Chapter 18

GOOD-BY TO LONDON

"A wire for you, Master John."

The butler's interruption while the family was at breakfast one August morning, caused a sudden hush of expectancy.

"A telegram for me!" replied John, trying to assume sufficient dignity for the momentous occasion,--the arrival of the first message he had ever received. "Why, what can it be?"

"Do open it, John. It must be a cable," Betty pleaded, fearing something might be wrong at home.

"Yes, hurry, dear," put in Mrs. Pitt.

Just the second that the contents were revealed, a great shout of joy went up, and John and Betty fairly jumped up and down in their excitement.

"Father and mother coming!" John cried. "On the way now! Taking us to Switzerland! It's great!"

Betty's radiant face showed what delight the prospect of seeing her father and mother gave her. Glancing at Mrs. Pitt almost at once, however, she hastened to say:

"We're both sorry to go away from you all, though, and I hope they'll let us come back. We've had such a good time in England! Don't you think we can go on with our trip here after Switzerland?"

"I really can't tell, dear, for this is all so unexpected. I don't know what your father's plans may be, but I hope he will bring you back to me. I'd be very sorry if it were all at an end! But to think I shall so soon see your father!" Mrs. Pitt sat staring into the grate, and seemed to be lost in her thoughts.

After the general commotion caused by the news had somewhat subsided, and they had all adjusted themselves to the new plans, Mrs. Pitt decided to spend the remaining week in the city, as she had still so much there to show John and Betty. The weather being quite cool and comfortable, they could easily go about.

It happened that two events of those busy days made an everlasting impression on the minds of both John and Betty. First, there was their glimpse of the King and Queen; and then, there was the fire.

As they emerged at about noon one day from the National Gallery, where Mrs. Pitt had been showing them some of the best pictures, Philip heard some one on the steps of the building say that the King and Queen had come to town to be present at the unveiling of a statue. They were soon to pass through St. James Park on their way from Whitehall, it was understood, and our friends at once hastened in that direction. For some time they waited with the crowd, and it was not exactly agreeable, for the day was damp and foggy, and a fine rain had set in. All the while, John was getting more and more aroused, and when he finally saw a small company of the Horse Guards, he so forgot himself as to shout:

"Hurrah! Here they come!"

Because of the rain, the Guards, wearing their blue capes lined with scarlet, were rather less picturesque than usual, but the black horses were as fine as ever.

"They step as if they were proud of going along with the King and Queen," Betty said in a loud whisper to Barbara.

Between two small squadrons of the Guards came a modest closed carriage in which Their Majesties rode. Fortunately for the young visitors, they both kept bending forward and bowing very graciously from the windows, so that they could be distinctly seen. The sober British crowd was characteristically well-behaved. No demonstration of any sort was given the Royalties, except that the men removed their hats. Swiftly the carriage rolled up the wide avenue toward Buckingham Palace.

"Humph! They don't make much fuss about it, do they?" was all John said, while Betty was especially impressed by how very much the King and Queen resembled their photographs.

The following morning an interesting trip to Smithfield was taken. Going by the "Tube," the ride seemed a short one, and they soon found themselves at Smithfield Market.

"Have you ever seen Faneuil Hall Market in Boston?" demanded Mrs. Pitt laughingly, whereupon John and Betty, the two Bostonians, were rather ashamed to admit that they had not.

"Somehow we never have time at home," was Betty's remark. "And I think perhaps we never really wanted to very much, either."

"Well, you wouldn't understand why, then, but it always reminded me of this great Smithfield Market," went on Mrs. Pitt and then added a bit boastfully, "I've been to Faneuil Hall several times."

What they saw was a large, lofty building, with a roof of glass and iron, equipped as a most thoroughly up-to-date meat-market. A street runs directly through the center, and from this, one can get a splendid idea of both halves.

"This great barren square of Smithfield was the place where they had the tournaments in the olden days, and because of that, the name was probably once 'Smooth-field.' Edward III held a brilliant tournament here, and also Richard II, who invited many foreign guests to be present for that important event. The processions which preceded, as well as the tournaments themselves, were most elaborate. One old writer fairly dazzles us by his description of 'sixty horses in rich trappings, each mounted by an esquire of honor,--and sixty ladies of rank, dressed in the richest elegance of the day following on their palfreys, each leading by a silver chain a knight completely armed for tilting. Minstrels and trumpets accompanied them to Smithfield amidst the shouting population: there the Queen and her fair train received them.' Then this same author tells at much length of the commencing of the tournament, and says 'they tilted each other until dark. They all then adjourned to a sumptuous banquet, and dancing consumed the night.' For several days and nights this same performance was repeated. That gives you a slight idea of the aspect Smithfield bore in the days when it was far outside the limits of the 'City.'"

After pausing a few minutes in her talk, while they walked about the square, Mrs. Pitt proceeded:

"In 1381, after the peasant uprising, the leader, Wat Tyler, was killed here. And then, in the reigns of 'Bloody Mary' and of Elizabeth, this was the place of public execution. Way back in 1305, the patriot William Wallace was hanged here, and after him came a long line of sufferers,--among them Anne Askew, Rogers, Bradford, and Philpot, who were persecuted because of their adherence to the Protestant Religion. After that terrible period, Smithfield was for many years the only cattle-market in London; and here was held Bartholomew Fair, also. Don't you agree that this square has had about as varied a history as is very well possible?"

The church of St. Bartholomew the Great, one of the oldest and most interesting in London, is reached from Smithfield by an inconspicuous arch, which leads to a narrow walk close beside brick walls. At the further end is the façade of the church, which boasts of having been erected in 1123, by Rahere, who also founded the neighboring Hospital of St. Bartholomew.

Once inside the doorway, the visitor feels as though he had actually stepped back many centuries, for, as Baedeker says, "the existing church, consisting merely of the choir, the crossing, and one bay of the nave of the original Priory Church, is mainly pure Norman work, as left by Rahere." Here again, the visitor encounters that strange atmosphere which belongs to the place pervaded by great age.

"You see," explained Mrs. Pitt, "the church which we see is only a very small part of the original edifice as Rahere built it. The entrance from Smithfield was probably the door to the nave, which was where the grave-yard now stands. It's curious, isn't it, how the centuries alter things! Now, step over here, out of the way of the door, and let me tell you a bit about this old church and its founder. This Rahere was the King's jester, who came to see the error of his ways, grew very religious, and went on a pilgrimage. While on his journey back, he became seriously ill, and turned to St. Bartholomew for healing, promising to build a hospital for poor men if his petition were granted. He was cured, and on his return to London, he built the hospital and also this church, in which he is himself buried."

They were all delighted with this story, and went immediately to find Rahere's tomb, of which the ancient effigy is covered by a fine canopy of much later date. One other tomb is that of Sir Walter Mildmay, who was Chancellor of the Exchequer to Queen Elizabeth, and founder of Emmanuel College, Oxford. John discovered the following quaint epitaph, which greatly amused the entire party:

"Shee first deceased, Hee for a little Tryd, To live without her, likd it not, and dyd."

This adorns the tomb of John and Margaret Whiting, in the north transept.

Some time was passed in this wonderful church,--climbing the tiny, spiral stairs up to the clerestory, and going cautiously along the bit of a walk at this dizzy height above the floor of the church.

It needs time and much study to appreciate this sad old church, which, in spite of its broken pieces of marble, and ruined splendor and perfection of form, still bravely stands,--a lonely and pathetic relic of its grand past. A young person can scarcely understand it at all; it needs a grown man or woman whose experience enables him to read in the crumbling pillars and walls, stories of the times when England was young, the Church was the great glory and power, and there still lived men who were "fair and fortunate."

In the vicinity of Smithfield are a number of quaint nooks and corners of old London. Many consider that the very best idea of the ancient city may now be had in Cloth Fair and Bartholomew Close, both of which are in this neighborhood. Here are still standing genuine Sixteenth Century houses amid much darkness and dirt.

"Here in Bartholomew Close," stated Mrs. Pitt, "Benjamin Franklin learned his trade of printing, and Washington Irving, John Milton, and the painter Hogarth, all lived."

From Smithfield they hastily betook themselves, by means of hansoms, to Crosby Hall, there to have luncheon. Mrs. Pitt laughed heartily when John said how glad he was to be able to eat amid ancient surroundings. He declared that he had been spending the entire morning so very far back in the Middle Ages, that it would have been too great a shock had he been taken immediately to a vulgar, modern restaurant.

When they had finished their luncheon and were waiting on a street corner for the arrival of a certain bus, suddenly a thrill of excitement went through the crowd, all traffic was quickly drawn up at the sides of the street where it halted, and a weird cry of "Hi-yi-yi-yi-yi" was heard in the distance.

"It's the fire-brigade," cried Philip, whereupon he and John were tense with anticipation.

Down the cleared street came the galloping horses with the fire-engines, the men clinging to them wearing dark-blue uniforms with red bindings, big brass helmets, which gleamed in the sunshine, and hatchets in their belts.

It happened that the fire was very near where our friends were standing, so at the eager solicitations of the two boys, Mrs. Pitt consented to follow on and watch operations.

"So it really is a fire this time," she said to Betty, as they hurried along. "We have very, very few in London, and when the brigade is out, it is generally only for exercise or practice. But, it will interest you and John to see how we fight a fire, and to observe whether the methods differ from yours."

A building on Bishopsgate Street was really very much on fire when the party reached the spot, and the firemen were hard at work. Although the buildings are not high (or at least not according to American standards), the men use very strong ladders, which can be pulled out so that they will reach to great heights. But the queerest thing of all in John's estimation was the way in which the people on the top floor of the building were rescued.

A long canvas tube was carried up a ladder by a fireman, who attached it to the frame of an upper window. The occupants of that floor were then slid one by one to the ground through this tube, being caught at the bottom by the firemen.

"Well, did you ever see anything like that!" cried John, amazed at the funny sight. "It's great, I say! I'd like to try it!"

All the way up town, the talk was of fires. John had been tremendously interested in the English methods, and was planning to introduce the use of the canvas tube to his own city through a good Irish friend of his at a Boston fire-station.

"Honor bright, don't you have many fires over here?" he demanded of Mrs. Pitt. "We have 'em all the time at home. It must be stupid here without 'em!"

"No, we really have very few," Mrs. Pitt responded. "In winter, there are a number of small outbreaks, but those are very slight. You see, we burn soft coal, and if the chimney is not swept out quite regularly, the soot which gathers there is apt to get afire. When a chimney does have a blaze, the owner has to pay a fine of one pound, or five dollars, to make him remember his chimney. In olden times, perhaps two hundred and fifty years ago, there used to be a tax levied on every chimney in a house. There's a curious old epitaph in a church-yard at Folkestone, which bears upon this subject. It reads something like this:

'A house she hath, 'tis made in such good fashion, That tenant n'ere shall pay for reparation, Nor will her landlord ever raise her rent, Nor turn her out-of-doors for non-payment, From chimney-money too, this house is free, Of such a house who would not tenant be.'"

They all joined in a good laugh over this, but Betty remarked that she thought it was "more of an advertisement for a house than an epitaph."

Their particular bus had been slowly making its way down Ludgate Hill, along Fleet Street, into the Strand, through Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, into Piccadilly itself, and had now reached Hyde Park Corner, where our friends climbed down the stairs and swung themselves off.

Betty was grumbling just a little. "I never can get down those tiny stairs," she exclaimed, "without almost bumping my head and catching my umbrella in the stair-rail!"

Mrs. Pitt smiled. "That shows you are not a true Londoner, my dear. We are never troubled. But, never mind; they don't have buses in Switzerland."

At this, Betty was instantly herself again. "London wouldn't be London without the funny, inconvenient buses, I know. And it's dear, every inch of it,--buses and all!"

Mrs. Pitt pointed out Apsley House, where lived the great Duke of Wellington. A curious fact about this stately old mansion is that on fine afternoons, the shadow of a nearby statue of this hero is thrown full upon the front of his former home.

As they were about to enter Hyde Park through the imposing gate, Mrs. Pitt said:--

"When we stand here and gaze at this scene before us,--the crowd, beautiful park, fine hotels, houses, and shops,--it is hard to realize that this was a dangerous, remote district as recently as 1815. That was the time of many daring robberies, you know, when it was not safe walking, riding, or even traveling in a big coach, because of the highwaymen. Even so late as the year I just mentioned, this vicinity from Hyde Park to Kensington was patrolled, and people went about in companies so as to be comparatively secure."

The remainder of that lovely afternoon was spent in Hyde Park, watching the riding and driving. Having paid the fee of threepence each for the use of their chairs, it was pleasant to sit and look on at the gay sight. Old gentlemen, stout ladies, young people, and small children, all ride, in England, and at certain times of the day, during "the season" (May and June), Hyde Park is always filled with a merry company. In midsummer it is rather more deserted, and yet the walks stretching between the flower-beds, and the Serpentine stream, are always flocking with people on summer Sundays or "bank holidays."

And so passed the last days which John and Betty spent in London. All the favorite spots--Westminster Abbey, the Tower, Kensington Palace, and many others--had to be revisited, just as though the young people never thought to see them again; and then, at last came the day when the father and mother were expected. They all trooped to Euston Station to meet the train, and in triumph escorted the American friends back to Cavendish Square. There they remained for two short days and then carried the almost reluctant John and Betty away with them. Mrs. Pitt, Philip, and Barbara remained behind on the platform, waving a last good-by, and still hearing the many thanks and expressions of gratitude which John and Betty had repeatedly poured into their ears, in return for their delightful visit to England.

THE END.

INDEX

Addison, Joseph, 136

Alfred the Great, 222, 227, 229

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 223, 227

Anne of Cleves, 255, 257

Anne, Queen, 70, 112, 114

Arden, Forest of, 158, 169, 202

"As You Like It," 157

Austen, Jane, 226

Bankside, 90

Bartholomew Close, 281

Bear-baiting, 90

Becket, St. Thomas à, 254, 264

Bell Inn, Edmonton, 118

"Big Ben," 107

Blackheath, 256

Black Prince, Edward the, 120, 263

Boleyn, Anne, 61, 103, 128, 136

"Bow Bells," 17, 118

Bunyan, John, 89

Bus-drivers, 16

Buses, 11

Cambridge, 91

Canterbury, 261 Cathedral, 262 Chequers of Hope Inn, 267 Cloisters of Cathedral, 265 Pilgrims, 90, 252, 267 Shrine of St. Thomas à Becket, 263 St. Martin's Church, 269 Tales, 253

Carlyle, Thomas, 124

Caroline, Queen, 129

Chalfont St. Giles, 105

Charing Cross, 67

Charlecote, 167 Park, 167

Charles I, 100, 102

Charles II, 114, 257

Chatsworth House, 216

Chaucer, Geoffrey, 28, 112, 120, 252

Cheshire Cheese, 78

Clopton, Sir Hugh, 148

Cloth Fair, 281

Clovelly, 238 Court, 248 Hobby Drive, 248

Cockney, 16

Coventry, 200 Ford's Hospital, 201 "Peeping Tom," 200 St. Mary's Hall, 200

Cromwell, Oliver, 109, 136, 186, 198

Crosby Hall, 115

"Deans, Jeanie," 129

Deptford, 254

Devonshire, 238 Cream, 243 Legends of, 245

Dickens, Charles, 28, 257

Doomsday Book, 121

Drake, Sir Francis, 249, 255

Druids, 235

Edward I, 67, 113 III, 99, 113, 277 the Confessor, 112

Elizabeth, Queen, 52, 60, 69, 102, 112, 114, 129, 136, 169, 171, 197, 220, 255

Essex, Earl of, 61, 124

Eton School, 98

Evans, Mary Ann (George Eliot), 124

Fawkes, Guy, 58, 120

Fire Brigade, 282

Fountains Abbey, 208

Franklin, Benjamin, 282

Gastrell, Rev. Francis, 148

George III, 56, 126

Gilpin, John, 118

Globe Theatre, 90

Gray, Thomas, 96

Greville, Fulke, 192

Grey, Lady Jane, 61, 120

Gunpowder Plot, 58

Haddon Hall, 216

Hampton Court, 130

Harvard, John, 90, 146

Hathaway, Anne, 153, 157, 162

Henrietta Maria, Queen, 129

Henry II, 267 IV, 59, 263 V, 104, 113, 257 VII, Chapel of, 111 VIII, 100, 124, 128, 131, 257, 259

Hogarth, William, 282

Holbein, Hans, 89, 133

Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, 152

Horse Guards, 21, 275

Houses of Parliament, 13, 107, 123

Howard, Queen Catharine, 133, 136

Hyde Park Corner, 16, 285

Irving, Washington, 161, 282

James I of Scotland, 104

Jerusalem Chamber, 35

Kenilworth Castle, 196

Kew Gardens, 125 Palace, 126

Kingsley, Charles, 248

Lambeth Palace, 123

Leamington, 182

Leicester, Earl of, 59, 135, 171, 191, 198

"Little John," 206

Lollards, 124

London Bridge, 87

Mansfield, 203

Marlowe, Christopher, 255, 267

Mary, Queen, 76, 226 Queen of Scots, 112

"Midsummer Night's Dream," 157

Milton, John, 105, 282

Miracle Plays, 200

More, Sir Thomas, 53, 62, 89, 115, 124

National Gallery, 13, 275

Nelson, Lord, 13, 74, 114

Nottingham, 204, 214

Oxford, 18, 92

Paternoster Row, 118

Pembroke, Countess of, 48, 115

Penshurst Place, 42

Pepys, Samuel, 259

"Pickwick Papers," 258

Pitt, William, 26, 114

Pope, Alexander, 136

Prentices, 22

"Princes, the Little," 54

Public Record Office, 119

Rahere, 279

Raleigh, Sir Walter, 63, 120

Richard I, 211 II, 59, 113, 277 III, 115

Richmond Palace, 129 Park, 128

Robin Hood, 203

Robsart, Amy, 182, 194

Rochester, 258 Bull Inn, 258 Crown Inn, 259 Falstaff Inn, 260 Gad's Hill, 260 Restoration House, 259 White Hart Inn, 259

Round Table, the, 228

St. Augustine, 270 Bartholomew the Great, Church of, 279 Cross Hospital, 230 Helen's Church, 116 Mary Overy, Southwark, 88 Paul's Cathedral, 69 Swithin, 223, 226

Salisbury Cathedral, 232

Sarum, Old, 234

Scott, Sir Walter, 196

Shakespeare, William, 28, 90, 117, 140, 169

Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 99

Shooter's Hill, 257

Shottery, 163

Sidney, Sir Philip, 41, 73, 120

Smithfield, 276 Market, 276

Southwark, 90, 252 Cathedral, 88 Tabard Inn, 90, 252

Spenser, Edmund, 28, 49

Star and Garter Inn, Richmond, 127

Stoke Poges, 96

Stonehenge, 234

Stoneleigh Abbey, 201

Stone of Scone, 113

Stratford-on-Avon, 138 the "Birthplace," 140 Grammar School, 151 Guild Chapel, 150 Holy Trinity Church, 152 John Harvard House, 146 New Place, 147 Red Horse Hotel, 138 Shakespeare Hotel, 145 Shakespeare Memorial, 155 Weir Brake, 156

Streets in London, names of, 119

Swift, Dean, 136

Tabard Inn, 90, 252

"Tale of Two Cities," 257

Thames River, the, 122

Tower of London, 50

Trafalgar Square, 13, 21

Tyler, Wat, 278

Vauxhall, 124

Vernon, Dorothy, 217

Wallace, William, 278

Walpole, Horace, 136

Warwick Castle, 183 Guy of, 184, 195 Guy's Cliff, 194 Leicester's Hospital, 192 St. Mary's Church, 190 "The King-maker," 184 Vase, 187

Warwickshire, 167

Weir Brake, Stratford, 156

Wellington, Duke of, 74, 286

Westminster Abbey, 20 Chapter House, 34 Cloisters, 30 Hall, 108 School, 32

"Westward Ho!" 248

White Lodge, 129

William and Mary, 112, 114

William III, 134 Rufus, 108, 226

Winchester, 222 Cathedral, 224 County Court, 228 Hospital of St. Cross, 230

Windsor Castle, 99, 128

"Winter's Tale," 162

Wolsey, Cardinal, 120, 130

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"More like a charming fireside legend, told by a grandfather to eager children, than the dry and pompous chronicles commonly labelled history."--_Critic_, New York.

=Storied Holidays=: A Cycle of Red-Letter Days. Illustrated by Howard Pyle, 12mo, cloth $1.50

A unique and charming collection of historical stories about the world's holidays, told by the author of "Historic Boys" and "Historic Girls" Splendidly illustrated by Howard Pyle.

"A book for buying and keeping that the children, as they grow up, and the parents, too, may dip into and read."--_Sunday School Times._

=The Boy Life of Napoleon=, afterwards Emperor of the French. Translated and adapted for American children from the French of Madame Eugénie Foa. Illustrated by Vesper L. George, and by numerous photographs. One vol., square 8vo $1.25

"The style of the book is simple and graceful, and it has the merit of historical accuracy, also of dramatic action. For those who wish their boys and girls to study the life of the great Emperor of France, we know of no better book than this."--_Literary World_, Boston.

=In Leisler's Times=: A Story of Knickerbocker New York, told for boys and girls. Illustrated by W. T. Smedley, 12mo, cloth $1.50

A stirring, dramatic, and vivid historical tale, based on the remarkable record of Jacob Leisler, earliest of American patriots,--the first people's governor of New York.

"A good boy's book; manly, patriotic, and readable."--_The Independent._

=In No Man's Land=: A Wonder Story. Illustrated by Childe Hassam, 12mo, cloth $1.00

An "Alice in Wonderland" story about an American "Alice" whose name was Ruthie, and who went to No Man's Land in a street-car. Full of fun and fancy. The children's favorite wonder story.

"Sparkles all over with glee.... There is not a dull line in it."--_The Dial._

W. O. STODDARD'S BOOKS

12mo Cloth Price per volume, $1.25

=DAN MONROE: A Story of Bunker Hill= Illustrated by W. F. Kennedy

In this volume the hero is one whose name is found in several trustworthy records as the drummer boy of the Lexington militia, his closest friend, Nat Harrington, being the fifer. The Concord fight, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the arrival of Washington are introduced as parts of a carefully preserved historical outline.

=LONG BRIDGE BOYS= Illustrated by I. B. Hazelton

It tells the story of an actual attempt made by the Confederates of Virginia, just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, to seize the city of Washington by force of arms, and make prisoners of President Lincoln and other high government officials.

=AHEAD OF THE ARMY= Illustrated by C. Chase Emerson

This is a lively narrative of the experiences of an American boy who arrives in Mexico as the war with the United States is beginning.

=THE ERRAND BOY OF ANDREW JACKSON: A War Story of 1812= Illustrated by Will Crawford

This tale is of the War of 1812, and describes the events of the only land campaign of 1812-1814 in which the Americans were entirely successful.

=JACK MORGAN: A Boy of 1818= Illustrated by Will Crawford

It is the adventures of a boy of the frontier during the great fight that Harrison made on land, and Perry on the lakes for the security of the border.

=THE NOANK'S LOG: A Privateer of the Revolution= Illustrated by Will Crawford

The further adventures of the plucky Guert Ten Eyck, as he fought King George on land and sea.

=THE DESPATCH BOAT OF THE WHISTLE: A Story of Santiago= Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill

A breezy story of a newspaper despatch boat, in the war with Spain.

=GUERT TEN EYCK= Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill

A hero story of real American girls and boys, in the American Revolution.

=THE PARTNERS= Illustrated by Albert Scott Cox

A capital story of a bright, go-ahead country girl and two boys who helped her keep store.

=CHUCK PURDY: A New York Boy= Illustrated

A delightful story of boy life in New York City.

=GID GRANGER: A Country Boy= Illustrated

A capital story of American life.

George Gary Eggleston's Juveniles

=The Bale Marked Circle X= A Blockade Running Adventure

Illustrated by C. Chase Emerson. 12mo, red cloth, illustrated cover, $1.50.

Another of Mr. Eggleston's stirring books for youth. In it are told the adventures of three boy soldiers in the Confederate Service who are sent in a sloop on a secret voyage from Charleston to the Bahamas, conveying a strange bale of cotton which holds important documents. The boys pass through startling adventures: they run the blockade, suffer shipwreck, and finally reach their destination after the pluckiest kind of effort.

=Camp Venture= A Story of the Virginia Mountains

Illustrated by W. A. McCullough. 12mo, dark red cloth, illustrated cover, $1.50.

The _Louisville Courier Journal_ says: "George Gary Eggleston has written a decidedly good tale of pluck and adventure in 'Camp Venture.' It will be of interest to young and old who enjoy an exciting story, but there is also a great deal of instruction and information in the book."

=The Last of the Flatboats= A Story of the Mississippi

Illustrated by Charlotte Harding. 12mo, green cloth, illustrated cover, $1.50.

The _Brooklyn Eagle_ says: "Mr. George Gary Eggleston, the veteran editor and author, has scored a double success in his new book, 'The Last of the Flatboats,' which has just been published. Written primarily as a story for young readers, it contains many things that are of interest to older people. Altogether, it is a mighty good story, and well worth reading."

_YOUNG DEFENDER SERIES_

By ELBRIDGE S. BROOKS

=IN DEFENCE OF THE FLAG=

=A Boy's Adventures in Spain and Cuba in the War of 1898=

Illustrated by W. F. STECHER 12mo Cloth $1.25

A story of action and adventure such as all healthy boys like, telling of a plucky young American who defended his country's flag against mobs in Spain and foemen in Cuba, and had many thrilling experiences.

"Suffice it to say that he will be a lucky boy, with many a thrill before him, who finds this book in his Christmas stocking. Don is a hero after every boy's heart."--_Boston Herald._

=WITH LAWTON AND ROBERTS=

=A Boy's Adventures in the Philippines and the Transvaal=

Illustrated by C. CHASE EMERSON 12mo Cloth $1.25

The stirring adventures of a manly American boy who follows Lawton in his last campaigns, and by a singular train of circumstances has "moving accidents by flood and field," in two wars, with American soldiers, Filipino insurrectos, Malay pirates, English troopers, and Boer burghers.

"Mr. Brooks presents vivid pictures of both wars, so widely separated. His pages are full of the swift-moving incidents which boys love. Dull indeed must be the young reader whose interest flags."--_Boston Journal._

=UNDER THE ALLIED FLAGS=

=A Boy's Adventures in China During the Boxer Revolt=

Illustrated by W. F. STECHER 12mo Cloth $1.25

The stirring story of an American boy's adventures in Tien Tsin and Pekin, in the ranks of the International troops and as one of the defenders of the beleaguered legations. Up-to-date, absorbing, and full of healthy excitement. Characters who are in the stories "With Lawton and Roberts" and "In Defence of the Flag" reappear in this story.

"Men and women, boys and girls, of all the mingled nationalities that made this war in China so picturesque, appear in the story and give it vigor, variety, and unflagging interest."--_Cleveland World._

For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers,

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:

1. Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the author's words and intent.

2. Words with one or more letters enclosed in {} indicate that the original word, in the book, had those characters in superscript.

3. In the advertising pages at the end of this e-text, the use of = on either side of a phrase indicates that the title was typeset in a bold face; + indicates that the title was underlined.