than their wings. I'll order you a butterfly-net
and box and show you how scientists pin specimens. Possibly you can make
a fine collection of these swamp beauties. It will be all right for you
to take a pair of different moths and butterflies, but I don't want to
hear of your killing any birds. They are protected by heavy fines."

McLean rode away leaving Freckles staring aghast. Then he saw the point
and smiled. Standing on the trail, he twirled the feather and thought
over the morning.

"Well, if life ain't getting to be worth living!" he said wonderingly.
"Biggest streak of luck I ever had! 'Bout time something was coming my
way, but I wouldn't ever thought anybody could strike such magnificent
prospects through only a falling feather."

CHAPTER IV

Wherein Freckles Faces Trouble Bravely and Opens the Way for New
Experiences

On Duncan's return from his next trip to town there was a big store-box
loaded on the back of his wagon. He drove to the west entrance of the
swamp, set the box on a stump that Freckles had selected in a beautiful,
sheltered place, and made it secure on its foundations with a tree at
its back.

"It seems most a pity to nail into that tree," said Duncan. "I haena the
time to examine into the grain of it, but it looks as if it might be a
rare ane. Anyhow, the nailin' winna hurt it deep, and havin' the case by
it will make it safer if it is a guid ane."

"Isn't it an oak?" asked Freckles.

"Ay," said Duncan. "It looks like it might be ane of thae fine-grained
white anes that mak' such grand furniture."

When the body of the case was secure, Duncan made a door from the lid
and fastened it with hinges. He drove a staple, screwed on a latch, and
gave Freckles a small padlock--so that he might fasten in his treasures
safely. He made a shelf at the top for his books, and last of all
covered the case with oil-cloth.

It was the first time in Freckles' life that anyone ever had done that
much for his pleasure, and it warmed his heart with pure joy. If the
interior of the box already had been covered with the rarest treasures
of the Limberlost he could have been no happier.

When the big teamster stood back to look at his work he laughingly
quoted, "'Neat, but no' gaudy,' as McLean says. All we're, needing now
is a coat of paint to make a cupboard that would turn Sarah green with
envy. Ye'll find that safe an' dry, lad, an' that's all that's needed."

"Mr. Duncan," said Freckles, "I don