The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Reade, Jr., Fighting the Terror of the Coast, by Luis Senarens

Toward the close of a cool, pleasant day in September, 18—, the residents of the village of Readestown were startled by seeing a horseman come dashing furiously into the town.

He was a middle-aged man, with dark, swarthy features, piercing black eyes, a black mustache and dark hair. His slender figure was clad in the costume of a native Mexican, and he rode like an expert.

The man bestrode a fine, swift bay mare, and as he went thundering through the main street enveloped in a cloud of dust at the top of the mare’s speed, he attracted considerable attention.

The horse finally paused before a palatial mansion, out of the gate of which a beautiful young woman was coming, and the Mexican politely raised his sombrero and asked in good English:

“Dios mio! How unfortunate for me! The train I came on from Boston broke down a league from here, and in my haste to reach this place in season to catch him ere he departed, I hired this horse and came in the saddle.”

“When I landed from Mexico I read in the daily paper that he had finished his marvelous invention, and intended to make a trial trip in it this evening.”

“Very. So much so that I came all the way here from Mexico to see him in relation to his new air-ship.”

“Well, the machine ran against the wind, which blows from the southwest, and made a successful ascension. The last I saw of it it was heading due southwest of here. Just five miles away in that direction lies the town of Foxhall, at which Frank intends to pause awhile to examine the air-ship and see how it stood the initial test. By going there with all speed, you might reach him before he sends the air-ship aloft again.”

And doffing his hat to her again, he started his mare off in the indicated direction at a furious gallop.

Off sped the gallant beast, watched by the wife of the inventor of the flying machine, and he soon reached the open prairie and urged his steed along at a breakneck pace.

The Frank Reade, Jr., in question was a famous inventor of steam, electrical and mechanical inventions of various kinds.

He had completed building the greatest air-ship he had ever conceived of, and had added a crown to the glory of his great talent.

The inventor was then a mere youth in years, and had as companions on his pleasure trip two tried and trusted friends.

One was a rollicking Irishman, with a good-natured, freckled face, a red head, and a devil-may-care disposition, named Barney.

The other was a short darky, with long arms and a comical face, who answered to the name of Pomp.

The Mexican knew all about the three, as the newspapers of the period frequently referred to them in relation to the journeys they had made together in former inventions which Frank had conceived.

He rode along at a pace that was bound to kill his horse if he maintained it too long, and kept his burning, eager glance fixed upon the sky in expectation of seeing the strange invention.

“I shall—I must see him!” he muttered, desperately, as his mare sped over the broad expanse of prairie. “If Frank Reade, Jr., will do as I ask he shall be rewarded with a treasure which must surpass that of a king. Oh, my poor little boy! He will certainly be sacrificed by the Terror of the Coast if the inventor refuses to aid me in rescuing him!”

Tears welled up into his eyes at the thought of the peril in which his little son was placed.

But in a sudden paroxysm of resolution he dashed them away and muttered hoarsely:

“No, no, no! I must not weakly give way to tears. It is a time for action—not repining. On, my good horse, on, on, and do what you can to carry me to my destination in time to make one effort to save my child’s life.”

Urging would not make the mare go faster, for she was then doing her best, and fairly snorting from the violent exertion.

Within half an hour the town of Foxhall appeared in view, and the Mexican’s heart leaped with joy as the twinkling lights of the windows met his glance in the distance.

This feeling was rudely dashed, however, when, upon a nearer approach to the settlement, he saw a huge object rise from the ground and soar up into the sky ahead.

It then sped away from the settlement, going in a southeasterly direction, and the man gave a groan of anguish.

The peculiar object was two enormous aluminum planes on a framework of steel, held aloft by strong metal posts.

At the forward part was a smaller plane, the deflections and inflections of which changed the angle of movement of the machine.

Two enormous propellers drove the air-ship ahead by whirling at a tremendous speed, and the car was oblong forward, with a long ram, wheels at each side for running over 3the ground, and a flat stern, at which hung a rudder for use in water.

Forward on deck stood a huge electric motor for operating the drive wheels, and before it a powerful searchlight was fastened.

The after deck was covered by a bullet-proof wire cage, and the pilot occupied a small conning tower under the forward deck.

It was very evident that the principle of operating the Jove, as the ship was named, was by imitating a boy’s kite.

Simply by driving the planes against the wind caused the air to lift the machine into the sky, and once elevated, by keeping it constantly moving, suspension was sustained.

The Mexican could plainly distinguish their outlines, and a mad, baffled feeling overwhelmed him.

“Must I lose after all the exertion I put forth?” he groaned, hoarsely. “No! By heavens, I’ll chase that machine till my steed falls dead beneath me, and I’ll scream till my voice leaves me to attract their attention.”

It was a wild and fearful ride, and it seemed to the unfortunate man as if the Jove was fast leaving him behind as it glided through the dusky sky.

On, on, on raced the pursuer and pursued over the open country, and several miles were thus covered.

The man’s heart sank as he leaped from her back to avoid being injured under her body.

“Merciful Heavens! This ends it!” he groaned, in despair, as he landed upon his feet upon the ground.

But the man paid no heed to her, for all his time and attention were taken up staring at the Jove.

Suddenly he started, bent forward eagerly, and a thrill of joy ran through him as he saw the great air-ship go in a circle, drop lower into another strata of air, and approach him.

Up to him swept the huge air navigator, until at last it was hovering three hundred feet aloft, just above his head.

As this exclamation escaped his lips a long, light rope ladder came flying down through the air.

The other end landed near the Mexican, and he rushed forward, seized it, and began to climb up.

It was a risky climb, for the ladder swayed with every movement he made while ascending.

At the same moment the air-ship turned and dashed up higher into the atmosphere and resumed its journey south-westward.

The extra weight of the Mexican seemed to make but slight difference in the buoyancy of the machine.

He now turned his attention upon the two occupants of the cage, one of whom was Frank Reade, Jr.

For a few moments a deep silence ensued between the three, for they were sizing each other up keenly.

The Mexican observed that Frank was a fine-looking young man, with an athletic figure, clad in a traveling costume. His handsome face showed a good disposition and a high order of courage.

Ramey was the person with him, and he held a violin, upon which he had been playing a lively tune.

“Juan Zamora, the alcalde, or head man of the town of Santa Cruz, Mexico, on the Gulf coast.”

“A week ago I read an account of this extraordinary air-ship, and I came at once to Readestown to try to hire the machine.”

“Ah, but I will pay you a princely sum for one month’s use of the machine. I am a rich man and can afford to. Besides the sum of fifty thousand dollars, I will put a pirate’s treasure into your hands which is worth millions of dollars.”

“I shall. On the coast of Mexico there is a pirates’ retreat. It is ruled by an American outlaw called Captain Diavolo. His gang numbers several hundred men—the scum of all nations. He owns a fleet of swift ships that prey upon passing vessels. In these attacks he is always successful—all hands are killed, and the captured vessels are plundered and scuttled. Many a ship that never came back, but mysteriously disappeared, merely fell a victim to the Terror of the Coast, as we call this fiend.”

“I am coming to that part presently. The Mexican Government did everything possible to get rid of him, but all its efforts proved to be of no avail. He successfully eluded them all. Perhaps his most relentless enemy was myself. I did all I could to break up his infernal crew, and aroused his wrath. He swore to avenge himself upon me; to carry out his vengeance, he one night invaded Santa Cruz with every man he could muster, and shot every one on sight. Having driven out the inhabitants, he plundered and set fire to many of the dwellings. My little five-year-old son, Leon, was carried away into captivity by the wretches, with myself, and Captain Diavolo told me that he was going to torture me to death. As for my child, they swore to educate him to become one of the foulest ruffians on earth, so that if he were finally captured, he would meet a violent doom.”

“Imagine my feelings,” said Zamora. “However, let it suffice that after a week of captivity among the pirates, I saw the great treasure they had amassed and learned all the secrets of their retreat. Before the day of my execution I escaped. After many hardships I returned to my native town. It was while I was there that I learned of this flying machine, and gained the idea that I might hire it to attack my enemies and rescue my little child from their clutches.”

“Exactly. I am in momentary fear that Captain Diavolo may take it into his head to kill poor little Leon, and therefore am impatient to go to his rescue as soon as possible.”

“Not in the least. I have already attempted to get relief from that source, but failed. Only by utilizing some such contrivance as this can I hope to succeed.”

Frank was intensely interested in the man’s story, and when Zamora had told him how he had gone to Readestown and then chased the machine, he began to ponder deeply.

“We have no particular purpose in view. One has arisen. Suppose we go to the Gulf Coast and wipe out this Terror? Would you like to undertake it, Barney?”

“Wud a dook swim?” grinned the Celt, for the prospect of lots of fighting and excitement just suited his taste.

“Senor Zamora says he will show us where the pirates’ treasure is if we break up the gang, so we can take it away.”

“Very well. Mr. Zamora, we will go with you to the pirates’ lair and break up the gang and rescue your child. For 5this we do not want any of your money. We will take our pay by levying on the pirates’ treasure.”

“Say no more. We have the most dangerous kind of weapons aboard, and need make no preparations. As you can see, this machine is a perfect success. All we need do is to proceed to the Mexican Gulf and begin operations as soon as possible.”

“Oh, we trust you readily enough, for should your account not be true, we have nothing to lose.”

“I thank you and bless you from the bottom of my heart!” said the delighted man.

“You can do that when I have accomplished something,” said Frank, with a smile. “I shall, of course, expect you to do your share of the work in managing this machine.”

“Then come inside, and I’ll show you how she works, in order to make you familiar with the machine.”

Leaving Barney on watch in the cage on deck, the young inventor went through the door, descended several steps, and the Mexican followed and found himself in the cabin.

Forward of this room were two small apartments, one containing some bunks, and the other served as a kitchen, the range being heated by electricity.

Still further forward was a large pilot-house, in which stood the darky managing the Jove’s steering wheel.

A compass binnacle was beside him, and on the other side there was a table, on which were fastened several electric controllers, levers and switches, cut-outs and plugs.

By means of the latter the mechanism of the air-ship was controlled by the pilot.

The former compartment contained food, water, arms, ammunition, armor, ropes, clothing, tools, and various other things.

In the engine-room was a huge generator, which was worked by powerful springs, its current running to the deck motor, to which the driving screws were geared.

The current also illuminated numerous incandescent lamps, and worked several fan motors in each of the rooms.

He then told Zamora to turn in, as he would have to go on watch at two in the morning.

While he was speaking, Frank heard a distant yell in Pomp’s voice, and hastened up forward.

“Be heavens!” chuckled Barney’s voice; “I’d be afther takin’ a batin’ first. Biff, ye divil, take that now!”

“Ouch! my eye!” yelled the coon. “Fo’ de Lor’ sakes, yo’ want to kill me wif dat bean-shooter?”

“Ha, ha, ha!” shouted the Irishman, gleefully. “It’s dook-shot I’m peggin’ at ye now, but it’s nothin’ less nor a cannon ball wud make a dent in that bullet-proof head you are wearin’.”

Following this remark came a violent rattle of shot which flew from his bean-shooter, some of which hit Pomp and made him swear like a trooper.

The Irishman was on deck, and was shooting the pellets at the coon’s head through the open windows of the tower.

Poor Pomp had to grin and take it, too, for he dared not leave the wheel, for fear of some accident happening to the Jove.

It was hard to tell how much more he would have stood of this bombardment had Frank not shouted:

“Lan’ sakes!” gasped Pomp, complying, “why didn’ I fink ob dat befo’? Golly! what a fool niggah I is!”

The Irishman and the coon were all the time playing practical jokes on one another, and the moment Barney heard Frank’s voice, he looked startled and bolted for the cage.

At the same moment a slant of wind caused the air-ship to suddenly keel over, and Barney rolled over to the edge of the deck.

He gave a wild yell of horror as he felt his body going over the oval side, and nothing in reach to check his fall.

It seemed as if the Irishman was doomed, and a sickening sensation passed over him as he fell from the airship.

6The ground was at least one thousand feet below, and as he went plunging down toward it, he realized that the moment he should strike there he would instantly be killed.

When Pomp closed the windows, he did not shut off the view of Barney, but he paid no further heed to him.

All his care and watchfulness were necessary to guide the Jove properly, and he turned his glance ahead again.

Frank had heard the Irishman’s frightened yell, though, and wondered what had caused it.

Never suspecting the tragic occurrence, he went up into the cage and glanced around curiously.

A moment later he heard a groan coming from somewhere in the gloom, and then a husky voice crying:

The Irishman was hanging below the flying machine, clinging to the after wheel, which his hands had encountered when he made that awful plunge earthward.

His strength was fast waning, and Frank realized it, but the young inventor was puzzled how to act.

The Irishman was in an awkward position to be reached, but Frank quickly hit upon a plan whereby he might save his friend at a risk to himself.

Hastily carrying it out on deck, he made one end fast to a cleat and dropped the other end down.

Seizing the rope, Frank slid down, and getting on a level with Barney, he found that a distance of about ten feet separated him from his friend.

As Frank spoke he wound one arm and leg around the rope to keep a firm hold, and then began to swing the line.

Back and forth he swayed, each moment drawing closer to his imperilled companion.

Finally he swung in arm’s reach of Barney and grabbed him by the arm, at the same moment shouting:

Having implicit confidence in the young inventor, the Celt obeyed, and they swung back.

There they swayed like a huge clock pendulum in mid air, Frank holding the Irishman by the arm with one hand.

Back and forth they tossed for several moments, the violent action of the line diminishing momentarily.

The line was grating upon the edge of the deck above, and straining and creaking dangerously under the combined weight of the two.

For a few seconds they clung to the line, and Frank cast an anxious glance upward at it, and muttered:

The coon obeyed reluctantly, for as soon as his hands left the spokes, the soaring machine began to get unsteady.

It would glide ahead smoothly awhile, then would suddenly plunge to one side or the other, or move up or down.

As soon as he saw the peril his comrades were in, though, he forgot all about the Jove, and roared:

While Frank held Barney, the Irishman put the noose around his body, and Pomp fastened the end of the line.

In a remarkably short space of time the Celt was left hanging there and Frank ascended to the deck.

As soon as he regained his breath, and recovered from his exhaustion, he and Pomp hauled Barney up.

It was some time afterward before they had entirely recovered from the effects of their violent exertion, and discussed all the details of the matter.

As no one was injured, and Barney needed a good rest, he finally turned in and fell asleep.

“To be sho’,” assented Pomp. “Am yo’ satisfied wif her, Massa Frank?”

“Yes; the machine is certainly the greatest invention I have ever turned out. And she’s the simplest kind of an air-ship to work. It is only necessary to elevate the angle of the propeller plane, drive her faster, and ascend to any height. To go down, the impinging edge of the forward plane is simply depressed, and she descends. To remain at a fixed altitude we have only to keep the rudder perfectly horizontal.”

“She would fall gently, as her planes would act on the wind like parachutes,” replied Frank, promptly.

Frank nodded and smiled, and examined the electric motors to see that the current did not vary.

The dynamo was working under full load of five hundred volts, with an output of thirty kilowatts at the terminals, and as the gloom of night had fallen, Frank turned one of the switches.

It sent the electric current into the searchlight, and a brilliant flood of fifty thousand candle power light gushed out.

A funnel-shaped streak of white light was projected a mile ahead by the powerful lens, and the barometer showed the inventor that they had gone up to a height of nine hundred and sixty rods, or three miles.

People on the earth imagined the searchlight was a comet with an extremely long tail, when the clouds did not conceal its flight across the firmament.

Although the wind was dead ahead, and the strata they were in blew at the velocity of fifty miles an hour, the Jove was forging into it at the rate of forty miles an hour.

Frank depressed the rudder, and the machine slowly drifted downward, as she was then in an extremely cold region.

At two o’clock Zamora and Barney relieved the inventor and the coon, who thereupon turned in.

The airship traveled stiffly, steadily and well for two days, traversing the continent in a southerly direction and passing the most diversified scenery.

Indeed, Frank realized that as they were in the tropical cyclone region he had cause to fear a heavy storm, and for that reason he refused to retire.

Toward midnight the airship stood at an altitude of 5,280 feet in the air, when a jet-black cloud was encountered.

At first the motion was easy, but gradually it intensified, and began to shake and toss the Jove.

The airship was checked in its flight, and spun around with the gyrating cloud at an appalling speed.

The Jove was suddenly hurled high up into the air like a mere wisp of straw in the terrible blast.

It was then dashed downward by a reacting gust, and as it fell, it swung over upon its side and suddenly capsized.

Most everything aboard the airship was stationary; but there were, of course, many loose articles, and they were sent flying in all directions when the machine capsized.

Frank was holding the wheel, and thus saved himself from being knocked about, but the Irishman was sent flying.

He was slammed against the wall, then he was rolled over and over until finally he laid on the ceiling.

A second plunge of the machine bounced him across the room, and he seized a post and clung to it.

Pomp and Zamora fared equally as hard, and every one of them suffered a tremendous thumping from the flying articles that pelted them all over.

A deafening thunder clap roared out close by, and at the same instant there came a flash of blinding lightning.

At any rate the wind got under the planes a moment after she capsized, and the speed of her descent brought an awful pressure to bear upon them.

The result was that the planes were forced up, and as the car was heaviest, it rapidly went down.

In a moment more the Jove had righted herself, and the speed of her descent rapidly diminished.

“Ef de Jove was gwine ahead, honey,” said Pomp, “I reckon she wouldn’t fall dis way, would she?”

“No. Something must have happened to the machinery. I will examine it and find out.”

The Jove was descending in huge circles, and the two great propellers hung perfectly motionless.

Every few moments a violent gust of wind struck the machine, and spun it around like a top or dashed her ahead, up, down, or sidewise.

The lightning kept blazing, and claps of the heaviest thunder rolled and crashed incessantly.

Still they kept falling, and as the planes acted as parachutes their descent was necessarily very gradual.

Finding nothing wrong inside, Frank passed out on deck 9just as the machine dropped from the storm cloud into a perfect deluge of rain.

Although the inventor was drenched in a minute, he paid no heed to this inconvenience, but examined the motor.

The lightning had hit the field magnet, glanced off, and tore the insulation from the wire winding.

It thus was caused to leak, and as no magnetic influence was imparted, the Jove’s propellers failed to operate.

The searchlight was now deflected by Barney, and it showed Frank the ground below.

A number of tall, slender cocoa palms were scattered here and there, and among them grew numberless huge cactus plants.

She was going at a gradual angle for the earth, and soon arrived within fifty feet of the ground.

The Jove had gone in violent contact with the trees, and the shock knocked Pomp down.

Frank was more fortunate, as he clung to the rail, and the coon fell from the deck.

There was no time to see where Pomp landed, for the Jove glided backward, and then darted ahead again.

She missed the trees, and quickly struck the ground, with several of her stays broken by the collision.

As she landed at an angle upon her wheels she merely received a gentle shock, and skated ahead over the ground for a distance of several hundred feet.

It was so dark, however, that they could not see except when the lightning flashed.

Although they keenly looked about whenever they had the chance, and reached the palms they had struck, they saw nothing of Pomp.

As he ceased speaking a green cocoanut flew through the air, banged against his head, almost knocking him down, and the nut burst and drenched him with the milk it contained.

“Worra! Worra!” yelled Barney. “It’s a mane thrick fer ther loikes av you to play on me, Frank.”

10“I didn’t play any trick on you, Barney,” replied the inventor, in surprise.

It caught Barney in the breadbasket, made him grunt, and he doubled up and fell to the ground.

As he did so the lightning flashed, and he saw the grinning face of Pomp in the top of the tree.

“It’s that ebony gorilla!” he howled, and he sprang to his feet, spit on his hands, danced up and down, and waving his fists, he yelled:

“Come down out av that, ye pug-nosed bandit, till I take a lung out av yer!”

“Lordy, no. Amn’t eben scratched. Take away dat I’ish setter, an I come down dar.”

Frank sent Barney away, and the coon reached the earth glad enough over his providential escape.

Barney was so glad to see his friend safe that he did not molest him when they returned to the Jove.

Despite the storm, the four got at the broken and damaged parts of the airship and repaired them.

Then they set a watch for the night, and turned in with the intention of departing at daybreak.

Frank gave utterance to this startled exclamation just as the light of the rising sun streamed into the room where he had been peacefully sleeping.

Glancing up he observed half a dozen strange men in the cabin, and a keen scrutiny showed him that they were a gang of ruffians of the vilest stamp.

They were of different nationalities, were clad in rough garments, their faces were darkened by the sun, and every one of them carried weapons in their belts.

As he did so, the biggest man in the party pulled a huge navy revolver from his belt, pointed it squarely at the inventor’s head, and cried in the Mexican language:

The action confirmed his suspicions of these individuals who had entered while all were sleeping.

In nowise frightened by the Mexican’s action or remark, the young inventor coolly replied in Spanish:

An incredulous roar of laughter greeted this explanation, all the strangers joining in.

“We have a few hundred dollars,” admitted Frank, quickly, as he observed his companions now awake.

11“I don’t mind telling you. Very likely you have heard of me before, as I’m well known. I am Captain Diavolo!”

If he expected to create a sensation with this announcement he was not mistaken.

Frank did not expect to meet the person he was in quest of so soon, or under these circumstances.

“And I’m sorry to say he is!” growled the pirate, with a dark scowl. “I owe his accursed father a debt of vengeance, and I’ll take satisfaction out of the brat!”

He had drawn Captain Diavolo out in order to let the anxious father hear that his son was safe.

The information must have filled Zamora with intense relief, and Frank quietly asked the pirate:

“That’s none of your confounded business,” roared the pirate. “I did not come here to hold a confidential talk with you; we merely want your valuables.”

“I’ll see if it works. If it should prove useful I’ll take it to use for my own purposes.”

“Very well; rise. But if you offer to play any tricks on me I’ll let daylight through your head!”

The men with Captain Diavolo could not help admiring his coolness and courage in the face of the present danger.

“You fellows remain here,” exclaimed the captain in English to his men. “If any of those men in the berths attempt to get up, fire at them. Do you hear?”

Frank had gone ahead into the pilot-house, and rapidly unfastening an electric wire from a binding-post, he hooked it upon the brass handle of a drawer in the wainscoting.

He still clutched his pistol in his hand, and glaring at Frank, he growled in curious tones:

A sardonic grin overspread the dark, bearded face of the rascal, and laying his pistol on the floor within easy reach as he knelt before the drawer, he seized the handle.

At the same moment Frank turned a switch, which sent a powerful electric current into the metal handle of the drawer, through the wire he had hooked on there.

The muscles of Captain Diavolo tightened spasmodically upon the handles so that he could not release them.

“Santa Maria!” he screamed, in hoarse tones of surprise, as he glared at his hands and wondered why he could not relax his grip. “I’m full of needles!”

“You don’t say!” laughed Frank, picking up his revolver and cocking it. “How strange!”

12“So much the worse for you. That fact places you at my mercy!” said Frank, grimly.

With a loud, whirring sound they whirled around, and drove the airship ahead over the ground on her wheels.

The men in the back room became alarmed, and one of them rushed out the back door to see why the Jove was speeding along over the ground.

The machine gathered headway rapidly, and soon was speeding at the rate of forty miles an hour.

The wind got under her planes and up in the air she rose like a mighty bird, and shot ahead.

Rushing aft they reached the deck, and as the Jove was ascending, they sprang to the ground one after another, and rolled over and over.

Captain Diavolo was left to his fate, yelling like a demon to be relieved of the awful electric current, for he did not know what it was.

Higher and higher mounted the airship upon the wind, and all Frank’s companions hastily got up, dressed and saw what had happened to the invaders.

Just as they entered Captain Diavolo gave a strong pull at the handle of the drawer, and tore it off.

As the electric wire became detached the current ceased, and the burly rascal dropped the handle.

For an instant they stood glaring fiercely at each other, the outlaw too surprised to utter a single word.

“I’ll tear the secret from you!” shouted Zamora, excitedly, and he sprang at his enemy.

Then they fell heavily to the floor, where the fight was resumed with the most bitter animosity.

In the midst of Zamora’s excitement, he evidently designed to kill Captain Diavolo, for he had his hand on the pirate’s windpipe and choked him until he was blue in the face.

“Tell me where Leon is,” the Mexican kept panting, furiously. “Tell me what you have done with my child!”

Barney and Pomp carried out this order with great difficulty, as the two fighters resented their interference.

They finally dragged Zamora away, however, and Barney exclaimed, in wrathy tones:

“Kape sthill, ye dago! D’yer want to chate ther hangman out av a beautiful job?”

“Whoa!” roared Pomp. “Mild up dar, Bolivar! Don’ want no funerals heah. Sit down dar, or we’ll make yo’!”

Frank in the meantime had cut the current out of the live wire for fear of its setting fire to the carpet, and then he leveled the big pistol at the captain, and said, sternly:

And down he went on his marrow bones, with his hands raised above his head, and the early morning sunlight streaming through the pilot-room windows upon his pale, haggard face.

The Jove was still mounting higher in the air, and the five men who had been with the captain and jumped overboard had now vanished from view in a dense thicket.

“Barney, bind this man,” said Frank, “and then we may learn where he has his ships and stronghold, and the little boy prisoner.”

There was a sullen look upon his face as he sat on the floor glaring up at his captors, and he exclaimed:

“If you imagine you can induce me to tell you any of my secrets, you will find yourself wofully mistaken.”

“On the contrary,” replied Frank, with a smile of confidence, “you will impart to me all the information I desire.”

The captain made no reply, but a sullen look settled upon his hang-dog face, and he gnashed his teeth.

“No,” replied Frank; “but you can fasten the end of that copper wire around his neck.”

A veritable howl escaped the pirate when Barney carried out Frank’s instructions, for he had had a sample of the wire, and knew what to expect.

“As long as you answer my questions,” said Frank, “I will do you no harm; refuse, and you will get a shock fully ten times stronger than the first one.”

Frank questioned him further, and learned a great many points about the pirates.

He realized several times that the captain lied and evaded his questions, but, upon the whole, he had learned nearly all he wanted to know.

“We were passing here by chance on our way to our settlement, when we caught view of her, and came aboard.”

Frank then ordered his two chums to lock the man up in one of the rooms, and as they led him from the pilot-house, the Mexican said to the young inventor:

“With that scoundrel as a hostage, we will be sure to recover my child in exchange for him.”

“Post me on the course, by all means,” replied Frank, eagerly; “for I wish to go there to-morrow.”

They finally turned in and passed a peaceful night, and on the following day Zamora posted himself at the window and gazed out.

Frank changed the angle of the steering plane, and the airship turned to port, and sped along on a beam wind.

Not a sail was in view on the Gulf, but some leagues away the village of Santa Anna was to be seen.

There were some reefs and keys lying off the shore, on 14which the sea was breaking, and a few sea gulls skimmed through the sky beneath the Jove.

Every few minutes schools of flying fish rose from the water, fluttered their gauzy, gleaming wings, shot across a distance of a few yards, and plunged into the water again.

Here and there a few sparse palms sent their gaunt forms towering skyward from the midst of arid open places, dense jungles and huge swamps.

As he looked down he observed a large land-locked lagoon which was fed by a long creek from the Gulf.

Along the creek on both sides were several forts with powerful guns mounted behind stout walls of masonry.

It would be impossible for a ship hostile to the pirates to traverse the creek without being destroyed before it could reach the lagoon.

Moreover, the creek was so shallow that only vessels of light draught could pass up or down; hence war ships of almost any type could not float there.

High hills and rocks surrounded the lagoon, so that it was concealed from the view of any one on land or sea, and vigilant sentinels were to be seen keeping a close guard.

The village of the pirates consisted of a cluster of stone houses planted around the head waters of the lagoon.

In their midst rose a more imposing edifice, which was evidently used by Diavolo, and dubbed his castle.

There were numerous men, women and children thronging the narrow streets of the village, gazing up at the airship and betraying the most intense excitement.

Zamora hastened out and Frank stopped the propellers, whereupon the Jove began to settle down.

As she was going down, Frank caught view of several men at a swivel gun in one of the forts.

Frank rapidly made up his mind to drop a hand grenade down upon the gun to destroy it.

Before he could carry out this plan, however, there came a sudden report from the weapon.

In a few moments the Jove landed in the water of the lagoon with a violent splash, and the pirates gave a yell, and rushing to their rowboats, embarked, and pulled out to her.

The Jove was as buoyant as a cork, and readily floated upon the water when she recovered from her first plunge in the brine.

Frank had built her for such an emergency as this, and knew she could not stay under water.

But the planes were injured by the shot, and she could not be driven aloft until they were repaired.

In the meantime our friends were exposed to great danger, for all the pirates who had been in the settlement had embarked in a fleet of rowboats and were approaching.

“They are armed to the teeth, and evidently mean to attack us now,” said Frank, as his companions ran in.

“Bedad, it’s a warm reception they’ll be afther gettin’,” the Irishman replied, with a grin.

“What a pity the Jove met with this misfortune,” said Zamora, disappointedly. “I was expecting to rescue my boy and now we cannot do so, but must spend our time fighting these villains. It is a shame!”

“Gosh!” said Pomp; “dey am bery nigh us now, Marse Frank, an’ dis chile s’pecs we done bettah git ready fo’ ’em.”

He closed the metal shutters over the windows by pulling 15a lever, and geared the steering wheel to the stern rudder.

Then he started the big propellers fanning the air, and they drove the boat through the water at a moderate rate.

The inventor’s cool indifference angered the man, and he turned to his companions and gave them an order.

They played a tattoo upon the airship, but she was proof against such weapons, and the bullets did no harm.

“Fools!” said Frank, contemptuously; “they might just as well fling pebbles against a brick wall.”

“G’way from dar now!” roared Pomp, as he dashed out on deck, with the Mexican and Irishman. “G’way, I tele yo’, chilen! D’yo’ want us to plug yo’ full ob lead, huh?”

The bullets merely flattened against the netting or glanced off, for they had not force enough to penetrate.

Protruding the muzzles of their repeating air rifles through the loopholes in the cage, the three now opened fire upon the men in the rowboats.

It surprised the natives to find that they could not reach our friends, and it alarmed them to discover that they were getting the worst of the battle.

Thirty shots had been fired at them, and not a sound save a puff of wind came from the rifles, but the bullets were patterned after torpedoes and burst upon contact.

Fearful execution followed as the flying fragments of the exploded bullets scattered and hit the various ones.

Although only thirty shots had been fired, as was said, at least fifty men were wounded.

“No; let them go,” Frank replied from the dome. “We must try to get out of the water and repair the planes.”

“Yes; but the moment we get up in the air they will fire at the Jove and drop her again.”

“Not if we keep high out of gun range in future,” Frank answered, he sent the machine shoreward.

He was heading his invention to land at a point distant from where the gang were.

But just as she arrived within fifty feet of the shore, there came a grating sound under her keel, and then a heavy shock which ran through her, and almost felled the crew where they stood.

“Confound it!” cried Frank, in tones of vexation, when he saw what happened. “We are in a trap.”

A yell of joy escaped their enemies just then, for they seemed to realize what had happened.

“Howl, ye divils!” roared Barney, shaking his fist at them angrily, “but, be me sowl! it’s a dose of hot lead I’ll pump inter yez, if I have me own way about it!”

“All I can think of is to wait for the rising tide to lift us,” replied Frank, after a moment’s thought.

Before they liberated the Jove there was a strong chance of the pirate gang getting the best of them.

Within a short time Frank saw a number of the gang appear upon the roof of the castle.

Through an opening he observed that they were hauling a gun into position to train it upon the Jove.

16“Holy floy!” roared Barney. “It’s a target they’ll make av us! D’yez moind ther ould pop-gun av thim?”

“Two shots from that piece may destroy us,” said the Mexican, in serious tones.

When they were seen again they were hauling out a rapid fire gun operated by electricity.

The weapon was capable of firing 1,000 shots a minute, and as the bullets hurled from the piece were steel explosive shells, it may be inferred what a dangerous piece of mechanism the gun was when in operation.

As soon as it was on deck Frank loaded it by adjusting a coil of cartridges on a reel at the breech fastened to a long ribbon.

Arranging the cold water reservoir for keeping it cool, and attaching two electric wires, the inventor was ready.

The turn of a wheel brought the muzzle to the desired elevation, and in a moment Frank touched a small lever.

The reports that followed were blended so closely together that they sounded like the ripping of a piece of silk.

As that appalling hail of bullets began to fly up at the gunners upon the roof, several fell.

The rest ran for their lives, and the weapon they had been preparing was almost destroyed.

At the end of that time the distant booming of a gun was heard coming from the direction of the forts.

A shell flew through the air and landed in the lagoon, not far from where the Jove lay.

Fast where she floated, the airship was almost at the mercy of her enemy’s guns, and it made them feel uneasy.

“To see us is impossible from the forts,” said Frank, “but a stray shot may fly this way and hit us.”

“No. Our gun is not a mortar, and in this case is almost useless,” replied the young inventor, sadly.

The prospect made all feel decidedly blue, and they soon heard another report and saw a second shell coming.

The morning was far advanced by the time the second shot came from the fort somewhere along the creek.

The ball landed in the water near the stranded Jove, and Frank anxiously gazed at the shore to see if the tide was rising.

It was impossible to lift the flying machine from the mud flat till the tide came up.

“One of their shots is bound to hit us if we remain here long enough,” said Frank. “We must get ashore.”

As Frank made this assertion he pondered deeply, and finally passed into the engine-room.

The dynamo was working at its full capacity, and the big propellers were whirling furiously.

17Yet there was not power enough to drag the Jove off the mud flat by going ahead.

It was much easier to back the Jove from the muddy elevation than to force her over it, he soon found.

Ignorant of the boat’s landing, the men at the fort kept bombarding the water with shots.

Into the main street of the village ran the Jove, her huge planes towering high as she rolled along.

Bang, bang, bang! went the gun, and a veritable hail of bullets whistled through the streets and rattled against the houses as she ran.

“Bueno!” Zamora replied, excitedly. “Head for the castle, and perhaps, in their excitement, we may save my boy.”

As he passed the compartment in which Captain Diavolo had been confined, he saw the door standing open.

Then he saw that the pirate had severed his bonds on the edge of a piece of broken bottle lying on the floor.

He had evidently knocked the bottle from a shelf and smashed it in order to get the piece of glass.

“No,” replied Frank. “At least not until we repair the planes. We are crippled without their aid.”

Frank rushed out on deck as he spoke, and after a keen survey of the injured parts, he returned within the machine, procured the necessary tools, and said:

“Dem yere pirates gwine to swat yer wif a shot a minute yo’ poke yo’ nose out de doah,” cautioned the coon.

The young inventor and his companion thereupon left the interior and ran up the shrouds.

Quickly reaching the first plane, they set to work with a will and began repairing it.

This done, they ascended to the top plane and began to work, but in a few moments a volley of distant shots was heard, and a storm of bullets flew around them.

Frank laughed and resumed his work, and Pomp and the Mexican sent shot after shot toward the sharp-shooters who had fired at their companions.

18Frank and Barney finished their task, descended to the deck, and entered the cabin.

“If you can get into that building,” the Mexican remarked, “you can get the treasure I told you of.”

Frank then entered the pilot-house, and drove the Jove ahead at the top of her speed.

It made Zamora shudder as she leaped from the cliff into the air while going at a high rate of speed.

Then she sank a trifle, but the wind cushioned her great planes and she floated steadily.

Indeed, she had plunged ahead, and the inventor elevated the forward plane, and she mounted higher.

Around and around she went, and she rose to a height of several hundred feet above the village.

The weapons alluded to resembled huge steel cartridges and were loaded with a dynamite-like powder.

Frank began to drop them out the window upon the big castle below, and every one that struck burst with a loud report, and blew up a portion of the building.

Zamora peered down through a powerful spyglass and suddenly exclaimed in anxious tones:

“He carries some one in his arms, and—ah, by heavens! it’s my boy! It’s my boy, Mr. Reade.”

The darky nodded his woolly head, and let the airship descend toward the lagoon.

All the escaping pirates saw the Jove; a babel of excited voices rose, and they pulled swiftly through the creek to the sea.

“She stands luffed up, and all are boarding her, too,” said Frank, critically. “They design to escape.”

In a remarkably short space of time all the fugitives had boarded the vessel, and she sped away.

But the fog swallowed the pirate cruiser, and it melted from view and was not seen again.

Frank’s words wrung a groan of anguish from Zamora, and the declining sun lent the Mexican’s face a haggard look.

“Poor little Leon!” he muttered, tremulously. “Shall we never save you from the clutches of that incarnate fiend?”

19“Faith, it’s a week now since ther gang escaped us on that ship,” he muttered, “an’ we’ve hunted the say an’ coasht well for thim, but there’s no findin’ thim at all, at all, since ther fog shwallied ’em that day!”

“Gwine down to de sea, Marse Frank?” asked Pomp, who held the steering wheel.

“Skim over the sea along the coast,” advised the inventor, “and we may meet the Golden Lion and save little Leon yet.”

The airship was quite close to a range of frowning cliffs that hemmed the coast and advanced rapidly.

In the far distance was a solitary ship, almost becalmed, for the weather was very quiet and hot.

Ahead a cluster of palms on a narrow, flat neck of land, projected out into the Gulf, assuming the singular look as if they were growing out of the water.

Frank expected to feel the shot, but was disappointed, and ordered Barney to drive ahead till they investigated the shot.

“Peaceful people do not fire gunshots for nothing,” said Frank. “Outlaws carry arms.”

“D’ye moind that,” said Barney, pointing out at the ship they had first seen lying off at sea.

They failed to see a shot strike, although the puff of smoke plainly showed them that the shot had come from the deck of the distant vessel.

A short time afterward the Jove alighted at a place where she could not be seen from the Gulf.

Frank and his companions got up on the rocks and watched the distant vessel very closely.

They imagined, of course, that she was one of Captain Diavolo’s fleet, and resolved to pounce upon her at the earliest opportunity after learning her intention.

The airship was then at least twenty leagues from the retreat of the pirates, for the long search they had for the vessel that carried Leon away had taken them far from the lair of the Coast Terrors.

When the vessel got nearer they saw that she really was a man-of-war, but failed to recognize her nationality.

She hove in within a mile of the coast, and then suddenly ran to the west of where our friends laid.

This odd action was quickly explained by the sudden appearance of a schooner that darted around the wooded promontory, which the frigate was heading off.

“Yes,” replied Frank. “And see, that frigate is heading her off, and evidently means to capture her.”

The frigate had run toward what looked like a buoy, when she struck a mine and exploded it.

Shocked, torn and wrecked, the gallant vessel rolled, pitched and tossed furiously.

“By heavens!” ejaculated Frank, in tones of intense horror, “those scoundrels purposely lured the frigate upon that marine mine to destroy her.”

Then a scene of great confusion ensued upon the deck of the warship, for all hands had been mustered to prepare the boats for debarkation.

It was evidently the pirate’s intention to cut off their retreat to the land by intercepting and killing them mercilessly.

“Unless we interfere,” said Frank, restlessly, “there is soon going to be some bloody work done here.”

“Fo’ suah,” assented Pomp. “Dem yer yaller coons use dar razzahs on de marines, I ’specs.”

The young inventor saw the frigate go down, and all her ill-fated crew were left afloat in the quarter-boats.

“They are absolutely at the mercy of the demons of the Gulf,” Frank muttered. “Come on, boys!”

They quickly boarded the electric airship, and the young inventor, anxious to lend a hand to his endangered fellow-beings, turned on the current.

Impinging on the wind, her planes lifted her from the ground, and she mounted higher as she rushed along.

Within a few moments Frank saw the schooner bearing down upon the six boats, a large crew armed to the teeth swarming over her deck.

The rascals did not hesitate about firing, and as a deadly fusillade was poured out at the marines many of the unfortunates fell killed or wounded.

Armed with these deadly missiles the three passed out on deck, and began to hurl them down upon the deck of the piratical schooner.

The flying metal mowed down the rascals, and they quickly had their attention turned away from their victims.

The sight of the flying machine filled them with horror, and most of them made a rush for the forecastle, the cabin, and the open hatches to get below.

But our friends continued to hurl down the bombs, and soon the missiles set fire to the schooner.

As the blaze increased the yells of the pirates became horrible to hear, and they rushed on deck.

The rascals hoped to have some time, but the fire reached their magazine by the time two of the boats were put overboard.

High in the air the torn ship was blown, the bodies of over half her crew mingled with the broken planks and torn cordage.

By the time the scattered remains of the schooner came down, the naval soldiers were rowing after the two boats that escaped.

The crews of these two boats were rowing like mad for the shore, for they expected no mercy from the crew of the sunken gunboat.

Before the rascals could reach the coast, the marines hove up and surrounded them.

A deadly volley of shots poured in upon the screaming wretches from all sides, and when the marines finished their shooting, not a pirate lived to tell what had happened.

Frank and his companions witnessed the extermination of the gang of pirates, and when it was completed, Barney said:

“True; but had they been captured and court-martialed, they would have been shot, anyway,” replied the inventor.

“No. What’s the use? It would do no good. We have seen what happened. The scene explains itself.”

On went the flying machine, and they heard the marines shout up to them, and saw them beckoning, but they paid no heed to the calls.

The airship soon faded from the view of those below, and went scouring along the coast for the next few days in quest of the Golden Lion.

A number of ships were encountered, but the vessels they sought were not among them.

“It is my opinion that Captain Diavolo has taken fright, and intends to hide until we’re gone.”

“What shall we do then?” queried Zamora, in troubled tones, for his mind was constantly harassed by the fear that some harm had befallen his little boy.

“I don’t expect to, but we may secure their treasure if Zamora will show us its hiding place.”

“Dis am de bestest time fo’ to go dar, while de pirates am away,” assented Pomp.

With this agreement the airship was started off, and late in the afternoon arrived in view of the settlement.

“Then we will not be molested in our efforts to get the treasure,” said Zamora.

“Well, we will remove it from its present place, and by the time this is done the pirates, missing us, may think we have gone away, and make their reappearance.”

“We can pounce on them, and make a struggle to get your son from their clutches.”

A few minutes afterward the Jove settled down in the big square facing the castle.

Leaving Barney in charge of her, the others armed themselves, took a portable electric lantern, and strode over to Captain Diavolo’s dwelling.

The shots they had rained down upon it had almost blown the upper part to pieces, and it presented a battered look that spoiled its beauty.

There was a fine entrance, and the trio passed into a large corridor, upon which several rooms opened.

Proceeding to the rear, a broad staircase was reached, which led them into the cellar beneath the building.

By turning a switch on the lantern a bright light was caused to gush from the bull’s-eye.

Zamora led the way, as he was familiar with the place, and going to one of the stone foundation walls, he pointed at an iron door studded with huge bolt heads.

It was easy to do this, as Frank had provided himself with several of the hand grenades.

The inventor then hurled a bomb at the padlock; there sounded a furious explosion, a glare of light was seen, and then the lock was blown to pieces.

As this occurred the three rushed to the door, flung it open, the lantern light was projected inside, and a most thrilling scene met their view.

22The floor of the storeroom was littered with boxes, bales, casks and packages stolen from ship and shore.

They contained rich laces, silks and velvets, expensive ornaments, paintings, statuary, silverware, and other articles made of gold and other precious metals.

Several kegs were filled to overflowing with gold coins of foreign countries; there was a box containing a large assortment of bejeweled rings, pins and other jewelry, and a small casket of unset diamonds, pearls and rubies stood upon a tiny table in one corner.

A number of vases, chalices, crucifixes and similar secular objects laid on the floor, showing plainly that the Terror of the Coast did not scruple about robbing churches.

No matter in what direction the glance turned, a new object of great interest was seen.

“Zamora, I am amazed at the richness of this treasure. You did not exaggerate it any. In fact, you did not do it justice. There are several million dollars’ worth of stuff here.”

“I’se gwine ter open a bank when I gits my share ob dis,” chuckled Pomp. “Wonder whar it all come from, chillen?”

“The pirates waded knee deep in blood to gain this treasure,” replied Zamora, in grave tones. “It represents many a hard-fought battle, many a human life, many widows and orphans.”

He selected the most valuable things and each one seized a parcel, and carried it from the vault.

As they reached the main cellar a terrible surprise awaited them, in the form of a horde of the pirates.

Every one of the rascals carried a weapon, and the Terror pointed at the startled trio, and yelled:

It was very evident that the rascals had been hidden in the castle, had seen them coming, and now expected to kill or capture them, for every weapon was pointed their way.

These words sent a chill of horror through our friends, for they did not expect their doom was to be settled so soon.

He resolved, though, to gain a short respite by parleying, for he hoped, in a feverish way, that in the interval he might think of some method whereby he could save the party.

“Not a minute, curse you! I’ve got the whip hand now, and I’ll make you pay dearly for the losses and trouble and indignity you have put me to. And as for you,” he added, furiously, shaking his fist at Zamora, “I could tear your heart from your living body, blast you! I haven’t forgotten the choking you gave me, you dog!”

“Kill me and spare the others,” pleaded the Mexican. “I am not afraid to die, since it seems impossible for me to wrest my unfortunate child from your vile clutch.”

“Not with a king’s ransom! Revenge to me is far sweeter than gold. I’ll have no mercy! Aim, boys, and when I count three, fire at them together!”

At last it was a general stampede of the pirates before they had time to fire the fatal volley with which they designed to kill Frank and his two companions.

Pomp bent over, charged on a man who was in his way, butted him like a goat, and knocked the fellow over.

It was lucky Barney had taken it into his head to arm himself with grenades and follow his friends, for he had seen what happened, and made a bold charge to save them.

The electric lantern showed the Irishman where his friends were, so that he was enabled to use his arms in such a way as not to hurt them.

Some of Diavolo’s men fired back, but were so panic-stricken their aim was bad, and they did no damage.

A grand rush was made for a secret exit which they had entered, but many had fallen never to rise again.

“Oireland foriver!” howled Barney, for the fighting Irishman was in his glory when a row was going on.

Only half a dozen reached the courtyard, and the diabolical captain was in the lead.

Several of Diavolo’s party fell in their tracks, wounded, and our friends chased the rest through the corridor.

As Frank dashed out the door he saw the leader and several of his men rushing toward the water.

Far over the water, lying almost hidden against the dense shrubbery and trees along the shore was a schooner.

Within one minute more Frank had her rushing swiftly across the square, and she rose on the wind.

A turn of the wheel directed her over the water, and she shot along at a rapid pace.

Below, Frank saw Diavolo in a skiff with three men, and they were rowing furiously toward the schooner.

Going out on deck, he leaned over the side, and taking careful aim, he let one of the grenades fall.

24He finally reached it, waded out, rushed away, and darting a scared look up at the Jove, he plunged into the bushes.

“It won’t be long before we meet him again, I feel quite confident,” remarked Frank, in dry tones.

“See!” muttered the Mexican, nervously, as he pointed at the vessel. “The crew seem to realize what has happened, and are preparing to sail away.”

The airship was about five hundred feet above the sea, and she glided straight toward the schooner.

But he saw the crew of the vessel elevating the muzzle of a gun to bear upon the airship.

Seeing that he had better make his intentions known by actions rather than words, the young inventor hurled a bomb down at the deck.

That scattered the men from about the gun, and stopped the work of raising the anchor and sails.

Another bomb wounded several more, and drove the crew overboard, whereupon they took to the land.

“No,” Frank replied. “I’ve watched keenly, and did not see a child leave the schooner. In their panic those fellows only thought of saving themselves. Doubtless they have left the boy behind.”

“It is very dangerous, then, to use more bombs, as you might hit him,” said the Mexican.

“Very true! I’ll stop. Those fellows are greatly afraid of this airship. They may not be afraid to fight people on an equal footing, but when it comes to an attack from the sky they realize their helplessness and lose courage.”

Shortly the airship arrived close to the schooner, and there she was driven in circles in order to keep her in the air.

Frank got out a wire ladder and carried it to the deck, where he fastened one end and let the other end down.

When half-way down the ladder he heard volley after volley of rifle shots coming from shore, and saw the crew shooting at him from behind trees and rocks.

Scores of bullets hit the daring fellow, and hundreds whistled and hummed around him like a swarm of bees.

His friends promptly carried out his order, and an occasional yell of pain coming from the bushes told that their shots were not all wasted.

He lost no time about getting down the rest of the ladder, and as the airship circled over the schooner he alighted.

Some of the pirates rushed from their coverts, and were about to dash over, board the vessel, and try to capture him, when a deadly volley from the Jove checked their impulse.

These words had scarcely left his lips, though, when he stumbled over a soft object lying on the floor.

A cruel blow on the head, dealt by one of the pirates, had knocked him down, wounded and unconscious.

“Now to escape!” he muttered. “If the fire reaches the magazine, the schooner will blow up and kill us!”

He reached the door with his little burden, but to his dismay found it closed with a spring lock.

The knob was broken off, and he therefore could not open it; nor were the windows big enough to let him out.

Frank was in a most desperate situation, and he laid the boy down and searched the cabin.

He finally found an ax, and with this implement he attacked the door in an effort to burst it down.

As it went down with a crash he seized Leon Zamora and hastened upon deck with the senseless boy.

Frank’s friends were still firing at the pirates in the bushes, and a cry of joy escaped them when they saw him appear with Leon in his arms.

Over the schooner swept the Jove, and Frank got on the ladder, whereupon Barney swiftly drove the machine away over the water toward the shore.

Although many bullets were shot at the inventor, they missed him, and he was carried out of danger.

The joy of Zamora knew no bounds, and when the boy’s wound was dressed and he recovered, he was more than delighted to find himself safe again with his father.

Captain Diavolo’s men were furious when they saw the inventor safely escape with the little prisoner.

Realizing that Frank was liable to attack them, they made haste to get away from that dangerous locality, and when the young inventor sent the flying machine on a hunt for them, not one of the villains was to be found.

“They have got enough,” laughed Frank, “and have like the Arabs silently folded their tents and stolen away.”

“Yes, indeed,” assented Zamora. “The gold is due to you for having saved my little boy.”

“I’se gwine to steer fo’ de ole castle, den,” remarked Pomp, as he spun the wheel around.

“The airship is capable of carrying a weight of several tons beside what we have already aboard,” said Frank, “and for that reason we can easily get away with the bulk of the Terror’s horde.”

When they were ready to descend they saw the schooner blow up, and her remains sunk under the sea.

It occupied a full day to get the treasure aboard and stow it. But they finally secured it.

Not one of the pirates disturbed them, and on the following morning Frank drove the Jove high in the air, and sent her along the coast.

Indeed, she mounted so high that she rose above the clouds in the rare upper atmosphere.

“Since I started in fighting the Terror of the Coast,” answered 26the inventor, “I have concluded to not leave my task unfinished. Captain Diavolo is still at large. He yet has his steamship to scour this gulf. I am determined to find the man and his craft, and put them where they will do no further harm.”

“It is a noble resolve, and has my heartfelt sympathy,” said Don Zamora, earnestly. “And by your leave, senor, I shall remain aboard until your purpose is finally accomplished, compadre!”

He spent several days after that searching for the villain, but failed to find him.

League after league of the coast was patrolled, and they finally reached the neighborhood of Florida.

Off one of the keys a ship was discerned one morning by the young inventor, who stood on deck.

Frank looked intensely disappointed, and cast another glance down at the vessel.

As he did so he saw a very much larger steamer run from behind the key and race after the first one.

The large vessel carried a black flag at the masthead, in the center of which were a skull and crossbones.

“Those monsters are intent on running the smaller craft down and attacking it.”

“Of course!” cried Frank. “And, by jingo! among the big gang swarming over the deck of the Snake I recognize the figure of Captain Diavolo.”

“Then the scoundrel and the crew of the schooner which contained my boy must have been picked up by this craft, and carried away.”

Barney and Pomp were apprised of the news, and they eagerly scanned the pirates’ craft.

“I reckon dey doan’ ’spec dat we’se ober dar haids up yere in de clouds,” chuckled the coon.

“Shure, they’ll be afther knowin’ it soon enough,” laughed Barney, as he spit on his hands and rubbed them together.

As he spoke, they heard the faint report of a gun, and saw a shot strike the stern of the fugitive steamer.

Judging by the actions of the vessel, the ball had evidently struck the rudder or screw, for she ran wild, and her engineer was obliged to stop her.

The Terror dashed ahead, and another shot was discharged from her deck, the ball sweeping the deck of the other.

“We must stop them at once!” he exclaimed, “or they will, perhaps, murder the whole crew. Barney, take charge and drop the Jove down toward them.”

He gave his place to the Irishman, and going back to the room where the arms were kept, he quickly secured an enormous grenade, and carried it out on deck.

“If this shell lands on her deck it will blow her to pieces,” he muttered, grimly. “Now for a trial.”

Waiting until the airship was almost directly above the other vessel, Frank let the shell fly.

Down, down, down it went at a terrific speed until it had almost reached the steamer.

27But the Snake dashed ahead, the grenade missed, and it plunged harmlessly into the sea.

A cry of intense vexation escaped Frank, and he saw his enemies go flying ahead blissfully ignorant of the great danger they had escaped.

The Jove was descending rapidly under Barney’s skillful guidance, and it soon hovered within a few hundred feet of the sea when the pirates saw it.

A fierce yell escaped them, and they swung a big swivel gun around and fired up at her.

The shot crashed through the airship’s hull, and the villains rapidly loaded the gun again.

In a minute more all hands had their weapons ready for action, and began to fire down at the pirates.

The fugitive steamer was near by, and her crew, armed with several rifles and pistols, were firing at the pirates.

The pirates were between two fires, and while half of them turned their attention upon the steamer’s crew, the other half engaged at firing at the airship’s crew.

In the midst of the conflict one of Diavolo’s gunners discharged the swivel piece up at the Jove again.

This shot smashed into the plane uprights on the port side, breaking them in two and tearing the braces.

“Lookout! We’re falling!” shouted Frank. “We can’t float with that hole in our boat’s hull.”

He seized a line as he spoke and flung an end to the crew of the disabled steamer, while he tied the other end to the Jove.

At the same moment Zamora let another of the big bombs fly out a window at the Snake.

The grenade struck the side of the pirates’ vessel, and tearing a big hole there, caused her to fill.

In a few moments it was clear the vessel would be sunk many fathoms under the Gulf.

A cheer escaped Frank’s party despite their own peril, when they saw what the Mexican did.

“At last I am revenged!” hoarsely cried Zamora, as he seized his child and ran on deck.

The doom of the flying machine was sealed, for she fluttered to the water and began to sink.

Working furiously, they dragged the airship to the side of the disabled steamer and secured her so she could not go down.

Willing hands assisted them aboard the steamer just as the Snake sank, carrying many of her crew down with her.

Captain Diavolo was killed during the explosion of the grenade, and the crew of the Yankee vessel shot the rest, who were swimming.

Seeing that his invention could not be repaired where it was, Frank abandoned all hope of saving her.

A few hasty words passed between him and the captain of the steamer, and the inventor was assured of a passage to New York in his vessel when she was repaired.

Then he and his friends dragged the treasure out of her and stowed it below, after which the line holding the Jove was cut, and our gallant flying machine sank in the deep Gulf.

Our friends told the Yankee crew all about themselves, and in return learned that the craft had recently left a Mexican port, and was homeward bound when attacked.

She was badly damaged by the shot, but they finally repaired her so she was able to finish her journey.

Zamora and his son were landed in Florida, from whence they could easily get home, and he warmly thanked Frank and his friends for all they had done for him and his child.

Our friends, therefore, gave the captain and crew of the 28steamer an ample share of it, and divided the rest among themselves.

Landing in New York, our friends proceeded to Readestown, and received a warm welcome home.

Frank since then has built other wonderful inventions, and we will soon give our readers an account of another one. But our story of his greatest flying machine is ended, and we will, therefore, defer our narrative to the volume which follows this one.

Read “ONE HUNDRED MILES BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE SEA; OR, THE MARVELOUS TRIP OF FRANK READE, JR.,” which will be the next number (50) of “Frank Reade Weekly Magazine.”

SPECIAL NOTICE: All back 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, 24 UNION SQUARE, NEW YORK, and you will receive the copies you order by return mail.

The Best Illustrated Weekly Story Paper Published.

ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY.

“HAPPY DAYS” is a large 16-page paper containing Interesting Stories, Poems, Sketches, Comic Stories, Jokes, Answers to Correspondents, and many other bright features. Its Authors and Artists have a national reputation. No amount of money is spared to make this weekly the best published.

A NEW STORY BEGINS EVERY WEEK IN “HAPPY DAYS.”

OUT TO-DAY! OUT TO-DAY!

LUCKY LIGE;

OR,

The Boy Who Fooled Them All.

By Fred Fearnot,

(Hero of the Great “WORK AND WIN” Stories).

Begins in No. 470 of “HAPPY DAYS”, Issued October 2, 1903.

PRICE 5 CENTS.

For Sale by All Newsdealers, or Will Be Sent to Any Address on Receipt of Price by

FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, ❧ ❧ 24 Union Square, New York.

Each book consists of sixty-four pages, printed on good paper, in clear type and neatly bound in an attractive, illustrated cover. Most of the books are also profusely illustrated, and all of the subjects treated upon are explained in such a simple manner that any child can thoroughly understand them. Look over the list as classified and see if you want to know anything about the subjects mentioned.

THESE BOOKS ARE FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDEALERS OR WILL BE SENT BY MAIL TO ANY ADDRESS FROM THIS OFFICE ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, TEN CENTS EACH, OR ANY THREE BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y.

No. 81. HOW TO MESMERIZE.—Containing the most approved methods of mesmerism; also how to cure all kinds of diseases by animal magnetism, or, magnetic healing. By Prof. Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. S., author of “How to Hypnotize,” etc.

No. 82. HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.—Containing the most approved methods of reading the lines on the hand, together with a full explanation of their meaning. Also explaining phrenology, and the key for telling character by the bumps on the head. By Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. S. Fully illustrated.

No. 83. HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.—Containing valuable and instructive information regarding the science of hypnotism. Also explaining the most approved methods which are employed by the leading hypnotists of the world. By Leo Hugo Koch, A.C.S.

No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains full instructions about guns, hunting dogs, traps, trapping and fishing, together with descriptions of game and fish.

No. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully illustrated. Every boy should know how to row and sail a boat. Full instructions are given in this little book, together with instructions on swimming and riding, companion sports to boating.

No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSE.—A complete treatise on the horse. Describing the most useful horses for business, the best horses for the road; also valuable recipes for diseases peculiar to the horse.

No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANOES.—A handy book for boys, containing full directions for constructing canoes and the most popular manner of sailing them. Fully illustrated. By O. Stansfield Hicks.

No. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND DREAM BOOK.—Containing the great oracle of human destiny; also the true meaning of almost any kind of dreams, together with charms, ceremonies, and curious games of cards. A complete book.

No. 23. HOW TO EXPLAIN DREAMS.—Everybody dreams, from the little child to the aged man and woman. This little book gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky and unlucky days, and “Napoleon’s Oraculum,” the book of fate.

No. 28. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES.—Everyone is desirous of knowing what his future life will bring forth, whether happiness or misery, wealth or poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little book. Buy one and be convinced. Tell your own fortune. Tell the fortune of your friends.

No. 76. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES BY THE HAND.—Containing rules for telling fortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, or the secret of palmistry. Also the secret of telling future events by aid of moles, marks, scars, etc. Illustrated. By A. Anderson.

No. 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE.—Giving full instruction for the use of dumb bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, horizontal bars and various other methods of developing a good, healthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations. Every boy can become strong and healthy by following the instructions contained in this little book.

No. 10. HOW TO BOX.—The art of self-defense made easy. Containing over thirty illustrations of guards, blows, and the different positions of a good boxer. Every boy should obtain one of these useful and instructive books, as it will teach you how to box without an instructor.

No. 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.—Containing full instructions for all kinds of gymnastic sports and athletic exercises. Embracing thirty-five illustrations. By Professor W. Macdonald. A handy and useful book.

No. 34. HOW TO FENCE.—Containing full instruction for fencing and the use of the broadsword; also instruction in archery. Described with twenty-one practical illustrations, giving the best positions in fencing. A complete book.

No. 51. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Containing explanations of the general principles of sleight-of-hand applicable to card tricks; of card tricks with ordinary cards, and not requiring sleight-of-hand; of tricks involving sleight-of-hand, or the use of specially prepared cards. By Professor Haffner. Illustrated.

No. 72. HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Embracing all of the latest and most deceptive card tricks, with illustrations. By A. Anderson.

No. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICKS WITH CARDS.—Containing deceptive Card Tricks as performed by leading conjurors and magicians. Arranged for home amusement. Fully illustrated.

No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of magic and card tricks, containing full instruction on all the leading card tricks of the day, also the most popular magical illusions as performed by our leading magicians; every boy should obtain a copy of this book, as it will both amuse and instruct.

No. 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.—Heller’s second sight explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Explaining how the secret dialogues were carried on between the magician and the boy on the stage; also giving all the codes and signals. The only authentic explanation of second sight.

No. 43. HOW TO BECOME A MAGICIAN.—Containing the grandest assortment of magical illusions ever placed before the public. Also tricks with cards, incantations, etc.

No. 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS.—Containing over one hundred highly amusing and instructive tricks with chemicals. By A. Anderson. Handsomely illustrated.

No. 69. HOW TO DO SLEIGHT OF HAND.—Containing over fifty of the latest and best tricks used by magicians. Also containing the secret of second sight. Fully illustrated. By A. Anderson.

No. 70. HOW TO MAKE MAGIC TOYS.—Containing full directions for making Magic Toys and devices of many kinds. By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated.

No. 73. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS.—Showing many curious tricks with figures and the magic of numbers. By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated.

No. 75. HOW TO BECOME A CONJUROR.—Containing tricks with Dominos, Dice, Cups and Balls, Hats, etc. Embracing thirty-six illustrations. By A. Anderson.

No. 78. HOW TO DO THE BLACK ART.—Containing a complete description of the mysteries of Magic and Sleight of Hand, together with many wonderful experiments. By A. Anderson. Illustrated.

No. 29. HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.—Every boy should know how inventions originated. This book explains them all, giving examples in electricity, hydraulics, magnetism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics, etc. The most instructive book published.

No. 56. HOW TO BECOME AN ENGINEER.—Containing full instructions how to proceed in order to become a locomotive engineer; also directions for building a model locomotive; together with a full description of everything an engineer should know.

No. 57. HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.—Full directions how to make a Banjo, Violin, Zither, Æolian Harp, Xylophone and other musical instruments; together with a brief description of nearly every musical instrument used in ancient or modern times. Profusely illustrated. By Algernon S. Fitzgerald, for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengal Marines.

No. 59. HOW TO MAKE A MAGIC LANTERN.—Containing a description of the lantern, together with its history and invention. Also full directions for its use and for painting slides. Handsomely illustrated. By John Allen.

No. 71. HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS.—Containing complete instructions for performing over sixty Mechanical Tricks. By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated.

No. 11. HOW TO WRITE LOVE-LETTERS.—A most complete little book, containing full directions for writing love-letters, and when to use them, giving specimen letters for young and old.

No. 12. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO LADIES.—Giving complete instructions for writing letters to ladies on all subjects; also letters of introduction, notes and requests.

No. 24. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO GENTLEMEN.—Containing full directions for writing to gentlemen on all subjects; also giving sample letters for instruction.

No. 53. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS.—A wonderful little book, telling you how to write to your sweetheart, your father, mother, sister, brother, employer; and, in fact, everybody and anybody you wish to write to. Every young man and every young lady in the land should have this book.

No. 74. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS CORRECTLY.—Containing full instructions for writing letters on almost any subject; also rules for punctuation and composition, with specimen letters.

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 return mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.

FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. ....190

Dear Sir—Enclosed find .... cents for which please send me:

.... copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos....................................
.... copies of WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos................................
.... copies of FRANK READE WEEKLY, Nos..............................
.... copies of PLUCK AND LUCK, Nos..................................
.... copies of SECRET SERVICE, Nos..................................
.... copies of THE LIBERTY BOYS OF ’76, Nos.........................
.... copies of Ten-Cent Hand Books, Nos.............................

Name .............. Street and No. ......... Town ........ State ...

180 The Bradys and the Serpent Ring; or, The Strange Case of the Fortune-Teller.

182 The Bradys and the “Bonanza” King; or, Fighting the Fakirs In ’Frisco.

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 return mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY.

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.

45 Young Wild West and the Russian Duke; or, A Lively Time on Mountain and Plain.

No. 41. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK END MEN’S JOKE BOOK.—Containing a great variety of the latest jokes used by the most famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without this wonderful little book.

No. 42. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK STUMP SPEAKER.—Containing a varied assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing for home amusement and amateur shows.

No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE AND JOKE BOOK.—Something new and very instructive. Every boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for organizing an amateur minstrel troupe.

No. 65. MULDOON’S JOKES.—This is one of the most original joke books ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It contains a large collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, etc., of Terrence Muldoon, the great wit, humorist, and practical joker of the day. Every boy who can enjoy a good substantial joke should obtain a copy immediately.

No. 79. HOW TO BECOME AN ACTOR.—Containing complete instructions how to make up for various characters on the stage; together with the duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, Scenic Artist and Property Man. By a prominent Stage Manager.

No. 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKE BOOK.—Containing the latest jokes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned and ever popular German comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome colored cover containing a half-tone photo of the author.

No. 16. HOW TO KEEP A WINDOW GARDEN.—Containing full instructions for constructing a window garden either in town or country, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful flowers at home. The most complete book of the kind ever published.

No. 30. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive books on cooking ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats, fish, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of pastry, and a grand collection of recipes by one of our most popular books.

No. 37 HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.—It contains information for everybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to make almost anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, brackets, cements, Æolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds.

No. 46. HOW TO MAKE AND USE ELECTRICITY.—A description of the wonderful uses of electricity and electro magnetism; together with full instructions for making Electric Toys, Batteries, etc. By George Trebel, A. M., M. D. Containing over fifty illustrations.

No. 64. HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MACHINES.—Containing full directions for making electrical machines, induction coils, dynamos, and many novel toys to be worked by electricity. By R. A. R. Bennett. Fully illustrated.

No. 67. HOW TO DO ELECTRICAL TRICKS.—Containing a large collection of instructive and highly amusing electrical tricks, together with illustrations. By A. Anderson.

No. 9. HOW TO BECOME A VENTRILOQUIST.—By Harry Kennedy. The secret given away. Every intelligent boy reading this book of instructions, by a practical professor (delighting multitudes every night with his wonderful imitations), can master the art, and create any amount of fun for himself and friends. It is the greatest book ever published, and there’s millions (of fun) in it.

No. 20. HOW TO ENTERTAIN AN EVENING PARTY.—A very valuable little book just published. A complete compendium of games, sports, card diversions, comic recitations, etc., suitable for parlor or drawing-room entertainment. It contains more for the money than any book published.

No. 35. HOW TO PLAY GAMES.—A complete and useful little book, containing the rules and regulations of billiards, bagatelle, backgammon, croquet, dominoes, etc.

No. 36. HOW TO SOLVE CONUNDRUMS.—Containing all the leading conundrums of the day, amusing riddles, curious catches and witty sayings.

No. 52. HOW TO PLAY CARDS.—A complete and handy little book, giving the rules and full directions for playing Euchre, Cribbage, Casino, Forty-Five, Rounce, Pedro Sancho, Draw Poker, Auction Pitch, All Fours, and many other popular games of cards.

No. 66. HOW TO DO PUZZLES.—Containing over three hundred interesting puzzles and conundrums, with key to same. A complete book. Fully illustrated. By A. Anderson.

No. 13. HOW TO DO IT; OR, BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—It is a great life secret, and one that every young man desires to know all about. There’s happiness in it.

No. 33. HOW TO BEHAVE.—Containing the rules and etiquette of good society and the easiest and most approved methods of appearing to good advantage at parties, balls, the theatre, church, and in the drawing-room.

No. 27. HOW TO RECITE AND BOOK OF RECITATIONS.—Containing the most popular selections in use, comprising Dutch dialect, French dialect, Yankee and Irish dialect pieces, together with many standard readings.

No. 31. HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER.—Containing fourteen illustrations, giving the different positions requisite to become a good speaker, reader and elocutionist. Also containing gems from all the popular authors of prose and poetry, arranged in the most simple and concise manner possible.

No. 40. HOW TO DEBATE.—Giving rules for conducting debates, outlines for debates, questions for discussion, and the best sources for procuring information on the questions given.

No. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.—The arts and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this little book. Besides the various methods of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it contains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers, which is interesting to everybody, both old and young. You cannot be happy without one.

No. 4. HOW TO DANCE is the title of a new and handsome little book just issued by Frank Tousey. It contains full instructions in the art of dancing, etiquette in the ball-room and at parties, how to dress, and full directions for calling off in all popular square dances.

No. 5. HOW TO MAKE LOVE.—A complete guide to love courtship and marriage, giving sensible advice, rules and etiquette to be observed, with many curious and interesting things not generally known.

No. 17. HOW TO DRESS.—Containing full instruction in the art of dressing and appearing well at home and abroad, giving the selections of colors, material, and how to have them made up.

No. 18. HOW TO BECOME BEAUTIFUL.—One of the brightest and most valuable little books ever given to the world. Everybody wishes to know how to become beautiful, both male and female. The secret is simple, and almost costless. Read this book and be convinced how to become beautiful.

No. 7. HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Handsomely illustrated and containing full instructions for the management and training of the canary, mockingbird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, etc.

No. 39. HOW TO RAISE DOGS, POULTRY, PIGEONS AND RABBITS.—A useful and instructive book. Handsomely illustrated. By Ira Drofraw.

No. 40. HOW TO MAKE AND SET TRAPS.—Including hints on how to catch moles, weasels, otter, rats, squirrels and birds. Also how to cure skins. Copiously illustrated. By J. Harrington Keene.

No. 50. HOW TO STUFF BIRDS AND ANIMALS.—A valuable book, giving instructions in collecting, preparing, mounting and preserving birds, animals and insects.

No. 54. HOW TO KEEP AND MANAGE PETS.—Giving complete information as to the manner and method of raising, keeping, taming, breeding, and managing all kinds of pets; also giving full instructions for making cages, etc. Fully explained by twenty-eight illustrations, making it the most complete book of the kind ever published.

No. 8. HOW TO BECOME A SCIENTIST.—A useful and instructive book, giving a complete treatise on chemistry; also experiments in acoustics, mechanics, mathematics, chemistry, and directions for making fireworks, colored fires, and gas balloons. This book cannot be equaled.

No. 14. HOW TO MAKE CANDY.—A complete hand-book for making all kinds of candy, ice-cream, syrups, essences, etc., etc.

No. 19.—FRANK TOUSEY’S UNITED STATES DISTANCE TABLES, POCKET COMPANION AND GUIDE.—Giving the official distances on all the railroads of the United States and Canada. Also table of distances by water to foreign ports, hack fares in the principal cities, reports of the census, etc., etc., making it one of the most complete and handy books published.

No. 38. HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.—A wonderful book, containing useful and practical information in the treatment of ordinary diseases and ailments common to every family. Abounding in useful and effective recipes for general complaints.

No. 55. HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.—Containing valuable information regarding the collecting and arranging of stamps and coins. Handsomely illustrated.

No. 58. HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.—By Old King Brady the world-known detective. In which he lays down some valuable and sensible rules for beginners, and also relates some adventures and experiences of well-known detectives.

No. 60. HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER.—Containing useful information regarding the Camera and how to work it; also how to make Photographic Magic Lantern Slides and other Transparencies. Handsomely illustrated. By Captain W. De W. Abney.

No. 62. HOW TO BECOME A WEST POINT MILITARY CADET.—Containing full explanations how to gain admittance, course of Study, Examinations, Duties, Staff 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. HOW TO BECOME A NAVAL CADET.—Complete instructions 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. Compiled and written by Lu Senarens, author at “How to Become a West Point Military Cadet.”

All our readers know Frank Reade, Jr., the greatest inventor of the age, and his two fun-loving chums, Barney and Pomp. The stories published in this magazine 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 is a rare treat. Tell your newsdealer to get you a copy.

6 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Electric Terror, the “Thunderer”; or, The Search for the Tartar’s Captive.

7 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Air Wonder, the “Kite”; or, A Six Weeks’ Flight Over the Andes.

8 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Deep Sea Diver, the “Tortoise”; or, The Search for a Sunken Island.

9 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Electric Invention, the “Warrior”; or, Fighting Apaches in Arizona.

10 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Electric Air Boat; or, Hunting Wild Beasts for a Circus.

11 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Torpedo Boat; or, At War With the Brazilian Rebels.

13 From Zone to Zone; or, The Wonderful Trip of Frank Reade, Jr., with His Latest Air Ship.

14 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Electric Cruiser of the Lakes; or, A Journey Through Africa by Water.

16 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Engine of the Clouds; or, Chased Around the World in the Sky.

17 In the Great Whirlpool; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Strange Adventures in a Submarine Boat.

19 Six Weeks in the Clouds; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Air-Ship the “Thunderbolt.”

22 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Electric Air Racer; or, Around the Globe in Thirty Days.

23 The Sunken Pirate; or, Frank Reade, Jr., in Search of a Treasure at the Bottom of the Sea.

25 Frank Reade, Jr., and His Electric Ice Ship; or, Driven Adrift in the Frozen Sky.

26 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Electric Sea Engine; or, Hunting for a Sunken Diamond Mine.

27 The Black Range; or, Frank Reade, Jr., Among the Cowboys with His Electric Caravan.

28 Over the Andes with Frank Reade, Jr., in His New Air-Ship; or, Wild Adventures in Peru.

29 Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring a Submarine Mountain; or, Lost at the Bottom of the Sea.

30 Adrift in Africa; or, Frank Reade, Jr., Among the Ivory Hunters with His New Electric Wagon.

32 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Search for the Sea Serpent; or, Six Thousand Miles Under the Sea.

33 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Prairie Whirlwind; or, The Mystery of the Hidden Canyon.

34 Around the Horizon for Ten Thousand Miles; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Most Wonderful Trip.

35 Lost In the Atlantic Valley; or, Frank Reade, Jr., and his Wonder, the “Dart.”

36 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Desert Explorer; or, The Underground City of the Sahara.

37 Lost in the Mountains of the Moon; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Great Trip with the “Scud.”

39 Frank Reade, Jr.’s Clipper of the Prairie; or, Fighting the Apaches in the Southwest.

40 The Chase of a Comet; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Aerial Trip with the “Flash.”

42 Frank Reade Jr.’s Electric Buckboard; or, Thrilling Adventures in North Australia.

43 Around the Arctic Circle; or, Frank Reade Jr.’s Famous Flight With His Air Ship.

44 Frank Reade Jr.’s Search for the Silver Whale; or, Under the Ocean in the Electric “Dolphin.”

50 100 Miles Below the Surface of the Sea; or, The Marvelous Trip of Frank Reade, Jr.

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK READE, JR., FIGHTING THE TERROR OF THE COAST ***

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Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Application made for Second-Class Entry at N. Y. Post-Office.
No. 49.	NEW YORK, OCTOBER 2, 1903.	Price 5 Cents.

CHAPTER	I.	CHASING THE AIR-SHIP.
CHAPTER	II.	A DANGEROUS FALL.
CHAPTER	III.	OVERTURNED IN THE AIR.
CHAPTER	IV.	POMP’S ESCAPE.
CHAPTER	V.	THE TERROR OF THE COAST.
CHAPTER	VI.	SHOT BY A LAND BATTERY.
CHAPTER	VII.	STUCK IN THE MUD.
CHAPTER	VIII.	ATTACKING THE PIRATES’ LAIR.
CHAPTER	IX.	THE END OF ONE OF THE SHIPS.
CHAPTER	X.	THE PIRATES’ TREASURE.
CHAPTER	XI.	THE RESCUE.
CHAPTER	XII.	CONCLUSION.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Reade, Jr., Fighting the Terror of the Coast

E-text prepared by Richard Tonsing
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
(http://www.pgdp.net)
from page images generously made available by
Internet Archive
(https://archive.org)

Frank Reade, Jr., Fighting the Terror of the Coast.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.
CHASING THE AIR-SHIP.

CHAPTER II.
A DANGEROUS FALL.

CHAPTER III.
OVERTURNED IN THE AIR.

CHAPTER IV.
POMP’S ESCAPE.

CHAPTER V.
THE TERROR OF THE COAST.

CHAPTER VI.
SHOT BY A LAND BATTERY.

CHAPTER VII.
STUCK IN THE MUD.

CHAPTER VIII.
ATTACKING THE PIRATES’ LAIR.

CHAPTER IX.
THE END OF ONE OF THE SHIPS.

CHAPTER X.
THE PIRATES’ TREASURE.

CHAPTER XI.
THE RESCUE.

CHAPTER XII.
CONCLUSION.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

For Sale by All Newsdealers, or will be Sent to Any Address on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy, by
FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher,	24 Union Square, New York

For Sale by All Newsdealers, or will be Sent to Any Address on Receipt of Price, 5 Cents per Copy, by
FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher,	24 Union Square, New York.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Reade, Jr., Fighting the Terror of the Coast

E-text prepared by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org)

Frank Reade, Jr., Fighting the Terror of the Coast.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. CHASING THE AIR-SHIP.

CHAPTER II. A DANGEROUS FALL.

CHAPTER III. OVERTURNED IN THE AIR.

CHAPTER IV. POMP’S ESCAPE.

CHAPTER V. THE TERROR OF THE COAST.

CHAPTER VI. SHOT BY A LAND BATTERY.

CHAPTER VII. STUCK IN THE MUD.

CHAPTER VIII. ATTACKING THE PIRATES’ LAIR.

CHAPTER IX. THE END OF ONE OF THE SHIPS.

CHAPTER X. THE PIRATES’ TREASURE.

CHAPTER XI. THE RESCUE.

CHAPTER XII. CONCLUSION.