GIVEN IN TRUST
"Well, lad, have you had enough of Emmonsville?"
The speaker was Luke Robbins and the time was two days after the series of
exciting incidents recorded in the last few chapters.
"Why do you ask, Luke?" replied Ernest. "Are you tired of it?"
"Yes, lad, I want to move on."
"But what about the reward you are entitled to for the capture of John
Fox?"
"The cashier thinks I will only receive a part of it, as Fox has
escaped."
"That is unlucky. You will have to wait until the matter is decided, won't
you?"
"No. He has offered me an advance of a hundred dollars, and is authorized
to collect whatever prize money may be awarded to me. You have some money
left?"
"Yes, about seventy-five dollars."
"Then we both have enough to start on. I propose to go to California by
train, getting there as soon as possible. When we reach there we will see
what we can do to increase our pile."
"I like that plan. When shall we go?"
"We will start on Monday."
Before they departed there was some sensational news. Peter Longman, one
of the Fox band, taking offense at some slight put upon him by James Fox,
went to the authorities and revealed the existence and location of the
cave, with other information of a like nature. The result was that a
strong force was sent to surprise and capture the notorious outlaws.
The visit was made at night and under guidance of Peter himself. Wholly
unsuspicious of treachery, the outlaws were captured in their beds and the
valuable articles in the storeroom were confiscated.
James Fox was reclining on the sofa when the officers entered.
"Is your name Fox?" asked the leader of the invading party.
"Yes," answered the outlaw proudly.
"Then you are my prisoner."
"Who has betrayed me?" demanded Fox quickly.
There was no answer, but just behind the invading party the outlaw caught
sight of Peter Longman, apparently trying to screen himself from
observation.
"I need not ask," he said. "There is the treacherous hound. He shall not
live to profit by his baseness."
Before anyone could interfere James Fox leveled his revolver at Longman,
and a sharp scream showed that his aim was true. His treacherous follower
fell to the ground, mortally wounded.
James Fox looked at him disdainfully, then threw the revolver upon the
floor of the cave and held out his hands. "Now bind me if you will," he
said; "I am your captive."
Little Frank was a terrified witness of this scene.
"What are they doing to you, papa?" he asked. "They are bad men."
In spite of his fortitude the outlaw showed traces of emotion. "That is my
little son," he said to the lieutenant commanding.
"He shall be taken care of. Do not be anxious about him."
"There is an old colored woman here--Juba," went on the outlaw. "The boy
is used to her. If possible let them be together."
Under a strong guard the famous robbers were carried to jail, and the cave
which had been for years their meeting place was dismantled and was never
again used for a criminal resort.
When Ernest read the story his feelings were mixed. He rejoiced that the
outlaws were taken, but he felt a sympathy for little Frank, and
understood what a shock it must be to the father and son to be separated.
He learned where Frank was and called upon him. He had been taken to his
own home by the leader of the raiding force.
When he entered the room where Frank sat disconsolately at the window the
little fellow uttered a cry of joy.
"Is it you, Ernest?" he said, running forward. "I thought I should never
see you again."
Ernest stooped over and kissed him.
"You see I am here," he said.
"What made you go away? Why didn't you tell me you were going?"
"I will tell you some time, Frank."
"Why did those bad men take papa away?"
"I do not think you would understand. Where is Juba?"
"She is in the kitchen. I will call her."
Juba came in and seemed pleased to see Ernest.
"I have got a letter for you, honey," she said, fumbling in her pocket.
She brought out a yellow envelope. It was directed to Ernest.
The contents ran thus:
Now that misfortune has come upon me my chief thought is for my boy.
Whatever befalls me I want him cared for. You are scarcely more than
a stranger to me, but when you were in the cave you seemed to love
Frank. Poor boy, he will stand in need of some friend who loves him.
So far as you can, will you be his friend and guardian? He has some
property--a few thousand dollars--which you will hold in trust for
him. It is not stolen property. It was left him by his mother.
Call upon Mr. Samuel Hardy, a lawyer in Lee's Falls, and he will make
over to you the custody of the money, and look upon you as the
authorized guardian of Frank. You know my wish that he should be sent
to a good school and properly educated. Will you carry out my wishes
in that respect? I do not wish to tie you down, but wherever you may
go keep up an active interest in my boy, and from time to time write
to him.
I do not know what my fate may be. I am not a coward, and shall not
complain or beg for mercy. When you speak of me to Frank in after
years, always paint me at my best, and let him understand that at
least I loved him.
James Fox.
P.S.--Should Frank die before maturity I desire that his property
should go to you.
Ernest read the foregoing with mingled feelings. He knew that the writer
was an outlaw, deeply stained with crime; but this letter showed him at
his best. Paternal love softened the harsh outlines of his character, and
spoke of a nature that might have made him a blessing instead of a curse
to his kind.
Ernest lost no time in communicating with Mr. Hardy.
The lawyer read the letter in some surprise.
"Mr. Fox seems to have appointed a young guardian for his son," he
remarked.
"Yes, sir; but he appeared to have no choice."
"I am ready to assist you, however."
"I will depend upon you, then, for I shall start for California as soon as
possible. Can you recommend a satisfactory boarding school?"
"I have a son at school in Lincoln. The school is under the charge of a
clergyman, who is an efficient teacher."
"Can you arrange to enter Frank at his school?"
"I will do so, if you authorize me."
"I don't think we can do any better. Were you aware that Mr. Fox was the
notorious outlaw?" asked Ernest, after a pause.
"I did not know, but latterly I have suspected it. You may be surprised
that under the circumstances I should have consented to serve him. But I
felt that I might be of assistance to the boy, and that my refusal would
occasion him embarrassment. Your letter is satisfactory, as showing that
the fortune of your ward is not made up of ill-gotten gains. Were it
otherwise, he would hardly be allowed to keep it. Does Frank know his
father's character and reputation?"
"I don't think so."
"It had best be kept from him. I will see that it does not become known at
school. It would wound the boy to be twitted with it by his schoolmates."
Thanks to Mr. Hardy, Ernest found that the new charge imposed upon him
would not materially interfere with his plans. A week later than he had
originally intended he and Luke Robbins left Emmonsville.
As they rushed rapidly over the prairies, Luke Robbins turned to his young
companion and said: "Our journey thus far has been adventurous. I wonder
what lies before us."
"We won't trouble ourselves on that score, Luke. I feel hopeful."
"So do I, and yet we have less than two hundred dollars between us."
"That's true."
"Still, I have captured an outlaw, and you at the age of sixteen are the
guardian of an outlaw's son."
"I don't think we shall meet with anything stranger than that."
Two days later, in a newspaper bought at an important station, there was
an article that deeply interested both travelers. It related to the Fox
brothers, recounting their daring attempt to escape from the jail where
they were confined. John Fox got away, but James was shot dead by one of
the prison guards.
So Frank was an orphan, and Ernest now felt that his responsibility was
increased.