CHAPTER XIX

LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB

The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly. In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover. It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.

The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug. Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.

Herbert and Cartright succeeded in throwing some earth on the roof without being hit by shells and other gun fire that had begun to come their way and they were delighted to notice that an anti-aircraft gun, undoubtedly well guarded, had been installed not a fourth of a mile back of them, insuring much safety from that quarter, at least.

When night fell half the squad went on guard outside; the others worked like beavers, and without food until the task was done, to successfully camouflage the shelter, using grass and weeds pulled up by the roots from the half frozen ground and placed upright on the roof. The entrance down earth steps was made through the dead-leaved branches of a large uprooted bush.

Meanwhile, with Cartright as his most skilled assistant, Herbert was placing the fifty pounds of explosives in a large niche cut in the side of the pit and guarded by stakes, from which spot, under cover of darkness, a wire was laid for fully four hundred yards and the battery that was to set the charge off was buried in the ground and the spot marked.

The Germans did not seem at first to pay much attention to the pit until the final act of camouflage. A messenger, at night, sneaked to the pit and informed Corporal Whitcomb that it was deemed advisable to take this step now, as from airplane observations the previous day the Huns were getting ready to make a heavy counter-attack.

At once, therefore, a flexible steel flag-staff was firmly planted beside the pit and from it, with the first streaks of the coming day, the enemy viewed a division staff headquarters flag and a signal station flag flying in the sharp breeze. Then the shells flew, but the flags also kept right on flying. The steel staff was struck and shaken again and again, but its tough flexibility saved it; the flags showed many a hole, but still they fluttered proudly and the Boches went mad.

Snipers tried to down the banners and incidentally pick off a few of the supposed officers and observers that must grace such a spot, but the squad of American experts with the rifle was more than ready for them and they quit that game both through the day and the night following. Perhaps because of this or the night-long bright moonlight, no raid was attempted; perhaps it was because a bigger move was in process of formation.

And on the next day the enemy launched a mighty counter-thrust to regain lost ground.

A barrage fire was laid down and it continued for a full hour. Private Wood took it upon himself to make some observations as to how the flags and staff were bearing this and he got too far above the shelter with his head. There are those who will do, against all sane judgment, most foolish, unnecessary things, and Wood was one such.

Sad, indeed, was every member of the squad as all stood about with uncovered heads and placed poor, uncoffined Henry Wood into a hastily dug grave in the bottom of the pit, Finley, a minister's son, stumbling, half bashfully, over a short prayer.

Suddenly the barrage fire was lifted and over a wide front the Huns were coming.

"Get out, fellows, and back, or they'll catch us! We can outrun the best of them, but do it! Stick together, if possible, but all report later to Captain Leighton! Cartright and I are going to wait for the Huns and set off the mine."

The men all filed out through the birch branches and retreated straight back toward a certain spot, each waving a small American flag, as per agreement with the men in that section of the trench. But Appenzeller and Finley protested. The former uttered nothing less than a command.

"Corporal, let's stand and soak it to 'em for a little! We can reach 'em from this rise nicely as they come over the hill, and I'm good for about a dozen. Finley is, too. We all are!"

Of course, in its sporting sense, this sort of thing appealed to Herbert and, moreover, he must have regarded it as a duty. A little good shooting would undoubtedly account for a good many of the Boches. But he and Cartright could not join in, as they had a more important duty to perform. But the others might do as they pleased.

"You fellows that want to, try it on them," he said. "We will have to leave you. But don't get caught or headed off! Go to it!"

Herbert and Cartright ran to the wire end. The corporal stood with the battery in his hand, watching through his field glasses the doings of the enemy. The Huns could not pass what they believed was a headquarters and signal station without, at least, an investigation. They swarmed toward the flag and pit from their advancing lines, no doubt believing they were to receive a warm reception and intent upon taking important prisoners.

The young American corporal was conscious of a greater degree of excitement than he had ever experienced before and with it there was uppermost that gentle humanity that makes a better man, even of a soldier.

"They're rushing up, Cartright! And they're a little puzzled, perhaps. They think they're going to get the very devil presently and they're preparing for a rush. It will be awful, old man! Say, how do you feel about it?"

"I'd like to blow the whole bunch up so high that they'd stick fast up there; clean beyond our attraction of gravitation! And I'd like to see the Kaiser and old Hindenburg in the bunch!" growled Cartright.

"Well, say, then, you take this battery and spring it! I guess I'm chicken-hearted. It seems like murder, but of course it's war."

"You bet I'll spring it! Give the word; that's all! Say, what's going on over yonder? For Heaven's sake, Corp; look there!" Cartright almost shrieked the last word.

And Herbert, for a moment forgetting his first duty, gazed where the other's hand indicated.

The four had been putting in their best licks, as it were. No doubt but that they had reduced the number of approaching Germans, four hundred yards, nearly a quarter of a mile distant, and their guns must have been hot. But sweeping forward on the other side of a rise of ground, a place also hidden somewhat by hedges and battle-ruined buildings, a large body of the enemy came suddenly almost between the four and any chance they had to retreat in that direction.

That also offered the only chance the boys had to withdraw in safety, for almost at the same instant a rapid-fire gun had discovered them; and to try to get away over the clear ground directly behind them would have proved certain death. And so, stooping and looking back, they made straight for the hedge and saw the unintended trap too late. In a moment Hun soldiers, detached at a command and running forward on either side, had surrounded them. There was nothing to do but surrender.

With a groan Herbert turned back to the important business in hand. There were now no scruples in his heart as to performing any acts of war. The whole business is merely one of retaliation, anyway, from first to last.

"There they are, a whole company or more, right on the spot! And some are down in the pit! Spring it, old man; push it! Ah! It worked! Poor devils! They could not have expected that. Come, we've got to beat it!"

The retreat of the two was largely made under the cover of a little natural valley, somewhat thicketed. In only one place were they exposed: while crossing a narrow bit of open field. They were hardly half way across it, Cartright, also an athlete, running just behind Herbert, when the corporal heard again that well-known sound that a bullet makes in striking a yielding substance, in tearing through flesh. A little moan followed it.

Herbert stopped and turned. "Hit, old man? Where?"

"Go on, Corp! Get out of this, or they'll get you, too!"

"And leave you? Not for all the Boches. Arms all right; are they? Get 'em around my neck and hold on! Honk, honk!"

It was a long, hard struggle. The wounded man, the last private of Herbert's second squad, was a heavy fellow. Herb was still unhurt, and he managed, though sometimes seeing black, to get into cover again, and there he could go more slowly, though he dared not stop. It seemed like hours, perhaps, instead of minutes, and the torture of struggling on and on with a weight greater than his own upon his back appeared a thousand times worse than anything of endurance that he had ever known on gridiron or long distance runs. Still he kept right on going, with ever the thought of the avenging Huns behind.

And at last he knew not how far he had progressed and had begun almost to lose interest in the matter, having the mad desire to get on and on, fighting another mad desire to rest and ease his straining muscles, when in his ears welcome sounds were heard.

"Drop him, fellow! You've done enough. We'll take him. Hey, Johnny, I guess we'll have to carry both of 'em!"

* * * * *

Not an hour later Herbert saluted Captain Leighton in the trench. The rapid firing of guns, big and little, was everywhere; the counter-attack of the Boches had successfully been repulsed and the new drive was scheduled to take place, following another and very terrible barrage. The captain grasped the boy's hand.

"Splendid work, Whitcomb! Put out of business about two hundred of them; let her go just at the right time. Cartright has given me an account of it. And your bringing him in was great! No; he isn't badly wounded. Gone back; left grateful remembrances for you. But that's not the matter in hand--feel all right now? Good! Well, then, I have been empowered to brevet a lieutenant for this platoon; Loring was killed yesterday. I have chosen you and you ought to know why; reasons are too numerous to mention. Your commission will arrive soon. Probably you'll be the youngest commissioned officer in the army. Well, come with me."

They walked down the trench, stopping here and there where the officers of squads waited with their men for the word to "go over the top and at 'em!" To each group the captain's words were pretty much the same:

"Men, you all know Whitcomb and you've all heard of his work. He's your commanding officer now, lieutenant of this platoon. The order to advance now will come in about ten minutes, I think."

A low cheer, intense with feeling, with expectation, with eagerness, greeted these words; there were mingled expressions of approval of their new leader and the idea of again going forward against the Germans.

Lieutenant Whitcomb never could remember much about the new push. He went with his men over the top; they charged in open formation again across the country over which he had come back with poor Cartright.

They cut and tore aside wire entanglements; they faced and overcame machine-gun fire; they encountered long bursts of liquid flame and with rifle and revolver fire at short range finished the devils who dealt it. They leaped over piles of sand bags and into trenches, using only their pistols against a brave attempt to meet them with bayonets, and when all of the Huns in the first line had been accounted for or made prisoners the Americans went up and on again, always forward.

And then the gas. It came at them like a small typhoon of white and blue smoke, showing again the iridescent colors, the gray-black center of its spreading force, and this time there was no Susan Nipper to disperse the poisonous fumes with her fiery tongue lashes sent into their midst.

Herbert knew the awful danger that confronted them and he feared that his men, with only the lust of battle in their eyes, hardly comprehended it. He turned and dashed down the line.

"Your masks, men! Every man get on his gas mask! Keep your wits about you! Get on those masks in a hurry, but get them on right! You're down and out, if you don't!"

Bent on saving his men, bent on disproving Captain Leighton's half-jesting comment as to his luck with a command, he forgot for the moment his own safety, his own mask, and the fumes were upon them.

* * * * *

Captain Leighton rose with difficulty from the bountifully spread table and looking about him at the kindly faces, seeing the broad, gentle humor of his host who had asked a few words from him, he said:

"You good people here at home, though you read and hear of these things and try to imagine them, can really have no adequate conception of them; of the hardships, the discomforts, the cold and the lack of sufficient rest amidst constant dangers and the almost continuous hammering of guns. And then, when in battle--well, no poor words of mine can picture it.

"You, Mr. Flynn, and you, Madam, the proud mother of this boy"--the captain stood with his hand across Roy's shoulder--"would feel a thousand times more proud if you could fully know what he went through when he lost his limb. And with a spirit like his, this loss cannot dim for one moment the usefulness of the lad in the world's activities. He will be doing his duty wherever he sets his--foot, as he did with both feet in and out of the trenches. I saw this even more plainly when we three came over, invalided home, in the good ship _Ingomar_.

"And now, Mr. and Mrs. Flynn, I want to call on my young friend here on my other side, as you know, your son's dearest friend, to say a few words to these charming guests who are so appreciative. Though his eyes are slightly and permanently impaired as a result of a gas attack, though he cannot again enter the ranks, the country thereby being the loser, his energies also are not diminished. Most of you know him--some of you well--Lieutenant Whitcomb."

Herbert rose slowly, awkwardly, protestingly, his face, behind the big, round, new spectacles, very red.

"I always have to thank Captain Leighton, late the captain of our company, for the kindness of his words concerning me. I have tried many times to express this to him, but talking is out of my line, as you can see. What we did over there was just all in the game; that's all. We bucked into the fortunes of war; it's a sort of accident, a sort of on-purpose accident, all the way through. It's duty first and it's all the time a concentrated Hades.

"But why always look at the dark side of this? It's going to be a better world after this war; a better understanding between nations. Everyone agrees to that. America will be the model upon which the nations will run their governments, and no people will want to fight, except for a just cause. If everybody feels like that, as the United States feels about it, why, then, nobody can make an unjust cause and wars will be over and done away with. Thank you; thanks!

"I want to say one thing more, and this is entirely personal. It concerns our host and hostess and their son, my chum. I want to thank them all, publicly, for something they have done for me. Oh, yes, Roy, old man, I will say it. While I was away over there and getting these eyes bunged up, and all that, Mr. Flynn here took it upon himself to inquire into my affairs with my guardian. It seems that instead of being a beggar, I am not quite that, and now, Mr. Flynn is my guardian. And so Roy and I, next term, go back again to dear old Brighton and take up our studies where we left off. That's the best news I can tell you about ourselves, if it interests you at all, and I know how Uncle and Aunty Flynn--that's what I call them now--feel about it. Roy can tell you far better than I could ever express it just how he and I feel about it."

Herbert sat down, still red of face, and Roy was up instantly, leaning on his crutch, but his old self seen in his round, freckled face.

"Whurrah! as me old granddad used to say over in Ireland. Eh, dad? This boy here can't talk as well as he can shoot and scrap, and so you can see what kind of a soldier he was. There was no danger he feared; no duty he shunned; no gentleness he----"

"Oh, blarney!" escaped from Herbert.

"Bedad, you see it! Modesty is his only sister and if you say 'hurrah for you!' to him he wants to fight. But though I never would have gone over and lost this leg if it hadn't been for him, yet I'd do it again, and if I'm a bit sorry for it, I'm glad of it. So there you have it and it's the way we soldiers all feel!"

THE END

Critics uniformly agree that parents can safely place in the hands of boys and girls any book written by Edward S. Ellis

The "FLYING BOYS" Series

By EDWARD S. ELLIS

Author of the Renowned "Deerfoot" Books, and 100 other famous volumes for young people

During his trip abroad last summer, Mr. Ellis became intensely interested in æroplane and airship flying in France, and this new series from his pen is the visible result of what he would call a "vacation." He has made a study of the science and art of æronautics, and these books will give boys just the information they want about this marvelous triumph of man.

First Volume: THE FLYING BOYS IN THE SKY Second Volume: THE FLYING BOYS TO THE RESCUE

The stories are timely and full of interest and stirring events. Handsomely illustrated and with appropriate cover design.

=Price Per volume, 60 cents.= Postpaid

This series will appeal to up-to-date American Girls. The subsequent volumes will carry the Ranch Girls through numerous ups and downs of fortune and adventures in America and Europe

THE "RANCH GIRLS" SERIES IS A NEW LINE OF BOOKS FOR GIRLS

---- THE ---- Ranch Girls at Rainbow Lodge

By MARGARET VANDERCOOK

This first volume of the new RANCH GIRLS SERIES, will stir up the envy of all girl readers to a life of healthy exercise and honest helpfulness. The Ranch Girls undertake the management of a large ranch in a western state, and after many difficulties make it pay and give them a good living. They are jolly, healthy, attractive girls, who have the best kind of a time, and the young readers will enjoy the book as much as any of them. The first volume of the Ranch Girls Series will be followed by other titles carrying the Ranch Girls through numerous ups and downs of fortune and adventures in America and Europe.

=Attractive cover design. Excellent paper. Illustrated. 12mo.=

=Cloth Price, Per volume, 60 cents.= Postpaid

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

A PENNANT-WINNER IN BOYS' BOOKS!

Hugh S. Fullerton's Great Books

The Jimmy Kirkland Series of Baseball Stories

By HUGH S. FULLERTON

America's Greatest Baseball Writer. Author of "Touching Second," Etc.

Combining his literary skill with his unsurpassed knowledge of baseball from every angle--especially from a boy's angle--Mr. Fullerton has written a new series of baseball stories for boys, which will be seized with devouring interest by every youthful admirer of the game. While the narrative is predominant in these books, Mr. Fullerton has encompassed a large amount of practical baseball instruction for boys; and, what is of greater value, he has shown the importance of manliness, sportsmanship and clean living to any boy who desires to excel in baseball or any other sport. These books are bound to sell wherever they are seen by boys or parents. Handsomely illustrated and bound. 12mo. Cloth. New and original cover design.

JIMMY KIRKLAND OF THE SHASTA BOYS' TEAM JIMMY KIRKLAND OF THE CASCADE COLLEGE TEAM JIMMY KIRKLAND AND A PLOT FOR A PENNANT

Sold Singly or in Boxed Sets

Price per volume, 75 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

A STERLING SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS

The "Bell Haven" Series

By George Barton

The "Bell Haven" series is a group of stories for boys depicting life in an American preparatory school. They are full of action from start to finish and will stir the red blood of every youth. The characters are life-like and based upon observation and an intimate knowledge of school-boy life. These stories are bright and original, replete with plot interest, and out of the beaten path. A distinctive cover design for each book adds to the attractiveness of the series. 12mo. Cloth.

I. THE BELL HAVEN NINE A Story of the Baseball Team

II. THE BELL HAVEN EIGHT A Story of the School Crew

III. THE BELL HAVEN FIVE A Story of the School Basketball Team

IV. THE BELL HAVEN ELEVEN A Story of the School Football Eleven

Price per volume, 45 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

The American Boy Series

By Edward S. Ellis

Books of stirring interest that are founded upon and written around facts in American History and American romantic achievement.

Each of the Series have Special Cover Designs

ALAMO SERIES The Three Arrows Remember the Alamo

OVERLAND SERIES Alden, the Pony Express Rider Alden Among the Indians

BOY PATROL SERIES Boy Patrol on Guard Boy Patrol Around the Council Fire

COLONIAL SERIES An American King The Cromwell of Virginia The Last Emperor of the Old Dominion

LAUNCH BOYS SERIES Launch Boys' Cruise in the Deerfoot Launch Boys' Adventures in Northern Waters

ARIZONA SERIES Off the Reservation Trailing Geronimo The Round Up

FLYING BOYS SERIES The Flying Boys in the Sky The Flying Boys to the Rescue

CATAMOUNT CAMP SERIES Captain of the Camp Catamount Camp

12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 45 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

THE NORTH POLE SERIES

By Prof. Edwin J. Houston

Dr. Houston has spent a lifetime in teaching boys the principles of physical and scientific phenomena and knows how to talk and write for them in a way that is most attractive. In the reading of these stories the most accurate scientific information will be absorbed.

HANDSOMELY BOUND

The volumes, 12mo. in size, are bound in Extra English Cloth and are attractively stamped in colors and full gold titles. Sold separately or in sets, boxed.

THE SEARCH FOR THE NORTH POLE THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTH POLE CAST AWAY AT THE NORTH POLE

3 Titles

Price per volume, 75 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

Harry Castlemon's Books for Boys

NEW POPULAR EDITION

This series comprises thirty titles of the =best stories= ever written by =Harry Castlemon=. But few of these titles have ever been published in low-priced editions, many of them are copyright titles which will not be found in any other publisher's list. We now offer them in this =new low-priced edition=. The books are printed on an excellent quality of paper, and have an entirely new and handsome cover design, with new style colored inlay on front cover, and stamped in ink. 12mo. Cloth. 30 titles.

A Sailor in Spite of Himself Buried Treasure Carl, the Trailer Floating Treasure, The Frank, the Young Naturalist Frank Among the Rancheros Frank Before Vicksburg Frank in the Mountains Frank In the Woods Frank on a Gunboat Frank on Don Carlos' Ranch Frank on the Lower Mississippi Frank on the Prairie Haunted Mine, The Houseboat Boys, The Mail Carrier Marcy, The Refugee Missing Pocketbook, The Mystery of the Lost River Canyon, The Oscar in Africa Rebellion in Dixie Rod and Gun Club Rodney, the Overseer Rodney, the Partisan Steel Horse Ten-Ton Cutter, The Tom Newcomb Two Ways of Becoming a Hunter White Beaver, The Young Game Warden, The

THE VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES COMPRISE SOME OF THE BEST WRITINGS OF THIS POPULAR AUTHOR

Price per volume, 40 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

Universally APPROVED BOOKS for Boys

A collection of books by well known authors that have been generally approved by competent critics and library committees as safe books for young people.

WORLD FAMOUS BOOKS FOR BOYS

JACK HAZARD SERIES By J. T. TROWBRIDGE

Price $1.25 per volume

Jack Hazard and His Fortunes A Chance for Himself Doing His Best Fast Friends The Young Surveyor Lawrence's Adventures

FRANK NELSON SERIES By HARRY CASTLEMON

Price 75 cents per volume

Snowed Up Frank in the Forecastle The Boy Traders

SPORTSMAN CLUB SERIES By HARRY CASTLEMON

Price 75 cents per volume

The Sportsman Club in the Saddle The Sportsman Club Afloat The Sportsman Club Among the Trappers

ROUGHING IT SERIES By HARRY CASTLEMON

Price 75 cents per volume

George in Camp George at the Fort George at the Wheel

ROD AND GUN CLUB SERIES By HARRY CASTLEMON

Price 75 cents per volume

Don Gordon's Shooting Box Rod and Gun Club The Young Wild Fowler

DEERFOOT SERIES By EDWARD S. ELLIS

Price 75 cents per volume

Hunters of the Ozark Camp in the Mountains The Last War Trail

NEW DEERFOOT SERIES By EDWARD S. ELLIS

Price 75 cents per volume

Deerfoot in the Forest Deerfoot in the Mountains Deerfoot on the Prairie

BOY PIONEER SERIES By EDWARD S. ELLIS

Price 75 cents per volume

Ned in the Blockhouse Ned on the River Ned in the Woods

LOG CABIN SERIES By EDWARD S. ELLIS

Price 75 cents per volume

Lost Trail Camp Fire and Wigwam Footprints in the Forest

RAGGED DICK SERIES By HORATIO ALGER

Price 75 cents per volume

Ragged Dick Fame and Fortune Mark, the Match Boy Rough and Ready Ben, the Luggage Boy Rufus and Rose

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

EDWARD S. ELLIS'

Pioneer Series of Books for Boys

Edward S. Ellis has been constantly growing in favor as an author of Boys' Books, and he now has admirers in all parts of the world. His stories are largely founded on history, and portray stirring adventures of daring American boys on the prairies, mountains, forest and stream.

We are now enabled to offer this series of low-priced books, which have until recently been published only in editions at double the price. =They are all copyright titles, and will not be found in any other publisher's list.= The books are printed on an excellent quality of paper, and have an entirely new and appropriate cover design. 12mo. Cloth. 30 Titles.

Across Texas Brave Tom Cabin in the Clearing Dorsey, the Young Adventurer Fighting Phil Four Boys Great Cattle Trail Honest Ned Hunt of the White Elephant Iron Heart Lena Wingo, the Mohawk Lost in the Forbidden Land Lucky Ned Mountain Star On the Trail of the Moose Plucky Dick Queen of the Clouds Righting the Wrong River and Jungle River Fugitives Secret of Coffin Island Shod with Silence Teddy and Towser Through Forest and Fire Two Boys in Wyoming Unlucky Tib Upside Down Up the Forked River Wilderness Fugitives Wyoming

THE VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES COMPRISE SOME OF THE BEST WRITINGS OF THIS POPULAR AUTHOR

Price per volume, 40 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

BOYS' ADVENTURES SERIES

NEW POPULAR EDITION

This series comprises the =best stories= ever written by Stephens, Ballantyne and Coryell. These books are printed on an excellent quality of paper, and have an exceedingly attractive cover design. 12mo. Cloth. 8 titles.

LEFT ON LABRADOR By C. A. Stephens

LYNX HUNTING By C. A. Stephens

FOX HUNTING By C. A. Stephens

ON THE AMAZON By C. A. Stephens

DICCON THE BOLD By John R. Coryell

DOG CRUSOE By R. M. Ballantyne

FLOATING LIGHT By R. M. Ballantyne

SHIFTING WINDS By R. M. Ballantyne

Price per volume, 40 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

The Big Series of Boys' Books for 1918

THE BRIGHTON BOYS SERIES

By Lieutenant James R. Driscoll

An entirely new series of Boys' Books which have their setting in the Great War and deal with patriotism, heroism and adventure that should make a strong appeal to American boys. The volumes average 250 pages and contain four illustrations each.

The BRIGHTON BOYS in the TRENCHES The BRIGHTON BOYS with the SUBMARINE FLEET The BRIGHTON BOYS in the FLYING CORPS The BRIGHTON BOYS in the RADIO SERVICE The BRIGHTON BOYS with the BATTLE FLEET

12mo. Price per volume, 45 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

Eclipse Series of the Lowest Price Alger Books

This low-priced series of books comprises the most popular stories ever written by =Horatio Alger, Jr.= As compared with other low-priced editions it will be found that the books in this series are better printed, on better paper, and better bound than similar books in any competing line. Each volume is handsomely and durably bound in cloth with new style colored inlay, assorted designs, and stamped in three colors of ink. New and attractive colored jackets. 12mo. Cloth. 40 Titles.

Adrift in the City Andy Grant's Pluck Ben's Nugget Bob Burton Bound to Rise Boy's Fortune, A Chester Rand Digging for Gold Do and Dare Facing the World Frank and Fearless Frank Hunter's Peril Frank's Campaign Helping Himself Herbert Carter's Legacy In a New World Jack's Ward Jed, the Poorhouse Boy Lester's Luck Luck and Pluck Luke Walton Only an Irish Boy Paul Prescott's Charge Paul, the Peddler Phil, the Fiddler Ragged Dick Rupert's Ambition Shifting for Himself Sink or Swim Strong and Steady Struggling Upward Tattered Tom Telegraph Boy, The Victor Vane Wait and Hope Walter Sherwood's Probation Young Bank Messenger, The Young Circus Rider Young Miner, The Young Salesman, The

Price per volume, 40 Cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

Winston's De Luxe Series of Juvenile Classics

This series has been made with a view to cultivating in youthful readers a love for the beautiful and best in books. In contents, in illustrations and in binding, these books satisfy every requirement, and will afford a degree of permanent pleasure far beyond the possibilities of ordinary juvenile books. Size of each volume when closed, 7-1/4 x 9-1/2 inches. Rich cloth binding, stamped in gold, with beautiful colored inlay.

Myths and Legends Of All Nations

By LOGAN MARSHALL

A book to win the heart of every child. Famous stories from Greek mythology and the legendary literature of Germany, England, Spain, Iceland, Scandinavia, Denmark, France, Russia, Bohemia, Servia, Italy and Poland--stories in which children, and men and women, too, have delighted through the centuries. They are told in simple, graphic style and each one is illustrated with a beautiful color plate. The work has considerable educational value, since an understanding of the many stories here set forth is necessary to our own literature and civilization. 24 full-page color plates. 320 pages.

Tales From Shakespeare

By CHARLES and MARY LAMB

A superb edition of these famous tales has been prepared in similar style to "Fairy Tales of All Nations." Each of the twenty tales is illustrated with a magnificent color plate by a celebrated artist. It is one of the finest books ever published for children, telling them in simple language, which is as nearly like that of Shakespeare as possible, the stories of the great plays. The subjects for the illustrations were posed in costumes of the nation and time in which each story is set and are unrivaled in rich color, lively drawing and dramatic interest. 320 pages. 20 full-page color plates.

Fairy Tales Of All Nations

By LOGAN MARSHALL

The most beautiful book of fairy tales ever published. Thirty superb colored plates are the most prominent feature of this new, copyrighted book. These plates are absolutely new and portray the times and customs of the subjects they illustrate. The subjects were posed in costumes of the nation and time in which each story is set, and are unrivaled in rich color, lively drawing and dramatic interest. The text is original and interesting in that the famous fairy tales are taken from the folklore and literature of a dozen principal countries, thus giving the book its name. Many old favorites and numerous interesting stories from far away lands, which most children have never heard, are brought together in this charming book. 8vo. 314 pages.

Rhymes Of Happy Childhood

By MRS. ANDREW ROSS FILLEBROWN

A handsome holiday book of homely verses beautifully illustrated with nearly 100 color plates and drawings in black and red. Verses that sing the irrepressible joy of children in their home and play life, many that touch the heart closely with their mother love, and some not without pathos, have been made into a very handsome volume. Gilt top, uncut leaves.

Price per volume, $2.00

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

How to Read Character in Handwriting [***]

BY MARY H. BOOTH

This work is authoritative, interesting, and so popular as to appeal to everyone. Since the earliest days science has recognized the fact that handwriting is an index of character and placed reliance on the deductions from it. Criminals have been punished and accused men set free on the strength of a scrap of handwriting. Knowledge of this interesting science is imparted in a simple but thorough manner in this new work by a recognized expert, and will prove of great value not only as a source of entertainment, but of business men, lawyers, students, bankers and collectors of autographs.

ATTRACTIVE COVER, BOARDS 50 cents

Palmistry Made Easy

BY THOMAS D. GRATZ

An authoritative work giving the fundamental principles in the language of the hand in a clear and concise manner. The study of Palmistry is a most interesting and entertaining subject to those who make it a study and to those to whom it may be told. The author has been a student of the hand and its lines. After digesting the many works of authorities on the subject he has added many facts of his own observation, presenting the principles of Palmistry in a =new manner= and with a unique system of showing the principles of the art, by illustrations of the human hand which is =easily understood= and committed to memory.

BOARDS, POCKET SIZE 50 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Publishers

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

HURLBUT'S STORY OF THE BIBLE [***] FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION

BY REV. JESSE LYMAN HURLBUT, D.D.

A BOOK FOR OLD AND YOUNG

Told in language that interests both Old and Young. "Supersedes all other books of the kind." Recommended by all Denominations for its freshness and accuracy; for its freedom from doctrinal discussion; for its simplicity of language; for its numerous and appropriate illustrations; as the best work on the subject. The greatest aid to Parents, Teachers and all who wish the Bible Story in a simplified form. 168 separate stories, each complete in itself, yet forming a continuous narrative of the Bible. 762 pages, nearly 300 half-tone illustrations, 8 in colors. Octavo.

THE FLEXIBLE MOROCCO STYLE

"=HURLBUT'S STORY OF THE BIBLE=" can be obtained in =FLEXIBLE MOROCCO BINDING= with red under gold edges. This new binding will give the work a wider use, for in this convenient form the objection to carrying the ordinary bound book is entirely overcome. This convenient style also contains "=HURLBUT'S BIBLE LESSONS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS=," a system of questions and answers, based on the stories in the book, by which the Old Testament story can be taught in a year, and the New Testament story can be taught in a year. This edition also contains 17 Maps printed in colors, covering the geography of the Old Testament and of the New Testament.

These additional features are not included in the Cloth bound book, but are only to be obtained in the new Flexible Morocco style.

Cloth, extra Price, $1.50

FLEXIBLE MOROCCO STYLE. Bound in FRENCH SEAL, round corners, red under gold edges, extra grained lining, specially sewed to produce absolute flexibility and great durability. Each book packed in neat and substantial box

Price $3.75

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

WINSTON'S POPULAR FICTION

Comprising twenty-four books published at $1.25 and $1.50 per volume, and until recently sold only in the original editions. Now offered for the first time in popular priced editions. All are bound in extra cloth with appropriate cover designs, and standard 12mo. in size.

24 Titles Price per volume, 75 cents

=BABCOCK (WILLIAM HENRY)--Kent Fort Manor.= A romance in the nineteenth century on the Isle of Kent near Baltimore, where in the earlier days Puritans, Jesuits, Indians and Sea Rovers came and went. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=BARTON (GEORGE)--Adventures of the World's Greatest Detectives.= The most famous cases of the great Sleuths of England, America, France, Russia, realistically told, with biographical sketches of each detective. Fully illustrated. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=BLANKMAN (EDGAR G.)--Deacon Babbitt.= A story of Northern New York State, pronounced by some critics superior to "David Harum." 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=CLARK (CHARLES HEBER)--(Max Adeler)--The Quakeress.= A charming story which has had great success in the original edition, and listed among the six best selling novels. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

--=Captain Bluitt, A Tale of Old Turley.= Humorous fiction in this well-known author's happiest style. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

--=Out of the Hurly Burly, or Life in an Odd Corner.= A delightfully entertaining piece of humor, with numerous illustrations, including the original work by A. B. Frost, and other illustrations, 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

--=In Happy Hollow.= The amusing story of how A. J. Pelican boomed the little town of Happy Hollow. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=EDWARDS (LOUISE BETTS)--The Tu Tze's Tower.= One of the best novels of Chinese and Tibetan Life. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=GERARD (DOROTHEA)--Sawdust, A Polish Romance.= The scene of this readable tale the Carpathian Timberlands in Poland. The author is a favorite English writer. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=GIBBS (GEORGE)--In Search of Mademoiselle.= The struggle between the Spanish and French Colonists in Florida furnish an interesting historical background for this stirring story. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=GOLDSMITH (MILTON)--A Victim of Conscience.= A mental struggle between Judaism and Christianity of a Jew who thinks he is guilty of a crime, makes a dramatic plot. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=ILIOWIZI (HENRY)--The Archierey of Samara.= A semi-historic romance of Russian Life. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

--=In the Pale.= Stories and Legends of Jews In Russia. Containing "Czar Nicholas I and Sir Moses Montefiore," "The Czar in Rothschild's Castle," and "The Legend of the Ten Lost Tribes," and other tales. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=MOORE (JOHN TROTWOOD)--The Bishop of Cottontown.= One of the best selling novels published in recent years and now for the first time sold at a popular price. An absorbing story of Southern life in a Cotton Mill town, intense with passion, pathos and humor. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

--=A Summer Hymnal.= A Tennessee romance. One of the prettiest love stories ever written. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

--=Ole Mistis=, and other Songs and Stories from Tennessee. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=NORRIS (W. E.)--An Embarrassing Orphan.= The orphaned daughter of a wealthy African mine owner, causes her staid English Guardian no end of anxiety. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=PEMBERTON (MAX)--The Show Girl.= A new novel, by the author of many popular stories, describing the adventures of a young art student in Paris and elsewhere. It is thought to be the most entertaining book written by this author. 12mo. Cloth, Illustrated 75 cents

=PENDLETON (LOUIS)--A Forest Drama.= A Tale of the Canadian wilds of unusual strength. 12mo, Cloth 75 cents

=PETERSON (HENRY)--Dulcibel.= A Tale of Old Salem In the Witchcraft days, with a charming love story; historically an informing book. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

--=Pemberton, or One Hundred Years Ago.= Washington, Andre, Arnold and other prominent figures of the Revolution take part in the story, which is probably the best historical romance of Philadelphia. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

=STODDARD (ELIZABETH)--(Mrs. Richard Henry Stoddard).=

--=Two Men.= "Jason began life in Crest with ten dollars, two suits of cloths, several shirts, two books, a pin cushion and the temperance lecture." 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

--=Temple House.= A powerful story of life in a little seaport town--romantic and often impassioned. 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

--=The Morgesons.= This was the first of Mrs. Stoddard's Novels, and Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote to the author:--"As genuine and life-like as anything that pen and ink can do." 12mo. Cloth 75 cents

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

MISCELLANEOUS JUVENILE BOOKS

=BANGS (JOHN KENDRICK)=--=Andiron Tales.= The story of a Little Boy's Dream--his wonderful adventures in the Clouds---written in Mr. Bangs' happiest vein, and handsomely illustrated with colored drawings by Dwiggins. Octavo. Cloth $1.25

--=Molly and the Unwiseman.= A Humorous Story for Children. 12mo. Cloth $1.25

=BUTTERWORTH (MEZEKIAH)=--=A Heroine of the Wilderness.= A Girl's Book telling the romance of the mother of Lincoln. 12mo. Cloth $1.00

=DIMMICK (RUTH CROSBY)=--=The Bogie Man.= The story in verse of a little boy who met the Bogie Man, and had many surprising adventures with him; and found him not such a bad fellow after all. 34 Drawings. 72 pages. Octavo. Boards with colored cover $0.65

=FILLEBROWN (R. H. M.)=--=Rhymes of Happy Childhood.= A handsome holiday book of homely verses beautifully illustrated with color plates, and drawings in black and red. Colored inlay, gilt top. New Edition 1911. Flat 8vo. Cloth $2.00

=HOFFMAN (DR. HENRY)=--=Slovenly Peter.= Original Edition. This celebrated work has amused children probably more than any other juvenile book. It contains the quaint hand colored pictures, and is printed on extra quality of paper and durably bound. Quarto. Cloth $1.00

=HUGHES (THOMAS)=--=Tom Brown's School-days at Rugby.= New edition with 22 illustrations. 12mo. Cloth $1.00

=LAMB (CHARLES AND MARY)=--=Tales from Shakespeare.= Edited with an introduction by The Rev. Alfred Ainger, M.A. New Edition with 20 illustrations. 12mo. Cloth $1.00

=MOTHER'S PRIMER.= Printed from large clear type, contains alphabet and edifying and entertaining stories for children. 12mo. Paper covers Per dozen $0.50

=TANNENFORST (URSULA)=--=Heroines of a School-Room.= A sequel to The Thistles of Mount Cedar. An Interesting story of interesting girls. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth $1.25

--=The Thistles of Mount Cedar.= A story of a Girls' Fraternity. A well-told story for Girls. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth $1.25

=TAYLOR (JANE)=--=Original Poems for Infant Minds.= 16mo. Cloth $1.00

=WOOD (REV. J. G.)=--=Popular Natural History.= The most popular book on Birds, Beasts and Reptiles ever written. Fully illustrated. 8vo. Cloth $1.00

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

CHARLES ASBURY STEPHENS

This author wrote his "Camping Out Series" at the very height of his mental and physical powers.

"We do not wonder at the popularity of these books; there is a freshness and variety about them, and an enthusiasm in the description of sport and adventure, which even the older folk can hardly fail to share."--_Worcester Spy._

"The author of the Camping Out Series is entitled to rank as decidedly at the head of what may be called boys' literature."--_Buffalo Courier._

CAMPING OUT SERIES By C. A. STEPHENS

All books in this series are 12mo., with eight full-page Illustrations. Cloth, extra, 75 cents.

=Camping Out.= As Recorded by "Kit."

"This book is bright, breezy, wholesome, instructive, and stands above the ordinary boys' books of the day by a whole head and shoulders."--_The Christian Register_, Boston.

=Left on Labrador; or, The Cruise of the Schooner Yacht "Curlew."= As Recorded by "Wash."

"The perils of the voyagers, the narrow escapes, their strange expedients, and the fun and jollity when danger had passed, will make boys even unconscious of hunger."--_New Bedford Mercury._

=Off to the Geysers; or, The Young Yachters in Iceland.= As Recorded by "Wade."

"It is difficult to believe that Wade and Raed and Kit and Wash were not live boys, sailing up Hudson Straits, and reigning temporarily over an Esquimaux tribe."--_The Independent_, New York.

=Lynx Hunting.= From Notes by the Author of "Camping Out."

"Of _first quality_ as a boys' book, and fit to take its place beside the best."--_Richmond Enquirer._

=Fox Hunting.= As Recorded by "Raed."

"The most spirited and entertaining book that has as yet appeared. It overflows with incident, and is characterized by dash and brilliancy throughout."--_Boston Gazette._

=On the Amazon; or, The Cruise of the "Rambler."= As Recorded by "Wash."

"Gives vivid pictures of Brazilian adventure and scenery."--_Buffalo Courier._

Sent Postpaid on Receipt of Price

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

J. T. TROWBRIDGE

Neither as a writer does he stand apart from the great currents of life and select some exceptional phase or odd combination of circumstances. He stands on the common level and appeals to the universal heart, and all that he suggests or achieves is on the plane and in the line of march of the great body of humanity.

The Jack Hazard series of stories, published in the late _Our Young Folks_, and continued in the first volume of _St. Nicholas_, under the title of "Fast Friends," is no doubt destined to hold a high place in this class of literature. The delight of the boys in them (and of their seniors, too) is well founded. They go to the right spot every time. Trowbridge knows the heart of a boy like a book, and the heart of a man, too, and he has laid them both open in these books in a most successful manner. Apart from the qualities that render the series so attractive to all young readers, they have great value on account of their portraitures of American country life and character. The drawing is wonderfully accurate, and as spirited as it is true. The constable, Sellick, is an original character, and as minor figures where will we find anything better than Miss Wansey, and Mr. P. Pipkin, Esq. The picture of Mr. Dink's school, too, is capital, and where else in fiction is there a better nick-name than that the boys gave to poor little Stephen Treadwell, "Step Hen," as he himself pronounced his name in an unfortunate moment when he saw it in print for the first time in his lesson in school.

On the whole, these books are very satisfactory, and afford the critical reader the rare pleasure of the works that are just adequate, that easily fulfill themselves and accomplish all they set out to do.--_Scribner's Monthly._

JACK HAZARD SERIES

6 volumes By J. T. TROWBRIDGE Per vol., $1.25

Jack Hazard and His Fortune The Young Surveyor Fast Friends Doing His Best A Chance for Himself Lawrence's Adventures

Sent Postpaid on Receipt of Price

THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., _Publishers_ WINSTON BUILDING PHILADELPHIA

Transcriber's Notes:

Converted asterisms to [***] for text edition.

Italics are represented with _underscores_, bold with =equal signs=.

Retained inconsistent hyphenation when no clear majority was found (e.g. tonight vs. to-night).

Some questionable spelling (e.g. "musn't") retained in dialogue on the assumption that it is intentional.

Page 21, changed "than" to "then" in "and then a decided cheer."

Page 53, changed "most woman are fine" to "most women are fine."

Page 62, changed "pasued" to "paused."

Page 74, added missing close quote after "cinch."

Page 77, changed "prefectly" to "perfectly."

Page 127, added missing close quote to end of page.

Page 128, changed "tomorrow" to "to-morrow" for consistency.

Page 152, removed stray quote after "attempting----"

Page 171, added missing space to second instance of "Wonderful shooting!"

Page 226, changed "diminshed" to "diminished."

Harry Castlemon's Books for Boys ad, capitalized "the" in "Houseboat Boys, The."

Winston's Popular Fiction ad (second page), changed "Embarrasing" to "Embarrassing" and added missing close quote after "ink can do."