The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Abandoned Country, by "Noname."

“So you think the earth has been thoroughly explored, and that there is no such thing as an undiscovered continent, do you?” asked Percy Randall, as he lit a cigar and seated himself comfortably in a chair in the office of Frank Reade, Jr., for a social chat.

The young inventor, who hardly needs an introduction to the reader, so well is he known the world over, turned from his desk and regarded his visitor with a quizzical smile.

“Still at that old theory, Randall?” he said. “I thought you had discarded it after that last expedition of yours.”

Randall, a bronzed, athletic man of thirty years, but with heaps of experience as a globe-trotter and explorer, winced, but replied lightly:

“Well, I did have a hard time. We lost our ship in Desolation Channel, and were forced to take to an iceberg. If we had had an overland machine like your Electric Scorcher, we could have easily crossed that ice barrier and set foot upon the new continent, the most wonderful part of the globe. But as it was we were carried north into Cape Horn waters on the berg and finally picked up by an Argentine vessel.”

“Then you really believe that there is an inhabited and undiscovered continent beyond that ice barrier?” he asked.

“A sailor’s word is good except when connected with a story. The telling of a yarn is ample license for stretching the imagination.”

“Very good,” rejoined Randall, “but old Jack has given his davy on it, and all sorts of oaths. Oh, I firmly believe him.”

“Then you shall. I brought him here to-day for that purpose. He is just outside the door. I will call him.”

The next moment there appeared in the doorway the figure of a sailor of the old-time type, who spliced the mainbrace and made sennit in the forecastle in the palmy days of the “tea wagons” and seventy-four gun frigates.

“Glad to meet you, sir!” said Frank, warmly. “Sit down. My friend here tells me that you have a wonderful yarn to tell.”

“Very good,” said Frank. “I should be glad to have you repeat it to me.”

“It was in ’53, and I went out from Baltimore in the Mary Luce. Captain Barnaby, for Peru. There never was a stauncher ship, mates, nor the Luce. She stood up like a church in a running gale, and it was no light storm that put her under the rollers.

“Well, we were forty-three souls aboard—crew, officers, and a few passengers. We had a lucky voyage all the way across the Equator and down the coast until we struck ther Horn seas. Then there was the Old Harry to pay.

“We hit into a south storm, and for four days we were unable to tell where we were. The seas came aboard like avalanches and cleared the deck to the masts fore and aft. That was a leetle the toughest trip I ever had. And I haven’t forgotten it.

“Well, the way the wind did howl and the sea run! When at length the sun shone long enough to take an observation our skipper swore that we were south of the Antarctic Circle.

“And with that our bosun’s mate came up to say that the ship was leaking a hundred strokes a minute, more or less. We all turned to the pumps and worked like madmen.

“But what was the use? We could never hope to make land under many weeks, and the ship could not float that long. We were put to it pretty desperate, and finally the end came.

“There was no way but to take to the boats. What was worse, a little squall came up and made it almost impossible to launch ’em. Then the ship began to settle.

“I can’t tell ye just all about what followed. The captain’s boat was lowered and swamped. The longboat cleared with fourteen aboard, but was caught between the rollers and capsized. All hands went down.

“There were over twenty of us left on the ship’s deck, and a regular fight was made for the remaining boats. They were put out and two of ’em got clear and made off. But whatever became of ’em nobody ever knew. Six of us were left behind, and we had given ourselves up for lost.

“But the ship water-logged and did not sink as soon as it was thought that she would. That gave us time to make a raft. We put some stores on it, and set out in a calmer sea. For six weeks we floated in those icy seas.

“Luckily for us, it was the Antarctic summer, and we managed to get along with our thin clothing until we suddenly hailed land. Yes, it was actually land, away beyond the icebergs.

“There were mountains and a smoking volcano. At once our boys were decided to pay it a visit.

“The raft drifted on into the edge of the ice floe. Then we left her and cut out across the icefield.

“It would lake a long time for me to tell ye all that happened us on that long walk. One of our men slid into an air-hole and we never saw him again.

“Another died of exhaustion. But we kept on, though the cold was something awful to bear, until at last we came to a cut in the shore line. It was the mouth of a big river, and was jammed full of ice.

“It looked like a clear country beyond. We saw fir forests and evidences of a game country. So we pushed on over the ice-packs in the river.

“For fifty miles we followed the course of that icy river between fearful mountains and through deep gorges. At length we noticed a peculiar warmth in the atmosphere, and one of our boys, sniffing the air, declared:

“And, in fact, we could. The awful chill of the ice world was gone. Hope revived in our breasts. We kept on, and the farther we went the more evidences we found of the existence of a land clear from ice.

“At length we came to clear, open places in the river. Water was visible. There were bare patches of shore and hillside.

“The soil was auriferous, and we found slight evidences of minerals. Now a warm breeze relaxed our stiffened muscles and removed the tension from our lungs. We pressed on.

“A few days later we left the ice region behind us entirely, and came upon the wonderful Polar country. I couldn’t begin to describe it all to ye mates, but it was unlike any other part of the earth.

“Well, we wandered around for six months. It was easy to live there, for there was plenty of game. In the valleys were cities and towns, and at a distance we saw the Polar people. These are not to be classed with the Esquimaux, and seemed quite equal to the Europeans of the lower class.

“But we were not sure of a warm reception, so we did not venture to make their acquaintance. We kept out of sight in the hills.

“Well, we lived a year in the Polar country. We liked the life, but after awhile we tired of it as sailors will. Jim Welch wanted to go back to his wife in Salem: Rod Smith had a sweetheart in Buzzards’ Bay, and Jack Olson had promised his mother to stay at home with her after this voyage.

“So we figured out our position. We knew that in April the ice-fields would move north. Many of the big bergs would drift nearly to the Equator. We decided to make our way to one and take our chances on being picked up by a ship.

“So we made us suits of fur. Then we traveled down the river to the coast again.

“Here we found a big berg in a good position and made us a camp on it. We dug a deep cache and filled it with frozen meat and fowls. We dipped fresh water from small wooden troughs set in the top of the berg, which filled with water the first rain.

“When the proper time came the berg began to drift out to sea. Then we got into the Equatorial drift. It was a rough and strange experience.

“For months we lived on the berg, watching every day for a sail. Day by day the warm waters licked the ice away until all that was left of the big ice structure was about an acre in area. Then we knew that a great danger threatened us.

“‘Did ye feel that shiver in the berg a moment ago, lads? I tell ye she’ll turn turtle before two days!’

“You know that all bergs, after melting to a certain point, will grow top-heavy and turn over. That would settle our ease. And yet no sail.

“But the next morning at sunrise a Venezuelan schooner lay off our lee. The Gringo skipper answered our hail and took us off. He carried us to Caracas and we then shipped for New York.

“We were glad to get home, and none of us wanted to go back. But we could say that we had visited a part of the world that was never explored.

“And in that light we felt as big as Columbus, for there’s no telling what may some day come out of the discovery when trade is opened up. And that, mates, is the whole of my story!”

With this the sailor arose, touched his cap, and started for the door. But Frank, who had listened with the most intense interest, said:

“Well,” said Randall, triumphantly, “what do you think of it now, Frank?”

“I own that I am much interested.” replied the young inventor. “It is a remarkable tale, and a valuable discovery.”

“So I believe,” cried Randall. “Here is evidence of the existence of a new and undiscovered continent. What better field could a man want?”

“How is it, Wendel?” asked the young inventor, turning to the sailor, “could my Electric Scorcher travel easily through that region?”

“Ay, sir, I believe it could, after ye left the ice behind,” replied the sailor.

“How great a distance would we have to travel over the ice fields?” he asked.

“I have a plan,” said the young inventor. “I can attach my new skate shoes with the ice-crank to the wheels. That would enable us to cross the ice, and we can remove them when we strike land.”

“Oh, then you really think of going?” he cried. “That is splendid, Frank. It will be a wonderful experience.”

“Ah, but I have not promised absolutely,” said the young inventor, quickly. “But I will say this, that I will think the matter over seriously.”

“That is true, but the feasibility of the enterprise must be strongly considered. You have tried it——”

“And failed. But you see, Frank, I had not the resources which you have—the fertile brain for devising expedients, and the Electric Scorcher.”

Frank turned and pressed a small call-bell. The door opened and a negro, black as soot, appeared.

“Dat I’shman, sah? He am jes’ outside, sah,” replied the coon, with a duck of the head.

A moment later a shock-headed native of the Emerald Isle appeared with the darky. These two men were Frank Reade, Jr.’s most faithful colleagues and companions in many a wonderful voyage.

“Good enough,” said Frank, in a pleased tone. “I have news for you. Mr. Randall and his friend have told me of a wonderful country beyond the Antarctic Circle which I think of paying a visit to. In that case it will not be long before we shall leave Readestown upon a new and wonderful voyage.”

“Now, be off, both of you,” commanded Frank, “and get the machine all ready for the start.”

“They will leave nothing undone,” he said. “We are practically all ready to start at once.”

“Of course, we shall have to include your friend, if he will consent to go.”

“At your service, skipper. I didn’t think I’d ever ship for that latitude again, but I’m with ye.”

They were about to undertake what seemed a herculean task, namely, the paying of a visit to an unexplored and comparatively inaccessible part of the world. What chances there were against them could easily be enumerated.

There was the possibility of never emerging from the deadly ice-floes, where the temperature was so fearfully low as to mitigate against human life. Wild beasts and wilder inhabitants were only a few of the perils.

But Frank Reade, Jr., was not the one to take backward steps once he assumed an undertaking.

“Now,” he said, briskly, “let us get down to business. We must first consider the means of getting to the Antarctic with the Scorcher.”

“With respect to my superiors, sir, I think I can give ye a trick at the proper course.”

“I have a friend—a former shipmate,” said Wendel, “who owns a staunch brig—just such a vessel as can stand the rough winds and the ice. His ship lies in New Bedford harbor now. His name is Captain Isaac Ward, and the name of his ship is the Black Pearl. He would, I think, undertake the voyage without any doubt.”

“Good!” cried Frank, with alacrity. “How soon can we see him, and where?”

“I will wire him now!” said Randall, excitedly. “If we can charter his brig we shall be all right.”

A few moments later, a telegraph message was speeding on its way to New Bedford. An hour later an answer came:

“ Frank Reade, Jr. : My brig is in commission and ready for a cruise. I will agree to reasonable terms and will be in Readestown to-morrow.

All that the adventurers could now do was to wait for the coming of Captain Ward. Frank arose from the desk, and said:

“Delighted,” was Randall’s reply, and Wendel nodded eagerly. So they left the office with that purpose in view.

When Barney and Pomp went forth they were in hilarious spirits. They crossed the yard with a hop, skip and jump, and approached the heavy iron doors of a high, truss-roofed structure.

“Ki yi!” cried Pomp, clicking his heels together. “I jes’ ’lot on seein’ dem icebergs. Huh! dat be a berry good place fo’ yo’, I’sh.”

“Hi, hi, hi! Don’ yo’ know? Ice am a’right fo’ to preserve green fings.”

“Be me sowl, it’ll make yez more conspicuous fer yer color, naygur!” he cried. “Shure, ye’ll froighten the whole counthry.”

“Dat am a berry unfortunate fing fo’ de island,” retorted Pomp. “Ki, dar, look out fo’ dat big snaik!”

The darky simulated terror and pointed to the Celt’s feet. Of course, there was no snake there, but the exclamation caused Barney to leap and yell with terror.

But Pomp put out his foot and tripped the Celt up. However, Barney caught the darky’s ankle and brought him down, too.

Then there followed a mix-up. For a time it was hard to tell which had the best of it.

And they scurried away just in time. Frank, with his visitors, came up and opened the big doors. There upon a small platform stood the new invention.

The Electric Scorcher was built for speed, and with an idea to economy of space and lightness. It weighed hardly a thousand pounds, but on its pneumatic tired wheels ran apparently as light as an ordinary bicycle.

The symmetry of its build and the grace of its contour were remarkable. In these was seen the master hand of the builders and the mechanics.

The body of the Scorcher was made of bullet-proof plates of steel. It rested upon light but strong running gear. There were four plate-glass windows upon each side and one in the rear.

Above the desk rose a structure of steel netting—a sort of cage in which the voyagers could remain with unimpeded view in all directions. In this cage there were loopholes for firing upon a foe, if such a thing as defense should become necessary.

Over this cage was a small deck, and upon it was mounted a long, light steel cylinder. This was Frank Reade, Jr.’s most wonderful invention—the pneumatic dynamite electric gun.

This was a very deadly weapon, capable of throwing a dynamite shell two miles with frightful effect.

Just forward of this cage was the pilot-house, with heavy, plate-glass windows. The rear of the Scorcher was graced with a steel hood—much like the top of a chaise. In this there were kept the dynamos and electric engines.

In the pilot-house there was a keyboard by which the machine could be regulated and operated. Over the pilot-house was a powerful searchlight, with a wide range.

The equipments and furnishings of the machine throughout were of the best, and there were stores aboard sufficient for a year’s journey. Nothing had been left undone.

The two visitors looked the machine over with wonderment and delight. Then they went back to the office, where final arrangements were made.

And thus was undertaken the remarkable feat of making a voyage to an undiscovered continent.

It was an arduous and perilous undertaking, but our adventurers were pledged to it, and what their success was we shall see.

And now, with the reader’s permission, we will change the scene of our story to the high seas south of the Equator.

The Black Pearl, staunch brig, was plowing her way through a white-capped sea. Unusually good weather had favored the party thus far.

There had been no difficulty encountered with the doldrums or head-winds even, and the Pearl had made a quick passage.

The sun was fiercely hot, and they were yet able to realize that they were in the tropics. But they knew that every hour now brought them nearer to their destination.

On the deck a canopy had been erected, and under this all were fond of reclining.

The principal pastime was of discussing the probable results of the trip and the peculiarities of the Antarctic land.

As near as Frank could figure, the fiord or river outlet, by means of which Wendel and his companions had entered the Antarctic country, was off the coast of Graham Land.

In that case a course due south from Cape Horn would be pretty sure to bring them into the right locality. So the brig held that course.

The arrangement was that Captain Ward should land them as near the Antarctic coast as possible on the icefield.

Then he would return to Montevideo and remain four months, after which he would come back to the edge of the icefield and cruise about for a month.

Finding no signs of the voyagers then he would go back to Montevideo for two months more, thence returning to the ice-pack for a month.

After three such attempts, consuming about a year in time, he would then be assured that the adventurers would not come out alive, and he could go wherever his fancy dictated.

Frank had chartered the Pearl and crew for one year, paying them a liberal bonus, for the voyage was a more arduous one than the ordinary.

There were eighteen men in the crew, all plucky and hardy fellows, who were ready to fight at command.

Captain Ward was intensely interested in the project of exploring the Antarctic Continent, and more than once hinted at a desire to leave his ship and accompany the Scorcher’s party.

But our adventurers took great pains not to encourage such a thing, for there were already enough in the party.

As is usually the case, the forecastle also got hold of the matter and the result was that a pretty yarn was soon going the rounds.

This was to the effect that there were fabulous gold mines back of the great ice-belt, and that the voyagers were bound thither to work the newly discovered mines.

Now, if there is one thing which will inflame the minds of lawless men it is the yellow metal.

The fever was on, and it had a lamentable and disastrous effect upon the sailors.

They neglected their duties and crowded in secret knots about the ship. Look into the eyes of any one of them and there you would see the demon of avarice, the haunting, restless spirit of gain and greed.

Of course, such a state of affairs as this could not help but be bad for the ship and all on board.

“I am afraid that idea is going to make trouble. Even the captain has the foolish fancy.”

“You are right,” agreed Randall, “and it has worried me not a little. What ought we to do about it?”

“I can think of no way save to call them to quarters and have the captain tell them what the real errand of the Scorcher is.”

So Randall held a consultation with Captain Ward, and the result was that the men were called aft and lectured.

The mission of the Scorcher was enlarged upon, but even as he berated his crew it could be seen that the captain was not himself convinced.

Below the Tropic of Capricorn the weather grew cooler and more rapid progress was made.

One day some islands were sighted off to the southwest. Captain Ward closed his glass, and said:

“No!” replied Frank, emphatically. “Let us get into southern waters as quickly as possible.”

They encountered rough seas and heavy storms. For weeks the brig fought her way through mountain rollers, until at last, somewhat battered, she sighted distant land.

“I reckon that is Graham Land. But there are fifty miles of ice-floes this side of it. Perhaps, though, we can find a channel for the brig.”

Down among the ice-floes the Pearl sailed. It was difficult work, but after many days of struggling she anchored in a little lagoon in the icefield and not ten miles from the coast.

This caused intense excitement. Preparations were at once begun for unloading the Scorcher.

The sections of the machine were taken off upon the ice-pack. Then Barney and Pomp went to work to put it together.

In a short space the machine was all ready for the start. All this while the captain and his men had stood by eagerly watching.

The captain had asked Frank many questions, all of which the young inventor had thought it no harm to answer.

At length the adventurers went aboard the Scorcher and all was ready for the start. The ice-shoes had been fitted to the wheels, which were in turn rigged with chains.

Under each wheel was a sharp cog arrangement which struck into the ice and thus propelled the Scorcher over the smooth surface or the clinging snow. And thus the start was made.

Frank and his companions had shaken hands with the captain, and the young inventor said:

“I suppose you will soon be on your way to Montevideo, Mr. Ward. You will need to make haste to avoid getting shut up in the ice-pack for the coming winter.”

Then the Scorcher glided slowly away across the icefield, leaving the brig yet in the little ice-bound basin.

There were sections of it where the ice-cakes had crashed together and made long mounds or high harriers. Sometimes these were fifty feet or more in height.

It was often necessary to make a smooth road over or through these barriers, and this took much time. The light of the waning Antarctic day was none too bright.

But steadily our adventurers drew nearer to the mighty cliffs and headlands, which opened to create the deep fiord.

The trip, however, was not without incident, for just as they were skirting a high pinnacle of ice, it cracked, crumbled and fell.

The descending avalanche, fortunately, did not fall squarely upon the Scorcher, else the result might have been serious.

It, instead, massed itself about the machine and half buried it. For a time the adventurers were in a virtual panic.

But as soon as the crashing ice settled into place, Frank sprung out of the pilot-house and began to examine the running gear of the machine.

“Hang me for a whale,” exploded Wendel, “I don’t see how we’ll ever squirm out of this, mates!”

“Well, you shall see,” said Frank. “Barney and Pomp, here’s work for us. Let all hands fall to.”

In a few moments all had doffed their fur garments and were working like beavers.

The ice was cleared from the deck after twenty minutes of hard work. Then Frank hit upon an idea.

“I will do so,” agreed Randall. “I suppose it is as good as settled that we are out of here without further effort?”

“Oh, you never fail. If I had half your resource and inventive faculty I would be a king among men.”

Over the ice-heap the young inventor went with the wires. Then he brought out small dynamite cartridges and placed one at the end of each wire. It was now that Randall clearly saw his purpose.

“It is not sufficient in quantity,” replied Frank. “If it was in a mass it might, but such small charges will only shake the ice to powder. Once we can clear it away from the wheels we are all right.”

However, the voyagers watched Frank’s work with some anxiety as well as interest. After awhile it was completed.

Then the young inventor connected the wires with the dynamos. A touch of the electric button and the charge was off.

A quantity of loose ice shot up into the air, and the whole mass gradually settled lower.

The huge cakes were split and riven in twain, and made easier to handle. As they were clearing them away Barney gave a sharp cry.

He picked up a block of ice in which was imbedded a man’s skull. It was a hideous looking object.

In an instant all were crowded about the Celt, and interested in his strange discovery.

“Shure, phwereiver did this poor sowl come from?” cried the Celt. “Shure, he must have died here!”

“A human skull!” ejaculated Randall. “How is it, Frank? Is not that proof that these frozen latitudes are inhabited?”

“It is proof that they have been visited before by man,” agreed Frank. “It looks like the skull of a civilized man.”

“And so it is, mates,” cried Wendel. “Now I remember, when we crossed this icefield John Morgan, one of our men, died and we buried him here in the ice. I reckon that is his skull.”

“The mystery explained,” cried Randall, “but where is the rest of the body?”

“That question is readily answered,” replied Frank. “The constant shifting of the ice may have disintegrated the body and distributed parts of it everywhere. Lively now, and let’s get the machine clear. Time is valuable.”

Ten minutes later the Scorcher glided out of its bed of ice and crossed the high line of ice-blocks to the smooth icefield beyond.

The rest of the way to the coast was easy traveling. Then the mouth of the fiord was entered.

It was the gateway to the unknown world of the Antarctic, and it need hardly be said that all in the party were intensely interested.

High up on the rocky steeps of the fiord snow-burdened firs hung over the abyss. At times a bear or a fox might be seen among the icy rocks.

Great flocks of penguins and other water fowl were in evidence. There was an abundance of game.

The Scorcher soon came to a long, level reach of smooth ice. Over this the machine sped with ease.

“Look ye, mates! Beyond that range is the new continent. Do you see that column of smoke?”

“Just so, skipper. We crossed the range to the west of that. This river rises somewhere in those heights.”

“Yes, fully one hundred,” declared Wendel. “Distances are greater in this sort of atmosphere.”

“That is quite likely,” agreed Frank, “but it looks to me as if we must have rough traveling to get there.”

The voyagers now kept their gaze constantly upon the distant volcanic range. The blue haze which seemed to hang over their black summits was certainly fair proof that a land free from snow and ice existed beyond.

It was easy to understand why snow and ice did not cling to the volcanic mountains, for the internal fires doubtless banished it. But what was beyond would have been a matter of conjecture but for Wendel’s story.

The gloom which hung over the Antarctic country had begun to increase largely, until it became certain that the Polar night was at hand.

The sun had not been seen above the horizon since entering the fiord, and there were times when it became almost necessary to use the searchlight.

But they had soon covered most of the distance to the volcanic hills. As they drew nearer, they were compelled to leave the river, as the ice melted and huge stretches of open water appeared.

But fortunately the surface of the ground was such that they had little trouble in making their way along, until finally long, level tracts of green slopes lay between them and the volcano.

The ground trembled even where they were, and great fiery streams of lava were seen coursing down the crater’s side.

Immense shafts of fire, smoke and ashes shot up from the crater to an enormous height.

While the eruption was in progress it was not deemed best to approach nearer. It lasted fully two hours.

When it ceased Frank sent the Scorcher ahead. Between the volcano and an adjoining mountain he saw a deep pass, and into this the machine plunged.

It was as dark as Erebus, but the searchlight made the way clearer. Great walls of basalt rose upon either side.

Wendel, however, assured Frank that this pass was the true entrance to the warm valleys beyond. So the young inventor did not hesitate.

The snowshoes had been removed from the wheels, for they had now left the snow and ice region behind.

The air had rapidly grown milder, and it became necessary to remove all their heavy clothing. Indeed, the air which now rushed through the gorge was like a hot blast.

In a short while, however, as Wendel had predicted, the walls of the gorge began to widen, and now for the first time our voyagers beheld the land of promise, the new continent.

There it lay before them, green and fertile and beautiful as far as the eye could reach.

From their exalted position they could see a great panorama, smooth, green plains, clumps of trees, winding streams and beautiful lakes. They gazed upon it spellbound.

For months they had beheld nothing but stormy waters, cold icebergs and inhospitable rocks.

It was a relief to the senses and to the soul to now gaze upon this wonderful revelation of Divine Nature.

“Be me sowl, it looks foine down there!” cried the Celt. “Shure, I’d loike a dip in that clear, cool wather!”

“What, so soon after leaving a region of ice, Barney?” cried Randall. “Really I should not think your blood would heat so quickly as that.”

But Barney hung to his hobby and announced his intention of taking a swim whenever the Scorcher should have reached the right locality. Pomp did the same.

The intense gloom which prevailed over the ice region for some strange reason did not seem to exist here. A peculiar, bright light, which seemed like a reflection from the zenith, made the Polar Continent quite light.

For a time our adventurers regarded the panorama below them. Then Frank started the Scorcher down the mountain slopes to a series of plateaus just below.

He recalled many scenes and incidents upon all sides, and never tired of telling of them.

“But the cities and towns, and the Polar people. We have seen nothing of them yet!”

“Well, it is high time,” replied Wendel. “I think we will see them from lower ground.”

So all looked forward eagerly to this possibility. The Scorcher, with brakes on, slowly made its way down the mountain side.

Soon, after a descent of a few thousand feet, not unattended, with risk, the machine slid out upon a plateau. Here the surface was comparatively smooth and free from obstructions.

Then glasses were brought out, and all looked for the habitations described by Wendel, but the old sailor was given a great surprise.

Words can hardly depict his supreme amazement. The eyes of all were fixed upon him.

“Well, I’m blowed,” exclaimed the old sailor. “I can say that there were cities and towns and people here, when I was here before! I don’t see how they could take wings and fly away!”

“That is very curious, Jack,” said Randall. “Are you sure this is the locality visited by you?”

Presently Frank and Randall descended from the deck of the Scorcher, and strolled along the verge of the plateau.

“In every other respect,” said Randall, “the old fellow’s story has proven correct.’”

“That is true,” replied Frank, “and yet it seems hardly possible that he could be mistaken in regard to seeing the people and their towns.”

“That can hardly be explained without further investigation. Perhaps an enemy descended upon them and swept them out of existence. Perhaps a pestilence or a flood.”

“I propose that we push our way down into this abandoned country. We will doubtless find some trace of the Polar people, perhaps the ruins of their town.”

Frank placed his glass to his eyes and studied some objects in the valley below for a few moments.

“Take a look to the east of that little clump of trees down there. Do you see anything?”

“If there are others, or if it is one of a town, they are hidden behind the trees.”

“So I believe. Wendel has told us truly. Let us go down there at once. How far is it?”

Hastily the two explorers made their way back to the Scorcher. It needed but a glance for the others to see at once that something was up.

“Move!” replied Frank. “We shall go ahead, and I believe important discoveries are near at hand.”

In a few moments the Scorcher was descending to the next plateau. Here a revelation was accorded the adventurers as Frank had promised.

For there, just beyond the fringe of trees, was indeed visible quite plainly the white ruins of a town.

It was surrounded by a demolished wall of stone, resembling marble. All about this were trees of a pomegranate and mulberry type or species. It was plain that great gardens had once surrounded the town.

The buildings were all shattered and riven, as if by the force of an earthquake or a bombardment. It was evil dent that the city was destroyed by some force as yet unknown.

With great interest and powerful curiosity the voyagers watched the ruined city as they drew nearer to it.

A long, level prairie now alone intervened. To cross this did not require a long space of time.

But the Scorcher now struck into what looked like a sort of road, leading down to the town gates. Part of the way it was fringed with a hedge of firs.

And at intervals the ruins of strange-looking houses were seen upon either hand. The adventurers regarded them wonderingly.

And it followed that very soon the machine crossed a causeway of white stone and rolled between two high pillars into the main street of the town.

The entire town described a circle; all the streets beginning at the gate and extending in circles about a hollow or amphitheater in the center.

It was a strong reminder of a coliseum, the houses occupying the position of the seats. In the center of the public square, or circle, rather, there had stood a tall shaft of stone, fully one hundred feet high.

Doubtless this was a monument, commemorating some heroic deed or mighty occasion. In this sentiment, at least, the Polar people resembled their civilized neighbors beyond the ice belt.

“By Jove!” exclaimed Randall, “these people were the equal of the ancient Aztecs. Their architecture shows that.”

“They may be our equals,” said Frank. “We have as yet no means of proving the contrary.”

There were some obstruction in the street of the Polar city, but the Scorcher managed to pick its way along without great difficulty.

Not until the central part of the city was reached did the machine stop. Then Frank stepped out on deck, and cried:

“Well, friends, here we are. We have accomplished the great feat of crossing the Antarctic barrier and invading the Polar Continent. We have discovered a ruined town, and evidence that this was once an inhabited region, though now abandoned. Let us, therefore, set foot on Polar soil and devote some time to exploration.”

There was little need of guarding the Scorcher, for no living foe was in the vicinity. Barney and Pomp began a frolic on the green turf, while Frank, with Randall and the sailor, began the exploration.

They scrambled over the ruins of the building, and were impressed with the fact that their architecture had been of a tasty kind.

“These people were not savages,” declared Frank. “They understood the arts. Look!”

He picked up an object which all saw at once was a helmet or head-dress. It was basinet shaped, and of a strange kind of bronze-like metal.

“What is the metal?” asked Randall, as he examined it. Then he gave a sharp cry.

Frank knew that the other was an expert metallurgist. So he awaited the announcement with interest.

“Yes, also in the alloy is silver and iron. That proves that these people knew the use of metals. It proves more!”

“That gold is one of the common ores of this region.” Frank and Wendel gave a start. Their eyes shone.

How easy it is to arouse the gold fever in the human composition! It is as natural as breathing.

“That adds to the value of our discovery!” he cried. “At no distant day, doubtless, gold-seekers will forsake Australia and Africa for the Polar mines.”

“Well,” said Frank, “they are of little use to us just now. Ha! What have we here?”

What seemed like a crypt, or underground chambers, were doubtless below. This reflection was enough.

Exploration was the order, so Frank hesitated no longer but prepared to descend into the place.

They stood in a little square chamber, apparently cut out of solid rock. Beyond was a narrow passage, but black as Erebus.

“And so it may be,” agreed Frank, “or perhaps a treasure vault. At any rate, we will explore it.”

He stepped into the dark passage, but before he had proceeded ten feet he abruptly halted.

In the darkness ahead there blazed two fearful balls of fire. Instinctively Frank shivered.

He knew that some fierce animal—a panther or wolf—had made this hole its den.

He was face to face with the creature, and it was by no means a despicable foe or an enviable situation. In this dark place it would not be easy to defend one’s self.

He retreated backward precipitately, hoping to reach the outer chamber, but the glaring eyeballs were close upon him.

He drew the revolver and fired point blank at the eyes. Before he could fire again it was struck from his grasp by a huge paw, and he had to fall back on his knife.

Another blow of the paw brought him to his knees, and he was obliged to clinch with his foe.

The former tried to drag Frank from the dark passage, and in the struggle both man and bear emerged. This was a better chance for Frank.

The bear was of a monster black species. Frank was driving the knife into its carcass, but it seemed to have no effect.

He luckily had his rifle with him. Rushing forward he placed it at the bear’s head and fired point blank.

The ball crashed through bruin’s brain and ended the struggle. Frank detached himself from the brute’s embrace.

By a miracle he was comparatively unharmed, having only a few hard scratches to show for his struggle.

“By Jupiter!” gasped Randall, “I thought you were done for that time, Frank.”

“No,” replied Frank, “but it is well to use precaution. Let us proceed with care.”

Once more they crept into the passage. In a few moments they stood in a gloom-filled chamber.

At one end of this was another pit and stairs. They evidently led down to deeper regions.

It was too dark to proceed farther at haphazard. So Frank turned about and said:

“If one of us can go back to the Scorcher and get an electric lantern I think we can go farther.”

It was not long before he returned with the lantern. This had a powerful burner and lit up the subterranean chambers fully.

Down the second flight of steps the explorers now proceeded. A remarkable discovery was in store for them.

Soon it was seen that the walls of the passage were of natural conformation and that they were really in a cavern.

It trended downward for what seemed an interminable distance. Then suddenly a startling surprise was accorded all.

For they had emerged into a mighty, high-domed cavern chamber. Its limits could not be seen.

But it was nearly occupied with a mighty subterranean lake. The water flashed in the lantern’s glare.

“And access to it by the Polar people,” mused Frank. “What was their purpose?”

“Perhaps to get water or to fish,” suggested Wendel. “Eh! what kind of a craft is this?”

As he spoke he bent down over a sort of coracle which lay in the sands. Paddles were against the thwarts just as it had been left by its former owners.

He pointed across the domed lake. There was a strange leaping, fantastic glare of light. It appeared at intervals and was intensely weird and fanciful in its shapes.

Not one but had a keen desire to know what the meaning of the light was. So after a few moments Randall said:

A moment later they were boldly sallying forth upon the waters of the underground lake. Frank, however, was very careful to keep his bearings, leaving the lantern to mark the spot they had just left.

Wendel and Randall used the paddles, while Frank steered. Thus they made their way over the underground waters.

But there was another power, and it was felt before the voyagers were half across.

Suddenly the coracle began to wabble and turn. Randall and the sailors pulled harder at the paddles.

“What in the deuce is the matter?” asked Randall, excitedly. “What ails the boat?”

“I think the waves are rising in the lake,” said Wendel. “Yes, there is really some commotion under us, mates.”

“Right!” cried Frank, as he balanced the coracle. “Keep steady, or we’ll be over.”

The water foamed and surged and pitched until the three voyagers were certain that they would go to the bottom.

A distant, sullen, booming sound was heard, like rumbling thunder. Then there was a muffled explosion, a hissing cloud of steam surged across the lake, and then all became quiet again.

Then the voyagers collected their wits. Light from the electric lantern yet shone obliquely across the little craft, and in the water Frank saw some small objects floating.

“A fish!” ejaculated Frank. “The water is alive with them. Something has killed them.”

The surface of the lake was covered with the dead fish. Surely some internal convulsion had taken place.

It was like looking into a veritable Hades, or through the yawning jaws of a red-hot furnace. The voyagers gazed wonder-struck at it.

“Nothing, only if another whirl of the waters took place again like that we might have to swim.”

Randall and the sailor gave way at the paddles. The coracle sped on and every moment drew nearer the fiery furnace.

Then it was seen that the cavern here enlarged into a mighty, yawning pit, which was filled with smoke and flames, and from which arose fearful fumes.

A gallery ran from the lake shore to this pit and divided the two by about fifty feet of solid rock. The heat of the furnace was intense.

But the voyagers did not hesitate to draw the coracle up on the shore and walk over to the fiery pit.

It covered fully an acre. High above it was a funnel-like shaft. All in that instant Frank guessed the truth.

“Not so! If you remember, we have traveled a good ways underground, and it has carried us without a doubt under the plateaus and straight into the heart of the mountain. Probably this is only one of half a hundred or more internal craters.”

Certainly in no other way could this crater of fire be explained. For a time the three men were silent.

Frank led the way around the gallery. It trended upward, and soon shot off at right angles into a serpentine course beyond the wall of the pit of fire.

It was as if this corkscrew-like passage had been bored for just such a purpose as it was now used. Frank led the way.

It was like ascending a winding stair in a tower. But before they had gone far Randall asked:

It was as if they were in a literal pandemonium. All sorts of strange sounds were about them.

There was a rumble of thunder, the gurgle of molten liquid and the hiss of steam. Then terrific explosions came with fearful echoes through the cavernous depths.

It was sufficient to strike fear into a strong man’s bosom. For a time even Frank Reade, Jr., himself was a trifle daunted.

“Is it quite safe, Frank?” asked Randall, with some apprehension. “Suppose a stream of lava should come tearing down this passage?”

“It would cook us,” said Frank, imperturbably, “but we won’t anticipate that.”

“Ugh!” exclaimed Wendel, “I think we’d better get out of here as soon as possible!”

“And so we will,” declared Frank, “but this is a watercourse. I don’t believe we need fear lava. We ought to be near the summit.”

But they toiled on for another hour. Then, however, they emerged into the open air.

The transition was for a moment surprising. Even the semi-gloom of the Antarctic night was dazzling.

But they were high in the air, and a mighty panorama of country lay before their gaze.

To the northward, shrouded in dull gloom, was the barrier of ice and snow; to the south, the Polar Continent, in its green hue.

To the east, the great pass, and west, the line of mighty craters, which belched at intervals their fiery contents a thousand feet into the air.

It was a spectacle which literally appalled the adventurers. They were truly on a new continent in an unexplored world.

“No,” replied Frank. “I have accomplished my object. Let us now return to the Scorcher.”

“It is too far, and too perilous. We can just slide down the mountain side here easier.”

“Hang the lantern,” cried Frank. “We’ll let it stay there. We’ll not go back for it now, at least.”

“All right,” cried Randall, “I’m more than agreeable. Let’s slide on down.”

And down the crater side they proceeded to travel. Leaping from rock to rock they went rapidly down.

Soon the plateau below was reached. Then they saw the Scorcher dimly in the distance down the valley.

It was quite a long tramp down over the steeps to where the machine was. Barney and Pomp were not in sight.

When the three explorers reached the Scorcher after threading their way among the ruins they were surprised to find the two jokers missing.

When Frank and his companions disappeared in the old ruin, the Celt turned a handspring on the pavement, and cried:

“Be me sowl, naygur, phwat do yez say av we have a little exploration av our own?”

“The whole town, yez ignoramus! Shure, it’s loikely we may foind some valuable relics ourselves. Thin Misther Frank will be afther thankin’ us fer thim!”

“Shure, that will be all roight. Don’t yez have no fears about that, at all, at all!”

“A’right, I go yo’ I’sh. Jes’ yo’ lead de way an’ I follers on!”

“Which it’s proper yez should, considerin’ me superior advantages.” declared Barney, in his puffiest way. “Do yez see that big heap av sthone down yonder?”

“Well, I believe that’s some koind av a ruined temple or the loikes, an’ we’ll thry that first off!”

In a few moments they were among the ruins of a huge building, which Barney said might have been a temple.

They passed among a heap of fallen pillars, and just as the others had done found a descending stairway.

“Phwere the divil do yez suppose that goes to?” cried Barney, glancing somewhat timorously down into the place.

“Be me sowl, I belave there’s a big treasure hid away down there! Who knows but that murtherin’ ould spalpeen, Captain Kidd, left his gould in this spot?”

“Yez are roight, naygur. Jist climb down there an’ take a look about whoile I load up me pistol.”

“Yo’ go yo’sef!” sniffed the darky. “Yo’ am de leadah. Kain’t play no tricks on dis chile!”

“Begorra, I’m not afther thryin’ to do that,” cried Barney, indignantly. “Go an wid yez fer a big coward. Shure, it’s afraid yez are!”

This was enough for Barney. He gave the darky a look of withering contempt, and then ventured down into the place.

Down the steps he blundered and soon found himself at the bottom of them. A dim light showed him the way through a long corridor.

This was paved and extended far beyond the range of his vision. The Celt halted a moment.

“Be me sowl, we kin do moighty little widout a lanthern, naygur. Wud yez go back and get one?”

This aided the two explorers very materially. They were able to easily see their way now.

Along the passage they proceeded and came to another flight of steps. As they descended these ’Barney remarked: “Shure, they seem to be a bit shaky, naygur. Luk out fer thet lower one.”

In fact, it did not look to be a difficult thing to tumble the whole pile of masonry down. However, the two explorers now entered another passage.

Suddenly they came to a curious niche in the wall of stone. Barney scanned it a moment carefully in the light of the lantern.

Barney put his hand in the niche and began to pull upon a metal bar which he saw there. It was consumed with rust, and crumbled in his grasp.

But the pressure was sufficient to cause a huge slab of stone several feet square to move out of place, leaving an aperture.

This was large enough to admit the body of a man. Barney flashed his lantern rays into it.

A small apartment hewed out of the solid rock was seen. Its walls were damp and moldy, but what transfixed the two explorers with horror was the fact that the place was a literal charnel house.

There, exposed to their view, were four human skeletons. They were in various positions against the crumbling wall.

But second thought told him better than this. The position of the skeletons disproved the theory.

“Mither presarve us!” gasped the Celt in horror. “Phwat do yez say to that?”

“Golly fo’ glory!” echoed Pomp, “dey shut dem po’ chaps in dar to die!”

“Be me sowl, that was a hard fate fer thim!” cried Barney. “An’ Hiven rist their sowls! Shure, whoiver do yez suppose they cud av been?”

“Huh! I done fink dat dis was a big prison, I’sh, an’ dat dese were some ob de prisoners.”

“Av coorse, yez blockhead! But who may the poor divils be? Howld the lanthern, an’ I’ll be afther takin’ a bit av a look at thim.”

All raiment which the dead men might have worn had fallen to decay. There seemed nothing left but the bones.

But of a sudden Barney’s keen eye caught some lines in the black surface of the stone wall. They were scratched quite deep with some sharp instrument.

“Heaven have mercy upon our souls, and should this ever meet the gaze of civilized beings, pity us.

“We sailed from Montevideo in January, after Southern seals. Nipped in an ice-patch, our good ship, the Hester, went to the bottom. For months we wandered about the accursed ice country, until finally we discovered this Polar land, free from ice and snow. But we were surrounded by the Polar people, whose traditions forbade the coming among them of any being beyond the ice belt.

“So we were condemned to imprisonment and death by starvation. We are confined in this awful hole to die. There is no hope of rescue, no chance for life. We must die. Already the awful shadow of the eternal is descending upon us. Our names are:

“I, John Fenton, scrawl these lines. This is all we can leave behind us. Heaven rest our souls, for we are buried alive; lost forever! Farewell to earth and friends. Requiescat in pace.

Barney read all this aloud, and then he and Pomp shivered as they regarded the skeletons.

“Golly!” gasped the coon. “Dat am do mos’ orful fing I eber heern tell oh! Come out oh dar, I’sh! Lot’s get out ob dis place!”

“Divil a bit until I’ve found out if there are any more av the same koind here.” declared the Celt.

And he went on down the passage. His quest was not unrewarded. There were other cells, and in some of them were skeletons.

But in no other place did he find a record. Also, the conformation of the skulls satisfied him that these victims were doubtless criminals of the Polar nation, and not civilized men.

These vaults were doubtless part of a great prison. They extended a long distance underground.

But the two explorers soon tired of the quest, and decided to get out of the grewsome place as quickly as possible.

“Golly, I’se seen nuff ob dis place,” declared Pomp. “I’se ready fo’ to get a breaf ob fresh air.”

“Cum on, then,” said Barney, “shure, we’ll have something to tell Misther Frank, anyway!”

So they set out along the corridor. But when they reached the foot of the shaky, stone staircase they were confronted with a horrible discovery.

It had caved in, and a section of the wall also yielding, the entire passage was closed.

They were shut off from the outside world by a depth of earth and rocks which they could not easily calculate. It was a stunning reflection.

“Gor’ a’mighty!” finally ejaculated Pomp. “We’se in fo’ it now!”

“Shuah’s you’se bo’n, we’se buried alibe ’long wif de res’ ob dese people!”

“Marse Frank neber fin’ out whar we gwine ter; we’se in de soup, yo’ kin bet!”

Trembling and faint, the two jokers sank down onto the damp pavement. Both were plucky, keen-witted fellows, and they tried to think.

“Begorra, I’m goin’ ter thry an’ dig me way out av this,” declared the Celt.

They had no spade or pick; but they had strong hands, and soon got to work. Their efforts were not without avail.

The earth was coarse and gravelly, and much easier displaced than as if it had been solid dirt.

In a very short time they had cleared quite a space in the heap of debris. Then they came upon two large slabs of rock, a part of the stone staircase.

However, beneath their most intense exertions these rocks were moved aside and they fell to digging again.

It seemed as if they had been in the place for an eternity, and they were getting exhausted without seeming to be any nearer the outer passage than ever, when Barney suddenly stopped work and began to listen.

When Frank and Randall and the sailor reached the Scorcher and were unable to find any trace of Barney and Pomp, they were not a little alarmed.

“With due respect, sir,” said Wendel, “perhaps they have gone off on a little cruise of their own and missed their course.”

“I believe you have the right of it,” agreed Frank. “We must look them up, or track them if we can.”

With this the quest began. As good fortune had it, Randall found his way quite accurately to the staircase in the demolished prison.

In a moment the young inventor was on the spot and closely examining the marks. He was at once satisfied that the trail was found.

There were the footprints of two men just as they descended the stairs. But there were no return marks.

“I think not,” he said, “though what should detain them down there I do not understand.”

The three men went quickly down the staircase. They were soon in the passage which had been followed by Barney and Pomp.

But they did not follow it far. Their progress was checked. A great wall of earth and stone confronted them.

“After shovels and picks. We must do some hard digging. I shall not leave here until I have brought them out dead or alive!”

In less time than it takes to tell it the tools were brought and work begun. And it was at this juncture that Barney and Pomp heard their deliverers.

“Whurroo! we’re goin’ to git out of here, naygur, shure. It’s Misther Frank afther us!”

Then the two imprisoned fellows went to work like beavers. In a short while they were able to shout and be heard on the other side.

Before long they crawled out of their captivity, and none too soon, either, for the air was getting extremely foul and dangerous.

Further exploration of the ruined town was made, but nothing of great interest was discovered, and finally Frank concluded to go on. So all went on board the Scorcher, and it rolled away across the Polar country.

Everywhere was that same desolate, abandoned appearance. What had become of the Polar people, it was not easy to guess.

Cities and towns to the number of a dozen were encountered in the next week. Then, the explorers came to a high mountain range, which Frank declared marked exactly the locality of the South Pole.

It must have been ten or twelve thousand feet in height, and was all of solid granite.

Sheer from the green plains the mountain walls rose to a dizzy height. It was a stupendous sight.

Nowhere did they seem possible of ascent. But as he studied them an idea occurred to Frank.

Was there a fertile region like this, or was it a desert waste? Who could say that the mysterious disappearance of the Polar people was here capable of explanation?

Perhaps they bad abandoned the region this side of the range for a land of milk and honey on the other. Frank had a powerful desire to see what was on the other side of that impenetrable and insurmountable wall.

But he saw no easy way of scaling it. It was shut in on both sides by an equal wall, extending for over a hundred miles in both directions.

Mystery—mystery! This was in the very air of the abandoned country. He was unable to solve it.

The Scorcher traveled along the wall for several days. But there was no break which would allow the machine to cross it.

“Well, I’m beat,” muttered the young inventor at last. “This beats all the puzzles I ever attempted.”

“I agree with you,” said Frank, “but there must be some explanation of the mystery.”

And he continued to grope for it. But the days passed and he was no nearer success than ever.

While the sky remained clear of clouds the semi-gloom of the landscape was not bad. But when clouds obscured the heavens, then at times the darkness was most intense.

At such times it was often necessary to abandon the quest and wait for the darkness to pass.

The searchlight, of course, would dispel the gloom, but as it would be slow work pursuing research at such a time, Frank suspended all operations.

One day the Scorcher rested at the base of the high mountain wall. Frank and Randall had left her for a walk over the green turf.

Randall was an expert geologist, and had spent much time in examining the strata of the region.

Now, as they strolled along, he cast his gaze upward critically along the great rock wall. Suddenly he came to a halt.

Randall pointed up to several distinct lines of various heights on the mountain wall.

“Yes, I think I have. They look like high water marks upon cliffs at the seashore.”

“Just so. Now, if they are water marks, it must mean that there have been times when this whole basin, this entire Polar country, has been under water.”

The two men gazed at each other. Frank looked incredulous, but Randall was convinced.

“Mark you,” resumed the geologist, “I have closely examined the drift and strata of this region. All point to this conclusion. Also that the basin has been occupied by water at different intervals. What I mean, is that the presence of water has been periodical.”

“The place may become submerged again, and I believe that the period is not far distant. If my hypothesis is correct,” continued the geologist, “we have a very logical explanation of the abandonment of this country by its inhabitants.”

Frank was so overcome by the astounding force of this declaration that for a time he could not speak.

“You have certainly hit upon a logical idea, Randall. But if it is true, where does this flood come from, and how would the people know it?”

“Do you see that?” he asked. “It means that this entire region is governed by volcanic forces. Now, the action of the internal forces, of which we know little, may be capable of bringing a vast volume of water periodically to the surface from subterranean basins. The pressure would be sufficient. Synonymous with certain actions of yonder volcano, this beautiful land of promise is flooded to the brim.”

Frank gazed keenly at Randall. He had not given him credit for so much penetration.

“Just so! It is easy to see how the people could tell when danger threatened. The eruptions of the volcano are doubtless periodical. The Polar people knew just when to abandon the valley.”

“Whew!” exclaimed Frank. “Then, according to that, it is apt to become flooded at any time now!”

“Pshaw! It only requires a little study. Do you see that little rivulet trickling out from under the mountain wall?”

Even as he spoke, Randall gave an exclamation. He pointed to a patch of turf near, and whispered:

Frank gazed in the direction indicated, and both beheld a most astounding thing.

The little patch of turf had begun to throb and heave. Soon dew-like moisture was seen on the blades.

The turf was gently thrust aside and disintegrated, while a tiny stream flowed away down the incline, making its own course and momentarily growing larger.

It was true that this was steadily rising above its banks. All this was prima facie evidence.

“It seems to me that our position, then, is one of peril.” he said. “What is to save us if the valley fills as you aver? We would be drowned like rats in a trap.”

“Back to the mountains. From there I believe we can watch the whole wonderful phenomenon.”

“All right,” agreed Frank, with alacrity. “It shall be as you say; but one thing puzzles me.”

“It is easy enough to guess. Doubtless they have made their way to other parts of the Antarctic, as yet undiscovered by any one.”

“Before I leave this land of wonders I must find them,” declared Frank. “I must have a look at them.”

“I don’t see why we cannot accomplish that,” declared Randall. “Then we will return to the other end of the valley, will we?”

They said nothing to the others of the subject uppermost in their minds. But Frank started the machine at once back up the valley.

Scarcely twenty miles had been made, however, when a strange, grayish bank of clouds began to rise upward toward the zenith.

Thus far our adventurers had not experienced a storm of any violence. There had been only some slight rains.

“On my word, Randall,” he said, “I believe we are going to have a rough storm.”

The geologist’s face was grave. He studied the sky a moment. Then he swept the landscape.

“I think it is yonder hill,” said Frank, pointing to an elevation about five miles distant.

“Well, I think we had better make for it. If there should come a cloudburst or even a heavy fall of rain in these lowlands we might get swamped.”

He changed the course of the Scorcher at once. Five miles was quickly covered, and they reached the hill.

The great, angry cloud had swept up to the zenith. A blackness most intense was settling down over the landscape.

“Ugh!” exclaimed Wendel, “we’re going to have a bit of a blow, mates.”

“Bejabers, av that’s so, I’m afther thinkin’ we’re on high enough land to git the whole benifit av it.”

“That’s true, Barney,” said Frank, “but it’s better than getting drowned.”

“Phwat’s that, sor?” asked the Celt in surprise. “Shure, there’s no chance av that, is there?”

Frank saw that he had put his foot into it, to speak metaphorically, and was decided now to make a clean breast of the matter.

“I think it would be wisest to explain our situation and our fears in full to the others.”

With this, Frank called the others up and told them the truth. It caused them some surprise, but Wendel said:

“Well, mates, all of our family were seafaring men, and all have found a grave in the sea but me. I don’t expect to be an exception.”

“Very good!” said Frank, with a laugh. “Then we need fear nothing. Yet I believe we had better turn the machine head on to the wind and trig the wheels well.”

This was done. And now all awaited, with some apprehension and eagerness, the coming of the storm.

As is usual with tempests, it was not long in coming. Over the volcano it swept, bringing down into the valley a vortex of ashes and soot.

The approach of the storm was like the bellowing of a thousand wild lions. In the utter darkness its coming could only be felt, not seen.

It struck the Scorcher with terrific force. For a few moments it seemed as if the machine was in the clutches of destroying fiends.

Torrents of water surged about the machine and over the deck. It seemed as if it would be engulfed.

Then, in a lull, Frank went on deck and turned on the searchlight. The sight revealed was startling.

The electric light fell glaringly bright upon flashing waters. All about the Scorcher, as far as the light could penetrate, was a mass of water—an inland sea.

“We are imprisoned on an island made by the top of this hill. The waters may not subside for a year. Nobody knows how long!”

In a short while the sky began to grow lighter, and soon the blackness passed away. The valley became quite light.

Then the true position they were in was seen by the voyagers. Almost the entire valley was one vast lake.

Only the higher land was exposed. In some places the water must have been of considerable depth.

One thing was certain. It was impossible for the machine to travel through it. The adventurers were anchored to the hilltop isle.

Frank knew well that the water was rising all the while. It was a desperate situation.

In the hold of the Scorcher there was stored a portable rubber boat. In this all could doubtless have made their way to the higher land and escaped.

This would have been equivalent to signing a death warrant, and they knew it well. So Frank did not accept the chance.

He stepped down from the Scorcher’s deck and walked about the hilltop. At one end was a clump of giant pines.

And, as his eyes fell upon these mighty trees, a sudden, swift plan suggested itself to him. He saw one forlorn chance.

But Frank Reade, Jr., was never the one to yield to despair. Scant as the chance was, he decided to adopt it.

“Do you see those big pines?” he said. “Well, in them lies our chance. If we can hew down enough of them to make a raft to float the Scorcher I believe there is a chance for us!”

“We’ll do it!” cried Randall. “Give us some axes. Come, boys! It is for our lives we are working!”

Barney and Pomp ran to get axes. Wendel and Randall and even Frank himself selected a tree.

The axes rang merrily in the soft wood, and steadily all worked, each man at a tree.

In a comparatively short space of time five of the trees were down. Then each set to work upon another.

But now that the trees were down the hardest part of the work began. This was to trim the huge logs and bind them together for a raft.

But this was finally accomplished. The logs were firmly bound, two tiers deep. This was reckoned sufficient to float the machine.

The rise of the inland sea was so fast that already the water was up to their knees as they worked. The Scorcher was secured to the raft.

The voyagers had provided themselves with long poles to push the raft off and propel it with. Soon it was afloat.

It required several hours of hard work to propel it to the upper end of the lake or the slope of the volcano.

Here, however, a landing place was found, and the Scorcher was run off the raft upon terra firma.

A position was selected above the high water mark on the slope of the volcano. The eruption, somewhat singularly, had ceased altogether.

The reason for this was not apparent, but it was possible that the rising of the waters had extinguished the internal fires.

The voyagers were engaged in watching the slow rising of the inland sea, when suddenly a great cry came from Barney.

“Be me sowl, there’s a lot av the spalpeens up there among the rocks,” he cried. “Shure, have an eye out fer thim, or they’ll be afther comin’’ down onto us!”

Frank was just in time to see that the Celt was right. A number of forms were scrambling over a heap of bowlders far up on the crater’s side.

This was the first sign of human beings other than themselves in the abandoned country. It is needless to say that all were excited.

No one doubted for a moment that the forms scrambling over the crater’s side were really the Polar natives.

“Of course. Men who have the nerve to confine white visitors in underground vaults to die of starvation are certainly men to be strongly dealt with.”

Yet they advanced cautiously, for they had no means of knowing what manner of weapons the fugitives had.

But before the summit was reached Frank received a surprise. He saw four men huddled behind a bowlder.

“Jack Mains, mate of the Pearl!” gasped Frank. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“I swear, sir, it is not our fault. Captain’s orders!” declared the Pearl’s mate, as he and his companions came forth.

“I—can’t say, sir. He went down into that valley. Maybe the water—you can guess.”

“And do you mean to tell me,” exclaimed Frank, “that your captain—that Isaac Ward actually followed us hither?”

“Deserted, sir. For all I know, back in the ice-pack, and not a soul on board.”

“But,” exclaimed Frank, in sheer amazement, “what on earth impelled you all to leave the ship?”

“Yes, sir; Captain Ward thought you were down here after a great treasure, sir, and wanted to claim a share.”

“Well,” he said, finally, “that is the worst fool’s trick I ever heard of. You say he left the ship to the mercy of the ice?”

“Yes, sir; all went down there except me and my three friends here; we stayed back.”

“My soul!” exclaimed Frank. “They have not returned. Then the flood overtook them. This is the plain result of avarice.”

“Then come with me,” said Frank, moving down the mountain side. “This is a terrible affair!”

“God bless you, sir,” cried one of the sailors. “We will die for you—only take us back to America.”

“Humph!” exclaimed Frank. “It looks mighty doubtful now whether any of us get back or not.”

Back to the Scorcher they went, and Pomp gave the surviving sailors food and drink.

Then the folly of Captain Ward’s move was dilated upon. The result was a disappointment to Frank.

“I had intended remaining here for the waters to fall,” he said, “but now all depends upon our reaching the Pearl before the ice-pack breaks up. If we do not reach the ship in that time, we may give ourselves up for lost.”

“And go to swell the number of explorers who have invaded this accursed land never to return!” declared Randall.

There was certainly need of dispatch if the party was to reach the ship before the pack should break.

It was a long, arduous trip back through the fiord. It would require much time to make the trip.

Frank would have started at once, but he felt in duty bound to first learn the fate of the captain and his men for a certainty. There was a faint possibility, of course, that they had made their escape.

So a party was made up and sent along the mountain side. Frank and Barney and Randall were the members of the party.

Before he returned Frank was determined to accomplish one thing, and this was to gain the summit of the southern mountain wall and take a look at the country beyond.

They were well armed, for there was no telling what perils they might encounter on the way. They struck out along the southern verge of the crater.

Soon they were out of sight of the Scorcher among the huge bowlders. Frank led the way.

But they had little idea of the character of the region through which they were now compelled to travel.

They climbed along the mountain wall for hours and yet the southern end of the valley looked an interminable distance away. Finally they sank down from sheer exhaustion.

There was nothing for it but to camp on the spot, and this was done. In a little pocket among the crags a sheltered spot was found.

They had brought some provisions with them and were enabled to make a good meal. Then they stretched themselves out upon the ground and slept.

How long they slept they knew not, but when they awoke it was to find a peculiar state of affairs. A heavy mist hung over the mountains and rain was falling slowly.

It was evident that the storm was at hand, and for a moment Frank was nonplussed. He knew the peril of their situation at once.

It would be almost impossible to tell where they were going. It was impossible to get accurate bearings.

It would be just as difficult to find their way back to the Scorcher. Here was a predicament.

There seemed no other way than to remain where they were until after the storm should pass. How long this would be it was impossible to guess.

Now, to Frank, this was especially irritating, for he knew that time was valuable. He was exceedingly impatient.

And yet he was at a loss to know how to remedy the difficulty. There seemed no way but to wait until the storm had passed.

It shut down now blacker than ever. Soon the mist lifted a trifle and the rain fell harder.

Hours passed and they seemed like months. At length Frank could stand it no longer.

“That settles it,” he cried. “We cannot do worse than stay here. Let us make an effort to return.”

“Yes; we are obliged to do that. If we can return in safety to the Scorcher that will be all I will ask.”

“I’m with you, Frank,” agreed the geologist. “I think we’ve done our best, and we had better return to the ship. Perhaps we can venture a trip of exploration hither at some other time.”

“Be me sowl, I’m afther thinkin’ we’ll lose our way in this mist,” said Barney, apprehensively.

“Oh, I think not,” said Randall. “What if we fired signal guns? Perhaps those on board the Scorcher will hear us.”

This suggestion seemed not a bad one. So, as they wandered on through the mist, Randall fired his rifle at intervals.

It was not long ere an answer came. It was a faint shot, and far in the distance.

It indicated the fact that the Scorcher was not beyond hearing. Frank tried to locate the searchlight’s glare.

The sound of firing seemed to come from a point higher up the mountain side, and the adventurers accordingly kept on in that direction.

At intervals Randall fired his gun, and the answer came. But one fact impressed the trio curiously.

This was that the firing sounded more and more distant, though they were going as the sound guided them directly toward it.

“We are certainly going in the wrong direction!” he declared. “Pretty quick we won’t be able to hear those shots at all.”

“You are right,” agreed Frank. “It must be that the mist transfers the sound to different points of the compass.”

“Begorra, we kin go no furder dis way, anyhow!” cried Barney, who was a little in advance.

“Shure, sor, there’s a steep place here, and a big hole. Will yez have a look at it?”

They had climbed the cone to the very summit. There was little wonder that the sounds of firing had grown so faint.

The result was that the party was soon scrambling down the mountain side and rapidly approaching the Scorcher, for the firing every moment grew more distinct.

And his prediction was verified. After a hard scramble the Scorcher was reached.

The expedition around the range had been a failure. The fate of Captain Ward and his men remained unsolved.

But it was safe to assume that they had perished in the waters of the inland sea. All were agreed upon this point.

“I’m afraid,” he said, “that if we do not make a move very quickly to return to the Pearl that we will never get there.”

“That’s correct, mate,” declared Wendel. “I agree with ye. The winter storms will block the fiord. If the ship stands the nipping the spring thaw will carry her into the northward current and we shall never see her again.”

Of course, there was no telling how long the mist would last. It might disappear in a few hours: it might not do so for a week.

The searchlight was trimmed to its fullest power, and the Scorcher began to feel its way down the mountain side.

Mains and the three sailors rode on the deck, for there was not room for all in the cabin comfortably.

For hours the Scorcher made its uncertain way down the mountain to the plain, and the pass which would take them into the fiord.

It was not an easy matter to thus fumble along in the darkness. There were innumerable perils.

But Frank kept the machine on its course as well as he could, and exercised all due caution.

Here the mist lessened and it was easier to see the way. The machine threaded its way through the defile with greater ease.

And when its end was reached the plain and river extending to the ice-belt lay clear of mist or cloud.

The storm was peculiar to the volcanic region alone. Frank was even enabled to dispense with the searchlight.

A chill wind blew from the north, and the voyagers were obliged to wrap themselves up warmly. The machine ran along the banks of the river.

The spirits of all began to rise. Even the seamen on the Scorcher’s deck were much lighter of spirit.

“If we only find the ship unharmed,” cried Frank, “we will be able to find our way home yet.”

The word seemed to have a magic charm to each one in the party. It was true that it had been a long time since they had seen it.

Indeed, it had seemed at times as if they were doomed to spend their lives in this place. That it was to become their tomb.

Camp was made on the river banks. Barney and Pomp improved the opportunity to try fishing.

There were delicious trout in the clear waters, and they rose readily to the fly.

They returned with a goodly mess, and it was an agreeable change from the stale food which they had been eating.

Down the river’s course the Scorcher went until patches of ice and snow began to appear.

It became necessary now to don their fur suits and prepare for the chill winds. Frost formed on the pilot-house windows exceedingly thick.

The four seamen were ensconced in cramped quarters in the cabin, for they could not have existed outside. All preparations were made for a rough trip.

Barney was at the wheel and the Scorcher was gliding between two huge bergs of ice, when there was a crash and a sullen roar and one of them fell.

It struck the forward trucks of the machine. There was a ripping, rending sound, and then the machine pitched forward heavily.

Not a man but was thrown upon his face and all realized that the machine had met with a serious mishap.

Frank sprung out of the cabin door. He gave a cry of dismay at the sight before him.

There lay a heap of crushed material, the trucks and forward running gear of the machine. They were fearfully mixed up with the ice.

Here was a catastrophe of no mild sort. Pallid and nerveless he was joined by the others.

Then he walked slowly about the Scorcher. He examined the broken gear long and slowly.

Frank proceeded to disentangle the wreck. All went silently to work to help him.

The forward part of the Scorcher was set upon a support, while Frank endeavored to repair the wheels. But presently he said:

“My friends, I’m afraid we are badly stuck. These wheels can never do service again.”

“Confound the luck!” cried Randall. “The fiends are after us! What is the next best thing we can do, Frank?”

“There is, fortunately a way out of the difficulty,” said the young inventor.

“As we are upon snow,” continued Frank, “wheels are not a prime necessity. I think we can rig up a temporary sledge to go under the forward part of the machine and yet go ahead.”

It was fortunate that the power of the Scorcher was connected with the hind wheels, where the driving cogs were placed. Therefore, the loss of the forward trucks did not interfere with the machinery or driving power.

This it was not difficult to do with the remnants of the truck. In a few hours the machine was provided with sledge runners.

These worked clumsily and very seriously impeded the speed of the Scorcher. But they were better than nothing.

This accident was a bad one for the chances of the voyagers and all felt secretly discouraged.

It seemed almost a certainty that the ship would be nipped before they could get to her. But Frank said:

The days passed into weeks before finally the great headlands were seen, and all craned their necks for a sight of the ship.

But an immense barrier of ice had risen just off shore. It was fully two hundred feet high.

This showed that beyond a doubt the pack had been at work. There must have been terrific crowding and crushing to have raised this barrier.

Was she lying on her beam ends, a crushed and worthless wreck? Or had she gone to the bottom?

It could hardly be believed that she had altogether escaped mishap. The adventurers were in a fever of anxiety.

It was frightfully cold. Nothing like it had ever been experienced by any one in the party.

No one dared to remain out on deck for long. He would have been converted into an icicle.

The machine was brought to a halt by the great wall of ice. The Scorcher could not surmount it, nor did there seem any pass to go through.

The party was intensely anxious to get a look at the ship. There seemed but one way.

The cold, by good fortune, now began to moderate. It brought signs of snow, but it enabled the voyagers to go forth without the extreme peril of freezing to death.

A party was quickly made up to scale the icy heights. These were Randall, Frank Reade, Jr., Barney and Mains. They wrapped up as warmly as possible and set forth.

To climb that immense barrier, with its treacherous surface, with its hundreds of chasms and pitfalls, was a feat.

But they armed themselves with steel-tipped poles and set forth. Soon they were clambering over the ice.

It was a rough and dangerous ascent. Before they had made half it, a startling thing happened.

There was a slight upheaval of the blocks of ice. Then they disappeared from view most effectually.

“It means that if we don’t go to the aid of those chaps instantly we may never see them again.”

They clambered furiously up to the spot where the two men had been, but not a trace of them could be found.

There were a few marks of the penstocks on the ice, but this was all. There was no visible pitfall or cavity.

Of course, they must have fallen into something of the sort. Their disappearance could be explained in no other way.

Frank placed his penstock under a corner of the huge block of ice. He was not able to lift it, but the penstock slipped down into a certain cavity beneath.

Together they tried to lift the block of ice, but it would not budge. Their strength was not adequate.

He knew that his two colleagues were somewhere beneath that immovable block of ice which had fallen into just the position to close the cavity into which they had fallen.

How deep the pitfall was he had no means of guessing. He placed his ear to the crack and listened. No sound came up.

Suppose the cavity was so deep that it extended all the way down to the water, or was really in itself an air-hole? They would certainly go to the bottom of the sea.

In such a case they were beyond earthly aid. But Frank did not believe yet that such was the case.

He hoped to find both alive, though possibly unconscious, at the bottom of the pit. But first of all it must be opened.

Their purpose was, if possible, to split the big cake of ice and thus open up the trap. They worked hard and fast.

With rapid blows Frank quickly cut a deep channel into the ice block. Deeper it grew, and Randall advanced to meet him.

Then one united blow cracked the ice-block. They put their shoulders to it and hurled it down the slope.

As they did so both nearly fell into the cavity. They clung to the edges desperately.

Then, recovering, they saw that a dark hole yawned beneath them. How deep it was they could only conjecture.

Again and again the hail went down. Then something like a gasp and a sob came up.

“No, it isn’t!” shouted Frank. “It’s only a hole in the ice. Lively now, old fellow. How is the other fellow?”

“Och, shure; I remember now. An’ the other feller—Mither of Moses! I belave he’s dead!”

“Wait and I’ll lower a rope to you,” cried Frank. “Tie it around him and we’ll haul him up!”

Frank had provided himself with a hundred feet of stout line before leaving the Scorcher. This now came into play.

He lowered it quickly into the pit. In a very few moments Barney gave an answering tug.

Then another voice was heard below. It was evident that Mains had also recovered his consciousness.

“It’s a hard v’yage, shipmates!” mumbled the sailor. “Fell clean from the maintop into the waist of the ship. Ugh! my back is broken!”

“Be off wid yez!” cried Barney. “Ye’re wuth tin dead min already! Put this line undther yez arms.”

Frank and Randall gave way at the line. Up from the depths came the limp form of Mains.

He was quite seriously shaken up and unable as yet to stand on his feet. But the air revived him.

“Shure, it’s hard to spile a bad egg, or to kill an Oirishman!” he cried. “It’s sorry I am fer the other man. Phwat will we do wid him, Misther Frank?”

“Don’t worry about me, mates! Go on up to the summit, an’ I’ll wait here till ye come back.”

“I will: only keep an eye out for ice-holes. I hope ye’ll sight the ship, for it’s sick to death I am of this region.”

So it was arranged that Mains should remain where he was until the others should return.

He was fixed in a comfortable position, and the trio went on up the steep incline. No further mishap befell them.

They stood upon the highest pinnacle. With his night-glass Frank scanned the ice fields.

“No—and—by Jove, she is in open water. The bay has not filled in yet, Frank.”

“Then there is a chance for us,” he cried. “We will do the best we can.”

“Back to the Scorcher!” cried Randall. “We must lose no time. There is snow in the air, and if it comes down before we reach the ship it may spoil all our plans.”

Down the slippery ice hummocks they went. They found Mains where they had left him.

The sailor was upon his feet, but he was not deemed strong enough to walk back to the Scorcher.

So Barney and Randall carried him between them, while Frank went ahead with the penstock to pick the way.

They were not long in descending to the level below. Those on board the Scorcher saw them coming and shouted joyfully.

It was good news which they learned when the three explorers went aboard. There was certainly a chance for them.

In the cabin of the Scorcher an elaborate discussion was held. The ship was in sight and it would be easy to reach her on foot.

How could they hope to get the machine over that mighty ice barrier? It was a sheer impossibility.

One was to remain aboard the Scorcher until spring, and the ice barrier should fall, and then trust to luck in getting aboard the Pearl before the northward current should take her.

Frank considered the matter for some while. He realized that the Scorcher had seen its best uses.

The destruction of its forward gear had shaken it up greatly, and it was hardly likely that it could be repaired to be of much further service.

The electric engines were valuable, but he could easily reproduce them. Frank did not like the idea of leaving his pet invention in the Antarctic, but on the other hand he could not see any ready way to avoid it.

There were many valuable effects aboard. These could in the main be transported to the ship.

“Gentlemen,” he said, finally, “I have thought the matter over seriously. I believe it is a question of life or death with us.

“Life if we get away on that ship before the rigorous winter sets in. Death if we have to remain here nearly nine months until the northern channels open again.

“We are not bred to this climate. We could not stand the rigorous cold. We would perish. It is only the question of the Scorcher, and I have decided what to do.

“Life is of paramount importance. We will transport such of the Scorcher’s effects us we can, and start at once for the Pearl.”

Instantly a wild cheer went up. The sailors ran forward and embraced Frank as their deliverer.

It was decided to take the electric gun, the searchlight, and one of the smaller dynamos.

None of these were heavy. Also a case of the dynamite shells was taken. Other articles of necessity were carried away.

But all the stores, the rich equipment and luxuries of the Scorcher were left behind with it. They were never seen again.

To many, Frank’s course might have seemed heroic, but it was at least justifiable.

The long Antarctic winter is against human life. As Frank had predicted, few of the party would have lived to see the spring.

To climb the ice barrier with all their effects was no light task. Four trips were made over it.

But at length they were enabled to set out for the ship. Fortunately the weather yet held moderate.

But at any moment the grim old tyrant of winter was apt to descend with pitiless, blasting breath and lock up every channel and basin of open water.

Luck was with them. They reached the ship and got aboard. The Pearl was anchored in the middle of the basin.

But the boat in which Captain Ward had come off was yet in a cleft in the ice. In it all were safely transported to the ship’s deck.

The Pearl was found in good, seaworthy condition, and there was no reason so far as that went why she should not sail north at once.

The channel by which she had entered the basin was closed. Great ice-blocks had wedged in and closed it.

It was fifty miles to the open sea. Doubtless the channel was open in places, but there were sufficient obstructions to hold the vessel back.

It looked as if the Pearl must stay in the Antarctic after all. But at the last moment Frank Reade, Jr., came to the rescue.

Two men brought the cylinder of steel and its pivotal carriage forward. It was quickly mounted in the bow.

Then Frank placed a projectile in the breech. He trained the gun upon the blocked channel.

One moment he drew the sights, then he pressed the electric button. The effect was thrilling.

The shell struck fair in the midst of the ice-blocks. There was a terrible crash—a sullen, thunderous roar.

Up into the air one hundred feet went a column of water and ice fragments. It was a marvelous spectacle.

The ship pitched and rocked violently. Then Frank sent another shell into the heap.

The ice-jam gave way. For fully five hundred yards the channel was open. A northward current moved the crushed ice rapidly away and in an hour’s time the channel was clear as far as the eye could reach.

In the fifty miles of circuitous sailing among the ice fields the electric gun did valiant service.

In due time the Pearl emerged into the open sea. She met fearful weather for the first week.

But she steadily and stanchly fought her way northward, inch by inch it seemed, until at length she was in Cape Horn seas.

A week later she was in Montevideo harbor. Here a fresh crew was shipped and a new captain procured.

Then she proceeded to Rio and took on a cargo of coffee, so that her homeward cruise might not be unprofitable.

In due time she reached New York. Captain Ward’s wife was inconsolable over his loss. The ship was sold and the sum given to her.

Frank also paid to her again the sum of the charter, which was a provision against want, and some recompense for her terrible loss. But nobody could deny but that Ward himself was solely to blame.

The seamen survivors of the party scattered when New York was reached. Jack Wendel returned to his seashore home, and Randall went on to Readestown with Frank and Barney and Pomp.

They had accomplished the feat of discovering the abandoned country, but neither Frank nor Randall were satisfied.

“I shall have another try at that game some day,” declared the young inventor. “I want to explore the rest of that strange land.”

And full of the idea he went back to his work. Whether he ever carried out his project or not we will wait for the future to tell, and with this announcement bring our story to

Read “OVER THE ORIENT; OR, FRANK READE, JR.’S TRAVELS IN TURKEY,” which will be the next number (85) of “Frank Reade Weekly Magazine.”

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All of these exciting stories are founded on facts. Young Wild West is a hero with whom the author was acquainted. His daring deeds and thrilling adventures have never been surpassed. They form the base of the most dashing stories ever published.

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

58 Young Wild West and His Dead Shot Band; or, the Smugglers of the Canadian Border.

65 Young Wild West and the Man from the East; or, The Luck that Found the Lost Lode.

67 Young Wild West and the “Wyoming Wolves”; or, Arietta’s Wonderful Nerve.

71 Young Wild West the Lasso King; or, The Crooked Gang of “Straight” Ranch.

73 Young Wild West and “Cayuse Kitty”; or, The Queen of the Broncho Busters.

75 Young Wild West and the Piute Princess; or, The Trail that Led to the Lost Land.

81 Young Wild West’s Prairie Pioneers; or, Fighting the Way to the Golden Loop.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No. 8. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETE.—Giving full instruction for the use of dumb bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, horizontal bars and various other methods of developing a good, healthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations. Every boy can become strong and healthy by following the instructions contained in this little book.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No. 49. HOW TO DEBATE.—Giving rules for conducting debates, outlines for debates, questions for discussion, and the best sources for procuring information on the questions given.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No. 62. HOW TO BECOME A WEST POINT MILITARY CADET.—Containing full explanations how to gain admittance, course of Study, Examinations, Duties, Staff of Officers, Post Guard, Police Regulations, Fire Department, and all a boy should know to be a Cadet. Compiled and written by Lu Senarens, author of “How to Become a Naval Cadet.”

No. 63. HOW TO BECOME A NAVAL CADET.—Complete Instructions of how to gain admission to the Annapolis Naval Academy. Also containing the course of Instruction, description of grounds and buildings, historical sketch, and everything a boy should know to become an officer in the United States Navy. Compiled and written by Lu Senarens, author of “How to Become a West Point Military Cadet.”

These stories are based on actual facts and give a faithful account of the exciting adventures of a brave band of American youths who were always ready and willing to imperil their lives for the sake of helping along the gallant cause of Independence. Every number will consist of 32 large pages of reading matter, bound in a beautiful colored cover.

164 The Liberty Boys and “Light Horse Harry”; or, Chasing the British Dragoons.

All our readers know Frank Reade, Jr., the greatest inventor of the age, and his two fun-loving chums, Barney and Pomp. The stories published in this magazine contain a true account of the wonderful and exciting adventures of the famous inventor, with his marvellous flying machines, electrical overland engines, and his extraordinary submarine boats. Each number is a rare treat. Tell your newsdealer to get you a copy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

51 Abandoned in Alaska; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Thrilling Search for a Lost Gold Claim.

53 Under the Yellow Sea; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Search for the Cave of Pearls.

55 The Electric Island; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Search for the Greatest Wonder on Earth.

58 Lost in a Comet’s Tail; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Strange Adventure With His Air-ship.

59 Under Four Oceans; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Submarine Chase of a “Sea Devil.”

60 The Mysterious Mirage; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Desert Search for a Secret City.

62 Lost In the Great Undertow; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Submarine Cruise in the Gulf Stream.

66 Astray in the Selvas; or, The Wild Experiences of Frank Reade, Jr., in South America.

67 In the Wild Man’s Land; or, With Frank Reade, Jr., in the Heart of Australia.

70 Across the Earth; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Latest Trip with His New Air Ship.

71 Six Weeks Buried In a Deep Sea Cave; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Great Submarine Search.

72 Across the Desert of Fire; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Marvelous Trip In a Strange Country.

73 The Transient Lake; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Adventures in a Mysterious Country.

80 Six Sunken Pirates; or, Frank Reade, Jr.’s Marvelous Adventures In the Deep Sea.

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ABANDONED COUNTRY; OR, FRANK READE, JR., EXPLORING A NEW CONTINENT. ***

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Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Application made for Second-Class Entry at N. Y. Post Office.
No. 84.	NEW YORK, JUNE 3, 1904	Price 5 Cents.

CHAPTER	I.	A WONDERFUL TALE.
CHAPTER	II.	PLANS ARE MADE.
CHAPTER	III.	IN SOUTHERN SEAS.
CHAPTER	IV.	UP THE FIORD.
CHAPTER	V.	THE RUINED CITY.
CHAPTER	VI.	ACROSS THE LAKE.
CHAPTER	VII.	BARNEY’S AND POMP’S ADVENTURES.
CHAPTER	VIII.	A GEOLOGICAL PHENOMENON.
CHAPTER	IX.	ON AN ISLAND.
CHAPTER	X.	A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
CHAPTER	XI.	A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
CHAPTER	XII.	WHICH IS THE END.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Abandoned Country; or, Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring a New Continent.

CONTENTS

THE ABANDONED COUNTRY;
OR,
Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring a New Continent.

CHAPTER I.
A WONDERFUL TALE.

CHAPTER II.
PLANS ARE MADE.

CHAPTER III.
IN SOUTHERN SEAS.

CHAPTER IV.
UP THE FIORD.

CHAPTER V.
THE RUINED CITY.

CHAPTER VI.
ACROSS THE LAKE.

CHAPTER VII.
BARNEY’S AND POMP’S ADVENTURES.

CHAPTER VIII.
A GEOLOGICAL PHENOMENON.

CHAPTER IX.
ON AN ISLAND.

CHAPTER X.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.

CHAPTER XI.
A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

CHAPTER XII.
WHICH IS THE END.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDEALERS, OR WILL BE SENT TO ANY ADDRESS ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, 5 CENTS PER COPY, BY
FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher,	24 Union Square, New York.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Abandoned Country; or, Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring a New Continent.

CONTENTS

THE ABANDONED COUNTRY; OR, Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring a New Continent.

CHAPTER I. A WONDERFUL TALE.

CHAPTER II. PLANS ARE MADE.

CHAPTER III. IN SOUTHERN SEAS.

CHAPTER IV. UP THE FIORD.

CHAPTER V. THE RUINED CITY.

CHAPTER VI. ACROSS THE LAKE.

CHAPTER VII. BARNEY’S AND POMP’S ADVENTURES.

CHAPTER VIII. A GEOLOGICAL PHENOMENON.

CHAPTER IX. ON AN ISLAND.

CHAPTER X. A STARTLING DISCOVERY.

CHAPTER XI. A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

CHAPTER XII. WHICH IS THE END.