第3章

There\'sjustachancethattheymightbeinthatone。"

"Goahead，"saidMcLean。"That\'sadifferentstory。Iftheyhappentobethere，whytellDuncanhemustgiveupthetreeuntiltheyhavefinishedwithit。"

Thenheclimbedonawagonandwasdrivenaway。Freckleshurriedintotheswamp。Hewasalittlebehind，yethecouldseethemen。

Beforeheovertookthem，theyhadturnedfromthewestroadandhadenteredtheswamptowardtheeast。

Theystoppedatthetrunkofamonstrousprostratelog。Ithadbeencutthreefeetfromtheground，overthree-fourthsofthewaythrough，andhadfallentowardtheeast，thebodyofthelogstillrestingonthestump。Theunderbrushwasalmostimpenetrable，butDuncanplungedinandwithacrowbarbegantappingalongthetrunktodecidehowfaritwashollow，sothattheywouldknowwheretocut。

Astheywaitedhisdecision，therecamefromthemouthofit——onwings——alargeblackbirdthatsweptovertheirheads。

Frecklesdancedwildly。"It\'smechickens！Oh，it\'smechickens！"

heshouted。"Oh，Duncan，comequick！You\'vefoundthenestofmepreciouschickens！"

Duncanhurriedtothemouthofthelog，butFreckleswasbeforehim。

Hecrashedthroughpoison-vinesandunderbrushregardlessofanydanger，andclimbedonthestump。WhenDuncancamehewasshoutinglikeawildman。

"It\'shatched！"heyelled。"Oh，mebigchickenhashatchedoutmelittlechicken，andthere\'sanotheregg。Icanseeitplain，andoh，thefunnylittlewhitebaby！Oh，Duncan，canyouseemelittlewhitechicken？"

Duncancouldeasilyseeit；socouldeveryoneelse。Frecklescreptintothelogandtenderlycarriedthehissing，blinkinglittlebirdtothelightinaleaf-linedhat。ThemenfounditsufficientlywonderfultosatisfyevenFreckles，whohadforgottenhewaseversoreorstiff，andcoddledoveritwitheveryblarneyingtermofendearmentheknew。

Duncangatheredhistools。"Deal\'soff，boys！"hesaidcheerfully。

"ThislogmaunabetoucheduntilFreckles\'chaukieshavefinishedwithit。Wemightasweelgang。Betterputitback，Freckles。

It\'sjustout，anditmaychill。Yewillprobablyhaetwathemorn。"

Frecklescreptintothelogandcarefullydepositedthebabybesidetheegg。Whenhecameback，hesaid:"Imadeabigmistakenottobebringingtheeggoutwiththebaby，butIwasfearingtotouchit。

It\'sshapedlikeahen\'segg，andit\'sbigasaturkey\'s，andthebeautifulestblue——justsplatteredwithbigbrownsplotches，likemebooksaid，precise。Betyouneversawsuchasightasitmadeontheyellowoftherottenwoodbesidethatfunnyleathery-facedlittlewhitebaby。"

"Tellyouwhat，Freckles，"saidoneoftheteamsters。"HaveyoueverheardofthisBirdWomanwhogoesalloverthecountrywithacameraandmakespictures？ShemadesomeonmybrotherJim\'splacelastsummer，andJim\'ssowildaboutthemhequitsplowingandgoesafterherabouteverynesthefinds。Hehelpsherallhecantotakethem，andthenshegiveshimapicture。Jim\'ssoproudofwhathehashekeepsthemintheBible。Heshowsthemtoeverybodythatcomes，andbragsabouthowhehelped。Ifyou\'resmart，you\'llsendforherandshe\'llcomeandmakeapicturejustlikelife。Ifyouhelpher，shewillgiveyouone。Itwouldbeuncommonprettytokeep，afteryourbirdsaregone。Idunnowhattheyare。Ineverseetheirlikebefore。Theymustbesomethingrare。Anyyoufellowseverseeabirdlikethathereabouts？"

Nooneeverhad。

"Well，"saidtheteamster，"failingtogetthislogletsmeofftillnoon，andI\'mgoingtotown。Igorightpastherplace。

I\'veabignotiontostopandtellher。Ifshedrivesstraightbackintheswamponthewestroad，andturnseastatthisbigsycamore，shecan\'tmissfindingthetree，evenifFrecklesain\'theretoshowher。JimsaysherworkisacredittotheStateshelivesin，andanymanisameaslycreaturewhoisn\'twillingtohelpherallhecan。Myolddaddyusedtosaythatalltherewastoreligionwasdoingtotheotherfellowwhatyou\'dwanthimtodotoyou，andifIwasmakingalivingtakingbirdpictures，seemstomeI\'dbemightygladforachancetotakeonelikethat。

SoI\'lljuststopandtellher，andbygummy！maybeshewillgivemeapictureofthelittlewhitesuckerformytrouble。"

Frecklestouchedhisarm。

"Willsheberoughwithit？"heasked。

"Governmentland！No！"saidtheteamster。"She\'sdeaddownonanybodythatshootsabirdortearsupanest。Why，she\'shalfkillingherselfinallkindsofplacesandweathertoteachpeopletoloveandprotectthebirds。She\'sthatplumcarefulofthemthatJim\'swifesaysshehasJimastandin\'likeabigfoolholdinganombrellyoverthemwhentheyareyoungandtenderuntilshegetsafocus，whateverthatis。Jimsaysthereain\'tabirdonhisplacethatdon\'tactuallyseemtolikehavingheraroundaftershehaswheedledthemafewdays，andthepicturesshetakesnobodywouldeverbelievewhodidn\'tstandbyandsee。"

"Willyouhesuretotellhertocome？"askedFreckles。

Duncansleptathomethatnight。HeheardFrecklesslippingoutearlythenextmorning，buthewastoosleepytowonderwhy，untilhecametodohismorningchores。Whenhefoundthatnoneofhisstockwasatallthirsty，andsawthewater-troughbrimming，heknewthattheboywastryingtomakeuptohimforthelossofthebigtroughthathehadbeensoanxioustohave。

"Blesshisfoollittlehotheart！"saidDuncan。"Andhimsosoreitistearinghimtomoveforanything。Naewonderhehasusalllovinghim！"

Freckleswasmovingbriskly，andhisheartwassohappythatheforgotallaboutthebruises。Hehurriedaroundthetrail，andonhiswaydowntheeastsidehewenttoseethechickens。Themotherbirdwasonthenest。Hewasafraidtheothereggmightbehatching，sohedidnotventuretodisturbher。Hemadetheroundandreachedhisstudyearly。Heatehislunch，butdidnotneedtostartonthesecondtripuntilthemiddleoftheafternoon。

Hewouldhavelonghourstoworkonhisflowerbed，improvehisstudy，andlearnabouthischickens。Lovinglyhesethisroominorderandwateredtheflowersandcarpet。Hehadchosenforhisresting-placethecoolestspotonthewestside，wheretherewasalmostalwaysabreeze；buttodaytheheatwassointensethatitpenetratedeventhere。

"I\'mmightygladthere\'snothingcallingmeinside！"hesaid。

"There\'snobitofairstirring，anditwilljustbesteaming。

Oh，butit\'sluckDuncanfoundthenestbeforeitgotsounbearinghot！

Imighthavemisseditaltogether。Wouldn\'tithavebeenashametolosethatsight？Thecunninglittledivil！Whenhegetstotoddlingdownthatlogtomeetme，won\'thebeacircus？Wonderifhe\'llbeasgracefulaperformerafootashisfatherandmother？"

Theheatbecamemoreinsistent。Nooncame；Frecklesatehisdinnerandsettledforanhourortwoonabenchwithabook。

CHAPTERV

WhereinanAngelMaterializesandaManWorshipsPerhapstherewasabreathofsound——Frecklesneverafterwardcouldremember——butforsomereasonheliftedhisheadasthebushespartedandthefaceofanangellookedbetween。Saints，nymphs，andfairieshadfloateddownhiscathedralaisleforhimmanytimes，withformsandvoicesofexquisitebeauty。

PartingthewildrosesattheentrancewasbeautyofwhichFrecklesneverhaddreamed。Wasitrealorwoulditvanishastheotherdreams？Hedroppedhisbook，andrisingtohisfeet，wentastepcloser，gazingintently。Thiswasrealfleshandblood。ItwasineverywaykintotheLimberlost，fornobirdofitsbranchesswungwitheasiergracethanthisdaintyyoungthingrockedonthebitofmorassonwhichshestood。Asaplingbesideherwasnotstraighterorrounderthanherslenderform。Hersoft，wavinghairclungaroundherfacefromtheheat，andcurledoverhershoulders。

Itwasallofonepiecewiththegoldofthesunthatfilteredbetweenthebranches。Hereyeswerethedeepestblueoftheiris，herlipsthereddestredofthefoxfire，whilehercheekswereexactlyofthesamesatinasthewildrosepetalscaressingthem。

ShewassmilingatFrecklesinperfectconfidence，andshecried:

"Oh，I\'msodelightedthatI\'vefoundyou！"

ThewildlyleapingheartofFrecklesburstfromhisbodyandfellintheblackswamp-muckatherfeetwithsuchathudthathedidnotunderstandhowshecouldavoidhearing。Hereallyfeltthatifshelookeddownshewouldsee。

Incredulous，hequavered:"An\'——an\'wasyoulookingforme？"

"IhopedImightfindyou，"saidtheAngel。"Yousee，Ididn\'tdoasIwastold，andI\'mlost。TheBirdWomansaidIshouldwaitinthecarriageuntilshecameback。She\'sbeengonehours。It\'saperfectTurkishbathinthere，andI\'malllumpywithmosquitobites。

JustwhenIthoughtthatIcouldn\'tbearitanotherminute，alongcamethebiggestPapilioAjaxyoueversaw。Iknewhowpleasedshe\'dbe，soIranafterit。ItflewsoslowandsolowthatIthoughtadozentimesIhadit。Thenallatonceitwentfromsightabovethetrees，andIcouldn\'tfindmywaybacktosaveme。

IthinkI\'vewalkedmorethananhour。Ihavebeenmiredtomyknees。

Athornrakedmyarmuntilitisbleeding，andI\'msotiredandwarm。"

Shepartedthebushesfarther。Frecklessawthatherbluecottonfrockclungtoher，limpwithperspiration。Itwastornacrossthebreast。Onesleevehungopenfromshouldertoelbow。Athornhadtornherarmuntilitwascoveredwithblood，andthegnatsandmosquitoeswereclusteringaroundit。Herfeetwereinlacehoseandlowshoes。Frecklesgasped。IntheLimberlostinlowshoes！

Hecaughtanarmfulofmossfromhiscarpetandburieditintheoozeinfrontofherforafooting。

"ComeoutheresoIcanseewhereyouarestepping。Quick，forthelifeofyou！"heordered。

Shesmiledonhimindulgently。

"Why？"sheinquired。

"Didanybodyletyoucomehereandnotbetellingyouofthesnakes？"urgedFreckles。

"WemetMr。McLeanonthecorduroy，andhedidsaysomethingaboutsnakes，Ibelieve。TheBirdWomanputonleatherleggings，andanice，parboiledtimeshemustbehaving！WorstdoseIeverendured，andI\'dnothingtodobutswelter。"

"Willyoubecomingoutofthere？"groanedFreckles。

Shelaughedasifitwereafinejoke。

"MaybeifI\'dbetellingyouIkilledarattlercurleduponthatsameplaceyou\'restanding，aslongasmebodyandthethicknessofmearm，you\'dbemovingwhereIcanseeyourfooting，"

heurgedinsistently。

"Whataperfectlydelightfullittlebrogueyouspeak，"shesaid。

"MyfatherisIrish，andhalfshouldbeenoughtoentitlemetothatmuch。`Maybe——ifI\'d——betellingyou，\'"sheimitated，roundingandaccentingeachwordcarefully。

Freckleswasbeginningtofeelawildnessinhishead。HehadderidedWessneratthatsamehouryesterday。Nowhisowneyeswerefillingwithtears。

"Ifyouwereunderstandingthedanger！"hecontinueddesperately。

"Oh，Idon\'tthinkthereismuch！"

Shetiltedonthemorass。

"Ifyoukilledonesnakehere，it\'sprobablyallthereisnear；andanyway，theBirdWomansaysarattlesnakeisagentlemanandalwaysgiveswarningbeforehestrikes。Idon\'thearanyrattling。Doyou？"

"Wouldyoubeknowingitifyoudid？"askedFreckles，almostimpatiently。

Howthelaughoftheyoungthingrippled！

"`WouldIbeknowingit？\'"shemocked。"YoushouldseetheswampsofMichiganwheretheydumprattlersfromthemarl-dredgersthreeandfouratatime！"

Frecklesstoodastounded。Shedidknow。Shewasnotintheleastafraid。Shewasdependingonarattlesnaketoliveuptohisshareofthecontractandrattleintimeforhertomove。

TheonecharacteristicanIrishmanadmiresinawoman，aboveallothers，iscourage。Frecklesworshipedanew。Hechangedhistactics。

"I\'dbepleasedtobereceivingyouatmefrontdoor，"hesaid，"butasyouhavearrivedattheback，willyoucomeinandbeseated？"

Hewavedtowardabench。TheAngelcameinstantly。

"Oh，howlovelyandcool！"shecried。

Asshemovedacrosshisroom，Freckleshaddifficultworktokeepfromfallingonhisknees；fortheywereveryweak，whilehewasharddrivenbyanimpulsetoworship。

"Didyouarrangethis？"sheasked。

"Yis，"saidFrecklessimply。

"Someonemustcomewithabigcanvasandcopyeachsideofit，"shesaid。"Ineversawanythingsobeautiful！HowIwishImightremainherewithyou！Iwill，someday，ifyouwillletme；butnow，ifyoucansparethetime，willyouhelpmefindthecarriage？IftheBirdWomancomesbackandIamgone，shewillbealmostdistracted。"

"Didyoucomeonthewestroad？"askedFreckles。

"Ithinkso，"shesaid。"ThemanwhotoldtheBirdWomansaidthatwastheonlyplacethewiresweredown。Wedroveawayin，anditwasdreadful——overstumpsandlogs，andwemiredtothehubs。I

supposeyouknow，though。Ishouldhavestayedinthecarriage，butIwassotired。Ineverdreamedofgettinglost。IsuspectIwillbescoldedfinely。IgowiththeBirdWomanhalfthetimeduringthesummervacations。MyfathersaysIlearnalotmorethanIdoatschool，andgetitstraight。Inevercamewithinasmellofbeinglostbefore。Ithought，atfirst，itwasgoingtobehorrid；

butsinceI\'vefoundyou，maybeitwillbegoodfunafterall。"

Freckleswasamazedtohearhimselfexcusing:"Itwassohotinthere。Youcouldn\'tbeexpectedtobearitforhoursandnotbemoving。Icantakeyouaroundthetrailalmosttowhereyouwere。

Thenyoucansitinthecarriage，andIwillgofindtheBirdWoman。"

"You\'llbekilledifyoudo！Whenshestaysthislong，itmeansthatshehasafocusonsomething。Yousee，whenshehasafocus，andliesintheweedsandwaterforhours，andthesunbakesher，andthingscrawloverher，andthensomeonecomesalongandscaresherbirdawayjustasshehasitcoaxedup——why，shekillsthem。

IfImelt，youwon\'tgoafterher。She\'sprobablyblisteredandhalfeatenup；butsheneverwillquituntilsheissatisfied。"

"Thenitwillbesafertobetakingcareofyou，"suggestedFreckles。

"Nowyou\'retalkingsense！"saidtheAngel。

"MayItrytohelpyourarm？"heasked。

"Haveyouanyideahowithurts？"sheparried。

"Alittle，"saidFreckles。

"Well，Mr。McLeansaidWe\'dprobablyfindhissonhere"

"Hisson！"criedFreckles。

"That\'swhathesaid。Andthatyouwoulddoanythingyoucouldforus；andthatwecouldtrustyouwithourlives。ButIwouldhavetrustedyouanyway，ifIhadn\'tknownathingaboutyou。Say，yourfatherisrampagingproudofyou，isn\'the？"

"Idon\'tknow，"answeredthedazedFreckles。

"Well，callonmeifyouwantreliableinformation。He\'ssoproudofyouheisallswelleduplikethetoadinAEsop\'sFables。Ifyouhaveeverhadanarmhurtlikethis，andcandoanything，why，forpitysake，doit！"

Sheturnedbackhersleeve，holdingtowardFrecklesanarmofpalestcameo，shapedsoexquisitelythatnosculptorcouldhavechiseledit。

Frecklesunlockedhiscase，andtakingoutsomecottoncloth，hetoreitinstrips。Thenhebroughtabucketofthecleanestwaterhecouldfind。Sheyieldedherselftohistouchasababy，andhebathedawaythebloodandbandagedtheugly，raggedwound。

Hefinishedhissurgerybylappingthetornsleeveovertheclothandbindingitdownwithapieceoftwine，withtheAngel\'shelpabouttheknots。

Frecklesworkedwithtremblingfingersandafacetensewithearnestness。

"Isitfeelinganybetter？"heasked。

"Oh，it\'swellnow！"criedtheAngel。"Itdoesn\'thurtatall，anymore。"

"I\'mmightyglad，"saidFreckles。"Butyouhadbestgoandbehavingyourdoctorfixitright；theminuteyougethome。"

"Oh，bother！Alittlescratchlikethat！"jeeredtheAngel。

"Mybloodisperfectlypure。Itwillhealinthreedays。"

"It\'scutcrueldeep。Itmightbemakingascar，"falteredFreckles，hiseyesontheground。"\'Twould——\'twouldbeanawfulpity。

Adoctormightknowsomethingtopreventit。"

"Why，Ineverthoughtofthat！"exclaimedtheAngel。

"Inoticedyoudidn\'t，"saidFrecklessoftly。"Idon\'tknowmuchaboutit，butitseemsasifmostgirlswould。"

TheAngelthoughtintently，whileFrecklesstillkneltbesideher。

Suddenlyshegaveherselfanimpatientlittleshake，liftedhergloriouseyesfulltohis，andthesmilethatswepthersweet，youngfacewastheloveliestthingthatFreckleseverhadseen。

"Don\'tlet\'sbotheraboutit，"sheproposed，withthefaintesthintofaconfidinggesturetowardhim。"Itwon\'tmakeascar。Why，itcouldn\'t，whenyouhavedresseditsonicely。"

ThevelvetytouchofherwarmarmwastinglinginFreckles\'fingertips。

Daintylaceandfinewhiteribbonpeepedthroughhertorndress。

Therewerebeautifulringsonherfingers。Everyarticlesheworewasofthefinestmaterialandinexcellenttaste。TherewasthetremblingLimberlostguardinhiscoarseclothing，withhiscottonragsandhisoldpailofswampwater。Freckleswassufficientlyaccustomedtocontraststonoticethem，andsufficientlyfinetobehurtbythemalways。

Heliftedhiseyeswithashadowypaininthemtohers，andfoundthemofserene，unconsciouspurity。Whatshehadsaidwasstraightfromakind，untainted，youngheart。Shemeanteverywordofit。

Freckles\'soulsickened。Hescarcelyknewwhetherhecouldmusterstrengthtostand。

"Wemustgoandhuntforthecarriage，"saidtheAngel，rising。

Ininstantalarmforher，Frecklessprangup，graspedthecudgel，andledtheway，sharplywatchingeverystep。Hewentasclosethelogashefeltthathedared，andwithalittlesearchingfoundthecarriage。HeclearedapathfortheAngel，andwithasighofreliefsawherenteritsafely。Theheatwasintense。Shepushedthedamphairfromhertemples。

"Thisisashame！"saidFreckles。"You\'llneverbecominghereagain。"

"OhyesIshall！"saidtheAngel。"TheBirdWomansaysthatthesebirdsremainoveramonthinthenestandshewouldliketomakeapictureeveryfewdaysforsevenoreightweeks，perhaps。"

Frecklesbarelyescapedcryingaloudforjoy。

"Thendon\'tyoueverbetorturingyourselfandyourhorsetobecominginhereagain，"hesaid。"I\'llshowyouawaytodrivealmosttothenestontheeasttrail，andthenyoucancomearoundtomyroomandstaywhiletheBirdWomanworks。It\'snearlyalwayscoolthere，andthere\'scomfortableseats，andwater。"

"Oh！didyouhavedrinking-waterthere？"shecried。"Iwasneversothirstyorsohungryinmylife，butIthoughtIwouldn\'tmentionit。"

"AndIhadnotthewittobeseeing！"wailedFreckles。"Icanbegettingyouagooddrinkinnotime。"

Heturnedtothetrail。

"Pleasewaitaminute，"calledtheAngel。"What\'syourname？Iwanttothinkaboutyouwhileyouaregone。"Frecklesliftedhisfacewiththebrownriftacrossitandsmiledquizzically。

"Freckles？"sheguessed，withapealoflaughter。"Andmineis——"

"I\'mknowingyours，"interruptedFreckles。

"Idon\'tbelieveyoudo。Whatisit？"askedthegirl。

"Youwon\'tbegettingangry？"

"NotuntilI\'vehadthewater，atleast。"

ItwasFreckles\'turntolaugh。Hewhippedoffhisbig，floppystrawhat，stooduncoveredbeforeher，andsaid，inthesweetestofallthesweettonesofhisvoice:"There\'snothingyoucouldbebuttheSwampAngel。"

Thegirllaughedhappily。

Onceoutofhersight，Frecklesraneverystepofthewaytothecabin。Mrs。Duncangavehimasmallbucketofwater，coolfromthewell。Hecarrieditinthecrookofhisrightarm，andabasketfilledwithbreadandbutter，coldmeat，applepie，andpickles，inhislefthand。

"Picklesarekindo\'cooling，"saidMrs。Duncan。

ThenFrecklesranagain。

TheAngelwasonherknees，reachingforthebucket，ashecameup。

"Bedrinkingslow，"hecautionedher。

"Oh！"shecried，withalongbreathofsatisfaction。"It\'ssogood！

Youaremorethankindtobringit！"

Frecklesstoodblinkinginthedazzlinggloryofhersmileuntilhescarcelycouldseetoliftthebasket。

"Mercy！"sheexclaimed。"IthinkIhadbetterbenamingyouthe`Angel。\'MyGuardianAngel。"

"Yis，"saidFreckles。"Ilookthecharactereveryday——buttodaymostemphatic！"

"Angelsdon\'tgobylooks，"laughedthegirl。"Yourfathertoldusyouhadbeenscrapping。Buthetolduswhy。I\'dgladlywearallyourcutsandbruisesifIcoulddoanythingthatwouldmakemyfatherlookaspeacockyasyoursdid。Hestruttedaboutproper。

Ineversawanyonelookprouder。"

"Didhesayhewasproudofme？"marveledFreckles。

"Hedidn\'tneedto，"answeredtheAngel。"Hewasradiatingpridefromeverypore。Now，haveyoubroughtmeyourdinner？"

"Ihadmydinnertwohoursago，"answeredFreckles。

"HonestInjun？"banteredtheAngel。

"Honest！Ibroughtthatonpurposeforyou。"

"Well，ifyouknewhowhungryIam，youwouldknowhowthankfulIam，tothedot，"saidtheAngel。

"Thenyoubeeating，"criedthehappyFreckles。

TheAngelsatonabigcamera，spreadthelunchonthecarriageseat，anddivideditinhalves。Thedaintiestpartsshecouldselectshecarefullyputbackintothebasket。Theremaindersheate。AgainFrecklesfoundheroftheswamp，forthoughshewasalmostravenous，shemanagedherfoodasgracefullyashislittleyellowfellow，andhereverymovementwaseasyandcharming。Ashewatchedherwithfamishedeyes，Frecklestoldherofhisbirds，flowers，andbooks，andneverrealizedwhathewasdoing。

Heledthehorsetoadeeppoolthatheknewof，andthetorturedcreaturedrankgreedily，andlovinglyrubbedhimwithitsnoseashewipeddownitsweltedbodywithgrass。SuddenlytheAngelcried:

"TherecomestheBirdWoman！"

Freckleshadintendedleavingbeforeshecame，butnowhewasgladindeedtobethere，forawarmer，moreworn，andworsebittencreatureheneverhadseen。Shewasstaggeringunderaloadofcamerasandparaphernalia。Frecklesrantoheraid。Hetookallhecouldcarryofherload，stoweditinthebackofthecarriage，andhelpedherin。TheAngelgaveherwater，kneltandunfastenedtheleggings，bathedherface，andofferedthelunch。

Frecklesbroughtthehorse。Hewasnotsureabouttheharness，buttheAngelknew，andsoontheylefttheswamp。Thenheshowedthemhowtoreachthechickentreefromtheoutside，indicatedacoolerplaceforthehorse，andtoldthemhow，thenexttimetheycame，theAngelcouldfindhisroomwhileshewaited。

TheBirdWomanfinishedherlunch，andlayback，almosttootiredtospeak。

"WereyouforgettingLittleChicken\'spicture？"Frecklesasked。

"Finely！"sheanswered。"Heposedsplendidly。ButIcouldn\'tdoanythingwithhismother。Shewillrequirecoaxing。"

"TheLordbepraised！"mutteredFrecklesunderhisbreath。

TheBirdWomanbegantofeelbetter。

"Whydoyoucallthebabyvulture`LittleChicken\'？"sheasked，leaningtowardFrecklesinaninterestedmanner。

"\'TwasDuncanbeganit，"saidFreckles。"Yousee，throughthefiercecoldofwinterthebirdsoftheswampwerealmoststarving。

Itismightylonelyhere，andtheywereallthecompanyIwashaving。

Igottocarryingscrapsandgraindowntothem。Duncanwasthatgineroushewasgivingmeofhiswheatandcornfromhischickens\'feed，andhecalledthebirdsmeswampchickens。

Thenwhenthesebigblackfellowscame，Mr。McLeansaidtheywereournearestkindtosomeintheoldworldthattheycalled`Pharaoh\'sChickens，\'andhecalledmine`Freckles\'Chickens。\'"

"Goodenough！"criedtheBirdWoman，hersplotchedpurplefacelightingwithinterest。"Youmustshootsomethingforthemoccasionally，andI\'llbringmorefoodwhenIcome。IfyouwillhelpmekeepthemuntilIgetmyseries，I\'llgiveyouacopyofeachstudyImake，mountedinabook。"

Frecklesdrewadeepbreath。

"I\'llbedoingmeverybest，"hepromised，andfromthedeepshemeantit。

"Iwonderifthatothereggisgoingtohatch？"musedtheBirdWoman。

"Iamafraidnot。Itshouldhavepippedtoday。Isn\'titabeauty！

Ineverbeforesaweitheraneggortheyoung。Theyarerarethisfarnorth。"

"SoMr。McLeansaid，"answeredFreckles。

Beforetheydroveaway，theBirdWomanthankedhimforhiskindnesstotheAngelandtoher。Shegavehimherhandatparting，andFrecklesjoyfullyrealizedthatthiswasgoingtobeanotherpersonforhimtolove。Hecouldnotremember，aftertheyhaddrivenaway，thattheyevenhadnoticedhismissinghand，andforthefirsttimeinhislifehehadforgottenit。

WhentheBirdWomanandtheAngelwereonthehomeroad，shetoldofthelittlecornerofparadiseintowhichshehadstrayedandofhernewname。TheBirdWomanlookedatthegirlandguesseditsappropriateness。

"DidyouknowMr。McLeanhadason？"askedtheAngel。"Isn\'tthelittleaccenthehas，andthewayhetwistsasentence，toodear？

Andisn\'tittooold-fashionedandfunnytohearhimcallhisfather`mister\'？"

"Itsoundstoogoodtobetrue，"saidtheBirdWoman，answeringthelastquestionfirst。"Iamsotiredofthesepresent-dayyoungmenwhopatronizinglycalltheirfathers`Dad，\'`Governor，\'`OldMan"

and`OldChap，\'thattheboy\'sattitudeofrespectanddeferenceappealedtomeasbeingfineassilk。Theremustbesomethingrareaboutthatyoungman。"

ShedidnotfinditnecessarytotelltheAngelthatforseveralyearsshehadknownthemanwhosoproudlyproclaimedhimselfFreckles\'fathertobeabachelorandaScotchman。TheBirdWomanhadafinewayofattendingstrictlytoherownbusiness。

Frecklesturnedtothetrail，buthestoppedateverywildbriertostudythepinksatinofthepetals。Shewasnotofhisworld，andbetterthananyotherheknewit；butshemightbehisAngel，andhewasdreamingofnaughtbutblind，silentworship。Hefinishedthehappiestdayofhislife，andthatnighthereturnedtotheswampasifdrawnbyinvisibleforce。ThatWessnerwouldtryforhisrevenge，heknew。ThathewouldbeabettedbyBlackJackwasalmostcertain，butfearhadfledthehappyheartofFreckles。

Hehadkepthistrust。HehadwontherespectoftheBoss。

NooneevercouldwipefromhisheartthefloodofholyadorationthathadwelledwiththecomingofhisAngel。Hewoulddohisbest，andtrustforstrengthtomeetthedarkdayofreckoningthatheknewwouldcomesoonerorlater。Heswungroundthetrail，brisklytappingthewire，andsinginginavoicethatscarcelycouldhavebeensurpassedforsweetness。

AttheedgeoftheclearinghecameintothebrightmoonlightandtheresatMcLeanonhismare。Freckleshurriedtohim。

"Istheretrouble？"heinquiredanxiously。

"That\'swhatIwantedtoaskyou，"saidtheBoss。"Istoppedatthecabintoseeyouaminute，beforeIturnedin，andtheysaidyouhadcomedownhere。Youmustnotdoit，Freckles。Theswampisnonetoohealthfulatanytime，andatnightitisrankpoison。"

FrecklesstoodcombinghisfingersthroughNellie\'smane，whilethedaintycreaturewastwistingherheadforhiscaresses。HepushedbackhishatandlookedintoMcLean\'sface。"It\'scometothe`sleepwithoneeyeopen，\'sir。I\'mnotlookingforanythingtobehappeningforaweekortwo，butit\'sboundtocome，andsoon。

IfI\'mtokeepmetrustasI\'vepromisedyouandmeself，I\'vetoliveheremostlyuntilthegangcomes。Youmustbeknowingthat，sir。"

"I\'mafraidit\'strue，Freckles，"saidMcLean。"AndI\'vedecidedtodoubletheguarduntilwecome。Itwillbeonlyafewweeks，now；

andI\'msoanxiousforyouthatyoumustnotbeleftalonefurther。

Ifanythingshouldhappentoyou，Freckles，itwouldspoiloneoftheverydearestplansofmylife。"

Frecklesheardwithdismaythepropositiontoplaceasecondguard。

"Oh！no，no，Mr。McLean，"hecried。"Notfortheworld！Iwouldn\'tbehavingastrangeraround，scaringmebirdsandtrampingupmestudy，anddisturbingallmeways，foranymoney！Iamalltheguardyouneed！Iwillbefaithful！Iwillturnovertheleasewithnotreemissing——onmelife，Iwill！Oh，don\'tbesendinganothermantosetthemsayingIturnedcowardandaskedforhelp。Itwilljustkillthehonorofmeheartifyoudoit。TheonlythingIwantisanothergun。Ifitraillycomestotrouble，sixcartridgesain\'tmany，andyouknowIamslow-likeaboutreloading。"McLeanreachedintohishippocketandhandedashiningbigrevolvertoFreckles，whoslippeditbesidetheonealreadyinhisbelt。

ThentheBosssatbrooding。

"Freckles，"hesaidatlast，"weneverknowthetimberofaman\'ssouluntilsomethingcutsintohimdeeplyandbringsthegrainoutstrong。You\'vethemakingofamightyfinepieceoffurniture，myboy，andyoushallhaveyourownwaythesefewweeksyet。

Then，ifyouwillgo，Iintendtotakeyoutothecityandeducateyou，andyouaretobemyson，mylad——myownson！"

FrecklestwistedhisfingerinNellie\'smanetosteadyhimself。

"Butwhyshouldyoubedoingthat，sir？"hefaltered。

McLeanslidhisarmaroundtheboy\'sshoulderandgatheredhimclose。

"BecauseIloveyou，Freckles，"hesaidsimply。

Frecklesliftedawhiteface。"MyGod，sir！"hewhispered。"Oh，myGod！"

McLeantightenedhisclaspasecondlonger，thenherodedownthetrail。

Frecklesliftedhishatandfacedthesky。Theharvestmoonlookeddown，sheetingtheswampinsilverglory。TheLimberlostsanghernightsong。Theswalesoftlyrustledinthewind。Wingedthingsofnightbrushedhisface；andstillFrecklesgazedupward，tryingtofathomthesethingsthathadcometohim。Therewasnohelpfromthesky。Itseemedfaraway，cold，andblue。Theearth，whereflowersblossomed，angelswalked，andlovecouldbefound，wasbetter。

ButtoOne，above，hemustmakeacknowledgmentforthesemiracles。

Hislipsmovedandhebegantalkingsoftly。

"ThankYouforeachseparategoodthingthathascometome，"hesaid，"andaboveallforthefallingofthefeather。Forifitdidn\'treallyfallfromanangel，itsfallingbroughtanAngel，andifit\'sinthegreatheartofyoutoexerciseyourselfanyfurtheraboutme，oh，dopleasetobetakinggoodcareofher！"

CHAPTERVI

WhereinaFightOccursandWomenShootStraightThefollowingmorningFreckles，inexpressiblyhappy，circledtheLimberlost。Hekeptsnatchesofsongringing，aswellasthewires。

Hisheartwassofullthattearsofjoyglistenedinhiseyes。

HerigorouslystrovetodividehisthoughtevenlybetweenMcLeanandtheAngel。HerealizedtothefullestthedebthealreadyowedtheBossandthemagnitudeoflastnight\'sdeclarationandpromises。

HewashourlyplanningtodeliverhistrustandthenenterwithequalzealonwhatevertaskhisbelovedBosssawfittosethimnext。

HewantedtobereadytomeeteverydevicethatWessnerandBlackJackcouldthinkoftooutwithim。Herecognizedtheirdoubleleverage，foriftheysucceededinfellingevenonetreeMcLeanbecameliableforhiswager。

Freckles\'browwrinkledinhisefforttothinkdeeplyandstrongly，butfromeveryswayingwildrosetheAngelbeckonedtohim。WhenhecrossedSleepySnakeCreekandthegoldfinch，waitingasever，challenged:"SEEME？"FrecklessawthedaintyswayinggraceoftheAngelinstead。WhatisamantodowithanAngelwhodismembersherselfandscattersoverawholeswamp，thrustingavividreminderuponhimateveryturn？

Frecklescountedthedays。Thisfirstonehecoulddolittlebuttesthiswires，singbrokensnatches，anddream；butbeforetheweekwouldbringheragainhecoulddomanythings。Hewouldcarryallhisbookstotheswamptoshowtoher。Hewouldcompletehisflowerbed，arrangeeverydetailhehadplannedforhisroom，andmakeofitabowerfairiesmightenvy。Hemustdeviseawaytokeepwatercool。HewouldaskMrs。Duncanforadoublelunchandanespeciallyniceonethedayofhernextcoming，sothatiftheBirdWomanhappenedtobelate，theAngelmightnotsufferfromthirstandhunger。Hewouldtellhertobringheavyleatherleggings，sothathemighttakeheronatriparoundthetrail。Sheshouldmakefriendswithallofhischickensandseetheirnests。

Onthelinehetalkedofherincessantly。

"Youneedn\'tbethinking，"hesaidtothegoldfinch，"thatbecauseI\'mcomingdownthislinealonedayafterday，it\'salwaystobeso。

Someofthesetimesyou\'llbeswingingonthiswire，andyou\'llseemecoming，andyou\'llswing，skip，andflirtyourselfaround，andchipuprightspunky:`SEEME？\'I\'llbesaying`Seeyou？

Oh，Lord！Seeher！\'You\'lllook，andthereshe\'llstand。

Thesunshinewon\'tlookgoldanymore，ortherosespink，ortheskyblue，becauseshe\'llbethepinkest，bluest，goldestthingofall。You\'llbeyellingyourselfhoarsewiththejealousyofher。

Thesawbirdwillstretchhisneckoutofjoint，andshe\'llturntheheadsofalltheflowers。Wherevershegoes，Icangobackafterwardandseethethingsshe\'sseen，walkthepathshe\'swalked，hearthegrasseswhisperingoverallshe\'ssaid；andifthere\'saplacetooswampyforherbitsoffeet；HolyMother！Maybe——maybeshe\'dbeputtingthebeautifularmsofheraroundmeneckandlettingmecarryherover！"

Frecklesshiveredaswithachill。Hesentthecudgelwhirlingskyward，dexterouslycaughtit，andsetitspinning。

"Youdamnedpresumptuousfool！"hecried。"Thethingforyoutobethinkingofwouldbetostretchinthemuckforthefeetofhertobewalkingover，andthenyoucouldholdyourselfholytobeevenofthatservicetoher。

"Maybeshe\'llbewantingthecupmeblue-and-brownchickensraisedtheirbabiesin。Perhapsshe\'dliketostopatthepoolandseemebullfrogthathadthegoodnesstotakeonhumanspeechtoshowmethewayoutofmetrouble。Ifthere\'sanyfeathersfallingthatday，why，it\'sfromthewingsofmechickens——it\'ssuretobe，fortheonlyAngeloutsidethegateswillbewalkingthistimberline，andeverystepofthewayI\'llbeholdingmebreathandprayingthatshedon\'tunfoldwingsandsailawaybeforethehungryeyesofme。"

SoFrecklesdreamedhisdreams，madehisplans，andwatchedhisline。

Hecountednotonlythedays，butthehoursofeachday。Ashetoldthemoff，everyonebringinghercloser，hegrewhappierintheprospectofhercoming。Hemanageddailytoleavesomeofferingatthebigelmlogforhisblackchickens。Heslippedunderthelineateverypassing，andwenttomakesurethatnothingwasmolestingthem。Thoughitwasalongtrip，hepaidthemseveralextravisitsadayforfearasnake，hawk，orfoxmighthavefoundthebaby。Fornowhischickensnotonlyrepresentedallhisformerinterestinthem，buttheyfurnishedtheinducementthatwasbringinghisAngel。

PossiblyhecouldfindothersubjectsthattheBirdWomanwanted。

Theteamsterhadsaidthathisbrotherwentafterhereverytimehefoundanest。Heneverhadcountedtheneststhatheknewof，anditmightbethatamongallthebirdsoftheswampsomewouldberaretoher。

ThefeatheredfolkoftheLimberlostwerepracticallyundisturbedsavebytheirnaturalenemies。Itwasveryprobablethatamonghischickensothersasoddasthebigblackonescouldbefound。Ifshewantedpicturesofhalf-grownbirds，hecouldpickupfiftyinonemorning\'striparoundtheline，forhehadfed，handled，andmadefriendswiththemeversincetheireyesopened。

Hehadgatheredbugsandwormsallspringashenoticedthemonthegrassandbushes，anddroppedthemintothefirstlittleopenmouthhehadfound。Thebabiesgladlyhadacceptedthisqueertri-parentadditiontotheirnaturalproviders。

Whentheweekhadpassed，Freckleshadhisroomcrispandglowingwithfreshlivingthingsthatrepresentedeverycoloroftheswamp。

Hecarriedbarkandfilledallthemuckiestplacesofthetrail。

ItwasmiddleJuly。TheheatofthepastfewdayshaddriedthewateraroundandthroughtheLimberlost，sothatitwaspossibletocrossitonfootinalmostanydirection——ifonehadanideaofdirectionanddidnotbecomecompletelylostinitsranktangleofvegetationandbushes。Thebrighter-huedflowerswereopening。

Thetrumpet-creeperswereflauntingtheirgorgeoushornsofredandgoldsweetnessfromthetopsoflordlyoakandelm，andbelowentirepoolswerepink-sheetedinmallowbloom。

TheheatwasdoingoneotherthingthatwasboundtomakeFreckles，asagoodIrishman，shiver。Astheswaledried，itsinhabitantswereseekingthecoolerdepthsoftheswamp。Theylikedneithertheheatnorleavingthefieldmice，moles，andyoungrabbitsoftheirchosenlocation。Hesawthemcrossingthetraileverydayastheheatgrewintense。Therattlersweresadlyforgettingtheirmanners，fortheystruckonnoprovocationwhatever，anddidnotevenremembertorattleafterward。DailyFreckleswascompelledtodrivebigblacksnakesandblueracersfromthenestsofhischickens。

Oftentheterrifiedsquallsoftheparentbirdswouldreachhimfardownthelineandhewouldruntorescuethebabies。

HesawtheAngelwhenthecarriageturnedfromthecorduroyintotheclearing。Theystoppedatthewestentrancetotheswamp，waitingforhimtoprecedethemdownthetrail，ashehadtoldthemitwassafestforthehorsethatheshoulddo。Theyfollowedtheeastlinetoapointoppositethebigchickens\'tree，andFrecklescarriedinthecamerasandshowedtheBirdWomanapathhehadclearedtothelog。Heexplainedtohertheeffecttheheatwashavingonthesnakes，andcreepingbacktoLittleChicken，broughthimtothelight。Assheworkedatsettinguphercamera，hetoldherofthebirdsoftheline，whileshestaredathim，wide-eyedandincredulous。

TheyarrangedthatFrecklesshoulddrivethecarriageintotheeastentranceintheshadeandthentakethehorsetowardthenorthtoabetterplaceheknew。ThenhewastoentertaintheAngelathisstudyoronthelineuntiltheBirdWomanfinishedherworkandcametothem。

"Thiswilltakeonlyalittletime，"shesaid。"Iknowwheretosetthecameranow，andLittleChickenisbigenoughtobegoodandtoosmalltorunawayortoactveryugly，soIwillbecomingsoontoseeaboutthosenests。Ihavetenplatesalong，andIsurelywon\'tusemorethantwoonhim；soperhapsIcangetsomenestsoryoungbirdsthismorning。"

Frecklesalmostflew，forhisdreamhadcometruesosoon。Hewaswalkingthetimber-lineandtheAngelwasfollowinghim。Heaskedtobeexcusedforgoingfirst，becausehewantedtobesurethetrailwassafeforher。Shelaughedathisfears，tellinghimthatitwasthepolitethingforhimtodo，anyway。

"Oh！"saidFreckles，"soyouwasafterknowingthat？Well，Ididn\'ts\'poseyoudid，andIwasafraidyou\'dthinkmewantinginrespecttobeprecedingyou！"

TheastonishedAngellookedathim，caughttheirrepressiblegleamofIrishfuninhiseyes，sotheystoodandlaughedtogether。

Frecklesdidnotrealizehowhewastalkingthatmorning。Heshowedhermanyofthebeautifulnestsandeggsoftheline。Shecouldidentifyanumberofthem，butofsomeshewasignorant，sotheymadenotesofthenumberandcoloroftheeggs，material，andconstructionofnest，color，size，andshapeofthebirds，andwenttofindtheminthebook。

Athisroom，whenFreckleshadliftedtheoverhangingbushesandsteppedbackforhertoenter，hisheartwasalloutoftimeandplace。Thestudywasvastlymorebeautifulthanaweekprevious。

TheAngeldrewadeepbreathandstoodgazingfirstatoneside，thenatanother，thenfardownthecathedralaisle。"It\'sjustfairyland！"shecriedecstatically。ThensheturnedandstaredatFrecklesasshehadathishandiwork。

"Whatareyouplanningtobe？"sheaskedwonderingly。

"WhateverMr。McLeanwantsmeto，"hereplied。

"Whatdoyoudomost？"sheasked。

"Watchmelines。"

"Idon\'tmeanwork！"

"Oh，inmesparetimeIkeepmeroomandstudyinmebooks。"

"Doyouworkontheroomorthebooksmost？"

"Ontheroomonlywhatittakestokeepitup，andtherestofthetimeonmebooks。"

TheAngelstudiedhimclosely。"Well，maybeyouaregoingtobeagreatscholar，"shesaid，"butyoudon\'tlookit。Yourfaceisn\'trightforthat，butit\'sgotsomethingbiginit——somethingreallygreat。

Imustfindoutwhatitisandthenyoumustworkonit。Yourfatherisexpectingyoutodosomething。Onecantellbythewayhetalks。

Youshouldbeginrightaway。You\'vewastedtoomuchtimealready。"

PoorFreckleshunghishead。Heneverhadwastedanhourinhislife。

Thereneverhadbeenonethatwashistowaste。

TheAngel，studyinghimintently，readthethoughtinhisface。

"Oh，Idon\'tmeanthat！"shecried，withthefrankdismayofsixteen。"Ofcourse，you\'renotlazy！Nooneeverwouldthinkthatfromyourappearance。It\'sthisImean:thereissomethingfine，strong，andfullofpowerinyourface。Thereissomethingyouaretodointhisworld，andnomatterhowyouworkatalltheseotherthings，orhowsuccessfullyyoudothem，itisallwasteduntilyoufindtheONETHINGthatyoucandobest。Ifyouhadn\'tathingintheworldtokeepyou，andcouldgoanywhereyoupleaseanddoanythingyouwant，whatwouldyoudo？"persistedtheAngel。

"I\'dgotoChicagoandsingintheFirstEpiscopalchoir，"answeredFrecklespromptly。

TheAngeldroppedonaseat——thehatshehadremovedandheldinherfingersrolledtoherfeet。"There！"sheexclaimedvehemently。

"YoucanseewhatI\'mgoingtobe。Nothing！Absolutelynothing！

Youcansing？Ofcourseyoucansing！Itiswrittenalloveryou。"

"Anyonewithhalfwitcouldhaveseenhecouldsing，withouthavingtobetold，"shethought。"It\'sintheslendernessofhisfingersandhisquicknervoustouch。Itisinthebrightnessofhishair，thefireofhiseyes，thebreadthofhischest，themusclesofhisthroatandneck；andaboveall，it\'sineverytoneofhisvoice，forevenashespeakit\'sthesweetestsoundIeverheardfromthethroatofamortal。"

"Willyoudosomethingforme？"sheasked。

"I\'lldoanythingintheworldyouwantmeto，"saidFreckleslargely，"andifIcan\'tdowhatyouwant，I\'llgotoworkatonceandI\'lltry`tilIcan。"

"Good！That\'sbusiness！"saidtheAngel。"Yougooverthereandstandbeforethathedgeandsingsomething。Justanythingyouthinkoffirst。"

FrecklesfacedtheAngelfromhisbankedwallofbrown，blue，andcrimson，withitsbackgroundofsolidgreen，andliftinghisfacetothesky，hesangthefirstthingthatcameintohismind。Itwasachildren\'ssongthathehadledforthelittlefolksattheHomemanytimes，recalledtohismindbytheAngel\'sexclamation:

"Tofairylandwego，Withasongofjoy，heigh-o。

Indreamswe\'llstanduponthatshoreAndalltherealmbehold；

We\'llseethesightssograndThatbelongtofairyland，Itsmysterieswewillexplore，Itsbeautieswillunfold。

Oh，tra，la，la，oh，ha，ha，ha！We\'rehappynowaswecanbe，Ourwelcomesongwewillprolong，andgreetyouwithourmelody。

Ofairyland，sweetfairyland，welovetosing——"

NosongcouldhavegiventheintensesweetnessandrollickingqualityofFreckles\'voicebetterscope。Heforgoteverythingbutprideinhiswork。Hewassingingthechorus，andtheAngelwasshiveringinecstasy，whenclip！clip！camethesharplybeatingfeetofaswiftlyriddenhorsedownthetrailfromthenorth。Theybothsprangtowardtheentrance。

"Freckles！Freckles！"calledthevoiceoftheBirdWoman。

Theywereatthetrailontheinstant。

"Boththoserevolversloaded？"sheasked。

"Yes，"saidFreckles。

"Isthereawayyoucancutacrosstheswampandreachthechickentreeinafewminutes，andwithlittlenoise？"

"Yes。"

"Thengoflying，"saidtheBirdWoman。"GivetheAngelaliftbehindme，andwewillridethehorsebackwhereyoulefthimandwaitforyou。IfinishedLittleChickeninnotimeandputhimback。

Hismothercamesoclose，Ifeltsureshewouldenterthelog。

Thelightwasfine，soIsetandfocusedthecameraandcovereditwithbranches，attachedthelonghose，andwentawayoverahundredfeetandhidinsomebushestowait。Ashort，stoutmanandatall，darkonepassedmesocloselyIalmostcouldhavereachedoutandtouchedthem。Theycarriedabigsawontheirshoulders。

Theysaidtheycouldworkuntilnearnoon，andthentheymustlayoffuntilyoupassedandthentrytoloadandgetoutatnight。

Theywenton——notentirelyfromsight——andbegancuttingatree。

Mr。McLeantoldmetheotherdaywhatwouldprobablyhappenhere，andiftheyfellthattreeheloseshiswageronyou。Keeptotheeastandnorthandhustle。We\'llmeetyouatthecarriage。Ialwaysamarmed。GiveAngeloneofyourrevolvers，andyoukeeptheother。

Wewillseparateandcreeptowardthemfromdifferentsidesandgivethemafusilladethatwillsendthemflying。Youhurry，now！"

Sheliftedthereinsandstartedbrisklydownthetrail。TheAngel，hatlessandwithsparklingeyes，wasclingingaroundherwaist。

Freckleswheeledandran。Heworkedhiswaywithmuchcare，dodginglimbsandbusheswithnoiselesstread，andcuttingascloselywherehethoughtthemenwereashefeltthathedaredifheweretoremainunseen。Asheranhetriedtothink。ItwasWessner，burningforhisrevenge，aidedbythebullyofthelocality，thathewasgoingtomeet。HewasaccustomedtothatthoughtbutnottothecomplicationofhavingtwowomenonhishandswhoundoubtedlywouldhavetobetakencareofinspiteoftheBirdWoman\'soffertohelphim。

Hisheartwasjarringasitneverhadbeforewithrunning。HemustfollowtheBirdWoman\'splanandmeetthematthecarriage，butiftheyreallydidintendtotrytohelphim，hemustnotallowit。

AllowtheAngeltotrytohandlearevolverinhisdefence？Never！

NotforallthetreesintheLimberlost！Shemightshootherself。

Shemightforgettowatchsharplyandrunacrossasnakethatwasnotparticularlywellbehavedthatmorning。Frecklespermittedhimselfagrimsmileashewentspeedingon。

Whenhereachedthecarriage，theBirdWomanandtheAngelhadthehorsehitched，theoutfitpacked，andwerecalmlywaiting。TheBirdWomanheldarevolverinherhand。Sheworedarkclothing。TheyhadpinnedabigfocusingclothoverthefrontoftheAngel\'slightdress。

"GiveAngeloneofyourrevolvers，quick！"saidtheBirdWoman。

"Wewillcreepupuntilweareinfairrange。Theunderbrushissothickandtheyaresobusythattheywillnevernoticeus，ifwedon\'tmakeanoise。Youfirefirst，thenIwillpopinfrommydirection，andthenyou，Angel，andshootquitehigh，orelseverylow。

Wemustn\'treallyhitthem。We\'llgocloseenoughtothecowardstomakeitinteresting，andkeepitupuntilwehavethemgoing。"

Frecklesprotested。

TheBirdWomanreachedover，and，takingthesmallerrevolverfromhisbelt，handedittotheAngel。"Keepyournervesteady，dear；

watchwhereyoustep，andshoothigh，"shesaid。"Gostraightatthemfromwhereyouare。WaituntilyouhearFreckles\'firstshot，thenfollowmeascloselyasyoucan，toletthemknowthatweoutnumberthem。IfyouwanttosaveMcLean\'swageronyou，nowyougo！"shecommandedFreckles，who，withanagonizedglanceattheAngel，rantowardtheeast。

TheBirdWomanchosethemiddledistance，andforalasttimecautionedtheAngelasshemovedawaytoliedownandshoothigh。

ThroughtheunderbrushtheBirdWomancreptevenmorecloselythanshehadintended，foundaclearrange，andwaitedforFreckles\'shot。

Therewasonelongminuteofsickeningsuspense。Themenstraightenedforbreath。Workwasdifficultwithahandsawintheheatoftheswamp。Astheyrested，thebigdarkfellowtookabottlefromhispocketandbeganoilingthesaw。

"Wegottokeepmightyquiet，"hesaid，"andwaittofellituntilthatdamnedguardhasgonetohisdinner。"

Againtheybenttotheirwork。Freckles\'revolverspatfire。Leadspangedonsteel。Thesaw-handleflewfromWessner\'shandandhereeledfromthejaroftheshock。BlackJackstraightened，utteringafearfuloath。Thehatsailedfromhisheadfromthefarnortheast。

TheAngelhadnotwaitedfortheBirdWoman，andhershotscarcelycouldhavebeencalledhigh。Atalmostthesameinstantthethirdshotwhistledfromtheeast。BlackJacksprangintotheairwithayellofcompletepanic，foritrippedaheelfromhisboot。

Frecklesemptiedhissecondchamber，andtheearthspatteredoverWessner。Shotspouredinrapidly。Withoutevenreachingforaweapon，bothmenrantowardtheeastroadingreatleapingbounds，whileleadenslugssungandhissedaroundthemindeadlyearnest。

Freckleswastrimminghiscornersascloselyashedared，butiftheAngeldidnotreallyintendtohit，shewastakingrisksinascandalousmanner。

Whenthemenreachedthetrail，Frecklesyelledatthetopofhisvoice:"Headthemoffonthesouth，boys！Firefromthesouth！"

Ashehadhoped，JackandWessnerinstantlyplungedintotheswale。

Aspatteringofleadfollowedthem。Theycrossedtheswale，runninglow，withnotevenonebackwardglance，andenteredthewoodsbeyondthecorduroy。

Thenthelittlepartygatheredatthetree。

"I\'dbetterfixthissawsotheycan\'tbeusingitiftheycomeback，"saidFreckles，takingouthishatchetandmakingsaw-teethfly。

"Nowwemustleaveherewithoutbeingseen，"saidtheBirdWomantotheAngel。"Itwon\'tdoformetomakeenemiesofthesemen，forI

amlikelytomeetthemwhileatworkanyday。"

"Youcandoitbydrivingstraightnorthonthisroad，"saidFreckles。

"Iwillgoaheadandcutthewiresforyou。Theswaleisalmostdry。

Youwillonlybesinkingalittle。Inafewrodsyouwillstrikeacornfield。Iwilltakedownthefenceandletyouintothat。

Followthefurrowsanddrivestraightacrossituntilyoucometotheotherside。Befollowingthefencesouthuntilyoucometoaroadthroughthewoodseastofit。Thentakethatroadandfolloweastuntilyoureachthepike。Youwillcomeoutonyourwaybacktotown，andtwomilesnorthofanywheretheyarelikelytobe。

Don\'tforyourliveseverletitoutthatyoudidthis，"heearnestlycautioned，"forit\'sblackenemiesyouwouldbemaking。"

Frecklesclippedthewiresandtheydrovethrough。TheAngelleanedfromthecarriageandheldouthisrevolver。Freckleslookedatherinsurprise。Hereyeswereblack，whileherfacewasadeeperrosethanusual。Hefeltthathisownwaswhite。

"DidIshoothighenough？"sheaskedsweetly。"Ireallyforgotaboutlyingdown。"

Freckleswinced。Didthechildknowhowcloseshehadgone？

Surelyshecouldnot！Orwasitpossiblethatshehadthenerveandskilltofirelikethatpurposely？

"IwillsendthefirstreliablemanImeetforMcLean，"saidtheBirdWoman，gatheringupthelines。"IfIdon\'tmeetonewhenwereachtown，wewillsendamessenger。Ifitwasn\'tforhavingthegangseeme，Iwouldgomyself；butIwillpromiseyouthatyouwillhavehelpinalittleovertwohours。Youkeepwellhidden。

Theymustthinksomeofthegangiswithyounow。Thereisn\'tachancethattheywillbeback，butdon\'trunanyrisks。Remainundercover。Iftheyshouldcome，itprobablywouldbefortheirsaw。"Shelaughedasatafinejoke。

CHAPTERVII

WhereinFrecklesWinsHonorandFindsaFootprintontheTrailRound-eyed，FreckleswatchedtheBirdWomanandtheAngeldriveaway。Aftertheywerefromsightandhewassafelyhiddenamongthebranchesofasmalltree，herememberedthatheneitherhadthankedthemnorsaidgood-bye。Consideringwhattheyhadbeenthrough，theyneverwouldcomeagain。Hisheartsankuntilhehadpalpitationinhiswading-boots。

Stretchingthelengthofthelimb，hethoughtdeeply，thoughhewasnotthinkingofBlackJackorWessner。WouldtheBirdWomanandtheAngelcomeagain？Nootherwomanwhomheeverhadknownwould。

Butdidtheyresembleanyotherwomenheeverhadknown？HethoughtoftheBirdWoman\'sunruffledfaceandtheAngel\'srevolverpractice，andpresentlyhewasnotsosurethattheywouldnotreturn。