第2章

I\'llsurelybehavingenoughtogetafew。Letmesee。"

Frecklessatonalog，tookhispencilandaccount-book，andfiguredonabackpage。Hehadwalkedthetimber-linetenmonths。

Hispaywasthirtydollarsamonth，andhisboardcosthimeight。

Thatlefttwenty-twodollarsamonth，andhisclothinghadcosthimverylittle。Attheleasthehadtwohundreddollarsinthebank。

Hedrewadeepbreathandsmiledattheskywithsatisfaction。

"I\'llbehavingabookaboutallthebirds，trees，flowers，butterflies，and——Yes，bygummy！I\'llbehavingoneaboutthefrogs——ifittakeseverycentIhave，"hepromisedhimself。

Heputawaytheaccount-book，thatwashismostcherishedpossession，caughtuphisstick，andstarteddowntheline。

Theeventap，tap，andthecheery，gladsomewhistlecarriedfaraheadofhimthemessagethatFreckleswashimselfagain。

Hefellintoarapidpace，forhehadlosttimethatmorning；whenheroundedthelastcurvehewasalmostrunning。TherewasachancethattheBossmightbethereforhisweeklyreport。

Then，wavering，flickering，dartinghereandthereoverthesweetmarsh-grass，camealargeblackshadow，sweepingsocloselybeforehimthatforthesecondtimethatmorningFrecklesdodgedandsprangback。Hehadseensomeowlsandhawksoftheswampthathethoughtmightbeclassedaslargebirds，butneveranythinglikethis，forsixfeetitspreaditsbig，shiningwings。Itsstrongfeetcouldbeseendrawnamongitsfeathers。Thesunglintedonitssharp，hookedbeak。Itseyesglowed，caughtthelight，andseemedabletopiercethegroundathisfeet。ItcarednomoreforFrecklesthanifhehadnotbeenthere；foritperchedonalowtree，whileasecondlateritawkwardlyhoppedtothetrunkofalightning-rivenelm，turneditsback，andbegansearchingtheblue。

Freckleslookedjustintimetoseeasecondshadowsweepthegrass；

andanotherbird，atriflesmallerandnotquitesobrilliantinthelight，slowlysaileddowntoperchbesidethefirst。

Evidentlytheyweremates，forwithaqueer，rollinghopthefirst-comershiveredhisbronzewings，sidledtothenewarrival，andgaveherasillylittlepeckonherwing。Thenhecoquettishlydrewawayandogledher。Heliftedhishead，waddledfromherafewsteps，awkwardlyambledback，andgavehersuchasimplesortofkissonherbeakthatFrecklesburstintoalaugh，butclappedhishandoverhismouthtostiflethesound。

Theloverduckedandside-steppedafewfeet。Hespreadhiswingsandslowlyandsoftlywavedthempreciselyasifhewerefanninghischarmer，whichwasindeedtheresultheaccomplished。Thenawaveofuncontrollabletendernessmovedhimsohehobbledtohisbombardmentoncemore。Hefacedhersquarelythistime，andturnedhisheadfromsidetosidewithqueerlittlejerksandindiscriminatepeckingsatherwingsandhead，andsmirkingsthatreallyshouldhavebeenirresistible。Sheyawnedandshuffledawayindifferently。Frecklesreachedup，pulledthequillfromhishat，andlookingfromittothebirds，noddedinsettledconviction。

"Soyou\'remeblackangels，yespalpeens！Nowonderyoudidn\'tgetin！ButI\'llbackyoutocomecloseritthananyotherbirdseverdid。YouflyhigherthanIcansee。HaveyoupickedtheLimberlostforagoodthingandcometotryit？Well，youcanbemechickensifyouwantto，butI\'mblestifyouain\'tcoolfornewones。Whydon\'tyoutakethisstickforagunandgoskinningamile？"

Frecklesbrokeintoanunrestrainedlaugh，forthebird-loverwaskeenabouthiscourting，whileevidentlyhismatewasdiffident。

Whenheapproachedtooboisterously，sherelievedhimofagoodlytuftoffeathersandsenthimbackwardinaseriesofsquirmylittlejumpsthatgavetheboyanideaofwhathadhappenedup-skytosendthefallingfeatheracrosshispathway。

"Scoreoneforthelady！I\'llbeumpiringthis，"volunteeredFreckles。

Witharavishingswagger，half-liftedwings，anddeep，gutturalhissing，theloverapproachedagain。Hesuddenlyliftedhisbody，butshecoollyrockedforwardonthelimb，glidedgracefullybeneathhim，andslowlysailedintotheLimberlost。Herecoveredhimselfandgazedafterherinastonishment。

Freckleshurrieddownthetrail，shakingwithlaughter。WhenhenearedthepathtotheclearingandsawtheBosssittingmotionlessonthemarethatwastheprideofhisheart，theboybrokeintoarun。

"Oh，Mr。McLean！"hecried。"IhopeIhaven\'tkeptyouwaitingverylong！Andthesunisgettinghot！Ihavebeensoslowthismorning！

Icouldhavegonefaster，onlytherewerethatmanythingstokeepme，andIdidn\'tknowyouwouldbehere。I\'llhurryafterthis。

I\'veneverhadtobegivingexcusesbefore。Thelinewasn\'tdown，andtherewasn\'tasignoftrouble；itwasotherthingsthatweremakingmelate。"

McLean，smilingontheboy，immediatelynoticedthedifferenceinhim。Thisflushed，panting，talkativeladwasnotthesamecreaturewhohadsoughthimindespairandbitterness。HewatchedinwonderasFrecklesmoppedtheperspirationfromhisforeheadandbegantolaugh。Then，forgettingallhiscustomaryreservewiththeBoss，thepent-upboyishnessintheladbrokeforth。Withaneloquenceofwhichheneverdreamedhetoldhisstory。HetalkedwithsuchenthusiasmthatMcLeannevertookhiseyesfromhisfaceorshiftedinthesaddleuntilhedescribedthestrangebird-lover，andthentheBosssuddenlybentoverthepommelandlaughedwiththeboy。

FrecklesdecoratedhisstorywithkeenappreciationandraretouchesofIrishwitanddrollerythatmadeitmostinterestingaswellasveryfunny。Itwasafirstattemptatdescriptivenarration。Withaninborngiftforstrikingthevitalpoint，anaturalist\'sdawningenthusiasmforthewondersoftheLimberlost，andthewellingjoyofhisnewlyfoundhappiness，hemadeMcLeanseethestrugglesofthemothanditsfreshlypaintedwings，thedainty，brilliantbird-matesofdifferentcolors，thefeatherslidingthroughtheclearair，thepalpitantthroatandbattingeyesofthefrog；whilehisversionofthebigbird\'scourtshipwonfortheBossthebestlaughhehadenjoyedforyears。

"They\'reinthemiddleofaswampnow"saidFreckles。"Doyousupposethereisanychanceofthemstayingwithmechickens？

Iftheydo，they\'llbeaboutthequeerestIhave；butItellyou，sir，Iamfindingsomeplumgoodones。There\'sanewkindoveratthemouthofthecreekthatusesitswingslikefeetandwalksonallfours。Ittravelslikeathrashingmachine。There\'sanother，tallasmewaist，withabillafootlong，aneckneartwo，notthethicknessofmewristandanelegantcolor。He\'ssomeblueandgray，touchedupwithblack，white，andbrown。Thevoiceofhimissuchthatifhe\'dbegoingupandstandingbesideatreeandcryingatitafewtimeshecouldbesawingitsquareoff。Idon\'tknowbutitwouldbeagoodideatotryhimonthegang，sir。"

McLeanlaughed。"Thosemustbeblueherons，Freckles，"hesaid。

"Anditdoesn\'tseempossible，butyourdescriptionofthebigblackbirdssoundslikegenuineblackvultures。TheyarecommonenoughintheSouth。I\'veseenthemnumerousaroundthelumbercampsofGeorgia，butIneverbeforeheardofanythisfarnorth。

Theymustbestrays。YouhavedescribedperfectlyournearestequivalenttoabranchofthesebirdscalledinEuropePharaoh\'sChickens，butiftheyarecomingtotheLimberlosttheywillhavetodropPharaohandbecomeFreckles\'Chickens，liketheremainderofthebirds；won\'tthey？Oraretheytoooddanduglytointerestyou？"

"Oh，notatall，atall！"criedFreckles，burstingintopurebrogueinhishaste。"Idon\'tknowasI\'dbecallingthemexactlypretty，andtheydomovelikearocking-horseloping，buttheyaresobigandfearless。Theyhaveafinecolorforblackbirds，andtheirfeetandbeaksseemsostrong。Youneversawanythingsokeenastheireyes！Andfly？Why，justthink，sir，theymustbeflyingmilesstraightup，fortheywereoutofsightcompletelywhenthefeatherfell。Idon\'tsupposeI\'veachickenintheswampthatcangoascloseheavenasthosebig，blackfellows，andthen——"

Freckles\'voicedraggedandhehesitated。

"Thenwhat？"interestedlyurgedMcLean。

"Hewaslovingherso，"answeredFrecklesinahushedvoice。"I

knowitlookedawfulfunny，andIlaughedandtoldonhim，butifI\'dtakentimetothinkIdon\'tbelieveI\'dhavedoneit。Yousee，I\'veseensuchalittlebitoflovinginmelife。YoueasilycanbeunderstandingthatattheHomeitwaseverydaytheoldstoryofneglectanddesertion。Alwayspeoplethatdidn\'tevencareenoughfortheirchildrentokeepthem，soyousee，sir，Ihadtolikehimfortryingsohardtomakeherknowhowhelovedher。Ofcourse，they\'reonlybirds，butiftheyarecaringforeachotherlikethat，why，it\'sjustthesameaspeople，ain\'tit？"

Frecklesliftedhisbrave，steadyeyestotheBoss。

"Ifanybodylovedmelikethat，Mr。McLean，Iwouldn\'tbespendinganytimeonhowtheylookedormoved。AllI\'dbethinkingofwouldbehowtheyfelttowardme。Iftheywillstay，I\'llbecaringasmuchforthemasanychickensIhave。IfIdidlaughatthemI

thoughthewasjustfine！"

ThefaceofMcLeanwasastudy；butthehonesteyesoftheboyweresocompellingthathefoundhimselfanswering:"Youareright，Freckles。He\'sagentleman，isn\'the？Andtheonlyrealchickenyouhave。Ofcoursehe\'llremain！TheLimberlostwillbeparadiseforhisfamily。Andnow，Freckles，whathasbeenthetroubleallspring？Youhavedoneyourworkasfaithfullyasanyonecouldask，butIcan\'thelpseeingthatthereissomethingwrong。Areyoutiredofyourjob？"

"Iloveit，"answeredFreckles。"Itwillalmostbreakmeheartwhenthegangcomesandbeginstearinguptheswampandscaringawaymechickens。"

"Thenwhatisthetrouble？"insistedMcLean。

"Ithink，sir，it\'sbeenbooks，"answeredFreckles。"Yousee，I

didn\'trealizeitmeselfuntilthebullfrogtoldmethismorning。

Ihadn\'teverevenheardaboutaplacelikethis。Anyway，Iwasn\'tunderstandinghowitwouldbe，ifIhad。Beingamongthesebeautifulthingseveryday，Igotsoanxiousliketobeknowingandnamingthem，thatitgottoeatingintomeandwentandmademenearsick，whenIwaswellasIcouldbe。Ofcourse，Ilearnedtoread，write，andfiguresomeatschool，buttherewasnothingthere，orinanyofthecitythatIevergottosee，thatwouldmakeafellowevenbedreamingofsuchinterestingthingsastherearehere。I\'veseentheparks——butgoodLord，theyain\'tevenbeginningtobeinitwiththeLimberlost！It\'sallnewandstrangetome。Idon\'tknowathingaboutanyofit。Thebullfrogtoldmeto`findout，\'plainasday，andbooksaretheonlyway；ain\'tthey？"

"Ofcourse，"saidMcLean，astonishedathimselfforhisheartfeltrelief。HehadnotguesseduntilthatminutewhatitwouldhavemeanttohimtohaveFrecklesgiveup。"Youknowenoughtostudyoutwhatyouwantyourself，ifyouhavethebooks；

don\'tyou？"

"IamprettysureIdo，"saidFreckles。"IlearnedallI\'dthechanceatintheHome，andmeschoolingwasgoodasfarasitwent。

Wouldn\'tletyougopastfourteen，youknow。Ialwaysdidmesumsperfect，andlovedmehistorybooks。Ihadthemalmostbyheart。I

nevercouldgetmegrammartosuitthem。Theysaiditwasjustborninmetogowrongtalking，andifithadn\'tbeenIsupposeIwouldhavepickeditupfromtheotherchildren；butI\'dthebestvoiceofanyofthemintheHomeoratschool。Icouldknockthemalloutsinging。IwasalwaysleaderintheHome，andonceoneofthesuperintendentsgavemecarfareandletmegointothecityandsinginaboys\'choir。ThemastersaidI\'dtheswatestvoiceofthemalluntilitgotroughlike，andthenhemademequitforawhile，buthesaiditwouldbecomingbackbynow，andI\'mraillythinkingitis，sir，forI\'vetriedonthelineabitoflateanditseemstogosmoothagainandlotsstronger。ThatandmechickenshavebeenallthecompanyI\'vebeenhaving，anditwillbeallI\'llwantifIcanhavesomebooksandlearntherealnamesofthings，wheretheycomefrom，andwhytheydosuchinterestingthings。It\'sbeenfrettingmemorethanIknewtobeshutuphereamongallthesewondersandnotknowingathing。Iwantedtoaskyouwhatsomebookswouldcostme，andifyou\'dbehavingthegoodnesstogetmetherightones。IthinkIhaveenoughmoney"

Frecklesofferedhisaccount-bookandtheBossstudieditgravely。

"Youneedn\'ttouchyouraccount，Freckles，"hesaid。"Tendollarsfromthismonth\'spaywillprovideyoueverythingyouneedtostarton。

IwillwriteafriendinGrandRapidstodaytoselectyoutheverybestandsendthematonce。"

Freckles\'eyeswereshining。

"Neverownedabookinmelife！"hesaid。"Evenmeschoolbookswerenevermine。Lord！HowIusedtowishIcouldhavejustoneofthemformeveryown！Won\'titbefuntoseemesawbirdandmelittleyellowfellowlookingatmefromthepagesofabook，andtheirrealnamesandallaboutthemprintedalongside？Howlongwillitbetaking，sir？"

"Tendaysshoulddoitnicely，"saidMcLean。Then，seeingFreckles\'

lengtheningface，headded:"I\'llhaveDuncanbringyouaten-bushelstore-boxthenexttimehegoestotown。Hecanhaulittothewestentranceandsetitupwhereveryouwantit。Youcanputinyoursparetimefillingitwiththespecimensyoufinduntilthebookscome，andthenyoucanstudyoutwhatyouhave。IsuspectyoucouldcollectspecimensthatIcouldsendtonaturalistsinthecityandsellforyou；thingslikethatwingedcreature，thismorning。

Idon\'tknowmuchinthatline，butitmusthavebeenamoth，anditmighthavebeenrare。I\'veseenthembythethousandinmuseums，andinallnatureIdon\'trememberrarercoloringthantheirwings。I\'llorderyouabutterfly-netandboxandshowyouhowscientistspinspecimens。Possiblyyoucanmakeafinecollectionoftheseswampbeauties。Itwillbeallrightforyoutotakeapairofdifferentmothsandbutterflies，butIdon\'twanttohearofyourkillinganybirds。Theyareprotectedbyheavyfines。"

McLeanrodeawayleavingFrecklesstaringaghast。Thenhesawthepointandsmiled。Standingonthetrail，hetwirledthefeatherandthoughtoverthemorning。

"Well，iflifeain\'tgettingtobeworthliving！"hesaidwonderingly。

"BiggeststreakofluckIeverhad！`Bouttimesomethingwascomingmyway，butIwouldn\'teverthoughtanybodycouldstrikesuchmagnificentprospectsthroughonlyafallingfeather。"

CHAPTERIV

WhereinFrecklesFacesTroubleBravelyandOpenstheWayforNewExperiencesOnDuncan\'sreturnfromhisnexttriptotowntherewasabigstore-boxloadedonthebackofhiswagon。Hedrovetothewestentranceoftheswamp，settheboxonastumpthatFreckleshadselectedinabeautiful，shelteredplace，andmadeitsecureonitsfoundationswithatreeatitsback。

"Itseemsmostapitytonailintothattree，"saidDuncan。

"Ihaenathetimetoexamineintothegrainofit，butitlooksasifitmightbearareane。Anyhow，thenailin\'winnahurtitdeep，andhavin\'thecasebyitwillmakeitsaferifitisaguidane。"

"Isn\'titanoak？"askedFreckles。

"Ay，"saidDuncan。"Itlookslikeitmightbeaneofthaefine-grainedwhiteanesthatmak\'suchgrandfurniture。"

Whenthebodyofthecasewassecure，Duncanmadeadoorfromthelidandfasteneditwithhinges。Hedroveastaple，screwedonalatch，andgaveFrecklesasmallpadlock——sothathemightfasteninhistreasuressafely。Hemadeashelfatthetopforhisbooks，andlastofallcoveredthecasewithoil-cloth。

ItwasthefirsttimeinFreckles\'lifethatanyoneeverhaddonethatmuchforhispleasure，anditwarmedhisheartwithpurejoy。

IftheinterioroftheboxalreadyhadbeencoveredwiththeraresttreasuresoftheLimberlosthecouldhavebeennohappier。

Whenthebigteamsterstoodbacktolookathisworkhelaughinglyquoted，"`Neat，butno\'gaudy，\'asMcLeansays。Allwe\'re，needingnowisacoatofpainttomakeacupboardthatwouldturnSarahgreenwithenvy。Ye\'llfindthatsafean\'dry，lad，an\'that\'sallthat\'sneeded。"

"Mr。Duncan，"saidFreckles，"Idon\'tknowwhyyouarebeingsomightygoodtome；butifyouhaveanyjobsatthecabinthatI

coulddoforyouorMrs。Duncan，hoursofftheline，itwouldmakememightyhappy。"

Duncanlaughed。"Yeneednafeelyeareobligedtome，lad。YemaunathinkIcouldtakeahalf-dayoffinthebesthaulingseasonandgototownforboxestorigup，andspendofmylittleforfixtures。"

"IknewMr。McLeansentyou，"saidFreckles，hiseyeswideandbrightwithhappiness。"It\'ssogoodofhim。HowIwishIcoulddosomethingthatwouldpleasehimasmuch！"

"Why，Freckles，"saidDuncan，ashekneltandbegancollectinghistools，"IcannaseethatitwillhurtyetobetoldthatyearedoingeverydayathingthatpleasestheBossasmuchasanythingyecoulddo。Ye\'rebeinguncommonfaithful，lad，andhonestasoldFatherTime。McLeanistrustingyeashewouldhisownfleshandblood。"

"Oh，Duncan！"criedthehappyboy。"Areyousure？"

"WhyIknow，"answeredDuncan。"Iwadnaventuretosaysoelse。

Inthosefirstdayshecautionedmenatotellye，butnowhewadnacare。D\'yeken，Freckles，thatsomeofthesingletreesyeareguardingareworthathousanddollars？"

Frecklescaughthisbreathandstoodspeechless。

"Yesee，"saidDuncan，"that\'swhytheymaunbewatchedsoclosely。

Theytak\'，say，forinstance，aburlmaple——bird\'seyetheycallitinthefactory，becauseit\'sfullo\'weeknotsandtwiststhatlookliketheeveofabird。Theysawitoutinsheetsnomucklethickerthanwritin\'paper。Thentheymakeupthefunitureoutofcheaperwoodandcoveritwiththemaple——veneer，theycallit。Whenit\'salldoneandpolishedyeneversawonythin\'grander。Gangintoaretailshopthenexttimeyeareintownandseesome。Bysawin\'itthinthatwaytheygetfinishforthousandsofdollars\'worthoffurniturefromasingletree。Ifyedinnawatchfaithful，andBlackJackgetsoutafewhehasmarked，itmeansthelossofmoremoneythanyeeverdreamedof，lad。Theothernight，downatcamp，somesonofBalaamwassuggestin\'thatyemightbesellin\'theBossouttoJackandlettin\'himtak\'thetreessecretly，andnobodywadeverkentilltheganggetshere。"

AwaveofscarletfloodedFreckles\'faceandheblazedhotlyattheinsult。

"AndtheBoss，"continuedDuncan，coollyignoringFreckles\'anger，"helaysbackjustascoolascowcumbersan\'says:`I\'llgiveathousanddollarstoonymanthatwillshowmeafreshstumpwhenwereachtheLimberlost，\'sayshe。Someofthemenjustsnappedhimopthatthey\'dfindsome。SoyouseebowtheBossistrustin\'ye，lad。"

"IamgladderthanIcaneverexpriss，"saidFreckles。"AndnowwillIbewalkingdoubletimetokeepsomeofthemfromcuttingatreetogetallthatmoney！"

"Mithero\'Moses！"howledDuncan。"YecantrusttheScotchtobunglethingsa\'thegither。McLeanwasonlymeanin\'toshowyeallconfidenceandhonor。He\'sgoneandsetahighpriceforsomedirtywhelptoruinye。Iwasjusttryin\'toshowyehowhefelttowardye，andI\'vegonean\'giveyethatworrytobear。DamntheScotch！

They\'resoslowan\'sodumb！"

"Exciptin\'prisintcompany？"sweetlyinquiredFreckles。

"No！"growledDuncan。"Headin\'thelist！He\'dnaebusinesstosetapriceonye，lad，forthat\'sabouttheamountofit，an\'I\'dnaerighttotellye。We\'vebothdoneyeill，an\'bothmeanin\'theverrabest。JuistwhatI\'malwayssayin\'toSarah。"

"Iammightyproudofwhatyouhavebeentellingme，Duncan，"

saidFreckles。"Ineedthewarning，sure。ForwiththebookscomingImightbetimptedtoneglectmeworkwhendoublewatchingisneeded。ThankyoumorethanIcansayforputtingmeontoit。

Whatyou\'vetoldmemaybethesavingofme。Iwon\'tstopfordinnernow。I\'llbegettingalongtheeastline，andwhenIcomearoundaboutthree，maybeMotherDuncanwillletmehaveaglassofmilkandabiteofsomething。"

"Yeseenow！"criedDuncanindisgust。"Ye\'llstartonthatseven-miletrampwithnabitetostayyourstomach。WhatwasitI

toldye？"

"YoutoldmethattheScotchhadthehardestheadsandthesoftestheartsofanypeoplethat\'sliving，"answeredFreckles。

Duncangruntedingratifieddisapproval。

Frecklespickeduphisclubandstarteddowntheline，whistlingcheerily，forhehadanunusuallylongrepertoireuponwhichtodraw。

Duncanwentstraighttothelowercamp，andcallingMcLeanaside，repeatedtheconversationverbatim，ending:"Andnaematterwhathappensnoworever，dinnayedareletonythin\'makeyebelievethatFreckleshasnaguardedfaithfulasonymancould。"

"Idon\'tthinkanythingcouldshakemyfaithinthelad，"answeredMcLean。

Freckleswaswhistlingmerrily。Hekeptoneeyereligiouslyontheline。Theotherhedividedbetweenthepath，hisfriendsofthewire，andasearchoftheskyforhislatestarrivals。Everydaysincetheircominghehadseenthem，eitherhangingassmall，blackcloudsabovetheswamporbobbingoverlogsandtreeswiththeirqueer，tiltingwalk。Wheneverhecouldsparetime，heenteredtheswampandtriedtomakefriendswiththem，fortheywerethetamestofallhisunnumberedsubjects。Theyducked，dodged，andambledaroundhim，overlogsandbushes，andnotevenanearapproachwoulddrivethemtoflight。

FortwoweekshehadfoundthemcirclingovertheLimberlostregularly，butonemorningthefemalewasmissingandonlythebigblackchickenhungsentinelabovetheswamp。Hismatedidnotreappearinthefollowingdays，andFrecklesgrewveryanxious。

HespokeofittoMrs。Duncan，andshequietedhisfearsbyraisingadelightfulhopeintheirstead。

"Why，Freckles，ifit\'sthehen-birdyearemissing，it\'stentooneshe\'ssafe，"shesaid。"She\'slaid，andissetting，yesilly！

Watchhimandmarkwhaurhelichts。Thenfollowandfindthenest。

SomeSabbathwe\'llallgangseeit。"

Acceptingthistheory，Frecklesbegansearchingforthenest。

Becausethese"chickens"werelarge，asthehawks，helookedamongthetreetopsuntilhealmostsprainedthebackofhisneck。Hehadhalfthecrowandhawknestsintheswamplocated。Hesearchedforthisnestinsteadofcollectingsubjectsforhiscase。Hefoundthepairthemiddleofoneforenoonontheelmwherehehadwatchedtheirlove-making。Thebigblackchickenwasfeedinghismate；soitwasprovedthattheywereapair，theywerebothalive，andundoubtedlyshewasbrooding。AfterthatFreckles\'nest-huntingcontinuedwithrenewedzeal，butashehadnoideawheretolookandDuncancouldoffernohelpfulsuggestion，thenestwasnonearertobeingfound。

Comingfromalongdayonthetrail，FrecklessawDuncan\'schildrenawaitinghimmuchclosertheswalethantheyusuallyventured，andfromtheirwildgesturesheknewthatsomethinghadhappened。

Hebegantorun，butthecrythatreachedhimwas:"Thebookshavecome！"

Howtheyhurried！Frecklesliftedtheyoungesttohisshoulder，thesecondtookhisclubanddinnerpail，andwhentheyreachedMrs。

Duncantheyfoundheratworkonabigbox。Shehadloosenedthelid，andthenshelaughinglysatonit。

"Yecannahaveapeepinhereuntilyehavewashedandeatensupper，"shesaid。"It\'sallreadyonthetable。Anceyebeginonthis，ye\'llnobewillin\'totak\'yournoseo\'ittillbedtime，andIwillnagetmyworkdonethenicht。We\'veeatenlongago。"

Itwasdifficultwork，butFrecklessmiledbravely。Hemadehimselfneat，swallowedafewbites，thencamesoeagerlythatMrs。Duncanyielded，althoughshesaidsheverywellknewallthetimethathissupperwouldbespoiled。

Liftingthelid，theyremovedthepackingandfoundinthatboxbooksonbirds，trees，flowers，moths，andbutterflies。TherewasalsoonecontainingFreckles\'bullfrog，truetolife。Besidesthesewereabutterfly-net，anaturalist\'stinspecimen-box，abottleofcyanide，aboxofcotton，apaperoflong，steelspecimen-pins，andalettertellingwhatallthesethingswereandhowtousethem。

Atthediscoveryofeachnewtreasure，Frecklesshouted:"Willyoubelookingatthis，now？"

Mrs。Duncancried:"Weel，Ibedrawedon！"

Theeldestboyturnedasomersaultforeveryextra，whilethebaby，tryingtofollowhisexample，bunchedoverinasidewisesprawlandcuthisfootontheaxewithwhichhismotherhadprizedupthebox-lid。Thatsoberedthem，theycarriedthebooksindoors。Mrs。

Duncanhadatopshelfinherclosetclearedforthem，farabovethereachofmeddlinglittlefingers。

WhenFrecklesstartedforthetrailnextmorning，theshiningnewspecimen-boxflashedonhisback。Theblack"chicken，"amerespeckintheblue，caughtthegleamofit。Thefoldednethungbesidetheboy\'shatchet，andthebirdbookwasinthebox。Hewalkedthelineandtestedeachsectionscrupulously，watchingeveryfootofthetrail，forhewasdeterminednottoslighthiswork；butifeveraboy"madehasteslowly"inahurry，itwasFrecklesthatmorning。

Whenatlasthereachedthespacehehadclearedandplantedaroundhiscase，hisheartswelledwiththeprideofpossessingevensomuchthathecouldcallhisown，whilehisquickeyesfeastedonthebeautyofit。

Hehadmadealargeroomwiththedoorofthecasesetevenwithonesideofit。Onthreesides，finebigbushesofwildroseclimbedtothelowerbranchesofthetrees。Partofhiswallsweremallow，partalder，thorn，willow，anddogwood。Belowtherefilledinasolidmassofpalepinksheep-laurel，andyellowSt。John\'swort，whiletheamberthreadsofthedodderinterlacedeverywhere。

Atonesidetheswampcameclose，herecattailsgrewinprofusion。

Infrontofthemhehadplantedarowofwater-hyacinthswithoutdisturbingintheleastthestateoftheirazurebloom，andwherethegroundarosehigherforhisfloor，arowoffoxfire，thatsoonwouldbeopen。

Tothelefthehaddiscoveredaqueernaturalarrangementofthetrees，thatgrewtogiantsizeandweresetinagraduallynarrowingspacesothatalong，openvistastretchedawayuntillostinthedimrecessesoftheswamp。Alittletrimmingofunderbush，rollingofdeadlogs，levellingoffloorandcarpetingwithmoss，madeiteasytounderstandwhyFreckleshadnamedthisthe"cathedral"；yetheneverhadbeentaughtthat"thegroveswereGod\'sfirsttemples。"

Oneithersideofthetreesthatconstitutedthefirstarchofthisdimvistaoftheswampheplantedfernsthatgrewwaist-highthusearlyintheseason，andsoskilfullytheworkhadbeendonethatnotafronddroopedbecauseofthechange。Opposite，heclearedaspaceandmadeaflowerbed。Hefilledoneendwitheverydelicate，lacyvineandfernhecouldtransplantsuccessfully。Thebodyofthebedwasariotofcolor。Herehesetgrowingdaintyblue-eyed-Marysandblue-eyedgrasssidebyside。Heplantedharebells；violets，blue，white，andyellow；wildgeranium，cardinal-flower，columbine，pinksnake\'smouth，buttercups，paintedtrilliums，andorchis。Herewereblood-root，moccasin-flower，hepatica，pitcher-plant，Jack-in-the-pulpit，andeveryotherfloweroftheLimberlostthatwasinbloomorboreabudpresagingaflower。Everydaysawtheadditionofnewspecimens。Theplacewouldhavedrivenabotanistwildwithenvy。

Onthelinesideheleftthebushesthickforconcealment，enteringbyanarrowpathheandDuncanhadclearedinsettingupthecase。

Hecalledthisthefrontdoor，thoughheusedeveryprecautiontohideit。Hebuiltrusticseatsbetweenseveralofthetrees，leveledthefloor，andthicklycarpeteditwithrank，heavy，woolly-dogmoss。Aroundthecaseheplantedwildclematis，bittersweet，andwild-grapevines，andtrainedthemoverituntilitwasalmostcovered。Everydayheplantednewflowers，cutbackroughbushes，andcoaxedoutgracefulones。Hisprideinhisroomwasverygreat，buthehadnoideahowsurprisinglybeautifulitwouldappeartoanyonewhohadnotwitnesseditsgrowthandconstruction。

ThismorningFreckleswalkedstraighttohiscase，unlockedit，andsethisapparatusanddinnerinside。Heplantedanewspecimenhehadfoundclosethetrail，and，bringinghisoldscrap-bucketfromthecornerinwhichitwashidden，fromanear-bypoolhedippedwatertopouroverhiscarpetandflowers。

Thenhetookoutthebirdbook，settledcomfortablyonabench，andwithadeepsighofsatisfactionturnedtothesectionheaded。"V。"

Past"veery"and"vireo"hewent，downthelineuntilhisfinger，tremblingwitheagerness，stoppedat"vulture。"

"`GreatblackCaliforniavulture，\'"heread。

"Humph！ThissidetheRockieswilldoforus。"

"`Commonturkey-buzzard。\'"

"Well，weain\'thuntingcommonturkeys。McLeansaidchickens，andwhathesaysgoes。"

"`BlackvultureoftheSouth。\'"

"Herewearearrivedatonce。"

Freckles\'fingerfollowedtheline，andhereadscrapsaloud。

"`CommonintheSouth。SometimescalledJimCrow。NearestequivalenttoC-a-t-h-a-r-t-e-sA-t-r-a-t-a。\'"

"HowthedivilamIevertolearnthemcorkin\'bigwordsbymesel\'？"

"`——thePharaoh\'sChickensofEuropeanspecies。SometimesstraynorthasfarasVirginiaandKentucky——\'"

"Andsometimesfarther，"interpolatedFreckles，"\'cosIgotthemrighthereinIndianasolikethesepicturesIcanjustseemebigchickenbobbinguptogethisearsboxed。Hey？"

"`Light-blueeggs\'——"

"Golly！Igottobeseeingthem！"

"`——bigasacommonturkey\'s，butshapedlikeahen\'s，heavilysplotchedwithchocolate——\'"

"Caramels，Isuppose。And——"

"`——inhollowlogsorstumps。\'"

"Oh，hagginy！Wasn\'tIbarkingupthewrongtree，though？Oughttobeenlookingclosethegroundallthistime。Nowit\'salltodoover，andIsuspectthesoonerIstartthesoonerI\'llbelikelytofindthem。"

Frecklesputawayhisbook，dampenedthesmudge-fire，withoutwhichthemosquitoesmadetheswampalmostunbearable，tookhiscudgelandlunch，andwenttotheline。Hesatonalog，ateatdinner-timeanddrankhislastdropofwater。TheheatofJunewasgrowingintense。Evenonthewestoftheswamp，whereonehadfullbenefitofthebreezefromtheupland，itwasbeginningtobeunpleasantinthemiddleoftheday。

Hebrushedthecrumbsfromhiskneesandsatrestingawhileandwatchingtheskytoseeifhisbigchickenwerehangingupthere。

Buthecametotheearthabruptly，fortherewerestepscomingdownthetrailthatwereneitherMcLean\'snorDuncan\'s——andthereneverhadbeenothers。Freckles\'heartleapedhotly。Heranaquickhandoverhisbelttofeelifhisrevolverandhatchetwerethere，caughtuphiscudgelandlaiditacrosshisknees——thensatquietly，waiting。WasitBlackJack，orsomeoneevenworse？Forcedtodosomethingtobracehisnerves，hepuckeredhisstiffeninglipsandbeganwhistlingatunehehadledinhiscleartenoreveryyearofhislifeattheHomeChristmasexercises。

"Whocomesthisway，soblitheandgay，UponamerryChristmasday？"

HisquickIrishwitrousedtotheridiculousnessofituntilhebrokeintoalaughthatsteadiedhimamazingly。

Throughthebusheshecaughtaglimpseoftheoncomingfigure。Hisheartfloodedwithjoy，foritwasamanfromthegang。Wessnerhadbeenhisbunk-matethenighthecamedownthecorduroy。HeknewhimaswellasanyofMcLean\'smen。Thiswasnotimber-thief。NodoubttheBosshadsenthimwithamessage。Frecklessprangupandcalledcheerily，awarmwelcomeonhisface。

"Well，it\'sgoodtellingifyou\'regladtoseeme，"saidWessner，withsomethingverylikeabreathofrelief。"Webeenhearingdownatthecampyouweresomightytouchyyoudidn\'tallowamanwithinarodoftheline。"

"NomoredoI，"answeredFreckles，"ifhe\'sastranger，butyou\'refromMcLean，ain\'tyou？"

"Oh，damnMcLean！"saidWessner。

Frecklesgrippedthecudgeluntilhisknucklesslowlyturnedpurple。

"Andareyouraillysayingso？"heinquiredwithelaboratepoliteness。

"Yes，Iam，"saidWessner。"Sowouldeverymanofthegangiftheywasn\'ttoobigcowardstosayanything，unlessmaybethatotherslobberingoldScotchman，Duncan。Grindingthelivesoutofus！

Workinguslikedogs，andpayingusstarvationwages，whileherollsuphismillionsandliveslikeaprince！"

GreenlightsbegantoplaythroughthegrayofFreckles\'eyes。

"Wessner，"hesaidimpressively，"you\'dmakeafinepatternforthefatherofliars！Everymanonthatgangisstrongandhilthy，paidallheearns，andtreatedwiththecourtesyofagentleman！AsfortheBosslivinglikeaprince，hesharesfarewithyoueverydayofyourlives！"

Wessnerwasnotaborndiplomat，buthesawhewasonthewrongtack，sohetriedanother。

"Howwouldyouliketomakeagoodbigpileofmoney，withoutevenliftingyourhand？"heasked。

"Humph！"saidFreckles。"HaveyoubeenuptoChicagoandcorneredwheat，andareyouofferingmeafriendlytipontheinvistmentofmefortune？"

Wessnercameclose。

"Freckles，oldfellow，"hesaid，"ifyouletmegiveyouapointer，Icanputyouontomakingacoolfivehundredwithoutsteppingoutofyourtracks。"

Frecklesdrewback。

"Youneedn\'tbeafraidofspeakingup，"hesaid。"Thereisn\'tasoulintheLimberlostsavethebirdsandthebeasts，unlesssomeofyoursort\'scomealongand\'scrowdingtheprivilegesofthelegaltinints。"

"Noneofmyfriendsalong，"saidWessner。"NobodyknewIcamebutBlack，I——Imeanafriendofmine。Ifyouwanttohearsenseandactwithreason，hecanseeyoulater，butitain\'tnecessary。Wecanmakealltheplansneeded。Thetrick\'ssodeadsmallandeasy。"

"Mustbeifyouhavetheengineeringofit，"saidFreckles。Butheheard，withasighofrelief，thattheywerealone。

Wessnerwasimpervious。"Youjustbetitis！Why，onlythink，Freckles，slavin\'awayatameaslylittlethirtydollarsamonth，andhereisachancetoclearfivehundredinaday！Yousurelywon\'tbethefooltomissit！"

"Andhowwasyouproposingformetostaleit？"inquiredFreckles。

"OramIjusttofinditlayinginmepathbesidetheline？"

"That\'sit，Freckles，"blusteredtheDutchman，"you\'rejusttofindit。Youneedn\'tdoathing。Youneedn\'tknowathing。

Younameamorningwhenyouwillwalkupthewestsideoftheswampandthenturnroundandwalkbackdownthesamesideagainandthemoneyisyours。Couldn\'tanythingbeeasierthanthat，couldit？"

"Depindsentirelyontheman，"saidFreckles。Theliltofalarkhangingabovetheswalebesidethemwasnotsweeterthanthesweetnessofhisvoice。"Tosomeitwouldseemtocomeaisyasbreathing；andtosome，wringin\'thelastdropoftheirheart\'sbloodcouldn\'tforcethim！I\'mnotthemanthatgoesintoaschemelikethatwiththeblindfoldovermeeyes，for，yousee，itmanestobreaktrustwiththeBoss；andI\'veservedhimfaithfulasIknew。

You\'llhavetobemakingthethingverycleartomeunderstanding。"

"It\'ssodeadeasy，"repeatedWessner，"itmakesmetiredofthesimplenessofit。Youseethere\'safewtreesintheswampthat\'srealgoldmines。There\'sthreeespecial。Twoarebackin，butone\'ssquareontheline。Why，yourpotteringoldScotchfoolofaBossnailedthewiretoitwithhisownhands！Henevernoticedwherethebarkhadbeenpeeled，orsawwhatitwas。Ifyouwillstayonthissideofthetrailjustonedaywecanhaveitcut，loaded，andreadytodriveoutatnight。Nextmorningyoucanfindit，report，andbethebusiestmaninthesearchforus。Weknowwheretofixitallsafeandeasy。ThenMcLeanhasabetupwithacoupleofthegangthattherecan\'tbearawstumpfoundintheLimberlost。

There\'splentyofwitnessestosweartoit，andIknowthreethatwill。

There\'sacoolthousand，andthistreeisworthallofthat，raw。

Say，it\'sagoldmine，Itellyou，andjustfivehundredofitisyours。There\'snodangeronearthtoyou，foryou\'vegotMcLeanthatbamboozledyoucouldselloutthewholeswampandhe\'dnevermistrustyou。Whatdoyousay？"

Freckles\'soulwassatisfied。"Isthatall？"heasked。

"No，itain\'t，"saidWessner。"Ifyoureallywanttobraceupandbeamanandgointothethingforkeeps，youcanmakefivetimesthatinaweek。Myfriendknowsadozenotherswecouldgetoutinafewdays，andallyou\'dhavetodowouldbetokeepoutofsight。

Thenyoucouldtakeyourmoneyandskipsomenight，andbeginlifelikeagentlemansomewhereelse。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？"

Frecklespurredlikeakitten。

"\'TwouldbeararejokeontheBoss，"hesaid，"tobestalin\'fromhimtheverythinghe\'strustedmetoguard，andbegettingmewagesallwinterthrowedinfree。Andyou\'remakingthepayawfulhigh。

Metobegettingfivehundredforsuchasimplelittlethingasthat。

You\'retratingmemostroyalindade！It\'sawaybeyondallI\'dbeexpecting。Sivinteencintswouldbeabigpriceforthatjob。

Itmustbelookedintothorough。JustyouwaithereuntilIdoaminute\'sturnintheswamp，andthenI\'llbeeschortingyououtoftheclearingandgivingyoutheanswer。"

Frecklesliftedtheoverhangingbushesandhurriedtothecase。

Heunslungthespecimen-boxandlaiditinsidewithhishatchetandrevolver。HeslippedthekeyinhispocketandwentbacktoWessner。

"Nowfortheanswer，"hesaid。"Standup！"

Therewasironinhisvoice，andhewascommandingasanoutragedgeneral。"Anything，youwanttobetakingoff？"

hequestioned。

Wessnerlookedtheastonishmenthefelt。"Why，no，Freckles，"hesaid。

"HavethegoodnesstobecallingmeMisterMcLean，"snappedFreckles。

"I\'mafterresarvin\'mepetnamefortheuseofmefriends！

Youmaystandwithyourbacktothelightorbetakinganyadvantageyouwant。"

"Why，whatdoyoumean？"splutteredWessner。

"I\'mmanin\'，"saidFrecklestersely，"tolickaquarter-sectionofhelloutofyou，andmaytheHolyVarginstaymebeforeIleaveyouherecarrion，foryourcarcasswouldturnthestummicksofmechickens！"

Atthecampthatmorning，Wessner\'sconducthadbeensopalpableanexcusetoforceadischargethatDuncanmovednearMcLeanandwhispered，"Thinkoftheboy，sir？"

McLeanwassotroubledthat，anhourlater，hemountedNellieandfollowedWessnertohishomeinWildcatHollow，onlytofindthathehadleftthereshortlybefore，headingfortheLimberlost。

McLeanrodeattopspeed。WhenMrs。DuncantoldhimthatamanansweringWessner\'sdescriptionhadgonedownthewestsideoftheswampclosenoon，heleftthemareinherchargeandfollowedonfoot。

WhenheheardvoicesheenteredtheswampandsilentlycreptclosejustintimetohearWessnerwhine:"ButIcan\'tfightyou，Freckles。

Ihain\'tdonenothingtoyou。I\'mawaybiggerthanyou，andyou\'veonlyonehand。"

TheBossslidoffhiscoatandcrouchedamongthebushes，readytospring；butasFreckles\'voicereachedhimheheldhimself，withastrongeffort，tolearnwhatmettlewasintheboy。

"Don\'tyoubewastingofmegoodtimeinthenumberingofmehands，"criedFreckles。"Thestringthofmecausewillmakeupfortheweaknessofmemimbers，andthesizeofacowardlythiefdoesn\'tcount。You\'llthinkallthewildcatsoftheLimberlostareturnedlooseonyouwhinIcomeagainstyou，andasformecause——Isleptwithyou，Wessner，thenightIcamedownthecorduroylikeadirty，friendlesstramp，andtheBosswasfortakingmeup，washing，clothing，andfeedingme，andgivingmeahomefullofloveandtinderness，andamastertolookto，andgood，well-earnedmoneyinthebank。He\'strustingmehisheartful，andherecomesyou，youspottedtoadofthebigroad，andinsultsme，asisanhonestIrishgintleman，byhintingthatyouconcaiveI\'dbewillingtoshutmeeyesandholdfastwhileyourobhimofthethingIwassetandpaidtoguard，andthenactthesneakandliartohim，andruinandeternallyblackenthesoulofme。

Youdamnedrascal，"ravedFreckles，"befightingbeforeIforgetthelawsofagintlemin\'sgameandsplityourdirtyheadwithmestick！"

Wessnerbackedaway，mumbling，"ButIdon\'twanttohurtyou，Freckles！"

"Oh，don\'tyou！"ragedtheboy，nowfairlyfrothing。"Well，youain\'tresemblingmenone，forI\'mitchinglikedeathtogitmefingersinthefaceofyou。"

Hedancedup，andasWessnerlungedinself-defense，duckedunderhisarmasabantamandpunchedhiminthepitofthestomachsothathedoubledwithagroan。BeforeWessnercouldstraightenhimself，Freckleswasonhim，fightinglikethewildestfurythateverleftthebeautifulisland。TheDutchmandealtthunderingblowsthatsometimeslandedandsentFrecklesreeling，andsometimesmissed，whilehewentplungingintotheswalewiththeimpetusofthem。

FrecklescouldnotstrikewithhalfWessner\'sforce，buthecouldlandthreeblowstotheDutchman\'sone。Itwasherethattheboy\'sdaysofalertwatchingontheline，theperpetualswingingoftheheavycudgel，andtheenduranceofallweatherstoodhimingoodstead；forhewastough，andagile。Heskipped，ducked，anddodged。

Forthefirstfiveminutesheenduredfearfulpunishment。

ThenWessner\'sbreathcommencedtowhistlebetweenhisteeth，whenFrecklesonlyhadbegunfighting。Hesprangbackwithshrilllaughter。

"Begolly！andwillyourhonorbewhistlingthehornpipeformetobedancingof？"hecried。

SPANG！wenthisfistintoWessner\'sface，andhewaspasthimintotheswale。

"Andwouldyoubepleasedtotuneupalittlelivelier？"hegasped，andclippedhisearashesprangback。Wessnerlungedathiminblindfury。Freckles，seeinganopening，forgotthelawsofagentleman\'sgameanddrovethetoeofhisheavywading-bootinWessner\'smiddleuntilhedoubledandfellheavily。InaflashFreckleswasonhim。ForatimeMcLeancouldnotseewhatwashappening。"Go！Gotohimnow！"hecommandedhimself，butsointensewashisdesiretoseetheboywinalonethathedidnotstir。

AtlastFrecklessprangupandbackedaway。"Time！"heyelledasafury。"Begettingup，Mr。Wessner，anddon\'tbeafraidofhurtingme。I\'llletyouthrowinanextrahandandlickyoutomecomplatesatisfactionallthesame。Didyouhearmecallthelimit？Willyougetupandbefacingme？"

AsWessnerstruggledtohisfeet，heresembledabattlefield，forhisclothingwasinribbonsandhisfaceandhandsstreamingblood。

"I——IguessIgotenough，"hemumbled。

"Oh，youdo？"roaredFreckles。"Wellthisain\'tyoursay。Youcomeontomeground，lyingaboutmeBossandintimatin\'I\'dstalefromhisverypockets。Nowwillyoubestandingupandtakingyourmedicinelikeaman，orgettingitpoureddownthethroatofyoulikeababy？Iain\'tgotenough！Thisisonlyjustthebeginningwithme。Belookingoutthere！"

HesprangagainstWessnerandsenthimrolling。HeattackedtheunresistingfigureandfoughthimuntilhelaylimpandquietandFreckleshadnostrengthlefttoliftanarm。Thenhearoseandsteppedback，gaspingforbreath。Withhisfirstlungfulofairheshouted:"Time！"ButthefigureofWessnerlaymotionless。

Freckleswatchedhimwithregardfuleyeandsawatlastthathewascompletelyexhausted。Hebentoverhim，andcatchinghimbythebackoftheneck，jerkedhimtohisknees。Wessnerliftedthefaceofawhippedcur，andfearingfurtherpunishment，burstintoshiveringsobs，whilethetearswashedtinyrivuletsthroughthebloodandmuck。Frecklessteppedback，glaringatWessner，butsuddenlythescowlofangerandtheuglydisfiguringredfadedfromtheboy\'sface。Hedabbedatacutonhistemplefromwhichissuedatinycrimsonstream，andjauntilyshookbackhishair。Hisfacetookontheinnocentlookofacherub，andhisvoicerivaledthatofabroodingdove，butintohiseyescreptalookofdiabolicalmischief。

Heglancedvaguelyaroundhimuntilhesawhisclub，seizedandtwirleditasadrummajor，stuckituprightinthemuck，andmarchedontiptoetoWessner，mechanically，asapuppetworkedbyastring。Bendingover，FrecklesreachedanarmaroundWessner\'swaistandhelpedhimtohisfeet。

"Careful，now"hecautioned，"becareful，Freddy；there\'sdangerofyouhurtingme。"

Drawingahandkerchieffromabackpocket，FrecklestenderlywipedWessner\'seyesandnose。

"Come，Freddy，mechild，"headmonishedWessner，"it\'stimelittleboysweregoinghome。I\'vemeworktodo，andcan\'tbeentertainingyouanymoretoday。Comebacktomorrow，ifyouain\'tthroughyet，andwe\'llrepatetheperfarmance。Don\'tbestaringatmesowildlike！

Iwouldeatyou，butIcan\'taffordit。Meearnings，beinghonest，comeslow，andI\'venomoneytobesquanderin\'onthepailfulofDyspeptic\'sDelightitwouldbetotakingtoworkyououtofmyinnards！"

AgainanawfulwrenchingseizedMcLean。FrecklessteppedbackasWessner，totteringandreeling，asathoroughlydrunkenman，cametowardthepath，appearingindeedasifwildcatshadattackedhim。

Thecudgelspunhighinair，andcatchingitwithanexpertnessacquiredbylongpracticeontheline，theboytwirleditasecond，shookbackhisthickhairbonnily，andsteppingintothetrail，followedWessner。BecauseFreckleswasIrish，itwasimpossibletodoitsilently，sopresentlyhiscleartenorrangout，thoughtherewerebadcatcheswherehewashardpressedforbreath:

"ItwastheDutch。ItwastheDutch。

DoyouthinkitwastheIrishholleredhelp？

Notmuch！

ItwastheDutch。ItwastheDutch——"

Wessnerturnedandmumbled:"Whatyoufollowingmefor？Whatareyougoingtodowithme？"

FrecklescalledtheLimberlosttowitness:"How\'sthatfortheingratitudeofabeast？Andmetroublingmesilftoshowhimoffmeterritorywiththehonorsofwar！"

Thenhechangedhistonecompletelyandadded:"Belikeit\'sthis，Freddy。Yousee，theBossmightcomeridingdownthistrailanyminute，andthelittlemare\'ssowheedlesomethatifshe\'dcomeontoyouinyourprisintstateallofasudden，she\'dstopthatshortshe\'dsendMr。McLeanoutovertheearsofher。

Nodisparagementintindedtothesinseofthemare！"headdedhastily。

Wessnerbelchedafearfuloath，whileFreckleslaughedmerrily。

"That\'sasampleofthethanksagenerousact\'salwaysforgetting，"hecontinued。"Here\'smenegictin\'meworktoeschortyououtproper，andyousayingsuchawfulwordsFreddy，"hedemandedsternly，"doyouwantmetosoapoutyourmouth？Youdon\'tseemtoberealizingit，butifyouwastobuckintoMr。McLeaninyourprisintstate，withoutmetheretoexplainmattersthechanceishe\'dcuttheliveroutofyou；andIshouldn\'tthinkyou\'dbewantingsuchafinegintlemanashimtoseethatit\'swhite！"

Wessnergrewghastlyunderhisgrimeandbrokeintoastaggeringrun。

"Andnowwillyoubelookingatthemannersofhim？"questionedFrecklesplaintively。"Goingwithoutevena`thankyou，\'rightinthefaceofallthepainsI\'vetakentomakeitinterestingforhim！"

FrecklestwirledtheclubandstoodasasoldieratattentionuntilWessnerlefttheclearing，butitwasthelastsceneofthatperformance。Whentheboyturned，therewasdeathlyillnessonhisface，whilehislegswaveredbeneathhisweight。Hestaggeredtothecase，andopeningithetookoutapieceofcloth。Hedippeditintothewater，andsittingonabench，hewipedthebloodandgrimefromhisface，whilehisbreathsuckedbetweenhisclenchedteeth。

Hewasshiveringwithpainandexcitementinspiteofhimself。

Heunbuttonedthebandofhisrightsleeve，andturningitback，exposedtheblue-lined，callousedwhitenessofhismaimedarm，nowvividlystreakedwithcontusions，whileinaseriesofcirculardotsthebloodoozedslowly。HereWessnerhadsucceededinsettinghisteeth。WhenFrecklessawwhatitwasheforgavehimselfthekickinthepitofWessner\'sstomach，andcursedferventlyanddeep。

"Freckles，Freckles，"saidMcLean\'svoice。

Frecklessnatcheddownhissleeveandarosetohisfeet。

"Excuseme，sir，"hesaid。"You\'llsurelybebelavin\'Ithoughtmeselfalone。"

McLeanpushedhimcarefullytotheseat，andbendingoverhim，openedapocket-casethathecarriedasregularlyashisrevolverandwatch，forcutsandbruiseswereofdailyoccurrenceamongthegang。

Takingthehurtarm，heturnedbackthesleeveandbathedandboundthewounds。HeexaminedFreckles\'headandbodyandconvincedhimselfthattherewasnopermanentinjury，althoughthecrueltyofthepunishmenttheboyhadbornesettheBossshuddering。Thenheclosedthecase，shoveditintohispocket，andsatbesideFreckles。

Alltheindescribablebeautyoftheplacewasstrongaroundhim，buthesawonlythebruisedfaceofthesufferingboy，whohadhedgedfortheinformationhewantedasadiplomat，arguedasajudge，foughtasasheik，andtriumphedasadevil。

WhenthepainlessenedandbreathreievedFreckles\'poundingheart，hewatchedtheBosscovertly。HowhadMcLeangottenthereandhowlonghadhebeenthere？Frecklesdidnotdareask。Atlasthearose，andgoingtothecase，tookouthisrevolverandthewire-

mendingapparatusandlockedthedoor。ThenheturnedtoMcLean。

"Haveyouanyorders，sir？"heasked。

"Yes，"saidMcLean，"Ihave，andyouaretofollowthemtotheletter。Turnoverthatapparatustomeandgostraighthome。

Soakyourselfinthehottestbathyourskinwillbearandgotobedatonce。Nowhurry。"

"Mr。McLean，"saidFreckles，"it\'ssorryIamtobetellingyou，buttheafternoon\'swalkingofthelineain\'tdone。Yousee，Iwasjustforgettingtomefeettostart，andIwasontime，whenupcameagintleman，andwegotintoalittleheatedargument。

It\'seithersettled，orit\'sjustbegun，butbetweenus，I\'mthatlateIhaven\'tstartedfortheafternoonyet。Imustbegoingatonce，forthere\'satreeImustfindbeforetheday\'sover。"

"Youpluckylittleidiot，"growledMcLean。"Youcan\'twalktheline！

IdoubtifyoucanreachDuncan\'s。Don\'tyouknowwhenyouaredoneup？Yougotobed；I\'llfinishyourwork。"

"Niver！"protestedFreckles。"Iwasjustalittledoneupfortheprisint，aminuteago。I\'mallrightnow。Riding-bootsarefartoolow。Theday\'shotandthewalkagoodsevenmiles，sir。Niver！"

Ashereachedfortheoutfithepitchedforwardandhiseyesclosed。

McLeanstretchedhimonthemossandappliedrestoratives。

WhenFrecklesreturnedtoconsciousness，McLeanrantothecabintotellMrs。Duncantohaveahotbathready，andtobringNellie。

Thatworthywomanpromptlyfilledthewash-boiler，startingaroaringfireunderit。Shepushedthehorse-troughfromitsbaseandrolledittothekitchen。

BythetimeMcLeancameagain，leadingNelieandholdingFrecklesonherback，Mrs。Duncanwasreadyforbusiness。SheandtheBosslaidFrecklesinthetroughandpouredonhotwateruntilhesquirmed。

Theysoakedandmassagedhim。Thentheydrewoffthehotwaterandclosedhisporeswithcold。Lastlytheystretchedhimonthefloorandchafed，rubbed，andkneadedhimuntilhecriedoutformercy。

Astheyrolledhimintobed，hiseyesdroppedshut，butalittlelatertheyflaredopen。

"Mr。McLean，"hecried，"thetree！Oh，dobelookingafterthetree！"

McLeanbentoverhim。"Whichtree，Freckles？"

"Idon\'tknowexact"sir；butit\'sontheeastline，andthewireisfastenedtoit。Hebraggedthatyounailedityourself，sir。

You\'llknowitbythebarkhavingbeenlaidopentothegrainsomewherelowdown。Fivehundreddollarsheofferedme——tobe——

sellingyouout——sir！"

Freckles\'headrolledoverandhiseyesdroppedshut。McLeantoweredabovethelad。Hisbrighthairwavedonthepillow。Hisfacewasswollen，andpurplewithbruises。Hisleftarm，withthehandbatteredalmostoutofshape，stretchedbesidehim，andtheright，withnohandatall，layacrossachestthatwasamassofpurplewelts。

McLean\'smindtraveledtothenight，almostayearbefore，whenhehadengagedFreckles，astranger。

TheBossbent，coveringthehurtarmwithonehandandlayingtheotherwithacaressontheboy\'sforehead。Frecklesstirredathistouch，andwhisperedassoftlyastheswallowsundertheeaves:

"Ifyou\'recomingthisway——tomorrow——bepleasedtostepover——

andwe\'llrepate——thechorussoftly！"

"Blessthegrittydevil，"mutteredMcLean。

ThenhewentoutandtoldMrs。DuncantokeepclosewatchonFreckles，alsotosendDuncantohimattheswamptheminutehecamehome。Followingthetrailtothelineandbacktothescentofthefight，theBossenteredFreckles\'studyquietly，asifhisspirit，keepingthere，mightberoused，andgazedaroundwithastonishedeyes。

Howhadtheboyconceivedit？Whatapicturehehadwroughtinlivingcolors！Hehadtheheartofapainter。Hehadthesoulofapoet。TheBosssteppedcarefullyoverthevelvetcarpettotouchthewallsofcrispverdurewithgentlefingers。Hestoodlongbesidetheflowerbed，andgazedatthebankedwallofbrightbloomasifhedoubteditsreality。

WherehadFreckleseverfound，andhowhadhetransplantedsuchferns？AsMcLeanturnedfromthemhestoppedsuddenly。

Hehadreachedthedoorofthecathedral。ThatwhichFreckleshadattemptedwouldhavebeenpatenttoanyone。Whathadbeenintheheartoftheshy，silentboywhenhehadfoundthatlong，dimstretchofforest，decorateditsentrance，clearedandsmootheditsaisle，andcarpeteditsaltar？WhatveriestworkofGodwasinthesemightylivingpillarsandthearcheddomeofgreen！

Howsimilartostainedcathedralwindowswerethelongopeningsbetweenthetrees，filledwithriftsofblue，raysofgold，andtheshiftingemeraldofleaves！Wherecouldbefoundmosaicstomatchthisaislepavedwithlivingcolorandglowinglight？WasFrecklesadevoutChristian，anddidheworshiphere？Orwasheanuntaughtheathen，anddownthisvistaofentrancinglovelinessdidPancomepiping，anddryads，nymphs，andfairiesdanceforhim？

Whocanfathomtheheartofaboy？McLeanhadbeenthinkingofFrecklesasacreatureofunswervinghonesty，courage，andfaithfulness。Herewasevidenceofaheartachingforbeauty，art，companionship，worship。Itwaswritlargealloverthefloor，walls，andfurnishingofthatlittleLimberlostclearing。

WhenDuncancame，McLeantoldhimthestoryofthefight，andtheylaugheduntiltheycried。Thentheystartedaroundthelineinsearchofthetree。

SaidDuncan:"Nowtheboyisinforsoretrouble！"

"Ihopenot，"answeredMcLean。"Youneverinallyourlifesawacurwhippedsocompletely。Hewon\'tcomebackfortherepetitionofthechorus。Wesurelycanfindthetree。Ifwecan\'t，Frecklescan。

Iwillbringenoughofthegangtotakeitoutatonce。Thatwillinsurepeaceforatime，atleast，andIamhopingthatinamonthmorethewholegangmaybemovedhere。Itsoonwillbefall，andthen，ifhewillgo，IintendtosendFrecklestomymothertobeeducated。Withhisquicknessofmindandbodyandafewyears\'

goodhelphecandoanything。Why，Duncan，I\'dgiveahundred-

dollarbillifyoucouldhavebeenhereandseenforyourself。"

"Yes，andI\'d`a\'donemurder，"mutteredthebigteamster。"Ihope，sir，yewillmakegoodyourplansforFreckles，thoughI\'dassoonseeonybornchildo\'myaintakenfromourhome。Welovethelad，meandSarah。"

Locatingthetreewaseasy，becauseitwassowellidentified。

WhentherumbleofthebiglumberwagonspassingthecabinonthewaytotheswampwakenedFrecklesnextmorning，hesprangupandwassoonfollowingthem。Hewassosoreandstiffthateverymovementwastortureatfirst，buthegreweasier，andshortlydidnotsuffersomuch。McLeanscoldedhimforcoming，yetinhishearttriumphedovereverynewevidenceoffinenessintheboy。

Thetreewasagiantmaple，andsopreciousthattheyalmostdugitoutbytheroots。Whenitwasdown，cutinlengths，andloaded，therewasyetanemptywagon。Astheyweregatheringuptheirtoolstogo，Duncansaid:"There\'sabighollowtreesomewheremightycloseherethatI\'vebeenwantingforawatering-troughformystock；theoneIhaveissosmall。ThePortlandcompanycutthisforelmbuttslastyear，andit\'ssixfeetdiameterandhollowforfortyfeet。Itwasabuster！Whilethemenarehereandthereisanemptywagon，whymightn\'tIloaditonandtak\'ituptothebarnaswepass？"

McLeansaidhewasverywilling，orderedthedrivertobreaklineandloadthelog，detailingmentoassist。HetoldFrecklestorideonasectionofthemaplewithhim，butnowtheboyaskedtoentertheswampwithDuncan。

"Idon\'tseewhyyouwanttogo，"saidMcLean。"Ihavenobusinesstoletyououttodayatall。"

"It\'smechickens，"whisperedFrecklesindistress。"Yousee，Iwasjustafterfindingyesterday，frommenewbook，howtheydobenestinginhollowtrees，andthereain\'tanytoomanyintheswamp。