The speaker was Luke Robbins and the time was two days after the series of exciting incidents recorded in the last few chapters. 103
“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.”
“No. He has offered me an advance of a hundred dollars, and is authorized4 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 sensational5 news. Peter Longman, one of the Fox band, taking offense6 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 outlaws7.
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 confiscated9.
James Fox was reclining on the sofa when the officers entered.
“Is your name Fox?” asked the leader of the invading party.
“Then you are my prisoner.”
“Who has betrayed me?” demanded Fox quickly.
There was no answer, but just behind the invading 104 party the outlaw caught sight of Peter Longman, apparently10 trying to screen himself from observation.
“I need not ask,” he said. “There is the treacherous11 hound. He shall not live to profit by his baseness.”
Before anyone could interfere12 James Fox leveled his revolver at Longman, and a sharp scream showed that his aim was true. His treacherous follower13 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 bind14 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 fortitude15 the outlaw showed traces of emotion. “That is my little son,” he said to the lieutenant16 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 dismantled17 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 disconsolately18 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. 105
“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.
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 guardian20? 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 Hardy21, a lawyer in Lee’s Falls, and he will make over to you the custody22 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.
Ernest read the foregoing with mingled24 feelings. He knew that the writer was an outlaw, deeply stained with crime; but this letter showed him at his best. Paternal25 love softened26 the harsh outlines of his character, and 106 spoke27 of a nature that might have made him a blessing28 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 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 embarrassment29. Your letter is satisfactory, as showing that the fortune of your ward1 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 adventurous30. I wonder what lies before us.” 107
“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.
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1
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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authorize
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| v.授权，委任；批准，认可 | |
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authorized
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| a.委任的，许可的 | |
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sensational
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| adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的 | |
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offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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7
outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
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outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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confiscated
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| 没收，充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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12
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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15
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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17
dismantled
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| 拆开( dismantle的过去式和过去分词 )； 拆卸； 废除； 取消 | |
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disconsolately
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| adv.悲伤地，愁闷地；哭丧着脸 | |
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fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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29
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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