182
CHAPTER XIX. ALVAREZ LAZARO. 192
CHAPTER XX. THE AVENGER. 200
CHAPTER XXI. THE FIRST STROKE. 208
CHAPTER XXII. THE SECOND STROKE. 217
CHAPTER XXIII. OLD SPOONER. 226
CHAPTER XXIV. THE FLAMES DO THEIR WORK. 239
CHAPTER XXV. THE PATIENT AND THE VISITOR. 246
CHAPTER XXVI. A SURPRISE FOR FIVE THUGS. 258
CHAPTER XXVII. A DUEL OF EYES. 269
CHAPTER XXVIII. AT NIAGARA FALLS. 284
CHAPTER XXIX. IN CONSTANT PERIL. 300
CHAPTER XXX. THE END OF PORFIAS DEL NORTE. 306

FRANK MERRIWELL'S PURSUIT.

CHAPTER I.

THE OATH OF DEL NORTE.

Rain had ceased to fall, but the night was intensely dark, with a raw,
cold wind that penetrated to one's very bones.

Shortly after nightfall three men crossed the east branch of the Ausable
River and entered the little settlement of Keene.

Of the three only one was mounted, and he sat swaying in the saddle,
seeming to retain his position with great difficulty.

The two men on foot walked on either side of the horse, helping to
support the mounted man. At intervals they encouraged him with words.

A few lights gleamed from the windows of Keene. Before a cottage door
the trio halted, and one of the men on foot knocked on the door.

A few moments later a man appeared with a lighted lamp in his right
hand, shading his eyes with his left as he peered out into the darkness.

"Who are you?" he gruffly asked, "and what do you want?"

"We want a surgeon or a doctor as soon as we can find one," answered the
man at the door. "One of our party has been wounded by accident, and we
wish to have his wound dressed."

"Another city sportsman shot for a deer, eh?" said the man in the
doorway, with a touch of scorn in his voice. "It's the same old story."

"Yes, the same old story," acknowledged the man at the door. "He may die
from the wound if we do not find a doctor very soon."

"There's no doctor nearer than Elizabethtown."

"Is there none in this place?"

"No."

"How far is Elizabethtown?"

"Twenty-five miles."

"How is the road?"

"It might be worse--or it might be better. You can't follow it
to-night."

"We must. This is a case of life or death. See here, my friend, if you
will help us out we will make it worth your while. We will pay you well.
Have you any whisky in the