WEEKLY MAGAZINE. Containing Stories of Adventures on Land, Sea & in the Air liHued Weekly — By Subscripiion $3.50 per year. Entered as Secuhd Class Mailer al lh& Nm York Posl 0/licc, 1902, by Frank Tousey, No. 7. NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12, 1902. Price 5 Cents. There was a terrific explosion. Earth and debris were flung into the air to a great height, and fully a dozen of the brigands were killed. The wretches seemed to forget all about ' Frank Keade, Jr., or anyone else and fled for their lives. Tell You A COMPLETE SET IS A REGULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA! Each book consists of sixty-four pages, printed on good paper, in clear tyije an(] iH';i(:l.y bound in au attractive, illustrated cover. Most of the boolis are also profusely illustrated, and all of the subjects, treated upon aro hesitate. The promptest of action must be made. Frank sprang to the searchlight and turned its glare full on the throng. The effect was intense. For a moment the brigands were i blinded and stood gaz- ing helplessly at the mighty glare of light. In that moment Frank saw that they were types of the roughest men in creation, and that they were in great num- bers. It was a critical moment. Certainly it looked as if the air-ship was doomed., If the brigands were not repulsed the effect would be 'terrible. '■'On deck, all!" yelled Frank. "Stand ready for a fight!" He could have rushed to the pilot-house and .have sent the air-ship aloft in a moment. But the brigands were now on deck in large numbers. Pomp and Barney rushed into the cabin and came out with rifles. Harding also came with them. "Give it to 'em!" shouted Frank. "Don't give them a chance to get the upper hand !" "You bet we won't," cried Harding, with a thrill of reso- lution. "Mow them down, boys 1" . The three- rifles spoke. The brigands were shot down like sheep. They returned the fire, but the defenders of the Kite were now all in the cabin and firing through loop-holes. The destruction was most deadly. The brigands tried to break in the cabin door. At this moment a happy thought came to Frank. The Kite had been so constructed that its steel hull could be charged with electricity by pressing a certain key. Those who were in the cabin, however^ which wa4 so ar- ranged to be safe insulated territory, woiild not feel the shock. Frank determined upon this method of repulsing the foe. He saw quickly that it was going to be quite useless to attempt to defeat the brigands by means of rifles alone. So he quickly connected the hull of the air-ship with the dynamos, and pressed the key which sent the electric cur- rent into it. The result was a most unpleasant surprise to the gands. * They were flung from the airship's deck m if propelled by giant hands. Broken bones and damaged heads were in order. Every brigand who ventured to touch the electrified air-ship was sorry the next moment. This ended the battle. The brigands withdrew into the darkness. They contin- ued to.- fire-ineffectual shots at the air-ship for some time. But after awhile they withdrew. This ended the affair for the time. The voyagers had reason to congratulate themselves that they had escaped lucidly. "Begorra, I niver had a moire narrow escape from instant death in me kife !" cried Barney. "Bechune ;^on an' the brigands, nay ,gui?„ I eome mighty nigh croakin'." "Youse jes' right dar, T'ish," returned Pomp, with flash- .dhg eyes. "An' dat jes' serves yo' right fo' yo' treatment of me !" FRAmv EEADE, JE.'S AIE WO^tDER, THE "KITE." 8 "Be jabbers, it's square we are for onct, yez black mon- key." "I done fink yo' don' want fo' to play no mo' ghosteses. Fish!'' "Begorra, it'll be wuss next time, naygur!" "Well," said Erank, with conyiction, "it's very fortunate indeed that Barney happened to tumble onto those chaps. If he had not, there is no doubt but that they would have given us a surprise." "They are a cut-throat crew," declared Harding. "I was once held a prisoner by them for a week. I never suffered harsher treatment in my life." As it was not likely that the brigands would return again that night, the position of the air-ship was not changed. Until morning came, Barney and Pomp remained on guard. ^ The day dawned bright and clear, a typical day in the tropics. The air-ship was soon again on its way. For an hour and a half the air-ship kept on, until sud- denly Harding drew Frank to the rail and pointed to a dis- tant cut in the mountains. "There is the caye," he said; "but the air-ship cannot go thither." "All right," declared the young inventor; "we will leave it here." Prank called to Barney and Pomp and said : "You will stay aboard the ship and keep a sharp lookout until we return. Do you understand ?" "A'right, Marse Frank," replied Pomp. " Yis, sor !" returned Barney. Both were dying to accompany their young master upon the expedition. * But this of course was impossible, as somebody must be left aboard the air-ship. The Idte settled down now into a wide clearing. Here Frank intended to land. Both himself and Harding were quickly ready and equipped for the expedition which was destined to acquaint them with some most thrilling adventures. CHAPTEE IV. PEISONERS. Harding was all excitement and eagerness. It did not seem as if he could get ready quick enough. The air-ship rested upon the earth now, and Prank and Harding stepped over the raiL As soon as the two explorers had g-one, Barney and Pomp were to send the air-ship up a hundred feet or more and there safely anchor it. A system of signals by means of rifle-shots had been agreed upon. Thus having concluded all arrangements, the two explor- ers set out upon their trip. Harding led the way. They carried sacks in which the treasure was to be brought from the cavern to the air-ship. Leaving the Kite they entered a dense clump of tropical growth, and a short while later came out into a narrow de- file leading up through the hills. This was deep and dangerous-looking. The high walls rising so close together upon either side seemed to shut out the light of day. The air-ship could not possibly have entered this narrow crack in the mountaia wall, just as Harding had said. "Ugh! This is indeed a most unwholesome place !" said Frank. "As I told you," said Harding; "but it was once a gate- way through the mountains." "Indeed !" "I believe it. You will notice the peculiar formation of the walls. An earthquake no doubt has brought about this peculiar state of affairs." "You may be right," agreed Frank. "Ah, what wonder- ful things the world contains, which but few of its people are ever permitted to see." "You are right there," agreed Harding, in a hearty man- • ner. "But I don't see how you ever found your way through here." "Indeed, I was a long time in these parts before I was able to find it, though I had a plan of the spot, given me by a dying Ineas chief. I finally succeeded." The two explorer| clambered on for hours- ojer bowlders and ledges of rock, stumps, and prickly cacti. Poisonous snakes and reptiles were plenty in the place. It was with difficulty these were avoided. But finally, after the hardest of work, they threaded the defile and came in sight of a deep-mouthed cavern. "Found at last !"^ cried Harding, eagerly. "ISTow, Mr. Eeade, prepare to feast your gaze upon a wonderful sight." With feverish earnestness, the gold-seeker rushed for- ward. Into the cavera they passed. Suddenly Harding patised with a gasping eij. "My God !" he exclaimed ; "what is that ?" - ^ -^Ti^^oT^BEfL WE ''KITE.' FEANK EEADE, JE.'S AIE WOKDEB, THE "KITE." 9 He pointed to some marks in the soft soil of the cavern floor. They were footprints. " Some one has been here, and lately !" he said, in a tense voice. The two men exchanged glances. "Yes/' agreed Frank. "The footprints are proof." "Who is it?" "Perhaps it is Vane." But Harding shook his head, "JSTo," he said. "I cannot believe that he has had time to get here : yet. Moreover, those footprints are those of natives or brigands, and not of white men." Frank saw that this was true. "Upon my word, you are right," he declared. "What shall we do ?" " Go ahead and learn the worst." Harding said this with set lips and white face. Both started into the cavern. A torch had been prepared,, and this lit up the uncanny and somber gloom. The air was foul and damp, and hundreds of huge bats flew out of the place as they went on. Still they kept oii. After what seemed an interminable leng-th of time, they entered a huge and high-arched cavern chamber. Here a torch was oiit of the question, as a crevice in the roof admitted the light of day in abundance. The chamber seemed to have been once used by the na- tives as a temple. There were hieroglyphics upon the walls in great num- bers, and tlie remains of a dais upon which a throne might have set were visible. Harding advanced to the center of the chamber and knelt down. He fumbled about in the dirt for a time, and then suc- ceeded in resurrecting an iron ring. Lifting this, he raised a square slab of stone. A deep hole was revealed, Harding glanced into it, and a cry of despair and anger escaped his lips. , It was empty. "Gone!" he cried, wildly. "What devilish plot is this? They have stolen away my treasure ! Curses on them !" For a moment he seehied a literal madman. Then gradually he calmed down. "Have courage," said Frank, encouragingly; "we may overtake the thieves." "Ah, I have ho hopes of that !" "Who do you believe them to be?" "It is hard to say." "MVane?" "Ko| it must be that some prowling band of brigands has discovered the treasure.' They may have seen us come here," "In that event," said Frank, "we need only pursue them." "They will fight." "What of that?" "There are only two of us !" "But we can return to the air-ship. They cannot escape from the Kite." Hope once more shown in Harding's face. "There is cheer in your words, Mr. Eeade," he said. "I will not despair yet. Let us go back to the Kite." "AU right." But the Avords were hardly off Frank's lips when a start- ling thing oeciirred. Suddenly from the cavern arches there came a mocking laugh. Then the two adventurers were astounded to see dark forms flit from the shadows, and saw that they wciJ sur- rounded by brigands. For a moment Frank Eeade, Jr., was at a loss how to act. As for Harding, he was literally petrified with amaze- ment and consternation. Frank was the first to recover himself. He swung his rifle over his shoulder and made a leap for the main passage, at the same time shouting : "Quick, Harding! For your life!" The gold seeker obeyed the injunction none too soon. Both leaped into the shadows, and at that moment there came a report of a number of the brigands' rifles, and one y of them shouted in Spanish : "Hold, senors! You cannot escape! Surrender or you die!" Frank saw that their case was a hopeless one. Fortunately none of the bullets had struck them, but they had not gone far wide of the mark. Harding's coat sleeve was shot full of holes, and Frank's hat was perforated. The young inventor had thought to slip the foe in the main cavern. But no sooner had he entered the passage than he found himself surrounded by the brigands. There was no alternative but to surrender. Eesistanee was folly. Frank saw this at a glan He could have shot a few of the brigands', and thus have 1,0 PEANK EEADE, JE.'S AIE WOlTliEE, THl "KITE." sold his life. But the thought tlashed through his mind that this would be utter folly. So he threw up his hands and cried in good Spanish "Forbear^ senors — we surrender!" In a twinkling both were disarmed. As the}' stood thus helpless in the center of the swarthy group of ruffians, the leader, a tall, powerful framed Peru- vian, came forward. He wore a broad sombrero, leathern breeches and fanci- fully beaded jacket. A huge knife /and a pair of revolvers were thrust into his .belt. With a swaggering braggadocio characteristic of the race, he advanced and said roughly in the Spanish language : "Well, senors, this is the time that you are entrapped. It will not be easy for you to escape the vengeance of Eed Muriel. ' Your people are ail interlopers in this region, and our people hate you !" "Indeed!" said Prank, calmly. "What harm have we done you ?" "Per Dies! Tliat is not for me to answer. Your fate is sealed." "Indeed!" said Harding, in the Spanish tongue. "Are Ave to die ?" "That is your fate." " We are glad to know that," said Harding, coolly. "We are not afraid to die." The brigand showed his teeth. "Bravado !" he said, contemptuously. "Cowardice, to kill two defenseless men!" retorted Hard- ing. The fellow's' eyes gleamed. "Spare your words, senor!" he said, coldly. "Nothing will save you !" "One word more," exclaimed Harding, in a tense voice, pointing to the treasure vault. "Do you know what became of the gold that vault contained ?" The Spaniard smiled. "Si, senor," he replied. "You would have stolen it. It is the property of myself." "Liar!" cried Harding, furiously. "It was my property, and you have taken it away unlawfully !" The brigand chief langhed in a scornful way. "Words will avail you nothing, senor," he declared. "Pre- pare for death." Both Harding and Prank saw that it was of no avail to bandy words with the brigand chief. The latter turned and gave a gruff order to his men. They advanced, and seizing the two prisoners by the arms, led them away. Through the outer cavern passage they were led. Soon they were in daylight once more. But tliis time they were in far different spirits than when they had entered the cave. Despair most profound was upon Harding. But Prank Eeade, Jr., was never the one to give way to such emotion. The brigands led their prisoners through the defile, until suddenly they came to a path which led over the cHft'. Up this they went, and finally came out upon a sort of broad plateau tenninating at this end of the defile. Here, by Eed Muriel's orders, the party came to a halt. The brigand chief made a gesture and the prisoners were led almost to the brow of the cliff. Then the villain advanced, and with a suave, mocking smile, said : " Senors, please accept the congratulations of Eed Muriel upon your speedy voyage to the next world. May you find a happier time there. Buenos, senors !" With a sweeping bow 'the brigand chief retired. "Heavens!" exclaimed Prank, "they mean to throw us to an awful death over the cliffs. That will be awful !" OHAPTBE V. A DARING ESCAPE. A cry of despair welled up from Harding's agonized ))osom. He realized only too well the truth of Frank's wcfds. Death most awful confronted them. There seemed no power at hand to save them. That the brigand chief would execute his threat there was no doubt. Harding was not a coward, but he was the more disposed to yield to fate than Frank Reade, Jr. The young inventor was constantly on the lookout for some way out of the dilemma. He quickly hit an idea. "Harding !" he said, suddenly, in a hoarse whisper. " Well ?" retorted the . other. "Will you follow my directions?" "What are they?" "I have worked upon my bonds until I have loosened them. How are yours ?" "There is no show of their loosening." "Ah, well, now let me tell you my plan. You have thp.- use of your legs ?" "Yes; but my hands are tied!" "Well, never mind that. My hands will be free. ISTow if you will make a break to run toward that tree yonder it will FBANK READE, JR.'S AIR WONDEE, THE "KITE." draw the attention of tlie brigands away from me, and I will make a dash for liberty. If I succeed in reaching that height yonder I shall be within view of the K-ite ^d will signal Barney and Pomp. Then we will make a strike to save you. It is our only hope of salvtition." Harding saw the situation at a glance, ,am^ whispered back: "All right! Give the word when you are ready!" "I will do so." Of course there was a chance that the scheme would fail, but it was certainly a dernier ressort. Erank had now completely freed his hands. The brig- and chief^and^his men were some yards away, evidently en- gaged in a discussion. The moment had come. There was not a little risk in the move. The brigands were apt to fire and shoot them both down. But it was the only chance, as Frank had said, and well worth the trying. Harding drew himself up, and as Frank gave the word he made a dash for the distant tree. The ruse worked far better than either he or Frank had expected. The brigands were so busily engaged in their discussion that they had not noticed the move until Harding had nearly reached the tree, and Frank was twice the distance in an opposite direction. It had not seemed to occur to the brigands that the pris- oners would dare to make a break for liberty. Harding was more than elated with his success, and made np his mind to keep straight on. "Caramba ! Curses !" yelled the astounded brigand chief. " Chase them ! Capture them at any cost ! Shoot them !" The brigands with yells started in pursuit. But Hard- ing, despite the fact that his hands were tied, could run al- most as fast as Prank, who had the use of his hands. The bullets whistled about Harding. But he kept on at full speed. He had reached the tree and bounded on^ beyond it. The brigands were coming in the rear, but Harding dashed down a steep incline and plunged into a thick jimgle. On the other hand, Frank Eeade, Jr.; had succeeded in reaching the high ground which was his objective point. The Kite could from here be seen not two miles away rocking at her anchor. The sound of the firing came up on the wm3 to Barney and Pomp. "Begorra, av I'm not mistaken there's a bit av a ruction going on over there !" cried the Celt. "Goliy ! dat am right, T reckon !" agreed Pomp. "Amu't dat de smoke of de guns yender?" "Bejabers, let's take a luk at it.". Barney came from .the eaMfi 5^ith a glass. He brought it to hear upon the smoke. Then upon an eminence beyond he saw the form of a man. making excited gestures. There was no mistake. Even at that distance Barney recognized his employer, F^'ank Eeade, Jr. "Be me sowl! av it ain't Misther "Fi-ank!" he»" cried. "Shure an' he's telegraphin' to us." "Massy sakes alibe I dat am a fae'," cried Pomp. "We's done gwine to his help, sah, fo' suah !" "Yez kin bet on that!" cried Barney, rushing to the an-- ehor rope. In a few moments the anchor was lifted. The Kite went' sailing above the brigands, and Pomp dropped an electric bomb in their midst. This fell with much force, and burst with a terrific ex- plosion. The effect was fearful. A great hole was blown in the ground, and several of the brigands were killed. Terrified at the sight of the air-ship and at the deadly work of the .bomb, the brigands desisted in their pursuit of Frank Eeade, Jr. The young inventor at a safe distance signaled the air- ship to descend. Barney lost no time in making the descent, and as the air- ship touched the ground Frank sprang aboard. Once more the air-ship rose with the young inventor safely aboard. "CroUy fo' glory, Marse Frank!" cried Pomp, excitedly, "I done fink yo' had jes' a narrow escape from being killed!" "Well, I did," replied Frank. "But there is no time to lose. We must save Harding !" But the brigands, it was quickly seen, had disappeared. They had retreated into the defile, and evidently into the cavern. Harding had gone from sight. He was nowhere to be seen. The last seen of him he had been making for the jungle. The air-ship cruised around and over the vicinity for over an hour. But Harding did not turn up, nor could a trace of him be found. "Well," muttered Frank, in amazement, "that is mighty queer. What can it mean?" 12 FEANK READE, JR.'S AIR WONDER, THE "KITE." After some time spent thus, a horrible fear seized the young inventor. It was possible that Harding had been struck by one of the brigand's bullets, and was lying dead in some out-of-the- way place. This decided Frank upon a different plan of action. "Lower the ship, Ba^rney!" he cried. "Be lively about it!" "All roight, sor," replied Barney. Down went the air-ship. It rested upon the earth in the verge of the jungle. Frank seized his rifle and descended to the ground. He lost no time in at once entering the jungle. He found what he believed was Harding's trail. It led through the tall grasses, and in some soft mud he found the imprint of a boot-heel. iSome distance into the jungle Frank followed the trail. Then he lost it. • He had been prepared for any horrible sight, even to see- ing Harding's blood-stained body lying in the reeds. But instead he made his way through a thick belt of grasses and came to higher land. At this point the jungle was not one hundred yards from the brow of the defile which led to the cave. Frank followed Harding's trail to this point. Then he saw where it terminated with a startled thrill. Trailing vines and grasses covered the mouth of a deep pit. Into this Harding had unwittingly stepped and sank to unlcnown depths, possibly to death. For a moment Frank stood appalled. "My God !" he exclaimed. "I fear that is the end of poor Harding !" He bent down oyer the edge of the pit and tried to fathom its depths. But all was pitchy darkness. Then he shouted loudly : " Harding ! I say, answer me if yovi are aliv? !" But no answer came back. All was the stillness of death. The hollow sound which was returned seemed to indicate that the pit was of great depth. How deep it was impos- sible to guess. What was to be done ? Frank was in a quandary. There was no easy solution of the problem. Then he bethought himself of an idea. He called to Pomp, who brought a rope and a lantern. This later Frank lit and then lowered it into the pit. Down it went, and suddenly disappeared from sight. The pit was winding, and the lantern could not be low- ered so as to reveal its bottom to the one above. j Frank Eeade, Jr., and Barney stood upon the edge of tlie pit after this discovery in a completely baffled state of mind. "Well, I'll be hanged!" muttered Frank, impatiently: "this is a pretty state of affairs. What are we to do?" "Golly, Marse Frank!" cried Pomp, readily, "if youse will jes' agree to it, I fin' a way to jes' brung Marse Harding up out ob dat !" "Indeed !" exclaimed Frank. "What is it. Pomp ?" "Jes' yo' tie dat rope around mah waist, Marse Frank, an' I go down inter dat ar place. If I don' fin' Marse Hgird- ing den it will be becase dis chUe don' try." "Good!" cried Frank, with alacrity. "There can be no h|rm in that, can there? And we may be able to xescue 230or Harding." "Begorra, naygur, will yez let me go in yer place?'' asked Barney. "I don' fink dat wud be jes' de fing," retorted' Pomp. "I'se jes' doin' dis ar jab mahse'f, sah!" Pomp quickly had the rope about him. He slid boldly down into the winding passage, Barney and Frank holding on to the rope. ^ Down he went and out of sight. Frank and Barney kept on paying out the rope for some while. Then suddenly Frank gave a sharp exclamation. There was a thrill, and the rope suddenly felt slack. Prank gave it a lift. There was nothing on the end of it. What did it mean ? There seemed only one solution. The two-men looked at each other aghast. "Be me sowl! that is very funny, sor!" cried ^ Barney. "Phwativer wud yez call it, anyway?" "Why, it looks as if Pomp had lost his hold and fallen from the rope." This was certainly the outlook. But was it the truth ? There seemed no way of getting an answer to the ques- tion. Frank was speechless with surprise and uncertainty. He wound the rope up and dowii for awhile, thinking that Pomp might have reached the bottom of the pit and had neglected to give the signal. But no answer came. It was evident that the darky had fallen from the rope in some peculiar fashion. Just how it was not easy to tell. Frank began to pull on the rope. In course of time the end came to the surface. Prank picked it up and quickly examined it. The strands had parted just as if they had given way under a mighty strain. This seemed to settle all doubt. There was no longer reason to doubt but that Pomp had fallen to the bottom of the pit and possibly death. It was an awful thought. FEANK READE, JE.'S AIR WONDER, THE "KITE." Frank instantly began to wind the rope around his own Avaist. ' "Phwere are yez goin', Misther Frank?"' asked Barney, in amazement. "I am going down to find Pomp," replied the young in- ventor. CHAPTER VI. feank's seaech. Barney gave a cry of alarm and disapproval. "Shnre, yez must niver do that !" he cried. "Your loife is too valuable fer that, Misther Reade. Let me go in your place." The young inventor hesitated. There was certainly logic in the remark of the Irish- loan's. It would seem like folly and certain death to de- scend into the pit upon the rope. If it would part with the strain of Pomp's body it would certainly do so with his. Frank saw this and realized the utter folly of such a move. Doubtless it was the chafing of the rope against the ' sharp ledges of rock which walled the passage wliieh caused it to break. So yielding to a better sense of discretion he abandoned the idea. He was reluctant to do this, for it certainly looked as if it was the end of Harding and Pomp. Frank was much distressed with the thought. "My soul!" he ejaculated; "words cannot express how keenly I shall feel the loss of Pomp. He has been a good and faithful servant for many years." "Shure, sor," exclaimed Barney, "ye don't mean ter give the naygur up ?" "Indeed, what else can we do?" "To be shure, sor, it looks bad!" "It looks desperate." "But, sor, I'll not give Up the naygur . yet, sor." "Ah, what plan have you?" Barney scratched his head meditatively. ."Shure, sor, ifs a heap av thinking I have been doin' and, sor, I makes up my mind that this pit is a cave." "A cave?" "Shure, sor." Frank laughed quietly. "Why, of course it is!" he declared. "What else could it be?" "Well, sor," said Barney, confusedly, "that is— I would 13 say, sor, it is a cave, and what is more, it is loikely a part of the other cave, sor !" Like a flash the Celt's meaning flashed upon Frank Reade, Jr. It was certainly a bright thought. "Good for you, Barney I" he declared. "I never thought of that. If it is true, which pray Heaven it is, our friends must be all safe." "Very loikely, sor !" said Barney, confidently. "No, sor, Tir niver give up the hope that the naygur is aloive an' safe !" "Good enough!" cried Frank. "Now let us look this matter up. But " Frank paused in disappointment. "Phwat, sor?" asked Barney, pointedly. "How can we do that ?" "An' phwy not, sor ?" "Somebody must stay with the air-ship." Barney's face fell. He had not thought of this. "Shure, sor, the wan av us can go." "That is true !" agreed Frank, "but it is an unfortunate splitting up of our numbers. Let me see. I think you had better stay with the Kite, Barney. Keep a good outlook for foes." Barney nodded his head. "All roight, sor!" he said. "Your worrud is law, sor. But the risk is very great for ye, Misther Frank. I think ye had betther let me go, sor." "No," said Frank, resolutely. "I will go myself." The brave Celt could say no more. He knew better than to attempt to g&.insay his master, and Frank made preparations for the search. Of course there was the likelihood that the ckre was yet in the possession of the brigands. In this case it would be perilous indeed to invade it. Also, if the pit into which Harding and Pomp had fallen' was, connected with the main cave, their position would be a hazardous one as well. Barney 'had instructions in black and white. This was to elevate the Kite to the height of a hundred feet, and there to hold it anchored. The Celt did as he was told. Then Frank, armed to the teeth, descended over the cliff into the defile. He saw nothing of the brigands, and came to the con- clusion that they had deserted the place. This was a gratifying reflection, and he kept on with con- fidence. ' I ' He reached the mouth of the cavern in safety, ' 14 FEAKK EBABE, JE.'S AIE WONDEE, THE ''KITE." There was no sign of the brigands anywhere. Frank now took his bearings carefully, with the iflea of locating the possible connection of the pit with the cavern. Then he entered the latter, and pushed on confidently from one passage to another. Eor a long time he kept on thus. At times he would pause and listen for some sound or sign of the missing men. But always there remained the same dead and awful- silence. It was like feeing in a tomb, and was by no means agree- able to !Prank. ''I certainly hope I shall soon come across them," he re- flected. '"There is a possibility of getting a bad chill in ttiis damp and loathsome place." But time passed on, and he felt sure that he must have reached the part of the cavern directly under the pit's mouth. ^ But it was not until he had burned two torches and lit a third that he hit upon a clew. Then suddenly a glistening object in the dirt caught his eye. Instantly he picked it up. It was a hunting knife with a bright silver handle, and he knew that it had belonged to Harding. Frank flashed the rays of his torch to the roof above. And there he saw a circular opening which he knew was the end of the pit into which the two men had fallen. Barney's ingenious hypothesis was correct, after all. But wher^ were the men ? Frank asked himself this question. He examined the soft soil of the cave. There were their footprints surely. They led away into a side passage, and Frank followed them. He raised his voice and shouted repeatedly. ■ But the only answer that came back was a strange, weird echo, which repeated itself many times. By the light of the torch Frank followed the trail. In this manner he might in time have overtaken them. But suddenly the trail came to an end. This was owing i () a peculiar change in the soil. The soft dirt was supplanted by gravel and ashes, and no footprint could be visible in them. This was a great disappointment to the young inventor. He shouted loudly again and again. But the two men were evidently far beyond hearing. Frank kept on for some while in the hope of striking the trail again. But in this he failed. And now he was confronted with a startling fact. Thi^ was that he was himself lost. He had. not the slightest idea as to the direction to take to carry him out of the cave. He wandered, on and on for what seemed an eternity. In vain he tried passage after passage. . The cavern was a veritable labyrinth. The more earnestly he tried to find his Avay out the deeper he got into the tangle. Finally horror and despair began to settle down upon tlu' young inventor. "My God! Am I to'perisli in this place?" he .muttered, dismally. " Is there no way out of it ?" Indeed this did not seem possible. So deep was the maze of passages that there was no. doubt that Frank had in many cases returned again and again to the point from which he started. At length a dreadful weariness and faintness began to settle down upon the^young inventor. He could not seem to overcome it, and finally, completely fatigued, he yielded to nature, and sinlang down upon ihi" soft dirt, he slept. How long he slept he never knew. When he woke up the torch by his side was naught but a heap of cold ashes. But fortunately Frank had provided himself with a good supply of these. Lighting another, he thrust it into a niche in the wall. Then he sat up and rubbed the numbness from his stift'- ened limbs. A'^ery soon he felt better. But the outlook was certainly a very dismal one. He felt weak and faint. Fortunately Frank had a small flask of brandy in his pocket. A draught from this revived him for a time, and he was enabled to go on once more. Again he wandered on through the labyrinth. Of course chance might at a:ny time bring him out of the maze, but he was not altogether hopeful. The heaviness of the air had a most depressing effect upon him, and made him feel weak and sick. Finally Frank came to a stop. He began to appeal to his inventive genius. This seldom failed him. "Here I have been going on at random," he declared ; ".maldng a fool of myself - aitd at this rate I would soon succumb to exhaustion. ISTow by some system I can cer- tainly find my way out of this place." If he had taken the precaution to blaze the walls upon entering all of this trouble might have been, avertexl. But Frank was not to be long baffled by a problem. FEAKK EEADE, JK.'S AIE VOIDER, ItlE ^'KITE. He had been accustomed to solving such, all his life, and lie bdieved that Ii6 was able to do it now. He went to work carefully with his" pocket compass to' locate his position. He remembered that the mouth of the cave faced due east. By keeping to every passage that led in that direction it certainly seemed as if he ought to. get out eventually. Prank happily had a piece of chalk in his pocket. This he employed in carefully marking numbers upon the wall of evejy passage into which he turned. Somo of t^e passages leading eastward would come to a termination/ in a most exasperating manner after having boon foilo\fed for a long way. Oiheus would turn back upon themselves or wind again ... m i o-.tle maze. in tliis case Frank would be compelled to return to the j'oint of beginning, Tlien be would begin over again and take another pas- su ge. In tins way he worked his way along with perseverance iind good courage. By his system of marking the false passages Frank was enabled to finally find a continuous passage to the eastward. A gleam of daylight showed ahead. '['en minutes' run and he came into a lofty roofed cavern chamber in which all was daylight from an aperture above. He recognized it as the treasure chamber. With a cry of joy he went on and soon came out into the defile once more. It had seemed eternity, yet really Frank had been lost two days and nights in the depths of the Andean caverns. # I CHAPTER VII. ADVENTURES' UNDERGROUND. But what was really the fate of the two men, Harding i and Pomp, who had fallen into the pit ? When Harding had plunged into the jungle, he had not stopped to think where his footsteps were leading him. His sole thought was to distance his pursuers. He was more than delighted to think that he had been ' able to do this. The ruse, suggested by Frank Eeade, Jr., had succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. "If I can only find a hiding place about here," he. mut-,^ tered, "I shall be sure to give them a permanent slip." So he rushed on, and gave no heed to the nature of the ground under his feet. Then he stepped unsuspectingly upon whai; seemed like a mere network of vines. But it masked a trap ; for he felt the earth give way under his. feet, and he went down like a shot. His hands were tied, else it was possible that he might have saved himself by clutching something in his descent. As it was, he was 'jolted and jarred into half insensibility by contact with the winding walls of the passage. Down, down he went, and experienced a shock, ami for a moment was partly insensible. When he recovered himself he was in pitchy darkness. The air about him was damp and foul. He was sore and lame from the effects of his fall. "My God !" li^ exclaimed. "Where am I, and what has happened ?" Then he remembered that he had fallen into a hole in the ground. * The rest was blank. For aught he knew he might be at the center of the earth. In vain he tried to collect his scattered senses, An^ thus he was engaged when suddenly he heard a slid- ing, scraping motion above him, and a voice suddenly cry out in alarm : , "HoF on up dar, Marse Prank! I done believe dat rope am a breakin' !" Then there was a snapping sound, a yell of terror and a thud, and he felt a cloud of dust in his face, and knew that some person l^ay beside him. It was Pomp. Harding could not fail to recognize the voice, and cried : "Heavens! Is that you. Pomp ?" "Golly fo glory, Marse Harding, am dat yo'sef ?" "It is," replied Harding, eagerly. "How .on earth did you come down here ?" "Bress yo' haht, honey, I Jes' cum down fo' yo'," replied Pomp. "You did?" "'Bpeo'a I did, chile !" "Well, you have found me." "I should say so, sah,, an' done break mah neck in de bar- gain. But howebber is we uns gwine fo* to git up dar agin, I dunno." ' "How did you come down?" " On a rope, chile ; •an'., ii done break wif me !" "Then you tracked me?" asked Harding, eagerlv. "Spec's We did, sah." "And Frank Eeade, Jr., he escaped also?" "He am up dar dis bresSed minnt, an' I don' fink I bettah tole him about dat rope breakin' wif me!" "Good!" cried Harding; "tell him to lower it motel" / / / 16 EEANK EEADE, JR.'S AlE WONDEE, THE "KITE." "Yo kin bet I will." With which Pomp endeavored to shout to Frank and Bar- ney above, but the result is well known. They were unable to hear or make themselves heard, and finally Pomp abandoned the idea in despair. They were In total darkness. Their position did not seem by any means encouraging. Pomp's coming, however, was in many ways a blessing to Harding. ■ The darky was enabled to cut the bonds which held his wrists, and set him free. They quickly compared notes. It was a conclusion that they were in the depths of a cavern, most likely connected with the treasure cave. "In that case," said Harding, hopefully, "why should we not try to at once find our way out ?" "Of cose," agreed Pomp; "dat ^m de bery first ting." With this resolution they set out. Por hours they wandered through the mazes of the cavern labyrinth. In one respect their quest was a more difficult one than Frank Eeade, Jr.'s, for they had no torches to light their way. They were obliged to make their way along by the sense of touch. Indeed less brave and hardy spirits would have been ap- palled with the force of the situation in its hopelessness. But they kept on resohiteiy, and this very energy proved their salvation. By what was a forttsivate chance they succeeded very quickly in striking a passage which led out of the labyrinth. But this was on the opposite side of the mountain, and as they came out into the sunlight they were for a moment dazzled. But as this cleared away they saw that they were upon a shelf of rock in the mouth of a cavern which overlooked a great stretch of country. Far below was a long and narrow valley between the An- dean peaks, and through this ran a stream. Harding gazed upon the scene a moment and exclaimed : "Well, Pomp, we may thank our lucky stars that we are out of the woods at last !" "You's right dar, Marse Harding," declared the darky. "But it will now become necessary to»find out^the location of the air-ship." "Yes, sah." "I should say that we were ■upon the exactly opposite side of the mountain," "Dat am a fae', sah." "Well, how are we to get down from here?" Harding went to the edge of the shelf of rock and looked down. The view was not an encouraging' one. A deep descent it was, and to make it one would have to exercise great care. There were clinging vines on the face of the cliff. Harding tested these, and found them firm and strong. He swung himself over the edge. "Are you a good climber. Pomp?" he cried. "If so, you may follow me," "A'right, sah," said the darky. He swung himself over after the gold seeker. In this manner both made their way down the face of -the liff. After a time they reached tbe valley below, | The question now was how were they to findx thp way back over the mountain to the spot where Pomp ha^feft the air-ship. But this question seemed to find a certain solution. There was a pass between the peaks which seemed to lead to the eastward. It was believed that by taking this the distance could be overcome quickly, and the party once more united. There did not seem to be any danger of meeting Eed Muriel, though such an incident would be. most unpleasant. What had become of the brigand chief it was impossible to guess. It might be that he had fled from the region with the Ineas treasure, which he had stolen from Harding. The latter had not abandoned the hope of regaining the lost treasure. Just how this was to be accomplished was not yet quite clear to him. But he had hopes that it would be done. Harding and Pomp pushed on through the grass. They had nearly reached its termination when a thrill- ing indMent occurred. Pomp was in advance, and came to what in the shadows looked like a hnge log across the path. He was about to step over it when quick as a flash it rolled itself in hideous coils about him. It was a monster python of the most wonderful species. Pomp was but a child in the folds of the monster. A wild yell escaped the darl^y's lips. "Golly — golly!" he cried, in agonized accents. "Marse Harding, dis chile am done gwine fo' to be killed. Lor' sabe mah soul !" Harding was horrified beyond expression. For a moment he was riveted to the spot in helpless hor- ror. The sight of the monster snake was to him most terri- (He saw that the monster's folds were tightening about Pijitmp, and that he was likely to be killed in quick order. FEANK READE, JE.'S AIE WGNDEE, THE "KITE." 17 A frenzy seized Hardi-jjg_ "I will save you, Pomip^^ j^g ^^.^^^^ desperately. "Don't give np hope.'^ Then drawing a liu^g sheath knife he rushed upon the snake. He made z dIow at the monster's head. JE^ missed it| but drew a tremendous spurt of blood from thii, J snake's body. Again and again Harding slashed at the re/ijiatile's body/ iJIe believed that if he could sever the mighty coil he couldft save Ptop's life. In t^is he '^ras right. The darky struggled, but his efforts were thc^a oj a child in that powerful grip. The anak^ made repeated blows at Harding with its head. But^he jfiucky gold seeker dodged them every time and kept at wor]^^with the knife. Such strenuous efforts could not fail, to yield some result. Gradually tte snake's coils began to weaken, and finally Pomp was enabled to crawl from them altogether. The reptib rolled upon the ground in -savage agony, writhing and twisting violently. Harding was overjoyed at his 'success in rescuing Pomp, tand both made haste to attain a safe distance from the rep- tile .Ue, " Qieolly, btit I done fought I was a gone coon dat time !" cried Isfomp, with dilated eyes. "I jes' fink I owes mah life to yo', le'VIarse Harding." "We -v^T^ere fortunate to be able td dispose of thfe monster !" said Sarcflpg, modestly. "But come, Pomp, let us get out of this inferWal region." "A'right, sa%" agreed Pomp. "I'se more dan agreeable, sah." With this they oii^ce more set out through the defile. After much hard eli^mbing they finally succeeded in cross- ing the mountain ridge,', and suddenly a great cry burst from Pomp's lips. "Mah goodness!" he cried;, "does yo' see dat, Marse Harding?" There, not many miles dis tant, thejr saw the Kite an- chored in midair, not more than a thousand feet above the earth. Both now pressed forward ea.s^erly. It seemed an interminable distance to the air-ship, but. they kept on. Meanwhile, a eurions change had been going on in the atmosphere. The sky was assuming ai sfenge copper color, and to the west aaid south there was a long^ livid line on the horizon. The two adventurers were too' intent upon the object be fore them to note this. They kept on at full speed, and suddenly Pomp cried : "Dar am some one on de deck, an' dey am makin' a signal to us." ■ At that distance it looked very much like Barney. . This was the truth. It was evident that the Celt had seen them. With renewed courage the two adventurers pressed on. Barney had seen them, and as they answered his signals, he allowed the air-ship to descend as rapidly as possible. CHAPTEE YIII. A TEBJRIBLE STORM. After a hard climb the two adventurers finally succeeded in reaching the air-ship. As they approached Barney stood at the rail and hailed them. "Be me sowl! I'm glad to see yez!" he cried; "but phwere on earth did yez come from, anyhow ?" "Golly!" eried Pomp, rushing up and ernb racing his friend; "I'm jes' so glad fo' to see yo', I'ish, dat I cain't git over it," ' "Let up wid yer love-makin'. an' give us some dacint explanation of yure conduct !" cried Barney, with much dig- nity. "Yo' ought to know 'bout dat yo'se'f, I'ish. Didn't yo' see me fall down in dat hole in de ground ?" "Begorra, I did, an' phweriver did it go to, anyway?" "It j^s' carried me down into a big cave, whar I found Marse Harding, an' we managed to fin' our. way out aftah a long time, chile. Dat am de way ob it." "Bejabbers, that's quare enough. But shure, didn't yez see Misther Frank?" Harding and Pomp looked amazed. "Marse Prank !" exclaimed the darky. " Wha' yo' talkih' about, chile ?" "B jabbers, can't yez undherstand ?" roared Barney. "Mis- ther Prank went afther yez to thry and find yez, begob," "Didn't see nuffin' 'tall ob him," replied Pomp, vaguely. "Which way did he go ?" Harding was interested. "Did Prank go out to look for us, Barney?" he asked. "He did that,. sor." "But was he not with Pomp at the pit ?" "He was that, with me, but sez he, T belave I kin foind thim two min by just goin' into the cave agin an' makin' a search for them there !' " 18 FBANK EEADE, JE.'S AIE WOMDEE, THE "KITE." ''Oh!" cried Harding, with comprehension. "I see. Frank believed that the pii led down into the cave !" "Thafs it, sor." ''And he has gone into the cave to look for ns ?" "Yis, sor." "Oh, that's all right!''' crifed the young gold seeker, with a breath of relief; ''then we had better simply remain here until he returns. But — there is a possibility that he may get lost in the cave." "Huh ! Don' yo' believe dat, chile. If we could tin' our way out ob dat place, yo' kin jes' bet dat Marse Frank could do de same." "Begorra, an' that's thrue enough," agreed Barney. " Wei], then, all we can do is to wait here for his return !" said Harding. " Av eporse it is." "T reckon dat am de bes' wav." This settled matters. All no^ started to go on board the Kite. Harding had put Ills hand on the rail when there was a series of sharp re- ports, and bullets went whistling past. Astounded, the adventurers turned to behold a thrilling siglit. There, rushing across the bluff, was a large number of the Peruvian brigands. They were yelling fiendishly and brandishing their wea- pons. • ^ "Bejabbers^; here comes the inemy !" cried Barney, in wild excitement. ''Oolly, I done fink we bettah run fo' our lives!" yelled pomp. "Aboard, both of you !" cried Harding, who had reached tlie deck. " For your lives !" But there was little need of the admonition. The two faithful servitors were aboard the Kite in a twinkling. All rushed into the cabin. Ponip and Barney picked lip their rifles and gave the In'igands a shot. But Harding, who was much excited, cried : "Oil, that will never do ! They will be upon us in another moment. Once they get on, board the ship we, are lost!" "Huh ! dey will nebber do dat !" cried Pomp. "Not if dis chile knows it." The darky with this rushed into the pilot-house. It was but a moment's work to press the key , and the air- ship shot up into space. The baffled brigands gathered below upon the spot where the Kite had been. "An \ They seemed to view the aseensjton of the air-ship witli profound astonishmeut and mystiljeation. "Begorra, they don't kno\^'- phw^ to make av it, do they ? cried Barney, with a laugh. Harding held up a shot-riddled hat. ^ "This is how narrow my escape was !" he^li^jjlared. inch nearer and my career would have been closed." "It's glad I am, sor, that it was not," said Barney. "Dat am jes' so," declared Pomp. * "Thank you," said the gold seeker, .with a thrill of^lpfas- ure. "Your kind words are gratifying." ' But so intent had they been on watching the briga^hds be- low that they had failed to note a more serl)ys,^al amity winch now threatened them. ji j . All this while the copper hue had been incr'asingy^the sky. The livid hue upon the horizon had deependl, and a gust of wind, with a mournful sough and wail, swmt across the country. || The sun was in a yellow mist, and a dark sl|adow was be- ginning to creep over the land. ^ Harding was the €rst to W)te this. A shai"p, startled cry escaped his lips. "My God !" he cried. "It is a storm coming and su^-b, a thing in the tropics is no light affair." Pomp and Barney saw the danger as well. "A storm!" cried Barney. "Begorra, it Uik^ to rr/e loike a hurrycane !" • ^ "I jes' fink we bettah get out ob dis place!" cr'/ed Pomp. This was true. But where should they go? The brigands were below. It woitld hardly be safe to de- scend. To remain where they were would be to expose them- selves to the fury of the storm. It was a dilemma. , But there was no time in which to make a decision. Even while they were tliinkihg about it there came a terrific gust of wind, which sent the Kite nigh over on her beam ends, so to speak. j "Heavens !" cried Harding^; "this will never do. Lower the ship, Barney." ^ The Celt saw that this wm likely their only salvation. He sprang to the pilot-hodse. Pomp and Harding followed. But they had barely time to shut the door when th.e storm burst. What followed w^s ever after to them like chaos. The Kite seemed to be whirling and tumbling over and over in space. Every movable article aboard was tossed hither and thither. FRANK READE, JR.'S AIE WONDEE, THE "KITE/ 19 As.'f or tlie occupants,: one moment they were upon their l ieadsj and t}ie next mom,ent upon their feet, or rolling about like a football. It was evident that the Kite was speeding through space with awful velocity. Where this sort of thing would ehU up the voyagers did not know. \ They expected that at any moment the Kite would be di- vested of her rigging, dashed to the ground, and that they all would be killed. • _ . But this did not happen. The very fact of the air-ship's complete helplessness in the vortex of the tornado saved her. The rotascopes were revolving like a whirlwind. Llpknown to the voyagers the shock had thrown the rat- ciiet of the lever open, and the full force of the current was on. E^ery lull in the force of the wdnd gave the air-ship a chance to shoot upward. Up she went like a rocket, higher and higher. She attained a tremendous elevation from the earth, as the passengers now began to discover by reason of the change of temperature. The air became chill, and as cutting as a knife. Frost instantly began to appear upon the glass windows and the ironwork of the air-ship. . , The wind was less furious now, and the Kite was going more steady. Barney and Pomp at once understood the change. The Celt sprang up and cried : "Whurroo ! It's saved ^we are if we don't freeze to death. 8hure, the storm, is all below us this blessed moment !" "What do you niean.^" cried Harding; "have we really risen above the storm ?" " That we have, sor." "But — ^is it not dangerous at this frightful altitude?" Harding, shivered with horror as he reflected that they might be several miles from the earth. Indeed it was not a cheerful reflection for one with un- sready nerves. But Barney laughed. "Yez need have no fears at all, at all, sor!" he cried. "Shure we'll get back to the eartfr all safe !" The Kite was noAv steady as a clock. A strong gale was blowing, and snow was flying about the deck. But it was evident that she was far above tjie storm and that the danger would very soon be past, Barney pulled out some thick overepats, which all donned. Indeed the' cold was very painful. '"^ Looking out through the pilot-house window Barney was able to: sese that the damage to the Kite was not of any great consequence. The steel bracing irons of the rotascope shaft were hent, the bhide'of one rotascope was twisted, and the deck had been cleared of everything portable iipon it. Fortunately, tliis was only in the shape of a few chains of no great value. Certainly there was good reason for warm congratula- tions. The escape had been a narrow one. It was a living won- der that, the air-ship had not been wrecked. The cold was intense, and the voyagers were kept busy nibbing their hands and stamping their feet. But it was better by far to endure than to risk contact again with the tornado. GrradualJy the storm subsided, the yellow light iDcgan to fade, the Kite hung motionless in the heavens, and Barney cried : "Shure an' I kin see the earth below. The storm is all over." "Heaven be praised !" cried Harding, eagerly. "We must return at once to the spot where we left Frank Eeade, jr." " Bejabers, We Will, if we Idn iver foihd it!" cried Barney. "What!" cried Harding; '^do you think there is any doubt about that ?" " Shure, sor^ ak' I dunno." "How far do you think we have been darried by the gale ?"• "Mebbe a hundred miles, and perhaps more, sor." "Impossible!" cried Harding, in dismay. "You don't mean that." "It is near roight, sor!" declared' Barney. "We were traveling moighty fast." "You are right there. Well, we have no time to lose, then, in returning to Frank Eeade, Jr. But let us first find out where we are." "That's right, sor!" But Barney glanced over the rail and gave a cry of sur- prise. Then he glanced up at the rotascojies. "Phwy, that's queer !" he muttered. "Shure, we're fall- ing to the earth now !" He rushed into the engine-room and at a glance saw the truth. The stoj-m liad disarranged a part of the electrical machinery and ti;fi, Kite wa,"? falling with irightful rapidity. " Barney saw that the break was beyond quick repair, and cried: "Och, hone, it's kilt we'll ^H::be. Shure, the air-ship is f^llin' as fast as' ifer-it: eaii,!" so FEAI^K EEADE, JR.'S AlE WOKDER, THE "KITE." CHAPTER IX. FEANK HAS AN INTERVIEW. Frank Reade Jr., felt much as the prisoner oi' the Bastile must have, when he saw the light of day once more, after having felt the assurance that he was doomed to death in prison^ The young inventor drank in the clear air, and in an instant was refreshed. ''Heaven be praised !" he murmured. "My life is spared. Now to find the Kite." • He made his way to the path over the face of the cliff. Following it, he was soon upon the height above. But there was no sign of the Kite visible anywhere. The air-ship was gone. The young inventor for a moment experienced a chill. This was intensified into awful horror as he looked about liim. "My soul!" he exclaimed. "There has been a terrible storm, and Great God! Can. it be that the Kite has been destroyed ?" ' This question was one not to be easily answered. The upturned earth, fallen trees, and scenes of wreck and violence was evidence that the storm had been a terrible one. Certainly it looked not at all improbable that the Kite had been dashed to pieces by the fury of the tornado. "My God!" cried Frank, in despair. "This is the worst fatality yet." Then he reflected that he must have been a greater length of time in the cavern than he had reckoned upon. What was to be done? How M'as he to find the air-ship or to leam its fate? The pr'oblem was a mighty one to consider. But as he was pondering upon it in a dismayed way, Frank was given a start of surprise. From his position he could see the defile below. He was amazed to see a band of horsemen threading their way out Into the valley. He saw at a glance that they were brigands. Red Muriel rode at their head. At once Frank's curiosity was aroused. Where were the villains going and what were they up to ? He was determined to know. What the fate of the air-fship and the others was Frank did not know, biit he lived in the hope that the Kite had outrode the storm and would yet return all safe. For the nonce the best thing he could do was to follow the brigands and, if possible, learn what disposition they had made of the Incas' treasure. So Frank crept cautiously along the edge of the cliff. He waited until the brigands had turned from the defile into the valley, then he crept down in their rear. They rode slowly, and it was not difficult for him to keep up with them. For several miles across the valley he followed them. Darkness was fast coming on and Frank concluded that the gang were going to their headquarters. This was a gratifying reflection. He was more than anxious to learn the location of this. So intent did he become in following the villains that he forgot all else. At length they entered a circuitous path among jagged masses of rock, and which led steadily upward. For a mile this was continued. Not until the peaks were about them and they were fairly among the clouds did the robbers come to a stop. Then a deep chasm was reached, across which was one of those peculiar rope bridges seen nowhere else in the world. This did not seem safe to cross. Yet the sure-footed ponies, one by one, crossed the sway- ing bridge and passed safely to the other side. Frank waited until all had passed over. He saw npon a wide plateau beyond the peaks a num- ber of log cabins thatched with palms. He concluded at once, and correctly, that this was the stronghold of the brigands. Frank was too cautious to venture to cross the bridge as yet. ♦ This would certainly have exposed his presence to the brigands. But darkness was fast coming on, and he would have a better opportunity to carry his point. So the young inventor secreted himself in a clump of bushes near. ' He watched the opposite side of the gorge, and while do- ing so was given a thrilling surprise. From the growth of palms there stepped forth suddenly and stood revealed upon the wall of the chasm a beautiful vision of female loveliness. This was a young girl, as fair and slender as a dream. But her dress was not of the Spanish type, nor were her features. There, was no mistaking the fact that she was American. Frank Reade, Jr., was so astonished that for a moment he knew not what to do or say. He watched her intently. Despite the shadows the distance was not so great but that \ FRANK EEADE, JE.'S AIE WONDEE, THE "KITE." 21 ; eould see plainly the expression, of pain upon her face. Erank crept close to the verge of the chasm. He felt like speaking to her, but refrained from some motive. The distance between himself and the fair prisoner, for such he judged her to be, was not more than thirty feet. A whisper can almost be heard at this distance, as is well known. ! For several moments the girl prisoner stood there inact- •ive. Then suddenly she began to sing in a low, sweet, thrill- ing voice. It Avas a love ballad, the song of a broken heart. The melody was divine, and the singer's words were so in- tense and pathetic that Frank's whole sympathies went out to her. He could not refrain from saying in a low, distinct voice, M'hen she had finished : ''Have courage! A friend is near you!" A sharp, startled' exclamation escaped the singers lips, and she looked about her like one awakened from a dream. "What was that?" she exclaimed. "I thought I heard a voice in' my native tongue." '' You heard aright," said Frank. " Am I right in ad- xh'essing you? Are you not a prisoner?" "I am," replied the young girl, with an eager cry. "But who are you?" ; V "I am Frank Eeade, Jr." "You are an American?" ' "Yes." "'Heaven be praised! And have you come to save me?" "I will, if it is in my power." '^A thousand thanks." " But who are you, and how came you in captivity ?" asked Frank. The young girl drew a deep sigh. "Ah !" she said ; "it will no doubt sound to you like a ro- mance; but I came to this country to look for the man I love." Prank was astounded. '■'I don't understand you," he said. I will be more explicit. My name, is Mabel Dane^ and I am from New York. I came here^ " A sharp cry escaped Frank's lips. "You are looking for Eoya! Harding ?" he said. "Yes!" she replied, excitedly. "Can you tell me of him?" "I can." "Thank God for that ! Where is he now ?" "That I cannot say, but I hope alive and well,"'^ re- plied Frank. "He was with me until very recently." "I am so glad to know that he is then alive !" said Mabel Dane, "for I heard that he was sick with a fever in this des- olate clime, and I came all the way from New York to find him, and to nurse him back to life and happiness." "He has not forgotten you," said Frank. "Indeed, he had hoped to return to you with his fortune made. It was his by right of discovery; but this brigand villain Muriel has stolen it away." "iVh, poor fellow !" cried she; "but he shall worry no more about the fortune. I am rich now in my own right. Short- ly after Eoyal went away to look for his fortune, my father got word from his brother in Australia that an uncle had died and left them a round million each. I was anxious to go in quest of Eoyal at once. Hearing that he was sick father and I came here in search of him. "We journeyed on negro-back and on mules, on foot and every way, until in a mountain pass, not fifty miles from here, Eed Muriel captured us and brought us here to be held for ransom." "The villain!" "He is that. Well, father has sent for the five thousand dollars required by the wretch, and we will soon be free." "Eed Muriel shall not have the ransom," cried Frank. "I will rescue you this very night. Is your father also a prisoner ?" " Oh, 3^es, and six of our guard of escort given us by the governor at Quito. But do you really think you can rescue us?" "I know it." M "What are your plans ?" "As soon as it becomes dark," said Frank, "we will act, I shall creep across that bridge and " "All, but that bridge is drawn up at night. You cannot cross by any other means." This was a staggerer to Frank. "Drawn up !" he exclaimed. "You do not mean that?" "Yes, I do." "Well, I " But he never finished the sentence. A mocking laugh sounded in his rear. Frank turned like a fiash to see a dozen armed brigands back of him. He was covered by as many carbines. The young inventor's heart fell. There was no use to offer resistance. He was wholly and hopelessly a prisoner. To surrender was his only move. " Yod see, Senor Americano," cried Eed Muriel himself, mockingly, "you cannot escape iiiy vengeance. Before you worked a very clear game. But you shall not succeed this time." ; It was eeriainly a most disheartening occurrence. 22 FEANK EEADE, JE/S AIE WONDEE, THE "KITE." But Frank put a bold faqe on the matter. "All right/' he said, coolly, in Spanish; "I am your prisoner, Senor Muriel. I cannot resist as I would like to do.'' In a twinl^ling his arms were bound behind him. The game was up. His plan to rescue Mabel Dane and her father was sot at naught. The brigands led him across the rope bridge, and he was east into a leaking and vile smelling hut for the night. ; ■ Prank's sensations were not of the pleasantest. But he bore up bravely. But the next morning he was led from his prison house by an armed guard. He was placed witb his back to a tall palm tree, and ah armed guard at fifty paces covered him with their carbines. . Eed Muriel stood by with a cruel smile upon his dark face. "This time, senor," he said, derisively and vengefully, "no power on earth shall save you. The last time you were lucky enough to make your escape. But this time you die !" CHAPTEE X. A DRAMATIC MEETmG. The sensations of those on board the Kite when they found that it was falling to the earth with great rapidity can hardly be imagined. A million things flashed' through their minds in a second of time. It does not requirb a great while for a heavjs body like the Kite to fall several miles through the air; • ■ ' If the air-ship should strike the ground at that pace it would be demolished, and all on board would be killed. But even as the cry of despair escaped Barney's lips he made action. He saw that the lever for the forward rotascope was not open, and the rotaseope was not working. Of course this rotascope .alone could not support the air- ship. But it would check its rapid downward flight and enable the air-ship to settle down easily. Barney quick as a flash threw open the lever. In an instant the downward rate of speed was checked. The Kite continued to sinl^, but at a much slower rate" of speed. Barney's quick thought had saved the lives of all on board. Slowly now the Kite began to settle toward the earth. Barney quickly examined the electrical machinery. ■ "Is it serious, Barney?" asked Harding, anxiously. "JSTo, sor, I think not," replied the Celt. "But it will take the whole of an hour's worruk to faix it." Pomp had rushed to the rail outside to see where they would be likely to drop. To the darky's joy he saw that it was upon land and not water. The air-ship was likely to settle down in the verge of a large forest and upon quite high land. The peaks of the Andes were visible some miles away, which showed that they had been driven quite a distance by the storm» Without doubt they were fully one hundred miles from the cavern and the spot where Frank Eeade, Jr., was. Of course they realized the necessity of promptly repair-^ ing the air-ship and returning to the spot. Slowly the Kite settled down, ' Barney and Pomp brought out thfeir tools and went quickly to work. Both were trained machinists, and Barney was a skilled electrician. They were likely to as ably repair the Kite as- it would , have been possible to-do under Frank Eeade, Jr.'s personal^ supervision. The Kite gently touched the ground, and Barney threw' out an anchor. There was no sign of an enemy in the vicinity, and all^ seemed safe. Therefore they did not hesitate to do this. Harding busied himself about the ship's deck, clearing up; the debris, and making things ship-shape once more. | So intent were the three voyagers in all this that they didj; not notice an occurrence which now threatened them with positive danger. i Ftom the deep forest there suddenly emerged a train of -donkeys, six in number, with four men. ^ These came to an astonished halt at sight of the air-ship* They were of the gauchero type, with slashed trousers^ and broad-brimmed hats. ; Most of them were possessed of the swarthy hue of ih4 half-breed, part Spanish and part native. But one of them, who seemed to be the leader, Avas pos-| sessed of a Avhite skin. He was plainly an American, though his face showed hardened lines, and his deep-set eyes burned with a sullen, light. The leader will recognize him at once as the treacherous partner of Eoyal Harding, and with whom the treasure seeker had the hard battle on the cliff. . ' The treacherous villain had been to QnTto and procured FEANK EEADE, JE.'S AIE WONDEE, THE "EITE." 2$ a rascally guard of gaucheros with which to return and re- cover the Incas' treasure. These four were but the advance guard;, and as they stood there regarding the Kite in amazement a score more of the desperadoes came into view. "Well;, I'll be hanged !" exclaimed Lester Vane, in aston- ishment. ''How did that ship ever come as far inland as this?" The gauchero at his elbow touched his sombrero, and re- plied : Senor, it has come here in the air." '-In the air!'' exclaimed Vane, in amazement. "What do you mean ?" "Just that, senor." "Do you mean to say that it blew in here?" "It can fly like a bird, senor. We saw.it when it passed over Quito nigh six weeks ago." "An air-ship!" exclaimed Vane. '\Si, senor." "But ah! I remember now. There is a man in our coun- try by the name of Eeade Avho is the owner of an air-ship. It may be him." "It is, senor; that is his name^" Vane was interested. "Let's take a look at the ark," he said, pompously. "May- be we can buy it of the fellow." "I think not, senor." "And why not?" "He will not sell. The governor offered him a fortune for an air-ship like it and he declined." "Well," said Vane, with a cunning smile, "what is to prevent our taking it, Gastrovez, if he will not sell ? If^we work our cards well we ought to be able to do it." "I think not, senor," replied the gauchero. "He has :Some terrible bombs that will destroy a dozen men at once." "'That's all right," said Vane, with a curse. "I do not want to fight him. Simply make a strategic move." "Si senor; it may be possible to do that." "It is possible, and we can do it. Come on. Let's have a parley with hini." With this V ane began to approach the air-ship. The gauchero band followed behind at a slow pace. Vane was almost at the rail of the Kite before anybody on board saw him. Then Harding, in coming out of the cabin, saw the ras- cally crew. A sharp cry escaped his lips. "Barney-— tomp !" he cried, excitedly. "On deck quick- ly ! The brigands are here !" The way Barney and Pomp grasped their weapons and ^ tumbled on deck was a caution to monkeys. And just at this moment Harding came face to face with Vane. The meeting was a tableau worthy of an artist. Vane had believed his former friend and victim of the clitf dead at the bottom of the Andean gorge. To see him here now upon the the air-ship's deck was like looking upon one brought back from the dead. Vane stood like a livid statue for a moment. "Eoyal Harding !" he finally gritted. "Lester Vane !" The two sworn foes faced each other like wild tigers about to battle. "I thought you dead." "God spared my life to overtake and defeat you." "Then you — you escaped that day from the face of the cliff?" "I did." "Curses on my stupidity. I ought to have made sure of the job." A scornful laugh rippled from Harding's set lips. "That is what you ought to have done," he said; "but as you failed to do it, you must now stand punishment for your falseness." "Punishment?" "Yes; for I shall not let my wrongs go unavenged." A crafty light shoue in Vane's eyes. "Come, I have no hard feelings against you," he said. "Lei us be friends." Eoyal Harding shivered. "I would as soon have the deadly python for a friend!" he said. Vane's face darkened. "Then you refuse to make up?" • '"Do you think I am wholly devoid of sense, Lester Vane?" he said, in a cutting voice. "There can never be anything but hatred between you and I." "As you say it, so let it be," said Vane, with a bitter laugh. "War to the teeth, if you will have it! I would like to speak with the owner of the air-ship." "You- cannot do that." "■\¥hy?" "He is not here." "Where is he?" "That ianone of your business. He. would have no dcsir© of parleying with you if he was here." "You are polite." "Perhaps so. But I would like to ask you a question.^' "I will be more gracious than you and listen to it." 24 EEANK EEADE, JE.'S AIE WONDEE, THE "KITE." "Have you been to Quito?" "I have." "Where are you going now?" "I am going after the Incas' treasure," he said, coolly. "Have you anything to say why I shall not?" "Yes." "What?" "The Incas' treasure is gone!" " How do.you know ?" "I have been there." A fearful curse broke from Vane's lips. "Gone !" he thundered. "Who has dared to take it?" "Eed Muriel, the brigand." "Eed Muriel, eh ? So he has dared to do that ? How did he learn that it was there ? Did you tell him ? Look here, Harding, we must get it away from him. We must co-oper- ate and we will divide. Is it a bargain ?" "Villain!" exclaimed Harding, contemptuously, "Do not compel me to refuse your audacious request again." "Then you refuse?" "It is idle to talk with you." •" Only consider. With that air-ship you could ferret out Muriel's den, and it would be no trick at all to drive him •from it." , Harding turned to the cabin door. The wily Vane, however, had only been talking to gain time. The moment he had decided upon for action had arrived. Quick as a flash he turned to his followers, and made a quick motion. "Strike !" he cried. "Do not kill them, but capture them alive! Strike!" With a yell the gauchero crew piled over the rail of the air-ship like human wolves. CHAPTEE XI, OUTWITTING THE VILLAINS. The attack was so sudden that Harding was taken off his guard. He was instantly overpowered. Barney let cut a yell. "Whurroo! Give it to the omadhouns! BJow 'em to pieces, naygur! If yez don't they will capture the air- ship !" "Don' yo' fo'git dat dis chile will jes' do dat!" cried Pomj). "Hi, dar! Look out fo' dis coon !" Then both discharged their Winchesters. Two of the villains fell dead. But the struggle now became close and hand to hand. • The two brave defenders were forced down the cabin stairs, and the gaucheros piled upon them,, They would have been killed in a twinkling, but the voice of the villain Vane rose above the fight : "Don't kill 'em, boys ! Capture 'em alive! I've got use for 'em !" So Barney and Pomp were overwhelmed wholly by weight of numbers. Thrown down, they were quickly bound and helpless. Harding groaned in despair. "It is all my stupidity!" he cried. "I should not have palavered so long with the dirty crew !" "Och hone! an' pliwat will we iver do now?" bemoaned :! Barney. "Shure, the spalpeens have the best av us!" "Massy sakes alibe!" wailed Poinp; "it was jes' an mt- lucky day fo' us when de air-ship struck dat are storm," As for Vane, he was elated. Flushed with success, he came up to Harding's prostrate form and gave it a kick. "Welly" he cried, contemptuously, "the tables have , turned, haven't they ? This time I'm on top. Do you know i why I spared the lives of all of you? That nigger and . Irishman are to show me how to work the machinery of f this air-ship. Then I shall take you up a cool thousand feet : and let you drop gently to the earth. Will not that be pleas- ■; ant?" "Villain !" groaned Harding, helplessly. Vane now went to Barney and Pomp. ■ He pleaded and threatened in tarn, but the two faithful servitors were obdurate. " The loikes aT yez can't fool me !" declared Barney. '4 Then from Harding Vane learned that the machinery v/as out of kilter. Vano oifered to allow Barney and Pomp to go on with their work of repairing, but they declined. Thus the day passed. The next morning found the crew of the Kite just as ob^- durate. Another day wore away thus. Another night came and. the second morning. Then an idea occurred to Harding. They were confined in one of the staterooms. Vane, himself held the cabin, and only a few of the gaucheros, wM were dirty fellows, were allowed aboard. "I will tell you, Barney," said the yoimg American in an undertone, "we don't seem to be gaining anything in thi^- way. Can we not work a sharp scheme upon the villains ?'* "Shure, sor, av yez kin tell me " : FEANK READE, JE/S AIE WONDEE, THE "KITE." 1^ "1 think I can!" "All roight, sor !" ' i "Suppose you tell Vane that you have thought well of his proposition, and upon certain conditions will come to his terms ?" "Well, sor?" ^ "Eepair the machinery and then tell him that the air-ship ■. v^ill only carry six people. That will be you and I and . Pomp, with Vane and two of his men. You and Pomp can watch your chance after we get up in the air, rush down and •cut my bonds, and we will make a fight." Barney's eyes sparkled. "Shure, sor," he cried, "yez have hit the nail on the head, Pm shure." "Then you approve of the plan?" "T do that, sor." "All right." A short while later Vane came into the stateroom. Barney and Pomp affected exceedingly penitent attitudes. The villain noted this and at once said : "Well, are you fellows going to come to terms?" "Shure, sor, it's av no use holding out any longer. If yez desire, we will upon some conditions do as ye say." "Good j^or you." Barney's and Pomp's bonds were quickly cut and they at ;onee went to work upon the machinery. In a very short time they had the electrical engines work- ing all right. Then Barney said : "JSTow, sir, it's alt roight we are for the ascint." "Good!" cried Vane, eagerly. "I will take a dozen men on board and send the others overboard." "No, sir," replied Barne}^, emphatically. "Yez can't do that !" "Why?" "The air-ship will only carry up six people, sor. That is all." "Six !" said Vane, sharply. Then he went to his men and conferred with them. They rode away finally, all but two. These accompa- nied Vane on board the air-ship. "Now," said the villain, producing a couple of revolvers, "no'treachery on the part of you rascals, or you die !" The anchor was hauled in, and pressing the lever, the Kite sprang into space. Hp — up she went like a meteor. The two gaudheros, were for a moment terrified, and seemed anxious- to juinp; overboard. But Vane's nerves were of steel, and he enjoyed the ex- perience mightily. .Up, up went the Kite until objects upon the earth looked like mere specks. At this juncture Barney appeared to be in much dis- tress in. the engine-roofii. A heavy iron bar lay across a part of the machinery. It was wedged between two cogs in such a fashion that one man could not pull it out. Barney had purposely placed the bar in this position. It was betweeaa some disused cogs of an extra engine, but nobody but the two, Barney and Pomp, knew this. It did not in any measure affect the working of the en- gines, but Barney's dodge was to pretend that it did. "What's the matter with you?" cried Vane, as he ap- peared in the engine-room. "What's wrong?" "Do yez see that bar, sor?" cried Barney. "Yes." "Well, sor, it has fallen into the machinery an' has been afther stoppin' it. Shure, we kin niver stop the Kite from goin' up av we don't get it out." "You don't mean it ! Can't you pull it out?" "No, sor." "What ditferenee does it make?" " Shure, sor, the air-ship will go all av the way up to the ind of nowhere av we don't get it out." The villain laughed. "Shure, it's no laughin' matter," declared Barney. "-Af- ther we get up far enough we'll all freeze to death." Vane began to wrench upon the bar. It would not yield. Vane stepped to the door. "Gaspo! Miguel!" he eried. "Come here, you dogs!" The two gaucheros came slinking into the engine-room. Vane put a hand upon the bar. "Take hold of this with me, you rascals," he cried, "and pull it out." The villains obeyed. All three lay back upon the bar. It would have taken twenty men to. have pulled it out. Barney knew this, and stepped quickly to the keyboard. It was a neat little trap which worked well. He pressed one of the electric keys. The current from the dynamos shot into the cogs and thence into the bar instantly. The effect was thrilling. The three villains clung to the bar yelling and writhing in pain. They were unable to let go. Too late Vane saw the ruse, and fierce curses broke from his lips. But Barney quickly put a stop to them. He shocked the villains into insensibility. AIL three hung limply from the bar. ' 26 FRANK EEADE, JR.'S AIR WONDER, THE "KITE." Meanwhile Pomp had liberated Harding, and both canJe rushing into the engine-room. "BejabberSj I've got the three av thim!" cried Barney, triuuiphantiy. ^'Shure, luck is wid us this trip." It was tai|!t a moment's vrork to bind the three villains securely. Then the question arose: ""V^Tiat shall we do with them?" The Kite was drifting over a vast lake many miles in ex- tent, peopled with loathsome reptiles, alligators and snakes. In the center of the lake was a small, barren island. "Let us leave them down there," said Harding. "They may get ashore the best way they can." Barney and Pomp were pleased with the plan, and the air- ship was allowed to descend. Just above the island it was brought to a stop. CHAPTER XII. RESCUE — THE TREASUEE FOUND. Then the rope ladder was put over and Barney descended. The bodies of the three villains were lowered by means ■of a rope. tfust as the last one was lowered they began to come to. Vane sprang to his feet. But Barney was far up the rope ladder. The villain, overcome with horror, looked about him and saw what the game was. "Oh, friends, for God's sake, do not leave me here!" he cried. "I am repentant. I will be your slave if you will only not leave me in this place !" But Harding stood at the rail and laughed scornfully. "This is a good and titling place for you, Lester Vane!" he said. "May you enjoy it. You cannot say that I have not been as merciful as you, for I have spared your life." Vane now lost his temper. He broke forth in bitter maledictions ai|d curses. There was not anything too vile and vulgar for him to say. ■ The Kite once more sailed skyward, and a course was set a I: once for the distant Andean peaks. In a very short time they loomed up near at hand. But it required many hours for the locality which they were in quest of to come into view. Barney, who was on the lookdut, however, suddenly gave a wild and startled cry. "Och. hone!" he cried. "Wud yez Ink at, the loikes av that? Shure, av it isn't Masther Prank, an' be me sowl lie is about to, he shot by a gang av the hrigands. Help — ^help ! wud yez cum here with an electhric bomb as quick as iver ye kin. Pomp !" Pomp needed no second bidding. The air-ship had floated over one of the peaks Just in time to bring the whole thrilling scene to view. It was at the very critical moment when Prank was stood up before the file of brigands to be shot. The words of command were upon Red Muriel's lips, when suddenly the air-ship burst into view. Its appearance was first noted by one of the brigands Avho chanced to be looking up. Muriel for a moment forgot himself, and stood looking at the air-ship in a. speechless manner. Then down from the air-ship's deck there came hurtling a small black object. It struck the earth directly in the center of the brigand encampment. There was a terrific explosion. Earth and debris were flung into the air to a great height, and fully a dozen of the brigands were killed. The wretches seemed to forget all about Prank Beade, .Jr., or anything else, and fled for their lives. The brigands, Red Muriel with the rest, w^re fleeing for safety to the cover of a cavern near at hand. But across the plateau there ran a slender, girlish form. It was Mabel Dane. "Mr. Reade, Yve are saved ! Thank Heaven for that !" "Amen !" cried Prank. "You will now be able to rejoin the man you love." With a quick movement she cut the young inventors bonds. Then she rushed to the door of one of the brigand's huts and burst it in. The guard at the" door had fled. Out came a tall, fine- looking man of elderly cast. He was Henry Dane, the father of the plucky young girl who had dared to invade the Andean wilds in quest of the man she loved. Behind him came the six Peruvians who had been of the part}^, and who had been held as well for ransom. The air-ship, however, was now settling down fast, and in a very few moments it rested upon the plateau. Harding was tlie first to leap over the rail, and greeted Frank Reade, Jr. Then he beheld a vision which nigh took his breath away. "My God!" he exclaimed; "am I dreaming, or is it my Mabel?" "You are not dreaming, Royal !" she cried, rapturously. "I have come all this distance to find you. They told me you were ill, and I came to you." . FEAm-C E.EADE, JR.'S AIE WONDEE, THE "KITE." 27 "My love! My own!" cried Harding^ joyously, as he V clasped her in his arms. Mr. Dane was introduced to Frank Eeade, Jr., Barney and Pomp, and many pleasant remarks were exchanged. The brigands, however^ had not abandoned the fight. Eetreating to a height above, they had opened fire upon their foes. ; The six Peruvians who were in Mr. Dane's employ were given weapons, and began to return the fire. While the battle was thus progressing in a desultory way conference was going held by the others. But now the question to be considered was as to what move was best to make next. Of course Harding was anxious to find the Incas' treas- ure. "I would not spend further time in the search, Eoyal," said Mr. Dane. " I am rich now, and you shall go into bus- iness with me. I have not many years to live and the for- tune will be yours and Mabel's." "Mr. Dane," said Harding, firmly. "Mabel and I will not marry until I have carried out my original purpose and given her a home of my o^m making !" "Bravo!" said the millionaire, heartily. "I admire your spirit, and if that is your purpose I will not dissuade you." "If I can recover this treasure, which is mine by right of prior discovery, I do not see why I have not legally gained ray ends." It was decided to make a thorough search of the robbers' I den. But though some money and" many valuable equipments were found, none of the treasure was recovered. The best efforts of the searching party were baffled. But Harding would not give up the quest. "I will find it yet/' he declared, resolutely. But I'rank stood outside the cavern, when he heard a / Yoiee in Spanish near him. A man with his leg shattered by the explosion of the bomb 'Was creeping up to him. There was a beseeching expression upon the wounded 'brigand's face, and he cried : "Oh, senor, help me, and I will fell you where the treas- ure is hidden." "What?" exclaimed Frank, in amazement. "Do you mean that? Do you know where the treasure is hidden?" "Si, senor,.! do that." "What can I do for. you?" "Help me to return to Quito that I may live a better life." ■. "Enough," said Frank. "T will accept your offer. You shall be taken to Quito in safety if you will disclose the hiding place of the Incas' treasure." All were gathered about the wounded brigand now. Harding was called, and was overjoyed at the informa- tion given him. "Listen, senor," he said to the confessing brigand. "ISTot only shall you be taken safely to your native country, but I will give you enough of the treasure to enrich you." The fellow's eyes sparkled. "The Senor Americano is kind," he said. "I shall not forget it." Then he cleared his throat. "Dp you see yonder pine?" he said. "Go to it, measure twenty paces to the westward^ find a bowlder, roll it aside, and jou will see a flat stone ^et in the ground. Under that is the treasure buried." A rush was made for the spot. The brigand's story was found to be in every particular true. EoUing aside the bowlder the flat stone was found. Upon lifting it a square chamber was revealed, in whiqh was heaped the mighty treasure of the Incas. It was a most bewitching -spectacle. CHAPTEE XIII. THE END. All stood looking at the solid heap of gold. "There is enough here to enrich us all," cried Harding, joyously. "The dream of my life is at last realized !" The gold was taken from the pit and safely stored on board the air-ship. Harding insisted on a fair division with Frank Eeade, Jr., Barney ai^d Pomp. But the young inventor unwillingly accepted his share. "I am not working for pay, Mr. Harding," he said. "I am assisting you with no other motive than that of friendly interest." "I am aware of that, sir," said the young gold seeker; "but -you must accept it as a token of my esteem." ISTobody was left out, not even the six Peruvians hired by Mr. Dane as a bodyguard or escort. But the brigands were making things hot in the vicinity. One of the Peruvian guards had been shot, and there was great danger that some one else would be hurt. Prank Eeade, Jr., set his lips tightly. 28 FRANK EEADE, JR.'S AIE WONDER, THE "KITE."- "I'll soon take the conceit out of those villains," he de- clared. "Wait here nntil I return." Then he leaped on to the Kite's deck. Barney went into the pilot-house, while Frank stationed himself at the rail with some bombs. The Kite, like a huge bird, sailed up over the mountain wall. Then Prank began throwing the bombs. Into every open place and crevice in the cliffs he threw them. The din was terrific and the execution fearful. The brigands were driven like sheep from their hiding places and scattered like chaff before the wind. The battle was all over in thirty minutes. Then the Kite returned, and Frank, unharmed, leaped from the deck once more. "I don't believe they will trouble us again at once," he de- clared. "We are safe for the time, I think." And he was right. Red Muriel did not return to the attack. There was, nothing further to keep them in the Andes, and particularly was Harding anxious to go. "We have six men as guides," he declared. "We can go overland to Lima. It will not be so far as to Quito, and there or at Callao we can get a homebound steamer. Once 1 set foot on United States soil again I will not soon leave it." "Same here," cried Mr. Dane; "but before we start we must thank Mr. Reade for his very kind services." "It is nothing," said Frank, warmly. "But why do you travel overland?" Mr. Dane looked astonished. "' There is no other way for us," he said. "Yes, there is." "What?" " On board the air-ship." "You do not mean it!" cried the millionaire, joyfully. "No, we will not infringe upon your generosity to such an extent." "Indeed, it will be a pleasure to me to take you to the coast," said Frank. "But you are not yet ready to leave the Andes?" "Yes; I am. I have been here six weeks now, and that is enough. I am anxious to get back to Readestown, for I have a new invention which I desire to perfect." "Mr. Reade," said Dane, warmly, "we can never repay you for your kindness to us. Yet I would ask one more favor of you." "What is that?" "That I may inspect your beautiful Readestown and in- spect your wonderful works there." "I shaU be very happy to receive you," said Frank, "or any of the company present." Barney and Pomp got all the traps aboard, and now the Celt brought out his fiddle and the darky his banjo. It had been arranged that the todyguard of Peruvians should return overland after having been well rewarded. Then the Kite set her course for the seaboard. The beautiful day was at its close, and the party all sat upon the deck in supreme happiness, enjoying the balmy air. It was not necessary to be on duty in the pilot-house, for the wheel was lashed, and the speed of the rotascopei^ and propeller guaged in an accurate manner. So Barney and Pomp entertained the company with their unique selections on the fiddle and banjo. Callao was reached in due time, and here Frank Reade, Jr., Barney and Pomp took leave of their passengers. Mr. Dane, Mabel and Harding repeated their assuranee3| of gratitude and pleasure, and the next morning a gteanier 'i took them on their homeward way. The fate of Lestier Vane was never known. None of the party ev.er saw him again. Frank Reade, Jr., set the course of the Kite due north- ward over the States' of Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, and finally the United States. Readestown was finally reached. Then the Kite was stored away for possible future use. The six weeks' flight over the Andes was at an end. But Frank Reade, Jr., lost no time in at onde perfecting a new and wonderful inven- ] tion, of wliich we may read in a future number of this weekly, with which announcement we will write I THE END. The next number (8) of the "Frank Reade Weekly" will contain another thrilling story, entitled "FRANK READE, JR.'S DEEP SEA DIYER, THE 'TORTOISE;' OR, THE SEARCH FOR A SUNKEN ISLAND." SPECIAL NOTICE : All bafek numbers of this weekly are always in print. If you cannot obtain them from any newsdealer, send the price in money or postage stamps by mail to FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, U UNION SQUARE, NEW YORK, and you will receive the copies you order by return mail. WORK AND WIN. Tlie Best Weekly Fublislied. READ ONE AND YOU WILI, READ THEM ALL. liATBST ISSUES: 107 Fred Fearnot's Charity ; or, Teaching Others a Lesson. 108 Fred Fearnot as "The Judge;" or, Heading o£E the Lynchers. 109 Pred Fearnot and the Clown ; or, Saving the Old Man's Place. 110 Fred Fearnot's B'ine Work ; or, Up Against a Crank. 111 Pred Fearnot's Bad Break ; or, What Happened to Jones. 112 Fred Fearnot's Round-Up ; or, A Lively Time on the Ranch. 113 Fred Fearnot and the Giant ; or, A Hot Time in Cheyenne. 114 Pred Fearnot's Cool Nerve ; or, Giving It Straight to the Boys. 115 Pred Fearnot's Way ; or, Doing Up a Sharper. 116 Fred Fearnot in a Fix ; or. The Blackmailer's Game. 117 Fred Fearnot as a "Broncho Buster;" or, A Great Time iQ the Wild West. 118 Pred Fearnot and his Mascot ; or, Evelyn's Fearless Ride. 119 Pred Fearnot's Strong Arm ; or, The Bad Man of Arizona. 120 Pred Fearnot as a "Tenderfoot;" or, Having Fun with the Cow-i boys. 121 Pred Fearnot Captured ; or, In the Hands of His Enemies. 122 Fred Fearnot and the Banker; or, A Schemer's Trap to Ruin Him. 123 Fred Fearnot's Great Feat; or. Winning a Fortune on Skates, 124 Fred Fearnot's Iron Will ; or. Standing Up for the Right. 125 Pred Fearnot Cornered ; or, Evelyn and the Widow. 126 Fred Fearnot's Daring Scheme ; or, Ten Days in an Insane Asylum. 127 Fred Fearnot's Honor ; or, Backing Up His Word. E^^^ Fearnot and the Lawyer; or, Young Billy Dedham's Case. 120 Pred Fearnot at West Point; or, Having Fun with the Hazers. 130 Fred Fearnot's Secret Society ; or, The Knights of the Black Ring. 131 Fred Fearnot and the Gambler; or, The Trouble on the Lake Front. 132 Fred Fearnot's Challenge; or, King of the Diamond Field. 133 Fred Fearnot's Great Game ; or. The Hard Work That Won. 134 Pred Fearnot in Atlanta; or. The Black Fiend of Darktown. 135 Fred Fearnot's Open Hand ; or, How He Helped a Friend. IHd Fred Fearnot in Debate ; or. The Warmest Member of the House. 137 Fred Fearnot's Great Plea; or. His Defence of the "Moneylea* Man." 138 Pred Fearnot at Princeton ; or. The Battle of the Champions. 139 Fred Fearnot's Circus: or, High Old Time at New Bra. 140 Fred Fearnot's Camp Hunt; or, The White Deer of the Adiron- daoks. 141 Fred Fearnot and His Guide; or, The Mystery of the Mountain. 142 Pred Fearnot's County Fair; or, The Battle of the Fakirs. 143 Fred Fearnot 'a Prisoner; or, Captured at Avon. 144 Fred Fearnot and the Senator; or, Breaking up a Scheme. 145 Pred Fearnot and the Baron ; or. Calling Down a Nobleman. 146 Fred Fearnot and the Brokers; or, Ten Days in Wall Street. 147 Pred Fearnot's Little Scrap; or, The Fellow Who Wouldn't Stay Whipped. 148 Pred Fearnot's Greatest Danger; or, Ten Days with the Moon- shiners. 149 Fred Fearnot and the Kidnappers; or. Trailing a Stolen Child. 150 Fred Fearnot's Quick Work ; or. The Hold Up at Eagle Pass. 151 Fred Fearnot at Silver Gulch ; or, Defying a Ring. 152 Fred Fearnot on the Border; or, Punishing the Mexican Horie Stealers. 153 Fred Fearnot's Charmed Life : or. Running the Gauntlet. 154 Pred Fearnot Lost ; or, Missing for Thirty Days. 155 Fred Fearnot's Rescue ; or. The Mexican Pocahontas. 156 Fred Fearnot and the "White Caps" ; or,. A Queer Turning of the Tables. 157 Fred E'earnot and the Medium ; or, Having Pun with the "Spirits." 158 Fred Fearnot and the "Mean Man" ; or. The Worst He Ever Struck. 159 Fred Fearnot's Gratitude; or. Backing Up a Plucky Boy. 160 Pred Fearnot Pined; ojs, The Judge's Mistake. 161 Fred Fearnot's Comic Opera; or, The Fun that Raised the Funds. 162 Fred Fearnot and the Anarchists; or, The Burning of the Bed Flag. 163 Fred Fearnot's Lecture Totjr; or, Going it Alone. 164 Fred Fearnot's "New Wild West" ; or, Astonishing the Old Bast. 165 Pred Fearnot in Russia; or, Banished by the Czar. 166 Fred Fearnot in Turkey ; or, Defying the Sultan. 167 Fred Fearnot in Vienna; or. The Trouble on the Danube. 168 Fred Fearnot and the Kaiser; or, In the Royal Palace at Berlin. 169 Fred Fearnot in Ireland; or, Watched by the Constabulary. 170 Fred Fearnot Homeward Bound; or, Shadowed by Scotland Yard. 171 Fred Fearnot's Justice; or, The Champion of the School Marm. 172 Fred Fearnot and the Gypsies ; or, The Mystery of a Stolen Child. 173 Pred Fearnot's Silent Hunt; or, Catching the "Green Goods" Men. 174 Fred Fearnot's Big Day; or, Harvard and Yale at New Bra. 175 Pred Fearnot and "The Doctor" ; or, The Indian Medicine Fakir. 176 Fred Fearnot and the Lynchers; or. Saving a Girl Horse Thief. 180 Fred Fearnot and Samson; or, "Who Runs This Town?" 381 Fred Fearnot and the Rioters; or, Backing Up the Sheriff. 182 Fred Fearnot and the Stage Robber; or, His Chase for a Stolen Diamond. 183 Fred Fearnot at Cripple Creek; or, The Masked Fiends of the Mines. 184 Fred Fearnot aad the 'Vigilantes; or, Up Against the Wrong Man. 185 Fred Fearnot in New Mexico ; or, Saved by Terry Olcott. 186 Fred Fearnot in Arkansas ; or, The Queerest of All Adventures. 187 Fred Fearnot in Montana ; or, The Dispute at Rocky Hill. 188 Fred Fearnot and the Mayor; or, The Trouble at Snapping Shoals. 189 Pred Fearnot's Big Hunt : or, Camping on the Columbia River. ^90 Fred Fearnot's Hard Experience ; or. Roughing it at Red Gulch. 391 Fred Fearnot Stranded; or, How Terry Olcott Lost the Money. 192 Fred Fearnot in the Mountains; or. Held at Bav by Bandits. 103 Fred Fearnot's Terrible Risk; or, Terj;y Olcott's Reckless Ven- ture. . . •! 194 Pred Fearnot's Last Card ; or, The Game that Saved His Life. 190 Fred Fearnot and the Professor ; or, The Man Who Knew it All. iS2 E^®*^ Fearnot's Big Scoop; or. Beating a Thousand Rivals. 1»J Fred Fearnot and the Raiders ; or, Fighting for His Belt. 198 Pred Fearnot's Great Risk ; or, One Chance in a Thousand. 399 Fred Fearnot as a Sleuth ; or. Running Down a Slick Villain. 200 Fred Fearnot's New Deal; or, Working for a Banker. 201 Fred Fearnot in Dakota; or, The Little Combination Ranch 202 Fred Fearnot and the Road Agents; or, Terry Olcott's Cool Nerve. 203 Pred Fearnot and the Amazon; or, The Wild Woman of the Plains. 204 Fred Fearnot's Training School ; or. How to Make a Living. 20o Fred Fearnot and the Stranger; or, The Long Man who was Short. 206 Pred Fearnot and the Old Trapper; or, Searching for a Lost Cavern. 207 Pred Fearnot in Colorado ; 6t, Running a Sheep Ranch. on^ ^^^^ Fearnot at the Ball ; or, The Girl In the Green Mask. 209 Fred Fearnot and the Duellist ; or. The Man Who Wanted to h ignt. oJ? S^^^ 1!^^''°*'!, *'^®^^*^"P.P ; Backing an Old Veteran. S"*^? Fearnot's New Trouble; or. Up Against a Monopoly, 212 Pred Fearnot as Marshal ; or, Commanding the Peace For Sale by All Newsdealers, or will be Sent to Any Address on Eeceipt of Price, 6 Cents per Copy, by FUANK TOUS EY, Publisher, 24 XTuion Square, Mew York. jl^!^ ~ ^■Ll^_^_' ■ II... — — 11 .ii-.M...! I 1 ^ 1 I.I— I III— .^MTOM^— ■ n I HI I —1— III IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS Libraries and cannot procure them from netvsdealers, ttey can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to vou bT re- turn mail. _ POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. jPRAI^E TOrSEY, Publisher, 34 Union Square, New York. Dear Sir — ^Enclosed find cents for which please send me: . . . .copies of WORK AND WI¥, Nos " « WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos ^.^ ...... . . " « FRANK EEADE WEEKLY, Nob .... « " PLUCK AND LUCK, Nos ] ..... « « SECRET SERVICE, Nos " " THE LIBERTY BOYS OP '76, Nos. .... « " Ten-Cent Hand Books, Nos. ^ame Street and No Town State 'Issued Wschhj—B}f.^Bulscriptian,i%.5(y per^jfear,^ Mnimd^s^Stmtd. &m. ji^«?<«r jai.; iV«w._r(Jri -^Fost CJi?fe«„ 1902, Jm^Frank Tomy. •tmmm INEW YORK, DECEMBER 12, Price (5> Cents^ WILD WEST WEEKLY A BOYS' MAGAZINE CONTAINl M COM PLETE STORIES OF WESTERN LIFE. DO NOT FAIL TO READ IT. 32 PAGES. PRICE 5 CENTS. 32 PAGES. i EACH NUMBEB BOUND IN A HANDSOME COLOBED COYER. All of these exciting stories are founded on facts. Young: Wild West is a hero with whom the author was acquainted. His daring deeds and thrilling adventures have never been surpassed. They form the base of the most dashing stories ever published. Read the following^ numbers of this most interesting magazine and be convinced: \ No. 1, YOUNG WILD WEST, THE FBINCE OF THE SADDLE, Issiiied October 24 No. 2. YOUNG WILD WEST'S LUCKi or, Striking It Rich in the ^i^is, Issued October 31 No, 3. YOUNG WILD WEST'S YiCTORY; or. The Road Agents' Last Hold-Up, Issued November 7 No. 4. YOUNG WILD WEST'S PLUCK; ©r, Bound to Beat tSie Bad Issued November 14 No. 5* YOUNG WILD WEST'S BEST SHOT; or, The Rescue of Arietta. Issued November 21 No. 6. YOUNG WILD WEST AT DEVIL CREEK; or,' Helping to Boom a New Town. Issued November 28 No. 7. YOUNG WILD WEST'S SURPRISE; or, Th® Imdian Chiefs ^ Legacy. Issued December 5 No. 8. YOUNG WILD WEST MISSING; or. Saved bj an Indian Princess, Issued December 12 FOR SALE BIT ALI. NEWSDEALERS, OR WILL BE SEHT TO AIfY ADDRESS OH RECEIPT OF PRICE, 5 CEHTS PER COP^. BT FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher. . 24, Union Square. New York. THE LIBEBTI HOTS OF A Weekly Magazine containing Stories of the American Bevolntion. By HARRY MOORE. These stories are based on actual facts and give a faithful account of the exciting adventures of a brave band of American youths who were always ready and willing to imperil their lives for the sake of helping along the gallant cause of Independence. Every number will consist of 32 large pages of reading matter, bound in a beautiful colored cover. 24 The Liberty Boys' Tories. 25 The Liberty Boya 26 The Liberty Boys' Thing or Two. 27 The Liberty Boys' Philadelphia. 28 The Liberty Boys' wkie. 29 The Liberty Boys' 30 The Liberty Boys 31 The Liberty Boys' 32 The Liberty Boya 33 The Liberty Boys 34 The laberty Boys" 35 The Liberty Boys' 36 The Liberty Boys' Cause. 37 The Liberty Boys' 38 The Liberty Boys' 80 The Liberty Boys' 40 The Liberty Boys' 41 The liiberty Boys 42 The Liberty Boys' 43 The Liberty Boys' 44 The Liberty Boys' 45 The Liberty Boys 40. The Liberty Boys' 47 The Liberty Boys' 48 The Liberty Boys' 49 The Liberty Boys 50 The Liberty Boys 51 The Liberty Boys' Own Game. 52 The Liberty Boys' 53 The Liberty Boys' 54 The Liberty Boys' 55 The Liberty Boys' 5G The Liberty Boya' to Fight. 57 The Liberty Boys' 68 The Liberty Boys' at Stony Point. 59 The Liberty Boys' 60 The Liberty Boys 61 The Liberty Boys' 62 The Liberty Boys' at Pauius Hook 63 The Liberty Boys' 64 The Liberty Boys' Odds. LATEST ISSUES: Double Victory ; or, Downing the Bedcoata and Suspected ; or. Taken for British Spies. Clever Trick ; or. Teaching the Redcoats a Good Spy Work; or, With tbe Redcoats In Battle Cry ; or, With Washington at the Brandy Wild Ride ; or, A Dash to Save a Fort, in a Fix ; or, Threatened by Reds and Whites. Big Contract; or, Holding Arnold in Check Shadowed ; or. After Dick Slater for Revenge Duped ; or. The Friend Who Was an Enemy. Fake Surrender ; or, The Ruse That Succeeded. Signal ; or, "At the Clang of the Bell." Daring Work ; or, Risking Life for Liberty's Prize, and How They Won It. Plot; or, The Plan That Won. Great Haiil ; or. Taking Everything In Sight. Flush Times ; or, Reveling in British Gold. In a Snare ; or. Almost Trapped. Brave Rescue ; or, In the Nick of Time. Big Day ; or, Doing Business by Wholesale. Net ; or, Catching the Redcoats and Tories. Worried ; or, The Disappearance of Dick Slater Iron Grip ; or, Squeezing the Redcoats. Success ; or, Doing What They Set Out to Do. Setback ; or, Defeated, But Not Disgraced, in Toryville ; or, Dick Slater's Fearful Risk. Aroused ; or. Striking Strong Blows for Libert/. Triumph ; or, Beating the Redcoats at Their Scare ; or, A Miss as Good as a Mile. Danger ; or, Foes on All Sides. Flight ; or, A Very Narrow Escape. Strategy ; or, Out-Generaling the Enemy. Warm Work; or, Showing the Redcoats How "Push" ; or. Bound to Get There. Desperate Charge ; or, With "Mad Anthony" Justice, Ana How They Dealt It Out. Bombarded ; or, A Very Warm Time. Sealed Orders ; or, Going it Blind. Daring Stroke ; or, With "Light-Horse Harry" Lively Times ; or, Here, There and Everywhere. ■ "Lone Hand" ; or, Fighting Against Great 65 The Liberty Boys' Mascot; or, The Idol of the Company. 66 The Liberty Boys' Wrath; or. Going for the Redcoats BoughShodL 67 The Liberty Boys' Battle for Life; or, The Hardest Struggle of A.11. 68 The Liberty Boys' Lost; or. The Trap That Did Not Work. 69 The Liberty Boys' "Jonah"; or, The Youth Who "Queered" Everything 7 0 The Liberty Boys' Decoy; or. Baiting the British. 71 The Liberty Boys Lured ; or. The Snare the Enemy Set. 72 The Liberty Boys' Ransom ; or. In the Hands of the Tory Outlaws, 73 The Liberty Boys as Sleuth-Hounds ; or. Trailing Benedict Ar- nold. 74 The Liberty Boys "Swoop" ; or. Scattering the Redcoats Like Chaff. 75 The Liberty Boys' "Hot Time" ; or, Lively Work in Old Virginia. 76 The Liberty Boys' Daring Scheme; or. Their Plot to Capture the' King's Son. 77 The Liberty Boys' Bold Move ; or. Into the Enemy's Country. 7S The Liberty Boys' Beacon Light ; or, The Signal on the Mountain. 79 The I>iberty Boys' Honor ; or, The Promise That Was Kept. 80 The Liberty Boys' "Ten Strike" ; or. Bowling the British Over. 81 The Liberty Boys' Gratitude, and How they Showed It. ■ 82 The Liberty Boys and the Georgia Giant ; or, A Hard Man to- ; Handle. ; 83 The Liberty Boys' Dead Line : or, "Cross it if You Dare !" 1 84 The Liberty Boys "Hoo-Dooed" ; or. Trouble at Every Turn. , So The Liberty Boys' Leap for Life ; or. The Light that Led Them. 86 The Liberty Boys' Indian Friend ; or, The Redskin who Fought fot; Independence. ~ 87 The Liberty Boys "Going it Blind" ; or, Taking Big Chances. 88 The Liberty Boys' Black Band ; or, Bumping the British Hard. 89 The Liberty Boys' "Hurry Call" ; or, A Wild Dash to Save a Friend. 90 The Liberty Boys' Guardian Angel ; or. The Beautiful Maid of the Mountain. , 01 The Liberty Boys' Brave Stand ; or. Set Back but Not Defeated. 92 The Liberty Boys "Treed" ; or. Warm Work In the Tall Timber. 03 The Liberty Boys' Dare ; or. Backing the British Down. 94 The Libe^rty Boys' Best Blows ; or. Beating the British at Benning- 1 ton. 95 The T/iberty Boys in New Jersey ; or, Boxing the Bars of the Brit- ish Lion. 96 The Liberty Boys' Daring; or. Not Afraid of Anything. 97 The Liberty Boys' Long March ; or, The Move that Puzzled the British. OS The Liberty Boys' Bold Front ; or, Hot Times on Harlem Heights 99 The Liberty Boys in New York; or. Helping to Hold the Great City. 100 The Liberty Boys' Big Bisk; or, Beady to Take Chances. 101 The Liberty Boys' Drag-Net ; or. Hauling the Redcoats In. 102 The Libpjty Boys' Lightning Work : or. Too Fast for the British. For Sale by All ISTewsdealers, or will be Sent to Any Address on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy,' by FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to you by re- turn mail. . POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN TH3E SAME AS MONEY. FRANK TOTJSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. Dear Sie — Enclosed find. .... .cents for which please send me: . . . .copies of WOEK AND WIN, Nos " WILD WEST- WEEKLY, Nos " FRANK RBADE WEEKLY, Nos...... " PLUCK AND LUCK, Nos « SECRET SERVICE, Nos « THE LIBERTY BOYS OF "r6, Nos " Ten-Cent Hand Books, Nos ,190 V . • • rStaif of Officers, Post Guard, Police Regulations, Fire Department, and all a boy should know to be a Cadet. Compiled and written by Lu Senarens, author of "How to Become a Naval Cadet." No. 63. HO W TO BECOME A NAVAL CADET.- Complete in- structions of how to gain admission to the Annapolis Naval Academy. Also containing the course of instruction, description of grounds and buildings, historical sketch, and everything a boy should know to become an officer in the United States Navy. Com- piled and written by laT Senarens, author of "How to Become a West Point Military Cadet." PRICE 10 CENTS EACH, OR 3 FOR 25 CENTS. Address FRANK TOUSEF. Publisher, 34 Union Square, New York. A SPLENDID NEW ONE ! ON LAND CONTAINING STORIES OF ADVENTURE — —UNDER THE SEA IN THE AIR, £6 99 THE PRINCE OP STORY WRITERS. Each Number in a Handsomely Illuminated Cover. A 32-PAGE BOOK 5 All our readers know Frank Reade, Jr., the greatest inventor of the age, and his two fun-loving chums, Barney and Pomp. The stories to be published in this magazine will contain a true account of the wonderful and exciting adventures of the famous inventor," with his marvellous flying machines, electrical overland engines, and his extraordinary submarine boats. Each number will be a rare treat. Tell your newsdealer to get you a copy. Here are the first EIGHT titles, and each number will be better than the previous one: No. 1. FRANK READE, JR.'S WHITE CRUISER OF THE CLOUDS; op, The Seareh for the Dog-Faoefl Men. „ Issued October HI U 2. FRANK READE, JR.'S SUBMARINE BOAT, THE ^'EXPLORER"; op. To the North Pole Under the lee. „ Issued ^Jovember 7 NO. 3. FRANK READE, JR.'S ELECTRIC VAN; op, Hunting Wild Animals in the Jungles of India. issued J^ovember 14 No. i FRANK READE, clR.'S ELECTRIC AIR CANOE; or. The Seareh for the Valley^of Diamniis. No. S. FRANK READE, JR.'S "SEA SERPENT"; op, The Seareh Top Sunken Gold. Issned|November 28 No. 6. FRANK READE, JR.'S ELECTRIC TERROR, The "THUNDERER"; op, The Seareh fop the Tartip's Captive issued December 5 No. 7. FRANK READE, JR.'S AIR WONDER, The "KITE"; of, A Six Weeks' Flight Ovep the Andes. Issued December 12 No. 8. FRANK READE, JR.'S DEEP SEA DIVER, The ''TORTOISE"; op. The Search for a Sunken Island. Issued December li> For Sale by All Newsdealers, or will be Sent to Any Address on Eeceipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy, by FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York . IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our Libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the boolis you want and we will send them to you by re- turn mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKION THE SAMK AS MOJSEY. FEAm TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Sqnare, Kew York. Dear Sir — Enclosed find cents for which please send me: copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos " " WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos . " FEANK EEADE WEEKLY, Nos • " PLUCK AND LUCK, Nos " SECEET SEEVICE, Nos " THE LIBEETY BOYS OF '76, Nos " Ten-Cent Hand Books, Nos Name Street and No Town, State. ,190 ii u