diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22670-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 430244 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22670-h/22670-h.htm | 9335 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22670-h/images/header-bsl344.jpg | bin | 0 -> 126553 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22670-h/images/terror.jpg | bin | 0 -> 213697 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22670-pdf.pdf | bin | 0 -> 15362800 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22670-pdf.zip | bin | 0 -> 14800191 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22670.txt | 7134 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22670.zip | bin | 0 -> 86358 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
11 files changed, 16485 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/22670-h.zip b/22670-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..429a777 --- /dev/null +++ b/22670-h.zip diff --git a/22670-h/22670-h.htm b/22670-h/22670-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2ebbaf1 --- /dev/null +++ b/22670-h/22670-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9335 @@ +<!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" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> +<title>Jack Wright and His Electric Stage, by Noname</title> + +<style type="text/css"> +.chapter {text-align: center; color: #990000; font-weight: bolder} +p {text-indent: 20px} +p.cen {text-indent: 0px; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0em} +p.hand {text-indent: 0px; margin-top: 0em} +h2 {text-align: center; color: navy} +h3 {text-align: center; color: navy} +hr {width: 50%} +li {list-style-type: none; text-indent: -30px} +body {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%} +</style> +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Jack Wright and His Electric Stage;, by "Noname" + +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: Jack Wright and His Electric Stage; + or, Leagued Against the James Boys + +Author: "Noname" + +Release Date: September 19, 2007 [EBook #22670] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK WRIGHT ELECTRIC STAGE *** + + + + +Produced by Richard Halsey + + + + + +</pre> + +<p> + <img src="images/header-bsl344.jpg" width="100%" alt="header" + style="border: none" /> +</p> + +<h2>JACK WRIGHT AND HIS ELECTRIC STAGE;<br /> +<span style="font-size: 50%">OR,</span><br /> +Leagued Against the James Boys.</h2> + +<p></p> + +<hr class="sm" /> +<h3>By "NONAME,"<br /> +Author of "Jack Wright and His Electric Battery Diver," etc., etc.</h3> + + +<hr style="width: 100%" /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER I.<br /> +THE BANDIT KING.</div> + +<p> +As the 11:30 A. M. express train from New York was speeding toward the +fisher village of Wrightstown, one of the passengers went out on the +rear platform of the last car and intently gazed back along the rails.</p> + +<p> +He was a compactly built man, with rather rough clothing on, and the +soft felt hat on his head shaded a bearded face, which denoted a daring, +reckless disposition.</p> + +<p> +A half smothered oath escaped his lips as he caught view of a locomotive +chasing the train he was on, for he distinctly saw a man in the cab whom +he recognized as one of his worst enemies.</p> + +<p> +"Sheriff Timberlake!" he growled between his clenched teeth, as a dark +scowl mantled his brow. "Curse him! he is hot after us now, and if he +overhauls this train he may give us no end of trouble."</p> + +<p> +"The skunk has followed us all the way from Missouri, and after we saw +the sights of New York, and gave him the slip, he must have discovered +that we started for home in this train. Now he has evidently hired that +locomotive to chase and capture us. I'll go in and tell the boys. We +must keep out of his reach."</p> + +<p> +His anxiety was caused by observing that the pursuing locomotive was +slowly but surely gaining on the train.</p> + +<p> +Opening the door, he passed into the car.</p> + +<p> +It was occupied by four men, who were part of a gang of outlaws whom he +commanded, for the bearded man was the notorious bandit king, Jesse +James.</p> + +<p> +The men who were with him were known as Jim Cummins, Wood Hite, Clell +Miller and Frank James–a brother of Jesse.</p> + +<p> +Sitting in a bunch, they were quietly laughing and talking over their +experience in New York, when the chief hurried in with a look of supreme +disgust upon his face.</p> + +<p> +The moment the rest glanced up at him and saw it, they knew something +out of the ordinary had happened.</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter, Jesse?" demanded Jim Cummins.</p> + +<p> +"You look as if you'd seen a ghost!" laughed Frank, jocularly.</p> + +<p> +"What sent you out on the rear platform!" asked Wood Hite.</p> + +<p> +"Timberlake is after us," said Jesse, with a steely glitter in his eyes.</p> + +<p> +"Thunder!" roared Clell Miller.</p> + +<p> +With one accord the quartet pulled revolvers from their pockets, bounded +to their feet and sprang into the aisle.</p> + +<p> +A grim smile passed over the face of Jesse James for a moment, and as it +faded sway, he made as impatient gesture and said:</p> + +<p> +"He is on a locomotive that is chasing us."</p> + +<p> +"Sure!" asked Cummins, with a dubious look.</p> + +<p> +"I saw him in the caboose."</p> + +<p> +"Can he overtake us?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p> +"Eventually; but we mustn't let him."</p> + +<p> +"How can we prevent it?" queried Miller.</p> + +<p> +"By jumping off at the next curve and hiding."</p> + +<p> +"Good!" exclaimed Wood Hite, "Where's the curve?"</p> + +<p> +"Just before we reach Wrightstown."</p> + +<p> +"Let's get ready for it then," suggested Frank.</p> + +<p> +"All right," assented the bandit king; "but be careful that no one +detects us. To avoid being seen we must leave by the rear platform."</p> + +<p> +As he said this he thrust his head out the open window, and peering +ahead, he studied the roadbed.</p> + +<p> +Satisfied with his scrutiny; he said to his companions:</p> + +<p> +"There's the curve about a mile ahead."</p> + +<p> +"Well?" demanded Cummins.</p> + +<p> +"The train is bound to slacken speed when it goes around. A mass of +timber, bushes and rocks abutt into the curve. It will hide our +movements from the sheriff's view. We can easily hide there."</p> + +<p> +Stationing themselves near the rear door, they waited.</p> + +<p> +In a few minutes the cars reached the curve and went around.</p> + +<p> +As the last car turned they dashed out upon the rear platform, and one +after another they sprang to the ground.</p> + +<p> +Then they plunged late the bushes.</p> + +<p> +Gathering speed again, the express train ran away without them, and a +few minutes afterward a locomotive came flying along in pursuit of it +with an engineer, a stoker and the sheriff in the cab.</p> + +<p> +The bandits glared from their coverts at Timberlake like so many wild +beasts as he sped by, ignorant of the trick they played upon him, and +nearly all of them gripped their pistols with a burning desire to fire +at him.</p> + +<p> +It would have been too rash to do that.</p> + +<p> +In fact Jesse observed their anxiety, and hissed in warning tones:</p> + +<p> +"Don't drop him!"</p> + +<p> +In a moment more the locomotive was gone.</p> + +<p> +The outlaws emerged from their places of concealment.</p> + +<p> +"How long before Timberlake will discover our ruse?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p> +"If the train goes on, not for an hour yet," replied Jesse, as he cast a +swift glance around. "But we are in a sorry plight now."</p> + +<p> +"How do you mean?"</p> + +<p> +"You know we all lost every dollar we had, playing faro in the city. How +are we going to ride back to Missouri without a cent? It's my opinion +that we'll have to do some work about Wrightstown to get ahead. The last +dollar I had went for the purchase of tickets to Missouri, which we gave +the conductor."</p> + +<p> +The gang looked very glum.</p> + +<p> +"What sort of a place is Wrightstown?" asked Cummins, finally.</p> + +<p> +"I've heard that it's a fisher village. A young fellow named Jack Wright +lives there. He's an inventor of electric machines for flying through +the air, navigating under water, and running over the land. Everybody +has heard of him. He has the reputation of being one of the richest boys +in the country. By means of his famous inventions he has made a barrel +of money."</p> + +<p> +"Then he's our game," said Frank, decisively.</p> + +<p> +"Yes," assented Jesse. "He's about the only one from whom we could +expect to make a rich haul. I hope he's at home. I've got a plan in view +now by means of which I can bunco him out of several thousands of +dollars, if we can operate the game before the Wrightstown Bank closes."</p> + +<p> +"What are you going to do?" eagerly asked Miller.</p> + +<p> +"I'll show you when I try the trick. It's a very smooth game, and if I'm +clever enough I'll succeed. Come on to the village, and see if we can +operate it. We've got to have money. If we can't get it by means of the +plan in view, I'm going to lay out the first man I meet, and go through +him."</p> + +<p> +The rest chuckled at this remark.</p> + +<p> +Going to the village, they found it to be a thriving place at the head +of a beautiful bay on the Atlantic sea coast.</p> + +<p> +There was a bank on the main street, and when it was located, Jesse said +to Frank:</p> + +<p> +"In nearly all banks there is a desk or table, for the benefit of +depositors, on which are pens, ink, deposit slips, and blank checks. You +go into the bank, and pocket several of the checks. There's an old +hostelry down there near the bay called the Sea Spider House. We will +register there, and you'll find us in the bar room."</p> + +<p> +Frank James nodded, and in a moment his compact and wiry body was going +rapidly down the street.</p> + +<p> +Although Frank was a desperate, fearless ruffian, he had a pleasant +face, keen gray eyes, a light mustache, and a most quiet air and +unassuming manner.</p> + +<p> +No one would have suspected him of being a bandit, and as he was a +fairly good talker, full of grit and coolness, and best suited for the +work in hand, Jesse trusted him implicitly.</p> + +<p> +The outlaws registered at the hostelry with as much sang froid as if +their pockets were lined with gold.</p> + +<p> +They patronized the bar liberally, had the drinks charged to their +account, and ordered a fine luncheon.</p> + +<p> +Frank soon returned.</p> + +<p> +He had the blank checks.</p> + +<p> +Handing them to Jesse he said in low tones:</p> + +<p> +"No trouble at all. The clerks paid no attention to me."</p> + +<p> +"They'll soon have reason to remember us," grimly answered Jesse.</p> + +<p> +Telling his companions to remain there until he returned, he left the +hotel, asked a pedestrian the way to Jack Wright's house, and having +received the desired information, made his way there.</p> + +<p> +It proved to be a magnificent mansion, standing in the midst of a +handsome garden which sloped down to a creek.</p> + +<p> +There was a fine big workshop standing at the foot of the garden, upon +the bank of this creek, in which the young inventor constructed the +machines that made him world renowned.</p> + +<p> +Jesse James boldly ascended the piazza, rang the bell, and an old sailor +with a sandy beard, a glass eye and a wooden leg, answered it.</p> + +<p> +His name was Tim Topstay, and he lived with the inventor and not only +aided him to build his inventions, but always went with Jack on the +adventurous journeys he made.</p> + +<p> +"Waal, messmate," said he, in bluff, hearty tones, as he took a chew of +navy plug, and scanned the outlaw with his solitary eye. "Wot kin I do +fer yer ter-day?"</p> + +<p> +"Is Mr. Jack Wright in?" politely asked the bandit.</p> + +<p> +"He are," replied Tim. "D'yer wanter see him?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir, and on important business too."</p> + +<p> +"Then step inter ther library an I'll call him fer ye."</p> + +<p> +Ignorant of the dangerous nature of the caller Tim ushered him into a +cozy library and left him there.</p> + +<p> +A fat young Dutchman was in the room, but he immediately left it, +casting an inquiring look at the bandit king.</p> + +<p> +His name was Fritz Schneider, and he had yellow hair, watery blue eyes, +an enormous stomach and a pugnacious temperament.</p> + +<p> +Fritz and Tim were chums and the fat fellow occupied about the same +position in the house as the old marine did.</p> + +<p> +A few moments afterward Jack Wright entered.</p> + +<p> +The outlaw keenly sized him up and observed that he was a well dressed +young fellow with a sturdy figure, not particularly good looking as his +features were very angular, but his dark eyes showed a very high spirit.</p> + +<p> +"You wish to see me, sir?" he asked, as he studied Jesse and felt a most +repugnant sensation creep over him.</p> + +<p> +"I have called on a begging expedition," bluntly replied the bandit, +inventing a plausible lie. "I live in Missouri, and wish to go home. I +was unlucky enough to lose my pocket-book. I am an utter stranger here, +and did not know what to do to raise ten dollars to pay my car fare. +Having been told that you was a charitable man, I wish to know if you +will lend me the money. I will gladly mail the amount to you when I +reach home."</p> + +<p> +"Why certainly I'll let you have it," replied Jack.</p> + +<p> +"To prove to you that I want the money only for the purpose I +mentioned," glibly preceded the outlaw, "you can make out a check +payable to the bearer, and you will find the voucher stamped or endorsed +by the railroad company in payment for my ticket."</p> + +<p> +"I would have been obliged to give you a check anyway," laughed Jack, +"for I've only got three or four dollars in cash in my pocket. Just +wait, and I'll give you the check."</p> + +<p> +He sat down at his desk, and Jesse saw him pick up several checks +exactly like the ones purloined from the bank by Frank.</p> + +<p> +Jack filled out one of the orders for ten dollars.</p> + +<p> +He handed it to Jesse, and the bandit thanked him like a very grateful +man, repeated his assurance that he would refund the money upon his +arrival at home, and then departed.</p> + +<p> +Jesse James was delighted at his success thus far.</p> + +<p> +Returning to the hotel, he procured pen and ink, retired to his room and +studied Jack's check intently.</p> + +<p> +The signature to it was a very peculiar one that the most expert forger +in the world would have found it almost impossible to imitate.</p> + +<p> +But the rest of the writing was easy to copy.</p> + +<p> +The bandit practiced the formation of the different letters for over an +hour, and made a good imitation of them.</p> + +<p> +"And now to raise Wright's cheek," he muttered in tones of exultation, +when he saw how successful he was.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER II.<br /> +SWINDLING THE INVENTOR.</div> + +<p> +The date, number, amount, and figures designating the amount of money +Jack's check called for were written.</p> + +<p> +Jesse now took one of the blank checks Frank got for him, and imitating +Jack's writing, he filled it in with the same number as the good check; +after the words: "Pay to the order of—" he wrote, "Bearer," as Jack +had done; before the word "Dollars," on the next line he wrote "Five +thousand," and after the mark "$–" he put "5,000."</p> + +<p> +He left out the date and signature.</p> + +<p> +These were unnecessary in the trick he was playing.</p> + +<p> +Having satisfied himself that his writing bore a close resemblance to +that on Jack's check, he laid the check he had filled out one top of the +one Jack gave him with the greatest care, so that all the lines on one +were exactly opposite the lines on the other.</p> + +<p> +This he ascertained by holding them up to the light and staring through +the thin paper.</p> + +<p> +When he had them matched exactly, he located a spot across the width of +both where no writing was seen.</p> + +<p> +Holding the checks tightly together he tore them in two, just as if the +two checks were one thickness of paper.</p> + +<p> +Consequently both were torn exactly alike.</p> + +<p> +Taking off the two top pieces he laid them side by side, joining the +edges where they were torn, and then did the same with the other check.</p> + +<p> +This done he took the right hand piece of Jack's check, upon which were +the date at the top and signature at the bottom.</p> + +<p> +He then took the left hand piece of the check he had made out and put it +to the piece with the signature which Jack inscribed.</p> + +<p> +The check now, instead of being for ten dollars, called for $5,000 and +although a composite thing the signature was no forgery, and that was +the principal writing studied by the paying tellers of banks.</p> + +<p> +It looked like a perfectly genuine check torn in two, for as both checks +had been torn together, the curves of one fit the grooves of the other +piece to perfection.</p> + +<p> +Jesse now burned up the remaining two pieces.</p> + +<p> +"Eureka!" he exclaimed, with an evil smile. "I've done it well. The most +experienced bank clerk in the country would fail to detect the +deception. Now to get it cashed!"</p> + +<p> +He put on his hat, and holding the two pieces of check in his hand, he +left the Sea Spider House.</p> + +<p> +Making his way to the Wrightstown bank, he coolly entered, and +approaching the paying teller's little brass barred window, he thrust in +the two pieces of check and said blandly:</p> + +<p> +"Please cash that for me."</p> + +<p> +"You've torn the check in two," said the paying teller.</p> + +<p> +"I had it in my breast pocket, and as I was coming in the door I put my +hand in my pocket to draw it out, when the end of the check caught in +some books and it ripped in two."</p> + +<p> +The paying teller matched the torn ends.</p> + +<p> +They fitted with the utmost accuracy.</p> + +<p> +He then keenly scanned the signature.</p> + +<p> +Familiar with Jack Wright's checks as he was, he saw at a glance that +the signature was genuine.</p> + +<p> +Without the slightest hesitation he cashed the check, paying the bandit +with one hundred dollar bills.</p> + +<p> +Jesse requested him to give him bills of smaller denomination for one of +the bank notes, and when this was done, he leisurely counted the money, +placed it in his pocket and strolled out into the Street.</p> + +<p> +Here he came face to face with Jack.</p> + +<p> +The young Inventor was just about to enter the bank.</p> + +<p> +The shock upon a man of weaker nerves than Jesse James had, to thus meet +Jack, would have been awful.</p> + +<p> +But the bandit king bad nerves of steel.</p> + +<p> +He did not start, turn pale, or twitch a muscle.</p> + +<p> +On the contrary he assumed a cheerful smile, shook hands very heartily +with Jack, and said in apologetic tones:</p> + +<p> +"I deemed it best to pay for my railroad fare in cash, so I came here +and got the money for your check, Mr. Wright."</p> + +<p> +"It's just as well you did," replied the Inventor. "I'm a director of +this bank, and hold the position of president. The board meets to-day, +and as I need some cash, I'm killing two birds with one stone."</p> + +<p> +"Very clever," said Jesse. "Good-bye. I must be off."</p> + +<p> +"Good-day, sir," said Jack, and he entered the bank.</p> + +<p> +The bandit strode swiftly to the Sea Spider House.</p> + +<p> +He found his companions dining, and joining them, he made a good meal, +and at its conclusion all hands repaired to the bar again, and indulged +in several more drinks.</p> + +<p> +Jesse then startled his companions by pulling out his big wad of bills, +and paying the landlord for their fare.</p> + +<p> +The moment the gang got him alone, Frank whispered:</p> + +<p> +"Where did you get the roll, Jess?"</p> + +<p> +"From Jack Wright," laughed the outlaw.</p> + +<p> +"Tell us about it!"</p> + +<p> +"Certainly. It was the easiest game I ever played, and I got $5,000 out +of it, too. Ha, ha, ha!"</p> + +<p> +Looks of intense astonishment appeared on the faces of his friends.</p> + +<p> +He then explained what he had done.</p> + +<p> +A roar of delight went up from the gang when he finished.</p> + +<p> +"Bully for you, Jess!"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Lord, what a game!"</p> + +<p> +"You've done splendidly."</p> + +<p> +"What a roasting for the bank!"</p> + +<p> +They laughed and chuckled over it for some time.</p> + +<p> +But suddenly the solemned-faced Frank exclaimed in startled tones:</p> + +<p> +"Say! Suppose Jack Wright finds out in the bank what you've done! We'll +have all the police in this town looking for us. Hadn't we better get +out of here?"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, don't hurry yourself," coolly replied Jesse, as he noted the blank +look of dismay on the faces of the rest produced by his brother's words. +"There's no danger."</p> + +<p> +The bandit king always exercised a powerful influence over his brother +and his men, and they immediately became imbued with his reckless +carelessness, and got over the sadden fright which had for a moment +shocked them.</p> + +<p> +Jesse then questioned the hotel keeper about the departure of trains +from there, and learned that they could not leave Wrightstown in less +than an hour.</p> + +<p> +He told his companions the news.</p> + +<p> +Before the train came in which, they intended to depart, another one +arrived from the opposite direction.</p> + +<p> +Sheriff Timberlake was aboard.</p> + +<p> +His locomotive had caught up with the express train, and he boarded her, +and learned that a passenger had seen five men spring aground at the +Wrightstown curve.</p> + +<p> +As Jesse James and his men were not aboard, he at once presumed it was +they who had thus eluded him.</p> + +<p> +He, therefore, alighted at the next station, and boarded the first train +back for Wrightstown.</p> + +<p> +By dint of inquiring, he discovered that five men who answered to the +description of his prey, were at the Sea Spider Hotel, and made his way +there.</p> + +<p> +When he reached the hotel, he learned that the men were there, and had +retired to one of the rooms.</p> + +<p> +Timberlake was a man who never wasted words.</p> + +<p> +When he spoke or acted, it was to the point.</p> + +<p> +He therefore made no remark, but quickly made his way up-stairs, sure +that he had his prey cornered.</p> + +<p> +By moving quietly, and listening at the different doors, he finally +located the sound of several voices coming from the room occupied by the +James Boys.</p> + +<p> +He recognized them at once as the voices of the gang whom he had tracked +to New York.</p> + +<p> +"It's time to get ready, boys," he heard Jesse say.</p> + +<p> +"We've got ten minutes yet," replied Cummins.</p> + +<p> +"Just time enough to reach the depot," added Frank.</p> + +<p> +The sheriff smiled, and produced a brace of revolvers.</p> + +<p> +Flinging open the door he saw the five men in the bedroom, sitting +around a table upon which stood an empty whisky bottle and a deck of +cards with which they had been amusing themselves.</p> + +<p> +Leveling his pistols at the outlaws he cried:</p> + +<p> +"Hands up!"</p> + +<p> +"Timberlake!" roared Jesse.</p> + +<p> +"Quick, obey or I'll fire!"</p> + +<p> +"Caught!" muttered Frank.</p> + +<p> +"I've got the drop on you!"</p> + +<p> +They saw that resistance was simply madness, so up went their hands and +the keen glance of the sheriff swept over the party and he counted four +men.</p> + +<p> +Miller was missing.</p> + +<p> +For a moment there was deep silence.</p> + +<p> +The bandits had time to recover from their panic.</p> + +<p> +"Let up, Timberlake, and I'll give you $5,000," said Jesse.</p> + +<p> +"Not for ten times that amount," replied the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"You can't take all of us."</p> + +<p> +"Two will do–you and Frank."</p> + +<p> +"Will nothing bribe you?"</p> + +<p> +"Absolutely nothing." Jesse uttered a sharp signal whistle.</p> + +<p> +It echoed piercingly through the hotel, and the sheriff started and +demanded with a frown:</p> + +<p> +"What did you do that for?"</p> + +<p> +"To summon assistance," coolly replied Jesse.</p> + +<p> +"You won't get any here."</p> + +<p> +"Oh, yes, we will. You'll see."</p> + +<p> +"I am going—"</p> + +<p> +He never finished that sentence.</p> + +<p> +Miller had heard the danger signal, came up in the hall, saw how the +situation stood, and stealing up quietly behind Timberlake, he dealt the +plucky officer a stunning blow with the butt of his pistol.</p> + +<p> +It knocked the sheriff down.</p> + +<p> +He was hardly prostrate before the whole gang was upon him, and while +one took the pistols away from him, the rest bound and gagged him.</p> + +<p> +He thus was rendered perfectly helpless.</p> + +<p> +When he recovered from the effect of the blow, he found himself at the +mercy of the gang, unable to move or speak, and tied up to the +old-fashioned bed post.</p> + +<p> +"Fool," said Jesse, standing before him, and bending a burning glance +upon him of mingled hate and rage. "Are you soft enough to imagine you +can get away with all of us single handed?"</p> + +<p> +Timberlake did not reply of course.</p> + +<p> +But the look of intense fury he bestowed upon Jesse, amply evinced all +that was passing in his mind.</p> + +<p> +"We are going to leave you here," preceded the king of the bandits, "and +we are going back to Clay County. I'd like to blow your head off before +we go, but that would run my bead in the hangman's noose. If you are +unlucky enough to stumble across my path again, though, I shall be less +merciful. I'd wipe you out as I would a viper."</p> + +<p> +Gagged as he was, Timberlake remained silent.</p> + +<p> +"Come, boys, let us begone," said Jesse turning to his companions. "We +barely have time to catch the train."</p> + +<p> +They filed out of the room, and Jesse locked the door, carried the key +away, and they left the hotel.</p> + +<p> +Making speed, they quickly reached the railroad depot.</p> + +<p> +A train was just leaving.</p> + +<p> +They quickly boarded it.</p> + +<p> +Away they were whirled to Missouri.</p> + +<p> +And that was the last Wrightstown ever saw of them.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER III.<br /> +THE ELECTRIC STAGE.</div> + +<p> +Toward evening a chambermaid in the Sea Spider House went up to the room +which had been occupied by the James Boys and discovered Sheriff +Timberlake bound and gagged.</p> + +<p> +She was very much frightened at first, and ran screaming from the room, +for she thought the apartment was vacant and had gone up to put it in +order.</p> + +<p> +The landlord heard her shrieks, learned what frightened her, and +hastening up to the room liberated the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"Another victim of these villains!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p> +"Have they got the best of some one else?" asked Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +"Yes; the evening paper contains an account of a clever check swindle +they played on the Wrightstown Bank, by duping Jack Wright, the most +respected young citizen in this town."</p> + +<p> +"How long have they been gone?"</p> + +<p> +"They departed a few minutes after you went up here at noon."</p> + +<p> +"Do you know which way they went?"</p> + +<p> +"The paper says they boarded a westbound train."</p> + +<p> +"In that case they've given me the slip again."</p> + +<p> +"Why did they treat you this way?"</p> + +<p> +"I am the sheriff of Clay County, Missouri, and they were Jesse and +Frank James, the notorious bandits, and three of their gang."</p> + +<p> +"Good heavens! and I harbored them here!"</p> + +<p> +"Of course you did not know who they were."</p> + +<p> +"Certainly not, if I had I would have handed them over to the police."</p> + +<p> +"Let me read the newspaper account."</p> + +<p> +The landlord handed him the paper.</p> + +<p> +He read the article, which gave an account of how Jack Wright had been +cheated, and added, in conclusion, that after the inventor entered the +bank he discovered the swindle.</p> + +<p> +The police were notified.</p> + +<p> +They traced the James Boys to the hotel.</p> + +<p> +But when they got there the birds had flown.</p> + +<p> +Hastening to the railroad depot, they discovered that the bandits had +made their escape on the cars.</p> + +<p> +They telegraphed to the authorities ahead of the train at its first +stopping place to arrest the bandits.</p> + +<p> +But the reply finally came back that the cars did not stop there, as the +bandits had taken possession of the engine, and were seen forcing the +engineer to keep the train going by menacing him with their pistols.</p> + +<p> +Timberlake was not surprised at this.</p> + +<p> +He knew that there were no more desperate men than the James Boys, and +was aware that they would resort to any means to escape.</p> + +<p> +"I can't do anything farther," he sighed. "At least, not until I get +back to Missouri. I think I'll call on Jack Wright, and get all the +facts from him of the bank swindle."</p> + +<p> +He thereupon left the hotel.</p> + +<p> +Going to Jack's house, he found the inventor in.</p> + +<p> +Introducing himself, and showing his credentials, the sheriff had a long +talk about the matter with the inventor.</p> + +<p> +In conclusion, he said:</p> + +<p> +"For a long time I have tried every means to capture those bandits. But +they slip away from me with the most remarkable ease every time I feel +surest I've got them. There's a reward of $5,000 offered by the governor +of the State for their capture, and I and a Pinkerton detective named +Carl Greene have been making the most desperate efforts to capture the +James Boys, and break up their gang. We have thus far failed to do so."</p> + +<p> +"Why has it been such a difficult task?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p> +"In the first place, Jesse James owns a horse named Siroc which is +unequaled in speed and intelligence by any horse in the world that I +know of, and he can easily outfoot the fleetest animal that ever chased +him."</p> + +<p> +"Well," asked Jack, "suppose an electric overland engine were to chase +that remarkable quadruped, don't you think he might be overtaken? The +engine I refer to can run at the rate of fifty miles an hour over rough +ground."</p> + +<p> +"Any engine could last longer than a horse, and such a machine as you +mention could outspeed that horse. But, of course, such an engine is an +utter impossibility."</p> + +<p> +"You are mistaken," said Jack, quietly.</p> + +<p> +"How so?" asked Timberlake, with a puzzled look.</p> + +<p> +"Because I have got such an engine."</p> + +<p> +"You have?"</p> + +<p> +"Just finished building it."</p> + +<p> +"And it runs by electricity?"</p> + +<p> +"Entirely so."</p> + +<p> +"Without tracks?"</p> + +<p> +"On the ground."</p> + +<p> +"And at fifty miles an hour?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes. I have tested her to that speed."</p> + +<p> +"This, if true, is most extraordinary."</p> + +<p> +"No, it isn't. I have constructed such machines before."</p> + +<p> +"I've been told you are an inventor of electrical contrivances."</p> + +<p> +"Do you doubt the probability of such an engine?"</p> + +<p> +"Candidly, I do."</p> + +<p> +"Do you want me to prove it?"</p> + +<p> +"By all means."</p> + +<p> +"Then come with me. I'll show it to you."</p> + +<p> +"I am burning with curiosity to see the wonderful affair."</p> + +<p> +Jack smiled and led his caller out into the yard.</p> + +<p> +Proceeding to the door of the workshop he opened it with a latch key and +they entered a very large room.</p> + +<p> +It was cast in gloom.</p> + +<p> +Jack turned a switch on the wall.</p> + +<p> +Instantly scores of brilliant incandescent electric lamps were put in +circuit and blazed out, illuminating the room as if by day.</p> + +<p> +A strange-looking vehicle in the form of a stage was disclosed standing +in the middle of the apartment.</p> + +<p> +Jack pointed at it and said:</p> + +<p> +"There's the machine that will do all I claimed for it."</p> + +<p> +"By thunder, that's an odd looking affair!"</p> + +<p> +"She certainly is a peculiar carriage."</p> + +<p> +"Yet she is very handsome, light, and durable."</p> + +<p> +"Lift one end of her. You will be amazed at her weight."</p> + +<p> +"How can one man lift such a heavy thing as that?"</p> + +<p> +"Try, and you'll see."</p> + +<p> +The sheriff complied.</p> + +<p> +He was astonished to find he could raise her,</p> + +<p> +Jack burst out laughing at his amazed expression.</p> + +<p> +"I can't imagine what material she can be made of!" said the officer.</p> + +<p> +"It's aluminum," replied Jack, "Have you a revolver?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes–a 32 calibre weapon."</p> + +<p> +"If you will put a bullet through her I'll give you $10,000."</p> + +<p> +Timberlake's surprise increased, and he drew his weapon.</p> + +<p> +Aiming it at the vehicle in various places he blazed away.</p> + +<p> +Six shots were thus fired.</p> + +<p> +He then closely examined the Terror, as the stage was named, and +although he saw where each of the heavy caliber bullets had struck the +machine, he failed to find a perforation.</p> + +<p> +In fact he picked up the bullets from the ground fused and battered out +of shape.</p> + +<p> +Jack watched him with an amused smile.</p> + +<p> +"What do you think of that for bullet-proof armor?" he asked.</p> + +<p> +"It is simply wonderful–extraordinary!"</p> + +<p> +Timberlake scanned the engine with newly awakened interest.</p> + +<p> +It was about thirty feet long, by ten in breadth, rode on four broad +cogged wheels, and was set on strong, flexible springs.</p> + +<p> +Under the middle of the car was a powerful motor for revolving the +wheels, in front of the dashboard was a projecting ram over which stood +a search-light of 90,000 candle power, above the forward wheels were air +brakes, the driver's seat was in front, and before it stood a steering +wheel and several levers.</p> + +<p> +All the actions of the Terror were controlled by these levers.</p> + +<p> +Each side of the car was indented with four windows and four +bull's-eyes, there was a door front and back, and a rear platform from +which hung a ladder to get on and off.</p> + +<p> +The lower section of the walls consisted of metal plates, while the +upper part was made of aluminum wire netting, there was a small +smokestack on top of the roof, and on each side a railed platform.</p> + +<p> +Her interior was divided by partitions into three rooms, the forward one +being a general living room containing bunks for sleeping, the middle +one was a combined dining room and kitchen, the cooking being done on an +electric stove, and the rear room was for storage.</p> + +<p> +In it water and provisions, arms and ammunition, tools and many other +useful articles were to be stowed.</p> + +<p> +There were two compartments–one under the sleeping room floor in which +stood the mechanism for running the Terror, and the other beneath the +store room floor, in which stood a small powerful dynamo which operated +automatically by a spring clockwork.</p> + +<p> +All the room lamps and the search-light derived their current from the +dynamo, while it worked the motor, and that in turn operated the driving +wheel machinery.</p> + +<p> +"It don't require a skilled electrician to see how the Terror operates." +said Jack, as he showed the sheriff the interior, "for I have based her +construction upon the simplest known principles."</p> + +<p> +"Oh, I can readily see how she ought to work." + +"I'll give you an example," said Jack, seating himself behind the +steering wheel and pulling a lever.</p> + +<p> +That set the clockwork in motion, it spun the dynamo armature, a current +was generated, flashed into the motor, the shaft operated the machinery, +and the Terror rolled ahead.</p> + +<p> +When she reached the end of the room he reversed the lever and she +backed to the other wall.</p> + +<p> +He then ran her around the room in a circle, steering by the wheel, and +attained a tremendous velocity; he put on the brakes and she stopped +within a few feet, and he turned a switch that caused the search-light +and lamps in her to glow.</p> + +<p> +By the time he finished the sheriff was wild with admiration of the +extraordinary vehicle.</p> + +<p> +"For what purpose did you build her? he asked Jack, when they finished +maneuvering her, and alighted.</p> + +<p> +"Just for fun, I have plenty of money and leisure, and a strong liking +for building these electrical inventions."</p> + +<p> +"But why did you say she could catch Jesse James' horse Siroc?"</p> + +<p> +"Simply because I have made up my mind to do so?"</p> + +<p> +"What! Go to Missouri in pursuit of the James Boys?" asked Timberlake, +as he took up Jack's remark.</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir. I or the bank have lost five thousand dollars by a mean trick +the bandit king played on me, and I mean to recover it."</p> + +<p> +"League yourself with the State Government against the outlaws, and you +may not only recover the stolen money, but you stand a mighty good +chance of winning the standing reward of five thousand dollars for the +arrest and conviction of the James Boys."</p> + +<p> +"The money is no temptation to me whatever," asserted Jack. "I don't +need it. But you must consider that I was greatly chagrined and +mortified when I discovered what a clever game had been played upon me, +and I am very anxious to even matters up with those villains. Besides, I +rather like the wild, exciting adventures in view if I run after those +outlaws."</p> + +<p> +"You must not forget that it may cost your life."</p> + +<p> +"Oh, I am aware of that! And say—"</p> + +<p> +"Well?"</p> + +<p> +"How would you like to accompany us?"</p> + +<p> +"First-rate. I would be of great help to you, too, as I am familiar with +all parts of the State."</p> + +<p> +"That settles the matter then. You go with us."</p> + +<p> +"When will you depart?"</p> + +<p> +"I'm going to write to the Governor of Missouri, and I'll go just as +soon as I get a reply from him."</p> + +<p> +"I'll write him at the same time then, and I feel confident that we +won't be there long before we break up that gang of outlaws, and have +the James Boys behind the bars."</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER IV.<br /> +OFF FOR MISSOURI.</div> + +<p> +The sheriff resolved to remain in Wrightstown, and start from there on +the Terror, with Jack and his two friends.</p> + +<p> +While awaiting a reply from the Governor of Missouri he put up at the +Sea Spider house, and went daily to the young inventor's workshop to +help get the engine ready.</p> + +<p> +Jack had to purchase many necessary articles to equip the electric +engine, and while they were stocking her, he said one day to Timberlake:</p> + +<p> +"As you are the sheriff of Clay County, Missouri, I cannot understand +what, right you had to desert your post of duty there, and go off on a +chase after the James Boys all the way to New York."</p> + +<p> +"That mystery can easily be explained," replied Timberlake with a smile. +"I was taking a vacation, to which I am entitled, when I learned of +their proposed trip to the metropolis to see the sights. Instead of +taking a rest, I became excited into a longing to capture them, and +started in pursuit as a detective would have done."</p> + +<p> +"Oh, that accounts for it!"</p> + +<p> +"You see I always carry with me a warrant for the arrest of the James +Boys and their gang, and therefore was prepared to take them had luck +favored me."</p> + +<p> +Just then Tim stumped up to them, and proffering a plug of tobacco to +the sheriff he asked:</p> + +<p> +"Have a chew?"</p> + +<p> +"No, I never use plug."</p> + +<p> +"Yer werry welcome, said Tim, and he took a bite.</p> + +<p> +"Don't mention it," laughed the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"I've been havin' a awful hard time o' it, Timberlake."</p> + +<p> +"You don't say, Tim! What has happened?"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, 'twuzn't nuthin' wot occurred lately."</p> + +<p> +"To what do you refer then?" asked the perplexed sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"A leetle incident wot happened ter me when I wuz aboard o' the ole +frigate Wabash in ther navy."</p> + +<p> +"Indeed! Was you in the navy?"</p> + +<p> +"A good many years, sir. Whar else did I git this leg blowed off?"</p> + +<p> +"You was just going to mention something that happened."</p> + +<p> +"Ay, ay. So I wuz. Yer see, it happened this way. We wuz a coastin' +through ther Red Sea one brilln' arternoon, watchin' ther monkeys an' +crocodiles on ther Arabian shore when all at onct I noticed a queer +yaller-redness in ther sky on ther Afriky shore. It wuz caused by a +simoom. Great clouds o' sand, driv' by the wind, wuz a-rushin' acrost +ther desert toward ther ship, an' as it came out toward us, we seed we +wuz doomed."</p> + +<p> +"You were in a mighty tight box," observed the sheriff, interestedly.</p> + +<p> +"Keel haul me if we wuzn't," agreed Tim, with a nod. "Waal, sir, we +knowed that ther minute them ere clouds o' red-hot sand came down on +ther ship, it would bury us an' bake us ter death. All my messmates wuz +skeered ter death, an' droppin' down upon thar marrer bones about ther +deck, they begun ter pray like sons of guns. Did I give away ter ther +general panic? Not much.</p> + +<p> +"Cause why? I'll tell yer. A way ter save ther ship an' crew occured ter +me. Wot wuz it? Yer'll see. Yer know as crocodiles is reckoned ther +fastest swimmers in ther water. Waal, sir, as soon as I seed that ere +storm abarin' down on us I knowed as our only chance to save ourselves +laid in runnin' away from it. Now thar wuzn't wind enough for ther sails +ter do it, so wot does I do but gits a rope; then I jumped overboard +right in ther midst o' them crocodiles. Afore yer could count ten I made +a slipnoose fast about ther necks o' forty o' them animiles, got back +aboard the frigate an' tied ther other and o' ther line ter the capstan. +Then I took a spear an' cllmbin' out on ther bowsprit I began ter jab +'em an' away they went, pullin' ther frigate along like greased +lightning—"</p> + +<p> +"Say, Tim—"</p> + +<p> +"I ain't done yet—"</p> + +<p> +"But I tell you—"</p> + +<p> +"Awarst thar! As I wuz asayin' along we went like fury, ther simoon +chasing arter us. It wuz a terrible race an' I yelled and poked at them +ere crocodiles like mad.</p> + +<p> +"In a few moments we wuz makin' eighty knots an hour, an' I noticed as +we wuz pullin' away from that ere storm werry stiddy, ontil at last we +lef it astarn, an' ther ship wuz saved. You'd oughter seed how glad my +poor messmates wuz when I finally cut ther crocodiles loose an' we +sailed in clear water—"</p> + +<p> +"It must have been great," dryly said Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +"Ay now," proudly replied Tim. "That it wuz, sir."</p> + +<p> +"Say, Tim, that would be a splendid yarn only for one thing."</p> + +<p> +"An' wot might that be, Mr. Timberlake?"</p> + +<p> +"Crocodiles can't live in salt water, and as the Red Sea is exceedingly +briny, I don't understand how the ones you captured could have been +there and submitted to being harnessed as you did it, without offering +to make a meal of you."</p> + +<p> +A rather startled look crossed Tim's face.</p> + +<p> +He thoughtfully rubbed his big red nose and gasped:</p> + +<p> +"Gee whiz!"</p> + +<p> +The fact was Tim was an awful liar.</p> + +<p> +He seldom spun a yarn without being tripped up.</p> + +<p> +That is the trouble with most liars; they generally make an error in +their stories which won't stand analysis.</p> + +<p> +"Will you be kind enough to explain how those saurians happened to be in +that sea in such a docile frame of mind, Tim?" asked Timberlake, with a +provoking smile of derision.</p> + +<p> +"No, sir," flatly answered the old sailor, who was utterly at a loss how +to clear himself. "The fact are, sir, as I never gives explanations e' +my yarns, an'—"</p> + +<p> +But here he was interrupted.</p> + +<p> +By the wild shriek of an accordeon.</p> + +<p> +In the hands of Fritz.</p> + +<p> +The Dutchmen hated Tim's yarns.</p> + +<p> +And Tim hated Fritz's music with equal fervor.</p> + +<p> +Consequently, while the yarn caused the fat fellow to strike up his +frantic melody, the music grated on Tim's ears so that a wild desire +entered his soul to pulverize the Dutchman.</p> + +<p> +"Hey!" he howled, shaking his fist at Fritz. "Belay thar!"</p> + +<p> +"Shiminey Christmas, vos yer tink I vould listen ter some more ohf dem +lies mitoud dot I trownd it oud alretty?" fiercely bellowed Fritz, +working away at the wheezy box.</p> + +<p> +"Ye kin dash my toplights if I don't wipe up ther floor wi' yer then!" +yelled Tim, and he made a rush for Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"Shtood beck!" roared the Dutchman. "Stob a leedle, or py yiminey I soak +yer in der chaw mit dot moosic!"</p> + +<p> +He brandished his accordeon in the air by the strap as he spoke, and as +it opened out and his fingers were pressing on several of the keys, it +let out a shrieking groan horrible to hear.</p> + +<p> +Tim did not pause.</p> + +<p> +His spunk was up.</p> + +<p> +As soon as he reached Fritz be gave a whoop and jumped on him.</p> + +<p> +The next moment they were tangled up in a heap on the floor, and a +terrific struggle began between them, the sailor trying to put his +wooden leg through the accordeon, and the Dutchmen industriously +striving to gouge Tim's glass eye out.</p> + +<p> +In the midst of the scuffle, a monkey and parrot came flying in from the +next room, howling like fiends.</p> + +<p> +The parrot was named Bismarck.</p> + +<p> +Whiskers was the name of the monkey.</p> + +<p> +Fritz owned the bird, and Tim claimed the animal.</p> + +<p> +They had once been captured in Africa by their masters.</p> + +<p> +Since then the sailor and Dutchman invariably took their pets off on the +expeditions they made in Jack's inventions.</p> + +<p> +Between Bismarck and Whiskers there existed a deep rooted enemity, which +always culminated in pitched battles.</p> + +<p> +The monkey had been chasing the parrot when Tim and Fritz got fighting, +and as these two creatures possessed more than ordinary intelligence, +they at once determined to take sides with their respective owners.</p> + +<p> +"Whee!" bowled Whiskers, and he hopped on top of Fritz's head, grabbed +him by the hair, and tried to pull it out by the roots.</p> + +<p> +"Mild up, Boilvar!" yelled the slangy bird, as he fastened his beak in +Tim's ear. "Waow! Whoop her up, boys! Cracker! Crack—"</p> + +<p> +Biff! went Tim's hand against Bismarck's head, interrupting him.</p> + +<p> +Bang! went Fritz fist against the monkey's neck sending him spinning.</p> + +<p> +"Wow!" screamed Whiskers.</p> + +<p> +"Root, you sucker, root!" yelled Bismarck.</p> + +<p> +Then he made a dive at the monkey, and as Whiskers scampered away, the +parrot flew after him, plunged his beak in Whiskers' tail, and away they +flew into the next room.</p> + +<p> +Just then Jack interrupted the fracas.</p> + +<p> +"Stop, boys, and attend to business!" he sung out.</p> + +<p> +Tim and Fritz were accustomed to obeying him, and ceasing hostilities at +once, they rose, and the old sailor asked solemnly:</p> + +<p> +"Goin' ter stop playin' if I stops yarnin'?"</p> + +<p> +"For sure, Mikes," replied Fritz. "Put it dere."</p> + +<p> +They shook hands and that settled the matter.</p> + +<p> +Work on the electric stage was resumed, and by noon they had her in +perfect condition for her long journey.</p> + +<p> +When they entered the house they met Jack's beautiful wife and bright +little son.</p> + +<p> +Answers had arrived from Missouri.</p> + +<p> +The governor wrote Jack the following lines:</p> + +<p style="color: navy"> +"Mr. Jack Wright,–In reply to your letter I beg to assure you of my +heartfelt gratitude for your kind offer to try to apprehend the James +Boys and break up their villainous gang. These outlaws have too long +been a terror to the community, and there is not a decent man, woman or +child in the state who would not be glad to hear of the extermination of +the gang. The list of crimes for which the James Boys are amenable is +too long and too horrible to enumerate here in detail. Let it suffice +that there are charges of every description in the category against +them, including many atrocious murders.</p> + +<p style="color: navy"> +"So bitter is the feeling against them that a reward of five thousand +dollars has been offered for the James Boys, dead or alive. I enclose +warrants and all necessary authority for you to act in league with the +officers of this State in the capture or killing of the bandits in +question, and sincerely trust that you will meet with entire success. By +this mail have also written to Sheriff Timberlake whom I am delighted to +hear intends to go with you on your perilous expedition. He is a brave +and true man, in whom I have the most implicit confidence.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right; color: navy"> +Yours truly, John Doe."</p> + +<p> +The papers in Jack's envelope were entirely satisfactory.</p> + +<p> +Timberlake's letter was of a personal nature, and when he finished +reading it, and heard what was communicated to Jack, he said:</p> + +<p> +"Well, now that all details are settled, when do you intend to go in +pursuit of the outlaws?"</p> + +<p> +"To-night," replied Jack. "We have everything ready but the stowage of +our clothing aboard."</p> + +<p> +"Good! The sooner the better."</p> + +<p> +"I tink so neider," agreed Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"That settles it, then," Tim added.</p> + +<p> +It did not take them long to put their clothing and the parrot and +monkey aboard the Terror.</p> + +<p> +When night fell, Jack took leave of his wife and child.</p> + +<p> +They all then boarded the electric stage. Jack taking his seat at the +wheel, and she started.</p> + +<p> +Many people in the village streets saw them as they went flying by, and +heartily cheered them on their way, as the news of Jack's intention had +got abroad.</p> + +<p> +The Terror soon left Wrightstown behind.</p> + +<p> +Following the hard country road he sped along swiftly, and soon was lost +to the view of the villagers.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER V.<br /> +THE JAMES BOYS' MOTHER.</div> + +<p> +The trip to Missouri was made without adventure by the Terror, but her +peculiar appearance aroused the wonder of everybody who saw her during +her journey through several States.</p> + +<p> +Late in the afternoon of a pleasant day she passed Kearney, in Clay +County, and followed an old country road.</p> + +<p> +A few miles from the town she arrived near a neat old log house standing +back in a wooded pasture near the road.</p> + +<p> +This house contained three rooms; in the front yard were several lilac +bushes, and all the way from its fences to the town many farm houses +lined the road.</p> + +<p> +Sheriff Timberlake sat on the steerer's seat of the electric stage +beside Jack, and the moment the old fashioned Western home referred to +came in view he pointed at it and said:</p> + +<p> +"There is the home of the James Boys."</p> + +<p> +"Indeed!" exclaimed Jack, eying the house intently.</p> + +<p> +"Yes; it is the residence of Dr. Reuben Samuels, their step-father, and +the mother of the two villains. She's a Tartar about her boys–a regular +she-fiend in temper, although a woman of fifty-five. Ah–see! There she +is now!"</p> + +<p> +He pointed at the house.</p> + +<p> +The woman, in a gingham dress, stood at the door.</p> + +<p> +She was shading her eyes with her hand.</p> + +<p> +A look of surprise crossed Jack's face as he glanced at her.</p> + +<p> +"Why," said he, "she has only got one arm."</p> + +<p> +"Yes; the other was blown off by the explosion of a hand grenade which a +Pinkerton detective threw into the house some years ago in an attack +upon her sons. There was a younger son of hers killed by the same bomb."</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Samuels was suspiciously and curiously eying the Terror as it +rolled toward her.</p> + +<p> +Then she suddenly disappeared in the house.</p> + +<p> +Her action struck Jack as being very significant.</p> + +<p> +"Did you see that!" he asked the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"Yes. She's a queer, violent tempered woman,"</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps she has gone in to warn her sons of our coming."</p> + +<p> +"By thunder, you may be right."</p> + +<p> +"We'd better search that house, Timberlake."</p> + +<p> +"I intend to do so."</p> + +<p> +"The woman is acquainted with you, ain't she?"</p> + +<p> +"Well, I should say so," laughed the officer. "I've been here often +enough to be pretty well known. My posse has shot bullets into nearly +every square inch of that house and the fence, in our past efforts to +get at the two bandits."</p> + +<p> +"The woman can't have much affection for you."</p> + +<p> +"She would gladly kill me, I believe, if she had the chance."</p> + +<p> +By this time the Terror reached the house.</p> + +<p> +Jack cut out the current and alighted with his companion.</p> + +<p> +They knocked at the door, and a moment later it was opened by Mrs. +Samuels, who glared at her callers and demanded:</p> + +<p> +"Well–what do you want, Timberlake?"</p> + +<p> +"Your sons, madam," blandly replied the officer.</p> + +<p> +"They ain't here."</p> + +<p> +"I am not sure of that."</p> + +<p> +"Search the house if you like."</p> + +<p> +"Thank you. I shall."</p> + +<p> +He swiftly passed inside and went through the rooms, but saw nothing of +the James Boys.</p> + +<p> +Jack remained at the door with the woman.</p> + +<p> +He saw by her nervous manner that she was smothering a feeling of +intense agitation.</p> + +<p> +Whether it came from her aversion of the officer, or because her sons +were around, Jack could not judge.</p> + +<p> +"That's a mighty queer wagon you've got there," she remarked presently, +as she pointed at the Terror.</p> + +<p> +"Yes," replied Jack. "It is designed to run down your sons."</p> + +<p> +She started, and a tigerish look flashed from her eyes.</p> + +<p> +"So you are leagued against them, too, eh!" she hissed.</p> + +<p> +"Yes. I am here to capture them if I can."</p> + +<p> +"But you will never succeed."</p> + +<p> +"That remains to be seen."</p> + +<p> +At this moment Timberlake rushed out.</p> + +<p> +He was terribly excited.</p> + +<p> +A smothered cry of alarm escaped Mrs. Samuels.</p> + +<p> +"I've seen them!" gasped the officer.</p> + +<p> +"Where?" demanded Jack, quickly.</p> + +<p> +"Both were here. She warned them. They got down in the cellar. I found a +tunnel there, leading over to that timber. They had gone through. +Jesse's horse, Siroc, and Frank's horse, Jim Malone, must have been +tethered there, for they mounted and dashed away."</p> + +<p> +"Get aboard, and we'll chase them."</p> + +<p> +"You shall not go!" hissed the woman.</p> + +<p> +She slammed the door shut, and put her back against it, a look of fierce +determination upon her face.</p> + +<p> +It was clear that she designed to delay them so as to give her fugitive +sons as long a lead as possible.</p> + +<p> +Jack saw through her scheme.</p> + +<p> +"Get away from there! he cried, sternly.</p> + +<p> +"You can't leave this house!" she shrieked.</p> + +<p> +"I see through your plan."</p> + +<p> +"Stand back, or I'll brain you with this!"</p> + +<p> +She had been holding her hand behind her back.</p> + +<p> +As she now brought it into view, they saw that she held a hatchet with a +keen, glittering edge.</p> + +<p> +"This way, Mr. Wright!" cried Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +And he dove headfirst through a window.</p> + +<p> +Jack started to follow him, when the woman rushed after him with the +hatchet upraised.</p> + +<p> +There was no such emotion as fear in the mother of the Missouri bandits, +and she had bred her ferocity and evil will into her two detestable +children.</p> + +<p> +Jack's life was in danger, for she could have dealt him a death blow +with the weapon before he could get out the window after the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +He therefore turned upon her.</p> + +<p> +The young inventor was noted for his enormous strength.</p> + +<p> +Avoiding an ugly blow she aimed at his head by nimbly leaping aside, he +seized the hatchet before she could raise it again and made an effort to +take it away from her.</p> + +<p> +She was wonderfully strong in her single arm.</p> + +<p> +In fact, the strength she lost with the arm which had been blown off +seemed to have concentrated in this remaining arm.</p> + +<p> +Jack found it no easy matter to get the weapon, for she held on to it +with great persistence, and exerted every device to delay him as long as +possible.</p> + +<p> +"You shall not have it!" she raved as she struggled.</p> + +<p> +"Let up!" cried Jack, losing patience. "I don't want to use you roughly +on account of your sex and crippled condition. But I'll have to do it."</p> + +<p> +He thereupon tore the hatchet from her hand.</p> + +<p> +Flinging it into the next room, he saw her spring toward him, and make +an effort to grapple him.</p> + +<p> +Struggling with women was very distasteful to Jack.</p> + +<p> +He therefore avoided her and rushed out the door.</p> + +<p> +She ran after him screaming and threatening, but he kept out of her +reach and got upon the stage.</p> + +<p> +The sheriff was already aboard.</p> + +<p> +Jack sent the Terror flying along the road.</p> + +<p> +In a few moments she was out of reach of the woman.</p> + +<p> +There was a door in the forward part of the vehicle beside Jack, and Tim +and Fritz now opened it.</p> + +<p> +"Gee whiz," chuckled the old sailor. "She wuz ther most piratical craft +in petticoats wot I ever seen!"</p> + +<p> +"I don't blame her for trying to protect her sons."</p> + +<p> +"Yah; but she vos delay us!" growled Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"Only a few moments."</p> + +<p> +"There they go now!" cried Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +He pointed up the road at two flying horsemen.</p> + +<p> +They were so far away that their figures could hardly be distinguished, +and their steeds were going like the wind.</p> + +<p> +"What a magnificent black horse," commented Jack.</p> + +<p> +"That's Siroc," informed the sheriff, "Jesse's horse."</p> + +<p> +"We'll overhaul them though."</p> + +<p> +"Let her fly if you wish to succeed."</p> + +<p> +"Are you sure they were the James Boys?"</p> + +<p> +"Certain. I did not get very near them, but noticed that one wore a +heavy beard and the other a mustache. They had on riding boots, with the +legs of their pants tucked in the tops, flannel shirts and soft felt +hats, while around their waists were buckled cartridge belts into which +were thrust a knife and brace of revolvers a piece."</p> + +<p> +"Does that description tally with the general appearance of the James +Boys?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Yes. I am sure it was them."</p> + +<p> +The young inventor put on full voltage.</p> + +<p> +It caused the motor to fairly buzz, and the Terror shot ahead along the +road with the velocity of an express train.</p> + +<p> +She rapidly bore down upon the fugitives.</p> + +<p> +It was a long and exciting chase, though, for Siroc and Jim Malone were +wonderfully fleet horses.</p> + +<p> +Several miles were thus covered.</p> + +<p> +Finally, though, the machine drew close to the two riders.</p> + +<p> +"Halt!" shouted Jack.</p> + +<p> +Casting a quick glance back the riders obeyed.</p> + +<p> +So suddenly did they pull up their steeds, that they rose on their +haunches and pawed the air.</p> + +<p> +The four inmates of the Terror had them covered with their rifles, and +when the horses came down and wheeled around, a shout of chagrin escaped +Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +"Duped!"</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" asked Jack, in surprise.</p> + +<p> +"They ain't the James Boys."</p> + +<p> +"Sure enough. But the horses belong to the bandits."</p> + +<p> +"Yes; that's how I was deceived. Now I see through it. I've been +tricked. I really chased Jesse and Frank from the tunnel. They put these +men on their horses and hid, while their two men rode off to decoy us +from the spot so they could escape."</p> + +<p> +Such was really the way it happened.</p> + +<p> +Jack had stopped the Terror, and now shouted to the two men, who were +part of the James Boys' gang.</p> + +<p> +"Throw your hands up!"</p> + +<p> +Both men obeyed.</p> + +<p> +"Don't fire!" pleaded one of them.</p> + +<p> +"That depends on how you answer me."</p> + +<p> +"What do you want to know, sir?"</p> + +<p> +"You just heard our version of how the James Boys eluded us?"</p> + +<p> +"We did, sir."</p> + +<p> +"Is it correct?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes."</p> + +<p> +"Are you members of their gang?"</p> + +<p> +"We are."</p> + +<p> +"Where have they gone!"</p> + +<p> +"I refuse to tell you!"</p> + +<p> +"Your life depends upon it."</p> + +<p> +"I don't care. I won't betray them."</p> + +<p> +"Fool! I will count three. If you don't answer, we'll fire!"</p> + +<p> +"Go ahead!" was the defiant reply.</p> + +<p> +"One!" exclaimed Jack.</p> + +<p> +The two bandits did not flinch.</p> + +<p> +"Two!" sternly cried the inventor.</p> + +<p> +Still the men stubbornly refused to speak.</p> + +<p> +"Three!"</p> + +<p> +A deathly silence ensued for a moment.</p> + +<p> +Then the weapons in the hands of our friends were discharged.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER VI.<br /> +SHADOWING A LONE HORSEMAN.</div> + +<p> +Although there was a tacit understanding among the crew of the Terror to +fire over the heads of the two bandits to frighten them they imagined +that they were to be shot down in cold blood.</p> + +<p> +It electrified them.</p> + +<p> +An instant before Jack gave the order to fire they plunged their spurs +into the flanks of the horses.</p> + +<p> +One animal sprang to the right and the other to the left.</p> + +<p> +It was done like lightning.</p> + +<p> +Both steeds were well trained.</p> + +<p> +Siroc cleared a hedge and wheeling to the right went flying back in the +direction he came from, while Jim Malone went thundering in among some +rocks and vanished.</p> + +<p> +Both bandits imagined they had a narrow escape from death, although the +fact was they had been in no danger at all of being shot from their +horses.</p> + +<p> +Our friends burst out laughing.</p> + +<p> +"Badly scared," said Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Lord, wot cowards!" Tim chuckled.</p> + +<p> +"Ain't they likely to return to the James Boys?" asked the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"Dot vas more as likely," agreed Fritz. "If dem vas der Chames Poys' +horses vunct, dey vill back by deir owners go, don't it?"</p> + +<p> +Jack peered around.</p> + +<p> +At some distance off to the south was a forest.</p> + +<p> +He caught view of both horses plunging into it.</p> + +<p> +"That settles our pursuit of them!" he exclaimed, in disgust. "We can't +follow them among those trees, and as they seem to realize it, they've +taken advantage of the timberland."</p> + +<p> +"We might keep a watch upon the woods anyway," suggested Timberlake. +"They are bound to come out somewhere sooner or later. If we can get +upon their track we may yet force them to lead us to the bandits' +rendezvous."</p> + +<p> +"It won't hurt to follow the plan," assented Jack; "for we haven't the +remotest idea where to look for the villains."</p> + +<p> +He thereupon steered the Terror toward the trees, and as Fritz was a +good cook and had charge of the culinary arrangements, he set about +getting their supper ready.</p> + +<p> +It was a waste of time to guard the forest.</p> + +<p> +Several days passed by and nothing was seen of the two men.</p> + +<p> +They had gone straight through the timberland at a gallop, and emerging +on the other side, rode rapidly away.</p> + +<p> +Jack and his friends had therefore been watching and hunting for a mere +phantom, as it were.</p> + +<p> +The young inventor quickly arrived at this conclusion, and on the +evening of the third day he said to Tim:</p> + +<p> +"It's my opinion that there isn't anyone at all in the woods, and I'm +going to give up the watch and move on."</p> + +<p> +"Ay, ay, that's ther bes' plan. I quite agree wi' yer, lad."</p> + +<p> +"Those fellows would not be foolish enough to remain in that forest all +this time for nothing."</p> + +<p> +"If they wuz thar, I'm mighty sure as we'd a sighted somethin' o' them +long afore this, my hearty. I recollect when I wuz in ther navy how I +wuz once fooled this way. Yer see we'd been chasin' one o' ther enemy's +ships, an' drove her into a lagoon. Thar we pounded her with our guns, +an' ther crew desarted her, an' went ashore. We sunk ther ship, an' +mannin' ther boats, we pulled ashore arter ther crew. We found ther +shore lined with cliffs a thousand feet high. Thar wus no coast, that +water beatin' up again ther base o' ther cliffs on all but ther +seaward side o' ther lagoon. There wuz one indentation in the cliffs, +covered wi' trees an' bushes, inter which ther hull crew went an' hid. +Waal, sir, we landed thar, an' beat about lookin' fer 'em. Thar wuzn't +no possible way fer 'em ter git away unseen, with ther water in front, +them high cliffs surroundin' 'em on three sides, an' only a small plot +o' ground filled wi' trees an' bushes fer 'em to hide in. So yer see we +wuz sure o' catchin' 'em. Yet, when we'd sarched ther hull place not a +sign o' them wuz ter be found! They'd wanished as complete as if ther +arth had swallered 'em up. Now wuzn't that a worry mysterious +perceedin'?"</p> + +<p> +As Tim asked this, he refreshed himself with a chew of tobacco.</p> + +<p> +Jack did not reply.</p> + +<p> +He had his glance fixed upon the woods.</p> + +<p> +Taking it for granted that he had aroused the curiosity of the young +inventor to fever heat, Tim continued:</p> + +<p> +"Waal, sir, everybody wuz puzzled cept me. Wot had become o' them +lubbers wasn't werry plain. Howsome ever, when they gave up huntin' I +made up my mind as I'd locate ther fugitives. Goin' over ter ther cliff +I examined ther face of it, an' found a trap door. Openin' it, I entered +a cave. Thar they was, armed wi' rifles, pistols, cutlasses and knives, +an' ten o' them sprung ter thar door astarn o' me ter cut off my retreat +while ther rest aimed thar weapings at me. Did I run? No, sir. Wot did I +do? Stood. Wot happened then? Pointin' my finger at 'em I ses, +surrender yer swabs, or I'll blow yer brains out! All o' them wuz so +skeerd o' my threat they begged fer mercy. An' ther joke of it wuz, I +didn't hev no pistol neither. It wuz so dark in ther cave yer couldn't +see ther smellin' tackle on yer figger head, an in that gloom they +mistook my finger fer a gun. Waal, sir, in less'n two minutes I made +prisoners o' ther fifty men, an' marched them out ter my messmates in +triumph. Now how wuz that fer a bloodless wictory?"</p> + +<p> +And with a triumphant grin Tim turned to Jack.</p> + +<p> +The young inventor made no answer.</p> + +<p> +"He must be struck dumb with astonishment!" thought Tim.</p> + +<p> +Then he seized Jack by the arm and shook him.</p> + +<p> +"Say, my lad, how wuz that fer a wictory?" he asked.</p> + +<p> +"What victory?" asked Jack, rousing from a deep reverie.</p> + +<p> +"That one I jist told yer about, o' course."</p> + +<p> +"Did you tell us about something?"</p> + +<p> +"Of course I did. Didn't yer like ther yarn?"</p> + +<p> +"I didn't hear a word of it. I've been thinking."</p> + +<p> +Tim groaned.</p> + +<p> +Jack's answer crushed him.</p> + +<p> +"Oh, gee!" he gasped. "I've been a-talkin' ter myself!"</p> + +<p> +Jack burst out laughing at him, when he realized into what a ridiculous +position Tim had placed himself.</p> + +<p> +Unable to bear it, the old sailor retreated into the stage.</p> + +<p> +Jack then turned the Terror away from the forest, and sent her flying +across the rolling country.</p> + +<p> +He had come to the conclusion to make inquiries at the nearest town for +information about where the James Boys had last been seen terrorizing +the community.</p> + +<p> +It was his hope to thus get on their trail.</p> + +<p> +The gloom of night fell.</p> + +<p> +Heavy, dark banks of clouds covered the sky.</p> + +<p> +The electric stage finally reached an alluvial bottom, through which +wound a broad deep creek.</p> + +<p> +Here she went among a dense growth of bushes, and Fritz served an +excellent supper.</p> + +<p> +While the rest were partaking of the meal Jack remained on duty, and +suddenly caught view of a lone horseman moving slowly along the bank of +the creek like a shadow.</p> + +<p> +As quick as a flash Jack turned a switch, putting out the lights.</p> + +<p> +He could barely discern the horseman, and did not remove his glance from +him for an instant.</p> + +<p> +Jack was suspicious of the man.</p> + +<p> +It did not seem likely to him that any honest wayfarer could be +wandering along that unfrequented section of the country at night, +acting in such a stealthy manner.</p> + +<p> +At all events he made up his mind to keep the man in view without being +seen himself.</p> + +<p> +He therefore graded the speed of the terror to accord with that of the +walking horse, and kept along the clearest ground he could distinguish +in the gloom.</p> + +<p> +The sudden extinguishing of the lights alarmed Jack's friends, and +brought them to the front room with a rush.</p> + +<p> +"Vot's der droubles?"</p> + +<p> +"Anything happened?"</p> + +<p> +"Is ther lamps injured, my lad?"</p> + +<p> +These three questions were discharged at him together.</p> + +<p> +Jack gave a warning hiss, pointed ahead, and said:</p> + +<p> +"I've just spotted a horseman ahead, boys."</p> + +<p> +"Who he vos?" eagerly asked Fritz, peering out.</p> + +<p> +"I haven't got the least idea."</p> + +<p> +"Be yer follerin' him?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes, Tim. Ha! there he goes!"</p> + +<p> +The rider had turned abruptly to the left, out across the course of the +Terror, and headed for a mass of trees, rocks and bushes, that formed a +hollow near the creek side.</p> + +<p> +Jack stopped the machine.</p> + +<p> +He had caught view of a gleaming light ahead.</p> + +<p> +It came from a camp-fire down in the hollow, and flung a lurid glow upon +the scene around.</p> + +<p> +Timberlake gave a slight start and now said:</p> + +<p> +"Do you know that the James Boys generally prefer to make their camp in +just such hollows as this is?"</p> + +<p> +"Is that so?" asked Jack. "Then you have an idea that by following the +lone horseman we have accidentally run into the outlaw's encampment?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p> +"Well, I'm going ahead to see."</p> + +<p> +"I'll go with you, if you like."</p> + +<p> +"Very well; arm yourself."</p> + +<p> +They procured a pair of deadly pneumatic rifles and revolvers of Jack's +invention that hurled explosive ballets.</p> + +<p> +Then they left the stage in Tim's care.</p> + +<p> +Alighting, they crept toward the hollow.</p> + +<p> +In a few minutes they reached it.</p> + +<p> +The lone horseman had disappeared.</p> + +<p> +Jack and the sheriff proceeded with the caution of two cats, and slowly +worked their way down into the hollow.</p> + +<p> +They presently neared the fire, when a startling scene met their view.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER VII.<br /> +THE SHERIFF'S MISFORTUNE.</div> + +<p> +Jack and Timberlake had reached the bottom of the verdure clad hollow, +and were lurking behind a clump of bushes.</p> + +<p> +It was darker down there, if possible, than it had been above, but the +ruddy glow of the camp-fire lit up a patch in the scene.</p> + +<p> +Around the fire were grouped a dozen ruffians, among whom Jack +recognized the two James Boys.</p> + +<p> +Among the others were Jim Cummins, Wood Hite, Clell Miller, Cole Younger +and his three brothers, John, Jim and Bob, Dick Little, Jack Keene, Ed +McMillan, Bill Chadwell, Hobbs Kerry, Charley and Bob Ford and Oll and +George Shepard.</p> + +<p> +The horses belonging to the gang, most of which had been stolen, were +tethered to the nearby tree.</p> + +<p> +An exciting dialogue was going on among the bandits, and Jack and the +sheriff heard Jesse say:</p> + +<p> +"Yes, Timberlake has got the Governor at Liberty to league Jack Wright +against us. It's been hard enough to fight the sheriff's posse and the +military reserve but it's going to be a blamed sight harder to get the +best of that inventor. Wright owes me a grudge. He has soured on me for +doing him out of that $5,000 in Wrightstown."</p> + +<p> +"That machine of his'n must be a wonder," said one of the men.</p> + +<p> +"You have no idea what a dangerous article it is," promptly replied +Jesse, with a fierce expletive. "Ripley and Barker had a taste of it, +though, when the machine chased them on Siroc and Jim Malone. It was +awful the way the electric engine overhauled them, I can tell you. Our +only salvation now lies in leading them to places where the Terror can't +run."</p> + +<p> +"If Barker hadn't put on false whiskers to look like you and if I hadn't +fixed myself up to resemble Frank," spoke up one of the men, "we +wouldn't have no Wright after us. But seeing us on your horses increased +the deception so that we had no trouble about the matter. You should +have seen how disgusted they were when they discovered how we fooled +them."</p> + +<p> +"No doubt," said Frank, with a grim smile.</p> + +<p> +"What are you going to do about the hold-up to-night, Jesse?" asked Jim +Cummins impatiently. "We've arranged to meet here and settle the whole +matter and not gab about things of no interest to the case."</p> + +<p> +"There's plenty time," quietly replied the bandit king.</p> + +<p> +Jack squeezed Timberlake's arm.</p> + +<p> +"They're going to lay a plot!" he whispered.</p> + +<p> +"We'll hear the whole thing," replied the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps we can baffle them."</p> + +<p> +"Yes, if they give themselves away."</p> + +<p> +"Then we can't attack them now."</p> + +<p> +"Not if they have got work in view. If we should tackle them now we +might not fustrate any game they might play when they get away. We can't +expect to scoop the whole gang you know. Some would be bound to escape."</p> + +<p> +"Well, we'll hear what they have to say anyhow."</p> + +<p> +"Of coarse. We can grade ourselves according to circumstances +afterward," whispered Timberlake cautiously.</p> + +<p> +The gang had been drawning closer around Jesse.</p> + +<p> +When they were close enough, the bandit rose, and said:</p> + +<p> +"Boys, we've got a big haul in view for to-night."</p> + +<p> +"What is it, anyway?" demanded Miller.</p> + +<p> +"An express package on the M. & M. road, which will go through on the +midnight express, it's worth $10,000."</p> + +<p> +Whistles and exclamations of surprise and delight escaped the gang.</p> + +<p> +This was something unusually rich.</p> + +<p> +Besides they were all pretty hard up.</p> + +<p> +"Let's hear about it," said Cole Younger.</p> + +<p> +"Well, I was in Kansas City and there learned that the Fourth National +Bank sends a keg of $10,000 in gold coin on the tenth of each month, to +the banking firm of Bradford & Co., in Springfield, Illinois. That train +will reach a point between Polo and Cowgill, according to the +timetable, shortly after midnight. As it is the only train which carries +an express car bound for Springfield, it must be the one we are after."</p> + +<p> +"That's fair to presume," said Frank.</p> + +<p> +"We had better stop it and see!" Jesse exclaimed. "We can hold it up at +the curve, and as there's a dense mass of bushes on each side of the +track, you all can conceal yourselves there until I get the cars +stopped. Then an attack can be made upon the passengers, while I and +several others get into the express car after the keg of money."</p> + +<p> +A plan of operations was then agreed upon.</p> + +<p> +When they finished, Jack whispered to the sheriff:</p> + +<p> +"There are three things we can now do. One is to attack the bandits +here; the next is to notify the railroad people to look out for them; +and the last is to let them attempt to carry out their plan and raid +them in the act. Now, what shall we do?"</p> + +<p> +Timberlake pondered.</p> + +<p> +He wanted to avoid making any mistake.</p> + +<p> +Finally he muttered:</p> + +<p> +"If we were to run away to the railroad to apprise the company, +something might happen that would delay us. Then the villains could +carry out their purpose anyway. We can't do that. Now if we tackle them +here, some of them are apt to give us the slip, an' do the job in spite +of us. I think it will be safer to let them go to the rendezvous, and +try to stop the cars. Then we can sail into them, and frustrate their +plans."</p> + +<p> +"I quite agree with you," said Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Then let us return to the Terror."</p> + +<p> +Creeping silently away, they were getting safely out of the hollow, when +suddenly a sentry came along, and almost stumbled over them.</p> + +<p> +"Hello!" he roared. "Who goes there?"</p> + +<p> +"Caught!" gasped the sheriff bounding to his feet.</p> + +<p> +"Timberlake!" groaned the man, recognizing him. "Hey! Help! Help!"</p> + +<p> +He yelled furiously.</p> + +<p> +The sheriff sprang at him like a tiger.</p> + +<p> +"Shut up!" he hissed, grappling the bandit.</p> + +<p> +"A spy! A spy!" howled the guard, wildly.</p> + +<p> +He clung to the sheriff with all his might, and they fell struggling to +the ground, locked in a tight embrace.</p> + +<p> +Jack was startled.</p> + +<p> +He heard the gang rushing toward them.</p> + +<p> +"Can you manage him?" he panted.</p> + +<p> +"Yes–run!" replied the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +Thinking he might have to call his friends to help, Jack slipped away +unseen, and Timberlake might have gained the mastery of his opponent, +had not the gang at that moment dashed up to them.</p> + +<p> +Surrounding him, they attacked the sheriff upon all sides, and in a +twinkling made a prisoner of him.</p> + +<p> +He was knocked senseless, bound and gagged.</p> + +<p> +As soon as Jack found that the sheriff was not following him, he paused.</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if he's in trouble?" he muttered. "I can't go on this way. No! +I'll return and see."</p> + +<p> +With this resolution he retraced his steps.</p> + +<p> +Reaching the spot where he had left Timberlake, he found that the +sheriff had vanished.</p> + +<p> +Looking across the hollow, Jack saw the bandits mounting their horses.</p> + +<p> +He could just see them by the light of the camp-fire.</p> + +<p> +A moment afterward they went galloping out of the hollow, and he saw +Timberlake a prisoner among them.</p> + +<p> +"They've captured him!" he muttered.</p> + +<p> +Jack's dismay increased.</p> + +<p> +He could not do anything single handed to save his friend, so he hurried +back to the electric stage.</p> + +<p> +"Hello!" called Tim, seeing him alone. "Whar's ther sheriff?"</p> + +<p> +"Caught by the James Boys," replied Jack. +</p> + +<p> +<i>"Ach du lieber Gott!"</i> gasped Fritz.</p> + +<p> +Jack hastily got aboard.</p> + +<p> +"We must chase them!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p> +<img src="images/terror.jpg" width="600" height="505" alt="The Terror" style="border: none; float: right" /> +"Wuz them lubbers down in that 'ere holler?" asked Tim.</p> + +<p> +"Yes–the whole gang," replied Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Den dot feller by horses back vos van ohf dem?"</p> + +<p> +"He was, Fritz, and a nice plot they have formed."</p> + +<p> +"Wot is it?" asked Tim.</p> + +<p> +The inventor briefly explained.</p> + +<p> +When he finished he sent the stage ahead.</p> + +<p> +Tim and Fritz armed themselves, to be prepared for trouble, and they +sped along the course of the creek.</p> + +<p> +Nothing was seen of the bandits for some time.</p> + +<p> +They had gone several miles in this manner from the place where +Timberlake was captured, when the moon suddenly burst from behind a +cloud bank.</p> + +<p> +Just then Jack uttered a stifled cry.</p> + +<p> +"There they are!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p> +"Whar?" eagerly asked Tim, peering out.</p> + +<p> +"Across the creek! See there!"</p> + +<p> +He pointed to the eastward and stopped the Terror.</p> + +<p> +A league away rode a large body of horsemen, and as Jack leveled a glass +at them, he saw that there was no mistake about the matter–they were +the James Boys' gang.</p> + +<p> +"How ve get across dot streams ter shase dem?" asked Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"That's what worried me," replied Jack. "I can't see a means anywhere. +It's bound to delay us. Before we can do anything for Timberlake, they +may kill him."</p> + +<p> +"Ay, ay, an' wot's more," added Tim, "they may reach ther railroad an' +stop them cars afore we kin stop them."</p> + +<p> +"What a pity that I did not have a pair of air cylinders under this +stage!" regretfully said Jack. "We could then have floated her across +the stream."</p> + +<p> +He noted the direction the bandits were pursuing, and sent the Terror +running along again.</p> + +<p> +Tim and Fritz maintained an anxious lookout in the meantime for an +opportunity of getting over the creek.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER VIII.<br /> +HOLDING UP A TRAIN.</div> + +<p> +"Midnight!"</p> + +<p> +"Dere vos der roat."</p> + +<p> +"Ay, but whar's the bandits?"</p> + +<p> +The Inventor had been obliged to run the Terror to the headwaters of the +creek ere they were able to pass the stream.</p> + +<p> +Considerable time had thus been lost.</p> + +<p> +Indeed, it was twelve o'clock before they reached the railroad track at +a point between Polo and Cowgill.</p> + +<p> +"The question is, has the train passed?" said Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Ve ditn'd seen nodding ohf her yet," replied Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"Ay, but that ain't no sign as it didn't pass," growled Tim, as he took +a chew of tobacco. "I recollect when I wuz in the navy how we started +fer ther rendezvous o' a enemy's ship—"</p> + +<p> +"I won't listen!" exclaimed Jack, with a frown.</p> + +<p> +"Waal, I'll tell Fritz," said Tim, in nowise abashed. "Yer see it wuz +sich a dark night we missed ther spot, which was a lagoon, on the coast +o' Georgie—"</p> + +<p> +"Try ub!" roared Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"I'll be blowed if I will!"</p> + +<p> +"I don'd vant ter hear dot yarn."</p> + +<p> +"I don't keer if yer don't. Ter continer: But although we missed ther +lagoon in ther gloom, an runned inter a leetle bay, our enemy did ther +same. Thar we had him. Gee whiz, how we socked it ter him! He sailed +aroun' and aroun' ther bay, an' we arter him. I manned ther long Tom, +an' pickin' 'em out one by one, I gave it ter each o' ther crew—"</p> + +<p> +"For Heaven's sake, stop!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Wot fer?"</p> + +<p> +"How could you see in the dark?"</p> + +<p> +"Why, every time I fired ther moon popped out, an' as soon as I stopped +it hid itself agin," explained Tim, "Waal, sir, arter ther crew o' that +ship surrendered, wot d'yer s'pose?"</p> + +<p> +"Ve don't vos tink noddings!" roared Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"But I wants yer ter, I'll tell yer. We diskivered as ther ship wot we +wuz firin' at wazn't no enemies wessel at all. It wuz our own consort, +an'—"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, you old liar! You positively asserted it was your enemy—"</p> + +<p> +"But I wuz mistooken. I—"</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +A startling report rang out.</p> + +<p> +It came from beneath the stage.</p> + +<p> +The Terror stopped.</p> + +<p> +"By jingo, she's broken!" gasped Jack.</p> + +<p> +"How?" asked Tim, forgetting his yarn.</p> + +<p> +"It must be in the truck."</p> + +<p> +"Himmel! How ve go ahet now ter safe dot drain?"</p> + +<p> +Jack alighted.</p> + +<p> +He quickly examined the gear.</p> + +<p> +"It's one of the driving rods snapped in two!" he cried, finally.</p> + +<p> +"Kin ye fix it, my lad?"</p> + +<p> +"I don't know till I take it off. We are crippled."</p> + +<p> +He got a wrench and unfastened the bolts, took off the two pieces, and +then saw that the rim of one of the wheels had picked up a long stone +which flew around with it.</p> + +<p> +It jammed between the body of the stage and one of the spokes, and the +sudden shock had caused the rod to snap.</p> + +<p> +Just as Jack examined it, he heard the distant tooting of a locomotive +whistle, momentarily drawing nearer.</p> + +<p> +"Here comes the express now!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p> +"Kin yer git her ready in time?"</p> + +<p> +"No. It will take an hour to fix this."</p> + +<p> +<i>"Donner und blitzen!</i> Dey holt her ub!"</p> + +<p> +"No doubt of it."</p> + +<p> +"We must do somethin', my lad."</p> + +<p> +"Arm yourselves, if you're anxious. Don your metal suits. We'll follow +the train. She must be nearing the curve to whistle like that. Hurry up, +and we'll leave the Terror here."</p> + +<p> +They all put on suits of aluminum mail and armed themselves.</p> + +<p> +Then they ran at full speed along the track in the direction from whence +the whistle sounded.</p> + +<p> +The moon was then flooding the scene.</p> + +<p> +Far ahead the polished rails described a curve in a wide, deep cut, +filled with trees and shrubbery.</p> + +<p> +In the middle of the north-bound track stood Jesse James waving a red +lantern to an oncoming train, the headlight of which was blazing upon +the bandit king with a silvery glow.</p> + +<p> +Jesse had a black mask on, and clutched a revolver in his hand.</p> + +<p> +None of the men were visible.</p> + +<p> +The train had slackened speed to round the curve, and as soon as the +engineer saw the danger signal he stopped the cars.</p> + +<p> +"Hello!" he cried, "What's the matter?"</p> + +<p> +"Rail broken!" replied Jesse, approaching the cab.</p> + +<p> +"Here comes the conductor."</p> + +<p> +"I'll speak to him about it. Come down."</p> + +<p> +"Can't. It's against the rules for me to leave the caboose."</p> + +<p> +The conductor and several brakemen had alighted and now came running +toward the outlaw to learn the news.</p> + +<p> +As they drew near Jesse dropped his lantern.</p> + +<p> +That was the signal for his men to emerge, and to the alarm and +astonishment of the train crew, the gang of masked men rushed from the +shrubbery toward them.</p> + +<p> +Jim Cummins and Wood Hite clambered into the cab.</p> + +<p> +There the plucky engineer and fireman had armed themselves with a monkey +wrench and a crowbar.</p> + +<p> +They attacked the two bandits as they climbed into the cab, dealing them +such terrible blows that they were knocked down.</p> + +<p> +Just as the engineer seized the throttle valve to start the cars, Dick +Little and Hobbs Kerry rushed up, and aiming their revolvers at the +driver and stoker, the former yelled:</p> + +<p> +"Throw up your hands!"</p> + +<p> +"All right!" gasped the engineer.</p> + +<p> +He knew he had to do it or get shot.</p> + +<p> +The fireman wanted to resist.</p> + +<p> +A word from the engineer sufficed to change his mind.</p> + +<p> +While Dick held them up Hobbs climbed into the cab and pitched the two +men out, so they could not run away with the train.</p> + +<p> +A swarm of the thieves had approached the passenger coaches under the +leadership of Frank, and dividing into several detachments, each party +took a car.</p> + +<p> +The train only consisted of the locomotive, the express car, two day +coaches and two sleepers.</p> + +<p> +As the bandits crowded into the doorways they began to fire into the +cars to intimidate the passengers.</p> + +<p> +A tremendous clamor arose.</p> + +<p> +Women shrieked and fainted, men yelled for mercy, and a wild panic +ensued that beggars description.</p> + +<p> +The bandits rushed in in the midst of the confusion, and flourishing +their knives and pistols in the faces of the terrified passengers, they +demanded their valuables.</p> + +<p> +Out came pocketbooks, watches, rings, studs, bracelets, lace pins, and +scores of other things.</p> + +<p> +While this was going on, Jesse and several of the men had gone to the +door of the express car.</p> + +<p> +It was guarded by an express messenger, and a trainman.</p> + +<p> +"Open that door!" yelled Jesse.</p> + +<p> +"Never!" came the determined reply from within. "Never for you!"</p> + +<p> +"If you don't we'll blow it open!"</p> + +<p> +"You can't do it!"</p> + +<p> +"We can't, hey?"</p> + +<p> +And crack–bang! went Jesse's revolver.</p> + +<p> +The ball tore a hole through the car.</p> + +<p> +It was echoed by a fusillade from within.</p> + +<p> +Crack!</p> + +<p> +Crack!</p> + +<p> +Crack!</p> + +<p> +Crack!</p> + +<p> +One of the bullets hit Jack Keene, and made him yell with pain.</p> + +<p> +It infuriated the bandits to have the two men resist them in that +summary fashion, and they let drive a volley.</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang! went the shots.</p> + +<p> +"There's but a slim show to hit them," said McMillan.</p> + +<p> +"I'll teach them a lesson!" said Jesse, savagely.</p> + +<p> +He got several sticks of dynamite, tied them in a bunch, and fastened +them along the door sill.</p> + +<p> +Standing back, he aimed his revolver at it and fired.</p> + +<p> +Boom! thundered the explosive.</p> + +<p> +There was a lurid gleam, and the stout planks of the door were torn and +shattered, and a yell of delight pealed from the bandits, for an opening +had been made into the car.</p> + +<p> +The force of the explosion had almost hurled the express car from the +tracks.</p> + +<p> +Jesse made a rush for the opening.</p> + +<p> +He looked like a demon now, for his temper was up.</p> + +<p> +"Charge!" he yelled.</p> + +<p> +After him rushed several of the men.</p> + +<p> +Before they could get into the car, three strange-looking apparitions +came dashing down the track.</p> + +<p> +They were Jack, Tim and Fritz, in their metal suits.</p> + +<p> +Losing not an instant, they opened fire upon the bandits, their bullets +flying noiselessly from the pistols, and bursting with terrific force +when they struck.</p> + +<p> +A roar went up from the bandits.</p> + +<p> +"Jesse!" yelled one of the men.</p> + +<p> +The bandit king gazed at the three daring fellows in surprise.</p> + +<p> +Raising his pistol, he aimed and fired at Jack, there sounded a metallic +click as the ball struck the aluminum suit, and then the inventor +uttered a mocking laugh.</p> + +<p> +"Here's your bullet back, Jesse James!" he cried.</p> + +<p> +Then he fired a shot at the bandit.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER IX.<br /> +A CLEVER RUSE.</div> + +<p> +The bullet from Jack's pneumatic pistol struck Jesse James, and a hoarse +yell of pain escaped the bandit king.</p> + +<p> +He reeled back and would have fallen, had not Oll Shepard caught him in +his arms.</p> + +<p> +"I'm wounded!" he gasped.</p> + +<p> +"Who are they?" hissed Shepard.</p> + +<p> +"Jack Wright. I recognize his voice."</p> + +<p> +"There's only three of them."</p> + +<p> +"But they are firing bomb-shells."</p> + +<p> +"We'll bring them down!"</p> + +<p> +He yelled to the gang, and over a score of rifles and pistols were aimed +at Jack, the Dutchman, and the sailor.</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang! rattled the shots.</p> + +<p> +A hail of leaden pellets struck the trio.</p> + +<p> +But their suits shed the bullets as if they were rain drops, and they +continued to pour a deadly fire into the outlaws.</p> + +<p> +Every time a bullet burst it either scattered and injured many or else +it lodged in a solitary man and blew a big piece out of him.</p> + +<p> +It was impossible to withstand such fire.</p> + +<p> +The worst of it was their bullets failed to injure the three.</p> + +<p> +As man after man was getting wounded Jesse gasped:</p> + +<p> +"By heavens, we'll have to retreat!"</p> + +<p> +"This is awful, and only three of them too!" groaned Bill Chadwell.</p> + +<p> +"To horse!" roared Jesse.</p> + +<p> +He had recovered from the shock of the shot he got and the whole gang +made a rush for the bushes firing back at Jack and his friends as they +went.</p> + +<p> +By this time the train crew recovered from their panic, and those of the +passengers who had weapons drew them and began firing out the windows.</p> + +<p> +The bandits broke into a run.</p> + +<p> +"That settles them!" cried Jack. "They see that they can't hurt us, +while we stand an excellent chance of killing them."</p> + +<p> +"Chase 'em! They've got Timberlake yet," said Tim.</p> + +<p> +The outlaws' horses were concealed among the shrubbery, and they mounted +and sped away through the railroad cut.</p> + +<p> +Jack and his friends ran after them.</p> + +<p> +The inventor now saw the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +One of the outlaws held him on a horse.</p> + +<p> +Jack aimed at the animal and fired a shot.</p> + +<p> +True to its mark sped the bullet, a wild neigh of agony escaped the +animal, and it bounded high in the air and fell dead, the two riders +being thrown to the ground.</p> + +<p> +The bandit was stunned.</p> + +<p> +But the sheriff, although pounded and bruised, escaped fatal injury and +retained his senses.</p> + +<p> +"I've saved him!" said Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Bully fer you, my lad!"</p> + +<p> +"I vill catch dot oudlaw!"</p> + +<p> +While Jack was cutting Timberlake's bonds and ungagging him, Tim and +Fritz secured the bandit.</p> + +<p> +"Well," said the sheriff, when he was free, "this is luck."</p> + +<p> +"I see they got away from you at the hollow."</p> + +<p> +"Yes; I was too confident of beating them."</p> + +<p> +"What were they doing with you?"</p> + +<p> +"They already had my death sentence passed, and were going to put me out +of the way as soon as they finished that train job. But you have baffled +them nicely."</p> + +<p> +"Not only with you, but we stopped them getting into the express car. We +arrived just in time."</p> + +<p> +"Where's the Terror?"</p> + +<p> +"Up the road, crippled."</p> + +<p> +"That's a pity!"</p> + +<p> +"Come back to the train till I see the amount of damage they've done," +said Jack. "Are you hurt any?"</p> + +<p> +"Scratched and bruised a trifle."</p> + +<p> +Tim and Fritz went ahead of them, carrying their prisoner, and when they +reached the cars they found two more of the bandits badly wounded in the +train crew's hands.</p> + +<p> +All had recovered from the panic by this time.</p> + +<p> +The conductor now rushed up to Jack, followed by the train crew and +passengers.</p> + +<p> +He gave the young inventor a hearty handshake, and cried:</p> + +<p> +"Let me thank you on behalf of all the people and myself for your +gallant conduct, sir. If you had not come to our rescue, God only knows +what would have become of us at the hands of the James Boys' gang."</p> + +<p> +"You exaggerate the case," quietly replied Jack.</p> + +<p> +"No, no, no! Gentlemen, three cheers for these noble fellows!"</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!" shouted the passengers.</p> + +<p> +Some of them had been robbed.</p> + +<p> +But the majority escaped, owing to the timely arrival of Jack's party +upon the scene.</p> + +<p> +Moreover, the contents of the express car had been kept out of the +clutches of the bandits.</p> + +<p> +True, the explosion had slightly injured the two men who had been in the +car, but their condition might have been worse had Jack not interfered.</p> + +<p> +All the bandits had vanished except the three who had been captured, and +they were bound hand and foot, and put aboard the car.</p> + +<p> +The conductor took charge of them.</p> + +<p> +He intended to put them in the hands of the law.</p> + +<p> +As soon as the passengers were back in the coaches, and the engineer and +stoker in the cab, every one gave Jack and his friends a parting cheer.</p> + +<p> +The train then moved ahead.</p> + +<p> +"We didn't do so blamed bad arter all," chuckled Tim.</p> + +<p> +"Did yer see me drop forty o' them pirates vi' one shot?"</p> + +<p> +"Forty?" grinned Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"Ay–that's wot I see," Tim answered, haughtily.</p> + +<p> +"Nein! Yer vos misdooken."</p> + +<p> +"How so?" growled the old sailor.</p> + +<p> +"It vos eight hundert. But dere only vos dirty in ther gang."</p> + +<p> +"Come!" interposed Jack. "Quit your fooling, and let us get back to the +stage. She's so disabled that we can't chase the bandits with her now. +The sooner she's repaired the quicker we'll be able to get upon their +trail and hunt them down."</p> + +<p> +They strode back to where they left the Terror.</p> + +<p> +Both the parrot and monkey were yelling furiously inside, and did not +cease their clamor until their owners went in and pacified them.</p> + +<p> +It required several hours to repair the driving rod, and when it was +finished, although not as strong as it was before, it was very firm.</p> + +<p> +They could not do anything further that night, so they divided the watch +and turned in.</p> + +<p> +After breakfast on the following morning, Jack mounted the steersman's +seat, and sent the Terror rolling to the place where the bandits were +last seen.</p> + +<p> +There he saw a large plain trail they had left.</p> + +<p> +"I'll follow their tracks," said he to Tim, who had taken a seat beside +him. "It's an easy trail to follow, and if we have say sort of a chance, +we are bound to run them down in a short time."</p> + +<p> +"I ain't so sure about that my lad."</p> + +<p> +"Why not?"</p> + +<p> +"Jesse James are mighty cunnin'."</p> + +<p> +"That's a fact. He may fool us yet,"</p> + +<p> +"Still thar ain't no harm in tryin'."</p> + +<p> +Jack sent the Terror flying off in pursuit of the bandits, and they ran +out on the open plain.</p> + +<p> +It was a rolling, grassy country.</p> + +<p> +The trail led them on for a distance of about five miles when an old +blasted oak tree was met.</p> + +<p> +Here the cunning of the James Boys was shown.</p> + +<p> +Evidently fearing pursuit, they had ordered the gang to scatter in every +direction, each one going to a different point of the compass.</p> + +<p> +It was then utterly impossible to follow any particular one of the gang, +and know which one it was.</p> + +<p> +Jack was rendered angry.</p> + +<p> +"See there how they've baffled us!" he cried with a frown, as he pointed +down at the scattered trails.</p> + +<p> +"Gee whiz!" groaned Tim, "they've throwed us off ther course entirely +now, Wot one'll we foller?"</p> + +<p> +"If you mean so that we can corral the James Boys, I cannot say–one +trail is the same as another."</p> + +<p> +"Blast thar lubberly hides!"</p> + +<p> +"I've got a plan though."</p> + +<p> +"An wot's that?"</p> + +<p> +"To pursue any one at random."</p> + +<p> +"But mebbe it won't be ther one we wants."</p> + +<p> +"Any one will do. Whoever the man is, we can perhaps catch him and force +him to confess where the rest are to meet. By that means we can find +them again."</p> + +<p> +"Jist ther plan, by thunder!" cried Tim, pounding his good leg with his +fist. "Keel haul me if you ain't got as long a figgerhead as Jesse +James, cute though he be."</p> + +<p> +Jack told Fritz and the sheriff what occurred, and what he now intended +to do.</p> + +<p> +They agreed with his plan.</p> + +<p> +In fact it was the only feasible thing to do.</p> + +<p> +Accordingly Jack selected the most likely trail.</p> + +<p> +He then sent the Terror flying off after it, and she sped along until +the afternoon set in before they finally sighted the man they were +after.</p> + +<p> +Then they saw that he was Frank James.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER X.<br /> +FRANK JAMES' ESCAPE.</div> + +<p> +Frank James was mounted upon his horse Jim Malone, and had paused on the +crest of a hill from whence he gazed back at the bottom traversed by the +Terror.</p> + +<p> +He saw the stage, and realized at once that it had followed his +particular trail to the exclusion of the rest of the band.</p> + +<p> +It was clear enough to him that he could not outstrip the Terror in a +running race, and would therefore be obliged to retain his liberty by +resorting to strategy.</p> + +<p> +What course he could follow would depend entirely upon circumstances, +but he turned over fifty plans in his mind.</p> + +<p> +Jack was a league from the man when he recognized him, but he had a +powerful field glass, which plainly showed him every feature of Frank +James' face.</p> + +<p> +"The rascal sees us," he commented.</p> + +<p> +"Wot's he standin' thar for like a statoo?" asked Tim.</p> + +<p> +"Probably sizing up our intentions."</p> + +<p> +"Dot retskal vos a gone goose," said Fritz, decisively.</p> + +<p> +"Better wait till you get your paws on him before you feel so certain +about it," dryly remarked the sheriff. "If you knew the James Boys as +well as I do, you would realize that no slipperier men exist on the face +of the earth. Just when you are surest you have them is the time you +haven't got the scoundrels. Ha! There he goes!"</p> + +<p> +Frank had galloped away.</p> + +<p> +He went down the other side of the hill.</p> + +<p> +In a few moments he disappeared from view.</p> + +<p> +Jack increased the speed of the stage.</p> + +<p> +She ran ahead like a locomotive.</p> + +<p> +In less than ten minutes she reached the crest of the elevation where +they had seen the bandit.</p> + +<p> +From this point a view was commanded of the country for many miles in +various directions.</p> + +<p> +Jack soon saw the outlaw.</p> + +<p> +He had gone down the valley, and was furiously galloping toward the +rocky, well wooded foothills on the other side of the depression, and +Jack exclaimed:</p> + +<p> +"He is well aware of our weakest point."</p> + +<p> +"Vot veak point?" growled Fritz unwilling to admit such a thing.</p> + +<p> +"Our inability to run among rocks and close setting trees and bushes.</p> + +<p> +"It looks mighty like as if he wuz atryin' ter git inter sich a spot."</p> + +<p> +"You an right, Tim. But he has lost a mile though."</p> + +<p> +Down the declivity shot the stage, and she swiftly reduced the distance +that separated her from the fugitive.</p> + +<p> +As the flying horseman went up the hill on the other side of the valley, +he glanced back over his shoulder and saw that the Terror had arrived +within a mile.</p> + +<p> +Fast as Jim Malone was on a level stretch, he could not race up the +steep grade of a hill with anything like the speed at which the Terror +went.</p> + +<p> +In consequence, long before the bandit reached the plateau he was +heading for, the engine was close behind him.</p> + +<p> +Jack sat outside steering.</p> + +<p> +He did not have on his armor.</p> + +<p> +Frank suddenly paused.</p> + +<p> +Wheeling his horse around he raised his rifle.</p> + +<p> +Crack–bang!</p> + +<p> +It was a good shot.</p> + +<p> +The bullet struck the stage within an inch of Jack's head.</p> + +<p> +Frank dared not remain to attempt it again as every second was precious +now.</p> + +<p> +He therefore dashed away again.</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang! came three shots.</p> + +<p> +Tim, Fritz and the sheriff had fired.</p> + +<p> +Exploding around Frank the awful bullets tore up the ground, chipped the +rocks, trees and bushes and stung the horse, but failed to injure the +rider.</p> + +<p> +The bandit reached the shelter of the rocks and trees on the plateau +before any of the bullets hit him.</p> + +<p> +He then disappeared.</p> + +<p> +Along thundered the electric stage.</p> + +<p> +She had a hard climb, but her dynamo and motor were very powerful, and +carried her up to the level ground.</p> + +<p> +There she got on Frank's trail again.</p> + +<p> +The plateau was a picturesque place, as it was covered with flowers, +tumbled rocks, vine-clad trees, and dense shrubbery.</p> + +<p> +A plain track through it was seen.</p> + +<p> +"We'll reach him in a few moments!" muttered Jack.</p> + +<p> +He cast his glance ahead, and as the ground gently sloped down from +there, he saw the outlaw.</p> + +<p> +And he also saw a wide chasm.</p> + +<p> +It stretched straight across the horse's path.</p> + +<p> +Frank James was caught in a sort of natural trap, for he had gone +plunging in between two steep rocky walls.</p> + +<p> +He could not turn to the left or right, and ahead of his sweating horse +there yawned the wide deep chasm.</p> + +<p> +If he wished to escape he would have to clear the gulf, and as it was +fully twenty-five feet wide, such a feat seemed to be entirely out of +the question.</p> + +<p> +He glanced back again.</p> + +<p> +The Terror was swiftly coming along after him.</p> + +<p> +It rendered the fugitive desperate.</p> + +<p> +He headed his gallant steed straight for the chasm and plunged toward it +a furious pace.</p> + +<p> +"By heavens, he is going to attempt to leap that split!" cried Jack, +observing what the outlaw intended doing.</p> + +<p> +"He can't clear it, said Tim.</p> + +<p> +"Vell, he vos got der nerve ter dry!" Fritz exclaimed.</p> + +<p> +"He's bound to go down!" cried Timberlake, excitedly.</p> + +<p> +"If he does, he may perish!" said the inventor. "The man must be +fearfully desperate to attempt the jump."</p> + +<p> +"Gief him a hall vunct."</p> + +<p> +"Hey, Frank James!" called Jack.</p> + +<p> +The man looked back, but did not answer.</p> + +<p> +He did not look in the least unnerved by the terrible ordeal.</p> + +<p> +Jack could not help admiring his courage.</p> + +<p> +He hailed him again from sheer pity.</p> + +<p> +"Halt there, you madman, you are committing suicide.</p> + +<p> +"You'll not nab me!" came back the defiant reply.</p> + +<p> +"Pause–quick! We'll spare you."</p> + +<p> +"Never! Good-bye! Now, Jim, up, boy, up!"</p> + +<p> +The gallant horse seemed to gather every muscle to a high tension when +he reached the verge of the chasm.</p> + +<p> +He bounded high in the air.</p> + +<p> +For an instant the horse and rider were poised there.</p> + +<p> +It was a brave effort.</p> + +<p> +But it failed.</p> + +<p> +Three-fourths of the distance was covered.</p> + +<p> +Then down the animal plunged into the abyss.</p> + +<p> +As they sunk out of sight Jack whirled the wheel around and applied the +air brake.</p> + +<p> +The Terror barely had time to swing around to avoid the edge of the +chasm, and a cloud of dirt and dust flew up from beneath her wheels.</p> + +<p> +She quickly paused.</p> + +<p> +Jack alighted.</p> + +<p> +Going to the edge of the abyss he peered down.</p> + +<p> +It was not more than twenty feet deep.</p> + +<p> +Along the bottom flowed a wide, deep mountain stream.</p> + +<p> +Frank James and his horse had alighted in it without the slightest +injury, and Jack saw the beast swim ashore and wade out.</p> + +<p> +They had been swept some distance down the stream by the fierce current, +and had got out near a wide opening in the rocks on the side opposite +Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Stop where you are!" shouted Jack.</p> + +<p> +The drenched fugitive looked at him and laughed ironically.</p> + +<p> +Then he dashed ahead, for Jack had drawn a pistol, and was aiming it at +him.</p> + +<p> +Just as the horse leaped into the opening in the rocks, the young +inventor fired at the bandit.</p> + +<p> +The ball cut the spot Frank had just evacuated, and striking against the +rocks, exploded there.</p> + +<p> +Up jumped the young inventor, and he ran along until he arrived opposite +the split rocks.</p> + +<p> +But he failed to see the fugitive as Frank had gone around a bend in the +opening, and was then hidden from view.</p> + +<p> +As he could not do anything there, he hastened back to the Terror, +sprang aboard, and started her back the way she came from, at the same +time telling his friends what happened.</p> + +<p> +Jack made a wide detour, and passed the end of the gorge.</p> + +<p> +The stream there broadened and became so shallow that he easily drove +the stage through it.</p> + +<p> +Reaching the other side, he began a search for Frank, but it finally +proved to be in vain.</p> + +<p> +The shadows of twilight fell when he finally gave up the hunt and headed +for a tiny hamlet near where he was.</p> + +<p> +It was a place which had built up about a general store, at which the +stage coach, paused which carried passengers from the northern railroads +who wished to make connections with the smaller branch lines dissecting +that portion of the state.</p> + +<p> +At this place–called Jones' Corners–there was a big surprise in store +for our friends.</p> + +<p> +It came about when Jack drove the Terror up to the store and quietly +made inquiries of the owner as to whether he had seen a man answering to +Frank James' description about that vicinity that day.</p> + +<p> +The man told him he had seen such an individual.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XI.<br /> +A SUSPECTED PLOT.</div> + +<p> +The store at which the electric stage paused was a small, dingy place, +used as a grocery, a post-office, a saloon, and, in fact, half a dozen +different kinds of business.</p> + +<p> +Its owner was a typical Missourian, in raw hide boots, his pants tucked +in the legs, a flannel shirt upon his ample body, a felt hat on his long +hair, and one of his bewhiskered cheeks distended with a huge quid of +tobacco.</p> + +<p> +When he had eyed the electric machine, and commented upon it at some +length, he finally said:</p> + +<p> +"Yas, neighbur, I reckon thar wuz sich erchap hyar ez you wuz quizzin me +erbout. It's ergoin' on two hour ergo as he stuck his nose into this ere +place, an' ast me all erbout ther runnin' er that stage-coach from hyer +ter Independence."</p> + +<p> +"Asked you about the stage-coach, eh!" said Jack, his attention +particularly attracted by this remark. "What did you tell the gentleman +about it?"</p> + +<p> +"Why, I jist guv him ther time table all erlong its route, an', ses I, +thar's ter be one erlong ter-night erbout ten er-clock from ther +south'ard, which'll stop hyar ter water ther nags. It ginerally kerries +from five ter ten people, yer see, an' I allers hev ter laugh when I +hears how skeered they gits while er-crossin' ther ledge down yander on +thet ere spur er ther hills."</p> + +<p> +"Dangerous place?"</p> + +<p> +"Wall, I reckon it be. Hev a chaw er terbacker?"</p> + +<p> +"No, I thank you. What time does the stage leave the next town?"</p> + +<p> +"Nine o'clock–it's jist one hour difference."</p> + +<p> +"Did the gentleman inquire particularly about this stage?"</p> + +<p> +"Certain. It's ther only one wot's due fer two days."</p> + +<p> +"Did he say anything about the ledge?"</p> + +<p> +"Sure he did, an' axed me werry pertickler all about it. I was +erwondsrin' wot he was erquizzin' me about so much, but reckon it wuz +only his pesky curiosity."</p> + +<p> +"Very likely," said Jack, in grim tones. "Then he rode off?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes, an' or mighty likely nag it wuz, too, which he called Jim."</p> + +<p> +"That's Jim Malone," thought Jack.</p> + +<p> +The information he received plainly showed him that Frank James intended +to rob the people of the Independence stage at the mountain ledge.</p> + +<p> +In order to do this he would very likely summon some of the gang and be +at the pass at nine o'clock that night.</p> + +<p> +The storekeeper had no idea of this.</p> + +<p> +Indeed, as he did not know who Frank James was, not a suspicion of the +truth of the matter was likely to enter his mind, for the bandit led him +to suppose he was anxious to travel to the northern main line on that +vehicle.</p> + +<p> +"In which direction did that man go?" asked Jack, in conclusion.</p> + +<p> +"Ter ther west'ard. But why d'yer want all or this infermation?"</p> + +<p> +"Simply became he is one of the James Boys."</p> + +<p> +"Holy–jumpin'–jingo!" gasped the man.</p> + +<p> +"He intends to rob that stage!"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, thunder! wot er big fool I wuz ter post him!"</p> + +<p> +"We will block his game. You keep mum."</p> + +<p> +"Yes kin jist bet I will!"</p> + +<p> +Jack returned aboard the Terror, and told his friends all he had +learned, and a consultation was held.</p> + +<p> +It was then seven o'clock.</p> + +<p> +They had but little time to waste,</p> + +<p> +"Our plan to save the people in that stage coach from robbery is a very +simple one," said Jack. "We must run ahead and intercept them."</p> + +<p> +"Supposin' them 'ere lundsharks is on ther road now? They will sight us +again along ther trail," said Tim.</p> + +<p> +"We can make a detour," replied Jack. "The only place they are apt to +use to waylay the coach will be along the ledge mentioned by the +storekeeper."</p> + +<p> +"Fer sure." assented Fritz, "Ach, I vish me dot ve vos fighdin' dem now! +Let her gone, Shack!"</p> + +<p> +The inventor started the Terror off.</p> + +<p> +It had begun to rain.</p> + +<p> +There was every indication of a wet night.</p> + +<p> +Jack had informed himself about the roads.</p> + +<p> +Both he and Tim put on their rubber clothing and occupied the front +seat, where they managed the wheel.</p> + +<p> +A detour was made, and several miles further along they struck into the +high road again.</p> + +<p> +"If the stage-coach in any manner resembles the Terror," said the young +inventor, as they ran along, "I think I know of a way in which we can +substitute this vehicle for it and fool the bandits, should they waylay +her."</p> + +<p> +"Decoy 'em, eh?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes. We can easily disguise this coach."</p> + +<p> +"By hitchin' ther stage horses onter it, yer kin do it."</p> + +<p> +"I'll make the venture anyway, if I can meet the stage."</p> + +<p> +"When I wuz aboard o' ther frigate Wabash, we once played that ere trick +on a pirate," said Tim. "Yer see, it happened—"</p> + +<p> +But Fritz heard him.</p> + +<p> +And produced his accordeon.</p> + +<p> +Its horrible tones rang out.</p> + +<p> +Tim stopped and was just going to expostulate, when Jack put an end to +the playing by saying:</p> + +<p> +"Stop that, Fritz!"</p> + +<p> +"But dot yarn—"</p> + +<p> +"The road agents may hear it."</p> + +<p> +That settled it; the music ceased.</p> + +<p> +It made Tim chuckle, and he said:</p> + +<p> +"Gosh blame yer fat mug, I'll spin ther yarn anyway now! As I wuz +a-tellin' yer, we wuz arter a pirate, an' as a passin' ship captain told +us he seen ther lubber a-hidin' in a bay, we made up our minds ter +disguise ther frigate so's ter haul up inter gun range o' ther lubber. +So we sot ter work, an' paintin' her white, we altered her rig, an' bore +down on ther bay. In we went, but ther pirate had gone. Whar? Nobody +knowed. We was disappinted. Whar wuz we ter look next? No one knowed. So +we sailed away. Night fell. We hadn't gone far afore we sighted her ten +leagues away ter ther—"</p> + +<p> +"Say! You can't see thirty miles at night."</p> + +<p> +"I meant to say three leagues—"</p> + +<p> +"Nor three leagues—"</p> + +<p> +"One league then, gosh blame it!"</p> + +<p> +"That's better."</p> + +<p> +"Waal, we sighted her b'arin' down on us."</p> + +<p> +"And then?" asked Jack, smilingly.</p> + +<p> +Why, we let her git right up ter us, thinkin' she had a easy wictim. +Then we turned on her to fire, an' blow her ter pieces. Wot wuz our +horror ter find as our powder got so wet we couldn't use it. Bein' as +ther guns wuz useless, wot did we do? Perpared ter board ther lubber. Up +ter her we dashed. Over flew ther grapplin' irons.</p> + +<p> +"On her deck swarmed her crew. Down in her hold they chased ther +pirates. But that wuz only a ruse on thar part. As soon's our crew went +below, up came ther lubbers through ther hatch, an' fastened our marines +down in ther hold. They wuz prisoners. I alone wuz lef aboard ther +Wabash. Seein' 'em makin' a rush fer our deck I grabbed a ax an' cut +ther grapplin's. We drifted apart afore they could board ther frigate. +Seein' as all wuz lost onless I licked ther swabs, I manned ther guns +an' gave 'em broadside ar ter broadside. I smashed thar ship ter pieces. +She went down never ter rise again. Most o' her crew wuz killed. Them +wot wuzn't swum on ther sea. Then I amused myself firin' shots at thar +heads. I took 'em off as clean as a whistle every time I let 'em have +it. In jest four minutes by ther clock they was all gone. Turnin' ter my +messmates—"</p> + +<p> +"Confined in the pirate's hold, they all went to the bottom with the +ship," said Jack, quietly.</p> + +<p> +"I–oh–ouch!"</p> + +<p> +"The powder was so wet you couldn't use it. But in spite of this you did +some remarkably good shooting, didn't you, Tim?"</p> + +<p> +"Wha'–wha–what d'yer mean?" feebly stammered the old sailor.</p> + +<p> +"Just what you said," laughed Jack.</p> + +<p> +"I must a fergot about sayin' that."</p> + +<p> +"Very likely. Will you acknowledge now that I've got you?"</p> + +<p> +"Ay, ay. There's no help for it."</p> + +<p> +"In a big lie?"</p> + +<p> +"But, my lad—"</p> + +<p> +"Tell the truth once in your life!"</p> + +<p> +"Waal, I owns up," groaned Tim.</p> + +<p> +It was a severe hardship to do it.</p> + +<p> +But there was no help for him, he realized.</p> + +<p> +Jack burst into a hearty peal of laughter.</p> + +<p> +The sheriff and the Dutchman, inside the stage, had heard all that +passed, and they fairly yelled over Tim's discomfiture.</p> + +<p> +"Nipped that time, Tim," laughed Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +"Shiminey Christmas, ditn'd he got it by der neck!" grinned Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"Tell as the rest of the yarn, Tim."</p> + +<p> +"Yah. Ve vos litsten," added Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"Awast yer lubbers!" growled the old fellow, sourly.</p> + +<p> +They might have chaffed him considerably more, but just then Jack +interrupted them with the startled exclamation:</p> + +<p> +"Hark, boys!"</p> + +<p> +"Vos iss?" eagerly asked Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"Horses' hoofs coming!"</p> + +<p> +"Ay, ay, I hears 'em!" said Tim.</p> + +<p> +"There's a wagon, too," the sheriff added.</p> + +<p> +The sound was rapidly approaching along the road.</p> + +<p> +All listened intently, and soon distinguished the steady pounding of +hoofs and the rumble of wheels.</p> + +<p> +A few moments later they caught view of two bright lamps on the vehicle, +shining ahead, with a steady glow, through the falling rain drops.</p> + +<p> +"That looks like a stage," muttered Jack, "but we will know positively +in a moment more."</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XII.<br /> +THE FIGHT IN THE CANYON.</div> + +<p> +"Halt! Who goes there?"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Lor'! what's this?"</p> + +<p> +"Is that the Independence stage?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes. Don't shoot! I cave!"</p> + +<p> +"Ah! do not alarm yourselves; we are friends."</p> + +<p> +Jack turned on the search-light as he spoke and beheld four horses +pulling an old fashioned yellow stage coach, on each side of which +burned two lamps.</p> + +<p> +Upon the box sat an old jehu, Sandy Ellis by name, who had driven that +vehicle for quarter of a century over that route.</p> + +<p> +He was a gray-whiskered old fellow, with a bony face and a long red +nose, and his stage contained half a dozen people, who were excitedly +discussing the stoppage and the meaning of that brilliant electric +light.</p> + +<p> +"For the Lord's sake, boy, what's that you've got there–the sun?"</p> + +<p> +"Only an electric search-light," laughed Jack.</p> + +<p> +"But where's your team?"</p> + +<p> +"Don't need any for this electric stage."</p> + +<p> +"What's that–a sort of a trolley car?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes, without the overhead pole and wire."</p> + +<p> +"Thunderation! this beats everything! What do you want?"</p> + +<p> +"I wish to protect you from the James Boys."</p> + +<p> +"Say, now, is them varmints around?"</p> + +<p> +"Laying for this stage,"</p> + +<p> +"Wow!" gasped Sandy. "That's terrible, so it is!"</p> + +<p> +Jack gave all hands an account of what happened, and when he finished +the stage passengers were in a cold sweat.</p> + +<p> +They wanted to turn right back.</p> + +<p> +But Jack wouldn't allow this.</p> + +<p> +"I ain't sure whether they're ahead or behind us," said he. "At any rate +you can't turn back now."</p> + +<p> +"But they may kill us!" said a fat man in the stage.</p> + +<p> +"They're bound to rob as anyway," asserted a man with a valise filed +with genuine diamond jewelry samples.</p> + +<p> +"That depends entirely upon all hands present," said Jack. "Are all of +you armed?"</p> + +<p> +Every one but a woman in the stage assented, and Sandy pulled out a big +navy revolver from his boot leg, and remarked:</p> + +<p> +"You can just gamble on it I am."</p> + +<p> +"Any of you afraid to fight, if it became necessary?"</p> + +<p> +"I'd rather not if I could avoid It," replied a thin fellow, with a +hacking cough. "Fighting isn't my fort."</p> + +<p> +"Waal, I guess you'll pull a trigger if you saw a gang of masked bandits +trying to bore a hole in your head."</p> + +<p> +"I fancy I would."</p> + +<p> +"That's settled then. Now you see my stage?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes, and a queer one she is!" commented Sandy.</p> + +<p> +"She is bullet proof. I propose that as she is safer than your +ramshackle old wooden affair, all hands get inside of her, and let me +carry you through."</p> + +<p> +"But what about my horses?" asked Sandy.</p> + +<p> +"Hitch them on to this vehicle. Throw those rubbers over my stage to +hide her outline. You can also put your lamps on here and drive for us. +That will draw the bandits from cover. My friends are all armed and +ready to fire the moment they show their noses."</p> + +<p> +Every one but the lady liked the plan.</p> + +<p> +She, of course, was averse to fighting of any kind.</p> + +<p> +As there was no way out of their dilemma, and Jack's offer gave promise +of protecting them from robbery and, perhaps, death, every-one got into +the Terror.</p> + +<p> +The lamps and horses were transferred.</p> + +<p> +"You can leave the stage here," said Jack to Sandy.</p> + +<p> +"No one will molest it until you return for it to-morrow."</p> + +<p> +"Are you pretty sure about them there James Boys?"</p> + +<p> +"Decidedly, or I wouldn't have troubled myself to do this for you," +replied Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Well, it would do no harm, even if we are disappointed about meeting +them," said the old driver.</p> + +<p> +They had been obliged to tie the traces to the Terror, but there was no +pull on them as Sandy had only to keep his horses trotting while Jack +made the machine run itself.</p> + +<p> +Owing to the gloom of the night, the rubbers on the body of the Terror, +the horses, lamps and driver any one would have imagined it was the +regular old stage coach.</p> + +<p> +The people inside talked in low tones and every man aboard held his +weapon ready for use.</p> + +<p> +Down pattered the rain drops with a monotonous sound, and the hoofs of +the four horses splashed up the muddy water from the puddles in the road +and beat on the hard ground with the regularity of clockwork.</p> + +<p> +They rattled along in this manner for quarter of an hour and ran from +the regular road into a dark canyon.</p> + +<p> +Here the walls towered up hundreds of feet.</p> + +<p> +It was a very gloomy place.</p> + +<p> +"We must be pretty near the ledge road now, ain't we?" Jack asked.</p> + +<p> +"Yes; in five minutes this 'ere canyon will swing us out on it," replied +Sandy. "That's where we're to look for them, ain't it?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes–if not sooner—"</p> + +<p> +"Hark! D'you hear that?"</p> + +<p> +Jack listened intently.</p> + +<p> +The wind was howling over the crags.</p> + +<p> +All the trees and bushes were loudly rustling.</p> + +<p> +But it was not this that attracted the driver's attention.</p> + +<p> +Jack quickly caught the sound of pattering hoofs coming toward the +vehicle from both sides.</p> + +<p> +Then a stentorian voice roared out:</p> + +<p> +"Halt!"</p> + +<p> +"What–me!" shouted Sandy.</p> + +<p> +"Yes–you!" came the reply.</p> + +<p> +And at the same moment Jesse James, mounted on his wonderful coal black +steed, Siroc, dashed up beside the stage.</p> + +<p> +He was followed by his entire band.</p> + +<p> +Although he and the rest were masked, Jack knew his voice at once, and +shrank back to conceal his features in the collar of his rubber coat, +which was turned up around his neck.</p> + +<p> +In a moment the whole gang was about the Terror.</p> + +<p> +Sandy reined in his horses.</p> + +<p> +Then he growled:</p> + +<p> +"What do you want?"</p> + +<p> +"Throw up your hands!"</p> + +<p> +"No, I won't! You're thieves!"</p> + +<p> +"Obey, or I'll blow your head off."</p> + +<p> +This order was accompanied by the click of a pistol, and it was poked +over toward the old driver's face.</p> + +<p> +Sandy dropped the reins, and Jack stopped the Terror.</p> + +<p> +This was no sooner done when two of the bandits cut the traces, and +delivering the horses a blow, sent them galloping away.</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Lor'! There goes my nags!" roared Sandy.</p> + +<p> +"Shut up, and hand over your valuables."</p> + +<p> +"Ain't got none!" roared the old driver.</p> + +<p> +"Give me some light, boys, and we'll go through the passengers."</p> + +<p> +The next moment a dozen dark lanterns in the hands of the horsemen +flashed out upon the Terror.</p> + +<p> +They recognized her instantly.</p> + +<p> +"Duped!" yelled Jesse. "It's the electric stage!"</p> + +<p> +"Fire, boys!" shouted Jack.</p> + +<p> +A deadly volley was poured from within the Terror, and many a yell of +pain from the outlaws plainly told how effective some of them had been.</p> + +<p> +They dashed their lanterns to the ground and galloped off.</p> + +<p> +But that did no good.</p> + +<p> +Jack turned on the search-light.</p> + +<p> +Its broad glare brightly lit up the canyon, and they saw the bandits +galloping ahead of them.</p> + +<p> +"Give it to them again!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p> +The inmates of the Terror let drive a second volley.</p> + +<p> +Crack, bang!</p> + +<p> +Crack, bang!</p> + +<p> +Crack, bang!</p> + +<p> +Shot after shot pealed out.</p> + +<p> +Jesse James never was more furious.</p> + +<p> +He yelled at his men, and then screamed:</p> + +<p> +"Fire back! Obey, or I'll fire at you yourselves!"</p> + +<p> +"By thunder, this was a surprise!" groaned Frank.</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang! went the shots fired by the gang.</p> + +<p> +A storm of bullets flew back at the stage.</p> + +<p> +Poor old Sandy Ellis suffered death for his temerity.</p> + +<p> +A bullet struck him in the breast, and he uttered a groan and fell to +the ground, never to rise again.</p> + +<p> +"They've killed Sandy!" cried Jack.</p> + +<p> +His words aroused the rage of the inmates of the Terror.</p> + +<p> +"B'ar down on ther pirates!" gasped Tim.</p> + +<p> +Jack sent the machine racing after the bandits.</p> + +<p> +There was one of the masked riders directly in front of the Terror, and +the villain turned in his saddle, aimed a revolver point-blank at Jack, +and was just upon the point of firing when the ram struck his horse.</p> + +<p> +It toppled the bandit from the animal's back, his pistol was +discharged, the ball flew up in the air, and the horse was impaled and +killed.</p> + +<p> +As the Terror pushed ahead, the two front wheels ran over the bandit's +neck, almost putting an end to him.</p> + +<p> +Back recoiled the stage, the ram was withdrawn from the horse, and then +she dashed ahead again in hot pursuit of the gang who all rode like fury +now, to escape.</p> + +<p> +As they plunged ahead, the inmates of the stage kept up a pitiless +fusillade of shots against the flying outlaws.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XIII.<br /> +THE STRANDED COUNTRYMAN.</div> + +<p> +"We can't run any further!"</p> + +<p> +"Gee whiz, lad, then ther bandits'll escape!"</p> + +<p> +"I can't help that, Tim; there's something the matter."</p> + +<p> +The Terror had scarcely emerged from the canyon, when the lights +suddenly went out, the machinery ceased to work, and the electric stage +came to an abrupt pause.</p> + +<p> +All the bandits had been seen bunched far ahead, going down the slope at +a breakneck pace.</p> + +<p> +When the light went out they vanished.</p> + +<p> +That was the last our friends saw of them that night, and every one +began to bombard Jack with questions.</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter?"</p> + +<p> +"Can't you go ahead?"</p> + +<p> +"Do you want them to escape?"</p> + +<p> +"What are you stopping for?"</p> + +<p> +These and similar questions assailed the inventor.</p> + +<p> +He almost lost patience with them, as he cried:</p> + +<p> +The machinery for some reason has broken down.</p> + +<p> +"Vat vos pusted–dot trifin' rod!" asked Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"I don't know yet, but I'll find out."</p> + +<p> +"Here," said Timberlake, "take one of the stage coach lanterns."</p> + +<p> +Jack alighted with Fritz, and they made a critical examination of the +machinery situated on the outside of the Terror.</p> + +<p> +But they failed to find the cause of the mishap there.</p> + +<p> +Then they went inside to look.</p> + +<p> +Nor was anything broken here.</p> + +<p> +Jack was intensely puzzled.</p> + +<p> +"What does this mean anyway?" he muttered. "I can't find a solitary thing +the matter with her."</p> + +<p> +"Dot peat me!" replied Fritz, scratching his head.</p> + +<p> +"With electrical machinery, which is one of the simplest things in the +world, one ought to see at a glance any derangement," said Jack, "But I +can't understand where the trouble is now."</p> + +<p> +"Let's look ofer it agin," suggested the Dutchman.</p> + +<p> +It was done.</p> + +<p> +The second examination was as fruitless as the first, and they were left +as much in the dark as they had been before. Half an hour was thus lost.</p> + +<p> +Some of the stage passengers in the meantime went back into the canyon +with a spade and the other lamp.</p> + +<p> +They found Sandy Ellis' body.</p> + +<p> +He was dead.</p> + +<p> +They buried him.</p> + +<p> +When they returned Jack said:</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if the dynamo spring can be broken?"</p> + +<p> +"See," suggested Fritz.</p> + +<p> +Jack opened the box.</p> + +<p> +One glance was enough.</p> + +<p> +"Well, if we haven't been fools!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p> +"Vos iss now?" asked the Dutchman.</p> + +<p> +"The spring has only run down and needs winding."</p> + +<p> +Every one burst out laughing now that the threatened gravity of the +situation resolved itself into a comedy of error.</p> + +<p> +Jack wound up the spring.</p> + +<p> +Everyone got aboard and the lights blazed up under Jack's management, +the machinery began to work, and the Terror ran ahead again without any +trouble.</p> + +<p> +The delay had given the bandits a chance to escape.</p> + +<p> +Upon reaching the nearest settlement Jack left the people there whom he +had rescued, and the Terror continued on her way.</p> + +<p> +On the following morning the rain ceased.</p> + +<p> +Breakfast was partaken of and then Jack said:</p> + +<p> +"Although we have created some mischief in the James Boys ranks, we have +not yet done anything to bring the two ringleaders to justice. Nor have +I gained a cent of the money stolen from the Wrightstown Bank."</p> + +<p> +"I have warned you what a slippery cuss Jesse is." said Timberlake, "Now +you have seen some samples of it."</p> + +<p> +"He certainly is a pretty shrewd fellow."</p> + +<p> +"But whar is we ter look fer him!" asked Tim.</p> + +<p> +"He has no regular haunt," replied the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"Den ve only by plind luck must go?"</p> + +<p> +"I'm afraid so, Fritz," assented Timberlake. "However, since he has +started upon his raids again, he won't stop now until he makes a big +haul. Then he is liable to divide with the gang, disband for a while, +and seek safety in flight to some other section of the country until his +funds are exhausted."</p> + +<p> +"Like most criminals, though," said Jack, "I see that he has the same +hankering after the place where most of his villainy is practiced."</p> + +<p> +"All outlaws have a series of habits exactly like, as far as my +experience has taught me," said the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"When I wuz in ther navy," began Tim, "I once—"</p> + +<p> +Biff! came Fritz's fingers down on the back of his neck.</p> + +<p> +What he was going to say was choked off.</p> + +<p> +Then Fritz rushed him into the next room.</p> + +<p> +There he jammed the sailor and banged the door shut.</p> + +<p> +"Dot seddles him!" he chuckled.</p> + +<p> +As the door was locked they were spared the affliction of hearing +another of Tim's awful yarns for the time being.</p> + +<p> +The Terror scoured the surrounding country for a week after that, but +nothing was seen of the bandits.</p> + +<p> +It was then decided to run to Independence and try to get some +information from the authorities there by means of which they could +locate the gang.</p> + +<p> +According to this programme, the sheriff gave Tim the direction, and the +old sailor steered the stage on her way.</p> + +<p> +It was then very late in the afternoon.</p> + +<p> +They followed a country road, and passing several wayfarers, the +appearance of the Terror caused them the most intense astonishment.</p> + +<p> +A few miles along the road they caught sight of an old fellow in a wagon +loaded with grain.</p> + +<p> +He looked like a farmer.</p> + +<p> +There was no horse hitched to the vehicle.</p> + +<p> +But the shafts were broken and to the stumps there yet clung the remains +of a broken harness.</p> + +<p> +The old fellow was the picture of despair.</p> + +<p> +He sat on top of his load, a whip in his hand and a big, red bandana +handkerchief in the other with which he was vigorously mopping his +forehead.</p> + +<p> +Fritz was steering the Terror.</p> + +<p> +Observing the forlorn countryman he burst out laughing.</p> + +<p> +"Shiminey Christmas!" said he, "dot fellow vas look like as if he vas +got left behint mit his horse!"</p> + +<p> +"What are you talking about?" Jack asked from inside.</p> + +<p> +"Dot wagon in der roat."</p> + +<p> +"Where?"</p> + +<p> +"Ahet."</p> + +<p> +Jack emerged.</p> + +<p> +He saw the wagon.</p> + +<p> +And he also noticed an old log house.</p> + +<p> +He stood embowered among some trees, rocks, and bushes some distance +ahead on the left hand side of the road.</p> + +<p> +In a moment more the Terror reached the wagon, and halting beside it, +the countryman glaring at it with a look of the most intense +astonishment upon his face.</p> + +<p> +"For the lands sakes alive!" he gasped, "what's that thing?"</p> + +<p> +"A stage that runs by electric power," Jack replied.</p> + +<p> +"And what's the trouble with you, sir?"</p> + +<p> +"I've been having an awful time with Eliza."</p> + +<p> +"Eliza? Who is she?"</p> + +<p> +"My mule."</p> + +<p> +"Oh! It looks as if she had been cutting up tricks."</p> + +<p> +"You'd ought to have seen her; consarn her old hide–and you'd have +pitied me. She's the blamedest stubborn critter I ever seen. Once she +gets her back up and quits, there's no use trying to go no farther. Look +at the way she left me."</p> + +<p> +"Pretty sad sight."</p> + +<p> +"I should say so. She took a sudden notion to stop right here, I coaxed +and cajoled her, but she wouldn't budge. Then my dander riz, I spit on +my hands and hit her a whang on the tail, and she raised up her heels +and kicked out like a battering ram."</p> + +<p> +"How unfortunate for you."</p> + +<p> +"It made my blood bile. I then thumped blazes out of her. The more I +soaked her the wuss she kicked, until finally she kicked herself out of +the harness and ran sway."</p> + +<p> +"And left you here with your load?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p> +"Have you got far to go?"</p> + +<p> +"Only to yonder old log hut."</p> + +<p> +"That isn't far."</p> + +<p> +"No, not when you say it quick."</p> + +<p> +"I'll tow you over there with this machine."</p> + +<p> +"Will you? Oh, thank you! I was just going to ask you to do it!"</p> + +<p> +"Is that all?"</p> + +<p> +"Can you help me roll the wagon inside to protect the grain in case it +rains before I can find Eliza again?"</p> + +<p> +"Certainly we will," laughed Jack.</p> + +<p> +They hitched a rope to the wagon, and the Terror hauled it over to the +door of the old building.</p> + +<p> +As the Terror could not get the wagon through the door, Jack and his +companions alighted; each one manned a wheel, and the farmer seized the +shafts.</p> + +<p> +Ahead they rolled it toward the open door.</p> + +<p> +But scarcely had they got it started when a dozen men, with masks on +their faces and pistols in their hands, rushed out of the building and +surrounded the four friends.</p> + +<p> +"The James Boys!" gasped Jack, in startled tones.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XIV.<br /> +INTO THE QUICKSAND.</div> + +<p> +It was evident to Jack that he and his friends had been the victims of a +very shrewd game.</p> + +<p> +The fact was, that the James Boys had a rendezvous in the log cabin, and +having held up the farmer who owned the wagon, they had stolen his +money, his mule, and his clothing.</p> + +<p> +Seeing the Terror coming, Jesse concocted the scheme to trap our +friends, rigged one of the gang in the farmer's clothes, and the game +was played according to the bandit king's orders.</p> + +<p> +It looked as if it was going to be a success, too.</p> + +<p> +None of the Terror's crew were armed.</p> + +<p> +And the outlaws had them covered with their weapons.</p> + +<p> +"Yield!" roared Jesse.</p> + +<p> +"We're tricked!" gasped Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Hands up, or die!"</p> + +<p> +"Don't fire! We submit!"</p> + +<p> +There was no alternative.</p> + +<p> +So the four raised their hands.</p> + +<p> +"Bind them!" ordered the outlaw chief.</p> + +<p> +His men carried out this order with alacrity.</p> + +<p> +In a few moments more all were rendered helpless.</p> + +<p> +A grim look of intense satisfaction swept over the dark bearded face of +Jesse James as his four enemies lay upon the ground at his feet.</p> + +<p> +He intently regarded them a moment and then hissed:</p> + +<p> +"At last I've got you, Jack Wright!"</p> + +<p> +"Well, what are you going to do about it?" coolly asked the inventor.</p> + +<p> +"Put you out of my way as quick as possible."</p> + +<p> +"Very well; proceed. You have an excellent chance now."</p> + +<p> +"I've got your fate settled. And yours, too, Timberlake."</p> + +<p> +"If our positions were reversed," bitterly said the sheriff, "I would +not lose a moment about blowing your brains out!"</p> + +<p> +"I have no doubt of that," Jesse answered, with a dark scowl. "And I'll +follow your good advice. Prepare to die."</p> + +<p> +He drew his pistol from his belt and aimed it at Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +A tremor passed over the plucky fellow and he turned pale, for he knew +he was face to face with death; but his courage did not forsake him and +he quietly remarked:</p> + +<p> +"I'm ready to go. Fire!"</p> + +<p> +Before Jesse could do so. Frank sprang between him and his victim.</p> + +<p> +"Fool!" he hissed, warningly. "Do you want to throw your neck in the +halter by doing this with all hands looking at you?</p> + +<p> +"Get out of my way!" savagely replied Jesse.</p> + +<p> +Although Frank was the eldest, and was accustomed to obeying his more +determined brother, he did not do so in this instance.</p> + +<p> +"If you don't stop," he exclaimed, in angry, excited tones, "I'll hit +you."</p> + +<p> +A look of surprise mantled Jesse's face.</p> + +<p> +He was not accustomed to threats and disobedience from Frank.</p> + +<p> +It therefore gave him a most emphatic shock.</p> + +<p> +"Are you getting crazy?" he asked.</p> + +<p> +"No–but you must be. Think of what you are doing."</p> + +<p> +"The men have seen me bring down my man many a time."</p> + +<p> +"Very true. But that was in a fight. Did they ever see you commit a +cool, deliberate murder?"</p> + +<p> +This version startled Jesse.</p> + +<p> +He returned the pistol to his belt.</p> + +<p> +"You are right, Frank," said he, reluctantly. "I'll have to swallow my +rage and hang or shoot these prisoners in accordance with the law of +civilized communities."</p> + +<p> +There was a bitter tinge of sarcasm in his tones as he said this, and +turning abruptly to the men he said, brusquely:</p> + +<p> +"Carry them into the hut."</p> + +<p> +Timberlake felt relieved.</p> + +<p> +So did Jack and the rest.</p> + +<p> +If Frank had not interfered the sheriff would have been killed, for they +saw a lurking demon in the glare of Jesse's eyes when he was menacing +Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +He certainly, meant to carry out his mad intention.</p> + +<p> +The prisoners were carried into the hut.</p> + +<p> +They saw the floor littered with saddles and bridles, blankets, cooking +utensils and other objects of use to the bandits.</p> + +<p> +As Jack leaned against the wall opposite the open door he saw the +bandits go up to the electric stage and try to get in.</p> + +<p> +The doors were secured with spring locks.</p> + +<p> +As Jesse tried to open one he was startled to hear a gruff voice inside +exclaim:</p> + +<p> +"Stand back there or I'll drop a lighted match into a powder keg!"</p> + +<p> +It was the parrot.</p> + +<p> +He had once heard that sentence uttered.</p> + +<p> +Now he used it at random, never knowing what it signified.</p> + +<p> +But it was one of the luckiest expressions he ever made, for it startled +the bandits and they rushed away in alarm.</p> + +<p> +"There are more people in the stage!" exclaimed Jesse, who was deceived +by Bismarck's voice, as he knew absolutely nothing about the existence +of the bird.</p> + +<p> +"But you counted only four in the crew," said Jim Cummins.</p> + +<p> +"I know it. They may have picked up others though."</p> + +<p> +"That's so."</p> + +<p> +"Give them a shot."</p> + +<p> +There were five men with Jesse.</p> + +<p> +All had retreated from the stage.</p> + +<p> +They now opened fire upon it.</p> + +<p> +Bang–bang!</p> + +<p> +Crack–crack!</p> + +<p> +Bang–bang–bang!</p> + +<p> +No shots were returned.</p> + +<p> +This amazed them.</p> + +<p> +But they heard Bismarck yell:</p> + +<p> +"Go it, you chumps–go it."</p> + +<p> +"Whoever that is howling," growled Jesse, "has got a nerve! I suppose he +won't do anything until we get around the stage. Then he'll try to blow +us up."</p> + +<p> +"Don't go near the blamed thing then," said Wood Hite.</p> + +<p> +"There's nothing in it for us, but I'd like to blow the infernal thing +to pieces, so it can't do us any more damage."</p> + +<p> +"Oh, we can do that as soon as we get more dynamite."</p> + +<p> +"That's so. The party who is inside will hang around here in hopes of +rescuing their pals, and we'll get a chance later."</p> + +<p> +None of them dared go too near the stage.</p> + +<p> +Nor was it of any use to fire at the Terror.</p> + +<p> +Bullets made no impression upon it.</p> + +<p> +Jesse understood this very well.</p> + +<p> +He, therefore, retreated to the interior of the hut with his men.</p> + +<p> +Jack kept his eyes and ears wide open, and soon saw the gang follow a +motion of Jesse, and group themselves in one corner of the hut, and hold +a whispered, conversation.</p> + +<p> +The inventor did not hear a word they uttered.</p> + +<p> +But he saw by their actions that they were scheming some mischief +against them, and the result was soon manifested.</p> + +<p> +Jesse left the crowd and approached the prisoners.</p> + +<p> +"We've settled your fate!" he announced abruptly.</p> + +<p> +"Indeed," replied Jack. "What new villainy is brewing?"</p> + +<p> +"That you will find out in a few minutes. You wounded me and I know you +are authorized to hunt me down, break up the gang and put us in jail. +Consequently I am going to have revenge. In quarter of an hour you will +be dead and buried."</p> + +<p> +"I doubt it," quietly answered Jack. "And as for your debt of vengeance, +let me recall to your mind that it was you who aroused the enmity +between us. You began it by robbing or rather swindling the Wrightstown +Bank out of $5,000."</p> + +<p> +"Oh, yes," grinned the bandit, pulling a big roll of bills out of his +pocket. "This is the money only a couple of hundred of it gone. That was +quite a clever game."</p> + +<p> +"It did not hit me as hard as it might," said Jack. "The bank loses the +money of course, but as I am the president of it, and a large +stockholder, fully half the amount comes out of my pocket. I'll get that +money away from you now."</p> + +<p> +"Now?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes."</p> + +<p> +"How?"</p> + +<p> +"This way."</p> + +<p> +And up jumped Jack.</p> + +<p> +He had got Fritz to loosen his bonds with his teeth.</p> + +<p> +Once free from the wrist lashings, he liberated his ankles.</p> + +<p> +The bandit recoiled with a startled yell, and the rest arose.</p> + +<p> +Jack sprung forward, snatched the roll of bills from Jesse's hand, +shoved it in his pocket and seized the outlaw.</p> + +<p> +The young inventor was a veritable Hercules in strength.</p> + +<p> +As the gang made a rush for him, he suddenly lifted Jesse James up in +the air and hurled him at the crowd.</p> + +<p> +The bandit's body struck Bob Ford and Cole Younger, knocked them back +against the crowd, and ere they all recovered from their astonishment, +Jack sprang out the door and rushed to the stage.</p> + +<p> +Several pistol shots were fired after him, but as the outlaws were +excited, they aimed poorly and missed their mark.</p> + +<p> +Reaching the Terror, Jack jumped aboard, and she sped away.</p> + +<p> +As soon as the outlaws recovered, and saw him escaping, Jesse yelled:</p> + +<p> +"Grab the rest, and hustle them out before they escape too!"</p> + +<p> +The gang pounced on Tim, Fritz and Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +Carrying them out of the hut by a back door, they passed through the +woods until they came to a glen.</p> + +<p> +In the middle of it was a small, shallow lake, covering a bed of +quicksand, and they paused upon the shore.</p> + +<p> +"Throw them in!" ordered Jesse.</p> + +<p> +His men complied.</p> + +<p> +As the prisoners were bound, they could not help themselves.</p> + +<p> +One after another they were tossed into the treacherous lake.</p> + +<p> +No sooner were their bodies upon the sand when they began to slowly sink +into it.</p> + +<p> +The bandits gathered along the shore to watch their unlucky victims +perish in the quicksand bed.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XV.<br /> +RESCUED FROM DEATH.</div> + +<p> +Having gained his freedom, Jack had raced away with the Terror in order +to keep out of danger until he was prepared to defend himself.</p> + +<p> +He did not stop the stage until she was at a considerable distance from +the rendezvous of the bandits.</p> + +<p> +Then he critically examined her.</p> + +<p> +She proved to be in first-class order.</p> + +<p> +Jack then went inside and put on a suit of armor.</p> + +<p> +Thrusting two pistols in his belt, he procured a small basket, and +opening a box, he withdrew from it a dozen steel balls to each of which +a small metal handle was attached.</p> + +<p> +These he put very carefully into the basket.</p> + +<p> +They were hand grenades.</p> + +<p> +Loaded with the same terrible explosive compound that he put in the +bullets he used, they possessed ten times the power that ordinary +dynamite shells have.</p> + +<p> +Armed with these awful missiles, he was ready to go back and +single-handed engage in a fight with the whole gang.</p> + +<p> +Jack's courage and perseverance were of a high order.</p> + +<p> +He deposited the basket in a metal, bullet-proof box on the front +platform, and seating himself, seized the wheel.</p> + +<p> +"I've got explosives enough here to blow the whole crew to fragments," +he muttered. "And what is more, I'll do it too, in order to wrest my +friends from their clutches!"</p> + +<p> +Back along the road rolled the Terror.</p> + +<p> +The moon now rose in the sky.</p> + +<p> +In a few minutes Jack neared the hut.</p> + +<p> +Stopping the electric stage within fifty yards of it, he picked up one +or the bombs and shouted:</p> + +<p> +"Jesse James, come out here, or I'll blow that hut up!"</p> + +<p> +Receiving no reply, Jack hurled the grenade.</p> + +<p> +It struck an end of the hut.</p> + +<p> +A horrible glare of light flashed out.</p> + +<p> +It was followed by a report like thunder.</p> + +<p> +Half of the hut was blown to fragments, and the ground shook.</p> + +<p> +Jack saw at a glance that the hut was deserted.</p> + +<p> +He heard the distant voices of men among the trees, and realizing that +the bandits had gone into the woods, he drove the stage along a road +that wound among the trees.</p> + +<p> +In a few moments he neared the quicksand lake.</p> + +<p> +The bandits saw him coming, and aiming their rifles at the gallant young +inventor they fired at him.</p> + +<p> +A storm of bullets struck Jack.</p> + +<p> +They did not pierce his armor, however.</p> + +<p> +He stooped over and picked up one of the grenades.</p> + +<p> +As soon as he arrived close enough to the outlaws, he hurled the bomb at +them, and it landed in their midst.</p> + +<p> +The explosion was fearful.</p> + +<p> +Three of the villains were blown to pieces, several were knocked down, +the rest were half deafened, and an uproar of hoarse yells of pain +escaped those who were struck by the flying particles of metal from the +exploded shell.</p> + +<p> +Seeing the Terror coming on toward them rapidily, the bandits who +survived rushed away into the woods.</p> + +<p> +They were filled with horror and alarm.</p> + +<p> +Such weapons as Jack Wright wielded were beyond their powers of +endurance, and they set him down for a fiend.</p> + +<p> +Once protected by the trees, they shot back at him.</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Crack!</p> + +<p> +Boom!</p> + +<p> +Whiz! came the shots.</p> + +<p> +Jack picked up another bomb, and let it fly.</p> + +<p> +It landed among the trees, and bursting there, spilt and tore them to +pieces, and sent the outlaws flying again.</p> + +<p> +At this moment Jack was startled by a wild yell of:</p> + +<p> +"Help! Save me!"</p> + +<p> +He looked around to see where the sound came from, and beheld his three +friends buried to their necks in the quicksand.</p> + +<p> +"Good heavens!" he gasped, as he realized what the outlaws had been +doing to them.</p> + +<p> +"They've tried to murder the boys."</p> + +<p> +He saw that they were in a bed of quicksand.</p> + +<p> +Assured that he would not have any immediate trouble from the outlaws, +Jack went into the stage and got a hatchet.</p> + +<p> +He then alighted.</p> + +<p> +His friends were twenty feet from the bank.</p> + +<p> +They laid pretty close together, but were out of his reach.</p> + +<p> +Rushing in among the shrubbery. Jack rapidly cut down a number of cedar +trees, and swiftly carried them to the quicksand.</p> + +<p> +With these he built a rude bridge out to his friends.</p> + +<p> +Even the trees began to sink in the sand as he walked out on them, but +he reached Tim, and seizing him by the arm, he exerted all his enormous +strength, and succeeded in pulling him up.</p> + +<p> +Jack cut his bonds.</p> + +<p> +"Don't waste a moment," he gasped, "but go ashore and cut some more of +the cedars to pile on these."</p> + +<p> +"Ay, ay," replied Tim, and he hastened away.</p> + +<p> +Timberlake was next nearest.</p> + +<p> +"Are you fastened?" Jack asked him.</p> + +<p> +"Yes; bound hand and foot."</p> + +<p> +"I'll get you up in a moment."</p> + +<p> +"Shack," groaned Fritz. "Hurry ub."</p> + +<p> +His mouth was even with the water, and it was with the greatest +difficulty that he prevented himself swallowing it.</p> + +<p> +Tim came back and flung some cedars to Jack.</p> + +<p> +With these he built his bridge out further.</p> + +<p> +Giving the sheriff a pull that raised him a foot, Jack left him and made +his way to Fritz.</p> + +<p> +He reached the Dutchman just in time to save him.</p> + +<p> +It almost pulled the fat fellow's joints apart when the inventor hauled +him up, but once he was free of his bonds and upon the cedars he aided +Jack to pull the sheriff up and set him free.</p> + +<p> +They all got their feet stuck in the sand as they fought and struggled +to reach firm land, for the trees were now sunk but they finally managed +to get ashore.</p> + +<p> +Here they found Tim bombarding the woods.</p> + +<p> +All the bandits had seen what was happening, and now opened fire upon +them again.</p> + +<p> +The old sailor procured two bombs.</p> + +<p> +He let thus drive in the direction the shots came from, and they ripped +the woods and blew up rocks and trees, and created the most terrific +devastation.</p> + +<p> +That silenced the outlaws.</p> + +<p> +None of them were killed, but many were wounded, and they now lost no +time at making their escape.</p> + +<p> +Jack and his companions hastened back aboard the Terror, and sent her +flying back to the road.</p> + +<p> +There they waited for the appearance of some of the gang; but they +waited in vain.</p> + +<p> +All had escaped in the other direction.</p> + +<p> +When assured of this, the four adventurers went inside to change their +clothing, and rest themselves.</p> + +<p> +Jack's companions told him how they happened to be found sinking in the +bed of quicksand.</p> + +<p> +"They meant to kill you!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p> +"Ay, ay, lad! But you balked 'em!" chuckled Tim.</p> + +<p> +"And I've get most of the stolen money back," laughed Jack, as he held +up the wad of bank notes he took from Jesse James.</p> + +<p> +<i>"Donner und blitzen!</i> Vot a surbrised barty dot vos fer der pandits," +roared Fritz. "Inshtid of Yesse Yames hookin' money from odder beoples, +it must haf peen shtrange fer him ter haf money hooked from him +alretty."</p> + +<p> +"Yes–a very novel experience for the thief," said the sheriff, dryly. +"I congratulate you, Mr. Wright, for doing something to that villain +that nobody else ever did. It is a most remarkable thing for Jesse James +to be robbed."</p> + +<p> +"I reckerlect when I wuz in ther navy," said Tim, "I once had a +experience like that. We went out ter hunt fer a fillibuster's ship when +wot wuz our surprise ter have ther lubber tackle us. Gee whiz! wuzn't I +mad! I ups an' loads one o'ther guns ter fire at him when he slipped +aroun' asturn us. As we couldn't train no gun ter b'ar on him in that +ther sitiwation wot should I do but git a coil o' rope, mount ther +riggin' an' lasso his capstan, It wuz a mighty good throw too. Waal, +sir, we heaved an' hauled on that ere rope, dragging ther lubber over to +our ship until we got him alongside—"</p> + +<p> +"And none of them attempted to cut your lasso from their capstan?" asked +Jack. "They must have wanted to get captured."</p> + +<p> +"It's werry funny," said Tim, "but none o' them seemed ter think o' +doin' that. Waal, sir, as soon as we hauled 'em alongside we had a +broadside ready ter pour inter that craft ter blow her ter pieces, an' +ther gunners wuz at ther posts ready ter fire. But afore we could carry +out this plan ther willians boarded us an' captured us an' our ship."</p> + +<p> +"It can't be possible?"</p> + +<p> +"But it wuz, my lad."</p> + +<p> +"How did you escape?"</p> + +<p> +"One night I got free an' rushed into the powder magazine with a lit +pipe in my mouth, an' them arter me."</p> + +<p> +"If you were a prisoner where did you got the lit pipe?"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, I had it," replied Tim. "Ter continer, seein' my enemies all +rushin' arter me, I took ther pipe an' yelled fer 'em ter go back or I'd +drop ther burnin' baccy inter ther powder. They refused—"</p> + +<p> +"And you dropped the light into the powder?"</p> + +<p> +"No. Ther light had gone out," grinned Tim. "It skeered 'em so though, +that when they recovered they bolted out, an' fearin' ter git blowed +up, they all jumped overboard an' was drowned. I released my messmates, +an' we took ther ship."</p> + +<p> +"Tim, is that a lie, or a fabrication?"</p> + +<p> +"A fabrication, o' course," indignantly and innocently answered the old +salt. "D'yer s'pose Tim Topstay would tell a lie?"</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XVI.<br /> +THE CAPTURE OF WOOD HITE.</div> + +<p> +On the second day after the aforegoing events occurred Fritz happened to +glance into the water tank of the Terror and noticed that their supply +of liquid was running low.</p> + +<p> +This was very unpleasant, as they were then nowhere near any spring or +stream, and he walked into the front room where Jack sat talking to +Timberlake, and said:</p> + +<p> +"Dere don't vos more as enough water to last bis to-night."</p> + +<p> +"That's too bad. Can't we get a supply near here?" said Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Not that I am aware of," answered the sheriff. "But, about three miles +along the road there is a farm-house, and we can get all we want from +the countryman's cistern."</p> + +<p> +"Suppose we go there and try," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Vell, I dell Dim," said the Dutchman.</p> + +<p> +He then spoke to the old sailor who was steering, and Tim sent the stage +in the direction indicated.</p> + +<p> +In a short time they came in view of the farm-house.</p> + +<p> +This had scarcely been done when Tim caught sight of a man with his head +swathed in bandages rush out of the house to the stable from whence he +soon emerged on horseback.</p> + +<p> +He gave one glance back at the stage and then, plunging spurs into his +steed's flanks, he dashed away.</p> + +<p> +Off he went across the rolling country at a furious pace, his peculiar +action at once arresting Tim's attention.</p> + +<p> +The old sailor only had one eye, but it was a good one, for no sooner +had he seen the fugitive's face when he recognized him as that mercenary +member of the James Boys' gang called Wood Hite, and noted as a +desperate ruffian.</p> + +<p> +"Gee whiz!" gasped Tim.</p> + +<p> +"What's the matter?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Thar goes Wood Hite!"</p> + +<p> +"Is that so?"</p> + +<p> +"Ay, an' his head is all bandaged!"</p> + +<p> +"He must have been wounded."</p> + +<p> +"Sartin, and he wuz in thar farm-house tryin' ter git well."</p> + +<p> +"He must have seen us coming and got scared out."</p> + +<p> +"Jist my opinion, Jack."</p> + +<p> +The young inventor came out on the front platform.</p> + +<p> +He gazed long and earnestly at the flying rider and then said:</p> + +<p> +"You have made no mistake–that's Hite."</p> + +<p> +"This ere ole eye o' mine are a regler telescope."</p> + +<p> +"Chase the villain, Tim!"</p> + +<p> +"You bet I will."</p> + +<p> +And pulling the dynamo lever over as far as it would go, the old sailor +spun the wheel around, turning the stage from the high road, and sent +her flying after the horseman.</p> + +<p> +"If he thinks we can't run on anything but hard ground," said Jack, +grimly, "he will soon learn his error."</p> + +<p> +"That ere's a mighty good nag he's a-ridin'."</p> + +<p> +"Yes–all the James Boys' gang are well mounted."</p> + +<p> +"Ain't Hite ther lubber wots allers grubbin' fer money?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes, he, the most grasping one of the gang."</p> + +<p> +"D'yer reckon as thar's any more o' his messmates in ther farm-house?"</p> + +<p> +"No, I believe not. If there had been, they would have come out with +him," replied Jack, as they flew past the old house.</p> + +<p> +"S'posen we runs him down?"</p> + +<p> +"I'll make him admit where the rest of the gang is."</p> + +<p> +"Ay, now, that's a blamed good plan."</p> + +<p> +The bandit had taken refuge in the house, as he had suffered a very bad +wound, but having seen from one of the upper bed rooms that the stage +was coming, he took alarm and fled as has been recorded.</p> + +<p> +By so doing, he greatly amazed the good people with whom he had been +stopping, as they knew nothing of his real character in consequence of a +lie he told them.</p> + +<p> +The man was wild with fear.</p> + +<p> +He spurred and lashed his horse furiously.</p> + +<p> +And he kept his lead with remarkable speed.</p> + +<p> +The Terror rattled and bumped over the rougher grass, but found it +pretty good going anyway, as the open country of Missouri is generally +fairly level.</p> + +<p> +Tim watched the contest with interest.</p> + +<p> +He could not help admiring the bandit's good riding.</p> + +<p> +But he also saw that the stage slowly but surely began to gain.</p> + +<p> +"Fer a short dash, that was prutty good!" he remarked.</p> + +<p> +"In a long race no animal on earth could run against us though," replied +Jack smiling.</p> + +<p> +"See how we're overhaulin' ther lubber!"</p> + +<p> +"In a few minutes well reach him, Tim, and—"</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +The fugitive fired back.</p> + +<p> +Zing! came the bullet.</p> + +<p> +It grazed Jack's head.</p> + +<p> +One inch nearer and it would have killed him!</p> + +<p> +"Hit yer?" asked Tim, in alarm.</p> + +<p> +"No, just missed," coolly replied the inventor.</p> + +<p> +"Gee! it hummed like a bumble bee!"</p> + +<p> +"Yes, it was a dangerous shot."</p> + +<p> +"Shall I heave him one, an' drop him?"</p> + +<p> +"No! I want to take him alive."</p> + +<p> +On they continued to go until at last the Terror was very close to the +bandit.</p> + +<p> +"There is nothing can save you from capture now!" Jack shouted at him. +"Surrender, you dog!"</p> + +<p> +"I'm blowed if I will!" roared Wood Hite.</p> + +<p> +He made one last supreme effort to forge ahead, but finding he could not +do it, he leveled his revolver at Tim.</p> + +<p> +Jack had a pistol in hand.</p> + +<p> +He aimed, and fired it at Hite's weapon.</p> + +<p> +Simultaneous with the explosion of the bullet there came a wild howl +from the bandit, and his pistol flew up in the air, ruined beyond +repair.</p> + +<p> +"I'm struck!" he groaned.</p> + +<p> +"Will you quit?" demanded Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Don't drop me and I will."</p> + +<p> +"All right! Dismount!"</p> + +<p> +The fugitive pulled in the panting and sweating horse, and Tim stopped +the electric stage.</p> + +<p> +Down to the ground jumped the bandit, and raising his hands above his +head he roared:</p> + +<p> +"Mind you now–no games, partner."</p> + +<p> +"What was you doing in that farm house?"</p> + +<p> +"Getting over the wounds you gave me."</p> + +<p> +"Where are the rest of the gang?"</p> + +<p> +"I don't know."</p> + +<p> +"Come, come! No lies!"</p> + +<p> +"I tell you I don't know."</p> + +<p> +"We'll see," said Jack, pulling out his watch and drawing a bead on the +man. "It is now three minutes to four. At precisely four o'clock, unless +you tell us where I can find the James Boys, I'll fire!"</p> + +<p> +"Say! don't do that!" cried the bandit, in alarm.</p> + +<p> +"That's the law."</p> + +<p> +"But I really don't—"</p> + +<p> +"One minute."</p> + +<p> +"For Heaven's sake, let up!"</p> + +<p> +"You are wasting valuable time, Wood Hite."</p> + +<p> +"If I knew I'd tell you quick enough."</p> + +<p> +"Your time on earth is growing mighty short."</p> + +<p> +"Won't anything else satisfy you?"</p> + +<p> +"No. Two minutes!"</p> + +<p> +"Good Lord A'mighty!"</p> + +<p> +"Speak–quick!"</p> + +<p> +"It's as much as my life is worth!"</p> + +<p> +"Very well. Ten seconds more!"</p> + +<p> +The outlaw was as pale as death.</p> + +<p> +The bandages around his head added to the look of unutterable woe upon +his haggard face.</p> + +<p> +He trembled like an aspen, and burst into a cold, clammy perspiration, +and was breathing heavily.</p> + +<p> +Jack glanced up from his watch.</p> + +<p> +"Time's up!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p> +"Mercy!"</p> + +<p> +"Speak, or perish!"</p> + +<p> +"Yes! yes! I'll tell."</p> + +<p> +"Well?"</p> + +<p> +"To-morrow at two o'clock they'll be in Husking Valley."</p> + +<p> +"What for?"</p> + +<p> +"To raid the town."</p> + +<p> +"Any particular place?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes–the bank."</p> + +<p> +"Good! We'll be there. What's the plan?"</p> + +<p> +"Jess did not mention it."</p> + +<p> +"That will do."</p> + +<p> +"Can I go now?"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, no; we want you."</p> + +<p> +"What for?"</p> + +<p> +"To go with us. I want to see if you lied. Come here!"</p> + +<p> +Wood Hite slouched up to the stage, cast a regretful glance at his horse +which was browsing the grass, and Tim tied his hands behind his back.</p> + +<p> +He was then hustled into the stage, and Jack had a short conversation +with Timberlake about the place where the alleged raid was to occur.</p> + +<p> +The town was a place remote from where they then were, and the sheriff +directed Tim in which direction to go.</p> + +<p> +Meeting with another farm house, they procured some water and then sped +away.</p> + +<p> +That night they arrived in the vicinity of Husking Valley, and Jack +entered the town to reconnoiter the ground.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XVII.<br /> +RAIDING THE BANK.</div> + +<p> +On the following afternoon there were a great many strangers in the town +of Husking Valley, but the residents did not consider this very strange, +as the County Fair was being held there.</p> + +<p> +These fairs were matters of great importance to the natives.</p> + +<p> +They always brought large crowds of strangers from the surrounding +country, and created a rather lively scene.</p> + +<p> +Jack was lurking near the bank with Timberlake, and Tim and Fritz were +aboard the Terror in easy hailing distance, yet completely concealed +from view.</p> + +<p> +The inventor and his companion stood in a doorway close to the bank, +intently watching the thronging natives.</p> + +<p> +"Here's another example of the James Boys' cunning," said Jack, finally +breaking the silence.</p> + +<p> +"To what do you allude?" moodily asked the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +"Why, Jesse James timing his arrival here during the fair."</p> + +<p> +"In what way was that a sharp move?"</p> + +<p> +"To do this job he would need the gang, wouldn't he?"</p> + +<p> +"I think he would not venture it without them."</p> + +<p> +"And he must have known the fair was going on."</p> + +<p> +"Probably he did."</p> + +<p> +"Wouldn't the entrance of his gang to the town excite a great deal of +comment and attention if there were no fair?"</p> + +<p> +"Naturally, as crowds in country towns are unusual."</p> + +<p> +"Well, I figure it that he knew the fair was in progress here, that he +knew the crowd would cloak his entrance of his gang, and they would +therefore excite no suspicion."</p> + +<p> +"That seems to be pretty likely."</p> + +<p> +"Would you know all the men if you saw them?"</p> + +<p> +"I believe so–at any rate, I would recognize the old members. He +occasionally recruits new men. We have wiped out some of the newer +element. I noticed that although some of the old bandits were wounded +during our engagement with them, the ones who fell were mostly new men.</p> + +<p> +"That's the reason they fell perhaps. The older birds had experience +enough to keep out of harm's way."</p> + +<p> +"Well, if any of them happen to go into that bank, you can rest assured +that I'll recognize them."</p> + +<p> +"It's half-past two now, but they haven't materialized yet."</p> + +<p> +"Maybe Wood Hite was lying to save his life."</p> + +<p> +"No–I think not. His tones had a truthful ring."</p> + +<p> +Jack glanced across the street at the bank.</p> + +<p> +It was a a small brick building, with two iron-barred windows and a door +flush with the street, through which he could see the entire interior.</p> + +<p> +There were half a dozen clerks busy inside behind a long desk, before +which there was a wire netting that rose almost to the ceiling.</p> + +<p> +The first window nearest the door was that of the cashier, the next was +that of the paying-teller, and the next the receiving-teller, after +which followed the book-keepers and discount clerk.</p> + +<p> +All were busy at their various occupations, as it had been a rush day, +in consequence of the large crowd.</p> + +<p> +Jack had seen every man, woman and child, who had gone in or come out +since midday, and he had scanned every one who had passed by without +detecting a bandit.</p> + +<p> +Yet his patience did not give out.</p> + +<p> +"Do you suppose our prisoner knows what method Jesse James will employ +in his attempted raid?" he asked.</p> + +<p> +"No. He never tells his plans to the men, as a rule, until a very short +time before they are carried out. Jesse James is very cautious and +suspicious. He knows that the hand of every honest man is turned against +him. He is even on the alert for danger. He is quick witted, deep, dark +and cunning, and he wouldn't trust his own brother out of his sight. +That probably accounts for the wonderful success he has always had at +carrying out his daring plans, and escaping the consequence."</p> + +<p> +"The fellow is certainly a marvel in some ways."</p> + +<p> +"He inspires his men with fear of him. I have particularly noticed this +of the Ford Boys. They seem to think that every time he looks at them he +suspects them of treachery, and they seem to think that every time he +draws a gun he is going to kill them. Most of the rest have the same +feeling about Jesse. They all fear him, yet he has a strange marked +influence over them. It seems to inspire the gang with a certain trust, +respect, and blind obedience to his commands."</p> + +<p> +"Hello! what's that? See there?"</p> + +<p> +"What?" asked Timberlake in startled tones.</p> + +<p> +Jack pointed down the street.</p> + +<p> +A great cloud of dust was rising there.</p> + +<p> +People were scattering right and left, and as it drew nearer, Jack +distinguished a huge coal black horse bestrode by a man who rode him +furiously.</p> + +<p> +"What is it, Timberlake–a madman?"</p> + +<p> +"It looks like a horse running away."</p> + +<p> +"The man rides it as if he were part of the animal."</p> + +<p> +"Heavens, what speed! See–here he comes!"</p> + +<p> +Like wildfire the rider came thundering along.</p> + +<p> +In a few moments he was in plain sight.</p> + +<p> +"Some drunken countryman on the rampage!" muttered Jack.</p> + +<p> +"That fellow will kill somebody yet."</p> + +<p> +"When he goes by let us stroll over to the bank, and quietly warn the +clerks of Jesse James' plot to put them on their guard. Then they will +be ready for him."</p> + +<p> +"It's too late to do that now."</p> + +<p> +"Why so?"</p> + +<p> +"Because that rider is Jesse himself!"</p> + +<p> +Jack shot a keen glance at the man, and a startled cry escaped him, for +the horse was certainly the famous Siroc and the rider the king of the +bandits!</p> + +<p> +"What's his purpose, Timberlake?" gasped Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps he is pursued. See–he clutches two revolvers, and the wild +villain is holding the bridle rein with his teeth.</p> + +<p> +"He's heading for the bank!"</p> + +<p> +"Come on!"</p> + +<p> +They rushed from their covert.</p> + +<p> +Jesse's quick eyes detected them instantly.</p> + +<p> +Raising a whistle to his lips, he blew a shrill blast.</p> + +<p> +It was his usual signal to the gang and they understood it, and mounted +upon their horses, came galloping out of the by streets and other places +where they had been concealed.</p> + +<p> +The whole armed crowd headed for the bank.</p> + +<p> +They thus cut off Jack and the sheriff.</p> + +<p> +To everybody's surprise, the moment Siroc arrived opposite the door of +the bank, Jesse turned him and sent him galloping right into the +building.</p> + +<p> +Pausing before the paying teller's window, Jesse thrust his two pistols +through, causing the man to yell and recoil.</p> + +<p> +"Hand me every bundle of bills in that draw before you!" roared the +bandit. "Quick, or I'll fire!"</p> + +<p> +"No–no–no!" gasped the startled man.</p> + +<p> +"I'll make you!"</p> + +<p> +And–bang! went his pistol.</p> + +<p> +The bullet grazed the clerk's head.</p> + +<p> +"I'm killed!" he screamed.</p> + +<p> +"No, you ain't, but you will be if you don't obey."</p> + +<p> +"For God's sake, don't fire again!"</p> + +<p> +"Will you give me that money?"</p> + +<p> +The cruel, wicked eyes were now turned upon the man in a manner that +made him writhe.</p> + +<p> +He saw that his doom was sealed unless he complied without wasting any +more time about it.</p> + +<p> +So out came the money.</p> + +<p> +There were stacks of it–hundreds of dollars.</p> + +<p> +The bandit kept the paying teller covered with one hand, and with the +other transferred the money to his saddle bag.</p> + +<p> +"Now, go!" he shouted.</p> + +<p> +Then he began to blaze away.</p> + +<p> +All the clerks dodged under the desk to escape the flying bullets.</p> + +<p> +Having emptied one of his pistols, and intimidated them, the bandit king +spoke to his steed.</p> + +<p> +Siroc turned and went thundering out to the street.</p> + +<p> +There an exciting scene was going on.</p> + +<p> +The gang, to cover Jesse's movements, had begun to fire their pistols +right and left, and the people in the streets and houses and stores +hastily made themselves scarce.</p> + +<p> +As soon as Jesse emerged, they closed in around him, dug spurs in their +animals, and went clattering away.</p> + +<p> +Jack and Timberlake had been baffled.</p> + +<p> +They witnessed the daring robbery.</p> + +<p> +Seeing that it was impossible to get through the lines of the bandits to +stop it, Jack signaled his friends.</p> + +<p> +No response came back.</p> + +<p> +Fearing trouble for the Terror they rushed away.</p> + +<p> +She was where they had left her, but Tim and Fritz had alighted, gone +away and were only just then returning.</p> + +<p> +"What's up?" panted Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Wood Hite escaped! We've been chasin' him!" Tim replied.</p> + +<p> +"Too bad! But never mind—"</p> + +<p> +"Vot's all dot shootin'?"</p> + +<p> +"The James Boys–they've beaten us!"</p> + +<p> +"Whar is they?"</p> + +<p> +"Running away! Get aboard–arm yourselves!"</p> + +<p> +"Goin' arter 'em, lad?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes; don't lose a minute!"</p> + +<p> +All hands hastily got aboard the stage.</p> + +<p> +Jack mounted the seat and sent her rushing out.</p> + +<p> +As soon as she reached the street Jack sent her flying in pursuit of the +fugitives.</p> + +<p> +The bandits soon saw her chasing them.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> +IN DEAD MAN'S GULCH.</div> + +<p> +The sun was gleaming down brightly as the cavalcade of bandits went +thundering out of Husking Valley chased by the electric stage.</p> + +<p> +A cloud of dust was kicked up by the horses' hoofs which almost obscured +the riders from view.</p> + +<p> +Jack steered the machine with the greatest precision, and Fritz came +through the forward door and joined him.</p> + +<p> +"How did Wood Hite get free to escape?" asked the inventor.</p> + +<p> +"Ach, he didn'd got free, His hants vos died behint his beck yet," +replied Fritz. "Me and Dim vos sittin' oud here, vaitin' tet hear yer +sicknal. Puddy soon ve hear somepody behint dot stages, und see Vood +Hite had got oud der beck door. He vas runnin' avay. Ve runt afder him. +But vhen ve got down der streed, ve don'd see nodding ohf him. He +ditsappeared."</p> + +<p> +"Couldn't you find him?"</p> + +<p> +"Nein. Ve ditn'd couldt seen vhere he vented."</p> + +<p> +"I'm sorry, for I wished to put him behind the bars!"</p> + +<p> +"Nefer mindt," said Fritz. "Ve mebbe caughted more ohf dem."</p> + +<p> +"I hope so. Anyway, we are pretty close to them now."</p> + +<p> +"So dey gotted der money from der pank?"</p> + +<p> +"Jesse rode into the building on horseback and looted it single-handed."</p> + +<p> +"Dot son-ohf-a-sea-ghooks vos got blenty spunks alretty!"</p> + +<p> +"Too much for the safety of the public. I'd sooner arrest him +individually than his whole gang put together."</p> + +<p> +"Dot vould preak dem up!"</p> + +<p> +"That's just my impression."</p> + +<p> +In a few moments the town was left behind and the horse-men galloped out +into the open country over a rocky tract.</p> + +<p> +There the horses had an advantage over the Terror, as they could pick +their way over the rough ground.</p> + +<p> +A fearful jolting and rattling of the stage ensued, and Jack was forced +to slacken speed.</p> + +<p> +That gave the fugitives an advantage.</p> + +<p> +They quickly gained a long lead, for Jack had to zigzag the Terror in +and out among the stones.</p> + +<p> +She kept falling farther and still further behind.</p> + +<p> +Some distance beyond the rocky place Jack caught view of a prairie +covered with brush and long dry grass.</p> + +<p> +It renewed his hope, and he remarked confidentially:</p> + +<p> +"Once we reach that place we'll soon catch up to them."</p> + +<p> +"I don't tink so," answered Fritz, who was watching the bandits.</p> + +<p> +"Why don't you?"</p> + +<p> +"See vot dey vos doin'!"</p> + +<p> +A chill of dismay passed over the inventor, for he now saw the bandits +setting fire to the long grass.</p> + +<p> +The wind was blowing toward the Terror.</p> + +<p> +That kept the fire burning in her direction, while the bandits galloped +away from it, setting fire to it as they proceeded.</p> + +<p> +In a short space of time there was a roaring wall of flame and smoke +opposed to the Terror.</p> + +<p> +In order to prevent Jack from coming in on a flank, the outlaws, spread +out like a fan, and kept dropping lighted matches into the combustible +grass.</p> + +<p> +It did not take long to thus create such a wide barrier that the Terror +could not hope to get around it in time to overtake the miscreants.</p> + +<p> +Jack stopped her short.</p> + +<p> +Clouds of spark-laden smoke were being swept into their faces by the +wind, and an intense heat was generated.</p> + +<p> +"Fritz, we are thwarted."</p> + +<p> +"Donner vetter! Dey cover deir redreat vell!"</p> + +<p> +"We can't remain here; those flames will roast us."</p> + +<p> +"Make a large circle vunct."</p> + +<p> +"That's the only way," said Jack, starting the Terror.</p> + +<p> +She now ran off at an angle, and the flames swept to the rocky section +and burned out.</p> + +<p> +There was not enough grass there to keep tha fire going, but behind the +first avalanche of flame came another.</p> + +<p> +It was, therefore, impossible to chase the bandits further.</p> + +<p> +The fire rendered the air stifling.</p> + +<p> +Timberlake and Tim were disgusted at this turn of affairs, for both had +been confidant of capturing the outlaws.</p> + +<p> +"If it hadn't ben for ther escape of Wood Hite," growled the old sailor, +"we'd aheerd yer signal in ther town, an' reached yer wi' ther Terror +afore them lubbers got away."</p> + +<p> +"Regrets are useless now, Tim."</p> + +<p> +"O' course. But it allers makes a feller mad ter think he didn't do sich +an' sich a thing at ther time he wuz doin' anything wot don't pan out +jist as he'd like it ter."</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps we can head them off yet."</p> + +<p> +"If thar's a livin' show, Jack'll get it, When I wuz in ther navy we was +once asallin' up ther Red Sea, when an Arabian dhow collided with us, +an' busted a hole in ther side o' ther Wabash below ther water line; +then ther willain coolly sailed away without ever excusin' himself.</p> + +<p> +"We could astood ther damage, but his indifference about ther injury he +done ter us riled us all up. Seein' as he didn't care a blame, our +skipper sent ther friggte aflyin' arter him. Waal, sir, ther cuss +cracked on sail an' fled. Arter him we tacked, detarmined ter punish +ther swab fer his imperdence. It wuz a long stern chase wot lasted ten +hours. But we finally overhauled him—"</p> + +<p> +"Why didn't your frigate sink if she had a hole stove into her below the +water liner."</p> + +<p> +Tim gave a slight start.</p> + +<p> +He had entirely overlooked this point.</p> + +<p> +Pondering a moment, he took a chew of tobacco, and replied:</p> + +<p> +"I guess ther hole wuzn't smashed all ther way through."</p> + +<p> +"Don't you know whether it was or not?"</p> + +<p> +"No; how could I go below ter look at sich a time?"</p> + +<p> +"You ought to know best."</p> + +<p> +"Waal, let it pass an' I'll go on."</p> + +<p> +"No, you won't go on."</p> + +<p> +"Why not, sir?"</p> + +<p> +"Because I won't stay here and listen to you."</p> + +<p> +"Say, sheriff d'yer mean ter insinuate as I'm a liar?"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, no. I'm too frank to insinuate what I know to be a fact, I say it +right out, openly and plainly," laughed Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +Tim eyed him with a mystified look.</p> + +<p> +He did not know whether to accept this reply as a direct insult or to +take it as a belief in his veracity.</p> + +<p> +"Wot d'yer mean?" he asked.</p> + +<p> +"Simply this–you are the most outrageous old liar I ever came in +contact with!" replied Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +"Oh!" cried Tim, in horror. "Listen ter him! You wait till I finish this +ere yarn, an' see if I'm tellin' ther truth."</p> + +<p> +"I'm afraid I won't live long enough to wait until you finish that +story," dryly answered the sheriff. "It would be too long a wait on my +part, and—"</p> + +<p> +But Fritz interrupted him just there by shouting:</p> + +<p> +"Dere dey go–dere dey go!"</p> + +<p> +Timberlake opened the front door.</p> + +<p> +"Who–the bandits?" he asked eagerly.</p> + +<p> +"Yah."</p> + +<p> +"Where are they?"</p> + +<p> +"Dey go among dem rocks."</p> + +<p> +The stage had by this time run around the fire.</p> + +<p> +The James Boys must have curved their course toward the very direction +to which the Terror was running, for Fritz had suddenly caught view of +them.</p> + +<p> +They were heading for the rocks at the base of a rugged range of hills +directly ahead of the electric stage.</p> + +<p> +Jack noticed a number of gorges, gulches and canyons splitting the +towering hills and cliffs ahead, and observed that the bandits were +heading for one of them.</p> + +<p> +He pointed this out to his companions.</p> + +<p> +"They don't see us yet!" he exclaimed, "but they will the moment they +glance back this way!"</p> + +<p> +"I think I know where they are going," said Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +"Where?' asked Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Into Dead Man's Gulch."</p> + +<p> +"What would bring them there?"</p> + +<p> +"A huge cave, where the James Boys sometimes retreat."</p> + +<p> +"Can we reach it with this stage?"</p> + +<p> +"Yes. But once they get in they could hold us at bay."</p> + +<p> +"We will see about that when we run them to cover!"</p> + +<p> +In single file the bandits rode into the dark gulch, and when it had +swallowed up the last one Jack pulled over the lever and sent the Terror +ahead at full speed.</p> + +<p> +She made rapid headway to the gulch and soon reached it.</p> + +<p> +"Where is the cave situated?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Opposite that big bowlder, on the left hand side," the sheriff replied. +"You'd better put on your armor."</p> + +<p> +"I shall," Jack replied, as he stopped the Terror, "and you all had +better arm yourselves, and prepare for trouble."</p> + +<p> +Their preparation, were hastily made.</p> + +<p> +As soon as everything was in readiness Jack alone went outside and +assumed control of the wheel.</p> + +<p> +His friends ranged themselves at the windows.</p> + +<p> +All were well armed and ready for any danger.</p> + +<p> +In the course of a few minutes the Terror ran up to the big boulder and +paused there.</p> + +<p> +Jack saw a mass of creeping vines that grew up the side of the wall, +covering a dark aperture.</p> + +<p> +This was probably the cavern entrance.</p> + +<p> +He had scarcely noticed it when there sounded the sharp spiteful crack +of a rifle behind the vines.</p> + +<p> +Ping! came a bullet.</p> + +<p> +It struck Jack squarely over the heart.</p> + +<p> +His breast plate flattened it and it fell harmless.</p> + +<p> +"A sentrys shot!" he muttered. "The villains know we are here now and +the siege will soon begin."</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XIX.<br /> +THE BANDIT'S LAST SHOT.</div> + +<p> +"Timberlake, I think I can run the Terror into that cave."</p> + +<p> +"Look out you don't get her jammed in the entrance."</p> + +<p> +"Oh, I can clear the rocks on each side easily enough."</p> + +<p> +"Go ahead then."</p> + +<p> +Jack let the stage advance slowly.</p> + +<p> +A volley of rifle shots poured out of the cavern entrance.</p> + +<p> +The bullets did no harm, however, and the Terror continued on.</p> + +<p> +Reaching the opening she glided in, the hubs of her wheels grazing the +rocks on each side, so close did she run.</p> + +<p> +Another volley met her.</p> + +<p> +It was lucky Jack had on his armor.</p> + +<p> +Had he not been so protected be might have perished.</p> + +<p> +Shot after shot struck him, and bullet after bullet hit the stage.</p> + +<p> +On she advanced unhesitatingly, though into a short gloomy passage, and +then Jack turned on the search-light.</p> + +<p> +The dazzling glare gushed into an enormous cavern in which, the James +Boys had ridden upon their horses.</p> + +<p> +At the sides there were ledges and galleries, above the roof was domed, +and from the main cave numerous passages branched off in various +directions.</p> + +<p> +Near one of these passages stood Siroc with Jesse James astride of his +back, the bandit clutching a rifle.</p> + +<p> +The rest of the men were grouped behind him.</p> + +<p> +"Hulloa!" he shouted at Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Jesse James, I demand your surrender!" cried the inventor.</p> + +<p> +"Why should I?" demanded the bandit.</p> + +<p> +"Because you can't get away from here alive."</p> + +<p> +"That's all you know about it. There are plenty exits."</p> + +<p> +"Will you give in?"</p> + +<p> +"I want to compromise."</p> + +<p> +"That I'll never do!"</p> + +<p> +"I've got a great inducement—"</p> + +<p> +"You can make none to me."</p> + +<p> +"Come here, and you'll see."</p> + +<p> +A suspicion of treachery flashed over Jack's mind.</p> + +<p> +He turned to his companions, and said in low tones:</p> + +<p> +"We want him dead or alive. Fire at him!"</p> + +<p> +Before Jack's friends could obey, a grating sound was heard above the +Terror, and the inventor glanced upward.</p> + +<p> +A cry of alarm escaped his lips.</p> + +<p> +Several of the bandits had gone up on the gallery above the Terror, and +were pushing over a huge rock that rested there.</p> + +<p> +Just as Jack looked up it fell.</p> + +<p> +The rock must have weighed a ton.</p> + +<p> +It came down directly toward the roof of the Terror.</p> + +<p> +Jack gave the starting lever a sudden jerk, and the stage suddenly +darted ahead.</p> + +<p> +She was too late to escape injury, though.</p> + +<p> +With a sickening crush the rock struck the rear end of the roof, +crushing it like an egg shell, and going down on the platform, it +carried it and the steps away.</p> + +<p> +A howl of joy escaped the James Boys.</p> + +<p> +They thought the terror was destroyed.</p> + +<p> +It was lucky Jack's friends were in the front room.</p> + +<p> +Although the machine was badly damaged, she was not crippled so she +could not work.</p> + +<p> +The machinery had escaped injury, as Jack had caused her to run ahead +just in the nick of time.</p> + +<p> +"Give it to them, boys!" panted Jack.</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +The three shots struck the men in the gallery.</p> + +<p> +Not one of the villains knew what hit them.</p> + +<p> +"Again!" roared Jack.</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +Bang!</p> + +<p> +This time the shots were directed at the riders, and that set up a wild +chorus of yells and plunged away.</p> + +<p> +It was clear enough to Jack that the bandit king had schemed to lure him +over closer beneath the gallery so that the men up there would be sure +to land the rock on the stage.</p> + +<p> +A rattling volley came back from the bandits' rifles.</p> + +<p> +Crack! Crack!</p> + +<p> +Crack! Crack!</p> + +<p> +Bang! Bang! Bang!</p> + +<p> +The firing continued without cessation for several minutes, but when the +Terror made a rush for the outlaws, it ceased.</p> + +<p> +Every one of them drove their horses into the passages, and were +instantly swallowed up by the gloom.</p> + +<p> +Jack cut out the current and put on the brakes.</p> + +<p> +"They're gone. That settles it. We can't follow them into those narrow +passages!" he exclaimed. "Let's destroy this place and go out!"</p> + +<p> +He procured several of the hand grenades, to which binding screws were +attached, planted them in niches in the walls, joined them in series by +copper wires, and from the two end ones ran two lead wires to the +dynamo.</p> + +<p> +Jack ran the stage out into the gulch.</p> + +<p> +There he turned a current of electricity into the wires, the bombs were +burst, and the cave was blown up.</p> + +<p> +It was completely wrecked.</p> + +<p> +The roof fell in, the walls caved in, the passages were choked up with +debris, and it was rendered utterly useless as a place of resort again +for the outlaws.</p> + +<p> +Jack sent the stage dashing through the gulch.</p> + +<p> +It emerged into a valley through which ran a stream which wound in and +out among the hills.</p> + +<p> +Instead of finding the bandits there though, Jack was chagrined to see +that the passages they followed had led them up into the hills.</p> + +<p> +He saw some of the villains speeding away on their horses for the other +side of the range.</p> + +<p> +It was not possible to follow them up there amid the tangled shrubbery +and tumbled rocks with the stage.</p> + +<p> +"The only course to pursue," Jack commented, "is to go around the base +of the hills and try to reach them that way."</p> + +<p> +"It's a mighty long course, my lad," said Tim.</p> + +<p> +"That's so; but there is no alternative."</p> + +<p> +"Vhere yer tink dey go now, Dimperlake?" asked Fritz.</p> + +<p> +"Out of the State, as fast as possible," the sheriff answered.</p> + +<p> +"Vhy yer tink me dot?"</p> + +<p> +"Because they've made a rich haul from the Husking Valley Bank, and we +have sickened them with this section of the country. They are not used +to such rough treatment."</p> + +<p> +"The James Boys won't leave Missouri until after I land them in prison," +resolutely said Jack, "I've come here to do it and I won't be baffled. +You know I've got the money they stole from the Wrightstown Bank. Now +I'm going to get the governor's reward, or know the reason why."</p> + +<p> +"If you think you can do it, I'm with you heart and soul," replied the +sheriff. "My chief ambition as to break up that gang, and get the +nippers on those dare devil brothers."</p> + +<p> +"To leave the State what place would they go to first?"</p> + +<p> +"Well, as near as I can judge, the nearest railroad center to this +place is Macon City."</p> + +<p> +"Direct me how to get there."</p> + +<p> +The sheriff complied.</p> + +<p> +Jack had to steer the stage around the hills.</p> + +<p> +She finally reached the table-land on the other side, and a survey was +made with telescopes.</p> + +<p> +In the far distance a horseman was seen.</p> + +<p> +He looked not much bigger than a fly on the distant horizon, and Jack at +once jumped at the conclusion that he might be one of the outlaw gang.</p> + +<p> +He, therefore, pursued the man.</p> + +<p> +As he drew near Macon City they were close enough to recognize him as +Jesse James mounted on Siroc.</p> + +<p> +Not one of the rest of the band were in sight for the simple reason that +they had scattered and gone in different directions to reach the city +singly and in pairs at intervals so as not to excite the suspicion of +the inhabitants.</p> + +<p> +Jesse had seen the stage long before.</p> + +<p> +He was riding like the wind.</p> + +<p> +His fine horse seemed to realize the threatening danger and was +straining every muscle to outstrip the Terror.</p> + +<p> +It was in vain.</p> + +<p> +Nearer and nearer drew the stage.</p> + +<p> +For a moment Jack was tempted to drive the ram into the gallant horse +and thus end the race.</p> + +<p> +But when he saw what a magnificent beast it was and realized how nobly +it was striving to bear its master out of the reach of his foes the +inventor relented.</p> + +<p> +He did not have the cruelty of heart to kill it.</p> + +<p> +All he wanted was the rider.</p> + +<p> +So he shouted:</p> + +<p> +"Halt!"</p> + +<p> +"Only when I'm dead!" yelled Jesse.</p> + +<p> +"Then I'll shoot you."</p> + +<p> +"Two can play at that game!"</p> + +<p> +As the stage rolled up to the horse, Jack and the bandit were aiming +their pistols at each other.</p> + +<p> +For a moment a deathly silence ensued.</p> + +<p> +Crack–bang!</p> + +<p> +The two reports sounded as one.</p> + +<p> +Jack was unhurt.</p> + +<p> +But Jesse James flung up his hands and toppled headlong to the ground, +with blood gushing from a wound upon his head, and his face looking like +that of a corpse.</p> + +<p> +Siroc galloped on, and the Terror paused.</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr /> + +<p></p> + +<div class="chapter"> +CHAPTER XX.<br /> +CONCLUSION.</div> + +<p> +The moment the bandit king fell from the saddle, Jack sprang to the +ground and rushed over to him.</p> + +<p> +Planting his foot on the breast of the fallen man and raising his pistol +in the air, Jack shouted:</p> + +<p> +"Victory!"</p> + +<p> +"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!" cheered his friends.</p> + +<p> +In a moment they were beside the young inventor.</p> + +<p> +"Did you kill him?" asked Timberlake.</p> + +<p> +"No it's only a scalp wound," Jack answered.</p> + +<p> +"Let me handcuff him."</p> + +<p> +"Your surmise was correct about the gang heading for Macon City."</p> + +<p> +"I know what their general habits are."</p> + +<p> +The sheriff handcuffed the bandit king.</p> + +<p> +He was utterly unconscious from the shot.</p> + +<p> +Fritz and Tim were so delighted they shook hands fervently, let off +several emphatic expletives and fairly danced.</p> + +<p> +"Gee whiz, he's captured at last!" roared the sailor.</p> + +<p> +"Shiminey Christmas, Dim, who oxbected dot alretty?"</p> + +<p> +"An' ther rest o' his crew must be in harbor in that town."</p> + +<p> +"Fer sure. Ve vhas bound ter foundt 'em mit der railroat depot."</p> + +<p> +"Carry the prisoner aboard the Terror, boys," said Jack.</p> + +<p> +Tim and Fritz did this.</p> + +<p> +Siroc ran on to the town and vanished.</p> + +<p> +When Jack realized this a grave look crossed his face.</p> + +<p> +"I'm sorry the horse escaped!" he exclaimed, regretfully.</p> + +<p> +"Why so?" asked Timberlake, with some show of surprise. "You could not +do anything with that animal. There are very few people in the world who +can ride him unless Jesse puts the man on the beast's back and let's it +know he desires it."</p> + +<p> +"That ain't the point," said Jack, "I'm afraid the rest of the gang will +see it run riderless into the town and know that Jesse has got into +trouble. They may take warning and fly before we can get our hands upon +them."</p> + +<p> +"Very true; let's hasten after it then."</p> + +<p> +They boarded the stage.</p> + +<p> +The shadows of twilight were falling.</p> + +<p> +Fritz and Tim took care of the wheel, and Jack and the sheriff went into +the dining-room where Jesse laid on the floor.</p> + +<p> +He had by this time fully recovered and realized what happened, and a +dark scowl mantled his brow as he gazed up at Jack.</p> + +<p> +"Come to crow over me?" he asked in surly tones.</p> + +<p> +"Yes," replied Jack. "I made up my mind when I came here that I'd get +you, and I've done it."</p> + +<p> +"There isn't a jail in the State can hold me."</p> + +<p> +"Timberlake will answer for that."</p> + +<p> +"Where's Siroc?"</p> + +<p> +"Ran away."</p> + +<p> +"Good!"</p> + +<p> +"Oh, I didn't want him."</p> + +<p> +"I don't refer to that."</p> + +<p> +"What then do you mean?"</p> + +<p> +"All the money I got out of the Husking Valley Bank is in the saddle +bag, and he will run straight to the gang, his empty saddle will warn +them to fly, and they'll get the money."</p> + +<p> +"Confound it!"</p> + +<p> +"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"</p> + +<p> +It was a derisive, mocking laugh.</p> + +<p> +Jesse was delighted because the inventor had not gained all.</p> + +<p> +On went the stage.</p> + +<p> +She ran into the city at dusk.</p> + +<p> +Jesse was put in jail, and Jack and his friends left the stage under +guard, and hurried to the railroad depot.</p> + +<p> +Fortune seemed to favor them.</p> + +<p> +The first person they saw standing on the platform waiting for the +train, was Frank James.</p> + +<p> +Jack lightly stepped up behind him.</p> + +<p> +Grasping both of his arms, he exclaimed:</p> + +<p> +"Frank James, you are my prisoner!"</p> + +<p> +A startled cry burst from the outlaw's lips, and he made an effort to +tear himself free and reach his pistols.</p> + +<p> +But the iron grip of the young inventor was not to be shaken off so +easily, and the wiry bandit found himself as helpless as an infant in +the hands of Jack.</p> + +<p> +Then he craned his neck around to see who had him.</p> + +<p> +A roar of rage escaped his lips when he satisfied his curiosity.</p> + +<p> +"Jack Wright!" he gasped.</p> + +<p> +"Yes, We've got Jesse, too."</p> + +<p> +"What! Jess caught!"</p> + +<p> +"Little over an hour ago."</p> + +<p> +"May the demon roast you!"</p> + +<p> +"Don't rave! it won't do any good."</p> + +<p> +"Oh. Lord! Here's Timberlake, too!"</p> + +<p> +"Yes. He waits to take you away."</p> + +<p> +"Let go, or I'll—"</p> + +<p> +He fiercely struggled again, but it was useless.</p> + +<p> +Timberlake smiled grimly as he disarmed the outlaw.</p> + +<p> +He carried a veritable arsenal.</p> + +<p> +A crowd gathered around.</p> + +<p> +As soon as they realized that the prisoner was one of the James Boys, +the interest in him was aroused at once.</p> + +<p> +Timberlake snapped a pair of fetters on his own and Frank's wrists, and +led him away to the jail.</p> + +<p> +An alarm had been sent out to the police to look for the rest of the +gang.</p> + +<p> +As Siroc and the men had mysteriously vanished, it was fair to presume +that they had found the horse, got the money, took the hint, and left +for parts unknown.</p> + +<p> +Anyway none of them were found.</p> + +<p> +Jack's mission was accomplished.</p> + +<p> +The governor was notified of what he had done, and the reward was sent +to him at once.</p> + +<p> +Jack was well satisfied, and Timberlake more so.</p> + +<p> +If the newspapers had not at once published an account of the arrest, +more of the gang might have been taken.</p> + +<p> +As it was all escaped arrest.</p> + +<p> +When the evidence of the four was taken, the young inventor had his +wonderful electric stage repaired for the journey home as he had nothing +further to keep him in Missouri, now that he had dispersed the James +Boys gang.</p> + +<p> +They needed the rest they got after that.</p> + +<p> +Before Timberlake left them to go to Kansas City, he said:</p> + +<p> +"I am grateful for all you've done, boys, and will never forget your +gallant conduct. You have accomplished what we have for a long time been +striving to do."</p> + +<p> +"Oh, Lor'," said Tim, disdainfully. "That ain't nothin' ter wot I once +did when I wuz aboard o' ther ole frigate Wabash."</p> + +<p> +"Whoop!" roared Fritz, interrupting him.</p> + +<p> +"Stow yer gab!"</p> + +<p> +"Vos a yarn comin'?"</p> + +<p> +"That's none o' yer business, As I was assayin—"</p> + +<p> +But he got no farther.</p> + +<p> +Fritz grabbed his accordeon and began to play.</p> + +<p> +Tim paused with a look of pain and horror on his face.</p> + +<p> +"Haul to, thar!" he bellowed.</p> + +<p> +"I can't. I vos vound up ter 'blay dwendy-four hours," grinned Fritz, +grinding away furiously.</p> + +<p> +"Gee whiz! Yer'll set me looney."</p> + +<p> +"Noddings vould blease me besser."</p> + +<p> +"Are yer goin' ter stop?"</p> + +<p> +"Nien!"</p> + +<p> +"Then yer a dead Dutchman!"</p> + +<p> +And so saying Tim chased him into the store-room of the Terror, where +the parrot and monkey were roosting, and a moment afterwards the four +became tangled up in a struggle that shook the stage like an earthquake.</p> + +<p> +It did not last long.</p> + +<p> +When Tim, Fritz, Whiskers and Bismarck emerged from the room, they +looked as if they had been passed through a threshing machine, but they +were on terms of good fellowship.</p> + +<p> +Shortly afterwards, Sheriff Timberlake shook hand, with the three +friends and departed.</p> + +<p> +Jack then made preparations to return home.</p> + +<p> +As soon as the Terror was ready, they left Macon City and started across +the country at a rapid pace.</p> + +<p> +Nothing of importance occurred during the trip, and in due time they +reached Wrightstown.</p> + +<p> +Here they were gladly welcomed.</p> + +<p> +The machine was then taken apart and packed away as they had no further +use for it, the parrot and monkey were transferred to Jack's house and +Jack refunded the money to the Wrightstown bank much to everybody's +surprise.</p> + +<p> +It was not long after this that Jack received news that the James Boys +had escaped from prison, reorganized the old gang and were devastating +the State.</p> + +<p> +But he did not care to go after them again.</p> + +<p> +Indeed, he ultimately learned that such a course would have been +useless, as Jesse James was finally shot dead by one of the Ford Boys.</p> + +<p> +Jack had a more peaceful pursuit in view at home.</p> + +<p> +During his absence he had thought of another new invention, and began to +plan it out.</p> + +<p> +It was a most marvelous contrivance, and in the end he made a success of +it, and, when he used it, the machine led him into the most thrilling +situations.</p> + +<p> +For want of space here we have prepared a sequel to this story which +will follow in this publication.</p> + +<p> +It is a most interesting account of Jack, Tim and Fritz, and as we will +soon be in their company once more, let us conclude this narrative.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +[THE END.]</p> + +<p></p> + +<hr style="width: 100%" /> + +<h2 style="font-size: 300%"> +FRANK TOUSEY'S HAND BOOKS.</h2> + +<hr class="sm" /> + +<h3 style="text-align: center"> +CONTAINING USEFUL INSTRUCTION ON ALMOST EVERY SUBJECT UNDER THE SUN.<br /> +PRICE 10 CENTS PER COPY</h3> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +No. 1.<br /> +<b>Napoleon's Oraculum and Dream Book.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +Containing the great oracle of human destiny; also the true meaning of +almost any kind of dreams, together with charms, ceremonies and curious +games of cards. A complete book. Price 10 cents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +No. 2.<br /> +<b>HOW TO DO TRICKS.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +The great book of magic and card tricks, containing full instruction of +all the leading card tricka of the day, also the most popular magical +illusions as performed by our leading magicians; every boy should obtain +a copy, as it will both amuse and instruct. Price 10 cents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 3.<br /> +HOW TO FLIRT.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this little +book. Besides the various methods of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, +window and hat flirtations, it contains a full list of the language and +sentiment of flowers, which is interesting to everybody, both old and +young. You cannot be happy without one. Price 10 cents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 4.<br /> +HOW TO DANCE.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +Is the title of a new and handsome little book just issued by Frank +Tousey. It contains full instructions in the art of dancing, etiquette +in the ball-room, and at parties, how to dress, and full directions for +calling off in all popular square dances. The price is 10 cent. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 5.<br /> +HOW TO MAKE LOVE.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +A complete guide to love, courtship and marriage. giving sensible +advice, rules and etiquette to be observed, with many curious and +interesting things not generally known. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 6.<br /> +HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +Giving full instruction for the use of dumb-bells, Indian clubs, +parallel bars, horizonal bars and various other methods of developing a +good healthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations. Every boy can +become strong and healthy by following the instructions contained in +this little book. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 7.<br /> +HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +Handsomely, illustrated and containing full instructions for the +management and training of the canary, mocking-bird, bobolink, +blackbird, paroquet, parrot, etc., etc. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 8.<br /> +HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +A useful and instructive book, giving a complete treatise on chemistry; +also, experiments in accoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and +directions for making fireworks, colored fires, and gas balloons. This +book cannot be equaled. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 9.<br /> +HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +By Harry Kennedy. The secret given away. Every intelligent boy reading +this book of instructions, by a practical professor (delighting +multitudes every night with his wonderful imitations), can master the +art, and create any amount of fun for himself and friends. It is the +greatest book ever published, and there's millions (of fun) in it. Price +10 cents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 10.<br /> +HOW TO BOX.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +The art of self-defense made easy. Containing over thirty illustrations +of guards, blows and the different positions of a good boxer. Every boy +should obtain one of these useful and instructive books, as it will +teach you how to box without an instructor. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 11.<br /> +HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +A most complete little book, containing full directions for writing +love-letters, and when to use them; also giving specimen letters for +both young and old. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 12.<br /> +HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO LADIES.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +Giving complete instructions for writing letters to ladies on all +subjects; also, letters of introduction, notes and requests. Price 10 +cents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 13.<br /> +How to Do It; or, Book of Etiquette.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +It is a great life secret, and one that every young man desires to know +all about. Send 10 cents and get it. There's happiness in it. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 14.<br /> +HOW TO MAKE CANDY.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +Complete hand-book for making all kinds of candy, ice-cream, syrups, +essences, etc., etc. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 15.<br /> +HOW TO BECOME RICH.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +This wonderful book presents you with the example and life experience of +some of the most noted and wealthy men in the world, including the +self-made men of country. The book is edited by one of the most +sucecessful men of the present age, whose own example is in itself guide +enough for those who aspire to fame and money. The book will give you +the secret. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 16.<br /> +HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +Containing full instructions for constructing a window garden either in +town or country, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful +flowers at home. The most complete book of the kind ever published. +Price 10 cents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 17.<br /> +HOW TO DRESS.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +Containing full instruction in the art of dressing and appearing well at +home and abroad, giving the selections of colors, material, and how to +have them made up. Price 10 cents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 18.<br /> +HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +One of the brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the +world. Everybody wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male and +female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. Read this book and be +convinced how to become beautiful. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 19.<br /> +FRANK TOUSEY'S<br /> +United States Distance Tables, Pocket Companion and Guide.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +Giving the official distances on all the railroads of the United States +and Canada. Also, table of distances by water to foreign ports, hack +fares in the principal cities, reports of the census, etc., etc., making +it one of the most complete and handy books published. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 20.<br /> +How to Entertain an Evening Party.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +A very valuable little book just published. A complete compendium of +games, sports. card-diversions, comic recreations, etc., suitable for +parlor or drawing-room entertainment. It contains more for the money +than any book published. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +<b>No. 21.<br /> +HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.</b></p> +<p class="hand"> +The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains +full instructions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, +together with descriptions of game and fish. Price 10 cents. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 100%" /> + +<h2 style="font-size: 300%"> +The Boys' Star Library.</h2> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="hand"> +Each Number Contains a Complete Story, 32 Pages of Reading Matter is its +Usual Size, and Some Numbers Contain 64 Pages. Which Makes it the +Cheapest Library Published in the World.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen"> +PRICE ONLY 5 CENTS PER COPY.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen" style="font-size: 150%"> +A NEW NUMBER IS ISSUED EVERY WEEK.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%" /> + +<p class="cen" style="font-size: 120%"> +Read the Following List of Numbers Already Published:</p> + + +<ul > + <li>No.</li> + <li>1 The Wolf Men of Minnesota. …… by Howard De Vere</li> + <li>2 The Shark Hunters. …… by Horace Appleton</li> + <li>3 Tim Finnegan, the Young Irish Detective. …… Written by Himself</li> + <li>4 Fox Cap, the Friend of Daniel Boone. …… by Kit Clyde</li> + <li>5 The American Robinson Crusoe; or, The Wreck of the "Hurricane". …… + by Gus Williams</li> + <li>6 Hook and Ladder No. 6. …… by Howard De Vere</li> + <li>7 Lost in the Pacific. …… by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg</li> + <li>8 Ned Newton, the Young Engineer of the Swan. A Story of the + Mississippi River. …… by Albert J. Booth</li> + <li>9 Cruise of the Silverwing. …… by George W. Goode</li> + <li>10 On Board the Schoolship Norfork. …… by Hal Standish</li> + <li>11 Roy, the Western Union Telegraph Messenger. …… by Robert Knox</li> + <li>12 Wine and Cards. A Temperance Story. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li>13 Skeleton Saul. …… by Marline Manly</li> + <li>14 Billy Bunce the Boy Actor. …… by John Sherman</li> + <li>15 McDonald, the Man Tracker. …… by Walter Fenton</li> + <li>16 Yarns Around the Camp Fire. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li>17 The Secret Glen; or, The Mysterious War Chief. …… by Don Jenardo</li> + <li>18 Comic Adventures of Mike Mulligan. …… by Tom Teaser</li> + <li>19 Corney of the Cliff; or, The Bold Irish Smuggler. …… by Corporal + Morgan Rattler</li> + <li>20 Abandoned at Sea. …… by Frank Forrest</li> + <li>21 Nan and Nat. the Child Riders. A True Tale of the Arena. …… by + Horace Appleton</li> + <li>22 Dan Hayes; the Detective. …… by Geo. W Goode</li> + <li>23 Virginia Dick. A Southern Boy in the Mexican War. …… by Albert J. + Booth</li> + <li>24 The Ghost of the Saw-Mill. …… by Robert Maynard</li> + <li>25 Dick Desmond; or, The Mutiny on the Golden Gate. …… by A. F. Hill</li> + <li>26 Tim Woodruff. the Young Chairmaker. …… by Percy R. St. John</li> + <li>27 Moccasin Mose. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>28 The Pearl Diver. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>29 Jolly Jack, the Rover; or, The Last Voyage of the Phantom Ship. …… + by Allyn Draper</li> + <li>30 Night-Express Ned. …… by Frank Forrest</li> + <li>31 The Lost Finger. …… by Berton Bertrew</li> + <li>32 "Little Dot," the Dandy Scout of the Plains. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>33 Our Social Club. …… by "Ed"</li> + <li>34 The Wreckers of the Wallkill. …… by Allan Arnold</li> + <li>35 Big Beck, the Prince of Trappers. …… by Richard R. Montgomery</li> + <li>36 Mail Train Mat. …… by Frank Forrest</li> + <li>37 Swift-Foot: or, The Adopted Chief. …… by Ralph Morton</li> + <li>38 The Ourang-Ourtang Hunters. …… by Geo. G. Small</li> + <li>39 The Comic Detective. …… by "Ed"</li> + <li>40 Yankee Jack. …… by Captain Geo. Granville</li> + <li>41 Hank Monk; or, The Stage Driver of the Pacific Slope. …… by Robert + Maynard</li> + <li>42 The Boss of the School; or, Around the World for Fun. …… by Captain + Will Dayton</li> + <li>43 The Fire Rider. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>44 War Eagle; or, The Hero of a Hundred Fights. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li>45 Simple Silas; or, The Idiot Detective. …… by Harry Rockwood</li> + <li>46 Old Invincible. …… by Police Captain Howard</li> + <li>47 The Secrets of the Diamond Island. …… by Horace Appleton</li> + <li>48 Peeping Peter. A Tale of the American Revolution. …… by Roger + Starbuck</li> + <li>49 He Didn't Get Left! Something Very Novel. …… by Peter Pad</li> + <li>50 A Dead Witness. …… by Allan Arnold</li> + <li>51 Danger Signal Dave, the Dashing Boy Engineer of the West. …… by + Albert J. Booth</li> + <li>52 Brave Captain Kelly: or, The Daring Irish Privateers. …… by Corporal + Morgan Rattler</li> + <li>53 The Caffre King; or, Three New York Youths in Africa. …… by Berton + Bertrew</li> + <li>54 Iceberg Jack, the Hero at the Artic. …… by R. T. Emmet</li> + <li>55 Ebony Eph, the Colored Detective. …… by Harry Rockwood</li> + <li>56 Out With General Crook; or, The Twin Scouts of the Sierra Madres. …… + by John Sherman</li> + <li>57 The Cavern of Death; or, The Maiden Avenger. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>58 Young Hercules, the King of Detectives. …… by Police Captain Howard</li> + <li>59 The Young Drover; or, The Secret Order of the Northwest. …… by + Morris Redwing</li> + <li>60 The Circus Wonder. …… by P. T. Raymond</li> + <li>61 Young Franklin; or, Buried Under the Snow. …… by Albert J. Booth</li> + <li>62 Ruined by Wine. A Temperance Story. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li>63 Bareback Tom, the Circus Wonder. …… by Horace Appleton</li> + <li>64 No. 202; or, In League With the Secret Service. …… by Lieutenant E. + H. Kellogg</li> + <li>65 The Island Captive; or, Donald Dane's Victory. …… by John Sherman</li> + <li>66 One Thousand Miles on Skates. …… by R. T. Emmet</li> + <li>67 Dick the Pilot; or, The River Pirate's Plot. A Tale of the + Mississippi. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>68 The Young Cliff Climber. A Tale of the Andes. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>69 Alderman Maloney. …… by Tom Teaser</li> + <li>70 "King of the Ice;" or, Astray in the Arotic. …… by Albert J. Booth</li> + <li>71 The Spy of Toronto. A Story of 1812. …… by Don Jenardo</li> + <li>72 Lost in the Sewers; or, Adventures Beneath a Great City. …… by + Gaston Garne</li> + <li>73 The Wizard of the Deep; or, The Wonderful Ocean Cave. …… by C. + Little</li> + <li>74 Gold Mask; or, The Mystery of the Mines. …… by Robert Maynard</li> + <li>75 Young Wide-Awake, the Pride of Engineers; or, Life on the Railroad. + …… by Albert J. Booth</li> + <li>76 The Flying Soud. A Romance of the Ever Faithful Isle. …… by Gaston + Garne</li> + <li>77 In the Clouds with a Maniac; or, The Jockey's Peril. …… by John + Sherman</li> + <li>78 Foxy and Brother, the Invincible Detectives. …… by Police Captain + Howard</li> + <li>79 Lost Under Ground; or, A Week in the Dark. …… by Horace Appleton</li> + <li>80 Rocky Mountain Joe. …… by Robert Maynard</li> + <li>81 The Ogres of the Ocean; or, The Voyage of the "Seashell". …… by + Albert J. Booth</li> + <li>82 Black Hills Bill. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li>83 Daring Zach, the Dwarf Scout of Palo Alto. …… by Lieutenant E. H. + Kellogg</li> + <li>84 Figure Four; or, Simple Silas' Last Trail. …… by Harry Rockwood</li> + <li>85 The Young Life-Saving Crew. …… by Col. Ralph Fenton</li> + <li>86 The Haunted School-House. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>87 The Mysterious Sport. …… by Robert Maynard</li> + <li>88 The Ocean Mystery. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>89 Jack Bruce, the Star of the Circus. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>90 The Jaguar Hunters; or, Wild Adventures in Brazil. …… by Harry + Rockwood</li> + <li>91 The Life-Savers; or, the Wreck of Lbs "Ringdove". …… by Albert J. + Booth</li> + <li>92 The Wonder Skiff. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>93 Mark Manley, the Young Engineer. …… by Albert J. Booth</li> + <li>94 Kit Carson's Raid. …… by Robert Maynard</li> + <li>95 Cape Horn Chris, the Whaler's Son. …… by Albert J. Booth</li> + <li>96 Two Comical Crusoes, and A Very Black Friday. …… by Tom Teaser</li> + <li>97 Dick Darnley, the Switch Boy. …… by Robert Lennox</li> + <li>98 The Haunted Cave; or, The Land of Wonders. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li>99 Old Sixty; or, The Last Run of the Special. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>100 The Young Balloonist; or, A Boy's Adventures in the Clouds. …… P. + T. Raymond</li> + <li>101 Two New York Boys Around the World. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>102 Phantom, the Prairie Trapper. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>103 "Stand Together;" or, The Young Firemen of Clinton. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>104 Harpoon Harry; or, The Castaways of the Antarctic. …… by Albert J. + Booth</li> + <li>105 The Rival Knights; or, The Forest Champion. …… by Walter Fenton</li> + <li>106 Simple Silas Among the Moonshiners. …… by Harry Rockwood</li> + <li>107 The Black Band. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>108 Pacific Dick, the Pirates' Dread. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>109 Shorthand Dick; or, The Young Reporter in Omaha. …… by Robert + Maynard</li> + <li>110 The Mystic "7"; or, The Terror of the Bandits. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>111 Little Crow; or, The Tomahawk and Scalplng Knife in Minnesota. …… + by Robert Lennox</li> + <li>112 The Tattooed Hand. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>113 Lost in New York; or, A Country Boy's Adventures. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>114 Simple Silas and the Night-Riders. …… by Harry Rockwood</li> + <li>115 The Ocean Scout; or, Captain Low's Last Cruise. …… by Don Jenardo</li> + <li>116 The Haunted Island. …… by Robert Lennox</li> + <li>117 Torpedo Tom; or, What a Yankee Boy Can Do. …… by Howard De Vere</li> + <li>118 Lightning Joe. …… by R. T. Emmet</li> + <li>119 Among the Thugs; or, Two Yankee Boys in India. …… by Hal Standish</li> + <li>120 Young Phenix: or, Avenged From the Grave. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>121 General Grant's Boy Spy; or, The Hero of Five Forks. …… by Ralph + Morton</li> + <li>122 The Pearl of the Border; or, The Girl Avenger. …… by Robert Maynard</li> + <li>123 The Boy Captives of the Zulus; or, Held For Ransom. …… by Capt. + Geo. Granville, U. S. A.</li> + <li>124 The Invisible Scout. …… by P. T. Raymond</li> + <li>125 The Mysterious Five; or, The Terror of the Bandits. …… by Paul + Braddon</li> + <li>126 Hawk and Weasel, the Baltimore Detectives. …… by Police Captain + Howard</li> + <li>127 The Boy Balloonists; or, Adventures in the Clouds. …… by Harry + Eaton</li> + <li>128 The Scout's League. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>129 The Black Diamond. …… by Allyn Draper</li> + <li>130 Matt Mizzen, the Young Rover . …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>131 From Wine to Ruin; or, Jack Jordan's Peril. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li>132 The Silent Hunter; or, The Old Scout's Secret. …… by R. T. Emmet</li> + <li>133 The King of the Clouds. …… by Walter Fenton</li> + <li>134 The Hidden Cave. A Legend of the Ohio. …… by Don Jenardo</li> + <li>135 Little Luke the Boy Driver of the Mines; or, The Young Hero of + Diamond Shaft. A Story of Life and Adventures Down in a Coal Mine. + …… by C. Little</li> + <li>136 The Diamond Bullet. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>137 Old Bob Gray: or, The Lone Trapper of the Rockies. A Story of Wild + Adventure. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>138 The Red Pirate; or, The Island of Death. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>139 The House on the Hill. …… by Don Jenardo</li> + <li>140 Dashwell, the Detective; or, The Mysteries of Seven Days. …… by + Police Captain Howard</li> + <li>141 The Dead Avenger; or, Denounced from the Grave. …… by Robert Lennox</li> + <li>142 Little Corinne: or, The Pride of the Ring. A Thrilling Story of + Circus Life. …… by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg</li> + <li>143 Tracked for Years. …… by Corporal Morgan Rattler</li> + <li>144 The Dwarf Bell Ringer; or, The Mystery of the Church Tower. …… by + Gaston Garne</li> + <li>145 Ranch 5. A Story of the "49ers". …… by + Robert Maynard</li> + <li>146 The Black Cross; or, The Mysteries of the Jungle. A Tale of India. + …… by Robert Lennox</li> + <li>147 Keen Kit; or, The Border Detective Among the Mormons. …… by Walter + Fenton</li> + <li>148 The Secret Den; or, The Mississippi Pirates. …… by Don Jenardo</li> + <li>149 The Masked Safe Blowers of Chicago. …… by Walter Fenton</li> + <li>150 Vogiene, the Unknown Wonder of the Border. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>151 The Mad Midshipman; or, The Pirate's Last Cruise. …… by Gaston + Garne</li> + <li>152 Emerald Pat; or, The Orange and the Green. …… by Sergeant O'Donnell</li> + <li>153 Born to Be a Middy; or, On and Off a Man-o'-War. …… by J. G. + Bradley</li> + <li>154 The Circus Runaway; or, The Boy Trainer and His Elephant on Their + Travels. …… by P. T. Raymond</li> + <li>155 Luke Bland; or, Piping a Dreadful Crime. …… by Tom Fox</li> + <li>156 The Broken Vow: or, The Lion Tamer's Oath. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>157 The Firebugs of Chicago. …… by Horace Appleton</li> + <li>158 The Ghouls of Gotham; or, The Man in the Black Cloak. + …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>159 Crookstaff, the Ranger; or, The Outlaws of the Hill. …… by John + Sherman</li> + <li>160 Liontine, the Pirate's Daughter. …… . by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg</li> + <li>161 Contiental Dick, the Dread of the Tories. …… by Col. Ralph Fenton</li> + <li>162 The Young Brigand Chief. …… by Robert Maynard</li> + <li>163 The Black Hand; or, The Mystery of a Ring. …… by Gaston Garnes</li> + <li>164 Just in Time; or, The Plot That Failed. …… by P. T. Raymond</li> + <li>165 Bold Ben Bryan, the Yankee Sailor Boy. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>166 Hunting the Wolf-Killers; or, Perils in the Northwest. …… by R. T. + Emmet</li> + <li>167 The Haunted Cabin; or, The Secrets of the Swamp. …… by H. K. + Shackleford</li> + <li>168 The Hand of Fate; or, The Hawks of New York. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>169 The King of Three Oceans. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>170 The Gipsy's Curse; or, The Revenge of a Lifetime. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>171 The Swan; or, Life on the Mississippi. …… by Don Jenardo</li> + <li>172 Dragon Dick; or, In Pursuit of a Mountain Bandit. …… by Robert + Maynard</li> + <li>173 From East to West in a Balloon. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>174 Around the World in the Air; or, The Adventures of a Flying Man. …… + by Harry Kennedy</li> + <li>175 The Death Spell; or, The Black Voodoo's Vengeance. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>176 The Boy Jockey; or, Fame and Fortune on the Race Course. …… by R. + T. Emmet</li> + <li>177 Big Carlos, the Giant Pirate. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>178 Hank Hamilton, the Blue Grass Detective; or, The Horse Thieves of + Kentucky. …… by Police Captain Howard</li> + <li>179 Monte, the Mystery of Culpepper Valley. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>180 The Pearl of the Pacific. …… by Robert Lennox</li> + <li>181 The Magic Rifle. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>182 Bravest of tho Brave. A Story of the Mexican War. …… by Capt. Geo. + Granville, U. S. A.</li> + <li>183 Greybeard, the Terror of the Seas. …… by A. F. Hill</li> + <li>184 Pete Walsh, the Western Detective. …… by R. T. Emmet</li> + <li>185 The House of Mystery. …… by Police Captain Howard</li> + <li>186 The Masked Brotherhood. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li>187 The Flying Man; or, The Adventures of a Young Inventor. …… by Harry + Kennedy</li> + <li>188 The Mystery of the Forest; or, A Scout With Many Lives. …… by Paul + Braddon</li> + <li>189 Jeppo, the Hunchback; or The King of Torturers. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>190 Suspected; or The Horse Thieves Lost Raid. …… by R. T. Emmet</li> + <li>191 The Missing Hunter. …… by Don Jenardo</li> + <li>192 The Knight of the Black Horse. A Story of the Days of Chivalry. …… + by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>193 The Slave Trader. …… by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg</li> + <li>194 Mankato Mark, the Indian Nemesis; or, The White Avenger of the + Nor'west. …… by R. T. Emmet</li> + <li>195 Galloping O'Hagan; or, The Bold Free Rider. …… by Corporal Morgan + Rattler</li> + <li>196 The Deaf and Dumb Detective. …… by Allan Arnold</li> + <li>197 Matt, the Avenger; or, Fighting the Mexican Bandits. …… by Robert + Maynard</li> + <li>198 The Locked League; or, The Mystery of the Key and Serpent. …… by + Paul Braddon</li> + <li>199 Brave Bradshaw, the Express Messenger; or, Through by Night with a + Million. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>200 "Comanche Bill;" or, The Texan's Revenge. …… by Robert Lennox</li> + <li>201 The Black Doctor. A Thrilling Story of the Secret Service. …… by + Lieut. E. H. Kellogg</li> + <li>202 The Maniac Scout. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>203 The Renegade's Doom. …… by John Sherman</li> + <li>204 A Secret Foe. …… by Frank Forrest</li> + <li>205 The League of Fate. …… by "Noname"</li> + <li>206 The Country Boy Detective. …… by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg</li> + <li>207 The Vault of Mystery. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>208 The Cuban Avenger; or, The Young Privateer. …… by Major J. Anderson</li> + <li>209 Sentenced for Life. …… by A U. S. Detective</li> + <li>210 The Steps of Doom. …… by R. T. Emmet</li> + <li>211 Cyclone, the Horse Runner; or, The Young Lassoer of the Plains. …… + by "Noname"</li> + <li>212 The Black Bravos. …… by Gaston Garne</li> + <li>213 Tracked by a Fiend. …… by Corporal Morgan Rattler</li> + <li>214 The Crimson Cowl; or, The Bandit of San Basillo. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>215 Detective Dark. …… by Tom Fox (Philadelphia Detective)</li> + <li><b>216 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor; or, Hunting For a Sunken Treasure. + …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>217 The Hidden Treasure; or, Among the Cannibals. …… by H. K. + Shackleford</li> + <li>218 Phil Faraday, the Young Explorer; or, Adventures in Savage Africa. + …… by Hal Standish</li> + <li>219 Dick Gordon; or, The True Yankee Sailor Boy. …… by J. T. Brougham</li> + <li><b>220 Jack Wright and His Electric Turtle; or, Chasing the Pirates of the + Spanish Main. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>221 Diver Bill; or, The Secret of the Wreck. …… by Ralph Morton</li> + <li>222 The Child Stealer; or, The Vulture, of a Great City. …… by J. T. + Brougham</li> + <li><b>223 Jack Wright'e Submarine Catamaran; or, The Phantom Ship of the + Yellow Sea. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>224 The Dark Corners of New York; or, The Perils of a District Telegraph + Messenger. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li>225 Thado, the Thug; or, The Star on the Arm. …… by T. W. Hanshew</li> + <li>226 The Broken Bottle; or, A Jolly Good Fellow. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> +</ul> + +<p></p> + + <hr style="width: 100%" /> + +<p></p> + + <h2>Latest Issues of THE BOYS' STAR LIBRARY:</h2> + +<ul> + <li>234 Saved at Six; or, The Wizard of the Waves. …… by A. F. Hill</li> + <li><b>235 Jack Wright and His Magnetic Motor; or, The Golden City of the + Sierras. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>236 The Boy Miners. …… by C. Little</li> + <li>237 The Merry Ten; or, The Shadows of a Social Club. A Temperance Story. + …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li><b>238 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, and His Under-water Iron-Clad; or, + The Treasure of the Sandy Sea. …… by + "Noname"</b></li> + <li>239 Jack Winters; or, Fighting for the Old Flag. …… + by Capt. Geo. Granville (U. S. A.)</li> + <li>240 The Young Sinbad; or, Back from the Grave for Vengeance. …… by T. + W. Hanshew</li> + <li><b>241 Jack Wright and His Electric Deers; or, Fighting the Bandits of the + Black Hills. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>242 The Haunted Island; or, The Phantom of the Seas. …… by Allan Arnold</li> + <li>243 Sleuth Hound Tom, the Veteran Detective. …… by Police Captain + Howard</li> + <li>244 Midnight Dick, the King of Highwaymen. …… by J. G. Bradley</li> + <li>245 The Thugs of New Orleans. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li><b>246 Jack Wright and His Prairie Engine; or, Among the Bushmen of + Australia. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>247 Jack Winters in the Zulu War. …… by Capt. Geo. Granville (U. S. A.)</li> + <li>248 The Mystery of the Dead Sea. …… by T. W. Hanshew</li> + <li>249 The Fatal Glass; or, The Traps and Snares of New York. …… by H. K. + Shackleford</li> + <li>250 Dave Dash, the Pride of the Circus. …… by Hal Standish</li> + <li>251 Laughing Lake, the Yankee Spy of the Revolution. …… by Ralph Morton</li> + <li>252 Santo, the Sea Wolf; or, The Secret of the Sea. …… by Allan Arnold</li> + <li><b>253 Jack Wright and His Electric Air Schooner; or, The Mystery of a + Magic Mine. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>254 Gold Gulch; or Pandy Ellis' Last Trail. …… by Marline Manly</li> + <li>255 Peppery Sam, the Young Spy of the Revolution. …… by D. W. Stevens</li> + <li>256 Dick Catch; or, The Thief-Taker's Crime. …… by Ralph Morton</li> + <li><b>257 Jack Wright and His Electric Sea-Motor; or, The Search for a + Drifting Wreck. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>258 Ben Brevier; or, The Romance of a Young Printer. …… by Horace + Appleton</li> + <li>259 King of the Sea; or, The Rovers of the Deep. …… by T. W. Hanshew</li> + <li>260 The Hidden Avenger. A Story of Mexico. …… by Capt. Geo. Granville, + U. S. A.</li> + <li>261 The Thugs of Paris. …… by Paul Braddon</li> + <li><b>262 Jack Wright and His Ocean Sleuth Hound; or, Tracking an Under Water + Treasure. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>263 Fighting Jack; or, A Yankee Boy in Africa. …… by Captain Geo. + Granville, U. S. A.</li> + <li>264 The Lively Eight Social Club; or, From Cider to Rum. A Story of the + Great Evil. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li>265 Adrift in a Balloon, A Romance of South America. …… by Frank + Forrest</li> + <li><b>266 Jack Wright and His Dandy of the Deep; or, Driven Afloat in the Sea + of Fire. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>267 The Young Cadet; or, From West Point to Glory. …… by Allan Arnold</li> + <li>268 Mad Anthony Wayne, the Hero of Stony Point. A Story of the American + Revolution. …… by Ralph Morton</li> + <li>269 Trapeze Tom. …… by Hal Standish</li> + <li>270 Jack the Juggler. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li><b>271 Jack Wright and His Electric Torpedo Rain; or, The Sunken City of + the Atlantic. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>272 Jack Wright and His Deep Sea Monitor; or, Searching For a Ton of + Gold. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>273 The Inner Circle. A True Story of the Nihilists. …… by Allan Arnold</li> + <li>274 Jack Winters in the English Army. A Story of the War in Egypt. …… + by Capt. Geo. Granville (U. S. A.)</li> + <li><b>275 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, Exploring Central Asia in His + Magnetic Hurricane. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>276 Jack Wright and His Ocean Plunger; or, The Harpoon Hunters of the + Arctic. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>277 Jack Wright and His Electric "Sea-Ghost;" or, A Strange Under-Water + Journey. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>278 The Fiends of Paris; or, The Conspirator's Secret. …… by Paul + Braddon</li> + <li><b>279 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, and His Deep Sea Diving Bell; or, The + Buccaneers of the Gold Coast. …… by + "Noname"</b></li> + <li>280 Whisky Bill; or The Road to Ruin. A Story of the Rum Fiend's + Frightful Work. …… by H. K. Shackleford</li> + <li><b>281 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, and His Electric Tricycle Boat; or, + The Treasure of the Sun Worshipers. …… by + "Noname"</b></li> + <li>282 The Haunted Lighthouse of Wreckers' Reef. …… by J. T. Brougham</li> + <li><b>283 Jack Wright and His Under-Water Wrecking Rail; or, The Mystery of a + Scuttled Ship. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>284 The Rival Schools. …… by Frank Forrest</li> + <li><b>285 Jack Wright and His Terror of the Seas; or, Fighting For a Sunken + Fortune. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>286 The Unknown Renegade; or, The Three Great Scouts. …… by Hal + Standish</li> + <li><b>287 Jack Wright and His Electric Diving Boat; or Lost Under the Ocean. + …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>288 Mike Fink, the Western Boatmen. …… by D. W. Stevens</li> + <li><b>289 Jack Wright and His Submarine Yacht; or, The Fortune Hunters of the + Red Sea. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>290 To the North Pole in a Balloon. …… by J. T. Brougham</li> + <li>291 The Tramp; or, The Mystery of the Old Haunted Mill. + …… by D. W. Stevens</li> + <li><b>292 Jack Wright and His Electric Gunboat; or, The Search For a Stolen + Girl. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>293 Running Rob; or, Mad Anthony's Rollicking Scout. …… by Ralph Morton</li> + <li><b>294 Jack Wright and His Electric Sea Launch; or A Desperate Cruise For + Life. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>295 Saints of the Santee; or, Redcoats and Whigs. …… by Ralph Morton</li> + <li><b>296 Jack Wright and His Electric Bicycle Boat; or, Searching For Captain + Kidd's Gold. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>297 Headless: or, The Man of Mystery. …… by Ralph Morton</li> + <li><b>298 Jack Wright and His Electric Side-Wheel Boat; or, Fighting the + Brigands of the Coral Isles. …… by + "Noname"</b></li> + <li>299 The Winged Witch. …… by John Sherman</li> + <li><b>300 Jack Wright's Wonder of the Waves; or, The Flying Dutchman of the + Pacific. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>301 Merry Matt; or, The Will-o'-the-Wisp of Wine. …… by H. K. + Shackleford</li> + <li><b>302 Jack Wright and His Electric Exploring Ship; or, A Cruise Around + Greenland. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>303 Old Putnam's Pet; or, The Young Patriot Spy. …… by Ralph Morton</li> + <li><b>304 Jack Wright and His Electric Man-of-War; or, Fighting the Sea + Robbers of the Frozen Coast. …… by + "Noname"</b></li> + <li>305 The Shattered Glass; or, A Country Boy in New York. …… by H. K. + Shackleford</li> + <li><b>306 Jack Wright and His Submarine Torpedo-Tug; or, Winning a Government + Reward. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>307 The Lost Balloon; or, Missing For Twenty Year. …… by John Sherman</li> + <li><b>308 Jack Wright and His Electric Sea-Demon; or, Daring Adventures Under + the Ocean. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>309 The Mystery of the Volcano. …… by Col. Ralph Fenton</li> + <li><b>310 Jack Wright and His Electric "Whale;" or, The Treasure-Trove of the + Polar Sea. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>311 Jack Wright and His Electric Marine "Rover;" or, 50,000 Miles in + Ocean Perils. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>312 Jack Wright and His Electric Deep Sea Cutter; or, Searching for a + Pirate's Treasure. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li>313 Detective Sleuth's Son. …… by Police Captain Howard</li> + <li><b>314 Jack Wright and His Electric Monarch of the Ocean; or, Cruising for + a Million in Gold. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>315 Jack Wright and His Electric Devil-Fish; or, Fighting the Smugglers + of Alaska. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>316 Jack Wright and His Electric Demon of the Plains; or, Wild + Adventures Among the Cowboys. …… by + "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>317 Jack Wright and His Electric Balloon Ship; or, 30,000 Leagues Above + the Earth. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>318 Jack Wright and His Electric Locomotive; or, The Lost Mine of Death + Valley. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>319 Jack Wright and His Iron Clad Air-Motor; or, Searching for a Lost + Explorer. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>320 Jack Wright and His Electric Tricycle; or, Fighting the Stranglers + of the Crimson Desert. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>321 Jack Wright and His Electric Dynamo Boat; or, The Mystery of a + Buried Sea. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>322 Jack Wright and His Flying Torpedo; or, The Black Demons of Dismal + Swamp. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>323 Jack Wright and His Prairie Privateer; or, Fighting the Western Road + Agents. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>324 Jack Wright and His Naval Cruiser; or, Fighting the Pirates of the + Pacific. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>325 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, and His Whaleback Privateer; or, + Cruising the Behring Sea. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>326 Jack Wright and His Electric Phantom Boat; or, Chasing the Outlaws + of the Ocean. …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>327 Jack Wright and His Winged Gunboat; or, A Voyage to an Unknown Land. + …… by "Noname"</b></li> + <li><b>328 Jack Wright and His Electric Flyer: or, Racing in the Clouds for a + Boy's Life. …… by "Noname"</b></li> +</ul> + + +<p>For sale by all newsdealer in the United States and Canada, or sent, +post-paid, to your address on receipt of the price, 5 cents.</p> + +<p class="hand">Address<br /> +<span style="font-size: 150%">P. O. Box 2730. +FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 34 & 38 +North Moore Street, N. Y.</span></p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jack Wright and His Electric Stage;, by "Noname" + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK WRIGHT ELECTRIC STAGE *** + +***** This file should be named 22670-h.htm or 22670-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/6/7/22670/ + +Produced by Richard Halsey + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/22670-h/images/header-bsl344.jpg b/22670-h/images/header-bsl344.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..09e20e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/22670-h/images/header-bsl344.jpg diff --git a/22670-h/images/terror.jpg b/22670-h/images/terror.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cfedc6b --- /dev/null +++ b/22670-h/images/terror.jpg diff --git a/22670-pdf.pdf b/22670-pdf.pdf Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..be26c2d --- /dev/null +++ b/22670-pdf.pdf diff --git a/22670-pdf.zip b/22670-pdf.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..44e1bb0 --- /dev/null +++ b/22670-pdf.zip diff --git a/22670.txt b/22670.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6ab3e68 --- /dev/null +++ b/22670.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7134 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Jack Wright and His Electric Stage;, by "Noname" + +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: Jack Wright and His Electric Stage; + or, Leagued Against the James Boys + +Author: "Noname" + +Release Date: September 19, 2007 [EBook #22670] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK WRIGHT ELECTRIC STAGE *** + + + + +Produced by Richard Halsey + + + + +JACK WRIGHT AND HIS ELECTRIC STAGE; +OR, +Leagued Against the James Boys. + +By "NONAME," +Author of "Jack Wright and His Electric Battery Diver," etc., etc. + + +CHAPTER I. +THE BANDIT KING. + +As the 11:30 A. M. express train from New York was speeding toward the +fisher village of Wrightstown, one of the passengers went out on the +rear platform of the last car and intently gazed back along the rails. + +He was a compactly built man, with rather rough clothing on, and the +soft felt hat on his head shaded a bearded face, which denoted a daring, +reckless disposition. + +A half smothered oath escaped his lips as he caught view of a locomotive +chasing the train he was on, for he distinctly saw a man in the cab whom +he recognized as one of his worst enemies. + +"Sheriff Timberlake!" he growled between his clenched teeth, as a dark +scowl mantled his brow. "Curse him! he is hot after us now, and if he +overhauls this train he may give us no end of trouble." + +"The skunk has followed us all the way from Missouri, and after we saw +the sights of New York, and gave him the slip, he must have discovered +that we started for home in this train. Now he has evidently hired that +locomotive to chase and capture us. I'll go in and tell the boys. We +must keep out of his reach." + +His anxiety was caused by observing that the pursuing locomotive was +slowly but surely gaining on the train. + +Opening the door, he passed into the car. + +It was occupied by four men, who were part of a gang of outlaws whom he +commanded, for the bearded man was the notorious bandit king, Jesse +James. + +The men who were with him were known as Jim Cummins, Wood Hite, Clell +Miller and Frank James--a brother of Jesse. + +Sitting in a bunch, they were quietly laughing and talking over their +experience in New York, when the chief hurried in with a look of supreme +disgust upon his face. + +The moment the rest glanced up at him and saw it, they knew something +out of the ordinary had happened. + +"What's the matter, Jesse?" demanded Jim Cummins. + +"You look as if you'd seen a ghost!" laughed Frank, jocularly. + +"What sent you out on the rear platform!" asked Wood Hite. + +"Timberlake is after us," said Jesse, with a steely glitter in his eyes. + +"Thunder!" roared Clell Miller. + +With one accord the quartet pulled revolvers from their pockets, bounded +to their feet and sprang into the aisle. + +A grim smile passed over the face of Jesse James for a moment, and as it +faded sway, he made as impatient gesture and said: + +"He is on a locomotive that is chasing us." + +"Sure!" asked Cummins, with a dubious look. + +"I saw him in the caboose." + +"Can he overtake us?" asked Frank. + +"Eventually; but we mustn't let him." + +"How can we prevent it?" queried Miller. + +"By jumping off at the next curve and hiding." + +"Good!" exclaimed Wood Hite, "Where's the curve?" + +"Just before we reach Wrightstown." + +"Let's get ready for it then," suggested Frank. + +"All right," assented the bandit king; "but be careful that no one +detects us. To avoid being seen we must leave by the rear platform." + +As he said this he thrust his head out the open window, and peering +ahead, he studied the roadbed. + +Satisfied with his scrutiny; he said to his companions: + +"There's the curve about a mile ahead." + +"Well?" demanded Cummins. + +"The train is bound to slacken speed when it goes around. A mass of +timber, bushes and rocks abutt into the curve. It will hide our +movements from the sheriff's view. We can easily hide there." + +Stationing themselves near the rear door, they waited. + +In a few minutes the cars reached the curve and went around. + +As the last car turned they dashed out upon the rear platform, and one +after another they sprang to the ground. + +Then they plunged late the bushes. + +Gathering speed again, the express train ran away without them, and a +few minutes afterward a locomotive came flying along in pursuit of it +with an engineer, a stoker and the sheriff in the cab. + +The bandits glared from their coverts at Timberlake like so many wild +beasts as he sped by, ignorant of the trick they played upon him, and +nearly all of them gripped their pistols with a burning desire to fire +at him. + +It would have been too rash to do that. + +In fact Jesse observed their anxiety, and hissed in warning tones: + +"Don't drop him!" + +In a moment more the locomotive was gone. + +The outlaws emerged from their places of concealment. + +"How long before Timberlake will discover our ruse?" asked Frank. + +"If the train goes on, not for an hour yet," replied Jesse, as he cast a +swift glance around. "But we are in a sorry plight now." + +"How do you mean?" + +"You know we all lost every dollar we had, playing faro in the city. How +are we going to ride back to Missouri without a cent? It's my opinion +that we'll have to do some work about Wrightstown to get ahead. The last +dollar I had went for the purchase of tickets to Missouri, which we gave +the conductor." + +The gang looked very glum. + +"What sort of a place is Wrightstown?" asked Cummins, finally. + +"I've heard that it's a fisher village. A young fellow named Jack Wright +lives there. He's an inventor of electric machines for flying through +the air, navigating under water, and running over the land. Everybody +has heard of him. He has the reputation of being one of the richest boys +in the country. By means of his famous inventions he has made a barrel +of money." + +"Then he's our game," said Frank, decisively. + +"Yes," assented Jesse. "He's about the only one from whom we could +expect to make a rich haul. I hope he's at home. I've got a plan in view +now by means of which I can bunco him out of several thousands of +dollars, if we can operate the game before the Wrightstown Bank closes." + +"What are you going to do?" eagerly asked Miller. + +"I'll show you when I try the trick. It's a very smooth game, and if I'm +clever enough I'll succeed. Come on to the village, and see if we can +operate it. We've got to have money. If we can't get it by means of the +plan in view, I'm going to lay out the first man I meet, and go through +him." + +The rest chuckled at this remark. + +Going to the village, they found it to be a thriving place at the head +of a beautiful bay on the Atlantic sea coast. + +There was a bank on the main street, and when it was located, Jesse said +to Frank: + +"In nearly all banks there is a desk or table, for the benefit of +depositors, on which are pens, ink, deposit slips, and blank checks. You +go into the bank, and pocket several of the checks. There's an old +hostelry down there near the bay called the Sea Spider House. We will +register there, and you'll find us in the bar room." + +Frank James nodded, and in a moment his compact and wiry body was going +rapidly down the street. + +Although Frank was a desperate, fearless ruffian, he had a pleasant +face, keen gray eyes, a light mustache, and a most quiet air and +unassuming manner. + +No one would have suspected him of being a bandit, and as he was a +fairly good talker, full of grit and coolness, and best suited for the +work in hand, Jesse trusted him implicitly. + +The outlaws registered at the hostelry with as much sang froid as if +their pockets were lined with gold. + +They patronized the bar liberally, had the drinks charged to their +account, and ordered a fine luncheon. + +Frank soon returned. + +He had the blank checks. + +Handing them to Jesse he said in low tones: + +"No trouble at all. The clerks paid no attention to me." + +"They'll soon have reason to remember us," grimly answered Jesse. + +Telling his companions to remain there until he returned, he left the +hotel, asked a pedestrian the way to Jack Wright's house, and having +received the desired information, made his way there. + +It proved to be a magnificent mansion, standing in the midst of a +handsome garden which sloped down to a creek. + +There was a fine big workshop standing at the foot of the garden, upon +the bank of this creek, in which the young inventor constructed the +machines that made him world renowned. + +Jesse James boldly ascended the piazza, rang the bell, and an old sailor +with a sandy beard, a glass eye and a wooden leg, answered it. + +His name was Tim Topstay, and he lived with the inventor and not only +aided him to build his inventions, but always went with Jack on the +adventurous journeys he made. + +"Waal, messmate," said he, in bluff, hearty tones, as he took a chew of +navy plug, and scanned the outlaw with his solitary eye. "Wot kin I do +fer yer ter-day?" + +"Is Mr. Jack Wright in?" politely asked the bandit. + +"He are," replied Tim. "D'yer wanter see him?" + +"Yes, sir, and on important business too." + +"Then step inter ther library an I'll call him fer ye." + +Ignorant of the dangerous nature of the caller Tim ushered him into a +cozy library and left him there. + +A fat young Dutchman was in the room, but he immediately left it, +casting an inquiring look at the bandit king. + +His name was Fritz Schneider, and he had yellow hair, watery blue eyes, +an enormous stomach and a pugnacious temperament. + +Fritz and Tim were chums and the fat fellow occupied about the same +position in the house as the old marine did. + +A few moments afterward Jack Wright entered. + +The outlaw keenly sized him up and observed that he was a well dressed +young fellow with a sturdy figure, not particularly good looking as his +features were very angular, but his dark eyes showed a very high spirit. + +"You wish to see me, sir?" he asked, as he studied Jesse and felt a most +repugnant sensation creep over him. + +"I have called on a begging expedition," bluntly replied the bandit, +inventing a plausible lie. "I live in Missouri, and wish to go home. I +was unlucky enough to lose my pocket-book. I am an utter stranger here, +and did not know what to do to raise ten dollars to pay my car fare. +Having been told that you was a charitable man, I wish to know if you +will lend me the money. I will gladly mail the amount to you when I +reach home." + +"Why certainly I'll let you have it," replied Jack. + +"To prove to you that I want the money only for the purpose I +mentioned," glibly preceded the outlaw, "you can make out a check +payable to the bearer, and you will find the voucher stamped or endorsed +by the railroad company in payment for my ticket." + +"I would have been obliged to give you a check anyway," laughed Jack, +"for I've only got three or four dollars in cash in my pocket. Just +wait, and I'll give you the check." + +He sat down at his desk, and Jesse saw him pick up several checks +exactly like the ones purloined from the bank by Frank. + +Jack filled out one of the orders for ten dollars. + +He handed it to Jesse, and the bandit thanked him like a very grateful +man, repeated his assurance that he would refund the money upon his +arrival at home, and then departed. + +Jesse James was delighted at his success thus far. + +Returning to the hotel, he procured pen and ink, retired to his room and +studied Jack's check intently. + +The signature to it was a very peculiar one that the most expert forger +in the world would have found it almost impossible to imitate. + +But the rest of the writing was easy to copy. + +The bandit practiced the formation of the different letters for over an +hour, and made a good imitation of them. + +"And now to raise Wright's cheek," he muttered in tones of exultation, +when he saw how successful he was. + + +CHAPTER II. +SWINDLING THE INVENTOR. + +The date, number, amount, and figures designating the amount of money +Jack's check called for were written. + +Jesse now took one of the blank checks Frank got for him, and imitating +Jack's writing, he filled it in with the same number as the good check; +after the words: "Pay to the order of---" he wrote, "Bearer," as Jack +had done; before the word "Dollars," on the next line he wrote "Five +thousand," and after the mark "$--" he put "5,000." + +He left out the date and signature. + +These were unnecessary in the trick he was playing. + +Having satisfied himself that his writing bore a close resemblance to +that on Jack's check, he laid the check he had filled out one top of the +one Jack gave him with the greatest care, so that all the lines on one +were exactly opposite the lines on the other. + +This he ascertained by holding them up to the light and staring through +the thin paper. + +When he had them matched exactly, he located a spot across the width of +both where no writing was seen. + +Holding the checks tightly together he tore them in two, just as if the +two checks were one thickness of paper. + +Consequently both were torn exactly alike. + +Taking off the two top pieces he laid them side by side, joining the +edges where they were torn, and then did the same with the other check. + +This done he took the right hand piece of Jack's check, upon which were +the date at the top and signature at the bottom. + +He then took the left hand piece of the check he had made out and put it +to the piece with the signature which Jack inscribed. + +The check now, instead of being for ten dollars, called for $5,000 and +although a composite thing the signature was no forgery, and that was +the principal writing studied by the paying tellers of banks. + +It looked like a perfectly genuine check torn in two, for as both checks +had been torn together, the curves of one fit the grooves of the other +piece to perfection. + +Jesse now burned up the remaining two pieces. + +"Eureka!" he exclaimed, with an evil smile. "I've done it well. The most +experienced bank clerk in the country would fail to detect the +deception. Now to get it cashed!" + +He put on his hat, and holding the two pieces of check in his hand, he +left the Sea Spider House. + +Making his way to the Wrightstown bank, he coolly entered, and +approaching the paying teller's little brass barred window, he thrust in +the two pieces of check and said blandly: + +"Please cash that for me." + +"You've torn the check in two," said the paying teller. + +"I had it in my breast pocket, and as I was coming in the door I put my +hand in my pocket to draw it out, when the end of the check caught in +some books and it ripped in two." + +The paying teller matched the torn ends. + +They fitted with the utmost accuracy. + +He then keenly scanned the signature. + +Familiar with Jack Wright's checks as he was, he saw at a glance that +the signature was genuine. + +Without the slightest hesitation he cashed the check, paying the bandit +with one hundred dollar bills. + +Jesse requested him to give him bills of smaller denomination for one of +the bank notes, and when this was done, he leisurely counted the money, +placed it in his pocket and strolled out into the Street. + +Here he came face to face with Jack. + +The young Inventor was just about to enter the bank. + +The shock upon a man of weaker nerves than Jesse James had, to thus meet +Jack, would have been awful. + +But the bandit king bad nerves of steel. + +He did not start, turn pale, or twitch a muscle. + +On the contrary he assumed a cheerful smile, shook hands very heartily +with Jack, and said in apologetic tones: + +"I deemed it best to pay for my railroad fare in cash, so I came here +and got the money for your check, Mr. Wright." + +"It's just as well you did," replied the Inventor. "I'm a director of +this bank, and hold the position of president. The board meets to-day, +and as I need some cash, I'm killing two birds with one stone." + +"Very clever," said Jesse. "Good-bye. I must be off." + +"Good-day, sir," said Jack, and he entered the bank. + +The bandit strode swiftly to the Sea Spider House. + +He found his companions dining, and joining them, he made a good meal, +and at its conclusion all hands repaired to the bar again, and indulged +in several more drinks. + +Jesse then startled his companions by pulling out his big wad of bills, +and paying the landlord for their fare. + +The moment the gang got him alone, Frank whispered: + +"Where did you get the roll, Jess?" + +"From Jack Wright," laughed the outlaw. + +"Tell us about it!" + +"Certainly. It was the easiest game I ever played, and I got $5,000 out +of it, too. Ha, ha, ha!" + +Looks of intense astonishment appeared on the faces of his friends. + +He then explained what he had done. + +A roar of delight went up from the gang when he finished. + +"Bully for you, Jess!" + +"Oh, Lord, what a game!" + +"You've done splendidly." + +"What a roasting for the bank!" + +They laughed and chuckled over it for some time. + +But suddenly the solemned-faced Frank exclaimed in startled tones: + +"Say! Suppose Jack Wright finds out in the bank what you've done! We'll +have all the police in this town looking for us. Hadn't we better get +out of here?" + +"Oh, don't hurry yourself," coolly replied Jesse, as he noted the blank +look of dismay on the faces of the rest produced by his brother's words. +"There's no danger." + +The bandit king always exercised a powerful influence over his brother +and his men, and they immediately became imbued with his reckless +carelessness, and got over the sadden fright which had for a moment +shocked them. + +Jesse then questioned the hotel keeper about the departure of trains +from there, and learned that they could not leave Wrightstown in less +than an hour. + +He told his companions the news. + +Before the train came in which, they intended to depart, another one +arrived from the opposite direction. + +Sheriff Timberlake was aboard. + +His locomotive had caught up with the express train, and he boarded her, +and learned that a passenger had seen five men spring aground at the +Wrightstown curve. + +As Jesse James and his men were not aboard, he at once presumed it was +they who had thus eluded him. + +He, therefore, alighted at the next station, and boarded the first train +back for Wrightstown. + +By dint of inquiring, he discovered that five men who answered to the +description of his prey, were at the Sea Spider Hotel, and made his way +there. + +When he reached the hotel, he learned that the men were there, and had +retired to one of the rooms. + +Timberlake was a man who never wasted words. + +When he spoke or acted, it was to the point. + +He therefore made no remark, but quickly made his way up-stairs, sure +that he had his prey cornered. + +By moving quietly, and listening at the different doors, he finally +located the sound of several voices coming from the room occupied by the +James Boys. + +He recognized them at once as the voices of the gang whom he had tracked +to New York. + +"It's time to get ready, boys," he heard Jesse say. + +"We've got ten minutes yet," replied Cummins. + +"Just time enough to reach the depot," added Frank. + +The sheriff smiled, and produced a brace of revolvers. + +Flinging open the door he saw the five men in the bedroom, sitting +around a table upon which stood an empty whisky bottle and a deck of +cards with which they had been amusing themselves. + +Leveling his pistols at the outlaws he cried: + +"Hands up!" + +"Timberlake!" roared Jesse. + +"Quick, obey or I'll fire!" + +"Caught!" muttered Frank. + +"I've got the drop on you!" + +They saw that resistance was simply madness, so up went their hands and +the keen glance of the sheriff swept over the party and he counted four +men. + +Miller was missing. + +For a moment there was deep silence. + +The bandits had time to recover from their panic. + +"Let up, Timberlake, and I'll give you $5,000," said Jesse. + +"Not for ten times that amount," replied the sheriff. + +"You can't take all of us." + +"Two will do--you and Frank." + +"Will nothing bribe you?" + +"Absolutely nothing." Jesse uttered a sharp signal whistle. + +It echoed piercingly through the hotel, and the sheriff started and +demanded with a frown: + +"What did you do that for?" + +"To summon assistance," coolly replied Jesse. + +"You won't get any here." + +"Oh, yes, we will. You'll see." + +"I am going---" + +He never finished that sentence. + +Miller had heard the danger signal, came up in the hall, saw how the +situation stood, and stealing up quietly behind Timberlake, he dealt the +plucky officer a stunning blow with the butt of his pistol. + +It knocked the sheriff down. + +He was hardly prostrate before the whole gang was upon him, and while +one took the pistols away from him, the rest bound and gagged him. + +He thus was rendered perfectly helpless. + +When he recovered from the effect of the blow, he found himself at the +mercy of the gang, unable to move or speak, and tied up to the +old-fashioned bed post. + +"Fool," said Jesse, standing before him, and bending a burning glance +upon him of mingled hate and rage. "Are you soft enough to imagine you +can get away with all of us single handed?" + +Timberlake did not reply of course. + +But the look of intense fury he bestowed upon Jesse, amply evinced all +that was passing in his mind. + +"We are going to leave you here," preceded the king of the bandits, "and +we are going back to Clay County. I'd like to blow your head off before +we go, but that would run my bead in the hangman's noose. If you are +unlucky enough to stumble across my path again, though, I shall be less +merciful. I'd wipe you out as I would a viper." + +Gagged as he was, Timberlake remained silent. + +"Come, boys, let us begone," said Jesse turning to his companions. "We +barely have time to catch the train." + +They filed out of the room, and Jesse locked the door, carried the key +away, and they left the hotel. + +Making speed, they quickly reached the railroad depot. + +A train was just leaving. + +They quickly boarded it. + +Away they were whirled to Missouri. + +And that was the last Wrightstown ever saw of them. + + +CHAPTER III. +THE ELECTRIC STAGE. + +Toward evening a chambermaid in the Sea Spider House went up to the room +which had been occupied by the James Boys and discovered Sheriff +Timberlake bound and gagged. + +She was very much frightened at first, and ran screaming from the room, +for she thought the apartment was vacant and had gone up to put it in +order. + +The landlord heard her shrieks, learned what frightened her, and +hastening up to the room liberated the sheriff. + +"Another victim of these villains!" he exclaimed. + +"Have they got the best of some one else?" asked Timberlake. + +"Yes; the evening paper contains an account of a clever check swindle +they played on the Wrightstown Bank, by duping Jack Wright, the most +respected young citizen in this town." + +"How long have they been gone?" + +"They departed a few minutes after you went up here at noon." + +"Do you know which way they went?" + +"The paper says they boarded a westbound train." + +"In that case they've given me the slip again." + +"Why did they treat you this way?" + +"I am the sheriff of Clay County, Missouri, and they were Jesse and +Frank James, the notorious bandits, and three of their gang." + +"Good heavens! and I harbored them here!" + +"Of course you did not know who they were." + +"Certainly not, if I had I would have handed them over to the police." + +"Let me read the newspaper account." + +The landlord handed him the paper. + +He read the article, which gave an account of how Jack Wright had been +cheated, and added, in conclusion, that after the inventor entered the +bank he discovered the swindle. + +The police were notified. + +They traced the James Boys to the hotel. + +But when they got there the birds had flown. + +Hastening to the railroad depot, they discovered that the bandits had +made their escape on the cars. + +They telegraphed to the authorities ahead of the train at its first +stopping place to arrest the bandits. + +But the reply finally came back that the cars did not stop there, as the +bandits had taken possession of the engine, and were seen forcing the +engineer to keep the train going by menacing him with their pistols. + +Timberlake was not surprised at this. + +He knew that there were no more desperate men than the James Boys, and +was aware that they would resort to any means to escape. + +"I can't do anything farther," he sighed. "At least, not until I get +back to Missouri. I think I'll call on Jack Wright, and get all the +facts from him of the bank swindle." + +He thereupon left the hotel. + +Going to Jack's house, he found the inventor in. + +Introducing himself, and showing his credentials, the sheriff had a long +talk about the matter with the inventor. + +In conclusion, he said: + +"For a long time I have tried every means to capture those bandits. But +they slip away from me with the most remarkable ease every time I feel +surest I've got them. There's a reward of $5,000 offered by the governor +of the State for their capture, and I and a Pinkerton detective named +Carl Greene have been making the most desperate efforts to capture the +James Boys, and break up their gang. We have thus far failed to do so." + +"Why has it been such a difficult task?" asked Jack. + +"In the first place, Jesse James owns a horse named Siroc which is +unequaled in speed and intelligence by any horse in the world that I +know of, and he can easily outfoot the fleetest animal that ever chased +him." + +"Well," asked Jack, "suppose an electric overland engine were to chase +that remarkable quadruped, don't you think he might be overtaken? The +engine I refer to can run at the rate of fifty miles an hour over rough +ground." + +"Any engine could last longer than a horse, and such a machine as you +mention could outspeed that horse. But, of course, such an engine is an +utter impossibility." + +"You are mistaken," said Jack, quietly. + +"How so?" asked Timberlake, with a puzzled look. + +"Because I have got such an engine." + +"You have?" + +"Just finished building it." + +"And it runs by electricity?" + +"Entirely so." + +"Without tracks?" + +"On the ground." + +"And at fifty miles an hour?" + +"Yes. I have tested her to that speed." + +"This, if true, is most extraordinary." + +"No, it isn't. I have constructed such machines before." + +"I've been told you are an inventor of electrical contrivances." + +"Do you doubt the probability of such an engine?" + +"Candidly, I do." + +"Do you want me to prove it?" + +"By all means." + +"Then come with me. I'll show it to you." + +"I am burning with curiosity to see the wonderful affair." + +Jack smiled and led his caller out into the yard. + +Proceeding to the door of the workshop he opened it with a latch key and +they entered a very large room. + +It was cast in gloom. + +Jack turned a switch on the wall. + +Instantly scores of brilliant incandescent electric lamps were put in +circuit and blazed out, illuminating the room as if by day. + +A strange-looking vehicle in the form of a stage was disclosed standing +in the middle of the apartment. + +Jack pointed at it and said: + +"There's the machine that will do all I claimed for it." + +"By thunder, that's an odd looking affair!" + +"She certainly is a peculiar carriage." + +"Yet she is very handsome, light, and durable." + +"Lift one end of her. You will be amazed at her weight." + +"How can one man lift such a heavy thing as that?" + +"Try, and you'll see." + +The sheriff complied. + +He was astonished to find he could raise her, + +Jack burst out laughing at his amazed expression. + +"I can't imagine what material she can be made of!" said the officer. + +"It's aluminum," replied Jack, "Have you a revolver?" + +"Yes--a 32 calibre weapon." + +"If you will put a bullet through her I'll give you $10,000." + +Timberlake's surprise increased, and he drew his weapon. + +Aiming it at the vehicle in various places he blazed away. + +Six shots were thus fired. + +He then closely examined the Terror, as the stage was named, and +although he saw where each of the heavy caliber bullets had struck the +machine, he failed to find a perforation. + +In fact he picked up the bullets from the ground fused and battered out +of shape. + +Jack watched him with an amused smile. + +"What do you think of that for bullet-proof armor?" he asked. + +"It is simply wonderful--extraordinary!" + +Timberlake scanned the engine with newly awakened interest. + +It was about thirty feet long, by ten in breadth, rode on four broad +cogged wheels, and was set on strong, flexible springs. + +Under the middle of the car was a powerful motor for revolving the +wheels, in front of the dashboard was a projecting ram over which stood +a search-light of 90,000 candle power, above the forward wheels were air +brakes, the driver's seat was in front, and before it stood a steering +wheel and several levers. + +All the actions of the Terror were controlled by these levers. + +Each side of the car was indented with four windows and four +bull's-eyes, there was a door front and back, and a rear platform from +which hung a ladder to get on and off. + +The lower section of the walls consisted of metal plates, while the +upper part was made of aluminum wire netting, there was a small +smokestack on top of the roof, and on each side a railed platform. + +Her interior was divided by partitions into three rooms, the forward one +being a general living room containing bunks for sleeping, the middle +one was a combined dining room and kitchen, the cooking being done on an +electric stove, and the rear room was for storage. + +In it water and provisions, arms and ammunition, tools and many other +useful articles were to be stowed. + +There were two compartments--one under the sleeping room floor in which +stood the mechanism for running the Terror, and the other beneath the +store room floor, in which stood a small powerful dynamo which operated +automatically by a spring clockwork. + +All the room lamps and the search-light derived their current from the +dynamo, while it worked the motor, and that in turn operated the driving +wheel machinery. + +"It don't require a skilled electrician to see how the Terror operates." +said Jack, as he showed the sheriff the interior, "for I have based her +construction upon the simplest known principles." + +"Oh, I can readily see how she ought to work." + +"I'll give you an example," said Jack, seating himself behind the +steering wheel and pulling a lever. + +That set the clockwork in motion, it spun the dynamo armature, a current +was generated, flashed into the motor, the shaft operated the machinery, +and the Terror rolled ahead. + +When she reached the end of the room he reversed the lever and she +backed to the other wall. + +He then ran her around the room in a circle, steering by the wheel, and +attained a tremendous velocity; he put on the brakes and she stopped +within a few feet, and he turned a switch that caused the search-light +and lamps in her to glow. + +By the time he finished the sheriff was wild with admiration of the +extraordinary vehicle. + +"For what purpose did you build her? he asked Jack, when they finished +maneuvering her, and alighted. + +"Just for fun, I have plenty of money and leisure, and a strong liking +for building these electrical inventions." + +"But why did you say she could catch Jesse James' horse Siroc?" + +"Simply because I have made up my mind to do so?" + +"What! Go to Missouri in pursuit of the James Boys?" asked Timberlake, +as he took up Jack's remark. + +"Yes, sir. I or the bank have lost five thousand dollars by a mean trick +the bandit king played on me, and I mean to recover it." + +"League yourself with the State Government against the outlaws, and you +may not only recover the stolen money, but you stand a mighty good +chance of winning the standing reward of five thousand dollars for the +arrest and conviction of the James Boys." + +"The money is no temptation to me whatever," asserted Jack. "I don't +need it. But you must consider that I was greatly chagrined and +mortified when I discovered what a clever game had been played upon me, +and I am very anxious to even matters up with those villains. Besides, I +rather like the wild, exciting adventures in view if I run after those +outlaws." + +"You must not forget that it may cost your life." + +"Oh, I am aware of that! And say---" + +"Well?" + +"How would you like to accompany us?" + +"First-rate. I would be of great help to you, too, as I am familiar with +all parts of the State." + +"That settles the matter then. You go with us." + +"When will you depart?" + +"I'm going to write to the Governor of Missouri, and I'll go just as +soon as I get a reply from him." + +"I'll write him at the same time then, and I feel confident that we +won't be there long before we break up that gang of outlaws, and have +the James Boys behind the bars." + + +CHAPTER IV. +OFF FOR MISSOURI. + +The sheriff resolved to remain in Wrightstown, and start from there on +the Terror, with Jack and his two friends. + +While awaiting a reply from the Governor of Missouri he put up at the +Sea Spider house, and went daily to the young inventor's workshop to +help get the engine ready. + +Jack had to purchase many necessary articles to equip the electric +engine, and while they were stocking her, he said one day to Timberlake: + +"As you are the sheriff of Clay County, Missouri, I cannot understand +what, right you had to desert your post of duty there, and go off on a +chase after the James Boys all the way to New York." + +"That mystery can easily be explained," replied Timberlake with a smile. +"I was taking a vacation, to which I am entitled, when I learned of +their proposed trip to the metropolis to see the sights. Instead of +taking a rest, I became excited into a longing to capture them, and +started in pursuit as a detective would have done." + +"Oh, that accounts for it!" + +"You see I always carry with me a warrant for the arrest of the James +Boys and their gang, and therefore was prepared to take them had luck +favored me." + +Just then Tim stumped up to them, and proffering a plug of tobacco to +the sheriff he asked: + +"Have a chew?" + +"No, I never use plug." + +"Yer werry welcome, said Tim, and he took a bite. + +"Don't mention it," laughed the sheriff. + +"I've been havin' a awful hard time o' it, Timberlake." + +"You don't say, Tim! What has happened?" + +"Oh, 'twuzn't nuthin' wot occurred lately." + +"To what do you refer then?" asked the perplexed sheriff. + +"A leetle incident wot happened ter me when I wuz aboard o' the ole +frigate Wabash in ther navy." + +"Indeed! Was you in the navy?" + +"A good many years, sir. Whar else did I git this leg blowed off?" + +"You was just going to mention something that happened." + +"Ay, ay. So I wuz. Yer see, it happened this way. We wuz a coastin' +through ther Red Sea one brilln' arternoon, watchin' ther monkeys an' +crocodiles on ther Arabian shore when all at onct I noticed a queer +yaller-redness in ther sky on ther Afriky shore. It wuz caused by a +simoom. Great clouds o' sand, driv' by the wind, wuz a-rushin' acrost +ther desert toward ther ship, an' as it came out toward us, we seed we +wuz doomed." + +"You were in a mighty tight box," observed the sheriff, interestedly. + +"Keel haul me if we wuzn't," agreed Tim, with a nod. "Waal, sir, we +knowed that ther minute them ere clouds o' red-hot sand came down on +ther ship, it would bury us an' bake us ter death. All my messmates wuz +skeered ter death, an' droppin' down upon thar marrer bones about ther +deck, they begun ter pray like sons of guns. Did I give away ter ther +general panic? Not much. + +"Cause why? I'll tell yer. A way ter save ther ship an' crew occured ter +me. Wot wuz it? Yer'll see. Yer know as crocodiles is reckoned ther +fastest swimmers in ther water. Waal, sir, as soon as I seed that ere +storm abarin' down on us I knowed as our only chance to save ourselves +laid in runnin' away from it. Now thar wuzn't wind enough for ther sails +ter do it, so wot does I do but gits a rope; then I jumped overboard +right in ther midst o' them crocodiles. Afore yer could count ten I made +a slipnoose fast about ther necks o' forty o' them animiles, got back +aboard the frigate an' tied ther other and o' ther line ter the capstan. +Then I took a spear an' cllmbin' out on ther bowsprit I began ter jab +'em an' away they went, pullin' ther frigate along like greased +lightning---" + +"Say, Tim---" + +"I ain't done yet---" + +"But I tell you---" + +"Awarst thar! As I wuz asayin' along we went like fury, ther simoon +chasing arter us. It wuz a terrible race an' I yelled and poked at them +ere crocodiles like mad. + +"In a few moments we wuz makin' eighty knots an hour, an' I noticed as +we wuz pullin' away from that ere storm werry stiddy, ontil at last we +lef it astarn, an' ther ship wuz saved. You'd oughter seed how glad my +poor messmates wuz when I finally cut ther crocodiles loose an' we +sailed in clear water---" + +"It must have been great," dryly said Timberlake. + +"Ay now," proudly replied Tim. "That it wuz, sir." + +"Say, Tim, that would be a splendid yarn only for one thing." + +"An' wot might that be, Mr. Timberlake?" + +"Crocodiles can't live in salt water, and as the Red Sea is exceedingly +briny, I don't understand how the ones you captured could have been +there and submitted to being harnessed as you did it, without offering +to make a meal of you." + +A rather startled look crossed Tim's face. + +He thoughtfully rubbed his big red nose and gasped: + +"Gee whiz!" + +The fact was Tim was an awful liar. + +He seldom spun a yarn without being tripped up. + +That is the trouble with most liars; they generally make an error in +their stories which won't stand analysis. + +"Will you be kind enough to explain how those saurians happened to be in +that sea in such a docile frame of mind, Tim?" asked Timberlake, with a +provoking smile of derision. + +"No, sir," flatly answered the old sailor, who was utterly at a loss how +to clear himself. "The fact are, sir, as I never gives explanations e' +my yarns, an'---" + +But here he was interrupted. + +By the wild shriek of an accordeon. + +In the hands of Fritz. + +The Dutchmen hated Tim's yarns. + +And Tim hated Fritz's music with equal fervor. + +Consequently, while the yarn caused the fat fellow to strike up his +frantic melody, the music grated on Tim's ears so that a wild desire +entered his soul to pulverize the Dutchman. + +"Hey!" he howled, shaking his fist at Fritz. "Belay thar!" + +"Shiminey Christmas, vos yer tink I vould listen ter some more ohf dem +lies mitoud dot I trownd it oud alretty?" fiercely bellowed Fritz, +working away at the wheezy box. + +"Ye kin dash my toplights if I don't wipe up ther floor wi' yer then!" +yelled Tim, and he made a rush for Fritz. + +"Shtood beck!" roared the Dutchman. "Stob a leedle, or py yiminey I soak +yer in der chaw mit dot moosic!" + +He brandished his accordeon in the air by the strap as he spoke, and as +it opened out and his fingers were pressing on several of the keys, it +let out a shrieking groan horrible to hear. + +Tim did not pause. + +His spunk was up. + +As soon as he reached Fritz be gave a whoop and jumped on him. + +The next moment they were tangled up in a heap on the floor, and a +terrific struggle began between them, the sailor trying to put his +wooden leg through the accordeon, and the Dutchmen industriously +striving to gouge Tim's glass eye out. + +In the midst of the scuffle, a monkey and parrot came flying in from the +next room, howling like fiends. + +The parrot was named Bismarck. + +Whiskers was the name of the monkey. + +Fritz owned the bird, and Tim claimed the animal. + +They had once been captured in Africa by their masters. + +Since then the sailor and Dutchman invariably took their pets off on the +expeditions they made in Jack's inventions. + +Between Bismarck and Whiskers there existed a deep rooted enemity, which +always culminated in pitched battles. + +The monkey had been chasing the parrot when Tim and Fritz got fighting, +and as these two creatures possessed more than ordinary intelligence, +they at once determined to take sides with their respective owners. + +"Whee!" bowled Whiskers, and he hopped on top of Fritz's head, grabbed +him by the hair, and tried to pull it out by the roots. + +"Mild up, Boilvar!" yelled the slangy bird, as he fastened his beak in +Tim's ear. "Waow! Whoop her up, boys! Cracker! Crack---" + +Biff! went Tim's hand against Bismarck's head, interrupting him. + +Bang! went Fritz fist against the monkey's neck sending him spinning. + +"Wow!" screamed Whiskers. + +"Root, you sucker, root!" yelled Bismarck. + +Then he made a dive at the monkey, and as Whiskers scampered away, the +parrot flew after him, plunged his beak in Whiskers' tail, and away they +flew into the next room. + +Just then Jack interrupted the fracas. + +"Stop, boys, and attend to business!" he sung out. + +Tim and Fritz were accustomed to obeying him, and ceasing hostilities at +once, they rose, and the old sailor asked solemnly: + +"Goin' ter stop playin' if I stops yarnin'?" + +"For sure, Mikes," replied Fritz. "Put it dere." + +They shook hands and that settled the matter. + +Work on the electric stage was resumed, and by noon they had her in +perfect condition for her long journey. + +When they entered the house they met Jack's beautiful wife and bright +little son. + +Answers had arrived from Missouri. + +The governor wrote Jack the following lines: + +"Mr. Jack Wright,--In reply to your letter I beg to assure you of my +heartfelt gratitude for your kind offer to try to apprehend the James +Boys and break up their villainous gang. These outlaws have too long +been a terror to the community, and there is not a decent man, woman or +child in the state who would not be glad to hear of the extermination of +the gang. The list of crimes for which the James Boys are amenable is +too long and too horrible to enumerate here in detail. Let it suffice +that there are charges of every description in the category against +them, including many atrocious murders. + +"So bitter is the feeling against them that a reward of five thousand +dollars has been offered for the James Boys, dead or alive. I enclose +warrants and all necessary authority for you to act in league with the +officers of this State in the capture or killing of the bandits in +question, and sincerely trust that you will meet with entire success. By +this mail have also written to Sheriff Timberlake whom I am delighted to +hear intends to go with you on your perilous expedition. He is a brave +and true man, in whom I have the most implicit confidence. + Yours truly, John Doe." + +The papers in Jack's envelope were entirely satisfactory. + +Timberlake's letter was of a personal nature, and when he finished +reading it, and heard what was communicated to Jack, he said: + +"Well, now that all details are settled, when do you intend to go in +pursuit of the outlaws?" + +"To-night," replied Jack. "We have everything ready but the stowage of +our clothing aboard." + +"Good! The sooner the better." + +"I tink so neider," agreed Fritz. + +"That settles it, then," Tim added. + +It did not take them long to put their clothing and the parrot and +monkey aboard the Terror. + +When night fell, Jack took leave of his wife and child. + +They all then boarded the electric stage. Jack taking his seat at the +wheel, and she started. + +Many people in the village streets saw them as they went flying by, and +heartily cheered them on their way, as the news of Jack's intention had +got abroad. + +The Terror soon left Wrightstown behind. + +Following the hard country road he sped along swiftly, and soon was lost +to the view of the villagers. + + +CHAPTER V. +THE JAMES BOYS' MOTHER. + +The trip to Missouri was made without adventure by the Terror, but her +peculiar appearance aroused the wonder of everybody who saw her during +her journey through several States. + +Late in the afternoon of a pleasant day she passed Kearney, in Clay +County, and followed an old country road. + +A few miles from the town she arrived near a neat old log house standing +back in a wooded pasture near the road. + +This house contained three rooms; in the front yard were several lilac +bushes, and all the way from its fences to the town many farm houses +lined the road. + +Sheriff Timberlake sat on the steerer's seat of the electric stage +beside Jack, and the moment the old fashioned Western home referred to +came in view he pointed at it and said: + +"There is the home of the James Boys." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Jack, eying the house intently. + +"Yes; it is the residence of Dr. Reuben Samuels, their step-father, and +the mother of the two villains. She's a Tartar about her boys--a regular +she-fiend in temper, although a woman of fifty-five. Ah--see! There she +is now!" + +He pointed at the house. + +The woman, in a gingham dress, stood at the door. + +She was shading her eyes with her hand. + +A look of surprise crossed Jack's face as he glanced at her. + +"Why," said he, "she has only got one arm." + +"Yes; the other was blown off by the explosion of a hand grenade which a +Pinkerton detective threw into the house some years ago in an attack +upon her sons. There was a younger son of hers killed by the same bomb." + +Mrs. Samuels was suspiciously and curiously eying the Terror as it +rolled toward her. + +Then she suddenly disappeared in the house. + +Her action struck Jack as being very significant. + +"Did you see that!" he asked the sheriff. + +"Yes. She's a queer, violent tempered woman," + +"Perhaps she has gone in to warn her sons of our coming." + +"By thunder, you may be right." + +"We'd better search that house, Timberlake." + +"I intend to do so." + +"The woman is acquainted with you, ain't she?" + +"Well, I should say so," laughed the officer. "I've been here often +enough to be pretty well known. My posse has shot bullets into nearly +every square inch of that house and the fence, in our past efforts to +get at the two bandits." + +"The woman can't have much affection for you." + +"She would gladly kill me, I believe, if she had the chance." + +By this time the Terror reached the house. + +Jack cut out the current and alighted with his companion. + +They knocked at the door, and a moment later it was opened by Mrs. +Samuels, who glared at her callers and demanded: + +"Well--what do you want, Timberlake?" + +"Your sons, madam," blandly replied the officer. + +"They ain't here." + +"I am not sure of that." + +"Search the house if you like." + +"Thank you. I shall." + +He swiftly passed inside and went through the rooms, but saw nothing of +the James Boys. + +Jack remained at the door with the woman. + +He saw by her nervous manner that she was smothering a feeling of +intense agitation. + +Whether it came from her aversion of the officer, or because her sons +were around, Jack could not judge. + +"That's a mighty queer wagon you've got there," she remarked presently, +as she pointed at the Terror. + +"Yes," replied Jack. "It is designed to run down your sons." + +She started, and a tigerish look flashed from her eyes. + +"So you are leagued against them, too, eh!" she hissed. + +"Yes. I am here to capture them if I can." + +"But you will never succeed." + +"That remains to be seen." + +At this moment Timberlake rushed out. + +He was terribly excited. + +A smothered cry of alarm escaped Mrs. Samuels. + +"I've seen them!" gasped the officer. + +"Where?" demanded Jack, quickly. + +"Both were here. She warned them. They got down in the cellar. I found a +tunnel there, leading over to that timber. They had gone through. +Jesse's horse, Siroc, and Frank's horse, Jim Malone, must have been +tethered there, for they mounted and dashed away." + +"Get aboard, and we'll chase them." + +"You shall not go!" hissed the woman. + +She slammed the door shut, and put her back against it, a look of fierce +determination upon her face. + +It was clear that she designed to delay them so as to give her fugitive +sons as long a lead as possible. + +Jack saw through her scheme. + +"Get away from there! he cried, sternly. + +"You can't leave this house!" she shrieked. + +"I see through your plan." + +"Stand back, or I'll brain you with this!" + +She had been holding her hand behind her back. + +As she now brought it into view, they saw that she held a hatchet with a +keen, glittering edge. + +"This way, Mr. Wright!" cried Timberlake. + +And he dove headfirst through a window. + +Jack started to follow him, when the woman rushed after him with the +hatchet upraised. + +There was no such emotion as fear in the mother of the Missouri bandits, +and she had bred her ferocity and evil will into her two detestable +children. + +Jack's life was in danger, for she could have dealt him a death blow +with the weapon before he could get out the window after the sheriff. + +He therefore turned upon her. + +The young inventor was noted for his enormous strength. + +Avoiding an ugly blow she aimed at his head by nimbly leaping aside, he +seized the hatchet before she could raise it again and made an effort to +take it away from her. + +She was wonderfully strong in her single arm. + +In fact, the strength she lost with the arm which had been blown off +seemed to have concentrated in this remaining arm. + +Jack found it no easy matter to get the weapon, for she held on to it +with great persistence, and exerted every device to delay him as long as +possible. + +"You shall not have it!" she raved as she struggled. + +"Let up!" cried Jack, losing patience. "I don't want to use you roughly +on account of your sex and crippled condition. But I'll have to do it." + +He thereupon tore the hatchet from her hand. + +Flinging it into the next room, he saw her spring toward him, and make +an effort to grapple him. + +Struggling with women was very distasteful to Jack. + +He therefore avoided her and rushed out the door. + +She ran after him screaming and threatening, but he kept out of her +reach and got upon the stage. + +The sheriff was already aboard. + +Jack sent the Terror flying along the road. + +In a few moments she was out of reach of the woman. + +There was a door in the forward part of the vehicle beside Jack, and Tim +and Fritz now opened it. + +"Gee whiz," chuckled the old sailor. "She wuz ther most piratical craft +in petticoats wot I ever seen!" + +"I don't blame her for trying to protect her sons." + +"Yah; but she vos delay us!" growled Fritz. + +"Only a few moments." + +"There they go now!" cried Timberlake. + +He pointed up the road at two flying horsemen. + +They were so far away that their figures could hardly be distinguished, +and their steeds were going like the wind. + +"What a magnificent black horse," commented Jack. + +"That's Siroc," informed the sheriff, "Jesse's horse." + +"We'll overhaul them though." + +"Let her fly if you wish to succeed." + +"Are you sure they were the James Boys?" + +"Certain. I did not get very near them, but noticed that one wore a +heavy beard and the other a mustache. They had on riding boots, with the +legs of their pants tucked in the tops, flannel shirts and soft felt +hats, while around their waists were buckled cartridge belts into which +were thrust a knife and brace of revolvers a piece." + +"Does that description tally with the general appearance of the James +Boys?" asked Jack. + +"Yes. I am sure it was them." + +The young inventor put on full voltage. + +It caused the motor to fairly buzz, and the Terror shot ahead along the +road with the velocity of an express train. + +She rapidly bore down upon the fugitives. + +It was a long and exciting chase, though, for Siroc and Jim Malone were +wonderfully fleet horses. + +Several miles were thus covered. + +Finally, though, the machine drew close to the two riders. + +"Halt!" shouted Jack. + +Casting a quick glance back the riders obeyed. + +So suddenly did they pull up their steeds, that they rose on their +haunches and pawed the air. + +The four inmates of the Terror had them covered with their rifles, and +when the horses came down and wheeled around, a shout of chagrin escaped +Timberlake. + +"Duped!" + +"What do you mean?" asked Jack, in surprise. + +"They ain't the James Boys." + +"Sure enough. But the horses belong to the bandits." + +"Yes; that's how I was deceived. Now I see through it. I've been +tricked. I really chased Jesse and Frank from the tunnel. They put these +men on their horses and hid, while their two men rode off to decoy us +from the spot so they could escape." + +Such was really the way it happened. + +Jack had stopped the Terror, and now shouted to the two men, who were +part of the James Boys' gang. + +"Throw your hands up!" + +Both men obeyed. + +"Don't fire!" pleaded one of them. + +"That depends on how you answer me." + +"What do you want to know, sir?" + +"You just heard our version of how the James Boys eluded us?" + +"We did, sir." + +"Is it correct?" + +"Yes." + +"Are you members of their gang?" + +"We are." + +"Where have they gone!" + +"I refuse to tell you!" + +"Your life depends upon it." + +"I don't care. I won't betray them." + +"Fool! I will count three. If you don't answer, we'll fire!" + +"Go ahead!" was the defiant reply. + +"One!" exclaimed Jack. + +The two bandits did not flinch. + +"Two!" sternly cried the inventor. + +Still the men stubbornly refused to speak. + +"Three!" + +A deathly silence ensued for a moment. + +Then the weapons in the hands of our friends were discharged. + + +CHAPTER VI. +SHADOWING A LONE HORSEMAN. + +Although there was a tacit understanding among the crew of the Terror to +fire over the heads of the two bandits to frighten them they imagined +that they were to be shot down in cold blood. + +It electrified them. + +An instant before Jack gave the order to fire they plunged their spurs +into the flanks of the horses. + +One animal sprang to the right and the other to the left. + +It was done like lightning. + +Both steeds were well trained. + +Siroc cleared a hedge and wheeling to the right went flying back in the +direction he came from, while Jim Malone went thundering in among some +rocks and vanished. + +Both bandits imagined they had a narrow escape from death, although the +fact was they had been in no danger at all of being shot from their +horses. + +Our friends burst out laughing. + +"Badly scared," said Jack. + +"Oh, Lord, wot cowards!" Tim chuckled. + +"Ain't they likely to return to the James Boys?" asked the sheriff. + +"Dot vas more as likely," agreed Fritz. "If dem vas der Chames Poys' +horses vunct, dey vill back by deir owners go, don't it?" + +Jack peered around. + +At some distance off to the south was a forest. + +He caught view of both horses plunging into it. + +"That settles our pursuit of them!" he exclaimed, in disgust. "We can't +follow them among those trees, and as they seem to realize it, they've +taken advantage of the timberland." + +"We might keep a watch upon the woods anyway," suggested Timberlake. +"They are bound to come out somewhere sooner or later. If we can get +upon their track we may yet force them to lead us to the bandits' +rendezvous." + +"It won't hurt to follow the plan," assented Jack; "for we haven't the +remotest idea where to look for the villains." + +He thereupon steered the Terror toward the trees, and as Fritz was a +good cook and had charge of the culinary arrangements, he set about +getting their supper ready. + +It was a waste of time to guard the forest. + +Several days passed by and nothing was seen of the two men. + +They had gone straight through the timberland at a gallop, and emerging +on the other side, rode rapidly away. + +Jack and his friends had therefore been watching and hunting for a mere +phantom, as it were. + +The young inventor quickly arrived at this conclusion, and on the +evening of the third day he said to Tim: + +"It's my opinion that there isn't anyone at all in the woods, and I'm +going to give up the watch and move on." + +"Ay, ay, that's ther bes' plan. I quite agree wi' yer, lad." + +"Those fellows would not be foolish enough to remain in that forest all +this time for nothing." + +"If they wuz thar, I'm mighty sure as we'd a sighted somethin' o' them +long afore this, my hearty. I recollect when I wuz in ther navy how I +wuz once fooled this way. Yer see we'd been chasin' one o' ther enemy's +ships, an' drove her into a lagoon. Thar we pounded her with our guns, +an' ther crew desarted her, an' went ashore. We sunk ther ship, an' +mannin' ther boats, we pulled ashore arter ther crew. We found ther +shore lined with cliffs a thousand feet high. Thar wus no coast, that +water beatin' up again ther base o' ther cliffs on all but ther +seaward side o' ther lagoon. There wuz one indentation in the cliffs, +covered wi' trees an' bushes, inter which ther hull crew went an' hid. +Waal, sir, we landed thar, an' beat about lookin' fer 'em. Thar wuzn't +no possible way fer 'em ter git away unseen, with ther water in front, +them high cliffs surroundin' 'em on three sides, an' only a small plot +o' ground filled wi' trees an' bushes fer 'em to hide in. So yer see we +wuz sure o' catchin' 'em. Yet, when we'd sarched ther hull place not a +sign o' them wuz ter be found! They'd wanished as complete as if ther +arth had swallered 'em up. Now wuzn't that a worry mysterious +perceedin'?" + +As Tim asked this, he refreshed himself with a chew of tobacco. + +Jack did not reply. + +He had his glance fixed upon the woods. + +Taking it for granted that he had aroused the curiosity of the young +inventor to fever heat, Tim continued: + +"Waal, sir, everybody wuz puzzled cept me. Wot had become o' them +lubbers wasn't werry plain. Howsome ever, when they gave up huntin' I +made up my mind as I'd locate ther fugitives. Goin' over ter ther cliff +I examined ther face of it, an' found a trap door. Openin' it, I entered +a cave. Thar they was, armed wi' rifles, pistols, cutlasses and knives, +an' ten o' them sprung ter thar door astarn o' me ter cut off my retreat +while ther rest aimed thar weapings at me. Did I run? No, sir. Wot did I +do? Stood. Wot happened then? Pointin' my finger at 'em I ses, +surrender yer swabs, or I'll blow yer brains out! All o' them wuz so +skeerd o' my threat they begged fer mercy. An' ther joke of it wuz, I +didn't hev no pistol neither. It wuz so dark in ther cave yer couldn't +see ther smellin' tackle on yer figger head, an in that gloom they +mistook my finger fer a gun. Waal, sir, in less'n two minutes I made +prisoners o' ther fifty men, an' marched them out ter my messmates in +triumph. Now how wuz that fer a bloodless wictory?" + +And with a triumphant grin Tim turned to Jack. + +The young inventor made no answer. + +"He must be struck dumb with astonishment!" thought Tim. + +Then he seized Jack by the arm and shook him. + +"Say, my lad, how wuz that fer a wictory?" he asked. + +"What victory?" asked Jack, rousing from a deep reverie. + +"That one I jist told yer about, o' course." + +"Did you tell us about something?" + +"Of course I did. Didn't yer like ther yarn?" + +"I didn't hear a word of it. I've been thinking." + +Tim groaned. + +Jack's answer crushed him. + +"Oh, gee!" he gasped. "I've been a-talkin' ter myself!" + +Jack burst out laughing at him, when he realized into what a ridiculous +position Tim had placed himself. + +Unable to bear it, the old sailor retreated into the stage. + +Jack then turned the Terror away from the forest, and sent her flying +across the rolling country. + +He had come to the conclusion to make inquiries at the nearest town for +information about where the James Boys had last been seen terrorizing +the community. + +It was his hope to thus get on their trail. + +The gloom of night fell. + +Heavy, dark banks of clouds covered the sky. + +The electric stage finally reached an alluvial bottom, through which +wound a broad deep creek. + +Here she went among a dense growth of bushes, and Fritz served an +excellent supper. + +While the rest were partaking of the meal Jack remained on duty, and +suddenly caught view of a lone horseman moving slowly along the bank of +the creek like a shadow. + +As quick as a flash Jack turned a switch, putting out the lights. + +He could barely discern the horseman, and did not remove his glance from +him for an instant. + +Jack was suspicious of the man. + +It did not seem likely to him that any honest wayfarer could be +wandering along that unfrequented section of the country at night, +acting in such a stealthy manner. + +At all events he made up his mind to keep the man in view without being +seen himself. + +He therefore graded the speed of the terror to accord with that of the +walking horse, and kept along the clearest ground he could distinguish +in the gloom. + +The sudden extinguishing of the lights alarmed Jack's friends, and +brought them to the front room with a rush. + +"Vot's der droubles?" + +"Anything happened?" + +"Is ther lamps injured, my lad?" + +These three questions were discharged at him together. + +Jack gave a warning hiss, pointed ahead, and said: + +"I've just spotted a horseman ahead, boys." + +"Who he vos?" eagerly asked Fritz, peering out. + +"I haven't got the least idea." + +"Be yer follerin' him?" + +"Yes, Tim. Ha! there he goes!" + +The rider had turned abruptly to the left, out across the course of the +Terror, and headed for a mass of trees, rocks and bushes, that formed a +hollow near the creek side. + +Jack stopped the machine. + +He had caught view of a gleaming light ahead. + +It came from a camp-fire down in the hollow, and flung a lurid glow upon +the scene around. + +Timberlake gave a slight start and now said: + +"Do you know that the James Boys generally prefer to make their camp in +just such hollows as this is?" + +"Is that so?" asked Jack. "Then you have an idea that by following the +lone horseman we have accidentally run into the outlaw's encampment?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Well, I'm going ahead to see." + +"I'll go with you, if you like." + +"Very well; arm yourself." + +They procured a pair of deadly pneumatic rifles and revolvers of Jack's +invention that hurled explosive ballets. + +Then they left the stage in Tim's care. + +Alighting, they crept toward the hollow. + +In a few minutes they reached it. + +The lone horseman had disappeared. + +Jack and the sheriff proceeded with the caution of two cats, and slowly +worked their way down into the hollow. + +They presently neared the fire, when a startling scene met their view. + + +CHAPTER VII. +THE SHERIFF'S MISFORTUNE. + +Jack and Timberlake had reached the bottom of the verdure clad hollow, +and were lurking behind a clump of bushes. + +It was darker down there, if possible, than it had been above, but the +ruddy glow of the camp-fire lit up a patch in the scene. + +Around the fire were grouped a dozen ruffians, among whom Jack +recognized the two James Boys. + +Among the others were Jim Cummins, Wood Hite, Clell Miller, Cole Younger +and his three brothers, John, Jim and Bob, Dick Little, Jack Keene, Ed +McMillan, Bill Chadwell, Hobbs Kerry, Charley and Bob Ford and Oll and +George Shepard. + +The horses belonging to the gang, most of which had been stolen, were +tethered to the nearby tree. + +An exciting dialogue was going on among the bandits, and Jack and the +sheriff heard Jesse say: + +"Yes, Timberlake has got the Governor at Liberty to league Jack Wright +against us. It's been hard enough to fight the sheriff's posse and the +military reserve but it's going to be a blamed sight harder to get the +best of that inventor. Wright owes me a grudge. He has soured on me for +doing him out of that $5,000 in Wrightstown." + +"That machine of his'n must be a wonder," said one of the men. + +"You have no idea what a dangerous article it is," promptly replied +Jesse, with a fierce expletive. "Ripley and Barker had a taste of it, +though, when the machine chased them on Siroc and Jim Malone. It was +awful the way the electric engine overhauled them, I can tell you. Our +only salvation now lies in leading them to places where the Terror can't +run." + +"If Barker hadn't put on false whiskers to look like you and if I hadn't +fixed myself up to resemble Frank," spoke up one of the men, "we +wouldn't have no Wright after us. But seeing us on your horses increased +the deception so that we had no trouble about the matter. You should +have seen how disgusted they were when they discovered how we fooled +them." + +"No doubt," said Frank, with a grim smile. + +"What are you going to do about the hold-up to-night, Jesse?" asked Jim +Cummins impatiently. "We've arranged to meet here and settle the whole +matter and not gab about things of no interest to the case." + +"There's plenty time," quietly replied the bandit king. + +Jack squeezed Timberlake's arm. + +"They're going to lay a plot!" he whispered. + +"We'll hear the whole thing," replied the sheriff. + +"Perhaps we can baffle them." + +"Yes, if they give themselves away." + +"Then we can't attack them now." + +"Not if they have got work in view. If we should tackle them now we +might not fustrate any game they might play when they get away. We can't +expect to scoop the whole gang you know. Some would be bound to escape." + +"Well, we'll hear what they have to say anyhow." + +"Of coarse. We can grade ourselves according to circumstances +afterward," whispered Timberlake cautiously. + +The gang had been drawning closer around Jesse. + +When they were close enough, the bandit rose, and said: + +"Boys, we've got a big haul in view for to-night." + +"What is it, anyway?" demanded Miller. + +"An express package on the M. & M. road, which will go through on the +midnight express, it's worth $10,000." + +Whistles and exclamations of surprise and delight escaped the gang. + +This was something unusually rich. + +Besides they were all pretty hard up. + +"Let's hear about it," said Cole Younger. + +"Well, I was in Kansas City and there learned that the Fourth National +Bank sends a keg of $10,000 in gold coin on the tenth of each month, to +the banking firm of Bradford & Co., in Springfield, Illinois. That train +will reach a point between Polo and Cowgill, according to the +timetable, shortly after midnight. As it is the only train which carries +an express car bound for Springfield, it must be the one we are after." + +"That's fair to presume," said Frank. + +"We had better stop it and see!" Jesse exclaimed. "We can hold it up at +the curve, and as there's a dense mass of bushes on each side of the +track, you all can conceal yourselves there until I get the cars +stopped. Then an attack can be made upon the passengers, while I and +several others get into the express car after the keg of money." + +A plan of operations was then agreed upon. + +When they finished, Jack whispered to the sheriff: + +"There are three things we can now do. One is to attack the bandits +here; the next is to notify the railroad people to look out for them; +and the last is to let them attempt to carry out their plan and raid +them in the act. Now, what shall we do?" + +Timberlake pondered. + +He wanted to avoid making any mistake. + +Finally he muttered: + +"If we were to run away to the railroad to apprise the company, +something might happen that would delay us. Then the villains could +carry out their purpose anyway. We can't do that. Now if we tackle them +here, some of them are apt to give us the slip, an' do the job in spite +of us. I think it will be safer to let them go to the rendezvous, and +try to stop the cars. Then we can sail into them, and frustrate their +plans." + +"I quite agree with you," said Jack. + +"Then let us return to the Terror." + +Creeping silently away, they were getting safely out of the hollow, when +suddenly a sentry came along, and almost stumbled over them. + +"Hello!" he roared. "Who goes there?" + +"Caught!" gasped the sheriff bounding to his feet. + +"Timberlake!" groaned the man, recognizing him. "Hey! Help! Help!" + +He yelled furiously. + +The sheriff sprang at him like a tiger. + +"Shut up!" he hissed, grappling the bandit. + +"A spy! A spy!" howled the guard, wildly. + +He clung to the sheriff with all his might, and they fell struggling to +the ground, locked in a tight embrace. + +Jack was startled. + +He heard the gang rushing toward them. + +"Can you manage him?" he panted. + +"Yes--run!" replied the sheriff. + +Thinking he might have to call his friends to help, Jack slipped away +unseen, and Timberlake might have gained the mastery of his opponent, +had not the gang at that moment dashed up to them. + +Surrounding him, they attacked the sheriff upon all sides, and in a +twinkling made a prisoner of him. + +He was knocked senseless, bound and gagged. + +As soon as Jack found that the sheriff was not following him, he paused. + +"I wonder if he's in trouble?" he muttered. "I can't go on this way. No! +I'll return and see." + +With this resolution he retraced his steps. + +Reaching the spot where he had left Timberlake, he found that the +sheriff had vanished. + +Looking across the hollow, Jack saw the bandits mounting their horses. + +He could just see them by the light of the camp-fire. + +A moment afterward they went galloping out of the hollow, and he saw +Timberlake a prisoner among them. + +"They've captured him!" he muttered. + +Jack's dismay increased. + +He could not do anything single handed to save his friend, so he hurried +back to the electric stage. + +"Hello!" called Tim, seeing him alone. "Whar's ther sheriff?" + +"Caught by the James Boys," replied Jack. + +_"Ach du lieber Gott!"_ gasped Fritz. + +Jack hastily got aboard. + +"We must chase them!" he exclaimed. + +"Wuz them lubbers down in that 'ere holler?" asked Tim. + +"Yes--the whole gang," replied Jack. + +"Den dot feller by horses back vos van ohf dem?" + +"He was, Fritz, and a nice plot they have formed." + +"Wot is it?" asked Tim. + +The inventor briefly explained. + +When he finished he sent the stage ahead. + +Tim and Fritz armed themselves, to be prepared for trouble, and they +sped along the course of the creek. + +Nothing was seen of the bandits for some time. + +They had gone several miles in this manner from the place where +Timberlake was captured, when the moon suddenly burst from behind a +cloud bank. + +Just then Jack uttered a stifled cry. + +"There they are!" he exclaimed. + +"Whar?" eagerly asked Tim, peering out. + +"Across the creek! See there!" + +He pointed to the eastward and stopped the Terror. + +A league away rode a large body of horsemen, and as Jack leveled a glass +at them, he saw that there was no mistake about the matter--they were +the James Boys' gang. + +"How ve get across dot streams ter shase dem?" asked Fritz. + +"That's what worried me," replied Jack. "I can't see a means anywhere. +It's bound to delay us. Before we can do anything for Timberlake, they +may kill him." + +"Ay, ay, an' wot's more," added Tim, "they may reach ther railroad an' +stop them cars afore we kin stop them." + +"What a pity that I did not have a pair of air cylinders under this +stage!" regretfully said Jack. "We could then have floated her across +the stream." + +He noted the direction the bandits were pursuing, and sent the Terror +running along again. + +Tim and Fritz maintained an anxious lookout in the meantime for an +opportunity of getting over the creek. + + +CHAPTER VIII. +HOLDING UP A TRAIN. + +"Midnight!" + +"Dere vos der roat." + +"Ay, but whar's the bandits?" + +The Inventor had been obliged to run the Terror to the headwaters of the +creek ere they were able to pass the stream. + +Considerable time had thus been lost. + +Indeed, it was twelve o'clock before they reached the railroad track at +a point between Polo and Cowgill. + +"The question is, has the train passed?" said Jack. + +"Ve ditn'd seen nodding ohf her yet," replied Fritz. + +"Ay, but that ain't no sign as it didn't pass," growled Tim, as he took +a chew of tobacco. "I recollect when I wuz in the navy how we started +fer ther rendezvous o' a enemy's ship---" + +"I won't listen!" exclaimed Jack, with a frown. + +"Waal, I'll tell Fritz," said Tim, in nowise abashed. "Yer see it wuz +sich a dark night we missed ther spot, which was a lagoon, on the coast +o' Georgie---" + +"Try ub!" roared Fritz. + +"I'll be blowed if I will!" + +"I don'd vant ter hear dot yarn." + +"I don't keer if yer don't. Ter continer: But although we missed ther +lagoon in ther gloom, an runned inter a leetle bay, our enemy did ther +same. Thar we had him. Gee whiz, how we socked it ter him! He sailed +aroun' and aroun' ther bay, an' we arter him. I manned ther long Tom, +an' pickin' 'em out one by one, I gave it ter each o' ther crew---" + +"For Heaven's sake, stop!" cried Jack. + +"Wot fer?" + +"How could you see in the dark?" + +"Why, every time I fired ther moon popped out, an' as soon as I stopped +it hid itself agin," explained Tim, "Waal, sir, arter ther crew o' that +ship surrendered, wot d'yer s'pose?" + +"Ve don't vos tink noddings!" roared Fritz. + +"But I wants yer ter, I'll tell yer. We diskivered as ther ship wot we +wuz firin' at wazn't no enemies wessel at all. It wuz our own consort, +an'---" + +"Oh, you old liar! You positively asserted it was your enemy---" + +"But I wuz mistooken. I---" + +Bang! + +A startling report rang out. + +It came from beneath the stage. + +The Terror stopped. + +"By jingo, she's broken!" gasped Jack. + +"How?" asked Tim, forgetting his yarn. + +"It must be in the truck." + +"Himmel! How ve go ahet now ter safe dot drain?" + +Jack alighted. + +He quickly examined the gear. + +"It's one of the driving rods snapped in two!" he cried, finally. + +"Kin ye fix it, my lad?" + +"I don't know till I take it off. We are crippled." + +He got a wrench and unfastened the bolts, took off the two pieces, and +then saw that the rim of one of the wheels had picked up a long stone +which flew around with it. + +It jammed between the body of the stage and one of the spokes, and the +sudden shock had caused the rod to snap. + +Just as Jack examined it, he heard the distant tooting of a locomotive +whistle, momentarily drawing nearer. + +"Here comes the express now!" he exclaimed. + +"Kin yer git her ready in time?" + +"No. It will take an hour to fix this." + +_"Donner und blitzen!_ Dey holt her ub!" + +"No doubt of it." + +"We must do somethin', my lad." + +"Arm yourselves, if you're anxious. Don your metal suits. We'll follow +the train. She must be nearing the curve to whistle like that. Hurry up, +and we'll leave the Terror here." + +They all put on suits of aluminum mail and armed themselves. + +Then they ran at full speed along the track in the direction from whence +the whistle sounded. + +The moon was then flooding the scene. + +Far ahead the polished rails described a curve in a wide, deep cut, +filled with trees and shrubbery. + +In the middle of the north-bound track stood Jesse James waving a red +lantern to an oncoming train, the headlight of which was blazing upon +the bandit king with a silvery glow. + +Jesse had a black mask on, and clutched a revolver in his hand. + +None of the men were visible. + +The train had slackened speed to round the curve, and as soon as the +engineer saw the danger signal he stopped the cars. + +"Hello!" he cried, "What's the matter?" + +"Rail broken!" replied Jesse, approaching the cab. + +"Here comes the conductor." + +"I'll speak to him about it. Come down." + +"Can't. It's against the rules for me to leave the caboose." + +The conductor and several brakemen had alighted and now came running +toward the outlaw to learn the news. + +As they drew near Jesse dropped his lantern. + +That was the signal for his men to emerge, and to the alarm and +astonishment of the train crew, the gang of masked men rushed from the +shrubbery toward them. + +Jim Cummins and Wood Hite clambered into the cab. + +There the plucky engineer and fireman had armed themselves with a monkey +wrench and a crowbar. + +They attacked the two bandits as they climbed into the cab, dealing them +such terrible blows that they were knocked down. + +Just as the engineer seized the throttle valve to start the cars, Dick +Little and Hobbs Kerry rushed up, and aiming their revolvers at the +driver and stoker, the former yelled: + +"Throw up your hands!" + +"All right!" gasped the engineer. + +He knew he had to do it or get shot. + +The fireman wanted to resist. + +A word from the engineer sufficed to change his mind. + +While Dick held them up Hobbs climbed into the cab and pitched the two +men out, so they could not run away with the train. + +A swarm of the thieves had approached the passenger coaches under the +leadership of Frank, and dividing into several detachments, each party +took a car. + +The train only consisted of the locomotive, the express car, two day +coaches and two sleepers. + +As the bandits crowded into the doorways they began to fire into the +cars to intimidate the passengers. + +A tremendous clamor arose. + +Women shrieked and fainted, men yelled for mercy, and a wild panic +ensued that beggars description. + +The bandits rushed in in the midst of the confusion, and flourishing +their knives and pistols in the faces of the terrified passengers, they +demanded their valuables. + +Out came pocketbooks, watches, rings, studs, bracelets, lace pins, and +scores of other things. + +While this was going on, Jesse and several of the men had gone to the +door of the express car. + +It was guarded by an express messenger, and a trainman. + +"Open that door!" yelled Jesse. + +"Never!" came the determined reply from within. "Never for you!" + +"If you don't we'll blow it open!" + +"You can't do it!" + +"We can't, hey?" + +And crack--bang! went Jesse's revolver. + +The ball tore a hole through the car. + +It was echoed by a fusillade from within. + +Crack! + +Crack! + +Crack! + +Crack! + +One of the bullets hit Jack Keene, and made him yell with pain. + +It infuriated the bandits to have the two men resist them in that +summary fashion, and they let drive a volley. + +Bang! + +Bang! + +Bang! went the shots. + +"There's but a slim show to hit them," said McMillan. + +"I'll teach them a lesson!" said Jesse, savagely. + +He got several sticks of dynamite, tied them in a bunch, and fastened +them along the door sill. + +Standing back, he aimed his revolver at it and fired. + +Boom! thundered the explosive. + +There was a lurid gleam, and the stout planks of the door were torn and +shattered, and a yell of delight pealed from the bandits, for an opening +had been made into the car. + +The force of the explosion had almost hurled the express car from the +tracks. + +Jesse made a rush for the opening. + +He looked like a demon now, for his temper was up. + +"Charge!" he yelled. + +After him rushed several of the men. + +Before they could get into the car, three strange-looking apparitions +came dashing down the track. + +They were Jack, Tim and Fritz, in their metal suits. + +Losing not an instant, they opened fire upon the bandits, their bullets +flying noiselessly from the pistols, and bursting with terrific force +when they struck. + +A roar went up from the bandits. + +"Jesse!" yelled one of the men. + +The bandit king gazed at the three daring fellows in surprise. + +Raising his pistol, he aimed and fired at Jack, there sounded a metallic +click as the ball struck the aluminum suit, and then the inventor +uttered a mocking laugh. + +"Here's your bullet back, Jesse James!" he cried. + +Then he fired a shot at the bandit. + + +CHAPTER IX. +A CLEVER RUSE. + +The bullet from Jack's pneumatic pistol struck Jesse James, and a hoarse +yell of pain escaped the bandit king. + +He reeled back and would have fallen, had not Oll Shepard caught him in +his arms. + +"I'm wounded!" he gasped. + +"Who are they?" hissed Shepard. + +"Jack Wright. I recognize his voice." + +"There's only three of them." + +"But they are firing bomb-shells." + +"We'll bring them down!" + +He yelled to the gang, and over a score of rifles and pistols were aimed +at Jack, the Dutchman, and the sailor. + +Bang! + +Bang! + +Bang! rattled the shots. + +A hail of leaden pellets struck the trio. + +But their suits shed the bullets as if they were rain drops, and they +continued to pour a deadly fire into the outlaws. + +Every time a bullet burst it either scattered and injured many or else +it lodged in a solitary man and blew a big piece out of him. + +It was impossible to withstand such fire. + +The worst of it was their bullets failed to injure the three. + +As man after man was getting wounded Jesse gasped: + +"By heavens, we'll have to retreat!" + +"This is awful, and only three of them too!" groaned Bill Chadwell. + +"To horse!" roared Jesse. + +He had recovered from the shock of the shot he got and the whole gang +made a rush for the bushes firing back at Jack and his friends as they +went. + +By this time the train crew recovered from their panic, and those of the +passengers who had weapons drew them and began firing out the windows. + +The bandits broke into a run. + +"That settles them!" cried Jack. "They see that they can't hurt us, +while we stand an excellent chance of killing them." + +"Chase 'em! They've got Timberlake yet," said Tim. + +The outlaws' horses were concealed among the shrubbery, and they mounted +and sped away through the railroad cut. + +Jack and his friends ran after them. + +The inventor now saw the sheriff. + +One of the outlaws held him on a horse. + +Jack aimed at the animal and fired a shot. + +True to its mark sped the bullet, a wild neigh of agony escaped the +animal, and it bounded high in the air and fell dead, the two riders +being thrown to the ground. + +The bandit was stunned. + +But the sheriff, although pounded and bruised, escaped fatal injury and +retained his senses. + +"I've saved him!" said Jack. + +"Bully fer you, my lad!" + +"I vill catch dot oudlaw!" + +While Jack was cutting Timberlake's bonds and ungagging him, Tim and +Fritz secured the bandit. + +"Well," said the sheriff, when he was free, "this is luck." + +"I see they got away from you at the hollow." + +"Yes; I was too confident of beating them." + +"What were they doing with you?" + +"They already had my death sentence passed, and were going to put me out +of the way as soon as they finished that train job. But you have baffled +them nicely." + +"Not only with you, but we stopped them getting into the express car. We +arrived just in time." + +"Where's the Terror?" + +"Up the road, crippled." + +"That's a pity!" + +"Come back to the train till I see the amount of damage they've done," +said Jack. "Are you hurt any?" + +"Scratched and bruised a trifle." + +Tim and Fritz went ahead of them, carrying their prisoner, and when they +reached the cars they found two more of the bandits badly wounded in the +train crew's hands. + +All had recovered from the panic by this time. + +The conductor now rushed up to Jack, followed by the train crew and +passengers. + +He gave the young inventor a hearty handshake, and cried: + +"Let me thank you on behalf of all the people and myself for your +gallant conduct, sir. If you had not come to our rescue, God only knows +what would have become of us at the hands of the James Boys' gang." + +"You exaggerate the case," quietly replied Jack. + +"No, no, no! Gentlemen, three cheers for these noble fellows!" + +"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!" shouted the passengers. + +Some of them had been robbed. + +But the majority escaped, owing to the timely arrival of Jack's party +upon the scene. + +Moreover, the contents of the express car had been kept out of the +clutches of the bandits. + +True, the explosion had slightly injured the two men who had been in the +car, but their condition might have been worse had Jack not interfered. + +All the bandits had vanished except the three who had been captured, and +they were bound hand and foot, and put aboard the car. + +The conductor took charge of them. + +He intended to put them in the hands of the law. + +As soon as the passengers were back in the coaches, and the engineer and +stoker in the cab, every one gave Jack and his friends a parting cheer. + +The train then moved ahead. + +"We didn't do so blamed bad arter all," chuckled Tim. + +"Did yer see me drop forty o' them pirates vi' one shot?" + +"Forty?" grinned Fritz. + +"Ay--that's wot I see," Tim answered, haughtily. + +"Nein! Yer vos misdooken." + +"How so?" growled the old sailor. + +"It vos eight hundert. But dere only vos dirty in ther gang." + +"Come!" interposed Jack. "Quit your fooling, and let us get back to the +stage. She's so disabled that we can't chase the bandits with her now. +The sooner she's repaired the quicker we'll be able to get upon their +trail and hunt them down." + +They strode back to where they left the Terror. + +Both the parrot and monkey were yelling furiously inside, and did not +cease their clamor until their owners went in and pacified them. + +It required several hours to repair the driving rod, and when it was +finished, although not as strong as it was before, it was very firm. + +They could not do anything further that night, so they divided the watch +and turned in. + +After breakfast on the following morning, Jack mounted the steersman's +seat, and sent the Terror rolling to the place where the bandits were +last seen. + +There he saw a large plain trail they had left. + +"I'll follow their tracks," said he to Tim, who had taken a seat beside +him. "It's an easy trail to follow, and if we have say sort of a chance, +we are bound to run them down in a short time." + +"I ain't so sure about that my lad." + +"Why not?" + +"Jesse James are mighty cunnin'." + +"That's a fact. He may fool us yet," + +"Still thar ain't no harm in tryin'." + +Jack sent the Terror flying off in pursuit of the bandits, and they ran +out on the open plain. + +It was a rolling, grassy country. + +The trail led them on for a distance of about five miles when an old +blasted oak tree was met. + +Here the cunning of the James Boys was shown. + +Evidently fearing pursuit, they had ordered the gang to scatter in every +direction, each one going to a different point of the compass. + +It was then utterly impossible to follow any particular one of the gang, +and know which one it was. + +Jack was rendered angry. + +"See there how they've baffled us!" he cried with a frown, as he pointed +down at the scattered trails. + +"Gee whiz!" groaned Tim, "they've throwed us off ther course entirely +now, Wot one'll we foller?" + +"If you mean so that we can corral the James Boys, I cannot say--one +trail is the same as another." + +"Blast thar lubberly hides!" + +"I've got a plan though." + +"An wot's that?" + +"To pursue any one at random." + +"But mebbe it won't be ther one we wants." + +"Any one will do. Whoever the man is, we can perhaps catch him and force +him to confess where the rest are to meet. By that means we can find +them again." + +"Jist ther plan, by thunder!" cried Tim, pounding his good leg with his +fist. "Keel haul me if you ain't got as long a figgerhead as Jesse +James, cute though he be." + +Jack told Fritz and the sheriff what occurred, and what he now intended +to do. + +They agreed with his plan. + +In fact it was the only feasible thing to do. + +Accordingly Jack selected the most likely trail. + +He then sent the Terror flying off after it, and she sped along until +the afternoon set in before they finally sighted the man they were +after. + +Then they saw that he was Frank James. + + +CHAPTER X. +FRANK JAMES' ESCAPE. + +Frank James was mounted upon his horse Jim Malone, and had paused on the +crest of a hill from whence he gazed back at the bottom traversed by the +Terror. + +He saw the stage, and realized at once that it had followed his +particular trail to the exclusion of the rest of the band. + +It was clear enough to him that he could not outstrip the Terror in a +running race, and would therefore be obliged to retain his liberty by +resorting to strategy. + +What course he could follow would depend entirely upon circumstances, +but he turned over fifty plans in his mind. + +Jack was a league from the man when he recognized him, but he had a +powerful field glass, which plainly showed him every feature of Frank +James' face. + +"The rascal sees us," he commented. + +"Wot's he standin' thar for like a statoo?" asked Tim. + +"Probably sizing up our intentions." + +"Dot retskal vos a gone goose," said Fritz, decisively. + +"Better wait till you get your paws on him before you feel so certain +about it," dryly remarked the sheriff. "If you knew the James Boys as +well as I do, you would realize that no slipperier men exist on the face +of the earth. Just when you are surest you have them is the time you +haven't got the scoundrels. Ha! There he goes!" + +Frank had galloped away. + +He went down the other side of the hill. + +In a few moments he disappeared from view. + +Jack increased the speed of the stage. + +She ran ahead like a locomotive. + +In less than ten minutes she reached the crest of the elevation where +they had seen the bandit. + +From this point a view was commanded of the country for many miles in +various directions. + +Jack soon saw the outlaw. + +He had gone down the valley, and was furiously galloping toward the +rocky, well wooded foothills on the other side of the depression, and +Jack exclaimed: + +"He is well aware of our weakest point." + +"Vot veak point?" growled Fritz unwilling to admit such a thing. + +"Our inability to run among rocks and close setting trees and bushes. + +"It looks mighty like as if he wuz atryin' ter git inter sich a spot." + +"You an right, Tim. But he has lost a mile though." + +Down the declivity shot the stage, and she swiftly reduced the distance +that separated her from the fugitive. + +As the flying horseman went up the hill on the other side of the valley, +he glanced back over his shoulder and saw that the Terror had arrived +within a mile. + +Fast as Jim Malone was on a level stretch, he could not race up the +steep grade of a hill with anything like the speed at which the Terror +went. + +In consequence, long before the bandit reached the plateau he was +heading for, the engine was close behind him. + +Jack sat outside steering. + +He did not have on his armor. + +Frank suddenly paused. + +Wheeling his horse around he raised his rifle. + +Crack--bang! + +It was a good shot. + +The bullet struck the stage within an inch of Jack's head. + +Frank dared not remain to attempt it again as every second was precious +now. + +He therefore dashed away again. + +Bang! + +Bang! + +Bang! came three shots. + +Tim, Fritz and the sheriff had fired. + +Exploding around Frank the awful bullets tore up the ground, chipped the +rocks, trees and bushes and stung the horse, but failed to injure the +rider. + +The bandit reached the shelter of the rocks and trees on the plateau +before any of the bullets hit him. + +He then disappeared. + +Along thundered the electric stage. + +She had a hard climb, but her dynamo and motor were very powerful, and +carried her up to the level ground. + +There she got on Frank's trail again. + +The plateau was a picturesque place, as it was covered with flowers, +tumbled rocks, vine-clad trees, and dense shrubbery. + +A plain track through it was seen. + +"We'll reach him in a few moments!" muttered Jack. + +He cast his glance ahead, and as the ground gently sloped down from +there, he saw the outlaw. + +And he also saw a wide chasm. + +It stretched straight across the horse's path. + +Frank James was caught in a sort of natural trap, for he had gone +plunging in between two steep rocky walls. + +He could not turn to the left or right, and ahead of his sweating horse +there yawned the wide deep chasm. + +If he wished to escape he would have to clear the gulf, and as it was +fully twenty-five feet wide, such a feat seemed to be entirely out of +the question. + +He glanced back again. + +The Terror was swiftly coming along after him. + +It rendered the fugitive desperate. + +He headed his gallant steed straight for the chasm and plunged toward it +a furious pace. + +"By heavens, he is going to attempt to leap that split!" cried Jack, +observing what the outlaw intended doing. + +"He can't clear it, said Tim. + +"Vell, he vos got der nerve ter dry!" Fritz exclaimed. + +"He's bound to go down!" cried Timberlake, excitedly. + +"If he does, he may perish!" said the inventor. "The man must be +fearfully desperate to attempt the jump." + +"Gief him a hall vunct." + +"Hey, Frank James!" called Jack. + +The man looked back, but did not answer. + +He did not look in the least unnerved by the terrible ordeal. + +Jack could not help admiring his courage. + +He hailed him again from sheer pity. + +"Halt there, you madman, you are committing suicide. + +"You'll not nab me!" came back the defiant reply. + +"Pause--quick! We'll spare you." + +"Never! Good-bye! Now, Jim, up, boy, up!" + +The gallant horse seemed to gather every muscle to a high tension when +he reached the verge of the chasm. + +He bounded high in the air. + +For an instant the horse and rider were poised there. + +It was a brave effort. + +But it failed. + +Three-fourths of the distance was covered. + +Then down the animal plunged into the abyss. + +As they sunk out of sight Jack whirled the wheel around and applied the +air brake. + +The Terror barely had time to swing around to avoid the edge of the +chasm, and a cloud of dirt and dust flew up from beneath her wheels. + +She quickly paused. + +Jack alighted. + +Going to the edge of the abyss he peered down. + +It was not more than twenty feet deep. + +Along the bottom flowed a wide, deep mountain stream. + +Frank James and his horse had alighted in it without the slightest +injury, and Jack saw the beast swim ashore and wade out. + +They had been swept some distance down the stream by the fierce current, +and had got out near a wide opening in the rocks on the side opposite +Jack. + +"Stop where you are!" shouted Jack. + +The drenched fugitive looked at him and laughed ironically. + +Then he dashed ahead, for Jack had drawn a pistol, and was aiming it at +him. + +Just as the horse leaped into the opening in the rocks, the young +inventor fired at the bandit. + +The ball cut the spot Frank had just evacuated, and striking against the +rocks, exploded there. + +Up jumped the young inventor, and he ran along until he arrived opposite +the split rocks. + +But he failed to see the fugitive as Frank had gone around a bend in the +opening, and was then hidden from view. + +As he could not do anything there, he hastened back to the Terror, +sprang aboard, and started her back the way she came from, at the same +time telling his friends what happened. + +Jack made a wide detour, and passed the end of the gorge. + +The stream there broadened and became so shallow that he easily drove +the stage through it. + +Reaching the other side, he began a search for Frank, but it finally +proved to be in vain. + +The shadows of twilight fell when he finally gave up the hunt and headed +for a tiny hamlet near where he was. + +It was a place which had built up about a general store, at which the +stage coach, paused which carried passengers from the northern railroads +who wished to make connections with the smaller branch lines dissecting +that portion of the state. + +At this place--called Jones' Corners--there was a big surprise in store +for our friends. + +It came about when Jack drove the Terror up to the store and quietly +made inquiries of the owner as to whether he had seen a man answering to +Frank James' description about that vicinity that day. + +The man told him he had seen such an individual. + + +CHAPTER XI. +A SUSPECTED PLOT. + +The store at which the electric stage paused was a small, dingy place, +used as a grocery, a post-office, a saloon, and, in fact, half a dozen +different kinds of business. + +Its owner was a typical Missourian, in raw hide boots, his pants tucked +in the legs, a flannel shirt upon his ample body, a felt hat on his long +hair, and one of his bewhiskered cheeks distended with a huge quid of +tobacco. + +When he had eyed the electric machine, and commented upon it at some +length, he finally said: + +"Yas, neighbur, I reckon thar wuz sich erchap hyar ez you wuz quizzin me +erbout. It's ergoin' on two hour ergo as he stuck his nose into this ere +place, an' ast me all erbout ther runnin' er that stage-coach from hyer +ter Independence." + +"Asked you about the stage-coach, eh!" said Jack, his attention +particularly attracted by this remark. "What did you tell the gentleman +about it?" + +"Why, I jist guv him ther time table all erlong its route, an', ses I, +thar's ter be one erlong ter-night erbout ten er-clock from ther +south'ard, which'll stop hyar ter water ther nags. It ginerally kerries +from five ter ten people, yer see, an' I allers hev ter laugh when I +hears how skeered they gits while er-crossin' ther ledge down yander on +thet ere spur er ther hills." + +"Dangerous place?" + +"Wall, I reckon it be. Hev a chaw er terbacker?" + +"No, I thank you. What time does the stage leave the next town?" + +"Nine o'clock--it's jist one hour difference." + +"Did the gentleman inquire particularly about this stage?" + +"Certain. It's ther only one wot's due fer two days." + +"Did he say anything about the ledge?" + +"Sure he did, an' axed me werry pertickler all about it. I was +erwondsrin' wot he was erquizzin' me about so much, but reckon it wuz +only his pesky curiosity." + +"Very likely," said Jack, in grim tones. "Then he rode off?" + +"Yes, an' or mighty likely nag it wuz, too, which he called Jim." + +"That's Jim Malone," thought Jack. + +The information he received plainly showed him that Frank James intended +to rob the people of the Independence stage at the mountain ledge. + +In order to do this he would very likely summon some of the gang and be +at the pass at nine o'clock that night. + +The storekeeper had no idea of this. + +Indeed, as he did not know who Frank James was, not a suspicion of the +truth of the matter was likely to enter his mind, for the bandit led him +to suppose he was anxious to travel to the northern main line on that +vehicle. + +"In which direction did that man go?" asked Jack, in conclusion. + +"Ter ther west'ard. But why d'yer want all or this infermation?" + +"Simply became he is one of the James Boys." + +"Holy--jumpin'--jingo!" gasped the man. + +"He intends to rob that stage!" + +"Oh, thunder! wot er big fool I wuz ter post him!" + +"We will block his game. You keep mum." + +"Yes kin jist bet I will!" + +Jack returned aboard the Terror, and told his friends all he had +learned, and a consultation was held. + +It was then seven o'clock. + +They had but little time to waste, + +"Our plan to save the people in that stage coach from robbery is a very +simple one," said Jack. "We must run ahead and intercept them." + +"Supposin' them 'ere lundsharks is on ther road now? They will sight us +again along ther trail," said Tim. + +"We can make a detour," replied Jack. "The only place they are apt to +use to waylay the coach will be along the ledge mentioned by the +storekeeper." + +"Fer sure." assented Fritz, "Ach, I vish me dot ve vos fighdin' dem now! +Let her gone, Shack!" + +The inventor started the Terror off. + +It had begun to rain. + +There was every indication of a wet night. + +Jack had informed himself about the roads. + +Both he and Tim put on their rubber clothing and occupied the front +seat, where they managed the wheel. + +A detour was made, and several miles further along they struck into the +high road again. + +"If the stage-coach in any manner resembles the Terror," said the young +inventor, as they ran along, "I think I know of a way in which we can +substitute this vehicle for it and fool the bandits, should they waylay +her." + +"Decoy 'em, eh?" + +"Yes. We can easily disguise this coach." + +"By hitchin' ther stage horses onter it, yer kin do it." + +"I'll make the venture anyway, if I can meet the stage." + +"When I wuz aboard o' ther frigate Wabash, we once played that ere trick +on a pirate," said Tim. "Yer see, it happened---" + +But Fritz heard him. + +And produced his accordeon. + +Its horrible tones rang out. + +Tim stopped and was just going to expostulate, when Jack put an end to +the playing by saying: + +"Stop that, Fritz!" + +"But dot yarn---" + +"The road agents may hear it." + +That settled it; the music ceased. + +It made Tim chuckle, and he said: + +"Gosh blame yer fat mug, I'll spin ther yarn anyway now! As I wuz +a-tellin' yer, we wuz arter a pirate, an' as a passin' ship captain told +us he seen ther lubber a-hidin' in a bay, we made up our minds ter +disguise ther frigate so's ter haul up inter gun range o' ther lubber. +So we sot ter work, an' paintin' her white, we altered her rig, an' bore +down on ther bay. In we went, but ther pirate had gone. Whar? Nobody +knowed. We was disappinted. Whar wuz we ter look next? No one knowed. So +we sailed away. Night fell. We hadn't gone far afore we sighted her ten +leagues away ter ther---" + +"Say! You can't see thirty miles at night." + +"I meant to say three leagues---" + +"Nor three leagues---" + +"One league then, gosh blame it!" + +"That's better." + +"Waal, we sighted her b'arin' down on us." + +"And then?" asked Jack, smilingly. + +Why, we let her git right up ter us, thinkin' she had a easy wictim. +Then we turned on her to fire, an' blow her ter pieces. Wot wuz our +horror ter find as our powder got so wet we couldn't use it. Bein' as +ther guns wuz useless, wot did we do? Perpared ter board ther lubber. Up +ter her we dashed. Over flew ther grapplin' irons. + +"On her deck swarmed her crew. Down in her hold they chased ther +pirates. But that wuz only a ruse on thar part. As soon's our crew went +below, up came ther lubbers through ther hatch, an' fastened our marines +down in ther hold. They wuz prisoners. I alone wuz lef aboard ther +Wabash. Seein' 'em makin' a rush fer our deck I grabbed a ax an' cut +ther grapplin's. We drifted apart afore they could board ther frigate. +Seein' as all wuz lost onless I licked ther swabs, I manned ther guns +an' gave 'em broadside ar ter broadside. I smashed thar ship ter pieces. +She went down never ter rise again. Most o' her crew wuz killed. Them +wot wuzn't swum on ther sea. Then I amused myself firin' shots at thar +heads. I took 'em off as clean as a whistle every time I let 'em have +it. In jest four minutes by ther clock they was all gone. Turnin' ter my +messmates---" + +"Confined in the pirate's hold, they all went to the bottom with the +ship," said Jack, quietly. + +"I--oh--ouch!" + +"The powder was so wet you couldn't use it. But in spite of this you did +some remarkably good shooting, didn't you, Tim?" + +"Wha'--wha--what d'yer mean?" feebly stammered the old sailor. + +"Just what you said," laughed Jack. + +"I must a fergot about sayin' that." + +"Very likely. Will you acknowledge now that I've got you?" + +"Ay, ay. There's no help for it." + +"In a big lie?" + +"But, my lad---" + +"Tell the truth once in your life!" + +"Waal, I owns up," groaned Tim. + +It was a severe hardship to do it. + +But there was no help for him, he realized. + +Jack burst into a hearty peal of laughter. + +The sheriff and the Dutchman, inside the stage, had heard all that +passed, and they fairly yelled over Tim's discomfiture. + +"Nipped that time, Tim," laughed Timberlake. + +"Shiminey Christmas, ditn'd he got it by der neck!" grinned Fritz. + +"Tell as the rest of the yarn, Tim." + +"Yah. Ve vos litsten," added Fritz. + +"Awast yer lubbers!" growled the old fellow, sourly. + +They might have chaffed him considerably more, but just then Jack +interrupted them with the startled exclamation: + +"Hark, boys!" + +"Vos iss?" eagerly asked Fritz. + +"Horses' hoofs coming!" + +"Ay, ay, I hears 'em!" said Tim. + +"There's a wagon, too," the sheriff added. + +The sound was rapidly approaching along the road. + +All listened intently, and soon distinguished the steady pounding of +hoofs and the rumble of wheels. + +A few moments later they caught view of two bright lamps on the vehicle, +shining ahead, with a steady glow, through the falling rain drops. + +"That looks like a stage," muttered Jack, "but we will know positively +in a moment more." + + +CHAPTER XII. +THE FIGHT IN THE CANYON. + +"Halt! Who goes there?" + +"Oh, Lor'! what's this?" + +"Is that the Independence stage?" + +"Yes. Don't shoot! I cave!" + +"Ah! do not alarm yourselves; we are friends." + +Jack turned on the search-light as he spoke and beheld four horses +pulling an old fashioned yellow stage coach, on each side of which +burned two lamps. + +Upon the box sat an old jehu, Sandy Ellis by name, who had driven that +vehicle for quarter of a century over that route. + +He was a gray-whiskered old fellow, with a bony face and a long red +nose, and his stage contained half a dozen people, who were excitedly +discussing the stoppage and the meaning of that brilliant electric +light. + +"For the Lord's sake, boy, what's that you've got there--the sun?" + +"Only an electric search-light," laughed Jack. + +"But where's your team?" + +"Don't need any for this electric stage." + +"What's that--a sort of a trolley car?" + +"Yes, without the overhead pole and wire." + +"Thunderation! this beats everything! What do you want?" + +"I wish to protect you from the James Boys." + +"Say, now, is them varmints around?" + +"Laying for this stage," + +"Wow!" gasped Sandy. "That's terrible, so it is!" + +Jack gave all hands an account of what happened, and when he finished +the stage passengers were in a cold sweat. + +They wanted to turn right back. + +But Jack wouldn't allow this. + +"I ain't sure whether they're ahead or behind us," said he. "At any rate +you can't turn back now." + +"But they may kill us!" said a fat man in the stage. + +"They're bound to rob as anyway," asserted a man with a valise filed +with genuine diamond jewelry samples. + +"That depends entirely upon all hands present," said Jack. "Are all of +you armed?" + +Every one but a woman in the stage assented, and Sandy pulled out a big +navy revolver from his boot leg, and remarked: + +"You can just gamble on it I am." + +"Any of you afraid to fight, if it became necessary?" + +"I'd rather not if I could avoid It," replied a thin fellow, with a +hacking cough. "Fighting isn't my fort." + +"Waal, I guess you'll pull a trigger if you saw a gang of masked bandits +trying to bore a hole in your head." + +"I fancy I would." + +"That's settled then. Now you see my stage?" + +"Yes, and a queer one she is!" commented Sandy. + +"She is bullet proof. I propose that as she is safer than your +ramshackle old wooden affair, all hands get inside of her, and let me +carry you through." + +"But what about my horses?" asked Sandy. + +"Hitch them on to this vehicle. Throw those rubbers over my stage to +hide her outline. You can also put your lamps on here and drive for us. +That will draw the bandits from cover. My friends are all armed and +ready to fire the moment they show their noses." + +Every one but the lady liked the plan. + +She, of course, was averse to fighting of any kind. + +As there was no way out of their dilemma, and Jack's offer gave promise +of protecting them from robbery and, perhaps, death, every-one got into +the Terror. + +The lamps and horses were transferred. + +"You can leave the stage here," said Jack to Sandy. + +"No one will molest it until you return for it to-morrow." + +"Are you pretty sure about them there James Boys?" + +"Decidedly, or I wouldn't have troubled myself to do this for you," +replied Jack. + +"Well, it would do no harm, even if we are disappointed about meeting +them," said the old driver. + +They had been obliged to tie the traces to the Terror, but there was no +pull on them as Sandy had only to keep his horses trotting while Jack +made the machine run itself. + +Owing to the gloom of the night, the rubbers on the body of the Terror, +the horses, lamps and driver any one would have imagined it was the +regular old stage coach. + +The people inside talked in low tones and every man aboard held his +weapon ready for use. + +Down pattered the rain drops with a monotonous sound, and the hoofs of +the four horses splashed up the muddy water from the puddles in the road +and beat on the hard ground with the regularity of clockwork. + +They rattled along in this manner for quarter of an hour and ran from +the regular road into a dark canyon. + +Here the walls towered up hundreds of feet. + +It was a very gloomy place. + +"We must be pretty near the ledge road now, ain't we?" Jack asked. + +"Yes; in five minutes this 'ere canyon will swing us out on it," replied +Sandy. "That's where we're to look for them, ain't it?" + +"Yes--if not sooner---" + +"Hark! D'you hear that?" + +Jack listened intently. + +The wind was howling over the crags. + +All the trees and bushes were loudly rustling. + +But it was not this that attracted the driver's attention. + +Jack quickly caught the sound of pattering hoofs coming toward the +vehicle from both sides. + +Then a stentorian voice roared out: + +"Halt!" + +"What--me!" shouted Sandy. + +"Yes--you!" came the reply. + +And at the same moment Jesse James, mounted on his wonderful coal black +steed, Siroc, dashed up beside the stage. + +He was followed by his entire band. + +Although he and the rest were masked, Jack knew his voice at once, and +shrank back to conceal his features in the collar of his rubber coat, +which was turned up around his neck. + +In a moment the whole gang was about the Terror. + +Sandy reined in his horses. + +Then he growled: + +"What do you want?" + +"Throw up your hands!" + +"No, I won't! You're thieves!" + +"Obey, or I'll blow your head off." + +This order was accompanied by the click of a pistol, and it was poked +over toward the old driver's face. + +Sandy dropped the reins, and Jack stopped the Terror. + +This was no sooner done when two of the bandits cut the traces, and +delivering the horses a blow, sent them galloping away. + +"Oh, Lor'! There goes my nags!" roared Sandy. + +"Shut up, and hand over your valuables." + +"Ain't got none!" roared the old driver. + +"Give me some light, boys, and we'll go through the passengers." + +The next moment a dozen dark lanterns in the hands of the horsemen +flashed out upon the Terror. + +They recognized her instantly. + +"Duped!" yelled Jesse. "It's the electric stage!" + +"Fire, boys!" shouted Jack. + +A deadly volley was poured from within the Terror, and many a yell of +pain from the outlaws plainly told how effective some of them had been. + +They dashed their lanterns to the ground and galloped off. + +But that did no good. + +Jack turned on the search-light. + +Its broad glare brightly lit up the canyon, and they saw the bandits +galloping ahead of them. + +"Give it to them again!" cried Jack. + +The inmates of the Terror let drive a second volley. + +Crack, bang! + +Crack, bang! + +Crack, bang! + +Shot after shot pealed out. + +Jesse James never was more furious. + +He yelled at his men, and then screamed: + +"Fire back! Obey, or I'll fire at you yourselves!" + +"By thunder, this was a surprise!" groaned Frank. + +Bang! + +Bang! + +Bang! + +Bang! went the shots fired by the gang. + +A storm of bullets flew back at the stage. + +Poor old Sandy Ellis suffered death for his temerity. + +A bullet struck him in the breast, and he uttered a groan and fell to +the ground, never to rise again. + +"They've killed Sandy!" cried Jack. + +His words aroused the rage of the inmates of the Terror. + +"B'ar down on ther pirates!" gasped Tim. + +Jack sent the machine racing after the bandits. + +There was one of the masked riders directly in front of the Terror, and +the villain turned in his saddle, aimed a revolver point-blank at Jack, +and was just upon the point of firing when the ram struck his horse. + +It toppled the bandit from the animal's back, his pistol was +discharged, the ball flew up in the air, and the horse was impaled and +killed. + +As the Terror pushed ahead, the two front wheels ran over the bandit's +neck, almost putting an end to him. + +Back recoiled the stage, the ram was withdrawn from the horse, and then +she dashed ahead again in hot pursuit of the gang who all rode like fury +now, to escape. + +As they plunged ahead, the inmates of the stage kept up a pitiless +fusillade of shots against the flying outlaws. + + +CHAPTER XIII. +THE STRANDED COUNTRYMAN. + +"We can't run any further!" + +"Gee whiz, lad, then ther bandits'll escape!" + +"I can't help that, Tim; there's something the matter." + +The Terror had scarcely emerged from the canyon, when the lights +suddenly went out, the machinery ceased to work, and the electric stage +came to an abrupt pause. + +All the bandits had been seen bunched far ahead, going down the slope at +a breakneck pace. + +When the light went out they vanished. + +That was the last our friends saw of them that night, and every one +began to bombard Jack with questions. + +"What's the matter?" + +"Can't you go ahead?" + +"Do you want them to escape?" + +"What are you stopping for?" + +These and similar questions assailed the inventor. + +He almost lost patience with them, as he cried: + +The machinery for some reason has broken down. + +"Vat vos pusted--dot trifin' rod!" asked Fritz. + +"I don't know yet, but I'll find out." + +"Here," said Timberlake, "take one of the stage coach lanterns." + +Jack alighted with Fritz, and they made a critical examination of the +machinery situated on the outside of the Terror. + +But they failed to find the cause of the mishap there. + +Then they went inside to look. + +Nor was anything broken here. + +Jack was intensely puzzled. + +"What does this mean anyway?" he muttered. "I can't find a solitary thing +the matter with her." + +"Dot peat me!" replied Fritz, scratching his head. + +"With electrical machinery, which is one of the simplest things in the +world, one ought to see at a glance any derangement," said Jack, "But I +can't understand where the trouble is now." + +"Let's look ofer it agin," suggested the Dutchman. + +It was done. + +The second examination was as fruitless as the first, and they were left +as much in the dark as they had been before. Half an hour was thus lost. + +Some of the stage passengers in the meantime went back into the canyon +with a spade and the other lamp. + +They found Sandy Ellis' body. + +He was dead. + +They buried him. + +When they returned Jack said: + +"I wonder if the dynamo spring can be broken?" + +"See," suggested Fritz. + +Jack opened the box. + +One glance was enough. + +"Well, if we haven't been fools!" he exclaimed. + +"Vos iss now?" asked the Dutchman. + +"The spring has only run down and needs winding." + +Every one burst out laughing now that the threatened gravity of the +situation resolved itself into a comedy of error. + +Jack wound up the spring. + +Everyone got aboard and the lights blazed up under Jack's management, +the machinery began to work, and the Terror ran ahead again without any +trouble. + +The delay had given the bandits a chance to escape. + +Upon reaching the nearest settlement Jack left the people there whom he +had rescued, and the Terror continued on her way. + +On the following morning the rain ceased. + +Breakfast was partaken of and then Jack said: + +"Although we have created some mischief in the James Boys ranks, we have +not yet done anything to bring the two ringleaders to justice. Nor have +I gained a cent of the money stolen from the Wrightstown Bank." + +"I have warned you what a slippery cuss Jesse is." said Timberlake, "Now +you have seen some samples of it." + +"He certainly is a pretty shrewd fellow." + +"But whar is we ter look fer him!" asked Tim. + +"He has no regular haunt," replied the sheriff. + +"Den ve only by plind luck must go?" + +"I'm afraid so, Fritz," assented Timberlake. "However, since he has +started upon his raids again, he won't stop now until he makes a big +haul. Then he is liable to divide with the gang, disband for a while, +and seek safety in flight to some other section of the country until his +funds are exhausted." + +"Like most criminals, though," said Jack, "I see that he has the same +hankering after the place where most of his villainy is practiced." + +"All outlaws have a series of habits exactly like, as far as my +experience has taught me," said the sheriff. + +"When I wuz in ther navy," began Tim, "I once---" + +Biff! came Fritz's fingers down on the back of his neck. + +What he was going to say was choked off. + +Then Fritz rushed him into the next room. + +There he jammed the sailor and banged the door shut. + +"Dot seddles him!" he chuckled. + +As the door was locked they were spared the affliction of hearing +another of Tim's awful yarns for the time being. + +The Terror scoured the surrounding country for a week after that, but +nothing was seen of the bandits. + +It was then decided to run to Independence and try to get some +information from the authorities there by means of which they could +locate the gang. + +According to this programme, the sheriff gave Tim the direction, and the +old sailor steered the stage on her way. + +It was then very late in the afternoon. + +They followed a country road, and passing several wayfarers, the +appearance of the Terror caused them the most intense astonishment. + +A few miles along the road they caught sight of an old fellow in a wagon +loaded with grain. + +He looked like a farmer. + +There was no horse hitched to the vehicle. + +But the shafts were broken and to the stumps there yet clung the remains +of a broken harness. + +The old fellow was the picture of despair. + +He sat on top of his load, a whip in his hand and a big, red bandana +handkerchief in the other with which he was vigorously mopping his +forehead. + +Fritz was steering the Terror. + +Observing the forlorn countryman he burst out laughing. + +"Shiminey Christmas!" said he, "dot fellow vas look like as if he vas +got left behint mit his horse!" + +"What are you talking about?" Jack asked from inside. + +"Dot wagon in der roat." + +"Where?" + +"Ahet." + +Jack emerged. + +He saw the wagon. + +And he also noticed an old log house. + +He stood embowered among some trees, rocks, and bushes some distance +ahead on the left hand side of the road. + +In a moment more the Terror reached the wagon, and halting beside it, +the countryman glaring at it with a look of the most intense +astonishment upon his face. + +"For the lands sakes alive!" he gasped, "what's that thing?" + +"A stage that runs by electric power," Jack replied. + +"And what's the trouble with you, sir?" + +"I've been having an awful time with Eliza." + +"Eliza? Who is she?" + +"My mule." + +"Oh! It looks as if she had been cutting up tricks." + +"You'd ought to have seen her; consarn her old hide--and you'd have +pitied me. She's the blamedest stubborn critter I ever seen. Once she +gets her back up and quits, there's no use trying to go no farther. Look +at the way she left me." + +"Pretty sad sight." + +"I should say so. She took a sudden notion to stop right here, I coaxed +and cajoled her, but she wouldn't budge. Then my dander riz, I spit on +my hands and hit her a whang on the tail, and she raised up her heels +and kicked out like a battering ram." + +"How unfortunate for you." + +"It made my blood bile. I then thumped blazes out of her. The more I +soaked her the wuss she kicked, until finally she kicked herself out of +the harness and ran sway." + +"And left you here with your load?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Have you got far to go?" + +"Only to yonder old log hut." + +"That isn't far." + +"No, not when you say it quick." + +"I'll tow you over there with this machine." + +"Will you? Oh, thank you! I was just going to ask you to do it!" + +"Is that all?" + +"Can you help me roll the wagon inside to protect the grain in case it +rains before I can find Eliza again?" + +"Certainly we will," laughed Jack. + +They hitched a rope to the wagon, and the Terror hauled it over to the +door of the old building. + +As the Terror could not get the wagon through the door, Jack and his +companions alighted; each one manned a wheel, and the farmer seized the +shafts. + +Ahead they rolled it toward the open door. + +But scarcely had they got it started when a dozen men, with masks on +their faces and pistols in their hands, rushed out of the building and +surrounded the four friends. + +"The James Boys!" gasped Jack, in startled tones. + + +CHAPTER XIV. +INTO THE QUICKSAND. + +It was evident to Jack that he and his friends had been the victims of a +very shrewd game. + +The fact was, that the James Boys had a rendezvous in the log cabin, and +having held up the farmer who owned the wagon, they had stolen his +money, his mule, and his clothing. + +Seeing the Terror coming, Jesse concocted the scheme to trap our +friends, rigged one of the gang in the farmer's clothes, and the game +was played according to the bandit king's orders. + +It looked as if it was going to be a success, too. + +None of the Terror's crew were armed. + +And the outlaws had them covered with their weapons. + +"Yield!" roared Jesse. + +"We're tricked!" gasped Jack. + +"Hands up, or die!" + +"Don't fire! We submit!" + +There was no alternative. + +So the four raised their hands. + +"Bind them!" ordered the outlaw chief. + +His men carried out this order with alacrity. + +In a few moments more all were rendered helpless. + +A grim look of intense satisfaction swept over the dark bearded face of +Jesse James as his four enemies lay upon the ground at his feet. + +He intently regarded them a moment and then hissed: + +"At last I've got you, Jack Wright!" + +"Well, what are you going to do about it?" coolly asked the inventor. + +"Put you out of my way as quick as possible." + +"Very well; proceed. You have an excellent chance now." + +"I've got your fate settled. And yours, too, Timberlake." + +"If our positions were reversed," bitterly said the sheriff, "I would +not lose a moment about blowing your brains out!" + +"I have no doubt of that," Jesse answered, with a dark scowl. "And I'll +follow your good advice. Prepare to die." + +He drew his pistol from his belt and aimed it at Timberlake. + +A tremor passed over the plucky fellow and he turned pale, for he knew +he was face to face with death; but his courage did not forsake him and +he quietly remarked: + +"I'm ready to go. Fire!" + +Before Jesse could do so. Frank sprang between him and his victim. + +"Fool!" he hissed, warningly. "Do you want to throw your neck in the +halter by doing this with all hands looking at you? + +"Get out of my way!" savagely replied Jesse. + +Although Frank was the eldest, and was accustomed to obeying his more +determined brother, he did not do so in this instance. + +"If you don't stop," he exclaimed, in angry, excited tones, "I'll hit +you." + +A look of surprise mantled Jesse's face. + +He was not accustomed to threats and disobedience from Frank. + +It therefore gave him a most emphatic shock. + +"Are you getting crazy?" he asked. + +"No--but you must be. Think of what you are doing." + +"The men have seen me bring down my man many a time." + +"Very true. But that was in a fight. Did they ever see you commit a +cool, deliberate murder?" + +This version startled Jesse. + +He returned the pistol to his belt. + +"You are right, Frank," said he, reluctantly. "I'll have to swallow my +rage and hang or shoot these prisoners in accordance with the law of +civilized communities." + +There was a bitter tinge of sarcasm in his tones as he said this, and +turning abruptly to the men he said, brusquely: + +"Carry them into the hut." + +Timberlake felt relieved. + +So did Jack and the rest. + +If Frank had not interfered the sheriff would have been killed, for they +saw a lurking demon in the glare of Jesse's eyes when he was menacing +Timberlake. + +He certainly, meant to carry out his mad intention. + +The prisoners were carried into the hut. + +They saw the floor littered with saddles and bridles, blankets, cooking +utensils and other objects of use to the bandits. + +As Jack leaned against the wall opposite the open door he saw the +bandits go up to the electric stage and try to get in. + +The doors were secured with spring locks. + +As Jesse tried to open one he was startled to hear a gruff voice inside +exclaim: + +"Stand back there or I'll drop a lighted match into a powder keg!" + +It was the parrot. + +He had once heard that sentence uttered. + +Now he used it at random, never knowing what it signified. + +But it was one of the luckiest expressions he ever made, for it startled +the bandits and they rushed away in alarm. + +"There are more people in the stage!" exclaimed Jesse, who was deceived +by Bismarck's voice, as he knew absolutely nothing about the existence +of the bird. + +"But you counted only four in the crew," said Jim Cummins. + +"I know it. They may have picked up others though." + +"That's so." + +"Give them a shot." + +There were five men with Jesse. + +All had retreated from the stage. + +They now opened fire upon it. + +Bang--bang! + +Crack--crack! + +Bang--bang--bang! + +No shots were returned. + +This amazed them. + +But they heard Bismarck yell: + +"Go it, you chumps--go it." + +"Whoever that is howling," growled Jesse, "has got a nerve! I suppose he +won't do anything until we get around the stage. Then he'll try to blow +us up." + +"Don't go near the blamed thing then," said Wood Hite. + +"There's nothing in it for us, but I'd like to blow the infernal thing +to pieces, so it can't do us any more damage." + +"Oh, we can do that as soon as we get more dynamite." + +"That's so. The party who is inside will hang around here in hopes of +rescuing their pals, and we'll get a chance later." + +None of them dared go too near the stage. + +Nor was it of any use to fire at the Terror. + +Bullets made no impression upon it. + +Jesse understood this very well. + +He, therefore, retreated to the interior of the hut with his men. + +Jack kept his eyes and ears wide open, and soon saw the gang follow a +motion of Jesse, and group themselves in one corner of the hut, and hold +a whispered, conversation. + +The inventor did not hear a word they uttered. + +But he saw by their actions that they were scheming some mischief +against them, and the result was soon manifested. + +Jesse left the crowd and approached the prisoners. + +"We've settled your fate!" he announced abruptly. + +"Indeed," replied Jack. "What new villainy is brewing?" + +"That you will find out in a few minutes. You wounded me and I know you +are authorized to hunt me down, break up the gang and put us in jail. +Consequently I am going to have revenge. In quarter of an hour you will +be dead and buried." + +"I doubt it," quietly answered Jack. "And as for your debt of vengeance, +let me recall to your mind that it was you who aroused the enmity +between us. You began it by robbing or rather swindling the Wrightstown +Bank out of $5,000." + +"Oh, yes," grinned the bandit, pulling a big roll of bills out of his +pocket. "This is the money only a couple of hundred of it gone. That was +quite a clever game." + +"It did not hit me as hard as it might," said Jack. "The bank loses the +money of course, but as I am the president of it, and a large +stockholder, fully half the amount comes out of my pocket. I'll get that +money away from you now." + +"Now?" + +"Yes." + +"How?" + +"This way." + +And up jumped Jack. + +He had got Fritz to loosen his bonds with his teeth. + +Once free from the wrist lashings, he liberated his ankles. + +The bandit recoiled with a startled yell, and the rest arose. + +Jack sprung forward, snatched the roll of bills from Jesse's hand, +shoved it in his pocket and seized the outlaw. + +The young inventor was a veritable Hercules in strength. + +As the gang made a rush for him, he suddenly lifted Jesse James up in +the air and hurled him at the crowd. + +The bandit's body struck Bob Ford and Cole Younger, knocked them back +against the crowd, and ere they all recovered from their astonishment, +Jack sprang out the door and rushed to the stage. + +Several pistol shots were fired after him, but as the outlaws were +excited, they aimed poorly and missed their mark. + +Reaching the Terror, Jack jumped aboard, and she sped away. + +As soon as the outlaws recovered, and saw him escaping, Jesse yelled: + +"Grab the rest, and hustle them out before they escape too!" + +The gang pounced on Tim, Fritz and Timberlake. + +Carrying them out of the hut by a back door, they passed through the +woods until they came to a glen. + +In the middle of it was a small, shallow lake, covering a bed of +quicksand, and they paused upon the shore. + +"Throw them in!" ordered Jesse. + +His men complied. + +As the prisoners were bound, they could not help themselves. + +One after another they were tossed into the treacherous lake. + +No sooner were their bodies upon the sand when they began to slowly sink +into it. + +The bandits gathered along the shore to watch their unlucky victims +perish in the quicksand bed. + + +CHAPTER XV. +RESCUED FROM DEATH. + +Having gained his freedom, Jack had raced away with the Terror in order +to keep out of danger until he was prepared to defend himself. + +He did not stop the stage until she was at a considerable distance from +the rendezvous of the bandits. + +Then he critically examined her. + +She proved to be in first-class order. + +Jack then went inside and put on a suit of armor. + +Thrusting two pistols in his belt, he procured a small basket, and +opening a box, he withdrew from it a dozen steel balls to each of which +a small metal handle was attached. + +These he put very carefully into the basket. + +They were hand grenades. + +Loaded with the same terrible explosive compound that he put in the +bullets he used, they possessed ten times the power that ordinary +dynamite shells have. + +Armed with these awful missiles, he was ready to go back and +single-handed engage in a fight with the whole gang. + +Jack's courage and perseverance were of a high order. + +He deposited the basket in a metal, bullet-proof box on the front +platform, and seating himself, seized the wheel. + +"I've got explosives enough here to blow the whole crew to fragments," +he muttered. "And what is more, I'll do it too, in order to wrest my +friends from their clutches!" + +Back along the road rolled the Terror. + +The moon now rose in the sky. + +In a few minutes Jack neared the hut. + +Stopping the electric stage within fifty yards of it, he picked up one +or the bombs and shouted: + +"Jesse James, come out here, or I'll blow that hut up!" + +Receiving no reply, Jack hurled the grenade. + +It struck an end of the hut. + +A horrible glare of light flashed out. + +It was followed by a report like thunder. + +Half of the hut was blown to fragments, and the ground shook. + +Jack saw at a glance that the hut was deserted. + +He heard the distant voices of men among the trees, and realizing that +the bandits had gone into the woods, he drove the stage along a road +that wound among the trees. + +In a few moments he neared the quicksand lake. + +The bandits saw him coming, and aiming their rifles at the gallant young +inventor they fired at him. + +A storm of bullets struck Jack. + +They did not pierce his armor, however. + +He stooped over and picked up one of the grenades. + +As soon as he arrived close enough to the outlaws, he hurled the bomb at +them, and it landed in their midst. + +The explosion was fearful. + +Three of the villains were blown to pieces, several were knocked down, +the rest were half deafened, and an uproar of hoarse yells of pain +escaped those who were struck by the flying particles of metal from the +exploded shell. + +Seeing the Terror coming on toward them rapidily, the bandits who +survived rushed away into the woods. + +They were filled with horror and alarm. + +Such weapons as Jack Wright wielded were beyond their powers of +endurance, and they set him down for a fiend. + +Once protected by the trees, they shot back at him. + +Bang! + +Crack! + +Boom! + +Whiz! came the shots. + +Jack picked up another bomb, and let it fly. + +It landed among the trees, and bursting there, spilt and tore them to +pieces, and sent the outlaws flying again. + +At this moment Jack was startled by a wild yell of: + +"Help! Save me!" + +He looked around to see where the sound came from, and beheld his three +friends buried to their necks in the quicksand. + +"Good heavens!" he gasped, as he realized what the outlaws had been +doing to them. + +"They've tried to murder the boys." + +He saw that they were in a bed of quicksand. + +Assured that he would not have any immediate trouble from the outlaws, +Jack went into the stage and got a hatchet. + +He then alighted. + +His friends were twenty feet from the bank. + +They laid pretty close together, but were out of his reach. + +Rushing in among the shrubbery. Jack rapidly cut down a number of cedar +trees, and swiftly carried them to the quicksand. + +With these he built a rude bridge out to his friends. + +Even the trees began to sink in the sand as he walked out on them, but +he reached Tim, and seizing him by the arm, he exerted all his enormous +strength, and succeeded in pulling him up. + +Jack cut his bonds. + +"Don't waste a moment," he gasped, "but go ashore and cut some more of +the cedars to pile on these." + +"Ay, ay," replied Tim, and he hastened away. + +Timberlake was next nearest. + +"Are you fastened?" Jack asked him. + +"Yes; bound hand and foot." + +"I'll get you up in a moment." + +"Shack," groaned Fritz. "Hurry ub." + +His mouth was even with the water, and it was with the greatest +difficulty that he prevented himself swallowing it. + +Tim came back and flung some cedars to Jack. + +With these he built his bridge out further. + +Giving the sheriff a pull that raised him a foot, Jack left him and made +his way to Fritz. + +He reached the Dutchman just in time to save him. + +It almost pulled the fat fellow's joints apart when the inventor hauled +him up, but once he was free of his bonds and upon the cedars he aided +Jack to pull the sheriff up and set him free. + +They all got their feet stuck in the sand as they fought and struggled +to reach firm land, for the trees were now sunk but they finally managed +to get ashore. + +Here they found Tim bombarding the woods. + +All the bandits had seen what was happening, and now opened fire upon +them again. + +The old sailor procured two bombs. + +He let thus drive in the direction the shots came from, and they ripped +the woods and blew up rocks and trees, and created the most terrific +devastation. + +That silenced the outlaws. + +None of them were killed, but many were wounded, and they now lost no +time at making their escape. + +Jack and his companions hastened back aboard the Terror, and sent her +flying back to the road. + +There they waited for the appearance of some of the gang; but they +waited in vain. + +All had escaped in the other direction. + +When assured of this, the four adventurers went inside to change their +clothing, and rest themselves. + +Jack's companions told him how they happened to be found sinking in the +bed of quicksand. + +"They meant to kill you!" he exclaimed. + +"Ay, ay, lad! But you balked 'em!" chuckled Tim. + +"And I've get most of the stolen money back," laughed Jack, as he held +up the wad of bank notes he took from Jesse James. + +_"Donner und blitzen!_ Vot a surbrised barty dot vos fer der pandits," +roared Fritz. "Inshtid of Yesse Yames hookin' money from odder beoples, +it must haf peen shtrange fer him ter haf money hooked from him +alretty." + +"Yes--a very novel experience for the thief," said the sheriff, dryly. +"I congratulate you, Mr. Wright, for doing something to that villain +that nobody else ever did. It is a most remarkable thing for Jesse James +to be robbed." + +"I reckerlect when I wuz in ther navy," said Tim, "I once had a +experience like that. We went out ter hunt fer a fillibuster's ship when +wot wuz our surprise ter have ther lubber tackle us. Gee whiz! wuzn't I +mad! I ups an' loads one o'ther guns ter fire at him when he slipped +aroun' asturn us. As we couldn't train no gun ter b'ar on him in that +ther sitiwation wot should I do but git a coil o' rope, mount ther +riggin' an' lasso his capstan, It wuz a mighty good throw too. Waal, +sir, we heaved an' hauled on that ere rope, dragging ther lubber over to +our ship until we got him alongside---" + +"And none of them attempted to cut your lasso from their capstan?" asked +Jack. "They must have wanted to get captured." + +"It's werry funny," said Tim, "but none o' them seemed ter think o' +doin' that. Waal, sir, as soon as we hauled 'em alongside we had a +broadside ready ter pour inter that craft ter blow her ter pieces, an' +ther gunners wuz at ther posts ready ter fire. But afore we could carry +out this plan ther willians boarded us an' captured us an' our ship." + +"It can't be possible?" + +"But it wuz, my lad." + +"How did you escape?" + +"One night I got free an' rushed into the powder magazine with a lit +pipe in my mouth, an' them arter me." + +"If you were a prisoner where did you got the lit pipe?" + +"Oh, I had it," replied Tim. "Ter continer, seein' my enemies all +rushin' arter me, I took ther pipe an' yelled fer 'em ter go back or I'd +drop ther burnin' baccy inter ther powder. They refused---" + +"And you dropped the light into the powder?" + +"No. Ther light had gone out," grinned Tim. "It skeered 'em so though, +that when they recovered they bolted out, an' fearin' ter git blowed +up, they all jumped overboard an' was drowned. I released my messmates, +an' we took ther ship." + +"Tim, is that a lie, or a fabrication?" + +"A fabrication, o' course," indignantly and innocently answered the old +salt. "D'yer s'pose Tim Topstay would tell a lie?" + + +CHAPTER XVI. +THE CAPTURE OF WOOD HITE. + +On the second day after the aforegoing events occurred Fritz happened to +glance into the water tank of the Terror and noticed that their supply +of liquid was running low. + +This was very unpleasant, as they were then nowhere near any spring or +stream, and he walked into the front room where Jack sat talking to +Timberlake, and said: + +"Dere don't vos more as enough water to last bis to-night." + +"That's too bad. Can't we get a supply near here?" said Jack. + +"Not that I am aware of," answered the sheriff. "But, about three miles +along the road there is a farm-house, and we can get all we want from +the countryman's cistern." + +"Suppose we go there and try," suggested Jack. + +"Vell, I dell Dim," said the Dutchman. + +He then spoke to the old sailor who was steering, and Tim sent the stage +in the direction indicated. + +In a short time they came in view of the farm-house. + +This had scarcely been done when Tim caught sight of a man with his head +swathed in bandages rush out of the house to the stable from whence he +soon emerged on horseback. + +He gave one glance back at the stage and then, plunging spurs into his +steed's flanks, he dashed away. + +Off he went across the rolling country at a furious pace, his peculiar +action at once arresting Tim's attention. + +The old sailor only had one eye, but it was a good one, for no sooner +had he seen the fugitive's face when he recognized him as that mercenary +member of the James Boys' gang called Wood Hite, and noted as a +desperate ruffian. + +"Gee whiz!" gasped Tim. + +"What's the matter?" asked Jack. + +"Thar goes Wood Hite!" + +"Is that so?" + +"Ay, an' his head is all bandaged!" + +"He must have been wounded." + +"Sartin, and he wuz in thar farm-house tryin' ter git well." + +"He must have seen us coming and got scared out." + +"Jist my opinion, Jack." + +The young inventor came out on the front platform. + +He gazed long and earnestly at the flying rider and then said: + +"You have made no mistake--that's Hite." + +"This ere ole eye o' mine are a regler telescope." + +"Chase the villain, Tim!" + +"You bet I will." + +And pulling the dynamo lever over as far as it would go, the old sailor +spun the wheel around, turning the stage from the high road, and sent +her flying after the horseman. + +"If he thinks we can't run on anything but hard ground," said Jack, +grimly, "he will soon learn his error." + +"That ere's a mighty good nag he's a-ridin'." + +"Yes--all the James Boys' gang are well mounted." + +"Ain't Hite ther lubber wots allers grubbin' fer money?" + +"Yes, he, the most grasping one of the gang." + +"D'yer reckon as thar's any more o' his messmates in ther farm-house?" + +"No, I believe not. If there had been, they would have come out with +him," replied Jack, as they flew past the old house. + +"S'posen we runs him down?" + +"I'll make him admit where the rest of the gang is." + +"Ay, now, that's a blamed good plan." + +The bandit had taken refuge in the house, as he had suffered a very bad +wound, but having seen from one of the upper bed rooms that the stage +was coming, he took alarm and fled as has been recorded. + +By so doing, he greatly amazed the good people with whom he had been +stopping, as they knew nothing of his real character in consequence of a +lie he told them. + +The man was wild with fear. + +He spurred and lashed his horse furiously. + +And he kept his lead with remarkable speed. + +The Terror rattled and bumped over the rougher grass, but found it +pretty good going anyway, as the open country of Missouri is generally +fairly level. + +Tim watched the contest with interest. + +He could not help admiring the bandit's good riding. + +But he also saw that the stage slowly but surely began to gain. + +"Fer a short dash, that was prutty good!" he remarked. + +"In a long race no animal on earth could run against us though," replied +Jack smiling. + +"See how we're overhaulin' ther lubber!" + +"In a few minutes well reach him, Tim, and---" + +Bang! + +The fugitive fired back. + +Zing! came the bullet. + +It grazed Jack's head. + +One inch nearer and it would have killed him! + +"Hit yer?" asked Tim, in alarm. + +"No, just missed," coolly replied the inventor. + +"Gee! it hummed like a bumble bee!" + +"Yes, it was a dangerous shot." + +"Shall I heave him one, an' drop him?" + +"No! I want to take him alive." + +On they continued to go until at last the Terror was very close to the +bandit. + +"There is nothing can save you from capture now!" Jack shouted at him. +"Surrender, you dog!" + +"I'm blowed if I will!" roared Wood Hite. + +He made one last supreme effort to forge ahead, but finding he could not +do it, he leveled his revolver at Tim. + +Jack had a pistol in hand. + +He aimed, and fired it at Hite's weapon. + +Simultaneous with the explosion of the bullet there came a wild howl +from the bandit, and his pistol flew up in the air, ruined beyond +repair. + +"I'm struck!" he groaned. + +"Will you quit?" demanded Jack. + +"Don't drop me and I will." + +"All right! Dismount!" + +The fugitive pulled in the panting and sweating horse, and Tim stopped +the electric stage. + +Down to the ground jumped the bandit, and raising his hands above his +head he roared: + +"Mind you now--no games, partner." + +"What was you doing in that farm house?" + +"Getting over the wounds you gave me." + +"Where are the rest of the gang?" + +"I don't know." + +"Come, come! No lies!" + +"I tell you I don't know." + +"We'll see," said Jack, pulling out his watch and drawing a bead on the +man. "It is now three minutes to four. At precisely four o'clock, unless +you tell us where I can find the James Boys, I'll fire!" + +"Say! don't do that!" cried the bandit, in alarm. + +"That's the law." + +"But I really don't---" + +"One minute." + +"For Heaven's sake, let up!" + +"You are wasting valuable time, Wood Hite." + +"If I knew I'd tell you quick enough." + +"Your time on earth is growing mighty short." + +"Won't anything else satisfy you?" + +"No. Two minutes!" + +"Good Lord A'mighty!" + +"Speak--quick!" + +"It's as much as my life is worth!" + +"Very well. Ten seconds more!" + +The outlaw was as pale as death. + +The bandages around his head added to the look of unutterable woe upon +his haggard face. + +He trembled like an aspen, and burst into a cold, clammy perspiration, +and was breathing heavily. + +Jack glanced up from his watch. + +"Time's up!" he exclaimed. + +"Mercy!" + +"Speak, or perish!" + +"Yes! yes! I'll tell." + +"Well?" + +"To-morrow at two o'clock they'll be in Husking Valley." + +"What for?" + +"To raid the town." + +"Any particular place?" + +"Yes--the bank." + +"Good! We'll be there. What's the plan?" + +"Jess did not mention it." + +"That will do." + +"Can I go now?" + +"Oh, no; we want you." + +"What for?" + +"To go with us. I want to see if you lied. Come here!" + +Wood Hite slouched up to the stage, cast a regretful glance at his horse +which was browsing the grass, and Tim tied his hands behind his back. + +He was then hustled into the stage, and Jack had a short conversation +with Timberlake about the place where the alleged raid was to occur. + +The town was a place remote from where they then were, and the sheriff +directed Tim in which direction to go. + +Meeting with another farm house, they procured some water and then sped +away. + +That night they arrived in the vicinity of Husking Valley, and Jack +entered the town to reconnoiter the ground. + + +CHAPTER XVII. +RAIDING THE BANK. + +On the following afternoon there were a great many strangers in the town +of Husking Valley, but the residents did not consider this very strange, +as the County Fair was being held there. + +These fairs were matters of great importance to the natives. + +They always brought large crowds of strangers from the surrounding +country, and created a rather lively scene. + +Jack was lurking near the bank with Timberlake, and Tim and Fritz were +aboard the Terror in easy hailing distance, yet completely concealed +from view. + +The inventor and his companion stood in a doorway close to the bank, +intently watching the thronging natives. + +"Here's another example of the James Boys' cunning," said Jack, finally +breaking the silence. + +"To what do you allude?" moodily asked the sheriff. + +"Why, Jesse James timing his arrival here during the fair." + +"In what way was that a sharp move?" + +"To do this job he would need the gang, wouldn't he?" + +"I think he would not venture it without them." + +"And he must have known the fair was going on." + +"Probably he did." + +"Wouldn't the entrance of his gang to the town excite a great deal of +comment and attention if there were no fair?" + +"Naturally, as crowds in country towns are unusual." + +"Well, I figure it that he knew the fair was in progress here, that he +knew the crowd would cloak his entrance of his gang, and they would +therefore excite no suspicion." + +"That seems to be pretty likely." + +"Would you know all the men if you saw them?" + +"I believe so--at any rate, I would recognize the old members. He +occasionally recruits new men. We have wiped out some of the newer +element. I noticed that although some of the old bandits were wounded +during our engagement with them, the ones who fell were mostly new men. + +"That's the reason they fell perhaps. The older birds had experience +enough to keep out of harm's way." + +"Well, if any of them happen to go into that bank, you can rest assured +that I'll recognize them." + +"It's half-past two now, but they haven't materialized yet." + +"Maybe Wood Hite was lying to save his life." + +"No--I think not. His tones had a truthful ring." + +Jack glanced across the street at the bank. + +It was a a small brick building, with two iron-barred windows and a door +flush with the street, through which he could see the entire interior. + +There were half a dozen clerks busy inside behind a long desk, before +which there was a wire netting that rose almost to the ceiling. + +The first window nearest the door was that of the cashier, the next was +that of the paying-teller, and the next the receiving-teller, after +which followed the book-keepers and discount clerk. + +All were busy at their various occupations, as it had been a rush day, +in consequence of the large crowd. + +Jack had seen every man, woman and child, who had gone in or come out +since midday, and he had scanned every one who had passed by without +detecting a bandit. + +Yet his patience did not give out. + +"Do you suppose our prisoner knows what method Jesse James will employ +in his attempted raid?" he asked. + +"No. He never tells his plans to the men, as a rule, until a very short +time before they are carried out. Jesse James is very cautious and +suspicious. He knows that the hand of every honest man is turned against +him. He is even on the alert for danger. He is quick witted, deep, dark +and cunning, and he wouldn't trust his own brother out of his sight. +That probably accounts for the wonderful success he has always had at +carrying out his daring plans, and escaping the consequence." + +"The fellow is certainly a marvel in some ways." + +"He inspires his men with fear of him. I have particularly noticed this +of the Ford Boys. They seem to think that every time he looks at them he +suspects them of treachery, and they seem to think that every time he +draws a gun he is going to kill them. Most of the rest have the same +feeling about Jesse. They all fear him, yet he has a strange marked +influence over them. It seems to inspire the gang with a certain trust, +respect, and blind obedience to his commands." + +"Hello! what's that? See there?" + +"What?" asked Timberlake in startled tones. + +Jack pointed down the street. + +A great cloud of dust was rising there. + +People were scattering right and left, and as it drew nearer, Jack +distinguished a huge coal black horse bestrode by a man who rode him +furiously. + +"What is it, Timberlake--a madman?" + +"It looks like a horse running away." + +"The man rides it as if he were part of the animal." + +"Heavens, what speed! See--here he comes!" + +Like wildfire the rider came thundering along. + +In a few moments he was in plain sight. + +"Some drunken countryman on the rampage!" muttered Jack. + +"That fellow will kill somebody yet." + +"When he goes by let us stroll over to the bank, and quietly warn the +clerks of Jesse James' plot to put them on their guard. Then they will +be ready for him." + +"It's too late to do that now." + +"Why so?" + +"Because that rider is Jesse himself!" + +Jack shot a keen glance at the man, and a startled cry escaped him, for +the horse was certainly the famous Siroc and the rider the king of the +bandits! + +"What's his purpose, Timberlake?" gasped Jack. + +"Perhaps he is pursued. See--he clutches two revolvers, and the wild +villain is holding the bridle rein with his teeth. + +"He's heading for the bank!" + +"Come on!" + +They rushed from their covert. + +Jesse's quick eyes detected them instantly. + +Raising a whistle to his lips, he blew a shrill blast. + +It was his usual signal to the gang and they understood it, and mounted +upon their horses, came galloping out of the by streets and other places +where they had been concealed. + +The whole armed crowd headed for the bank. + +They thus cut off Jack and the sheriff. + +To everybody's surprise, the moment Siroc arrived opposite the door of +the bank, Jesse turned him and sent him galloping right into the +building. + +Pausing before the paying teller's window, Jesse thrust his two pistols +through, causing the man to yell and recoil. + +"Hand me every bundle of bills in that draw before you!" roared the +bandit. "Quick, or I'll fire!" + +"No--no--no!" gasped the startled man. + +"I'll make you!" + +And--bang! went his pistol. + +The bullet grazed the clerk's head. + +"I'm killed!" he screamed. + +"No, you ain't, but you will be if you don't obey." + +"For God's sake, don't fire again!" + +"Will you give me that money?" + +The cruel, wicked eyes were now turned upon the man in a manner that +made him writhe. + +He saw that his doom was sealed unless he complied without wasting any +more time about it. + +So out came the money. + +There were stacks of it--hundreds of dollars. + +The bandit kept the paying teller covered with one hand, and with the +other transferred the money to his saddle bag. + +"Now, go!" he shouted. + +Then he began to blaze away. + +All the clerks dodged under the desk to escape the flying bullets. + +Having emptied one of his pistols, and intimidated them, the bandit king +spoke to his steed. + +Siroc turned and went thundering out to the street. + +There an exciting scene was going on. + +The gang, to cover Jesse's movements, had begun to fire their pistols +right and left, and the people in the streets and houses and stores +hastily made themselves scarce. + +As soon as Jesse emerged, they closed in around him, dug spurs in their +animals, and went clattering away. + +Jack and Timberlake had been baffled. + +They witnessed the daring robbery. + +Seeing that it was impossible to get through the lines of the bandits to +stop it, Jack signaled his friends. + +No response came back. + +Fearing trouble for the Terror they rushed away. + +She was where they had left her, but Tim and Fritz had alighted, gone +away and were only just then returning. + +"What's up?" panted Jack. + +"Wood Hite escaped! We've been chasin' him!" Tim replied. + +"Too bad! But never mind---" + +"Vot's all dot shootin'?" + +"The James Boys--they've beaten us!" + +"Whar is they?" + +"Running away! Get aboard--arm yourselves!" + +"Goin' arter 'em, lad?" + +"Yes; don't lose a minute!" + +All hands hastily got aboard the stage. + +Jack mounted the seat and sent her rushing out. + +As soon as she reached the street Jack sent her flying in pursuit of the +fugitives. + +The bandits soon saw her chasing them. + + +CHAPTER XVIII. +IN DEAD MAN'S GULCH. + +The sun was gleaming down brightly as the cavalcade of bandits went +thundering out of Husking Valley chased by the electric stage. + +A cloud of dust was kicked up by the horses' hoofs which almost obscured +the riders from view. + +Jack steered the machine with the greatest precision, and Fritz came +through the forward door and joined him. + +"How did Wood Hite get free to escape?" asked the inventor. + +"Ach, he didn'd got free, His hants vos died behint his beck yet," +replied Fritz. "Me and Dim vos sittin' oud here, vaitin' tet hear yer +sicknal. Puddy soon ve hear somepody behint dot stages, und see Vood +Hite had got oud der beck door. He vas runnin' avay. Ve runt afder him. +But vhen ve got down der streed, ve don'd see nodding ohf him. He +ditsappeared." + +"Couldn't you find him?" + +"Nein. Ve ditn'd couldt seen vhere he vented." + +"I'm sorry, for I wished to put him behind the bars!" + +"Nefer mindt," said Fritz. "Ve mebbe caughted more ohf dem." + +"I hope so. Anyway, we are pretty close to them now." + +"So dey gotted der money from der pank?" + +"Jesse rode into the building on horseback and looted it single-handed." + +"Dot son-ohf-a-sea-ghooks vos got blenty spunks alretty!" + +"Too much for the safety of the public. I'd sooner arrest him +individually than his whole gang put together." + +"Dot vould preak dem up!" + +"That's just my impression." + +In a few moments the town was left behind and the horse-men galloped out +into the open country over a rocky tract. + +There the horses had an advantage over the Terror, as they could pick +their way over the rough ground. + +A fearful jolting and rattling of the stage ensued, and Jack was forced +to slacken speed. + +That gave the fugitives an advantage. + +They quickly gained a long lead, for Jack had to zigzag the Terror in +and out among the stones. + +She kept falling farther and still further behind. + +Some distance beyond the rocky place Jack caught view of a prairie +covered with brush and long dry grass. + +It renewed his hope, and he remarked confidentially: + +"Once we reach that place we'll soon catch up to them." + +"I don't tink so," answered Fritz, who was watching the bandits. + +"Why don't you?" + +"See vot dey vos doin'!" + +A chill of dismay passed over the inventor, for he now saw the bandits +setting fire to the long grass. + +The wind was blowing toward the Terror. + +That kept the fire burning in her direction, while the bandits galloped +away from it, setting fire to it as they proceeded. + +In a short space of time there was a roaring wall of flame and smoke +opposed to the Terror. + +In order to prevent Jack from coming in on a flank, the outlaws, spread +out like a fan, and kept dropping lighted matches into the combustible +grass. + +It did not take long to thus create such a wide barrier that the Terror +could not hope to get around it in time to overtake the miscreants. + +Jack stopped her short. + +Clouds of spark-laden smoke were being swept into their faces by the +wind, and an intense heat was generated. + +"Fritz, we are thwarted." + +"Donner vetter! Dey cover deir redreat vell!" + +"We can't remain here; those flames will roast us." + +"Make a large circle vunct." + +"That's the only way," said Jack, starting the Terror. + +She now ran off at an angle, and the flames swept to the rocky section +and burned out. + +There was not enough grass there to keep tha fire going, but behind the +first avalanche of flame came another. + +It was, therefore, impossible to chase the bandits further. + +The fire rendered the air stifling. + +Timberlake and Tim were disgusted at this turn of affairs, for both had +been confidant of capturing the outlaws. + +"If it hadn't ben for ther escape of Wood Hite," growled the old sailor, +"we'd aheerd yer signal in ther town, an' reached yer wi' ther Terror +afore them lubbers got away." + +"Regrets are useless now, Tim." + +"O' course. But it allers makes a feller mad ter think he didn't do sich +an' sich a thing at ther time he wuz doin' anything wot don't pan out +jist as he'd like it ter." + +"Perhaps we can head them off yet." + +"If thar's a livin' show, Jack'll get it, When I wuz in ther navy we was +once asallin' up ther Red Sea, when an Arabian dhow collided with us, +an' busted a hole in ther side o' ther Wabash below ther water line; +then ther willain coolly sailed away without ever excusin' himself. + +"We could astood ther damage, but his indifference about ther injury he +done ter us riled us all up. Seein' as he didn't care a blame, our +skipper sent ther friggte aflyin' arter him. Waal, sir, ther cuss +cracked on sail an' fled. Arter him we tacked, detarmined ter punish +ther swab fer his imperdence. It wuz a long stern chase wot lasted ten +hours. But we finally overhauled him---" + +"Why didn't your frigate sink if she had a hole stove into her below the +water liner." + +Tim gave a slight start. + +He had entirely overlooked this point. + +Pondering a moment, he took a chew of tobacco, and replied: + +"I guess ther hole wuzn't smashed all ther way through." + +"Don't you know whether it was or not?" + +"No; how could I go below ter look at sich a time?" + +"You ought to know best." + +"Waal, let it pass an' I'll go on." + +"No, you won't go on." + +"Why not, sir?" + +"Because I won't stay here and listen to you." + +"Say, sheriff d'yer mean ter insinuate as I'm a liar?" + +"Oh, no. I'm too frank to insinuate what I know to be a fact, I say it +right out, openly and plainly," laughed Timberlake. + +Tim eyed him with a mystified look. + +He did not know whether to accept this reply as a direct insult or to +take it as a belief in his veracity. + +"Wot d'yer mean?" he asked. + +"Simply this--you are the most outrageous old liar I ever came in +contact with!" replied Timberlake. + +"Oh!" cried Tim, in horror. "Listen ter him! You wait till I finish this +ere yarn, an' see if I'm tellin' ther truth." + +"I'm afraid I won't live long enough to wait until you finish that +story," dryly answered the sheriff. "It would be too long a wait on my +part, and---" + +But Fritz interrupted him just there by shouting: + +"Dere dey go--dere dey go!" + +Timberlake opened the front door. + +"Who--the bandits?" he asked eagerly. + +"Yah." + +"Where are they?" + +"Dey go among dem rocks." + +The stage had by this time run around the fire. + +The James Boys must have curved their course toward the very direction +to which the Terror was running, for Fritz had suddenly caught view of +them. + +They were heading for the rocks at the base of a rugged range of hills +directly ahead of the electric stage. + +Jack noticed a number of gorges, gulches and canyons splitting the +towering hills and cliffs ahead, and observed that the bandits were +heading for one of them. + +He pointed this out to his companions. + +"They don't see us yet!" he exclaimed, "but they will the moment they +glance back this way!" + +"I think I know where they are going," said Timberlake. + +"Where?' asked Jack. + +"Into Dead Man's Gulch." + +"What would bring them there?" + +"A huge cave, where the James Boys sometimes retreat." + +"Can we reach it with this stage?" + +"Yes. But once they get in they could hold us at bay." + +"We will see about that when we run them to cover!" + +In single file the bandits rode into the dark gulch, and when it had +swallowed up the last one Jack pulled over the lever and sent the Terror +ahead at full speed. + +She made rapid headway to the gulch and soon reached it. + +"Where is the cave situated?" asked Jack. + +"Opposite that big bowlder, on the left hand side," the sheriff replied. +"You'd better put on your armor." + +"I shall," Jack replied, as he stopped the Terror, "and you all had +better arm yourselves, and prepare for trouble." + +Their preparation, were hastily made. + +As soon as everything was in readiness Jack alone went outside and +assumed control of the wheel. + +His friends ranged themselves at the windows. + +All were well armed and ready for any danger. + +In the course of a few minutes the Terror ran up to the big boulder and +paused there. + +Jack saw a mass of creeping vines that grew up the side of the wall, +covering a dark aperture. + +This was probably the cavern entrance. + +He had scarcely noticed it when there sounded the sharp spiteful crack +of a rifle behind the vines. + +Ping! came a bullet. + +It struck Jack squarely over the heart. + +His breast plate flattened it and it fell harmless. + +"A sentrys shot!" he muttered. "The villains know we are here now and +the siege will soon begin." + + +CHAPTER XIX. +THE BANDIT'S LAST SHOT. + +"Timberlake, I think I can run the Terror into that cave." + +"Look out you don't get her jammed in the entrance." + +"Oh, I can clear the rocks on each side easily enough." + +"Go ahead then." + +Jack let the stage advance slowly. + +A volley of rifle shots poured out of the cavern entrance. + +The bullets did no harm, however, and the Terror continued on. + +Reaching the opening she glided in, the hubs of her wheels grazing the +rocks on each side, so close did she run. + +Another volley met her. + +It was lucky Jack had on his armor. + +Had he not been so protected be might have perished. + +Shot after shot struck him, and bullet after bullet hit the stage. + +On she advanced unhesitatingly, though into a short gloomy passage, and +then Jack turned on the search-light. + +The dazzling glare gushed into an enormous cavern in which, the James +Boys had ridden upon their horses. + +At the sides there were ledges and galleries, above the roof was domed, +and from the main cave numerous passages branched off in various +directions. + +Near one of these passages stood Siroc with Jesse James astride of his +back, the bandit clutching a rifle. + +The rest of the men were grouped behind him. + +"Hulloa!" he shouted at Jack. + +"Jesse James, I demand your surrender!" cried the inventor. + +"Why should I?" demanded the bandit. + +"Because you can't get away from here alive." + +"That's all you know about it. There are plenty exits." + +"Will you give in?" + +"I want to compromise." + +"That I'll never do!" + +"I've got a great inducement---" + +"You can make none to me." + +"Come here, and you'll see." + +A suspicion of treachery flashed over Jack's mind. + +He turned to his companions, and said in low tones: + +"We want him dead or alive. Fire at him!" + +Before Jack's friends could obey, a grating sound was heard above the +Terror, and the inventor glanced upward. + +A cry of alarm escaped his lips. + +Several of the bandits had gone up on the gallery above the Terror, and +were pushing over a huge rock that rested there. + +Just as Jack looked up it fell. + +The rock must have weighed a ton. + +It came down directly toward the roof of the Terror. + +Jack gave the starting lever a sudden jerk, and the stage suddenly +darted ahead. + +She was too late to escape injury, though. + +With a sickening crush the rock struck the rear end of the roof, +crushing it like an egg shell, and going down on the platform, it +carried it and the steps away. + +A howl of joy escaped the James Boys. + +They thought the terror was destroyed. + +It was lucky Jack's friends were in the front room. + +Although the machine was badly damaged, she was not crippled so she +could not work. + +The machinery had escaped injury, as Jack had caused her to run ahead +just in the nick of time. + +"Give it to them, boys!" panted Jack. + +Bang! + +Bang! + +Bang! + +The three shots struck the men in the gallery. + +Not one of the villains knew what hit them. + +"Again!" roared Jack. + +Bang! + +Bang! + +Bang! + +This time the shots were directed at the riders, and that set up a wild +chorus of yells and plunged away. + +It was clear enough to Jack that the bandit king had schemed to lure him +over closer beneath the gallery so that the men up there would be sure +to land the rock on the stage. + +A rattling volley came back from the bandits' rifles. + +Crack! Crack! + +Crack! Crack! + +Bang! Bang! Bang! + +The firing continued without cessation for several minutes, but when the +Terror made a rush for the outlaws, it ceased. + +Every one of them drove their horses into the passages, and were +instantly swallowed up by the gloom. + +Jack cut out the current and put on the brakes. + +"They're gone. That settles it. We can't follow them into those narrow +passages!" he exclaimed. "Let's destroy this place and go out!" + +He procured several of the hand grenades, to which binding screws were +attached, planted them in niches in the walls, joined them in series by +copper wires, and from the two end ones ran two lead wires to the +dynamo. + +Jack ran the stage out into the gulch. + +There he turned a current of electricity into the wires, the bombs were +burst, and the cave was blown up. + +It was completely wrecked. + +The roof fell in, the walls caved in, the passages were choked up with +debris, and it was rendered utterly useless as a place of resort again +for the outlaws. + +Jack sent the stage dashing through the gulch. + +It emerged into a valley through which ran a stream which wound in and +out among the hills. + +Instead of finding the bandits there though, Jack was chagrined to see +that the passages they followed had led them up into the hills. + +He saw some of the villains speeding away on their horses for the other +side of the range. + +It was not possible to follow them up there amid the tangled shrubbery +and tumbled rocks with the stage. + +"The only course to pursue," Jack commented, "is to go around the base +of the hills and try to reach them that way." + +"It's a mighty long course, my lad," said Tim. + +"That's so; but there is no alternative." + +"Vhere yer tink dey go now, Dimperlake?" asked Fritz. + +"Out of the State, as fast as possible," the sheriff answered. + +"Vhy yer tink me dot?" + +"Because they've made a rich haul from the Husking Valley Bank, and we +have sickened them with this section of the country. They are not used +to such rough treatment." + +"The James Boys won't leave Missouri until after I land them in prison," +resolutely said Jack, "I've come here to do it and I won't be baffled. +You know I've got the money they stole from the Wrightstown Bank. Now +I'm going to get the governor's reward, or know the reason why." + +"If you think you can do it, I'm with you heart and soul," replied the +sheriff. "My chief ambition as to break up that gang, and get the +nippers on those dare devil brothers." + +"To leave the State what place would they go to first?" + +"Well, as near as I can judge, the nearest railroad center to this +place is Macon City." + +"Direct me how to get there." + +The sheriff complied. + +Jack had to steer the stage around the hills. + +She finally reached the table-land on the other side, and a survey was +made with telescopes. + +In the far distance a horseman was seen. + +He looked not much bigger than a fly on the distant horizon, and Jack at +once jumped at the conclusion that he might be one of the outlaw gang. + +He, therefore, pursued the man. + +As he drew near Macon City they were close enough to recognize him as +Jesse James mounted on Siroc. + +Not one of the rest of the band were in sight for the simple reason that +they had scattered and gone in different directions to reach the city +singly and in pairs at intervals so as not to excite the suspicion of +the inhabitants. + +Jesse had seen the stage long before. + +He was riding like the wind. + +His fine horse seemed to realize the threatening danger and was +straining every muscle to outstrip the Terror. + +It was in vain. + +Nearer and nearer drew the stage. + +For a moment Jack was tempted to drive the ram into the gallant horse +and thus end the race. + +But when he saw what a magnificent beast it was and realized how nobly +it was striving to bear its master out of the reach of his foes the +inventor relented. + +He did not have the cruelty of heart to kill it. + +All he wanted was the rider. + +So he shouted: + +"Halt!" + +"Only when I'm dead!" yelled Jesse. + +"Then I'll shoot you." + +"Two can play at that game!" + +As the stage rolled up to the horse, Jack and the bandit were aiming +their pistols at each other. + +For a moment a deathly silence ensued. + +Crack--bang! + +The two reports sounded as one. + +Jack was unhurt. + +But Jesse James flung up his hands and toppled headlong to the ground, +with blood gushing from a wound upon his head, and his face looking like +that of a corpse. + +Siroc galloped on, and the Terror paused. + + +CHAPTER XX. +CONCLUSION. + +The moment the bandit king fell from the saddle, Jack sprang to the +ground and rushed over to him. + +Planting his foot on the breast of the fallen man and raising his pistol +in the air, Jack shouted: + +"Victory!" + +"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!" cheered his friends. + +In a moment they were beside the young inventor. + +"Did you kill him?" asked Timberlake. + +"No it's only a scalp wound," Jack answered. + +"Let me handcuff him." + +"Your surmise was correct about the gang heading for Macon City." + +"I know what their general habits are." + +The sheriff handcuffed the bandit king. + +He was utterly unconscious from the shot. + +Fritz and Tim were so delighted they shook hands fervently, let off +several emphatic expletives and fairly danced. + +"Gee whiz, he's captured at last!" roared the sailor. + +"Shiminey Christmas, Dim, who oxbected dot alretty?" + +"An' ther rest o' his crew must be in harbor in that town." + +"Fer sure. Ve vhas bound ter foundt 'em mit der railroat depot." + +"Carry the prisoner aboard the Terror, boys," said Jack. + +Tim and Fritz did this. + +Siroc ran on to the town and vanished. + +When Jack realized this a grave look crossed his face. + +"I'm sorry the horse escaped!" he exclaimed, regretfully. + +"Why so?" asked Timberlake, with some show of surprise. "You could not +do anything with that animal. There are very few people in the world who +can ride him unless Jesse puts the man on the beast's back and let's it +know he desires it." + +"That ain't the point," said Jack, "I'm afraid the rest of the gang will +see it run riderless into the town and know that Jesse has got into +trouble. They may take warning and fly before we can get our hands upon +them." + +"Very true; let's hasten after it then." + +They boarded the stage. + +The shadows of twilight were falling. + +Fritz and Tim took care of the wheel, and Jack and the sheriff went into +the dining-room where Jesse laid on the floor. + +He had by this time fully recovered and realized what happened, and a +dark scowl mantled his brow as he gazed up at Jack. + +"Come to crow over me?" he asked in surly tones. + +"Yes," replied Jack. "I made up my mind when I came here that I'd get +you, and I've done it." + +"There isn't a jail in the State can hold me." + +"Timberlake will answer for that." + +"Where's Siroc?" + +"Ran away." + +"Good!" + +"Oh, I didn't want him." + +"I don't refer to that." + +"What then do you mean?" + +"All the money I got out of the Husking Valley Bank is in the saddle +bag, and he will run straight to the gang, his empty saddle will warn +them to fly, and they'll get the money." + +"Confound it!" + +"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!" + +It was a derisive, mocking laugh. + +Jesse was delighted because the inventor had not gained all. + +On went the stage. + +She ran into the city at dusk. + +Jesse was put in jail, and Jack and his friends left the stage under +guard, and hurried to the railroad depot. + +Fortune seemed to favor them. + +The first person they saw standing on the platform waiting for the +train, was Frank James. + +Jack lightly stepped up behind him. + +Grasping both of his arms, he exclaimed: + +"Frank James, you are my prisoner!" + +A startled cry burst from the outlaw's lips, and he made an effort to +tear himself free and reach his pistols. + +But the iron grip of the young inventor was not to be shaken off so +easily, and the wiry bandit found himself as helpless as an infant in +the hands of Jack. + +Then he craned his neck around to see who had him. + +A roar of rage escaped his lips when he satisfied his curiosity. + +"Jack Wright!" he gasped. + +"Yes, We've got Jesse, too." + +"What! Jess caught!" + +"Little over an hour ago." + +"May the demon roast you!" + +"Don't rave! it won't do any good." + +"Oh. Lord! Here's Timberlake, too!" + +"Yes. He waits to take you away." + +"Let go, or I'll---" + +He fiercely struggled again, but it was useless. + +Timberlake smiled grimly as he disarmed the outlaw. + +He carried a veritable arsenal. + +A crowd gathered around. + +As soon as they realized that the prisoner was one of the James Boys, +the interest in him was aroused at once. + +Timberlake snapped a pair of fetters on his own and Frank's wrists, and +led him away to the jail. + +An alarm had been sent out to the police to look for the rest of the +gang. + +As Siroc and the men had mysteriously vanished, it was fair to presume +that they had found the horse, got the money, took the hint, and left +for parts unknown. + +Anyway none of them were found. + +Jack's mission was accomplished. + +The governor was notified of what he had done, and the reward was sent +to him at once. + +Jack was well satisfied, and Timberlake more so. + +If the newspapers had not at once published an account of the arrest, +more of the gang might have been taken. + +As it was all escaped arrest. + +When the evidence of the four was taken, the young inventor had his +wonderful electric stage repaired for the journey home as he had nothing +further to keep him in Missouri, now that he had dispersed the James +Boys gang. + +They needed the rest they got after that. + +Before Timberlake left them to go to Kansas City, he said: + +"I am grateful for all you've done, boys, and will never forget your +gallant conduct. You have accomplished what we have for a long time been +striving to do." + +"Oh, Lor'," said Tim, disdainfully. "That ain't nothin' ter wot I once +did when I wuz aboard o' ther ole frigate Wabash." + +"Whoop!" roared Fritz, interrupting him. + +"Stow yer gab!" + +"Vos a yarn comin'?" + +"That's none o' yer business, As I was assayin---" + +But he got no farther. + +Fritz grabbed his accordeon and began to play. + +Tim paused with a look of pain and horror on his face. + +"Haul to, thar!" he bellowed. + +"I can't. I vos vound up ter 'blay dwendy-four hours," grinned Fritz, +grinding away furiously. + +"Gee whiz! Yer'll set me looney." + +"Noddings vould blease me besser." + +"Are yer goin' ter stop?" + +"Nien!" + +"Then yer a dead Dutchman!" + +And so saying Tim chased him into the store-room of the Terror, where +the parrot and monkey were roosting, and a moment afterwards the four +became tangled up in a struggle that shook the stage like an earthquake. + +It did not last long. + +When Tim, Fritz, Whiskers and Bismarck emerged from the room, they +looked as if they had been passed through a threshing machine, but they +were on terms of good fellowship. + +Shortly afterwards, Sheriff Timberlake shook hand, with the three +friends and departed. + +Jack then made preparations to return home. + +As soon as the Terror was ready, they left Macon City and started across +the country at a rapid pace. + +Nothing of importance occurred during the trip, and in due time they +reached Wrightstown. + +Here they were gladly welcomed. + +The machine was then taken apart and packed away as they had no further +use for it, the parrot and monkey were transferred to Jack's house and +Jack refunded the money to the Wrightstown bank much to everybody's +surprise. + +It was not long after this that Jack received news that the James Boys +had escaped from prison, reorganized the old gang and were devastating +the State. + +But he did not care to go after them again. + +Indeed, he ultimately learned that such a course would have been +useless, as Jesse James was finally shot dead by one of the Ford Boys. + +Jack had a more peaceful pursuit in view at home. + +During his absence he had thought of another new invention, and began to +plan it out. + +It was a most marvelous contrivance, and in the end he made a success of +it, and, when he used it, the machine led him into the most thrilling +situations. + +For want of space here we have prepared a sequel to this story which +will follow in this publication. + +It is a most interesting account of Jack, Tim and Fritz, and as we will +soon be in their company once more, let us conclude this narrative. + +[THE END.] + +- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + +FRANK TOUSEY'S HAND BOOKS. + + +CONTAINING USEFUL INSTRUCTION ON ALMOST EVERY SUBJECT UNDER THE SUN. + +PRICE 10 CENTS PER COPY + +- - - - - - - - - - + +No. 1. +Napoleon's Oraculum and Dream Book. +Containing the great oracle of human destiny; also the true meaning of +almost any kind of dreams, together with charms, ceremonies and curious +games of cards. A complete book. Price 10 cents. + +No. 2. +HOW TO DO TRICKS. +The great book of magic and card tricks, containing full instruction of +all the leading card tricka of the day, also the most popular magical +illusions as performed by our leading magicians; every boy should obtain +a copy, as it will both amuse and instruct. Price 10 cents. + +No. 3. +HOW TO FLIRT. +The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this little +book. Besides the various methods of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, +window and hat flirtations, it contains a full list of the language and +sentiment of flowers, which is interesting to everybody, both old and +young. You cannot be happy without one. Price 10 cents. + +No. 4. +HOW TO DANCE. +Is the title of a new and handsome little book just issued by Frank +Tousey. It contains full instructions in the art of dancing, etiquette +in the ball-room, and at parties, how to dress, and full directions for +calling off in all popular square dances. The price is 10 cent. + +No. 5. +HOW TO MAKE LOVE. +A complete guide to love, courtship and marriage, giving sensible +advice, rules and etiquette to be observed, with many curious and +interesting things not generally known. Price 10 cents. + +No. 6. +HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE. +Giving full instruction for the use of dumb-bells, Indian clubs, +parallel bars, horizonal bars and various other methods of developing a +good healthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations. Every boy can +become strong and healthy by following the instructions contained in +this little book. Price 10 cents. + +No. 7. +HOW TO KEEP BIRDS. +Handsomely, illustrated and containing full instructions for the +management and training of the canary, mocking-bird, bobolink, +blackbird, paroquet, parrot, etc., etc. Price 10 cents. + +No. 8. +HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST. +A useful and instructive book, giving a complete treatise on chemistry; +also, experiments in accoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and +directions for making fireworks, colored fires, and gas balloons. This +book cannot be equaled. Price 10 cents. + +No. 9. +HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST. +By Harry Kennedy. The secret given away. Every intelligent boy reading +this book of instructions, by a practical professor (delighting +multitudes every night with his wonderful imitations), can master the +art, and create any amount of fun for himself and friends. It is the +greatest book ever published, and there's millions (of fun) in it. Price +10 cents. + +No. 10. +HOW TO BOX. +The art of self-defense made easy. Containing over thirty illustrations +of guards, blows and the different positions of a good boxer. Every boy +should obtain one of these useful and instructive books, as it will +teach you how to box without an instructor. Price 10 cents. + +No. 11. +HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS. +A most complete little book, containing full directions for writing +love-letters, and when to use them; also giving specimen letters for +both young and old. Price 10 cents. + +No. 12. +HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO LADIES. +Giving complete instructions for writing letters to ladies on all +subjects; also, letters of introduction, notes and requests. Price 10 +cents. + +No. 13. +How to Do It; or, Book of Etiquette. +It is a great life secret, and one that every young man desires to know +all about. Send 10 cents and get it. There's happiness in it. + +No. 14. +HOW TO MAKE CANDY. +Complete hand-book for making all kinds of candy, ice-cream, syrups, +essences, etc., etc. Price 10 cents. + +No. 15. +HOW TO BECOME RICH. +This wonderful book presents you with the example and life experience of +some of the most noted and wealthy men in the world, including the +self-made men of country. The book is edited by one of the most +sucecessful men of the present age, whose own example is in itself guide +enough for those who aspire to fame and money. The book will give you +the secret. Price 10 cents. + +No. 16. +HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN. +Containing full instructions for constructing a window garden either in +town or country, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful +flowers at home. The most complete book of the kind ever published. +Price 10 cents. + +No. 17. +HOW TO DRESS. +Containing full instruction in the art of dressing and appearing well at +home and abroad, giving the selections of colors, material, and how to +have them made up. Price 10 cents. + +No. 18. +HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL. +One of the brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the +world. Everybody wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male and +female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. Read this book and be +convinced how to become beautiful. Price 10 cents. + +No. 19. +FRANK TOUSEY'S +United States Distance Tables, Pocket Companion and Guide. +Giving the official distances on all the railroads of the United States +and Canada. Also, table of distances by water to foreign ports, hack +fares in the principal cities, reports of the census, etc., etc., making +it one of the most complete and handy books published. Price 10 cents. + +No. 20. +How to Entertain an Evening Party. +A very valuable little book just published. A complete compendium of +games, sports. card-diversions, comic recreations, etc., suitable for +parlor or drawing-room entertainment. It contains more for the money +than any book published. Price 10 cents. + +No. 21. +HOW TO HUNT AND FISH. +The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains +full instructions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, +together with descriptions of game and fish. Price 10 cents. + +- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + +The Boys' Star Library. + +Each Number Contains a Complete Story, 32 Pages of Reading Matter is its +Usual Size, and Some Numbers Contain 64 Pages. Which Makes it the +Cheapest Library Published in the World. + +PRICE ONLY 5 CENTS PER COPY. + +A NEW NUMBER IS ISSUED EVERY WEEK. + +Read the Following List of Numbers Already Published: + +No. +1 The Wolf Men of Minnesota. . . by Howard De Vere + +2 The Shark Hunters. . . by Horace Appleton + +3 Tim Finnegan, the Young Irish Detective. . . Written by Himself + +4 Fox Cap, the Friend of Daniel Boone. . . by Kit Clyde + +5 The American Robinson Crusoe; or, The Wreck of the "Hurricane". . . + by Gus Williams + +6 Hook and Ladder No. 6. . . by Howard De Vere + +7 Lost in the Pacific. . . by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg + +8 Ned Newton, the Young Engineer of the Swan. A Story of the + Mississippi River. . . by Albert J. Booth + +9 Cruise of the Silverwing. . . by George W. Goode + +10 On Board the Schoolship Norfork. . . by Hal Standish + +11 Roy, the Western Union Telegraph Messenger. . . by Robert Knox + +12 Wine and Cards. A Temperance Story. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +13 Skeleton Saul. . . by Marline Manly + +14 Billy Bunce the Boy Actor. . . by John Sherman + +15 McDonald, the Man Tracker. . . by Walter Fenton + +16 Yarns Around the Camp Fire. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +17 The Secret Glen; or, The Mysterious War Chief. . . by Don Jenardo + +18 Comic Adventures of Mike Mulligan. . . by Tom Teaser + +19 Corney of the Cliff; or, The Bold Irish Smuggler. . . by Corporal + Morgan Rattler + +20 Abandoned at Sea. . . by Frank Forrest + +21 Nan and Nat. the Child Riders. A True Tale of the Arena. . . by + Horace Appleton + +22 Dan Hayes; the Detective. . . by Geo. W Goode + +23 Virginia Dick. A Southern Boy in the Mexican War. . . by Albert J. + Booth + +24 The Ghost of the Saw-Mill. . . by Robert Maynard + +25 Dick Desmond; or, The Mutiny on the Golden Gate. . . by A. F. Hill + +26 Tim Woodruff. the Young Chairmaker. . . by Percy R. St. John + +27 Moccasin Mose. . . by Paul Braddon + +28 The Pearl Diver. . . by J. G. Bradley + +29 Jolly Jack, the Rover; or, The Last Voyage of the Phantom Ship. . . + by Allyn Draper + +30 Night-Express Ned. . . by Frank Forrest + +31 The Lost Finger. . . by Berton Bertrew + +32 "Little Dot," the Dandy Scout of the Plains. . . by Paul Braddon + +33 Our Social Club. . . by "Ed" + +34 The Wreckers of the Wallkill. . . by Allan Arnold + +35 Big Beck, the Prince of Trappers. . . by Richard R. Montgomery + +36 Mail Train Mat. . . by Frank Forrest + +37 Swift-Foot: or, The Adopted Chief. . . by Ralph Morton + +38 The Ourang-Ourtang Hunters. . . by Geo. G. Small + +39 The Comic Detective. . . by "Ed" + +40 Yankee Jack. . . by Captain Geo. Granville + +41 Hank Monk; or, The Stage Driver of the Pacific Slope. . . by Robert + Maynard + +42 The Boss of the School; or, Around the World for Fun. . . by Captain + Will Dayton + +43 The Fire Rider. . . by Gaston Garne + +44 War Eagle; or, The Hero of a Hundred Fights. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +45 Simple Silas; or, The Idiot Detective. . . by Harry Rockwood + +46 Old Invincible. . . by Police Captain Howard + +47 The Secrets of the Diamond Island. . . by Horace Appleton + +48 Peeping Peter. A Tale of the American Revolution. . . by Roger + Starbuck + +49 He Didn't Get Left! Something Very Novel. . . by Peter Pad + +50 A Dead Witness. . . by Allan Arnold + +51 Danger Signal Dave, the Dashing Boy Engineer of the West. . . by + Albert J. Booth + +52 Brave Captain Kelly: or, The Daring Irish Privateers. . . by Corporal + Morgan Rattler + +53 The Caffre King; or, Three New York Youths in Africa. . . by Berton + Bertrew + +54 Iceberg Jack, the Hero at the Artic. . . by R. T. Emmet + +55 Ebony Eph, the Colored Detective. . . by Harry Rockwood + +56 Out With General Crook; or, The Twin Scouts of the Sierra Madres. . . + by John Sherman + +57 The Cavern of Death; or, The Maiden Avenger. . . by Gaston Garne + +58 Young Hercules, the King of Detectives. . . by Police Captain Howard + +59 The Young Drover; or, The Secret Order of the Northwest. . . by + Morris Redwing + +60 The Circus Wonder. . . by P. T. Raymond + +61 Young Franklin; or, Buried Under the Snow. . . by Albert J. Booth + +62 Ruined by Wine. A Temperance Story. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +63 Bareback Tom, the Circus Wonder. . . by Horace Appleton + +64 No. 202; or, In League With the Secret Service. . . by Lieutenant E. + H. Kellogg + +65 The Island Captive; or, Donald Dane's Victory. . . by John Sherman + +66 One Thousand Miles on Skates. . . by R. T. Emmet + +67 Dick the Pilot; or, The River Pirate's Plot. A Tale of the + Mississippi. . . by J. G. Bradley + +68 The Young Cliff Climber. A Tale of the Andes. . . by Gaston Garne + +69 Alderman Maloney. . . by Tom Teaser + +70 "King of the Ice;" or, Astray in the Arotic. . . by Albert J. Booth + +71 The Spy of Toronto. A Story of 1812. . . by Don Jenardo + +72 Lost in the Sewers; or, Adventures Beneath a Great City. . . by + Gaston Garne + +73 The Wizard of the Deep; or, The Wonderful Ocean Cave. . . by C. + Little + +74 Gold Mask; or, The Mystery of the Mines. . . by Robert Maynard + +75 Young Wide-Awake, the Pride of Engineers; or, Life on the Railroad. + . . by Albert J. Booth + +76 The Flying Soud. A Romance of the Ever Faithful Isle. . . by Gaston + Garne + +77 In the Clouds with a Maniac; or, The Jockey's Peril. . . by John + Sherman + +78 Foxy and Brother, the Invincible Detectives. . . by Police Captain + Howard + +79 Lost Under Ground; or, A Week in the Dark. . . by Horace Appleton + +80 Rocky Mountain Joe. . . by Robert Maynard + +81 The Ogres of the Ocean; or, The Voyage of the "Seashell". . . by + Albert J. Booth + +82 Black Hills Bill. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +83 Daring Zach, the Dwarf Scout of Palo Alto. . . by Lieutenant E. H. + Kellogg + +84 Figure Four; or, Simple Silas' Last Trail. . . by Harry Rockwood + +85 The Young Life-Saving Crew. . . by Col. Ralph Fenton + +86 The Haunted School-House. . . by Gaston Garne + +87 The Mysterious Sport. . . by Robert Maynard + +88 The Ocean Mystery. . . by J. G. Bradley + +89 Jack Bruce, the Star of the Circus. . . by C. Little + +90 The Jaguar Hunters; or, Wild Adventures in Brazil. . . by Harry + Rockwood + +91 The Life-Savers; or, the Wreck of Lbs "Ringdove". . . by Albert J. + Booth + +92 The Wonder Skiff. . . by J. G. Bradley + +93 Mark Manley, the Young Engineer. . . by Albert J. Booth + +94 Kit Carson's Raid. . . by Robert Maynard + +95 Cape Horn Chris, the Whaler's Son. . . by Albert J. Booth + +96 Two Comical Crusoes, and A Very Black Friday. . . by Tom Teaser + +97 Dick Darnley, the Switch Boy. . . by Robert Lennox + +98 The Haunted Cave; or, The Land of Wonders. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +99 Old Sixty; or, The Last Run of the Special. . . by C. Little + +100 The Young Balloonist; or, A Boy's Adventures in the Clouds. . . P. + T. Raymond + +101 Two New York Boys Around the World. . . by Gaston Garne + +102 Phantom, the Prairie Trapper. . . by Paul Braddon + +103 "Stand Together;" or, The Young Firemen of Clinton. . . by C. Little + +104 Harpoon Harry; or, The Castaways of the Antarctic. . . by Albert J. + Booth + +105 The Rival Knights; or, The Forest Champion. . . by Walter Fenton + +106 Simple Silas Among the Moonshiners. . . by Harry Rockwood + +107 The Black Band. . . by Paul Braddon + +108 Pacific Dick, the Pirates' Dread. . . by J. G. Bradley + +109 Shorthand Dick; or, The Young Reporter in Omaha. . . by Robert + Maynard + +110 The Mystic "7"; or, The Terror of the Bandits. . . by Gaston Garne + +111 Little Crow; or, The Tomahawk and Scalplng Knife in Minnesota. . . + by Robert Lennox + +112 The Tattooed Hand. . . by Paul Braddon + +113 Lost in New York; or, A Country Boy's Adventures. . . by C. Little + +114 Simple Silas and the Night-Riders. . . by Harry Rockwood + +115 The Ocean Scout; or, Captain Low's Last Cruise. . . by Don Jenardo + +116 The Haunted Island. . . by Robert Lennox + +117 Torpedo Tom; or, What a Yankee Boy Can Do. . . by Howard De Vere + +118 Lightning Joe. . . by R. T. Emmet + +119 Among the Thugs; or, Two Yankee Boys in India. . . by Hal Standish + +120 Young Phenix: or, Avenged From the Grave. . . by Gaston Garne + +121 General Grant's Boy Spy; or, The Hero of Five Forks. . . by Ralph + Morton + +122 The Pearl of the Border; or, The Girl Avenger. . . by Robert Maynard + +123 The Boy Captives of the Zulus; or, Held For Ransom. . . by Capt. + Geo. Granville, U. S. A. + +124 The Invisible Scout. . . by P. T. Raymond + +125 The Mysterious Five; or, The Terror of the Bandits. . . by Paul + Braddon + +126 Hawk and Weasel, the Baltimore Detectives. . . by Police Captain + Howard + +127 The Boy Balloonists; or, Adventures in the Clouds. . . by Harry + Eaton + +128 The Scout's League. . . by Paul Braddon + +129 The Black Diamond. . . by Allyn Draper + +130 Matt Mizzen, the Young Rover . . . by Gaston Garne + +131 From Wine to Ruin; or, Jack Jordan's Peril. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +132 The Silent Hunter; or, The Old Scout's Secret. . . by R. T. Emmet + +133 The King of the Clouds. . . by Walter Fenton + +134 The Hidden Cave. A Legend of the Ohio. . . by Don Jenardo + +135 Little Luke the Boy Driver of the Mines; or, The Young Hero of + Diamond Shaft. A Story of Life and Adventures Down in a Coal Mine. + . . by C. Little + +136 The Diamond Bullet. . . by Gaston Garne + +137 Old Bob Gray: or, The Lone Trapper of the Rockies. A Story of Wild + Adventure. . . by C. Little + +138 The Red Pirate; or, The Island of Death. . . by J. G. Bradley + +139 The House on the Hill. . . by Don Jenardo + +140 Dashwell, the Detective; or, The Mysteries of Seven Days. . . by + Police Captain Howard + +141 The Dead Avenger; or, Denounced from the Grave. . . by Robert Lennox + +142 Little Corinne: or, The Pride of the Ring. A Thrilling Story of + Circus Life. . . by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg + +143 Tracked for Years. . . by Corporal Morgan Rattler + +144 The Dwarf Bell Ringer; or, The Mystery of the Church Tower. . . by + Gaston Garne + +145 Ranch 5. A Story of the "49ers". . . by Robert Maynard + +146 The Black Cross; or, The Mysteries of the Jungle. A Tale of India. + . . by Robert Lennox + +147 Keen Kit; or, The Border Detective Among the Mormons. . . by Walter + Fenton + +148 The Secret Den; or, The Mississippi Pirates. . . by Don Jenardo + +149 The Masked Safe Blowers of Chicago. . . by Walter Fenton + +150 Vogiene, the Unknown Wonder of the Border. . . by Paul Braddon + +151 The Mad Midshipman; or, The Pirate's Last Cruise. . . by Gaston + Garne + +152 Emerald Pat; or, The Orange and the Green. . . by Sergeant O'Donnell + +153 Born to Be a Middy; or, On and Off a Man-o'-War. . . by J. G. + Bradley + +154 The Circus Runaway; or, The Boy Trainer and His Elephant on Their + Travels. . . by P. T. Raymond + +155 Luke Bland; or, Piping a Dreadful Crime. . . by Tom Fox + +156 The Broken Vow: or, The Lion Tamer's Oath. . . by C. Little + +157 The Firebugs of Chicago. . . by Horace Appleton + +158 The Ghouls of Gotham; or, The Man in the Black Cloak. . . by Paul + Braddon + +159 Crookstaff, the Ranger; or, The Outlaws of the Hill. . . by John + Sherman + +160 Liontine, the Pirate's Daughter. . . . by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg + +161 Contiental Dick, the Dread of the Tories. . . by Col. Ralph Fenton + +162 The Young Brigand Chief. . . by Robert Maynard + +163 The Black Hand; or, The Mystery of a Ring. . . by Gaston Garnes + +164 Just in Time; or, The Plot That Failed. . . by P. T. Raymond + +165 Bold Ben Bryan, the Yankee Sailor Boy. . . by J. G. Bradley + +166 Hunting the Wolf-Killers; or, Perils in the Northwest. . . by R. T. + Emmet + +167 The Haunted Cabin; or, The Secrets of the Swamp. . . by H. K. + Shackleford + +168 The Hand of Fate; or, The Hawks of New York. . . by Paul Braddon + +169 The King of Three Oceans. . . by J. G. Bradley + +170 The Gipsy's Curse; or, The Revenge of a Lifetime. . . by C. Little + +171 The Swan; or, Life on the Mississippi. . . by Don Jenardo + +172 Dragon Dick; or, In Pursuit of a Mountain Bandit. . . by Robert + Maynard + +173 From East to West in a Balloon. . . by Gaston Garne + +174 Around the World in the Air; or, The Adventures of a Flying Man. . . + by Harry Kennedy + +175 The Death Spell; or, The Black Voodoo's Vengeance. . . by C. Little + +176 The Boy Jockey; or, Fame and Fortune on the Race Course. . . by R. + T. Emmet + +177 Big Carlos, the Giant Pirate. . . by J. G. Bradley + +178 Hank Hamilton, the Blue Grass Detective; or, The Horse Thieves of + Kentucky. . . by Police Captain Howard + +179 Monte, the Mystery of Culpepper Valley. . . by Paul Braddon + +180 The Pearl of the Pacific. . . by Robert Lennox + +181 The Magic Rifle. . . by C. Little + +182 Bravest of tho Brave. A Story of the Mexican War. . . by Capt. Geo. + Granville, U. S. A. + +183 Greybeard, the Terror of the Seas. . . by A. F. Hill + +184 Pete Walsh, the Western Detective. . . by R. T. Emmet + +185 The House of Mystery. . . by Police Captain Howard + +186 The Masked Brotherhood. . . by Paul Braddon + +187 The Flying Man; or, The Adventures of a Young Inventor. . . by Harry + Kennedy + +188 The Mystery of the Forest; or, A Scout With Many Lives. . . by Paul + Braddon + +189 Jeppo, the Hunchback; or The King of Torturers. . . by C. Little + +190 Suspected; or The Horse Thieves Lost Raid. . . by R. T. Emmet + +191 The Missing Hunter. . . by Don Jenardo + +192 The Knight of the Black Horse. A Story of the Days of Chivalry. . . + by J. G. Bradley + +193 The Slave Trader. . . by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg + +194 Mankato Mark, the Indian Nemesis; or, The White Avenger of the + Nor'west. . . by R. T. Emmet + +195 Galloping O'Hagan; or, The Bold Free Rider. . . by Corporal Morgan + Rattler + +196 The Deaf and Dumb Detective. . . by Allan Arnold + +197 Matt, the Avenger; or, Fighting the Mexican Bandits. . . by Robert + Maynard + +198 The Locked League; or, The Mystery of the Key and Serpent. . . by + Paul Braddon + +199 Brave Bradshaw, the Express Messenger; or, Through by Night with a + Million. . . by C. Little + +200 "Comanche Bill;" or, The Texan's Revenge. . . by Robert Lennox + +201 The Black Doctor. A Thrilling Story of the Secret Service. . . by + Lieut. E. H. Kellogg + +202 The Maniac Scout. . . by Gaston Garne + +203 The Renegade's Doom. . . by John Sherman + +204 A Secret Foe. . . by Frank Forrest + +205 The League of Fate. . . by "Noname" + +206 The Country Boy Detective. . . by Lieut. E. H. Kellogg + +207 The Vault of Mystery. . . by C. Little + +208 The Cuban Avenger; or, The Young Privateer. . . by Major J. Anderson + +209 Sentenced for Life. . . by A U. S. Detective + +210 The Steps of Doom. . . by R. T. Emmet + +211 Cyclone, the Horse Runner; or, The Young Lassoer of the Plains. . . + by "Noname" + +212 The Black Bravos. . . by Gaston Garne + +213 Tracked by a Fiend. . . by Corporal Morgan Rattler + +214 The Crimson Cowl; or, The Bandit of San Basillo. . . by C. Little + +215 Detective Dark. . . by Tom Fox (Philadelphia Detective) + +216 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor; or, Hunting For a Sunken Treasure. + . . by "Noname" + +217 The Hidden Treasure; or, Among the Cannibals. . . by H. K. + Shackleford + +218 Phil Faraday, the Young Explorer; or, Adventures in Savage Africa. + . . by Hal Standish + +219 Dick Gordon; or, The True Yankee Sailor Boy. . . by J. T. Brougham + +220 Jack Wright and His Electric Turtle; or, Chasing the Pirates of the + Spanish Main. . . by "Noname" + +221 Diver Bill; or, The Secret of the Wreck. . . by Ralph Morton + +222 The Child Stealer; or, The Vulture, of a Great City. . . by J. T. + Brougham + +223 Jack Wright'e Submarine Catamaran; or, The Phantom Ship of the + Yellow Sea. . . by "Noname" + +224 The Dark Corners of New York; or, The Perils of a District Telegraph + Messenger. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +225 Thado, the Thug; or, The Star on the Arm. . . by T. W. Hanshew + +226 The Broken Bottle; or, A Jolly Good Fellow. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + +Latest Issues of THE BOYS' STAR LIBRARY: + +234 Saved at Six; or, The Wizard of the Waves. . . by A. F. Hill + +235 Jack Wright and His Magnetic Motor; or, The Golden City of the + Sierras. . . by "Noname" + +236 The Boy Miners. . . by C. Little + +237 The Merry Ten; or, The Shadows of a Social Club. A Temperance Story. + . . by H. K. Shackleford + +238 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, and His Under-water Iron-Clad; or, + The Treasure of the Sandy Sea. . . by "Noname" + +239 Jack Winters; or, Fighting for the Old Flag. . . by Capt Geo. + Granville (U. S. A.) + +240 The Young Sinbad; or, Back from the Grave for Vengeance. . . by T. + W. Hanshew + +241 Jack Wright and His Electric Deers; or, Fighting the Bandits of the + Black Hills. . . by "Noname" + +242 The Haunted Island; or, The Phantom of the Seas. . . by Allan Arnold + +243 Sleuth Hound Tom, the Veteran Detective. . . by Police Captain + Howard + +244 Midnight Dick, the King of Highwaymen. . . by J. G. Bradley + +245 The Thugs of New Orleans. . . by Paul Braddon + +246 Jack Wright and His Prairie Engine; or, Among the Bushmen of + Australia. . . by "Noname" + +247 Jack Winters in the Zulu War. . . by Capt. Geo. Granville (U. S. A.) + +248 The Mystery of the Dead Sea. . . by T. W. Hanshew + +249 The Fatal Glass; or, The Traps and Snares of New York. . . by H. K. + Shackleford + +250 Dave Dash, the Pride of the Circus. . . by Hal Standish + +251 Laughing Lake, the Yankee Spy of the Revolution. . . by Ralph Morton + +252 Santo, the Sea Wolf; or, The Secret of the Sea. . . by Allan Arnold + +253 Jack Wright and His Electric Air Schooner; or, The Mystery of a + Magic Mine. . . by "Noname" + +254 Gold Gulch; or Pandy Ellis' Last Trail. . . by Marline Manly + +255 Peppery Sam, the Young Spy of the Revolution. . . by D. W. Stevens + +256 Dick Catch; or, The Thief-Taker's Crime. . . by Ralph Morton + +257 Jack Wright and His Electric Sea-Motor; or, The Search for a + Drifting Wreck. . . by "Noname" + +258 Ben Brevier; or, The Romance of a Young Printer. . . by Horace + Appleton + +259 King of the Sea; or, The Rovers of the Deep. . . by T. W. Hanshew + +260 The Hidden Avenger. A Story of Mexico. . . by Capt. Geo. Granville, + U. S. A. + +261 The Thugs of Paris. . . by Paul Braddon + +262 Jack Wright and His Ocean Sleuth Hound; or, Tracking an Under Water + Treasure. . . by "Noname" + +263 Fighting Jack; or, A Yankee Boy in Africa. . . by Captain Geo. + Granville, U. S. A. + +264 The Lively Eight Social Club; or, From Cider to Rum. A Story of the + Great Evil. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +265 Adrift in a Balloon, A Romance of South America. . . by Frank + Forrest + +266 Jack Wright and His Dandy of the Deep; or, Driven Afloat in the Sea + of Fire. . . by "Noname" + +267 The Young Cadet; or, From West Point to Glory. . . by Allan Arnold + +268 Mad Anthony Wayne, the Hero of Stony Point. A Story of the American + Revolution. . . by Ralph Morton + +269 Trapeze Tom. . . by Hal Standish + +270 Jack the Juggler. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +271 Jack Wright and His Electric Torpedo Rain; or, The Sunken City of + the Atlantic. . . by "Noname" + +272 Jack Wright and His Deep Sea Monitor; or, Searching For a Ton of + Gold. . . by "Noname" + +273 The Inner Circle. A True Story of the Nihilists. . . by Allan Arnold + +274 Jack Winters in the English Army. A Story of the War in Egypt. . . + by Capt. Geo. Granville (U. S. A.) + +275 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, Exploring Central Asia in His + Magnetic Hurricane. . . by "Noname" + +276 Jack Wright and His Ocean Plunger; or, The Harpoon Hunters of the + Arctic. . . by "Noname" + +277 Jack Wright and His Electric "Sea-Ghost;" or, A Strange Under-Water + Journey. . . by "Noname" + +278 The Fiends of Paris; or, The Conspirator's Secret. . . by Paul + Braddon + +279 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, and His Deep Sea Diving Bell; or, The + Buccaneers of the Gold Coast. . . by "Noname" + +280 Whisky Bill; or The Road to Ruin. A Story of the Rum Fiend's + Frightful Work. . . by H. K. Shackleford + +281 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, and His Electric Tricycle Boat; or, + The Treasure of the Sun Worshipers. . . by "Noname" + +282 The Haunted Lighthouse of Wreckers' Reef. . . by J. T. Brougham + +283 Jack Wright and His Under-Water Wrecking Rail; or, The Mystery of a + Scuttled Ship. . . by "Noname" + +284 The Rival Schools. . . by Frank Forrest + +285 Jack Wright and His Terror of the Seas; or, Fighting For a Sunken + Fortune. . . by "Noname" + +286 The Unknown Renegade; or, The Three Great Scouts. . . by Hal + Standish + +287 Jack Wright and His Electric Diving Boat; or Lost Under the Ocean. + . . by "Noname" + +288 Mike Fink, the Western Boatmen. . . by D. W. Stevens + +289 Jack Wright and His Submarine Yacht; or, The Fortune Hunters of the + Red Sea. . . by "Noname" + +290 To the North Pole in a Balloon. . . by J. T. Brougham + +291 The Tramp; or, The Mystery of the Old Haunted Mill. . . by D. W + Stevens + +292 Jack Wright and His Electric Gunboat; or, The Search For a Stolen + Girl. . . by "Noname" + +293 Running Rob; or, Mad Anthony's Rollicking Scout. . . by Ralph Morton + +294 Jack Wright and His Electric Sea Launch; or A Desperate Cruise For + Life. . . by "Noname" + +295 Saints of the Santee; or, Redcoats and Whigs. . . by Ralph Morton + +296 Jack Wright and His Electric Bicycle Boat; or, Searching For Captain + Kidd's Gold. . . by "Noname" + +297 Headless: or, The Man of Mystery. . . by Ralph Morton + +298 Jack Wright and His Electric Side-Wheel Boat; or, Fighting the + Brigands of the Coral Isles. . . by "Noname" + +299 The Winged Witch. . . by John Sherman + +300 Jack Wright's Wonder of the Waves; or, The Flying Dutchman of the + Pacific. . . by "Noname" + +301 Merry Matt; or, The Will-o'-the-Wisp of Wine. . . by H. K. + Shackleford + +302 Jack Wright and His Electric Exploring Ship; or, A Cruise Around + Greenland. . . by "Noname" + +303 Old Putnam's Pet; or, The Young Patriot Spy. . . by Ralph Morton + +304 Jack Wright and His Electric Man-of-War; or, Fighting the Sea + Robbers of the Frozen Coast. . . by "Noname" + +305 The Shattered Glass; or, A Country Boy in New York. . . by H. K. + Shackleford + +306 Jack Wright and His Submarine Torpedo-Tug; or, Winning a Government + Reward. . . by "Noname" + +307 The Lost Balloon; or, Missing For Twenty Year. . . by John Sherman + +308 Jack Wright and His Electric Sea-Demon; or, Daring Adventures Under + the Ocean. . . by "Noname" + +309 The Mystery of the Volcano. . . by Col. Ralph Fenton + +310 Jack Wright and His Electric "Whale;" or, The Treasure-Trove of the + Polar Sea. . . by "Noname" + +311 Jack Wright and His Electric Marine "Rover;" or, 50,000 Miles in + Ocean Perils. . . by "Noname" + +312 Jack Wright and His Electric Deep Sea Cutter; or, Searching for a + Pirate's Treasure. . . by "Noname" + +313 Detective Sleuth's Son. . . by Police Captain Howard + +314 Jack Wright and His Electric Monarch of the Ocean; or, Cruising for + a Million in Gold. . . by "Noname" + +315 Jack Wright and His Electric Devil-Fish; or, Fighting the Smugglers + of Alaska. . . by "Noname" + +316 Jack Wright and His Electric Demon of the Plains; or, Wild + Adventures Among the Cowboys. . . by "Noname" + +317 Jack Wright and His Electric Balloon Ship; or, 30,000 Leagues Above + the Earth. . . by "Noname" + +318 Jack Wright and His Electric Locomotive; or, The Lost Mine of Death + Valley. . . by "Noname" + +319 Jack Wright and His Iron Clad Air-Motor; or, Searching for a Lost + Explorer. . . by "Noname" + +320 Jack Wright and His Electric Tricycle; or, Fighting the Stranglers + of the Crimson Desert. . . by "Noname" + +321 Jack Wright and His Electric Dynamo Boat; or, The Mystery of a + Buried Sea. . . by "Noname" + +322 Jack Wright and His Flying Torpedo; or, The Black Demons of Dismal + Swamp. . . by "Noname" + +323 Jack Wright and His Prairie Privateer; or, Fighting the Western Road + Agents. . . by "Noname" + +324 Jack Wright and His Naval Cruiser; or, Fighting the Pirates of the + Pacific. . . by "Noname" + +325 Jack Wright, the Boy Inventor, and His Whaleback Privateer; or, + Cruising the Behring Sea. . . by "Noname" + +326 Jack Wright and His Electric Phantom Boat; or, Chasing the Outlaws + of the Ocean. . . by "Noname" + +327 Jack Wright and His Winged Gunboat; or, A Voyage to an Unknown Land. + . . by "Noname" + +328 Jack Wright and His Electric Flyer: or, Racing in the Clouds for a + Boy's Life. . . by "Noname" + +For sale by all newsdealer in the United States and Canada, or sent, +post-paid, to your address on receipt of the price, 5 cents. + +Address +P. O. Box 2730. +FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 34 & 38 North Moore Street, N. Y. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jack Wright and His Electric Stage;, by "Noname" + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK WRIGHT ELECTRIC STAGE *** + +***** This file should be named 22670.txt or 22670.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/6/7/22670/ + +Produced by Richard Halsey + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/22670.zip b/22670.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f9d598c --- /dev/null +++ b/22670.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..38eccc8 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #22670 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22670) |
