Chapter I

           FrecklescamedownthecorduroythatcrossesthelowerendoftheLimberlost.Ataglancehemighthavebeenmistakenforatramp,buthewastrulyseekingwork.Hewasintenselyeagertobelongsomewhereandtobeattachedtoalmostanyenterprisethatwouldfurnishhimfoodandclothing.

           LongbeforehecameinsightofthecampoftheGrandRapidsLumberCompany,hecouldhearthecheeryvoicesofthemen,theneighingofthehorses,andcouldscentthetemptingodorsofcookingfood.Afeelingofhomelessfriendlessnesssweptoverhiminasickeningwave.Withoutstoppingtothink,heturnedintothenewlymaderoadandfollowedittothecamp,wherethegangwasmakingreadyforsupperandbed.

           Thescenewasintenselyattractive.Thethicknessoftheswampmadeadark,massivebackgroundbelow,whileabovetoweredgigantictrees.Themenwerecallingjoviallybackandforthastheyunharnessedtiredhorsesthatfellintoattitudesofrestandcrunched,indeepcontent,thegraingiventhem.Duncan,thebrawnyScotchhead-teamster,lovinglywipedtheflanksofhisbigbayswithhandfulsofpawpawleaves,ashesoftlywhistled,“Owhawillbemydearie,O!”andacricketbeneaththeleavesathisfeetaccompaniedhim.Thegreenwoodfirehissedandcrackledmerrily.Wreathingtonguesofflamewrappedaroundthebigblackkettles,andwhenthecookliftedthelidstoplungeinhistesting-fork,gustsofsavoryodorsescaped.

           Frecklesapproachedhim.

           “IwanttospeakwiththeBoss,”hesaid.

           Thecookglancedathimandansweredcarelessly:“Hecan’tuseyou.