Frank Reade Library, Vol. VIII, No. 191 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

* am de * ting, Maree Frank!” aesiet Pomp. wi" **Bejabers, phwat air they thinf’ asked J. ** Well,” saic Frank, slowly, “I am not pespers? tosay. But I am sure when matter is probed to the bottom, you will find that some human agency is at the bot- tom of it all.” Barney and Pomp made no further com- ment. mhey knew well when Frank was in earn- He would not brook opposition and in spite of their terror they were yet ready toobey his comman ** What yo’ want us fo’ to do, Marse Frankf” asked Pomp. our courage for a while,” said Frank, 8 i He opened the throttle and let the Steam I ie tna the » aased the t where th n way the e spot w e skeletons had been seen. = a the Dow grew narrow and dark ap 4 The walls seem ready to close in and crush the invaders. Suddenly a bright vivid flash like lightning shot athwart the pore. This was follow by what seemed like distant rumbling thun- er. Yet the sky was as clear and bright as could well be. A walling cry came from Barney, but a look from Frank restrained him. The Steam Man went along slowly. Frank's curiosity was a bit excited, and he was determined to know the meaning of these su tural exhibitions. There was nota bit of doubt in his mind that it was all upon some practical ex- planation and was mere chicanery. He believed that Musely and his ployed these tricks to work upon the super- stitious fears of the miners and plainsmen. That he might succeed well can be easil imagined, as the Western plainsman, though courageous as a lion in most things, is pow- erfully superstitious. The Steam Man crept along slowly. anor another strange spectacle present- Upon the canyon wall several white robed were seen. hey looked like co in their grave clo and seemed to glide a moment along the cliff and then disappear. ey and Pomp were crouching in the bottom of the wagon. Frank was cool and determined, yet he felt ‘keenly that he was upon dangerous ground. It suddenly occ to him that he might, after all, have been a trifle reckless in enter- the gorge. t looked not a difficult matter for the train robbers to lay a trap for the Steam Man in this place. Either end of the gorge might be held by a small body of men. It would not be difficult to pen up the Man in this gorge, and Frank felt a bit nervous. But be was one loathe to back out of an en- terprise when once well started. In fact, he could lose nothing more by ing ahead at this stage than by going back. he decided to go ahead. The fi in white were visible only a mo- ment. Then another vivid flash of lightning lit up the go Barney an omp fairly yelled in their ter- ror, but Frank kept steadily on. But suddenly the young inventor threw his welght apon the brake and swayed the Man to the lef He was not a moment too soon. Down from the edge of the cliff there fell a tremendous heavy bowlder. It narrowly missed the Steam Man and struck the bottom of the gorge with a crash. It was a narrow escape. Had it struck the Steam Man the result would have been fearful. It would have been crushed out of all shape and those in the cage instantly killed. eae the stone had fallen of itself was pos- sible. That human agency was back of it all Frank Reade, Jr., had nodoubt. He believed that human hands had impelled that bowlder over the cliff’s g em-| in FRANK READE, JR., IN TEXAS To g further evidently would have been suicidal. To turn about and seek a retreat was not neon palibis with good sense and deep dis- cretion. Therefore Frank quickly turned the Steam about. roe and Barney were ovestored. The Steam Man started quickly down the canyon. But at that moment the canyon came filled with strange, weird noises, hisses an , the air seeming alive with them. When the Man finally ran out of the gorge again and upon the open plain, Barney and omp at Jast drew a breath of relief. ‘**Golly!” grunted Pomp. “Ain't I jes’ glad. Dat was a haunted place, jes’ so suah as you'se alibe. Marse Frank.” **Haunted beyond a doubt,” said Frank grimly, “but haunted by Mike Mosely and gan But Barney and Pomp had their own ideas of the case, which were not to be shaken. rank, however, had no idea of giving up the quest. He was determined ai any cost to learn the meaning of the strange proceedings in the canyon. e was satisfied that it was the entrance to the robbers’ stronghold. If it was the only entrance it did not seem as if he would be likely to gain admission very cost y But he did not believethat it was. At least he was decided to loox for another. He had no fear of being attacked upon the open plain. The train robbers had no doult experienced all of that sort of thing that they cared to. Barney and Pomp were now all right that they t out of the haunted canyon. I jes’ don’ care fo’ no livin’ fing,” declared Pomp, with a shrug of his shoulders, ** but I jea’ kain’t fight wid ghosteses an’ skel- ns an’ such fings. No, sah!” Bejabers, I say that same,” chimed in Barney. ‘I draw the line at the banshee.” Frank took atrip along the mountain side, a id for a opportunity to enter the 8. But he could see no better chance than that offered by the pass Somewhat d seppointed, he was quite un- 0. decided what to But darkness was setting down thick and fast, and very soon Frank hit upon an idea. He waited until the darkness had me thick enough to mask his movements. Then he ran the Steam Man to a secluded spot close under the mountain wall. ‘* Now, boys,” he said, brusquely ‘“ which one of you is going up the haunted canyon with me f’ There was a dead silence. This was a most startling question toask, oe ie two servitora were completely taken a e Neither one would have hesitated an in- stant under ordinary circumstances. But the superstitious element had com- plete poesession of them both. ‘* Bego av yez wud ask me to go any- where else, Misther Frank——” ° ‘‘ That is not the point,” said Frank, de- cisively. ‘* Are you going or not?” ; ** Golly, Marse Frank, jes’ yo" fink ob goin up among dem ghosteses—— ‘‘Pshaw !” interrupted Frank. ‘What a poltroon set you are. But I can goalone. I would prefer to, only I thought I could shake some of the foolish superstition out of you.” This settled the question. Devotion to their master was the prevail- ing quality of Barncy and Pomp’s natures. hey could not for one moment think of al- lowing him to go into a peril alone. At once both sprang up. ** Begorra, I'll go, Misther Frank.” as es ly, don yo take him, Marse Frank. I'l} go wif yo.” Frank laughed at their seriousness and then ‘Well, Barney, as longas you spoke first I will take you. Pom , I charge you to look well after the Steam til we come back |” ‘“* A’right, Marse Frank.” The young inventor fancied he detected a thrill of satisfaction in Pomp’s tones at the prospect of being left behind. But he said nothing, and armed to the teeth with Barney by his side he stepped out of the anand walt here un- And with that realization he began to tully | cage. appreciate the peril of his position. CHAPTER VIL. IN THE HACNTED CANYON. Tax darkness was most intense as Frank and Barney left the Steam Man. The youog Inventor knew that be was facur- ring a great risk. ut there was no other course of procedure be- | that he considered practicuble open to a He was especially des:ruus of | hiding-place of Mosely. He believed that the villain had there the young girl, Katie Rollin, in captivity. To rescue ber was Frank's eurnest parpose. Therefore the daring youth bad determined to invade the haunted canyon by stealth, asd, if bie, to learn its secrete. e led the way along the mountain wall cau- tiously. Barney followed him, all the while trying to stifis his superstitious fears. A few momeuts Jater they reached the mouth of the pass, Frank crept into it stealthily. He kept closely <o the wall, and listened at lotervals. He adopted Indian tactics and kept a sharp lookout for signs. Up the canyon in this man- ner the two explorers went. There was no doubt but tbat Barne; was fa @ nervous state of mind. At every juncture he expected fully to feel bimeelf in contact with a ghost or a bobgobdiia. Bat he would not bave deserted his master for ali that. Faithfulness was one of Barney's chief characteristics. They bad now proceeded some distance up the canyon, when Barney suddenly paused with a groan. **Och hove, wud yes luk atthe loikes av that, Muether Frank?” the Celt while pointing to a spot on the canyon wall. Prank «aid look and beheld what wae certain- ly a startilog sight. There upon a spur of the wall stood a white figure in a giare of ish light. The figure was robed in wh::e from bead to fuot and seemed to swing ite arms with regular motion. To Barney it was a veritable ghost and he was convuised with terror. Bat to Frank it was an impostare, and he made quick action to «dispel the Illusion. Quick asa flash he litted his rifv and fired at the object. The next moment there was a snapping sound, a distant mofiied curse, and the ieure caine flying down Into the canyon. Frank sprang forward aud was upon it in a moment. But lastead of 1 human being. as he had af first fancied it, *e found only a heap of white masiin and a few aticks. ** Aha!* eried Frank, triampbantly. ‘‘ Come here, Mr. O’Shea, and see what sort of mate rial your ghosts are made of. It is as I thought —a clever hoax.” Barney was astonished at the result, and not a little crestfallen. “Be me sowl, yes are roight, Misther Frank!” be mutt with amazement. ‘* You can see how easy It is to be deceived,” continued Frank. ‘¢On me worrad, that’s thrue,” agreed Bar- ney. ‘Share, it’s a fool I’ve bin.” ‘+ 1 hope this will cure you of being afraid of xhoots,” said Frauk, severely. ‘‘Ab, look out The crack of a rifle smote upon the alr, and the shot bored a hole through the visor of Frank’s cap. Both Barney and Frank sprang wader the cliff wall. ‘ Another shat followed, but it did not harm 16m. ‘It is ge] thought,” sald Frank, confident- ly. ‘* The robbers have got up these devices to frighten ignorant people away from these bills. Bat they will not frigh:es us.” ‘¢ Bojubera, yez kin bet on that!” erled Bare ney who was now as valiant as ever, dis fear of ghosts had all vanishe. Sull on up the cunyon they They had not got beyond the point where they had halted with the Steam Mas, aad EO NOOKS AUC (SO)