Chapter XIV

           “McLean,”saidMrs.Duncan,astheBosspausedtogreetherinpassingthecabin,“doyouknowthatFreckleshasnabeeninbedthepastfivenightsandallhe’seateninthatmanydaysyecouldpackintoapintcup?”

           “Why,whatdoestheboymean?”demandedMcLean.“There’snonecessityforhimbeingonguard,withthewatchI’vesetontheline.Ihadnoideahewasstayingdownthere.”

           “He’snothere,”saidMrs.Duncan.“Hegoessomewhereelse.Heleavesonhiswheeljuistafterwe’reabedandridesinclosecock-croworalittleearlier,andhe’slookinglikedeathandnothingshortofit.”

           “Butwheredoeshego?”askedMcLeaninastonishment.

           “I’mnogiventobearingtalesoutofschool,”saidSarahDuncan,“butinthiscaseI’dtellyeifIcould.WhatthetroubleisIdinnaken.Ifitisno’stopped,he’sinfordreadfulsickness,andIthoughtyecouldfindoutandhelphim.He’sinsairtrouble;that’sallIknow.”

           McLeansatbroodingashestrokedNellie’sneck.

           Atlasthesaid:“IsuspectIunderstand.Atanyrate,IthinkIcanfindout.Thankyoufortellingme.”

           “Ye’llnoneedtelling,onceyeclapyoureyesonhim,”prophesiedMrs.Duncan.“Hisfaceisallaglist’nyyellow,andhe’speakedasastarvingcagedbird.”

           McLeanrodetotheLimberlost,andstoppingintheshade,satwaitingforFreckles,whosehourforpassingthefootoftheleasehadcome.

           AlongthenorthlinecameFreckles,fairlystaggering.