bones are broken, what are great surgeons for but to fix you
up and make you well again? You promise me that you'll just grit your
teeth and hang on when we hurt you, for we must start with you as
quickly as it can be done. I don't know what has been the matter with
me. Here's good time wasted already."

"Oh, Angel!" moaned Freckles, "I can't! You don't know how bad it is.
I'll die the minute you are for trying to lift me!"

"Of course you will, if you make up your mind to do it," said the Angel.
"But if you are determined you won't, and set yourself to breathing deep
and strong, and hang on to me tight, I can get you out. Really you must,
Freckles, no matter how it hurts, for you did this for me, and now I
must save you, so you might as well promise."

She bent over him, trying to smile encouragement with her fear-stiffened
lips.

"You will promise, Freckles?"

Big drops of cold sweat ran together on Freckles' temples.

"Angel, darlin' Angel," he pleaded, taking her hand in his. "You ain't
understanding, and I can't for the life of me be telling you, but
indade, it's best to be letting me go. This is my chance. Please say
good-bye, and let me slip off quick!"

He appealed to McLean.

"Dear Boss, you know! You be telling her that, for me, living is far
worse pain than dying. Tell her you know death is the best thing that
could ever be happening to me!"

"Merciful Heaven!" burst in the Angel. "I can't endure this delay!"

She caught Freckles' hand to her breast, and bending over him, looked
deeply into his stricken eyes.

"'Angel, I give you my word of honor that I will keep right on
breathing.' That's what you are going to promise me," she said. "Do you
say it?"

Freckles hesitated.

"Freckles!" imploringly commanded the Angel, "YOU DO SAY IT!"

"Yis," gasped Freckles.

The Angel sprang to her feet.

"Then that's all right," she said, with a tinge of her old-time
briskness. "You just keep breathing away like a steam engine, and I will
do all the remainder."

The eager men gathered around her.

"It's going to be a tough pull to get Freckles out," she said, "but it's
our only chance, so listen closely and don't for the lives of you fail
me in doing quickly what I tell you. There's no time to spend falling
down over each other; we must have some system. You four there get on
those wagon horses and ride to the sleeping-tent. Get the stoutest cot,
a couple of comforts, and a pillow. Ride back with the