There'sjustachancethattheymightbeinthatone。"
　　"Goahead，"saidMcLean。"That'sadifferentstory。Iftheyhappentobethere，whytellDuncanhemustgiveupthetreeuntiltheyhavefinishedwithit。"
　　Thenheclimbedonawagonandwasdrivenaway。Freckleshurriedintotheswamp。Hewasalittlebehind，yethecouldseethemen。
　　Beforeheovertookthem，theyhadturnedfromthewestroadandhadenteredtheswamptowardtheeast。
　　Theystoppedatthetrunkofamonstrousprostratelog。Ithadbeencutthreefeetfromtheground，overthree-fourthsofthewaythrough，andhadfallentowardtheeast，thebodyofthelogstillrestingonthestump。Theunderbrushwasalmostimpenetrable，butDuncanplungedinandwithacrowbarbegantappingalongthetrunktodecidehowfaritwashollow，sothattheywouldknowwheretocut。
　　Astheywaitedhisdecision，therecamefromthemouthofit——onwings——alargeblackbirdthatsweptovertheirheads。
　　Frecklesdancedwildly。"It'smechickens！Oh，it'smechickens！"
　　heshouted。"Oh，Duncan，comequick！You'vefoundthenestofmepreciouschickens！"
　　Duncanhurriedtothemouthofthelog，butFreckleswasbeforehim。
　　Hecrashedthroughpoison-vinesandunderbrushregardlessofanydanger，andclimbedonthestump。WhenDuncancamehewasshoutinglikeawildman。
　　"It'shatched！"heyelled。"Oh，mebigchickenhashatchedoutmelittlechicken，andthere'sanotheregg。Icanseeitplain，andoh，thefunnylittlewhitebaby！Oh，Duncan，canyouseemelittlewhitechicken？"
　　Duncancouldeasilyseeit；socouldeveryoneelse。Frecklescreptintothelogandtenderlycarriedthehissing，blinkinglittlebirdtothelightinaleaf-linedhat。ThemenfounditsufficientlywonderfultosatisfyevenFreckles，whohadforgottenhewaseversoreorstiff，andcoddledoveritwitheveryblarneyingtermofendearmentheknew。
　　Duncangatheredhistools。"Deal'soff，boys！"hesaidcheerfully。
　　"ThislogmaunabetoucheduntilFreckles'chaukieshavefinishedwithit。Wemightasweelgang。Betterputitback，Freckles。
　　It'sjustout，anditmaychill。Yewillprobablyhaetwathemorn。"
　　Frecklescreptintothelogandcarefullydepositedthebabybesidetheegg。Whenhecameback，hesaid:"Imadeabigmistakenottobebringingtheeggoutwiththebaby，butIwasfearingtotouchit。
　　It'sshapedlikeahen'segg，andit'sbigasaturkey's，andthebeautifulestblue——justsplatteredwithbigbrownsplotches，likemebooksaid，precise。Betyouneversawsuchasightasitmadeontheyellowoftherottenwoodbesidethatfunnyleathery-facedlittlewhitebaby。"
　　"Tellyouwhat，Freckles，"saidoneoftheteamsters。"HaveyoueverheardofthisBirdWomanwhogoesalloverthecountrywithacameraandmakespictures？ShemadesomeonmybrotherJim'splacelastsummer，andJim'ssowildaboutthemhequitsplowingandgoesafterherabouteverynesthefinds。Hehelpsherallhecantotakethem，andthenshegiveshimapicture。Jim'ssoproudofwhathehashekeepsthemintheBible。Heshowsthemtoeverybodythatcomes，andbragsabouthowhehelped。Ifyou'resmart，you'llsendforherandshe'llcomeandmakeapicturejustlikelife。Ifyouhelpher，shewillgiveyouone。Itwouldbeuncommonprettytokeep，afteryourbirdsaregone。Idunnowhattheyare。Ineverseetheirlikebefore。Theymustbesomethingrare。Anyyoufellowseverseeabirdlikethathereabouts？"
　　Nooneeverhad。
　　"Well，"saidtheteamster，"failingtogetthislogletsmeofftillnoon，andI'mgoingtotown。Igorightpastherplace。
　　I'veabignotiontostopandtellher。Ifshedrivesstraightbackintheswamponthewestroad，andturnseastatthisbigsycamore，shecan'tmissfindingthetree，evenifFrecklesain'theretoshowher。JimsaysherworkisacredittotheStateshelivesin，andanymanisameaslycreaturewhoisn'twillingtohelpherallhecan。Myolddaddyusedtosaythatalltherewastoreligionwasdoingtotheotherfellowwhatyou'dwanthimtodotoyou，andifIwasmakingalivingtakingbirdpictures，seemstomeI'dbemightygladforachancetotakeonelikethat。
　　SoI'lljuststopandtellher，andbygummy！maybeshewillgivemeapictureofthelittlewhitesuckerformytrouble。"
　　Frecklestouchedhisarm。
　　"Willsheberoughwithit？"heasked。
　　"Governmentland！No！"saidtheteamster。"She'sdeaddownonanybodythatshootsabirdortearsupanest。Why，she'shalfkillingherselfinallkindsofplacesandweathertoteachpeopletoloveandprotectthebirds。She'sthatplumcarefulofthemthatJim'swifesaysshehasJimastandin'likeabigfoolholdinganombrellyoverthemwhentheyareyoungandtenderuntilshegetsafocus，whateverthatis。Jimsaysthereain'tabirdonhisplacethatdon'tactuallyseemtolikehavingheraroundaftershehaswheedledthemafewdays，andthepicturesshetakesnobodywouldeverbelievewhodidn'tstandbyandsee。"
　　"Willyouhesuretotellhertocome？"askedFreckles。
　　Duncansleptathomethatnight。HeheardFrecklesslippingoutearlythenextmorning，buthewastoosleepytowonderwhy，untilhecametodohismorningchores。Whenhefoundthatnoneofhisstockwasatallthirsty，andsawthewater-troughbrimming，heknewthattheboywastryingtomakeuptohimforthelossofthebigtroughthathehadbeensoanxioustohave。
　　"Blesshisfoollittlehotheart！"saidDuncan。"Andhimsosoreitistearinghimtomoveforanything。Naewonderhehasusalllovinghim！"
　　Freckleswasmovingbriskly，andhisheartwassohappythatheforgotallaboutthebruises。Hehurriedaroundthetrail，andonhiswaydowntheeastsidehewenttoseethechickens。Themotherbirdwasonthenest。Hewasafraidtheothereggmightbehatching，sohedidnotventuretodisturbher。Hemadetheroundandreachedhisstudyearly。Heatehislunch，butdidnotneedtostartonthesecondtripuntilthemiddleoftheafternoon。
　　Hewouldhavelonghourstoworkonhisflowerbed，improvehisstudy，andlearnabouthischickens。Lovinglyhesethisroominorderandwateredtheflowersandcarpet。Hehadchosenforhisresting-placethecoolestspotonthewestside，wheretherewasalmostalwaysabreeze；buttodaytheheatwassointensethatitpenetratedeventhere。
　　"I'mmightygladthere'snothingcallingmeinside！"hesaid。
　　"There'snobitofairstirring，anditwilljustbesteaming。
　　Oh，butit'sluckDuncanfoundthenestbeforeitgotsounbearinghot！
　　Imighthavemisseditaltogether。Wouldn'tithavebeenashametolosethatsight？Thecunninglittledivil！Whenhegetstotoddlingdownthatlogtomeetme，won'thebeacircus？Wonderifhe'llbeasgracefulaperformerafootashisfatherandmother？"
　　Theheatbecamemoreinsistent。Nooncame；Frecklesatehisdinnerandsettledforanhourortwoonabenchwithabook。
　　CHAPTERV
　　WhereinanAngelMaterializesandaManWorshipsPerhapstherewasabreathofsound——Frecklesneverafterwardcouldremember——butforsomereasonheliftedhisheadasthebushespartedandthefaceofanangellookedbetween。Saints，nymphs，andfairieshadfloateddownhiscathedralaisleforhimmanytimes，withformsandvoicesofexquisitebeauty。
　　PartingthewildrosesattheentrancewasbeautyofwhichFrecklesneverhaddreamed。Wasitrealorwoulditvanishastheotherdreams？Hedroppedhisbook，andrisingtohisfeet，wentastepcloser，gazingintently。Thiswasrealfleshandblood。ItwasineverywaykintotheLimberlost，fornobirdofitsbranchesswungwitheasiergracethanthisdaintyyoungthingrockedonthebitofmorassonwhichshestood。Asaplingbesideherwasnotstraighterorrounderthanherslenderform。Hersoft，wavinghairclungaroundherfacefromtheheat，andcurledoverhershoulders。
　　Itwasallofonepiecewiththegoldofthesunthatfilteredbetweenthebranches。Hereyeswerethedeepestblueoftheiris，herlipsthereddestredofthefoxfire，whilehercheekswereexactlyofthesamesatinasthewildrosepetalscaressingthem。
　　ShewassmilingatFrecklesinperfectconfidence，andshecried:
　　"Oh，I'msodelightedthatI'vefoundyou！"
　　ThewildlyleapingheartofFrecklesburstfromhisbodyandfellintheblackswamp-muckatherfeetwithsuchathudthathedidnotunderstandhowshecouldavoidhearing。Hereallyfeltthatifshelookeddownshewouldsee。
　　Incredulous，hequavered:"An'——an'wasyoulookingforme？"
　　"IhopedImightfindyou，"saidtheAngel。"Yousee，Ididn'tdoasIwastold，andI'mlost。TheBirdWomansaidIshouldwaitinthecarriageuntilshecameback。She'sbeengonehours。It'saperfectTurkishbathinthere，andI'malllumpywithmosquitobites。
　　JustwhenIthoughtthatIcouldn'tbearitanotherminute，alongcamethebiggestPapilioAjaxyoueversaw。Iknewhowpleasedshe'dbe，soIranafterit。ItflewsoslowandsolowthatIthoughtadozentimesIhadit。Thenallatonceitwentfromsightabovethetrees，andIcouldn'tfindmywaybacktosaveme。
　　IthinkI'vewalkedmorethananhour。Ihavebeenmiredtomyknees。
　　Athornrakedmyarmuntilitisbleeding，andI'msotiredandwarm。"
　　Shepartedthebushesfarther。Frecklessawthatherbluecottonfrockclungtoher，limpwithperspiration。Itwastornacrossthebreast。Onesleevehungopenfromshouldertoelbow。Athornhadtornherarmuntilitwascoveredwithblood，andthegnatsandmosquitoeswereclusteringaroundit。Herfeetwereinlacehoseandlowshoes。Frecklesgasped。IntheLimberlostinlowshoes！
　　Hecaughtanarmfulofmossfromhiscarpetandburieditintheoozeinfrontofherforafooting。
　　"ComeoutheresoIcanseewhereyouarestepping。Quick，forthelifeofyou！"heordered。
　　Shesmiledonhimindulgently。
　　"Why？"sheinquired。
　　"Didanybodyletyoucomehereandnotbetellingyouofthesnakes？"urgedFreckles。
　　"WemetMr。McLeanonthecorduroy，andhedidsaysomethingaboutsnakes，Ibelieve。TheBirdWomanputonleatherleggings，andanice，parboiledtimeshemustbehaving！WorstdoseIeverendured，andI'dnothingtodobutswelter。"
　　"Willyoubecomingoutofthere？"groanedFreckles。
　　Shelaughedasifitwereafinejoke。
　　"MaybeifI'dbetellingyouIkilledarattlercurleduponthatsameplaceyou'restanding，aslongasmebodyandthethicknessofmearm，you'dbemovingwhereIcanseeyourfooting，"
　　heurgedinsistently。
　　"Whataperfectlydelightfullittlebrogueyouspeak，"shesaid。
　　"MyfatherisIrish，andhalfshouldbeenoughtoentitlemetothatmuch。`Maybe——ifI'd——betellingyou，'"sheimitated，roundingandaccentingeachwordcarefully。
　　Freckleswasbeginningtofeelawildnessinhishead。HehadderidedWessneratthatsamehouryesterday。Nowhisowneyeswerefillingwithtears。
　　"Ifyouwereunderstandingthedanger！"hecontinueddesperately。
　　"Oh，Idon'tthinkthereismuch！"
　　Shetiltedonthemorass。
　　"Ifyoukilledonesnakehere，it'sprobablyallthereisnear；andanyway，theBirdWomansaysarattlesnakeisagentlemanandalwaysgiveswarningbeforehestrikes。Idon'thearanyrattling。Doyou？"
　　"Wouldyoubeknowingitifyoudid？"askedFreckles，almostimpatiently。
　　Howthelaughoftheyoungthingrippled！
　　"`WouldIbeknowingit？'"shemocked。"YoushouldseetheswampsofMichiganwheretheydumprattlersfromthemarl-dredgersthreeandfouratatime！"
　　Frecklesstoodastounded。Shedidknow。Shewasnotintheleastafraid。Shewasdependingonarattlesnaketoliveuptohisshareofthecontractandrattleintimeforhertomove。
　　TheonecharacteristicanIrishmanadmiresinawoman，aboveallothers，iscourage。Frecklesworshipedanew。Hechangedhistactics。
　　"I'dbepleasedtobereceivingyouatmefrontdoor，"hesaid，"butasyouhavearrivedattheback，willyoucomeinandbeseated？"
　　Hewavedtowardabench。TheAngelcameinstantly。
　　"Oh，howlovelyandcool！"shecried。
　　Asshemovedacrosshisroom，Freckleshaddifficultworktokeepfromfallingonhisknees；fortheywereveryweak，whilehewasharddrivenbyanimpulsetoworship。
　　"Didyouarrangethis？"sheasked。
　　"Yis，"saidFrecklessimply。
　　"Someonemustcomewithabigcanvasandcopyeachsideofit，"shesaid。"Ineversawanythingsobeautiful！HowIwishImightremainherewithyou！Iwill，someday，ifyouwillletme；butnow，ifyoucansparethetime，willyouhelpmefindthecarriage？IftheBirdWomancomesbackandIamgone，shewillbealmostdistracted。"
　　"Didyoucomeonthewestroad？"askedFreckles。
　　"Ithinkso，"shesaid。"ThemanwhotoldtheBirdWomansaidthatwastheonlyplacethewiresweredown。Wedroveawayin，anditwasdreadful——overstumpsandlogs，andwemiredtothehubs。I
　　supposeyouknow，though。Ishouldhavestayedinthecarriage，butIwassotired。Ineverdreamedofgettinglost。IsuspectIwillbescoldedfinely。IgowiththeBirdWomanhalfthetimeduringthesummervacations。MyfathersaysIlearnalotmorethanIdoatschool，andgetitstraight。Inevercamewithinasmellofbeinglostbefore。Ithought，atfirst，itwasgoingtobehorrid；
　　butsinceI'vefoundyou，maybeitwillbegoodfunafterall。"
　　Freckleswasamazedtohearhimselfexcusing:"Itwassohotinthere。Youcouldn'tbeexpectedtobearitforhoursandnotbemoving。Icantakeyouaroundthetrailalmosttowhereyouwere。
　　Thenyoucansitinthecarriage，andIwillgofindtheBirdWoman。"
　　"You'llbekilledifyoudo！Whenshestaysthislong，itmeansthatshehasafocusonsomething。Yousee，whenshehasafocus，andliesintheweedsandwaterforhours，andthesunbakesher，andthingscrawloverher，andthensomeonecomesalongandscaresherbirdawayjustasshehasitcoaxedup——why，shekillsthem。
　　IfImelt，youwon'tgoafterher。She'sprobablyblisteredandhalfeatenup；butsheneverwillquituntilsheissatisfied。"
　　"Thenitwillbesafertobetakingcareofyou，"suggestedFreckles。
　　"Nowyou'retalkingsense！"saidtheAngel。
　　"MayItrytohelpyourarm？"heasked。
　　"Haveyouanyideahowithurts？"sheparried。
　　"Alittle，"saidFreckles。
　　"Well，Mr。McLeansaidWe'dprobablyfindhissonhere"
　　"Hisson！"criedFreckles。
　　"That'swhathesaid。Andthatyouwoulddoanythingyoucouldforus；andthatwecouldtrustyouwithourlives。ButIwouldhavetrustedyouanyway，ifIhadn'tknownathingaboutyou。Say，yourfatherisrampagingproudofyou，isn'the？"
　　"Idon'tknow，"answeredthedazedFreckles。
　　"Well，callonmeifyouwantreliableinformation。He'ssoproudofyouheisallswelleduplikethetoadinAEsop'sFables。Ifyouhaveeverhadanarmhurtlikethis，andcandoanything，why，forpitysake，doit！"
　　Sheturnedbackhersleeve，holdingtowardFrecklesanarmofpalestcameo，shapedsoexquisitelythatnosculptorcouldhavechiseledit。
　　Frecklesunlockedhiscase，andtakingoutsomecottoncloth，hetoreitinstrips。Thenhebroughtabucketofthecleanestwaterhecouldfind。Sheyieldedherselftohistouchasababy，andhebathedawaythebloodandbandagedtheugly，raggedwound。
　　Hefinishedhissurgerybylappingthetornsleeveovertheclothandbindingitdownwithapieceoftwine，withtheAngel'shelpabouttheknots。
　　Frecklesworkedwithtremblingfingersandafacetensewithearnestness。
　　"Isitfeelinganybetter？"heasked。
　　"Oh，it'swellnow！"criedtheAngel。"Itdoesn'thurtatall，anymore。"
　　"I'mmightyglad，"saidFreckles。"Butyouhadbestgoandbehavingyourdoctorfixitright；theminuteyougethome。"
　　"Oh，bother！Alittlescratchlikethat！"jeeredtheAngel。
　　"Mybloodisperfectlypure。Itwillhealinthreedays。"
　　"It'scutcrueldeep。Itmightbemakingascar，"falteredFreckles，hiseyesontheground。"'Twould——'twouldbeanawfulpity。
　　Adoctormightknowsomethingtopreventit。"
　　"Why，Ineverthoughtofthat！"exclaimedtheAngel。
　　"Inoticedyoudidn't，"saidFrecklessoftly。"Idon'tknowmuchaboutit，butitseemsasifmostgirlswould。"
　　TheAngelthoughtintently，whileFrecklesstillkneltbesideher。
　　Suddenlyshegaveherselfanimpatientlittleshake，liftedhergloriouseyesfulltohis，andthesmilethatswepthersweet，youngfacewastheloveliestthingthatFreckleseverhadseen。
　　"Don'tlet'sbotheraboutit，"sheproposed，withthefaintesthintofaconfidinggesturetowardhim。"Itwon'tmakeascar。Why，itcouldn't，whenyouhavedresseditsonicely。"
　　ThevelvetytouchofherwarmarmwastinglinginFreckles'fingertips。
　　Daintylaceandfinewhiteribbonpeepedthroughhertorndress。
　　Therewerebeautifulringsonherfingers。Everyarticlesheworewasofthefinestmaterialandinexcellenttaste。TherewasthetremblingLimberlostguardinhiscoarseclothing，withhiscottonragsandhisoldpailofswampwater。Freckleswassufficientlyaccustomedtocontraststonoticethem，andsufficientlyfinetobehurtbythemalways。
　　Heliftedhiseyeswithashadowypaininthemtohers，andfoundthemofserene，unconsciouspurity。Whatshehadsaidwasstraightfromakind，untainted，youngheart。Shemeanteverywordofit。
　　Freckles'soulsickened。Hescarcelyknewwhetherhecouldmusterstrengthtostand。
　　"Wemustgoandhuntforthecarriage，"saidtheAngel，rising。
　　Ininstantalarmforher，Frecklessprangup，graspedthecudgel，andledtheway，sharplywatchingeverystep。Hewentasclosethelogashefeltthathedared，andwithalittlesearchingfoundthecarriage。HeclearedapathfortheAngel，andwithasighofreliefsawherenteritsafely。Theheatwasintense。Shepushedthedamphairfromhertemples。
　　"Thisisashame！"saidFreckles。"You'llneverbecominghereagain。"
　　"OhyesIshall！"saidtheAngel。"TheBirdWomansaysthatthesebirdsremainoveramonthinthenestandshewouldliketomakeapictureeveryfewdaysforsevenoreightweeks，perhaps。"
　　Frecklesbarelyescapedcryingaloudforjoy。
　　"Thendon'tyoueverbetorturingyourselfandyourhorsetobecominginhereagain，"hesaid。"I'llshowyouawaytodrivealmosttothenestontheeasttrail，andthenyoucancomearoundtomyroomandstaywhiletheBirdWomanworks。It'snearlyalwayscoolthere，andthere'scomfortableseats，andwater。"
　　"Oh！didyouhavedrinking-waterthere？"shecried。"Iwasneversothirstyorsohungryinmylife，butIthoughtIwouldn'tmentionit。"
　　"AndIhadnotthewittobeseeing！"wailedFreckles。"Icanbegettingyouagooddrinkinnotime。"
　　Heturnedtothetrail。
　　"Pleasewaitaminute，"calledtheAngel。"What'syourname？Iwanttothinkaboutyouwhileyouaregone。"Frecklesliftedhisfacewiththebrownriftacrossitandsmiledquizzically。
　　"Freckles？"sheguessed，withapealoflaughter。"Andmineis——"
　　"I'mknowingyours，"interruptedFreckles。
　　"Idon'tbelieveyoudo。Whatisit？"askedthegirl。
　　"Youwon'tbegettingangry？"
　　"NotuntilI'vehadthewater，atleast。"
　　ItwasFreckles'turntolaugh。Hewhippedoffhisbig，floppystrawhat，stooduncoveredbeforeher，andsaid，inthesweetestofallthesweettonesofhisvoice:"There'snothingyoucouldbebuttheSwampAngel。"
　　Thegirllaughedhappily。
　　Onceoutofhersight，Frecklesraneverystepofthewaytothecabin。Mrs。Duncangavehimasmallbucketofwater，coolfromthewell。Hecarrieditinthecrookofhisrightarm，andabasketfilledwithbreadandbutter，coldmeat，applepie，andpickles，inhislefthand。
　　"Picklesarekindo'cooling，"saidMrs。Duncan。
　　ThenFrecklesranagain。
　　TheAngelwasonherknees，reachingforthebucket，ashecameup。
　　"Bedrinkingslow，"hecautionedher。
　　"Oh！"shecried，withalongbreathofsatisfaction。"It'ssogood！
　　Youaremorethankindtobringit！"
　　Frecklesstoodblinkinginthedazzlinggloryofhersmileuntilhescarcelycouldseetoliftthebasket。
　　"Mercy！"sheexclaimed。"IthinkIhadbetterbenamingyouthe`Angel。'MyGuardianAngel。"
　　"Yis，"saidFreckles。"Ilookthecharactereveryday——buttodaymostemphatic！"
　　"Angelsdon'tgobylooks，"laughedthegirl。"Yourfathertoldusyouhadbeenscrapping。Buthetolduswhy。I'dgladlywearallyourcutsandbruisesifIcoulddoanythingthatwouldmakemyfatherlookaspeacockyasyoursdid。Hestruttedaboutproper。
　　Ineversawanyonelookprouder。"
　　"Didhesayhewasproudofme？"marveledFreckles。
　　"Hedidn'tneedto，"answeredtheAngel。"Hewasradiatingpridefromeverypore。Now，haveyoubroughtmeyourdinner？"
　　"Ihadmydinnertwohoursago，"answeredFreckles。
　　"HonestInjun？"banteredtheAngel。
　　"Honest！Ibroughtthatonpurposeforyou。"
　　"Well，ifyouknewhowhungryIam，youwouldknowhowthankfulIam，tothedot，"saidtheAngel。
　　"Thenyoubeeating，"criedthehappyFreckles。
　　TheAngelsatonabigcamera，spreadthelunchonthecarriageseat，anddivideditinhalves。Thedaintiestpartsshecouldselectshecarefullyputbackintothebasket。Theremaindersheate。AgainFrecklesfoundheroftheswamp，forthoughshewasalmostravenous，shemanagedherfoodasgracefullyashislittleyellowfellow，andhereverymovementwaseasyandcharming。Ashewatchedherwithfamishedeyes，Frecklestoldherofhisbirds，flowers，andbooks，andneverrealizedwhathewasdoing。
　　Heledthehorsetoadeeppoolthatheknewof，andthetorturedcreaturedrankgreedily，andlovinglyrubbedhimwithitsnoseashewipeddownitsweltedbodywithgrass。SuddenlytheAngelcried:
　　"TherecomestheBirdWoman！"
　　Freckleshadintendedleavingbeforeshecame，butnowhewasgladindeedtobethere，forawarmer，moreworn，andworsebittencreatureheneverhadseen。Shewasstaggeringunderaloadofcamerasandparaphernalia。Frecklesrantoheraid。Hetookallhecouldcarryofherload，stoweditinthebackofthecarriage，andhelpedherin。TheAngelgaveherwater，kneltandunfastenedtheleggings，bathedherface，andofferedthelunch。
　　Frecklesbroughtthehorse。Hewasnotsureabouttheharness，buttheAngelknew，andsoontheylefttheswamp。Thenheshowedthemhowtoreachthechickentreefromtheoutside，indicatedacoolerplaceforthehorse，andtoldthemhow，thenexttimetheycame，theAngelcouldfindhisroomwhileshewaited。
　　TheBirdWomanfinishedherlunch，andlayback，almosttootiredtospeak。
　　"WereyouforgettingLittleChicken'spicture？"Frecklesasked。
　　"Finely！"sheanswered。"Heposedsplendidly。ButIcouldn'tdoanythingwithhismother。Shewillrequirecoaxing。"
　　"TheLordbepraised！"mutteredFrecklesunderhisbreath。
　　TheBirdWomanbegantofeelbetter。
　　"Whydoyoucallthebabyvulture`LittleChicken'？"sheasked，leaningtowardFrecklesinaninterestedmanner。
　　"'TwasDuncanbeganit，"saidFreckles。"Yousee，throughthefiercecoldofwinterthebirdsoftheswampwerealmoststarving。
　　Itismightylonelyhere，andtheywereallthecompanyIwashaving。
　　Igottocarryingscrapsandgraindowntothem。Duncanwasthatgineroushewasgivingmeofhiswheatandcornfromhischickens'feed，andhecalledthebirdsmeswampchickens。
　　Thenwhenthesebigblackfellowscame，Mr。McLeansaidtheywereournearestkindtosomeintheoldworldthattheycalled`Pharaoh'sChickens，'andhecalledmine`Freckles'Chickens。'"
　　"Goodenough！"criedtheBirdWoman，hersplotchedpurplefacelightingwithinterest。"Youmustshootsomethingforthemoccasionally，andI'llbringmorefoodwhenIcome。IfyouwillhelpmekeepthemuntilIgetmyseries，I'llgiveyouacopyofeachstudyImake，mountedinabook。"
　　Frecklesdrewadeepbreath。
　　"I'llbedoingmeverybest，"hepromised，andfromthedeepshemeantit。
　　"Iwonderifthatothereggisgoingtohatch？"musedtheBirdWoman。
　　"Iamafraidnot。Itshouldhavepippedtoday。Isn'titabeauty！
　　Ineverbeforesaweitheraneggortheyoung。Theyarerarethisfarnorth。"
　　"SoMr。McLeansaid，"answeredFreckles。
　　Beforetheydroveaway，theBirdWomanthankedhimforhiskindnesstotheAngelandtoher。Shegavehimherhandatparting，andFrecklesjoyfullyrealizedthatthiswasgoingtobeanotherpersonforhimtolove。Hecouldnotremember，aftertheyhaddrivenaway，thattheyevenhadnoticedhismissinghand，andforthefirsttimeinhislifehehadforgottenit。
　　WhentheBirdWomanandtheAngelwereonthehomeroad，shetoldofthelittlecornerofparadiseintowhichshehadstrayedandofhernewname。TheBirdWomanlookedatthegirlandguesseditsappropriateness。
　　"DidyouknowMr。McLeanhadason？"askedtheAngel。"Isn'tthelittleaccenthehas，andthewayhetwistsasentence，toodear？
　　Andisn'tittooold-fashionedandfunnytohearhimcallhisfather`mister'？"
　　"Itsoundstoogoodtobetrue，"saidtheBirdWoman，answeringthelastquestionfirst。"Iamsotiredofthesepresent-dayyoungmenwhopatronizinglycalltheirfathers`Dad，'`Governor，'`OldMan"
　　and`OldChap，'thattheboy'sattitudeofrespectanddeferenceappealedtomeasbeingfineassilk。Theremustbesomethingrareaboutthatyoungman。"
　　ShedidnotfinditnecessarytotelltheAngelthatforseveralyearsshehadknownthemanwhosoproudlyproclaimedhimselfFreckles'fathertobeabachelorandaScotchman。TheBirdWomanhadafinewayofattendingstrictlytoherownbusiness。
　　Frecklesturnedtothetrail，buthestoppedateverywildbriertostudythepinksatinofthepetals。Shewasnotofhisworld，andbetterthananyotherheknewit；butshemightbehisAngel，andhewasdreamingofnaughtbutblind，silentworship。Hefinishedthehappiestdayofhislife，andthatnighthereturnedtotheswampasifdrawnbyinvisibleforce。ThatWessnerwouldtryforhisrevenge，heknew。ThathewouldbeabettedbyBlackJackwasalmostcertain，butfearhadfledthehappyheartofFreckles。
　　Hehadkepthistrust。HehadwontherespectoftheBoss。
　　NooneevercouldwipefromhisheartthefloodofholyadorationthathadwelledwiththecomingofhisAngel。Hewoulddohisbest，andtrustforstrengthtomeetthedarkdayofreckoningthatheknewwouldcomesoonerorlater。Heswungroundthetrail，brisklytappingthewire，andsinginginavoicethatscarcelycouldhavebeensurpassedforsweetness。
　　AttheedgeoftheclearinghecameintothebrightmoonlightandtheresatMcLeanonhismare。Freckleshurriedtohim。
　　"Istheretrouble？"heinquiredanxiously。
　　"That'swhatIwantedtoaskyou，"saidtheBoss。"Istoppedatthecabintoseeyouaminute，beforeIturnedin，andtheysaidyouhadcomedownhere。Youmustnotdoit，Freckles。Theswampisnonetoohealthfulatanytime，andatnightitisrankpoison。"
　　FrecklesstoodcombinghisfingersthroughNellie'smane，whilethedaintycreaturewastwistingherheadforhiscaresses。HepushedbackhishatandlookedintoMcLean'sface。"It'scometothe`sleepwithoneeyeopen，'sir。I'mnotlookingforanythingtobehappeningforaweekortwo，butit'sboundtocome，andsoon。
　　IfI'mtokeepmetrustasI'vepromisedyouandmeself，I'vetoliveheremostlyuntilthegangcomes。Youmustbeknowingthat，sir。"
　　"I'mafraidit'strue，Freckles，"saidMcLean。"AndI'vedecidedtodoubletheguarduntilwecome。Itwillbeonlyafewweeks，now；
　　andI'msoanxiousforyouthatyoumustnotbeleftalonefurther。
　　Ifanythingshouldhappentoyou，Freckles，itwouldspoiloneoftheverydearestplansofmylife。"
　　Frecklesheardwithdismaythepropositiontoplaceasecondguard。
　　"Oh！no，no，Mr。McLean，"hecried。"Notfortheworld！Iwouldn'tbehavingastrangeraround，scaringmebirdsandtrampingupmestudy，anddisturbingallmeways，foranymoney！Iamalltheguardyouneed！Iwillbefaithful！Iwillturnovertheleasewithnotreemissing——onmelife，Iwill！Oh，don'tbesendinganothermantosetthemsayingIturnedcowardandaskedforhelp。Itwilljustkillthehonorofmeheartifyoudoit。TheonlythingIwantisanothergun。Ifitraillycomestotrouble，sixcartridgesain'tmany，andyouknowIamslow-likeaboutreloading。"McLeanreachedintohishippocketandhandedashiningbigrevolvertoFreckles，whoslippeditbesidetheonealreadyinhisbelt。
　　ThentheBosssatbrooding。
　　"Freckles，"hesaidatlast，"weneverknowthetimberofaman'ssouluntilsomethingcutsintohimdeeplyandbringsthegrainoutstrong。You'vethemakingofamightyfinepieceoffurniture，myboy，andyoushallhaveyourownwaythesefewweeksyet。
　　Then，ifyouwillgo，Iintendtotakeyoutothecityandeducateyou，andyouaretobemyson，mylad——myownson！"
　　FrecklestwistedhisfingerinNellie'smanetosteadyhimself。
　　"Butwhyshouldyoubedoingthat，sir？"hefaltered。
　　McLeanslidhisarmaroundtheboy'sshoulderandgatheredhimclose。
　　"BecauseIloveyou，Freckles，"hesaidsimply。
　　Frecklesliftedawhiteface。"MyGod，sir！"hewhispered。"Oh，myGod！"
　　McLeantightenedhisclaspasecondlonger，thenherodedownthetrail。
　　Frecklesliftedhishatandfacedthesky。Theharvestmoonlookeddown，sheetingtheswampinsilverglory。TheLimberlostsanghernightsong。Theswalesoftlyrustledinthewind。Wingedthingsofnightbrushedhisface；andstillFrecklesgazedupward，tryingtofathomthesethingsthathadcometohim。Therewasnohelpfromthesky。Itseemedfaraway，cold，andblue。Theearth，whereflowersblossomed，angelswalked，andlovecouldbefound，wasbetter。
　　ButtoOne，above，hemustmakeacknowledgmentforthesemiracles。
　　Hislipsmovedandhebegantalkingsoftly。
　　"ThankYouforeachseparategoodthingthathascometome，"hesaid，"andaboveallforthefallingofthefeather。Forifitdidn'treallyfallfromanangel，itsfallingbroughtanAngel，andifit'sinthegreatheartofyoutoexerciseyourselfanyfurtheraboutme，oh，dopleasetobetakinggoodcareofher！"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　WhereinaFightOccursandWomenShootStraightThefollowingmorningFreckles，inexpressiblyhappy，circledtheLimberlost。Hekeptsnatchesofsongringing，aswellasthewires。
　　Hisheartwassofullthattearsofjoyglistenedinhiseyes。
　　HerigorouslystrovetodividehisthoughtevenlybetweenMcLeanandtheAngel。HerealizedtothefullestthedebthealreadyowedtheBossandthemagnitudeoflastnight'sdeclarationandpromises。
　　HewashourlyplanningtodeliverhistrustandthenenterwithequalzealonwhatevertaskhisbelovedBosssawfittosethimnext。
　　HewantedtobereadytomeeteverydevicethatWessnerandBlackJackcouldthinkoftooutwithim。Herecognizedtheirdoubleleverage，foriftheysucceededinfellingevenonetreeMcLeanbecameliableforhiswager。
　　Freckles'browwrinkledinhisefforttothinkdeeplyandstrongly，butfromeveryswayingwildrosetheAngelbeckonedtohim。WhenhecrossedSleepySnakeCreekandthegoldfinch，waitingasever，challenged:"SEEME？"FrecklessawthedaintyswayinggraceoftheAngelinstead。WhatisamantodowithanAngelwhodismembersherselfandscattersoverawholeswamp，thrustingavividreminderuponhimateveryturn？
　　Frecklescountedthedays。Thisfirstonehecoulddolittlebuttesthiswires，singbrokensnatches，anddream；butbeforetheweekwouldbringheragainhecoulddomanythings。Hewouldcarryallhisbookstotheswamptoshowtoher。Hewouldcompletehisflowerbed，arrangeeverydetailhehadplannedforhisroom，andmakeofitabowerfairiesmightenvy。Hemustdeviseawaytokeepwatercool。HewouldaskMrs。Duncanforadoublelunchandanespeciallyniceonethedayofhernextcoming，sothatiftheBirdWomanhappenedtobelate，theAngelmightnotsufferfromthirstandhunger。Hewouldtellhertobringheavyleatherleggings，sothathemighttakeheronatriparoundthetrail。Sheshouldmakefriendswithallofhischickensandseetheirnests。
　　Onthelinehetalkedofherincessantly。
　　"Youneedn'tbethinking，"hesaidtothegoldfinch，"thatbecauseI'mcomingdownthislinealonedayafterday，it'salwaystobeso。
　　Someofthesetimesyou'llbeswingingonthiswire，andyou'llseemecoming，andyou'llswing，skip，andflirtyourselfaround，andchipuprightspunky:`SEEME？'I'llbesaying`Seeyou？
　　Oh，Lord！Seeher！'You'lllook，andthereshe'llstand。
　　Thesunshinewon'tlookgoldanymore，ortherosespink，ortheskyblue，becauseshe'llbethepinkest，bluest，goldestthingofall。You'llbeyellingyourselfhoarsewiththejealousyofher。
　　Thesawbirdwillstretchhisneckoutofjoint，andshe'llturntheheadsofalltheflowers。Wherevershegoes，Icangobackafterwardandseethethingsshe'sseen，walkthepathshe'swalked，hearthegrasseswhisperingoverallshe'ssaid；andifthere'saplacetooswampyforherbitsoffeet；HolyMother！Maybe——maybeshe'dbeputtingthebeautifularmsofheraroundmeneckandlettingmecarryherover！"
　　Frecklesshiveredaswithachill。Hesentthecudgelwhirlingskyward，dexterouslycaughtit，andsetitspinning。
　　"Youdamnedpresumptuousfool！"hecried。"Thethingforyoutobethinkingofwouldbetostretchinthemuckforthefeetofhertobewalkingover，andthenyoucouldholdyourselfholytobeevenofthatservicetoher。
　　"Maybeshe'llbewantingthecupmeblue-and-brownchickensraisedtheirbabiesin。Perhapsshe'dliketostopatthepoolandseemebullfrogthathadthegoodnesstotakeonhumanspeechtoshowmethewayoutofmetrouble。Ifthere'sanyfeathersfallingthatday，why，it'sfromthewingsofmechickens——it'ssuretobe，fortheonlyAngeloutsidethegateswillbewalkingthistimberline，andeverystepofthewayI'llbeholdingmebreathandprayingthatshedon'tunfoldwingsandsailawaybeforethehungryeyesofme。"
　　SoFrecklesdreamedhisdreams，madehisplans，andwatchedhisline。
　　Hecountednotonlythedays，butthehoursofeachday。Ashetoldthemoff，everyonebringinghercloser，hegrewhappierintheprospectofhercoming。Hemanageddailytoleavesomeofferingatthebigelmlogforhisblackchickens。Heslippedunderthelineateverypassing，andwenttomakesurethatnothingwasmolestingthem。Thoughitwasalongtrip，hepaidthemseveralextravisitsadayforfearasnake，hawk，orfoxmighthavefoundthebaby。Fornowhischickensnotonlyrepresentedallhisformerinterestinthem，buttheyfurnishedtheinducementthatwasbringinghisAngel。
　　PossiblyhecouldfindothersubjectsthattheBirdWomanwanted。
　　Theteamsterhadsaidthathisbrotherwentafterhereverytimehefoundanest。Heneverhadcountedtheneststhatheknewof，anditmightbethatamongallthebirdsoftheswampsomewouldberaretoher。
　　ThefeatheredfolkoftheLimberlostwerepracticallyundisturbedsavebytheirnaturalenemies。Itwasveryprobablethatamonghischickensothersasoddasthebigblackonescouldbefound。Ifshewantedpicturesofhalf-grownbirds，hecouldpickupfiftyinonemorning'striparoundtheline，forhehadfed，handled，andmadefriendswiththemeversincetheireyesopened。
　　Hehadgatheredbugsandwormsallspringashenoticedthemonthegrassandbushes，anddroppedthemintothefirstlittleopenmouthhehadfound。Thebabiesgladlyhadacceptedthisqueertri-parentadditiontotheirnaturalproviders。
　　Whentheweekhadpassed，Freckleshadhisroomcrispandglowingwithfreshlivingthingsthatrepresentedeverycoloroftheswamp。
　　Hecarriedbarkandfilledallthemuckiestplacesofthetrail。
　　ItwasmiddleJuly。TheheatofthepastfewdayshaddriedthewateraroundandthroughtheLimberlost，sothatitwaspossibletocrossitonfootinalmostanydirection——ifonehadanideaofdirectionanddidnotbecomecompletelylostinitsranktangleofvegetationandbushes。Thebrighter-huedflowerswereopening。
　　Thetrumpet-creeperswereflauntingtheirgorgeoushornsofredandgoldsweetnessfromthetopsoflordlyoakandelm，andbelowentirepoolswerepink-sheetedinmallowbloom。
　　TheheatwasdoingoneotherthingthatwasboundtomakeFreckles，asagoodIrishman，shiver。Astheswaledried，itsinhabitantswereseekingthecoolerdepthsoftheswamp。Theylikedneithertheheatnorleavingthefieldmice，moles，andyoungrabbitsoftheirchosenlocation。Hesawthemcrossingthetraileverydayastheheatgrewintense。Therattlersweresadlyforgettingtheirmanners，fortheystruckonnoprovocationwhatever，anddidnotevenremembertorattleafterward。DailyFreckleswascompelledtodrivebigblacksnakesandblueracersfromthenestsofhischickens。
　　Oftentheterrifiedsquallsoftheparentbirdswouldreachhimfardownthelineandhewouldruntorescuethebabies。
　　HesawtheAngelwhenthecarriageturnedfromthecorduroyintotheclearing。Theystoppedatthewestentrancetotheswamp，waitingforhimtoprecedethemdownthetrail，ashehadtoldthemitwassafestforthehorsethatheshoulddo。Theyfollowedtheeastlinetoapointoppositethebigchickens'tree，andFrecklescarriedinthecamerasandshowedtheBirdWomanapathhehadclearedtothelog。Heexplainedtohertheeffecttheheatwashavingonthesnakes，andcreepingbacktoLittleChicken，broughthimtothelight。Assheworkedatsettinguphercamera，hetoldherofthebirdsoftheline，whileshestaredathim，wide-eyedandincredulous。
　　TheyarrangedthatFrecklesshoulddrivethecarriageintotheeastentranceintheshadeandthentakethehorsetowardthenorthtoabetterplaceheknew。ThenhewastoentertaintheAngelathisstudyoronthelineuntiltheBirdWomanfinishedherworkandcametothem。
　　"Thiswilltakeonlyalittletime，"shesaid。"Iknowwheretosetthecameranow，andLittleChickenisbigenoughtobegoodandtoosmalltorunawayortoactveryugly，soIwillbecomingsoontoseeaboutthosenests。Ihavetenplatesalong，andIsurelywon'tusemorethantwoonhim；soperhapsIcangetsomenestsoryoungbirdsthismorning。"
　　Frecklesalmostflew，forhisdreamhadcometruesosoon。Hewaswalkingthetimber-lineandtheAngelwasfollowinghim。Heaskedtobeexcusedforgoingfirst，becausehewantedtobesurethetrailwassafeforher。Shelaughedathisfears，tellinghimthatitwasthepolitethingforhimtodo，anyway。
　　"Oh！"saidFreckles，"soyouwasafterknowingthat？Well，Ididn'ts'poseyoudid，andIwasafraidyou'dthinkmewantinginrespecttobeprecedingyou！"
　　TheastonishedAngellookedathim，caughttheirrepressiblegleamofIrishfuninhiseyes，sotheystoodandlaughedtogether。
　　Frecklesdidnotrealizehowhewastalkingthatmorning。Heshowedhermanyofthebeautifulnestsandeggsoftheline。Shecouldidentifyanumberofthem，butofsomeshewasignorant，sotheymadenotesofthenumberandcoloroftheeggs，material，andconstructionofnest，color，size，andshapeofthebirds，andwenttofindtheminthebook。
　　Athisroom，whenFreckleshadliftedtheoverhangingbushesandsteppedbackforhertoenter，hisheartwasalloutoftimeandplace。Thestudywasvastlymorebeautifulthanaweekprevious。
　　TheAngeldrewadeepbreathandstoodgazingfirstatoneside，thenatanother，thenfardownthecathedralaisle。"It'sjustfairyland！"shecriedecstatically。ThensheturnedandstaredatFrecklesasshehadathishandiwork。
　　"Whatareyouplanningtobe？"sheaskedwonderingly。
　　"WhateverMr。McLeanwantsmeto，"hereplied。
　　"Whatdoyoudomost？"sheasked。
　　"Watchmelines。"
　　"Idon'tmeanwork！"
　　"Oh，inmesparetimeIkeepmeroomandstudyinmebooks。"
　　"Doyouworkontheroomorthebooksmost？"
　　"Ontheroomonlywhatittakestokeepitup，andtherestofthetimeonmebooks。"
　　TheAngelstudiedhimclosely。"Well，maybeyouaregoingtobeagreatscholar，"shesaid，"butyoudon'tlookit。Yourfaceisn'trightforthat，butit'sgotsomethingbiginit——somethingreallygreat。
　　Imustfindoutwhatitisandthenyoumustworkonit。Yourfatherisexpectingyoutodosomething。Onecantellbythewayhetalks。
　　Youshouldbeginrightaway。You'vewastedtoomuchtimealready。"
　　PoorFreckleshunghishead。Heneverhadwastedanhourinhislife。
　　Thereneverhadbeenonethatwashistowaste。
　　TheAngel，studyinghimintently，readthethoughtinhisface。
　　"Oh，Idon'tmeanthat！"shecried，withthefrankdismayofsixteen。"Ofcourse，you'renotlazy！Nooneeverwouldthinkthatfromyourappearance。It'sthisImean:thereissomethingfine，strong，andfullofpowerinyourface。Thereissomethingyouaretodointhisworld，andnomatterhowyouworkatalltheseotherthings，orhowsuccessfullyyoudothem，itisallwasteduntilyoufindtheONETHINGthatyoucandobest。Ifyouhadn'tathingintheworldtokeepyou，andcouldgoanywhereyoupleaseanddoanythingyouwant，whatwouldyoudo？"persistedtheAngel。
　　"I'dgotoChicagoandsingintheFirstEpiscopalchoir，"answeredFrecklespromptly。
　　TheAngeldroppedonaseat——thehatshehadremovedandheldinherfingersrolledtoherfeet。"There！"sheexclaimedvehemently。
　　"YoucanseewhatI'mgoingtobe。Nothing！Absolutelynothing！
　　Youcansing？Ofcourseyoucansing！Itiswrittenalloveryou。"
　　"Anyonewithhalfwitcouldhaveseenhecouldsing，withouthavingtobetold，"shethought。"It'sintheslendernessofhisfingersandhisquicknervoustouch。Itisinthebrightnessofhishair，thefireofhiseyes，thebreadthofhischest，themusclesofhisthroatandneck；andaboveall，it'sineverytoneofhisvoice，forevenashespeakit'sthesweetestsoundIeverheardfromthethroatofamortal。"
　　"Willyoudosomethingforme？"sheasked。
　　"I'lldoanythingintheworldyouwantmeto，"saidFreckleslargely，"andifIcan'tdowhatyouwant，I'llgotoworkatonceandI'lltry`tilIcan。"
　　"Good！That'sbusiness！"saidtheAngel。"Yougooverthereandstandbeforethathedgeandsingsomething。Justanythingyouthinkoffirst。"
　　FrecklesfacedtheAngelfromhisbankedwallofbrown，blue，andcrimson，withitsbackgroundofsolidgreen，andliftinghisfacetothesky，hesangthefirstthingthatcameintohismind。Itwasachildren'ssongthathehadledforthelittlefolksattheHomemanytimes，recalledtohismindbytheAngel'sexclamation:
　　"Tofairylandwego，Withasongofjoy，heigh-o。
　　Indreamswe'llstanduponthatshoreAndalltherealmbehold；
　　We'llseethesightssograndThatbelongtofairyland，Itsmysterieswewillexplore，Itsbeautieswillunfold。
　　Oh，tra，la，la，oh，ha，ha，ha！We'rehappynowaswecanbe，Ourwelcomesongwewillprolong，andgreetyouwithourmelody。
　　Ofairyland，sweetfairyland，welovetosing——"
　　NosongcouldhavegiventheintensesweetnessandrollickingqualityofFreckles'voicebetterscope。Heforgoteverythingbutprideinhiswork。Hewassingingthechorus，andtheAngelwasshiveringinecstasy，whenclip！clip！camethesharplybeatingfeetofaswiftlyriddenhorsedownthetrailfromthenorth。Theybothsprangtowardtheentrance。
　　"Freckles！Freckles！"calledthevoiceoftheBirdWoman。
　　Theywereatthetrailontheinstant。
　　"Boththoserevolversloaded？"sheasked。
　　"Yes，"saidFreckles。
　　"Isthereawayyoucancutacrosstheswampandreachthechickentreeinafewminutes，andwithlittlenoise？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Thengoflying，"saidtheBirdWoman。"GivetheAngelaliftbehindme，andwewillridethehorsebackwhereyoulefthimandwaitforyou。IfinishedLittleChickeninnotimeandputhimback。
　　Hismothercamesoclose，Ifeltsureshewouldenterthelog。
　　Thelightwasfine，soIsetandfocusedthecameraandcovereditwithbranches，attachedthelonghose，andwentawayoverahundredfeetandhidinsomebushestowait。Ashort，stoutmanandatall，darkonepassedmesocloselyIalmostcouldhavereachedoutandtouchedthem。Theycarriedabigsawontheirshoulders。
　　Theysaidtheycouldworkuntilnearnoon，andthentheymustlayoffuntilyoupassedandthentrytoloadandgetoutatnight。
　　Theywenton——notentirelyfromsight——andbegancuttingatree。
　　Mr。McLeantoldmetheotherdaywhatwouldprobablyhappenhere，andiftheyfellthattreeheloseshiswageronyou。Keeptotheeastandnorthandhustle。We'llmeetyouatthecarriage。Ialwaysamarmed。GiveAngeloneofyourrevolvers，andyoukeeptheother。
　　Wewillseparateandcreeptowardthemfromdifferentsidesandgivethemafusilladethatwillsendthemflying。Youhurry，now！"
　　Sheliftedthereinsandstartedbrisklydownthetrail。TheAngel，hatlessandwithsparklingeyes，wasclingingaroundherwaist。
　　Freckleswheeledandran。Heworkedhiswaywithmuchcare，dodginglimbsandbusheswithnoiselesstread，andcuttingascloselywherehethoughtthemenwereashefeltthathedaredifheweretoremainunseen。Asheranhetriedtothink。ItwasWessner，burningforhisrevenge，aidedbythebullyofthelocality，thathewasgoingtomeet。HewasaccustomedtothatthoughtbutnottothecomplicationofhavingtwowomenonhishandswhoundoubtedlywouldhavetobetakencareofinspiteoftheBirdWoman'soffertohelphim。
　　Hisheartwasjarringasitneverhadbeforewithrunning。HemustfollowtheBirdWoman'splanandmeetthematthecarriage，butiftheyreallydidintendtotrytohelphim，hemustnotallowit。
　　AllowtheAngeltotrytohandlearevolverinhisdefence？Never！
　　NotforallthetreesintheLimberlost！Shemightshootherself。
　　Shemightforgettowatchsharplyandrunacrossasnakethatwasnotparticularlywellbehavedthatmorning。Frecklespermittedhimselfagrimsmileashewentspeedingon。
　　Whenhereachedthecarriage，theBirdWomanandtheAngelhadthehorsehitched，theoutfitpacked，andwerecalmlywaiting。TheBirdWomanheldarevolverinherhand。Sheworedarkclothing。TheyhadpinnedabigfocusingclothoverthefrontoftheAngel'slightdress。
　　"GiveAngeloneofyourrevolvers，quick！"saidtheBirdWoman。
　　"Wewillcreepupuntilweareinfairrange。Theunderbrushissothickandtheyaresobusythattheywillnevernoticeus，ifwedon'tmakeanoise。Youfirefirst，thenIwillpopinfrommydirection，andthenyou，Angel，andshootquitehigh，orelseverylow。
　　Wemustn'treallyhitthem。We'llgocloseenoughtothecowardstomakeitinteresting，andkeepitupuntilwehavethemgoing。"
　　Frecklesprotested。
　　TheBirdWomanreachedover，and，takingthesmallerrevolverfromhisbelt，handedittotheAngel。"Keepyournervesteady，dear；
　　watchwhereyoustep，andshoothigh，"shesaid。"Gostraightatthemfromwhereyouare。WaituntilyouhearFreckles'firstshot，thenfollowmeascloselyasyoucan，toletthemknowthatweoutnumberthem。IfyouwanttosaveMcLean'swageronyou，nowyougo！"shecommandedFreckles，who，withanagonizedglanceattheAngel，rantowardtheeast。
　　TheBirdWomanchosethemiddledistance，andforalasttimecautionedtheAngelasshemovedawaytoliedownandshoothigh。
　　ThroughtheunderbrushtheBirdWomancreptevenmorecloselythanshehadintended，foundaclearrange，andwaitedforFreckles'shot。
　　Therewasonelongminuteofsickeningsuspense。Themenstraightenedforbreath。Workwasdifficultwithahandsawintheheatoftheswamp。Astheyrested，thebigdarkfellowtookabottlefromhispocketandbeganoilingthesaw。
　　"Wegottokeepmightyquiet，"hesaid，"andwaittofellituntilthatdamnedguardhasgonetohisdinner。"
　　Againtheybenttotheirwork。Freckles'revolverspatfire。Leadspangedonsteel。Thesaw-handleflewfromWessner'shandandhereeledfromthejaroftheshock。BlackJackstraightened，utteringafearfuloath。Thehatsailedfromhisheadfromthefarnortheast。
　　TheAngelhadnotwaitedfortheBirdWoman，andhershotscarcelycouldhavebeencalledhigh。Atalmostthesameinstantthethirdshotwhistledfromtheeast。BlackJacksprangintotheairwithayellofcompletepanic，foritrippedaheelfromhisboot。
　　Frecklesemptiedhissecondchamber，andtheearthspatteredoverWessner。Shotspouredinrapidly。Withoutevenreachingforaweapon，bothmenrantowardtheeastroadingreatleapingbounds，whileleadenslugssungandhissedaroundthemindeadlyearnest。
　　Freckleswastrimminghiscornersascloselyashedared，butiftheAngeldidnotreallyintendtohit，shewastakingrisksinascandalousmanner。
　　Whenthemenreachedthetrail，Frecklesyelledatthetopofhisvoice:"Headthemoffonthesouth，boys！Firefromthesouth！"
　　Ashehadhoped，JackandWessnerinstantlyplungedintotheswale。
　　Aspatteringofleadfollowedthem。Theycrossedtheswale，runninglow，withnotevenonebackwardglance，andenteredthewoodsbeyondthecorduroy。
　　Thenthelittlepartygatheredatthetree。
　　"I'dbetterfixthissawsotheycan'tbeusingitiftheycomeback，"saidFreckles，takingouthishatchetandmakingsaw-teethfly。
　　"Nowwemustleaveherewithoutbeingseen，"saidtheBirdWomantotheAngel。"Itwon'tdoformetomakeenemiesofthesemen，forI
　　amlikelytomeetthemwhileatworkanyday。"
　　"Youcandoitbydrivingstraightnorthonthisroad，"saidFreckles。
　　"Iwillgoaheadandcutthewiresforyou。Theswaleisalmostdry。
　　Youwillonlybesinkingalittle。Inafewrodsyouwillstrikeacornfield。Iwilltakedownthefenceandletyouintothat。
　　Followthefurrowsanddrivestraightacrossituntilyoucometotheotherside。Befollowingthefencesouthuntilyoucometoaroadthroughthewoodseastofit。Thentakethatroadandfolloweastuntilyoureachthepike。Youwillcomeoutonyourwaybacktotown，andtwomilesnorthofanywheretheyarelikelytobe。
　　Don'tforyourliveseverletitoutthatyoudidthis，"heearnestlycautioned，"forit'sblackenemiesyouwouldbemaking。"
　　Frecklesclippedthewiresandtheydrovethrough。TheAngelleanedfromthecarriageandheldouthisrevolver。Freckleslookedatherinsurprise。Hereyeswereblack，whileherfacewasadeeperrosethanusual。Hefeltthathisownwaswhite。
　　"DidIshoothighenough？"sheaskedsweetly。"Ireallyforgotaboutlyingdown。"
　　Freckleswinced。Didthechildknowhowcloseshehadgone？
　　Surelyshecouldnot！Orwasitpossiblethatshehadthenerveandskilltofirelikethatpurposely？
　　"IwillsendthefirstreliablemanImeetforMcLean，"saidtheBirdWoman，gatheringupthelines。"IfIdon'tmeetonewhenwereachtown，wewillsendamessenger。Ifitwasn'tforhavingthegangseeme，Iwouldgomyself；butIwillpromiseyouthatyouwillhavehelpinalittleovertwohours。Youkeepwellhidden。
　　Theymustthinksomeofthegangiswithyounow。Thereisn'tachancethattheywillbeback，butdon'trunanyrisks。Remainundercover。Iftheyshouldcome，itprobablywouldbefortheirsaw。"Shelaughedasatafinejoke。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　WhereinFrecklesWinsHonorandFindsaFootprintontheTrailRound-eyed，FreckleswatchedtheBirdWomanandtheAngeldriveaway。Aftertheywerefromsightandhewassafelyhiddenamongthebranchesofasmalltree，herememberedthatheneitherhadthankedthemnorsaidgood-bye。Consideringwhattheyhadbeenthrough，theyneverwouldcomeagain。Hisheartsankuntilhehadpalpitationinhiswading-boots。
　　Stretchingthelengthofthelimb，hethoughtdeeply，thoughhewasnotthinkingofBlackJackorWessner。WouldtheBirdWomanandtheAngelcomeagain？Nootherwomanwhomheeverhadknownwould。
　　Butdidtheyresembleanyotherwomenheeverhadknown？HethoughtoftheBirdWoman'sunruffledfaceandtheAngel'srevolverpractice，andpresentlyhewasnotsosurethattheywouldnotreturn。