The boy had turned around. He wanted to see what they meant to do, and a new dread seemed to be gripping him.
But when Max once again started forward, Bandy-legs, as if a little ashamed of his suspicion, kept him company.
Thus, following the uncouth little fellow closely, they began to pass through a very dense section of forest.
Max considered that since they were going to all this trouble in order to do a good deed, it might be as well to learn a few things.
Accordingly he quickened his pace, so that he drew up alongside Jim.
"What's your dad's name, Jim?" he asked.
The boy seemed to hesitate, as though even in his young mind he doubted the propriety of giving away family secrets.
"Calls hisself Tom Jones, mistah," he finally replied; but Max readily understood that the chances were the man had another name, which he did not like to own, as possibly it was connected with a prison sentence, or some crime.
However, Max did not allow himself to feel any sort of curiosity in this direction. It was enough for him to know that the unfortunate man had fallen upon evil days, and was lying there with a broken leg, perhaps even dying, and far removed from all doctors.
"We've seen signs around that made us think you were collecting these mussel shells," he went on.