Chapter XXXV: Massie's Failure

Although Bob had taken so many precautions against the coming of the enemy during the night, they were all useless, since neither Mr. Massie nor any one in his employ appeared at the Simpson farm.

"Well," said Bob, next morning, while he was waiting for Mrs. Simpson to prepare the breakfast for the sentinels, "since they didn't come during the night they'll most likely be here to-day, so it won't do for us to grow careless."

As the day wore on, and nothing was seen of the force which it was believed would appear, Ralph said to Bob:

"If father started as soon as he got my telegram, he ought to be here on the train to-night, and some of us must drive into town for him."

"That's true, and you must be the one to go," replied Bob, decidedly. "You can take my team, and if any one comes while you are gone, we shall get rid of them, I guess."

Since Mr. Hillman wished to go to his office for some law-books and papers before Mr. Gurney arrived, Ralph started off with him about noon, leaving the farm with the often-expressed wish that nothing would happen during the absence of three of the defenders.

"If you mean by that that you're afraid some of Massie's men may get in here, you're mistaken," said Bob, stoutly. "Unless we have a mind to let them, which isn't at all likely, there won't one of them get a chance to so much as show his nose inside."

Now that Mr. Simpson had succeeded in gathering his scattered faculties once more, and understood that everything might yet be well with them, he seemed suddenly to have grown young again, for he was as eager in watching for approaching danger as Bob was.

"Don't fear for us!" he shouted, as Mr. Hillman and Ralph drove down the lane. "We can keep a regiment of them at their distance," and he acted much as if he believed all he said.

It was about two hours after Ralph and the lawyer drove away, when Bob was honored with another visit from Mr. Massie's messengers, but this time they did not come in sufficient force to cause any alarm.

The lawyer and two men drove up to the lane, where Bob, having seen them while they were yet some distance away, had a force of five men, and the following conversation took place:

"I am instructed by Mr. Marcus Massie, the rightful owner of this place, to take possession of it at once, and to order you off the grounds as trespassers," said the lawyer. "Do you intend to prevent us from an exercise of our legal rights?"

"I intend to prevent you from coming in here," replied Bob, "and I warn you now that I will seriously injure the first one who attempts to come on to this land, which belongs to Mr. Simpson."

"I have made the demand upon you," continued the lawyer, in an unruffled tone, "and I tell you now that my client will proceed against you if you thus attempt by force to prevent him from the exercise of his just and lawful rights."

"Your client may proceed to do whatever he can, and just as soon as he can, and if my answer has not been sufficiently plain, I tell you again that none of you can come in here."

And Bob made a demonstration with his club which appeared to convince the lawyer that he would have no hesitation about using it on his precious body.

"I have warned you," said the legal gentleman, viciously, "and now you can take the consequences."

"And I have warned you!" cried Bob, "and I'm certain that you will take the consequences if you attempt to come here, where neither you nor your client have any rights."

With this pleasant conversation, the lawyer and his companions drove away, and once more was Bob master of the situation.

The next arrivals to the disputed property were Mr. Gurney, Mr. Hillman and Ralph. The former had started as soon as he had received his son's telegram, and from the look on Ralph's face, it was easy to see that the two lawyers, after a consultation together, did not consider the situation a desperate one.

"Father says that even if George doesn't succeed in finding Thompson, he believes it will be possible to show to the satisfaction of a jury that Mr. Simpson paid off the mortgage," said Ralph, as the two lawyers entered the house, leaving the boys alone in the stable-yard. "Of course if this witness could be found, everything could be settled at once."

Ralph's father was also able to do something for the immediate relief of the owners of "The Harnett."

On the morning after his arrival, and the guardians of the property had been undisturbed during the night, Mr. Gurney and Mr. Hillman went into town, where they succeeded in getting bondsmen for the boys, thus releasing the property from attachment. They also began a suit against Mr. Massie, to restrain him from taking any further steps in the matter until the question of ownership could be decided at law.

While they were absent, George returned, and with him was the missing witness, Mr. Jared Thompson. He had been found at Babcock, and since he had no business on hand he was perfectly willing to accompany George, and all the more so because he had been promised he should be well paid for his time, which, just then, was of no value to him.

He remembered distinctly seeing Mr. Simpson at Massie's office, and of seeing him pay over a large roll of money, which he stated was the amount of the mortgage. He also heard Massie say, after he had counted the money, that it was "all right," and saw him hand Mr. Simpson the mortgage, which he took from his safe.

After that Mr. Thompson heard some conversation between the two men relative to the purchase of the wood-lot; but, since he was not interested in the matter, he left the office shortly after it had begun.

On the arrival of Mr. Gurney from town--for he returned alone, since there was no necessity for Mr. Hillman to accompany him after the bonds had been given for the release of the property--he questioned the witness George had brought, and then stated that there was no further cause for anxiety about the matter, since this testimony would answer also the purpose of a written release of the mortgage.

He also gave Bob an order to the keeper of the property at the well, recalling him from his disagreeable duties, and the ex-moonlighter had the pleasure of escorting the officer to the main road, happy that they were once more in possession of their own.

Then, of course, Mr. Gurney was shown the wonderful well, and listened, long and attentively to Bob's arguments as to why another well should be sunk near the house. To the surprise of all the partners except, perhaps, Bob, Mr. Gurney advised that that scheme be carried out, saying that Bob's argument seemed to be supported by such facts in the case as were apparent even to those unfamiliar with the business.

Bob was highly delighted at having convinced Ralph's father of the feasibility of this scheme, and Mr. Simpson was so impressed by the celebrated lawyer's advice that he insisted on deeding, that very night, the strip of land, on which it was proposed to sink the well, to the firm of Harnett, Gurney, Hubbard & Simpson.

Mr. Gurney insisted that the other three partners should pay to Mr. Simpson their proportion of the valuation of the land, which would have been several thousand dollars; but the old man would listen to no such proposition. He had been presented with a quarter of the wood-lot when he had no claim upon it, and he urged his right to make the firm a present of as much land as he owned.

There was no necessity of watching the farm that night, although Bob thought it was careless to leave it unguarded; but no harm came to it, nor did they even hear from the worthy Mr. Massie.

Bob lost no time in setting about the work of opening the new well, and his first duty next morning was to set a portion of the men at work making ready for the erection of the derrick.

Fortunately for the boys, the court was already in session, and Massie's claim came up for an early hearing.

It seemed as if the old money-lender must have entirely forgotten that there had been a witness to the payment of the money, for he came into court apparently confident that he should be able to call "The Harnett" his own; but as soon as he saw Thompson, all his confidence vanished, and he sneaked out of court even before the case was fairly opened.

Of course, there could be but one decision, under the circumstances, and in less than an hour from the time the case was called, a verdict had been given in favor of Mr. Simpson, who was advised by the judge to demand of Massie a written release, and there was no longer any question as to the ownership of "The Harnett."

So far as Ralph was concerned, the case had been decided none too soon. It was time for him to return to college, and on the next day, in company with his father, he bade his partners adieu for a year, as he returned to his studies. Ralph Gurney's vacation was at an end, as this story should be, since it promised simply to tell of that time.

* * * * *

With the story brought to a close, the work of the author should be ended, unless, as in this case, he makes brief mention of what has happened, concerning the principal characters, from that time until the present.

Ramsdell and Dean were convicted of the assault on George, and sentence of two years in the State prison pronounced against them, the charge of stealing the team still hanging over their heads, in case George wants to press it when their term of imprisonment has ended, which is not probable.

While Ralph was finishing his collegiate course, Bob worked at the new well, and when it was opened, he telegraphed to Ralph:

"New well just shot. Another victory for the moonlighter, for it
is not more than two hundred barrels less than the other."

And Ralph replied:

"I claim the right to name it. It shall be called 'The
Moonlighter.'"

When Ralph graduated, he owned a quarter of three good, paying wells, and Bob has now an idea that it will pay to open another some distance away, where he has been prospecting for the past month.

Mr. and Mrs. Simpson still live on the old farm, and George, Ralph and Bob live with them; but a new house has been built by the side of the old one, for the old couple would not consent that their first home should be torn down, and at any time that the readers visit that section of the country, they should not fail to look at "The Harnett," which still flows as it did during Ralph Gurney's vacation.

THE END.

A. L. Burt's Catalogue of Books for Young People by Popular Writers, 52-58 Duane Street, New York

* * * * *

BOOKS FOR BOYS.

=Joe's Luck:= A Boy's Adventures in California. By HORATIO
ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

The story is chock full of stirring incidents, while the amusing
situations are furnished by Joshua Bickford, from Pumpkin
Hollow, and the fellow who modestly styles himself the "Rip-tail
Roarer, from Pike Co., Missouri." Mr. Alger never writes a poor
book, and "Joe's Luck" is certainly one of his best.

=Tom the Bootblack;= or, The Road to Success. By HORATIO ALGER,
JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the Bootblack. He was not at
all ashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout
to better himself. The lad started for Cincinnati to look up his
heritage. Mr. Grey, the uncle, did not hesitate to employ a
ruffian to kill the lad. The plan failed, and Gilbert Grey, once
Tom the bootblack, came into a comfortable fortune. This is one
of Mr. Alger's best stories.

=Dan the Newsboy.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth,
illustrated, price $1.00.

Dan Mordaunt and his mother live in a poor tenement, and the lad
is pluckily trying to make ends meet by selling papers in the
streets of New York. A little heiress of six years is confided to
the care of the Mordaunts. The child is kidnapped and Dan tracks
the child to the house where she is hidden, and rescues her. The
wealthy aunt of the little heiress is so delighted with Dan's
courage and many good qualities that she adopts him as her heir.

=Tony the Hero:= A Brave Boy's Adventure with a Tramp. By
HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control
of Rudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal. After much abuse Tony runs
away and gets a job as stable boy in a country hotel. Tony is
heir to a large estate. Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony
and throws him down a deep well. Of course Tony escapes from the
fate provided for him, and by a brave act, a rich friend secures
his rights and Tony is prosperous. A very entertaining book.

=The Errand Boy;= or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By HORATIO
ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth illustrated, price $1.00.

The career of "The Errand Boy" embraces the city adventures of a
smart country lad. Philip was brought up by a kind-hearted
innkeeper named Brent. The death of Mrs. Brent paved the way for
the hero's subsequent troubles. A retired merchant in New York
secures him the situation of errand boy, and thereafter stands as
his friend.

=Tom Temple's Career.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth,
illustrated, price $1.00.

Tom Temple is a bright, self-reliant lad. He leaves Plympton
village to seek work in New York, whence he undertakes an
important mission to California. Some of his adventures in the
far west are so startling that the reader will scarcely close the
book until the last page shall have been reached. The tale is
written in Mr. Alger's most fascinating style.

=Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo,
cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravely determines to make a living for
himself and his foster-sister Grace. Going to New York he obtains
a situation as cash boy in a dry goods store. He renders a
service to a wealthy old gentleman who takes a fancy to the lad,
and thereafter helps the lad to gain success and fortune.

=Tom Thatcher's Fortune.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth,
illustrated, price $1.00.

Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious, unselfish boy. He supports
his mother and sister on meagre wages earned as a shoe-pegger in
John Simpson's factory. Tom is discharged from the factory and
starts overland for California. He meets with many adventures.
The story is told in a way which has made Mr. Alger's name a
household word in so many homes.

=The Train Boy.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth,
illustrated, price $1.00.

Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his
mother and sister by selling books and papers on the Chicago and
Milwaukee Railroad. He detects a young man in the act of picking
the pocket of a young lady. In a railway accident many passengers
are killed, but Paul is fortunate enough to assist a Chicago
merchant, who out of gratitude takes him into his employ. Paul
succeeds with tact and judgment and is well started on the road
to business prominence.

=Mark Mason's Victory.= The Trials and Triumphs of a Telegraph
Boy. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
$1.00.

Mark Mason, the telegraph boy, was a sturdy, honest lad, who
pluckily won his way to success by his honest manly efforts under
many difficulties. This story will please the very large class of
boys who regard Mr. Alger as a favorite author.

=A Debt of Honor.= The Story of Gerald Lane's Success in the
Far West. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
price $1.00.

The story of Gerald Lane and the account of the many trials and
disappointments which he passed through before he attained
success, will interest all boys who have read the previous
stories of this delightful author.

=Ben Bruce.= Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy. By HORATIO
ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

Ben Bruce was a brave, manly, generous boy. The story of his
efforts, and many seeming failures and disappointments, and his
final success, are most interesting to all readers. The tale is
written in Mr. Alger's most fascinating style.

=The Castaways;= or, On the Florida Reefs. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo,
cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

This tale smacks of the salt sea. From the moment that the Sea
Queen leaves lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her
becalmed off the coast of Florida, one can almost hear the
whistle of the wind through her rigging, the creak of her
straining cordage as she heels to the leeward. The adventures of
Ben Clark, the hero of the story and Jake the cook, cannot fail
to charm the reader. As a writer for young people Mr. Otis is a
prime favorite.

=Wrecked on Spider Island;= or, How Ned Rogers Found the
Treasure. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
$1.00.

Ned Rogers, a "down-east" plucky lad ships as cabin boy to earn a
livelihood. Ned is marooned on Spider Island, and while there
discovers a wreck submerged in the sand, and finds a considerable
amount of treasure. The capture of the treasure and the incidents
of the voyage serve to make as entertaining a story of sea-life
as the most captious boy could desire.

=The Search for the Silver City:= A Tale of Adventure in
Yucatan. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
$1.00.

Two lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark on the steam yacht
Day Dream for a cruise to the tropics. The yacht is destroyed by
fire, and then the boat is cast upon the coast of Yucatan. They
hear of the wonderful Silver City, of the Chan Santa Cruz
Indians, and with the help of a faithful Indian ally carry off a
number of the golden images from the temples. Pursued with
relentless vigor at last their escape is effected in an
astonishing manner. The story is so full of exciting incidents
that the reader is quite carried away with the novelty and
realism of the narrative.

=A Runaway Brig;= or, An Accidental Cruise. By JAMES OTIS.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

This is a sea tale, and the reader can look out upon the wide
shimmering sea as it flashes back the sunlight, and imagine
himself afloat with Harry Vandyne, Walter Morse, Jim Libby and
that old shell-back, Bob Brace, on the brig Bonita. The boys
discover a mysterious document which enables them to find a
buried treasure. They are stranded on an island and at last are
rescued with the treasure. The boys are sure to be fascinated
with this entertaining story.

=The Treasure Finders:= A Boy's Adventures in Nicaragua. By
JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

Roy and Dean Coloney, with their guide Tongla, leave their
father's indigo plantation to visit the wonderful ruins of an
ancient city. The boys eagerly explore the temples of an extinct
race and discover three golden images cunningly hidden away. They
escape with the greatest difficulty. Eventually they reach safety
with their golden prizes. We doubt if there ever was written a
more entertaining story than "The Treasure Finders."

=Jack, the Hunchback.= A Story of the Coast of Maine. By JAMES
OTIS. Price $1.00.

This is the story of a little hunchback who lived on Cape
Elizabeth, on the coast of Maine. His trials and successes are
most interesting. From first to last nothing stays the interest
of the narrative. It bears us along as on a stream whose current
varies in direction, but never loses its force.

=With Washington at Monmouth:= A Story of Three Philadelphia
Boys. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges,
illustrated, price $1.50.

Three Philadelphia lads assist the American spies and make
regular and frequent visits to Valley Forge in the Winter while
the British occupied the city. The story abounds with pictures of
Colonial life skillfully drawn, and the glimpses of Washington's
soldiers which are given shown that the work has not been hastily
done, or without considerable study. The story is wholesome and
patriotic in tone, as are all of Mr. Otis' works.

=With Lafayette at Yorktown:= A Story of How Two Boys Joined
the Continental Army. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental
cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50.

Two lads from Portsmouth, N. H., attempt to enlist in the
Colonial Army, and are given employment as spies. There is no
lack of exciting incidents which the youthful reader craves, but
it is healthful excitement brimming with facts which every boy
should be familiar with, and while the reader is following the
adventures of Ben Jaffrays and Ned Allen he is acquiring a fund
of historical lore which will remain in his memory long after
that which he has memorized from textbooks has been forgotten.

=At the Siege of Havana.= Being the Experiences of Three Boys
Serving under Israel Putnam in 1762. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo,
ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50.

"At the Siege of Havana" deals with that portion of the Island's
history when the English king captured the capital, thanks to the
assistance given by the troops from New England, led in part by
Col. Israel Putnam.

The principal characters are Darius Lunt, the lad who,
represented as telling the story, and his comrades, Robert
Clement and Nicholas Vallet. Colonel Putnam also figures to
considerable extent, necessarily, in the tale, and the whole
forms one of the most readable stories founded on historical
facts.

=The Defense of Fort Henry.= A Story of Wheeling Creek in 1777.
By JAMES OTIS, 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges,
illustrated, price $1.50.

Nowhere in the history of our country can be found more heroic or
thrilling incidents than in the story of those brave men and
women who founded the settlement of Wheeling in the Colony of
Virginia. The recital of what Elizabeth Zane did is in itself as
heroic a story as can be imagined. The wondrous bravery displayed
by Major McCulloch and his gallant comrades, the sufferings of
the colonists and their sacrifice of blood and life, stir the
blood of old as well as young readers.

=The Capture of the Laughing Mary.= A Story of Three New York
Boys in 1776. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth,
olivine edges, price $1.50.

"During the British occupancy of New York, at the outbreak of the
Revolution, a Yankee lad hears of the plot to take General
Washington's person, and calls in two companions to assist the
patriot cause. They do some astonishing things, and,
incidentally, lay the way for an American navy later, by the
exploit which gives its name to the work. Mr. Otis' books are too
well known to require any particular commendation to the
young."--Evening Post.

=With Warren at Bunker Hill.= A Story of the Siege of Boston.
By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges,
illustrated, price $1.50.

"This is a tale of the siege of Boston, which opens on the day
after the doings at Lexington and Concord, with a description of
home life in Boston, introduces the reader to the British camp at
Charlestown, shows Gen. Warren at home, describes what a boy
thought of the battle of Bunker Hill, and closes with the raising
of the siege. The three heroes, George Wentworth, Ben Scarlett
and an old ropemaker, incur the enmity of a young Tory, who
causes them many adventures the boys will like to read."--Detroit
Free Press.

=With the Swamp Fox.= The Story of General Marion's Spies. By
JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

This story deals with General Francis Marion's heroic struggle in
the Carolinas. General Marion's arrival to take command of these
brave men and rough riders is pictured as a boy might have seen
it, and although the story is devoted to what the lads did, the
Swamp Fox is ever present in the mind of the reader.

=On the Kentucky Frontier.= A Story of the Fighting Pioneers of
the West. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.

In the history of our country there is no more thrilling story
than that of the work done on the Mississippi river by a handful
of frontiersmen. Mr. Otis takes the reader on that famous
expedition from the arrival of Major Clarke's force at Corn
Island, until Kaskaskia was captured. He relates that part of
Simon Kenton's life history which is not usually touched upon
either by the historian or the story teller. This is one of the
most entertaining books for young people which has been
published.

=Sarah Dillard's Ride.= A Story of South Carolina in 1780.
By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

"This book deals with the Carolinas in 1780, giving a wealth of
detail of the Mountain Men who struggled so valiantly against the
king's troops. Major Ferguson is the prominent British officer of
the story, which is told as though coming from a youth who
experienced these adventures. In this way the famous ride of
Sarah Dillard is brought out as an incident of the
plot."--=Boston Journal.=

=A Tory Plot.= A Story of the Attempt to Kill General
Washington. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
$1.00.

"'A Tory Plot' is the story of two lads who overhear something of
the plot originated during the Revolution by Gov. Tryon to
capture or murder Washington. They communicate their knowledge to
Gen. Putnam and are commissioned by him to play the role of
detectives in the matter. They do so, and meet with many
adventures and hair-breadth escapes. The boys are, of course,
mythical, but they serve to enable the author to put into very
attractive shape much valuable knowledge concerning one phase of
the Revolution."--=Pittsburgh Times.=

=A Traitor's Escape.= A Story of the Attempt to Seize Benedict
Arnold. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
$1.00.

"This is a tale with stirring scenes depicted in each chapter,
bringing clearly before the mind the glorious deeds of the early
settlers in this country. In an historical work dealing with this
country's past, no plot can hold the attention closer than this
one, which describes the attempt and partial success of Benedict
Arnold's escape to New York, where he remained as the guest of
Sir Henry Clinton. All those who actually figured in the arrest
of the traitor, as well as Gen. Washington, are included as
characters."--=Albany Union.=

=A Cruise with Paul Jones.= A Story of Naval Warfare in 1776.
By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

"This story takes up that portion of Paul Jones' adventurous life
when he was hovering off the British coast, watching for an
opportunity to strike the enemy a blow. It deals more
particularly with his descent upon Whitehaven, the seizure of
Lady Selkirk's plate, and the famous battle with the Drake. The
boy who figures in the tale is one who was taken from a derelict
by Paul Jones shortly after this particular cruise was
begun."--=Chicago Inter-Ocean.=

=Corporal Lige's Recruit.= A Story of Crown Point and
Ticonderoga. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
$1.00.

"In 'Corporal Lige's Recruit,' Mr. Otis tells the amusing story
of an old soldier, proud of his record, who had served the king
in '58, and who takes the lad, Isaac Rice, as his 'personal
recruit.' The lad acquits himself superbly. Col. Ethan Allen 'in
the name of God and the continental congress,' infuses much
martial spirit into the narrative, which will arouse the keenest
interest as it proceeds. Crown Point, Ticonderoga, Benedict
Arnold and numerous other famous historical names appear in this
dramatic tale."--=Boston Globe.=

=Morgan, the Jersey Spy.= A Story of the Siege of Yorktown in
1781. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

"The two lads who are utilized by the author to emphasize the
details of the work done during that memorable time were real
boys who lived on the banks of the York river, and who aided the
Jersey spy in his dangerous occupation. In the guise of fishermen
the lads visit Yorktown, are suspected of being spies, and put
under arrest. Morgan risks his life to save them. The final
escape, the thrilling encounter with a squad of red coats, when
they are exposed equally to the bullets of friends and foes, told
in a masterly fashion, makes of this volume one of the most
entertaining books of the year."--=Inter-Ocean.=

=The Young Scout:= The Story of a West Point Lieutenant. By
EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

The crafty Apache chief Geronimo but a few years ago was the most
terrible scourge of the southwest border. The author has woven,
in a tale of thrilling interest, all the incidents of Geronimo's
last raid. The hero is Lieutenant James Decker, a recent graduate
of West Point. Ambitious to distinguish himself the young man
takes many a desperate chance against the enemy and on more than
one occasion narrowly escapes with his life. In our opinion Mr.
Ellis is the best writer of Indian stories now before the public.

=Adrift in the Wilds:= The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked Boys.
By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

Elwood Brandon and Howard Lawrence are en route for San
Francisco. Off the coast of California the steamer takes fire.
The two boys reach the shore with several of the passengers.
Young Brandon becomes separated from his party and is captured by
hostile Indians, but is afterwards rescued. This is a very
entertaining narrative of Southern California.

=A Young Hero;= or, Fighting to Win. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo,
cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

This story tells how a valuable solid silver service was stolen
from the Misses Perkinpine, two very old and simple minded
ladies. Fred Sheldon, the hero of this story, undertakes to
discover the thieves and have them arrested. After much time
spent in detective work, he succeeds in discovering the silver
plate and winning the reward. The story is told in Mr. Ellis'
most fascinating style. Every boy will be glad to read this
delightful book.

=Lost in the Rockies.= A Story of Adventure in the Rocky
Mountains. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
price $1.

Incident succeeds incident, and adventure is piled upon
adventure, and at the end the reader, be he boy or man, will have
experienced breathless enjoyment in this romantic story
describing many adventures in the Rockies and among the Indians.

=A Jaunt Through Java:= The Story of a Journey to the Sacred
Mountain. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
price $1.00.

The interest of this story is found in the thrilling adventures
of two cousins, Hermon and Eustace Hadley, on their trip across
the island of Java, from Samarang to the Sacred Mountain. In a
land where the Royal Bengal tiger, the rhinoceros, and other
fierce beasts are to be met with, it is but natural that the
heroes of this book should have a lively experience. There is not
a dull page in the book.

=The Boy Patriot.= A Story of Jack, the Young Friend of
Washington. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges,
illustrated, price $1.50.

"There are adventures of all kinds for the hero and his friends,
whose pluck and ingenuity in extricating themselves from awkward
fixes are always equal to the occasion. It is an excellent story
full of honest, manly, patriotic efforts on the part of the hero.
A very vivid description of the battle of Trenton is also found
in this story."--=Journal of Education.=

=A Yankee Lad's Pluck.= How Bert Larkin Saved his Father's
Ranch in Porto Rico. By WM. P. CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth,
illustrated, price $1.00.

"Bert Larkin, the hero of the story, early excites our
admiration, and is altogether a fine character such as boys will
delight in, whilst the story of his numerous adventures is very
graphically told. This will, we think, prove one of the most
popular boys' books this season."--=Gazette.=

=A Brave Defense.= A Story of the Massacre at Fort Griswold in
1781. By WILLIAM P. CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
price $1.00.

Perhaps no more gallant fight against fearful odds took place
during the Revolutionary War than that at Fort Griswold, Groton
Heights, Conn., in 1781. The boys are real boys who were actually
on the muster rolls, either at Fort Trumbull on the New London
side, or of Fort Griswold on the Groton side of the Thames. The
youthful reader who follows Halsey Sanford and Levi Dart and Tom
Malleson, and their equally brave comrades, through their
thrilling adventures will be learning something more than
historical facts; they will be imbibing lessons of fidelity, of
bravery, of heroism, and of manliness, which must prove
serviceable in the arena of life.

=The Young Minuteman.= A Story of the Capture of General
Prescott in 1777. By WILLIAM P. CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth,
illustrated, price $1.00.

This story is based upon actual events which occurred during the
British occupation of the waters of Narragansett Bay. Darius Wale
and William Northrop belong to "the coast patrol." The story is a
strong one, dealing only with actual events. There is, however,
no lack of thrilling adventure, and every lad who is fortunate
enough to obtain the book will find not only that his historical
knowledge is increased, but that his own patriotism and love of
country are deepened.

=For the Temple:= A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G. A.
HENTY. With illustrations by S. J. SOLOMON. 12mo, cloth,
olivine edges, price $1.00.

"Mr. Henty's graphic prose picture of the hopeless Jewish
resistance to Roman sway adds another leaf to his record of the
famous wars of the world. The book is one of Mr. Henty's
cleverest efforts."--=Graphic.=

=Roy Gilbert's Search:= A Tale of the Great Lakes. By WM. P.
CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

A deep mystery hangs over the parentage of Roy Gilbert. He
arranges with two schoolmates to make a tour of the Great Lakes
on a steam launch. The three boys visit many points of interest
on the lakes. Afterwards the lads rescue an elderly gentleman and
a lady from a sinking yacht. Later on the boys narrowly escape
with their lives. The hero is a manly, self-reliant boy, whose
adventures will be followed with interest.

=The Slate Picker:= The Story of a Boy's Life in the Coal
Mines. By HARRY PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
$1.00.

This is a story of a boy's life in the coal mines of
Pennsylvania. Ben Burton, the hero, had a hard road to travel,
but by grit and energy he advanced step by step until he found
himself called upon to fill the position of chief engineer of the
Kohinoor Coal Company. This is a book of extreme interest to
every boy reader.

=The Boy Cruisers;= or, Paddling in Florida. By ST. GEORGE
RATHBORNE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

Andrew George and Rowland Carter start on a canoe trip along the
Gulf coast, from Key West to Tampa, Florida. Their first
adventure is with a pair of rascals who steal their boats. Next
they run into a gale in the Gulf. After that they have a lively
time with alligators and Andrew gets into trouble with a band of
Seminole Indians. Mr. Rathborne knows just how to interest the
boys, and lads who are in search of a rare treat will do well to
read this entertaining story.

=Captured by Zulus:= A Story of Trapping in Africa. By HARRY
PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

This story details the adventures of two lads, Dick Elsworth and
Bob Harvey, in the wilds of South Africa. By stratagem the Zulus
capture Dick and Bob and take them to their principal kraal or
village. The lads escape death by digging their way out of the
prison hut by night. They are pursued, but the Zulus finally give
up pursuit. Mr. Prentice tells exactly how wild-beast collectors
secure specimens on their native stamping grounds, and these
descriptions make very entertaining reading.

=Tom the Ready;= or, Up from the Lowest. By RANDOLPH HILL.
12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

This is a dramatic narrative of the unaided rise of a fearless,
ambitious boy from the lowest round of fortune's ladder to wealth
and the governorship of his native State. Tom Seacomb begins life
with a purpose, and eventually overcomes those who oppose him.
How he manages to win the battle is told by Mr. Hill in a
masterful way that thrills the reader and holds his attention and
sympathy to the end.

=Captain Kidd's Gold:= The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor
Boy. By JAMES FRANKLIN FITTS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
price $1.00.

There is something fascinating to the average youth in the very
idea of buried treasure. A vision arises before his eyes of
swarthy Portuguese and Spanish rascals, with black beards and
gleaming eyes. There were many famous sea rovers, but none more
celebrated than Capt. Kidd. Paul Jones Garry inherits a document
which locates a considerable treasure buried by two of Kidd's
crew. The hero of this book is an ambitious, persevering lad, of
salt-water New England ancestry, and his efforts to reach the
island and secure the money form one of the most absorbing tales
for our youth that has come from the press.

=The Boy Explorers:= The Adventures of Two Boys in Alaska. By
HARRY PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

Two boys, Raymond and Spencer Manning, travel to Alaska to join
their father in search of their uncle. On their arrival at Sitka
the boys with an Indian guide set off across the mountains. The
trip is fraught with perils that test the lads' courage to the
utmost. All through their exciting adventures the lads
demonstrate what can be accomplished by pluck and resolution, and
their experience makes one of the most interesting tales ever
written.

=The Island Treasure;= or, Harry Darrel's Fortune. By FRANK H.
CONVERSE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

Harry Darrel, having received a nautical training on a
school-ship, is bent on going to sea. A runaway horse changes his
prospects. Harry saves Dr. Gregg from drowning and afterward
becomes sailing-master of a sloop yacht. Mr. Converse's stories
possess a charm of their own which is appreciated by lads who
delight in good healthy tales that smack of salt water.

=Guy Harris:= The Runaway. By HARRY CASTLEMON. 12mo, cloth,
illustrated, price $1.00.

Guy Harris lived in a small city on the shore of one of the Great
Lakes. He is persuaded to go to sea, and gets a glimpse of the
rough side of life in a sailor's boarding house. He ships on a
vessel and for five months leads a hard life. The book will
interest boys generally on account of its graphic style. This is
one of Castlemon's most attractive stories.

=Julian Mortimer:= A Brave Boy's Struggle for Home and Fortune.
By HARRY CASTLEMON. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.

The scene of the story lies west of the Mississippi River, in the
days when emigrants made their perilous way across the great
plains to the land of gold. There is an attack upon the wagon
train by a large party of Indians. Our hero is a lad of uncommon
nerve and pluck. Befriended by a stalwart trapper, a real rough
diamond, our hero achieves the most happy results.

=By Pike and Dyke:= A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic.
By G. A. HENTY. With illustrations by MAYNARD BROWN. 12mo,
cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.

"Boys with a turn for historical research will be enchanted with
the book, while the rest who only care for adventure will be
students in spite of themselves."--=St. James's Gazette.=

=St. George for England:= A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G.
A. HENTY. With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth,
olivine edges, price $1.00.

"A story of very great interest for boys. In his own forcible
style the author has endeavored to show that determination and
enthusiasm can accomplish marvellous results; and that courage is
generally accompanied by magnanimity and gentleness."--=Pall Mall
Gazette.=

=Captain Bayley's Heir:= A Tale of the Gold Fields of
California. By G. A. HENTY. With illustrations by H. M.
PAGET. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.

"Mr. Henty is careful to mingle instruction with entertainment;
and the humorous touches, especially in the sketch of John Holl,
the Westminster dustman, Dickens himself could hardly have
excelled."--=Christian Leader.=

=Budd Boyd's Triumph;= or, The Boy Firm of Fox Island. By
WILLIAM P. CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.

The scene of this story is laid on the upper part of Narragansett
Bay, and the leading incidents have a strong salt-water flavor.
The two boys, Budd Boyd and Judd Floyd, being ambitious and clear
sighted, form a partnership to catch and sell fish. Budd's pluck
and good sense carry him through many troubles. In following the
career of the boy firm of Boyd & Floyd, the youthful reader will
find a useful lesson--that industry and perseverance are bound to
lead to ultimate success.

=Lost in the Canyon:= Sam Willett's Adventures on the Great
Colorado. By ALFRED R. CALHOUN. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
price $1.

This story hinges on a fortune left to Sam Willett, the hero, and
the fact that it will pass to a disreputable relative if the lad
dies before he shall have reached his majority. The story of his
father's peril and of Sam's desperate trip down the great canyon
on a raft, and how the party finally escape from their perils is
described in a graphic style that stamps Mr. Calhoun as a master
of his art.

=Captured by Apes:= The Wonderful Adventures of a Young Animal
Trainer. By HARRY PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
$1.00.

Philip Garland, a young animal collector and trainer, sets sail
for Eastern seas in quest of a new stock of living curiosities.
The vessel is wrecked off the coast of Borneo, and young Garland
is cast ashore on a small island, and captured by the apes that
overran the place. Very novel indeed is the way by which the
young man escapes death. Mr. Prentice is a writer of undoubted
skill.

=Under Drake's Flag:= A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G. A.
HENTY. With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth,
olivine edges, price $1.00.

"There is not a dull chapter, nor, indeed, a dull page in the
book; but the author has so carefully worked up his subject that
the exciting deeds of his heroes are never incongruous nor
absurd."--=Observer.=

=By Sheer Pluck:= A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G. A. HENTY.
With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine
edges, price $1.00.

The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the
details of the Ashanti campaign, of which he was himself a
witness.

"Mr. Henty keeps up his reputation as a writer of boys' stories.
'By Sheer Pluck' will be eagerly read."--=Athenæum.=

=With Lee in Virginia:= A Story of the American Civil War. By
G. A. HENTY. With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo,
cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.

"One of the best stories for lads which Mr. Henty has yet
written. The picture is full of life and color, and the stirring
and romantic incidents are skillfully blended with the personal
interest and charm of the story."--=Standard.=

=By England's Aid;= or, The Freeing of the Netherlands
(1585-1604). By G. A. HENTY. With illustrations by ALFRED
PEARSE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.

"It is an admirable book for youngsters. It overflows with
stirring incident and exciting adventure, and the color of the
era and of the scene are finely reproduced. The illustrations add
to its attractiveness."--=Boston Gazette.=

* * * * *

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.

Transcriber's Note:

Variations in the use of hyphens and alternative spelling have
been retained as they appear in the original except as in the
following changes:

Page 5 friendship for you. changed to
friendship for you,

12 and he was he was on his way changed to
and he was on his way

14 I should have have been somewhere changed to
I should have been somewhere

55 might he obliged to changed to
might be obliged to

88 thay may make it disagreeable changed to
they may make it disagreeable

146 in a box-buggy changed to
in a box buggy

151 his own propperty changed to
his own property

153 Hello! Helo-o-o! changed to
Hello! Hello-o-o!

156 A SOUVENIR OF THE THIEVES changed to
A SOUVENIR OF THE THIEVES.

180 call the case on of changed to
call the case one of

225 said Bob, and before changed to
said Bob, "and before

234 an hour bfore it changed to
an hour before it

238 this was followd by changed to
this was followed by

242 it was, prefering to changed to
it was, preferring to

258 they might lose. "The Harnett" changed to
they might lose "The Harnett"

And in the advertisements:

Page 5 South Carolina in in 1780 changed to
South Carolina in 1780

6 price $1,00 in Corporal Lige's Recruit changed to
price $1.00

8 illustrated, price $1.00 in The Boy Cruisers changed to
illustrated, price $1.00.

10 price $1, in Lost in the Canyon changed to
price $1.

10 cloth, illustrated. in Captured by Apes changed to
cloth, illustrated,

End of Project Gutenberg's Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation, by James Otis