e the reward offered for his capture."

"You ought to get it. You delivered him over to the authorities. If they
could not keep him that was their own lookout."

"You ought to be right, lad. I hope you are. Who is this man?"

"My Indian friend, who proved to be a friend in need. It was he who saved
me from John Fox."

"I am proud to know you," said Luke, grasping the hand of the red warrior.
"If you have helped Ernest you are my friend."

"He save my little boy; I will always be his friend."

"You have saved my boy, my Indian friend, and you will always be my
friend," returned Luke.

"Well, Luke, what shall we do? I have done my errand and delivered the
bonds."

"We will go back. I have found you and have no more to do here."

"Shall we walk?"

"No, it is too far. There is a stable a little way from here; I will hire
a conveyance and our Indian friend will perhaps be willing to drive us
over."

The Indian expressed his willingness, and the three were soon on their way
through the woods. They met with no adventure, nor did they fear any, for
it would have required a brave man to attack two such stalwart men as the
Indian and the Quaker detective.

Leaving them for the present, we will go back to the cave from which
Ernest had made so unceremonious a departure.

Frank slept for two hours, but at length opened his eyes, expecting to see
Ernest sitting at his bedside.

He looked in vain. There was no one in the room. This did not surprise him
much, however. He thought Ernest might have gone into the next apartment.

"Ernest!" he cried, but his call received no response.

The little boy got out of bed and looked about, but his search was vain.

So he went into the kitchen, where he found Juba engaged in some domestic
work.

"Juba," he said, "where is Ernest?"

"I don't know, chile. Isn't he in the big room?"

"No, Juba. I went to sleep and when I woke up he was gone."

"You look round and maybe you find him."

But Frank was doomed to disappointment. He sat down ready to cry. He felt
very lonely. He had not realized how much he enjoyed Ernest's company.

"I don't know where he can have gone, Juba. Do you think he's gone and
left me?"

"I can't tell, chile. Wait till your papa comes home. He will find him."

Frank had to wait an hour and a half before his father's return. All this
time he was buoyed up by the hope that Ernest would come back. He was
continually watching the portal to see if the r