Part 19 (2/2)

”Reddy for 'em, Frank!” called Bushnell, dropping on one knee, his Winchester in his hands. ”They're comin' right soon!”

This was true. With mad cries and a fusillade of shots, the bandits charged.

Bushnell opened fire, and Frank followed his example. Several of the bandits were seen to fall, but still the others came on.

”Lead won't stop 'em!” snarled the Westerner. ”It'll be hand ter hand in a jiffy.”

”And that means----”

”We'll get wiped out.”

”The balloon----”

”Won't carry more'n two--possibly three. In with ye, boy! You may escape! It don't make any diffrunce 'bout an old c.o.o.n like me.”

”Not much will I get in and leave you!” cried Frank. ”We are partners in this expedition, and partners we'll stay to the end!”

”But ther others--ther professor an' ther Dutch boy! They might escape if----”

”They shall escape!”

Out flashed a knife in Frank Merriwell's hand, and, with one sweeping slash, he severed the strong rope that held the tugging, tossing balloon to the earth. Away shot the balloon, a cry of amazement and horror breaking from the lips of the professor and Hans.

”Mein gootness!” gasped the Dutch boy. ”Vot vos happened?”

”I'll tell you,” groaned the professor. ”The balloon could not carry all four of us, and Frank Merriwell, like the n.o.ble, generous, hot-headed, foolish boy he is, refused to leave Bushnell. At the same time he would not doom us, and he cut the rope, setting the balloon free. He has remained behind to die at Bushnell's side.”

”Led me git oudt!” sobbed Hans. ”I vant to go pack und die mit him!”

”It was too late now. Look--see there! We are directly over the Silver Palace! What a beautiful----”

The professor's words were interrupted by a frightful rumbling roar that came up from the gulf surrounding the plateau on which the palace stood.

All the way around that gulf a sheet of flame seemed to leap upward through smoke, and then, paralyzed, helpless, hypnotized by the spectacle, they saw the plateau and the palace sink and disappear into the blackness of a great void. Then, like a black funeral pall, the smoke rolled up about them and shut off their view.

But they knew that never again would the eyes of any human being behold the marvelous Silver Palace of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

When the balloon had ascended higher another current of air was encountered, and the course changed. Away they floated over the mountain peaks and out beyond the great range.

At last they came down, made a safe landing, and, to their satisfaction, found themselves within a mile of Huejugilla el Alto.

They had escaped the most frightful perils, but Professor Scotch's heart lay like lead in his bosom, and Hans Dunnerwust was not to be comforted, for they had left Frank Merriwell to his doom.

In Huejugilla el Alto they remained four days, neither of them seeming to have energy enough to do anything.

And, on the fourth day, Frank, Al Bushnell, and two others rode into town and stopped at the hotel.

Picture the meeting between Frank and his friends! Hans shed nearly a bucketful of joyful tears, and Professor Scotch actually swooned from sheer amazement and delight. When the professor recovered, he clung to Frank's hands, saying:

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