Transcriber’s Notes

Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and punctuation remains unchanged.

The table of contents was added by the transcriber.

FRANK READE, JR., IN CENTRAL AMERICA.

The subscription Price of the Frank Reade Library by the year is $2.50: $1.25 per six months, post-paid. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 34 and 36 North Moore Street. Box 2730.

FRANK READE, JR.,
With His New Steam Man in Central America.

By ‪“NONAME,”

Author of “Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in No Man’s Land; or, On a Mysterious Trail,” etc., etc.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I.
A STRANGE STORY FROM YUCATAN.

Frank Reade, Jr., the distinguished inventor of many wonderful machines, and particularly the new Steam Man, sat in his library one winter’s day reading a newspaper.

His wife sat near him engaged in some light needle work. She looked up to see a peculiar expression upon her husband’s handsome face.

‪“Well, that is strange,” exclaimed Frank Reade, Jr., with a whistle of surprise. ‪“I am positive that is my old friend, Buckden, whom I knew at college. Upon my word, this breaks me all up.”

‪“What is it, Frank?” asked Mrs. Reade, with interest.

‪“Why, Tony Buckden, an old college mate of mine, it seems has turned his wits to mining engineering. This has taken him down to Central America, to Yucatan, and a cablegram has just been received in New York, stating that Tony had become separated from his party and lost in the jungle. For six weeks he was searched for in vain.”

‪“How terrible.”

“It is more than likely that he has fallen a prey to wild beasts. Yet his father, the millionaire, Thomas Buckden, of New York, comes out with an offer of $50,000 to the person who will furnish positive proof that his son is alive, and bring him safely home.”

‪“That is a large reward,” ventured Mrs. Reade. ‪“I hope somebody will win it.”

‪“Poor Tony!” exclaimed Frank, with emotion. ‪“I declare I almost feel it my duty to go to his rescue.”

‪“What! leave home again so soon?”

“Yet what is my duty, dear wife? It would seem that my dear friend’s life is at stake. Ought I not to sacrifice something to save him?”

“What? You don’t really think of going yourself?”

“I don’t know,” replied Frank, agitatedly pacing the floor. “I don’t see who else can go and stand the rigors of that climate, dare the dangers of the jungle, the wild beasts and natives, and succeed in rescuing Tony.”

‪“Are you sure that you can do it?”

‪“Ought I not to be reasonably sure? Have I not the Steam Man? Barney and Pomp I am sure would go with me.”

‪“I hope you will not be so foolish as to go.”

‪“I cannot say yet, my dear. I must satisfy myself completely that it is my duty. But I think I will walk down to the shop and see the Steam Man.”

Frank bent down and kissed his wife and children and then left the house.

But just as he was going down the steps the mail carrier handed him a letter. Thus it was superscribed:

‪“To Frank Reade Jr.,
Readestown, U. S. A.”

Frank glanced at the foreign postmark and then broke the seal and read:

“Dear Friend Frank—I have been thinking of you of late and so feel constrained to write you. Moreover, I have a big scheme in which I want to interest you. While at Campeachy I fell in with a native trader from Valladolid. I was fortunate enough to do him a service and gain his friendship, and as a reward he accorded me a most astonishing tale and secret.

“He told me of his travels in the interior through jungle and swamp and forest. Also of the deadly animals and reptiles, the poisonous insects, and all the great dangers and pitfalls of the traveler in those latitudes.

“But more than this, he told me a wonderful story of a ruined city far up in the inaccessible table-lands of Tanada.

“No doubt you are familiar with the accounts of the ancient cities of Palonque and others. Well, I imagine that this ruined city, Mazendla he called it, is one of the same sort.

“But Metlo, which is the name of my informant, described a vast temple in which he said there was vast treasures of gold, silver and jewels. But ever since discovered this temple has been a perfect nest of gigantic anacondas, and none of the natives have ever ventured into the place.

“Only one man ever lived to get out of the place, and he brought forth enough gold and jewels to insure his wealth for life.

“And there to-day lies untold wealth all in the possession of the anacondas.

“Many attempts have been made by the natives to destroy the snakes. A great body of men once attempted it. Six of the snakes were killed, but there seemed to be fully half a hundred left. The place seemed alive with them, and a dozen men falling victims to the monsters the attempt was abandoned.

“From that day to this no attempt has been made to recover the wealth. Metlo told me that no white man ever visited the region.

“The journey thither is a dangerous one on account of beasts and poisonous reptiles. Yet I believe it can be made. I have thought of you and your wonderful Steam Man and I feel sure that with the aid of you and your wonderful invention the treasure can be recovered.

“Now, Frank, I humbly beg of you if possible come down here and embark in this enterprise with me.

“Of course I have plenty of money, my father being a millionaire, but I have a powerful desire to visit the ruined city of Mazendla and do battle with those anacondas.

‪“I can do it alone, but I can succeed better with the aid of your Steam Man. As a favor I beg of you to write me at once to Campeachy. And now, my dear Frank, hoping to hear from you soon and favorably, I am as ever your friend.

Tony Buckden.”

Frank Reade, Jr., drew a deep breath as he finished reading this stirring epistle.

His eyes shone like stars and his whole being was stirred up.

It was certainly just the kind of a trip he would fancy. His adventurous spirit was fired and he muttered:

‪“That is a new field to explore. Ah! I would like to try it. But let me see! This letter has been coming by lazy stages and has been three weeks on the way. The cablegram was received a few days ago. Since then he has become lost in the jungle. Poor Tony! He must be rescued, and who is there to do it but me?”

Frank passed down the street in deep abstraction of mind.

The wind was chill and piercing, and there was snow in the air, as well as on the ground.

Suddenly around a corner came a man on the dead run.

But as his feet struck a bit of ice, they went out from under him, and he went sliding clear across the sidewalk and into a vast snow bank.

He was literally buried, but quickly dug himself out, spluttering and jawing like mad.

“I jes’ pays yo’ back fo’ dat, I’ish. Yo’ jes’ stop yo’ foolin’ wif dis chile, or yo’ gits inter trubbel right away. Jes’ yo’ hear dat.”

“Whurroo! Bejabers, it’s a foine looking naygur yez are now. Ha, ha, ha! Yez would pass for a Santa Claus now to be shure. It’s nearer white yez are than yez iver will be agin.”

The victim of the snow bank, who, as the reader may have guessed, was a negro, dug the snow from his ears and eyes with supreme rage and disgust.

His companion was an Irishman, as his rich brogue would indicate. They had been having a lark at snow-balling, and the Irishman was chasing the negro around the corner when he took his fall.

It required but a glance for Frank Reade, Jr., to recognize the skylarkers.

They were faithful servitors of his, and were named Barney and Pomp.

They were a legacy from Frank’s father, and in all the famous young inventor’s travels these servants had accompanied him.

Nobody could be more attached to a master than they were to Frank.

And now, as they caught sight of him approaching, they straightened up and both doffed their hats.

“I’se done glad to see yo’, Marse Frank.”

‪“I hope yez air well, Misther Frank.”

‪“Barney and Pomp!” cried Frank, eagerly. ‪“You are just the fellows I want to see.”

‪“Whurroo!” shouted Barney. “We’re ready for anythin’, Misther Frank, from a shindy to a ruction.”

“I don’t doubt it,” replied Frank with a smile. “But here’s a letter you may read, and tell me what you think of it.”

‪“A letther!” gasped Barney.

He took the missive, and with Pomp at his shoulder, it was read by both. Frank watched them intently.

It was evident that the letter had made a powerful impression upon them.

‪“Well!” said Frank, when they had finished. ‪“What do you think of it?”

“Be jabers I’d loike nothing betther than a go at some av them forty foot snakes. Shure it’s a foine thrip that would be fer ther Stheam Man, Misther Frank.”

‪“Ki dar, Marse Frank!” cried Pomp, with eyes big as moons. “Kain’t say dis chile likes snakes, but yo’ kin jes’ bet he’d like to go dar jes’ de same.”

‪“Good!” cried Frank, “then if I conclude to go, you’ll be all ready?”

“Yo kin jes’ bet we will.”

‪“Make no doubt av that.”

‪“All right,” said Frank, buttoning his coat closer, ‪“be in readiness for I may decide to go.”

The young inventor went on down the street.

In a few moments he came to the entrance of the big yards of the Reade Machine Shop.

Here at the entrance was the sumptuously furnished office. Frank entered, and an elderly patrician-looking gentleman who was pacing the floor, excitedly rushed up to him, crying:

‪“Are you Mr. Frank Reade, Jr.?”

‪“I am,” replied Frank.

‪“Thank God you have come at last! Here is my card.”

Frank took it and read:

‪“Thomas Buckden, New York City.”

‪“Indeed!” exclaimed the young inventor, affably. “I am glad to welcome you here, Mr. Buckden. I believe I know your son well, and——”

‪“Oh, then you remember him well,” cried the old gentleman, excitedly. “Thank Heaven for that! It will perhaps influence you to accede to the request I have to make. Oh, have—have you heard about my son?”

‪“I have heard that your son at last accounts had become lost in the jungle,” replied Frank.

‪“Yes, yes, but we believe that he has been captured and held a prisoner by a wild tribe of savages known in that vicinity as the Tanadas.”

‪“It is quite likely.”

“God grant it may be so. Oh, sir, listen to an agonized father’s prayers. They tell me that you have the necessary equipments and are the only man who can go into those wilds and rescue my boy. Now I am a wealthy man and will pay——”

‪“Stop!” said Frank, imperatively. “Do not speak to me of pay! I knew your son; he was my college friend. I am only too glad to be able to go to his aid. I will say this much—that before three days I shall start from New Orleans with my Steam Man on board a special steamer for Campeachy. You may if you choose see to the chartering of the steamer.”

‪“A fleet if you wish it!” cried Mr. Buckden. “Oh, accept my deepest gratitude, Mr. Reade, and—bring my boy safely back.”

‪“I will try,” replied Frank.

“God bless you! But this wonderful Steam Man—I have never seen it.”

‪“Come with me and I will be glad to show it to you,” said Frank.

The young inventor led the way into a high roofed chamber with large doors which opened out into the yard.

Here was a sight such as Mr. Buckden had never seen the like of.

Standing in the center of the huge chamber was the Steam Man, the wonder of the century.

Since his western trip Frank had had the Man thoroughly repaired, and he was now in perfect condition to go out upon a trip.

‪“What do you think of him?” asked Frank.

‪“Simply wonderful!” replied Mr. Buckden, admiringly.

‪“If you will please step this way I will be glad to show you how he is made, and how he is able to go.”

Frank led the way to the other side of the invention, and then with pardonable pride began explicitly to illustrate the fine points of the Steam Man.

CHAPTER II.
IN YUCATAN.

‪“You can see that he is constructed of plates of iron,” said Frank, explanatively. “The legs are reservoirs for water, the furnace is in his chest and the smoke-pipe is his high hat. The gauge and indicator and throttle as well as steam chest are upon his back. In his mouth you will see the whistle.

‪“Then you will observe the steel driving rods down his legs. Of course it required some clever mechanical skill, but it can be seen at a glance that the machine is a practicable and feasible one. Just as much so as a locomotive.”

‪“But ten times more wonderful,” declared Mr. Buckden.

“Perhaps so. Now you can see that this is the wagon drawn by the Steam Man. In this wagon we carry a supply of coal, provisions and weapons. It is covered with a wire screen made of toughest steel and able to withstand a rifle ball.

‪“Through this opening in the front come the reins by which I drive the Man. The loopholes in the sides are to fire through. Indeed, sir, the wagon is a small fortress in itself.”

‪“I should say so,” agreed the millionaire, ‪“and what an admirable thing for this trip to Yucatan. In that land of poisonous reptiles and insects you can travel with immunity for it would puzzle a fly to get through that screen.”

‪“I think it is the proper vehicle to travel with there,” agreed Frank. ‪“I believe that the region where your son will be likely to be found is one of level sort, flat table-lands and plains.”

‪“I believe so!”

‪“Ah, well, I will promise to do the best I can to save him.”

‪“I thank you!”

A short while later Mr. Buckden took his departure.

Now that Frank’s mind had been made up to take the trip, he lost no time in making preparations.

His father, when acquainted with the project, shook his head wistfully and said:

“I only wish I was as young and supple as I once was. How I’d like to go along!”

Barney and Pomp were over-enthusiastic over the project.

They were on hand promptly and assisted in the preparations.

The wagon was quite spacious and would carry a good deal. Provisions of a portable kind were packed, and plenty of ammunition.

Frank took care also to supply himself with drugs, for he did not forget that it was a malarial country that he was going to.

One thing was much in their favor, and that was the season of the year, it being winter.

Naturally the climate would not be so hot as in mid-summer.

When the report was spread that Frank Reade, Jr., and his Steam Man were going to Central America, the whole country was deeply interested.

The newspapers contained sketches of the young inventor and his famous machine.

People traveled hundreds of miles to Readestown for a look at the great Steam Man, the wonder of the age.

Scientists and explorers were continually besieging Frank, and the young inventor was quite worn out with the importunities of many when the day set for starting came.

At length the day came.

The Steam Man was placed aboard a special car and shipped to New Orleans direct.

Here Mr. Buckden had seen to the chartering of a steamer, aboard which the travelers went.

A tremendous crowd were at the wharf to cheer the voyagers.

It was a great day for New Orleans.

But at length the steamer’s bell rung for starting.

Frank shook hands warmly with Mr. Buckden.

‪“I feel sure that you will rescue my son,” declared the agonized father. ‪“Heaven will aid you.”

‪“I will do all in my power,” said Frank, earnestly.

The schooner cast loose from the levee and shot down into the current. A band played, the people cheered, and Frank Reade, Jr., Barney and Pomp and the Steam Man were really off upon their trip to Central America.

A short while later they passed through the jetties at the delta of the Mississippi, and were in the waters of the Gulf.

The voyage to Campeachy was not a long one and most propitious.

When at length they entered the Bay of Campeachy the mild land breeze and a view of the palm-studded shore told them that they were in a tropical clime.

To the surprise of our voyagers, a warm reception was accorded them at Campeachy.

The Spanish people, ever of an enthusiastic, sport-loving turn, turned out in great force to welcome the distinguished visitors.

Word had been received by cablegram of their coming.

The governor of Campeachy warmly welcomed Frank, and for a few hours he was taken charge of by a committee and treated to many hospitalities.

There were many of his own people in the town also—merchants connected with houses in New York that dealt in dye stuffs, fruits and many of the products of the country.

Frank was deeply impressed with the warmth of the welcome given him.

He thanked all his benefactors kindly.

Then at the most favorable moment he returned to the ship.

The Steam Man was brought ashore and exhibited to the wondering gaze of the people.

But Frank knew the importance of quick and prompt action, and was not the one to readily accede to delay.

He knew that every moment was to the success of his enterprise of vital worth.

The people were all in sympathy with his enterprise.

Tony Buckden had been well and favorably known in Campeachy.

The young engineer was very popular there, and everybody was deeply interested in his fate.

But Senor Gonzales, one of the patrician gentlemen of Campeachy, came to Frank and said:

‪“Senor Americano, I hope you will succeed with all my heart. But do not be disappointed if you do not find the young Senor Buckden.”

‪“Ah, then you think the chances are few?” asked Frank.

‪“I speak of what I know. The dangers of interior Yucatan are known to none better than I. I fear the worst for your friend.”

‪“But I can at least try.”

‪“Si Senor. May the mother be with you,” said the Spanish gentleman, warmly.

Frank lost no time now in making the Steam Man ready for the start.

One day was consumed in making a map of his route, as nearly correct as he could gather in detail from the natives who penetrated the interior.

Frank had decided to proceed at once to the table-land of Tanada.

This point gained he believed that he could there learn something more of the fate of young Buckden.

He consulted with every native guide and traveler who knew anything about the route.

But now a curious thing occurred.

Every man he encountered seemed to have a different idea of the table-lands.

Some were inclined to Munchausen tales, while others pooh-poohed them.

At length in sheer disgust Frank said:

‪“There is just one thing about it. I have got to proceed solely upon my own judgment. If I adopted all the different plans accorded me I should lead a queer course to be sure.”

So with this decision Frank left Campeachy.

Beyond the city, Frank found some fairly good roads which led through a section devoted to the culture of fruits and vegetables of various kinds.

Then immense fields of the coffee plant were passed and finally the country began to change its appearance.

Immense tropical forests were encountered. These of course the Steam Man could not travel through.

But generally paths were found leading through the hills, and in this way the explorers got along.

A wild region was encountered, wilder than even Barney and Pomp had seen in the heart of Africa.

They were at the moment near the verge of a mighty forest.

‪“Speaking of snakes,” cried Frank Reade, Jr., ‪“Just look at that.”

All gazed in the direction indicated.

Hanging from the limb of a mighty forest monarch was a gigantic python or boa-constrictor.

In the monster’s folds was a small wood fawn. It had been crushed all to jelly by the powerful folds of the reptile.

It reared its head and recoiled as the Steam Man appeared on the scene.

But it did not show fear, or seem to care in the least for the machine. Indeed, it acted defiant and ready for battle.

Barney shrugged his shoulders and picked up his rifle.

“Begorra, I’d loike to spoil the appetite av ther baste,” he cried. “An’ it’s that same I’ll do.”

So with this the Celt up and fired at the python.

The effect was curious.

The huge snake received the bullet in its sinuous folds, and a jet of blood marked the course of the ball.

Hissing savagely with pain, the python released the wood fawn, and without an instant’s warning charged directly at the man.

In an instant Frank saw that they had committed an indiscretion.

While to be sure they were protected by the steel screen of the wagon, yet it was easy to reckon the effect of the python’s attack.

That monster’s brown body came hurtling and hissing down the slope like an avalanche.

Swifter than a railroad train the enraged python charged upon its foe.

It would have required something more than an ordinary barrier to withstand such an attack.

Frank saw this and made quick action.

With quick hand, he seized the throttle rein and started the Steam Man ahead.

Then he turned him face on to the reptile. He had barely time to do this, when the monster struck the machine.

In a flash the folds of the reptile were wound about the Steam Man.

The foresight and wisdom of Frank’s move were at once seen.

If the snake had struck the wagon, he might have crushed the screen with its leviathan folds.

As it was, the air was instantly filled with the fumes of burning snake flesh.

The huge snake’s body coming in contact with the almost red hot fire box of the Steam Man, received a terrific scorching.

For an instant his snakeship did not seem to mind this and made terrific blows with his head at the screen.

He strove in vain to reach the men within.

‪“Whurro!” yelled Barney. “Yez did a wondherful thing thin, Misther Frank. Shure, the big divil is burnin’ up.”

“Golly sakes, dat am a fac’,” cried Pomp, joyfully.

But Frank knew that the battle was not over yet by any means.

It had only just begun. The monster, feeling the terrible effect of the hot iron, with an almost human-like cry unwound itself quickly from the Steam Man.

It went twisting and rolling about the plain in agony for a few moments.

In its course bushes were uprooted, the ground was torn and the air filled with dust.

Frank knew that this would last but a few moments.

The enraged monster would soon recover and renew the attack with ten-fold fury.

So the famous inventor took up his elephant rifle and thrust an explosive shell into the breach.

Going to a loophole in the screen he took careful aim.

Crack!

The rifle spoke sharply. Straight to its mark went the shell. The next moment as it exploded the air was full of shreds of snake flesh and flying dirt.

The shell had torn a hole in the python’s side, but had not destroyed the monster’s life.

Terribly enraged, the monster snake now seemed to forget its pain, and once more with mad fury charged down full tilt upon the Steam Man.

CHAPTER III.
THRILLING ADVENTURES.

The crisis had come.

Frank knew this, and that it would be either victory for one or the other. If the python should succeed in overturning the wagon, he might do great harm to the delicate machinery of the Steam Man.

But Frank did not intend that this should happen if he could help it.

He got one more shot at the reptile as it came on with a fearful rush.

Crack!

Once more the deadly elephant rifle spoke. This time an explosive shell tore its way through the snake’s side.

Yet it did not inflict a mortal wound.

‪“Heavens!” gasped Frank. ‪“That snake has more lives than a cat.”

He essayed to meet the reptile as he had done before.

But the wily monster, this time evaded the Steam Man and made for the wagon.

There was no such thing as turning aside that fearful attack.

Like an avalanche the snake struck the wagon. Had not the wheels been braced against a heap of stones, it would surely have been swept over upon its side.

But, by the best of good fortune it resisted the shock.

Like a flash the snake’s coils went twining about the wagon. They began to draw powerfully, and the metal work began to groan and crack.

‪“Quick, boys!” shouted Frank Reade, Jr., ‪“Cut the folds in two wherever you can.”

But Barney and Pomp needed no bidding. They already had their knives unsheathed, and where the snake’s body was exposed at the loopholes began to slash and cut.

Frank with his rifle tried to get a shot at the reptile’s head.

If he could only blow it off with one of the shells, the battle would be ended.

But the monster did not give him this opportunity.

Something desperate needed to be done. The metal work of the wagon threatened to give way.

Frank saw this and at once with his accustomed hardihood accepted a desperate chance.

Throwing open the door of the wagon, he sprang out.

The reptile’s head was above the wagon, and Frank instantly fired at it.

He was a dead shot and, undoubtedly, would have hit it, had it not been for the snake’s gyratory motion.

The reptile’s attention was instantly attracted toward Frank.

Singularly enough, its folds relaxed and it slid away from the wagon and started for the young inventor.

The snake was between Frank and the cage door.

He knew that if those deadly folds were to close about him, there would be little likelihood of ever escaping alive.

The snake had acted with the rapidity of thought.

Frank had not even time to thrust another cartridge into the breech of his gun.

He started to run. For a few paces he made good time, but what is there on earth to equal the speed of an active python.

Swift as the wind the monster was upon him.

Frank felt its hot breath, and saw for a moment its glistening jaws open over him.

Instinctively he threw up one hand, and by chance his fingers clutched the monster’s throat.

Frank hung to this hold with a death-like grip. He felt the mighty coils closing about him, and then with the desperation of one facing certain death he clutched the hilt of his knife with his free hand.

With all his strength he slashed at the monster’s throat.

The first blow half severed the head from the body.

A huge jet of black blood spurted into Frank’s face and nigh choked him. But though half suffocated he made another blow.

The snake’s folds began to loosen, and the monster writhed and tried to free itself.

Frank instantly realized that he had won the victory and fought more coolly now.

Once more he made a blow at the snake’s neck.

This time it severed the head from the body completely.

The body of the snake went twisting and writhing a hundred yards across the plain, while Frank fell half fainting to the ground.

Barney and Pomp were quickly by his side and the Celtic cried:

“Be me sowl, Misther Frank, I did think yez wor done for, an’ it was a good foight yez made to be shure. Are yez badly hurted?”

‪“Not a bit, Barney,” said Frank, staggering to his feet. ‪“It was only a little faintness, that was all.”

Pomp turned a hand spring.

“Glory fo’ goodness!” cried the overjoyed darky. “I’se jes’ dat glad, Marse Frank, dat I don’ jes’ know what fo’ to do dat yo’ was not hurt.”

The snake’s body now lay writhing and twisting far out on the plain.

The adventurers did not go near it. They had had snake experience enough for one day and returned to the Steam Man.

‪“The next time you see a big snake, Barney,” said Frank, ‪“if he is not disturbing us I think you had better let him alone.”

The Steam Man now once more went on its way.

Every day now they penetrated deeper into the jungles and wild fastnesses of this wildest country on the globe.

Many strange sights were seen and some thrilling experiences were encountered.

With difficulty the Steam Man found passage through the lowlands.

At times it was necessary to cut a path through a dense forest in order to reach clear country beyond.

But one day they came out of a deep wood at the very base of a mighty, volcanic mountain.

Here higher ground was reached and a broad view enjoyed.

And from here a view could be had of a part of the broad table-lands of Tanada.

It began to look as if the explorers would soon reach the end of their journey.

Now the table-lands were reached the next thing was to discover the ruined city of Mazendla.

Thus far, our adventurers had seen very few natives, and none of them hostile.

The Steam Man journeyed all that day upon the broad table-land of Tanada.

As night was coming on, a location was selected for a camping place.

It was a green spot close to a bubbling spring of water.

Not more than one hundred yards distant was a dense grove of trees.

Barney and Pomp were busy aboard the Steam Man preparing the evening meal.

Frank fancied that through the dense foliage of the trees he could discern the white walls of a building.

Barney and Pomp could not see it, but Frank was sure that he could. The famous inventor exclaimed:

‪“I am not sure but that we are in the neighborhood of the ruined city of Mazendla. It may be that yonder grove of trees conceals it.”

‪“Begorra, Misther Frank, maybe yez are roight,” declared Barney, “but be Mither Murphy’s pigs, I can’t see that same with me own eyes!”

“Can’t you? Look sharply now to the left.”

Barney strained his vision.

‪“Divil a bit av it.”

‪“That is queer.”

‪“Bejabers, I think so.”