[Illustration: "THEY WERE NOW GOING UP THE FACE OF THE CLIFF. "--P. 204. 

_Frontier Boys on the Coast. _]

FRONTIER BOYS ON THE COAST

OR

_IN THE PIRATE'S POWER_

BY CAPT. WYN ROOSEVELT

 NEW YORK HURST & COMPANY PUBLISHERS

THE FRONTIER BOYS

By CAPT. WYN ROOSEVELT

This series tells the adventures of Jim, Joe, and Tom Darlington, firstin their camp wagon as they follow the trail to the great West in theearly days. They are real American boys, resourceful, humorous, and--butyou must meet them. You will find them interesting company. They meetwith thrilling adventures and encounters, and stirring incidents are therule, not exception. 

Historically, these books present a true picture of a period in ourhistory as important as it was picturesque, when the nation set its facetoward this vast unknown West, and conquered it. 

 1. Frontier Boys on Overland Trail 2. Frontier Boys in Colorado 3. Frontier Boys in the Rockies 4. Frontier Boys in the Grand Canyon 5. Frontier Boys in Mexico 6. Frontier Boys on the Coast 7. Frontier Boys in Hawaii 8. Frontier Boys in the Sierras 9. Frontier Boys in the Saddle 10. Frontier Boys in Frisco. 11. Frontier Boys in the South Seas

 _Illustrated, 12mo, Cloth_ _Price per Volume, 50 Cents_

 COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY THE PLATT & PECK CO. 

CONTENTS

 CHAPTER PAGE I. CAPTAIN BILL BROOM 9 II. THE COVE AND THE CAVE 16 III. THE BARBED WIRE 23 IV. PETE'S YARN 30 V. THE FOUR BOYS 37 VI. THE HUNCHBACK 45 VII. FARMER BROOM 53 VIII. THE CAMP IN THE POCKET 60 IX. THE ATTACK 68 X. "HAUL IN" 76 XI. MISSOURI'S MANOEUVRE 82 XII. THE RANCHERO 90 XIII. A NEW FRIEND 100 XIV. THE PURSUIT 109 XV. JIM AND THE SEA EAGLE 118 XVI. THE BOYS PUT ON STYLE 127 XVII. ON BOARD THE SEA EAGLE 135 XVIII. A DAY AT SEA 144 XIX. THE PASSENGER 152 XX. TO THE RESCUE 161 XXI. THE BANDITS 169 XXII. RACE WITH THE TIDE 177 XXIII. THE ENCHANTED ISLE 184 XXIV. IN THE WHITE BOAT 191 XXV. IN PERIL 198 XXVI. TWO LASSOES 206 XXVII. ANOTHER FRIEND 214 XXVIII. A TALE OF YORE 220 XXIX. A WONDERFUL LEAP 232 XXX. IN THE STRAIT 239 XXXI. CONCLUSION 246

FRONTIER BOYS ON THE COAST

CHAPTER I

CAPTAIN BILL BROOM

"What devilment has old Bill got on for tonight, Pete?"

The speaker was seated on an old scarred sea chest in a dimly lightedforecastle. 

"I dunno, " replied Pete, "maybe he's lookin' fer a wreck. "

"I heard the mate say somethin' about a passel of four boys, " put in athird man who was laying back in his bunk, "that the skipper wasa-lookin' for. "

"Kidnapping, eh?" said Cales, the first speaker. "Hold 'em for ransom, Isuppose. Well, the old man has been in worse games than that. I reckonthe kids' parents are rich and are willin' to pay a high price for theirdarlings. "

"You're on the wrong tack, matey, " said the man in the bunk. "Cap'nBrinks, who landed in San Diego from a Mexican port put the old manwise. He told him that those fellars had considerable money and a raftof jewels with 'em that they picked up in Mexico. "

"Ho, Ho, that's the game, is it, " cried Cales, thumping his knee with agnarled fist, "that ought to be easy then. "

"Looks so, but it ain't, " replied the other, "those four boys have gotsomethin' of a reputation in the southwest. Hard fighters and good shotsand their leader is a husky lad and about as crafty as a red Injun. "

"He ain't met the Old Man yet, " said Cales significantly. 

"I don't see where you get all your news from, Jake, " growled Pete fromhis seat on the chest, "you ought to be a reporter. "

"I keep my eyes open and my mouth shet, " replied Jake, "any man can getlarned if he will do that. "

"I'd like to have a picter of you with your mouth shet, " remarked Pete. "It's open even when you are asleep. " He dodged just in time to avoid aheavy shoe flung from Jake's ready hand that crashed against the wall. 

"Don't do that agin, " he warned, a red light showing in his eyes. "I'lllarn you boys that I ain't as old as I looks to be. "

Jake laughed harshly. 

"You mustn't keep your own mouth open so wide, Pop, cause you'll have toswallow your own words if you do. "

"I guess I'll never git choked, " replied Pete, truculently. "Kin youtell me what the skipper means snooping down this coast with no lightsshowing when it's plumb dark? We are liable to sink ourselves orCaliforney all of a suddint. "

"Why don't you ask the Cap'n what he is up to?" inquired Cales, "thatis, if you want some real useful information, Pop. "

Pop raised himself up and glared at the speaker. 

"I ain't done living, " he replied. 

"We are navigating pretty careful, " remarked Jake. "You can hardly feelthe Sea Eagle moving. "

"Running for the cove, I reckon, " suggested Cales, "I'm mighty pleasednot to be the man at the wheel. Well, I'm goin' to turn in for asnooze. "

In a brief time the two men were snoring loudly, while old Pete satsmoking his pipe, as stolid as a wooden Indian and the forecastle wasfogged with the smoke, through which the swinging lantern shone dimly. The air is stifling so let us go up on deck where we can breathe thesalt ozone and incidentally get acquainted with Captain Bill Broom, whois to occupy such a prominent place in this narrative. 

He is well worth meeting, not only as the opponent of our old friend, Jim Darlington, but because of his own unworthy but interestingcharacter. In those days Skipper Bill Broom was known all up and downthe coast and beyond. His fame, such as it was, comes down even to thisrecent day. 

On deck it is muffling dark, with the stars obscured in some dim way bymist or fog. There is a breeze blowing steadily from the broad wastes ofthe ocean. The bulk of the California coast looms dimly on the port bow. Not more than a half mile distant can be seen the white rushing forwardof the breakers towards the rocky coast. 

Dangerous work this, navigating the Sea Eagle through the thick gloom ofthe night but the old man knew his business. He was on the bridge pacingback and forth like some strange animal and giving hoarse directions tothe man at the wheel. He knew every inch of that coast, the sunken reefsand dangerous rocks. 

"Starboard your helm, " he growled. 

The sailor spun the wheel obediently. And the captain resumed his pacingback and forth upon the bridge. Not much could be seen of him, exceptthat he was a powerful man, with a peculiar crouching stoop, as if heand the sea were engaged in a mysterious game. One striving to get adangerous death-hold upon the other, both wary and using unceasingwatchfulness. 

There was a strange softness in Captain Broom's tread like that of apadding panther, but his arms had the loose forward powerful swing of agorilla's. Once he stepped into the chart house to look at something andthe light of the lamp will give us a square look at him. 

"That man a pirate!" you exclaim at the first glance; one who carriedthe blackest name along the coast as a smuggler and wrecker, who hadbrought cargoes of wretched slaves from Africa in the days before theCivil War and who had had more marvelous escapes than any man in thehistory of piracy with the exception of Black Jack Morgan! Impossible!

"Why that man is nothing but an old farmer, " you exclaim indisappointment, when you see him. "He ought to be peddling vegetables onmarket day. " But just wait. 

True, Skipper Broom had come from a long line of New England farmers, hard, close-fisted, close-mouthed men. Young Broom had broken away fromthe farm and followed his bent for sea-faring, but to the end of hisdays, he kept his farmerlike appearance and he affected many of thetraits of the yeoman which he found to be on more than one occasion amost useful disguise. 

Let's look at him. That heavy winter cap pulled down on his grizzledhead gives him a most "Reuben" like appearance. Jeans pants are thrustinto heavy cowhide boots. The deadly gray eyes soft as granite havebecome red rimmed from fits of fury and hard through many scenes ofcoldly calculated cruelty. A most dangerous customer and I for one, andI ought to know, consider that he will have the better of Jim Darlingtonin their approaching encounter--and yet Jim is never beaten until thelast shot is fired and so it is impossible for me to foretell how thiscontest of wit and daring will come out. 

After examining his chart closely, Captain Broom crouched out throughthe door and on to the deck. He took one keen look towards the shore, then he approached the helmsman. "Git below, Bill. I'll fetch her in. "

The helmsman relinquished the wheel gladly enough and under theCaptain's masterful hand the Sea Eagle swung slowly around and pointedin towards the curving shore. 

The dark form of the mate could be seen on the deck below waiting forthe order that he knew must come soon. The crew of the Sea Eagle thoughsubordinate enough were necessarily partners in Captain Broom's wickedenterprises so that the discipline was somewhat different than inordinary vessels. 

"Call 'em up, Mr. Haffen, " roared the skipper to the mate. "It's choretime. "

"Aye, aye, sir, " replied Mr. Haffen. 

The watch was called on deck and the dark forms of the men could be seenin the bow. The pulsing of the Sea Eagle had stopped and with scarcely asound the anchor was dropped into the water. 

CHAPTER II

THE COVE AND CAVE

The starboard boat was lowered into the water. First the mate, thenCaptain Broom and two men got in. The latter were Cales and Pete whopulled noiselessly at the oars. The boat glided quietly through thesilent darkness towards the shore. The Captain was seated in the stern, his great bulk crouched forward, but there was nothing inert in hisposture. His big hands clasped either side of the craft. 

In a few minutes the boat grounded softly on the sand of the beach andall hands got ashore. Scarcely a word was spoken, though the cove was sohidden that there seemed to be no possible chance that the landing ofthe free-booters would be observed. However, Captain Bill Broom took norisk of being discovered. He had many enemies upon the coast and inlandas well. Besides, the State of California had set a price upon his head. 

Two thousand dollars was the reward for his capture, and so profitablean investment was apt to be realized on sooner or later by someenterprising citizen. So Captain Broom took due care whenever he wentabroad not to attract undue attention. 

This cove was a favorite lurking place of his when close pressed, wherehe would take refuge after some daring adventure upon the high seas, until such a time as the hubbub along the coast had died down. Sometimeshe lay in hiding there, with the Sea Eagle screened behind theencircling cliffs, waiting like a black spider to rush out and capturesome unsuspecting craft. 

"Pick her up, boys, " said the Captain, "you know where she belongs, "pointing to the boat. 

"Aye, aye, sir, " they replied, and putting it on their shoulders theycarried the boat along a narrow path that divided the thick undergrowth;until, after going several hundred yards, they reached a thick screen ofbrush through which they shoved, and came to a cave. 

Although so well hidden, the entrance to the cavern was quite high, sothat the men gained admission without stooping, and going a shortdistance into the dark interior, they placed the boat gently downagainst the wall. There was a constant and heavy drip of water, so thatthere was no chance for the boat to warp, as it would have surely doneif placed outside in the dry California air. 

"I don't like this yere cave, " remarked Pete, when left alone withCales. 

"What's the matter with it? It's dark and damp, but that is the natureof caves. "

"It makes me feel creepy, that's all, " replied Pete, "and it takesconsiderable to do that. "

"Whatever happened?" inquired Cales, grinning, "something terrible, Ireckon, to make your thick hide chilly. "

"It were before your time, " replied Pete somewhat reluctantly, "weraided a ranch back thar agin the mountings. Senor Sebastian owned itand it was said that he could ride all day and never git off his place, and that he had more sheep and cattle than thar is folks in Frisco. "

"The Captain shanghied him, I reckon, " cut in Cales. 

"You hold your windlass, " commanded the old man in a querulous tone, "I'm telling this yarn. "

"All right, Pop, " said Cales in a conciliating manner, "have it yer ownway. " He was really anxious to hear the story the old man had referredto. 

"Young fry is always flapping, " the older speaker mumbled, --then hetook up the course of his narrative. "Waal, as I was telling ye, thisSenor had lots of money and the Cap'n being short of funds thought thathe could use some of it. So one night we ran into the cove, it wasblacker even than this. I don't see how the old man ever got the craftpast the sharks' teeth at the entrance but he did. "

"He could have brought her in with his eyes shut, " declared Cales. "Inever have seen his equal for navigating. "

"Waal, we made camp here that night, and the next day, the Cap'n withsome of the gang, left for the ranch and I stayed to look after things. Nothing happened that day, and I was dozing by the fire about midnightwhen I heard them coming back. They had the Senor, a fine-looking oldman with a gray mustache and as cold and proud-looking as they makethem. 

"The Cap'n was furious because he had not been able to lay his hand onthe coin, and he swore that he would make the old Senor tell where hismoney was or there would be trouble. He took him into this cave and Idon't know what happened there, and I don't want to know. All I'm sureof is that I never saw him come out. 

"The Cap'n sent me to the ship to get some chains on the second day andhe took 'em into the cave. We sailed a couple of days later, but not asign did I see of the Senor. That's why this cave makes me creepy, Cales. "

They were standing near the entrance, when there came a distinct lowmoan from the interior. It was not a ghostly sound, either. There was nomistaking it. 

"Did you hear that, Cales?" asked old Pete in a quavering voice. 

"Yes, " replied Cales, "I heard it all right. It can't be the Senor?"

"No, " replied Pete. "He has been dead these years. "

"Let's find out, " said his comrade. 

"There's nothing in this world could make me go in thar, " declared Petesolemnly, "besides, it's agin the Captain's orders. "

"Well, I'm going, " said Cales either more brave or less experienced thanthe other. "It sounds to me like a woman's voice. "

"And I'm goin' to git, " declared old Pete, tottering towards the path. 

"You're a brave old pirate, " said Cales contemptuously, and with that hewent slowly back into the cave. He had to go cautiously, for beyond acertain point he was not acquainted with the interior. He could feel themoist ground under foot and he kept his hand stretched out, not knowingwhat he might run against in the dense damp darkness. 

Then, suddenly, his hand struck a stone wall. Groping his way, he turneda sharp corner and followed along a low narrow passageway that obligedhim to stoop. Then came the sound of the moaning just ahead. Jack Caleswas a brave man but it was all that he could do, to keep from turningand running in panic for the mouth of the cave. But though hisdetermination had received a severe shock, it did not turn to flight. 

He saw a faint light ahead, spreading a glow at the end of the passageas he came nearer. Then he saw something that held him stone still witha clutch of weird fear. He had reached the end of the narrow passage, and dimly made out a domed room in the rock, white with translucentencrustation. 

He struck a match. About him, before, to the right and to the left hecould see forms all of ghostly white, some crouching, others standing. Hardly had the light flared up than it sizzled out. Some drops of waterfalling from the roof had extinguished the blaze. Then was repeated thatawful sound of distress. 

Cales groped around almost in a frenzy of terror. Where was the exitfrom that awful room? Round and round he went, and all the time therewere strange whisperings in his ears, and unseen hands seemed to clutchhis clothes. Once he slipped and was trembling so that he was hardlyable to get to his feet. Just as he did so, something swept past himlike a breath of wind. Rendered desperate he made another dash, and thistime if he had not found a passageway, he felt that he could haveknocked a hole through the wall. Then he stood at the mouth of thecave. 

CHAPTER III

THE BARBED WIRE

Just at that moment was heard the hoarse voice of Captain Broom boomingthrough the darkness outside. 

As Cales turned about, some furry animal sprang past him dashing betweenhis legs and nearly upsetting him. 

"On deck, you scoundrel, come out of there, " called the Captain. 

"Aye, aye, sir, " came the reply of Cales in a strangely weak tone, though he was now more concerned by the possible penalty to be meted outby the Captain for disobedience of orders, than by thought of theundetermined occupants of the cave. If it were a cat it was certainly agood joke on old Pete. This was, had they but known it, the swiftsolution of the mystery. 

Oddly enough the Captain said not another word, a fact suggestive toCales that there was something amiss in the cave and the little companyat once took up their line of march. Captain Broom was in the lead, followed by the mate, then Cales, with old Pete bringing up the rear. Just as they started Captain Broom extinguished the lantern and theytook up the trail in total darkness. Every precaution would now benecessary for they would soon be in a region where the very name ofBroom was execrated with bitter hatred, and every bush would grow aponiard if his whereabouts were known. 

It was evident that the skipper was as good a guide on land as he was apilot at sea, for he led his little party at a steady gait by a windingcow-path through the thick undergrowth. He doubtless knew this regionthoroughly, for he had made more than one raid in this locality. 

It was soon to be determined, however, that they were not the only onesabroad that night. 

They had walked in silence for some time, well on to two hours, whenthey came to an open space, with the irregular form of a live oak on thesoutheast corner. Then Captain Broom stopped suddenly, his keen eyesightwhich no darkness could baffle had discerned some object moving out fromthe shelter of the oak tree. 

It came slowly with uplifted black arms and white hair falling aroundits face. There was a terrible intensity in its advance across the openspace, withal that it moved so slowly. The figure stopped directly infront of Captain Broom. 

"Get out of my way, you hag, " he roared, but for the first time in hislife a certain tremor crept into his voice. Perhaps he was growing old. He drew back his arm as though to strike the woman in his path. 

As he did so Jack Cales stooped and picked up a round rock at his feet, intending to hurl it, not at the woman but at the skipper, for he aloneof the party divined the possible cause of this poor woman's dementia. But his interference was not necessary for it seemed as though theCaptain's arm was paralyzed. He declared afterwards that some invisiblehand had seized his arm. 

Then, in a loud, wailing voice the woman put a curse upon the slayer ofher husband, for this spectre was none other than the Senora Sebastian. It was terrible to hear her and it must have sent a shiver into the soulof the hardy skipper. 

When she had finished, the woman moved past them and vanished in thedirection of the ranch. For a full minute the line of men stood withoutmoving a step and in absolute silence, Captain Broom with his armupraised as he had lifted it to strike. 

Then, without saying a word, he took the first forward step and theothers followed him through the darkness. 

"Say, Cales, " growled Pete in a low voice, "what was it you found inthat cave? My old timbers are shaking yet. "

"Keep your old jaws shut, " yelled the Captain, who had wonderfully keenhearing, when anything was spoken that concerned him. 

"How do you suppose the old man heard me?" mumbled Pete to himself. Hedropped back a pace or two, then whispered, "The old man must be crazy. He is making direct for the Sebastian ranch. "

"Do you reckon that these four boys he is looking after, are locatedthere?" asked Jack. 

"I dunno, " replied Pete, "you can calkerlate on one thing though andthat is that the skipper knows pretty nigh where those lads are. One ofhis messengers, a one-eyed, twisted greaser, came aboard the other day, and was gabbling in the Captain's cabin. Then the next thing I knew wewas under sail, and came kiting down to the cove. "

Just then the party halted at the confines of a four strand barbed wirefence. This was the first indication that they were entering the greatranch property that formerly belonged to the Senor Sebastian, theelderly man the Captain had made captive, and which was now the propertyof his only son. 

"Now, lads, " said the leader of the expedition, "Here's a chance to makeyourself small. This yere barb is like a devil fish if it once gits aholt of your panties--it won't let go. "

"That's so, Captain, " said the mate, a generally silent and saturnineman. 

"I reckon you know, mate, " said the Captain. "The last time we wasthrough these parts, and that some considerable years ago, this samefence got a holt of yer pants and wouldn't let go. I never heard youtalk so much and so earnestly in my life before. You want to be morekeerful this time. "

The mate simply grunted by way of reply and, lying close to the ground, he very gingerly and carefully worked his way under the wire and thusescaped his mentioned former unpleasant detention. He then held thelower wire up as high as he could until his chief had wiggled under. 

Pete was the only one of the party who was seriously detained, for JackCales had slid under as slick as an eel. But Pete's joints were old andrusty and the venomous wire got a clutch on his coat and his pants. 

"What's keeping you back?" inquired the Captain, gruffly, as Cales andhis comrade did not put in an immediate appearance. 

"Pete has got caught, sir, " said Jack. 

"What are you doing there, you old barnacle?" inquired the Captain as hecame back to the fence. 

There was a certain odd comradeship between the skipper and the old saltwho had been with him since his African days. Both were New Englandersand had come from neighboring homesteads. 

"Just resting, sir, " replied the captive. 

It certainly did have something of that appearance, for Pete had kept adecisive grip on his old black pipe with his stubby teeth and waspuffing at it in apparent peace and resignation. 

"Want me to git you a piller?" inquired the skipper, sarcastically. 

"Thank ye, sir, " replied Pete imperturbably. 

Meanwhile the mate had been at work with deft fingers and he finallysucceeded in extricating the old man and putting him upon his pins. 

"Now if ye are sufficiently rested, " proposed the skipper, "we will hikealong. "

This they did. Their way now lay between two stretches of fence thatenclosed a road not much traveled for there were only faint traces ofwheels in the turf. It was probably not a public highway but belonged tothe great ranch. 

Everything seemed smooth sailing now, as there was no more barbed wireto be immediately met but Pete soon made himself prominent again. Hewas rolling along with that gait peculiar to a sailor when aboard land, when he gave a sudden spring and clutched Cales convulsively in theback, giving that individual a big scare. 

"Dad burn it, boys. I've stepped on a rattler. " An investigation wasmade very carefully and Captain Broom quickly picked up a short piece ofrope. 

"I'll rattle you, " he cried, touching up the old man with the rope'send. 

CHAPTER IV

PETE'S YARN

They went along steadily through the darkness in an almost directlyeasterly direction. Being now clear of the brush they could make goodtime on the springy turf. 

"How far are we now from the ranch, Pete?" inquired Jack. 

"Too durn close to suit me, " replied Pete. "I can't tell exactly forthese ranches are as big as all outside creation, but I guess we must beas close as a mile to the buildings. "

"I reckon the Captain is going to walk up to the front door and ask foraccommodations. "

"Wouldn't s'prise me a bit, if he done that, " replied Pete querulously. "The old man ain't lacking in nerve. Back thar was the first time I everseen him hang back in my long experience with him. "

"When the old lady was speaking her piece? Suppose I ask him how much hemade when he captured the Senor, " suggested Cales, who had recovered hisflippant humor. 

"I wouldn't git gay, lad, " said old Pete, warningly. "She is just asliable to haunt you in your black spells. "

"Don't have 'em, uncle, " replied Cales. 

"You collect the material for 'em when you are young, " said the old manwisely, "and they come out of your bones like rheumatiz when you gitold. "

"Somebody is coming back of us, " suddenly whispered Cales. 

"Take to cover, lads, " ordered the skipper, who was as quick to hear asthe younger man. The only cover was a high and thick growth of wildmustard growing alongside the fences. 

Quickly they stepped from the open road into the shelter of the tallmustard. They had not long to wait. There was the jingle of spurs andthe thud of horses' feet walking slowly along. Next came the voices ofmen talking. 

"It is useless, Senor, to try and find her, I fear, " replied one man tothe other. 

"It seems so, " replied the other sadly. "My mother always seems to beworse when the time of the year approaches that my father disappeared. In spite of all our care she will escape. "

They had now arrived at a point opposite where the free-booters werehidden. The man who had last spoken struck a light and lit a cigarette;the instantaneous glare showed the dark handsome face of the Spanishtype. There was the high-peaked sombrero, the striking clothes, theintent face and then the light died suddenly out. 

"Ah, Manuel, " said the young man to his companion, "if I could only oncelay hands on that cursed Gringo, " and he ground his teeth in fury, unable to express himself. 

"Humph, Gringo, " grunted the Captain, disdainfully. 

"Did you hear anything, Senor?" asked Manuel. 

"Nothing. "

"I was sure I heard something, " asserted his companion. They had reinedin their horses and sat listening quietly for a few seconds. 

"It was probably nothing but a calf by the roadside, " said the Senor. 

The other shook his head doubtfully, then they turned and rode ontowards the rancho. 

When they were safely out of range, the party of pirates took up theirline of march once more. 

"So the greaser took me for a calf, " remarked Captain Broom. "If it hadbeen you, Jack Cales, there might be some excuse fer such a mistake. "

"Aye, sir, " replied Cales, glumly. 

"Getting kind of close to the ranch, ain't you, Cap'n?" ventured oldPete. 

"I thought of leaving you there, Pete, while the rest of us corralledthose kids. You are getting too old for these long tramps. "

No more remarks were heard coming from the direction of Pete, for he wasnot at all sure but that the Captain might, in a moment of irresponsiblehumor, do just as he threatened without regard to the consequences. 

After they had gone on for a mile from the point where the two men hadovertaken them, Captain Broom led his party away from the road in asoutherly direction, once more undergoing the harrowing experience ofgetting through the barbed wire fence. But this time Jack Cales wasespecially detailed by the Captain to get old Pete through so therewould not be any unnecessary delay. 

It was evident that they were getting into a different section, a shorttime after they left the road, for they began going up and winding amonglittle rocky hills. At last they came to a stopping place. They climbedup an elevation and sat on some rocks among a group of dark trees. 

"Now, lads, take it easy, " said the Captain, "ye have had quite afootin' and when morning comes, there will be some more ahead and at afaster gait. "

"Gosh, Cap'n, " declared old Pete, "It's the most walking we've donetogether since the time we corralled the last bunch of niggers on thewest coast of Africa. "

"We certainly made money that trip when we sold that cargo of coons tothe traders on that Palmetto Island below Charleston. But we will cleanup about as much money when we round up those four boys and twice aseasy. Tell the two lads about that trip, Pete. "

The old sailor sat on a rock, and taking out his bag of tobacco filledhis short black pipe with one thorny thumb, then he commenced hisnarrative, with the glow of his pipe lighting up his weatherbeaten face. 

"Well, orders is orders, and the Cap'n wants me to tell this yarn. Imight just as well begin it, lads. I never knew any good to come tosailormen cruising around on dry land any more than on this trip. " Hecast a wary eye at Captain Broom, but that worthy merely grunted andPete resumed his story. 

"Our clipper lay at anchor in a wide bay with only a couple of men onboard and the Captain, myself and six men trailing inland for to find avillage of naygurs that our guides had told us of. 

"It certainly was hot and steamy going through the jungles and everyonce in a while a big snake as large as my leg would crawl across ourpath and rustle away into the undergrowth. Once I felt one of 'ema-twisting and rolling under my foot like a big log that had came tolife. I guess I must have jumped twice as high as my own head and I liton the back of one of the naygurs that was guiding us. 

"He didn't know what struck him; probably thought it was a tiger for Isunk my hooks into his hide. He let out a yell and went ripping andsnorting through that jungle and me not having sense enough to let go, until a grape vine about as thick as a manilla rope chucked me under thechin and I fell flat on my back and I guess that naygur is stillrunning. "

Here the captain who was evidently enjoying the narrative hugely, burstinto a volcanic roar of laughter. 

"I can see yer yet, Pete, on that bounding buck of a nigger, and hima-hiking through the jungle and a-yelling like a wild Injun. "

"I remember you got out of the way mighty quick, " said Pete, "when youheard us a-coming behind you. "

"It certainly was a curious spectacle, " said the Captain, "but go onwith your yarn, Pete. "

"The further we went into the jungle the worse it got. The mosquitoesfairly ate us alive and they wern't the only cannibals in those woods byany means. There was a tribe of man-eaters beyond the Big River and wedidn't try to capture any of them. They wern't our stripe of bacon. 

"We went on for six days, with the monkeys chattering over our heads allday and the mosquitoes serenading us at night. Talk about birds, therewas a whole menagerie of them and their colors beat the handkerchiefsthat these greasers wear around their throats and you can't get ahead ofthat for color. 

"One night we got in range of the village we were after and there was agreat pow-wow going on. There was a big fire in the circle of the grasshuts and some big black bucks were doing a dance around it. Just then Isaw--"

"Hold on, Pete, " said the Captain in a low, gruff voice, "somebody iscoming our way. "

CHAPTER V

THE FOUR BOYS

"Hey, Jim, where are we going to make camp?" It was his brother Jo'sgenial voice. 

"Not until we can strike water, " replied Jim. "No more dry camps forme. "

"I don't think much of the coast range, or the Sierras, either. " It wasJuarez Hoskins' well-remembered voice, with its rather low, deep tones. 

"Give me the Rockies every time. "

Juarez was nothing if not loyal to his mountains. 

"I don't think any of the mountains are much to brag of. "

It is hardly necessary to say that it is Tom Darlington who is nowspeaking, for the discerning reader is pretty well acquainted with hisstyle by this time. 

"There's always something to look out for, " continued Tom, "if it isn'tIndians it's rattlesnakes, and you have got to choose between acloudburst or no water at all. Give me the East every time. "

"You make me exhausted talking about the East, " said Jim. "Why didn'tyou stay there when you were there? I had just as soon take a chancewith a rattlesnake as with an ice cream soda. "

"Tom would like to _play_ Indian, " cut in Jo, "with turkey featherssticking up from a red flannel band around his head. And creeping upon aflock of sheep pretending that they are antelope and that cows are reallive bears. "

"Yes, " said Jim, "you have lined it out all right, Jo. Then when theywere tired of playing Injun, Tom and his little playmates could pretendthat they were Daniel Boone's men with wildskin panties on. "

"Shut up, boys, " said Juarez, coming to Tom's rescue. "What's the use inrubbing it in? The East is all right for some folks and if the boys backthere can't have real adventures they have to do the best they can. After all, Jim, you are an Eastern boy. You can't get away from that. "Jim writhed under the implication but replied good humoredly. 

"You're right, Juarez, old chap, but I can't help stirring up Tom oncein a while. It is good for him too. It keeps his liver active, so hewon't get bilious. "

"Juarez has got more sense than you two put together, " said Tom. 

"Forget all about it now, Tommy, " urged Juarez good-naturedly, gettingthe aforesaid Tommy by the nape of the neck with one vigorous brown handand giving him a shake. 

Thus under Juarez's straightforward management the family quarrel wasabated. 

"We might just as well ride now, boys, " said Jim. "The horses are goodand rested and we will soon be going down grade instead of up. "

The horses had been following in single file back of the four boys. Theywere to be trusted not to cut up any shindigs or to wander from thenarrow mountain trail. The boys had had them a long time and togetherthey had gone through the numerous hardships and adventures. They wereas perfectly trained as Uncle Sam's cavalry horses. 

The horses halted as the boys dropped back to their sides, and theyswung into the saddle simultaneously. Jim rode in the lead on a splendidgray, with a powerful arching neck, strong shoulders and hindquartersmade for speed. Him, he called Caliente. Next rode Tom on a pretty bay. Then Jo on a black of medium size but finely built for speed andendurance. Juarez brought up the rear on his roan, a sinewy animal witha broncho strain in him which was liable to crop out at unexpectedmoments. 

It is to be noticed that there was a certain formation in the way thecolumn rode. Jim, the strong and resourceful in front, and Tom, the lessexperienced and capable, following, forming the first division. Thesecond division was composed of Jo and Juarez. 

Juarez having an equally important position with the leader, for he wasrear guard, a more trying position sometimes than being in front for intheir travels through dangerous regions, it was the man in the rear whowas more apt to be cut off by the wily Indians. But the cool and craftyJuarez was not likely to be caught napping. 

Even now you notice as they ride along through the comparatively saferegion of the coast range that Jim and Juarez are ever on the alert, glancing this way and that, halting to examine some peculiar mark on thetrail, and not a motion of tree or bush upon either mountain slopeescapes their attention. They had lived too long in the midst oftreacherous enemies, Indians and outlaws, to be taken off their guard. They had been in Mexico on a venture the outcome of which was all theirfondest dreams could wish for. Their expedition over, Tom was for goinghome, to at least deposit the treasure they had gained, but the othershad outvoted him, and now the long pleasure trip to Hawaii was theirobject. 

Now, if they but had known it, they were riding to meet the most deadlydanger that they had yet encountered. For as you know, Captain Broom andhis party were advancing to meet them. In an open or running fight, weknow perfectly well that the boys could take care of themselves, but inthe skipper of the Sea Eagle, they were to meet a far more dangerousopponent than in Eagle Feather, described in "The Frontier Boys inColorado" or Cal Jenkins in Kansas and in Mexico as detailed in"Overland Trail" and in "Mexico. " In compliance with a determined plan, they were now on their way to Hawaii. 

Not only had Captain Broom the craftiness and cruelty of the Indian, butthe cool, hard judgment of the New England Yankee, coupled with aknowledge of their possessions, supposedly limited to themselves alone. The Mexican spy, who had reported the route the boys were going to take, had given the game into his master's hands. 

"I wonder what has become of our one-eyed greaser friend, " said Jim, "wehaven't seen any sign of him since he gave us the shake a week ago atthe hunting camp. I kind of thought we might run across him again. "

"It's good riddance to bad rubbish, " said Juarez in a surly tone. "If Ihad my way I'd hang him to the first oak tree on general principles andon account of his personal appearance. I bet he is a treacherous littlerat. "

"He isn't very pretty, that's a fact, " admitted Jim, "but he is a usefullittle beast about the camp and can do a lot of chores. "

"I kind of like to hear him play his guitar, " put in Jo, "and sing thoseMexican tunes. They certainly sound pretty. "

"He's a picturesque beggar too, " remarked Tom. "Just the kind that inthe old days would have been made a king's jester. They dressed 'em upin a blazing bright style then. That hump would have made his fortune. "

Tom, as you remember, was an authority on Romance, and as pertaining towhich he always carried two favorite volumes, much worn by hard traveland frequent usage, but which no amount of ridicule by his brotherscould make him give up. 

"Have it your own way, " acceded Juarez, "but he is not the sort ofanimal that I would recommend for a household pet. "

"Well, he is gone, " said Jim, "so we don't need to worry about him. "

"I don't know but that I would a little rather have him in sight, " saidJuarez. "Then you know where he is. "

Jim laughed good-naturedly at the prejudice that Juarez showed againstthe little greaser and put it down to his darkly suspicious natureacquired by his life among the Indians. It would have been better if Jimhad taken more stock in his comrade's suspicions. Now, Jim was not to becaught napping when once an enemy had declared himself, but it was hisnature to be open-minded and unsuspicious. 

The four Frontier Boys were riding up a winding trail through a narrowmountain valley, having reached a point almost level with the summits, which rose several thousand feet above the eastern plain. It had been ahard, all day climb, and the horses were tired and the gray dust wascaked upon their sweaty riders. 

Let us take a look at our old acquaintances, Jim, Tom, Jo and Juarez, tosee if they have changed any since we saw them last. They are dressedabout as we have always known them. In gray flannel shirts and pants ofthe same color, moccasins on their feet and on their heads batteredsombreros with the flaps turned back. 

Their coats are tied back of the saddles, and their shirts open at thethroat for the air is hot and dry in that California mountain valley. Their rifles are swung across their shoulders held by straps, revolversin the holsters at their hips. 

Jim sits in the saddle tall and sinewy, grown somewhat thinner byconstant exercise and by the drying effect of the desert air. His skinis baked to an absolute brown. Juarez, too, is black as an Indian and herather looks like one with his hair quite long and of a coarse blackfibre. The boys look a little fine-drawn but sinewy and strong and fitfor any adventure. 

CHAPTER VI

THE HUNCHBACK

The shadows were already falling on that side of the range as the boysrode slowly into a narrow pass. The shade was a decided relief from theglare of the California sun that they had encountered all day. 

"Gosh, but I should like to have a cool breath from the Rockies, "declared Juarez with emphasis, "This sort of a climate makes me tired. Nothing but the sun staring at you all the time. It goes down clear andcomes up with the same kind of a grin on its face. "

"It will be cooler when we get on the other side, " said Jim, encouragingly, "and it won't be long now. "

"I hope we will strike water on the other side, " remarked Jo. "I'm tiredof looking at that bald-headed stream down there, " indicating the dryblistered bed of a former water-course. 

Nothing more was said until of a sudden they rode to the top of thePass, and saw a new landscape spread out before them. 

It was a broad and beautiful view, with the sun striking the widePacific, with a blazing glare of silver and below the wooded slope ofthe mountains, stretched an apparently level plain, where roamedcountless cattle, and innumerable sheep. It had all the breadthcharacteristic of the Californian landscape. 

"That's a pretty good looking view, " remarked Jim admiringly. He wouldhave been still more interested if he could have seen a trim-lookingblack vessel in a small cove directly west but a good many milesdistant. 

"I wonder if it isn't going to rain, " said Tom. "See those cloudsrolling in over the ocean. "

"Rain!" ejaculated Jim with superior wisdom, a wisdom that appertainsparticularly to older brothers, "I guess not. Those are fog clouds. That's a sure sign in this country that it won't rain. "

"Well, I'm glad to see them, anyway, " said Juarez. "It looks sort ofstormy even if it isn't. "

It was restful, there was no question about that, the change from theconstant glare of a white sun in a blue sky, to the soft damp graynessof the fog. It was already rolling over the level plain towards themountains and, in a short time, a high fog was spread over the wholesky. 

The boys had ridden down the western side of the range for a distance ofa half mile, when Jim suddenly waved his hand backward in a sign ofcaution for the column to halt. He leaned forward, looking intently in anorthwesterly direction to a point on the opposite side of the mountainvalley. Juarez followed the direction of the leader's look with a keengaze. 

"I was sure that I saw some one slipping through the undergrowth on theopposite side over there, " Jim finally said, "but I could not make surewhether it was a man or some sort of animal. "

"I noticed the bushes shaking, " said Juarez, "but I did not seeanything. "

"Might have been a brown bear, " hazarded Jo. 

"They do have them in this range, " put in Tom. 

"Perhaps it is the bear that we hunted for two days on the other slope, "said Juarez, "and he has come to give himself up. "

"We had better keep our eyes open, " advised Jim, though he did not takethe trouble to unsling his rifle. "Jo, you and Tom watch the upper side, Juarez will take care of the trail in front. "

"All right, boss, " said Juarez, cheerfully. 

"How much reward, captain, for the first glimpse of the lost child?"inquired Jo. 

Jim paid no attention to this sally, but kept his eye on the trailahead. The trees were quite thick on either side of the trail and asdusk was coming on, it was difficult to make out any object clearly. 

Just as Jim rode around a turn in the trail, Caliente reared and leapedto one side and a less skillful rider would have been thrown. 

"Easy, old boy, " said the rider, patting his horse's neck. Calientestood trembling and snorting and watching a curious object that wasstruggling up the bank towards the trail. 

It was hard to tell what it was, whether man or beast and the dusk onlyserved to make it more obscure. Then the object scrambled up on to thetrail and Jim at once recognized the dwarf Mexican with his high-crownedsombrero and his velvet suit richly slashed. With his crooked back andone eye, he was anything but a prepossessing-looking creature. Caliente, when he, too, recognized who it was, put back his ears and rushed withbared teeth for the Mexican. 

Spitting out a curse, the greaser jumped to one side with a markedagility, and Jim succeeded after a struggle in bringing his furioussteed to terms, but he had his hands full and there were not very manymen who could manage Caliente when he got into one of his rages. 

"Hi! Manuel, " (every Mexican was Manuel to the boys), cried Jim, "lookout for my Tiger, he wants to eat that velvet suit of yours. "

"Si, Senor, " called Manuel from a safe station on a granite rock. "He isa tiger as your Honor says. "

One would have expected to hear the crooked little greaser speak in aharsh croaking voice, but instead it had a rich sonorous quality. 

"Do you know where there is any water in this country?" asked Jo. "Weare as dry as a desert. "

"Certainly, Senor, I will show you, " replied Manuel. (It was true thatManuel spoke in Spanish of which language the boys had a workingknowledge, due to their sojourn in the southwest. But I shall put hiswords in English. ) "Where is Senor Juarez?" inquired the dwarf. "I donot see him. "

"The Senor is still with us, " replied Jim, gravely, "but you cannot seehim on account of the dusk, but you might hear him, " he added in a lowertone. 

It was true that Juarez was growling to himself about the greaser forwhom you know he had a cordial antipathy, a feeling which wasreciprocated by the Mexican. 

"Lead on, Manuel, " urged Jim, "we want to make camp before morning. "

"But, Senor, the tiger will eat me up, " objected the Mexican. 

"I will take care of Caliente. He won't bite you. Go ahead. "

"Si, Senor, " assented Manuel. 

Then he jumped down from the rock and took the trail at a discreetdistance ahead of Jim's horse, who was held in check by his rider thoughhis temper seemed in no wise abated. There was something sinister in thefigure of the Mexican as he led the way down the trail. 

All in black, except the gray of his hat with its golden cord and thetinsel of his clothes. There was something malignant in his make-up andeven the unimaginative Jim was affected by the presence of the Mexican, while Juarez was very uneasy, and asked Jo and Tom to allow him to moveup next to the Captain. This they did, though it left Jo as rear guardon that rocky trail. 

He seemed quite isolated but he had become sufficiently enured to dangerand though he kept a wary eye, he was not nervous. The boys hadunholstered their pistols and Juarez kept a straight eye on the movingshadow in the darkness ahead. At the first sign of attack or treachery, he was going to get that particular Manuel. 

"I've got my eye on the little varmint, " said Juarez in a low voice toJim. "He may be leading us into an ambush. "

"Oh, I guess not, " said Jim, with a note of hesitation in his voice. "Wehave got to find water anyway. The horses are suffering for it, and thisbeggar can show us where we can locate it. "

Just then Manuel threw up his hand with a shrill whistle that had everymalignant intention in it. Juarez raised his pistol just ready to fire, when the Mexican laughed shrilly. 

"Senor Juarez very nervous. I just stretch and whistle a little and hewant to shoot. "

A peculiar smile came over Juarez's face, but he said nothing. All thestolid Indian in his nature came to the surface. He merely gruntedcontemptuously at the Mexican's remark and this made the volatile Manueluneasy in his turn, for he wanted to realize that his malice had struckhome, but Juarez did not give him that satisfaction. There was a sort ofhidden duel between these two, the subtle Mexican and the crafty Indiannature of Juarez. It remained to be seen who would win. 

The four Frontier Boys went silently along down the dark canyon, eachone occupied with his own thoughts and the ill-omened Mexican guide inthe lead. Juarez kept a sharp lookout on either side of the trailexpecting an ambush. His horse seemed to feel something of the strainhis rider was under, as a horse will. Once he shied at something he sawin a clump of bushes, and nearly went off the trail. It was only withthe aid of Juarez's horsemanship that he clawed his way back to safety. The Mexican was much amused at this incident, and Jim gave him a sharpcall down. 

CHAPTER VII

FARMER BROOM

We must now return to Captain Broom and his escort, whom we left sittingon a hill covered with trees near the Sebastian rancho. Old Pete's storyhad been interrupted by the skipper's warning, --"Somebody is coming ourway. "

There was no question about that, they could hear the someone comingtowards the hill whistling cheerfully. Then the form of a man could beseen, coming up the slope of the elevation. 

"I wonder where those altogether blessed cows are, " he was heard sayingin Spanish, but of course, this is a free and not a literal translation. 

"They are generally hiding under these trees, " he continued. The sailorskept absolutely still and old Pete covered the bowl of his pipe with hishand so that its light might not discover them. 

"Carambe!" cried the Mexican as he stopped about three feet from therecumbent Captain, "I fear my good master's cows have been smoking, notlike nice Mexican cows, a cigarette, but a pipe like a vile gringo. Come, get up, you black brute, " noticing the big bulk of the Captain forthe first time, and he hauled off and gave the skipper a hearty kick onthe haunch. 

Never was there a more surprised greaser in the whole ungainly length ofCalifornia for this apparently gentle cow that he kicked, (not for thefirst time either) suddenly turned and grabbed him with a powerful handbefore he could yell, though he was so frightened that he probably couldnot utter a squeak. Another hand got him by the throat. 

"Take me for a cow, did you, you bespangled Manuello?" roared theCaptain, and he waved the aforesaid Manuello about in his great grip asthough he had been a rag. 

"No use killing the beggar, Captain, " said the mate. "Maybe he can tellus something. " The Captain let the Mexican drop and he lay on the groundperfectly inert. 

"He won't be able to say much right away, " said the Skipper. 

It was now getting light, the first signs of dawn showing above themountains. As the darkness was drawn away, they could see their positionmore clearly and there came the sounds of the morning from the directionof the ranch houses. The barking of dogs, the crowing of roosters, andthe call of human voices. 

"I guess, lads, it's about time for us to have something to eat, " saidthe Captain, "because we have got to do some tall climbing today and Iwant to get an early start. "

An expression of disgust showed itself on old Pete's face at the idea ofmore walking, which the Captain was quick to note. 

"How would you like to stay here, Old Bones, and look after Manuello?"said the skipper. But Pete shook his head. 

"I'll stay by the ship, Cap'n, " said the old fellow stoutly. 

"Durn my buttons, " said the Captain, whose oaths were as mild as hisactions were vicious, "if you ain't a good old barnacle, Pete. Iwouldn't think of leaving you in such company as this, " and he gave theprostrate Mexican a shove with his foot. Manuello looked up at theCaptain with an evil eye and a muttered curse. 

This roused the fury of Captain Broom and he held him off from theground as if he had been a rat, his jaws working ominously and a look inhis eyes that made the Mexican shrivel. 

Nothing was said, not even by the Skipper, and the others watched himfascinated as he glared at his victim, and even the iron composure ofthe saturnine mate seemed to be moved partially aside. The Mexican beganto whimper and moan as his eyes shifted to avoid the terrible ones ofthe Captain. He was not suffering any special violence, but a strangetremor filled the soul of the Mexican, in the grip of the grizzledgiant. 

As the greaser began to cry, the Captain gave a roar of laughter andthrew him aside upon the ground, about all the humanity he had shriveledout of him. He lay there absolutely without any power of motion in hisbody. 

Just then the crew of the Sea Eagle became aware of the fact that ahorned animal with big brown eyes was looking at them. All the farmer inthe nature of Captain Broom came to the surface. 

"By Gum, " he exclaimed, "if here ain't a bovine cow looking at us. Iain't milked one for forty years, but I'm not afeard to try. 'Member, Pete, when we used to milk the cows back in old Connecticut on the farm. After working in the hay all day, I'd go down in the side hill pasture, that was so steep that you had to hold on with your toes and your teethto keep from sliding down to the brook. "

"You bring it back to me just like it was a living picture, " said Pete, his hard face softening under the gentle showers of memory. 

"Then I'd drive the black and white one that was breechy, and the redmooley, the yaller and white that gave the richest milk. I'd drive theminto the stanchions in the old barn, with the ground floor stoned up onthe side, where it was sunk into the hill. "

"But it was winter, Cap'n, " said Pete, "that it was interesting doingthe chores, " and he blew reminiscently on his fingers, "snow two feet onthe level and the sun a piece of blue ice in the sky. A condemned sightbetter place than Californey, where you don't feel no more alive than aenbalmed corpse. "

The Captain began now a series of manoeuvres to get within range ofone of the cows so that they might have fresh milk for breakfast. Hemanaged it finally, and he certainly looked like a peaceful old farmeras with his gray head against a fat red cow's flank, he milked into alarge tin cup. Pete selected a black mooley and soothed by the man'spersuasive manner, she consented finally to give down a thin bluestream. But the saturnine mate was less successful as he knew much moreabout navigating a ship than he did about cows. 

Finally after much awkward manoeuvring, he got a cow cornered andbegan operations upon the left side with the result that the cow landedupon him with her hoof and sent him sprawling on his back to the greatdelight of the Captain. 

"Hurt bad, Bill?" inquired the Skipper with mock sympathy, "I'm afeardthat you will never make a farmer. "

"I never calkerlated to, " replied the mate. "It ain't my line ofbusiness. "

"Don't tell me that, " said the Captain, "I can see that for myself. Comeup here and I'll give you a drink. "

They had scarcely finished their simple breakfast when Jack Cales gave asudden alarm. 

"Cap'n, " he cried, "I see two men legging it our way. They are makingstraight for the hill. "

"I guess they are coming to see why Manuello doesn't show up with thecows, " remarked the Captain, "we don't want to stir up this hen roost aswe've got other chicken to fry. So we'll git. "

"Take the greaser?" inquired Jack. 

"You and the mate fetch him, " said the Captain. 

Just as the two men were mounting the hill, the Captain and his crewmade a swift sneak down the opposite slope, and were soon making theirway through the bush towards the foot-hills. In a minute they heard thecries of the two men as they drove the herd of cows towards the homeranch for the morning milking. The sun had now risen above the easternrange just in front of them and was blazing down upon the plain and thesea beyond. There was something exhilarating in the air in spite of theheat. 

"We don't need the company of that greaser any further, " said CaptainBroom, after they had made some headway up a canyon back of the ranchbuildings. So they took some rope grass, tough as manilla, and tied himfirmly, and, after having gagged him, they left him to be found later bysome of his countrymen. 

Then they toiled steadily up the trail of the canyon, until about noonthey reached a pocket in the canyon where there was a pool of clearwater fed by an invisible spring. Coming to meet them were four boysriding up the trail on the other side of the range. 

CHAPTER VIII

THE CAMP IN THE POCKET

Under the guidance of the Mexican dwarf, the four boys came at last to ahalt. It seemed as if the canyon down which they had been riding hadcome to an end for there was a wall of rock directly in front of them. 

"Down there, Senor, is a pool of clear water, " announced the Mexican. 

"Glad to hear it, Manuel, " said Jim heartily. 

"Did you ever see a picture, Jim, " put in Juarez significantly, "of apool where the thirsty animals have to come to drink and before they gettheir noses in the water the hunter shoots them?"

But nothing of this dire nature happened and in a few minutes thefamished animals were pumping the delicious water down their long, bakedthroats. 

"My Gracious, but that tastes good!" cried Tom, drawing in a long, gasping breath, after he had been drinking steadily for about a minute. "It makes my head swim. "

"I should think it would, " said Jo, sarcastically, "considering theamount you have drunk. "

"You weren't far behind, " grumbled Tom. "I thought that you were notgoing to leave enough for the horses. "

"I don't especially like this place to camp in, " said Jim. "We are notaccustomed to get in a pocket like this. But it is too late to pull outtonight and the horses need a rest, so we will keep guard. "

"Better drown the brown rat first, " remarked Juarez to Jim. But thelatter only shook his head and laughed. 

The camp was made about twenty feet east of the spring in a small groveof slender trees backed by a high wall of steep granite, down whichpoured a waterfall in the rainy season. 

The fire was built upon a flat rock in the centre of the grove wherethere was no danger of it catching in the grass and bushes which weredry as tinder. If once a mountain fire was started at the end of the dryseason there would be no stopping it until it had devastated the wholecountry. 

The light of the fire showed the usual cheery and active scene that goeswith making camp. How many times the Frontier Boys had gone throughthese preparations it is impossible to say. They had camped on theplains of Kansas, in the mountains of Colorado, on the Mesas of NewMexico, the banks of the Colorado river, and the Pampas of Mexico. Nowwe find them in the coast range of California. 

It was not an especially dangerous country in which they were camped, nothing to compare with parts of Colorado and Mexico, but never werethey in greater danger than at the present moment and this camp promisedto be their last together, except they had unusual luck. 

There was a traitor in the company, and even now four pairs of hostileeyes were watching them as they moved in the light of the fire. TheCaptain of the Sea Eagle and his three trusty men were hidden in somebushes at the top of the pocket on the western side. 

Juarez and Jim busied themselves first in looking after their horses. Removing the saddles they rubbed down each animal thoroughly, clear tothe fetlocks and then gave them a good feed of grain. Jo and Tom were onthe supper committee and busying themselves making preparations for asquare meal. Manuello, who had been with the boys on the other side ofthe range and was accustomed to help in odd chores about camp, nowoffered to aid in getting the supper. 

"I will make the coffee with your permission, Senor Jo, " he proposed. 

"Do you savvy it all right, Manuello?" inquired Jo. 

"Ah, yes, Senor. I can make such coffee as the Holy Father would bepleased to drink, " he replied with fervor. 

"Not too strong because it keeps me awake, " protested Tom. 

"No, no, Senor Thomas, " replied Manuello with a sweeping bow, "thecoffee I make is very soothing. It will give you a long, soft sleep. "There was an undertone of subtle irony that was entirely lost upon thetwo straightforward boys. 

"That's a good fellow, Manuello, " said Jo, cordially, and he handed thecoffee pot filled with water to the Mexican, who went about thepreparation of it with a deftness that showed that he knew what he wasabout. Not one of the boys saw him slip a white powder into the coffeepot. It quickly dissolved and the coffee began to bubble innocentlyenough under the eyes of the hunchback Manuello. 

Juarez and Jim just then came back from looking after the horses whichwere fastened near the wall of rock. As soon as Juarez saw the Mexicanwatching over the coffee pot, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. 

"Who made the coffee?" he asked Jo, bluntly. 

"Manuello, " replied Jo. 

"The Senor will find the coffee truly delicious, " said the hunchbackwith a bow, "only the Mexican knows how to keep its aroma when boilingit. "

"Humph, " grunted Juarez, and he went deliberately to the fire and liftedthe coffee pot off and poured its contents on the ground. 

"The American does not care for the aroma of your Mexican coffee, " hesaid coolly. 

The Mexican merely gave a peculiar hitch to his shoulder, spat on theground and turned away apparently mortally offended as he, no doubt, was. That part of his scheme had been blocked by the craftiness ofJuarez, but the Captain might make good where his spy had failed. 

The Mexican sat back in the shadow on a rock smoking a cigarette, whilethe boys ate their supper of beans, meat, bread and coffee. He was theskeleton at the feast as it were, not only his malignant humor madeitself felt, but there was a sense of depression that they could notshake off, try as they would. 

This was so unusual that they could not account for it. As a rule, theywere jolly and even when danger was impending, they felt a certainconfidence and assurance, but not so tonight. 

"What makes us feel so on the bum tonight, do you suppose?" asked Tom. 

"Maybe this canyon is haunted, " proposed Jo, who had an imaginativestreak in him. 

"I tell you the way I figure it, " said Jim. "We are not used to campingin a hollow like this, for before this we have always selected a placethat we could defend, and though there is no particular danger fromoutlaws or Indians in these mountains, we can't shake off our oldhabits. "

"I believe there is something in that, " acquiesced Jo. 

"It's that rat over there, " said Juarez loudly. 

The Mexican laughed coolly and insolently, and lighted anothercigarette. This would have maddened an excitable person, but Juarez wasin a stoical mood and he contented himself with flinging a bone that hehad been gnawing at, carelessly over his shoulder, almost striking theMexican in the face. 

This set that peppery individual wild and he tore around considerably, tearing his hair, stamping his feet and sputtering with maledictions atthe insult that had been offered him. 

"I am no dog that you can throw a bone to, " and he sizzled off into astring of unpleasant remarks. 

"Here you, Manuello, " roared Jim, rising to his feet and standing overthe Mexican, "not another yelp out of you. "

Manuello had a respect for this big American lad much as he despised hissimplicity and he sobered down. Besides he had not finished his work forthe night. He had failed to get the sleeping drug to the boys in thecoffee and now he must be ready to help his master, Captain Broom of theSea Eagle, in some other way. 

There was a person whom he feared and admired absolutely and he had beena most useful spy and agent for the Skipper in certain nefarious plots. It was well for the little hunchback that no one knew of his share inthe betraying of old Juan Sebastian some years before. 

"You will have the first watch, Jo, " ordered Jim. "It is now nineo'clock. I will relieve you at eleven and stand guard until two. Juarezfrom two until five and Tom can have the short watch. "

According to this arrangement, Jim and Juarez would be on guard duringthe danger hours. 

How many times in the past had the boys stood guard over their camp. Wasthis to be the last guard? There were the old Kansas days, when they hadto be on the watch against horse thieves. Then came the dangerous crisisin their Colorado experiences, when they had to guard against the wilesof the Indians. And most exciting of all, perhaps, the night in oldMexico when they camped on the trail of the outlaws. I wonder if Jo, thefirst on duty, thought of these old times that night. Probably not, hismind being fully occupied with the business in hand. 

CHAPTER IX

THE ATTACK

So the three boys rolled into their blankets with the saddles forpillows and dropped immediately to sleep as they were very tired fromthe long, hard ride. They lay at different points around the fire, whichwas allowed to die down as the fog seemed like a warm gray blanket overthe whole landscape. 

Jo sat on a log by the slowly dying fire, with his rifle on his kneeslooking into the darkness and not far from him lay the Mexican a meredark lump on the ground, apparently asleep, but keeping a wary eye onall around. Imperceptibly he crept nearer to where Jo was sitting, buthe did not have the weapon he would have preferred in his hand, thestiletto, which was as natural to him as the fangs to a rattlesnake. 

But it did not suit the long-headed Captain Broom to have the boyskilled. He wanted their life as well as their money, but in a differentsense than the adage has it. From what he had heard of them, they wereboys of unusual mettle and varied acquirements. If caught young, hecould train them to good purpose. If they proved worthless, he wouldhold them for ransom. 

So Captain Broom had told Manuello briefly and to the point that therewas to be no rib-sticking and the Mexican would have thought as soon ofdisobeying the commands of the Evil One as of going contrary to theinstructions of the Captain. So as he crept towards Jo, he held not aponiard in his clenched hand, but a heavy weapon like a black-jack, madeof leather with a weight at the end. 

Jo, however, spoiled his first attempt, for when the greaser had gotwithin striking distance, Jo got up and went down to the pool to get adrink. If it had not been so dark, when they arrived, the boys wouldhave seen tracks around the pool that would have aroused theirsuspicions. But everything seemed to work against them this time. 

Jo stooped down at the brink and scarcely put his thirsty lips to thewater when some instinct of warning made him look quickly around and hesaw a small dark object directly back of him. 

"Pardon, Senor, for startling you;" it was the voice of the dwarf, "butI, too, was very thirsty. It is in the air. "

"You needn't have been so quiet about it, " said Jo, crossly. This littlerat always had a way of baffling and irritating him, because he did nothave Jim's force, which could beat down the dwarf when occasion demandedit, or the stoicism of Juarez, which blocked the hunchback. 

"I came softly, Senor, " said the Mexican, imperturbably, "because I didnot wish to disturb the slumbers of the Senors who are resting. "

"Get down and drink, then, " said Jo, who, though he realized that theMexican was up to some hidden deviltry, did not know how to meet him. Jim and Juarez would have knocked him out of the camp if they haddiscovered him trailing them, with a warning that he would be shot if heput in an appearance again. 

While the Mexican was pretending to drink, Jo satisfied his thirst at apoint of the pool where he would be safe from a sudden attack by thehunchback. For Jo was not a fool by any means. Then he got to his feetand with the Mexican ahead of him, he saw to that, he made his way backto the camp. 

Scarcely had Jo seated himself upon the rock again than he heard a sticksnap upon the mountain side above the horses, so he got to his feet toinvestigate. 

"You can stay where you are, Manuello, " said Jo. "I don't need yourcompany this time. " The Mexican laughed softly to himself. 

"I hope the Senor Americano will not get lonesome, " he said. 

Jo made a careful search in the direction of the sound but found no signof a human being lurking among the trees. Though he felt exceedinglynervous, he was unable to account therefor or give a reason. 

Very quietly he went the rounds, so as not to awake the boys, who, however, were sleeping heavily. He found the horses all right standingwith drooping heads as though dozing, Jo's black with his neck overTom's bay, as these horses were great chums. But Caliente and Juarez'sroan were not sociable and kept strictly to themselves. 

Then Jo returned to the rock where he had been sitting. He stirred thedying fire so that it sent up a feeble spurt of flame by the aid ofwhich he looked at his watch. It lacked a few minutes of ten. TheMexican had taken up his old place on the ground watching for hischance. He was anxious that the attack should take place during Jo'swatch for he had his doubts in regard to Juarez or the redoubtable Jimproving easy victims. 

All this time, Captain Bill Broom and his crew had been keeping watchupon their intended victims from the top of the cliff above the pool. They could see every move from the time the Frontier Boys had arriveduntil they lay down near the smouldering fire. 

"They are a husky lot, " was the Captain's first comment. "That tallfellar, I guess, is a horse tamer and Injun fighter. "

Some time later when the altercation occurred about the coffee andJuarez expressed his opinion about the Mexican, the Captain couldscarcely keep from haw-hawing right out. 

"Them fellars have got some dis'pline, " commented the saturnine mate. 

"You're right they hev, " said the Captain. 

"That lad don't know how to handle my pet rattlesnake, " was theCaptain's comment when the Mexican trailed Jo to the drinking pool. After Jo had returned from making his rounds and had resumed his guardagain, the Captain decided that the time had come for action. 

"Now, lads, " he ordered, "pull off your shoes and the first man thatmakes a sound will get his neck cracked. Knock 'em out, if necessary, but no killing this time. "

Then they started, the Captain in the lead, and old Pete bringing up therear. They had had a good many hours in that vicinity and had made apath from their hiding place to the soft dust trail. So they moved intheir sock feet without a sound. There was an oppressive stillness inthat dark canyon under the heavy blanket of fog. 

Already it had began to lower and as the sailors advanced withsnail-like slowness the heavy white fog settled down, filling the canyonwith its white opaqueness. You could not see five feet in front, and themoisture beaded itself upon the eyebrows and mustaches of the men. 

This dense fog was a great help to the attacking party. They had nowcrawled half way down the main trail, when Pete came near putting allthe fat in the fire, for his eyesight was not overly keen, and the fogmade it more difficult for him. He did not see a round stone poised onthe edge of the trail until it rolled down towards the pool. 

Although every sound was deadened by the fog, still the watchful Joheard it distinctly. He got quickly to his feet and, with softmoccasined tread he went in the direction of the sound, his pistol inhis hand. 

No sooner had the stone fallen than the Captain motioned the mate tohalt. This signal was repeated to Jack Cales, who was so hidden by thefog that he could not see the Captain. He stopped suddenly so that oldPete tumbled over him, making some noise. 

The Captain almost had a fit of apoplexy because he did not dare expresshimself at this interesting juncture. Jo had heard the noise on thetrail and his suspicions centered in that direction. Noiselessly he wentup with slight footprints in the damp dust of the trail. The Captainwaited his coming, crouched behind a bend in the trail. 

Then Jo saw a huge figure rising suddenly out of the fog in front of himand, before he could fire, a great hand gripped for his throat, but ifhe could not shoot in defense, at least he could give his comradeswarning. He fired one shot, and then he was overpowered. 

Jim and Juarez heard it instantly. Then Manuello got in some of hiswork. Before Juarez could rise, he struck him a vicious blow upon thehead that stunned him, rendering him unconscious. Cold with fury, Jimpicked up the rat of a Mexican before he could land a blow upon him, whirled him over his head and dashed him upon the ground. 

Then he sprang through the fog in the direction of the shot. He heard Jogroan as the ruffians overpowered him and he leaped up the trail blindwith a fighting rage. The Captain had just got up from the strugglewith Jo, who lay as good as dead in the trail. 

Then Jim hurled himself upon him. Powerful though he was, the Captaincould not withstand the sinewy lurch of that sudden attack and togetherboy and man crashed from the trail over rocks and through brush untilwith a fearful impact they struck the trunk of a pine tree. 

The mate sprang swiftly down to the rescue of his fallen master. He wasa strong, sinewy man and knew how to act in an emergency. 

CHAPTER X

"HAUL IN"

The jar of the fall had knocked out the Captain partially and Jim hadrisen to give him the coup de grace, when he heard the rush of the matecoming down through the fog. It was a strange sensation hearing yourenemy but not able to see him. 

Then the mate plunged into view, a dark ball through the opaqueness. Hecould not have stopped if he had so desired and it was evident that hedid not wish to. For, with lowered head, he came for Jim as he would foran ugly sailor. 

Jim stopped him with his shoulder and ripped in a right uppercut withhis keen hard fist that would have stopped the heart action of anordinary man, and it sent the seasoned mate back upon his haunches, partially dazed. Feeling the Captain squirming back to life, he planteda back blow with his heel in the latter's stomach that took the wind outof the Captain's sails for the time being. The mate, a really hardyindividual, had made good use of the brief respite and, picking up aheavy stick, came for Jim with it. 

The latter dodged the blow aimed at his head and it glanced off hisshoulder. Then he closed with the sailor, struggling to put him out. Three seconds more and Jim would have landed the proper blow, had notJack Cales arrived upon the scene under cover of the mêlée. Before Jimcould turn to meet this new assailant, a stone crashed against hishead--and the frontier boys had lost. 

The Captain had now recovered sufficiently to get on his feet, and thefallen Jim was kicked until the Captain himself called a halt. 

"Wait till we get him on board ship, lads, " he said, "and we will finishthis job. "

"Better get the other two, Cap'n, " advised the mate. 

So they dragged the prostrate Jim to the foot of the trail near wherethe drinking pool was and went to look for Juarez and Tom. They saw asmall black object crawling towards them through the fog. 

"What's this a coming?" asked Jack Cales. 

"Why, it's my Mexican ferret, " said the Captain. "What's the matter, Manuello?" he asked as he turned him over none too gently with his foot. 

"The big Senor throw me over his head and on the ground. I think Icrack the world open, " he explained. The Captain roared with laughter. 

"Where is the rest of this dangerous gang?" he asked. 

"I will show you, " he said, struggling to his feet. The presence of hismaster gave him strength and confidence. "This way, Senor Captain. "

He brought them to where Juarez lay upon the ground, partially held upby Tom, who had been crying and endeavoring to bring his comrade back toconsciousness from the ugly blow that the Mexican had given him. I amsure that none could blame Tom for tears upon this occasion for it wascalculated to try the heart of the stoutest. 

"Why, this boy looks like an Indian, " said the Captain regarding Juarezclosely. 

"He lived with the Indians when a boy, Senor Captain, " volunteered thedwarf, who by subtle means of his own had become possessed of thehistory of the four boys. 

"He don't seem to be much more than a boy, now, " said the Captain. Theyhad not paid much attention to Tom because he seemed a mere kid, but thehunchback was not to be caught napping, for he had worked around back ofTom, and as the latter aimed his revolver at the Captain, having workedit cautiously out of his holster, the dwarf grabbed him in the nick oftime else the expedition would have lost its head. 

Instead of being infuriated as one might have expected, the Captain wasdecidedly amused at the temerity of the youngster, for that is all Tomappeared to him, and, therefore, he did not hand him a beating. 

"The nerve of the little rooster, " guffawed the Captain. "I'll make areal pirate out of you. "

Tom struggled wildly, but it was no use, as Jack Cales and the matedisarmed him. Just then there came a loud yell from up the trail. 

"Haul in, Cap'n!" It was Old Pete's well known and melodious voice. 

"Jack, go and see what the old cuss wants, " ordered the Captain. "Iexpect that the lad up there is trying to kidnap Pete. "

When Jack arrived on the scene, he found that the Skipper had guessedright. For Jo had been playing possum and was not nearly so badly hurtas he had appeared to be. 

He came near escaping from his keeper and it was only by a quick forwardlunge that Pete had grabbed him and then occurred a short struggle inwhich Pete had called for help and just as Jo had wrestled himselfloose, Cales appeared and grabbed him. It took both Pete and Calesquite a while to subdue him. 

Finally it was accomplished and they made him go down the trail, one oneither side. At the foot of the incline he saw the bruised and batteredform of Jim lying on the ground and a big lump came into his throat. 

"You fellows will pay for this, " he said, rendered desperate by thesight of Jim. But his captors only laughed, not realizing that theFrontier Boys were apt to keep their word. 

Then they joined the main gang and Jo saw to his dismay that Tom andJuarez were in the coils as well as himself and that Juarez, too, hadbeen laid out and appeared dazed and only partially conscious of whatwas going on. Thus there was little hope of escape with the two leaders, Jim and Juarez, done for. 

"Better search these beggars for their money, Captain, " suggested themate. 

"It hadn't slipped my mind, " replied the Skipper. 

Now the money and the jewels that the boys had found in Mexico were inleather belts around their bodies. These were soon in the possession ofthe Captain, but the crew knew full well that they would receive theirshare and thus it was that the Skipper gave promise of living to a ripeold age instead of being murdered for his money. 

"It's about time to make a start, Cap'n, " announced the mate, and theCaptain consulted his watch by the light of a lantern. He found that itwas half-past eleven. 

"We won't be so long going back, " he said. "We will use their horses. "

This was easier said than done, for when any of the crew approachedCaliente, that noble animal became transformed into a tiger and as hecame for them with bared teeth or whirled and kicked out with his heels, they decided that discretion was the better part of valor and they lefthim alone. Sailors at best are not very clever horsemen. 

"Let me have a chance and I'll quiet him for you, " volunteered Jimgruffly. "I don't want to see you poor fellows eaten alive. "

"My lad, " said the Skipper solemnly, "I'm no spring chicken and youcan't catch me with any such chaff. "

CHAPTER XI

MISSOURI'S MANOEUVRE

The other three horses proved more tractable than Caliente, and aftersome skirmishing they managed to get their new ships rigged up with thesaddles and other tackle. Now as soon as they got their cargo aboard, they would be prepared to set sail and to cruise over the plains. (Imust use this nautical language out of respect for Captain Broom and hiscrew. )

As I have said before, sailors are poor horsemen and when it came tomaking fast the double cinches, they were quite at sea, where sailorsshould be, perhaps. Old Pete came near getting his head kicked off bypulling the back cinch too tight, but he and Captain Broom profited bytheir youthful experience on a New England farm, so the horses werefinally all saddled and bridled and ready for a flight--except Caliente. He was to be left marooned in the lonely canyon. 

It was surprising to Jim and his comrades how quietly Juarez's roan tookmatters, but there is no relying on a broncho, because he always doesthe unexpected, and the Captain was so pleased with his behavior thathe decided to ride the animal himself. 

"Now, that's what I call a well broken hoss, " he said. "I ain't so sureof the black so I will let you cruise on him, Jack, being the mostactive. I don't know what I shall do for Pete, unless I can find him arocking-horse. "

"What are you going to do with the boys?" inquired the mate. "Have 'emwalk?"

"They can ride their pack mule, " said the Captain grimly. 

So Jo, Juarez and Jim were securely fastened on the patient mule, whileTom rode behind the mate upon his own horse, but no longer as master. Then the queer procession started up the trail through the dense fog. The Captain was in the lead, followed by the mate with Tom, then themule with Pete and the Mexican dwarf guarding the animal and its cargo, while the active Jack Cales was the rear guard. It was exactly twelveo'clock when they weighed anchor and sailed from the harbor or cove inthe mountain canyon. 

The three boys said little to each other. They did not waste theirbreath with threats of what they would do to their captors later on, butaccepted the situation with true western stoicism. But you may be surethat their minds were active even if their tongues said little. 

They were so securely tied that there was no chance for them to make amove as their arms were corded tight to their bodies and their feet weretied under the belly of the mule. Unless they had been experiencedriders they would have had a difficult time of it. But it was terriblyhumiliating, especially under the insolence of the malignant Mexican. But he did not dare do them any actual injury, because the Skipper hadgiven him a warning which he did not dare to disregard. Finally, oldPete put an end to his slurring remarks to the prisoners, so he had tocontent himself with ugly looks and frequent expectoration wherewith toexpress his disgust. 

Before they reached the foot of the trail, Jack Cales changed with Pete, though the latter demurred at first, at boarding the strange black craftwith four legs, but finally consented under the urging of Jack and thewarm recommendation of the boys, who had taken somewhat of a fancy tothe old sailor, since he had shut up the Mexican in their behalf. 

"He won't hurt you, Pop, " said Jim, "he is a good horse. Any lady couldride him. "

"I ain't no lady, " replied the old fellow suspiciously, as he slowlyand stiffly mounted, while Jack held his head, that is to say, thehorse's head, not Pete's. 

"What did he do that for?" inquired Pete, anxiously, preparing todismount. 

"Stay on, you old Barnacle, " roared the Captain from the head of theprocession, for though he could not see anything in the rear, still heseemed able to keep an instinctive tab on his old comrade Pete. 

"That horse is all right, Pop, " said Jo, "and I ought to know. I'veridden him a good many hundred miles. Don't tickle him with your heels, that's all. "

"I guess that's what I've done, " admitted Pete. 

Then the procession resumed its march with Pete as rear guard, ridingwith due caution and circumspection as though his craft was loaded withdynamite and liable to explode at any time. Jack Cales tried to quiz theprisoners on the mule in a friendly way, but they would not relax intheir attitude of grim, if not sullen, defiance towards their captors. 

Captain Broom need not think that his prisoners would ever accept anyconditions from him. Doubtless, he thought that these boys might betrained to help him in his business for he appreciated their courageand fighting ability, but he did not fully understand what stuff thefrontier boys were made of. 

The procession of pirates and their prisoners had now reached the footof the range and were in close proximity to the ranch, but everythingfavored the plans of the Skipper of the Sea Eagle. The fog became denserwhen they reached the level plain so that it was scarcely possible forthe rider to see the ears of his horse. 

Every sound was deadened, so that they could have gone directly past theranch houses and not even the dogs would have heard them. But theCaptain was determined to take no chances, and as soon as the party werefree of the canyon, he bore off toward the south, making quite acircuit. 

Anybody but an experienced navigator would have been lost in the fogupon the plain, but you could not lose Captain Broom either on the highseas or the low plains. They passed between two wooded hills, which thereader will have to take on faith as he cannot see them. Then across agully, on the other side of which they came to a barb wire fence. 

This did not stop them long, as the Captain cut it and they rodethrough. From the footing which was about all that could be observed, they appeared to be in a pasture land with a gentle slope towards thesea. The fog did not diminish in thickness and the boys determined toescape. Here was their chance, if they could be said to have one. 

"Here's where we make a break, " said Jim to Juarez. "Guide the mulealongside of Tom. Then we will run for it. " Jim did not say this in somany words, but he had ways and means of indicating to Juarez, who wastied directly back of him, by a sign and poke language which Juarez wasquick to seize. 

It seemed at every turn that his experience with the Indians was a helpto him. The mule was a protégé of Juarez and with a word he could guideit in any direction that he wished it to go. The fog was one thing thatfavored them. The Mexican could scarcely be seen and Jack Cales stalkedalong looking like a giant through the mist. 

He had grown somewhat lax through the long march. This was the time, ifever. Jim gave Juarez the signal that all was ready. A quick word to themule and he trotted out from his place in the column, knocking over theMexican and before Cales was fairly awake to the situation, he wasobscured by the fog. 

In about two seconds he had hove alongside of the horse that the matewas on. Tom was foot-loose, and no sooner did he see Missouri's longears through the fog, than he was ready for action. 

"Jump, Tom, " urged Jim. It took only about two seconds for Tom toexecute the manoeuvre. 

"Halt!" roared the Captain, and he tried to turn the roan to capture therunaways, but right here, the broncho strain in the animal showeditself. 

He began to buck and never in all his experience had the redoubtableCaptain Broom ever been on so choppy a sea. It was hard to distinguishfog from whiskers. At the second hunch upward, the Captain shot intospace. The boys did not tarry to watch for his descent. A word fromJuarez to the mule, and Missouri turned directly south just as JackCales came rushing up. 

"Touch him with your foot, Tom, " said Juarez, meaning the mule, notCales. Tom's heel reached the right spot and up flew the mule's hindfeet with the rapidity of a rapid fire-gun. 

One foot struck Cales on the shoulder with a sufficient impact to sendhim down and out. The mate had been involved in the cyclone of whichCaptain Broom was the centre. Tom's horse, considered the gentlest ofthe four, had become infected with the roan's example and he started into do a little bucking on his own account. Never since the mate hadrounded Cape Horn, had he known so much action in so short a time. 

The only one left was Old Pete and he came on right gallantly, but bydodging and turning they got away in the fog. After putting what theyconsidered a safe distance between themselves and their former captors, Juarez persuaded Missouri to halt, and Tom went to work and with greatdifficulty first untied, then lifted, them to the ground for the boyswere as stiff as boards from being tied hard and fast for so long atime. 

"My, but it certainly hurts, " said Jo, stamping around in an endeavor toget the blood to circulating again. "It's just like it used to be backhome in the winter when we would go skating and get our hands numb. "

"What is the matter, Juarez?" asked Jim in alarm. 

"Oh, I'm all right, I guess, " he said in a voice that sounded faint tothe boys and far away to himself. Then, without warning, he fell over onthe ground and stiffened out. 

"It's from the blow that the greaser gave him, " said Tom. "It would havekilled him if it had struck him fair. "

"Wait until I get my hands on him, " cried Jim, significantly. 

What should they do now? It was not an easy question to decide. 

CHAPTER XII

THE RANCHERO

They could not desert Juarez and they could not get far with him. It wasenough to stagger them and it seemed that they had reached the end oftheir resources. 

"If it wasn't such an open country, " said Jo, "we might hide until theyhad got out of range and then get to the nearest ranch. "

"If they overtake us we can stand them off, " saying this Jim reached forhis revolver. To his astonishment it was gone. Then he remembered he hadbeen disarmed by Captain Broom, and they were absolutely defenselessunless they could depend on Missouri's heels which had furnished themsuch active protection. 

Finally they brought Juarez around so that he was able to sit up. 

"Where am I?" he asked in a sort of daze. 

"You will be all right in a minute, old chap, " encouraged Jim, speakingcheerfully, but he did not feel so. 

"You bet I will, " he assented feebly, but with invincible determination. "What are you holding me for, Jim? Let's get at those fellows. " It wasevident that his mind was not exactly clear yet. They got him on hisfeet and he seemed better, though still very wabbly. 

"There come those fellows, " cried Jim, suddenly, with more of despair inhis tone than he had ever spoken before, no matter how hard pressed theyhad been. But before there had always been something to do, but now theywere helpless. Jim looked hastily around for some weapon. All he foundwas a small round stone. 

With a yell of exultation, Jack Cales and the mate dashed down uponthem, followed by the Captain and old Pete. They had been able to followthe distinctive mark of the mule's shoes in the soft earth until theycame in hearing of the boys' voices. Then they jumped upon them. Theywere out for blood this time, for they had the boys' revolvers in theirhands, probably because they were better than their own. 

Missouri, finding himself free, made off. Tom halted when covered by oneof the sailor's revolvers, but Jim dodged as the mate fired at him. Thelug of lead spattered the mud between his feet, the next second he wasoff full speed through the fog, followed by fleet Jo. 

The sailors soon gave up the useless chase, for there was no trail toguide them, so they had to content themselves with half of theiroriginal capture and they started for the cove where the Sea Eagle wasanchored as fast as they could go, though they were hampered by Juarez. 

"Better leave him, Captain, " urged old Pete. "He is nothing but anuisance. "

"I'll have use for that fellow yet, " said the Captain. "As for the otherlad, he won't feel so lively after a few days on shipboard. "

This did not have a very cheerful sound for Tom and he was in anythingbut a happy frame of mind. Still he had great confidence in Jim and didnot give up hope of being rescued before the coast was reached. It wasnow getting towards daybreak, and the fog began to lift somewhat so thatthey could see a distance of thirty or forty yards. 

Captain Broom's gang had now left the region of the level pasture andwere coming to the brush section, fringing the coast, and beyond thatthey reached the sand dunes. The nearer they came to the sea the moredepressed Tom became. The only thing that encouraged him was the factthat Juarez began to seem like himself. 

Let us now return to Jo and Jim, who had been so fortunate as to maketheir escape. As soon as they were sure that the pursuit was at an end, they slowed down to a walk. 

"Well, they didn't give us much of a chase, " remarked Jim. 

"Plenty to suit me. What are we going to do now?"

"This fog is beginning to lift, " said Jim, "and then we can take ourbearings. I want to locate this ranch the first thing, and then we canget help. "

"Here's a wire fence, " announced Jo, "I reckon it's the one the oldgeser cut. "

"It surely is and a straight course north is our direction, " remarkedJim. 

"Here are hills that look like those we rode through, " said Jo. 

"We will soon be there now, " was Jim's cheerful comment "What's that? Itsounds like a dog barking. " They stopped, listening intently, as thesound came faint, but there was no mistaking it. 

"I suppose it's some big hound, that they usually keep on theseranches, " said Jo, who was beginning to feel depressed from hunger andfatigue, "and he will jump at us because we haven't any weapons. "

But in spite of Jo's fear they hurried on in the direction of the sound. In a short time, they came to a road between two barb wire fences, whichthe reader will remember that the Captain and his crew took when theywere coming through the Sebastian ranch. But the boys struck it higherup, and were soon in the pasture that sloped down from the ranch housestoward the road. 

Jim and Jo now heard the voices of men as well as the baying of thedogs. The men were talking excitedly about the finding of one of theirnumber in the canyon tied and gagged, and it was evident that it was nota good time for strangers to visit the ranch of the Sebastians. 

But Jim and Jo were dulled to danger and did not care what risk they ranand so they called to the men in a friendly Spanish greeting. There wasinstantly a great hubbub, and two men charged down upon them, precededby a couple of fierce-looking mongrels. These came dashing for them withred, gaping mouths. The boys defended themselves gallantly with twostout sticks that they had picked up. Then the two Mexicans took a hand. 

"Look out, Jo, " cried Jim, who was ever on the alert. "That fellow isgoing to throw his lasso. " Jo dodged just in the nick of time, but thisgave one of the dogs a chance, and if Jim had not stunned him by aresounding crack on the head it would have gone hard with his brother. 

Just then another man appeared on the scene, attracted from the vicinityof the house by the noise of the encounter. He came full speed on asplendid sorrel. It was Juan Sebastian, a dark, handsome young man, atrue son of Spain. 

"What's all this?" he cried as he rode up. "Here, Sancho, Jan, youbrutes, come off. " The dogs slunk obediently to heel. 

"We found those insolent Gringoes, " said one of the men, "comingstraight for the Senor's house. We undertook to stop them. "

"Senor, " said Jim, bowing low and speaking in his best Spanish, "we aresorry, my brother and I, to have caused this disturbance. We arestrangers and unfortunate, and we have heard of your hospitality, Senor"--Jim bowed again. He was not so simple, after all. 

The Senor Sebastian returned the bow with more grace than Jim couldcommand. 

"I regret, Senor--" he hesitated. 

"Darlington, " added Jim. 

"Senor Darlington, that you have been attacked in this manner, but therehas been a party of desperadoes that have been overrunning this part ofthe country for the past two days, and they took one of my men and boundand gagged him and so you see, Senors, " a smile and bow completed theSpanish gentleman's apology perfectly. 

"We have just escaped, not more than an hour ago, from these samedesperadoes, " said Jim. "They have taken my brother and friend with themtowards the coast. "

"We will saddle and overtake them, " promised the Senor, "after we havehad breakfast. "

Jim was stunned by this gentle sort of procrastination. 

"But, Senor, " he said gravely, "we will not be able to overtake them ifwe do not start immediately. Pardon my abruptness, but I cannot restwhile there are two of my party prisoners in the hands of this gang ofcut-throats. "

"It is to be perfectly understood, " replied the Spaniard with no lessgravity, "we will make haste, but first we will eat while the servantsare getting two of the horses ready for you and your brother. "

This was not Jim's idea of making haste by a long shot, but he wasenough of a traveler to recognize that the ways of men and nationsdiffered and that nothing was to be gained by going against the grainof a national characteristic. So while fuming inwardly, he was outwardlyquiet and composed. He argued, too, that it was not likely the pirategang would retain the captured prisoners. Later, when they werethemselves at a safe distance they would set free the others. 

As they went towards the house, the Spaniard dismounted and walked withthem, giving his horse into the charge of one of the men, withdirections to bring two other horses to the house. There was anunmistakable courtesy in doing this and the boys appreciated it. Theycould not help but contrast their appearance with that of the Spaniard. He was not gaudily dressed like a vaquero, but everything he wore waspossessed of a certain richness and was not lacking in color. He trulywas a Prince of the South in appearance as well as in courtesy. 

Jim and Jo were disreputable beyond words. Their clothes were muddy, torn and disheveled, their faces so grimed that it was hard to telltheir original color, and there were blotches of blood upon theirclothes as well as faces and hands. But, though they looked worse thantramps, there was something straightforward in their manner and theirway of speech that the Spaniard was quick to recognize. 

As they walked along the Spaniard explained that his household had beenunusually disturbed that morning. His mother, he said, was an invalid, and had escaped from her attendant. Some mental trouble, he brieflymentioned as the cause of the elderly lady's worriment. Evidently, hedid not connect the tragedy in his own life, in which his father's lifewas sacrificed, with the boys' antagonist. His mother, he assured them, had been found and was returned to her home. 

The boys now had a good view of the house, as they approached it. Thefog having lifted, they could take in the whole situation. The structureitself was of adobe, of the early California type, low, with broadverandas, and built on four sides around a court with a fountain in thecentre, with fish in the basin, and grass around it. There werebeautiful rose-tree bushes with gold and red clusters growing over thecorners of the house. 

From the verandah there was a beautiful view looking off over thesurrounding country. The house itself stood on a rise of ground thatsloped gently from the plain below. Back of it rose the mountains of thecoast range, while in the distance glittered the broad breadths of thePacific, shining like an azure floor. As far as eye could see was thedomain of this great ranch. It was, indeed, a princely estate, and oneof which the Senor Sebastian might well be proud. Those were the days ofromance and of charm in the land of Southern California. 

CHAPTER XIII

A NEW FRIEND

The servants eyed the two boys curiously as they stepped upon theverandah and the brothers were not reassured by any looks offriendliness, though they were outwardly courteous. A withered lookingold woman, who looked to Jim as though she had Indian blood showed theboys to a room, where they could wash up. 

"Jove! Doesn't it dazzle your eyes, Jo?" exclaimed Jim, "to see a realroom, with a bed and a white spread, with those starched things wherethe pillows ought to be. "

"This room would certainly please Aunt Maria, " remarked Jo. "That fourposter bed with the canopy over it, is an old timer, I'll warrant you. "

"If I slept in this room, " said Jim, "I would make a low bow to the bedand then roll up in my blanket and go to sleep on the floor. "

"How do I look?" asked Jo, after he had rubbed and scrubbed his facefor a long time. 

"You have got off the first layer, " replied Jim, "and look about thecolor of a half-breed. Let me try my hand at polishing up. "

"It will take you a week, " remarked Jo discouragingly. 

It cannot be truly said that they looked ornamental even when they wereclean, for Jim's face was badly torn, one side of it being scraped raw. He got this memento when he tackled the Captain and fell down into thecanyon with him. One eye was blackened and the other cheek bruised. These disadvantages were not to be overcome in a short time. 

Jo was somewhat more presentable, but he, too, showed signs of the roughtime that they had had with the Captain and his "merry" crew. But inspite of all this, there was something in their bearing, an honesthardihood and manliness that could not be discounted by torn clothes andbruised faces. 

"This room looks dirty, now, " said Jo, "I'm ashamed to leave it likethis. "

"We will go outside to brush off our clothes, " proposed Jim, "and I'mgoing to empty this dirty water myself. " He started out with it when hemet one of the servants in the hall. With many explanations, numerousgestures and much excitement, she took the pail from Jim and disappearedwith it. 

"They won't let you do anything for yourself here, Jo, " reported Jim, returning to the room. 

This was correct and the boys noticed afterwards that the servantsregarded them with odd expressions of amusement and it was evident tothe sensitive Jo that they were being "guyed" by them, to use a modernexpression. The boys being American lads, were self-reliant, and wereaccustomed to do everything for themselves, and, unknowingly they hadgone counter to a custom of constant service of the Spaniards. It was todemean oneself, according to their code, to do any menial work. 

"Might as well start for the dining room, " proposed Jo. "I hate leavingTom and Juarez to their fate this way. "

"I more than hate it, " protested Jim, "but as you can't hurry thesepeople, we will make the best time by falling in with their way of doingbusiness. "

Then they went out into a passageway and, taking the wrong turn, whichwas quite easy in the rambling old house, they came to a door thatentered into the courtyard. 

"My, but this is beautiful, " exclaimed Jo. "It makes you appreciateCalifornia better when you see a place like this. "

"That hammock looks good to me, " said Jim. "I would like to stretch outin it right now. "

Just then the door opened on the verandah and a really beautiful younggirl stepped out. She was probably seventeen years of age, dressed inwhite, with a black mantilla over her equally black hair and her darkcheeks glowed with color. A very romantic meeting, Messieurs, thegallant young Americans at one end of the verandah and the Senorita atthe other. Then she saw Jim and Jo with their scarred and bruised faces. With a little shriek, and clasping her hand to her eyes, she retreatedquickly to her room. 

"What did you do to scare that girl, Jo?" inquired Jim severely of hisbrother. 

"Nothing, " declared Jo, stoutly. "It was the sight of your face. Itwould give a wooden Injun a chill. " Jim felt of the said facereflectively. 

"I guess you are right, Jo, " he admitted, "but you ain't so charming inappearance that you would do any damage. "

"Let's walk along this side, " proposed Jo. "Perhaps we will locate thebreakfast. "

"All right, " agreed Jim. 

So they stalked along, more or less conscious that a pair of dark blueeyes were regarding them, and they thought they heard a trill oflaughter, but it might have been one of the maids. They need not havefelt embarrassed for there was the grace in their movements that goeswith strength and youth and suppleness. 

They were walking under a perfect bower of flowers anyway. For this sidewas beautifully latticed and over the lattice work grew vines withpurple and golden flowers, that would give a grateful shade when theCalifornia sun would drive the fog away. 

Under foot there was a double flagging of stone with trodden dirt oneither side. 

"I don't see a broom anywhere, " said Jo. 

Just then they heard the voice of Senor Sebastian behind them and theyturned quickly. 

"I had begun to fear, Senors, that you had become lost again. "

"We were, partially, Senor. "

"Our simple breakfast is ready now if you are, " he said. 

"We will have to brush the dirt off before we can go in, " protested Jim. 

"Antonio bring a brush, " called the Senor. In a moment a gray-haired, bent Mexican came with a big kitchen broom. Instantly the Senor flushedwith anger. 

"Stupid one, my guests are not my horses. Have a care. "

A suspicion flashed through Jim's mind that the ancient servitor hadbrought the broom on purpose. It was clear that the servants did nothave a very high opinion of their American visitors. The next time hereturned he had gotten the right brush, and made a point of sneezing asthe dust flew from their mud-dried clothes. This made Jim laugh in spiteof himself. 

"More dust than the Sirocco brings, " said Jim. The old servitor regardedhim with a cunning eye. 

"Si, Senor, " he said, then he was seized with a perfect convulsion ofsneezing. This aroused his master's ire. 

"No more of that, Antonio, " he commanded, "or it will be the lash. "Antonio's cold was cured from that moment. Jim's mouth twitched at thecorners with the humor of it but he did not laugh now for that would bediscourteous to his host. 

Finally the brushing was finished to the regret of the servants, who hadkept an amused eye on Antonio's performance, while pretending to be busyon some trivial tasks near the Patio or court. In her own room, theSenorita was faint with laughter as she watched Antonio dusting the twoAmerican lads. 

It was a simple breakfast that the boys found prepared for them in along, low dining-room, with its dark beams and white plastered walls. The coffee was excellent, with a delicate aroma, and was probably thebest that Mexico could afford. There was a large plate of meat garnishedwith peppers, and a mixed dish of vegetables that looked odd, but thattasted deliciously. You may be sure that Jim and Jo appreciated theirmeal, and they felt invigorated when it was finished, wishing all thewhile, however, that they were on the trail of their captured comrades. 

"Now, Senors, the horses are at the door. They are spirited, but I amsure that you ride well. "

This was a mere expression of courtesy on his part, for he did notexpect any such thing and thought to see his guests fall off if thehorses should rise on their hind legs, as they no doubt would, for therewas not a horse on the big rancho but what was peppery and spirited. Nosooner had the Senor spoke than Jim jumped to his feet, putting his handto his head. 

"I have forgotten about Caliente!" he exclaimed. "It is my horse, Senor, " he explained to his host. "He is up the canyon because the gangthat attacked us last night were afraid of him. "

"I will send for him, " said the Senor. 

"By the pool in the pocket, " said Jim. "But I think I ought to get himmyself, though I appreciate your offer, but one's horse, you know--"

"I understand perfectly. "

"I cannot leave him without food and water, " said Jim. 

"I will attend to that. I will send a trustworthy man, " and he spoke tothe servant who was waiting on the table. In a short time he returnedwith a tall, sinewy man, with straight black hair and dark skin. He gavethis man the necessary instructions and with a "Si, Senor, " the man wentout. 

"A good reliable fellow, " remarked Jim. "He looks like an Indian. "

"He is an Indian, " replied their host, "but of the right kind. Yourhorse is in good hands. "

"Tell him to bring him down to the ranch, " said Jim. "I'll trustCaliente with him. " The Indian was called back and under his stoliddemeanor was an appreciation of Jim's confidence. 

Breakfast over they went out on the verandah, where they could see thehorses. They were spirited looking beasts all right. One was a bay, thetwo front legs white stockinged, very trimly built, with a flashing eye, that he kept rolling around. The boy who was holding him had his handsfull, as the bay would rise on his hind legs and strike out viciouslywith his forefeet. 

The other animal was much heavier than the bay. A brilliant black, whosecoat fairly shone with careful grooming. He had been standingcomparatively quiet until the three appeared upon the verandah of thehouse, then, with a sudden surge backward, he dragged the Mexican boyoff his feet, shaking his head viciously. 

"We ought to be armed, Senor, " advised Jim. "If we should overtake thosemen, they will put up a desperate fight. "

"Certainly, Senor, " he answered. "Come into this room and select yourweapon. "

After both Jim and Jo were armed, they went out to the horses. 

CHAPTER XIV

THE PURSUIT

All the servants seemed just now to find duties of importance in frontof the house or near it. They had no idea of missing the chance ofseeing these Gringoes, whom they held in contempt, thrown from theirhorses. 

Jim took the black and Jo was left the red, the easiest to manage evenif he seemed the liveliest. Jo was too quick for his horse and before hecould whirl to one side, he was in the saddle. Then his animal rearedand plunged but Jo sat on him as easily as a cowboy does his steed. There was no mistaking his horsemanship. The servants were duly anddeeply disappointed. 

But their hopes revived when they saw Jim tackle the black. He beganthat steady sideways movement which Jim knew so well, whenever he triedto put his foot in the stirrup. The servants began to smile, here wouldbe some fun. The "Black Devil, " as they called the horse, had been knownto kill men, so they had pleasant anticipations. When Jim found that hecould not mount by the stirrup, he made a quick, powerful leap and wasin the saddle. 

"Bravo!" cried the Senor Sebastian, but he knew that the fight had justbegun. 

Jo looked on with interest and perfect confidence in brother Jim'sability. The black stood perfectly stunned for a moment or two at beingso suddenly mounted, then he sprang into action. With his back in a humphe shot into the air and came down stiff-legged. 

Without loss of a second he went into the air again, higher than before. From the corral the Mexican cowboys were looking at the duel between thehorse and the boy with lively interest. 

"The Diablo will kill him, " said one nonchalantly, blowing a puff ofsmoke from his cigarette. 

"Five dollars that the Gringo stays on, " said a second. The wager wasmade and others followed, for the Mexicans are inveterate gamblers. Thethird time the horse pitched into the air, Jim swaying with the animal'severy motion as the trained cowboy does. Finding that he could notdislodge his rider that way, the black rose on his hind legs to aperpendicular position. 

Jim knew the trick of old, and was prepared for it. As the horse startedto fall backwards, Jim who had been sticking like a leech, leapedlightly to the ground and with all his strength, pulling upon thebridle, slammed him to the ground. No sooner was the horse upon his feetagain than Jim was in the saddle. 

Once more he tried that falling back trick and this time Jim brought himdown upon the damp earth with a thud that jarred things. The black devilhad had enough. He stood quivering and sweating, but for the time beingsubdued. 

"Bravo!" cried the Senor Sebastian again, and he shook his guest by thehand warmly. "You are a true horseman. Now we shall go. We shall eat upthe miles. "

The crowd of cowboys swung their hats in a salute to the Gringo, whocould conquer the black devil, while the house servants, disappointed atthe stranger's triumph, went back to their different tasks. 

The three horsemen galloped away down the sloping pasture, the Spaniardin advance as he knew the country and the most direct way to the coast. His horse was a splendid sorrel, somewhat taller than the horse that Jimrode. And he was a gallant figure in his leather riding suit and peakedsombrero with a brilliant colored band around it. 

Jim and Jo rode few yards behind the Spaniard and side by side. Jim felta certain exultation in his victory over the Black before people whowould have liked to have seen him defeated. It was exhilarating, too, this plunging gallop ahead with a chance to rescue Tom and Juarez and toget even with Captain Broom and his gang, who had taken away theirvaluables and had given the boys such a cruel defeat. 

"This is a fine horse, " said Jim, "though he hasn't the stride ofCaliente. "

"He is a beauty, when it comes to bucking, " Jo commented. "There isnothing the matter with this bay but my black can beat him for speed. "

So they flew on, the speed of their steeds blowing back their horses'manes, and the fresh air from the sea bringing a feeling of hope totheir hearts, that they would yet be able to overtake the pirates, andrescue their comrades in distress. Their horses' feet were devouring themiles. 

"We stand a chance to get 'em at this rate, " shouted Jim. 

"Won't it be fine if we can all sit down to dinner tonight?" replied Jo. "I bet that Tom and Juarez would enjoy a square meal with the Senor atthe ranch house. Ifs kind of nice to be civilized once in a while. "

"You're right, it is, " declared Jim emphatically. 

"I wonder if there isn't a store around here where we could buy someclothes, " inquired Jo, anxiously. "We look too disreputable to appear inpolite society. "

"Thinking about that girl, I suppose?" remarked Jim with brotherlyintuition. 

"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, " replied Jo evasively. "How aboutthe Senorita down in Mexico who threw you the rose at the castle?" Thisreference to the Senorita Cordova whom the Frontier Boys had rescued inMexico, checked Jim from getting too gay for he still had a tender placein his memory for her. 

The fog by this time was entirely dissipated, and they could see bycertain white or rather light spots in the clouds where the sun wasgoing to break through and an absolutely clear day would result. Thethree riders had now reached the brush region that began a few milesfrom the coast and they were compelled to go more slowly. 

But if they had only known what was going on not more than two milesaway from where they were, they would not have slackened speed nomatter what risk they ran. For Captain Broom and his crew with the twocaptives had arrived at the cove and old Pete and Jack Cales were goinginto the cave for the boat. 

There was a chance, but the Senor and his companions must hurry. Somemishap to the pirates' expedition just at this point and the frontierboys would win. Tom and Juarez might have sung the tune that they hadoften sung before in camp. 

 "Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching, Cheer up, comrades, they will come, And beneath the starry flag We will breathe the air again Of freedom in our own beloved home. "

But they did not know and they sat miserable and dejected upon the dampsand of the beach, not knowing that Jim and Jo were coming nearer everysecond. Then there came an accident, though a slight one, that gave thepursuers a chance. 

Old Pete was carrying one end of the boat. He was nervous, anyway, inregard to the cave and its grewsome contents, thought he saw some darkspectre coming for him out of the blackness of the cave and he droppedhis end of the boat and scudded for the beach. 

The Captain was furious, giving him a blow that sent him spinning halfway down to the water, and he and the mate rushed back to see whatdamage the boat had suffered. It was only slightly stove in, but everysecond was precious. The pursuers were only a mile away. 

Jim began to grow restless as they neared the coast. He seemed to feelthat they were nearing the enemy, and at his urging, the Spaniard, whohad an increased respect and liking for Jim ever since he had conqueredBlack Diablo, put his horse to the gallop, and away they went along thenarrow winding path through the bushes. 

The branches whipt them, but they paid no attention, but on they went;it was evident that they made considerable racket and Captain Broom, with a fierce burst of energy for which he was famous, got the boatlaunched, the two prisoners in, and with himself and the mate at theoars, made the boat leap forward over the lazy rolling swell towards thegraceful Sea Eagle. 

When they had reached a point half-way to the vessel, the horsemen cametearing through the last screen of brush onto the yellow sand. The enemyhad escaped by the skin of its teeth and it was heart-rending to see Tomand Juarez being carried away from them at every stroke of the oarstowards their black prison. Jim put up his hands to his mouth andyelled:

"We will rescue you, boys. Don't give up. We'll get 'em yet. "

A derisive yell greeted this challenge and one of the men in the boatfired at the group on the shore, but the bullet fell harmlessly short. They did not dare to fire in return lest they hit either Tom or Juarez. 

"They have steam up on board, " observed Jim. "But I see one chance to dosome execution. "

It was this. The Sea Eagle was anchored close under a cliff on thenorthern side of the cove. So Jim slipped off his horse, for the way onthat side was impracticable except on foot. It was hard going at that, especially as there were a good many cacti with their wretched thorns. 

Jim stepped gingerly along over the rocks, gliding through the bushesuntil at last he reached a point above the vessel where he could almostlook down upon her decks. The boat from the shore had just comealongside and the prisoners were hustled into the cabin and the doorlocked. Tom and Juarez were a dejected-looking pair and it made Jim'sheart ache to see them. 

The Captain went upon the quarter-deck and gave an order to the man atthe wheel. The anchor had already been weighed. Slowly and gracefullythe Sea Eagle turned, and there stood Captain Broom, as big as life uponthe bridge. Why did not Jim fire? Because he had come to a certain wiseconclusion. 

CHAPTER XV

JIM AND THE SEA EAGLE

As Jim had raised his revolver to fire, a sudden idea came to him. Inthe first place he rebelled instinctively from shooting a man down incold blood from ambush, even if he was as desperate and crime-stained acharacter as Captain Bill Broom, besides it would not save Tom andJuarez and only make their captivity harder to endure, if any injury wasdone the Captain. 

Another thing, Jim was sure that if he began the attack that his twocomrades would be used as shields to protect the man at the wheel, sothat the Sea Eagle could be navigated safely out of the cove. He sawwith interest the narrow place between two lines of foam above hiddenledges where the boat must pass in order to reach the open sea. Hemarvelled at the temerity of Captain Broom in daring to bring his shipthrough such a place. 

Then a brilliant thought came to him, a sudden stroke that might turndefeat into victory. The Sea Eagle was now making straight for thenarrow channel. Jim slipped back for a short distance an ran as rapidlyas he could to a point a little to the west of where he had firsthidden. He did not have long to wait. The Sea Eagle was almost directlyopposite his place of ambush, and was just sticking her nose into thenarrow passage. 

Jim raised his revolver and took careful aim and fired. The man at thewheel gave a yell and clapped his hand to the shoulder, letting go thewheel and the nose of the little steamer swung toward the rock. A swelllifted her bow clear by a few inches, and the Captain caught the steamerby the wheel and brought her to a course. 

"Bring those boys up on deck and shoot them if that black-haired devil, "(meaning Jim) "fires another shot, " he called to the mate. 

That worthy was not slow to obey the order, he had them on deck in fullsight in a jiffy and held a pistol at Tom's head. Jim had raised his armto fire at the Captain when he heard his order and it was as if he hadbeen paralyzed. He knew that Tom and Juarez would have been killed to acertainty if he fired another shot. 

Luck had broken against him again, for that was all that had kept theSea Eagle from going on the reef, where if she had not been wrecked, she and her crew would have been at the mercy of the men on shore. Justthe lifting of the wave had saved the vessel by a few inches, that, andCaptain Broom's quick and skillful action. 

The second round of the contest had gone in favor of the pirate and hiscrew, but only by a shade as it were. But it would not surprise me a bitif Jim evened up matters in the third and final round. Let us hope so, at least, for that will give a silver lining to the black cloud that hadrolled over the boys' fortunes at this particular time. 

Jim made his way slowly back to where Jo and the Senor were waiting forhim on the beach. He was despondent over the failure of his plans by soclose a margin, and the sight of Tom and Juarez helpless on the deck inthe hands of these sea-coast pirates, was always before his eyes. 

"What were you trying to do, Jim?" inquired Jo, "Sink the ship?" BeforeJim could reply, the Spaniard gave a cry of warning. 

"Look out, they are going to shoot. "

Glancing toward the Sea Eagle, which was now a half mile from shore, they saw a puff of smoke, and then a shell struck into the beach belowthem and exploding, sent a shower of sand over them and the horses. Thelatter, frightened, reared and plunged, but the boys soon got theiranimals under control, as they quickly tired of acting up in the heavysand. Jim shook his fist in the direction of the Sea Eagle. 

"Curse your insolence!" he yelled. "I'll make every one of you eat crow, you miserable hounds!"

Jim looked ugly, his eyes glared with concentrated fury and the veins onhis temple were swollen and throbbing. Unthinkingly, he pulled back hardupon the bit, sending his horse up in the air. 

"Easy, boy, " he said, soothingly. "Easy. It was my fault for yankingyou. "

When the horse was quieted, Jim was cooled down to his normaltemperature, and he told his comrades of his attack upon the Sea Eagleand how it had turned out. 

"Senor Darlington, " said the Spaniard impressively, "I will take off myhat to you. You are a natural General. Take my advice, my friend, and goto Spain. There you might head a revolution and in time rise to highmark. "

"I appreciate your praise deeply, Senor Sebastian, " responded Jim, "butmy own country, Senor, I could not leave it for another. "

"Right, Senor, " replied the Spaniard, "you have the true spirit. "

"Which way will she turn, do you suppose?" asked Jo, pointing to thevessel that was moving steadily out on the Pacific in a straight linefrom the shore. 

"To the North, doubtless, " replied the Spaniard. 

"Wherever she goes we must find her out, " said Jim, with grimdetermination. 

"I wish we could follow them, " sighed Jo. "If we could only hire aboat. "

"They have our money, " replied Jim, briefly. 

"I had forgotten that, " said Jo, and his face showed his disappointment. 

"Permit me to help you, " said the Spaniard, "I am to blame for detainingyou at breakfast. "

"That is generous of you, Senor, " replied Jim, "but I do not favor goingto the expense of chartering a steamer. Even if it were possible, myplan would be to follow along the coast on horseback and see what can bedone when they make a landing. "

"As you are the General, " replied the Spaniard, "we will allow you tomake the plans. "

"Look!" exclaimed Jo, "they are turning South instead of North. "

"Impossible!" cried the Spaniard. "There is only one port within twohundred miles. I do not understand. Yes, they are surely going South. "

"Perhaps they have a secret landing place, " hazarded Jim. 

"Not so, " replied the Spaniard. "Not a harbor where they could land saveone and there they would not dare to go. "

The three watchers on horseback gazed until there was little to be seenother than a smudge of smoke upon the horizon. It was no use, the SeaEagle was holding to her southerly course to some mysterious port. Thesun had now come out and was shining with sheer brilliance upon thesparkling ocean. 

"We must return now, " said the Spaniard. "There is nothing more for usto do at present. "

"I think that my brother and I will start this afternoon and take thetrail to the south, " announced Jim, "wherever those fellows set foot, Iwant to be waiting for them. "

"I fear it is impossible to start so soon, " replied the Spaniard, "Imust go with you as I know the country to the South, every foot of it. "

"The Senor is right, Jim, " put in Jo, quickly, as he saw a frown onJim's face and was afraid that he was going to say something abruptly. "You will want to give Caliente a good rest, so that when we start, wewill make the distance without delay. Then we have to make somepreparations ourselves. "

Jim looked at his brother with a moment's dark suspicion, but it wasevident that Jo was perfectly sincere in what he said. 

"I will promise, Senor, " said the Spaniard with a peculiar smile, "thatwhen we start which will be early tomorrow morning, that we will travelfar and fast enough to suit you and your horse. " There was a challengein his voice that Jim met smilingly. 

"So be it, Senor, " he said, "I will try to be in sight at the finish. "

"My horse is a remarkable animal for speed and endurance, I must tellyou frankly, " said the Senor gravely. "He has no equal in this countryof California. He has proved it more than once and against all comers. "

"He is certainly a fine horse, " admitted Jim, looking at the sorrel withadmiring eyes. "He has a splendid stride. "

"Ah, no, Senor, " laughed the Spaniard with a gleam of his white teeth, "I did not mean him, " patting the horse on the neck, "a good animal, indeed, but more for my little sister to ride than for me. Wait, myfriend, until I introduce you to Don Fernando and then you will see ahorse for the first time. "

"I should be very much pleased to see him, " said Jim, frankly curiousand interested. 

"Tomorrow, " said the Spaniard. 

They had now turned into the narrow trail among the bushes and had onlyridden a few steps when Jo called a sudden halt. 

"What do you think, Jim, there's my horse and Tom's tied in thatthicket. "

Sure enough there they were, utterly worn out, but with spirit enough torecognize their old comrades Jim and Jo, and if ever horses expressed awelcome these two did when they first caught sight of their two friends. 

"They have cut the saddles to pieces, the brutes, " exclaimed Jo. 

"I'm glad to get the horses, " said Jim, "I am surprised that they didn'tcut their throats. "

"They will follow us all right, " said Jo, in reply to the Spaniard'ssuggestion that they would have to be led, and they trotted along behindJo, who was the last one in line. 

"Do you know of any place where we could buy things?" asked Jim. "Weneed a new outfit. "

"But we have no money, " put in Jo quickly. 

"I will get the money or its equivalent today, " said Jim. "If there is astore where the Senor can get me credit. "

"Yes, there is a store where a Portugee sells about everything that weneed in this country, " replied the Spaniard. "It is some distance to thenorth. We will ride there before we return to the ranch. There will beno difficulty about the credit, " he concluded, with a bow to Jim. 

CHAPTER XVI

THE BOYS PUT ON STYLE

"You do not know my ability to spend, " said Jim, "I may have to plungeto the extent of several hundred dollars. You see my brother has veryexpensive tastes. It will cost quite a small fortune when I buy him acomplete trousseau including diamonds. "

"I will pledge my lands if necessary to get the young Senor diamonds, "said the Spaniard laughingly. 

In about an hour's time they came to a large one story frame buildingpainted a rather light blue, which color had weathered a good deal. Ithad a square, false front with a sign on it that read, "Mr. Gonsalves, General Trader. "

They hitched their horses to some well graveled posts, and went insideleaving Jo's and Tom's horses free to graze at will around, or to standunder the shelter of some drooping pepper tree across the road. Theproprietor, a short, thick-set Portugee with a close trimmed blackbeard, and a gray slouch hat which he always wore, apparently, receivedthem graciously. The contents of the store were entirely at theirservice, --if they paid for them. 

"We will miss poor Tom here, " said Jo, "he was always our purchasingagent. "

"And a mighty good one, " added Jim. "Not even a Connecticut Yankee couldget the best of him in a bargain. "

The Spaniard sat in a round armed wooden chair, gracefully smoking acigarette, while his guests busied themselves making purchases. Firstthe boys bought some new clothes, which they retired behind a counter toput on, and emerged in proper apparel for the plains. 

Blue flannel shirts, and pants of the same color, held up by leatherbelts, with much glitter of silver on them, then they bought a sombreroapiece, not after the Mexican style, but of the American type. Jim had ared band around his and Jo had a blue. 

"Now we want some handkerchiefs to tie around our necks, " said Jo. 

"Of course, " remarked Jim with a wink, "something that will catch theeyes of the ladies. "

So M. Gonsalves brought out a brilliant assortment of handkerchiefs. 

"Here's a very fine article, gents, " he said holding out a red silkhandkerchief, clustered with white horseshoes. 

"Nothing the matter with that, " admitted Jim admiringly, with a drolllook at Jo. "But this plain red one will suit me. My brother wouldprobably like the horseshoe one. " But Jo also declined. 

"I will take the dark blue one, " he said, "it matches my costumebetter. "

"Gee! but you will look like a color scheme, " laughed Jim, "blue eyes, blue pants, shirt, tie and socks, and hat band, you ought to be a sailoron the blue Pacific. "

"The next things are boots, " remarked Jo. 

"Not for me, " said Jim briefly, "I want moccasins. Worn 'em all my life, and I am not going to change to boots now. "

"Fine line of moccasins, " said the accommodating Mr. Gonsalves in hisbest trade manner. You see he had been in business in San Francisco andknew something of the ways of customers. 

"But it gives us more style to wear boots. You notice that all theinhabitants wear them, we can buy moccasins too. You wear them all thetime and they will set you down for an Indian. "

"When a fellow once gets the idea of style in his head, " said Jimresignedly, "nothing this side of matrimony is going to stop him. So layon MacDuff and cursed be he who first cries hold, enough. "

"I feel like I was anchored, " commented Jim, stepping across the floorwith heavy tread. "I should like to stalk a deer or an Indian in thesethings. He could tell you were arriving before you got above thehorizon. "

"But you look fine in 'em, " said Jo. 

It was true that he made a striking figure in his blue togs. The lithepowerful physique, and the strong, resolute face. 

"Better look out, Jo, " grinned Jim. "No Senorita would look at you, whenthey see me dashing over the landscape. "

"I'm a pretty stylish looking guy myself, " responded Jo, confidently. Hedid make a good appearance, there was no doubt of that. Though slighterthan his brother he was well set up, and his frame was well muscled. Hewas handsomer than Jim. But there was no nonsense about either of thetwo boys and they never gave an unnecessary thought to their appearance. 

"Now, Mr. Gonsalves, " said Jim, "we would like to look at some of yourman-killers. "

"Revolvers?" he questioned, "just step this way. I can fit you out allright. "

He did have a fine collection and Jim examined the different onescarefully, noting their action and how easily they worked. 

"I see you are no tenderfoot, " complimented the proprietor. "You havehandled shooting irons before. "

"I'll be a tenderfoot before long, if I wear these condemned boots yousold me, " said Jim gruffly ignoring the compliment. He did not careespecially for M. Gonsalves' style. "Now let's have a look at yourrifles. " The proprietor actually took off his hat and bowed. 

It was evident that the distinguished gentlemen from nowhere inparticular were going to buy out his entire stock. 

"Would you be so gracious as to step this way?" he said, "I have therifles in the back of the store. "

They were so gracious, and after due examination they selected a coupleof well balanced guns and purchased enough ammunition to stand off a fewIndian raids. All the stuff besides what they had on their backs theypacked upon Tom's horse, as Tom was not present to resent the indignity. 

"Now the last things are some saddles, " said Jim, "seeing that our kindfriends, the pirates, cut up those we owned. "

"Senor Darlington, " said the Spaniard coming forward and touching Jimlightly on the arm, "Do not speak of buying saddles. I will see tothat. " Jim did not know exactly what their host meant but he thanked himand deferred to his request. 

Now behold the frontier boys in complete costume, with glitteringrevolvers at their hips and rifles swung across their backs, upon theirhands were fringed buckskin gloves. They had gone the whole hog as Jimsaid. 

"I'll take the shine off this costume in about one day, " said Jimgrimly, "when I get in the open, I would rather break a broncho, than anew suit of clothes. " There was no doubt about his impressiveappearance, as the sun flashed on the metal of the accoutrements and heswung himself into the saddle. Even their host seemed to hold them inhigher regard. Different people, different manners. 

When they reached the house ranch the first thing Jim did was to findCaliente. He was in the long adobe stable that was a half-mile from thehouse, at the beginning of a wide mountain valley, where the air drewthrough from the sea. 

"How are you, Caliente old fellow, " cried Jim, as he opened the boxstall and went in to shake hands with his old comrade. But the horseleaped to one side, and then reared up as if to strike Jim. 

"He don't know you, " cried Jo who was on the outside of the stall. "Takeoff your hat. "

Jim whirled it out of the stall, and a change came over Caliente. Herecognized his master, and nickering in recognition he rubbed his headagainst Jim's shoulder, and took playful nips at his fine new shirt, while Jim fairly hugged him, and gave him resounding whacks with hisopen hand upon his splendid sides and shoulders. 

"A magnificent animal, Senor Darlington, " said Senor Sebastian to Jim, "I congratulate you. "

It was a true word. Caliente with his proud neck, small but shapelyhead, powerful but not too heavy frame, and color of mottled gray wasmagnificent. 

All that afternoon Jim busied himself grooming his horse until his coatfairly glistened. He looked carefully to his feed, and saw to hiswatering. For Jim was determined that his horse should not be beaten bythe Spaniard's. He knew that the latter's horse must be an unusualanimal. It was not a short race, instead, one of two hundred miles thatlay before them on the morrow. 

That evening the American boys presented a better appearance than theydid at breakfast. It was a pretty scene that evening in the long diningroom. The snowy table lit by light of candles and set with ancientsilver brought from Spain. The young Senorita was seated at herbrother's right, and on the other side were James Darlington and hisbrother Joseph. As to the impression she made upon them, we will saynothing, as this is not a romance, but they had a merry and delightfulevening. 

Their host and the young Senorita were much interested in hearing of theadventures of the boys in Mexico, especially that part that referred tothe rescue of the Senorita Cordova from the hands of Cal Jenkins and hisgang. I do not know that The Frontier Boys told it with any less fervorbecause the eyes of the young girl, seated opposite, were fixed intentlyupon them. It appeared that their host knew of the Senor Cordova, whowas a man of prominence in his country, though he had not actually methim. So there was one more bond of sympathy between the Senor Sebastianand James and Jo Darlington. 

CHAPTER XVII

ON BOARD THE SEA EAGLE

Let us now turn our interest and attention for a time to the cruise ofthe Sea Eagle, under the guidance of that redoubtable free-booter, Captain Broom. It was a mystery to the three who watched the ship turnto the South, what her port could be. We will soon be in a position tosolve that problem. 

No sooner had the Sea Eagle cleared the cove than Captain Broom went tohis cabin to go over his spoils which he had taken from the frontierboys. He placed all the belts upon the table, took up one, and with akeen knife slit the first pouch. A large heavy Spanish coin rolled outand then clinked down upon the table. 

The Captain's eyes glistened. "By Gosh!" he exclaimed, "it was worthwhile rounding up those fellows. They must have struck it rich down inMexico. I bet the boys will be tickled to death to get their share. " Forwhatever crimes and shortcomings Captain Broom could be charged with, at least he always divided fairly with his crew. Thereby he held theirloyalty. It was not all policy, either, for there was a sterling streakin the bad old fellow. 

Out of the next pouch there glittered upon the table several diamondsand a small palm full of rubies, with their rich color and radiance. "The boys will have enough to start a jewelry store, " commented theCaptain. "But I am not surprised at this haul. I know something aboutthe hidden treasures myself, and they do say Mexico is the the place forthem. "

Out of another belt he got some ingots of gold and a girdle that causedthe Captain to open his eyes. At first he did not know what to make ofit. When he held it up he saw that it was formed of golden disks linkedwith strings of rubies and sapphires. In the third belt was a necklacethat might have been worn by some Princess of the Incas. It was oddly, almost weirdly beautiful. 

The fourth belt that he picked up chanced to belong to Jim. 

"This seems lighter than the others, " remarked the Captain. "Three ofthe pouches are empty. " His face got black with rage. For instantly hismind leaped to the suspicion that one of his men had rifled it. If suchhad been the case, the guilty party would have got short shift at theend of a rope from the yard arm. 

But the second examination showed that the cut was an old one. 

"So!" he cried, "one of the boys has cached part of his share. I bet itwas that long-legged, black-haired guy. That fellow would give the bestof us trouble. I wish I had him to train. Maybe, I can make something ofthe Injun boy, " meaning Juarez. 

As to the belts, the shrewd old fellow, to make sure, measured them tosee where the worn holes of the leather came, and the partially emptybelt had been worn two inches longer than any of the others. 

"It was the big fellow's, " said the Captain. 

Then he went upon deck and called the crew forward. 

"Now, lads, choose your man to get your share of the goods, " he said. 

"It's Jack Cales, sir, " they said, knowing that they would be calledupon to select a man to take their share. 

"All right! Come, lad, " said the Captain, and led the way to his cabin. When Jack Cales saw the treasures on the table, he opened his eyes andmouth in astonishment. 

"Why, Sir, " he exclaimed, "we haven't seen anything like this since theday two years ago when--" he stopped suddenly, seeing from a look in theCaptain's eyes that no reminiscences were desired. 

"This is your share, lad, " said the Captain, gruffly. 

"Thank you, sir, " responded Cales, as he swept the small pile of goldand jewels into the palm of his big hands. 

"And mind ye, lad, " warned the Captain, "I don't want any quarrelingamong yourselves or ye will hear from me. "

"Aye, aye, sir, " replied the sailor and backed out of the cabin. 

There was an interesting gathering in the forecastle when Jack Calesdeposited his handful of treasures on the top of a sea chest that hadbeen hauled out for the purpose. 

For once it was not necessary to have the lantern lit, for a broad bandof sunshine shone down the steep ladder and cut a golden swath throughthe dingy gloom and fell athwart the chest and illuminated the group:the tall and swaggering Cales, the rugged, grizzled Pete, and the othersailormen; a typical group and not to be matched for picturesquenessanywhere; with their faces intent upon the center of the old black seachest, where glowed and glittered the gold and jewels in the band oflight that shone upon some of the faces of the intent group, whileothers were in the shadow. It was a scene such as Rembrandt--pardon, kind reader, I forgot for a moment, this is a simple narrative ofAdventure. 

"Pete, " said Cales, "how the ladies will love you when they see a chainof glittering diamonds around your throat. "

"One thing is certain, lad, " replied the grizzled Pete, "I won't begivin' none of my diamonds away to the ladies. I'll keep the stones safein my jeans. "

"You'll have to be keerful, Pete, " rallied another, "they'll be marryingyou for your ill-gotten wealth, when they find out that you are anheiress. You can't help yourself, Pete. It won't make any differencebecause you are a pirate, that won't scare 'em. Not when they see themjewels. "

"What's the use of you boys a talkin' to me, " he said with a wise wink, "you're only kittens. I'm sixty year old and I'm a free man yit. "

"Here's a pill for you, Pop, " said Cales, dropping a diamond into hishorny hand. 

"Gee! I'm just as well pleased to get this as I was to get a bunch ofpopcorn when I was a kid back in New England, off the Christmas tree. "

"Better have it sot in one of your front teeth, Pop, " said Jack. Thisproduced a roar of laughter, for Pete's front teeth were conspicuous bytheir absence. 

So the distribution went on without any bickering at first, only jovialjokes, but at last there came a bone of contention over the lastdiamond. And in a jiffy Jack Cales and a short, stocky sailor were alltangled up in a fierce encounter. Their comrades, none too gently, hoisted them up on deck. There they continued their fight. 

No sooner did Captain Broom see them than he cluttered down from thebridge at a furious rate. The two combatants ought to have taken warningbut they were deaf to everything except their own struggle. He was lividwith anger, and his wrath was in a large measure justified. 

"I'll larn you!" he yelled, grabbing each by the back of the neck. "Youwon't fight any more this trip. "

They were like children in his hands. He had not only the arms of agorilla, but the strength of one when he was aroused and it was acaution the way he slammed them around, flaying the deck with them, anddashing their heads together. It seemed as if every bone in their bodieswould be broken. Finally he flung them unconscious on the deck. 

"Put them in the Sagenette, " he ordered the mate. 

"Aye, aye, sir, " he replied, and with the aid of one of the sailors, they were chained in a narrow cell. 

Here was where Juarez and Tom came in. As the two fighters were knockedout and locked up, it made the crew short and they were ordered out ondeck from the cabin where they had been kept. Almost famished thoughthey were, they had to jump in and work like nailers, not to say, sailors. 

Fortunately for them, they had experienced a hard schooling in manydifferent ways since they came west and were practical masters ofseveral lines of industry, but this was their first experiencesailoring. It was a hard school, but they learned more in a few days, than they would have under months of more gentle tuition. This was tostand them in good stead when they started on their cruise to Hawaii. 

"I'll get even with those fellows, " growled Tom as he passed near Juarezwho was busy polishing some brass work. "Yes, if it takes the rest of mylife. "

"What do you mean, stopping and gabbing, you little shrimp?" roared themate who chanced to see Tom stop. 

And he rushed up and grabbing Tom by the back of the neck, shook himferociously, landing him a couple of kicks at the same time. This wastoo much for Juarez, who poised a stone that he was using and was aboutto brain the mate with it when the Captain's iron grip fell on his arm. He didn't throw that brick. 

"Easy, lad, " said the Captain. "No more fighting on board this ship, orI'll take a hand again and don't you two lads pass the time of dayeither. You won't be killed if you work hard and keep cheerful. " Then hegave the mate a look, which that worthy understood and Tom was allowedto go about his work without further molestation. 

But this was a new and hard doctrine that the Captain had laid down thatthe boys had to take hard usage and unceasing work and keep cheerfulabout it. They soon found that the Skipper meant what he said. It was abitter lesson, but perhaps they were the manlier for learning it soyoung. For it's something that life hands out to everyone sooner orlater. 

Often the boys looked longingly over the rail towards the faint, faroutline of the California coast. The Skipper was keeping his ship farout from the land for reasons best known to himself. One thing wasfavorable in that the sea air had braced up Juarez so that he felt morelike himself though his head was queer at times. And no wonder for thatblow the Mexican dwarf had given him was sufficient to have stunned anox. 

CHAPTER XVIII

A DAY AT SEA

The Sea Eagle was steaming steadily South to her mysterious harbor. Theday was a brilliant one and as the afternoon wore on the wind from theNorthwest began to blow with fresher force and the white caps began tojump, here, there and everywhere over the broad surface of the ocean, and then slide down on the back of the waves. 

There was a good deal of motion on the part of the Sea Eagle now, as sheplunged into the waves and threw the spray back over her decks. BothJuarez and Tom proved themselves good sailors, which was just as wellfor if they had been sea sick together with their other miseries theymight have succumbed. 

Finally the long afternoon wore away and the time came for supper. Theboys being neither flesh, fish or fowl, were not allowed to eat with thecrew, and they did not mind in the least. When their rations did arrive, or rather when they went to the ship's galley and got their share, theyfound the fare not lacking in quality and abundance. There was a heapingplate of Mexican beans, a big hunk of bread and a bowl of hot tea. Afterthe boys had stowed this below in their hatches they felt a hundred percent better and more fit to meet any fate that might await them. 

An hour before sunset a heavy bank of fog began to roll up from theWest, soon covering the whole sky with its gracious softness, anddecided restfulness, after the glittering blue-diamond beauty of theday. 

It is the fogs alone that make the climate of California, especially inthe Southern part endurable. Too much sunshine becomes as unbearable astoo much cloudiness. 

The sea went down, when the fog came up and the waters took on a steelycolor under their blanket of gray, rolling on, in that monotonousmeditation that holds the mystery of forgotten ages in its brooding. 

"Here's where you will sleep, boys, " said Old Pete, who had beenappointed by the Captain to have special charge over their education. "The men won't have you in the fo'castle, and it's pretty crowded thereanyway. "

"This will suit us, sir, " replied Juarez. He did not call him Pop, ashe would have on the land. This was the sea and had its own rules andcustoms, therefore Old Pete received his due of respect. But in hisrough way he was not unfriendly towards the boys, for he remembered thatthey had given him friendly advice, when he was aboard that strangecraft, a horse, the night before. 

The place where the boys were to sleep was a sort of cubby hole in thebow of the boat, that was roofed over and where anchor chains and otherjunk was sometimes kept. It was not over four feet high, five in widthat the broadest and narrowing to the bow. 

A rude place to sleep in, but what did the Frontier Boys care for that?They could scarcely count the nights that they had slept out on theground, and in bad weather too. They had a blanket apiece, and atarpaulin to pull over them. 

The blankets they had spread out on the floor of the cubby hole and theyfound that the tarpaulin made a mighty warm protective covering, keepingout the damp sea air in fine style. 

"Where do you suppose we are heading for, Juarez?" inquired Tom. 

"Maybe a port in Mexico or South America and then again we may head forHawaii before we intend to. "

"We are going South now, though, " said Tom. 

"If we run in close to the coast, we'll jump overboard, and swim forit, " said Juarez. 

"We could do it if we get within a mile, " said Tom, "if it is not toorough. "

Just then Juarez put his hand over Tom's mouth, he felt sure thatsomeone was listening or was preparing to. Juarez ran his fingerscarefully over the boards until he found where a hole had been boredthrough the planking a little back of their heads. It was just as he hadsuspected, someone was listening to hear what plans they would make. 

With the noiselessness characteristic of him when scouting, Juarez creptout partially and cautiously raised his head until he caught sight ofthe sole of a man's boot. Then he crept back to his place and gave Tom anudge. Forthwith they began talking in rather loud tones. 

"Say Tom, do you know I rather like this ship. These fellows are roughin their way but that is to be expected. "

"Of course, " said Tom, in an equally loud voice, "but we might as wellmake the best of it. There is no chance for the boys to find us. "

"You're right there, Tom. "

Then in a short time they appeared to fall into a deep and sonoroussleep. This was no fake on the part of Tom who was actually andthoroughly tired. But Juarez was more of a veteran and he kept his eyesopen and he was rewarded in a few minutes by seeing a man's feet hangingover the edge of their bunk house and then he saw the figure of the mateslouch aft. 

"You sly old rascal, you, " remarked Juarez. "We will 'larn' you to tryand be too smart with the Frontier Boys. We may be young but we are notfools. "

Nothing happened for a while and the gentle plunge of the Sea Eagle intothe long rolling swell soon lulled the tired Juarez into a sound sleep, so that neither he nor Tom were aware that the ship had suddenly changedher course. 

By and by however, Juarez waked with a start. Something had happened, heknew not what. He sat up and struck his head upon the planking overhead. Fortunately however he did not hit the place where the Mexican hadstruck him but at the best his head was a tender place with him and theblow stunned him, but as he was now more his rugged self, he soonrecovered. 

He found what had wakened him was the stopping of the ship. He sawseveral dark forms moving aft and he crept out to see what was afoot. Hehad to move very carefully but managed to reach the hood of theforecastle, where he crouched looking and listening. 

He saw that they were lying to, close in to shore and could see thewhite splash of the breakers as they rolled towards the shore and couldhear their monotonous thunder upon the beach. Here perhaps was theirchance. Just then he heard the heavy voice of the Captain from thebridge. 

"Lower away there. " Then the starboard boat slid noiselessly down fromthe davits into the water. 

Juarez got up and glided back into the cubby hole to tell Tom the goodnews. It was their opportunity to escape and seemingly a good one. Thesea was smooth and the night was dark. They could slip over the side ofthe vessel and pull for the shore, and not a soul on the Sea Eagle wouldbe the wiser until they looked into their nest in the morning to find itempty. 

Once they got to the shore it would be an easy matter to make their wayNorth until they met Jim and Jo. 

The anticipation of the escape had already thrilled through every nervein Juarez's body. But he had just started to wake Tom, when somethingmade him look down the deck. There was the tall figure of one of thesailors coming directly towards the bow. 

Juarez lay down quickly as though asleep. Then the man reached down andcaught hold of Tom's foot and Juarez's and gave them a rough yank. "Soyou are here, you young brats. You had better make a move or the Cap'nwill finish you. "

Juarez was fairly sizzling with rage especially as Tom was reallyfrightened by being wakened in such rough fashion and after all Tom wasbut a boy and it pained Juarez to see him so scared, but he washelpless, and all he could do was to add one more black mark to thescore he was charging up to the free-booters. 

Instead of moving away, the man sat on a capstan a few feet distant fromthe boys' den, watching for the slightest move on their part, a marlinspike dangling playfully in his hands. Juarez had not taken the craftyand keen sighted Captain Broom into account. 

From the Bridge, that worthy, although he was watching the launching ofthe boat, had chanced to catch sight out of the tail of his eye of adark shadow flitting back to the forecastle. He was not sure it was oneof the boys, but he was taking no chances, for he had a real respect fortheir prowess and audacity as he might well have. 

So he had sent one of his crew to guard this young lions' den, while theship was so close in shore. He did not intend to stay longer than wasnecessary right at this point, and he waited with some anxiety for thereturn of the mate and Pete in the boat. 

It was now two o'clock in the morning and Captain Broom wanted to be outat sea a good safe distance before the light broke. The mate's boat hadnow been gone over a half-hour, and the Captain stood at the end of theBridge looking towards the shore. There was not a light upon the vesselto show her position. She lay silent and black upon the dark waters. 

Then the Captain straightened up. He saw a moving body approaching theship and heard the slight dip of oars. Then the boat was alongside andinstead of two men, there were three in the boat. The Captain went downto the main deck to meet them. 

CHAPTER XIX

THE PASSENGER

They met without any formality. The new passenger was a tall, slightlystooped man, with long hair falling down to his shoulders. Juarez wasexceedingly anxious to see him, but could make out only a dark formmoving along the deck. 

"Come to the cabin, Jeems, " called the Captain. "I've got something totell ye. "

They were soon seated in the Captain's cabin. This was a good-sizedroom, panelled in light wood and very neatly kept. There was quite abroad table of the same wood as the walls and a swivel chair in front ofit. The Captain seated himself in this chair and whirled to talk to thevisitor from the shore. 

It was evident that he was not a temporary visitor for scarcely had theyseated themselves in the cabin than the Sea Eagle slowly and gentlyturned and they felt the pulsation of her engines as she headed oncemore for sea. The man was seated on a sea chest opposite the Captain. 

He wore long cowhide boots, with jeans pants thrust into their tops, flannel shirt of a nondescript color and a corduroy jacket. His hat wasof a battered gray. The face was smooth-shaven, deeply lined and burntto a dull brown. The hair which came down to his shoulders had thatpeculiar sun-burnt weathered tinge that comes from continual exposure tothe weather. He was not an old man, probably on the sunny side of forty. 

"Well, Jeems, what is your news?" inquired the Captain. 

"The government boat is in the harbor, that's all. " The Captain gave alow, peculiar whistle. 

"When did she show up?" he asked. 

"Two days ago, Cap'n, " he replied. 

"Come from the South?"

"Yes, " replied the man. "Put in for coal, I reckon. "

"Then put out for us, " said the Captain briefly. 

"Any 'baccy, Cap'n? Been out two days, " remarked Jeems. 

"Lift your lanky frame off that chest, " replied the Captain, "and I'llgit you some. "

The man sprang up with remarkable alacrity, and as he unfolded lengthafter length of his long figure, it seemed as if his head would touchthe ceiling of the cabin. In fact, he did not miss it by many inches. It was a comical contrast between the short stooping figure of theCaptain and the tall stranger. 

"Waal, Jeems, I wouldn't advise you to grow any more, or I'll have toraise the roof of my cabin. "

"That's what, Cap'n, " replied Jeems imperturbably. "That's what happenswhen you grow up in Californy. You grow all the year around, and notlike in New England where the winters makes you stubby. "

Then the native philosopher seated himself on the chest again and tooklong and delightful pulls at his recently staked pipe. 

"Hum!" he said. "This tastes right. Did yer ever know what it war to bestarved for yer 'baccy, Cap'n?"

"No, " replied the Captain, "I can't say that I ever did. "

"Well, I want to tell you, Cap'n, that it is worse than going withoutwater and I know what that is. Been on a desert till my tongue was asthick as a cow's, and hung out between my teeth, black. "

"How long have you been away?" inquired the Captain. 

"Three weeks, Cap'n. "

"How are the sheep lookin'?"

"Pretty fair, Cap'n, " he replied. "I think that they had a whiff of rainover there a few days ago. "

"It won't be long till we git the rains, " suggested the Captain. 

"I don't know, Cap'n, " remarked the lanky one. "The climate of Californyis a curious proposition. It's built on the bias down at this end. "

"How's that?" asked the Captain curiously. He had a certain interest inthis particular courier's theories, however he might laugh at theirpeculiarities. For there was apt to be a basis of reason in them. 

"Well, it's this way, Cap'n, " said James Howell, to give him his correctname, thrusting one lanky hand deep into his jeans pocket and bendingforward awkwardly. "It's this way. You see the storms come down from theNorth to the Tehatchipei mountains, where there isn't any way for themto get through to the south. Then the clouds shift around to Arizony, and if the wind is right they are blown through the passes of the SierraMadre into Southern Californy, then we get the rain. That's why I said, Cap'n, that this dazzling climate is built on the bias. "

"Waal, Jeems, as a weather prophet you can't be beat, " said theSkipper. 

"In my business I get plenty of time to think, Cap'n, " he remarked, "andas they ain't much to see except climate I think about that. "

"Waal, I have a good sight more than that to consider, " replied theSkipper. "I'm thinking right now about that government boat. I'm goingon deck. You can turn in. "

The Captain showed him to an empty cabin and the lanky strangerproceeded to make himself comfortable for the balance of the night, while the Captain went up on the Bridge. 

"Where are you heading this boat to?" he asked gruffly of the man at thewheel. 

Then he took the helm himself and immediately the Sea Eagle's prowpointed to the Westward as if she were heading directly for Japan. However, she held this course for only an hour and a half when theSkipper swung her bow once more to the South. 

Long before the morning broke, Tom and Juarez, hauled out of theirresting place, were set to scrubbing the decks and rubbing them downwith holy-stone. They waited eagerly for the first break of day to seewhere they were. 

Then the light came slowly through the fog-covered sky, showing a glossysea with a slight swell and not a sign of land anywhere. The boys'hearts sank within them and they felt sure that they would not see theirnative land again. 

Once in a while they would glance up at the Bridge where stood theCaptain with his powerful stooped figure. He was evidently on thelookout, for with his eye at a long glass, he kept scanning the sky-lineto the east. What was he looking for? Juarez knew instinctively that hewas afraid of pursuit. 

If only they could be overtaken and captured, his heart thrilled at thethought and he watched the Captain eagerly for the first sign ofexcitement. About ten o'clock he saw by the Skipper's actions thatsomething of interest had come under his observation. 

There were a number of quick, sharp orders given and Juarez noticed theincreased volume of smoke pouring from the stack. The Sea Eagle began toshow the speed that was in her trim, black form. Juarez worked aroundthe port side of the boat as rapidly as he dared, and his heart leapedwith hope. 

He saw low upon the eastern horizon a smudge of black smoke. If he onlyhad known what the Skipper knew, his hopes would have risen stillhigher. Certain preparations were going on upon deck. The three cannon, one in the stern, that had fired the salute to the group on the shore, one on either side of the quarter-deck, were divested of their canvasjackets. 

They certainly gleamed bravely in their polished brass. Then theammunition was got ready beside each separate gun. It begin to look likebusiness. The Sea Eagle began to justify her name and fly through thewater. Still the spot upon the horizon grew bigger. 

Then Juarez began to have a paralyzing feeling of doubt. The steamer, though coming up fast, did not seem to be steering the proper course tohead the Sea Eagle, bearing on her port-quarter instead of across herbows as would have been the natural course if she wished to intercepther. 

Then the doubt in his mind was changed to disappointed certainty for theSkipper waved his hand to the mate, who was busy on the deck below. Itwas after he had taken a pull at the spyglass, which this time seemed tohave an intoxicating effect upon the Captain. 

"It's all right, Bill, " he yelled, "It's nothing but a steamer bound for'Frisco. It looks like the Panama. "

Juarez and Tom resumed their work doggedly. That was all that was leftfor them to do. They scarcely glanced at the big steamer as sheappeared, growing constantly larger above the horizon, and thendiminishing as she steamed North towards San Francisco. 

Juarez was scrubbing the deck near a cabin door when it suddenly opened, and a tall, long-legged figure stepped out and fairly over him. He cameto the conclusion that it was the man who had come aboard the nightbefore. 

He took in the tall, gaunt man with the smooth-shaven face and long hairat two glances--one not being sufficient to his height. 

"Well, who are you?" he inquired lounging on the rail and regardingJuarez with mild-eyed interest. 

"I'm Juarez Hopkins, deck scrubber. Who are you?"

"I'm James Howell, sheep farmer. I'll add you two lambs to my flock, " hereplied, whimsically, glancing at Tom who was down the deck a way. 

"You are more apt to find us wolves in lamb's hide, " retorted Juarez. "Where's your farm?"

"There, " said the stranger, pointing with a long, bony finger on theport-quarter, "that nigh island. "

Then Juarez saw to his surprise, two islands that seemed to have sprunglike magic upon the South-eastern horizon. The further one lay long andlow and dark but distant beneath the fog-lined sky, the "nigh one" wasmore short and dumpy in appearance. 

CHAPTER XX

TO THE RESCUE

During the afternoon, everything had been made ready for the journey ofthe morrow. There was not a great deal to be done for the three rescuerswould travel light. There would be no need of a pack animal, because theSenor had assured the boys that they would find hospitality on the way. 

Jo however was in mourning because when he gave his black a trialgallop, it was discovered that he was badly lamed in the right knee. Itwould not have been safe for any of the pirate gang to come within rangeof Jo's wrath. 

"The cursed brutes stove him up for fair, " he declared grinding histeeth. 

"I'm afraid it will take a month's rest before he will be fit, "determined Jim. 

"Then I'm out of it, " exclaimed Jo sorrowfully. 

"Not so, my friend, " interrupted the Spaniard. "Take the bay. He is notas good a horse as yours, but he has great endurance. He is yours to useas long as you wish. "

Jo thanked the Spaniard heartily for his kindness and generosity. Thenhe spoke in a low voice to his brother. "How about that money, Jim?Don't forget to pay the Spaniard for those goods we bought at thestore. " Jim spoke up. 

"Senor, I wish to show you a little something of interest. "

Then Jim got his heavy saddle, on which he had ridden so many hundredmiles. And the Senor regarded it with interest, because of the carvedleather workmanship which was of the finest and he was a connoisseur ofsuch matters. 

"How much would you give for it, Senor Sebastian, " inquired Jim, "if itwere put up for purchase?"

"It is a beautiful saddle. I would be willing to give a hundred dollars. It is worth it. "

"That saddle is worth several thousand, Senor, " replied Jim confidently. 

"I do not understand, " replied the Spaniard. "It is the personal value, I suppose. "

"I will show you, " said Jim. 

Then he took from his hip pocket a heavy bone handled knife which he hadbought at the store and pulled back the hoof cleaner, an instrumentattached to the knife that was used to get a pebble or anything that hadgot into the horse's hoof. 

With this he worked at the leather that covered the high and ratherthick horn of the saddle. Finally he pried the top leather flap off. There was a heavy piece fitted into the top of the horn. With somedifficulty Jim got this out disclosing a hollow, in which was concealedmost of the jewels he had found in Mexico. 

"Hold your hands, Jo. Tight now. " And with the word he emptied thecontents of the horn into Jo's palms. Diamonds, rubies, turquoises andsome heavy gold pieces. 

"That is what you might call a horn of plenty, " said Jim jocosely. 

"But!" cried the Spaniard in amazement, "where did you get these?"

"In Mexico, " replied Jim. "This was what the Pirates were after. Andthey got all but this. Sometime I will tell you the story of itsdiscovery. Now take this to reimburse you, Senor, for the money we spentat the store. " And he held out the diamond. 

"That is far too much. That stone is worth five hundred dollars atleast, " said the Spaniard. "These three rubies would be more exact and Iwill take them. "

Jim, handing over the three stones selected, said, "Now, Senor, youshall take the diamond as a token of good will from my brother andmyself. "

"We insist upon it, " chimed in Jo. 

Finally the Spaniard accepted the gifts with many protestations ofobligation and appreciation. Jo was about to urge him to accept a jewelfor his sister, but Jim stopped him, knowing that the proud Spaniardwould not hear to such a present. 

The next morning they were up an hour before daylight and ate a heartybreakfast by the light of the candles. Veterans though they were, theboys felt a thrill go through their pulses as they thought of theexpedition that lay before them. Outside they could hear the pawing ofthe impatient horses. 

"To the success of our expedition and the rescue of our friends!" wasthe toast the Spaniard proposed as they rose from the table. TheFrontier Boys drank it, but not in wine. They felt just a little foolishtoo, but such is the reward that often comes with doing what is right. But they were sturdy in their determination to stick to theirprinciples. 

If they had only known it, down in his heart the Spaniard respected themthe more, even though it seemed odd to him. 

Then they went out on the verandah, fully armed and ready to take theirdeparture. Two oil lamps near the door and fastened to the wall, backedby shining reflectors sent a strong light across the verandah and intothe darkness outside. 

There stood the three horses, eager to be off, each one held by aMexican groom. Caliente we already know, and the horse that Jo is toride also. So let us take a glance at the third animal, Don Fernando. Heevidently justified all the enthusiasm of his master, a truly splendidcreature. 

A dark chestnut, as large as Caliente and built on something the samelines. They were beautifully matched except in color. It was with athrill of pleasure that Jim swung himself into the saddle. His mount wasin fine fettle and ready for the long pull ahead. 

They started from the home ranch with a thunder of hoofs in unison, theriders checking their horses to a slow gallop with a heavy hand. Together they pressed through the waning darkness. There was a wonderfulexhilaration, as they leaped forward, the horses powerful and fresh. 

Instead of following in the direction of the morning before, theSpaniard turned to the East until they came near the foot of the range. In a short time they came to a gate, which seemed to open mysteriouslyas they approached, but the motive power proved to be a small Mexicanboy, whom the Senor had sent on ahead. 

Now they were on a turf road with bushes on either side and down thisthey thundered, Caliente the gray, and Don Fernando the dark, matchingstride for stride, with Jo well in the rear. For he found if he rodeclose up he was blinded and stung by sods and stones thrown back fromthe flying hoofs of the two horses in the front. 

It was a bit lonely for Jo and he wished that one of the other boys washere to keep him company. As they rode, the bushes seemed to fly by asthey do when you look from a railroad train and Jo was afraid lest hishorse would be unable to keep the pace indefinitely. One thing in Jo'sfavor was that he was the lightest of the three and what is more to thepurpose a very light rider. 

So like the good horseman he was, he determined to save his horse all hecould and make him last out. For eight miles or more they rode without astop until they came to another gate. This the Spaniard unfastened andswung open without dismounting, then closed it after Jo. 

The morning light was now distinct, although the fog was over the sky. Before them stretched a long level plain that broke into sand dunes nearthe sea. They could see the ocean lying dark in its monotonous level ofcolor, to the Western horizon. 

"We have just left the Sebastian ranch, " called the Spaniard. 

"It is immense, " commented Jim. "May I ask how many acres it embraces?"

"It was immense in the old days, " replied the Spaniard. "Before yourpeople took possession of the land. It was held by no fences then. Butyour laws were not ours and we lost many square miles. Now there arefifty thousand acres under fence. "

"Fifty thousand acres!" exclaimed Jo. 

"Ah, but it was double that before the Americans came, " replied theSpaniard. Then he glanced critically at Caliente. "Your horse looks ascool as though he had been standing in the stable. The pace does notaffect his wind either. Splendid condition!"

"Caliente is as hard as nails, " said Jim proudly. "But your horse haswonderful speed. "

The chestnut seemed more on edge than the old warrior, Caliente, andtossed the foam from his bit, until his dark coat was speckled with it. 

"He is high strung, " said the Spaniard, "but I would back him againstany horse flesh in California. We can let them out here for a half dozenmiles. "

"Let her go, Senor. I won't let you lose me. "

At the word the Spaniard gave his chafing horse his head and away thechestnut sprang in the lead. It was slightly down grade for a mile, then there was a gulch twelve feet wide and of considerable depth. Itwas a good jump and to make it saved a little distance. Going at topspeed the chestnut took the jump in fine style. His rider half turned inhis saddle to watch Jim's effort. Caliente had faced worse leaps thanthat, he rose to it and swept over it as gracefully as a bird. 

"Good fellow!" exclaimed Jim patting him affectionately on the neck. 

CHAPTER XXI

THE BANDITS

When Jo saw the gulch ahead, he decided that discretion was the betterpart of valor as he did not know his mount well enough to risk the leap, so he galloped a few hundred feet below, where the gulch narrowed andthen he took the jump nicely, and scampered after the other two riderswho were quite a way ahead. 

Jim purposely held Caliente in check, keeping a hundred yards in therear of the Spaniard. Ahead a few miles, there was a perfect sea ofyellow where the tall mustard covered the plain for a great distance. Into this they charged full tilt, the mustard reaching as high as theirheads. 

There was a swish of its blossoms in their faces as the powerful horsescharged into it and in spite of their strength they began to tire aftergoing some distance. 

"Where is Jo?" inquired Jim suddenly after they had slowed down, "Idon't see a sign of him. " And he rose in his stirrups looking over thelevel lake of mustard. 

"Hello, Jo, " he yelled at the top of his voice. No answer came. Could hebe drowned in this lake? There was not a motion to indicate hiswhereabouts, no waving of the yellow tops. 

"It is very strange, " said the Spaniard. "Did he cross the gully allright?"

"Yes, I saw him take the jump below us a ways. " Then Jim raised hisrevolver above his head and fired. 

"That ought to fetch him, " he said. Then they listened intently. Suddenly about a quarter of a mile ahead of them they saw a sombrerorise like a gray mushroom above the yellow surface of the mustard, andJo's voice came back to them. 

They both gave their horses the rein, this time Jim did nothing to holdCaliente back, and with their powerful speed the two great horses toreforward, on even terms until in the last hundred yards Caliente forgedahead by half a length. 

"Hold on boys, " yelled Jo in warning. There was Jo sitting quietly onhis horse. 

"That's how you beat us, " exclaimed Jim, pointing to a cow trail runningdiagonally through the growth of mustard. 

"Yes, " laughed Jo, "I struck it further down after I jumped the gully. Otherwise you fellows would have lost me. "

"Good work, Jo, " said Jim. "Now we will have it easier going. "

So in single file they galloped along the path, until they foundthemselves by noon, at the foot of a spur of mountains that extendedfrom the main coast range to the ocean. Jim regarded this barrier intheir way with a practised eye. 

"This will slow us down, Senor, " he said. "It looks like a pass belowthere, about two miles. "

"Yes, " said the Senor, "we can get through there all right, but it ispretty rough going. "

They had to advance more slowly now, as the ground was broken into stonyravines, and there was a good deal of brush. In this kind of countryJo's horse more than held its own with the bigger animals, for he was asnimble as a goat. 

"I hope we will find water, Senor, " remarked Jim. "Our horses are prettydry now. "

"Yes, " replied the Spaniard, "there is a good spring at the foot of thePass. "

They found it all right, in the entrance to the Pass, where there was asmall green cove, surrounded with bushes, and on one side was a sheepherder's shanty. Jo investigated this immediately and found nothing init but the charred remnants of a fire and a pair of discarded overalls. 

Jim, who had himself been looking around, made a more important find. 

"There has been somebody here recently, " he announced. "Here are sometracks around the spring and not over twelve hours old. "

"Yes, I have no doubt, " said the Spaniard carelessly puffing at hiscigarette. "This Pass is used occasionally by ranchmen and herders. "

"There have been five or six horses here, " said Jim, whose experienceshad made him suspicious. 

"There are no Indians, " said Jo, "in this section, at least none who areon the warpath. "

"I suppose you do have cattle rustlers, Senor?" inquired Jim. 

"Yes, there is a band of outlaws, " replied the Spaniard, "that raidsfrom as far north as our ranch, south to San Diego, but we have seen notrace of them for many months. "

"Then, Senor, " remarked Jim, "it is about time that they paid youanother visit. "

"Ah, Senor Darlington, " exclaimed the Spaniard. "We Castilians do notreason so. We say that there is no trouble today, why worry abouttomorrow. Perhaps these bandits may have starved to death, or been hung, or the good Padres may have persuaded them by the fear of Hell, tobecome quiet, sheep raising citizens. God knows. "

"I fear that they are raising sheep in their old style, " grinned Jo. Thepun glanced off the Spaniard harmlessly. 

"The theory that they may be hung, sounds plausible, Senor, " admittedJim. "But before we advance into the Pass, I will scout a little. "

"If the Senor pleases, " responded the Spaniard courteously. 

"Do you chance to know of a small, hunchbacked Mexican who is more orless in this section of the country, Senor?" Jim suddenly inquired. 

The Spaniard flushed with red anger and spit emphatically on the ground. 

"You give him into my hands and I will reward you well, " cried theSpaniard. 

Jim made no immediate reply but gazed thoughtfully at the ground. He wasconsidering the case. This was not the time to turn aside in a chase foreven so desperate a criminal as the hunchbacked greaser. So he made nodefinite reply to the Spaniard. 

After the horses were fed, and watered, and while Jo was looking afterthe coffee, Jim started off, to do a little scouting up the Pass. Thefirst thing that he did was to slip off his heavy riding boots, whichthe stylish Jo had forced him to buy, and to put on his noiseless footedmoccasins. 

Then with his revolver loaded and ready to his hand, he went swiftly andsilently up the trail that followed through thick brush, graduallyworking up the side of the mountain. It was no difficult task to followthe tracks of the horses. In a half hour's swift climbing he came to thetop of a stony ridge, over which the trail curved, and dipped down theother side. 

Jim now saw that the Pass was an irregular one with recurrent spurs, thrusting out from the mountains on either side, at quite frequentintervals. There were innumerable chances for ambuscades. Jim did notstand in the trail but to one side partially hidden in a thicket. 

All the time his keen eyes were taking in the canyon below, not howeveradmiring the scenery. In fact there was nothing particularly beautiful, or interesting in the view. In the Rockies and further South too he hadseen canyons incomparable to the rather ordinary ones that he had seenin California. 

Jim was watching for some slight movement of a living creature in thecanyon. Finally he gave it up, and was about to turn away, then he gavea start, he saw one, two, three, men crouch across the trail, a quarterof a mile below, and disappear into the thick brush. He was almostcertain that the first one was the hunchback. 

That was all that Jim wanted to see. He noiselessly took the back trail, thinking over the best course to pursue. He would have liked nothingbetter under ordinary circumstances than to fight it out with theoutlaws and to capture the hunchback. But their first object must be therescue of Tom and Juarez. 

Was there not some way by which they could get to the South withoutgoing through this bandit infested Pass?

"Well brother, what didst thou find?" inquired Jo, who was at timespleased to be dramatic. 

"Very few specimens in the way of bandits, " replied Jim. 

"As I said, Senor, " remarked the Spaniard, "they have become goodcitizens. "

"Not yet, I am sure, because they are alive. "

"That is a good one, Jim, " remarked Jo, appreciatively, but the Spaniardwas politely mystified. "Same as Indians. "

"I found one thing out, " said the diplomatic Jim, "and that is, that thePass is a hard one on horses. Are you sure, Senor, that there is noeasier way than this to get through?"

"Positive, " briefly responded the Spaniard. 

Jim who was seated on a rock digging his heel into the soft earth, looked up as a sudden idea struck him, --but without knocking him out. 

"How far is it from here to the sea, Senor?" he asked. 

"Not over five miles. "

"Can we not get around that way?" Jim inquired eagerly. 

"Why, yes, " replied the Spaniard slowly, "if the tide is not coming in. In that case we should be drowned. " Jim glanced hastily at his watch. 

"We can try for it and make it, if we do not waste any time, " he said. "The horses have had a good rest. "

"Very well, Senor, " said the Spaniard resignedly. He regarded Jim as anamiable hurricane whom it was not worth while battering to resist. Jimhastily swallowed his coffee and a hunk of bread and in five minutes thethree musketeers were in the saddle again. 

CHAPTER XXII

RACE WITH THE TIDE

In spite of the rough going, they made good time for the five miles, spurred on by the constant anxiety lest they should not reach the beachbefore the tide began coming in. There were several gathered to see themoff when they left the mouth of the Pass, but not to give them a sendoff. 

A short explanation will prove this. It is not to be supposed that thehunchbacked Mexican and the bandits did not know that the three horsemenwere coming over the plain of the mustard growth. Indeed, their scout, the Mexican dwarf, saw Jim, Jo and the Spaniard when they first landedin the entrance to the canyon. 

He had gone back to report to the bandits their coming, and after Jimhad returned, they had prepared the nicest trap imaginable near whereJim had been hiding. They had had numerous experiences in that line andwere perfectly qualified experts. The spider and the fly was nothing tothe arrangements they had made to receive their supposably unsuspiciousguests. 

You can imagine the surprise and disgust of the bandits and their scoutwhen they saw the three horsemen ride in an entirely different directionthan that they had looked for. Talk about convulsions, you should haveseen these desperadoes express their disappointment. It was terrific. Not a saint in the long calendar was left unscathed. 

How Jim would have enjoyed the performance. But entirely oblivious tothis, Jo, Jim and the Spaniard were riding rapidly towards the sea. Before an hour had passed, they had ridden between the rounded sanddunes and then out upon the hard, smooth sand of the beach. 

"This is splendid going, Senor Sebastian, " exclaimed Jim. 

"It is all right, " he replied, "if the sea does not get hungry toosoon. " But the sea appeared to be in a very pleasant mood and the whitebreakers had withdrawn as far out as it was possible to get. It was sucha smooth smiling sea with the laugh of its little sparkling waves thatit seemed that there could be no possible harm in it. 

"I never saw a road that was better than this!" exclaimed Jo indelight. "It is perfectly springy and no dust or mud. "

It deserved all of Jo's praises, this broad, firm California beach. Thebrown sand, that had been pounded down by the force of the great rollerssome hours before, showed scarcely a sign of the shoes of the horses. 

There was plenty of width and the three horses pressed on abreast, thepowerful sweep of the gray Caliente and the chestnut Don Fernando, andthe snappy, nervous leaps of the little bay that Jo was riding. With thebracing sea air and the exhilarating speed, the three musketeers wereinvigorated. 

The Spaniard hummed a gay ballad, while at times Jim's heavy bass andJo's lighter treble were joined in a rollicking American song. Theylaughed without reason, for the simple joy of being alive and on themove; but as pride sometimes goes before destruction, so happiness oftengoes before disaster. 

It was a small matter too, but it made for trouble. The Spaniard's horsestepped between two small rocks that were close together and wrenchedone of his hind shoes nearly off. Jim and Senor Sebastian hastilydismounted. Of course they carried with them the necessary things tofix the shoe on again, but even then it was a question of a number ofminutes. 

"You had better ride ahead, Jo, " urged Jim. "Your horse is beginning totire and we will overtake you, when we once get started. "

"It is a good idea, " joined in the Spaniard. 

"All right, " acquiesced Jo readily enough, and he gave his bay the rein, riding slowly down the beach. 

Then the two began operations on Don Fernando's hind foot. Here theyfound their first real delay. At the point where the accident happened, the mountains came down quite close to the sea, so that they werecrowded in much closer than they had been. The nearness of the watermade the big chestnut restless and hard to handle. 

The Spaniard had great difficulty in getting near enough to his horse toget hold of his hind foot. When he did succeed in doing this, and wasjust starting to peg the shoe on, an extra big wave slapped down uponthe beach, though at a safe distance and caused the big chestnut to jumpand hurl his master to a distance of a dozen feet. 

"This won't do, " cried Jim. "I'll take my horse around to the sea sideof yours and close up. Perhaps that will give your animal confidence. "

It worked like a charm, for though Caliente was high-spirited, he wasnot flighty and he steadied his comrade so that the two workers wereable to fasten the shoe. 

"We have lost a good half hour, " said Jim, looking at his watch with agrave face. 

"Perhaps we shall have to turn back, " remarked the Spaniard withgravity. "We may not escape the incoming tide if we go on. "

"Don't you believe it, " cried Jim, impetuously. "I've got business aheadand must go. "

"Have it your way, " said the Spaniard with a peculiar smile. He knewwhat dangers lay ahead with a rising tide and Jim did not or he probablywould not have been so insistent. 

"I see no sign of Jo, " remarked Jim, as they swung into the saddles. 

"Ah, we will not catch him. He is safe, " replied the Spaniard. 

Then with tremendous speed, they swept down the beach, the splendidhorses responding to the crisis. It was their fleetness against thesteadily rising rush of the inexorable sea. They actually gained tenminutes on the first two miles and a half. Then Jim saw ahead the darkform of a headland thrusting out towards the sea. 

Already the rush of a long wave would send the water lapping aroundtheir horses' feet. Jim recognized the danger. They must get around thatpromontory or give up beaten. Then he gave Caliente a touch with a spur, the first that day. With a snort, the spirited animal sprang forwardfaster than before and at his shoulder was the chestnut with flamingnostril. 

None too soon had they reached the headland, for the recurrent waveswere beginning to surge against it, with full force and gnawing foam. Inthe fierce fury of their charge, they sent their horses against the sea. It was at the long withdrawal that made bare the scattered black rocks, that they rounded the headland. 

But too soon a great thundering wave with the force of the Pacificbehind it came roaring in and swelled to the horses' throats, almostsubmerging the riders. But the animals held against its withdrawingpower and before the ocean could return to the attack, they had gotbeyond the headland to a safe place on the beach. 

The horses were trembling and quivering with their exertions and withthe fear of the sea which is the most terrible and paralyzing of allfears. Jim drew a long breath of relief and looked ahead to see if therewas any sign of Jo. Then to his consternation he saw that the beachcurved inland and at the further end of the curve was another frowningheadland thrusting itself out somewhat further than the one they had butjust rounded. 

CHAPTER XXIII

THE ENCHANTED ISLE

Let us now return to the Sea Eagle, and find out what is happeningthere. 

You recollect that Juarez had just discovered two islands lying on theSouth-eastern horizon, the one, long and low, the other comparativelyshort and dumpy. He had been conversing with the tall shepherd of theisland, who seemed to take an interest in Juarez. But because of hisisolated life during a greater part of the year, he would have taken aninterest in a stone idol, if he had chanced to discover one. 

"Which of these islands are we making for?" inquired Juarez. 

"The one where we land, " replied the sheep farmer oracularly. "I mightask the Cap'n, only I never pester him with questions. You aren't aYankee, are you?"

"No, " replied Juarez, "I'm not. My folks live in Western Kansas. "

"I'm glad to hear it, son. But what are you doing here?" he asked. 

"You aren't a Yankee, are you?" inquired Juarez, quizzically. The manlaughed softly to himself. 

"You've got me there, lad, " he said. "It looks to me, " he continued, "that the old man is going to steer for the further island. "

"Then you will have to swim for your home, " remarked Juarez. 

"I can wade, " he replied whimsically, looking down at his long legs. 

"You are a humorist, " said Juarez. 

"No, you can put me down for a philosopher, that is to say, a man whohas much time to think and nothing to do. "

"I should like to be one, " said Juarez. "Suppose you holy-stone thesedecks while I try it. "

"No, my friend, " replied the shepherd, "I am too much of a philosopherto make any such swap. "

"Is Captain Broom one?" asked Juarez. 

"Well, he is a sort of a philosopher till he gets mad, then he becomes aliving active volcano, belching out a lava of hot language and scorchingthings generally. I guess that I had better be moving along. I see thathe is eyeing me from the Bridge, and he is likely to get active anymoment if I keep you from working. " With this the lanky shepherdstrolled forward and seating himself upon the top of the boys' sleepingplace in the bow, smoked his pipe in meditative comfort. 

His estimate in regard to the destination of the Sea Eagle proved to becorrect. For in the early afternoon the ship passed under the lee of thelong island and was steaming up the channel between it and the mainland, which was distant some thirty-five miles. 

The fog had cleared by noon, and there was that complete transition tobrilliant, sunny weather. There was a sort of a white haze along thedistant coast and beyond far inland, rose the faint summits of the highmountains. 

Fortunately Juarez and Tom had a chance to observe their newsurroundings for they had been set to work sewing on a small sail thatwas to be used in one of the boats. They sat upon the top of one of thehatches, under the watchful eyes of old Pete and the philosophic gaze ofthe shepherd. Sewing was one of the accomplishments of the FrontierBoys. They had been obliged to learn. 

"What is that particular bronze looking weed, floating in these waters?"asked Tom. It was as Tom phrased it, bronze and a most beautiful color. 

It was indeed a giant among weeds; just such as the garden of the oceanwould grow. The stems were fifty to eighty feet long, with peculiarcolored leaves eight to ten inches in length, growing on little boughsfrom the parent stem. The whole structure was held up by small bronzebuoys, of a round shape. 

"Well as ye seem likely boys and want to learn, I'll tell you about thisplant, " said the shepherd. "The scientific fellows call it Algae. Whenthe world was first made this algae covered the whole surface of theocean. "

"How did you learn this?" asked Juarez. 

"You know that the Captain is quite a collector, and in his travels hasgotten together among many other things some interesting books. He givesthem to me when convenient. " The face of the lanky shepherd wasperfectly grave when he spoke of Captain Broom as a collector. 

"What makes the water so clear around here?" asked Juarez. "I never sawanything like it. "

"Well, you see, " replied their mentor, "this island is placedpeculiarly, I mean this side of it. You see how quiet the water is?"

"It is certainly smooth and blue, " said Juarez. "More like a lake thanthe ocean. "

"That's only true of this side, " resumed the shepherd, "the other isrough enough, but you see the prevailing winds are from the Northwestand this shore is never disturbed. So on the beaches you will find notsand, but smooth round pebbles, because there is no action of the water, no breakers or waves to grind them into sand. "

About four o'clock the Sea Eagle came into a perfectly beautiful littleharbor, at the South-eastern end of the island. There was a small levelplot back from the beach and on all sides rose steep hills and back ofthem the mountains. It was the most picturesque scene the boys had everbeheld in all their travels. 

What would they not have given to have been free to roam that island, hunting inland, or fishing or bathing along those quiet, enchantedshores. But this was no pleasure excursion. Far from it. Captain Broomhad his own ideas, and he did not intend to make a landing at all. 

"Get the whale boat ready, lads!" he ordered. "And put her over, we'vegot no time to lose. "

They lost no time either, under Captain Broom's commanding eye. 

What was necessary for the cruise was already in the boat. Two casks ofwater, several guns, and a lot of provisions. Then the boat was hoveoverboard into the quiet bay. The captain was ready with a much batteredsatchel in his hand. Not for one second did he entrust it to any oneelse. 

"Now over with you, you two lads, " he commanded and Juarez and Tom, with a sinking of the heart, got into the boat. This was the last leg oftheir mysterious journey, and it boded them no good they felt sure ofthat. The mate they noticed stayed aboard in charge of the ship. 

They were put in the stern where old Pete had the steering oar. Nearthem sat the shepherd on one of the casks of water, his long legsgetting uncertain accommodation. The captain had his position in the bowand two powerful sailors were at the oars, one on either side. They didnot sit down, but stood up to their work. 

Without any loss of time the boat got under way proceeding seaward fromthe shelter of the beautiful little harbor. In spite of theirdepression, the two boys could not help being interested in theabsolutely clear water in which they could look down for eighty feet. 

They could see the straight slender columns of the Algae rising to thesurface, starting from where they were rooted in the bottom of the bayand swaying to the slow pulsation of the tide. These strange plants ofthis marine garden were marvels indeed. Between their stalks and amongthe encrusted rocks swam in absolute unconsciousness of being watched, many beautiful, and strange fishes. 

Some were small of golden hue, with little spots of a marvelous blue(poetry) that flashed like keen electric dew, (that will do). Otherswere like gold fishes, a foot in length and of corresponding breadth. There were long mackerel, and innumerable minnows, and over the rocks apeculiar little fish crawled or rather walked on thin rat-like feet. 

Before they had time to observe further the boat had got out of theharbor where the water sunk away to blue unfathomed depth. When clear ofthe harbor, they turned to the South, passing near a cove with asymmetrical pebbly beach, built up for five feet, above the level of thewater. The ocean was perfectly smooth, with not a ripple upon itssurface. They were evidently making to round the Southern extremity ofthe Island. 

CHAPTER XXIV

IN THE WHITE BOAT

Ahead of them was a rock rising fifty or sixty feet out of the water. Itwas evident that the rock was inhabited for there could be seen darkforms moving around upon it. Nothing had been said since they started, for the Captain was not in a talkative mood. Jeems Howell, the shepherd, had sat silently smoking his pipe in philosophic contentment. 

"What are those things on that rock?" inquired Tom, his curiositygetting the best of his reserve. 

"Two yankees in this boat, " commented the shepherd. "Those are seals, son. Didn't you ever see any before?"

"No!" admitted Tom. 

"You didn't know that seals, next to humans, are the smartest animals, in the world. "

"Is that so?" inquired Juarez. "They certainly are sleek. "

"They have got the most brain room, that's a fact. "

The boys regarded the seals with peculiar interest as the boat passednear the rock. They were moving about awkwardly by means of theirflippers, moving their sinuous necks this way and that and regarding thestrange boat with their soft brown eyes. Then they dived headlong intothe sea, swimming about with a peculiar grace. 

"Queer animals, " remarked Tom, "belong half to the sea and half to theland. "

"Something like sailors, " remarked the shepherd. 

"What's the Captain going to do with us?" asked Juarez in a low voice. The shepherd's face took on a solemn expression, but before he couldreply the Captain's voice roared. 

"None of that, you'll find out soon enough. You can talk about the floryand fauny, with long shanks, but don't let me hear anything else out ofyou, " such was the Captain's ultimatum. 

But soon matters grew so interesting that they lost all inclination fortalking. When they got near the Southern end of the island they began tonotice white caps to the Southward, dotting the darkness of the sea. 

"You lads will have to hold tight now in a few minutes, " remarkedHowell. "Do you get seasick?"

"No, " replied the boys. 

"Well, you will have a chance soon, and if it don't fetch you, nothingwill. "

So far they had been rowing under the sheltering lee of the island whosehuge rocky bulk had shouldered off the charge of the wind-driven seas. Now before they had fairly rounded the island the character of the waterbegan to change. The boat began to toss on the great rollers. Then asthey cleared the land for good and were in the channel, a fresh gust ofwind struck them, drenching the occupants of the boat with spray. 

The Captain stood up in the bow of the boat and steadying himself tookin the conditions of the sea and wind. There was nothing in his grimweatherbeaten face to show what he felt. The men at the oars now madehard work of it against the headwind and the running sea. 

They would climb up a steep wave and then with a sickening slide, godown into the hollow, then with a lusty pull the sailors would bring theheavy boat over the toppling crest of wave to find another rushing tomeet them. No rest, this was what made it such heart breaking work. 

The early fog had come, covering the sea with gloom, and the waves didnot go down perceptibly. At times, they shipped a good deal of water andTom and Juarez were kept busy bailing out. After an hour's hardstruggle the sailors were about all in and seemed hardly able to holdtheir own against the sea and wind. The Captain was quick to noticethis. 

"Can you row, lad?" he inquired of Juarez. Now the latter's experiencehad been confined to his work going down the Grand Canyon of Colorado, on the raft-boat that the Frontier Boys had built. 

Even the old ocean itself could not show anything worse than some of therapids that the boys had run. As for rocks, nothing could beat thecanyon for them. 

"I'll try, sir, " he replied, "I've never rowed on the ocean. "

"Humph!" grunted the Captain, "take the starboard. And you, you lazylong shanks, you take the other oar. "

"All right, sir, " replied cheerfully, the one addressed. 

"Get out of here, Pete, " he cried, giving that worthy a lift with hisfoot that landed him on top of Tom, "I'll do the steering. You boys willonly have to pull, that's all. I'll keep her headed up right. "

Fortunately Juarez was in fine condition, or he could never have stoodthe gruelling work ahead. He weighed one hundred and sixty pounds andthere was not an ounce of fat on him. Likewise he had had a soundnight's sleep and three square meals so that he was fortified for whatwas ahead. 

Juarez buckled to the task with all his strength, and he was glad of thechance to get his blood in circulation for he was chilled to the bone bythe flying spray, and then too, anything was better than thinking of thefate ahead. He was surprised to find out that the shepherd who appearedrather frail in physique was able to keep up the pace. 

But he had that sinewy length of muscles that counts for more than merebunchy thickness. Juarez was crafty enough not to spend all of hisstrength in the first fifteen minutes of work. He liked this, fightingthe sea and standing on his feet he was able to put the whole leverageof his body into the stroke. 

The change in speed was noticeable right away, and the boat began topull ahead steadily. The two sailors who had been laid off fromexhaustion, had watched Juarez with a sneering grin as he took the oar. They were sure that the first wave that came along would wrench the oarout of his hand. Great was their surprise when they saw him buckle tothe oar, rising and pulling at the right time to meet the toppling, rustling seas. 

"That little shrimp will last about ten minutes, " said one of them tohis mate. 

"Sure, Bill, " replied the other. 

Juarez choked back a hot reply, for he knew that it would not be goodfor him to say anything to them. They were in the majority and would gethim if he did, besides making it bad for Tom. The ten minutes passed andJuarez was just beginning to warm to his work. This took the wind out oftheir sails completely. 

The powerful hand of the Skipper at the steering oar was a great help, for now all that the two men at the oars had to do was to pull and notto worry about keeping her headed right. Juarez kept steadily at it foran hour and then darkness began to fall over the channel but not untilthe island that they were approaching had begun to loom up, dead ahead. 

They were now getting in the lee of the strange island and the sea wasmoderating perceptibly. At this juncture the two sailors who had becomethoroughly rested took the oars from Juarez and his co-worker and pulledsteadily through the gathering gloom. In a short time the bulk of theisland loomed above them in the darkness. 

Not a word was said, only the swish of the sea was heard and thegroaning of the oars in the locks. Tom and Juarez were deeply depressedand gloomy. They felt exactly as though they were being taken to prisonand could sympathize with sailors who had been marooned on lonely anddesolate islands. 

"Easy now, lads, " called the Captain, as he brought the boat's headsquarely around towards the shore. 

"Two strokes, " he yelled, "and let her run. "

With great force they pulled the oars in succession, then they shippedthem in a hurry. Juarez could see the dashing of foam on either side ofthe boat where the waves smote the rocks. There was a roar in his earsas the boat rushed toward seeming sure destruction. It was going withgreat speed from the impetus of the sailors' strokes. 

The Captain was standing taut at the steering oars, his eyes piercingthe darkness ahead, then the foam of the breakers dashed in their faces, there was a quick sliding past of dark rocks and before they could drawbreath again the boat was in quiet water, under some black cliffs. Atlast they had reached the mysterious goal of their mysterious journey. 

CHAPTER XXV

IN PERIL

We must now go back in our narrative to where we left Jim Darlington andthe Spaniard, Senor Sebastian, in a position of extreme peril, betweenthe cliffs and the deep sea, with the white-fanged tide coming in like adevouring monster eager for its prey. 

"Is there a chance, Senor?" cried Jim as soon as his horse gained hisfooting. 

"It is the fatal day, I fear, " replied the Spaniard with resignedhopelessness. "The sea is hungry. "

"As for that, so am I, " declared Jim coolly. "So let us try to getaround the headland and after that, supper. "

"As you please, " acquiesced the Spaniard quietly. 

Then Jim turned Caliente's head and with a quick touch of the spur senthim full stride along the curving beach, followed closely by theSpaniard. Already the heavy waves were licking far up the slant of thesand. Even the veteran Caliente seemed nervous at its approach, whileDon Fernando would jump and shy as the hissing water crept around hisfeet. 

In about two minutes the two horsemen reached the base of the rockyheadland that barred their way. It was a desperate moment, there was butone thing to do and that was to take the chance. 

"Better be drowned quick, Caliente, old boy, " cried Jim, "than slowly, but we'll beat you yet, " and he shook his clenched fist at the ocean, and whirled his horse to meet a wave that struck Caliente breast high. So for a moment, the two, boy and horse, stood facing their powerfulenemy, The Sea, that came with the recurring charge, its evenlyseparated files robed in blue with white crests. Thus they stood gettinga full free breath before they leaped into the ranks of the foe. 

Jim's strained, keen gaze took in every detail of the situation, notingthe position of the rocks that a receding wave left bare, so that hemight find a clear path or trail in his dash for life. Nor did his gazeflinch as he saw the advancing wave break against the front of thecliff. 

"Now, Caliente, " yelled Jim, with a sense of fierce determination andexultation that communicated itself to his horse, and lifting his feetfree from the stirrups so that he would not be entangled, if Calienteshould fall, he headed him seaward, galloping fast down the beach uponthe heels of the withdrawing wave. 

Meeting a smaller inrush of water and dashing through its foaming crest, his gallant horse swam until he got a foothold upon the rocks at thebase of the cliff. Now was the crucial moment. With absoluterecklessness, Jim urged his powerful horse over the foam-covered rocks, striving to get around the prow of the headland before the charge of thenext wave. Not one look did Jim give seaward, all his energies were bentupon using every precious second, and Caliente was filled with hisrider's indomitable spirit. 

Then above them towered the fatal wave, and with a confused roar, itbroke over them in sweltering foam and they were swept towards the blackfront of the cliff. Then came the impact against the rock and the nextmoment, stunned and bruised, Jim holding to the pommel of the saddle, with a death-grip, was carried out to sea with Caliente in the grasp ofthe retreating wave. 

It was all over, as like pieces of drift, horse and rider were sweptaway, but fortune does sometime favor the brave and, being caught in apowerful current, Caliente was carried South of the headland and hisprogress towards the sea was stayed by a rock that rose high, anouter-guard of the headland. So then the next great wave bore themtoward the beach, and once Caliente got his feet upon the sandy bottomhe braced himself against the fierce pull of the retreating sea, striving to drag him back again. 

Though almost unconscious, Jim clung to the saddle with his bodyhalf-drooping over the pommel. Then Caliente plunged blindly forwarduntil he stood with head bent down and nose almost touching the sand, his great sides heaving, but safe at last. 

In the distance, a horseman could be seen coming at full gallop alongthe straight line of the beach. It was Jo, who finally had becomefrightened by the non-appearance of his two comrades and had turnedback. His fright had been increased by seeing a horse and rider comingapparently out of the sea. 

When he came up, he found his brother Jim sitting on the sand still halfdazed but slowly coming to himself. 

"Where's the Senor, Jim?" cried Jo. This question served to bring Jimcompletely to himself. He got up, looking pale, with one side of hisface bruised to a real blackness, and the flesh of his left hand badlytorn, where it had struck the cliff, but he was not thinking of thesematters. 

"Why, Jo, the Senor came after me. Where is he?" Then it came over himall at once, that his companion was even now caught between the jaws ofthe black cliff. 

"We must get to him, Jo, " he cried. 

"But how did you ever get around that cliff?" asked Jo. 

Already it was an awesome sight as the waves crashed in foam against itsfront and rushed shoreward along its black sides. It seemed impossiblethat only fifteen minutes before Jim had actually come around thatfoaming headland. 

In reply to Jo's question, Jim threw his arms around Caliente's neckwith warm affection. 

"This is the old fellow that pulled me through, " he cried. "But we mustgo to the help of our Spanish friend. "

"How can we?" inquired Jo. "We can't get around the headland unless webecome fishes. "

Jim considered the problem carefully. One thing he was determined on andthat was not to leave the Spaniard who had been so hospitable andhelpful to them. 

"No, we can't go around by the headland, " he determined, "but we mightbe able to find a way over the rocks and down on the other side. "

"All right, I'm ready. "

"Let's find a place for Caliente first, " advised his owner. Back a shortdistance from the beach there were some trees on a lower spur of themountain. Here Jim brought Caliente and took off the saddle and bridle. 

"Now make yourself comfortable, " said Jim. 

Caliente, in seeming recognition of what was said, took immediateadvantage of the invitation and rolled heartily in a dry and dusty spot. 

"Get your lasso, Jo, " urged Jim, "and we will start. "

So together they made for the steep rock and soon reached the base ofit, and now began a hard climb, but no more difficult than they hadencountered before in their travels. 

"Do you recollect, Jim, " inquired Jo, "that day you got stalled in ourfirst canyon in Colorado, when you tried to imitate an eagle and fly upa precipitous cliff and we had to get you down?"

"Oh, yes, I remember, " replied Jim, "and how I scared you and Tom bypretending that an Injun was after me, when I went down to the creek forwater. "

"Poor Tom, " said Jo sadly, "I wonder when we will see him again. "

"In a couple of days, " stoutly declared the optimistic Jim. 

They were now going up the face of the cliff, the lariats over theirshoulders, and searching with careful feet for a foothold, while theirhands clutched some piece of projecting rock. 

"Lucky this rock isn't rotten, " cried Jo, "or we would find ourselvesstuck headfirst in the sand below. "

"Like an ostrich, " said Jim. "We couldn't do much in a place like thiswithout our moccasins, that's certain. "

The moccasins did make them nimble as goats, and they not only madepossible a secure hold, but they protected as well the feet. At firstthey were not in any grave danger of a fall because the drifted sand atthe bottom of the cliff would have made a soft landing. But after awhile they were forced to work their way out over the rushing water, then if they had slipped and fallen it would have been all up with them. 

It seemed as if the sea, furious at having lost Jim a short while ago, was making fierce efforts to get at them now. The great waves foamedagainst the cliff and the spray dashed over the boys, making thesurface of the rock treacherous and slippery. 

"I can't bear to look down, " said Jo. "It makes me dizzy. "

"Look up, then, " Jim called back. 

"That's almost as bad, " replied Jo. 

"Keep 'em shut then, " was Jim's command. 

Finally they came to a place that stopped Jo entirely. Jim was able toget over it, because of his superior height and reach, and he attained apoint of safety above Jo. 

"What am I going to do now?" cried Jo. "I can't go any higher and it isimpossible for me to go back. "

"You wait, " urged Jim, "till I get a secure foothold above here. "

"Oh, I'll wait, " said Jo grimly, "you don't observe any anxiety on mypart to move, do you?"

CHAPTER XXVI

TWO LASSOES

Finally Jim reached a broad ledge, that gave him an excellent foothold, and he got his lariat ready and dangled the loop under Jo's nose. 

"What are you going to hang me for?" inquired Jo. 

"For a horse thief, I reckon, " replied Jim, "that bay don't belong toyou does it, Mister?"

"Meaning this ocean bay?" queried Jo. 

"I certainly will hang you for that, " retorted Jim, "Now get the loopunder your armpits. "

"All ready, " cried Jo. 

Then Jim, bracing himself, kept a taut line on his brother, and withthis help he was able quite easily to get over the slippery, bare beltof rock, and in a few moments was safe with Jim on the ledge. 

"It won't take us long now, " said Jo, "to get to the other side. "

"Let's give him a yell, " suggested Jim, "to let him know that we arecoming. "

Then Jim put his hands to his lips and cried:

"Senor, ahoy. " They listened breathlessly and in a few moments came afaint reply. This put renewed energy into the boys and as the way wasnow easier, they leaped ahead, agile as goats, and had soon reached thetop of the cliff. They looked eagerly down. 

There was the deep short semi-circle of the little bay with the wavesheaving in against the cliffs and at the point midway between the twohead-lands, where the beach was highest, they saw the Spaniard on DonFernando. Already the encroaching waves were gnawing at them. 

It was only a question of minutes now, and horse and rider would becarried out to sea. The Spaniard sat like a statute. It was seeminglypossible for him to have made his escape up the cliffs, which were notoverly precipitous, like those Jim and Jo had just scaled, but he was afatalist and believed that his day had come. Perhaps he did not want toabandon his horse, in which his pride was centered. 

"Cheer up, Senor, we'll be there, " yelled Jim. 

Then followed by Jo, he sprang forward, leaping from rock to rock, andfrom jutting point to opportune foothold. It was dangerous and daringwork, but the life of their friend was at stake and the boys were notthe kind to consider their own safety at such a time. 

It was only their sure-footedness and varied experience in climbing thatsaved them from broken limbs or possible death. In a remarkably shorttime, they stood upon a ledge above the Spaniard. 

"Here, Senor, " yelled Jim, "catch the rope. "

He did as ordered but called up, "Is there no way to save my horse?"

Jim considered a moment, then shouted: "All right, yes, we will saveyour horse, too. Tie the ends of the lasso to the iron rings at the endsof the front cinch. " This was a broad, strong band, which would furnisha good purchase, when Jim tossed down the lariat. The Spaniard caught itand made it fast as ordered. 

"Now, fasten this under your arms, " ordered Jim, as he cast down thesecond lariat, which belonged to Jo. They then drew up the Spaniard tosafety and he appeared to be pleased in a quiet way but not at allenthusiastic. 

"I am your eternal debtor, Senors, " he said with a courteous bow. 

"How was it you did not follow me, Senor?" questioned Jim, "when Isailed around the headland?"

"Don Fernando balked, " replied the Senor. "I thought, too, that you hadbeen drowned. "

"Came near it, " replied Jim. "I would, too, if it had not been forCaliente. "

"But my poor Fernando, he will be drowned, " cried the Spaniard, now muchmore excited about the safety of his steed than he had been for his own. It did look rather bad for the big chestnut, as a large wave swellingin, almost took him off his feet. He began to neigh wildly. 

"Don't worry, Don, old boy, " cried Jim to the frightened horse. "If youwill help yourself. " There was something in his voice that seemed toreassure the animal. 

"Now, Jo, we will let you down by the lariat and get the bridle reinsover his head and help him get a foothold on that ledge below us. Hewill be safe enough there, even if he does get somewhat damp. "

"Let me go. It is my risk for my horse, " urged the Spaniard. 

"It is no risk, Senor, " replied Jim. "You are heavier than my brotherand stronger and can do more good on this ledge with me. "

"The commands of the General!" said the Spaniard with a low bow. "I seeyour plan is good. "

"We will tie this end of the lasso to the tree, " said Jim, "so you willfeel perfectly safe, Jo. "

The tree referred to was a sturdy, gnarled cedar, growing on the ledge. Then Jim swung his brother off and with every confidence in the strengthof the lariat to hold, Jo made his way quickly and safely down, while ifhe had been without the rope he would have doubtless fallen into thewater below. 

A wave surged in, submerging him, and then started triumphantly to carryhim out to sea, but when the lariat pulled taut Jo struggled safely backon the rock, while the wave went grumbling back. 

"Catch the bridle now, Jo, " urged Jim. "Don't waste any more timeswimming. "

Thus adjured, Jo grabbed the bridle reins and pulled them over DonFernando's head, and braced himself on the rock above. All was readynow, and the two above held the loop of the lasso that had been tied atthe cinch, with both hands, and they pulled together. Again a big waveswelled in towards the cliff, which gave the frightened horse a bigboost. 

Then, with Jim and the Spaniard pulling mightily from the ledge above, and Jo giving the big chestnut a purchase by a steady pull upon hisbridle, the horse scrambled with a mighty clatter and all his frightenedenergy up the sloping rock. The lariat and Jo's work helped a whole lot. Without the three, he would never have made it. 

Before the next wave swept in, Don Fernando stood, trembling anddripping, but safe, upon the lower ledge. He seemed above the dangerpoint now, though an unusually big wave welled up around the horse'sfetlocks and the spray was continually dashing upwards. 

"He is all right now, " cried Jim, "better come up, Jo, where it isdryer. "

"Haul in then, " replied Jo, and then he was landed safely on the ledge. 

"Caught a speckled trout, " exclaimed Jim in happy humor again. 

"Referring to my freckles, I suppose, " grinned Jo. "If I'm a fish, Ireckon Don Fernando is a whale. "

"Do you suppose he is safe?" inquired the Spaniard anxiously. 

"Who, Jo?"

"Ah, no, " said the Spaniard smilingly. "I mean the Don. The water seemsto be rising. "

"You may rest assured that he is safe, " replied Jim. "It is the turn ofthe tide now, and it is only a westerly wind that makes it appearhigher. All we will have to do now is to wait. "

"It is a great pity, this delay, " said the Spaniard warmly. "You areanxious to be on to the rescue of your brother and his friend. Anyway, Ihope you will succeed as well in their case as you did in mine. "

"In another hour we will be able to start, " said Jim, "the tide willthen commence to run out. "

"Where shall we stop tonight?" inquired Jo. 

"Camp in the open as usual, " replied Jim. 

"I hope we will get up above the sea so high that it won't come within amile of us, " said Jo, fervently. 

"As to a place to stop, I will see to that, " said the Spaniard. "Do notgive yourselves any uneasiness on that score. "

"It's getting kind of chilly roosting up here, " remarked Jo, plaintively, "especially as the fog is coming in. "

"I'll warm you, " said Jim. "Put up your Dukes. "

"You'll take the counts if I put up my Dukes, " said Jo, who was aninveterate punnist. 

"Shut up, " yelled Jim, giving his brother a hearty chug in the chest. Then they went at it hammer and tongs, giving and receiving good hardblows, and after ten minutes of whaling at each other, both were plentywarm. The Spaniard looked on in mild wonder. 

"You Americans love the hard exercise, " he said. "I should think youwould have great pleasure in resting awhile. "

"I got the best of the bout, " declared Jo. "See how black and blue yourface is on this side. "

"You didn't do that, " protested Jim. "That was a wallop that old Neptunehanded me when he bumped my head against yonder cliff. "

"Neptune! Yonder cliff!" jeered Jo. "You ought to be a story writer anduse fine words. "

"Me a story writer!" growled Jim. "I ain't got so low as that, not solong as I have got two hands to steal chickens with. "

CHAPTER XXVII

ANOTHER FRIEND

"Do you not think, Senor Darlington, that it is now safe to start?"inquired the Spaniard, who was fearful of bloodshed, not quiteunderstanding the boys. 

"Certainly, " responded Jim, "we will get Don Fernando down from hisperch and proceed. "

This proved to be an easier task than getting him up. His master loweredby the rope to his side, one scrambling leap and the horse was on thefirm wet sand of the beach, almost knocking his master over in hiseagerness to be on safe footing again. Don Sebastian now showed the gayside of his nature, as he vaulted into the saddle. 

He swung his hat wildly, the blood mounting to his face, and the horseseemed to feel the sting and excitement of his master's mood, as hepranced, danced and caracoled upon the sand and ended up by bowing inunison with his master to the two American lads, who were looking onwith interest and amusement. 

Then the party made their way quickly along the curve of the beach andwent around the fateful headland with perfect safety, while quite adistance out among the hidden rocks snarled the defeated ocean. ThenCaliente heard them coming and he quickly raised his head, neighing inwelcome to Jim and his comrade, Don Fernando. 

Jim gave him a vigorous hug for more than ever he was fond of hisfaithful horse. In a few minutes he had him saddled and away the threehorsemen thudded in a swift gallop down the beach. The horses fairlyflew, the wind of their speed tossing their manes back. It was coolbeneath the fog laden sky and the refreshing sea air seemed to give thehorses tireless endurance. 

Soon three miles had spun backwards under their hoofs and the boys werefilled with the joyous excitement of the run. It seemed now that everystride of the horses was bringing them nearer to the hoped-for rescue ofTom and Juarez. And this was an incentive to their energy. 

"Here, friends, is where we branch off from the beach, " cried theSpaniard. 

Then he turned his horse to the left and headed straight for a woodedspur that extended from the range to the shore. In a short time thethree came to a well-traveled trail and were soon riding through thesemi-dusk of the woods. For two miles they went up a steady grade. 

Then they rounded the summit of the wooded ridge and saw stretching farbelow them in the indistinct dusk, a wide plain bounded on the West bythe blue darkness of the level sea with its rim of yellow sand. 

"We will soon be at the home of my friend, Senor Valdez, " said theSpaniard, "where we will spend the night. "

"I'm a lovely looking object to present itself in a civilized home, "protested Jim, "I look like a tough who has been in a bar-room rush. "

"You are my brave friend, " said Senor Sebastian, quietly, "and will bewelcome. "

Jim blushed, at least one side of his face did, the other was alreadytoo deeply colored to show any emotion, and he grinned sheepishly. Before he had time to reply they swept into an open driveway, carefullysanded, and drew rein in front of a long, low white adobe house, thatfrom its mountain terrace looked over Plain and Sea. 

Out came Senor Valdez to receive them, a stately Spaniard, who furnishedthe boys with an ideal of perfect courtesy ever after. To the end oftheir days they remembered their first visit to the home of SenorValdez. How they did enjoy their dinner that evening in the long, pleasantly lighted dining-room. 

It was an excellent meal, with delicious soup, a salad garnished withpeppers of the Spanish style, and garlic. Jim and Jo had never tastedanything equal to it. Besides there were frijoles and lamb, while thedessert was some slight and delicate confection of jelly and cream, madeby the hands of the Senora Valdez. 

"I feel wicked sitting here and eating this fine meal, " said Jo, addressing Jim in a low voice, "when Tom and Juarez are being ill usedand probably starved. "

"Well, " replied Jim, who was always practical, "I think it is better toeat, and to keep my strength up. "

"I guess it won't fail, " commented Jo slyly. 

The boys bore themselves well, and without any diffidence though Jim hada whimsical recollection of his bruised side face and blackened eye, andhe tried to keep it turned from the Senora Valdez, the fragile littlewoman who sat at the end of the table opposite her husband. She had snowwhite hair, parted low over her ears and the pallid face was lined withyears. Very gentle was the Senora Valdez, but she had in her time beheldscenes of carnage and terror, so Jim need not have worried about hisbruised face. But the wise old lady noticed his solicitude andunderstanding, was the more gracious to the young Americano because ofit. 

That evening they sat on the piazza, that looked out towards the sea, the Spaniards smoking and Jim and Jo enjoying the music of a guitarplayed by a Mexican in a dim corner of the verandah and the boys heard abit of important news. 

"There was a mysterious ship put into shore several miles South of here, late last night, Senor, " said their host, "one of my shepherds broughtme word. "

"The first scent of the trail, " cried Jim eagerly. Then the SenorSebastian explained to his friend more fully the objects of theirsearch. Immediately the listener was deeply interested. Then he sent foran Indian, one of his trusted men, to come to him, and gave him minuteinstructions about some matters. Without a word the Indian turned anddisappeared in the darkness, and in a short time there came the sound ofa horse galloping full speed down the road. 

"Tomorrow, Senor Darlington, this Indian will meet you at a point nearthe Puebla de los Angeles, which my friend knows and he will have allthe information there is obtainable as to the location of this ship andits crew, " thus spoke the Senor Valdez. Jim thanked him with deep fervorfor his unusual kindness, but the Spaniard made light of it. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

A TALE OF YORE

As they sat there in the dusk of the verandah, Jim would have liked toask his host to relate some of his experiences in southern Californiafor he felt sure that the Senor Valdez had known something of adventurenot only because those early days were full of marvels of interest, butthere was something in the bearing of the old Spaniard that spoke offormer days of romance and of stirring incidents. 

Then, too, there was something in the after-dinner content and quiet, following the perilous adventure which they had been through thatpredisposed the boys to listen to a good story of adventure. Theirfriend, the Senor Sebastian, seemed to divine what was passing throughJim's mind, for he suddenly spoke, breaking the meditative spell thathad fallen upon the group on the piazza. 

"It just occurred to me, Senor Valdez, that our friends here might liketo hear something of the early days in this part of the country, for youof all men know it thoroughly and I am sure it would interest them. "

"Indeed, it would, Senor, " cried Jim enthusiastically, "it was in mymind to ask Senor Valdez to tell us of the early days but I was afraidto impose upon him. "

"I feel greatly honored to think that you young men would care to hearanything my poor tongue could relate. It would hardly be worth yourdistinguished attention. " Jim made due allowance for the courteousexaggeration characteristic of the Spaniard. 

"Try us, Senor, " he said briefly, "we would want nothing better. "

"I will have the coffee brought first, " replied the Senor, "that mayserve to stimulate my dull imagination. "

In a short time a softly moving servant brought out a tray of coffeecups, and placed one before each guest on a small wicker table. Jimnoticed these cups with immediate interest. They were certainlybeautiful and he had never seen anything like them before. They were ofa wonderful blue, each one, and had a coat of arms in gold with raisedfigures on it; a scroll above with a Latin motto, and beneath therepresentation of a wild animal couchant. The Senor Valdez was quick tosee Jim's interest and respond to it. "That is the coat of arms of myfamily, " he explained. 

"I am not a scholar, Senor, " said Jim, "and all I can make of the mottois that it has something to do with a lion. "

"You are quite right, " the ghost of a smile hovered around thewhite-fringed lips of the Spaniard, at Jim's innate boyishness. 

"That figure does not look exactly like a lion, " remarked Jo frankly. 

"Not like an African lion certainly, " replied the Spaniard, "but a lionnevertheless, such as one finds yet in the mountain fastnesses of Spain, something like a panther only larger and much more fierce. "

"The lion seems to have a rope or chain around his neck, " commented Jim, "and fastened to a collar. "

"Quite so, " responded the Spaniard, "likewise the motto translatedreads, 'Gentle as a Lion. '"

"Rather strange way of putting it, " said Jim curiously. 

"I will explain, for you would naturally be puzzled by the phrase, 'Gentle as a Lion, ' as it seems to contradict common knowledge, " saidSenor Valdez. "You see my family has the distinction, if such it can becalled, in these modern days, the distinction of being old. Thiscoat-of-arms dates back to the eleventh century. "

Jo was about to give a prolonged whistle of surprise when Jim grippedhis knee to enforce silence, for though Jo might mean all right, theSpaniard might not understand. 

"The founder of the family who flourished at that time was a ratherrugged character, and I am afraid would regard the familyrepresentatives of this day as very puny and unworthy specimens. ThisRodriquez de Valdez had his castle in a rugged mountainous part ofSpain, where there were plenty of wild animals and of wilder and fiercermen, bandits and free-booters without number. 

"His castle was a very powerful one, not only in construction butlikewise in location, as it was built on a shelf of rock above a deepchasm, with precipitous cliffs behind it. However, Rodriquez de Valdezspent but very little time behind the protection of its powerful walls. It would take the forces of some strong Duke from the lowland to causehim to seek the shelter of his castle and to raise his war banner ofcrimson with a blue cross upon it, above the turret. 

"He spent his days hunting among the mountains for wild beasts or formarauding bands of lawless men. Rodriquez was a man of wonderfulstrength, even for those days, when there were giants in the land. Instature six feet five and powerful in proportion and likewise very fleetof foot. If I should tell you of some of the legends of his strength andswiftness, you would probably laugh. 

"But the one that has to do with the coat-of-arms of my family I willtell you. It chanced one day that he was out in the wilds of themountains and quite alone. Intent upon the trail of a deer that he wasfollowing along a shelving mountain side, he did not see a lion halfgrown, but nevertheless very dangerous, which was crouching on thebranch of a tree ready to spring upon him when he got beneath it. 

"When he had passed by under the tree a pace or two, the lion sprangwith distended claws. Some instinct of danger made Rodriquez turn and hewas just in time to grapple with the brute, clutching it by the throat. The lion had some advantage in weight but not a great deal, for my braveancestor was probably three hundred pounds of sinew, bone and muscle. Sothat the struggle was not such an unequal one, but it was terrific whileit did last. Finally, though torn and bleeding, the man subdued thebeast, and had it in abject fear of him. 

"Then instead of killing the lion as one would naturally expect, Rodriquez took a strange humorous notion into his head. He would make apet of this same lion and it should be his dog to follow obediently atits master's heels wherever he went. This idea he carried out and heeven had a heavy brass collar placed upon its neck, and it followed himon all his trips, slouching with padded tread at his heel, or behind hiswar horse as he rode abroad, like a powerful yellow dog. 

"I do not imagine that the beast ever had any great amount of affectionfor his master, but he no doubt was in great fear of him, which seemedto answer the purpose quite as well. So, my friends, you have a full andcomplete explanation of the coat-of-arms of my family. My only fear isthat I have wearied you with what could not have the same interest foryou as it does for me. "

"Indeed, you have not wearied us, Senor, " exclaimed Jo enthusiastically. 

"That is one of the most interesting accounts that I have ever listenedto, " said Jim. "I only wish I could have lived in those days when therewas plenty of adventure. "

"I do not think that you have any reason to complain, " remarked theSpaniard laughingly. "Perhaps your descendants in future years will bepointing out your daring deeds as emblazoned on their coat-of-arms. "

"No danger of that, I guess, " laughed Jim, "though they might have apicture of Jo and me tied to a mule. That was the way old Captain Broomtreated us. " The Spaniard joined in the merriment at this unheroicrepresentation of Jo and Jim. 

"Now, Senor Valdez, you have told us a tale of old Spain, tell ussomething of new Spain here in California, " urged Jo. 

"It seems to me that it is now someone else's turn, " said the Senor. "Iwould not do all the talking. A host should sometimes listen. PerhapsSenor Darlington will tell us of some of his experiences. They will bemuch more stirring than any musty tales of mine. " But Jim shook his headfirmly, not to say obstinately. 

"I would not think of telling our adventures, " he replied. "Perhapsafter we have travelled more, we will have something worth whilerelating. "

"That's right, " said Jo, "we would much rather listen to you, Senor. "

The Senor Valdez sipped slowly at his coffee, looking out into thesemi-darkness beyond the verandah, where over the plain below stretchedthe gray blanket of the fog-clouds. Then he rolled another cigarette, lit it and took a few meditative puffs. The Senor now began his nextstory at a peculiar angle, and did not commence with the stereotypedform of "once upon a time, " so dear to the days of one's childhood. 

"I see you do not take cream in your coffee, " he said addressing Jim. 

"No, but I like some sugar, not too much. "

"It has seemed to me, " said the Spaniard, "that the seasoning of coffeeis in a way an indication of character. "

"Where the party uses milk in his coffee that indicates weakness, doesit not, Senor?" inquired Jim with a sly look at Jo, but the subtleSpaniard was not to be trapped. 

"Not necessarily, " he replied, "only mildness. "

"And when it is taken straight and black that means a strong character, "remarked Jo. 

"You have stated it, " replied the Spaniard. 

"But I would like to know how I would be sized up?" questioned Jim, "yousee I use a little sugar. "

"My friend, " said the Spaniard with playful earnestness, putting hishand lightly on Jim's knee, "that shows a character of great strength, tempered with mercy and human kindness. All of which leads one to speakof a man who was once famous in this part of the country, but notpopular. He always had the reputation for taking a strong liquor in hiscoffee, Fernet, if I remember right. His name was Alverado, but I judgethat you are not acquainted with it. "

"No, " replied Jim, "but I should say that he was a very fiercecharacter. "

"He was. He was a bandit. "

"I thought so, " agreed Jim. 

"This Don Alverado came from a well known Spanish family, of ancientlineage, but impoverished fortune. He was such a wild and unruly bladethat his family were decidedly relieved when he left Spain and came tothe new world to mend his fortune, if not his ways. He landed first inMexico, and after a series of more or less remarkable adventures, hecame to this part of California. I knew him, or rather I knew of hisfamily in Spain, and for their sake I made him welcome here at my home. 

"He was really a charming fellow in manner and appearance, tall, slight, with dark eyes and hair, a typical cavalier. But the graces of hismanner did not reach down to his heart, and after a disagreeable episodewhich I need not revive here, he left my rancho never to return exceptas an enemy. I heard nothing further of him after his departure forsome six months. My next introduction to him was an unpleasant one. 

"It consisted in the loss of a band of horses and a herd of cattle whichwere driven off by a gang of raiders, thirteen in number, at the head ofwhich was this fellow Alverado. His depredations went on for years amongthe ranchmen in this part of California. So resourceful and crafty wasthis desperado that he evaded trap after trap laid for his capture. 

"He had several very close calls and there were numerous battles betweenthe outlaws and the ranch owners, but though some of his men were shot, he seemed to bear a charmed life. I remember one running fight over theplain yonder, when, believing me to be absent from home, as I had been, but returned unexpectedly from the north, this Alverado and his gangmade a bold dash to capture some horses from a field directly below thehouse. 

"It did not take long to get my men together and I gave the bandits asurprise indeed. Nothing but the speed of Alverado's horse, a splendidblack stallion, saved him from capture. We got several of his menhowever. At last there came the turning of the lane. Through thetreachery of one of the band we found that their rendezvous was at thehead of a small canyon in a range of foot-hills several miles south ofhere. 

"You will go through it tomorrow on your way south, if you carry outyour speed schedule, which with your remarkable horses you ought to beable to. We came upon the gang about noon, where they were resting aftera long chase. In a corral near by were a number of stolen stock. Theywere not expecting trouble of any kind. Some were playing cards, a fewcooking, most, however, were enjoying the siesta, their leader among thenumber lay under the shadow of a tree, his head resting on a saddle, sound asleep. 

"There were fifty of us, and we had them surrounded, so that there wasno chance of escape. Alverado himself made a desperate dash, but thecordon was too strong. The rest surrendered. That afternoon we took thebunch to the lower end of the canyon, where there was a giant sycamoretree. There we hanged the whole thirteen, and by them no more weretroubled not even by their ghosts. "

Jim and Jo expressed their appreciation of their host's kindness inentertaining them as he truly had done in relating his tales. Then theysaid good night and went to their room. 

That night the boys slept in a comfortable bed in a quaint old bedroomwith roses nodding in at the half open casement windows. By the light ofthe candles they could see the strange old and carved furniture andtired as they were how they did sleep. 

The next morning they started hours before daylight. "I will be preparedto welcome more of you in a few days, " said the Senor Valdez, and theboys thanked him heartily. Promising to return soon they galloped awaythrough the darkness. 

All day they rode, hardly drawing rein at all. At first through thefoot-hills and then over the wide plains. Jo had a fresh horse, apowerful black, as his other mount could not stand the strain of thelong trip that meant three score and ten of miles before evening. 

Early in the afternoon they left the plain and rode into the deep andrugged gorges of a mountain chain, running East and West. Thence into abroad valley leading South-easterly, and about four P. M. They turneddirectly South entering a Pass in the Southern side of the valley, fromwhich they emerged on a plain. Where the trail left the Pass stood alarge sycamore tree, when they reached it, the Indian messenger rosefrom its shelter. 

CHAPTER XXIX

A WONDERFUL LEAP

Now without hesitation we must take up the fortunes or rathermisfortunes of Tom and Juarez as they landed in the darkness upon themysterious island, for our narrative presses to its conclusion. Neverdid they feel more hopeless than on this occasion, when they were goingto a dubious and uncertain fate. 

"You boys come with me, " called the Captain gruffly. 

"How about me, Cap'n?" asked Jeems Howell, the lanky shepherd. 

"What's your business?" inquired Captain Broom briefly. 

"Looking after the sheeps. "

"Then attend to it, " said the Captain grimly. 

"Certainly, Cap'n, " replied the shepherd, who was incapable of takingoffense. 

"You come, Jake, " called the Captain, to one of the sailors, "and bequick about it, we haven't much time. " Tom shivered, for in the gloomand tired as he was he felt that his time too was short. 

Then with the Captain in the lead, carrying a lantern, which was muffledin his great coat, they started, the sailor bringing up the rear. 

"Look out sharp, that these lads don't spring something on you, Jake. They are a bad lot. "

"Aye, aye, sir, " replied the sailor, "they'll have to be quick to getthe jump on me, sir. "

"It's the Injun one's the worst. Don't let him scalp you, " warned theCaptain jocosely. 

"I'm no Indian, " said Juarez, hoarsely and utterly reckless of his fate, "I'm an American, and was proud of it, till I found you were one, youcursed yankee barnacle. "

"Ho, ho, lad!" roared the Captain, "you won't talk so tall in a fewminutes. Nothing like a slow fire for stewing the nonsense out of afresh kid. "

"How far is this cave of yours, you are taking us to, old salt horse?"said Juarez insolently, and utterly unwise. 

This was too much for Captain Broom, and with an imprecation he turnedto strike Juarez. This was what Juarez was looking for and as thefurious Skipper whirled facing him, Juarez dodged his huge fist, andsent a fierce hook to the Captain's jaw. There was anger, desperationand strength behind that blow and the Captain fell, striking his head ona rock. That time the Frontier Boys scored. 

"Follow me, Tom, " yelled Juarez, and he sprang away through thedarkness. It seemed like a hopeless undertaking to make an escape withthe sea on one side and the cliffs on the other, and a desperate enemynear at hand. But Juarez thought it was best to take a chance. Anythingwas better than captivity, that was seemingly just ahead of them. 

One thing he was determined on and that was, that he would not be takenalive. He ran splashing through the water, leaping rocks, with the twosailors in fast pursuit. Not far ahead to the right was the white dashof the breakers that shut off escape in that direction, to the left wasthe cliffs. 

Then before him rose a steep but not precipitous rock that had beendivided from the main cliff by the action of the water. Instantly Juarezabandoned his desperate plan of plunging into the sea, and withoutlessening his speed, he sprang up the rock, in his moccasined feet. 

The sailor who was following most closely, got up ten feet when heslipped and rolled violently to the bottom, knocking down the one whocame after. Once Juarez came near falling but he caught himself, andkept going up, driven by a desperation that seemed to carry him overevery obstacle. 

"We've got yer, ye little shrimp, " exultantly cried the sailors at thebase of the rock, "Ye can't get away unless you fly. "

"Shoot the blasted little varmint, " roared the Captain, who, stilldizzy, had struggled to his feet. In obedience to the order a flashpunctured the darkness and there was a roar like artillery echoing amongthe hollow cliffs. A slug of lead whistled past Juarez's head. 

The boy had now reached the top of the rock and was at the crisis of hisfate, a distance of ten feet separated him from the main cliff, not animpossible jump but the foothold was precarious and uncertain, and fiftyfeet or more below were the jagged rocks, and enemies equally as hard, but Juarez did not hesitate. 

He dodged down just as the sailors fired another shot, then he sprang tothe narrow pinnacle of the rock and bending slightly forward with bentknees and swinging hand, poised for the leap. 

"The condemned fool is going to jump, " roared the Captain. "Shoot him onthe wing. "

But the sailors were not ready and the skipper ran between the rock andthe cliff to be at hand to stamp the life out of Juarez when he shouldfall as he knew he would. Then he leaped, a dark object flying throughspace, his hands caught the edge of the cliff, the roots of a small bushheld him for a moment, then he slipped. Below him was certain death. 

Two strong hands caught his arms, and he was drawn in safety to thecliff above. The Captain and the two sailors watched in open mouthedwonder, all they could see was the dim figure of Juarez crawl in safetyover the top of the cliff, but they could not determine the means of hisescape. 

It struck a superstitious chord in their natures and the skipper becamemoody and silent. 

Juarez breathlessly followed the lanky figure of the shepherd throughthe darkness, for it was no other who had extended the rescuing hand. Hardly a word was spoken, and they started off. After going aconsiderable distance they came to a slab hut built at the foot of ahigh range of hills that formed the backbone of the island. 

Two shepherd dogs rushed forth and gave their master a boisterouswelcome, and were soon good friends with Juarez. Everything in the hutwas neat; with Indian rugs on the floor which gave a warm touch ofcolor to the interior and one side of the hut was lined with books. 

"What am I thinking of, " suddenly cried Juarez in dismay, "to leave Tomin the hands of that crew? My head is wrong. " With that, he grew paleand slid unconscious to the floor. He had evidently not recovered fromthe blow that the Mexican had dealt him a few days before, and thestrain he had been under brought on a relapse. The shepherd worked overhim a long time before he finally brought him around. 

Meanwhile what had become of Tom? He had not been quick enough to makehis escape, and his fate was in the balance when the Skipper came up tohim just after Juarez had disappeared over the cliff. 

"You don't get away, I promise you that, lad, " growled the Captain. Roughly seizing the boy by the shoulder he dragged him toward the cliff. Then the two disappeared into the entrance of a cave, the Captain stillholding in one hand his battered leather satchel. 

The sailor who stood on guard at the entrance, saw just then the lightsof a steamer that was just entering the channel and he rushed into thecave, called to the Captain, and in a few minutes that worthy appeared. If he felt any alarm he showed none, but without any loss of time heassembled his crew, got his boat free of land and rowed silently out tosea. Whatever he had intended to do with Tom, evidently passed from hismind, now awakened to the solution of some other problem. 

CHAPTER XXX

IN THE STRAIT

As Juarez and Tom were under the kindly escort of Captain Broom and hissailors in the whale boat on their cruise to the mysterious island, Jo, Jim and the Spaniard had stopped at an old sycamore tree, where, as hadbeen promised, the Indian messenger was awaiting their coming. 

"What news, Yaquis?" asked the Spaniard, who knew the Indian well. 

"I saw the boat by my own eyes, " he replied, "heading for the BigIsland, " pointing to the South. "By her smoke she stopped in the BowHarbor near the lower end. " So spoke the Indian, standing straight andtall. He was a picturesque sight with his coarse, black hair cut squareand long. 

"The trail is getting warm, " exclaimed Jim eagerly. "Where can we get aboat?"

"There is a small boat at the Harbor of San Pedro, " replied theSpaniard, "that is the property of a friend of mine. I doubt not we canhave the use of it. "

"It is now a little after six, " said Jim. "How far is it to the Harbor?"

"A dozen miles, " replied the Indian. 

"Is your horse too tired, Senor Sebastian, to make it by eight?" TheSpaniard's eyes flashed. 

"Senor, Don Fernando is never tired. Let us start. "

"We are ready, " replied Jim. "Which is the shortest cut?"

"I will guide you, " was the Indian's response. 

"He knows this country like the foot does the shoe, " assured theSpaniard. 

Without more ado, the new guide took the lead and they rode at a rapidgait in single file. At first they went down a gentle grade for severalmiles until they came to a perfectly level plain that stretched in threedirections to the sea. At the end of the land was a perfectly roundedrise like a huge long bolster. 

The party of rescuers left the Puebla de los Angeles several miles tothe East, taking the shortest way to the harbor. There was no let-up tothe speed, if anything, they seemed to be going faster, with sweatysides and shoulders, but with unaffected stamina. The going was fine, over a springy turf and sometimes they tore through wide belts of tallmustard. 

Jo and Jim were in fine fettle as the end of the journey came in sightand there was promise of their coming to close quarters with the piratesand possibly rescuing their oppressed brothers from captivity. Then, too, the passage of the strait in an open boat appealed to their senseof adventure. 

About eight o'clock, they came to a ranch two miles from the harbor, where Senor Sebastian had a short talk with a man who owned the smallboat that had been referred to. He was perfectly willing to lend themthe boat and also sent a Mexican servant to bring back their horses andput them up in his stables. Not forgetting to thank him for his greatkindness to them, the boys turned their horses' heads for the harbor, the last lap of their long journey had begun. 

In a half hour, they stood on the shore of a long, narrow inlet, at apoint where a craft was moored. From a small boat-house, they got theoars, the mast and the sail to be used if the wind was right. Then theywere ready to get aboard. Jim looked at his watch. "It lacks ten minutesof nine, " he said. 

Then they embarked. The boat was not a mere row-boat, but was found tobe of good size and about equal to a whale boat. It was staunch, too, and sea worthy. The mooring was cast off. Jim was at the bow oar, and Joat the one back of him on the other side, while the Indian, Yaquis, steered. The tide favored them as they glided quickly between the banks, and they were not long in reaching the channel. 

At first, there was a slow, heavy swell, while in the lee of the land, that did not bother the boys but within a half hour they were in achoppy sea with breaking crests, and now the real work for Jo and Jimbegan. Fortunately, the Indian was a most skillful oar, and he kept themfrom being swamped. As yet there was no breeze to help them. 

"This is almost as good as running the Rapids in the Grand Canyon, "cried Jim joyously. 

The boys were in fine fettle for their work, notwithstanding their longday in the saddle, and they buckled to it with a will, although wetthrough with flying spray. They had enjoyed a good rest the night beforeand after their long ride they were glad to get the kinks out of theirmuscles. They really made remarkably good headway against the sea andthe stoical Indian grunted approval of their work. Ah, but it was fine, battling with the waves through the darkness, while the boat thrashedand beat its way ahead. 

The boys stood to their oars and put all the strength of their litheyoung bodies into the stroke and they seemed tireless. The Spaniard hadmade himself comfortable in the bow, where, sheltered by a shortoverhead deck, he was soon fast asleep. 

"Wake me when it is time to be drowned, " he said. "I know it is myfate. " Jim remembered the Spaniard's melancholy of the day before, andlaughed heartily, as he promised. 

"There are the lights of a vessel, " cried Yaquis, who, though silent, was ever on the watch. "Ahead of us to the Southwest. "

"You are right, " said Jim. The lights were like two faint, moving stars, one aloft and the other below. 

"That isn't the Pirate ship, " declared Jo. "She wouldn't be showing anylight. " After a while, the lights of the vessel were suddenly eclipsed, but by the dull light of the moon, now risen, the vessel's bulk couldstill be made out. 

"She has gone into the further straits, " said Yaquis, "between the twoislands. "

A gentle breeze sprang up, but blowing directly toward them, it lent noaid. Before midnight, the westerly breeze had died absolutely down, andin a not very long time, the sea followed suit, leaving a long swell andthe rowing became much easier. Nothing occurred to break the monotonyfor a while. There was the steady grinding of the oars in the row-locksand the lapping of the waves in the gloom, for the moon was now obscuredby clouds. Then, of a sudden, the Indian called a halt. 

"Do you hear footsteps?" inquired Jim, jocosely. 

"A steamer coming, I hear her, no lights. Pull hard. " In a minute, eventhe boys could hear the beat of her engines and saw the occasional flarefrom her stacks, then a dark form took shape through the night. Theypulled lustily for they knew their danger and who it was. How quicklythey would be run down, if discovered, and left to drown in the widestrait, when Captain Broom found out their identity. No wonder theypulled. 

"Stop now, draw in your oars. Lie down, " warned the Indian. 

Not a hundred yards to the Eastward came The Sea Eagle and she was on aneven line with the boat that lay a black patch on the dark water. IfCaptain Broom was not on the Bridge they would be safe. 

"Boat ahoy, " boomed out his voice. 

"Indian fishermen, " cried Yaquis. "Stop, take me ashore. "

With a growl, the Captain sent his ship ahead, paying no attention tothe "Indian fisherman" in distress. There was a gleam of white teeth asthe Indian smiled at the hearty congratulations of the boys and theirglee at his stratagem. Then the Spaniard and Yaquis took the oars whileJim steered and Jo slept. 

CHAPTER XXXI

CONCLUSION

When morning came, they were but a few miles from the Northern end ofthe longer Island and the fog was over the whole sky. The sea was glassywith a sullen glaze. Nowhere was there sign of any steamer or ship. TheSea Eagle had made good her escape. 

"I wish we had a stiff breeze to help us along, " said the Spaniard, wholoved not manual labor, as did the boys. 

"It will come, the strong breeze, soon, " said the Indian. 

"When we make the Island, what are we to do?" asked Jo. 

"Who can tell, maybe Tom and Juarez have been taken along with theSkipper, instead of being marooned. "

"That's so, " replied Jo, and gloom settled down upon his spirits, heavier than the fog upon the sea. 

"We will keep after them, " said the never despondent Jim, "even if wehave to chase them around the world. "

The boat seemed to crawl so slowly along, and the boys began to fret intheir eagerness to find out whether their comrades were on the island ornot, but they were not yet close enough to make out any object upon itssurface. Then from the West there came a breeze rippling the glassywater. 

"Up with the sail, " cried Jim. "Here's where we fly. "

As the breeze strengthened to a wind, they went towards the island at aclipping gait. When they got within a half mile of the shore, they beganto look eagerly for some sign of a living being and they weredisappointed at first, but they drove their boat along as near the shoreas they dared. 

"Say, did you hear that?" cried Jim in excitement. "That was a rifleshot, or my name is Dennis. "

"Three men on the shore, " said the Indian, imperturbably. 

"I see them, " cried Jo, "on that beach yonder. I believe it is Tom andJuarez. Hurrah for the Frontier Boys. "

"It is they, " declared Jim as they drew closer, "but how Tom has grown. He looks over six feet. "

"That isn't Tom, " said Jo. "It's some one else. The short one is Tom. "Then he saw Jim grin and realized that he had been kidded. 

"If this wasn't my busy day, " said Jo, "I'd give you a punching forbeing so smart. "

Five minutes later, the boat had grounded on the pebbly beach and TheFrontier Boys were again united. There was a great jubilee for a whilewith the Spaniard, the Indian, and the lanky shepherd on the outskirtsof the family celebration, but in a short time they were all goodfriends, each according to his different nature; the Spaniard, suave andcourteous, the Indian stolid, but with his share in the generalgood-will, and Jeems Howell, the shepherd, lankily humorous. 

"We met our old friend Captain Broom in the channel, boys, " said Jim, "steaming along like the Devil was after him. "

"I'll give him reason to think so, " growled Juarez sullenly, "if I everget on his trail. "

The Indian, Yaquis, grunted approval, for there seemed to be a bond ofsympathy between him and Juarez, as the reader can well understand. 

"How far is that cave, Tom, where the old codger left you?" inquiredJo. 

"Just around the bend, " said Tom. "Here's the rock where Juarez made hisfamous jump. "

"How did you ever get up there?" asked Jo in wonder, looking up at thepinnacle of rock. 

"You'd a done the same if those fellows had been chasing you, " repliedJuarez, "but if it hadn't been for Jeems here catching me when I jumpedthey would have got me after all. "

"I was afeard you might have fallen on the Skipper and a hurt him. He'sa kind of a tender plant you know. " The Shepherd made this remark with aperfectly sober face, in no wise disturbed by the hilarity of the boys, over the idea of the tenderness of the Skipper. 

"Here's the cave, " said Juarez, and he led the way through an archedopening in the wall of the cliff. Picking up a lantern, he went ahead asguide. 

"This is certainly a dry cave, " said Jim. 

"It ought to be, " said Jeems Howell. "It don't rain on this Island morethan twice a year, but I feel it in my bones that it is coming on tostorm today. "

"I hope you don't feel it in _all_ your bones, " remarked Jim, quizzically, "because it is liable to be a long drawn out storm if youdo. "

The lanky Shepherd gave himself over to spasms of silent mirth at Jim'squeer humor. 

"Here's where we found Tom, " said Juarez. "Just discovered him a coupleof hours before you discovered us. "

When the Captain had made his sudden change of plans, Tom made himselfas comfortable as he could for the night, intending to search for Juarezin the morning. 

"Sometime I hope that this wretched Captain will be captured andimprisoned right here, " said the Spaniard with a cold, vindictiveness. 

"If he comes snooping around here again, that is what will happen tohim, " remarked Jim quietly. "I suppose, Tom, that he hid some of theloot he took from us in this cave somewhere. I bet this is his safedeposit vault, all right. "

"He went back in there with his small satchel, " said Tom, indicating thedepths of the cave as yet unexplored. 

"It will keep, " said Jim, "but before I leave this island for Hawaii, Iam going to search every corner of this cave and see if I cannot findour property. "

"We discovered it in a cave and perhaps we will lose our treasure in acave, " said Juarez, who was something of a fatalist. 

"Don't you believe that we won't find it, " declared Jim stoutly, "but nowork for me for a while. I'm going to take a good rest. "

"So say we all of us, " chanted the boys. 

"Gentlemen, " said Jeems Howell oracularly, "If it pleases you, andChristopher Columbus, " with a wave of his hand toward Jim, "whodiscovered this savage group, we will now adjourn to my castle on thedistant hillside. "

"We are with you, " declared those assembled in unison, and in a shorttime they were making their way up the slope towards the "castle" on thehillside, where they made themselves at home. 

All the new arrivals at the island were soon fast asleep. 

Later after several hours of rest, they occupied themselves according totheir different ideas of comfort. 

The Spaniard amused himself thrumming on a guitar, that belonged to oneof the Mexican herders on the island. Tom got a book, and stretched outon a rug forgetful of all his recent troubles, while Jim and Juarezborrowed a couple of guns and went for an hour's hunting, in the woodswhich at that time covered the mountain ridges of the island. 

That evening they were all gathered in the cabin before the blazing fireon the stone hearth, while outside raged the Easterly storm that JeemsHowell had predicted, with rush of wind and sweep of rain. But the slabcabin was storm proof and comfortable. It is a good place to leave theboys after their days of trial and bitter hardship. In our next book wewill meet "The Frontier Boys in Hawaii, or The mystery of The HollowMountain. " There, I feel confident they will cope with adventures asunusual and as remarkable as they have heretofore encountered. I am surethat the Reader will be anxious to accompany them on their journey. Butwe must permit the Frontier Boys to have the last word, in this volume. 

"Do you think that Captain Broom, will return here, before we get awayfor Hawaii, Jim?" inquired brother Jo. 

"I certainly do, " replied Jim, "and we will be right here, to give him awarm and hearty Welcome, you can rest assured of that. "

 * * * * *

Transcriber's Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired. 

Page 9, "hearn" changed to "heard" (I heard the mate)

Page 136, "wierdly" changed to "weirdly" (almost weirdly beautiful)

Page 148, "ever" changed to "over" (hanging over the)

Page 158, "besiide" changed to "beside" (got ready beside)

Page 170, text was both missing and repeated in the original. Theoriginal read:

 on even terms until in the last hundred yards Cal- iente forged ahead by half a length. 

 "Hold on boys, " yelled Jo in warning. +"Don't on even terms until in the last hundred yards Cal- horses up. + There was Jo sitting quietly on his horse. 

The words between the ++ were removed to try to improve readability. 

Page 172, "supose" changed to "suppose" (I suppose you do)

Page 213, "aint" changed to "ain't" (I ain't got)

Page 231, "scycamore" changed to "sycamore" (sycamore tree, when)

Page 232, "hestitation" changed to "hestitation" (without hesitation we)