is it?"

"I want you to go with me to the bank at Lee's Falls. I have a package of
bonds to carry there and I don't think it safe to go alone. I will see
that you are paid for your time and trouble."

"I will go."

Under the guidance of his Indian friend Ernest reached Lee's Falls. The
bank was closed, but the cashier was still in the bank building, having
been detained after hours. Seeing him through the window, Ernest knocked
and 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. I
hope you will take them from me, for I don't want the responsibility of
them any longer."

"Oh, you are the young messenger. We had advice that you would be here
yesterday."

"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 the
outlaws' 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 briefly
as possible.

"So, after all," he concluded, "I should have been taken again but for my
friend here," laying his hand upon the Indian's shoulder. "I told him you
would pay him for his trouble 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 clouded 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 haunts 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 receiv