Luis Senarens

“ As soon as he could recover himself, Pomp started for the deck.
As he emerged from the cabin, an astounding sight met his gaze.
Pomp stood with mouth agape and eyes distended.
“Fo’ de good Lor’s sake!” he gasped. “What am all dis?”
All around him and over him was ice, in a great canopy. Hot a sign of the sea or sky was to be had.
The Explorer was in the centre of a vast, high arched ice chamber, resting upon an inclosed lake, the waters of which were subsiding, after a spell of fearful commotion. ”

“ Pomp went to the search-light and turned its rays in all directions.
The bed of the ocean was shown quite plainly through the bull’s-eye windows.
Roger Harmon was dazed.
He kept rubbing his eyes.
“I am certainly dreaming!” he cried. “We are not under the Arctic?”
“Yes, we are,” said Frank.
“But we will soon stifle here without air!”
Frank laughed.
“Didn’t I explain to you how the air is manufactured?” he cried. “There are chemicals enough aboard to keep us in pure oxygen for a year.” ”

“ Barney and Pomp were always digging at each other, though really the warmest of friends.
“Well, Frank,” continued the neighbor, “when will you reveal to your friends the nature of your new invention?”
“Now,” replied Frank, with a smile.
“Indeed?”
“I mean it.”
The neighbor was surprised.
“What may it be, then? A new kind of flying machine?”
“No,” replied Frank quietly, “it is far different from that. It is nothing more than a submarine boat.”
“You don’t mean it?”
“Yes.”
“Where will you go with a submarine boat?”
“To the North Pole.” ”

“ The trimmings and fitting of the boat were superb.
From the pilot-house they descended into the cabin.
This was a long compartment elegantly furnished with the finest of appointments.
Staterooms adjoined and electric lights were upon every hand.
A door led out into a vestibule as from the pilot-house and thence to the railed platforms.
Bull’s-eye windows were seven in number on each side of the vessel.
“But how do you make the vessel sink?” asked Harmon.
Frank led the way down in the vessel’s hold.
“Here are the dynamo rooms,” he said. “All the electrical machinery is here. ”

“ Frank Reade, Jr.’s, Arctic voyage had been a glowing success.
Not one on board but was in the highest of spirits.
In due course of time Readestown was reached in safety.
The return of the submarine boat marked an epoch in the town’s history.
A grand reception was held for the returned explorers.
But the happiest of all was Alexander Harmon.
His greeting to his long-lost son was most intense and warm.
He embraced Frank Reade, Jr., and cried, fervently:
“Oh, you are my best and dearest friend! You have made an old man happy.” ”

“ The Explorer, which was the name given the submarine boat, was a long, cylindrical craft, with a sheer-pointed bow, carrying a huge steel ram on the end, shaped like a knife.
“The hull is of solid steel,” said Frank. “But, though strong and tough, not too heavy.”
The submarine vessel tapered off in the stern to the shape of a fish, while upon the shelving deck or whale-like back were fins or plates of steel. ”

“ UNDER THE ICE BARRIER. Roger was astounded.
“Go aboard with you?” he exclaimed.
“Yes.”
“You don’t mean it?”
“Yes, I do.”
“But perhaps you can explain how I can accomplish that eat?”
“In a patent diving suit of mine.”
“Oh!”
The young man drew a deep breath.
“How many more wonderful inventions have you got, Mr. Reade?” he asked. “You are the wonder of the age.”
“Come with me!” cried Frank, phlegmatically.
He led Roger into the vestibule.
Here the diving suits hung.
“Are you at all used to being under water?” he asked.
“Well, I am a good swimmer!” replied Roger. ”

“ I have dwelt here with the Esquimaux for many years and have not even been able to find my way home. If any human beings could reach the Pole, they could. But they never have!”
“Ah, but I am better fitted to perform that feat,” said Frank, confidently.
“Then you mean to persevere?”
“Yes.”
“I like your pluck and hope you will succeed.”
“I shall. Have no fears upon that score.”
“You have been attacked by these Matrodas? Rascally fellows!”
“Yes.”
“I am glad that we happened along in time to aid you.”
“So am I,” said Frank; “but come, you will go with us to the Explorer.” ”

“ That was enough for Barney.
“Bejabers, I believe that is Misther Frank!” he cried. “Shure I’d never be stayin’ here at all, at all.”
Away sped Barney.
Every moment the sounds became plainer. Then he came upon an astounding sight.
In the centre of the cavern chamber was a man wrapped in the embrace of a huge bear.
Barney recognized the victim at once.
It was Frank Reade, Jr.
“Whurroo! Hold up, Misther Frank!” cried the Celt, excitedly. “Shure, I’ll be afther savin’ yez!”
“Help, Barney!” cried Frank, feebly.
The bear was certainly getting the best of the young inventor. ”

“ Away through the water at a tremendously rapid pace flew the Explorer.
The rate of speed attained was something terrific.
Williams was delighted.
He spent the most of his time out upon the deck watching the sea line ahead.
Many vessels were met and passed. But the Desdemona was not seen until the shores of Newfoundland came into view.
Then Williams suddenly pointed to the north and cried:
“There she is! I know her rig!”
Sure enough, in the far distance could be seen the sails of a fine yacht sailing to the westward. ”

“ It was quite a heavy lift, but they succeeded in carrying it to the platform on the side of the Explorer, when a startling thing happened.
Suddenly Pomp made a frantic gesture.
At the same moment Frank saw a dark object coming through the water from above.
As it dropped upon the bottom and into the full glare of the search-light, the young inventor was astounded.
It was a human being.
A man in sailor’s garb it was.
He was gasping and apparently drowning before their eyes.
“My God!” thought Frank, with horror. “He must be saved!”
With the young inventor to think was to act. ”

“ This was most interesting to Harmon especially.
“I don’t understand how you can make a course!” he said.
“Easy enough!” replied Frank. “I simply go by the chart as given of the sea’s surface.”
“Ah! but has any accurate chart been yet made of these waters?”
“I shall go by the chart of former explorers as far as I can.”
“And what then?”
“I shall then feel my way.”
“But will you not fear getting lost?”
“I know of no reason why I should,” replied Frank. ”

“ Just back of the building was a deep basin of water, connected with the river by a canal.
Large doors could be thrown open and the Explorer quickly launched upon the waters of the basin.
“When will you make your start for the North Pole?” asked Harmon.
“To-morrow,” replied Frank. “The launch will occur at nine o’clock.”
“All Readestown will be present.”
“I shall be pleased.”
“Ah!” said Harmon, with a sigh, “that recalls to my mind, Frank, that barely five years ago my brave boy Roger met his fate in that awful icy waste. May I ask of you a favor?” ”

“ The Explorer was now in a peculiar position.
Had she been a surface boat it would certainly have looked as though she was doomed.
For there was no visible outlet from the place.
But there was a chance that by going to the bottom she would be able to find her way out from beneath the berg.
But an awful chill now struck Pomp as he thought of Frank and Barney.
“Massy sakes!” muttered the horrified darky. “Wherebber am dem chillun, I’d jes’ like fo’ to know.”
There could be no more logical conclusion to the darky than that they had succumbed to death. ”

“ After quite a lively climb they finally reached the shore of the island.
Frank advanced to a pile of rock, above which was the barrel.
It was truly a cairn.
Opening the barrel, Frank took out a small tablet of slate, upon which was cut the following in rude letters:
“Here lie the bodies of Jim Peters, Andy Hardy, and Mike Walsh, of the crew of the brig Solitaire. Lost in a fog, six of us are cast adrift in the Arctic without food, and with a limited supply of ammunition and weapons. Three of us are left--Sam Hatch, Dick Davey, and Roger Harmon. ”

“ They turned and fled incontinently.
“Now!” cried Frank. “Quick!”
All started for the shore.
Barney quickly had his diving suit on.
He plunged into the water.
The barbarians stood at a distance and watched.
The party fired their rifles repeatedly to increase the fright of the foe.
Some time passed.
Then suddenly there was a commotion of the waters.
The submarine boat came to the surface like a cork.
Barney ran it almost up to the shore, and the party clambered aboard.
A parting volley was fired and a cheer given.
Then the Explorer sailed away down the Arctic river to the sea. ”

“ The voyagers were charmed with the aspect.
They lost no opportunity to take it all in.
“Indeed!” cried Roger. “We are enjoying a privilege such as few people in this generation will be apt to enjoy.”
“You are right,” replied Frank. “It is doubtful if anybody else visits this continent for many years.” ”

“ But Barney and Pomp were instructed to stay aboard the Explorer.
“We will go ashore first,” said Frank, “then if we can find a good harbor, we will sink the Explorer and all walk ashore in our diving suits.”
This met with great favor and settled the fears of Barney and Pomp.
The small boat was got out and Frank and Roger entered it.
They quickly rowed ashore.
Drawing the boat upon the sands they proceeded to climb the cliffs.
A wonderful view was to be obtained from them.
It was a land fertile and diversified by valleys and hills.
As far as the eye could reach the land extended. ”

“ Frank pointed up the shore.
A large body of men, also Esquimaux, were coming on the run.
“Massy sakes, Marse Frank, dar am mo’ ob dem!”
“It’s all right!” cried Frank, wildly. “We are saved!”
Pomp looked astonished.
“How can yo’ say dat, Marse Frank? Dar’s mo’ ob dem!”
“Yes, but they are of another tribe and not of the warlike kind. You will see pretty quick.”
The distant yells of the newcomers had a startling effect on the Esquimaux attacking Pomp and Frank.
They seemed alarmed and began to scramble for the ice floe. ”

“ Frank clicked the hammer of his rifle ominously. The big villain understood this and very wisely retreated.
The Esquimaux now held a council.
It was quickly apparent that they did not dare to attack two plucky men.
They leaped into their sledges, and with baffled and derisive yells drove off madly over the ridge again.
Frank guessed their purpose.
This was to go for reinforcements.
“We must get out of this, Pomp!” he said; “this will never do. If they come back with a big gang they’ll annihilate us.”
“A’right, sah.”
“We will go back to the Explorer.”
Frank started for the defile. ”

“ But the barbarians proceeded to solve this for themselves.
They began to rip one of the suits of armor literally to pieces.
Frank could not stand this.
He stepped out into view.
“Hey there!” he shouted. “What are you doing there?”
The wild men turned like a flash.
They saw Frank and a wild yell went up from them.
They started for him brandishing their clubs.
“They are coming!” cried Roger.
“Whurroo! Shure, I’ll drop wan av thim!” cried Barney.
All threw their rifles to their shoulders, but Frank put up his hand.
“Hold!” he cried. “Don’t one of you fire until I give the word.” ”

“ The coast of Greenland lay to the east. Up the straits the Explorer went until Smith’s Sound was reached.
This was full of ice.
But by using the Explorer’s ram, very good progress was made.
Immense blocks of ice were shattered and fields of ice broken by the wonderful ram of the Explorer.
No incident of thrilling sort occurred until one day when they were besieged by ice off a small island.
Frank had thought of lowering the Explorer and going under the ice field, when an incident caused him to change his mind. ”

“ A bitter day for all. No sign of the ice breaking up, and we are plainly in for another winter. Oh, the horrors of this awful life of solitude!
“Three years cast away in this accursed region! Oh, for a chance for life! Alas! none of us, the three survivors of the crew of the Arabella (the ship sent by the American Exploration Company to the North Pole) , may never hope to see home again.
“It is a week ago to-day since Captain Cliff suicided. Driven to madness by the horrors of this fate, he took his own life.
“December 15th.--This has been a week of suffering, of mad freaks, and of horror. ”

“ In a twinkling, with Pomp’s aid, he was carried over the rail and into the vestibule.
Frank pulled the compressed air valve and the water was quickly pumped out of the compartment.
The man lay limp and helpless in Frank’s arms.
He was apparently dead.
But the young inventor knew that prompt action might save him. ”

“ Roger followed him slowly.
As yet there had been nothing discovered which would lead to the identification of the vessel.
But as he was crossing the main deck on his way to the cabin Frank came upon a ghastly sight.
Flat upon the deck lay the grinning skull and bones of a man. ”

“ PAGE BOOK FOR 5 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 to be published in this magazine will 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 will be a rare treat. ”