THE END OF IT ALL.
Mark Mallory lay hiding in the bushes at the edge of the camp. There
was little for Mark to do except to wait, to wait with all possible
patience. It did not seem likely that anything would happen until
Texas returned.
The camp was perfectly silent and motionless; that figure which left
it was the last to appear. The moonlight shone on the white tents with
a ghostly pallor, which the dancing camp-fires served to increase. But
there was no sign of Bull or his friends――either behind or before.
Mark kept watch in both directions.
He waited perhaps five minutes thus. Then he began to think that it
was time for Texas to return. He allowed him opportunity to reach the
clearing and hurry back; there was no reason for his delaying. And
consequently when he did not come it was a very short while indeed
before his friend became suspicious. Something must have kept Powers;
and if something were keeping him who could it be but Bull?
A good deal hinged upon Mark’s next action, as it happened. But he had
not the least idea of that――of the danger he was to run into. The
problem as it presented itself to him was that Texas didn’t return
promptly, as he had said he would; and for that there must be some
reason. That reason Mark must find.
“It won’t do any harm to take a run back there and see,” he mused.
“Bull and that gang may have overpowered Texas in spite of his guns.”
There was no sign of trouble in camp. With this idea in his mind, the
plebe arose hastily and without a moment’s hesitation, started back
into the woods. He, too, was becoming suspicious and he clutched his
revolver tightly.
If the reader has ever found himself in a forest at midnight he knows
that it is no fun. And it makes no difference how courageous one may
be, either. Mark was no coward, but he was human, and he felt quite
creepy as he pushed his way ahead through the black forest shadows. He
pictured to himself all sorts of unpleasant possibilities, the least
of which was a conflict with those yearlings.
There was but little time, however, for such unpleasant anticipations,
for the distance to the clearing was short. Mark reached the edge of
it without interruption of any kind and promptly pushed his way
through the surrounding thicket. A moment later he was standing upon
the spot he sought.
He saw no one; the place was as deserted and silent as it had been
when Texas was there. But for the shadows of the trees that waved to
and fro on the ground, and for the gentle night breeze that rustled
through the branches, the place was as silent as death.
Mark stood motionless where he was; he held his weapon in his hand
ready for the slightest danger, but as he gazed about him and saw no
sign of any foe, his vigilance relaxed and he bowed his head in
thought.
“Where on earth can Texas have gone?” he muttered, half aloud. “This
is the strangest――――”
He never finished the sentence. A sound had interrupted him, a sound
which made his flesh creep. It was a low groan.
Mark started back in consternation. It had come from the edge of the
clearing, that voice! And whose could it be but the Texan’s? Texas had
been captured by the yearlings!
Mark never hesitated an instant. He made a leap for the spot, cocking
his revolver as he did so. He bent down to push his way through the
bushes, to rescue his gallant comrade.
The next instant, with a thud that shook the woods and almost tumbled
the plebe upon his face, a heavy body landed upon his back and flung
its arms about him.
But one idea occurred to Mark at that moment. It was Bull or one of
the yearlings! His first impulse was to point his pistol over his
shoulder and fire. He checked it as he recovered his self-possession;
he did not want to shoot anybody, and he did not want to alarm the
camp. He would fight this hand-to-hand battle, even though he was at a
disadvantage.
Mark’s assailant evidently knew that he was armed, for the plebe felt
a hand reaching out toward the weapon. With a violent effort he
managed to turn to get a view of his assailant. When he succeeded he
gave a gasp of horror, just as the unfortunate lieutenant had done.
For he found out then who his assailant was.
Quick as a flash Mark aimed his revolver straight in the other’s face.
He pulled the trigger, but he was too late.
His assailant’s finger had been slipped in between the trigger and the
guard, and the weapon was useless! The next instant the man gave a
violent wrench that nearly broke Mark’s wrist and that sent his
revolver flying through the air.
Then came the battle. Mark Mallory found himself face to face with a
horrible creature; he was struggling in the deadly grip of “the maniac
of the den!”
It was a fight to the death. The creature had the strength of a tiger;
Mark could see his muscles bulging beneath his naked skin, and he felt
a grip of steel tightening about him. He saw, too, a ferocious face
glaring into his, warning him to expect no mercy. The man’s hot and
eager breath beat against the lad’s brow, and his eyes fairly flashed
with fury.
He was an old man, with a great, long beard and hideous, matted hair.
He was almost naked and apparently he was dumb. The silence with which
he made his grim struggle was the most appalling part of it all.
The two swayed back and forth in the clearing, straining every ounce
of muscle that was in them. The maniac was strong, but he had a foeman
worthy of him. The grip in which he had the lad served to bind his
hands to his side, but when the other came to bear him to the ground
it was quite another matter. That meant a wrestling match, and a long
and weary one, too.
It seemed an age to Mark in his terrible plight. He could not free
himself, writhe and twist as he would; and he knew not what trick his
savage opponent might try next. And so, back and forth he staggered,
bending and swaying.
The climax came with the swiftness of a lightning flash. The maniac,
furious at the delay, tried the same trick he had tried upon Allen. He
released his grip, sprang like a wildcat upon his victim, fastened his
grasping, clawlike fingers in his throat, and shut them together like
a steel trap.
But there was something that the fiendish creature had not calculated
on, if indeed he had calculated at all. That thing was the quickness
that months of West Point discipline had given to Mark, to say nothing
of numberless battles with the yearlings. The lad realized his deadly
peril.
He clinched his fist and swung his mighty arm with a blow like a
sledge-hammer stroke.
He caught his assailant full upon the chin, and the latter’s head shot
back with a snap. He recovered himself a moment later and sprang in
again. But he had lost his chance.
Mark was ready for him then, nor did he mean to be caught in a trap
again. He was as quick to leap away as his assailant to leap at him.
After that it was a boxing match, at which none was more skillful than
Mark. Bounding, dodging here and there, his foe never once succeeded
in fastening upon him, while Mark landed blow after blow with all his
might.
The plebe was watching warily for a chance to end the battle. He knew
that he had it all his way then. The maniac halted, breathless; the
other took his cue. A moment later the savage creature was lying prone
upon the ground, writhing helplessly from the effects of the crushing
swing that had landed full upon his forehead.
Mark would have stopped to bind him safely in some way, but at that
instant he heard the groan repeated. Texas! And instantly Mark dashed
toward the spot again, wild with dread for his friend.
The figure was lying upon the ground in the bushes. The plebe snatched
him up, bore him out into the moonlight. The next moment he staggered
back almost blinded with horror at what he saw. It was Allen!
The lieutenant was gasping feebly; he fixed his bloodshot eyes upon
Mark. Then sat up convulsively and gazed about him in terror.
“The man!” he gasped. “The man!”
Mark was too dumfounded to answer in words, but he pointed across the
clearing at the figure.
“Catch him!” panted the officer. “Don’t let him get――away!”
At this moment they saw the maniac raise himself upon his elbow. Quick
as a wink Mark sprang up and made a dive for his revolver. He found it
lying on the ground, and whirled about. But he was too late. The man
was gone.
“Anyhow, he won’t come back,” was the plebe’s reflection. “And I don’t
care if he does. Great heavens! I’m gone! Allen’s seen me.”
Mark’s first impulse was to turn and make a dash for camp, in hope
that the dazed lieutenant had not recognized him. But he felt that the
officer needed help; so he turned and marched resolutely toward him.
“He――he nearly had me killed,” the latter gasped, as Mark helped him
to a sitting posture. “Who is he?”
“I don’t know,” was the other’s truthful answer.
“You have saved my life,” the officer whispered, hoarsely. “It was a
terrible experience. I saw you fighting.”
There was a silence after that.
“Help me back to camp,” said Allen, at last. “And take this for a
warning. Don’t leave it at night again.”
“I’ll not have another chance,” groaned Mark. “This’ll mean
court-martial for me.”
A moment later he almost tumbled backward with amazement and delight.
“Nonsense,” said Allen. “I do not mean to report you. I couldn’t.”
When Mark got back to his tent he found Texas almost in tears.
“It’s all up with me,” said the tall plebe. “I’ll pack up to-morrow.”
“Don’t be so sure of it,” said Mark. Then he told his own tale. “I’ll
see Allen in the morning.” And he did.
To cut a long story short, Texas escaped――through Mark’s efforts. But
the escape was so narrow that the tall youth was mighty sober for a
long while after.
“We must square up with Bull, b’gee!” said Dewey.
“Yea, by Zeus!” came from the Parson.
“Of course, bah Jove!” lisped Chauncey.
And Sleepy nodded affirmatively.
And now let us sound taps and say, as do the guards:
“All’s well!”
THE END.
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THE CREAM OF JUVENILE FICTION.
Boys’ Own Library.
A selection of the best books written by the most popular authors for
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The titles in this splendid juvenile series have been selected with
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excellence. They are bright and sparkling, not overburdened with
lengthy descriptions, but brimful of adventure from the first page to
the last――in fact, they are just the kind of yarns that appeal
strongly to the healthy boy who is fond of thrilling exploits and
deeds of heroism. Among the authors whose names are included in Boys’
Own Library are Horatio Alger, Jr., Edward S. Ellis, James Otis,
Arthur M. Winfield and Frank H. Converse.
Cloth, 135 titles. Illustrated. Attractive covers.
Price, per volume, 75 cents.
BOOKS FOR BOYS.
Boys’ Own Library.
Adventures of a Telegraph Boy Horatio Alger, Jr.
Adventures of a Young Athlete Matthew White, Jr.
Arthur Helmuth Edward S. Ellis.
Beach Boy Joe Lieut. James K. Orton.
Boats, Bats and Bicycles Ernest A. Young.
Bob Porter at Lakeview Academy Walter Morris.
Bound for Annapolis Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
Boy Boomers Gilbert Patten.
Boy Cattle King Gilbert Patten.
Boy from the West Gilbert Patten.
Boys in the Forecastle George H. Coomer.
Butcher of Cawnpore William Murray Graydon.
Cadet’s Honor, A. Lieut. Fred’k. Garrison, U. S. A.
Cadet Kit Carey Lieut. Lounsberry.
Camp in the Snow, The William Murray Graydon.
Campaigning with Braddock William Murray Graydon.
Canoe and Camp-Fire St. George Rathborne.
Captain Carey Lieut. Lounsberry.
Centreboard Jim Henry Harrison Lewis.
Chased Through Norway James Otis.
Check Number 2134 Edward S. Ellis.
Clif, the Naval Cadet Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
Commodore Junk George Manville Fenn.
Cryptogram William Murray Graydon.
Cruise of the Training Ship Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
Dean Dunham Horatio Alger, Jr.
Dingo Boys George Manville Fenn.
Don Kirk’s Mine Gilbert Patten.
Ensign Merrill Henry Harrison Lewis.
Eric Dane Matthew White, Jr.
Erie Train Boy Horatio Alger, Jr.
Five Hundred Dollar Check Horatio Alger, Jr.
For Home and Honor Victor St. Clair.
Frank Merriwell’s Bravery Burt L. Standish.
Frank Merriwell Down South Burt L. Standish.
Frank Merriwell’s Schooldays Burt L. Standish.
Frank Merriwell’s Chums Burt L. Standish.
Frank Merriwell’s Foes Burt L. Standish.
Frank Merriwell’s Trip West Burt L. Standish.
From Canal Boy to President Horatio Alger, Jr.
From Farm Boy to Senator Horatio Alger, Jr.
From Lake to Wilderness William Murray Graydon.
From Switch to Lever Victor St. Clair.
From Tent to White House Edward S. Ellis.
From Port to Port Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
Gay Dashleigh’s Academy Days Arthur Sewell.
Giant Islanders Brooks McCormick.
Gilbert, the Trapper C. B. Ashley.
Gold of Flat Top Mountain Frank H. Converse.
Golden Magnet George Manville Fenn.
Golden Rock Edward S. Ellis.
Grand Chaco George Manville Fenn.
Gulf Cruisers, The St. George Rathborne.
Guy Hammersley Matthew White, Jr.
Happy-Go-Lucky Jack Frank H. Converse.
Heir to a Million Frank H. Converse.
How He Won Brooks McCormick.
In Barracks and Wigwam William Murray Graydon.
Inland Waterways James Otis.
In Search of an Unknown Race Frank H. Converse.
In Fort and Prison William Murray Graydon.
In Southern Seas Frank H. Converse.
In the Sunk Lands Walter F. Burns.
Jack Wheeler Capt. David Southwick.
Jud and Joe Gilbert Patten.
Jungles and Traitors William Murray Graydon.
King of the Island Henry Harrison Lewis.
Kit Carey’s Protégé Lieut. Lounsberry.
Land of Mystery Edward S. Ellis.
Last Chance Mine Lieut. James K. Orton.
Lieut. Carey’s Luck Lieut Lounsberry.
Little Snap, the Postboy Victor St. Clair.
Mark Dale’s Stage Venture Arthur M. Winfield.
Mark Stanton Horatio Alger, Jr.
Midshipman Merrill Henry Harrison Lewis.
My Mysterious Fortune Matthew White, Jr.
Mystery of a Diamond Frank H. Converse.
Nature’s Young Noblemen Brooks McCormick.
Ned Newton Horatio Alger, Jr.
Neka, the Boy Conjuror Captain Ralph Bonehill.
New York Boy Horatio Alger, Jr.
Off for West Point Lieut. Fred’k. Garrison, U. S. A.
Old Man of the Mountain George H. Coomer.
On the Trail of Geronimo Edward S. Ellis.
On Guard Lieut. Fred’k. Garrison, U. S. A.
Paddling Under Palmettos St. George Rathborne.
Perils of the Jungle Edward S. Ellis.
Phil, the Showman Stanley Norris.
Pirate Island Harry Collingwood.
Randy, the Pilot Lieut. Lounsberry.
Rajah’s Fortress William Murray Graydon.
Reuben Green’s Adventures at Yale James Otis.
Rival Battalions Brooks McCormick.
Rival Canoe Boys St. George Rathborne.
Secret Chart, The Lieut. James. K. Orton.
Shifting Winds St. George Rathborne.
Smuggler’s Cave, The Annie Ashmore.
Spectre Gold Headon Hill.
Strange Cruise, A Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N.
Sword and Pen Henry Harrison Lewis.
That Treasure Frank H. Converse.
Tiger Prince William Dalton.
Tom Brace Horatio Alger, Jr.
Tom Tracy Horatio Alger, Jr.
Tom Havens with the White Squadron Lieut. James K. Orton.
Tour of a Private Car Matthew White, Jr.
Tom Truxton’s Ocean Trip Lieut. Lounsberry.
Tom Truxton’s School Days Lieut. Lounsberry.
Tour of the Zero Club Capt. Ralph Bonehill.
Treasure of the Golden Crater, The Lieut. Lounsberry.
Unprovoked Mutiny James Otis.
Valley of Mystery, The Henry Harrison Lewis.
Voyage to the Gold Coast Frank H. Converse.
Walter Griffith Horatio Alger, Jr.
War Tiger William Dalton.
West Point Treasure, A Lieut. Fred’k. Garrison, U. S. A.
West Point Rivals, The Lieut. Fred’k. Garrison, U. S. A.
Weathercock George Manville Fenn.
Wheeling for Fortune James Otis.
White Elephant William Dalton.
White King of Africa William Murray Graydon.
White Mustang Edward S. Ellis.
With Boer and Britisher William Murray Graydon.
Won at West Point Lieut. Lounsberry.
Yankee Boys in Japan Henry Harrison Lewis.
Young Acrobat Horatio Alger, Jr.
Young Actor, The Gayle Winterton.
Young Bank Clerk, The Arthur M. Winfield.
Young Editor Matthew White, Jr.
Young Showman’s Rivals, The Stanley Norris.
Young Showman’s Pluck, The Stanley Norris.
Young Showman’s Triumph, The Stanley Norris.
Young Bridge Tender, The Arthur M. Winfield.
Zig Zag, the Boy Conjuror Victor St. Clair.
Zip, the Acrobat Victor St. Clair.
Boys’ Popular Library
57 Titles
A new series of handsome 12mos, well printed and well bound, stamped
in colors, containing the most popular stories by
OLIVER OPTIC,
CAPT. MAYNE REID,
W. H. G. KINGSTON,
GEORGE A. HENTY,
GORDON STABLES,
HORATIO ALGER, JR.
and other authors equally well known.
There has long been a demand for a low-priced series of first-class
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PRICE, FIFTY CENTS PER VOLUME.
Boys’ Popular Library.
All Aboard Oliver Optic.
Battle and a Boy, A Blanche Willis Howard.
Boat Club, The Oliver Optic.
Boy Crusoes Jefferys Taylor.
Boy Tar, The Captain Mayne Reid.
Brave and Bold Horatio Alger, Jr.
By England’s Aid G. A. Henty.
By Pike and Dyke G. A. Henty.
By Right of Conquest G. A. Henty.
Captain Bayley’s Heir G. A. Henty.
Catmur’s Cave Richard Dowling.
Cliff Climber, The Captain Mayne Reid.
Cruise of the Snow Bird, The Gordon Stables.
Dick Cheveley W. H. G. Kingston.
For the Temple G. A. Henty.
From Powder Monkey to Admiral W. H. G. Kingston.
Hendricks, the Hunter W. H. G. Kingston.
In the Wilds of New Mexico George Manville Fenn.
In Freedom’s Cause G. A. Henty.
In Times of Peril G. A. Henty.
James Braithwaite W. H. G. Kingston.
Jerry Walter Aimwell.
Joe Nichols Alfred Oldfellow.
Little by Little Oliver Optic.
Life at Sea Gordon Stables.
Lion of St. Mark, The G. A. Henty.
Lion of the North, The G. A. Henty.
Lone Ranch, The Capt. Mayne Reid.
Mark Seaworth’s Voyage on the
Indian Ocean W. H. G. Kingston.
Midshipman Marmaduke Merry W. H. G. Kingston.
Now or Never Oliver Optic.
Paul, the Peddler Horatio Alger, Jr.
Phil, the Fiddler Horatio Alger, Jr.
Peter Trawl W. H. G. Kingston.
Peter, the Whaler W. H. G. Kingston.
Ran Away to Sea Capt. Mayne Reid.
Robinson Crusoe Daniel Defoe.
Shore and Ocean W. H. G. Kingston.
Silver Ship, The Leon Lewis.
Slow and Sure Horatio Alger, Jr.
Strive and Succeed Horatio Alger, Jr.
Strong and Steady Horatio Alger, Jr.
Swiss Family Robinson Montelieu & Wyse.
Three Years at Wolverton A Wolvertonian.
Try Again Oliver Optic.
Try and Trust Horatio Alger, Jr.
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Uncle Nat Alfred Oldfellow.
Way to Success Alfred Oldfellow.
Whistler Walter Aimwell.
Wild Adventures ’Round the Pole Gordon Stables.
With Lee in Virginia G. A. Henty.
With Wolfe in Canada G. A. Henty.
Young Carthaginian, The G. A. Henty.
Young Vagabond, A Z. R. Bennett.
Young Explorer, The Gordon Stables.
The Rockspur Athletic Series
By GILBERT PATTEN.
Consists of three books, each being a good, clean story of athletic
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1――The Rockspur Nine.
A story of Baseball.
2――The Rockspur Eleven.
A story of Football.
3――The Rockspur Rivals.
A story of Winter Sports.
Each volume contains about 300 pages, 12mo in size, cloth binding, per
volume, $1.00
A TALE OF TRUE PATRIOTISM.
Out With Commodore Decatur.
By LIEUT. LIONEL LOUNSBERRY.
Being the first volume of the Boys of Liberty Series.
Tells of the stirring adventures of a youth who serves as a middy
under Commodore Stephen Decatur during the War of 1812. The historical
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Handsomely bound in cloth, fully illustrated. PRICE, $1.00
DARING ADVENTURES IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Cast Away in the Jungle.
By VICTOR ST. CLAIR.
Being the first volume of the Round World Series.
Here is the tale of two wide-awake American lads who, as civil
engineers just from college, journey to the island of Luzon to lay out
a road through the trackless forest for a lumber company. The volume
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information concerning the Philippines and their strange inhabitants.
Finely illustrated and bound in cloth, stamped in colors and gold.
PRICE, $1.25
Rob Ranger’s Mining Venture;
Or, Determined to Win.
A STORY OF A BOY’S VIM AND GRIT.
By LIEUT. LIONEL LOUNSBERRY.
A capital story of what can be accomplished by a boy of ability and
courage. Rob Ranger goes West to assist his uncle in the management of
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Rob meets with all sorts of exciting adventures, and is more than once
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Transcriber’s Note:
Words and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, _like
this_. Inconsistent hyphenation and dialect in the text were not
changed. One misspelled word was corrected. Extraneous punctuation
marks were removed, missing marks were added, and incomplete marks
were finished. Repeated headers and footers in the advertisements at
the end of the book were deleted.