ip cut out, rather low down, and where the bushes were
thick over it. I believe I could be finding some of them."

"Good head!" said McLean. "We will do that. You may begin as soon as you
are rested. And about things you come across in the swamp, Freckles--the
most trifling little thing that you think the Bird Woman would want,
take your wheel and go after her at any time. I'll leave two men on the
line, so that you will have one on either side, and you can come and go
as you please. Have you stopped to think of all we owe her, my boy?"

"Yis; and the Angel--we owe her a lot, too," said Freckles. "I owe her
me life and honor. It's lying awake nights I'll have to be trying to
think how I'm ever to pay her up."

"Well, begin with the muff," suggested McLean. "That should be fine."

He bent down and ruffled the rich fur of the otter lying at his feet.

"I don't exactly see how it comes to be in such splendid fur in summer.
Their coats are always thick in cold weather, but this scarcely could
be improved. I'll wire Cooper to be watching for it. They must have it
fresh. When it's tanned we won't spare any expense in making it up. It
should be a royal thing, and some way I think it will exactly suit the
Angel. I can't think of anything that would be more appropriate for
her."

"Neither can I," agreed Freckles heartily. "When I reach the city
there's one other thing, if I've the money after the muff is finished."

He told McLean of Mrs. Duncan's desire for a hat similar to the Angel's.
He hesitated a little in the telling, keeping sharp watch on McLean's
face. When he saw the Boss's eyes were full of comprehension and
sympathy, he loved him anew, for, as ever, McLean was quick to
understand. Instead of laughing, he said: "I think you'll have to let
me in on that, too. You mustn't be selfish, you know. I'll tell you what
we'll do. Send it for Christmas. I'll be home then, and we can fill a
box. You get the hat. I'll add a dress and wrap. You buy Duncan a hat
and gloves. I'll send him a big overcoat, and we'll put in a lot of
little stuff for the babies. Won't that be fun?"

Freckles fairly shivered with delight.

"That would be away too serious for fun," he said. "That would be
heavenly. How long will it be?"

He began counting the time, and McLean deliberately set himself to
encourage Freckles and keep his thoughts from the trouble of the past
few days, for he had been overwrought and needed quiet and rest.

CH