下载辰思小说免费APP
Frecklesstaredashewheezedforbreath。Hewishedtheearthwouldopenandswallowhim。Washedeadoralive？SincehisAngelhadseenBlackJacksheneverhadglancedhisway。Wasshecompletelybewitched？Wouldshethrowherselfattheman\'sfeetbeforethemall？
Couldn\'tshegivehimevenonethought？Hadn\'tsheseenthathewasgaggedandbound？DidshetrulythinkthatthesewereMcLean\'smen？Why，shecouldnot！Itwasonlyafewdaysagothatshehadbeencloseenoughtothismanandangryenoughwithhimtopeelthehatfromhisheadwithashot！Suddenlyathingshehadsaidjestinglytohimonedaycamebackwithstartlingforce:
"YoumusttakeAngelsontrust。"Ofcourseyoumust！ShewashisAngel。Shemusthaveseen！Hislife，andwhatwasfarmore，herown，wasinherhands。Therewasnothinghecoulddobuttrusther。Surelyshewasworkingoutsomeplan。
TheAngelkneltbesidehisflowerbedandrecklesslytoreupbytherootsabigbunchoffoxfire。
"Thesestemsaresotoughandsticky，"shesaid。"Ican\'tbreakthem。Loanmeyourknife，"sheorderedFreckles。
Asshereachedfortheknife，herbackwasforonesecondtowardthemen。Shelookedintohiseyesanddeliberatelywinked。
Sheseveredthestems，tossedtheknifetoFreckles，andwalkingtoJack，laidtheflowersoverhisheart。
Frecklesbrokeintoasweatofagony。Hehadsaidshewouldbesafeinaherdofhowlingsavages。Wouldshe？IfBlackJackevenmadeamotiontowardtouchingher，Frecklesknewthatfromsomewherehewouldmusterthestrengthtokillhim。Hementallymeasuredthedistancetowherehisclublayandsethismusclesforaspring。
Butno——bythesplendorofGod！Thebigfellowwasbaringhisheadwithahandthatwasunsteady。TheAngelpulledoneofthelongsilverpinsfromherhatandfastenedherflowerssecurely。
Freckleswasquaking。Whatwastocomenext？Whatwassheplanning，andoh！didsheunderstandthedangerofherpresenceamongthosemen；therealnecessityforaction？
AstheAngelsteppedfromJack，sheturnedherheadtoonesideandpeeredathim，quiteasFreckleshadseenthelittleyellowfellowdoonthelineahundredtimes，andsaid:"Well，thatdoesthetrick！
Isn\'tthatfine？Seehowitsetshimoff，boys？Don\'tyouforgetthetieistobered，andthefirstridesoon。Ican\'twaitverylong。NowImustgo。TheBirdWomanwillbereadytostart，andshewillcomeherehuntingmenext，forsheisbusytoday。
WhatdidIcomehereforanyway？"
Sheglancedinquiringlyaround，andseveralofthemenlaughed。
Oh，thedelightofit！Shehadforgottenhererrandforhim！
Jackhadasecondincreaseinheight。TheAngelglancedhelplesslyasifseekingaclue。Thenhereyesfell，asifbyaccident，onFreckles，andshecried，"Oh，Iknownow！ItwasthosemagazinestheBirdWomanpromisedyou。Icametotellyouthatweputthemundertheboxwherewehidethings，attheentrancetotheswampaswecamein。IknewIwouldneedmyhandscrossingtheswamp，soIhidthemthere。You\'llfindthematthesameoldplace。"
ThenFrecklesspoke。
"It\'smightyriskyforyoutobecrossingtheswampalone，"hesaid。
"I\'msurprisedthattheBirdWomanwouldbelettingyoutryit。
Iknowit\'salittlefarther，butit\'sbeggingyouIamtobegoingbackbythetrail。That\'sbadenough，butit\'sfarsaferthantheswamp。"
TheAngellaughedmerrily。
"Ohstopyournonsense！"shecried。"I\'mnotafraid！Notintheleast！TheBirdWomandidn\'twantmetotryfollowingapaththatI\'dbeenoveronlyonce，butIwassureIcoulddoit，andI\'mratherproudoftheperformance。Now，don\'tgobabying！YouknowI\'mnotafraid！"
"No，"saidFrecklesgently，"Iknowyou\'renot；butthathasnothingtodowiththefactthatyourfriendsareafraidforyou。
Onthetrailyoucanseeyourwayabitahead，andyou\'vealltheworldabetterchanceifyoumeetasnake。"
ThenFreckleshadaninspiration。HeturnedtoJackimploringly。
"Youtellher！"hepleaded。"Tellhertogobythetrail。Shewillforyou。"
TheimplicationofthisstatementwassogratifyingtoBlackJackthatheseemedagaintoexpandandtakeonincreasebeforetheirveryeyes。
"Youbet！"exclaimedJack。AndtotheAngel:"YoubettertakeFreckles\'wordforit，miss。Heknowstheoldswampbetterthananyofus，exceptme，andifhesays`gobythetrail，\'you\'dbestdoit。"
TheAngelhesitated。Shewantedtorecrosstheswampandtrytoreachthehorse。SheknewFreckleswouldbraveanydangertosavehercrossingtheswampalone，butshereallywasnotafraid，whilethetrailaddedoveramiletothewalk。Sheknewthepath。
Sheintendedtorunfordearlifetheinstantshefeltherselffromtheirsight，andtuckedinthefoldsofherblousewasafinelittle32-caliberrevolverthatherfatherhadpresentedherforhershareinwhathewaspleasedtocallhermilitaryexploit。
OnelastglanceatFrecklesshowedhertheagonyinhiseyes，andimmediatelysheimaginedhehadsomeotherreason。Shewouldfollowthetrail。
"Allright，"shesaid，givingJackathrillingglance。"Ifyousayso，I\'llreturnbythetrailtopleaseyou。Good-bye，everybody。"
Sheliftedthebushesandstartedtowardtheentrance。
"Youdamnedfool！Stopher！"growledWessner。"Keephertillwe\'reloaded，anyhow。You\'replayinghell！Can\'tyouseethatwhenthisthingisfoundout，thereshe\'llbetoruinallofus。Ifyoulethergo，everymanofushasgottocut，andsomeofuswillbecaughtsure。"
Jacksprangforward。Freckles\'heartmuffledinhisthroat。
TheAngelseemedtodivineJack\'scoming。Shewashummingalittlesong。Shedeliberatelystoppedandbeganpullingtheheadsofthecuriousgrassesthatgrewallaroundher。Whenshestraightened，shetookastepbackwardandcalled:"Ho！Freckles，theBirdWomanwantsthatnaturalhistorypamphletreturned。Itbelongstoasetsheisgoingtohavebound。That\'soneofthereasonsweputitunderthebox。Youbesuretogetthemasyougohometonight，forfearitrainsorbecomesdampwiththeheavydews。"
"Allright，"saidFreckles，butitwasinavoicethatheneverhadheardbefore。
ThentheAngelturnedandsentapartingglanceatJack。Shewasoverpoweringlyhumanandbewitchinglylovely。
"Youwon\'tforgetthatrideandtheredtie，"shehalfasserted，halfquestioned。
Jacksuccumbed。Freckleswashiscaptive，buthewastheAngel\'s，soulandbody。Hisfaceworetheholiestlookiteverhadknownashesoftlyre-echoedFreckles\'"Allright。"Withherheadheldwellup，theAngelwalkedslowlyaway，andJackturnedtothemen。
"Dropyourdamnedstaringandsawwood，"heshouted。"Don\'tyouknowanythingatallabouthowtotreatalady？"ItmighthavebeenaquestionwhichofthecroniesthatcrouchedovergreenwoodfiresinthecabinsofWildcatHollow，eternallysuckingacorncobpipeandstirringtheendlesskettlesofstewingcoonandopossum，hadtaughthimtodoevenaswellashehadbytheAngel。
Themenmutteredandthreatenedamongthemselves，buttheybeganworkingdesperately。SomeonesuggestedthatamanbesenttofollowtheAngelandtowatchherandtheBirdWomanleavetheswamp。
Freckles\'heartsankwithinhim，butJackwasinadeliriumandpastallcaution。
"Yes，"hesneered。"Mebbyallofyouhadbettergiveoveronthesawandrunafterthegirl。Iguessnot！SeemstomeIgotthefavors。Ididn\'tseenobouquetsontherestofyou！Ifanybodyfollowsher，Ido，andI\'mneededhereamongsuchapackofidiots。
There\'snodangerinthatbabyface。Shewouldn\'tgivemeaway！
Youdoubleandworklikeforty，whilemeandWessnerwilltaketheaxesandbegintocutinontheotherside。"
"Whataboutthenoise？"askedWessner。
"Nodifferenceaboutthenoise，"answeredJack。"ShetookustobefromMcLean\'sgang，slickasgrease。Makethechipsfly！"
Soallofthemattackedthebigtree。
Frecklessatononeofhisbenchesandwaited。Intheirhastetofellthetreeandloadit，sothattheteamsterscouldstart，andleavethemfreetoattackanother，theyhadforgottentorebindhim。
TheAngelwasonthetrailandsafelystarted。ThecoldperspirationmadeFreckles\'templesclammyandraninlittlestreamsdownhischest。Itwouldtakehermoretimetofollowthetrail，buthersafetywasFreckles\'solethoughtinurginghertogothatway。Hetriedtofigureonhowlongitwouldrequiretowalktothecarriage。HewonderediftheBirdWomanhadunhitched。
HefollowedtheAngeleverystepoftheway。Hefiguredonwhenshewouldcrossthepathoftheclearing，passthedeeppoolwherehis"find-out"froglived，crossSleepySnakeCreek，andreachthecarriage。
HewonderedwhatshewouldsaytotheBirdWoman，andhowlongitwouldtakethemtopackandstart。Heknewnowthattheywouldunderstand，andtheAngelwouldtrytogettheBossthereintimetosavehiswager。Shecouldneverdoit，forthesawwasoverhalfthrough，andJackandWessnercuttingintotheoppositesideofthetree。Itappearedasiftheycouldfellatleastthattree，beforeMcLeancouldcome，andiftheydidhelosthiswager。
Whenitwasdown，wouldtheyrebindhimandleavehimforWessnertowreakhisinsanevengeanceon，orwouldtheytakehimalongtothenexttreeanddisposeofhimwhentheyhadstolenallthetimbertheycould？Jackhadsaidthatheshouldnotbetoucheduntilheleft。Surelyhewouldnotrunallthatriskforonetree，whenhehadmanyothersoffargreatervaluemarked。Frecklesfeltthathehadsomehopetoclingtonow，buthefoundhimselfprayingthattheAngelwouldhurry。
OnceJackcametoFrecklesandaskedifhehadanywater。Frecklesaroseandshowedhimwherehekepthisdrinking-water。Jackdrankingreatgulps，andashepassedbackthebucket，hesaid:"Whenaman\'sgotachanceofcatchingafinegirllikethat，heoughtnotbemixedupinanydirtybusiness。IwishtoGodIwasoutofthis！"
Frecklesansweredheartily:"IwishIwas，too！"
Jackstaredathimaminuteandthenbrokeintoaroarofroughlaughter。
"BlestifIblameyou，"hesaid。"Butyouhadyourchance！
WeofferedyouafairthingandyougaveWessnerhisanswer。
Iain\'tenvyingyouwhenhegivesyouhis。"
"You\'resixtoone，"answeredFreckles。"Itwillbeeasyenoughforyoutobekillingthebodyofme，but，curseyouall，youcan\'tblackenmesoul！"
"Well，I\'dgiveanythingyoucouldnameifIhadyourhonesty，"
saidJack。
Whenthemightytreefell，theLimberlostshiveredandscreamedwiththeecho。Frecklesgroanedindespair，butthegangtookheart。
Thatwassomuchaccomplished。Theyknewwheretodisposeofitsafely，withnoquestionsasked。Beforethedaywasover，theycouldremovethreeothers，allsuitableforveneerandworthfarmorethanthis。ThentheywouldleaveFrecklestoWessnerandscatterforsafety，withmoremoneythantheyhadeverhopedforintheirpossession。
CHAPTERXIII
WhereintheAngelReleasesFreckles，andtheCurseofBlackJackFallsuponHerOntheline，theAngelgaveonebackwardglanceatBlackJack，toseethathehadreturnedtohiswork。Thenshegatheredherskirtsaboveherkneesandleapedforwardontherun。InthefirstthreeyardsshepassedFreckles\'wheel。Instantlysheimaginedthatwaswhyhehadinsistedonhercomingbythetrail。Sheseizeditandsprangon。Thesaddlewastoohigh，butshewasanexpertriderandcouldcatchthepedalsastheycameup。ShestoppedatDuncan\'scabinlongenoughtoremedythis，tellingMrs。Duncanwhileworkingwhatwashappening，andforhertofollowtheeasttrailuntilshefoundtheBirdWoman，andtoldherthatshehadgoneafterMcLeanandforhertoleavetheswampasquicklyaspossible。
EvenwithherfearforFrecklestospurher，SarahDuncanblanchedandbeganshiveringattheideaoffacingtheLimberlost。TheAngellookedherintheeyes。
"Nomatterhowafraidyouare，youhavetogo，"shesaid。"Ifyoudon\'ttheBirdWomanwillgotoFreckles\'room，huntingme，andtheywillhavetroublewithher。Ifsheisn\'ttoldtoleaveatonce，theymayfollowme，and，findingI\'mgone，dosometerriblethingtoFreckles。Ican\'tgo——that\'sflat——foriftheycaughtme，thenthere\'dbenoonetogoforhelp。Youdon\'tsupposetheyaregoingtotakeoutthetreesthey\'reafterandthenleaveFrecklestorunandtell？Theyaregoingtomurdertheboy；that\'swhattheyaregoingtodo。Yourun，andrunforlife！ForFreckles\'life！
YoucanridebackwiththeBirdWoman。"
TheAngelsawMrs。Duncanstarted；thenbeganherrace。
Thoseawfulmilesofcorduroy！Wouldtheyneverend？Shedidnotdareusethewheeltooroughly，forifitbrokeshenevercouldarriveontimeafoot。Whereherwaywasimpassableforthewheel，shejumpedoff，andpushingitbesideherorcarryingit，sheranasfastasshecould。Thedaywasfearfullywarm。ThesunpouredwiththefiercebakingheatofAugust。Thebushesclaimedherhat，andshedidnotstopforit。
Whereitwasatallpossible，theAngelmountedandpoundedoverthecorduroyagain。Shewaspantingforbreathandalmostwornoutwhenshereachedthelevelpike。Shehadnoideahowlongshehadbeen——andonlytwomilescovered。Sheleanedoverthebars，almoststandingonthepedals，racingwithallthestrengthinherbody。
Thebloodsurgedinherearswhileherheadswam，butshekeptastraightcourse，androdeandrode。Itseemedtoherthatshewasstandingstill，whilethetreesandhouseswereracingpasther。
Onceafarmer\'sbigdogrushedangrilyintotheroadandsheswerveduntilshealmostfell，butsheregainedherbalance，andsettinghermuscles，pedaledasfastasshecould。Atlastsheliftedherhead。Surelyitcouldnotbeoveramilemore。Shehadcoveredtwoofcorduroyandatleastthreeofgravel，anditwasonlysixinall。
Shewasreelinginthesaddle，butshegrippedthebarswithnewenergy，andraceddesperately。Thesunbeatonherbareheadandhands。Justwhenshewaschokingwithdust，andalmostprostratewithheatandexhaustion——crash，sheranintoabrokenbottle。
Snap！wentthetire；thewheelswervedandpitchedover。TheAngelrolledintothethickyellowdustoftheroadandlayquietly。
Fromafar，Duncanbegantonoticeastrange，dust-coveredobjectintheroad，asheheadedtowardtownwiththefirstloadoftheday\'sfelling。
Hechirrupedtothebaysandhurriedthemallhecould。AshenearedtheAngel，hesawitwasawomanandabrokenwheel。Hewasbesideherinaninstant。Hecarriedhertoashadedfence-corner，stretchedheronthegrass，andwipedthedustfromthelovelyfacealldirt-streaked，crimson，andbearingastartlingwhitenessaroundthemouthandnose。
Wheelswerecommonenough。Manyofthefarmers\'daughtersownedandrodethem，butheknewthesesamefarmers\'daughters；thisfacewasastranger\'s。HeglancedattheAngel\'stumbledclothing，thesilkinessofherhair，withitspalesatinribbon，andnoticedthatshehadlostherhat。Herlipstightenedinanominousquiver。
Heleftherandpickedupthewheel:ashehadsurmised，heknewit。
This，then，wasFreckles\'SwampAngel。TherewastroubleintheLimberlost，andshehadbrokendownracingtoMcLean。Duncanturnedthebaysintoafence-corner，tiedoneofthem，unharnessedtheother，fastenedupthetracechains，andhurriedtothenearestfarmhousetosendhelptotheAngel。Hefoundawoman，whotookabottleofcamphor，ajugofwater，andsometowels，andstartedontherun。
ThenDuncanputthebaytospeedandracedtocamp。
TheAngel，leftalone，laystillforasecond，thensheshiveredandopenedhereyes。Shesawthatshewasonthegrassandthebrokenwheelbesideher。Instantlysherealizedthatsomeonehadcarriedherthereandgoneafterhelp。Shesatupandlookedaround。Shenoticedtheloadoflogsandtheonehorse。Someonewasridingafterhelpforher！
"Oh，poorFreckles！"shewailed。"Theymaybekillinghimbynow。
Oh，howmuchtimehaveIwasted？"
Shehurriedtotheotherbay，herfingersflyingasshesethimfree。
Snatchingupabigblacksnakewhipthatlayontheground，shecaughtthehames，stretchedalongthehorse\'sneck，and，forthefirsttime，thefine，bigfellowfeltonhisbackthequalityofthelashthatDuncanwasaccustomedtocrackoverhim。Hewasfrightened，andranattopspeed。
TheAngelpassedawildlywaving，screamingwomanontheroad，andalittlelateramanridingasifhe，too，wereingreathaste。
Themancalledtoher，butsheonlylaylowerandusedthewhip。
Soonthefeetoftheman\'shorsesoundedfartherandfartheraway。
AttheSouthcamptheywereloadingasecondwagon，whentheAngelappearedridingoneofDuncan\'sbays，latheredanddripping，andcried:"EverybodygotoFreckles！Therearethievesstealingtrees，andtheyhadhimbound。They\'regoingtokillhim！"
ShewheeledthehorsetowardtheLimberlost。Thealarmsoundedthroughcamp。Thegangwerenotunprepared。McLeansprangtoNellie\'sbackandracedaftertheAngel。AstheypassedDuncan，hewheeledandfollowed。Soonthepikewasanirregularprocessionofbarebackedriders，wildlydrivingflyinghorsestowardtheswamp。
TheBossrodeneck-and-neckwiththeAngel。Herepeatedlycommandedhertostopandfalloutofline，untilherememberedthathewouldneedhertoleadhimtoFreckles。Thenhegaveupandrodebesideher，forshewassendingthebayatassharpapaceastheotherhorsescouldkeepandholdout。Hecouldseethatshewasnothearinghim。HeglancedbackandsawthatDuncanwasclose。
Therewassomethingterrifyingintheappearanceofthebigman，andthemannerinwhichhesathisbeastandrode。ItwouldbeasaddayforthemanonwhomDuncan\'swrathbroke。Therewerefourothersclosebehindhim，andthepikefillingwiththeremainderofthegang；soMcLeantookheartandracedbesidetheAngel。Overandoverheaskedherwherethetroublewas，butsheonlygrippedthehames，leanedalongthebay\'sneck，andslashedawaywiththeblacksnake。Thesteaminghorse，withcrimsonnostrilsandheavingsides，stretchedoutandranforhomewithallthespeedtherewasinhim。
Whentheypassedthecabin，theBirdWoman\'scarriagewasthereandMrs。Duncaninthedoorwringingherhands，buttheBirdWomanwasnowheretobeseen。TheAngelsentthebayalongthepathandturnedintothewesttrail，whilethemenbunchedandfollowedher。
WhenshereachedtheentrancetoFreckles\'room，therewerefourmenwithher，andtwomoreveryclosebehind。Sheslidfromthehorse，andsnatchingthelittlerevolverfromherpocket，dartedtowardthebushes。McLeancaughtthemback，andwithdrawnweapon，pressedbesideher。Theretheystoppedinastonishment。
TheBirdWomanblockedtheentrance。Overasmalllimblayherrevolver。ItwastrainedatshortrangeonBlackJackandWessner，whostoodwiththeirhandsabovetheirheads。
Freckles，withthebloodtricklingdownhisface，fromanuglycutinhistemple，wasgaggedandboundtothetreeagain；theremainderofthemenweregone。BlackJackwasravingasamaniac，andwhentheylookedcloseritwasonlytheleftarmthatheraised。
Hisright，withthehandshattered，hunghelplessathisside，whilehisrevolverlayatFreckles\'feet。Wessner\'sweaponwasinhisbelt，andbesidehimFreckles\'club。
Freckles\'facewaswhite，withcolorlesslips，butinhiseyeswasthestrengthofundyingcourage。McLeanpushedpasttheBirdWomancrying。"Holdsteadyonthemonlyoneminutemore！"
HesnatchedtherevolverfromWessner\'sbelt，andstoopedforJack\'s。
AtthatinstanttheAngelrushedpast。ShetorethegagfromFreckles，andseizingtheropeknottedonhischest，shetuggedatitdesperately。Underherfingersitgaveway，andshehurledittoMcLean。Themenwerecrowdingin，andDuncanseizedWessner。
AstheAngelsawFrecklesstandout，free，shereachedherarmstohimandpitchedforward。AfearfuloathburstfromthelipsofBlackJack。
Tohavesavedhislife，FrecklescouldnothaveavoidedtheglanceoftriumphhegaveJack，whenfoldingtheAngelinhisarmsandstretchingheronthemosses。
TheBirdWomancriedoutsharplyforwaterassherantothem。
Someonesprangtobringthat，andanothertobreakopenthecaseforbrandy。AsMcLeanarosefrombindingWessner，therewasacrythatJackwasescaping。
Hewasalreadyfarintheswamp，runningforitsdensestpartinleapingbounds。Everymanwhocouldbesparedplungedafterhim。
Othermembersofthegangarriving，weresenttofollowthetracksofthewagons。Theteamstershaddrivenfromthewestentrance，andcrossingtheswale，hadtakenthesameroutetheBirdWomanandtheAngelhadbeforethem。Therehadbeenampletimeforthedriverstoreachtheroad；afterthattheycouldtakeanyoneoffourdirections。
Trafficwasheavy，andlumberwagonswerepassingalmostconstantly，sothementurnedbackandjoinedthemoreexcitinghuntforaman。
Theremainderofthegangjoinedthem，alsofarmersoftheregionandtravelersattractedbythedisturbance。
Watchersweresetalongthetrailatshortintervals。Theypatrolledthelineandroadsthroughtheswampthatnight，withlightedtorches，andthenextdayMcLeanheadedasthoroughasearchashefeltcouldbemadeofoneside，whileDuncancoveredtheother；butBlackJackcouldnotbefound。Spiesweresetaroundhishome，inWildcatHollow，toascertainifhereachedthereoraidwasbeingsentinanydirectiontohim；butitwassoonclearthathisrelativeswereignorantofhishiding-place，andweresearchingforhim。
Greatistheelasticityofyouth。Ahotbathandasoundnight\'ssleeprenewedFreckles\'strength，anditneededbutlittlemoretoworkthesameresultwiththeAngel。Freckleswasonthetrailearlythenextmorning。BesidesacrowdofpeopleanxioustowitnessJack\'scapture，hefoundfourstalwartguards，oneateachturn。
Inhishearthewascompelledtoadmitthathewasgladtohavethemthere。Closenoon，McLeanplacedhismeninchargeofDuncan，andtakingFreckles，drovetotowntoseehowtheAngelfared。
McLeanvisitedagreenhouseandboughtanarmloadofitsfinestproducts；butFreckleswouldhavenoneofthem。HewouldcarryhismessageinaglowingmassoftheLimberlost\'sfirstgoldenrod。
TheBirdWomanreceivedthem，andinanswertotheireagerinquiries，saidthattheAngelwasinnowayseriouslyinjured，onlysobruisedandshakenthattheirdoctorhadorderedhertoliequietlyfortheday。Thoughshewassoreandstiff，theywerehavingworktokeepherinbed。Hercallerssentuptheirflowerswiththeirgratefulregards，andtheAngelpromptlyreturnedwordthatshewantedtoseethem。
ShereachedbothhandstoMcLean。"Whatifoneoldtreeisgone？
Youdon\'tcare，sir？YoufeelthatFreckleshaskepthistrustasnobodyeverdidbefore，don\'tyou？Youwon\'tforgetallthoselongfirstdaysoffrightthatyoutoldusof，thefearfulcoldofwinter，therain，heat，andlonesomeness，andthebravedays，andlately，nights，too，andlethimfeelthathistrustisbroken？
Oh，Mr。McLean，"shebegged，"saysomethingtohim！Dosomethingtomakehimfeelthatitisn\'tfornothinghehaswatchedandsuffereditoutwiththatoldLimberlost。Makehimseehowgreatandfineitis，andhowfar，farbetterhehasdonethanyouoranyofusexpected！
What\'soneoldtree，anyway？"shecriedpassionately。
"Iwasthinkingbeforeyoucame。Thoseothermenwererankbigcowards。Theywerescaredfortheirlives。Iftheywerethedrivers，Iwageryouglovesagainstglovestheynevertookthoselogsouttothepike。Mycomingupsetthem。Beforeyoufeelbadanymore，yougolookandseeiftheydidn\'tlosecouragetheminutetheyleftWessnerandBlackJack，dumpthattimberandrun。Idon\'tbelievetheyeverhadthegrittodriveoutwithitindaylight。
Goseeiftheydidn\'tfigureonleavingthewaywedidtheothermorning，andyou\'llfindthelogsbeforeyoureachtheroad。
Theyneverriskedtakingthemintotheopen，whentheygotawayandhadtimetothink。Ofcoursetheydidn\'t！
"And，then，anotherthing。Youhaven\'tlostyourwager！Itneverwillbeclaimed，becauseyoumadeitwithastout，dark，red-facedmanwhodrivesabayandagray。Hewasrightbackofyou，Mr。
McLean，whenIcameyesterday。Hewentdeathlywhiteandshookonhisfeetwhenhesawthosemenprobablywouldbecaught。Someoneofthemwassomethingtohim，andyoucanjustspothimforoneofthemenatthebottomofyourtroubles，andurgingthoseyoungerfellowstostealfromyou。Isupposehe\'dpromisedtodivide。
Yousettlewithhim，andthatbusinesswillstop。"
SheturnedtoFreckles。"Andyoubethehappiestmanalive，becauseyouhavekeptyourtrust。GolookwhereItellyouandyou\'llfindthelogs。Icanseejustaboutwheretheyare。Whentheygoupthatsteeplittlehill，intothenextwoodsafterthecornfield，why，theycouldunloosethechainsandthelogswouldrollfromthewagonsthemselves。Now，yougolook；andMr。McLean，youdofeelthatFreckleshasbeenbraveandfaithful？Youwon\'tlovehimanythelessevenifyoudon\'tfindthelogs"
TheAngel\'snervegavewayandshebegantocry。Frecklescouldnotendureit。Healmostranfromtheroom，withthetearsinhiseyes；
butMcLeantooktheAngelfromtheBirdWoman\'sarms，andkissedherbravelittleface，strokedherhair，andpettedherintoquietnessbeforeheleft。
Astheydrovetotheswamp，McLeansoearnestlysecondedallthattheAngelhadsaidthathesoonhadtheboyfeelingmuchbetter。
"Freckles，yourAngelhasaspiceofthedevilinher，butshe\'ssuperb！Youneedn\'tspendanytimequestioningorbewailinganythingshedoes。Justworshipblindly，myboy。Byheaven！she\'ssense，courage，andbeautyforhalfadozengirls，"saidMcLean。
"It\'saltogetherrightyouare，sir，"affirmedFrecklesheartily。
Presentlyheadded，"There\'snoquestionbuttheseriesisovernow。"
"Don\'tthinkit！"answeredMcLean。"TheBirdWomanisworkingforsuccess，andsuccessalonganylineisnotwonbybeingscaredout。
Shewillbebackontheusualday，andtentoone，theAngelwillbewithher。Theyaremadeofprettysternstuff，andtheydon\'tscareworthacent。BeforeIleft，ItoldtheBirdWomanitwouldbesafe；anditwill。Youmaydoyourusualwalking，butthosefourguardsaretheretoremain。Theyareunderyourordersabsolutely。
Theyareprohibitedfromfiringonanybirdormolestinganythingthatyouwanttoprotect，buttheretheyremain，andthistimeitisuselessforyoutosayoneword。Ihavelistenedtoyourpridetoolong。Youaretooprecioustome，andthatvoiceofyoursistooprecioustotheworldtorunanymorerisks。"
"Iamsorrytohaveanythingspoiltheseries，"saidFreckles，"andI\'dlovethemtobecoming，theAngelespecial，butitcan\'tbe。
You\'llhavetotellthemso。Yousee，Jackwouldhavebeenreadytostakehislifeshemeantwhatshesaidanddidtohim。Whentheteamspulledout，Wessnerseizedme；thenheandJackwenttoquarrelingoverwhethertheyshouldfinishmethenortakemetothenexttreetheywereforfelling。Betweenthemtheywerepullingmearoundandhurtingmebad。Wessnerwantedtogetatmerightthen，andJacksaidheshouldn\'tbetouchingmetillthelasttreewasoutandalltherestofthemgone。I\'mbelayingJackreallyhatedtoseemedoneforinthebeginning；andIthink，too，hewasafraidifWessnerfinishedmethenhe\'dlosehisnerveandcut，andtheycouldn\'tbemanagingthefellingwithouthim；anyway，theywerehaulingmeroundlikeIwasalreadypastallfeeling，andtheytiedmeupagain。Tokeepmecourageup，ItwitsWessnerabouthavingtotiemeandneedinganothermantohelphandleme。ItoldhimwhatI\'ddotohimifIwasfree，andhegrabsupmeownclubandlaysopenmeheadwithit。Whenthebloodcamestreaming，itsetJackraving，andhecursedanddamnedWessnerforacowardandasofty。ThenWessnerturnedonJackandgivesittohimforlettingtheAngelmakeafoolofhim。Tellshimshewasjustplayingwithhim，andbeyondallmannerofdoubtshe\'dgoneafteryou，andtherewasnothingtodoonaccountofhisfoolishnessbutfinishme，getout，andlettherestofthetimbergo，forlikelyyouwasonthewayrightthen。ThatdroveJackplumcrazy。
"Idon\'tthinkhewasforhavingadoubtoftheAngelbefore，butthenhejustraved。HegrabbedouthisgunandturnedonWessner。
Spang！Itwentoutofhisfist，andtheordercomes:`Handsup！\'
Wessnerreachedforkingdomcomelikehewasexpectingtograbholdandpullhimselfup。Jackputsupwhathehasleft。Thenheleansovertomeandtellsmewhathe\'lldotomeifheevergetsoutoftherealive。Then，justlikeasnakehissing，hespitsoutwhathe\'lldotoherforplayinghim。Hedidgetaway，andwithhisstrength，thatwoundinhishandwon\'tbebotheringhimlong。
He\'lldotomejustwhathesaid，andwhenhehearsitreallywasshethatwentafteryou，why，he\'llkeephisoathabouther。
"He\'slivedintheswampallhislife，sir，andeverybodysaysit\'salwaysbeenthehomeofcutthroats，outlaws，andrunaways。Heknowsitsmostsecretplacesasnoneoftheothers。He\'salive。He\'sintherenow，sir。Somewayhe\'llkeepalive。Ifyou\'dseenhisface，allscarletwithpassion，twistedwithpain，andblackwithhate，andheardhimswearingthatoath，you\'dknowitwasasurething。
Iain\'tdonewithhimyet，andI\'vebroughtthisawfulthingonher。"
"AndIhaven\'tbegunwithhimyet，"saidMcLean，settinghisteeth。
"I\'vebeenawaytooslowandtooeasy，believingthere\'dbenogreaterharmthanthelossofatree。I\'vesentforacoupleoffirst-classdetectives。Wewillputthemonhistrack，androuthimoutandridthecountryofhim。Idon\'tproposeforhimtostopeitherourworkorourpleasure。Asforhisbeingintheswampnow，Idon\'tbelieveit。He\'dfindawayoutlastnight，inspiteofus。
Don\'tyouworry！Iamatthehelmnow，andI\'llseetothatgentlemaninmyownway。"
"Iwishtomysoulyouhadseenandheardhim！"saidFreckles，unconvinced。
Theyenteredtheswamp，takingtheroutefollowedbytheBirdWomanandtheAngel。Theyreallydidfindthelogs，almostwheretheAngelhadpredictedtheywouldbe。McLeanwenttotheSouthcampandhadaninterviewwithCrowenthatcompletelyconvincedhimthattheAngelwascorrecttherealso。Buthehadnoproof，soallhecoulddowastodischargetheman，althoughhisguiltwassoapparentthatheofferedtowithdrawthewager。
ThenMcLeansentforapackofbloodhoundsandputthemonthetrailofBlackJack。Theyclungtoit，onandon，intothedepthsoftheswamp，leadingtheirfollowersthroughwhathadbeenconsideredimpassableandimpenetrableways，andfinally，aroundnearthewestentranceandintotheswale。Herethedogsbellowed，raved，andfellovereachotherintheirexcitement。Theyracedbackandforthfromswamptoswale，butfollowthescentfarthertheywouldnot，eventhoughcruellydriven。Atlasttheirownerattributedtheiractionstosnakes，andastheywereveryvaluabledogs，abandonedtheefforttourgethemon。SothatalltheyreallyestablishedwasthefactthatBlackJackhadeludedtheirvigilanceandcrossedthetrailsometimeinthenight。Hehadescapedtotheswale；fromthereheprobablycrossedthecorduroy，andreachingthelowerendoftheswamp，hadfoundfriends。Itwasagreatrelieftofeelthathewasnotintheswamp，anditraisedthespiritsofeverymanontheline，thoughmanyofthemexpressedregretsthathewhowasundoubtedlymosttoblameshouldescape，whileWessner，whointhebeginningwasonlyhistool，shouldbelefttopunishment。
ButforFreckles，withJack\'sfearfuloathringinginhisears，therewasneitherrestnorpeace。HewasalmostillwhenthedayforthenextstudyoftheseriesarrivedandhesawtheBirdWomanandtheAngelcomingdownthecorduroy。Theguardsoftheeastlineheleftattheircustomaryplaces，butthoseofthewesthebroughtoverandplaced，onenearLittleChicken\'stree，andtheotheratthecarriage。HewasfirmabouttheAngel\'sremaininginthecarriage，thathedidnotoffertohaveunhitched。HewentwiththeBirdWomantosecurethepicture，whichwastheeasiestmatterithadbeenatanytimeyet，forthesimplereasonthattheplacingoftheguardsandtheunusualmovementaroundtheswamphadmadeMr。
andMrs。Chickentimid，andtheyhadnotcarriedLittleChickenthecustomaryamountoffood。Freckles，intheanxietyofthepastfewdays，hadneglectedhim，andhehadbeensohungry，muchofthetime，thatwhentheBirdWomanheldupasweet-bread，althoughhehadstartedtowardtherecessesofthelogathercoming，hestopped；withslightlyopenedbeak，hewaitedanxiouslyforthetreat，andgaveastudyofgreatvalue，showingeverypointofhishead，alsohiswingandtaildevelopment。
WhentheBirdWomanproposedtolookforothersubjectscloseabouttheline，FreckleswentsofarastotellherthatJackhadmadefearfulthreatsagainsttheAngel。HeimploredhertotaketheAngelhomeandkeepherunderunceasingguarduntilJackwaslocated。Hewantedtotellherallaboutit，butheknewhowdeartheAngelwastoher，andhedreadedtoburdenherwithhisfearswhentheymightprovegroundless。Heallowedhertogo，butafterwardblamedhimselfseverelyforhavingdoneso。
CHAPTERXIV
WhereinFrecklesNursesaHeartacheandBlackJackDropsOut"McLean，"saidMrs。Duncan，astheBosspausedtogreetherinpassingthecabin，"doyouknowthatFreckleshasnabeeninbedthepastfivenightsandallhe\'seateninthatmanydaysyecouldpackintoapintcup？"
"Why，whatdoestheboymean？"demandedMcLean。"There\'snonecessityforhimbeingonguard，withthewatchI\'vesetontheline。Ihadnoideahewasstayingdownthere。"
"He\'snothere，"saidMrs。Duncan。"Hegoessomewhereelse。
Heleavesonhiswheeljuistafterwe\'reabedandridesinclosecock-croworalittleearlier，andhe\'slookinglikedeathandnothingshortofit。"
"Butwheredoeshego？"askedMcLeaninastonishment。
"I\'mnogiventobearingtalesoutofschool，"saidSarahDuncan，"butinthiscaseI\'dtellyeifIcould。WhatthetroubleisI
dinnaken。Ifitisno\'stopped，he\'sinfordreadfulsickness，andIthoughtyecouldfindoutandhelphim。He\'sinsairtrouble；
that\'sallIknow。"
McLeansatbroodingashestrokedNellie\'sneck。
Atlasthesaid:"IsuspectIunderstand。Atanyrate，IthinkI
canfindout。Thankyoufortellingme。"
"Ye\'llnoneedtelling，onceyeclapyoureyesonhim，"prophesiedMrs。Duncan。"Hisfaceisallaglist\'nyyellow，andhe\'speakedasastarvingcagedbird。"
McLeanrodetotheLimberlost，andstoppingintheshade，satwaitingforFreckles，whosehourforpassingthefootoftheleasehadcome。
AlongthenorthlinecameFreckles，fairlystaggering。WhenheturnedeastandreachedSleepySnakeCreek，slidingthroughtheswaleasthelongblacksnakeforwhichitwasnamed，hesatonthebridgeandclosedhisburningeyes，buttheywouldnotremainshut。
Asifpulledbywires，theheavylidsflewopen，whiletheoutragednervesandmusclesofhisbodydanced，twitched，andtingled。
Hebentforwardandidlywatchedthelimpidlittlestreamflowingbeneathhisfeet。Stretchingintotheswale，itcamecreepingbetweenanimpenetrablewallofmagnificentwildflowers，vines，andferns。Milkweed，goldenrod，ironwort，fringedgentians，cardinal-flowers，andturtle-headstoodontheveryedgeofthecreek，andeveryflowerofthemhadadoubleinthewater。
Wildclematiscrownedwithsnowtheheadsoftreesscatteredhereandthereonthebank。
Fromafarthecreekappearedtobemurky，dirtywater。Reallyitwasclearandsparkling。Thetingeofblacknesswasgainedfromitsbedofmuckshowingthroughthetransparentcurrent。Hecouldseesmallandwonderfullymarkedfish。Whatbecameofthemwhenthecreekspreadintotheswamp？Foronething，theywouldmakemightyfineeatingforthefamilyofthatself-satisfiedoldblueheron。
Frecklessatsoquietlythatsoonthebrimofhishatwascoveredwithsnake-feeders，raspingtheircrispwingsandsingingwhiletheyrested。Someofthemsettledontheclub，andoneonhisshoulder。Hewassomotionless；feathers，fur，andgauzeweresoaccustomedtohim，thatallthroughtheswaletheycontinuedtheirdailylifeandforgothewasthere。
Theheronfamilywerewadingthemouthofthecreek。Frecklesidlywonderedwhetherthenerve-rackingraspstheyoccasionallyemittedindicateddomesticfelicityoraragingquarrel。Hecouldnotdecide。
Asheitpoke，withflaringcrest，wentstalkingacrossabarespaceclosetothecreek\'smouth。Astatelybrownbitternwadedintotheclear-flowingwater，liftinghisfeethighateverystep，andsettingthemdowncarefully，asifhedreadedwettingthem，andwithslightlypartedbeak，stoodeagerlywatchingaroundhimforworms。Behindhimweresomemightytreesoftheswampabove，andbelowthebankglowedasolidwallofgoldenrod。
Nowondertheancientshadchosenyellowasthecolortorepresentvictory，forthefierce，conqueringhueofthesunwasinit。
Theyhaddonewell，too，inselectingpurpleastheemblemofroyalty。
Itwasadignified，compellingcolor，whileinitswarmtonetherewasahintofblood。
ItwastheLimberlost\'shourtoproclaimhersovereigntyandtriumph。
Everywheresheflauntedheryellowbannerandtrailedthepurpleofhermantle，thatwaspalerinthethistle-heads，tookonstrengthinthefirstopeningasters，andglowedandburnedintheironwort。
Hegazedintoherdamp，mossyrecesseswherehigh-piledriventreesdecayedundercoatsoflivinggreen，wheredaintyvinesswayedandclambered，andhereandthereayellowleaf，flutteringdown，presagedthecomingofwinter。Hisloveoftheswamplaidholdofhimandshookhimwithitsforce。
CompellinglybeautifulwastheLimberlost，butcruelwithal；forinsidebleachedtheuncoffinedbonesofhervictims，whileshehadmissedcradlinghim，oh！sonarrowly。
Heshiftedrestlessly；themovementsentthesnake-feedersskimming。
Thehumoflifeswelledandroaredinhisstrainedears。
Smallturtles，thathadclimbedonalogtosun，splashedclumsilyintothewater。Somewhereinthetimberofthebridgeabloodthirstylittlefrogcriedsharply。"KEEL\'IM！KEEL\'IM！"
Frecklesmuttered:"It\'sworsethanthatBlackJacksworetodotome，littlefellow。"
Amuskratwaddleddownthebankandswamfortheswamp，itspointednoserifflingthewaterintoashiningtrailinitswake。
Then，belowtheturtle-log，adrippingsilver-grayhead，withshiningeyes，wascautiouslylifted，andFreckles\'handslidtohisrevolver。Higherandhighercamethehead，along，heavy，furcoatedbodyarose，nowhalf，nowthree-fourthsfromthewater。Freckleslookedathisshakinghandanddoubted，buthegatheredhisforces，theshotrang，andtheotterlayquiet。Hehurrieddownandtriedtoliftit。Hescarcelycouldmusterstrengthtocarryittothebridge。
TheconsciousnessthathereallycouldgonofartherwithitmadeFrecklesrealizethefactthathewasclosethelimitofhumanendurance。Hecouldbearitlittle，ifany，longer。
EveryhourthedearfaceoftheAngelwaveredbeforehim，andbehindittheawfuldistortedimageofBlackJack，ashehadsworntothepunishmenthewouldmeteouttoher。HemusteitherseeMcLean，orelsemakeatriptotownandfindherfather。Whichshouldhedo？Hewasalmostastranger，sotheAngel\'sfathermightnotbeimpressedwithwhathesaidashewouldifMcLeanwenttohim。
ThenherememberedthatMcLeanhadsaidhewouldcomethatmorning。
Frecklesneverhadforgottenbefore。Hehurriedontheeasttrailasfastashistotteringlegswouldcarryhim。
Hestoppedwhenhecametothefirstguard，andtellinghimofhisluck，askedhimtogettheotterandcarryittothecabin，ashewasanxioustomeetMcLean。
Frecklespassedthesecondguardwithoutseeinghim，andhurriedtotheBoss。Hetookoffhishat，wipedhisforehead，andstoodsilentundertheeyesofMcLean。
TheBosswasdumbfounded。Mrs。DuncanhadledhimtoexpectthathewouldfindachangeinFreckles，butthiswasalmostdeathly。
Thefactwasapparentthattheboyscarcelyknewwhathewasdoing。
Hiseyeshadaglazed，far-sightedappearance，thatwrungtheheartofthemanwholovedhim。Withoutathoughtofpreliminaries，McLeanleanedinthesaddleanddrewFrecklestohim。
"Mypoorlad！"hesaid。"Mypoor，dearlad！tellme，andwewilltrytorightit！"
FreckleshadtwistedhisfingersinNellie\'smane。AtthekindwordshisfacedroppedonMcLean\'sthighandheshookwithanervouschill。McLeangatheredhimcloserandwaited。
Whentheguardcamewiththeotter，McLeanwithoutawordmotionedhimtolayitdownandleavethem。
"Freckles，"saidMcLeanatlast，"willyoutellme，ormustIsettoworkinthedarkandtrytofindthetrouble？"
"Oh，Iwanttotellyou！Imusttellyou，sir，"shudderedFreckles。
"Icannotbebearingitthedayoutalone。IwascomingtoyouwhenIremimberedyouwouldbehere。"
Heliftedhisfaceandgazedacrosstheswale，withhisjawssetfirmlyaminute，asifgatheringhisforces。Thenhespoke。
"It\'stheAngel，sir，"hesaid。
InstinctivelyMcLean\'sgriponhimtightened，andFreckleslookedintotheBoss\'sfaceinwonder。
"Itried，theotherday，"saidFreckles，"andIcouldn\'tseemtomakeyousee。It\'sonlythattherehasn\'tbeenanhour，wakingorsleeping，sincethedayshepartedthebushesandlookedintomeroom，thatthefaceofherhasn\'tbeenbeforemeinallthetinderness，beauty，andmischiefofit。Shetalkedtomefriendlylike。Shetrustedmeentirelytotakerightcareofher。
Shehelpedmewiththingsaboutmebooks。ShetraitedmelikeI
wasbornagintleman，andsharedwithmeasifIwereofherownblood。
Shewalkedthestreetsofthetownwithmebeforeherfriendswithalltheprideofaqueen。Sheforgotherselfanddidn\'tmindtheBirdWoman，andrunbigriskstohelpmeoutthatfirstday，sir。
Thislasttimeshewalkedintothatgangofmurderers，tooktheirleader，andtwistedhimtothewillofher。Sheoutdonehimandracedthelifealmostoutofhertryingtosaveme。
"SinceIcanremimber，whateverthethingwasthathappenedtomeinthebeginninghasbeenmecurse。I\'vebeenbitter，hard，andsmartingunderithopelessly。Shecameby，andfoundmevoice，andputhopeoflifeandsuccesslikeothermenintomeinspiteofit。"
Freckleshelduphismaimedarm。
"Lookatit，sir！"hesaid。"AthousandtimesI\'vecursedit，hangingtherehelpless。Shetookitonthestreet，beforeallthepeople，justasifshedidn\'tseethatitwasathingtohideandshrinkfrom。AgainandagainI\'vehadthefeelingwithher，ifI
didn\'tentirelyforgetit，thatshedidn\'tseeitwasgoneandI
musthepointingitouttoher。Hertouchonitwassosacred-like，attimessinceI\'vecaughtmeselflookingattheawfulthingnearlikeIwasproudofit，sir。IfIhadbeenbornyoursonshecouldn\'tbetraitingmemoreasherequal，andshecan\'thelpknowingyouain\'ttrulymefather。NobodycanknowthehomelinessortheignoranceofmebetterthanIdo，andallmelackofbirth，relatives，andmoney，andwhat\'sitalltoher？"
Frecklessteppedback，squaredhisshoulders，andwitharoyalliftofhisheadlookedstraightintotheBoss\'seyes。
"Yousawherinthebeautifullittleroomofher，andyoucan\'tbeforgettinghowshebeggedandpleadwithyouforme。Shetouchedmebody，and`twassanctified。Shelaidherlipsonmybrow，and`twassacrament。Nobodyknowstheheightofherbetterthanme。
Nobody\'sstudiedmydepthscloser。There\'snobridgeforthegreatdistancebetweenus，sir，andclearestofall，I\'mforrealizingit:
butsheriskedterriblethingswhenshecametomeamongthatgangofthieves。Sheworeherselfpastbearingtosavemefromsuchaneasythingasdeath！Now，here\'sme，aman，abig，strongman，andlettingherliveunderthatfearfuloath，soworsethananydeath`twouldbeforher，andliftingnotafingertosaveher。Icannothearit，sir。It\'skillingmebyinches！BlackJack\'shandmaynothavebeenhurtsobad。Anyhourhemaybecreepingupbehindher！
Anyminutetheawfulrevengehesworetobetakingmayinsomewayfallonher，andIhaven\'tevenwarnedherfather。Ican\'tstayheredoingnothinganotherhour。ThefivenightsgoneI\'vewatchedunderherwindows，butthere\'sthewholeoftheday。She\'sherownhorseandlittlecart，and\'sfreetobedrivingthroughthetownandcountryasshepleases。IfanyevilcomestoherthroughBlackJack，itcomesfromherangel-likegoodnesstome。Somewherehe\'shiding！
Somewhereheiswaitinghischance！Somewhereheisreachingoutforher！ItellyouIcannot，Idarenotbebearingitlonger！"
"Freckles，bequiet！"saidMcLean，hiseyeshumidandhisvoicequiveringwiththepityofitall。"Believeme，Ididnotunderstand。
IknowtheAngel\'sfatherwell。Iwillgotohimatonce。Ihavetransactedbusinesswithhimforthepastthreeyears。Iwillmakehimsee！Iamonlybeginningtorealizeyouragony，andtherealdangerthereisfortheAngel。Believeme，IwillseethatsheisfullyprotectedeveryhourofthedayandnightuntilJackislocatedanddisposedof。AndIpromiseyoufurther，thatifI
failtomoveherfatherormakehimunderstandthedanger，IwillmaintainaguardoverheruntilJackiscaught。Nowwillyougobathe，drinksomemilk，gotobed，andsleepforhours，andthenbemybrave，brightoldboyagain？"
"Yis，"saidFrecklessimply。
ButMcLeancouldseethefleshwastwitchingonthelad\'sbones。
"Whatwasittheguardbroughtthere？"McLeanaskedinanefforttodistractFreckles\'thoughts。
"Oh！"Frecklessaid，glancingwheretheBosspointed，"Iforgotit！
`Tisanotter，andfinepastbelieving，forthiswarmweather。
Ishotitatthecreekthismorning。`Twasagoodshot，considering。
Iexpectedtomiss。"
FrecklespickeduptheanimalandstartedtowardMcLeanwithit，butNellieprickedupherdaintylittleears，dancedintotheswale，andsnortedwithfright。Frecklesdroppedtheotterandrantoherhead。
"Forpity\'ssake，getheronthetrail，sir，"hebegged。"She\'sjustaboutwheretheoldkingrattlercrossestogointotheswamp——theoldbusterDuncanandIhavebeentellingyouof。
Ihaven\'tadoubtbutitwastheoneMotherDuncanmet。\'Twasdownthetrailthere，justalittlefartheron，thatIfoundher，andit\'ssuretobecloseyet。"
McLeanslidfromNellie\'sback，ledherintothetrailfartherdowntheline，andtiedhertoabush。Thenhewenttoexaminetheotter。
Itwasarare，bigspecimen，withexquisitelyfine，long，silkyhair。
"Whatdoyouwanttodowithit，Freckles？"askedMcLean，ashestrokedthesoftfurlingeringly。"Doyouknowthatitisveryvaluable？"
"Iwasforalmostprayingso，sir，"saidFreckles。"AsIsawitcomingupthebankIthoughtthis:Oncesomewhereinabooktherewasapictureofayounggirl，andshewasjustabreathlikethebeautifulnessoftheAngel。Herhandswereinamuffasbigasherbody，andIthoughtitwassopretty。Ithinkshewassomequeen，orthelike。DoyousupposeIcouldhavethisskintannedandmadeintosuchamuffasthat？——anenormousbigone，sir？"
"Ofcourseyoucan，"saidMcLean。"That\'safineideaandit\'seasyenough。Wemustboxandexpresstheotter，coldstorage，bythefirsttrain。YoustandguardaminuteandI\'lltellHalltocarryittothecabin。I\'llputNellietoDuncan\'srig，andwe\'lldrivetotownandcallontheAngel\'sfather。Thenwe\'llstarttheotterwhileitisfresh，andI\'llwriteyourinstructionslater。ItwouldbeamightyfinethingforyoutogivetotheAngelasalittlereminderoftheLimberlostbeforeitisdespoiled，andasasouvenirofhertripforyou。"
Frecklesliftedafacewithaglowofhappycolorcreepingintoitandeyeslightingwithaformerbrightness。ThrowinghisarmsaroundMcLean，hecried:"Oh，howIloveyou！Oh，IwishIcouldmakeyouknowhowIloveyou！"
McLeanstrainedhimtohisbreast。
"Godblessyou，Freckles，"hesaid。"Idoknow！We\'regoingtohavesomegoodoldtimesoutofthisworldtogether，andwecan\'tbegintoosoon。Wouldyourathersleepfirst，orhaveabiteoflunch，takethedrivewithme，andthenrest？Idon\'tknowbutsleepwillcomesooneranddeepertotaketherideandhaveyourmindsetateasebeforeyouliedown。Supposeyougo。"
"SupposeIdo，"saidFreckles，withaglimmeroftheoldlightinhiseyesandnewlyfoundstrengthtoshouldertheotter。
Togethertheyturnedintothetrail。
McLeannoticedandspokeofthebigblackchickens。
"They\'vebeenhangingroundoutthereforseveraldayspast，"
saidFreckles。"I\'lltellyouwhatIthinkitmeans。Ithinktheoldrattlerhaskilledsomethingtoobigforhimtoswallow，andhe\'skeepingguardandwon\'tletmechickenshaveit。I\'mjustsure，fromthewaythebirdshaveactedoutthereallsummer，thatitistherattler\'sden。Youwatchthemnow。Seethewaytheydipandthenrise，frightenedlike！"
SuddenlyMcLeanturnedtowardhimwithblanchingface"Freckles！"hecried。
"MyGod，sir！"shudderedFreckles。
Hedroppedtheotter，caughtuphisclub，andplungedintotheswale。
Reachingforhisrevolver，McLeanfollowed。Thechickenscircledhigherattheircoming，andthebigsnakeliftedhisheadandrattledangrily。ItsankinsinuouscoilsatthereportofMcLean\'srevolver，andtogetherheandFrecklesstoodbesideBlackJack。
Hisfatewasevidentandmosthorrible。
"Come，"saidtheBossatlast。"Wedon\'tdaretouchhim。WewillgetasheetfromMrs。Duncanandtuckoverhim，tokeeptheseswarmsofinsectsaway，andsetHallonguard，whilewefindtheofficers。"
Freckles\'lipsclosedresolutely。HedeliberatelythrusthisclubunderBlackJack\'sbody，and，raisinghim，resteditonhisknee。
Hepulledalongsilverpinfromthefrontofthedeadman\'sshirtandsentitspinningintotheswale。Thenhegatheredupafewcrumpledbrightflowersanddroppedthemintothepoolfaraway。
"Mysoulissickwiththehorrorofthisthing，"saidMcLean，asheandFrecklesdrovetowardtown。"Ican\'tunderstandhowJackdaredriskcreepingthroughtheswale，evenindesperation。Nooneknewitsdangersbetterthanhe。Andwhydidhechoosetherankest，muckiestplacetocrosstheswamp？"
"Don\'tyouthink，sir，itwasbecauseitwasonalinewiththeLimberlostsouthofthecorduroy？Thegrasswastallestthere，andhecountedonthosewillowstoscreenhim。Oncehegotamongthem，hewouldhavebeensafetowalkbystooping。Ifhe\'dmadeitpastthatplace，he\'dbeensuretogetout。"
"Well，I\'massorryforJackasIknowhowtobe，"saidMcLean，"butIcan\'thelpfeelingrelievedthatourtroublesareover，fornowtheyare。WithsodreadfulapunishmentforJack，Wessnerunderarrest，andwarrantsfortheothers，wecancountontheirgoingawayandremaining。Asforanyoneelse，Idon\'tthinktheywillcaretoattemptstealingmytimberaftertheexperienceofthesemen。
ThereisnoothermanherewithJack\'sfineabilityinwoodcraft。
Hewasanexpert。"
"Didyoueverhearofanyonewhoevertriedtolocateanytreesexceptinghim？"askedFreckles。
"No，Ineverdid，"saidMcLean。"Iamsuretherewasnoonebesideshim。Yousee，itwasonlywiththearrivalofourcompanythattheotherfellowsscentedgoodstuffintheLimberlost，andtriedtoworkin。Jackknewtheswampbetterthananyonehere。
Whenhefoundthereweretwocompaniestryingtolease，hewantedtostandinwiththeonefromwhichhecouldrealizethemost。
Eventhenhehadtreesmarkedthathewastryingtodisposeof。
Ithinkhissoleintentioninforcingmetodischargehimfrommygangwastocomehereandtrytostealtimber。Wehadnoidea，whenwetookthelease，whatagoldmineitwas。"
"That\'sexactlywhatWessnersaidthatfirstday，"saidFreckleseagerly。
"That\'twasa`goldmine\'！Hesaidhedidn\'tknowwherethemarkedtreeswere，butheknewamanwhodid，andifIwouldholdoffandletthemgetthemarkedones，therewereadozentheycouldgetoutinafewdays。"
"Freckles！"criedMcLean。"Youdon\'tmeanadozen！"
"That\'swhathesaid，sir——adozen。Hesaidtheycouldn\'ttellhowthegrainofallofthemwouldworkup，ofcourse，buttheywereallworthtakingout，andfiveorsixwererealgoldmines。Thismakesthreethey\'vetried，sotheremustbeninemoremarked，andseveralofthemforbeingjustfine。"
"Well，IwishIknewwhichtheyare，"saidMcLean，"soIcouldgetthemoutfirst。"
"Ihavebeenthinking，"saidFreckles。"Ibelieveifyouwillleaveoneoftheguardsontheline——sayHall——thatIwillbeginontheswamp，atthenorthend，andlayitoffinsections，andtrytohuntoutthemarkedtrees。Isupposetheyareallmarkedsomethinglikethatfirstmapleonthelinewas。Wessnermentionedanothergoodonenotsofarfromthat。Hesaiditwasbestofall。I\'dbehavingtheswelledheadifIcouldfindthat。Ofcourse，Idon\'tknowathingaboutthetrees，butIcouldhuntforthemarks。
Jackwassogoodatithecouldtellsomeofthembythebark，butallhewantedtotakethatwe\'vefoundsofarhavejusthadadeepchipcutout，ratherlowdown，andwherethebusheswerethickoverit。
IbelieveIcouldbefindingsomeofthem。"
"Goodhead！"saidMcLean。"Wewilldothat。Youmaybeginassoonasyouarerested。Andaboutthingsyoucomeacrossintheswamp，Freckles——themosttriflinglittlethingthatyouthinktheBirdWomanwouldwant，takeyourwheelandgoafterheratanytime。
I\'llleavetwomenontheline，sothatyouwillhaveoneoneitherside，andyoucancomeandgoasyouplease。Haveyoustoppedtothinkofallweoweher，myboy？"
"Yis；andtheAngel——weoweheralot，too，"saidFreckles。"Iowehermelifeandhonor。It\'slyingawakenightsI\'llhavetobetryingtothinkhowI\'mevertopayherup。"
"Well，beginwiththemuff，"suggestedMcLean。"Thatshouldbefine。"
Hebentdownandruffledtherichfuroftheotterlyingathisfeet。
"Idon\'texactlyseehowitcomestobeinsuchsplendidfurinsummer。
Theircoatsarealwaysthickincoldweather，butthisscarcelycouldbeimproved。I\'llwireCoopertobewatchingforit。
Theymusthaveitfresh。Whenit\'stannedwewon\'tspareanyexpenseinmakingitup。Itshouldbearoyalthing，andsomewayIthinkitwillexactlysuittheAngel。Ican\'tthinkofanythingthatwouldbemoreappropriateforher。"
"NeithercanI，"agreedFrecklesheartily。"WhenIreachthecitythere\'soneotherthing，ifI\'vethemoneyafterthemuffisfinished。"
HetoldMcLeanofMrs。Duncan\'sdesireforahatsimilartotheAngel\'s。Hehesitatedalittleinthetelling，keepingsharpwatchonMcLean\'sface。WhenhesawtheBoss\'seyeswerefullofcomprehensionandsympathy，helovedhimanew，for，asever，McLeanwasquicktounderstand。Insteadoflaughing，hesaid:"Ithinkyou\'llhavetoletmeinonthat，too。Youmustn\'tbeselfish，youknow。I\'lltellyouwhatwe\'lldo。SenditforChristmas。
I\'llbehomethen，andwecanfillabox。Yougetthehat。
I\'lladdadressandwrap。YoubuyDuncanahatandgloves。
I\'llsendhimabigovercoat，andwe\'llputinalotoflittlestuffforthebabies。Won\'tthatbefun？"
Frecklesfairlyshiveredwithdelight。
"Thatwouldbeawaytooseriousforfun，"hesaid。"Thatwouldbeheavenly。Howlongwillitbe？"
Hebegancountingthetime，andMcLeandeliberatelysethimselftoencourageFrecklesandkeephisthoughtsfromthetroubleofthepastfewdays，forhehadbeenoverwroughtandneededquietandrest。
CHAPTERXV
WhereinFrecklesandtheAngelTryTakingaPicture，andLittleChickenFurnishestheSubjectAweeklatereverythingattheLimberlostwaspreciselyasithadbeenbeforethetragedy，exceptthecaseinFreckles\'roomnowrestedonthestumpofthenewlyfelledtree。Enoughofthevineswerelefttocoveritprettily，andeveryvestigeofthehavocofafewdaysbeforewasgone。Newguardswerepatrollingthetrail。
Freckleswasroughlylayingofftheswampinsectionsandsearchingformarkedtrees。Inthattimehehadfoundonedeeplychippedandthechipcunninglyreplacedandtackedin。Itpromisedtobequiterare，sohewasjubilant。HealsofoundsomanysubjectsfortheBirdWomanthathercomingwasofalmostdailyoccurrence，andthehourshespentwithherandtheAngelwerenothinglessthangolden。
TheLimberlostwasnowarrayedastheQueenofShebainallherglory。
Thefirstfrostsofautumnhadbejewelledhercrowninflashingtopaz，ruby，andemerald。Aroundherfeettrailedthepurpleofhergarments，whileinherhandwashergoldenscepter。
Everythingwasatfulltide。Itseemedasifnothingcouldgrowlovelier，anditwasallstandingstillafewweeks，waitingcomingdestruction。
Theswampwaspalpitantwithlife。Everypairofbirdsthathadflockedtoitinthespringwasnowmultipliedbyfromtwototen。
TheyoungweretamefromFreckles\'tri-parenthood，andsoplumpandsleekthattheywerequiteasbeautifulastheirelders，evenifinmanycasestheylackedtheirbrilliantplumage。Itwasthesamestoryofincreaseeverywhere。Therewerechubbylittleground-hogsscuddingonthetrail。Therewerecunningbabycoonsandopossumspeepingfromhollowlogsandtrees。Youngmuskratsfollowedtheirparentsacrossthelagoons。
Ifyoucouldcomeuponafamilyoffoxesthathadnotyetdisbanded，andseetheyoungplayingwithawildduck\'scarcassthattheirmotherhadbrought，andnotetheprideandsatisfactioninhereyesasshelayatonesideguardingthem，itwouldbeapicturenottobeforgotten。Frecklesnevertiredofstudyingthedevotionofafoxmothertoherbabies。Tohim，whoseearlylifehadbeensoembitteredbycontinualproofofneglectandcrueltyinhumanparentstowardtheirchildren，theloveofthesefurredandfeatheredfolkoftheLimberlostwasevenmoreofamiraclethantotheBirdWomanandtheAngel。
TheAngellikedthebabyrabbitsandsquirrels。Earlierintheseason，whentheyoungwereyetverysmall，itsohappenedthatattimesFrecklescouldgiveintoherhandsoneoftheselittleones。
