Transcriber’s Notes Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and punctuation remains unchanged. Italics are represented thus _italic_. FRANK READE, JR., IN CENTRAL AMERICA. The subscription Price of the FRANK READE LIBRARY by the year is $2.50: $1.25 per six months, post-paid. Address FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 34 and 36 North Moore Street. Box 2730. FRANK READE, JR., With His New Steam Man in Central America. By ‪“NONAME,” Author of “Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in No Man’s Land; or, On a Mysterious Trail,” etc., etc. CHAPTER I. A STRANGE STORY FROM YUCATAN. Frank Reade, Jr., the distinguished inventor of many wonderful machines, and particularly the new Steam Man, sat in his library one winter’s day reading a newspaper. His wife sat near him engaged in some light needle work. She looked up to see a peculiar expression upon her husband’s handsome face. ‪“Well, that is strange,” exclaimed Frank Reade, Jr., with a whistle of surprise. ‪“I am positive that is my old friend, Buckden, whom I knew at college. Upon my word, this breaks me all up.” ‪“What is it, Frank?” asked Mrs. Reade, with interest. ‪“Why, Tony Buckden, an old college mate of mine, it seems has turned his wits to mining engineering. This has taken him down to Central America, to Yucatan, and a cablegram has just been received in New York, stating that Tony had become separated from his party and lost in the jungle. For six weeks he was searched for in vain.” ‪“How terrible.” “It is more than likely that he has fallen a prey to wild beasts. Yet his father, the millionaire, Thomas Buckden, of New York, comes out with an offer of $50,000 to the person who will furnish positive proof that his son is alive, and bring him safely home.” ‪“That is a large reward,” ventured Mrs. Reade. ‪“I hope somebody will win it.” ‪“Poor Tony!” exclaimed Frank, with emotion. ‪“I declare I almost feel it my duty to go to his rescue.” ‪“What! leave home again so soon?” “Yet what is my duty, dear wife? It would seem that my dear friend’s life is at stake. Ought I not to sacrifice something to save him?” “What? You don’t really think of going yourself?” “I don’t know,” replied Frank, agitatedly pacing the floor. “I don’t see who else can go and stand the rigors of that climate, dare the dangers of the jungle, the wild beasts and natives, and succeed in rescuing Tony.” ‪“Are you sure that you can do it?” ‪“Ought I not to be reasonably sure? Have I not the Steam Man? Barney and Pomp I am sure would go with me.” ‪“I hope you will not be so foolish as to go.” ‪“I cannot say yet, my dear. I must satisfy myself completely that it is my duty. But I think I will walk down to the shop and see the Steam Man.”