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。