Had the outlaw been aware that Ernest had in his possession the packet of bonds which had impelled his brother to make him a captive his zeal would have been increased. He knew, of course, that the bonds would be taken from him and he could conceive of no chance of the boy’s recovering them.
They flew over the ground, maintaining the same relative distance. But there was an unexpected contingency that worked to the disadvantage of Ernest.
Directly in his path was a projecting root which in his haste escaped his notice. He tripped over it, and as a natural consequence he measured his length on the ground.
The outlaw’s face lighted up with exultation. Now the issue was no longer doubtful.
Before Ernest could recover himself and rise to his feet John Fox was upon him.
He flung himself on the prostrate boy and clutched him in a firm grasp.
“Now I have you,” he said. “You were a fool to run. You might have known that you could not escape.”
“I came near it, though,” gasped Ernest, quite out of breath. “Let me up.”
“Will you promise to go with me without giving me any more trouble?”
“I will make no promises,” said Ernest.