I'llsurelybehavingenoughtogetafew。Letmesee。"
　　Frecklessatonalog，tookhispencilandaccount-book，andfiguredonabackpage。Hehadwalkedthetimber-linetenmonths。
　　Hispaywasthirtydollarsamonth，andhisboardcosthimeight。
　　Thatlefttwenty-twodollarsamonth，andhisclothinghadcosthimverylittle。Attheleasthehadtwohundreddollarsinthebank。
　　Hedrewadeepbreathandsmiledattheskywithsatisfaction。
　　"I'llbehavingabookaboutallthebirds，trees，flowers，butterflies，and——Yes，bygummy！I'llbehavingoneaboutthefrogs——ifittakeseverycentIhave，"hepromisedhimself。
　　Heputawaytheaccount-book，thatwashismostcherishedpossession，caughtuphisstick，andstarteddowntheline。
　　Theeventap，tap，andthecheery，gladsomewhistlecarriedfaraheadofhimthemessagethatFreckleswashimselfagain。
　　Hefellintoarapidpace，forhehadlosttimethatmorning；whenheroundedthelastcurvehewasalmostrunning。TherewasachancethattheBossmightbethereforhisweeklyreport。
　　Then，wavering，flickering，dartinghereandthereoverthesweetmarsh-grass，camealargeblackshadow，sweepingsocloselybeforehimthatforthesecondtimethatmorningFrecklesdodgedandsprangback。Hehadseensomeowlsandhawksoftheswampthathethoughtmightbeclassedaslargebirds，butneveranythinglikethis，forsixfeetitspreaditsbig，shiningwings。Itsstrongfeetcouldbeseendrawnamongitsfeathers。Thesunglintedonitssharp，hookedbeak。Itseyesglowed，caughtthelight，andseemedabletopiercethegroundathisfeet。ItcarednomoreforFrecklesthanifhehadnotbeenthere；foritperchedonalowtree，whileasecondlateritawkwardlyhoppedtothetrunkofalightning-rivenelm，turneditsback，andbegansearchingtheblue。
　　Freckleslookedjustintimetoseeasecondshadowsweepthegrass；
　　andanotherbird，atriflesmallerandnotquitesobrilliantinthelight，slowlysaileddowntoperchbesidethefirst。
　　Evidentlytheyweremates，forwithaqueer，rollinghopthefirst-comershiveredhisbronzewings，sidledtothenewarrival，andgaveherasillylittlepeckonherwing。Thenhecoquettishlydrewawayandogledher。Heliftedhishead，waddledfromherafewsteps，awkwardlyambledback，andgavehersuchasimplesortofkissonherbeakthatFrecklesburstintoalaugh，butclappedhishandoverhismouthtostiflethesound。
　　Theloverduckedandside-steppedafewfeet。Hespreadhiswingsandslowlyandsoftlywavedthempreciselyasifhewerefanninghischarmer，whichwasindeedtheresultheaccomplished。Thenawaveofuncontrollabletendernessmovedhimsohehobbledtohisbombardmentoncemore。Hefacedhersquarelythistime，andturnedhisheadfromsidetosidewithqueerlittlejerksandindiscriminatepeckingsatherwingsandhead，andsmirkingsthatreallyshouldhavebeenirresistible。Sheyawnedandshuffledawayindifferently。Frecklesreachedup，pulledthequillfromhishat，andlookingfromittothebirds，noddedinsettledconviction。
　　"Soyou'remeblackangels，yespalpeens！Nowonderyoudidn'tgetin！ButI'llbackyoutocomecloseritthananyotherbirdseverdid。YouflyhigherthanIcansee。HaveyoupickedtheLimberlostforagoodthingandcometotryit？Well，youcanbemechickensifyouwantto，butI'mblestifyouain'tcoolfornewones。Whydon'tyoutakethisstickforagunandgoskinningamile？"
　　Frecklesbrokeintoanunrestrainedlaugh，forthebird-loverwaskeenabouthiscourting，whileevidentlyhismatewasdiffident。
　　Whenheapproachedtooboisterously，sherelievedhimofagoodlytuftoffeathersandsenthimbackwardinaseriesofsquirmylittlejumpsthatgavetheboyanideaofwhathadhappenedup-skytosendthefallingfeatheracrosshispathway。
　　"Scoreoneforthelady！I'llbeumpiringthis，"volunteeredFreckles。
　　Witharavishingswagger，half-liftedwings，anddeep，gutturalhissing，theloverapproachedagain。Hesuddenlyliftedhisbody，butshecoollyrockedforwardonthelimb，glidedgracefullybeneathhim，andslowlysailedintotheLimberlost。Herecoveredhimselfandgazedafterherinastonishment。
　　Freckleshurrieddownthetrail，shakingwithlaughter。WhenhenearedthepathtotheclearingandsawtheBosssittingmotionlessonthemarethatwastheprideofhisheart，theboybrokeintoarun。
　　"Oh，Mr。McLean！"hecried。"IhopeIhaven'tkeptyouwaitingverylong！Andthesunisgettinghot！Ihavebeensoslowthismorning！
　　Icouldhavegonefaster，onlytherewerethatmanythingstokeepme，andIdidn'tknowyouwouldbehere。I'llhurryafterthis。
　　I'veneverhadtobegivingexcusesbefore。Thelinewasn'tdown，andtherewasn'tasignoftrouble；itwasotherthingsthatweremakingmelate。"
　　McLean，smilingontheboy，immediatelynoticedthedifferenceinhim。Thisflushed，panting，talkativeladwasnotthesamecreaturewhohadsoughthimindespairandbitterness。HewatchedinwonderasFrecklesmoppedtheperspirationfromhisforeheadandbegantolaugh。Then，forgettingallhiscustomaryreservewiththeBoss，thepent-upboyishnessintheladbrokeforth。Withaneloquenceofwhichheneverdreamedhetoldhisstory。HetalkedwithsuchenthusiasmthatMcLeannevertookhiseyesfromhisfaceorshiftedinthesaddleuntilhedescribedthestrangebird-lover，andthentheBosssuddenlybentoverthepommelandlaughedwiththeboy。
　　FrecklesdecoratedhisstorywithkeenappreciationandraretouchesofIrishwitanddrollerythatmadeitmostinterestingaswellasveryfunny。Itwasafirstattemptatdescriptivenarration。Withaninborngiftforstrikingthevitalpoint，anaturalist'sdawningenthusiasmforthewondersoftheLimberlost，andthewellingjoyofhisnewlyfoundhappiness，hemadeMcLeanseethestrugglesofthemothanditsfreshlypaintedwings，thedainty，brilliantbird-matesofdifferentcolors，thefeatherslidingthroughtheclearair，thepalpitantthroatandbattingeyesofthefrog；whilehisversionofthebigbird'scourtshipwonfortheBossthebestlaughhehadenjoyedforyears。
　　"They'reinthemiddleofaswampnow"saidFreckles。"Doyousupposethereisanychanceofthemstayingwithmechickens？
　　Iftheydo，they'llbeaboutthequeerestIhave；butItellyou，sir，Iamfindingsomeplumgoodones。There'sanewkindoveratthemouthofthecreekthatusesitswingslikefeetandwalksonallfours。Ittravelslikeathrashingmachine。There'sanother，tallasmewaist，withabillafootlong，aneckneartwo，notthethicknessofmewristandanelegantcolor。He'ssomeblueandgray，touchedupwithblack，white，andbrown。Thevoiceofhimissuchthatifhe'dbegoingupandstandingbesideatreeandcryingatitafewtimeshecouldbesawingitsquareoff。Idon'tknowbutitwouldbeagoodideatotryhimonthegang，sir。"
　　McLeanlaughed。"Thosemustbeblueherons，Freckles，"hesaid。
　　"Anditdoesn'tseempossible，butyourdescriptionofthebigblackbirdssoundslikegenuineblackvultures。TheyarecommonenoughintheSouth。I'veseenthemnumerousaroundthelumbercampsofGeorgia，butIneverbeforeheardofanythisfarnorth。
　　Theymustbestrays。YouhavedescribedperfectlyournearestequivalenttoabranchofthesebirdscalledinEuropePharaoh'sChickens，butiftheyarecomingtotheLimberlosttheywillhavetodropPharaohandbecomeFreckles'Chickens，liketheremainderofthebirds；won'tthey？Oraretheytoooddanduglytointerestyou？"
　　"Oh，notatall，atall！"criedFreckles，burstingintopurebrogueinhishaste。"Idon'tknowasI'dbecallingthemexactlypretty，andtheydomovelikearocking-horseloping，buttheyaresobigandfearless。Theyhaveafinecolorforblackbirds，andtheirfeetandbeaksseemsostrong。Youneversawanythingsokeenastheireyes！Andfly？Why，justthink，sir，theymustbeflyingmilesstraightup，fortheywereoutofsightcompletelywhenthefeatherfell。Idon'tsupposeI'veachickenintheswampthatcangoascloseheavenasthosebig，blackfellows，andthen——"
　　Freckles'voicedraggedandhehesitated。
　　"Thenwhat？"interestedlyurgedMcLean。
　　"Hewaslovingherso，"answeredFrecklesinahushedvoice。"I
　　knowitlookedawfulfunny，andIlaughedandtoldonhim，butifI'dtakentimetothinkIdon'tbelieveI'dhavedoneit。Yousee，I'veseensuchalittlebitoflovinginmelife。YoueasilycanbeunderstandingthatattheHomeitwaseverydaytheoldstoryofneglectanddesertion。Alwayspeoplethatdidn'tevencareenoughfortheirchildrentokeepthem，soyousee，sir，Ihadtolikehimfortryingsohardtomakeherknowhowhelovedher。Ofcourse，they'reonlybirds，butiftheyarecaringforeachotherlikethat，why，it'sjustthesameaspeople，ain'tit？"
　　Frecklesliftedhisbrave，steadyeyestotheBoss。
　　"Ifanybodylovedmelikethat，Mr。McLean，Iwouldn'tbespendinganytimeonhowtheylookedormoved。AllI'dbethinkingofwouldbehowtheyfelttowardme。Iftheywillstay，I'llbecaringasmuchforthemasanychickensIhave。IfIdidlaughatthemI
　　thoughthewasjustfine！"
　　ThefaceofMcLeanwasastudy；butthehonesteyesoftheboyweresocompellingthathefoundhimselfanswering:"Youareright，Freckles。He'sagentleman，isn'the？Andtheonlyrealchickenyouhave。Ofcoursehe'llremain！TheLimberlostwillbeparadiseforhisfamily。Andnow，Freckles，whathasbeenthetroubleallspring？Youhavedoneyourworkasfaithfullyasanyonecouldask，butIcan'thelpseeingthatthereissomethingwrong。Areyoutiredofyourjob？"
　　"Iloveit，"answeredFreckles。"Itwillalmostbreakmeheartwhenthegangcomesandbeginstearinguptheswampandscaringawaymechickens。"
　　"Thenwhatisthetrouble？"insistedMcLean。
　　"Ithink，sir，it'sbeenbooks，"answeredFreckles。"Yousee，I
　　didn'trealizeitmeselfuntilthebullfrogtoldmethismorning。
　　Ihadn'teverevenheardaboutaplacelikethis。Anyway，Iwasn'tunderstandinghowitwouldbe，ifIhad。Beingamongthesebeautifulthingseveryday，Igotsoanxiousliketobeknowingandnamingthem，thatitgottoeatingintomeandwentandmademenearsick，whenIwaswellasIcouldbe。Ofcourse，Ilearnedtoread，write，andfiguresomeatschool，buttherewasnothingthere，orinanyofthecitythatIevergottosee，thatwouldmakeafellowevenbedreamingofsuchinterestingthingsastherearehere。I'veseentheparks——butgoodLord，theyain'tevenbeginningtobeinitwiththeLimberlost！It'sallnewandstrangetome。Idon'tknowathingaboutanyofit。Thebullfrogtoldmeto`findout，'plainasday，andbooksaretheonlyway；ain'tthey？"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidMcLean，astonishedathimselfforhisheartfeltrelief。HehadnotguesseduntilthatminutewhatitwouldhavemeanttohimtohaveFrecklesgiveup。"Youknowenoughtostudyoutwhatyouwantyourself，ifyouhavethebooks；
　　don'tyou？"
　　"IamprettysureIdo，"saidFreckles。"IlearnedallI'dthechanceatintheHome，andmeschoolingwasgoodasfarasitwent。
　　Wouldn'tletyougopastfourteen，youknow。Ialwaysdidmesumsperfect，andlovedmehistorybooks。Ihadthemalmostbyheart。I
　　nevercouldgetmegrammartosuitthem。Theysaiditwasjustborninmetogowrongtalking，andifithadn'tbeenIsupposeIwouldhavepickeditupfromtheotherchildren；butI'dthebestvoiceofanyofthemintheHomeoratschool。Icouldknockthemalloutsinging。IwasalwaysleaderintheHome，andonceoneofthesuperintendentsgavemecarfareandletmegointothecityandsinginaboys'choir。ThemastersaidI'dtheswatestvoiceofthemalluntilitgotroughlike，andthenhemademequitforawhile，buthesaiditwouldbecomingbackbynow，andI'mraillythinkingitis，sir，forI'vetriedonthelineabitoflateanditseemstogosmoothagainandlotsstronger。ThatandmechickenshavebeenallthecompanyI'vebeenhaving，anditwillbeallI'llwantifIcanhavesomebooksandlearntherealnamesofthings，wheretheycomefrom，andwhytheydosuchinterestingthings。It'sbeenfrettingmemorethanIknewtobeshutuphereamongallthesewondersandnotknowingathing。Iwantedtoaskyouwhatsomebookswouldcostme，andifyou'dbehavingthegoodnesstogetmetherightones。IthinkIhaveenoughmoney"
　　Frecklesofferedhisaccount-bookandtheBossstudieditgravely。
　　"Youneedn'ttouchyouraccount，Freckles，"hesaid。"Tendollarsfromthismonth'spaywillprovideyoueverythingyouneedtostarton。
　　IwillwriteafriendinGrandRapidstodaytoselectyoutheverybestandsendthematonce。"
　　Freckles'eyeswereshining。
　　"Neverownedabookinmelife！"hesaid。"Evenmeschoolbookswerenevermine。Lord！HowIusedtowishIcouldhavejustoneofthemformeveryown！Won'titbefuntoseemesawbirdandmelittleyellowfellowlookingatmefromthepagesofabook，andtheirrealnamesandallaboutthemprintedalongside？Howlongwillitbetaking，sir？"
　　"Tendaysshoulddoitnicely，"saidMcLean。Then，seeingFreckles'
　　lengtheningface，headded:"I'llhaveDuncanbringyouaten-bushelstore-boxthenexttimehegoestotown。Hecanhaulittothewestentranceandsetitupwhereveryouwantit。Youcanputinyoursparetimefillingitwiththespecimensyoufinduntilthebookscome，andthenyoucanstudyoutwhatyouhave。IsuspectyoucouldcollectspecimensthatIcouldsendtonaturalistsinthecityandsellforyou；thingslikethatwingedcreature，thismorning。
　　Idon'tknowmuchinthatline，butitmusthavebeenamoth，anditmighthavebeenrare。I'veseenthembythethousandinmuseums，andinallnatureIdon'trememberrarercoloringthantheirwings。I'llorderyouabutterfly-netandboxandshowyouhowscientistspinspecimens。Possiblyyoucanmakeafinecollectionoftheseswampbeauties。Itwillbeallrightforyoutotakeapairofdifferentmothsandbutterflies，butIdon'twanttohearofyourkillinganybirds。Theyareprotectedbyheavyfines。"
　　McLeanrodeawayleavingFrecklesstaringaghast。Thenhesawthepointandsmiled。Standingonthetrail，hetwirledthefeatherandthoughtoverthemorning。
　　"Well，iflifeain'tgettingtobeworthliving！"hesaidwonderingly。
　　"BiggeststreakofluckIeverhad！`Bouttimesomethingwascomingmyway，butIwouldn'teverthoughtanybodycouldstrikesuchmagnificentprospectsthroughonlyafallingfeather。"
　　CHAPTERIV
　　WhereinFrecklesFacesTroubleBravelyandOpenstheWayforNewExperiencesOnDuncan'sreturnfromhisnexttriptotowntherewasabigstore-boxloadedonthebackofhiswagon。Hedrovetothewestentranceoftheswamp，settheboxonastumpthatFreckleshadselectedinabeautiful，shelteredplace，andmadeitsecureonitsfoundationswithatreeatitsback。
　　"Itseemsmostapitytonailintothattree，"saidDuncan。
　　"Ihaenathetimetoexamineintothegrainofit，butitlooksasifitmightbearareane。Anyhow，thenailin'winnahurtitdeep，andhavin'thecasebyitwillmakeitsaferifitisaguidane。"
　　"Isn'titanoak？"askedFreckles。
　　"Ay，"saidDuncan。"Itlookslikeitmightbeaneofthaefine-grainedwhiteanesthatmak'suchgrandfurniture。"
　　Whenthebodyofthecasewassecure，Duncanmadeadoorfromthelidandfasteneditwithhinges。Hedroveastaple，screwedonalatch，andgaveFrecklesasmallpadlock——sothathemightfasteninhistreasuressafely。Hemadeashelfatthetopforhisbooks，andlastofallcoveredthecasewithoil-cloth。
　　ItwasthefirsttimeinFreckles'lifethatanyoneeverhaddonethatmuchforhispleasure，anditwarmedhisheartwithpurejoy。
　　IftheinterioroftheboxalreadyhadbeencoveredwiththeraresttreasuresoftheLimberlosthecouldhavebeennohappier。
　　Whenthebigteamsterstoodbacktolookathisworkhelaughinglyquoted，"`Neat，butno'gaudy，'asMcLeansays。Allwe're，needingnowisacoatofpainttomakeacupboardthatwouldturnSarahgreenwithenvy。Ye'llfindthatsafean'dry，lad，an'that'sallthat'sneeded。"
　　"Mr。Duncan，"saidFreckles，"Idon'tknowwhyyouarebeingsomightygoodtome；butifyouhaveanyjobsatthecabinthatI
　　coulddoforyouorMrs。Duncan，hoursofftheline，itwouldmakememightyhappy。"
　　Duncanlaughed。"Yeneednafeelyeareobligedtome，lad。YemaunathinkIcouldtakeahalf-dayoffinthebesthaulingseasonandgototownforboxestorigup，andspendofmylittleforfixtures。"
　　"IknewMr。McLeansentyou，"saidFreckles，hiseyeswideandbrightwithhappiness。"It'ssogoodofhim。HowIwishIcoulddosomethingthatwouldpleasehimasmuch！"
　　"Why，Freckles，"saidDuncan，ashekneltandbegancollectinghistools，"IcannaseethatitwillhurtyetobetoldthatyearedoingeverydayathingthatpleasestheBossasmuchasanythingyecoulddo。Ye'rebeinguncommonfaithful，lad，andhonestasoldFatherTime。McLeanistrustingyeashewouldhisownfleshandblood。"
　　"Oh，Duncan！"criedthehappyboy。"Areyousure？"
　　"WhyIknow，"answeredDuncan。"Iwadnaventuretosaysoelse。
　　Inthosefirstdayshecautionedmenatotellye，butnowhewadnacare。D'yeken，Freckles，thatsomeofthesingletreesyeareguardingareworthathousanddollars？"
　　Frecklescaughthisbreathandstoodspeechless。
　　"Yesee，"saidDuncan，"that'swhytheymaunbewatchedsoclosely。
　　Theytak'，say，forinstance，aburlmaple——bird'seyetheycallitinthefactory，becauseit'sfullo'weeknotsandtwiststhatlookliketheeveofabird。Theysawitoutinsheetsnomucklethickerthanwritin'paper。Thentheymakeupthefunitureoutofcheaperwoodandcoveritwiththemaple——veneer，theycallit。Whenit'salldoneandpolishedyeneversawonythin'grander。Gangintoaretailshopthenexttimeyeareintownandseesome。Bysawin'itthinthatwaytheygetfinishforthousandsofdollars'worthoffurniturefromasingletree。Ifyedinnawatchfaithful，andBlackJackgetsoutafewhehasmarked，itmeansthelossofmoremoneythanyeeverdreamedof，lad。Theothernight，downatcamp，somesonofBalaamwassuggestin'thatyemightbesellin'theBossouttoJackandlettin'himtak'thetreessecretly，andnobodywadeverkentilltheganggetshere。"
　　AwaveofscarletfloodedFreckles'faceandheblazedhotlyattheinsult。
　　"AndtheBoss，"continuedDuncan，coollyignoringFreckles'anger，"helaysbackjustascoolascowcumbersan'says:`I'llgiveathousanddollarstoonymanthatwillshowmeafreshstumpwhenwereachtheLimberlost，'sayshe。Someofthemenjustsnappedhimopthatthey'dfindsome。SoyouseebowtheBossistrustin'ye，lad。"
　　"IamgladderthanIcaneverexpriss，"saidFreckles。"AndnowwillIbewalkingdoubletimetokeepsomeofthemfromcuttingatreetogetallthatmoney！"
　　"Mithero'Moses！"howledDuncan。"YecantrusttheScotchtobunglethingsa'thegither。McLeanwasonlymeanin'toshowyeallconfidenceandhonor。He'sgoneandsetahighpriceforsomedirtywhelptoruinye。Iwasjusttryin'toshowyehowhefelttowardye，andI'vegonean'giveyethatworrytobear。DamntheScotch！
　　They'resoslowan'sodumb！"
　　"Exciptin'prisintcompany？"sweetlyinquiredFreckles。
　　"No！"growledDuncan。"Headin'thelist！He'dnaebusinesstosetapriceonye，lad，forthat'sabouttheamountofit，an'I'dnaerighttotellye。We'vebothdoneyeill，an'bothmeanin'theverrabest。JuistwhatI'malwayssayin'toSarah。"
　　"Iammightyproudofwhatyouhavebeentellingme，Duncan，"
　　saidFreckles。"Ineedthewarning，sure。ForwiththebookscomingImightbetimptedtoneglectmeworkwhendoublewatchingisneeded。ThankyoumorethanIcansayforputtingmeontoit。
　　Whatyou'vetoldmemaybethesavingofme。Iwon'tstopfordinnernow。I'llbegettingalongtheeastline，andwhenIcomearoundaboutthree，maybeMotherDuncanwillletmehaveaglassofmilkandabiteofsomething。"
　　"Yeseenow！"criedDuncanindisgust。"Ye'llstartonthatseven-miletrampwithnabitetostayyourstomach。WhatwasitI
　　toldye？"
　　"YoutoldmethattheScotchhadthehardestheadsandthesoftestheartsofanypeoplethat'sliving，"answeredFreckles。
　　Duncangruntedingratifieddisapproval。
　　Frecklespickeduphisclubandstarteddowntheline，whistlingcheerily，forhehadanunusuallylongrepertoireuponwhichtodraw。
　　Duncanwentstraighttothelowercamp，andcallingMcLeanaside，repeatedtheconversationverbatim，ending:"Andnaematterwhathappensnoworever，dinnayedareletonythin'makeyebelievethatFreckleshasnaguardedfaithfulasonymancould。"
　　"Idon'tthinkanythingcouldshakemyfaithinthelad，"answeredMcLean。
　　Freckleswaswhistlingmerrily。Hekeptoneeyereligiouslyontheline。Theotherhedividedbetweenthepath，hisfriendsofthewire，andasearchoftheskyforhislatestarrivals。Everydaysincetheircominghehadseenthem，eitherhangingassmall，blackcloudsabovetheswamporbobbingoverlogsandtreeswiththeirqueer，tiltingwalk。Wheneverhecouldsparetime，heenteredtheswampandtriedtomakefriendswiththem，fortheywerethetamestofallhisunnumberedsubjects。Theyducked，dodged，andambledaroundhim，overlogsandbushes，andnotevenanearapproachwoulddrivethemtoflight。
　　FortwoweekshehadfoundthemcirclingovertheLimberlostregularly，butonemorningthefemalewasmissingandonlythebigblackchickenhungsentinelabovetheswamp。Hismatedidnotreappearinthefollowingdays，andFrecklesgrewveryanxious。
　　HespokeofittoMrs。Duncan，andshequietedhisfearsbyraisingadelightfulhopeintheirstead。
　　"Why，Freckles，ifit'sthehen-birdyearemissing，it'stentooneshe'ssafe，"shesaid。"She'slaid，andissetting，yesilly！
　　Watchhimandmarkwhaurhelichts。Thenfollowandfindthenest。
　　SomeSabbathwe'llallgangseeit。"
　　Acceptingthistheory，Frecklesbegansearchingforthenest。
　　Becausethese"chickens"werelarge，asthehawks，helookedamongthetreetopsuntilhealmostsprainedthebackofhisneck。Hehadhalfthecrowandhawknestsintheswamplocated。Hesearchedforthisnestinsteadofcollectingsubjectsforhiscase。Hefoundthepairthemiddleofoneforenoonontheelmwherehehadwatchedtheirlove-making。Thebigblackchickenwasfeedinghismate；soitwasprovedthattheywereapair，theywerebothalive，andundoubtedlyshewasbrooding。AfterthatFreckles'nest-huntingcontinuedwithrenewedzeal，butashehadnoideawheretolookandDuncancouldoffernohelpfulsuggestion，thenestwasnonearertobeingfound。
　　Comingfromalongdayonthetrail，FrecklessawDuncan'schildrenawaitinghimmuchclosertheswalethantheyusuallyventured，andfromtheirwildgesturesheknewthatsomethinghadhappened。
　　Hebegantorun，butthecrythatreachedhimwas:"Thebookshavecome！"
　　Howtheyhurried！Frecklesliftedtheyoungesttohisshoulder，thesecondtookhisclubanddinnerpail，andwhentheyreachedMrs。
　　Duncantheyfoundheratworkonabigbox。Shehadloosenedthelid，andthenshelaughinglysatonit。
　　"Yecannahaveapeepinhereuntilyehavewashedandeatensupper，"shesaid。"It'sallreadyonthetable。Anceyebeginonthis，ye'llnobewillin'totak'yournoseo'ittillbedtime，andIwillnagetmyworkdonethenicht。We'veeatenlongago。"
　　Itwasdifficultwork，butFrecklessmiledbravely。Hemadehimselfneat，swallowedafewbites，thencamesoeagerlythatMrs。Duncanyielded，althoughshesaidsheverywellknewallthetimethathissupperwouldbespoiled。
　　Liftingthelid，theyremovedthepackingandfoundinthatboxbooksonbirds，trees，flowers，moths，andbutterflies。TherewasalsoonecontainingFreckles'bullfrog，truetolife。Besidesthesewereabutterfly-net，anaturalist'stinspecimen-box，abottleofcyanide，aboxofcotton，apaperoflong，steelspecimen-pins，andalettertellingwhatallthesethingswereandhowtousethem。
　　Atthediscoveryofeachnewtreasure，Frecklesshouted:"Willyoubelookingatthis，now？"
　　Mrs。Duncancried:"Weel，Ibedrawedon！"
　　Theeldestboyturnedasomersaultforeveryextra，whilethebaby，tryingtofollowhisexample，bunchedoverinasidewisesprawlandcuthisfootontheaxewithwhichhismotherhadprizedupthebox-lid。Thatsoberedthem，theycarriedthebooksindoors。Mrs。
　　Duncanhadatopshelfinherclosetclearedforthem，farabovethereachofmeddlinglittlefingers。
　　WhenFrecklesstartedforthetrailnextmorning，theshiningnewspecimen-boxflashedonhisback。Theblack"chicken，"amerespeckintheblue，caughtthegleamofit。Thefoldednethungbesidetheboy'shatchet，andthebirdbookwasinthebox。Hewalkedthelineandtestedeachsectionscrupulously，watchingeveryfootofthetrail，forhewasdeterminednottoslighthiswork；butifeveraboy"madehasteslowly"inahurry，itwasFrecklesthatmorning。
　　Whenatlasthereachedthespacehehadclearedandplantedaroundhiscase，hisheartswelledwiththeprideofpossessingevensomuchthathecouldcallhisown，whilehisquickeyesfeastedonthebeautyofit。
　　Hehadmadealargeroomwiththedoorofthecasesetevenwithonesideofit。Onthreesides，finebigbushesofwildroseclimbedtothelowerbranchesofthetrees。Partofhiswallsweremallow，partalder，thorn，willow，anddogwood。Belowtherefilledinasolidmassofpalepinksheep-laurel，andyellowSt。John'swort，whiletheamberthreadsofthedodderinterlacedeverywhere。
　　Atonesidetheswampcameclose，herecattailsgrewinprofusion。
　　Infrontofthemhehadplantedarowofwater-hyacinthswithoutdisturbingintheleastthestateoftheirazurebloom，andwherethegroundarosehigherforhisfloor，arowoffoxfire，thatsoonwouldbeopen。
　　Tothelefthehaddiscoveredaqueernaturalarrangementofthetrees，thatgrewtogiantsizeandweresetinagraduallynarrowingspacesothatalong，openvistastretchedawayuntillostinthedimrecessesoftheswamp。Alittletrimmingofunderbush，rollingofdeadlogs，levellingoffloorandcarpetingwithmoss，madeiteasytounderstandwhyFreckleshadnamedthisthe"cathedral"；yetheneverhadbeentaughtthat"thegroveswereGod'sfirsttemples。"
　　Oneithersideofthetreesthatconstitutedthefirstarchofthisdimvistaoftheswampheplantedfernsthatgrewwaist-highthusearlyintheseason，andsoskilfullytheworkhadbeendonethatnotafronddroopedbecauseofthechange。Opposite，heclearedaspaceandmadeaflowerbed。Hefilledoneendwitheverydelicate，lacyvineandfernhecouldtransplantsuccessfully。Thebodyofthebedwasariotofcolor。Herehesetgrowingdaintyblue-eyed-Marysandblue-eyedgrasssidebyside。Heplantedharebells；violets，blue，white，andyellow；wildgeranium，cardinal-flower，columbine，pinksnake'smouth，buttercups，paintedtrilliums，andorchis。Herewereblood-root，moccasin-flower，hepatica，pitcher-plant，Jack-in-the-pulpit，andeveryotherfloweroftheLimberlostthatwasinbloomorboreabudpresagingaflower。Everydaysawtheadditionofnewspecimens。Theplacewouldhavedrivenabotanistwildwithenvy。
　　Onthelinesideheleftthebushesthickforconcealment，enteringbyanarrowpathheandDuncanhadclearedinsettingupthecase。
　　Hecalledthisthefrontdoor，thoughheusedeveryprecautiontohideit。Hebuiltrusticseatsbetweenseveralofthetrees，leveledthefloor，andthicklycarpeteditwithrank，heavy，woolly-dogmoss。Aroundthecaseheplantedwildclematis，bittersweet，andwild-grapevines，andtrainedthemoverituntilitwasalmostcovered。Everydayheplantednewflowers，cutbackroughbushes，andcoaxedoutgracefulones。Hisprideinhisroomwasverygreat，buthehadnoideahowsurprisinglybeautifulitwouldappeartoanyonewhohadnotwitnesseditsgrowthandconstruction。
　　ThismorningFreckleswalkedstraighttohiscase，unlockedit，andsethisapparatusanddinnerinside。Heplantedanewspecimenhehadfoundclosethetrail，and，bringinghisoldscrap-bucketfromthecornerinwhichitwashidden，fromanear-bypoolhedippedwatertopouroverhiscarpetandflowers。
　　Thenhetookoutthebirdbook，settledcomfortablyonabench，andwithadeepsighofsatisfactionturnedtothesectionheaded。"V。"
　　Past"veery"and"vireo"hewent，downthelineuntilhisfinger，tremblingwitheagerness，stoppedat"vulture。"
　　"`GreatblackCaliforniavulture，'"heread。
　　"Humph！ThissidetheRockieswilldoforus。"
　　"`Commonturkey-buzzard。'"
　　"Well，weain'thuntingcommonturkeys。McLeansaidchickens，andwhathesaysgoes。"
　　"`BlackvultureoftheSouth。'"
　　"Herewearearrivedatonce。"
　　Freckles'fingerfollowedtheline，andhereadscrapsaloud。
　　"`CommonintheSouth。SometimescalledJimCrow。NearestequivalenttoC-a-t-h-a-r-t-e-sA-t-r-a-t-a。'"
　　"HowthedivilamIevertolearnthemcorkin'bigwordsbymesel'？"
　　"`——thePharaoh'sChickensofEuropeanspecies。SometimesstraynorthasfarasVirginiaandKentucky——'"
　　"Andsometimesfarther，"interpolatedFreckles，"'cosIgotthemrighthereinIndianasolikethesepicturesIcanjustseemebigchickenbobbinguptogethisearsboxed。Hey？"
　　"`Light-blueeggs'——"
　　"Golly！Igottobeseeingthem！"
　　"`——bigasacommonturkey's，butshapedlikeahen's，heavilysplotchedwithchocolate——'"
　　"Caramels，Isuppose。And——"
　　"`——inhollowlogsorstumps。'"
　　"Oh，hagginy！Wasn'tIbarkingupthewrongtree，though？Oughttobeenlookingclosethegroundallthistime。Nowit'salltodoover，andIsuspectthesoonerIstartthesoonerI'llbelikelytofindthem。"
　　Frecklesputawayhisbook，dampenedthesmudge-fire，withoutwhichthemosquitoesmadetheswampalmostunbearable，tookhiscudgelandlunch，andwenttotheline。Hesatonalog，ateatdinner-timeanddrankhislastdropofwater。TheheatofJunewasgrowingintense。Evenonthewestoftheswamp，whereonehadfullbenefitofthebreezefromtheupland，itwasbeginningtobeunpleasantinthemiddleoftheday。
　　Hebrushedthecrumbsfromhiskneesandsatrestingawhileandwatchingtheskytoseeifhisbigchickenwerehangingupthere。
　　Buthecametotheearthabruptly，fortherewerestepscomingdownthetrailthatwereneitherMcLean'snorDuncan's——andthereneverhadbeenothers。Freckles'heartleapedhotly。Heranaquickhandoverhisbelttofeelifhisrevolverandhatchetwerethere，caughtuphiscudgelandlaiditacrosshisknees——thensatquietly，waiting。WasitBlackJack，orsomeoneevenworse？Forcedtodosomethingtobracehisnerves，hepuckeredhisstiffeninglipsandbeganwhistlingatunehehadledinhiscleartenoreveryyearofhislifeattheHomeChristmasexercises。
　　"Whocomesthisway，soblitheandgay，UponamerryChristmasday？"
　　HisquickIrishwitrousedtotheridiculousnessofituntilhebrokeintoalaughthatsteadiedhimamazingly。
　　Throughthebusheshecaughtaglimpseoftheoncomingfigure。Hisheartfloodedwithjoy，foritwasamanfromthegang。Wessnerhadbeenhisbunk-matethenighthecamedownthecorduroy。HeknewhimaswellasanyofMcLean'smen。Thiswasnotimber-thief。NodoubttheBosshadsenthimwithamessage。Frecklessprangupandcalledcheerily，awarmwelcomeonhisface。
　　"Well，it'sgoodtellingifyou'regladtoseeme，"saidWessner，withsomethingverylikeabreathofrelief。"Webeenhearingdownatthecampyouweresomightytouchyyoudidn'tallowamanwithinarodoftheline。"
　　"NomoredoI，"answeredFreckles，"ifhe'sastranger，butyou'refromMcLean，ain'tyou？"
　　"Oh，damnMcLean！"saidWessner。
　　Frecklesgrippedthecudgeluntilhisknucklesslowlyturnedpurple。
　　"Andareyouraillysayingso？"heinquiredwithelaboratepoliteness。
　　"Yes，Iam，"saidWessner。"Sowouldeverymanofthegangiftheywasn'ttoobigcowardstosayanything，unlessmaybethatotherslobberingoldScotchman，Duncan。Grindingthelivesoutofus！
　　Workinguslikedogs，andpayingusstarvationwages，whileherollsuphismillionsandliveslikeaprince！"
　　GreenlightsbegantoplaythroughthegrayofFreckles'eyes。
　　"Wessner，"hesaidimpressively，"you'dmakeafinepatternforthefatherofliars！Everymanonthatgangisstrongandhilthy，paidallheearns，andtreatedwiththecourtesyofagentleman！AsfortheBosslivinglikeaprince，hesharesfarewithyoueverydayofyourlives！"
　　Wessnerwasnotaborndiplomat，buthesawhewasonthewrongtack，sohetriedanother。
　　"Howwouldyouliketomakeagoodbigpileofmoney，withoutevenliftingyourhand？"heasked。
　　"Humph！"saidFreckles。"HaveyoubeenuptoChicagoandcorneredwheat，andareyouofferingmeafriendlytipontheinvistmentofmefortune？"
　　Wessnercameclose。
　　"Freckles，oldfellow，"hesaid，"ifyouletmegiveyouapointer，Icanputyouontomakingacoolfivehundredwithoutsteppingoutofyourtracks。"
　　Frecklesdrewback。
　　"Youneedn'tbeafraidofspeakingup，"hesaid。"Thereisn'tasoulintheLimberlostsavethebirdsandthebeasts，unlesssomeofyoursort'scomealongand'scrowdingtheprivilegesofthelegaltinints。"
　　"Noneofmyfriendsalong，"saidWessner。"NobodyknewIcamebutBlack，I——Imeanafriendofmine。Ifyouwanttohearsenseandactwithreason，hecanseeyoulater，butitain'tnecessary。Wecanmakealltheplansneeded。Thetrick'ssodeadsmallandeasy。"
　　"Mustbeifyouhavetheengineeringofit，"saidFreckles。Butheheard，withasighofrelief，thattheywerealone。
　　Wessnerwasimpervious。"Youjustbetitis！Why，onlythink，Freckles，slavin'awayatameaslylittlethirtydollarsamonth，andhereisachancetoclearfivehundredinaday！Yousurelywon'tbethefooltomissit！"
　　"Andhowwasyouproposingformetostaleit？"inquiredFreckles。
　　"OramIjusttofinditlayinginmepathbesidetheline？"
　　"That'sit，Freckles，"blusteredtheDutchman，"you'rejusttofindit。Youneedn'tdoathing。Youneedn'tknowathing。
　　Younameamorningwhenyouwillwalkupthewestsideoftheswampandthenturnroundandwalkbackdownthesamesideagainandthemoneyisyours。Couldn'tanythingbeeasierthanthat，couldit？"
　　"Depindsentirelyontheman，"saidFreckles。Theliltofalarkhangingabovetheswalebesidethemwasnotsweeterthanthesweetnessofhisvoice。"Tosomeitwouldseemtocomeaisyasbreathing；andtosome，wringin'thelastdropoftheirheart'sbloodcouldn'tforcethim！I'mnotthemanthatgoesintoaschemelikethatwiththeblindfoldovermeeyes，for，yousee，itmanestobreaktrustwiththeBoss；andI'veservedhimfaithfulasIknew。
　　You'llhavetobemakingthethingverycleartomeunderstanding。"
　　"It'ssodeadeasy，"repeatedWessner，"itmakesmetiredofthesimplenessofit。Youseethere'safewtreesintheswampthat'srealgoldmines。There'sthreeespecial。Twoarebackin，butone'ssquareontheline。Why，yourpotteringoldScotchfoolofaBossnailedthewiretoitwithhisownhands！Henevernoticedwherethebarkhadbeenpeeled，orsawwhatitwas。Ifyouwillstayonthissideofthetrailjustonedaywecanhaveitcut，loaded，andreadytodriveoutatnight。Nextmorningyoucanfindit，report，andbethebusiestmaninthesearchforus。Weknowwheretofixitallsafeandeasy。ThenMcLeanhasabetupwithacoupleofthegangthattherecan'tbearawstumpfoundintheLimberlost。
　　There'splentyofwitnessestosweartoit，andIknowthreethatwill。
　　There'sacoolthousand，andthistreeisworthallofthat，raw。
　　Say，it'sagoldmine，Itellyou，andjustfivehundredofitisyours。There'snodangeronearthtoyou，foryou'vegotMcLeanthatbamboozledyoucouldselloutthewholeswampandhe'dnevermistrustyou。Whatdoyousay？"
　　Freckles'soulwassatisfied。"Isthatall？"heasked。
　　"No，itain't，"saidWessner。"Ifyoureallywanttobraceupandbeamanandgointothethingforkeeps，youcanmakefivetimesthatinaweek。Myfriendknowsadozenotherswecouldgetoutinafewdays，andallyou'dhavetodowouldbetokeepoutofsight。
　　Thenyoucouldtakeyourmoneyandskipsomenight，andbeginlifelikeagentlemansomewhereelse。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit？"
　　Frecklespurredlikeakitten。
　　"'TwouldbeararejokeontheBoss，"hesaid，"tobestalin'fromhimtheverythinghe'strustedmetoguard，andbegettingmewagesallwinterthrowedinfree。Andyou'remakingthepayawfulhigh。
　　Metobegettingfivehundredforsuchasimplelittlethingasthat。
　　You'retratingmemostroyalindade！It'sawaybeyondallI'dbeexpecting。Sivinteencintswouldbeabigpriceforthatjob。
　　Itmustbelookedintothorough。JustyouwaithereuntilIdoaminute'sturnintheswamp，andthenI'llbeeschortingyououtoftheclearingandgivingyoutheanswer。"
　　Frecklesliftedtheoverhangingbushesandhurriedtothecase。
　　Heunslungthespecimen-boxandlaiditinsidewithhishatchetandrevolver。HeslippedthekeyinhispocketandwentbacktoWessner。
　　"Nowfortheanswer，"hesaid。"Standup！"
　　Therewasironinhisvoice，andhewascommandingasanoutragedgeneral。"Anything，youwanttobetakingoff？"
　　hequestioned。
　　Wessnerlookedtheastonishmenthefelt。"Why，no，Freckles，"hesaid。
　　"HavethegoodnesstobecallingmeMisterMcLean，"snappedFreckles。
　　"I'mafterresarvin'mepetnamefortheuseofmefriends！
　　Youmaystandwithyourbacktothelightorbetakinganyadvantageyouwant。"
　　"Why，whatdoyoumean？"splutteredWessner。
　　"I'mmanin'，"saidFrecklestersely，"tolickaquarter-sectionofhelloutofyou，andmaytheHolyVarginstaymebeforeIleaveyouherecarrion，foryourcarcasswouldturnthestummicksofmechickens！"
　　Atthecampthatmorning，Wessner'sconducthadbeensopalpableanexcusetoforceadischargethatDuncanmovednearMcLeanandwhispered，"Thinkoftheboy，sir？"
　　McLeanwassotroubledthat，anhourlater，hemountedNellieandfollowedWessnertohishomeinWildcatHollow，onlytofindthathehadleftthereshortlybefore，headingfortheLimberlost。
　　McLeanrodeattopspeed。WhenMrs。DuncantoldhimthatamanansweringWessner'sdescriptionhadgonedownthewestsideoftheswampclosenoon，heleftthemareinherchargeandfollowedonfoot。
　　WhenheheardvoicesheenteredtheswampandsilentlycreptclosejustintimetohearWessnerwhine:"ButIcan'tfightyou，Freckles。
　　Ihain'tdonenothingtoyou。I'mawaybiggerthanyou，andyou'veonlyonehand。"
　　TheBossslidoffhiscoatandcrouchedamongthebushes，readytospring；butasFreckles'voicereachedhimheheldhimself，withastrongeffort，tolearnwhatmettlewasintheboy。
　　"Don'tyoubewastingofmegoodtimeinthenumberingofmehands，"criedFreckles。"Thestringthofmecausewillmakeupfortheweaknessofmemimbers，andthesizeofacowardlythiefdoesn'tcount。You'llthinkallthewildcatsoftheLimberlostareturnedlooseonyouwhinIcomeagainstyou，andasformecause——Isleptwithyou，Wessner，thenightIcamedownthecorduroylikeadirty，friendlesstramp，andtheBosswasfortakingmeup，washing，clothing，andfeedingme，andgivingmeahomefullofloveandtinderness，andamastertolookto，andgood，well-earnedmoneyinthebank。He'strustingmehisheartful，andherecomesyou，youspottedtoadofthebigroad，andinsultsme，asisanhonestIrishgintleman，byhintingthatyouconcaiveI'dbewillingtoshutmeeyesandholdfastwhileyourobhimofthethingIwassetandpaidtoguard，andthenactthesneakandliartohim，andruinandeternallyblackenthesoulofme。
　　Youdamnedrascal，"ravedFreckles，"befightingbeforeIforgetthelawsofagintlemin'sgameandsplityourdirtyheadwithmestick！"
　　Wessnerbackedaway，mumbling，"ButIdon'twanttohurtyou，Freckles！"
　　"Oh，don'tyou！"ragedtheboy，nowfairlyfrothing。"Well，youain'tresemblingmenone，forI'mitchinglikedeathtogitmefingersinthefaceofyou。"
　　Hedancedup，andasWessnerlungedinself-defense，duckedunderhisarmasabantamandpunchedhiminthepitofthestomachsothathedoubledwithagroan。BeforeWessnercouldstraightenhimself，Freckleswasonhim，fightinglikethewildestfurythateverleftthebeautifulisland。TheDutchmandealtthunderingblowsthatsometimeslandedandsentFrecklesreeling，andsometimesmissed，whilehewentplungingintotheswalewiththeimpetusofthem。
　　FrecklescouldnotstrikewithhalfWessner'sforce，buthecouldlandthreeblowstotheDutchman'sone。Itwasherethattheboy'sdaysofalertwatchingontheline，theperpetualswingingoftheheavycudgel，andtheenduranceofallweatherstoodhimingoodstead；forhewastough，andagile。Heskipped，ducked，anddodged。
　　Forthefirstfiveminutesheenduredfearfulpunishment。
　　ThenWessner'sbreathcommencedtowhistlebetweenhisteeth，whenFrecklesonlyhadbegunfighting。Hesprangbackwithshrilllaughter。
　　"Begolly！andwillyourhonorbewhistlingthehornpipeformetobedancingof？"hecried。
　　SPANG！wenthisfistintoWessner'sface，andhewaspasthimintotheswale。
　　"Andwouldyoubepleasedtotuneupalittlelivelier？"hegasped，andclippedhisearashesprangback。Wessnerlungedathiminblindfury。Freckles，seeinganopening，forgotthelawsofagentleman'sgameanddrovethetoeofhisheavywading-bootinWessner'smiddleuntilhedoubledandfellheavily。InaflashFreckleswasonhim。ForatimeMcLeancouldnotseewhatwashappening。"Go！Gotohimnow！"hecommandedhimself，butsointensewashisdesiretoseetheboywinalonethathedidnotstir。
　　AtlastFrecklessprangupandbackedaway。"Time！"heyelledasafury。"Begettingup，Mr。Wessner，anddon'tbeafraidofhurtingme。I'llletyouthrowinanextrahandandlickyoutomecomplatesatisfactionallthesame。Didyouhearmecallthelimit？Willyougetupandbefacingme？"
　　AsWessnerstruggledtohisfeet，heresembledabattlefield，forhisclothingwasinribbonsandhisfaceandhandsstreamingblood。
　　"I——IguessIgotenough，"hemumbled。
　　"Oh，youdo？"roaredFreckles。"Wellthisain'tyoursay。Youcomeontomeground，lyingaboutmeBossandintimatin'I'dstalefromhisverypockets。Nowwillyoubestandingupandtakingyourmedicinelikeaman，orgettingitpoureddownthethroatofyoulikeababy？Iain'tgotenough！Thisisonlyjustthebeginningwithme。Belookingoutthere！"
　　HesprangagainstWessnerandsenthimrolling。HeattackedtheunresistingfigureandfoughthimuntilhelaylimpandquietandFreckleshadnostrengthlefttoliftanarm。Thenhearoseandsteppedback，gaspingforbreath。Withhisfirstlungfulofairheshouted:"Time！"ButthefigureofWessnerlaymotionless。
　　Freckleswatchedhimwithregardfuleyeandsawatlastthathewascompletelyexhausted。Hebentoverhim，andcatchinghimbythebackoftheneck，jerkedhimtohisknees。Wessnerliftedthefaceofawhippedcur，andfearingfurtherpunishment，burstintoshiveringsobs，whilethetearswashedtinyrivuletsthroughthebloodandmuck。Frecklessteppedback，glaringatWessner，butsuddenlythescowlofangerandtheuglydisfiguringredfadedfromtheboy'sface。Hedabbedatacutonhistemplefromwhichissuedatinycrimsonstream，andjauntilyshookbackhishair。Hisfacetookontheinnocentlookofacherub，andhisvoicerivaledthatofabroodingdove，butintohiseyescreptalookofdiabolicalmischief。
　　Heglancedvaguelyaroundhimuntilhesawhisclub，seizedandtwirleditasadrummajor，stuckituprightinthemuck，andmarchedontiptoetoWessner，mechanically，asapuppetworkedbyastring。Bendingover，FrecklesreachedanarmaroundWessner'swaistandhelpedhimtohisfeet。
　　"Careful，now"hecautioned，"becareful，Freddy；there'sdangerofyouhurtingme。"
　　Drawingahandkerchieffromabackpocket，FrecklestenderlywipedWessner'seyesandnose。
　　"Come，Freddy，mechild，"headmonishedWessner，"it'stimelittleboysweregoinghome。I'vemeworktodo，andcan'tbeentertainingyouanymoretoday。Comebacktomorrow，ifyouain'tthroughyet，andwe'llrepatetheperfarmance。Don'tbestaringatmesowildlike！
　　Iwouldeatyou，butIcan'taffordit。Meearnings，beinghonest，comeslow，andI'venomoneytobesquanderin'onthepailfulofDyspeptic'sDelightitwouldbetotakingtoworkyououtofmyinnards！"
　　AgainanawfulwrenchingseizedMcLean。FrecklessteppedbackasWessner，totteringandreeling，asathoroughlydrunkenman，cametowardthepath，appearingindeedasifwildcatshadattackedhim。
　　Thecudgelspunhighinair，andcatchingitwithanexpertnessacquiredbylongpracticeontheline，theboytwirleditasecond，shookbackhisthickhairbonnily，andsteppingintothetrail，followedWessner。BecauseFreckleswasIrish，itwasimpossibletodoitsilently，sopresentlyhiscleartenorrangout，thoughtherewerebadcatcheswherehewashardpressedforbreath:
　　"ItwastheDutch。ItwastheDutch。
　　DoyouthinkitwastheIrishholleredhelp？
　　Notmuch！
　　ItwastheDutch。ItwastheDutch——"
　　Wessnerturnedandmumbled:"Whatyoufollowingmefor？Whatareyougoingtodowithme？"
　　FrecklescalledtheLimberlosttowitness:"How'sthatfortheingratitudeofabeast？Andmetroublingmesilftoshowhimoffmeterritorywiththehonorsofwar！"
　　Thenhechangedhistonecompletelyandadded:"Belikeit'sthis，Freddy。Yousee，theBossmightcomeridingdownthistrailanyminute，andthelittlemare'ssowheedlesomethatifshe'dcomeontoyouinyourprisintstateallofasudden，she'dstopthatshortshe'dsendMr。McLeanoutovertheearsofher。
　　Nodisparagementintindedtothesinseofthemare！"headdedhastily。
　　Wessnerbelchedafearfuloath，whileFreckleslaughedmerrily。
　　"That'sasampleofthethanksagenerousact'salwaysforgetting，"hecontinued。"Here'smenegictin'meworktoeschortyououtproper，andyousayingsuchawfulwordsFreddy，"hedemandedsternly，"doyouwantmetosoapoutyourmouth？Youdon'tseemtoberealizingit，butifyouwastobuckintoMr。McLeaninyourprisintstate，withoutmetheretoexplainmattersthechanceishe'dcuttheliveroutofyou；andIshouldn'tthinkyou'dbewantingsuchafinegintlemanashimtoseethatit'swhite！"
　　Wessnergrewghastlyunderhisgrimeandbrokeintoastaggeringrun。
　　"Andnowwillyoubelookingatthemannersofhim？"questionedFrecklesplaintively。"Goingwithoutevena`thankyou，'rightinthefaceofallthepainsI'vetakentomakeitinterestingforhim！"
　　FrecklestwirledtheclubandstoodasasoldieratattentionuntilWessnerlefttheclearing，butitwasthelastsceneofthatperformance。Whentheboyturned，therewasdeathlyillnessonhisface，whilehislegswaveredbeneathhisweight。Hestaggeredtothecase，andopeningithetookoutapieceofcloth。Hedippeditintothewater，andsittingonabench，hewipedthebloodandgrimefromhisface，whilehisbreathsuckedbetweenhisclenchedteeth。
　　Hewasshiveringwithpainandexcitementinspiteofhimself。
　　Heunbuttonedthebandofhisrightsleeve，andturningitback，exposedtheblue-lined，callousedwhitenessofhismaimedarm，nowvividlystreakedwithcontusions，whileinaseriesofcirculardotsthebloodoozedslowly。HereWessnerhadsucceededinsettinghisteeth。WhenFrecklessawwhatitwasheforgavehimselfthekickinthepitofWessner'sstomach，andcursedferventlyanddeep。
　　"Freckles，Freckles，"saidMcLean'svoice。
　　Frecklessnatcheddownhissleeveandarosetohisfeet。
　　"Excuseme，sir，"hesaid。"You'llsurelybebelavin'Ithoughtmeselfalone。"
　　McLeanpushedhimcarefullytotheseat，andbendingoverhim，openedapocket-casethathecarriedasregularlyashisrevolverandwatch，forcutsandbruiseswereofdailyoccurrenceamongthegang。
　　Takingthehurtarm，heturnedbackthesleeveandbathedandboundthewounds。HeexaminedFreckles'headandbodyandconvincedhimselfthattherewasnopermanentinjury，althoughthecrueltyofthepunishmenttheboyhadbornesettheBossshuddering。Thenheclosedthecase，shoveditintohispocket，andsatbesideFreckles。
　　Alltheindescribablebeautyoftheplacewasstrongaroundhim，buthesawonlythebruisedfaceofthesufferingboy，whohadhedgedfortheinformationhewantedasadiplomat，arguedasajudge，foughtasasheik，andtriumphedasadevil。
　　WhenthepainlessenedandbreathreievedFreckles'poundingheart，hewatchedtheBosscovertly。HowhadMcLeangottenthereandhowlonghadhebeenthere？Frecklesdidnotdareask。Atlasthearose，andgoingtothecase，tookouthisrevolverandthewire-
　　mendingapparatusandlockedthedoor。ThenheturnedtoMcLean。
　　"Haveyouanyorders，sir？"heasked。
　　"Yes，"saidMcLean，"Ihave，andyouaretofollowthemtotheletter。Turnoverthatapparatustomeandgostraighthome。
　　Soakyourselfinthehottestbathyourskinwillbearandgotobedatonce。Nowhurry。"
　　"Mr。McLean，"saidFreckles，"it'ssorryIamtobetellingyou，buttheafternoon'swalkingofthelineain'tdone。Yousee，Iwasjustforgettingtomefeettostart，andIwasontime，whenupcameagintleman，andwegotintoalittleheatedargument。
　　It'seithersettled，orit'sjustbegun，butbetweenus，I'mthatlateIhaven'tstartedfortheafternoonyet。Imustbegoingatonce，forthere'satreeImustfindbeforetheday'sover。"
　　"Youpluckylittleidiot，"growledMcLean。"Youcan'twalktheline！
　　IdoubtifyoucanreachDuncan's。Don'tyouknowwhenyouaredoneup？Yougotobed；I'llfinishyourwork。"
　　"Niver！"protestedFreckles。"Iwasjustalittledoneupfortheprisint，aminuteago。I'mallrightnow。Riding-bootsarefartoolow。Theday'shotandthewalkagoodsevenmiles，sir。Niver！"
　　Ashereachedfortheoutfithepitchedforwardandhiseyesclosed。
　　McLeanstretchedhimonthemossandappliedrestoratives。
　　WhenFrecklesreturnedtoconsciousness，McLeanrantothecabintotellMrs。Duncantohaveahotbathready，andtobringNellie。
　　Thatworthywomanpromptlyfilledthewash-boiler，startingaroaringfireunderit。Shepushedthehorse-troughfromitsbaseandrolledittothekitchen。
　　BythetimeMcLeancameagain，leadingNelieandholdingFrecklesonherback，Mrs。Duncanwasreadyforbusiness。SheandtheBosslaidFrecklesinthetroughandpouredonhotwateruntilhesquirmed。
　　Theysoakedandmassagedhim。Thentheydrewoffthehotwaterandclosedhisporeswithcold。Lastlytheystretchedhimonthefloorandchafed，rubbed，andkneadedhimuntilhecriedoutformercy。
　　Astheyrolledhimintobed，hiseyesdroppedshut，butalittlelatertheyflaredopen。
　　"Mr。McLean，"hecried，"thetree！Oh，dobelookingafterthetree！"
　　McLeanbentoverhim。"Whichtree，Freckles？"
　　"Idon'tknowexact"sir；butit'sontheeastline，andthewireisfastenedtoit。Hebraggedthatyounailedityourself，sir。
　　You'llknowitbythebarkhavingbeenlaidopentothegrainsomewherelowdown。Fivehundreddollarsheofferedme——tobe——
　　sellingyouout——sir！"
　　Freckles'headrolledoverandhiseyesdroppedshut。McLeantoweredabovethelad。Hisbrighthairwavedonthepillow。Hisfacewasswollen，andpurplewithbruises。Hisleftarm，withthehandbatteredalmostoutofshape，stretchedbesidehim，andtheright，withnohandatall，layacrossachestthatwasamassofpurplewelts。
　　McLean'smindtraveledtothenight，almostayearbefore，whenhehadengagedFreckles，astranger。
　　TheBossbent，coveringthehurtarmwithonehandandlayingtheotherwithacaressontheboy'sforehead。Frecklesstirredathistouch，andwhisperedassoftlyastheswallowsundertheeaves:
　　"Ifyou'recomingthisway——tomorrow——bepleasedtostepover——
　　andwe'llrepate——thechorussoftly！"
　　"Blessthegrittydevil，"mutteredMcLean。
　　ThenhewentoutandtoldMrs。DuncantokeepclosewatchonFreckles，alsotosendDuncantohimattheswamptheminutehecamehome。Followingthetrailtothelineandbacktothescentofthefight，theBossenteredFreckles'studyquietly，asifhisspirit，keepingthere，mightberoused，andgazedaroundwithastonishedeyes。
　　Howhadtheboyconceivedit？Whatapicturehehadwroughtinlivingcolors！Hehadtheheartofapainter。Hehadthesoulofapoet。TheBosssteppedcarefullyoverthevelvetcarpettotouchthewallsofcrispverdurewithgentlefingers。Hestoodlongbesidetheflowerbed，andgazedatthebankedwallofbrightbloomasifhedoubteditsreality。
　　WherehadFreckleseverfound，andhowhadhetransplantedsuchferns？AsMcLeanturnedfromthemhestoppedsuddenly。
　　Hehadreachedthedoorofthecathedral。ThatwhichFreckleshadattemptedwouldhavebeenpatenttoanyone。Whathadbeenintheheartoftheshy，silentboywhenhehadfoundthatlong，dimstretchofforest，decorateditsentrance，clearedandsmootheditsaisle，andcarpeteditsaltar？WhatveriestworkofGodwasinthesemightylivingpillarsandthearcheddomeofgreen！
　　Howsimilartostainedcathedralwindowswerethelongopeningsbetweenthetrees，filledwithriftsofblue，raysofgold，andtheshiftingemeraldofleaves！Wherecouldbefoundmosaicstomatchthisaislepavedwithlivingcolorandglowinglight？WasFrecklesadevoutChristian，anddidheworshiphere？Orwasheanuntaughtheathen，anddownthisvistaofentrancinglovelinessdidPancomepiping，anddryads，nymphs，andfairiesdanceforhim？
　　Whocanfathomtheheartofaboy？McLeanhadbeenthinkingofFrecklesasacreatureofunswervinghonesty，courage，andfaithfulness。Herewasevidenceofaheartachingforbeauty，art，companionship，worship。Itwaswritlargealloverthefloor，walls，andfurnishingofthatlittleLimberlostclearing。
　　WhenDuncancame，McLeantoldhimthestoryofthefight，andtheylaugheduntiltheycried。Thentheystartedaroundthelineinsearchofthetree。
　　SaidDuncan:"Nowtheboyisinforsoretrouble！"
　　"Ihopenot，"answeredMcLean。"Youneverinallyourlifesawacurwhippedsocompletely。Hewon'tcomebackfortherepetitionofthechorus。Wesurelycanfindthetree。Ifwecan't，Frecklescan。
　　Iwillbringenoughofthegangtotakeitoutatonce。Thatwillinsurepeaceforatime，atleast，andIamhopingthatinamonthmorethewholegangmaybemovedhere。Itsoonwillbefall，andthen，ifhewillgo，IintendtosendFrecklestomymothertobeeducated。Withhisquicknessofmindandbodyandafewyears'
　　goodhelphecandoanything。Why，Duncan，I'dgiveahundred-
　　dollarbillifyoucouldhavebeenhereandseenforyourself。"
　　"Yes，andI'd`a'donemurder，"mutteredthebigteamster。"Ihope，sir，yewillmakegoodyourplansforFreckles，thoughI'dassoonseeonybornchildo'myaintakenfromourhome。Welovethelad，meandSarah。"
　　Locatingthetreewaseasy，becauseitwassowellidentified。
　　WhentherumbleofthebiglumberwagonspassingthecabinonthewaytotheswampwakenedFrecklesnextmorning，hesprangupandwassoonfollowingthem。Hewassosoreandstiffthateverymovementwastortureatfirst，buthegreweasier，andshortlydidnotsuffersomuch。McLeanscoldedhimforcoming，yetinhishearttriumphedovereverynewevidenceoffinenessintheboy。
　　Thetreewasagiantmaple，andsopreciousthattheyalmostdugitoutbytheroots。Whenitwasdown，cutinlengths，andloaded，therewasyetanemptywagon。Astheyweregatheringuptheirtoolstogo，Duncansaid:"There'sabighollowtreesomewheremightycloseherethatI'vebeenwantingforawatering-troughformystock；theoneIhaveissosmall。ThePortlandcompanycutthisforelmbuttslastyear，andit'ssixfeetdiameterandhollowforfortyfeet。Itwasabuster！Whilethemenarehereandthereisanemptywagon，whymightn'tIloaditonandtak'ituptothebarnaswepass？"
　　McLeansaidhewasverywilling，orderedthedrivertobreaklineandloadthelog，detailingmentoassist。HetoldFrecklestorideonasectionofthemaplewithhim，butnowtheboyaskedtoentertheswampwithDuncan。
　　"Idon'tseewhyyouwanttogo，"saidMcLean。"Ihavenobusinesstoletyououttodayatall。"
　　"It'smechickens，"whisperedFrecklesindistress。"Yousee，Iwasjustafterfindingyesterday，frommenewbook，howtheydobenestinginhollowtrees，andthereain'tanytoomanyintheswamp。