"Then I am John Fox. You will not betray me?"

"No; certainly not. Can I do anything for you?"

"Yes; you are the guardian of my brother's child."

"Yes."

"Is he alive? Is he well?"

"Yes."

"Will you bring him here before I die?"

"I will. I cannot refuse the request of a dying man." Ernest brought Frank
to the bedside of his dying uncle. It was a sad interview. Frank was
moved, but John Fox, seeing him strong, handsome, robust, felt comforted.

"He at least has profited by the fate that overtook his father and myself.
I shall die content, for I leave him in good hands. Don't let him think
too hardly of us!"

"I will not. So far as I can compass it, his future life shall be happy."

The dying outlaw reached out his hand and pressed Ernest's gratefully. A
day later he was dead.

THE END

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Transcriber's Note: Bound with the preceeding book is an excerpt from
"Lincoln's Stories and Speeches," specifically from the chapter
"Early Life." As originally published, that material is included here.

How Lincoln Became a Captain.

In the threatening aspect of affairs at the time of the Black Hawk War,
Governor Reynolds issued a call for volunteers, and among the companies
that immediately responded was one from Menard County, Illinois. Many of
the volunteers were from New Salem and Clarey's Grove, and Lincoln, being
out of business, was first to enlist. The company being full, they held a
meeting at Richland for the election of officers. Lincoln had won many
hearts and they told him that he must be their captain. It was an office
that he did not aspire to, and one for which he felt that he had no
special fitness; but he consented to be a candidate. There was but one
other candidate for the office (a Mr. Kirkpatrick), and he was one of the
most influential men in the county. Previously, Kirkpatrick had been an
employer of Lincoln, and was so overbearing in his treatment of the young
man that the latter left him.

The simple mode of electing their captain, adopted by the company, was by
placing the candidates apart, and telling the men to go and stand with the
one they preferred. Lincoln and his competitor took their positions, and
then the word was given. At least three out of every four went to Lincoln
at once. When it was seen by those who had ranged themselves with the
other candidate that Lincoln was the