"I am only ten."
"Are you going to get up, Frank?" asked his father.
"Yes," answered the young boy briskly. "I got sleepy because I was alone.Where did papa find you, Ernest?"
"Oh, I met him outside and he took me to ride."
James Fox looked approval of this answer.
"I am glad you came with him."
By this time Frank had slid from the bed and put his hand in Ernest's.
"Come here," he said, "and I will show you my books."
Led by his small companion Ernest went up to a bookcase which he had notbefore observed in the main room. About thirty books stood on theshelves.
"Where did you get your books?" he asked.
"Papa bought them for me in Minneapolis. Were you ever in Minneapolis?"
"No."
"It is a nice place. Sometimes I think I would like to live there insteadof here."
"You are not getting tired of home, are you, Frank?" asked his father halfreproachfully.
"No, papa, but it is lonely here sometimes. Am I to live here always?"
"No, Frank. Some time I will send you to school. But you won't see meevery day then."
"Then I don't want to go."
The outlaw stooped over and kissed the boy.
"Now, Frank, I have something to do, so you may amuse yourself withErnest."
"Can you play dominoes?" asked Frank.
"Yes; have you a set?"
"Yes."
The boy opened a drawer in a bureau and drew out a box of dominoes. Hepoured them out on the table and they began to play the ordinary game.When they tired of that Ernest taught him a new one.
After they grew tired of playing Ernest read aloud to the boy from one ofhis favorite books.
They were sitting together in the armchair when James Fox, who had leftthe room, returned. He smiled approvingly at the picture. He was pleasedto think that he had found a companion whom his boy liked.
"What have you been doing, Frank?" he asked.
"He has been reading to me, papa. He reads nicely and I liked it verymuch."
"I am sorry to interrupt you, but are not you young people hungry?"
"I think I could eat something," answered Ernest.
"Frank, you may bring him into the dining-room."
The drapery was lifted and they passed into a room as large as the onethey were in. On a table in the center a substantial meal, consistingprincipally of roast beef, was set forth. An old colored woman hoverednear, evidently the cook.
"Juba," said the outlaw, "this is a new boarder. His name is Ernest."
"Glad to see you, Massa Ernest," rejoined the old woman, nodding herturban. "Sit down here next to Massa Frank."
It seemed very strange to Ernest to reflect that he was the guest of oneof the famous outlaws of whom he had heard so much. He was half inclinedto doubt whether it was real. If he had been alone he would have pinchedhimself to see whether he was awake or dreaming. Here he was in the bowelsof the earth on intimate terms with an outlaw and his family. How long washe to stay in the cavern? That was a question impossible to answer.Meanwhile he was hungry and the dinner was well cooked.
"Where is Uncle John, papa?" asked Frank suddenly.
Ernest remembered that one of the Fox brothers was named John, and heawaited the answer with interest.
James Fox seemed busily thinking and Frank had to repeat the question.
"Your Uncle John?" repeated the outlaw. "He went away on business."
"What kind of business, papa?"
It was a natural question, but it startled James Fox. He saw that as hisson became older it might not be easy to evade embarrassing questions.
"You seem curious, Frank," he answered after a pause. "You wouldn'tunderstand if I were to tell you."
"Will you teach me your business some day, papa?"
It was on the tip of the outlaw's tongue to say, "Heaven forbid!" but heonly answered: "Wait till you are older, Frank. Then we will talk aboutit."
At length they rose from the table.
They went back to the main room and Ernest read a little more to the youngboy. But Frank's eyes grew heavy and he finally dropped off to sleep.
"Shall I lay him on the bed, Mr. Fox?" asked Ernest.
"No, I will do so."
He took the boy tenderly in his arms.
"If I had known he would fall asleep I would have undressed him," hesaid.
After placing the boy on the bed he resumed his seat in the armchair andbegan to smoke. Finally he looked over at Ernest.
"Do you like my little boy?" he asked abruptly.
"He is a dear little fellow," answered Ernest.
"So he is," said the father in a soft voice. "You have no prejudiceagainst him because he is my son?"
"No," answered Ernest. "Whatever you are he is not responsible."
"True, but all might not take that view of it. I don't know why I shouldspeak so confidentially to you, lad, but if I ever regret my line of lifeit is when I look at him. I wouldn't like to have his future marred by hisassociation with me. I wouldn't like people to turn from him because hewas an outlaw's son."
"I hope you will forgive my boldness," said Ernest, "but don't you thinkyou will ever change your mode of life?"
"It is too late; I am too well known. Yet who knows?" he said after apause.
At nine o'clock Juba entered the room.
"Has John returned?" asked the outlaw.
"No, massa."
A shade of anxiety overspread the outlaw's face.
"He should have been here before this," he said. Then looking at Ernest hesaid: "I am going out a while. Lie down on the bed with Frank and if hewakes up undress him."
"Yes, sir."
An hour later Frank and Ernest were sleeping peacefully side by side.
When Ernest awoke the next morning Frank was still asleep on the bedbeside him. In the large room adjoining, James Fox lay on the lounge. Hehad given up his bed to Ernest. He had not himself undressed, but hadthrown himself on the couch in his ordinary clothes.
Breakfast was ready by the time they were, and the three sat downtogether.
"Where is Uncle John, papa?" asked Frank.
"He has not returned, Frank," said James Fox, soberly.
"What made him stay away all night?"
"Probably it was business," answered the outlaw, but Ernest noticed thathe looked disturbed.
In truth he had been out till two o'clock seeking for his brother, who hefeared had got into trouble. We know that he was in the prison atCrampton, whither he had been conveyed by Luke Robbins and Ezekiel Mason.Of course it was in the mind of James Fox that his brother might have beenarrested, since this was a risk which he daily incurred.
Just as breakfast was over there was a new arrival. It was a tall,stalwart fellow whom James Fox addressed as Hugh.
"Do you bring any news, Hugh?" asked the outlaw eagerly.
"Yes," answered Hugh Humphries.
"Is it about John?"
Hugh glanced significantly at the two boys. Ernest he saw for the firsttime.
James Fox understood and followed Hugh out of the room.
"Well," he said inquiringly when they were out of hearing.
"Mr. John is in trouble," answered Hugh briefly.
"Go on," said James Fox. "Do you know where he is?"
"In Crampton jail."
"Go on. Give me the particulars."
"He was carried there by two persons."
"Who were they?"
"One I think was a farmer who lives in Claremont. The other seemed to be aQuaker."
"I don't remember any Quaker in this neighborhood. He must be a strangerhereabouts."
"I think I have seen him before."
"Where?"
"At the Emmonsville bank. I was passing there one day in disguise and,chancing to look in, I saw this man sitting on a bench near the payingteller's desk."
"Ah!" said James Fox, thoughtfully. "He may be a detective."
r /> "That is what I thought."
"That is bad news, but the jail at Crampton is not very strong. I havebeen confined there myself and made my escape. However, John will needassistance from the outside."
"I see you have a new boy," said Hugh curiously. "When did you pick himup?"
"Yesterday, a few miles from here. He is a bank messenger."
"From what bank?"
"The Emmonsville bank."
"Then he may know something of this Quaker detective?"
"Well suggested. I will question him."
CHAPTER XVIII
FOX'S BAND
When James Fox returned to the apartment where the boys were still seatedat the table he said: "Ernest, I should like to speak to you a minute."
Ernest followed him out of the room.
"Is there any person connected with the bank at Emmonsville who wears thedress of a Quaker?" began the outlaw.
Ernest hesitated a moment.
"Speak out, boy!" said Fox. "I must and will know."
"Yes, sir."
"Is he a detective?"
"He may act as such."
"Is he under pay at the bank?"
"I think he is."
"Do you know where he is now?"
"No."
"Was he at the bank when you left it yesterday afternoon?"
"No, sir."
"Do you know where he was?"
"I saw him ride away with a farmer."
James Fox and Hugh exchanged glances. Their suspicions were confirmed.
"Is he in any trouble?" asked Ernest, becoming a questioner in his turn.
"No. For aught I know he may be at the bank."
Ernest looked relieved and for two reasons. He was glad that Luke was notin trouble. Then he knew that when his disappearance was discovered Lukewould leave no stone unturned to rescue him. It was a comfort to thinkthat he had a powerful friend outside.
"That will do," said the outlaw. "You may return to Frank."
"How long are you going to keep me here?" asked Ernest anxiously.
"Are you tired of remaining with us?"
There was something in the outlaw's tone that savored of kindness. Ernestfelt that in some way he had ingratiated himself with him.
"I would like my freedom. I am not used to confinement," he said.
"Very natural. I cannot let you go just yet, but I will not allow you tobe harmed. Listen! I shall be away all day probably. Do what you can toamuse Frank."
"I will. I should be very lonely without him."
"That is a good boy, Hugh," said James Fox, as Ernest left them. "I shouldlike to keep him with us."
"Why don't you then?"
"I am afraid he would be unhappy."
"I never knew you to take such a liking to a boy before."
"I never have. Indeed I have seldom met any. All my dealings have beenwith men. But, Hugh, we must lose no time. We must try to rescue John. Itis no more than he would do for me if our cases were reversed."
"Very well, captain. I am ready to follow wherever you lead."
"I know that, Hugh. You have always been faithful to my brother andmyself."
"I always will be, captain," said Hugh, with a look of loyal devotion.
"I know it. I am sure that we have no better friend than Hugh Humphries."
"You only do me justice, captain. Will you forgive me if I saysomething?"
"Say what you please, Hugh."
"What you have said of me is just, but I don't think you can say it of allin the band."
"Is there anyone whom you suspect?"
"I don't take much stock in Peter Longman."
"I am afraid you are suspicious, Hugh."
"Not without cause. I have noticed some things about him that I don'tlike. I think he is quite capable of turning against you."
"I have never remarked anything of the sort, but I know you would notspeak without cause. Tell me what you want me to do."
"Only to be on your guard. Don't trust Peter as you trust me."
"I never have. And now have you any suggestions to make?"
"You might visit this farmer who helped the Quaker arrest your brother."
"It may be a good plan. Who is the farmer?"
"His name is Ezekiel Mason."
"I know where he lives. He is the last man I should suppose would becapable of such mischief."
"He could have done nothing without the Quaker's help."
"Very well, we will take the farm on the way. Still I don't know that weshall learn anything beyond what we already know."
Before leaving the cave they disguised themselves as farm workmen. In thisdress they approached the farmhouse, but there was something that divertedthem from their original purpose and led them to keep their distance.
Sitting on the portico was a tall man dressed as a Quaker.
"That's the man!" said Hugh quickly. "That's the man who drove up to thejail last evening with your brother."
James Fox looked at him closely.
"It is best to let sleeping dogs lie," he said. "We will push on to thejail."
CHAPTER XIX
LIVING WITH THIEVES
Meanwhile Ernest was left in the cave with Frank. He had been brought inblindfolded and was therefore ignorant as to the entrance or exit. Hethought he might, without arousing the boy's suspicion, seek informationfrom him on these points.
"Are there many rooms here, Frank?" he asked.
"Oh, a good many," answered the boy.
"Have you been in many?"
"I have been around with papa."
"I should like to go around," said Ernest. "Suppose we take a littlewalk."
The boy was quite ready to accept any suggestion from Ernest. So he tookhis hand and they went from the main room farther into the cavern.
Ernest found that only the portion near the entrance had been furnished.Beyond there was a large amount of empty space. Here and there a smalllight revealed trunks and boxes arranged without regard to regularity.These, Ernest conjectured, contained stolen articles which had accumulatedduring the years in which the dreaded outlaws had been a power and amenace in the neighborhood.
It occurred to him that he would like to open some of these boxes, but thecompanionship of the boy prevented.
He ventured to ask, however: "What is in those boxes, Frank?"
"I don't know. Something of papa's and Uncle John's."
As they kept on they reached parts of the cavern which were quite empty.The Fox brothers were in the position of householders who occupied a housetoo large for their needs.
By and by the lamps ceased and the portion farther on looked dark andgloomy.
"I am afraid to go any farther, Ernest."
"Why, Frank? What are you afraid of?"
"There may be wild animals there."
"But how could they live there?"
"I don't know, but papa told me there were some."
Ernest understood why the boy had been told this. It was to prevent hisgoing too far. But it made Ernest all the more eager to continue hisexplorations.
"Even if there were any wild animals I would protect you, Frank."
"But we may not find our way back. It is so dark," said the child with ashudder.
"I won't go farther. But, see, it seems to be lighter."
At a point fifty feet farther on, through a rift in the roof, a gleam oflight entered the cavern.
Ernest was anxious to trace this, for, as he judged, it came from someoutlet, through which he might possibly obtain deliverance.
"Stay where you are," he said. "I will just go forward and see what Ican."
"Don't stay long," entreated Frank nervously.
"No, I won't."
Ernest was just as well pleased to go forward alone, for if there werereally, as he supposed, an outlet, it was as well that Frank should nothave his attention drawn to it, lest he should speak of it to his fatherand so reveal the fact of their explorations. This might excite thesuspicion of James Fox and
put a stop to their further walks.
Continuing on alone, Ernest then saw, perhaps fifteen feet above him, anopening some three feet in diameter, through which he could obtain aglimpse of the clear sky above.
It made his heart beat with exultation and longing. There was freedom ifhe could only manage somehow to lift himself up to the outlet and make hisway through it.
"What is it, Ernest?" asked Frank.
"Oh, it is nothing," answered Ernest with studied indifference. "It isn'tanything you would care to see."
The little boy accepted this assurance, for he did not feel the interestthat excited Ernest.
"Let us go back," he said, as he resumed his clasp of Ernest's hand.
"Yes, we will go back. Have you ever been as far as this before?"
"No."
"Then we had better not say anything about it. Your papa might not likeit."
"All right, Ernest. Will you read to me when you go back?"
"Yes, Frank."
Ernest was glad to comply with the little boy's request, as he thought hemight in this way put the thoughts of their exploration out of his mind.
They were fortunate enough to get back without exciting the attention ofJuba, who was busy in the kitchen.
Her work, however, was soon over and she brought her sewing into the roomwhere the two boys were seated.
"Well, Massa Frank, what am you doing?"