McLean with it, but
Nellie pricked up her dainty little ears, danced into the swale, and
snorted with fright. Freckles dropped the otter and ran to her head.

"For pity's sake, get her on the trail, sir," he begged. "She's just
about where the old king rattler crosses to go into the swamp--the old
buster Duncan and I have been telling you of. I haven't a doubt but it
was the one Mother Duncan met. 'Twas down the trail there, just a little
farther on, that I found her, and it's sure to be close yet."

McLean slid from Nellie's back, led her into the trail farther down the
line, and tied her to a bush. Then he went to examine the otter. It was
a rare, big specimen, with exquisitely fine, long, silky hair.

"What do you want to do with it, Freckles?" asked McLean, as he stroked
the soft fur lingeringly. "Do you know that it is very valuable?"

"I was for almost praying so, sir," said Freckles. "As I saw it coming
up the bank I thought this: Once somewhere in a book there was a picture
of a young girl, and she was just a breath like the beautifulness of the
Angel. Her hands were in a muff as big as her body, and I thought it
was so pretty. I think she was some queen, or the like. Do you suppose
I could have this skin tanned and made into such a muff as that?--an
enormous big one, sir?"

"Of course you can," said McLean. "That's a fine idea and it's easy
enough. We must box and express the otter, cold storage, by the first
train. You stand guard a minute and I'll tell Hall to carry it to the
cabin. I'll put Nellie to Duncan's rig, and we'll drive to town and call
on the Angel's father. Then we'll start the otter while it is fresh, and
I'll write your instructions later. It would be a mighty fine thing for
you to give to the Angel as a little reminder of the Limberlost before
it is despoiled, and as a souvenir of her trip for you."

Freckles lifted a face with a glow of happy color creeping into it and
eyes lighting with a former brightness. Throwing his arms around McLean,
he cried: "Oh, how I love you! Oh, I wish I could make you know how I
love you!"

McLean strained him to his breast.

"God bless you, Freckles," he said. "I do know! We're going to have some
good old times out of this world together, and we can't begin too soon.
Would you rather sleep first, or have a bite of lunch, take the drive
with me, and then rest? I don't know but sleep will come sooner and
deeper to take the ride and have your mind set at