Frank Reade Library, No. 15 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

** Ab, that is a sad story. I did not stay here and adopt this life of my ows free will.” ** Indeed!” “Eighteen years ago I invested my fortune in a mine in British Gulana, I came down bere to look it up, found that I bad been vic- timized and was a ruined man.” The stranger covered his face with bis hands and wept. Finally he continued: **T also learned that my wife bad proven false to me, and had eloped with the man who had effected my rain. Fora time! was almost a maniac.” ‘¢That was hard,” agreed Frank. *¢] cursed them both, and if I could have got back to America then, I think I would have killed them. But I coald not. I bad no money, nor could I borrow, beg or steal in this accursed land. ‘6 Well, after a time I tried to fo it, and I drifted into the woods. One day our party wos set apon by natives, and all were killed bat me. **My fife was loterceded for by the chief's da into the tribe, she became my wife accordiny to hter. I was taken eir forms, and here am. “ _— years I have lived in the same manner as primitive man. You are the firat of my people whom I have seen in that time.” ‘6 Indeed!” exclaimed Frank, who had been deeply interested in the tale. ‘‘ Yours was a sad experience.” “ oo will agree to that?’ 66 es.” ** Bat it seems a blessing divine to look upon my kind again.” - Lbisvame you are anxious to get back to America?” ee 0.” The stranger’s face wore a sad and sorrowfal expression. His breast heaved with emotion. ‘*I will agree to put you in the way to get back!” declared Frank. ** No,” said the stranger, firmly. ‘I have no desire to go back.” ‘* No desire?” **Nol” ‘* Pray, why not?” *¢ It is easy to see. If I go back to America, I will have no money, no friends. My former friends are dead or lost to me. My wile is gone, my home, my all.” He paused and then continued with great bitterness: ‘ “a can see that I would be a more miserable wretch there than ere Frank nodded his head. *¢ Perbaps you're right.” ‘“¢I] know thatI am. What is more, my native wife has been true aod -loving tome. In a measure I have educated her ani! brought her She to my level. We have pretty children and our primitive home appy.” The recluse stepped forward and gripped Frank’s band. “ I thank you kindly,” he said, ‘* but you can see why I do not go ‘* I do! replied Frank, heartily. ‘‘ And I think you may be right. At any rate, I wish you all success!” ‘I thank you.” After that the conversation turned upon other topics. Jasper White, the recluse, was wholly astounded when the Air Canoe was shown bim. *¢ T can remember the wonders of the steamship and the railroad,” he declared, ‘* bat [ never expected to see this problem of sailing in the air solved.” ** Well, you see it now,” said Frank, pleasantly. ‘If you sce fit to leave your home bere I will take you to the nearest seaport.” ** No, I will stay here.” The natives, ander the influence of their white chief, now ventured to come nearer the air-ship. They, indeed, became quite social, and even went so far as to bring presents of nuts and a tiger skin to Frank. In return they received some articles of steel and some old gar- ments, which delighted them greatly. When It was generally known that the voyagers bad saved one of aie from the alligators the natives were more than ever endly. The sight of the score or more of dead alligators in the river was a thrilling one to the natives. It seemed to give Jasper White an idea. He advanced to Frank's side. ssid wish we might secure your co-operation in a little matter,” he ** What is it?” asked Frank. ‘* There is a tiger of the man-eating species which has troubled us & year past. He has caused the death of fully a dozen of our peo- e. ‘* Indeed?” ** If you could help us to hunt bim down, we will pay you in any way within oar power.” ‘* I will do that with pleasure!” replied Frank, readily. “Thank you a thousand times!” Barney and Pomp were delighted with the idea of a tiger hant. It promised excitement of the most intense kind, and this was vastly to their liking. Jasper White led the way through a leafy screen of forest to the na- tive village. “ FRANK READE JR.'S ELECTRIC AIR CANOE. Here a curious scence was spread out to the of the voyagere. It was much to the edification of Barney and Pomp. CHAPTER V. TAMING THE TIGER. Tax native village embraced ba)f a hundred comical shaped huis. They were made of palmetto leaves intertwined and framed, and were absolutely impervious to water. The native womeu were collected for a dance is honor of the vis- itors. These were in the maln comely, and the curious dance was not un- ful and quite amusing. Theo the chief's guests were invited to participate in a feast. This consisted much of game, wild fraits and yams. Ao appetizing drink nade from a peculisr plant found in the forest was indulged in. All this ceremony over with, the tiger hunt was broached. The air-ship was brought down into the village. Alrangements were quickly made. It was known to a certuinty where the tiger’s lair was. This was io a deep jungie not far from the hese It was planoed thas a score of the natuves would beat the jungle, armed with torches to defend themseives. There was no doubt but that the tiger would come forth. The air-sbip would bover over tbe jungle, and at sight of the tiger Frank would anpihilate it with one of his dynamite projectiles. The pneumatic gun was trained and : Frank and Barney and Pomp witb Jasper White were on board. The air-ebip went up one hundred feet and started for the jungie. The sensation of sailing in the air waa an exciting one to Jasper. He was for a time whcily carried away with the novelty. But exciting incidents were close at hand. The air-ship now bung over tbe jangle, and Jasper pointed out the spot where the beast had its ir. Beaten paths were seen in Che jangle leading in all directions. These, it was declared, bad been made by the brute The jangle had always been a resort of terror to the natives. It could be seen that the natives were already encircling the jangle and inning to beat the grass. Bor freak ‘Reade, Jr., did not feel disposed to wait for all this busi- ness. The young inventor conceived a better and more expeditious idea. *¢ Well, my friend,” he said to White, “you believe that the beast is io that jangle, do you?” “6 Yes, sir,” replied White. ¢ All right.” ‘© What are you going to do?” ** Scare him oat.” “ How?” 6] will show you.” ‘¢ Bat I would pray you wait. My men will soon succeed In that.” ‘¢T haven't the slightest doubt of that,” replied Frank, ‘‘ but I know. a quicker way.” ** You do? ry Yes.” “ Ah, well, I have nothing to say.” Frank advanced to the bow of the Canoe and trained the gun upon the thick clamp, believed to be the lair of the man-eater. Then be sent a projectile down into the place. There was a terrific explos:on. The resalt was wonderful. Earth, stones, grass and debris flew vp into the alr to a great height. The noise of the eaplosion bad hardly died oat, when there was a terrible roar, and out into the open part of the jungie there leaped a magelicent specimer. of the South American Uger. e@ was a monster of his species. There he stood, lashing his tail and glaring up at the air-ship with a wicked light in bis eyes. ‘** Whew!” cried Frank. ‘He is a big fellow, isn’t Le?” “*Didn’t I tell you so!” ** You're right!” ** Begorra, I'll take me ‘davy that Barnum nolver had the loikes av bim in his big menngery!” cried Barney. ‘‘ Aah!” sniffed Pomp. ‘‘ Didn't yo’ eber see a tiger outside ob Bar- num’s afo’, yo’ big fool I’ishman!” ‘* Bejabers, it's a fool yez call me, eh?” splattered Barney, making & pass at the darky. *¢ Dat am what yo’ am!” ‘¢ I'll have yer hide fer that, naygur!” Barney and Pomp would have had a ecrap then and there, but Frank stopped it. There was too much other fan ahead now, and the practical joking was stopped. Frank could have sent a projectile down and blown the tiger into mince meat with ense. But another idea had come into hie mind. ‘* Look here, White,” he said, with a laugh. ‘‘ You say that tiger has eaten up twelve of your peoplef” ee Yes.” ** Well, how would you like him for a pet!” The recluse was astounded. ** What do you mean?” he asked. *¢ Just what I say.” COnnicboooks (CO