The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-02-22
FRECKLES
Continued from Page 6,

| throwing classes! FreckieS d1d mol
know, but he reached the ultimate
conclusion that people like the BIRD
Woman. the angel, Mclean and the
| Duncans were very rare. hence their
exceeding preciousness.
He had forgotten the excitement OF
the morning and the passing Of time
when distant voices aroused him, and
he softly 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
we're shouting themselves hoarse for
the Limberlost guard. Freckles didn't
feel that he deserved 1t. He would
! have given much to be able to go out
to the men and explain how it was,
but only TO Mclean could he tell his
story.
At the sight of Freckles the men
threw up their hats and cheered. Nc
Lean shook hands with him warmly.
but big Duncan gathered him into his
arms and Rugged him like bear and
choked over a few words Of praise.
The gang drove in and finished Telling
the tree.
When the last wagon rolled away
Mclean sat down on the stump and
Freckles told the story he was aching
TO tell. The boss could scarcely be-
lieve his senses. Also he was greatly
disappointed.
Il have been almost praying all the
way over. Freckles.' he said. that you
would have some evidence by which
we could arrest those fellows ana get
them out of our way. but this will
never do We can't mix those women
up in it. They have helped you save
me the tree and my wager as well.
Going about the country as she does.
the Bird Woman could never be ex-
pected TO testify against them"
mo. indeed; nor the angel either,
sir" said Freckles.
THE angelo" queried the astonished
Mclean.
The boss listened in silence while
Freckles told of the coming and chris
tening Of the angel.
II know her father WELL" said Nc
j
her. You are right, she is beautiful
young girl. do not understand why
her father risks such a jewel in this
place"
Hes daring 1t because she IS such
jewel. sir said Freckles eagerly.
why, she's trusting rattlesnake to
rattle before it strikes her. and, of
course. she thinks she can trust man
kind as well. The man isn't made
that wouldn't lay down the life Of him
for her. She don't need any care.
Her face and the pretty ways of her
are all the protection she would need
in a band OF bowling 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 dis
tinctly to lie low and blaze away high,
Just to help scare them. The spunky
little thing followed them right out
into the west road. splitting lead like
hail and clipping all about the heads
and heels of Them"
Now. will they come backT' asked
Mclean.
"Ot course" said Freckles. "At
least Black Jack will. Wessner might
not have the pluck And the next
time Freckles hesitated.
"What?"
at will just be a question Of who
shoots first and straightest."
"Then the only thing for me to do
Is to. double the guard and get the
gang here the first minute possible.
AS soon as | feel that we have the
-arest of the stuff out bsIow we will
come. The fact is in many cases I'M
til it is felled it's hard to tell what a
tree will prove to be. 1t won't do to
leave you here longer alone. Jack has
been shooting twenty years to your
one. and it stands to reason that you |
are no match for him. Which Of the |
gang would you like best to have with
your
mo one, sir" said Freckles emphat- |
Ically. Next time is where | run. l |
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 |
ike lightning. and Duncan has no ex-
ira horse. so I'm thinking you'd best |
get me one. or perhaps wheel would |
be better. l used 10 do extra work
FOR the home doctor. and he would let
ne take his bicycle to ride about the
place. And at times the head nurse
would lend me his for an hour. A
wheel would cost less and be faster
han a horse and would take less
are"
As they walked up to the cabin to-
yether Mclean insisted on another
yuard. but Freckles was stubbornly |
let on fighting his battle alone. He
made one mental condition. II the
Bird Woman was going TO give up the
little Chicken series he would yield
o the second guard solely for the sake
# her work and the presence of the
nigel in the Limberlost.
With Mclean IT was case of let
ing his sober. better Judgment be
verridden by the boy be was growing
o to love that he could not bear 10
ross him. and to have Freckles Keep
lis fruSt and win alone meant TO him