They flew over the ground, maintaining the same relative distance. Butthere was an unexpected contingency that worked to the disadvantage ofErnest.
Directly in his path was a projecting root which in his haste escaped hisnotice. He tripped over it, and as a natural consequence he measured hislength on the ground.
The outlaw's face lighted up with exultation. Now the issue was no longerdoubtful.
Before Ernest could recover himself and rise to his feet John Fox was uponhim.
He flung himself on the prostrate boy and clutched him in a firm grasp.
"Now I have you," he said. "You were a fool to run. You might have knownthat you could not escape."
"I came near it, though," gasped Ernest, quite out of breath. "Let meup."
"Will you promise to go with me without giving me any more trouble?"
"I will make no promises," said Ernest.
"Then it will be the worse for you," said the outlaw vindictively.
What he proposed to do must remain unknown, for as he spoke a hand wasthrust into his neckcloth and he was jerked violently to his feet.
CHAPTER XXII
CASTRO TO THE RESCUE
Bewildered and angry, John Fox looked to see who was his assailant. Hefound himself confronted by a tall, muscular Indian, whom Ernest alsorecognized as the man whose child he had saved from a watery grave.
"What do you mean by this outrage?" demanded the outlaw angrily.
"Why are you hurting him?" said the Indian, pointing to Ernest.
"Because I choose to."
"Me stop you," said the Indian calmly.
"I have a great mind to shoot you."
This was an empty threat, for his weapon had been taken by the Quakerdetective.
The only answer made by the Indian was to produce a revolver, which hepointed at the breast of the outlaw.
"Two play at that game," he answered.
John Fox shrank back, for it takes a man of nerve to face a revolver. Hebegan to remonstrate.
"What interest have you in that boy?" he asked.
"He save my little boy from drowning," answered the Indian. "Will you goor shall me shoot?"
There was but one answer to make to this question. John Fox turned aboutand walked quietly away without a word.
Ernest grasped the Indian's hand gratefully.
"I can't thank you enough," he said. "You have perhaps saved my life."
"You save my little boy."
"Do you know that man?"
"No."
"It was John Fox, one of the Fox brothers, the famous outlaws."
"Humph! I have heard of him. How did he catch you?"
Ernest told the story. He also told of the commission he had from theEmmonsville bank.
"I am going to ask you a favor," he asked.
"What is it?"
"I want you to go with me to the bank at Lee's Falls. I have a package ofbonds to carry there and I don't think it safe to go alone. I will seethat you are paid for your time and trouble."
"I will go."
Under the guidance of his Indian friend Ernest reached Lee's Falls. Thebank was closed, but the cashier was still in the bank building, havingbeen detained after hours. Seeing him through the window, Ernest knockedand obtained admission.
"The bank is closed, young man," said the bank officer.
"I know it, but I have a package of bonds from the bank in Emmonsville. Ihope you will take them from me, for I don't want the responsibility ofthem any longer."
"Oh, you are the young messenger. We had advice that you would be hereyesterday."
"So I should have been, but for my capture by one of the Fox brothers."
"And how did you escape?" asked the wondering cashier.
"Please take the bonds and I will tell you. I spent two nights in theoutlaws' cave. This afternoon I managed to get away."
"But were not the bonds taken from you?"
"Yes, but I recovered them."
Ernest, without waiting for further questions, told the story as brieflyas possible.
"So, after all," he concluded, "I should have been taken again but for myfriend here," laying his hand upon the Indian's shoulder. "I told him youwould pay him for his trouble in accompanying me."
"So I will," said the cashier, and he took a five-dollar bill and tenderedit to the Indian.
The latter objected to taking it, alleging that Ernest had saved his boy'slife, but the cashier overruled his objections and he accepted it.
They were going out of the bank when the familiar figure of Luke Robbinscame up the street. His face was clouded by an expression of anxiety andhe seemed troubled. He had searched everywhere for Ernest, and thus farhad failed to find him.
When he saw the boy emerging from the bank his face changed at once.
"So you are safe, Ernest? I thought I had lost you," he exclaimed. "Didyou see anything of the outlaws?"
"I should say that I did. I was captured by James Fox and confined twonights in the underground haunts of the robbers. When I escaped thisafternoon I fell into the clutches of the other brother."
"What! John Fox?"
"Yes."
"This cannot be, Ernest. I lodged him myself in Crampton jail."
"All I can tell you is that he is at liberty now. He must have escaped."
"Then I am afraid I shan't receive the reward offered for his capture."
"You ought to get it. You delivered him over to the authorities. If theycould not keep him that was their own lookout."
"You ought to be right, lad. I hope you are. Who is this man?"
"My Indian friend, who proved to be a friend in need. It was he who savedme from John Fox."
"I am proud to know you," said Luke, grasping the hand of the red warrior."If you have helped Ernest you are my friend."
"He save my little boy; I will always be his friend."
"You have saved my boy, my Indian friend, and you will always be myfriend," returned Luke.
"Well, Luke, what shall we do? I have done my errand and delivered thebonds."
"We will go back. I have found you and have no more to do here."
"Shall we walk?"
"No, it is too far. There is a stable a little way from here; I will hirea conveyance and our Indian friend will perhaps be willing to drive usover."
The Indian expressed his willingness, and the three were soon on their waythrough the woods. They met with no adventure, nor did they fear any, forit would have required a brave man to attack two such stalwart men as theIndian and the Quaker detective.
Leaving them for the present, we will go back to the cave from whichErnest had made so unceremonious a departure.
Frank slept for two hours, but at length opened his eyes, expecting to seeErnest sitting at his bedside.
He looked in vain. There was no one in the room. This did not surprise himmuch, however. He thought Ernest might have gone into the next apartment.
"Ernest!" he cried, but his call received no response.
The little boy got out of bed and looked about, but his search was vain.
So he went into the kitchen, where he found Juba engaged in some domesticwork.
"Juba," he said, "where is Ernest?"
"I don't know, chile. Isn't he in the big room?"
"No, Juba. I went to sleep and when I woke up he was gone."
"You look round and maybe you find him."
But Frank was doomed to disappointment. He sat down ready to cry. He feltvery lonely. He had not realized how much he enjoyed Ernest's company.
"I don't know where he can have gone, Juba. Do you think he's gone andleft me?"
"I can't tell, chile. Wait till your papa comes home. He will find him."
Frank had to wait an hour and a half before his father's return. All thistime he was buoyed up by the hope that Ernest would come back. He wascontinually watching the portal to see if the runaway would not come.
James Fox entered the room with grave face and heavy step. He had n
otheard of his brother's escape and thought him still an inmate of Cramptonjail.
He looked about for his young captive.
"Where is Ernest, Frank?" he asked.
"I don't know, papa. I miss him ever so much," said the little boytearfully.
"But he must be somewhere about. When did you miss him?"
"He went away when I was asleep."
The outlaw's suspicions were aroused.
"I will look for him," he said.
But Ernest was in none of the rooms.
"Did you walk with him into the interior of the cave, Frank?" he asked.
"Yes, papa."
"Ha, that explains it. Go with me and tell me just where you went."
The little boy led the way through the vacant apartments till he reachedthe one through which the light came from above.
The rope was still hanging from the projection, and this explainedErnest's escape.
"He must have got out this way," said the outlaw.
"Won't he come back, papa?" said Frank.
"Yes," said his father resolutely. "I will bring him back."
CHAPTER XXIII
GIVEN IN TRUST
"Well, lad, have you had enough of Emmonsville?"
The speaker was Luke Robbins and the time was two days after the series ofexciting incidents recorded in the last few chapters.
"Why do you ask, Luke?" replied Ernest. "Are you tired of it?"
"Yes, lad, I want to move on."
"But what about the reward you are entitled to for the capture of JohnFox?"
"The cashier thinks I will only receive a part of it, as Fox hasescaped."
"That is unlucky. You will have to wait until the matter is decided, won'tyou?"
"No. He has offered me an advance of a hundred dollars, and is authorizedto collect whatever prize money may be awarded to me. You have some moneyleft?"
"Yes, about seventy-five dollars."
"Then we both have enough to start on. I propose to go to California bytrain, getting there as soon as possible. When we reach there we will seewhat we can do to increase our pile."
"I like that plan. When shall we go?"
"We will start on Monday."
Before they departed there was some sensational news. Peter Longman, oneof the Fox band, taking offense at some slight put upon him by James Fox,went to the authorities and revealed the existence and location of thecave, with other information of a like nature. The result was that astrong force was sent to surprise and capture the notorious outlaws.
The visit was made at night and under guidance of Peter himself. Whollyunsuspicious of treachery, the outlaws were captured in their beds and thevaluable articles in the storeroom were confiscated.
James Fox was reclining on the sofa when the officers entered.
"Is your name Fox?" asked the leader of the invading party.
"Yes," answered the outlaw proudly.
"Then you are my prisoner."
"Who has betrayed me?" demanded Fox quickly.
There was no answer, but just behind the invading party the outlaw caughtsight of Peter Longman, apparently trying to screen himself fromobservation.
"I need not ask," he said. "There is the treacherous hound. He shall notlive to profit by his baseness."
Before anyone could interfere James Fox leveled his revolver at Longman,and a sharp scream showed that his aim was true. His treacherous followerfell to the ground, mortally wounded.
James Fox looked at him disdainfully, then threw the revolver upon thefloor of the cave and held out his hands. "Now bind me if you will," hesaid; "I am your captive."
Little Frank was a terrified witness of this scene.
"What are they doing to you, papa?" he asked. "They are bad men."
In spite of his fortitude the outlaw showed traces of emotion. "That is mylittle son," he said to the lieutenant commanding.
"He shall be taken care of. Do not be anxious about him."
"There is an old colored woman here--Juba," went on the outlaw. "The boyis used to her. If possible let them be together."
Under a strong guard the famous robbers were carried to jail, and the cavewhich had been for years their meeting place was dismantled and was neveragain used for a criminal resort.
When Ernest read the story his feelings were mixed. He rejoiced that theoutlaws were taken, but he felt a sympathy for little Frank, andunderstood what a shock it must be to the father and son to be separated.
He learned where Frank was and called upon him. He had been taken to hisown home by the leader of the raiding force.
When he entered the room where Frank sat disconsolately at the window thelittle fellow uttered a cry of joy.
"Is it you, Ernest?" he said, running forward. "I thought I should neversee you again."
Ernest stooped over and kissed him.
"You see I am here," he said.
"What made you go away? Why didn't you tell me you were going?"
"I will tell you some time, Frank."
"Why did those bad men take papa away?"
"I do not think you would understand. Where is Juba?"
"She is in the kitchen. I will call her."
Juba came in and seemed pleased to see Ernest.
"I have got a letter for you, honey," she said, fumbling in her pocket.
She brought out a yellow envelope. It was directed to Ernest.
The contents ran thus:
Now that misfortune has come upon me my chief thought is for my boy. Whatever befalls me I want him cared for. You are scarcely more than a stranger to me, but when you were in the cave you seemed to love Frank. Poor boy, he will stand in need of some friend who loves him. So far as you can, will you be his friend and guardian? He has some property--a few thousand dollars--which you will hold in trust for him. It is not stolen property. It was left him by his mother.
Call upon Mr. Samuel Hardy, a lawyer in Lee's Falls, and he will make over to you the custody of the money, and look upon you as the authorized guardian of Frank. You know my wish that he should be sent to a good school and properly educated. Will you carry out my wishes in that respect? I do not wish to tie you down, but wherever you may go keep up an active interest in my boy, and from time to time write to him.
I do not know what my fate may be. I am not a coward, and shall not complain or beg for mercy. When you speak of me to Frank in after years, always paint me at my best, and let him understand that at least I loved him.
James Fox.
P.S.--Should Frank die before maturity I desire that his property should go to you.
Ernest read the foregoing with mingled feelings. He knew that the writerwas an outlaw, deeply stained with crime; but this letter showed him athis best. Paternal love softened the harsh outlines of his character, andspoke of a nature that might have made him a blessing instead of a curseto his kind.
Ernest lost no time in communicating with Mr. Hardy.
The lawyer read the letter in some surprise.
"Mr. Fox seems to have appointed a young guardian for his son," heremarked.
"Yes, sir; but he appeared to have no choice."
"I am ready to assist you, however."
"I will depend upon you, then, for I shall start for California as soon aspossible. Can you recommend a satisfactory boarding school?"
"I have a son at school in Lincoln. The school is under the charge of aclergyman, who is an efficient teacher."
"Can you arrange to enter Frank at his school?"
"I will do so, if you authorize me."
"I don't think we can do any better. Were you aware that Mr. Fox was thenotorious outlaw?" asked Ernest, after a pause.
"I did not know, but latterly I have suspected it. You may be surprisedthat under the circumstances I should have consented to serve him. But Ifelt that I might be of assistance to the boy, and that my refusal wouldoccasion him embarrassment. Your letter is satisfactory, as s
howing thatthe fortune of your ward is not made up of ill-gotten gains. Were itotherwise, he would hardly be allowed to keep it. Does Frank know hisfather's character and reputation?"
"I don't think so."
"It had best be kept from him. I will see that it does not become known atschool. It would wound the boy to be twitted with it by his schoolmates."
Thanks to Mr. Hardy, Ernest found that the new charge imposed upon himwould not materially interfere with his plans. A week later than he hadoriginally intended he and Luke Robbins left Emmonsville.
As they rushed rapidly over the prairies, Luke Robbins turned to his youngcompanion and said: "Our journey thus far has been adventurous. I wonderwhat lies before us."
"We won't trouble ourselves on that score, Luke. I feel hopeful."
"So do I, and yet we have less than two hundred dollars between us."
"That's true."
"Still, I have captured an outlaw, and you at the age of sixteen are theguardian of an outlaw's son."
"I don't think we shall meet with anything stranger than that."
Two days later, in a newspaper bought at an important station, there wasan article that deeply interested both travelers. It related to the Foxbrothers, recounting their daring attempt to escape from the jail wherethey were confined. John Fox got away, but James was shot dead by one ofthe prison guards.
So Frank was an orphan, and Ernest now felt that his responsibility wasincreased.