Thenitwaspurejoytostandbackandwatchherheavingbreast，flushedcheek，andshiningeyes。Hersweresuchlovelyeyes。
Freckleshaddiscoveredlatelythattheywerenotsodarkashehadthoughtthematfirst，butthatthelengthandthicknessoflash，bywhichtheywereshaded，madethemappeardarkerthantheyreallywere。Theywereforeverchanging。Nowsparklinganddarklingwithwit，nowhumidwithsympathy，nowburningwiththefireofcourage，nowtakingonstrengthofcolorwithambition，nowflashingindignantlyattheabuseofanycreature。
Shehadcarriedseveralofthesquirrelandbunnybabieshome，andhadlitteredtheconservatorywiththem。Hercareofthemwasperfect。
Shewaslearninghernaturalhistoryfromnature，andhavingmuchhealthfulexercise。Toher，theywerethemostinterestingofall，buttheBirdWomanpreferredthebirds，withaclosesecondinthemothsandbutterflies。
Brownbutterflytimehadcome。Theedgeoftheswalewasfilledwithmilkweed，andotherplantsbelovedofthem，andtheairwasgoldenwiththeflashingsatinwingsofthemonarch，viceroy，andargynnis。Theyoutnumberedthoseofanyothercolorthreetoone。
Amongthebirdsitreallyseemedasifthelittleyellowfellowswereinthepreponderance。Atleast，theywereuntiltheredwingedblackbirdsandbobolinks，thathadnestedontheupland，suddenlysawintheswampthegardenoftheLordandcameswarmingbyhundredstofeastandadventureuponittheselastfewweeksbeforemigration。
Neverwasthereafinerfeastspreadforthebirds。Thegrasseswerefilledwithseeds:so，too，wereweedsofeveryvariety。
Fallberrieswereripe。Wildgrapesandblackhawswereready。
Bugswerecreepingeverywhere。Themuckwasyeastywithworms。
Insectsfilledtheair。Naturemadegloriouspauseforholidaybeforehernextchange，andbynoneofthefrequentersoftheswampwasthismoreappreciatedthanbythebigblackchickens。
Theyseemedtofeelthenewreignofpeaceandfullnessmostofall。
Asforfood，theydidnotevenhavetohuntforthemselvesthesedays，forthefeastsnowbeingspreadbeforeLittleChickenweremorethanhecoulduse，andhewasgladtohavehisparentscomedownandhelphim。
Hewasafine，big，overgrownfellow，andhiswings，withquillsofjettyblack，gleamingwithbronze，weresostrongtheyalmostliftedhisbody。Hehadthreeinchesoftail，andhisbeakandclawsweresharp。Hismusclesbegantoclamorforexercise。
Heracedthefortyfeetofhishomebackandforthmanytimeseveryhouroftheday。Afterafewdaysofthat，hebeganliftingandspreadinghiswings，andfloppingthemuntilthedownonhisbackwasfilledwithelmfiber。Thenhecommencedjumping。Thefunnylittlehops，springs，andsidewiseboundshegavesetFrecklesandtheAngel，hiddenintheswamp，watchinghim，intosmotheredchucklesofdelight。
Sometimeshefelltocoquettingwithhimself；andthatwasthefunniestthingofall，forheturnedhisheadup，down，fromsidetoside，anddrewinhischinwithprinkylittlejerksandtilts。
Hewouldstretchhisneck，throwuphishead，turnittoonesideandsmirk——actuallysmirk，themostcomplacentandself-satisfiedsmirkthatanyoneeversawonthefaceofabird。ItwassocomicalthatFrecklesandtheAngeltoldtheBirdWomanofitoneday。
WhenshefinishedherworkonLittleChicken，sheleftthemthecamerareadyforuse，tellingthemtheymighthideinthebushesandwatch。IfLittleChickencameoutandtrulysmirked，andtheycouldsqueezethebulbatthepropermomenttosnaphim，shewouldbemorethandelighted。
FrecklesandtheAngelquietlycurledbesideabiglog，andwitheagereyesandsoftestbreathingtheypatientlywaited；butLittleChickenhadfeastedbeforetheytoldofhislatestaccomplishment。
Hewastiredandsleepy，sohewentintothelogtobed，andforanhourheneverstirred。
Theywerebecominganxious，forthelightsoonwouldbegone，andtheyhadsowantedtotryforthepicture。AtlastLittleChickenliftedhishead，openedhisbeak，andgapedwidely。Hedozedaminuteortwomore。TheAngelsaidthatwashisbeautysleep。
Thenhelazilygapedagainandstoodup，stretchingandyawning。
Heambledleisurelytowardthegateway，andtheAngelsaid:
\"Now，wemayhaveachance，atlast。\"
\"Idohopeso，\"shiveredFreckles。
Withoneaccordtheyarosetotheirkneesandtrainedtheireyesonthemouthofthelog。Thelightwasfullandstrong。LittleChickenprospectedagainwithnoresults。Hedressedhisplumage，polishedhisbeak，andwhenhefeltfineandinfulltoilethebegantoflirtwithhimself。Freckles\'eyessnappedandhisbreathsuckedbetweenhisclenchedteeth。
\"He\'sgoingtodoit！\"whisperedtheAngel。\"Thatwillcomenext。
You\'llbestgivemethatbulb！\"
\"Yis，\"assentedFreckles，buthewaslookingatthelogandhemadenomovetorelinquishthebulb。
LittleChickennoddeddaintilyandruffledhisfeathers。Hegavehisheadsundrylittlesidewisejerksandrapidlyshiftedhispointofvision。Oncetherewasthefleetinglittleghostofasmirk。
\"Now！——No！\"snappedtheAngel。
Frecklesleanedtowardthebird。Tenselyhewaited。UnconsciouslythehandoftheAngelclaspedhis。Hescarcelyknewitwasthere。
SuddenlyLittleChickensprangstraightintheairandlandedwithathud。TheAngelstartedslightly，butFreckleswasimmovable。
Then，asifinapprovalofhislastperformance，thebig，overgrownbabywheeleduntilhewasmorethanthree-quarters，almostfullside，towardthecamera，straightenedonhislegs，squaredhisshoulders，stretchedhisneckfullheight，drewinhischinandsmirkedhismostpronouncedsmirk，directlyinthefaceofthelens。
Freckles\'fingersclosedonthebulbconvulsively，andtheAngel\'sclosedonhisattheinstant。Thensheheavedagreatsighofreliefandliftedherhandstopushbackthedamp，clusteringhairfromherface。
\"Howsoondoyous\'poseitwillbefinished？\"cameFreckles\'
stridentwhisper。
ForthefirsttimetheAngellookedathim。Hewasonhisknees，leaningforward，hiseyesdirectedtowardthebird，theperspirationrunninginlittlestreamsdownhisred，mosquito-bittenface。Hishatwasawry，hisbrighthairrampant，hisbreastheavingwithexcitement，whileheyetgrippedthebulbwitheveryounceofstrengthinhisbody。
\"Doyouthinkwewereforgettingit？\"heasked。
TheAngelcouldonlynod。Frecklesheavedadeepsighofrelief。
\"Well，ifthatain\'tthehardestworkIeverdidinmelife！\"
heexclaimed。\"It\'snowondertheBirdWoman\'sforcomingoutoftheswamplookingasifshe\'sbeenthroughafire，aflood，andafamine，ifthat\'swhatshegoesthroughdayafterday。Butifyouthinkwegotit，why，it\'sworthallittook，andI\'mgladaseveryouare，sure！\"
Theyputtheholdersinthecase，carefullyclosedthecamera，setitinalso，andcarriedittotheroad。
ThenFrecklesexulted。
\"Now，let\'sbetellingtheBirdWomanaboutit！\"heshouted，wildlydancingandswinginghishat。
\"Wegotit！Wegotit！Ibetafarmwegotit！\"
Handinhandtheyrantothenorthendoftheswamp，yelling\"Wegotit！\"likeyoungComanches，andnevergaveathoughttowhattheymightdountilabigblue-graybird，withlongneckandtrailinglegs，aroseonflappingwingsandsailedovertheLimberlost。
TheAngelbecamewhitetothelipsandgrippedFreckleswithbothhands。Hegulpedwithmortificationandturnedhisback。
Tofrightenhersubjectawaycarelessly！ItwastheheadcrimeintheBirdWoman\'scategory。Sheextendedherhandsasshearose，baked，blistered，anddripping，andexclaimed:\"Blessyou，mychildren！Blessyou！\"Andittrulysoundedasifshemeantit。
\"Why，why——\"stammeredthebewilderedAngel。
Freckleshurriedintothebreach。
\"Youmustbeforblamingiteverybitonme。IwasthinkingwegotLittleChicken\'spicturerealgood。IwassodrunkwiththejoyofitIlostallmesensesand，`Let\'sruntelltheBirdWoman，\'saysI。
LikeafoolIwasforrunning，andIsortofdraggedtheAngelalong。\"
\"OhFreckles！\"expostulatedtheAngel。\"Areyouloony？Ofcourse，itwasallmyfault！I\'vebeenwithherhundredsoftimes。IknewperfectlywellthatIwasn\'ttoletanything——NOTANYTHING——scareherbirdaway！IwassocrazyIforgot。Theblameisallmine，andshe\'llneverforgiveme。\"
\"Shewill，too！\"criedFreckles。\"Wasn\'tyoufortellingmethatveryfirstdaythatwhenpeoplescaredherbirdsawayshejustkilledthem！It\'sallmefoolishness，andI\'llneverforgivemeself！\"
TheBirdWomanplungedintotheswaleatthemouthofSleepySnakeCreek，andcamewadingtowardthem，withacoupleofcamerasanddrippingtripods。
\"Ifyouwillpermitmeaword，myinfants，\"shesaid，\"IwillexplaintoyouthatIhavehadthreeshotsatthatfellow。\"
TheAngelheavedadeepsighofrelief，andFreckles\'faceclearedalittle。
\"Twoofthem，\"continuedtheBirdWoman，\"intherushes——onefacing，crestlowered；onelightonback，crestflared；andthelastonwing，whenyoucameup。Isimplyhadbeenprayingforsomethingtomakehimarisefromthatside，sothathewouldflytowardthecamera，forhehadwadedarounduntilinmypositionI
couldn\'tdoitmyself。See？Beholdinyourselvestheanswertotheprayersofthelong-suffering！\"
Frecklestookasteptowardher。
\"Areyoureallymeaningthat？\"heaskedwonderingly。\"Onlythink，Angel，wedidtherightthing！Shewon\'tloseherpicturethroughthecarelessnessofus，whenshe\'swaitedandsoakednearlytwohours。
She\'snotangrywithus！\"
\"Neverwasinasweetertemperinmylife，\"saidtheBirdWoman，busilycleaningandpackingthecameras。
Frecklesremovedhishatandsolemnlyheldouthishand。WithequalsolemnitytheAngelgraspedit。TheBirdWomanlaughedalone，fortothemthesituationhadbeentooserioustodevelopanyoftheelementsoffun。
Thentheyloadedthecarriage，andtheBirdWomanandtheAngelstartedfortheirhomes。Ithadbeenadifficulttimeforallofthem，sotheywereverytired，buttheywerejoyful。Freckleswassohappyitseemedtohimthatlifecouldholdlittlemore。AstheBirdWomanwasreadytodriveawayhelaidhishandonthelinesandlookedintoherface。
\"Doyousupposewegotit？\"heasked，soeagerlythatshewouldhavegivenmuchtobeabletosayyeswithconviction。
\"Why，mydear，Idon\'tknow，\"shesaid。\"I\'venowaytojudge。
Ifyoumadetheexposurejustbeforeyoucametome，therewasyetafinelight。IfyouwaiteduntilLittleChickenwasclosetheentrance，youshouldhavesomethinggood，evenifyoudidn\'tcatchjustthefleetingexpressionforwhichyouhoped。Ofcourse，I
can\'tsaysurely，butIthinkthereiseveryreasontobelievethatyouhaveitallright。Iwilldeveloptheplatetonight，makeyouaprooffromitearlyinthemorning，andbringitwhenwecome。
It\'sonlyaquestionofadayortwonowuntilthegangarrives。
IwanttoworkinallthestudiesIcanbeforethattime，fortheyareboundtodisturbthebirds。Mr。McLeanwillneedyouthen，andIscarcelyseehowwearetodowithoutyou。\"
Movedbyanimpulsesheneverafterwardregretted，shebentandlaidherlipsonFreckles\'forehead，kissinghimgentlyandthankinghimforhismanykindnessestoherinherlovedwork。
Frecklesstartedawaysohappythathefeltinclinedtokeepwatchingbehindtoseeifthetrailwerenotcurlingupandrollingdownthelineafterhim。
CHAPTERXVI
WhereintheAngelLocatesaRareTreeandDineswiththeGangFromafarFrecklessawthemcoming。TheAngelwasstanding，wavingherhat。Hesprangonhiswheelandraced，joltingandpounding，downthecorduroytomeetthem。TheBirdWomanstoppedthehorseandtheAngelgavehimthebitofprintpaper。Frecklesleanedthewheelagainstatreeandtooktheproofwitheagerfingers。
Heneverbeforehadseenastudyfromanyofhischickens。
Hestoodstaring。Whenheturnedhisfacetowardthemitwastransfiguredwithdelight。
\"Yousee！\"heexclaimed，andbegangazingagain。\"Oh，meLittleChicken！\"hecried。\"OhmeilegantLittleChicken！I\'dbegivingallmemoneyinthebankforyou！\"
ThenhethoughtoftheAngel\'smuffandMrs。Duncan\'shat，andadded，\"oratleast，allbutwhatI\'mneedingbadforsomethingelse。
WouldyoumindstoppingatthecabinaminuteandshowingthistoMotherDuncan？\"heasked。
\"Givemethatlittlebookinyourpocket，\"saidtheBirdWoman。
Shefoldedtheouteredgesoftheproofsothatitwouldfitintothebook，explainingasshedidsoitsperishablenatureinthatstate。Freckleswenthurryingahead，andtheyarrivedintimetoseeMrs。Duncangazingasifawestruck，andtohearherbewildered\"WeelIbedrawedon！\"
FrecklesandtheAngelhelpedtheBirdWomantoestablishherselfforalongdayatthemouthofSleepySnakeCreek。Thenshesentthemawayandwaitedwhatluckwouldbringtoher。
\"Now，whatshallwedo？\"inquiredtheAngel，whowasabundleofnervesandenergy。
\"Wouldyouliketogotomeroomawhile？\"askedFreckles。
\"Ifyoudon\'tcaretoverymuch，I\'drathernot，\"saidtheAngel。
\"I\'lltellyou。Let\'sgohelpMrs。Duncanwithdinnerandplaywiththebaby。Iloveanice，cleanbaby。\"
Theystartedtowardthecabin。Everyfewminutestheystoppedtoinvestigatesomethingortochatteroversomenaturalhistorywonder。
TheAngelhadquickeyes；sheseemedtoseeeverything，butFreckles\'
wereevenquicker；forlifeitselfhaddependedontheirsharpnesseversincethebeginningofhisworkattheswamp。Theysawitatthesametime。
\"Someonehasbeenmakingaflagpole，\"saidtheAngel，runningthetoeofhershoearoundthestump，evidentlymadethatseason。
\"Freckles，whatwouldanyonecutatreeassmallasthatfor？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidFreckles。
\"Well，butIwanttoknow！\"saidtheAngel。\"Noonecameawayhereandcutitforfun。They\'vetakenitaway。Let\'sgobackandseeifwecanseeitanywherearoundthere。\"
Sheturned，retracedherfootsteps，andbeganeagerlysearching。
Frecklesdidthesame。
\"Thereitis！\"heexclaimedatlast，\"leaningagainstthetrunkofthatbigmaple。\"
\"Yes，andleaningtherehaskilledapatchofdriedbark，\"saidtheAngel。\"Seehowdrieditappears？\"
Frecklesstaredather。
\"Angel！\"heshouted，\"Ibetyouit\'samarkedtree！\"
\"Courseitis！\"criedtheAngel。\"Noonewouldcutthatsaplingandcarryitawaythereandleanitupfornothing。I\'lltellyou！ThisisoneofJack\'smarkedtrees。He\'sclimbedupthereaboveanyone\'shead，peeledthebark，andcutintothegrainenoughtobesure。
Thenhe\'slaidthebarkbackandfasteneditwiththatpoletomarkit。
Yousee，there\'realotofotherbigmaplesclosearoundit。Canyouclimbtothatplace？\"
\"Yes，\"saidFreckles；\"ifItakeoffmywading-bootsIcan。\"
\"Thentakethemoff，\"saidtheAngel，\"anddohurry！Can\'tyouseethatIamalmostcrazytoknowifthistreeisamarkedone？\"
Whentheypushedthesaplingover，apieceofbarkasbigasthecrownofFreckles\'hatfellaway。
\"Ibelieveitlookskindofnubby，\"encouragedtheAngel，backingaway，withherfaceallscrewedintoatwistinanefforttointensifyhervision。
Frecklesreachedtheopening，thenslidrapidlytotheground。
Hewasalmostbreathlesswhilehiseyeswereflashing。
\"Thebark\'sbeencutcleanwithaknife，thesapscrapedaway，andabigchiptakenoutdeep。Thetrunkisthetwistiestthingyoueversaw。It\'sfullofeyesasabirdisoffeathers！\"
TheAngelwasdancingandshakinghishand。
\"Oh，Freckles，\"shecried，\"I\'msodelightedthatyoufoundit！\"
\"ButIdidn\'t，\"saidtheastonishedFreckles。\"Thattreeisn\'tmyfind；it\'syours。Iforgotitandwasgoingon；youwouldn\'tgiveup，andkepttalkingaboutit，andturnedback。Youfoundit！\"
\"You\'dbestbelookingafteryourreputationfortruthandveracity，\"saidtheAngel。\"Youknowyousawthatsaplingfirst！\"
\"Yes，afteryoutookmebackandsetmelookingforit，\"scoffedFreckles。
Theclear，ringingechoofstronglyswungaxescamecrashingthroughtheLimberlost。
\"\'Tisthegang！\"shoutedFreckles。\"They\'reclearingaplacetomakethecamp。Let\'sgohelp！\"
\"Hadn\'twebettermarkthattreeagain？\"cautionedtheAngel。
\"It\'sawayinhere。There\'ssuchalotofthem，andallsomuchalike。We\'dfeelgoodandgreentofinditandthenloseit。\"
Frecklesliftedthesaplingtoreplaceit，buttheAngelmotionedhimaway。
\"Useyourhatchet，\"shesaid。\"Ipredictthisisthemostvaluabletreeintheswamp。Youfoundit。I\'mgoingtoplaythatyou\'remyknight。Now，younailmycolorsonit。\"
Shereachedup，andpullingabluebowfromherhair，untiedanddoubleditagainstthetree。Frecklesturnedhiseyesfromherandmanagedthefasteningwithshakingfingers。TheAngelhadcalledhimherknight！DearLord，howhelovedher！Shemustnotseehisface，orsurelyherquickeyeswouldreadwhathewasfightingtohide。
Hedidnotdarelayhislipsonthatribbonthen，butthatnighthewouldreturntoit。Whentheyhadgonealittledistance，theybothlookedback，andthemorningbreezesetthebitofbluewavingthemafarewell。
Theywalkedatarapidpace。
\"Iamsorryaboutscaringthebirds，\"saidtheAngel，\"butit\'salmosttimeforthemtogoanyway。Ifeeldreadfullyoverhavingtheswampruined，butisn\'titadelighttohearthegood，honestringofthoseaxes，insteadofstrainingyourearsforstealthysounds？Isn\'titfinetogoopenlyandfreely，withnothingworsethanasnakeorapoison-vinetofear？\"
\"Ah！\"saidFreckles，withalongbreath，\"it\'sbetterthanyoucandream，Angel。NobodywilleverbeguessingsomeofthethingsI\'vebeenthroughtryingtokeepmepromisetotheBoss，andtoholdoutuntilthisday。Thatit\'scomewithonlyonefreshstump，andthelogfromthatsaved，andthisnewtreetoreport，isn\'titgrand？
MaybeMr。McLeanwillbeforgettingthatstumpwhenheseesthistree，Angel！\"
\"Hecan\'tforgetit，\"saidtheAngel；andinanswertoFreckles\'
startledeyessheadded，\"becauseheneverhadanyreasontorememberit。Hecouldn\'thavedoneawhitbetterhimself。Myfathersaysso。You\'reallright，Freckles！\"
Shereachedhimherhand，andastwochildren，theybrokeintoarunwhentheycamecloserthegang。Theylefttheswampbythewestroadandfollowedthetrailuntiltheyfoundthemen。TotheAngelitseemedcompletecharm。Intheshadiestspotonthewestsideoftheline，attheedgeoftheswampandverycloseFreckles\'room，theywerecuttingbushesandclearingspaceforabigtentforthemen\'ssleeping-quarters，anotherforadining-hall，andaboardshackforthecook。Theteamsterswereunloading，thehorseswerecroppingleavesfromthebushes，whileeachmanwasdoinghisparttowardtheconstructionofthenewLimberlostquarters。
FreckleshelpedtheAngelclimbonawagonloadofcanvasintheshade。
Sheremovedherleggings，wipedherheatedface，andglowedwithhappinessandinterest。
Theganghadbeensiftedcarefully。McLeannowfeltthattherewasnotamaninitwhowasnottrustworthy。
TheyallhadheardoftheAngel\'spluckyrideforFreckles\'relief；
severalofthemhadbeenintherescueparty。Others，newsincethattime，hadheardthetalerehearsedinitseveryaspectaroundthesmudge-firesatnight。AlmostallofthemknewtheAngelbysightfromhertripswiththeBirdWomantotheirleases。Theyallknewherfather，herposition，andtheluxuriesofherhome。
Whatevercourseshehadchosenwiththemtheyscarcelywouldhaveresentedit，buttheAngelneverhadbeenknowntochooseacourse。
Herspiritoffriendlinesswasinbornandinbred。Shelovedeveryone，soshesympathizedwitheveryone。Hergenerositywasonlylimitedbywhatwasinherpowertogive。
Shecamedownthetrail，handinhandwiththered-haired，freckledtimberguardwhomshehadwornherselfpastthelimitofendurancetosaveonlyafewweeksbefore，racinginhereagernesstoreachthem，andlaughingher\"Goodmorning，gentlemen，\"rightandleft。
Whenshewasensconcedonthewagonloadoftenting，shesatonarollofcanvasasaqueenonherthrone。Therewasnotamanofthegangwhodidnotrespecther。Shewasalivingexponentofuniversalbrotherhood。Therewasnomanamongthemwhoneededherexquisitefaceordaintyclothingtoteachhimthatthedeferencedueagentlewomanshouldbepaidher。Thatthespiritofgoodfellowshipsheradiatedleviedanespecialtributeofitsown，anditbecametheirdelighttohonorandpleaseher。
Astheyracedtowardthewagon——\"Letmetellaboutthetree，please？\"shebeggedFreckles。
\"Why，sure！\"saidFreckles。
Heprobablywouldhavesaidthesametoanythingshesuggested。
WhenMcLeancame，hefoundtheAngelflushedandglowing，sittingonthewagon，herhandsalreadyfilled。Oneofthemen，whowascuttingascrub-oak，hadcarriedtoherahandfulofcrimsonleaves。
Anotherhadgatheredabunchofdelicatemarsh-grassheadsforher。
Someoneelse，intakingoutabush，hadfoundadaintilybuiltandlinedlittlenest，freshaswhenmade。
ShehelduphertreasuresandgreetedMcLean，\"Goodmorning，Mr。
BossoftheLimberlost！\"
Thegangshouted，whilehebowedprofoundlybeforeher。
\"Everyonelisten！\"criedtheAngel，climbingarollofcanvas。
\"Ihavesomethingtosay！Freckleshasbeenguardinghereoverayearnow，andhepresentstheLimberlosttoyou，witheverytreeinitsaved；forgoodmeasurehehasthismorninglocatedtherarestoneofthemall:theoneinfromtheeastline，thatWessnerspokeofthefirstday——nearesttheoneyoutookout。Alltogether！
Everyone！HurrahforFreckles！\"
Withflushingcheeksandgleamingeyes，gailywavingthegrassaboveherhead，sheledinthreecheersandatiger。Frecklesslippedintotheswampandhidhimself，forfearhecouldnotconcealhisprideandhisgreatsurging，throbbingloveforher。
TheAngelsubsidedonthecanvasandexplainedtoMcLeanaboutthemaple。TheBosswasmightilypleased。HetookFrecklesandsetouttore-locateandexaminethetree。TheAngelwasinterestedinthemakingofthecamp，soshepreferredtoremainwiththemen。
Withhersharpeyesshewaswatchingeverydetailofconstruction；
butwhenitcametothestretchingofthedining-hallcanvassheproceededtotakecommand。Themenweredrivingtherope-pins，whentheAngelaroseonthewagonand，leaningforward，spoketoDuncan，whowasdirectingthework。
\"Ibelieveifyouwillswingthataroundafewfeetfarther，youwillfinditbetter，Mr。Duncan，\"shesaid。\"Thatwaywillletthehotsuninatnoon，whilethesideswillcutoffthebestbreeze。\"
\"That\'safact，\"saidDuncan，studyingtheconditions。
So，byshiftingthepinsalittle，theyobtainedcomfortforwhichtheyblessedtheAngeleveryday。Whentheycametothesleeping-tent，theyconsultedheraboutthat。Sheexplainedthegeneraldirectionofthenightbreezeandindicatedthebestpositionforthetent。Beforeanyoneknewhowithappened，theAngelwasstandingonthewagon，directingthelocationandconstructionofthecooking-shack，theerectionofthecraneforthebigboiling-pots，andthebuildingofthestore-room。
Shesuperintendedthelayingofthefloorofthesleeping-tentlengthwise，Sothatitwouldbeeasiertosweep，andsuggestedanewarrangementofthecotsthatwouldaffordallthemenanequalshareofnightbreeze。Sheleftthewagon，andclimbingonthenewlyerecteddining-table，advisedwiththecookinplacinghisstove，table，andkitchenutensils。
WhenFrecklesreturnedfromthetreetojoinintheworkaroundthecamp，hecaughtglimpsesofherenthronedonasoapbox，cleaningbeans。
Shecalledtohimthattheywereinvitedfordinner，andthattheyhadacceptedtheinvitation。
Whenthebeansweresteaminginthepot，theAngeladvisedthecooktosoakthemovernightthenexttime，sothattheywouldcookmorequicklyandnotburst。Shewassuretheircookathomedidthatway，andtheCHEFofthegangthoughtitwouldbeagoodidea。
ThenextFrecklessawofhershewasparingpotatoes。Alittlelatershearrangedthetable。
Shesweptitwithabroom，insteadoflayingacloth；tookthehatchetandhammeredthedeepestdentsfromthetinplates，andnearlyskinnedherfingersscouringthetinwarewithrushes。
Shesettheplatesanevendistanceapart，andlaidtheforksandspoonsbesidethem。Whenthecookthrewawayhalfadozenfruit-cans，shegatheredthemupandmeltedoffthetops，althoughshealmostblisteredherfaceandquiteblisteredherfingersdoingit。
ThensheneatlycoveredtheseimprovisedvaseswiththeManilapaperfromthegroceries，tyingitwithwispsofmarshgrass。Theseshefilledwithfringedgentians，blazing-star，asters，goldenrod，andferns，placingthemthelengthofthedining-table。Inoneoftheendcansshearrangedherredleaves，andintheotherthefancygrass。Twomen，watchingher，wentawayproudofthemselvesandsaidthatshewas\"abornlady。\"Shelaughinglycaughtupapaperbagandfitteditjauntilytoherheadinimitationofacook\'scap。Thenshegroundthecoffee，andbeatacoupleofeggstoputin，\"becausethereiscompany，\"shegravelyexplainedtothecook。Sheaskedthatdelightedindividualifhedidnotlikeitbestthatway，andhesaidhedidnotknow，becauseheneverhadachancetotasteit。TheAngelsaidthatwashercaseexactly——sheneverhad，either；shewasnotallowedanythingstrongerthanmilk。
Thentheylaughedtogether。
Shetoldthecookaboutcampingwithherfather，andexplainedthathemadehiscoffeethatway。Whenthesteambegantorisefromthebigboiler，shestuffedthespouttightlywithcleanmarshgrass，tokeepthearomain，placedtheboilerwhereitwouldonlysimmer，andexplainedwhy。TheinfluenceoftheAngel\'svisitlingeredwiththecookthroughtheremainderofhislife，whilethemenprayedforherfrequentreturn。
Shewashavingahappytime，whenMcLeancamebackjubilant，fromhistriptothetree。HowjubilanthetoldonlytheAngel，forhehadbeenobligedtolosefaithinsometrustedmenoflate，andhadlearneddiscretionbywhathesuffered。Heplannedtobeginclearingoutaroadtothetreethatsameafternoon，andtosettwoguardseverynight，foritpromisedtobeararetreasure，sohewaseagertoseeitonthewaytothemills。
\"Iamcomingtoseeitfelled，\"criedtheAngel。\"Ifeelasortofmotherlyinterestinthattree。\"
McLeanwashighlyamused。HewouldhavestakedhislifeonthehonestyofeithertheAngelorFreckles；yettheirversionsofthefindingofthetreedifferedwidely。
\"Tellme，Angel，\"theBosssaidjestingly。\"IthinkIhavearighttoknow。Whoreallydidlocatethattree？\"
\"Freckles，\"sheansweredpromptlyandemphatically。
\"Buthesaysquiteaspositivelythatitwasyou。Idon\'tunderstand。\"
TheAngel\'slegallookflashedintoherface。Hereyesgrewtensewithearnestness。Sheglancedaround，andseeingnotowelorbasin，heldoutherhandforSearstopourwateroverthem。Then，usingtheskirtofherdresstodrythem，sheclimbedonthewagon。
\"I\'lltellyou，wordforword，howithappened，\"shesaid，\"andthenyoushalldecide，andFrecklesandIwillagreewithyou。\"
Whenshehadfinishedherversion，\"Tellus，`oh，mostlearnedjudge！\'\"shelaughinglyquoted，\"whichofuslocatedthattree？\"
\"BlestifIknowwholocatedit！\"exclaimedMcLean。\"ButIhaveafairlyaccurateideaastowhoputtheblueribbononit。\"
TheBosssmiledsignificantlyatFreckles，whojusthadcome，fortheyhadplannedthattheywouldinstructthecompanytoreserveenoughoftheveneerfromthatverytreetomakethemostbeautifuldressingtabletheycoulddesignfortheAngel\'sshareofthediscovery。
\"Whatwillyouhaveforyours？\"McLeanhadaskedofFreckles。
\"Ifit\'sallthesametoyou，I\'llbetakingmineoutinmusiclessons——
beggingyourpardon——voiceculture，\"saidFreckleswithagrimace。
McLeanlaughed，forFrecklesneededtoseeorhearonlyoncetoabsorblearningasthethirstyearthsucksupwater。
TheAngelplacedMcLeanattheheadofthetable。Shetookthefoot，withFrecklesonherright，whilethelumbergang，washed，brushed，andstraighteneduntiltheyfeltunfamiliarwiththemselvesandeachother，filledthesides。Thatimposedaslightconstraint。Then，too，themenwereafraidoftheflowers，thepolishedtableware，andaboveall，ofthedaintygraceoftheAngel。
Nowheredomensodisplaylackofgoodbreedingandcultureasindining。Tosprawlonthetable，scoopwiththeirknives，chewloudly，gulpcoffee，andducktheirheadsassnapping-turtlesforeverybite，hadnotbeennoticedbythemuntiltheAngel，sittingstraightly，suddenlymadethemrememberthatthey，too，werepossessedofspines。Instinctivelyeverymanatthetablestraightened。
CHAPTERXVII
WhereinFrecklesOffersHisLifeforHisLoveandGetsaBrokenBodyToreachthetreewasamoredifficulttaskthanMcLeanhadsupposed。
Thegangcouldapproachnearestontheoutsidetowardtheeast，butaftertheyreachedtheendoftheeastentrancetherewasyetamileofmostimpenetrablethicket，treesbigandlittle，andbushesofeveryvarietyandstageofgrowth。Inmanyplacesthemuckhadtobefilledtogivethehorsesandwagonsasolidfoundationoverwhichtohaulheavyloads。Itwasseveraldaysbeforetheycompletedaroadtothenoble，bigtreeandwerereadytofellit。
Whenthesawingbegan，FreckleswaswatchingdowntheroadwhereitmetthetrailleadingfromLittleChicken\'stree。Hehadgonetothetreeaheadofthegangtoremovetheblueribbon。Carefullyfolded，itnowlayoverhisheart。Hewaspromisinghimselfmuchcomfortwiththatribbon，whenhewouldleaveforthecitynextmonthtobeginhisstudiesanddreamthesummeroveragain。
Itwouldhelptomakethingstangible。Whenhewasdressedasothermen，andathiswork，heknewwherehemeanttohomethatpreciousbitofblue。Itshouldbehisgood-lucktoken，andhewouldwearitalwaystokeepbrightinmemorythedayonwhichtheAngelhadcalledhimherknight。
Howhewouldstudy，andoh，howhewouldsing！IfonlyhecouldfulfillMcLean\'sexpectations，andmaketheAngelproudofhim！
Ifonlyhecouldbearealknight！
HecouldnotunderstandwhytheAngelhadfailedtocome。Shehadwantedtoseetheirtreefelled。Shewouldbetoolateifshedidnotarrivesoon。Hehadtoldheritwouldbereadythatmorning，andshehadsaidshesurelywouldbethere。Why，ofallmornings，wasshelateonthis？
McLeanhadriddentotown。Ifhehadbeenthere，Freckleswouldhaveaskedthattheydelaythefelling，buthescarcelylikedtoaskthegang。Hereallyhadnoauthority，althoughhethoughtthemenwouldwait；butsomewayhefoundsuchembarrassmentinframingtherequestthathewaiteduntiltheworkwaspracticallyended。
Thesawwasout，andthemenwerecuttingintothefellingsideofthetreewhentheBossrodein。
HisfirstwordwastoinquirefortheAngel。WhenFrecklessaidshehadnotyetcome，theBossatoncegaveorderstostopworkonthetreeuntilshearrived；forhefeltthatshevirtuallyhadlocatedit，andifshedesiredtoseeitfelled，sheshould。Asthemensteppedback，astiffmorningbreezecaughtthetop，thattoweredhighaboveitsfellows。Therewasanominousgrindingatthebase，ashiverofthemightytrunk，thendirectlyinlineofitsfallthebushesswungapartandthelaughingfaceoftheAngellookedonthem。
Agroanofhorrorburstfromthedrythroatsofthemen，andreadingtheagonyintheirfaces，shestoppedshort，glancedup，andunderstood。
\"South！\"shoutedMcLean。\"Runsouth！\"
TheAngelwashelpless。Itwasapparentthatshedidnotknowwhichwaysouthwas。Therewasanotherslowshiverofthebigtree。
Theremainderofthegangstoodmotionless，butFrecklessprangpastthetrunkandwentleapinginbigbounds。HecaughtuptheAngelanddashedthroughthethicketforsafety。Theswayingtrunkwashalfoverwhen，foraninstant，anear-bytreestayeditsfall。
TheysawFreckles\'footcatch，andwiththeAngelheplungedheadlong。
Aterriblecrybrokefromthemen，whileMcLeancoveredhisface。
InstantlyFreckleswasup，withtheAngelinhisarms，strugglingon。
TheouterlimbswereonthemwhentheysawFreckleshurltheAngel，facedown，inthemuck，asfarfromhimashecouldsendher。
Springingafter，inanattempttocoverherbodywithhisown，hewhirledtoseeiftheywereyetindanger，andwithoutstretchedarmsbracedhimselffortheshock。Thebranchesshutthemfromsight，andtheawfulcrashrockedtheearth。
McLeanandDuncanranwithaxesandsaws。Theremainderofthegangfollowed，andtheyworkeddesperately。ItseemedalongtimebeforetheycaughtaglimpseoftheAngel\'sbluedress，butitrenewedtheirvigor。Duncanfellonhiskneesbesideherandtorethemuckfromunderneathherwithhishands。Inafewsecondshedraggedherout，chokingandstunned，butsurelynotfatallyhurt。
Freckleslayalittlefartherunderthetree，abiglimbpinninghimdown。Hiseyeswerewideopen。Hewasperfectlyconscious。
Duncanbeganminingbeneathhim，butFrecklesstoppedhim。
\"Youcan\'tbemovingme，\"hesaid。\"Youmustcutoffthelimbandliftit。Iknow。\"
Twomenranforthebigsaw。Anumberofthemlaidholdofthelimbandboreup。Inashorttimeitwasremoved，andFreckleslayfree。
Themenbentovertolifthim，buthemotionedthemaway。
\"Don\'tbetouchingmeuntilIrestabit，\"hepleaded。
ThenhetwistedhisheaduntilhesawtheAngel，whowaswipingmuckfromhereyesandfaceontheskirtofherdress。
\"Trytogetup，\"hebegged。
McLeanlaidholdoftheAngelandhelpedhertoherfeet。
\"Doyouthinkanybonesarebroken？\"gaspedFreckles。
TheAngelshookherheadandwipedmuck。
\"Youseeifyoucanfindany，sir，\"Frecklescommanded。
TheAngelyieldedherselftoMcLean\'stouch，andheassuredFrecklesthatshewasnotseriouslyinjured。
Frecklessettledback，asmileofineffabletendernessonhisface。
\"ThanktheLord！\"hehoarselywhispered。
TheAngelleanedtowardhim。
\"Now，Freckles，you！\"shecried。\"It\'syourturn。Pleasegetup！\"
ApitifulspasmsweptFreckles\'face。ThesightofitwashedeveryvestigeofcolorfromtheAngel\'s。Shetookholdofhishands。
\"Freckles，getup！\"Itwashalfcommand，halfentreaty。
\"Easy，Angel，easy！Letmerestabitfirst！\"imploredFreckles。
Shekneltbesidehim。Hereachedhisarmaroundheranddrewherclosely。HelookedatMcLeaninanagonyofentreatythatbroughttheBosstohiskneesontheotherside。
\"Oh，Freckles！\"McLeancried。\"Notthat！Surelywecandosomething！
Wemust！Letmesee！\"
HetriedtounfastenFreckles\'neckband，buthisfingersshooksoclumsilythattheAngelpushedthemawayandherselflaidFreckles\'
chestbare。Withonehastyglanceshegatheredtheclothingtogetherandslippedherarmunderhishead。Frecklesliftedhiseyesofagonytohers。
\"Yousee？\"hesaid。
TheAngelnoddeddumbly。
FrecklesturnedtoMcLean。
\"Thankyouforeverything，\"hepanted。\"Wherearetheboys？\"
\"Theyareallhere，\"saidtheBoss，\"exceptacouplewhohavegonefordoctors，Mrs。DuncanandtheBirdWoman。\"
\"It\'snousetryingtodoanything，\"saidFreckles。\"Youwon\'tforgetthemuffandtheChristmasbox。Themuffespecial？\"
TherewasamovementabovethemsopronouncedthatitattractedFreckles\'attention，eveninthatextremehour。Helookedup，andapleasedsmileflickeredonhisdrawnface。
\"Why，ifitain\'tmeLittleChicken！\"hecriedhoarsely。\"Hemustbemakinghisveryfirsttripfromthelog。NowDuncancanhavehisbigwatering-trough。\"
\"ItwasLittleChickenthatmademelate，\"falteredtheAngel。
\"IwassoanxioustogethereearlyIforgottobringhisbreakfastfromthecarriage。Hemusthavebeenhungry，forwhenIpassedtheloghestartedafterme。Hewassowabbly，andsoslowflyingfromtreetotreeandthroughthebushes，Ijusthadtowaitonhim，forIcouldn\'tdrivehimback。\"
\"Ofcourseyoucouldn\'t！Mebirdhastooamazinggoodsinsetogobackwhenhecouldbefollowingyou，\"exultedFreckles，exactlyasifhedidnotrealizewhatthedelayhadcosthim。Thenhelaysilentlythinking，butpresentlyheaskedslowly:\"Andso`twasmeLittleChickenthatwasmakingyoulate，Angel？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheAngel。
AspasmoffiercepainshookFreckles，andalookofuncertaintycrossedhisface。
\"AllsummerI\'vebeenthankingGodforthefallingofthefeatherandallthedelightsit\'sbroughtme，\"hemuttered，\"butthislooksasif——\"
HestoppedshortandraisedquestioningeyestoMcLean。
\"Ican\'thelpbeingIrish，butIcanhelpbeingsuperstitious，\"
hesaid。\"Imustn\'tbelayingittotheAlmighty，ortomebird，mustI？\"
\"No，dearlad，\"saidMcLean，strokingthebrillianthair。
\"Thechoicelaywithyou。Youcouldhavestoodarooteddoltlikealltheremainderofus。Itwasthroughyourgreatloveandyourhighcouragethatyoumadethesacrifice。\"
\"Don\'tyoubesonamingit，sir！\"criedFreckles。\"It\'sjustthereverse。IfIcouldbegivingmebodythehundredtimesovertosavehersfromthis，I\'dbedoingitandtakejoywitheverypain。\"
HeturnedwithasmileofadoringtendernesstotheAngel。Shewasghastlywhite，andhereyesweredullandglazed。Shescarcelyseemedtohearorunderstandwhatwascoming，butshebravelytriedtoanswerthatsmile。
\"Ismyforeheadcoveredwithdirt？\"heasked。
Sheshookherhead。
\"Youdidonce，\"hegasped。
Instantlyshelaidherlipsonhisforehead，thenoneachcheek，andtheninalongkissonhislips。
McLeanbentoverhim。
\"Freckles，\"hesaidbrokenly，\"youwillneverknowhowIloveyou。
Youwon\'tgowithoutsayinggood-byetome？\"
ThatwordstungtheAngeltoquickcomprehension。Shestartedasifarousingfromsleep。
\"Good-bye？\"shecriedsharply，hereyeswideningandthecolorrushingintoherwhiteface。\"Good-bye！Why，whatdoyoumean？
Who\'ssayinggood-bye？WherecouldFrecklesgo，whenheishurtlikethis，savetothehospital？Youneedn\'tsaygood-byeforthat。
Ofcourse，wewillallgowithhim！Youcallupthemen。Wemuststartrightaway。\"
\"It\'snouse，Angel，\"saidFreckles。\"I\'mthinkingivryboneinmebreastissmashed。You\'llhavetobelettingmego！\"
\"Iwillnot，\"saidtheAngelflatly。\"It\'snousewastingprecioustimetalkingaboutit。Youarealive。Youarebreathing；andnomatterhowbadlyyourbonesarebroken，whataregreatsurgeonsforbuttofixyouupandmakeyouwellagain？Youpromisemethatyou\'lljustgrityourteethandhangonwhenwehurtyou，forwemuststartwithyouasquicklyasitcanbedone。Idon\'tknowwhathasbeenthematterwithme。Here\'sgoodtimewastedalready。\"
\"Oh，Angel！\"moanedFreckles，\"Ican\'t！Youdon\'tknowhowbaditis。
I\'lldietheminuteyouarefortryingtoliftme！\"
\"Ofcourseyouwill，ifyoumakeupyourmindtodoit，\"saidtheAngel。\"Butifyouaredeterminedyouwon\'t，andsetyourselftobreathingdeepandstrong，andhangontometight，Icangetyouout。
Reallyyoumust，Freckles，nomatterhowithurts，foryoudidthisforme，andnowImustsaveyou，soyoumightaswellpromise。\"
Shebentoverhim，tryingtosmileencouragementwithherfear-stiffenedlips。
\"Youwillpromise，Freckles？\"
BigdropsofcoldsweatrantogetheronFreckles\'temples。
\"Angel，darlin\'Angel，\"hepleaded，takingherhandinhis。
\"Youain\'tunderstanding，andIcan\'tforthelifeofmebetellingyou，butindade，it\'sbesttobelettingmego。
Thisismychance。Pleasesaygood-bye，andletmeslipoffquick！\"
HeappealedtoMcLean。
\"DearBoss，youknow！Youbetellingherthat，forme，livingisfarworsepainthandying。Tellheryouknowdeathisthebestthingthatcouldeverbehappeningtome！\"
\"MercifulHeaven！\"burstintheAngel。\"Ican\'tendurethisdelay！\"
ShecaughtFreckles\'handtoherbreast，andbendingoverhim，lookeddeeplyintohisstrickeneyes。
\"`Angel，IgiveyoumywordofhonorthatIwillkeeprightonbreathing。\'That\'swhatyouaregoingtopromiseme，\"shesaid。
\"Doyousayit？\"
Freckleshesitated。
\"Freckles！\"imploringlycommandedtheAngel，\"YOUDOSAYIT！\"
\"Yis，\"gaspedFreckles。
TheAngelsprangtoherfeet。
\"Thenthat\'sallright，\"shesaid，withatingeofherold-
timebriskness。\"Youjustkeepbreathingawaylikeasteamengine，andIwilldoalltheremainder。\"
Theeagermengatheredaroundher。
\"It\'sgoingtobeatoughpulltogetFrecklesout，\"shesaid，\"butit\'souronlychance，solistencloselyanddon\'tforthelivesofyoufailmeindoingquicklywhatItellyou。There\'snotimetospendfallingdownovereachother；wemusthavesomesystem。
Youfourtheregetonthosewagonhorsesandridetothesleeping-tent。
Getthestoutestcot，acoupleofcomforts，andapillow。Ridebackwiththemsomewaytosavetime。Ifyoumeetanyothermenofthegang，sendthemheretohelpcarrythecot。Wewon\'triskthejoltofdrivingwithhim。Theothersclearapathouttotheroad；andMr。McLean，youtakeNellieandridetotown。TellmyfatherhowFrecklesishurtandthatheriskedittosaveme。TellhimI\'mgoingtotakeFrecklestoChicagoonthenoontrain，andIwanthimtoholditifwearealittlelate。Ifhecan\'t，thenhaveaspecialreadyatthestationandanotheronthePittsburghatFortWayne，sowecangostraightthrough。Youneedn\'tmindleavingus。
TheBirdWomanwillbeheresoon。Wewillrestawhile。\"
ShedroppedintothemuckbesideFrecklesandbeganstrokinghishairandhand。Helaywithhisfaceofagonyturnedtohers，andfoughttosmotherthegroansthatwouldtellherwhathewassuffering。
Whentheystoodreadytolifthim，theAngelbentoverhiminapassionoftenderness。
\"DearoldLimberlostguard，we\'regoingtoliftyounow，\"shesaid。
\"Isuspectyouwillfaintfromthepainofit，butwewillbeaseasyaseverwecan，anddon\'tyoudareforgetyourpromise！\"
Awhimsicalhalf-smiletouchedFreckles\'quiveringlips。
\"Angel，canamanberememberingapromisewhenheain\'tknowing？\"
heasked。
\"Youcan，\"saidtheAngelstoutly，\"becauseapromisemeanssomuchmoretoyouthanitdoestomostmen。\"
AlookofstrengthflashedintoFreckles\'faceatherwords。
\"Iamready，\"hesaid。