling him heavily to the floor.</p> + +<p>The man was stunned for a moment. When he opened his eyes, Frank and +Barney were bending over him.</p> + +<p>"Wal, I done my best," he said, huskily; "but you-uns<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> trapped me at +last. I dunno how yer knew I war comin' har, but ye war on hand ter meet +me."</p> + +<p>"You have made a mistake," said Frank, in a reassuring tone. "We are not +your enemies at all."</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"We are not your enemies; you are not trapped."</p> + +<p>The man seemed unable to believe what he heard.</p> + +<p>"Why, who be you-uns?" he asked, in a bewildered way.</p> + +<p>"Fugitives, like yourself," assured Frank, with a smile.</p> + +<p>He looked them over, and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Not like me," he said. "Look at me! I'm wore ter ther bone—I'm a +wreck! Oh, it's a cursed life I've led sence they dragged me away from +har! Night an' day hev I watched for a chance ter break away, and' I war +quick ter grasp it when it came. They shot at me, an' one o' their +bullets cut my shoulder har. It war a close call, but I got away. Then +they follered, an' they put houn's arter me. Twenty times hev they been +right on me, an' twenty times hev I got erway. But it kep' wearin' me +weaker an' thinner. My last hope war ter find friends ter hide me an' +fight fer me, an' I came har—back home! I tried ter git inter 'Bije +Wileys' this mornin', but his dorg didn't know me, I war so changed, an' +ther hunters war close arter me, so I hed ter run fer it."</p> + +<p>"Begorra!" exclaimed Barney; "we hearrud th' dog barruckin'."</p> + +<p>"So we did," agreed Frank, remembering how the creature had been +clamoring on the mountainside at daybreak.</p> + +<p>"I kem har," continued the man, weakly. "I turned on ther devils, but +when I run in har an' you-uns tackled me, I judged I had struck a trap."</p> + +<p>"It was no trap, Rufe Kenyon," said Frank, quietly.</p> + +<p>The hunted man started up and slunk away.</p> + +<p>"You know me!" he gasped.</p> + +<p>"We do."</p> + +<p>"An' still ye say you-uns are not my enemies."</p> + +<p>"We are not."</p> + +<p>"Then how do you know me? I never saw yer afore."</p> + +<p>"No; but we have heard of you."</p> + +<p>"How?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p> + +<p>"From your sister Kate."</p> + +<p>"She tol' yer?"</p> + +<p>"She did."</p> + +<p>"Then she must trust you-uns."</p> + +<p>"She saved us from certain death last night, and she brought us here to +hide till she can help us get out of this part of the country."</p> + +<p>Rufe Kenyon looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>"I judge you-uns is givin' it ter me straight," he said, slowly; "but I +don't jes' understan'. What did she save yer from?"</p> + +<p>"Moonshiners."</p> + +<p><span title="Transcriber's Note: Correction, extraneous quotation mark removed">The</span> man seemed filled with sudden suspicion.</p> + +<p>"What had moonshiners agin' you-uns? Be you revernues?"</p> + +<p>"No. Do we look like revenue spies?"</p> + +<p>"Yer look too young."</p> + +<p>"Well, we are not spies; but we were unfortunate enough to incur the +enmity of Wade Miller, and he has sworn to end our lives."</p> + +<p>"Wade Miller!" cried Rufe, showing his teeth in an ugly manner. "An' I +s'pose he's hangin' 'roun' Kate, same as he uster?"</p> + +<p>"He is giving her more or less trouble."</p> + +<p>"Wal, he won't give her much trouble arter I git at him. He is a snake! +Look har! I'm goin' ter tell you-uns somethin'. Miller allus pretended +ter be my friend, but it war that critter as put ther revernues onter me +an' got me arrested! He done it because I tol' him Kate war too good fer +him. I know it, an' one thing why I wanted ter git free war ter come har +an' fix ther critter so he won't ever bother Kate no more. I hev swore +ter fix him, an' I'll do it ef I live ter meet him face ter face!"</p> + +<p>He had grown wildly excited, and he sat up, with his back against a +post, his eyes gleaming redly, and a white foam flecking his lips. At +that moment he reminded the boys of a mad dog.</p> + +<p>Woe to Wade Miller when they met!</p> + +<p>When Kenyon was calmer, Frank told the story of the adventures which had +befallen the boys since entering Lost Creek Valley. The fugitive +listened quietly, watch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>ing them closely with his sunken eyes, and, +having heard all, said:</p> + +<p>"I judge you-uns tells ther truth. Ef I kin keep hid till Kate gits +har—till I see her—I'll fix things so you won't be bothered much. Wade +Miller's day in Lost Creek Valley is over."</p> + +<p>The boys took him up to the living room of the old mill, where they +furnished him with the coarse food that remained from their breakfast. +He ate like a famished thing, washing the dry bread down with great +swallows of water. When he had finished and his hunger was satisfied, he +was quite like another man.</p> + +<p>"Thar!" he cried; "now I am reddy fer anything! But I do need sleep."</p> + +<p>"Take it," advised Frank. "We will watch."</p> + +<p>"And you'll tell me ef thar's danger?"</p> + +<p>"You may depend on it."</p> + +<p>"You-uns will watch close?"</p> + +<p>"Never fear about that."</p> + +<p>So the hunted wretch was induced to lie down and sleep. He slept soundly +for some hours, and, when he opened his eyes, his sister had her arms +about his neck.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLV" id="CHAPTER_XLV"></a>CHAPTER XLV.</h2> + +<h3>THE GREATEST PERIL.</h3> + + +<p>"Rufe!"</p> + +<p>"Kate!"</p> + +<p>He sat up and clasped her in his arms, a look of joy on his face.</p> + +<p>It is quite unnecessary to describe the joys of that meeting. The boys +had left brother and sister alone together, and the two remained thus +for nearly an hour, at the end of which time Rufe knew all that had +happened since he was taken from Lost Creek Valley, and Kate had also +been made aware of the perfidy of Wade Miller.</p> + +<p>"I judge it is true that bread throwed on ther waters allus comes back," +said Kate, when the four were together. "Now looker how I helped +you-uns, an' then see how it turned out ter be a right good thing fer +Rufe. He found ye har, an' you-uns hev fed him an' watched while he +slept."</p> + +<p>"An' I hev tol' Kate all about Wade Miller," said the fugitive.</p> + +<p>"That settles him," declared the girl, with a snap.</p> + +<p>Rufe explained.</p> + +<p>"Kate says ther officers think I hev gone on over inter ther next cove, +an' they're arter me, all 'ceptin' two what have been left behind. +They'll be back, though, by night."</p> + +<p>"But you are all right now, for your friends will be on hand by that +time."</p> + +<p>"Yes; Kate will take word ter Muriel, an' he'll hev ther boys ready ter +fight fer me. Ther officers will find it kinder hot in these parts."</p> + +<p>"I'd better be goin' now," said the girl. "Ther boys oughter know all +about it soon as possible."</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed Rufe. "This ain't ther best place fer me ter +hide."</p> + +<p>"No," declared Kate, suddenly; "an' yer mustn't hide har longer, fer +ther officers may come afore night. I'll take yer ter ther cave. It +won't do fer ther boys ter go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> thar, but you kin all right. Ther boys is +best off har, fer ther officers wouldn't hurt 'em."</p> + +<p>This seemed all right, and it was decided on.</p> + +<p>Just as they were on the point of descending, Barney gave a cry, caught +Frank by the arm, and drew him toward a window.</p> + +<p>"Look there, me b'y!" exclaimed the Irish lad. "Phwat do yez think av it +now?"</p> + +<p>A horseman was coming down the old road that led to the mill. He +bestrode a coal-black horse, and a mask covered his face, while his +long, black hair flowed down on the collar of the coat he wore. He sat +the horse jauntily, riding with a reckless air that seemed to tell of a +daring spirit.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" exclaimed Frank Merriwell, amazed. "It is Muriel!"</p> + +<p>"That's pwhat!" chuckled Barney. "An' it's your trate, me lad."</p> + +<p>"I will treat," said Frank, crestfallen. "I am not nearly so smart as I +thought I was."</p> + +<p>"Muriel?" cried Kate, dashing to the window. "Where is he?"</p> + +<p>She did not hesitate to appear in the window and signal to the dashing +young moonshiner, who returned her salute, and motioned for her to come +out.</p> + +<p>"He wants ter see me in er hurry," said the girl. "I sent word ter him +by Dummy that ther boys war har, an' that's how he happened ter turn up. +Come, Rufe, go out with me. Muriel will be glad to see yer."</p> + +<p>"And I shall be glad ter see him," declared the escaped convict.</p> + +<p>Kate bade the boys remain there, telling them she would call them if +they were wanted, and then, with Rufe following, she hurried down the +stairs, and hastened to meet the boy moonshiner, who had halted on the +bank at some distance from the old mill.</p> + +<p>Watching from the window, Frank and Barney saw her hasten up to Muriel, +saw her speak swiftly, although they could not hear her words, saw +Muriel nod and seem to reply quite as swiftly, and then saw the young +leader of the Black Caps shake her hand in a manner that denoted +pleasure and affection.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ye're a daisy, Frankie, me b'y," snickered Barney Mulloy; "but fer +wance ye wur badly mishtaken."</p> + +<p>"I was all of that," confessed Frank, as if slightly ashamed. "I thought +myself far shrewder than I am."</p> + +<p>As they watched, they saw Rufe Kenyon suddenly leap up behind Muriel, +and then the doubly burdened horse swung around and went away at a hot +pace, while Kate came flitting back into the mill.</p> + +<p>"The officers are returnin'," she explained. "Muriel will take Rufe whar +thar ain't no chance o' their findin' him. You-uns will have ter stay +har. I have brung ye more fodder, an' I judge you'll git along all +right."</p> + +<p>So she left them hurriedly, being greatly excited over the return of her +brother and his danger.</p> + +<p>The day passed, and the officers failed to appear in the vicinity of the +mill, although the boys were expecting to see them.</p> + +<p>Nor did Wade Miller trouble them.</p> + +<p>When night came Frank and Barney grew impatient, for they were far from +pleased with their lot, but they could do nothing but wait.</p> + +<p>Two hours after nightfall a form suddenly appeared in the old mill, +rising before the boys like a phantom, although they could not +understand how the fellow came there.</p> + +<p>In a flash Frank snatched out a revolver and pointed it at the intruder, +crying, sternly:</p> + +<p>"Stand still and give an account of yourself! Who are you, and what do +you want?"</p> + +<p>The figure moved into the range of the window, so that the boys could +see him making strange gestures, pointing to his ears, and pressing his +fingers to his lips.</p> + +<p>"Steady you!" commanded Frank. "If you don't keep still, I shall shoot. +Answer my question at once."</p> + +<p>Still the intruder continued to make those strange gestures, pointing to +his ears, and touching his lips. That he saw Frank's revolver glittering +and feared the boy would shoot was evident, but he still remained +silent.</p> + +<p>"Whoy don't th' spalpane spake?" cried Barney. "Is it no tongue he has, +Oi dunno?"</p> + +<p>That gave Frank an idea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps he cannot speak, in which case he is the one Kate calls Dummy. +I believe he is the fellow."</p> + +<p>It happened that the sign language of mutes was one of Frank's +accomplishments, he having taken it up during his leisure moments. He +passed the revolver to Barney, saying:</p> + +<p>"Keep the fellow covered, while I see if I can talk with him."</p> + +<p>Frank moved up to the window, held his hands close to the intruder's +face, and spelled:</p> + +<p>"You from Kate?"</p> + +<p>The man nodded joyfully. He put up his hands and spelled back:</p> + +<p>"Kate send me. Come. Horses ready."</p> + +<p>Frank interpreted for Barney's benefit, and the Irish lad cried:</p> + +<p>"Thin let's be movin'! It's mesilf that's ready ter git out av thase +parruts in a hurry, Oi think."</p> + +<p>For a moment Frank hesitated about trusting the mute, and then he +decided that it was the best thing to do, and he signaled that they were +ready.</p> + +<p>Dummy led the way from the mill, crossing by the plank, and plunging +into the pine woods.</p> + +<p>"He sames to be takin' us back th' woay we came, Frankie," said the +Irish lad, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"That's all right," assured Frank. "He said the horses were waiting for +us. Probably Kate is with them."</p> + +<p>The mute flitted along with surprising silence and speed, and they found +it no easy task to follow and keep close enough to see him. Now and then +he looked back to make sure they were close behind.</p> + +<p>At last they came to the termination of the pines, and there, in the +deep shadows, they found three horses waiting.</p> + +<p>Kate Kenyon was not there.</p> + +<p>Frank felt disappointed, for he wished to see the girl before leaving +the mountains forever. He did not like to go away without touching her +hand again, and expressing his sense of gratitude for the last time.</p> + +<p>It was his hope that she might join them before they left the mountains.</p> + +<p>The horses were saddled and bridled, and the boys were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> about to mount +when a strange, low cry broke from Dummy's lips.</p> + +<p>There was a sudden stir, and an uprising of dark forms on all sides. +Frank tried to snatch out his revolver, but it was too late. He was +seized, disarmed, and crushed to the earth.</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed a hateful voice. "Did you-uns think ye war goin' +ter escape? Wal, yer didn't know Wade Miller very well. I knowed Kate'd +try ter git yer off, an' all I hed ter do war watch her. I didn't waste +my time runnin' round elsewhar."</p> + +<p>They were once more in Miller's clutches!</p> + +<p>Frank ground his teeth with impotent rage. He blamed himself for falling +into the trap, and still he could not see how he was to blame. Surely he +had been cautious, but fate was against him. He had escaped Miller +twice; but this was the third time, and he feared that it would prove +disastrous.</p> + +<p>Barney had not a word to say.</p> + +<p>The hands of the captured boys were tied behind their backs, and then +they were forced to march swiftly along in the midst of the Black Caps +that surrounded them.</p> + +<p>They were not taken to the cave, but straight to one of the hidden +stills, a little hut that was built against what seemed to be a wall of +solid rock, a great bluff rising against the face of the mountain. Thick +trees concealed the little hut down in the hollow.</p> + +<p>Into this hut the boys were marched.</p> + +<p>Some crude candles were lighted, and they saw around them the outfit for +making moonshine whiskey.</p> + +<p>"Thar!" cried Miller, triumphantly; "you-uns will never go out o' this +place. Ther revernues spotted this still ter-day, but it won't be har +ter-morrer."</p> + +<p>He made a signal, and the boys were thrown to the floor, where they were +held helpless, while their feet were bound.</p> + +<p>When this job was finished Miller added:</p> + +<p>"No, ther revernues won't find this still ter-morrer, fer it will go up +in smoke. Moonshine is good stuff ter burn, an' we'll see how you-uns +like it."</p> + +<p>At a word a keg of whiskey was brought to the spot by two men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let 'em try ther stuff," directed Miller.</p> + +<p>"Begorra! he's goin' ter fill us up bafore he finishes us!" muttered +Barney Mulloy.</p> + +<p>But that was not the intention of the revengeful man.</p> + +<p>A plug was knocked from a hole in the end of the keg, and then the +whiskey was poured over the clothing of the boys, wetting them to the +skin.</p> + +<p>"Soak 'em!" directed Miller.</p> + +<p>The men did not stop pouring till the clothing of the boys was +thoroughly saturated.</p> + +<p>"Thar!" said Miller, with a fiendish chuckle, "I reckon you-uns is ready +fer touchin' off, an' ye'll burn like pine knots. Ther way ye'll holler +will make ye heard clean ter ther top o' Black Maounting, an' ther fire +will be seen; but when anybody gits har, you-uns an' this still will be +ashes."</p> + +<p>He knelt beside Frank, lighted a match, and applied it to the boy's +whiskey-soaked clothing!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVI" id="CHAPTER_XLVI"></a>CHAPTER XLVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERY OF MURIEL.</h3> + + +<p>Not quite! The flame almost touched Frank's clothing when the boy rolled +over swiftly, thus getting out of the way for the moment.</p> + +<p>At the same instant the blast of a bugle was heard at the very front of +the hut, and the door fell with a crash, while men poured in by the +opening.</p> + +<p>"Ther revernues!" shouted Wade Miller.</p> + +<p>"No, not ther revernues!" rang out a clear voice; "but Muriel!"</p> + +<p>The boy chief of the Black Caps was there.</p> + +<p>"An' Muriel is not erlone!" thundered another voice. "Rufe Kenyon is +har!"</p> + +<p>Out in front of Muriel leaped the escaped criminal, confronting the man +who had betrayed him.</p> + +<p>Miller staggered, his face turning pale as if struck a heavy blow, and a +bitter exclamation of fury came through his clinched teeth.</p> + +<p>"Rufe!" he grated. "Then it's fight fer life!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's fight!" roared Kate Kenyon's brother, as a long-bladed knife +glittered in his hand, and he thrust back the sleeve of his shirt till +his arm was bared above the elbow. "I swore ter finish yer, Miller; but +I'll give ye a squar' show! Draw yer knife, an' may ther best man win!"</p> + +<p>With the snarl that might have come from the throat of a savage beast, +Miller snatched out a revolver instead of drawing a knife.</p> + +<p>"I'll not fight ye!" he screamed; "but I'll shoot ye plumb through ther +heart!"</p> + +<p>He fired, and Rufe Kenyon ducked at the same time.</p> + +<p>There was a scream of pain, and Muriel flung up both hands, dropping +into the arms of the man behind.</p> + +<p>Rufe Kenyon had dodged the bullet, but the boy chief of the Black Caps +had suffered in his stead.</p> + +<p>Miller seemed dazed by the result of his shot. The re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>volver fell from +his hand, and he staggered forward, groaning:</p> + +<p>"Kate!—I've killed her!"</p> + +<p>Rufe Kenyon forgot his foe, dropping on one knee beside the prostrate +figure of Muriel, and swiftly removing the mask.</p> + +<p>The face of Kate Kenyon was revealed!</p> + +<p>"Sister!" panted her brother, "be ye dead? Has that rascal killed ye?"</p> + +<p>Her eyes opened, and she faintly said:</p> + +<p>"Not dead yit, Rufe."</p> + +<p>Then the brother shouted:</p> + +<p>"Ketch Wade Miller! Don't let ther critter escape!"</p> + +<p>It seemed that every man in the hut leaped to obey.</p> + +<p>Miller struggled like a tiger, but he was overpowered and dragged out of +the hut, while Rufe still knelt and examined his sister's wound, which +was in her shoulder.</p> + +<p>Frank and Barney were freed, and they hastened to render such assistance +as they could in dressing the wound and stanching the flow of blood.</p> + +<p>"You-uns don't think that'll be fatal, do yer?" asked Rufe, with +breathless anxiety.</p> + +<p>"There is no reason why it should," assured Frank. "She must be taken +home as soon as possible, and a doctor called. I think she will come +through all right, for all of Miller's bullet."</p> + +<p>The men were trooping back into the hut.</p> + +<p>"Miller!" roared Rufe, leaping to his feet. "Whar's ther critter?"</p> + +<p>"He is out har under a tree," answered one of the men, quietly.</p> + +<p>"Who's watchin' him ter see that he don't git erway?" asked Rufe.</p> + +<p>"Nobody's watchin'."</p> + +<p>"Nobody? Why, ther p'izen dog will run fer it!"</p> + +<p>"I don't think he'll run fur. We've tied him."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"Wal, ter make sure he wouldn't run, we hitched a rope around his neck +an' tied it up ter ther limb o' ther tree. Unless ther rope stretches, +he won't be able ter git his feet down onter ther ground by erbout +eighteen inches."</p> + +<p>"Then you-uns hanged him?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Wal, we did some."</p> + +<p>"Too bad!" muttered Rufe, with a sad shake of his head. "I wanted ter +squar 'counts with ther skunk."</p> + +<p>Kate Kenyon was taken home, and the bullet was extracted from her +shoulder. The wound, although painful, did not prove at all serious, and +she began to recover in a short time.</p> + +<p>Frank and Barney lingered until it seemed certain that she would +recover, and then they prepared to take their departure.</p> + +<p>After all, Frank's suspicion had proved true, and it had been revealed +that Muriel was Kate in disguise.</p> + +<p>Frank chaffed Barney a great deal about it, and the Irish lad took the +chaffing in a good-natured manner.</p> + +<p>Rufe Kenyon was hidden by his friends, so that his pursuers were forced +to give over the search for him and depart.</p> + +<p>One still was raided, but not one of the moonshiners was captured, as +they had received ample warning of their danger.</p> + +<p>On the evening before Frank and Barney were to depart in the morning, +the boys carried Kate out to the door in an easy-chair, and they sat +down near her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Kenyon sat on the steps and smoked her black pipe, looking as +stolid and indifferent as ever.</p> + +<p>"Kate," said Frank, "when did you have your hair cut short? Where is +that profusion of beautiful hair you wore when we first saw you?"</p> + +<p>"That?" she smiled. "Why, my har war cut more'n a year ago. I had it +made inter a 'switch,' and I wore it so nobody'd know I had it cut."</p> + +<p>"You did that in order that you might wear the black wig when you +personated Muriel?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"You could do that easily over your short hair."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, you played the part well, and you made a dashing boy. But how +about the Muriel who appeared while you were in the mill with us?"</p> + +<p>She laughed a bit.</p> + +<p>"You-uns war so sharp that I judged I'd make yer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> think ye didn't know +so much ez you thought, an' I fixed it up ter have another person show +up in my place."</p> + +<p>"I see. But who was this other person?"</p> + +<p>"Dummy. He is no bigger than I, an' he is a good mimic. He rode jes' +like me."</p> + +<p>"Begorra! he did thot!" nodded Barney. "It's mesilf thot wur chated, an' +thot's not aisy."</p> + +<p>"You are a shrewd little girl," declared Frank; "and you are dead lucky +to escape with your life after getting Miller's bullet. But Miller won't +trouble you more."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Kenyon rose and went into the hut, while Barney lazily strolled +down to the creek, leaving Frank and Kate alone.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, as he was coming back, the Irish lad heard Kate +saying:</p> + +<p>"I know I'm igerent, an' I'm not fitten fer any educated man. Still, you +an' I is friends, Frank, an' friends we'll allus be."</p> + +<p>"Friends we will always be," said Frank, softly.</p> + +<p>After this little more was said.</p> + +<p>It was not long before our friends left the locality, this time bound +for Oklahoma, Utah and California. What Frank's adventures were in those +places will be told in another volume, entitled, "Frank Merriwell's +Bravery."</p> + +<p>"We are well out of that," said Frank, as they journeyed away. "Am I not +right, Barney?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, Frankie, sure!" was Barney's answer. "To tell the whole thruth, +me b'y, ye're nivver wrong, nivver!"</p> + +<p>And Barney was right, eh, reader?</p> + +<p style="text-align: center; font-size: 150%;">THE END.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Frank Merriwell Down South, by Burt L. 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