Chapter II

           NextmorningfoundFrecklesinclean,wholeclothing,fed,andrested.ThenMcLeanoutfittedhimandgavehimcarefulinstructionintheuseofhisweapon.TheBossshowedhimaroundthetimber-line,andengagedhimaplacetoboardwiththefamilyofhisheadteamster,Duncan,whomhehadbroughtfromScotlandwithhim,andwholivedinasmallclearinghewasworkingoutbetweentheswampandthecorduroy.Whenthegangwasstartedforthesouthcamp,FreckleswaslefttoguardafortuneintheLimberlost.Thathewasunderguardhimselfthosefirstweeksheneverknew.

           Eachhourwastorturetotheboy.TherestrictedlifeofagreatcityorphanagewastheotherextremeoftheworldcomparedwiththeLimberlost.Hewasafraidforhislifeeveryminute.Theheatwasintense.Theheavywading-bootsrubbedhisfeetuntiltheybled.Hewassoreandstifffromhislongtrampandoutdoorexposure.Thesevenmilesoftrailwasagonyateverystep.Hepracticedatnight,underthedirectionofDuncan,untilhegrewsureintheuseofhisrevolver.Hecutastouthickorycudgel,withaknotontheendasbigashisfist;thisneverlefthishand.Whathethoughtinthosefirstdayshehimselfcouldnotrecallclearlyafterward.

           Hisheartstoodstilleverytimehesawthebeautifulmarsh-grassbeginasinuouswavingAGAINSTtheplayofthewind,asMcLeanhadtoldhimitwould.Heboltedhalfamilewiththefirstboomofthebittern,andhishatliftedwitheveryyelpofthesheitpoke.Oncehesawalean,shadowyformfollowinghim,andfiredhisrevolver.