The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-03-14

C.
he raiSeu. 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 Freckles' club.
Freckles' face was of stony white
ness. with coloress 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 snatched the 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 it gave way. and she hurled
! 1t 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
J 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 mosses.
As Mclean rose from binding Wess-
ner there was a cry that Jack was
escaping. He was already well into
the swamp. working for its denSest
part Every man that could be spared
plunged after him. Other members of
the gang arriving. they We're 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 his where
abouts and themselves searching for
him.
Great is the elasticity of youth. A
hot bath and a sound nights sleep re-
newed Freckles' strength. Freckles
was on the trail early the next morn
ing. Besides a crowd of people anx-
iouS 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 |
Iimberlosts first goldenrod.
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 as no
body ever did before don't you? You
won't forget all those long first days |
Of fright that you told us Of, the fear
cold of winter, the rain. heat and |
hesomeness and the brave days, and,
tely. nights, too. and let him feel
at his trust is broken?
'Oh, Mr.. Mclean" she begged. "say |
netting to him, Do something TO
axe him feel that 1t isn't for moth
x he has watched and suffered 1t
BIT With that old Limberlost. Make
IN see how great and fine 1t is and
bw far. far better he has done than
bu or any of us expected! What's
be old tree anyway she burst out
hssionately.
Il was thinking before you came
Continued on next page. !