Luis Senarens

“ People on the earth imagined the searchlight was a comet with an extremely long tail, when the clouds did not conceal its flight across the firmament.
Although the wind was dead ahead, and the strata they were in blew at the velocity of fifty miles an hour, the Jove was forging into it at the rate of forty miles an hour.
Frank depressed the rudder, and the machine slowly drifted downward, as she was then in an extremely cold region.
At two o’clock Zamora and Barney relieved the inventor and the coon, who thereupon turned in. ”

“ Fast where she floated, the airship was almost at the mercy of her enemy’s guns, and it made them feel uneasy.
“To see us is impossible from the forts,” said Frank, “but a stray shot may fly this way and hit us.”
“Can’t we reply?” asked Zamora.
“No. Our gun is not a mortar, and in this case is almost useless,” replied the young inventor, sadly. ”

“ Frank then relieved his sable friend of the wheel.
“We will assume the first watch,” he suggested.
“To be sho’,” assented Pomp. “Am yo’ satisfied wif her, Massa Frank?”
“Yes; the machine is certainly the greatest invention I have ever turned out. And she’s the simplest kind of an air-ship to work. It is only necessary to elevate the angle of the propeller plane, drive her faster, and ascend to any height. To go down, the impinging edge of the forward plane is simply depressed, and she descends. To remain at a fixed altitude we have only to keep the rudder perfectly horizontal.” ”

“ On the coast of Mexico there is a pirates’ retreat. It is ruled by an American outlaw called Captain Diavolo. His gang numbers several hundred men—the scum of all nations. He owns a fleet of swift ships that prey upon passing vessels. In these attacks he is always successful—all hands are killed, and the captured vessels are plundered and scuttled. Many a ship that never came back, but mysteriously disappeared, merely fell a victim to the Terror of the Coast, as we call this fiend.”
“I have never heard of him,” said Frank. ”

“ Realizing that Frank was liable to attack them, they made haste to get away from that dangerous locality, and when the young inventor sent the flying machine on a hunt for them, not one of the villains was to be found.
“They have got enough,” laughed Frank, “and have like the Arabs silently folded their tents and stolen away.”
“Begorra, we kin get their treasure now,” said Barney.
“Yes, indeed,” assented Zamora. “The gold is due to you for having saved my little boy.”
“I’se gwine to steer fo’ de ole castle, den,” remarked Pomp, as he spun the wheel around. ”

“ I did all I could to break up his infernal crew, and aroused his wrath. He swore to avenge himself upon me; to carry out his vengeance, he one night invaded Santa Cruz with every man he could muster, and shot every one on sight. Having driven out the inhabitants, he plundered and set fire to many of the dwellings. My little five-year-old son, Leon, was carried away into captivity by the wretches, with myself, and Captain Diavolo told me that he was going to torture me to death. ”

“ As he did so he saw a very much larger steamer run from behind the key and race after the first one.
The large vessel carried a black flag at the masthead, in the center of which were a skull and crossbones.
“It’s the pirates’ emblem!” cried Frank.
“Ha! That’s her now!” exclaimed the Mexican, excitedly.
“So I perceive,” responded the inventor, leveling his glass again.
“Those monsters are intent on running the smaller craft down and attacking it.”
“Of course!” cried Frank. “And, by jingo! among the big gang swarming over the deck of the Snake I recognize the figure of Captain Diavolo.” ”

“ Frank nodded and smiled.
Leisurely rising, he put on his clothes.
The men with Captain Diavolo could not help admiring his coolness and courage in the face of the present danger.
As soon as Frank was ready he said:
“Come this way.”
“You fellows remain here,” exclaimed the captain in English to his men. “If any of those men in the berths attempt to get up, fire at them. Do you hear?”
“Ay, ay!” replied the sailors.
Frank had gone ahead into the pilot-house, and rapidly unfastening an electric wire from a binding-post, he hooked it upon the brass handle of a drawer in the wainscoting. ”

“ Frank was intensely interested in the man’s story, and when Zamora had told him how he had gone to Readestown and then chased the machine, he began to ponder deeply.
An idea flashed into his mind, and he said to Barney:
“I have faith in this unfortunate man’s story.”
“Faix! I have that same,” replied the Irishman.
“And I am going to help him.”
“More power ter yer for doin’ so.”
“We have no particular purpose in view. One has arisen. Suppose we go to the Gulf Coast and wipe out this Terror? Would you like to undertake it, Barney?” ”

“ Frank had control of the wheel when Zamora came in with his boy and asked him:
“Are you going home now?”
“Not yet,” Frank responded, shaking his head.
“What is there to keep you in this neighborhood?”
“Since I started in fighting the Terror of the Coast,” answered 26the inventor, “I have concluded to not leave my task unfinished. Captain Diavolo is still at large. He yet has his steamship to scour this gulf. I am determined to find the man and his craft, and put them where they will do no further harm.” ”

“ Frank could now see what a lot of damage the bombs had done to the vessel.
He went inside and put on a suit of chain mail.
It was very light, as the metal was aluminum.
“I’m going aboard the schooner,” he announced.
“Let me go with you,” pleaded Zamora.
“No; it’s too dangerous. I’ll go alone.”
“Den we guard you from heah wif our rifles,” said Pomp.
“Do so, by all means.”
Frank got out a wire ladder and carried it to the deck, where he fastened one end and let the other end down. ”

“ The young inventor and his companion thereupon left the interior and ran up the shrouds.
Quickly reaching the first plane, they set to work with a will and began repairing it.
A patch was put over the hole and riveted.
This done, they ascended to the top plane and began to work, but in a few moments a volley of distant shots was heard, and a storm of bullets flew around them.
Barney gave a cry of pain.
“Shot?” queried Frank, in alarm.
“Shure; I have a bullet in me brain!”
“And still live?”
“Och, worra, worra! I’m a dead man!” ”

“ Out she flew like a gun shot.
Then she sank a trifle, but the wind cushioned her great planes and she floated steadily.
Indeed, she had plunged ahead, and the inventor elevated the forward plane, and she mounted higher.
Frank steered her in circles.
Around and around she went, and she rose to a height of several hundred feet above the village.
Everything below kept diminishing in size.
“She flies as well as she did before the accident,” said Frank.
“Faith, she does that,” assented Barney.
“Looker de fog rollin’ ober de Gulf,” said Pomp.
“It’s very dense. But bring out some bombs.” ”

“ The pirates were between two fires, and while half of them turned their attention upon the steamer’s crew, the other half engaged at firing at the airship’s crew.
In the midst of the conflict one of Diavolo’s gunners discharged the swivel piece up at the Jove again.
This shot smashed into the plane uprights on the port side, breaking them in two and tearing the braces.
All the upper gear began to collapse.
“Lookout! We’re falling!” shouted Frank. “We can’t float with that hole in our boat’s hull.” ”

“ Although only thirty shots had been fired, as was said, at least fifty men were wounded.
“Dey am gwine,” said Pomp.
“Frightened, I’ll bet,” Barney added.
“Chase them, Mr. Reade,” shouted the Mexican.
“No; let them go,” Frank replied from the dome. “We must try to get out of the water and repair the planes.”
“Yes; but the moment we get up in the air they will fire at the Jove and drop her again.”
“Not if we keep high out of gun range in future,” Frank answered, he sent the machine shoreward.
He was heading his invention to land at a point distant from where the gang were. ”

“ The inventor’s cool indifference angered the man, and he turned to his companions and gave them an order.
A volley of pistol and rifle shots followed.
They played a tattoo upon the airship, but she was proof against such weapons, and the bullets did no harm.
“Fools!” said Frank, contemptuously; “they might just as well fling pebbles against a brick wall.”
“G’way from dar now!” roared Pomp, as he dashed out on deck, with the Mexican and Irishman. “G’way, I tele yo’, chilen! D’yo’ want us to plug yo’ full ob lead, huh?” ”

“ As he spoke, they heard the faint report of a gun, and saw a shot strike the stern of the fugitive steamer.
Judging by the actions of the vessel, the ball had evidently struck the rudder or screw, for she ran wild, and her engineer was obliged to stop her.
The Terror dashed ahead, and another shot was discharged from her deck, the ball sweeping the deck of the other.
Frank grew restless.
“We must stop them at once!” he exclaimed, “or they will, perhaps, murder the whole crew. Barney, take charge and drop the Jove down toward them.” ”

“ His strength was fast waning, and Frank realized it, but the young inventor was puzzled how to act.
The Irishman was in an awkward position to be reached, but Frank quickly hit upon a plan whereby he might save his friend at a risk to himself.
Rushing into the cage he got a small coil of rope.
Hastily carrying it out on deck, he made one end fast to a cleat and dropped the other end down.
Seizing the rope, Frank slid down, and getting on a level with Barney, he found that a distance of about ten feet separated him from his friend.
“Hurry!” groaned the Celt. “I can’t howld on much longer.” ”

“ Zamora and his son were landed in Florida, from whence they could easily get home, and he warmly thanked Frank and his friends for all they had done for him and his child.
He refused to share the treasure, as he was already wealthy.
Our friends, therefore, gave the captain and crew of the 28steamer an ample share of it, and divided the rest among themselves.
In due time the treasure was all sold, and realized a huge sum.
Landing in New York, our friends proceeded to Readestown, and received a warm welcome home.
They were glad to get home again. ”

“ A 32-PAGE BOOK FOR FIVE CENTS. 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. ”

“ Ahead a cluster of palms on a narrow, flat neck of land, projected out into the Gulf, assuming the singular look as if they were growing out of the water.
The Jove shot toward them.
As she drew nearer a gun shot was heard coming from behind the palms.
Frank expected to feel the shot, but was disappointed, and ordered Barney to drive ahead till they investigated the shot.
“Peaceful people do not fire gunshots for nothing,” said Frank. “Outlaws carry arms.” ”

“ Another bomb wounded several more, and drove the crew overboard, whereupon they took to the land.
“Now send her down, Barney.”
“Can you distinguish my child?” eagerly asked Zamora.
“No,” Frank replied. “I’ve watched keenly, and did not see a child leave the schooner. In their panic those fellows only thought of saving themselves. Doubtless they have left the boy behind.”
“It is very dangerous, then, to use more bombs, as you might hit him,” said the Mexican.
“Very true! I’ll stop. Those fellows are greatly afraid of this airship. ”

“ Just five miles away in that direction lies the town of Foxhall, at which Frank intends to pause awhile to examine the air-ship and see how it stood the initial test. By going there with all speed, you might reach him before he sends the air-ship aloft again.”
“Thank you a thousand times. I shall try the plan.”
And doffing his hat to her again, he started his mare off in the indicated direction at a furious gallop.
Off sped the gallant beast, watched by the wife of the inventor of the flying machine, and he soon reached the open prairie and urged his steed along at a breakneck pace. ”

“ She hove in within a mile of the coast, and then suddenly ran to the west of where our friends laid.
This odd action was quickly explained by the sudden appearance of a schooner that darted around the wooded promontory, which the frigate was heading off.
Upon the schooner’s bow was the name Chimpanzee.
As soon as Zamora saw it he exclaimed, excitedly:
“Why, here comes one of Diavolo’s vessels now.”
“Yes,” replied Frank. “And see, that frigate is heading her off, and evidently means to capture her.”
“Bedad! we’ll see some fun now!” chuckled Barney.
“My Lawd!” roared Pomp. “See dar!” ”

“ With this purpose in view they were arming themselves.
“Unless we interfere,” said Frank, restlessly, “there is soon going to be some bloody work done here.”
“Fo’ suah,” assented Pomp. “Dem yer yaller coons use dar razzahs on de marines, I ’specs.”
“Can’t we interfere?” eagerly asked Zamora.
“Faith, we will that!” Barney asserted.
The young inventor saw the frigate go down, and all her ill-fated crew were left afloat in the quarter-boats.
“They are absolutely at the mercy of the demons of the Gulf,” Frank muttered. “Come on, boys!” ”