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About The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1888)
if t m 1 mf if. ! v . RUSSIA'S PETROLEUM. THE OIL FIELDS ON THE WEST COAST OF THE CASPIAN. Brief Drcriitton of Baku "Wntprlns" tho Street, with Nnphtlin Kcsliluuin, Tho System of Itorlns WoIIk A Itc marl;nblo nraiitlon A In-otltablo Well. Baku, tho great oil emporium, Is on tho wft coart of tho Caspian sea, about n third ol tho distance from its southern to its northern extremity. It is nt the foot of tho abrupt eastern end of tho Caucasus range, which occupies tho entire isthmus, mul Is characterized at both extremities by striking volcanic developments. Thoso about Baku nro most remarkablo. Tho city had twenty years ago 10,000 inhabitants, and now con tains 00,000. Though so much of it is mod ern, tho streets and shops of tho old Persian city remain, with its towers, markets, baths, shop3 and temples, giving an cxcolleut idea of Persian architecture without tho troublo of going into tho realms of the shah to seek it. Tho whole placo is as redolent of tho odors of kcroseno as a town in tho oil districts of western Pennsylvania. They penetrate with equal impartiality hotels, privnto residences and public parks and gardens. Though tho soil of tho cntiro region is impregnated with naphtha and coal oil, and tho sea is often covered with a thick coating, tho wells nro nt sorao littlo distanco from tho city. Tho refineries only nro adjacent to tho port. They occupy tho middle of tho city area, and tho reservoirs o naphthi render by their smells the passageof tho traveler from tho steamer or tho railroad station to his hotel almost in tolerable. Water is not yet abundant, and is dclivored by Tartar carriers. For "water ing" tho streets tho residuum of naphtha is used, which, tolerably ilrm in cool weather, yields easily to tho tread in summer, tho foot linking into it as if it were mud of a certain consistency. It costs only one-eighth of a cent a pound. Tho sidewalks nro paved with a sort of bituminous concrete equally sensi blo to tho suu's rays. This oil residuum is also employed for heating steamer and loco reotivo boilers. It is cheap and easily trans ported, and its uso is likely to extend from tho Transcaspian railroad nnd Caspian steam ers into other ports of Russia where coal is dear and wood not plentiful. The port is at tho landward end of tho lit tlo peninsula of Apehcron, whero it joins tho main coast on tho southern side. Tho center of volcanic activity is to tho east or north east of'Baku on this peninsula, and but a few milc3 distant, and is characterized by littlo craters of mud in a constant state of ebulli tion. This surfaco changes constantly its form nnd level, nnd from its crevices issuo currents of gaa which tho application of a lighted match may 1: hullo Into a general conflagration. This plain, seen on n quiet night from tho Virgin's Tower, seems cov ered with phosphorescent flames. In 1885 one of theso mud volcanoes burst, sending up to a height of 300 feet a jet of gas that took fire and menaced tho wholo country with ruin. Fortunately it subsided as suddenly as it had appeared. A railroad eight mile3 In length connocts Baku with tho oil producing center, which is on a plateau 203 feet abovo tho level of tho sea. It i3 a sort of basin two milos in diameter, surrounded by low hills of lime stone. At tho bottom of this depression, which is composed of alternate strata of sand and snarl, 400 wola havo been sunk, most of which havo given excellent results. They nro owned by companies and private indi viduals. Being within so small a spaco thoy aro necessarily crowded clcsely together, and tho skeleton structures necesssary for their operation givo at a distanco tho appearance of a grovo or small forest. Tho system of boring Is borrowed from America. Instead of tii'j shaft used by tho French a heavy trepan with 5. steel point is employed, which is lifted by machinery and let fall with n rotary movement. In Pennsylvania thero nre woll3 over 2,0C0 feet in depth. 1'hoso of iJaku havo not gone so far, though somo of them havo crccedei! half that distance. To sink 0:10 1,000 feet sts 815,000 anil a year's time, nnd it has as yet yielded nothing. Singular difilculty is experienced from tho gas which so crmcatC3 tho sand that tho holo is often filled as fast as bored, nnd tho 6and oven forced far up into tho tubing already in place. Tho work has gono on for twenty years, and as no record has been kept show ing thickness of strata, wells nro still suok at hnzard without reference to locality. At Baku tho oil does not seem to exist in level sheets. Tho wells sunk give dilTercuti results. Soma prove abundant ; others aro at ouco exhausted. Of four continuous wells, tho first gavo out at 200 feet, tho second at BOO, tho third at 2S2 and tho fourth ut 3T,0. Land purchased at $10 tho sageno (about 175 squaro feet), next a profitable well, produces nothing. On tho other hand it often hap pens that, as in tho caso of artesian wells in America, a. new well sunk by the sldo of a valuable old ono takes tho supply ami renders it worthless at least without further boring. Tho deposits seem to bo in small pockets, en abling a well to bo fed by two of thorn ut dif ferent depths at tho samo time. It has been proved that thero aro subterranean commu nications, for it often happens that tho oil of Eoveral wells may bo colored by coloring mat ter thrown into ono of them at tho surface Flowing wells aro rare. Pumps nro usually necessary. "When a spurt of oil 13 coming tho workmen aro mado awnro of it by tho noiso that precedes. Thoy at onco tako flight, nnd not a moment too soon, for tho forco of tho stream is sometimes sufllcient to throw tho structure and machinery at tho top hun dreds of feet into tho nir. Tho pockets aro supposed to contain at tho bottom a stratum of water, at tho top gas, with tho crudo pe troleum bst wcon them. "When uo well strikes tho oil, tho gas suddenly expands, forcing it tip to tho opening with violoncc. Sometimes thero i3 an eruption of sand sufllcient to bury tho works about tho mouth of tho well. Ono eruption filled all the canals near by contain ing petroleum, created great lakes, and finally, finding no more receptacles, formed a channel to tho Caspian and so carried off its surplus. Somo of theso flowing wells havo not 'only been of no advantage to their pro prietors, but havo ruined them by having to pay for tho damago caused to their neigh bors. Ono of them produced 10,000,000 pounds a day, and its product was so care fully preserved that tho dally profit from it was 00,000. A flowing well docs not usually lost moro than two months. It then becomes n pumping well end tho oil is extracted as in America. Tbo eruption of 16S7 is tho most remarkn hlo on record. The oil mixed with sand was thrown to tho height of over 400 feet, and ns expanded by the wind nnd illuminated by tho sun, resembled a golden goyser. Tho buildings were burled under a mountain of sand and earth. Streams of oil flowed la o-Ju-y direction. An army of workmen la bored under a tempest of oil to check tho flow. Iron rails laid across the opening wero completely worn out by tbo friction of tha Jet of sand and oil, and it was only finally ttopped by shoving over tbo oriflco an ini uiemo fromoworlc moko of thick oak planks and railroad iron. The oil is convoyed from tho Hells to tho refineries at Baku by iron pipes as in America. TIuaj wtre introduced about tulrtcva yean ojo, fiaa Franciico Cliruaicftt unt TRICKS OF TRADE. THE CHEMIST THE MAGICIAN OF THE PRESENT DAY. couijH'lltldii tho I.lfo of Trade, hnt Not Always Kcnrflclnl to the Public The lhi!tii' of Ailultenttlon Systematically Cnrrleil On Tho Kosult. Q In this era of universal enlightonmont tho training of tho successful tradesman is inuch broader than that of his predo rossor of 9ft y years ago. Tho latter con sidered himsolf fully educated when he ablo to dlstinq'.ti.ih tho quality of tho di.Icrent grades of thu tHous articles in v. 'tieh ho dealt, nnd as very few methods of nophlslication and adulteration wero kr.own. his task was n comparatively easy ono. With the merchant of the present 0y, however, everything is different. Ho it.h depend on his own judgment only in very few Instances. Ho must know'jQ-t only how to manipulate his wares mi us to undersell his competitors, but he must bo continually on his guard to make stiro that the ntticlea whk"!i he hin:self buy shall Iw just as represented. Ho may bo a dealer hi woolens and buy his stock from t'.io de.;eon who pasics the plate m church, V(v ho iv. vcr neglects to havo hi. samples examined bv an expert, and analyzed UO 11 'C?ss.iry. But the strangest phase of tho whole mutter in that, so universal haa th" cuotom become, ho docs not consider it any reflection 011 his neighbor to tako this course,-and if lie finds that tho goo da aro not ns represented, ho thinks none the worse of Iiini, after he has claimed and s.viired his rebate. No branch of trade U fre? from this sophistication, aud as long as the resulting article ia not injurious to the health of tho people, wo have come to accept it without a murmur, as an inovit ;iblo result of competition. With such a stato of affairs, it will readily be seen that th.' merchant of "ye olden tinio" would now stand a slim chanco of success unless hu called in outside, aid. A NEW ADl'lTEHATION. The chemist is really tho magician, who today is sought by 0116 party to develop a new adulteration, nnd to-morrow ia called upon to nnalyzo tho article which ho has just succeeded in adulterating. His'm boratory becomes tho confessional for merchants of all degree.?, and ho must bo aa silent and secrst aa t lie clergyman. But lr.3 power ia greater than the ecclesiastic, who cannot read our thoughts, and who may know only what wo care to tell him. But to tho eliemist all facts within his province are accessible. If wo aro frank with him, we can render easier the work whi.'h wo have for hir.ito'do. If, how ever, ho has a suspicion that anything liar been withheld, ho has but to mak 1 mi analysis and tho whole secret is open to him. In Ids realm, he is king. IIo pays to tho merchant, "Uo thus," and tho busi ness man, realizing that his only way nucces is by following suck injwwcti-jns, dees so, and is relioved for a time. Sooa, however, he leani3 that ho is bciw uwdw sold, and onco more hw recourse to tlw magician, who finds that sow-u bretkor genius has stolen his chana, awtl it loo-i-omes necessary for him to cosjwro v.-; a moro powerful" one, only to liava k, ia time, again stolen. The following incident, retaUd by a dis tinguished chemist, may bo interesting, as showing how systematically this busi uesti of adulteration is carried on. Tho gentleman mentioned was recently con lulted by a lirm of oil dealers, who wero naturally anxious to learn how it war, that their competitor was always able to under sell them, in face of tho faet that tho chemist of their factory could not dtacovcr any adulteration in the ir rival's product. On dialysis, no foreign substance ap peared, and tho consulting chemist was forced to confess himself nonplused. In tho courso of conversation ha happened to mention, quite incidentally, that tho only impurity ho had been able to find was a tmco of" petroleum oil, which ho haa con sidered accidental. The oil dealer inuuirod tho amount of this oil present, and on l'-uliug that it was about 2.V per cent., im mediately said that tho problem waa solved. 'Two and a hall per cent,, ho ex plained, made in a. b.irrel of forty gallons it iliffereivio of 0110 gallon, and, by extract ing this quantity of an oil worth fifty cents, aud substituting a gallon of an in ferior kind worth, say, ten cents, hisviv.il had been enabled to draw away ahnoit all his trade. POISONOUS DT.S. Tcople havo beconio so accustomed to iiuding Iho discission of tho subject cl adulteration confined to articlos of food and drink that they aro apt to consider that this is tho only part of it of any im portance. Physicians, however, esn tell a different story. For instance, they aro frequently consulted for disorders which can bo directly traced to cheaply dyed ar'.icler. of dress, mid many of tho most obstinate cases of skin diseaso aro duo to poisonous coloring matters. Before tho nit of dyeing had progressed much most of they dyeing colors in uso were prepared from simple vegetable ex tracts. Soon, however, tho demand was greater than tho supply, and tho chemist wai called upon for substitutes. Step by step ho followed nature back to her labor atory, and fmally was ablo to announce that" ho could produce at will i:i unlim ited quantities a dyo stuff which could not bo distinguished by any test, cither chemical or physical, from tho natural product. Tho substanco which ho had mado was alizarino, tho coloring matter of madder, and tho articlo from 7hlch ha mado it was common coal tar. This dis covery worked a revolution in thy indus trial world. The path, onco it lud keen pointed out, was easy to follow, and ill quick succession came tho announcements of new colors mado from this same waste product coal tar until at tho present day uny color or tint can bo supplied from it. But hore, too, tho practice of EopkUti cation soon becamo a prominent factor, until tho question was, not how well can dyes bo made, but how cheaply. Tho process of manufacture is a long ono, and great caro la required at every step to thoroughly remove tho powerful chemical agents by which tho necessary changes aro brought about. Hero was tho oppor tunity for cheapening tho final product. An incomplcto removal of theso chemicals rveaus less labor and less cxponse; henco the indifferently finished product can bo sold cheaper. Unfortunately, however, theso impurities thus left in tho dyo aro in most instances highly irritating to tho skin, and when an articlo dyed with such substances Is worn it is very liable to cause troublo, especially if tho skin U chafed or scratched. Bostou Herald. Tho Nunian Shad. A single shad produces 100,000 eggs, and only about 0,000 aro hatched natur ally. By tho artificial method 08,000 aro 6uceeesfully httched. No wonder tbJa fias iish gts cheaper crery year. ' BAR HARBOR. A Wild, Weird Tale of Love and Adventure. 3"V AMOS x. e 13 . rcnusnxu ur SreciAi. Amuscismkxt wrrn aits Amioa. iCopyriyUtJ, iw, bg O, JT. MUttyhAn Alt UigKIt litterttd.' "Fairfax," said Kebbitt, taking hhn aside, "thoso trami -ifatu'm generally carry small crew?. I supposo seven or eight of them may come ushoro, leaving tho other half-dozen to look after the vessel. Now, with these cannon, ws llvo men ought to annihilate them, if need bo. So I adviso yon not inereaec tho number of your con ildunts. Your brother, Oxford and Uogor and myself are qulto enough to lot into tho secret of this vast wealth." Near night-fall a faint lino of smoke was seen curling upward some fifteen or Rirteeu miles to tho northwest. Nebbitt, whP had returned to tho yacht, .viid to the Ciptain : " Suppose you steam out about six knots an hour, and meet thai craft. If sho ia tho Vanipa, signal to m.' by passing her, with out ultettug your course; and don't return till morning. If it ii not tho Vampu, coinj back at once." Off steamed the "Xamovxa," the flvo men observing her from their hiding placo. Nearer and nearer camo tho stranger. Fmally, tho two vessels met O.ud passed close to each other, perhaps four and a half miles from the shore. With bated breath and straining eyes, tho little party watched tho 'Namovna." She pursued 1111 onward course, vcer.ug neither to port nor star board. "It's tho Vanipa !" cried they together. CHAPTER XXXIII. a ncnT ron ui'b, It wai, S'.deol, the Vampa. ClumsOy and slowly that huge, black, unwieldy craft forged ahead, cleaving her way through tho glasay waters, and, when darkness foil, camo to anchor ubout a quarter of a inilo from hind. There was uo nroon ; but tho stars gave a feeblo glimmer, enough to enable ouo faintly to distinguRh objects at moderate dlstunce. By and by lights wero soon flashing over tho "water mid' tho dip of huatyoars grow louder. Then came tho sound us of a boat's keel grating over tho pebbles, and soon, in the darkness, a black mass, moving as one man, camo tramping solidly up tha slope with measured step toward tho tower, which loomed uy higU ad clear against tho starlit dosie of heaven. Fairfax bejjjsi eou-Hfrin; Hie men as they a; reached nearer. "TweAtv, twnv-nc, twRfV-tw. twenty-TwnSTY-ron:", 1UVENTY-FI-VHI '05-roat hen-vcHs I Anil, nil paworfwl fel lw, armed to tho toeth, to. Bays, this is n i''g-!.it for life?, UK1 Wio 'Nu-mevna's' urcw thirty iwilss uwjf,'! WiM yati ri-s-k i-ti" "Wiie I b(?.g.ii torn I fiuta-kl" qjie'ch JMflit, primly. A3 no Bt-her mim said n-roy-t'tok-i-g t-he$- vrA kiv' I'iuie-t, watching Mia twr-n of events. Up It iwiiwUed, t-lM't ssil'id plnvlaiwc wf dcs papaya won; s-hauleler to s-h)Hld'er, fo;r nwi-ks dett-p; six men in nli-i-ie; their easo kHivoa a-Hii g-u3 a-w-1 pts-tola g-leamimg u-nd gli-'rterw-g in iho sfcw-Hjjht; sRciit and gvku ustd lod on by a K-ia-n of g.:-g.aiifrii sto:i3, who s4rode imori0vwly bofopo tliom. "That's Jkrtteol" whiapjBCel Favr-fkvc-, a-.s he gkuicdd mournfully ivt his ewn bi'ok-ii arm and thu.ii at tho toefc.-ieude3 foavAO f the man. At a word froM their loatfc-r, the me-n, with one accord, paMsud a-Ml s-Vasd mt-itm-less, lilw statues in tho nigh-t. St-(Ajipi.v.g out before tlwm, he remained s-Ment a mo ment. Every voico wms hu&hod, siwo W-r.M, of tho brcccu wuvrauriwg tkrc)a.gJi tho t-ww-er aH4 th wavo Ic-ppm.;.; tko s-Vra-xtl. The Vo began. Neb'itt, 0Ssrl a-ai-l Fui fax, with their eweellevit knoAvloso of Italian, wore easily unuW-rd t i;Mow W-w. "ilnten, yo know hw I vmw-IsI havo tho (1 reel: woman; but t'ku ir, willy fl esc.'iped me. Yo know haw wo sKjw oK-r stubborn captain and his sVnlw, Luiol, uni that swart Nubian fiend, tw, wVpst- kmf bit bo viciously into my swee-heaf.el aids. Ye know how we havo all ris&od our lives like brave men. But, like bravo men, now havo we como to our reward I Tho VtiKipu Is ours and so aro tho broad seas and all that sails them. For, with tho riches of that Greek dug, wo can uiako our ship a fortress imnregnable. 1 "Wdl you follow 1110 and llvo tho life I speak off" "Wo will!" eaino back tho deep-toned annwer. 'Then will I read the writing." Amidst tho most breathless silence, broken only by tho roll of tho swell on tho shore and tho distant sound of .steam es :aping from tho Vampa's safety-vulva, Matteo, translating tho Englioh into Italian, read in a harsh, hard voieo that penetrated far and neur Into tho quiet night air. " Ten mites to tha suulhimt tf Taii'lcra stands he ruiiird toiccr, LI Mala. Tttenty tte tint iiorthwanl from it ea'tevn doorway it i atone, lurf-covcrttl. IhU atone encloses the month of aw oUl ue'l, Ion; since dried. J)oun this will, nftermy father' death, Alt and I cast all hit Health Jtuvlt of uitto'd value, bras:-bound caks and boxes b'lrstiivi H'h gold and silver ;jtti, diamond of ma'.chlesssptendor, pearl far QuUhtnlnu ihote of I ml, a thousand fashing prtctoiu itoncs and mi melted ingots riches enough for the mwhUst dreamt of avarice." A wild cheer broke forth at tho conclusion of his words. But it was hushed into im mediate silence by tho sharply-uttered com mand and threatening gesture of tho Italian. "Now, mates, I scanned tho slioro with keenest eyo for signs of lifo when wo ap proached, but saw none, savo that stranger craft which wo left bo'.ilnd us, steaming fnr out to sea. But I like not her looks, nor do I know what hidden dangers lurk before us. Therefore, rest on your units and bo ready nt a moment's warning to follow mo to tho death." "Ay! that will wo!" answered thoy all with ono accord, as they clashed their weapons together. Then, suddenly, tho leader drew himself to hlo full height, and, looming gigantically up in tho darkness, put his hand ujon ono f the pistols in his bolt, und In slow, measured tonos that implied but ono answer to his question, uBked : "Shall JIatteo's share bo one-third Sor aiUii Tj'i u i r.a ic- " Acunbrok'on inFaco prevailed, whlch'bo. tokened tho unwillingness of tho baud to assent to any such unequal division. Onco again, sharp and clear, piercing tho calm air like tho hard, cold riug of steel, rang out tho resistless question, while tho sudden flash of a pistol-barrel, drawn from his belt, shot through the gloom. Cowed to obedienco by tho tremendous power which that fearless man wielded over them, thoy promptly rcsKnded as ouo man : "It shall bo!" Then, hold tho lantorn, Tito. Now, one, two, three, four!" aud ho counted off twenty step, with tho compass in huud, aud stood eroct mid still. "OIto mo tho Iron bar, Tito." LUtfh in air ho roUcd It and brought it ' down with sji'h great f jrco that P drovo 3lj Hri: r "ill. wPMPfe . miiii is .in: lit: 11 used it. down through the earth nnd rebounded from tho stone which lay beneath. Jiatteo's net face relaxed for an Instant into a smilo ur.d hijt evil eyes glittered with avarice. A tremendous nhout burst forth from tha excited Italians nnd went echoing and re echoing about the tower nnd fur along tho shore, liven Mattco'a mighty will could not restrain this outbreak. In the midst of tho hubbub and confusion, n calm, yet clearly-penetrating voice, speak ing in tho pu-Qst Italian, fell through the gloom like a keen knife. You are directly In tho range of our can non nnd rii'.cs. In jii3t ten seconds, if you do not turn and llee, you will all bo dead men!" At the first words an awful fear camo upon tho murderers, und they shook aa If It had boon tho voice of tho avenging ungel calling down from tho clouds to theni. But Mnttco, who never yet lost his preseneo of mind nor knew fear, dropped tho Iron bar, picked up his fallen rifle, and thundered out u command to them in such terriblo tones that thoy were willed, perforce, to obedi ence. A sharp rattle of musketry re sounded through tho air and twenty-ilvo singing bullots flow high over tho heads of tho llvo men concealed "in tho bushes, and then the Italians did "turn and ily," but not to the shore; for. quick as a Hash, they all disappeared within tho tower, whence con stant bursts of flamo und sharp reports be gan speedily to issue. Hore was a turn in tho tido of nffairsl Twenty-ilvo nrmed men behind bullet-proof walls ready to pick of! ut their convenience five unprotected foes I In an instant both Nebbitt and Fairfax sprang to their feet, amid that whizzing hail of lead, mid, each sighting u camion, pulled tho strings. Two broad, blinding sheets of flamo shot out far into tho darkness, lighting it far and wide, ami, with a roar like thunder, each iron trubo hurled out of its hugo throat n mass of shot and grapnel Mutt went screeching and touring and plunging throug-li tho dilapi dated arches and windows of tho crumbling tower briugiu-g down st-ono and mortar BU&M-mg aOoat Mm eas of t-ho inmates. M'atteo) called to Micm to quit tho place. A-s q.u-ii'Uy as thoy had entered, so quickly they issued forth t wen.ty-two in number. Only throe killed by that hail of death or by tho fatting debris 1 Tho pawer ivnd dlstfiplino c-xerciscd over his savler-s loy tho man Mwttco was uliuost lm-Kitfuleus. Totally iwi-a;iual.ut-ed w-il-h tho number and stren-g-'A of their lulvepsaries, In the fiiwo of what might bo uerfrawi ond Instant dwa-th to tho eutw'o band, they iuwuediately foil into line, and presenting an array two nm-liH deep, on the.y name at full ru-n, Mdittcg lca&ug and uneouiiiagikiig them, tho fr(iu.t rcwn:: k-ccptog u-p u s-teas!y llo wi-th Re volve ra Twe-Mty-twa B-plondld'ly-'lswi'pii-nod a-nd niirvelously-Mwh'fiHed 111011, all ih's-pejuHo vi!vaM-s, aK-n-st live I Bst those live there wsw ns tino for landing tho ya-K-nan upitki l-yk-:.g I-hli, Uspt up a p filing, datully lire, wiiilo ti'.' bvdluts of the Italiiiyn spd by ii'.wW'Vowsly, vh'!w,,LX'H'g or tkvir Ueas iXw S HllWiy evil llOHWM.S. Ouh by one they fell twenty-ene, tweaty, i-Mieicou ! Only c-iglijati now ff 1 1 "f'-ire Ioav en id dww't loso your hand!" jw-Md NuVaiKt, as k "nroppsd" unntlicr am. Four reoro fell. And now thoy wero but fourteen, but all men of unusual physical strength, led on by a man of iron nervo and inusclo, himself equal to any flvo of them fourteen desperadoes, liable at any moment n.iN'oi.No uiMsm.i' ri'Li. Axn sTitAjaiiT at MATlT.O'U TIlllOAT. to bo reinforced from tho Vampa or by wounded comrades who might, also, at any moment, recover strength sufllcient to rejoin tho fray. Suddenly Matteo shouted: "Como on, my men I Thoy are only two or three ; und tho fowor wo are, in tho end, tho larger each mnu's share of that treasure. Drop bullets and tako to your knives I" "Ono more volley !" cried Nebbitt, as ho fired his last cartridge, and down fell uu other of tho aswillunts. "Then grip for your lives 1" With that ho mado n Hying leap over tho littlo sund barricade which they hod raised nnd flung himself full und straight at Malteo's thront. which ho seized llko a vico in tho grip of his steely fingers. Tho giant camhli.1 backward uud rulsod his uluirn knlfo to driTS it up to tho handle In tho back of tho American; but tho latter, by a sudden, strong, upward movement of his arm, cleverly turned tho blow naido and it foil harmlessly in air. Concentrating all his norvo-born strength in ono suiKJrhurnaii effort, Nebbitt actually dashed Mils Goliath to tho ground, where tho two rolled over and over and ovor again in their awful struggles; now ono above, now tho othor. But Ida enor mous physical strength and will threw tho odds fearfully on tho sldo of Mnttoo; for when ho fell ho had dropped his knife, und wai now gripping tho American In his long, powerful anna, whoso muscles of iron slow Iv und rolontlossly uloiod about tho cheit of his adversary, until it seemed to Nobbitt 1 as if his ribs wero crunching and cnu-king V f on.l his very lifo being crushed cut in diat awful bug of death, Fortunately, his nrms were outside. I'utLng both hands ng.V.nst the chin of tho Italian, ho suddenly nn.l shandy jerked tho man's head upward and backward. Taken nt unnwarcs, Mnttco, to save his neck from belug broken, relaxed his grip for 11 moment. Quick as n flush of lightning his an tagonist, who was beneath, relied tho giant over, leaped to his feet, and, grasping tho knlfo lying closo by, plunged it into the heart of llnydeo's murderer, who was struggling to his feet, but bo awful was Mio force of tho blow that tho blado drove clear through the man's lungs and passed out bc twecu his shoulders, and, without so much a3 a groan. Matteo fell back, foue icm All this happened in far less time Minn it takes to read about it, but not n moment too quickly. For when Nebbitt, breathless and aching from tho crushing grip of his foe, but qulto "gamo" yitt was enabled to turn his attention to tho Vithers, ho saw Oxford engaged in deadly coyest with thrco men whom lio v.n.i holding nt bay with his rifle, which he grasped by Iqi muzzlo ns ho would n club, i.ad was whirling ubout him with such lightning-like lyc'idity that It looked like the Hying spokes uf 11 swiftly-revolving wheel, lie had already brained two of his assailants. lhinu and Arthur Fairfax, back to back, tho one .".winging his rillo lustily and tho other wielding 11 keen sword in his unin jured right hand, wero lighting desperately with four fQ tho Italians, whilo 11 hugo rutlliiu was decidedly worsting poor Itoger, who was bravely trying to defend himself. lire Nebbitt could reach him, Roger groaned deeply, and, suddenly relaxing his hold on tho other, fell backward 11a if dead. Tho It :il On raised his knlfo to strike tho prostrate man, but Nebbitt had already picked up the valet's riile, With which ho dealt the eilain such 11 terrific blow on tho head that tho soauiuu dropped to tho eiiO.h like a log. Tho victor then sprang to tho side of Ox ford, splendidly holding his own against those three swarthy opponents, who did not dare como within rnngo of that lightning swinging rillo, but hung aloof, watching for a chanco to spring upon the Englishman. None too soon was this timely aid ; for, de spairing of tiring their adversary, ono of tho men stepped backward and, stooping quickly down, picked up 11 pistob which ho was just about to lire at Oxford, when Neb bitt, with n moot awful, blood-curdling yell that pierced far into tho night and must havo greatly terrified thoso who remained on tho Vampa, bounded forward with u tre mendous leap and brought down tho rillo butt squarely upon top of tho man's head with such resistless impetus thnt it crashed through bono and brain and literally split open Ids skull from top to bottom, driving tho vertebra of his neck down into his body, so Mint, completely collapsed, ho was crushed to tho earth as If by tho mighty hammer of a pile-driver, whilo Nebbitt felt Mio rapid bullet from his discharging pistol burn his own check llko a hot iron. Although ho could have done so more than once, Arthur Fairfax refrained from trans fixing either of his two men, ns ho would, then, loso his sword and thus bo weaponless ngainst the othor. However, nerved to des peration by that frightful yell of Nebbitt, ho mado a hasty lungo forward and passed tho blado completely through tho lnrger fol low; then, quick as a flush, struck outward with his left fool, suddonly tripping up tho other, who fell sprawling to tho ground. Boforo tho mini could spring to his foot, Fairfax whipped out his revolver and shot him through tho head. Tho remaining four Italians, finding them selves now outnumbered, turned nnd fled towards their boats. Justus Fairfax was crying out: "Let them got IOon't follow them I" 0110 of the dospenadocs uuo.vpot'tod ly tiwned anS fired his pistol. Wlth-n slump cry, Dana dropped to tho gAiauiuU Tho oyo of F-ai-r-ftwc llirs-hed llvo and ho dashed forward nftcr the ili!ewi.ginii-ii, dr.inw-in-g his re-voiver. AU ig, onca ho stepped liiiUiHoiwii'g to h!use!if : "Why siiwu-ld II K Is neiMn- scW doJon-s.e. IOimki ihiiV ntb? dead.." A.s it was, ls bifoWiop-uvrs- on'," stiwimed-. llp.-t piwr Uoor had received 11 dVep st.fb fii which it tonic liisi miwuy a lon di'.y to recover. Fuirf.ic lilinsroif csuaped without so much ns a scar. Nebbitt nnd Oxford dis covered about their body several littlo slashes and nbrasures of tho skin nuspl jmisly hko Ivfifo-cuts and bullet-grazes sTiowing narrow escapes from death. CIAPTKU XXXIV. "a:ji so tiikv wkiii: hahuieM" Tragic was tho fnto of llnydeo, but moro awful yet was tho end of hor murderers I Fifteen men, nil stono deud? hying scat tered, heltoNfikeltcr, hore and thero, gushed and bloody, and not ono of them with his back to tho foo bravo, if bad I Ah! that was n dreadful fight, n fearful slaughter! And all through greed of gold. But thus was tho cruel death of Haydeo nvonged. What should bo done with tholr bodies! Should they lcavo them to ret thero on Afric'n burning cands for tho foul birds hovering high in air to gorge themselves upon! Or cast them on tho ebbing tide, food for tho carrion fish of tho seal "They fought lileo bravo mon. (llvo them a bravo man's burial!" quoth Fairfax. " Where J" queried Nobbitt. "Didn't they como to find tho well!" this with grim humor. "Thou show It to them." "Why should wo prolong tho tnlo of ftiolr African adventures by tolling how thoy cleared away almost every vestige of Mint frightful seeno of enrnngo; how thoy tem porarily heaped tho hideous pile of corpses bohindtho walls of tho tower; how thoy loft tho treasure still hiding in tho woll; how, when morning and tho "Namovna" came, thoy lay lolling about on tho sands, smoking und chatting ns unconcernedly us if they had not passed n night of horror; how they satisfied tho captiiiii's questionings with tho remark that their universal condition nroso from 11 littlo tusalo with somo wandering vagabonds on shore; and then 'ferociously 'sat down" on till further quartos on his jnrt-"b.v the way, wo scared 'em well with those camion"; how Nobbitt und Fulrfnx cleverly improvised a hollduy at Tiuiglers for Mio entire crew, captain und all, much to tholr nmuzcmoiit; how, when tho meu tvoro woll ashore, the five horooa, nil alono, itcamod buck to tho towor, and how thoro thoy completed tho work begun by tho dead Matteo und his associates, und, too, with tho tools of tho latter I Haydeo's description of hor father's wealth fell far short of tho truth. Casks 1 Vs casks upon casks I conipletely filled Anil paoked nnd literally bursting with thousands a-iil &3us4r.ds of crisp silver and gold coins, long bars uT yellow bullion of tho purest of virgin goM, great slabs of rich, white, shining sllvir, box after box loaded and groaning wltlr diamonds boforo whoso brilliance thoso of Solomon's mines wore as colorless glass, jwarls, whoso opal luster would havo dimmed and mado palo thoso of Cleopatra, rubles, amethysts, gurnets, onyx-stones, opals, 11 thousand, yea! ton tunes a thousand priceless flashing gems of purest water I wealth that days of ceaseless countingcould scarcely cnumor utol Lastly, thoy found a golden, Jeweled cask et in which was a scroll whereon were written tla'60 wurdst... "To thee, Hn.rdce, my daughter, bequcntk I my own walt'i, increased by that of Mu ley A.1 Halef, tho last nnd greatest astrol oger, who was buried with his treasures; ovcry slnvo who took part in tho burial, being nt onco put to death by Ida mistress, with whom the secret died. Accident re vealed to mo his tomb. Thy riches will make theo n Princess." Casting tho corpses of tho dead fiallors down tho well, they sealed tho top with stono over which was again spread tho turf. Nebbitt had n private room on tho "Na movna" 111 which ho sometimes kept his val uables. Ho alono possessed tho key nnd never allowed any ono to enter. This was exactly suited for receiving fhf. treasures of tho well. And there they packed them, high and close, and lashed them securely down, to keep tho casks nnd boxes from lulling ubout in n storm; and, having mado nil fast, they shut tho door and Nebbitt turned tho look again and put tho key In I1L1 safe. When tho seamen came aboard once mora from tho streete of Tnnglers they exhibited grentcurioslty over tho last strange freakof ' their master nnd his guests. Whoever heard of giving n holiday to all your crow and run ning off with your own steam yachO Their sharp eyes sought evidenco for its cause, but found none (and it was many n long day ere the Tangicrs trip ceased to bo their favorite touU of conversation).. they all foil to wcrk, and, at nightfall, Tangicrs waa far bohiud. it c In nn upper chamber of Cragie Castlo sit Lydin and Natalie, busied with their needles. -Both have been silent for soma time, ns both nre deep in thought. A maid enters quietly nnd hands a note to Lyilia. ln an instant the hot blood mounts to kct face, mid in nil instant, too, It goes. Sho looks up at tho girl with a nod and goes on with her work. By and by sho glance j hnaUlyaud furtively nt Natalie, who ap pears to bo atill deeply absorbed in hor fancy-work. Then she rises and steaS soft ly out of tho room on tlptoe,0uiuuiticed by the Princess; returning soon to the foot of B . II I. 1 " . T J t a . w vfTr-" few" lmTUUNlNO SOON TO TUB voot or. Tni sTAir.s. tho stairs, her face n trifle pal'onu'd h'cr lip' nervously working. With a streng-ofTort sho controls herself and calls out, hi ordi nary tones: "O Natalie, just stop do.w.n into tho con servatory a moment, will you.) I havo. some thing I want to show you." A rustle of robes i3hcar.don'th'cistnlr.wny, a light step echoes dow.n tho long luUI.-tha curtains 111:0 pulled npar.t and- n slight; hasty er.y ulngs momontnKll.y thnougli tn'a coiwldor.s and quickly dies away. Wiliat Is IW o Lydla-lias pifased out Into tho garden whore itho and lonnu Faliifax-walkloisur.eIy up nnd down between tho autumn fl'o.wers, gold'eu brig-ht, uud she listens to tho wondeiif-ul tulo of the-sear.ch for Haydeo's Hidden tr.i'ti3Ure und Mint last drcad-f-ul fight on I'liO'Siinda of- Mhi:occo. A-ud, whilo shu listens mono ami more sho sees tho re senrblnnco between tho two brothers only tbjit IOuna is darker and more quiot, almost, shy in manner; for ho has not that eager, nervous look of his brother, that look that suggests a restless, almost unhappy spirit mid more mid more sho grows to like his. gentle, low-toned voico nnd mild, yet in- e telllgcntoye. And deeper and deeper in lovu with his beautiful companion fulls thu hitherto unimprcBslonublo Dana. Just us they near tho conservatory door, it opens and down tho stops como Nat alie and Arthur, ami 011 tho Princess' finger shines tho signet-ring of Haydeo and around. her.ueck gleams tho uecklaco of pearls and tho soft light of lovo Is in her eyos. Thus thoy stroll up tho long, broad walk, thoso happy four, two by two, arm in arm, and whoro yondor noblo oak spreads iu gnarled and leafy brunches, they slowly turn and so pas 3 out of sight. Tim i:n'. Hi) Viui( it to Talk. "Nico day," oxclalmed tho littlo red headed man who entered tho street-car, nnd took a scat bo3ido a fat, morose, Teu ton. Tho fut man scowls nt tho littlo rcd-had-cd man, but remains silent. " Cooler than it waa," remarks tho little, man, presently. This sentiment tho fat man decided to re sent, and taking out his handkerchlof, re moves his hat, disclosing 11 bald head, mops tho perspiration from Ills brow, whilo lio says : "I hof my 'pinions oof a vcllor votdolds a great big liu like dot." "What is tho matter with your heudl" continues tho rcd-hcuded man, "haven't you any hair down your way I" "Yah, blenty red hair," Bald tho fat Teu ton," but doy use him iill oopmlt somo IltMo plamo vools before I don't got any," Tho red-headed man subsided. J.Dllliur-Wo, Oulluunr." Court What Is your namol Prisoner-William Oallogor, sorr. Court Yon aro accused-with killing: a man. What havo you to say for yourself. Prisoner Suah, 'twas an onlntiiitlonal caso av sllf-doilnse, yur honor, so ut was. Court How can thut hoi Prisoner Woll, yo see, sorr, tha corpo Illvln bliss him I ho struk mo foir.it, uorr, so 'o did, nn' Ol'd tha goon 'n my hund, just for tor intimidate him, sorr. An may Ol niver stop off tha stuud uv soom blackguard in tho crowd didn't yoll: "Lotthur-go, Gal lager." an' an' an' Ol lotthur go, sorr, tad.scruu tcr mo. 'onoinlzliiK Tot'uaiotlve Fuel. The nailroadQazctte estimates that tbet wero atwut 000,000,000 train miles of railway in tho United States In 1637, and by taking aa train miles aa accounting for tho burning ' 0110 ton of coal, tho conclusion is reached that, tho railways of tho country consumed about? 1,000,000 tons of coal in 18S7. As but S per cent, or thereabout of tho jwwer stored in tho coal is utilized In hauling a train, th opportunity for economy may bo noted at a glance. Tills field promise to bo an import ant ono in tho matter of study on tbo iart e hoods of motivo power dcpartm&nts ou U railways of tho couutry. Bradstreet's.