第7章

Thenitwaspurejoytostandbackandwatchherheavingbreast，flushedcheek，andshiningeyes。Hersweresuchlovelyeyes。

Freckleshaddiscoveredlatelythattheywerenotsodarkashehadthoughtthematfirst，butthatthelengthandthicknessoflash，bywhichtheywereshaded，madethemappeardarkerthantheyreallywere。Theywereforeverchanging。Nowsparklinganddarklingwithwit，nowhumidwithsympathy，nowburningwiththefireofcourage，nowtakingonstrengthofcolorwithambition，nowflashingindignantlyattheabuseofanycreature。

Shehadcarriedseveralofthesquirrelandbunnybabieshome，andhadlitteredtheconservatorywiththem。Hercareofthemwasperfect。

Shewaslearninghernaturalhistoryfromnature，andhavingmuchhealthfulexercise。Toher，theywerethemostinterestingofall，buttheBirdWomanpreferredthebirds，withaclosesecondinthemothsandbutterflies。

Brownbutterflytimehadcome。Theedgeoftheswalewasfilledwithmilkweed，andotherplantsbelovedofthem，andtheairwasgoldenwiththeflashingsatinwingsofthemonarch，viceroy，andargynnis。Theyoutnumberedthoseofanyothercolorthreetoone。

Amongthebirdsitreallyseemedasifthelittleyellowfellowswereinthepreponderance。Atleast，theywereuntiltheredwingedblackbirdsandbobolinks，thathadnestedontheupland，suddenlysawintheswampthegardenoftheLordandcameswarmingbyhundredstofeastandadventureuponittheselastfewweeksbeforemigration。

Neverwasthereafinerfeastspreadforthebirds。Thegrasseswerefilledwithseeds:so，too，wereweedsofeveryvariety。

Fallberrieswereripe。Wildgrapesandblackhawswereready。

Bugswerecreepingeverywhere。Themuckwasyeastywithworms。

Insectsfilledtheair。Naturemadegloriouspauseforholidaybeforehernextchange，andbynoneofthefrequentersoftheswampwasthismoreappreciatedthanbythebigblackchickens。

Theyseemedtofeelthenewreignofpeaceandfullnessmostofall。

Asforfood，theydidnotevenhavetohuntforthemselvesthesedays，forthefeastsnowbeingspreadbeforeLittleChickenweremorethanhecoulduse，andhewasgladtohavehisparentscomedownandhelphim。

Hewasafine，big，overgrownfellow，andhiswings，withquillsofjettyblack，gleamingwithbronze，weresostrongtheyalmostliftedhisbody。Hehadthreeinchesoftail，andhisbeakandclawsweresharp。Hismusclesbegantoclamorforexercise。

Heracedthefortyfeetofhishomebackandforthmanytimeseveryhouroftheday。Afterafewdaysofthat，hebeganliftingandspreadinghiswings，andfloppingthemuntilthedownonhisbackwasfilledwithelmfiber。Thenhecommencedjumping。Thefunnylittlehops，springs，andsidewiseboundshegavesetFrecklesandtheAngel，hiddenintheswamp，watchinghim，intosmotheredchucklesofdelight。

Sometimeshefelltocoquettingwithhimself；andthatwasthefunniestthingofall，forheturnedhisheadup，down，fromsidetoside，anddrewinhischinwithprinkylittlejerksandtilts。

Hewouldstretchhisneck，throwuphishead，turnittoonesideandsmirk——actuallysmirk，themostcomplacentandself-satisfiedsmirkthatanyoneeversawonthefaceofabird。ItwassocomicalthatFrecklesandtheAngeltoldtheBirdWomanofitoneday。

WhenshefinishedherworkonLittleChicken，sheleftthemthecamerareadyforuse，tellingthemtheymighthideinthebushesandwatch。IfLittleChickencameoutandtrulysmirked，andtheycouldsqueezethebulbatthepropermomenttosnaphim，shewouldbemorethandelighted。

FrecklesandtheAngelquietlycurledbesideabiglog，andwitheagereyesandsoftestbreathingtheypatientlywaited；butLittleChickenhadfeastedbeforetheytoldofhislatestaccomplishment。

Hewastiredandsleepy，sohewentintothelogtobed，andforanhourheneverstirred。

Theywerebecominganxious，forthelightsoonwouldbegone，andtheyhadsowantedtotryforthepicture。AtlastLittleChickenliftedhishead，openedhisbeak，andgapedwidely。Hedozedaminuteortwomore。TheAngelsaidthatwashisbeautysleep。

Thenhelazilygapedagainandstoodup，stretchingandyawning。

Heambledleisurelytowardthegateway，andtheAngelsaid:

"Now，wemayhaveachance，atlast。"

"Idohopeso，"shiveredFreckles。

Withoneaccordtheyarosetotheirkneesandtrainedtheireyesonthemouthofthelog。Thelightwasfullandstrong。LittleChickenprospectedagainwithnoresults。Hedressedhisplumage，polishedhisbeak，andwhenhefeltfineandinfulltoilethebegantoflirtwithhimself。Freckles\'eyessnappedandhisbreathsuckedbetweenhisclenchedteeth。

"He\'sgoingtodoit！"whisperedtheAngel。"Thatwillcomenext。

You\'llbestgivemethatbulb！"

"Yis，"assentedFreckles，buthewaslookingatthelogandhemadenomovetorelinquishthebulb。

LittleChickennoddeddaintilyandruffledhisfeathers。Hegavehisheadsundrylittlesidewisejerksandrapidlyshiftedhispointofvision。Oncetherewasthefleetinglittleghostofasmirk。

"Now！——No！"snappedtheAngel。

Frecklesleanedtowardthebird。Tenselyhewaited。UnconsciouslythehandoftheAngelclaspedhis。Hescarcelyknewitwasthere。

SuddenlyLittleChickensprangstraightintheairandlandedwithathud。TheAngelstartedslightly，butFreckleswasimmovable。

Then，asifinapprovalofhislastperformance，thebig，overgrownbabywheeleduntilhewasmorethanthree-quarters，almostfullside，towardthecamera，straightenedonhislegs，squaredhisshoulders，stretchedhisneckfullheight，drewinhischinandsmirkedhismostpronouncedsmirk，directlyinthefaceofthelens。

Freckles\'fingersclosedonthebulbconvulsively，andtheAngel\'sclosedonhisattheinstant。Thensheheavedagreatsighofreliefandliftedherhandstopushbackthedamp，clusteringhairfromherface。

"Howsoondoyous\'poseitwillbefinished？"cameFreckles\'

stridentwhisper。

ForthefirsttimetheAngellookedathim。Hewasonhisknees，leaningforward，hiseyesdirectedtowardthebird，theperspirationrunninginlittlestreamsdownhisred，mosquito-bittenface。Hishatwasawry，hisbrighthairrampant，hisbreastheavingwithexcitement，whileheyetgrippedthebulbwitheveryounceofstrengthinhisbody。

"Doyouthinkwewereforgettingit？"heasked。

TheAngelcouldonlynod。Frecklesheavedadeepsighofrelief。

"Well，ifthatain\'tthehardestworkIeverdidinmelife！"

heexclaimed。"It\'snowondertheBirdWoman\'sforcomingoutoftheswamplookingasifshe\'sbeenthroughafire，aflood，andafamine，ifthat\'swhatshegoesthroughdayafterday。Butifyouthinkwegotit，why，it\'sworthallittook，andI\'mgladaseveryouare，sure！"

Theyputtheholdersinthecase，carefullyclosedthecamera，setitinalso，andcarriedittotheroad。

ThenFrecklesexulted。

"Now，let\'sbetellingtheBirdWomanaboutit！"heshouted，wildlydancingandswinginghishat。

"Wegotit！Wegotit！Ibetafarmwegotit！"

Handinhandtheyrantothenorthendoftheswamp，yelling"Wegotit！"likeyoungComanches，andnevergaveathoughttowhattheymightdountilabigblue-graybird，withlongneckandtrailinglegs，aroseonflappingwingsandsailedovertheLimberlost。

TheAngelbecamewhitetothelipsandgrippedFreckleswithbothhands。Hegulpedwithmortificationandturnedhisback。

Tofrightenhersubjectawaycarelessly！ItwastheheadcrimeintheBirdWoman\'scategory。Sheextendedherhandsasshearose，baked，blistered，anddripping，andexclaimed:"Blessyou，mychildren！Blessyou！"Andittrulysoundedasifshemeantit。

"Why，why——"stammeredthebewilderedAngel。

Freckleshurriedintothebreach。

"Youmustbeforblamingiteverybitonme。IwasthinkingwegotLittleChicken\'spicturerealgood。IwassodrunkwiththejoyofitIlostallmesensesand，`Let\'sruntelltheBirdWoman，\'saysI。

LikeafoolIwasforrunning，andIsortofdraggedtheAngelalong。"

"OhFreckles！"expostulatedtheAngel。"Areyouloony？Ofcourse，itwasallmyfault！I\'vebeenwithherhundredsoftimes。IknewperfectlywellthatIwasn\'ttoletanything——NOTANYTHING——scareherbirdaway！IwassocrazyIforgot。Theblameisallmine，andshe\'llneverforgiveme。"

"Shewill，too！"criedFreckles。"Wasn\'tyoufortellingmethatveryfirstdaythatwhenpeoplescaredherbirdsawayshejustkilledthem！It\'sallmefoolishness，andI\'llneverforgivemeself！"

TheBirdWomanplungedintotheswaleatthemouthofSleepySnakeCreek，andcamewadingtowardthem，withacoupleofcamerasanddrippingtripods。

"Ifyouwillpermitmeaword，myinfants，"shesaid，"IwillexplaintoyouthatIhavehadthreeshotsatthatfellow。"

TheAngelheavedadeepsighofrelief，andFreckles\'faceclearedalittle。

"Twoofthem，"continuedtheBirdWoman，"intherushes——onefacing，crestlowered；onelightonback，crestflared；andthelastonwing，whenyoucameup。Isimplyhadbeenprayingforsomethingtomakehimarisefromthatside，sothathewouldflytowardthecamera，forhehadwadedarounduntilinmypositionI

couldn\'tdoitmyself。See？Beholdinyourselvestheanswertotheprayersofthelong-suffering！"

Frecklestookasteptowardher。

"Areyoureallymeaningthat？"heaskedwonderingly。"Onlythink，Angel，wedidtherightthing！Shewon\'tloseherpicturethroughthecarelessnessofus，whenshe\'swaitedandsoakednearlytwohours。

She\'snotangrywithus！"

"Neverwasinasweetertemperinmylife，"saidtheBirdWoman，busilycleaningandpackingthecameras。

Frecklesremovedhishatandsolemnlyheldouthishand。WithequalsolemnitytheAngelgraspedit。TheBirdWomanlaughedalone，fortothemthesituationhadbeentooserioustodevelopanyoftheelementsoffun。

Thentheyloadedthecarriage，andtheBirdWomanandtheAngelstartedfortheirhomes。Ithadbeenadifficulttimeforallofthem，sotheywereverytired，buttheywerejoyful。Freckleswassohappyitseemedtohimthatlifecouldholdlittlemore。AstheBirdWomanwasreadytodriveawayhelaidhishandonthelinesandlookedintoherface。

"Doyousupposewegotit？"heasked，soeagerlythatshewouldhavegivenmuchtobeabletosayyeswithconviction。

"Why，mydear，Idon\'tknow，"shesaid。"I\'venowaytojudge。

Ifyoumadetheexposurejustbeforeyoucametome，therewasyetafinelight。IfyouwaiteduntilLittleChickenwasclosetheentrance，youshouldhavesomethinggood，evenifyoudidn\'tcatchjustthefleetingexpressionforwhichyouhoped。Ofcourse，I

can\'tsaysurely，butIthinkthereiseveryreasontobelievethatyouhaveitallright。Iwilldeveloptheplatetonight，makeyouaprooffromitearlyinthemorning，andbringitwhenwecome。

It\'sonlyaquestionofadayortwonowuntilthegangarrives。

IwanttoworkinallthestudiesIcanbeforethattime，fortheyareboundtodisturbthebirds。Mr。McLeanwillneedyouthen，andIscarcelyseehowwearetodowithoutyou。"

Movedbyanimpulsesheneverafterwardregretted，shebentandlaidherlipsonFreckles\'forehead，kissinghimgentlyandthankinghimforhismanykindnessestoherinherlovedwork。

Frecklesstartedawaysohappythathefeltinclinedtokeepwatchingbehindtoseeifthetrailwerenotcurlingupandrollingdownthelineafterhim。

CHAPTERXVI

WhereintheAngelLocatesaRareTreeandDineswiththeGangFromafarFrecklessawthemcoming。TheAngelwasstanding，wavingherhat。Hesprangonhiswheelandraced，joltingandpounding，downthecorduroytomeetthem。TheBirdWomanstoppedthehorseandtheAngelgavehimthebitofprintpaper。Frecklesleanedthewheelagainstatreeandtooktheproofwitheagerfingers。

Heneverbeforehadseenastudyfromanyofhischickens。

Hestoodstaring。Whenheturnedhisfacetowardthemitwastransfiguredwithdelight。

"Yousee！"heexclaimed，andbegangazingagain。"Oh，meLittleChicken！"hecried。"OhmeilegantLittleChicken！I\'dbegivingallmemoneyinthebankforyou！"

ThenhethoughtoftheAngel\'smuffandMrs。Duncan\'shat，andadded，"oratleast，allbutwhatI\'mneedingbadforsomethingelse。

WouldyoumindstoppingatthecabinaminuteandshowingthistoMotherDuncan？"heasked。

"Givemethatlittlebookinyourpocket，"saidtheBirdWoman。

Shefoldedtheouteredgesoftheproofsothatitwouldfitintothebook，explainingasshedidsoitsperishablenatureinthatstate。Freckleswenthurryingahead，andtheyarrivedintimetoseeMrs。Duncangazingasifawestruck，andtohearherbewildered"WeelIbedrawedon！"

FrecklesandtheAngelhelpedtheBirdWomantoestablishherselfforalongdayatthemouthofSleepySnakeCreek。Thenshesentthemawayandwaitedwhatluckwouldbringtoher。

"Now，whatshallwedo？"inquiredtheAngel，whowasabundleofnervesandenergy。

"Wouldyouliketogotomeroomawhile？"askedFreckles。

"Ifyoudon\'tcaretoverymuch，I\'drathernot，"saidtheAngel。

"I\'lltellyou。Let\'sgohelpMrs。Duncanwithdinnerandplaywiththebaby。Iloveanice，cleanbaby。"

Theystartedtowardthecabin。Everyfewminutestheystoppedtoinvestigatesomethingortochatteroversomenaturalhistorywonder。

TheAngelhadquickeyes；sheseemedtoseeeverything，butFreckles\'

wereevenquicker；forlifeitselfhaddependedontheirsharpnesseversincethebeginningofhisworkattheswamp。Theysawitatthesametime。

"Someonehasbeenmakingaflagpole，"saidtheAngel，runningthetoeofhershoearoundthestump，evidentlymadethatseason。

"Freckles，whatwouldanyonecutatreeassmallasthatfor？"

"Idon\'tknow，"saidFreckles。

"Well，butIwanttoknow！"saidtheAngel。"Noonecameawayhereandcutitforfun。They\'vetakenitaway。Let\'sgobackandseeifwecanseeitanywherearoundthere。"

Sheturned，retracedherfootsteps，andbeganeagerlysearching。

Frecklesdidthesame。

"Thereitis！"heexclaimedatlast，"leaningagainstthetrunkofthatbigmaple。"

"Yes，andleaningtherehaskilledapatchofdriedbark，"saidtheAngel。"Seehowdrieditappears？"

Frecklesstaredather。

"Angel！"heshouted，"Ibetyouit\'samarkedtree！"

"Courseitis！"criedtheAngel。"Noonewouldcutthatsaplingandcarryitawaythereandleanitupfornothing。I\'lltellyou！ThisisoneofJack\'smarkedtrees。He\'sclimbedupthereaboveanyone\'shead，peeledthebark，andcutintothegrainenoughtobesure。

Thenhe\'slaidthebarkbackandfasteneditwiththatpoletomarkit。

Yousee，there\'realotofotherbigmaplesclosearoundit。Canyouclimbtothatplace？"

"Yes，"saidFreckles；"ifItakeoffmywading-bootsIcan。"

"Thentakethemoff，"saidtheAngel，"anddohurry！Can\'tyouseethatIamalmostcrazytoknowifthistreeisamarkedone？"

Whentheypushedthesaplingover，apieceofbarkasbigasthecrownofFreckles\'hatfellaway。

"Ibelieveitlookskindofnubby，"encouragedtheAngel，backingaway，withherfaceallscrewedintoatwistinanefforttointensifyhervision。

Frecklesreachedtheopening，thenslidrapidlytotheground。

Hewasalmostbreathlesswhilehiseyeswereflashing。

"Thebark\'sbeencutcleanwithaknife，thesapscrapedaway，andabigchiptakenoutdeep。Thetrunkisthetwistiestthingyoueversaw。It\'sfullofeyesasabirdisoffeathers！"

TheAngelwasdancingandshakinghishand。

"Oh，Freckles，"shecried，"I\'msodelightedthatyoufoundit！"

"ButIdidn\'t，"saidtheastonishedFreckles。"Thattreeisn\'tmyfind；it\'syours。Iforgotitandwasgoingon；youwouldn\'tgiveup，andkepttalkingaboutit，andturnedback。Youfoundit！"

"You\'dbestbelookingafteryourreputationfortruthandveracity，"saidtheAngel。"Youknowyousawthatsaplingfirst！"

"Yes，afteryoutookmebackandsetmelookingforit，"scoffedFreckles。

Theclear，ringingechoofstronglyswungaxescamecrashingthroughtheLimberlost。

"\'Tisthegang！"shoutedFreckles。"They\'reclearingaplacetomakethecamp。Let\'sgohelp！"

"Hadn\'twebettermarkthattreeagain？"cautionedtheAngel。

"It\'sawayinhere。There\'ssuchalotofthem，andallsomuchalike。We\'dfeelgoodandgreentofinditandthenloseit。"

Frecklesliftedthesaplingtoreplaceit，buttheAngelmotionedhimaway。

"Useyourhatchet，"shesaid。"Ipredictthisisthemostvaluabletreeintheswamp。Youfoundit。I\'mgoingtoplaythatyou\'remyknight。Now，younailmycolorsonit。"

Shereachedup，andpullingabluebowfromherhair，untiedanddoubleditagainstthetree。Frecklesturnedhiseyesfromherandmanagedthefasteningwithshakingfingers。TheAngelhadcalledhimherknight！DearLord，howhelovedher！Shemustnotseehisface，orsurelyherquickeyeswouldreadwhathewasfightingtohide。

Hedidnotdarelayhislipsonthatribbonthen，butthatnighthewouldreturntoit。Whentheyhadgonealittledistance，theybothlookedback，andthemorningbreezesetthebitofbluewavingthemafarewell。

Theywalkedatarapidpace。

"Iamsorryaboutscaringthebirds，"saidtheAngel，"butit\'salmosttimeforthemtogoanyway。Ifeeldreadfullyoverhavingtheswampruined，butisn\'titadelighttohearthegood，honestringofthoseaxes，insteadofstrainingyourearsforstealthysounds？Isn\'titfinetogoopenlyandfreely，withnothingworsethanasnakeorapoison-vinetofear？"

"Ah！"saidFreckles，withalongbreath，"it\'sbetterthanyoucandream，Angel。NobodywilleverbeguessingsomeofthethingsI\'vebeenthroughtryingtokeepmepromisetotheBoss，andtoholdoutuntilthisday。Thatit\'scomewithonlyonefreshstump，andthelogfromthatsaved，andthisnewtreetoreport，isn\'titgrand？

MaybeMr。McLeanwillbeforgettingthatstumpwhenheseesthistree，Angel！"

"Hecan\'tforgetit，"saidtheAngel；andinanswertoFreckles\'

startledeyessheadded，"becauseheneverhadanyreasontorememberit。Hecouldn\'thavedoneawhitbetterhimself。Myfathersaysso。You\'reallright，Freckles！"

Shereachedhimherhand，andastwochildren，theybrokeintoarunwhentheycamecloserthegang。Theylefttheswampbythewestroadandfollowedthetrailuntiltheyfoundthemen。TotheAngelitseemedcompletecharm。Intheshadiestspotonthewestsideoftheline，attheedgeoftheswampandverycloseFreckles\'room，theywerecuttingbushesandclearingspaceforabigtentforthemen\'ssleeping-quarters，anotherforadining-hall，andaboardshackforthecook。Theteamsterswereunloading，thehorseswerecroppingleavesfromthebushes，whileeachmanwasdoinghisparttowardtheconstructionofthenewLimberlostquarters。

FreckleshelpedtheAngelclimbonawagonloadofcanvasintheshade。

Sheremovedherleggings，wipedherheatedface，andglowedwithhappinessandinterest。

Theganghadbeensiftedcarefully。McLeannowfeltthattherewasnotamaninitwhowasnottrustworthy。

TheyallhadheardoftheAngel\'spluckyrideforFreckles\'relief；

severalofthemhadbeenintherescueparty。Others，newsincethattime，hadheardthetalerehearsedinitseveryaspectaroundthesmudge-firesatnight。AlmostallofthemknewtheAngelbysightfromhertripswiththeBirdWomantotheirleases。Theyallknewherfather，herposition，andtheluxuriesofherhome。

Whatevercourseshehadchosenwiththemtheyscarcelywouldhaveresentedit，buttheAngelneverhadbeenknowntochooseacourse。

Herspiritoffriendlinesswasinbornandinbred。Shelovedeveryone，soshesympathizedwitheveryone。Hergenerositywasonlylimitedbywhatwasinherpowertogive。

Shecamedownthetrail，handinhandwiththered-haired，freckledtimberguardwhomshehadwornherselfpastthelimitofendurancetosaveonlyafewweeksbefore，racinginhereagernesstoreachthem，andlaughingher"Goodmorning，gentlemen，"rightandleft。

Whenshewasensconcedonthewagonloadoftenting，shesatonarollofcanvasasaqueenonherthrone。Therewasnotamanofthegangwhodidnotrespecther。Shewasalivingexponentofuniversalbrotherhood。Therewasnomanamongthemwhoneededherexquisitefaceordaintyclothingtoteachhimthatthedeferencedueagentlewomanshouldbepaidher。Thatthespiritofgoodfellowshipsheradiatedleviedanespecialtributeofitsown，anditbecametheirdelighttohonorandpleaseher。

Astheyracedtowardthewagon——"Letmetellaboutthetree，please？"shebeggedFreckles。

"Why，sure！"saidFreckles。

Heprobablywouldhavesaidthesametoanythingshesuggested。

WhenMcLeancame，hefoundtheAngelflushedandglowing，sittingonthewagon，herhandsalreadyfilled。Oneofthemen，whowascuttingascrub-oak，hadcarriedtoherahandfulofcrimsonleaves。

Anotherhadgatheredabunchofdelicatemarsh-grassheadsforher。

Someoneelse，intakingoutabush，hadfoundadaintilybuiltandlinedlittlenest，freshaswhenmade。

ShehelduphertreasuresandgreetedMcLean，"Goodmorning，Mr。

BossoftheLimberlost！"

Thegangshouted，whilehebowedprofoundlybeforeher。

"Everyonelisten！"criedtheAngel，climbingarollofcanvas。

"Ihavesomethingtosay！Freckleshasbeenguardinghereoverayearnow，andhepresentstheLimberlosttoyou，witheverytreeinitsaved；forgoodmeasurehehasthismorninglocatedtherarestoneofthemall:theoneinfromtheeastline，thatWessnerspokeofthefirstday——nearesttheoneyoutookout。Alltogether！

Everyone！HurrahforFreckles！"

Withflushingcheeksandgleamingeyes，gailywavingthegrassaboveherhead，sheledinthreecheersandatiger。Frecklesslippedintotheswampandhidhimself，forfearhecouldnotconcealhisprideandhisgreatsurging，throbbingloveforher。

TheAngelsubsidedonthecanvasandexplainedtoMcLeanaboutthemaple。TheBosswasmightilypleased。HetookFrecklesandsetouttore-locateandexaminethetree。TheAngelwasinterestedinthemakingofthecamp，soshepreferredtoremainwiththemen。

Withhersharpeyesshewaswatchingeverydetailofconstruction；

butwhenitcametothestretchingofthedining-hallcanvassheproceededtotakecommand。Themenweredrivingtherope-pins，whentheAngelaroseonthewagonand，leaningforward，spoketoDuncan，whowasdirectingthework。

"Ibelieveifyouwillswingthataroundafewfeetfarther，youwillfinditbetter，Mr。Duncan，"shesaid。"Thatwaywillletthehotsuninatnoon，whilethesideswillcutoffthebestbreeze。"

"That\'safact，"saidDuncan，studyingtheconditions。

So，byshiftingthepinsalittle，theyobtainedcomfortforwhichtheyblessedtheAngeleveryday。Whentheycametothesleeping-tent，theyconsultedheraboutthat。Sheexplainedthegeneraldirectionofthenightbreezeandindicatedthebestpositionforthetent。Beforeanyoneknewhowithappened，theAngelwasstandingonthewagon，directingthelocationandconstructionofthecooking-shack，theerectionofthecraneforthebigboiling-pots，andthebuildingofthestore-room。

Shesuperintendedthelayingofthefloorofthesleeping-tentlengthwise，Sothatitwouldbeeasiertosweep，andsuggestedanewarrangementofthecotsthatwouldaffordallthemenanequalshareofnightbreeze。Sheleftthewagon，andclimbingonthenewlyerecteddining-table，advisedwiththecookinplacinghisstove，table，andkitchenutensils。

WhenFrecklesreturnedfromthetreetojoinintheworkaroundthecamp，hecaughtglimpsesofherenthronedonasoapbox，cleaningbeans。

Shecalledtohimthattheywereinvitedfordinner，andthattheyhadacceptedtheinvitation。

Whenthebeansweresteaminginthepot，theAngeladvisedthecooktosoakthemovernightthenexttime，sothattheywouldcookmorequicklyandnotburst。Shewassuretheircookathomedidthatway，andtheCHEFofthegangthoughtitwouldbeagoodidea。

ThenextFrecklessawofhershewasparingpotatoes。Alittlelatershearrangedthetable。

Shesweptitwithabroom，insteadoflayingacloth；tookthehatchetandhammeredthedeepestdentsfromthetinplates，andnearlyskinnedherfingersscouringthetinwarewithrushes。

Shesettheplatesanevendistanceapart，andlaidtheforksandspoonsbesidethem。Whenthecookthrewawayhalfadozenfruit-cans，shegatheredthemupandmeltedoffthetops，althoughshealmostblisteredherfaceandquiteblisteredherfingersdoingit。

ThensheneatlycoveredtheseimprovisedvaseswiththeManilapaperfromthegroceries，tyingitwithwispsofmarshgrass。Theseshefilledwithfringedgentians，blazing-star，asters，goldenrod，andferns，placingthemthelengthofthedining-table。Inoneoftheendcansshearrangedherredleaves，andintheotherthefancygrass。Twomen，watchingher，wentawayproudofthemselvesandsaidthatshewas"abornlady。"Shelaughinglycaughtupapaperbagandfitteditjauntilytoherheadinimitationofacook\'scap。Thenshegroundthecoffee，andbeatacoupleofeggstoputin，"becausethereiscompany，"shegravelyexplainedtothecook。Sheaskedthatdelightedindividualifhedidnotlikeitbestthatway，andhesaidhedidnotknow，becauseheneverhadachancetotasteit。TheAngelsaidthatwashercaseexactly——sheneverhad，either；shewasnotallowedanythingstrongerthanmilk。

Thentheylaughedtogether。

Shetoldthecookaboutcampingwithherfather，andexplainedthathemadehiscoffeethatway。Whenthesteambegantorisefromthebigboiler，shestuffedthespouttightlywithcleanmarshgrass，tokeepthearomain，placedtheboilerwhereitwouldonlysimmer，andexplainedwhy。TheinfluenceoftheAngel\'svisitlingeredwiththecookthroughtheremainderofhislife，whilethemenprayedforherfrequentreturn。

Shewashavingahappytime，whenMcLeancamebackjubilant，fromhistriptothetree。HowjubilanthetoldonlytheAngel，forhehadbeenobligedtolosefaithinsometrustedmenoflate，andhadlearneddiscretionbywhathesuffered。Heplannedtobeginclearingoutaroadtothetreethatsameafternoon，andtosettwoguardseverynight，foritpromisedtobeararetreasure，sohewaseagertoseeitonthewaytothemills。

"Iamcomingtoseeitfelled，"criedtheAngel。"Ifeelasortofmotherlyinterestinthattree。"

McLeanwashighlyamused。HewouldhavestakedhislifeonthehonestyofeithertheAngelorFreckles；yettheirversionsofthefindingofthetreedifferedwidely。

"Tellme，Angel，"theBosssaidjestingly。"IthinkIhavearighttoknow。Whoreallydidlocatethattree？"

"Freckles，"sheansweredpromptlyandemphatically。

"Buthesaysquiteaspositivelythatitwasyou。Idon\'tunderstand。"

TheAngel\'slegallookflashedintoherface。Hereyesgrewtensewithearnestness。Sheglancedaround，andseeingnotowelorbasin，heldoutherhandforSearstopourwateroverthem。Then，usingtheskirtofherdresstodrythem，sheclimbedonthewagon。

"I\'lltellyou，wordforword，howithappened，"shesaid，"andthenyoushalldecide，andFrecklesandIwillagreewithyou。"

Whenshehadfinishedherversion，"Tellus，`oh，mostlearnedjudge！\'"shelaughinglyquoted，"whichofuslocatedthattree？"

"BlestifIknowwholocatedit！"exclaimedMcLean。"ButIhaveafairlyaccurateideaastowhoputtheblueribbononit。"

TheBosssmiledsignificantlyatFreckles，whojusthadcome，fortheyhadplannedthattheywouldinstructthecompanytoreserveenoughoftheveneerfromthatverytreetomakethemostbeautifuldressingtabletheycoulddesignfortheAngel\'sshareofthediscovery。

"Whatwillyouhaveforyours？"McLeanhadaskedofFreckles。

"Ifit\'sallthesametoyou，I\'llbetakingmineoutinmusiclessons——

beggingyourpardon——voiceculture，"saidFreckleswithagrimace。

McLeanlaughed，forFrecklesneededtoseeorhearonlyoncetoabsorblearningasthethirstyearthsucksupwater。

TheAngelplacedMcLeanattheheadofthetable。Shetookthefoot，withFrecklesonherright，whilethelumbergang，washed，brushed，andstraighteneduntiltheyfeltunfamiliarwiththemselvesandeachother，filledthesides。Thatimposedaslightconstraint。Then，too，themenwereafraidoftheflowers，thepolishedtableware，andaboveall，ofthedaintygraceoftheAngel。

Nowheredomensodisplaylackofgoodbreedingandcultureasindining。Tosprawlonthetable，scoopwiththeirknives，chewloudly，gulpcoffee，andducktheirheadsassnapping-turtlesforeverybite，hadnotbeennoticedbythemuntiltheAngel，sittingstraightly，suddenlymadethemrememberthatthey，too，werepossessedofspines。Instinctivelyeverymanatthetablestraightened。

CHAPTERXVII

WhereinFrecklesOffersHisLifeforHisLoveandGetsaBrokenBodyToreachthetreewasamoredifficulttaskthanMcLeanhadsupposed。

Thegangcouldapproachnearestontheoutsidetowardtheeast，butaftertheyreachedtheendoftheeastentrancetherewasyetamileofmostimpenetrablethicket，treesbigandlittle，andbushesofeveryvarietyandstageofgrowth。Inmanyplacesthemuckhadtobefilledtogivethehorsesandwagonsasolidfoundationoverwhichtohaulheavyloads。Itwasseveraldaysbeforetheycompletedaroadtothenoble，bigtreeandwerereadytofellit。

Whenthesawingbegan，FreckleswaswatchingdowntheroadwhereitmetthetrailleadingfromLittleChicken\'stree。Hehadgonetothetreeaheadofthegangtoremovetheblueribbon。Carefullyfolded，itnowlayoverhisheart。Hewaspromisinghimselfmuchcomfortwiththatribbon，whenhewouldleaveforthecitynextmonthtobeginhisstudiesanddreamthesummeroveragain。

Itwouldhelptomakethingstangible。Whenhewasdressedasothermen，andathiswork，heknewwherehemeanttohomethatpreciousbitofblue。Itshouldbehisgood-lucktoken，andhewouldwearitalwaystokeepbrightinmemorythedayonwhichtheAngelhadcalledhimherknight。

Howhewouldstudy，andoh，howhewouldsing！IfonlyhecouldfulfillMcLean\'sexpectations，andmaketheAngelproudofhim！

Ifonlyhecouldbearealknight！

HecouldnotunderstandwhytheAngelhadfailedtocome。Shehadwantedtoseetheirtreefelled。Shewouldbetoolateifshedidnotarrivesoon。Hehadtoldheritwouldbereadythatmorning，andshehadsaidshesurelywouldbethere。Why，ofallmornings，wasshelateonthis？

McLeanhadriddentotown。Ifhehadbeenthere，Freckleswouldhaveaskedthattheydelaythefelling，buthescarcelylikedtoaskthegang。Hereallyhadnoauthority，althoughhethoughtthemenwouldwait；butsomewayhefoundsuchembarrassmentinframingtherequestthathewaiteduntiltheworkwaspracticallyended。

Thesawwasout，andthemenwerecuttingintothefellingsideofthetreewhentheBossrodein。

HisfirstwordwastoinquirefortheAngel。WhenFrecklessaidshehadnotyetcome，theBossatoncegaveorderstostopworkonthetreeuntilshearrived；forhefeltthatshevirtuallyhadlocatedit，andifshedesiredtoseeitfelled，sheshould。Asthemensteppedback，astiffmorningbreezecaughtthetop，thattoweredhighaboveitsfellows。Therewasanominousgrindingatthebase，ashiverofthemightytrunk，thendirectlyinlineofitsfallthebushesswungapartandthelaughingfaceoftheAngellookedonthem。

Agroanofhorrorburstfromthedrythroatsofthemen，andreadingtheagonyintheirfaces，shestoppedshort，glancedup，andunderstood。

"South！"shoutedMcLean。"Runsouth！"

TheAngelwashelpless。Itwasapparentthatshedidnotknowwhichwaysouthwas。Therewasanotherslowshiverofthebigtree。

Theremainderofthegangstoodmotionless，butFrecklessprangpastthetrunkandwentleapinginbigbounds。HecaughtuptheAngelanddashedthroughthethicketforsafety。Theswayingtrunkwashalfoverwhen，foraninstant，anear-bytreestayeditsfall。

TheysawFreckles\'footcatch，andwiththeAngelheplungedheadlong。

Aterriblecrybrokefromthemen，whileMcLeancoveredhisface。

InstantlyFreckleswasup，withtheAngelinhisarms，strugglingon。

TheouterlimbswereonthemwhentheysawFreckleshurltheAngel，facedown，inthemuck，asfarfromhimashecouldsendher。

Springingafter，inanattempttocoverherbodywithhisown，hewhirledtoseeiftheywereyetindanger，andwithoutstretchedarmsbracedhimselffortheshock。Thebranchesshutthemfromsight，andtheawfulcrashrockedtheearth。

McLeanandDuncanranwithaxesandsaws。Theremainderofthegangfollowed，andtheyworkeddesperately。ItseemedalongtimebeforetheycaughtaglimpseoftheAngel\'sbluedress，butitrenewedtheirvigor。Duncanfellonhiskneesbesideherandtorethemuckfromunderneathherwithhishands。Inafewsecondshedraggedherout，chokingandstunned，butsurelynotfatallyhurt。

Freckleslayalittlefartherunderthetree，abiglimbpinninghimdown。Hiseyeswerewideopen。Hewasperfectlyconscious。

Duncanbeganminingbeneathhim，butFrecklesstoppedhim。

"Youcan\'tbemovingme，"hesaid。"Youmustcutoffthelimbandliftit。Iknow。"

Twomenranforthebigsaw。Anumberofthemlaidholdofthelimbandboreup。Inashorttimeitwasremoved，andFreckleslayfree。

Themenbentovertolifthim，buthemotionedthemaway。

"Don\'tbetouchingmeuntilIrestabit，"hepleaded。

ThenhetwistedhisheaduntilhesawtheAngel，whowaswipingmuckfromhereyesandfaceontheskirtofherdress。

"Trytogetup，"hebegged。

McLeanlaidholdoftheAngelandhelpedhertoherfeet。

"Doyouthinkanybonesarebroken？"gaspedFreckles。

TheAngelshookherheadandwipedmuck。

"Youseeifyoucanfindany，sir，"Frecklescommanded。

TheAngelyieldedherselftoMcLean\'stouch，andheassuredFrecklesthatshewasnotseriouslyinjured。

Frecklessettledback，asmileofineffabletendernessonhisface。

"ThanktheLord！"hehoarselywhispered。

TheAngelleanedtowardhim。

"Now，Freckles，you！"shecried。"It\'syourturn。Pleasegetup！"

ApitifulspasmsweptFreckles\'face。ThesightofitwashedeveryvestigeofcolorfromtheAngel\'s。Shetookholdofhishands。

"Freckles，getup！"Itwashalfcommand，halfentreaty。

"Easy，Angel，easy！Letmerestabitfirst！"imploredFreckles。

Shekneltbesidehim。Hereachedhisarmaroundheranddrewherclosely。HelookedatMcLeaninanagonyofentreatythatbroughttheBosstohiskneesontheotherside。

"Oh，Freckles！"McLeancried。"Notthat！Surelywecandosomething！

Wemust！Letmesee！"

HetriedtounfastenFreckles\'neckband，buthisfingersshooksoclumsilythattheAngelpushedthemawayandherselflaidFreckles\'

chestbare。Withonehastyglanceshegatheredtheclothingtogetherandslippedherarmunderhishead。Frecklesliftedhiseyesofagonytohers。

"Yousee？"hesaid。

TheAngelnoddeddumbly。

FrecklesturnedtoMcLean。

"Thankyouforeverything，"hepanted。"Wherearetheboys？"

"Theyareallhere，"saidtheBoss，"exceptacouplewhohavegonefordoctors，Mrs。DuncanandtheBirdWoman。"

"It\'snousetryingtodoanything，"saidFreckles。"Youwon\'tforgetthemuffandtheChristmasbox。Themuffespecial？"

TherewasamovementabovethemsopronouncedthatitattractedFreckles\'attention，eveninthatextremehour。Helookedup，andapleasedsmileflickeredonhisdrawnface。

"Why，ifitain\'tmeLittleChicken！"hecriedhoarsely。"Hemustbemakinghisveryfirsttripfromthelog。NowDuncancanhavehisbigwatering-trough。"

"ItwasLittleChickenthatmademelate，"falteredtheAngel。

"IwassoanxioustogethereearlyIforgottobringhisbreakfastfromthecarriage。Hemusthavebeenhungry，forwhenIpassedtheloghestartedafterme。Hewassowabbly，andsoslowflyingfromtreetotreeandthroughthebushes，Ijusthadtowaitonhim，forIcouldn\'tdrivehimback。"

"Ofcourseyoucouldn\'t！Mebirdhastooamazinggoodsinsetogobackwhenhecouldbefollowingyou，"exultedFreckles，exactlyasifhedidnotrealizewhatthedelayhadcosthim。Thenhelaysilentlythinking，butpresentlyheaskedslowly:"Andso`twasmeLittleChickenthatwasmakingyoulate，Angel？"

"Yes，"saidtheAngel。

AspasmoffiercepainshookFreckles，andalookofuncertaintycrossedhisface。

"AllsummerI\'vebeenthankingGodforthefallingofthefeatherandallthedelightsit\'sbroughtme，"hemuttered，"butthislooksasif——"

HestoppedshortandraisedquestioningeyestoMcLean。

"Ican\'thelpbeingIrish，butIcanhelpbeingsuperstitious，"

hesaid。"Imustn\'tbelayingittotheAlmighty，ortomebird，mustI？"

"No，dearlad，"saidMcLean，strokingthebrillianthair。

"Thechoicelaywithyou。Youcouldhavestoodarooteddoltlikealltheremainderofus。Itwasthroughyourgreatloveandyourhighcouragethatyoumadethesacrifice。"

"Don\'tyoubesonamingit，sir！"criedFreckles。"It\'sjustthereverse。IfIcouldbegivingmebodythehundredtimesovertosavehersfromthis，I\'dbedoingitandtakejoywitheverypain。"

HeturnedwithasmileofadoringtendernesstotheAngel。Shewasghastlywhite，andhereyesweredullandglazed。Shescarcelyseemedtohearorunderstandwhatwascoming，butshebravelytriedtoanswerthatsmile。

"Ismyforeheadcoveredwithdirt？"heasked。

Sheshookherhead。

"Youdidonce，"hegasped。

Instantlyshelaidherlipsonhisforehead，thenoneachcheek，andtheninalongkissonhislips。

McLeanbentoverhim。

"Freckles，"hesaidbrokenly，"youwillneverknowhowIloveyou。

Youwon\'tgowithoutsayinggood-byetome？"

ThatwordstungtheAngeltoquickcomprehension。Shestartedasifarousingfromsleep。

"Good-bye？"shecriedsharply，hereyeswideningandthecolorrushingintoherwhiteface。"Good-bye！Why，whatdoyoumean？

Who\'ssayinggood-bye？WherecouldFrecklesgo，whenheishurtlikethis，savetothehospital？Youneedn\'tsaygood-byeforthat。

Ofcourse，wewillallgowithhim！Youcallupthemen。Wemuststartrightaway。"

"It\'snouse，Angel，"saidFreckles。"I\'mthinkingivryboneinmebreastissmashed。You\'llhavetobelettingmego！"

"Iwillnot，"saidtheAngelflatly。"It\'snousewastingprecioustimetalkingaboutit。Youarealive。Youarebreathing；andnomatterhowbadlyyourbonesarebroken，whataregreatsurgeonsforbuttofixyouupandmakeyouwellagain？Youpromisemethatyou\'lljustgrityourteethandhangonwhenwehurtyou，forwemuststartwithyouasquicklyasitcanbedone。Idon\'tknowwhathasbeenthematterwithme。Here\'sgoodtimewastedalready。"

"Oh，Angel！"moanedFreckles，"Ican\'t！Youdon\'tknowhowbaditis。

I\'lldietheminuteyouarefortryingtoliftme！"

"Ofcourseyouwill，ifyoumakeupyourmindtodoit，"saidtheAngel。"Butifyouaredeterminedyouwon\'t，andsetyourselftobreathingdeepandstrong，andhangontometight，Icangetyouout。

Reallyyoumust，Freckles，nomatterhowithurts，foryoudidthisforme，andnowImustsaveyou，soyoumightaswellpromise。"

Shebentoverhim，tryingtosmileencouragementwithherfear-stiffenedlips。

"Youwillpromise，Freckles？"

BigdropsofcoldsweatrantogetheronFreckles\'temples。

"Angel，darlin\'Angel，"hepleaded，takingherhandinhis。

"Youain\'tunderstanding，andIcan\'tforthelifeofmebetellingyou，butindade，it\'sbesttobelettingmego。

Thisismychance。Pleasesaygood-bye，andletmeslipoffquick！"

HeappealedtoMcLean。

"DearBoss，youknow！Youbetellingherthat，forme，livingisfarworsepainthandying。Tellheryouknowdeathisthebestthingthatcouldeverbehappeningtome！"

"MercifulHeaven！"burstintheAngel。"Ican\'tendurethisdelay！"

ShecaughtFreckles\'handtoherbreast，andbendingoverhim，lookeddeeplyintohisstrickeneyes。

"`Angel，IgiveyoumywordofhonorthatIwillkeeprightonbreathing。\'That\'swhatyouaregoingtopromiseme，"shesaid。

"Doyousayit？"

Freckleshesitated。

"Freckles！"imploringlycommandedtheAngel，"YOUDOSAYIT！"

"Yis，"gaspedFreckles。

TheAngelsprangtoherfeet。

"Thenthat\'sallright，"shesaid，withatingeofherold-

timebriskness。"Youjustkeepbreathingawaylikeasteamengine，andIwilldoalltheremainder。"

Theeagermengatheredaroundher。

"It\'sgoingtobeatoughpulltogetFrecklesout，"shesaid，"butit\'souronlychance，solistencloselyanddon\'tforthelivesofyoufailmeindoingquicklywhatItellyou。There\'snotimetospendfallingdownovereachother；wemusthavesomesystem。

Youfourtheregetonthosewagonhorsesandridetothesleeping-tent。

Getthestoutestcot，acoupleofcomforts，andapillow。Ridebackwiththemsomewaytosavetime。Ifyoumeetanyothermenofthegang，sendthemheretohelpcarrythecot。Wewon\'triskthejoltofdrivingwithhim。Theothersclearapathouttotheroad；andMr。McLean，youtakeNellieandridetotown。TellmyfatherhowFrecklesishurtandthatheriskedittosaveme。TellhimI\'mgoingtotakeFrecklestoChicagoonthenoontrain，andIwanthimtoholditifwearealittlelate。Ifhecan\'t，thenhaveaspecialreadyatthestationandanotheronthePittsburghatFortWayne，sowecangostraightthrough。Youneedn\'tmindleavingus。

TheBirdWomanwillbeheresoon。Wewillrestawhile。"

ShedroppedintothemuckbesideFrecklesandbeganstrokinghishairandhand。Helaywithhisfaceofagonyturnedtohers，andfoughttosmotherthegroansthatwouldtellherwhathewassuffering。

Whentheystoodreadytolifthim，theAngelbentoverhiminapassionoftenderness。

"DearoldLimberlostguard，we\'regoingtoliftyounow，"shesaid。

"Isuspectyouwillfaintfromthepainofit，butwewillbeaseasyaseverwecan，anddon\'tyoudareforgetyourpromise！"

Awhimsicalhalf-smiletouchedFreckles\'quiveringlips。

"Angel，canamanberememberingapromisewhenheain\'tknowing？"

heasked。

"Youcan，"saidtheAngelstoutly，"becauseapromisemeanssomuchmoretoyouthanitdoestomostmen。"

AlookofstrengthflashedintoFreckles\'faceatherwords。

"Iamready，"hesaid。