Chapter X

           TheBirdWomanandtheAngeldidnotseemtocountinthecommonrun,fortheyarrivedontimeforthethirdoftheseriesandfoundMcLeanonthelinetalkingtoFreckles.TheBosswasfilledwithenthusiasmoveramarsharticleoftheBirdWoman’sthathejusthadread.Hebeggedtobeallowedtoaccompanyherintotheswampandwatchthemethodbywhichshesecuredanillustrationinsuchalocation.

           TheBirdWomanexplainedtohimthatitwasaneasymatterwiththesubjectshethenhadinhand;andasLittleChickenwastoosmalltobefrightenedbyhim,andbigenoughtobegrowingtroublesome,shewasgladforhiscompany.Theywenttothechickenlogtogether,leavingtothehappyFrecklesthecareoftheAngel,whohadbroughtherbanjoandarollofsongsthatshewantedtohearhimsing.TheBirdWomantoldthemthattheymightpracticeinFreckles’roomuntilshefinishedwithLittleChicken,andthensheandMcLeanwouldcometotheconcert.

           Itwasalmostthreehoursbeforetheyfinishedandcamedownthewesttrailfortheirrestandlunch.McLeanwalkedahead,keepingsharpwatchonthetrailandclearingitoffallenlimbsfromoverhangingtrees.Hesentabigpieceofbarkflyingintotheswale,andthenstoppedshortandstaredatthetrail.

           TheBirdWomanbentforward.TogethertheystudiedthatimprintoftheAngel’sfoot.Atlasttheireyesmet,theBirdWoman’sfilledwithastonishment,andMcLean’shumidwithpity.Neithersaidaword,buttheyknew.McLeanenteredtheswaleandhuntedupthebark.Hereplacedit,andtheBirdWomancarefullysteppedover.