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。