tand. 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 writer
was an outlaw, deeply stained with crime; but this letter showed him at
his best. Paternal love softened the harsh outlines of his character, and
spoke of a nature that might have made him a blessing instead of a curse
to 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," he
remarked.

"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 as
possible. Can you recommend a satisfactory boarding school?"

"I have a son at school in Lincoln. The school is under the charge of a
clergyman, who is an efficient teacher."

"Can you arrange to enter Frank at hi