John Henry Goldfrap

“ It would have been wisdom's part first to have notified the authorities and then made his attack on the place.
"Well, I've been a chump and this is what I get for it," muttered the lad bitterly. "Good old Ned, I can't believe that he is really dead. I wonder if he'll ever learn how I ended my life in this wretched rat-hole of a place. It's a tough way to die. I wouldn't mind facing death in battle or in line of duty, but to die like this alone, in the dark, with the tide water waiting to drag me down——"
Herc pursued this line of thought no further. It bade fair to unman him. ”

“ At the foot of the down-at-heel side street, Herc could catch a glimpse of water and could sight the barn-like outlines of some of the deserted factories already referred to.
"Where in the world can they be bound?" he found himself wondering.
Could he have known the events of the last twelve hours, he would also have wondered at their being there at all. It is not given to everyone to come as close to the grim scythe of death and to escape scot-free as Saki and Kenworth had done. ”

“ Kenworth, now that you are frightened at the face of death, you are willing to cringe and cow to me.
"If we were all to be saved, and our positions could ever be the same again, you would be just the same. It is the nature of such men as you. But we never shall be the same again, Kenworth. Your career is ended. Driven from the navy, branded as a traitor, you will find no peace."
"B-b-b-but life is sweet, Strong. Can't you save us? Saki will give you money. Plenty of money."
"Yes, yes, honorable sir," cried the Jap eagerly. "My emperor will reward you. I, too, am rich. ”

“ But he knew that as commander of the Seneca, he, and not Kenworth, would assuredly be held responsible for any damage done.
It was at this moment that he was aroused by the clicking and whining of the wireless spark in its little metal house just abaft of the funnel. The stinging, whip-like crack and the crepitant sputter of the spark as it leaped back and forth across its gap like a caged animal was borne with clean-cut distinctness to his ears.
"Somebody working the wireless," decided Ned, for the arrival of a message is not attended by any sound audible outside the ear receivers. ”

“ Tell you what, Ned, these destroyers are too lively a type of craft for me."
"They're just the type to overhaul those rascals we're after, and that's good enough for me," rejoined Ned. "I wouldn't care if I had to eat standing on my head just to get a chance at those fellows."
"'Use no half-way measures,'" said Herc musingly, repeating the Secretary's instructions. "I guess we won't, Ned, eh?"
"Well, if they should happen to want trouble, they'll get all that they're looking for," laughed Ned, as they descended the pitching, swinging iron ladder that led to the cramped cabin of the Henry. ”

“ Ned's eyes blazed and a dangerous flicker of white came around his nostrils. He despised a liar more than he held contempt for a coward, and if he was not much mistaken, Kenworth was both.
"You see," stuttered Kenworth, absolutely shaken and flaccid, "I'm wireless officer, with Trevor as assistant. I'm not very good yet, and I——"
"On the contrary, it strikes me that you are remarkably efficient, Mr. Kenworth," snapped Ned; "and as for practicing, you assuredly choose an extraordinary time for it when the ship, for anything you know, is in danger." ”

“ But with the passing of this branch of maritime trade from Civic Island the rickety structures with gaping windows and cracking boards stand tenantless and moss-grown like so many stranded hulks, the tide washing at the piles on which some of them extend out over the water.
They were passing along the lower end of the "summer resort" street of the island when Herc gave a sudden exclamation. Before Chuck could utter a word, Herc was out of the rig and bounding off down the thoroughfare. ”

“ Out on the Sound the blue water was flecked with white and a brisk wind, salt-laden and delightful to the boys' sea-going nostrils, had left the sky clear and cloudless.
[Pg 33]
"You're going to meet Ensign Summerville there?" asked Herc.
"Yes, he'll come ashore with a boat and take us out and introduce us to our first command."
"Huh! it may be our last, too," grunted Herc. "Say, this thing of being a real, full-fledged officer scares me just a little. Suppose we fall down?"
"We can only attend to our duty the best we know how," rejoined Ned. ”

“ One thing, however, he was sure of: the cellar was close to the sea, for the sharp, acrid tang of the salt water mingled with the damp, decaying odor of the place, like a healthy, wholesome influence in a fever-stricken hospital ward.
His survey completed, Herc sank back on his pile of old sails to think matters over further. Not that he felt that there was really anything to be considered, save the fact that he was helpless and must depend upon outside aid for escaping from his predicament. ”

“ The storm was raging so furiously that Ned, with all his optimism, could not hope that the motor craft would live through it.
The only thing to be done, as he saw it, was to run for the lee of a point of land some distance off. If they could reach this in safety, they might have a chance. If not, and the storm [Pg 157] continued to increase in violence, there was hardly one chance in a thousand for them.
The angry lightning hissed and crackled and the thunder boomed with ear-splitting clamor as Ned made his way forward to Kenworth's side. ”

“ Thrown into the cellar at some forgotten time, it was floating on the top of the water and had rocked against the lad at a critical moment.
[Pg 268]
Herc reached out and grasped it. Somehow the touch of it was almost as comforting to him as human companionship. Once more the tide of life, the desire to live, swelled through his veins. He was again a fighter.
Supporting himself on the plank, he began to think. By stretching out his hand he could touch the ceiling of the cellar. ”

“ Ned took one himself and buckled it on.
"At least the stolen secrets of the United States Navy are in safe hands now," he muttered; "if I go to the bottom, there is no better keeper of confidences than old Davy Jones. If I should save my life, no power on earth will separate me from them till I have placed them in the hands of the naval authorities."
The half-filled boat kept afloat with wonderful seaworthiness, considering her narrow build. Wave after wave, that it appeared must engulf her half water-logged hull, she rode right gallantly. ”

“ Then the midshipman cast himself down into a sandy hollow, over the breast of which he pointed his binoculars at the tug.
"So-o-o-o! That's your little game, is it!" breathed Ned disgustedly. "You're even blacker than I thought you, Kenworth. I guess I'll take a hand in this thing myself. Bagging a traitor to Uncle Sam, and one who is entitled to wear the uniform of an officer and a gentleman at that, ought to be even more important than a chart of the mine positions."
[Pg 115]
Between the two, like a series of billows, stretched wave-like sand dunes. ”

“ Ned caught Herc by the sleeve just as the red-headed lad was stepping impulsively forward, [Pg 68] and drew him into the doorway of the structure. There was a small port in the place looking out over the bridge. It was open, and through it they could readily see.
"What's the idea of this?" demanded Herc. "I don't like this spying business. I've no use for Kenworth, but——"
"That's all right," responded Ned. "I don't wish to spy on the young man; I merely want to find out what sort of a pilot he is." ”

“ Half a dozen men, headed by Kenworth, Saki [Pg 225] and the spectacled Jap, burst into the room. They gazed wildly about them.
"Why—why, he's not here!" gasped out Kenworth. "The red-headed fox has escaped!"
"Eem-poss-ible," the spectacled Jap informed him. "There is no way of getting out this room."
"Then he must be here," declared Saki sententiously; "we must find him. He is one of the most dangerous enemies we have got. He is even worse than that Ned Strong, whose body now lies at the bottom of the Sound, for the meddling fool that he was." ”

“ We've got the right craft, then!" cried Herc.
"What is the matter, gentlemen?" demanded [Pg 293] the man on the bridge. He appeared much agitated.
"The matter is that you will consider yourself under arrest," cried Ned. "Remain where you are and order your crew forward."
"You take things with a high hand. Who do you think we are?"
"I don't know anything about you; but I know that this craft is the Halcyon with a faked stern, a false mizzen-mast and a repainted funnel," retorted Ned angrily. "I shall hold you responsible for the behavior of your crew." ”

“ From time to time they cast sharp glances at some shabby-looking little shops as if in search of something.
It will, of course, be recalled that the last time we saw Saki and his accomplice they were on the point of being precipitated into the stormy sea, following the death-blow the schooner had dealt the frail motor boat.
How they escaped a grave in the tumbling water rows we shall also learn before long. But just now let us follow Herc as, slipping in and out of doorways and taking advantage of every bit of cover, like a trained detective, he follows them. ”

“ Then, with a sudden chill of horror, he recollected [Pg 139] that all his papers—none of them, luckily, very important ones—had been taken from him by Saki and Kenworth. The sentry was watching him, as he frantically searched, with an amused expression.
"Say, what kind of a game are you trying to work, Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines?" he asked.
"It's not a game, I tell you," cried Ned furiously. "Those rascals who tied me took my papers. They have run off with them——"
"I guess it's you that have run off from your keepers," said the sentry, nodding his head sententiously. ”

“ Musing thus, he was pressing steadily on, when, on topping a rise, he came in sight of a small, sandy cove. Drawn well up into it was a sharp-bowed motor boat. A long engine hood forward showed that she carried powerful engines. On shore, beside her, lay a figure dozing in the shade. The tide rippled pleasantly and the sand alongside the beached craft afforded a cool resting place.
"The very thing!" exclaimed Ned. "Goodness knows how long it would take me to walk to Civic Island. ”

“ Yes, the man recollected Ned. Knew the very place he had dropped him. Would he drive Herc out there? Certainly. Ned jumped into the rickety old conveyance owned by the bulbous-nosed man, who rejoiced in the name of Chuck Chiggins.
Chuck's bony old nag, in due time, landed the cab at the place where Ned had left it. Herc could see the Neck stretching out tenuously across the shining water. Telling Chuck to wait, he walked about for an hour or more trying rather vaguely to locate at least some clew to Ned's whereabouts. Needless almost is it to say, that he did not succeed in his purpose. ”

“ Ned said nothing in reply, but with a wave of his hand walked off. He had plenty of opportunity, as he plodded along the Neck, for philosophical reflections on the part that clothes play in this world. Had he worn his uniform, he could have marched past the sentry without question. But, as it was, the man more than suspected him of being an escaped lunatic.
Ned's intention in going to the fort had been to establish instant communication with the authorities and warn them to look out for Kenworth and Saki. ”

“ Simultaneously a low, angry growl greeted the Dreadnought Boy's ears.
[Pg 252]
"Great guns! The skipper's dog! I'd clean forgotten him," exclaimed Ned in dismay.
The dog hesitated a minute, sniffed and then, with an angry snarl, came bounding on again.
"If I can't silence him, he'll have them all awake in a minute, and then I'll have a fine hornet's nest about my ears," muttered Ned.
Ur-r-r-r-r-r-r-r! The dog sprang straight for Ned's throat. Luckily, the creature was not one of the barking kind. He plainly preferred action to noise.
Ned saw him coming. ”

“ He turned and gazed after the figure of the young officer as he made for the steersman. Kenworth already stood at the man's side.
"Hard a'port!" Ned heard Kenworth roar.
It was precisely the command that, under the circumstances, would bring the bow of the Seneca grating and rasping on the shoal.
"Hard over! Hard over! For your life, man!" shouted Ned.
"Aye, aye, sir!" cried the man, recognizing the superior authority of the temporary commander.
But it was too late. The next instant it happened, even as Ned's hand jerked the engine-room telegraph over to "Full speed astern." ”

“ Stricken temporarily to immobility by the suddenness of the whole thing, the spectacled Jap and the others stood spellbound for an instant as the red-headed youth, having demolished the pile of boxes, came charging at them with his bullet head bent over like a young bull's. As he rushed ferociously at them Herc gave vent to a blood curdling yell.
"Wow! Whoop-ee! Stand aside for the human torpedo!" ”

“ There was a large glass skylight over the wardroom and, owing to the warmth of the weather, the flaps of this had been raised. With the expression of one who has been suddenly hypnotized, Herc was staring with open eyes and mouth straight up at the wardroom roof.
"What do you see?" demanded Ned, springing [Pg 96] to his feet. "Shall I get you a glass of water? Shall I——"
"Umph! You might get me a gun," snorted Herc.
"A gun! What on earth do you want with a gun?" ”

“ THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON A SUBMARINE.
To the inventive genius—trade-school boy or mechanic—this story has special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever action are fascinating.
THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON AERO SERVICE.
Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc. Their perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however, although they make daring and notable flights in the name of the Government; nor are they always able to fly beyond the reach of their old "enemies," who are also airmen. ”

“ Now, my honorable sir, if you will give yourself the great trouble to walk up that plank I shall be your most obedient servant. Remember I am close behind you, and if you should feel tempted to jump or run, pray recollect that I am excessively nervous, and in my excitement I might press this trigger."
"You mean you would do so," returned Ned. "I know you and your breed."
"Complimentary, is he not?" grinned the Jap, addressing Kenworth.
"It doesn't matter what he is," was the grumbling rejoinder, "we've got him tight this time, and by hookey, I mean to keep him safe and sound." ”