"Weren't you glad to be free?" asked Ernest. "No, honey, we didn't know where to go nor what to do. We'd allus had some one to look after us, but now there wasn't anybody." "Were you married, Juba?" "Yes, but I don't know whether my ole man is livin' or not. He was sold down in Georgie to a cousin of ole massa." "Then he may be living yet?" "Yes, honey." "How old are you, Juba?" asked Frank. "I don't know, chile. I's powerful old. S'pecs I's a hundred." Ernest smiled. "No, Juba," he said, "you are not nearly a hundred. You may be sixty." "Juba, did you ever hear about Uncle Tom?" "Yes, chile, I knew Uncle Tom," was the unexpected reply. "He was raised on Mr. Jackson's place next to ours." Ernest asked some question about this Uncle Tom, but learned, as he expected, that it was quite a different person from the negro immortalized by Mrs. Stowe. In looking over Frank's books Ernest found an old copy of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and taking it down he read some portions, particularly those relating to Topsy. Both Frank and Juba were very much entertained. "Did you know Topsy, Juba?" asked Frank. "No, chile, never knowed Topsy. She must have been a no-account young nigga. If she'd lived on our plantation she'd have got flogged for her impudence." "How did you come here, Juba?" asked Frank. "One of them officers took me to Chicago. I lived out with a lady, but when she died, I went to a 'telligence office and there I met your papa. He brought me out here. I didn't at first like livin' down under the ground, but I don't mind it now. Massa Fox treats me well, and I ain't no wish to change." This was the substance of what Juba had to communicate. The rest of the day passed quietly. At nightfall James Fox came home, looking very sober. But he came alone. CHAPTER XX ERNEST EXPLORES THE CAVE James Fox had very little to say during the evening. He was evidently preoccupied and anxious and paid scant attention to the boys. Frank knew so little of his father's business or occupation that he could conceive of no cause for worriment. When his advances met with little response he asked: "Have you got a headache, papa?" "No--yes, child. My head troubles me some. Be as quiet as you can." "Will it disturb you if I play checkers with Ernest, papa?" "No, I should like to have you amuse yourself," answered the outlaw. He directed the boys to go to bed early. They slept together and he threw himself on the lounge without taking off his clothes. Ernest slept well. When he woke up at eight o'clock he saw that Frank was still sleeping, but his host was already up. Juba came into the room. "Get up, children," she said. "Breakfast is ready." "Where is papa?" asked Frank. "He took breakfast an hour ago, honey." "What made him get up so early?" "'Portant business called him away." "Where's Uncle John?" "He hasn't been home." "Has he got 'portant business too?" "'Specs he has, honey."