in accompanying me."

"So I will," said the cashier, and he took a five-dollar bill and
tendered it to the Indian.

The latter objected to taking it, alleging that Ernest had saved his
boy's life, but the cashier overruled his objections, and he accepted
it.

They were going out of the bank when the familiar figure of Luke
Robbins came up the street. His face was overspread by an expression
of anxiety, and he seemed troubled. He had searched everywhere for
Ernest, and thus far had 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.
"Did you see anything of the outlaws?"

"I should say that I did. I was captured by James Fox, and confined
two nights in the underground haunt of the robbers. When I escaped
this afternoon 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
they could not keep him, that was their 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
saved me 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
_my_ friend," returned Luke.

"Well, Luke, what shall we do? I have done my errand and delivered the
bonds. I suppose I ought to go back to Emmonsville."

"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
hire a conveyance, and our Indian friend will perhaps be willing to
drive us over."

The Indian expressed his willingness, and the three were soon on their
way through the woods. They met with no adventure, nor did they fear
any, for it would have required a brave man to attack two such
stalwart persons as the Indian and the Quaker detective.

Leaving them for the present, we will go back to the cave from which
Ernest had made so unceremonious a departure.

Frank slept f