Chapter XXVII: CAPTURED BY AeROPLANE

During the short time that they had been in the city Ben Stubbs and his two young companions had done wonders in the way of collecting equipment for the purpose of rifling the treasure which it was expected lay in the submerged hulk of the _Belle of New Orleans_. A diving suit with pumping apparatus of the latest type, blocks and tackles and hand spikes were among the things laid in stock. Ben had also invested in a new device, a submarine searchlight. The choice of this last was warmly approved by Dr. Perkins.

"I was wondering how it would be possible to find one's way about the sunken ship without some such article," he said approvingly, and old Ben's rugged face glowed with satisfaction.

"Trust an old timer, sir, for remembering those things," he said.

"Indeed, nobody could have selected a more complete outfit," rejoined Dr. Perkins.

The inventory of the goods was taken the next morning, and hiring a boat the stuff was transported to Algiers, where the _Sea Eagle_ had been looked after over night by a couple of darkies.

As they crossed the river in a hired boat they noticed how swiftly the current ran and how discolored it was. The negro who rowed them commented on it, too.

"Dey be po'ful big flood befo' long, genelmen," he opined, "an' when ole man Mississip' git up on his hind lags ain't nuffin' kin stop him. Dem lebees dey go jes lak so much straw er hay."

"All the more reason for our making haste," said Dr. Perkins, addressing the others; "it would be hard fortune indeed if Ben were to be robbed of his fortune by a flood."

The shed which had sheltered the _Sea Eagle_ overnight was close to the water's edge so that the goods were soon transported on board. All was found to be in good shape, and the two darkies, who had watched the air craft overnight, received an extra gratuity for their pains. The adventurers had been particular not to give out any details of their flight, and it was expected that they would stay in New Orleans for some days before proceeding, so that no curious crowd, only a few negroes and stragglers, were on hand to see them start.

Dr. Perkins had an excellent chart of the river, showing distinctly the location of Black Bayou, which lay back from the river amidst a maze of other wriggly creeks and water courses. The _Belle of New Orleans_ had been on her way to a "far back" plantation to pick up cotton, when she blew up, which accounted for the wreck being submerged in such an out of the way place.

As they flew along the river, but far above it, they could see human beings, busy as ants, working along the levees, strengthening them against the dreaded floods which already had devastated whole sections of country in Ohio and farther up the mighty stream. At length the course of the _Sea Eagle_ was changed till she was flying over a perfect maze of water courses and bayous, winding in and out of a dense forest. From above, it looked like a lace work of water overlying a piece of dark green plush.

But the map showed a landmark for Black Bayou. Harry's plan was marked "Ruined plantation house and sugar mill." Frank was the first to spy out this important "bearing." The _Sea Eagle_ was at that time not very far up, and the gaunt walls and desolate overgrown buildings of the once prosperous place could be seen clearly. "Giant cypress with three forks," was the next marking, and, sure enough, on a little patch of an island, not far from the ruined plantation, they presently saw a gaunt dead tree answering this description.

"Bayous and bullfrogs! We're getting hot now!" cried Pudge excitedly. "Ben, I believe that that rascal was telling the truth after all."

"I'm inclined to think so, too, Master Pudge," rejoined Ben; "and look--look there--that must be the Catfish Island marked on the plan. See, it's just the shape of one of them critters."

"So it is, Ben," cried Frank, peering down. "Goodness, this _is_ exciting, though. Just think, in a short time we shall know if our flight for a fortune is----"

"A fizzle or not," interrupted the slangy Pudge.

"Right off Catfish Island two points to the north," read out Harry.

Dr. Perkins glanced at the compass and slightly altered the direction of the _Sea Eagle;_ then he allowed the great craft to drop gently to rest on the waters of Black Bayou.

Harry referred to the plan again.

"North a hundred yards to the Lone Pine Island."

"There it is," cried Frank, indicating a small spot of land on which a dead pine reared its bare trunk.

Hardly had he spoken when a canoe shot round a bend in a small bayou just ahead of them, and a wild-looking man, who had been paddling it, checked his frail craft. His unkempt whiskers covered him almost to his waist, and his clothes were ragged to a degree. But none of them thought of this as the swamp dweller so unexpectedly came into view.

"Is this the Black Bayou?" they cried almost in chorus.

The other nodded and stared wildly and half in alarm at the strange-looking craft that confronted him.

"_Oui!_ Thees Black Bayou," he rejoined in soft, broken accents; "what you want, eh?"

"Did you ever hear tell of the _Belle of New Orleans?_" asked Ben, in a voice that shook with suppressed excitement.

To his astonishment the Acadian--for the weird figure in the boat was one of those strange dwellers of the cypress swamps--burst into a loud laugh.

"Oh ho! Oh ho!" he cackled; "what you want wid zee _Belle of New Orleans_, eh? What you want weez her?"

Ben hesitated, and before he could reply the other burst into another weird cackling laugh, and held up a small object.

"You want zee pearl, zee gold, hey? Zey all gone! See, I have one. Zee men who come here two day ago give it me for help zem. Adieu!"

Before anybody on the _Sea Eagle_ could utter a word the fellow gave a deft stroke of his paddle and his canoe shot off into the trackless paths of the swamps.

"Well, what under the sun!" burst out Frank, while Pudge weakly ejaculated:

"Centipedes and spongecakes!"

"It's all clear enough," exclaimed Ben bitterly. "Those ruffians got ahead of us. That 'Cadian took them to the scene of the wreck and they've rifled it."

"That was undoubtedly a black pearl he held up," said Dr. Perkins in a faint voice. "I suppose they gave him that for guiding them here."

The sudden shriek of a high-crested kingfisher made them look up suddenly. The bird was darting from tree to tree on an island at a little distance. Suddenly something that lay at the foot of a tree caught Ben's sharp eyes.

"What's that? That glittering thing yonder?" he exclaimed, pointing.

"Easy enough to see," said Dr. Perkins, starting up the _Sea Eagle_ for the little island.

"It's a diving helmet!" cried Frank as they drew closer to the object, "just look, the rascals must have left it there after they got the treasure out of the sunken wreck. I guess they thought that as they were so rich they need not bother with it."

They landed on the island as disconsolate and downcast a band of treasure hunters as ever set foot on the site of a treasure trove. Abundant evidences of a camp were all about them. The ashes of a fire, and scraps of food and paper. One of these caught Frank's attention. It was a fragment of newspaper, and what had challenged Frank's notice was that a band of red ink had been drawn around some printing on it. Frank read the marked portion with a somewhat vague curiosity. For the moment he did not realize what an important clew he had stumbled upon. Then it rushed upon him with full force.

Ben and the others were on the shore of the island pointing down into the muddy waters of the bayou.

The earth was trampled in the vicinity, and showed plainly that the miscreants who had stolen the treasure had carried on their operations from that point of the bank.

"Down thar somewhar' lies the wreck of the _Belle of New Orleans_," said Ben, shaking his head dolefully, and pointing into the black current; "but it ain't going to do us no good, mates. It ain't going to do us no good; them sea skunks has got ahead of us for fair."

It was at this point that Frank's shout interrupted them.

"What is it?" cried Dr. Perkins.

"This paper. Come here. I think it's a clew to where they have gone."

They crowded about him while Frank read out from the marked paper.

"'The new South American Commerce Company's steamer _Buenos Aires_ sails to-morrow for the latter port. She is a fast, capable craft and will make a direct run to the Argentine. The inauguration of this service is a distinct addition to the commercial importance of New Orleans and establishes new trade relations with South America.'"

"Very pretty," said Ben; "but what does it prove?"

"Yes, I don't see much of a clew in that," put in Harry.

But Frank raised his hand to command silence.

"Listen a minute," he said. "Of course, I may be altogether wrong, but it seems to me that the reason this paragraph is marked is because those fellows meant to sail on this very boat."

Ben brought his hand down on his knee with a resounding whack.

"By hookey, lad!" he roared; "that's reason. That's solid sense and reason."

"What is the date of that paper?" asked Dr. Perkins.

"Luckily the paragraph was torn off from the top of the page," said Frank, "and the date of the issue is legible. It is dated yesterday."

"Then the _Buenos Aires_ sailed this morning?"

"Yes; that's the way it looks."

"And while we are wasting time here she is heading down the river for the open sea," groaned Harry.

"Can't we wireless to New Orleans and find out?" asked Pudge.

"That's a mighty good idea, Pudge," said his father, "but the set we have on the _Sea Eagle_ wouldn't carry as far as that."

"Then let's get on board again and fly back as quickly as possible. We are only wasting time here," said Frank.

His suggestion was quickly acted upon, and the voyagers reembarked. They were a very different party from the pleasantly excited expedition that had set out that morning so full of hope and enterprise. Frank alone kept up his spirits. He sat constantly at the wireless as they winged their way back to New Orleans, incessantly trying to get into communication.

At last he caught the operator of the Harbor Master's office. Instantly he flashed his query:

"Did _Buenos Aires_ sail this a. m.?"

"Yes. Ship sailed early to-day."

"Where will she be now?"

"About off Fort Jackson, near the mouth of the river," came the reply. "She has wireless, but it is out of order, so that I can't tell you exactly where she is right now."

"Thanks!" flashed Frank and disconnected.

He quickly communicated his tidings, and immediately a hasty, excited consultation followed. The result of it was that Dr. Perkins decided to ground the _Sea Eagle_ in Algiers. This done, Ben would swear out a warrant before the most available justice, and then, if they could find a deputy nervy enough to make the trip, he was to be taken on board the _Sea Eagle_ and the _Buenos Aires_ overtaken before she got beyond the jurisdiction of the State.

But after landing in Algiers these plans were changed. It was decided instead to swear out a federal warrant, as there was grave danger of the ship getting out of the State's power before they could overtake her. On the extraordinary circumstances being related to him, the U. S. Commissioner at New Orleans readily granted the warrant for the arrest of all three of the rascals. It now remained only to find a Deputy U. S. Marshal courageous enough to make the trip through the air.

The only one available seemed a bit doubtful.

"A trip in an aeroplane!" he said. "I've never taken such a journey and I'm scared of the blessed things. You see, I've got a wife and family, and----"

"Don't be afraid. There's really no danger, and we'll be over water most of the way," urged Dr. Perkins.

The deputy seemed to come to a sudden conclusion. His eyes snapped and his lips tightened.

"All right, I'll go with you!" he suddenly cried. "Wait till I 'phone the missus and I'm your man. Those rascals played you a mean trick, and I'd like to see you win out."

The hearts of the adventurers gave a bound of hope. There was a chance of seeing justice come into its own, after all.

* * * * *

The _Buenos Aires_, a fine ship of five thousand or more tons, dropped rapidly down the river. She had few cabin passengers, and of these only three were on deck. The remainder were in their cabins putting their belongings to rights.

These three men were the elder Daniels, his loutish son and Duval. But they all wore smart new clothes, and Duval had shaved off his mustache. As for the two Daniels, it is an example of what clothes can do to say that they looked more like prosperous, rather countryfied commission dealers than rugged fishermen from Maine.

"Let's have a look at them pearls again," Daniels was saying, after he had given a cautious glance about him to make sure they were not observed.

Duval reached into his pocket and drew out a canvas bag. From it he poured out a number of black, lustrous objects, catching them in a cupped hand.

"Twenty of the beauties," he exclaimed; "twenty black pearls--the rarest gems that come out of the ocean."

"What are they worth again?" asked the elder Daniels, licking his lips anticipatively.

"Thirty thousand dollars at the least."

"Jiminy! Hold me, some one!" sputtered Zeb.

"And that, counting the gold dust in the cabin, makes a fortune of close upon seventy-five thousand dollars we got out of that old hulk, don't it?"

"That's right," answered Duval; "you fellows did a good day's work for yourselves when you knocked me on the head in that hut."

"Waal, I should say so. Let's go below and look at that gold again. I kin hardly keep my fingers frum touching it. We're rich, boys, we're rich!"

The three worthies disappeared below after Duval had carefully replaced the black pearls in their bag. It was some hours later when they came up again and the ship was passing the Port Ead's light.

"We're safe now," exclaimed Duval in a low tone; "even if they do discover the trick we've put up on em, they could never catch us now. In another two hours we'll be out on the gulf and by to-morrow we'll be out of reach of any one in Yankeeland."

"Hulloo, what's up astern?" asked Zeb suddenly. "What are they all pointing at?"

"Pointing at? What do you mean?" demanded Duval, suspicious as are most guilty consciences of anything unusual.

"Something in the sky. Hark! They are shouting!"

"_Something in the sky!_"

Duval's face went white. His knees shook. By a flash of guilty intuition he had guessed what that something was, even if the next minute a shout had not split the air.

"An aeroplane! It's an aeroplane!"

Duval's knees quivered under him. He trembled like a man with the palsy. Old Daniels came up to him hastily.

"Duval, they've sighted one of them airyoplanes--you don't think----"

"No, I don't _think_. I know," choked out Duval, "they are after us. Hark!"

From the distance came the sound of shots high up in the air. In reply to the signal--for such it was--the _Buenos Aires'_ whistle emitted three long, mournful toots. Her engines began to slow down. As Duval felt the steamer's speed check he dashed below to his cabin. As for Daniels, he stood rooted to the spot, his lips moving, but no speech coming from them. Zeb was nowhere to be seen.

Up on the _Buenos Aires'_ lofty flying bridge her officers, in the meantime, had been almost equally excited. They had seen the aeroplane some time before; but as nowadays such craft are a fairly common sight, they had not paid overmuch attention to it. It was not till the unusual size of the craft was revealed that they scrutinized it closely.

Then, as the big winged man-bird swung above the steamer's masts, had come the quick six pistol shots. An imperative signal, rightly interpreted "Stop!"

The whistle had replied and the vessel's way been checked as the jangling signals sounded in the engine-room, and "Slow down" flashed up on the telegraph.

"What do you want?" hailed the captain through a megaphone, as the _Sea Eagle_--for of course our readers have guessed the identity of the craft of the air--swung above him.

"We want to board you with a United States warrant!" came the startling reply from midair.

"A warrant! For some of my passengers?"

"Yes; for three men whom we have reason to believe booked passage as Daniel Maine and son and another one who calls himself Francis Le Blanc."

"I have three such men on board and recognize the authority of the United States. How will you board me?"

"We'll come alongside."

The captain looked as if he didn't understand how this was going to be done, but gave orders to stop the ship, drop anchor and lower the gangway. This was done, and the _Sea Eagle_ dropped to the water alongside with perfect precision. In the meantime, the wildest excitement reigned on board. Rumors flew thick and fast as to the errand of the men from the air.

Lest it should be wondered how Dr. Perkins and his companions knew the names under which the three rascals had sailed, we had better clear this matter up. Before embarking in the _Sea Eagle_ in pursuit of the _Buenos Aires_, a passenger list had been obtained from the offices of the steamship company. It will be recalled that Francis Le Blanc was the alias, or false name, which Duval had used when in the employ of Mr. Sterrett on the yacht _Wanderer_. This gave them a clew, and when they came across the names Daniel Maine and son, booked for an adjoining cabin, there remained small doubt that those names concealed the two Daniels.

The _Sea Eagle_ was soon made fast, and Marshal Howell, followed by Dr. Perkins and the two Boy Aviators, sprang up the gangway. The others they had been compelled to leave behind, as, with the three prisoners to carry back, the _Sea Eagle_ would have been overcrowded.

As they reached the top of the gangway Captain Stow and his officers advanced to meet them.

"To what am I indebted for the honor of this visit?" asked the seaman.

The marshal showed his authority and his warrant.

"We don't wish to detain you longer than necessary, captain," he said, "so will you have us shown to their cabins?"

The captain himself led the way below, and conducted them down a corridor to the stern of the ship. As they reached the end of the passage a door was thrust suddenly open and a bullet whizzed past Frank's head. At the same instant Zeb's figure appeared in the doorway.

But before he could fire another shot the marshal had wrested the pistol from him and burst into the cabin. Frank was close behind him. At a port hole was Duval; he had something in his hand and was just about to hurl it out of the port hole, when Frank, in one bound, was at his side and had his arm captive. With a snarl like a wounded wild beast Duval turned on him, whipping out a knife as he did so. But before any harm could be done, Dr. Perkins seized and disarmed him.

It was speedily found that the bag which Frank had saved was the one containing the black pearls which Duval, in his extremity, had determined to throw away rather than let any one else gain their possession. The Marshal slipped the handcuffs on Zeb and Duval, who submitted sullenly to arrest. It was not till then that their thoughts turned to the elder Daniels. He was not in his cabin, and search of the ship failed to reveal him. The mystery was soon to be explained, however.

A boat with a colored oarsman had been lying alongside the steamer waiting to take off the pilot. In the confusion old Daniels had opened the bag of gold dust, selected a packet, and, dropping into the boat, told the negro to row him ashore to secure help for the officers. The negro naturally supposed that he was acting under proper instructions, and put the old fisherman ashore. He was never heard of again.

Zeb and Duval sullenly refused to utter a word, but ultimately, after their return to New Orleans, Frank had an interview with Duval in his prison cell, in which he made a clean breast of everything. From Bayhaven they had hastened south by fast trains, stopping on the way to buy diving dress. The Acadian whom the boys had encountered in the swamps had guided them to the scene of the wreck, receiving one black pearl as his reward.

Of the voyage back from the _Buenos Aires_ with the two prisoners not much can be said. It was made at a good rate of speed, and both Duval and Zeb were docile. Indeed, there was no use in their being otherwise. On account of his youth and the pleadings of Dr. Perkins and the boys, Zeb got a light sentence in a reformatory institution, and it is hoped that he will prove a far better character when he gets out. Duval was more severely dealt with, but even he got off more lightly than he deserved, thanks to the clemency of the people he had wronged.

And so ends the story of the Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune in the most wonderful aeroplane constructed up to date. But no doubt, in the rapid march of events, even the _Sea Eagle_ will soon be surpassed. Already, while this book goes to press, plans are being made by no less than four separate aviators to dare the terrors of a transatlantic passage. Whether they will succeed or not is in the lap of the future, but the author is certain that some day flights across "The Pond" at seventy or eighty miles an hour will be so common as to attract but small attention.

Some of my readers doubtless wish to know how Ben disposed of his fortune. Well, part of it he wisely invested in real estate, and the rest he is thinking of putting into the company Dr. Perkins has formed to manufacture _Sea Eagles_. Mr. Sterrett is a member of the company, and so are the Boy Aviators. Naturally Ben's keen wish to have them share some of his good fortune was refused, for, as we know, the Boy Aviators' adventures in the past had netted them a good share of this world's goods. Billy Barnes is publicity agent at a good salary for the _Sea Eagle_ Company, Ltd., and the work just suits his tastes. As for Pudge, he is as hard a worker as anybody at the plant on Brig Island, learning the business "from the bottom up."

And so, wishing them well in their future undertakings, we will here take leave for the present of our friends, until we hear of them again in the next volume, entitled "The Boy Aviators with the Air Raiders."

THE END.

BOY AVIATORS' SERIES

By Captain Wilbur Lawton

Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys

Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume

The Boy Aviators in Nicaragua

Or, Leagued With Insurgents

The launching of this Twentieth Century series marks the
inauguration of a new era in boys' books--the "wonders of modern
science" epoch. Frank and Harry Chester, the Boy Aviators, are the
heroes of this exciting, red-blooded tale of adventure by air and
land in the turbulent Central American republic. The two brothers
with their $10,000 prize aeroplane, the Golden Eagle, rescue a chum
from death in the clutches of the Nicaraguans, discover a lost
treasure valley of the ancient Toltec race, and in so doing almost
lose their own lives in the Abyss of the White Serpents, and have
many other exciting experiences, including being blown far out to
sea in their air-skimmer in a tropical storm. It would be unfair to
divulge the part that wireless plays in rescuing them from their
predicament. In a brand new field of fiction for boys the Chester
brothers and their aeroplane seem destined to fill a top-notch
place. These books are technically correct, wholesomely thrilling
and geared up to third speed.

Sold by Booksellers Everywhere

HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK

BOY AVIATORS' SERIES

By Captain Wilbur Lawton

Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys

Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume

THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE

Or, Working With Wireless

In this live-wire narrative of peril and adventure, laid in the
Everglades of Florida, the spunky Chester Boys and their interesting
chums, including Ben Stubbs, the maroon, encounter exciting
experiences on Uncle Sam's service in a novel field. One must read
this vivid, enthralling story of incident, hardship and pluck to get
an idea of the almost limitless possibilities of the two greatest
inventions of modern times--the aeroplane and wireless telegraphy.
While gripping and holding the reader's breathless attention from
the opening words to the finish, this swift-moving story is at the
same time instructive and uplifting. As those readers who have
already made friends with Frank and Harry Chester and their "bunch"
know, there are few difficulties, no matter how insurmountable they
may seem at first blush, that these up-to-date gritty youths cannot
overcome with flying colors. A clean-cut, real boys' book of high
voltage.

Sold by Booksellers Everywhere

HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK

BOY AVIATORS' SERIES

By Captain Wilbur Lawton

Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys

Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume

THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA

Or, An Aerial Ivory Trail

In this absorbing book we meet, on a Continent made famous by the American explorer Stanley, and ex-President Roosevelt, our old friends, the Chester Boys and their stalwart chums. In Africa--the Dark Continent--the author follows in exciting detail his young heroes, their voyage in the first aeroplane to fly above the mysterious forests and unexplored ranges of the mystic land. In this book, too, for the first time, we entertain Luther Barr, the old New York millionaire, who proved later such an implacable enemy of the boys. The story of his defeated schemes, of the astonishing things the boys discovered in the Mountains of the Moon, of the pathetic fate of George Desmond, the emulator of Stanley, the adventure of the Flying Men and the discovery of the Arabian Ivory cache,--this is not the place to speak. It would be spoiling the zest of an exciting tale to reveal the outcome of all these episodes here. It may be said, however, without "giving away" any of the thrilling chapters of this narrative, that Captain Wilbur Lawton, the author, is in it in his best vein, and from his personal experiences in Africa has been able to supply a striking background for the adventures of his young heroes. As one newspaper says of this book: "Here is adventure in good measure, pressed down and running over."

Sold by Booksellers Everywhere

HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK

BOY AVIATORS' SERIES

By Captain Wilbur Lawton

Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys

Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume

THE BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST

Or, The Golden Galleon

Everybody is a boy once more when it comes to the question of hidden treasure. In this book, Captain Lawton has set forth a hunt for gold that is concealed neither under the sea nor beneath the earth, but is well hidden for all that. A garrulous old sailor, who holds the key to the mystery of the Golden Galleon, plays a large part in the development of the plot of this fascinating narrative of treasure hunting in the region of the Gulf Stream and the Sargasso Sea. An aeroplane fitted with efficient pontoons--enabling her to skim the water successfully--has long been a dream of aviators. The Chester Boys seem to have solved the problem. The Sargasso that strange drifting ocean within an ocean, holding ships of a dozen nations and a score of ages, in its relentless grip, has been the subject of many books of adventure and mystery, but in none has the secret of the ever shifting mass of treacherous currents been penetrated as it has in the BOY AVIATORS TREASURE QUEST. Luther Barr, whom it seemed the boys had shaken off, is still on their trail, in this absorbing book and with a dirigible balloon, essays to beat them out in their search for the Golden Galleon. Every boy, every man--and woman and girl--who has ever felt the stirring summons of adventure in their souls, had better get hold of this book. Once obtained, it will be read and re-read till it falls to rags.

Sold by Booksellers Everywhere

HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK

BOY AVIATORS' SERIES

By Captain Wilbur Lawton

Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys

Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume

THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT

Or, The Rival Aeroplane

The Chester Boys in new field of endeavor--an attempt to capture a newspaper prize for a trans-continental flight. By the time these lines are read, exactly such an offer will have been spread broadcast by one of the foremost newspapers of the country. In the Golden Eagle, the boys, accompanied by a trail-blazing party in an automobile, make the dash. But they are not alone in their aspirations. Their rivals for the rich prize at stake try in every way that they can to circumvent the lads and gain the valuable trophy and monetary award. In this they stop short at nothing, and it takes all the wits and resources of the Boy Aviators to defeat their devices. Among the adventures encountered in their cross-country flight, the boys fall in with a band of rollicking cowboys--who momentarily threaten serious trouble--are attacked by Indians, strike the most remarkable town of the desert--the "dry" town of "Gow Wells," encounter a sandstorm which blows them into strange lands far to the south of their course, and meet with several amusing mishaps beside. A thoroughly readable book. The sort to take out behind the barn on the sunny side of the haystack, and, with a pocketful of juicy apples and your heels kicking the air, pass happy hours with Captain Lawton's young heroes.

Sold by Booksellers Everywhere

HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK

BOY AVIATORS' SERIES

By Captain Wilbur Lawton

Absolutely Modern Stories for Boys

Cloth Bound, Price, 50c per volume

THE BOY AVIATORS POLAR DASH

Or, Facing Death in the Antarctic

If you were to hear that two boys, accompanying a South Polar expedition in charge of the aeronautic department, were to penetrate the Antarctic regions--hitherto only attained by a few daring explorers--you would feel interested, wouldn't you? Well, in Captain Lawton's latest book, concerning his Boy Aviators, you can not only read absorbing adventure in the regions south of the eightieth parallel, but absorb much useful information as well. Captain Lawton introduces--besides the original characters of the heroes--a new creation in the person of Professor Simeon Sandburr, a patient seeker for polar insects. The professor's adventures in his quest are the cause of much merriment, and lead once or twice to serious predicaments. In a volume so packed with incident and peril from cover to cover--relieved with laughable mishaps to the professor--it is difficult to single out any one feature; still, a recent reader of it wrote the publishers an enthusiastic letter the other day, saying: "The episodes above the Great Barrier are thrilling, the attack of the condors in Patagonia made me hold my breath, the--but what's the use? The Polar Dash, to my mind, is an even more entrancing book than Captain Lawton's previous efforts, and that's saying a good deal. The aviation features and their technical correctness are by no means the least attractive features of this up-to-date creditable volume."

Sold by Booksellers Everywhere

HURST & CO.--Publishers--NEW YORK

BOY INVENTORS SERIES

Stories of Skill and Ingenuity

By RICHARD BONNER

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid

THE BOY INVENTORS' WIRELESS TELEGRAPH.

Blest with natural curiosity,--sometimes called the instinct of
investigation,--favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with
creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive
mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because
they always "work" when put to the test.

THE BOY INVENTORS' VANISHING GUN.

A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and
final success--this is the history of many an invention; a history in
which excitement, competition, danger, despair and persistence
figure. This merely suggests the circumstances which draw the daring
Boy Inventors into strange experiences and startling adventures, and
which demonstrate the practical use of their vanishing gun.

THE BOY INVENTORS' DIVING TORPEDO BOAT.

As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interesting
triumphs of mechanism are produced which become immediately
valuable, and the stage for their proving and testing is again the
water. On the surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious
fun, and the story of their serious, purposeful inventions challenge
the reader's deepest attention.

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

BORDER BOYS SERIES

Mexican and Canadian Frontier Series

By FREMONT B. DEERING.

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid

THE BORDER BOYS ON THE TRAIL.

What it meant to make an enemy of Black Ramon De Barios--that is the
problem that Jack Merrill and his friends, including Coyote Pete,
face in this exciting tale.

THE BORDER BOYS ACROSS THE FRONTIER.

Read of the Haunted Mesa and its mysteries, of the Subterranean
River and its strange uses, of the value of gasolene and steam "in
running the gauntlet," and you will feel that not even the ancient
splendors of the Old World can furnish a better setting for romantic
action than the Border of the New.

THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE MEXICAN RANGERS.

As every day is making history--faster, it is said, than ever
before--so books that keep pace with the changes are full of rapid
action and accurate facts. This book deals with lively times on the
Mexican border.

THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS.

The Border Boys have already had much excitement and adventure in
their lives, but all this has served to prepare them for the
experiences related in this volume. They are stronger, braver and
more resourceful than ever, and the exigencies of their life in
connection with the Texas Rangers demand all their trained ability.

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

BUNGALOW BOYS SERIES

LIVE STORIES OF OUTDOOR LIFE

By DEXTER J. FORRESTER.

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid

THE BUNGALOW BOYS.

How the Bungalow Boys received their title and how they retained the
right to it in spite of much opposition makes a lively narrative for
lively boys.

THE BUNGALOW BOYS MAROONED IN THE TROPICS.

A real treasure hunt of the most thrilling kind, with a sunken
Spanish galleon as its object, makes a subject of intense interest
at any time, but add to that a band of desperate men, a dark plot
and a devil fish, and you have the combination that brings strange
adventures into the lives of the Bungalow Boys.

THE BUNGALOW BOYS IN THE GREAT NORTH WEST.

The clever assistance of a young detective saves the boys from the
clutches of Chinese smugglers, of whose nefarious trade they know
too much. How the Professor's invention relieves a critical
situation is also an exciting incident of this book.

THE BUNGALOW BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES.

The Bungalow Boys start out for a quiet cruise on the Great Lakes
and a visit to an island. A storm and a band of wreckers interfere
with the serenity of their trip, and a submarine adds zest and
adventure to it.

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES

Tales of the New Navy

By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON

Author of "BOY AVIATORS SERIES."

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid

THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON BATTLE PRACTICE.

Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the
reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the great ships of modern
warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle
Sam's sailors.

THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ABOARD A DESTROYER.

In this story real dangers threaten and the boys' patriotism is
tested in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the
South American coast.

THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON A SUBMARINE.

To the inventive genius--trade-school boy or mechanic--this story has
special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever
action are fascinating.

THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON AERO SERVICE.

Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc.
Their perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however,
although they make daring and notable flights in the name of the
Government; nor are they always able to fly beyond the reach of
their old "enemies," who are also airmen.

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES

Twentieth Century Athletic Stories

By MATHEW M. COLTON.

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid

FRANK ARMSTRONG'S VACATION.

How Frank's summer experience with his boy friends make him into a
sturdy young athlete through swimming, boating, and baseball
contests, and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this
splendid story.

FRANK ARMSTRONG AT QUEENS.

We find among the jolly boys at Queen's School, Frank, the
student-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the
unconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that
bears his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival
school teams are expertly described.

FRANK ARMSTRONG'S SECOND TERM.

The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for the
stirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the
"Wee One" and the "Codfish" figure, while Frank "saves the day."

FRANK ARMSTRONG, DROP KICKER.

With the same persistent determination that won him success in
swimming, running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the
art of "drop kicking," and the Queen's football team profits
thereby.

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

MOTOR RANGERS SERIES

HIGH SPEED MOTOR STORIES

By MARVIN WEST.

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid

THE MOTOR RANGERS' LOST MINE.

This is an absorbing story of the continuous adventures of a motor
car in the hands of Nat Trevor and his friends. It does seemingly
impossible "stunts," and yet everything happens "in the nick of
time."

THE MOTOR RANGERS THROUGH THE SIERRAS.

Enemies in ambush, the peril of fire, and the guarding of treasure
make exciting times for the Motor Rangers--yet there is a strong
flavor of fun and freedom, with a typical Western mountaineer for
spice.

THE MOTOR RANGERS ON BLUE WATER; or, The Secret of the Derelict.

The strange adventures of the sturdy craft "Nomad" and the stranger
experiences of the Rangers themselves with Morello's schooner and a
mysterious derelict form the basis of this well-spun yarn of the
sea.

THE MOTOR RANGERS' CLOUD CRUISER.

From the "Nomad" to the "Discoverer," from the sea to the sky, the
scene changes in which the Motor Rangers figure. They have
experiences "that never were on land or sea," in heat and cold and
storm, over mountain peak and lost city, with savages and reptiles;
their ship of the air is attacked by huge birds of the air; they
survive explosion and earthquake; they even live to tell the tale!

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

GIRL AVIATORS SERIES

Clean Aviation Stories

By MARGARET BURNHAM.

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid

THE GIRL AVIATORS AND THE PHANTOM AIRSHIP.

Roy Prescott was fortunate in having a sister so clever and devoted
to him and his interests that they could share work and play with
mutual pleasure and to mutual advantage. This proved especially true
in relation to the manufacture and manipulation of their aeroplane,
and Peggy won well deserved fame for her skill and good sense as an
aviator. There were many stumbling-blocks in their terrestrial path
but they soared above them all to ultimate success.

THE GIRL AVIATORS ON GOLDEN WINGS.

That there is a peculiar fascination about aviation that wins and
holds girl enthusiasts as well as boys is proved by this tale. On
golden wings the girl aviators rose for many an exciting flight, and
met strange and unexpected experiences.

THE GIRL AVIATORS' SKY CRUISE.

To most girls a coaching or yachting trip is an adventure. How much
more perilous an adventure a "sky cruise" might be is suggested by
the title and proved by the story itself.

THE GIRL AVIATORS' MOTOR BUTTERFLY.

The delicacy of flight suggested by the word "butterfly," the
mechanical power implied by "motor," the ability to, control assured
in the title "aviator," all combined with the personality and
enthusiasm of girls themselves, make this story one for any girl or
other reader "to go crazy over."

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

MOTOR MAIDS SERIES

Wholesome Stories of Adventure

By KATHERINE STOKES.

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid

THE MOTOR MAIDS' SCHOOL DAYS.

Billie Campbell was just the type of a straightforward, athletic
girl to be successful as a practical Motor Maid. She took her car,
as she did her class-mates, to her heart, and many a grand good time
did they have all together. The road over which she ran her red
machine had many an unexpected turning,--now it led her into peculiar
danger; now into contact with strange travelers; and again into
experiences by fire and water. But, best of all, "The Comet" never
failed its brave girl owner.

THE MOTOR MAIDS BY PALM AND PINE.

Wherever the Motor Maids went there were lively times, for these
were companionable girls who looked upon the world as a vastly
interesting place full of unique adventures--and so, of course, they
found them.

THE MOTOR MAIDS ACROSS THE CONTINENT.

It is always interesting to travel, and it is wonderfully
entertaining to see old scenes through fresh eyes. It is that
privilege, therefore, that makes it worth while to join the Motor
Maids in their first 'cross-country run.

THE MOTOR MAIDS BY ROSE, SHAMROCK AND HEATHER.

South and West had the Motor Maids motored, nor could their
education by travel have been more wisely begun. But now a speaking
acquaintance with their own country enriched their anticipation of
an introduction to the British Isles. How they made their polite
American bow and how they were received on the other side is a tale
of interest and inspiration.

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

<pre id="pg-footer">