CHAPTER XXIII

Norwas the mate's warning a panicky one. There seemed not one chance in a hundred of closing the gaps sufficiently to keep the hospital ship afloat long enough to save many of its wounded passengers.

Dave had made his plans while coming alongside. By this time the repair material he had brought along lay on the deck. He called his own men to help him, and the chief officer sent two score more of British seamen to his aid.

The engine-room fires being as yet untouched by water, the pumps were working with tremendous force.

"Unroll that canvas, there. Run it out lively," Darrin ordered.

In a twinkling the first patch was ready. Dave himself helped with weighting what was intended for the lower edge of the patch, and with reeving in ropes at the sides and top.

"Over with it!"

Lowered down into place, the patch was fitted to the hole. It still had to be made fast.

Both port and starboard gangways had been lowered, and launches from the destroyer were alongside, receiving badly wounded men who had been taken over the side on stretchers. The "Grigsby's" cutters were also alongside, picking up such of the wounded men as could jump in life belts. The "Gloucester's" own boats swung out after being loaded. The mine-sweepers had come up and had lowered their boats and sent them to the rescue. Several hundred men and women were reasonably sure of being saved, but unless Darrin succeeded in what he was undertaking, from twelve to fifteen hundred other human beings were surely doomed.

Badly as boats were needed, Dave had to commandeer two of the smallest. Himself going in one of these, he superintended the making fast of the canvas patches below from the water. Seamen over the hull's side in slings, acting under the second mate, did valiant service at the same time.

With a single outside canvas patch over the forward hole, Darrin moved back to the second breach. Here, too, a patch was quickly put in place.

By this time the "Grigsby" and the mine-sweepers had received nearly as many rescued passengers as they could hold. The small boats were returning for more.

Up to Dave rushed Captain Senby of the "Gloucester."

"Captain," he called, addressing Dave Darrin by that courtesy title, "these Red Cross women ought to be saved while there's time, but they refuse to go over the side until their patients are safe."

"Did you expect they would desert their patients?" Darrin asked quietly, his gaze still on the work that he was directing.

"But, Captain, we must save the women folks, anyway! Won't you use your persuasion to help me?"

"No," came Dave's quick response. "These women are asserting their right to prove the stuff that is in them. In this war, in their own fields, the women fight as bravely as the men."

"In a time like this the women ought to be saved!" the British master insisted.

"Not at the expense of their best sense of duty," Darrin answered.

For an instant Senby regarded the young naval officer with amazement before he blurted:

"Captain, I don't believe you have any women folks of your own!"

"My wife is one of the Red Cross women on board," Darrin answered, quietly. Then, raising his voice, he added:

"That patch is ready! Over with it!"

Thus was the second patch fitted over the forward hole, and men were busy completing another for the second hole.

And now with the small boats filled, Darrin anxiously surveyed the sea. No ships were yet in sight.

"Get more patches ready!" he shouted.

He then descended to the first compartment, stepping down into the water to take its depth. He judged it to be of about the same depth as before.

Four patches were over each hole by the time that the first trail of smoke was observed far down on the horizon. A steamship was coming to their aid, but would it arrive in time?

Another inspection showed that the pumps had made a slight gain on the water. It was going out of the compartments faster than it could get in past the canvas. But Dave knew that ship pumps, working to furious capacity, were likely to give out at any moment.

He stationed a seaman with lead and line on the stairs leading down to each compartment, with instructions to take frequent soundings and to report sharply to the deck.

The "Gloucester's" rafts, too, were now overboard. On these huddled those of the wounded or convalescing soldiers who were better able to take care of themselves.

But not a single Red Cross woman had yet gone over the side. Much as some of the wounded might need attendance on the rescue craft or in the small boats, those left helpless behind needed the women of mercy still more!

A slow gain was still being made on the water in the two compartments. If the pumps held out, and if the patches did not give way, there might yet be a fair chance to save life. But Dave knew the dangers that confronted all hands left behind, even when he could make out the hull of the oncoming steamship, and saw that she was moving at fullest speed.

"We should win out, don't you think?" demanded Captain Senby, anxiously. "I've never lost a ship."

"At least we stand a fair chance to win out," Dave answered, frankly. "Any one of three or four things might happen to us yet and send us to the bottom."

Darrin spent most of his time inspecting the canvas patches. Between times he anxiously watched the relief ship. He could see, by glass, when she was four miles away, that her davits were swung out and her boat-crews in place.

"All depends on how we hold together for the next half or three-quarters of an hour," he told Captain Senby.

There were still some two hundred patientswho would have to be moved on stretchers. These were brought to the upper deck until the stretchers all but blocked passage.

What a cheer went up from those at the rail as the steamship, an Italian craft, lay to and began to lower her boats! The small boats from the hospital ship, the "Grigsby" and the mine-sweepers had already gone forward to meet her. As fast as they could move in to either side gangway these boats discharged their temporary passengers, then quickly returned to the "Gloucester."

For an hour all the small boats plied back and forth, the rescuers using all their nerve and muscle power in their efforts at speed.

Shivering, for he was drenched up to the waist, Dave stood by, receiving the reports of the leadsmen in the two compartments. The best work of the canvas patches had been done. They were slowly yielding to the fearful pressure of the water without and it was impossible to rig additional, fresh patches over them. The water was rising, inch by inch, in both compartments.

"How long do you think we can keep afloat?" asked Captain Senby, miserably.

"Your judgment will be as good as mine, sir," Dave answered. "It is impossible to name the number of moments we can hope to keep above water, but we both know it cannot be for long."

At last the decks were cleared of litters. There were no more to be brought out. The last boats had taken away many besides the stretcher patients.

"Give us ten minutes more," said Darrin, as he watched the boats discharging at the Italian steamer, and returning, "and we shall all be safe."

"They will be the longest, most anxious ten minutes that I ever lived!" sighed Captain Senby.

"Man, you're white and you look ill," Dave cried. "Buck up! You've done splendidly, and the discipline on board has been perfect. You have nothing with which to reproach yourself."

"Do you really think so?"Senby asked, with a wan smile. "I thank you, but it seems to me I should have done better."

"You could do better than you're doing now, for you've lost your nerve," Darrin warned him, in a low voice. "Yet while you needed your nerve you kept it."

"You won't mind saying that in your report, will you?" asked the master, eagerly. "I'd hate to have my family hear anything that would make them feel I had broken down."

"The discipline on this ship shows what you have done," Dave rejoined. "You're suffering, now, on account of the people who may be lost, and you're thinking of the Red Cross women who are stubborn enough to do their duty like men.But you've trained your crew well, you have the respect of your officers and men, and you've given all help possible in the shortest amount of time. A ship's master can be judged, instantly, by the discipline that prevails on his craft. Your family will hear nothing about your conduct that won't please 'em."

At this the British master "bucked up" wonderfully, but he still watched the Red Cross women with wistful eyes.

"Here are the first boats coming back to take the last of us off," Darrin said encouragingly. "Now, clear all hands off lively."

"The women first?" almost pleaded Captain Senby.

"Of course!" Dave nodded. "They've done their full duty, and done it splendidly. Now, insist."

Galvanized into action by these cheering words, Captain Senby cleared his throat, then roared in a fog-horn voice:

"All hands stand by to abandon ship! Be lively, please, ladies. No man stir over the side until the last woman has gone over!"

Some of the Red Cross women smilingly obeyed the order; others hung back.

"There are still some wounded men on board," pleaded one of them. "Let the last wounded man go over the side, then we'll go."

"I'll kill any man on this deck who tries to goover until the last woman is taken care of!" shouted Senby, drawing a revolver.

Some of the nurses still demurred, but the master was obdurate.

"Ladies," he called out, "this craft can't keep afloat much longer. Those of you who hang back keep the men from their last chance to get away. I tell you, and I mean it, that no man stirs over the side until the last woman is on her way to a boat. Don't hold us all back, ladies!"

That swept aside the last reluctance of the nurses. They trooped forward, to one side gangway or the other, and were quickly on their way into the waiting boats.

One of them, however, drew back, then smiled and crossed the deck.

"I shall remain with you, Dave," announced a clear, firm voice, and Dave turned to find Belle's steady hand resting on his arm.

"Are you going over the side, madam?" inquired Captain Senby, pleadingly.

"You must make an exception in my case, sir," Belle Darrin answered smilingly. "I can hardly be expected to leave my husband at a time like this."

"Oh!" gasped the Briton, understandingly. "Madam, you make me anxious, but your devotion makes me proud of your sex!"

"Men, now!" shouted the Briton when he sawthe last skirt flutter at the top of a companionway.

"Now, you'll go over the side, sir, won't you?" asked the master, anxiously, as two orderly files of men stepped to the sides.

"As the two commanders here," Dave answered, easily, "I believe that tradition requires you and me to go over last of all, Captain Senby."

"But your wife, sirâ€”â€”"

"Is an American, Captain, who has taken the oath of service to her country's flag just as you and I have done."

"But, madam, youâ€”â€”" began the Briton, turning to Belle.

"My husband has spoken, sir," smiled Belle. "Surely, Captain Senby, you do not believe in mutiny."

The soldier patients who had remained behind when the nurses went over the side were all men who could walk without assistance. These were now going over, too. While this was going on the chief mate and the boatswain had mustered the last of the crew and the roll had been called. All were on hand who were not in the small boats.

After the soldiers and the hospital men had gone down into boats, and other small craft had moved in to replace them, the crew went over, the chief mate being the last to go except the trio who stood in the middle of the upper deck.

"There's a boat left with room for all of you!" the mate called, lifting his hat.

With a last swift look around at the ship he had loved, the Briton almost reluctantly followed the Darrins. His legs trembled under him a bit as he descended the steps of the side companionway, but it was from neither exhaustion nor fear.

Last of all the Briton took his seat in the row-boat. He tried to clear his throat and give the order, but could not speak.

"Shove off!" called Dave to the boat-tenders, as he faced the men sitting with their oars out. "Give way! One, two, one two!"

The boat belonged to one of the mine-sweepers. With true British precision and rhythm the men pulled away. Darrin ceased counting and turned to his smiling wife.

"Not such a bad time, was it?" he asked.

"As it turned out, no. But I was afraid, Dave. Had a few hundred of the brave fellows been drowned, the horror would not have left me as long as I lived."

"Then you must steel your nerves a bit, Belle, dear. War, at the least, is a grewsome thing, but this war contains more horrors than any other war of which man has knowledge. The vast numbers engaged make it certain that the losses will be heavy, and heavier, until the struggle is over. If you work up near the front, within range ofthe big guns, you will necessarily have to become accustomed to seeing the visible evidence of huge losses daily."

"I shall grow to it," Belle Darrin declared, confidently.

And now Captain Senby was speaking to him.

"It's a great load off my mind, Captain Darrin. I was the merchant marine master of the 'Gloucester,' but she was taken and refitted so quickly that we were sent to sea without change of status. On our return from this voyage the mates and I had orders to take examination for commissions in the naval reserves. Then we were to continue aboard the 'Gloucester.' But she will be at the bottom in an hour and my chances of making the naval reserves will go down with her."

"I don't see why," Dave returned, heartily. "You and your mates are no less capable than you were."

Then, in an undertone that reached only Senby's ear, Darrin added:

"Man, you've been a bit unstrung, but you've gotten away without the loss of a life. Bring your nerve back from this moment! Don't let it spoil your life or your career. Pull yourself together and smile. Smile! Don't let any one see that you've a single doubt of yourself! Smile, and go up for your examination to-morrow. All that ailsyou is that you worry for the safety of othersâ€”a most commendable fault in a skipper!"

From that instant Captain Senby gave at least a very good imitation of a man who was modestly satisfied with his achievement, though he realized that he owed most of the success of the last two hours to Lieutenant Commander Dave Darrin, U. S. N.

Arriving at the Italian vessel, Darrin transferred Belle and himself to a launch from the "Grigsby" and promptly rejoined his craft.

Taking Belle to his own seldom-occupied quarters on the destroyer, Dave left her there, and then went to the bridge and signalled his orders to the mine-sweepers and to the Italian steamship.

The mine-sweepers were ordered to move in advance of the rescue vessel to sweep any hidden mine from her path.

"And you, Mr. Fernald, will cross the course continually ahead of the steamship and keep the most vigilant guard against submarine attack!"

Dave next went to the chart-room, his teeth chattering from his soaked, chilled condition.

Here he stripped and gave himself as vigorous a rub-down as he could administer, after which he attired himself in dry clothing throughout and sent orders to the mess kitchen for a pot of hot coffee.

Over this warmer Dave lingered long enough to gulp down three cups of the steaming beverage.

Then pulling on a dry sheepskin coat and turning up the fur collar against the wintry blast, he went to the bridge.

"All's secure, and no sign of trouble so far, sir," reported Lieutenant Fernald.

Yet, unknown to any on the destroyer, the "Grigsby," driving ahead obliquely from port to starboard well ahead of the steamship, was heading straight toward a mine that lurked beneath the surface of the water.

"ShallI order the helm to starboard, sir?" asked Ensign Ormsby. "We're due to sail too close to that mine-sweeper."

Though the two craft were separated by several hundreds of yards, Darrin's quick, trained eye took in the fact that the mine-sweeper, by the time the "Grigsby" crossed her course, would be a safe distance ahead.

"No," he decided; "keep to the course and she'll clear us."

Ensign Ormsby nodded and remained silent. Neither could know of the hidden mine that lay in her path.

Yet less than half a minute later a signalman raced to the stern of the mine sweeper, wigwagging frantically this message:

"Hard a-starboard! We have just picked up a mine!"

The little craft had slowed down; she was maneuvering around that mine to get hold and land it on her deck.

Ormsby read the signal with his chief. Noteven waiting, now, for Darrin's word, the watch officer changed the course.

Right in the course that they had been going the mine-sweeper now blocked the way. Had her sweep been thirty feet either side she would have gone on past and the destroyer would have struck the mine.

As the "Grigsby" went astern and to starboard of the little craft, then turned and darted port-wise across her bows on a new oblique, officers and men on the destroyer saw the British crew hoisting from the water the mine that would have destroyed one of the latest prides of Uncle Sam's big war fleet.

It was all over, so far as that mine was concerned, and for a moment or two Darrin found himself shaking from a chill that had not been caused by his recent soaking.

The thought of other probable dangers ahead caused him to steel himself once more. To his subordinate officers he presented the confident, smiling face to which they were accustomed.

Several craft of the British Navy and two other American war vessels had received his S. O. S. radio message and had started on their way. But all would have been too late, for some ten minutes after the rescuing fleet started for England the "Gloucester" had lowered her nose under the water. Soon after there was a violent explosion as the sea water reached glowing furnace fires and the boilers, and the hospital ship went down, another victim of inhumane warfare that respects not even the rights of the wounded and sick.

Dave Darrin did not leave the bridge until he had seen his little fleet enter the base port.

Then, pausing for only a word with Belle, he ordered a launch lowered and went direct to the British admiral, reporting his work for the afternoon in greater detail, for he had already sent in the main facts in a radio code message.

"You have done magnificently, Mr. Darrin," exclaimed the admiral. "It was a wonderful performance to keep the 'Gloucester' afloat under such conditions until every human being on board had been transferred to safety."

"That was made possible largely by the nature of the holes in the ship's hull, sir. I cannot say positively, but from my examination of the holes I believe that the mine that the 'Gloucester' struck was not moored as securely to her anchoring device as is usually the case. It was not the bow of the hospital ship, but the side of her hull forward that struck the mine. Two fragments or two groups of fragments of the exploding mine struck the hull, but from my hurried inspection it is my belief that the mine, not being securely moored, was brushed somewhat aside by the impact, and therefore the injury was not as great as it would have been had the anchoring device held the mine more firmly in place. So the ship was not as badly hurt as one would have expected her to be. That much for the mine, sir. Then I had the gallant, splendid help of Captain Senby and his mates and crew. I shall mention their performance in my written report."

"Better put it in early, then," advised the admiral, "for Senby and his mates go up for examination day after tomorrow. I can forward to the board an extract from your report."

"They are to be examined just the same, sir, though the 'Gloucester' is no more?"

"Oh, yes; England has a few more ships left," smiled the admiral, "and we cannot get along with a reduced number of hospital craft."

So, though Dave Darrin, on his return, escorted Belle to the chart-room and chatted with her a few moments, and even allowed her to remain while he worked, he sent for a yeoman and to him dictated an official report of the disaster, parts of which document did not fail to do justice to Captain Senby and his mates.

"Type that for two copies to be transmitted, and one to be filed here, as early as you can, and bring to me for signature," Dave directed. "I wish to go ashore after signing and sending off the reports."

For, at their parting, Admiral Wheatleigh had said:

"Darrin, you and your officers and men have been overworked for some time. You have done splendidly, but now you all need a short rest or your nerves will snap. You will therefore remain in port a few days, and I would recommend you to be liberal in the matter of shore leave."

Even before the typed reports had come in Lieutenant Fernald reported with a written list of the names of officers and men whom he recommended for shore leave beginning that evening.

As a matter of form Darrin glanced down through the list, then signed it.

"The last four men on the list report that they would like shore leave, but are out of funds, sir," hesitated Lieutenant Fernald.

Drawing his purse, Dave extracted four five-dollar bills.

"Lend this to them until pay-day," he directed, thrusting the money into the executive officer's hand. "They are dependable men, and will come to no harm. Up to eleven o'clock I shall be found at the Blank Hotel if wanted. At eleven I shall leave to come aboard, so you may send in a launch for me, Mr. Fernald."

As soon as he had received and signed the typed report in duplicate, and had taken steps to forward them, Darrin and Belle went ashore.

At ten o'clock that evening Dan Dalzell joined them.

"How was the hunting, Danny Grin?" Dave inquired, jovially.

"May I speak of such awful subjects before Mrs. Darrin?" Dan asked.

"I am sure you may, and do not delay gratifying my curiosity," Belle put in.

"Well, then," murmured Dalzell, delightedly, "all I can say is that the hunting proved wonderfully good. With the indispensable aid of the dirigible I located four submarines headed for this coast, and sank them all. I believe that each of the submarines was carrying a cargo of mines to enemy submarine mine-layers off this coast. Do you call that a day of good sport?"

"For every one but the Germans," Dave nodded, beamingly.

But Dan glanced at Belle to see how she took such joyous comments on the sudden deaths of enemies.

"I could feel sorry for the people of some nations, if we were at war with them," Belle Darrin stated, calmly. "But when I hear of the deaths of German submarine officers and sailors I feel a sense of relief at the thought that more of the loathsome beasts have been removed from a decent world."

Dan, too, and the other officers and the crew ofthe "Reed" were granted several days in port. In fact, there was no need of their services in the same line for some time to come, for a temporary but effective stop had been put to German mine-laying in the North Sea and the Channel.

The masters, mates and crews of the "Olga" and the "Louisa" were tried and sentenced to death, and later were executed. Ober-Lieutenant Dreiner, for his cowardly attempt to murder Dave and his three new friends, was also sentenced to death.

Before his leave in port was ended Dave and Belle met "Mr. and Mrs. Launce" and learned that they were really the Earl and Countess of Denby. After her awful experience in the water the countess's health remained impaired for months, so the noble couple gave up the idea of spy work and turned their energies toward Red Cross work in France and Italy.

Sophia Weiner and her daughter were convicted of espionage in that they had sailed for England with false passports. They are now confined in some prison in England, and will remain there for some years after the war closes.

Captain Kennor reached home safely, where he learned that the other boats from the "Rigsdak" had reached a friendly shore. It was some months before the Danish master went to sea again.

The British admiral's report, sent throughchannels to the Vice Admiral of the American destroyer fleet, and by him referred to the Secretary of the Navy, was of such character that Dave and Dan received the highest praise direct from Washington by cable, and afterwards by letter.

They had done their work in the finest American naval style, and had made a ten-strike against the German mine-layers.

But they took their honors easily, and had need to, for there was still greater work ahead of them after Belle had used up her few days' leave and had sailed back to France.

The Motor Boat Club SeriesBy H. IRVING HANCOCKThe keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No boy will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series.THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers' Island.THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at Racing Speed.THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare Cruise.THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator Swamp.THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog.THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the Big Fresh Water.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.Sold by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price.Henry Altemus Company1326-1336 Vine Street Philadelphia

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Pony Rider Boys SeriesBy FRANK GEE PATCHINThese tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim.â€”2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains.â€”3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail.â€”4 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain.â€”5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.â€”6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.â€”7 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of Bright Angel Gulch.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.The Boys of Steel SeriesBy JAMES R. MEARSEach book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story is full of adventure and fascination.1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaftâ€”2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift.â€”3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.â€”4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder Pits.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.The Madge Morton BooksBy AMY D. V. CHALMERSMADGE MORTONâ€”CAPTAIN OF THE MERRY MAID.MADGE MORTON'S SECRET.MADGE MORTON'S TRUST.MADGE MORTON'S VICTORY.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

These tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls.

1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim.â€”2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains.â€”3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail.â€”4 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain.â€”5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.â€”6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.â€”7 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of Bright Angel Gulch.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

Each book presents vivid picture of this great industry. Each story is full of adventure and fascination.

1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaftâ€”2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift.â€”3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.â€”4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder Pits.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

West Point SeriesBy H. IRVING HANCOCKThe principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers.DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet Gray.DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of the Soldier's Life.DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag and Honor.DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.Annapolis SeriesBy H. IRVING HANCOCKThe Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in these volumes.DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy.DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy "Youngsters."DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class Midshipmen.DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.The Young Engineers SeriesBy H. IRVING HANCOCKThe heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co.THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest.THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer" Quicksand.THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a Pick.THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in these volumes.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

Boys of the Army SeriesBy H. IRVING HANCOCKThese books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen.UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States Army.UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against the Moros.UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving Old Glory as Line Officers.UNCLE SAM'S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick Prescott at Grips with the Boche.UNCLE SAM'S BOYS SMASH THE GERMANS; Or, Winding Up the Great War.Dave Darrin SeriesBy H. IRVING HANCOCKDAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ; Or, Fighting With the U. S. Navy in Mexico.DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE.DAVE DARRIN'S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE.DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION.DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES.DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow.The Meadow-Brook Girls SeriesBy JANET ALDRIDGETHE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS.THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY.THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT.THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS.THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA.THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS COURTS.All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on receipt of only 75 cents each.

These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen.

All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent postpaid on receipt of only 75 cents each.

High School Boys SeriesBy H. IRVING HANCOCKIn this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating volumes.THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports.THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron.THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic Vanguard.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.Grammar School Boys SeriesBy H. IRVING HANCOCKThis series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving.THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge.THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.High School Boys' Vacation SeriesBy H. IRVING HANCOCK"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers, making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade, and the other members of Dick & Co. are the most popular high school boys in the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when reading these splendid narratives.THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co.'s Rivals on Lake Pleasant.THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven.THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness.THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & Co. Making Themselves "Hard as Nails."Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.

Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating volumes.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"

This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers, making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade, and the other members of Dick & Co. are the most popular high school boys in the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when reading these splendid narratives.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

The Circus Boys SeriesBy EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTONMr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely interesting and exciting life.THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the Sawdust Life.THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark.THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South.THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.The High School Girls SeriesBy JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A.M.These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader fairly by storm.GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls.GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities.GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the Ways.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.The Automobile Girls SeriesBy LAURA DENT CRANENo girl's libraryâ€”no family book-case can be considered at all complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade.â€”2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.â€”3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.â€”4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds.â€”5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies.â€”6 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the Plots of Foreign Spies.Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely interesting and exciting life.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader fairly by storm.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

No girl's libraryâ€”no family book-case can be considered at all complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.

1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade.â€”2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's Trail.â€”3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow.â€”4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds.â€”5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies.â€”6 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating the Plots of Foreign Spies.

Cloth, Illustratedâ€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚â€‚Price, per Volume, 75c.

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