 Chapter 4 of Freckles. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Rita Butros. Freckles by Jean Stratton Porter. Chapter 4 wherein Freckles faces trouble bravely and opens the way for new experiences. On Duncan's return from his next trip to town, there was a big store box loaded on the back of his wagon. He drove to the west entrance of the swamp, set the box on a stump that Freckles had selected in a beautiful sheltered place, and made it secure on its foundations with a tree at its back. It seems most a pity to nail into that tree, said Duncan. I hane at the time to examine into the grain of it, but it looks as if it might be a rearen. Anyhow, the nailing went a hard to deep, and having the case by it will make it safer if it is a good end. Isn't it an oak? asked Freckles. I, said Duncan, it looks like it might be one of the fine-grained white ones that make such grand furniture. When the body of the case was secure, Duncan made a door from the lid and fastened it with hinges. He drove a staple, screwed on a latch, and gave Freckles a small padlock so that he might fasten in his treasures safely. He made a shelf at the top for his books, and last of all covered the case with oil cloth. It was the first time in Freckles' life that anyone ever had done that much for his pleasure, and it warmed his heart with pure joy. If the interior of the box already had been covered with the rarest treasures of the limberlost, he could have been no happier. When the big teamster stood back to look at his work, he laughingly quoted, Neat but no gaudy, as McLean says, all we're needing now is a coat of paint to make a cupboard that would turn Sarah green with envy. You'll find that safe and dry lad, and that's all that's needed. Mr. Duncan, said Freckles, I don't know why you're being so mighty good to me, but if you have any jobs at the cabin that I could do for you or Mrs. Duncan hours off the line, it would make me mighty happy. Duncan laughed. You needn't feel you are obliged to me, lad. You might think I could take a half-day off in the best haul in season and go to town for boxes to rig up and spend of my little for fixtures. I knew Mr. McLean sent you, said Freckles, his eyes wide and bright with happiness. It's so good of him. How I wish I could do something that would please him as much. Why, Freckles, said Duncan, as he knelt and began collecting his tools, I cannot see that it will hurt you to be told that you are doing every day a thing that pleases the boss as much as anything you could do. You're being uncommon, faithful lad, and honest as old father time. McLean is trusting you as he would his own flesh and blood. Oh, Duncan, cried the happy boy, are you sure? Why, I know, answered Duncan, I wouldn't have ventured to say so else. In those first days he cautioned me not to tell you, but now he wouldn't care. Dear Ken, Freckles, that some of the single trees you are gardening are worth a thousand dollars. Freckles caught his breath and stood speechless. You see, said Duncan, that's why they won't be watched so closely. They take, say, for instance, a barrel maple bird's eye they call it in the factory because it's full of wee knots and twists that look like the eye of a bird. They saw it out in sheets no muckl thicker than writing paper. Then they make up the furniture out of cheaper wood and cover it with the maple, veneer they call it. When it's all done and polished, you never saw anything grander. Gangente are retail shopped the next time you're in town and see some. By sawing it in that way, they get finished for thousands of dollars worth of furniture from a single tree. If you didn't watch Faithful and Blackjack gets out a few he has marked, it means the loss of more money than you ever dreamed of lad. The other night, down at camp, some son of Balam was suggesting that you might be selling the boss out to Jack and letting him take the trees secretly and nobody would ever can till the gang gets here. A wave of scarlet flooded Freckles face and he blazed hotly at the insult and the boss continued dunking, coolly ignoring Freckles' anger. He lays back just as cool as cow combos and says I'll give a thousand dollars to any man who'll show me a fresh stump when we reach the limbo lost, says he. Some of the men just snapped him up that they'd find some so you see how the boss is trusting you lad. I am gladder than I can ever express said Freckles and now will I be walking double time to keep some of them from cutting a tree to get all that money. Mother of Moses, how old Duncan, you can trust the scotch to bundle things all together. McLean was only mean to show you all confidence and honor. He's gone and set a high price for some dirty yelp to ruin you. I was just trying to show you how he felt towards you and I've gone and give you that worry to bear. Damn the scotch, they're so slow and so dumb. Except in prison company, sweetly inquired Freckles. No, growled Duncan, hidden the list, hidden a business to set a price on you lad for that's about the amount of it and I had no right to tell you. We've both done you ill and both mean and the very best just what I'm always saying to Sarah. I am mighty proud of what you've been telling me Duncan, said Freckles. I need the warning sure. For with the books come and I might be tempted to neglect me work when double-watching is needed. Thank you more than I can say for putting me onto it. What you've told me may be the saving of me. I won't stop for dinner now. I'll be getting along the east line and when I come around about three maybe mother Duncan will let me have a glass of milk and a bite or something. You see now, cried Duncan in disgust, you'll start on that seven mile tramp with no bite to stay in your stomach. What was it I told you? You told me that the scotch had the hardest heads and the softest hearts of any people that's livin', answered Freckles. Duncan grunted in gratified disapproval. Freckles picked up his club and started down the line whistling cheerily for he had an unusually long repertoire upon which to draw. Duncan went straight to the lower camp and calling McLean aside repeated the conversation verbatim ending. And no matter what happens now or ever, dinner you'd dare let anything make you believe that Freckles has now guarded faithful as only man could. I don't think anyone could shake my faith in the lad, answered McLean. Freckles was whistling merrily. He kept one eye religiously on the line, the other he divided between the path, his friends of the wire and a search of the sky for his latest arrivals. Every day since their coming he had seen them, either hanging as small black clouds above the swamp or bobbing over logs and trees with their queer tilting walk. Whenever he could spare time he entered the swamp and tried to make friends with them for they were the tamest of all his unnumbered subjects. They ducked, dodged and ambled around him, over logs and bushes, and not even a near approach would drive them to flight. For two weeks he had found them circling over the limberlost regularly, but one morning the female was missing and only the big black chicken hung sentinel above the swamp. His mate did not reappear in the following days and Freckles grew very anxious. He spoke of it to Mrs. Duncan and she quieted his fears by raising a delightful hope in their stead. Why Freckles, if it's the hen bird you're missing, it's sent to one she's safe, she said, she's laid and is set in you silly. Watch him and mark where he lies, then follow and find the nest. Some Sabbath will all gang to see it. Accepting this theory Freckles began searching for the nest because these chickens were large as the hawks. He looked among the treetops until he almost sprained the back of his neck. He had half the crow and hawk nests in the swamp located. He searched for this nest instead of collecting subjects for his case. He found the pair the middle of one-four noon on the Elm where he had watched their love-making. The big black chicken was feeding his mate so it was proved that they were a pair. They were both alive and undoubtedly she was brooding. After that Freckles' nest hunting continued with renewed zeal but as he had no idea where to look and Duncan could offer no helpful suggestion, the nest was no nearer to being found. Coming from a long day on the trail Freckles saw Duncan's children awaiting him much closer to the swale than they usually ventured and from their wild gestures he knew that something had happened. He began to run but the cry that reached him was the books have come. How they hurried. Freckles lifted the youngest to his shoulder. The second took his club and dinner-pale and when they reached Mrs. Duncan they found her at work on a big box. She had loosened the lid and then she laughingly sat on it. You cannot have a peep in here until you have washed and eaten supper. She said it's all ready on the table and once you begin on this you'll no be willing to take your nose out till bedtime and I will negate my work done the night. We've eaten long ago. It was difficult work but Freckles smiled bravely. He made himself neat, swallowed a few bites then came so eagerly that Mrs. Duncan yielded although she said she very well knew all the time that his supper would be spoiled. Lifting the lid they removed the packing and found in that box books on birds, trees, flowers, moths and butterflies. There was also one containing Freckles bullfrog true to life. Besides these were a butterfly net, a naturalist tin specimen box, a bottle of cyanide, a box of cotton, a paper of long steel specimen pins and a letter telling what all these things were and how to use them. At the discovery of each new treasure Freckles shouted, will you be looking at this now? Mrs. Duncan cried, will I be drawn on? The eldest boy turned a somersault for every extra while the baby trying to follow his example bunched over in a side-wise sprawl and cut his foot on the ax with which his mother had prized up the box lid. That sobered them. They carried the books indoors. Mrs. Duncan had a top shelf in her closet cleared for them far above the reach of meddling little fingers. When Freckles started for the trail next morning the shining new specimen box flashed on his back. The black chicken, a mere speck in the blue caught the gleam of it. The folded net hung beside the boy's hatchet and the bird book was in the box. He walked the line and tested each section scrupulously watching every foot of the trail for he was determined not to slight his work but if ever a boy made haste slowly in a hurry it was Freckles that morning. At last he reached the space he had cleared and planted around his case his heart swelled with the pride of possessing even so much that he could call his own while his quick eyes feasted on the beauty of it. He had made a large room with the door of the case set even with one side of it on three sides fine big bushes of wild rose climbed to the lower branches of the trees. Part of his walls were mallow, part alder, corn, willow and dogwood. Below they're filled in a solid mass of pale pink, sheep laurel and yellow St. John's wort while the amber threads of the daughter interlaced everywhere. At one side the swamp came close here cattails grew in profusion. In front of them he had planted a row of water hyacinths without disturbing in the least the state of their azure bloom and where the ground arose higher for his floor a row of foxfire that soon would be open. To the left he had discovered a queer natural arrangement of the trees that grew to giant size and were set in a gradually narrowing space so that a long open vista stretched away until lost in the dim recesses of the swamp. A little trimming of underbush, rolling of dead logs, leveling of floor and carpeting with moss easy to understand why freckles had named this the cathedral. Yet he never had been taught that the groves were God's first temples. On either side of the trees that constituted the first arch of this dim vista of the swamp he planted ferns that grew waist high thus early in the season and so skillfully the work had been done that not a front drooped because of the change. Opposite he cleared a space and made a flower bed. He filled one end with every delicate lacy vine and fern he could transplant successfully. The body of the bed was a riot of color. Here he set growing dainty blue-eyed mares and blue-eyed grass side by side. He planted herbels, violets, blue, white and yellow, wild geranium, cardinal flower, Columbine, pink snake's mouth, buttercups, painted trilliums and orcas. Here were blood root, moccasin flower, hepatica, pitcher plant, jack in the pulpit and every other flower of the limberlost that was in bloom or bore a bud presaging a flower. Every day saw the addition of new specimens. The place would have driven a botanist wild with envy. On the line side he left the bushes thick for concealment, entering by a narrow path he and Duncan had cleared in setting up the case. He called this the front door, though he used every precaution to hide it. He built rustic seats between several of the trees, leveled the floor and thickly carpeted it with rank-heavy woolly dog moss. Around the case he planted wild clematis, bittersweet and wild grapevines and trained them over it until it was almost covered. Every day he planted new flowers, cut back rough bushes and coaxed out graceful ones. His pride in his room was very great, but he had no idea how surprisingly beautiful it would appear to anyone who had not witnessed its growth and construction. This morning freckles walked straight to his case, unlocked it and set his apparatus and dinner inside. He planted a new specimen he had found close the trail and bringing his old scrap bucket from the corner in which it was hidden. From a nearby pool he dipped water to pour over his carpet and flowers. Then he took out the bird-book, settled comfortably on a bench and with a deep sigh of satisfaction turned to the section headed V. Past Viri and Virio he went down the line until his finger trembling with eagerness stopped at Vulture. Great Black California Vulture, he read. Oh, this side the Rockies will do for us. Common turkey buzzard. Well, we ain't hunting common turkeys. McLean said chickens and what he says goes. Black Vulture of the South. Here we are arrived at once. Freckles finger followed the line and he read scraps aloud. Common in the South. Sometimes called Jim Crow. Nearest equivalent to cathartes atrata. How the devil am I ever to learn them corking big words by myself. The feroz chickens of European species. Sometimes straight north as far as Virginia and Kentucky and sometimes father interpolated freckles because I got them right here in Indiana. So like these pictures I can just see me big chicken bobbin up to get his ears boxed, eh? Light blue eggs. Golly, I got to be seeing them. Big as a common turkeys but shaped like a hens. Heavily splotched with chocolate. Caramel, I suppose. And in hollow logs or stomps. Oh, agony. Wasn't I barking up the wrong tree though? Or to been looking close to the ground all this time? Now it's all to do over and I suspect the sooner I start the sooner I'll be likely to find them. Freckles put away his book dampened the smudge fire without which the mosquitoes made the swamp almost unbearable. Took his cudgel and lunch and went to the line. He sat on a log, ate at dinnertime and drank his last drop of water. The heat of June was growing intense. Even on the west of the swamp where one had full benefit of the breeze from the upland it was beginning to be unpleasant in the middle of the day. He brushed the crumbs from his knees and sat resting awhile and watching the sky to see if his big chicken were hanging up there. But he came to the earth abruptly for there were steps coming down the trail that were neither McLean's nor Duncan's and there never had been others. Freckles' heart leaped hotly. He ran a quick hand over his belt to feel if his revolver and hatchet were there. Caught up his cudgel and laid it across his knees then sat quietly waiting. Was it blackjack or someone even worse? Forced to do something to brace his nerves he puckered his stiffening lips and began whistling a tune he had led in his clear tenor every year of his life at the home Christmas exercises. Who comes this way so blithe and gay upon a merry Christmas day? His quick Irish wit roused to the ridiculousness of it until he broke into a laugh that steadied him amazingly. Through the bushes he caught a glimpse of the oncoming figure. His heart flooded with joy for it was a man from the gang. Wessner had been his bunkmate the night he came down the corduroy. He knew him as well as any of McLean's men. This was no timber thief. No doubt the boss had sent him with a message. Freckles sprang up and called cheerily a warm welcome on his face. Well it's good telling if you're glad to see me said Wessner with something very like a breath of relief. We've been here and down at the camp you were so mighty touchy you didn't allow a man within a rod of the line. No more do I answered Freckles if he's a stranger but you're from McLean, ain't you? Oh damn McLean said Wessner. Freckles gripped the cudgel until his knuckles slowly turned purple. And are you really saying so he inquired with elaborate politeness? Yes I am said Wessner. So would every man of the gang if there weren't too big cowards to say anything unless maybe that other slobber and old Dutchman donken. Grinding the lives out of us working us like dogs and paying us starvation wages while he rolls up his millions and lives like a prince. Green lights began to play through the gray of Freckles eyes. Wessner he said impressively you'd make a fine pattern for the father of liars. Every man on that gang is strong and healthy paid all he earns and treated with the courtesy of a gentleman. As for the boss living like a prince he shares fair with you every day of your lives. Wessner was not a born diplomat but he saw he was on the wrong tack so he tried another. How would you like to make a good big pile of money without even lifting your hand? he asked. Huh! said Freckles. Have you been up to Chicago and cornered wheat and are you offering me a friendly tip on the investment of me fortune? Wessner came close. Freckles old fellow he said if you'll let me give you a pointer I can put you on to making a cool 500 without stepping out of your tracks. Freckles drew back. He didn't be afraid to speak up he said there isn't a soul in the limbo laws to save the birds and the beasts unless some of your sorts come along and it's crowded the privileges of the legal tenants. None of my friends along said Wessner nobody knew I came but black I I mean a friend of mine if you want to hear sense and act with reason he can see you later but it ain't necessary we can make all the plans needed the tricks so dead small and easy must be if you have the engineer and of it said Freckles but he heard with a sigh of relief that they were alone Wessner was impervious you just bet it is why I only think Freckles slaving away at a measly little 30 dollars a month and here's a chance to clear 500 in a day you surely won't be the fool to miss it and how was you proposing for me to stale it inquired Freckles or am I just to find it laying in my path beside the line that's it Freckles blustered the Dutchman you're just to find it you needn't do a thing you needn't know a thing you name a morning when you'll walk of the west side of the swamp and then turn round and walk back down the same side again and the money is yours couldn't anything be easier than that could it depends entirely on the man said Freckles the lilt of a lark hanging above the swell beside them was not sweeter than the sweetness of his voice to some it would seem to come as easy as breathing and to some ringing the last drop of their hearts blood couldn't force them I'm not the man that goes into a scheme like that with the blindfold over my eyes for you see it means to break trust with the boss and I've served him faithful as I knew you'll have to be making the thing very clear to me understandin it's so dead easy repeated Wessner it makes me tired of the simpleness of it you see there's a few trees in the swamp that's real gold mines there's three are special two are back in but one square on the line why your patron old scotch full of a boss nailed the wire to it with his own hands he never noticed where the bark had been peeled or saw what it was if you'll stay on this side of the trail just one day we can have it cut loaded and ready to drive out at night next morning you can find it report and be the busiest man in the search for us we know where to fix it all safe and easy then McLean has a bet up with a couple of the gang that there can't be a raw stump found in the limberlost there's plenty of witnesses to swear to it and I know three that will there's a cool thousand and this tree is worth all of that raw say it's a gold mine I tell you and just 500 of it's yours there's no danger on earth to you you've got McLean that bamboozled you could sell out the whole swamp and he'd never mistrust you what do you say freckles soul was satisfied is that all he asked no it ain't said Wessner if you really want to brace up and be a man and go into the thing for a keeps you can make five times that in a week my friend knows a dozen others we could get out in a few days and all you'd have to do would be to keep out of sight then you could take your money and skip some night and begin life like a gentleman somewhere else what do you think about it freckles purred like a kitten to it be a rare joke on the boss you said to be stealing from him the very thing has trusted me to guard and be getting me wages all winter thrown in free and you're making the pay awful high me to be getting 500 for such a simple little thing is that you're trading me most royal a date it's a way beyond all I'd be expecting 17 cents would be a big price for that job it must be looked into thorough just you wait here until I do a minute's turn in the swamp and then I'll be escorting you out of the clearing and giving you the answer freckles lifted the overhanging bushes and hurried to the case he unslunged the specimen box and laid it inside with his hatchet and revolver he slipped the key in his pocket and went back to Wessner now for the answer he said stand up there was iron in his voice and he was commanding as an outraged general anything you want to be taken off he questioned Wessner looked the astonishment he felt oh I know freckles he said have the goodness to be calling me Mr. McLean snapped freckles I'm after reserving my pet name for the Yosemite friends you may stand with your back to the light or be taken any advantage you want why what would you mean spluttered Wessner I'm main end said freckles thirsty to lick a quarter section I held out of you and may the holy virgin stay me before I leave you here carrion for your carcass would turn the stomachs of me chickens at the camp that morning Wessner's conduct had been so palpable an excuse to force a discharge that Duncan moved near McLean and whispered think of the boy sir McLean was so troubled that an hour later he mounted Nelly and followed Wessner to his home in Wildcat Hollow only to find that he had left there shortly before heading for the Limberlost McLean rode at top speed when Mrs. Duncan told him that a man answering Wessner's description had gone down the west side of the swamp close noon he left the mare in her charge and followed on foot when he heard voices he entered the swamp and silently crept close just in time to hear Wessner whine but I can't fight you freckles I ain't done nothing to you I'm away bigger than you and you only one hand the boss slid off his coat and crouched among the bushes ready to spring but as freckles voice reached him he held himself with a strong effort to learn what metal was in the boy don't you be wasting me good time in the number of me hands cried freckles the strength of me cause will make up for the weakness of me members and the size of a cowardly thief doesn't count you'll think all the Wildcats of the Limberlost are turned loose on you when I come against you and as for me cause I slept with you Wessner the night I came down the coderoy like a dirty friendless tramp and the boss was for taking me up washing clothing and feeding me giving me a home full of love and tenderness and a master to look to and good well-earned money in the bank he's trusting me his heart full and here comes you you spotted toad in the big road and insults me as is an honest Irish gentleman by hinting that you can save I'd be willing to shut me eyes and hold fast while you rob him of the thing I was certain paid to guard and then act the sneak and liar to him and run an eternally black in the soul of me you damned rascal raped freckles be fighting before I forget the laws of a gentleman's name and split your dirty head with me stick Wessner backed away mumbling but I don't want to hurt you freckles oh don't you rage the boy now fairly frothing well he ain't resembling me none for I'm itching like death to get me fingers in the face of ya he danced up and as Wessner lunged in self-defense ducked under his arm as a bantam and punched him in the pit of the stomach so that he doubled with a groan before Wessner could straighten himself freckles was on him fighting like the wildest fury that ever left the beautiful island the Dutchman dealt thundering blows that sometimes landed and sent freckles reeling and sometimes missed while he went plunging into the swale with the impetus of them freckles could not strike with half Wessner's force he could land three blows to the Dutchman's one it was here that the boys' days of alert watching on the line the perpetual swinging of the heavy cudgel and the endurance of all weather stood him in good stead for he was tough and agile he skipped, ducked and dodged for the first five minutes he endured fearful punishment then Wessner's breath commenced to whistle between his teeth when freckles only had begun fighting he sprang back with shrill laughter big golly and will your honor be whistling the hornpipe for me to be dancing off? he cried Spang went his fist into Wessner's face and he was passed him into the swale and would you be pleased to tune up a little livelier? he gasped and clipped his ear as he sprang back Wessner lunged at him in blind fury freckles seeing an opening forgot the laws of a gentleman's game and drove the toe of his heavy-weighting boot in Wessner's middle until he doubled and fell heavily in a flash freckles was on him for a time McClain could not see what was happening go, go to him now he commanded himself but so intense was his desire to see the boy win alone that he did not stir at last freckles sprang up and backed away time he yelled as a fury be getting up Mr. Wessner and don't be afraid of hurting me I'll let you throw in an extra hand and lick you to me complete satisfaction all the same did you hear me call the limit will you get up and be facing me? as Wessner struggled to his feet he resembled a battlefield for his clothing was in ribbons and his face and hands streaming blood I guess I got enough he mumbled oh you do roared freckles well this ain't your say you will come on to me ground lying about me boss and intimating I'd stale from his very pockets now will you be standing up and taking your medicine like a man or getting it poured down the throat of you like a baby I ain't got enough this is only just the beginning with me being looking out there he sprang against Wessner and sent him rolling he attacked the unresisting figure and fought him until he lay limp and quiet and freckles had no strength left to lift an arm then he arose and stepped back gasping for breath with his first lung full of air he shouted time but the figure of Wessner lay motionless freckles watched him with regardful eye and saw at last that he was completely exhausted he bent over him and catching him by the back of the neck jerked him to his knees Wessner lifted the face of a whipped cur and fearing further punishment burst into shivering sobs while the tears washed tiny rivulets through the blood and muck freckles stepped back glaring at Wessner but suddenly the scowl of anger and the ugly disfiguring red faded from the boy's face he dabbed at a cut on his temple from which issued a tiny crimson stream and jauntily shook back his hair his face took on the innocent look of a cherub and his voice rivaled that of a brooding dove but into his eyes crept a look of diabolical mischief he glanced vaguely around him until he saw his club seized and twirled it as a drum major stuck it upright in the muck and marched on tiptoe to Wessner mechanically as a puppet worked by a string bending over freckles reached an arm around Wessner's waist and helped him to his feet careful now he cautioned be careful Freddy there's danger of you hurting me drawing a handkerchief from a back pocket freckles tenderly wiped Wessner's eyes and nose come Freddy me child he admonished Wessner it's time little boys were going home I have me work to do and can't be entertaining you anymore today come back tomorrow if you ain't through yet and will repeat the performance don't be staring at me so wild like you but I can't afford it me earnings being honest come slow and I have no money to be squandering on the pailful of dyspeptics delight it would be to taking to work you out of my innards again an awful wrenching seized McLean freckles stepped back as Wessner tottering and reeling as a thoroughly drunken man came toward the path appearing indeed as if Wildcats had attacked him the cudgel spun high in air and catching it with an expertness acquired by long practice on the line the boy twirled at a second shook back his thick hair bonnily and stepping into the trail followed Wessner because freckles was Irish it was impossible to do it silently so presently his clear tenor rang out though there were bad catches where he was hard pressed for breath it was the Dutch it was the Dutch do you think it was the Irish hollered health not much it was the Dutch it was the Dutch Wessner turned and mumbled what are you following me for what are you going to do with me freckles called the Limberlost to witness how's that for the ingratitude of a beast and me troubling myself to show him off me territory with the honors of war then he changed his tone completely and added be like it's this Freddie you see the boss might come riding down this trail any minute and the little mare so weedles him that if she'd come on to you in your prison state all of a sudden she'd stop that short she'd send Mr. McLean out over the ears of her no disparagement intended to the sense of the mare he added hastily Wessner belched a fearful oath while freckles laughed merrily that's a sample of the thanks a generous axe always forgotten he continued here's me neglecting me work to escort you out proper and you say in such awful words Freddie he demanded sternly do you want me to soap out your mouth you don't seem to be realizing it but if you were to buck into Mr. McLean in your prison state without me there to explain matters the chances he'd cut the liver out of you and I shouldn't think you'd be wanting such a fine gentleman as him to see that it's white Wessner grew ghastly under his grime and broke into a staggering run and now will you be looking at the manners of him questioned freckles plaintively gone without even a thank you right in the face of all the pains I've taken to make it interesting for him freckles twirled the club and stood as a soldier at attention until Wessner left the clearing but it was the last scene of that performance when the boy turned there was deathly illness on his face while his legs wavered beneath his weight he staggered to the case and opening it he took out a piece of cloth he dipped it into the water and sitting on a bench he wiped the blood and grime from his face while his breath sucked between his clenched teeth he was shivering with pain and excitement in spite of himself he unbuttoned the band of his right sleeve and turning it back exposed the blue-lined calloused whiteness of his maimed arm now vividly streaked with contusions while in a series of circular dots the blood oozed slowly here Wessner had succeeded in setting his teeth when freckles saw what it was he forgave himself the kick in the pit of Wessner's stomach and cursed fervently and deep freckles freckles said McLean's voice freckles snatched down his sleeve and arose to his feet excuse me sir he said you'll surely be believing I thought myself alone McLean pushed him carefully to the seat and bending over him opened a pocket case that he carried as regularly as his revolver and watch for cuts and bruises were of daily occurrence among the gang taking the hurt arm he turned back the sleeve and bathed and bound the wounds he examined freckles head and body and convinced himself that there was no permanent injury although the cruelty of the punishment the boy had borne set the boss shuttering then he closed the case shoved it into his pocket and sat beside freckles all the indescribable beauty of the place was strong around him but he saw only the bruised face of the suffering boy who had hedged for the information he wanted as a diplomat argued as a judge fought as a sheik and triumphed as a devil when the pain lessened and breath relieved freckles pounding heart he watched the boss covertly how had McLean gotten there and how long had he been there freckles did not dare ask at last he arose and going to the case took out his revolver and the wire mending apparatus and locked the door then he turned to McLean have you any order sir he asked yes said McLean I have and you are to follow them to the letter turn over that apparatus to me and go straight home soak yourself in the hottest bath your skin will bear and go to bed at once now hurry Mr. McLean said freckles it's sorry I am to be telling you but the afternoon's walking of the line ain't done you see I was just forgetting to me feet to start and I was on time when up came a gentleman and we got into a little heated argument it's either settled or it's just begun but between us I'm that late I haven't started for the afternoon yet I must be going at once for there's a tree I must find before the day's over your plucky little idiot groud McLean you can't walk the line I doubt if you can reach Duncan's don't you know when you are done up you go to bed I'll finish your work never protested freckles I was just a little done up for the present a minute ago I'm all right now riding boots are far too low the day's hot and the walk a good seven mile sir never as he reached for the outfit he pitched forward and his eyes closed McLean stretched him on the moss and applied restoratives when freckles returned to consciousness McLean ran to the cabin to tell Mrs. Duncan to have a hot bath ready and to bring Nelly that worthy woman promptly filled the wash boiler starting a roaring fire under it she pushed the horse trough from its base and rolled it to the kitchen by the time McLean came again leading Nelly and holding freckles on her back Mrs. Duncan was ready for business she and the boss laid freckles in the trough and poured on hot water until he squirmed they soaked and massaged him then they drew off the hot water and closed his pores with cold lastly they stretched him on the floor and chafed rubbed and needed him until he cried out for mercy as they rolled him into bed his eyes dropped shut but a little later they flared open Mr. McLean he cried the tree oh do be looking after the tree McLean bent over him which tree freckles? I don't know exact sir but it's on the east line and the wire is fastened to it he bragged that you nailed it yourself sir you'll know it by the bark haven't been laid open to the grain somewhere low down $500 he offered me to be selling you out sir freckles head rolled over and his eyes dropped shut McLean towered above the lad his bright hair waved on the pillow his face was swollen and purple with bruises his left arm with the hand battered almost out of shape stretched beside him and the right with no hand at all lay across a chest that was a mass of purple welts McLean's mind traveled to the night almost a year before when he had engaged freckles a stranger the boss bent covering the hurt arm with one hand and laying the other with a caress on the boy's forehead freckles stirred at his touch and whispered as softly as the swallows under the eaves if you're coming this way tomorrow be pleased to step over and will repait the chorus softly bless the gritty devil muttered McLean then he went out and told Mrs. Duncan to keep close watch on freckles also to send Duncan to him at the swamp the minute he came home following the trail to the line and back to the scent of the fight the boss entered freckles study quietly as if his spirit keeping there might be roused and gazed around with astonished eyes how had the boy conceived it what a picture he had wrought in living colors he had the heart of a painter the soul of a poet the boss stepped carefully over the velvet carpet to touch the walls of crisp verger with gentle fingers he stood long beside the flower bed and gazed at the bank wall of bright bloom as if he doubted its reality where had freckles ever found and how had he transplanted such ferns as McLean turned from them he stopped suddenly he had reached the door of the cathedral which freckles had attempted would have been patent to anyone what had been in the heart of the shy silent boy when he had found that long dim stretch of forest decorated its entrance cleared and smoothed its aisle and carpeted its altar what various work of God was in these mighty living pillars and the arched dome of green how similar to stained cathedral windows with the long openings between the trees filled with rifts of blue rays of gold and the shifting emerald of leaves where could be found mosaics to match this aisle paved with living color and glowing light was freckles a devout Christian and did he worship here or was he an untaught heathen and down this vista of entrancing loveliness did pan come piping and dryads nymphs and fairies dance for him who can fathom the heart of a boy McLean had been thinking of freckles as a creature of unswerving honesty courage and faithfulness here was evidence of a heart aching for beauty art, companionship, worship it was writ large all over the floor, walls and furnishing of that little limberlost clearing when Duncan came McLean told him the story of the fight and they laughed until they cried then they started around the line in search of the tree said Duncan now the boy is in for sore trouble I hope not answered McLean you never in all your life saw a car whipped so completely he won't come back for the repetition of the chorus we surely can't find the tree if we can't freckles can I'll bring enough of the gang to take it out at once that will ensure peace for a time at least and I'm hoping that in a month or more the whole gang may be moved here it soon will be fall and then if he'll go I intend to send freckles to my mother to be educated with his quickness of mind and body and a few years good help he can do anything why Duncan I'd give a hundred dollar bill if you could have been here and seen for yourself yes and I'd have done the murder muttered the big teamster I hope sir you'll make good your plans for freckles though I'd as soon as see any more child of my own taken from our home we love the lad me and Sarah locating the tree was easy because it was so well identified when the rumble of the big lumber wagons passing the cabin on the way to the swamp wakened freckles next morning he sprang up and was soon following them he was so sore and stiff that every movement was torture at first but he grew easier and shortly did not suffer so much McClain scolded him for coming yet in his heart triumphed over every new evidence of fineness in the boy the tree was a giant maple and so precious that they almost dug it out by the roots when it was down cut in lengths and loaded there was yet an empty wagon as they were gathering up their tools to go Duncan said there is a big hollow tree somewhere mighty close here that I've been wanting for a watering trough for my stock the one I have is so small the Portland company cut this for Elm Butts last year and at 6 feet diameter and hollow for 40 feet it was a buster while the men are here and there is an empty wagon why might I load it on and take it up to the barn as we pass McClain said he was very willing ordered the driver to break line and load the log detailing men to assist he told freckles to ride on a section of the maple with him but now the boy asked to enter the swamp with Duncan I don't see why you want to go said McClain I have no business to let you out today at all it's me chickens whispered freckles in distress you see I was just after finding yesterday from my new book how they do be nested in hollow trees and there ain't too many in the swamp there's just a chance that they might be in that one go ahead said McClain that's a different story if they happen to be there why so Duncan he must give up the tree until they have finished with it then he climbed on a wagon and was driven away freckles hurried into the swamp he was a little behind yet he could see the men before he overtook them they had turned from the west road and had entered the swamp toward the east they stopped at the trunk of a monstrous prostrate log it had been cut three feet from the ground over three fourths of the way through and had fallen towards the east the body of the log still resting on the stump the underbrush was almost impenetrable but Duncan plunged in and with a crowbar began tapping along the trunk to decide how far it was hollow so that they would know where to cut as they waited his decision there came from the mouth of it on wings a large black bird that swept over their heads freckles danced wildly it's me chickens oh it's me chickens he shouted oh Duncan come quick you found the nest of me precious chickens Duncan hurried to the mouth of the log but freckles was before him he crashed through poison vines and underbrush regardless of any danger and climbed on the stump when Duncan came he was shouting like a wild man it's hatched he yelled oh me big chicken has hatched out me little chicken and there's another egg I can see it plain and oh the funny little white baby oh Duncan can you see me little white chicken Duncan could easily see it so could everyone else freckles crept into the log and tenderly carrying the hissing blinking little bird to the light in a leaf lined hat the men found it sufficiently wonderful to satisfy even freckles who had forgotten he was ever sore and coddled over it with every blarneying term of endearment he knew Duncan gathered his tools deals off boys he said cheerfully this log won't be touched until freckles chalkies have finished with it we might as well gine better put it back freckles it's just out and it may chill you'll probably have to add them on freckles crept into the log and carefully deposited the baby beside the egg when he came back he said I made a big mistake not to be bringing the egg out with the baby but I was fearing to touch it it's shaped like a hen's egg and it's big as a turkey's and a beautiful blue just splattered with big brown splotches like me book said precise bet you never saw such a sight as it made on the yellow of the rotten wood beside that funny leathery face little white baby tell you what freckles said one of the teamster have you ever heard of this bird woman who goes all over the country with a camera and makes pictures she made some of my brother Jim's place last summer and Jim's so wild about them it quits plowing and goes after her about every nasty find he helps her all he can to take them and then she gives him a picture Jim's so proud of what he has he keeps them in the bible he shows them to everybody that comes and brags about how he helped if you're smart you'll send for her and she'll come and make a picture just like life if you help her she'll give you one it would be uncommon pretty to keep after your birds are gone I don't know what they are I never see their like before they must be something rare any you fellows ever see a bird like that hear abouts no one ever had well said the teamster failing to get this log lets me off till noon and I'm going to town I have a big notion to stop and tell her if she drives straight back in this swamp on the west road and turns east at this big sycamore she can't mis-find in the tree even if freckles ain't here to shore Jim says her work is a credit to the state she lives in and any man is a measly creature who isn't willing to help her all he can my old dad used to say that all there was to religion was doing to the other fellow what you'd want him to do to you I've taken a live and taken bird picture seems to me I'd be mighty glad for a chance to take one like that so I'll just stop and tell her and by gummy maybe she'll give me a picture the little white sucker for my trouble freckles touched his arm will she be rough with it he asked government land no said the teamster she's dead down on anybody that shoots a bird or tears up a nest why she's half killing herself in places and weather to teach people to love and protect the birds she is that plumb careful of them that Jim's wife says she has Jim a standin' like a big fool holdin' an umbrella over them when they're young and tender until she gets a focus whatever that is Jim says there ain't a bird on this place that don't actually seem to like having her around after she has weedled them a few days and the picture she takes nobody would ever believe will you be sure to tell her to come asked freckles Duncan slept at home that night he heard freckles slipping out early the next morning but he was too sleepy to wonder why until he came to do his morning chores when he found that none of his stock was at all thirsty and saw the water trough brimming he knew that the boy was trying to make up to him for the loss of the big trough that he had been so anxious to have bless his full little hot heart said Duncan and him so sort is tearing him to move for anything no wonder he has a soul lovin' him freckles was moving briskly and his heart was so happy that he forgot all about the bruises he hurried around the trail and on his way down the east side he went to see the chickens the mother bird was on the nest he was afraid the other egg might be hatching so he did not venture to disturb her he made the round and reached his study early he ate his lunch but did not need to start on the second trip until the middle of the afternoon he would have long hours to work on his flower bed improve his study and learn about his chickens lovingly he set his room in order and watered the flowers and carpet he had chosen for his resting place the coolest spot on the west side where there was almost always a breeze the way the heat was so intense that it penetrated even there I'm mighty glad there's nothing calling me inside he said there's no bitter air, stern, and it will just be steaming oh, but it's luck Duncan found the nest before it got so over barren hot I might have missed it altogether wouldn't it have been a shame to lose that sight the cunning little devil when he gets to toddlin' down that log to meet me won't he be a circus I wonder if he'll be as graceful a performer of foot as his father and mother the heat became more insistent noon came freckles ate his dinner and settled for an hour or two on a bench with a book end of chapter 4 chapter 5 of freckles this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros freckles by Jean Stratton Porter chapter 5 wherein an angel materializes and a man worships perhaps there was a breath of sound freckles never afterward could remember but for some reason he lifted his head as the bushes parted and the face of an angel looked between saints, nymphs, and fairies had floated down his cathedral aisle for him many times with forms and voices of exquisite beauty parting the wild roses at the entrance was beauty of which freckles never had dreamed was it real or would it vanish as the other dreams he dropped his book and rising to his feet went a step closer gazing intently this was real flesh and blood it was in every way fast for no bird of its branches swung with easier grace than this dainty young thing rocked on the bit of morass on which she stood a sapling beside her was not straighter or rounder than her slender form her soft waving hair clung around her face from the heat and curled over her shoulders it was all of one piece with the gold of the sun that filtered between the branches her eyes were the deepest blue her lips the reddest red of the foxfire while her cheeks were exactly of the same satin as the wild rose petals caressing them she was smiling at freckles in perfect confidence and she cried oh I'm so delighted that I found you the wildly leaping heart of freckles burst from his body and fell in the black swamp muck at her feet with such a thud that he did not understand how she could avoid hearing he really felt that if she looked down she would see incredulous he quavered and was you looking for me I hoped I might find you said the angel you see I didn't do as I was told and I'm lost the bird woman said I should wait in the carriage until she came back she's been gone hours it's a perfect Turkish bath in there and I'm all lumpy with mosquito bites just when I thought that I couldn't bear it another minute along came the biggest papillio Ajax you ever saw I knew how pleased she'd be so I ran after it it flew so slow and so low that I thought a dozen times I had it then all at once it went from sight above the trees and I couldn't find my way back to save me I think I've walked more than an hour I have been mired to my knees a thorn raked my arm until it is bleeding and I'm so tired and warm she parted the bushes farther freckles saw that her blue cotton frock clung to her limp with perspiration it was torn across the breast one sleeve hung open from shoulder to elbow a thorn had torn her arm until it was covered with blood and the gnats and mosquitoes were clustering around it her feet were in lace freckles gasped in the limberlost in low shoes he caught an armful of moss from his carpet and buried it in the ooze in front of her for a footing come out here so I can see where you're steppin quick for the life of you he ordered she smiled on him indulgently why she inquired did anybody let you come here and not be telling you of the snakes urged freckles siroy and he did say something about snakes I believe the bird woman put on leather leggings and a nice parboiled time she must be having worst dose I ever endured and I had nothing to do but swelter will you be coming out of there grown freckles she laughed as if it were a fine joke maybe if I'd be telling you I killed a rattler curled upon that same place you're standin as long as my body even where I can see your footing he urged insistently what a perfectly delightful little brogue you speak she said my father is Irish and half should be enough to entitle me to that much maybe if I'd be telling you she imitated rounding and accenting each word carefully freckles was beginning to feel a wildness in his head he had derided wessner at that same hour yesterday now his own eyes were filling with tears if you were understanding the danger he continued desperately oh I don't think there is much she tilted on the morass if you killed one snake here it's probably all there is near and anyway the bird woman says a rattlesnake is a gentleman and always gives warning before he strikes I don't hear any rattling do you would you be knowing it if you did asked freckles almost impatiently how the laugh of the young thing rippled would I be knowing it she mocked you should see the swamps of michigan where they dump rattlers from the moral dredgers three and four at a time freckles stood astounded she did know she was not in the least afraid she was depending on a rattlesnake to live up to his share of the contract and rattle in time for her to move the one characteristic the first man admires in a woman above all others is courage freckles worshipped anew he changed his tactics I'd be pleased to be receiving you at me front door he said but as you've arrived at the back will you come in and be seated he waved toward a bench the angel came instantly oh how lovely and cool she cried as she moved across his room freckles had difficult work to keep from falling on his knees for they were very weak while he was hard driven by an impulse to worship did you arrange this she asked yes said freckles simply someone must come with a big canvas and copy each side of it she said I never saw anything so beautiful how I wish I might remain here with you I will someday if you will let me but now if you can spare the time will you help me find the carriage if the bird woman comes back and I am gone she will be almost distracted did you come on the west road asked freckles I think so she said the man who told the bird woman said that was the only place the wires were down we drove away in and it was dreadful over stumps and logs and we mired to the hubs I suppose you know though I should have stayed in the carriage but I was so tired I never dreamed of getting lost in fact I will be scolded finally I go with the bird woman half the time during the summer vacations my father says I learn a lot more than I do at school and get it straight I never came within a smell of being lost before I thought at first it was going to be horrid but since I found you maybe it will be good fun after all freckles was amazed to hear himself excusing it was so hot in there I expected to bear it for hours and not be moving I can take you around the trail almost to where you were then you can sit in the carriage and I'll go find the bird woman you'll be killed if you do when she stays this long it means that she has a focus on something you see when she has a focus and lies in the weeds and water for hours and the sun bakes her and things crawl over her and then someone comes along just as she has coaxed it up why she kills them if I melt you won't go after her she's probably blistered and half eaten up but she never will quit until she is satisfied then it will be safer to be taken care of you suggested freckles now you're talking sense said the angel may I try to help your arm he asked have you any idea how it hurts she parried freckles well mr mclean said we'd probably find his son here his son cried freckles that's what he said and that you would do anything you could for us and that we could trust you with our lives but I would have trusted you anyway if I hadn't known a thing about you say your father is rampaging proud of you isn't he I don't know answered the dazed freckles well call on me if you want he's so proud of you he's oh swelled up like the toad in asop's fables if you have ever had an arm hurt like this and can do anything why for pity's sake do it she turned back her sleeve holding towards freckles an arm of palest cameo shaped so exquisitely that no sculptor could have chiseled it freckles unlocked his case and taking out some cotton cloth he tore it in strips then he brought a bucket of the cleanest water he could find she yielded herself to his touch as a baby and he bathed away the blood and bandaged the ugly ragged wound he finished his surgery by lapping the torn sleeve over the cloth and binding it down with a piece of twine with the angel's help about the knots freckles worked with trembling fingers and a face tense with earnestness is it fellin any better he asked well now cried the angel it doesn't hurt at all any more I am mighty glad said freckles but you had best go and be having your doctor fix it right the minute you get home oh bother a little scratch like that jeered the angel my blood is perfectly pure it will heal in three days it's cut cruel deep it might be making a scar faltered freckles his eyes on the ground toad an awful pity a doctor might know something to prevent it why I never thought of that exclaimed the angel I noticed you didn't said freckles softly I don't know much about it but it seems as if most girls would the angel thought intently while freckles still knelt beside her suddenly she gave herself an impatient little shake lifted her glorious eyes full to his and the smile that swept her sweet young face was the loveliest thing that freckles ever had seen don't let's bother about it she proposed with the faintest hint of a confiding gesture toward him it won't make a scar why it couldn't when you have dressed it so nicely the velvety touch of her warm arm was tingling in freckles fingertips dainty lace and fine white ribbon peeped through her torn dress there were beautiful rings on her fingers every article she wore the finest material and in excellent taste there was the trembling limberlost guard in his coarse clothing with his cotton rags and his old pale of swamp water freckles was sufficiently accustomed to contrast to notice them and sufficiently fine to be hurt by them always he lifted his eyes with the shadowy pain in them to hers and found them of serene unconscious purity what she had said was straight from a kind untainted young heart she meant every word of it freckles' soul sickened he scarcely knew whether he could muster strength to stand we must go and hunt for the carriage said the angel rising in instant alarm for her freckles sprang up grasped the cudgel and led the way sharply watching every step he went as close the log as he felt that he dared the carriage he cleared a path for the angel and with a sigh of relief saw her enter it safely the heat was intense she pushed the damp hair from her temples this is a shame said freckles you'll never be coming here again oh yes I shall said the angel the bird woman says that these birds remain over a month in the nest and she would like to make a picture of her baked crying aloud for joy then don't you ever be torturing yourself and your horse to be coming in here again he said I'll show you a way to drive almost to the nest on the east trail and then you can come around to my room and stay while the bird woman works it's nearly always cool there and there's comfortable seats on water oh did you have drinking water there she cried I was never so thirsty or so hungry in my life but I thought I wouldn't mention it and I had not the wit to be seen welled freckles I can be getting you a good drink in no time he turned to the trail please wait a minute called the angel what's your name I want to think about you while you are gone freckles lifted his face with the brown rift across it and smiled quizzically freckles she guessed with a peel of laughter and mine is I'm knowing yours freckles I don't believe you do what is it asked the girl you won't be getting angry not until I've had the water at least it was freckles turned to laugh he whipped off his big floppy straw hat stood uncovered before her and said in the sweetest of all the sweet tones of his voice there is nothing you could be but the swamp angel the girl laughed happily once out of her site freckles ran every step of the way to the cabin mrs. Duncan gave him a small bucket of water cool from the well he carried it in the crook of his right arm and a basket filled with bread and butter cold meat apple pie and pickles in his left hand pickles are kind of coolin said mrs. Duncan then freckles ran again the angel was on her knees reaching for the bucket as he came up be drinking slow he cautioned her she cried with a long breath of satisfaction it's so good you are more than kind to bring it freckles stood blinking in the dazzling glory of her smile until he scarcely could see to lift the basket mrs. she exclaimed I think I had better be naming you the angel my guardian angel yes said freckles I look the character every day but today most emphatic angels don't go by looks your father told us you had been scrapping but he told us why I'd gladly wear all your cuts and bruises if I could do anything that would make my father look as peacocky as yours did he strutted about proper I never saw anyone look prouder did he say he was proud of me marveled freckles he didn't need to answer the angel he was radiating pride from every pore now have you brought me your dinner I had my dinner two hours ago answered freckles honest engine bantered the angel honest I brought that on purpose for you well if you knew how hungry I am you would know how thankful I am to the dot said the angel then you be eaten cried the happy freckles the angel sat on a big camera spread the lunch on the carriage seat and divided it in halves the daintiest parts she could select carefully put back into the basket the remainder she ate again freckles found her of the swamp for though she was almost ravenous she managed her food as gracefully as his little yellow fellow and her every movement was easy and charming as he watched her with famished eyes freckles told her of his birds flowers and books and never realized what he was doing he led the horse to a deep pool that he knew of the tortured creature drank greedily and lovingly rubbed him with its nose as he wiped down its welted body with grass suddenly the angel cried there comes the bird woman freckles had intended leaving before she came but now he was glad indeed to be there for a warmer more worn and worse bitten creature he never had seen she was staggering under a load of cameras and paraphernalia and to her aid he took all he could carry of her load stowed it in the back of the carriage and helped her in the angel gave her water knelt and unfastened the leggings bathed her face and offered the lunch freckles brought the horse he was not sure about the harness but the angel knew and soon they left the swamp then he showed them how to reach the chicken tree from the outside and told them how the next time they came the angel could find his room while she waited the bird woman finished her lunch and lay back almost too tired to speak were you forgetting little chicken's picture freckles asked finally she answered he posed splendidly but I couldn't do anything with his mother she will require coaxing the lord be praised mothered freckles under his breath the bird woman began to feel better why do you call the baby vulture little chicken she asked leaning towards freckles in an interested manner towards Duncan began it said freckles you see through the fierce cold of winter the birds of the swamp were almost starving it was mighty lonely here and there were all the company I was having I got to carry in scraps and grain down to them Duncan was that generous he was given me his wheat and corn from his chickens feed and he called the birds miss swamp chickens then when these big black fellows came Mr. McLean said they were our nearest kind to summon the old world that they called Pharaoh's chickens and he called mine freckles chickens good enough cried the bird woman her splotched purple face lighting with interest you must shoot something for them occasionally and I'll bring more food when I come if you will help me keep them until I get my series I'll give you a copy of each study I make mounted in a book freckles drew a deep breath I'll be doing me very best he promised and from the deeps he meant it I wonder if that other egg is going to hatch muse the bird woman I'm afraid not it should have pipped today isn't it a beauty I never before saw either an egg or the young they are rare they are this far north so Mr. McLean said answered freckles before they drove away the bird woman thanked him for his kindness to the angel and to her she gave him her hand at parting and freckles joyfully realized that this was going to be another person for him to love he could not remember after they had driven away that they even had noticed his missing hand and for the first time in his life he had forgotten it when the bird woman and the angel were on the home road she told of the little corner of paradise into which she had strayed and of her new name the bird woman looked at the girl and guessed its appropriateness did you know Mr. McLean had a son? asked the angel isn't the little accent he has and the way he twists a sentence too dear and isn't it too old fashioned and funny to hear him call his father Mr. McLean it sounds too good to be true said the bird woman answering the last question first I am so tired of these present day young men who patronizingly call their fathers dad governor, old man and old chap that the boy's attitude of respect and deference appealed to me as being finest silk there must be something rare about that young man she did not find it necessary to tell the angel for several years she had known the man who so proudly proclaimed himself freckles father to be a bachelor and a scotchman the bird woman had a fine way of attending strictly to her own business freckles turned to the trail but he stopped at every wild briar to study the pink satin of the petals she was not of his world and better than any other he knew it but she might be his angel not but blind silent worship he finished the happiest day of his life and that night he returned to the swamp as if drawn by invisible force that wessner would try for his revenge he knew that he would be abetted by blackjack was almost certain but fear had flood the happy heart of freckles he had kept his trust he had won the respect of the boss no one ever could wipe from his heart the blood of holy adoration that had welled with the coming of his angel he would do his best and trust for strength to meet the dark day of reckoning that he knew would come sooner or later he swung round the trail briskly tapping the wire and singing in a voice that scarcely could have been surpassed for sweetness at the edge of the clearing he came into the bright moonlight and there sat mclean on his mare freckles hurried to him is there trouble? he inquired anxiously that's what I wanted to ask you said the boss I stopped at the cabin to see you a minute before I turned in and I said you had come down here you must not do it freckles the swamp is none too helpful at any time and at night it is a rank poison freckles stood combing his fingers through Nellie's mane while the dainty creature was twisting her head for his caresses he pushed back his hat and looked into mclean's face it's come to the sleep with one eye open sir I'm not looking for anything to be happening for a week or two but it's bound to come in soon if I'm to keep me trust as I've promised you and myself I've got to live here mostly until the game comes you must be no one that sir I'm afraid it's through freckles said mclean and I've decided to double the guard until we come it will be only a few weeks now and I'm so anxious for you that you must not be left alone further if anything should happen to your freckles it would spoil one of the very dearest plans of my life freckles heard with dismay the proposition to place a second guard oh no no Mr. mclean he cried not for the world I wouldn't be having a stranger around scaring me birds and tramping up my study grabbing all my ways for any money I'm all the guard you need I will be faithful I will turn over the lease with no tree missing on me life I will oh don't be sending another man to set them sane I turned coward and asked for help it will just kill the honour of my heart if you do it the only thing I want is another gun if it rarely comes to trouble six cartridges ain't many and you know I'm slow like about reloading I reached into his hip pocket and handed a shining big revolver to freckles who slipped it beside the one already in his belt then the boss sat brooding freckles he said at last we never know the temper of a man's soul until something cuts into him deeply and brings the grain out strong you're of the making of a mighty fine piece of furniture my boy and you shall have your own way these few weeks yet then if you will go I intend to take you to the city and educate you and you are to be my son my lad my own son freckles twisted his finger in Nellie's mane to steady himself but why should you be doing that sir he faltered McClane slid his arm around the boy's shoulder and gathered him close because I love you freckles he said simply freckles lifted a white face my god sir he whispered oh my god freckles clasped a second longer than he rode down the trail freckles lifted his hat and faced the sky the harvest moon looked down sheeting the swamp in silver glory though limberlost sang her night song the swell softly wrestled in the wind winged things of night brushed his face and still freckles gazed upward trying to fathom these things that had come to him there was no help from the sky it seemed far away cold and blue the earth where flowers blossomed angels walked and love could be found was better but to one above he must make acknowledgement for these miracles his lips moved and he began talking softly thank you for each separate good thing that has come to me he said and above all for the fallen of the feather for if it didn't really fall from an angel it's fallen brought an angel and if it's in the great heart of you to exercise yourself any further about me oh do please to be taken good care of her End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 freckles this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros freckles by Jean Stratton Porter Chapter 6 wherein a fight occurs and women shoot straight the following morning freckles inexpressibly happy circled the limberlost he kept snatches of song ringing as well as the wires his heart was so full that tears of joy glistened in his eyes he rigorously strove to divide his thought evenly between McLean and the angel he realized to the fullest the debt he already owed the boss and the magnitude of last night's declaration and promises he was hourly planning to deliver his trust and then enter with equal zeal on whatever task his beloved boss saw fit to set him next he wanted to be ready to meet every device that Wessner and Blackjack could think of to outwit him to recognize their double leverage for if they succeeded in felling even one tree McLean became liable for his wager freckles brow wrinkled in his effort to think deeply and strongly but from every swaying wild rose the angel beckoned to him when he crossed sleepy snake creek and the goldfinch waiting as ever challenged see me freckles saw the dainty swaying grace of the angel instead what is a man to do with an angel who dismembers herself and scatters over a whole swamp thrusting a vivid reminder upon him at every turn freckles counted the days this first one he could do little but test his wires sing broken snatches and dream but before the week would bring her again he could do many things he would carry all his books to the swamp to show to her he would complete his flower bed arrange every detail he had planned for his room and make of it a bower fairies might envy he must devise a way to keep water cool he would ask mrs. Duncan for a double lunch and an especially nice one the day of her next coming so that if the bird woman happened to be late the angel might not suffer from thirst and hunger he would tell her to bring heavy leather leggings so that he might take her on a trip around the trail she should make friends with all of his chickens and see their nests on the line he talked of her incessantly you needn't be thinking, he said to the goldfinch that because I'm coming down this line alone day after day it's always to be so some of these times you'll be swinging on this wire and you'll see me coming and you'll swing, skip and flirt yourself around and chip upright spunky see me, I'll be saying see you, oh lord see her you'll look and there she'll stand the sunshine won't look gold anymore or the roses pink or the sky blue because she'll be the pinkest, bluest, goldest thing of all you'll be yelling yourself hoarse with the jealousy of her the sawbird will stretch his neck out her joint and she'll turn the heads of all the flowers wherever she goes I can go back afterward and see the things she's seen walk the path she's walked hear the grasses whisper and over all she said and if there's a place too swampy for her bits of feet holy mother, maybe maybe she'd be putting the beautiful arms of her around me neck and letting me carry her over freckles shivered as with a chill he sent the cudgel whirling skyward dexterously caught it and set it spinning you damned presumptuous fool he cried for you to be thinking of would be to stretch in the muck for her feet of her to be walking over and then you could hold yourself holy to be even of that service to her maybe she'll be wanting the cup me blue and brown chickens raise their babies in perhaps she'd like to stop at the pool and see me bullfrog that had the goodness to take on human speech to show me the way out of me trouble if there's any feathers fall on that day why it's from the wings of me chickens it's sure to be for the only angel outside the gates will be walking this timber line and every step of the way I'll behold in me breath and prayin' that she don't unfold wings and sell away before the hungry eyes of me so freckles dreamed his dreams made his plans and watched his line he counted not only the days but the hours of each day as he told them off everyone bringing her closer to that beer in the prospect of her coming he managed daily to leave some offering at the big elm log for his black chickens he slipped under the line at every passing and went to make sure that nothing was molesting them though it was a long trip he paid them several extra visits a day for fear a snake hawk or fox might have found the baby for now his chickens not only represented all his former interest in them but they furnished the inducement that was bringing his angel possibly he could find other subjects that the bird woman wanted the teamster had said that his brother went after her every time he found a nest he never had counted the nest that he knew of and it might be that among all the birds of the swamp some would be rare to her the feathered folk of the lumber lost were practically undisturbed saved by their natural enemies it is improbable that among his chickens others as odd as the big black ones could be found if she wanted pictures of half grown birds he could pick up 50 in one morning's trip around the line for he had fed, handled and made friends with them ever since their eyes opened he had gathered bugs and worms all spring as he noticed them on the grass and bushes and dropped them into the first little open mouth he had found and accepted this queer triparent addition to their natural providers when the week had passed freckles had his room crisp and glowing with fresh living things that represented every color of the swamp he carried bark and filled all the muckiest places of the trail it was middle july the heat of the past few days had dried the water around and through the lumber lost so that it was possible to cross it on foot in almost any direction if one had an idea of direction it did not become completely lost in its rank, tangle of vegetation and bushes the brighter, huge flowers were opening the trumpet creepers were flaunting their gorgeous horns of red and gold sweetness from the tops of lordly oak and elm and below entire pools were pink-sheeted in mallow bloom the heat was doing one other thing freckles as a good Irishman shiver as the swale dried its inhabitants were seeking the cooler depths of the swamp they liked neither the heat nor leaving the field mice, moles and young rabbits of their chosen location he saw them crossing the trail every day as the heat grew intense the rattlers were sadly forgetting their manners for they struck on no provocation whatever and did not even remember to rattle afterward daily freckles was compelled to drive big black snakes and blue racers from the nests of his chickens often the terrified squalls of the parent birds would reach him far down the line and he would run to rescue the babies he saw the angel when the carriage turned from the corduroy into the clearing they stopped at the west entrance to the swamp waiting for him to precede them down the trail they had told them it was safest for the horse that he should do they followed the east line to a point opposite the big chicken's tree and freckles carried in the cameras and showed the bird woman a path he had cleared to the log he explained to her the effect the heat was having on the snakes and creeping back to little chicken brought him to the light as she worked at setting up her camera he told her of the birds of the line as she stared at him wide-eyed and incredulous they arranged that freckles should drive the carriage into the east entrance in the shade and then take the horse toward the north to a better place he knew then he was to entertain the angel at his study or on the line until the bird woman finished her work and came to them this will take only a little time she said I know where to set the camera now and little chicken was big enough to be good and too small to run away or to act very ugly so I will be coming soon to see about those nests I have ten plates along and I surely won't use more than two on him so perhaps I can get some nests or young birds this morning freckles almost flew for his dream had come true so soon he was walking the timber line and the angel was following him he asked to be excused for going first because he wanted to be sure the trail was safe for her she laughed at his fears telling him that it was the polite thing for him to do anyway oh said freckles so you was after knowing that well I didn't suppose you did and I was afraid you'd think me wanting in respect to be proceeding you the astonished angel looked at him caught the irrepressible gleam of Irish fun in his eyes so they stood and laughed together freckles did not realize how he was talking that morning he showed her many of the beautiful nests and eggs of the line she could identify a number of them but of some she was ignorant so they made notes of the number and color of the eggs material and construction of nest color size and shape of the birds and went to find them in the book at his room when freckles had lifted the overhanging bushes and stepped back for her to enter his heart was all out of time and place the study was vastly more beautiful than a week previous the angel drew a deep breath and stood gazing first at one side then at another then far down the cathedral aisle it's just fairy land she cried ecstatically then she turned and stared at freckles as she had at his handy work what are you planning to be she asked wonderingly whatever Mr. McLean wants me to he replied what do you do most she asked watch me lines I don't mean work oh in me spare time I keep me room and study in me books do you work on the room or the books most on the room only what it takes to keep it up and the rest of the time on me books the angel studied him closely well maybe you are going to be a great scholar she said but you don't look it your face isn't right for that but it's got something big in it something really great I must find out what it is and then you must work on it your father is expecting you to do something one can tell by the way he talks you should begin right away you've wasted too much time already poor freckles hunk has said he never had wasted an hour in his life there never had been one that was his to waste the angel studying him intently read the thought in his face oh I don't mean that she cried with the frank dismay of 16 of course you're not lazy no one ever would think that from your appearance it's this I mean there is something fine strong and full of power in your face there is something you are to do in this world and no matter how you work at all these other things or how successful you do them it is all wasted until you find the one thing that you can do best if you hadn't a thing in the world to keep you and could go anywhere you please and do anything you want what would you do persisted the angel I'd go to Chicago and sing in the first episcopal choir answered freckles promptly the angel dropped on a seat the hat she had removed and held in her fingers rolled to her feet there she exclaimed vehemently you can see what I'm going to be absolutely nothing absolutely nothing you can sing of course you can sing it is written all over you anyone with half wit could have seen he could sing without having to be told she thought it's in the slenderness of his fingers and his quick nervous touch it is in the brightness of his hair the fire of his eyes the breath of his chest the muscles of his throat and neck for even as he speaks it's the sweetest sound I ever heard from the throat of a mortal will you do something for me she asked I'll do anything in the world you want me to said freckles largely and if I can't do what you want I'll go to work at once and I'll try till I can good that's business said the angel you go over there and stand before that hedge and sing something just anything you think of first the angel from his banked wall of brown blue and crimson with its background of solid green and lifting his face to the sky he sang the first thing that came into his mind it was a children's song that he had led for the little folks at the home many times recalled to his mind by the angel's exclamation to fairyland we go with a song of joy hy-ho and dreams will stand upon that shore and all the realm behold will see the sight so grand that belong to fairyland its mysteries we will explore its beauties will unfold oh tra-la-la oh ha ha ha we're happy now as we can be our welcome song we will prolong and greet you with our melody oh fairyland sweet fairyland we love to sing no song could have given the intense sweetness and rollicking quality of freckles voice better scope he forgot everything but pried in his work he was singing the chorus and the angel was shivering in ecstasy when clip clip came the sharply beating feet of a swiftly ridden horse down the trail from the north they both sprang toward the entrance freckles freckles called the voice of the bird woman they were at the trail on the instant both those revolvers loaded she asked yes said freckles is there a way you can cut across the swamp and reach the chicken tree in a few minutes and with little noise yes then go flying said the bird woman give the angel a lift behind me and we will ride the horse back where you left him and wait for you I finished little chicken in no time and put him back his mother came so close I felt sure she would enter the log the light was fine so I set and focused the camera and covered it with branches attached the long hose and went away over a hundred feet and hid in some bushes to wait a short stout man and a tall dark one passed me so closely I almost could have reached out and touched them they carried a big saw on their shoulders they said they could work until near noon and then they must lay off until you passed and then try to load and get out at night they went on not entirely from sight and began cutting a tree Mr. McClain told me the other day what would probably happen here and if they fell that tree he loses his wager on you keep to the east and north and hustle will meet you at the carriage I always am armed give angel one of your revolvers and you keep the other we will separate and creep toward them from different sides and give them a fusillade that will send them flying you hurry now she lifted the reins and started briskly down the trail the angel, hatless and with sparkling eyes was clinging around her waist freckles, wheeled and ran he worked his way with much care dodging limbs and bushes with noiseless tread and cutting as closely where he thought the men were he felt that he dared if he were to remain unseen as he ran he tried to think it was Wessner burning for his revenge aided by the bully of the locality that he was going to meet he was accustomed to that thought but not to the complication of having two women on his hands who undoubtedly would have to be taken care of in spite of the bird woman's offer to help him his heart was jarring as it never had before with running he must follow the bird woman's plan and meet them at the carriage but if they really did intend to try to help him he must not allow it allow the angel to try to handle a revolver in his defense never, not for all the trees and the limberlost she might shoot herself she might forget to watch sharply and run across a snake that was not particularly well behaved that morning freckles permitted himself a grim smile as he went speeding on when he reached the carriage the bird woman and the angel had the horse hitched the outfit packed and were calmly waiting the bird woman held a revolver in her hand she wore dark clothing they had pinned a big focusing cloth over the front of the angel's light dress give angel one of your revolvers quick said the bird woman we will creep up until we are in fair range the underbrush is so thick and they are so busy that they will never notice us if we don't make a noise you fire first then I will pop in from my direction and then you angel and shoot quite high or else very low we mustn't really hit them we'll go close enough to the cowards to make it interesting and keep it up until we have them going freckles protested the bird woman reached over and taking the small revolver from his belt handed it to the angel keep your nerves steady dear watch where you step and shoot high she said go straight at them from where you are wait until you hear freckles first shot then follow me as closely as you can to let them know that we outnumber them if you want to save mclean's wager on you now you go she commanded freckles who with an agonized glance at the angel ran toward the east the bird woman chose the middle distance and for a last time cautioned the angel as she moved away to lie down and shoot high through the underbrush the bird woman crept even more closely than she had intended found a clear range and waited for freckles shot there was one long minute of sickening suspense the men straightened for breath work was difficult with a handsaw in the heat of the swamp as they rested the big dark fellow with a bottle from his pocket and began oiling the saw we got to keep mighty quiet he said and wait to fell it until that damned guard has gone to his dinner again they bent to their work freckles revolver spat fire lead spanged on steel the saw handle flew from west noose hand and he reeled from the jar of the shock blackjack straightened uttering a fearful oath the hat sailed from his head from the far northeast the angel had not waited for the bird woman and her shot scarcely could have been called high at almost the same instant the third shot whistled from the east blackjack sprang into the air with a yell of complete panic for it ripped a heel from his boot freckles emptied his second chamber and the earth spattered over west noor shots poured in rapidly without even reaching for a weapon both men ran toward the east road in great leaping bounds while leaden slugs sung and hissed around them in deadly earnest freckles was trimming his corners as closely as he dared but if the angel did not really intend to hit she was taking risks in a scandalous manner when the men reached the trail freckles yelled at the top of his voice had them off on the south boys fire from the south as he had hoped jack and wessner instantly plunged into the swale a spattering of lead followed them they crossed the swale running low with not even one backward glance and entered the woods beyond the corduroy then the little party gathered at the tree i'd better fix this saw so they can't be using it if they come back said freckles taking out his hatchet and making saw teeth fly now we must leave here without being seen said the bird woman to the angel it won't do for me to make enemies of these men for i am likely to meet them while at work any day you can do it by driving straight north on this road said freckles i'll go ahead and cut the wires for you the swale is almost dry you'll only be sinking a little in a few rods you'll strike a cornfield i'll take down the fence and let you into that follow the furrows and drive straight across it until you come to the other side be follow in the fence south until you come to a road through the woods east of it then take that road and follow east until you reach the pike you'll come out on your way back to town and two miles north of anywhere they are likely to be don't for your lives ever let it out that you did this he earnestly cautioned for it's black enemies you'd be making freckles clipped the wires and they drove through the angel leaned from the carriage and held out his revolver freckles looked at her in surprise her eyes were black while her face was a deeper rose than usual he felt that his own was white did i shoot high enough she asked sweetly i really forgot about lying down freckles winced did the child know how close she had gone surely she could not she had the nerve and skill to fire like that purposely i will send the first reliable man i meet for mcclain said the bird woman gathering up the lines if i don't meet one when we reach town we will send a messenger if it wasn't for having the gang see me i would go myself but i will promise you that you will have help in a little over two hours you keep well hidden they must think some of the gang is with you now there isn't a chance they will be back but don't run any risks remain under cover if they should come it probably would be for their saw she laughed as at a fine joke end of chapter 6 chapter 7 of freckles this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros freckles by Jean Stratton Porter chapter 7 wherein freckles wins honor and finds a footprint on the trail round eyed freckles watch the bird woman and the angel drive away after they were from sight and he was safely hidden among the branches of a small tree he remembered that he neither had thanked them nor said goodbye considering what they had been through they never would come again his heart sank until he had palpitation in his waiting boots stretching the length of the limb he thought deeply though he was not thinking of Blackjack or Wessner would the bird woman and the angel come again no other woman who he ever had known would but did they resemble any other women he ever had known he thought of the bird woman's unruffled face and the angel's revolver practice and presently he was not so sure that they would not return what were the people in the big world like his knowledge was so very limited there had been people at the home who exchanged a stilted perfunctory kindness for their salaries the visitors who called on receiving days he had divided into three classes some singing kind who came with a tear in the eye and hypocrisy in every feature of their faces the kind who dressed in silks and jewels and handed to those poor little mother hungry souls worn toys that their children no longer cared for in exactly the same spirit in which they pitched biscuits to the monkeys at the zoo and for the same reason to see how they would take them and be amused by what they would do and the third class whom he considered real people they made him feel they cared that he was there and that they would have been glad to see him elsewhere now here was another class that had all they needed of the world's best and were engaged in doing work that counted they had things worthwhile to be proud of and they had met him as a son and brother with them he could for the first time forget the lost hand that every day tortured him with a new pang what kind of people were they and where did they belong among the classes he knew he failed to decide because he never had known others similar to them but how he loved them in the world where he was going soon were the majority like them or were they of the hypocrite and bun-throwing classes he had forgotten the excitement and the passing of time when distant voices aroused him and he gently lifted his head nearer and nearer they came and as the heavy wagons rumbled down the east trail he could hear them plainly the gang were shouting themselves horse for the limber lost guard freckles did not feel that he deserved it he would have given much to be able to go to the men and explain but to McLean only could he tell his story the men threw up their hats and cheered McLean shook hands with him warmly but Big Duncan gathered him into his arms and hugged him as a bear and choked over a few words of praise the gang drove in and finished felling the tree McLean was angry beyond measure at this attempt on his property for in their haste to fell the tree the thieves had cut too high and wasted a foot and a half of valuable timber when the last wagon rolled away McLean sat on the stump and freckles told the story he was aching to tell the boss scarcely could believe his senses also he was much disappointed I have been almost praying all the way over freckles he said that you would have some evidence by which we could arrest those fellows and get them out of our way but this will never do we can't mix up those women in it they have helped you save the tree and my wager as well going across the country as she does the bird woman never could be expected to testify against them no indeed nor the angel either sir said freckles the angel queried the astonished McLean the boss listened in silence while freckles told of the coming and christening of the angel I know her father well said McLean at last and I have often seen her you are right she is a beautiful young girl and she appears to be utterly free from the least particle of false pride or foolishness I do not understand why her father risks such a jewel in this place he is down in it because she is a jewel sir said freckles eagerly why she is trusting a rattlesnake to a rattle before it strikes her and of course she thinks she can trust mankind as well the man isn't made who wouldn't lay down the life of him for her she doesn't need any care her face and the pretty ways of her are all the protection she would need in a band of howl and savages did you say she handled one of the revolvers asked McLean she scared all the breath out of me body admitted freckles seems that her father has taught her to shoot the bird woman told her distinctly to lie low and blaze away high just to help scare him the spunky little thing followed them right out into the west road split and led like hail and clipping all around the heads and heels of him and I'm damned sir if I believe she cared a rap if she'd hit I never saw such shooting but if that wasn't the nearest to miss I ever want to see scared the life near out of me body with the fear that she'd drop one of them as long as I'd know when to help me but a couple of women that didn't dare be mixed up in it all I could do was to let them get away now will they come back asked McLean of course said freckles they're not going to be taken that you could stake your life on it they'll be coming back at least blackjack will wessner may not have the pluck unless he's half drunk then he'd be a terror and the next time freckles hesitated what it will be a question of who shoots first and straightest then the only thing for me to do is to double the guard and bring the gang here the first minute possible as soon as I feel that we have the rarest of the stuff out below will come the fact is in many cases until it's failed it's difficult to tell what a tree will prove to be it won't do to leave you here longer alone jack has been shooting 20 years to your one and it stands to reason that you're no match for him who of the gang would you like best to have with you no one sir said freckles emphatically next time is where I run I won't try to fight them alone I'll just be getting wind of them and then make tracks for you I'll need to come like lightning and Duncan has no extra horse so I'm thinking you best get me one or perhaps a wheel would be better I used to do extra work for the home doctor and he would let me take his bicycle to ride round the place and at times the head nurse would loan me his for an hour a wheel would cost less and be faster than a horse and we take less care I believe if you're going to town soon you had best pick up any kind of an old one at some secondhand store for if I'm ever called to use it in a hurry there won't be the handlebars left after crossing the corduroy yes said McLean and if you didn't have a first class wheel you never could cross the corduroy on it at all as they walked to the cabin McLean insisted on another guard but freckles was stubbornly set on fighting his battle alone he made one mental condition if the bird woman was going to give up the little chicken series he would yield to the second guard solely for the sake of her work and the presence of the angel in the limberlost he did not propose to have a second man unless it were absolutely necessary for he had been alone so long that he loved the solitude his chickens and flowers the thought of having a stranger to all his ways come and meddle with his arrangements frighten his pets, pull his flowers and interrupt him when he wanted to study so annoyed him that he was blinded to his real need for help with McLean it was a case of letting his sober better judgment be overridden by the boy he was growing so to love that he could not endure to oppose him and to have freckles keep his trust and win alone meant more than any money the boss might lose the following morning McLean brought the wheel and freckles took it to the trail to test it it was new, chainless with as little as possible to catch in hurried riding and in every way the best of its kind freckles went skimming around the trail on it on a preliminary trip before he locked it in his case and started his minute examination of his line on foot he glanced around his room as he left it and then stood staring on the moss before his prettiest seat lay the angels hat in the excitement of yesterday all of them had forgotten it he went and picked it up oh so carefully pleasing at it with hungry eyes but touching it only to carry it to his case where he hung it on the shining handlebar of the new wheel and locked it among his treasures then he went to the trail with a new expression on his face and a strange throbbing in his heart he was not in the least afraid of anything that morning he felt he was the various Daniel but all his lions seemed weak and harmless what Blackjack's next move would be he could not imagine but that there would be a move of some kind or certain the big bully was not a man to give up his purpose or to have the hat swept from his head with a bullet and bare it meekly moreover, Wester would cling to his revenge with a Dutchman's singleness of mind freckles tried to think connectedly but there were too many places on the trail where the angels footprints were yet visible she had stepped in one monkey spot and left a sharp impression the afternoon sun had baked it hard and the horse's hooves had not obliterated any part of it as they had in so many places freckles stood fascinated gazing at it he measured it lovingly with his eye he would not have ventured a caress on her hat any more than on her person but this was different surely a footprint on a trail might belong to anyone who found and wanted it he stooped under the wires and entered the swamp with a little searching he found a big piece of thick bark loose on a log and carefully peeling it carried it out and covered the print so that the first rain would not obliterate it when he reached his room he tenderly laid the hat upon his bookshelf and to wear off his awkwardness mounted his wheel and went spinning on trail again flying for the path was worn smooth from his feet and baked hard with the sun almost all the way when he came to the bark he veered far to one side and smiled at it in passing suddenly he was off the wheel kneeling beside it he removed his hat carefully lifted the bark and gazed lovingly at the imprint I wonder what she was going to say of me voice he whispered however I believe she was liking it fairly well perhaps she was going to say that singing was the big thing I was to be doing that's what they all thought at the home well if it is I'll just shut me eyes think of me little room the face of her watching and the heart of her beating and I'll raise them damn them if singing will do it I'll raise them from the benches with this dire threat as at a wayside spring and deliberately laid his lips on the footprint then he arose appearing as if he had been drinking at the fountain of gladness End of Chapter 7