“I knew you would believe the truth when you heard it,” said the stranger. “You’re not going to turn me over to the law?”
“I believe you. I don’t blame you a bit,” said Jim. “Since I’m going to trust you, I may as well put this gun down. I am pretty relieved anyhow, because I forgot to load it.”
The man stared at Jim in amazement. “Captured by a boy with an unloaded rifle! I’m certainly a desperate criminal.”
Jim grinned. “I think you better stay right here for a while,” he said, taking charge. “I can feed you here and you are better hidden than at any place I can think of.”
“You found me,” pointed out the late captive dubiously.
“Well naturally,” said Jim scornfully. “This is my secret headquarters. No one else knows about it though. Besides, you haven’t seen half of it yet. If you’ll promise never to tell, I’ll show you everything.”
“You have the sacred word of Timothy Dinwiddie,” said the man solemnly.
“Follow me.”
Jim led the way to the hidden cave. He paused just outside the entrance.
“Don’t let anybody ever see you enter here.” He pushed back the bush covering the cave mouth. “I keep a flash light hanging here just inside the door.”