Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-02-13
CHAPTER XVI.
TREcKLEs RELEASED.


TREcKLEs RELEASED.
~0HE boss rode neck and neck
with the angel. He glanced
back and saw that Duncan
. was near. There was some
thing terrifying in the look Of the big
man and the way he sat his beast and
rode. It would be a sad day for the
man on whom Duncan's wrath broke.
There were four others close behind
him and the pike filling up with tho
rest Of the gang.
The angel turned into the trail to
the west. and the men punched and
followed her. When she reached the
entrance to Treckles' room there were
four men with her and two more very
close behind. She slid from the horse
and, snatching the little revolver from
her breast. darted for the bushes.
Mclean caught them back and. with
drawn weapon, pressed up beside her.
There they stopped in establishment.
The Bird Woman blocked the en-
trance. Over a small limb lay her re.
volver, and It was trained at short
range on Black Jack and Wessner.
who stood with their hands above
their heads.
Freckles, with blood streaming
down his face from an ugly cut in his
temple, was gagged and bound to tho
tree again. and the rest OF the men
were gone. Black Jack was raving
like a maniac, and when they looked
closer it was only the left arm that
he raised. His right. v,ith the hand
shattered, hung helpless. and his re-
volver lay at Freckles' feet. Wess.
ners weapon was still in his belt. and
beside him lay Freckles' club.
Freckles' face was Of stony white
ness, with coiorless lips, but in his
eyes was the strength Of undying
courage. Mclean pushed past the
Bird Woman. crying, Hold steady
on them for just one minute more!
He snatchedthe revolver from Wess'
ner's belt and stopped for Jacks.
At that instant the angel rushed In.
She tore the gag from Freckles, and.
Selling the rope knotted on his chest,
she tugged at It desperately. Under
her fingers 1t gave way. and she hurled
It to Mclean. The men were crowd
ing In, and Duncan seized Wessner.
AS the angel saw Freckles stand out
free she reached her arms to him and
pitched forward. A fearful oath burst
from the lips Of Black Jack. To have
saved his life F.reckles. could not have
avoided the glance Of triumph he gave
Jack as he folded his angel in his arms
and stretched her on the NOSES.
As Mclean rose from binding Wess.
ner there was. cry that Jack was
escaping. He was already we'll into
the swamp. working for its densest
part. Every man that could be spared
plunged after him. Other members Of
the gang arriving. they were sent to
follow the tracks of the wagons.
Watchers patrolled the line and roads
through the swamp all that night with
lighted torches, and the next day Nc.
Lean headed. as thorough search as
he felt could be made of one side.
while Duncan covered the other. but
Black Jack could not be found. Spies
were set about his home in Wildcat
hollow to ascertain If he reached there
or aid was sent in any direction to
him, but it was soon clear that his
relatives were ignorant Of bis where
abouts and themselves searching for
him.
Great is the elasticity Of youth. A
hot bath and sound nights sleep re-
newed Freckles' strength. Freckles
was on the trail eariy the next morn.
ing. Besides crowd of people aux
ious to witness Jacks capture. he
found four stalwart guards. one ut
each turn. In his heart he was COM
PEELED to admit that be was glad to
have them there.
Near noon Mclean turned his party
over to join Duncan's and. taking Free
kles. drove to town to see how it Jared
with the angel. Mclean visited
greenhouse and bought an armload of
its finest products. but Freckles would
have none Of them. he would carry
his message in q glowing mass Of the
Limberlost's first gDidenrcd.
The angel was In no way seriously
injured. She reached both hands to
Mclean. What if one old tree is
gone? You don't care. sir? You feel
that Freckles has kept his trust 40 no.
body ever did before. don't you? Yel
won't forget all those long FIRST days
Of fright that you told Us Of. the fear
ful cold of winter. the rain. heat and
and the brave days. and.
lately. nights, too. and let him feel
that his trust is bro4sn?
Job. Mr.. AcLean,ss she begged. ysay
to him! Do something to
make him feel that II isn't for moth
ing he has watched and suffered It
out with that old Limberlost. Make
him see how great and fine IL IL ana
bow fNs. far better hs has done than
you or any. Of us expected! What's
one old tree anywayY' she burst out
II was thinking before you came.
Those two other men were rank cow
ards. They were scared Tor their lives.
IL they were the drivers ! wager you
gloves against gloves they never took
those logs out to the pike. My coming
upset them. Before you feel bad any
more you so look and see II they didn't
run out Of courage the minute they
left Wessner and Black Jack and
dump that timber and 60 on the run.
don't believe they ever had the grit