CHAPTERX
WhereinFrecklesStrivesMightilyandtheSwampAngelRewardsHimTheBirdWomanandtheAngeldidnotseemtocountinthecommonrun，fortheyarrivedontimeforthethirdoftheseriesandfoundMcLeanonthelinetalkingtoFreckles。TheBosswasfilledwithenthusiasmoveramarsharticleoftheBirdWoman\'sthathejusthadread。Hebeggedtobeallowedtoaccompanyherintotheswampandwatchthemethodbywhichshesecuredanillustrationinsuchalocation。
TheBirdWomanexplainedtohimthatitwasaneasymatterwiththesubjectshethenhadinhand；andasLittleChickenwastoosmalltobefrightenedbyhim，andbigenoughtobegrowingtroublesome，shewasgladforhiscompany。Theywenttothechickenlogtogether，leavingtothehappyFrecklesthecareoftheAngel，whohadbroughtherbanjoandarollofsongsthatshewantedtohearhimsing。TheBirdWomantoldthemthattheymightpracticeinFreckles\'roomuntilshefinishedwithLittleChicken，andthensheandMcLeanwouldcometotheconcert。
Itwasalmostthreehoursbeforetheyfinishedandcamedownthewesttrailfortheirrestandlunch。McLeanwalkedahead，keepingsharpwatchonthetrailandclearingitoffallenlimbsfromoverhangingtrees。Hesentabigpieceofbarkflyingintotheswale，andthenstoppedshortandstaredatthetrail。
TheBirdWomanbentforward。TogethertheystudiedthatimprintoftheAngel\'sfoot。Atlasttheireyesmet，theBirdWoman\'sfilledwithastonishment，andMcLean\'shumidwithpity。Neithersaidaword，buttheyknew。McLeanenteredtheswaleandhuntedupthebark。