下载辰思小说免费APP
inparticularCharactersFRECKLES，apluckywaifwhoguardstheLimberlosttimberleasesanddreamsofAngels。
THESWAMPANGEL，inwhomFreckles\'sweetestdreammaterializes。
MCLEAN，amemberofaGrandRapidslumbercompany，whobefriendsFreckles。
MRS。DUNCAN，whogivesmother-loveandahometoFreckles。
DUNCAN，headteamsterofMcLean\'stimbergang。
THEBIRDWOMAN，whoiscollectingcamerastudiesofbirdsforabook。
LORDANDLADYO\'MORE，whocomefromIrelandinquestofalostrelative。
THEMANOFAFFAIRS，brusqueofmanner，butbigofheart。
WESSNER，aDutchtimber-thiefwhowantsrascalitymadeeasy。
BLACKJACK，avillaintowhomthoughtofrepentancecomestoolate。
SEARS，campcook。
ContentsIWhereinGreatRisksAreTakenandtheLimberlostGuardIsHiredIIWhereinFrecklesProvesHisMettleandFindsFriendsIIIWhereinaFeatherFallsandaSoulIsBornIVWhereinFrecklesFacesTroubleBravelyandOpenstheWayforNewExperiencesVWhereinanAngelMaterializesandaManWorshipsVIWhereinaFightOccursandWomenShootStraightVIIWhereinFrecklesWinsHonorandFindsaFootprintontheTrailVIIIWhereinFrecklesMeetsaManofAffairsandLosesNothingbytheEncounterIXWhereintheLimberlostFallsuponMrs。DuncanandFrecklesComestotheRescueXWhereinFrecklesStrivesMightilyandtheSwampAngelRewardsHimXIWhereintheButterfliesGoonaSpreeandFrecklesInformstheBirdWomanXIIWhereinBlackJackCapturesFrecklesandtheAngelCapturesJackXIIIWhereintheAngelReleasesFreckles，andtheCurseofBlackJackFallsuponHerXIVWhereinFrecklesNursesaHeartacheandBlackJackDropsOutXVWhereinFrecklesandtheAngelTryTakingaPicture，andLittleChickenFurnishestheSubjectXVIWhereintheAngelLocatesaRareTreeandDineswiththeGangXVIIWhereinFrecklesOffersHisLifeforHisLoveandGetsaBrokenBodyXVIIIWhereinFrecklesRefusesLoveWithoutKnowledgeofHonorableBirth，andtheAngelGoesinQuestofitXIXWhereinFrecklesFindsHisBirthrightandtheAngelLosesHerHeartXXWhereinFrecklesReturnstotheLimberlost，andLordO\'MoreSailsforIrelandWithoutHimCHAPTERI
WhereinGreatRisksAreTakenandtheLimberlostGuardIsHiredFrecklescamedownthecorduroythatcrossesthelowerendoftheLimberlost。Ataglancehemighthavebeenmistakenforatramp，buthewastrulyseekingwork。Hewasintenselyeagertobelongsomewhereandtobeattachedtoalmostanyenterprisethatwouldfurnishhimfoodandclothing。
LongbeforehecameinsightofthecampoftheGrandRapidsLumberCompany，hecouldhearthecheeryvoicesofthemen，theneighingofthehorses，andcouldscentthetemptingodorsofcookingfood。
Afeelingofhomelessfriendlessnesssweptoverhiminasickeningwave。
Withoutstoppingtothink，heturnedintothenewlymaderoadandfollowedittothecamp，wherethegangwasmakingreadyforsupperandbed。
Thescenewasintenselyattractive。Thethicknessoftheswampmadeadark，massivebackgroundbelow，whileabovetoweredgigantictrees。Themenwerecallingjoviallybackandforthastheyunharnessedtiredhorsesthatfellintoattitudesofrestandcrunched，indeepcontent，thegraingiventhem。Duncan，thebrawnyScotchhead-teamster，lovinglywipedtheflanksofhisbigbayswithhandfulsofpawpawleaves，ashesoftlywhistled，"Owhawillbemydearie，O！"andacricketbeneaththeleavesathisfeetaccompaniedhim。Thegreenwoodfirehissedandcrackledmerrily。
Wreathingtonguesofflamewrappedaroundthebigblackkettles，andwhenthecookliftedthelidstoplungeinhistesting-fork，gustsofsavoryodorsescaped。
Frecklesapproachedhim。
"IwanttospeakwiththeBoss，"hesaid。
Thecookglancedathimandansweredcarelessly:"Hecan\'tuseyou。"
ThecolorfloodedFreckles\'face，buthesaidsimply:"Ifyouwillbehavingthegoodnesstopointhimout，wewillgivehimachancetodohisowntalking。"
Withashrugofastonishment，thecookledthewaytoaroughboardtablewhereabroad，square-shoulderedmanwasbendingoversomeaccount-books。
"Mr。McLean，here\'sanothermanwantingtobetakenonthegang，Isuppose，"hesaid。
"Allright，"camethecheeryanswer。"IneverneededagoodmanmorethanIdojustnow。"
Themanagerturnedapageandcarefullybegananewline。
"Nouseofyourbotheringwiththisfellow，"volunteeredthecook。
"Hehasn\'tbutonehand。"
TheflushonFreckles\'faceburneddeeper。Hislipsthinnedtoamereline。Heliftedhisshoulders，tookastepforward，andthrustouthisrightarm，fromwhichthesleevedangledemptyatthewrist。
"Thatwilldo，Sears，"camethevoiceoftheBosssharply。"IwillinterviewmymanwhenIfinishthisreport。"
Heturnedtohiswork，whilethecookhurriedtothefires。
Frecklesstoodoneinstantashehadbracedhimselftomeettheeyesofthemanager；thenhisarmdroppedandawaveofwhitenessswepthim。TheBosshadnoteventurnedhishead。Hehadusedthepossessive。Whenhesaid"myman，"thehungryheartofFreckleswentreachingtowardhim。
Theboydrewaquiveringbreath。Thenhewhippedoffhisoldhatandbeatthedustfromitcarefully。Withhislefthandhecaughttherightsleeve，wipedhissweatyface，andtriedtostraightenhishairwithhisfingers。Hebrokeasprayofironwortbesidehimandusedthepurplebloomtobeatthedustfromhisshouldersandlimbs。TheBoss，busyoverhisreport，was，nevertheless，vaguelyalivetothetoiletbeingmadebehindhim，andscoredonefortheman。
McLeanwasaScotchman。Itwashishabittoworkslowlyandmethodically。Themenofhiscampsneverhadknownhimtobeinahurryortolosehistemper。Disciplinewasinflexible，buttheBosswasalwayskind。Hishabitsweresimple。Hesharedcamplifewithhisgangs。Theonlyvisiblesignsofwealthconsistedofabig，shimmeringdiamondstoneoficeandfirethatglitteredandburnedononeofhisfingers，andthedainty，beautifulthoroughbredmareherodebetweencampsandacrossthecountryonbusiness。
NomanofMcLean\'sgangscouldhonestlysaythatheeverhadbeenoverdrivenorunderpaid。TheBossneverhadexactedanydeferencefromhismen，yetsointensewashispersonalitythatnomanofthemeverhadattemptedafamiliarity。Theyallknewhimtobeathoroughgentleman，andthatinthegreattimbercityseveralmillionsstoodtohiscredit。
HewastheonlysonofthatMcLeanwhohadsentoutthefinestshipseverbuiltinScotland。Thathissonshouldcarryonthisbusinessafterthefather\'sdeathhadbeenhisambition。HehadsenttheboythroughtheuniversitiesofOxfordandEdinburgh，andallowedhimseveralyears\'travelbeforeheshouldattempthisfirstcommissionforthefirm。
ThenhewasorderedtosouthernCanadaandMichigantopurchaseaconsignmentoftall，straighttimberformasts，andsouthtoIndianaforoakbeams。Theyoungmanenteredthesemightyforests，partsofwhichlayuntouchedsincethedawnofthemorningoftime。
Theclear，cool，pungentatmospherewasintoxicating。Theintensesilence，likethatofagreatemptycathedral，fascinatedhim。
Hegraduallylearnedthat，totheshywoodcreaturesthatdartedacrosshispathorpeepedinquiringlyfromleafyambush，hewasbrother。Hefoundhimselfapproaching，withafeelingofreverence，thosemajestictreesthathadstoodthroughagesofsun，wind，andsnow。Soonitbecamedifficulttofellthem。
Whenhehadfilledhisorderandreturnedhome，hewasamazedtolearnthatintheswampsandforestshehadlosthisheartanditwascalling——forevercallinghim。
Whenheinheritedhisfather\'sproperty，hepromptlydisposedofit，and，withhismother，foundedahomeinasplendidresidenceintheoutskirtsofGrandRapids。Withthreepartners，heorganizedalumbercompany。Hisworkwastopurchase，fell，andshipthetimbertothemills。Marshallmanagedthemillingprocessandpassedthelumbertothefactory。Fromthelumber，Bartholmadebeautifulandusefulfurniture，whichUptegrovescatteredallovertheworldfromabigwholesalehouse。Ofthethousandswhosawtheirfacesreflectedonthepolishedsurfacesofthatfurnitureandfoundcomfortinitsuse，fewthereweretowhomitsuggestedmightyforestsandtracklessswamps，andtheman，bigofsoulandbody，whocuthiswaythroughthem，andwiththeeyeofexperiencedoomedtheproudtreesthatwerenowenteringthehomesofcivilizationforservice。
WhenMcLeanturnedfromhisfinishedreport，hefacedayoungman，yetundertwenty，tall，spare，heavilyframed，closelyfreckled，andred-haired，withahomelyIrishface，butinthesteadygrayeyes，straightlymeetinghissearchingonesofblue，therewasunswervingcandorandtheappearanceoflongingnottobeignored。
Hewasdressedintheroughestoffarmclothing，andseemedtiredtothepointoffalling。
"Youarelookingforwork？"questionedMcLean。
"Yis，"answeredFreckles。
"Iamverysorry，"saidtheBosswithgenuinesympathyinhiseverytone，"butthereisonlyonemanIwantatpresent——ahardy，bigfellowwithastoutheartandastrongbody。Ihopedthatyouwoulddo，butIamafraidyouaretooyoungandscarcelystrongenough。"
Frecklesstood，hatinhand，watchingMcLean。
"AndwhatwasityouthoughtImightbedoing？"heasked。
TheBosscouldscarcelyrepressastart。SomewherebeforeaccidentandpovertytherehadbeenanancestorwhousedcultivatedEnglish，evenwithanaccent。TheboyspokeinamellowIrishvoice，sweetandpure。Itwasscarcelydefiniteenoughtobecalledbrogue，yettherewasatrickintheturningofthesentence，thewrongsoundofaletterhereandthere，thatwasalmostirresistibletoMcLean，andpresagedamisuseofinfinitivesandpossessiveswithwhichhewasveryfamiliarandwhichtouchedhimnearly。Hewasofforeignbirth，anddespiteyearsofalienation，intimesofstrongfeelinghecommittedinheritedsinsofaccentandconstruction。
"It\'snochild\'sjob，"answeredMcLean。"Iamthefieldmanagerofabiglumbercompany。WehavejustleasedtwothousandacresoftheLimberlost。Manyofthesetreesareofgreatvalue。Wecan\'tleaveourcamp，sixmilessouth，foralmostayearyet；sowehaveblazedatrailandstrungbarbedwiressecurelyaroundthislease。
Beforewereturntoourwork，Imustputthispropertyinthehandsofareliable，brave，strongmanwhowillguarditeveryhouroftheday，andsleepwithoneeyeopenatnight。Ishallrequiretheentirelengthofthetrailtobewalkedatleasttwiceeachday，tomakesurethatourlinesareupandthatnoonehasbeentrespassing。"
Freckleswasleaningforward，absorbingeverywordwithsuchintenseeagernessthathewasbeguilingtheBossintoexplanationshehadneverintendedmaking。
"Butwhywouldn\'tthatbethefinestjobintheworldforme？"
hepleaded。"Iamneversick。Icouldwalkthetrailtwice，threetimeseveryday，andI\'dbewatchingsharpallthewhile。"
"It\'sbecauseyouarescarcelymorethanaboy，andthiswillbeatryingjobforawork-hardenedman，"answeredMcLean。"Yousee，inthefirstplace，youwouldbeafraid。Instretchingourlines，wekilledsixrattlesnakesalmostaslongasyourbodyandasthickasyourarm。It\'sthepriceofyourlifetostartthroughthemarshgrasssurroundingtheswampunlessyouarecoveredwithheavyleatheraboveyourknees。
"YoushouldbeabletoswimincasehighwaterunderminesthetemporarybridgewehavebuiltwhereSleepySnakeCreekenterstheswamp。Thefallandwinterchangesofweatherareabruptandsevere，whileIwouldwantstrictwatchkepteveryday。Youwouldalwaysbealone，andIdon\'tguaranteewhatisintheLimberlost。
Itislyinghereasithaslainsincethebeginningoftime，anditisalivewithformsandvoices。Idon\'tpretendtosaywhatallofthemcomefrom；butfromafewslinkingshapesI\'veseen，andhair-raisingyellsI\'veheard，I\'drathernotconfronttheirownersmyself；andIamneitherweaknorfearful。
"Worstofall，anymanwhowillentertheswamptomarkandstealtimberisdesperate。Oneofmyemployeesatthesouthcamp，JohnCarter，compelledmetodischargehimforanumberofseriousreasons。
Hecamehere，enteredtheswampalone，andsucceededinlocatingandmarkinganumberofvaluabletreesthathewasendeavoringtoselltoarivalcompanywhenwesecuredthelease。Hehassworntohavethesetreesifhehastodieortokillotherstogetthem；andheisamanthatthestrongestwouldnotcaretomeet。"
"Butifhecametostealtrees，wouldn\'thebringteamsandmenenough:thatallanyonecoulddowouldbetowatchandbeafteryou？"queriedtheboy。
"Yes，"repliedMcLean。
"Thenwhycouldn\'tIbewatchingjustasclosely，andcomingasfast，asanolder，strongerman？"askedFreckles。
"Why，byGeorge，youcould！"exclaimedMcLean。"Idon\'tknowasthesizeofamanwouldbehalfsoimportantashisgritandfaithfulness，cometothinkofit。Sitonthatlogthereandwewilltalkitover。Whatisyourname？"
Frecklesshookhisheadattheprofferofaseat，andfoldinghisarms，stoodstraightasthetreesaroundhim。Hegrewashadewhiter，buthiseyesneverfaltered。
"Freckles！"hesaid。
"Goodenoughforeveryday，"laughedMcLean，"butIscarcelycanput`Freckles\'onthecompany\'sbooks。Tellmeyourname。"
"Ihaven\'tanyname，"repliedtheboy。
"Idon\'tunderstand，"saidMcLean。
"Iwasthinkingfromthevoiceandthefaceofyouthatyouwouldn\'t，"saidFrecklesslowly。"I\'vespentmoretimeonitthanIeverdidonanythingelseinallmelife，andIdon\'tunderstand。
Doesitseemtoyouthatanyonewouldtakeanewbornbabyandrowoverit，untilitwasbruisedblack，cutoffitshand，andleaveitoutinabitternightonthestepsofacharityhome，tothecareofstrangers？That\'swhatsomebodydidtome。"
McLeanstaredaghast。Hehadnoreplyready，andpresentlyinalowvoicehesuggested:"Andafter？"
"TheHomepeopletookmein，andIwastherethefulllegalageandseveralyearsover。ForthemostpartwewerealotoflittleIrishmentogether。Theycouldalwaysfindhomesfortheotherchildren，butnobodywouldeverbewantingmeonaccountofmearm。"
"Weretheykindtoyou？"McLeanregrettedthequestiontheminuteitwasasked。
"Idon\'tknow，"answeredFreckles。Thereplysoundedsohopeless，eventohisownears，thathehastenedtoqualifyitbyadding:
"Yousee，it\'slikethis，sir。Kindnessesthatpeoplearepaidtolayoffinjoblotsandthatbelongequallytoseveralhundredothers，ain\'tgoingtobesoakingintoanyonefellowsomuch。"
"Goon，"saidMcLean，noddingcomprehendingly。
"There\'snothingworththetakingofyourtimetotell，"
repliedFreckles。"TheHomewasinChicago，andIwasthereallmelifeuntilthreemonthsago。WhenIwastoooldforthetrainingtheygavetothelittlechildren，theysentmetotheclosestwardschoolaslongasthelawwouldletthem；butIwasneverlikeanyoftheotherchildren，andtheyallknewit。
I\'dtogoandcomelikeaprisoner，andbeworkingaroundtheHomeearlyandlateformeboardandclothes。Ialwayswantedtolearnmightybad，butIwasgladwhenthatwasover。
"Everyfewdays，allmelife，I\'dtobecalledup，lookedover，andrefusedahomeandlove，onaccountofmehandanduglyface；
butitwasallthehomeI\'deverknown，andIdidn\'tseemtobelongtoanyplaceelse。
"Thenanewsuperintendentwasputin。Hewasn\'tforbeinglikeanyoftheothers，andhesworehe\'dweedmeoutthefirstthinghedid。HemadeaplantosendmedowntheStatetoamanhesaidheknewwhoneededaboy。Hewasn\'tforrememberingtotellthatmanthatIwasahandshort，andheknockedmedowntheminutehefoundIwastheboywhohadbeensenthim。Betweennoonandthatevening，heandhissonclosemyagehadmeinprettymuchthesameshapeinwhichIwasfoundinthebeginning，soIlayawakethatnightandranaway。I\'dliketohavesquaredmeaccountwiththatboybeforeIleft，butIdidn\'tdareforfearofwakingtheoldman，andI
knewIcouldn\'thandlethetwoofthem；butI\'mhopingtomeethimalonesomedaybeforeIdie。"
McLeantuggedathismustachetohidethesmileonhislips，buthelikedtheboyallthebetterforthisconfession。
"Ididn\'tevenhavetostealclothestogetridofstartinginmeHomeones，"Frecklescontinued，"fortheyhadalreadytakenallmeclean，neatthingsfortheboyandputmeintohisrags，andthatwentalmostassoreasthebeatings，forwhereIwaswewerealwayskepttidyandsweet-smelling，anyway。IhustledclearintothisStatebeforeIlearnedthatmancouldn\'thavekeptmeifhe\'dwantedto。WhenIthoughtIwasgoodandawayfromhim，I
commencedhuntingwork，butitiswitheverybodyelsejustasitiswithyou，sir。Big，strong，wholemenaretheonlyonesforbeingwanted。"
"Ihavebeenstudyingoverthismatter，"answeredMcLean。"Iamnotsosurebutthatamannoolderthanyouandsimilarineverywaycoulddothisworkverywell，ifhewerenotacoward，andhaditinhimtobetrustworthyandindustrious。"
Frecklescameforwardastep。
"IfyouwillgivemeajobwhereIcanearnmefood，clothes，andaplacetosleep，"hesaid，"ifIcanhaveaBosstoworkforlikeothermen，andaplaceIfeelI\'vearightto，Iwilldopreciselywhatyoutellmeordietrying。"
HespokesoconvincinglythatMcLeanbelieved，althoughinhisheartheknewthattoemployastrangerwouldbewretchedbusinessforamanwiththeinterestshehadinvolved。
"Verywell，"theBossfoundhimselfanswering，"Iwillenteryouonmypayrolls。We\'llhavesupper，andthenIwillprovideyouwithcleanclothing，wading-boots，thewire-mendingapparatus，andarevolver。Thefirstthinginthemorning，IwilltakeyouthelengthofthetrailmyselfandexplainfullywhatIwantdone。
AllIaskofyouistocometomeatonceatthesouthcampandtellmeasamanifyoufindthisjobtoohardforyou。Itwillnotsurpriseme。Itisworkthatfewmenwouldperformfaithfully。
WhatnameshallIputdown？"
Freckles\'gazeneverleftMcLean\'sface，andtheBosssawtheswiftspasmofpainthatswepthislonely，sensitivefeatures。
"Ihaven\'tanyname，"hesaidstubbornly，"nomorethanonesomebodyclappedontomewhentheyputmeontheHomebooks，withnotthethoughtorcarethey\'dnameahousecat。I\'veseenhowtheyenterthosepoorlittleabandoneddevilsoftenenoughtoknow。
Whattheycalledmeisnomoremynamethanitisyours。Idon\'tknowwhatmineis，andIneverwill；butIamgoingtobeyourmananddoyourwork，andI\'llbegladtoanswertoanynameyouchoosetocallme。Won\'tyoupleasebegivingmeaname，Mr。McLean？"
TheBosswheeledabruptlyandbeganstackinghisbooks。Whathewasthinkingwasprobablywhatanyothergentlemanwouldhavethoughtinthecircumstances。Withhiseyesstilldowncast，andinavoiceharshwithhuskiness，hespoke。
"Iwilltellyouwhatwewilldo，mylad，"hesaid。"Myfatherwasmyidealman，andIlovedhimbetterthananyotherIhaveeverknown。Hewentoutfiveyearsago，butthathewouldhavebeenproudtoleaveyouhisnameIfirmlybelieve。IfIgivetoyouthenameofmynearestkinandthemanIlovedbest——willthatdo？"
Freckles\'rigidattituderelaxedsuddenly。Hisheaddropped，andbigtearssplashedonthesoiledcalicoshirt。McLeanwasnotsurprisedatthesilence，forhefoundthattalkingcamenonetooeasilyjustthen。
"Allright，"hesaid。"Iwillwriteitontheroll——JamesRossMcLean。"
"Thankyoumightily，"saidFreckles。"ThatmakesmefeelalmostasifIbelonged，already。"
"Youdo，"saidMcLean。"Untilsomeonearmedwitheveryrightcomestoclaimyou，youaremine。Now，comeandtakeabath，havesomesupper，andgotobed。"
AsFrecklesfollowedintothelightsandsoundsofthecamp，hisheartandsoulweresingingforjoy。
CHAPTERII
WhereinFrecklesProvesHisMettleandFindsFriendsNextmorningfoundFrecklesinclean，wholeclothing，fed，andrested。ThenMcLeanoutfittedhimandgavehimcarefulinstructionintheuseofhisweapon。TheBossshowedhimaroundthetimber-line，andengagedhimaplacetoboardwiththefamilyofhisheadteamster，Duncan，whomhehadbroughtfromScotlandwithhim，andwholivedinasmallclearinghewasworkingoutbetweentheswampandthecorduroy。Whenthegangwasstartedforthesouthcamp，FreckleswaslefttoguardafortuneintheLimberlost。
Thathewasunderguardhimselfthosefirstweeksheneverknew。
Eachhourwastorturetotheboy。TherestrictedlifeofagreatcityorphanagewastheotherextremeoftheworldcomparedwiththeLimberlost。Hewasafraidforhislifeeveryminute。Theheatwasintense。Theheavywading-bootsrubbedhisfeetuntiltheybled。
Hewassoreandstifffromhislongtrampandoutdoorexposure。
Thesevenmilesoftrailwasagonyateverystep。Hepracticedatnight，underthedirectionofDuncan，untilhegrewsureintheuseofhisrevolver。Hecutastouthickorycudgel，withaknotontheendasbigashisfist；thisneverlefthishand。Whathethoughtinthosefirstdayshehimselfcouldnotrecallclearlyafterward。
Hisheartstoodstilleverytimehesawthebeautifulmarsh-grassbeginasinuouswavingAGAINSTtheplayofthewind，asMcLeanhadtoldhimitwould。Heboltedhalfamilewiththefirstboomofthebittern，andhishatliftedwitheveryyelpofthesheitpoke。
Oncehesawalean，shadowyformfollowinghim，andfiredhisrevolver。
ThenhewasfrightenedworsethaneverforfearitmighthavebeenDuncan\'scollie。
Thefirstafternoonthathefoundhiswiresdown，andhewascompelledtoplungekneedeepintotheblackswamp-mucktorestringthem，hebecamesoillfromfearandnervousnessthathescarcelycouldcontrolhisshakinghandtodothework。Witheverystep，hefeltthathewouldmisssecurefootingandbeswallowedinthatclingingseaofblackness。Indumbagonyheplungedforward，clingingtothepostsandtreesuntilhehadfinishedrestringingandtestingthewire。Hehadconsumedmuchtime。Nightclosedin。
TheLimberloststirredgently，thenshookherself，growled，andawokearoundhim。
Thereseemedtobeagreatowlhootingfromeveryhollowtree，andalittleonescreechingfromeveryknothole。Thebellowingofbigbullfrogswasnotsufficientlydeafeningtoshutoutthewailingofwhip-poor-willsthatseemedtocomefromeverybush。Nighthawkssweptpasthimwiththeirshiveringcry，andbatsstruckhisface。
Aprowlingwildcatmisseditscatchandscreamedwithrage。
Astrayingfoxbayedincessantlyforitsmate。
ThehaironthebackofFreckles\'neckaroseasbristles，andhiskneeswaveredbeneathhim。Hecouldnotseewhetherthedreadedsnakeswereonthetrail，or，inthepandemonium，heartherattleforwhichMcLeanhadcautionedhimtolisten。Hestoodmotionlessinanagonyoffear。Hisbreathwhistledbetweenhisteeth。
Theperspirationrandownhisfaceandbodyinlittlestreams。
Somethingbig，black，andheavycamecrashingthroughtheswampclosetohim，andwithayellofutterpanicFrecklesran——howfarhedidnotknow；butatlasthegainedcontroloverhimselfandretracedhissteps。Hisjawssetstifflyandthesweatdriedonhisbody。Whenhereachedtheplacefromwhichhehadstartedtorun，heturnedandwithmeasuredstepsmadehiswaydowntheline。
Afteratimeherealizedthathewasonlywalking，sohefacedthatseaofhorrorsagain。Whenhecametowardthecorduroy，thecudgelfelltotestthewireateachstep。
Soundsthatcurdledhisbloodseemedtoencompasshim，andshapesofterrortodrawcloserandcloser。Fearhadsogainedthemasterythathedidnotdarelookbehindhim；andjustwhenhefeltthathewouldfalldeadbeforeheeverreachedtheclearing，cameDuncan\'srollingcall:"Freckles！Freckles！"Ashudderingsobburstintheboy\'sdrythroat；butheonlytoldDuncanthatfindingthewiredownhadcausedthedelay。
Thenextmorninghestartedontime。Dayafterday，withhisheartpounding，heducked，dodged，ranwhenhecould，andfoughtwhenhewasbroughttobay。Ifheeverhadanideaofgivingup，nooneknewit；forheclungtohisjobwithouttheshadowofwavering。
Allthesethings，insofarasheguessedthem，Duncan，whohadbeensettowatchthefirstweeksofFreckles\'work，carriedtotheBossatthesouthcamp；buttheinnermost，exquisitetortureofthethingthebigScotchmanneverguessed，andMcLean，withhisfinerperceptions，cameonlyalittlecloser。
Afterafewweeks，whenFreckleslearnedthathewasstillliving，thathehadahome，andtheveryfirstmoneyheeverhadpossessedwassafeinhispockets，hebegantogrowproud。Heyetside-
stepped，dodged，andhurriedtoavoidbeinglateagain，buthewasgraduallydevelopingthefearlessnessthatmeneveracquireofdangerstowhichtheyarehourlyaccustomed。
Hisheartseemedtobeleapingwhenhisfirstrattlerdisputedthetrailwithhim，buthemusteredcouragetoattackitwithhisclub。
Afteritsheadhadbeencrushed，hemasteredanIrishman\'sinbornrepugnanceforsnakessufficientlytocutoffitsrattlestoshowDuncan。Withthisvictory，hisgreatestfearofthemwasgone。
Thenhebegantorealizethatwiththeabundanceoffoodintheswamp，flesh-hunterswouldnotcomeonthetrailandattackhim，andhehadhisrevolverfordefenceiftheydid。Hesoonlearnedtolaughatthebig，floppybirdsthatmadehorriblenoises。Oneday，watchingbehindatree，hesawacranesolemnlyperformingafewmeasuresofabelatednuptialsong-and-dancewithhismate。
Realizingthatitwasintendedintenderness，nomatterhowitappeared，thelonely，starvedheartoftheboysympathizedwiththem。
Beforethefirstmonthpassed，hewasfairlyeasyabouthisjob；bythenextheratherlikedit。Naturecanbetrustedtoworkherownmiracleintheheartofanymanwhosedailytaskkeepshimaloneamonghersights，sounds，andsilences。
Whendayafterdaytheonlythingthatrelievedhisutterlonelinesswasthecompanionshipofthebirdsandbeastsoftheswamp，itwasthemostnaturalthingintheworldthatFrecklesshouldturntothemforfriendship。Hebeganbyinstinctivelyprotectingtheweakandhelpless。Hewasastonishedatthequicknesswithwhichtheybecameaccustomedtohimandthedisregardtheyshowedforhismovements，whentheylearnedthathewasnotahunter，whiletheclubhecarriedwasusedmorefrequentlyfortheirbenefitthanhisown。Hescarcelycouldbelievewhathesaw。
Fromtheefforttoprotectthebirdsandanimals，itwasonlyashortsteptothepossessivefeeling，andwiththatsprangtheimpulsetocaressandprovide。Throughfall，whenbroodingwasfinishedandtheuplandbirdssoughttheswampinswarmstofeastonitsseedsandberries，Freckleswascontentwithwatchingthemandspeculatingaboutthem。Outsideofhalfadozenoftheverycommonesttheywerestrangerstohim。Thelikenessoftheiractionstohumanitywasanhourlysurprise。
WhenblackfrostbeganstrippingtheLimberlost，cuttingtheferns，shearingthevinesfromthetrees，mowingthesucculentgreenthingsoftheswale，andsettingtheleavesswirlingdown，hewatchedthedepartingtroopsofhisfriendswithdismay。Hebegantorealizethathewouldbeleftalone。Hemadeespecialeffortstowardfriendlinesswiththehopethathecouldinducesomeofthemtostay。Itwasthenthatheconceivedtheideaofcarryingfoodtothebirds；forhesawthattheywereleavingforlackofit；buthecouldnotstopthem。Dayafterday，flocksgatheredanddeparted:
bythetimethefirstsnowwhitenedhistrailaroundtheLimberlost，therewereleftonlythelittleblack-and-whitejuncos，thesapsuckers，yellow-hammers，afewpatriarchsamongtheflamingcardinals，thebluejays，thecrows，andthequail。
ThenFrecklesbeganhiswizardwork。Heclearedaspaceofswale，andtwiceadayhespreadabirds\'banquet。BythemiddleofDecemberthestrongwindsofwinterhadbeatenmostoftheseedfromthegrassandbushes。Thesnowfell，coveringtheswamp，andfoodwasveryscarceanddifficulttofind。ThebirdsscarcelywaiteduntilFreckles\'backwasturnedtoattackhisprovisions。
Inafewweekstheyflewtowardtheclearingtomeethim。DuringthebitterweatherofJanuarytheycamehalfwaytothecabineverymorning，andflutteredaroundhimasdovesallthewaytothefeeding-ground。BeforeFebruarytheyweresoaccustomedtohim，andsohunger-driven，thattheywouldperchonhisheadandshoulders，andthesaucyjayswouldtrytopryintohispockets。
ThenFrecklesaddedtowheatandcrumbs，everyscrapofrefusefoodhecouldfindatthecabin。Hecarriedtohispetstheparingsofapples，turnips，potatoes，straycabbage-leaves，andcarrots，andtiedtothebushesmeat-boneshavingscrapsoffatandgristle。
Onemorning，comingtohisfeeding-groundunusuallyearly，hefoundagorgeouscardinalandarabbitsidebysidesociablynibblingacabbage-leaf，andthatinstantlygavetohimtheideaofcrackingnuts，fromthestorehehadgatheredforDuncan\'schildren，forthesquirrels，intheefforttoaddthemtohisfamily。Soonhehadthemcoming——red，gray，andblack；thenhebecamefilledwithavastimpatiencethathedidnotknowtheirnamesorhabits。
Sothewinterpassed。EveryweekMcLeanrodetotheLimberlost；
neveronthesamedayoratthesamehour。AlwayshefoundFrecklesathiswork，faithfulandbrave，nomatterhowseveretheweather。
Theboy\'searningsconstitutedhisfirstmoney；andwhentheBossexplainedtohimthathecouldleavethemsafeatabankandcarryawayascrapofpaperthatrepresentedtheamount，hewentstraightoneverypaydayandmadehisdeposit，keepingoutbarelywhatwasnecessaryforhisboardandclothing。Whathewantedtodowithhismoneyhedidnotknow，butitgavetohimasenseoffreedomandpowertofeelthatitwasthere——itwashisandhecouldhaveitwhenhechose。InimitationofMcLean，heboughtasmallpocketaccount-book，inwhichhecarefullysetdowneverydollarheearnedandeverypennyhespent。AshisexpensesweresmallandtheBosspaidhimgenerously，itwasastonishinghowhislittlehoardgrew。
ThatwinterheldthefirsthoursofrealhappinessinFreckles\'life。
Hewasfree。Hewasdoingaman\'sworkfaithfully，througheveryrigorofrain，snow，andblizzard。Hewasgatheringawonderfulstrengthofbody，payinghisway，andsavingmoney。
EverymanofthegangandofthatlocalityknewthathewasundertheprotectionofMcLean，whowasapower，thishadtheeffectofsmoothingFreckles\'pathinmanydirections。
Mrs。Duncanshowedhimthatindividualkindnessforwhichhishungryheartwaslonging。Shehadahotdrinkreadyforhimwhenhecamefromafreezingdayonthetrail。Sheknithimaheavymittenforhislefthand，anddevisedawaytosewandpadtherightsleevethatprotectedthemaimedarminbitterweather。Shepatchedhisclothing——frequentlytornbythewire——andsavedkitchenscrapsforhisbirds，notbecausesheeitherkneworcaredanythingaboutthem，butbecausesheherselfwascloseenoughtotheswamptobetouchedbyitsutterloneliness。WhenDuncanlaughedatherforthis，sheretorted:"MyGod，mannie，ifFreckleshadnathebirdsandthebeastshewouldbealwaysalone。Itwasnevermeantforahumanbeingtobesosolitary。He\'dgettouchedintheheadifhehadnathemtothinkforandtotalkto。"
"Howmuchanswerdoyethinkhegetstohistalkin\'，lass？"
laughedDuncan。
"Hegetstheanswerthatkeepstheeyebright，thehearthappy，andthefeetwalkingfaithfultheroughpathhe\'ssetthemin，"
answeredMrs。Duncanearnestly。
Duncanwalkedawayappearingverythoughtful。ThenextmorninghegaveanearfromthecornhewasshellingforhischickenstoFreckles，andtoldhimtocarryittohiswildchickensintheLimberlost。Freckleslaugheddelightedly。
"Mechickens！"hesaid。"Whydidn\'tIeverthinkofthatbefore？
Ofcoursetheyare！Theyarejustlittle，brightlycoloredcocksandhens！But`wild\'isnogood。Whatwouldyousaytome`wildchickens\'beingagooddealtamerthanyourshereinyouryard？"
"Hoot，lad！"criedDuncan。
"Makeyourslightonyourheadandeatoutofyourhandsandpockets，"challengedFreckles。
"Goandtellyourfairytalestotheweepeople！They\'rejuistbrashonbelievin\'things，"saidDuncan。"Yecannainventanystorytoobigtostopthemfromcallin\'forabigger。"
"Idareyoutocomesee！"retortedFreckles。
"Takeye！"saidDuncan。"Ifyemakejuistanebirdlichtonyourheidoreatfraeyourhand，yearefreetohelpyoursel\'tomycorn-cribandwheatbintherestofthewinter。"
Frecklesspranginairandhowledinglee。
"Oh，Duncan！You\'retoo，aisy"hecried。"Whenwillyoucome？"
"I\'llcomenextSabbath，"saidDuncan。"AndI\'llbelievethebirdsoftheLimberlostaretameasbarnyardfowlwhenIseeit，andnosooner！"
AfterthatFrecklesalwaysspokeofthebirdsashischickens，andtheDuncansfollowedhisexample。TheverynextSabbath，Duncan，withhiswifeandchildren，followedFrecklestotheswamp。
Theysawasightsowonderfulitwillkeepthemtalkingalltheremainderoftheirlives，andmakethemunfailingfriendsofallthebirds。
Freckles\'chickenswereawaitinghimattheedgeoftheclearing。
Theycutthefrostyairaroundhisheadintocurvesandcirclesofcrimson，blue，andblack。TheychasedeachotherfromFreckles，andsweptsocloselythemselvesthattheybrushedhimwiththeiroutspreadwings。
Attheirfeeding-groundFrecklessetdownhisoldpailofscrapsandsweptthesnowfromasmalllevelspacewithabroomimprovisedoftwigs。Assoonashisbackwasturned，thebirdsclusteredoverthefood，snatchingscrapstocarrytothenearestbushes。Severaloftheboldest，abigcrowandacoupleofjays，settledontherimandfeastedatleisure，whileacardinal，thathesitatedtoventure，fumedandscoldedfromatwigoverhead。
ThenFrecklesscatteredhisstore。AtoncethegroundresembledthespreadmantleofMontezuma，exceptthatthismassofgailycoloredfeatherswasonthebacksoflivingbirds。Whiletheyfeasted，Duncangrippedhiswife\'sarmandstaredinastonishment；forfromthebushesanddrygrass，withgentlecheepingandqueer，throatychatter，asiftoencourageeachother，cameflocksofquail。
Beforeanyonesawitarrive，abiggrayrabbitsatinthemidstofthefeast，contentedlygnawingacabbage-leaf。
"Weel，Ibedrawedon！"cameMrs。Duncan\'stensewhisper。
"Shu-shu，"cautionedDuncan。
LastlyFrecklesremovedhiscap。Hebeganfillingitwithhandfulsofwheatfromhispockets。Inaswarmthegrain-eatersarosearoundhimasaflockoftamepigeons。Theyperchedonhisarmsandthecap，andinthestressofhunger，forgettingallcaution，abrilliantcockcardinalandanequallygaudyjayfoughtforaperching-placeonhishead。
"Weel，I\'mbeat，"mutteredDuncan，forgettingthesilenceimposedonhiswife。"I\'llhaetogivein。`Seein\'isbelievin\'。Amanwadhaetoseethattobelieveit。WemaunalettheBossmissthatsight，forit\'sachancewillnolikelycometwiceinalife。
Everythingissnowedunderandthaecratursnearstarved，buttrustin\'Frecklesthatcompletetheyaretamerthanourchickens。
Lookhard，bairns！"hewhispered。"Yewinnaseethelikeo\'yonagain，whileGodletsyelive。Noticetheircoloragainsttheiceandsnow，andtheprettyskippin\'waysofthem！Andspunky！
Weel，I\'mheatfair！"
Frecklesemptiedhiscap，turnedhispocketsandscatteredhislastgrain。Thenhewavedhiswatchingfriendsgood-byeandstarteddownthetimber-line。
Aweeklater，DuncanandFrecklesarosefrombreakfasttofacethebitterestmorningofthewinter。WhenFreckles，warmlycappedandgloved，steppedtothecornerofthekitchenforhisscrap-pail，hefoundabigpanofsteamingboiledwheatonthetopofit。HewheeledtoMrs。Duncanwithashiningface。
"Wereyoufixingthiswarmfoodformechickensoryours？"heasked。
"It\'sforyours，Freckles，"shesaid。"Iwasafearedthiscoldweathertheywadnalaygoodwithoutawarmbitenowandthen。"
Duncanlaughedashesteppedtotheotherroomforhispipe；butFrecklesfacedMrs。Duncanwithatraceofeverypangofstarvedmother-hungerheeverhadsufferedwrittenlargeonhishomely，splotched，narrowfeatures。
"Oh，howIwishyouweremymother！"hecried。
Mrs。Duncanattemptedanechoofherhusband\'slaugh。
"Lordlovethelad！"sheexclaimed。"Why，Freckles，areyenobrightenoughtolearnwithoutbeingtaughtbyawomanthatIamyourmither？Ifagreatmanlikeyoursel\'dinnakenthat，learnitnowandne\'erforgetit。Anceawomanisthewifeofanyman，shebecomeswifetoallmenforhavinghadthewifelyexperienceshekens！
Anceaman-childhasbeatenhiswaytolifeundertheheartofawoman，sheismithertoallmen，fortheheartsofmithersareeverywherethesame。Blessye，laddie，Iamyourmither！"
Shetuckedthecoarsescarfshehadknitforhimcloseroverhischestandpulledhiscaploweroverhisears，butFreckles，whippingitoffandholdingitunderhisarm，caughtherrough，reddenedhandandpressedittohislipsinalongkiss。Thenhehurriedawaytohidethehappy，embarrassingtearsthatwerecomingstraightfromhisswellingheart。
Mrs。Duncan，sobbingunrestrainedly，sweptintotheadjoiningroomandthrewherselfintoDuncan\'sarms。
"Oh，thepuirlad！"shewailed。"Oh，thepuirmither-hungrylad！
Hebreaksmyheart！"
Duncan\'sarmsclosedconvulsivelyaroundhiswife。Withabig，brownhandhelovinglystrokedherrough，sorrelhair。
"Sarah，you\'reaguidwoman！"hesaid。"You\'reamichtyguidwoman！
Yehaeawayo\'speakin\'outattimesthat\'sliketheinspiredprophetsoftheLord。Ifthathadbeenputtome，now，I\'d`a\'feltallIkenthowtoandbeenkeenenoughtosaytherichtthing；butdangit，I\'d`a\'stutteredandstammeredandgotnaethingoutthatwouldha\'doneonybodyamiteo\'good。Butye，Sarah！Didyeseehisface，woman？Yesenthimofflookin\'lekeawhitelightofholinesshadpassedowerandsettledonhim。Yesenttheladawaytoohappyformortalwords，Sarah。Andyemademethatproudo\'ye！
Iwouldnatradeyean\'myshareo\'theLimberlostwithonykingyecouldmention。"
Herelaxedhisclasp，andsettingaheavyhandoneachshoulder，helookedstraightintohereyes。
"Ye\'reprime，Sarah！Juistprime！"hesaid。
SarahDuncanstoodaloneinthemiddleofhertwo-roomedlogcabinandliftedabony，clawlikepairofhands，reddenedbyfrequentimmersioninhotwater，crackedandchafedbyexposuretocold，black-linedbyconstantbattlewithswamp-loam，callousedwithburns，andstaredatthemwonderingly。
"Pretty-lookin\'thingsyeare！"shewhispered。"Butyehaejuistbeenkissed。Andbysuchaman！FineasGodevermadeatHisverrabest。Duncanwouldnatradewi\'aking！Na！NorIwadnatradewithaqueenwi\'apalace，an\'velvetgowns，an\'diamondsbigashazelnuts，an\'ahundredvisitorsadayintothebargain。
Ye\'vebeenthathonoredI\'mblestifIcanbeartosouseyeindish-water。Still，thatkisswinnacomeoff！Naethingcantakeitfromme，forit\'sminetillIdee。Lord，ifIamnaproud！Kissesontheseoldclaws！Weel，Ibedrawedon！"
CHAPTERIII
WhereinaFeatherFallsandaSoulIsBornSoFrecklesfaredthroughthebitterwinter。Hewasveryhappy。
Hehadhungeredforfreedom，love，andappreciationsolong！
HehadbeenunspeakablylonelyattheHome；andtheutterlonelinessofagreatdesertorforestisnotsodifficulttoendureasthelonelinessofbeingconstantlysurroundedbycrowdsofpeoplewhodonotcareintheleastwhetheroneislivingordead。
AllthroughthewinterFreckles\'entireenergywasgiventokeepinguphislinesandhis"chickens"fromfreezingorstarving。WhenthefirstbreathofspringtouchedtheLimberlost，andthesnowrecededbeforeit；whenthecatkinsbegantobloom；whentherecameahintofgreentothetrees，bushes，andswale；whentherushesliftedtheirheads，andthepulseofthenewlyresurrectedseasonbeatstronglyintheheartofnature，somethingnewstirredinthebreastoftheboy。
Naturealwayslevieshertribute。NowshelaidapowerfulhandonthesoulofFreckles，towhichtheboy\'swholebeingresponded，thoughhehadnottheleastideawhatwastroublinghim。Duncanacceptedhiswife\'stheorythatitwasatouchofspringfever，butFrecklesknewbetter。Heneverhadbeensowell。Clean，hot，andsteadythebloodpulsedinhisveins。Hewasalwayshungry，andhismostdifficultworktiredhimnotatall。Forlongmonths，withoutasingleintermission，hehadtrampedthosesevenmilesoftrailtwiceeachday，througheveryconceivablestateofweather。Withtheheavyclubhegavehiswiresasuretest，andbetweensections，firstinplay，afterwardtokeephiscirculationgoing，hehadacquiredtheskillofanexpertdrummajor。Inhisworktherewasexerciseforeverymuscleofhisbodyeachhouroftheday，atnightabath，wholesomefood，andsoundsleepinaroomthatneverknewfire。Hehadgainedfleshandcolor，anddevelopedagreaterstrengthandendurancethananyoneevercouldhaveguessed。
NordidtheLimberlostcontainlastyear\'sterrors。Hehadbeenwithherinherhourofdesolation，whenstrippedbareanddeserted，shehadstoodshivering，asifherselfafraid。Hehadmadeexcursionsintotheinterioruntilhewasfamiliarwitheverypathandroadthateverhadbeencut。Hehadsoundedthedepthsofherdeepestpools，andhadlearnedwhythetreesgrewsomagnificently。
Hehadfoundthatplacesofswampandswalewerefewcomparedwithmilesofsolidtimber-land，concealedbysummer\'sluxuriantundergrowth。
Thesoundsthatatfirsthadstruckcoldfearintohissoulhenowknewhadleftonwingandsilentfootattheapproachofwinter。
Asflockafterflockofthebirdsreturnedandherecognizedtheoldechoesreawakening，hefoundtohissurprisethathehadbeenlonelyforthemandwashailingtheirreturnwithgreatjoy。
Allhisfearswereforgotten。Instead，hewaspossessedofanoverpoweringdesiretoknowwhattheywere，tolearnwheretheyhadbeen，andwhethertheywouldmakefriendswithhimasthewinterbirdshaddone；andiftheydid，wouldtheybeasfickle？For，withtherunningsap，creepingworm，andwingingbug，mostofFreckles\'
"chickens"haddesertedhim，enteredtheswamp，andfeastedtosuchastateofplethoraonitsstorethattheycaredlittleforhissupply，sothatinthestrenuousdaysofmatingandnest-buildingtheboywasdeserted。
Hechafedatthebirds\'ingratitude，buthefoundspeedyconsolationinwatchingandbefriendingthenewcomers。Hesurelywouldhavebeenproudandhighlypleasedifhehadknownthatmanyoftheformerinhabitantsoftheinteriorswampnowgroupedtheirnestsbesidethetimber-linesolelyforthesakeofhisprotectionandcompany。
TheyearlyresurrectionoftheLimberlostisamightyrevival。
Frecklesstoodbackandwatchedwithaweandenvythegradualreclothingandrepopulationoftheswamp。Keen-eyedandalertthroughdangerandloneliness，henotedeverystageofdevelopment，fromthefirstpipingfrogandunsheathingbud，tofullleafageandthereturnofthelastmigrant。
Theknowledgeofhiscompletelonelinessandutterinsignificancewashourlythrustuponhim。Hebroodedandfretteduntilhewasinafever；yetheneverguessedthecause。Hewasfilledwithavastimpatience，alongingthathescarcelycouldendure。
ItwasJunebythezodiac，JunebytheLimberlost，andbyeverydelightofanewlyresurrectedseasonitshouldhavebeenJuneintheheartsofallmen。YetFrecklesscowleddarklyashecamedownthetrail，andtherunningTAP，TAPthattestedthesaggingwireandtelegraphedwordofhiscomingtohisfurredandfeatheredfriendsoftheswamp，thismorningcarriedthestoryofhisdiscontentamileaheadofhim。
Freckles\'specialpet，adainty，yellow-coated，black-sleeved，cockgoldfinch，hadremainedonthewireforseveraldayspastthebravestofall；andFreckles，absorbedwiththecunningandbeautyofthetinyfellow，neverguessedthathewasbeingduped。Forthegoldfinchwasskipping，flirting，andswingingfortheexpresspurposeofsoholdinghisattentionthathewouldnotlookupandseeasmallcradleofthistledownandwoolperilouslynearhishead。
Inthebeginningofbrooding，thespunkylittlehomesteaderhadclungheroicallytothewirewhenhewasalmostparalyzedwithfright。
Whendayafterdaypassedandbroughtonlysoftlywhistledrepetitionsofhiscall，ahandfulofcrumbsonthetopofalocustline-post，andgentlywordedcoaxings，hegrewinconfidence。
OflatehehadsungandswungduringthepassingofFreckles，who，notdreamingofthenestandthesolemn-eyedlittlehensocloseabove，thoughthimselfunusuallygiftedinhispowertoattractthebirds。
Thismorningthegoldfinchscarcelycouldbelievehisears，andclungtothewireuntilanunusuallyviciousrapsenthimspinningafootinair，andhis"PTSEET"camewithasquallofutterpanic。
Thewireswereringingwithastorythebirdscouldnottranslate，andFreckleswasquiteasignorantofthetroubleasthey。
Apeculiarmovementbeneathasmallwalnuttreecaughthisattention。
Hestoppedtoinvestigate。TherewasanunusuallylargeLunacocoon，andthemothwasburstingtheupperendinitsstrugglestoreachlightandair。Frecklesstoodandstared。
"There\'ssomethingintheretryingtogetout，"hemuttered。
"WonderifIcouldhelpit？GuessIbestnotbetrying。IfIhadn\'thappenedalong，therewouldn\'thavebeenanyonetodoanything，andmaybeI\'donlybehurtingit。It\'s——it\'s——Oh，skaggany！It\'sjustbeingborn！"
Frecklesgaspedwithsurprise。Themothclearedtheopening，andwithmanywabblingsandcontortionsclimbedupthetree。Hestaredspeechlesswithamazementasthemothcreptaroundalimbandclungtotheunderside。Therewasabigpursybody，almostaslargeashisthumb，andoftheverysnowiestwhitethatFreckleseverhadseen。
Therewasabandofdelicatelavenderacrossitsforehead，anditsfeetwereofthesamecolour；therewereantlers，liketiny，straw-coloredferns，onitshead，andfromitsshouldershungthecrumpledwetwings。AsFrecklesgazed，tensewithastonishment，hesawthatthesewereexpanding，drooping，takingoncolor，andsmall，ovalmarkingswerebeginningtoshow。
Theminutespassed。Freckles\'steadygazeneverwavered。
Withoutrealizingit，hewastremblingwitheagernessandanxiety。
Ashesawwhatwastakingplace，"It\'sgoingtofly，"hebreathedinhushedwonder。Themorningsunfellonthemothanddrieditsvelvetdown，whilethewarmairmadeitfluffy。Therapidlygrowingwingsbegantoshowthemostdelicategreen，withlavenderfore-ribs，transparent，eye-shapedmarkings，edgedwithlinesofred，tan，andblack，andlong，crisptrailers。
Freckleswaswhisperingtohimselfforfearofdisturbingthemoth。
Itbeganasystematicexerciseofraisingandloweringitsexquisitewingstodrythemandtoestablishcirculation。Theboyrealizedthatsoonitwouldbeabletospreadthemandsailaway。
Hislong-comingsoulsentupitsfirstshiveringcry。
"Idon\'tknowwhatitis！Oh，IwishIknew！HowIwishIknew！
Itmustbesomethinggrand！Itcan\'tbeabutterfly！It\'sawaytoobig。Oh，Iwishtherewassomeonetotellmewhatitis！"
Heclimbedonthelocustpost，andbalancinghimselfwiththewire，heldafingerinthelineofthemoth\'sadvanceupthetwig。
Itunhesitatinglyclimbedon，sohesteppedtothepath，holdingittothelightandexaminingitclosely。Thenhehelditintheshadeandturnedit，gloatingoveritsmarkingsandbeautifulcoloring。
Whenheheldthemothtothelimb，itclimbedon，stillwavingthosemagnificentwings。
"My，butI\'dliketobestayingwithyou！"hesaid。"ButifIwastostandherealldayyoucouldn\'tgrowanyprettierthanyouarerightnow，andIwouldn\'tgrowsmartenoughtotellwhatyouare。
Isupposethere\'ssomeonewhoknows。Ofcoursethereis！Mr。McLeansaidtherewerepeoplewhokneweveryleaf，bird，andflowerintheLimberlost。OhLord！HowIwishYou\'dbetellingmejustthisonething！"
Thegoldfinchhadventuredbacktothewire，fortherewashismate，onlyafewinchesabovetheman-creature\'shead；andindeed，hesimplymustnotbeallowedtolookup，sothebravelittlefellowrockedonthewireandpiped，ashehaddoneeverydayforaweek:"SEEME？SEEME？"
"Seeyou！OfcourseIseeyou，"growledFreckles。"Iseeyoudayafterday，andwhatgoodisitdoingme？Imightseeyoueverymorningforayear，andthennotbeabletobetellinganyoneaboutit。`Seenabirdwithblacksilkwings——little，andyellowasanycanary。\'That\'sasfarasI\'dget。Whatyoudoinghere，anyway？
Haveyouamate？What\'syourname？`Seeyou？\'IreckonIseeyou；
butImightaswellbeblind，foranygoodit\'sdoingme！"
Frecklesimpatientlystruckthewire。Withascreechoffear，thegoldfinchfledprecipitately。Hismatearosefromthenestwithawhirr——Freckleslookedupandsawit。
"O——ho！"hecried。"SoTHAT\'Swhatyouaredoinghere！Youhaveawife。AndsoclosemyheadIhavebeenmightynearwearingabirdonmybonnet，andneverknewit！"
Freckleslaughedathisownjest，whileinbetterhumorheclimbedtoexaminetheneat，tinycradleanditscontents。Thehendartedathiminafrenzy。"Now，wheredoyoucomein？"hedemanded，whenhesawthatshewasnotsimilartothegoldfinch。
"Youbeclearingoutofhere！Thisisnoneofyourfry。Thisisthenestofmelittle，yellowfriendofthewire，andyoushan\'tbetouchingit。Don\'tblameyouforwantingtosee，though。My，butit\'safinenestandbeautiesofeggs。Willyoubekeepingaway，orwillIfirethisstickatyou？"
Frecklesdroppedtothetrail。Thehendartedtothenestandsettledonitwithatender，coddlingmovement。Heoftheyellowcoatflewtotheedgetomakesurethateverythingwasright。
Itwouldhavebeenplaintotheveriestnovicethattheywerepartnersinthatcradle。
"Well，I\'llbeswitched！"mutteredFreckles。"Ifthatain\'tboththeirnest！Andhe\'syellowandshe\'sgreen，orshe\'syellowandhe\'sgreen。Ofcourse，Idon\'tknow，andIhaven\'tanywaytofindout，butit\'splainasthenoseonyourfacethattheyarebothreadytobefightingforthatnest，so，ofcourse，theybelong。
Doesn\'tthatbeatyou？Say，that\'swhat\'sbeenstickingmeallofthisweekonthatgrassnestinthethorntreedowntheline。
Onedayabluebirdissetting，soIthinkitishers。Thenextdayabrownbirdison，andIchaseitoffbecausethenestisblue\'s。
Nextdaythebrownbirdisonagain，andIletherbe，becauseI
thinkitmustbehers。Nextday，begolly，blue\'son，andoffI
sendherbecauseit\'sbrown\'s；andnow，Ibetmyhat，it\'sboththeirnestandI\'veonlybeenbotheringthemandmakingabigfoolofmesilf。PrettyspecimenIam，pretendingtobeafriendtothebirds，andsoblamedignorantIdon\'tknowwhichonesgoinpairs，andblueandbrownareapair，ofcourse，ifyellowandgreenare——andthere\'stheredbirds！Ineverthoughtofthem！He\'sredandshe\'sgray——andnowIwanttobeknowing，aretheyalldifferent？
Whyno！Ofcourse，theyain\'t！There\'sthejaysallblue，andthecrowsallblack。"
ThetideofFreckles\'discontentwelleduntilhealmostchokedwithangerandchagrin。Heploddeddownthetrail，scowlingblacklyandviciouslyspangingthewire。Atthefinches\'nestheleftthelineandpeeredintothethorntree。Therewasnobirdbrooding。
Hepressedclosertotakeapeepatthesnowy，spotlesslittleeggshehadfoundsobeautiful，whenattheslightnoiseupraisedfourtinybabyheadswithwide-openmouths，utteringhungercries。
Frecklessteppedback。Thebrownbirdalightedontheedgeandclosedonecavitywithawigglinggreenworm，whilenottwominuteslaterthebluefilledanotherwithawhite。Thatsettledit。
Theblueandbrownweremates。OnceagainFrecklesrepeatedhis"HowIwishIknew！"
AroundthebridgespanningSleepySnakeCreektheswalespreadwidely，thetimberwasscattering，andwillows，rushes，marsh-
grass，andsplendidwildflowersgrewabundantly。Herelazy，big，blackwatersnakes，forwhichthecreekwasnamed，sunnedonthebushes，wildducksandgrebechattered，cranesandheronsfished，andmuskratsplowedthebankinqueer，rollingfurrows。
Itwasalwaysaplacefullofinterest，soFreckleslovedtolingeronthebridge，watchingthemarshandwaterpeople。Healsotransactedaffairsofimportancewiththewildflowersandsweetmarsh-grass。
Heenjoyedsplashingthroughtheshallowpoolsoneithersideofthebridge。
Then，too，wherethecreekenteredtheswampwasaplaceofunusualbeauty。Thewaterspreadindarksome，mossy，greenpools。
Water-plantsandliliesgrewluxuriantly，throwinguplarge，rank，greenleaves。NowhereelseintheLimberlostcouldbefoundfrog-musictoequalthatofthemouthofthecreek。Thedrummingandpipingrolledinnever-endingorchestraleffect，whilethefullchorusrangtoitsaccompanimentthroughouttheseason。
Frecklesslowlyfollowedthepathleadingfromthebridgetotheline。Itwastheonespotatwhichhemightrelaxhisvigilance。
Theboldesttimberthieftheswampeverhadknownwouldnothaveattemptedtoenteritbythemouthofthecreek，onaccountofthewaterandbecausetherewasnoprotectionfromsurroundingtrees。
Hewasbendingtherankgrasswithhiscudgel，andthinkingoftheshadethedenserswampafforded，whenhesuddenlydodgedsidewise；
thecudgelwhistledsharplythroughtheairandFrecklessprangback。
Fromtheclearskyabovehim，firstlevelwithhisface，thenskimming，dipping，tilting，whirlinguntilitstruck，quilldown，inthepathinfrontofhim，cameaglossy，iridescent，bigblackfeather。Asittouchedtheground，Frecklessnatcheditupwithalmostacontinuousmovementfacingthesky。Therewasnotatreeofanysizeinalargeopenspace。Therewasnowindtocarryit。Fromtheclearskyithadfallen，andFreckles，gazingeagerlyintothearchofJunebluewithafewlazycloudsfloatinghighintheseaofether，hadneithermindnorknowledgetodreamofabirdhangingasiffrozenthere。Heturnedthebigquillquestioningly，andagainhisawedeyessweptthesky。
"AfeatherdroppedfromHeaven！"hebreathedreverently。"Aretheholyangelsmoulting？Butno；iftheywere，itwouldbewhite。
Maybealltheangelsarenotforbeingwhite。WhatiftheangelsofGodarewhiteandthoseofthedevilareblack？Butablackonehasnobusinessupthere。Maybesomepoorblackangelissotiredofbeingpunishedit\'sforslippingtothegates，beatingitswingstryingtomaketheMasterhear！"
AgainandagainFrecklessearchedthesky，buttherewasnoansweringgleamofgoldengates，noformofsailingbird；thenhewentslowlyonhisway，turningthefeatherandwonderingaboutit。
Itwasawingquill，eighteeninchesinlength，withaheavyspine，grayatthebase，shadingtojetblackatthetip，anditcaughttheplayofthesun\'sraysinslantinggleamsofgreenandbronze。
AgainFreckles\'"oldmanofthesea"satsullenandheavyonhisshouldersandweightedhimdownuntilhissteplaggedandhisheartached。
"Wherediditcomefrom？Whatisit？Oh，howIwishIknew！"hekeptrepeatingasheturnedandstudiedthefeather，withalmostunseeingeyes，sointentlywashethinking。
Beforehimspreadalarge，greenpool，filledwithrottinglogsandleaves，borderedwithdelicatefernsandgrassesamongwhichliftedthecreamyspikesofthearrow-head，theblueofwater-hyacinth，andthedelicateyellowofthejewel-flower。AsFrecklesleaned，handlingthefeatherandstaringatit，thenintothedepthsofthepool，heoncemoregavevoicetohisoldquery:"Iwonderwhatitis！"
Straightacrossfromhim，couchedinthemossesofasoggyoldlog，abiggreenbullfrog，withpalpitantthroatandbattingeyes，liftedhisheadandbellowedinanswer。"FIN\'DOUT！FIN\'DOUT！"
"Wha——what\'sthat？"stammeredFreckles，almosttoomuchbewilderedtospeak。"I——Iknowyouareonlyabullfrog，but，bejabbers，thatsoundedmightilylikespeech。Wouldn\'tyoupleasetobesayingitover？"
Thebullfrogcuddledcontentedlyintheooze。Thensuddenlyheliftedhisvoice，and，asanimperativedrumbeat，rolleditagain:
"FIN\'DOUT！FIN\'DOUT！FINDOUT！"
Freckleshadtheanswer。Somethingseemedtosnapinhisbrain。
Therewasawaveringflamebeforehiseyes。Thenhismindcleared。
Hisheadliftedinanewpoise，hisshoulderssquared，whilehisspinestraightened。Theagonywasover。Hissoulfloatedfree。
Frecklescameintohisbirthright。
"BeforeGod，Iwill！"Heutteredtheoathsoimpressivelythattherecordingangelneverwincedasheposteditintheprayercolumn。
Frecklessethishatoverthetopofoneofthelocustpostsusedbetweentreestoholdupthewirewhilehefastenedthefeathersecurelyintheband。Thenhestarteddowntheline，talkingtohimselfasmenwhohaveworkedlongalonealwaysfallintothehabitofdoing。
"WhatafoolIhavebeen！"hemuttered。"Ofcoursethat\'swhatI
havetodo！Therewouldn\'tlikelyanybodybedoingitforme。
OfcourseIcan！WhatamIamanfor？IfIwasafour-footedthingoftheswamp，maybeIcouldn\'t；butamancandoanythingifhe\'sthegrittoworkhardenoughandstickatit，Mr。McLeanisalwayssaying，andhere\'sthewayIamtodoit。Hesaid，too，thattherewerepeoplethatkneweverythingintheswamp。Ofcoursetheyhavewrittenbooks！Thethingformetobedoingistoquitmopingandbebuyingsome。Neverboughtabookinmelife，oranythingelseofmuchaccount，forthatmatter。Oh，ain\'tIgladIdidn\'twastememoney！
