Веснянки
Chapter I
Youwouldalwaysbealone,andIdon’tguaranteewhatisintheLimberlost.Itislyinghereasithaslainsincethebeginningoftime,anditisalivewithformsandvoices.Idon’tpretendtosaywhatallofthemcomefrom;butfromafewslinkingshapesI’veseen,andhair-raisingyellsI’veheard,I’drathernotconfronttheirownersmyself;andIamneitherweaknorfearful.
“Worstofall,anymanwhowillentertheswamptomarkandstealtimberisdesperate.Oneofmyemployeesatthesouthcamp,JohnCarter,compelledmetodischargehimforanumberofseriousreasons.Hecamehere,enteredtheswampalone,andsucceededinlocatingandmarkinganumberofvaluabletreesthathewasendeavoringtoselltoarivalcompanywhenwesecuredthelease.Hehassworntohavethesetreesifhehastodieortokillotherstogetthem;andheisamanthatthestrongestwouldnotcaretomeet.”
“Butifhecametostealtrees,wouldn’thebringteamsandmenenough:thatallanyonecoulddowouldbetowatchandbeafteryou?”queriedtheboy.
“Yes,”repliedMcLean.
“Thenwhycouldn’tIbewatchingjustasclosely,andcomingasfast,asanolder,strongerman?”askedFreckles.
“Why,byGeorge,youcould!”exclaimedMcLean.“Idon’tknowasthesizeofamanwouldbehalfsoimportantashisgritandfaithfulness,cometothinkofit.Sitonthatlogthereandwewilltalkitover.Whatisyourname?”
Frecklesshookhisheadattheprofferofaseat,andfoldinghisarms,stoodstraightasthetreesaroundhim.Hegrewashadewhiter,buthiseyesneverfaltered.
