Produced by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) [Illustration: FRANK READE] _Issued WeeklyâBy Subscription $2.50 per year. Application made for Second-Class Entry at N. Y. Post Office._ No. 74. NEW YORK, MARCH 25, 1904. Price 5 Cents. [Illustration: THE GALLEONâS GOLD; OR, FRANK READE, JR.âS DEEP SEA SEARCH. _By âNONAMEâ_] The young inventor struck the fellow over the helmet with the flat side of his spade. The shock laid him out senseless, but another followed him. This one struck Clifford to his knees. But Barney went to the rescue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FRANK READE WEEKLY MAGAZINE. CONTAINING STORIES OF ADVENTURES ON LAND, SEA AND IN THE AIR. _Issued WeeklyâBy Subscription $2.50 per year. Application made for Second Class entry at the New York., N.Y., Post Office. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1904, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D.C., by Frank Tousey, 24 Union Square, New York._ =No. 74.= NEW YORK, MARCH 25, =Price 5 Cents.= 1904. THE GALLEONâS GOLD; OR, Frank Reade, Jr.âs Deep Sea Search. By âNONAME.â CONTENTS CHAPTER I. THE SUNKEN TREASURE. CHAPTER II. THE YOUNG INVENTOR. CHAPTER III. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. CHAPTER IV. A CATASTROPHE. CHAPTER V. ON THE REEF. CHAPTER VI. PARKERâS DEEP GAME. CHAPTER VII. A PARLEY. CHAPTER VIII. A DIVERSâ BATTLE. CHAPTER IX. THE GALLEONâS GOLD. CHAPTER X. WHAT BECAME OF THE DOLPHIN. CHAPTER XI. FRANKâS ADVENTURES. CHAPTER XII. WHICH ENDS THE TALE. CHAPTER I. THE SUNKEN TREASURE. The clipper ship Aurelian, one of the few survivors of the old West India trade, had sighted Sandy Hook, and was making New York harbor after a remarkable voyage from Belize. Captain Hartley, her master, was eagerly watching the approaches to the harbor with his deck glass. By his side stood a man of distinguished appearance. He was tall, sinewy, and would have been considered handsome were it not for the yellow hue of skin which all travelers in tropical climes are bound to acquire. Cecil Clifford had traveled the world over. His hobby was archÃ¦ology, and as he was a man of large means and a member of many historical and scientific societies, he was able to pursue his researches to any extent. He was the only passenger aboard the Aurelian, and was returning to New York from Honduras with a thrilling purpose in view. What this purpose was only he and Captain Hartley knew. âI only hope that Mr. Parker received our cable from Havana, and will be at the wharf to meet us,â remarked Captain Hartley. âSo do I,â agreed Clifford. âIs it not possible that he will come down to meet us in a tug?â The captain shook his head with a wry face. âHumph!â he said; âyou do not know Gilbert Parker. He is the most penurious man in America. Do you think he would put out the money to employ a tug? Depend upon itânever!â âYet our cablegram may excite his cupidity. Did you not specify that it was a matter of moment, involving perhaps millions?â âI did, but I do not fancy he would heed that. He is a very close, snug man of business, this Gilbert Parker. The Aurelian is all the property he owns in the world and every cent of profit she turns him in from her voyages he with miserly proclivity stores away.â Cecil Cliffordâs face wore a determined expression. âVery well,â he said, resolutely. âIf Mr. Parker does not see fit to lend the Aurelian for my purpose, I will buy, charter or build a vessel of my own!â Captain Hartley turned eagerly about. âIf you do that,â he said with some excitement, âwhy may I not enter your service?â âAnd leave Parker?â The captain snapped his fingers. âThe old skinflint has no love for me and vice versa,â he said. âI have sailed the Aurelian for him eight years and made a mint of money for him. Yet he would not yield me a bit of sympathy or help were I in trouble or distress. You cannot blame me!â âUnder such circumstances, no,â replied Clifford. âAnd Hartley, it shall be so. You stand by me and I will by you.â âIt is agreed.â They gripped hands. âYou have faith in our enterprise?â âI have.â At this moment the first mate called down from the shipâs bridge: âThere is a small tug over yonder making signals to us, skipper!â Hartley started forward. âA tug!â he cried. âAnswer them at once! Can it be possible that it is Parker coming to meet us?â âBy Jove, I hope that is true!â cried Clifford heartily. âIf so,â said the captain, âhe has very radically departed from all previous custom.â The tug which had signaled the Aurelian now drew momentarily nearer. Soon she was within hailing distance, and among her company the angular form of the owner of the Aurelian was seen. The ship lay to and the tug ran alongside. The owner came up the gangway somewhat hastily. âAh, Hartley!â he said, in a brusque sort of way, âyou have brought my ship home safely once more!â âI think I may claim that, Mr. Parker,â replied the captain. âHas the voyage been successful?â âThe best yet made!â âAh! that is good,â declared Parker, rubbing his dry little hands while his eyes glittered like beads. âYou are very shrewd, Hartley, and I will admit, faithful. I have gone to some expense to come out here and meet you. That I will charge to the deficit account. I am anxious to know the meaning of your cablegram!â âYou shall know it at once!â replied the captain. âCome into the cabin. But first, allow me, Mr. Parker, my friend, Cecil Clifford.â Parker bowed in a perfunctory way, and Clifford said âVery much pleased!â Then a few moments later they were seated in the cabin at a big table spread with charts. Hartley opened the conversation. âI will first tell you a bit of a story, Mr. Parker,â he said; âit will help to explain matters.â âProceed!â said Parker, stiffly. âAs I must first inform you,â continued the captain, âMr. Clifford here is an antiquarian and traveler. He was some few weeks ago engaged in exploring the interior of Honduras. In the mountains he found the ruined city of an ancient race. In exploring the ruins he found a secret chamber which was completely walled up, save for one small opening large enough to put a hand through. âIn this secret chamber there was a skeleton enclosed in fragments of armor, such as was worn by the soldiers of Spain in the sixteenth century. âHere was a mystery, and he at once set himself at work to solve it. His first assumption was that it was the remains of one of the early Spanish invaders, who had been made a prisoner by the natives and shut up here to starve to death. âAnd upon the walls of the death cell he found the following scratched in barely legible characters into the stone: âI, Don Cristobal Mendoza, am thrown into this dungeon to starve by the heathen, curses upon them! Curses upon the fortune which placed me in their power. âHere I am doomed to die, while my ship, the Donna Veneta, lies fathoms deep in the ocean, off this cursed coast, with all my great fortune aboard. âWoe is the day I left sunny Spain with my princely holdings, to set up a kingdom in this land of deception and disappointment. Buried at the bottom of the sea is my noble ship and millions of pesos, while I am to die in this fearful hole. Jesus pity! Save my soul!â âThen followed a diagram which was rudely drawn to show the spot where the Donna Veneta went down. The whole coast map of Honduras was shown, and so comprehensive was it that a skipper familiar with the waters should be able to sail directly to it. âNo latitude or longitude was given, only approximate distances, but this was deemed enough.â The diagram was briefly discussed. All the while Parker had listened with a cat-like gleam in his eyes. âWell, Mr. Parker,â said Hartley, finally, âwhat do you think of it? Is not that treasure worth recovering?â âRecovering!â exclaimed the miser, squeakily; âhow can it be recovered? How can you recover anything from such a depth in the sea as that?â âPshaw! There are hundreds of divers who will go down to the wreck.â âIf they can find it.â âYou are incredulous!â âWhat do you want of me? Is this your reason for calling me out here at such trouble and expense?â cried the miser, angrily. âWhat a bit of moonshine! You are a fool, Hartley. I gave you credit for more sense. What folly to think that you could recover such a treasure. Why, it is absurdâvery absurd, sir!â For a moment Hartleyâs face was black. Hot words were on his tongue, but he only said, in a steely way: âThen you have no faith in this project?â âNone whatever!â âYou will not lend the Aurelian to this scheme on promise of an equal division?â âNever!â The miser spoke decidedly; Hartley arose quickly to his feet. He was very resolute and very angry. âThen, Mr. Parker,â he said, âyou may look for a new captain. I am out of your employ this moment.â Parker gave a violent start. âWhat!â he cried, âhave I not always paid you well?â âNever without reluctance.â âThen you mean to leave me?â âI do.â âWhat will you do? You have no ship nor enough of money to carry out your hare-brained enterprise.â âBut my friend, Mr. Clifford, has,â replied Hartley, coolly. The miser turned and regarded Clifford almost insolently. âYes,â said the traveler, with assumed nonchalance. âYou have chosen to throw away your golden opportunity, Mr. Parker. We are not sorry, however, to exclude you from our enterprise. It is true that I have money enough to build, buy or charter any kind of a vessel we may desire to accomplish our purpose.â The miser looked keenly at Clifford and then stammered: âButâIâI will reconsiderâââ âNo, you wonât,â said Clifford emphatically. âWe are alone in this enterprise, sir. You are excluded!â The miser said no more. But he chuckled much under his breath. The Aurelian a few hours later was at her wharf. Then Captain Hartley and the distinguished traveler took their leave of the vessel. The captain took the portfolio in which he had kept the copy of Don Cristobalâs story, among other effects. Both proceeded at once to a hotel. Neither were disconcerted by the decision of Parker. âThe Aurelian is a good vessel,â said Hartley, âbut there are others, Clifford. I am not sorry to leave the old curmudgeon out of it.â âNor I,â agreed Clifford; âbut now, my dear friend, let us at once get down to business.â CHAPTER II. THE YOUNG INVENTOR. Cliffordâs plan was to buy diving suits, and at once look up men used to descending into the greatest depths of the sea. But these were not easily found. Neither were they at once successful in finding the right sort of a sailing craft for their purpose. While thus somewhat perplexed a curious incident occurred which completely changed their plans. Clifford chanced to pick up a newspaper and read a large heading: âA WONDERFUL INVENTION! âFrank Reade, Jr., the young inventor, once more to the fore. This time it is a famous submarine boat which is a complete success, and with which the wonderful young man intends to sail around the world under water. The problem of deep-sea navigation solved. The naval and marine world in general much interested.â More followed of a descriptive nature, and Clifford read every line. Then he drew a deep breath. He arose and put on his hat. âHartley,â he said, âcome with me.â The manner of the great traveler impressed the captain. He looked up in surprise and asked: âWhere?â âI am going to Readestown.â âTo Readestown?â âYes.â âWhat for?â âTo see Frank Reade, Jr.â âWhatâââ âAsk no questions until we get there. Then you will understand all. Come along!â Hartley knew there was no use in trying to argue the point. It was always best to give Clifford his own way. So he followed him. Readestown was a neat little town on a river leading down to the sea. It was chiefly noted for the family of great inventors, the Reades, who had founded the place. Frank Reade, Jr., himself, sat in his private office at the machine works looking over some plans. He was a tall, handsome youth, with a certain bearing which distinguished him wherever he went. Suddenly the door opened and a woolly head appeared in the space between the door and the frame. A negro, black as a coal and with gleaming ivories, stood there. âWell, Pomp,â said Frank, looking up, âwhat is it?â âSuah, sah, two gentlemen as wants foâ to see yoâ, sah. Dey wonât take no, sah!â Frank took the cards handed him and glanced at the names. âJOSEPH HARTLEYâCECIL CLIFFORD. âNew York City.â âI donât know them,â he said. âWhat is their business?â âBerry important, sah, so dey say. Kainât tell no moâ.â âShow them in.â âAâright, sah.â Pomp disappeared, but he had no sooner vanished than a shock of red hair and a genial Irish mug appeared in the spot he had left. âShure, Misther Frank, ivery bit av the sthores is aboard the boat, sor.â âGood for you, Barney OâShea!â replied the young inventor. âEverything is then in readiness for the start.â âYis, sor.â âVery well, that will do.â The red hair and grinning mug then vanished. Barney and Pomp were Frank Reade, Jr.âs faithful body servants. They had been long in his employ. Steps were heard outside a few moments later, and two men entered. Captain Hartley and Cecil Clifford shook hands with Frank Reade, Jr. In a very few moments they were the warmest of friends, so instinctive was the sympathetic tie between kindred souls. âWe understand you have perfected a submarine boat, Mr. Reade,â said Clifford. âThat is true,â replied Frank. âThat is a wonderful triumph. We congratulate you.â âThank you.â âDo you intend starting for a deep-sea cruise very soon?â âIn a very few days.â âHave you an object in view beyond simple exploration?â âNothing special.â Clifford and the captain exchanged glances. Then the former said: âWill you kindly listen to a little story we have to tell, Mr. Reade?â âWith pleasure,â replied Frank. Then Clifford detailed the story of the Donna Veneta and her treasure. As he dwelt upon the story of the sunken galleonâs gold, Frank grew interested. For some moments after Clifford finished his story he was thoughtful. Then he said: âSo Gilbert Parker would not lend his ship Aurelian to such an enterprise?â âNo,â said Clifford. âWhich shows his folly. Gentlemen, what if I propose to place the submarine boat Dolphin at your disposal?â Clifford and Hartley sprang forward, and each grasped a hand of the young inventor. âHurrah! You have saved the day!â cried Clifford. âWe knew that you would look with favor on our plans!â âOnly think of having a submarine boat at our disposal!â cried Hartley. âSuccess is assured!â âWell, gentlemen, I am decided,â said Frank. âWe will all go aboard the Dolphin in search of the galleonâs gold. The start shall be made at once, and old Parker will find out what a colossal old ass he is.â Hartley and Clifford cheered vociferously. But Frank pulled chairs up to the table, and said: âWhere is your plan or diagram?â Hartley pulled out the portfolio and opened it; he spread some papers on the table. They were quickly examined, and then all three men looked at each other blankly. âJericho!â gasped Hartley. âWhere are the diagrams, Cecil?â âThey ought to be here!â âBut they are not!â Clifford and Hartley were aghast. âWhat has become of them?â he gasped, weakly. âMy soul, Hartley, you donât believe that they have been stolen?â âStolen!â exclaimed the captain in a hollow voice. âThat is their fate. Cecil, we are ruined men!â Frank glanced from one to the other. âWho could have stolen them?â he asked. âWe do not know.â âTo whom else have you shown them?â âTo no oneâexceptâââ Clifford and Hartley stared at each other. Then both gasped in the same breath: âGilbert Parker!â âThe old hound!â rejoined Hartley, hotly. âWould he dare do such a villainous thing?â âI believe him capable of anything,â said Cecil. âI know he is an old villain!â Hartley took several turns up and down the room. âWe can prove nothing,â he said. âOf course he will deny it. Again, perhaps we have lost them. What shall we do? Can you not repeat that diagram from memory, Cecil?â In answer, the traveler sat down, and after some time drew crude lines upon paper. âThis is as near as I can remember it,â he said, âbut I lose much valuable detail.â âWhat could have prompted us to attempt to take Parker into the scheme at all?â cried Hartley, with self anger. âI might have known that he would try to figure it all into his own coffers. What shall we do?â âThere is only one thing,â said Frank, arising. âAnd that?â âWe will accept this diagram and scour every foot of the Honduras Gulf. We shall have an advantage in the submarine boat.â âRight!â cried Clifford, in a transport of joy. âThere is a solution of all! We will beat Mr. Parker at his own game! Mr. Reade, we owe all to you.â âThat is nothing,â said Frank. âI am with you body and soul! But enough! Would you not like to take a look at the Dolphin?â âDelighted!â both cried. âCome on, then!â Frank led the way through high gates into an inner yard. In the center of this was a deep basin or tank of water. It was connected with the river several hundred yards below by means of a canal and a lock. In the center of the tank floated the submarine boat. It was a wonderful specimen of seacraft. The two new-comers gazed at it spellbound. In shape the Dolphin was long and rakish and her lines indicated speed. Her hull was of plates of steel. Her main deck was roofed over entirely, giving her an odd appearance as she lay there in the water. In this roof was an enormous plate-glass skylight and any number of dead-eyes. These were wholly for purposes of observation from the interior of the boat. There was a large observation window and conning tower upon each side of the vessel about midships. A pilot-house with a conical dome and heavy glass windows was forward. There was an outer deck or platform to the width of six feet, which extended all around the vessel and was protected by a guard rail. The Dolphin had three steel masts and a long bowsprit with rigging of steel ropes. These were more for the steadying of the craft than practical use. She had twin screws, which were driven by powerful electric engines on a peculiar storage plan, which was wholly the invention of Frank Reade, Jr. So light and clean cut was the Dolphin that she could make a famous rate of speed even under water. The interior of the boat was most palatially furnished. Every comfort and convenience known to science was there. From the pilot-house to the engine-room, salons, staterooms, magazine and all were complete. There was also the huge pneumatic reservoir or tank for the sinking or rising of the boat. This was done by simply admitting or expelling water. Also the chemical generator, with its tubes extending to every part of the boat for the furnishing of pure air while under water. Altogether the submarine boat was a marvel. CHAPTER III. THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. Barney and Pomp had faithfully made every preparation for the submarine cruise. Stores sufficient to last two years were aboard the boat. She was in apple-pie order, her dynamos being ready to start at an instantâs notice. She rocked lightly in the tank, and as Hartley and Clifford went aboard of her they were enthused. âBy the great whale!â cried the captain, âsheâs the neatest sea craft I have ever seen.â âA floating palace!â declared Clifford. âMr. Reade, this is no ordinary invention.â âWell,â admitted Frank, âshe quite excels anything I have yet manufactured, I admit. Yet I think I can excel her merits.â Hartley looked incredulous. âIt does not seem possible,â he said. âAnd yet I cannot dispute you, Mr. Reade. I think anything is quite possible for you.â Frank bowed modestly at this profuse compliment. Then they all repaired to the office again. A day was agreed upon for the start, and all hands were to be ready at that time. It was believed that the Donna Veneta could be found even without the important diagram left by Don Cristobal. As she was a submarine boat, this seemed plausible enough. âAt any rate,â declared Clifford, âif we can do no better, we can go into the interior of Honduras and look up the record in the ruin again.â âBut if Parker abstracted the diagram, what was his purpose?â asked Frank. The trio exchanged glances. âPerhaps he thinks of getting in ahead of us with the Aurelian,â ventured Hartley: âit is just like the old hypocrite.â âIndeed, that is so,â agreed Clifford. But Frank Reade, Jr., frowned. âIt will bother him some to locate the Donna Veneta before we do,â he said. âIt is possible that he can do it, but I donât believe it.â So the matter was dropped. The spirits of the fortune hunters were high. They could not restrain their exuberance. That night Hartley and Clifford went back to New York to complete their preparations. In three days the Dolphin was to begin its submarine voyage for the Gulf. On the afternoon of the second day Hartley picked up a daily paper, and as is always a sea captainâs wont, glanced over the shipping news. He gave a sudden wild start. âGreat whales!â he gasped; âjust look at this.â He placed his finger on an item. Clifford read it: âSâld: Thursday, June 5th, the ship Aurelian, Captain Jed Moore, for the West Indies and Central American ports.â The two men looked stupefied. Then Hartley raised his finger significantly. âJust as true as you live, Cecil Clifford, that old scoundrel is going to try and recover the Donna Venetaâs treasure.â âBut he has no right to it!â âWhat does he care?â âIt would be the act of a thief.â âThat is just what he is.â Hartley was thoughtful for some while. He knew that the Aurelian would have a dayâs start of the Dolphin. But could she beat her to Honduras? If Parker really had the diagram he certainly had an advantage, for he could at once locate the treasure. âWell, there is one thing about it,â said Cecil resolutely, âif we run against him in those waters there will be likely to be trouble.â âYou are right.â âI donât believe Frank Reade, Jr., will take any of their impudence.â âNor I.â âPerhaps we had better let him know about this at once. Shall we wire him?â âBetter see him in person. Can we not be all ready to start for Readestown to-day?â âI see no reason against it.â âBy all means let us go.â It did not require much time for the two excited men to get all in readiness for an early start. Frank Reade, Jr., was not a little surprised when he heard the report of Parkerâs conduct. âThere is no doubt but that he has gone to Honduras to recover the treasure,â he said, âbut we will beat him at that game.â âGood!â cried Hartley and Clifford in chorus. âWe knew what your sentiments would be, Mr. Reade.â âWell, that is just what they are,â said the young inventor resolutely. âWe will make trouble for Mr. Parker. He is entitled to no part of the Venetaâs treasure nor shall he have it.â The Dolphin was in apple-pie order and ready for the start. A few hours later all were aboard. We will not dwell upon the leave-taking of Readestown. A large crowd wished the submarine navigators God-speed. The Dolphin a few days later sailed the waters of the Gulf, and was rapidly on her way to Honduras. Thus far she had sailed most of the distance on the surface. Now, however, Frank decided to proceed the rest of the way under the water. So he pressed the valve which filled the reservoir, and the boat at once began to sink. Down she settled gracefully beneath the waves. In spite of themselves the voyagers could not help but feel a curious thrill as they went below the surface, and knew that they were going to the bottom of the sea. There was a brief instant of darkness. Then Frank touched the electric lever andâpresto! the interior of the boat was ablaze with light. And outside the radiance shed far and wide into the sea depths. Myriads of fish came trooping down through the translucent mass. They were of thousands of shapes, colors and varieties. Some of them were so large as to threaten the safety of the boat. But fortunately these large ones were great cowards, and kept at a safe distance from the boat. Frank turned on the searchlight and sent its rays shooting down into the depths. As yet the bottom could not be seen. âAre we getting down to the center of the earth?â cried Hartley; âit must be an immense depth here!â âI see nothing of the bottom yet!â cried Clifford. âCan the little boat stand the strain, Frank?â The young inventor knit his brows. âWhy, I think so,â he said, but yet looked anxious, for the Dolphin was creaking and groaning somewhat; âthe bottom must be near. Ah, there, I can see it!â And a wonderful sight it was which burst upon the view of all at that moment. The bottom of the sea. They were sure at that moment that they were the only human beings who had ever beheld it at that depth. It was like a view into another and strange world. To adequately describe it would be quite impossible. There were forests of marine plants, some of them gigantic in size, cavernous recesses, the lurking place of strange sea monsters, and coral reefs deeply submerged in sand. The Dolphin sailed over this wonderful scene, while the voyagers took it all in spellbound. âIf the Veneta is sunk in such a sea as this,â declared Clifford, âit will be difficult enough to get at her on account of the marine growth.â âYou are right,â agreed Hartley. âWhat do you think of it, Frank?â âWell,â said the young inventor, after some thought, âI hardly believe that the sea which the Veneta is buried in is of the same sort as this. While the Gulf of Honduras is undoubtedly rich in marine growth, yet I believe that there are greater tracts of sandy plain and coral reef. Let us hope to find the Veneta in such.â âAmen!â cried Clifford. âWe will accept no other belief anyway!â The Dolphin kept on for miles sailing over the forest of marine growth. Had the voyagers felt the inclination there would have been no open space for a safe descent. For to risk a descent among the tangled fibers and branches of the marine plants would be worse than folly. Powerful as the Dolphin was, she might not be able to extricate herself. For hours the submarine boat kept on in this way. Barney was at the helm, while Frank and Hartley and Clifford sat in the cabin and discussed the subject of locating the Veneta. Barney kept his hand on the Dolphinâs wheel and a sharp lookout out of the window at the same time. Pomp had been at work in the galley. He had finished his cooking and for a moment stood looking out of his window at the curious sights which seemed to pass in review before him. Suddenly he heard Barney in the pilot-house above calling him. âShure, naygur, anâ phwere is the heart av yez? Can yez bear to see me stharve, yez ill-mannered coon yez?â âHuh!â grunted Pomp. âWhy didnât yoâ say yoâ was hungry?â âBejabers, yez have only to luk at me to see that.â âYoâ am right dar, Iâsh; whaâ yoâ loike foâ to eat?â âShure Iâll take it in liquid form if yez donât moind.â âYoâ want some consomme, den?â âDivil a bit! Yez know phatâs best to warrum the cockles av me heart.â Pomp chuckled. âI done fink I undahstanâ yoâ,â he said. âI brung yoâ up some dreckly.â Pomp reached down behind the flour bin and brought forth from the darkness a black bottle. The label on it read: Good Bourbon Whisky. Now everybody knows the Irishmanâs weakness; the Englishman imbibes ale, the German drinks beer, the Frenchman sips wine, the American brandy, but the true bred Celt despises all of these, and turns to whisky. Pomp poured a good dose of the pure article into a small flask; then he did something else. CHAPTER IV. A CATASTROPHE. The two were warm friends, but ever addicted to the playing of jokes upon each other. Sometimes one had the better of it, and sometimes the other. Pomp saw what he believed an elegant opportunity to square some past grievances with his friend. âGolly, I done fix dat chile!â he chuckled. âHe laike whisky, do he? Massy Lordy, I gib him de Keeley Cure!â With which, still chuckling, he reached up and took down a small bag of ground red dust and seeds, and which was marked âGround Red Peppers.â âGolly!â chuckled the darky, âhe done fink somefinâ got him foâ suah!â Into the flask he put a liberal quantity of the ground peppers. Then he touched his tongue to the compound. The touch fairly lifted him off his feet. A swallow would seem sufficient to send a man up in smoke, so hot was it. So delighted was the darky with the prospect that he yielded to immediate laughter. Barney heard it and cried: âPhwat the divil ails yez, naygur? Phwat do yez foind so funny?â Pomp sobered at once. âI was jesâ larfinâ to mahseâf,â he replied hastily, fearful that he would be suspected. âLaughinâ at yesilf! Well, shure thatâs nothinâ to be wondhered at. But shure will yez hurry up wid the crather?â âYoâ hold yoâ patience jesâ a bit till I put dis bread in de oven!â replied Pomp, âIâse cominâ.â Then he picked up the flask and sprang up the stairs. Barney took it from his hand eagerly. âBegorra, itâs a gintlemon yez are!â cried Barney, âyez know well enuff phwat I need.â With which the Celt threw the flask to his lips. Pomp stood eagerly waiting for the explosion. Gurgle, gurgle went the liquor down his throat. The darky stared. Could he believe his senses? The Celt slowly and deliberately drained the flask. Then he laid it down and said: âBejabers, that tastes loike some whisky I once got in Donnybrook!â he said. âItâs fairly aloive!â Pomp gave a gasp. Then he picked up the flask and looked at Barney like one in a dream. His eyes fairly rolled in their sockets. Barney looked at him in surprise. âPhwat the divil ails yez!â he cried. âShure are yez sick?â âNâno, sah!â replied the dazed coon, âbutâdid yoâ drink all dat whisky roight down anââââ âPhwat the divil did yez expict me to do? Did yez want a sip yersilf?â âNâno, sah!â spluttered the coon, âbutâbutâââ He said no more, but made his way down the stairs slowly to the galley. There he scratched his woolly pate and muttered: âOn mah woâd I neber heerd ob sich a mouf anâ stummick as dat Iâishman hab got. I done fink he make a good meal on window glass any time he feel laike it.â But Barney had tasted the most fiery of liquors too many times to mind a little thing like this. He knew from the taste that the darky had doctored the liquor, and he suspected what it was. So he chuckled to himself. âBegorra, the coon thought he had me solid that toime. But fer a fact he got badly left, fer divil a bit do I moind a little foire in the crather.â But Barney laid it up against the darky just the same, and muttered: âIâll foix him fer it!â While Pomp said: âI done fink dat Iâishman am cast iron inside. I never fought he was sich a tough man afore.â But for all that, the whisky did affect the Celt. It was powerful strong and made Barney feel a bit tipsy. His hand was not so strong at the wheel. As a result, an accident occurred. The boat was approaching a reef at full speed, when Barneyâs foot slipped and he fell. Before he could regain his feet the wheel spun around, there was a shock, and everybody was hurled to the cabin floor. The lights went out, there was a booming of waters and all was darkness. The boat stood still. Frank Reade, Jr., was the first to recover himself. He arose and groped his way into the pilot-house. âMither save us!â came a voice from the corner; âshure, itâs kilt I am intoirely!â âBarney!â cried Frank, âwhat has happened?â âBegorra, Misther Frank, divil a bit kin I tell yez. I think, though, that we have run ferninst a reef, sor!â âWell, thatâs pretty work!â cried Frank angrily. âWhat do you mean by such stupidity?â âShure, sor, I hope yez will not blame me too much. Me fut slipped anâ I fell.â There was nothing to be done but make the best of it, though Frank gave the Celt a good reprimand. Then he made haste to examine the exact position of the submarine boat and her chances. It was an affair more than ordinarily serious. The reflection that they might be immovably fixed on the reef gave all the voyagers a chill. The electric lights were quickly turned on, and the engines carefully inspected. These fortunately were fond to be uninjured. Frank reversed them, with a view to drawing the boat off the ledge if possible. But this was useless. The boat was stuck there, and would not move. It was a serious case. What was to be done? They were many fathoms deep in the sea. Unless the boat could be freed from her position on the ledge, their fate would be too dreadful for contemplation. Doomed to die of starvation at the bottom of the sea. It was a dreadful thought. Clifford was very pale as he approached Frank and said: âWhat are the chances, Mr. Reade?â Frank shook his head slowly. âRather scant!â he said. âI can give no definite answer until after I have taken a look at her from the outside.â âFrom the outside?â âYes.â Clifford looked surprised. âHow can you do that?â he asked. âEasy enough,â replied Frank. âI have a patent diving suit which I can wear.â âWell, I am interested,â declared Clifford. âHow will you dare to venture out in these waters in a diving suit? I should think the pressure would be too great.â âNot with my new diving suit,â replied Frank. âI have perfected it so that, as no life line is used, a pressure of almost any depth can be resisted.â âWithout a life line? How do you breathe?â âBy means of a chemical generator which is portable and is carried on the back. It furnishes the best of air and is similar to the generator which furnishes our boat with oxygen.â âWonderful!â exclaimed Clifford. âYou are truly a man of inventions, Mr. Reade.â Frank laughed. âThat is the most simple of all my inventions,â he said. âYou donât happen to have two of those wonderful diving suits, do you?â âI have half a dozen.â âGood! Would you mind my putting on one of them and accompanying you?â âCertainly you may.â Frank called to Barney, who brought out the diving suits. Two of them were selected. Frank and Clifford were soon encased in the suits, and ready to leave the cabin. Each carried a small ax at the girdle. Otherwise they were unarmed. Of course there was something to fear from the monsters of the deep, but neither shrank from the risk. A moment later they entered the vestibule. Then Frank closed the cabin door and pressed a valve. Instantly the vestibule filled with water. It was an easy matter to open the outer door and walk out on the deck. It required some moments for both to get accustomed to the unusual pressure. But after awhile they were enabled to see and think clearly. Then Frank began to descend from the deck to the bed of the sea. He found solid footing in the sand which covered that part of the reef. He made his way slowly along to the bow of the Dolphin. A glance was enough. The steel ram of the vessel was driven deep into the reef and seemed immovable. The keel rested in a cleft of coral which bound it tightly on all sides. So intent was Frank upon examining the position of the Dolphin that he gave no thought to anything else about him. So it happened that Clifford, who had been engaged in looking for coral specimens, came near getting into a bad scrape. It happened in this way: He had caught sight of a curious coral growth jutting out from the reef, and was determined to make an effort to secure it. He clambered up a steep place and placed his hand upon the coral. At the same moment he noticed an orifice in the rock just to his right. Even as he did so he fancied he saw the glitter of something bright beyond. But he gave it no heed. This was Cliffordâs mistake. For while reaching for the coral a long, sinewy arm darted out of the orifice. In an instant it wound itself about the body of the unsuspecting diver. It wound about him in serpentine fold and he was torn from his perch and drawn toward the orifice. In one swift instant Clifford realized his peril and the character of his foe. He knew that the sinewy arm was really the tentacle of a fierce octopus or sea-cat, and that its horrid jaws were waiting to mangle him. And he seemed powerless to resist. For a moment he was dazed with utter horror and indecision. What should he do? This was a problem. CHAPTER V. ON THE REEF. In his horror, Clifford forgot himself and shouted wildly to Frank, but the young inventor did not reply. Of course he could not hear. Indeed, the only way conversation could be carried on was by placing the helmets closely together and loudly shouting. So that the young inventor, intent on examining the Dolphinâs position, thought of nothing else, until by chance he turned his head. Then the sight which he beheld filled him with horror. For a moment he could not act. âMy God!â he gasped, âClifford is lost!â Then his senses returned. He realized that his friend was in mortal peril, and that he must go to his aid. At any cost he must try and save him. So he drew his ax from his girdle and made a leap forward. In the meanwhile Clifford had been fighting for all that was in his power. He wielded his ax with desperate energy. He struck blow after blow at the huge tentacle which held him so firmly. Each blow threatened to sever it. But even as success was crowning his efforts, out darted another arm and encircled him. This was surely drawing him into the orifice, when Frank came to the rescue. The young inventor dealt a terrific blow at the tentacle. It partly severed it. Another huge arm came stealing out, and Frank dealt it a blow also. Clifford was too exhausted to do more. But Frank threw an arm about him, and dealing the tentacle a severing blow drew his friend quickly out of reach. Nothing more was seen of the octopus. It did not emerge from its den, but a dense cloud of black fluid did, and it so clouded the water that Frank was obliged to drag Clifford some distance away. The latter recovered quickly. Frank put his helmet close and shouted: âAre you all right?â âYes,â replied Clifford; âit was a close call!â âIndeed it was!â âBut for you I should have lost my life!â Frank made signs to return to the Dolphin, but Clifford felt sufficient curiosity to ask: âHow about the boat?â âThere is but one way to get her off the reef.â âAnd thatâââ âI will explain when we get back to the boat.â âAll right!â In a few moments they reached the rail. To their surprise they saw Barney in the vestibule, all in his diverâs suit. The brave Celt had seen their distress and was coming to their rescue. âBegorra, Misther Frank!â he cried, when the two divers were once more safely aboard. âI thought it was the end av yez. May the Howly Vargin be praised, yez are all roight anâ safe!â âWell; I thought our friend, Clifford, was surely done for,â said Frank, âbut by the best of good fortune he is still with us.â âWhich happy fact I owe to Mr. Reade,â declared Clifford. âI shall never forget it.â The matter was dropped now, however, for another important one. The question as to the fate of the Dolphin was now brought up. Frank was thoughtful for some while, and finally said: âWait until to-morrow. Then I will be able to decide.â That night few in the party slept very soundly; at an early hour Pomp had a steaming breakfast ready. All were rather sober as they sat around the table. âWell,â said Frank, âif we are doomed to spend the rest of our days at the bottom of the sea we can count upon extending our span of life to a limit of about two years.â âHow do you make that exact calculation?â asked Captain Hartley. âThere are just stores enough on board to last two years,â replied Frank. âAfter they are gone?â Frank laughed nervously. âTwo years is a good long while in which to make up our minds what to do. Perhaps before that time we may hit upon a good scheme.â âLet us hope so,â said Clifford; âbut we should like to hear of your scheme of yesterday, Frank.â âBy all means!â cried Hartley. âHuh! neber you mind,â cried Pomp. âMarse Frank he neber get stuck. He finâ some way out ob any kinâ ob a scrape.â âBejabers, thatâs roight!â averred Barney. After some reflection and much persuasion Frank divulged the plan which had occurred to him. âIt is a simple one,â he said; âit consists merely of digging a mine under the boat and trying to dislodge her with dynamite.â âHurrah!â cried Clifford. âWhat could be better?â âSo say I!â said Hartley. But Frank shook his head slowly. âThere are many risks involved,â he said. âWe must consider the possibility of the Dolphin springing a leak, or of the dynamite straining her timbers.â âButâhow can she spring a leak?â âHer timbers or plates may be already started, and dislodging her may start the leak in an instant.â The faces of all fell. âIs there any certainty of such being the case?â asked Hartley. âNo certainty,â replied Frank, âonly a possibility, and a very strong one at that.â âThen it is narrowed down to a question of expediency, whether it is better to risk instant death or the more lingering fate of two years under the deep sea.â âExactly,â agreed Frank. âIf we explode the dynamite now the boat may fill and sink in ten minutes. There is the chance.â âHumph!â said Hartley. âIf we have got to die it may as well be now as two years from now.â Frank glanced around the little circle inquiringly. âWhat do the rest of you say?â he asked. âShall we accept the chance?â âPut it to ballot,â said Hartley. âAgreed!â Clifford made out some ballots and handed them around. They were marked and thrown on the table. Hartley counted them. His face wore an indescribable expression as he looked up and said: âThe question is settled. The ballot is unanimous.â âIn favor ofâââ âThe dynamite.â Frank Reade, Jr., arose from his chair. He was very cool and steady as he said to Barney: âBring up the metal canisters from the hold. Rig a wire with the battery. Then procure picks and spades, put on your suits, you and Pomp, and come with me.â Pomp went for the picks and spades. In a few moments all was in readiness. Frank, with Barney and Pomp, donned diving suits. Then they went out on deck, and a little later were at the keel of the boat. Frank directed the digging of the mine. The coral was easily picked away, but the ledge rock required drilling and splitting. Slowly but surely the mine was made. All that day the work went on. It was noon of the succeeding day, however, before it was finished. Then the cartridges were placed. Great bales, made of soft burlap filled with sand, were placed under the keel and over the dynamite to act as a cushion and reduce the shock. Then the wires were connected, and the three divers went aboard the Dolphin. They removed their diving suits, and Frank faced Clifford and Hartley, who were pale and somewhat excited. Now that the critical moment had come, each really shrank from the mighty risk. Yet neither could justly be called a coward. âWell?â said Hartley. âWell!â exclaimed Clifford. Then there was a period of silence. Frank looked keenly at the two men. âWhat shall it be?â he asked. âI shall leave it all with you.â âDo not hesitate on our account,â said Hartley firmly; âwe do not shrink from it.â âAll will be over in a very few moments. We shall know if it is to be life or death.â âIt would be death in the long run anyway,â declared Clifford. âWhatever it is, let us all meet our fate like brave men.â âThat settles it,â declared Frank, âprepare for the shock!â Everything movable aboard the boat was carefully secured. Then Frank announced all in readiness. It was a moment of suspense. Frank stood by the vestibule door with the wire and electric key in his hand. He closed his eyes and spasmodically pressed it. It was all a matter of momentous doubt. All hinged upon the result of the explosion. Five human lives hung in the balance. The result was instantaneous. All that the voyagers could ever remember of the affair afterward was that there was a terrific shock, a confused jumbling of ideas and incidents, and thenââ Frank Reade, Jr., opened his eyes and looked about him. Wonder of wonders! It was broad daylight. They were on the surface of the sea. All about them was one heaving expanse of blue. âGreat whales!â cried Captain Hartley. âWhat sort of a transformation do you call this, mates?â âWe are saved!â cried Clifford. âBegorra, itâs on the surface we are,â averred Barney. âHowiver did this happen?â âHuh! Donâ yoâ know, Iâish?â cried Pomp. âYoâ done lef de switch ob de reservoir turned on.â âBejabers thatâs thrue!â cried the Celt. âI shure fergot it.â âItâs all right!â cried Frank; âit helped the explosion to raise the boat. Now it is only a question as to whether the boat leaks or not.â âHow shall we find out?â âWe will sink if she does,â laughed Frank; âbut I think we could hear the water coming in if such was the case.â With which Frank went below. He listened at the bulkheads leading into the hold. But the boat seemed as buoyant as ever. There was not the slightest indication that she was leaking. The spirits of all now waxed more cheerful. It was a moral certainty that the boat was saved and their lives as well. But as this realization fully dawned upon them, a loud cry came from Pomp. âHi, dar! luk out or we be run down, Marse Frank!â CHAPTER VI. PARKERâS DEEP GAME. So engrossed had all been in the question of saving the Dolphin that they were unconscious of other things transpiring near them. All unnoticed, a full-rigged ship had come bearing down upon them from the north. It had been not a half mile distant when they came to the surface, but
{'title': "The Galleon's Gold; or, Frank Reade, Jr.'s Deep Sea Search. by Luis Senarens", 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}