ok hands with him gravely and turned back toward his cabin.

All this had taken time. Ernest had no watch with him, but he estimated
that the adventure had cost him two hours. However, he had saved a boy's
life.

Again he had made a friend. The friend was an Indian, but Ernest was wise
enough to consider that no friend, however humble, is to be despised.

It was clear that he would reach his destination late, and he began to
wish that some carriage would overtake him in which he might ask for a
ride.

But he walked two miles farther without encountering any team. At last,
however, he heard the rumble of wheels, and turning round to see whether
there was room in the vehicle, he saw that it was a buggy driven by a
tall, thin man with dark hair, swarthy face and a long, aquiline nose.

The driver eyed Ernest sharply and brought the buggy to a standstill.

"Where are you going, boy?" he asked.

"To Lee's Falls."

"Where have you come from?"

"From Emmonsville."

"It is a long walk."

"Yes. Do you think you could give me a lift?"

"Perhaps so. Jump in."

Ernest lost no time in availing himself of the invitation.

"Where were you going in Lee's Falls?" he asked.

Ernest felt that it would be imprudent to mention that his destination was
the bank, so he answered guardedly, "I am going to see the town. I may
stop overnight."

"At the hotel?"

"Yes."

"It is not much of a place to see," said the driver, watching his
companion curiously.

"It is larger than Emmonsville, isn't it?"

"Yes. How long have you been in Emmonsville?"

"Not long."

"Where do you live there?"

"At Mrs. Larkins'."

"Do you go to school?"

"No."

Meanwhile the horse was traveling very slowly, and it seemed to Ernest
that he would go over the road quite as fast if he had continued to walk.
He began to think it was his turn to ask questions.

"Are you going all the way to Lee's Falls?" he asked.

"I may go nearly there."

"I am very much obliged to you for giving me a lift. I was quite tired."

The driver smiled.

"Perhaps I have an object," he said.

Ernest looked an inquiry.

"The pleasure of your company," explained his companion with a smile.

"Thank you," answered Ernest.

"Now I come to look at you, I think I have seen you before," continued the
driver.

"Where?"

"In Emmonsville--at the bank."

Ernest became alarmed. There was a significance in his companion's tone
which excited his alarm. But he di