rnest.

Directly in his path was a projecting root which in his haste escaped his
notice. He tripped over it, and as a natural consequence he measured his
length on the ground.

The outlaw's face lighted up with exultation. Now the issue was no longer
doubtful.

Before Ernest could recover himself and rise to his feet John Fox was upon
him.

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 known
that you could not escape."

"I came near it, though," gasped Ernest, quite out of breath. "Let me
up."

"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 was
thrust 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. He
found himself confronted by a tall, muscular Indian, whom Ernest also
recognized 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 Quaker
detective.

The only answer made by the Indian was to produce a revolver, which he
pointed 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. He
began to remonstrate.

"What interest have you in that boy?" he asked.

"He save my little boy from drowning," answered the Indian. "Will you go
or shall me shoot?"

There was but one answer to make to this question. John Fox turned about
and 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 the
Emmonsville bank.

"I am going to ask you a favor," he asked.

"What