Веснянки

           Thelightwasfine,soIsetandfocusedthecameraandcovereditwithbranches,attachedthelonghose,andwentawayoverahundredfeetandhidinsomebushestowait.Ashort,stoutmanandatall,darkonepassedmesocloselyIalmostcouldhavereachedoutandtouchedthem.Theycarriedabigsawontheirshoulders.Theysaidtheycouldworkuntilnearnoon,andthentheymustlayoffuntilyoupassedandthentrytoloadandgetoutatnight.Theywenton—notentirelyfromsight—andbegancuttingatree.Mr.McLeantoldmetheotherdaywhatwouldprobablyhappenhere,andiftheyfellthattreeheloseshiswageronyou.Keeptotheeastandnorthandhustle.We’llmeetyouatthecarriage.Ialwaysamarmed.GiveAngeloneofyourrevolvers,andyoukeeptheother.Wewillseparateandcreeptowardthemfromdifferentsidesandgivethemafusilladethatwillsendthemflying.Youhurry,now!”

           Sheliftedthereinsandstartedbrisklydownthetrail.TheAngel,hatlessandwithsparklingeyes,wasclingingaroundherwaist.

           Freckleswheeledandran.Heworkedhiswaywithmuchcare,dodginglimbsandbusheswithnoiselesstread,andcuttingascloselywherehethoughtthemenwereashefeltthathedaredifheweretoremainunseen.Asheranhetriedtothink.ItwasWessner,burningforhisrevenge,aidedbythebullyofthelocality,thathewasgoingtomeet.HewasaccustomedtothatthoughtbutnottothecomplicationofhavingtwowomenonhishandswhoundoubtedlywouldhavetobetakencareofinspiteoftheBirdWoman’soffertohelphim.