"'Tis true," growled Henrico, "Chloe must go."
He had hardly spoken before she had given a swift wave of her hand to us, and vanished up the adit.
We followed, dragging our great screen, and presently we peered out into the night. In that little time they had managed to get some at least of the lamps to burn, and now we saw a glowing circle of light. Henrico, Gilbert, and myself alone crept on to the ledge outside. Everything had to be done by touch. Henrico had been a sailor, and to him fell the delicate task of hooking the screen on to the traveling wire. Foot by foot it disappeared overhead, and presently Henrico swarmed back to us and we crept together, and laid our ears on the wire cable. It sang and hummed in the night wind like a harp string. Little jars and metallic jingles broke the even rise and fall of sound. Was it Chloe? Should we hear the signal clear or confused, loud or soft? On a sudden our doubts were settled. Our ears rang as a clear sharp blow quivered on the wire.
"Safe," we cried in delight, and soon after that came the arranged three clear blows across the wire.
In another second we were all heaving hard and fast at the traveler overhead. Foot by foot it crept along, until we saw, with breathless delight, a huge blackness slicing into the circle of light. An unforetold eclipse! It intersected it completely. Not a ray escaped seaward.
So far we had won.
Dripping with sweat, and nigh breathless, we dropped to the rock and looked toward the lighthouse. The lantern seemed to be utterly deserted. Against the lower windows of the chapel we could see the silhouettes of the guard. They were playing cards. Not an eye had seen our operations. As we rejoined the sergeant, Gilbert chuckled and said: "The game is ours! Joker, right bower, and left!"
"Not yet," quoth Henrico grimly, "the fight is at the dawn."
"Across there," added the soldier, nodding his head toward the other landing place of the wire.
We had much yet to learn of the ups and downs of war; and more, too, to learn about our mine. For we now found every villager busily polishing up a rifle; and soon, too, they were dragging up half a dozen cases of ammunition from secret places in the far levels. And we were the engineers of this same mine!
Henrico served round the ammunition. The sergeant inspected every new rifle. He handed one to each of us in such an ordinary way of routine, that we accepted them and fell immediately into line to wait the coming of events. Two hours later, the tide had fallen sufficiently to enable a crossing to be made outside the mine.
Fifteen men were to guard the other landing place of the wire.
They passed out in single file, five soldiers and ten villagers, the sergeant in command. He carried two rifles. "One for our 'advance guard,' Chloe," he said, with a laugh wrinkling his brown face as he passed us. The next instant he stepped through the opening. And so he passed from our life: a little, sinewy man, of few words, but of most prompt decision; following his trade cheerfully, and uncomplaining if in the day's march bad tools or adverse luck befell him. He died across there in the dawn; perhaps he saw the sun rise, and knew the end of the night's work; I hoped so.
It was now close upon ten o'clock, and there were about seven hours for us to keep most vigilant and secret watch upon the lighthouse. From time to time we saw a man enter the lantern and trim the lamps. Once he stepped out on the balcony, and, leaning over the rail, quietly smoked his cigarette.
Gilbert clutched my arm like a vise. "If that man moves to the other side we are done! He will see his shadow on the screen!"
But, to our infinite joy, he passed in and down to join his comrades. Below, in the chapel, they played cards, changed sentries, and slept; all in complete unconsciousness of the ill trick we had played them.
Night was waning. Henrico pointed to a paler shadow on the crest above the creek. The wind had dropped; the air was filled with the sound of the tide seething in the rocks and weeds below us. Save that, all was still. Everything seemed to be watching and waiting.
Presently we could see one another's hands and faces. Henrico at once mustered all the defenders and posted them among the serried rocks on the talus.
It was an ambuscade in an amphitheatre. Some one dropped a musket, and, at the sound, we all glanced nervously at the lighthouse; no one stirred within, and we were crouching down—when a most horrid crash and volleying of shots broke out across the creek.
"On guard!" cried Henrico; "the patrol has found our outpost."
Even while he spoke, and even above the din, we caught the ring of quick hoarse cries of command from the lighthouse. The door was flung open and a stream of soldiers sallied forth—to instant death. From every stone of our ambuscade, spitting flashes converged on the open door. It was a butchery at such a point-blank range, and with a light behind to show the mark. The crash of our volley died away as swiftly as it commenced. For a moment I thought that not a man had escaped uninjured. Nothing but a tumbled, dark heap filled the doorway and the little circle of light. But, suddenly, from the shelter of the interior, some one struck down the candle inside with the butt end of a musket, and the darkness swallowed all up, for it was as night yet down there.
Then we became aware of the hushed silence that was about us. Not a shot resounded from the direction of our outpost. Had the attack failed or had they captured our post? Involuntarily I glanced at our screen. It was still there, now just dimly outlined on the paling sky. Gilbert called softly to Henrico to know what he thought of the silence at the other side. We saw Henrico craning over his rock, and striving to pierce the blackness at the foot of the creek; his hand was up to keep silent. At last, out of the vagueness of empty sounds, we caught a faint patter of footsteps, and, as we heard it, it came nearer and nearer: men running in desperate haste. In a trice they were below us in the shadows. Some one cried "Up here"; another called to Henrico: "They have left the post," and all in the same breath we were fighting for our lives!
TO BE CONCLUDED.
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321—Madcap Max, The Boy Adventurer; or, Lost in the Land of the Mahdi. By Frank Sheridan.322—Always to the Front; or, For Fun and Fortune. By Cornelius Shea.323—Caught in a Trap; or, The Great Diamond Case. By Harrie Irving Hancock.324—For Big Money; or, Beating His Way to the Pacific. By Fred Thorpe.325—Muscles of Steel; or, The Boy Wonder. By Weldon J. Cobb.326—Gordon Keith in Zululand; or, How "Checkers" Held the Fort. By Lawrence White, Jr.327—The Boys' Revolt; or, Right Against Might. By Harrie Irving Hancock.328—The Mystic Isle; or, In Peril of His Life. By Fred Thorpe.329—A Million a Minute; or, A Brace of Meteors. By Weldon J. Cobb.330—Gordon Keith Under African Skies; or, Four Comrades in the Danger Zone. By Lawrence White, Jr.331—Two Chums Afloat; or, The Cruise of the "Arrow." By Cornelius Shea.332—In the Path of Duty; or, The Fortunes of Officer Dan Deering. By Harrie Irving Hancock.333—A Bid for Fortune; or, True as Steel. By Fred Thorpe.334—A Battle with Fate; or, The Baseball Mascot. By Weldon J. Cobb.335—Three Brave Boys; or, Adventures in the Balloon World. By Frank Sheridan.
321—Madcap Max, The Boy Adventurer; or, Lost in the Land of the Mahdi. By Frank Sheridan.
322—Always to the Front; or, For Fun and Fortune. By Cornelius Shea.
323—Caught in a Trap; or, The Great Diamond Case. By Harrie Irving Hancock.
324—For Big Money; or, Beating His Way to the Pacific. By Fred Thorpe.
325—Muscles of Steel; or, The Boy Wonder. By Weldon J. Cobb.
326—Gordon Keith in Zululand; or, How "Checkers" Held the Fort. By Lawrence White, Jr.
327—The Boys' Revolt; or, Right Against Might. By Harrie Irving Hancock.
328—The Mystic Isle; or, In Peril of His Life. By Fred Thorpe.
329—A Million a Minute; or, A Brace of Meteors. By Weldon J. Cobb.
330—Gordon Keith Under African Skies; or, Four Comrades in the Danger Zone. By Lawrence White, Jr.
331—Two Chums Afloat; or, The Cruise of the "Arrow." By Cornelius Shea.
332—In the Path of Duty; or, The Fortunes of Officer Dan Deering. By Harrie Irving Hancock.
333—A Bid for Fortune; or, True as Steel. By Fred Thorpe.
334—A Battle with Fate; or, The Baseball Mascot. By Weldon J. Cobb.
335—Three Brave Boys; or, Adventures in the Balloon World. By Frank Sheridan.
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1—Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.2—Motor Matt's Daring; or, True To His Friends.3—Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier.4—Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet."5—Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot.6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On The High Gear.7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward.9—Motor Matt's Air-Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot.11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady.12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Castaway in the Bahamas.
1—Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.
2—Motor Matt's Daring; or, True To His Friends.
3—Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier.
4—Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet."
5—Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot.
6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On The High Gear.
7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.
8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward.
9—Motor Matt's Air-Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.
10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot.
11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady.
12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Castaway in the Bahamas.
The most popular publication for boys. The adventures of Frank and Dick Merriwell can be had only in this weekly.High art colored covers. Thirty-two pages. Price, 5 cents.
671—Dick Merriwell's "Dip;" or, The Mysterious Movements of a Hat.672—Dick Merriwell's Rally; or, Making a Fighting Finish.673—Dick Merriwell's Flier; or, The Champions of the Ice.674—Frank Merriwell's Bullets; or, A Steady Nerve and a Sure Hand.675—Frank Merriwell Cut Off; or, The Result of the Great Spring Rise.676—Frank Merriwell's Ranch Boss; or, Big Bruce and the Blossoms.677—Dick Merriwell's Equal; or, The Fellow with the Flying Feet.678—Dick Merriwell's Development; or, The All-around Wonder.679—Dick Merriwell's Eye; or, The Secret of Good Batting.680—Frank Merriwell's Zest; or, The Spirit of the School.681—Frank Merriwell's Patience; or, The Making of a Pitcher.682—Frank Merriwell's Pupil; or, The Boy with the Wizard Wing.683—Frank Merriwell's Fighters; or, The Decisive Battle with Blackstone.684—Dick Merriwell at the "Meet"; or, Honors Worth Winning.
671—Dick Merriwell's "Dip;" or, The Mysterious Movements of a Hat.
672—Dick Merriwell's Rally; or, Making a Fighting Finish.
673—Dick Merriwell's Flier; or, The Champions of the Ice.
674—Frank Merriwell's Bullets; or, A Steady Nerve and a Sure Hand.
675—Frank Merriwell Cut Off; or, The Result of the Great Spring Rise.
676—Frank Merriwell's Ranch Boss; or, Big Bruce and the Blossoms.
677—Dick Merriwell's Equal; or, The Fellow with the Flying Feet.
678—Dick Merriwell's Development; or, The All-around Wonder.
679—Dick Merriwell's Eye; or, The Secret of Good Batting.
680—Frank Merriwell's Zest; or, The Spirit of the School.
681—Frank Merriwell's Patience; or, The Making of a Pitcher.
682—Frank Merriwell's Pupil; or, The Boy with the Wizard Wing.
683—Frank Merriwell's Fighters; or, The Decisive Battle with Blackstone.
684—Dick Merriwell at the "Meet"; or, Honors Worth Winning.
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ADVENTURES OF A BOY GENIUSMOTOR STORIESThe boys who want to learn something from what they read, as well as to be interested by it, will never find another publication that will satisfy them so well as MOTOR STORIES. "Motor Matt" is not an impossible boy character. He is simply a youth who has had considerable training in a machine shop where motors of all kinds were repaired, and who is possessed of a genius for mechanics. His sense of right and wrong is strongly developed, and his endeavors to insure certain people a square deal, lead him into a series of the most astonishing, but at the same time the most natural adventures that ever befell a boy.HERE ARE THE TITLES NOW READY:1—Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.2—Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends.3—Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier.4—Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet."5—Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot.6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear.7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward.9—Motor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot.11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady.12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the Bahamas.To be Published on May 17th.13—Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest.To be Published on May 24th.14—Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the "Hawk."To be Published on May 31st.15—Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the "Grampus."To be Published on June 7th.16—Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters.PRICE, FIVE CENTSAt all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of the price.STREET & SMITH,Publishers,NEW YORK
MOTOR STORIES
The boys who want to learn something from what they read, as well as to be interested by it, will never find another publication that will satisfy them so well as MOTOR STORIES. "Motor Matt" is not an impossible boy character. He is simply a youth who has had considerable training in a machine shop where motors of all kinds were repaired, and who is possessed of a genius for mechanics. His sense of right and wrong is strongly developed, and his endeavors to insure certain people a square deal, lead him into a series of the most astonishing, but at the same time the most natural adventures that ever befell a boy.
HERE ARE THE TITLES NOW READY:
1—Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.2—Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends.3—Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier.4—Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet."5—Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot.6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear.7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward.9—Motor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot.11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady.12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the Bahamas.To be Published on May 17th.13—Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest.To be Published on May 24th.14—Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the "Hawk."To be Published on May 31st.15—Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the "Grampus."To be Published on June 7th.16—Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters.
1—Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.2—Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends.3—Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier.4—Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet."5—Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot.6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear.7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward.9—Motor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot.11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady.12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the Bahamas.
1—Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel.
2—Motor Matt's Daring; or, True to His Friends.
3—Motor Matt's Century Run; or, The Governor's Courier.
4—Motor Matt's Race; or, The Last Flight of the "Comet."
5—Motor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret Plot.
6—Motor Matt's Red Flier; or, On the High Gear.
7—Motor Matt's Clue; or, The Phantom Auto.
8—Motor Matt's Triumph; or, Three Speeds Forward.
9—Motor Matt's Air Ship; or, The Rival Inventors.
10—Motor Matt's Hard Luck; or, The Balloon House Plot.
11—Motor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen Brady.
12—Motor Matt's Peril; or, Cast Away in the Bahamas.
To be Published on May 17th.
13—Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest.
13—Motor Matt's Queer Find; or, The Secret of the Iron Chest.
To be Published on May 24th.
14—Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the "Hawk."
14—Motor Matt's Promise; or, The Wreck of the "Hawk."
To be Published on May 31st.
15—Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the "Grampus."
15—Motor Matt's Submarine; or, The Strange Cruise of the "Grampus."
To be Published on June 7th.
16—Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters.
16—Motor Matt's Quest; or, Three Chums in Strange Waters.
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At all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of the price.
STREET & SMITH,Publishers,NEW YORK
Added table of contents.
Images may be clicked to view larger versions.
Page 1, changed "se" to "see" in "I can see dot meinseluf."
Page 4, added missing apostrophe to "an', I do planty."
Page 8, changed "srceech" to "screech" in "screech of warning."
Page 10, changed "all sail sets" to "all sails set." Added missing quote after "into smithereens."
Page 11, changed "anwered" to "answered" after "knew of Archibald Townsend." Changed "handkerchif" to "handkerchief" ("fumbled in his pocket for a...").
Page 17, added missing open quote to "The more he talks."
Page 21, added missing open quote to "A pocketful."
Page 28, changed "Indentities" to "Identities."
Page 30, changed "matallic" to "metallic" ("metallic rattling"). Changed "fact" to "face" in "The sergeant's face changed."