Frank Reade Library, No. 15 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

FRANK READE JR.'S ELECTRIC AIR CANOE, Zor a pete ‘**T am sure—I—that is, [ can’t anderstand your meaning.” ‘* Well, supposing I catch that chap alive?’ * Alive!” 46 Yes.” White indulged in a shiver. ** I fear you are joking!” he said. ‘‘ Am I?’ exclaimed Frank, with a lnagh. ‘111 show you!” The young iuventor went into the cabia and came oat quickly with a long steel ae Was wouod upop a spool very closely. Frank began to un@iud it and paid it out over the rail of the air- ship. Down it went until it touched the ground. Then Frank said: **Go to the wheel, Pomp!” The darky obeyed. By Frank's orders he caused the Alr Canoe to go forward until the wire had trailed along and come in contact with the Liger. ep . tight object as the wire did not disturb the beast more than a fly wo e remained where he was lashing his tail. ** Hold the ship steady, Pomp!” cried Frunk Reade, Jr. Then into the battery room be sprang. Quick aa a flash he jammed the wire between two dynamos and set on the whole current. It was vivid lightning which leaped over that wire. The shock was sulficieat to have prostruted a troop of horse. The Uger with a stunning roar plunged forward and fell in a heap. Frank, with inaulatsog gloves, was bancling the wire. The tiger lay like oue dead, bat Frauk, to make sure, gave him an- other shock. Then he said to Pomp: ** Down with the air-ship!” Down settled the Air Canoe until it rested on the ground. Then Frank sprang over the rail and approached the tiger. All this while Jasper White bad been regarding the scene with amazement and mystery. ‘« 1 don’t understand it,” he mattered. terrible power?” +* It is the power of pts “ple ly. ‘It is electricity, w man ** Wonderful!” Frank put bis hand upon the tiger’s form. He felt the heart beat, and knew that the animal was alive. But he held the charged wire iu readiness to give anowber shock if “What mystery is it—what stroke,” said Frank, explanative- as learueu to bandia.” neceusary. Before leaving the air-ship he had provided himeelf with some pe- caliar tools. One of them was o powerful pair of shears, and another a buge pair of pincers or forceps. Quickly he proceeded with the shears to cut off the ebarp points of the tiger’s claws. The animal could make no resistance, being still unable to move. Ia a sbort time Frank had robbed the monster of these weapons of Offense, and next tackled the hage beast’s teeth. This was not euch an easy matter, but with the ald of the hea forceps, Frank extracted at least half of the tiger's powerful tee when the animal began to come to. Another shock with the wire, however, caused him to resign .1imeell agair to his fate. i a aod resolately Frank worked. In a short while he finished tas eo The huge man-eating beast was without claws or teeth. It seemed as if he was rendered wholly defenseless, but yet it was not forgotten that a tiger can deal ao terrific blow with his heavy paws. ** Hors du combat!” cried Frank; ‘there, friend White, you may make a pet of yonr man-eater if you wisb!” The recluse was quite overcome. ‘‘ Really, Mr. Reade,” he said in a confused way, ‘‘I never heard of a case like this in my life.” ** All the better!” cried Frank, gaily. one ia the originator of a process!” ““T never before heard of a tiger’s teeth being pulled. the heast and keep him in your remembrance.” The natives who had witnessed the operation were awe-struck. They regarded Frank as something of a deity. Surely, aman who could pull a man-eating tiger's teeth with no other means of keeping the animal passive than a seemingly inno- cent wire was no ordinary being. Frank laughed well, as did Barney and Pomp. Bat a mazzie was made of heavy straps and plaited ropes for the tiger, and his forward legs were hobbied. Io thie manner the monarch of the jangle found himself when he recovered from the electrical shocks. Slowly the tiger came to. When the beast saw the crowd about it sprang up with a hideous roar. Then followed a terrific struggie with the muzsie and hobble. The resalt was that the natives with vells of triamph snared the Deast with ropes and dragged it back to the village. The air-ehip retarned to the native village. “Tt is pleasant to know that We will take Fraok had decided to remalu there antil the next day. Accord reparati fe by the d ted Tanaguas for a grand fete ta honor of thelr: dlaingulsted guests CHAPTER VI. POMP SQUARES UP WITH BARNEY. Tae native encampment was gay that night. Wateh fires were built, and the tom-tom was beaten loud and well. The dancing maideus appeared again, and then came the warriors in protesaue ances, t was all very interesting to the voyagers. Bat Pomp sald: **Huh! I done fink we kin beat dat music all out. Eh, I'ish?’ ‘* Beyorra, it's roight ye are, naygur!” cried Barney. Into the cabin they ran. When they came oat they had a banjo and fiddle. Pomp was a skilled player on the former and Barney on the latter. Pomp waltzed into the center of the camp and began a lively clog upon bis banjo. lostapuly the natives ceased their own discordant music. They crowded about the two servitors, ag0g with interest. “ ” give yex _ show, naygur!” cried Barney. ‘* Do yer best!” ‘* A’right, sah!” Pomp whirled the banjo into position and began work. He was an uncommon good player. The way he rattled off the masic there was thrilling. He sang plantation medieys, song and dance, and many others. The natives ecstatically applauded to the echo. Then Forge ped jigs with hie famous ean - e Celt play an and wound ap some very beautifal Irish aire. y Soging The natives were scarcely less pleased by his performance. They cheered him wildly and wanted more. But it was a late bour and ali felt called upon to retire. The fete was ended for the night. Guards were posted and all were soon fast asleep. The next day Frank decided to leave the Tanagua village at an early boar. It was before sunrise. Yet every native was on hand. ‘Remember that you will always be welcome in Tanagua Land!” crled Jasper White, warmly. ‘‘ You will never be forgotten!” ** It is pleasaat to know that,” said Frank. ‘*By the way, Mr. Reade, are you traveling for pleasure?” Frank gave a Start. ‘SAh, tbat makes me think!” he exclaimed. ‘I want to ask you, Mr. White, if you bave ever beard of the Valley of Diamonds?’ «Why, certainly |” ‘* Where is it located?” ‘Far down in Brazil. Near the Rio Negro. I believe it is in Ma- zoota Land.” ‘‘ Have you ever Leen there?” ** No.” ‘*Ia it difficult of access?” “It always has been. The Mazootas are hard fighters and always arr re i there is the Serpent Valley to pass through.” “Ip 90 ** You will be almost sure to be attacked by pythons in that valley.” “You don’t mean iif’ ‘Yea, I do.” ‘“*Then you think we will have trouble?” ** Ah, I forgot,” said White, with alow bow. ‘Of course the Alr Canoe can go anywhere.” ‘¢ Ig there any truth about the discovery of diamonds there?” ‘Jt ia al! truth. The sunds of the river are fu!l of diamonds.” «« Thank you for the information.” A short while later the air-ship took leave of Jasper White's settle- ment. Straight to the southward now our voyaxers bore. To attempt an adequate description of that trip would be out of the uestion. a The country over which they passed was wonderful to view. Vast forests of the most beautiful mahogany and other woods alter- nated with deep swamps and long reaches of level plain and jowland. Rivera which were almost lakes in width were crossed. The woods were filled with wild animals of all descriptions. Chattering wonkeys peopled the tree tops, and birds of moet bril- liant plumage flew bither anid thitner. Barney and Pomp never tired of watching the scene. ane were fond of trying shots at the game, also, whica was plen- al. Some woot deer were seen browsing in a clearing in the woods. Berney conceived the idea of bagging one of them. *¢Shure, it’s quite fashionable now to have the antiers in yer ancis- gall, an’ bejabers I’m not goin’ to be behind the toimes,” declared e t. ‘¢ Hah!” granted Pomp, “‘I jes’ fink yo’ wad hab hard wo'k fo’ to find de halll” ** Bejahers, lel rn ridicule a gintleman!” cried Barney witb ire, ** Share I’m a lineal descendant av the ould Irish kings, an’ share tbey bad many as ancistral hall an’ many a pair av deers’ antlers to adorn it wid.” Bat Pomp was skeptical. EO OO AUG SS ugh (CO