[Illustration] Frank Merriwell’s Chase OR _EXCITING TIMES AFLOAT_ By BURT L. STANDISH -------------------------------------------------- Author of “Frank Merriwell’s School Days,” “Frank Merriwell’s Chums,” “Frank Merriwell’s Foes,” “Frank Merriwell’s Trip West,” etc. Publisher’s Logo -------------------------------------------------- _STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS_ 238 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK CITY [Illustration] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright, 1898 By STREET & SMITH ———— Frank Merriwell’s Chase ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FRANK MERRIWELL’S CHASE. ------- CHAPTER I THE RECEPTION AT BELFAST. “Das vas Pelvast,” said Hans. “Yes,” nodded Frank, who was at the wheel of the _White Wings_, “that is Belfast, ‘the home of fair women, brave men and Strainer’s Sarsaparilla.’” Frank Merriwell, the great Yale athlete, was cruising off the Maine coast, during this vacation in his yacht, the _White Wings_. He had with him four of his friends—Bart Hodge, Bruce Browning, Jack Diamond and Hans Dunnerwust. “How do you knew so much apout him?” asked the Dutch boy. “Why, there it is in glaring letters on that big advertising board that has been placed where it can be read almost anywhere here in the harbor.” “Vale, I didn’t seen dot. I don’d vant no sarsbarillas, und I don’d gif a cend vor der prafe men, but I don’d mind if you took a look der peautiful girls at.” “They say we shall see plenty of them here,” smiled Merry. “Belfast is famous for them. No city of its size in the State of Maine can compare with it for pretty girls and beautiful women, if the report is true.” “Vot peen der madder mit Shack Ti’mond?” chuckled Hans, calling attention to the Virginian. “He don’d seem to took some interests dose peautiful girls in.” “Haw!” grunted Bruce Browning. “He is thinking of the girl he left behind him—at Bar Harbor.” “Vale, Baula Penjamin vos a beach,” admitted the Dutch boy; “but there vos odders.” “You make me weary, Hans,” said Jack, irritated. “If you will close up a while I shall consider it a great favor.” “I don’t toldt you so!” squawked Dunnerwust. “You vos tochy, dot’s vot is der madder mit me! You nefer vos aple to took a shoke in my life.” “Your jokes are rather dense.” “I don’d knew vot you meant py dot.” “I didn’t suppose you would.”