"I am going to ask you a favor," he asked. "What is it?" "I want you to go with me to the bank at Lee's Falls. I have a package of bonds to carry there, and I don't think it safe to go alone. I will see that you are paid for your time and trouble." "I will go." Under the guidance of his Indian friend, Ernest reached Lee's Falls. The bank was closed, but the cashier was still in the bank building, having been detained after hours. Seeing him through the window, Ernest knocked and obtained admission. "The bank is closed, young man," said the bank officer. "I know it, but I have a package of bonds from the bank in Emmonsville. I hope you will take them from me, for I don't want the responsibility of them any longer." "Oh, you are the young messenger. We had advice that you would be here yesterday." "So I should have been, but for my capture by one of the Fox brothers." "And how did you escape?" asked the wondering cashier. "Please take the bonds, and I will tell you. I spent two nights in the outlaws' cave. This afternoon I managed to get away." "But were not the bonds taken from you?" "Yes, but I recovered them." Ernest, without waiting for further questions, told the story as briefly as possible. "So, after all," he concluded, "I should have been taken again but for my friend here," laying his hand upon the Indian's shoulder. "I told him you would pay him for his trouble in accompanying me." "So I will," said the cashier, and he took a five-dollar bill and tendered it to the Indian. The latter objected to taking it, alleging that Ernest had saved his boy's life, but the cashier overruled his objections, and he accepted it. They were going out of the bank when the familiar figure of Luke Robbins came up the street. His face was overspread by an expression of anxiety, and he seemed troubled. He had searched everywhere for Ernest, and thus far had failed to find him. When he saw the boy emerging from the bank his face changed at once. "So you are safe, Ernest? I thought I had lost you," he exclaimed. "Did you see anything of the outlaws?" "I should say that I did. I was captured by James Fox, and confined two nights in the underground haunt of the robbers. When I escaped this afternoon I fell into the clutches of the other brother." "What! John Fox?" "Yes." "This cannot be, Ernest. I lodged him myself in Crampton jail." "All I can tell you is that he is at liberty now. He must have escaped." "Then I am afraid I shan't receive 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 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."