The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-03-02
CHAPTER XVI.

tOWAIU tU0 swamp.
CHAPTER XVI.
TRECnEs RELEASED.
|~IHE 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. 1t would be sad day for the
man on whom Duncan's wrath broke.
There were four others close behind
him and the pike alling up with the
rest Of the gang.
The angel turned into tho trail to
the west. and the men punched and
followed her. When she reached the
entrance to Freckles' 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 the
tree again. and the rest Of the men
were gone. Black Jack was ravins
like maniac, and when they looked
closer 1t was only the left arm that
he raised. His right, with the hand
shattered. hung helpless, and his re.
volver lay at Freckles' feet. Wess.
ner's weapon was still in his belt, and
beside him lay Frecklesa club. 80 az
Freckles' face .was OF stony white.
ness. with colorlessi lips. but. In hia
eyes was the strength Of undyinR
courage. Mclean pushed past the
Bird Woman. crying, Hold steady
ON them for just one minute more!'
He snatched the revolver from WEISS
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 Freckles could not have
avoided the glance Of triumph he gave
Jack as he folded his angel in his arms
and stretched her on the MOSES.
As Mclean rose from binding WEISS
ner there was cry that Jack was
escaping. He was already we'll into
the swamp, working for it's densest
part. Every man that could be spared
plunged after him.. Other members OF
the gang arriving. they were sent &c
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 II he reached there
or aid was sent in any direction to
him, but 1t was soon clear that his
relatives were ignorant Of his where
abouts and themselves searching fol
him.
Great is the elasticity Of youth. A
hot bath and sound nights sleep re.
newed Freckles' strength. Frecklea
was on the trail early the next morn
ing. Besides a crowd Of people anx.
tous to witness Jacks capture, he
found four stalwart guards. one at
each turn. In his heart he was com.
PEELED to admit that he 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 a
greenhouse and bought an armload OF
its finest products. but Freckles would
have none Of them. he would carry
his message in a glowing mass Of the
Limberlost's first goldenrod.
The angel was in no way seriously
injured. She reached both hands to
Mclean. What II one old tree Is
gone7 You don't care. sir? You feel
that Freckles has kept his trust az mo-
body ever did before. don't your You
won't forget all those long first days
Of fright that You told 10 Of. the fear
ful cold Of winter. the rain. heat and
consequences and the brave days, and.
lately. nights. too. and let him feel
that his trust Is broken7 af.
Job. Mr.. Mclean" she begged. lay
something 70 him: Do somsthdng to